WEBVTT

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 Bring them to me.

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 Bring them to me.

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 That's what I felt the Lord remind me

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 I was like, no, I don't want people coming here

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 and seeing the curtains or seeing the lights

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 or seeing the band and going, oh, I'm at church now.

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 Bring them to me is all he said.

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 When you walk in here, the only hope, the only prayer

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 is that you meet Jesus.

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 You know, we're trying something different here.

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 We're trying something maybe a little bit strange

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 to all of us.

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 It's just, we're still figuring it out.

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 And you know what?

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 There's so many ways to do church,

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 but there's actually only one way to be the church

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 and that is to keep our eyes on him.

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 The thing that I'm most terrified of

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 is that we get so good at doing church.

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 We have a great team of people.

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 Even when I got here, the chairs were all done,

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 the stars were out, the sound was on,

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 people playing and it's all great.

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 It all feels like church.

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 There's so many ways to do church,

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 but there's only really one way to be the church

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 because the church is looking at Christ.

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 Can you believe this is only week three that we're here?

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 It's only the third week.

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 We've got so many things to figure out.

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 Actually, those of you who even shared before it,

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 who were serving before at KFCI,

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 ambassadors and all these other teams,

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 hey, we're trying to figure out what that looks like.

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 Give us a few weeks just to figure out

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 what actually we need here

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 and how you can serve

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 because actually you're absolutely here for a reason,

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 which is for him.

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 We're here to gather and then we're here to scatter

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 to actually use our hands to serve each other as well.

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 That's the second one that we read, right?

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 So just give us a few weeks

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 and we're going to figure out what that looks like.

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 But can we keep our eyes on him?

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 That's my hope.

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 That's my prayer

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 because it is so dangerous.

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 Even today I felt it.

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 Even as we were praying in there,

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 I was like,

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 man,

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 this could just start heading off in a direction

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 and it will be too late to catch.

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 Then we'll be back to just doing normal church

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 in the normal way.

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 And people can come in through the doors,

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 have a great time,

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 sing a few songs,

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 play a bit of ping pong

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 and then leave and not have met Jesus at all.

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 That's what scares me the most

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 because Christ didn't ask us to build the church.

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 Christ asked us to make disciples.

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 If you're here for the first time,

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 I welcome you.

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 But also then ask,

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 actually,

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 why are you here?

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 Or those of you who have been here a lot,

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 why are you here?

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 I hope it's not just to attend church.

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 I hope it's simply just,

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 you want to become a disciple of Jesus

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 and you want to figure out

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 what that means

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 to do it together.

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 Okay,

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 so let's have a think about that as we go.

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 We've been going through the book of Revelation,

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 which is a crazy one to do.

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 But for me,

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 it was actually,

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 how do we start with the end in mind?

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 Jesus has some pretty damning words

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 to say about the church.

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 If we're starting something here,

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 let's figure out

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 what it is we're actually doing.

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 Because I want to know

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 what Jesus says about the church

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 because I don't want to be guilty

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 of getting to a place

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 where at the end,

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 I've been doing church for 50 years

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 and Jesus comes and says,

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 you were doing church,

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 but you weren't the church.

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 Does that scare you?

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 That scares me.

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 That really scares me.

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 So we're going to carry on.

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 We're going through

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 the seven churches in Asia

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 and we're going to be going through

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 the second one today.

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 Are we okay with the sound?

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 Can you guys hear me at the back?

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 Now you can.

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 Do I just need to speak louder or?

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 Okay,

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 okay,

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 good.

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 Jesus,

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 John's praying.

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 John's on the island of Patmos.

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 He's praying

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 because the church is going through

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 all kinds of trouble.

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 And then Jesus opens up the curtain

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 and we actually have curtains now.

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 Jesus actually reveals the curtain

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 and that's his response.

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 He's saying,

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 actually,

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 John,

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 you're so worried about the church.

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 Let me tell you who I am

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 because when you know who I am,

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 you won't have to be worried

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 about anything else.

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 So Jesus peels back the curtain

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 and shows the real Jesus right now.

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 And then he talks to the church

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 and he talks to the seven churches of Asia.

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 Of course,

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 there aren't just seven churches in Asia,

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 but these seven churches

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 represent the whole complete church.

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 And last week,

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 we went through the letter to Ephesus.

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 So he starts from Patmos

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 and then he heads to Ephesus first.

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 It's the first place that he goes to

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 and it's the metropolitan.

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 And he's saying,

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 you guys are doing the most amazing church.

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 You are doing church very,

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 very well.

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 But,

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 but what?

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 What was the problem?

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 What was the problem with that church?

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 You've lost your first love.

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 You've lost the butterflies.

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 You've lost the reason

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 why you're even doing it.

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 You're an A-star pupil,

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 but you've forgotten the name

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 of the class that you're on.

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 The name of the class that you're on

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 is love

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 and you've forgotten it.

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 And because of that,

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 even though you are an A-star church,

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 I will shut you down.

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 That is what he says.

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 I will come to you

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 and I will remove you

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 from your lampstand.

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 That should send shivers down our spine.

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 When you're thinking about what church is,

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 you're like,

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 wait,

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 I could go to the most perfect church

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 and the person that that church

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 is trying to worship

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 is willing to shut it down.

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 And I said last week,

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 some of us turn up to church

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 with the heart,

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 more like a memorial service.

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 Doesn't it feel like that sometimes?

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 You turn to church,

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 you sing songs about a guy,

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 you talk about a guy

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 and then you leave

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 and you never really talk to

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 and meet or hear from the guy at all.

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 It's just a memorial service

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 you've just been to.

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 Yet Jesus says,

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 I am the first and the last.

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 I was dead

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 and now I am alive forevermore.

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 Even more so,

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 I am walking among you.

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 I am here right now.

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 I will sit on a beanbag

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 if that doesn't freak you out completely.

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 But I'm here.

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 Jesus is here.

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 I'm trying to convince you of that today.

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 That as you gather here,

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 Jesus himself is among us.

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 And we should treat that

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 with a bit of,

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 well,

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 a lot more reverence

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 than maybe we already do.

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 So then after the messenger

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 passes it to the church in Ephesus,

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 he then goes 30 miles north or so

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 to the next place.

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 And then he writes to the church

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 in Smyrna.

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 Now,

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 these seven churches,

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 he's basically going around

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 Asia Minor,

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 which is modern day.

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 Do you know where Asia Minor is?

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 What is it?

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 Modern day Asia Minor now?

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 Does anyone know?

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 Turkey.

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 Put your hands up

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 if you've been to Turkey.

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 So has anyone been to this next place?

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 It's Smyrna.

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 Modern day is called Izmir.

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 Put your hand up

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 if you've been to Izmir.

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 A few of us.

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 Out of the seven letters

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 that he writes,

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 this is an interesting one

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 because one,

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 Smyrna Izmir is still standing

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 right now.

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 And two,

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 it's the only church

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 out of the seven churches

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 which is still also remaining.

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 So this is fascinating.

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 I don't know if it fascinates you.

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 It fascinates me.

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 And this one is interesting

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 because last week

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 to Ephesus,

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 he was like,

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 you guys are A-star,

00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:23.980
 but you've done one mistake

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 and it's a major one.

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 In England,

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 when we had driving tests,

00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:29.079
 you can have up to 15 minors.

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 Right?

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 But then if you have one major,

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 you're out.

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 You're done.

00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:33.180
 Yeah?

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 So he's like,

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 you're A-star in everything else,

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 but you have one major problem.

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 No love.

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 So I would wipe you out

00:07:41.339 --> 00:07:42.240
 unless you repent.

00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:44.219
 Smyrna is interesting

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 because he actually doesn't

00:07:45.799 --> 00:07:46.699
 give them any problems.

00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:48.879
 They actually don't have

00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:50.120
 almost a threat

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 or an ultimatum.

00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:52.519
 They've actually done everything right,

00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:53.379
 but what's the problem here?

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 So we're going to read that now.

00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:54.939
 Hey,

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 for the gathering,

00:07:56.039 --> 00:07:57.120
 normally we have actually

00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:58.620
 asked people to stand.

00:07:58.699 --> 00:07:59.340
 I know that it's getting

00:07:59.340 --> 00:08:00.600
 a little bit harder and harder now,

00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:01.379
 but you know what?

00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:01.840
 Bear with me.

00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:03.379
 I just want to keep going with this.

00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:04.819
 Can I invite you to stand

00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:05.560
 for the word of the Lord?

00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:08.040
 Also,

00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:09.939
 we have a very dear brother of ours

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 who I hope you meet one day.

00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:11.920
 He's our social chair

00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:13.459
 of the gathering.

00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:14.939
 And now you're all standing up.

00:08:14.980 --> 00:08:15.780
 You might not be able to see him,

00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:16.220
 but he's quite tall.

00:08:16.280 --> 00:08:17.180
 That's Kubon over there.

00:08:17.319 --> 00:08:17.560
 Kubon,

00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:18.240
 wave to people.

00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:19.959
 That is Kubon.

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 He is our social chair.

00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:21.840
 He's the one who helps us organize

00:08:21.840 --> 00:08:22.699
 even something like

00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:23.620
 the volleyball this afternoon.

00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:24.879
 And Kubon's brother

00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:25.980
 is here to visit us

00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:27.139
 who is just as,

00:08:27.220 --> 00:08:27.899
 if not taller.

00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:29.060
 Are you taller than Kubon?

00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:30.780
 So I want to ask Qjoy

00:08:30.780 --> 00:08:31.699
 to read to us

00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:33.179
 because I have

00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:34.240
 a fairly high voice.

00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:35.419
 I thought it would balance it

00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:35.779
 with someone

00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:36.399
 who actually has

00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.919
 a very manly voice.

00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:38.840
 So we're going to invite

00:08:38.840 --> 00:08:39.740
 Qjoy to read

00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:40.919
 Revelation chapter 2

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 verse 8 to 11 for us.

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 All right.

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 Revelation 2.

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 You said 8 to 11?

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 Yes.

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 All right.

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 And to the angel

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 of the church

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 in Smyrna write,

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 the words of the first

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 and the last

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 who died

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 and came to life.

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 I know your tribulation

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 and your poverty,

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 but you are rich.

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 And the slander of those

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 who say that

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 they are Jews

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 and are not,

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 but are a synagogue

00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:15.720
 of Satan.

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 Do not fear

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 what you are about

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 to suffer.

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 Behold,

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 the devil is about

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 to throw some of you

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 into prison

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 that you may be tested

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 and for 10 days

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 you will have tribulation.

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 Be faithful unto death

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 and I will give you

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 the crown of life.

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 He who has an ear,

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 let him hear

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 what the Spirit says

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 to the churches.

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 The one who conquers

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 will not be hurt

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 by the second death.

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 Amen.

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 This is the word of the Lord.

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 Thank you.

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 Thank you, Qjoy.

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 Oh, I can have my Bible.

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 Take a seat.

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 Thank you.

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 So,

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 he's writing

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 to the next church.

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 So, this messenger

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 takes this letter up

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 40 miles from Ephesus

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 and he ends up

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 in Smyrna.

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 And maybe,

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 similar to this,

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 a group here

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 would stand

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 and listen to this letter

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 being read out.

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 I need you to understand

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 the seriousness of this

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 because this church

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 is going through

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 some serious problems.

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 But maybe just a little bit

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 about Smyrna.

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 Smyrna is a very

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 interesting place.

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 Some people have been

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 to Izmir.

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 It's a beautiful city

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 from what I hear.

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 And actually,

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 it was known

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 to be a beautiful city.

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 It was known

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 to be the ornament

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 of Asia.

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 So, it's the third

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 biggest city now

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 in Turkey completely

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 but it used to be

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 the ornament of Asia

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 or the flower

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 of Asia.

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 Known to be

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 a beautiful city

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 and it had a lot

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 of pride in itself.

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 There were two main

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 kinds of people

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 in Smyrna.

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 There were one,

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 a group of Jews

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 and two,

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 a group of very,

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 well,

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 they were called

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 loyalists,

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 people who really,

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 really wanted

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 to impress

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 the Roman Empire.

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 So, these were

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 the kinds of people

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 that were there.

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 And the city

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 was interesting.

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 It had the exclusive

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 rights to myrrh.

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 Okay?

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 The fragrance of myrrh.

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 So, actually,

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 because of that,

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 it had a lot of people

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 going in and out

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 and it took a lot

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 of pride in itself.

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 It's the fragrance,

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 the flower,

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 the ornament of Asia.

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 Actually, on its coins,

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 it would actually write

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 the first city of Asia

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 in size and beauty.

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 So, it wanted to be

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 number one.

00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:20.579
 It wanted to be

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 known as the best place

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 in the world

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 and also most loyal

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 to the Roman Empire.

00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:27.120
 So, that's the kind

00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:27.659
 of context

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 that he's writing to here

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 and it's also very famous

00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:32.799
 for athletic games.

00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:33.620
 Okay?

00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:34.659
 So, a lot of contests

00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.839
 happened in Smyrna.

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 It was a key port.

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 If you just drew

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 a line straight

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 towards the west

00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:41.860
 from the port of Smyrna,

00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:42.759
 the first city

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 it would hit

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 is Athens.

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 So, you can imagine

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 the access

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 that this place had

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 and the beauty

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 that it had

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 and it still stands today.

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 You can actually

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 go and see this place.

00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:53.939
 At breakfast,

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 I was talking to my

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 father-in-law about this

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 because they'd taken

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 a whole trip around Turkey,

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 Asia Minor in the Bible

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 and this place is beautiful,

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 he says.

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 And so, this is what

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 Paul's writing to now

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 and, sorry,

00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:06.720
 what John's writing to

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 and Jesus himself

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 introduces as,

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 these are the words

00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.919
 of the first

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 and the last

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 who died

00:12:12.840 --> 00:12:13.980
 and came to life.

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 Again, Jesus said this

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 already in chapter one.

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 I am the first

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 and the last.

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 I am the Alpha

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 and Omega.

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 So, this church

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 that is suffering

00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:23.860
 through this kind

00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:24.500
 of persecution,

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 which by the way

00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:26.980
 has been happening

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 throughout the history

00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.419
 of Smyrna,

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 it was only even

00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:30.399
 in the early 1900s,

00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:31.759
 Christians were still

00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:32.439
 being killed.

00:12:32.440 --> 00:12:33.840
 My father-in-law

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 was telling me

00:12:34.280 --> 00:12:35.020
 about these tunnels

00:12:35.020 --> 00:12:35.940
 that would be under,

00:12:36.020 --> 00:12:37.020
 these underground tunnels

00:12:37.020 --> 00:12:38.000
 that were just complex

00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:38.700
 and complicated

00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:40.020
 that were under the city

00:12:40.020 --> 00:12:41.740
 where a lot of the Christians

00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.440
 were running away

00:12:42.440 --> 00:12:43.260
 from the persecution.

00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.940
 So, it was that kind

00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:45.420
 of place.

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 And can you imagine

00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:49.280
 hearing the words

00:12:49.280 --> 00:12:49.760
 of Jesus?

00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:51.440
 A messenger comes

00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:51.720
 and says,

00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:53.100
 Church in Smyrna,

00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:53.960
 I have a message

00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:54.380
 for you

00:12:54.380 --> 00:12:55.940
 from Jesus himself.

00:12:56.780 --> 00:12:57.880
 And Jesus says,

00:12:57.980 --> 00:12:58.660
 hey, Smyrna,

00:12:58.659 --> 00:13:00.439
 I am the first

00:13:00.439 --> 00:13:01.699
 and the last.

00:13:02.579 --> 00:13:03.600
 The one who died

00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:05.100
 and came back to life.

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 What's he saying there?

00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:06.839
 He's saying,

00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:07.379
 I know what you're

00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:07.899
 going through,

00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.219
 but let me tell you

00:13:09.219 --> 00:13:09.500
 something.

00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:10.399
 I'm going to have

00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.039
 the last word.

00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:12.459
 I'm the Alpha and Omega

00:13:12.459 --> 00:13:14.399
 and the first and the last.

00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:15.019
 So, whatever you're

00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:15.819
 going through in the middle,

00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:17.039
 it's not the end.

00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:18.240
 I'm coming back

00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.339
 to have the last word.

00:13:19.939 --> 00:13:20.939
 And I died

00:13:20.939 --> 00:13:23.100
 and then came back

00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:23.559
 to life.

00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.100
 Those in Smyrna

00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:25.699
 would have really

00:13:25.699 --> 00:13:26.639
 understood this

00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:27.500
 because one of the reasons

00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.879
 why this city was so proud

00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:30.120
 was in 600 BC,

00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:31.480
 it was completely flattened.

00:13:31.539 --> 00:13:32.539
 It was completely destroyed.

00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.240
 And then it was

00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:35.019
 Alexander the Great

00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:35.899
 that actually built it

00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:36.440
 back up again

00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:38.200
 into this beautiful city.

00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:40.120
 So, the city was known

00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.799
 to be the city

00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:41.440
 that resurrected,

00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:42.700
 that it was completely

00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:43.480
 destroyed and dead

00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.480
 and now is now

00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.039
 back to life

00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:45.840
 with all its beauty.

00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:46.940
 Now it's the first city

00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:47.379
 of Asia

00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.740
 in size and beauty.

00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:52.059
 Jesus knows this.

00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:53.460
 He walks amongst

00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:53.960
 this church

00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:54.580
 and he says,

00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:56.240
 I know

00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.220
 your tribulation

00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.279
 and your poverty

00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:59.240
 but you are rich

00:13:59.240 --> 00:13:59.820
 and the slander

00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:00.600
 of those who say

00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:01.279
 that they are Jews

00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:01.899
 and are not

00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:03.160
 but are a synagogue

00:14:03.160 --> 00:14:04.040
 of Satan.

00:14:04.040 --> 00:14:04.700
 So this church

00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:06.040
 is going through some stuff.

00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:07.000
 It's going through persecution.

00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:08.360
 It's going through,

00:14:08.680 --> 00:14:09.860
 it's going to be put in prison.

00:14:10.160 --> 00:14:10.700
 We're going to read

00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:11.300
 about that in a bit

00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:12.660
 and it also is in poverty.

00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:13.300
 So we're going to break

00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:14.180
 these down a little bit

00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:15.279
 and we're going to ask ourselves,

00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:15.940
 actually,

00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:17.899
 how did this church survive

00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.940
 till now?

00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:20.940
 What did they do

00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:21.759
 that was so right

00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.519
 that they didn't get

00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.680
 any criticism from Jesus?

00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.060
 He just gave them

00:14:25.059 --> 00:14:25.559
 an encouragement

00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:27.059
 because I want to know.

00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:27.799
 I want to know

00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:28.819
 why that gathering

00:14:28.819 --> 00:14:30.279
 managed to survive.

00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:31.559
 So he starts off

00:14:31.559 --> 00:14:32.199
 by saying this,

00:14:32.679 --> 00:14:34.099
 I know your tribulation.

00:14:34.219 --> 00:14:34.500
 Again,

00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:35.299
 I know.

00:14:35.599 --> 00:14:36.399
 I am Jesus.

00:14:36.579 --> 00:14:37.959
 I am walking amongst you.

00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:38.899
 I know.

00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:40.479
 That should bring

00:14:40.479 --> 00:14:41.119
 great comfort.

00:14:41.439 --> 00:14:41.619
 You know,

00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:42.359
 when you're going

00:14:42.359 --> 00:14:42.879
 through a challenge

00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.899
 and someone just puts

00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:44.979
 their hand on your back

00:14:44.979 --> 00:14:45.319
 and shoulder

00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:45.679
 and just go,

00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.359
 I know what you're going through.

00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:49.119
 Wouldn't that have been

00:14:49.119 --> 00:14:49.859
 of great comfort?

00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:51.019
 When someone was reading

00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:52.000
 this letter out to them,

00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:52.439
 they would have been

00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:53.399
 on the edge of their seat

00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.039
 going,

00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:55.079
 what's Jesus going to say?

00:14:55.459 --> 00:14:56.379
 He knows we're going

00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:57.000
 through all this trouble.

00:14:57.079 --> 00:14:58.000
 What's he going to do?

00:14:58.740 --> 00:14:59.600
 Maybe now he's going

00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.079
 to come back

00:15:00.079 --> 00:15:00.959
 and he's going to help us

00:15:00.959 --> 00:15:01.879
 overthrow the room.

00:15:01.959 --> 00:15:02.939
 What's he going to do?

00:15:03.179 --> 00:15:04.159
 Maybe we don't have to be

00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:05.819
 so scared for our lives anymore.

00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:06.939
 Maybe our children

00:15:06.939 --> 00:15:08.259
 can live knowing

00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:09.279
 that they don't have

00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:09.919
 to be scared

00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:11.439
 every time they go out

00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:12.879
 because they're associated

00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.299
 with us.

00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:13.879
 He says,

00:15:13.959 --> 00:15:15.139
 I know your tribulation.

00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.579
 The word there is,

00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:18.679
 I know your pressure.

00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:19.399
 I know the pressure

00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:19.919
 that you're under.

00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:21.980
 I know what you're going through.

00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:22.899
 I know the pressure

00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:23.920
 that you're under.

00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:24.800
 You see, why?

00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:25.740
 Those two groups,

00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.580
 there were the Jews

00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:27.220
 and then there were

00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:27.759
 the loyalists

00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:29.000
 to the Roman Empire.

00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:30.180
 At this point,

00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:30.759
 as I told you

00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.600
 a couple of weeks ago,

00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.379
 the emperor was starting

00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.379
 to persecute Christians,

00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:36.560
 really, really raising

00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:38.259
 the heat to these people

00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.080
 and really trying

00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:40.180
 to hunt the Christians down.

00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:42.800
 The Jews, on the other hand,

00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:43.680
 actually got exemption.

00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:44.560
 They actually,

00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:46.940
 they explained to the Romans

00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:47.240
 that, hey,

00:15:47.300 --> 00:15:48.980
 we worship Yahweh

00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:50.460
 and we can't worship Caesar

00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.139
 and all these other things.

00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:52.100
 So they were actually

00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.879
 given exemption

00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.439
 from doing the worshiping

00:15:54.439 --> 00:15:55.139
 of the Caesar

00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:56.159
 at the altars,

00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:56.919
 in the temples.

00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.039
 But the Christians

00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.779
 were not

00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.799
 because the Christians

00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:02.059
 were seen as this cultish

00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:03.080
 small group

00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:04.139
 that could threaten

00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:06.080
 to cause problems

00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:07.179
 in the Roman Empire.

00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:08.799
 And so therefore,

00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.500
 the Christians

00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.360
 were getting persecuted.

00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.379
 They were getting killed.

00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:13.019
 They were getting dragged away

00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.919
 and murdered.

00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.200
 Even worse so,

00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:18.059
 the actual Jews

00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:19.419
 and the loyalists

00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.059
 were actually

00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:22.359
 basically grassing them out,

00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:23.699
 starting to point

00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:24.279
 where they are,

00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.739
 starting to snitch on them.

00:16:26.239 --> 00:16:27.199
 So that was the pressure

00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:28.379
 they were getting under.

00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:29.639
 You and I,

00:16:29.719 --> 00:16:30.579
 we all gathered here

00:16:30.579 --> 00:16:31.259
 in Almutti

00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:32.179
 this Sunday morning

00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:33.679
 pretty free of pressure.

00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.059
 We just,

00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.459
 we woke up,

00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:36.879
 we got out of bed,

00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:37.500
 we just figured out

00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.179
 how we're going to get here

00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:39.119
 and we got here.

00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:40.699
 Imagine that church,

00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.699
 imagine a group

00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:42.339
 of this size,

00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:43.659
 but every single person

00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:44.319
 who came here

00:16:44.319 --> 00:16:45.299
 was under pressure

00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:45.979
 because they know

00:16:45.979 --> 00:16:46.759
 that by coming here,

00:16:46.819 --> 00:16:47.559
 by being here,

00:16:48.099 --> 00:16:49.519
 they might actually end up

00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:51.079
 either killed

00:16:51.079 --> 00:16:52.059
 or dragged into prison.

00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.659
 That changes things completely.

00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:55.799
 Right?

00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.479
 We have no threat

00:16:57.479 --> 00:16:58.179
 of why we're here

00:16:58.179 --> 00:16:59.059
 right now.

00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:00.759
 Jesus says,

00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:02.459
 I know your tribulation.

00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:04.119
 I know the pressure

00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:04.799
 that you're under.

00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.119
 And I want us

00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:07.000
 to be able to feel that.

00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:07.440
 You know,

00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.159
 when you've been under pressure

00:17:08.159 --> 00:17:09.319
 and someone just assures you,

00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.399
 I know the pressure

00:17:10.399 --> 00:17:10.919
 that you're under.

00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:11.680
 He also said,

00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.579
 I know your poverty.

00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:13.720
 Something else about

00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.680
 these Christians in Smyrna,

00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.380
 they were poor.

00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:17.060
 They were poor.

00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:18.180
 Because of the persecution,

00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.100
 because of the Jews,

00:17:19.360 --> 00:17:20.259
 because of the loyalists,

00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:22.140
 they were being discriminated against.

00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.820
 There were sanctions on them

00:17:23.820 --> 00:17:24.460
 even when they were

00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.039
 doing business.

00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.500
 Imagine a Christian

00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.259
 running a stall,

00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:29.620
 but people wouldn't go to them

00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.799
 because they were Christians.

00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.039
 So they wouldn't be able

00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:32.420
 to sell.

00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:32.880
 They wouldn't be able

00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:33.380
 to make profits.

00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.080
 So all these Christians

00:17:34.080 --> 00:17:35.279
 were known to be poor.

00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:38.220
 Forget being invited

00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.019
 into trade unions.

00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:39.960
 So this group

00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:41.420
 were completely sidelined

00:17:41.420 --> 00:17:42.320
 from society.

00:17:42.600 --> 00:17:43.120
 So Jesus says,

00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.900
 I know the pressure

00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.380
 that you're under.

00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:45.440
 I also know

00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:47.060
 that you are poor.

00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:48.300
 I know your poverty.

00:17:49.540 --> 00:17:50.060
 Do you know what Jesus

00:17:50.060 --> 00:17:50.560
 is saying here?

00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.460
 Jesus is saying,

00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:53.620
 I know how much it costs you

00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.660
 to be here.

00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:57.880
 I know how much it costs you

00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:58.960
 as a businessman

00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:00.120
 trying to follow

00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:00.900
 the way of Jesus

00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:01.940
 in this city

00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:03.220
 and all the discrimination

00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.040
 that you receive

00:18:04.040 --> 00:18:04.640
 because of it.

00:18:05.060 --> 00:18:06.060
 I know that you're poor.

00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:07.040
 I know that you're not only

00:18:07.040 --> 00:18:08.420
 worried about your children's safety,

00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.520
 you're also worried

00:18:09.520 --> 00:18:10.240
 whether you can even

00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.420
 feed your children or not.

00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:12.759
 Jesus says,

00:18:12.800 --> 00:18:13.080
 I know.

00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.560
 I know.

00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:16.740
 Brackets then,

00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.100
 he says,

00:18:17.300 --> 00:18:18.240
 but you are rich.

00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:19.539
 He says,

00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.259
 I know your poverty,

00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:21.700
 but you are rich.

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.740
 He reminds them actually

00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.759
 that riches are not

00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:25.019
 just on this earth here,

00:18:25.080 --> 00:18:26.320
 but there are heavenly riches

00:18:26.320 --> 00:18:27.420
 that far outweigh,

00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:28.880
 far outweigh

00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:29.759
 what they can accumulate

00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.160
 on earth

00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:30.860
 because from dust

00:18:30.860 --> 00:18:31.180
 you came

00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:31.740
 and from dust

00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.360
 you will leave.

00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:33.759
 And so he says,

00:18:33.820 --> 00:18:33.900
 hey,

00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:35.340
 I know that you are poor here,

00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.420
 but know that you are

00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.060
 actually rich.

00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:40.139
 the spiritual blessings

00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:40.940
 that you have

00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:43.220
 far outweigh

00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:44.539
 the earthly riches

00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:46.099
 that other people have.

00:18:46.919 --> 00:18:47.879
 Have you met people,

00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.259
 I mean,

00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.759
 in Hong Kong,

00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:51.960
 it's the kind of place

00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.599
 where there is just

00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.519
 so much wealth

00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.980
 and there is

00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.839
 such a big gap,

00:18:54.879 --> 00:18:55.379
 but you know what,

00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:55.779
 sometimes,

00:18:56.159 --> 00:18:56.720
 not sometimes,

00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.259
 all the time,

00:18:57.379 --> 00:18:58.119
 we're reminded

00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:58.740
 that actually just

00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.419
 because we have money

00:18:59.419 --> 00:19:00.259
 it doesn't mean

00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.179
 that we're

00:19:01.179 --> 00:19:01.919
 completely happy.

00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:03.299
 Right?

00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.119
 Have you met

00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:07.319
 a rich person

00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:07.919
 who's really poor?

00:19:08.659 --> 00:19:09.200
 I have.

00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.139
 A rich person

00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:12.179
 who is really poor.

00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:13.799
 Actually,

00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.279
 I had a friend of mine

00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:15.879
 who's a CEO

00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.700
 of a big bank

00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.019
 and he said,

00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:17.299
 you know what,

00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:17.799
 it's interesting,

00:19:18.179 --> 00:19:18.940
 the more money you get,

00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.740
 the more poor they feel.

00:19:20.679 --> 00:19:21.859
 The more money people get,

00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:22.759
 the more poor they feel.

00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:24.359
 People who have loads of money,

00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.819
 somehow when he's talking to them,

00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:27.500
 it still sounds like they're poor.

00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.679
 Have you met people

00:19:29.679 --> 00:19:30.279
 who are rich

00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.079
 but actually poor?

00:19:32.179 --> 00:19:33.200
 I've also met people

00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:33.779
 who are poor

00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:35.119
 who are actually rich.

00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.500
 Last year,

00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.240
 I went to Nairobi

00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:37.720
 in Africa

00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.640
 and I was just

00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:39.600
 blown away

00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:41.019
 by the joy

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.960
 that these kids have

00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:44.460
 because one kid

00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.380
 got handed down

00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:46.380
 a hand-me-down

00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.259
 pair of rollerblades

00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:49.299
 and the joy

00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:51.180
 that the whole community

00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.120
 had for that one kid,

00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.380
 I'm like,

00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:52.819
 you can't,

00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:54.279
 there is no price

00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:55.019
 you could pay for that.

00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.400
 The joy,

00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.200
 I've met rich people

00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:58.579
 who are poor

00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.299
 and I've met poor people

00:19:59.299 --> 00:19:59.759
 who are rich.

00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:00.759
 Jesus says,

00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.539
 I know your poverty

00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:03.359
 but remember,

00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.720
 you are rich

00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.400
 because you have

00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.819
 every spiritual blessing

00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:08.599
 because you know

00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.119
 you need me

00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:09.599
 and you know

00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.740
 that I am all you need.

00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.519
 That's what he's saying.

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:13.879
 Again,

00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:14.779
 imagine yourself

00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.859
 being in that church.

00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:16.759
 You're going through

00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.400
 all this pressure.

00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.400
 You have no money.

00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:18.819
 You don't know

00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.680
 what you're going to eat tomorrow

00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.779
 and you get this letter

00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.220
 from Jesus

00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.940
 and Jesus says,

00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.539
 I know,

00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:23.680
 I know

00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.879
 and I am with you.

00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.279
 The encouragement

00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:27.059
 that he would have got

00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.740
 from that.

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.819
 And then it says

00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.559
 something interesting

00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.819
 and the slander of those

00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.819
 who say that they are Jews

00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.400
 and are not

00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:34.099
 but are a synagogue of Satan.

00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.660
 You're getting slandered.

00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.539
 People are spreading

00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.400
 rumors about you.

00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.019
 You're trying to run

00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:41.019
 an honest business here

00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:42.500
 and people are spreading

00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:44.160
 rumors about your business.

00:20:44.579 --> 00:20:45.259
 You're trying to run

00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:46.380
 an honest gathering here

00:20:46.380 --> 00:20:47.240
 and people are spreading

00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:49.160
 rumors about what is happening

00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:50.420
 at this gathering.

00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.420
 And Jesus says,

00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:52.759
 I know

00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.819
 and these people,

00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:55.099
 they're pretending to be Jews

00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.220
 so they get the exemptions

00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:56.940
 from the Roman Empire

00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:57.840
 but they're not.

00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:00.259
 They're a synagogue of Satan.

00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:00.740
 Whoa.

00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.200
 Stop right there.

00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:04.220
 Jesus introduced himself

00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:04.920
 in chapter 1

00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:06.660
 and now he introduces

00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:07.259
 the main villain

00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:07.920
 in chapter 2.

00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:09.799
 They're a synagogue

00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:11.059
 of Satan

00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.779
 meaning the adversary,

00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.400
 the enemy.

00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:18.640
 A synagogue of Satan

00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:19.900
 means these people,

00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.799
 they say they're Jews

00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.440
 but they're fake.

00:21:21.660 --> 00:21:22.539
 Instead of serving

00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.299
 God's purposes,

00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:24.620
 they're actually serving

00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:26.000
 the devil's purposes.

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.220
 and throughout

00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.240
 the whole history

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.640
 of mankind

00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:30.500
 we see the devil working,

00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.839
 stirring up the hearts

00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.180
 of men

00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:34.200
 to fight against each other,

00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:36.180
 stirring up the hearts

00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:36.500
 of men

00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.539
 to turn away

00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.180
 from God.

00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:39.660
 We see the main villain

00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:41.079
 in the story now

00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:42.279
 and it is the devil.

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.039
 It is Satan.

00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:43.700
 It brings me something

00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:45.039
 that actually brings me

00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:45.440
 encouragement

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.720
 when I feel as though

00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.119
 I'm fighting

00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.759
 and losing battle.

00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:48.079
 Man,

00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:48.779
 there's something,

00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.019
 Paul talks about this.

00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:51.240
 What we fight against

00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:51.859
 isn't just against

00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.420
 flesh and blood.

00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.740
 It isn't just against

00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.460
 what we see.

00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:56.019
 There is a force

00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:57.420
 behind that we can't see

00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:58.579
 that we're up against.

00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.359
 The church in Smyrna,

00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:03.319
 sitting where you are

00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:04.099
 right now almost

00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:05.140
 and sitting the way you are

00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:06.000
 would have heard this

00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.799
 and would know exactly

00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.599
 what he's talking about.

00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:08.359
 Man,

00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:09.460
 Jesus knows the pressure

00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.039
 that we're under.

00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.440
 Jesus knows that we are

00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.799
 struggling from day to day,

00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.599
 that our businesses

00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.700
 are really struggling.

00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.140
 In this city,

00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:17.120
 this first city

00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:18.160
 of beauty and size,

00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:20.779
 this fragrance,

00:22:21.040 --> 00:22:22.600
 flower of Asia,

00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:23.980
 we are suffering

00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:25.740
 and Jesus knows.

00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:30.200
 The question for us is,

00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:32.259
 do we have any

00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.000
 of that kind of pressure?

00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.519
 Jesus then carries on.

00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:34.740
 He says,

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.700
 I know all these things

00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.820
 and then he says,

00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:38.759
 don't be afraid

00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.220
 of what you're about

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.580
 to suffer.

00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:40.200
 And then he says,

00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:40.680
 behold,

00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.100
 some of you are going

00:22:42.100 --> 00:22:43.180
 to be thrown into prison.

00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:43.980
 The devil is going

00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.680
 to throw you into prison.

00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.080
 Verse 10,

00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:45.640
 do not fear

00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:46.500
 what you're about to suffer.

00:22:46.800 --> 00:22:47.019
 Behold,

00:22:47.080 --> 00:22:47.759
 the devil is about

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.579
 to throw some of you

00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.119
 into prison

00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:50.599
 that you may be tested.

00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:52.960
 He's saying,

00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.779
 some of you are suffering

00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.319
 right now

00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.000
 and you're going

00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.839
 to be thrown into prison.

00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.940
 The main enemy here

00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.559
 is the devil.

00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:58.839
 And you're going

00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.839
 to be thrown into prison

00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:01.879
 so that you may be tested.

00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.099
 Now,

00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:04.160
 nothing happens to us

00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:05.140
 without God's say so.

00:23:05.379 --> 00:23:05.539
 I mean,

00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.440
 that song that we sang,

00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.420
 that he's sovereign over us.

00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.079
 He's completely

00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.960
 in control here.

00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.539
 And Jesus says,

00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:12.700
 hey,

00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.500
 I know the struggles

00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.119
 that you're going through

00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:15.119
 and I'm about to,

00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:15.859
 what I'm about to say

00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.599
 is that actually

00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.359
 it's about to get worse.

00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.000
 You're going to be

00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.700
 thrown into prison.

00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:20.700
 Some of you are going

00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.420
 to be thrown into prison

00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.119
 and you're going

00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:22.720
 to be tested

00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:23.740
 because when you're

00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.379
 going to be tested,

00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.700
 that's when you know

00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:27.700
 whether this is something

00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:29.420
 real or not.

00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.299
 My question is,

00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.519
 how many of us

00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.940
 have been tested?

00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:35.619
 So,

00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.660
 the missions organization

00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.579
 I work for here

00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:37.940
 in Hong Kong

00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:39.299
 is called Young Life.

00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:39.900
 Young Life

00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:41.440
 is in 104

00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:43.940
 countries around the world.

00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.980
 And a couple of weeks ago

00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:47.620
 we met some of the colleagues

00:23:47.620 --> 00:23:47.980
 that we have

00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.820
 from different parts

00:23:48.820 --> 00:23:49.280
 of the world.

00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:50.720
 Some of them

00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.460
 can't call themselves

00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:51.820
 Young Life.

00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:52.660
 They have to call themselves

00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.259
 something different

00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.080
 because the countries

00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:54.980
 that they operate in

00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:56.000
 don't allow Christians

00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.460
 to work.

00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.380
 There are others

00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.140
 who are very scared

00:23:59.140 --> 00:23:59.580
 and weary

00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:01.019
 of even Zoom calls

00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.720
 that they can jump on.

00:24:02.320 --> 00:24:03.320
 There are so many things

00:24:03.320 --> 00:24:03.980
 that they have to consider.

00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:04.740
 This isn't that far

00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.380
 from home, people.

00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:09.200
 It reminds me

00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:10.120
 that actually

00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:11.019
 I don't think

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.700
 I've ever

00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:13.779
 gone under

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.700
 that kind of pressure.

00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.500
 I grew up in England,

00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:18.140
 same place as Gab's grew up.

00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:18.559
 Did you go,

00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.620
 did you have any pressure

00:24:19.620 --> 00:24:20.140
 going to church?

00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.819
 Apart from just mum

00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.640
 forcing you to church.

00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.460
 That was the only,

00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.099
 that was the only pressure

00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.559
 you got, right?

00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:26.519
 Like,

00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.660
 you don't wonder,

00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:29.259
 oh, if I make this choice today,

00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:31.480
 this could be my last choice.

00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.299
 We don't,

00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.259
 we don't really have that.

00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.680
 We don't have that

00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.819
 in Hong Kong right now.

00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.799
 But it's something interesting.

00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.880
 When you are threatened,

00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:40.880
 when you are tested,

00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.680
 that's when you know

00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.279
 it's real or not.

00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:44.720
 I mean,

00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.720
 we all hate tests, right?

00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.120
 Students,

00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.859
 who loves tests?

00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:49.960
 No one loves tests.

00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:50.599
 Florence,

00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:50.960
 dentist,

00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:52.319
 does not like tests.

00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.400
 But have you had tests?

00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:54.339
 Lots of them.

00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:56.480
 You see,

00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.839
 Florence is a dentist,

00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.339
 by the way.

00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.339
 But if I had a dentist

00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:02.079
 or a doctor

00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:02.859
 that I go and visit

00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:03.440
 and they say,

00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:03.599


00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:03.779
 James,

00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.660
 sit on this,

00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.259
 sit on the chair

00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:05.920
 and open your mouth.

00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.039
 And if I ask them,

00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:07.160
 oh,

00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:07.880
 have you ever gone through

00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:08.380
 any education

00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:08.960
 or been tested?

00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:09.299
 They're like,

00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:09.480
 no.

00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:12.299
 I would not feel confident

00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.259
 in opening my mouth.

00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:15.120
 There's something about tests

00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:16.539
 that are actually good.

00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.660
 There's something about tests

00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:20.019
 that actually show

00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:21.259
 whether someone actually knows

00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:22.039
 what they're talking about

00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.339
 or not.

00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.500
 I had a bad back

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.079
 the other week

00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.720
 and I went to

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.579
 Damo here,

00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:25.859
 who's,

00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:26.359
 again,

00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.059
 I've said this before,

00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:27.960
 he's the best chiropractor

00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.279
 I know.

00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.799
 He's the only chiropractor

00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.140
 I know.

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.860
 And he sits me

00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:34.940
 in these big machines.

00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:35.700
 It's literally like

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.420
 they're time machines.

00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:37.559
 And I'm like,

00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.220
 Damian,

00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.140
 where am I going to wake up?

00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.360
 Can it be ancient?

00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:45.620
 I'd be really worried.

00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:46.420
 Some of the stuff

00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:46.900
 he does to me,

00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:48.100
 if he wasn't ever tested,

00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.900
 then I'd be really worried.

00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.380
 But because he is tested,

00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.400
 because he has been tested,

00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:52.740
 I'm like,

00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:52.920
 okay,

00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.700
 he knows what he's doing.

00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:55.860
 The question I have

00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.680
 to ask to you is,

00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.480
 has your faith

00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.180
 ever been tested?

00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:00.059
 How strong is your faith?

00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.819
 If someone comes against you

00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.920
 and your faith right now,

00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.840
 will it completely will

00:26:04.840 --> 00:26:05.900
 or will it still stand strong?

00:26:07.580 --> 00:26:08.460
 What Jesus seems

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.180
 to be saying here

00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.420
 is that,

00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:09.620
 guys,

00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.400
 you're going to end up

00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:10.900
 in prison

00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:12.340
 that you may be tested

00:26:12.340 --> 00:26:13.319
 because when you're tested,

00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:13.940
 we're going to see

00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:14.600
 whether your faith

00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:15.220
 is real or not.

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.160
 When the going gets tough.

00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.840
 When the going gets tough.

00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:23.699
 See,

00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.220
 Jesus knows

00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.059
 this is not going to happen.

00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.159
 The problem is

00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:27.139
 he's not bringing relief.

00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.659
 He's not saying,

00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:28.819
 hey,

00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.559
 I know you're going

00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.079
 through your pressure.

00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.299
 I know the poverty,

00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.480
 but don't worry.

00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.399
 I'm coming.

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.179
 I got your back

00:26:34.179 --> 00:26:35.039
 and soon you're going

00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.439
 to be king.

00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:35.919
 Soon you're going

00:26:35.919 --> 00:26:36.500
 to rule with me.

00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:36.759
 No.

00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.279
 He's saying,

00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:38.459
 hey,

00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:39.419
 don't be afraid

00:26:39.419 --> 00:26:39.859
 of what you're about

00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.099
 to suffer.

00:26:40.199 --> 00:26:40.679
 Some of you

00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:41.279
 are going to be

00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.419
 thrown into prison

00:26:42.419 --> 00:26:44.199
 so that you may be tested.

00:26:44.699 --> 00:26:45.159
 And then he says,

00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:46.359
 and for 10 days

00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.919
 you will have tribulation.

00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:49.220
 10 days.

00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:51.539
 What they would have

00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.620
 understood that to mean

00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:53.420
 is this will be

00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.360
 a short amount of time.

00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:55.620
 You're going to be

00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:56.200
 put in prison.

00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:57.140
 You're going to go through

00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:58.259
 all the trouble.

00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.400
 But let me tell you

00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:00.420
 that it's 10 days

00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.240
 in the sense that

00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:02.380
 it is a limited amount

00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:02.839
 of time.

00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:04.259
 There will be an end to it.

00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:05.819
 Do you know

00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:07.019
 when you're sick

00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:08.000
 or when you have COVID?

00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:08.980
 Well,

00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.660
 before it was like,

00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:09.819
 oh,

00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.279
 you're going to be

00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:10.819
 pretty much out

00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.920
 for about 10 days.

00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.160
 And in those 10 days

00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.779
 it is painful.

00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:14.920
 You've got your sore throat,

00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.480
 you've got your fever,

00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:16.559
 all the stigma

00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.059
 so you're not allowed

00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.559
 to see anyone,

00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:17.940
 do anyone,

00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.500
 you can lock yourself

00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:18.980
 in the room,

00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:20.319
 but it's 10 days.

00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.160
 If you've had COVID

00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:23.059
 you'll understand this

00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:24.000
 in the sense that

00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.779
 it's really bad

00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.700
 when you're going through it

00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.759
 but you look back now

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.119
 and it's like,

00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.460
 oh yeah,

00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.579
 it really was just 10 days.

00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:29.720
 Don't we have that?

00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.099
 That's exactly what

00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:32.480
 kind of Jesus is implying here.

00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.539
 He's saying,

00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:35.140
 don't be afraid

00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.960
 of what you're about to suffer.

00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.119
 The devil's going to

00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.880
 throw you into prison

00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.900
 so you're going to be tested

00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.839
 and you're going to be there

00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.440
 for 10 days

00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.240
 and you're going to have tribulation.

00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.700
 What that means is

00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:44.039
 it may feel quite a lot

00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:45.000
 in those 10 days

00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.940
 but when you look back

00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:46.480
 in the future

00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.500
 it's going to be okay.

00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.519
 It was only a short amount

00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:48.880
 of time.

00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:49.799
 What it's saying is

00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.640
 it is capped.

00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.079
 The suffering

00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:53.059
 is capped.

00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.259
 It is limited.

00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.059
 Why?

00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.799
 Because he's the first

00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.279
 and the last.

00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.860
 Because he will have

00:27:58.860 --> 00:27:59.480
 the final say.

00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.180
 That's what he's saying here.

00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.380
 He's saying,

00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:02.819
 don't worry,

00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:03.440
 it will happen.

00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.400
 But it's okay.

00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:07.000
 Don't bow under the pressure.

00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.079
 So the questions

00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.620
 that I have

00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:09.759
 as I got through this is

00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:11.440
 actually,

00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:11.960
 does my life

00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.579
 have any pressure?

00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.059
 Does my faith

00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:14.919
 ever get tested?

00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.240
 Now,

00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:16.379
 I'll say coming to Hong Kong

00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:18.159
 was probably my biggest test.

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.619
 It challenged the way

00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:20.699
 I thought about God.

00:28:21.679 --> 00:28:22.199
 Challenged the way

00:28:22.199 --> 00:28:22.619
 I thought about

00:28:22.619 --> 00:28:23.159
 what churches.

00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.500
 I think I'd go as far

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:25.980
 as to say that

00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:27.179
 maybe I didn't really

00:28:27.179 --> 00:28:28.519
 understand what it meant

00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:30.199
 to follow Jesus

00:28:30.199 --> 00:28:31.799
 until I actually

00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.559
 followed him

00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:33.799
 to a place

00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.720
 that I

00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:36.619
 didn't really want to go.

00:28:37.899 --> 00:28:38.819
 I asked this question

00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.460
 two weeks ago.

00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:41.240
 Is Jesus your Lord

00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:41.720
 and Saviour?

00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:44.079
 Then I asked you

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.539
 if your answer was yes,

00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:47.220
 show me which part

00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:47.779
 of your life

00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.299
 where Jesus

00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:49.500
 is actually Lord.

00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.579
 I think I only really

00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.480
 learned that recently.

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.139
 But if you're going

00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:54.879
 to follow Jesus,

00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.899
 you're basically saying

00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.960
 I'm going to follow you

00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:58.539
 wherever you want me

00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.339
 to go.

00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.699
 Here's the problem.

00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:02.359
 The Christian life

00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:03.879
 when lived properly

00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:05.659
 invites pressure.

00:29:07.659 --> 00:29:08.980
 The Christian life

00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:10.539
 when lived properly

00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:13.159
 invites pressure.

00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:13.440
 Why?

00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:14.980
 Because the way

00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.399
 of Jesus

00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:16.139
 is

00:29:16.139 --> 00:29:17.720
 by definition

00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.539
 going against

00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:20.139
 the way of the world.

00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.619
 Romans 12

00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.500
 is do not conform

00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:23.119
 to the patterns

00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:23.599
 of this world.

00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:24.839
 So if you're going to

00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.659
 live this life

00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:26.240
 properly,

00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.940
 it does invite

00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.480
 pressure.

00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.859
 Let me just pause

00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:31.539
 there for a second.

00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:34.099
 for those of us

00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.740
 who don't experience

00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.279
 any pressure,

00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:37.539
 that should give us

00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:38.379
 some food for thought.

00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:40.879
 Are you tracking

00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.359
 with me here?

00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:44.159
 Does your life

00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:45.059
 have any pressure

00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:46.240
 because of

00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:46.980
 the faith

00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:48.000
 that you have?

00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.779
 If it doesn't,

00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:53.740
 in the politest

00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.440
 way possible,

00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:56.599
 my question is

00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:58.039
 why not?

00:29:58.039 --> 00:30:02.879
 the Christian life

00:30:02.879 --> 00:30:04.460
 when lived properly

00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:06.059
 invites pressure

00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:06.920
 because we are

00:30:06.920 --> 00:30:07.799
 counter-cultural.

00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:11.019
 I've often said this,

00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:11.859
 if

00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:14.799
 the Christian life

00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.759
 doesn't cost you

00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.119
 anything,

00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.539
 it's not worth

00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:17.859
 anything.

00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:20.139
 If the Christian life

00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:20.759
 that you live

00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.539
 doesn't cost you

00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:21.940
 anything,

00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:23.579
 then it's not worth

00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:23.899
 anything.

00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.920
 The Christian life

00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.759
 when lived properly

00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:28.519
 invites pressure.

00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.119
 These people

00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:30.000
 will have had

00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.700
 to make choices.

00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:32.000
 Some of them,

00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.279
 he says,

00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:32.960
 they're fake Jews,

00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.200
 right?

00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:34.259
 That means some of them

00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:34.819
 had decided,

00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.319
 you know what?

00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.259
 If it's easier

00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:37.480
 to pretend to be a Jew

00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.579
 so I can avoid

00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:39.279
 some of the issues,

00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:40.400
 I'm just going to do that.

00:30:41.379 --> 00:30:42.319
 If it's easier

00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:43.299
 for me to do this

00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:44.700
 or not talk about Jesus,

00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.879
 then I'm going to do that

00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:46.879
 because that will help me

00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:47.779
 have an easier life.

00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:49.900
 And so people

00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:51.319
 started making compromises.

00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.240
 That's what was happening.

00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:53.859
 But then the ones

00:30:53.859 --> 00:30:54.579
 that were remaining

00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.019
 was,

00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.240
 Jesus says,

00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:56.400
 hey,

00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:57.240
 I know what you're

00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:57.680
 going through

00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:59.120
 and you will have pressure

00:30:59.120 --> 00:30:59.920
 but I want you to know

00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:01.200
 that pressure is good

00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:01.880
 because that means

00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:03.019
 your faith is real.

00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.319
 The last thing I want

00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.240
 is to make compromises

00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.079
 that do not really

00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.819
 have a real faith.

00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.960
 And when I get to the author

00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:10.079
 of all of this,

00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:10.720
 the creator,

00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:11.839
 he's like,

00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:12.039
 hey,

00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:14.079
 what you had wasn't real.

00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.599
 Does your life

00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:18.579
 invite any pressure?

00:31:19.120 --> 00:31:20.380
 If you're living your life

00:31:20.380 --> 00:31:21.460
 exactly the way

00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.579
 you want it to,

00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:24.220
 I'm happy for you,

00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:24.399
 bro,

00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.679
 but I don't know

00:31:25.679 --> 00:31:27.240
 if it's Jesus

00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:27.740
 you're following.

00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:30.819
 If you're doing

00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:32.099
 exactly what you want to,

00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:32.839
 of course there's things

00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.480
 that you don't like.

00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.179
 You don't like floods,

00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:34.980
 you don't like typhoons,

00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.720
 you don't like tests,

00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:36.539
 you don't like taxes,

00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.539
 I get all those things.

00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.659
 But if on the whole

00:31:38.659 --> 00:31:39.659
 your life is going

00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:40.819
 how you want it to,

00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.119
 maybe you're the Lord

00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:42.579
 of your life.

00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.579
 Maybe Jesus isn't Lord

00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:47.179
 because when it's lived

00:31:47.179 --> 00:31:47.619
 properly,

00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:49.439
 it should invite pressure.

00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:50.700
 There should be people

00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.360
 who look at you

00:31:51.360 --> 00:31:51.720
 and go,

00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.440
 oh,

00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:55.759
 why is your day

00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.420
 living like that?

00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:57.440
 Like,

00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.180
 that's,

00:31:58.360 --> 00:31:59.860
 that's not normal.

00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.840
 Shouldn't we be

00:32:01.840 --> 00:32:02.580
 in control

00:32:02.580 --> 00:32:03.380
 of our own destiny?

00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:03.799
 No,

00:32:03.840 --> 00:32:04.320
 not when Jesus

00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:04.840
 is your Lord.

00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:08.220
 Does your life

00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:08.920
 invite any pressure?

00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.380
 And I'm not saying

00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:11.059
 we should go out

00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:12.019
 and look for trouble

00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:12.500
 right now.

00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:13.980
 That's not what we're saying.

00:32:14.360 --> 00:32:14.519
 Like,

00:32:14.580 --> 00:32:15.180
 you don't need to go

00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:16.200
 and find a big wooden board

00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.840
 and stand outside

00:32:16.840 --> 00:32:17.240
 in the street

00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:17.799
 and go repent

00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.580
 for the kingdom of God

00:32:18.580 --> 00:32:18.820
 is near.

00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:19.740
 You don't need to do

00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.159
 that.

00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:21.000
 You can if you want to.

00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:21.419
 But,

00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:23.879
 but actually,

00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.720
 if you're living

00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.839
 for Jesus,

00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:26.960
 it should go against

00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:27.720
 the way of the world

00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.579
 and there should,

00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:30.059
 there should be pressure.

00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:32.500
 There should be a way

00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:32.639
 of,

00:32:32.919 --> 00:32:33.139
 actually,

00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:34.220
 you do things differently.

00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:36.839
 Not just for the sake of it,

00:32:36.899 --> 00:32:37.679
 but because your Lord

00:32:37.679 --> 00:32:38.500
 demands it.

00:32:39.659 --> 00:32:40.579
 I was listening to a sermon

00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.159
 earlier this week

00:32:41.159 --> 00:32:42.059
 where the guy was saying,

00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:42.500
 Jesus,

00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.099
 do you recognize,

00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:44.099
 do you realize

00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:45.039
 that Jesus died

00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.799
 for you?

00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:47.619
 I mean,

00:32:47.639 --> 00:32:48.119
 I know it's that,

00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:48.299
 okay,

00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:48.759
 everyone's like,

00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:49.119
 yeah,

00:32:49.159 --> 00:32:49.259
 yeah,

00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:49.799
 I get it,

00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.179
 I get it.

00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:50.879
 Jesus,

00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:53.299
 someone died for you.

00:32:54.719 --> 00:32:55.339
 Do you think

00:32:55.339 --> 00:32:56.000
 the most appropriate

00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:57.159
 response after that

00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:57.359
 is,

00:32:57.459 --> 00:32:57.559
 oh,

00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:58.059
 go to church

00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:58.419
 on Sunday

00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:58.979
 for two hours?

00:33:00.399 --> 00:33:00.979
 Is that it?

00:33:01.679 --> 00:33:02.759
 Is that what Jesus wanted?

00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:03.719
 I wanted to lay my life

00:33:03.719 --> 00:33:04.500
 down for these people

00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.699
 just so they make sure

00:33:05.699 --> 00:33:06.319
 they can carve out

00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:06.939
 their Sunday mornings

00:33:06.939 --> 00:33:07.259
 for me

00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:08.839
 and so long as

00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:09.459
 they don't come to church

00:33:09.459 --> 00:33:09.799
 too late,

00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:10.419
 it's going to be okay.

00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:13.179
 Jesus laid his life

00:33:13.179 --> 00:33:13.919
 down for us.

00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:18.039
 Is there any pressure

00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.580
 in our lives?

00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.920
 Maybe another question

00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:21.519
 that we have is,

00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.420
 what are the pressures

00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:23.180
 that we face

00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:24.240
 in this society?

00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:26.759
 I don't think

00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:27.980
 we are persecuted

00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:29.279
 in business

00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:31.220
 for being Christians here,

00:33:31.300 --> 00:33:32.400
 but what are some

00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:32.880
 of the pressures

00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.600
 that we face

00:33:33.600 --> 00:33:35.039
 in society right now?

00:33:36.360 --> 00:33:36.960
 Any thoughts?

00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.360
 I'm going to start

00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:37.700
 putting people

00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:38.200
 on the spot here

00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:39.920
 just to keep us awake.

00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:40.900
 What are the pressures

00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.740
 that we have in Hong Kong

00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:43.579
 right now that you think?

00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.380
 JP, anything?

00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.160
 Rent.

00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:53.420
 Yes.

00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:54.460
 That is a pressure.

00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:55.120
 Let's unpeel that

00:33:55.120 --> 00:33:55.839
 a bit more.

00:33:56.339 --> 00:33:57.819
 What does that represent

00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.599
 or what does that cause

00:33:58.599 --> 00:33:59.099
 after that?

00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:01.799
 The pressure of rent

00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:03.200
 leads to the pressure

00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:04.200
 of...

00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:09.000
 Rent leads to the pressure

00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:09.639
 of working

00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:11.000
 to get more money

00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:12.239
 so you can pay

00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:12.719
 your landlord

00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:14.619
 and that

00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.460
 then leads pressure

00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.159
 onto something else.

00:34:16.239 --> 00:34:16.860
 What would that lead

00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:17.039
 onto?

00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.920
 Having to work lots

00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:21.539
 means then

00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:22.139
 there's a pressure

00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:24.519
 of time.

00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:27.260
 One thing I've got to say

00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:28.579
 is when I met those

00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:29.579
 poor kids

00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:30.039
 who were rich

00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.460
 in Africa,

00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:31.599
 I was like,

00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:32.239
 at least one thing

00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:32.739
 they do have

00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:34.019
 that is the most

00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:34.679
 valuable thing.

00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:35.739
 Time.

00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:38.239
 The kids in Hong Kong,

00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:38.659
 some of them

00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:38.960
 that I meet,

00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.659
 they have everything

00:34:39.659 --> 00:34:41.039
 but time.

00:34:42.319 --> 00:34:42.940
 And time

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:44.159
 is the most

00:34:44.159 --> 00:34:44.899
 valuable thing.

00:34:46.379 --> 00:34:46.719
 So yes,

00:34:46.899 --> 00:34:47.579
 the pressure of rent

00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:48.579
 leads to this

00:34:48.579 --> 00:34:49.480
 and so therefore

00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:50.139
 you have to work.

00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:51.039
 So therefore you have

00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:51.639
 to use all your time

00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.259
 to get that

00:34:52.259 --> 00:34:53.299
 so you can pay

00:34:53.299 --> 00:34:55.039
 for rent,

00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:56.480
 pay for someone

00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:56.759
 to live.

00:34:56.819 --> 00:34:57.319
 What if the pressures

00:34:57.319 --> 00:34:57.659
 are there?

00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.159
 Graceful pressures

00:34:59.159 --> 00:35:00.199
 are there in Hong Kong.

00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:03.039
 You have to look

00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:03.859
 like you're successful.

00:35:04.339 --> 00:35:05.339
 You have to appear

00:35:05.339 --> 00:35:06.559
 to be successful.

00:35:06.699 --> 00:35:07.440
 You have to appear

00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:08.320
 to be ambitious.

00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:09.360
 You have to appear

00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:10.900
 to know what you're doing.

00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:12.980
 To be attractive

00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:13.480
 in the way

00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:14.420
 so people can look

00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:14.700
 at you

00:35:14.700 --> 00:35:15.539
 for attention.

00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:17.980
 And we all know

00:35:17.980 --> 00:35:18.840
 that that's just a facade

00:35:18.840 --> 00:35:19.300
 and this is where

00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:20.240
 social media

00:35:20.240 --> 00:35:20.960
 is the biggest problem,

00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.220
 right?

00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:21.639
 I mean,

00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:23.000
 social media itself

00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:23.860
 is a neutral thing

00:35:23.860 --> 00:35:26.400
 but what it lends itself

00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:27.179
 to is everyone

00:35:27.179 --> 00:35:27.800
 just showing

00:35:27.800 --> 00:35:29.039
 their most successful

00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:29.700
 side

00:35:29.700 --> 00:35:32.119
 and then completely

00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:32.780
 filtering out

00:35:32.780 --> 00:35:33.360
 everything else.

00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:33.960
 And then now

00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:35.019
 we're all comparing

00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:35.860
 everyone,

00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:37.440
 like their successful

00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:39.320
 side to our ugly side

00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:40.539
 and then we feel

00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:41.159
 worse and worse.

00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:42.639
 And I've said this

00:35:42.639 --> 00:35:43.400
 to a lot of young people

00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:43.599
 recently.

00:35:43.800 --> 00:35:44.179
 So actually,

00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:45.220
 we were just talking

00:35:45.220 --> 00:35:45.940
 about this the other day.

00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:47.320
 I don't have Instagram

00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:48.559
 and Facebook on my phone.

00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:49.699
 The director of Young Life

00:35:49.699 --> 00:35:50.300
 with young people

00:35:50.300 --> 00:35:51.039
 does not have Instagram

00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:51.920
 on his phone

00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:53.280
 and I was laughed at

00:35:53.280 --> 00:35:53.760
 yesterday

00:35:53.760 --> 00:35:55.340
 and I'll tell you why.

00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:56.940
 I realized

00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:58.159
 when I was on my phone

00:35:58.159 --> 00:35:59.079
 scrolling,

00:35:59.720 --> 00:36:00.559
 zombie scrolling

00:36:00.559 --> 00:36:01.340
 through Instagram,

00:36:01.780 --> 00:36:03.619
 I was feeling FOMO.

00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:04.840
 Like,

00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:06.220
 fear of missing out.

00:36:06.639 --> 00:36:07.400
 I was feeling like,

00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:07.619
 oh,

00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:08.159
 wait,

00:36:08.679 --> 00:36:09.300
 they're at a party.

00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:10.800
 Why aren't I

00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.980
 invited to that?

00:36:12.840 --> 00:36:13.019
 Oh,

00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:15.400
 they live there?

00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:16.260
 That's super nice.

00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:17.559
 Look at that

00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:18.099
 matcha latte

00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:18.780
 that they're drinking

00:36:18.780 --> 00:36:19.740
 in Bali.

00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:20.579
 Oh,

00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:22.039
 that's so nice.

00:36:22.280 --> 00:36:22.760
 That barrister,

00:36:22.900 --> 00:36:23.220
 seriously.

00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:25.780
 I found myself

00:36:25.780 --> 00:36:28.760
 grown-ass man James

00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:29.860
 with a wife

00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:30.659
 and two kids

00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.579
 whom I love

00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:33.019
 in a beautiful home

00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:33.579
 that I have.

00:36:33.579 --> 00:36:34.319
 I have everything

00:36:34.319 --> 00:36:35.480
 that I could possibly want.

00:36:35.679 --> 00:36:36.920
 I'm scrolling on Instagram

00:36:36.920 --> 00:36:37.639
 and I'm like,

00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:39.219
 but I need more.

00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:41.219
 Literally.

00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.279
 And I'm like,

00:36:43.699 --> 00:36:44.159
 you know what?

00:36:44.199 --> 00:36:44.819
 This ain't good for me.

00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:46.039
 Now,

00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:46.699
 I still need to

00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:48.139
 be somewhat connected

00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:48.699
 to the world

00:36:48.699 --> 00:36:49.759
 so I choose to

00:36:49.759 --> 00:36:50.519
 go there

00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.739
 only when I'm on my laptop

00:36:51.739 --> 00:36:52.599
 and I'm going to decide,

00:36:52.739 --> 00:36:52.840
 okay,

00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:53.360
 I'm going to spend

00:36:53.360 --> 00:36:54.139
 a little bit of time

00:36:54.139 --> 00:36:55.159
 to go and check out

00:36:55.159 --> 00:36:55.840
 what's actually happening

00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:56.340
 in the world.

00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:57.880
 And then I realize

00:36:57.880 --> 00:36:58.599
 that nothing is happening

00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:58.940
 in the world.

00:36:58.980 --> 00:36:59.480
 It's the same thing

00:36:59.480 --> 00:36:59.880
 every time.

00:36:59.880 --> 00:37:01.640
 It really is the same thing.

00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:01.920
 I'm like,

00:37:02.280 --> 00:37:03.240
 I've been on social media

00:37:03.240 --> 00:37:04.019
 for Lent sometimes

00:37:04.019 --> 00:37:04.579
 and I come back

00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:04.820
 and I'm like,

00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:04.940
 oh,

00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:05.780
 nothing has changed.

00:37:06.300 --> 00:37:07.360
 I didn't actually need

00:37:07.360 --> 00:37:08.000
 to know about

00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:09.000
 everyone else's holidays

00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:10.160
 and everyone else's

00:37:10.160 --> 00:37:10.460
 plans.

00:37:10.460 --> 00:37:13.619
 But the pressure

00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:14.159
 of just

00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:15.420
 getting attention

00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:15.920
 from people,

00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:17.460
 from presenting

00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:17.920
 ourselves

00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:19.039
 in the right way

00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:20.519
 so other people

00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:21.159
 will like us,

00:37:21.300 --> 00:37:22.199
 that's a huge pressure.

00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.320
 What other pressures

00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:23.559
 are there?

00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:24.059
 Maybe one more.

00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:26.000
 Anything else?

00:37:30.039 --> 00:37:30.599
 Can anyone

00:37:30.599 --> 00:37:31.119
 think of anything?

00:37:35.220 --> 00:37:35.960
 Job title?

00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:36.740
 Absolutely.

00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.539
 It's part of this.

00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:37.840
 It's like,

00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.059
 oh,

00:37:38.420 --> 00:37:39.179
 what's your name

00:37:39.179 --> 00:37:39.960
 and what do you do?

00:37:41.300 --> 00:37:41.900
 What's your name?

00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:42.099
 Oh,

00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:42.539
 what do you do?

00:37:43.360 --> 00:37:43.900
 What's your name

00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:44.500
 and what do you do?

00:37:44.980 --> 00:37:45.139
 Why?

00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:46.440
 Because we,

00:37:46.760 --> 00:37:46.920
 well,

00:37:47.019 --> 00:37:47.179
 one,

00:37:47.260 --> 00:37:48.599
 we profile people

00:37:48.599 --> 00:37:49.019
 ourselves.

00:37:49.599 --> 00:37:50.480
 We find out the name.

00:37:50.699 --> 00:37:51.260
 We almost don't even

00:37:51.260 --> 00:37:51.840
 need to know the name.

00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:52.320
 We just need to know

00:37:52.320 --> 00:37:52.760
 what they do

00:37:52.760 --> 00:37:53.820
 because then we need to

00:37:53.820 --> 00:37:55.360
 decide whether we want

00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:55.880
 to hang out with them

00:37:55.880 --> 00:37:56.119
 or not,

00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:56.300
 right?

00:37:57.679 --> 00:37:58.440
 When you meet someone,

00:37:58.619 --> 00:37:58.840
 John,

00:37:58.940 --> 00:37:59.559
 you meet people

00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.199
 all the time.

00:38:00.740 --> 00:38:00.840
 Like,

00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:02.220
 actually,

00:38:02.300 --> 00:38:03.019
 I know you have this

00:38:03.019 --> 00:38:03.800
 because I know I have this.

00:38:04.340 --> 00:38:05.320
 When I'm speaking to people,

00:38:05.380 --> 00:38:05.559
 I'm like,

00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:06.579
 I need to quickly profile

00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:07.639
 whether this person

00:38:07.639 --> 00:38:08.380
 deserves my time

00:38:08.380 --> 00:38:08.760
 or not.

00:38:09.519 --> 00:38:10.119
 So it starts up,

00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:10.299
 hey,

00:38:10.299 --> 00:38:10.639
 what do you do?

00:38:10.679 --> 00:38:10.799
 Oh,

00:38:10.799 --> 00:38:11.000
 actually,

00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:11.460
 forget the name.

00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:11.639
 Just,

00:38:11.719 --> 00:38:12.380
 what do you do?

00:38:12.920 --> 00:38:13.480
 Job title.

00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:14.519
 We hold that

00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:15.659
 in such high regard here.

00:38:16.779 --> 00:38:17.159
 But I'm like,

00:38:17.199 --> 00:38:18.319
 there's so many other parts of it.

00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:19.619
 That's why I hate being called

00:38:19.619 --> 00:38:20.259
 Pastor James

00:38:20.259 --> 00:38:21.179
 because I'm like,

00:38:21.179 --> 00:38:22.400
 I don't come and call you

00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:24.199
 by your job title

00:38:24.199 --> 00:38:24.920
 and then your name.

00:38:26.960 --> 00:38:27.039
 Hey,

00:38:27.279 --> 00:38:28.039
 hey,

00:38:28.099 --> 00:38:28.739
 event manager,

00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:29.299
 Gabs.

00:38:30.299 --> 00:38:31.480
 How are you doing today?

00:38:32.859 --> 00:38:33.219
 Hey,

00:38:33.279 --> 00:38:33.940
 dentist flow.

00:38:33.940 --> 00:38:35.880
 Hey,

00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:36.960
 back genius demo.

00:38:38.679 --> 00:38:39.119
 No,

00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:39.780
 it's just demo.

00:38:41.099 --> 00:38:41.860
 But somehow,

00:38:42.039 --> 00:38:42.800
 our job titles,

00:38:42.980 --> 00:38:44.280
 somehow what we do

00:38:44.280 --> 00:38:46.260
 put so much pressure

00:38:46.260 --> 00:38:47.320
 onto us.

00:38:48.700 --> 00:38:49.139
 Sometimes,

00:38:49.380 --> 00:38:50.619
 it's not even from other people.

00:38:50.740 --> 00:38:51.900
 We just have it ourselves.

00:38:52.039 --> 00:38:53.240
 What am I doing with my life?

00:38:53.360 --> 00:38:54.400
 Why aren't I

00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:56.240
 a C-suite

00:38:56.240 --> 00:38:57.840
 member of the team?

00:38:58.079 --> 00:38:58.260
 Yeah.

00:38:58.840 --> 00:39:00.000
 Why aren't I a director?

00:39:00.100 --> 00:39:00.880
 Why aren't I this?

00:39:00.940 --> 00:39:01.560
 Why aren't I that?

00:39:01.680 --> 00:39:02.180
 Why don't I have

00:39:02.180 --> 00:39:02.700
 all these followers?

00:39:04.040 --> 00:39:05.100
 The pressure of job titles.

00:39:06.560 --> 00:39:07.320
 I've got to say that,

00:39:07.380 --> 00:39:07.560
 I mean,

00:39:07.580 --> 00:39:08.660
 those are all very real things.

00:39:09.200 --> 00:39:10.420
 Those are all very real things

00:39:10.420 --> 00:39:11.260
 that actually cannot just

00:39:11.260 --> 00:39:12.820
 derail our life here on earth.

00:39:12.980 --> 00:39:13.860
 It can threaten

00:39:13.860 --> 00:39:14.620
 whether we actually

00:39:14.620 --> 00:39:15.600
 end up in eternity or not.

00:39:15.740 --> 00:39:17.080
 I don't want to belittle them.

00:39:17.980 --> 00:39:19.100
 But I've also got to say,

00:39:19.160 --> 00:39:20.020
 they don't really weigh up

00:39:20.020 --> 00:39:21.420
 to some of the pressures

00:39:21.420 --> 00:39:22.900
 that the church in Smyrna had.

00:39:24.240 --> 00:39:24.940
 It's different.

00:39:26.120 --> 00:39:27.120
 None of us right now,

00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:28.400
 right here in this moment,

00:39:28.799 --> 00:39:30.460
 are going to be thrown

00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:31.859
 into prison by the devil.

00:39:32.400 --> 00:39:32.619
 Well,

00:39:32.659 --> 00:39:33.500
 unless you're about to do

00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:34.039
 something illegal,

00:39:34.159 --> 00:39:35.059
 then don't do it.

00:39:35.599 --> 00:39:36.159
 Don't do it.

00:39:36.159 --> 00:39:36.880
 Whatever you think you're doing,

00:39:36.960 --> 00:39:37.339
 don't do it.

00:39:39.880 --> 00:39:40.839
 The Christian life,

00:39:40.940 --> 00:39:41.539
 when lived properly,

00:39:41.759 --> 00:39:42.420
 invites pressure.

00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:43.440
 I encourage you.

00:39:43.500 --> 00:39:44.000
 I invite you.

00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:46.139
 If your life has no pressure,

00:39:46.500 --> 00:39:48.159
 if your faith doesn't

00:39:48.159 --> 00:39:49.019
 cause you to rub

00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:50.019
 against the world in any way,

00:39:50.539 --> 00:39:51.779
 I don't know.

00:39:52.339 --> 00:39:53.880
 I think you need to have a think

00:39:53.880 --> 00:39:54.639
 of what that faith is.

00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:55.739
 If your life,

00:39:55.739 --> 00:39:57.179
 if your faith doesn't

00:39:57.179 --> 00:39:57.859
 cost you anything,

00:39:58.019 --> 00:39:59.019
 I don't know whether

00:39:59.019 --> 00:39:59.759
 it's worth anything.

00:40:00.879 --> 00:40:01.699
 I'm trying to say that

00:40:01.699 --> 00:40:02.719
 in the nicest way possible.

00:40:04.519 --> 00:40:05.239
 But it's important

00:40:05.239 --> 00:40:06.039
 for us to remember that.

00:40:07.239 --> 00:40:08.199
 Conforming to society

00:40:08.199 --> 00:40:10.259
 is the biggest thing.

00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:12.459
 I'm trying to beef up

00:40:12.459 --> 00:40:13.039
 past EVs,

00:40:13.199 --> 00:40:14.000
 but whereas that song

00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:14.419
 that we sang,

00:40:14.479 --> 00:40:15.399
 I think it was last week

00:40:15.399 --> 00:40:16.000
 or two weeks ago,

00:40:16.479 --> 00:40:17.839
 I've decided to follow Jesus.

00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:19.219
 No turning back.

00:40:21.159 --> 00:40:22.199
 The cross before me,

00:40:22.259 --> 00:40:23.159
 the world behind me.

00:40:23.159 --> 00:40:24.980
 No turning back.

00:40:27.139 --> 00:40:27.980
 That's the hard thing.

00:40:29.460 --> 00:40:29.659
 Anyway,

00:40:29.739 --> 00:40:30.559
 just about that test.

00:40:31.019 --> 00:40:31.679
 I think all of us

00:40:31.679 --> 00:40:32.500
 are going through tests

00:40:32.500 --> 00:40:33.699
 to some degree.

00:40:35.719 --> 00:40:36.899
 What is that bringing out in you?

00:40:37.659 --> 00:40:38.519
 Tell you what it does in me.

00:40:38.599 --> 00:40:39.219
 Whenever something

00:40:39.219 --> 00:40:40.139
 doesn't go my way,

00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:41.319
 and I've got kids,

00:40:41.559 --> 00:40:43.239
 so things rarely ever go my way,

00:40:44.599 --> 00:40:45.819
 it actually exposes

00:40:45.819 --> 00:40:46.460
 how I feel.

00:40:48.199 --> 00:40:49.119
 It exposes

00:40:49.119 --> 00:40:49.920
 what my God is

00:40:49.920 --> 00:40:51.279
 when I'm not able

00:40:51.280 --> 00:40:51.840
 to do the things

00:40:51.840 --> 00:40:52.320
 that I want.

00:40:53.480 --> 00:40:54.200
 Or when even just

00:40:54.200 --> 00:40:55.000
 doing something like this,

00:40:55.060 --> 00:40:55.240
 I'm like,

00:40:55.300 --> 00:40:56.019
 oh, this is this.

00:40:56.440 --> 00:40:58.420
 It exposes my heart,

00:40:58.540 --> 00:40:58.900
 my pleasure.

00:40:59.019 --> 00:40:59.480
 Sorry, Florence.

00:40:59.519 --> 00:41:00.340
 I keep moving this around.

00:41:03.860 --> 00:41:05.060
 The test that you're facing,

00:41:05.900 --> 00:41:07.180
 sometimes it helps

00:41:07.180 --> 00:41:08.280
 just to remind yourself

00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:09.800
 it is a test.

00:41:11.019 --> 00:41:12.140
 Whatever you're going through

00:41:12.140 --> 00:41:12.680
 right now

00:41:12.680 --> 00:41:13.519
 that is not good.

00:41:13.880 --> 00:41:15.000
 Maybe you've got a child

00:41:15.000 --> 00:41:15.900
 that's really giving you

00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:16.480
 lots of problems.

00:41:16.820 --> 00:41:17.880
 Maybe you have a spouse.

00:41:17.980 --> 00:41:18.700
 Maybe you have a girlfriend.

00:41:18.820 --> 00:41:19.700
 Maybe you have a job

00:41:19.699 --> 00:41:20.659
 that is causing you

00:41:20.659 --> 00:41:21.339
 lots of problems.

00:41:21.659 --> 00:41:22.619
 I find it helpful

00:41:22.619 --> 00:41:24.039
 sometimes just to remind myself

00:41:24.039 --> 00:41:25.679
 this is a test.

00:41:28.359 --> 00:41:29.119
 Through this,

00:41:29.539 --> 00:41:30.199
 I can see

00:41:30.199 --> 00:41:30.879
 whether my faith

00:41:30.879 --> 00:41:31.859
 actually stands up properly

00:41:31.859 --> 00:41:32.139
 or not.

00:41:32.259 --> 00:41:32.919
 Whether it's actually

00:41:32.919 --> 00:41:33.539
 a real deal

00:41:33.539 --> 00:41:34.239
 or not.

00:41:34.379 --> 00:41:34.980
 Whether it actually

00:41:34.980 --> 00:41:35.819
 means something

00:41:35.819 --> 00:41:36.439
 or not.

00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:38.739
 Remind yourself,

00:41:39.239 --> 00:41:40.159
 whatever you're going through,

00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.359
 this is a test

00:41:41.359 --> 00:41:42.319
 and you will go through it

00:41:42.319 --> 00:41:42.939
 for 10 days

00:41:42.939 --> 00:41:44.219
 for a limited time.

00:41:45.859 --> 00:41:46.859
 But Jesus does not

00:41:46.859 --> 00:41:47.819
 give relief to those things,

00:41:47.899 --> 00:41:48.799
 not on this side of heaven.

00:41:48.800 --> 00:41:49.800
 Because then he says,

00:41:50.460 --> 00:41:51.380
 don't fear what you're

00:41:51.380 --> 00:41:51.940
 about to suffer.

00:41:53.760 --> 00:41:54.580
 Be faithful

00:41:54.580 --> 00:41:56.500
 unto death.

00:41:57.519 --> 00:41:58.080
 He says,

00:41:58.160 --> 00:41:58.620
 I know you're going

00:41:58.620 --> 00:41:59.320
 through all this trouble.

00:41:59.480 --> 00:42:00.260
 I know that you're poor.

00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:01.220
 I know that you have no money.

00:42:01.320 --> 00:42:01.920
 I know that you're about

00:42:01.920 --> 00:42:02.860
 to be thrown into prison.

00:42:03.440 --> 00:42:04.820
 I'm here to tell you

00:42:04.820 --> 00:42:07.240
 even if you die,

00:42:07.320 --> 00:42:07.720
 it's okay.

00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:10.200
 That's basically

00:42:10.200 --> 00:42:10.900
 what he's saying.

00:42:11.840 --> 00:42:12.800
 Be faithful

00:42:12.800 --> 00:42:14.660
 unto death.

00:42:14.659 --> 00:42:17.899
 Now this

00:42:17.899 --> 00:42:18.920
 concerns me

00:42:18.920 --> 00:42:20.539
 because most of us

00:42:20.539 --> 00:42:21.899
 are most afraid

00:42:21.899 --> 00:42:22.299
 of dying.

00:42:23.079 --> 00:42:23.319
 I mean,

00:42:23.639 --> 00:42:24.539
 why do we have

00:42:24.539 --> 00:42:24.879
 the pressure

00:42:24.879 --> 00:42:25.500
 of paying rent?

00:42:25.619 --> 00:42:26.219
 I guess it's because

00:42:26.219 --> 00:42:26.960
 we don't want to live,

00:42:28.059 --> 00:42:28.879
 have nowhere to live.

00:42:29.319 --> 00:42:29.599
 I mean,

00:42:29.619 --> 00:42:30.279
 if you keep tracing

00:42:30.279 --> 00:42:31.059
 all of the fears back,

00:42:31.119 --> 00:42:32.420
 it's this ultimate fear

00:42:32.420 --> 00:42:32.719
 of death.

00:42:32.759 --> 00:42:33.980
 And Jesus is kind of

00:42:33.980 --> 00:42:34.920
 challenging it straight on

00:42:34.920 --> 00:42:35.279
 and saying,

00:42:35.619 --> 00:42:36.319
 be faithful

00:42:36.319 --> 00:42:38.000
 unto death.

00:42:38.099 --> 00:42:39.019
 There is no relief

00:42:39.019 --> 00:42:39.980
 coming right now.

00:42:41.239 --> 00:42:42.000
 Be faithful

00:42:42.000 --> 00:42:43.579
 unto death.

00:42:43.579 --> 00:42:44.400
 This attempt

00:42:44.400 --> 00:42:45.299
 to crush you

00:42:45.299 --> 00:42:45.860
 to death

00:42:45.860 --> 00:42:47.420
 is going to release

00:42:47.420 --> 00:42:48.400
 a fragrance

00:42:48.400 --> 00:42:49.299
 of life.

00:42:49.719 --> 00:42:51.000
 That is what he's saying.

00:42:51.400 --> 00:42:52.239
 These attempts

00:42:52.239 --> 00:42:53.179
 to crush you

00:42:53.179 --> 00:42:53.880
 to death,

00:42:54.360 --> 00:42:55.119
 Church of Smyrna,

00:42:55.779 --> 00:42:57.400
 will release

00:42:57.400 --> 00:42:58.159
 a fragrance

00:42:58.159 --> 00:42:59.779
 of life

00:42:59.779 --> 00:43:01.159
 that cannot be defeated.

00:43:02.380 --> 00:43:03.219
 Can you imagine

00:43:03.219 --> 00:43:03.860
 if you were in

00:43:03.860 --> 00:43:04.559
 that place,

00:43:05.000 --> 00:43:05.739
 going through

00:43:05.739 --> 00:43:06.139
 the trouble

00:43:06.139 --> 00:43:06.819
 that you're going through,

00:43:06.960 --> 00:43:07.719
 people outside

00:43:07.719 --> 00:43:08.559
 slandering you,

00:43:09.119 --> 00:43:09.719
 sharing gossip

00:43:09.719 --> 00:43:10.319
 about you,

00:43:10.719 --> 00:43:11.539
 telling their other people

00:43:11.539 --> 00:43:12.279
 not to come and

00:43:12.279 --> 00:43:13.219
 visit your shop

00:43:13.219 --> 00:43:14.339
 so you have no money

00:43:14.339 --> 00:43:15.079
 to feed your kids

00:43:15.079 --> 00:43:15.819
 so they don't go

00:43:15.819 --> 00:43:16.239
 to the school

00:43:16.239 --> 00:43:16.779
 that you want them

00:43:16.779 --> 00:43:17.279
 to go to?

00:43:18.419 --> 00:43:19.119
 And Jesus is saying,

00:43:19.219 --> 00:43:19.919
 be faithful

00:43:19.919 --> 00:43:21.679
 unto death.

00:43:21.839 --> 00:43:22.619
 That attempt

00:43:22.619 --> 00:43:23.439
 to crush you,

00:43:23.500 --> 00:43:24.059
 the devil is going

00:43:24.059 --> 00:43:24.859
 to try and drag you

00:43:24.859 --> 00:43:25.379
 into prison.

00:43:25.659 --> 00:43:26.679
 Even if you die,

00:43:26.879 --> 00:43:27.519
 be faithful

00:43:27.519 --> 00:43:28.779
 unto death.

00:43:29.000 --> 00:43:29.619
 That attempt

00:43:29.619 --> 00:43:30.399
 to crush you

00:43:30.399 --> 00:43:30.799
 to death

00:43:30.799 --> 00:43:31.659
 will release

00:43:31.659 --> 00:43:32.259
 a fragrance

00:43:32.259 --> 00:43:32.859
 of life.

00:43:34.379 --> 00:43:35.439
 Wouldn't that lift you

00:43:35.439 --> 00:43:36.099
 if you were

00:43:36.099 --> 00:43:36.699
 in that position?

00:43:39.500 --> 00:43:40.480
 And he says this,

00:43:40.639 --> 00:43:41.159
 and this is where

00:43:41.159 --> 00:43:41.679
 his encouragement

00:43:41.679 --> 00:43:42.139
 comes because

00:43:42.139 --> 00:43:42.779
 it's not all

00:43:42.779 --> 00:43:43.460
 bad news.

00:43:43.779 --> 00:43:44.299
 Be faithful

00:43:44.299 --> 00:43:45.000
 unto death

00:43:45.000 --> 00:43:46.179
 and I will

00:43:46.179 --> 00:43:46.960
 give you

00:43:46.960 --> 00:43:47.980
 the crown

00:43:47.980 --> 00:43:49.139
 of life.

00:43:50.039 --> 00:43:50.899
 So the symbol

00:43:50.899 --> 00:43:51.440
 of Smyrna

00:43:51.440 --> 00:43:52.539
 was a crown

00:43:52.539 --> 00:43:54.000
 and not a crown

00:43:54.000 --> 00:43:55.059
 as a king

00:43:55.059 --> 00:43:56.299
 but like a victory

00:43:56.299 --> 00:43:56.659
 wreath

00:43:56.659 --> 00:43:58.059
 that you'd see

00:43:58.059 --> 00:43:58.719
 for let's say

00:43:58.719 --> 00:43:59.759
 the Olympic Games.

00:44:00.519 --> 00:44:01.099
 It was that kind

00:44:01.099 --> 00:44:01.440
 of crown.

00:44:02.119 --> 00:44:02.699
 And bear in mind

00:44:02.699 --> 00:44:03.480
 that these Christians

00:44:03.480 --> 00:44:03.899
 in Smyrna

00:44:03.899 --> 00:44:04.879
 would never be entitled

00:44:04.879 --> 00:44:05.759
 to anything like this.

00:44:05.960 --> 00:44:06.599
 They were the bottom

00:44:06.599 --> 00:44:07.199
 of society.

00:44:07.319 --> 00:44:07.919
 They were sidelined

00:44:07.919 --> 00:44:08.319
 completely.

00:44:08.519 --> 00:44:09.299
 So no crowns,

00:44:09.339 --> 00:44:10.039
 no victory wreaths

00:44:10.039 --> 00:44:11.039
 around their heads.

00:44:11.360 --> 00:44:12.380
 And yet Jesus is saying

00:44:12.380 --> 00:44:13.380
 if you be faithful

00:44:13.380 --> 00:44:14.900
 unto death

00:44:14.900 --> 00:44:15.880
 I will give you

00:44:15.880 --> 00:44:16.900
 the crown of life.

00:44:17.659 --> 00:44:17.980
 Why?

00:44:18.199 --> 00:44:18.619
 What is that?

00:44:18.679 --> 00:44:19.400
 That is the victory.

00:44:20.440 --> 00:44:21.079
 I said at the beginning

00:44:21.079 --> 00:44:21.779
 if you were to sum up

00:44:21.779 --> 00:44:22.420
 this whole book

00:44:22.420 --> 00:44:22.920
 of Revelation

00:44:22.920 --> 00:44:24.320
 which is massively confusing

00:44:24.320 --> 00:44:24.800
 and we're going to try

00:44:24.800 --> 00:44:25.759
 our best to go through it

00:44:25.759 --> 00:44:26.679
 to learn as much

00:44:26.679 --> 00:44:27.539
 as we can about Jesus

00:44:27.539 --> 00:44:28.340
 but if you're going to

00:44:28.340 --> 00:44:30.099
 take away one thing

00:44:30.099 --> 00:44:30.900
 in this whole series

00:44:30.900 --> 00:44:32.219
 it's that two words.

00:44:32.579 --> 00:44:33.579
 Jesus wins.

00:44:34.579 --> 00:44:35.480
 Jesus wins.

00:44:35.539 --> 00:44:35.900
 And he says

00:44:35.900 --> 00:44:36.779
 if you are faithful

00:44:36.779 --> 00:44:37.699
 unto death

00:44:37.699 --> 00:44:38.819
 I will give you

00:44:38.819 --> 00:44:39.480
 the crown

00:44:39.480 --> 00:44:41.000
 of life.

00:44:41.960 --> 00:44:42.319
 Why?

00:44:42.819 --> 00:44:43.799
 Because I

00:44:43.799 --> 00:44:44.739
 win.

00:44:46.239 --> 00:44:47.059
 And then he tells

00:44:47.059 --> 00:44:47.859
 you a little bit more

00:44:47.859 --> 00:44:48.599
 verse 11

00:44:48.599 --> 00:44:49.299
 He who has an ear

00:44:49.299 --> 00:44:49.719
 let him hear

00:44:49.719 --> 00:44:50.159
 what the Spirit

00:44:50.159 --> 00:44:50.960
 says to the churches

00:44:50.960 --> 00:44:52.480
 the one who conquers

00:44:52.480 --> 00:44:53.439
 will not be hurt

00:44:53.439 --> 00:44:55.299
 by the second death.

00:44:57.759 --> 00:44:58.299
 He's saying

00:44:58.299 --> 00:44:58.939
 just imagine

00:44:58.939 --> 00:44:59.659
 we're all the church

00:44:59.659 --> 00:45:00.099
 in Smyrna.

00:45:00.579 --> 00:45:00.779
 He's saying

00:45:00.779 --> 00:45:01.279
 I know that you're

00:45:01.279 --> 00:45:01.739
 going through

00:45:01.739 --> 00:45:02.299
 all the stuff

00:45:02.299 --> 00:45:02.899
 that you're going through.

00:45:03.239 --> 00:45:03.699
 I know that

00:45:03.699 --> 00:45:05.199
 despite all that pressure

00:45:05.199 --> 00:45:06.139
 you've not folded.

00:45:06.139 --> 00:45:07.759
 you've not compromised.

00:45:08.119 --> 00:45:09.059
 You're still here

00:45:09.059 --> 00:45:10.179
 and you've got your

00:45:10.179 --> 00:45:11.519
 poverty to show for it.

00:45:13.460 --> 00:45:14.779
 And it's going to get worse

00:45:14.779 --> 00:45:15.759
 but be faithful

00:45:15.759 --> 00:45:16.759
 unto death

00:45:16.759 --> 00:45:17.480
 and I will give you

00:45:17.480 --> 00:45:18.799
 the crown of life

00:45:18.799 --> 00:45:20.159
 to the one who conquers

00:45:20.159 --> 00:45:21.339
 will not be hurt

00:45:21.339 --> 00:45:22.239
 by the second death.

00:45:22.379 --> 00:45:22.599
 Wait.

00:45:23.500 --> 00:45:24.480
 There's a second death.

00:45:26.239 --> 00:45:27.359
 What's the second death?

00:45:28.879 --> 00:45:29.940
 The first death

00:45:29.940 --> 00:45:30.619
 is the one that

00:45:30.619 --> 00:45:31.679
 we will all face.

00:45:33.839 --> 00:45:34.859
 Of old age

00:45:34.860 --> 00:45:38.079
 whatever it might be

00:45:38.079 --> 00:45:38.960
 an accident

00:45:38.960 --> 00:45:39.500
 whatever it might be

00:45:39.500 --> 00:45:40.240
 we all die.

00:45:41.579 --> 00:45:42.099
 That's something

00:45:42.099 --> 00:45:42.519
 that we all have

00:45:42.519 --> 00:45:43.340
 to come to terms with.

00:45:44.559 --> 00:45:45.420
 Something that sometimes

00:45:45.420 --> 00:45:45.920
 is very hard

00:45:45.920 --> 00:45:46.700
 to come to terms with.

00:45:48.620 --> 00:45:49.519
 Maybe if you know

00:45:49.519 --> 00:45:50.519
 someone that you've loved

00:45:50.519 --> 00:45:51.079
 who has anyone

00:45:51.079 --> 00:45:52.200
 put your hand up here

00:45:52.200 --> 00:45:53.599
 if you know someone

00:45:53.599 --> 00:45:55.260
 who you've loved

00:45:55.260 --> 00:45:56.519
 who you've lost.

00:45:57.400 --> 00:45:57.640
 Does anyone?

00:45:57.980 --> 00:45:58.340
 Okay.

00:45:58.500 --> 00:45:59.280
 If you've lost someone

00:45:59.280 --> 00:45:59.740
 that you've loved

00:45:59.740 --> 00:46:01.900
 then you know

00:46:01.900 --> 00:46:02.480
 what death is.

00:46:02.480 --> 00:46:04.159
 you know that

00:46:04.159 --> 00:46:05.000
 that person was here

00:46:05.000 --> 00:46:05.659
 and then that person

00:46:05.659 --> 00:46:06.000
 was gone.

00:46:08.199 --> 00:46:08.960
 And you'll have heard

00:46:08.960 --> 00:46:09.980
 Joe and I share our story

00:46:09.980 --> 00:46:10.619
 about how that happened

00:46:10.619 --> 00:46:11.039
 with our dad.

00:46:12.900 --> 00:46:14.199
 And the grandparents

00:46:14.199 --> 00:46:14.840
 and the uncles

00:46:14.840 --> 00:46:15.260
 and aunties

00:46:15.260 --> 00:46:17.699
 it's a part of life.

00:46:17.760 --> 00:46:18.559
 But for those of you

00:46:18.559 --> 00:46:19.559
 maybe fortunate

00:46:19.559 --> 00:46:20.980
 if not yet to experience it

00:46:20.980 --> 00:46:23.820
 maybe this isn't

00:46:23.820 --> 00:46:24.340
 on your mind.

00:46:24.480 --> 00:46:25.280
 Maybe you don't think

00:46:25.280 --> 00:46:26.099
 about this that much.

00:46:26.519 --> 00:46:27.219
 So you don't even think

00:46:27.219 --> 00:46:27.980
 about the first death

00:46:27.980 --> 00:46:28.940
 let alone the second death.

00:46:29.619 --> 00:46:30.460
 But I want you to know

00:46:30.460 --> 00:46:31.559
 that the people in this book

00:46:31.559 --> 00:46:33.139
 they're thinking about

00:46:33.139 --> 00:46:34.659
 both of those deaths

00:46:34.659 --> 00:46:35.820
 because this could happen

00:46:35.820 --> 00:46:36.260
 to them.

00:46:36.920 --> 00:46:38.000
 We don't experience this

00:46:38.000 --> 00:46:38.780
 so it's very hard for us

00:46:38.780 --> 00:46:39.460
 to understand what this

00:46:39.460 --> 00:46:40.659
 even means and feels.

00:46:40.960 --> 00:46:41.860
 But he's saying here

00:46:41.860 --> 00:46:42.880
 you will be hurt

00:46:42.880 --> 00:46:43.940
 by the first death

00:46:43.940 --> 00:46:45.019
 just like all of us here

00:46:45.019 --> 00:46:46.940
 we will all die.

00:46:47.440 --> 00:46:48.400
 But to the one

00:46:48.400 --> 00:46:49.220
 who conquers

00:46:49.220 --> 00:46:50.720
 you will not be hurt

00:46:50.720 --> 00:46:52.380
 by the second death.

00:46:52.380 --> 00:46:53.059
 The first death

00:46:53.059 --> 00:46:53.579
 is the one where

00:46:53.579 --> 00:46:54.440
 we leave this planet.

00:46:54.960 --> 00:46:55.740
 The second death

00:46:55.739 --> 00:46:57.259
 is the one

00:46:57.259 --> 00:46:58.719
 where we are separated

00:46:58.719 --> 00:47:00.179
 from God forever.

00:47:02.459 --> 00:47:03.500
 The first death

00:47:03.500 --> 00:47:04.299
 is the one where

00:47:04.299 --> 00:47:05.299
 we leave this planet.

00:47:05.439 --> 00:47:06.099
 The second death

00:47:06.099 --> 00:47:06.779
 is the one where

00:47:06.779 --> 00:47:07.519
 we are separated

00:47:07.519 --> 00:47:08.679
 from God forever.

00:47:08.879 --> 00:47:09.879
 But you will not be hurt

00:47:09.879 --> 00:47:11.059
 by it if you hang on.

00:47:11.219 --> 00:47:12.099
 If you are faithful

00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.759
 unto the end

00:47:12.759 --> 00:47:15.879
 if you trust me.

00:47:17.779 --> 00:47:18.539
 There's a quote

00:47:18.539 --> 00:47:19.259
 from a theologian

00:47:19.259 --> 00:47:19.639
 who says

00:47:19.639 --> 00:47:21.000
 those who are born once

00:47:21.000 --> 00:47:22.039
 die twice.

00:47:23.119 --> 00:47:24.419
 Those who are born twice

00:47:24.419 --> 00:47:25.699
 die once.

00:47:26.359 --> 00:47:27.399
 Let me just say that again.

00:47:28.500 --> 00:47:29.539
 Those who are born once

00:47:29.539 --> 00:47:30.339
 die twice.

00:47:31.119 --> 00:47:32.219
 Those who are born twice

00:47:32.219 --> 00:47:33.599
 die once.

00:47:34.759 --> 00:47:35.739
 Jesus is talking to

00:47:35.739 --> 00:47:36.959
 a Pharisee called Nicodemus

00:47:36.959 --> 00:47:38.099
 and he was telling him

00:47:38.099 --> 00:47:38.679
 hey if you want

00:47:38.679 --> 00:47:39.899
 eternal life

00:47:39.899 --> 00:47:40.819
 you're going to have

00:47:40.819 --> 00:47:41.419
 to be born again.

00:47:42.099 --> 00:47:42.699
 And this old man is like

00:47:42.699 --> 00:47:43.519
 what do you mean born again?

00:47:43.779 --> 00:47:44.299
 That's impossible.

00:47:44.399 --> 00:47:45.059
 You want me to climb back

00:47:45.059 --> 00:47:45.779
 into my mother's womb?

00:47:47.239 --> 00:47:48.119
 But the truth is

00:47:48.119 --> 00:47:49.500
 when you decide

00:47:49.500 --> 00:47:50.239
 to follow Jesus

00:47:50.239 --> 00:47:51.199
 what you're saying is

00:47:51.199 --> 00:47:52.439
 I'm going to die to myself.

00:47:53.459 --> 00:47:54.239
 It is no longer

00:47:54.239 --> 00:47:54.959
 I who live

00:47:54.960 --> 00:47:55.780
 but Christ who lives

00:47:55.780 --> 00:47:56.179
 in me.

00:47:57.320 --> 00:47:58.420
 And I'm going to be born again

00:47:58.420 --> 00:47:59.139
 and I'm going to live

00:47:59.139 --> 00:48:00.260
 completely for him.

00:48:00.400 --> 00:48:01.900
 And those who are born twice

00:48:01.900 --> 00:48:04.179
 die only once.

00:48:04.340 --> 00:48:05.019
 You will then die

00:48:05.019 --> 00:48:06.340
 only your earthly death

00:48:06.340 --> 00:48:07.400
 but your eternity

00:48:07.400 --> 00:48:08.179
 will be with him.

00:48:09.539 --> 00:48:10.480
 But those who only

00:48:10.480 --> 00:48:11.340
 are born once

00:48:11.340 --> 00:48:12.300
 then you will have

00:48:12.300 --> 00:48:12.900
 the second death.

00:48:13.559 --> 00:48:14.340
 The death where

00:48:14.340 --> 00:48:15.199
 you will be separated

00:48:15.199 --> 00:48:16.699
 from the creator

00:48:16.699 --> 00:48:18.199
 from love himself

00:48:18.199 --> 00:48:19.119
 for eternity.

00:48:19.119 --> 00:48:21.059
 Church in Smyrna

00:48:21.059 --> 00:48:22.079
 if you are faithful

00:48:22.079 --> 00:48:22.819
 and to the end

00:48:22.819 --> 00:48:24.099
 doesn't matter

00:48:24.099 --> 00:48:24.460
 if you're being

00:48:24.460 --> 00:48:25.159
 thrown into prison

00:48:25.159 --> 00:48:25.519
 doesn't matter

00:48:25.519 --> 00:48:26.339
 if you're super poor

00:48:26.339 --> 00:48:27.839
 you cling on

00:48:27.839 --> 00:48:28.420
 I will give you

00:48:28.420 --> 00:48:29.179
 the crown of life

00:48:29.179 --> 00:48:30.179
 because I've won

00:48:30.179 --> 00:48:31.339
 Jesus has won

00:48:31.339 --> 00:48:32.480
 and I'm going to give you

00:48:32.480 --> 00:48:33.219
 this crown of life

00:48:33.219 --> 00:48:34.799
 and if you conquer

00:48:34.799 --> 00:48:36.460
 you won't be hurt

00:48:36.460 --> 00:48:37.139
 by the second death.

00:48:38.880 --> 00:48:39.219
 And this is where

00:48:39.219 --> 00:48:39.639
 I'll finish.

00:48:40.119 --> 00:48:41.480
 Like what authority

00:48:41.480 --> 00:48:42.579
 does he have to say that?

00:48:43.839 --> 00:48:45.079
 For someone to come up to you

00:48:45.079 --> 00:48:45.500
 and go hey

00:48:45.500 --> 00:48:46.359
 don't be afraid of dying.

00:48:46.720 --> 00:48:47.880
 Like I don't know

00:48:47.880 --> 00:48:48.840
 one day you'll die

00:48:48.840 --> 00:48:49.180
 like you Joy

00:48:49.180 --> 00:48:50.760
 as will I

00:48:50.760 --> 00:48:51.840
 but you're a lot younger

00:48:51.840 --> 00:48:52.099
 than me

00:48:52.099 --> 00:48:52.780
 so you'll probably be

00:48:52.780 --> 00:48:53.360
 a lot later.

00:48:54.960 --> 00:48:55.660
 If I say hey

00:48:55.660 --> 00:48:56.640
 don't worry about

00:48:56.640 --> 00:48:57.760
 dying

00:48:57.760 --> 00:48:59.400
 and you won't be hurt

00:48:59.400 --> 00:49:00.059
 by the second death

00:49:00.059 --> 00:49:01.200
 you'll be like

00:49:01.200 --> 00:49:02.180
 oh that's kind and nice

00:49:02.180 --> 00:49:03.800
 but you have no authority

00:49:03.800 --> 00:49:04.640
 James to say that.

00:49:05.920 --> 00:49:06.720
 Why does Jesus

00:49:06.720 --> 00:49:07.400
 have that authority?

00:49:08.900 --> 00:49:10.000
 Why does he say that?

00:49:11.220 --> 00:49:12.079
 Where did he even get

00:49:12.079 --> 00:49:13.140
 this crown of life from?

00:49:15.440 --> 00:49:16.220
 Of course he got it

00:49:16.219 --> 00:49:16.659
 from the cross.

00:49:18.319 --> 00:49:19.239
 When he died

00:49:19.239 --> 00:49:20.399
 and then resurrected again

00:49:20.399 --> 00:49:20.919
 he says

00:49:20.919 --> 00:49:21.859
 all authority

00:49:21.859 --> 00:49:22.719
 in heaven

00:49:22.719 --> 00:49:23.539
 and on earth

00:49:23.539 --> 00:49:24.959
 has now been given to me.

00:49:25.239 --> 00:49:25.379
 Why?

00:49:25.500 --> 00:49:26.419
 Because I defeated

00:49:26.419 --> 00:49:27.419
 death itself.

00:49:28.279 --> 00:49:29.099
 And that's why he said

00:49:29.099 --> 00:49:30.159
 that's when he introduced himself

00:49:30.159 --> 00:49:30.879
 when he pulled open

00:49:30.879 --> 00:49:31.299
 the curtains

00:49:31.299 --> 00:49:31.659
 he said

00:49:31.659 --> 00:49:32.839
 I am the Alpha and Omega

00:49:32.839 --> 00:49:34.119
 I am the first and the last

00:49:34.119 --> 00:49:35.719
 I hold the keys

00:49:35.719 --> 00:49:37.259
 to death and Hades.

00:49:37.859 --> 00:49:38.939
 That means no one dies

00:49:38.939 --> 00:49:39.699
 without my say so.

00:49:40.079 --> 00:49:41.379
 I have the last word.

00:49:42.779 --> 00:49:44.139
 So long as you believe in me.

00:49:44.519 --> 00:49:45.759
 Because if you believe in me

00:49:45.759 --> 00:49:46.679
 if you follow me

00:49:46.679 --> 00:49:49.059
 you won't be hurt

00:49:49.059 --> 00:49:49.799
 by the second death

00:49:49.799 --> 00:49:50.819
 because you win.

00:49:51.639 --> 00:49:52.420
 Because I win.

00:49:53.940 --> 00:49:55.159
 Because I was faithful

00:49:55.159 --> 00:49:56.119
 unto death

00:49:56.119 --> 00:49:56.900
 for you.

00:49:57.579 --> 00:49:58.299
 Even death

00:49:58.299 --> 00:49:59.059
 on a cross.

00:50:00.159 --> 00:50:00.599
 But now

00:50:00.599 --> 00:50:01.779
 God has exalted me

00:50:01.779 --> 00:50:02.759
 to have the name

00:50:02.759 --> 00:50:03.420
 above every name

00:50:03.420 --> 00:50:04.940
 so that every knee

00:50:04.940 --> 00:50:05.239
 will bow

00:50:05.239 --> 00:50:05.819
 and every tongue

00:50:05.819 --> 00:50:06.319
 confess

00:50:06.319 --> 00:50:07.400
 that I am Lord

00:50:07.400 --> 00:50:09.119
 and you share that with me

00:50:09.119 --> 00:50:11.139
 so long as you follow

00:50:11.139 --> 00:50:12.539
 me.

00:50:15.000 --> 00:50:15.879
 I don't know about you

00:50:15.879 --> 00:50:16.799
 and I'm finished now

00:50:16.799 --> 00:50:17.000
 but

00:50:17.000 --> 00:50:19.279
 I hope those words

00:50:19.279 --> 00:50:20.000
 that he spoke

00:50:20.000 --> 00:50:20.679
 to Smyrna

00:50:20.679 --> 00:50:22.579
 encourages you.

00:50:24.719 --> 00:50:25.699
 The Christian life

00:50:25.699 --> 00:50:26.379
 when lived properly

00:50:26.379 --> 00:50:27.659
 invites pressure.

00:50:28.299 --> 00:50:29.059
 We're not looking

00:50:29.059 --> 00:50:29.500
 for trouble

00:50:29.500 --> 00:50:30.219
 but there's something

00:50:30.219 --> 00:50:31.579
 about the way we live

00:50:31.579 --> 00:50:32.900
 that is different

00:50:32.900 --> 00:50:33.799
 to the way of the world.

00:50:33.800 --> 00:50:36.460
 When the world

00:50:36.460 --> 00:50:37.180
 says payback

00:50:37.180 --> 00:50:38.920
 we say turn the other cheek.

00:50:40.640 --> 00:50:41.400
 When the world

00:50:41.400 --> 00:50:42.700
 loves only the people

00:50:42.700 --> 00:50:44.440
 that love you

00:50:44.440 --> 00:50:46.300
 Jesus says

00:50:46.300 --> 00:50:48.060
 love those who hate you.

00:50:48.740 --> 00:50:50.539
 Love those who despise you.

00:50:52.240 --> 00:50:53.160
 All those who utter

00:50:53.160 --> 00:50:54.160
 all kinds of evil

00:50:54.160 --> 00:50:54.620
 against you

00:50:54.620 --> 00:50:55.560
 who slander you.

00:50:56.440 --> 00:50:57.400
 I think there's something

00:50:57.400 --> 00:50:58.539
 that we can do right now.

00:50:58.860 --> 00:50:59.340
 There is someone

00:50:59.340 --> 00:51:00.280
 in your church

00:51:00.280 --> 00:51:01.039
 sorry in your church

00:51:01.039 --> 00:51:01.400
 well yes

00:51:01.400 --> 00:51:01.940
 in your church

00:51:01.940 --> 00:51:02.760
 in your office

00:51:02.760 --> 00:51:03.440
 in your family

00:51:03.440 --> 00:51:04.420
 in your friendship group

00:51:04.420 --> 00:51:05.640
 that is slandering you

00:51:05.640 --> 00:51:06.720
 that is doing something

00:51:06.720 --> 00:51:09.240
 that is not kind to you.

00:51:12.460 --> 00:51:13.140
 If you follow

00:51:13.140 --> 00:51:13.760
 the way of Jesus

00:51:13.760 --> 00:51:14.580
 it should look different.

00:51:16.500 --> 00:51:17.300
 It should change

00:51:17.300 --> 00:51:18.060
 the way you respond.

00:51:19.040 --> 00:51:19.940
 We're no longer offended

00:51:19.940 --> 00:51:21.060
 because Jesus took on

00:51:21.060 --> 00:51:21.940
 the ultimate offense for us.

00:51:22.020 --> 00:51:22.840
 We're no longer

00:51:22.840 --> 00:51:23.600
 afraid of death

00:51:23.600 --> 00:51:25.420
 because he died for us

00:51:25.420 --> 00:51:26.040
 and rose again

00:51:26.040 --> 00:51:27.040
 and we're with the guy

00:51:27.040 --> 00:51:28.320
 that died and rose again.

00:51:30.360 --> 00:51:31.360
 That should mean something.

00:51:32.760 --> 00:51:34.400
 And as we were worshipping

00:51:34.400 --> 00:51:35.060
 I was just praying

00:51:35.060 --> 00:51:36.120
 that we would all

00:51:36.120 --> 00:51:37.280
 understand that.

00:51:37.380 --> 00:51:38.020
 Actually there's nothing

00:51:38.020 --> 00:51:38.640
 that I can say

00:51:38.640 --> 00:51:39.220
 that will help you.

00:51:39.640 --> 00:51:40.420
 Only the Holy Spirit

00:51:40.420 --> 00:51:42.120
 can really reveal that to you.

00:51:44.740 --> 00:51:45.940
 My prayer for us is

00:51:45.940 --> 00:51:47.880
 are we prepared

00:51:47.880 --> 00:51:49.080
 for any kind of test?

00:51:49.280 --> 00:51:50.640
 Or when we face challenges

00:51:50.640 --> 00:51:51.860
 or we face pressures

00:51:51.860 --> 00:51:52.780
 from this society

00:51:52.780 --> 00:51:54.380
 can we be faithful

00:51:54.380 --> 00:51:55.760
 to the end?

00:51:57.380 --> 00:51:58.720
 Or do we veer off?

00:51:58.880 --> 00:51:59.720
 Last week's church

00:51:59.720 --> 00:52:00.260
 in Ephesus

00:52:00.260 --> 00:52:01.400
 just 30 miles south

00:52:01.400 --> 00:52:01.980
 of us

00:52:01.980 --> 00:52:03.560
 they had a first love

00:52:03.560 --> 00:52:04.140
 and then they started

00:52:04.140 --> 00:52:05.720
 flirting with other things.

00:52:08.400 --> 00:52:09.320
 The church in Smyrna

00:52:09.320 --> 00:52:10.120
 doesn't have this problem

00:52:10.120 --> 00:52:10.780
 and it goes faithful

00:52:10.780 --> 00:52:11.340
 to the end

00:52:11.340 --> 00:52:12.540
 and Jesus promises

00:52:12.540 --> 00:52:14.060
 the crown of life.

00:52:15.260 --> 00:52:15.940
 That's what we should

00:52:15.940 --> 00:52:16.500
 be aiming for.

00:52:17.780 --> 00:52:18.200
 But I'll tell you

00:52:18.200 --> 00:52:18.680
 one last thing.

00:52:18.820 --> 00:52:19.340
 It's not easy.

00:52:20.900 --> 00:52:22.260
 Running a long distance race

00:52:22.260 --> 00:52:23.020
 is not easy.

00:52:23.780 --> 00:52:24.680
 Fighting a long battle

00:52:24.680 --> 00:52:25.520
 is not easy.

00:52:26.720 --> 00:52:28.060
 That's why we gather.

00:52:28.360 --> 00:52:29.460
 That's why we do it together.

00:52:29.460 --> 00:52:32.420
 Because if you do it

00:52:32.420 --> 00:52:32.920
 on your own

00:52:32.920 --> 00:52:35.139
 there's a high chance

00:52:35.139 --> 00:52:35.760
 you don't get there.

00:52:36.500 --> 00:52:37.619
 Again that African proverb

00:52:37.619 --> 00:52:38.900
 if you want to go

00:52:38.900 --> 00:52:39.460
 somewhere fast

00:52:39.460 --> 00:52:40.039
 you go alone.

00:52:40.820 --> 00:52:41.220
 If you want to go

00:52:41.220 --> 00:52:41.840
 somewhere far

00:52:41.840 --> 00:52:43.539
 you go together.

00:52:45.099 --> 00:52:46.340
 Hebrews 10.25

00:52:46.340 --> 00:52:49.179
 Don't stop meeting together

00:52:49.179 --> 00:52:50.280
 and encourage one another

00:52:50.280 --> 00:52:51.639
 until the day

00:52:51.639 --> 00:52:52.880
 draws near.

00:52:52.940 --> 00:52:53.900
 Let us hold fast

00:52:53.900 --> 00:52:54.720
 to that confession.

00:52:56.280 --> 00:52:57.280
 That's why we gather.

00:52:57.280 --> 00:52:59.800
 We have so many things

00:52:59.800 --> 00:53:00.519
 still to figure out.

00:53:01.280 --> 00:53:01.840
 I don't even know

00:53:01.840 --> 00:53:02.840
 if the TV was tall enough

00:53:02.840 --> 00:53:03.960
 today for you to see

00:53:03.960 --> 00:53:04.300
 the lyrics.

00:53:04.640 --> 00:53:05.600
 There's so many things.

00:53:06.100 --> 00:53:07.060
 I heard the chairs

00:53:07.060 --> 00:53:07.580
 aren't comfortable.

00:53:07.860 --> 00:53:08.700
 Thank you for sitting there

00:53:08.700 --> 00:53:09.340
 for so long.

00:53:11.740 --> 00:53:12.620
 But my hope is

00:53:12.620 --> 00:53:13.460
 can we be brought

00:53:13.460 --> 00:53:13.980
 to Jesus

00:53:13.980 --> 00:53:17.120
 together as a family?

00:53:18.400 --> 00:53:19.160
 That's the only way

00:53:19.160 --> 00:53:19.960
 we keep this going.

00:53:20.660 --> 00:53:21.720
 Keep ourselves going.

00:53:21.719 --> 00:53:24.379
 We're in week three.

00:53:24.579 --> 00:53:25.480
 I wanted to share something

00:53:25.480 --> 00:53:26.719
 just before we finish here.

00:53:27.759 --> 00:53:28.559
 Maybe we won't have

00:53:28.559 --> 00:53:29.879
 quite time for the response.

00:53:32.539 --> 00:53:33.799
 As we're trying this

00:53:33.799 --> 00:53:35.679
 for these next three months

00:53:35.679 --> 00:53:36.980
 I encourage you

00:53:36.980 --> 00:53:39.399
 come and test out.

00:53:39.500 --> 00:53:40.000
 I know some of you

00:53:40.000 --> 00:53:40.379
 are visiting.

00:53:40.519 --> 00:53:41.179
 Welcome you again.

00:53:43.759 --> 00:53:44.779
 But actually as we

00:53:44.779 --> 00:53:45.739
 get to the point

00:53:45.739 --> 00:53:47.059
 where we're more comfortable

00:53:47.059 --> 00:53:49.199
 I'm going to start

00:53:49.199 --> 00:53:49.919
 asking you to

00:53:49.920 --> 00:53:50.780
 to actually

00:53:50.780 --> 00:53:51.820
 if you want to be part

00:53:51.820 --> 00:53:52.380
 of this gathering

00:53:52.380 --> 00:53:54.220
 we want to know you.

00:53:55.139 --> 00:53:56.019
 We want to know

00:53:56.019 --> 00:53:56.760
 who you are.

00:53:57.960 --> 00:53:58.780
 Because if you're going

00:53:58.780 --> 00:53:59.260
 through pressure

00:53:59.260 --> 00:53:59.680
 if you're going

00:53:59.680 --> 00:54:00.380
 through tribulation

00:54:00.380 --> 00:54:01.659
 if you're going

00:54:01.659 --> 00:54:02.220
 through poverty

00:54:02.220 --> 00:54:04.119
 if you're going

00:54:04.119 --> 00:54:04.579
 through slander

00:54:04.579 --> 00:54:05.460
 we want to know

00:54:05.460 --> 00:54:07.059
 what you're going through.

00:54:07.840 --> 00:54:08.440
 And so we have a few

00:54:08.440 --> 00:54:08.820
 months here

00:54:08.820 --> 00:54:09.180
 where we're trying

00:54:09.180 --> 00:54:09.639
 to figure out

00:54:09.639 --> 00:54:10.180
 and I know people

00:54:10.180 --> 00:54:10.940
 are coming from

00:54:10.940 --> 00:54:11.639
 different congregations

00:54:11.639 --> 00:54:12.519
 within the same church

00:54:12.519 --> 00:54:14.220
 that's completely okay

00:54:14.220 --> 00:54:15.519
 but what we're hoping for

00:54:15.519 --> 00:54:16.280
 is as we start

00:54:16.280 --> 00:54:17.539
 to settle as a congregation

00:54:17.539 --> 00:54:19.019
 is that we start

00:54:19.019 --> 00:54:19.619
 getting to the point

00:54:19.619 --> 00:54:19.900
 where okay

00:54:19.900 --> 00:54:21.200
 these are my people.

00:54:22.200 --> 00:54:22.980
 Because if it's just

00:54:22.980 --> 00:54:23.720
 a service we want

00:54:23.720 --> 00:54:24.099
 to attend

00:54:24.099 --> 00:54:24.940
 there are plenty

00:54:24.940 --> 00:54:26.300
 further down the road.

00:54:27.260 --> 00:54:28.019
 There are plenty

00:54:28.019 --> 00:54:28.660
 who are more gifted

00:54:28.660 --> 00:54:29.559
 who are more entertaining

00:54:29.559 --> 00:54:31.059
 who are better at teaching.

00:54:33.119 --> 00:54:34.260
 If there's better songs

00:54:34.260 --> 00:54:34.559
 that you want

00:54:34.559 --> 00:54:35.180
 there's somewhere else

00:54:35.180 --> 00:54:36.579
 but this is not a service.

00:54:39.000 --> 00:54:40.240
 I hope that we are people

00:54:40.240 --> 00:54:41.059
 who look at this book

00:54:41.059 --> 00:54:41.760
 and go man

00:54:41.760 --> 00:54:43.660
 I need to figure this out

00:54:43.660 --> 00:54:44.639
 and I need people

00:54:44.639 --> 00:54:45.599
 to help me figure this out

00:54:45.599 --> 00:54:45.920
 together.

00:54:46.440 --> 00:54:47.220
 I need to be known.

00:54:47.940 --> 00:54:48.840
 I want to know.

00:54:48.840 --> 00:54:50.480
 So I invite you

00:54:50.480 --> 00:54:51.019
 if you're one of those

00:54:51.019 --> 00:54:51.840
 people who are on the edge

00:54:51.840 --> 00:54:53.140
 keep joining us

00:54:53.140 --> 00:54:54.880
 but at some point

00:54:54.880 --> 00:54:55.900
 we're going to want

00:54:55.900 --> 00:54:56.360
 to know you.

00:54:58.420 --> 00:54:59.340
 My hope is that

00:54:59.340 --> 00:55:00.180
 if we get to a point

00:55:00.180 --> 00:55:00.940
 maybe by Christmas

00:55:00.940 --> 00:55:02.320
 any person that we ask

00:55:02.320 --> 00:55:02.640
 who is here

00:55:02.640 --> 00:55:03.860
 hey who are your three people

00:55:03.860 --> 00:55:05.539
 that you know here

00:55:05.539 --> 00:55:06.500
 I would love for

00:55:06.500 --> 00:55:07.620
 us all to be

00:55:07.620 --> 00:55:08.420
 quite confident

00:55:08.420 --> 00:55:08.880
 in saying

00:55:08.880 --> 00:55:09.980
 who some of our people

00:55:09.980 --> 00:55:10.880
 are within this gathering.

00:55:11.539 --> 00:55:12.620
 It's not just a service.

00:55:14.079 --> 00:55:14.880
 The stakes are too high.

00:55:15.140 --> 00:55:16.220
 The challenges are too tough

00:55:16.219 --> 00:55:17.519
 to do it on your own.

00:55:19.319 --> 00:55:20.359
 Let us be faithful

00:55:20.359 --> 00:55:21.500
 unto death

00:55:21.500 --> 00:55:23.059
 and let us do it together.

00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:23.219


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00:55:23.219 --> 00:55:53.199
 Thank you.