WEBVTT 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:05.100 Paul wrote in 2 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 1, 00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:10.540 Mark this, there will be terrible times in the last days. 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:23.260 Germaine Greer, who was one of the architects of the new society that emerged in the 1960s, 00:00:24.080 --> 00:00:26.740 a woman who wrote that book, The Female Eunuch, 00:00:26.739 --> 00:00:34.100 I wouldn't necessarily recommend that you read it, but in it she lays out the principles for the new world 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:38.820 and the new freedom we would find by casting off all restraint. 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:50.859 It was only 15 years later when, interestingly, in a TV interview with Mary Whitehouse, 00:00:51.939 --> 00:00:56.200 Germaine Greer conceded, and this is what she said, 00:00:56.740 --> 00:01:03.100 she said that when we cast off all restraint, 00:01:04.100 --> 00:01:08.000 we thought that we would find freedom only to discover 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:15.640 that we discovered a deeper bondage than the bondage we were trying to leave behind. 00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:23.260 I think that was almost a prophetic word. 00:01:24.379 --> 00:01:30.980 For the world in general, and the West in particular, is in a mess. 00:01:30.980 --> 00:01:40.219 Today is Advent Sunday, a day when the church looks back to that moment when the Son of God 00:01:40.219 --> 00:01:44.000 entered the world in the person of Jesus Christ. 00:01:45.340 --> 00:01:51.560 But there's a time also, which we're a little more diffident about, understandably, 00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:59.060 and that is looking forward to the time when God will pull down the curtain on the whole of human history 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:01.840 and Jesus will return. 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:09.740 We are told very clearly in Scripture, read in Acts chapter 1 if you don't believe me, 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:16.099 that it's not for us to calculate dates or times when Jesus will return. 00:02:17.099 --> 00:02:25.360 But it is certainly for disciples of Jesus to seek to read the signs of the times. 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:33.120 Mark this, wrote Paul, there will be terrible times in the last day. 00:02:34.440 --> 00:02:38.240 When Paul wrote these words, he was in prison. 00:02:40.060 --> 00:02:43.880 He knew that his days were numbered on planet Earth 00:02:43.880 --> 00:02:48.640 and that very soon he would be executed by the Roman authorities. 00:02:50.260 --> 00:02:52.060 His time was running out. 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:59.580 And so he wrote to this, interestingly, exceptionally young church leader 00:02:59.580 --> 00:03:02.340 with some words of advice. 00:03:03.640 --> 00:03:05.400 Come back to that. 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:08.599 Mark this. 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:14.219 What that means is pay very careful attention to it. 00:03:14.219 --> 00:03:26.300 And then he lists some things that I don't know what you felt when Ros wrote out that list of things to us. 00:03:26.860 --> 00:03:28.800 But it doesn't read well, does it? 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:36.020 Two things about what Paul's writing here. 00:03:36.099 --> 00:03:39.819 The first thing is, it shouldn't really surprise us. 00:03:39.819 --> 00:03:46.139 Paul, in writing to the Christians in Rome, chapter 1, 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:49.120 reminds his readers there, 00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:53.060 that godlessness in any society 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:56.240 will have some shocking consequences. 00:03:57.400 --> 00:03:58.959 He says there, 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:03.379 in Romans chapter 1 and verse 25, 00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:06.939 He says, 00:04:06.939 --> 00:04:11.439 they exchanged the glory of the immortal God 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:16.579 for images made to look like mortal men and birds and animals and reptiles. 00:04:17.540 --> 00:04:18.920 Verse 25, 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:21.620 they exchanged the truth of God for a lie 00:04:21.620 --> 00:04:24.860 and worshipped and served created things 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:26.980 rather than the creator 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:29.719 who is forever praised. 00:04:29.720 --> 00:04:34.580 Listen to me, I hope you understand that. 00:04:35.940 --> 00:04:37.200 Paul here is saying 00:04:37.200 --> 00:04:39.180 there is a fundamental problem 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:40.580 with human beings 00:04:40.580 --> 00:04:41.560 and it's this, 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:43.420 that we are always in danger 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:45.160 of confusing the creation, 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:47.000 the things that we enjoy 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:48.360 here on planet Earth 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:49.500 with the creator. 00:04:51.080 --> 00:04:52.980 And then the danger becomes 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:55.060 that our minds become focused 00:04:55.060 --> 00:04:56.440 on what God has created 00:04:56.440 --> 00:04:59.040 rather than the God who created them. 00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:02.360 I think we see that 00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:04.520 in our times, don't we? 00:05:07.220 --> 00:05:11.400 The bondage we thought we were escaping from 00:05:11.400 --> 00:05:16.060 feels today like a greater, 00:05:16.760 --> 00:05:19.260 like a bondage today 00:05:19.260 --> 00:05:22.860 that really is worse than the bondage 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:24.720 we thought we were escaping from. 00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:27.900 All this stuff 00:05:27.900 --> 00:05:30.580 about the degradation of human life 00:05:30.580 --> 00:05:32.300 shouldn't surprise us 00:05:32.300 --> 00:05:34.960 in a culture which is godless. 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:37.320 You've only got to look at these statistics 00:05:37.320 --> 00:05:39.920 to see that that is a reality. 00:05:41.380 --> 00:05:44.100 When I was born in 1949, 00:05:45.160 --> 00:05:47.460 almost 90% of the people, 00:05:47.640 --> 00:05:49.140 despite a world war, 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:51.340 claimed belief in God. 00:05:51.339 --> 00:05:51.899 Today, 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:53.979 that figure has dropped below 50%. 00:05:54.719 --> 00:05:56.619 And amongst people 00:05:56.619 --> 00:05:59.679 between the ages of 0 and 35, 00:06:00.179 --> 00:06:01.979 that has dropped to below 20%. 00:06:02.539 --> 00:06:06.519 This does not bode well. 00:06:08.279 --> 00:06:11.719 And if that were worrying enough, 00:06:12.539 --> 00:06:14.239 the world that we are creating 00:06:14.239 --> 00:06:15.959 increasingly, it seems, 00:06:16.799 --> 00:06:18.159 is making us ill. 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:21.160 The stress levels, 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:24.120 the rise in mental health issues. 00:06:25.640 --> 00:06:28.160 At the moment in our world, 00:06:29.280 --> 00:06:31.340 though it's hard for us to imagine, 00:06:31.580 --> 00:06:34.000 there are 29 wars going on 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:36.180 and 80 famines. 00:06:38.080 --> 00:06:40.620 Friends, this is 2022, 00:06:41.660 --> 00:06:43.620 not 1452. 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:47.040 29 wars 00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:51.439 and 80 famines. 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:53.879 I read it on Google, 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:54.879 so it must be true. 00:06:59.259 --> 00:07:01.199 Our politicians today 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:06.459 constantly crow about progressive policy. 00:07:06.459 --> 00:07:10.419 And what you need to know is, 00:07:10.899 --> 00:07:13.159 Michael Blasland, 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:15.019 in his amazing book, 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:18.899 called The Hidden 50%, 00:07:18.899 --> 00:07:22.000 makes it very clear 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:23.859 that 90% of policies 00:07:23.859 --> 00:07:25.159 inflicted upon us 00:07:25.159 --> 00:07:26.859 by democratic governments 00:07:26.859 --> 00:07:28.039 do not work. 00:07:29.919 --> 00:07:30.639 90%. 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:33.219 Just think for a moment. 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:35.760 In 1942, 00:07:36.580 --> 00:07:38.160 our nation was at war. 00:07:39.460 --> 00:07:40.280 There's a man called 00:07:40.280 --> 00:07:41.280 William Beveridge, 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:42.820 who was a social reformer, 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:45.200 who wrote what we now call today 00:07:45.200 --> 00:07:46.520 the Beveridge Report. 00:07:47.440 --> 00:07:48.780 The Beveridge Report 00:07:48.780 --> 00:07:49.640 imagined 00:07:49.640 --> 00:07:51.680 what would be the priorities 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:53.160 of a post-war government. 00:07:54.400 --> 00:07:55.440 He named 00:07:55.440 --> 00:07:57.060 what has come to be called 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:58.380 the Five Giants. 00:07:59.640 --> 00:08:01.040 The Beveridge Report 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:02.720 were the founding documents 00:08:02.720 --> 00:08:04.379 for the National Health Service 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:05.640 and ultimately 00:08:05.640 --> 00:08:07.500 the welfare state. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.460 Five Giants. 00:08:10.640 --> 00:08:11.939 One was idleness. 00:08:13.340 --> 00:08:13.660 He said 00:08:13.660 --> 00:08:14.980 post-war governments 00:08:14.980 --> 00:08:16.860 would need to create employment. 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:18.280 Well, 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:19.460 it is true today 00:08:19.460 --> 00:08:20.800 that we have 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:22.520 a surfeit of jobs available 00:08:22.520 --> 00:08:24.000 in the United Kingdom. 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:24.900 The problem is 00:08:24.900 --> 00:08:26.280 that the majority of them 00:08:26.280 --> 00:08:27.580 are being paid at a rate 00:08:27.580 --> 00:08:28.640 that it's cheaper 00:08:28.640 --> 00:08:29.379 not to work 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:30.160 than to work. 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:32.740 He said 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:33.500 ignorance 00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:35.220 would be another evil, 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:36.259 another giant 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:37.700 that needed to be defeated 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:39.320 and talked about 00:08:39.320 --> 00:08:39.879 the need 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:41.639 for an education system 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:43.420 that was all-embracing 00:08:43.420 --> 00:08:44.659 and inclusive. 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:46.399 Yet, 00:08:46.539 --> 00:08:47.180 20% 00:08:47.180 --> 00:08:48.840 of our children, 00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:49.720 your children 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:50.820 in some cases, 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:52.519 leave primary school 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:54.019 without basic skills 00:08:54.019 --> 00:08:54.720 in literacy 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:55.980 and numeracy. 00:08:57.779 --> 00:08:58.519 Interestingly, 00:08:58.519 --> 00:08:59.960 closely correlated 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:01.259 with the number 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:02.500 of free school meals. 00:09:03.540 --> 00:09:04.660 The third giant, 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:05.060 he said, 00:09:05.100 --> 00:09:05.920 was disease. 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:06.940 There was a need 00:09:06.940 --> 00:09:08.340 for a healthcare system 00:09:08.340 --> 00:09:10.420 that embraces all 00:09:10.420 --> 00:09:12.259 and is free 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:13.420 at the point 00:09:13.420 --> 00:09:14.379 of delivery. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:16.900 I wouldn't say 00:09:16.900 --> 00:09:17.920 much more about that 00:09:17.920 --> 00:09:19.000 other than dream on. 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:21.360 Squalor 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:23.660 was his fourth giant. 00:09:24.660 --> 00:09:25.259 There would be 00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:26.800 good quality housing 00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:29.379 provided for all citizens. 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:32.719 And just this past 00:09:32.719 --> 00:09:33.379 fortnight, 00:09:34.479 --> 00:09:35.659 we read of the tragic 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:36.620 story of 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.839 Awab Ishak, 00:09:38.419 --> 00:09:40.519 a little child 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:41.719 who died 00:09:41.719 --> 00:09:42.699 because his 00:09:42.699 --> 00:09:43.620 apartment 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:45.539 was so full of 00:09:45.539 --> 00:09:46.299 dangerous, 00:09:46.699 --> 00:09:47.639 damp spores 00:09:47.639 --> 00:09:49.679 that he got a 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:50.559 respiratory disease 00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:51.459 and died. 00:09:51.460 --> 00:09:53.560 And the final 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:55.379 thing that 00:09:55.379 --> 00:09:56.360 Beveridge talked 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:56.800 about 00:09:56.800 --> 00:09:57.920 was want. 00:09:58.620 --> 00:09:59.240 Poverty 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:00.660 alleviation. 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:03.240 I have no idea 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:04.120 where these figures 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:04.639 come from, 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:05.500 but we're told 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:06.180 that in the coming 00:10:06.180 --> 00:10:06.639 months, 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:07.800 millions, 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:09.180 millions of people 00:10:09.180 --> 00:10:10.200 in the United 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:10.740 Kingdom, 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:12.000 the seventh 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:12.980 richest economy 00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:13.980 in the world, 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:15.300 will be pushed 00:10:15.300 --> 00:10:16.019 into poverty. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.519 Let me ask you 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:19.920 a question. 00:10:20.040 --> 00:10:20.800 Don't shout out. 00:10:21.460 --> 00:10:23.379 But would you say 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:24.160 our so-called 00:10:24.160 --> 00:10:25.540 progressive policies, 00:10:26.160 --> 00:10:27.120 80 years on 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:28.120 after Beveridge, 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.240 have come home 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:30.980 to roost? 00:10:32.300 --> 00:10:33.379 We're in a mess 00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:34.860 and one 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:35.600 fundamental 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:36.519 question 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:38.060 should be in the 00:10:38.060 --> 00:10:39.060 minds of Christian 00:10:39.060 --> 00:10:40.240 disciples and it's 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:40.780 this, 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:42.920 what is God 00:10:42.920 --> 00:10:44.360 saying to us 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.180 right now? 00:10:45.179 --> 00:10:49.919 have we lost 00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:50.539 the ability 00:10:50.539 --> 00:10:51.199 to listen 00:10:51.199 --> 00:10:51.799 to God? 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:53.859 Is our life 00:10:53.859 --> 00:10:54.959 so fast track 00:10:54.959 --> 00:10:55.779 and microwave 00:10:55.779 --> 00:10:57.000 that many of us 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:57.799 don't even find 00:10:57.799 --> 00:10:58.859 time to sit down 00:10:58.859 --> 00:10:59.939 and try and 00:10:59.939 --> 00:11:00.759 listen to God? 00:11:02.099 --> 00:11:03.000 And I want to 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:03.799 offload on you 00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:04.859 today one very 00:11:04.859 --> 00:11:05.819 simple idea. 00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:06.639 I think you've seen 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:07.259 this coming. 00:11:08.699 --> 00:11:09.679 And it's this. 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:12.099 In a society 00:11:12.099 --> 00:11:13.120 which is 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:13.899 increasingly 00:11:13.899 --> 00:11:14.659 godless, 00:11:16.099 --> 00:11:16.659 terrible, 00:11:17.219 --> 00:11:17.679 terrible 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:18.559 consequences 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:20.179 will emerge 00:11:20.179 --> 00:11:21.199 for people. 00:11:24.079 --> 00:11:25.459 In a godless 00:11:25.459 --> 00:11:26.019 society, 00:11:26.219 --> 00:11:26.899 people begin 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:27.639 to manifest 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:28.659 characteristics 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:29.719 that are the 00:11:29.719 --> 00:11:30.500 mirror opposite 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.459 of what Paul 00:11:31.459 --> 00:11:32.199 wrote about 00:11:32.199 --> 00:11:33.339 in Galatians 00:11:33.339 --> 00:11:34.240 chapter 5. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.519 There Paul is 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:37.259 talking about 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:38.120 the fruit of the 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:38.500 spirit, 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:39.759 characteristics 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:40.620 that should 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:41.759 increasingly mark 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:42.440 the lives of 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:43.500 Christian disciples. 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:44.360 Love, joy, 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:45.240 peace, patience, 00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:45.779 kindness, 00:11:46.179 --> 00:11:47.220 all these things. 00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:49.759 And then you 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.639 come to our 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:51.240 text, 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.240 2 Timothy 3 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:54.539 verses 1 to 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:54.940 9. 00:11:56.419 --> 00:11:57.159 What will be 00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:57.919 the signs of 00:11:57.919 --> 00:11:58.899 the times in 00:11:58.899 --> 00:11:59.879 these last days 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.399 says Paul? 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:01.379 People will be 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:02.039 lovers of 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:02.500 themselves. 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:05.180 I don't know 00:12:05.180 --> 00:12:05.740 what kind of 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:06.840 people do this 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:08.060 but some people 00:12:08.059 --> 00:12:08.779 apparently like 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:09.599 angling as well 00:12:09.599 --> 00:12:10.579 but some people 00:12:10.579 --> 00:12:11.719 count the 00:12:11.719 --> 00:12:13.139 words in 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:14.179 our media, 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:15.239 in newspapers 00:12:15.239 --> 00:12:15.979 and the like 00:12:15.979 --> 00:12:17.159 and note which 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:18.159 words are coming 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:18.839 into further 00:12:18.839 --> 00:12:19.559 prominence. 00:12:19.979 --> 00:12:20.459 You know the 00:12:20.459 --> 00:12:21.059 word that is 00:12:21.059 --> 00:12:21.839 increased in 00:12:21.839 --> 00:12:22.559 prominence the 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:23.459 most in the 00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:23.839 media? 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:24.579 The word 00:12:24.579 --> 00:12:25.000 self. 00:12:27.359 --> 00:12:28.459 We are a 00:12:28.459 --> 00:12:29.599 selfie culture 00:12:29.599 --> 00:12:31.399 but we're also 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:33.039 a self-obsessed 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:33.559 culture. 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:35.439 The Times 00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:36.079 newspaper, 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:36.540 which I 00:12:36.540 --> 00:12:37.639 take every 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:37.940 day, 00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:38.860 which used 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:39.280 to be a 00:12:39.280 --> 00:12:39.720 serious 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:40.420 newspaper, 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.320 has a 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:41.820 bit in it 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:42.480 called 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.520 Times 2. 00:12:44.660 --> 00:12:45.639 This is full 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:46.300 of the most 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:46.920 wrong-headed 00:12:46.920 --> 00:12:48.600 ideas imaginable 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:50.220 and at the 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:50.879 same time 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:51.639 it's full of 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:51.960 a lot of 00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:52.580 kind of pop 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:53.360 psychology. 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:55.040 Do this 00:12:55.040 --> 00:12:55.879 and you will 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:56.720 feel a lot 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:57.280 better about 00:12:57.280 --> 00:12:57.980 yourself and 00:12:57.980 --> 00:12:58.480 about the 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:58.840 world. 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:06.399 love, joy, 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.460 peace, patience, 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:07.920 kindness, 00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:08.420 goodness, 00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:09.300 faithfulness, 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:10.480 gentleness and 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:11.399 self-control. 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:12.379 Would the 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.019 world be a 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:13.860 different place 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:14.639 if people 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:15.399 focused on 00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:15.660 these 00:13:15.660 --> 00:13:16.500 characteristics 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:17.840 rather than 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.860 narcissism, 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:19.379 lovers of 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:19.840 themselves, 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:20.460 lovers of 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:20.759 money, 00:13:21.160 --> 00:13:21.560 boastful, 00:13:21.680 --> 00:13:21.940 proud, 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:22.519 abusive, 00:13:23.040 --> 00:13:23.780 disobedient to 00:13:23.780 --> 00:13:24.379 their parents, 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:25.060 ungrateful, 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:25.759 unholy? 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.939 It goes on. 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:31.379 We live a 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:32.080 degraded 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:34.159 lifestyle in 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:35.019 the 21st 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:35.500 century. 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:36.980 Remember the 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:37.899 prodigal son 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.860 when he left 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:39.500 home with his 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:40.399 father's cash 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:41.799 ended up 00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:42.779 eating pig 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:43.159 fruit. 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.240 And you 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:49.000 can try 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.939 and put a 00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:50.840 fitted carpet 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:51.460 in a pig 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:53.759 sty but it's 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:54.259 still a pig 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:54.580 sty. 00:13:55.759 --> 00:14:00.980 today our 00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:01.919 text reminds 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:04.720 us that we 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.840 are a society 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:07.100 which is 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:09.419 godless and 00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:10.919 reminds us of 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:11.519 the kind of 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.960 byproducts of 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:13.819 that godlessness. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.299 One, the 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:15.899 self is 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:16.559 elevated. 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.500 Two, sin 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.580 is normalized. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:22.220 Some of you 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:22.500 are sitting 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:23.039 there thinking 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:23.460 you know 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:24.220 what the 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:24.879 world I was 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:25.539 born into 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.199 is a very 00:14:26.199 --> 00:14:27.120 different world 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:27.839 than the 00:14:27.839 --> 00:14:28.259 world I 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:28.799 experience 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:29.299 today. 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.099 I'm not 00:14:30.099 --> 00:14:30.759 talking about 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.139 the good 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:31.599 things and 00:14:31.599 --> 00:14:31.839 there are 00:14:31.839 --> 00:14:32.279 plenty of 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:32.919 good things. 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.439 I'm talking 00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:37.919 about our 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.799 degraded 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:39.360 culture. 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:42.159 In 1950, 00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:43.339 those of you 00:14:43.339 --> 00:14:43.639 who were 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.339 around then 00:14:44.339 --> 00:14:45.259 will remember 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.279 that there 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:46.879 was a big 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.779 course in 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:49.699 what was the 00:14:49.699 --> 00:14:50.159 high court 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:50.719 then, not the 00:14:50.719 --> 00:14:51.500 supreme court, 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.720 regarding 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:53.659 Lady Chattel 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:54.139 is lover. 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:55.639 Remember that 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:56.299 book any of 00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:56.480 you? 00:14:57.259 --> 00:14:57.840 Don't put your 00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:58.340 hands up if 00:14:58.340 --> 00:14:58.840 you've read it. 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:00.940 Because my 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:01.779 gut feeling is 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:02.419 on the basis 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:03.320 of my experience 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:04.019 in school is 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:04.720 if you took 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.320 that book and 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:05.860 threw it in the 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:07.080 air and you 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:07.580 threw a hundred 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:08.360 copies in the 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:08.980 air, they'd all 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.879 come down open 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:10.340 at the same 00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:10.779 page. 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:15.879 the 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:19.079 attempt 00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:21.220 successful 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:21.919 apparently 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:23.620 of the 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:24.500 gamekeeper to 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.379 seduce Lady 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.019 Chatterley. 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:29.339 In terms of 00:15:29.339 --> 00:15:30.459 the kind of 00:15:30.459 --> 00:15:31.199 stakes of 00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:31.799 pornography 00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:32.139 that are 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:33.079 available today, 00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:34.480 that book was 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.379 pretty minimal. 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.079 Compare it 00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:39.679 with today, 00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:40.759 what's allowed. 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:43.059 television 00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:44.139 programs where 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:44.699 people who've 00:15:44.699 --> 00:15:45.259 never clapped 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:45.939 eyes on each 00:15:45.939 --> 00:15:46.600 other before 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.559 are encouraged 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:47.959 to get 00:15:47.959 --> 00:15:48.419 married. 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:51.579 Dating 00:15:51.579 --> 00:15:52.639 programs where 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.879 people assess 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:54.699 the person 00:15:54.699 --> 00:15:55.179 they might 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:56.100 date on the 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:56.679 basis of 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.199 seeing them 00:15:57.199 --> 00:15:57.699 naked. 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:00.659 Won't bode 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:01.279 well for me, 00:16:01.339 --> 00:16:01.959 I can promise 00:16:01.959 --> 00:16:02.240 you. 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:08.139 And people 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:08.839 will say, 00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:10.000 with 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.080 complacency 00:16:11.080 --> 00:16:11.740 deep in 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:11.919 their 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:12.179 hearts, 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:13.139 oh, it's 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:13.659 always been 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:14.000 the same. 00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:14.340 No, it 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:14.840 hasn't. 00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:16.379 We didn't 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:16.679 have the 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:17.320 internet, we 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:17.639 didn't have 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.360 social media, 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:18.720 we didn't 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.220 have these 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:20.080 things, which 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:21.120 allow depraved 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.019 minds free 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.659 license. 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:24.360 Whatever the 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.279 good of social 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.179 media, and I'm 00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:26.940 persuaded that 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:27.600 there are some 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.200 good things, 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.379 keeping people in 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:30.019 contact with 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:31.159 each other, my 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:31.740 goodness, there 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.159 are an awful 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.759 lot of bad 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:34.480 things that go 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:34.740 on. 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:36.779 what happens, 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:38.139 self is 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:39.799 elevated, sin 00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:40.659 is normalized, 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.600 and meaning 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:44.139 is degraded. 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:45.659 2 Timothy 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:46.560 chapter 3 00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:47.820 and verse 00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:48.539 4. 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.200 Sorry, I 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:52.480 don't mean 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.220 verse 4. 00:16:54.180 --> 00:16:54.899 It talks 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.659 about 00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:59.959 people being 00:16:59.959 --> 00:17:01.000 far away 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.639 from the 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.079 truth. 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.179 This is a 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:04.039 slightly tricky 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:05.000 passage, because 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.960 at one level, 00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:07.139 Paul is talking 00:17:07.139 --> 00:17:08.059 about people in 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.599 general, and 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.279 then at another 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:10.460 level, and this 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:10.879 is a little 00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:11.659 worrying for 00:17:11.659 --> 00:17:12.420 church leaders, 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.440 he's saying 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.220 that part of 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.339 the problem is 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.299 church leaders 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:16.740 who have 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.639 depraved minds 00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:18.480 as well. 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.879 Men, who he 00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:23.940 says, oppose 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.659 the truth. 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.320 If you're 00:17:26.320 --> 00:17:26.920 worried about 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:27.779 Jenner's and 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.960 Jambres, those 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:29.620 two people 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.560 mentioned there, 00:17:31.100 --> 00:17:31.600 they were 00:17:31.600 --> 00:17:32.740 sorcerers, 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:33.700 Egyptian 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.660 sorcerers, who 00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:36.120 tried to 00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:36.660 oppose 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.660 Moses. 00:17:40.300 --> 00:17:41.160 What is 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.080 God saying 00:17:42.080 --> 00:17:43.519 to us in 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.100 all of 00:17:44.100 --> 00:17:44.540 this? 00:17:46.100 --> 00:17:46.820 Have 00:17:46.820 --> 00:17:48.200 nothing to 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.680 do with 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.380 these people. 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:53.400 Now, there 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:54.320 are some 00:17:54.320 --> 00:17:55.440 branches of 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:55.880 Christian 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:56.820 discipleship that 00:17:56.820 --> 00:17:57.299 have taken 00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:57.799 that very 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.960 literally and 00:17:58.960 --> 00:17:59.740 decided they 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.160 will shut 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:00.920 themselves away 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.340 from the 00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:01.660 world. 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:03.279 You all have 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.019 read about the 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:05.140 Amish in 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:06.019 North America, 00:18:06.320 --> 00:18:06.820 or the 00:18:06.820 --> 00:18:07.539 strict brethren 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.019 here. 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.160 I don't think 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:10.620 that's what 00:18:10.620 --> 00:18:11.080 Paul meant. 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:11.700 I think what 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.400 Paul meant 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:13.259 was have 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:13.980 nothing to 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:15.080 do with 00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:16.380 wrong-headed 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:17.480 ideas. 00:18:18.340 --> 00:18:19.299 These ideas 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.680 put about by 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.880 depraved minds. 00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:22.720 people 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.880 are 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:24.260 and if 00:18:24.260 --> 00:18:24.740 we'd read 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.980 on, we 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:26.440 would read 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:26.880 there what 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:27.380 Paul's 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:28.320 antidote to 00:18:28.320 --> 00:18:29.880 all this is 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:30.420 for 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:33.400 Christian 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.080 disciples. 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.320 Paul says 00:18:35.320 --> 00:18:35.940 to Timothy, 00:18:36.320 --> 00:18:37.140 get focused 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:37.720 on the 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.080 Bible. 00:18:39.040 --> 00:18:39.620 Preach it 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.420 in season 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:41.460 and out of 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:41.880 season. 00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:43.420 And be 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.640 very wary 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.560 of false 00:18:45.560 --> 00:18:46.120 teachers. 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:48.599 I think 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.059 the Church 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:49.539 of England 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.439 nationally is 00:18:50.439 --> 00:18:51.099 in a mess 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:51.439 at the 00:18:51.439 --> 00:18:51.879 moment, 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.319 because there 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.239 are fundamental 00:18:54.239 --> 00:18:55.139 differences 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:56.399 between 00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:58.239 leaders as 00:18:58.239 --> 00:18:58.739 to what the 00:18:58.739 --> 00:18:59.719 Bible actually 00:18:59.719 --> 00:19:01.639 means when 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:02.099 it says 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:02.539 stuff. 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.359 When a 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.379 society becomes 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:07.039 godless, 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.379 terrible things 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:09.799 happen. 00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:11.659 But listen, 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.299 here's the 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:12.739 kicker, 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.619 which has 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.219 particular 00:19:15.219 --> 00:19:16.039 relevance to 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:16.759 church leaders, 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:17.980 but also to 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.559 all of you 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.039 as well. 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.539 Here it is, 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.180 when a 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:23.240 society becomes 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:23.920 godless, 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.920 God calls 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.659 his church 00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:27.279 to account. 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.279 You and 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:29.480 me. 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:29.980 That's the 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.519 message of 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:30.980 the prophets. 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:32.980 Message of 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.420 the prophets 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.460 describes what's 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:34.980 going on in 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.500 the world and 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.299 then calls the 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:37.200 faithful to 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.980 step it up. 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.420 Leaders must 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:40.220 not be false 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:40.879 teachers, but 00:19:40.879 --> 00:19:41.399 must be 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:42.440 faithful to 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.119 that which is 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:43.940 handed down 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.339 to them. 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:47.359 And yet. 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:49.799 And so on 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.379 this Advent 00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:51.319 Sunday, I 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:51.539 want to 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:52.059 encourage you 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.639 to do three 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:52.920 things. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.819 One, look 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.720 up to the 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.059 sovereign 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.480 Lord. 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.220 This is not 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.539 a recipe for 00:19:58.539 --> 00:20:00.339 complacency, but 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.220 actually we do 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.019 need to remember 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.559 that the 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.319 sovereign Lord 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:03.940 of the earth 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:04.579 and the heavens 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:05.599 and all that 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.279 therein is, 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.700 is in control 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.700 even when we 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.299 don't feel 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:09.619 that. 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:13.639 second, look 00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:15.279 down into 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.139 your Bibles, 00:20:17.899 --> 00:20:18.839 read, mark, 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.639 learn and 00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:21.099 inwardly digest 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:21.959 its truth 00:20:21.959 --> 00:20:24.479 and seek to 00:20:24.479 --> 00:20:25.679 live as God 00:20:25.679 --> 00:20:26.479 would have you 00:20:26.479 --> 00:20:26.839 live. 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.519 And thirdly, 00:20:29.679 --> 00:20:30.319 look around. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.739 Look around 00:20:32.739 --> 00:20:33.019 you. 00:20:34.219 --> 00:20:34.919 This is not 00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:35.459 just, you know, 00:20:35.639 --> 00:20:36.719 too much of 00:20:36.719 --> 00:20:37.699 church just 00:20:37.699 --> 00:20:38.459 resides within 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:39.319 the four walls 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:39.720 of our 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.100 ancient 00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:40.799 buildings. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.220 Some of you 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:43.960 get this, and 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.620 I thank God 00:20:44.620 --> 00:20:45.200 for you, but 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:45.759 we've got to 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.740 get out into 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.740 the world, a 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:48.500 world which is 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.620 suffering immensely 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:50.420 at the moment, 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.819 and show people 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.500 what God is 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:55.779 like by talking 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.920 to them about 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:57.920 Jesus Christ. 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.480 Paul was 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.860 writing to 00:21:05.860 --> 00:21:06.680 Timothy in 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.340 Ephesus. 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.420 And if you 00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:09.960 have been to 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.519 Ephesus, 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:15.720 it's a pile of 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.059 rubble. 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.759 I mean, it's an 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.779 interesting pile of 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:22.100 rubble, but it 00:21:22.100 --> 00:21:23.120 is a pile of 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.500 rubble. 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:25.059 In Revelation 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.519 chapter 2, we 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:28.200 read there that 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.059 the church had 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:30.259 many things that 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.480 the risen Christ 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:32.220 could commend it 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:32.519 for. 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.100 Commend it for 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:35.100 its doctrinal 00:21:35.100 --> 00:21:35.700 purity. 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:35.779 authority. 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.500 They were very 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.180 clear on who 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:38.819 was a heretic, 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.059 very clear on 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.860 who was out 00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:41.480 of the kingdom. 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.420 And I 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.360 didn't expect, 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.460 don't expect, 00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:49.180 that they 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:49.940 thought the 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:50.680 risen Christ 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.340 would then 00:21:51.340 --> 00:21:52.160 accuse them. 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:54.779 He already 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.220 said to 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:55.420 them, 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.700 all this is 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.160 good, but 00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:00.019 you have 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.680 lost your 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.539 first love. 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:05.359 friends, let 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:06.039 me ask you, 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:07.659 are there 00:22:07.659 --> 00:22:08.379 saints sitting 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:09.159 in church this 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:09.740 morning who've 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.159 lost their 00:22:10.159 --> 00:22:10.779 first love? 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:13.700 Isaiah 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.700 chapter 64 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.460 and verse 6 00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.099 says that our 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.740 spiritual experience 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:19.379 is like the 00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:20.200 autumn leaves, 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.579 it fades and 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:22.139 withers. 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.639 Maybe the 00:22:24.639 --> 00:22:25.339 Holy Spirit 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:27.359 is whispering in 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:28.220 your ear this 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:28.799 morning and 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:29.539 telling you, 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:31.700 step it up, 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.799 come back. 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.899 There's a 00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:37.759 warning here for 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.139 us, isn't 00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:38.480 there, that 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.740 churches can be 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:41.200 doctrinally pure 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.680 but lacking in 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.039 love. 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.539 I think I've 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.119 been to some 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:46.839 churches like 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.159 that. 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.220 Churches that 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.920 sit in 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.680 judgment over 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.159 this world, 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:52.440 forgetting that 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.339 God loves the 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:53.980 world that he 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:55.599 created and 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.420 calls us to 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.420 love it as 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:57.779 well. 00:22:57.779 --> 00:23:00.779 it's Advent 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:03.639 Sunday, a 00:23:03.639 --> 00:23:04.899 day to 00:23:04.899 --> 00:23:05.500 repent. 00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:07.960 I'm 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.680 minded of 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.839 Clive's talk 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.740 when we came 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.319 back from 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.139 COVID where he 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:12.960 talked about a 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.639 reset, the 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.180 church in 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.639 reset. 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.240 Maybe God is 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.779 telling you 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:21.420 today that 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.259 Advent would be 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.220 a great day for 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.980 this to happen, 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.819 to repent and 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.759 return to the 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.119 Lord. 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:29.160 Our society 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.099 needs Christians 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:31.200 who will stand 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:33.039 up, will speak 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.399 up in prayer to 00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:35.480 God and in 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.299 witness to this 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:36.720 world. 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:41.119 Luke 15 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.960 tells us, 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.960 there is joy in 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:46.039 heaven when a 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.940 sinner repents. 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.299 Wouldn't it be 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.399 great if a few of 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:50.960 us could kick 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.940 off a few parties 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:52.980 in heaven today? 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:54.360 God is 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:55.299 going to be 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:57.240 here to 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.680 pray. 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.099 I'm not here to 00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:59.720 tell you when 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:00.500 Jesus might 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:02.720 return, but I 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.579 am here to tell 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:05.299 you that we 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:06.299 need to read the 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:08.559 signs and we 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.140 need to do 00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:09.700 something. 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:12.759 In the name of 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.079 our amazing God 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:15.559 who loved us 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.420 enough to send 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.559 his son onto 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.539 this planet that 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.599 we might be set 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.900 free, redeemed. 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:23.019 In the name of 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:23.620 that wonderful 00:24:23.620 --> 00:24:24.460 God, Father, 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.840 Son and Holy 00:24:25.840 --> 00:24:26.300 Spirit. 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:27.280 And the people 00:24:27.280 --> 00:24:28.000 who agreed said 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.440 together. 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:28.940 Amen. 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.500 Amen.