WEBVTT 00:00:00.860 --> 00:00:02.100 Well, good morning, church. 00:00:03.600 --> 00:00:05.320 It's good to see you all this morning. 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:10.939 I want to say thank you to everyone who participated in iHeart Day yesterday, 00:00:11.620 --> 00:00:14.599 especially the site leaders and the committee members, 00:00:15.160 --> 00:00:21.339 especially Spandan Seha, who led the charge for us amongst the iHeart committee. 00:00:22.039 --> 00:00:23.960 So, yeah, let's give a round of applause to everyone who helped. 00:00:24.980 --> 00:00:28.120 It takes a lot of work to pull off an event like that. 00:00:28.120 --> 00:00:31.560 So thank you all for all you did to make that day of success. 00:00:32.880 --> 00:00:34.899 Well, would you turn with me to Revelation 21? 00:00:35.060 --> 00:00:35.740 Revelation 21. 00:00:35.859 --> 00:00:40.359 We're picking up today in verses 9 through 27. 00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:45.260 If you'd like to follow along in the Pew Bible, it's page 977. 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:48.780 Revelation 21, starting in verse 9. 00:00:49.040 --> 00:00:50.880 Let me pray, and then I'll read. 00:00:50.880 --> 00:01:02.440 Father, indeed, the church's one foundation, our one foundation is Jesus Christ, our Lord. 00:01:03.740 --> 00:01:08.659 So we pray that as we settle into this passage this morning, 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:14.780 we would see Christ displayed in his beauty through your word, 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:21.180 and that by your spirit we would be drawn to him in faith 00:01:21.180 --> 00:01:25.240 and transformed in his likeness by your spirit. 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:27.840 We ask this in his mighty name. 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:28.519 Amen. 00:01:29.799 --> 00:01:32.840 All right, Revelation 21, verse 9 through the end of the chapter. 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:40.460 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues 00:01:40.460 --> 00:01:41.659 and spoke to me, saying, 00:01:42.620 --> 00:01:45.219 Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:49.400 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great high mountain 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:53.520 and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 00:01:54.219 --> 00:01:55.640 having the glory of God, 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:01.240 its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper clear as crystal. 00:02:01.239 --> 00:02:04.939 It had a great high wall with twelve gates, 00:02:05.619 --> 00:02:09.299 and at the gates twelve angels, 00:02:09.579 --> 00:02:13.680 and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed. 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:17.219 On the east three gates, on the north three gates, 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:20.199 on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 00:02:21.240 --> 00:02:23.620 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:28.060 and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 00:02:28.060 --> 00:02:32.699 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold 00:02:32.699 --> 00:02:34.900 to measure the city and its gates and walls. 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:39.120 The city lies four square, its length the same as its width. 00:02:39.719 --> 00:02:43.800 And he measured the city with his rod, twelve thousand stadia. 00:02:44.480 --> 00:02:47.580 Its length and width and height are equal. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:52.420 He also measured its wall, one hundred and forty-four cubits by human measurement, 00:02:52.920 --> 00:02:54.439 which is also an angel's measurement. 00:02:54.439 --> 00:03:00.780 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 00:03:01.699 --> 00:03:05.539 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. 00:03:06.539 --> 00:03:09.560 The first was jasper, the second sapphire, 00:03:10.099 --> 00:03:12.639 the third agate, the fourth emerald, 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:16.120 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:17.919 the seventh chrysolite, 00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:20.439 the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:22.680 the tenth chrysoprase, 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:24.539 the eleventh jacent, 00:03:24.979 --> 00:03:26.800 the twelfth amethyst. 00:03:27.919 --> 00:03:29.639 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, 00:03:30.419 --> 00:03:32.199 each of the gates made of a single pearl, 00:03:32.979 --> 00:03:35.060 and the street of the city was pure gold, 00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:36.780 like transparent glass. 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:40.400 And I saw no temple in the city, 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:43.960 for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty 00:03:43.960 --> 00:03:45.000 and the Lamb. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:48.919 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, 00:03:49.099 --> 00:03:51.180 for the glory of God gives its light, 00:03:51.580 --> 00:03:53.120 and its lamp is the Lamb. 00:03:54.340 --> 00:03:56.180 By its light will the nations walk, 00:03:56.539 --> 00:03:59.060 and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:01.379 and its gates will never be shut by day, 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:03.039 and there will be no night there. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:06.939 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations, 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:09.939 but nothing unclean will ever enter it, 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:13.180 nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, 00:04:13.900 --> 00:04:16.860 but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:23.540 So imagine that you and I are walking the streets of Rome 00:04:23.540 --> 00:04:25.319 in the late second century. 00:04:26.740 --> 00:04:29.480 And as we make our way past the open-air markets 00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:30.959 and the hustle and the bustle, 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:34.420 we find ourselves after a while in the center of the city, 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:37.259 in the Palatine Hill District. 00:04:37.259 --> 00:04:41.199 This area of the city used to be where all the wealthy lived, 00:04:41.719 --> 00:04:43.279 and there are even some imperial palaces 00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:44.339 kind of left over there. 00:04:44.539 --> 00:04:46.180 And as we cut down an alley, 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:48.139 we come across an old boarding school 00:04:48.139 --> 00:04:51.079 for imperial pages for attendants and messengers, 00:04:51.300 --> 00:04:52.819 and rumor has it at one time 00:04:52.819 --> 00:04:54.659 it used to be the house of the Emperor Caligula. 00:04:55.839 --> 00:04:57.099 But as we pass by, 00:04:57.219 --> 00:05:00.459 we see something scrawled on one of the walls. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:03.639 It's graffiti, just like any city. 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:05.560 They had graffiti in the ancient world as well. 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:08.220 But when we get a little closer, 00:05:08.339 --> 00:05:11.740 we see that the graffiti is actually a crudely drawn picture 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:13.839 of a young man 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:17.759 worshiping a figure hanging on a cross, 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:20.160 and the figure hanging on the cross 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:21.439 has the head of a donkey. 00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:25.560 And below this drawing are the words, 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:28.579 Alex Amenos, which is a name. 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:32.860 Alex Amenos worships his God. 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:36.660 It's actually a piece of graffiti 00:05:36.660 --> 00:05:38.180 making fun of Christians. 00:05:39.620 --> 00:05:41.540 You see, this is what many people thought of Christians 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:42.520 in the early centuries. 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:44.420 They thought they were fools. 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:48.960 Who would worship a crucified Jew? 00:05:50.860 --> 00:05:54.360 So Christians, like young Alex Amenos, 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:56.620 were ridiculed and mocked. 00:05:56.620 --> 00:06:00.420 Ironically, historians think this might be 00:06:00.420 --> 00:06:02.680 one of the earliest depictions of Jesus 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:04.040 that's survived. 00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:07.579 A piece of graffiti mocking both Jesus 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:09.220 and those who worship him. 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:12.759 And you can actually still see this piece of graffiti today 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:14.459 in the Palatine Museum in Rome. 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:21.759 I think at times we can resonate with Alex Amenos, can't we? 00:06:23.019 --> 00:06:25.159 Oftentimes being a Christian doesn't bring you 00:06:25.159 --> 00:06:27.079 any social benefit or social standing. 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:28.259 Just the opposite, right? 00:06:28.959 --> 00:06:30.959 Your neighbors or your friends find out 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:31.719 that you're a Christian, 00:06:32.479 --> 00:06:34.759 and they think you're a little strange at best, 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:37.779 or foolish, close-minded, 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:40.219 even bigoted at worst. 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:43.020 Who would give their allegiance 00:06:43.020 --> 00:06:46.060 to a crucified, first-century Jew? 00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:48.580 And who would shape their life 00:06:48.580 --> 00:06:50.260 around the stories and teachings 00:06:50.260 --> 00:06:52.220 of a 2,000-year-old book? 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:56.340 And oftentimes what happens 00:06:56.340 --> 00:06:57.960 when this negative social pressure 00:06:57.960 --> 00:06:59.720 or social shame sets in 00:06:59.720 --> 00:07:01.300 is one of two things. 00:07:01.940 --> 00:07:03.120 On the one hand, we as Christians 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:04.740 can be tempted to just sort of withdraw, 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:07.220 to sort of hide, to fade into the background. 00:07:07.420 --> 00:07:09.540 We try to just disappear or go unnoticed. 00:07:09.540 --> 00:07:11.860 You know, rather than loving our neighbors 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:13.340 and our enemies, we avoid them. 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:16.080 And then we just sort of become like them. 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:19.280 On the other hand, 00:07:19.340 --> 00:07:21.100 when we face that sort of negative pressure, 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:24.060 we can get angry and fight back. 00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:26.320 Rather than loving our neighbors 00:07:26.320 --> 00:07:27.759 and our enemies, we attack them. 00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:32.740 But you know, neither of these 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:36.340 is the path that the book of Revelation 00:07:36.339 --> 00:07:39.359 has held out before us as the church. 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:43.199 Revelation has held up a vision for us 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:46.500 of being a church in the midst of the world 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:50.739 that holds forth a robust witness, 00:07:51.799 --> 00:07:54.739 neither avoiding nor attacking, 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:59.099 but testifying to the one true God 00:07:59.100 --> 00:08:02.900 and to the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:08:04.460 --> 00:08:07.160 And testifying even if it means 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:08.160 great misunderstanding, 00:08:09.320 --> 00:08:10.420 great exclusion, 00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:14.120 testifying in love even if it means suffering. 00:08:16.640 --> 00:08:17.660 But the question is, 00:08:17.700 --> 00:08:19.320 amidst the social shame and the ridicule, 00:08:19.400 --> 00:08:21.200 how do we stay on that path 00:08:21.200 --> 00:08:22.379 of faithful witness 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:24.159 and not fall away 00:08:24.159 --> 00:08:26.240 into either avoidance mode 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:27.199 or attack mode? 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:31.800 Well, one way we can do this, 00:08:32.059 --> 00:08:33.759 and what we see in our passage here, 00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:35.939 one way we can do this 00:08:35.939 --> 00:08:38.879 is to keep the future glory 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:41.679 of the church in view. 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:46.820 What John is doing in this passage before us 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:49.060 is holding up a picture 00:08:49.060 --> 00:08:51.920 of the church's true identity, 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:53.280 our true destiny, 00:08:53.940 --> 00:08:56.160 our future perfected state 00:08:56.160 --> 00:08:58.080 in the new heavens and new earth. 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:00.660 And he's holding up that vision 00:09:00.660 --> 00:09:02.140 so that we might know 00:09:02.140 --> 00:09:04.080 who we truly are 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:06.400 and who God sees us to be 00:09:06.400 --> 00:09:10.760 despite the world's passing ridicule and shame. 00:09:12.920 --> 00:09:14.460 And knowing who we truly are, 00:09:14.560 --> 00:09:16.100 knowing what our future truly is, 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:17.920 that is what will help us 00:09:17.920 --> 00:09:20.700 to persist in the loving witness 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:22.340 that we're called to give 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:23.940 to the crucified and risen Jesus 00:09:23.940 --> 00:09:25.519 with our words and with our life, 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:27.200 even when the world thinks 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:28.399 it's ridiculous. 00:09:31.680 --> 00:09:33.560 So this vision of the heavenly Jerusalem 00:09:33.560 --> 00:09:34.960 of the new city of God 00:09:34.960 --> 00:09:36.620 is a picture of the church 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.840 perfected in glory 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:39.060 in the new heavens and new earth. 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:40.320 Now, how do we know that? 00:09:40.700 --> 00:09:41.620 Well, look at verse 9. 00:09:41.680 --> 00:09:42.740 In verse 9, the angel says, 00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:44.879 Come, I'll show you the bride, 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:45.800 the wife of the Lamb, 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:47.480 and then in verse 10, 00:09:47.800 --> 00:09:49.680 John sees the holy city Jerusalem 00:09:49.680 --> 00:09:51.200 coming down out of heaven from God. 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:54.600 So the city is a representation of the bride, 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:56.800 and the bride, as we know from chapter 17 00:09:56.800 --> 00:09:57.940 in Revelation, is the church. 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:02.040 Now, this all sort of has 00:10:02.040 --> 00:10:03.639 deep Old Testament resonances, right? 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:04.899 Because the city of Jerusalem 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:05.680 in the Old Testament 00:10:05.680 --> 00:10:07.440 was the central place 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:09.000 where God's people dwelled. 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:10.160 It was the sort of center 00:10:10.160 --> 00:10:11.540 of the people of God. 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:13.139 And so the city of Jerusalem 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:14.259 sort of became a metaphor 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:15.539 for the people themselves, 00:10:16.079 --> 00:10:17.259 the people in communion 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:18.099 with their God. 00:10:20.579 --> 00:10:21.860 Now, what does John see 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:24.079 as this city descends from heaven? 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:26.019 Well, look at verse 11. 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:28.279 What's the defining feature 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:29.459 of this city? 00:10:30.599 --> 00:10:31.219 John says, 00:10:31.319 --> 00:10:32.779 It comes down out of heaven 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:33.799 from God, what? 00:10:34.339 --> 00:10:36.919 Having the glory of God. 00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:40.259 Having the glory of God. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:44.779 That's the big idea of our passage. 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:46.740 The people of God 00:10:46.740 --> 00:10:50.439 will share the glory of God. 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:53.799 You might feel ridiculed, 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:56.699 rejected, excluded, 00:10:57.199 --> 00:10:59.799 but if you belong to Christ, 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:01.559 then this is true of you. 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:04.339 You, the people of God, 00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:06.799 will share the glory of God. 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:10.099 And the rest of this vision 00:11:10.099 --> 00:11:11.759 unpacks this glory. 00:11:12.419 --> 00:11:14.399 It unpacks what this glory is. 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:16.099 And we'll kind of walk 00:11:16.099 --> 00:11:16.719 through it together. 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:18.500 We'll see that the church shares 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:21.000 first in the glory of God's unity, 00:11:22.219 --> 00:11:23.899 and then John is going to show us 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:24.620 how the church shares 00:11:24.620 --> 00:11:26.159 in the glory of God's holiness, 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:27.919 and then last, 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:28.899 we'll look at how the church 00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:31.339 shares the glory of God's presence. 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:33.860 And each of these aspects 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:35.120 of God's glory gives us 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:36.759 not just hope for the future, 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:38.059 although certainly that, 00:11:38.579 --> 00:11:39.519 but it's also a picture 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:40.599 of the sort of people 00:11:40.599 --> 00:11:41.699 we should be now 00:11:41.699 --> 00:11:43.439 as we seek to reflect 00:11:43.439 --> 00:11:44.599 the glory of God, 00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:45.979 even now as we look forward 00:11:45.979 --> 00:11:47.139 to the new heavens and new earth. 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:49.919 Okay, so let's look at these aspects 00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:52.159 of God's glory that we share. 00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:53.339 First, God's people share 00:11:53.339 --> 00:11:55.839 the glory of God's unity. 00:11:55.979 --> 00:11:57.539 We see this in verses 12 through 14. 00:11:58.199 --> 00:11:59.579 The city has 12 gates 00:11:59.579 --> 00:12:01.059 and 12 foundations, 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:02.539 and on the gates are the names 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.740 of the 12 tribes of Israel, 00:12:03.959 --> 00:12:05.259 and on the foundations 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:07.159 are the names of the 12 apostles. 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:09.019 Now, it's pretty clear 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:09.919 what this means, right? 00:12:09.959 --> 00:12:10.839 The eternal city, 00:12:10.939 --> 00:12:12.319 the renewed people of God, 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:14.120 will be a unity of both 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:14.919 Old Testament 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:16.860 and New Testament believers. 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:19.360 You see, in the history 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:20.159 of redemption, 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:22.839 if we take the whole Bible together, 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:25.560 there's only one people of God, 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:28.639 and this one people of God 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:31.680 is the union of Jew and Gentile 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:34.300 around the one Lord, Jesus Christ. 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:37.100 We could look through passage 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.759 after passage in the Old Testament 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:39.840 that spoke plainly 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:40.720 about this reality, 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:41.879 starting all the way back 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:42.399 with Abraham, 00:12:42.580 --> 00:12:43.280 who was promised 00:12:43.280 --> 00:12:44.580 that through him 00:12:44.580 --> 00:12:45.379 and his offspring, 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:47.100 all the nations of the earth 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:47.840 would be blessed. 00:12:49.160 --> 00:12:50.120 Or we could look through 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:50.920 the book of Psalms 00:12:50.920 --> 00:12:52.759 where we could often find 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:54.779 sung how the nations would come 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:56.679 and glorify the Lord 00:12:56.679 --> 00:12:57.460 as their God. 00:12:58.700 --> 00:12:59.059 Do you remember 00:12:59.059 --> 00:12:59.679 some of those lines? 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:00.960 Let the peoples praise you, 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:01.340 O God. 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:04.000 Let all the peoples praise you, 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:04.659 right? 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:07.879 The nations would come in 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:09.319 to this one people of God. 00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:10.700 Or how about, 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:12.759 let the nations be glad 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:14.319 and sing for joy. 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:18.220 And this Old Testament theme 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:19.639 finds its fulfillment 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.500 in the New Testament 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.439 when the Messiah, Jesus, comes 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:23.820 to fulfill the promise 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:24.300 to Abraham 00:13:24.300 --> 00:13:26.120 and to fulfill all the songs 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:27.980 of the poets and prophets. 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:30.440 Listen to how the Apostle Paul 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:31.860 explains this in Ephesians 2, 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:32.960 verses 11 through 20. 00:13:33.660 --> 00:13:34.800 He's writing to Gentiles 00:13:34.800 --> 00:13:35.180 and he says, 00:13:35.260 --> 00:13:35.920 therefore remember, 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:36.760 at one time, 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:38.420 you Gentiles in the flesh, 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:40.140 called the uncircumcision 00:13:40.140 --> 00:13:40.820 by what is called 00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.480 the circumcision, 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:42.540 which is made in the flesh 00:13:42.540 --> 00:13:43.140 by hands. 00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:43.780 He says, 00:13:43.780 --> 00:13:45.660 remember that you were 00:13:45.660 --> 00:13:46.260 at one time 00:13:46.260 --> 00:13:47.620 separated from Christ, 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.460 alienated from the 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:50.340 commonwealth of Israel, 00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:51.360 and strangers 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:52.139 to the covenants 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:52.680 and promise, 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:53.980 having no hope 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:55.160 and without God 00:13:55.160 --> 00:13:55.740 in the world. 00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:57.300 But now, 00:13:58.280 --> 00:13:59.620 in Christ Jesus, 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:00.780 you, 00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:03.019 who were once far off, 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:05.540 have been brought near 00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:07.460 by the blood of Christ. 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.320 For he himself 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:11.000 is our peace, 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:13.820 who's made us both one 00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:15.720 and has broken down 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:16.379 in his flesh 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.220 the dividing wall 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:18.000 of hostility. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:19.600 by abolishing 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.559 the law of commandments 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:21.840 expressed in ordinances, 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:23.100 that he might create 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:23.639 in himself 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.740 one new man 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.679 in place of the two, 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:27.460 so making peace, 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:29.679 and might reconcile 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:31.139 us both to God 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:32.379 in one body 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.480 through the cross, 00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:34.559 thereby killing 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:35.360 the hostility. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:37.799 Then Paul says this, 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:38.139 he says, 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:39.340 and he came 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:40.460 and he preached peace 00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:41.279 to you 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:42.580 who were far off 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:43.460 and peace 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:44.419 to those who were near. 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:45.899 For through him 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:47.179 we both have access 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:48.279 in one spirit 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:48.899 to the Father, 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.759 so you're no longer 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:51.980 strangers and aliens, 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.600 but you're fellow citizens 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:55.399 with the saints 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.939 and members 00:14:56.939 --> 00:14:57.539 of the household 00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:58.100 of God, 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:00.480 built on the foundation 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:01.299 of the apostles 00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:02.720 and prophets, 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:04.799 Christ Jesus himself 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:05.899 being the cornerstone. 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.559 Through the cross, 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:12.839 the two have been made one. 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:16.199 Do you see the glory 00:15:16.199 --> 00:15:16.719 in this? 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:20.099 What Jesus achieved 00:15:20.099 --> 00:15:21.099 through the cross, 00:15:21.979 --> 00:15:23.219 no other world ruler, 00:15:23.979 --> 00:15:24.939 no other empire, 00:15:25.599 --> 00:15:26.959 no other social program 00:15:26.959 --> 00:15:27.619 could achieve. 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:30.239 Long before the world 00:15:30.239 --> 00:15:31.519 celebrated diversity 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.359 and difference, 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:34.019 long before the world 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:35.299 celebrated valuing 00:15:35.299 --> 00:15:36.439 our unique cultures 00:15:36.439 --> 00:15:37.219 and backgrounds, 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:39.379 the church 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.320 had been for 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:41.639 2,000 years 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.580 building 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:44.000 a multicultural, 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:46.060 multi-ethnic people 00:15:46.060 --> 00:15:47.320 where difference 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:48.279 wasn't erased, 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.940 but that difference 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:50.879 was brought near 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.160 into the full body 00:15:52.160 --> 00:15:52.840 of Christ. 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:56.100 So we worship 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:57.180 the crucified one, 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:57.759 yes, 00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:59.700 and we glory in him 00:15:59.700 --> 00:16:01.779 despite the world's ridicule. 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:05.000 And John sees a vision 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.620 in Revelation 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:06.960 of the new city 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.840 of God's people 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:08.440 in glory 00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:09.360 where those divisions 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:11.060 and those hostilities 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:12.980 are over once and for all 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.539 and where there's truly peace. 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.720 We're crafted 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:17.379 and created 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.639 into one city. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.159 And this unity 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:23.940 and diversity 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:25.039 which we share 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:27.220 is, 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:28.179 at the end of the day, 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.379 a sharing 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:30.860 in God's glory. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:33.940 for God himself 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:35.340 is a unity 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.460 amidst diversity, 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:36.919 isn't he? 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.220 The book of Revelation, 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:39.700 not to mention 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.539 the whole New Testament, 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:41.240 has shown us 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:41.700 that God 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:42.860 is a triune God, 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.100 right? 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.580 The one who sits 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.240 on the throne 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.379 and the Lamb 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:48.019 and the sevenfold spirit 00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:48.740 that comes forth 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.460 from the throne 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:51.240 are one God, 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:52.240 Father, 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:52.740 Son, 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.580 and Holy Spirit. 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:56.240 God is one 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:56.860 in three 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.940 and three 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:58.560 in one. 00:16:58.559 --> 00:17:00.299 In other words, 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:00.959 the very heart 00:17:00.959 --> 00:17:02.019 of ultimate reality 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.979 is a diverse unity 00:17:03.979 --> 00:17:06.059 or a unified diversity. 00:17:07.679 --> 00:17:09.019 And God's people 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.859 reflect that glory. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.919 We will reflect it 00:17:13.919 --> 00:17:14.399 ultimately 00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:15.179 in the new heavens 00:17:15.179 --> 00:17:15.779 and new earth 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.200 when people 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.079 from every tribe 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.579 and tongue 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.119 and nation 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.919 will make up 00:17:19.919 --> 00:17:20.720 this new city. 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:23.359 But we also reflect it 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:24.200 right now. 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.799 In our local churches, 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:29.019 we should be reflections 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:31.259 of this heavenly reality 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:31.819 to come. 00:17:33.139 --> 00:17:33.839 We will do it 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:34.440 imperfectly, 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:34.980 of course, 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:37.200 but there should be 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:38.220 a foretaste 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.200 of the future 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.319 right now 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:41.419 in our present. 00:17:44.919 --> 00:17:45.399 Now, 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.159 how do we do that? 00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.200 How do we do this? 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.379 How do we reflect 00:17:48.379 --> 00:17:49.799 the glory of God's unity 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.659 here and now? 00:17:51.919 --> 00:17:52.259 Well, 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:54.139 we do it 00:17:54.139 --> 00:17:55.139 by loving one another. 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:57.440 The unity of the Trinity, 00:17:57.600 --> 00:17:58.540 Father, Son, and Spirit 00:17:58.540 --> 00:17:59.740 is a unity of love. 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.340 Jesus himself said, 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.220 the world will know 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:03.160 my disciples 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:03.880 by your love. 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:05.480 What made the early church 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.500 attractive despite 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.560 the ridicule and shame 00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:08.640 was its love. 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:11.720 So let me mention 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:13.100 five practical ways 00:18:13.100 --> 00:18:14.140 to love one another 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:15.180 here and now 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.440 and to reflect God's unity. 00:18:16.820 --> 00:18:17.259 And I'll go through 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:17.700 these quickly 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.240 because we've got more 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.040 to cover this morning. 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:20.880 But how do we love 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:21.720 one another practically 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:22.740 and reflect this unity? 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.120 First, 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.759 we do it by practicing 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.599 church membership. 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:28.359 Church membership says, 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:30.259 I love you enough 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.720 to commit to you. 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:33.980 And at Trinity, 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:35.160 we have the great privilege 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:36.460 to be made up 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:38.200 of members 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:39.160 from many countries 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:39.759 and languages 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.519 and backgrounds. 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.480 And when we commit 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.220 to each other, 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.779 we're demonstrating 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:46.240 the glory of God's unity. 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.279 Secondly, 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:51.579 we attend Sunday services. 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:53.339 being here 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:54.299 in person 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.119 matters. 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.000 It says, 00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:57.519 I love you enough 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.659 to show up for you. 00:18:59.619 --> 00:18:59.899 Now, 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:00.740 you all are here, 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:01.500 so maybe I'm preaching 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:02.279 to the choir, right? 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.879 But maybe you've not 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:05.639 been here for a while, 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.759 so this is for you, right? 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.899 We love each other 00:19:07.899 --> 00:19:08.639 by showing up 00:19:08.639 --> 00:19:09.240 for one another. 00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.699 We're not here 00:19:10.699 --> 00:19:11.899 to be consumers, 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:13.199 to simply watch church 00:19:13.199 --> 00:19:13.859 on a screen 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.519 like we'd watch 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.500 any old TV show. 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:15.759 No, 00:19:15.919 --> 00:19:17.259 we're here in the flesh 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.720 to love and know 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.220 each other. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:22.000 We reflect the glory 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:22.620 of God's unity 00:19:22.620 --> 00:19:23.440 by showing up 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:24.079 for each other, 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.759 by gathering together 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.339 on Sunday. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:29.000 Third way, 00:19:30.100 --> 00:19:31.799 we welcome differences. 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:33.600 We say, 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.940 I love you enough 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:36.400 to listen to you. 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:38.740 You might have 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:40.460 a different political view 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:41.000 than mine. 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.460 You might have 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.600 different musical preferences 00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:44.200 than mine. 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:45.339 We might approach 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:46.460 all sorts of things 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:46.880 differently. 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:49.140 But we reflect 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:50.520 the glory of God's unity 00:19:50.520 --> 00:19:51.120 by saying, 00:19:51.320 --> 00:19:52.040 I love you enough 00:19:52.040 --> 00:19:53.540 to listen to you, 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:55.160 to welcome differences 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:55.880 and to learn 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:56.600 from each other. 00:19:58.840 --> 00:19:59.440 Fourth, 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:00.600 and this is quite 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:01.220 countercultural, 00:20:02.800 --> 00:20:04.020 we confront sin. 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.160 We say, 00:20:06.340 --> 00:20:07.360 I love you enough 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:09.000 to correct you 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.680 and to be corrected 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:11.540 by you. 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:14.000 Welcoming difference 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.340 does not mean 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:17.019 that we don't hold 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.459 each other 00:20:17.459 --> 00:20:18.579 to the way of Christ 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.480 and the word of God. 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:21.720 We need to love 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.339 each other enough 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:22.939 to encourage 00:20:22.939 --> 00:20:23.679 and correct 00:20:23.679 --> 00:20:24.599 and bring all 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.259 of our lives 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:25.980 under the lordship 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.579 of Christ 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.419 and his word, 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.679 even when it seems 00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:29.359 to be a path 00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:30.740 at total variance 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.220 to the world 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:31.899 around us. 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:34.639 Fifth, 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.139 we mutually 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:37.059 serve each other. 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.460 we say, 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.440 I love you enough 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.419 to serve you 00:20:40.419 --> 00:20:41.399 and to be served 00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:42.059 by you. 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.119 We receive 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:44.740 from one another, 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:46.019 we give to one another 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.960 our time, 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.179 our energy, 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:48.700 our gifts, 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.299 our talents, 00:20:49.399 --> 00:20:50.119 our resources. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.519 Now a church 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.539 that's doing these things, 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:54.339 that's committing, 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:55.980 that's showing up, 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:57.039 that's listening, 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.299 that's correcting, 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.480 that's serving, 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.859 that will start 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:02.500 to be a church 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:05.000 that's lovingly reflecting 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:06.539 the glory of God's unity. 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:10.059 So John wants us 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.660 to have a vision 00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.759 of God's people 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.819 sharing God's glory 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:13.880 and first we see 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:15.339 the glory of God's unity 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.240 in this vision 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.519 of the new Jerusalem. 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:18.500 Next, 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.119 what we see next 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:19.799 is a glory, 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:21.220 is that we share 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:21.819 in the glory 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.880 of God's holiness, 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:24.019 the glory of God's holiness. 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.319 Now, 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.460 this is in verses 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.599 15 through 21. 00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:27.960 In these verses 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:29.859 we see the measurements 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.920 and the materials 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.920 of this great city 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:33.619 and the impression 00:21:33.619 --> 00:21:34.200 we get 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.559 is that the city 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:38.799 is the perfection 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:40.120 of beauty. 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.319 The dimensions 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:43.080 of the city 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:44.080 are precise 00:21:44.080 --> 00:21:46.039 and the adornment 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.720 of the city 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.940 is radiant. 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.960 It's the perfection 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.519 of beauty. 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.539 But what is the beauty 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.539 of the people of God? 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:57.039 It's not money, 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:57.720 right? 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.080 God's people aren't beautiful 00:21:59.080 --> 00:21:59.900 because they're wealthy. 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.880 It's not fame 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:02.900 or success. 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:04.740 God's people 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.300 aren't beautiful 00:22:05.300 --> 00:22:06.180 because they receive 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.160 earthly praise. 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:08.900 So what is it? 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:11.000 What is this perfection 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.680 of beauty? 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.019 Well, 00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:15.080 it's an interesting detail 00:22:15.080 --> 00:22:17.080 that these gemstones 00:22:17.080 --> 00:22:18.160 that adorn 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:19.720 the twelve foundations, 00:22:20.060 --> 00:22:20.240 right, 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.060 they seem to be 00:22:21.060 --> 00:22:21.980 the centerpiece 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:23.180 of this adornment 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:23.660 of beauty. 00:22:24.560 --> 00:22:25.720 That those gemstones 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.580 that are listed there, 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:27.380 as you might have guessed, 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:28.920 that's not the first time 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.820 those stones 00:22:29.820 --> 00:22:30.540 have turned up 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.039 in Scripture. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:32.879 Now, 00:22:32.899 --> 00:22:33.379 on the one hand, 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.059 we see something 00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:35.259 like this alluded to 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.759 in Isaiah 54. 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:38.659 In Isaiah 54, 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.240 God says, 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.599 O afflicted one, 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.440 storm-tossed 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:43.680 and not comforted, 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:44.639 behold, 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:46.079 I will set your stones 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:46.879 in antimony 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:48.420 and lay your foundations 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.460 with sapphires. 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.220 I will make your pinnacles 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:51.879 of agate 00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:52.519 and your gates 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.299 of carbuncles 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:54.259 and all your walls 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.359 of precious stones. 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.659 So there, 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.179 the prophet 00:22:57.179 --> 00:22:57.699 is sort of 00:22:57.699 --> 00:22:59.539 envisioning a time 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:01.000 when the troubled 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:02.259 and storm-tossed 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.119 people of God 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:04.459 will be vindicated 00:23:04.459 --> 00:23:05.159 and redeemed 00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:06.099 and comforted. 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.519 You may be afflicted now, 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.279 God is saying, 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:10.119 but one day 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:11.500 you will be whole 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.579 and adorned in beauty. 00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:14.859 But, you know, 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:15.979 if we go back even further 00:23:15.979 --> 00:23:17.159 in the Scriptures, 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.899 we find that those stones 00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:19.519 that are listed 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.339 in the foundation, 00:23:20.719 --> 00:23:22.339 almost a similar, 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.619 very similar set 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.739 of stones show up 00:23:24.739 --> 00:23:26.719 in the book of Exodus, 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.919 of all places. 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.919 And where in Exodus? 00:23:31.459 --> 00:23:32.039 Well, we see 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:33.019 very similar stones 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.159 on the breastplate 00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:36.139 of the high priest 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:37.939 in Exodus 28. 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:41.519 And each of the 12 stones 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:43.419 on the sort of panel 00:23:43.419 --> 00:23:44.239 that the high priest 00:23:44.239 --> 00:23:44.739 would wear, 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:46.059 each of those 12 stones 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:47.059 is engraved 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:48.419 with the name 00:23:48.419 --> 00:23:49.579 of one of the tribes 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.159 of Israel. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:53.000 So what God was doing 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.740 in Exodus 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.400 in the Old Testament 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:55.559 is that he was sort of 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:57.180 making the high priest 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:58.900 carry on his chest 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.799 a representation 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:00.920 of the people 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:02.880 whenever he ministered 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.539 before God. 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.740 He became 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.619 their representative. 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:08.140 What the high priest did, 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:09.480 he did on behalf 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.400 of the whole people. 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.099 And what was true 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:12.839 of the high priest 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.759 became true 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.579 of all the people. 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:18.240 But the Old Testament 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.039 high priest 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:20.380 was just a foreshadow 00:24:20.380 --> 00:24:22.940 of an even greater 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.940 high priest to come. 00:24:25.280 --> 00:24:26.600 Our great high priest, 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.300 the Lord Jesus. 00:24:28.300 --> 00:24:28.600 You see, 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.840 he was our representative 00:24:29.840 --> 00:24:31.900 in the greatest degree. 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:34.120 Jesus became like us 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.860 in every respect. 00:24:36.060 --> 00:24:36.720 He didn't just sort of 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:38.000 carry a representation 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:39.980 of us on his chest, right? 00:24:40.020 --> 00:24:42.340 He took our very flesh. 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.360 He took on 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:46.620 all of our weakness, 00:24:46.780 --> 00:24:47.660 all of our trials 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.440 and temptations. 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:49.299 He became like us 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.340 in every respect 00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:51.360 except for our sin. 00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:53.259 And he lived a life 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.460 of complete obedience 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.380 before the Father. 00:24:56.820 --> 00:24:57.779 Jesus' life 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:59.900 was the most beautiful 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:03.000 life ever lived. 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.960 It was a life of love, 00:25:07.080 --> 00:25:08.320 mercy, compassion, 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.480 of truth, 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.019 of justice, 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.920 of generosity. 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.920 It was a life 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:15.160 of perfect holiness. 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:17.300 You see, 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:18.580 Jesus didn't need 00:25:18.580 --> 00:25:20.080 the high priest's 00:25:20.080 --> 00:25:20.700 breastplate. 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.920 He represented us 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:24.140 by taking on our flesh. 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.720 And he was beautiful 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.340 because of his 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:28.340 perfect righteousness. 00:25:31.540 --> 00:25:33.279 So what John sees 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.200 in the vision 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.200 of the new city 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:37.300 is the perfected 00:25:37.300 --> 00:25:38.320 people of God 00:25:38.320 --> 00:25:40.540 shining with the beauty 00:25:40.540 --> 00:25:41.580 of the high priest. 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:44.699 the beauty 00:25:44.699 --> 00:25:45.439 of Jesus, 00:25:45.919 --> 00:25:47.299 our true high priest, 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:49.099 covering us, 00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:50.279 adorning us, 00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:52.139 making us shine. 00:25:52.919 --> 00:25:53.899 We're clothed 00:25:53.899 --> 00:25:55.059 in his righteousness. 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.399 We're adorned 00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.179 with the perfection 00:25:57.179 --> 00:25:58.659 of his holiness. 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.399 One day, 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.000 John sees 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:02.220 all of our sin 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.579 being removed 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:05.039 and the church 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.699 shining like 00:26:05.699 --> 00:26:06.519 the most precious 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.759 gemstones. 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:10.420 Now, 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:10.779 we have some 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.660 wonderful artists 00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:12.480 here at Trinity 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:14.099 and Kim Nugas 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.980 lent me a couple 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.440 of books 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:16.799 about gemstones 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.900 a couple of weeks ago 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:18.559 as I prepared 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.299 for this sermon. 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.460 So I looked 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.160 some of them up 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.220 in these wonderful books. 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.099 And the thing 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:25.920 I came away with 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.480 as someone 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.160 not very knowledgeable 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:27.920 about jewels 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.400 or jewelry 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:30.099 is that 00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:31.980 they're radiant. 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.619 Each one 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.559 unique 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.859 and brilliant 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:37.939 in their own way. 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.679 You know what 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:41.479 will be surprising, 00:26:41.699 --> 00:26:41.899 friends, 00:26:41.979 --> 00:26:42.639 in the new heavens 00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:43.219 and the new earth? 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.159 I think one of the things 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:46.319 that will be very surprising 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:48.939 is how beautiful, 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:51.319 how ravishing 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:53.579 holiness is. 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.479 We tend to think 00:26:57.479 --> 00:26:58.039 that obedience 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.879 to God 00:26:58.879 --> 00:26:59.859 is boring, 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.339 that it will kill 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:01.939 our joy, 00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:03.599 that it will stifle 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.240 our identity. 00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:07.619 But in the new city 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.279 we will see 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.139 that exactly 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:10.119 the opposite 00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:11.579 was the case. 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.939 Insofar as we 00:27:13.939 --> 00:27:15.139 followed the path 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:15.659 of Jesus 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.419 in obedience, 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.379 that was when 00:27:18.379 --> 00:27:19.139 our lives 00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:20.659 were most 00:27:20.659 --> 00:27:21.879 radiant 00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:23.299 with who we were 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.519 really meant to be. 00:27:25.919 --> 00:27:26.639 That's when 00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:27.839 our unique identity 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:29.039 shone forth 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.619 like a precious stone. 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.059 God 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:34.299 and now 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.919 imagine a church 00:27:35.919 --> 00:27:36.479 where not just 00:27:36.479 --> 00:27:37.379 one or two people 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:38.619 are beginning to shine 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.379 with the beauty 00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:39.839 of holiness, 00:27:40.639 --> 00:27:42.179 but a whole congregation. 00:27:44.459 --> 00:27:46.179 Like a kaleidoscope 00:27:46.179 --> 00:27:47.419 of brilliance. 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:49.159 If we could see 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:50.739 what God sees, 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:53.059 we might need 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.279 to shield our eyes. 00:27:56.439 --> 00:27:57.399 That's how beautiful 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.199 the church is. 00:27:58.200 --> 00:28:02.160 And what a motivation 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:03.019 I think this is 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.680 to pursue 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.779 this holiness 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.580 now. 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.140 As Paul says 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:07.759 in Romans 12, 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:09.580 let's not be conformed 00:28:09.580 --> 00:28:10.120 to the pattern 00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:10.840 of this world, 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.279 but be transformed 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.039 by the renewing 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.740 of our minds 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.319 into the image 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:14.900 of Christ. 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.740 But how do we 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.580 go about doing that? 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.319 How do we pursue 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.019 this holiness? 00:28:20.620 --> 00:28:21.640 Well, it begins, 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:23.240 the first step, 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.440 it begins 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.360 by remembering 00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:27.519 that our righteousness 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:29.500 comes from Christ. 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:32.379 That we are justified, 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:33.139 that is, 00:28:33.199 --> 00:28:34.199 we're counted righteous 00:28:34.199 --> 00:28:35.699 and accepted by God 00:28:35.699 --> 00:28:38.679 through sheer grace 00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:40.459 by faith in Jesus. 00:28:41.439 --> 00:28:42.240 His righteousness 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:43.679 is imputed to us, 00:28:43.699 --> 00:28:44.399 it's a gift. 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:46.240 We're made beautiful 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:47.179 in God's eyes 00:28:47.179 --> 00:28:47.939 by grace, 00:28:47.979 --> 00:28:48.799 not by works. 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.419 In other words, 00:28:51.459 --> 00:28:52.099 when you woke up 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:52.740 this morning, 00:28:53.679 --> 00:28:55.679 no matter how you felt, 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.939 no matter what sort of day 00:28:57.939 --> 00:28:58.859 you had yesterday, 00:28:59.719 --> 00:29:02.459 if you are in Christ, 00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:05.259 then God looks at you 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:07.179 and sees beauty 00:29:07.179 --> 00:29:09.859 like a shining sapphire, 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.879 like a radiant emerald. 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:15.119 He is pleased with you. 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.799 He loves you. 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.339 He's forgiven 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.219 all your sins. 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.259 He's embraced you 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.799 and welcomed you forever. 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:25.359 Now, how could that be? 00:29:25.459 --> 00:29:26.119 How could God 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:27.439 view us this way? 00:29:29.219 --> 00:29:29.579 Well, 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:31.419 it's through the cross, 00:29:31.899 --> 00:29:32.439 you see. 00:29:34.459 --> 00:29:35.000 You know, 00:29:35.219 --> 00:29:36.599 that piece of graffiti 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.699 on the streets of Rome 00:29:37.699 --> 00:29:38.459 that we sort of 00:29:38.459 --> 00:29:39.839 imaginatively walked by, 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:42.039 that piece of graffiti 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:43.299 was more true 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:44.500 than the person 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.599 who scrawled it 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.799 ever imagined. 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:48.259 You know, 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:48.919 they thought they were 00:29:48.919 --> 00:29:50.179 making fun of Christianity. 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:52.600 But friends, 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.560 isn't this 00:29:53.560 --> 00:29:54.120 the beauty 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:54.840 of the gospel? 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.840 What is the good news? 00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:59.160 What does the gospel say? 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.980 It says 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:04.440 the eternally beautiful one 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:07.640 became ugly. 00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:10.380 He became a donkey 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:11.720 and hung on a tree 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:13.880 so that you and I, 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.799 no matter how ugly 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.580 our sins, 00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:17.340 could be made beautiful. 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:19.799 Yes, 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.679 Alex Amenos 00:30:21.679 --> 00:30:23.079 worships his God. 00:30:23.179 --> 00:30:24.359 Is there any other God 00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:25.439 worthy of worship? 00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:28.799 Who else loved you 00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.339 at such cost, 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:31.500 with such grace? 00:30:32.379 --> 00:30:34.159 Who else now views you 00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:35.779 with such regard, 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.599 with such beauty? 00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:43.159 And when you start there, 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:44.980 that you're saved 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:48.279 by Jesus' costly grace, 00:30:48.899 --> 00:30:51.419 then your life is different. 00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:53.619 It starts to change. 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.379 How? 00:30:56.719 --> 00:30:58.159 Because you want to be 00:30:58.159 --> 00:30:59.359 more like this God 00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:00.699 who loves you so much. 00:31:01.419 --> 00:31:02.899 Your motivation to obey God 00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:03.659 totally changes. 00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:04.299 You don't obey 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:05.219 because you're afraid 00:31:05.219 --> 00:31:06.480 now that God might reject you. 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:07.319 You don't obey 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:07.940 because you're hoping 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:08.960 to win God's favor 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:10.299 and keep Him on your good side. 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.900 He's already done everything 00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:12.599 to accept you 00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:13.500 and keep you. 00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:15.539 Now you want to obey 00:31:15.539 --> 00:31:16.860 simply because you love 00:31:16.860 --> 00:31:18.180 the one who loved you. 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:21.099 And you know deep in your bones 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.319 that this is the path 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:23.400 of beauty 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:24.860 and how could we not 00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:25.860 walk in it? 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.720 Of course, 00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.640 the church has not always 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.900 lived up to this beauty 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:32.839 we've been given, 00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:33.400 has it? 00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:34.860 You know, 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.620 you study the history 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.079 of the church 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.739 and you'll see 00:31:36.739 --> 00:31:39.000 how it has often strayed 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.699 from this path 00:31:39.699 --> 00:31:40.199 of holiness 00:31:40.199 --> 00:31:41.419 and beauty 00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:42.039 and grace. 00:31:43.639 --> 00:31:44.279 But you know, 00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:45.039 as Christians today, 00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:46.119 we don't need to shy away 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:46.679 from that 00:31:46.679 --> 00:31:48.399 or to hide that. 00:31:50.939 --> 00:31:52.099 The former commissioner 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:52.859 of baseball 00:31:52.859 --> 00:31:53.659 once said, 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:56.119 we must never lose sight 00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:56.959 of our history. 00:31:57.619 --> 00:31:58.319 He's talking about 00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:59.159 the history of racism 00:31:59.159 --> 00:32:01.159 in the Major League Baseball. 00:32:01.739 --> 00:32:02.179 He says, 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:03.220 we must never lose sight 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:03.880 of our history 00:32:03.880 --> 00:32:06.740 insofar as it is ugly 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:08.740 never to repeat it, 00:32:09.860 --> 00:32:11.420 insofar as it is glorious 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:13.019 to cherish it. 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:16.560 I think those are good words 00:32:16.560 --> 00:32:17.820 for us Christians too. 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:19.820 We don't ignore 00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:20.660 the ugly parts 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:22.240 when we've failed 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:23.440 to live up to this grace 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:25.420 and we don't ignore 00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:26.640 the beautiful parts either 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:28.440 because both 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:29.800 are instructive for us. 00:32:31.280 --> 00:32:32.060 And each day 00:32:32.060 --> 00:32:32.720 we return 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.960 to our justification 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.860 in Christ 00:32:34.860 --> 00:32:36.980 and from there 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.780 we find 00:32:37.780 --> 00:32:38.840 the Spirit Himself 00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:39.800 is fueling 00:32:39.800 --> 00:32:40.759 our sanctification, 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:42.280 that process 00:32:42.280 --> 00:32:42.740 of becoming 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.640 more and more 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:44.900 like Christ. 00:32:48.100 --> 00:32:49.440 So the people of God 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.080 will share 00:32:50.080 --> 00:32:51.080 the glory of God. 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.400 John's shown us 00:32:53.400 --> 00:32:54.520 the glory of God's unity 00:32:54.520 --> 00:32:55.700 in the church 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.559 and also the glory 00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.519 of God's holiness 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:58.319 in the church. 00:32:59.120 --> 00:32:59.920 Third and last, 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.640 we see the glory 00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:01.700 of God's presence. 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:03.180 The glory of God's presence. 00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:03.600 We see this 00:33:03.600 --> 00:33:04.420 in the final paragraph 00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:05.059 of our text, 00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:07.120 verses 22 through 27. 00:33:08.340 --> 00:33:09.299 In this new city 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:09.940 we find something 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:10.620 else surprising. 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:13.000 Unlike nearly every city 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:13.799 in the ancient world, 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.440 this city 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:16.120 has no temple. 00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:18.720 And not just that, 00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:19.819 there's not even 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:20.920 a sun or a moon. 00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:21.759 Why? 00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:24.819 Because neither one 00:33:24.819 --> 00:33:26.400 are needed anymore. 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.799 There's no need 00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:28.259 of a temple. 00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:29.460 There's no need 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:30.240 of sun and moon. 00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:31.940 Why is that? 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:34.539 Because God is there. 00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:36.779 God is there 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.220 in His fullness. 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:39.839 Which means 00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:42.019 the whole city 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:42.839 is a temple, 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:43.599 as it were. 00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:44.900 You know, 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:45.660 that's why the measurements 00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.240 of the city 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:47.700 in verses 15 through 16, 00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:48.700 those measurements, 00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:49.839 they kind of sound 00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:51.539 a lot like the Holy of Holies 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:52.279 in the Old Testament 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.720 tabernacle and temple. 00:33:54.339 --> 00:33:54.859 The Old Testament 00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:55.480 Holy of Holies 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:55.879 was sort of that 00:33:55.879 --> 00:33:56.679 special place 00:33:56.679 --> 00:33:57.199 in the middle 00:33:57.199 --> 00:33:57.699 of the temple 00:33:57.699 --> 00:33:58.919 where God's presence 00:33:58.919 --> 00:34:00.319 sort of dwelt 00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:01.059 in its fullness. 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.119 Right? 00:34:02.159 --> 00:34:03.480 And it was a perfect cube. 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.819 And then John looks 00:34:04.819 --> 00:34:05.439 at the new heavens 00:34:05.439 --> 00:34:05.879 and new earth 00:34:05.879 --> 00:34:06.359 and the city 00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:07.059 coming down to God 00:34:07.059 --> 00:34:07.720 and the whole thing 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.779 is the Holy of Holies. 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.360 The whole city 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:11.759 has become 00:34:11.759 --> 00:34:13.019 the dwelling place of God. 00:34:14.219 --> 00:34:15.480 The temple's obsolete. 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.179 And the light 00:34:18.179 --> 00:34:18.860 that shines 00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:19.519 over the city 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.360 is never-ending. 00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:23.039 Not because the sun 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.880 never goes down, 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:25.980 but because there's 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.900 no need for the sun 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:27.360 at all. 00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:29.800 Because the Lamb, 00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:31.000 the risen Jesus Christ 00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:31.519 is there 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:33.239 who is 00:34:33.239 --> 00:34:34.000 and will ever be 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.900 the light of the world. 00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:38.280 One day we will be 00:34:38.280 --> 00:34:40.179 awash 00:34:40.179 --> 00:34:41.400 in the light 00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:42.460 of God's presence. 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:45.860 Can you and I 00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:46.739 even express 00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:48.199 the joy, 00:34:48.839 --> 00:34:49.579 the love, 00:34:50.139 --> 00:34:51.039 the thrill 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:52.439 of that day? 00:34:54.819 --> 00:34:55.339 It's surprising 00:34:55.339 --> 00:34:56.639 how John expresses it. 00:34:56.719 --> 00:34:57.139 He says, 00:34:59.139 --> 00:34:59.639 in that city 00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:00.339 its gates 00:35:00.339 --> 00:35:01.439 will never be shut 00:35:01.439 --> 00:35:02.039 by day 00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:03.599 and there will be 00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:05.259 no night there. 00:35:06.879 --> 00:35:07.239 Now, 00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:07.799 why did cities 00:35:07.799 --> 00:35:08.699 close their gates 00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:10.059 in the ancient world? 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:11.199 Well, 00:35:11.219 --> 00:35:12.159 cities closed their gates 00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:12.939 for protection, 00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:13.699 for safety. 00:35:13.899 --> 00:35:14.079 Right? 00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:14.799 When night fell, 00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.480 danger came, 00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:16.480 so they closed the gates. 00:35:18.319 --> 00:35:19.539 But in that place, 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:22.000 there is no more danger. 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.139 So the gates 00:35:24.139 --> 00:35:24.920 are always open. 00:35:26.659 --> 00:35:27.619 The front doors 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:28.299 of the homes 00:35:28.299 --> 00:35:29.460 are always unlocked. 00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:32.340 Why? 00:35:32.340 --> 00:35:35.500 Because we're safe. 00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:37.900 The presence 00:35:37.900 --> 00:35:38.460 of God 00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:38.980 is there 00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:40.460 and we have 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:41.360 nothing to fear. 00:35:42.720 --> 00:35:43.579 Sin is gone. 00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:45.100 Selfishness 00:35:45.100 --> 00:35:45.620 is gone. 00:35:46.740 --> 00:35:47.059 Hatred 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.700 and enmity 00:35:47.700 --> 00:35:48.320 are gone. 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:50.519 It's just 00:35:50.519 --> 00:35:51.340 the love of God 00:35:51.340 --> 00:35:52.640 filling our hearts 00:35:52.640 --> 00:35:54.960 and letting us 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:56.240 live in joy 00:35:56.240 --> 00:35:57.980 and without fear. 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:00.940 What a glorious 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:01.880 thing that will be. 00:36:02.340 --> 00:36:04.000 And we rightly 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:05.500 long for that day. 00:36:08.160 --> 00:36:09.340 But even now, 00:36:10.160 --> 00:36:11.059 even now, 00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:13.539 we're meant to live 00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:15.500 in light of that future. 00:36:16.600 --> 00:36:17.059 After all, 00:36:17.120 --> 00:36:18.059 the church now 00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:19.200 is the temple 00:36:19.200 --> 00:36:20.180 of the Holy Spirit. 00:36:21.019 --> 00:36:22.220 God does dwell 00:36:22.220 --> 00:36:23.019 in our midst. 00:36:24.200 --> 00:36:25.019 The Holy Spirit, 00:36:25.180 --> 00:36:26.640 God's empowering presence, 00:36:26.780 --> 00:36:27.360 is here, 00:36:27.600 --> 00:36:28.300 right now. 00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:31.220 God's 00:36:31.220 --> 00:36:31.760 love of God 00:36:31.760 --> 00:36:32.980 abroad in our hearts, 00:36:33.760 --> 00:36:35.600 driving out fear, 00:36:36.780 --> 00:36:37.920 empowering our worship 00:36:37.920 --> 00:36:38.640 of Christ, 00:36:39.240 --> 00:36:40.160 lifting our hearts 00:36:40.160 --> 00:36:40.660 to Him. 00:36:41.680 --> 00:36:42.860 God is in our midst. 00:36:42.860 --> 00:36:42.980 Christ. 00:36:45.140 --> 00:36:46.820 And that means 00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:49.280 there should be 00:36:49.280 --> 00:36:50.539 something attractive 00:36:50.539 --> 00:36:52.300 about Christians. 00:36:53.160 --> 00:36:53.880 Our gatherings 00:36:53.880 --> 00:36:54.960 should be attractive. 00:36:55.660 --> 00:36:56.620 This should be a place 00:36:56.620 --> 00:36:57.519 where fear 00:36:57.519 --> 00:36:59.480 begins to recede. 00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:02.280 How? 00:37:02.280 --> 00:37:05.440 Because perfect love 00:37:05.440 --> 00:37:06.900 casts out fear. 00:37:10.100 --> 00:37:11.140 Now, I'm not talking 00:37:11.140 --> 00:37:11.620 about leaving 00:37:11.620 --> 00:37:12.560 our doors unlocked. 00:37:13.220 --> 00:37:13.700 Right? 00:37:13.760 --> 00:37:14.440 You should all lock 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:15.060 your cars 00:37:15.060 --> 00:37:16.320 after you park 00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:17.480 when you come to church. 00:37:17.580 --> 00:37:18.660 Please don't leave 00:37:18.660 --> 00:37:19.320 your car unlocked 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:20.420 when you park downtown, 00:37:20.560 --> 00:37:20.740 right? 00:37:20.739 --> 00:37:22.599 No. 00:37:23.159 --> 00:37:24.559 I'm talking about 00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:25.759 when the Holy Spirit 00:37:25.759 --> 00:37:26.519 moves 00:37:26.519 --> 00:37:28.919 and makes the love 00:37:28.919 --> 00:37:29.399 of God 00:37:29.399 --> 00:37:30.919 real to our hearts 00:37:30.919 --> 00:37:32.319 through worship, 00:37:32.959 --> 00:37:33.679 through prayer, 00:37:34.259 --> 00:37:34.799 through hearing 00:37:34.799 --> 00:37:35.579 His Word, 00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:37.219 and the armor 00:37:37.219 --> 00:37:38.199 that we wear 00:37:38.199 --> 00:37:39.379 in our souls 00:37:39.379 --> 00:37:40.839 begins to loosen. 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:44.279 And our fears 00:37:44.279 --> 00:37:45.899 of not being smart enough 00:37:45.899 --> 00:37:47.959 or attractive enough 00:37:47.959 --> 00:37:49.779 or wealthy enough, 00:37:49.780 --> 00:37:51.240 these fears 00:37:51.240 --> 00:37:52.700 begin to recede 00:37:52.700 --> 00:37:54.960 in the light 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.740 of the love 00:37:55.740 --> 00:37:56.400 of the Lamb. 00:37:57.900 --> 00:37:58.960 And then together 00:37:58.960 --> 00:38:02.060 we become a place 00:38:02.060 --> 00:38:05.160 where the nations 00:38:05.160 --> 00:38:05.700 come in. 00:38:08.080 --> 00:38:09.200 We're not afraid 00:38:09.200 --> 00:38:09.940 to be known 00:38:09.940 --> 00:38:11.160 and to be loved 00:38:11.160 --> 00:38:12.980 because we are known 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.920 and we are loved 00:38:13.920 --> 00:38:14.800 by the everlasting 00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:15.680 love of God. 00:38:16.900 --> 00:38:18.120 This is the glory 00:38:18.120 --> 00:38:19.019 of His presence. 00:38:19.780 --> 00:38:21.920 the awe 00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:22.720 and wonder 00:38:22.720 --> 00:38:23.380 of a church 00:38:23.380 --> 00:38:25.240 renewed by the Holy Spirit 00:38:25.240 --> 00:38:25.960 in love 00:38:25.960 --> 00:38:27.100 and without fear. 00:38:31.900 --> 00:38:32.680 Now surely, 00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:33.360 if we're going to be 00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:34.300 that sort of church, 00:38:35.160 --> 00:38:37.320 we need to pray. 00:38:39.800 --> 00:38:40.900 We need to pray 00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:42.640 and not just ask God 00:38:42.640 --> 00:38:43.480 to fill us 00:38:43.480 --> 00:38:44.800 fresh with His Spirit, 00:38:44.800 --> 00:38:47.000 but we need to pray 00:38:47.000 --> 00:38:47.780 and enjoy 00:38:47.780 --> 00:38:48.539 the access 00:38:48.539 --> 00:38:49.380 that we have 00:38:49.380 --> 00:38:49.980 to the Father 00:38:49.980 --> 00:38:50.640 through the Son. 00:38:51.660 --> 00:38:52.340 Remember the words 00:38:52.340 --> 00:38:53.360 of Paul that we read earlier, 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:53.940 in Christ, 00:38:54.080 --> 00:38:55.019 we both have access 00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:55.980 in one Spirit 00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:57.039 to the Father. 00:38:57.820 --> 00:38:58.519 Do we enjoy 00:38:58.519 --> 00:38:59.600 the presence of God 00:38:59.600 --> 00:39:00.420 now? 00:39:01.900 --> 00:39:03.600 Do we live like it? 00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:06.360 Or are we still 00:39:06.360 --> 00:39:07.180 concerned about 00:39:07.180 --> 00:39:07.820 the opinions 00:39:07.820 --> 00:39:09.100 and the approval 00:39:09.100 --> 00:39:09.800 of the world? 00:39:09.800 --> 00:39:12.560 You see, 00:39:12.620 --> 00:39:13.200 the church is getting 00:39:13.200 --> 00:39:13.800 it all wrong 00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:14.620 if we try to live 00:39:14.620 --> 00:39:15.640 for the world's approval. 00:39:17.660 --> 00:39:18.539 Because one day, 00:39:18.620 --> 00:39:20.000 the nations will stream 00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:21.400 into the new city 00:39:21.400 --> 00:39:22.580 and bring their honor 00:39:22.580 --> 00:39:23.600 and glory into it. 00:39:24.640 --> 00:39:24.960 You see, 00:39:25.240 --> 00:39:26.960 all that's God honoring 00:39:26.960 --> 00:39:28.400 in our various cultures 00:39:28.400 --> 00:39:29.140 and backgrounds 00:39:29.140 --> 00:39:31.039 will be part of the celebration 00:39:31.039 --> 00:39:31.920 on that day. 00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:32.620 It will be brought 00:39:32.620 --> 00:39:33.760 into the city 00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:35.400 and give glory to God. 00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:35.480 God. 00:39:37.340 --> 00:39:38.539 We need not live 00:39:38.539 --> 00:39:39.180 for the approval 00:39:39.180 --> 00:39:39.840 of the world. 00:39:39.940 --> 00:39:40.260 Instead, 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:41.539 let's live 00:39:41.539 --> 00:39:42.180 for the approval 00:39:42.180 --> 00:39:42.840 of God. 00:39:44.079 --> 00:39:44.760 Let's live 00:39:44.760 --> 00:39:45.860 for God's praise 00:39:45.860 --> 00:39:46.920 so that we can be 00:39:46.920 --> 00:39:47.880 salt and light 00:39:47.880 --> 00:39:48.519 in the world, 00:39:48.720 --> 00:39:50.039 so that the church 00:39:50.039 --> 00:39:50.860 might become 00:39:50.860 --> 00:39:51.980 an embassy, 00:39:52.160 --> 00:39:53.220 a sort of outpost 00:39:53.220 --> 00:39:54.440 of the world to come, 00:39:54.700 --> 00:39:55.780 where the best 00:39:55.780 --> 00:39:56.460 of the world 00:39:56.460 --> 00:39:58.240 is redeemed 00:39:58.240 --> 00:39:59.320 for God's glory 00:39:59.320 --> 00:40:00.340 right now 00:40:00.340 --> 00:40:00.880 in the present. 00:40:00.880 --> 00:40:06.079 How do we do that? 00:40:08.240 --> 00:40:08.640 Well, 00:40:08.660 --> 00:40:09.220 in a few weeks 00:40:09.220 --> 00:40:10.019 after we finish up 00:40:10.019 --> 00:40:11.180 our series in Revelation, 00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:13.000 we're going to begin 00:40:13.000 --> 00:40:13.840 a series in Jesus' 00:40:14.099 --> 00:40:14.860 Sermon on the Mount 00:40:14.860 --> 00:40:16.220 starting in, 00:40:16.460 --> 00:40:16.720 I think, 00:40:16.800 --> 00:40:17.559 sometime in July. 00:40:19.860 --> 00:40:20.760 How do we live 00:40:20.760 --> 00:40:21.740 God's will on earth 00:40:21.740 --> 00:40:22.660 as it is in heaven? 00:40:24.140 --> 00:40:24.840 How do we be 00:40:24.840 --> 00:40:25.720 the people of God's 00:40:25.720 --> 00:40:26.780 kingdom right now? 00:40:27.740 --> 00:40:28.380 That's what we'll 00:40:28.380 --> 00:40:29.160 be learning about 00:40:29.160 --> 00:40:30.180 as we look at 00:40:30.179 --> 00:40:31.000 the Sermon on the Mount. 00:40:32.659 --> 00:40:33.719 But for now, 00:40:34.339 --> 00:40:35.539 as we close, 00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:37.839 we pray. 00:40:39.139 --> 00:40:40.359 We pray for God 00:40:40.359 --> 00:40:41.759 to fill our vision 00:40:41.759 --> 00:40:43.379 with our true future 00:40:43.379 --> 00:40:44.940 and our true identity, 00:40:45.679 --> 00:40:47.219 that we will share 00:40:47.219 --> 00:40:47.859 His glory, 00:40:48.519 --> 00:40:49.500 and even now 00:40:49.500 --> 00:40:50.440 we can reflect 00:40:50.440 --> 00:40:51.179 this glory 00:40:51.179 --> 00:40:52.739 in unity, 00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:54.739 in holiness, 00:40:55.299 --> 00:40:56.579 and in the presence 00:40:56.579 --> 00:40:57.299 of His Spirit. 00:40:58.379 --> 00:40:59.039 Let's pray. 00:41:00.179 --> 00:41:05.119 Father, 00:41:05.480 --> 00:41:07.679 we see the glory 00:41:07.679 --> 00:41:09.899 that You have prepared 00:41:09.899 --> 00:41:10.539 for us, 00:41:11.139 --> 00:41:12.759 and we are humbled 00:41:12.759 --> 00:41:13.500 and thrilled 00:41:13.500 --> 00:41:14.559 at the same time. 00:41:15.619 --> 00:41:16.639 And our hearts 00:41:16.639 --> 00:41:17.440 begin to realize 00:41:17.440 --> 00:41:18.079 the depth 00:41:18.079 --> 00:41:19.019 and the wonder 00:41:19.019 --> 00:41:22.059 of what Christ 00:41:22.059 --> 00:41:22.579 has done 00:41:22.579 --> 00:41:24.500 that could make us 00:41:24.500 --> 00:41:25.699 into a people like this, 00:41:26.139 --> 00:41:27.279 radiant with glory. 00:41:27.280 --> 00:41:27.320 glory. 00:41:29.120 --> 00:41:30.040 So even now, 00:41:30.120 --> 00:41:30.280 Father, 00:41:30.380 --> 00:41:31.380 fill us with Your Spirit, 00:41:32.460 --> 00:41:33.300 renew our hope 00:41:33.300 --> 00:41:34.140 and our courage, 00:41:35.080 --> 00:41:36.240 and may we 00:41:36.240 --> 00:41:37.000 even now 00:41:37.000 --> 00:41:38.019 reflect this glory 00:41:38.019 --> 00:41:40.140 so that the world 00:41:40.140 --> 00:41:40.720 around us 00:41:40.720 --> 00:41:41.320 may see 00:41:41.320 --> 00:41:42.519 how great 00:41:42.519 --> 00:41:43.600 and awesome 00:41:43.600 --> 00:41:44.080 You are. 00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:46.460 In Jesus' name 00:41:46.460 --> 00:41:46.900 we pray. 00:41:46.900 --> 00:41:47.240 Amen. 00:41:47.240 --> 00:41:47.260 Amen. 00:41:47.260 --> 00:41:47.639 Amen. 00:41:47.639 --> 00:41:47.860 Amen. 00:41:47.860 --> 00:41:48.119 Amen. 00:41:48.119 --> 00:41:49.019 Amen. 00:41:49.019 --> 00:41:49.159 Amen. 00:41:49.159 --> 00:41:49.320 Amen. 00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:49.639 Amen. 00:41:49.639 --> 00:41:49.860 Amen. 00:41:49.860 --> 00:41:59.519 Amen. 00:41:59.519 --> 00:41:59.639 Amen. 00:41:59.639 --> 00:42:00.079 Amen. 00:42:00.079 --> 00:42:00.440 Amen. 00:42:00.440 --> 00:42:00.559 Amen. 00:42:02.559 --> 00:42:02.659 Amen. 00:42:02.659 --> 00:42:02.740 Amen.