WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.339 Well, I'd like to open this morning with a slightly far-fetched imaginary situation. 00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:14.320 Let's say there's an imaginary couple. 00:00:15.099 --> 00:00:20.440 Their names are David and Marsha, and they're about to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. 00:00:21.900 --> 00:00:26.100 David really goes all out to surprise Marsha. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:31.580 He gets her distracted on a long errand that will kind of take her away from the house. 00:00:32.260 --> 00:00:36.539 He gets the kids to the grandparents for some babysitting. 00:00:37.420 --> 00:00:47.020 He heads to the grocery store and finds some specialty ingredients so he can prepare a really delicious anniversary dinner. 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:50.299 He gets home. He gets set to work preparing the food. 00:00:50.299 --> 00:00:53.859 He grills the steak. He sautes the asparagus. 00:00:53.859 --> 00:00:59.880 He takes the rice pilaf off the stove, and about that time, Marsha walks in the front door. 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:02.280 And the candles are lit. 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:08.200 There's this beautiful vase of flowers propping up the perfect anniversary card. 00:01:09.039 --> 00:01:12.900 And the food is just steaming ready on the table. 00:01:13.180 --> 00:01:19.299 Marsha is swept off her feet by this gesture of romance. 00:01:19.299 --> 00:01:26.920 But then, as David's stepping towards Marsha to embrace her, the front door opens behind her. 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:29.599 And another man walks in. 00:01:30.519 --> 00:01:34.799 And he comes in, bearing some packages and bags, and sets them down. 00:01:34.859 --> 00:01:35.739 He says, here you go, honey. 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:41.620 And then he takes his shoes off and heads over to the dinner table and begins cutting up some steak. 00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:46.359 David is understandably flabbergasted. 00:01:47.060 --> 00:01:51.280 And he says, Marsha, who in the world is this guy? 00:01:51.600 --> 00:01:53.000 What's going on? 00:01:54.100 --> 00:01:56.620 And she says, oh, you mean Brian? 00:01:57.980 --> 00:01:59.540 He's the other man in my life. 00:01:59.880 --> 00:02:01.280 Haven't I told you about him? 00:02:02.280 --> 00:02:03.380 He's really sweet. 00:02:03.480 --> 00:02:05.260 I'm sure you guys will be really good friends. 00:02:05.260 --> 00:02:07.940 I love him a lot. 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:09.580 Not as much as I love you, of course. 00:02:10.420 --> 00:02:14.080 But he makes up for the ways where you don't completely satisfy me. 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:16.360 You don't mind if he stays, right? 00:02:19.540 --> 00:02:24.120 Why did that scene that I thought would elicit some laughter but didn't? 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:39.980 Why did that scene that describes this beautiful and ideal situation suddenly transition to something inappropriate and revolting? 00:02:41.420 --> 00:02:48.099 It's because the pure beauty of intimate fellowship was compromised. 00:02:49.460 --> 00:02:51.099 Majorly compromised. 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:59.000 And the letter that Elise read for us a few moments ago, Jesus is confronting his church. 00:02:59.699 --> 00:03:08.180 And it has to do with a compromise of intimate fellowship between him and his church. 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:11.359 So let's turn our attention to this letter together. 00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:14.740 If your Bible isn't already open to Revelation 2, go ahead and pop it open. 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:20.419 We're in Revelation 2, verses 12 through 17. 00:03:21.099 --> 00:03:28.219 And as we work our way through this letter, let's keep that story in the back of our mind. 00:03:29.359 --> 00:03:32.259 This compromise of intimate fellowship. 00:03:33.400 --> 00:03:43.240 When we come to the end of the letter, we'll put the pieces together and we'll see what exactly Jesus is telling the church at Pergamum then. 00:03:43.240 --> 00:03:49.020 And we'll seek to apply that to what he's telling Christ the King Church now. 00:03:49.020 --> 00:03:53.080 Pastor Mike's been helping us see the past few weeks. 00:03:53.140 --> 00:03:56.140 We've been in these seven letters to the seven churches. 00:03:56.520 --> 00:03:57.260 Ephesus first. 00:03:57.400 --> 00:03:58.300 Last week was Smyrna. 00:03:58.400 --> 00:03:59.379 This week is Pergamum. 00:04:00.100 --> 00:04:05.900 And he's been helping us see that there's a similar structure to these letters that just runs all the way through. 00:04:06.320 --> 00:04:07.360 There's seven parts. 00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:09.700 Seven little pieces that fit together. 00:04:09.699 --> 00:04:12.539 And we're going to guide our way through them. 00:04:12.859 --> 00:04:13.899 And they all start with C. 00:04:14.079 --> 00:04:15.679 So it should be pretty easy to follow along. 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:17.360 We'll move through each part. 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:21.259 And at the end, we'll try to put them together and say, okay, what's Jesus saying? 00:04:21.719 --> 00:04:23.000 And what's he saying to us? 00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:26.459 So, C number one. 00:04:27.539 --> 00:04:28.899 The first part of this letter. 00:04:29.919 --> 00:04:30.719 Verse 12. 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:32.740 It's church. 00:04:32.740 --> 00:04:36.019 Let's check out the church. 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:37.879 Look at verse 12. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:41.259 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:53.560 So, it's kind of important to know this body of believers that lived 2,000-ish years ago in this town called Pergamum. 00:04:54.220 --> 00:04:55.600 What was life like for them? 00:04:55.960 --> 00:04:59.319 It's going to help us understand what that's saying to us now. 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:02.199 So, what do we need to know about Pergamum and the believers who live there? 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:06.259 First, Pergamum was a large and it was a rich city. 00:05:06.939 --> 00:05:11.159 It had a population of about 150,000 about the time John was writing. 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:13.639 About the size of Kenosha County's population. 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:22.620 And it was built on and around this big hill that basically served as its civic and religious center. 00:05:22.620 --> 00:05:32.840 And it was the first city-state in Asia to make a deal with the Roman Empire as the Roman Empire was starting to expand its territory. 00:05:33.980 --> 00:05:37.579 And because they made this deal, it got some special privileges. 00:05:37.899 --> 00:05:39.379 And said, hey, you can take over us. 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:40.360 No problem. 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:43.759 Just make sure that we get a better deal than the rest of the people around us. 00:05:44.280 --> 00:05:44.939 And Rome was like, sure. 00:05:45.780 --> 00:05:47.379 So, they got some special privileges. 00:05:47.540 --> 00:05:48.420 They got some status. 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:53.740 And one of the big badges of honor that they received was they got to build a temple to the emperor. 00:05:53.960 --> 00:05:58.500 Last week, we saw how Smyrna was really big on the idea of emperor worship. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:02.879 Remember that Domitian had been saying, worship me. 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:06.980 Just make sure you do a little bit of nod of loyalty to me. 00:06:07.079 --> 00:06:09.100 Once a year, offer some incense at my temple. 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:09.860 You'll be okay. 00:06:10.660 --> 00:06:18.019 And to build for a city to be able to build a temple to the emperor within its own walls was a big deal. 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:21.560 And Pergamum, not to imagine how one, it was two. 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:25.620 It was kind of like hosting the Summer Olympics twice. 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:26.980 It was a big deal. 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:31.520 Another really important thing to understand about Pergamum before we move on is this. 00:06:32.020 --> 00:06:34.259 It was a center for pagan cult worship. 00:06:35.140 --> 00:06:38.220 So, not only did they have a big emperor worship thing going on, 00:06:38.259 --> 00:06:42.220 they had lots of gods and big temples to these different gods. 00:06:42.420 --> 00:06:47.439 For one thing, there was a huge altar built on the top of the hill to Zeus. 00:06:47.840 --> 00:06:50.020 And it looked like a big throne at the top of the hill. 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:55.740 There were also lots of other temples to other gods like Athena, the goddess of wisdom. 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:58.160 Dionysus, the god of wine. 00:06:58.620 --> 00:07:06.240 And most popular of all, there was a very big temple built in honor of Asclepius, who was the god of medicine and healing. 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:09.920 And this big temple was actually more like a health resort. 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:15.879 People came all over to sleep in his temple and be healed by his power from illness. 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:21.659 And his symbol is a staff with a serpent coiling around it. 00:07:22.199 --> 00:07:25.259 So, let's all kind of keep that in the back of our mind as we move forward. 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:30.339 This is where our brothers and sisters 2,000 years ago lived. 00:07:30.339 --> 00:07:36.219 That's the context in which they were following Jesus in faith and obedience. 00:07:37.219 --> 00:07:41.500 Not exactly a friendly environment for people who were monotheistic. 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:42.759 They only worshipped one god. 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:47.879 And the god who became a human being was crucified for our sins and rose again from the dead. 00:07:48.159 --> 00:07:49.899 Not a friendly environment for them. 00:07:49.899 --> 00:08:00.060 So, with that in our minds, we got wealth, status, we got emperor worship going on, and big idol worship going on. 00:08:00.779 --> 00:08:06.120 Let's turn our eyes to the next part of verse 12 and see our second C for the morning. 00:08:07.239 --> 00:08:07.679 Christ. 00:08:08.539 --> 00:08:11.620 We've seen the church at Pergamum, where they live, what that was all about. 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:14.979 Now, let's look at the Christ who is addressing them. 00:08:14.980 --> 00:08:23.300 And to the angel of the church at Pergamum write, the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:31.140 Mike's been helping us see the past few weeks that every one of these seven letters begins with, 00:08:31.460 --> 00:08:36.960 to the angel of the church of the city, write, the words of him who, 00:08:36.960 --> 00:08:44.180 and then it picks up some part of the vision that John got in the end of chapter one, 00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:47.540 of seeing the risen, radiant, and reigning Jesus. 00:08:47.680 --> 00:08:53.220 There are all kinds of crazy descriptions of Jesus. 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:57.519 Glowing feet, fire eyes, white hair. 00:08:58.259 --> 00:09:03.879 And this particular aspect of the vision is what Pergamum needed to be reminded of. 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:08.939 He had a sharp, two-edged sword coming out of his mouth. 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:15.120 Now, we're not supposed to draw a picture of Jesus in our heads with a sword coming out of his mouth, literally. 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:16.820 It's a symbol. 00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:27.200 It's a powerful way to illustrate the cutting, authoritative, judgment-rendering power of the word of the living God. 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:34.520 So like a razor-sharp surgeon's scalpel, it's precise and it's unstoppable. 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:40.580 God's word penetrates any and every situation with utter clarity. 00:09:41.300 --> 00:09:47.620 He knows every person's heart, and he is able to speak right to the heart of the matter. 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:57.840 Because he knows this, not just of our individual hearts, but he knows our church, the exact state of our church, 00:09:58.060 --> 00:10:04.240 he is able to speak exactly into the situation, and that's what he was going to do to Pergamum. 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:07.379 He was going to get right to the heart of the matter. 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:12.560 This is the Christ who speaks to the church at Pergamum. 00:10:12.559 --> 00:10:22.939 His word is going to rightly divide what is good and true and right from what is wrong, what is evil and false. 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:27.519 So let's just kind of take this away for a moment in the back of our minds, 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:32.079 and let's see how he's going to speak to the church in Pergamum. 00:10:32.199 --> 00:10:35.939 Look at C number 3 in verse 13. 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:38.599 C number 3, claim. 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:45.600 Let's look at the claim that this Christ, with a two-edged sword coming out of his mouth, 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:49.060 the claim that he makes to the church of Pergamum. 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:51.740 Verse 13. 00:10:53.180 --> 00:10:57.480 I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:01.480 And then that reference to Satan pops up at the end of verse 13. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:04.019 Again, where Satan dwells. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:07.960 Jesus knows. 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:14.100 It's this both terrifying and yet incredibly comforting picture. 00:11:15.040 --> 00:11:16.580 Jesus knows. 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:22.759 Nothing is hidden about the situation of the Pergamum believers to him. 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:24.100 He knows. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:27.940 And it's the same claim that he's been making to Ephesus, to Smyrna, and he makes to all of the churches. 00:11:28.060 --> 00:11:29.980 He begins each letter with, I know. 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:32.420 I know what's going on. 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:34.480 He walks among the seven golden lampstands. 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:35.680 He walks among the churches. 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:40.939 He is present with us, and he is aware of all that is going on. 00:11:41.979 --> 00:11:44.539 And for Pergamum, it is a comforting word of encouragement. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:47.439 He's saying, I know that you live where Satan lives. 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:51.460 I know that you live in enemy territory. 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:59.080 Jesus is aware that his precious people are in the midst of a society that is under the influence of the evil one. 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:03.639 And Satan's influence is particularly strong in Pergamum. 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:07.980 Now, we don't know exactly what this reference to Satan's throne is. 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:11.919 It could be the great big altar to Zeus at the top of the hill. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:17.120 It could be the serpent symbolism with Asclepius, the serpent entwining itself around the staff. 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:20.000 It could be the emperor worship going on in the city. 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:21.840 Nobody's exactly sure. 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:32.340 But at the very least, the combination of all these, idol worship, emperor worship, all the political and social pressure that went along with these, 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:36.820 that was enough for the believers to feel like they were living in Satan's backyard. 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:44.520 And how comforting would it be to hear on the Messiah's lips, I know where you live. 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:51.200 Imagine the effect that would have on you if you lived within the shadow of Zeus' throne. 00:12:51.800 --> 00:12:55.420 Or you were down the street from Asclepius' snake temple. 00:12:56.020 --> 00:13:00.780 Or you could smell the incense burning in the temple to the emperor. 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:06.879 However, Jesus has not forgotten his people here, there, anywhere. 00:13:07.199 --> 00:13:09.500 He knows exactly what is going on. 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:12.019 He knows. 00:13:13.839 --> 00:13:17.039 And following this comforting claim is our fourth scene. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:20.000 Jesus' commendation. 00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:29.740 Jesus commends his church for the way that they have borne faithful witness to him in Satan's city. 00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:31.220 Look at the middle of verse 13. 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:34.700 Yet you hold fast my name. 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:42.340 You did not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed among you where Satan dwells. 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:47.580 The church at Pergamum had a history of faithful witness. 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:50.120 They were no slouches in evangelism. 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:53.360 They were no slouches in terms of taking heat. 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:57.840 And Jesus has not forgotten it, and he hasn't overlooked it. 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:00.300 They have held fast his name. 00:14:00.420 --> 00:14:02.180 They have not denied their faith in him. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:08.060 In fact, one of their number had been so faithful that he was faithful unto death. 00:14:09.180 --> 00:14:09.660 Antipas. 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:15.899 And we don't know exactly when Antipas died, whether it was pretty recent from receiving this letter, 00:14:16.060 --> 00:14:17.759 whether it was kind of more in the distant past. 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:24.600 But at the very least, this church was under such pressure that one of their number had been murdered because of his faith. 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:34.200 And if Antipas was murdered, then it's a pretty good guess the rest of the church was facing some kind of oppression and persecution and social pressure. 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:36.159 It might have been imprisonment. 00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:37.879 It could have been loss of livelihood. 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:40.059 But they had remained faithful. 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:47.339 They had been in the face of hostility and pressure, and Jesus commends them for their faithful witness. 00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:52.699 But, let's look at verses 14 and 15. 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:58.659 After the commendation comes a stinging critique. 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:03.139 It is the critique of compromise. 00:15:05.199 --> 00:15:07.359 Read verses 14 and 15 with me. 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:11.139 But I have a few things against you. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:14.759 You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:19.220 who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:24.800 so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:29.220 So also, you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:37.899 So, what is going on at the church of Pergamum that this critique is leveled against them? 00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:44.480 Well, in short, although they are faithful in their external witness to the pagan culture around them, 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:49.000 they are an overly tolerant church. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:16:02.059 And their over-tolerance of voices within the church is causing them to have their intimate relationship with Jesus compromised. 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:13.279 The church as a whole is allowing some members of the church to hold and apparently promote a false teaching. 00:16:14.079 --> 00:16:18.299 And Jesus names the false teachers in verse 15, the Nicolaitans. 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:28.199 In verse 14, Jesus associates the heresy of the Nicolaitans with a very effective false teacher from the Old Testament, 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:30.040 whose name was Balaam. 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:31.780 Anybody heard of Balaam's donkey? 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:33.600 It's that Balaam. 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.660 Okay, so what is it? 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:42.060 What is this teaching of the Nicolaitans that is Balaam-like, 00:16:42.160 --> 00:16:47.700 and how is it causing the church of Pergamum to compromise their intimate relationship with Jesus? 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:51.220 Well, we've got to go back to the Old Testament for that one. 00:16:52.400 --> 00:16:56.379 In the book of Numbers in the Old Testament, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, 00:16:56.379 --> 00:17:02.679 back when the people of Israel were traveling through the wilderness from Egypt on their way to the Promised Land, 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:05.420 they were passing the territory of the Moabites. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:11.799 And the king of the Moabites, whose name was Balak, was feeling threatened by the Israelites. 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:19.160 And so he found a prophet for hire, whose name was Balaam, who loved gold more than anything else. 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:22.519 And he hired him to put a curse on Israel. 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:25.160 This is a common thing these days. 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.740 If you were a king and you didn't like your enemies, 00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:30.220 you could hire a prophet to put a curse on him with some god, and usually it worked. 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:36.440 So the problem was, though, that whenever Balaam opened his mouth to curse the Israelites, 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:38.359 God filled it with blessing. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:43.299 And it happened three times, and finally Balaam's like, stop it, just stop it. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:53.159 So the obvious power play of God cursing the Israelites, getting God through paying Balaam to curse the Israelites, 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.879 obviously is not going to work. 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:58.859 But instead of external opposition, 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:06.200 Balaam advised Balak to go a different route that was far more sinister. 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:13.600 He's like, listen, Balak, you're not going to get these guys by having God curse them. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.880 God's not going to do it. 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:16.360 He's promised good to them. 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:18.680 He made promises way back to Abraham. 00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:20.279 He's not going to go back on his word. 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:22.100 Here's how you get them. 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.759 You get God angry with them. 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:29.360 If you really want to destroy the Israelites, you've got to get God mad at them. 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:31.080 And how are you going to get God mad at them, Balak? 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:35.480 You tempt them to break faith with God. 00:18:36.419 --> 00:18:40.019 Send out your prettiest girls to the Israelite camp. 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:45.460 Have them mix it up, fraternize a little bit with the Israelite men, 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:49.960 and seduce them to come and worship your gods. 00:18:51.939 --> 00:18:54.259 Their God is a jealous God. 00:18:54.259 --> 00:19:01.259 And he is not going to like it if they worship your gods and him. 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:03.400 And then he'll punish them. 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.500 That's how you get them. 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:07.140 Well, that's exactly what happened. 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:09.640 Just like verse 14 says, 00:19:09.879 --> 00:19:13.339 Balaam taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:17.240 so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols, the Moabite idols, 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:19.180 and practice sexual immorality. 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.519 And that's what they did. 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:28.079 And because Israelites compromised their exclusive, intimate relationship with the one God, 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:30.759 he visited them with judgment. 00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:36.420 A terrible plague swept through the Israelite camp as a result of their compromise. 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:42.859 And it was only stopped because of a guy named Phineas, who was a priest. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:48.279 And he saw an Israelite man holding his Moabite girlfriend's hand and go into the tent to worship. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:54.119 And he grabbed a spear, he ran into the tent, and killed them both. 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.500 And it stopped the plague. 00:19:57.119 --> 00:20:02.920 Decisive and immediate action to stop the compromise was what was needed to preserve 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:06.779 the intimate relationship between God and his people. 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:13.859 Okay, but what does that Old Testament story have to do with the church in Pergamum? 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:17.539 Well, the Nicolaitans were acting like Balaam. 00:20:18.459 --> 00:20:22.579 They were convincing the church, the other believers in the church, 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:29.339 to have a closer and more intimate relationship with the pagan culture around them. 00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:38.139 And it was compromising their intimate and exclusive fellowship with the risen, radiant, and reigning Jesus. 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:42.820 It was kind of a Jesus plus other gods approach. 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.620 Sure, the Nicolaitans were saying, 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:48.840 worship Jesus, trust Jesus, listen to Jesus. 00:20:49.320 --> 00:20:52.300 But you can also participate in the pagan culture around you. 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:54.520 That way, you don't take as much heat. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:58.140 Because if you're only worshipping Jesus and you're not worshipping the other gods, 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:59.580 these people are coming after you. 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:01.300 I mean, haven't we suffered enough? 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:07.879 For the church in Pergamum, who lived in Satan's city, you've got to admit, 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.579 sounds pretty good. 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:13.419 I get Jesus, and I don't take the heat for it. 00:21:15.159 --> 00:21:20.180 Well, it probably worked itself out in some kind of emperor worship. 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:22.539 Maybe Nicolaitans were saying, 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:25.500 take a pinch of incense, you don't have to mean it, just do it. 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:32.759 Or maybe it was particularly affecting the believers in the church in Pergamum, 00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:38.500 who were losing their livelihood because of their businesses were suffering 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:41.420 because they couldn't participate in the pagan trade guilds. 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:47.039 The pagan trade guilds were basically our version of trade unions today. 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:50.680 If you wanted to have a decent business, you had to be in the guild. 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:56.100 But the problem was, for a Christian, that each guild had their own pagan god sponsor. 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:59.880 And you had to participate in those festivals to be a part of the guild. 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:03.240 And if you didn't, your livelihood was in trouble. 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.299 And the Nicolaitans were saying, 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:08.680 just stop being so tight about it. 00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:12.380 Just worship Jesus, but give in a little bit. 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:17.580 Whatever the exact details of this Nicolaitan teaching was, 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:25.299 it was causing them to compromise their pure and exclusive devotion to Jesus alone. 00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:28.460 It was a kind of spiritual adultery. 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:33.659 It was the guy walking in the door and intruding in on the intimate fellowship 00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:36.179 between Christ and his bride. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:41.679 Now, this whole idea of God being a jealous God, 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:44.699 it shows up here. 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:47.200 Jesus is saying, 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:49.440 don't be eating at that table. 00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:54.259 Don't go and participate in fellowship with the pagan gods. 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:58.799 And it's right for God to have that kind of approach. 00:23:00.080 --> 00:23:01.259 I'm a jealous husband. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:06.340 I don't want my wife in a relationship with another man. 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:08.380 No self-respecting husband does. 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:11.920 No self-respecting wife wants her to share her husband with anybody else. 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:17.740 It is right that we should keep our relationships in marriage sacred and pure. 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:21.019 And it is the same with our relationship with Jesus. 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:26.420 So the devotion of this church was getting divided, 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:29.539 and their zeal for him was getting diluted. 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:34.560 And sadly, the church was letting the intruder stay. 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:36.779 And this was a problem. 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:39.539 That's the critique. 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:42.139 Let's move to our sixth C. 00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:46.419 Let's hear Jesus' correction to his church. 00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:47.819 Look at verse 16. 00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:51.740 Therefore, repent. 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:58.640 If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:07.779 Jesus calls his church to correct their course and repent. 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.680 Turn around. 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.799 Go the right way. 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:12.160 But what exactly does that look like? 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:13.299 Does that just mean saying, I'm sorry? 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:16.059 Well, what's the problem? 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:22.419 The problem is they've got members in their church who are holding to and they're promoting a false teaching 00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:26.279 that is causing spiritual compromise in their relationship with Jesus. 00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:30.559 And so repentance for the Pergamum church looks like confrontation, 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:38.919 and if necessary, church discipline of those who hold to and promote the false teaching. 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:49.120 Some courageous, zealous, and Phineas-like action was needed to discern the issue 00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:53.980 and remove the cancer from the midst of the church before it was too late. 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:57.060 And this is confirmed by the rest of verse 16. 00:24:58.060 --> 00:25:02.360 If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:09.119 Man, imagine us being gathered together as a church and hearing that read. 00:25:09.979 --> 00:25:17.399 I will come soon and make war on these members who are unrepentantly promoting this false teaching. 00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:27.959 Either they as a church had to eliminate the intruder, or Jesus himself was going to come and do it. 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:31.439 And there's that sharp two-edged sword again. 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:37.979 This is something that we don't really like thinking about too much in the church nowadays, but we have to. 00:25:39.199 --> 00:25:45.819 For the sake of his glory and for the good of his church, Jesus won't let us remain compromised. 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:48.679 He disciplines his people. 00:25:50.459 --> 00:25:50.939 Why? 00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:54.579 Why can't he just tolerate it, sweep it under the rug? 00:25:55.979 --> 00:25:59.359 Because he has purchased a people with his blood. 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:03.359 And his intention, as Ephesians 5 says, 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:10.759 is to cleanse her and wash her with his word so he can present her to himself in splendor 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:16.939 without spot or wrinkle or any such thing so that she can be holy and without blemish. 00:26:17.719 --> 00:26:21.299 And as we sang this morning, he's worthy of that. 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:26.879 He is worthy of our pure and uncompromised devotion. 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:34.059 And by the way, the next time that sword of Jesus' mouth pops up in the book of Revelation, 00:26:34.639 --> 00:26:42.659 it's in Revelation 19 when he's coming to judge the nations with his sword, with his word. 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:50.200 So when he returns and makes all things right, that's the end. 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:55.980 And he is judging his church, purifying his church before that so they don't have to face that. 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.640 So that's the correction. 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:03.019 Now let's look at our final C. 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:05.160 The call. 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:08.099 Look at verse 17. 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:13.599 He who has an ear, let him hear what the church, what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:18.139 To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna, 00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:23.240 and I will give him a white stone with a new name written on the stone 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:26.920 that no one knows except the one who receives it. 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:32.299 It's kind of easy to skip over that first sentence because it's in all of the letters. 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:37.460 But the call that Jesus is making first is a call to listen. 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:40.059 It's a call to hear. 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:45.299 The Spirit is speaking. 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:51.759 If you have ears, make sure they're listening. 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:57.500 Carefully, personally, fearfully, and obediently. 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.819 It's not just good advice. 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:05.059 It's authoritative proclamation and command. 00:28:07.179 --> 00:28:09.139 And then comes the call. 00:28:10.419 --> 00:28:11.799 The call to overcome. 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:16.980 And the promise that comes with the call to overcome. 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:22.480 Jesus promises the overcomer, who essentially is the one who repents, 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:25.620 the one who stays faithful, the one who stays uncompromised. 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:31.579 Jesus promises the overcomer participation in the hidden manna, 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:37.620 along with a white stone with a new name written on it that no one knows except the one who receives it. 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:40.000 Well, what's going on with all this? 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:43.579 Well, they're tricky symbols. 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.759 Scholars go back and forth. 00:28:46.239 --> 00:28:48.439 But I think if we look at the letter as a whole, 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:52.379 and the overall theme of the letter, I think it starts to make some sense. 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:58.080 The main temptations that the Nicolaitans were presenting to Pergamon believers 00:28:58.080 --> 00:29:02.980 was a greater share in what the society around them had to offer. 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:10.720 Ease, comfort, pleasure, at the cost of compromising their exclusive allegiance to Jesus. 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:15.779 And there's another reference to food and eating in this letter. 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:17.339 It's back up to verse 14. 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:19.460 We have the hidden manna here in verse 17. 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:22.079 And then we have what they were being tempted to do, 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:24.400 which was to eat food sacrificed to idols. 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:27.079 Two references to food. 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:33.180 So the Nicolaitans were essentially tempting the Pergamon believers 00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:36.720 to eat at the table of the pagan culture 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:39.819 while still confessing Jesus as Lord. 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:42.899 But Jesus is saying, no, you can't do that. 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:45.220 It's me or them. 00:29:45.679 --> 00:29:46.879 You can't have both. 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:53.019 But if you overcome by staying faithful in your devotion to me and me alone, 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:55.159 you are welcome at my table. 00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:59.379 So both that reference to the hidden manna, 00:29:59.679 --> 00:30:02.500 the bread that God fed the Israelites with in the wilderness, 00:30:02.899 --> 00:30:05.460 as well as the white stone with a new name on it, 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:10.900 I think they're pointing to an invitation to intimate fellowship with Jesus around his table. 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:17.940 That white stone that Jesus mentions was often used as an invitation to a banquet feast 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:20.440 in ancient Greco-Roman culture. 00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:24.860 So Jesus is telling his church in this final call to overcome, 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:27.759 people, listen to me. 00:30:28.620 --> 00:30:30.860 You can only feast at one table, 00:30:31.860 --> 00:30:33.660 mine or the world's. 00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:37.900 Don't compromise the intimate fellowship that you have with me 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:42.420 by mixing it up with loyalties and priorities of the culture around you. 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:44.460 You have to choose one. 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:46.720 If you choose the world, 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:48.440 you will taste of my judgment. 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:51.820 You will be consumed by the sword of my mouth. 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:55.279 But if you choose exclusive fellowship with me 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:58.220 and reject any and all intruders, 00:30:58.320 --> 00:31:00.660 you will not be left unsatisfied. 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:03.220 You will taste of my food. 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:05.539 Right now, it's unseen. 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:07.100 It's hidden manna. 00:31:07.699 --> 00:31:09.480 It's accessible only by faith. 00:31:10.419 --> 00:31:11.480 But it's my provision. 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:13.199 It's my banquet feast. 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:14.339 And you're invited. 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:18.559 Now what about that new name though? 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:19.679 It's a little confusing. 00:31:19.939 --> 00:31:21.299 What are we going to do with that? 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:24.119 The new name written on the white stone 00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:26.339 that no one knows except the one who receives it. 00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:29.759 Well, it could be it's a special new name 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:31.659 given to believers at the end of our lives. 00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.459 That's possible. 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:33.859 When we're with Jesus, 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:35.500 that's possible that could mean that. 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:37.720 But all the other references 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:40.279 in the book of Revelation to a new name, 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:43.000 one of which is right across the page 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:44.599 in the letter to the Philadelphians, 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:47.180 all these references to a new name 00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:49.680 are referring to not the believer's new name, 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.559 but Christ's new name. 00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:55.000 So it seems that the new name 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:56.680 written on the white stone invitation 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:59.359 is none other than the only name 00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:01.380 by which we can gain admission 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:03.099 to that great wedding feast, 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:05.200 the name of our heavenly bridegroom. 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.279 Jesus Christ. 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:08.420 So the clue lies in the fact 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:10.420 that only those who receive the stone 00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:12.319 know the name written on it. 00:32:12.380 --> 00:32:13.400 The rest of the people 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:15.059 compromising their relationship with Jesus, 00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:16.799 they don't know Christ truly. 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:20.380 But the one who shares in his character 00:32:20.380 --> 00:32:21.559 and in his suffering 00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:24.160 and is united to him by faith, 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:27.339 he, that invitation, 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:31.759 is given to the one who is forsaking 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.759 the table of the world 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:34.119 and who gains access 00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:35.299 at the end of their lives, 00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:36.319 at the end of their race, 00:32:36.659 --> 00:32:38.220 to full and unhindered, 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.259 intimate fellowship 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:41.039 with the risen, reigning, 00:32:41.199 --> 00:32:42.220 and radiant Jesus. 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:44.519 And they can have life to the full 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:45.359 in him. 00:32:45.919 --> 00:32:47.139 It means cost now, 00:32:48.179 --> 00:32:50.059 great reward then. 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:53.700 So we looked at the whole letter, 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:55.019 all seven C's. 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:58.539 What is the Spirit saying 00:32:58.539 --> 00:33:00.159 to the churches in this letter? 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.839 What is the point? 00:33:01.839 --> 00:33:05.379 I think we can confidently say 00:33:05.379 --> 00:33:06.379 it's something like this. 00:33:07.679 --> 00:33:11.119 Jesus commands uncompromised devotion 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:12.399 to him now 00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:14.419 so that we may have 00:33:14.419 --> 00:33:15.879 intimate fellowship with him 00:33:15.879 --> 00:33:17.919 both now and forever. 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:22.199 Jesus commands uncompromised devotion 00:33:22.199 --> 00:33:23.019 to him now 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:25.859 so we can have intimate fellowship 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:28.299 with him now and forever. 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:31.720 And Jesus, 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:34.319 the one who commands this 00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:36.059 uncompromised devotion, 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:38.720 is the one who has demonstrated it to us. 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:42.419 He has demonstrated unswerving commitment 00:33:42.419 --> 00:33:44.559 and love towards us in his grace. 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:46.079 He pursued us 00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:47.619 when we were running away from him. 00:33:48.599 --> 00:33:50.779 The second person of the Trinity 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:52.079 became a man, 00:33:52.899 --> 00:33:55.019 suffered trying temptations 00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:56.259 to compromise his own 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.799 intimate fellowship with his father 00:33:57.799 --> 00:33:58.980 and he died 00:33:58.980 --> 00:34:00.079 for unloving 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:03.039 and unlovely rebels like us. 00:34:03.139 --> 00:34:03.919 And then he rose 00:34:03.919 --> 00:34:05.259 triumphant 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:06.839 over our greatest enemy 00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:08.219 so we would not have to face 00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:09.360 God's judgment forever. 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:12.679 And it's our right 00:34:12.679 --> 00:34:14.119 and fitting response 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.759 to his initiative 00:34:15.759 --> 00:34:19.900 to zealously guard our devotion 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.920 to him 00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:21.900 and to him alone 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:24.739 because we are his betrothed bride 00:34:24.739 --> 00:34:26.820 and he is our bridegroom. 00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:28.600 And that may cost us 00:34:28.600 --> 00:34:29.940 in the here and now 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:31.559 but he's saying 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:33.019 it's worth it. 00:34:34.280 --> 00:34:35.920 Our greatest satisfaction 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:36.720 is now 00:34:36.720 --> 00:34:37.800 and forever will be 00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:39.039 in intimate fellowship 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:40.420 with our bridegroom 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:42.160 who invites us to feast 00:34:42.160 --> 00:34:43.500 on his love 00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:44.480 and his glory 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:46.680 now and forever. 00:34:47.160 --> 00:34:48.400 Now by faith, 00:34:49.200 --> 00:34:50.039 forever by sight. 00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:52.380 So, 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:54.279 that's what this letter's about. 00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:56.219 How are we gonna apply it? 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:57.840 What are we gonna do with this? 00:34:59.059 --> 00:35:00.360 I think there are three questions 00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:01.059 we can ask 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:02.039 ourselves 00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:03.779 to respond 00:35:03.779 --> 00:35:04.679 to this 00:35:04.679 --> 00:35:06.000 message 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:07.099 of the Lord Jesus. 00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:10.079 The first is a conviction question. 00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:13.819 Do I really believe 00:35:13.819 --> 00:35:16.019 that Jesus' table 00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:16.900 is better 00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:18.380 than the table of the world? 00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:21.219 Do I really believe that? 00:35:22.139 --> 00:35:23.659 Is that my conviction? 00:35:25.739 --> 00:35:27.759 Is pure and holy intimacy 00:35:27.759 --> 00:35:28.480 with Jesus 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:29.679 actually better 00:35:29.679 --> 00:35:30.980 than the comfort 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:31.799 and the ease 00:35:31.799 --> 00:35:32.539 and the security 00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:33.940 that the world offers us 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:35.799 if we sit at its table? 00:35:35.800 --> 00:35:38.160 Yesterday, 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:39.180 I got to hang out 00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:40.180 with some of the young people 00:35:40.180 --> 00:35:41.060 from our church 00:35:41.060 --> 00:35:42.780 and we went to downtown Chicago. 00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:44.380 A little bit of a field trip. 00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:47.120 And we walked down Mag Mile, 00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:48.280 or at least part of it. 00:35:49.260 --> 00:35:51.019 And that, 00:35:51.760 --> 00:35:54.180 it's the Fifth Avenue 00:35:54.180 --> 00:35:55.460 kind of Chicago. 00:35:55.700 --> 00:35:57.300 It's surrounded by 00:35:57.300 --> 00:35:58.740 the splendor 00:35:58.740 --> 00:36:00.680 of man-made architecture 00:36:00.680 --> 00:36:02.300 and fashion 00:36:02.300 --> 00:36:03.680 and technology. 00:36:04.220 --> 00:36:05.260 And you gotta admit, 00:36:05.800 --> 00:36:06.539 the world 00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:07.760 has a lot to offer. 00:36:09.120 --> 00:36:10.039 Seeking comfort 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:10.800 and pleasure 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.720 and ease 00:36:11.720 --> 00:36:12.780 and advancement 00:36:12.780 --> 00:36:14.000 at the world's table 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:15.260 and in the world's way 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:16.700 is appealing. 00:36:17.880 --> 00:36:18.500 The cost, 00:36:18.920 --> 00:36:19.580 right now, 00:36:19.940 --> 00:36:20.700 not very high. 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:24.519 Listen to how one author 00:36:24.519 --> 00:36:25.860 describes the table 00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:26.620 of the world. 00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:28.000 And let me just ask you 00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:28.840 to be very honest 00:36:28.840 --> 00:36:29.460 with yourself. 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:31.640 See if anything 00:36:31.640 --> 00:36:32.560 in this description 00:36:32.560 --> 00:36:34.440 the Spirit uses 00:36:34.440 --> 00:36:35.280 to strike home. 00:36:35.800 --> 00:36:36.440 and say, 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:37.700 I think you're tempted 00:36:37.700 --> 00:36:38.300 toward this. 00:36:38.680 --> 00:36:39.260 Listen to this. 00:36:40.220 --> 00:36:42.120 The goal of worldly people 00:36:42.120 --> 00:36:43.680 is to move forward 00:36:43.680 --> 00:36:44.980 rather than upward. 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:47.080 To live horizontally 00:36:47.080 --> 00:36:48.740 rather than vertically. 00:36:48.739 --> 00:36:52.339 they seek after outward prosperity 00:36:52.339 --> 00:36:54.679 rather than inward holiness. 00:36:55.059 --> 00:36:57.819 They burst with selfish desires 00:36:57.819 --> 00:36:59.839 rather than heartfelt 00:36:59.839 --> 00:37:01.659 supplications to God. 00:37:02.379 --> 00:37:04.079 If they don't deny God, 00:37:04.479 --> 00:37:05.539 they ignore Him 00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:06.739 or forget Him 00:37:06.739 --> 00:37:09.059 or else only use God 00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:11.319 for their own selfish ends. 00:37:12.179 --> 00:37:12.679 Worldliness 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:14.219 is human nature 00:37:14.219 --> 00:37:15.599 without God. 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:19.299 So that's the world's table. 00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:22.880 Do we really believe 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:23.719 that Jesus' table 00:37:23.719 --> 00:37:24.239 is better? 00:37:25.279 --> 00:37:26.380 Is that your conviction? 00:37:27.799 --> 00:37:29.079 Here is one reason 00:37:29.079 --> 00:37:30.179 out of a million others 00:37:30.179 --> 00:37:31.579 why you should. 00:37:33.299 --> 00:37:34.639 He has given Himself 00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:35.500 for you. 00:37:36.779 --> 00:37:37.799 That you might be 00:37:37.799 --> 00:37:38.759 with Him forever. 00:37:40.099 --> 00:37:41.000 That un-people 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:41.860 that He has already 00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:42.460 demonstrated. 00:37:42.460 --> 00:37:45.780 Remember that white stone invitation 00:37:45.780 --> 00:37:48.119 with Christ's name on it? 00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:53.619 Our dear brothers and sisters 00:37:53.619 --> 00:37:56.159 needed in Pergamum 00:37:56.159 --> 00:37:57.920 to remember the real hope 00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:59.639 they had for eternal joy 00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:01.000 at Jesus' table 00:38:01.000 --> 00:38:01.880 because they bore 00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:03.039 His very name. 00:38:03.760 --> 00:38:04.559 And they shared 00:38:04.559 --> 00:38:05.619 His very character. 00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:07.039 And we too 00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:08.480 have a new identity. 00:38:09.119 --> 00:38:09.460 Christ's. 00:38:10.240 --> 00:38:11.740 It's bound up with Him. 00:38:11.739 --> 00:38:13.079 And He desires 00:38:13.079 --> 00:38:14.279 to feast with you 00:38:14.279 --> 00:38:15.319 at His table 00:38:15.319 --> 00:38:16.819 both now by faith 00:38:16.819 --> 00:38:19.059 and forever by sight. 00:38:20.219 --> 00:38:22.019 That's our conviction question. 00:38:22.199 --> 00:38:23.739 Second is a discernment question. 00:38:25.099 --> 00:38:26.459 A discernment question. 00:38:26.679 --> 00:38:27.179 It's this. 00:38:28.639 --> 00:38:29.619 What voices 00:38:29.619 --> 00:38:31.739 are we leaving 00:38:31.739 --> 00:38:32.739 unchallenged 00:38:33.279 --> 00:38:34.679 in our hearts 00:38:34.679 --> 00:38:36.739 and maybe within our church 00:38:36.739 --> 00:38:38.839 that allure us 00:38:38.839 --> 00:38:40.059 into compromise 00:38:40.059 --> 00:38:41.059 at the table 00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:41.079 at the table 00:38:41.079 --> 00:38:41.659 of the world? 00:38:41.659 --> 00:38:42.460 What voices 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.719 are we leaving 00:38:43.719 --> 00:38:44.860 unanswered, 00:38:44.980 --> 00:38:46.039 unchallenged 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:48.219 that are alluring us 00:38:48.219 --> 00:38:48.980 to the table 00:38:48.980 --> 00:38:49.880 of the world? 00:38:50.679 --> 00:38:52.360 What are the Nicolaitan voices 00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:53.519 within our culture, 00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:55.299 within the church herself, 00:38:55.779 --> 00:38:56.820 and within our hearts? 00:38:58.619 --> 00:38:59.079 The hearts, 00:38:59.619 --> 00:39:00.259 those voices 00:39:00.259 --> 00:39:00.960 that offer 00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:02.299 ease of compromise 00:39:02.299 --> 00:39:03.500 when Christ 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.219 is calling us 00:39:04.219 --> 00:39:05.340 to bear the cost 00:39:05.340 --> 00:39:06.940 of exclusive devotion 00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:07.920 to Him. 00:39:07.920 --> 00:39:09.280 the voice 00:39:09.280 --> 00:39:09.740 of our own 00:39:09.740 --> 00:39:10.440 pagan culture 00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:11.480 is alluring us 00:39:11.480 --> 00:39:12.500 to worship 00:39:12.500 --> 00:39:13.559 not at the altar 00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:14.139 of Zeus 00:39:14.139 --> 00:39:14.940 or Asclepius 00:39:14.940 --> 00:39:15.700 but at the altar 00:39:15.700 --> 00:39:16.380 of self. 00:39:17.740 --> 00:39:18.420 In America, 00:39:18.539 --> 00:39:19.440 we are religiously 00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:20.760 obsessed with the idea 00:39:20.760 --> 00:39:21.760 of an individual 00:39:21.760 --> 00:39:22.599 happiness. 00:39:23.559 --> 00:39:23.940 Not that there's 00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.599 anything wrong 00:39:24.599 --> 00:39:25.280 with happiness 00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:27.159 in terms of a gift 00:39:27.159 --> 00:39:27.680 from God 00:39:27.680 --> 00:39:28.780 but something wrong 00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:29.340 with it being 00:39:29.340 --> 00:39:30.460 our all-consuming 00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:31.720 devotion. 00:39:32.880 --> 00:39:33.440 As believers, 00:39:33.639 --> 00:39:34.180 we have come 00:39:34.180 --> 00:39:35.119 to the end 00:39:35.119 --> 00:39:35.800 of our own 00:39:35.800 --> 00:39:36.440 self-worship 00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:37.460 and we've laid 00:39:37.460 --> 00:39:38.240 our laves down 00:39:38.240 --> 00:39:39.139 at Christ's feet 00:39:39.139 --> 00:39:39.960 to be free 00:39:39.960 --> 00:39:41.800 of our enslavement 00:39:41.800 --> 00:39:43.000 to self-worship. 00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:45.059 But our culture 00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:46.280 bombards us 00:39:46.280 --> 00:39:47.119 every day 00:39:47.119 --> 00:39:48.480 that we 00:39:48.480 --> 00:39:49.440 and our 00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:50.780 unfulfilled desires 00:39:50.780 --> 00:39:52.240 and not God 00:39:52.240 --> 00:39:52.980 and His glory 00:39:52.980 --> 00:39:54.019 ought to be 00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:54.360 the center 00:39:54.360 --> 00:39:54.920 of the universe. 00:39:55.840 --> 00:39:56.720 That's a voice 00:39:56.720 --> 00:39:58.039 we need to challenge. 00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:00.200 And unfortunately, 00:40:00.360 --> 00:40:00.720 that voice 00:40:00.720 --> 00:40:01.340 has infiltrated 00:40:01.340 --> 00:40:01.920 the church. 00:40:03.079 --> 00:40:03.980 There's a voice 00:40:03.980 --> 00:40:04.639 within the church 00:40:04.639 --> 00:40:05.779 that puts us 00:40:05.779 --> 00:40:06.500 and our 00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:07.639 unfulfilled 00:40:07.639 --> 00:40:08.259 happiness 00:40:08.259 --> 00:40:09.059 in life 00:40:09.059 --> 00:40:10.019 at the center 00:40:10.019 --> 00:40:11.199 of the stage. 00:40:12.019 --> 00:40:12.659 And God, 00:40:13.500 --> 00:40:14.379 He's a helpful 00:40:14.379 --> 00:40:15.859 and therapeutically 00:40:15.859 --> 00:40:16.519 supportive 00:40:16.519 --> 00:40:17.500 best friend 00:40:17.500 --> 00:40:18.579 who rallies 00:40:18.579 --> 00:40:19.379 around us 00:40:19.379 --> 00:40:20.539 as we pursue 00:40:20.539 --> 00:40:21.159 security 00:40:21.159 --> 00:40:21.779 and comfort 00:40:21.779 --> 00:40:22.379 and happiness 00:40:22.379 --> 00:40:22.819 in the way 00:40:22.819 --> 00:40:23.259 the world 00:40:23.259 --> 00:40:23.699 has already 00:40:23.699 --> 00:40:24.219 prescribed. 00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:26.359 And these voices, 00:40:26.559 --> 00:40:27.219 whether they're books 00:40:27.219 --> 00:40:28.000 or preachers 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:29.440 or whatever it might be, 00:40:29.859 --> 00:40:30.500 these voices 00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:31.339 don't really mention 00:40:31.339 --> 00:40:32.519 sin or repentance 00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:33.280 very much 00:40:33.280 --> 00:40:35.320 or especially 00:40:35.320 --> 00:40:36.000 that really big 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:36.699 no-no word, 00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:37.619 obedience. 00:40:39.360 --> 00:40:39.860 But then there's 00:40:39.860 --> 00:40:40.579 not just a voice 00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:41.219 inside the church, 00:40:41.320 --> 00:40:41.619 it's a voice 00:40:41.619 --> 00:40:42.559 inside our own hearts. 00:40:43.759 --> 00:40:45.599 We are self-deceiving. 00:40:46.900 --> 00:40:47.380 Our hearts 00:40:47.380 --> 00:40:49.480 awaken each day 00:40:49.480 --> 00:40:50.059 with thoughts 00:40:50.059 --> 00:40:50.659 of self, 00:40:51.619 --> 00:40:52.579 anxious thoughts 00:40:52.579 --> 00:40:53.219 relating to 00:40:53.219 --> 00:40:54.179 the needs of self, 00:40:54.780 --> 00:40:55.579 proud thoughts 00:40:55.579 --> 00:40:56.039 relating to 00:40:56.039 --> 00:40:56.619 the ambitions 00:40:56.619 --> 00:40:57.340 of self, 00:40:57.960 --> 00:40:59.079 envying and lustful 00:40:59.079 --> 00:41:00.199 thoughts relating 00:41:00.199 --> 00:41:01.019 to the desires 00:41:01.019 --> 00:41:01.539 of self. 00:41:01.639 --> 00:41:02.380 And these voices 00:41:02.380 --> 00:41:03.720 are disturbingly 00:41:03.720 --> 00:41:04.200 sinister 00:41:04.200 --> 00:41:05.960 and disturbingly 00:41:05.960 --> 00:41:07.099 natural. 00:41:09.079 --> 00:41:09.920 As people 00:41:09.920 --> 00:41:10.300 who gather 00:41:10.300 --> 00:41:11.640 around Christ's table, 00:41:12.260 --> 00:41:13.460 we must ask 00:41:13.460 --> 00:41:14.660 God for discernment 00:41:14.660 --> 00:41:16.059 to identify 00:41:16.059 --> 00:41:16.940 these voices 00:41:16.940 --> 00:41:17.940 and other voices 00:41:17.940 --> 00:41:19.380 that would seduce us 00:41:19.380 --> 00:41:20.640 from a pure 00:41:20.640 --> 00:41:22.140 devotion to Christ. 00:41:22.720 --> 00:41:23.360 To love Him 00:41:23.360 --> 00:41:23.780 first 00:41:23.780 --> 00:41:24.400 and love Him 00:41:24.400 --> 00:41:24.900 only 00:41:24.900 --> 00:41:26.019 and to bear witness 00:41:26.019 --> 00:41:26.380 to Him 00:41:26.380 --> 00:41:26.980 in the midst 00:41:26.980 --> 00:41:27.800 of this 00:41:27.800 --> 00:41:28.800 self-worshiping 00:41:28.800 --> 00:41:29.220 culture. 00:41:30.400 --> 00:41:31.400 We need to pray 00:41:31.400 --> 00:41:32.280 for discernment, 00:41:32.340 --> 00:41:32.900 particularly 00:41:32.900 --> 00:41:34.039 for the elders 00:41:34.039 --> 00:41:34.860 of our church. 00:41:35.559 --> 00:41:36.160 They're the ones 00:41:36.160 --> 00:41:36.860 who are bearing 00:41:36.860 --> 00:41:37.400 the ultimate 00:41:37.400 --> 00:41:38.559 shepherding responsibility 00:41:38.559 --> 00:41:40.240 to identify 00:41:40.240 --> 00:41:42.240 those unhealthy voices 00:41:42.240 --> 00:41:43.280 and confront them. 00:41:43.280 --> 00:41:46.220 So let's pray 00:41:46.220 --> 00:41:47.019 for discernment. 00:41:47.200 --> 00:41:47.560 Lastly, 00:41:47.640 --> 00:41:48.160 we need to ask 00:41:48.160 --> 00:41:48.620 an obedience 00:41:48.620 --> 00:41:49.240 question. 00:41:50.620 --> 00:41:51.140 An obedience 00:41:51.140 --> 00:41:51.720 question. 00:41:53.300 --> 00:41:54.500 Are there patterns 00:41:54.500 --> 00:41:55.380 in my life 00:41:55.380 --> 00:41:57.220 in which I am 00:41:57.220 --> 00:41:57.980 compromising 00:41:57.980 --> 00:41:58.820 my intimate 00:41:58.820 --> 00:41:59.500 relationship 00:41:59.500 --> 00:42:00.140 with Jesus 00:42:00.140 --> 00:42:01.740 by snacking 00:42:01.740 --> 00:42:02.580 at the world's 00:42:02.580 --> 00:42:02.840 table? 00:42:04.420 --> 00:42:05.200 Are there patterns 00:42:05.200 --> 00:42:06.019 in my life 00:42:06.019 --> 00:42:06.860 where I am 00:42:06.860 --> 00:42:07.600 compromising 00:42:07.600 --> 00:42:08.240 my intimate 00:42:08.240 --> 00:42:08.840 relationship 00:42:08.840 --> 00:42:09.519 with Jesus 00:42:09.519 --> 00:42:10.740 by snacking 00:42:10.740 --> 00:42:11.300 at the table 00:42:11.300 --> 00:42:11.860 of the world? 00:42:13.280 --> 00:42:13.980 Now this is a bit 00:42:13.980 --> 00:42:14.440 of a dangerous 00:42:14.440 --> 00:42:14.900 question. 00:42:15.039 --> 00:42:15.400 I'm not trying 00:42:15.400 --> 00:42:15.800 to turn us 00:42:15.800 --> 00:42:16.539 into legalists. 00:42:17.100 --> 00:42:17.539 I'm not trying 00:42:17.539 --> 00:42:19.700 to say 00:42:19.700 --> 00:42:20.400 can't do this, 00:42:20.460 --> 00:42:20.880 can't do that, 00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:21.420 can't do this. 00:42:21.519 --> 00:42:22.680 But we do need 00:42:22.680 --> 00:42:23.560 to ask the question. 00:42:24.840 --> 00:42:26.060 Are there patterns 00:42:26.060 --> 00:42:26.660 of thought 00:42:26.660 --> 00:42:27.280 and word 00:42:27.280 --> 00:42:27.900 and behavior 00:42:27.900 --> 00:42:28.780 in our lives 00:42:28.780 --> 00:42:30.160 that resemble 00:42:30.160 --> 00:42:30.960 the godless 00:42:30.960 --> 00:42:32.460 culture around us 00:42:32.460 --> 00:42:33.920 more than the 00:42:33.920 --> 00:42:34.539 model of 00:42:34.539 --> 00:42:35.760 self-sacrificing 00:42:35.760 --> 00:42:36.280 godliness 00:42:36.280 --> 00:42:37.120 that we find 00:42:37.120 --> 00:42:37.580 in our Lord 00:42:37.580 --> 00:42:38.260 Jesus Christ? 00:42:38.260 --> 00:42:41.000 Maybe the back 00:42:41.000 --> 00:42:41.880 door to answering 00:42:41.880 --> 00:42:42.520 this question 00:42:42.520 --> 00:42:43.220 would be this, 00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:44.380 to asking 00:42:44.380 --> 00:42:45.100 another question. 00:42:45.820 --> 00:42:46.460 How is your 00:42:46.460 --> 00:42:46.900 relationship 00:42:46.900 --> 00:42:47.440 with Jesus? 00:42:49.020 --> 00:42:50.060 Are you aware 00:42:50.060 --> 00:42:50.760 of a loss 00:42:50.760 --> 00:42:51.520 of fellowship 00:42:51.520 --> 00:42:52.740 and a lack 00:42:52.740 --> 00:42:53.300 of joy 00:42:53.300 --> 00:42:54.520 in your 00:42:54.520 --> 00:42:54.960 relationship 00:42:54.960 --> 00:42:55.680 with Christ? 00:42:56.680 --> 00:42:57.280 There are 00:42:57.280 --> 00:42:57.980 multiple causes 00:42:57.980 --> 00:42:58.560 for this, 00:42:59.080 --> 00:42:59.920 but one of them, 00:43:00.520 --> 00:43:01.300 very possibly, 00:43:02.340 --> 00:43:03.860 is snacking 00:43:03.860 --> 00:43:04.420 at the world's 00:43:04.420 --> 00:43:04.740 table, 00:43:05.720 --> 00:43:06.620 seeking security, 00:43:07.000 --> 00:43:07.300 comfort, 00:43:07.300 --> 00:43:08.080 joy, 00:43:08.860 --> 00:43:09.240 in the way 00:43:09.240 --> 00:43:09.580 the world 00:43:09.580 --> 00:43:10.160 has already 00:43:10.160 --> 00:43:11.060 said to do it, 00:43:11.560 --> 00:43:12.100 rather than 00:43:12.100 --> 00:43:13.019 finding our 00:43:13.019 --> 00:43:14.460 exclusive devotion 00:43:14.460 --> 00:43:15.480 in Christ. 00:43:16.180 --> 00:43:16.940 So let's ask 00:43:16.940 --> 00:43:17.340 the Lord 00:43:17.340 --> 00:43:18.039 to search our 00:43:18.039 --> 00:43:19.380 hearts and 00:43:19.380 --> 00:43:20.039 make us aware 00:43:20.039 --> 00:43:20.740 of any patterns 00:43:20.740 --> 00:43:21.380 in our lives 00:43:21.380 --> 00:43:21.900 in which we 00:43:21.900 --> 00:43:22.640 need to say, 00:43:23.080 --> 00:43:23.580 I repent 00:43:23.580 --> 00:43:24.680 and I obey. 00:43:26.100 --> 00:43:26.940 Where we are 00:43:26.940 --> 00:43:27.800 not compromising 00:43:27.800 --> 00:43:28.200 our intimate 00:43:28.200 --> 00:43:29.019 relationship with 00:43:29.019 --> 00:43:29.280 Him, 00:43:30.180 --> 00:43:30.940 but we are 00:43:30.940 --> 00:43:32.380 devoting ourselves 00:43:32.380 --> 00:43:32.760 to Him 00:43:32.760 --> 00:43:33.260 completely. 00:43:34.220 --> 00:43:35.019 He is able 00:43:35.019 --> 00:43:36.280 and He is eager 00:43:36.280 --> 00:43:37.400 to search our 00:43:37.400 --> 00:43:37.740 hearts, 00:43:38.240 --> 00:43:38.700 to make us 00:43:38.700 --> 00:43:39.420 aware of this, 00:43:39.760 --> 00:43:40.400 and to lead us 00:43:40.400 --> 00:43:40.840 in the good 00:43:40.840 --> 00:43:41.680 path of repentance. 00:43:42.900 --> 00:43:44.120 There is a joy 00:43:44.120 --> 00:43:45.560 in abiding in Him 00:43:45.560 --> 00:43:47.180 and obeying Him 00:43:47.180 --> 00:43:48.100 as our first 00:43:48.100 --> 00:43:49.420 and only love. 00:43:51.300 --> 00:43:51.880 So church, 00:43:52.620 --> 00:43:53.480 he who has an ear, 00:43:54.160 --> 00:43:54.780 let him hear 00:43:54.780 --> 00:43:55.940 what the Spirit 00:43:55.940 --> 00:43:56.820 is saying to the 00:43:56.820 --> 00:43:57.120 churches. 00:43:58.400 --> 00:43:59.340 Let's pray together. 00:43:59.340 --> 00:44:09.380 Father, we ask 00:44:09.380 --> 00:44:10.140 that you would 00:44:10.140 --> 00:44:11.039 make it our 00:44:11.039 --> 00:44:11.620 conviction 00:44:11.620 --> 00:44:14.019 by faith, 00:44:14.820 --> 00:44:15.940 even on the days 00:44:15.940 --> 00:44:16.440 when it really 00:44:16.440 --> 00:44:17.400 doesn't seem like 00:44:17.400 --> 00:44:17.600 it, 00:44:18.079 --> 00:44:19.120 that you are 00:44:19.120 --> 00:44:19.680 worth it, 00:44:20.400 --> 00:44:20.900 that you are 00:44:20.900 --> 00:44:21.340 better 00:44:21.340 --> 00:44:23.280 than what the 00:44:23.280 --> 00:44:24.220 world offers us. 00:44:26.300 --> 00:44:27.039 Father, would you 00:44:27.039 --> 00:44:28.120 give us discernment, 00:44:28.119 --> 00:44:29.480 especially as a 00:44:29.480 --> 00:44:29.799 church, 00:44:30.000 --> 00:44:30.619 particularly the 00:44:30.619 --> 00:44:31.159 elders of our 00:44:31.159 --> 00:44:31.539 church, 00:44:32.279 --> 00:44:32.839 would you give 00:44:32.839 --> 00:44:34.480 discernment that 00:44:34.480 --> 00:44:35.559 we might walk 00:44:35.559 --> 00:44:36.460 in a way as a 00:44:36.460 --> 00:44:37.139 church, as a 00:44:37.139 --> 00:44:37.880 corporate body, 00:44:38.420 --> 00:44:40.239 of exclusive 00:44:40.239 --> 00:44:41.460 devotion to you? 00:44:43.380 --> 00:44:44.400 Risen Lord Jesus, 00:44:44.559 --> 00:44:45.219 would you help us 00:44:45.219 --> 00:44:46.019 to obey you? 00:44:47.179 --> 00:44:48.380 Not to snack at the 00:44:48.380 --> 00:44:49.019 world's table, 00:44:50.139 --> 00:44:50.699 but to have 00:44:50.699 --> 00:44:52.000 intimate fellowship 00:44:52.000 --> 00:44:52.559 with you, 00:44:53.219 --> 00:44:54.219 now by faith, 00:44:55.039 --> 00:44:56.239 and forever by sight. 00:44:56.239 --> 00:44:59.319 Do a work in us 00:44:59.319 --> 00:44:59.899 now by your 00:44:59.899 --> 00:45:00.659 spirit, we pray. 00:45:02.179 --> 00:45:03.000 In Christ's name, 00:45:03.119 --> 00:45:03.339 amen.