WEBVTT

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 I've asked Suzanne to come and do our reading, and she's leapt up and is going to come and do that now.

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 It is from Revelation chapter 2.

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 I'm reading from verse 8 to 11, and I'm reading from the New International Version of the Bible.

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 To the church in Smyrna, to the angel of the Lord in Smyrna, write.

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 These are the words of him who is the first and the last, who died and came to life again.

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 I know your afflictions and your poverty, yet you are rich.

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 I know about the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

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 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.

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 I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.

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 Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown.

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 Whoever has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

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 The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

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 This is the word of the Lord.

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 Thanks be to God.

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 Thank you.

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 I just want to hold a moment with those words there.

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 He or she who has an ear, let him or her hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

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 Before I start, I just want to say I cannot think of a bigger challenge to the church.

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 Across our nation just now, but particularly here in Clevedon.

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 For us to really discern what it is the Spirit is saying to the church today.

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 And one of my prayers for this gathering has been that we might discern what the church is saying to the church together.

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 What we know is that, and we have been bombarded with statistics, we thank God for those churches which show the green shoots of growth.

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 But we are aware that in general the church in the West is in decline, even in America, interestingly, where we think of megachurches being the norm.

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 Somebody told me in the Episcopal Church, which is pretty well a busted flush in many ways,

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 the average size of congregation is now about 61, which wouldn't be a bad congregation in the UK.

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 But in America, not so much.

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 And not that I am trying to big up megachurches.

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 I am simply saying to you, I think, I pray that this may be a moment when together we might listen to God

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 and hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

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 So this evening we are looking at the church in Smyrna.

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 A church that was, well, let me show you some facts.

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 It's about between 30 and 40 miles north of Ephesus, which was the church that we looked at last week.

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 It takes about less than an hour on a coach to go from one to the other.

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 And what it was Smyrna back at the time of the early church is now the flourishing port of Izmir,

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 which is on the Turkish coast.

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 You can get on an airplane and fly for about three hours,

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 and as long as your plane is going in the right direction,

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 you will land at Izmir.

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 And Izmir is a big, bustling, modern port town

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 with a kind of headland, which has got sea on three sides of it,

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 and ancient Smyrna.

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 You can still visit it.

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 There's not much of it left.

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 There is, you know, some ruins of what they call the Agora.

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 But there's not an awful lot to see there.

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 There are the remains of what archaeologists think may have been churches.

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 It's an outstanding natural harbour.

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 It is only the third largest port, I believe, in Turkey,

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 but it has the best natural harbour

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 and allows ships to come and go at will without having to wait for,

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 not that there is a big tidal surge in the Mediterranean.

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 Commercially today and back then, it was very, very prosperous.

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 And we'll come back to that because Jesus tends to imply

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 that the church in Smyrna was made up of the kind of Smyrnian underclass,

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 the poor people.

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 Interestingly, the population of Smyrna was largely Jewish in the first century.

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 If you go there today, as far as I know,

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 there is not one synagogue left in Smyrna.

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 But back in the day, because it was commercially very viable

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 and it attracted a lot of Jews excellent at business

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 to go there and make their pile,

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 Sity was fanatically loyal to Rome.

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 I mean, this is very odd, isn't it, in a way,

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 because the Romans were an occupying army.

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 And I think it worked a bit like it worked for the people of Jersey

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 in the Second World War.

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 That as long as you did kind of poke the bear,

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 in other words, you didn't provoke the regime,

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 by and large, the Nazis would leave you alone.

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 And I think it was like that in Smyrna.

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 Obviously, being occupied has a tremendous kind of psychological drag

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 on a population.

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 And nobody likes it and nobody should like it,

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 but it is potentially livable with.

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 And as a city, I mean, this is just a kind of side thing,

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 it was known for the production of myrrh.

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 I don't know if this has any particular significance

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 as far as our study is concerned,

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 but our English word myrrh comes from an ancient Turkish word

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 which sounds very like myrrh.

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 And it's thought that the reason the town is called Smyrna

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 is because of the production of this very fine perfume.

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 Incidentally, I have no idea what myrrh smells like.

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 Does anybody know?

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 You can't buy it over the counter in boots, I know that.

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 I don't know what it smells like.

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 No?

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 You can buy it online.

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 You can buy it online.

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 What can't you buy online?

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 Thanks for the tip.

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 So, having thought a bit about the town,

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 let's just think about the church in Smyrna

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 from what little we know about it.

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 Please come on.

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 Try pressing the forward arrow on the computer,

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 see what that does.

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 There we go.

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 It was a small congregation.

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 As far as we know,

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 the numbers were pretty thin

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 at the turn of the first century AD.

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 We also know that it was persecuted and slandered.

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 Revelation chapter 2 and verse 9

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 were told that

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 the risen Christ says,

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 I know your afflictions, your poverty,

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 yet you are rich.

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 I know the slander of those who say they are Jews

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 and are not,

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 but are of the synagogue of Satan.

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 Pretty dramatic words there.

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 I think you would agree with me.

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 I'm going to come back to

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 the whole issue of the early church

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 and slander in just a moment.

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 It's members were poor

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 in terms of material wealth,

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 but Jesus describes them as rich.

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 And we take from that

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 that this was a church

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 that didn't really have great resources,

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 but had a kind of rich spirituality,

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 a determination

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 to walk closely with Jesus

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 in a context

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 which it was very hard to do.

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 And I think

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 the reference to the Christians

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 being rich there

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 is a reference

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 to this kind of idea

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 that though

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 they were very short

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 on material resources,

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 they were spiritually

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 very rich.

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 It reminds me

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 a bit of

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 the story

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 of the

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 Hebridean revival

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 which took place

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 in 1949

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 in the Hebrides

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 where the church

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 was particularly small

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 and the group

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 that was playing

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 for revival

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 was even smaller.

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 And they were

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 kind of a bit like,

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 I couldn't really speak

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 for the Church of England,

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 but a bit like

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 the Church of England.

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 They're kind of

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 growing old together.

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 And this prayer group

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 in the Hebrides

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 is growing old together.

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 And then this remarkable thing

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 where this

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 dear old lady,

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 I won't attempt

00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:51.020
 her Scottish brogue,

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 basically said,

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 I think the Lord

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 is coming tonight.

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 This was after midnight

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 and suddenly

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 across the island

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 lights went on

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 in the crofters cottages.

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 They went outside

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 and people

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 were in the street

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 convicted of their sin

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 and seeking

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 God's repentance.

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 I think what that

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 tells you is that

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 although, you know,

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 I'm a minister,

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 obviously I'm in

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 the numbers game.

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 But actually,

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 what is really important

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 is what is

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 the spiritual quality

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 of what is going on

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 in your church.

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 You may be,

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 you know,

00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:36.059
 facing a terrible

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 bill to re-

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 you know,

00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:39.779
 build a church tower

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 or something horrendous

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 or replace the roof

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 or have the organ

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 refitted,

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 you know,

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 the things that

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 consume us

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 at local level

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 very often.

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 But actually,

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 what the Lord's

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 interested in

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 is what's the

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 spiritual temperature

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 in this church.

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 I made a reference

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 there to

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 Ephesians

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 chapter 1

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 and verse 3.

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 If you've got your

00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:09.340
 Bible,

00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:10.179
 it's still in the

00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:10.779
 back bit.

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 Before Galatians,

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 sorry,

00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:15.620
 after Galatians

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 and before

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 Philippians.

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 And Paul makes

00:12:20.439 --> 00:12:22.080
 this extraordinary

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 assertion

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 to the church

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 in Ephesus.

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 He says,

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 praise be to the

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 God and Father

00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:28.240
 of our Lord

00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.100
 Jesus Christ,

00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:30.820
 not who will

00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:31.519
 bless us,

00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:32.960
 but who has

00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:33.540
 blessed us

00:12:33.540 --> 00:12:34.220
 in the heavenly

00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:34.759
 realms

00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.120
 with every

00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.840
 spiritual blessing

00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:39.120
 in Christ.

00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:43.200
 Does anybody

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 remember

00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:46.040
 that program

00:12:46.040 --> 00:12:46.720
 that used to be

00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:47.340
 on the

00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:47.980
 independent

00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:49.399
 television network

00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:50.800
 called

00:12:50.800 --> 00:12:51.360
 the Beverly

00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:52.160
 Hillbillies?

00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:55.279
 And basically

00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:56.199
 the storyline

00:12:56.199 --> 00:12:57.319
 was that

00:12:57.319 --> 00:12:58.120
 there were

00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:58.740
 these poor

00:12:58.740 --> 00:12:59.419
 folks out

00:12:59.419 --> 00:12:59.699
 in the

00:12:59.699 --> 00:13:00.339
 Midwest of

00:13:00.339 --> 00:13:00.759
 America

00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:01.799
 scratching a

00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:02.360
 living on

00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:02.939
 their small

00:13:02.939 --> 00:13:03.379
 holding

00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.819
 when suddenly

00:13:04.819 --> 00:13:05.480
 old Jake

00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:06.299
 sticks his

00:13:06.299 --> 00:13:07.059
 spade into

00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:07.659
 the ground

00:13:07.659 --> 00:13:08.639
 and up

00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:09.019
 through the

00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:09.399
 ground

00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:10.980
 comes Texas

00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:11.539
 gold,

00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:12.719
 oil.

00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:15.059
 Overnight

00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:15.980
 they go

00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:16.500
 from being

00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:16.980
 some of the

00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:17.799
 poorest people

00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:18.399
 in the United

00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.079
 States to

00:13:19.079 --> 00:13:19.620
 being some

00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:19.839
 of the

00:13:19.839 --> 00:13:20.459
 wealthiest

00:13:20.459 --> 00:13:20.939
 and like

00:13:20.939 --> 00:13:21.779
 wealthy people

00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:22.879
 they did

00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:23.319
 what a lot

00:13:23.319 --> 00:13:23.699
 of wealthy

00:13:23.699 --> 00:13:24.319
 people do

00:13:24.319 --> 00:13:24.720
 and moved

00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:25.159
 straight to

00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:25.779
 Beverly Hills

00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:26.279
 into this

00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:27.039
 huge mansion.

00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:29.480
 And the

00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:30.159
 early days

00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:30.399
 of the

00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:30.659
 Beverly

00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:31.240
 Hillbillies

00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:31.579
 in their

00:13:31.579 --> 00:13:31.980
 mansion

00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:32.240
 was

00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:32.860
 teaches you

00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:33.240
 something

00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:33.620
 if you

00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.759
 move into

00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:35.319
 a large

00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:35.679
 home

00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:37.100
 you need

00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:37.600
 to know

00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.120
 how to

00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:38.839
 occupy it

00:13:38.839 --> 00:13:39.199
 properly.

00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:40.259
 So these

00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:40.699
 people were

00:13:40.699 --> 00:13:41.220
 completely

00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:41.939
 confused

00:13:41.939 --> 00:13:43.079
 thinking that

00:13:43.079 --> 00:13:43.679
 the billiards

00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:44.500
 room was

00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.079
 their dining

00:13:45.079 --> 00:13:45.679
 room and

00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:46.439
 wondering why

00:13:46.439 --> 00:13:47.319
 it had been

00:13:47.319 --> 00:13:48.120
 designed with

00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:48.939
 nets in each

00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:49.679
 corner and at

00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:50.139
 the middle of

00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:50.639
 the table.

00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:52.959
 And so

00:13:52.959 --> 00:13:53.620
 they did

00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:54.639
 what is

00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.419
 understandable

00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:56.019
 to me.

00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:57.839
 They retreated

00:13:57.839 --> 00:13:58.959
 and they

00:13:58.959 --> 00:13:59.779
 basically just

00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:01.059
 lived inside

00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:01.679
 the kitchen.

00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:04.199
 And I say

00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:04.879
 that because I

00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:06.319
 think that

00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:07.159
 is a kind

00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:07.799
 of analogy

00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:09.439
 of what

00:14:09.439 --> 00:14:11.019
 happens not

00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:11.799
 just in our

00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:12.459
 churches but

00:14:12.459 --> 00:14:12.980
 to a good

00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:14.480
 many individual

00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:15.079
 Christians.

00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:17.279
 God has

00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.000
 blessed us in

00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:18.620
 the heavenly

00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.639
 places with

00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:21.299
 every spiritual

00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:21.919
 blessing.

00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:24.699
 And yet in

00:14:24.699 --> 00:14:25.179
 our walk

00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:25.840
 with God

00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:27.319
 metaphorically

00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:27.860
 speaking

00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:29.519
 do we just

00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:30.519
 live in the

00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:30.919
 kitchen?

00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.059
 What are

00:14:34.059 --> 00:14:34.860
 those spiritual

00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.319
 blessings?

00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:35.939
 I mean we

00:14:35.939 --> 00:14:36.399
 live in a

00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:36.899
 culture that's

00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:37.460
 very obsessed

00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:38.460
 with material

00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:39.500
 blessing.

00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:41.799
 What are

00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:42.480
 those spiritual

00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:43.000
 blessings?

00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:44.919
 Well God

00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:45.720
 has revealed

00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.559
 himself as a

00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:47.319
 God of grace.

00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:48.860
 that means

00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.520
 he loves

00:14:49.520 --> 00:14:50.400
 you even

00:14:50.400 --> 00:14:50.800
 though you

00:14:50.800 --> 00:14:51.480
 don't deserve

00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:51.660
 it.

00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.320
 Someone say

00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:52.720
 amen.

00:14:54.040 --> 00:14:54.640
 Someone say

00:14:54.640 --> 00:14:55.220
 thank you

00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:55.600
 Lord.

00:14:58.160 --> 00:14:59.220
 It means

00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:00.100
 that a

00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:01.000
 sinful soul

00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:01.680
 like you

00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:02.520
 can be

00:15:02.520 --> 00:15:03.020
 forgiven.

00:15:03.300 --> 00:15:03.840
 Someone say

00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:04.280
 amen.

00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:06.379
 Thank you

00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:06.700
 Lord.

00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:10.280
 It means

00:15:10.280 --> 00:15:11.520
 that we

00:15:11.520 --> 00:15:12.080
 can be

00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:13.020
 changed from

00:15:13.020 --> 00:15:13.660
 the inside

00:15:13.660 --> 00:15:14.140
 out.

00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:14.740
 You know

00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.680
 from reading

00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:17.279
 your magazines

00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.079
 and switching

00:15:18.079 --> 00:15:18.479
 on the

00:15:18.479 --> 00:15:19.139
 television and

00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:19.659
 watching the

00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:20.359
 advertisements.

00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.120
 There's an

00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.979
 awful lot

00:15:21.979 --> 00:15:23.879
 that will

00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:25.239
 promise that

00:15:25.239 --> 00:15:26.459
 if you take

00:15:26.459 --> 00:15:27.199
 this vitamin

00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:28.399
 or go on

00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.099
 this retreat

00:15:29.099 --> 00:15:29.659
 or do

00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:30.019
 that

00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:33.019
 you will

00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:34.599
 be changed.

00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:38.739
 God's

00:15:38.739 --> 00:15:39.719
 got a much

00:15:39.719 --> 00:15:40.139
 more

00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.139
 challenging

00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:43.659
 but ultimately

00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.539
 much more

00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:45.360
 successful

00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.379
 idea.

00:15:47.819 --> 00:15:48.339
 And that

00:15:48.339 --> 00:15:49.279
 is when

00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:49.679
 we give

00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:50.179
 our lives

00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:50.679
 to Christ

00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:51.360
 he fills

00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:51.719
 us with

00:15:51.719 --> 00:15:52.139
 his Holy

00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.579
 Spirit

00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:54.199
 and the

00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:54.799
 Holy Spirit

00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:55.519
 seeks to

00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.179
 change us

00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:56.799
 from the

00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:57.480
 inside out.

00:15:57.579 --> 00:15:57.719
 I mean

00:15:57.719 --> 00:15:58.360
 you remember

00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:58.899
 don't you

00:15:58.899 --> 00:16:00.699
 that one of

00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:01.299
 the surprising

00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:02.019
 things about

00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:03.139
 Jesus was

00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:04.319
 that he

00:16:04.319 --> 00:16:04.839
 had it in

00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:05.159
 for the

00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:05.819
 Pharisees

00:16:05.819 --> 00:16:06.240
 and the

00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:06.819
 scribes

00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:08.599
 and because

00:16:08.599 --> 00:16:09.019
 of that

00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.759
 we've kind

00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:10.179
 of got them

00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:10.659
 written up

00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:10.959
 as the

00:16:10.959 --> 00:16:11.740
 baddies in

00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:12.259
 the Bible

00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.940
 but actually

00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:14.700
 they were

00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:16.139
 the respectable

00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:17.120
 religious

00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:18.200
 establishment

00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:18.700
 of their

00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.139
 time.

00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:20.680
 These were

00:16:20.680 --> 00:16:21.700
 people who

00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.659
 prayed five

00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:23.560
 times a day

00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:25.379
 okay maybe

00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:25.840
 they did it

00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:26.299
 in public

00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.580
 so that as

00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:28.100
 many people

00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:28.680
 as possible

00:16:28.680 --> 00:16:29.240
 could see

00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:29.500
 them.

00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:30.919
 These people

00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:32.779
 gave 10%

00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:33.680
 of their

00:16:33.680 --> 00:16:34.259
 income

00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:35.539
 plus free

00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.480
 will offerings

00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:38.440
 to the

00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:38.860
 local

00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:40.019
 synagogue

00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:40.620
 and to

00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.460
 the cult

00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:42.100
 of the

00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:42.480
 temple.

00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:44.620
 These were

00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:45.379
 not kind

00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.120
 of fringe

00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.639
 people

00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:48.580
 these were

00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:48.980
 people

00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.440
 who in

00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:50.879
 their own

00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.080
 way

00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:51.659
 kind of

00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.200
 laid down

00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:52.639
 their life

00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.180
 and Jesus

00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:53.639
 had to

00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.080
 say to

00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.240
 them

00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:54.879
 the trouble

00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.220
 with you

00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:55.560
 is

00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:57.500
 your religion

00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.139
 is all

00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:58.779
 about tick

00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.200
 boxes

00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:01.200
 said my

00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:01.519
 prayers

00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.120
 five times

00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:02.480
 a day

00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.259
 given my

00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:03.639
 tithe

00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.240
 tick the

00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:04.500
 box

00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:04.940
 tick the

00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.299
 box

00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:06.119
 but Jesus

00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:06.980
 said oh

00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.480
 very well

00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:09.119
 but you're

00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:09.879
 like whitewashed

00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:10.419
 tombs

00:17:10.419 --> 00:17:12.200
 you look

00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:12.919
 good on the

00:17:12.919 --> 00:17:13.680
 outside but

00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.619
 inside you're

00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:14.899
 full of

00:17:14.899 --> 00:17:15.319
 decay

00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:19.700
 and Jesus

00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.279
 didn't say

00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:20.859
 this but

00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:22.180
 but you

00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.599
 stink

00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:29.519
 so the

00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:31.099
 idea that

00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:31.960
 God has

00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.759
 blessed us

00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.819
 not that we're

00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:34.899
 striving for

00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:35.320
 yet more

00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:36.100
 God has

00:17:36.100 --> 00:17:36.759
 blessed us

00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.540
 says Paul

00:17:37.540 --> 00:17:38.540
 in Ephesians

00:17:38.540 --> 00:17:39.280
 with these

00:17:39.280 --> 00:17:40.000
 amazing

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.800
 spiritual

00:17:40.800 --> 00:17:42.480
 gifts

00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:45.259
 and I

00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.920
 pray God

00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:46.860
 that one

00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:47.040
 of the

00:17:47.040 --> 00:17:47.480
 things we

00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.160
 might decide

00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:48.840
 maybe tonight

00:17:48.840 --> 00:17:49.380
 maybe while

00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:49.860
 this course

00:17:49.860 --> 00:17:50.300
 is going

00:17:50.300 --> 00:17:50.560
 on

00:17:50.560 --> 00:17:51.540
 maybe in

00:17:51.540 --> 00:17:51.860
 God's

00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:52.480
 right time

00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:53.280
 we will

00:17:53.280 --> 00:17:53.720
 come to

00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:53.880
 the

00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:54.600
 conclusion

00:17:54.600 --> 00:17:56.820
 that we're

00:17:56.820 --> 00:17:57.780
 sick of

00:17:57.780 --> 00:17:58.200
 living in

00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:58.680
 the kitchen

00:17:58.680 --> 00:18:01.660
 take a

00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:02.580
 look at

00:18:02.580 --> 00:18:02.740
 the

00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.140
 mansion

00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:04.900
 step

00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:05.660
 into it

00:18:05.660 --> 00:18:06.960
 smell it

00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.840
 enjoy it

00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:13.600
 so what

00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:14.120
 we also

00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:15.160
 know was

00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:15.539
 that this

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.200
 church was

00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.000
 oppressed

00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:19.660
 by and

00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.160
 this is

00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.960
 violent

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.759
 language I

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.500
 feel and

00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.519
 remember last

00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.039
 week I gave

00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:24.660
 you a warning

00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.400
 that the

00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:25.680
 book of

00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.400
 revelation of

00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:27.040
 course is a

00:18:27.040 --> 00:18:27.880
 kind of

00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:28.960
 half volley to

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.700
 conspiracy

00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:31.800
 theories I

00:18:31.800 --> 00:18:32.500
 mean I have

00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.320
 seen so much

00:18:33.320 --> 00:18:34.080
 written about the

00:18:34.080 --> 00:18:34.740
 synagogue of

00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.759
 Satan and

00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.620
 who they are

00:18:36.620 --> 00:18:38.160
 I was once

00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.500
 in a church

00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.720
 in Hitchin in

00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.400
 Hertfordshire

00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:42.560
 sitting on the

00:18:42.560 --> 00:18:43.040
 front row

00:18:43.040 --> 00:18:44.019
 innocently where

00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.820
 the preacher told

00:18:44.820 --> 00:18:45.259
 me that the

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.860
 synagogue of

00:18:45.860 --> 00:18:46.480
 Satan was the

00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:46.880
 church of

00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:47.200
 England

00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:50.000
 all are

00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.420
 welcome

00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:54.059
 I've heard it

00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.620
 apply to

00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.539
 Freemasonry

00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:57.160
 I've heard

00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:57.840
 we had a

00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.740
 preacher come

00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.340
 in and

00:18:59.340 --> 00:19:00.319
 when I was

00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:00.740
 in local

00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.700
 church ministry

00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:03.360
 he was on

00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:04.440
 deputation from

00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:04.880
 the church

00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.400
 missionary

00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:06.180
 society

00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:08.000
 from Nigeria

00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.660
 and he

00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.140
 got in the

00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:10.740
 pulpit and

00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.180
 we're all

00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:11.880
 thinking you

00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.200
 know he's

00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:12.539
 going to give

00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:13.059
 us a talk

00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.600
 about how

00:19:13.600 --> 00:19:14.080
 he tends

00:19:14.080 --> 00:19:14.700
 cows in

00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.039
 northern

00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:15.340
 northern

00:19:15.340 --> 00:19:16.000
 a bit of

00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:16.220
 it

00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:16.880
 I mean

00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:17.339
 absolutely

00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.039
 laid into

00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:18.839
 the congregation

00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:19.819
 took the

00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:20.740
 church in

00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:21.319
 Smyrna as

00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:21.940
 his text

00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:23.660
 and absolutely

00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.900
 lambasted

00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:25.880
 Freemasonry

00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:27.779
 I was fairly

00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.460
 new in the

00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:28.819
 church I

00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:29.640
 got no idea

00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:30.279
 of people in

00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:30.720
 this church

00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.339
 Freemasons

00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:31.980
 or not

00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.460
 so I kind

00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:34.079
 of kept my

00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:34.620
 eyes fixed

00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:35.140
 firmly on

00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:35.559
 the floor

00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.180
 through most

00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:36.480
 of this

00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:36.920
 rant

00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:38.740
 one couple

00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.680
 left the

00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.160
 church

00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:41.519
 it was their

00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.059
 first time

00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.740
 there and

00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.299
 I think it

00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:43.600
 was a bit

00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:44.279
 strong for

00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.140
 them so they

00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:45.720
 just went

00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.059
 as it

00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.380
 happened

00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.279
 and then

00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:47.539
 at the

00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:47.900
 end of

00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:48.220
 it this

00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:48.620
 man

00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:50.200
 dear man

00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:51.579
 actually

00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:52.559
 retired to

00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.220
 Churchill

00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:53.539
 which is

00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:53.920
 not far

00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.360
 from here

00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:54.740
 is it

00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:56.640
 and his

00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:56.980
 name was

00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.240
 John

00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:57.740
 Daunton

00:19:57.740 --> 00:20:00.420
 and John

00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:01.120
 Daunton was

00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:01.660
 very upper

00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.200
 crust he

00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:02.700
 said to me

00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.420
 I rekt her

00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:04.480
 he said

00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:05.220
 would you

00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:05.900
 care to

00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:06.539
 come round

00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.079
 for a drink

00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:07.360
 he said

00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:07.819
 I think I

00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.200
 need to

00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:08.940
 discuss that

00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.420
 sermon

00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:09.940
 with you

00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:12.440
 I went

00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:12.779
 round to

00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:13.200
 his house

00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:13.660
 feeling I

00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:13.900
 was going

00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.120
 to get

00:20:14.119 --> 00:20:15.139
 both barrels

00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:17.319
 pours me

00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:17.919
 the biggest

00:20:17.919 --> 00:20:18.379
 gin and

00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:18.799
 tonic you

00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.059
 have ever

00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.519
 seen in

00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.099
 your life

00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:22.439
 and one

00:20:22.439 --> 00:20:22.839
 sip of

00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.219
 it nearly

00:20:23.219 --> 00:20:23.759
 put me

00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.459
 in the

00:20:24.459 --> 00:20:24.879
 intensive

00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:25.559
 care unit

00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:28.119
 and he

00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:28.479
 said to

00:20:28.479 --> 00:20:28.759
 me what

00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.019
 did you

00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:29.359
 make of

00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:29.979
 that sermon

00:20:29.979 --> 00:20:30.519
 rector

00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.519
 so I

00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.139
 was you

00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:32.759
 know what

00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:32.959
 do you

00:20:32.959 --> 00:20:33.399
 say I

00:20:33.399 --> 00:20:34.299
 was trying

00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:34.799
 to say

00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:36.379
 in principle

00:20:36.379 --> 00:20:36.939
 I agree

00:20:36.939 --> 00:20:37.979
 he said let

00:20:37.979 --> 00:20:38.399
 me stop

00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:38.779
 you there

00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.339
 he said I

00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:39.659
 think we

00:20:39.659 --> 00:20:40.059
 need more

00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:40.460
 preaching

00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.059
 like that

00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:43.339
 I tell

00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:44.039
 you I

00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:44.259
 just

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.759
 breathed

00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.399
 out and

00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.019
 enjoyed the

00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.379
 gin and

00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:46.859
 tonic and

00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.319
 went home

00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:51.940
 what it

00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.619
 seems was

00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.119
 going on

00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:53.859
 in Smyrna

00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:55.039
 is that

00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:55.799
 there was

00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.740
 a group

00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.319
 of people

00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:57.639
 we don't

00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:57.899
 know how

00:20:57.899 --> 00:20:58.119
 many

00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:58.799
 synagogues

00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.159
 were there

00:20:59.159 --> 00:21:00.220
 but sounds

00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.679
 like these

00:21:00.679 --> 00:21:01.159
 people were

00:21:01.159 --> 00:21:01.980
 members of

00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.500
 a synagogue

00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:05.059
 and we

00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:05.440
 don't know

00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:05.879
 whether they

00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:06.740
 found Christians

00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.460
 a threat

00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.660
 or quite

00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.319
 what they

00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:10.720
 thought

00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.500
 but one

00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:11.779
 of the

00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.220
 things that

00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:13.000
 was abundantly

00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.480
 clear

00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.900
 was that

00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.339
 they were

00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.099
 persecuting

00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:16.880
 and oppressing

00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:18.099
 the church

00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:18.559
 of Jesus

00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.460
 so the

00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.160
 risen Christ

00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:20.500
 in the

00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:20.980
 strong

00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.620
 language

00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:23.200
 condemns

00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.519
 this

00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.400
 the synagogue

00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:25.140
 of Satan

00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:27.000
 in

00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:29.380
 chapter 2

00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:29.960
 and verse

00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.480
 10

00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:32.200
 we read

00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:32.759
 a warning

00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.599
 which must

00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.180
 have children

00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.620
 I mean

00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.120
 remember

00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:35.779
 this is

00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:36.440
 already

00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.880
 a persecuted

00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.559
 church

00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:40.380
 in a

00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:41.120
 very

00:21:41.120 --> 00:21:41.799
 Roman

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.820
 context

00:21:42.820 --> 00:21:44.519
 and

00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:44.980
 in

00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.299
 verse

00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:45.920
 10

00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:48.539
 the

00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:48.799
 risen

00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.220
 Christ

00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:49.700
 says to

00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:49.920
 them

00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.519
 I

00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:50.980
 tell you

00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.440
 the devil

00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:51.860
 will put

00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:52.240
 some of

00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.539
 you in

00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:52.820
 prison

00:21:52.820 --> 00:21:53.440
 to test

00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:53.720
 you

00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.720
 and you

00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.120
 will suffer

00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:55.920
 persecution

00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:56.519
 for 10

00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.059
 days

00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:58.759
 be

00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.400
 faithful

00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:00.680
 even

00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.100
 to the

00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:01.480
 point

00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.240
 of death

00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.960
 and I

00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.440
 will give

00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:04.660
 you

00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.559
 the crown

00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.200
 of life

00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:10.019
 I think

00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:10.480
 I have

00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.960
 a vivid

00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.819
 imagination

00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.380
 but I've

00:22:13.380 --> 00:22:13.740
 often

00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.440
 thought

00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:16.480
 what if

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.759
 you know

00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.259
 I found

00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.000
 myself

00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.900
 you know

00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:20.799
 out in the

00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.319
 Middle East

00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:22.100
 and was

00:22:22.100 --> 00:22:22.580
 kidnapped

00:22:22.580 --> 00:22:23.140
 by

00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:25.160
 terrorists

00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.380
 and put

00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:26.840
 in an

00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:27.160
 orange

00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:27.920
 jumpsuit

00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:28.400
 and there's

00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:28.860
 a video

00:22:28.860 --> 00:22:29.440
 of me

00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.880
 and there's

00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:31.400
 two guys

00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:31.820
 with great

00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:32.420
 big swords

00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:32.799
 standing

00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.080
 either

00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:33.519
 side

00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:33.900
 of me

00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:36.059
 and the

00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:36.279
 threat

00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.500
 was

00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.120
 what we

00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:37.440
 want you

00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:37.980
 to do

00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:38.640
 to the

00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.100
 screen

00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:40.960
 is

00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:42.200
 disown

00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.820
 the name

00:22:42.820 --> 00:22:43.460
 of Jesus

00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:45.080
 and worship

00:22:45.080 --> 00:22:45.559
 the true

00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:45.840
 God

00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:46.200
 Allah

00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:48.480
 I've

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:48.700
 often

00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:48.980
 thought

00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.680
 to myself

00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.980
 if I

00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.319
 was in

00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:51.519
 that

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.059
 situation

00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:52.319
 what

00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:52.480
 would

00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:52.640
 I

00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:52.900
 do

00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:55.700
 and I

00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.240
 imagine

00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:56.700
 that

00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.799
 those of

00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.180
 you with a

00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:58.799
 more vivid

00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.420
 mind

00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:00.960
 have wondered

00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.460
 what you

00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.140
 might say

00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:03.019
 if you

00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.559
 were threatened

00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:03.960
 to the

00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.440
 point of

00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:04.819
 death

00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:08.399
 and the

00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:08.599
 risen

00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:09.039
 Christ

00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.579
 takes a

00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:09.839
 rather

00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.299
 kind

00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.779
 of

00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:14.220
 a

00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:14.460
 sort

00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:14.740
 of

00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:16.179
 tough

00:23:16.179 --> 00:23:16.539
 line

00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.000
 on this

00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.359
 he said

00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:17.599
 you know

00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:17.960
 you need

00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:18.279
 to be

00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:18.839
 faithful

00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:20.119
 even

00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:20.539
 to the

00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:20.839
 point

00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:21.039
 of

00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.519
 death

00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:27.019
 we

00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.339
 have

00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:29.220
 absolutely

00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:29.960
 no

00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.639
 idea

00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:32.099
 quite

00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:32.339
 what

00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:32.759
 happened

00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.399
 to the

00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:33.720
 church

00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.399
 in Smyrna

00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:34.740
 in the

00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.180
 immediate

00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:35.860
 aftermath

00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:37.240
 of this

00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.220
 letter

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.700
 from the

00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:38.940
 risen

00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.500
 Christ

00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:41.460
 has

00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.140
 probably

00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:43.400
 delivered

00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:43.800
 to the

00:23:43.800 --> 00:23:44.100
 church

00:23:44.100 --> 00:23:44.680
 in Smyrna

00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.280
 sometime

00:23:45.280 --> 00:23:45.920
 around

00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.460
 about

00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.880
 100

00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.580
 AD

00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:50.240
 what we

00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:50.740
 do know

00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.080
 is

00:23:51.080 --> 00:23:52.060
 that

00:23:52.060 --> 00:23:53.000
 Roman

00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.600
 governors

00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.900
 through

00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.460
 to about

00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.500
 150

00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.160
 AD

00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.740
 persecuted

00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.519
 the church

00:23:59.519 --> 00:23:59.840
 quite

00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:00.460
 seriously

00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:00.980
 and the

00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.220
 threat

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.640
 was

00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.920
 and it

00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.140
 probably

00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:03.420
 would have

00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:03.560
 been

00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.039
 the threat

00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.559
 to these

00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.139
 Christians

00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:05.839
 in Smyrna

00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:06.259
 was

00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.259
 you must

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.079
 bow your

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.679
 knee to

00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:09.319
 the emperor

00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.639
 and declare

00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:10.980
 him as

00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.299
 god

00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.919
 you probably

00:24:11.919 --> 00:24:12.460
 know this

00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:12.839
 those of you

00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.259
 know your

00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.259
 Roman history

00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.460
 that the

00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:15.919
 emperor

00:24:15.919 --> 00:24:16.519
 Caesar

00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.159
 declared

00:24:17.159 --> 00:24:17.879
 himself to

00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:18.220
 be a

00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:18.539
 god

00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.819
 and asked

00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.379
 people to

00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:21.079
 worship him

00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.539
 I mean you

00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.039
 can read the

00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.720
 great story

00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.220
 of Daniel

00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.720
 if you want

00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:25.179
 to read

00:24:25.179 --> 00:24:25.559
 another

00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.859
 amazing story

00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.220
 of

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.839
 faithfulness

00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.819
 even

00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.159
 unto

00:24:30.159 --> 00:24:30.659
 death

00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:33.859
 these

00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:34.000
 were

00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.319
 tough

00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:34.779
 times

00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.059
 for the

00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.299
 church

00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.500
 and

00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:35.779
 Jesus

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.099
 said

00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.099
 don't

00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.379
 worry

00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:37.779
 about it

00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:37.919
 because

00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:38.059
 you're

00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:38.240
 going to

00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:38.459
 suffer

00:24:38.459 --> 00:24:38.720
 some

00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.019
 more

00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:41.279
 and it's

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:41.500
 going to

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:41.859
 last for

00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:42.579
 ten days

00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:45.019
 seems a bit

00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:45.539
 arbitrary

00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:45.939
 but

00:24:45.939 --> 00:24:46.740
 that's what

00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.099
 the word

00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:47.559
 says

00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:49.339
 and just

00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:49.839
 remain

00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.459
 faithful

00:24:50.459 --> 00:24:50.980
 throughout

00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.759
 that time

00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:54.379
 and the

00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:54.920
 other thing

00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:56.079
 that Smyrna

00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:57.359
 is really

00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:57.879
 remembered

00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.400
 for

00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.559
 is something

00:24:59.559 --> 00:24:59.960
 which

00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.299
 I hope

00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.660
 you

00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:04.660
 don't

00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:04.920
 think

00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.240
 is a

00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.879
 Terry

00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:07.960
 help me

00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:11.920
 nothing

00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.259
 doing

00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.740
 on here

00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:15.879
 anyway

00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.279
 here's

00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:16.799
 my point

00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:19.319
 it was

00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:19.920
 served

00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.839
 by one

00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.200
 of the

00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:21.660
 early

00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.259
 fathers

00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.059
 of the

00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.539
 church

00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.580
 that is

00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:25.360
 by that

00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:25.940
 I mean

00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:27.259
 not somebody

00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:27.539
 who had

00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:27.980
 children

00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.539
 but somebody

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.220
 who was

00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.920
 recognised

00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:32.000
 as a

00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:33.580
 there we

00:25:33.580 --> 00:25:33.880
 go

00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:35.700
 his name

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:35.980
 was

00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.880
 wonderful

00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:37.380
 name

00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:37.720
 wasn't it

00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.539
 Polycarp

00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:40.259
 and I'm

00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.420
 going to

00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:40.779
 tell you a

00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.279
 little more

00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.039
 about him

00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:42.380
 and in

00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:42.920
 particular

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.460
 the fact

00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.700
 that he

00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.600
 was obedient

00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.819
 even unto

00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.220
 death

00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:47.620
 and the

00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.200
 story of

00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:48.380
 his

00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.080
 martyrdom

00:25:49.080 --> 00:25:50.180
 is

00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.779
 impressive

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.580
 I think

00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.240
 I hope

00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.420
 you'll

00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:53.660
 agree

00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:54.160
 with me

00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:56.519
 so

00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.700
 why do

00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.259
 when you

00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:58.779
 get older

00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.240
 you find

00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.680
 it difficult

00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.160
 to turn

00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:00.620
 pages

00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:00.860
 over

00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:01.779
 does anyone

00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.500
 say amen

00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:02.860
 to that

00:26:02.860 --> 00:26:03.060
 no

00:26:03.060 --> 00:26:05.200
 so

00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:07.279
 church

00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:07.900
 historians

00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.400
 Chadwick

00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:09.200
 in particular

00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.440
 came up

00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:10.799
 with

00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:14.000
 here we

00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.340
 go

00:26:14.340 --> 00:26:16.779
 here we

00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.279
 don't go

00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.279
 Terry can you

00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:18.639
 get the

00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:19.160
 next slide

00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:19.480
 up

00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:24.299
 what's

00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:24.740
 going on

00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.000
 here

00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.220
 it's going

00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:26.559
 green

00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:26.920
 anyway

00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:27.980
 so what

00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.359
 they put

00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:29.059
 together is

00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:29.799
 the six

00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.759
 slanders

00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.519
 aimed at

00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.079
 the church

00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:33.019
 right

00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.099
 at this

00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.559
 time

00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.639
 there were

00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:36.759
 six major

00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.579
 complaints

00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:38.599
 that

00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:42.339
 its opponents

00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:43.119
 made to the

00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:43.359
 church

00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:43.920
 the first

00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.279
 one

00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.819
 and you've

00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.460
 probably heard

00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.139
 about this

00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:47.839
 was cannibalism

00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:50.439
 they

00:26:50.439 --> 00:26:51.480
 misunderstood

00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:53.099
 the Lord's

00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:53.359
 supper

00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:53.980
 the service

00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.459
 of holy

00:26:54.459 --> 00:26:54.959
 communion

00:26:54.959 --> 00:26:55.220
 the

00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.740
 Eucharist

00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.039
 whatever

00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.779
 you choose

00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.039
 to

00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:58.119
 and all

00:26:58.119 --> 00:26:58.279
 this

00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.139
 talk

00:26:59.139 --> 00:26:59.559
 about

00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.399
 consuming

00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:01.159
 the blood

00:27:01.159 --> 00:27:01.980
 and body

00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.839
 of Jesus

00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:04.759
 kind of

00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:06.059
 was hyped

00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:06.799
 up by the

00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.240
 church's

00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:07.740
 opponents

00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.500
 who accused

00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.000
 the church

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.919
 of cannibalism

00:27:09.919 --> 00:27:11.599
 the second

00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.000
 thing

00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.359
 was that

00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.039
 the church

00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:15.480
 had what

00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.039
 they called

00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:16.659
 agape

00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.279
 feasts

00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:17.660
 which

00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:18.900
 simply

00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.560
 translated

00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:20.480
 means love

00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:22.220
 feasts

00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:24.320
 and so

00:27:24.320 --> 00:27:25.259
 the accusation

00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.779
 was that

00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.180
 these were

00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:26.820
 lust-filled

00:27:26.820 --> 00:27:27.480
 orgies

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:29.560
 and they

00:27:29.560 --> 00:27:30.040
 weren't

00:27:30.040 --> 00:27:30.980
 just in case

00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:31.400
 you ever get

00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:31.900
 an invite

00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:32.340
 to one

00:27:32.340 --> 00:27:32.580
 so

00:27:32.580 --> 00:27:34.820
 they were

00:27:34.820 --> 00:27:36.420
 just a kind

00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:36.779
 of meal

00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.200
 together

00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.900
 where people

00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:38.640
 remembered

00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:39.920
 all that

00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.560
 Christ had

00:27:40.560 --> 00:27:41.240
 done for

00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.519
 them

00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:43.420
 the third

00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:43.759
 thing they

00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.259
 were accused

00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.880
 of was

00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:45.340
 family

00:27:45.340 --> 00:27:46.020
 disruption

00:27:46.020 --> 00:27:48.120
 the reason

00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:48.580
 for that

00:27:48.580 --> 00:27:49.880
 was that

00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:50.720
 becoming a

00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.100
 Christian

00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:52.120
 would divide

00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:53.060
 you from

00:27:53.060 --> 00:27:53.480
 the rest

00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:53.780
 of your

00:27:53.780 --> 00:27:54.220
 family

00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.620
 so the

00:27:55.620 --> 00:27:56.000
 people who

00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.620
 opposed us

00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.280
 said this

00:27:57.280 --> 00:27:57.740
 is what it

00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.060
 does

00:27:58.060 --> 00:27:59.240
 you become a

00:27:59.240 --> 00:27:59.560
 Christian

00:27:59.560 --> 00:28:00.180
 you wreck

00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:00.920
 family life

00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:02.160
 actually I

00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:02.880
 think Christians

00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:03.640
 it's only a few

00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:04.440
 people on the

00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.160
 planet today

00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:06.060
 who stick up

00:28:06.060 --> 00:28:06.560
 for family

00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:07.120
 life even

00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:07.480
 though I

00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:07.840
 don't think

00:28:07.840 --> 00:28:08.220
 we're very

00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.280
 well heard

00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.879
 the fourth

00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:11.920
 thing is

00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.359
 really

00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:13.139
 mystifying

00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:14.500
 the early

00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.059
 Christians

00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.879
 were charged

00:28:15.879 --> 00:28:16.799
 with atheism

00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:19.519
 and the

00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.019
 reason for

00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:21.079
 that is

00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.960
 kind of

00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:22.619
 understandable

00:28:22.619 --> 00:28:23.119
 and that

00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:23.420
 was

00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:24.299
 Christianity

00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.799
 rejected

00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.920
 any images

00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.700
 for worship

00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.660
 or idols

00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:30.680
 so because

00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:31.160
 they didn't

00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:32.379
 use those

00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:34.399
 kind of

00:28:34.399 --> 00:28:36.000
 helps to

00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.379
 worship

00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:36.660
 it was

00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.079
 assumed

00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:37.480
 that they

00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:38.059
 must be

00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:38.740
 atheists

00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:40.880
 the fifth

00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:41.299
 thing is

00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:41.620
 they were

00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:42.519
 disloyal

00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.180
 citizens

00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:43.660
 that was

00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:43.799
 the

00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.620
 accusation

00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.900
 they were

00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.380
 thought to

00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:46.579
 be

00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:47.759
 revolutionaries

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.640
 because

00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:49.579
 they would

00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.220
 not bow

00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:50.759
 the knee

00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.240
 to the

00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:51.680
 name of

00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.059
 Caesar

00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:53.359
 and therefore

00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:53.859
 were thought

00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.220
 to be

00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.839
 people who

00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.720
 were in

00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.359
 grave danger

00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:56.880
 of carrying

00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:57.180
 out

00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:57.960
 insurrection

00:28:57.960 --> 00:29:00.559
 and finally

00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.620
 they were

00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:02.220
 accused of

00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.480
 being

00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:03.259
 destructive

00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:05.819
 why was

00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:06.099
 that

00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:07.880
 because

00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:08.540
 they used

00:29:08.540 --> 00:29:09.500
 rather graphic

00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.400
 language about

00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:10.880
 the end

00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.540
 times and

00:29:11.540 --> 00:29:11.880
 what would

00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:12.160
 happen

00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:13.560
 we could

00:29:13.560 --> 00:29:14.040
 read some

00:29:14.040 --> 00:29:14.380
 of that

00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:15.560
 in the

00:29:15.560 --> 00:29:19.080
 Revelation of

00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.600
 St John

00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:21.920
 that awful

00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:22.600
 things are

00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:23.280
 going to

00:29:23.280 --> 00:29:23.760
 happen so

00:29:23.760 --> 00:29:24.060
 they were

00:29:24.060 --> 00:29:25.440
 accused of

00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.320
 being destructive

00:29:26.320 --> 00:29:26.900
 people

00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:28.640
 if I might

00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:29.400
 just take a

00:29:29.400 --> 00:29:29.980
 moment to

00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.480
 talk to you

00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:30.900
 about

00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:32.220
 Polycarp

00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.940
 you see

00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.840
 he lived a

00:29:34.840 --> 00:29:35.400
 long life

00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.300
 he was 86

00:29:36.300 --> 00:29:37.080
 years old

00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:37.460
 when he

00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:37.980
 died

00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:39.060
 he was a

00:29:39.060 --> 00:29:39.580
 leader of

00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:40.019
 the church

00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.740
 in Smyrna

00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.300
 and one of

00:29:41.300 --> 00:29:41.900
 the earliest

00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:43.019
 bishops in

00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.600
 the church

00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:44.680
 you have to

00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.340
 decide whether

00:29:45.340 --> 00:29:45.900
 that's a good

00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:46.940
 thing or a

00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.620
 bad thing

00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:49.120
 but that's the

00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:49.480
 way they

00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.460
 recognised his

00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:50.920
 leadership

00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:52.780
 he wrote

00:29:52.780 --> 00:29:53.640
 an extra

00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.560
 canonical letter

00:29:54.560 --> 00:29:55.120
 that means

00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.900
 a letter

00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.460
 that's not

00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:56.860
 in the

00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.259
 Bible

00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.800
 to the

00:29:58.800 --> 00:29:59.519
 Philippians

00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.620
 which is

00:30:00.620 --> 00:30:01.040
 still

00:30:01.040 --> 00:30:02.240
 we still

00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:02.420
 have

00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.060
 translations

00:30:03.060 --> 00:30:03.580
 of that

00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:03.920
 that can

00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:04.420
 be read

00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:06.279
 he was

00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.060
 a wise

00:30:07.060 --> 00:30:07.840
 and brave

00:30:07.840 --> 00:30:08.300
 leader

00:30:08.300 --> 00:30:09.460
 in a

00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:09.880
 world

00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:10.560
 where

00:30:10.560 --> 00:30:11.640
 sadly

00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.920
 persecution

00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:14.519
 was the

00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.420
 order of

00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:15.840
 the day

00:30:15.840 --> 00:30:17.660
 and he

00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.800
 was martyred

00:30:18.800 --> 00:30:19.920
 for his

00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:20.400
 faith

00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:21.820
 no

00:30:21.820 --> 00:30:23.380
 there we

00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:23.640
 go

00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.779
 when he

00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.519
 was 86

00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.380
 years old

00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:27.940
 he was

00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.620
 called before

00:30:28.620 --> 00:30:29.240
 the local

00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.720
 court

00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:32.519
 and told

00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.019
 that he

00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.720
 had to

00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.400
 disown

00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:34.740
 the name

00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.299
 of Jesus

00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.759
 and

00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.259
 worship

00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:38.740
 polycarp

00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.039
 said

00:30:39.039 --> 00:30:40.220
 to the

00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:41.620
 judge

00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:42.019
 or the

00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:42.279
 chair

00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.579
 of the

00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.259
 tribunal

00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:45.860
 christ

00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:46.660
 has served

00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:47.220
 me well

00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.940
 for 86

00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.579
 years

00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:49.980
 i don't

00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.400
 think

00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.079
 i'm going

00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:51.400
 to give

00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:51.980
 up now

00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:54.980
 alongside

00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:56.259
 his

00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.940
 martyrdom

00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.460
 that what

00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:57.940
 they did

00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:58.380
 was

00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:59.819
 they tied

00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:00.319
 him to a

00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:00.680
 stake

00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.180
 built a

00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:01.700
 bonfire

00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.440
 around it

00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.100
 and lit

00:31:03.100 --> 00:31:03.400
 it

00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.840
 and

00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:05.480
 amazingly

00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.759
 according

00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.319
 to the

00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:08.640
 stuff we

00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:08.840
 have

00:31:08.840 --> 00:31:09.120
 and this

00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:09.519
 is backed

00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:09.980
 up by

00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:10.240
 the

00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.940
 historian

00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.160
 eusebius

00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:12.559
 as well

00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.120
 eusebius

00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:13.539
 not a

00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.100
 portuguese

00:31:14.100 --> 00:31:14.600
 football

00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:15.019
 player

00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.220
 but

00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:17.279
 somebody

00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.779
 who

00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:19.500
 was a

00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.000
 historian

00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.519
 in the

00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.140
 early church

00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:21.960
 eusebius

00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.480
 backs it

00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:22.920
 up that

00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:23.980
 the fire

00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:25.580
 just remained

00:31:25.580 --> 00:31:26.200
 in a circle

00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:26.740
 around him

00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:26.900
 he's

00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.440
 completely

00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.519
 unharmed

00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:28.980
 by it

00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:31.319
 and so

00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.539
 he got

00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:31.799
 to the

00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.440
 point where

00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:34.599
 they stabbed

00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:34.880
 him

00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:36.000
 and they

00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.519
 actually killed

00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:36.839
 him by

00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:37.500
 stabbing him

00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:37.740
 in the

00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:37.960
 neck

00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:38.240
 i think

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:38.700
 they stabbed

00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.480
 him 32

00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:40.200
 times

00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:41.779
 and he

00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.279
 died

00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:44.240
 and he

00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.180
 died a

00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:45.740
 hero

00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.859
 of the

00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.339
 christian

00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.859
 faith

00:31:47.859 --> 00:31:50.420
 in the

00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:50.700
 modern

00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.220
 church

00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:52.079
 if you're

00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:52.880
 interested

00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:54.620
 he's

00:31:54.620 --> 00:31:55.060
 remembered

00:31:55.060 --> 00:31:55.600
 in the

00:31:55.600 --> 00:31:56.160
 modern

00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:56.520
 church

00:31:56.520 --> 00:31:56.820
 on the

00:31:56.820 --> 00:31:57.540
 26th

00:31:57.540 --> 00:31:57.660
 of

00:31:57.660 --> 00:31:58.240
 january

00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:00.000
 obviously

00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:01.560
 roman

00:32:01.560 --> 00:32:02.000
 catholic

00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.320
 church

00:32:02.320 --> 00:32:02.780
 is quite

00:32:02.780 --> 00:32:03.300
 big on

00:32:03.300 --> 00:32:03.820
 remembering

00:32:03.820 --> 00:32:04.480
 saves the

00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:04.920
 anglican

00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:05.220
 church

00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.660
 a bit

00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:06.020
 more

00:32:06.020 --> 00:32:06.800
 a bit

00:32:06.800 --> 00:32:07.100
 not

00:32:07.100 --> 00:32:07.520
 more

00:32:07.520 --> 00:32:07.920
 a bit

00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:09.060
 and on

00:32:09.060 --> 00:32:09.720
 the 26th

00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.180
 of january

00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:10.480
 is the

00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:10.940
 day when

00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:11.380
 the church

00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:11.660
 gives

00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.260
 thanks for

00:32:12.260 --> 00:32:12.680
 the life

00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.540
 and martyrdom

00:32:13.540 --> 00:32:15.320
 of polycarp

00:32:15.320 --> 00:32:16.940
 and then

00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:19.340
 how did

00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:19.940
 this happen

00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:22.740
 is the

00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:23.759
 patron saint

00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.480
 of earache

00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.160
 sufferers

00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:27.680
 and

00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.880
 that seems

00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:29.319
 to me to

00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:30.480
 be entirely

00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.180
 eccentric

00:32:31.180 --> 00:32:31.740
 and i've

00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.480
 no idea

00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.620
 why that

00:32:33.620 --> 00:32:34.079
 would be

00:32:34.079 --> 00:32:34.779
 but nevertheless

00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:36.019
 apparently it

00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.359
 is

00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:37.880
 so there

00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.200
 is in

00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:38.940
 christ's

00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:40.059
 words for

00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.920
 smyrna

00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:43.920
 and the

00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:44.500
 first thing

00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:45.000
 is we're

00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:45.660
 told that

00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:46.339
 jesus

00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:47.299
 described

00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:47.759
 the risen

00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.700
 christ describes

00:32:48.700 --> 00:32:50.099
 himself as

00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:50.759
 the first

00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.200
 and the

00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:51.660
 last

00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:52.840
 rather

00:32:52.840 --> 00:32:53.660
 graphic

00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.380
 talk

00:32:54.380 --> 00:32:55.720
 for

00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.360
 the

00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:57.180
 consistent

00:32:57.180 --> 00:32:58.140
 sovereignty

00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:58.880
 over the

00:32:58.880 --> 00:32:59.160
 church

00:32:59.160 --> 00:32:59.500
 throughout

00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:00.300
 the ages

00:33:00.300 --> 00:33:01.420
 whatever

00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:01.740
 the

00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.620
 circumstances

00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:04.900
 the risen

00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:05.920
 christ says

00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.420
 that he

00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.279
 is aware

00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:08.440
 of their

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.400
 afflictions

00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:10.580
 still can't

00:33:10.580 --> 00:33:10.900
 get this

00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:11.320
 to work

00:33:11.320 --> 00:33:11.700
 terry

00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:13.440
 and i

00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:13.759
 think i'm

00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:13.940
 going to

00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.279
 give up

00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:14.540
 on it

00:33:14.540 --> 00:33:14.820
 if you

00:33:14.820 --> 00:33:15.279
 can't

00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:15.759
 function

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:15.960
 it

00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.360
 from up

00:33:16.360 --> 00:33:16.640
 there

00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:18.160
 right

00:33:18.160 --> 00:33:19.080
 okay

00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:19.300
 if i

00:33:19.300 --> 00:33:19.520
 just

00:33:19.520 --> 00:33:20.100
 fainted

00:33:20.100 --> 00:33:23.060
 so

00:33:23.060 --> 00:33:23.420
 the

00:33:23.420 --> 00:33:24.700
 risen

00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:25.080
 christ

00:33:25.080 --> 00:33:25.340
 system

00:33:25.340 --> 00:33:25.759
 i know

00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:25.980
 your

00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:26.540
 afflictions

00:33:26.540 --> 00:33:26.860
 and your

00:33:26.860 --> 00:33:27.360
 poverty

00:33:27.360 --> 00:33:28.700
 and he

00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.040
 knows

00:33:29.040 --> 00:33:29.560
 about the

00:33:29.560 --> 00:33:30.040
 slander

00:33:30.040 --> 00:33:30.900
 of the

00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:31.240
 synagogue

00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:32.140
 of satan

00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:33.720
 that i

00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.420
 think is

00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.340
 christ's

00:33:35.340 --> 00:33:35.740
 way of

00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:36.140
 saying

00:33:36.140 --> 00:33:36.700
 that

00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.720
 where the

00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.100
 church

00:33:38.100 --> 00:33:38.920
 finds itself

00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.620
 persecuted

00:33:39.620 --> 00:33:40.220
 jesus

00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:41.580
 is in

00:33:41.580 --> 00:33:42.100
 the midst

00:33:42.100 --> 00:33:44.100
 and is

00:33:44.100 --> 00:33:45.060
 with us

00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:47.960
 and some

00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.240
 of you

00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:48.659
 will know

00:33:48.659 --> 00:33:49.099
 because some

00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:49.460
 of you in

00:33:49.460 --> 00:33:49.919
 this church

00:33:49.919 --> 00:33:50.279
 have had a

00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:50.859
 hard time

00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:51.200
 i know

00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:53.139
 that and

00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:53.779
 some of

00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:54.079
 you have

00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:54.500
 discovered

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:54.960
 that in

00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.379
 a hard

00:33:55.379 --> 00:33:55.859
 time

00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:57.779
 having

00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:58.440
 jesus

00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:59.639
 close to

00:33:59.639 --> 00:33:59.940
 you

00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:01.639
 is

00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:02.619
 maybe

00:34:02.619 --> 00:34:03.299
 what you

00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:03.639
 would say

00:34:03.639 --> 00:34:03.940
 was the

00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:04.720
 primary way

00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.740
 that kind

00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.039
 of got

00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.399
 you through

00:34:06.399 --> 00:34:06.779
 a tough

00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:07.220
 time

00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:09.059
 it's

00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:09.380
 mirrored

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:09.799
 isn't it

00:34:09.799 --> 00:34:10.360
 in the

00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:11.320
 23rd

00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:12.440
 psalm

00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:13.500
 psalmets

00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:13.860
 are very

00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:14.360
 often read

00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:15.039
 at funerals

00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:15.759
 which is a

00:34:15.759 --> 00:34:16.119
 bit late

00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.420
 for at

00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:16.820
 least one

00:34:16.820 --> 00:34:17.219
 person

00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:17.699
 present

00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:20.779
 you remember

00:34:20.779 --> 00:34:21.360
 that verse

00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:21.719
 it's a

00:34:21.719 --> 00:34:22.079
 wonderful

00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:22.380
 verse

00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:22.980
 i treasure

00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.320
 this

00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:23.860
 verse

00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:25.599
 yea

00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:25.940
 though i

00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:26.199
 walk

00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.619
 through the

00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:26.960
 valley

00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:27.719
 of the

00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:28.059
 shadow

00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:28.639
 of death

00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:30.039
 i will

00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.619
 fear

00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:31.400
 no evil

00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:31.820
 why

00:34:31.820 --> 00:34:33.460
 because the

00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:33.860
 psalmist

00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.139
 says

00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:35.659
 thou art

00:34:35.659 --> 00:34:36.779
 with me

00:34:36.779 --> 00:34:39.279
 listen to

00:34:39.279 --> 00:34:39.440
 me

00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:40.659
 the presence

00:34:40.659 --> 00:34:41.739
 of god

00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:42.840
 in the

00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.900
 lives of

00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:44.400
 the whole

00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.000
 christian

00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:45.300
 history

00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:45.539
 and the

00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:45.960
 lives of

00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.360
 all the

00:34:46.360 --> 00:34:46.820
 christians

00:34:46.820 --> 00:34:47.000
 who have

00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:47.220
 ever

00:34:47.220 --> 00:34:47.639
 stalked

00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:47.760
 the

00:34:47.760 --> 00:34:48.119
 planet

00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:50.680
 has been

00:34:50.680 --> 00:34:51.160
 that those

00:34:51.160 --> 00:34:51.760
 who hold

00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:52.079
 on to

00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:52.519
 christ

00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:53.500
 through a

00:34:53.500 --> 00:34:53.900
 difficult

00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.460
 time

00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:55.380
 prevail

00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:56.500
 someone say

00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:56.960
 amen

00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:58.539
 someone say

00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.039
 we love

00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.380
 that

00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:03.160
 so what

00:35:03.160 --> 00:35:03.460
 does the

00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:04.059
 risen christ

00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:04.500
 say to

00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:04.820
 them

00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:06.740
 you're about

00:35:06.740 --> 00:35:07.180
 to find

00:35:07.180 --> 00:35:07.579
 out

00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.900
 one he

00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:09.199
 says

00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:10.440
 chapter 2

00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:10.880
 verse 10

00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:11.360
 don't be

00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:11.799
 afraid

00:35:11.799 --> 00:35:14.500
 i mean

00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:15.000
 we could

00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:15.500
 spend the

00:35:15.500 --> 00:35:16.319
 whole evening

00:35:16.319 --> 00:35:17.420
 looking at

00:35:17.420 --> 00:35:19.099
 how the

00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:20.299
 bible

00:35:20.299 --> 00:35:21.679
 is very

00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:22.480
 intent

00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.599
 on making

00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:24.179
 it clear

00:35:24.179 --> 00:35:24.599
 to the

00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:25.400
 followers of

00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:25.940
 god

00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:26.819
 in the

00:35:26.819 --> 00:35:27.400
 old testament

00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:27.940
 the followers

00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:28.500
 of jesus

00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.119
 in the new

00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:30.079
 that we

00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:30.819
 needn't be

00:35:30.819 --> 00:35:31.400
 afraid

00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:33.500
 i'm told

00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:34.460
 never counted

00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:35.019
 personally

00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:36.200
 that the

00:35:36.200 --> 00:35:36.599
 phrase

00:35:36.599 --> 00:35:38.119
 or derivative

00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:38.619
 of the

00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:38.940
 phrase

00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.480
 do not

00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:40.099
 be afraid

00:35:40.099 --> 00:35:41.680
 occurs in

00:35:41.680 --> 00:35:42.019
 scripture

00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:43.980
 365 times

00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:45.019
 once a

00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:45.300
 day

00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:46.460
 though you

00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:46.920
 might be in

00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.340
 trouble for

00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:48.079
 24 hours

00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:48.559
 in a leap

00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:48.780
 year

00:35:48.780 --> 00:35:51.780
 second

00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:53.180
 there is

00:35:53.180 --> 00:35:53.700
 in christ's

00:35:53.700 --> 00:35:54.039
 word is

00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.720
 there's worse

00:35:54.720 --> 00:35:55.260
 to come

00:35:55.260 --> 00:35:58.220
 i mean i

00:35:58.220 --> 00:35:59.559
 don't know

00:35:59.559 --> 00:36:00.420
 how you read

00:36:00.420 --> 00:36:00.980
 what's going

00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:01.380
 on in the

00:36:01.380 --> 00:36:02.059
 world around

00:36:02.059 --> 00:36:02.559
 us just

00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:02.960
 now

00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:04.519
 but am i

00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:04.820
 the only

00:36:04.820 --> 00:36:05.420
 person in

00:36:05.420 --> 00:36:05.880
 the house

00:36:05.880 --> 00:36:06.360
 who thinks

00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:06.640
 that it

00:36:06.640 --> 00:36:06.980
 might have

00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.220
 to get

00:36:07.220 --> 00:36:07.780
 worse before

00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:08.119
 it gets

00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:08.480
 better

00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:10.380
 and i've

00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:10.840
 no idea

00:36:10.840 --> 00:36:11.240
 what that

00:36:11.240 --> 00:36:11.780
 worse might

00:36:11.780 --> 00:36:12.320
 look like

00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:12.579
 what it

00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.119
 might feel

00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:13.860
 like what

00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:14.180
 it might

00:36:14.180 --> 00:36:14.599
 mean for

00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:14.980
 us what

00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:15.320
 it might

00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:15.920
 mean for

00:36:15.920 --> 00:36:16.079
 our

00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:16.420
 children

00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:17.119
 and our

00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:18.599
 grandchildren

00:36:18.599 --> 00:36:19.800
 and if

00:36:19.800 --> 00:36:20.180
 you're old

00:36:20.180 --> 00:36:20.660
 enough your

00:36:20.660 --> 00:36:20.940
 great

00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.559
 grandchildren

00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:24.260
 and christ's

00:36:24.260 --> 00:36:24.619
 word to

00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:25.300
 them is in

00:36:25.300 --> 00:36:26.079
 the light of

00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:26.579
 there's worse

00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:27.180
 to come is

00:36:27.180 --> 00:36:28.180
 be faithful

00:36:28.180 --> 00:36:30.420
 hang on in

00:36:30.420 --> 00:36:30.740
 there

00:36:30.739 --> 00:36:32.459
 be faithful

00:36:32.459 --> 00:36:33.459
 to the point

00:36:33.459 --> 00:36:33.939
 of death

00:36:33.939 --> 00:36:34.500
 we talked

00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:35.139
 about that

00:36:35.139 --> 00:36:36.559
 be faithful

00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:38.099
 and receive

00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:39.099
 the crown

00:36:39.099 --> 00:36:40.219
 of life

00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:42.579
 in the

00:36:42.579 --> 00:36:43.739
 pastoral epistles

00:36:43.739 --> 00:36:44.839
 references to the

00:36:44.839 --> 00:36:45.639
 crown of life

00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:46.539
 have generally

00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:47.699
 meant a reference

00:36:47.699 --> 00:36:49.059
 to the crown

00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:49.679
 of laurel

00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.599
 reeds that the

00:36:50.599 --> 00:36:52.199
 victor in the

00:36:52.199 --> 00:36:54.439
 greek games

00:36:54.439 --> 00:36:55.199
 won when he

00:36:55.199 --> 00:36:56.000
 won something

00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:56.579
 but this

00:36:56.579 --> 00:36:57.480
 is thought

00:36:57.480 --> 00:36:57.780
 to be

00:36:57.780 --> 00:36:58.139
 different

00:36:58.139 --> 00:36:58.599
 this is

00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:59.079
 thought

00:36:59.079 --> 00:37:00.119
 not refer

00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:00.800
 to that

00:37:00.800 --> 00:37:02.000
 but refer

00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.460
 to the

00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:02.960
 fact that

00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:03.699
 we shall

00:37:03.699 --> 00:37:05.199
 receive

00:37:05.199 --> 00:37:06.159
 life

00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:06.860
 eternal

00:37:06.860 --> 00:37:08.019
 if we

00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:08.500
 prevail

00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:10.900
 and then

00:37:10.900 --> 00:37:11.260
 the risen

00:37:11.260 --> 00:37:11.639
 christ

00:37:11.639 --> 00:37:12.339
 seek to

00:37:12.339 --> 00:37:12.719
 overcome

00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:13.440
 your present

00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:14.079
 trials

00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:16.099
 and you

00:37:16.099 --> 00:37:16.519
 will

00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:17.400
 prevail

00:37:17.400 --> 00:37:18.719
 i love

00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:18.980
 that

00:37:18.980 --> 00:37:19.719
 it's a

00:37:19.719 --> 00:37:20.359
 great comfort

00:37:20.359 --> 00:37:20.819
 to me

00:37:20.819 --> 00:37:21.779
 as i think

00:37:21.779 --> 00:37:22.239
 about the

00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:22.960
 world today

00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:23.739
 and the

00:37:23.739 --> 00:37:24.319
 way it is

00:37:24.319 --> 00:37:24.679
 and then

00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:25.440
 just finally

00:37:25.440 --> 00:37:26.159
 to summarize

00:37:26.159 --> 00:37:28.139
 what have

00:37:28.139 --> 00:37:28.519
 we learned

00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:29.119
 thus far

00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:33.279
 what we've

00:37:33.279 --> 00:37:33.940
 learned is

00:37:33.940 --> 00:37:37.259
 that firstly

00:37:37.259 --> 00:37:37.799
 and i'm going

00:37:37.799 --> 00:37:38.519
 back to

00:37:38.519 --> 00:37:39.339
 the church

00:37:39.339 --> 00:37:39.920
 in ephesus

00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:40.399
 now

00:37:40.399 --> 00:37:42.019
 that sound

00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:42.679
 doctrine

00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:44.420
 minus love

00:37:44.420 --> 00:37:46.179
 means we

00:37:46.179 --> 00:37:46.480
 are a

00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:46.839
 clanging

00:37:46.839 --> 00:37:47.319
 gong

00:37:47.319 --> 00:37:49.539
 right

00:37:49.539 --> 00:37:50.659
 i know

00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:51.399
 churches like

00:37:51.399 --> 00:37:52.039
 this i come

00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:52.639
 from a very

00:37:52.639 --> 00:37:53.259
 conservative

00:37:53.259 --> 00:37:54.539
 tradition in

00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:54.980
 the church

00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:55.500
 of england

00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:57.880
 and believe

00:37:57.880 --> 00:37:58.199
 me

00:37:58.199 --> 00:37:58.920
 it's

00:37:58.920 --> 00:37:59.780
 very often

00:37:59.780 --> 00:38:00.119
 there are

00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:00.719
 people there

00:38:00.719 --> 00:38:01.239
 who get

00:38:01.239 --> 00:38:01.820
 more pleasure

00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:02.219
 out of

00:38:02.219 --> 00:38:02.699
 condemning

00:38:02.699 --> 00:38:03.159
 people who

00:38:03.159 --> 00:38:03.420
 are not

00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:04.079
 like them

00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:05.599
 us

00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:07.659
 than they

00:38:07.659 --> 00:38:08.079
 do

00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:11.960
 than they

00:38:11.960 --> 00:38:12.320
 do

00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:14.199
 in celebrating

00:38:14.199 --> 00:38:15.360
 all that

00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:15.920
 christ has

00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:16.420
 done for

00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:16.940
 him and

00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:17.719
 in particular

00:38:17.719 --> 00:38:19.500
 understanding

00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:20.519
 that the

00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:21.360
 reason god

00:38:21.360 --> 00:38:22.139
 sent his

00:38:22.139 --> 00:38:22.920
 rescue plan

00:38:22.920 --> 00:38:23.400
 to earth

00:38:23.400 --> 00:38:23.960
 god so

00:38:23.960 --> 00:38:24.380
 loved the

00:38:24.380 --> 00:38:24.699
 world that

00:38:24.699 --> 00:38:25.079
 he gave

00:38:25.079 --> 00:38:25.480
 his only

00:38:25.480 --> 00:38:26.199
 son jesus

00:38:26.199 --> 00:38:27.280
 christ that

00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:27.740
 whoever

00:38:27.740 --> 00:38:28.579
 believeth in

00:38:28.579 --> 00:38:29.440
 him should

00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:30.139
 not perish

00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:30.880
 but have

00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:31.480
 everlasting

00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:32.079
 life

00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:34.059
 amen

00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:37.420
 the reason

00:38:37.420 --> 00:38:37.960
 god did

00:38:37.960 --> 00:38:38.480
 that john

00:38:38.480 --> 00:38:39.219
 tells us in

00:38:39.219 --> 00:38:39.800
 chapter 3

00:38:39.800 --> 00:38:40.519
 verse 16

00:38:40.519 --> 00:38:41.400
 because god

00:38:41.400 --> 00:38:41.840
 loves the

00:38:41.840 --> 00:38:42.179
 world

00:38:42.179 --> 00:38:44.659
 i wish i

00:38:44.659 --> 00:38:45.219
 loved it as

00:38:45.219 --> 00:38:45.840
 much as god

00:38:45.840 --> 00:38:46.320
 did i mean

00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:47.320
 i find myself

00:38:47.320 --> 00:38:47.880
 moving into

00:38:47.880 --> 00:38:48.480
 grumpy old

00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:49.039
 man mode

00:38:49.039 --> 00:38:49.460
 often

00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:51.179
 complaining about

00:38:51.179 --> 00:38:51.820
 the way things

00:38:51.820 --> 00:38:52.360
 are but god

00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:52.940
 loves it

00:38:52.940 --> 00:38:54.679
 tells us in

00:38:54.679 --> 00:38:55.720
 the pastoral

00:38:55.720 --> 00:38:56.519
 epistles that

00:38:56.519 --> 00:38:57.019
 it's god's

00:38:57.019 --> 00:38:57.780
 will that all

00:38:57.780 --> 00:38:58.260
 should be

00:38:58.260 --> 00:38:58.679
 saved it

00:38:58.679 --> 00:38:59.079
 doesn't mean

00:38:59.079 --> 00:38:59.400
 that all

00:38:59.400 --> 00:38:59.900
 will be

00:38:59.900 --> 00:39:00.659
 saved but

00:39:00.659 --> 00:39:01.159
 it's will

00:39:01.159 --> 00:39:01.920
 it's his

00:39:01.920 --> 00:39:02.360
 will that

00:39:02.360 --> 00:39:03.340
 all should

00:39:03.340 --> 00:39:03.980
 be saved

00:39:03.980 --> 00:39:05.460
 but we've

00:39:05.460 --> 00:39:06.159
 also learned

00:39:06.159 --> 00:39:06.840
 that love

00:39:06.840 --> 00:39:08.099
 minus doctrine

00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:09.980
 equals compromise

00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:13.260
 you can't be

00:39:13.260 --> 00:39:16.559
 you can't guarantee

00:39:16.559 --> 00:39:17.559
 the safety of the

00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:19.820
 ship if the anchor

00:39:19.820 --> 00:39:20.639
 doesn't work

00:39:20.639 --> 00:39:22.639
 and you can't

00:39:22.639 --> 00:39:23.519
 guarantee the

00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:24.420
 health and safety

00:39:24.420 --> 00:39:25.219
 of the church

00:39:25.219 --> 00:39:26.599
 if the bible

00:39:26.599 --> 00:39:28.260
 is not taken

00:39:28.260 --> 00:39:29.260
 seriously and

00:39:29.260 --> 00:39:30.119
 its authority

00:39:30.119 --> 00:39:31.599
 in our lives

00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:34.059
 and if you

00:39:34.059 --> 00:39:34.500
 look in

00:39:34.500 --> 00:39:36.359
 you know when

00:39:36.359 --> 00:39:36.799
 paul was

00:39:36.799 --> 00:39:37.480
 writing to

00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:38.099
 this young

00:39:38.099 --> 00:39:39.019
 church leader

00:39:39.019 --> 00:39:40.699
 in first

00:39:40.699 --> 00:39:41.239
 timothy

00:39:41.239 --> 00:39:43.980
 in chapter

00:39:43.980 --> 00:39:45.039
 six and

00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:45.799
 verse three

00:39:45.799 --> 00:39:48.079
 i mean this

00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:49.099
 makes it

00:39:49.099 --> 00:39:50.880
 entirely clear

00:39:50.880 --> 00:39:51.779
 to me

00:39:51.779 --> 00:39:54.199
 verse three

00:39:54.199 --> 00:39:54.739
 if anyone

00:39:54.739 --> 00:39:55.739
 teaches false

00:39:55.739 --> 00:39:56.460
 doctrines and

00:39:56.460 --> 00:39:57.239
 does not agree

00:39:57.239 --> 00:39:57.980
 to the sound

00:39:57.980 --> 00:39:58.759
 instruction of

00:39:58.759 --> 00:39:59.519
 our lord jesus

00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:00.679
 christ and

00:40:00.679 --> 00:40:01.239
 to godly

00:40:01.239 --> 00:40:02.699
 teaching he

00:40:02.699 --> 00:40:03.519
 is conceited

00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:04.840
 and understands

00:40:04.840 --> 00:40:05.340
 nothing

00:40:05.340 --> 00:40:08.280
 it may be

00:40:08.280 --> 00:40:09.099
 nice to think

00:40:09.099 --> 00:40:09.639
 that you know

00:40:09.639 --> 00:40:10.139
 we can all

00:40:10.139 --> 00:40:10.780
 believe whatever

00:40:10.780 --> 00:40:11.559
 we like

00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:13.699
 but that's just

00:40:13.699 --> 00:40:14.400
 a free for all

00:40:14.400 --> 00:40:15.039
 that's not a

00:40:15.039 --> 00:40:16.039
 church by any

00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:16.719
 new testament

00:40:16.719 --> 00:40:17.619
 standards

00:40:17.619 --> 00:40:20.179
 and then

00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:21.440
 what we

00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:22.119
 what we've

00:40:22.119 --> 00:40:22.639
 learnt is

00:40:22.639 --> 00:40:23.340
 that doctrine

00:40:23.340 --> 00:40:25.039
 in the context

00:40:25.039 --> 00:40:25.679
 of love

00:40:25.679 --> 00:40:27.219
 is a healthy

00:40:27.219 --> 00:40:27.739
 church

00:40:27.739 --> 00:40:32.019
 what kind

00:40:32.019 --> 00:40:32.419
 of church

00:40:32.419 --> 00:40:32.779
 would you

00:40:32.779 --> 00:40:33.279
 like to

00:40:33.279 --> 00:40:33.879
 belong to

00:40:33.879 --> 00:40:34.299
 would you

00:40:34.299 --> 00:40:34.699
 like to

00:40:34.699 --> 00:40:35.259
 belong to

00:40:35.259 --> 00:40:35.719
 one that's

00:40:35.719 --> 00:40:36.039
 sick

00:40:36.039 --> 00:40:38.000
 incidentally

00:40:38.000 --> 00:40:38.799
 i remember

00:40:38.799 --> 00:40:39.179
 david

00:40:39.179 --> 00:40:39.819
 watson used

00:40:39.819 --> 00:40:40.219
 to say

00:40:40.219 --> 00:40:40.500
 that you

00:40:40.500 --> 00:40:40.779
 can always

00:40:40.779 --> 00:40:41.139
 tell a

00:40:41.139 --> 00:40:41.359
 sick

00:40:41.359 --> 00:40:41.699
 church

00:40:41.699 --> 00:40:42.019
 he said

00:40:42.019 --> 00:40:42.199
 it's

00:40:42.199 --> 00:40:42.379
 always

00:40:42.379 --> 00:40:42.679
 got a

00:40:42.679 --> 00:40:43.039
 thermometer

00:40:43.039 --> 00:40:43.579
 outside

00:40:43.579 --> 00:40:44.019
 it

00:40:44.019 --> 00:40:50.579
 and what

00:40:50.579 --> 00:40:51.139
 we've learnt

00:40:51.139 --> 00:40:51.579
 is in

00:40:51.579 --> 00:40:52.119
 ephesians

00:40:52.119 --> 00:40:52.500
 is that

00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:53.039
 the threat

00:40:53.039 --> 00:40:53.500
 to a

00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:53.860
 loveless

00:40:53.860 --> 00:40:54.199
 church

00:40:54.199 --> 00:40:54.679
 is jesus

00:40:54.679 --> 00:40:55.019
 says

00:40:55.019 --> 00:40:55.759
 i will

00:40:55.759 --> 00:40:56.340
 remove my

00:40:56.340 --> 00:40:56.840
 lampstand

00:40:56.840 --> 00:40:57.239
 that is

00:40:57.239 --> 00:40:57.739
 he will

00:40:57.739 --> 00:40:58.360
 remove his

00:40:58.360 --> 00:40:58.780
 presence

00:40:58.780 --> 00:40:59.079
 so you

00:40:59.079 --> 00:40:59.460
 remember

00:40:59.460 --> 00:41:01.079
 i thought

00:41:01.079 --> 00:41:01.500
 about

00:41:01.500 --> 00:41:02.759
 that terrible

00:41:02.759 --> 00:41:03.400
 time in

00:41:03.400 --> 00:41:03.900
 the history

00:41:03.900 --> 00:41:04.340
 of the old

00:41:04.340 --> 00:41:04.679
 covenant

00:41:04.679 --> 00:41:05.280
 people of

00:41:05.280 --> 00:41:05.500
 god

00:41:05.500 --> 00:41:06.539
 when in

00:41:06.539 --> 00:41:07.300
 ezekiel

00:41:07.300 --> 00:41:08.059
 chapters 10

00:41:08.059 --> 00:41:08.460
 and 11

00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:08.820
 you can

00:41:08.820 --> 00:41:09.000
 read

00:41:09.000 --> 00:41:09.900
 the glory

00:41:09.900 --> 00:41:10.239
 of the

00:41:10.239 --> 00:41:10.480
 lord

00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:11.179
 departed

00:41:11.179 --> 00:41:12.259
 from the

00:41:12.259 --> 00:41:12.619
 temple

00:41:12.619 --> 00:41:14.539
 you'll

00:41:14.539 --> 00:41:15.359
 have no

00:41:15.359 --> 00:41:15.900
 idea

00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:16.579
 what that

00:41:16.579 --> 00:41:16.739
 would

00:41:16.739 --> 00:41:17.039
 have meant

00:41:17.039 --> 00:41:17.380
 for a

00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:17.679
 jew at

00:41:17.679 --> 00:41:18.059
 the time

00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:18.699
 the glory

00:41:18.699 --> 00:41:19.039
 of the

00:41:19.039 --> 00:41:19.460
 lord has

00:41:19.460 --> 00:41:19.980
 departed

00:41:19.980 --> 00:41:22.859
 amazing

00:41:22.859 --> 00:41:24.960
 and we've

00:41:24.960 --> 00:41:25.339
 learnt

00:41:25.339 --> 00:41:26.480
 that to

00:41:26.480 --> 00:41:28.019
 those who

00:41:28.019 --> 00:41:28.460
 prevail

00:41:28.460 --> 00:41:30.719
 the gift

00:41:30.719 --> 00:41:31.319
 let me

00:41:31.319 --> 00:41:31.880
 stress that

00:41:31.880 --> 00:41:32.579
 the gift

00:41:32.579 --> 00:41:33.579
 of eternal

00:41:33.579 --> 00:41:34.239
 life

00:41:34.239 --> 00:41:36.759
 dallas

00:41:36.759 --> 00:41:37.339
 willard

00:41:37.339 --> 00:41:37.799
 said

00:41:37.799 --> 00:41:38.819
 grace

00:41:38.819 --> 00:41:39.779
 means the

00:41:39.779 --> 00:41:40.259
 end of

00:41:40.259 --> 00:41:40.819
 earning

00:41:40.819 --> 00:41:41.279
 you don't

00:41:41.279 --> 00:41:41.519
 have to

00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:42.119
 earn your

00:41:42.119 --> 00:41:42.659
 way into

00:41:42.659 --> 00:41:43.079
 heaven

00:41:43.079 --> 00:41:44.119
 but it

00:41:44.119 --> 00:41:44.359
 doesn't

00:41:44.359 --> 00:41:45.079
 mean the

00:41:45.079 --> 00:41:45.519
 end of

00:41:45.519 --> 00:41:46.000
 effort

00:41:46.000 --> 00:41:47.779
 because we've

00:41:47.779 --> 00:41:48.699
 been saved

00:41:48.699 --> 00:41:49.359
 for the

00:41:49.359 --> 00:41:49.980
 good works

00:41:49.980 --> 00:41:50.579
 that god

00:41:50.579 --> 00:41:51.639
 has prepared

00:41:51.639 --> 00:41:52.559
 in advance

00:41:52.559 --> 00:41:52.980
 for us

00:41:52.980 --> 00:41:53.799
 not saved

00:41:53.799 --> 00:41:54.440
 by our

00:41:54.440 --> 00:41:55.199
 good works

00:41:55.199 --> 00:41:57.519
 and the

00:41:57.519 --> 00:41:58.059
 final thing

00:41:58.059 --> 00:41:58.319
 we've

00:41:58.319 --> 00:41:58.859
 learnt is

00:41:58.859 --> 00:41:59.920
 and we

00:41:59.920 --> 00:42:00.400
 learnt this

00:42:00.400 --> 00:42:00.880
 tonight

00:42:00.880 --> 00:42:02.000
 if i might

00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:02.599
 just read

00:42:02.599 --> 00:42:03.259
 to you from

00:42:03.259 --> 00:42:04.739
 chapter 2

00:42:04.739 --> 00:42:05.759
 and verse

00:42:05.759 --> 00:42:06.259
 11

00:42:06.259 --> 00:42:08.119
 get my

00:42:08.119 --> 00:42:08.619
 bible the

00:42:08.619 --> 00:42:08.980
 right way

00:42:08.980 --> 00:42:09.159
 up

00:42:09.159 --> 00:42:09.579
 i have a

00:42:09.579 --> 00:42:10.699
 fighting

00:42:10.699 --> 00:42:11.239
 chance

00:42:11.239 --> 00:42:15.739
 sorry

00:42:15.739 --> 00:42:16.359
 lost my

00:42:16.359 --> 00:42:16.619
 way

00:42:16.619 --> 00:42:17.159
 lost my

00:42:17.159 --> 00:42:17.959
 place

00:42:17.959 --> 00:42:18.759
 yes

00:42:18.759 --> 00:42:20.000
 so here

00:42:20.000 --> 00:42:20.679
 it says

00:42:20.679 --> 00:42:21.839
 he has

00:42:21.839 --> 00:42:22.079
 an ear

00:42:22.079 --> 00:42:22.479
 let him

00:42:22.479 --> 00:42:22.959
 hear what

00:42:22.959 --> 00:42:23.500
 the spirit

00:42:23.500 --> 00:42:24.000
 says to

00:42:24.000 --> 00:42:24.719
 the churches

00:42:24.719 --> 00:42:26.219
 he who

00:42:26.219 --> 00:42:26.919
 overcomes

00:42:26.919 --> 00:42:27.579
 will not

00:42:27.579 --> 00:42:28.079
 be hurt

00:42:28.079 --> 00:42:28.719
 at all

00:42:28.719 --> 00:42:29.639
 by the

00:42:29.639 --> 00:42:30.459
 second death

00:42:30.459 --> 00:42:33.199
 that is

00:42:33.199 --> 00:42:34.500
 unless the

00:42:34.500 --> 00:42:35.159
 lord returns

00:42:35.159 --> 00:42:35.659
 we will

00:42:35.659 --> 00:42:36.299
 all die

00:42:36.299 --> 00:42:36.899
 physically

00:42:36.899 --> 00:42:39.239
 don't know

00:42:39.239 --> 00:42:39.500
 what do you

00:42:39.500 --> 00:42:40.019
 think about

00:42:40.019 --> 00:42:40.340
 that

00:42:40.340 --> 00:42:43.639
 but unless

00:42:43.639 --> 00:42:43.960
 the lord

00:42:43.960 --> 00:42:44.360
 returns

00:42:44.360 --> 00:42:44.699
 we will

00:42:44.699 --> 00:42:45.139
 all die

00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:46.280
 it unites

00:42:46.280 --> 00:42:46.619
 us in

00:42:46.619 --> 00:42:47.219
 the house

00:42:47.219 --> 00:42:47.679
 tonight

00:42:47.679 --> 00:42:50.500
 but what

00:42:50.500 --> 00:42:50.639
 the

00:42:50.639 --> 00:42:51.559
 jesus is

00:42:51.559 --> 00:42:52.039
 saying is a

00:42:52.039 --> 00:42:52.880
 very contemporary

00:42:52.880 --> 00:42:53.800
 idea amongst

00:42:53.800 --> 00:42:54.639
 jews was that

00:42:54.639 --> 00:42:55.159
 the second

00:42:55.159 --> 00:42:55.619
 death

00:42:55.619 --> 00:42:56.900
 was the

00:42:56.900 --> 00:42:57.619
 judgment of

00:42:57.619 --> 00:42:58.380
 god on

00:42:58.380 --> 00:42:59.300
 sinful people

00:42:59.300 --> 00:43:02.440
 and what

00:43:02.440 --> 00:43:03.480
 he's saying

00:43:03.480 --> 00:43:04.039
 is if you

00:43:04.039 --> 00:43:04.820
 prevail if you

00:43:04.820 --> 00:43:05.620
 stay faithful

00:43:05.620 --> 00:43:06.340
 despite the

00:43:06.340 --> 00:43:06.980
 provocation

00:43:06.980 --> 00:43:07.680
 despite the

00:43:07.680 --> 00:43:08.120
 slander

00:43:08.120 --> 00:43:09.519
 despite the

00:43:09.519 --> 00:43:10.539
 persecution

00:43:10.539 --> 00:43:14.140
 then you will

00:43:14.140 --> 00:43:14.720
 avoid the

00:43:14.720 --> 00:43:15.380
 second death

00:43:15.380 --> 00:43:16.240
 you will not

00:43:16.240 --> 00:43:16.900
 avoid the

00:43:16.900 --> 00:43:17.519
 judgment of

00:43:17.519 --> 00:43:17.800
 god

00:43:17.800 --> 00:43:18.600
 but if i can

00:43:18.600 --> 00:43:19.100
 put it in

00:43:19.100 --> 00:43:19.940
 airport language

00:43:19.940 --> 00:43:21.000
 if you've

00:43:21.000 --> 00:43:21.660
 prevailed and

00:43:21.660 --> 00:43:22.519
 trust to christ

00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:23.640
 you know when you

00:43:23.640 --> 00:43:24.019
 get to the

00:43:24.019 --> 00:43:24.740
 customs hall

00:43:24.740 --> 00:43:25.460
 there's a green

00:43:25.460 --> 00:43:26.360
 lane and a red

00:43:26.360 --> 00:43:27.280
 lane right

00:43:27.280 --> 00:43:28.200
 does anybody

00:43:28.200 --> 00:43:28.940
 ever go down

00:43:28.940 --> 00:43:29.320
 the red

00:43:29.320 --> 00:43:29.600
 lane

00:43:29.600 --> 00:43:33.080
 not so

00:43:33.080 --> 00:43:34.240
 on the day

00:43:34.240 --> 00:43:34.780
 of judgment

00:43:34.780 --> 00:43:37.500
 jesus himself

00:43:37.500 --> 00:43:38.280
 said the road

00:43:38.280 --> 00:43:39.100
 to perdition

00:43:39.100 --> 00:43:39.780
 is wide

00:43:39.780 --> 00:43:42.880
 you want to

00:43:42.880 --> 00:43:43.360
 avoid that

00:43:43.360 --> 00:43:43.740
 road

00:43:43.740 --> 00:43:45.580
 trust christ

00:43:45.580 --> 00:43:47.220
 and prevail

00:43:47.220 --> 00:43:47.820
 in him

00:43:47.820 --> 00:43:50.780
 well friends

00:43:50.780 --> 00:43:51.380
 that's it

00:43:51.380 --> 00:43:52.080
 for now

00:43:52.080 --> 00:43:53.880
 and i hope

00:43:53.880 --> 00:43:54.380
 you come back

00:43:54.380 --> 00:43:55.019
 next week

00:43:55.019 --> 00:43:56.880
 and don't

00:43:56.880 --> 00:43:57.260
 let the

00:43:57.260 --> 00:43:58.019
 recording put

00:43:58.019 --> 00:43:58.340
 you off

00:43:58.340 --> 00:43:58.680
 coming

00:43:58.680 --> 00:43:58.980
 i'm

00:43:58.980 --> 00:43:59.320
 watching

00:43:59.320 --> 00:43:59.880
 you