WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.040 It was in his play, The Merchant of Venice, that William Shakespeare first popularized the phrase that perhaps your mother said to you as you were growing old, 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:15.320 all that glitters is not gold. 00:00:16.899 --> 00:00:22.600 Influenced by Shakespeare a couple of hundred years later, Tolkien writes in The Riddle of the Strider, 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:28.839 which is originally meant to be in partnership with The Fellowship of the Ring, 00:00:28.839 --> 00:00:32.520 transforms that phrase somewhat, and he says this, 00:00:33.019 --> 00:00:35.380 all that is gold does not glitter. 00:00:35.820 --> 00:00:38.259 So you hear from Shakespeare, all that is glitter is not gold. 00:00:38.380 --> 00:00:41.780 Just because something is shiny doesn't mean that it has value. 00:00:41.980 --> 00:00:47.600 Tolkien takes it, flips it just a little bit, and he says all that is gold is not glitter. 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:52.500 In other words, something may seem drab and dull at first, 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:57.060 but is actually truly precious if you come to understand its reality. 00:00:57.060 --> 00:01:02.100 Now what both of these men were hinting at, this proverb that they're hitting at at those moments, 00:01:02.100 --> 00:01:06.719 is at the same truth, and that is that things are not always as they appear. 00:01:07.540 --> 00:01:08.719 They're not always as they appear. 00:01:09.719 --> 00:01:14.260 As many people discovered in the gold rush of the 1840s, the California gold rush, 00:01:14.260 --> 00:01:20.540 something that seems like a precious metal to the trained eye, 00:01:20.540 --> 00:01:28.180 to the one with knowledge, turns out to just be a worthless mineral pyrite, fool's gold. 00:01:29.240 --> 00:01:35.080 The sermon to the church in Sardis applies this same truth to the Christian world. 00:01:35.079 --> 00:01:43.659 A church that appears to be full of life can, in reality, be spiritually dead. 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:51.299 Because not everyone who professes to be a Christian is truly saved from sin, 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:57.900 is truly forgiven, is truly at peace with God through the work of Christ. 00:01:57.900 --> 00:02:03.560 So it's possible then, and it's evidenced in the church of Sardis, 00:02:04.020 --> 00:02:10.400 that a church can consist of unsaved Christians. 00:02:11.960 --> 00:02:14.400 Jesus said it this way in Matthew chapter 7, 00:02:15.540 --> 00:02:20.159 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, 00:02:20.540 --> 00:02:25.140 but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 00:02:25.139 --> 00:02:29.539 On that day, that day of judgment, of reckoning, 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:32.079 that he refers to in this letter to Sardis, 00:02:32.459 --> 00:02:34.399 on that day many will say to me, 00:02:34.739 --> 00:02:40.639 Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? 00:02:42.779 --> 00:02:47.359 And cast out demons in your name? 00:02:48.359 --> 00:02:54.560 And do many mighty works in your name? 00:02:55.139 --> 00:02:58.439 And then will I declare to them, 00:02:58.879 --> 00:03:00.839 I never knew you. 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:06.500 Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. 00:03:07.459 --> 00:03:12.299 In other words, all that glitters is not gold. 00:03:13.879 --> 00:03:19.319 Not every professing believer has been reborn. 00:03:19.319 --> 00:03:25.519 The church in Sardis is the last in a grouping of three churches 00:03:25.519 --> 00:03:30.539 addressed in the middle of this section of chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation. 00:03:31.620 --> 00:03:34.099 All three churches were dealing with the same issue, 00:03:34.239 --> 00:03:38.500 but it was varying levels of spiritual compromise. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:42.139 And their order, as we have discussed the last couple of weeks, 00:03:42.500 --> 00:03:45.079 presents a progression of bad to worse. 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:53.700 The subtle compromise in Pergamum evolved into an overt compromise in Thyatira. 00:03:54.860 --> 00:03:59.380 Sardis then, as the concluding church in this threefold grouping, 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:02.380 represents the final stage of development, 00:04:03.380 --> 00:04:06.980 where compromise kills a church. 00:04:06.979 --> 00:04:11.179 And interestingly, as we get through this sermon, 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:12.599 and as we think through it, 00:04:13.139 --> 00:04:17.560 it's not that the congregation ceases to exist. 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:25.759 Deadness does not equate to non-existence. 00:04:26.939 --> 00:04:31.139 Not every church that is dead is wiped away. 00:04:31.839 --> 00:04:33.219 Sometimes that is the case. 00:04:33.220 --> 00:04:34.820 That's not the case with Sardis. 00:04:35.620 --> 00:04:40.080 Instead, the church continued under the banner of Christianity 00:04:40.080 --> 00:04:42.700 without actually being Christian. 00:04:45.540 --> 00:04:49.740 Now, there's two dominant themes in this particular message from Jesus 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:51.300 that we can't ignore. 00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:56.340 The first is the divine omniscience of Jesus. 00:04:56.860 --> 00:04:59.000 Omniscience meaning all-knowing. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:00.860 He knows all things. 00:05:00.860 --> 00:05:05.740 Jesus knows what is true of everyone and everything 00:05:05.740 --> 00:05:08.259 and what appears to us, perhaps, 00:05:08.540 --> 00:05:12.620 as a precious metal in terms of a Christian 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:16.840 or professing Christian or a professing Christian church. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:20.500 Jesus knows to be fool's gold. 00:05:21.180 --> 00:05:22.800 He's the one with the trained eye. 00:05:23.580 --> 00:05:26.800 He's the one who knows the reality of all things. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:28.139 That's the first theme. 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:29.340 Jesus knows. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:32.679 The second dominant theme in this particular sermon 00:05:32.679 --> 00:05:36.439 is the righteous judgment of Jesus. 00:05:36.859 --> 00:05:38.359 The righteous judgment of Jesus. 00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:43.099 The Lord Jesus knows all things truly. 00:05:44.219 --> 00:05:48.639 Therefore, he judges all things righteously. 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:51.079 Do you see the connection between the two? 00:05:51.779 --> 00:05:54.399 He knows all things truly for what they really are. 00:05:54.399 --> 00:05:58.579 Therefore, his judgments are perfectly righteous. 00:05:59.099 --> 00:06:01.539 They're always accurate. 00:06:02.039 --> 00:06:03.739 He cannot be fooled. 00:06:04.500 --> 00:06:06.459 So, his judgments are perfect. 00:06:07.739 --> 00:06:09.779 Now, a key feature in dead churches 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:13.079 and among unsaved Christians, if we can use that term, 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:15.459 is self-deception. 00:06:15.459 --> 00:06:21.699 We fool ourselves perhaps even faster than we would fool anyone else, 00:06:21.859 --> 00:06:28.579 which is why passages like this are so vitally important for us to hear and to understand. 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:37.359 Not only does it contain a severe warning for those who will continue on this path of spiritual compromise, 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:45.360 but as always, it affirms God's glorious promises for all who persevere in repentance and faith. 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:47.680 That's why it's so necessary. 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:51.100 It confronts us at just the place we need to be confronted, 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:55.319 and then it picks us up with the promises that we need to be picked up by. 00:06:55.460 --> 00:06:58.520 The only promises that can actually pick us up. 00:06:58.519 --> 00:07:01.279 So, that's what's happening with the church in Sardis. 00:07:01.459 --> 00:07:03.899 It's what we want to meditate on this morning. 00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:09.959 Let's consider in verse 1 the church's identity and the Christ titles that are used here. 00:07:10.379 --> 00:07:12.099 Look with me at the beginning of verse 1. 00:07:12.979 --> 00:07:14.979 To the angel of the church in Sardis write, 00:07:16.159 --> 00:07:20.819 the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:25.000 During Jesus's life and ministry, 00:07:25.240 --> 00:07:28.019 if you want to know a little background of the city of Sardis, 00:07:28.219 --> 00:07:32.540 it was as Jesus was growing up as a boy and as a teenager and then on into his ministry, 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:35.800 it was the emperor, Roman emperor Tiberius, 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:43.139 who was sponsoring several reconstruction efforts in the ancient city of Sardis. 00:07:43.699 --> 00:07:48.120 By the time John writes the revelation, 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:52.720 Sardis had a large theater in its sitting. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:53.780 It had a stadium. 00:07:54.399 --> 00:07:56.699 Its main street was made of marble. 00:07:56.980 --> 00:07:57.920 It had a marble road. 00:07:58.040 --> 00:07:59.879 You can look at some of the ancient ruins that are there 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:02.840 to see some of the remnants that still remain. 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:04.699 It had many religious sites, 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:09.139 including monumentally its temple to Artemis. 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:11.879 It had all of these things at the time that John is writing. 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:15.319 But the truth is that the glory days of Sardis 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:21.980 were well in the past by the time this book was circulated among the churches in Asia. 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:27.899 The city was actually most famous for having been embarrassingly conquered 00:08:27.899 --> 00:08:31.519 the same way twice in its history. 00:08:32.319 --> 00:08:38.179 The stories of these conquerings involve the Acropolis of Sardis, 00:08:38.299 --> 00:08:42.639 which an Acropolis is just a large hill that would be connected to a city. 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:47.879 And on the top of this hill, there might be a religious site or a temple or something like that. 00:08:48.179 --> 00:08:49.659 In Sardis, it was a citadel. 00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:55.960 It was a fortified place for the wealthy and for the soldiers to kind of hunker down 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:58.419 when they were being besieged by an enemy army. 00:08:59.059 --> 00:09:05.580 The citadel atop the Acropolis in Sardis was only guarded on three sides. 00:09:05.580 --> 00:09:13.420 Reason being that one side had such steep cliffs that it was determined and believed by most people 00:09:13.420 --> 00:09:16.040 that the citadel was completely impregnable. 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:24.800 Nobody could possibly gain access to the citadel, so they thought, from that side of the complex. 00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:27.040 So they never left it guarded. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:31.200 They left it totally unguarded, unwatched. 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:38.080 Well, as you might imagine, on two separate occasions, once in 547 B.C. with Cyrus the Great, 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:45.940 and then again in 215 B.C., enemy soldiers invade the citadel from the unattended side. 00:09:46.680 --> 00:09:51.360 They scale the cliffs, they climb over, and they walk to the front where the gate is, 00:09:51.420 --> 00:09:53.940 and themselves, they open the gate to allow the army in. 00:09:53.940 --> 00:10:00.220 That's what Sardis is famous for historically, not only today, but even in the days of John 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:01.480 when he's writing the Revelation. 00:10:02.140 --> 00:10:10.660 It is known for these infamous events which serve as parables to the state of the church in Sardis. 00:10:12.020 --> 00:10:16.220 Just as the soldiers had been defeated due to a lack of vigilance, 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:23.139 the church had left its doctrine unguarded and was almost entirely dead. 00:10:24.300 --> 00:10:26.420 Well, that's the church's identity. 00:10:26.700 --> 00:10:29.580 Let's think now about the Christ titles that are listed here. 00:10:30.180 --> 00:10:37.259 Jesus says, write the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:43.419 So, in Jesus' self-revelation, there seems to be mystery at first, 00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:50.480 but really what Jesus says about the seven spirits and the seven stars is defined for us in the first chapter. 00:10:51.460 --> 00:10:54.500 The seven spirits of God refers to the Holy Spirit. 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:56.879 Just set your eyes on chapter 1. 00:10:57.019 --> 00:10:58.159 You're open to chapter 3. 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:03.860 Look over at chapter 1 in this Trinitarian greeting in verses 4 and 5. 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:06.439 Revelation 1, 4 and 5. 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:09.600 John to the seven churches that are in Asia. 00:11:10.180 --> 00:11:11.800 Grace to you and peace. 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:17.000 Number one, from him who is and who was and who is to come. 00:11:17.320 --> 00:11:18.260 That's God the Father. 00:11:19.160 --> 00:11:22.080 And from the seven spirits who are before his throne. 00:11:22.760 --> 00:11:27.340 And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, 00:11:27.680 --> 00:11:30.120 and the ruler of kings on earth. 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:33.080 Do you see where the seven spirits of God are sandwiched here? 00:11:33.440 --> 00:11:35.940 It's in this Trinitarian greeting. 00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:37.120 John writes and he says, 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:41.420 I'm sending you grace and peace on behalf of the Father and the Son. 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:46.000 And sandwiched right in between is the seven spirits of God, which is just representative. 00:11:46.160 --> 00:11:50.000 It's a different way of referring to the Holy Spirit. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:59.059 Now, it's not entirely clear why Jesus used seven spirits in this self-revelation instead of just saying Holy Spirit. 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:00.860 This is not common in the scriptures. 00:12:01.059 --> 00:12:05.100 It's unique to these few chapters here in Revelation. 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:07.720 It's not exactly clear why he does that, 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:14.000 but it will be helpful for you to remember that there are certain numbers that are used in the book of Revelation 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.960 that have significant symbolic meaning. 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:19.019 Seven is one of them. 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:25.960 It's not always, especially in Revelation, intended to provide a precise number, 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:31.960 but it is a symbol, a representative of fullness, completeness. 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:39.639 So, Jesus doesn't mean for us to conclude here that there are seven distinct spirits of God, 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:46.620 but that he possesses the fullness of the knowledge of the Holy Spirit, 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:52.720 who is everywhere present and fully apprised of all that takes place. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:54.639 Notice what it is that Jesus says. 00:12:54.920 --> 00:12:58.759 The words of him who has the seven spirits, 00:12:58.940 --> 00:13:03.220 who has the Holy Spirit, the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 00:13:03.340 --> 00:13:10.120 In other words, this is a statement of Jesus' divine oneness in the Trinity, 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:14.220 his divine oneness with the Father and the Spirit. 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.680 So, what is it that he's saying? 00:13:16.040 --> 00:13:17.700 He's saying, I know. 00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:20.240 I know everything. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:25.060 I know what's true of you Sardisian Christians. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:27.440 Everybody else thinks one thing of you. 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:31.360 I know what's actually true of you because I'm the one who has the seven spirits. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:33.480 I am one with the Spirit. 00:13:34.060 --> 00:13:37.299 I have the fullness of the knowledge of God. 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:44.180 We're also told in chapter 1 that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:46.779 You're in chapter 1, perhaps still. 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:48.120 Look at verse 20 there. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:52.740 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:55.480 and the seven golden lampstands, 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:59.879 the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:03.940 and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:08.080 Now, angel, angelos in Greek here, 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:11.200 isn't referring to a heavenly being, 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:14.360 but to a messenger from God. 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:16.740 It can literally be translated as messenger. 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:27.259 The messengers to the churches are best understood as the pastors who serve as Christ under shepherds to the church. 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:27.840 Okay? 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:29.200 They are his messengers. 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:30.600 They care for his people. 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:34.200 That Jesus has the seven stars. 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:36.600 What he says in chapter 1 and verse 20, 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:38.320 and then again in chapter 2 and verse 1, 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:41.300 he phrases it that he holds them in his right hand. 00:14:41.420 --> 00:14:43.040 He means the same thing here. 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:44.940 That he has the seven stars. 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:46.899 That he holds them in his right hand. 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:50.700 Speaks to his authority over the churches. 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:54.480 So the bottom line of these Christ titles is this. 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:58.200 That Jesus is the Lord. 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:00.700 He is the Lord God. 00:15:01.420 --> 00:15:03.020 He knows all things. 00:15:03.420 --> 00:15:05.360 He has authority over all things. 00:15:05.920 --> 00:15:08.759 He knows what's true of each one of us, 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:13.500 and he will judge each of us in perfect righteousness. 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:17.539 So from the very beginning of this message to Sardis, 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:23.940 he wants them and he wants us to understand his omniscience and his lordship, 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:25.899 that he knows what's true, 00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:32.100 and that it is before him that each of us will ultimately stand in judgment. 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:35.360 That's the identity in the Christ titles. 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:37.720 Let's now look at the complaint. 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:42.160 Now, if you've followed along closely in the last few sermons, 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:44.639 you'll recognize that we missed one of the categories here, 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:47.759 which would typically be the category of commendation. 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:51.540 The reason we've skipped it is because there isn't one. 00:15:52.800 --> 00:15:54.879 There is no commendation for this church. 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:57.279 In fact, it's one of two churches among the seven 00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:59.620 that receives no commendation whatsoever. 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:01.680 The other one is Laodicea, 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:03.259 which we'll get to in a couple of weeks. 00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:06.759 Now remember, Jesus' judgments are perfect. 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:12.160 So the lack of a commendation is due to the reality 00:16:12.160 --> 00:16:15.279 that there was truly nothing worth commending. 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:17.779 Even Thyatira, 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:21.860 who was accommodating a Jezebel false teacher in their church, 00:16:22.060 --> 00:16:23.740 still received a commendation. 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:26.399 But Jesus comes to Sardis and to Laodicea, 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:28.560 and he has nothing good to say. 00:16:29.300 --> 00:16:29.680 Nothing. 00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:33.519 Why these churches, 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:35.740 these two churches don't have commendations? 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:40.379 Well, it's because they both represent the final developments 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:42.299 in both spiritual complacency, 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:44.340 that's Laodicea, 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:46.360 and spiritual compromise, 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:47.960 that's Sardis, 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:50.659 which produces spiritual death. 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:53.460 These are dead churches. 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:56.560 Jesus is on the outside looking in. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:00.159 There's no commendation there. 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:01.799 So we move directly to complaint. 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.299 Look at the end of verse 1. 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.039 Jesus says, 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.339 I know your works. 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:10.220 You have the reputation of being alive, 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.819 but you're dead. 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:14.480 Look at the second part of verse 2. 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:17.119 I have not found your works complete 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:19.539 in the sight of my God. 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:23.059 So Jesus' complaint here is that 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:25.000 though it appears to outsiders 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.599 as a vibrant congregation, 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:29.399 the church in Sardis is actually comprised 00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:31.940 of unsaved Christians. 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:34.899 They appear to be alive, 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:37.559 but they're truly dead. 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:39.960 And in this context, 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:43.480 the New Testament always uses death 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:45.740 to describe the unregenerate, 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:47.159 the unsaved. 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:49.560 When Jesus says it's a dead church, 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:51.460 he doesn't mean that 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:53.019 if you go to a service there, 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:54.180 it's a little chilly, 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:56.040 and people don't sing very well, 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:57.740 and that people are a little bit rude 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.180 and to themselves and introverted 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.100 and all those kinds of things. 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:01.200 That's not what Jesus means. 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:03.540 When Jesus says the church in Sardis is dead, 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:05.000 he means they're not believers, 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:07.040 that it's made up mostly 00:18:07.040 --> 00:18:09.180 of unregenerate people. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:12.540 Something about the church in Sardis 00:18:12.540 --> 00:18:14.259 seemed spiritually vibrant, 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:16.140 and we could jump into 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.440 all kinds of speculation 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.520 as to what that is 00:18:18.520 --> 00:18:19.320 and how it corresponds 00:18:19.320 --> 00:18:21.580 to the same kind of situation today, 00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:22.400 and we won't do that, 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:25.320 but in Jesus' perfect evaluation, 00:18:26.080 --> 00:18:27.259 they're spiritually gone. 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:29.720 But what is it that killed 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.940 the church in Sardis? 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:34.620 Nothing explicit is stated 00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:35.720 in Jesus' words, 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:37.960 but the context points 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:39.600 to spiritual compromise 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:42.160 having run its full course. 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:46.680 Jesus uses soiled garments 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:48.120 in verse four, 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:50.220 indicating that the problem 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.920 was a loss of doctrinal 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:53.779 and moral purity. 00:18:54.840 --> 00:18:55.860 In verse two, 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.880 he says that their works 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:58.420 were found incomplete 00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:59.779 in the sight of God, 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:01.680 revealing that their profession 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:04.240 didn't match their lifestyle. 00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:04.880 In other words, 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:07.160 they were claiming Christ, 00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:09.340 but they weren't showing the fruit 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:11.019 of genuine conversion. 00:19:12.439 --> 00:19:14.539 And if you track the progression 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:18.139 from Pergamum to Thyatira to Sardis, 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:20.019 it becomes clear 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:22.980 that toleration of idolatry 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:25.319 and sexual immorality 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:27.279 reached its peak in Sardis, 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:30.059 and it produced this death 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:32.559 about which Jesus warned. 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:34.879 What killed the church in Sardis? 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:37.179 Spiritual compromise. 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:39.820 Now remember, 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:41.720 at the heart of spiritual compromise 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.900 is a desire 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:46.620 to maintain a Christian identity 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:49.799 while justifying participation 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:51.539 in the world. 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.720 It's when someone decides, 00:19:55.060 --> 00:19:55.720 I'm a Christian, 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.660 I want to be known as a Christian, 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:59.720 but I'm gonna justify participation 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.940 in the world's ideas, 00:20:01.360 --> 00:20:02.799 in the world's philosophies, 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:04.100 in the world's religion, 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:06.459 and in the world's morality 00:20:06.459 --> 00:20:07.899 or immorality. 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:09.939 Now remember, 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:11.019 the religious culture 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:13.719 in ancient Rome at this time 00:20:13.719 --> 00:20:17.459 didn't mind adding gods 00:20:17.459 --> 00:20:19.259 as much as it minded 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:21.199 condemning gods. 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:23.199 They were okay 00:20:23.199 --> 00:20:24.819 with someone following Jesus 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.980 until that individual claimed 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:29.500 that Jesus was the exclusive God 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:31.319 and the only way to forgiveness 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:33.119 and to eternal salvation. 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:36.619 The exclusivity of the gospel 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:38.919 resulted in persecution 00:20:38.919 --> 00:20:40.639 as we've seen so often 00:20:40.639 --> 00:20:41.899 in the first four churches. 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:44.119 But notice, 00:20:44.679 --> 00:20:46.659 there's no mention whatsoever 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:49.519 about opposition in Sardis. 00:20:50.159 --> 00:20:50.460 Nothing. 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:53.139 There's no Jezebel figure. 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:55.339 There's no Nicolaitans. 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:57.299 There's no Antipas 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:59.079 who has been brutally murdered 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:00.200 in front of the church. 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.620 There's no people 00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:02.740 like in Smyrna 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.960 who Jesus says 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:05.279 are about to be captured 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.039 and imprisoned 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:07.259 and then killed. 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:09.180 There's nothing like in Ephesus 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:09.900 where the people 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:12.140 are constantly being assaulted 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:14.059 by the religious programs 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:15.319 of the world around them. 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:17.160 Nothing like that is mentioned 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:19.259 or is true of the church in Sardis. 00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:20.819 Why? 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:24.400 Why is there no opposition there? 00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:28.560 Because the church in Sardis 00:21:28.560 --> 00:21:30.960 ultimately had achieved its end, 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:33.360 its desired end 00:21:33.360 --> 00:21:35.300 in this spiritual compromise. 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.280 What was it trying to do? 00:21:36.340 --> 00:21:37.019 What did it want? 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:39.320 A comfortable, 00:21:39.820 --> 00:21:42.700 non-threatening Christian experience 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:45.740 that professed to follow Christ 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:47.180 while accommodating 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:48.259 and participating 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.900 in the pluralism 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:52.080 and immorality of its culture. 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:55.819 That's what compromise desires to do. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:58.619 It wants to maintain the identity 00:21:58.619 --> 00:22:01.059 while enjoying the pleasures 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.779 of the world. 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:04.000 It wants to maintain 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.199 a Christian label 00:22:05.199 --> 00:22:07.480 while not professing 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.740 to be exclusive 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.919 to Christianity 00:22:09.919 --> 00:22:10.960 for anyone else. 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:13.519 It waters down the gospel. 00:22:13.699 --> 00:22:14.740 It denies the gospel. 00:22:14.919 --> 00:22:17.039 It lives in sinfulness 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:17.699 willfully. 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:20.740 Sardis had achieved 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.740 its desired end. 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.539 So there's no opposition there. 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.920 Why would there be? 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:27.500 There was nothing to oppose. 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:32.000 It's precisely like the churches today 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:35.220 who profess to be Christian 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:37.400 while accommodating 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.720 narcissistic worship 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.960 and affirming 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:42.340 the rampant immorality 00:22:42.340 --> 00:22:43.180 of our culture. 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:46.000 They appear to be alive. 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:47.779 Many times 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:49.299 they have large congregations. 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:50.840 Lots of money. 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.380 Lots of glitter. 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.240 No gold. 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.740 Jesus says they're dead. 00:22:58.120 --> 00:22:59.820 Now here's the terrifying truth 00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:00.220 of it all. 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:02.840 Jesus knows. 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.519 He knows. 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.039 Look at what he says 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.680 in verse 1. 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:09.000 I know 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:10.960 your works. 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:13.259 Except in this case 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.600 there's nothing positive 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.299 that follows. 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.539 It's only negative. 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:18.220 What Jesus knows 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:19.539 to be true of Sardis 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:21.080 is what everybody else 00:23:21.080 --> 00:23:21.980 thought was different. 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.700 Everybody thought 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.320 it was alive. 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.480 Jesus says no 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.240 you're dead. 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.380 I know the reality 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:28.039 of your heart. 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:29.279 I know the reality 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.140 of your condition. 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:32.180 You see 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:33.680 you can't punk 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.299 Jesus. 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:37.460 No one 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.159 who isn't 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:39.359 a true Christian 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.700 can fool Jesus 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.579 into thinking 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.579 that they are one. 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:45.480 No one 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.980 who is a genuine Christian 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:48.559 will be mistaken 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.339 by Jesus 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.559 for someone 00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:51.799 who isn't. 00:23:52.419 --> 00:23:52.839 Why? 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.819 Because he knows 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:55.720 all. 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.440 And it was precisely 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:58.759 because of Jesus' 00:23:59.019 --> 00:23:59.680 omniscience 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.819 that we can be 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.379 certain 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.960 of his righteous 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.940 judgment. 00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:06.039 Now for some of us 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:07.259 this is a wonderful 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.740 comfort 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:09.639 because we blow 00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:10.359 it a lot. 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:12.480 We sin 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.599 a lot. 00:24:14.659 --> 00:24:15.319 And in those 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:15.940 moments 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:17.159 we rest 00:24:17.159 --> 00:24:17.940 on the fact 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.940 that Jesus 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.720 knows what 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.659 is true 00:24:20.659 --> 00:24:21.139 of me. 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.259 Other people 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:23.299 may look at my life 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:24.399 at any given point 00:24:24.399 --> 00:24:25.279 in its history 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:26.139 and in its existence 00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:27.200 and say there's no way 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:27.899 that guy's a Christian 00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:28.799 but Jesus knows 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.399 what's true. 00:24:30.159 --> 00:24:30.980 Jesus knows 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.859 he saved me. 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:33.960 For others of us 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.559 though this is no 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.240 comfort at all 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.100 this should be 00:24:36.100 --> 00:24:37.920 absolutely terrifying 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:39.200 to you. 00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:41.799 You may have 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.700 everyone in this 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.400 church fooled. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.340 You may have 00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:44.900 everyone in your 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.759 family fooled. 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:47.279 Your circle of friends 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.400 may not realize 00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:49.000 what's true. 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:49.840 You may have 00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:50.920 even fooled yourself 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.779 but you will 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.740 never be able 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.420 to deceive 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:54.019 the one 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.640 who has 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:55.160 the seven 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:55.660 spirits 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.600 of God. 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:59.039 And on that day 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.039 you will have 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.559 to stand 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.259 before the 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:01.599 one 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.339 who has 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:02.879 the seven 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.399 stars 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:04.500 and he 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.059 will be 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.480 the one 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.180 who determines 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:07.019 whether your 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.420 Christianity 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.779 is true 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.539 or whether 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.099 it is 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:10.859 false 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:11.920 and he 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.519 cannot be 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.019 deceived. 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.579 He will 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.119 judge 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:16.180 perfectly 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.899 righteously 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:19.440 in that moment. 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.220 That's the complaint. 00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:22.639 Look with me 00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:23.059 now at the 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.519 correction 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.019 and the 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.819 consequence. 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:27.859 verse 2 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.200 the very 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.559 beginning 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.139 wake up 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:29.859 Jesus says 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.859 and strengthen 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.819 what remains 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:33.220 and is about 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:33.879 to die. 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.099 Look now at 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.559 verse 3 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.299 remember then 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:38.000 what you 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.599 received 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.139 and heard 00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:40.119 keep it 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.980 and repent 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:42.759 if you will 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.619 not wake up 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:45.359 I will come 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.119 like a thief 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:48.000 and you will 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.480 not know 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.159 at what hour 00:25:49.159 --> 00:25:49.919 I will come 00:25:49.919 --> 00:25:51.599 against you. 00:25:52.679 --> 00:25:53.399 Now here's 00:25:53.399 --> 00:25:53.799 how I want you 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.259 to think about 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.559 this 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:55.399 correction 00:25:55.399 --> 00:25:55.960 first. 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:58.000 As always 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:59.559 Jesus 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.460 demonstrates 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.779 incredible 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.879 mercy. 00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:04.919 This is 00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:05.559 mercy 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.700 in this 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.079 correction. 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:09.759 It's 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.259 merciful 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.379 because 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:11.919 he is 00:26:11.919 --> 00:26:12.220 the one 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.460 that's 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:12.799 actually 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.419 providing 00:26:13.419 --> 00:26:14.599 a solution 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.079 for the 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:15.419 church. 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.720 He is 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.019 still 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.639 providing 00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:19.259 time 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.460 time 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:20.819 for them 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.399 to repent 00:26:21.399 --> 00:26:22.200 time 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.859 for them 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:23.839 to turn 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:25.839 to 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.139 receive 00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:26.619 his 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.099 full 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:27.599 mercy 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.339 if 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:28.480 they 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:28.799 turn 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:28.959 to 00:26:28.959 --> 00:26:29.139 him 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:29.299 in 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:29.559 faith 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:29.699 and 00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:30.119 repentance 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:31.439 but if 00:26:31.439 --> 00:26:31.599 they 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.240 reject 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.659 his 00:26:32.659 --> 00:26:33.159 correction 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:34.839 they will 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.319 endure 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:36.179 his 00:26:36.179 --> 00:26:36.659 full 00:26:36.659 --> 00:26:37.759 judgment. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:40.500 so if 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:40.359 ! 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.599 repent 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:08.599 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:08.599 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:08.599 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.319 and you 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:09.599 need to 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.000 hear it 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:11.980 the primary 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.900 instruction here 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:13.299 if you look 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:13.660 at it 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.480 is to 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.279 wake up 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:17.339 wake up 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:18.059 is defined 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:18.720 by Jesus 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.400 as this 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.279 strengthening 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.240 what remains 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.160 remembering 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:22.779 what you've 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.259 received 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.920 and heard 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:25.319 keeping it 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:26.720 and repenting 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:26.720 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.319 and repenting 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.299 remembering 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:28.659 what you 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:29.059 received 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.399 and heard 00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:29.679 that's 00:27:29.679 --> 00:27:30.159 the gospel 00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:30.639 message 00:27:30.639 --> 00:27:31.079 the gospel 00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:31.539 of Jesus 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.419 keeping 00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:33.319 the gospel 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:33.740 message 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.119 and all 00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:34.379 of its 00:27:34.379 --> 00:27:35.019 implications 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.939 repenting 00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:36.319 of sin 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:36.679 Jesus 00:27:36.679 --> 00:27:37.019 says 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:37.779 wake up 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.619 and this 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:38.919 is how 00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:39.339 you do 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:39.579 it 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.279 you return 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:40.579 to the 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.039 gospel 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:43.619 the circumstances 00:27:43.619 --> 00:27:44.179 and the 00:27:44.179 --> 00:27:44.980 complaints 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.460 for each 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:45.700 of these 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.379 seven churches 00:27:46.379 --> 00:27:46.879 vary 00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:47.899 each of them 00:27:47.899 --> 00:27:48.200 is very 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.559 different 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:50.519 the solution 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.480 in every 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:51.939 sermon 00:27:51.939 --> 00:27:53.339 is exactly 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:54.039 the same 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:55.639 it's exactly 00:27:55.639 --> 00:27:56.099 the same 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:56.759 every time 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:58.019 repent 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.819 and believe 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:01.000 repent 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.740 and believe 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:04.480 whether a 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:04.839 congregation 00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.740 as a whole 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.279 or an 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.700 individual 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.379 the only 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:07.980 solution 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.899 is to 00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:09.379 stop 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:10.079 trying to 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.559 maintain 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:10.819 this 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.220 Christian 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.879 identity 00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:13.000 while holding 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.559 hands with 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:13.960 the world 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.480 at the same 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:14.839 time 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:16.039 it doesn't 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.700 work 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.899 it's not 00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:18.200 actually 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.819 possible 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.579 to do 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:19.859 it 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:22.899 and here's 00:28:22.899 --> 00:28:23.379 the amazing 00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:24.019 truth about 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:24.259 it 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:26.139 it doesn't 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:26.619 matter how 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.160 far 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:28.379 or how 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:29.079 long 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.799 you've 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.180 continued 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.599 in your 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:30.940 sin 00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:32.839 Jesus 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:33.319 stands 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:33.799 ready 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:35.579 to fully 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:37.039 completely 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.900 forgive you 00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:41.200 right now 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.779 he'll forgive 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.160 you 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:44.700 right now 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.920 you can 00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:46.500 receive his 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:46.879 mercy 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:48.960 he warns 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.299 you 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.720 because he 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.859 loves you 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:54.659 he issues 00:28:54.659 --> 00:28:55.619 this call 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:57.419 because he 00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:58.359 wants to 00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:59.199 save you 00:28:59.199 --> 00:29:00.479 that's his 00:29:00.479 --> 00:29:01.099 desire 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:03.539 you'll never 00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:04.439 find a love 00:29:04.439 --> 00:29:04.979 like this 00:29:04.979 --> 00:29:06.039 anywhere else 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:07.039 you will not 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:07.639 find love 00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:08.059 like this 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.519 in the world 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.539 you won't 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.899 you won't 00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:11.500 find love 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.359 like this 00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:13.819 in anyone 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.379 else 00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:15.679 except 00:29:15.679 --> 00:29:16.819 in Jesus 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:18.759 the world 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.460 offers it 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.519 it offers 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:20.980 all kinds 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.819 of satisfaction 00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:22.919 it's all 00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:23.299 glitter 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:24.619 it's no 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.099 gold 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:26.559 and you may 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:26.879 look at 00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:27.179 Jesus 00:29:27.179 --> 00:29:27.579 and you may 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.059 say there's 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.759 no glitter 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.099 here 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:30.779 it's dull 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.519 it's drab 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.259 it's offensive 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:34.859 but it's 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.480 precious 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:37.639 and he 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:37.980 stands 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.500 waiting 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.679 ready 00:29:39.679 --> 00:29:41.000 willing 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:42.220 to forgive 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.480 you 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:44.519 his call 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.000 is issued 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.500 to you 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.599 some of us 00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.120 we wonder 00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:48.380 when will 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:49.299 God call 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.480 me 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.259 he's calling 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:50.839 you now 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:52.779 right now 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.740 through his 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.099 word 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:55.420 he's calling 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:55.880 you 00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:58.480 but you 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.200 must respond 00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.819 in faith 00:29:59.819 --> 00:30:00.860 and repentance 00:30:00.860 --> 00:30:02.259 he won't do 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.700 the believing 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.240 for you 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:04.759 he won't do 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.180 the turning 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:05.759 for you 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:07.039 you must 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.519 respond 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:07.900 to his 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.319 call 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:11.500 though Jesus 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.240 offers his 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.599 mercy 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:13.599 through the 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:14.079 solution 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:16.059 he also 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.859 confirms the 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:17.339 consequence 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:18.339 if you 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:18.980 don't obey 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.799 you say all 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.339 of that mercy 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.679 and love 00:30:20.679 --> 00:30:20.839 stuff 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.299 that sounds 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:21.619 great 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.460 but what 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.379 if I don't 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:23.879 want to do 00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.079 that 00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:24.539 what if I'm 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.139 not ready 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:26.359 to deal 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:26.659 with the 00:30:26.659 --> 00:30:27.319 implications 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:27.980 that comes 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.579 from being 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.240 a true 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.139 Christian 00:30:30.139 --> 00:30:32.399 listen to 00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:32.859 what Jesus 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:33.599 says here 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:36.919 if you 00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:37.399 will not 00:30:37.399 --> 00:30:38.039 wake up 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:39.819 I will 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.279 come like 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:40.779 a thief 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:42.680 and you 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.039 will not 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.460 know what 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:43.980 hour I 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:44.500 will come 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:46.159 against you 00:30:46.159 --> 00:30:48.920 the word 00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:49.299 for wake 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:49.680 up here 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.399 it literally 00:30:50.399 --> 00:30:50.899 means to be 00:30:50.899 --> 00:30:51.180 vigilant 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:51.460 in fact 00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:51.700 that's 00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:52.159 probably 00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:52.619 the better 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:52.940 way to 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.599 translate it 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:53.799 if we're 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.259 being honest 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:54.920 that it 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:55.299 means to 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.220 be vigilant 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:56.579 be 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.720 watchful 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:59.119 and it's 00:30:59.119 --> 00:30:59.960 almost always 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.440 used in 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:00.700 scripture 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.220 in the 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.779 context 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:02.659 of preparing 00:31:02.659 --> 00:31:03.399 for a 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:03.659 coming 00:31:03.659 --> 00:31:04.319 threat 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.500 a threat 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:05.899 against you 00:31:05.899 --> 00:31:06.119 that's why 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.440 Jesus 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.159 refers to 00:31:07.159 --> 00:31:07.559 himself as 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.019 a thief 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:09.859 Jesus 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.519 in this 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.019 passage 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:11.779 is the 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.220 threat 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:14.259 he 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:15.139 is the 00:31:15.139 --> 00:31:15.519 one 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.160 you must 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:16.359 be 00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:16.700 vigilant 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.099 of 00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:21.740 the fact 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.019 that he 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.359 will make 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:22.799 sure you 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.180 do not 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:23.579 know 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.559 the hour 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:24.839 of his 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.200 judgment 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:25.920 requires 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.960 that you 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:27.599 waste no 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:28.019 time 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:29.539 that you 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.160 respond 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:31.200 immediately 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:32.559 because you 00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:33.019 do not 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.420 know the 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:33.940 hour that 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.240 he will 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.859 come against 00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:35.119 you 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:36.159 this is 00:31:36.159 --> 00:31:36.159 00:31:36.159 --> 00:31:36.479 not a 00:31:36.479 --> 00:31:36.799 reference 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.279 to some 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:37.599 secret 00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:38.059 rapture 00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:38.579 this is 00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.019 a reference 00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.839 to judgment 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.559 which your 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:40.919 judgment 00:31:40.919 --> 00:31:41.419 could happen 00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:42.279 today 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.779 it could 00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.000 happen 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.379 today 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:46.699 he says 00:31:46.699 --> 00:31:47.019 if you 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:47.379 will not 00:31:47.379 --> 00:31:47.919 wake up 00:31:47.919 --> 00:31:49.419 you will 00:31:49.419 --> 00:31:49.759 not know 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:50.159 the hour 00:31:50.159 --> 00:31:50.459 that I 00:31:50.459 --> 00:31:50.859 will come 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:51.399 and when 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:51.739 I come 00:31:51.739 --> 00:31:52.039 for you 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.439 I'm coming 00:31:52.439 --> 00:31:53.279 against you 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.899 as an 00:31:53.899 --> 00:31:54.259 enemy 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:55.059 as a 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.439 thief 00:31:55.439 --> 00:31:56.739 in judgment 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:59.160 don't 00:31:59.160 --> 00:31:59.519 waste 00:31:59.519 --> 00:31:59.839 another 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.400 moment 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:02.920 turn to 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:03.240 Jesus 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:04.019 and live 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:06.279 he wants 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.779 to save 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:07.000 you 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:08.700 he desires 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.720 to give 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.240 you mercy 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:12.120 receive 00:32:12.120 --> 00:32:12.779 it 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:15.220 let's 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.480 finish 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:16.039 with the 00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:16.900 call and 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:17.279 conquer 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:17.819 sequences 00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:18.400 in verses 00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:18.880 four through 00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:19.299 six 00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:21.180 we finish 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:21.720 with wonderful 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.200 promises 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:22.720 again 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.700 verse four 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.180 yet you 00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:24.799 have still 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.160 a few 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:25.539 names 00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.259 in Sardis 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:28.339 people who 00:32:28.339 --> 00:32:28.819 have not 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.339 soiled their 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:29.799 garments 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:31.579 they will 00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:32.079 walk with 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:32.379 me in 00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:32.700 white 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.039 for they 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.559 are worthy 00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:35.660 the one 00:32:35.660 --> 00:32:36.240 who conquers 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:36.599 will be 00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:37.019 clothed 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.500 thus in 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:37.740 white 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.160 garments 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:38.839 I will 00:32:38.839 --> 00:32:39.180 never 00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:39.519 blot 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.039 his name 00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:40.440 out 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:40.759 of the 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:40.920 book 00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:41.420 of life 00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:43.259 I will 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:43.579 confess 00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.279 his name 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.819 before my 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.240 father 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.039 and before 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:46.700 his angels 00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:48.140 he who 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:48.440 has an 00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:48.720 ear 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.700 let him 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.220 hear what 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:50.640 the spirit 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:51.200 says to 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:51.740 the churches 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:54.279 this term 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:54.940 name 00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.720 is an 00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.100 important 00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.400 one 00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:56.720 it's an 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.059 important 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.799 thread 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.819 to keep 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.299 things 00:32:59.299 --> 00:33:00.319 popularly 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.180 contextualized 00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:01.460 to our 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:01.720 week 00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.960 it is a 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.880 clear thread 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:05.539 through this 00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:05.940 particular 00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:06.559 passage 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.680 it's used 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.120 four different 00:33:08.120 --> 00:33:08.539 times 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.259 you have 00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:10.120 a name 00:33:10.120 --> 00:33:10.880 he says 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:11.299 in verse 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:11.620 one 00:33:11.620 --> 00:33:12.319 reputation 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.200 what's 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:13.880 given to us 00:33:13.880 --> 00:33:14.360 as reputation 00:33:14.360 --> 00:33:14.839 is literally 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:15.180 the word 00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:15.600 for name 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:16.220 you have 00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:17.000 a name 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.759 of being 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.240 alive 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:19.019 or a name 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.680 for being 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:20.000 alive 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:20.240 verse 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:20.519 one 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.420 you still 00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:22.380 have a few 00:33:22.380 --> 00:33:23.039 names 00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:23.480 verse 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:23.799 four 00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.460 I will 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:24.700 never 00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:25.059 blot 00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:25.359 out 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:25.940 his 00:33:25.940 --> 00:33:26.740 name 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.200 verse 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:27.619 five 00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:28.259 I will 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:28.839 confess 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.399 his 00:33:29.399 --> 00:33:29.779 name 00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:30.339 verse 00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:30.700 five 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.819 now 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.039 what's 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.440 the 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:32.819 significance 00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.180 of the 00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:33.460 emphasis 00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:33.740 here 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.779 one of 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.259 the elements 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:35.759 of spiritual 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.259 compromise 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.639 is an 00:33:37.639 --> 00:33:38.180 aversion 00:33:38.180 --> 00:33:39.059 to publicly 00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:40.159 confessing 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:40.759 the name 00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:41.259 of Christ 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:41.700 and what 00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:41.960 we mean 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:42.659 by confessing 00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:42.920 the name 00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:43.339 of Christ 00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:44.259 is by 00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:45.119 embracing 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:46.379 the gospel 00:33:46.379 --> 00:33:47.039 with all 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:47.299 of its 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:47.899 implications 00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:48.920 now here's 00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:49.220 what many 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.720 people in 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.100 our 00:33:50.100 --> 00:33:51.000 particular 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:52.440 religious 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:52.860 climate 00:33:52.860 --> 00:33:53.640 prefer to 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:53.900 do 00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:55.540 they want 00:33:55.540 --> 00:33:55.960 the things 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:56.380 that seem 00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:56.960 good about 00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:57.300 Jesus 00:33:57.300 --> 00:33:58.860 they want 00:33:58.860 --> 00:33:59.440 the love 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:00.660 they want 00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:01.060 the self 00:34:01.060 --> 00:34:01.620 sacrifice 00:34:01.620 --> 00:34:03.019 they want 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:03.740 the example 00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:05.080 of ethics 00:34:05.080 --> 00:34:06.180 and of 00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:06.660 morality 00:34:06.660 --> 00:34:07.180 to some 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:07.540 extent 00:34:07.540 --> 00:34:08.440 they want 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:08.960 the mercy 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.320 that is 00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:09.599 offered 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.180 they want 00:34:10.180 --> 00:34:10.740 the man 00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:11.360 who sits 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:11.980 with and 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:12.460 has dinner 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.320 with publicans 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.119 and with 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.360 prostitutes 00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:15.980 they want 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:16.619 all of that 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.539 all of that's 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:17.760 good 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.920 what they 00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:19.660 don't want 00:34:19.660 --> 00:34:20.420 is moral 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:21.020 demands 00:34:21.020 --> 00:34:22.600 they don't 00:34:22.600 --> 00:34:23.100 want 00:34:23.100 --> 00:34:24.020 sex 00:34:24.020 --> 00:34:24.560 between a 00:34:24.560 --> 00:34:25.100 man and 00:34:25.100 --> 00:34:25.480 a woman 00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:25.980 within the 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.520 confines of 00:34:26.520 --> 00:34:26.840 marriage 00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:28.640 they don't 00:34:28.640 --> 00:34:29.100 want 00:34:29.100 --> 00:34:30.120 the sanctity 00:34:30.120 --> 00:34:30.680 of human 00:34:30.680 --> 00:34:31.100 life 00:34:31.100 --> 00:34:32.480 they don't 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:32.840 want 00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:33.380 a number 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:33.700 of other 00:34:33.700 --> 00:34:33.940 things 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.220 that we 00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:34.720 may name 00:34:34.720 --> 00:34:35.160 in the 00:34:35.160 --> 00:34:35.400 course 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:35.700 of all 00:34:35.700 --> 00:34:35.980 of that 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.620 so what 00:34:36.620 --> 00:34:37.080 they do 00:34:37.080 --> 00:34:37.700 is they 00:34:37.700 --> 00:34:38.080 attempt 00:34:38.080 --> 00:34:38.640 to keep 00:34:38.640 --> 00:34:39.140 and maintain 00:34:39.140 --> 00:34:39.640 this 00:34:39.640 --> 00:34:40.520 particular 00:34:40.520 --> 00:34:41.080 identity 00:34:41.080 --> 00:34:41.620 because they 00:34:41.620 --> 00:34:42.060 like these 00:34:42.060 --> 00:34:42.460 particular 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:43.020 things about 00:34:43.020 --> 00:34:43.300 Jesus 00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:43.820 but they 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:44.160 want to 00:34:44.160 --> 00:34:44.520 maintain 00:34:44.520 --> 00:34:44.820 all of 00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:44.960 these 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:45.120 other 00:34:45.120 --> 00:34:45.360 things 00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:45.600 at the 00:34:45.600 --> 00:34:45.780 same 00:34:45.780 --> 00:34:46.060 time 00:34:46.060 --> 00:34:46.320 that are 00:34:46.320 --> 00:34:46.700 completely 00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:47.200 opposite 00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:47.559 of who 00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:47.799 Jesus 00:34:47.799 --> 00:34:48.179 is 00:34:48.179 --> 00:34:48.879 and of 00:34:48.879 --> 00:34:49.019 what 00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:49.159 he 00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:49.519 teaches 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:51.199 so then 00:34:51.199 --> 00:34:51.480 one of 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:51.980 the elements 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:52.359 of this 00:34:52.359 --> 00:34:52.839 compromise 00:34:52.839 --> 00:34:53.919 is that 00:34:53.919 --> 00:34:54.519 they will 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.379 not publicly 00:34:55.379 --> 00:34:56.079 confess the 00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:56.379 name of 00:34:56.379 --> 00:34:56.719 Jesus 00:34:56.719 --> 00:34:57.759 unless it's 00:34:57.759 --> 00:34:58.199 convenient 00:34:58.199 --> 00:34:58.659 for them 00:34:58.659 --> 00:34:58.960 to do 00:34:58.960 --> 00:34:59.319 so 00:34:59.319 --> 00:35:01.339 but one 00:35:01.339 --> 00:35:01.559 of the 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.059 promises 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:02.659 for those 00:35:02.659 --> 00:35:03.239 who will 00:35:03.239 --> 00:35:03.779 truly 00:35:03.779 --> 00:35:04.419 confess 00:35:04.419 --> 00:35:04.939 Christ 00:35:04.939 --> 00:35:06.379 is that 00:35:06.379 --> 00:35:06.819 Christ 00:35:06.819 --> 00:35:07.619 will confess 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.659 them 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:10.179 before the 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:10.519 Father 00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:11.359 do you 00:35:11.359 --> 00:35:11.559 see it 00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:11.739 there 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:13.159 I 00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:13.419 will 00:35:13.419 --> 00:35:14.059 confess 00:35:14.059 --> 00:35:15.199 his 00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:15.559 name 00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:17.639 this 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.000 is the 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.519 opposite 00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:19.239 experience 00:35:19.239 --> 00:35:20.259 of those 00:35:20.259 --> 00:35:20.899 who are 00:35:20.899 --> 00:35:21.579 Christian 00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:22.319 in appearance 00:35:22.319 --> 00:35:22.779 only 00:35:22.779 --> 00:35:23.479 that will 00:35:23.479 --> 00:35:23.699 hear 00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:24.079 Jesus 00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:24.479 say 00:35:24.479 --> 00:35:25.079 I never 00:35:25.079 --> 00:35:25.459 knew 00:35:25.459 --> 00:35:25.879 you 00:35:25.879 --> 00:35:27.059 depart 00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:27.699 from me 00:35:27.699 --> 00:35:28.819 you workers 00:35:28.819 --> 00:35:29.500 of lawlessness 00:35:29.500 --> 00:35:30.919 the people 00:35:30.919 --> 00:35:31.239 that will 00:35:31.239 --> 00:35:31.679 stand in 00:35:31.679 --> 00:35:31.959 judgment 00:35:31.959 --> 00:35:32.679 and will 00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.019 say 00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:33.839 Jesus 00:35:33.839 --> 00:35:35.159 I went 00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:35.399 to 00:35:35.399 --> 00:35:36.399 church 00:35:36.399 --> 00:35:37.239 on Sunday 00:35:37.239 --> 00:35:38.859 I didn't 00:35:38.859 --> 00:35:39.199 even just 00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:39.459 go to 00:35:39.459 --> 00:35:39.899 church 00:35:39.899 --> 00:35:40.799 I went 00:35:40.799 --> 00:35:40.959 to 00:35:40.959 --> 00:35:41.379 Lakeside 00:35:41.379 --> 00:35:41.759 Bible 00:35:41.759 --> 00:35:42.059 church 00:35:42.059 --> 00:35:42.419 where they 00:35:42.419 --> 00:35:42.819 read 00:35:42.819 --> 00:35:43.239 the 00:35:43.239 --> 00:35:43.459 scripture 00:35:43.459 --> 00:35:43.899 for like 00:35:43.899 --> 00:35:44.319 three 00:35:44.319 --> 00:35:44.879 hours 00:35:44.879 --> 00:35:45.259 on a 00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:45.439 Sunday 00:35:45.439 --> 00:35:45.819 morning 00:35:45.819 --> 00:35:46.979 and they 00:35:46.979 --> 00:35:47.319 sing all 00:35:47.319 --> 00:35:47.859 these songs 00:35:47.859 --> 00:35:48.179 and they 00:35:48.179 --> 00:35:48.419 don't 00:35:48.419 --> 00:35:48.819 they don't 00:35:48.819 --> 00:35:48.939 have 00:35:48.939 --> 00:35:49.279 classes 00:35:49.279 --> 00:35:49.639 for my 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:49.799 kids 00:35:49.799 --> 00:35:50.039 to go 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:50.219 to 00:35:50.219 --> 00:35:50.379 and they 00:35:50.379 --> 00:35:50.500 got 00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:50.699 all 00:35:50.699 --> 00:35:50.879 this 00:35:50.879 --> 00:35:51.099 I 00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:51.259 even 00:35:51.259 --> 00:35:51.459 went 00:35:51.459 --> 00:35:51.619 to 00:35:51.619 --> 00:35:51.779 the 00:35:51.779 --> 00:35:52.079 heart 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:52.500 church 00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:55.659 and he'll 00:35:55.659 --> 00:35:55.879 say 00:35:55.879 --> 00:35:56.299 I never 00:35:56.299 --> 00:35:56.719 knew you 00:35:56.719 --> 00:35:58.299 what happens 00:35:58.299 --> 00:35:58.599 for the 00:35:58.599 --> 00:35:59.019 conqueror 00:35:59.019 --> 00:35:59.239 is the 00:35:59.239 --> 00:35:59.539 opposite 00:35:59.539 --> 00:35:59.959 of that 00:35:59.959 --> 00:36:01.299 you've 00:36:01.299 --> 00:36:01.779 experienced 00:36:01.779 --> 00:36:01.979 a 00:36:01.979 --> 00:36:02.359 graduation 00:36:02.359 --> 00:36:02.919 before 00:36:02.919 --> 00:36:03.419 where you 00:36:03.419 --> 00:36:03.839 stand in 00:36:03.839 --> 00:36:04.159 line with 00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:04.579 your cap 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:04.939 and gown 00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:05.280 and you 00:36:05.280 --> 00:36:05.980 eagerly 00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:06.639 await for 00:36:06.639 --> 00:36:06.980 them to 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.400 call your 00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:08.059 name so 00:36:08.059 --> 00:36:08.340 that you 00:36:08.340 --> 00:36:08.740 can walk 00:36:08.740 --> 00:36:09.200 across the 00:36:09.200 --> 00:36:09.639 stage and 00:36:09.639 --> 00:36:10.039 you receive 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:11.000 the recognition 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:11.400 of that 00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:11.900 moment and 00:36:11.900 --> 00:36:12.240 the honor 00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:12.519 of that 00:36:12.519 --> 00:36:13.019 moment and 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:13.960 this picture 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.360 is of 00:36:14.360 --> 00:36:15.099 standing in 00:36:15.099 --> 00:36:15.780 judgment and 00:36:15.780 --> 00:36:16.500 Jesus has 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:17.260 the book of 00:36:17.260 --> 00:36:17.840 life the 00:36:17.840 --> 00:36:18.300 book that 00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:18.700 has the 00:36:18.700 --> 00:36:19.220 record of 00:36:19.220 --> 00:36:19.619 all the 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:20.280 people who 00:36:20.280 --> 00:36:20.900 belongs to 00:36:20.900 --> 00:36:21.539 him and 00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:22.059 you stand 00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:22.400 there and 00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:22.920 you wait 00:36:22.920 --> 00:36:23.360 and with 00:36:23.360 --> 00:36:24.400 anticipation and 00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:25.039 finally you 00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:25.639 hear it 00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:27.500 you hear 00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.119 Josh 00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:28.860 Francis 00:36:28.860 --> 00:36:30.179 maybe 00:36:30.179 --> 00:36:32.780 you hear 00:36:32.780 --> 00:36:33.639 Amy 00:36:33.639 --> 00:36:34.240 Blevins 00:36:34.239 --> 00:36:35.059 you hear 00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.819 Marty 00:36:35.819 --> 00:36:36.339 Cain 00:36:36.339 --> 00:36:37.199 you hear 00:36:37.199 --> 00:36:37.899 Evelyn 00:36:37.899 --> 00:36:38.359 Smith 00:36:38.359 --> 00:36:39.019 so on 00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:39.459 and so 00:36:39.459 --> 00:36:39.739 forth 00:36:39.739 --> 00:36:40.239 Jesus 00:36:40.239 --> 00:36:40.779 says if 00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:41.279 you will 00:36:41.279 --> 00:36:41.759 confess 00:36:41.759 --> 00:36:42.459 my name 00:36:42.459 --> 00:36:43.439 I'll 00:36:43.439 --> 00:36:43.819 confess 00:36:43.819 --> 00:36:44.719 your name 00:36:44.719 --> 00:36:45.359 at the 00:36:45.359 --> 00:36:45.899 moment it 00:36:45.899 --> 00:36:46.339 matters 00:36:46.339 --> 00:36:47.000 most 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:47.879 which is 00:36:47.879 --> 00:36:48.159 when you 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:48.739 stand in 00:36:48.739 --> 00:36:49.059 judgment 00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:50.019 before my 00:36:50.019 --> 00:36:50.419 father 00:36:50.419 --> 00:36:51.159 who has 00:36:51.159 --> 00:36:51.759 wrath 00:36:51.759 --> 00:36:52.739 for sinners 00:36:52.739 --> 00:36:53.799 but I 00:36:53.799 --> 00:36:54.379 took your 00:36:54.379 --> 00:36:55.019 wrath for 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:55.939 you and 00:36:55.939 --> 00:36:56.299 I will 00:36:56.299 --> 00:36:56.939 declare your 00:36:56.939 --> 00:36:57.519 name before 00:36:57.519 --> 00:36:57.839 him 00:36:57.839 --> 00:36:58.779 that's the 00:36:58.779 --> 00:36:59.339 promise of 00:36:59.339 --> 00:36:59.859 the gospel 00:36:59.859 --> 00:37:01.279 that's the 00:37:01.279 --> 00:37:01.819 promise 00:37:01.819 --> 00:37:03.259 the one who 00:37:03.259 --> 00:37:03.879 conquers through 00:37:03.879 --> 00:37:04.179 faith 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:04.699 in Jesus 00:37:04.699 --> 00:37:05.899 the conqueror 00:37:05.899 --> 00:37:07.359 who does not 00:37:07.359 --> 00:37:07.899 soil their 00:37:07.899 --> 00:37:08.619 garments by 00:37:08.619 --> 00:37:09.440 flirting around 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:09.799 with the 00:37:09.799 --> 00:37:10.539 immorality and 00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:11.279 idolatry of 00:37:11.279 --> 00:37:11.839 this world 00:37:11.839 --> 00:37:13.199 Jesus will 00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:14.399 publicly confess 00:37:14.399 --> 00:37:15.059 your name 00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:16.119 he will not be 00:37:16.119 --> 00:37:16.879 ashamed of you 00:37:16.879 --> 00:37:18.179 he says as much 00:37:18.179 --> 00:37:18.759 himself in 00:37:18.759 --> 00:37:19.419 Matthew 10 00:37:19.419 --> 00:37:20.419 everyone who 00:37:20.419 --> 00:37:21.219 acknowledges me 00:37:21.219 --> 00:37:21.919 before men 00:37:21.919 --> 00:37:23.399 I also will 00:37:23.399 --> 00:37:24.019 acknowledge 00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:25.159 before my 00:37:25.159 --> 00:37:25.599 father 00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:27.099 who is in 00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:27.379 heaven 00:37:27.379 --> 00:37:29.039 but the 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:29.559 promise gets 00:37:29.559 --> 00:37:30.119 even sweeter 00:37:30.119 --> 00:37:30.759 in the verse 00:37:30.760 --> 00:37:32.220 not only 00:37:32.220 --> 00:37:32.840 will Jesus 00:37:32.840 --> 00:37:33.720 confess your 00:37:33.720 --> 00:37:34.240 name 00:37:34.240 --> 00:37:35.440 but he 00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:36.280 promises to 00:37:36.280 --> 00:37:37.160 never take 00:37:37.160 --> 00:37:37.820 your name 00:37:37.820 --> 00:37:38.620 out of his 00:37:38.620 --> 00:37:38.960 book 00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:41.360 he holds 00:37:41.360 --> 00:37:41.940 his people 00:37:41.940 --> 00:37:42.600 firmly 00:37:42.600 --> 00:37:43.900 eternally 00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:44.580 secure in 00:37:44.580 --> 00:37:45.020 his hand 00:37:45.020 --> 00:37:46.440 no one can 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:46.860 pluck you 00:37:46.860 --> 00:37:47.200 out 00:37:47.200 --> 00:37:48.260 he says 00:37:48.260 --> 00:37:50.020 he's not a 00:37:50.020 --> 00:37:50.740 fickle savior 00:37:50.740 --> 00:37:52.440 once he writes 00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:52.900 your name in 00:37:52.900 --> 00:37:53.360 his book 00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:54.520 he never 00:37:54.520 --> 00:37:55.020 takes it 00:37:55.020 --> 00:37:55.280 out 00:37:55.280 --> 00:37:57.460 come to 00:37:57.460 --> 00:37:57.780 him 00:37:57.780 --> 00:37:59.600 and live 00:37:59.600 --> 00:38:01.300 live 00:38:01.300 --> 00:38:02.019 eternally 00:38:02.019 --> 00:38:06.880 I don't 00:38:06.880 --> 00:38:07.380 believe we're 00:38:07.380 --> 00:38:08.080 a Sardisian 00:38:08.080 --> 00:38:08.540 church 00:38:08.540 --> 00:38:11.240 I don't 00:38:11.240 --> 00:38:11.660 want to have 00:38:11.660 --> 00:38:12.080 the kind of 00:38:12.080 --> 00:38:12.580 pride that 00:38:12.580 --> 00:38:13.440 would suggest 00:38:13.440 --> 00:38:13.860 that we're 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.460 above falling 00:38:14.460 --> 00:38:15.080 into something 00:38:15.080 --> 00:38:15.600 like this 00:38:15.600 --> 00:38:16.440 because we 00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:17.160 certainly are 00:38:17.160 --> 00:38:19.420 but I do 00:38:19.420 --> 00:38:19.820 want to ask 00:38:19.820 --> 00:38:20.500 this question 00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:21.300 as far as 00:38:21.300 --> 00:38:21.880 an individual 00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:22.880 application is 00:38:22.880 --> 00:38:23.260 concerned 00:38:23.260 --> 00:38:26.340 are you a 00:38:26.340 --> 00:38:27.040 Sardisian 00:38:27.040 --> 00:38:27.660 Christian 00:38:27.660 --> 00:38:32.140 do you bear 00:38:32.140 --> 00:38:32.620 all the 00:38:32.620 --> 00:38:33.080 kind of 00:38:33.080 --> 00:38:33.460 outward 00:38:33.460 --> 00:38:34.140 trappings 00:38:34.140 --> 00:38:35.440 of the 00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:35.860 Christian 00:38:35.860 --> 00:38:36.340 religion 00:38:36.340 --> 00:38:38.760 but you 00:38:38.760 --> 00:38:39.140 know 00:38:39.140 --> 00:38:39.680 inside 00:38:39.680 --> 00:38:39.960 you're 00:38:39.960 --> 00:38:40.360 dead 00:38:40.360 --> 00:38:42.820 life isn't 00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:43.100 really all 00:38:43.100 --> 00:38:43.580 that bad 00:38:43.580 --> 00:38:43.980 you have 00:38:43.980 --> 00:38:44.360 happiness 00:38:44.360 --> 00:38:44.760 you have 00:38:44.760 --> 00:38:45.160 joy 00:38:45.160 --> 00:38:46.440 you enjoy 00:38:46.440 --> 00:38:47.040 life to 00:38:47.040 --> 00:38:47.520 some extent 00:38:47.520 --> 00:38:47.920 it's not 00:38:47.920 --> 00:38:48.220 that 00:38:48.220 --> 00:38:48.980 you know 00:38:48.980 --> 00:38:49.340 it's not 00:38:49.340 --> 00:38:49.640 that 00:38:49.640 --> 00:38:50.360 it's that 00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:50.620 when it 00:38:50.620 --> 00:38:51.040 comes to 00:38:51.040 --> 00:38:51.500 the things 00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:51.780 of the 00:38:51.780 --> 00:38:52.140 spiritual 00:38:52.140 --> 00:38:52.600 life 00:38:52.600 --> 00:38:53.160 you know 00:38:53.159 --> 00:38:54.000 there's 00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:54.559 nothing 00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:55.019 there 00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:56.079 it's not 00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:56.440 real 00:38:56.440 --> 00:38:58.379 and there 00:38:58.379 --> 00:38:58.639 could be 00:38:58.639 --> 00:38:58.980 a hundred 00:38:58.980 --> 00:38:59.279 different 00:38:59.279 --> 00:38:59.859 explanations 00:38:59.859 --> 00:39:00.319 for why 00:39:00.319 --> 00:39:00.679 it isn't 00:39:00.679 --> 00:39:01.079 for you 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:01.960 but the 00:39:01.960 --> 00:39:02.579 fact is 00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:03.279 you look 00:39:03.279 --> 00:39:03.579 like a 00:39:03.579 --> 00:39:03.859 Christian 00:39:03.859 --> 00:39:04.480 but you're 00:39:04.480 --> 00:39:04.759 not 00:39:04.759 --> 00:39:06.859 and perhaps 00:39:06.859 --> 00:39:07.139 the Lord 00:39:07.139 --> 00:39:07.539 is dealing 00:39:07.539 --> 00:39:07.859 with you 00:39:07.859 --> 00:39:08.179 somewhat 00:39:08.179 --> 00:39:09.000 this morning 00:39:09.000 --> 00:39:09.339 maybe he's 00:39:09.339 --> 00:39:09.739 poking at 00:39:09.739 --> 00:39:10.000 your heart 00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:10.219 you know 00:39:10.219 --> 00:39:10.579 what that's 00:39:10.579 --> 00:39:10.899 like 00:39:10.899 --> 00:39:11.500 it's a 00:39:11.500 --> 00:39:11.759 miserable 00:39:11.759 --> 00:39:12.339 experience 00:39:12.339 --> 00:39:12.859 isn't it 00:39:12.859 --> 00:39:14.699 to come 00:39:14.699 --> 00:39:14.980 to the 00:39:14.980 --> 00:39:15.239 word 00:39:15.239 --> 00:39:15.719 or to 00:39:15.719 --> 00:39:17.019 hear a 00:39:17.019 --> 00:39:17.319 sermon 00:39:17.319 --> 00:39:17.839 knowing 00:39:17.839 --> 00:39:19.519 that this 00:39:19.519 --> 00:39:19.799 is the 00:39:19.799 --> 00:39:20.099 message 00:39:20.099 --> 00:39:20.500 that God 00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:20.819 intends 00:39:20.819 --> 00:39:21.299 for you 00:39:21.299 --> 00:39:21.859 it's a 00:39:21.859 --> 00:39:22.159 miserable 00:39:22.159 --> 00:39:22.759 experience 00:39:22.760 --> 00:39:23.120 and some 00:39:23.120 --> 00:39:23.340 of you 00:39:23.340 --> 00:39:23.560 maybe 00:39:23.560 --> 00:39:23.940 perhaps 00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.100 you're 00:39:24.100 --> 00:39:24.240 here 00:39:24.240 --> 00:39:24.460 this 00:39:24.460 --> 00:39:24.700 morning 00:39:24.700 --> 00:39:25.020 and you're 00:39:25.020 --> 00:39:25.280 just 00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:26.040 miserable 00:39:26.040 --> 00:39:30.040 can I ask you 00:39:30.040 --> 00:39:30.460 what's your 00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:31.320 response to 00:39:31.320 --> 00:39:31.840 that work 00:39:31.840 --> 00:39:32.080 of the 00:39:32.080 --> 00:39:32.360 spirit 00:39:32.360 --> 00:39:33.080 when he's 00:39:33.080 --> 00:39:33.340 kind of 00:39:33.340 --> 00:39:33.840 poking at 00:39:33.840 --> 00:39:34.040 you and 00:39:34.040 --> 00:39:34.340 he's saying 00:39:34.340 --> 00:39:34.680 this is 00:39:34.680 --> 00:39:35.160 you you look 00:39:35.160 --> 00:39:35.440 like a 00:39:35.440 --> 00:39:35.620 Christian 00:39:35.620 --> 00:39:35.920 you're not 00:39:35.920 --> 00:39:36.280 really a 00:39:36.280 --> 00:39:36.580 Christian 00:39:36.580 --> 00:39:38.580 what's your 00:39:38.580 --> 00:39:39.360 first response 00:39:39.360 --> 00:39:40.519 you're 00:39:40.519 --> 00:39:43.440 you're 00:39:43.440 --> 00:39:44.240 probably seeking 00:39:44.240 --> 00:39:44.760 some kind 00:39:44.760 --> 00:39:45.360 of comfort 00:39:45.360 --> 00:39:46.500 from your 00:39:46.500 --> 00:39:46.880 conviction 00:39:46.880 --> 00:39:47.660 you need 00:39:47.660 --> 00:39:47.960 to seek 00:39:47.960 --> 00:39:48.240 comfort 00:39:48.240 --> 00:39:48.620 from your 00:39:48.620 --> 00:39:49.000 conviction 00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:51.240 but where 00:39:51.240 --> 00:39:51.840 you search 00:39:51.840 --> 00:39:52.160 for that 00:39:52.160 --> 00:39:52.539 comfort 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:53.000 is what 00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:53.260 makes 00:39:53.260 --> 00:39:53.539 all the 00:39:53.539 --> 00:39:54.000 difference 00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:57.039 if you 00:39:57.039 --> 00:39:57.599 self 00:39:57.599 --> 00:39:58.440 soothe 00:39:58.440 --> 00:39:59.140 in a 00:39:59.140 --> 00:39:59.480 spiritual 00:39:59.480 --> 00:40:00.099 sense 00:40:00.099 --> 00:40:01.740 by reflecting 00:40:01.740 --> 00:40:02.160 on all 00:40:02.160 --> 00:40:02.660 the Christian 00:40:02.660 --> 00:40:03.220 things you 00:40:03.220 --> 00:40:03.579 do 00:40:03.579 --> 00:40:05.299 and you 00:40:05.299 --> 00:40:05.719 try to 00:40:05.719 --> 00:40:06.380 find comfort 00:40:06.380 --> 00:40:07.019 by thinking 00:40:07.019 --> 00:40:07.759 about the 00:40:07.759 --> 00:40:08.019 church 00:40:08.019 --> 00:40:08.380 attendance 00:40:08.380 --> 00:40:08.779 and the 00:40:08.779 --> 00:40:09.119 giving 00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:09.619 and the 00:40:09.619 --> 00:40:10.559 and I'm 00:40:10.559 --> 00:40:10.960 not as 00:40:10.960 --> 00:40:11.299 bad as 00:40:11.299 --> 00:40:11.900 this person 00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:12.279 and I 00:40:12.279 --> 00:40:12.719 and I 00:40:12.719 --> 00:40:13.699 I don't 00:40:13.699 --> 00:40:14.019 do all 00:40:14.019 --> 00:40:14.340 of those 00:40:14.340 --> 00:40:14.679 things 00:40:14.679 --> 00:40:15.019 and I'm 00:40:15.019 --> 00:40:15.579 I'm just 00:40:15.579 --> 00:40:15.980 I'm a 00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:16.199 good 00:40:16.199 --> 00:40:17.000 Christian 00:40:17.000 --> 00:40:17.579 man 00:40:17.579 --> 00:40:17.880 or I'm 00:40:17.880 --> 00:40:18.159 a good 00:40:18.159 --> 00:40:18.880 Christian 00:40:18.880 --> 00:40:19.340 woman 00:40:19.340 --> 00:40:19.920 or boy 00:40:19.920 --> 00:40:20.599 or girl 00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:20.880 and you're 00:40:20.880 --> 00:40:21.199 just trying 00:40:21.199 --> 00:40:21.440 to think 00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:21.799 of all 00:40:21.799 --> 00:40:22.259 the things 00:40:22.259 --> 00:40:22.579 that you 00:40:22.579 --> 00:40:23.099 do 00:40:23.099 --> 00:40:24.199 that looks 00:40:24.199 --> 00:40:24.759 Christian 00:40:24.759 --> 00:40:26.139 I think 00:40:26.139 --> 00:40:26.559 that if 00:40:26.559 --> 00:40:26.960 that's the 00:40:26.960 --> 00:40:27.319 way you're 00:40:27.319 --> 00:40:27.719 trying to 00:40:27.719 --> 00:40:28.259 find comfort 00:40:28.259 --> 00:40:28.960 you've missed 00:40:28.960 --> 00:40:29.440 the gospel 00:40:29.440 --> 00:40:29.819 part 00:40:29.819 --> 00:40:30.860 you've missed 00:40:30.860 --> 00:40:31.340 that part 00:40:31.340 --> 00:40:34.300 true 00:40:34.300 --> 00:40:34.840 spiritual 00:40:34.840 --> 00:40:35.280 life 00:40:35.280 --> 00:40:35.980 comes not 00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:36.420 from the 00:40:36.420 --> 00:40:36.740 religious 00:40:36.740 --> 00:40:37.160 things 00:40:37.160 --> 00:40:37.519 that you 00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:37.920 do 00:40:37.920 --> 00:40:39.460 but from 00:40:39.460 --> 00:40:39.740 what 00:40:39.740 --> 00:40:40.180 Jesus 00:40:40.180 --> 00:40:40.500 has 00:40:40.500 --> 00:40:40.940 already 00:40:40.940 --> 00:40:41.640 done 00:40:41.640 --> 00:40:44.980 he 00:40:44.980 --> 00:40:45.340 lived 00:40:45.340 --> 00:40:45.920 the life 00:40:45.920 --> 00:40:46.620 that you 00:40:46.620 --> 00:40:46.920 should have 00:40:46.920 --> 00:40:47.320 lived 00:40:47.320 --> 00:40:48.300 and he 00:40:48.300 --> 00:40:48.600 died 00:40:48.600 --> 00:40:49.200 the death 00:40:49.200 --> 00:40:49.960 that you 00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:50.340 deserve 00:40:50.340 --> 00:40:50.860 to die 00:40:50.860 --> 00:40:52.760 he 00:40:52.760 --> 00:40:53.160 bore 00:40:53.160 --> 00:40:53.600 God's 00:40:53.600 --> 00:40:53.960 wrath 00:40:53.960 --> 00:40:54.559 for sin 00:40:54.559 --> 00:40:55.820 and he 00:40:55.820 --> 00:40:56.260 proved 00:40:56.260 --> 00:40:56.539 it 00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:57.760 by raising 00:40:57.760 --> 00:40:58.200 from the 00:40:58.200 --> 00:40:58.500 dead 00:40:58.500 --> 00:41:00.100 and now 00:41:00.100 --> 00:41:00.680 he calls 00:41:00.679 --> 00:41:01.000 you to 00:41:01.000 --> 00:41:01.619 believe 00:41:01.619 --> 00:41:03.159 and trust 00:41:03.159 --> 00:41:04.699 what he 00:41:04.699 --> 00:41:05.500 has done 00:41:05.500 --> 00:41:07.059 what he 00:41:07.059 --> 00:41:07.519 has done 00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:08.980 try to 00:41:08.980 --> 00:41:09.460 focus with 00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:09.699 me for 00:41:09.699 --> 00:41:10.159 just a 00:41:10.159 --> 00:41:10.419 second 00:41:10.419 --> 00:41:13.699 it's not 00:41:13.699 --> 00:41:14.219 about what 00:41:14.219 --> 00:41:14.739 you do 00:41:14.739 --> 00:41:16.399 it's about 00:41:16.399 --> 00:41:17.079 what he's 00:41:17.079 --> 00:41:17.419 done 00:41:17.419 --> 00:41:19.440 it's about 00:41:19.440 --> 00:41:20.339 fully coming 00:41:20.339 --> 00:41:20.960 to him 00:41:20.960 --> 00:41:21.940 and saying 00:41:21.940 --> 00:41:22.839 nothing in 00:41:22.839 --> 00:41:23.319 my hands 00:41:23.319 --> 00:41:23.859 I bring 00:41:23.859 --> 00:41:25.299 simply to 00:41:25.299 --> 00:41:25.940 the cross 00:41:25.940 --> 00:41:26.960 I cling 00:41:26.960 --> 00:41:30.920 of course 00:41:30.920 --> 00:41:31.579 to embrace 00:41:31.579 --> 00:41:32.079 Christ 00:41:32.079 --> 00:41:32.460 is to 00:41:32.460 --> 00:41:32.900 accept 00:41:32.900 --> 00:41:33.280 all the 00:41:33.280 --> 00:41:33.960 implications 00:41:33.960 --> 00:41:35.179 that come 00:41:35.179 --> 00:41:35.519 with his 00:41:35.519 --> 00:41:36.099 lordship 00:41:36.099 --> 00:41:37.900 which means 00:41:37.900 --> 00:41:38.280 that if you're 00:41:38.280 --> 00:41:38.559 going to be 00:41:38.559 --> 00:41:38.880 a true 00:41:38.880 --> 00:41:39.300 Christian 00:41:39.300 --> 00:41:40.019 compromise 00:41:40.019 --> 00:41:40.480 is not 00:41:40.480 --> 00:41:40.960 an option 00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:43.400 it doesn't 00:41:43.400 --> 00:41:43.880 work 00:41:43.880 --> 00:41:46.099 the 00:41:46.099 --> 00:41:46.960 the old 00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:47.320 adage 00:41:47.320 --> 00:41:47.679 goes 00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:48.519 he's either 00:41:48.519 --> 00:41:48.940 lord of 00:41:48.940 --> 00:41:49.220 all 00:41:49.220 --> 00:41:49.980 or he's 00:41:49.980 --> 00:41:50.440 not lord 00:41:50.440 --> 00:41:51.039 at all 00:41:51.039 --> 00:41:51.940 that's 00:41:51.940 --> 00:41:52.220 true 00:41:52.219 --> 00:41:58.659 so remember 00:41:58.659 --> 00:41:59.179 the gospel 00:41:59.179 --> 00:41:59.939 that's what 00:41:59.939 --> 00:42:00.359 he says 00:42:00.359 --> 00:42:02.619 keep 00:42:02.619 --> 00:42:03.519 the gospel 00:42:03.519 --> 00:42:05.480 and repent 00:42:05.480 --> 00:42:07.799 he who 00:42:07.799 --> 00:42:08.159 has an 00:42:08.159 --> 00:42:08.419 ear 00:42:08.419 --> 00:42:10.099 let him 00:42:10.099 --> 00:42:10.480 hear 00:42:10.480 --> 00:42:11.539 what the 00:42:11.539 --> 00:42:11.799 spirit 00:42:11.799 --> 00:42:12.379 says 00:42:12.379 --> 00:42:13.299 to the 00:42:13.299 --> 00:42:13.639 churches