WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.099
 Good morning, guys. Can you guys hear me? Yeah. It's a joy to worship with you guys.

00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:18.260
 And I got to say, we've done it. We've made it through 38 weeks and sermons through the

00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:28.140
 book of Revelation. From the introduction to the letters to the churches in Asia Minor,

00:00:28.140 --> 00:00:33.799
 through seals and bulls and trumpets, through beasts and prostitutes and dragons,

00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:40.280
 to the final battle of Armageddon, to the new heavens and the new earth, we are finally at

00:00:40.280 --> 00:00:47.560
 the last passage of the book of Revelation. What a glorious, Christ-exalting book it has been. Amen?

00:00:49.140 --> 00:00:57.340
 So let's turn our Bibles to Revelation 22, 6 to 21. Of course, as always, if you are in need of a Bible,

00:00:57.340 --> 00:01:01.940
 please just raise your hand and one of our members would happily gift you a Bible for you to keep.

00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:12.500
 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word. Heavenly Father, may you bless the reading,

00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:20.420
 the preaching and teaching of your Word today. Father, I pray that you would multiply the measly

00:01:20.420 --> 00:01:26.700
 five loaves and two fish that I've prepared to feed the masses. Do what only you can do by your

00:01:26.700 --> 00:01:33.280
 Spirit's power? We await for you to come, Lord Jesus. In your name we pray. Amen.

00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:42.980
 To honor God's Word, let's all rise, if you are able, for the reading of God's Word in Revelation 22,

00:01:42.980 --> 00:01:47.880
 6 to 21. It says this,

00:01:47.880 --> 00:01:51.900
 And he said to me, these words are trustworthy and true.

00:01:52.859 --> 00:01:58.500
 And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants

00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:03.420
 what must soon take place. And behold, I am coming soon.

00:02:04.600 --> 00:02:08.719
 Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:13.620
 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.

00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:19.400
 And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me.

00:02:19.699 --> 00:02:22.180
 But he said to me, you must not do that.

00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:26.259
 I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers, their prophets,

00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:28.840
 and with those who keep the words of this book.

00:02:29.139 --> 00:02:30.340
 Worship God.

00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:35.719
 And he said to me, do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book,

00:02:35.879 --> 00:02:37.400
 for the time is near.

00:02:38.200 --> 00:02:40.219
 Let the evildoer still do evil,

00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:42.599
 and let the filthy still be filthy,

00:02:42.980 --> 00:02:44.920
 and the righteous still do right,

00:02:45.219 --> 00:02:46.819
 and the holy still be holy.

00:02:48.580 --> 00:02:50.500
 Behold, I am coming soon,

00:02:50.980 --> 00:02:52.599
 bringing my recompense with me

00:02:52.599 --> 00:02:54.819
 to repay each one for what he has done.

00:02:55.460 --> 00:02:57.340
 I am the Alpha and the Omega,

00:02:57.340 --> 00:02:59.020
 the first and the last,

00:02:59.200 --> 00:03:00.460
 the beginning and the end.

00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:03.980
 Blessed are those who wash their robes

00:03:03.980 --> 00:03:06.879
 so that they may have the right to the tree of life

00:03:06.879 --> 00:03:09.379
 and that they may enter the city by the gates.

00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:12.400
 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers

00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:13.759
 and the sexually immoral

00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:15.259
 and murderers and idolaters

00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:18.259
 and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:22.020
 I, Jesus, have sent my angel

00:03:22.020 --> 00:03:24.920
 to testify to you about these things for the churches.

00:03:24.919 --> 00:03:27.839
 I am the root and descendant

00:03:27.839 --> 00:03:29.539
 and the descendant of David,

00:03:29.959 --> 00:03:31.099
 the bright morning star.

00:03:32.339 --> 00:03:34.519
 The spirit and the bride say, come,

00:03:35.259 --> 00:03:37.259
 and let the one who hears say, come,

00:03:37.939 --> 00:03:39.699
 and let the one who is thirsty come.

00:03:40.359 --> 00:03:44.279
 Let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

00:03:45.459 --> 00:03:49.060
 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book.

00:03:49.399 --> 00:03:50.599
 If anyone adds to them,

00:03:50.819 --> 00:03:54.119
 God will add to him the plagues described in this book.

00:03:54.120 --> 00:03:59.039
 And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy,

00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:02.580
 God will take away his share in the tree of life

00:04:02.580 --> 00:04:05.500
 and in the holy city which are described in this book.

00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:09.300
 He who testifies to these things says,

00:04:10.039 --> 00:04:12.240
 surely I am coming soon.

00:04:13.099 --> 00:04:13.520
 Amen.

00:04:14.640 --> 00:04:16.259
 Come, Lord Jesus.

00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:20.899
 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

00:04:21.379 --> 00:04:21.620
 Amen.

00:04:21.620 --> 00:04:24.300
 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:25.480
 You may be seated.

00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:31.899
 Long ago,

00:04:32.660 --> 00:04:36.019
 there once was a boy

00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:40.699
 who lived in the distant freezing prairies.

00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:44.040
 Came from a poor family.

00:04:44.040 --> 00:04:49.920
 Every member of his family had to struggle,

00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:53.040
 labor day and night just to afford the bare essentials.

00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:59.620
 His entire existence, his life was gray, dark, depressing.

00:05:01.520 --> 00:05:07.360
 But one day, the boy's father sent him to the nearest town square to fetch some supplies.

00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:11.160
 In a rush to get home before dark,

00:05:11.780 --> 00:05:16.860
 the boy inadvertently bumps into this tall, burly businessman.

00:05:17.540 --> 00:05:20.939
 He's wearing foreign, exotic clothing,

00:05:21.400 --> 00:05:22.759
 things that he's never seen before.

00:05:23.259 --> 00:05:26.100
 And upon seeing the boy's poor estate,

00:05:27.100 --> 00:05:30.280
 the businessman, he sticks his hand in his pocket.

00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:34.719
 And he reaches out to give something to the boy.

00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:38.899
 And it's a vibrant, bright orange.

00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:43.759
 Something that the boy had never seen in his entire life.

00:05:45.179 --> 00:05:46.319
 And upon instruction,

00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:50.539
 the boy starts to peel the glowing skin off

00:05:50.539 --> 00:05:52.719
 with his gray hands.

00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:54.320
 And he takes his first bite.

00:05:55.520 --> 00:05:57.000
 His eyes widen.

00:05:57.600 --> 00:05:58.720
 His smile uncontainable.

00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:02.540
 He had never tasted something in his entire life.

00:06:02.620 --> 00:06:03.400
 So sweet.

00:06:03.700 --> 00:06:04.540
 So delicious.

00:06:05.400 --> 00:06:06.320
 So lively.

00:06:06.460 --> 00:06:07.100
 So colorful.

00:06:09.200 --> 00:06:10.580
 So he asks the man,

00:06:11.460 --> 00:06:13.040
 where did this come from?

00:06:13.140 --> 00:06:15.020
 Where can I get more of this?

00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:18.820
 And again, out of pity for the boy,

00:06:18.880 --> 00:06:20.440
 the man invites him,

00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:23.420
 if you want to come to this land,

00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:27.560
 I will return for you soon one day.

00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:30.160
 But the time is short.

00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:32.720
 You must be prepared and packed,

00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:35.740
 ready to go immediately upon my arrival.

00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:39.740
 The boy hurriedly, quickly said,

00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:40.959
 yes, I will go.

00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:45.159
 And before he could run off to go home to pack,

00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:49.259
 the man slips a handwritten note in the boy's pocket

00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:50.560
 and sees him run off.

00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:55.279
 Immediately, the first thing when the boy gets home

00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:58.120
 is that he starts telling everyone that he knows,

00:06:58.199 --> 00:06:59.879
 all his friends, all his family,

00:07:00.259 --> 00:07:01.879
 about the experience that he had,

00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:03.379
 about the fruit that he ate,

00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:04.740
 the man that he met.

00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:07.219
 But no one would believe him.

00:07:09.899 --> 00:07:11.459
 Undeterred, he packed his bag

00:07:11.459 --> 00:07:14.079
 and he sat right on his front door

00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:15.019
 and he waited.

00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:17.899
 And he waited and he waited

00:07:17.899 --> 00:07:19.779
 and there was no sign of the man.

00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:24.759
 Eventually, days turned into weeks.

00:07:25.379 --> 00:07:26.680
 Weeks turned into months.

00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:28.620
 Months turned into years.

00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:31.159
 Throughout that time,

00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:33.899
 those in his life ridiculed him,

00:07:34.519 --> 00:07:35.099
 mocked him,

00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:36.099
 saying,

00:07:36.659 --> 00:07:37.419
 why are you waiting?

00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:38.240
 What are you doing?

00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:44.579
 He had to continue to work,

00:07:45.579 --> 00:07:46.560
 brutal work,

00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:48.139
 and eventually,

00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:50.480
 this harsh hand-to-mouth living,

00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:52.259
 the constant ridicule,

00:07:52.540 --> 00:07:53.540
 and the long waiting

00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:55.680
 began to weigh heavy upon the boy.

00:07:57.439 --> 00:07:59.819
 But what was his source of encouragement

00:07:59.819 --> 00:08:00.759
 throughout that time?

00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:04.180
 It was the handwritten note

00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:05.360
 that the band gave to him.

00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:06.300
 And what did it say?

00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:07.160
 He said,

00:08:07.340 --> 00:08:08.819
 I am coming soon.

00:08:11.340 --> 00:08:12.319
 Brothers and sisters,

00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:13.560
 this is our story.

00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:14.160
 Don't you see?

00:08:14.860 --> 00:08:16.000
 We can relate to this,

00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:16.439
 can't we?

00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:19.060
 We have tasted of heaven's fruits.

00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:21.840
 We know that it's foreign to anything

00:08:21.840 --> 00:08:23.480
 that this land can produce.

00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:26.080
 This land only produces fruit

00:08:26.080 --> 00:08:29.060
 of bitterness and hatred and anger.

00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:31.480
 But we have tasted of love,

00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:33.659
 of joy, peace, patience,

00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:34.440
 kindness, goodness,

00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:35.120
 faithfulness,

00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:36.779
 gentleness, and self-control.

00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:40.360
 We have tasted of the fruit

00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:42.480
 that only the land of heaven can bear.

00:08:43.560 --> 00:08:46.120
 We know that heaven is a real place.

00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:48.419
 But the harsh reality of living,

00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:50.460
 the constant ridicule,

00:08:51.419 --> 00:08:52.460
 the long waiting,

00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:54.799
 it starts to weigh heavy upon us,

00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:55.220
 doesn't it?

00:08:56.860 --> 00:08:58.419
 But knowing our condition

00:08:58.419 --> 00:09:00.339
 and our need for encouragement,

00:09:01.439 --> 00:09:03.740
 Jesus has slipped us this handwritten note,

00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:05.059
 this same note,

00:09:05.579 --> 00:09:07.059
 to take heart

00:09:07.059 --> 00:09:09.219
 because he is coming soon.

00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:12.540
 That's the main point of my passage,

00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:13.360
 or this passage,

00:09:13.740 --> 00:09:14.399
 and my sermon.

00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:17.139
 Keep the trustworthy words of this book

00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:19.860
 because Jesus is coming soon.

00:09:20.300 --> 00:09:20.980
 And in turn,

00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:23.320
 we'll look at three simple exhortations.

00:09:23.560 --> 00:09:25.879
 That we have to trust in this prophecy,

00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:27.779
 trust that he will come soon.

00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:30.940
 We have to obey because of this prophecy,

00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:34.380
 and we have to desire this prophecy.

00:09:35.180 --> 00:09:35.960
 So first,

00:09:36.260 --> 00:09:37.260
 trusting in this prophecy.

00:09:37.400 --> 00:09:38.120
 Let's talk about this.

00:09:38.900 --> 00:09:41.020
 Jesus begins his last words

00:09:41.020 --> 00:09:43.600
 in the epilogue of this letter

00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:46.100
 in the same way that he starts the letter

00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:47.020
 in chapter one.

00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:47.840
 In fact,

00:09:47.900 --> 00:09:49.080
 much of this epilogue

00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:51.940
 is very, very close to the prologue,

00:09:52.640 --> 00:09:54.800
 forming a really kind of nice inclusio,

00:09:54.860 --> 00:09:55.800
 if you know that word, right?

00:09:55.880 --> 00:09:56.360
 Bookend.

00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:58.120
 And it's a clear link

00:09:58.120 --> 00:10:00.620
 that packages all the letter altogether.

00:10:02.039 --> 00:10:03.580
 And he wants to remind us

00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:05.600
 that everything that we have read

00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:06.620
 and studied

00:10:06.620 --> 00:10:08.700
 throughout these past 38 weeks

00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:11.100
 is trustworthy and true.

00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:14.039
 He wants us to know

00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:15.680
 that this prophecy is not,

00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:18.100
 it's not a mere hypothesis.

00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:20.659
 It's not an educated guess

00:10:20.659 --> 00:10:22.000
 of what might happen in the future.

00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:24.100
 It teaches us cold,

00:10:24.519 --> 00:10:26.200
 hard, objective truth

00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:29.140
 that Jesus will return for us one day.

00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.060
 And that when he does,

00:10:31.400 --> 00:10:33.560
 that he will come in total power

00:10:33.560 --> 00:10:35.920
 to conquer all of our enemies.

00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:37.140
 And that when he comes,

00:10:37.280 --> 00:10:38.580
 we will reign with him

00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:40.980
 in the new heavens and the new earth.

00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:42.900
 How sweet that day will be.

00:10:45.140 --> 00:10:45.800
 In fact,

00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:47.220
 this is repeated throughout our text

00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:49.160
 over and over again.

00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:51.860
 Jesus says this three times,

00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:53.160
 I am coming soon.

00:10:53.160 --> 00:10:54.320
 In verse seven,

00:10:54.420 --> 00:10:55.040
 verse 12,

00:10:55.160 --> 00:10:55.740
 verse 20,

00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:58.000
 you think he's trying to get us

00:10:58.000 --> 00:10:58.980
 to pay attention to that?

00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:01.759
 Biblical authors,

00:11:01.900 --> 00:11:02.940
 just like we do,

00:11:03.020 --> 00:11:04.140
 they repeat themselves

00:11:04.140 --> 00:11:04.960
 to make sure

00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:06.020
 that a certain point

00:11:06.020 --> 00:11:07.259
 is made clear.

00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:11.840
 But you might be wondering,

00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:13.400
 Jesus,

00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:15.080
 this letter is

00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:17.259
 almost 2,000 years old.

00:11:18.400 --> 00:11:20.140
 You still haven't returned.

00:11:21.140 --> 00:11:22.920
 Is this really soon?

00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:27.339
 When Jesus says that he is coming soon,

00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:29.059
 I think we'd do well

00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:30.819
 to read the word

00:11:30.819 --> 00:11:32.259
 also suddenly

00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:33.539
 or quickly.

00:11:33.979 --> 00:11:35.339
 Because I don't think

00:11:35.339 --> 00:11:36.279
 that Jesus is speaking

00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:38.219
 necessarily definitively

00:11:38.219 --> 00:11:40.479
 on when he is going to come,

00:11:40.839 --> 00:11:43.519
 but how he is going to return.

00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:45.279
 He is going to come

00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:46.319
 like a thief,

00:11:46.459 --> 00:11:47.919
 quickly and suddenly,

00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:49.879
 with no warning before.

00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:52.320
 And that means that

00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:53.439
 every generation

00:11:53.439 --> 00:11:54.580
 that has come and gone

00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:55.580
 has done right

00:11:55.580 --> 00:11:56.519
 to think that they

00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:58.159
 might be the last generation.

00:11:58.679 --> 00:11:59.439
 We might be

00:11:59.439 --> 00:12:00.519
 the last generation.

00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:03.820
 Every birthday you celebrate,

00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:04.779
 every new year

00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:05.500
 that you celebrate,

00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:06.500
 we would do well

00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:07.179
 to remember that

00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:08.259
 this could literally be

00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:09.120
 the last year

00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:09.899
 of your life

00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:11.019
 because Jesus

00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:12.220
 is coming soon.

00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:14.779
 Moreover,

00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:15.879
 elsewhere in Scripture,

00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:17.179
 Apostle Peter writes,

00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:18.340
 with the Lord,

00:12:18.459 --> 00:12:20.120
 one day is as 1,000 years

00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:21.480
 and 1,000 years

00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:22.259
 as one day.

00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:24.939
 The Lord is not slow

00:12:24.939 --> 00:12:26.519
 to fulfill his promise

00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:28.139
 as some count slowness,

00:12:28.319 --> 00:12:29.299
 but is patient

00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:30.179
 towards you,

00:12:30.579 --> 00:12:31.919
 not wishing

00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:33.679
 that any should perish,

00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:34.460
 but that all

00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:35.379
 should reach repentance.

00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.019
 Peter shows us

00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:38.659
 that the fact

00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:39.439
 that Jesus

00:12:39.439 --> 00:12:40.240
 hasn't returned

00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.779
 for almost 2,000 years

00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:43.539
 is not evidence

00:12:43.539 --> 00:12:44.779
 for us to doubt

00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.939
 his return,

00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:47.179
 but it's evidence

00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:48.860
 of his long suffering,

00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:50.840
 his forbearance

00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:51.919
 for us sinners.

00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:56.919
 And to further attest

00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:57.740
 to the truthfulness

00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:58.600
 of these claims,

00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:00.079
 in the second half

00:13:00.079 --> 00:13:00.779
 of this verse,

00:13:00.939 --> 00:13:01.819
 Jesus reminds us

00:13:01.819 --> 00:13:02.379
 ultimately

00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.279
 who is the one

00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:03.980
 who sent

00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:05.480
 this messenger angel.

00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:07.320
 It is God

00:13:07.320 --> 00:13:08.639
 the Father himself.

00:13:10.680 --> 00:13:11.279
 Everything

00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:12.379
 that the angel

00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.840
 has shown John,

00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:14.759
 however hard

00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:15.480
 it is to believe,

00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:16.840
 it's true

00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:17.980
 and it has God's

00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:19.000
 name behind it.

00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.080
 It has his own

00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:21.480
 reputation behind it.

00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.399
 And we know

00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:23.180
 from other parts

00:13:23.180 --> 00:13:23.600
 in Scripture

00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:25.019
 that it is impossible

00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:26.420
 for God to lie.

00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:30.320
 Moreover,

00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.580
 Jesus calls the Father

00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:32.720
 the God

00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:33.460
 of the spirits

00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:34.080
 of the prophets.

00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:35.320
 What does that mean?

00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.920
 Now,

00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:37.700
 I think it's

00:13:37.700 --> 00:13:38.659
 pointing to

00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:39.200
 hundreds

00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:41.920
 of biblical prophecies

00:13:41.920 --> 00:13:43.940
 that have been fulfilled,

00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:45.379
 that have come true,

00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:46.420
 that they're accurately

00:13:46.420 --> 00:13:47.580
 predicted the future.

00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.320
 For example,

00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:51.500
 a whopping 200 years

00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.240
 before this

00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:52.899
 could ever happen,

00:13:52.940 --> 00:13:53.639
 there's no way

00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:54.620
 that Isaiah

00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:55.320
 could know this,

00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.360
 but 200 years before,

00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.680
 Isaiah predicted

00:13:58.680 --> 00:14:00.659
 the specific name

00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.840
 of the Persian king,

00:14:01.940 --> 00:14:02.580
 King Cyrus,

00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:03.820
 who would come

00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:05.060
 to take power.

00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.860
 conquer Babylon

00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:08.200
 and send

00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:10.320
 Israel back home

00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:12.000
 after their exile.

00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.600
 Not only does

00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:16.000
 John teach us

00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.539
 that God the Father

00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:18.420
 is behind this,

00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:19.840
 but in verse 16,

00:14:19.920 --> 00:14:20.519
 if you look down,

00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.980
 you get God the Son

00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:23.420
 who is saying

00:14:23.420 --> 00:14:24.639
 the exact same thing.

00:14:25.420 --> 00:14:26.200
 He is the one

00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:27.139
 who sent his angel.

00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:29.159
 And guess what?

00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:30.440
 He is the fulfillment

00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.220
 of hundreds

00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:33.420
 of messianic prophecies.

00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:35.040
 For example,

00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.660
 in our text,

00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.860
 Jesus proclaims

00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.720
 that he is the root

00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:38.740
 and the descendant

00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:39.160
 of David,

00:14:39.260 --> 00:14:40.920
 the bright morning star.

00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.520
 These are all just

00:14:42.520 --> 00:14:43.760
 Old Testament

00:14:43.760 --> 00:14:45.460
 messianic prophecies

00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:46.900
 that predicted

00:14:46.900 --> 00:14:48.180
 that Christ will come

00:14:48.180 --> 00:14:49.800
 and Christ fulfilled.

00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:52.780
 You see that

00:14:52.780 --> 00:14:54.500
 they're just piling on

00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:56.320
 piece of evidence

00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:57.080
 after evidence.

00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:58.500
 the huge pile

00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.480
 of all these

00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.500
 fulfilled,

00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.300
 accurately predicted

00:15:02.300 --> 00:15:03.100
 prophecies.

00:15:03.300 --> 00:15:03.940
 So that we would

00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:04.920
 see this pile,

00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.040
 see all this evidence,

00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:07.180
 and see that

00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:07.960
 this prophecy

00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:09.379
 that Jesus will return,

00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.639
 we can trust.

00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.759
 We can believe.

00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.680
 We can understand

00:15:13.680 --> 00:15:15.320
 that this will come true.

00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:18.160
 This is absolutely

00:15:18.160 --> 00:15:19.260
 a timely word

00:15:19.260 --> 00:15:20.360
 for us today

00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:22.080
 because our society

00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:23.180
 balks at us

00:15:23.180 --> 00:15:24.020
 for accepting this

00:15:24.020 --> 00:15:25.400
 as objective truth.

00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:27.720
 You see,

00:15:27.800 --> 00:15:29.480
 since the scientific revolution,

00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:30.580
 our society

00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.540
 is increasingly

00:15:31.540 --> 00:15:32.340
 becoming only

00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:33.400
 naturalistic

00:15:33.400 --> 00:15:34.700
 or proponents

00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.620
 of the belief of

00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.920
 I'm only going to believe

00:15:36.920 --> 00:15:37.580
 what I can feel

00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:38.460
 with my own two hands

00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:40.220
 or see with my own two eyes.

00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.820
 I believe in science

00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:43.560
 and the rigors

00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:44.740
 of the scientific method.

00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:47.759
 they ask us,

00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:48.100
 so,

00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.080
 you believe

00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:51.100
 that this

00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:52.320
 ancient

00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:53.639
 primitive dude,

00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.100
 John,

00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:55.759
 from 2,000 years ago

00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:57.680
 who had no idea

00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.779
 what DNA

00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.840
 or cells

00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:00.519
 or gravity

00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.279
 or the internet

00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:02.740
 or any of these things,

00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.299
 he had no idea

00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:03.840
 about these things.

00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.379
 You're saying that

00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.399
 he is the one

00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:06.720
 to accurately predict

00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.279
 the future,

00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:09.159
 the end of the world,

00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.019
 and that it would happen

00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:10.720
 at the hands

00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.360
 of a Jewish carpenter?

00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:14.820
 To them,

00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.259
 it sounds preposterous.

00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:17.980
 Well,

00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:19.560
 only because

00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:20.860
 their worldview,

00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:23.500
 their preconceived notions,

00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:25.379
 they limit themselves

00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:26.620
 and they make no room

00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.759
 for the possibility

00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:29.560
 of a supernatural God.

00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.639
 Only the things

00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.399
 that are natural

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.340
 can be understood

00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:34.820
 or felt.

00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:37.540
 But they look down

00:16:37.540 --> 00:16:38.379
 upon the religious

00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.240
 without realizing

00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.500
 that they too

00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.940
 have religious beliefs.

00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.340
 Just ask them

00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:45.400
 where and how

00:16:45.400 --> 00:16:46.580
 the universe began.

00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:49.180
 How did life begin?

00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:51.060
 How did consciousness begin?

00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:52.780
 You're going to notice

00:16:52.780 --> 00:16:53.840
 that they're going to start

00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:54.920
 searching for words

00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:55.860
 like belief

00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.960
 and faith.

00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:58.720
 I believe that

00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.960
 life started randomly.

00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.540
 I believe that

00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:02.139
 the universe

00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.160
 came from nothing.

00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:04.779
 I have faith

00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.559
 in science.

00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.799
 That's why

00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:10.799
 ultimately

00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.900
 the ex-atheist,

00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.019
 now pastor,

00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.400
 author Lee Strobel

00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:15.220
 has said this

00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.319
 about his conversion

00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.019
 to Christianity.

00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:19.120
 To continue

00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:19.900
 in atheism,

00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.460
 I need to believe

00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.400
 nothing produces

00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:22.880
 everything.

00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.460
 Non-life produces

00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:24.880
 life.

00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.440
 Randomness produces

00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.120
 fine-tuning.

00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:28.600
 Chaos produces

00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:29.279
 information.

00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.720
 Unconsciousness

00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.700
 produces consciousness.

00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:33.100
 And non-reason

00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:34.220
 produces reason.

00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:36.360
 I just didn't have

00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:37.360
 that much faith.

00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.840
 Ah, but if you

00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:42.299
 do make room

00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.779
 for the possibility

00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.259
 of God,

00:17:44.340 --> 00:17:45.120
 a supernatural,

00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.420
 spiritual God

00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:48.279
 who can do anything

00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.059
 by the power

00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.920
 of his word,

00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.559
 then what seems

00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.860
 so far-fetched

00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:54.720
 now lands squarely

00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:56.019
 in the realm

00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.900
 of possibility.

00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:58.900
 And by the

00:17:58.900 --> 00:18:00.019
 empowering work

00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:00.579
 of the Spirit,

00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.420
 we see that it's

00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.039
 more than that.

00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:02.720
 It's more than

00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.759
 just being in the

00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:05.139
 realm of possibility

00:18:05.139 --> 00:18:06.460
 or even probability,

00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:09.160
 but in the realm

00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.200
 of absolute

00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:11.259
 certainty.

00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.559
 In the same way

00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.240
 that statements

00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.200
 like two plus two

00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:16.759
 equals four,

00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:19.440
 or that murder

00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.099
 is evil,

00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:21.099
 we all know that

00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:22.200
 those are objectively

00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.180
 true statements,

00:18:23.580 --> 00:18:23.819
 right?

00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:26.620
 Christ will return

00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:27.880
 is just as true

00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:29.059
 as those things.

00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:33.720
 We're not to hedge

00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.160
 our bets

00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:35.660
 like French philosopher

00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:36.539
 Blaise Pascal

00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.980
 has once posited

00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:39.600
 with what's known

00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.759
 as the Pascal's

00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:41.059
 Wager,

00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.680
 and I think I have

00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:43.160
 this slide to kind

00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:43.680
 of help you guys

00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.500
 understand what it is.

00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:44.980
 It's a simple

00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.680
 premise, really.

00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:47.080
 It's that we should

00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:48.799
 believe just in case.

00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:52.240
 Christianity is true,

00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.180
 that God exists,

00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.639
 and you don't believe,

00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.379
 then you're in this

00:18:55.379 --> 00:18:56.839
 right, bottom left

00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:57.299
 quadrant,

00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.659
 eternal damnation.

00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:02.319
 But if you do

00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.079
 believe in God,

00:19:03.399 --> 00:19:04.359
 and God doesn't

00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:05.759
 exist, then what

00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.000
 happens?

00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:06.759
 You're in that top

00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.639
 right quadrant,

00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:07.859
 right?

00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.720
 You're, nothing

00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.279
 really happens,

00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:09.980
 finite losses.

00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.960
 I guess you, you

00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.619
 know, missed out on

00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:12.759
 Sundays to sleep in.

00:19:14.659 --> 00:19:16.259
 You should believe,

00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.680
 so it goes,

00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:19.180
 because it's worse

00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:19.980
 to be in this

00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:21.200
 bottom left

00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.960
 to be in the

00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.799
 top right,

00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:24.140
 just in case.

00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.980
 But if you read

00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:26.460
 our passage,

00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.580
 this may make

00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:28.360
 logical sense.

00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.900
 This is not the

00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:31.039
 tone of which

00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:31.820
 John is writing.

00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.500
 It doesn't say

00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.980
 believe just in case.

00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:37.460
 No, Christ will

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.380
 return because

00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.500
 these words are

00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.600
 trustworthy and

00:19:40.600 --> 00:19:40.920
 true.

00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:43.900
 In your heart of

00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:44.560
 hearts, do you

00:19:44.560 --> 00:19:45.560
 know and believe

00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:46.100
 this?

00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.340
 Do you know and

00:19:48.340 --> 00:19:49.180
 believe that Jesus

00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.440
 will soon return

00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:51.340
 for his own?

00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.120
 They say the

00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:55.360
 idea of death is

00:19:55.360 --> 00:19:56.279
 the ultimate test

00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.700
 of what you

00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.080
 believe.

00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.420
 Imagine closing

00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:02.120
 your eyes on

00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:02.940
 your deathbed.

00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.460
 Do you have

00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.420
 full faith that

00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.240
 you will open

00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.900
 them to see

00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:09.799
 paradise and the

00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.500
 presence of the

00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.220
 God you love?

00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:12.320
 Do you really

00:20:12.320 --> 00:20:13.120
 believe that?

00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:17.519
 do you struggle

00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.079
 with doubt?

00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:21.000
 Do you have

00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:22.019
 tinges of

00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:22.619
 wondering, is

00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:23.579
 this really

00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:23.939
 true?

00:20:26.239 --> 00:20:27.299
 Am I a victim

00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.459
 of groupthink

00:20:28.459 --> 00:20:29.199
 from the people

00:20:29.199 --> 00:20:29.719
 around me?

00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.319
 Will there be a

00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.439
 new life, a

00:20:34.439 --> 00:20:35.479
 supernatural life

00:20:35.479 --> 00:20:36.279
 awaiting me after

00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.659
 death?

00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:39.060
 And if you

00:20:39.060 --> 00:20:39.960
 struggle with

00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.700
 doubt as I

00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:43.480
 do, cling to

00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.019
 this book.

00:20:45.820 --> 00:20:46.779
 That's why the

00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.180
 book of

00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:47.820
 Revelation is

00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:48.259
 not to be

00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.400
 feared, it's

00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:49.800
 not to be

00:20:49.800 --> 00:20:50.420
 dreaded, it's

00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:52.120
 not to groan

00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:52.640
 every time it

00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.200
 comes up on

00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:53.600
 your yearly

00:20:53.600 --> 00:20:54.259
 Bible reading

00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.620
 plan.

00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:56.220
 It's a book

00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.000
 that reminds

00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.259
 us that despite

00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:59.300
 all the evil

00:20:59.300 --> 00:21:00.300
 and pain in

00:21:00.300 --> 00:21:00.940
 our lives,

00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.060
 Christ will

00:21:02.060 --> 00:21:03.080
 return to

00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:03.660
 make all that

00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.160
 is wrong

00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:04.940
 right.

00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:08.120
 And in

00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:08.519
 the end,

00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.500
 praise God

00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.259
 that it is

00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.960
 not the

00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.620
 strength of

00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:12.180
 our faith,

00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.000
 the strength

00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.279
 of our

00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.220
 convictions that

00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.799
 saves us, but

00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.180
 it's the

00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:16.039
 object of

00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.200
 it.

00:21:17.320 --> 00:21:18.000
 It's the

00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.519
 strength,

00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.000
 it's the

00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.660
 object, not

00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.240
 the strength

00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:21.600
 of our

00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:21.960
 faith that

00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:22.539
 saves us.

00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:25.700
 So if you

00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.340
 do believe

00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:26.860
 that Christ

00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:27.559
 will return,

00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:29.220
 what sort

00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:29.600
 of people

00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:30.039
 ought you

00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:30.240
 be?

00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.059
 Peter

00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:32.840
 continues to

00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:33.180
 write,

00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.360
 the day of

00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:34.660
 the Lord

00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.100
 will come

00:21:35.100 --> 00:21:35.440
 like a

00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:35.860
 thief and

00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:36.400
 the works

00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:37.000
 that are

00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.460
 done on

00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:37.820
 it will

00:21:37.820 --> 00:21:38.700
 be exposed.

00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:40.100
 What sort

00:21:40.100 --> 00:21:40.519
 of people

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.000
 ought you

00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.519
 be in

00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:41.960
 lives of

00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.720
 holiness and

00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.200
 godliness

00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.500
 waiting for

00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.500
 and hastening

00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.259
 the coming

00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.640
 of the day

00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:48.060
 of the Lord?

00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:49.720
 So this

00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:50.220
 brings me to

00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:50.740
 the second

00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:52.019
 exhortation of

00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.540
 this passage,

00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:54.019
 obey because

00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.660
 Jesus is

00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.320
 coming soon.

00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.160
 So what

00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:59.200
 does preparing

00:21:59.200 --> 00:21:59.880
 well for

00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.620
 Jesus look

00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:00.960
 like?

00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.620
 In verse

00:22:02.620 --> 00:22:03.060
 seven, I

00:22:03.060 --> 00:22:03.440
 think we get

00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:03.840
 a glimpse.

00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.240
 We see it

00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:05.640
 looks like

00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:06.279
 keeping,

00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:07.700
 obeying,

00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.380
 guarding the

00:22:09.380 --> 00:22:10.140
 words of

00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:10.779
 this very

00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.120
 book.

00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:12.900
 More

00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:14.120
 specifically, I

00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:14.519
 think our

00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.720
 passage gives

00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.420
 us three

00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:17.779
 directions on

00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.860
 how we are

00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:19.360
 supposed to

00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:19.720
 get ready.

00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:21.840
 First,

00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.340
 obedience to

00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:24.039
 the coming

00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:25.500
 Jesus looks

00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.820
 like whole

00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:27.360
 hearted,

00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.480
 single-minded

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.360
 worship.

00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:29.439
 worship.

00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.339
 Verses

00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:31.740
 eight to

00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.679
 nine, the

00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:33.240
 second time

00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:33.479
 at the

00:22:33.479 --> 00:22:33.979
 end of

00:22:33.979 --> 00:22:34.539
 Revelation,

00:22:34.699 --> 00:22:35.039
 really in

00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.819
 quick succession,

00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:38.000
 John wrongly

00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.979
 falls at the

00:22:38.979 --> 00:22:39.639
 feet of the

00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.379
 messenger, not

00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:40.839
 the one who

00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:41.579
 sent the

00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:41.959
 message.

00:22:43.219 --> 00:22:43.919
 The angel

00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:44.839
 gives then

00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.419
 the same

00:22:45.419 --> 00:22:45.979
 reason, the

00:22:45.979 --> 00:22:46.659
 same rebuttal.

00:22:47.479 --> 00:22:48.339
 Why are you

00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:48.759
 doing this?

00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.179
 We are

00:22:49.179 --> 00:22:49.919
 equals.

00:22:50.699 --> 00:22:50.979
 Worship

00:22:50.979 --> 00:22:51.459
 God.

00:22:53.639 --> 00:22:54.199
 Theologians

00:22:54.199 --> 00:22:54.619
 have called

00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.039
 this the

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:56.259
 creator-creature

00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.779
 distinction,

00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.720
 creation, meaning

00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.299
 that God

00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:59.160
 alone is

00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.960
 uncreated.

00:23:00.619 --> 00:23:01.539
 God alone is

00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.680
 truly independent,

00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.559
 meaning that he

00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.339
 is dependent on

00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:05.399
 nothing and no

00:23:05.399 --> 00:23:06.720
 one for his

00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.220
 existence.

00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:08.899
 Literally

00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:10.019
 everything else

00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:10.500
 in all the

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.200
 creation falls

00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:11.940
 into this other

00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.660
 bucket of

00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.779
 created, even

00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:15.139
 powerful, powerful

00:23:15.139 --> 00:23:15.779
 angels.

00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:18.200
 So we're all in

00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.960
 the same bucket.

00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:21.079
 Why worship

00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:21.899
 anything else?

00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:23.359
 Makes no

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.180
 logical sense.

00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.539
 But lest you

00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.079
 think that this

00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:27.659
 is an easy

00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.279
 command to

00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:28.619
 obey?

00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:29.559
 To see how

00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.200
 the great

00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:31.259
 capital A

00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:31.920
 Apostle John

00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.920
 falls victim to

00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.579
 this sin really

00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:35.619
 twice, quickly.

00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:39.039
 And while it

00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:39.619
 may not be

00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.740
 angels or

00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.680
 literal idols

00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.460
 that we fall

00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.299
 down to

00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:43.680
 worship,

00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:46.279
 what created

00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.259
 thing do you

00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:47.720
 worship?

00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.460
 Are we

00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:50.899
 prone to

00:23:50.899 --> 00:23:51.700
 worship money,

00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.220
 marriage,

00:23:55.659 --> 00:23:56.039
 ministry,

00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.960
 our parents,

00:23:58.500 --> 00:24:00.420
 our friends,

00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.359
 ourselves?

00:24:04.659 --> 00:24:05.399
 Anything that

00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:06.039
 you say, I

00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.700
 need to have

00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:08.099
 X, I need to

00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:09.180
 have Y to be

00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:11.680
 happy, that's

00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.000
 an idol.

00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.240
 If you are

00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:14.420
 discontent today,

00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.059
 you are

00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.799
 worshiping idols.

00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:19.940
 The real test of

00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:21.000
 our faith, of our

00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.920
 worship, is that

00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.759
 we come, it's

00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.539
 good that we come

00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.440
 Sunday worship and

00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.379
 worship our holy

00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:25.980
 God together.

00:24:26.540 --> 00:24:27.500
 The real test is

00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.040
 on Monday

00:24:28.040 --> 00:24:28.480
 morning.

00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:30.940
 Who is it that

00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.540
 you worship?

00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.980
 For honest with

00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.620
 ourselves, and we

00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:37.960
 do see idol worship,

00:24:38.340 --> 00:24:39.320
 not this single

00:24:39.320 --> 00:24:40.200
 minded, wholehearted

00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.880
 worship, we must

00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.960
 get ready for his

00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:44.460
 return by doing

00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.380
 the hard, hard

00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:46.580
 work, picking up

00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:48.400
 our hammers, and

00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:49.780
 smashing these

00:24:49.780 --> 00:24:50.140
 idols.

00:24:50.140 --> 00:24:50.240
 idols.

00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:55.040
 Honestly, I could

00:24:55.040 --> 00:24:56.080
 smash an idol in my

00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:57.160
 heart every single

00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:57.520
 day.

00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.780
 Heck, it could be my

00:25:00.780 --> 00:25:01.540
 full-time job.

00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:05.100
 But it's hard work,

00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.259
 but it's necessary

00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:08.420
 work, because God

00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.759
 alone is worthy of

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.620
 this wholehearted

00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:10.980
 worship.

00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:14.140
 And so that Christ

00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.079
 may receive the

00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:16.440
 worship he is due, we

00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.200
 get our second

00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:17.839
 direction.

00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.240
 To get ready in

00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.339
 verse 10, it says

00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:22.079
 this, do not seal

00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:23.200
 up the words of the

00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.019
 prophecy of this

00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:25.420
 book, for the time

00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.220
 is near.

00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:29.620
 John is told, don't

00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:31.140
 seal up this book,

00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.940
 because how else will

00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:34.220
 the churches know its

00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.099
 contents and its

00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:35.440
 commands?

00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.599
 This is a different

00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.700
 command that he gave

00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.960
 to prophets in the

00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.500
 Old Testament.

00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.839
 To the prophet

00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:42.720
 Daniel, he said, seal

00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.039
 it up.

00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.119
 The time is not

00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:44.380
 ready.

00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:46.420
 But for John, he

00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:47.559
 says, don't seal it

00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:47.680
 up.

00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.900
 The time is near.

00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.640
 In the same way, we

00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.799
 are not to seal up

00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:55.339
 this book to others

00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.539
 in our evangelism.

00:25:58.319 --> 00:26:00.059
 We must keep telling

00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.460
 people that Jesus is

00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.619
 coming back soon,

00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:05.680
 urgently and

00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.680
 sensitively.

00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:10.000
 when was the last

00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.019
 time that you told

00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:12.380
 somebody Jesus is

00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:12.920
 coming soon?

00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.360
 Most people find

00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:18.320
 evangelism offensive,

00:26:18.840 --> 00:26:19.860
 but not all.

00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:22.100
 For example, Penn

00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:23.440
 Gillette, you guys

00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.539
 know him as the

00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.799
 famous magician from

00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.820
 the duo Penn and

00:26:26.820 --> 00:26:27.100
 Teller.

00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:29.320
 He's also a staunch

00:26:29.320 --> 00:26:30.880
 agnostic, very

00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:32.580
 outspoken, but he has

00:26:32.580 --> 00:26:33.560
 this keen insight.

00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:36.639
 He says this, if you

00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:38.079
 believe that there is a

00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:40.159
 heaven and a hell, and

00:26:40.159 --> 00:26:41.059
 people are going to

00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.440
 hell or not getting

00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:43.579
 eternal life, and you

00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.379
 think that it's not

00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.240
 really worth telling

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:46.960
 them this because it

00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.859
 would make it socially

00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:50.839
 awkward, how much do you

00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:52.279
 have to hate somebody to

00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.440
 not proselytize?

00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:56.340
 How much do you have to

00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:57.640
 hate somebody to believe

00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:58.920
 everlasting life is

00:26:58.920 --> 00:27:00.500
 possible and not tell

00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.000
 them that?

00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:04.100
 If I believe beyond the

00:27:04.100 --> 00:27:05.100
 shadow of a doubt that a

00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:06.220
 truck was coming at you,

00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:08.140
 and you didn't believe that

00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:08.940
 that truck was bearing

00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:10.519
 down on you, there is a

00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.480
 certain point that I

00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.640
 tackle you, where I

00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.200
 tackle you.

00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.440
 And this is more

00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:16.400
 important than that.

00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.940
 I remind you that this is

00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:22.000
 an atheist saying this.

00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:25.000
 And now, this is no

00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:27.320
 recommendation to start

00:27:27.320 --> 00:27:28.680
 tackling people with the

00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:31.720
 gospel, to lose all

00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:33.200
 senses of our sensitivity

00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:37.100
 and offend unnecessarily in

00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:37.720
 our evangelism.

00:27:37.820 --> 00:27:38.779
 No, it's not to do that.

00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:40.539
 Nor is it a recommendation

00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:42.500
 to start evangelizing because

00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.759
 we feel guilty about it.

00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.900
 See, guilt is a terrible

00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.460
 motivator.

00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.480
 It never lasts.

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:50.220
 And it's never done to the

00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:51.279
 worship of our God.

00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:51.339
 God.

00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:56.920
 But we ought to start, we

00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:58.259
 ought to continue to

00:27:58.259 --> 00:28:00.319
 evangelize this lost world

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:02.319
 because we want to worship

00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.960
 God and because we want to

00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:05.700
 see every heart worship Him.

00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:07.839
 It is the heart of a

00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:10.200
 Christian to see God's name

00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:12.160
 lifted on high in every

00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:13.639
 heart, in every household,

00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:15.160
 on every street, in every

00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:16.119
 city, in every nation.

00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:21.500
 Only He is worthy of this

00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:21.919
 worship.

00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.959
 And that desire, that

00:28:23.959 --> 00:28:25.439
 worship is what's going to

00:28:25.439 --> 00:28:28.099
 fuel happy, guilt-free,

00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:30.539
 lasting evangelism in our

00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:30.899
 lives.

00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:35.400
 But then what about verse 11?

00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:39.400
 Maybe some of you guys had

00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:40.460
 that question reading this

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.160
 earlier.

00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:43.019
 It's probably the hardest

00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:44.519
 verse in our passage today.

00:28:45.820 --> 00:28:47.380
 It sounds like there is no

00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:50.000
 opportunity to change when it

00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.880
 says that, let the evil and

00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:54.500
 filthy still do evil, still be

00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:54.759
 filthy.

00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:59.400
 These are hard words for us,

00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:01.660
 but this truth is nothing new

00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.379
 in Scripture.

00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.940
 Because you see that the

00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:07.240
 message of the gospel is a

00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:09.279
 message of life to those who

00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:11.299
 believe, to those whose names

00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.420
 are written in the book of

00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:12.779
 life.

00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:15.839
 But the message of the gospel

00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:18.079
 is simultaneously a message of

00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:20.039
 condemnation to those who

00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:21.759
 reject Christ, who do not

00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.240
 believe.

00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.299
 believe.

00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:26.620
 Elsewhere in Romans 1, Paul

00:29:26.620 --> 00:29:28.599
 tells us and explains that

00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:30.099
 those who do not want to

00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:31.799
 acknowledge God, who pursue

00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:35.640
 their own way, God gives them

00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:37.460
 up to do exactly just that.

00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:40.519
 That's his punishment out of

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:42.039
 them, giving them exactly what

00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.539
 they want.

00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:45.220
 And so they go on to choose

00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:47.059
 things that lead to death and

00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:47.539
 destruction.

00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:51.400
 But for God's elect, his church

00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:53.900
 praise God that he did not give

00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:54.820
 us what we wanted.

00:29:55.540 --> 00:29:57.000
 If we got what we wanted, we

00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:58.540
 would be on the same path.

00:30:01.540 --> 00:30:03.440
 Instead, he gives us new hearts

00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:06.100
 with new desires to desire the

00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:08.460
 truly good, the truly satisfying.

00:30:10.120 --> 00:30:11.920
 So these commands in verse 11 to

00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:14.720
 do evil are ultimately a

00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:16.880
 pronouncement of judgment against

00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:18.680
 all those who have rejected

00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.680
 Christ.

00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:21.860
 He's saying, keep going.

00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.600
 Keep going on the path that you

00:30:23.600 --> 00:30:24.220
 started down.

00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.500
 But for the righteous and his

00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:30.299
 chosen, he's saying, keep doing

00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:32.140
 good onto me.

00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:35.299
 Understanding then God's

00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.940
 sovereignty in our salvation,

00:30:37.320 --> 00:30:38.519
 does that mean that there is no

00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:41.019
 point in our salvation or in our

00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.940
 evangelism?

00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:45.299
 The fact of the matter is that we

00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.460
 do not know.

00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:49.440
 We don't know who will come to

00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:49.700
 faith.

00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:53.940
 Very few in the early church ever

00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:55.640
 believed, could ever believe that

00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:57.940
 Paul, the fierce Jewish persecutor

00:30:58.559 --> 00:31:00.880
 of the church, could turn into the

00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:03.900
 great apostle, the faithful apostle.

00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:07.600
 It is the mystery of the spirit that

00:31:07.600 --> 00:31:09.960
 some seeds that we scatter bear fruit

00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:11.840
 thirtyfold, hundredfold.

00:31:13.620 --> 00:31:15.740
 Others are completely choked out.

00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:20.980
 Ultimately, it is freeing for us

00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:24.940
 to know that conversion is not, it's

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.720
 not up to us.

00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:29.000
 It's not ultimately of how well we

00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:30.900
 evangelize, how well we answer all

00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:32.160
 these apologetics questions.

00:31:32.620 --> 00:31:33.900
 It's up to God.

00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:36.900
 So we need to keep evangelizing with

00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:39.340
 freedom, with urgency, with

00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:41.279
 sensitivity and to tell people,

00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:43.519
 anyone, everyone, that Jesus is

00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.399
 coming soon.

00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:47.459
 This is how we get ourselves ready.

00:31:47.679 --> 00:31:49.639
 This is how we get our others in our

00:31:49.639 --> 00:31:50.319
 lives ready.

00:31:51.919 --> 00:31:54.379
 For when Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega,

00:31:54.959 --> 00:31:57.059
 the one whom the entire universe

00:31:57.059 --> 00:32:00.119
 revolves around, once he returns,

00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:04.039
 verse 12 teaches us that he will bring

00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:07.199
 his recompense with him to repay each

00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:08.480
 one for what he has done.

00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:13.720
 Scripture, both the New and the, both

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:15.759
 the Old and the New Testament teaches

00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:18.860
 that we will be judged according to our

00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:19.220
 works.

00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:23.960
 Therefore, we should take holiness,

00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:28.880
 obedience, discipleship to Christ very

00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:29.680
 seriously.

00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:33.700
 We should never take sin lightly.

00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:37.400
 Even socially acceptable sins like gossip

00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:38.860
 or greed or grumbling.

00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:43.180
 We would all do well to sober-mindedly

00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:46.220
 evaluate ourselves once in a while to

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:49.120
 see if we are in obedience to God's

00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:49.539
 rules.

00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:54.039
 Some of us don't like that word,

00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:55.759
 rules, especially we want to focus on the

00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.220
 relationship.

00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:58.160
 I'm all about the relationship.

00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:59.039
 I'm not about rules.

00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:03.480
 But I need to remind you that every

00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.579
 relationship has rules.

00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:07.079
 My marriage has lots of good rules for me

00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:07.500
 to follow.

00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:09.279
 Like be faithful.

00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:10.700
 No other women.

00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:13.440
 That's rule number one for sure.

00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:16.299
 Number two, be nice.

00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.640
 Don't use harsh words.

00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.559
 Be gentle.

00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:22.000
 Number three, buy ice cream often.

00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:29.980
 If we love God, we need to keep his rules

00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:32.380
 and be sensitive and careful to pursue

00:33:32.380 --> 00:33:32.880
 holiness.

00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:36.319
 After all, if you're not pursuing holiness

00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:42.720
 in this life, is heaven a holy place with a

00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:44.539
 holy God among holy saints?

00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:46.839
 Is that really a place that you want to go?

00:33:49.420 --> 00:33:50.279
 Puritan J.C.

00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:54.039
 Ryle has asked, suppose for a moment that you

00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:56.119
 were allowed to enter heaven without holiness.

00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:57.779
 What would you do?

00:33:58.980 --> 00:34:01.399
 What possible enjoyment could you feel there?

00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:04.519
 To which all the saints, would you join yourself?

00:34:05.059 --> 00:34:06.539
 By whose side would you sit?

00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:08.460
 Their pleasures are not your pleasures.

00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:10.440
 Their tastes are not your tastes.

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:12.119
 Their character, not your character.

00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:17.019
 If you dislike a holy God now, why would you want

00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:18.259
 to be with him forever?

00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:22.699
 If ungodliness is your delight here on earth,

00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:25.900
 what will please you in heaven where all is clean

00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.460
 and pure?

00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:31.320
 You will not be happy there if you are not holy here.

00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:38.559
 But that's all a moot proposition because holiness

00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:42.599
 is required to enter into the city.

00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:46.860
 In verse 15 of our passage, we're warned very clearly

00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:50.019
 that those who practice and love sin,

00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:53.279
 they are the ones who are outside of the city of God.

00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:59.920
 See, the invitation to the wedding feast is open to everybody.

00:35:00.299 --> 00:35:02.420
 Everybody and anybody can come.

00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:05.760
 But there is a dress code.

00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:13.200
 That idea that Jesus will come to judge the work of my life,

00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:15.059
 the idea that there's a dress code,

00:35:15.180 --> 00:35:20.099
 that has honestly terrified me for many parts,

00:35:20.300 --> 00:35:21.639
 many seasons of my life.

00:35:23.260 --> 00:35:25.139
 I've wondered often at times,

00:35:25.240 --> 00:35:27.019
 am I doing enough for Christ?

00:35:30.740 --> 00:35:32.079
 Do I need to do more?

00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:35.380
 Have I lived a good enough life?

00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:39.079
 If you're wondering with me,

00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:43.159
 you're wondering what that answer is going to be

00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:45.000
 as you stand on that judgment seat

00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:47.400
 before a holy God at the end of your life,

00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:50.720
 let me spoil it for you.

00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:53.840
 Answers are a resounding no.

00:35:56.260 --> 00:35:58.360
 We have not done enough.

00:35:59.119 --> 00:36:01.599
 We have not lived good enough lives.

00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:05.719
 We cannot save ourselves by our good works

00:36:05.719 --> 00:36:07.699
 because the standard is perfection.

00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:11.420
 We must be perfect as our holy father in heaven is perfect.

00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:17.539
 We have instead followed in the footsteps of our forefather Adam

00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:19.800
 in his rebellion against God.

00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:21.340
 And we wanted to be our own gods.

00:36:21.680 --> 00:36:23.460
 We wanted to do what we wanted.

00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:29.420
 And our unrighteousness rightfully kicked us out of the garden

00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:32.000
 without access to the tree of life,

00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:35.099
 to be wanderers, sojourners, without a true home.

00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:42.519
 But praise be to God almighty that when he came to the earth,

00:36:42.719 --> 00:36:46.579
 Jesus Christ lived a life in which he never doubted.

00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:47.599
 Am I doing enough?

00:36:48.400 --> 00:36:50.000
 Have I lived a good enough life?

00:36:50.099 --> 00:36:54.360
 Because for Jesus, those answers were a resounding yes.

00:36:54.360 --> 00:37:02.000
 He died yet outside of the city of God on that rugged cross,

00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:05.059
 as if he was the worst of sinners,

00:37:05.200 --> 00:37:09.440
 so that we can be invited inside the city of God.

00:37:10.260 --> 00:37:12.380
 See, that substitutionary death,

00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:14.360
 that fountain of blood that flowed,

00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:20.200
 is, was, and will be our only hope for salvation.

00:37:20.199 --> 00:37:24.659
 Therefore, our entry ticket back into the city,

00:37:25.079 --> 00:37:27.699
 back into the garden, is not our insufficient obedience,

00:37:28.179 --> 00:37:31.379
 but it is the free, cleansing blood and righteousness

00:37:31.379 --> 00:37:33.199
 of Christ the Lamb.

00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:36.439
 And so the third and final command

00:37:36.439 --> 00:37:38.559
 to get ready for Jesus' return

00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:40.439
 is to repent of our sins,

00:37:40.699 --> 00:37:42.399
 to get our attires ready,

00:37:42.759 --> 00:37:45.960
 and to wash our stained robes in his blood.

00:37:47.460 --> 00:37:50.019
 I have to ask, are you ready?

00:37:51.179 --> 00:37:54.139
 Are you ready for Christ to return soon?

00:37:56.859 --> 00:37:59.259
 He is beckoning for you to come,

00:37:59.419 --> 00:38:01.799
 so tarry not if you are not ready.

00:38:03.239 --> 00:38:04.519
 Verse 17 says,

00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:06.899
 the spirit and the bride say, come.

00:38:07.839 --> 00:38:09.839
 And let the one who hears say, come.

00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:12.239
 And let the one who is thirsty come.

00:38:12.500 --> 00:38:15.279
 Let the one who desires to take the water of life

00:38:15.279 --> 00:38:16.039
 without price.

00:38:16.039 --> 00:38:19.099
 These are all the same invitation,

00:38:19.239 --> 00:38:20.800
 just repeated over and over,

00:38:20.900 --> 00:38:22.800
 to drive home this point,

00:38:23.219 --> 00:38:24.699
 to drive home this invitation,

00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:25.800
 to come.

00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:30.079
 To come, all you need is your need.

00:38:30.079 --> 00:38:34.039
 Whosoever may come.

00:38:35.400 --> 00:38:38.099
 Young sinners, old sinners, come.

00:38:39.759 --> 00:38:42.400
 Rich sinners, poor sinners, come.

00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:45.819
 Backsliding sinners, lustful sinners,

00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:48.279
 drunk sinners, addicted sinners, come.

00:38:48.280 --> 00:38:49.280
 Whosoever may come.

00:38:49.280 --> 00:38:50.240
 Whosoever may come.

00:38:50.340 --> 00:38:52.900
 Sinners that have done every sin in the book,

00:38:52.980 --> 00:38:54.740
 from A to Z, come.

00:38:54.739 --> 00:39:01.119
 Jesus is calling earnestly and tenderly,

00:39:01.639 --> 00:39:02.959
 O sinner, come home.

00:39:05.399 --> 00:39:08.000
 When you come to Christ for your forgiveness,

00:39:08.579 --> 00:39:11.659
 it's not that our obedience isn't important anymore,

00:39:12.119 --> 00:39:13.559
 that we're free to do whatever we want.

00:39:13.619 --> 00:39:15.979
 No, it's those whose sins are forgiven,

00:39:16.279 --> 00:39:19.439
 who take killing sin the most seriously.

00:39:21.139 --> 00:39:24.059
 But it's not done by our own strength, you see.

00:39:24.059 --> 00:39:28.239
 It's from the Spirit who dwells within you

00:39:28.239 --> 00:39:30.239
 to empower you to obedience

00:39:30.239 --> 00:39:35.019
 for the necessary good works for salvation.

00:39:35.860 --> 00:39:39.119
 See, your good works are necessary for salvation,

00:39:39.239 --> 00:39:41.699
 but they're never the basis of your salvation.

00:39:41.840 --> 00:39:43.759
 That basis is Christ's blood,

00:39:44.219 --> 00:39:45.559
 Christ's righteousness alone.

00:39:47.239 --> 00:39:50.940
 As great late pastor Tim Keller has written,

00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:54.780
 God's salvation does not come in response

00:39:54.780 --> 00:39:56.019
 to a changed life.

00:39:56.460 --> 00:39:59.720
 A changed life comes in response to the salvation

00:39:59.720 --> 00:40:01.559
 offered as a free gift.

00:40:01.639 --> 00:40:03.400
 We have to get that order right.

00:40:06.079 --> 00:40:08.119
 But maybe you're in a season of discouragement,

00:40:08.960 --> 00:40:11.900
 and you feel like you're taking one step forward,

00:40:12.119 --> 00:40:14.099
 and then just three steps back.

00:40:14.099 --> 00:40:19.039
 You feel like you're disobeying more than you are obeying.

00:40:20.339 --> 00:40:22.860
 But notice, in verse 15,

00:40:22.940 --> 00:40:25.579
 that last descriptor of the outsiders,

00:40:25.739 --> 00:40:28.519
 they love, they practice falsehood.

00:40:28.579 --> 00:40:29.639
 They love it.

00:40:32.440 --> 00:40:34.519
 Even members of the Church of Christ,

00:40:34.619 --> 00:40:36.099
 we can fall in sin.

00:40:36.380 --> 00:40:38.039
 We all know that all too well.

00:40:38.719 --> 00:40:42.079
 But what distinguishes us is that we hate our sin.

00:40:43.199 --> 00:40:44.420
 We repent of it.

00:40:44.500 --> 00:40:45.860
 We want to flee from it.

00:40:46.119 --> 00:40:48.460
 But those on the outside, they love it.

00:40:49.440 --> 00:40:50.699
 They cherish it.

00:40:50.920 --> 00:40:51.719
 They teach it.

00:40:51.779 --> 00:40:52.759
 They encourage it.

00:40:54.079 --> 00:40:56.139
 It's one thing to fall into sin,

00:40:56.380 --> 00:40:57.659
 but it's a totally other,

00:40:58.099 --> 00:41:01.940
 to teach and promote disobedience to God.

00:41:01.940 --> 00:41:06.500
 And that's why God will take away salvation

00:41:06.500 --> 00:41:09.700
 from false teachers in verse 18 to 19.

00:41:10.539 --> 00:41:13.039
 It's taken from Deuteronomy 4 and 12.

00:41:13.860 --> 00:41:18.820
 This warning is not just against general disobedience.

00:41:19.960 --> 00:41:23.000
 No, it's much more serious than that.

00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:27.280
 God warns all false teachers,

00:41:27.960 --> 00:41:30.380
 all followers of those teachers

00:41:30.380 --> 00:41:34.740
 who twist his infallible salvific word

00:41:34.740 --> 00:41:37.820
 by adding and taking away from Scripture

00:41:37.820 --> 00:41:41.420
 to promote their own agenda, not God's.

00:41:42.700 --> 00:41:45.920
 God has given us this precious gift of his word.

00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:48.760
 It is able to make us wise for salvation.

00:41:50.519 --> 00:41:54.099
 Will God not have vengeance on those

00:41:54.099 --> 00:41:55.640
 who add and take this away,

00:41:55.700 --> 00:41:58.000
 who twist this to say whatever they want?

00:42:00.380 --> 00:42:02.559
 Therefore, the only fitting punishment

00:42:02.559 --> 00:42:05.900
 for those who add and take away from God's word

00:42:05.900 --> 00:42:08.079
 is that God will add to them plagues,

00:42:08.640 --> 00:42:12.300
 that God will take away their apparent share

00:42:12.300 --> 00:42:14.619
 of their portion of the tree of life.

00:42:15.980 --> 00:42:16.720
 False teachers,

00:42:18.619 --> 00:42:20.160
 wolves disguised as sheep,

00:42:20.300 --> 00:42:23.059
 they initially seem and appear to be

00:42:23.059 --> 00:42:25.760
 part of us, one of God's people,

00:42:25.760 --> 00:42:28.200
 but we will know them by their works,

00:42:28.720 --> 00:42:30.720
 that they were never part of us

00:42:30.720 --> 00:42:31.700
 in the first place.

00:42:34.900 --> 00:42:37.920
 These serious warnings are just another reminder

00:42:37.920 --> 00:42:40.380
 that sin has perverted everything

00:42:40.380 --> 00:42:41.800
 that was once good.

00:42:43.180 --> 00:42:45.800
 And that's why we need to desire

00:42:45.800 --> 00:42:47.180
 for Christ to return,

00:42:47.320 --> 00:42:49.300
 which is the third and final point.

00:42:49.300 --> 00:42:53.120
 Do you know that to live is Christ

00:42:53.120 --> 00:42:55.019
 and to die is gain?

00:42:56.120 --> 00:42:57.640
 It is for your gain

00:42:57.640 --> 00:43:00.100
 that Christ comes back soon.

00:43:03.220 --> 00:43:05.019
 I know many of us are young,

00:43:06.140 --> 00:43:08.120
 still have lots of life to live.

00:43:09.519 --> 00:43:11.660
 I know that there's still a lot of milestones

00:43:11.660 --> 00:43:13.780
 that you guys want to experience,

00:43:14.920 --> 00:43:16.160
 like you want to get married

00:43:16.159 --> 00:43:17.920
 and raise a family

00:43:17.920 --> 00:43:19.839
 and progress in your career,

00:43:20.019 --> 00:43:20.779
 travel the world,

00:43:20.920 --> 00:43:21.940
 experience the best

00:43:21.940 --> 00:43:23.960
 that the world has to offer.

00:43:24.699 --> 00:43:25.039
 And so,

00:43:26.019 --> 00:43:27.059
 sometimes we say,

00:43:27.440 --> 00:43:28.019
 oh Jesus,

00:43:28.539 --> 00:43:29.279
 we want you to come,

00:43:29.440 --> 00:43:29.759
 but you know,

00:43:30.440 --> 00:43:31.579
 give me like 10 more years.

00:43:32.579 --> 00:43:33.619
 Give me a little bit more time.

00:43:33.679 --> 00:43:34.920
 Don't come just yet.

00:43:37.899 --> 00:43:38.879
 But can I ask,

00:43:38.960 --> 00:43:40.679
 as C.S. Lewis once asked,

00:43:41.960 --> 00:43:44.379
 has this world been so kind to you?

00:43:46.159 --> 00:43:47.859
 That you should leave it with regret?

00:43:49.539 --> 00:43:50.719
 Hasn't all your work,

00:43:50.899 --> 00:43:51.679
 all your life,

00:43:52.619 --> 00:43:53.940
 all of your experience

00:43:53.940 --> 00:43:56.619
 been tainted by sin and suffering?

00:43:57.579 --> 00:43:58.679
 Do you really think

00:43:58.679 --> 00:44:00.099
 that your future career,

00:44:01.179 --> 00:44:02.159
 your future marriage,

00:44:02.299 --> 00:44:03.019
 your family,

00:44:03.139 --> 00:44:04.639
 your wealth won't be tainted too?

00:44:05.279 --> 00:44:07.199
 There's something far better than this.

00:44:09.319 --> 00:44:10.759
 Again, quoting C.S. Lewis,

00:44:10.859 --> 00:44:11.639
 he reminds us

00:44:11.639 --> 00:44:12.559
 that often Satan

00:44:12.559 --> 00:44:13.779
 doesn't try to convince us

00:44:13.779 --> 00:44:15.079
 that heaven isn't real.

00:44:15.079 --> 00:44:16.480
 Oh no,

00:44:16.559 --> 00:44:18.059
 he's much craftier than that.

00:44:18.900 --> 00:44:20.400
 He tries to convince us

00:44:20.400 --> 00:44:22.579
 that heaven is boring.

00:44:23.679 --> 00:44:24.799
 Have you ever heard of that?

00:44:25.039 --> 00:44:25.519
 That, oh,

00:44:25.539 --> 00:44:26.119
 I don't want really,

00:44:26.239 --> 00:44:27.119
 I'm not interested in heaven

00:44:27.119 --> 00:44:28.219
 because I don't want to worship,

00:44:28.500 --> 00:44:28.819
 you know,

00:44:29.000 --> 00:44:29.559
 24-7,

00:44:29.659 --> 00:44:30.360
 all 365.

00:44:32.519 --> 00:44:33.039
 Heaven

00:44:33.039 --> 00:44:35.960
 is anything but boring.

00:44:37.519 --> 00:44:39.880
 Holiness is anything but boring.

00:44:39.880 --> 00:44:42.559
 I think the church needs

00:44:42.559 --> 00:44:43.300
 to resurrect

00:44:43.300 --> 00:44:45.460
 this lost spiritual discipline

00:44:45.460 --> 00:44:47.700
 of biblical imagination

00:44:47.700 --> 00:44:50.119
 and yearning for heaven.

00:44:50.940 --> 00:44:52.240
 I think most of us,

00:44:52.300 --> 00:44:52.440
 again,

00:44:52.500 --> 00:44:53.079
 me included,

00:44:53.579 --> 00:44:55.400
 we don't long for heaven enough.

00:44:56.180 --> 00:44:57.579
 We get too bogged down

00:44:57.579 --> 00:44:59.039
 by the cares of this life

00:44:59.039 --> 00:45:00.780
 to remember that another one

00:45:00.780 --> 00:45:01.760
 is coming soon.

00:45:03.220 --> 00:45:04.900
 And so to help us with that,

00:45:04.900 --> 00:45:06.619
 I invite you

00:45:06.619 --> 00:45:08.559
 to imagine with me

00:45:08.559 --> 00:45:09.160
 about heaven.

00:45:10.680 --> 00:45:11.760
 I want you to actually

00:45:11.760 --> 00:45:12.740
 close your eyes,

00:45:12.800 --> 00:45:13.579
 don't fall asleep,

00:45:13.960 --> 00:45:15.760
 but I want you to close your eyes

00:45:15.760 --> 00:45:18.300
 as I read some excerpts

00:45:18.300 --> 00:45:19.039
 of this article

00:45:19.039 --> 00:45:19.700
 that I modified

00:45:19.700 --> 00:45:21.260
 just to help us imagine

00:45:21.260 --> 00:45:22.780
 what heaven will be like.

00:45:23.340 --> 00:45:24.760
 So imagine this,

00:45:26.340 --> 00:45:29.780
 seeing the full blazing glory of God,

00:45:29.780 --> 00:45:33.220
 finally understanding

00:45:33.220 --> 00:45:34.140
 how the prophets

00:45:34.140 --> 00:45:35.760
 couldn't put that sight

00:45:35.760 --> 00:45:36.600
 into words.

00:45:37.620 --> 00:45:38.840
 Imagine this,

00:45:38.920 --> 00:45:40.140
 what does that look like to you?

00:45:42.880 --> 00:45:44.180
 Imagine a world

00:45:44.180 --> 00:45:45.380
 where beautiful,

00:45:45.660 --> 00:45:47.200
 soul-satisfying music

00:45:47.200 --> 00:45:47.960
 to your God

00:45:47.960 --> 00:45:49.360
 never ends,

00:45:50.519 --> 00:45:51.880
 that you can't help

00:45:51.880 --> 00:45:52.700
 but sing

00:45:52.700 --> 00:45:54.380
 at the top of your lungs.

00:45:56.519 --> 00:45:58.480
 Imagine you won't be wishing

00:45:58.480 --> 00:46:00.139
 it was louder

00:46:00.139 --> 00:46:01.000
 or quieter,

00:46:02.039 --> 00:46:03.219
 you'll not be distracted

00:46:03.219 --> 00:46:04.519
 by anything off-key,

00:46:05.360 --> 00:46:05.699
 in fact,

00:46:05.780 --> 00:46:06.840
 you won't be nervous

00:46:06.840 --> 00:46:07.960
 about when the music

00:46:07.960 --> 00:46:08.619
 will end.

00:46:10.539 --> 00:46:12.340
 Imagine never worrying

00:46:12.340 --> 00:46:14.219
 about any good thing ending

00:46:14.219 --> 00:46:17.000
 and that every sad thing

00:46:17.000 --> 00:46:18.099
 becoming untrue.

00:46:18.940 --> 00:46:20.400
 Imagine that spiritual high

00:46:20.400 --> 00:46:21.179
 from a retreat

00:46:21.179 --> 00:46:22.920
 or missions trip

00:46:22.920 --> 00:46:23.880
 that you've experienced

00:46:23.880 --> 00:46:25.460
 never fading,

00:46:25.880 --> 00:46:26.780
 never suffering

00:46:26.780 --> 00:46:27.460
 from entropy,

00:46:27.460 --> 00:46:28.840
 but somehow

00:46:28.840 --> 00:46:30.280
 inexplicably

00:46:30.280 --> 00:46:31.280
 keeps growing

00:46:31.280 --> 00:46:32.220
 and growing.

00:46:34.820 --> 00:46:35.800
 Imagine seeing

00:46:35.800 --> 00:46:36.740
 the face of Christ

00:46:36.740 --> 00:46:38.079
 face to face,

00:46:38.740 --> 00:46:39.860
 looking into the eyes

00:46:39.860 --> 00:46:40.240
 of the one

00:46:40.240 --> 00:46:41.300
 who formed the sun,

00:46:41.420 --> 00:46:41.659
 moon,

00:46:41.740 --> 00:46:42.320
 and stars

00:46:42.320 --> 00:46:42.920
 in the beginning

00:46:42.920 --> 00:46:44.480
 but who knew

00:46:44.480 --> 00:46:45.380
 and loved you

00:46:45.380 --> 00:46:46.519
 even before that.

00:46:48.880 --> 00:46:50.260
 Imagine a sinless,

00:46:50.559 --> 00:46:51.099
 flawless,

00:46:51.360 --> 00:46:52.300
 glorified body

00:46:52.300 --> 00:46:53.639
 with no earthly,

00:46:53.840 --> 00:46:55.099
 ungodly temptations.

00:46:55.099 --> 00:46:56.420
 These bodies

00:46:56.420 --> 00:46:57.619
 that have absolutely

00:46:57.619 --> 00:46:58.599
 no appetite

00:46:58.599 --> 00:46:59.380
 for the things

00:46:59.380 --> 00:47:00.099
 of this world.

00:47:01.360 --> 00:47:02.179
 That holiness,

00:47:02.500 --> 00:47:02.860
 purity,

00:47:03.039 --> 00:47:03.519
 and godliness

00:47:03.519 --> 00:47:04.920
 isn't such a terrible

00:47:04.920 --> 00:47:05.839
 struggle anymore,

00:47:05.839 --> 00:47:07.699
 but that loving Christ

00:47:07.699 --> 00:47:08.440
 and others

00:47:08.440 --> 00:47:10.119
 is easy,

00:47:10.679 --> 00:47:11.219
 natural,

00:47:11.819 --> 00:47:12.400
 restful.

00:47:14.400 --> 00:47:16.259
 Image that you decide

00:47:16.259 --> 00:47:17.900
 it's time to take a rest,

00:47:17.900 --> 00:47:20.019
 never because you're sick

00:47:20.019 --> 00:47:20.700
 with disease

00:47:20.700 --> 00:47:21.240
 or weary

00:47:21.240 --> 00:47:22.200
 or suffer from

00:47:22.200 --> 00:47:22.980
 chronic pain,

00:47:24.019 --> 00:47:25.619
 but just because.

00:47:27.320 --> 00:47:28.440
 And you lie down

00:47:28.440 --> 00:47:30.200
 beside still waters

00:47:30.200 --> 00:47:31.260
 without any fear

00:47:31.260 --> 00:47:31.720
 of harm,

00:47:32.680 --> 00:47:33.680
 without worry

00:47:33.680 --> 00:47:34.960
 that you're not being

00:47:34.960 --> 00:47:35.599
 as productive

00:47:35.599 --> 00:47:36.680
 as you should be,

00:47:37.720 --> 00:47:38.940
 without being distracted

00:47:38.940 --> 00:47:39.619
 by having

00:47:39.619 --> 00:47:41.360
 so much to do.

00:47:41.360 --> 00:47:44.579
 imagine meeting

00:47:44.579 --> 00:47:45.599
 with people

00:47:45.599 --> 00:47:46.460
 who treated you

00:47:46.460 --> 00:47:46.980
 wickedly,

00:47:47.420 --> 00:47:48.840
 who lied about you,

00:47:49.220 --> 00:47:50.480
 who gossiped about you,

00:47:50.620 --> 00:47:51.680
 who stole from you,

00:47:51.740 --> 00:47:53.180
 maybe even murdered you.

00:47:55.059 --> 00:47:55.900
 Imagine what that

00:47:55.900 --> 00:47:56.660
 would feel like.

00:47:58.340 --> 00:47:58.940
 And then you see

00:47:58.940 --> 00:47:59.800
 brothers and sisters

00:47:59.800 --> 00:48:00.539
 and children

00:48:00.539 --> 00:48:01.099
 and parents

00:48:01.099 --> 00:48:02.720
 that you treated wickedly,

00:48:02.840 --> 00:48:03.880
 that you lied

00:48:03.880 --> 00:48:04.720
 or gossiped about,

00:48:04.920 --> 00:48:05.420
 stole from,

00:48:05.460 --> 00:48:06.099
 or even murdered.

00:48:07.860 --> 00:48:08.980
 When you see them,

00:48:09.079 --> 00:48:09.980
 instead of shame

00:48:09.980 --> 00:48:11.099
 or fear,

00:48:11.099 --> 00:48:11.940
 you know that

00:48:11.940 --> 00:48:13.039
 all the justice

00:48:13.039 --> 00:48:14.199
 everyone deserved

00:48:14.199 --> 00:48:15.719
 for all the wrongs

00:48:15.719 --> 00:48:17.779
 was poured out

00:48:17.779 --> 00:48:18.940
 completely

00:48:18.940 --> 00:48:19.779
 on the head

00:48:19.779 --> 00:48:20.299
 of the husband.

00:48:20.559 --> 00:48:21.819
 So you don't owe each other

00:48:21.819 --> 00:48:23.000
 anything anymore

00:48:23.000 --> 00:48:24.860
 because you could have

00:48:24.860 --> 00:48:25.400
 everything

00:48:25.400 --> 00:48:26.619
 you could ever want.

00:48:27.019 --> 00:48:27.980
 So now you're free

00:48:27.980 --> 00:48:28.539
 to love.

00:48:30.460 --> 00:48:31.440
 So you take

00:48:31.440 --> 00:48:32.339
 their hand in yours

00:48:32.339 --> 00:48:33.219
 and you walk with them

00:48:33.219 --> 00:48:34.079
 in love forever.

00:48:34.839 --> 00:48:35.380
 You guys can

00:48:35.380 --> 00:48:36.360
 open up your eyes.

00:48:36.599 --> 00:48:37.440
 Thanks for indulging me.

00:48:38.799 --> 00:48:39.659
 Brothers and sisters,

00:48:39.659 --> 00:48:42.119
 this is just a snippet

00:48:42.119 --> 00:48:43.159
 of what our future

00:48:43.159 --> 00:48:45.460
 might be like

00:48:45.460 --> 00:48:46.219
 for all eternity.

00:48:46.980 --> 00:48:47.559
 Heaven will be

00:48:47.559 --> 00:48:48.879
 anything but boring.

00:48:50.119 --> 00:48:51.420
 How can you wait?

00:48:52.359 --> 00:48:53.639
 Come, Lord Jesus.

00:48:53.719 --> 00:48:54.440
 That's the heart.

00:48:54.879 --> 00:48:55.599
 That's our prayer.

00:48:55.719 --> 00:48:57.079
 Come, Lord Jesus.

00:48:59.500 --> 00:49:01.079
 So we come to the very

00:49:01.079 --> 00:49:02.239
 last verse

00:49:02.239 --> 00:49:03.139
 of Scripture.

00:49:03.639 --> 00:49:04.859
 Last verse of our passage

00:49:04.860 --> 00:49:06.440
 and the very last verse

00:49:06.440 --> 00:49:07.039
 of Scripture.

00:49:07.880 --> 00:49:08.900
 And I think it's really

00:49:08.900 --> 00:49:09.980
 quite beautiful

00:49:09.980 --> 00:49:11.740
 that Scripture ends

00:49:11.740 --> 00:49:12.780
 with a benediction.

00:49:13.599 --> 00:49:14.660
 Just like we close

00:49:14.660 --> 00:49:15.620
 our worship services.

00:49:17.220 --> 00:49:18.120
 It's beautiful

00:49:18.120 --> 00:49:19.500
 that the final word

00:49:19.500 --> 00:49:21.260
 of His holy book

00:49:21.260 --> 00:49:24.160
 is not what we need to do

00:49:24.160 --> 00:49:25.039
 or what we produce.

00:49:25.140 --> 00:49:26.180
 It's not our worship

00:49:26.180 --> 00:49:27.120
 unto God.

00:49:27.720 --> 00:49:29.400
 But it's God's words

00:49:29.400 --> 00:49:30.860
 of blessing to us.

00:49:31.900 --> 00:49:32.780
 This is exactly

00:49:32.780 --> 00:49:33.840
 what we need.

00:49:33.840 --> 00:49:34.800
 In a moment,

00:49:34.920 --> 00:49:35.660
 we'll respond

00:49:35.660 --> 00:49:36.260
 to this sermon

00:49:36.260 --> 00:49:37.660
 by singing all together

00:49:37.660 --> 00:49:39.360
 the song Grace Alone.

00:49:39.539 --> 00:49:40.340
 And I want to read

00:49:40.340 --> 00:49:41.360
 the last verse

00:49:41.360 --> 00:49:42.220
 of that song.

00:49:43.579 --> 00:49:44.880
 I'll stand in faith

00:49:44.880 --> 00:49:46.280
 by grace and grace alone.

00:49:46.720 --> 00:49:48.240
 I'll run the race

00:49:48.240 --> 00:49:50.059
 by grace and grace alone.

00:49:50.519 --> 00:49:52.360
 I'll slay my sin

00:49:52.360 --> 00:49:54.160
 by grace and grace alone.

00:49:54.400 --> 00:49:55.880
 I will reach the end

00:49:55.880 --> 00:49:57.780
 by grace and grace alone.

00:49:58.840 --> 00:50:01.039
 By grace and grace alone,

00:50:01.160 --> 00:50:02.039
 we will trust

00:50:02.039 --> 00:50:03.160
 in Christ's return.

00:50:03.159 --> 00:50:03.219
 Lord,

00:50:03.899 --> 00:50:05.639
 we will persevere

00:50:05.639 --> 00:50:06.339
 in the worship

00:50:06.339 --> 00:50:07.940
 of our holy God.

00:50:08.039 --> 00:50:09.480
 We will evangelize

00:50:09.480 --> 00:50:10.279
 this lost world

00:50:10.279 --> 00:50:11.819
 and we will make it

00:50:11.819 --> 00:50:13.559
 to the celestial city,

00:50:13.679 --> 00:50:14.819
 to that promised land,

00:50:15.179 --> 00:50:15.799
 that land we're all

00:50:15.799 --> 00:50:16.359
 waiting for.

00:50:17.619 --> 00:50:19.480
 So until Christ returns,

00:50:20.159 --> 00:50:21.139
 may the grace

00:50:21.139 --> 00:50:22.759
 of our Lord Jesus Christ

00:50:22.759 --> 00:50:24.319
 be with us all.

00:50:24.980 --> 00:50:25.259
 Amen.

00:50:25.260 --> 00:50:27.360
 Heavenly Father,

00:50:27.460 --> 00:50:29.020
 we pray that you would

00:50:29.020 --> 00:50:30.520
 bestow upon us

00:50:30.520 --> 00:50:31.740
 the grace that we need

00:50:31.740 --> 00:50:32.820
 to look,

00:50:33.780 --> 00:50:34.660
 to hope for heaven,

00:50:35.100 --> 00:50:35.980
 and to endure

00:50:35.980 --> 00:50:37.000
 to the very end,

00:50:37.600 --> 00:50:39.040
 to be conquerors,

00:50:39.100 --> 00:50:40.140
 to be overcomers,

00:50:40.480 --> 00:50:43.180
 so that we would see you,

00:50:44.140 --> 00:50:46.420
 and see you in full glory.

00:50:47.700 --> 00:50:49.160
 We long for that day.

00:50:49.780 --> 00:50:50.800
 Come, Lord Jesus.

00:50:50.800 --> 00:50:52.600
 Amen.