WEBVTT 00:00:00.980 --> 00:00:13.300 So, we come to the church in Sardis, and I want to, if I may, just spend a little time 00:00:13.300 --> 00:00:20.839 introducing some of the themes that I hope you will see will be picked up when we actually 00:00:20.839 --> 00:00:21.960 come to the text. 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:30.940 I want to start by talking about that, and there is quite a lot of data from the world 00:00:30.940 --> 00:00:39.299 of psychology on this, and that is the temptation of human beings to kind of talk things up a 00:00:39.299 --> 00:00:39.939 little bit. 00:00:41.120 --> 00:00:49.020 As somebody who has stood at the back of churches, as people filed out one by one, and I would 00:00:49.020 --> 00:00:52.920 say, good morning, thank you for coming, how are you? 00:00:53.700 --> 00:00:57.859 I don't think anybody ever didn't say, I'm fine. 00:00:59.020 --> 00:01:05.379 I knew that some of them were deeply bereaved, some of them were suffering from mental health 00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:12.640 issues, some of them were struggling in marriages, and yet their default was to say, I'm fine. 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:20.980 I did discover, although I was told to ask the question in this way was slightly anal, 00:01:22.400 --> 00:01:30.719 if you say to people, on a scale of one to ten, where would you put your life at this time? 00:01:31.019 --> 00:01:34.400 Ten being, it's the most amazing time in my life, I love it. 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:37.120 One being, I need to call Samaritans. 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:46.580 People will then generally think about it, and they'll probably say six, seven, maybe 00:01:46.580 --> 00:01:48.260 give a little more truth to it. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:54.640 Or again, one of the things I've noticed is, it's almost like when people go on holiday, 00:01:55.800 --> 00:01:59.900 and the weather's terrible, they kind of don't like to admit it. 00:01:59.900 --> 00:02:06.500 They come home and you say, oh, you know, I'm so sorry, you know, your holiday must have 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:10.980 been awful, you know, the weather was terrible, and you had the kids with you, and you know, 00:02:11.040 --> 00:02:16.540 I know from my own experience that when it pours with rain, and you've got your children 00:02:16.540 --> 00:02:19.700 with you, it's more expensive, you've got to find stuff to do. 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:27.099 People would say, oh no, we had sun, you know, it's fine, thank you very much for asking. 00:02:27.099 --> 00:02:35.019 We talk things up, and I want you to hold that thought, if you can, as we come to the 00:02:35.019 --> 00:02:38.819 text in a few moments to the church in Sardis. 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:47.519 So the second thing I want to say by way of introducing this is another aspect of our modern 00:02:47.519 --> 00:02:53.299 culture, and that is what I call when image trumps substance. 00:02:53.300 --> 00:03:02.100 What I mean by that is, and social media has truly turbocharged this, that it's made life 00:03:02.100 --> 00:03:03.600 kind of performative. 00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:10.700 And you can go on websites and you will see people who are basically, I mean, there's so 00:03:10.700 --> 00:03:18.380 many video clips of people just dancing in front of the camera, not very good dancing often, 00:03:18.379 --> 00:03:20.900 but dancing, because that's what they do. 00:03:21.019 --> 00:03:28.659 Or if you click on beauty products, you will find thousands and thousands and thousands, 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:36.240 I mean, obviously I don't, but you will find thousands and thousands and thousands of offers 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:41.479 made by young people, very often whose image has been airbrushed. 00:03:41.479 --> 00:03:43.819 What you're looking at is not the real person. 00:03:44.199 --> 00:03:47.979 You are looking at the image that they want to project. 00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:55.219 And I don't think God is that concerned with image. 00:03:55.620 --> 00:04:01.719 Remember, in the Old Testament, he said that man looks at the outward appearance, 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:05.399 God looks at the heart. 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:12.120 I don't know, you know, whether you look in the mirror every morning and say, you know, 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:14.819 thank God, Lord, that you made me so beautiful. 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:17.780 I feel sure you may not. 00:04:17.939 --> 00:04:27.319 But look, what God's interested in, and this is hard in our culture, is the cultivation of 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:29.040 what we might call inner beauty. 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:31.500 Who are you? 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:33.699 What are you like? 00:04:33.699 --> 00:04:42.920 And at the end of the day, no amount of cosmetic surgery, no amount of makeup, 00:04:43.039 --> 00:04:50.759 no amount of these things can hide what you are inside. 00:04:52.779 --> 00:04:56.259 Was it John Lennon who wrote that song and his strapline was, 00:04:56.360 --> 00:05:00.699 one thing you can't hide is when you're bitter. 00:05:00.699 --> 00:05:02.740 Is it bitter? 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:02.780 Is it bitter? 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:04.600 Inside. 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:05.879 Something like that. 00:05:07.480 --> 00:05:19.079 Third thing is, one of the things that I think can be true of us all is that we can 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:21.840 so quickly become complacent. 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:30.819 You know, I've said many times, when I say from this pulpit, I mean in this church, 00:05:31.419 --> 00:05:41.099 I've said many, many times that there are a lot of things that we have in our culture, 00:05:41.100 --> 00:05:46.480 which approximately 60% of the world does not have. 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:53.000 Most of us, maybe not all of us, can put food on the table in this country. 00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:58.740 Most of us sleep on a bed, unless we've got a bad back. 00:05:58.740 --> 00:06:03.699 Most of us have got running water. 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:09.780 Most of us have got sanitation plugged into our homes. 00:06:11.460 --> 00:06:17.220 There are billions of people worldwide who just don't know things like that. 00:06:17.220 --> 00:06:25.240 And I mean, I'm not asking you to shout out, but I mean, I wonder deep down if ever we take things like that for granted. 00:06:25.380 --> 00:06:28.580 A kind of hallmark of complacency. 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:44.419 And then finally, by way of introduction, I think another human trait is our capacity to be deluded. 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:52.439 That is to imagine things about ourselves that nobody else imagines. 00:06:52.439 --> 00:07:01.139 And this is not an important, actually, in churches where we talk about spiritual gifts, quite rightly. 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:08.779 And we talk about how the Spirit gives those gifts to his people in order that the church can be the church, 00:07:09.079 --> 00:07:14.220 and in order that the church can serve the world and glorify God. 00:07:16.659 --> 00:07:19.259 But how do I find out what my gift is? 00:07:19.259 --> 00:07:23.339 What I've discovered is, as somebody used to be in local church ministry, 00:07:23.819 --> 00:07:26.360 there are a number of people who stalk this planet, 00:07:27.339 --> 00:07:35.039 who imagine that their primary gift is something that nobody else who stalks the planet thinks is their primary gift. 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:43.920 I used to stand next to, for a little while when I was in a local church ministry, 00:07:44.599 --> 00:07:48.219 in the evening we had the remnants of a choir. 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:50.680 In fact, one person. 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:56.019 Who I think just liked wearing robes and used to stand next to me. 00:07:56.939 --> 00:08:01.879 And have you heard that thing that, you know, somebody said, 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:04.579 if you gave a monkey a typewriter, 00:08:05.459 --> 00:08:09.439 eventually, randomly, just by banging the keys, it would type a word. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:17.819 Well, on that same principle, you might think that somebody who's in a choir might hit a note that was right occasionally, 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:20.779 and we're talking about Cyril. 00:08:20.779 --> 00:08:29.179 And when I said to Cyril, forgive me for asking, you know, but why are you in the choir? 00:08:30.019 --> 00:08:30.779 He said, what do you mean? 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:36.039 I said, well, A, there's only one of you, so the idea of leading the congregation in singing is, 00:08:36.339 --> 00:08:38.779 you know, a bit of a long shot, frankly. 00:08:39.459 --> 00:08:41.659 I said, but also, you can't sing in tune. 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:45.279 Oh, yes, Rector, he said, I know that. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:46.959 So I'm like, really? 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:48.500 He said, yeah. 00:08:48.939 --> 00:08:54.719 He said, I only joined the choir because I was so sorry for Mr. Lawrence, your predecessor, 00:08:55.159 --> 00:08:57.019 that he was on his own at the front of the church. 00:08:57.019 --> 00:08:58.720 I thought, I'll go and stand there and join him. 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:09.139 I won't tell you the long story now, but we discovered that Cyril's primary gift was working with his hands. 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:18.679 And he became a completely different person when he was released to be the odd job person around our church. 00:09:19.199 --> 00:09:24.019 Sadly, I had to get rid of the choir altogether before I could get him out of his robes. 00:09:24.019 --> 00:09:31.419 When I say get rid of the choir altogether, I mean, actually, I asked Cyril not to stand at the front in robes when our music group were holding forth. 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:42.120 We can have illusions about ourselves that become quite dangerous when they become delusions. 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:53.279 And I would imagine that most human beings, at some point, exercise a level of delusion in their lives. 00:09:54.019 --> 00:10:05.840 And here's a church where I think all these human characteristics are at work. 00:10:08.039 --> 00:10:13.679 Risen Christ said, these are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:14.659 We'll come back to that. 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:16.259 I know your deeds. 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:20.860 You have a reputation of being alive. 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:23.059 But you are dead. 00:10:23.059 --> 00:10:34.479 As you well know, you know, I used to function as a bishop. 00:10:34.479 --> 00:10:39.119 And so I went round to loads and loads of different churches. 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:52.319 Sat in the house of bishops, you know, the seat of decision making amongst the bishops who were making decisions to take to the general synod of the Church of England. 00:10:53.059 --> 00:11:00.159 I have rarely been in a group that felt the need to talk up what really wasn't very good. 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:03.519 And that is the statistics that go with the Church of England. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:18.860 I lamented the day that the Church of England appointed PR people who earn a lot of money by trying to create an image for the Church, 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:22.840 which actually isn't anything to do with the Church in reality. 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:33.060 I've been part of a conspiracy in the Church called complacency. 00:11:34.060 --> 00:11:35.800 I look back over my ministry. 00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:38.519 I think to myself, did I speak up enough? 00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:47.720 Did I try and speak prophetically and biblically in the kind of corridors of power of the Church of England? 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:53.620 Or were there more things that were important to me than that? 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:56.139 Like my reputation? 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:02.480 And when illusion becomes delusion, 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:13.879 I cannot think that the risen Christ could have said anything more condemning of that Church 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:17.920 than your reputation is that you're alive. 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:18.840 But I know. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:21.580 He who knows everything, 00:12:22.560 --> 00:12:24.840 I know you are dead. 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:29.000 And I ask myself the question, 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:34.040 I wonder if the risen Christ were, you know, dictating letters today. 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:41.620 How many churches would fall victim to the same accusation? 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:44.879 And I just thought, 00:12:45.560 --> 00:12:47.000 I don't know why I thought this, 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:48.340 but I thought that, 00:12:49.060 --> 00:12:52.200 I'd just like to highlight, 00:12:52.200 --> 00:12:53.320 I mean, this is not, 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:56.259 you know, I haven't been up to Mount Sinai 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:58.600 and come down with these ideas. 00:12:59.640 --> 00:13:00.520 But I, you know, 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:03.440 my experience is having worked in a local church 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:07.379 and then having supervision over 260 of them. 00:13:08.800 --> 00:13:10.960 These are the things that I've noticed 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:16.560 are in a church where I think the church could be described as alive. 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:20.799 So I just want to take your time, 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:21.319 if I may, 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:22.519 just for a few minutes 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:26.619 to introduce to you the characteristics of a healthy church. 00:13:26.719 --> 00:13:27.500 The first thing, 00:13:28.859 --> 00:13:30.119 godly leadership. 00:13:31.579 --> 00:13:32.879 Let me say that again, 00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:34.859 godly leadership. 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:39.959 Men and women who understand 00:13:39.959 --> 00:13:42.699 what it is to be a minister of God, 00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:47.740 understand what it is to be the least of God's servants, 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:52.660 not somebody who is owed a living by their congregation. 00:13:57.060 --> 00:13:59.200 Godly leaders understand 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:01.340 that in their own strength, 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:03.820 they can do nothing of eternal value 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:08.759 and therefore constantly throw themselves before God, 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:11.340 seeking His will, 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:13.340 seeking His strength, 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:14.720 and seeking, 00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:18.519 seeking the knowledge 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.779 that's needed 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:21.899 to lead a local church. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.240 Kind of, 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:26.240 you know, 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:27.600 just an aside really, 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:29.379 but one of the things 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:31.559 that used to puzzle me 00:14:31.559 --> 00:14:34.539 was that I'd have clergy coming to me saying, 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:34.779 you know, 00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:35.939 they were on the edge of burnout 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:38.380 and I would say, 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:38.540 well, 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:39.580 take me through your week 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:40.880 and take me through your week 00:14:40.880 --> 00:14:41.580 and I'd think, 00:14:42.260 --> 00:14:43.580 why are they saying this? 00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:46.240 You know, 00:14:46.260 --> 00:14:48.240 they've either got very low capacity 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:48.960 or 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:52.880 there's something that doesn't add up here. 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:53.900 What I learned was, 00:14:54.540 --> 00:14:56.340 if you're coming to see the bishop, 00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:58.040 people are frightened 00:14:58.040 --> 00:15:00.420 to talk about reality in their own lives 00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:01.260 because they fear, 00:15:01.660 --> 00:15:02.920 I'm going to get a black pen out 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.899 and make a mark 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:05.539 in their personnel file 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:05.939 saying, 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:06.299 you know, 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:06.959 clueless, 00:15:07.839 --> 00:15:08.839 something like that. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.819 And actually, 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:13.279 the acceptable way 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:14.819 to talk about their pain 00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:16.339 was to talk about 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:17.659 physical tiredness. 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:21.439 Most of you 00:15:21.439 --> 00:15:22.679 are church members 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:25.719 and I want to tell you 00:15:25.719 --> 00:15:27.319 what I think is the real drag 00:15:27.319 --> 00:15:28.319 on a lot of clergy, 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:29.759 which they can't talk about 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.679 because they think 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:32.079 it might make them look bad. 00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:34.059 And it's this. 00:15:35.959 --> 00:15:37.099 Church leadership 00:15:37.099 --> 00:15:39.939 is about the oversight 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:43.139 of a rather complicated set 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:45.539 of interpersonal relationships 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:47.899 whose balance 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:51.139 is very easily imbalanced 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:53.439 and conflict 00:15:53.439 --> 00:15:55.379 and trouble begin. 00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:59.019 Godly leadership 00:15:59.019 --> 00:16:01.179 understands this 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:04.500 and seeks to build trust 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:06.059 with the people 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:07.599 to whom he or she 00:16:07.599 --> 00:16:09.319 has been called to minister. 00:16:09.459 --> 00:16:10.359 The second thing, 00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.919 highly contentious 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:14.019 in my own church, 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.699 but not so contentious 00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:16.859 for many of you, 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.439 biblical integrity. 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.939 That is, 00:16:24.239 --> 00:16:25.839 what does this church teach? 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:29.320 my view is, 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.700 there is only 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:32.840 one piece of guidance 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:33.820 we have 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:35.139 if we want to build faith 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:35.780 in the church. 00:16:35.920 --> 00:16:36.800 It comes in Romans 00:16:36.800 --> 00:16:38.620 chapter 10 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:38.879 and 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:41.240 the great apostle 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:42.480 tells us that 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:44.019 faith comes through 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:44.720 hearing 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:46.940 and hearing 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:48.120 through the word 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:48.780 of Christ. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.620 Jesus himself 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.320 told us 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.600 in that parable 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.879 of the two house builders, 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:59.559 a wise man 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:01.519 is like a man 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.480 who hears 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.399 my words 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:05.480 and puts them 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.319 into practice. 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:09.119 So if you want to build 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:09.759 some rock 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.720 into your life 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:12.039 and if you're a church leader 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.740 and you want to build 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.420 some rock 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:14.460 into the life 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.059 of the church 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.819 that you have 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:17.160 responsibility for, 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.740 here's my advice, 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:20.619 preach the word of God 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:21.579 in season 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:23.299 and out of season. 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:26.279 use it 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:26.799 to teach, 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.279 train, 00:17:27.419 --> 00:17:27.819 rebuke, 00:17:27.899 --> 00:17:28.359 whatever 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:30.960 but don't let 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:31.559 the Bible 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.759 be put on 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.680 the substitutes 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.159 bench 00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:35.980 of your church 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.500 life. 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:39.779 Thirdly, 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.259 I think 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:41.879 in a healthy 00:17:41.879 --> 00:17:42.359 church 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:43.440 people are 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:44.099 faithful 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.980 in worship 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:46.639 and in prayer. 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:51.480 it would be 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:53.160 a strange church 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:53.680 wouldn't it 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.759 who decided 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:55.980 they would stop 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.780 worshipping God 00:17:56.780 --> 00:17:57.300 together. 00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.480 Though there seem 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.560 to be a number 00:18:00.560 --> 00:18:01.080 of churches 00:18:01.080 --> 00:18:02.000 around today 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.020 which have 00:18:03.020 --> 00:18:03.780 almost come 00:18:03.780 --> 00:18:04.920 to that conclusion. 00:18:06.820 --> 00:18:08.000 And faithful 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.680 in prayer, 00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:10.700 I am, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:13.180 I love 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:14.360 getting together 00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:14.960 with 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:18.140 people in our 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:18.420 church 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.000 to pray. 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.700 And we have 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:22.559 some set 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.400 prayer meetings 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.740 and it's really 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.680 good to turn up 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.100 at them. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.400 I was in a church 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.640 which had a large 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.160 membership 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:31.779 and our parish 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.680 prayer meeting 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:35.360 on a good evening 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:36.180 might muster 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.100 40 people. 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.680 It's a weekly 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.360 meeting, 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.039 might muster 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.920 40 people. 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:43.339 And once I got 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:44.519 a guy called 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:45.200 Wallace Ben 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:46.460 to come and 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.680 do a 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.859 weekend away 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.519 for the church 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.159 on prayer 00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:51.059 it was excellent. 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.220 And 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:54.799 for about 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:56.819 for a few 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.700 weeks we had 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:59.480 almost 200 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.339 people at the 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:01.000 prayer meeting. 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.839 After about 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:04.240 a month 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:04.659 I had gone 00:19:04.659 --> 00:19:05.659 down to 60 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:08.200 and after 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:08.799 two months 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.079 we were 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:09.440 back to 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:09.859 30. 00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:10.659 Same. 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.480 Mostly 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.519 older ladies. 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.259 Many of them 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.159 ex-missionaries 00:19:16.159 --> 00:19:17.319 or ex-teachers. 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.519 And I've 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.159 never understood 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:21.139 why is it? 00:19:22.399 --> 00:19:23.139 I'm not 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:23.819 saying you know 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.220 you've got to 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:24.659 come to a 00:19:24.659 --> 00:19:25.359 church meeting 00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:25.899 to be 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:26.720 faithful in 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.099 prayer. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.500 But I do 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.159 think there is 00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:29.940 something that 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.619 goes on when 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.619 we pray together. 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.379 I really do 00:19:33.379 --> 00:19:34.059 believe that. 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:35.740 Fourthly a 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.500 healthy church 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:38.000 empowers people. 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.160 It seeks to 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:40.440 build discipleship. 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.480 Ministry is 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.180 not about 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:43.839 controlling 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.339 people. 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.920 It's setting 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:46.519 them free. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.859 Fifth thing 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:51.160 is it 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:51.940 helps if 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:52.559 your church 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.279 has a vision. 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.200 There's a lot 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:55.940 of stuff talked 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:56.720 about that out 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.200 there in the 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:57.740 marketplace. 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:57.980 place. 00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:01.599 And I want 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:02.900 to say that 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:04.400 you 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:07.359 once you've 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:07.779 got your 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.759 mission statement 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.620 or your vision 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:10.480 statement put 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:10.980 together 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:13.279 that you 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.599 know a lot 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:14.039 of churches 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:14.700 behave like 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.339 that's the 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:15.700 end. 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:16.359 I remember 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:16.759 the Roman 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.400 Catholic 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:19.120 Archbishop of 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:19.579 Leeds 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:21.759 told a story 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.599 of he had a 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.180 dream one 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.799 night and in 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.500 his dream he 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.059 dreamt that 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.039 outside his 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:27.759 church there 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:29.159 would be a 00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:31.000 banner and 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.700 it said 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:33.279 Jesus is 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.220 Lord on the 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:35.220 banner and 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:35.740 he woke up 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.720 very enthused 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:39.139 and then he 00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:40.440 went to bed a 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.420 few days later 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:42.279 and he had a 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:43.039 total nightmare 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:45.159 and he saw 00:20:45.159 --> 00:20:45.899 that outside 00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:46.639 all the Roman 00:20:46.639 --> 00:20:47.579 Catholic churches 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.779 in the Archdiocese 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.440 of Leeds 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.859 there was a 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.379 sign and it 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:52.480 said on the 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.579 banner we've 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.139 always done it 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:54.700 this way. 00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.520 Again a 00:20:59.520 --> 00:21:00.360 vision isn't 00:21:00.360 --> 00:21:01.220 the end it's 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.759 the beginning 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.140 and I would 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:03.900 suggest that 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:04.780 alongside a 00:21:04.780 --> 00:21:05.820 vision what a 00:21:05.820 --> 00:21:06.520 local church 00:21:06.520 --> 00:21:07.280 needs is a 00:21:07.280 --> 00:21:10.440 plan and 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.040 then it needs 00:21:11.040 --> 00:21:11.660 to work out 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.160 how we're 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:12.340 going to 00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:13.000 effect this 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:14.540 plan and 00:21:14.540 --> 00:21:15.500 most importantly 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.300 and I rarely 00:21:16.300 --> 00:21:17.000 met a church 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.700 that did this 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.440 you then need 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.280 to apply some 00:21:19.280 --> 00:21:20.060 metrics to 00:21:20.060 --> 00:21:21.440 say this is 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:21.960 what we 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:23.180 said this is 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:23.560 what we 00:21:23.560 --> 00:21:24.960 envision this 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.560 is what we 00:21:25.560 --> 00:21:26.240 said we 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:26.820 would do 00:21:26.820 --> 00:21:28.259 how do we 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:28.799 know if 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.380 we're achieving 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:29.740 it? 00:21:31.060 --> 00:21:31.860 How can we 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.560 measure that? 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.100 Sixthly by 00:21:37.100 --> 00:21:37.600 the way these 00:21:37.600 --> 00:21:38.160 are in no 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:38.840 order of 00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.799 importance so 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:41.180 probably godly 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:42.039 leadership and 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:43.000 faithful worship 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.840 and prayer which 00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:44.480 should be an 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.340 R somewhere near 00:21:45.340 --> 00:21:45.840 the top. 00:21:47.840 --> 00:21:48.680 A healthy 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.880 church is 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.759 concerned for 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.340 the lost. 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:51.399 lost. 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:55.359 You know 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.039 why use that 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.439 language? 00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:58.079 Well in 00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:59.359 Luke 15 you 00:21:59.359 --> 00:21:59.759 get this 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.419 incredible 00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:01.819 section of 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:03.980 teaching that 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.799 Jesus gave. 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:05.939 First of all 00:22:05.939 --> 00:22:09.079 there's the 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:09.779 lost coin 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:11.559 sorry the 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.059 lost sheep 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.519 and then the 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.179 lost coin 00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:14.519 and then the 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.619 prodigal of 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:16.379 the prodigal 00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:17.339 the parable of 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:17.939 the prodigal 00:22:17.939 --> 00:22:19.199 son lost 00:22:19.199 --> 00:22:21.119 son and 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:21.399 then you 00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:21.699 get the 00:22:21.699 --> 00:22:22.239 parable 00:22:22.239 --> 00:22:23.099 there's a 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.959 parable about 00:22:23.959 --> 00:22:24.399 a lost 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:26.919 job and 00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.719 Jesus seems 00:22:27.719 --> 00:22:28.179 to or at 00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:28.899 least Luke is 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.559 arranging his 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.339 material to get 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:30.819 across the 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.259 message that 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.199 lost people 00:22:33.199 --> 00:22:33.939 matter to 00:22:33.939 --> 00:22:35.679 God and 00:22:35.679 --> 00:22:37.399 therefore they 00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:38.039 should matter 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.679 to his 00:22:38.679 --> 00:22:39.099 people. 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:44.279 I you know 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.299 this I really 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.339 liked church 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.979 fellowship you 00:22:46.979 --> 00:22:47.519 know I like the 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:49.119 people in the 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.799 church I was 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.699 minister of you 00:22:50.699 --> 00:22:51.079 know and I 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:51.639 liked hanging 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.399 out well hanging 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.059 out with most 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:55.799 of them but the 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.799 danger of that is 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.619 your whole 00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:59.019 relationship span 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.899 can get locked 00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:00.659 into church 00:23:00.659 --> 00:23:01.099 life. 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:05.079 I remember 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:07.979 preaching a 00:23:07.979 --> 00:23:08.719 sermon on 00:23:08.719 --> 00:23:09.879 evangelism and 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:10.859 telling people you 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:12.899 know talk to your 00:23:12.899 --> 00:23:13.639 friends about 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:15.699 Christ and a lot 00:23:15.699 --> 00:23:16.919 of people came to 00:23:16.919 --> 00:23:17.599 me and said well 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:18.179 we don't have any 00:23:18.179 --> 00:23:19.240 friends who are not 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.980 in the church. 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:24.639 I remember a 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.579 Salvation Army 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.719 minister said that 00:23:26.719 --> 00:23:27.779 to James Kennedy 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:29.079 the founder of 00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:30.459 Evangelism 00:23:30.459 --> 00:23:31.699 Explosion amazing 00:23:31.699 --> 00:23:32.980 man came to our 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:33.740 fraternity in 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.359 Slough goodness 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:35.139 knows how that 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:38.359 happened and so 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.039 we're there and the 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.079 Salvation Army guy 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:41.559 said well you know 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.439 how you know how do 00:23:42.439 --> 00:23:43.399 we make contact with 00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:44.319 unbelievers you know 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.579 James Kennedy said to 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:47.159 him he said why don't 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.920 you go down to the 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.680 nudist beach. 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:51.019 I think it was a 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:51.279 joke. 00:23:54.040 --> 00:23:54.980 Healthy church is 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.960 concerned to loss and 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:57.580 then finally imaginatively 00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:59.900 engages the local 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.580 community. 00:24:02.040 --> 00:24:03.860 I say imaginatively 00:24:03.860 --> 00:24:06.240 there because I think 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.000 that one of the things 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.960 we learn from the 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.700 parable of the good 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.920 Samaritan is that the 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.120 Samaritan didn't just 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:12.940 patch up this guy and 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:14.060 leave him he took him to 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:15.460 an inn and then paid 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.460 for him to get some 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.579 accommodation there 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.539 while he recovered. 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:20.000 I would say that's 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.700 imagination. 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:25.940 So here's a dead 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:27.279 church in Sardis. 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:30.220 Here's my view of 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:33.700 what a church that is 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.980 alive might look like. 00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.980 So I want to move to 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:37.279 the text now to 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.039 Sardis. 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:42.119 Sardis today is the 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:45.920 city of Izmir. 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:48.019 If you go to 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:49.859 Turkey on your 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.599 holidays the 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.519 likelihood is you'll 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.639 fly into the 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.980 airport at Izmir. 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:57.680 It's in Turkey and 00:24:57.680 --> 00:25:00.079 today it's a kind of 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:02.200 modern bustling city. 00:25:02.599 --> 00:25:04.559 There's a big port there 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:07.099 and there is a little 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:08.039 bit of the ancient 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:10.519 town of Sardis left 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.559 but mostly it's been 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:13.679 overtaken by modern 00:25:13.679 --> 00:25:14.240 building. 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:17.259 The role of Izmir in 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:19.559 antiquity and I'm 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.559 talking about maybe 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:22.919 from 400 AD onwards 00:25:22.919 --> 00:25:24.879 it kind of took on the 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:26.359 role that Ephesus had 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:26.759 had. 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.519 If you've been to 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.259 Ephesus you know it's 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.779 about three miles inland 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:31.099 from the sea but you 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:32.119 can go and stand on the 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:33.379 jetty which used to be 00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:34.720 where the sea was. 00:25:34.840 --> 00:25:36.740 It's silted up and so 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.940 it's now inland. 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:39.420 Izmir in a way has 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.700 taken over the role of 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.840 Ephesus in modern 00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:42.520 Turkey. 00:25:43.760 --> 00:25:45.940 It's a big port and 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:48.420 lots and lots of goods 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.840 are exported through 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:50.200 there. 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:53.380 You'll be aware that 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.720 Turkey today is a 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:56.100 massive manufacturing 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:58.660 nation and quite a lot 00:25:58.660 --> 00:26:00.800 of our stuff that we 00:26:00.800 --> 00:26:01.960 have in our shops comes 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:03.320 to us from Turkey. 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:07.640 In Izmir there was a 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:10.060 massive temple right 00:26:10.060 --> 00:26:12.260 on the headland and I 00:26:12.260 --> 00:26:13.140 have read that it was 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:14.300 twice the size of the 00:26:14.300 --> 00:26:16.340 Parthenon in Greece and 00:26:16.340 --> 00:26:17.440 if you've been there you 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.520 realise we're talking 00:26:18.520 --> 00:26:19.540 about a very big 00:26:19.540 --> 00:26:20.060 building. 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:25.700 The old town of Sardis 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:28.220 was built on a 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:31.100 headland so three sides 00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:32.740 were impregnable. 00:26:34.179 --> 00:26:35.439 And then there was just a 00:26:35.439 --> 00:26:37.419 very thin isthmus which was 00:26:37.419 --> 00:26:38.819 very easy to defend and 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:40.740 because of that, hold this 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:42.839 thought, because of that 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:45.359 they considered it 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:46.399 impregnable. 00:26:48.199 --> 00:26:49.059 And though it was 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:51.879 impregnable it was twice 00:26:51.879 --> 00:26:54.059 fatally invaded. 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:57.259 On it was this temple of 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.079 Artemis 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:59.240 Cybele. 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:02.200 This is not the same as the 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:04.000 Roman and Greek god of 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.659 Artemis. 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.859 This is a local 00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:07.960 Anatolian god called 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.859 Artemis 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:09.940 Cybele. 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:11.899 Only really commemorated 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:14.280 in Sardis. 00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:18.600 And Sardis has a 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:20.060 similarity with, I was 00:27:20.060 --> 00:27:20.880 trying to think of a 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:22.440 modern day city which 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:24.160 went the way of, and I 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.660 came up in my mind with 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:28.400 Detroit in North America 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:29.920 which at one time was an 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:35.400 extremely affluent place 00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:36.259 that earned a lot because 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:37.860 the car industry of the 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:39.180 United States of America 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:40.900 America was largely based 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.220 there. 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:43.340 And as more Americans 00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:44.660 bought more Japanese 00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:46.060 cars and the market 00:27:46.060 --> 00:27:47.440 dipped, etc, etc, 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.580 Detroit, you can buy it 00:27:49.580 --> 00:27:51.500 now, well I don't know 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.820 now, but five years ago 00:27:52.820 --> 00:27:54.180 you could buy a whole 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:56.000 street in Detroit for 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.200 $120,000. 00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:00.240 I don't think there'd be 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.560 many places in America 00:28:01.560 --> 00:28:02.640 where you would achieve 00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:02.920 that. 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:08.220 And in 600, a king 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.460 called Croesus 00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:12.240 had governance 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.579 of the city of 00:28:13.579 --> 00:28:14.259 Sardis. 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.339 And he was a very, 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.640 very wealthy man. 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:20.299 And things were 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:20.640 good. 00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:21.799 It was profitable. 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.519 They were known 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:26.039 for their, 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.420 they were good at 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.640 dye stuffs and they 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:30.860 dyed a lot of 00:28:30.860 --> 00:28:32.819 cloth in different 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:33.259 colours. 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.380 Purple was a very 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:36.319 popular colour. 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:38.059 I don't know if I 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:38.859 told you this last 00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:39.720 time when we were 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.639 talking about 00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:42.039 Thyatira, but purple 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:44.139 was popular because 00:28:44.139 --> 00:28:45.980 it was the Roman 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:47.359 regal colour. 00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.000 It's the colour of 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:50.779 choice for people who 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.819 are in governance in. 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.720 If you wore purple, 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:53.960 you were somebody. 00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:56.240 Which incidentally, 00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:58.799 hard to believe, 00:28:59.079 --> 00:29:00.019 is why bishops 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:01.359 traditionally wore 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:01.819 purple. 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:03.720 they opted for the 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.419 Roman Catholic 00:29:04.419 --> 00:29:05.319 model of 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:06.919 episcopacy and 00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:07.639 wore purple. 00:29:08.919 --> 00:29:09.899 That is, you 00:29:09.899 --> 00:29:10.519 know, to show 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.659 people, at least it 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.179 would have been in 00:29:12.179 --> 00:29:13.240 Roman times, to show 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.179 people that you were 00:29:14.179 --> 00:29:14.639 somebody. 00:29:16.159 --> 00:29:17.639 The city was 00:29:17.639 --> 00:29:19.059 pretty well 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:20.879 defunct and 00:29:20.879 --> 00:29:22.899 Croesus was 00:29:22.899 --> 00:29:24.039 defeated by 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:25.019 Persians. 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:27.000 And from then the 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:28.139 city went from bad 00:29:28.139 --> 00:29:28.759 to worse. 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.759 until the Romans 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.379 arrived. 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:32.039 And in AD 17, 00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:32.920 the Emperor 00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:35.259 Tiberius deployed 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.599 a huge force of 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.680 builders to rebuild 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.559 the whole city. 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.759 And it was 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.259 rebuilt. 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.059 So the risen 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:44.660 Christ arrives 00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:45.019 there. 00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:48.440 And he's 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.379 introduced to us 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:51.019 again as him 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:52.299 who holds the 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.000 seven spirits. 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.559 These are the 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.299 words of him 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:55.960 who holds the 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.819 seven spirits of 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.859 God and the 00:29:57.859 --> 00:29:58.740 seven stars. 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.619 Interestingly, in 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:01.579 the Greek text, 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.759 there is no 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:04.400 conjunction there. 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.859 It just says 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:07.660 how the seven 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.599 spirits of God, 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.920 the seven stars, 00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:11.079 implying that 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:11.519 they're the same 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:11.799 things. 00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:13.160 The only English 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.859 version of the 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:14.680 Bible, I think, 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:16.059 that translates the 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.759 Greek like that 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:18.700 is the New 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.879 English Bible. 00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:24.200 Clearly, the 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.200 seven spirits, 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:26.000 as we know 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.720 from our early 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.940 study, refers to 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:29.320 the Holy Spirit 00:30:29.320 --> 00:30:31.720 to the churches 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:33.140 in his fullness. 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:35.860 Sorry, the Holy 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:37.980 Spirit to the 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.799 churches in his 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.140 fullness. 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.200 This is Jesus 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:42.180 filled with the 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:43.019 Holy Spirit 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:44.279 addressing the 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.600 churches. 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.320 And the seven 00:30:45.320 --> 00:30:47.340 stars are mostly 00:30:47.340 --> 00:30:48.259 thought to be 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:50.299 the seven churches 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:52.039 and or their 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.539 leaders. 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:52.659 Jesus. 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:59.839 So, the gravity 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:00.779 of the 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.680 accusation. 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.559 I know your 00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:05.180 works. 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.299 You remember in 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:08.339 Ephesus, the 00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:08.940 risen Christ 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.599 started his 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.180 message with 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:11.220 exactly the same 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:11.639 words. 00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:13.399 But in this 00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:14.980 case, they are 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:16.159 evidence of 00:31:16.159 --> 00:31:18.159 disapproval rather 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:19.320 than evidence 00:31:19.320 --> 00:31:20.519 of approval. 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.400 There is the 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:24.420 evidence of 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.259 their delusion. 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.000 I know your 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.640 deeds, you have 00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:27.580 a reputation of 00:31:27.580 --> 00:31:28.820 being alive, but 00:31:28.820 --> 00:31:30.340 you are dead. 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:33.360 And of the 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:34.740 works that they 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:36.680 sought to do, 00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:38.480 in verse 2 we 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.160 read that the 00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:39.860 risen Christ 00:31:39.860 --> 00:31:42.400 says, he's not 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:43.019 found their 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:44.900 deeds complete in 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.900 the sight of 00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:46.259 God. 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:49.660 the gravity 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:50.400 of the message 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.019 means that 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:52.079 Jesus uses 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.559 quite interventionist 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.099 language. 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.400 In verse 2, he 00:31:55.400 --> 00:31:56.039 tells them to 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.779 wake up. 00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:58.660 He tells them to 00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.519 strengthen what 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.180 remains. 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.980 John Angle was 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:02.900 telling me before 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:04.440 we started, that's 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.200 a very, very 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.099 important verse 00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:06.720 for him in 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:08.379 terms of his 00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:09.779 ministry overseas. 00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:11.940 Then he tells 00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.460 them they've got 00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:12.960 to remember. 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:13.779 That remembering 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.900 was such a big 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.759 theme, wasn't it, 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.200 in the Old 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.660 Testament. 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.160 When the 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:20.319 Jewish people 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:20.759 were going 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.539 through times 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:22.319 of hardship 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:23.359 and difficulty, 00:32:23.859 --> 00:32:24.500 they were told, 00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:25.839 remember, remember 00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:27.480 the covenant that 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:29.059 God made with 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.700 you people. 00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:31.420 Remember the 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:32.359 way he saved 00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:33.359 you from slavery 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:34.619 in Egypt. 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:35.599 And in 00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.299 remembering, 00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.140 there's a 00:32:38.140 --> 00:32:38.960 Greek verb 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:41.200 which occurs 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:41.500 words in, 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:44.279 the words we 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.759 use in 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.980 communion about 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:48.240 bringing to 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.120 mind the 00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:49.640 things that 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.319 Jesus did. 00:32:50.400 --> 00:32:50.819 The Greek 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:51.640 word comes, 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:52.500 is an 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.319 amnesis. 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.559 And it's not 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:55.080 a kind of 00:32:55.080 --> 00:32:55.440 cold, 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.100 nostalgic 00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.840 remembering. 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.480 It's remembering 00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.500 the past in a 00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:00.059 way that will 00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:00.519 give us 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:02.120 courage in the 00:33:02.120 --> 00:33:03.200 present and 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:04.580 hope for the 00:33:04.580 --> 00:33:05.019 future. 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.140 Wake up, 00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:07.819 strengthen what 00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:08.220 remains, 00:33:08.340 --> 00:33:09.140 remember, and 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:10.280 then the 00:33:10.280 --> 00:33:10.940 risen Christ 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.960 says, I 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:12.900 will come 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.400 to you. 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.680 And then 00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:19.200 to the 00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:20.280 faithful few, 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.500 he says 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:21.940 this. 00:33:22.780 --> 00:33:23.920 One, they 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:24.580 will walk 00:33:24.580 --> 00:33:25.259 with me in 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:26.000 verse four. 00:33:28.340 --> 00:33:29.200 I have 00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:30.480 noticed when 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.500 visits to 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:31.880 the Middle 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:34.120 East, and 00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:34.900 to places 00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:35.980 like Africa 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.600 as well, 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.500 that very 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.020 often when 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.359 I've been 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:40.019 visiting 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:41.480 church leaders 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:43.259 there, they 00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:44.299 love to 00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:45.220 kind of walk 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:45.720 with you. 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:47.180 And many, 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:47.900 many times, I 00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:48.480 remember with 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.200 the Archbishop 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:49.920 of Uganda, 00:33:51.139 --> 00:33:52.220 we kind of 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:52.680 met very 00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:53.779 formally and 00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:54.920 exchanged gifts 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:55.839 and all that 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:56.240 stuff. 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:57.559 And then he 00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:57.920 said, come 00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:58.299 with me. 00:33:58.379 --> 00:33:58.639 And we 00:33:58.639 --> 00:33:59.160 walked around 00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:04.279 his garden 00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:05.139 for ages. 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:06.079 And he 00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:06.519 walked around 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.099 and all the 00:34:07.099 --> 00:34:07.579 time he 00:34:07.579 --> 00:34:08.000 held my 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.559 hand and 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.079 stroked it 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:09.340 while he 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:09.840 was talking 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.280 to me. 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:11.980 I'm not 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:12.519 really used 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:13.000 to that. 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:17.340 But I've 00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:18.039 noticed that, 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:18.480 I noticed 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.139 it with 00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:19.920 Bishop 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.599 Munir in 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.019 Egypt, 00:34:21.739 --> 00:34:22.679 and I can't 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:23.199 remember his 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:23.679 name now, 00:34:23.739 --> 00:34:24.119 the Bishop 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:24.780 of Iran, 00:34:25.380 --> 00:34:25.860 who of course 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.519 can't live in 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:26.880 Iran. 00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.599 It's a kind 00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:30.260 of walking 00:34:30.260 --> 00:34:31.199 with somebody 00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:32.119 is more than 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:32.960 just a walk. 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:33.019 faith. 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:35.320 It's a way 00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:35.860 of kind of 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.559 expressing 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:38.840 trust and 00:34:38.840 --> 00:34:39.340 affection. 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:40.900 Secondly, 00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:41.699 they will 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:43.000 wear a 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.579 white robe. 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:43.900 I mean, 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.720 that imagery 00:34:44.720 --> 00:34:46.159 comes up a 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:46.559 lot in 00:34:46.559 --> 00:34:47.179 Revelation, 00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:48.179 that the 00:34:48.179 --> 00:34:48.880 faithful will 00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:49.320 be given 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:49.960 a white 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:50.400 robe. 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.179 The use 00:34:53.179 --> 00:34:54.079 of it here 00:34:54.079 --> 00:34:54.880 seems to 00:34:54.880 --> 00:34:55.360 me to be 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.059 in line 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:56.460 with the 00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:56.920 rest of 00:34:56.920 --> 00:34:57.300 Scripture, 00:34:57.300 --> 00:34:57.699 that it 00:34:57.699 --> 00:34:58.240 will be the 00:34:58.240 --> 00:34:59.240 faithful few 00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:00.099 who are 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:00.500 given a 00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:01.139 white robe. 00:35:01.399 --> 00:35:02.019 And even 00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:02.639 those who've 00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:03.039 been given 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:03.479 a white 00:35:03.479 --> 00:35:04.619 robe have 00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:05.579 the opportunity, 00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:07.319 have the 00:35:07.319 --> 00:35:08.519 possibility, 00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:09.619 that they 00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:10.339 can soil 00:35:10.339 --> 00:35:10.639 them. 00:35:12.879 --> 00:35:13.679 And their 00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:14.319 names will 00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:15.459 be indelibly 00:35:15.459 --> 00:35:16.699 put into 00:35:16.699 --> 00:35:17.119 the book 00:35:17.119 --> 00:35:17.759 of life. 00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:19.799 Verse 5. 00:35:20.719 --> 00:35:21.239 The book 00:35:21.239 --> 00:35:21.859 of life 00:35:21.859 --> 00:35:23.279 has a 00:35:23.279 --> 00:35:23.639 kind of 00:35:23.639 --> 00:35:24.179 long 00:35:24.179 --> 00:35:24.659 biblical 00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:25.359 history, 00:35:26.819 --> 00:35:28.039 and also 00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:30.519 is 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.039 mentioned 00:35:31.039 --> 00:35:31.639 a couple 00:35:31.639 --> 00:35:32.259 of times 00:35:32.259 --> 00:35:33.079 in the 00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:35.360 Revelation 00:35:35.360 --> 00:35:36.000 of St. 00:35:36.099 --> 00:35:36.380 John. 00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:38.559 It first 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.159 comes up 00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:40.000 in Scripture 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:42.460 in 00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:44.719 Exodus 00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:45.340 chapter 00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:46.320 32, 00:35:47.699 --> 00:35:48.239 and 00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:48.699 verses 00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:50.239 31 to 00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:50.980 33. 00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:53.059 So what's 00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:53.900 happened here 00:35:53.900 --> 00:35:54.579 is the 00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:55.019 people of 00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:55.360 God have 00:35:55.360 --> 00:35:55.739 just been 00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:56.239 found 00:35:56.239 --> 00:35:57.000 worshipping 00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:58.019 golden 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.559 images. 00:35:59.219 --> 00:35:59.780 So Moses 00:35:59.780 --> 00:36:01.039 said to 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:01.519 the people, 00:36:01.659 --> 00:36:01.860 you've 00:36:01.860 --> 00:36:02.420 committed a 00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:02.980 great sin, 00:36:03.059 --> 00:36:03.599 but now I 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:04.259 will go up 00:36:04.259 --> 00:36:04.579 to the 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:04.840 Lord. 00:36:05.259 --> 00:36:05.900 Perhaps I 00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:06.300 can make 00:36:06.300 --> 00:36:06.820 atonement 00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:07.159 for your 00:36:07.159 --> 00:36:07.360 sin. 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:08.159 So Moses 00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:09.679 went back 00:36:09.679 --> 00:36:10.019 to the 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:10.539 Lord and 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:10.920 said, 00:36:11.659 --> 00:36:12.119 oh what a 00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:12.719 great sin 00:36:12.719 --> 00:36:13.320 these people 00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:13.940 have committed. 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:14.800 They have 00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:15.559 made themselves 00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:16.259 gods of 00:36:16.259 --> 00:36:16.539 gold, 00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:17.079 but now 00:36:17.079 --> 00:36:17.539 please 00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:18.000 forgive 00:36:18.000 --> 00:36:18.679 their sin. 00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:19.579 But if 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:20.019 not, 00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:21.159 then block 00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:22.980 me out 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.679 of the 00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.480 book you 00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:24.739 have 00:36:24.739 --> 00:36:25.059 written. 00:36:25.059 --> 00:36:28.299 again 00:36:28.299 --> 00:36:29.019 comes up 00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.320 in 00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:29.940 Psalm 00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:31.320 139 00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:32.420 and 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:32.840 verse 00:36:32.840 --> 00:36:33.759 16. 00:36:35.599 --> 00:36:36.219 We 00:36:36.219 --> 00:36:36.559 read 00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:36.960 there. 00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:43.739 Sorry, 00:36:43.940 --> 00:36:44.460 let me get 00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:44.940 the light 00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:45.440 on this. 00:36:45.719 --> 00:36:45.920 Verse 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:46.539 16. 00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:49.420 Your eyes 00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:50.059 saw my 00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:50.679 unformed 00:36:50.679 --> 00:36:51.079 body. 00:36:51.239 --> 00:36:51.659 All the 00:36:51.659 --> 00:36:52.179 days 00:36:52.179 --> 00:36:52.920 ordained 00:36:52.920 --> 00:36:53.360 for me 00:36:53.360 --> 00:36:53.699 were 00:36:53.699 --> 00:36:54.000 written 00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.639 in your 00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:55.039 book 00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:56.019 before 00:36:56.019 --> 00:36:56.559 one of 00:36:56.559 --> 00:36:56.719 them 00:36:56.719 --> 00:36:57.059 came 00:36:57.059 --> 00:36:57.519 to be. 00:36:59.300 --> 00:36:59.739 I mean 00:36:59.739 --> 00:37:00.099 that's an 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:00.579 amazing 00:37:00.579 --> 00:37:01.039 verse, 00:37:01.139 --> 00:37:01.400 isn't it? 00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:01.619 You know, 00:37:01.659 --> 00:37:02.139 the days 00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:02.480 of our 00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:02.860 life 00:37:02.860 --> 00:37:03.659 are 00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:04.400 ordained 00:37:04.400 --> 00:37:05.159 from the 00:37:05.159 --> 00:37:05.800 moment we 00:37:05.800 --> 00:37:06.179 are being 00:37:06.179 --> 00:37:06.699 formed 00:37:06.699 --> 00:37:07.420 in our 00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:07.860 mother's 00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:08.119 womb. 00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:11.360 I know 00:37:11.360 --> 00:37:12.320 people who 00:37:12.320 --> 00:37:12.800 are 00:37:12.800 --> 00:37:14.599 absolutists 00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:15.099 on the 00:37:15.099 --> 00:37:15.519 theme of 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.559 abortion borrow 00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:17.019 on that 00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:18.420 verse very 00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:19.159 strongly to 00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:19.780 say that, 00:37:19.880 --> 00:37:20.099 you know, 00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:20.659 we should 00:37:20.659 --> 00:37:21.259 have far 00:37:21.259 --> 00:37:22.039 more respect 00:37:22.039 --> 00:37:22.960 for the 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:23.699 fetus because 00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:25.119 God is 00:37:25.119 --> 00:37:25.780 at work 00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:26.659 when the 00:37:26.659 --> 00:37:27.320 fetus is 00:37:27.320 --> 00:37:27.639 in the 00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:27.900 womb. 00:37:29.820 --> 00:37:30.380 I'm not 00:37:30.380 --> 00:37:30.840 trying to be 00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:31.619 controversial, 00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:32.199 I'm just 00:37:32.199 --> 00:37:33.400 explaining the 00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:33.840 way some 00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:34.519 people use 00:37:34.519 --> 00:37:35.019 the Bible. 00:37:35.219 --> 00:37:35.960 But the 00:37:35.960 --> 00:37:38.099 idea that 00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:38.699 there is a 00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:39.039 book, 00:37:39.699 --> 00:37:40.259 and of 00:37:40.259 --> 00:37:40.699 course the 00:37:40.699 --> 00:37:41.380 Calvinists 00:37:41.380 --> 00:37:42.059 love this, 00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:44.019 because, 00:37:44.340 --> 00:37:44.679 you know, 00:37:44.679 --> 00:37:45.259 their thing 00:37:45.259 --> 00:37:45.500 is, 00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:45.819 well, 00:37:45.960 --> 00:37:46.379 if our 00:37:46.379 --> 00:37:46.759 names are 00:37:46.759 --> 00:37:47.079 written in 00:37:47.079 --> 00:37:47.399 the book 00:37:47.399 --> 00:37:48.059 that early, 00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:49.859 it means 00:37:49.859 --> 00:37:50.319 we are 00:37:50.319 --> 00:37:51.139 predestined 00:37:51.139 --> 00:37:51.639 in some 00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:51.859 way. 00:37:51.980 --> 00:37:52.460 We are 00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:54.179 already in 00:37:54.179 --> 00:37:54.480 the book 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:55.039 of life. 00:37:57.159 --> 00:37:57.940 People in 00:37:57.940 --> 00:37:58.500 Sardis, 00:37:58.599 --> 00:37:58.879 it doesn't 00:37:58.879 --> 00:37:59.500 seem quite 00:37:59.500 --> 00:38:00.759 so straightforward 00:38:00.759 --> 00:38:01.500 for them, 00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:01.960 does it? 00:38:03.559 --> 00:38:04.039 Because 00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:04.799 they're told 00:38:04.799 --> 00:38:06.480 that only 00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:07.239 the faithful, 00:38:07.619 --> 00:38:08.159 only those 00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:08.699 who wear 00:38:08.699 --> 00:38:09.819 the white 00:38:09.819 --> 00:38:10.440 robes, 00:38:11.019 --> 00:38:12.719 will have 00:38:12.719 --> 00:38:13.319 their names 00:38:13.319 --> 00:38:14.059 indelibly 00:38:14.059 --> 00:38:14.939 written in 00:38:14.939 --> 00:38:15.259 the book 00:38:15.259 --> 00:38:15.879 of life. 00:38:18.359 --> 00:38:18.699 So, 00:38:20.239 --> 00:38:21.079 Sardis, 00:38:22.219 --> 00:38:23.000 a church 00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:24.159 that I 00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:24.779 find 00:38:24.779 --> 00:38:26.980 deeply 00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.619 challenging, 00:38:27.839 --> 00:38:28.480 because I 00:38:28.480 --> 00:38:29.019 think it 00:38:29.019 --> 00:38:29.759 speaks to 00:38:29.759 --> 00:38:30.399 the reality 00:38:30.399 --> 00:38:31.319 of a lot 00:38:31.319 --> 00:38:32.079 of churches 00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:32.980 in the 00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:33.319 Western 00:38:33.319 --> 00:38:33.919 world, 00:38:34.339 --> 00:38:34.759 in the 00:38:34.759 --> 00:38:35.579 21st 00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:36.079 century. 00:38:38.639 --> 00:38:39.059 In 00:38:39.059 --> 00:38:39.759 2000, 00:38:40.500 --> 00:38:41.179 I was 00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:41.679 asked to 00:38:41.679 --> 00:38:42.259 speak at 00:38:42.259 --> 00:38:43.000 the wonderful 00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:43.559 Keswick 00:38:43.559 --> 00:38:44.239 Convention, 00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:46.079 which 00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:47.059 interestingly 00:38:47.059 --> 00:38:47.779 takes place 00:38:47.779 --> 00:38:48.379 in Keswick. 00:38:50.500 --> 00:38:51.199 And I 00:38:51.199 --> 00:38:51.579 was asked 00:38:51.579 --> 00:38:51.960 to give 00:38:51.960 --> 00:38:52.399 what they 00:38:52.399 --> 00:38:52.659 rather 00:38:52.659 --> 00:38:53.519 grandiosely 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:55.059 call the 00:38:55.059 --> 00:38:55.599 millennial 00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:56.039 lecture. 00:38:57.559 --> 00:38:58.219 And I 00:38:58.219 --> 00:38:58.539 took as 00:38:58.539 --> 00:38:59.299 my theme 00:38:59.299 --> 00:39:00.699 why I 00:39:00.699 --> 00:39:01.259 weep 00:39:01.259 --> 00:39:01.739 for the 00:39:01.739 --> 00:39:02.179 church. 00:39:05.460 --> 00:39:06.019 And 00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:07.879 without 00:39:07.879 --> 00:39:08.419 repeating 00:39:08.419 --> 00:39:09.059 the lecture 00:39:09.059 --> 00:39:09.519 now, 00:39:10.199 --> 00:39:10.460 I mean, 00:39:10.539 --> 00:39:10.859 what I 00:39:10.859 --> 00:39:11.440 said was, 00:39:11.440 --> 00:39:11.679 you know, 00:39:11.760 --> 00:39:12.619 how the 00:39:12.619 --> 00:39:13.179 church in 00:39:13.179 --> 00:39:13.780 this country 00:39:13.780 --> 00:39:14.280 has had 00:39:14.280 --> 00:39:15.119 so much 00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:15.679 blessing, 00:39:16.720 --> 00:39:17.900 so much 00:39:17.900 --> 00:39:18.599 opportunity, 00:39:18.860 --> 00:39:19.340 so much 00:39:19.340 --> 00:39:19.700 church 00:39:19.700 --> 00:39:20.179 plants, 00:39:20.360 --> 00:39:20.920 so many 00:39:20.920 --> 00:39:21.599 ministers, 00:39:21.860 --> 00:39:22.000 so, 00:39:23.240 --> 00:39:23.940 and basically 00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.220 we're 00:39:24.220 --> 00:39:25.179 presiding 00:39:25.179 --> 00:39:26.159 over something 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:27.360 that is 00:39:27.360 --> 00:39:28.220 diminishing 00:39:28.220 --> 00:39:29.380 at high 00:39:29.380 --> 00:39:29.960 speed. 00:39:31.960 --> 00:39:32.659 Incidentally, 00:39:32.820 --> 00:39:33.480 you compare 00:39:33.480 --> 00:39:34.200 that with 00:39:34.200 --> 00:39:35.380 the church 00:39:35.380 --> 00:39:36.019 in America, 00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:38.280 which everybody 00:39:38.280 --> 00:39:38.980 thinks is a 00:39:38.980 --> 00:39:39.380 lot more 00:39:39.380 --> 00:39:39.740 robust, 00:39:39.800 --> 00:39:40.240 and certainly 00:39:40.240 --> 00:39:40.619 is more 00:39:40.619 --> 00:39:41.200 robust than 00:39:41.200 --> 00:39:41.660 we are 00:39:41.660 --> 00:39:42.220 in the 00:39:42.220 --> 00:39:42.539 United 00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:43.059 Kingdom, 00:39:43.300 --> 00:39:44.360 but it 00:39:44.360 --> 00:39:45.280 is declining 00:39:45.280 --> 00:39:45.860 at an 00:39:45.860 --> 00:39:46.820 alarming rate 00:39:46.820 --> 00:39:47.099 at the 00:39:47.099 --> 00:39:47.380 moment. 00:39:48.960 --> 00:39:49.380 I think I 00:39:49.380 --> 00:39:49.640 may have 00:39:49.640 --> 00:39:50.039 told you 00:39:50.039 --> 00:39:50.599 last week, 00:39:50.680 --> 00:39:51.119 I can't 00:39:51.119 --> 00:39:51.599 remember who 00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:51.960 I said 00:39:51.960 --> 00:39:52.519 this to, 00:39:53.180 --> 00:39:53.340 but 00:39:53.340 --> 00:39:56.440 four and a 00:39:56.440 --> 00:39:57.039 half thousand 00:39:57.039 --> 00:39:58.000 churches were 00:39:58.000 --> 00:39:58.760 closed in 00:39:58.760 --> 00:40:00.079 2022 in 00:40:00.079 --> 00:40:00.539 America. 00:40:02.260 --> 00:40:02.800 That's 00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:03.519 mitigated 00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:04.420 slightly by 00:40:04.420 --> 00:40:04.840 the fact 00:40:04.840 --> 00:40:06.139 that 3,500 00:40:06.139 --> 00:40:07.099 churches were 00:40:07.099 --> 00:40:07.619 started, 00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:09.840 but if you 00:40:09.840 --> 00:40:10.200 do the 00:40:10.200 --> 00:40:10.659 math, it 00:40:10.659 --> 00:40:11.079 works out 00:40:11.079 --> 00:40:11.740 to 28 00:40:11.740 --> 00:40:12.440 churches a 00:40:12.440 --> 00:40:12.940 day being 00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:13.400 closed. 00:40:15.240 --> 00:40:15.659 I mean, 00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:17.159 I would 00:40:17.159 --> 00:40:17.619 say that's 00:40:17.619 --> 00:40:17.980 enough, 00:40:18.059 --> 00:40:18.240 wouldn't 00:40:18.240 --> 00:40:18.420 you? 00:40:21.820 --> 00:40:22.340 So, 00:40:22.780 --> 00:40:23.840 I think 00:40:23.840 --> 00:40:24.440 this church 00:40:24.440 --> 00:40:25.159 has a lot 00:40:25.159 --> 00:40:25.960 to say to 00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:27.240 us, and 00:40:27.240 --> 00:40:27.940 I think 00:40:27.940 --> 00:40:29.340 that we 00:40:29.340 --> 00:40:29.920 really have 00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:30.599 to heed 00:40:30.599 --> 00:40:31.840 these warnings, 00:40:32.139 --> 00:40:34.880 these things 00:40:34.880 --> 00:40:36.240 that the 00:40:36.240 --> 00:40:37.119 risen Christ 00:40:37.119 --> 00:40:38.380 said to 00:40:38.380 --> 00:40:38.539 them. 00:40:38.700 --> 00:40:39.139 Waken 00:40:39.139 --> 00:40:39.539 up, 00:40:40.639 --> 00:40:41.099 strengthen 00:40:41.099 --> 00:40:42.019 what remains, 00:40:43.059 --> 00:40:43.519 remember 00:40:43.519 --> 00:40:44.780 that in 00:40:44.780 --> 00:40:45.400 this country 00:40:45.400 --> 00:40:45.780 we have 00:40:45.780 --> 00:40:46.380 been greatly 00:40:46.380 --> 00:40:46.940 blessed with 00:40:46.940 --> 00:40:47.500 the gospel 00:40:47.500 --> 00:40:49.380 since maybe 00:40:49.380 --> 00:40:50.119 as early as 00:40:50.119 --> 00:40:50.559 the fifth 00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:51.139 century, 00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:52.760 maybe earlier, 00:40:54.740 --> 00:40:55.740 and we 00:40:55.740 --> 00:40:56.420 mustn't be 00:40:56.420 --> 00:40:57.300 complacent, 00:40:58.059 --> 00:40:58.760 and we 00:40:58.760 --> 00:40:59.840 mustn't stand 00:40:59.840 --> 00:41:00.220 over, 00:41:00.579 --> 00:41:01.120 decline, 00:41:01.480 --> 00:41:02.059 feeling 00:41:02.059 --> 00:41:03.600 complacent, 00:41:03.740 --> 00:41:04.240 and oh, 00:41:04.280 --> 00:41:04.480 there's 00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:04.800 nothing. 00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:05.300 I mean, 00:41:05.559 --> 00:41:06.059 the number 00:41:06.059 --> 00:41:06.720 of times 00:41:06.720 --> 00:41:07.920 I went to 00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:08.660 churches and 00:41:08.660 --> 00:41:09.320 I said, 00:41:09.440 --> 00:41:09.640 you know, 00:41:09.720 --> 00:41:10.519 last time I 00:41:10.519 --> 00:41:10.860 was here, 00:41:10.940 --> 00:41:11.160 there seemed 00:41:11.160 --> 00:41:11.660 to be a lot 00:41:11.660 --> 00:41:12.280 more people 00:41:12.280 --> 00:41:12.660 here, 00:41:14.500 --> 00:41:15.440 and the 00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:16.120 church wardens 00:41:16.120 --> 00:41:16.519 said, 00:41:16.620 --> 00:41:16.860 well, 00:41:16.960 --> 00:41:17.519 we do what 00:41:17.519 --> 00:41:18.059 we do if 00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:18.360 they don't 00:41:18.360 --> 00:41:19.000 like it. 00:41:20.460 --> 00:41:20.900 Tough 00:41:20.900 --> 00:41:22.019 love. 00:41:24.059 --> 00:41:24.360 Is that 00:41:24.360 --> 00:41:25.100 really the 00:41:25.100 --> 00:41:25.800 mark of a 00:41:25.800 --> 00:41:26.480 healthy church? 00:41:26.559 --> 00:41:26.820 I don't 00:41:26.820 --> 00:41:27.440 think so. 00:41:28.940 --> 00:41:29.680 Wake up, 00:41:29.840 --> 00:41:31.059 strengthen 00:41:31.059 --> 00:41:32.180 what remains. 00:41:33.019 --> 00:41:33.440 Do your 00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:34.260 remembering of 00:41:34.260 --> 00:41:34.880 the blessings 00:41:34.880 --> 00:41:35.400 that God 00:41:35.400 --> 00:41:35.860 has given 00:41:35.860 --> 00:41:36.039 you, 00:41:36.120 --> 00:41:36.579 not with 00:41:36.579 --> 00:41:37.740 sentimentality, 00:41:39.539 --> 00:41:40.340 but in 00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:40.960 remembering 00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:42.000 that we 00:41:42.000 --> 00:41:42.600 might find 00:41:42.600 --> 00:41:43.420 courage for 00:41:43.420 --> 00:41:44.579 today and 00:41:44.579 --> 00:41:45.059 hope for 00:41:45.059 --> 00:41:45.480 tomorrow. 00:41:47.559 --> 00:41:48.440 And if we 00:41:48.440 --> 00:41:49.039 do that, 00:41:49.539 --> 00:41:50.079 says the 00:41:50.079 --> 00:41:50.840 risen Christ, 00:41:51.579 --> 00:41:52.420 you will 00:41:52.420 --> 00:41:53.420 know my 00:41:53.420 --> 00:41:54.120 presence. 00:41:55.620 --> 00:41:56.420 Maybe in 00:41:56.420 --> 00:41:56.960 new ways, 00:41:57.079 --> 00:41:57.660 maybe for the 00:41:57.659 --> 00:41:58.319 first time, 00:41:58.399 --> 00:41:59.099 wonderful when 00:41:59.099 --> 00:41:59.639 a church 00:41:59.639 --> 00:42:00.579 awakes, 00:42:00.719 --> 00:42:01.079 isn't it, 00:42:01.119 --> 00:42:01.679 and comes 00:42:01.679 --> 00:42:02.299 to life. 00:42:04.899 --> 00:42:05.460 So, 00:42:05.839 --> 00:42:07.259 just to 00:42:07.259 --> 00:42:08.139 recap very 00:42:08.139 --> 00:42:08.619 quickly, 00:42:09.019 --> 00:42:09.399 what have 00:42:09.399 --> 00:42:10.039 we learnt? 00:42:12.420 --> 00:42:12.980 We've 00:42:12.980 --> 00:42:14.259 learnt that 00:42:14.259 --> 00:42:16.379 Ephesus, 00:42:16.639 --> 00:42:17.639 doctrinal purity 00:42:17.639 --> 00:42:18.259 without love, 00:42:18.339 --> 00:42:19.019 is not what the 00:42:19.019 --> 00:42:19.639 risen Christ 00:42:19.639 --> 00:42:20.500 calls us to. 00:42:21.139 --> 00:42:21.799 Love without 00:42:21.799 --> 00:42:22.480 doctrinal 00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:23.159 understanding 00:42:23.159 --> 00:42:23.699 leaves the 00:42:23.699 --> 00:42:24.940 church undefended 00:42:24.940 --> 00:42:25.480 to those 00:42:25.480 --> 00:42:26.119 who prevail. 00:42:27.000 --> 00:42:27.679 We'll be 00:42:27.679 --> 00:42:28.480 given as a 00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:29.280 gift, not 00:42:29.280 --> 00:42:30.159 anything we 00:42:30.159 --> 00:42:30.639 can earn, 00:42:30.800 --> 00:42:31.740 eternal life. 00:42:33.380 --> 00:42:35.360 And Paul 00:42:35.360 --> 00:42:36.320 quite often 00:42:36.320 --> 00:42:37.260 uses the 00:42:37.260 --> 00:42:38.260 idea of 00:42:38.260 --> 00:42:39.039 keeping our 00:42:39.039 --> 00:42:40.039 eyes on the 00:42:40.039 --> 00:42:40.820 promises of 00:42:40.820 --> 00:42:41.260 God that 00:42:41.260 --> 00:42:41.619 will be 00:42:41.619 --> 00:42:42.380 realised in 00:42:42.380 --> 00:42:43.000 the future. 00:42:44.400 --> 00:42:45.039 Constantly 00:42:45.039 --> 00:42:45.860 molitor the 00:42:45.860 --> 00:42:46.860 balance between 00:42:46.860 --> 00:42:48.000 collusion and 00:42:48.000 --> 00:42:48.579 compromise. 00:42:48.840 --> 00:42:49.179 What a 00:42:49.179 --> 00:42:49.940 message that 00:42:49.940 --> 00:42:51.320 is to the 00:42:51.320 --> 00:42:52.380 21st century 00:42:52.380 --> 00:42:52.800 Western 00:42:52.800 --> 00:42:53.420 church. 00:42:53.420 --> 00:42:55.500 You can 00:42:55.500 --> 00:42:56.480 fool all of 00:42:56.480 --> 00:42:57.019 the people, 00:42:57.619 --> 00:42:58.059 but you 00:42:58.059 --> 00:42:58.760 can't fool 00:42:58.760 --> 00:42:59.240 God. 00:43:00.240 --> 00:43:00.900 Sardis. 00:43:02.760 --> 00:43:03.400 Avoid 00:43:03.400 --> 00:43:04.519 idolatry. 00:43:05.220 --> 00:43:05.920 Big deal 00:43:05.920 --> 00:43:06.559 in our 00:43:06.559 --> 00:43:07.000 culture. 00:43:08.059 --> 00:43:08.599 Be very 00:43:08.599 --> 00:43:09.240 careful with 00:43:09.240 --> 00:43:09.740 the slippery 00:43:09.740 --> 00:43:10.659 concept of 00:43:10.659 --> 00:43:11.180 tolerance. 00:43:11.740 --> 00:43:12.539 Good up to 00:43:12.539 --> 00:43:13.000 a point, 00:43:13.159 --> 00:43:13.820 but comes a 00:43:13.820 --> 00:43:14.800 point, it 00:43:14.800 --> 00:43:15.460 just becomes 00:43:15.460 --> 00:43:16.240 a total 00:43:16.240 --> 00:43:18.700 cop-out. 00:43:19.960 --> 00:43:21.200 Be honest 00:43:21.200 --> 00:43:22.400 about yourselves. 00:43:22.400 --> 00:43:23.420 it was the 00:43:23.420 --> 00:43:24.660 fault in 00:43:24.660 --> 00:43:25.579 Sardis, 00:43:25.760 --> 00:43:26.119 that they 00:43:26.119 --> 00:43:26.380 had a 00:43:26.380 --> 00:43:26.599 great 00:43:26.599 --> 00:43:27.300 reputation, 00:43:27.480 --> 00:43:27.760 but the 00:43:27.760 --> 00:43:28.460 risen Christ 00:43:28.460 --> 00:43:29.079 could see 00:43:29.079 --> 00:43:30.240 exactly what 00:43:30.240 --> 00:43:30.740 was going 00:43:30.740 --> 00:43:31.119 on. 00:43:32.440 --> 00:43:33.420 Focus on 00:43:33.420 --> 00:43:34.240 substance, 00:43:34.500 --> 00:43:35.320 not image. 00:43:35.320 --> 00:43:35.380 image. 00:43:38.380 --> 00:43:39.300 I think it 00:43:39.300 --> 00:43:39.780 would be far 00:43:39.780 --> 00:43:40.940 better if 00:43:40.940 --> 00:43:41.559 imagining 00:43:41.559 --> 00:43:42.320 that, you 00:43:42.320 --> 00:43:45.519 know, any 00:43:45.519 --> 00:43:46.240 amount of 00:43:46.240 --> 00:43:46.720 cosmetic 00:43:46.720 --> 00:43:47.740 surgery or 00:43:47.740 --> 00:43:48.720 makeup would 00:43:48.720 --> 00:43:49.200 make us 00:43:49.200 --> 00:43:49.780 beautiful. 00:43:50.260 --> 00:43:50.920 Instead of 00:43:50.920 --> 00:43:51.640 thinking about 00:43:51.640 --> 00:43:52.260 that when we 00:43:52.260 --> 00:43:52.760 stand in 00:43:52.760 --> 00:43:53.260 front of a 00:43:53.260 --> 00:43:53.900 mirror, maybe 00:43:53.900 --> 00:43:54.320 it would be 00:43:54.320 --> 00:43:56.280 better for us 00:43:56.280 --> 00:43:57.080 to just remind 00:43:57.080 --> 00:43:57.860 ourselves when 00:43:57.860 --> 00:43:58.620 we stand in 00:43:58.620 --> 00:43:59.140 front of a 00:43:59.140 --> 00:44:00.340 mirror, I 00:44:00.340 --> 00:44:01.519 am fearfully 00:44:01.519 --> 00:44:02.740 and wonderfully 00:44:02.740 --> 00:44:05.100 made by the 00:44:05.099 --> 00:44:05.460 God who 00:44:05.460 --> 00:44:06.039 loves me. 00:44:06.039 --> 00:44:06.099 Amen.