WEBVTT 00:00:00.700 --> 00:00:02.780 Thank you very much, Jamie and the band. 00:00:03.140 --> 00:00:04.120 And welcome, everyone. 00:00:04.339 --> 00:00:05.839 Let me add to Graham's welcome this morning. 00:00:05.900 --> 00:00:06.740 It's great to have you here. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:07.419 Why don't we pray? 00:00:08.339 --> 00:00:10.700 Father God, as we approach your word, 00:00:11.400 --> 00:00:13.859 will you open our hearts and minds 00:00:13.859 --> 00:00:15.519 to what you have to say to us? 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:18.859 And Lord Jesus, as we think of you 00:00:18.859 --> 00:00:23.199 as the speaker to this church so long ago, 00:00:24.100 --> 00:00:26.800 will you give us a bigger view of who you are, Jesus? 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:32.100 And let us listen to your voice to us today. 00:00:32.880 --> 00:00:33.359 Amen. 00:00:36.719 --> 00:00:37.780 So as Graham mentioned, 00:00:37.859 --> 00:00:41.120 we're continuing to look at these letters to the churches. 00:00:41.240 --> 00:00:42.620 You've got mail, we're halfway through, 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:45.519 and we're looking at the message to the church in Thyatira. 00:00:45.820 --> 00:00:51.140 You'll find it in Revelation chapter 2 and verses 18 to 29. 00:00:51.620 --> 00:00:53.740 And if you can get hold of a Bible, 00:00:53.900 --> 00:00:56.359 please get hold of one or see it on your phone or whatever. 00:00:56.799 --> 00:00:59.539 Revelation 2, 18 to 29. 00:00:59.699 --> 00:01:01.039 Let's read it together now. 00:01:01.979 --> 00:01:05.399 To the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 00:01:05.920 --> 00:01:08.979 these are the words of the Son of God, 00:01:10.019 --> 00:01:13.060 whose eyes are like blazing fire 00:01:13.060 --> 00:01:16.879 and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:20.780 I know your deeds, 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:23.640 your love and faith, 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:26.500 your service and perseverance, 00:01:27.199 --> 00:01:30.299 and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:33.899 Nevertheless, I have this against you. 00:01:34.899 --> 00:01:37.359 You tolerate that woman Jezebel, 00:01:37.539 --> 00:01:39.699 who calls herself a prophet. 00:01:39.700 --> 00:01:41.480 By her teaching, 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:45.060 she misleads my servants into sexual immorality 00:01:45.060 --> 00:01:48.379 and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 00:01:49.260 --> 00:01:52.760 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:54.340 but she is unwilling. 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:57.300 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, 00:01:57.879 --> 00:02:00.939 and I will make those who commit adultery with her 00:02:00.939 --> 00:02:05.140 suffer intensely unless they repent of her ways. 00:02:05.140 --> 00:02:08.180 I will strike her children dead. 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:10.740 Then all the churches will know 00:02:10.740 --> 00:02:14.340 that I am he who searches hearts and minds, 00:02:14.580 --> 00:02:18.099 and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:21.879 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, 00:02:22.219 --> 00:02:24.780 to you who do not hold to her teaching 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:28.479 and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:31.460 I will not impose any other burden on you 00:02:31.460 --> 00:02:35.360 except to hold on to what you have until I come. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:39.860 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:42.240 I will give authority over the nations. 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:46.260 That one will rule them with an iron scepter 00:02:46.260 --> 00:02:48.700 and will dash them to pieces like pottery, 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:52.400 just as I have received authority from my Father. 00:02:53.460 --> 00:02:57.120 I will also give that one the morning star. 00:02:58.060 --> 00:02:59.060 Whoever has ears, 00:02:59.060 --> 00:03:03.840 let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:08.500 And it's been my prayer as I've read and prepared for this over recent days 00:03:08.500 --> 00:03:11.840 that quite simply God would have something to say to each of us. 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:15.640 And that as that passage finishes by saying those who have ears, 00:03:15.980 --> 00:03:18.280 let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:03:18.480 --> 00:03:20.840 So we would be discerning of what God 00:03:20.840 --> 00:03:23.460 and God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:26.219 have to say to us this morning as individuals, 00:03:26.219 --> 00:03:30.460 perhaps as families and also as a church today. 00:03:30.740 --> 00:03:37.199 My title for Thyatira is that Thyatira is both committed and compromised. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:42.159 I wonder if it seems often that we would have to either be one or the other. 00:03:42.639 --> 00:03:48.379 And so either you'd be expecting to be hearing about those who are fully committed 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:52.439 or those who are in some ways at compromise, 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:54.740 those who are no longer following Jesus. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:57.500 But Thyatira is an interesting church 00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:02.159 because it seems that they are both committed to following Jesus, 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:09.099 but they are also living in a way which for many of them amounts to compromise. 00:04:09.300 --> 00:04:10.800 And so that's my challenge. 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:13.139 It's been a challenge to my own heart this week 00:04:13.139 --> 00:04:15.979 about whether it's quite possible for me as an individual 00:04:15.979 --> 00:04:18.639 and for us as a church not to desert the faith. 00:04:18.740 --> 00:04:20.419 That's not what this church had done. 00:04:20.719 --> 00:04:22.019 They were still carrying on. 00:04:22.339 --> 00:04:24.279 And at least superficially and externally, 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:25.979 they appeared utterly committed. 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:28.919 But yet the Spirit, Lord Jesus himself, 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:30.680 speaks to that church and says, 00:04:30.979 --> 00:04:32.539 I commend you for your commitment, 00:04:32.860 --> 00:04:35.959 but I look and I also see real compromise. 00:04:36.479 --> 00:04:37.539 So we want to get into that. 00:04:37.620 --> 00:04:39.199 And in three very simple sections, 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:41.079 I want to look first of all at the speaker 00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:45.219 because I think it's important that we try to understand more 00:04:45.219 --> 00:04:47.120 about who is speaking to this church 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:49.519 and how he describes himself. 00:04:49.919 --> 00:04:51.439 I want to look at their situation 00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:55.000 and I want to look at the solution to that situation. 00:04:55.099 --> 00:04:57.360 So first of all, the speaker here. 00:04:57.360 --> 00:05:01.459 And my question as I've reflected on the speaker 00:05:01.459 --> 00:05:07.159 is whether my view of Jesus is far too small. 00:05:08.219 --> 00:05:10.479 And it's my question of you today as well. 00:05:10.480 --> 00:05:12.620 As you look at Revelation chapter 2 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:15.740 and look at this and look at how the speaker, 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:19.040 Jesus himself, describes himself. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:24.920 I wonder if we've made our view of Jesus far too small. 00:05:25.060 --> 00:05:27.580 Let's look back to chapter 1 so we get the context. 00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:31.220 Chapter 1, we also have a revelation of Jesus. 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:34.780 Verse 5, Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:36.520 the firstborn from the dead 00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:38.319 and the ruler of the kings of the earth, 00:05:38.519 --> 00:05:39.939 to him who loves us 00:05:39.939 --> 00:05:43.379 and has freed us from our sins by his blood 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:45.579 and has made us to be a kingdom and priest 00:05:45.579 --> 00:05:47.240 to serve his God and Father, 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:50.459 to him be glory and power forever and ever. 00:05:50.659 --> 00:05:50.919 Amen. 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:52.580 So there's that revelation of Jesus 00:05:52.580 --> 00:05:56.060 as he's described as the faithful witness, 00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:57.660 the firstborn from the dead, 00:05:57.879 --> 00:05:59.460 the ruler of the kings of the earth, 00:05:59.540 --> 00:06:04.080 and crucially as he's described as him who loves us 00:06:04.080 --> 00:06:08.060 and has freed us from our sins by his blood. 00:06:08.060 --> 00:06:09.560 I want us to take a few minutes 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:13.060 to recapture perhaps for some of us 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:16.200 a real picture of who Jesus is 00:06:16.200 --> 00:06:18.220 as the speaker here this morning. 00:06:18.220 --> 00:06:20.620 He is the one who loves us 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:22.120 and if we're following him, 00:06:22.280 --> 00:06:25.880 he is the one who has freed us from our sins 00:06:25.880 --> 00:06:27.820 by his blood. 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:33.740 But specifically, what aspects of his person 00:06:33.740 --> 00:06:36.960 does he emphasize to the church at Thyatira? 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:39.940 Well, look at chapter 2, verse 18. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:40.420 He says, 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:41.880 The words of the Son of God, 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:45.240 whose eyes are like blazing fire. 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:46.379 So we hear about his eyes, 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:50.060 whose feet are like burnished bronze. 00:06:50.400 --> 00:06:51.900 Still in verse 18. 00:06:52.220 --> 00:06:52.819 Verse 19, 00:06:52.939 --> 00:06:54.560 I know your deeds, 00:06:54.960 --> 00:06:56.139 your love and faith, 00:06:56.420 --> 00:06:57.680 your service and perseverance. 00:06:58.040 --> 00:06:59.060 So we know about his, 00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:00.519 we hear about his mind, 00:07:00.840 --> 00:07:01.780 his knowledge, 00:07:02.259 --> 00:07:03.280 not only his eyes, 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:04.519 not only his feet, 00:07:04.660 --> 00:07:05.920 but also his knowledge, 00:07:06.019 --> 00:07:06.480 his mind. 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:08.660 I know your deeds. 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:11.660 And then we hear more about who he is 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:12.580 and what he's doing. 00:07:12.580 --> 00:07:15.700 And when we look on to verse 23, 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:16.400 where he says, 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:22.280 I am he who searches hearts and minds. 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:26.820 So something there about his eyes, 00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:28.940 something about his feet, 00:07:29.860 --> 00:07:31.260 something about his mind, 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:33.540 and something about his activity 00:07:33.540 --> 00:07:37.860 as he searches hearts and minds. 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:41.699 I wonder if we've grasped 00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:43.960 and continue to grasp 00:07:43.960 --> 00:07:46.540 that Jesus sees us, 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:49.020 knows us, 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:52.460 he sees us, 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:54.100 he knows us. 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:55.879 Do we, 00:07:56.120 --> 00:07:57.379 it seems such a basic truth, 00:07:57.439 --> 00:07:57.860 doesn't it? 00:07:57.920 --> 00:07:58.280 It's, 00:07:58.439 --> 00:07:58.939 and maybe, 00:07:59.160 --> 00:08:00.960 maybe you've got a greater awareness of it 00:08:00.960 --> 00:08:01.600 than I have, 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:03.020 but I've just reminded myself 00:08:03.020 --> 00:08:05.879 as I've looked at this passage time and again, 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:06.360 Jesus, 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:08.100 you're the one who sees me 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:09.680 and who knows me. 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:11.980 I wonder if we look at our own limited vision 00:08:11.980 --> 00:08:13.079 and our own eyes 00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:14.600 and how little we can see. 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:17.139 Most of us can see around 00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:18.360 everybody who's in the room, 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:20.079 but we certainly can't see what's going on 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:22.019 in the houses across the road even. 00:08:22.420 --> 00:08:23.639 And our vision is so, 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:25.300 so limited as human beings 00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:26.899 that does that in some way 00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:28.920 cause us to have a limited sense 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:29.759 of what it means 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:31.159 when Jesus says, 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:32.320 I see you 00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:34.700 and I know you. 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:36.759 Have some of you been to see 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:38.400 the great new film, 00:08:38.540 --> 00:08:39.259 Finding Dory, 00:08:39.540 --> 00:08:39.860 yet? 00:08:40.680 --> 00:08:42.740 I'm not seeing a sea of hands. 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:43.640 Some of you have been, 00:08:43.660 --> 00:08:44.220 I'm glad to see, 00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:46.020 one or two of you have been to Finding Dory. 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:46.440 Well, 00:08:46.560 --> 00:08:47.800 I apologise if any of you 00:08:47.800 --> 00:08:49.540 are marine scientists here today. 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:50.040 I'm not, 00:08:50.259 --> 00:08:51.520 but I learned something 00:08:51.520 --> 00:08:53.700 about the ability of whales 00:08:53.700 --> 00:08:56.080 from watching the film, 00:08:56.300 --> 00:08:57.240 Finding Dory, 00:08:57.320 --> 00:08:58.259 because it tells us 00:08:58.259 --> 00:08:59.920 quite a bit about echolocation 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:01.620 and the fact that whales 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:02.579 have got skills 00:09:02.579 --> 00:09:04.579 to sense what is going on, 00:09:04.779 --> 00:09:07.179 potentially miles away in the ocean, 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:08.839 much greater skills 00:09:08.839 --> 00:09:10.839 than we would have on earth 00:09:10.839 --> 00:09:12.019 or if we were in the sea. 00:09:12.439 --> 00:09:13.719 And according to Finding Dory, 00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:15.659 and I'm sure the very accurate science 00:09:15.659 --> 00:09:16.539 portrayed therein, 00:09:16.819 --> 00:09:18.759 those whales can detect 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:20.439 even the slightest movement 00:09:20.439 --> 00:09:22.899 miles away in the ocean, 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:24.559 thanks to that great ability 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:26.240 they have of echolocation. 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:28.019 Or think about eyes 00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:29.200 of some of the animals. 00:09:29.639 --> 00:09:30.940 Think about the eyes of a hawk, 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:31.639 which I understand 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:34.139 flying at 1,500 feet 00:09:34.139 --> 00:09:36.860 could detect a rat or a mouse 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:37.960 down on the ground 00:09:37.960 --> 00:09:39.399 and could swoop down 00:09:39.399 --> 00:09:41.440 at 100 miles an hour, 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:42.960 maintaining its focus 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:44.820 on that rat the whole way 00:09:44.820 --> 00:09:46.419 in order to grasp it 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:48.519 and have it for supper. 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:50.840 So even in the animal kingdom, 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:52.100 there are animals, 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:55.019 creatures of our God 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.399 which have got abilities 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.799 to see and to sense 00:09:57.799 --> 00:09:59.779 way, way, way greater 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:02.199 than ours can ever be. 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:04.059 And why is it then 00:10:04.059 --> 00:10:05.480 that I suppose we sometimes 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:07.059 have got such a limited, 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:09.120 narrow view of Jesus, 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:10.120 somehow or other, 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:12.319 making him in our own image 00:10:12.319 --> 00:10:14.039 and thinking that we can live life 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:16.019 in some ways away from his gates? 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:18.039 Because I suspect 00:10:18.039 --> 00:10:18.799 if you're anything like me, 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:20.199 that's how we sometimes 00:10:20.199 --> 00:10:22.139 seem to act. 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:24.159 Jesus says, 00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:26.720 he sees us 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:28.259 and he knows us. 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:29.399 Of course, 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:30.639 our knowledge 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:31.559 and our sight 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:32.980 is so imperfect, 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:33.919 not just physically, 00:10:34.299 --> 00:10:35.519 but in terms of our ability 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:36.220 to discern 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.360 what is right, 00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:38.379 in terms of our ability 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:39.379 to work out 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:40.480 how we should live, 00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:41.639 in terms of our ability 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:43.220 to make good judgments. 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:44.220 We read about that 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:46.679 in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:47.580 where we read that 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:48.439 now we see 00:10:48.439 --> 00:10:49.879 only a reflection 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:50.860 as in a mirror, 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:52.259 then we shall see 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:53.419 face to face. 00:10:53.639 --> 00:10:54.419 Now I know 00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:55.419 only in part, 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:56.980 then I shall know fully 00:10:56.980 --> 00:10:59.139 even as I am fully known. 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:01.019 And perhaps this morning 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:02.320 we can come to Jesus 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:04.080 and can acknowledge 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:05.620 his perfect sight 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:07.300 and perfect knowledge 00:11:07.300 --> 00:11:08.700 and acknowledge 00:11:08.700 --> 00:11:10.720 our great imperfections 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:11.159 and therefore 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:12.399 our utter dependence 00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:13.120 on him 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:15.779 for him to guide us, 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:16.700 for him to lead us, 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:17.820 for him to show us 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:18.940 how to live. 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:20.480 I've been particularly struck 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:22.580 by the need for that 00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:24.160 as I've done a bit of reading 00:11:24.160 --> 00:11:24.960 this week 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:26.360 into the views of 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:28.060 those who claim 00:11:28.060 --> 00:11:29.060 to follow Jesus 00:11:29.060 --> 00:11:30.460 in America 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:32.140 and who are pronouncing 00:11:32.140 --> 00:11:33.780 somewhat diametrically 00:11:33.780 --> 00:11:34.640 opposed views 00:11:34.640 --> 00:11:35.580 on who 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:36.680 the US 00:11:36.680 --> 00:11:37.460 country, 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:38.240 the country of US 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.440 should vote for 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:40.860 come the US election. 00:11:40.900 --> 00:11:41.740 Isn't it remarkable 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:43.000 that you can read 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.420 impassioned, 00:11:44.900 --> 00:11:45.520 in some ways 00:11:45.520 --> 00:11:46.720 well argued 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:47.600 and thought out 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:48.379 arguments 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:49.379 from Christians 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:50.279 as to why 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.360 it's absolutely 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:52.200 essential 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:53.060 that you vote 00:11:53.060 --> 00:11:53.600 for Trump 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:55.000 or why voting 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:55.460 for Trump 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:55.960 would be an 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:57.320 absolutely heretical 00:11:57.320 --> 00:11:58.139 thing to do 00:11:58.139 --> 00:11:59.580 and certainly 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:00.500 I've read both of them 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:00.920 and thought 00:12:00.920 --> 00:12:01.720 yep you've got some 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:02.960 quite strong arguments 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:03.660 both ways. 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:04.480 I'm happy to discuss 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.139 later which ones 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.120 I found the most compelling 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:07.820 but certainly 00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:08.740 it's just brought home 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.220 to me again 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:10.060 our incredibly 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:11.060 limited sight, 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.240 our incredibly 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:13.639 limited vision 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:14.580 and I trust 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:15.620 causes us 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.799 to turn all the more 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:17.639 to Jesus 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:18.980 as the only one 00:12:18.980 --> 00:12:19.720 who sees 00:12:19.720 --> 00:12:20.639 and knows 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:21.679 and searches 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:22.399 our hearts 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:22.860 and minds. 00:12:22.939 --> 00:12:23.779 Will we invite him 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:24.319 this morning 00:12:24.319 --> 00:12:25.559 to say Jesus 00:12:25.559 --> 00:12:27.600 I'm glad that you see me 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:29.100 I'm glad that you know me 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:30.399 I'm glad that despite 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:31.399 all that you see 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:32.379 you love me 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:33.360 I'm glad 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.379 that you have 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:34.980 freed me 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:35.699 and forgive me 00:12:35.699 --> 00:12:36.759 from my sins 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:37.819 through your blood 00:12:37.819 --> 00:12:39.220 and I invite you now 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:40.120 to search me 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:40.860 to know me 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:42.100 to try me 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:42.679 and see 00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:45.419 and to work 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:46.239 in my life 00:12:46.239 --> 00:12:47.579 and to conform me 00:12:47.579 --> 00:12:48.859 more to your image. 00:12:48.939 --> 00:12:49.620 I pray that that might 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.319 be our attitude 00:12:50.319 --> 00:12:51.559 to the great Lord 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:52.399 Jesus Christ 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:53.419 this morning. 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:55.120 So he sees 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:55.539 he knows 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:56.379 and he looks at this 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:57.859 church in Thyatira 00:12:57.859 --> 00:12:58.779 with his eyes 00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:00.239 of blazing fire 00:13:00.239 --> 00:13:01.239 with his feet 00:13:01.239 --> 00:13:02.439 of burnished bronze 00:13:02.439 --> 00:13:03.199 speaking I think 00:13:03.199 --> 00:13:04.419 of his strength 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:05.739 and his control 00:13:05.739 --> 00:13:07.000 and says 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:08.259 I've got some really 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:10.379 some really great words 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:11.419 of commendation 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:11.959 for you 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:13.220 I know your deeds 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:14.100 your love 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:14.940 your faith 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:15.720 your service 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:16.780 your perseverance 00:13:16.780 --> 00:13:17.980 and that you're doing 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:18.580 more than you did 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:19.019 at first 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:19.840 those hearing it 00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:20.900 must have been thinking 00:13:20.900 --> 00:13:22.120 this is fantastic 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:24.440 Jesus is looking at us 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:25.400 with his perfect vision 00:13:25.400 --> 00:13:26.480 and he's seeing 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:27.860 all of this great stuff 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:28.680 that we're doing 00:13:28.680 --> 00:13:30.160 now Jesus is seeing us 00:13:30.160 --> 00:13:30.900 today as well 00:13:30.900 --> 00:13:32.100 and I'm sure 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.120 as he looks down 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.440 on this 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:36.120 gathering of 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.600 followers of Jesus 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.680 all in different 00:13:38.680 --> 00:13:39.280 situations 00:13:39.280 --> 00:13:39.840 he looks 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:40.340 and maybe 00:13:40.340 --> 00:13:41.060 for some 00:13:41.060 --> 00:13:41.899 the word 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:42.340 to you 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:42.820 today 00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:43.780 is simply 00:13:43.780 --> 00:13:44.300 that Jesus 00:13:44.300 --> 00:13:45.060 sees 00:13:45.060 --> 00:13:46.860 your perseverance 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:49.660 maybe it's just 00:13:49.660 --> 00:13:50.200 that Jesus 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:51.120 sees the fact 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:52.080 that you're still 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:52.980 clinging on 00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:54.540 and he wants 00:13:54.540 --> 00:13:55.540 to commend you 00:13:55.540 --> 00:13:56.240 for still 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.019 hanging on 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:58.100 I see 00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:59.340 your perseverance 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:01.120 I see the difficulties 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:01.780 that you've been 00:14:01.780 --> 00:14:02.560 subjected to 00:14:02.560 --> 00:14:03.360 I know 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:03.980 intimately 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:04.700 all about the 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:05.100 difficulties 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:05.500 of your 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.820 family life 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:07.760 about all 00:14:07.760 --> 00:14:08.080 that's going 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:08.500 on in your 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.040 work 00:14:09.040 --> 00:14:09.720 about all 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:10.060 that's going 00:14:10.060 --> 00:14:10.420 on in your 00:14:10.420 --> 00:14:11.060 own heart 00:14:11.060 --> 00:14:11.480 about your 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:12.240 ill health 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:13.240 about financial 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:13.640 worries 00:14:13.640 --> 00:14:14.100 and you're 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:15.120 persevering 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:15.940 you've chosen 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:16.780 to come here 00:14:16.780 --> 00:14:17.160 today 00:14:17.160 --> 00:14:18.280 once again 00:14:18.280 --> 00:14:18.680 to meet 00:14:18.680 --> 00:14:19.160 with God's 00:14:19.160 --> 00:14:19.360 people 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.100 you're not 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:20.620 giving up 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.040 you're 00:14:21.040 --> 00:14:21.940 hanging on 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:22.879 I see it 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:23.660 and I commend 00:14:23.660 --> 00:14:24.840 you for your 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:25.480 perseverance 00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:26.260 take that word 00:14:26.260 --> 00:14:26.920 of encouragement 00:14:26.920 --> 00:14:28.260 if that's for you 00:14:28.260 --> 00:14:29.040 this morning 00:14:29.040 --> 00:14:29.800 maybe for others 00:14:29.800 --> 00:14:30.160 you've done 00:14:30.160 --> 00:14:30.640 more than 00:14:30.640 --> 00:14:31.180 persevere 00:14:31.180 --> 00:14:31.940 maybe your 00:14:31.940 --> 00:14:32.780 life this week 00:14:32.780 --> 00:14:33.380 has been full 00:14:33.380 --> 00:14:33.900 of deeds 00:14:33.900 --> 00:14:34.620 love 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.280 faith 00:14:35.280 --> 00:14:36.040 and service 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:36.679 in which case 00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:37.659 Jesus sees it 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:38.299 and he knows it 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:39.099 maybe some of you 00:14:39.099 --> 00:14:39.759 are gearing up 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.559 for a busy 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:41.219 busy week 00:14:41.219 --> 00:14:42.099 with the holiday 00:14:42.099 --> 00:14:43.240 club at Brunsfield 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.519 and again a word 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:45.139 of encouragement 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:45.659 for you 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.899 Jesus sees 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:47.639 what you're doing 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.699 he sees 00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:49.959 and appreciates 00:14:49.959 --> 00:14:50.919 your love 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:52.139 your faith 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:53.120 your deeds 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:54.399 and your perseverance 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.779 and he assures you 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.599 this morning 00:14:56.599 --> 00:14:57.500 no matter what may 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:57.899 happen 00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.839 no matter what 00:14:58.839 --> 00:14:59.519 physical 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.539 or immediate 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:01.500 results you may 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:02.139 see from that 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.839 holiday club 00:15:02.839 --> 00:15:03.919 he assures you 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.539 through his word 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:05.919 1 Corinthians 15 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:06.679 58 00:15:06.679 --> 00:15:07.879 let nothing 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.519 move you 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.699 give yourselves 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:10.839 fully to the work 00:15:10.839 --> 00:15:11.360 of the Lord 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.779 because your labour 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.479 in the Lord 00:15:13.479 --> 00:15:14.479 is not 00:15:14.479 --> 00:15:15.779 in vain 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:17.000 it's never in vain 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.360 it's never wasted 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:19.439 you're never laboring 00:15:19.439 --> 00:15:20.099 for the Lord 00:15:20.099 --> 00:15:21.419 for no reward 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:22.579 or for no reason 00:15:22.579 --> 00:15:23.419 it's not 00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:24.219 in vain 00:15:24.219 --> 00:15:25.199 so folks 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:25.620 those of you 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.339 the great team 00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:26.679 that will be 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.699 assembling this week 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:28.839 throw yourselves 00:15:28.839 --> 00:15:29.679 wholeheartedly 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:30.439 into that work 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:32.099 not serving the kids 00:15:32.099 --> 00:15:33.059 first and foremost 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:34.620 but serving the Lord 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.600 knowing 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:37.179 knowing for sure 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:38.539 that it is not 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:39.419 in vain 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:41.080 so that's the situation 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:41.840 that we see 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.919 in Thyatira 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:43.679 but of course 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:45.360 there is a very big 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.480 but coming 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.419 in terms of what 00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:48.200 Jesus sees 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.179 and verse 20 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:49.460 says 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.259 nevertheless I have 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:51.060 this against you 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:52.019 you tolerate 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:52.940 that woman 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.600 Jezebel 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:54.919 who is not 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:55.419 leading 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:56.600 she is 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.679 misleading 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:59.399 and we see here 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.259 a real challenge 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:01.100 about those who are 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:01.840 not leading 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:02.500 effectively 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.379 but who are 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.259 misleading 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.259 so what's going on 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:05.480 here 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.820 what's going on 00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:07.580 in this church 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:09.120 at face value 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.060 all that we're told 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:10.680 is that a woman 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:11.240 Jezebel 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:12.720 has come into the church 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.860 she's calling herself 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.379 a prophet 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.519 and she's misleading 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.120 servants 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:17.700 into sexual immorality 00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:18.960 and the eating of food 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:20.340 sacrificed to idols 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.220 she's been given 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.080 time to repent 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:22.960 she's unwilling 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:24.040 and she's about to be 00:16:24.040 --> 00:16:25.320 cast on a bed of suffering 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:26.340 and those committing 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.220 adultery with her 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:27.940 are also going to 00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:29.120 suffer intensely 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.220 we need to understand 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:30.639 a little bit more 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.360 about the context 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:31.799 I think 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:33.379 to fully 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.720 get to grips 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.519 with what's going on 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:35.740 here 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.319 so first of all 00:16:36.319 --> 00:16:36.819 Jezebel 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:37.879 rings bells 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:38.299 I'm sure 00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:38.779 for many 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.419 Jezebel 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.740 was the wife 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.600 of Ahab 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.340 we read about her 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.159 in 1 Kings 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:43.960 one of the most 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:44.639 wicked women 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.819 who had ever lived 00:16:45.819 --> 00:16:47.240 and she was a woman 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:48.199 who not only 00:16:48.199 --> 00:16:49.399 terrorised the prophet 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:49.899 Elijah 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.299 you remember 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:51.679 after his great victory 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:52.620 in Mount Carmel 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:54.139 Jezebel was the one 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:55.179 who got a message 00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:55.659 to Elijah 00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:55.919 to say 00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:57.139 I'm going to have you dead 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:58.519 and we saw Elijah 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.700 running for his life 00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:00.980 a trembling wreck 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:02.600 thanks to the power 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.960 and fear 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:05.059 that Jezebel 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.140 could conjure up 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:07.120 but particularly 00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:07.740 interestingly 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.660 is that Jezebel 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.220 it seems 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:10.039 from what we read 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:10.759 in 1 Kings 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:12.140 didn't necessarily 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:13.360 say to the Jews 00:17:13.360 --> 00:17:14.319 you must stop 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:15.340 worshipping your God 00:17:15.340 --> 00:17:15.980 no no 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:16.880 it's okay 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:18.460 you can continue 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.500 worshipping your God 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.240 but also 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.640 here's a whole heap 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:23.200 of idols 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.779 the prophets 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.559 the Baals 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.579 you should worship 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.279 them too 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:28.920 and so she introduced 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:30.200 idolatrous 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:30.720 worshipping 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.839 worshipping practices 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:33.500 to the people of God 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.039 and we read about 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:35.000 the hundreds of Baals 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.220 and idols 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:37.500 that she introduced 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.539 and so I'm not sure 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.599 there necessarily was 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.740 a literal Jezebel 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.599 maybe that was 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.480 or was not 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.759 the name of those 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.639 who were misleading 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.960 the people in Thyatira 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.740 it doesn't really matter 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.440 but I think we're being 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:47.819 encouraged 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:49.059 to think back 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:50.279 to the characteristics 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.819 of that woman Jezebel 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:53.139 who has come along 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:54.659 and has done similar things 00:17:54.659 --> 00:17:56.299 to this church in Thyatira 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:57.579 what was their situation 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:59.099 well they were in a town 00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.639 which we don't know 00:17:59.639 --> 00:18:00.460 an awful lot about 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.379 but we do know 00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:02.000 that they had lots 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.059 and lots of trades 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:04.939 do you remember 00:18:04.939 --> 00:18:06.399 the story of Lydia 00:18:06.399 --> 00:18:08.359 Lydia the seller of purple 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.859 well she was from Thyatira 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:11.399 so Lydia was a woman 00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:11.939 incidentally 00:18:11.939 --> 00:18:12.899 who could hardly stand 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:14.379 in sharper contrast 00:18:14.379 --> 00:18:15.200 to Jezebel 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:15.759 if you want to do 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.599 a wee character study 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.240 between the two 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.779 but Lydia was the seller 00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:19.240 of purple 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:20.519 who had come from Thyatira 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.799 so her trade was in cloth 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:23.859 and in dyeing cloths 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:24.960 and equally we understand 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.460 there were people 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:26.480 who dealt in copper 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.619 in bronze 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:29.259 in other fabrics 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.119 in leather 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:31.619 and in that town 00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:33.180 in order to succeed 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:34.079 in business 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.220 it seems as though 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.200 you had to be part 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.159 of some of the very 00:18:37.159 --> 00:18:38.940 powerful trade guilds 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:40.359 effectively the unions 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:41.960 for the particular 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:43.119 types of employment 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:44.480 that you were dealing with 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:46.159 and associated with 00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:46.680 those unions 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.700 was a whole lifestyle 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:49.299 it wasn't that 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:50.119 you just had to 00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:51.480 be there to try 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:53.039 and purely help 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.799 with the trading 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.920 of those goods 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:55.900 but rather it was 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:57.200 a whole lifestyle thing 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:58.220 and there were all sorts 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.000 of rituals 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:01.019 there does seem 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.539 as though 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:03.059 within those unions 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:03.700 there would be 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.740 all sorts of 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:06.819 deviant sexual practices 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.519 going on 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.500 and indeed 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.059 there would be 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:10.240 idolatrous worship 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.220 and the eating of foods 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.880 offered to these idols 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.920 and the Christians 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:14.860 in that church 00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:16.140 had heard clearly 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:17.000 the word of God 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:18.279 as it had been brought 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.779 to them 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.599 and they'd heard 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.720 clearly the instructions 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.879 that they were not 00:19:21.879 --> 00:19:23.259 under a whole heap 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.339 of rules and regulations 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:25.480 as followers of Jesus 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.480 if you look back 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.339 to some of the 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:29.319 book of Acts 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.339 and the instructions 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:31.200 that were given 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.759 to the church 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.259 we don't have time 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:32.799 to look at them 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.339 in detail 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.480 but those instructions 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:34.980 were saying 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.639 you know you don't 00:19:35.639 --> 00:19:35.960 have to be 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.799 those of you 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.660 who are not Jews 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.559 and are now Gentiles 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:39.220 you don't have to be 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.099 circumcised 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:40.960 not all about 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.759 following the law 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.799 you're under grace 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.899 it's all about 00:19:43.899 --> 00:19:44.879 just following Jesus 00:19:44.879 --> 00:19:45.660 but there are some 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.500 instructions that we've 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:48.220 got for you 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:50.259 avoid sexual immorality 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:52.240 and avoid the food 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:53.200 that's been offered 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.119 to idols 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:56.579 that was very inconvenient 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:58.640 for these Christians 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.359 in Thyatira 00:19:59.359 --> 00:19:59.839 because it meant 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.359 that they couldn't 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:00.940 really be part 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:02.119 of the trade guilds 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:03.279 it was potentially 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.099 going to have an impact 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:04.799 on their livelihood 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.420 it was potentially 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.220 going to have an impact 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.740 on their income 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.700 and so along comes 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.980 this Jezebel 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:11.140 or the Jezebel 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:12.200 and says to them 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.799 no no no no 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:15.740 that's far too strict 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.579 you've been drawing 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:17.140 up the rules 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:18.740 far too tightly here 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:20.019 of course you should 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.920 be worshipping Jesus 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.420 and of course 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.420 I'm one of you 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:23.559 and I also am a follower 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:24.099 of Jesus 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.559 but it's absolutely 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:27.259 fine to be 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.579 worshipping Jesus 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.740 and in fact 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.339 work hard 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:30.980 serve others 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.500 in the church 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.140 be involved 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:33.559 but at the same time 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.420 you can be part 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.519 of the trade guilds 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.099 and Jesus won't mind 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:38.680 if you participate 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:40.299 in those rituals 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.240 because you're free 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.000 you're free 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.920 you're not under law 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:43.600 so no no 00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:44.300 don't describe 00:20:44.300 --> 00:20:44.759 that as 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.400 idolatry 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.519 or immorality 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.580 it's absolutely 00:20:48.580 --> 00:20:49.500 fine 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:51.340 and some of them 00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:52.500 some of the people 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.220 in that church 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:54.100 had followed 00:20:54.100 --> 00:20:55.180 Jezebel's teachings 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:56.560 they hadn't departed 00:20:56.560 --> 00:20:57.220 from the faith 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.380 but they had 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:59.360 compromised 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:00.300 they were committed 00:21:00.300 --> 00:21:02.039 and compromised 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:04.759 they'd got back 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.400 involved 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:07.039 in all of 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.259 the immorality 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.779 the sexual immorality 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.940 and idolatry 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:12.899 of their past life 00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:13.839 they thought 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.639 they could worship 00:21:14.639 --> 00:21:15.220 God 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:17.000 and follow Jesus 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.420 and continue 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:19.119 to live 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:20.660 as they liked 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:23.759 and the solemn thing 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.660 is maybe for many 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:24.879 of them 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:25.319 they've been doing 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:26.240 that for quite a while 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:26.940 and it didn't seem 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.639 to be a problem 00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:29.079 maybe for some of them 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.559 they've been living 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.639 that way for years 00:21:30.639 --> 00:21:31.240 and years 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:31.619 and years 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.339 and they've grown 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.480 increasingly confident 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.079 that it was 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:35.160 absolutely fine 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.240 to follow Jesus 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.559 and live as you like 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:40.579 and then 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:42.419 the eyes 00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:43.279 of him 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:43.980 who had been 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.700 seeing them 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.919 all the time 00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:50.539 he reminds them 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.179 that he's been 00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:51.720 watching them 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.359 he's been seeing 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:52.659 and knowing 00:21:52.659 --> 00:21:53.700 he's been urging 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.419 them to turn 00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:54.779 from this 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.740 he's been urging 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.519 them to repent 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.779 and many of them 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.720 have been refusing 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.700 to do so 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.200 and now 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.279 he's going to come 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:01.779 to them 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.720 in punishment 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:05.500 and so how are we 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.519 going to apply 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.900 this ourselves 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:09.639 because we know 00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:10.200 that we don't just 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.900 read God's word 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.059 simply to be informed 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.119 but for our lives 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:13.920 and hearts 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.660 to be moved 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.400 and changed 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.700 and as I've thought 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.819 long and hard 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.379 about what the 00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:19.720 application of this 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:21.160 is for my life 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:22.000 and potentially 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.940 for our church 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:23.839 I've got three things 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:24.519 to offer you 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.319 this morning 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:27.119 three risks 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:27.980 that I think 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.940 we can get into 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:30.839 that might arise 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:31.639 and that might be 00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:33.379 linked directly 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:33.960 or indirectly 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:35.639 to the sorts 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:36.080 of ways 00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:36.380 in which 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:36.780 the church 00:22:36.780 --> 00:22:37.480 at Thyatira 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.080 were going 00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:38.380 astray 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:38.780 and the first 00:22:38.780 --> 00:22:39.360 one it's right 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:39.660 there 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.580 and it is 00:22:40.580 --> 00:22:41.520 sexual immorality 00:22:41.520 --> 00:22:42.280 and idolatry 00:22:42.280 --> 00:22:44.360 do we think 00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:45.140 that we can 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.220 continue in the 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.480 church 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.360 and follow Jesus 00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.720 while actually 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:50.300 adopting the same 00:22:50.300 --> 00:22:51.360 sexual practices 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:52.440 that are widespread 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.380 among us 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:55.400 in our world 00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:56.620 and idolatry 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:57.620 in all of its forms 00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.420 actually seek 00:22:58.420 --> 00:22:59.020 thinking we can 00:22:59.020 --> 00:22:59.880 worship two gods 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.860 Jesus spoke quite 00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:01.580 clearly about that 00:23:01.580 --> 00:23:01.920 didn't he 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.800 you cannot serve 00:23:02.800 --> 00:23:03.380 two masters 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:04.340 you can't serve 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:05.159 God and money 00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:05.740 you'll either 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.319 love the one 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:06.720 you'll hate 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.119 the other 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:08.500 and you know 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.779 you can't do it 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:12.000 and I pause 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.240 there lest any 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:13.959 of us feel 00:23:13.959 --> 00:23:14.980 that as individuals 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:16.319 what we've done 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.159 is swallowed the 00:23:17.159 --> 00:23:18.299 lie of the Jezebel 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:19.459 who said it's okay 00:23:19.459 --> 00:23:20.759 to continue to be 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.679 a follower of Jesus 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:23.139 while also engaging 00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:24.799 in sexual immorality 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:26.079 and idolatry 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:27.399 but I think there 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.240 may be other risks 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:29.019 for some of us 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.919 who perhaps 00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:31.439 think yeah 00:23:31.439 --> 00:23:32.720 are there other ways 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.519 in which we might 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.160 be committed 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.839 but compromised 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:37.160 well I think 00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:37.940 sexual immorality 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.480 and idolatry 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:38.920 will be the risk 00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:39.279 for some 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:40.799 I think self-preservation 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.620 and isolation 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:43.120 may be a risk 00:23:43.120 --> 00:23:44.160 that we could also 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.839 fall into 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.799 as a church 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:47.579 and as individuals 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:49.200 self-preservation 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.860 and isolation 00:23:49.860 --> 00:23:50.600 what do I mean 00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:51.779 I think it's easy 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.160 to think 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.720 well actually 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.779 we will worship 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.259 God 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:56.100 and we will focus 00:23:56.100 --> 00:23:56.799 on Jesus 00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.960 but you know what 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.819 we're a bit scared 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.240 of the world 00:23:59.240 --> 00:23:59.720 out there 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:00.660 and so we're going 00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:01.680 to separate ourselves 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.200 from it 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:02.759 we're going to 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.600 isolate ourselves 00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:03.940 from it 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.440 we might even 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:05.100 seem a little bit 00:24:05.100 --> 00:24:06.259 angry about the 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.960 world out there 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.560 about all that's 00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:08.080 going on 00:24:08.080 --> 00:24:09.180 and actually 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.840 our whole approach 00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:12.380 to life and faith 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:12.960 will be one of 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.759 self-preservation 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.400 and isolation 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.960 it's all about me 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.860 it's all about my 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.259 family 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.259 it's all about my 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:18.720 church 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:20.160 it's about trying 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.420 to stand up 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.060 against the 00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:23.180 terrible government 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.700 out of there 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.700 this is fairly 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.560 close to my heart 00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:26.620 as one who works 00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.039 for government 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.700 and at times 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.279 I have to say 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:29.620 I observe in 00:24:29.620 --> 00:24:30.759 the Christian church 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.740 an awful lot 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.680 of self-preservation 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.319 and isolation 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:34.480 I don't think 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:34.940 I observe 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.740 an awful lot 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.480 of we are 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.700 absolutely praying 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.180 for you 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:39.019 as lawmakers 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.859 we are with you 00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:41.740 we want to support 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:41.920 you 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.579 we want to stand 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.119 with you 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:43.859 whether that's 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.519 in protecting 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.400 the most vulnerable 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.140 whether that's 00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:47.059 in welcoming 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.099 the orphan 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:49.519 and supporting 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.160 the poor 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.940 and the needy 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.980 rather I think 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.819 what I sometimes 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.799 observe among 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.440 the church 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.900 is self-preservation 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:57.359 and isolation 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.879 and I suggest 00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.660 that if that's 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:00.200 the route we go 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:00.480 down 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.460 then we may be 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:02.100 swallowing the 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:02.600 lie of the 00:25:02.600 --> 00:25:03.080 Jezebel 00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:04.319 in the same way 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:04.840 as if we went 00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:05.380 down the route 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:06.500 of sexual immorality 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.600 and idolatry 00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:08.779 but I suppose 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.440 I've been challenged 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:10.400 by a third way 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.720 in which we might 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.580 be swallowing 00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:13.360 a lie 00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:14.059 in which we might 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.819 be committed 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:16.259 but compromised 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:16.980 today 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:18.600 it's maybe not 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.559 self-preservation 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.259 and isolation 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:21.539 I wonder if it's 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.259 maybe silence 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.400 and indifference 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:25.120 and this is the one 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:25.900 that comes closest 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.819 to me to be honest 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:28.140 where actually 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:29.120 we think that we 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:29.799 can be committed 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.399 to Jesus 00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:32.539 and fully engaged 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.099 in the life 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.659 of the church 00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:34.539 and in service 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.419 in the church 00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:36.679 but when it comes 00:25:36.679 --> 00:25:37.339 to the world 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:37.839 out there 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:38.359 when it comes 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:39.339 to the spiritual 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.619 well-being 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:41.699 of our neighbours 00:25:41.699 --> 00:25:43.579 of our colleagues 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.679 when it comes 00:25:44.679 --> 00:25:45.479 to the spiritual 00:25:45.479 --> 00:25:47.539 health of our nation 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:49.159 actually we have 00:25:49.159 --> 00:25:50.099 nothing to say 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.859 we are silent 00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:53.319 and we are 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:53.879 indifferent 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:55.459 might that be 00:25:55.459 --> 00:25:55.979 the mark 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.059 of some of us 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.819 and might that 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.480 at times be 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:58.860 the mark 00:25:58.860 --> 00:25:59.960 of the church 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.559 we'll worship 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.079 God 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:02.900 but we don't 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.620 feel we've 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:04.559 really got a 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.099 message 00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:06.120 for those 00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:06.559 who we are 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:07.140 coming into 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:07.740 contact with 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.539 who do not 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.099 know Jesus 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:09.900 his love 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:10.759 and forgiveness 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.700 his power 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.940 and his all-seeing 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:14.740 and all-knowingness 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.599 and we are 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.019 silent 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.940 and we are 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.700 indifferent 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:19.259 may you 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:21.079 reflect 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:22.420 on what it is 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:23.299 Jesus might 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.000 have to say 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.500 to you 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.259 in your 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.839 life 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.359 is it about 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.339 sexual immorality 00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:28.079 and idolatry 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:29.639 is it self-preservation 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.240 and isolation 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:31.700 is it silence 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:33.079 and indifference 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:33.899 if it's any 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:34.899 of these things 00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:35.599 then there is 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.440 an invitation 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:37.500 given to us 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.359 by Jesus 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.399 as he speaks 00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:40.019 to the church 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.000 in Thyatira 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:42.480 verse 21 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.359 I have given 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:44.220 her time 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.240 to repent 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:46.359 of her 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.220 immorality 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.359 isn't it great 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:48.740 here 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.680 that Jesus 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.859 reminds them 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.240 again 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:52.379 that he is 00:26:52.379 --> 00:26:52.819 gracious 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.299 that he is 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.839 loving 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.960 and that despite 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.519 all that 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:56.980 Jezebel 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.500 had done 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.759 she has had 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.639 opportunities 00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.819 to turn 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.940 and to leave 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:03.000 behind her 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.799 rejection of 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.159 God 00:27:04.159 --> 00:27:05.659 and to turn 00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:06.220 again 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:07.119 to Jesus 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:09.599 and I trust 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:11.079 that as we 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.740 reflect 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:13.019 on this 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.539 letter 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.940 to the church 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:16.720 for some of us 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:18.119 we might feel 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:18.980 the call 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.579 and know 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.180 the need 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:21.180 to repent 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:24.140 to leave 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:24.660 behind 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.519 the areas 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.080 of 00:27:26.080 --> 00:27:27.100 compromise 00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:28.640 and to turn 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.320 again to our 00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:29.700 loving 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.299 powerful 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:30.779 Jesus 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:32.259 and to serve 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.580 him 00:27:32.580 --> 00:27:33.740 wholeheartedly 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.740 some were to 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.140 repent 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:36.420 and the message 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.120 to others 00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:38.259 was to 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:38.920 remain 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:40.019 verse 24 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.160 I will not 00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:41.620 impose 00:27:41.620 --> 00:27:42.380 any other 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:42.820 burden 00:27:42.820 --> 00:27:43.360 on those 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:43.720 of you 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.259 who do 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.840 not hold 00:27:44.840 --> 00:27:45.240 to her 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:45.660 teaching 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:45.940 and who 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:46.299 have not 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:46.640 learned 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.180 Satan's 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:47.660 so-called 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.240 deep 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.820 secrets 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.980 just hold 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.359 on 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.059 to what 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.740 you have 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.500 until 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.659 I come 00:27:53.659 --> 00:27:54.339 let's 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:55.079 ensure that 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.639 this morning 00:27:55.639 --> 00:27:56.619 we are 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:57.099 ready 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:58.159 and before 00:27:58.159 --> 00:27:58.579 God 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.179 ready to 00:27:59.179 --> 00:27:59.599 repent 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.960 and also 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.700 ready to 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.099 remain 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:02.679 to cling 00:28:02.679 --> 00:28:03.220 tightly 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.179 to him 00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:05.079 and to 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:05.679 do his 00:28:05.679 --> 00:28:06.000 will 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.460 to the 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.859 end 00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:07.720 we're 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:07.939 almost 00:28:07.939 --> 00:28:08.220 done 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.779 but before 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.240 I finish 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:09.720 there is 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.179 also a 00:28:10.179 --> 00:28:10.659 promise 00:28:10.659 --> 00:28:11.319 given 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:12.000 to 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.639 these 00:28:12.639 --> 00:28:13.299 Christians 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:13.899 if they 00:28:13.899 --> 00:28:14.279 truly 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.139 turn 00:28:15.139 --> 00:28:15.659 from the 00:28:15.659 --> 00:28:16.179 Jezebel 00:28:16.179 --> 00:28:16.980 if they 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.559 repent 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.480 and if 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.099 they cling 00:28:19.099 --> 00:28:19.799 tightly 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.799 to Christ 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.679 there's a 00:28:21.679 --> 00:28:22.099 promise 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:22.879 that they 00:28:22.879 --> 00:28:23.139 will be 00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:23.339 given 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:23.940 authority 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.339 that there's 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:25.679 a great 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:26.240 future 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:26.740 for them 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.579 verse 26 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:27.859 to the 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.139 one who 00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:28.720 is victorious 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.440 and does 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:29.819 my will 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.079 I will 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:30.200 give 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:30.759 authority 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.440 over the 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.079 nations 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.579 again 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:32.799 they're 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.099 encouraged 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:33.500 to see 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.000 just beyond 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.179 the 00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:34.539 immediate 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.359 to look 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:35.659 to the 00:28:35.659 --> 00:28:35.980 long 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.379 term 00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:36.859 to 00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:37.259 recognize 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.619 all the 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.220 plans 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:38.659 that 00:28:38.659 --> 00:28:39.000 Jesus 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.440 has 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:39.919 in store 00:28:39.919 --> 00:28:40.440 for them 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.460 to realize 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:41.980 all of 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.159 his 00:28:42.159 --> 00:28:42.700 purposes 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.480 and to 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.000 look to 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.559 the long 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:44.819 term 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.299 future 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.059 as they 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.539 commit 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.379 to Christ 00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:48.460 and then 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:48.660 this 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.000 slightly 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.540 curious 00:28:49.540 --> 00:28:50.140 word 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.580 towards 00:28:50.580 --> 00:28:50.760 the 00:28:50.760 --> 00:28:51.120 end 00:28:51.120 --> 00:28:51.620 I 00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:51.860 will 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.400 also 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:52.840 give 00:28:52.840 --> 00:28:53.280 that 00:28:53.280 --> 00:28:53.740 one 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.560 the 00:28:54.560 --> 00:28:55.200 morning 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.420 star 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.320 what does 00:28:57.320 --> 00:28:57.880 that mean 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:59.140 as Jesus 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.900 speaks to 00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.480 that church 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.060 and leaves 00:29:01.060 --> 00:29:01.500 them with 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:01.840 this 00:29:01.840 --> 00:29:03.020 promise 00:29:03.020 --> 00:29:04.680 that those 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.040 who 00:29:05.040 --> 00:29:06.380 turn from 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:06.740 their 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.800 lack 00:29:07.800 --> 00:29:08.240 of 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:08.960 those who 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.440 turn from 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:09.580 their 00:29:09.580 --> 00:29:10.060 compromise 00:29:10.060 --> 00:29:10.920 will be 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.260 given 00:29:11.260 --> 00:29:11.960 the 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.500 morning 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.420 star 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.360 well let 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:14.700 me turn 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.100 you to 00:29:15.100 --> 00:29:15.700 Revelation 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.720 chapter 22 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:18.039 and to 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:19.500 verse 16 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:21.120 Revelation 00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:21.720 22 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.420 verse 16 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:22.940 I 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.339 Jesus 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:24.299 have 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:24.640 sent 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:24.880 my 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.319 angel 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:25.940 to give 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.160 you 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:26.480 this 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:26.980 testimony 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.420 for the 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:27.980 churches 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:29.000 I 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.519 am 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:29.880 the 00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:30.259 root 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:30.640 and 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.079 offspring 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:31.380 of 00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:31.700 David 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.900 and 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:33.579 the 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.059 bright 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:35.059 morning 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.940 star 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:37.140 Jesus 00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:38.140 himself 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:39.319 describes 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:40.220 himself 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:41.059 as 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:41.240 the 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.640 morning 00:29:41.640 --> 00:29:42.240 star 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.860 I 00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.019 think 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.259 that's 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:43.380 where 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:43.620 we'll 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:43.880 leave 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:44.059 the 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:44.360 church 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:44.539 in 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.119 Thyatira 00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:45.500 today 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.299 we'll 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:46.559 leave 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:46.779 them 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.059 with 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:47.299 this 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:47.699 great 00:29:47.699 --> 00:29:48.319 promise 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.179 that if 00:29:49.179 --> 00:29:49.719 they turn 00:29:49.719 --> 00:29:50.159 from their 00:29:50.159 --> 00:29:50.719 compromise 00:29:50.719 --> 00:29:51.359 in whatever 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:51.979 way that 00:29:51.979 --> 00:29:52.539 might be 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.839 they will 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.459 not only 00:29:54.459 --> 00:29:55.119 know 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:56.279 blessing 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:56.759 from 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.139 Jesus 00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:57.919 they will 00:29:57.919 --> 00:29:58.379 not only 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:58.699 know what 00:29:58.699 --> 00:29:59.159 it is to 00:29:59.159 --> 00:29:59.519 be doing 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.079 the will 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:00.799 of Jesus 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.959 but they 00:30:01.959 --> 00:30:03.119 will have 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:03.839 Jesus 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:05.500 he 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.639 who describes 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.559 himself as 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.099 the bright 00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:09.399 morning star 00:30:09.399 --> 00:30:10.019 will be 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.539 theirs 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.799 they will 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.359 live their 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:12.839 life 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.339 in 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:14.019 intimate 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.159 fellowship 00:30:15.159 --> 00:30:16.379 connected 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:16.920 to 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.639 and 00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:18.019 knowing 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.799 Jesus 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:20.180 that promise 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.819 is available 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.379 for us 00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:21.819 isn't it a 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.259 great one 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.420 that we 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.460 can know 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.019 Jesus 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.180 he will 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:26.799 give to 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.200 us 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:27.899 the morning 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:28.399 star 00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:28.859 he'll give 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.059 us 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:30.000 himself 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.899 his 00:30:30.899 --> 00:30:31.619 presence 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.759 his 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.299 power 00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:34.819 his glory 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:36.159 all that 00:30:36.159 --> 00:30:36.899 he promises 00:30:36.899 --> 00:30:37.539 all that 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.159 he is 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:40.180 he offers 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:41.000 that to 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.500 us 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:43.000 but invites 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.380 us to 00:30:43.380 --> 00:30:44.040 reflect 00:30:44.040 --> 00:30:45.400 and maybe 00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:46.259 to repent 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.740 if there 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:48.519 has been 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.880 compromise 00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:50.960 alongside 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:52.160 commitment 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:53.180 in our 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.620 lives 00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:54.519 let's pause 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.300 and pray 00:30:55.300 --> 00:30:55.580 now 00:30:55.580 --> 00:31:04.500 Lord Jesus 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:04.820 we just 00:31:04.820 --> 00:31:05.400 want to 00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:06.320 turn our 00:31:06.320 --> 00:31:06.860 eyes 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:08.339 to you 00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:10.139 albeit 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:10.599 we know 00:31:10.599 --> 00:31:10.899 that if 00:31:10.899 --> 00:31:11.119 we could 00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:11.579 see you 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:11.959 we would 00:31:11.959 --> 00:31:13.059 scarce be 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:13.419 able to 00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:13.759 look at 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.179 you face 00:31:14.179 --> 00:31:14.599 to face 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:14.879 as we 00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:15.179 think of 00:31:15.179 --> 00:31:15.759 your eyes 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.559 of blazing 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:17.039 fire 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:18.939 as we 00:31:18.939 --> 00:31:19.519 think of 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:20.099 the fact 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.359 that you 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:20.759 tell us 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.000 that you 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.619 see us 00:31:21.619 --> 00:31:23.139 you know 00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:23.539 us 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.419 and you 00:31:24.419 --> 00:31:25.139 search our 00:31:25.139 --> 00:31:25.619 hearts 00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:26.179 and our 00:31:26.179 --> 00:31:26.740 minds 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:28.799 and as 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.319 we linger 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.079 for a few 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.659 minutes 00:31:30.659 --> 00:31:31.119 together 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:32.539 as we 00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:32.979 sing 00:31:32.979 --> 00:31:33.740 as we 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.099 have this 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.679 opportunity 00:31:34.679 --> 00:31:35.639 to take 00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:36.119 bread 00:31:36.119 --> 00:31:36.559 and to 00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:36.799 take 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.099 this 00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:37.459 cup 00:31:37.459 --> 00:31:38.639 we 00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:38.979 simply 00:31:38.979 --> 00:31:39.419 open 00:31:39.419 --> 00:31:39.739 our 00:31:39.739 --> 00:31:40.119 lives 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:40.459 and our 00:31:40.459 --> 00:31:40.899 hearts 00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:41.439 to you 00:31:41.439 --> 00:31:41.779 Lord 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.159 Jesus 00:31:42.159 --> 00:31:43.419 as the 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:43.739 one who 00:31:43.739 --> 00:31:44.519 sees us 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:46.019 knows us 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:47.299 searches 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:48.459 our hearts 00:31:48.459 --> 00:31:49.500 and minds 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:51.179 and yet 00:31:51.179 --> 00:31:51.799 the one 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:52.659 who says 00:31:52.659 --> 00:31:53.599 again today 00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:54.699 I love 00:31:54.699 --> 00:31:55.000 you 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:56.259 and I've 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:56.899 laid down 00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:57.759 my life 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.659 as the 00:31:58.659 --> 00:31:59.059 perfect 00:31:59.059 --> 00:31:59.659 sacrifice 00:31:59.659 --> 00:32:00.739 for your 00:32:00.739 --> 00:32:01.019 sin 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:02.379 thank you 00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:02.819 Jesus 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.879 Amen