WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.040 --> 00:00:18.240 Turn with me, if you will, this morning to Revelation chapter 2. That's right, you heard me. 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:26.440 Not Ephesians. Revelation chapter 2. We'll talk about Ephesians some too. 00:00:27.179 --> 00:00:29.679 It's really good to be back this morning. 00:00:30.440 --> 00:00:34.900 We actually finished our walk through Ephesians a couple of weeks ago. 00:00:35.400 --> 00:00:40.820 But I think since we've spent much of this calendar year in the book of Ephesians together, 00:00:40.820 --> 00:00:46.859 that it's well worth a look back for a couple of weeks at what God has taught us, 00:00:47.380 --> 00:00:51.780 at what He has shown us there, at what He's had for us as a church. 00:00:51.859 --> 00:00:56.359 So we're going to do that this week and next week, call it Ephesians in Review. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:00.739 Particularly next week, we're going to look back at the highlights of Ephesians. 00:01:01.259 --> 00:01:04.299 Some of the great things in that letter itself. 00:01:04.539 --> 00:01:10.259 But to help us prepare for that, I want us to look this morning at another letter to the same church. 00:01:11.099 --> 00:01:16.599 We've been studying Ephesians years after that letter from Paul to the church in Ephesus. 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:22.579 John records a letter from the risen Jesus to the church in Ephesus. 00:01:22.579 --> 00:01:25.140 It's in Revelation 2 at verse 1. 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:28.239 These are the very words of God. 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:31.000 Let's give them our attention and our reverence. 00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:32.780 Revelation 2 at verse 1. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:36.459 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write, 00:01:36.459 --> 00:01:40.439 the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand, 00:01:40.759 --> 00:01:43.500 who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 00:01:44.059 --> 00:01:47.139 I know your works, your toil, and your patient endurance, 00:01:47.679 --> 00:01:50.000 and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, 00:01:50.319 --> 00:01:53.599 but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:55.199 and found them to be false. 00:01:55.200 --> 00:01:59.480 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, 00:01:59.600 --> 00:02:01.000 and you have not grown weary. 00:02:02.159 --> 00:02:03.900 But I have this against you, 00:02:04.700 --> 00:02:07.379 that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:10.020 Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen, 00:02:10.420 --> 00:02:12.580 repent and do the works you did at first. 00:02:13.020 --> 00:02:17.699 If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent. 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:20.180 Yet this you have, 00:02:20.480 --> 00:02:22.300 you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:23.580 which I also hate. 00:02:23.580 --> 00:02:25.700 He who has an ear, 00:02:26.100 --> 00:02:28.180 let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:29.560 To the one who conquers, 00:02:29.660 --> 00:02:31.680 I will grant to eat of the tree of life, 00:02:32.100 --> 00:02:33.960 which is in the paradise of God. 00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:35.480 The grass withers, 00:02:35.600 --> 00:02:36.560 the flowers fade, 00:02:36.640 --> 00:02:38.600 but these words of our God 00:02:38.600 --> 00:02:40.220 will stand forever. 00:02:40.760 --> 00:02:41.400 Pray with me. 00:02:44.740 --> 00:02:46.840 Father, we ask for your help. 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:49.420 We ask because these are your words. 00:02:49.420 --> 00:02:52.620 We ask because we are those who see, 00:02:52.620 --> 00:02:54.860 but don't understand sometimes. 00:02:55.340 --> 00:02:56.980 We're those who understand, 00:02:57.200 --> 00:02:59.860 but don't desire to change. 00:03:00.819 --> 00:03:05.879 We're slow to see the weakness in our own hearts. 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:09.580 We're slow to know you more. 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:10.180 And so, 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:12.819 would you show us ourselves? 00:03:13.860 --> 00:03:15.240 Would you show us Jesus? 00:03:15.240 --> 00:03:18.980 Would you make us different because of that? 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:20.060 We ask in his name. 00:03:20.540 --> 00:03:20.820 Amen. 00:03:23.820 --> 00:03:26.379 As we have studied Ephesians together, 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:31.300 one of the key points that Paul has been at pains to make in that epistle 00:03:31.300 --> 00:03:34.820 is that we must keep our truth 00:03:34.820 --> 00:03:36.640 and our doctrine, 00:03:36.780 --> 00:03:37.560 our doctrine, 00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:38.200 excuse me, 00:03:38.260 --> 00:03:39.540 and our practice connected. 00:03:40.140 --> 00:03:42.040 The truth that we believe 00:03:42.040 --> 00:03:43.520 and the way that we live, 00:03:43.600 --> 00:03:46.060 they have to be connected to each other. 00:03:47.340 --> 00:03:48.840 How we believe 00:03:48.840 --> 00:03:51.560 impacts how we behave 00:03:51.560 --> 00:03:53.560 in every aspect of life. 00:03:53.620 --> 00:03:55.120 That's what Paul does in Ephesians, right? 00:03:55.420 --> 00:03:57.159 He spends the first three chapters 00:03:57.159 --> 00:03:59.140 telling us these glorious truths 00:03:59.140 --> 00:04:00.920 of the gospel of God's grace. 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:03.620 He tells us what he's done for us 00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:05.300 and he spends all this time 00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:06.259 teaching us these things 00:04:06.259 --> 00:04:07.640 and then in the last three chapters, 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:08.099 he says, 00:04:08.480 --> 00:04:09.780 now I'm gonna tell you what that means 00:04:09.780 --> 00:04:10.939 in every area of life. 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:12.520 I'm gonna tell you how it changes 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:13.520 the way you live here 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:14.939 and here and here, 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:16.840 the difference that it makes. 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:18.100 And next week, 00:04:18.139 --> 00:04:19.759 I'm so excited to get to look back 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:21.699 at some of those great truths, 00:04:21.819 --> 00:04:23.540 some of those challenging applications 00:04:23.540 --> 00:04:25.500 and specifically remember 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:27.020 those from Ephesians. 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:29.160 But as we prepare to look back, 00:04:29.400 --> 00:04:30.760 this letter here in Revelation 00:04:30.760 --> 00:04:32.060 to the church in Ephesus 00:04:32.060 --> 00:04:33.000 is a reminder 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:35.300 of how vital it is 00:04:35.300 --> 00:04:37.000 for the church to connect 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:39.240 truth and life together. 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:42.439 And how easy it is 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:43.480 in any church, 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:45.259 not just the church in Ephesus, 00:04:45.540 --> 00:04:47.020 for truth and life 00:04:47.020 --> 00:04:48.180 to get disconnected, 00:04:48.660 --> 00:04:49.660 to be torn apart 00:04:49.660 --> 00:04:52.100 and how devastating that can be. 00:04:52.100 --> 00:04:54.180 To help us understand 00:04:54.180 --> 00:04:56.020 what's going on in this letter, 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:57.320 let me tell you a little bit 00:04:57.320 --> 00:04:58.080 about myself 00:04:58.080 --> 00:04:59.280 that some of you may know. 00:05:00.460 --> 00:05:02.439 I really like being right. 00:05:03.780 --> 00:05:04.920 I always have. 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:07.020 I grew up in a family 00:05:07.020 --> 00:05:08.980 that played a lot of games, 00:05:09.400 --> 00:05:10.340 a lot of sports. 00:05:10.460 --> 00:05:11.540 We were very competitive. 00:05:12.280 --> 00:05:14.020 I'm the firstborn in that family 00:05:14.020 --> 00:05:15.200 and as the firstborn, 00:05:15.280 --> 00:05:15.980 it's very important 00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:17.180 that you always be winning 00:05:17.180 --> 00:05:18.820 and that you always be right. 00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:20.600 And so from an early age, 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:21.500 that was very important. 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:22.100 So what you do 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:23.199 is you learn all the rules 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:24.100 to the games 00:05:24.100 --> 00:05:24.879 and to the sports 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:27.060 and for two very important reasons. 00:05:27.220 --> 00:05:28.180 One is it's a great way 00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:28.800 to get ahead 00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:30.360 if you know all the rules, right? 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:31.579 You can use them 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:32.339 to your advantage. 00:05:32.759 --> 00:05:33.959 But what you can also do, 00:05:33.980 --> 00:05:35.100 and I learned this early, 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:36.579 that one of the great joys 00:05:36.579 --> 00:05:37.360 of sports 00:05:37.360 --> 00:05:38.800 is getting to yell 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:39.699 at the umpire 00:05:39.699 --> 00:05:40.319 or referee 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:41.480 who missed it. 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:42.980 And that's really 00:05:42.980 --> 00:05:44.220 a great joy. 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:45.180 So if you know the rules 00:05:45.180 --> 00:05:46.000 better than he does, 00:05:46.019 --> 00:05:46.959 you get to yell at him 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:47.399 and tell him 00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:48.240 what he should have done, 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:50.780 how he's gotten it wrong. 00:05:51.660 --> 00:05:52.639 I went to college 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:54.340 and I became a copy editor 00:05:54.340 --> 00:05:55.460 for a newspaper. 00:05:56.340 --> 00:05:56.860 And so when you're 00:05:56.860 --> 00:05:57.699 a copy editor, 00:05:57.900 --> 00:05:58.840 you really need 00:05:58.840 --> 00:05:59.660 to know what's right. 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:00.220 You need to know 00:06:00.220 --> 00:06:01.699 exactly where every comma 00:06:01.699 --> 00:06:02.860 is supposed to be 00:06:02.860 --> 00:06:04.220 and not supposed to be. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:05.680 So you learn all the rules 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:06.819 for comma placement. 00:06:07.560 --> 00:06:08.660 It's very significant. 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:10.100 It's like being 00:06:10.100 --> 00:06:11.420 an engineer with words 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:12.780 if you've never done it before. 00:06:12.899 --> 00:06:14.099 So I'm suspecting 00:06:14.099 --> 00:06:14.599 there are others 00:06:14.599 --> 00:06:15.259 in this room 00:06:15.259 --> 00:06:16.879 who like to have things 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:17.619 just right. 00:06:18.019 --> 00:06:18.939 Anybody like things 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:20.039 like just so, 00:06:20.179 --> 00:06:20.659 just the way 00:06:20.659 --> 00:06:21.479 they're supposed to be? 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:22.219 Some of y'all, 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:23.059 that stresses you out. 00:06:23.099 --> 00:06:23.479 I understand. 00:06:23.659 --> 00:06:24.599 But some of us 00:06:24.599 --> 00:06:26.279 like it just right. 00:06:27.039 --> 00:06:28.239 In order to humble 00:06:28.239 --> 00:06:29.619 a guy like me 00:06:29.619 --> 00:06:30.799 who always wants 00:06:30.799 --> 00:06:31.319 to be right, 00:06:31.419 --> 00:06:32.119 God has given me 00:06:32.119 --> 00:06:33.659 a wife who is right 00:06:33.659 --> 00:06:35.099 way more than I am. 00:06:36.459 --> 00:06:37.279 Christy is smarter 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:37.859 than I am, 00:06:37.899 --> 00:06:38.539 so she's right 00:06:38.539 --> 00:06:39.719 about lots of stuff. 00:06:39.859 --> 00:06:40.439 But she's also 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:41.699 more intuitive than I am, 00:06:41.699 --> 00:06:43.800 so she sees a situation 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:45.139 and she understands 00:06:45.139 --> 00:06:45.839 what's going on 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:46.300 and what's going 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:47.039 to happen next 00:06:47.039 --> 00:06:48.139 and so she's always 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:49.279 right about that 00:06:49.279 --> 00:06:51.099 and it's these rare moments 00:06:51.099 --> 00:06:51.860 where I'm right 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:53.379 and she misses it. 00:06:53.719 --> 00:06:54.579 God uses that. 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:55.579 He knew I needed that. 00:06:56.579 --> 00:06:57.560 But of all the things 00:06:57.560 --> 00:06:58.639 I love to be right about, 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:00.599 I think theology 00:07:00.599 --> 00:07:01.579 tops the list. 00:07:02.259 --> 00:07:02.379 I mean, 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:03.659 is that a fair thing 00:07:03.659 --> 00:07:04.719 to be at the top 00:07:04.719 --> 00:07:05.180 of the list? 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:05.939 I mean, 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:07.019 many of you 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:07.919 don't care at all 00:07:07.919 --> 00:07:09.259 about the rules of sports 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:11.019 or the placement of commas. 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:12.159 It just doesn't matter 00:07:12.159 --> 00:07:12.620 to you. 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:13.339 But I mean, 00:07:13.399 --> 00:07:14.120 our doctrine 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:16.000 is vitally important, 00:07:16.099 --> 00:07:16.319 right? 00:07:16.599 --> 00:07:17.319 What we believe 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:17.939 about God, 00:07:18.019 --> 00:07:18.620 our theology, 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:18.859 I mean, 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:20.699 we better get that right. 00:07:21.539 --> 00:07:22.500 We find out 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:23.159 in this passage 00:07:23.159 --> 00:07:23.959 that it is indeed 00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:25.039 a really big deal. 00:07:26.219 --> 00:07:27.359 God is the God of truth. 00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:28.399 Satan is the father 00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:29.000 of lies. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:30.199 So distinguishing 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:31.079 between truth 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:31.939 and falsehood 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:33.639 is of great importance. 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:34.959 We might even say 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:35.839 above all else. 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:38.299 It's why Paul taught 00:07:38.299 --> 00:07:38.799 the riches 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:39.960 of the gospel 00:07:39.960 --> 00:07:40.500 of grace 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:41.300 over and over 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:42.220 to the Ephesians 00:07:42.220 --> 00:07:42.819 in person 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:43.280 and then he wrote 00:07:43.280 --> 00:07:43.720 them a letter 00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:44.240 about it. 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:45.400 It was the mystery 00:07:45.400 --> 00:07:46.240 he was tasked 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:47.079 with telling them, 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:47.319 right? 00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:49.259 It's what Jesus 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:50.240 commends the church 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:51.199 for in this letter 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:52.240 in Revelation. 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:53.560 Look at verse 2. 00:07:53.639 --> 00:07:54.199 What does Jesus 00:07:54.199 --> 00:07:54.800 say to them? 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:56.920 I know your works, 00:07:57.019 --> 00:07:57.720 your toil 00:07:57.720 --> 00:07:58.980 and your patient endurance, 00:07:59.280 --> 00:08:00.160 how you cannot bear 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:01.120 with those who are evil 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:02.139 but have tested 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:03.400 those who call themselves 00:08:03.400 --> 00:08:04.600 apostles and are not 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:05.540 and you found them 00:08:05.540 --> 00:08:06.220 to be false. 00:08:06.220 --> 00:08:07.300 I know you're enduring 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:08.580 patiently and bearing up 00:08:08.580 --> 00:08:09.660 for my name's sake 00:08:09.660 --> 00:08:11.000 and you've not grown weary. 00:08:11.540 --> 00:08:13.380 You're finding the truth 00:08:13.380 --> 00:08:14.460 and you're rooting out 00:08:14.460 --> 00:08:15.260 the falsehood. 00:08:15.960 --> 00:08:16.820 On top of that, 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:18.600 you've found specific 00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:19.760 false teachers. 00:08:20.080 --> 00:08:21.000 The Nicolaitans, 00:08:21.960 --> 00:08:23.420 you hate their works 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:24.260 and I do too. 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:26.400 You've honed in 00:08:26.400 --> 00:08:27.060 on the truth. 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:29.400 Jesus praises them 00:08:29.400 --> 00:08:30.620 for holding fast 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:31.160 to the truth 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:31.940 they've been taught. 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:32.779 We don't know 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:33.680 all the particulars 00:08:33.680 --> 00:08:34.879 of the false teachers 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:35.600 in the beginning 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.600 or the Nicolaitans 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:37.480 in verse 6. 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:38.720 We don't know everything 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:39.980 it was that they taught 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:41.899 but the Ephesians 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:43.080 have carefully tested 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:44.259 these teachers. 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:46.200 They've heard 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:47.019 what they've said 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:48.480 and they've found falsehood 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:49.399 and they've zealously 00:08:49.399 --> 00:08:50.200 weeded out 00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:51.980 those who were misleading them 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:53.659 even to the point 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:54.379 that they hate 00:08:54.379 --> 00:08:55.419 some of the teachings 00:08:55.419 --> 00:08:56.120 and God says, 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:56.759 I do too. 00:08:58.299 --> 00:08:58.659 Listen, 00:08:58.779 --> 00:08:59.679 we must never 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:00.600 compromise 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:01.700 on God's truth, 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:01.980 right? 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:03.659 God has entrusted 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:04.300 the truths 00:09:04.300 --> 00:09:05.039 of the gospel 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:05.940 to us 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:06.460 so that we will 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:07.200 treasure them 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:07.960 so that we will 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:08.519 know Him 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:09.379 and that by knowing 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:09.980 the truth 00:09:09.980 --> 00:09:10.759 we'll be able 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:11.420 to sniff out 00:09:11.420 --> 00:09:12.259 counterfeits. 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:13.800 Call them what they are. 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:15.039 You know, 00:09:15.080 --> 00:09:15.800 when there are millions 00:09:15.800 --> 00:09:16.980 of wrong ways 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:17.820 to do something 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:18.899 the best way 00:09:18.899 --> 00:09:19.840 to recognize them 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:20.240 is to know 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:20.899 the right way, 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:21.399 isn't it? 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:23.139 You don't have 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:23.800 to memorize 00:09:23.800 --> 00:09:25.779 every wrong way 00:09:25.779 --> 00:09:26.720 to spell a word, 00:09:26.840 --> 00:09:27.139 do you? 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:28.259 What do you memorize? 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:29.720 You memorize 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:30.480 the right way 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:31.019 to spell it 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:32.519 and all of the wrong ways, 00:09:32.579 --> 00:09:33.139 all the mistakes 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:33.639 you could make 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:34.819 become easily 00:09:34.819 --> 00:09:35.699 identifiable 00:09:35.699 --> 00:09:36.480 as wrong. 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:38.360 It's why when we turn 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:39.100 back to the start 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:40.199 of Ephesians next week 00:09:40.199 --> 00:09:40.899 we'll find Paul 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:42.439 insisting on reminding us 00:09:42.439 --> 00:09:43.220 over and over 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:44.699 of the great truth 00:09:44.699 --> 00:09:45.500 of God's grace 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:46.720 to us in Jesus Christ, 00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:47.299 the basis 00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:48.460 of our hope 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:49.579 because he's going 00:09:49.579 --> 00:09:50.460 to say it's vital 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:51.500 that the church 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:52.799 never get distracted 00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:53.340 from that, 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:54.559 never get tossed 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:56.000 about or led astray 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:57.519 as Ephesians says 00:09:57.519 --> 00:09:58.500 by every wind 00:09:58.500 --> 00:09:59.379 of doctrine. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:01.059 He wants our anchor 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:01.820 to hold firmly 00:10:01.820 --> 00:10:02.700 in Christ, right? 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:05.120 And so Jesus says here, 00:10:05.179 --> 00:10:05.840 these are the words 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:06.899 of Jesus to the church, 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:07.220 he says, 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:08.460 well done Ephesians, 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:10.439 good job, 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:11.539 you've been right, 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:13.179 you've sorted out 00:10:13.179 --> 00:10:13.779 the false 00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:14.460 and the evil 00:10:14.460 --> 00:10:15.899 without wearying 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:16.480 in your work, 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:17.360 you've rejected 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:18.100 the wrong 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:19.559 in favor of the right, 00:10:20.039 --> 00:10:21.039 keep up the good work, 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:22.620 well done. 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:27.360 But then things turn, 00:10:27.560 --> 00:10:27.919 don't they? 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:30.980 This is where those of you 00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:31.759 who are like me, 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:34.480 who love to be right, 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:36.100 start not liking 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:37.679 this sermon so much. 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:39.779 And I want you to know 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:41.240 I didn't know 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:42.179 what was going here 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:42.980 when I started 00:10:42.980 --> 00:10:44.539 studying this letter. 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:45.860 I didn't know 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:46.240 it was headed 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:46.799 this direction 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:47.919 and all I can say to you 00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:48.919 is I don't enjoy it 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:49.680 any more than you do. 00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:51.419 That's really encouraging, 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:51.639 right? 00:10:51.699 --> 00:10:52.659 That's what you wanted to know. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:53.079 Listen, 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:53.919 I know you don't like 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:54.239 the sermon, 00:10:54.339 --> 00:10:54.939 I don't like it either. 00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:56.879 That's all I got 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:57.599 for you right now. 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:00.039 Don't you just love 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:00.879 being around people 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:02.079 who are always right 00:11:02.079 --> 00:11:03.000 and know it 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:03.859 and love it? 00:11:04.779 --> 00:11:04.939 Yeah, 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:05.739 people who love 00:11:05.739 --> 00:11:06.339 being right. 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:09.059 You don't? 00:11:10.079 --> 00:11:10.679 You mean, 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:11.679 you mean they're known 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:13.259 for being insufferable 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:14.199 to be around? 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:16.159 You mean they're known 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:17.579 for critiquing 00:11:17.579 --> 00:11:18.699 everybody else 00:11:18.700 --> 00:11:20.420 for always telling you 00:11:20.420 --> 00:11:21.560 how you're doing it wrong? 00:11:22.780 --> 00:11:24.040 For making umpires 00:11:24.040 --> 00:11:25.440 and refs feel like dirt? 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:27.180 For making friends 00:11:27.180 --> 00:11:27.900 and co-workers 00:11:27.900 --> 00:11:29.140 feel incompetent 00:11:29.140 --> 00:11:29.860 and worthless? 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:32.740 You mean you don't need 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.600 someone to spell check 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.440 your grocery list? 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:35.379 I always thought 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:35.860 that was going to be 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:36.480 so helpful. 00:11:40.040 --> 00:11:40.480 See, 00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:41.340 the Bible says 00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:42.420 that truth, 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.440 that knowing 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:44.259 and believing 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:45.640 the truth of the gospel 00:11:45.640 --> 00:11:47.460 should lead to love. 00:11:48.700 --> 00:11:50.000 It should lead 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:50.940 to love for God, 00:11:51.900 --> 00:11:53.120 love for neighbors, 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:53.840 he says, 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:55.420 even love for enemies, 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:57.120 especially love 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.340 for each other 00:11:58.340 --> 00:11:59.700 in the body of Christ. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:01.180 Those things 00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:02.160 should be connected 00:12:02.160 --> 00:12:02.960 to each other, 00:12:03.300 --> 00:12:03.980 but oftentimes 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:05.000 we fail to make 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:05.560 that connection. 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:06.600 We are right, 00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:09.620 but we're unloving. 00:12:11.280 --> 00:12:12.400 So right, 00:12:12.820 --> 00:12:13.560 I would say, 00:12:13.680 --> 00:12:14.759 that we're wrong. 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:17.319 Look at what Jesus 00:12:17.319 --> 00:12:17.899 has to say 00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:19.039 to the Ephesian church 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:20.720 that he's just commended 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:22.559 for being right. 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:24.620 He says, 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:26.000 but I have this against you 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:26.980 that you have abandoned 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:28.519 the love you had at first. 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.319 Remember, therefore, 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:31.480 from where you have fallen. 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:33.139 Repent and do the works 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:33.939 you did at first. 00:12:34.059 --> 00:12:34.419 If not, 00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:35.059 I will come to you 00:12:35.059 --> 00:12:36.220 and remove your lampstand 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:37.019 from its place 00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:37.939 unless you repent. 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:39.700 He said, 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.819 you stopped loving. 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:44.540 You have abandoned 00:12:44.540 --> 00:12:46.360 the love you had at first. 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:47.500 Ouch. 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:49.440 You quit loving. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:51.140 You missed the big one. 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:56.180 Certainly loving Christ, 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:58.300 loving those outside the church 00:12:58.300 --> 00:12:59.140 would be included 00:12:59.140 --> 00:13:00.540 in this love 00:13:00.540 --> 00:13:01.260 that they've stopped, 00:13:01.540 --> 00:13:03.040 but particularly here, 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:04.840 what seems to be in mind 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:06.100 in this letter 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:07.380 is love for each other 00:13:07.380 --> 00:13:08.740 within the church. 00:13:09.280 --> 00:13:10.620 You can see that a little bit 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:11.680 from the context. 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:13.280 It's not just a feeling of love 00:13:13.280 --> 00:13:14.700 that we would love God 00:13:14.700 --> 00:13:15.840 or something like that, 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:17.280 but the response 00:13:17.280 --> 00:13:18.260 is to be repent 00:13:18.260 --> 00:13:19.100 and do the works 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:19.820 you did at first. 00:13:19.900 --> 00:13:21.000 This is active loving. 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:23.260 This is demonstrating love, 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:25.400 showing love to others. 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:26.680 And we know well 00:13:26.680 --> 00:13:27.720 from the book of Ephesians 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:28.680 what is the love 00:13:28.680 --> 00:13:29.840 that Paul talks about 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:30.680 to them regularly. 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:32.379 It's that bond of unity 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.660 that they have in Christ, 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:34.100 isn't it? 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:35.460 The love they're supposed 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:36.200 to have for each other 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:37.480 that he commends them for 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:38.740 and now he's saying, 00:13:38.900 --> 00:13:40.940 you've lost that. 00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:43.180 You've abandoned that love. 00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:45.420 And it's not a light thing. 00:13:45.780 --> 00:13:47.180 It's not just a little mistake, 00:13:47.280 --> 00:13:48.400 they took a wrong turn. 00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:49.880 How serious is it? 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:51.060 Jesus says, 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.500 if you don't repent 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:53.320 and do the works 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:54.080 you did at first, 00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:55.320 I'll come and remove 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.220 your lampstand 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:57.440 from its place. 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:59.540 That means you won't be a church. 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.160 Yikes. 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:06.180 Rightness without love 00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:08.159 is sub-Christian. 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:11.539 Listen, 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:13.279 it's true that truth matters. 00:14:13.839 --> 00:14:14.359 A lot. 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:17.539 Love without truth 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:18.379 is at best 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.699 mere sentimentality. 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.599 At worst, 00:14:20.699 --> 00:14:21.639 it's false hope. 00:14:23.239 --> 00:14:24.519 But what this passage 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.159 is highlighting 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:27.239 and what we often miss, 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:28.979 what we in our circles 00:14:28.979 --> 00:14:31.000 with a Presbyterian heritage, 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:32.439 a Reformed heritage, 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:34.740 are much more prone to miss, 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:37.340 is that truth without love 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:38.799 is at best 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:39.700 mere moralism. 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.299 And at worst, 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:42.879 it's false teaching altogether. 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:44.360 That's what Jesus is saying. 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:46.419 It's less than Christian. 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:48.539 Jesus says, 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:50.039 I'll take the lampstand away. 00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:53.120 Francis Schaeffer once said, 00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:54.360 I've said this recently, 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:55.940 biblical orthodoxy 00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:57.000 without compassion 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:59.500 is surely the ugliest thing 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.399 in the world. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.379 And Jesus says here, 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:03.720 you got your truth right, 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:05.440 but you lost love, 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:06.899 and so you're in danger 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:08.500 of losing Christianity 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:09.340 altogether. 00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:11.279 You got truth right, 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:12.200 but you lost love, 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.580 and you're losing everything. 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:17.000 Reminds me of Jesus' warning 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.139 in Matthew 24 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.360 about these last days 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.259 that we live in. 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.360 What he says is that 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:22.299 many false prophets 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:22.960 will arise 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:24.139 and lead many astray. 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:25.559 They didn't get the Ephesians, 00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:25.940 did they? 00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:28.020 No, they found 00:15:28.020 --> 00:15:28.860 the false prophets. 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:30.120 What else is going to happen? 00:15:30.680 --> 00:15:31.540 Because lawlessness 00:15:31.540 --> 00:15:32.440 will be increased, 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:33.400 the love of many 00:15:33.400 --> 00:15:34.280 will grow cold. 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:36.680 They passed the first part 00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:37.180 of the test 00:15:37.180 --> 00:15:38.240 with flying colors, 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.680 but part two, 00:15:40.640 --> 00:15:41.280 they failed. 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:43.100 Reminds me of 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:44.300 1 Corinthians 13, 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.600 what Paul wrote 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.520 about love there. 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.140 If I speak in the tongues 00:15:48.140 --> 00:15:49.280 of men and of angels, 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:51.120 but have not love, 00:15:51.140 --> 00:15:52.160 I'm a noisy gong 00:15:52.160 --> 00:15:53.240 or a clanging cymbal. 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:55.460 If I have prophetic powers 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:56.879 and understand all mysteries 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:57.600 and all knowledge 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:58.379 and have faith 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.639 so as to remove mountains, 00:16:00.180 --> 00:16:01.340 but have not love, 00:16:01.400 --> 00:16:02.019 I'm nothing. 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:04.180 If I give away all I have 00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:05.120 and deliver up my body 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:05.720 to be burned, 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:07.100 but have not love, 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.759 I gain nothing. 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.519 You can know 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:11.840 a lot of right things, 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:14.560 but if you don't connect it 00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:15.080 to loving, 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.720 you've gained nothing. 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:17.800 In fact, 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.879 if you don't connect 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:20.040 your right theology 00:16:20.040 --> 00:16:21.200 to loving, 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:23.120 you'll probably start thinking 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.000 how much righter 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:24.980 you are than others. 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:26.980 You'll know lots 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.860 of right things 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.820 and without love, 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.580 you'll just become 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.679 more and more right. 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:33.060 And that happens a lot. 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:33.740 Sadly, 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.580 the Ephesian church 00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:35.659 is not the only church 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.539 that's happened to. 00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:39.419 They're not the first ones 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.539 and they won't be the last ones 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.460 to struggle with it. 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.440 In the history 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:43.440 of the Christian church 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:44.039 in America, 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:45.580 Presbyterians included 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:47.320 some of our best, 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.460 richest, 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:50.259 deepest theologians, 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:52.559 people we still read 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:53.580 and learn from 00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:55.580 had great truth, 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.460 but they were blind 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.620 to their own racism, 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:00.539 their hatred. 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.340 They failed to love 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:04.559 those who were different 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.119 from them 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:06.599 to our great shame. 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.940 They disconnected 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.839 right theology 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.480 from that arena of life. 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:12.099 And we're just beginning 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:12.960 to get our hands 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.900 around the gravity 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:15.599 of this sin as a church, 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.680 as a denomination, 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.819 and see our deep need 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.579 to repent. 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.059 Because where there was 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.799 a lot of truth, 00:17:21.919 --> 00:17:22.759 there was a lack 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.240 of love. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.799 You might ask, 00:17:26.939 --> 00:17:27.519 how does something 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.319 like that happen? 00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:29.919 I mean, really, 00:17:30.159 --> 00:17:31.859 guys who love Jesus 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.000 so much, 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.259 who know God 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.119 so well, 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:36.019 how do you make 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.839 such seemingly 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:38.419 obvious mistakes? 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.119 We might think, 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:41.079 how could you ever 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:41.899 miss that one? 00:17:42.899 --> 00:17:43.759 How do the Ephesians 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.779 fight for truth 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.339 so well 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.559 and love each other 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.740 so poorly? 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.740 I don't know all 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.599 of what developed 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.339 in Ephesus, 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:53.039 but at least a couple 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.819 things I've seen 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:54.700 in my own heart 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.419 and life 00:17:55.419 --> 00:17:57.000 and in Christ's church 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.139 that fit 00:17:58.139 --> 00:17:59.399 with this letter. 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.679 I think we get 00:18:01.679 --> 00:18:02.399 so focused 00:18:02.399 --> 00:18:03.500 on being right 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.980 that we can become 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.460 obsessed 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.980 with what we're against 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:08.399 rather than 00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:09.099 what we're for. 00:18:09.939 --> 00:18:10.359 And so, 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.819 differences of any type 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.879 become grounds 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.639 for critique 00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:14.819 and conflict 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.460 rather than 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.919 cause for celebration. 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:18.920 instead of focusing 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:19.680 on truth 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.420 and deepening 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:21.240 our understanding 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:22.340 of God 00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:23.620 and who He is 00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:24.400 and knowing Him, 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.580 we become like 00:18:25.580 --> 00:18:27.039 heat-seeking missiles 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:28.360 except we're 00:18:28.360 --> 00:18:29.920 difference-seeking missiles. 00:18:30.580 --> 00:18:31.500 We're looking around 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.500 where can we find 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.019 differences 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:34.140 and we don't look 00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:34.720 for differences 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.500 so that we can 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.240 celebrate them 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:36.460 and say, 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.240 isn't that beautiful? 00:18:38.340 --> 00:18:39.039 We do it 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.519 because we want 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:39.940 to critique. 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:41.380 We want to find 00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:42.680 a reason for conflict 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:44.300 because if you're wrong 00:18:44.300 --> 00:18:45.039 then I'm right 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:45.860 and I can be better 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.359 than you. 00:18:47.919 --> 00:18:49.019 So we focus 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:50.500 on the differences. 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.500 It happens 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.359 with racism 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.059 in the church, 00:18:53.139 --> 00:18:53.359 right? 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:55.199 Maybe we can 00:18:55.199 --> 00:18:55.979 understand it better 00:18:55.979 --> 00:18:56.599 if we think 00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:57.899 about marriage. 00:18:59.139 --> 00:18:59.479 Have you ever 00:18:59.479 --> 00:19:00.599 allowed a difference 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:02.299 in how you 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:02.879 and your spouse 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:03.679 approach something 00:19:03.679 --> 00:19:04.819 to create distance 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.839 in your relationship 00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:06.779 rather than love? 00:19:07.439 --> 00:19:08.379 Has that ever happened? 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.799 Have you allowed 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.339 your love 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:11.339 to grow cold 00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:12.119 because 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:14.139 she spends money 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:14.699 differently 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:16.720 or he washes 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.340 the dishes 00:19:17.340 --> 00:19:17.960 differently? 00:19:18.860 --> 00:19:19.620 Have you ever 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.880 seen a distance 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:22.420 grow there? 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:23.620 And now, 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:24.920 I know all of you 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:26.019 right people 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.980 are objecting 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:27.640 at this point. 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.120 Yes, 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.640 but there are 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.279 better ways 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:29.799 to budget. 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.519 Some ways 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:30.900 are better 00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:31.360 than others 00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:32.059 and there are 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:32.519 some ways 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:32.980 that are better 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.480 to wash 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:33.960 the dishes 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:34.580 than others 00:19:34.580 --> 00:19:35.640 and that may be 00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:35.920 true. 00:19:36.340 --> 00:19:37.319 That's not the point. 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.680 The point is 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.259 have you allowed 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.180 the difference 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:43.060 to create distance 00:19:43.060 --> 00:19:45.039 in your relationship? 00:19:45.820 --> 00:19:46.620 Have you begun 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:47.640 to think of yourself 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:48.400 as better 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:50.000 and to let bitterness 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:50.860 and contempt 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:52.000 grow in your heart 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.080 over the difference 00:19:53.080 --> 00:19:54.259 rather than 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.700 appreciating the difference 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.279 perhaps? 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.960 Or if it does 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.259 need to be addressed, 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.080 I mean, 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:00.580 you can really 00:20:00.580 --> 00:20:01.600 wash dishes poorly, 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:04.259 addressing it graciously 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:05.940 in a way to restore 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:07.019 a loving relationship 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.820 rather than 00:20:07.820 --> 00:20:09.680 create distance. 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:11.200 the difference 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.120 is diversity 00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:13.500 is part of the beauty 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.240 of the body 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.880 of Christ 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:16.860 but when we are right 00:20:16.860 --> 00:20:18.160 and not just right 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.900 but desperate 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:20.019 to see ourselves 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.799 as right, 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.480 others have to be wrong 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.860 so that we feel righteous 00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.820 or at least better 00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:25.360 than you. 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:27.019 I have to be better 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.580 than the next person 00:20:28.580 --> 00:20:30.200 and it happens quickly, 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.720 doesn't it? 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:33.259 Disconnect truth 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:34.700 from love 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:37.480 and we're unloving 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.519 very quickly. 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:39.799 we lose love 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:40.980 immediately. 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:42.379 We see it in our homes. 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:44.039 We see the distance grow. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:46.099 It happens in our churches too. 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.680 Happened in Ephesus, 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.940 in America, 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.019 in Huntsville. 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:56.639 Some of you in this room, 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.379 I've hurt 00:20:57.379 --> 00:20:59.819 because I love to be right. 00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:02.960 I said it glibly earlier 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:04.279 but it's true 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:05.519 and it hurts people. 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:08.039 When conflict 00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:09.740 comes in a church, 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:11.140 a lot of times 00:21:11.140 --> 00:21:12.380 people become 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:13.819 identified with positions 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:16.180 and when you have 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.840 a position 00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:18.059 or a perspective 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.799 that's different 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.720 from mine 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.400 and I'm desperate 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:23.319 to be right, 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.960 a lot of times 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.039 rather than listening 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.700 to you, 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.400 rather than seeking 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.700 to understand you, 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:31.220 I want to argue 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:31.960 against you. 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.600 I want to defend myself. 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.819 I want to be vindicated 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:37.480 and so I don't love. 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:39.059 I pursue the truth 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:39.940 and I forget 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:41.600 about love 00:21:41.600 --> 00:21:42.480 and when you've been 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.259 to seminary 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.200 and you've been trained 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.940 to do so, 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:46.340 you can throw at people 00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:47.200 not just chapter 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:48.220 and verse of the Bible 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.980 but you can throw 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:50.120 confessions of faith 00:21:50.120 --> 00:21:51.279 and books of church order 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:52.180 and catechisms 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:53.880 that brothers and sisters 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:54.420 of yours 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.480 haven't even read 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:56.740 and use them 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:58.420 to defend yourself 00:21:58.420 --> 00:21:59.940 rather than 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:01.740 to love someone else, 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:02.660 to be right 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:05.140 and prove someone else wrong 00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:08.400 and I may have been 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.420 right sometimes 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:11.660 but I have sometimes 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.839 failed to love 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:13.559 as well 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:15.240 and deeply wounded people 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.380 who are on my team, 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:17.980 people God has put 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.519 in my life 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.819 for me to care about 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.860 and love 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:22.220 and there are probably 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.039 others I've hurt 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:24.900 and don't even realize it 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:26.519 maybe some of you 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:28.500 that I'm so concerned 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.300 with being right 00:22:29.300 --> 00:22:30.100 that I don't even realize 00:22:30.100 --> 00:22:31.040 I've hurt you 00:22:31.040 --> 00:22:34.040 and that's part of 00:22:34.040 --> 00:22:35.759 my sin, 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:37.280 part of what I do 00:22:37.280 --> 00:22:38.259 and have done 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.759 in the church. 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.820 You don't have to be 00:22:40.820 --> 00:22:41.700 a pastor though. 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.060 You don't have to have 00:22:44.060 --> 00:22:45.460 a degree in theological 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.120 rightness 00:22:46.120 --> 00:22:48.759 to fail to love others. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.420 You just have to be 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.360 desperate to be 00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:53.740 righter than someone else. 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:57.140 to treat a brother 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:58.560 or sister as an obstacle 00:22:58.560 --> 00:22:59.640 or an enemy 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:01.380 because what you want 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:02.000 is right. 00:23:02.780 --> 00:23:04.180 To ignore the pain 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:05.660 someone else is experiencing 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:07.060 because the feeling 00:23:07.060 --> 00:23:07.940 of being right 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:09.660 is such a high to you 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:10.700 that no one 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.740 or nothing else 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:13.060 really matters. 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:17.540 Happens here too, 00:23:17.620 --> 00:23:18.000 doesn't it? 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.460 Do you feel it 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.180 in your own heart? 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.860 Do you know the reality 00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:25.779 of wanting desperately 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.560 to be right? 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:27.799 Does your heart 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.700 right now 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:30.980 protest like mine does? 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:32.440 But I was right! 00:23:33.600 --> 00:23:35.340 That vindicates me! 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:37.340 I was right! 00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:40.120 About the dishes. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.880 About the doctrine. 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.940 About the decision. 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:48.600 We've all at times 00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:49.160 individually 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:50.420 and corporately 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.400 disconnected 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:53.680 truth from love. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.100 What we believe 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:56.960 from how we behave 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.160 and we've hurt others 00:23:58.160 --> 00:23:59.880 and practically speaking 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:01.960 not in what we've said 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:03.539 but in how we've acted 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.140 denied 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:05.660 the reality of the gospel. 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:08.039 That's pretty serious. 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.720 That's pretty bleak, 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.180 isn't it? 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:13.299 Just shut me down, 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:13.820 Jesus. 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:14.920 Shut us down. 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:16.100 We've blown it. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.080 Isn't that what you'd feel 00:24:18.080 --> 00:24:18.700 if you got a letter 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.380 like this? 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:21.300 Is that what you feel 00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:22.759 when you realize 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.860 that's true of you? 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.840 You've been right 00:24:25.840 --> 00:24:26.560 and unloving? 00:24:29.080 --> 00:24:30.279 What does Jesus say 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:30.920 to his church? 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.920 Jesus says, 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:34.380 repent. 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:36.539 Look at verse 5 again. 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:39.500 Remember therefore 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.620 from where you have fallen, 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.340 repent 00:24:41.340 --> 00:24:42.680 and do the works 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.560 you did at first. 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:45.139 If not, 00:24:45.179 --> 00:24:45.720 I will come to you 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.639 and remove your lampstand 00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:47.339 from its place 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:49.559 unless you repent. 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:50.480 Repent. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.599 Do what you did at first. 00:24:52.179 --> 00:24:52.659 Repent. 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.059 Repent. 00:24:54.419 --> 00:24:55.700 Love the way you used to love. 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:56.659 Repent. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.039 Repenting means 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:01.179 turning from sin. 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:03.079 It means a change 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:04.079 of direction. 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:05.460 Turning away 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.319 from our sin 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.539 and turning back 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.480 to Jesus. 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:10.920 I just want to make 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:11.640 one observation 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.559 about the repentance 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.559 in this passage. 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:16.019 Who is told 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.640 to repent? 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.660 The false, 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.900 evil apostles. 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:23.400 No. 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.519 The heretical 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.400 Nicolaitans. 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:28.860 No. 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.960 The right ones. 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:35.680 The right ones 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.279 are told 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.160 to repent. 00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:41.079 They're the ones 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:42.960 who need to start. 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.720 That's not the way 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.279 we would write it, 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:45.539 is it? 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:46.720 Listen, 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:48.039 I'll do repentance 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.700 and forgiveness, 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:49.460 reconciliation 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:51.180 as long as they start, 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.700 as long as they come 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.340 and apologize 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:54.920 to me. 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.740 Then I'll repent. 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.980 As long as they start, 00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:58.480 the repentance 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.200 will be good. 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:03.480 Jesus says, 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.480 you repent. 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.640 Parent who's seen 00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:09.740 a child go off 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:11.259 and lose his way 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:11.840 and felt, 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.380 I told you so, 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.100 while the relationship 00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:17.220 has grown distant, 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:20.319 you repent first. 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:23.779 How has your rightness 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:25.160 contributed to the love 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:26.080 growing cold 00:26:26.080 --> 00:26:26.840 between you? 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:29.359 boss who's belittled 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:30.039 an employee 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:31.959 for failing miserably? 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:34.599 You repent first. 00:26:35.879 --> 00:26:37.419 How are you so right 00:26:37.419 --> 00:26:39.019 that you were wrong? 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.299 Church member 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:44.079 who has allowed 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:45.059 distance to grow 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:47.059 in a previously tight, 00:26:47.439 --> 00:26:48.279 loving friendship 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:50.339 with a brother or sister 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.159 who treated you 00:26:51.159 --> 00:26:52.500 or your church wrongly? 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.599 You repent first. 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:58.599 Have you been so right 00:26:58.599 --> 00:27:00.639 that you were wrong 00:27:00.639 --> 00:27:01.240 toward them? 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:05.379 You know the beautiful thing 00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:06.259 about repenting? 00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:08.959 When we finally get 00:27:08.959 --> 00:27:10.119 to the point of saying, 00:27:10.659 --> 00:27:12.019 I'm not the right one. 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:14.199 I'm actually willing 00:27:14.199 --> 00:27:14.959 to admit 00:27:14.959 --> 00:27:16.119 that I'm wrong 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:17.220 to turn from that. 00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:18.019 To say even, 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.259 I was so right 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.639 that I was wrong. 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:22.899 When we turn from that 00:27:22.899 --> 00:27:23.480 in repentance, 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.859 who do we turn back to? 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:27.339 It's Jesus. 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:29.159 It's Jesus' 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.119 rightness, 00:27:30.439 --> 00:27:31.019 righteousness 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:33.359 that we turn back 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:34.299 to when we repent. 00:27:34.459 --> 00:27:35.059 That's the hope 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:35.639 of the gospel, 00:27:35.919 --> 00:27:36.139 right? 00:27:37.699 --> 00:27:38.939 That's where we turn. 00:27:39.199 --> 00:27:39.839 For those of us 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.740 who are stuck 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:42.079 in our self-righteousness, 00:27:42.419 --> 00:27:43.359 so intent 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:44.459 on being right 00:27:44.459 --> 00:27:45.119 and proving 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.119 ourselves right 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:47.500 and having it all 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.479 so that we can 00:27:48.479 --> 00:27:49.339 be right enough, 00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:50.619 the call is not 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:51.959 get away from me, 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:54.039 from our Savior. 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.599 That's not what 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:54.940 he says, 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.180 is it? 00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:56.519 That's not what 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.119 he says to the 00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:57.779 Ephesian church. 00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:58.700 The call is, 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:00.240 turn back to me. 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.700 See me, 00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:03.000 see the vision of him. 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.379 You know how 00:28:03.379 --> 00:28:04.500 this letter starts? 00:28:05.159 --> 00:28:06.220 Jesus gives the vision 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:06.920 of himself 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:08.099 that goes back 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:09.619 to Revelation chapter 1, 00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:10.519 the one John 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:11.319 has just seen 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:11.879 in a vision. 00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:13.019 Jesus says, 00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:13.639 verse 1, 00:28:14.159 --> 00:28:15.079 the angel of the church 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.879 in Ephesus write, 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:17.039 the words of him 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.599 who holds the seven stars 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.519 in his right hand, 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.659 who walks among 00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:22.319 the seven golden lampstands. 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.539 That's this vision 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.000 of Jesus 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.599 just a couple 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:25.399 verses before 00:28:25.399 --> 00:28:27.179 who's standing there 00:28:27.179 --> 00:28:29.059 and John sees Jesus 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:29.679 and says, 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:31.039 he's righteous, 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:33.200 he's holy, 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:35.000 he's magnificent, 00:28:35.439 --> 00:28:36.599 he's powerful 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:37.539 and you get this 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.419 detailed description 00:28:38.419 --> 00:28:38.980 of Jesus 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:40.439 and he's holding 00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:41.619 his church in his hand. 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.279 What's he saying 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.000 to his people? 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.399 Is he saying 00:28:45.399 --> 00:28:46.179 get away from me? 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.379 No, 00:28:46.419 --> 00:28:47.019 he's walking 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.839 among the seven 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.700 golden lampstands. 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.439 He's with them, 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:49.839 isn't he? 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:51.579 He's holding them 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.419 in his powerful 00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:53.319 right hand. 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:55.279 When you, 00:28:55.459 --> 00:28:56.740 who are so convinced 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.699 that you've got 00:28:57.699 --> 00:28:58.519 to be right, 00:28:59.099 --> 00:29:00.339 finally are willing 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.279 to admit you're wrong, 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.319 you look back 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.859 and find Jesus 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.899 standing there, 00:29:04.959 --> 00:29:05.819 not sending you away 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:06.339 but saying, 00:29:06.639 --> 00:29:08.159 turn back to me. 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:10.099 If you've disconnected 00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:11.079 your theology 00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:12.459 from love, 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:14.519 if you've so wanted 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:15.819 to be right yourself 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:17.679 that you've become wrong, 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:19.860 repent and look back 00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:20.880 at your Savior. 00:29:21.340 --> 00:29:23.180 See him in his pure 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:25.039 righteousness and holiness. 00:29:25.580 --> 00:29:26.060 John says, 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:27.960 shining as the sun 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:29.460 at full strength 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:31.700 and when you fall 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.880 as though dead 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.779 before him 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.620 in your guilt 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:35.759 and your shame, 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.200 listen to what he says 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:37.600 to you. 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.539 He says, 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.660 fear not. 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:42.560 Fear not 00:29:42.560 --> 00:29:44.440 the one who blew it, 00:29:45.080 --> 00:29:46.560 the one who was so caught up 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.319 with being right 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.599 that he failed to love. 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:49.679 Fear not, 00:29:50.679 --> 00:29:51.740 my rightness 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:53.619 is for you. 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.200 You are forever 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:58.319 pure in my robes 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:59.240 and safe 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.440 in my hand. 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:01.899 Forever. 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.359 I've got you 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:05.179 and now in that security 00:30:05.179 --> 00:30:06.919 with no more need 00:30:06.919 --> 00:30:08.460 to prove yourself right 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:09.679 because you've got 00:30:09.679 --> 00:30:10.779 my rightness 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.599 given to you, 00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:13.599 now in that security, 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:14.839 go, 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:15.980 turn, 00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:17.379 repent 00:30:17.379 --> 00:30:18.679 to others. 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.859 Go love again 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:20.659 like you did 00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:21.419 at first 00:30:21.419 --> 00:30:22.439 that your church 00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:23.439 would shine 00:30:23.439 --> 00:30:25.119 the glory of his name 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:27.059 as you love the truth 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:28.419 and love each other 00:30:28.419 --> 00:30:29.419 too. 00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:30.379 Let's pray. 00:30:34.699 --> 00:30:35.220 Jesus, 00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:36.199 might we see you 00:30:36.199 --> 00:30:37.159 that way this morning. 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.199 Might we see 00:30:40.199 --> 00:30:41.339 your rightness 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:43.119 as so much 00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:44.259 more beautiful 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.500 than any 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:46.099 rightness 00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:46.879 we could defend 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:47.720 for ourselves? 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.059 Might we truly 00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:51.000 receive it 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.779 and know 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.599 that it is ours 00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:53.419 by faith 00:30:53.419 --> 00:30:54.000 and then 00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:55.579 might we be free 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.299 in that 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:58.399 to repent? 00:31:00.679 --> 00:31:02.159 To say we've forgotten 00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:02.899 to love. 00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:05.659 We've neglected 00:31:05.659 --> 00:31:06.399 to love. 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:07.840 we've intentionally 00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:09.560 been unloving, 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.320 hurtful, 00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:12.120 hateful, 00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:12.980 spiteful. 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.540 Father, 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.080 thank you 00:31:19.080 --> 00:31:21.800 that there's hope 00:31:21.800 --> 00:31:22.280 for us. 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:23.080 Thank you that there's 00:31:23.080 --> 00:31:24.240 forgiveness for us 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.880 and forgiveness 00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:26.700 to extend 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.360 to others. 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:29.160 Might you 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.420 make us 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:31.380 a church 00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:33.680 where the truth 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.860 is never compromised 00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:36.199 and where it is 00:31:36.199 --> 00:31:37.519 always connected 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.139 to love? 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:39.719 Might we love 00:31:39.719 --> 00:31:41.439 the way you have 00:31:41.439 --> 00:31:42.019 loved us? 00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:44.599 We ask it in Jesus' name. 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.019 Amen. 00:31:48.959 --> 00:31:50.159 For more information, 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.459 visit us online 00:31:51.459 --> 00:31:52.759 at southwood.org.