WEBVTT

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 Good morning, everyone. I'm going to stand today. I think James, as he adjusted his mic previously, he'd say he did some research and it's the same height regardless of whether he's sitting or standing, but I think I got a few inches on him. So I'm gonna stand today.

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 Um, but yeah, good morning. And as a church, we've been going through the book of revelation together, um, the last few weeks, and it's called the book of revelation because as we see in the first verse, it's the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to servants the things that much soon take place.

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 And we're going through revelation because as we're starting the season of church together, this new season of church, we wanted to start with the end in mind. We need a clear picture of what is at the end over there in order to give us the right focus on what we should be doing here. And now what we have around us, the beanbag chairs, freshly brewed coffee, a pool table in the back. That's not the end goal.

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 And this life that we live now, the things that we enjoy is also not the end goal. And thank God that it's not because what we see in this book in revelation is that we have something that's so much better. We have a greater reward. We have an inheritance that is one of a kind and set apart.

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 The reward that we have is that we will have God himself. He will be our God. We will be his people and we will be able to worship him for all time, unstained by sin and beyond the reach of death. That's the hope that we have. And that's what we see in revelation.

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 Now the last several weeks, we've been looking at the letters in revelation to the seven churches. These letters are from Jesus. He has a message for the churches and he had a lot of praise for some churches, but for others, simply a stern warning.

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 But in all cases, regardless of the message, there is one call and that's to keep the end in mind. There's a reward to the one who conquers and who makes it to the end.

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 And although the letters are addressed to these seven churches in Asia, the letters are also for us. The message to the churches is also a message to the one church, the universal church, God's gathered people for all time, including God's church, his people here in this room today.

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 And this week now we're looking at the letter to the church in Philadelphia. And if you have your Bibles open, you might notice that we skipped one of the letters.

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 We skipped the letter to the church in Sardis. James was going to preach on the letter to Sardis last week, but unfortunately we missed our weekly gathering because of the typhoon and he's out of town this week.

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 So, and the best you have is me. Um, so, okay. Yeah. Okay. And yeah, I prepare for Philadelphia. So, um, that's what we're going to be opening up today, but we're going to jump back to Sardis next week.

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 Um, to the one who conquers past this week, you'll hear about the letter to Sardis next Sunday. Um, uh, but yeah, we'll, we'll have Jackie now to read, um, the letter, Jackie and Paul, wonderful Jackie and Paul, um, to read the letter to Philadelphia.

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 For us.

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 I knew I forgot something. So yes, please stand as we read the word together.

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 Revelations free.

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 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, right?

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 The words of the Holy one, the true one who has the key of David who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

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 I know your works.

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 Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.

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 I know that you have but little power and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

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 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie.

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 Behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.

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 Because you have kept my word about patience and endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world.

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 To try those who dwell on the earth.

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 I am coming soon.

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 Hold fast what you have so that no one may seize your crown.

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 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.

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 Never shall he go out of it and I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven and my own new name.

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 He who has ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

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 Amen. Thank you.

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 It's the word of the Lord.

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 Yeah, the letter starts off.

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 And to the letter of the church in Philadelphia, write.

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 The words of the Holy One, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

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 See, these are the words of Jesus.

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 They're the words of Jesus himself.

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 We know it's Jesus because the letters in chapter two and three are a continuation of what we read earlier in chapter one.

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 We read the several weeks ago together.

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 And in chapter one, around verse 13, John, who's the author of Revelation, who this revelation was given to, John saw Jesus.

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 Jesus.

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 And what he writes is amazing, nearly incredible even.

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 See, Jesus had eyes like a flame of fire.

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 From his mouth came a two-edged sword.

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 His face was shining, was like the sun, shining in full strength.

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 His voice was like the roar of many waters.

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 And the question we were asked is, is this the Jesus we know?

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 Have you ever seen someone like this?

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 Have you ever been brought face to face with a man like that?

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 Is this the Jesus you know?

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 Well, this is Jesus himself.

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 This is who is speaking.

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 And Jesus spoke to John in one verse 17, and he tells him, he tells John to write to the churches.

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 And these letters are the words of Jesus himself.

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 And now, why should we even care about this letter in the first place?

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 If I stand up here and talk for an hour, half an hour, why should you even listen?

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 There's one reason.

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 Only because that these are the words of Jesus himself.

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 These are the words of God.

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 He wrote the church in Philadelphia a letter, and he wrote us a letter.

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 So jumping back to chapter three now, this is how Jesus introduces himself in verse seven.

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 He says, these are the words of the Holy One, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

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 Now let's start with the first part.

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 Jesus is the Holy One, the true one.

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 Now we say the word holy a lot in church, right?

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 You hear it, that God is holy.

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 We sing about this.

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 Holy, holy, holy.

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 Holy, holy.

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 You might also yell the word holy when you're walking home at night and you look down and see a cockroach.

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 Holy.

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 But what does holy mean?

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 It means that Jesus is set apart.

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 He's one of a kind.

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 He's completely other in a league of his own and wholly different from anything else.

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 That's what we mean when we say holy.

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 In Isaiah 40 verse 25, this is what it says.

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 The Lord says, to whom then will you compare me that I should be like him?

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 Says the Holy One.

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 Lift up your eyes on high and see.

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 Who can we compare God to?

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 There's no one like him.

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 Do you know anyone else who has a face shining like the sun with a sword coming out of his mouth?

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 Have you met someone else who literally created the entire universe?

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 Everything that we see around us, he made by the word of his mouth.

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 Out of nothing, he said, let there be light.

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 And there was light.

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 There's nobody like him.

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 That's what we mean when we say that Jesus is holy.

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 And also Jesus being holy means that he is completely perfect.

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 He is morally perfect.

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 He's blameless and not just blameless, but actively good.

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 Jesus, when he lived on earth, he healed.

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 He cared for people.

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 He loved those who weren't lovable or those who others did not love.

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 He's good.

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 And that perfection is also what we mean when we say that he's holy.

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 Jesus is also the true one.

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 That means that he's genuine.

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 He's true.

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 He's real.

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 He's not false, but true.

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 He really is who he says he is.

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 We can trust him and we can take him at his word.

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 He's the true one.

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 And we'll talk more about this later.

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 Next to says that Jesus is the one who, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

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 Now to understand this, a little bit of history recap.

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 Who is David?

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 This key of David.

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 What does this refer to?

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 Well, David was the second king of Israel and probably the greatest king in Israel's history.

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 David feared God and loved him.

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 God himself said that he found in David a man after God's own heart.

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 That's how much David loved God.

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 And so God made a covenant with King David.

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 He made a promise, a vow with King David.

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 He promised David that he would establish his house, the house of David forever.

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 Meaning that God would raise up a son of David who would hold the throne forever.

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 His kingdom would endure forever.

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 There'd be a son of David who is king forever.

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 And this is what the Jews had in mind.

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 This is, it's this covenant that the Jews had in mind when they have the hope of a Messiah savior.

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 And even today there's Jews who are waiting for a Messiah to come and reign as King.

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 The son of David was promised one.

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 Who's heard of the word Messiah.

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 How about Christ?

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 Who's heard of Christ?

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 Maybe a few more as in Jesus Christ.

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 Well, Christ Christos is the Greek translation of that, of the word Messiah.

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 The Jewish word Messiah.

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 And so when we call Jesus the Christ, we're actually call him also Jesus, the Messiah.

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 The anointed one descended from David who God promised would bring victory and peace.

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 Who God promised would bring this reign, the reign of God's kingdom forever.

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 So Jesus as Christ means that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's covenant with David.

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 And more than that, the fulfillment of all God's promises in his word altogether.

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 So Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the one promised to save all of us.

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 And that's the context behind Jesus's reference to David here.

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 Also in saying the key of David, Jesus was referring to another bit of Old Testament, a lesser known man called Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah.

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 In Isaiah chapter 22, God makes a promise to him.

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 He says that he'll lift up his servant Eliakim and put authority in his hands.

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 And I'll read from Isaiah now.

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 And I want you, if you have your Bibles open to compare that to verse seven in Revelation in chapter three.

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 So Isaiah 22 verse 22 says, I will place on his shoulder.

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 So Eliakim's shoulder, the key of the house of David.

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 He shall open and none shall shut.

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 He shall shut and none shall open.

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 You see that?

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 The verses are nearly identical here.

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 And now in Isaiah, the point was that Eliakim was to be a servant.

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 He was to be a steward over the royal house of David.

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 He held the key to the house of David.

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 If you wanted to get to the king, remember King David, if you wanted to get to him, then you had to go through Eliakim.

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 If he opened, then the door was open and no one could close it.

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 You had access.

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 The way is clear.

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 But if he closed, then the door was closed.

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 You could bang on the door all you want, but no one's going to open to it.

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 The way to the king, this house of David is closed.

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 So Eliakim had the sole authority to determine who had this access to the king.

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 And the same and more is true of Jesus.

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 If we look forward to Revelation chapter one, sorry, Revelation chapter four, verse one, there's another door that we see.

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 And I think this in part is what Jesus is referring to when he's saying he's hold this key.

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 He holds this key of David.

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 It says there, behold, a door standing open in heaven.

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 And if we read on this door brings access to God in heaven, passing through the door, we see one seated on the throne in heaven with flashes of lightning, rumbling, peals of thunder.

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 He's surrounded by four living creatures that day and night never cease to say, holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty who was and is and is to come.

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 So David, Jesus holds this key, the key of David, but he does it in a way that is superior, even better than Eliakim.

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 See, Eliakim had the key to an earthly king, but Jesus holds the key to the king of heaven and earth.

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 Eliakim was just a servant to the king, a steward, but Jesus is both servant and king.

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 He's a king who made himself a servant to us.

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 Jesus is the door himself.

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 He is himself the way, the truth and the life.

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 And no one comes to the father except through Jesus.

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 If he opens, nobody shuts.

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 And if, but if he shuts, nobody can open.

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 And one question is how is Jesus able to do this?

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 Well, several weeks ago, again, in revelation one verse 19, we saw Jesus saying this.

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 He says, fear not.

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 I am the first and the last and the living one.

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 I died and behold, I am alive forevermore.

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 And I have the keys of death and Hades.

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 See, Jesus doesn't just have the key of David.

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 He has the keys of death and Hades itself.

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 Jesus has total and control and dominance over death.

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 And ironically, he did this himself by dying.

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 Look what it says in verse 18.

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 I'm the living one.

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 I died and behold, I'm alive forever.

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 And that's how he won victory over death and Hades.

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 That's how he got these keys to death and Hades.

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 You see, we couldn't get close to God because of our sin.

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 We couldn't have a relationship with God because of our sin.

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 And we all deserve death because of our sins.

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 But Jesus, he died and is alive forever.

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 He died on the cross, paying the penalty for our sins.

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 And he conquered death by rising on the third day from death.

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 Through his death and resurrection, through the cross, Jesus made a way for us to God.

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 Through the cross, he holds both the keys of death and the key of David that leads us to God.

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 And he takes the keys of death and he closes that door to us.

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 But he takes the key of David and opens the door for us to God.

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 That's Jesus.

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 This is the one who speaks to the church in Philadelphia.

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 And this is the Jesus that speaks to us.

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 Jesus, the holy one, the true one, and the only way to God.

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 Now let's read on in verse eight.

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 Jesus says, I know your works.

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 Behold, I've set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.

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 I know that you have but little power.

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 And yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

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 He says, I know your works.

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 Now this is a way that Jesus begins all his letters to the seven churches.

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 He knows our works.

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 He knows.

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 He sees what we're doing even if no one else does.

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 And we skipped Sardis last week.

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 But the letter to Sardis last week was a pretty spicy letter.

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 Jesus doesn't pull back any punches.

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 He says to them, I know your works.

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 You have the reputation of being alive.

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 But you are dead.

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 Wake up.

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 Ouch.

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 Like I can imagine the church in Philadelphia holding the breath after hearing that.

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 What's Jesus going to say next?

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 Pretty anxious after that.

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 But the tone with the church in Philadelphia is pretty different.

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 Jesus says to them, I know your works.

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 I know that you have but a little power.

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 And yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

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 What a relief.

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 Wouldn't we want Jesus to say that to us also?

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 And not only that, but Jesus slides in a promise to them in the middle.

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 He says, behold, I've set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.

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 We saw how Jesus has the final authority to open or close this door.

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 And to the church in Philadelphia, he assures them.

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 I've given you this open door.

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 It's open.

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 No one can close it.

00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:44.860
 He promises to them that their salvation, their way to God is secure.

00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:50.559
 I open for you a way to God that nobody can close and nobody will close.

00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:59.279
 No matter what this church faces, no matter what opponents rise up, no matter what their enemies say, the door is open.

00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:02.259
 The way to God is clear and no one can stand against them.

00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:03.979
 Their salvation is secure.

00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:08.440
 Now let's move on to verse nine.

00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:16.120
 He says, behold, I'll make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie.

00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:23.339
 Behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.

00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:26.299
 Does this sound familiar to anyone?

00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.920
 The synagogue of Satan.

00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:33.039
 We heard about them a few weeks ago in the letter to Smyrna.

00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:41.720
 The church in Smyrna, as James preached on, faced the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.360
 Remember that?

00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:44.680
 Pretty similar to what we read here.

00:18:46.080 --> 00:18:49.019
 The church in Smyrna was under persecution.

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:52.960
 And Jesus said to them, I know your tribulation.

00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:53.900
 There's tribulation.

00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:56.400
 There's people persecuting them and your poverty.

00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:59.900
 The church was poor, but he says, yet you are rich.

00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:04.100
 Smyrna was persecuted and poor, yet Jesus called them rich.

00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:10.840
 But on the other hand, there are some that are rich on the outside, but are completely empty and miserable on the inside.

00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:16.100
 You can be rich now, but without Jesus, actually poor, pitiable, blind, naked.

00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:20.860
 Yet Jesus says to Smyrna, if you have Jesus, nothing else.

00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.420
 We're rich.

00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:25.460
 We can be poor yet with Jesus have everything.

00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:30.780
 And in Smyrna, there were Jews who opposed the Christians there.

00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:34.160
 They stirred up trouble with the government, with the Roman Empire.

00:19:34.360 --> 00:19:39.740
 They accused the church of refusing to respect Caesar and for dishonoring him, not worshiping him.

00:19:40.040 --> 00:19:45.700
 They slandered the church, saying that they were rebellious and seeking to cause trouble against Rome.

00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:49.700
 And in Philadelphia here, we see a similar conflict.

00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:56.059
 There were Jews who were ethnically Jews by descent, but who opposed the church.

00:19:56.059 --> 00:20:04.819
 The Jews cast out Christians out of the synagogue because they, the Christians proclaim that Jesus was the Messiah.

00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:13.319
 And the Christians proclaim that Jesus is the Savior, the son of David, who they all have been waiting for.

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.759
 This Messiah promised.

00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:25.099
 But the Jews rejected Jesus and accused the church of blasphemy because of their witness and cast them out of the synagogue, said, you're not one of us.

00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:28.339
 The Jews boasted in the race and their rituals.

00:20:28.919 --> 00:20:32.899
 They boasted in, as God's people, because they were descended as Abraham.

00:20:33.399 --> 00:20:35.459
 And I think they had some reason to.

00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:40.480
 God said to Abraham that his descendants would be his chosen people.

00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:44.620
 And that through Abraham, all the nations of the earth will be blessed.

00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:47.100
 The Jews had this promise.

00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:48.940
 They had laws and rituals.

00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:52.940
 They had law that if they kept the law, it would lead to righteousness and life.

00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:56.440
 And they believe that they were God's chosen people.

00:20:56.440 --> 00:21:13.019
 Yet, Jesus says to them, he says to the church that these people who oppose you, who deny me, he says that they are in fact, not his people, but the synagogue of Satan.

00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:16.660
 They are false and they lie.

00:21:17.320 --> 00:21:18.700
 These are pretty harsh words.

00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:21.840
 To be called the synagogue of Satan.

00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.980
 And why does he say that?

00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:30.480
 If they had all the promises, they, they were, they had, they had the law.

00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:37.660
 They were God's, they were meant to be God's people by descent, but he calls them the synagogue of Satan for one reason.

00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:40.099
 Because they deny Jesus.

00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:44.079
 They lie because they reject Jesus.

00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:52.500
 First John 2 22 says, who is the liar, but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ.

00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:56.680
 It goes on to say, no one who denies the son has the father.

00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:59.440
 Whoever confesses the son has the father.

00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:02.279
 Also, they lie about Jesus.

00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.619
 They reject him.

00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:07.859
 And in doing so, they also lie about who they themselves are.

00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:09.880
 They're not God's people.

00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.920
 They say they're God's people.

00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:15.720
 They say they're Jews, but they are not for one reason, because they deny Jesus.

00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:18.400
 They're ethnically Jews, but not Jews.

00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:21.560
 They're not God's chosen people because they reject him.

00:22:23.060 --> 00:22:26.360
 And we saw earlier in verse seven, that Jesus is the true one.

00:22:27.060 --> 00:22:28.380
 He says, he's the true one.

00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:28.860
 He's genuine.

00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.380
 He's real.

00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:34.600
 He really is the Messiah, the Christ, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:38.000
 He really did die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.

00:22:38.719 --> 00:22:44.819
 And he really did rise to life and reigns now as the son of David forevermore.

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.319
 That's the truth.

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.480
 And we sang about this earlier.

00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.980
 Thank you, Ellie, for leading us.

00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:52.099
 How Jesus is the way maker.

00:22:52.219 --> 00:22:52.899
 He is the door.

00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.500
 He's the way.

00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:56.299
 He made a way for us to God.

00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:58.500
 And I love that we kept repeating that bridge.

00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:01.039
 That is who you are.

00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:04.859
 And that's what we confess when we sing those lyrics.

00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.759
 That is who you are.

00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:06.919
 You are the true one.

00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:08.079
 You are the Messiah.

00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:10.079
 You're the one who made a way for us.

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:10.980
 You are true.

00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:14.000
 Even if others say otherwise.

00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:21.480
 The good news of Jesus Christ will be true and remains true regardless of whether we believe it or not.

00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:26.519
 Regardless of whether other people believe in him, whether we believe in him, Jesus is the true one.

00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:33.579
 If others reject him and mock us for believing him like they did Philadelphia, Jesus is still the true one.

00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:38.539
 If people call this all a fairy tale, same thing.

00:23:38.860 --> 00:23:39.660
 He is the true one.

00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:44.279
 Or maybe you yourself don't know Jesus yet.

00:23:44.860 --> 00:23:47.680
 You're not convinced yet that Jesus is the Christ.

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:50.720
 Even still, Jesus is the true one.

00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:55.740
 And the question for us today is how will we respond to this truth?

00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.940
 Do we cling to this truth?

00:23:58.299 --> 00:24:03.180
 Do we build our lives on the foundation that Jesus is the son of God who died for our sins?

00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:06.680
 Is that what we're staking our life on?

00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:10.500
 Do we know the Jesus who writes to us?

00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:17.140
 Or to those here for the first time who don't yet know Jesus, will you choose to follow him?

00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:21.279
 Why don't you take a step today to seek him and get to know him?

00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:26.519
 No one who denies Jesus, the son of God knows God, the father.

00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:32.240
 And I don't know if you think you believe in God, but are hearing about him for the first time.

00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:39.940
 If you're hearing about Jesus for the first time, then, then candidly speaking, I don't think you really know God.

00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:45.660
 Because Jesus, no one has God except if you have the son also.

00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:47.160
 But that's okay.

00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.000
 You can start today.

00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:50.240
 You can start today.

00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:56.019
 Look to those sitting beside you and ask them afterwards to tell you about Jesus.

00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:59.039
 Ask them to tell you about who he is.

00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:01.119
 Or you can come up and talk to me.

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.059
 I'd love to tell you more.

00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:06.299
 But I'm hoping that as you come up, you'll bump into the church, into God's people.

00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:09.720
 People who have seen and heard the living Christ.

00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:13.759
 And who are dying to tell you about who he is.

00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:22.420
 In Mission Impossible, Mr. Phelps, he picks up the phone every now and then and he hears this.

00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:25.319
 Your mission, should you choose to accept it.

00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:28.220
 But that's not the case with Jesus.

00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.480
 It's your mission.

00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:31.400
 He's our mission.

00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:33.779
 Whether or not we choose to accept him.

00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:36.259
 If we reject him, he's still true.

00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:38.579
 He is still the way, the truth, and the life.

00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:43.919
 And if we walk away and neglect him, the truth remains that no one comes to the Father except through Jesus.

00:25:44.699 --> 00:25:46.500
 And it doesn't matter what we boast in.

00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:49.059
 Whether, like the Jews, we have things to boast in.

00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.460
 What good we've done.

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:56.980
 We've all sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified purely by his grace as a gift.

00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:59.339
 Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:04.579
 Let's hold to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God.

00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:06.039
 The Messiah who died for us.

00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:11.000
 So there's a synagogue of Satan.

00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:16.980
 And Jesus, yeah, there's a synagogue of Satan who opposes Jesus and the church in Philadelphia.

00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:21.419
 But Jesus says of them, he says of the synagogue of Satan,

00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:26.439
 Behold, I will make them come and bow down at your feet.

00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:28.960
 And they will learn that I have loved you.

00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.439
 I have loved you.

00:26:31.139 --> 00:26:31.819
 So there's hope here.

00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:35.119
 The synagogue of Satan will bow down before our feet.

00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:39.179
 This means that we will be vindicated and victorious.

00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:41.879
 See, following Jesus isn't easy.

00:26:41.959 --> 00:26:42.879
 There's a cost with it.

00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:51.020
 We don't follow Jesus just by praying a prayer once and then simply moving on and carrying on with our lives completely unchanged.

00:26:52.020 --> 00:26:54.200
 Following Jesus requires that we deny ourselves.

00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:57.720
 We pick up our cross and follow him.

00:26:57.720 --> 00:27:00.860
 And before we do that, we should count the cost.

00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:07.259
 Because if we do that, if we really follow Jesus, then as we saw with the church in Smyrna, persecution will come.

00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:09.039
 Jesus promises that.

00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:14.160
 When we follow Jesus, we will have to live differently and make decisions that appear foolish.

00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:21.940
 You might miss out on some big contract because you know it's not right to add some window dressing to that number.

00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:27.680
 Or maybe you drift apart from your friends because you don't live like they do.

00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:30.759
 You don't enjoy the same things that they do.

00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:34.259
 You know that their invitation to a late night means trouble.

00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:40.420
 And as James says, you can't honestly say to yourself that you're going to evangelize to junk people and care for them.

00:27:42.060 --> 00:27:43.300
 Maybe that's not true.

00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:45.419
 There's a cost to following Jesus.

00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:49.419
 And Philadelphia, the church in Philadelphia paid that cost.

00:27:50.399 --> 00:27:54.980
 But Jesus says to us, hold fast because you'll be victorious and vindicated.

00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:57.399
 And what is our victory?

00:27:58.639 --> 00:28:03.399
 Jesus says, behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet.

00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.339
 The synagogue of Satan.

00:28:04.419 --> 00:28:07.079
 They will bow down, come and bow down before your feet.

00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:08.079
 What does this mean?

00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:11.879
 See, our enemies persecute us, but then Jesus comes and says,

00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:15.940
 Aha, now we have the power and now they're bowing down before us instead of the other way around.

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.760
 Is that what he's saying?

00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.460
 Let's see.

00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:20.420
 Jesus says, I will come.

00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:23.920
 I'll make them come and they will bow down before your feet.

00:28:24.040 --> 00:28:25.040
 But it continues.

00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:29.460
 It says that, and then they will learn that I have loved you.

00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:32.500
 They will learn that I have loved you.

00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:35.879
 They will know this, that Jesus, that I have loved you.

00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:38.000
 I think that's the crux of it.

00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:40.019
 That's the victory that we will have.

00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.659
 That's our vindication.

00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:48.060
 That the whole world, everyone will know that Jesus loved us.

00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:50.360
 That's our vindication.

00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:52.920
 His love for us is our crown and glory.

00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:56.320
 One day, it might be hidden now.

00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.920
 The world might not see it now.

00:28:58.100 --> 00:29:00.519
 But one day, his love for us won't be hidden.

00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:01.880
 It'll be so undeniable.

00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:06.960
 It will shine so brightly that our enemies will come and bow down at our feet.

00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:10.819
 But that's the glory we have, that Jesus loved us.

00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:15.019
 And does this fact amaze us?

00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.500
 Does this wow you?

00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:19.299
 I don't want us to pass over this, that Jesus loves us.

00:29:19.340 --> 00:29:22.259
 We say this so much, but really he loves us.

00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.400
 He loves us.

00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:29.180
 Do you know in your hearts, in the deepest crevice of your hearts,

00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.920
 that God, that Jesus loves us?

00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:32.000
 I want us to know this.

00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:34.519
 Let's all say this together.

00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:36.039
 Let's say this out loud together.

00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:38.539
 Let's say it out loud together that Jesus loves me.

00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.460
 On three.

00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.139
 One, two, three.

00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:41.359
 Jesus loves me.

00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.879
 With a little bit more enthusiasm.

00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.659
 Jesus loves me.

00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:49.379
 That's the truth that we hold on to, and that will be a crown.

00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:53.000
 1 John 4, 9 says,

00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:55.659
 In this the love of God was manifest among us,

00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:58.740
 that God sent his son into the world,

00:29:59.000 --> 00:30:00.619
 so that we might live through him.

00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:03.980
 In this is love, not that we have loved God,

00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:08.319
 but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation,

00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:10.579
 to pay the penalty for our sins.

00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:13.400
 Jesus died for our sins,

00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:16.599
 and that is a love that will one day drive our enemies,

00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:19.759
 drive the whole world to their knees before us.

00:30:20.599 --> 00:30:21.720
 And if that's true,

00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:26.019
 it's also a love that should throw us on our faces before God.

00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:33.180
 It's a love that ought to compel us with awe and wonder to love others in the way that God loved us.

00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.799
 Being amazed by this,

00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.759
 at this love,

00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:38.639
 frees us to love our enemies,

00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.819
 to turn the other cheek,

00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.700
 to forgive radically.

00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:45.700
 God's love is a love that casts out fear,

00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.500
 fear of death,

00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:47.140
 fear of punishment,

00:30:47.340 --> 00:30:48.019
 fear of this world.

00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.980
 We don't have to be afraid.

00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:53.420
 We don't have to strive when we know that deep down in our hearts,

00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.640
 deep down in our souls,

00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:57.039
 we are loved by God.

00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.480
 We are called to be saints.

00:30:58.980 --> 00:31:00.160
 That is our identity,

00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:01.580
 not in anything that we do,

00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:03.720
 but that we are loved by God.

00:31:05.160 --> 00:31:08.160
 That love frees us to love and good works.

00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.779
 This is our victory,

00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.740
 that Jesus loves us.

00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:13.559
 And I want us to think,

00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.500
 practically speaking,

00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:20.340
 how does God's love free us to live in this way this coming week?

00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:25.380
 Is there a part of your life that you would change if this was your identity,

00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.539
 that Jesus loves me?

00:31:27.340 --> 00:31:28.880
 Are you anxious about school,

00:31:29.600 --> 00:31:30.920
 about your performance at work?

00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.000
 Well,

00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:35.380
 you don't have to earn any approval because Jesus loves you.

00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:37.960
 Are you feeling tired and alone?

00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:41.000
 Or maybe you're trying to find approval,

00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:42.600
 jumping from relationship to relationship.

00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:45.000
 Jesus loves you.

00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:49.140
 Are you afraid of being laughed at or rejected?

00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:51.120
 If you identify as Christian,

00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:53.420
 if you go and tell others about him,

00:31:54.840 --> 00:31:55.020
 well,

00:31:55.060 --> 00:32:00.040
 Jesus loves you and they will know the world will know that he has loved you and

00:32:00.040 --> 00:32:01.300
 they will be amazed by this fact.

00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:06.740
 And with our hearts want them not to bow before us at our feet,

00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:09.200
 but for Jesus to also say to them,

00:32:09.399 --> 00:32:11.000
 I also have loved you.

00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.759
 Do we want this for our friends,

00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:13.399
 those around us?

00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:17.259
 His love is our victory and our vindication.

00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:21.380
 Another thing we can do yesterday,

00:32:21.800 --> 00:32:27.280
 there was a young life event where we wrote down 10 things.

00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:29.940
 What are 10 ways in which God,

00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.960
 you can see God has loved you.

00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:34.080
 Jesus died on the cross for us.

00:32:34.860 --> 00:32:35.720
 He knows us by name.

00:32:35.780 --> 00:32:36.440
 He called us.

00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:39.400
 Evelyn said that he,

00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:42.420
 he even knows the number of hairs on her head.

00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:43.740
 And when a hair falls out,

00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.620
 he changes his count.

00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:47.460
 That's how intimately he knows us.

00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:49.640
 So that's something we can do today.

00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:51.380
 And this afternoon,

00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:54.240
 write down what are some ways in which Jesus,

00:32:54.380 --> 00:32:58.220
 you know that Jesus has loved you or after lunch today,

00:32:58.320 --> 00:33:00.220
 when we're continuing to worship,

00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:01.920
 chat with one another,

00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:02.960
 ask each other,

00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:04.980
 do you know that you're loved by God?

00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:06.860
 And how does this change?

00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:09.700
 How does this affect the way we're going to,

00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.580
 we're going to live this week?

00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:15.200
 So let's continue on in verse 10.

00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:16.920
 Jesus says,

00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:20.180
 because you have kept my word about patient endurance,

00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:28.100
 I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to try those who dwell on the earth.

00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:29.740
 Now,

00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:31.839
 earlier we heard Jesus say to the church,

00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:32.939
 I know your works.

00:33:33.719 --> 00:33:34.339
 And this,

00:33:34.419 --> 00:33:34.699
 this,

00:33:34.699 --> 00:33:36.099
 this phrase,

00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:36.719
 I know your works.

00:33:36.859 --> 00:33:38.119
 It's associated with this promise.

00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:38.819
 Behold,

00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:41.299
 I give you an open door that no one can close.

00:33:42.419 --> 00:33:44.759
 He's giving a salvation that no one can take away.

00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:46.079
 And likewise,

00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:46.720
 in verse 10,

00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:48.140
 we see Philadelphia's works.

00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.279
 Jesus says to them,

00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:51.579
 you have kept my word about patient endurance.

00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:55.579
 And explicitly now in verse 10,

00:33:56.480 --> 00:34:00.700
 Jesus says that Philadelphia's works are reason for this promise that is given.

00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.539
 He says,

00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:02.799
 because you kept my word,

00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:03.240
 my word,

00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:06.039
 I also will keep you from this hour of trial.

00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:07.500
 You keep.

00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:09.539
 So I also will keep.

00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:11.139
 So here there's,

00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:17.360
 there's a clear connection between this church's works and the promise given their salvation.

00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:19.280
 He says,

00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:19.880
 Jesus says,

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:21.780
 I know your works and promises them salvation.

00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:25.579
 So one question that you might have is did.

00:34:26.640 --> 00:34:27.120
 Yeah.

00:34:27.140 --> 00:34:27.360
 Why,

00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:28.400
 why does Jesus do this?

00:34:28.700 --> 00:34:30.940
 If works are associated with salvation,

00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:35.099
 did Philadelphia earn this open door as given to them?

00:34:35.220 --> 00:34:38.120
 If Philadelphia could work to gain access to God,

00:34:38.120 --> 00:34:40.579
 then implication is so can we,

00:34:40.720 --> 00:34:42.640
 but let's see what Jesus says.

00:34:42.680 --> 00:34:43.160
 He says,

00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:44.880
 I know your works.

00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:47.099
 I know all the good you've done.

00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:48.460
 I know you are big and powerful.

00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:50.839
 You gave millions of dollars to the poor.

00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:52.880
 You helped so many grandmas cross the street.

00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:54.279
 You gave a balloon to that kid.

00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:55.779
 And that was kind of sweet.

00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:58.339
 Is that what Jesus said to the church in Philadelphia?

00:34:58.900 --> 00:34:59.339
 No.

00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:00.759
 He says,

00:35:00.860 --> 00:35:01.880
 I know your works.

00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:04.339
 I know that you have,

00:35:04.599 --> 00:35:05.400
 but little power,

00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:07.299
 just a teeny ounce of power.

00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:08.759
 You're weak,

00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:11.599
 but yet you endured for my sake.

00:35:11.779 --> 00:35:12.699
 You kept my word.

00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:14.199
 You did not deny my name,

00:35:14.739 --> 00:35:15.839
 even in your weakness.

00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:17.100
 See,

00:35:17.180 --> 00:35:19.100
 Jesus uses the weak to shame the strong.

00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:25.200
 He uses the foolish to shame the wise so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:29.039
 Philadelphia didn't earn that open door because of their works.

00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:35.460
 How can we earn the right to have God come as man and die on the cross for our sins?

00:35:35.539 --> 00:35:36.759
 What have you done that deserves that?

00:35:37.300 --> 00:35:39.699
 There's nothing that we can do to make up for our sins.

00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:43.139
 There's nothing that Philadelphia did to earn their salvation.

00:35:43.259 --> 00:35:43.900
 It's a free gift,

00:35:43.900 --> 00:35:46.320
 but their works.

00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:49.940
 What they did demonstrated that they love God.

00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:51.320
 They had faith in him.

00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:52.320
 They believed in him.

00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:53.900
 In their works,

00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:54.980
 God saw their faith.

00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:56.400
 And likewise,

00:35:56.500 --> 00:36:01.400
 he looks at our faith and he gives us freely reconciliation with him through Jesus.

00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:02.760
 You see,

00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:04.320
 Philadelphia kept Jesus's word.

00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:10.420
 Let's also keep his word because we trust in him.

00:36:10.580 --> 00:36:12.600
 We trust that Jesus is the true one,

00:36:12.680 --> 00:36:14.700
 that what he says is true.

00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:19.620
 Let's obey God's word because we know that it is more precious than gold,

00:36:19.740 --> 00:36:20.500
 sweeter than honey,

00:36:21.160 --> 00:36:22.480
 that the law of the Lord is perfect,

00:36:22.600 --> 00:36:23.380
 reviving our soul,

00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:25.000
 that the law,

00:36:25.100 --> 00:36:25.559
 his word,

00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:27.200
 it's not a weight on our shoulders,

00:36:27.199 --> 00:36:28.480
 but it's good.

00:36:28.939 --> 00:36:30.899
 And that following God's way is better than our way.

00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:34.439
 Philadelphia didn't deny Jesus's name.

00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:37.759
 They didn't deny his name because they love Jesus.

00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:40.419
 Rather than being ashamed of Jesus,

00:36:40.619 --> 00:36:42.919
 ashamed of his name and denying his name.

00:36:43.699 --> 00:36:45.099
 Let us boast in him.

00:36:45.279 --> 00:36:46.480
 Let us hold fast to Jesus.

00:36:47.099 --> 00:36:50.259
 Let us confess that Jesus is our Lord and savior,

00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.619
 our Christ and Messiah.

00:36:51.879 --> 00:36:53.039
 And let us testify,

00:36:53.219 --> 00:36:56.119
 even with the cost that we would be dead and hopeless.

00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:57.859
 If Jesus didn't die for us,

00:36:58.799 --> 00:37:03.699
 let's have the strength to not deny Jesus's name because instead we boast in it.

00:37:05.219 --> 00:37:07.119
 And Philadelphia also patiently endured.

00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:11.799
 They held fast to his word of patient endurance.

00:37:12.099 --> 00:37:13.119
 Let's also do this.

00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:16.940
 Let's also hold fast with patient endurance because we're looking to the reward.

00:37:17.119 --> 00:37:19.920
 We're looking to the reward that's coming on Christ's return.

00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:22.019
 Let's have faith that our endurance.

00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:25.659
 Now the cost now will be worth it because what we have then,

00:37:26.219 --> 00:37:29.299
 we'll just have not even compare what we have now.

00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:32.039
 Won't even compare to the glory that has to be revealed to us.

00:37:32.279 --> 00:37:33.440
 And let's look forward to the patients.

00:37:34.940 --> 00:37:38.619
 My prayer for us as a church is that if Jesus wrote us a letter,

00:37:38.759 --> 00:37:39.500
 he would write us one,

00:37:39.559 --> 00:37:40.839
 like the church in Philadelphia,

00:37:40.839 --> 00:37:42.299
 that he would say,

00:37:42.300 --> 00:37:44.039
 I know your works from what you do.

00:37:44.620 --> 00:37:46.300
 It's beyond doubt that you love me.

00:37:46.940 --> 00:37:47.560
 You trust me.

00:37:47.620 --> 00:37:48.280
 You have faith in me.

00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:50.280
 And that because of this,

00:37:51.039 --> 00:37:53.200
 I promise you an open door salvation.

00:37:53.820 --> 00:37:54.780
 Let's be a church like that.

00:37:57.640 --> 00:37:59.420
 Let's continue on in verse 11.

00:37:59.420 --> 00:38:01.079
 Jesus says,

00:38:01.200 --> 00:38:02.380
 I am coming soon.

00:38:02.760 --> 00:38:06.099
 Hold fast to what you have so that no one may seize your crown.

00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:07.380
 So,

00:38:07.480 --> 00:38:08.099
 so far,

00:38:08.200 --> 00:38:09.180
 everything's been all good.

00:38:09.740 --> 00:38:12.820
 Jesus has been kind of talking up the Philadelphians,

00:38:13.260 --> 00:38:14.460
 sort of tooting the horn a bit,

00:38:14.460 --> 00:38:17.300
 but now we've been hearing praises and promises.

00:38:17.659 --> 00:38:18.400
 So far,

00:38:18.480 --> 00:38:19.920
 nothing actual to do yet.

00:38:20.240 --> 00:38:21.240
 If you read this letter,

00:38:21.460 --> 00:38:23.680
 but now there's finally a command.

00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:24.879
 There's,

00:38:24.940 --> 00:38:27.359
 there's an imperative given now finally in verse 11.

00:38:28.239 --> 00:38:29.719
 And there's one actual command.

00:38:29.779 --> 00:38:30.839
 There's one main command that God,

00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:32.919
 that Jesus gives to Philadelphia in this letter.

00:38:33.119 --> 00:38:35.639
 And it's this hold fast,

00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:36.839
 hold fast,

00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:38.359
 hold fast to what you have.

00:38:38.859 --> 00:38:39.559
 He says,

00:38:39.599 --> 00:38:40.460
 I'm coming soon.

00:38:40.559 --> 00:38:41.879
 Hold on to what you have.

00:38:42.159 --> 00:38:43.859
 So that no one takes your crown.

00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:46.919
 That's the command he gives to Philadelphia.

00:38:46.919 --> 00:38:48.500
 And that's the command he gives to us also.

00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:52.619
 And he motivates this command to hold fast in a few ways.

00:38:52.619 --> 00:38:53.579
 First,

00:38:53.659 --> 00:38:54.339
 he says to them,

00:38:54.460 --> 00:38:55.679
 I'm coming soon.

00:38:56.519 --> 00:38:57.380
 He's coming soon.

00:38:57.480 --> 00:38:58.900
 Jesus coming is coming soon.

00:38:59.839 --> 00:39:02.099
 This is a big emphasis in revelation.

00:39:02.319 --> 00:39:03.559
 Jesus's second coming,

00:39:03.639 --> 00:39:04.059
 his return.

00:39:05.319 --> 00:39:08.699
 And we talk about how we want to have the end in mind.

00:39:08.759 --> 00:39:10.039
 We want to start with the end in mind.

00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:10.559
 Well,

00:39:10.579 --> 00:39:12.799
 Jesus coming is the end.

00:39:13.159 --> 00:39:14.819
 That's the end we want to have in mind.

00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:17.139
 Literally in the first verses,

00:39:17.319 --> 00:39:18.239
 verse of revelation,

00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:19.199
 John,

00:39:19.199 --> 00:39:23.980
 he writes that this book is about the things that must soon take place.

00:39:24.539 --> 00:39:25.519
 They're happening soon.

00:39:26.419 --> 00:39:30.460
 Jesus is the one who is and who was and who is to come.

00:39:31.419 --> 00:39:35.079
 And this hope of Jesus's return carries all the way to the end of the book,

00:39:35.199 --> 00:39:36.599
 where Jesus says,

00:39:36.679 --> 00:39:37.679
 he says to us,

00:39:37.939 --> 00:39:39.500
 surely I'm coming soon.

00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:40.259
 That's how he closes.

00:39:40.260 --> 00:39:43.680
 And a big purpose of this book is as we read it,

00:39:43.740 --> 00:39:44.420
 we might respond.

00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:47.580
 We might have in our hearts to respond.

00:39:47.920 --> 00:39:48.360
 Amen.

00:39:48.740 --> 00:39:49.560
 Come Lord Jesus.

00:39:50.820 --> 00:39:52.440
 And when reading revelations,

00:39:52.440 --> 00:39:55.840
 we're meant to get excited about this and prepare for his return.

00:39:55.920 --> 00:39:56.980
 This end that is coming.

00:39:58.160 --> 00:39:59.520
 My question for us is,

00:39:59.560 --> 00:40:02.480
 is do we hold onto this fact that Jesus is coming soon?

00:40:02.980 --> 00:40:05.680
 How often do we think of his return?

00:40:07.320 --> 00:40:07.660
 There's a,

00:40:07.660 --> 00:40:09.840
 there's a trend in this last month where people would ask their friends,

00:40:09.840 --> 00:40:12.640
 how often do you think of the Roman empire,

00:40:12.640 --> 00:40:13.579
 right?

00:40:13.600 --> 00:40:17.840
 For some people it's once every few weeks or for others,

00:40:17.900 --> 00:40:18.340
 every day,

00:40:18.340 --> 00:40:19.059
 right?

00:40:19.079 --> 00:40:20.019
 There's aqueducts,

00:40:20.039 --> 00:40:20.920
 there's paved roads,

00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:22.519
 there's fit Roman soldiers.

00:40:23.360 --> 00:40:28.220
 How often does it strike you that Jesus is coming soon?

00:40:28.660 --> 00:40:30.059
 Do you think of his return?

00:40:31.460 --> 00:40:32.600
 That Jesus is coming.

00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:35.300
 We need to have this end in mind constantly.

00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:36.100
 He is coming.

00:40:36.800 --> 00:40:38.680
 We need to be prepared for his return.

00:40:38.679 --> 00:40:39.879
 Right?

00:40:40.119 --> 00:40:43.440
 Do we think there's a cross our minds that Jesus is coming.

00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:44.799
 And if it does,

00:40:44.919 --> 00:40:47.319
 how does this change the way we live our lives?

00:40:47.859 --> 00:40:48.299
 Right?

00:40:48.359 --> 00:40:48.980
 Have a think what,

00:40:49.039 --> 00:40:49.899
 what motivates you?

00:40:50.500 --> 00:40:50.899
 What,

00:40:51.000 --> 00:40:51.399
 what's,

00:40:51.500 --> 00:40:52.539
 what drives you every day?

00:40:53.139 --> 00:40:54.619
 If we're slaving away,

00:40:54.739 --> 00:40:56.699
 just looking forward to our next vacation,

00:40:57.159 --> 00:40:59.199
 our dream home retirement,

00:40:59.359 --> 00:41:00.579
 that's what we're working towards.

00:41:00.579 --> 00:41:00.960
 Only.

00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:04.000
 I want us to consider if those are the main things on our mind,

00:41:04.360 --> 00:41:05.980
 how does that,

00:41:06.119 --> 00:41:09.199
 what does that tell us about how excited we are for Christ's return?

00:41:10.240 --> 00:41:11.159
 I don't know about you,

00:41:11.220 --> 00:41:11.539
 but as,

00:41:11.599 --> 00:41:12.119
 as a kid,

00:41:12.519 --> 00:41:12.860
 I,

00:41:13.199 --> 00:41:14.400
 the night before family trips,

00:41:14.579 --> 00:41:19.320
 I always got really excited and excited to the point where it was hard for me to fall asleep.

00:41:19.320 --> 00:41:23.559
 Cause I was just thinking excited about this thing that was happening on this trip.

00:41:23.559 --> 00:41:24.039
 Um,

00:41:25.360 --> 00:41:28.179
 are we excited about Christ's return in the same way,

00:41:28.179 --> 00:41:30.000
 or does it not even cross our mind?

00:41:30.779 --> 00:41:31.259
 Right?

00:41:31.380 --> 00:41:35.219
 Are we excited about Jesus's return as we would be about a trip to Bali?

00:41:36.039 --> 00:41:36.480
 Um,

00:41:36.480 --> 00:41:37.699
 cause I'll be even better than that.

00:41:37.980 --> 00:41:41.320
 Or are we as excited as going to work on a Monday morning?

00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:42.799
 Um,

00:41:43.219 --> 00:41:43.779
 but when,

00:41:43.860 --> 00:41:44.779
 when Jesus returns,

00:41:45.039 --> 00:41:45.320
 this,

00:41:45.460 --> 00:41:46.579
 this day will be glorious.

00:41:47.019 --> 00:41:49.639
 It'll be glorious like nothing we've ever seen.

00:41:50.420 --> 00:41:52.559
 But do we even stop and think about it?

00:41:52.559 --> 00:41:53.619
 Right?

00:41:53.659 --> 00:41:54.400
 Does it come to mind?

00:41:55.259 --> 00:41:57.239
 Cause Jesus will come like a thief in the night.

00:41:57.320 --> 00:41:57.920
 If we're not,

00:41:58.179 --> 00:42:00.739
 even if we don't have this in mind that he's returning,

00:42:00.880 --> 00:42:01.420
 he'll come.

00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:04.079
 And if we're not looking to it,

00:42:04.199 --> 00:42:05.279
 he'll catch us by surprise.

00:42:05.380 --> 00:42:06.500
 He'll come like a thief in the night.

00:42:07.799 --> 00:42:08.759
 Are we going to be ready?

00:42:09.340 --> 00:42:11.299
 Cause we better be ready when he comes for his return.

00:42:12.400 --> 00:42:17.840
 And for those of us who look forward to his return and looking around this room,

00:42:17.880 --> 00:42:19.139
 I know there's some of us that really do.

00:42:20.340 --> 00:42:21.519
 I want us to be encouraged.

00:42:21.519 --> 00:42:27.039
 That Christ being offered once to bear the sins of many will appear a second time,

00:42:27.119 --> 00:42:28.460
 not to deal with sin,

00:42:28.820 --> 00:42:31.280
 but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

00:42:33.119 --> 00:42:35.259
 He'll save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

00:42:35.840 --> 00:42:36.679
 It'll be a glorious day.

00:42:37.239 --> 00:42:42.820
 So keep holding fast with patience and endurance and with eager expectation.

00:42:42.820 --> 00:42:44.820
 Secondly,

00:42:45.500 --> 00:42:47.740
 Jesus promises a crown to those who hold fast.

00:42:49.039 --> 00:42:50.160
 Second Timothy four,

00:42:50.260 --> 00:42:54.580
 eight says that God promises us a crown of righteousness,

00:42:54.580 --> 00:42:56.300
 which the Lord,

00:42:56.400 --> 00:42:59.880
 the righteous judge will award to all those who have loved his appearing.

00:42:59.880 --> 00:43:05.980
 The crown is promised to all those who love and are looking forward to Christ appearing,

00:43:06.099 --> 00:43:06.200
 his,

00:43:06.200 --> 00:43:06.660
 his coming,

00:43:06.760 --> 00:43:06.860
 his,

00:43:06.940 --> 00:43:07.440
 his return.

00:43:08.440 --> 00:43:09.599
 Now in those times,

00:43:09.599 --> 00:43:10.039
 um,

00:43:10.400 --> 00:43:12.760
 a crown would be given to those who won an,

00:43:12.880 --> 00:43:14.300
 an athletic competition.

00:43:14.680 --> 00:43:16.760
 So who here remembers watching the,

00:43:16.760 --> 00:43:19.200
 the 2004 Olympic games in Athens,

00:43:19.360 --> 00:43:21.220
 in Athens Olympics.

00:43:21.919 --> 00:43:22.359
 Yeah.

00:43:22.359 --> 00:43:22.799
 Some of you,

00:43:22.859 --> 00:43:23.199
 I don't know,

00:43:23.639 --> 00:43:24.339
 maybe just born.

00:43:25.000 --> 00:43:25.219
 Um,

00:43:25.559 --> 00:43:30.019
 but in the Athens Olympics,

00:43:30.019 --> 00:43:33.319
 in addition to giving out medals,

00:43:33.319 --> 00:43:35.119
 so they give out gold,

00:43:35.219 --> 00:43:35.419
 silver,

00:43:35.539 --> 00:43:36.480
 bronze medals like usual,

00:43:36.480 --> 00:43:42.059
 but they would also put an olive wreath on the heads of the winners following along this,

00:43:42.059 --> 00:43:43.000
 this Greek tradition,

00:43:43.719 --> 00:43:44.099
 um,

00:43:44.299 --> 00:43:48.959
 of this Greek and Roman tradition of putting a crown on,

00:43:49.000 --> 00:43:49.519
 on the winners,

00:43:49.679 --> 00:43:50.199
 the crown,

00:43:50.199 --> 00:43:53.339
 this olive wreath symbolizes victory that you won and you conquered.

00:43:54.399 --> 00:43:56.579
 And Jesus says to us to hold fast,

00:43:56.779 --> 00:43:58.539
 hold fast so that no one takes this crown.

00:43:59.319 --> 00:44:02.899
 We need to hold fast and persevere to the end in order to receive this crown,

00:44:03.019 --> 00:44:03.779
 right?

00:44:03.799 --> 00:44:06.839
 If you're running a marathon and you stop halfway,

00:44:08.339 --> 00:44:09.199
 some of us run marathons.

00:44:09.239 --> 00:44:10.299
 What happens if you stop halfway?

00:44:10.899 --> 00:44:12.019
 You didn't finish the race.

00:44:12.119 --> 00:44:12.980
 There's no crown.

00:44:13.179 --> 00:44:13.919
 There's no victory.

00:44:14.000 --> 00:44:14.539
 There's no glory.

00:44:16.559 --> 00:44:19.839
 If you're running a marathon and five steps before the finish line,

00:44:20.199 --> 00:44:20.859
 you stop,

00:44:20.859 --> 00:44:23.000
 you're almost there,

00:44:23.079 --> 00:44:24.480
 but still you didn't finish the race.

00:44:25.099 --> 00:44:25.879
 There's no crown,

00:44:25.960 --> 00:44:26.379
 no victory.

00:44:26.380 --> 00:44:30.599
 And it'd be shame if we as a church made it so far,

00:44:31.440 --> 00:44:32.420
 endured so much pain,

00:44:32.760 --> 00:44:34.960
 but threw it all away at the end.

00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:38.539
 We can follow God for decades.

00:44:38.539 --> 00:44:40.079
 We can be leaders in the church,

00:44:40.440 --> 00:44:40.820
 pastors,

00:44:41.280 --> 00:44:41.760
 deacons,

00:44:42.720 --> 00:44:43.159
 ambassadors,

00:44:43.760 --> 00:44:44.360
 worship leaders,

00:44:45.159 --> 00:44:45.699
 clan leaders.

00:44:46.639 --> 00:44:48.260
 We can follow God for decades,

00:44:48.840 --> 00:44:52.019
 but if we stop before the end,

00:44:52.159 --> 00:44:54.300
 if we start to think at any point,

00:44:54.820 --> 00:44:56.940
 now I made it life's easy and comfortable.

00:44:57.940 --> 00:44:59.099
 It's time to let loose.

00:45:00.159 --> 00:45:01.139
 I worked so hard.

00:45:01.500 --> 00:45:02.740
 I want my reward now.

00:45:03.840 --> 00:45:04.280
 Remember,

00:45:04.420 --> 00:45:07.420
 it'll all be worthless unless we make it to the end.

00:45:08.539 --> 00:45:11.059
 There's a time for rest and there's time to pass on the baton,

00:45:11.240 --> 00:45:13.639
 but remember this life isn't all that there is.

00:45:14.280 --> 00:45:15.480
 We need to make it to the end.

00:45:16.440 --> 00:45:17.480
 Jesus is coming soon.

00:45:18.179 --> 00:45:20.420
 Hold fast to what you have so that no one takes your crown.

00:45:21.340 --> 00:45:22.800
 Remember the love that you had at first.

00:45:22.800 --> 00:45:25.360
 Remember the love you had at first,

00:45:25.360 --> 00:45:27.160
 like what Jesus said to Ephesians.

00:45:29.500 --> 00:45:31.860
 And what exactly is it that we hold onto?

00:45:32.720 --> 00:45:33.160
 See,

00:45:33.220 --> 00:45:34.539
 notice how Jesus says,

00:45:35.100 --> 00:45:35.860
 he says,

00:45:35.960 --> 00:45:37.440
 hold fast to what you have,

00:45:37.740 --> 00:45:38.039
 right?

00:45:38.060 --> 00:45:39.500
 The enemy wants to take a crown.

00:45:39.800 --> 00:45:41.539
 Surely Satan wants to take away our victory,

00:45:41.800 --> 00:45:43.900
 but Jesus doesn't say,

00:45:44.019 --> 00:45:45.060
 hold onto your crown.

00:45:45.620 --> 00:45:46.300
 He says,

00:45:46.420 --> 00:45:47.940
 hold onto what you have.

00:45:49.160 --> 00:45:50.360
 We don't have a crown yet,

00:45:50.360 --> 00:45:52.940
 but once we receive our crown,

00:45:53.420 --> 00:45:56.220
 we won't have to worry about anyone taking it away.

00:45:57.260 --> 00:45:58.160
 First Corinthians 15.

00:45:58.220 --> 00:45:59.980
 We won't have to hold onto a crown on that day.

00:46:01.079 --> 00:46:02.240
 First Corinthians 15 says,

00:46:02.340 --> 00:46:02.599
 behold,

00:46:02.760 --> 00:46:04.760
 I tell you a mystery in a moment,

00:46:04.760 --> 00:46:07.579
 in a twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet,

00:46:07.980 --> 00:46:09.400
 we shall all be changed.

00:46:10.039 --> 00:46:11.720
 When Jesus returns in that moment,

00:46:12.079 --> 00:46:12.780
 it's over.

00:46:12.880 --> 00:46:13.280
 It's done.

00:46:13.880 --> 00:46:14.380
 That's it.

00:46:14.920 --> 00:46:17.400
 We will be made perfect and never again tempted to sin.

00:46:18.220 --> 00:46:19.620
 No one can take away our crown.

00:46:19.619 --> 00:46:21.519
 Then it shall come to pass.

00:46:21.679 --> 00:46:22.380
 Oh death.

00:46:22.480 --> 00:46:23.219
 Where's your victory?

00:46:23.639 --> 00:46:24.299
 Oh death.

00:46:24.380 --> 00:46:24.960
 Where's your sting?

00:46:25.519 --> 00:46:27.259
 The sting of death is sin.

00:46:27.359 --> 00:46:29.019
 And the power of sin is the law,

00:46:29.079 --> 00:46:32.279
 but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ.

00:46:32.279 --> 00:46:32.719
 Our Lord,

00:46:33.460 --> 00:46:34.659
 our crown will be secure on that day.

00:46:35.619 --> 00:46:39.779
 The only method the enemy has to take away our crown is to chorus us,

00:46:39.859 --> 00:46:41.119
 to lose sight of the finish line.

00:46:41.119 --> 00:46:41.420
 Now,

00:46:41.519 --> 00:46:43.339
 so that we stop running the race.

00:46:43.719 --> 00:46:46.940
 The only weapon the enemy has is to turn us away from Jesus.

00:46:46.940 --> 00:46:49.500
 So we need to hold fast to what we have.

00:46:49.920 --> 00:46:53.880
 We have to hold fast to our faith and the works that come as a result of our faith.

00:46:54.000 --> 00:46:55.460
 Like the church in Philadelphia,

00:46:55.940 --> 00:46:57.900
 let us keep God's word,

00:46:58.079 --> 00:47:03.220
 boast in Jesus's name and patiently endure to the end by looking forward to his return.

00:47:03.619 --> 00:47:06.700
 We need to press on and we can do that without worrying.

00:47:06.860 --> 00:47:08.360
 We can do that because he promises,

00:47:08.360 --> 00:47:10.400
 I've set for you an open door.

00:47:10.500 --> 00:47:11.140
 I am the way,

00:47:11.220 --> 00:47:11.960
 the truth in life.

00:47:12.019 --> 00:47:13.019
 I have the key to David.

00:47:13.360 --> 00:47:14.099
 If I open,

00:47:14.180 --> 00:47:14.820
 no one can shut.

00:47:15.380 --> 00:47:17.400
 Who can separate us from the love of Christ?

00:47:18.880 --> 00:47:19.460
 So tribulation,

00:47:20.120 --> 00:47:20.380
 distress,

00:47:20.740 --> 00:47:21.120
 persecution,

00:47:21.320 --> 00:47:21.500
 famine,

00:47:21.640 --> 00:47:21.920
 danger,

00:47:22.019 --> 00:47:22.400
 nakedness,

00:47:22.460 --> 00:47:22.700
 sword.

00:47:23.780 --> 00:47:24.039
 No,

00:47:24.099 --> 00:47:27.079
 and all these things were more than conquerors through Jesus Christ,

00:47:27.140 --> 00:47:27.440
 our Lord.

00:47:28.140 --> 00:47:30.760
 Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

00:47:30.760 --> 00:47:31.900
 If we hold fast to him.

00:47:34.500 --> 00:47:34.860
 Lastly,

00:47:34.940 --> 00:47:35.980
 in verse 12,

00:47:35.980 --> 00:47:38.019
 there's a third motivation for this command.

00:47:38.820 --> 00:47:39.579
 He says,

00:47:40.480 --> 00:47:41.440
 the one who conquers,

00:47:41.579 --> 00:47:44.780
 I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.

00:47:45.139 --> 00:47:46.460
 Never shall he go out of it.

00:47:46.519 --> 00:47:50.079
 And I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God,

00:47:50.519 --> 00:47:51.219
 the new Jerusalem,

00:47:51.420 --> 00:47:55.340
 which comes down out of heaven and from my God and my own new name.

00:47:57.280 --> 00:47:58.719
 There's even more promised.

00:47:58.719 --> 00:48:03.219
 If that wasn't enough to those who hold fast to his return and receive the crown,

00:48:03.340 --> 00:48:04.820
 the one who conquers,

00:48:04.820 --> 00:48:08.000
 that's another way of referring to those who receive this crown.

00:48:08.420 --> 00:48:09.559
 Jesus says of them,

00:48:10.180 --> 00:48:12.960
 I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.

00:48:13.340 --> 00:48:14.559
 Never shall he go out of it.

00:48:15.600 --> 00:48:18.700
 And the church in Philadelphia would very much appreciate hearing this.

00:48:19.100 --> 00:48:20.720
 And to be clear so far,

00:48:20.760 --> 00:48:20.980
 when we,

00:48:21.080 --> 00:48:23.640
 when we're talking about the church in Philadelphia today,

00:48:23.639 --> 00:48:28.039
 we're not talking about the city in America where the fresh prince and Joel and Bede live.

00:48:28.759 --> 00:48:31.500
 This Philadelphia is a city,

00:48:32.179 --> 00:48:33.219
 was a city in Asia,

00:48:33.960 --> 00:48:34.579
 where,

00:48:34.779 --> 00:48:36.159
 which is now modern day Turkey.

00:48:36.159 --> 00:48:36.759
 Um,

00:48:36.960 --> 00:48:38.779
 as with the other churches,

00:48:38.779 --> 00:48:39.920
 seven churches in Revelation,

00:48:39.920 --> 00:48:40.940
 um,

00:48:40.940 --> 00:48:43.379
 these churches were all in Asia in modern day Turkey.

00:48:43.899 --> 00:48:45.379
 And Philadelphia was,

00:48:45.460 --> 00:48:46.519
 was a prosperous city.

00:48:46.839 --> 00:48:47.980
 And as much as,

00:48:48.099 --> 00:48:49.500
 but as much as the city was prosperous,

00:48:49.500 --> 00:48:50.759
 um,

00:48:50.759 --> 00:48:53.619
 it was also built on a spot that was prone to earthquakes.

00:48:53.619 --> 00:48:54.900
 So in,

00:48:54.900 --> 00:48:55.319
 in 80,

00:48:55.400 --> 00:48:55.819
 17,

00:48:56.299 --> 00:48:59.880
 several decades before revelation was written,

00:48:59.880 --> 00:49:02.880
 the city of Philadelphia was hit by major earthquake.

00:49:03.159 --> 00:49:08.759
 And it was so bad that a large portion of the population had to leave the city to go out of it,

00:49:08.839 --> 00:49:09.699
 as you might say,

00:49:09.779 --> 00:49:11.980
 and live outside the city for several years.

00:49:11.980 --> 00:49:12.639
 And it was,

00:49:12.639 --> 00:49:15.199
 it was so bad that the emperor at the time to various,

00:49:15.359 --> 00:49:18.779
 he allowed Philadelphia not to pay taxes so that they could rebuild the city.

00:49:18.779 --> 00:49:19.219
 Um,

00:49:20.019 --> 00:49:20.559
 because of this,

00:49:20.659 --> 00:49:23.239
 these earthquakes and to this city,

00:49:23.239 --> 00:49:24.119
 Jesus says,

00:49:24.199 --> 00:49:26.759
 I will make the victor a pillar in the temple.

00:49:26.839 --> 00:49:27.259
 My God,

00:49:27.559 --> 00:49:29.159
 never shall he go out of it.

00:49:29.579 --> 00:49:31.899
 Jesus is saying that the reward is to be a pillar,

00:49:32.199 --> 00:49:32.619
 strong,

00:49:32.759 --> 00:49:33.079
 stable,

00:49:33.539 --> 00:49:35.299
 prominent in the temple of God.

00:49:35.299 --> 00:49:37.359
 The things that shake us now,

00:49:37.419 --> 00:49:39.000
 the things of the world that we put trust in,

00:49:39.099 --> 00:49:43.399
 these can all be hit by an earthquake and destroyed academics,

00:49:43.699 --> 00:49:44.000
 jobs,

00:49:44.179 --> 00:49:44.739
 relationships,

00:49:45.500 --> 00:49:45.899
 status,

00:49:46.539 --> 00:49:46.879
 power.

00:49:47.599 --> 00:49:48.659
 These can all be shaken,

00:49:49.339 --> 00:49:51.779
 but the temple of God will be indestructible,

00:49:52.019 --> 00:49:52.559
 unshakable.

00:49:52.559 --> 00:49:54.420
 It will never crumble or fade away.

00:49:55.000 --> 00:49:58.239
 We will always have access to,

00:49:58.239 --> 00:49:58.519
 to,

00:49:58.519 --> 00:49:59.000
 to God.

00:49:59.639 --> 00:50:03.199
 We who conquer will never be shaken by an earthquake and have to leave our home,

00:50:03.460 --> 00:50:05.079
 cast out of the presence of God.

00:50:05.719 --> 00:50:06.840
 Nothing again,

00:50:06.880 --> 00:50:09.880
 will be able to separate us from the love of God and Christ Jesus,

00:50:10.019 --> 00:50:10.320
 our Lord.

00:50:10.320 --> 00:50:17.600
 We saw earlier in the letter to Pergamum that the Jesus promises access and intimacy.

00:50:18.600 --> 00:50:20.620
 The victors in Pergamum was,

00:50:20.760 --> 00:50:23.860
 were promised a white stone with a new name written on the stone,

00:50:23.860 --> 00:50:26.860
 which James summarized for us as access and intimacy.

00:50:26.860 --> 00:50:29.620
 And here Jesus promises the same thing,

00:50:29.620 --> 00:50:30.820
 but yeah,

00:50:30.820 --> 00:50:36.280
 he promises that he will write some more names on the one who conquers the name of my God,

00:50:36.280 --> 00:50:37.539
 the name of my city,

00:50:37.539 --> 00:50:38.720
 the city,

00:50:38.880 --> 00:50:40.200
 the name of the city of my God,

00:50:40.199 --> 00:50:41.819
 and also my own new name.

00:50:41.820 --> 00:50:45.180
 And I want us to notice how personal this is.

00:50:45.580 --> 00:50:51.360
 Jesus doesn't just say the temple of God or the temple or the name of God or the city of God.

00:50:51.360 --> 00:50:52.340
 In generality,

00:50:52.340 --> 00:50:52.580
 it's,

00:50:52.620 --> 00:50:55.680
 it's not God as a general being,

00:50:55.680 --> 00:50:56.700
 but it's my God,

00:50:56.800 --> 00:50:57.220
 my God,

00:50:57.300 --> 00:50:57.760
 my God.

00:50:58.500 --> 00:51:00.019
 There's a closeness about it.

00:51:00.739 --> 00:51:02.940
 We're not talking about God as someone just out there,

00:51:02.940 --> 00:51:04.380
 but no,

00:51:04.440 --> 00:51:04.699
 he's,

00:51:04.699 --> 00:51:05.500
 he's to Jesus.

00:51:05.699 --> 00:51:06.559
 This is my God.

00:51:07.099 --> 00:51:08.900
 He's near and dear to Jesus.

00:51:09.539 --> 00:51:10.519
 And through Jesus,

00:51:10.519 --> 00:51:14.380
 we have the same act as an intimacy with God that Jesus shares.

00:51:14.980 --> 00:51:19.199
 God has adopted us into his family and made us co-heirs with Jesus.

00:51:19.880 --> 00:51:23.940
 Jesus shares the glory with us and he will write on us the name of his God.

00:51:24.219 --> 00:51:26.360
 He will be our God and we will be his people.

00:51:26.840 --> 00:51:27.800
 That's the promise we have.

00:51:28.700 --> 00:51:30.700
 We'll also have the name of the new Jerusalem,

00:51:31.480 --> 00:51:33.080
 the new city of Jerusalem written on us.

00:51:33.580 --> 00:51:36.240
 I have a passport at home that says Canada on it.

00:51:36.760 --> 00:51:40.019
 It proves that I have citizenship there and I can turn home at any time.

00:51:40.900 --> 00:51:42.000
 And in the same way,

00:51:42.060 --> 00:51:43.640
 we will have citizenship in heaven,

00:51:43.860 --> 00:51:47.060
 in the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven and from God,

00:51:47.440 --> 00:51:48.340
 my God himself.

00:51:48.800 --> 00:51:51.600
 We won't need a passport because his name,

00:51:51.720 --> 00:51:53.140
 the name of the city will be written on us.

00:51:54.880 --> 00:51:55.539
 And lastly,

00:51:55.660 --> 00:51:57.320
 we'll have the name of Jesus written on us.

00:51:58.500 --> 00:52:02.300
 I don't know if you've heard stories of two people falling in love and

00:52:02.300 --> 00:52:03.740
 because they love each other so much,

00:52:04.180 --> 00:52:04.380
 they,

00:52:04.580 --> 00:52:05.560
 and they're going to be together forever.

00:52:05.640 --> 00:52:07.300
 They get their names tattooed on each other.

00:52:08.140 --> 00:52:09.820
 But six months later,

00:52:09.980 --> 00:52:13.800
 they're crying and then China get this tattoo removed with laser.

00:52:13.800 --> 00:52:14.400
 Well,

00:52:14.400 --> 00:52:17.440
 to the one who conquers,

00:52:17.580 --> 00:52:20.039
 we'll have the name of Jesus written on us,

00:52:20.140 --> 00:52:21.080
 but won't be foolish.

00:52:21.580 --> 00:52:26.600
 We won't regret it because on us is written the name that is above every name,

00:52:27.300 --> 00:52:28.400
 that the name of Jesus,

00:52:28.560 --> 00:52:31.260
 every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

00:52:31.420 --> 00:52:35.080
 And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God,

00:52:35.120 --> 00:52:35.460
 the father.

00:52:35.460 --> 00:52:39.800
 That's the name that is written on us who died and rose for us.

00:52:42.139 --> 00:52:42.940
 Isn't that great?

00:52:42.940 --> 00:52:46.260
 So access and intimacy.

00:52:47.039 --> 00:52:47.480
 That's,

00:52:47.539 --> 00:52:48.559
 that's what's promised to us,

00:52:48.639 --> 00:52:51.440
 but not just that permanent access and intimacy.

00:52:52.320 --> 00:52:53.340
 You'll never be shaken.

00:52:53.460 --> 00:52:54.260
 You'll never be removed.

00:52:54.840 --> 00:52:56.500
 That's what's promised to the one who conquers.

00:52:56.500 --> 00:52:59.940
 So are you looking forward to that?

00:53:00.340 --> 00:53:02.940
 Are you looking forward to Christ's return?

00:53:03.679 --> 00:53:04.639
 Let's remember this,

00:53:04.699 --> 00:53:05.519
 that this week,

00:53:05.780 --> 00:53:06.960
 let's remember these two things.

00:53:07.139 --> 00:53:07.559
 First,

00:53:07.639 --> 00:53:09.000
 that we are loved by Jesus.

00:53:09.280 --> 00:53:12.760
 We're loved by him to the point that he died for our sins.

00:53:12.760 --> 00:53:15.619
 And how does this love for us change our identities?

00:53:15.619 --> 00:53:17.139
 The way that we see ourselves,

00:53:17.320 --> 00:53:19.699
 how does his love free us to be bold,

00:53:19.800 --> 00:53:20.579
 to love others,

00:53:21.320 --> 00:53:25.320
 not caring about what they'll say because he loves us.

00:53:25.320 --> 00:53:26.159
 We know that.

00:53:26.780 --> 00:53:27.139
 Second,

00:53:27.280 --> 00:53:28.280
 Jesus is coming soon.

00:53:28.599 --> 00:53:29.980
 And let us as a church,

00:53:30.079 --> 00:53:31.679
 look forward to his return.

00:53:32.019 --> 00:53:33.059
 Let us patiently endure.

00:53:33.480 --> 00:53:35.119
 Let's hold fast until that day.

00:53:35.800 --> 00:53:36.960
 Lest anyone take a crown.

00:53:38.320 --> 00:53:39.480
 Let's do something together.

00:53:40.880 --> 00:53:41.800
 Raise our hand.

00:53:42.059 --> 00:53:42.840
 Who here has an ear?

00:53:44.679 --> 00:53:45.699
 Who's got two of them?

00:53:47.199 --> 00:53:47.400
 Well,

00:53:47.579 --> 00:53:48.559
 he who has an ear,

00:53:49.019 --> 00:53:51.159
 let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.

00:53:51.579 --> 00:53:52.440
 And we're loved by God.

00:53:52.440 --> 00:53:54.079
 And he's coming soon.

00:53:54.079 --> 00:53:57.039
 Let's hold fast until he returns.

00:53:57.980 --> 00:53:59.659
 And let's pray that we'll do this.

00:53:59.659 --> 00:54:05.139
 God,

00:54:05.199 --> 00:54:06.039
 you are so good.

00:54:07.759 --> 00:54:09.000
 We don't deserve your love.

00:54:09.799 --> 00:54:13.399
 We don't deserve the fact that you died for us,

00:54:13.619 --> 00:54:14.980
 that you sent your son,

00:54:15.059 --> 00:54:16.719
 Jesus to die for our sins.

00:54:18.079 --> 00:54:20.920
 See what kind of love we have that we are called children of God.

00:54:20.920 --> 00:54:21.680
 And so we are.

00:54:22.860 --> 00:54:23.200
 God,

00:54:23.260 --> 00:54:24.820
 would your love pierce our hearts?

00:54:24.880 --> 00:54:26.000
 Would it transform our hearts?

00:54:26.300 --> 00:54:28.760
 Would we know in the depths of our souls that we are loved by you?

00:54:29.099 --> 00:54:30.980
 And would that free us to love and good works?

00:54:32.539 --> 00:54:32.880
 Lord,

00:54:32.960 --> 00:54:35.059
 help us as a church to look forward to your return,

00:54:35.200 --> 00:54:37.320
 to know that you're coming soon and to be ready,

00:54:37.639 --> 00:54:41.119
 to be preparing ourselves like a bride waiting for her groom,

00:54:41.579 --> 00:54:43.599
 that we would be a church that is pursuing you,

00:54:43.980 --> 00:54:44.900
 pursuing your holiness,

00:54:45.280 --> 00:54:46.019
 never stopping,

00:54:46.019 --> 00:54:48.400
 never relenting until the day you return for good.

00:54:48.920 --> 00:54:50.780
 Let us not look to the things of this world.

00:54:50.880 --> 00:54:52.219
 Let's not stop running the race.

00:54:52.519 --> 00:54:53.099
 Help us Lord,

00:54:53.539 --> 00:54:55.000
 to look forward to your return.

00:54:55.599 --> 00:54:57.579
 We pray this in Jesus's holy,

00:54:58.099 --> 00:54:59.099
 true name.

00:54:59.599 --> 00:54:59.820
 Amen.