WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:02.339 Well, good morning, church. 00:00:04.740 --> 00:00:11.220 One of the practices here at Trinity is we have expositional preaching, which means the 00:00:11.220 --> 00:00:15.419 main point of the text is the main point of the sermon as we walk chapter by chapter through 00:00:15.419 --> 00:00:15.800 the Bible. 00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:21.980 Well, today, we're going to jump ahead one chapter as we talk about the church at Sardis, 00:00:22.039 --> 00:00:27.219 and Lord willing, we'll rewind and talk about the church at Thyatira and Pergamon. 00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:32.700 So, let's go to the Lord in prayer together, family. 00:00:34.579 --> 00:00:38.739 O Father, be Thou our vision. 00:00:40.119 --> 00:00:47.599 As the psalmist prayed, revive us again, that we may rejoice in You, show us Your steadfast 00:00:47.599 --> 00:00:49.159 love, and grant us Your salvation. 00:00:50.219 --> 00:00:53.620 By the Spirit's power, would we fix our eyes upon You. 00:00:53.619 --> 00:00:57.399 Would the light of Your Word shine into our hearts and minds? 00:00:58.439 --> 00:01:03.859 Gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim the honor and glory of Christ's great name. 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:05.700 In His name we pray. 00:01:06.519 --> 00:01:06.840 Amen. 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:12.780 What is the greatest lie that a church can believe? 00:01:14.099 --> 00:01:17.000 What is the most dangerous lie this church can believe? 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:21.299 Well, depending on who you ask, you might get different answers. 00:01:22.400 --> 00:01:24.519 Some might say the lie of the prosperity gospel. 00:01:25.859 --> 00:01:31.099 Others, the lie of pragmatism, leading churches to brush sin under the rug. 00:01:32.260 --> 00:01:37.000 Or the danger of churches being captive by secular worldviews. 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:41.700 These are all dangers, but there is an even greater one, a more dangerous one, a sinister 00:01:41.700 --> 00:01:42.200 one. 00:01:42.820 --> 00:01:43.659 And the lie is this. 00:01:44.880 --> 00:01:51.520 When an entire church falsely believes they are going to heaven, but in reality, they 00:01:51.520 --> 00:01:52.100 are hellbound. 00:01:53.620 --> 00:01:59.240 A church full of goats who sincerely believe they are sheep, living in a delusion. 00:02:00.540 --> 00:02:03.520 How do you wake up a dead church from this delusion? 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:10.340 Well, in the text before us, like an air raid siren, Christ trumpets a wake-up call to a 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:10.900 dead church. 00:02:11.639 --> 00:02:15.780 Our text this morning is Revelation chapter 3, verses 1 to 6. 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:22.919 And while you are turning there, we will look at this text in three points. 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:28.180 Point number one is the rebuke that Jesus delivers to a dead church. 00:02:28.180 --> 00:02:32.780 Point number two, the revival that is needed for a dead church. 00:02:33.540 --> 00:02:36.560 And point number three, the reward for the faithful remnant. 00:02:37.540 --> 00:02:41.260 So the rebuke, the revival, and the reward. 00:02:42.540 --> 00:02:43.760 Let's read God's word together. 00:02:45.460 --> 00:02:51.760 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, the words of him who has the seven spirits of 00:02:51.760 --> 00:02:53.000 God and the seven stars. 00:02:54.520 --> 00:02:56.159 I know your works. 00:02:56.159 --> 00:03:02.960 You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:09.319 Wake up and strengthen what remains as about to die, for I have not found your works complete 00:03:09.319 --> 00:03:10.740 in the sight of my God. 00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:15.300 Remember then what you received and heard, keep it and repent. 00:03:16.019 --> 00:03:18.300 If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief. 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:21.960 And you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 00:03:23.519 --> 00:03:23.960 Yet. 00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:27.640 Still a few names in Sardis. 00:03:28.379 --> 00:03:30.360 People who have not soiled their garments. 00:03:31.320 --> 00:03:33.340 And they will walk with me in white. 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:34.920 For they are worthy. 00:03:35.659 --> 00:03:38.939 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments. 00:03:39.340 --> 00:03:42.840 And I will never blot his name out of the book of life. 00:03:43.520 --> 00:03:47.500 I will confess his name before my father and before his angels. 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:52.740 He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. 00:03:53.379 --> 00:03:54.360 This is God's word. 00:03:55.960 --> 00:03:57.759 Picture the scene in Sardis. 00:03:59.060 --> 00:04:01.599 The anticipation and excitement has been building. 00:04:02.439 --> 00:04:05.639 Word has spread that a letter will be delivered to your church. 00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:07.740 And this letter is no ordinary letter. 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:12.979 This letter is written by the apostle John himself with the authority of the Lord Jesus. 00:04:12.979 --> 00:04:13.139 Jesus. 00:04:13.699 --> 00:04:18.219 And this letter has been delivered along a postal route in a circle, as it were. 00:04:19.019 --> 00:04:20.879 And now the church at Sardis is next. 00:04:21.459 --> 00:04:22.839 And you can feel the electricity. 00:04:23.579 --> 00:04:27.139 You wonder to yourself, I wonder what Jesus thinks about my church. 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:30.899 The church has been growing, busy as usual. 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:32.279 Things are going pretty well. 00:04:33.300 --> 00:04:34.819 And you enter into the bustling gathering. 00:04:35.659 --> 00:04:36.719 There are some opening prayers. 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:37.779 You've sung some hymns. 00:04:38.939 --> 00:04:40.879 And now the moment you've been waiting for. 00:04:41.479 --> 00:04:42.919 But what you get is unexpected. 00:04:43.719 --> 00:04:48.300 Like a wrecking ball, Jesus deals a scathing rebuke. 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:52.620 Instead of giving them a trophy, Jesus takes out a sledgehammer. 00:04:52.620 --> 00:04:57.980 Jesus says to them at the end of verse 1, I know your works. 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:00.759 You have the reputation of being alive. 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:02.600 But you are dead. 00:05:04.420 --> 00:05:06.160 What a devastating rebuke. 00:05:06.899 --> 00:05:08.019 A dead church. 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:10.019 What a grim word. 00:05:10.740 --> 00:05:11.000 Dead. 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:14.040 Is there a worse description Jesus can give a church? 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:16.600 What a sad, sobering thought. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:22.439 In these seven letters, Jesus would begin with a commendation before getting into his concerns. 00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:24.220 Here, there is none of that. 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:26.379 For most of them, there is nothing worth commending. 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:31.780 Whereas other churches were experiencing hardships for their faith, there is none of that here. 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:34.459 No mention of the thunderstorm of persecution. 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:37.259 No mention of an opposition to false teachers. 00:05:37.699 --> 00:05:38.740 No mention of suffering. 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:40.980 This church is dead. 00:05:42.439 --> 00:05:46.199 Jesus, the sovereign Lord, says, I know your works. 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:50.579 Jesus sees them and says, you are a church with a high reputation. 00:05:51.279 --> 00:05:53.019 Literally, it had a high name. 00:05:53.599 --> 00:05:56.099 But the reputation did not match the reality. 00:05:56.959 --> 00:05:59.860 They are Christians in name only. 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:04.599 You can profess Christ, but never truly possess Christ. 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:08.780 It has been said that Sardis was a city of past glories. 00:06:09.660 --> 00:06:13.640 In many ways, Sardis was a city on the decline, and so was this church. 00:06:14.580 --> 00:06:18.879 Likewise, the church was living on past glories with no present reality. 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:24.259 Maybe what Jesus is telling this church describes you this morning. 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:26.040 You attend church. 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:30.279 You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:33.439 Your reputation does not match the reality. 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:40.860 You know, it's easy to start off vibrantly, gain a reputation, and then fall away as time goes on. 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:45.839 To have memories of past faithfulness, but no present reality. 00:06:46.860 --> 00:06:48.939 Consider, you and I can likewise be deceived. 00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:53.199 Deceiving to think you have everything, but have nothing. 00:06:53.959 --> 00:06:57.180 To think you're running the race, but you're not even in the race. 00:06:58.379 --> 00:07:02.120 Appearances may deceive others, but God is not fooled by appearances. 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:06.899 Others see a living church, Christ sees a graveyard. 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:12.160 Like whitewashed tombs, outwardly beautiful, inwardly dead. 00:07:12.899 --> 00:07:15.899 In Matthew 23, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees in the same way. 00:07:16.420 --> 00:07:22.920 You who look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 00:07:24.280 --> 00:07:26.100 Oh, this church looked beautiful on the outside. 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:30.360 I mean, they had a high reputation, commended and praised by others. 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:33.520 Other Christians may have asked, what church do you attend? 00:07:34.040 --> 00:07:35.680 Oh, wow, you go to the church in Sardis? 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:36.800 That's a great church. 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:40.180 I mean, this is the kind of church you recommend to others. 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:42.740 This is the kind of church where the singing is loud. 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:44.340 Relevant Bible teaching. 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:45.780 A great fellowship hour. 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:48.160 A growing membership list. 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:49.280 A ballooning budget. 00:07:51.280 --> 00:07:52.319 Humming with activity. 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:54.920 But there is no life. 00:07:54.920 --> 00:07:58.600 This is a picture of nominal Christianity. 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:02.660 They are walking in a presumption of salvation. 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:06.640 This church had no discernment like Ephesus. 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:09.740 No perseverance through persecution like Smyrna. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:12.400 No faithful witnesses like Pergamum. 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:14.240 No endurance like Thyatira. 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:17.060 There was no trusting in God's faithfulness. 00:08:17.340 --> 00:08:19.200 No sweet communion with God. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:21.159 No genuine humility. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:22.779 No deadness to the world. 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:24.139 No contrite heart. 00:08:24.420 --> 00:08:25.180 No true repentance. 00:08:25.659 --> 00:08:26.519 And no love for God. 00:08:27.719 --> 00:08:29.479 Sardis had none of these things. 00:08:30.719 --> 00:08:34.399 Friends, you and I look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:36.379 He searches you out. 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:37.159 He knows you. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:39.000 There is no hiding. 00:08:40.539 --> 00:08:44.159 Now, one of the ways that we tend to be deceived about our spiritual condition 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:49.980 is we think our works are a good indicator about our relationship with God. 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:52.039 Someone could say, look here. 00:08:52.839 --> 00:08:53.579 I give money. 00:08:54.079 --> 00:08:55.219 I serve the poor. 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:58.259 Others have even said I've helped them in their walk with God. 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:02.019 Others may have said, I've prophesied in your name. 00:09:02.699 --> 00:09:04.159 I've done mighty works in your name. 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:05.799 I've cast out demons in your name. 00:09:06.139 --> 00:09:07.839 Don't these things prove that I am a Christian? 00:09:09.899 --> 00:09:12.299 Well, this appears to be the situation in Sardis. 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:17.519 On the one hand, a heart of faith and repentance will produce good works. 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:21.099 Jesus said a good tree will bear good fruit. 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:27.719 But on the other hand, friend, there is a category called dead works in the New Testament. 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:31.659 Notice what Jesus says to the church at Sardis in verse 2. 00:09:32.659 --> 00:09:36.819 Jesus tells them, I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 00:09:38.419 --> 00:09:40.479 Now, is this like bringing home your report card? 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:43.879 You get all A's, but there is only one C. 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:46.659 And your parents just begin to berate you. 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:48.659 You can never measure up. 00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:53.580 Is God like that when he says, your works are not complete in the sight of my God? 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:56.580 Well, maybe you grew up with parents like that. 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:59.840 But understand, you are wrong if you think God is like that. 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:05.440 But understand, God will never be satisfied with those who merely go through the motions, 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:08.399 who mouth the words, but whose hearts are far from him. 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:13.759 He is saying some religious deeds may gain approval from others, but not in the sight of my father. 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:15.980 Their deeds were an empty shell. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:17.639 Nothing inside of it. 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:20.819 This is just external religion, but no heart transformation. 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:23.179 These are dead works. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:28.539 Know that God does not want your deeds or your words. 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:30.339 He wants your heart. 00:10:31.439 --> 00:10:33.179 Christ has given me all of you. 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:34.620 No half measures. 00:10:35.239 --> 00:10:36.839 No half-hearted obedience. 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:40.819 Christ will not tolerate no fly zones in your hearts. 00:10:41.099 --> 00:10:42.239 He wants all of it. 00:10:43.239 --> 00:10:45.519 He doesn't want to reorder the furniture in your living room. 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:49.740 He has come to knock the whole house down and to renovate something entirely new. 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:54.980 All of your desires, all of your dreams, all of your hopes must be in his hands. 00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:56.419 You must give him all. 00:10:57.700 --> 00:11:00.940 You know, the Bible doesn't present salvation as you make a decision for Jesus, 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:03.940 and he acts as kind of an insurance policy in your back pocket. 00:11:04.680 --> 00:11:07.220 You never know bad things might happen to you after you die. 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:14.000 No, rather the true grace that saves is a grace that changes us. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:17.519 True Christians are changed from the inside out. 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:20.819 Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:23.039 The moment a person comes to know Christ, 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:27.759 the Spirit takes out the heart of stone and puts in a new heart of flesh. 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:32.019 Before your conversion, the darkness reigned in your life, 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:33.720 and we walked in darkness. 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:38.039 But after your conversion, the Spirit gives life, 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:41.059 and we now walk in the light. 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:46.720 True Christianity is about our hearts being flooded with the supernatural love of God. 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:50.660 True Christianity is about obedience to God and love for others, 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:54.740 about fruits of the Holy Spirit, of true heart and repentance. 00:11:55.560 --> 00:11:59.759 Christianity is about life, of being truly alive. 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:03.259 Whoever has the Son has life, John would say. 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:05.460 I wonder if you are alive today. 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:10.720 Church, let there be no illusion that this can never happen to us. 00:12:11.660 --> 00:12:13.840 You know, our hearts are prone to wonder, aren't they? 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:18.259 You know, in the book of Judges, the mighty Samson's hair was cut off, 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:21.960 and it says he did not know that the Lord had left him. 00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:28.320 Likewise, churches never realize that the Lord has left the congregation. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:31.920 Sadly, outwardly, you can run a church without God. 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.120 Let me ask you a question. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:38.679 If the Lord left this church tomorrow, would anything change? 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:44.500 Would we sense anything has gone missing in our worship, in our life together? 00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:47.799 Would we know that the Lord has left us? 00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:52.460 You know, consider the nature of sin in this passage. 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:56.120 You know, sin is a spiritual disease that deadens your heart, 00:12:56.419 --> 00:13:00.519 like frostbite, eating away and numbing your soul, 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:02.680 and you never realize your soul is dead. 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:08.620 These are nominal Christians in the first century in a church founded by the apostles. 00:13:09.599 --> 00:13:12.000 And now these apostles were being executed. 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:15.779 In John's lifetime, this is a church filled with nominal Christians. 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:18.859 How much more do we need this warning? 00:13:20.099 --> 00:13:23.359 By way of application, let me speak to you who are leaders in the church, 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:27.519 especially those of you who teach God's word or serve publicly, 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:30.639 where you might gain a reputation for being alive. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:34.879 You know, teaching can be a great way to force you to meditate on God's word. 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:37.840 But friend, don't mistake exercising your gifts 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:42.139 to mean that you are personally experiencing God's grace. 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:46.059 Don't make that mistake. 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.699 It's very easy to make that mistake. 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:52.480 To go on astray on this point is how you end up dead when others think you are alive. 00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:56.539 To think performing deeds for the Lord, effectively counseling others, 00:13:56.539 --> 00:14:00.620 to mean that you are truly alive. 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:02.000 That is not so. 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:05.379 You might think you are exercising God's gifts, 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:07.599 and you never have God himself. 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:12.699 You can teach others what the house looks like 00:14:12.699 --> 00:14:15.459 and never enter and go on yourself. 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:22.580 Consider, does teaching others make you want to pray with God, 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:27.240 to be with him, to praise him, to glorify him? 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:31.139 Does it give you a poverty of spirit before the omnipotent God, 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:33.019 to go deeper into his word? 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:36.780 Do you marvel at his mercies toward you? 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:41.519 Do you weep with joy at God's mercies in your life 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:44.259 as you held out this same mercy to others? 00:14:45.699 --> 00:14:48.120 Or are you tempted to merely go through the motions? 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:51.639 How sad to be able to talk about the love of God 00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:53.600 and never experience it yourself. 00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:58.039 To have correct doctrine, you don't have Jesus. 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:01.740 You know, you can teach on the importance of forgiveness 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:04.579 and never actually forgive other Christians. 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:08.419 Don't be content with dead Christianity. 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:12.419 To have a reputation but not have the reality. 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:16.879 Notice there's one other thing ailing this church in Sardis 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.000 that Jesus rebukes. 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:19.839 You know, in this world, 00:15:19.939 --> 00:15:22.059 a church is not meant to have home court advantage. 00:15:22.839 --> 00:15:26.179 But our text hints that this church is right at home in the world. 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:28.299 And this is implied in verse 4, 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:32.679 where it says the faithful few had not soiled their garments. 00:15:34.199 --> 00:15:36.159 Most of this church had in fact soiled themselves. 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:39.799 Now, not outwardly, inwardly. 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:43.219 The idea of soiling something is what it sounds like. 00:15:43.719 --> 00:15:44.240 It's foul. 00:15:44.699 --> 00:15:47.579 It's a picture of contamination from sin. 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:52.620 In this case, it seems this sin comes in the form of compromising. 00:15:53.339 --> 00:15:55.980 Whereas Jesus, remember, commended the church in Smyrna 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:59.059 for confessing his name in a hostile culture, 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:02.279 in this case, it seemed they wanted to keep a low profile. 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:05.539 Rather than conforming to Christ, 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:07.939 they wanted to conform more to the world. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:13.620 This is a church full of chameleons who camouflage themselves. 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:15.860 You know, wouldn't it be a sad thing 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:17.659 for someone to say at your funeral, 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:20.419 you know, I never knew he or she was a Christian. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:24.219 I suspect many could say that of this church. 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:26.979 Jesus warned that a love for this world 00:16:26.979 --> 00:16:28.899 and a true love for God cannot coexist. 00:16:29.839 --> 00:16:32.379 A love for the world will choke the seeds that are planted. 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:35.500 Because of that, this church was dead. 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.579 What's a dead church supposed to do? 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.799 This leads to point number two, 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:42.199 the call to spiritual revival. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:44.779 Jesus doesn't wipe his hands clean, 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:46.339 but dead church had soiled his garments. 00:16:46.459 --> 00:16:47.139 I'm done with you. 00:16:47.839 --> 00:16:48.519 He doesn't do that. 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:52.759 Instead, Jesus calls a dead church to spiritual revival. 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:54.759 Now, when I say revival, 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:56.960 I am not talking about an evangelism strategy. 00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:59.980 You know, engineering it through our own efforts. 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:02.399 You can't put a revival on the calendar. 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:07.180 No, rather, revival is a supernatural, God-initiated work. 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.220 Now, where am I getting that from? 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.879 Now, remember, in each of these letters, 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:13.440 John points to an aspect of Christ's character 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:15.059 the church needs to recall. 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:18.539 The revival to this lifeless church 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:20.099 comes at the beginning of verse one. 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:23.940 And to the angel of the church in Sardis writes, 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:26.799 the words of him who has the seven spirits of God 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.740 and the seven stars. 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:30.980 This is a declaration of the sovereignty 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:33.659 and sufficiency of the Lord Jesus over the church. 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:36.079 In the one hand, he has the seven spirits. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.879 He has the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:41.819 In his other hand, he has the seven stars. 00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:44.839 Remember, we saw those seven stars in chapter one. 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.200 These are messengers. 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.299 Angelic or human messengers. 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:50.279 Either way, Jesus has authority over them. 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.799 In the one hand, Jesus has the Holy Spirit. 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.980 In his other hand, he has the church. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.639 And according to this vision, this revival, 00:17:57.859 --> 00:17:59.839 this spiritual awakening to the church 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:01.000 must come from Jesus himself, 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.980 by the Holy Spirit. 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:06.079 Christ alone has the infinite power 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:08.000 to save a church from a hollow profession. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:11.400 In verse two, before giving his prescriptions 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.339 to this dead church, 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:16.259 we see the urgency of the situation in the church. 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.339 In verse two, he says, 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:19.420 wake up and strengthen what remains 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:20.460 and is about to die. 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:22.779 Jesus says you must do these things 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:24.279 and you must do them now. 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:26.859 But when he says you are about to die, 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:30.059 maybe there's some spark of life in the congregation. 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:32.940 I take it to mean that Jesus is highlighting 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:34.960 the urgency of this call. 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:38.240 This is a patient that slams into the ER 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.860 and their vitals are about to flatline. 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:42.420 That's how dire this is. 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.759 They are about to die. 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:46.759 It has to be fixed and it must be fixed now. 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.519 Today, not tomorrow. 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:51.120 And Jesus gives three remedies 00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:52.920 to a church that is about to die. 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:55.620 The first is to wake up 00:18:55.620 --> 00:18:57.480 at the beginning of verse two. 00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:01.160 You can translate it as be alert, 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.480 to be watchful. 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:05.620 John shifts the metaphor from a dead church 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:07.259 and now it's a sleepy church. 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:10.740 They need the spirit to give an awakening, 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:14.180 to wake them up out of their spiritual slumber. 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:17.740 But these words would have been a thunderbolt 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:19.900 right into the heart of the church at Sardis. 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:22.819 Because you see, the city of Sardis 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:25.920 had been invaded and destroyed 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:28.279 because they fell asleep. 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:30.660 Not once, but twice. 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:34.060 The city was built on a plateau 00:19:34.060 --> 00:19:35.700 1,500 feet high. 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:38.480 And it was said that a single soldier 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:40.640 could have kept an army from coming up. 00:19:41.300 --> 00:19:42.360 But in both cases, 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:45.440 the guards and the city fell asleep. 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:47.440 And twice the city fell. 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.640 Jesus is saying, 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.519 if you don't wake up, 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.640 devastation will come on you 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.880 just like it came on Sardis. 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:56.080 You are more vulnerable 00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:57.540 than you can ever realize. 00:19:58.260 --> 00:19:59.460 Verse three goes on and says, 00:20:00.040 --> 00:20:01.400 therefore, if you do not wake up, 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:03.240 I will come like a thief 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:05.260 and you will not know 00:20:05.260 --> 00:20:06.800 at what hour I will come to you. 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.780 You know, thieves don't give notice. 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:10.960 See it to your place at 2 a.m. 00:20:11.340 --> 00:20:11.980 Meet me there. 00:20:12.780 --> 00:20:14.000 No, they come in an hour 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.240 you do not expect. 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.920 Suddenly and unexpectedly, 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.760 judgment will come 00:20:19.760 --> 00:20:21.140 like a thief in the night. 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:23.300 And this is referring to a judgment 00:20:23.300 --> 00:20:24.960 on this specific congregation, 00:20:25.300 --> 00:20:27.100 but also the final judgment, 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.620 the second death. 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:31.160 In 1 Thessalonians 5, 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.920 that Anna read, 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.800 Paul writes, 00:20:34.080 --> 00:20:35.340 for you yourselves are fully aware 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.920 that the day of the Lord 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:39.420 will come like a thief in the night. 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:42.680 Judgment will come 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:44.759 when you least expect it. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.960 So today you must wake up 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.759 and not tomorrow. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:49.640 Tomorrow may be too late. 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:52.559 If you don't turn for your sin, 00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:53.500 Jesus will say, 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:54.680 enough is enough. 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.980 And he will unexpectedly 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:58.000 sweep in and destroy you. 00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:00.920 Your house is built on sand 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.900 and the storm of judgment 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:02.839 will come for you. 00:21:03.879 --> 00:21:04.700 That's what the church, 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.640 that's what he's saying 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.559 to the church at Sardis. 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.759 And he's telling us today. 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.579 And God is not coming 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.559 to take a city again. 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:12.579 He is coming for your soul. 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:12.659 So, 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:16.619 the first command is to wake up. 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.000 The second command 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.220 is to strengthen what remains. 00:21:20.199 --> 00:21:21.799 So much has gone wrong. 00:21:22.699 --> 00:21:24.099 But underneath all the rottenness 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.500 and decay, 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:25.139 there is something 00:21:25.139 --> 00:21:26.299 that must be strengthened. 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:28.819 Something that must be preserved. 00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:31.220 Now, what are they to strengthen? 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:32.980 Well, later in the text, 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.859 we see a remnant. 00:21:34.179 --> 00:21:35.659 Maybe it's strengthening the remnant. 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.839 But I would suggest 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.460 that seeing this 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:39.879 as strengthening the things 00:21:39.879 --> 00:21:40.960 of the remnant treasures. 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:43.519 Strengthening the things 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:45.400 that refresh the remnant. 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:47.420 This church had been 00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:49.140 churning out toxic waste. 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.319 And John is saying, 00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:52.480 strengthen the life-giving things 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:54.180 that will nourish the saints. 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.360 Strengthen things like 00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:58.340 the means of grace, 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.319 like preaching, 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.120 Bible study, 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.640 and prayer, 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.180 and fellowship, 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:01.900 and the ordinances. 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:04.200 This is the water 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.579 that will nourish the saints. 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.660 Saturate yourself 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.440 with these things, 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.120 John is saying. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.759 Paul and Romans would say, 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.940 faith comes from hearing, 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:13.119 and hearing through 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:14.039 the word of Christ. 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:15.779 Strengthen the hearing 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.700 of the word. 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:18.859 And we see the sufficiency 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:19.859 of God's word 00:22:19.859 --> 00:22:21.579 for the life of the church here. 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.819 The word melts 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.619 the frozen heart, 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:25.420 breaks apart the rocky soil, 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:27.000 and steals the spine. 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.799 Strengthen those things. 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:30.960 By way of application, 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.200 not only should we be doing 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.779 this in the church, 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:35.640 but are we nourishing ourselves 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:36.879 in our homes? 00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:38.280 Fathers, 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.260 let me address you 00:22:39.260 --> 00:22:39.860 for a second. 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.820 Are you instructing 00:22:41.820 --> 00:22:42.240 your family 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:42.880 in God's word 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:43.640 to strengthen them, 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:45.340 to encourage them, 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.320 to refresh them? 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.760 If you failed in this, 00:22:49.020 --> 00:22:49.640 begin today. 00:22:50.780 --> 00:22:51.540 Family worship 00:22:51.540 --> 00:22:52.940 to strengthen your family 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.540 can be as simple 00:22:53.540 --> 00:22:54.720 as reading a verse, 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:55.420 praying, 00:22:55.520 --> 00:22:56.380 and singing together 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:56.940 as a family. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.940 Strengthen your family. 00:22:59.140 --> 00:22:59.720 Refresh them. 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.540 Encourage them. 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:02.500 But not only are they 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:02.980 to wake up 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.420 and strengthen 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.039 what remains. 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:04.740 Third, 00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:06.720 to remember 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.680 what you received 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:08.180 and heard, 00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:09.420 keep it and repent. 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:11.759 To be restored 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.319 as a church, 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.700 they have to remember 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:15.299 what they first received. 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.279 We see here 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.920 true supernatural revival 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:19.839 is done 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.379 through the normal 00:23:20.379 --> 00:23:21.139 gospel ministry. 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.559 John isn't calling them 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.359 to something new. 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:27.779 No new evangelistic methods, 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:29.839 no new ministry strategy, 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:31.459 no new techniques. 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.779 John is saying, 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.799 go back to the very beginning. 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.839 Remember the apostolic teaching 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:38.079 that was delivered to you. 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:40.019 Not only the scriptures, 00:23:40.199 --> 00:23:41.639 but the gospel itself. 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.599 The church had abandoned 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.819 the priority of the gospel. 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.500 And it's the gospel 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.480 that the Spirit uses 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:49.179 to give life to a church. 00:23:49.919 --> 00:23:50.679 You're dead 00:23:50.679 --> 00:23:52.139 because you have abandoned 00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:53.339 the fountain of living water. 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.299 You know, 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:55.740 likewise, 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.480 in 2 Timothy, 00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:58.059 Paul would tell Timothy 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:59.439 to endure in his ministry 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.799 by depending on 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.019 what he already has. 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:03.480 After telling Timothy 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.400 that the crowd does 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:05.580 what the crowd always does, 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:07.580 he says in chapter 3, 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.340 verse 14, 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.700 but as for you, 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:12.220 continue in what you have learned 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.259 and have firmly believed, 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.980 knowing from whom 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:15.640 you learned it. 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.340 Church, 00:24:17.080 --> 00:24:18.660 we must never lose 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.460 the centrality 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.360 of the gospel. 00:24:21.340 --> 00:24:22.019 Remember it. 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.940 Remember that there is 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:25.740 only one God 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:27.140 who is holy 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:28.000 and righteous. 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.779 He created you 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:30.160 and me 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:31.200 to bear his image, 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.660 to resemble him 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.579 by loving others 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.680 and to love him 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.620 above everything. 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.079 But you and I 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:37.579 have sinned 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:39.839 against this good God. 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.480 God is good 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:41.920 and righteous 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.880 and he cannot just 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:44.120 brush our sin 00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:44.940 under the rug. 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:46.720 He will punish sin. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.660 And because of our sin, 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.720 there is a collision course 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:51.120 with divine wrath 00:24:51.120 --> 00:24:51.920 and judgments. 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:54.560 Think about it. 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:56.500 If there was a judge 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.200 on the bench 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:59.580 and he never pronounced 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:00.800 condemnation 00:25:00.800 --> 00:25:01.900 against lawbreakers 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:03.200 who commit crimes 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.920 of bloodshed, 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:05.000 of sexual violence, 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.980 such a judge 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.779 is not good. 00:25:09.580 --> 00:25:11.140 Know that God 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:12.420 will not only punish sin, 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.680 he must. 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.740 The judge of the earth 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:17.080 will always do 00:25:17.080 --> 00:25:17.860 what is right. 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.700 And the bad news is this, 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.600 that apart from Christ, 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.900 you will not find God 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.660 to be your friends, 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.100 but your enemy. 00:25:24.800 --> 00:25:25.880 Not because he is harsh, 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:27.380 but because he is good 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:28.320 and we are not. 00:25:29.280 --> 00:25:30.680 He sees the stains 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.280 in our garments. 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.420 You know, 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.400 I wonder what stains 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.400 are in your garments 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:36.440 this morning. 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.700 Not the stuff 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.240 on the outside, 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.860 but on the inside of you. 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:43.900 Untold, buried secrets. 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:46.000 If people knew 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.600 what you had done, 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:48.320 what you said, 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.519 what you thought 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.060 in your mind, 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.740 that if others truly 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.480 knew, 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:54.559 you're afraid 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:55.299 they would reject you. 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.359 You've tried to wash out 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:57.880 these stains 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.599 in your own efforts, 00:25:59.059 --> 00:26:00.120 but it's never enough. 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.319 You live in the shame 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:03.259 of what you've done. 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.039 Your own conscience 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:06.160 continually points 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:06.620 the finger 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:07.539 and accuses you. 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.000 How do we wash 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.420 our garments 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:13.059 and make them clean? 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.839 Revelation 7, 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:16.440 verse 14 tells us, 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.480 they have washed 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.059 their robes 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:19.000 and made them white 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.600 in the blood 00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:20.160 of the Lamb. 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:21.580 Friends, 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.400 this is the good news, 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.000 is it not? 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:24.480 In his great sovereign love, 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:26.460 the Father sent his Son, 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.320 Jesus, 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.220 to rescue us. 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.100 Fully God 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:30.299 and fully man. 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.420 The Creator 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:33.200 stepped into the world, 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.860 one who is truly alive. 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.559 Christ's works 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.180 were complete 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:38.279 in the sight 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:38.860 of his Father. 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.960 By his perfect obedience, 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.539 his garments 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:44.279 were completely clean. 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:46.440 But despite never sinning, 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.839 he goes to a cross. 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:50.039 The one who is truly alive 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:51.579 was put to death, 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.259 not for his crimes, 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.740 but for the crimes 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:56.039 and for all 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.519 who had returned 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:56.980 from their sin 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.680 and put their trust 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.599 in him alone. 00:26:59.180 --> 00:26:59.819 At the cross, 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:01.160 the Father pours out 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:01.839 his wrath 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:03.099 on his own Son 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:08.279 as our sin-bearing substitutes. 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:10.259 The one whose garments 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.279 were never stained 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:13.139 bore your stains 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:13.819 on the cross. 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.539 On the third day, 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.759 Christ rose again 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.700 and is now seated 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:18.639 at the right hand 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.200 of the Father 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:20.480 with the seven stars 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.420 and the seven spirits 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.160 in his hands. 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.440 The Lamb came, 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.599 the Lamb was slain, 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.240 but praise God, 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.500 the Lamb was raised 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.200 to new life. 00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:28.539 And if you turn 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.079 from your sin 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:30.000 and look to him 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.460 by faith, 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:32.139 you can be truly alive 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.680 today. 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.799 If you are not 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.240 a Christian, 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.440 wake up. 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:38.059 Wake up from 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:39.279 the insanity of sin. 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.899 Make a U-turn. 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.039 Today, 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:43.039 the garments 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.619 of your soul 00:27:43.619 --> 00:27:44.139 can be white 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:44.720 as snow. 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:46.180 Why would you die? 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:48.220 Come to this fountain 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:50.059 so rich and sweet 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.000 and cast yourself 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.940 at the Savior's feet. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.759 It is there 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:55.379 you can be made clean. 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.279 Throw yourself 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:57.899 at the mercy 00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:58.639 of the cross 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:59.099 and exchange 00:27:59.099 --> 00:28:00.099 your filthy garments 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:01.680 for white garments 00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.899 that Christ freely 00:28:02.899 --> 00:28:03.480 offers you. 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.379 He's not only 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:05.960 holding out 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:07.319 his nail-scarred hands, 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:07.899 he promises 00:28:07.899 --> 00:28:08.359 to take you 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:08.940 into his arms. 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.019 He will never 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:10.779 turn you away. 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:12.759 You must 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:14.059 turn from your sin. 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.099 You must repent. 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.019 And to repent 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:17.119 is to die to yourself, 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.379 to submit yourself 00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:19.079 to the lordship 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.779 of Christ. 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:21.000 God, 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:21.879 his command 00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:22.339 of repentance 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:22.879 implies that 00:28:22.879 --> 00:28:24.039 he will receive you 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.680 if you just turn 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:25.059 to him. 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:27.200 If you are a Christian, 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:29.119 remember this good news. 00:28:29.639 --> 00:28:30.119 Keep it 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:30.839 and repent. 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.619 Remember when you 00:28:32.619 --> 00:28:33.539 were a brand new 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:33.980 Christian. 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:34.399 Do you remember 00:28:34.399 --> 00:28:34.980 those days 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:36.639 when you were 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:37.299 given a new name 00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:37.759 in Christ? 00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:39.099 Remember when you 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:39.839 first believed 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.599 and mercy 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.659 was great 00:28:41.659 --> 00:28:42.299 and grace 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:42.819 was free? 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.159 Remember when 00:28:44.159 --> 00:28:44.619 you were given 00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:46.019 new garments. 00:28:46.959 --> 00:28:48.059 And keep the gospel 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.699 family. 00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.699 Keep on guarding it. 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:51.059 Keep on reminding 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.980 each other of it. 00:28:52.199 --> 00:28:53.659 Keep on obeying it. 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.439 You know, 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.559 some treat repentance 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:58.259 as some gross 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.899 cold medicine 00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.779 that you take 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.799 only when you need it. 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:02.699 But the Christian life 00:29:02.699 --> 00:29:03.240 is one of 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.139 constant repentance. 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:05.919 We are constantly 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:06.899 relying on the grace 00:29:06.899 --> 00:29:07.399 of God. 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:08.780 You must constantly 00:29:08.780 --> 00:29:09.400 be going back 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:10.100 to that well 00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:10.980 of mercy 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.820 each day 00:29:11.820 --> 00:29:12.600 and admitting 00:29:12.600 --> 00:29:13.400 your need of him. 00:29:14.280 --> 00:29:15.340 Unceasingly relying 00:29:15.340 --> 00:29:16.400 upon his forgiveness. 00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:18.660 Sardis stopped 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.519 repenting 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.500 and so they stopped 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.120 marveling 00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:21.940 at the mercies 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.360 of God. 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:24.940 But senior saints, 00:29:25.060 --> 00:29:26.040 let me encourage you 00:29:26.040 --> 00:29:29.140 that your walk 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:30.160 now matters. 00:29:31.060 --> 00:29:31.960 You can thank God 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.540 for his past 00:29:32.540 --> 00:29:33.400 faithfulness to you, 00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:34.800 but you cannot live 00:29:34.800 --> 00:29:35.560 on manna you ate 00:29:35.560 --> 00:29:36.400 20 years ago. 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:38.980 These last days 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.480 matter. 00:29:39.780 --> 00:29:40.560 Make them count. 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.300 Continue to wage 00:29:42.300 --> 00:29:43.600 war against sin. 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:44.880 Stay in the race. 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.540 I know many of you 00:29:46.540 --> 00:29:47.320 experienced 00:29:47.320 --> 00:29:48.680 many sorrows 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:50.440 in the Christian life. 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.720 Chronic fatigue 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.540 and you were tired. 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:53.980 But you must 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:55.600 finish the race. 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.800 By way of example, 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.540 in 1992 00:29:59.540 --> 00:30:01.640 400 meter Olympics, 00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:03.180 the favorite to win 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.759 the gold medal 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.660 was Derek Redmond. 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:06.120 near the end 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.740 of his sprint, 00:30:07.040 --> 00:30:07.580 he ruptured 00:30:07.580 --> 00:30:08.880 his hamstring, 00:30:09.560 --> 00:30:10.259 causing him 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.259 to fall 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:11.880 in the track 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:12.400 in agony. 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:14.080 While other 00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:15.140 athletes raced 00:30:15.140 --> 00:30:15.620 by him, 00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:16.779 he laid on the ground 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.440 in tears. 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.320 Finally, 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:20.220 he rose to his feet 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:21.480 and with pain, 00:30:21.540 --> 00:30:21.960 he dogged 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.840 every step. 00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:24.120 But suddenly, 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.000 a middle-aged man 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.680 wearing a T-shirt 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.160 and cap, 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.240 fought through security 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:28.960 and jumped 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.960 from the stand. 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.460 Arm in arm 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:32.340 and shoulder in shoulder, 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:33.500 the person carried 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:33.980 the sprinter 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:35.240 to the finish line. 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.620 As they took 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.440 the last step, 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.759 the crowd exploded 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:40.100 with tears of triumph. 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:42.060 It was the sprinter's 00:30:42.060 --> 00:30:42.600 father 00:30:42.600 --> 00:30:43.840 who helped him 00:30:43.840 --> 00:30:44.600 to the finish line. 00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.180 Senior saint, 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:47.740 let that be your story. 00:30:48.600 --> 00:30:49.820 As you finish the race, 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:51.980 I solemnly charge you 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.960 in the presence 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:53.759 of God and his angels 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.620 that you must finish 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.279 the race. 00:30:56.179 --> 00:30:57.259 There is a prize 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:58.139 at the finish line. 00:30:58.459 --> 00:30:59.419 You must keep going. 00:31:00.139 --> 00:31:01.500 And this is the last point, 00:31:01.899 --> 00:31:02.799 the prize for those 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.319 who continue 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:04.859 to walk with Christ. 00:31:05.899 --> 00:31:06.839 Point number three 00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.639 is the reward 00:31:07.639 --> 00:31:08.479 for the remnant 00:31:08.479 --> 00:31:09.479 in verses four to six. 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.099 In verse four, 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.399 Christ includes 00:31:12.399 --> 00:31:13.259 a commendation, 00:31:14.199 --> 00:31:14.859 not for many, 00:31:14.979 --> 00:31:16.179 but only a few, 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.519 a remnant. 00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:18.479 Verse four, 00:31:18.939 --> 00:31:20.159 you still have a few names 00:31:20.159 --> 00:31:21.139 in Sardis. 00:31:22.219 --> 00:31:23.359 People who have not 00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:24.219 soiled their garments, 00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:25.759 and they will walk 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.659 with me in whites, 00:31:26.819 --> 00:31:28.219 for they are worthy. 00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.679 These few are salt 00:31:30.679 --> 00:31:31.459 that have not lost 00:31:31.459 --> 00:31:32.119 their saltiness 00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:33.139 in a decaying world. 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.919 God always keeps 00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:35.359 a remnant, 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.019 does he not? 00:31:36.679 --> 00:31:37.779 God told Elijah 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:39.719 during mass apostasy 00:31:39.719 --> 00:31:40.159 in Israel 00:31:40.159 --> 00:31:41.039 that he had a remnant 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.819 of seven thousand 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.639 who had not bowed 00:31:42.639 --> 00:31:43.279 the knee to Baal. 00:31:43.979 --> 00:31:44.839 A faithful remnant. 00:31:45.099 --> 00:31:46.179 It's always been like that. 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.799 Whereas most of them 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.779 had soiled their garments, 00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:50.879 a few people had not. 00:31:51.459 --> 00:31:52.419 They had not compromised. 00:31:52.420 --> 00:31:54.259 And these few Christians 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.980 were out of step 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.640 with their culture. 00:31:56.300 --> 00:31:58.080 But they were so near 00:31:58.080 --> 00:31:58.840 to God's heart. 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.340 Christ commends them 00:32:01.340 --> 00:32:02.460 for their faithfulness. 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:04.160 Heaven was on their mind, 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.480 Christ in their heart, 00:32:05.560 --> 00:32:06.480 and the world at their back. 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:08.300 Their hearts were set 00:32:08.300 --> 00:32:09.140 on the things 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:10.680 where Christ is seated. 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.539 And how discouraged 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.740 these Christians 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.440 must have been. 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.560 One thing that struck me 00:32:16.560 --> 00:32:17.560 is that you will find 00:32:17.560 --> 00:32:18.759 the godliest Christians 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:20.160 in some of the worst churches. 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:22.259 I can't explain to you why. 00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.800 I don't know. 00:32:23.360 --> 00:32:24.120 But you will find 00:32:24.120 --> 00:32:25.040 the best Christians 00:32:25.040 --> 00:32:26.140 in some of the 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:27.380 most nominal churches. 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:31.340 They see the state 00:32:31.340 --> 00:32:31.820 of the world 00:32:31.820 --> 00:32:32.279 and the state 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:33.180 of their own church 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.200 and they are discouraged. 00:32:34.860 --> 00:32:36.480 Maybe you felt that way. 00:32:37.560 --> 00:32:39.060 Discouraged at the church 00:32:39.060 --> 00:32:40.700 in the state of the world. 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:43.040 These discouraged saints 00:32:43.040 --> 00:32:43.940 needed to hear 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:45.779 that Christ treasures them. 00:32:46.360 --> 00:32:47.900 You are not lost 00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:48.860 in the crowd. 00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:50.519 Your heavenly father 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:51.579 sees you. 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:54.259 These few faithful ones, 00:32:54.479 --> 00:32:55.079 the tenderness 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:56.319 he shows to them. 00:32:57.179 --> 00:32:57.559 He says, 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:58.939 these few Christians 00:32:58.939 --> 00:32:59.839 will walk with me 00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:00.399 in white 00:33:00.399 --> 00:33:02.799 for they are worthy. 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:05.059 Because of their refusal 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:06.159 to defile their garments 00:33:06.159 --> 00:33:07.299 under pressure, 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:08.419 Christ says, 00:33:08.879 --> 00:33:09.619 you are worthy. 00:33:10.619 --> 00:33:11.519 Now this worthiness 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.419 is not their own. 00:33:13.459 --> 00:33:13.859 This worthiness 00:33:14.479 --> 00:33:16.119 means there is no gap 00:33:16.119 --> 00:33:17.259 between their profession 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.279 and their walk. 00:33:19.159 --> 00:33:20.139 As Paul would say, 00:33:20.219 --> 00:33:20.799 they are walking 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:21.419 in a manner 00:33:21.419 --> 00:33:22.979 worthy of the gospel. 00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:24.659 Their righteousness 00:33:24.659 --> 00:33:25.559 is not their own 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:26.659 but one that depends 00:33:26.659 --> 00:33:27.679 on God from faith. 00:33:28.959 --> 00:33:29.539 Now some of you 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.219 are discouraged 00:33:30.219 --> 00:33:31.279 because you spend 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:31.859 too much time 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:32.719 watching the news 00:33:32.719 --> 00:33:34.359 or scrolling social media. 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.740 Turn it off. 00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:37.259 Christ wants the church 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:38.199 to look up. 00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:40.339 Christ is making promises 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.879 to you to encourage you. 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:43.459 You will walk 00:33:43.459 --> 00:33:44.719 with Christ in white. 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:46.759 You will be in heaven 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:48.720 and see him face to face. 00:33:49.379 --> 00:33:50.180 You will be dressed 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:52.220 in glorious white garments. 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:54.359 You may have garments now 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:55.240 decked with diamonds 00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:56.460 and precious stones. 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:58.680 That would be filthy rags 00:33:58.680 --> 00:33:59.160 in comparison 00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:00.240 to these white garments 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:01.740 that Christ is offering us. 00:34:02.299 --> 00:34:04.420 These are more glorious. 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:06.000 And white 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:08.079 is a prominent color 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.699 in Revelation. 00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:10.679 White robes, 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:11.960 white horses, 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:13.360 white clouds, 00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:14.179 white stones, 00:34:14.300 --> 00:34:15.659 a great white throne. 00:34:17.300 --> 00:34:18.420 White not only stands 00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:19.460 for conquering, 00:34:20.780 --> 00:34:21.400 not only stands 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.000 for being pure 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:23.059 and forgiven before God, 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:24.059 white also stands 00:34:24.059 --> 00:34:24.599 for conquering. 00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:27.460 These few are called 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.440 conquerors. 00:34:29.220 --> 00:34:29.840 In Rome, 00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:30.820 all the citizens 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:31.940 would dress in white 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:33.079 as they celebrate 00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:34.320 a great victory. 00:34:35.059 --> 00:34:36.099 And the church here 00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:37.460 is triumphant. 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:39.659 The church is dressed 00:34:39.659 --> 00:34:40.319 in white 00:34:40.319 --> 00:34:41.500 as the lamb 00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:42.799 ultimately triumphs 00:34:42.799 --> 00:34:44.059 over his enemies, 00:34:44.319 --> 00:34:45.440 like a Roman general 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:47.019 returning from a victory. 00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:49.179 And these trials 00:34:49.179 --> 00:34:50.759 will give way to glory. 00:34:51.879 --> 00:34:53.319 These in white garments 00:34:53.319 --> 00:34:55.099 are called conquerors. 00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:56.679 They have overcome. 00:34:57.599 --> 00:34:58.599 Those who have victory 00:34:58.599 --> 00:35:00.199 after their earthly struggle. 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.399 Church, 00:35:01.639 --> 00:35:03.859 hold fast as conquerors. 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:05.719 Even in this war against sin, 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:07.099 keep repenting, 00:35:07.420 --> 00:35:08.359 keep obeying, 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:09.519 keep remembering. 00:35:10.259 --> 00:35:11.420 That's how you conquer. 00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:13.579 Even though you go now 00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.159 in rags, 00:35:14.759 --> 00:35:15.599 then you will have 00:35:15.599 --> 00:35:17.879 white robes in triumph. 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:20.559 Though you bear the cross now, 00:35:20.899 --> 00:35:21.899 then you will be given 00:35:21.899 --> 00:35:22.559 a crown. 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:24.599 Will the world 00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:25.579 put a crown on your head? 00:35:26.699 --> 00:35:27.359 Christ gives you 00:35:27.359 --> 00:35:27.859 a better one. 00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:30.399 After finishing the race, 00:35:30.699 --> 00:35:31.579 there is laid for you 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:32.739 a crown of righteousness 00:35:32.739 --> 00:35:33.819 laid up for you 00:35:33.819 --> 00:35:34.179 in heaven. 00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:36.739 The most glorious thing 00:35:36.739 --> 00:35:37.879 you've ever experienced now 00:35:37.879 --> 00:35:39.179 will be but a dim candle 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:40.039 before the brightness 00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:40.759 of that sun. 00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:42.559 This is Christ 00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.659 in all his glory 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:46.539 coming to take you home. 00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:48.779 And this hope of glory 00:35:48.779 --> 00:35:50.019 is meant to produce joy 00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:51.639 in the saints today. 00:35:52.339 --> 00:35:53.500 And no one can take 00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:54.500 this joy from you. 00:35:55.419 --> 00:35:56.519 Christ is calling you 00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:57.239 to faith. 00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:58.379 Church, 00:35:58.619 --> 00:36:01.239 don't settle for cheap fast food 00:36:01.239 --> 00:36:02.879 when Christ offers you 00:36:02.879 --> 00:36:04.079 a rich banquet 00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:05.000 in his presence. 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:07.900 It's been written, 00:36:08.760 --> 00:36:09.380 thy saints 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:11.179 in all this glorious war 00:36:11.179 --> 00:36:12.719 shall conquer 00:36:12.719 --> 00:36:14.000 though they die. 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.539 They see the triumph 00:36:15.539 --> 00:36:16.599 from afar 00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:17.559 and seize it 00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:18.480 with their eye. 00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:20.280 Christians, 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:21.840 seize this triumph 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:23.300 by faith. 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:25.480 Though the world 00:36:25.480 --> 00:36:26.059 thought little 00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:27.639 of these precious few saints, 00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:29.719 they had a high reputation 00:36:29.719 --> 00:36:30.179 in heaven. 00:36:31.260 --> 00:36:31.619 Christian, 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:32.820 no one might know 00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:33.920 your name in this life, 00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:35.680 but the King of kings 00:36:35.680 --> 00:36:36.960 and the Lord of lords 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.220 delights to honor 00:36:38.220 --> 00:36:39.200 those who honor him. 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:41.100 He knows your name. 00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:43.059 But amazingly, 00:36:43.260 --> 00:36:44.840 Jesus gives a second promise. 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:47.160 He will never blot out 00:36:47.160 --> 00:36:47.820 your name 00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:48.860 from the book of life. 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:51.320 As Tom preached last week, 00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:52.700 if you confess Christ, 00:36:53.220 --> 00:36:54.039 many synagogues 00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:55.100 would blot out your name 00:36:55.100 --> 00:36:56.140 from the membership rolls. 00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:58.819 and you would be killed. 00:37:00.179 --> 00:37:00.719 Jesus is saying, 00:37:00.839 --> 00:37:01.359 I will never, 00:37:01.559 --> 00:37:01.940 no never, 00:37:02.059 --> 00:37:02.940 blot you out of my book. 00:37:04.279 --> 00:37:05.440 If you confess his name, 00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:07.639 your name is written 00:37:07.639 --> 00:37:09.119 in heaven. 00:37:10.879 --> 00:37:12.039 And Jesus gives a third promise. 00:37:12.799 --> 00:37:13.460 It's a climax 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.379 to this whole passage. 00:37:15.980 --> 00:37:16.379 Jesus says, 00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:17.900 I will confess his name 00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:18.819 before my father 00:37:18.819 --> 00:37:20.359 and before his angels. 00:37:21.299 --> 00:37:22.319 Those who are faithful 00:37:22.319 --> 00:37:22.980 until the end, 00:37:23.319 --> 00:37:24.920 Christ will confess you 00:37:24.920 --> 00:37:26.079 before his father. 00:37:27.260 --> 00:37:28.119 You want the Lord 00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:28.940 to confess your name. 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:31.579 The problem the Bible presents 00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:33.720 isn't whether we are ashamed 00:37:33.720 --> 00:37:34.619 to confess Christ. 00:37:36.000 --> 00:37:36.740 No, it's not that. 00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:38.720 It's how God can not be ashamed 00:37:38.720 --> 00:37:39.940 to confess you and me. 00:37:40.840 --> 00:37:42.519 That is our greatest need. 00:37:43.220 --> 00:37:44.159 Who will confess us 00:37:44.159 --> 00:37:46.500 before that great white throne? 00:37:47.460 --> 00:37:49.119 Weak, vile, helpless, 00:37:49.659 --> 00:37:50.639 soiling our garments, 00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:52.059 contaminated by sin 00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:53.460 and a righteous God. 00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:55.559 Who will confess our names 00:37:55.559 --> 00:37:57.139 when we approach 00:37:57.139 --> 00:37:58.179 that final throne 00:37:58.179 --> 00:37:59.039 on that final day? 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:01.659 We need Jesus 00:38:01.659 --> 00:38:03.519 to confess our name. 00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:05.179 The spotless lamb of God 00:38:05.179 --> 00:38:06.159 to confess your name 00:38:06.159 --> 00:38:06.720 and my name 00:38:06.720 --> 00:38:07.860 before the father. 00:38:08.740 --> 00:38:10.519 Those who confess Christ now, 00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:12.699 those who live for his name, 00:38:13.179 --> 00:38:13.940 Jesus will confess 00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:15.220 before his father. 00:38:17.000 --> 00:38:17.559 Church, 00:38:17.619 --> 00:38:18.260 this is what the text 00:38:18.260 --> 00:38:19.300 is saying to us this morning. 00:38:19.300 --> 00:38:22.360 You can settle for a name 00:38:22.360 --> 00:38:22.860 in New Haven 00:38:22.860 --> 00:38:24.820 or you can settle 00:38:24.820 --> 00:38:25.660 for a name in heaven. 00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:30.120 You must make the choice. 00:38:31.400 --> 00:38:31.840 Jesus says, 00:38:32.080 --> 00:38:33.560 what would it profit a man 00:38:33.560 --> 00:38:35.019 to gain the whole world 00:38:35.019 --> 00:38:36.700 and forfeit his soul? 00:38:38.400 --> 00:38:38.740 Friend, 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:39.519 what would it profit you 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:40.360 to have your name written 00:38:40.360 --> 00:38:41.600 on a membership list 00:38:41.600 --> 00:38:42.360 at a church 00:38:42.360 --> 00:38:43.640 but excluded 00:38:43.640 --> 00:38:44.620 in this book of life? 00:38:45.900 --> 00:38:47.019 What would it profit you 00:38:47.019 --> 00:38:47.880 to have your name 00:38:47.880 --> 00:38:49.259 and acknowledge 00:38:49.259 --> 00:38:50.320 and applaud by others 00:38:50.320 --> 00:38:51.840 but Jesus does not confess 00:38:51.840 --> 00:38:52.679 your name 00:38:52.679 --> 00:38:53.460 before his father? 00:38:54.820 --> 00:38:55.719 What would it profit you 00:38:55.719 --> 00:38:56.380 to be clothed 00:38:56.380 --> 00:38:57.079 in rich clothes 00:38:57.079 --> 00:38:58.059 and have nice cars 00:38:58.059 --> 00:39:00.139 but you stand naked 00:39:00.139 --> 00:39:01.320 and exposed before God 00:39:01.320 --> 00:39:02.300 on that final day 00:39:02.300 --> 00:39:02.759 of judgment 00:39:02.759 --> 00:39:04.460 where you are not given 00:39:04.460 --> 00:39:05.840 a garment of white 00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:07.059 but you will wear 00:39:07.059 --> 00:39:08.380 eternal black garments 00:39:08.380 --> 00:39:08.800 of judgment? 00:39:10.380 --> 00:39:10.639 Friend, 00:39:10.739 --> 00:39:12.239 run to the mercy 00:39:12.239 --> 00:39:13.559 of the cross. 00:39:15.079 --> 00:39:16.019 Run today 00:39:16.019 --> 00:39:17.460 today and not tomorrow 00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:18.400 for tomorrow 00:39:18.400 --> 00:39:19.059 may be too late. 00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:20.820 And we see the fruit 00:39:20.820 --> 00:39:21.539 of this rebuke 00:39:21.539 --> 00:39:22.400 in church history. 00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:24.400 The church at Sardis 00:39:24.400 --> 00:39:25.699 eventually did make 00:39:25.699 --> 00:39:26.159 a U-turn 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:27.739 and became known 00:39:27.739 --> 00:39:28.579 for a bastion 00:39:28.579 --> 00:39:30.280 of bold witness 00:39:30.280 --> 00:39:30.980 for the gospel 00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:32.139 where it remained 00:39:32.139 --> 00:39:33.559 for another thousand years. 00:39:35.139 --> 00:39:35.719 And to close, 00:39:35.820 --> 00:39:36.739 there is a story 00:39:36.739 --> 00:39:38.460 of a young woman 00:39:38.460 --> 00:39:39.639 from a wealthy family 00:39:39.639 --> 00:39:42.599 who came to faith 00:39:42.599 --> 00:39:43.380 during a revival. 00:39:43.380 --> 00:39:46.059 She was scolded 00:39:46.059 --> 00:39:46.880 by her father 00:39:46.880 --> 00:39:48.720 and ridiculed 00:39:48.720 --> 00:39:49.380 by her mother 00:39:49.380 --> 00:39:51.440 for confessing Jesus. 00:39:52.800 --> 00:39:53.760 Eventually told 00:39:53.760 --> 00:39:54.640 she must renounce 00:39:54.640 --> 00:39:55.559 her fanaticism 00:39:55.559 --> 00:39:56.640 or her name 00:39:56.640 --> 00:39:57.660 would be blotted out 00:39:57.660 --> 00:39:58.800 forfeiting her inheritance. 00:40:00.559 --> 00:40:01.380 She was given 00:40:01.380 --> 00:40:01.940 several days 00:40:01.940 --> 00:40:02.480 to think it over. 00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:05.140 On that final day 00:40:05.140 --> 00:40:05.700 she was told 00:40:05.700 --> 00:40:06.980 to give her answer. 00:40:08.280 --> 00:40:09.160 She replied 00:40:09.160 --> 00:40:10.559 by sitting down 00:40:10.559 --> 00:40:11.140 at a piano 00:40:11.139 --> 00:40:12.579 where she played 00:40:12.579 --> 00:40:12.980 a verse 00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:13.779 of a well-known hymn. 00:40:15.480 --> 00:40:16.039 Jesus, 00:40:16.819 --> 00:40:18.199 I my cross 00:40:18.199 --> 00:40:18.719 have taken 00:40:18.719 --> 00:40:20.960 all to leave 00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:22.799 and follow thee. 00:40:23.960 --> 00:40:24.519 Destitute, 00:40:24.940 --> 00:40:25.539 despised, 00:40:25.659 --> 00:40:26.099 forsaken, 00:40:27.099 --> 00:40:27.940 thou from hence 00:40:27.940 --> 00:40:29.400 my all shalt be. 00:40:30.799 --> 00:40:32.179 Perish every fond ambition, 00:40:32.739 --> 00:40:33.639 all I've sought 00:40:33.639 --> 00:40:34.219 or hoped 00:40:34.219 --> 00:40:35.039 or known. 00:40:36.559 --> 00:40:37.239 Yet how rich 00:40:37.239 --> 00:40:38.039 is my condition. 00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:39.719 God and heaven 00:40:39.719 --> 00:40:40.719 are still my own. 00:40:41.759 --> 00:40:42.859 She chose a name 00:40:42.859 --> 00:40:43.359 in heaven 00:40:43.359 --> 00:40:44.980 rather than a name 00:40:44.980 --> 00:40:45.579 in this world. 00:40:46.119 --> 00:40:46.539 And you know what? 00:40:46.599 --> 00:40:47.500 Jesus will confess 00:40:47.500 --> 00:40:48.619 her name 00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:49.419 before his father. 00:40:50.599 --> 00:40:51.799 Will he confess yours? 00:40:52.699 --> 00:40:53.139 Let's pray. 00:40:55.139 --> 00:40:55.579 Oh, 00:40:55.639 --> 00:40:56.299 Father in heaven, 00:40:58.099 --> 00:41:00.279 help us to wake up, 00:41:00.959 --> 00:41:02.679 to wake up today 00:41:02.679 --> 00:41:03.399 and not tomorrow. 00:41:03.980 --> 00:41:04.779 Give us life 00:41:04.779 --> 00:41:06.259 as a church. 00:41:07.299 --> 00:41:07.699 Help us 00:41:07.699 --> 00:41:08.439 not be content 00:41:08.439 --> 00:41:10.259 with the form 00:41:10.259 --> 00:41:11.119 and not the reality. 00:41:12.239 --> 00:41:12.639 Oh God, 00:41:12.699 --> 00:41:13.559 we pray your spirit 00:41:13.559 --> 00:41:14.599 would bring a revival 00:41:14.599 --> 00:41:16.119 to our church 00:41:16.119 --> 00:41:16.819 where we feel like 00:41:16.819 --> 00:41:18.439 brand new Christians again. 00:41:19.879 --> 00:41:20.199 Father, 00:41:20.339 --> 00:41:21.399 would you do this 00:41:21.399 --> 00:41:22.159 for your honor 00:41:22.159 --> 00:41:22.980 and praise 00:41:22.980 --> 00:41:24.179 for your renown? 00:41:24.439 --> 00:41:25.500 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:41:26.159 --> 00:41:26.460 Amen. 00:41:26.460 --> 00:41:26.559 Amen. 00:41:26.559 --> 00:41:26.599 Amen. 00:41:26.599 --> 00:41:26.619 Amen. 00:41:26.619 --> 00:41:26.639 Amen. 00:41:26.639 --> 00:41:26.659 Amen. 00:41:26.659 --> 00:41:26.679 Amen. 00:41:26.679 --> 00:41:26.699 Amen. 00:41:26.699 --> 00:41:28.679 Amen. 00:41:28.679 --> 00:41:28.699 Amen. 00:41:28.699 --> 00:41:28.739 Amen. 00:41:28.739 --> 00:41:28.759 Amen. 00:41:28.759 --> 00:41:30.759 Amen. 00:41:30.759 --> 00:41:30.779 Amen. 00:41:30.779 --> 00:41:30.799 Amen. 00:41:30.799 --> 00:41:30.819 Amen. 00:41:30.819 --> 00:41:30.859 Amen. 00:41:30.859 --> 00:41:30.879 Amen. 00:41:30.879 --> 00:41:32.799 Amen. 00:41:32.799 --> 00:41:32.819 Amen. 00:41:32.819 --> 00:41:32.879 Amen. 00:41:32.879 --> 00:41:34.819 Amen. 00:41:34.819 --> 00:41:34.839 Amen. 00:41:34.839 --> 00:41:34.879 Amen. 00:41:34.879 --> 00:41:34.939 Amen. 00:41:34.939 --> 00:41:36.939 Amen. 00:41:36.939 --> 00:41:37.679 Amen.