WEBVTT

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 Well, will you join me? Let's pray together and come before our Father.

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 Sovereign God, glorious Christ, wonderful, comforting Holy Spirit,

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 we come before you this morning, God, very aware of our need for you.

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 God, we come in all sorts of weakness. We come not having it all together, God.

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 God, we're so grateful that in the gospel you don't just invite those that have got it together.

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 You invite us as we are and you say that you will clothe us in your righteousness, God.

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 You give us the riches of your gospel. You, God, come and heal us, Lord.

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 And so we come to you, God, with open hands on our knees and just admit our need for you, God.

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 We need you because we are worried and anxious about what's going on in our times.

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 We need you, God, because we face all sorts of challenges and difficulties.

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 But, God, supremely we need you because apart from you, God, we carry our record of sin.

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 And we cannot atone for ourselves.

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 God, we need your grace and your mercy.

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 But, Lord, also we need you to come and strengthen us and to revive us and to revitalize our hearts.

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 Father, as the men and women of old prayed, we ask, God, not necessarily that our lots in life will be enrolled amongst the earthly great or the rich.

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 God, more than that, we want to be numbered with the spiritually blessed.

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 God, we pray that won't you help us, God, to make it our persevering concern in life, to obtain blessings which may not be esteemed in our culture or our city,

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 but, God, which are esteemed by you, God, which are eternal in their nature, which are eternally satisfying.

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 God, I pray, Lord, help us to be the kinds of people, God, that are agents of salt and light in our city because we've been transformed by you, God.

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 God, won't you remind us that this city, which so many of us call home, is not our ultimate home, but that, God, we are sojourners on this earth and we await the day when you come and you take us to our true home in glory, God.

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 We look forward to that day.

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 God, we worship you and adore you this morning.

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 God, as we come to your word now, we do pray that you will speak to us, Lord.

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 God, won't you take just my simple words and that which is of you, God.

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 I pray that you will anoint her with power, God.

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 I pray that your word from your gospel will speak life to our hearts and souls, God.

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 God, we haven't come to listen to just the opinions of man.

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 We've come to listen to the eternal words of the one who is faithful and true.

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 And so, Christ, come and speak to us from your word, we pray, God.

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 God, we want to pray for our city.

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 And especially today, we want to pray for teachers and educators, those at the universities.

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 God, we know many in our midst are in teaching and are at universities and schools.

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 God, we pray that as our city goes back to school and back to university in these coming weeks,

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 Lord, we pray, God, that you will give Christian teachers and educators profound wisdom, God.

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 God, I pray that you will be with them in the classroom, God.

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 I pray as there's tension and as people are working out what it means to be students in this age,

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 God, I pray that you will use those that are followers of Jesus to be salt and light in the classroom,

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 in the university halls, God, in campus.

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 We pray for the ICF ministry.

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 We pray for the leaders there, God.

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 We pray that you will give them amazing conversations to point to the hope of Jesus in our city at this time, God.

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 Thank you so much for the university ministry and ICF.

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 God, we pray for your Holy Spirit to rest upon them this week and the weeks to come, God.

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 God, we pray that all of us will be salt and light in our city.

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 God, use us, God, we pray.

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 We pray that we really will be a voice of hope in such a time as this.

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 In Christ, this morning we pray finally for our leaders in the city.

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 We pray for our political leaders.

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 We pray for the police.

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 God, we pray for law enforcement and the courts.

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 We pray for our protesters, God.

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 We pray that peace will prevail.

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 We pray, God, for healing.

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 Father, we pray that all of us will acknowledge and admit where we have been wrong, God.

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 We will humble ourselves and confess our contribution and we'll seek your peace.

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 Christ, come and heal our land, we pray.

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 Come and have your way.

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 We pray these things in your wonderful name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Great.

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 Let's listen to...

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 Christina is going to read God's word to us this morning.

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 The scripture reading comes from Revelation chapters 2 and 3.

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 Please follow along in your bulletins or on the screen.

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 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, the words of the first and the last who died and came to life.

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 I know your tribulation and the last who died and came to life.

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 I know your tribulation and your poverty, but you are rich and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

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 Do not fear what you are about to suffer.

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 Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.

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 Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

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

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 The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

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 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write,

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 The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

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 I know your works.

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 You are neither cold nor hot.

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 With that you are either cold or hot.

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 So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

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 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are rigid, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

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 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich,

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 and white garments so that you may clothe yourselves, and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen,

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 and soft to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

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 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

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 Behold, I stand at the door and knock.

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 If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

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 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne,

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 as I also conquered and sat down with my father on his throne.

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

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 This is the word of God.

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 Great. Thank you, Christina.

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 Okay, so if you are new to Watermark, we are working our way through the book of Revelation,

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 the last book of the Bible.

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 And last week, well, today we get to chapter 2 and 3.

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 And last week, we looked at how the book of Revelation is really this one letter

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 that's written primarily to seven churches in what's modern-day Turkey,

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 the ancient Roman province of Asia Minor.

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 And Jesus gives these words to John and asks John to write this letter to these seven churches.

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 But rather than John writing an individual letter to each one,

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 you know, here's the letter to Ephesus and pulling another letter out like a postman,

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 he writes one letter, which is the book of Revelation,

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 and it goes to church, to church, to church, to church.

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 And so Ephesus gets this long letter, and they read Jesus' words to them as a church.

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 And to each church, Jesus has some words of commendation, of affirmation,

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 saying this is what you've done well.

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 And to most churches, he also corrects them and says,

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 yeah, but these are some things I think you need to be aware of,

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 and this is what I have against you.

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 And so Ephesus reads this letter, and then they read all the other letters and the whole book,

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 and then they pass it on to the next church, etc., etc.

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 And the reason why Jesus does this is because Jesus isn't just giving them a performance review.

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 He's not just saying, listen, Ephesus, you know, four out of ten in this regard,

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 eight out of ten here.

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 He actually wants them to get a glimpse of his glory and his majesty.

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 And so he says, I want you to see not just my little letter to you,

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 but the entire picture of who Christ is and what he's done.

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 And so he gives them the full book.

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 And then last week, we looked particularly at Jesus' words to the church in Ephesus,

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 and how Jesus says to them, he says, this is what I want to commend you for.

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 You're a church that loves God's word.

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 People come and they teach you things, and you don't just take it at face value.

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 You check God's word, you see that what the preacher says is in the Bible,

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 and those things that are true, you listen to them and obey them.

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 Those things that are false, you reject them.

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 You love my word and theology and the Bible, and so well done for doing that.

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 But this is what I have against you, that your theology is in your head,

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 and it hasn't dropped to your heart.

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 It's still mechanical.

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 You understand all these things, but that hasn't transformed the way that you love and worship me.

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 And so Jesus says, come back to your first love.

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 And so that's what we looked at last week, and he calls them to repent.

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 Now today, we're going to look at two other sections,

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 Jesus' words to the church in Smyrna and his words to the church in Laodicea.

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 And we're going to start with the second one first, Laodicea.

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 And so in your bulletins, look at the second section with me.

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 We're going to look at Revelation 3, verse 14 to 22.

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 Okay, so let's dive in.

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 It says this.

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 These are the words of the Amen to the church in Laodicea.

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 The words of the Amen, the faithful and the true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

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 Okay, now just a few words in here.

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 The word Amen doesn't just mean I finished my prayer, and now it's your turn to pray.

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 Okay, sometimes we use it like that.

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 But actually, the word Amen is a confirmation.

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 It's an affirmation.

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 So when someone prays and you say Amen, it's like you're saying,

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 Yes, I agree with what Gary just prayed.

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 I confirm that.

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 I'm in agreement with that.

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 So the word Amen is a confirmation, an affirmation, that something is valid or true.

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 And so when it says here, these are the words of Jesus, the Amen, it says these are the words of the one in whom everything is true,

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 in whom everything conforms to perfect reality.

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 Everything finds its Amen in Him.

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 What Jesus says is valid and true.

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 And then He says, He is the faithful and the true witness.

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 You know, if you watch law series or court drama series, what happens, right?

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 Either the defendant or the prosecutor, they've got their witness, and they prep them beforehand.

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 They say, Listen, if someone asks you this question, don't answer it like this, right?

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 They prep their witness to convey a certain side of the story, and both sides try and do this, right?

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 Jesus here has a witness who is absolutely faithful and true.

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 What He says is 100% true.

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 He doesn't have a bias.

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 He's not trying to paint a particular kind of picture.

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 Jesus, these are the words of the one who is Amen, valid and true, the faithful and true witness.

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 And that means you can bank your life on Him.

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 He is faithful.

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 And then it says, These are the words of the one who is the first of all creation, or the beginning of creation.

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 And that doesn't mean that Jesus was the first one that was made.

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 It means, in the Greek writing, the word first means the preeminent one, the one that is the ruler over everything.

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 So in the ancient world, the emperor called himself the princeps, in other words, the preeminent one of Rome.

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 He was Rome's first citizen.

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 Well, Jesus here is the princeps, the first citizen of all creation.

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 He is the one who rules over everything.

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 So these are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the first of all creation, the ruler of all creation.

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 And then he's going to write these words to this church in Laodicea.

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 Now, the city of Laodicea in the ancient world was a very established and important and well-respected city.

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 And it was famous for three things.

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 Actually, four, but three.

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 Let's just go three for now.

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 The first thing it was famous for, it was a very wealthy and financially successful city.

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 It was actually a banking center for the province of Asia Minor.

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 And so what actually happened in the year 60 AD, there's this massive earthquake and it destroys the city of Laodicea.

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 The buildings just are absolute ruins.

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 And Rome says, listen, you guys are such an important city.

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 We will rebuild Laodicea for you.

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 And the people of Laodicea say, no, thank you.

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 We don't need your money.

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 We'll do it ourselves.

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 Thank you very much.

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 One historian, Tacitus, said it like this.

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 Laodicea arose from the ruins by the strength of her own resources and with no help from us, from the Romans.

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 So it was a very financially wealthy and prosperous city.

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 The second thing it was famous for is it had a medical school just outside of the city and a medical training college.

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 And actually, there were two very famous physicians and teachers from that training college that lived in Laodicea.

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 And so if anyone in that province wanted to learn medicine and go into the practice of medicine, they would generally come to Laodicea and learn from these two teachers.

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 And then in addition to that, Laodicea had developed two kind of famous ointments.

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 One was for ear infections and the other one was for irritable eyes.

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 And they developed this cell for your eyes that actually got exported all over the Roman Empire.

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 Okay?

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 And so it was a place of healing and wellness and restoration.

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 And the third thing Laodicea was famous for is somehow, I don't know how, they were famous for this black wool, which the farmers had managed to somehow develop.

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 Right?

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 I don't know how they did it, but black wool was grown on the sheep of Laodicea.

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 And they made these very famous tunics called a tremata, which Laodicea was famous for, the Laodicea and tremata.

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 Okay?

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 And so all that to say, Laodicea was a famous, it was a wealthy, economically successful city.

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 It was also a leader of industry, medicine and agriculture and clothing, etc., etc.

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 Now, as we get further into the book of Revelation, we're going to see that Satan or the devil or the accuser,

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 one of the things Revelation is going to show us is how he is bent on destroying the church and destroying Christians.

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 Okay?

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 Particularly chapter 11 to 20, we're going to see this.

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 And he generally has three strategies.

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 His one strategy is through false teaching and deception.

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 So we actually see this in chapter 11.

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 The beast rises up.

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 One of the imagery of the devil is he's a beast.

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 And he rises up and it says in chapter 11, he looks like a lamb.

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 Well, in the book of Revelation, Jesus is pictured as the lamb.

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 And so Satan is, for a time, he's pictured like Jesus and he deceives people by pulling them away from the truth of the gospel by bringing false teachers into the church.

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 Okay?

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 The second way he tries to destroy the church is through persecution and oppression.

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 Okay?

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 So his goal is through fear to incite fear in Christians and through persecution and oppression to get Christians to fall away from following Jesus and to just kind of shrink back into a comfortable life and not put themselves on the edge.

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 And the third way that he is going to destroy the church is through not false teaching and deception, not through intimidation and oppression, but actually through prosperity and abundance and pleasure.

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 And primarily through financial abundance and through sexual pleasure.

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 And so Satan is going to come and he's going to constantly tempt the church with these two things to lure followers of Jesus away from Jesus through financial abundance and prosperity and through sexual pleasure.

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 And these two are the most sinister because there's nothing inherently wrong with having money or sexual desire.

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 These are gifts that God gives us, but they have an amazing ability to get into our heart and to become a kind of God for us that we hope and trust in to satisfy us rather than Jesus.

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 Okay?

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 Now, that being said, out of these three things, what do you think is going to challenge the church in Laodicea the most?

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 Any ideas?

00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.659
 The third one, right?

00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:03.359
 Prosperity.

00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:03.720
 Yeah.

00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:06.319
 They are a wealthy, prosperous city.

00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:08.480
 That's exactly what Satan is going to do.

00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:17.000
 He's going to try and, through their abundance of wealth, try and undermine their love for Jesus so that they fall away from following God.

00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:19.240
 Okay, now here's a little bit more challenging.

00:18:19.939 --> 00:18:24.019
 What do you think the church in Hong Kong is going to be challenged with?

00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:27.419
 Probably the same one, right?

00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:29.119
 Prosperity and wealth and abundance.

00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:32.579
 As we've lived in Hong Kong almost two years,

00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:38.599
 every city is going to have some churches that are teaching interesting things, right?

00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:43.099
 But by and large, Hong Kong, actually, I think the churches here are fairly strong.

00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:46.559
 The churches love God's word and really want to honor God's word.

00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:51.379
 In Hong Kong, generally, we're not going to face a whole lot of persecution.

00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:53.279
 Anyone here have been thrown to the lions yet?

00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:56.139
 Or been thrown in jail for following Jesus?

00:18:56.920 --> 00:19:00.140
 Actually, Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world for following Jesus.

00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:02.660
 Now, that's not true for all of Asia, right?

00:19:03.060 --> 00:19:06.259
 Our brothers and sisters all over Asia are being thrown in jail.

00:19:06.540 --> 00:19:08.040
 Churches being closed down.

00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.420
 People being arrested.

00:19:10.040 --> 00:19:12.980
 People not seeing their family and loved ones for months on end.

00:19:13.060 --> 00:19:14.100
 Not knowing where they've gone.

00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:18.180
 And even in the Western world, you face persecution for following Jesus, right?

00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.840
 If you're in the east coast of the U.S.

00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:22.880
 Or you're in the leading cities of Europe or Australia,

00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:26.539
 you go for a job interview, and they find out you're a follower of Jesus,

00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:29.720
 maybe just that job is suddenly closed, right?

00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:34.279
 Because nobody wants to hire people that they perceive to be bigoted or oppressive

00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:36.440
 or homophobic or something.

00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:39.600
 And so even in the Western world, you're going to face it.

00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:41.940
 But in Hong Kong, actually, this is one of the safest cities.

00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:44.360
 But what is going to be our challenge?

00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:47.440
 Our abundance and prosperity, right?

00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:51.559
 That's where Satan's going to tempt us to fall away from Jesus.

00:19:52.320 --> 00:19:53.860
 Now, we're going to come back to that.

00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:56.480
 Let's look at our passage today.

00:19:56.680 --> 00:20:00.320
 Look at what Jesus says to the Church of Laodicea in verse 15.

00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.539
 He says,

00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:05.580
 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.

00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:08.539
 I wish that you were either cold or hot.

00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:11.680
 But because you're lukewarm, neither hot nor cold,

00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:14.059
 I'm going to spit you out of my mouth.

00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:19.940
 Now, when we first hear that, what we may think is that Jesus is saying,

00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:24.460
 listen, either love me or hate me, but don't sit somewhere in the middle.

00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:26.720
 Don't just tolerate me.

00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.159
 Don't sit on the fence.

00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:32.220
 I'd rather that you dislike me or really love me,

00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.839
 but don't be somewhere in the middle.

00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:36.480
 But that's not actually what Jesus is saying here.

00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:39.759
 Well, you see, what's happening here is Jesus is saying to them,

00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:42.799
 your resourcefulness, your wealth as a city,

00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:46.960
 has made you ineffective and mediocre and bland.

00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:50.240
 You've kind of just blended in with your culture.

00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:53.220
 There's nothing distinctive or standoutish about you.

00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:57.839
 You see, Laodicea, as we said, they've got a lot going for it, right?

00:20:57.839 --> 00:21:04.419
 Financially well, there's a medical center, trade and commerce, agriculture going on.

00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:07.579
 But the one thing that Laodicea was also famous for,

00:21:07.679 --> 00:21:10.740
 the fourth thing it was well known for, was its terrible water.

00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:15.519
 And the reason was because it's one of the only cities in the ancient world

00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:19.039
 that wasn't built on any kind of water supply or water source.

00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:23.079
 You know, most cities are built on a river or on the coast or something like that.

00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:26.779
 But Laodicea was built where it was because it was at the juncture

00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:30.119
 of two really important trade routes in the ancient world.

00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:34.480
 And so they built the city there as kind of the gateway to the province of Phrygia.

00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:38.439
 But the problem is there's no water nearby.

00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:41.839
 The closest water supply, there's two water supplies.

00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:45.419
 One is about 10 miles to the northwest, okay?

00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:47.819
 And there were some mountain ranges there,

00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:53.659
 and there's some fresh, cool, flowing water that was fresh and revitalizing.

00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:56.639
 And so the water would come down the mountains in the streams,

00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:58.460
 but it was about 10 miles from the city.

00:21:58.899 --> 00:22:02.859
 And so the city built these aqueducts to pipe the water into Laodicea.

00:22:03.419 --> 00:22:06.379
 But the problem is after 10 miles of sitting in the sun,

00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:08.980
 this water was no longer cool and refreshing.

00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:12.079
 It was lukewarm and pretty ordinary.

00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:16.220
 The other water source was about six miles to the northeast.

00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:18.700
 I'm trying to do this in reverse, the northeast.

00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:21.039
 There's a city there called Hierapolis.

00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:24.779
 And Hierapolis was famous because it had all these hot springs.

00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:28.920
 And the hot springs were famous for medicinal and healing purposes.

00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:31.900
 If you had aches and stomach cramps and stuff,

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:34.360
 people would say, go to the hot springs of Hierapolis,

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:38.420
 and it would heal you and restore you and soothe your aches and pains.

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.680
 And so the hot springs would overflow.

00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:45.319
 But again, by the time the water came near to Laodicea,

00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:49.539
 it had cooled down, and also it was full of lime sediments.

00:22:49.679 --> 00:22:50.839
 It tasted disgusting.

00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:55.279
 And so there's some historians that write about people coming across the water

00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:57.619
 from Hierapolis and taking a drink and like,

00:22:57.740 --> 00:23:00.159
 just spitting it out because it tasted gross.

00:23:01.179 --> 00:23:05.439
 Now, what do you think Jesus is saying?

00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:10.500
 You see, if you go to the original sources of these two water sources,

00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:15.259
 you're going to find water that would either be cool and refreshing and revitalizing

00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:18.680
 or water that was soothing and relaxing and healing.

00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:23.500
 But by the time they got to Laodicea, both of these water sources were ineffective.

00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.519
 They were bland.

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.500
 They were ordinary.

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.440
 They were mediocre.

00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:29.799
 Jesus says, I know your works.

00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:32.340
 You're neither cold nor hot.

00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:34.140
 I wish you were one of them.

00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:36.700
 But because you're just lukewarm, neither hot nor cold,

00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.980
 I'm going to spit you out of my mouth.

00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:40.720
 Jesus is saying, he's picking up on what they knew,

00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:42.799
 and he's saying, you're just like your water supply.

00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:45.980
 You're neither refreshing for the spiritually weary.

00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:52.299
 People come to your midst, and they're looking for life and revitalization.

00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:54.819
 And as they encounter you, it's just bland.

00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:56.660
 There's nothing standoutish about you.

00:23:57.400 --> 00:24:02.360
 But you're neither healing and restorative and revitalizing for those that are spiritually sick.

00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:04.779
 You've just become lukewarm later this year.

00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:06.539
 You've become bland and ineffective.

00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:09.420
 There's nothing noticeable, nothing distinctive about you.

00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:12.519
 You're no longer, in the words of Jesus, salt and light.

00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:16.859
 You're no longer any benefit to your city because you've become just like your city.

00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:22.539
 And one of the reasons why this is so important is because history tells us,

00:24:22.700 --> 00:24:25.539
 as the church goes, so goes the city.

00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:31.660
 In other words, when churches are salt and light and are revitalizing and are healing

00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:36.160
 and go against the culture and bring life, the city actually flourishes.

00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:39.740
 And this makes sense because as the gospel multiplies in our hearts,

00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:45.259
 so philanthropy multiplies, social justice multiplies, concern for widows and orphans

00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:48.559
 and families get healed, all that multiplies.

00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:51.579
 But also, history actually tells us this.

00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:55.640
 You know, out of the seven churches that Jesus addresses in the book of Revelation,

00:24:56.319 --> 00:25:04.620
 the two cities where the churches look the most alive and in the exterior,

00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:06.339
 they look like they're doing the best.

00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.959
 But Jesus says, you're dying.

00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:13.659
 Those two cities were the first cities to be overthrown at the end of the Roman Emperor.

00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:18.419
 Laodicea was one of the first cities to get overrun and no longer exist.

00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:22.199
 And yet the two cities where Jesus commends the churches and says,

00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.980
 I know you don't look very impressive.

00:25:24.439 --> 00:25:27.059
 I know you don't have all the bells and whistles, but well done.

00:25:27.199 --> 00:25:29.159
 You are faithful to my cause.

00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:33.179
 Those two cities were still standing hundreds of years later.

00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:37.060
 In fact, one of them, Smyrna, what we read about, is still around today.

00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:39.240
 It's the city of Izmir in Turkey.

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:43.100
 So as the church goes, so goes the city.

00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:47.400
 Which is why when Jesus says to Laodicea, you guys are just lukewarm.

00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.620
 You've become bland.

00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:50.160
 You're just like your culture.

00:25:50.820 --> 00:25:55.920
 Well, a couple of hundred years later, as the church becomes dimmer and dimmer as a light in its city,

00:25:55.920 --> 00:26:03.360
 as the flame of the church diminishes, actually the witness of Christ diminishes, and the city struggles.

00:26:04.340 --> 00:26:05.300
 Okay, does that make sense?

00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:11.400
 Now, why is it that Laodicea had become lukewarm?

00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:13.259
 What's the reason for it?

00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:18.120
 Why is it that this church, which is called to be set apart, to be salt and light,

00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:22.480
 to stand out and give a reason for the hope for Christ, to be ambassadors for Jesus,

00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:25.000
 why did they become mediocre and ineffective?

00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.920
 Well, look at verse 17.

00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:28.180
 Look at what Jesus says.

00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:29.180
 He says,

00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.480
 You say, I am rich.

00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.900
 I have prospered.

00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.900
 I need nothing.

00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.299
 Remember AD 60?

00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.759
 Here, latest year, can we help you out?

00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:37.420
 No, thank you.

00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.299
 We need nothing.

00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:39.279
 We are fine.

00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.599
 We are self-sufficient.

00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.220
 You say, I'm rich.

00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.019
 I have prospered.

00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.759
 I need nothing.

00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:54.019
 Not realizing that, in fact, you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:56.779
 So what's happening here?

00:26:57.599 --> 00:27:05.119
 The blessings and the abundance that they find themselves in has actually become a stumbling block to them.

00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:10.459
 Not only because, as their wealth and success made them feel safe and secure,

00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:15.239
 it's blinded them from seeing just how much they actually need God.

00:27:15.939 --> 00:27:16.619
 See, look at how he says,

00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.679
 You say you're rich.

00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.519
 You say I'm poor.

00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.599
 You say I've prospered.

00:27:19.679 --> 00:27:20.339
 I need nothing.

00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:22.099
 Well, that's not a good thing.

00:27:22.179 --> 00:27:23.339
 It's maybe slightly arrogant.

00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:25.079
 But that's not the main problem.

00:27:25.199 --> 00:27:26.839
 The main problem comes when he says,

00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:30.379
 You don't even realize just how much you do need.

00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.879
 That's the problem.

00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:34.520
 You think you're secure and you're safe,

00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:38.020
 but you don't realize actually how vulnerable you are.

00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:42.180
 Friends, the problem, when we think of ourselves as well-resourced,

00:27:42.280 --> 00:27:45.260
 often we become blind to our own poverty.

00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:48.360
 And as we saw earlier, on the surface,

00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:52.540
 the things that Jesus challenges them on is the very things that, as a city,

00:27:53.020 --> 00:27:54.420
 they would have thought they're doing well in.

00:27:54.860 --> 00:27:56.600
 Jesus says, Can't you see you're poor?

00:27:56.780 --> 00:27:58.460
 They would have said, What are you talking about?

00:27:58.860 --> 00:27:59.820
 We're latest here.

00:27:59.820 --> 00:28:01.720
 We're the banking center of Asia.

00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:03.220
 What are you talking about?

00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:05.600
 Jesus says, Can't you see that you're naked?

00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:07.299
 What do you mean?

00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:10.799
 Everybody knows we've got the finest clothes in Asia Minor.

00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:13.019
 If there's one church that is not naked,

00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:14.860
 listen, those guys down the road,

00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:17.160
 Ephesus, okay, sure, they need some help.

00:28:17.600 --> 00:28:20.980
 Let's take up a clothing drive for Ephesus.

00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:21.700
 Shame.

00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:23.279
 Their clothes aren't looking that good, right?

00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.640
 But we're latest here.

00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.319
 We're fine.

00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:27.660
 Jesus says, Can't you see that you're naked?

00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:30.120
 Jesus says, Can't you see that you're blind?

00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:30.860
 You're blind?

00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.699
 What are you talking about?

00:28:31.719 --> 00:28:33.500
 We've got medical school right here.

00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:36.919
 Sure, those guys, Smyrna, okay, their eyes are a bit funny, you know.

00:28:36.939 --> 00:28:39.039
 Let's send some doctors there to go and help them out.

00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:45.639
 Jesus says, Can't you see that your abundance has actually blinded you to what's really going on?

00:28:46.699 --> 00:28:49.159
 Friends, could it be that the wealthier the church,

00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:53.759
 the more spiritually bankrupt we might possibly be without even knowing it?

00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:57.839
 And so let's look at the other church, the church in Smyrna.

00:28:58.400 --> 00:29:00.660
 Look at chapter 2, verse 8 with me.

00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:03.079
 Christina read this to us earlier.

00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:08.279
 Jesus says, To the church in Smyrna, these are the words of the first and the last,

00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:10.240
 the one who died and came to life.

00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:13.200
 Just interesting on that, I was reading Judges this week,

00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:16.480
 and whenever God's people in the Old Testament and judges,

00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:19.559
 they get into trouble, they cry out to God,

00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:21.980
 and God sends them a deliverer, a judge,

00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:24.259
 and He saves them and He rescues them,

00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:27.240
 and Israel flourishes for how long?

00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:30.340
 Until the judge dies and passes away.

00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:33.539
 Israel does well, as well as Othniel's with them,

00:29:33.620 --> 00:29:35.980
 and then Othniel dies and things go downhill.

00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:40.640
 Ehu rises up as a judge, and Israel flourishes until he dies.

00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:45.680
 Gideon does well until he dies.

00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:49.120
 But friends, in Jesus, we have a judge, we have a king who died,

00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:51.200
 and he came alive, and he's never going to die.

00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:56.079
 Here is a faithful king, the words of the one who died and came to life.

00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.380
 That was just on the side.

00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.420
 Look at what he says here.

00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:02.819
 He says, I know your tribulation and your poverty.

00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:06.039
 Okay, so the church in Laodicea is wealthy,

00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:08.639
 and here is a church that's poor, right?

00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:11.000
 Maybe they meet under the tree in the park

00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:12.539
 because they can't afford to rent a building.

00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:14.740
 Maybe they don't have any staff

00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:19.279
 because all the leaders, they work in other jobs as well.

00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:22.019
 Maybe everything is secondhand,

00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:24.279
 or their sound equipment is secondhand,

00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.079
 that they are poor.

00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:27.759
 When they have community lunch afterwards,

00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:30.759
 it's pretty mediocre, it's pretty average food.

00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:32.879
 He says, I know that you are poor,

00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:35.180
 but in fact, you are rich.

00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:37.019
 Hang on, what's going on here?

00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.900
 Jesus said to Laodiceans,

00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:41.019
 I know that you are wealthy, but in fact, you're poor.

00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:44.420
 And now he says to this church that looks pretty mediocre,

00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:46.720
 actually, I can see that you're rich.

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.259
 Something's going on here.

00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:53.039
 It tells us that Jesus doesn't see wealth or poverty

00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:55.599
 the same way that we tend to see it,

00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:59.299
 but it also means that Jesus doesn't evaluate his church

00:30:59.299 --> 00:31:02.559
 in the same ways that we tend to evaluate a church.

00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:05.759
 Remember how we said the book of Revelation

00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:07.299
 is called the Revelation

00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:09.980
 because Jesus is pulling back the curtain, right?

00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.799
 We see things on one level,

00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:13.579
 but he wants to pull back the curtain

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:15.819
 and show us what's happening behind the scenes.

00:31:16.899 --> 00:31:18.659
 Well, Jesus is pulling back the curtains here,

00:31:18.719 --> 00:31:19.019
 and he's saying,

00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:20.939
 these are the words of the amen,

00:31:21.199 --> 00:31:22.559
 the faithful and true witness.

00:31:22.699 --> 00:31:23.319
 These are the words,

00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.819
 the one who knows what's going on.

00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:26.200
 And what I'm telling you is,

00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:28.099
 on the surface, it looks like one thing,

00:31:28.179 --> 00:31:29.720
 but there's something else going underneath.

00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:32.059
 Even though, Smyrna, you look poor,

00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:34.599
 and it looks like your church isn't very impressive,

00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:36.659
 and everything's kind of average,

00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:38.980
 actually, you are rich, and you're healthy,

00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:41.099
 and you're well, and I'm so pleased with you.

00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:44.879
 It's kind of like when a magician,

00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:46.519
 I don't know if you've ever seen a magician,

00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.720
 what does a magician do?

00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:49.559
 How does he get to do his tricks on you?

00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:52.839
 He gets you to focus on one thing,

00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:54.000
 so he pulls a coin out,

00:31:54.099 --> 00:31:54.439
 and he says,

00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.459
 okay, you see this coin?

00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.799
 Now, you see it.

00:31:56.839 --> 00:31:58.039
 Now, don't take your eyes off the coin.

00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:59.019
 Now, I'm not doing anything.

00:31:59.139 --> 00:32:00.480
 It's just an ordinary coin, right?

00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.500
 You're watching this coin,

00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:03.959
 and while he's got your eyes on this coin,

00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.939
 what's his other hand doing?

00:32:05.379 --> 00:32:07.099
 There's some sleight of hand going on.

00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:08.419
 There's something else going on,

00:32:08.439 --> 00:32:09.799
 and he's drawing your attention here

00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:11.139
 so that you don't see,

00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.699
 you know, putting a coin behind your ear

00:32:12.699 --> 00:32:13.899
 or whatever it is, right?

00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:16.259
 And Jesus is wanting to say,

00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:18.079
 I want to show you the book of Revelation.

00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:20.379
 Don't get distracted by what the devil's doing.

00:32:20.380 --> 00:32:22.120
 Don't get distracted by this.

00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:25.460
 I want to show you what's actually going on here.

00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.660
 Yeah, yeah, yeah, you look like you're rich,

00:32:27.800 --> 00:32:30.360
 but actually, there's a poverty in your church here.

00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:31.400
 Well, actually, Smyrna,

00:32:31.600 --> 00:32:33.380
 I know everyone thinks that you're pretty poor

00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:34.320
 and you're not that impressive.

00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:38.060
 I want you to know that though the devil is telling you,

00:32:38.120 --> 00:32:39.540
 you guys don't have anything going for you,

00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:42.360
 I want you to know I see what's going on behind the scenes.

00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:45.040
 Friends, maybe it's think about it.

00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:47.259
 Maybe you move to Hong Kong

00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:50.220
 and you're looking for a new church to attend

00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:53.079
 and you hear from someone

00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:54.940
 that there's this church down the road

00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:56.920
 called Smyrna Community Church.

00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:58.899
 And so you think, I'm going to try it out.

00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:00.099
 And you go there

00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:03.079
 and you look around

00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:05.359
 and they're meeting in a park under a tree

00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:07.879
 and there's someone on a guitar

00:33:07.879 --> 00:33:09.639
 and the guitar's kind of strapped together

00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:11.200
 because it's a little bit, you know,

00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:12.379
 forthhand.

00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:15.420
 And then they pass around,

00:33:15.820 --> 00:33:17.540
 they have a lunch afterwards,

00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:19.540
 but the lunch is pretty average.

00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:21.560
 But there's something rich there.

00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:22.580
 There's something beautiful.

00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:24.380
 The way that people welcome you,

00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:26.240
 the way that people serve you,

00:33:26.280 --> 00:33:27.840
 there's a passion to their worship

00:33:27.840 --> 00:33:30.820
 as people just pour out their hearts to Christ.

00:33:31.320 --> 00:33:32.980
 And it seems the Holy Spirit is there.

00:33:34.020 --> 00:33:35.540
 Or maybe you hear the next week

00:33:35.540 --> 00:33:37.720
 that there's this other church right next door

00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:39.860
 called Laodicea Community Church.

00:33:40.660 --> 00:33:41.600
 And so you go there

00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.659
 and as you go there,

00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.879
 you get to the front door

00:33:43.879 --> 00:33:45.059
 and there's a bellman

00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.599
 who just says,

00:33:45.719 --> 00:33:46.439
 just pass me your keys

00:33:46.439 --> 00:33:47.839
 and I'll park your car for you.

00:33:48.639 --> 00:33:49.799
 And you walk in the door

00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:52.119
 and just on the app,

00:33:52.219 --> 00:33:53.980
 you press what kind of coffee you like.

00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:55.480
 And as you get to the top of the lift,

00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.599
 there's a bellman waiting

00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.919
 with your, you know,

00:33:58.199 --> 00:33:59.639
 macchiato, whatever,

00:33:59.719 --> 00:34:00.359
 whatever it is,

00:34:00.419 --> 00:34:01.980
 perfectly temperature.

00:34:02.719 --> 00:34:03.459
 And you walk in

00:34:03.459 --> 00:34:05.839
 and the chairs are like theater chairs, right?

00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:07.259
 It's beautiful.

00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:08.559
 And the band,

00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:10.659
 they're all just such good looking people

00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:11.920
 and the music is amazing.

00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:14.300
 And then as you leave,

00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:14.460
 you know,

00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.840
 you press another button in your app

00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:17.300
 and someone brings your car

00:34:17.300 --> 00:34:18.360
 right to the front door.

00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:19.639
 Friends,

00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:21.639
 which church would we be tempted to join?

00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:22.820
 Laodicea.

00:34:22.820 --> 00:34:23.539
 Laodicea.

00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:23.780
 Okay,

00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.340
 thank you,

00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:24.860
 Anastasia.

00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:26.780
 You didn't need to answer,

00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:27.380
 but thank you,

00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:27.579
 yeah.

00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:29.599
 Friends,

00:34:29.719 --> 00:34:32.759
 I sometimes have this nightmare,

00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:34.319
 this fear,

00:34:35.299 --> 00:34:37.099
 that one day when we get to glory,

00:34:37.819 --> 00:34:39.319
 one day when Jesus returns

00:34:39.319 --> 00:34:40.279
 and the Bible says

00:34:40.279 --> 00:34:42.440
 he's gonna hold us accountable

00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.299
 for the way that we live

00:34:43.299 --> 00:34:44.679
 and he's gonna give us rewards.

00:34:44.779 --> 00:34:46.400
 The Bible says he gives us crowns.

00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:48.460
 And I picture in my mind's eye

00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.940
 that there's this long queue, right?

00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:51.819
 Jesus and all his glory at the front.

00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:54.119
 And you know who I think is gonna be,

00:34:54.319 --> 00:34:56.099
 you know the celebrity pastors

00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:57.500
 and the elders and the leaders

00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:58.199
 and the people,

00:34:58.299 --> 00:34:59.239
 the books that we read

00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:00.639
 and the podcasts we listen to

00:35:00.639 --> 00:35:02.399
 and even the guys on stage,

00:35:02.859 --> 00:35:04.879
 I think we might be way,

00:35:05.319 --> 00:35:06.379
 way back there.

00:35:07.319 --> 00:35:07.979
 And you know who I think

00:35:07.979 --> 00:35:09.419
 is gonna be right at the front

00:35:09.419 --> 00:35:11.199
 and receiving the greatest commendation

00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:11.759
 from Jesus?

00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:14.679
 I think it's gonna be some old granny

00:35:14.679 --> 00:35:16.299
 in some little village

00:35:16.299 --> 00:35:17.339
 in the middle of China

00:35:17.339 --> 00:35:19.079
 or in the middle of Timbuktu

00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:21.279
 that nobody has ever heard of

00:35:21.279 --> 00:35:23.000
 and has never been honored

00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:23.799
 in their lifetime.

00:35:24.479 --> 00:35:25.979
 And Jesus is gonna come and say,

00:35:26.339 --> 00:35:26.699
 well done,

00:35:26.859 --> 00:35:27.979
 good and faithful servant.

00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:29.539
 Come and receive

00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:31.940
 and enjoy your reward.

00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:35.260
 The economy of Christ

00:35:35.260 --> 00:35:36.039
 is so different

00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:36.800
 to the economy

00:35:36.800 --> 00:35:38.219
 of our world.

00:35:39.900 --> 00:35:41.159
 And so the question is then,

00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:42.019
 does wealth

00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:43.719
 or material success,

00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:45.559
 does it disqualify us

00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:47.079
 from receiving the grace of God?

00:35:47.159 --> 00:35:47.920
 Or see it another way,

00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:49.719
 is God biased

00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:51.099
 against the wealthy?

00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:54.400
 And I think the answer is no.

00:35:54.699 --> 00:35:56.179
 God is not against wealth

00:35:56.179 --> 00:35:57.400
 and he's not against success

00:35:57.400 --> 00:35:59.279
 and he's not against wealthy people

00:35:59.279 --> 00:35:59.839
 per se.

00:36:00.239 --> 00:36:01.239
 It's not wrong

00:36:01.239 --> 00:36:02.059
 or unspiritual

00:36:02.059 --> 00:36:02.779
 or ungodly

00:36:02.779 --> 00:36:03.539
 to be wealthy.

00:36:04.460 --> 00:36:05.319
 So what is God

00:36:05.319 --> 00:36:06.559
 warning us against here?

00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:07.900
 He's warning us

00:36:07.900 --> 00:36:08.819
 against the danger

00:36:08.819 --> 00:36:09.639
 of confusing

00:36:09.639 --> 00:36:11.159
 the economies of our world

00:36:11.159 --> 00:36:12.019
 with the economies

00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:13.179
 of the kingdom of heaven.

00:36:13.679 --> 00:36:14.440
 He's warning us

00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.940
 against putting our confidence

00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:16.779
 in anything

00:36:16.779 --> 00:36:17.880
 other than God

00:36:17.880 --> 00:36:18.860
 and who he is.

00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:20.819
 Tim Keller says it like this,

00:36:20.820 --> 00:36:22.600
 the irony of the gospel

00:36:22.600 --> 00:36:24.400
 is that the only way

00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:25.600
 to be worthy of it

00:36:25.600 --> 00:36:27.059
 is to admit

00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:28.180
 that you are unworthy.

00:36:29.100 --> 00:36:29.519
 You see friends,

00:36:29.660 --> 00:36:31.059
 the kingdom of God

00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:32.300
 is only open

00:36:32.300 --> 00:36:33.580
 to those that admit

00:36:33.580 --> 00:36:35.039
 that they abandon

00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:36.120
 all self-sufficiency

00:36:36.120 --> 00:36:37.000
 and realize

00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:37.820
 their only hope

00:36:37.820 --> 00:36:38.440
 is in Christ.

00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:40.140
 That's why Jesus says

00:36:40.140 --> 00:36:41.400
 the way into the kingdom

00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:42.680
 of heaven is hard,

00:36:42.820 --> 00:36:43.480
 it's narrow,

00:36:43.620 --> 00:36:44.180
 it's difficult.

00:36:44.740 --> 00:36:46.000
 Remember how Jesus says

00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:46.559
 at one point

00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:47.880
 how hard it is

00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:49.000
 for a wealthy person

00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:50.800
 to enter the kingdom

00:36:50.800 --> 00:36:51.200
 of God,

00:36:51.260 --> 00:36:52.380
 it's easier for a camel

00:36:52.380 --> 00:36:52.860
 to go through

00:36:52.860 --> 00:36:53.660
 the eye of a needle.

00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:55.880
 Now Jesus is not

00:36:55.880 --> 00:36:57.300
 against wealthy people

00:36:57.300 --> 00:36:57.720
 at all,

00:36:57.960 --> 00:36:58.980
 he's not against wealth,

00:36:59.640 --> 00:37:01.400
 Jesus is not saying this

00:37:01.400 --> 00:37:02.140
 because he doesn't like

00:37:02.140 --> 00:37:02.720
 wealthy people,

00:37:03.060 --> 00:37:03.860
 he's saying that

00:37:03.860 --> 00:37:05.260
 the only way to God,

00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:06.720
 the only way to salvation,

00:37:06.880 --> 00:37:08.080
 the only way to know God

00:37:08.080 --> 00:37:09.340
 and experience his grace

00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:10.060
 and his mercy

00:37:10.060 --> 00:37:11.420
 is the realization

00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:13.060
 that our only hope

00:37:13.060 --> 00:37:14.039
 is in Christ.

00:37:14.480 --> 00:37:15.200
 That as we said

00:37:15.200 --> 00:37:15.960
 a few weeks ago,

00:37:16.260 --> 00:37:17.580
 there is not a single

00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:18.900
 drop of salvation

00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:20.340
 outside of Christ,

00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:21.799
 there's not a single

00:37:21.799 --> 00:37:23.099
 drop of true wealth

00:37:23.099 --> 00:37:23.840
 and true riches

00:37:23.840 --> 00:37:24.599
 and true gold

00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:26.039
 outside of Christ.

00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:27.299
 That reconciliation

00:37:27.299 --> 00:37:28.119
 and mercy

00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:29.079
 come from him

00:37:29.079 --> 00:37:29.880
 and him alone

00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:30.920
 and not even

00:37:30.920 --> 00:37:31.960
 our best works

00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:33.500
 on our very best day

00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:34.860
 with the very best

00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:35.579
 intentions

00:37:35.579 --> 00:37:37.639
 can in a single way

00:37:37.639 --> 00:37:38.619
 credit us

00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:40.139
 before the mercy

00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:41.500
 and the salvation

00:37:41.500 --> 00:37:42.099
 of God.

00:37:43.599 --> 00:37:44.119
 Friends,

00:37:44.199 --> 00:37:45.219
 this is what the entire

00:37:45.219 --> 00:37:46.139
 Bible is about,

00:37:46.419 --> 00:37:47.639
 this is what the gospel

00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:48.059
 is about,

00:37:48.179 --> 00:37:49.599
 this is why Jesus came.

00:37:50.239 --> 00:37:51.119
 Jesus didn't come

00:37:51.119 --> 00:37:51.819
 to show us

00:37:51.819 --> 00:37:52.980
 how to save ourselves,

00:37:53.299 --> 00:37:54.419
 he came to show us

00:37:54.419 --> 00:37:55.259
 that we could not

00:37:55.259 --> 00:37:56.099
 save ourselves

00:37:56.099 --> 00:37:58.000
 unless we come to him,

00:37:58.619 --> 00:37:59.739
 unless we abandon

00:37:59.739 --> 00:38:01.039
 all self-sufficiency,

00:38:01.779 --> 00:38:02.459
 unless we come

00:38:02.459 --> 00:38:02.959
 and admit,

00:38:03.159 --> 00:38:03.459
 God,

00:38:03.559 --> 00:38:04.519
 my only hope

00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:05.359
 is in you.

00:38:06.939 --> 00:38:07.839
 Jesus is not

00:38:07.839 --> 00:38:08.859
 a financial advisor

00:38:08.859 --> 00:38:10.179
 to help us

00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:12.079
 save ourselves,

00:38:12.439 --> 00:38:13.319
 he's a savior

00:38:13.319 --> 00:38:14.579
 to come and save us.

00:38:15.899 --> 00:38:16.659
 Sinclair Ferguson

00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:17.500
 said it like this,

00:38:17.559 --> 00:38:18.679
 it's not that the gospel

00:38:18.679 --> 00:38:20.119
 is hard to understand,

00:38:20.799 --> 00:38:21.879
 it's not hard to understand,

00:38:21.959 --> 00:38:22.839
 it's pretty straightforward.

00:38:23.480 --> 00:38:24.259
 The gospel says

00:38:24.259 --> 00:38:25.239
 that all of us,

00:38:25.359 --> 00:38:26.219
 every one of us

00:38:26.219 --> 00:38:26.719
 in this room

00:38:26.719 --> 00:38:27.439
 are sinners

00:38:27.439 --> 00:38:29.000
 in need of a savior.

00:38:29.639 --> 00:38:30.279
 The gospel says

00:38:30.279 --> 00:38:31.319
 that every one of us

00:38:31.319 --> 00:38:32.299
 are more sinful

00:38:32.299 --> 00:38:33.019
 than we think

00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:33.839
 or we like to admit.

00:38:34.379 --> 00:38:34.980
 The gospel says

00:38:34.980 --> 00:38:36.119
 that every one of us

00:38:36.119 --> 00:38:36.719
 on our own

00:38:36.719 --> 00:38:37.739
 we have a deep,

00:38:37.959 --> 00:38:38.219
 deep,

00:38:38.279 --> 00:38:39.579
 deep problem.

00:38:40.439 --> 00:38:41.219
 But the gospel says

00:38:41.219 --> 00:38:42.459
 that Jesus Christ

00:38:42.459 --> 00:38:43.339
 loves us

00:38:43.340 --> 00:38:44.280
 more than you

00:38:44.280 --> 00:38:45.579
 would ever imagine,

00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.700
 more than all eternity

00:38:47.700 --> 00:38:48.760
 of trying to figure out

00:38:48.760 --> 00:38:49.579
 how much he loves us,

00:38:49.640 --> 00:38:50.640
 you still won't get

00:38:50.640 --> 00:38:51.059
 to the bottom

00:38:51.059 --> 00:38:51.840
 of his love for you.

00:38:52.140 --> 00:38:53.000
 And because of his

00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:54.100
 profound love for you,

00:38:54.140 --> 00:38:55.019
 he went to the cross

00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:55.940
 to save you.

00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.420
 The gospel is not

00:38:57.420 --> 00:38:58.559
 hard to understand,

00:38:59.160 --> 00:38:59.660
 but oh,

00:38:59.720 --> 00:39:00.480
 it is so hard

00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.360
 to receive.

00:39:01.900 --> 00:39:02.320
 Why?

00:39:02.620 --> 00:39:03.800
 Because it requires

00:39:03.800 --> 00:39:05.220
 that we humble ourselves

00:39:05.220 --> 00:39:05.880
 and admit

00:39:05.880 --> 00:39:07.079
 that we need him

00:39:07.079 --> 00:39:08.559
 and we cannot do it

00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:09.280
 on our own.

00:39:09.280 --> 00:39:11.040
 And so does wealth

00:39:11.040 --> 00:39:11.800
 or prosperity

00:39:11.800 --> 00:39:12.540
 or success

00:39:12.540 --> 00:39:13.560
 disqualify us

00:39:13.560 --> 00:39:14.340
 in God's eyes?

00:39:14.780 --> 00:39:16.660
 Only if we trust it

00:39:16.660 --> 00:39:18.040
 or if it leads us

00:39:18.040 --> 00:39:19.280
 to self-sufficiency.

00:39:20.519 --> 00:39:20.780
 Now,

00:39:20.920 --> 00:39:21.620
 just by the way,

00:39:22.820 --> 00:39:24.560
 you can be very poor

00:39:24.560 --> 00:39:26.480
 and still be self-sufficient

00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:28.140
 and still be proud

00:39:28.140 --> 00:39:31.180
 and still be self-righteous.

00:39:31.360 --> 00:39:32.860
 Just because you're not wealthy

00:39:32.860 --> 00:39:33.920
 or not successful

00:39:33.920 --> 00:39:35.140
 doesn't mean you're immune

00:39:35.140 --> 00:39:36.300
 from the cancer of pride,

00:39:36.360 --> 00:39:36.580
 right?

00:39:36.579 --> 00:39:38.299
 But there is something

00:39:38.299 --> 00:39:39.400
 about wealth

00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:41.179
 that has a way

00:39:41.179 --> 00:39:42.259
 of making us feel

00:39:42.259 --> 00:39:43.440
 more secure

00:39:43.440 --> 00:39:44.860
 in ourselves.

00:39:46.639 --> 00:39:47.119
 Now,

00:39:47.639 --> 00:39:48.980
 that might all sound

00:39:48.980 --> 00:39:49.699
 like bad news,

00:39:49.799 --> 00:39:50.599
 but Jesus does

00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:51.880
 give us some good news.

00:39:52.619 --> 00:39:53.739
 Look at verse 18.

00:39:53.799 --> 00:39:54.000
 In fact,

00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:54.940
 he gives us three bits

00:39:54.940 --> 00:39:55.579
 of good news.

00:39:55.719 --> 00:39:56.659
 Look at verse 18

00:39:56.659 --> 00:39:57.199
 with me.

00:39:57.699 --> 00:39:58.759
 Just by the way,

00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:03.940
 let me just think about

00:40:03.940 --> 00:40:04.739
 how to say this.

00:40:06.579 --> 00:40:08.059
 I think the reality

00:40:08.059 --> 00:40:09.719
 is probably all of us

00:40:09.719 --> 00:40:10.739
 in this room

00:40:10.739 --> 00:40:13.440
 on a world scale

00:40:13.440 --> 00:40:14.619
 are fairly wealthy.

00:40:15.559 --> 00:40:16.420
 And so when we think

00:40:16.420 --> 00:40:16.840
 of wealth,

00:40:16.960 --> 00:40:17.739
 it's easy to think

00:40:17.739 --> 00:40:19.900
 of super tycoons

00:40:19.900 --> 00:40:21.360
 or other people

00:40:21.360 --> 00:40:21.860
 out there.

00:40:23.139 --> 00:40:24.759
 But I think most of us,

00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:25.799
 self-included,

00:40:26.360 --> 00:40:27.480
 are just as susceptible

00:40:27.480 --> 00:40:28.159
 to this.

00:40:28.960 --> 00:40:29.579
 And so this isn't

00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:30.519
 in any way like

00:40:30.519 --> 00:40:31.719
 condemnation

00:40:31.719 --> 00:40:32.579
 or looking down

00:40:32.579 --> 00:40:34.559
 or this is just

00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:35.259
 for all of us,

00:40:35.320 --> 00:40:35.519
 right?

00:40:35.779 --> 00:40:36.619
 This is all of us.

00:40:37.400 --> 00:40:38.559
 Compared to the world scale,

00:40:38.699 --> 00:40:39.320
 most of us

00:40:39.320 --> 00:40:40.420
 would fall into this category.

00:40:41.880 --> 00:40:42.460
 Let's look at

00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:43.099
 what Jesus says

00:40:43.099 --> 00:40:43.960
 here in verse 18.

00:40:44.259 --> 00:40:44.980
 Jesus gives us

00:40:44.980 --> 00:40:46.299
 three bits of good news.

00:40:46.380 --> 00:40:46.779
 He says,

00:40:47.559 --> 00:40:48.400
 I counsel you

00:40:48.400 --> 00:40:49.119
 to come and buy

00:40:49.119 --> 00:40:50.039
 gold for me.

00:40:51.039 --> 00:40:51.679
 Jesus says,

00:40:52.239 --> 00:40:52.900
 come and buy

00:40:52.900 --> 00:40:53.759
 real gold.

00:40:53.759 --> 00:40:54.480
 Gold that has been

00:40:54.480 --> 00:40:55.440
 tested in the fire.

00:40:56.019 --> 00:40:56.960
 Not fool's gold

00:40:56.960 --> 00:40:57.619
 that is worthless.

00:40:58.340 --> 00:40:58.840
 Come and buy

00:40:58.840 --> 00:40:59.759
 gold for me

00:40:59.759 --> 00:41:00.679
 that has been tested

00:41:00.679 --> 00:41:01.360
 and refined,

00:41:01.480 --> 00:41:02.039
 that has stood

00:41:02.039 --> 00:41:03.079
 the test of time,

00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:04.259
 that has withstood

00:41:04.259 --> 00:41:05.199
 tribulation,

00:41:05.340 --> 00:41:06.000
 the trials that

00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:06.719
 are coming your way.

00:41:07.239 --> 00:41:07.840
 Come and buy

00:41:07.840 --> 00:41:08.440
 gold for me

00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:10.000
 that you may be rich.

00:41:10.980 --> 00:41:11.579
 Jesus says,

00:41:11.940 --> 00:41:12.440
 come and buy

00:41:12.440 --> 00:41:13.239
 white garments

00:41:13.239 --> 00:41:13.579
 from me

00:41:13.579 --> 00:41:14.039
 that you may

00:41:14.039 --> 00:41:15.440
 clothe your nakedness.

00:41:15.799 --> 00:41:16.519
 Come and cover

00:41:16.519 --> 00:41:17.039
 your shame.

00:41:17.099 --> 00:41:18.000
 What does nakedness mean?

00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:19.759
 It means you carry

00:41:19.759 --> 00:41:21.000
 your shame about you.

00:41:21.500 --> 00:41:21.960
 Jesus says,

00:41:22.019 --> 00:41:22.420
 come to me,

00:41:22.440 --> 00:41:23.139
 I want to cover

00:41:23.139 --> 00:41:23.779
 your shame.

00:41:24.099 --> 00:41:24.759
 I want to cover

00:41:24.759 --> 00:41:25.539
 your vulnerability.

00:41:26.239 --> 00:41:27.639
 It means I want

00:41:27.639 --> 00:41:28.980
 to clothe you

00:41:28.980 --> 00:41:29.799
 in my righteousness.

00:41:30.500 --> 00:41:30.659
 Friends,

00:41:30.759 --> 00:41:31.360
 in Jesus

00:41:31.360 --> 00:41:32.679
 is the one place

00:41:32.679 --> 00:41:33.339
 where you can come

00:41:33.339 --> 00:41:34.119
 with all your

00:41:34.119 --> 00:41:35.079
 flaws and failures

00:41:35.079 --> 00:41:36.419
 because he accepts

00:41:36.419 --> 00:41:37.139
 you as you are.

00:41:37.619 --> 00:41:38.539
 Everyone in this room

00:41:38.539 --> 00:41:39.599
 is broken and sinful.

00:41:40.079 --> 00:41:40.819
 You can come here

00:41:40.819 --> 00:41:41.839
 with all your sins

00:41:41.839 --> 00:41:43.000
 and flaws and failures.

00:41:43.639 --> 00:41:44.639
 But he doesn't

00:41:44.639 --> 00:41:45.419
 leave you like that.

00:41:45.779 --> 00:41:46.079
 He says,

00:41:46.179 --> 00:41:47.000
 I will cover you

00:41:47.000 --> 00:41:47.719
 in my gospel.

00:41:47.879 --> 00:41:48.839
 I will clothe you

00:41:48.839 --> 00:41:49.659
 with my righteousness.

00:41:50.239 --> 00:41:50.559
 He says,

00:41:50.659 --> 00:41:51.239
 come to me

00:41:51.239 --> 00:41:52.399
 and buy white garments

00:41:52.399 --> 00:41:53.579
 that you may clothe

00:41:53.579 --> 00:41:54.699
 your shame.

00:41:55.539 --> 00:41:55.799
 Friends,

00:41:55.839 --> 00:41:56.699
 if you're here this morning

00:41:56.699 --> 00:41:57.539
 and you feel shame

00:41:57.539 --> 00:41:58.739
 for any reason,

00:41:59.419 --> 00:42:00.199
 come to Jesus.

00:42:00.319 --> 00:42:01.119
 He wants to cover

00:42:01.119 --> 00:42:01.699
 your shame.

00:42:01.699 --> 00:42:03.519
 He wants to clothe you.

00:42:04.480 --> 00:42:04.919
 Come to him.

00:42:04.960 --> 00:42:05.279
 He says,

00:42:05.359 --> 00:42:06.379
 come and buy from me

00:42:06.379 --> 00:42:07.539
 self that your eyes

00:42:07.539 --> 00:42:08.179
 may see.

00:42:08.779 --> 00:42:09.139
 Friends,

00:42:09.219 --> 00:42:10.179
 our city is looking

00:42:10.179 --> 00:42:10.839
 for freedom.

00:42:11.019 --> 00:42:12.079
 It's looking for hope.

00:42:12.179 --> 00:42:13.399
 It's looking for opportunities.

00:42:13.719 --> 00:42:15.179
 It's looking for justice.

00:42:15.980 --> 00:42:16.639
 Many in our city

00:42:16.639 --> 00:42:17.739
 are looking to be heard,

00:42:17.879 --> 00:42:18.819
 looking to be understood,

00:42:19.679 --> 00:42:20.159
 where they'll be

00:42:20.159 --> 00:42:21.059
 taken seriously.

00:42:21.259 --> 00:42:21.879
 Jesus says,

00:42:21.960 --> 00:42:22.719
 come to me.

00:42:23.079 --> 00:42:23.939
 All these things

00:42:23.939 --> 00:42:25.139
 are found in me.

00:42:25.719 --> 00:42:26.819
 Don't come to religion.

00:42:27.039 --> 00:42:27.779
 That won't do it.

00:42:28.239 --> 00:42:29.299
 Come to Jesus.

00:42:29.300 --> 00:42:29.740
 Now,

00:42:31.860 --> 00:42:33.220
 why does Jesus say,

00:42:33.460 --> 00:42:34.240
 come and buy it?

00:42:34.880 --> 00:42:35.840
 I thought the good news

00:42:35.840 --> 00:42:36.820
 of the gospel was free.

00:42:37.640 --> 00:42:38.940
 Why do you need to buy

00:42:38.940 --> 00:42:39.440
 the gold?

00:42:39.580 --> 00:42:40.019
 He says,

00:42:40.080 --> 00:42:41.140
 come and buy from me

00:42:41.140 --> 00:42:42.260
 gold that's been refined

00:42:42.260 --> 00:42:42.740
 in the fire.

00:42:42.800 --> 00:42:43.660
 I thought it was free.

00:42:44.160 --> 00:42:44.800
 Do you have to pay

00:42:44.800 --> 00:42:45.600
 your way into heaven?

00:42:46.460 --> 00:42:47.780
 Why do you have to buy it?

00:42:49.200 --> 00:42:50.240
 Remember what Jesus says

00:42:50.240 --> 00:42:51.580
 in Isaiah 55.

00:42:52.300 --> 00:42:52.740
 He says,

00:42:52.739 --> 00:42:53.899
 all you that are thirsty,

00:42:54.179 --> 00:42:55.500
 come to the waters.

00:42:55.679 --> 00:42:56.859
 You that have no money,

00:42:57.079 --> 00:42:58.519
 come and buy and eat.

00:42:59.039 --> 00:43:00.419
 Come buy wine and milk

00:43:00.419 --> 00:43:01.239
 without money,

00:43:01.379 --> 00:43:02.199
 without price.

00:43:02.559 --> 00:43:03.459
 How do you buy

00:43:03.459 --> 00:43:04.339
 living waters

00:43:04.339 --> 00:43:05.099
 without money?

00:43:05.799 --> 00:43:06.759
 How do you do that?

00:43:07.619 --> 00:43:08.219
 How do you buy

00:43:08.219 --> 00:43:08.739
 living water

00:43:08.739 --> 00:43:09.459
 without price

00:43:09.459 --> 00:43:10.099
 that is free?

00:43:10.839 --> 00:43:11.259
 You see, friends,

00:43:11.299 --> 00:43:11.819
 on the one hand,

00:43:11.899 --> 00:43:13.259
 the gospel costs you nothing.

00:43:13.699 --> 00:43:14.159
 It doesn't matter

00:43:14.159 --> 00:43:14.959
 if you have not

00:43:14.959 --> 00:43:15.939
 a single dollar

00:43:15.939 --> 00:43:16.659
 to your name.

00:43:17.000 --> 00:43:17.579
 If you've got

00:43:17.579 --> 00:43:18.119
 nothing,

00:43:18.219 --> 00:43:18.419
 nothing,

00:43:18.539 --> 00:43:18.779
 nothing,

00:43:18.779 --> 00:43:19.979
 the gospel isn't

00:43:19.979 --> 00:43:20.939
 just for the privileged

00:43:20.939 --> 00:43:21.659
 or the elite

00:43:21.659 --> 00:43:22.339
 or the wealthy,

00:43:22.699 --> 00:43:23.460
 you are welcome

00:43:23.460 --> 00:43:24.399
 to come and receive it.

00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:25.659
 It's for everyone.

00:43:26.460 --> 00:43:26.599
 Come,

00:43:26.679 --> 00:43:27.319
 those of you

00:43:27.319 --> 00:43:28.219
 that have got nothing,

00:43:28.399 --> 00:43:29.379
 come and receive.

00:43:30.219 --> 00:43:31.079
 But at the same time,

00:43:31.119 --> 00:43:32.239
 it does cost you something.

00:43:33.019 --> 00:43:33.920
 What does it cost you?

00:43:34.420 --> 00:43:35.719
 It costs us our pride.

00:43:36.359 --> 00:43:37.059
 It costs us

00:43:37.059 --> 00:43:38.039
 our self-sufficiency.

00:43:38.799 --> 00:43:39.779
 It costs us

00:43:39.779 --> 00:43:41.179
 our sense

00:43:41.179 --> 00:43:42.039
 that we can do it.

00:43:42.739 --> 00:43:43.239
 Jesus says,

00:43:43.299 --> 00:43:43.899
 you have to come

00:43:43.899 --> 00:43:44.359
 and admit

00:43:44.359 --> 00:43:45.719
 that you need me.

00:43:46.219 --> 00:43:47.440
 The irony of the gospel

00:43:47.440 --> 00:43:48.359
 is that the only way

00:43:48.359 --> 00:43:49.359
 to be worthy of it

00:43:49.359 --> 00:43:49.920
 is to admit

00:43:49.920 --> 00:43:50.799
 that you are unworthy.

00:43:51.700 --> 00:43:52.260
 Jesus says,

00:43:52.340 --> 00:43:52.960
 come and buy

00:43:52.960 --> 00:43:54.400
 gold that has been

00:43:54.400 --> 00:43:55.120
 refined in the fire.

00:43:55.200 --> 00:43:56.180
 Second thing Jesus says

00:43:56.180 --> 00:43:56.600
 is this.

00:43:57.180 --> 00:43:58.000
 Look at verse 19.

00:43:58.200 --> 00:43:59.360
 Those that I love,

00:43:59.440 --> 00:44:00.280
 I reprove

00:44:00.280 --> 00:44:01.100
 and I discipline.

00:44:01.780 --> 00:44:02.760
 So be zealous

00:44:02.760 --> 00:44:03.880
 and repent.

00:44:04.480 --> 00:44:04.680
 Friends,

00:44:04.720 --> 00:44:05.480
 sometimes Jesus

00:44:05.480 --> 00:44:06.820
 can really get

00:44:06.820 --> 00:44:07.519
 in our face.

00:44:08.440 --> 00:44:08.960
 Do you ever feel

00:44:08.960 --> 00:44:09.420
 like that?

00:44:10.280 --> 00:44:11.160
 Jesus can really,

00:44:11.560 --> 00:44:11.760
 Jesus,

00:44:11.840 --> 00:44:12.280
 why do you have

00:44:12.280 --> 00:44:13.140
 to be so challenging?

00:44:13.680 --> 00:44:14.180
 Why do you have

00:44:14.180 --> 00:44:15.320
 to be so confrontational?

00:44:15.440 --> 00:44:16.340
 Can't you just tell us

00:44:16.340 --> 00:44:17.180
 to love our neighbor

00:44:17.180 --> 00:44:18.180
 and just be kind

00:44:18.180 --> 00:44:18.940
 and nice citizens?

00:44:18.940 --> 00:44:20.039
 Why do you have

00:44:20.039 --> 00:44:20.900
 to get in our face

00:44:20.900 --> 00:44:21.320
 so much?

00:44:22.200 --> 00:44:23.159
 Look at what he says.

00:44:23.679 --> 00:44:24.420
 I do this

00:44:24.420 --> 00:44:25.679
 because I love you.

00:44:26.500 --> 00:44:26.860
 Friends,

00:44:26.980 --> 00:44:27.900
 Jesus doesn't want us

00:44:27.900 --> 00:44:28.519
 to be seduced

00:44:28.519 --> 00:44:29.300
 by fool's gold.

00:44:29.420 --> 00:44:29.659
 You know what

00:44:29.659 --> 00:44:30.340
 fool's gold is?

00:44:30.960 --> 00:44:32.000
 It's that mineral

00:44:32.000 --> 00:44:33.240
 that looks like gold

00:44:33.240 --> 00:44:34.420
 but it's actually worthless.

00:44:35.200 --> 00:44:36.940
 It's like a rock

00:44:36.940 --> 00:44:38.159
 that has a gold

00:44:38.159 --> 00:44:38.679
 tinge to it

00:44:38.679 --> 00:44:40.000
 but there's no value

00:44:40.000 --> 00:44:40.420
 to it.

00:44:41.159 --> 00:44:41.380
 Friends,

00:44:41.420 --> 00:44:41.980
 think about this.

00:44:42.039 --> 00:44:43.380
 Imagine your son

00:44:43.380 --> 00:44:44.579
 or your daughter

00:44:44.579 --> 00:44:45.740
 or maybe your mother

00:44:45.740 --> 00:44:47.340
 comes to you one day

00:44:47.340 --> 00:44:47.680
 and says,

00:44:47.820 --> 00:44:48.400
 I've invested

00:44:48.400 --> 00:44:50.039
 my entire life savings

00:44:50.039 --> 00:44:51.059
 in this company.

00:44:51.320 --> 00:44:52.600
 They're going to do so well.

00:44:52.800 --> 00:44:53.400
 I'm going to make

00:44:53.400 --> 00:44:54.400
 millions of dollars

00:44:54.400 --> 00:44:55.900
 and you know

00:44:55.900 --> 00:44:56.680
 that that company

00:44:56.680 --> 00:44:57.880
 is a pyramid scheme.

00:44:58.260 --> 00:44:59.460
 It's an absolute fraud.

00:44:59.700 --> 00:45:00.680
 They're going to lose everything.

00:45:01.140 --> 00:45:02.039
 What are you going to do?

00:45:03.039 --> 00:45:04.240
 Out of love for them,

00:45:04.320 --> 00:45:04.800
 you're going to say,

00:45:05.039 --> 00:45:06.059
 don't do it.

00:45:06.380 --> 00:45:06.780
 Please,

00:45:06.900 --> 00:45:07.579
 I'm begging you,

00:45:07.640 --> 00:45:08.440
 don't invest.

00:45:08.559 --> 00:45:09.400
 It's fool's gold.

00:45:09.539 --> 00:45:10.579
 It's going to come to nothing.

00:45:11.360 --> 00:45:12.059
 Jesus says,

00:45:12.460 --> 00:45:13.600
 because I love you,

00:45:13.740 --> 00:45:15.039
 I'm challenging you.

00:45:15.320 --> 00:45:16.160
 I reprove you.

00:45:16.159 --> 00:45:17.559
 I love those

00:45:17.559 --> 00:45:18.279
 that I discipline.

00:45:19.219 --> 00:45:19.559
 Friends,

00:45:19.619 --> 00:45:20.099
 I want you to know

00:45:20.099 --> 00:45:21.339
 Jesus is not angry with you.

00:45:22.179 --> 00:45:22.980
 In calling you and I

00:45:22.980 --> 00:45:23.500
 to repent,

00:45:23.639 --> 00:45:24.759
 it's because he's not angry.

00:45:24.879 --> 00:45:26.079
 It's because he loves us.

00:45:26.839 --> 00:45:28.079
 Repentance feels like death

00:45:28.079 --> 00:45:29.619
 but it always leads to life.

00:45:30.259 --> 00:45:31.159
 And then look at the third

00:45:31.159 --> 00:45:31.859
 and final things.

00:45:31.940 --> 00:45:32.679
 We come to a close.

00:45:32.799 --> 00:45:33.500
 Jesus says this,

00:45:33.539 --> 00:45:34.119
 verse 20.

00:45:35.079 --> 00:45:35.440
 Behold,

00:45:36.359 --> 00:45:37.859
 I stand at the door and knock.

00:45:38.299 --> 00:45:39.679
 If anyone hears my voice

00:45:39.679 --> 00:45:40.519
 and opens the door,

00:45:40.639 --> 00:45:41.819
 I will come into him

00:45:41.819 --> 00:45:42.639
 and eat with him

00:45:42.639 --> 00:45:44.440
 and he with me.

00:45:45.420 --> 00:45:46.700
 In biblical culture,

00:45:47.400 --> 00:45:48.780
 to eat a meal with someone

00:45:48.780 --> 00:45:50.440
 was a sign of relationship.

00:45:51.559 --> 00:45:52.760
 It was a sign of welcoming

00:45:52.760 --> 00:45:53.920
 and accepting someone.

00:45:54.920 --> 00:45:55.900
 And if there's tension

00:45:55.900 --> 00:45:57.360
 or relational difficulty,

00:45:57.920 --> 00:45:58.780
 to invite someone

00:45:58.780 --> 00:45:59.880
 to have a meal with you

00:45:59.880 --> 00:46:01.519
 was a way of reconciling

00:46:01.519 --> 00:46:02.220
 the relationship.

00:46:02.860 --> 00:46:03.599
 Remember in the story

00:46:03.599 --> 00:46:04.559
 of the prodigal son,

00:46:04.900 --> 00:46:05.840
 the son comes home

00:46:05.840 --> 00:46:06.320
 and he says,

00:46:06.679 --> 00:46:08.119
 I'm not worthy to be your son.

00:46:08.420 --> 00:46:09.300
 I'll be a servant.

00:46:09.420 --> 00:46:10.599
 I'll be a slave in your house.

00:46:10.960 --> 00:46:11.960
 And the father says,

00:46:12.340 --> 00:46:13.599
 kill the fattened calf.

00:46:13.599 --> 00:46:14.619
 Tonight we're going

00:46:14.619 --> 00:46:15.440
 to have a feast.

00:46:15.739 --> 00:46:16.880
 My son was lost

00:46:16.880 --> 00:46:17.860
 but now he's home.

00:46:18.400 --> 00:46:19.460
 What's the father doing?

00:46:19.900 --> 00:46:20.420
 He's saying,

00:46:20.539 --> 00:46:21.299
 all is forgiven.

00:46:21.759 --> 00:46:22.219
 He's saying,

00:46:22.339 --> 00:46:23.940
 you are my son reconciled.

00:46:24.119 --> 00:46:25.559
 To have a meal with someone

00:46:25.559 --> 00:46:26.059
 is to say,

00:46:26.339 --> 00:46:27.739
 the past is behind us.

00:46:27.819 --> 00:46:29.360
 You and I are on good terms again.

00:46:30.219 --> 00:46:31.259
 What does Jesus say?

00:46:31.940 --> 00:46:32.319
 He says,

00:46:32.380 --> 00:46:33.519
 I stand at the door and knock.

00:46:34.500 --> 00:46:35.539
 I want to come in.

00:46:36.099 --> 00:46:37.799
 I want to sit at the table with you.

00:46:38.219 --> 00:46:39.679
 I want to have a meal with you.

00:46:40.159 --> 00:46:41.900
 I want to be reconciled to you.

00:46:41.900 --> 00:46:44.240
 There's an old Puritan

00:46:44.240 --> 00:46:46.639
 who wrote a prayer like this

00:46:46.639 --> 00:46:47.680
 and I want to read it to us.

00:46:48.780 --> 00:46:49.059
 He says,

00:46:49.119 --> 00:46:50.099
 God, convince me

00:46:50.099 --> 00:46:51.880
 that I cannot be my own God

00:46:51.880 --> 00:46:54.360
 and I cannot make myself happy.

00:46:55.500 --> 00:46:56.039
 Convince me

00:46:56.039 --> 00:46:57.660
 that I cannot be my own Christ

00:46:57.660 --> 00:46:58.680
 to save myself

00:46:58.680 --> 00:46:59.960
 or restore my own joy.

00:47:01.039 --> 00:47:01.559
 Show me

00:47:01.559 --> 00:47:03.200
 that I cannot be my own spirit

00:47:03.200 --> 00:47:04.220
 teaching,

00:47:04.559 --> 00:47:04.860
 guiding,

00:47:05.079 --> 00:47:05.800
 and ruling me.

00:47:06.579 --> 00:47:07.160
 Take away

00:47:07.160 --> 00:47:08.320
 my ever-searching eye,

00:47:08.420 --> 00:47:09.579
 my curious ear,

00:47:09.579 --> 00:47:11.119
 my greedy appetite,

00:47:11.239 --> 00:47:12.219
 and my lustful heart.

00:47:12.739 --> 00:47:13.259
 Oh God,

00:47:13.360 --> 00:47:13.759
 show me

00:47:13.759 --> 00:47:14.819
 that none of these things

00:47:14.819 --> 00:47:16.500
 can heal a wounded conscience,

00:47:16.920 --> 00:47:18.699
 can support my aged body,

00:47:19.199 --> 00:47:19.799
 can uphold

00:47:19.799 --> 00:47:20.860
 a departing spirit

00:47:20.860 --> 00:47:21.920
 in the day of my death.

00:47:22.599 --> 00:47:22.920
 Then,

00:47:23.019 --> 00:47:23.139
 Lord,

00:47:23.199 --> 00:47:23.659
 I pray,

00:47:24.279 --> 00:47:25.400
 take me to the cross

00:47:25.400 --> 00:47:27.079
 and leave me there.

00:47:27.920 --> 00:47:28.360
 Friends,

00:47:28.460 --> 00:47:29.299
 Jesus is not calling

00:47:29.299 --> 00:47:29.759
 any of us

00:47:29.759 --> 00:47:30.500
 to be paupers.

00:47:31.360 --> 00:47:32.340
 Jesus is not wanting us

00:47:32.340 --> 00:47:33.039
 to be miserable

00:47:33.039 --> 00:47:35.659
 or unable to enjoy

00:47:35.659 --> 00:47:36.719
 the pleasures of life.

00:47:37.480 --> 00:47:38.279
 He's inviting us

00:47:38.279 --> 00:47:39.980
 to exchange fool's gold

00:47:39.980 --> 00:47:41.039
 for real treasure

00:47:41.039 --> 00:47:41.939
 that's been refined

00:47:41.939 --> 00:47:42.579
 in the fire.

00:47:44.399 --> 00:47:46.519
 In the year 155 AD,

00:47:46.739 --> 00:47:47.859
 so 60 years

00:47:47.859 --> 00:47:49.000
 after the book of Revelation

00:47:49.000 --> 00:47:49.519
 is written,

00:47:50.480 --> 00:47:51.679
 there's an old man

00:47:51.679 --> 00:47:52.799
 called Polycop,

00:47:52.879 --> 00:47:54.079
 and he is the bishop

00:47:54.079 --> 00:47:54.939
 of the church

00:47:54.939 --> 00:47:55.579
 in Smyrna.

00:47:55.759 --> 00:47:56.000
 Remember,

00:47:56.139 --> 00:47:57.059
 Smyrna is the church

00:47:57.059 --> 00:47:57.739
 where Jesus said,

00:47:57.819 --> 00:47:58.579
 I know you're poor,

00:47:59.019 --> 00:47:59.919
 but actually you're rich.

00:48:00.579 --> 00:48:01.519
 Jesus says to the church

00:48:01.519 --> 00:48:02.079
 in Smyrna,

00:48:02.399 --> 00:48:03.000
 you're going to go through

00:48:03.000 --> 00:48:04.299
 a whole bunch of persecution,

00:48:04.679 --> 00:48:05.359
 you're going to be killed

00:48:05.360 --> 00:48:05.920
 for your faith,

00:48:05.980 --> 00:48:06.519
 but don't worry,

00:48:06.579 --> 00:48:07.180
 I'm with you.

00:48:08.300 --> 00:48:09.640
 The bishop of Smyrna,

00:48:09.760 --> 00:48:10.760
 this man Polycop,

00:48:11.260 --> 00:48:12.840
 he's in his late 80s,

00:48:12.880 --> 00:48:13.660
 early 90s,

00:48:13.680 --> 00:48:14.640
 and he gets arrested

00:48:14.640 --> 00:48:15.820
 because he won't honor

00:48:15.820 --> 00:48:16.400
 the emperor

00:48:16.400 --> 00:48:17.599
 and bow down to the emperor.

00:48:20.039 --> 00:48:20.980
 They take him

00:48:20.980 --> 00:48:22.380
 to the town square,

00:48:23.340 --> 00:48:24.860
 and there's a big stake

00:48:24.860 --> 00:48:25.599
 in the town square,

00:48:25.700 --> 00:48:26.500
 and they put some hay

00:48:26.500 --> 00:48:27.940
 and some straw around it,

00:48:28.400 --> 00:48:30.079
 and they light the torches,

00:48:30.220 --> 00:48:31.860
 and they tie him up

00:48:31.860 --> 00:48:32.800
 around the stake,

00:48:33.220 --> 00:48:34.180
 and they're getting ready

00:48:34.179 --> 00:48:35.759
 to light the torches

00:48:35.759 --> 00:48:37.399
 and to set him on light.

00:48:38.619 --> 00:48:39.219
 And they say,

00:48:39.279 --> 00:48:39.779
 Polycop,

00:48:39.899 --> 00:48:41.119
 this is your last chance.

00:48:41.199 --> 00:48:42.179
 Do you want to recant

00:48:42.179 --> 00:48:43.019
 what you have to say?

00:48:43.279 --> 00:48:43.799
 Do you want to honor

00:48:43.799 --> 00:48:44.359
 the emperor?

00:48:44.940 --> 00:48:46.099
 All will be forgiven.

00:48:47.460 --> 00:48:48.699
 And Polycop says this,

00:48:48.759 --> 00:48:49.099
 he says,

00:48:49.179 --> 00:48:50.539
 for 86 years,

00:48:50.599 --> 00:48:51.579
 I have served

00:48:51.579 --> 00:48:53.099
 Christ my king,

00:48:53.679 --> 00:48:54.819
 and he has done me

00:48:54.819 --> 00:48:55.599
 no wrong.

00:48:56.559 --> 00:48:57.639
 How can I then

00:48:57.639 --> 00:48:58.799
 blaspheme my king

00:48:58.799 --> 00:48:59.519
 and my savior

00:48:59.519 --> 00:49:00.819
 this day?

00:49:00.820 --> 00:49:02.260
 Friends,

00:49:02.360 --> 00:49:03.320
 here is a man

00:49:03.320 --> 00:49:04.860
 who had found

00:49:04.860 --> 00:49:06.140
 that Jesus is the one

00:49:06.140 --> 00:49:06.940
 whose words

00:49:06.940 --> 00:49:07.960
 are faithful and true.

00:49:08.840 --> 00:49:09.360
 Here is a man

00:49:09.360 --> 00:49:10.120
 who had discovered

00:49:10.120 --> 00:49:11.880
 that hope and faith

00:49:11.880 --> 00:49:12.600
 are not found

00:49:12.600 --> 00:49:13.700
 in the golden treasures

00:49:13.700 --> 00:49:14.720
 of Laodicea

00:49:14.720 --> 00:49:16.100
 or the bank accounts

00:49:16.100 --> 00:49:16.600
 of the world.

00:49:17.080 --> 00:49:18.680
 He found a golden treasure

00:49:18.680 --> 00:49:19.519
 that had been tested

00:49:19.519 --> 00:49:20.320
 through the fire

00:49:20.320 --> 00:49:21.660
 and had been found

00:49:21.660 --> 00:49:24.840
 to carry him through.

00:49:25.440 --> 00:49:26.660
 He had found a grace

00:49:26.660 --> 00:49:27.260
 because God

00:49:27.260 --> 00:49:28.240
 had opened his eyes

00:49:28.240 --> 00:49:29.400
 to see that he could not

00:49:29.400 --> 00:49:30.180
 be his own God.

00:49:30.599 --> 00:49:31.300
 He could not be

00:49:31.300 --> 00:49:31.980
 his own Christ.

00:49:32.079 --> 00:49:32.680
 He could not be

00:49:32.680 --> 00:49:33.340
 his own savior,

00:49:33.800 --> 00:49:34.880
 but that there was one

00:49:34.880 --> 00:49:35.619
 who was faithful

00:49:35.619 --> 00:49:36.800
 and true to the end.

00:49:37.780 --> 00:49:38.180
 Friends,

00:49:38.260 --> 00:49:39.019
 I want to ask us,

00:49:39.099 --> 00:49:39.900
 in this city,

00:49:40.039 --> 00:49:41.280
 have we found him?

00:49:42.559 --> 00:49:43.740
 Have you found him?

00:49:44.960 --> 00:49:46.639
 Have you found this Christ?

00:49:47.240 --> 00:49:48.099
 Have you discovered

00:49:48.099 --> 00:49:49.280
 the one who is more precious

00:49:49.280 --> 00:49:50.300
 than all the gold

00:49:50.300 --> 00:49:50.800
 in the world?

00:49:51.440 --> 00:49:52.360
 Have you discovered

00:49:52.360 --> 00:49:53.300
 the one who will cover

00:49:53.300 --> 00:49:54.119
 all your shame?

00:49:55.119 --> 00:49:55.840
 Have you discovered

00:49:55.840 --> 00:49:56.680
 the one who will bring

00:49:56.680 --> 00:49:58.039
 healing to the depths

00:49:58.039 --> 00:49:59.380
 of the hurt in your heart?

00:50:00.160 --> 00:50:01.059
 Have you discovered

00:50:01.059 --> 00:50:01.800
 the one who will open

00:50:01.800 --> 00:50:02.780
 your eyes to see

00:50:02.780 --> 00:50:03.820
 the world as it is?

00:50:04.700 --> 00:50:05.099
 Today,

00:50:05.720 --> 00:50:06.639
 this day,

00:50:07.300 --> 00:50:08.280
 this very day,

00:50:08.400 --> 00:50:09.280
 Christ is standing

00:50:09.280 --> 00:50:09.820
 at our door

00:50:09.820 --> 00:50:10.440
 and he's knocking

00:50:10.440 --> 00:50:11.740
 and he's saying,

00:50:11.860 --> 00:50:12.099
 come,

00:50:12.660 --> 00:50:14.220
 come and eat with me.

00:50:14.740 --> 00:50:15.639
 Come and receive,

00:50:15.800 --> 00:50:17.480
 come and be with me.

00:50:17.840 --> 00:50:18.960
 I want to come in

00:50:18.960 --> 00:50:20.320
 and I want to dine

00:50:20.320 --> 00:50:21.360
 with you.

00:50:22.220 --> 00:50:23.460
 Let's come to him now.

00:50:24.360 --> 00:50:25.119
 Let's come and pray.

00:50:25.119 --> 00:50:25.220
 Amen.

00:50:25.220 --> 00:50:25.260
 Amen.

00:50:29.400 --> 00:50:38.920
 Jesus Christ,

00:50:39.119 --> 00:50:39.860
 oh God,

00:50:39.980 --> 00:50:42.639
 we need you,

00:50:42.740 --> 00:50:42.960
 God.

00:50:44.320 --> 00:50:44.820
 Father,

00:50:44.940 --> 00:50:45.079
 I pray,

00:50:45.160 --> 00:50:46.180
 won't you open our eyes

00:50:46.180 --> 00:50:47.420
 to see how much

00:50:47.420 --> 00:50:48.000
 we need you,

00:50:48.079 --> 00:50:48.300
 God?

00:50:51.599 --> 00:50:52.079
 God,

00:50:52.139 --> 00:50:54.180
 we are very privileged

00:50:54.179 --> 00:50:55.039
 to live in this

00:50:55.039 --> 00:50:56.119
 great city

00:50:56.119 --> 00:50:58.239
 that we've come

00:50:58.239 --> 00:50:58.779
 to love.

00:51:00.480 --> 00:51:01.179
 But Father,

00:51:01.339 --> 00:51:01.719
 I pray,

00:51:01.859 --> 00:51:02.519
 don't let

00:51:02.519 --> 00:51:04.319
 the pleasures

00:51:04.319 --> 00:51:05.480
 and the prosperity

00:51:05.480 --> 00:51:06.579
 and the blessings

00:51:06.579 --> 00:51:07.559
 of the city

00:51:07.559 --> 00:51:09.579
 delude us.

00:51:10.539 --> 00:51:11.500
 Don't let it,

00:51:11.639 --> 00:51:11.859
 God,

00:51:12.519 --> 00:51:15.119
 take what is meant

00:51:15.119 --> 00:51:15.859
 to be hot

00:51:15.860 --> 00:51:17.579
 and make it

00:51:17.579 --> 00:51:18.059
 lukewarm,

00:51:18.220 --> 00:51:18.440
 God.

00:51:19.960 --> 00:51:20.360
 God,

00:51:20.420 --> 00:51:21.539
 I pray for us,

00:51:21.599 --> 00:51:21.740
 God,

00:51:21.820 --> 00:51:23.120
 may we stand out

00:51:23.120 --> 00:51:23.720
 in our city,

00:51:23.840 --> 00:51:24.079
 God.

00:51:25.900 --> 00:51:26.620
 Oh God,

00:51:26.680 --> 00:51:27.519
 I pray that we

00:51:27.519 --> 00:51:28.200
 as a church

00:51:28.200 --> 00:51:28.860
 will be

00:51:28.860 --> 00:51:31.760
 fresh and revitalizing,

00:51:31.900 --> 00:51:32.039
 God,

00:51:32.120 --> 00:51:33.320
 for the spiritually weary.

00:51:34.840 --> 00:51:35.500
 I pray,

00:51:35.660 --> 00:51:35.800
 God,

00:51:35.840 --> 00:51:36.539
 that we will be

00:51:36.539 --> 00:51:38.340
 healing

00:51:38.340 --> 00:51:39.680
 and soothing

00:51:39.680 --> 00:51:40.940
 to those that are aching.

00:51:40.940 --> 00:51:43.500
 Christ,

00:51:43.539 --> 00:51:44.240
 we want to hear

00:51:44.240 --> 00:51:44.880
 your words

00:51:44.880 --> 00:51:45.480
 and heed

00:51:45.480 --> 00:51:46.119
 your words

00:51:46.119 --> 00:51:48.059
 and we want

00:51:48.059 --> 00:51:48.559
 to repent,

00:51:48.700 --> 00:51:48.980
 God.

00:52:00.800 --> 00:52:01.240
 Christ,

00:52:01.320 --> 00:52:01.900
 have your way

00:52:01.900 --> 00:52:02.420
 in our life,

00:52:02.519 --> 00:52:02.740
 God.

00:52:04.700 --> 00:52:05.480
 Have your way,

00:52:05.559 --> 00:52:06.019
 Lord Jesus.

00:52:10.940 --> 00:52:13.800
 God,

00:52:13.840 --> 00:52:14.380
 we're so sorry

00:52:14.380 --> 00:52:15.220
 where other things

00:52:15.220 --> 00:52:17.179
 have gripped

00:52:17.179 --> 00:52:17.760
 our hearts,

00:52:17.920 --> 00:52:18.039
 Lord,

00:52:18.099 --> 00:52:18.679
 where other things

00:52:18.679 --> 00:52:19.599
 have become first.

00:52:23.400 --> 00:52:23.800
 Jesus,

00:52:23.960 --> 00:52:24.440
 we need you,

00:52:24.519 --> 00:52:24.720
 God.

00:52:26.940 --> 00:52:27.340
 Lord,

00:52:27.400 --> 00:52:28.400
 I pray for

00:52:28.400 --> 00:52:29.500
 those of us here

00:52:29.500 --> 00:52:30.220
 that are hurting,

00:52:30.440 --> 00:52:30.659
 God.

00:52:31.599 --> 00:52:32.099
 Won't you,

00:52:32.200 --> 00:52:33.059
 the great physician,

00:52:33.420 --> 00:52:34.300
 come and heal us,

00:52:34.400 --> 00:52:34.579
 God,

00:52:35.500 --> 00:52:36.420
 where our hearts

00:52:36.420 --> 00:52:37.220
 are sore,

00:52:38.700 --> 00:52:39.000
 God,

00:52:39.079 --> 00:52:39.679
 where we are

00:52:39.679 --> 00:52:40.500
 gripped by

00:52:40.500 --> 00:52:41.159
 insecurity

00:52:41.159 --> 00:52:41.880
 and fear,

00:52:43.880 --> 00:52:44.360
 God,

00:52:44.440 --> 00:52:45.039
 where we long

00:52:45.039 --> 00:52:45.880
 to be loved.

00:52:46.179 --> 00:52:46.599
 Christ,

00:52:46.699 --> 00:52:47.300
 won't you pour

00:52:47.300 --> 00:52:47.679
 your love

00:52:47.679 --> 00:52:48.400
 into our hearts,

00:52:48.480 --> 00:52:48.920
 I pray,

00:52:49.079 --> 00:52:49.340
 God.

00:52:50.260 --> 00:52:50.699
 God,

00:52:50.760 --> 00:52:51.219
 where we long

00:52:51.219 --> 00:52:52.079
 to be accepted,

00:52:52.219 --> 00:52:52.980
 I pray that you

00:52:52.980 --> 00:52:53.420
 will come and

00:52:53.420 --> 00:52:54.219
 clothe us

00:52:54.219 --> 00:52:55.980
 and cover our shame,

00:52:56.139 --> 00:52:56.360
 God.

00:52:56.920 --> 00:52:57.760
 Show us how you

00:52:57.760 --> 00:52:58.239
 cover us

00:52:58.239 --> 00:52:58.960
 in your righteousness.

00:53:02.559 --> 00:53:03.000
 God,

00:53:03.059 --> 00:53:03.940
 I pray for those

00:53:03.940 --> 00:53:04.559
 of us that

00:53:04.559 --> 00:53:05.480
 have either

00:53:05.480 --> 00:53:06.480
 been told it

00:53:06.480 --> 00:53:08.199
 or have felt

00:53:08.199 --> 00:53:08.760
 that we are

00:53:08.760 --> 00:53:10.079
 just not good enough.

00:53:10.079 --> 00:53:10.779
 we are not

00:53:10.779 --> 00:53:11.259
 worthy.

00:53:12.619 --> 00:53:13.059
 Christ,

00:53:13.139 --> 00:53:13.840
 won't you come

00:53:13.840 --> 00:53:14.840
 and remove

00:53:14.840 --> 00:53:15.519
 those lies

00:53:15.519 --> 00:53:16.380
 from our hearts

00:53:16.380 --> 00:53:17.659
 and speak your

00:53:17.659 --> 00:53:18.500
 truth into our

00:53:18.500 --> 00:53:19.400
 lives and arrest

00:53:19.400 --> 00:53:19.639
 us,

00:53:19.759 --> 00:53:19.960
 God,

00:53:20.119 --> 00:53:20.880
 and open our

00:53:20.880 --> 00:53:21.759
 eyes to see you

00:53:21.759 --> 00:53:22.380
 and call us

00:53:22.380 --> 00:53:22.619
 home,

00:53:22.659 --> 00:53:23.019
 I pray,

00:53:23.159 --> 00:53:23.400
 God.

00:53:29.659 --> 00:53:30.099
 God,

00:53:30.179 --> 00:53:30.799
 I pray that we

00:53:30.799 --> 00:53:31.739
 will be a rich

00:53:31.739 --> 00:53:32.159
 church,

00:53:32.279 --> 00:53:33.219
 a rich and pure

00:53:33.219 --> 00:53:34.039
 gold refined

00:53:34.039 --> 00:53:34.559
 in the fire,

00:53:34.659 --> 00:53:34.840
 Lord.

00:53:34.840 --> 00:53:35.660
 God,

00:53:35.660 --> 00:53:38.620
 God,

00:53:38.660 --> 00:53:39.100
 we may not

00:53:39.100 --> 00:53:39.620
 be ever

00:53:39.620 --> 00:53:40.360
 impressive in

00:53:40.360 --> 00:53:40.780
 the world's

00:53:40.780 --> 00:53:41.100
 eyes,

00:53:42.820 --> 00:53:43.820
 we may not

00:53:43.820 --> 00:53:44.320
 get all the

00:53:44.320 --> 00:53:45.300
 accolades and

00:53:45.300 --> 00:53:47.019
 the crowns,

00:53:47.059 --> 00:53:47.400
 but God,

00:53:47.460 --> 00:53:48.120
 I pray that in

00:53:48.120 --> 00:53:48.680
 that day,

00:53:49.180 --> 00:53:49.960
 in glory,

00:53:50.120 --> 00:53:50.280
 God,

00:53:50.320 --> 00:53:50.980
 when you

00:53:50.980 --> 00:53:52.380
 commend us,

00:53:52.420 --> 00:53:52.840
 I pray,

00:53:53.019 --> 00:53:53.240
 Father,

00:53:53.340 --> 00:53:54.059
 that for some

00:53:54.059 --> 00:53:54.460
 reason,

00:53:54.620 --> 00:53:54.860
 God,

00:53:55.420 --> 00:53:56.360
 we will be

00:53:56.360 --> 00:53:57.079
 found to have

00:53:57.079 --> 00:53:57.600
 been faithful

00:53:57.600 --> 00:53:58.079
 to you.

00:53:58.079 --> 00:54:04.360
 Oh,

00:54:04.400 --> 00:54:04.579
 God,

00:54:04.679 --> 00:54:04.960
 come and

00:54:04.960 --> 00:54:05.319
 help us,

00:54:05.380 --> 00:54:05.759
 we pray.

00:54:08.159 --> 00:54:08.679
 Come and

00:54:08.679 --> 00:54:09.079
 help us,

00:54:09.179 --> 00:54:09.380
 Lord.

00:54:16.079 --> 00:54:16.699
 Lord Jesus,

00:54:16.819 --> 00:54:17.340
 thank you so

00:54:17.340 --> 00:54:18.099
 much that

00:54:18.099 --> 00:54:19.819
 while you

00:54:19.819 --> 00:54:20.779
 challenge us

00:54:20.779 --> 00:54:22.000
 even more

00:54:22.000 --> 00:54:22.380
 than that,

00:54:22.440 --> 00:54:23.139
 you love us.

00:54:24.099 --> 00:54:24.599
 Thank you,

00:54:24.659 --> 00:54:24.819
 God,

00:54:24.880 --> 00:54:25.340
 that you say

00:54:25.340 --> 00:54:26.420
 you challenge

00:54:26.420 --> 00:54:26.960
 us because

00:54:26.960 --> 00:54:27.819
 you love us.

00:54:28.079 --> 00:54:30.980
 God,

00:54:31.039 --> 00:54:31.480
 help us to

00:54:31.480 --> 00:54:31.960
 feel your

00:54:31.960 --> 00:54:32.239
 love.

00:54:33.980 --> 00:54:34.699
 Help us to

00:54:34.699 --> 00:54:35.279
 know that

00:54:35.279 --> 00:54:37.920
 our identity

00:54:37.920 --> 00:54:38.619
 is in you,

00:54:38.739 --> 00:54:38.980
 God.

00:54:42.599 --> 00:54:43.119
 Come and

00:54:43.119 --> 00:54:43.599
 have your way,

00:54:43.679 --> 00:54:44.059
 we pray.