WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.179 What matters most in life is what other people think of me. 00:00:05.259 --> 00:00:06.580 What do you think of this statement? 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:11.419 What matters most in life is what other people think of me. 00:00:13.359 --> 00:00:14.740 Do you think this way? 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:18.039 Maybe unintentionally sometimes? 00:00:18.660 --> 00:00:20.280 I want to have a really good reputation. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:23.039 I want other people to think of me highly. 00:00:23.559 --> 00:00:25.480 That's how I'll get a pay increase. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:27.379 That's how I'll get that promotion. 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:30.079 That's how I'll get that girl to notice me. 00:00:30.699 --> 00:00:32.519 I'll have a great reputation. 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:34.780 I'll make myself look better to the boss. 00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:36.759 I'll get to work really early. 00:00:36.979 --> 00:00:37.920 I'll leave late. 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:41.600 I might try and dress up for the girl and for the boss maybe. 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:44.539 Do you ever think this way? 00:00:46.500 --> 00:00:47.899 How about this statement? 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:52.019 What matters most in life is what God thinks of me. 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:55.759 This one is a bit scarier. 00:00:55.759 --> 00:00:59.859 What matters most in life is what God thinks of me. 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:05.879 Who here could say that they are concerned about what God thinks about them all the time? 00:01:07.780 --> 00:01:08.539 Not me. 00:01:08.540 --> 00:01:11.020 I want to be able to say this. 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:12.740 I wish this was true. 00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:14.280 But it's not. 00:01:14.920 --> 00:01:17.780 And it's scary because God sees everything. 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:21.160 It's not like I can just do a couple of nice things. 00:01:21.480 --> 00:01:23.420 Look pretty good on the outside. 00:01:23.580 --> 00:01:25.040 Wear some fashionable clothes. 00:01:25.420 --> 00:01:28.980 And God's going to think all of a sudden that I'm a good guy. 00:01:28.980 --> 00:01:33.920 What is your reputation before God? 00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:39.120 Today we're continuing in our series in the book of Revelation. 00:01:39.939 --> 00:01:44.000 And we're looking at Jesus' letter to the city and to the church of Sardis. 00:01:44.859 --> 00:01:47.620 And Jesus knows all about this city's reputation. 00:01:48.620 --> 00:01:50.400 And he has some hard words for them. 00:01:50.659 --> 00:01:52.900 So we're going to see what Jesus says to Sardis 00:01:52.900 --> 00:01:55.799 before we see what Jesus has to say to us. 00:01:55.799 --> 00:02:01.479 So please have your Bibles open at Revelation chapter 3 verse 1. 00:02:04.019 --> 00:02:06.679 To the angel of the church in Sardis write, 00:02:07.259 --> 00:02:12.439 These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:14.579 I know your deeds. 00:02:15.460 --> 00:02:17.240 You have a reputation of being alive. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:19.560 But you are dead. 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:23.460 The church in Sardis had a reputation. 00:02:23.860 --> 00:02:24.699 They looked alive. 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:28.899 There were outward signs of vigor and spirituality. 00:02:29.619 --> 00:02:30.919 People would have exclaimed, 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:32.599 Oh, this church, they're so healthy. 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:33.319 They're so vibrant. 00:02:33.399 --> 00:02:34.239 They're so alive. 00:02:34.539 --> 00:02:35.379 There's so much happening. 00:02:37.060 --> 00:02:40.579 They would have looked like paradise to some of the other churches. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:45.519 To the other churches in the area who were facing persecution, 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:49.739 Sardis would have been like a holiday destination of a church. 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:51.919 They're so vibrant. 00:02:52.159 --> 00:02:52.859 They're growing. 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:55.440 Their preaching is so entertaining and short. 00:02:55.540 --> 00:02:57.800 Their whole church service doesn't even go for an hour. 00:02:58.220 --> 00:02:58.960 Praise Jesus. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:04.260 The other churches we've heard about in Revelation, 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:05.340 Well, they're doing it tough. 00:03:05.340 --> 00:03:08.920 You can imagine them saying, 00:03:09.539 --> 00:03:12.200 I wish I was at that church in Sardis. 00:03:12.560 --> 00:03:16.680 I wish I lived in that city so I wasn't faced with the persecution, 00:03:17.259 --> 00:03:21.379 with the poverty, with the starvation and fear of death that I'm facing. 00:03:21.379 --> 00:03:25.039 Because there's something unique about this city. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:26.539 This church in Sardis. 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:29.699 There is no persecution mentioned. 00:03:31.379 --> 00:03:34.400 In all of these letters to the different cities, 00:03:34.740 --> 00:03:39.139 there's persecution mentioned in all of them except here in Sardis. 00:03:39.139 --> 00:03:42.179 The church at Ephesus was struggling with evil people. 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:45.219 In Smyrna, there was tribulation and poverty. 00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:49.799 In Pergamum, Jesus says that Satan has power over this place. 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:52.859 And in Thyatira, we saw last week, 00:03:53.239 --> 00:03:56.599 they're faced with the sexual immorality of Jezebel. 00:03:56.599 --> 00:04:00.840 And to each of these cities, even though there's persecution, 00:04:01.500 --> 00:04:03.819 Jesus has something positive to say. 00:04:05.060 --> 00:04:09.340 But when we get to Sardis, it's a different story. 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:12.759 Jesus has nothing positive to say about this city. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:16.180 Instead, Jesus says, 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:17.540 I know your works. 00:04:18.219 --> 00:04:20.279 You have the reputation of being alive. 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:22.980 But you are dead. 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:26.579 You are a dead church. 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:28.879 You have it easy. 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:30.920 There's no persecution from outside. 00:04:31.260 --> 00:04:34.120 To all the world, you look like a healthy, vibrant church. 00:04:34.340 --> 00:04:37.460 But really, you are a husk of a church. 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:40.100 Once alive, but now dead. 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:43.340 This reputation that this church has, 00:04:43.760 --> 00:04:44.960 it's just all fake. 00:04:45.280 --> 00:04:46.439 It's just all lies. 00:04:48.840 --> 00:04:50.040 Because the problem is, 00:04:50.100 --> 00:04:53.700 there's a gap between their reputation and reality. 00:04:54.659 --> 00:04:57.860 Sardis has a very different reputation with God. 00:04:58.479 --> 00:05:00.879 Have a look at the second part of verse 2 with me. 00:05:02.680 --> 00:05:06.860 For I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:09.120 The church is obviously busy, 00:05:09.819 --> 00:05:11.100 doing all kinds of works, 00:05:11.180 --> 00:05:12.480 probably very good works, 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:13.720 feeding the poor, 00:05:14.080 --> 00:05:15.360 going to church every day, 00:05:15.480 --> 00:05:16.259 reading the Bible. 00:05:17.900 --> 00:05:19.120 But before God, 00:05:19.840 --> 00:05:21.500 their works were not complete. 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:24.240 They were just going through the motions. 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:28.780 Their works are not the result of obedience and repentance. 00:05:28.779 --> 00:05:30.919 From the outside, 00:05:31.419 --> 00:05:33.639 they looked like they were doing what churches do, 00:05:33.979 --> 00:05:35.199 following God. 00:05:35.859 --> 00:05:36.879 But to God, 00:05:37.119 --> 00:05:37.979 they were fake. 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:39.659 Just going through the motions. 00:05:41.659 --> 00:05:43.219 Jesus says in verse 4, 00:05:43.659 --> 00:05:44.959 that there are still a few 00:05:44.959 --> 00:05:47.019 who hadn't let death overtake them. 00:05:47.259 --> 00:05:49.579 There are still a few who were following Jesus. 00:05:50.679 --> 00:05:53.739 And they're described as not having soiled their clothes. 00:05:53.899 --> 00:05:55.199 It's a really graphic image. 00:05:55.199 --> 00:05:56.039 You know, 00:05:56.079 --> 00:05:57.060 I've got two little children. 00:05:57.180 --> 00:05:58.979 I can tell you what soiled clothes look like. 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:00.339 It's very graphic. 00:06:00.819 --> 00:06:05.039 These people have not let defilement come in. 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:07.719 The implication for the rest of the church is, 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:11.139 defilement sin has crept in. 00:06:11.939 --> 00:06:13.599 They have soiled their clothes with it. 00:06:13.919 --> 00:06:16.079 And it's made a mess of their lives. 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:19.539 The sin of the other cities was obvious. 00:06:19.659 --> 00:06:21.019 They were worshipping other gods. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:23.259 They were sexually immoral. 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:24.719 But here, 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:27.980 the sin of Sardis was more subtle. 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:28.740 It was hidden. 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:33.740 And the problem is that the church had gotten lazy. 00:06:34.439 --> 00:06:36.620 They'd been convinced that their busyness 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:38.680 was a sign that they were healthy. 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:42.560 They had a reputation that they were alive. 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:44.879 And they were convinced by their own reputation. 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:49.000 It seems that they hadn't checked their heart before God. 00:06:49.319 --> 00:06:50.800 They hadn't asked the question, 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:53.660 are we just turning up to church on Sunday? 00:06:53.920 --> 00:06:56.500 Or are we being passionate about Jesus, 00:06:56.840 --> 00:06:58.220 wanting to do His will, 00:06:58.639 --> 00:06:59.960 and to love and serve Him? 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:02.240 Or are we just going through the motions? 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:06.540 We would probably call these people nominal Christians. 00:07:07.080 --> 00:07:09.900 People who just turn up on Sunday. 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:11.620 Maybe they give money. 00:07:12.780 --> 00:07:14.220 Maybe they go along to Bible study. 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:16.819 Maybe they even get involved in things like 00:07:16.819 --> 00:07:18.680 supper and going out afterwards. 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:19.720 Maybe they read the Bible. 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:22.900 Maybe they help out when they need it. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:24.620 They know the right words to say. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:27.280 They know what it looks like to be a Christian. 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:28.079 They look right. 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:28.800 They sound right. 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:29.600 They smell right. 00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:34.560 But they don't live out that obedience to Jesus. 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:37.540 There's a gap between the head and the heart. 00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:41.100 It's a thing that happens on Sundays 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:43.580 and they don't love Jesus. 00:07:43.780 --> 00:07:45.080 There is no heart connection. 00:07:46.040 --> 00:07:46.740 This behavior, 00:07:47.540 --> 00:07:49.080 it's really hypocrisy. 00:07:49.460 --> 00:07:51.780 Saying one thing and doing another. 00:07:52.760 --> 00:07:53.640 The church in Sardis, 00:07:53.960 --> 00:07:54.640 they thought, 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:55.780 look, I'm going through the motions. 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:57.320 I'm doing these things 00:07:57.320 --> 00:07:59.900 and therefore God must live. 00:07:59.899 --> 00:08:01.899 If I tick these boxes, 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:03.899 I'm all right with God. 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:08.319 This church had forgotten what they had heard. 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:11.739 They had turned away and forgotten about Jesus. 00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:15.779 These are hard words to hear. 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:20.560 Everything you've been doing as a church has been a waste. 00:08:21.019 --> 00:08:22.620 You think you've been loving God, 00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:26.019 but you as a church are dead. 00:08:26.019 --> 00:08:28.079 This is damning. 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:30.859 And it's probably the hardest words 00:08:30.859 --> 00:08:33.019 that Jesus has to say to any of these cities. 00:08:35.059 --> 00:08:38.159 But Jesus doesn't leave them there in this position. 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:39.980 He gives them some words. 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:42.480 He gives them some things to wake up. 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:43.960 And the first of them, 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:45.159 have a look in verse 2 again. 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:46.879 He says, 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:47.620 wake up. 00:08:48.299 --> 00:08:49.039 Or more literally, 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:51.179 it's watch out. 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:52.460 Watch out. 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:55.019 Now, if you came from Sardis, 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:56.960 these words, 00:08:57.139 --> 00:08:57.699 watch out, 00:08:58.299 --> 00:09:00.579 would have a very special meaning for you. 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:02.460 Let me just give you a brief picture 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:03.779 of Sardis' history. 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:06.220 The city of Sardis 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:09.019 actually had a wonderful reputation. 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:10.340 At one point, 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:12.439 they were one of the most powerful cities. 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:13.939 The city, 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:14.919 the majority of the city, 00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:16.439 was located on top of a mountain, 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:17.799 Mount Tmolus. 00:09:18.199 --> 00:09:20.240 And it had these massive walls. 00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:23.319 Walls that were over 1,500 feet high. 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:25.480 If you don't know the measurement feet, 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:27.700 that means it's really big walls. 00:09:29.160 --> 00:09:30.060 And this city, 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:32.160 they just had the reputation 00:09:32.160 --> 00:09:35.100 that you don't mess with Sardis. 00:09:35.340 --> 00:09:36.900 You can't get through these walls. 00:09:37.900 --> 00:09:39.360 So armies didn't come against them 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:41.379 because they had this reputation 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:44.140 of being totally impenetrable. 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:46.939 But twice in its history, 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:49.840 first by Cyrus in the 6th century 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:51.620 and then by Antiochus the Great 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:52.659 in the 3rd century, 00:09:53.319 --> 00:09:54.819 they overtook this city. 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:56.919 Not by sending a massive army 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:57.919 against these walls, 00:09:58.819 --> 00:10:00.699 but by sending a few men 00:10:00.699 --> 00:10:02.679 to climb up over the wall 00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:04.000 when no one was looking 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.379 to open the gates 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:07.000 to let the army in. 00:10:07.799 --> 00:10:09.879 The failure of the city of Sardis 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:11.939 was that they didn't watch out. 00:10:11.940 --> 00:10:14.320 They didn't have people watching the walls 00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:17.360 for that subtle hidden attack 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:17.980 from their enemy. 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:21.240 They thought they were invincible. 00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:23.380 They believed their own reputation. 00:10:24.040 --> 00:10:26.440 So when Jesus says to the church in Sardis, 00:10:26.540 --> 00:10:27.120 watch out, 00:10:28.280 --> 00:10:29.340 it's a reminder 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:31.160 of what had happened to this city. 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:33.600 Watch out for sin 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:36.000 that has crept into your lives, 00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:38.560 which has climbed over the walls 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:39.279 of your defences 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:40.319 when you weren't looking 00:10:40.319 --> 00:10:41.979 and has rotted you out 00:10:41.979 --> 00:10:43.219 like a worm 00:10:43.219 --> 00:10:44.659 in a piece of fruit. 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:46.919 Don't be lazy. 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:48.439 Watch out. 00:10:48.699 --> 00:10:49.879 Don't think all is well. 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:51.319 Don't think your Christian faith 00:10:51.319 --> 00:10:52.219 won't be tested. 00:10:54.619 --> 00:10:56.419 So Sardis needs to watch out 00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:58.699 because they've become complacent. 00:10:59.839 --> 00:11:01.919 The second thing that Jesus says 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:03.719 is to strengthen what remains, 00:11:03.839 --> 00:11:04.759 again in verse 2. 00:11:05.719 --> 00:11:07.000 Strengthen what remains. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:09.500 There are still some 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:10.720 in the city 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:12.019 and in the church of Sardis 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.259 who are following Jesus. 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:14.899 And the command is that 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:15.879 they are to strengthen 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:17.000 what remains. 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:19.860 Exhort the others in the church 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:20.519 to watchfulness. 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:23.019 A strong church 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:24.899 will care for each brother and sister. 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:27.559 If you're a committed Christian, 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:29.799 you can't just worry about yourself. 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:33.259 That's the Western individualistic lie 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:34.080 that we live in. 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:36.900 But you're to encourage, 00:11:37.020 --> 00:11:37.680 to rebuke, 00:11:37.900 --> 00:11:39.740 to love your brothers and sisters. 00:11:40.300 --> 00:11:42.520 When you see your brother or sister sinning, 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:44.100 tell them to stop. 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:46.840 Make sure that the church 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:48.800 doesn't get infested 00:11:48.800 --> 00:11:50.540 with hollowed out Christians. 00:11:51.680 --> 00:11:53.800 People who come along to church 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:55.399 and confess his name 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:56.379 with their mouths, 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:59.039 but throughout the week 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:00.379 they just worship themselves. 00:12:01.199 --> 00:12:02.240 Worshiping other gods 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:04.959 or worshiping themselves 00:12:04.959 --> 00:12:05.979 with their time and money. 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:08.479 The Christians 00:12:08.479 --> 00:12:09.959 in the city of Sardis 00:12:09.959 --> 00:12:10.859 should have been 00:12:10.859 --> 00:12:12.079 watching out for themselves 00:12:12.079 --> 00:12:13.699 and for their brothers and sisters 00:12:13.699 --> 00:12:14.879 to encourage 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:16.019 what remained. 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:18.699 And the third imperative 00:12:18.699 --> 00:12:19.860 that Jesus gives 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:20.939 to fix this church, 00:12:21.340 --> 00:12:22.419 he says it in verse 3, 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:23.480 Remember. 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:26.220 Remember what you have received 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:26.939 and heard. 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:28.939 Remember the gospel. 00:12:29.199 --> 00:12:30.399 That's what they had heard. 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:32.319 The good news 00:12:32.319 --> 00:12:34.159 that Jesus died and rose. 00:12:34.699 --> 00:12:35.620 And what did they receive? 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.919 Well, they'd receive forgiveness, 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.000 new life, 00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:39.360 the promise of resurrection 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:40.139 with Jesus 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:41.439 and the presence 00:12:41.439 --> 00:12:42.319 of the Holy Spirit 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:42.899 dwelling within. 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.740 Don't forget this. 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:46.960 Coe, where are you? 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.399 Brother, for you today, 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:49.840 don't forget today. 00:12:50.180 --> 00:12:51.440 Don't forget today's date. 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:53.879 It's the 31st of August, 2014. 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:55.379 Have that tattooed 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:56.200 on the back of your hand, 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.460 maybe the back of your eyelid. 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:58.799 So when you close your eyes, 00:12:58.860 --> 00:12:59.680 you're reminded of today. 00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:01.500 Because today is the day 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.539 you have heard the gospel. 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:03.700 Today is the day 00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:05.080 where you stood right here 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:06.039 and were baptized 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:06.779 and you said, 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:07.940 I'm going to follow Jesus. 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:10.100 Today is the day 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:13.039 that I am going to turn away 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:13.820 from my sin 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:15.360 and I'm going to turn to Jesus 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:16.180 and follow Him. 00:13:17.040 --> 00:13:18.020 In years to come, 00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:19.140 when it gets difficult, 00:13:19.760 --> 00:13:20.860 following Jesus is hard. 00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:22.420 Remember the gospel 00:13:22.420 --> 00:13:23.320 you have heard today. 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:25.860 For those of us 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:26.580 who have been Christians 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:27.280 for a while, 00:13:28.540 --> 00:13:29.580 remember that time 00:13:29.580 --> 00:13:30.480 when you first 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.740 took ownership of God. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:32.680 Whether it was 00:13:32.680 --> 00:13:33.760 five years ago, 00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:34.960 10, 20, 50, 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:36.360 I don't care what it is. 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:38.560 Remember when you first 00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:39.640 heard the gospel. 00:13:39.639 --> 00:13:42.019 This shouldn't make us 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:42.659 feel guilty, 00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:44.039 but it's a reminder 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:45.000 of what God 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.039 has been doing 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:46.960 in us, 00:13:47.199 --> 00:13:48.059 for us. 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.840 And could it be 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:52.179 that for this church 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:53.139 and for us 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.539 that they should remember 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.960 the passion 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:57.500 and faithfulness 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:59.340 which they had 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.340 initially accepted 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:00.840 the gospel? 00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:02.120 When they were first 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.279 on fire for Jesus, 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.740 when they gave away 00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:05.379 their possessions 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.019 when it hurt, 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:07.699 when they loved Jesus 00:14:07.699 --> 00:14:09.480 even in the face 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.220 of opposition, 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.899 the way that they lived 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:14.159 until sin 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.879 crept over their walls 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.419 and hollowed them out 00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:18.159 from the inside. 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.379 Instead, 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:23.340 turn away from the world, 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:24.939 live a life transformed 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:25.699 by Jesus, 00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:27.059 not one 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:28.899 worshipping idols. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:30.419 Instead, 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.279 again, 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.519 the next thing Jesus says 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:34.279 is to obey the gospel, 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.059 obey it 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:36.419 and repent. 00:14:37.839 --> 00:14:38.919 Jesus calls on 00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:39.720 this dead church 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:41.019 to turn away 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.120 from their life of sin, 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:44.179 their false worship, 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.860 their routine of church 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:47.679 which is not really church. 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:49.639 Renew their worship 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.120 of Jesus. 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:53.379 I think this is 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.860 one of the hardest parts 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.839 of being a Christian, 00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:58.299 consistently considering 00:14:58.299 --> 00:14:59.100 your heart 00:14:59.100 --> 00:15:00.000 and your actions 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.879 before God 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.179 through His Spirit. 00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:04.779 our desires 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:06.539 quickly and easily 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:07.439 get defiled 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:08.059 by sin 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:09.799 which creeps 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:11.539 into our lives 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:12.459 like an attack 00:15:12.459 --> 00:15:13.059 over the wall 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:13.620 of Sardis. 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.919 We're bombarded 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:17.659 by sexualized images 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.620 in media, 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:19.879 on billboards 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:21.539 and so that step 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.799 to looking at pornography 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:25.120 is so much smaller 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:26.059 and easier. 00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:28.299 we get into 00:15:28.299 --> 00:15:29.459 dangerous patterns 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:30.519 where sin 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.459 creeps in 00:15:31.459 --> 00:15:32.779 and we don't 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.559 consider God. 00:15:34.599 --> 00:15:35.559 Our heart 00:15:35.559 --> 00:15:36.539 and our desires 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.379 get perverted 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:38.659 and it happens 00:15:38.659 --> 00:15:39.579 subtly. 00:15:40.839 --> 00:15:42.239 Let me share 00:15:42.239 --> 00:15:42.719 something that 00:15:42.719 --> 00:15:43.500 happened to me 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.819 earlier in the year. 00:15:45.959 --> 00:15:47.039 I don't mind 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:48.359 a drink of alcohol 00:15:48.359 --> 00:15:48.979 occasionally 00:15:48.979 --> 00:15:50.159 as long as you're 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:50.859 over 18. 00:15:52.459 --> 00:15:52.879 You know, 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:53.919 a glass of wine 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.419 or a beer 00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:55.000 on occasions. 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:55.599 I don't think 00:15:55.599 --> 00:15:56.240 there's necessarily 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.399 anything wrong 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.240 with these things 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:01.339 but I suppose 00:16:01.339 --> 00:16:01.759 it depends 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:02.339 on the person. 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.459 But what happened 00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:04.079 for me 00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:06.899 was a difficult 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:07.319 thing. 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:08.519 I'm sure 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.259 many of you, 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:10.799 well not many of you, 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:11.559 I'm sure some of you 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:12.740 have had real struggles 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:14.539 in the big scheme 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:14.860 of things. 00:16:14.979 --> 00:16:16.379 Mine is quite small 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.659 but what happened 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.500 for me is that 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.379 Alyssa has been 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:21.000 studying the diploma 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.819 in Bible and ministry 00:16:22.819 --> 00:16:23.299 through, 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:23.939 well college, 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.760 on a Wednesday night 00:16:24.760 --> 00:16:25.860 and so Alyssa 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.380 would go out 00:16:26.380 --> 00:16:27.200 on a Wednesday night, 00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:28.160 I would put Isaac 00:16:28.160 --> 00:16:29.260 to bed and I would 00:16:29.260 --> 00:16:30.300 have these glorious 00:16:30.300 --> 00:16:31.460 two hours where I 00:16:31.460 --> 00:16:32.440 could watch whatever 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.320 I want on TV. 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.720 I could relax, 00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:35.440 I didn't have to 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:36.860 watch MasterChef or 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.440 whatever Alyssa 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.160 usually watches. 00:16:39.180 --> 00:16:40.580 And so I would 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:41.340 relax and I'd have 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:41.740 a drink. 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.760 It could be a glass 00:16:42.760 --> 00:16:43.220 of wine, 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:45.160 a beer and 00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:45.740 you know, 00:16:45.800 --> 00:16:46.780 maybe just one 00:16:46.780 --> 00:16:47.240 or two. 00:16:47.420 --> 00:16:48.900 It wasn't that 00:16:48.900 --> 00:16:49.540 many a week. 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:50.080 You know, 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.280 I might have one 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.179 on a night. 00:16:52.939 --> 00:16:53.799 I wasn't getting 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.159 drunk. 00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:55.179 I didn't become 00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:55.759 an alcoholic. 00:16:56.199 --> 00:16:56.919 But what happened 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:58.939 was I began to 00:16:58.939 --> 00:17:00.339 tie relaxing 00:17:00.339 --> 00:17:02.079 with having a 00:17:02.079 --> 00:17:02.360 drink. 00:17:03.939 --> 00:17:05.619 And so when I 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:06.180 wanted to relax 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:06.799 on the weekend, 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.440 well I'd have a 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:07.680 drink. 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.019 And I noticed 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:11.200 all of a sudden 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.200 that I was heading 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:13.480 down a dangerous 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:13.980 path. 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:16.220 I noticed 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:17.500 that if I 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.579 continued in 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.120 the pattern 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:19.980 I was setting, 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.599 it would get 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.660 dangerous for me. 00:17:23.360 --> 00:17:23.960 So I took 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.640 a month off 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.140 alcohol. 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.539 I just wanted 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.539 to kill 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:30.579 this relationship 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:31.620 I had with 00:17:31.620 --> 00:17:32.900 relaxation. 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:34.440 I didn't 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:34.900 become an 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:35.900 alcoholic and 00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:36.160 I'm not 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:37.000 necessarily saying 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.539 there's anything 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.220 wrong with it. 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:39.400 But for me, 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.319 at this point, 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.880 I noticed it 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:42.640 was becoming 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.800 a dangerous 00:17:43.800 --> 00:17:44.120 habit. 00:17:45.040 --> 00:17:45.800 Because our 00:17:45.800 --> 00:17:47.520 desires quickly 00:17:47.520 --> 00:17:48.920 and easily get 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:50.020 defiled by sin. 00:17:50.820 --> 00:17:51.880 It creeps into 00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:53.340 our lives like 00:17:53.340 --> 00:17:54.300 an attack over 00:17:54.300 --> 00:17:54.940 the wall when 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.320 we're not 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:55.680 watching. 00:17:56.840 --> 00:17:57.880 We need to 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:59.020 continually obey 00:17:59.020 --> 00:18:00.360 God, to 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:02.060 repent, to 00:18:02.060 --> 00:18:03.000 turn away from 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.420 our sin. 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:06.380 For those who 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:06.900 do repent, 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.200 Jesus calls them 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:08.680 conquerors. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.560 Have a look at 00:18:09.560 --> 00:18:10.360 verse 5 with 00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:10.560 me. 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:12.720 The one who 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.359 conquers will 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:14.119 be clothed 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:14.779 thus in 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.539 white garments 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.579 and I will 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.319 never blot his 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:17.759 name out of 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.159 the book of 00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:18.440 life. 00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:19.399 I will confess 00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:20.460 his name before 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.579 my father and 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.500 before his 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.079 angels. 00:18:23.639 --> 00:18:24.159 Clothed in 00:18:24.159 --> 00:18:24.440 white, 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.319 purified, 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.319 there is no 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:26.879 more sin 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:27.579 attached to 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:27.859 them. 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.339 Written in 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:30.240 the book of 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:30.679 life. 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:33.720 I'm not sure 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.419 if there is a 00:18:34.419 --> 00:18:35.139 literal book 00:18:35.139 --> 00:18:35.940 that God 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.599 writes in. 00:18:36.899 --> 00:18:37.519 I don't think 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:37.839 it really 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.179 matters. 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:39.039 but what is 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.740 important here 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.000 is the 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.920 assurance that 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:41.779 Jesus gives. 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.299 It is 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.000 worthwhile 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.539 turning aside 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:45.940 from the 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:46.460 world and 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.200 following Jesus 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.140 because we 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:48.440 can have 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.900 assurance that 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.380 we will have 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:51.180 new life with 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:51.400 him. 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.060 Jesus will 00:18:53.060 --> 00:18:53.680 tell his 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.340 father about 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:54.660 us. 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.640 We will have 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.720 the absolute 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.060 best reputation. 00:18:59.340 --> 00:18:59.779 We will be 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.360 given white 00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:00.920 garments we 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.720 don't deserve, 00:19:02.060 --> 00:19:02.779 a reputation 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.600 we don't 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:04.060 deserve, 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.740 because it 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.000 will be 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.700 Christ's 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.460 reputation. 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:08.599 And that 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:08.880 is the 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.319 one which 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:09.859 God will 00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:10.140 see. 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.259 So there 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:12.779 is some 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.619 hope for 00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:14.200 this church 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.039 of Sardis. 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:16.160 While they 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:16.720 are dead, 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.440 if they 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:18.720 repent and 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.319 turn back 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:19.839 to Jesus, 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:20.859 there is 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.140 hope. 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.220 But if 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:23.839 they don't, 00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.079 there is 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:25.480 judgment 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.380 coming for 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:26.579 them. 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:28.079 Have a look 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.460 again at 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:28.900 verse 3 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.279 with me. 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:31.399 Jesus 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:45.799 says he 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.259 will come 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:46.500 to 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:46.940 Sardis 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:47.480 in 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:47.899 judgment, 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:49.559 just like 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.319 the 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.720 judgment 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.079 and the 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:51.759 attacks that 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.720 came against 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.720 the city 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.440 of Sardis. 00:19:55.139 --> 00:19:55.779 They came 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.960 unexpectedly, 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.160 secretly in 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:58.540 the night, 00:19:58.880 --> 00:19:59.500 scaling over 00:19:59.500 --> 00:19:59.900 the wall, 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:00.560 and Jesus 00:20:00.560 --> 00:20:01.080 says he 00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:01.840 will come 00:20:01.840 --> 00:20:03.000 unexpectedly. 00:20:04.060 --> 00:20:04.779 If they 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:06.019 don't repent 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.540 and turn 00:20:06.540 --> 00:20:06.880 back to 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:07.140 him, 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.100 he will 00:20:08.100 --> 00:20:08.700 come in 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.040 judgment. 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.840 So the 00:20:12.840 --> 00:20:13.279 question I 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.840 asked at 00:20:13.840 --> 00:20:14.380 the start, 00:20:14.840 --> 00:20:15.360 let me ask 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:15.860 that question 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.220 again, 00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:17.120 what is 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:18.060 your reputation 00:20:18.060 --> 00:20:19.200 before God? 00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:20.960 If Jesus 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.500 was writing 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.060 a letter to 00:20:22.060 --> 00:20:22.800 this city 00:20:22.800 --> 00:20:23.500 and to 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.120 this church 00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:24.580 and to 00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:24.860 you 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:25.560 specifically, 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.060 what would 00:20:27.060 --> 00:20:27.460 he say? 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.460 would he 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:29.740 say, 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.620 I know 00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:31.480 your deeds. 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.980 You look 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.540 alive, 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.400 but you 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.120 are dead. 00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:36.060 I have 00:20:36.060 --> 00:20:36.600 found you 00:20:36.600 --> 00:20:37.640 wanting in 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.200 the sight 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:38.779 of God. 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:39.759 You are 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.480 just going 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:40.860 through the 00:20:40.860 --> 00:20:41.259 motions. 00:20:41.800 --> 00:20:42.040 You are 00:20:42.040 --> 00:20:42.540 going to 00:20:42.540 --> 00:20:42.980 church when 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:43.420 you feel 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:43.820 like it. 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.120 You 00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:44.420 consider 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:44.920 once a 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.120 month 00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:45.519 regular. 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.480 How can 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.000 you hear 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.920 my words 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.920 and follow 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:50.560 me if 00:20:50.560 --> 00:20:50.940 you're not 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.860 being encouraged 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:52.200 with your 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:52.759 brothers and 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.340 sisters to 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:53.759 do that? 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.259 How can 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:55.660 you help 00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:56.240 love and 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.779 build others 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.259 up in the 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.180 church if 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.559 you're not 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.039 even there? 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:00.779 Would 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.559 Jesus say, 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:02.559 I love 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.359 you and 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:03.799 I want 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.140 you to 00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:05.000 know what 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.839 I do 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.759 for you and 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:07.079 what I 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.559 will do 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:07.859 for you. 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.379 I want 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:08.579 you to 00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:08.859 know how 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:10.079 much pain 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:10.420 I went 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:10.740 through on 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.220 the cross. 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.099 But you 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:13.660 do not 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.400 remember what 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:14.680 you have 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.019 heard. 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:15.960 You have 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.859 blocked the 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:17.680 gospel from 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.220 going to 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:18.740 your ears 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.940 because you 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:20.379 have heard 00:21:20.379 --> 00:21:20.640 it all 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:21.259 before and 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.720 you think 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.279 you know 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:22.480 it. 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:24.920 Would 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:25.759 Jesus say 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.460 you have 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.420 become a 00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:27.900 hollowed out 00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:28.740 husk of 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.120 a Christian? 00:21:31.300 --> 00:21:31.779 See the 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.500 problem is 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:34.940 we're prideful. 00:21:36.340 --> 00:21:37.600 We sin and 00:21:37.600 --> 00:21:38.039 say that 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.640 everything is 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.039 okay. 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:40.580 Have you 00:21:40.580 --> 00:21:42.060 heard of the 00:21:42.060 --> 00:21:42.600 miracle of 00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:43.259 the car park, 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:43.680 the church 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.220 car park? 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:45.980 This is the 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.580 miracle where 00:21:46.580 --> 00:21:48.140 as a family 00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:48.560 you're in the 00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:49.220 car on the 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:49.759 way to church 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.200 and you're 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:50.560 having a 00:21:50.560 --> 00:21:51.300 massive argument. 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.320 It could be 00:21:52.320 --> 00:21:52.820 about anything. 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.960 The colour 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:54.220 of the 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:54.480 sheets, 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:54.919 whatever it 00:21:54.919 --> 00:21:55.139 is. 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:55.619 You're 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:55.919 having this 00:21:55.919 --> 00:21:56.279 massive 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:56.659 argument. 00:21:56.919 --> 00:21:57.399 As soon as 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:57.700 you get to 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.139 church, 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:58.960 you're putting 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.319 your happy 00:21:59.319 --> 00:21:59.720 faces. 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.000 Everything's 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.460 fine. 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:02.039 We're 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.439 Christians. 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.019 We're 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.700 wonderful 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.059 people. 00:22:04.159 --> 00:22:04.319 We're 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:04.839 always fine. 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:05.439 You go 00:22:05.439 --> 00:22:05.960 to church, 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:06.639 you pretend 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:07.299 everything is 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:07.740 fine and 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.159 normal in 00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:08.639 your house, 00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:09.339 you get 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:09.740 back in 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.579 the car and 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.099 as soon as 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.399 you're out on 00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:11.759 the street, 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.559 that argument 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.379 starts again. 00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:16.319 It's just 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:16.779 pride. 00:22:17.679 --> 00:22:18.319 It's the 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:18.839 sin of 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.339 Sardis. 00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.539 We think 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:20.960 we've got 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.460 everything 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.200 together. 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.319 We think 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:23.480 that 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:23.919 everything's 00:22:23.919 --> 00:22:24.159 fine. 00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:24.919 We don't 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:25.359 want to be 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:26.059 honest and 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.720 reveal our 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.139 sin to 00:22:27.139 --> 00:22:27.659 other people. 00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:28.779 That would 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.460 just be too 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.099 humiliating. 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.659 We think 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:32.480 we're alive, 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.079 but really 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:34.679 we're in 00:22:34.679 --> 00:22:35.319 trouble of 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:35.919 being dead 00:22:35.919 --> 00:22:37.159 because we 00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:38.039 won't confront 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.799 our own 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.019 sin. 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.220 Repent 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.119 of your 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:42.480 sin. 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.220 You don't 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:43.679 have to 00:22:43.679 --> 00:22:44.159 pretend 00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:45.319 everything is 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:45.679 alright, 00:22:45.899 --> 00:22:46.579 especially when 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.019 you come to 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.359 church. 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.159 If you can't 00:22:48.159 --> 00:22:48.559 be honest 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:48.839 with the 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.259 people at 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.659 church who 00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:50.039 go through 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.419 the same 00:22:50.419 --> 00:22:50.839 thing and 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.599 love you, 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.759 how are 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:52.939 you going 00:22:52.939 --> 00:22:53.139 to do 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:53.299 it in 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:53.599 the rest 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:53.799 of the 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.059 world? 00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:57.179 If you 00:22:57.179 --> 00:22:57.939 want to 00:22:57.939 --> 00:22:58.439 confess, 00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:58.779 you can 00:22:58.779 --> 00:22:59.159 come up 00:22:59.159 --> 00:22:59.559 the front 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.299 after church 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:01.419 and pray 00:23:01.419 --> 00:23:02.379 with us. 00:23:03.219 --> 00:23:03.579 Because 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.619 Jesus doesn't 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.339 want a 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:05.819 church who 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.699 appears healthy 00:23:06.699 --> 00:23:07.099 on the 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:07.480 outside, 00:23:07.939 --> 00:23:08.740 but he 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:10.179 wants honest 00:23:10.179 --> 00:23:11.500 people who 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.119 through his 00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:12.959 love and 00:23:12.959 --> 00:23:14.259 grace consider 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.099 their actions, 00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:16.259 consider their 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:16.759 hearts and 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.099 repent. 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:17.240 sin. 00:23:17.959 --> 00:23:18.659 They turn 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.119 away from 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:19.579 their sin. 00:23:19.899 --> 00:23:20.459 They don't 00:23:20.459 --> 00:23:20.919 just look 00:23:20.919 --> 00:23:21.439 healthy on 00:23:21.439 --> 00:23:22.000 the outside 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:22.439 but are 00:23:22.439 --> 00:23:22.939 fakes, 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.119 but are 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:24.819 honest before 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.199 God. 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.399 Let me be 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.099 completely honest 00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:28.539 with you. 00:23:29.719 --> 00:23:30.240 Removing 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.500 sin and 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.079 turning to 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:33.039 God, it's 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.779 hard. 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:35.199 It hurts. 00:23:35.879 --> 00:23:36.799 It hurts to 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:38.039 cut sin out 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.759 of our lives. 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.139 Let me tell 00:23:40.139 --> 00:23:40.839 you another 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:41.719 story from my 00:23:41.719 --> 00:23:42.339 life a little 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:42.779 bit more 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.179 recently. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.019 I'm sorry if 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.659 this feels like 00:23:44.659 --> 00:23:45.379 I'm confessing 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:46.099 all my sin to 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:46.459 you and I 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.220 just have 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:47.980 this urge 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.860 to tell you. 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:49.799 I hope you 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.279 can take 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.819 something from 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.500 the pain I've 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.000 gone through 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:54.420 and not go 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:54.759 through that 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.340 same pain 00:23:55.340 --> 00:23:55.799 yourself. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:58.059 Our household 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:59.420 is a smacking 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.000 household. 00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.200 That's for 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:02.140 Isaac, our 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:02.500 two and a 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:02.900 half year old, 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.200 not for 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.759 Tamara, the 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.100 four week 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:04.340 old. 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.259 She's perfect, 00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:05.819 she can't do 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.299 anything wrong, 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:08.000 so I'm sure 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.240 that will 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:08.579 change. 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:10.600 I'm not sure 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:10.940 what you think 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.299 of this. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.279 If it's really 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.039 an issue for 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.340 you, we can 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:13.819 talk about it 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:14.019 later. 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.200 But we 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:16.000 think with 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.599 Isaac that 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.039 it helps 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:17.400 him to 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.579 understand the 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.279 seriousness of 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:19.619 some of the 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:20.480 things he does. 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:21.380 So if he's 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:21.980 trying to put 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:22.400 his fingers 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.259 into a fan, 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:23.779 we say, 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.299 Isaac, don't 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:24.660 do that. 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:25.859 If he tries 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.160 it again, we 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:26.480 say, Isaac, 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.259 don't do that. 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.440 That will hurt 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:28.660 you. 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.400 You'll lose a 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:29.640 finger. 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.220 There'll be blood 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:30.599 everywhere. 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.680 If you do it 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.880 again, we're 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:33.339 going to smack 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:33.539 you. 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.680 If he does it 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.799 again, we smack 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:36.980 him. 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.579 It had been 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.319 working well, 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.880 but until 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:44.019 recently, when 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.960 parenting Isaac, 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:46.099 I had let 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:47.079 sin creep in. 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.180 Sin had 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:49.019 climbed in 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.779 over the 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.460 walls and 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.240 attacked the 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:51.700 way I 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.359 disciplined him. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.879 Instead of 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:54.799 smacking Isaac 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.819 out of love, 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.819 I began to 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.400 do it out of 00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.500 frustration and 00:24:59.500 --> 00:24:59.879 anger. 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.059 Things had 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:02.480 gotten more 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.139 difficult just 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:03.639 before we had 00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:03.980 Tamara. 00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:04.779 That's not an 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.299 excuse. 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.700 It's just 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.859 things had 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:08.440 tried my 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:08.920 patience 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:10.000 continually and 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:12.059 I was not 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:13.279 up to it. 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:15.160 Isaac was 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:16.079 still often 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.660 warned and 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.220 he still often 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:18.940 needed to be 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:20.059 smacked, but 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:21.460 I began to 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:21.779 let my 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.859 frustration and 00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:23.740 anger show 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.900 when I 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.500 disciplined 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:25.819 him. 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.480 I was 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.240 confronted with 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.119 my sin before 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:32.140 God and I 00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:32.640 thought, how 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.559 can I deal 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.240 with my 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.299 little son? 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.099 How can I 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.559 deal with him 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:38.240 in anger when 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:39.200 my God, my 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:39.860 father in 00:25:39.860 --> 00:25:40.279 heaven who 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.559 loves me, sent 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:42.299 his son to 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:42.940 die for me? 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.160 How can I do 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.980 that to this 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.519 little boy? 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:47.480 So I decided I 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:47.900 couldn't do it 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:48.220 anymore. 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.819 I'm taking a 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.279 time off 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:50.640 smacking. 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.420 It's much 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.019 more labor 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.519 intensive. 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.220 I told 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.980 Alyssa this. 00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.620 She had no 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:00.799 idea what had 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.360 been going on 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:01.960 inside me. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.059 My sin was 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.980 hidden even 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:05.259 from my wife, 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:07.160 but not from 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.720 my God. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.700 let's not 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.720 be a church 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:13.180 who pretends 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:14.240 everything is 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:16.400 fine, resting 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:17.160 on our 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:18.120 reputation that 00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:18.620 we have. 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.460 Yeah, we're a 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.380 church that's 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:20.660 alive. 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.220 Let's not 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.480 rest on that. 00:26:23.840 --> 00:26:24.680 Let's consider 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:26.340 our hearts and 00:26:26.340 --> 00:26:27.160 do the painful 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:27.819 work through 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.819 God's grace and 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.220 through his 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.600 spirit of 00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:31.620 cutting sin 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:32.160 out. 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.059 Watch out 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.840 for sin 00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:36.980 creeping into 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.680 your life. 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.880 watch out 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.220 for your 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:39.799 brother and 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.140 sister. 00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:41.779 If you 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.440 can't see 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:43.279 any sin in 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:43.640 your brother 00:26:43.640 --> 00:26:44.240 or sister's 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.180 life, ask 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.519 them what 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.100 they're struggling 00:26:46.100 --> 00:26:46.460 with. 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.500 What kind 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.279 of reputation 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.539 will you have 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.539 before God? 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.140 Will Jesus 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:54.900 say, you have 00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:55.700 just gone 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.160 through the 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.100 motions, you 00:26:57.100 --> 00:26:57.720 have not 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.660 loved me? 00:26:59.320 --> 00:27:00.240 Will he say 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.680 that we are a 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.340 dead church? 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.480 Or will he say, 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.440 well done, 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.279 good and 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.180 faithful servants? 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.299 God's grace. 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:09.220 Let's pray that 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.980 we would allow 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.980 God's grace to 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.039 continue to work 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:13.279 in us so that 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:13.900 we can be more 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:14.640 like him each 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:14.860 day. 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.680 Let's pray. 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:19.860 Heavenly 00:27:19.860 --> 00:27:20.420 Father, we 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:20.860 thank you for 00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:21.360 your word. 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.759 We thank you 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.660 for the 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.259 warning to 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.860 Sardis and 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:25.380 the warning 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:26.180 to us. 00:27:27.320 --> 00:27:28.080 Help us not 00:27:28.080 --> 00:27:29.400 be complacent in 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:29.960 our sin. 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.000 Help us 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.000 consider our 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.460 hearts. 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:35.500 love you 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.840 and turn 00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:37.579 aside from 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.400 everything that 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:38.900 gets in the 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.160 way. 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.600 Through your 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:41.259 son's name we 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:41.500 pray. 00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.360 Amen. 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:42.459 Amen.