WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.980 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.460 --> 00:00:13.720 I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and today you'll be hearing week 8 of our sermon series through the Book of Revelation. 00:00:14.199 --> 00:00:17.380 We've been on quite a journey through these seven churches. 00:00:17.380 --> 00:00:22.520 We started with the church in Ephesus, the church that lost its first love. 00:00:23.039 --> 00:00:27.660 Then we went to Smyrna, a church that was faithful despite persecution. 00:00:28.460 --> 00:00:31.720 Pergamum dealt with infiltration and compromise. 00:00:32.339 --> 00:00:40.079 And this last week, we were in Thyatira, looking at the danger of tolerating false teaching while still growing in love. 00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:43.719 Today, we arrive at the fifth church, Sardis. 00:00:43.879 --> 00:00:45.960 And this one hits different. 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:50.739 Sardis had something that looks and appears wonderful on the surface. 00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:54.179 In fact, this church had a reputation for being alive. 00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:58.340 People looked at this church and they probably thought, wow, they're really thriving. 00:00:58.500 --> 00:01:00.820 But the words of Christ are shocking. 00:01:00.820 --> 00:01:05.200 You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 00:01:05.939 --> 00:01:07.079 Think about that for a moment. 00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:14.599 A church can look successful, be active, and vibrant on the outside while being spiritually lifeless on the inside. 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:16.920 That's a sobering reality. 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:23.539 And it's one that every church, including our own, needs to hear and to be mindful of. 00:01:24.099 --> 00:01:26.319 Here's what makes this letter so powerful. 00:01:26.960 --> 00:01:29.400 Christ doesn't just diagnose the problem. 00:01:29.400 --> 00:01:32.900 He doesn't just say, you're dead and walk away from the church. 00:01:33.440 --> 00:01:33.680 No. 00:01:33.820 --> 00:01:40.760 In fact, he introduces himself as the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. 00:01:41.219 --> 00:01:44.340 In other words, he's saying, I have exactly what you need. 00:01:44.800 --> 00:01:45.560 I love you. 00:01:45.780 --> 00:01:48.520 And I hold the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 00:01:48.519 --> 00:01:52.759 That is the heart of the message. 00:01:52.759 --> 00:01:56.179 It's not condemnation for the sake of condemnation. 00:01:56.640 --> 00:02:05.599 It is a wake-up call from Jesus Christ, our loving Savior, who wants to breathe new life back into this church. 00:02:05.599 --> 00:02:15.180 Christ is providing a clear path forward, a way back from spiritual death to genuine, spirit-filled life. 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:19.699 And this sermon will challenge you to ask some honest questions. 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:21.819 Am I just going through the motions? 00:02:21.819 --> 00:02:24.719 Or am I truly alive in Christ? 00:02:25.239 --> 00:02:27.840 Are my good works flowing from the Holy Spirit? 00:02:28.180 --> 00:02:30.900 Or am I operating on my own strength? 00:02:31.519 --> 00:02:35.939 And most importantly, what does it mean to wake up spiritually? 00:02:35.939 --> 00:02:44.560 If you've ever felt like your faith has become routine, or if you've noticed that the passion and joy you once had seems distant, 00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:52.240 or if you're just simply ready for a fresh movement of the Holy Spirit in your own life, then this message is for you. 00:02:52.919 --> 00:02:54.819 One more thing before we dive in. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:03:01.079 As you listen, pay attention to the connection between Revelation and the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. 00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:09.960 There is this beautiful thread, this connection, that ties together Christ's identity in Revelation with the ancient prophecy about the Messiah. 00:03:10.320 --> 00:03:14.939 It's going to open up Scripture in a whole new and life-giving way. 00:03:15.480 --> 00:03:17.760 Let's listen together to today's message. 00:03:18.300 --> 00:03:21.560 Wake up, strengthen, and walk in white. 00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:24.900 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:03:27.480 --> 00:03:29.260 I didn't hear you very well. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:29.939 All right. 00:03:30.239 --> 00:03:31.280 Well, it's great to hear you. 00:03:31.359 --> 00:03:33.399 I was like, it's a little bit quiet this morning. 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:34.620 That's all right. 00:03:34.659 --> 00:03:35.799 You guys are waking up. 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:39.899 And we just had that interactive reading where it was talking about being awake. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:45.199 So not only is it talking about being alert, but we also got to have a little fun here where we're talking about, 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:47.719 let's literally be awake here at this time. 00:03:48.079 --> 00:03:52.379 Let's turn our Bibles to Revelation chapter 3 here. 00:03:52.379 --> 00:03:55.560 We're continuing our sermon series through the book of Revelation. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:03:59.019 As we have been going through the seven churches in Revelation, 00:03:59.020 --> 00:04:03.100 it's important for us to know that these are not only historical churches, 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:06.140 but they are situations for us to learn from, 00:04:06.540 --> 00:04:12.160 that we can see specific situations these churches went through, 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:14.000 and we have to be mindful of them. 00:04:14.219 --> 00:04:17.780 We have to be alert in this specific context. 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:22.199 We find that when Christ is speaking to these seven churches, 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:24.000 he is establishing his authority. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:26.259 He also establishes his comfort. 00:04:26.259 --> 00:04:30.339 I mean, when we went through the church in Ephesus that lost its first love, 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:31.860 the church in Smyrna, right? 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:34.939 The church that was essentially the suffering church. 00:04:35.039 --> 00:04:36.740 Then we had infiltration. 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:40.259 This last week, we went over Thyatira, where we talked about... 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:42.920 Excuse me. 00:04:42.980 --> 00:04:45.500 Yeah, we went over Thyatira, and now we're in Sardis. 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:49.379 It's very interesting to see how the Word of God, 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:51.060 it speaks to us. 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:52.319 There's so much connections. 00:04:52.579 --> 00:04:54.300 There's context that we have to consider, 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:56.199 as well as the culture at hand. 00:04:56.659 --> 00:05:01.000 So we're going to go ahead and read from Revelation 3, verses 1 through 6. 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:01.980 Are we all there, church? 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:03.459 Yes, all right. 00:05:03.519 --> 00:05:05.579 So we're going to go ahead and read together. 00:05:05.579 --> 00:05:08.279 To the church in Sardis, let's read. 00:05:08.860 --> 00:05:11.719 And to the angel of the church in Sardis, write, 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:16.800 the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. 00:05:16.880 --> 00:05:18.000 That's very important, church. 00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:19.800 I know your works. 00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:23.180 You have the reputation of being alive, but you are what? 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:24.580 You are dead. 00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:29.340 Wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die, 00:05:29.580 --> 00:05:33.920 for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 00:05:34.580 --> 00:05:37.600 Remember, then, what you received and heard. 00:05:38.140 --> 00:05:39.180 Keep it and what? 00:05:39.780 --> 00:05:40.340 Depends. 00:05:40.339 --> 00:05:44.439 If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, 00:05:44.839 --> 00:05:47.759 and you will not know what hour I will come against you. 00:05:48.239 --> 00:05:51.179 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, 00:05:51.579 --> 00:05:54.159 people who have not soiled their garments, 00:05:54.759 --> 00:05:58.839 and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:03.339 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, 00:06:03.659 --> 00:06:06.639 and I will never blot his name out of what? 00:06:07.059 --> 00:06:08.439 The book of life. 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:12.719 I will confess his name before my father and before his angels. 00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:17.899 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:06:18.660 --> 00:06:19.259 Wow. 00:06:19.620 --> 00:06:21.120 Six verses here. 00:06:21.240 --> 00:06:23.459 We already have a lot of depth that's going on. 00:06:23.459 --> 00:06:27.680 So, we begin off where Christ is introducing himself, 00:06:27.799 --> 00:06:31.219 like he introduces himself to all of these churches here. 00:06:31.799 --> 00:06:34.039 But it's interesting, we see right away, 00:06:34.739 --> 00:06:38.859 the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. 00:06:39.419 --> 00:06:43.639 Well, when we've looked previously, the seven stars is representing the, 00:06:43.779 --> 00:06:45.620 you have the messengers, right? 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:48.299 You have the churches talking about the completedness, right? 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:50.340 That Christ has the authority, right? 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:53.520 We know that seven is a representation of completedness. 00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:55.720 What about seven spirits, though? 00:06:56.300 --> 00:06:59.900 You read that, you're thinking, well, what in the world are these seven spirits? 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:01.819 What is going on here? 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:05.100 Because we know that as Christians, we have the triune God, 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:06.740 the Father, Son, and the Spirit. 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:09.180 What about these seven here? 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:10.519 These seven spirits here? 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:13.980 It's talking about the completedness of the Holy Spirit. 00:07:13.980 --> 00:07:17.580 And I actually want to go ahead and go to, there's a scripture in there, Mateo. 00:07:18.280 --> 00:07:20.400 It's from Isaiah in here. 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:22.120 And I want to show you this from the get-go, 00:07:22.200 --> 00:07:25.120 because this is something that is very amazing here. 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:28.540 It's a connection with Isaiah chapter 12, verses 1 through 2. 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:31.319 Some of you may know this verse right off the bat, right? 00:07:31.720 --> 00:07:35.200 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse and a branch. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:36.500 You guys remember this one, right? 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:40.439 When we're talking about the Christmas season, the Advent season, right? 00:07:40.439 --> 00:07:43.960 It's talking about how Christ is going to come from, right? 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:45.580 The bloodline that's happening. 00:07:46.200 --> 00:07:47.819 What about that next verse there? 00:07:48.840 --> 00:07:52.000 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, right? 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:55.660 It's talking about how Christ is going to have the Holy Spirit, 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:58.560 the fullness of the seven spirits. 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:02.060 In other words, we have lots of qualities of ourselves, right? 00:08:02.100 --> 00:08:03.120 We're not just angry. 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:04.120 We're not just sad. 00:08:04.220 --> 00:08:05.560 We're not just happy individuals. 00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:07.720 There's a lot that's to us personally. 00:08:07.780 --> 00:08:10.300 In the same way, when it comes to the Holy Spirit, 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:15.620 there's lots of attributes, lots of descriptions of the Holy Spirit. 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:20.879 And we see that this connection in Revelation is what is connected in Isaiah. 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:22.960 The Spirit of the Lord, right? 00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:23.720 So there's one. 00:08:24.400 --> 00:08:30.280 Wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:34.879 These are all describing the completedness of the Holy Spirit. 00:08:34.959 --> 00:08:35.919 Let me repeat that again. 00:08:36.419 --> 00:08:38.439 It's not seven spirits. 00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:44.819 It's seven attributes, seven descriptions that are talking about the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:45.539 Can I get an amen? 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:46.819 Do you understand? 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:51.800 Again, this is showing the different attributes, the descriptions of the Holy Spirit. 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:57.120 And it's beautiful language when you see that Christ is talking to this church in Sardis. 00:08:57.260 --> 00:09:04.260 Because Christ is providing this church that is seemingly dead, seemingly dying, 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:08.860 and is going to provide the Holy Spirit as the helper, as the comforter. 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:11.200 We see that these seven words, right? 00:09:11.260 --> 00:09:12.920 The Spirit of the Lord, right? 00:09:12.919 --> 00:09:17.979 It's talking about the presence of the Lord, the presence of the Holy Spirit, right? 00:09:18.079 --> 00:09:21.079 When we think about our Lord and our God, the triune God, 00:09:21.079 --> 00:09:27.579 how important it is for the Lord, the Holy Spirit, to be here in this place, 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:28.839 much like any other church. 00:09:28.939 --> 00:09:29.979 That's so important. 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:35.519 The other one, the Spirit of wisdom, seeing things from God's perspective, right? 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:39.179 And God's perspective is beyond our understanding, right? 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:42.439 Sometimes we get insight from the Lord, the wisdom of God. 00:09:42.919 --> 00:09:44.039 That is beyond us. 00:09:44.500 --> 00:09:47.279 And it's like, wow, what amazing insight, right? 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:49.979 We have the spirit of understanding, right? 00:09:50.079 --> 00:09:52.939 Which is comprehending the deeper things of God. 00:09:53.339 --> 00:09:58.439 In doing the research on this, in reading of Revelation chapter 3, 00:09:58.439 --> 00:10:02.639 when we're talking about these different numbers and symbols and whatnot, 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:04.240 it can be very confusing. 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:09.679 And it's important for us to come to the Lord and ask that we can have that spirit of understanding, 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:14.039 to understand the word of God and how it is connected within each other. 00:10:14.439 --> 00:10:16.479 We have the spirit of counsel, right? 00:10:17.099 --> 00:10:21.099 That's also important, to be guided in the direction and the will of God. 00:10:21.299 --> 00:10:25.439 The spirit of might, the power and the courage to follow God's direction, right? 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:29.500 We need to boldly go out and follow in the footsteps of Christ. 00:10:29.739 --> 00:10:31.259 The spirit of knowledge, right? 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:36.720 Where the Lord, the Holy Spirit knows our hearts and our intentions. 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:43.399 And he shows us how we can respond to a closer encounter and deeper relationship with him. 00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:45.860 And then, of course, the fear of the Lord, right? 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:47.980 You see that in the Old Testament very often, 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:51.919 which is talking about the awe and the wonder of our Lord and our God. 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:54.379 So these are the seven spirits here. 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:58.840 Let's go to the observation, the what is happening here, right? 00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:01.019 So going back to the text, right? 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:04.519 Christ is establishing himself as the authority, 00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:08.920 but also he's providing the Holy Spirit to this church that is dying. 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:11.480 This church that is seemingly dead. 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:13.639 That is an amazing thing. 00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:15.980 We can think even of how in Scripture, 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:24.019 how many of you remember in Scripture how Christ will seek after the lost sheep, right? 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:27.200 Many of us, we see that as an individual person. 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:33.540 And here we're seeing a situation where Christ is providing help and aid for a church. 00:11:34.300 --> 00:11:39.820 And that's a beautiful thing that God provides what we need if we are a dying church. 00:11:39.920 --> 00:11:40.680 May that never be. 00:11:40.780 --> 00:11:43.500 May we be a alive church, an alert church. 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:48.120 And may we be having the fullness of the spirit in this church. 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:51.519 But just to know how wonderful that is, 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:57.620 that Jesus Christ provides the Holy Spirit into churches that are dying, 00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:59.159 especially like what's happening here. 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:02.080 So Christ is speaking to the church in Sardis. 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:07.860 So the church then is known for, and we're going into verse 1 and 2, right? 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:08.879 I know your works. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:10.740 I know the things that you do. 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:13.860 You have a reputation for being alive. 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:15.840 Well, that's good to be known, right? 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:18.460 To be known as an alive church, right? 00:12:18.980 --> 00:12:20.820 We think of churches that are thriving, 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:23.000 and there's so many wonderful things that are happening. 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:24.919 But wait a minute. 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:27.060 What's it say? 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:31.820 You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead? 00:12:31.820 --> 00:12:40.660 Well, the important thing about this is that appearances are not everything, right? 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:42.800 We may see, you may know someone, 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:46.620 that it looks like everything is going well on the outside, 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:49.160 but on the inside something is going very differently. 00:12:49.920 --> 00:12:51.680 Well, when we think of individual people, 00:12:51.680 --> 00:12:56.260 we have to think of this church where it appears everything is going good on the outside. 00:12:56.380 --> 00:12:58.660 But what is happening on the inside, right? 00:12:58.659 --> 00:13:02.019 So we have that that's going on. 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:04.360 Verse 2 then. 00:13:06.339 --> 00:13:08.819 Wake up and strengthen what remains. 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:10.379 To wake up. 00:13:10.959 --> 00:13:14.980 Not only is it speaking of an awakening, but it is to be alert. 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:16.339 Pay attention. 00:13:17.059 --> 00:13:18.199 To keep watch. 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:19.079 Right? 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:20.959 To wake up and to strengthen, right? 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:23.439 Is to make firm, to solidify. 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:28.420 In other words, this church needs to pay attention and see, 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:32.680 to allow for the Holy Spirit to work in and through it. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:33.540 Right? 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:36.320 There's a lot of good things that churches can do. 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:43.060 Even nowadays, we have got to have the leading and the guiding of the Holy Spirit. 00:13:43.760 --> 00:13:46.900 That's very powerful and it's an important reminder for us. 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:49.260 We think about these things. 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:54.939 Wake up and strengthen what remains and it is about to die. 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:57.259 That's some harsh language. 00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:59.159 Let's be honest here. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:02.860 But yet, Christ is providing a way, right? 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:06.960 So Christ is commanding to wake up and strengthen their works. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:08.360 It says in the text here, 00:14:09.059 --> 00:14:13.080 I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:20.500 So their works are incomplete before God because they're missing the spiritual aspect for the good things that they're doing. 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.420 That's important. 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:25.600 To be led by the triune God. 00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:28.740 To be led by the Holy Spirit to do good works. 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:31.920 Let the Spirit flow through you. 00:14:32.300 --> 00:14:33.840 That's important for us. 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:36.820 And so it goes on then. 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:42.360 And then we see here, Christ is actually providing a path here. 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:47.340 If we look back at verse 3, the first word it says there is to remember. 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:50.580 Remember then what you have received and heard. 00:14:50.660 --> 00:14:52.600 So how do you become more alert? 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:55.640 How do you have an awakening as it were? 00:14:56.520 --> 00:14:58.840 Remember what you have received and heard. 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:03.000 Hearing the word of God, the gospel message. 00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:05.400 To be reminded of these things. 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:07.740 How many of you have seen that movie? 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:10.079 It's been around for many years. 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:14.459 If you haven't seen it, your homework is to go home and watch The Lion King. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.879 How many of you guys have seen that? 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:19.179 You all should be raising your hand, especially you guys online. 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:20.459 You've seen The Lion King. 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:28.179 And you see that scene where Simba's dad is coming out and he's saying, 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.799 Remember who you are. 00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:34.120 And it's such a powerful scene where it's like, man, you've got the music going on. 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:39.399 And it's this call to remember who he is because he kind of ran off, right? 00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:41.139 He ran away. 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:45.860 Now he finds his friends with lots of songs and singing and dancing and growing up for sure. 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:49.399 But that scene, that call to remember who he is. 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:55.419 We can see that as an echo, kind of as an example of what we're seeing, what Christ is saying for this church. 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:57.919 To remember the gospel message. 00:15:58.579 --> 00:16:00.279 Remember the main thing. 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:05.000 The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the thing that we should not forget. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:09.699 And unfortunately, very unfortunate, that is what they were forgetting. 00:16:10.319 --> 00:16:11.719 The basic things. 00:16:12.219 --> 00:16:13.360 The fundamental things. 00:16:13.819 --> 00:16:15.339 The things that matter the most. 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:19.860 Is that this church is to believe in the gospel message. 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:20.440 Sardis. 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:22.460 We also think of us today. 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:25.280 We are to not forget that gospel message, right? 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:27.340 To remember then what you've received, right? 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:29.480 We receive salvation from Jesus Christ. 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.800 And what we have heard. 00:16:31.040 --> 00:16:32.600 The message of Jesus Christ. 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:32.879 Amen. 00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:34.420 Does that make sense? 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:34.960 Right? 00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:37.700 So the next thing then is to keep it. 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:38.780 Right? 00:16:39.339 --> 00:16:44.659 It's just like how we've talked about so much in scripture is to let the light shine, right? 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:47.059 We're going to let the light of Christ shine. 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:49.759 We're going to hold dear to our salvation. 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:52.759 We're going to hold dear into what we have been taught. 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:55.959 So that we don't forget who we are in Christ. 00:16:55.959 --> 00:16:57.439 That we are a new creation. 00:16:57.860 --> 00:17:01.120 That God is setting us on this path to become more like him. 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:05.740 We're talking not only about spiritual transformation, but life transformation. 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:12.200 That happens here on the earth, but God continues to mold us every single day to be more like him. 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:14.200 And I don't know about you. 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:18.420 That is such an important and incredible thing that happens from the Lord. 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:21.480 That we go through this sense of transformation. 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:25.039 And so in here, keep it, right? 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:28.319 To remember, to keep, and to repent. 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.579 Now that's kind of an interesting one. 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:31.279 Why is that showing up there? 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:36.920 We have to remember the word, the importance of the word repentance. 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:41.599 Metanoia, metanoeo, is to change your mind. 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:48.160 Before you become a Christian, your mind is to be changed about who Jesus Christ is. 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:51.279 That he is more than just a cool teacher with long hair. 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:57.960 That he's not just a guru that is walking around the Middle East with sandals. 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:59.980 That he's Savior. 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.539 That he's Lord. 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:04.140 That he is the way, the truth, and the life. 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:06.700 Talk about a changing of your mind. 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:10.900 That is when we receive salvation, but it doesn't stop there. 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:13.660 We continue to repent. 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:19.360 Our minds, our hearts are to continue to be changed. 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:25.480 They are to continue to be transformed as we are being more molded. 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:27.799 And that's so important, right? 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:29.400 So remember who you are. 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:31.079 Remember what you have received. 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.860 Hold fast to it. 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.420 Remain in Christ. 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:38.360 And to continue to repent in here. 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:40.559 That's so important for us. 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:45.099 And then finally, in here there's a... 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:46.640 I don't have that on the slide here. 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:51.220 If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief. 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:55.519 You've probably heard that in Rihanna songs, but it's actually from scripture, right? 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.920 Like a thief in the night. 00:18:56.980 --> 00:19:01.380 I know that's a lyric that pops up every so often in pop culture, but it's a biblical one. 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:01.920 So you know what? 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:03.039 Hey, we're going to take it, right? 00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:04.279 It's so important. 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.839 Coming like a thief. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:11.220 That it's important for us to know that Christ will come at an hour that we do not know. 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.240 And that's important for us. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:16.380 Especially when we're looking at the end times. 00:19:16.380 --> 00:19:23.840 When we're looking at Revelation, you see all of these news articles and these blog posts and these social media influencers who are saying, 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:29.280 the end of the world is going to happen on August 15th, 2027. 00:19:30.100 --> 00:19:30.440 What? 00:19:30.760 --> 00:19:31.120 No. 00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:32.240 Right? 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:34.380 One of my favorite... 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:36.940 And maybe one day I'll show you the book. 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:42.240 There's a book that I was shown a couple years ago where it says, 00:19:42.520 --> 00:19:46.020 88 Reasons Why Christ Will Come Back in 1988. 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:51.460 And I imagine the sale for that book was really through the roof in 1987. 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:53.940 I don't know about what happened in 1988. 00:19:54.540 --> 00:19:57.120 If you have a copy of the book, I'd like to have it. 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:59.460 You know, I'd like to actually read what these 88 Reasons are. 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:02.440 And you know, the heart is there, right? 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:04.100 To be alert. 00:20:04.280 --> 00:20:05.280 To be prepared. 00:20:05.780 --> 00:20:07.400 For the return of Christ. 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:09.200 For the end of the world. 00:20:09.320 --> 00:20:11.280 That's something that we should prepare for. 00:20:11.520 --> 00:20:14.280 But the important thing is we don't know the time and the hour. 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:16.720 And we find that so much in Scripture. 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.519 No one knows the time. 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:20.539 We can't predict it. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:26.960 But we still have to live in preparation and anticipation for Christ's return. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:34.000 And so in this, he's saying, hey, look, if you will not wake up, if you won't pay attention, 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:38.640 if you won't let the Spirit of God enter into this church, I will come like a thief. 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:45.280 That's speaking of this Son of Man coming at an unknown hour. 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:48.620 We have then the promise. 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:53.060 The white garments and the book of life. 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:55.080 Where it says in verse 4, 00:20:56.080 --> 00:20:59.880 Yet you still have a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments. 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:04.700 And they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:06.160 That's kind of interesting. 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:09.980 You get this kind of image of wearing white robes, right? 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:17.000 You think of like in the 1990s when all of the boy bands were singing and dancing and they were wearing all white, right? 00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:20.440 Or you can think of gospel singers or whatever it may be. 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:27.480 You don't want to have, you know, a red wine stain or a grease stain on that, right? 00:21:27.620 --> 00:21:32.300 And so this kind of image that we're thinking about is, it's a very real image. 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:35.359 They're not staining their clothes, so to speak. 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:37.259 They are walking in white. 00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:40.019 They are walking with the Lord. 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:44.700 And that kind of imagery we see throughout Scripture, right? 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:48.500 The notion of filthy rags, right? 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.960 Or dirty clothing. 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:55.200 And how Christ makes that article of clothing white again. 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:57.799 Now, I don't know about you. 00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:00.420 You guys are doing laundry. 00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:02.779 Don't you hate when you have a stain? 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:05.539 I have a shirt. 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:07.819 It used to be one of my favorite shirts. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:11.380 I could not for the life of me get that stain out. 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.920 I had to get rid of that shirt. 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.940 And it's the worst thing, right? 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:22.559 When we're living every day and you're like, man, I don't know who or where, who put that pen in there? 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:27.420 It had to have been my kids or it could have been silly me, right? 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:31.940 Or I don't know how my clothes look like that when I'm washing it. 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:39.019 But we think of this imagery, though, of dirty clothes, as it were, and being clean once again. 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:40.700 That imagery of white. 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:51.500 And so in this, being clothed in white and the name not being blotted from the book, that's such a powerful imagery, right? 00:22:52.080 --> 00:22:55.299 You think when you go to a wedding, right? 00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:57.400 You're going to a wedding feast, as it were. 00:22:58.340 --> 00:23:00.980 I mean, I hope you write your name in the book, right? 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:03.819 Someone who's visiting and celebrating. 00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:07.900 To have your name written in the book is something of great significance. 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:16.100 We think of that in our own everyday culture, but we also have to think of the importance of having our name written in the book of life and that it won't be blotted out. 00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:19.380 What powerful and beautiful language. 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:26.360 And then further in there, where Christ will confess his name before the Father and angels. 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:29.360 Now that's pretty powerful stuff, right? 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:30.900 Can you think about that? 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:37.400 An imagery where Christ is saying, this person is dressed in white. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:40.400 Their name is written in the book of life. 00:23:40.820 --> 00:23:42.460 Let's celebrate that together. 00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:46.180 What an amazing cause for celebration. 00:23:47.040 --> 00:23:49.220 We have to think of that kind of imagery. 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:58.720 And how important it is for us to allow for the Holy Spirit to work in and through us, right? 00:23:58.720 --> 00:24:01.220 So what do we do with this? 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:03.480 Let's go to the interpretation slide. 00:24:04.600 --> 00:24:07.039 The lessons that we can learn, right? 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:09.279 Is doing good works. 00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:11.079 It's good to do good things. 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:14.339 But we need to be led by the Spirit, right? 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:19.279 The leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit in doing good in the name of Christ. 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:25.099 Just asking the Holy Spirit to be with us as we minister to people. 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.799 As we speak to people. 00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:30.899 As we live our lives in honoring and glorifying the Lord. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:33.740 We have got to have the Spirit. 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:39.180 So Sardis looked alive, but they lacked the movement of the Spirit of God. 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:48.720 And the same way, I pray that for our church and for really every church to be led by the Spirit when we do good. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:55.380 And it's important for us to know that Christ acknowledges the outward and the inward appearance. 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:56.559 Right? 00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:58.400 God knows our heart. 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.299 How is your heart? 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:02.140 How is it towards the Lord? 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:09.940 A lot of us, you know, for some of us, you may have been raised in dressing in your Sunday best, right? 00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:12.299 The appearance has got to look good, right? 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:16.579 You're going to have the sense of reverence before the Lord, and that's a good thing. 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:20.859 But you also have to equally ask yourself, how is your heart before the Lord? 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:24.139 How is your inward state before Christ? 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.899 That's an important thing. 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:30.259 May we as a church and as individuals be alert. 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:35.639 And may there be a spiritual awakening, a leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. 00:25:36.439 --> 00:25:38.199 And may we be strengthened in that. 00:25:38.699 --> 00:25:42.319 Building upon the foundation that exists in Christ. 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:49.019 So, ask yourself the question then, have I been doing good without the Spirit? 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:51.980 Only you can answer that, but something to think about. 00:25:52.919 --> 00:25:58.259 The second thing then is awakening requires us to what, church? 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:02.259 Remember, keep, and repent, right? 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:05.500 Remember what you have received, the gospel, right? 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:09.019 Keep what you have in your heart, trust and follow in the Lord. 00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:17.839 And to repent is to continue to be transformed and to continue to change your mind as you journey in faith. 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:26.180 I want to show you, there's a, our next slide here is from Psalm 119, verses 55 through 60. 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:28.440 And this is actually, this is very interesting. 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:35.059 We see in here, the psalmist is showing this pattern here. 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:42.200 I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law. 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:46.440 This blessing is falling to me that I have kept your precepts. 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:48.500 The Lord is my portion. 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:51.740 I promise to keep your words, right? 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:55.720 Verse 58, I entreat your favor with all my heart. 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:58.420 Be gracious to me according to your promise. 00:26:58.860 --> 00:27:00.880 And when I think on my ways, right? 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:04.120 Remember, metanoia, the changing of mind. 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:09.360 When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies. 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:15.200 So not only is it the changing of mind, but it is the action that is upon the changing, right? 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:19.759 Many of us, we might have heard repentance as you've got to turn. 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:24.019 I've heard some people use the language of it's got to be a spiritual U-turn, right? 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:26.299 Well, this, we see both of them happening. 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:28.779 The changing of the mind and the turning of your feet. 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:37.799 So this language, what we see in this psalm is this happening in Scripture in the Old Testament. 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:40.559 I just thought that was very interesting in there. 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:45.539 And so going back to the interpretation, right? 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:53.259 Let us, if we are spiritually dead or dying, but yet we're still doing good things, 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.159 may we remember the gospel. 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:58.339 May we remember who we are in Christ. 00:27:59.319 --> 00:28:02.039 May we keep what we have in our heart and not forget it. 00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:06.920 You know, sometimes when you see someone that you know is a Christian, 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:08.779 but yet they're so bitter and angry. 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:13.200 They have this sense of like, what happened to you? 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:17.960 Maybe if you have been in that situation or you know someone, 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:21.799 maybe it's a call for them to remember who they are. 00:28:22.380 --> 00:28:26.039 Because I can tell you, when someone becomes a Christian, 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.700 a brand new believer in Christ, 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:30.920 the excitement, the enthusiasm, 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:33.500 the simplicity, 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:36.319 when they say things like, 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:38.900 I know that Jesus saved me. 00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:41.519 I know that Jesus loves me. 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:44.100 It's just simple. 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:49.680 But yet there's such enthusiasm and such love and dedication toward the Lord. 00:28:49.780 --> 00:28:52.180 May we never go and forget that. 00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:54.400 How much the Lord loves us. 00:28:55.060 --> 00:28:58.620 And I think very often we do have that tendency to forget. 00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:02.640 Because we get bombarded by the culture in which we live in. 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:05.900 We get bombarded by the news media and experiences 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:08.360 and sin that happens in the world. 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:10.980 But how important it is for us to remember 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:13.080 the greatest love 00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:15.940 in this earth and beyond 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:18.240 is the love that Christ has for you. 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:20.259 May we never forget that. 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:23.800 May we never forget the salvation that Christ has for us. 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:25.560 And let us keep it in our heart. 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.120 May we trust and follow. 00:29:27.540 --> 00:29:30.519 May we continue to change our mind. 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.700 May God comfort us. 00:29:33.320 --> 00:29:34.860 May God be there with us. 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:39.879 Because it takes a lot for us to realize 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:43.740 God will never fail us. 00:29:44.479 --> 00:29:45.819 Even though people do. 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:51.219 That leads us to the third one 00:29:51.219 --> 00:29:53.519 where it says that overcomers 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.939 are clothed, 00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:56.619 written, 00:29:57.399 --> 00:29:58.679 and confessed with Christ. 00:30:02.979 --> 00:30:04.639 Can we go back to that slide? 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:11.839 real quick. There we go. Clothed, written, and confessed with Christ. Christ's honor, 00:30:12.219 --> 00:30:18.399 Christ honors those who remain faithful to him. They will be clothed in white. 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:25.979 We think of that language. We think of the victory in Christ, the celebration 00:30:25.979 --> 00:30:33.339 and being with him, but also the sense of purity. What beautiful language, right? 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:40.019 Okay, that's the clothing. The other one is names being written securely in the book of life 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:47.339 and being confessed with Christ. Again, I can't help but think about what that would be like 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:54.799 to have Christ himself confess your name in front of the angels and before the father. 00:30:54.799 --> 00:31:00.539 This public acknowledgement, as it were, that's a crazy thought for sure. 00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:09.339 But we also have these promises, these clean garments. I want to show you this next slide here. 00:31:10.879 --> 00:31:12.659 It's from Zechariah. 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:22.539 And this is interesting because this is showing very similarly what we're going over. 00:31:23.159 --> 00:31:26.859 Joshua was standing before the angel. What was he clothed with? 00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:32.899 Filthy garments, right? The angel said to those who were standing before him, 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:40.079 remove the filthy garments from him. And he said to him, behold, this is important. 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:47.399 I have taken your iniquity away from you and I will clothe you with pure vestments. 00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:49.500 Isn't that interesting? 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:56.960 And I said, let him put on a clean turban on his head. So they put on a clean turban on his head 00:31:56.960 --> 00:32:04.480 and clothed him with garments. The sense of purity, the sense of cleanliness, as it were. 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:12.360 Let us not forget when we think of garments that are filthy, it's a representation of sin. 00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:18.379 And to be clothed in white is the iniquity being removed. 00:32:19.919 --> 00:32:23.039 What a beautiful language we can think of. 00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:25.979 That God cleans us, as it were. 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:29.500 And so, in this, 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:33.339 how do we live this out? 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:36.159 This goes to our application then. 00:32:36.160 --> 00:32:38.620 How should we then live? 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:43.720 Well, the first thing and foremost, I always preach and teach here. 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:47.920 The most important thing that you can do is to believe in the Lord. 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:50.200 Believe in the Lord and be saved. 00:32:50.360 --> 00:32:52.920 Believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:55.540 And to be born again in the Spirit. 00:32:55.640 --> 00:32:57.100 When you think of the Gospel of John, 00:32:57.480 --> 00:33:00.300 you have the scene of Nicodemus where he's asking, 00:33:00.580 --> 00:33:01.920 how can someone be born again? 00:33:02.820 --> 00:33:03.019 Right? 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:04.840 And Christ answers by saying, 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:07.340 you're going to be born of flesh and of spirit. 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:09.180 So that's why you put, 00:33:09.580 --> 00:33:10.340 that's why I put, 00:33:10.600 --> 00:33:13.539 believe in the Lord and be born again in the Spirit. 00:33:14.420 --> 00:33:14.940 Right? 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:16.420 That's so important for us. 00:33:18.160 --> 00:33:21.800 Let the seven-fold Spirit guide you. 00:33:24.620 --> 00:33:26.340 That's leading us to the second one. 00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:26.620 Right? 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:28.560 To grow in Christ and to be led. 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:30.779 When we talked about, 00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:32.799 can we go back to that Isaiah thing? 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:34.139 Isaiah verse? 00:33:36.659 --> 00:33:38.700 We look at these languages, 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:41.839 these words describing the seven-fold, 00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:42.519 right? 00:33:43.159 --> 00:33:43.980 The descriptions, 00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:45.899 the attributes of the Holy Spirit. 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:51.960 This should help us not only grow in understanding the Word of God, 00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:56.259 but understanding how the Spirit will comfort us, 00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:58.819 be there with us as a helper. 00:33:59.759 --> 00:33:59.940 Right? 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:04.059 The Spirit of the Lord is God's presence, 00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:04.380 right? 00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.559 As I was mentioning, 00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:06.000 wisdom, 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.019 God's perspective, 00:34:07.019 --> 00:34:11.599 these are different things that help us in our growth journey. 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:15.279 May you consider 00:34:15.279 --> 00:34:19.659 how the Spirit of God is going to help you 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:22.460 grow in your faith to become more like Christ. 00:34:23.259 --> 00:34:24.559 It really is beautiful. 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:24.860 I mean, 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:25.159 you can, 00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:27.420 we can just leave this up here, 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:27.759 right? 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.799 And think about these things. 00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:32.880 Encountering God deeply, 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:35.659 being guided in God's will, 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:38.519 understanding the deeper things of God. 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:40.639 all of these things. 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:43.679 And how would we understand it 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:46.199 if we didn't look towards Isaiah? 00:34:47.139 --> 00:34:47.940 We would just say, 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.199 okay, 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:49.179 it's the seven spirits, 00:34:49.179 --> 00:34:50.039 and then move on. 00:34:50.139 --> 00:34:52.420 But there's so much more depth in that. 00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:54.619 And so, 00:34:54.719 --> 00:34:56.539 these are the qualities that Sardis lacks, 00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:59.679 and these are the qualities that Christ brings to churches, 00:34:59.759 --> 00:35:02.659 but also brings to us as individuals. 00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:04.739 And we praise God for that. 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:05.940 Can we get an amen on that? 00:35:06.340 --> 00:35:06.880 I mean, 00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:08.199 how powerful is that? 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:10.159 And so, 00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:12.039 ask yourself, 00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:18.199 how can the sevenfold Spirit lead me to grow in Christ? 00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:19.699 Right? 00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:20.900 Believe in the Lord, 00:35:21.019 --> 00:35:21.480 grow in Him. 00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:23.579 Let's go back to that application slide then. 00:35:24.719 --> 00:35:25.599 And finally, 00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:27.320 as I've always mentioned, 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:28.800 do good in the name of Christ. 00:35:29.699 --> 00:35:31.500 I've said that so many times here. 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:35.360 But may you be led by the Spirit in doing so. 00:35:35.360 --> 00:35:37.000 Because sometimes, 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:38.500 sometimes as you're doing good, 00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:42.000 the Spirit of God is going to have you talk to a specific person, 00:35:42.440 --> 00:35:44.059 saying a specific thing. 00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:45.059 Right? 00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:46.260 Or, 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.680 sometimes, 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:49.840 someone will come to you 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:51.940 out of the blue. 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:54.200 I remember when, 00:35:55.200 --> 00:35:56.240 many years ago, 00:35:56.320 --> 00:35:57.139 when Amber and I, 00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:59.300 when we were in California, 00:35:59.860 --> 00:36:02.019 we had made many friends at this church. 00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:03.099 It doesn't exist anymore. 00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:05.579 It was called Temple Baptist Church of Fullerton. 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.940 And unfortunately, 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:08.960 the church did die. 00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:10.299 It's no longer, 00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:12.420 and a very tragic thing that had happened. 00:36:13.819 --> 00:36:14.980 One of the members, 00:36:16.099 --> 00:36:16.960 if I call her out, 00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:17.400 she'll probably, 00:36:17.880 --> 00:36:18.079 she'll, 00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:18.900 knowing her, 00:36:18.980 --> 00:36:20.440 she'll probably watch this. 00:36:21.400 --> 00:36:22.619 She knows who she is. 00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:26.159 Came 00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:27.900 here 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:30.259 when I first started preaching. 00:36:30.260 --> 00:36:33.400 very, 00:36:33.680 --> 00:36:36.180 not a lot of communication, 00:36:36.900 --> 00:36:39.220 but knew enough to 00:36:39.220 --> 00:36:42.240 feel moved by the Spirit 00:36:42.240 --> 00:36:43.420 to get in a car 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:44.880 and come all the way over here 00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:47.520 to see when I first started preaching here. 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.760 And it was 00:36:50.760 --> 00:36:52.160 an incredible thing. 00:36:52.240 --> 00:36:52.460 I'm like, 00:36:52.520 --> 00:36:54.100 that was a movement of the Spirit, 00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:54.960 especially when 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:56.680 she came up to me and said, 00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:58.640 look at how God 00:36:58.639 --> 00:36:59.819 continues to work 00:36:59.819 --> 00:37:01.420 even though our church doesn't exist. 00:37:02.179 --> 00:37:03.159 Now that hit me. 00:37:03.819 --> 00:37:04.799 And that brought tears 00:37:04.799 --> 00:37:05.539 to my eyes. 00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:07.579 Because I remember 00:37:07.579 --> 00:37:09.539 how difficult it was 00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:11.799 with the death of a church. 00:37:12.619 --> 00:37:13.239 But yet, 00:37:13.339 --> 00:37:13.960 those friendships, 00:37:14.219 --> 00:37:14.940 those relationships 00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:16.920 continue even to this day. 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:19.059 We have to think, 00:37:19.739 --> 00:37:21.699 being led by the Spirit. 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.339 As we 00:37:23.339 --> 00:37:24.719 minister to people, 00:37:24.819 --> 00:37:25.920 as we are ambassadors 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.679 for Christ, 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:28.059 as we 00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:29.299 are present 00:37:29.299 --> 00:37:29.860 with people 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:31.079 and we speak truth 00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:31.420 and we 00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:32.719 are dealing in love 00:37:32.719 --> 00:37:33.199 with people 00:37:33.199 --> 00:37:34.519 and all these different things, 00:37:35.699 --> 00:37:37.119 let us ask the Spirit 00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:37.779 to guide us 00:37:37.779 --> 00:37:39.099 to say the right words 00:37:39.099 --> 00:37:39.679 because sometimes 00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:40.840 we don't have the right words 00:37:40.840 --> 00:37:41.259 to say. 00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:42.679 Sometimes we don't even know 00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:43.320 what to say. 00:37:44.739 --> 00:37:45.820 Trust in the Lord 00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:47.400 to lead and guide you 00:37:47.400 --> 00:37:48.619 in the process. 00:37:49.900 --> 00:37:51.019 We are saved 00:37:51.019 --> 00:37:52.759 so that we can do good 00:37:52.759 --> 00:37:53.840 in the name of Christ. 00:37:54.719 --> 00:37:55.480 These works 00:37:55.480 --> 00:37:57.440 are not a replacement. 00:37:58.280 --> 00:37:59.400 It is not an excuse 00:37:59.400 --> 00:38:00.679 for us to ignore 00:38:00.679 --> 00:38:01.280 the Spirit. 00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:03.599 So let us 00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:05.639 have that ear 00:38:05.639 --> 00:38:06.119 open 00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:08.019 to listen to God 00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:10.179 and to 00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:12.000 allow for the moving 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:12.920 of the Holy Spirit. 00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:14.699 And I challenge 00:38:14.699 --> 00:38:15.179 for you, 00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:17.559 look for one person 00:38:17.559 --> 00:38:19.460 or one opportunity 00:38:19.460 --> 00:38:21.420 where you can display 00:38:21.420 --> 00:38:22.740 the goodness of God 00:38:22.739 --> 00:38:24.059 or perhaps 00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:25.519 as we are talking 00:38:25.519 --> 00:38:26.299 so much about 00:38:26.299 --> 00:38:27.259 the Spirit of God, 00:38:27.639 --> 00:38:28.259 maybe 00:38:28.259 --> 00:38:29.500 the fruit 00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:30.459 of the Spirit 00:38:30.459 --> 00:38:32.279 because you shall know them 00:38:32.279 --> 00:38:33.139 by their fruit. 00:38:33.739 --> 00:38:34.299 Love, 00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:35.399 joy, 00:38:36.039 --> 00:38:36.459 peace, 00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:38.119 just those three, 00:38:38.419 --> 00:38:38.679 right? 00:38:39.739 --> 00:38:40.579 We have 00:38:40.579 --> 00:38:41.319 patience, 00:38:41.859 --> 00:38:42.179 kindness, 00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:42.919 goodness, 00:38:43.899 --> 00:38:44.439 faithfulness, 00:38:44.579 --> 00:38:45.000 gentleness. 00:38:45.659 --> 00:38:46.819 These are things 00:38:46.819 --> 00:38:47.319 on how 00:38:47.319 --> 00:38:48.379 we can 00:38:48.379 --> 00:38:49.979 love other people. 00:38:49.980 --> 00:38:52.320 when we are, 00:38:52.980 --> 00:38:53.539 because we live 00:38:53.539 --> 00:38:54.460 in an everyday world, 00:38:54.760 --> 00:38:55.579 everyday people. 00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:57.519 Ask yourself 00:38:57.519 --> 00:38:58.659 those kind of questions. 00:38:58.820 --> 00:38:59.820 Who will experience 00:38:59.820 --> 00:39:00.920 the goodness of Christ, 00:39:01.240 --> 00:39:02.579 the leading of the Holy Spirit 00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:03.099 through me? 00:39:04.000 --> 00:39:04.920 I pray 00:39:04.920 --> 00:39:07.559 that you can think of 00:39:07.559 --> 00:39:08.699 or the Spirit 00:39:08.699 --> 00:39:09.519 will lead you 00:39:09.519 --> 00:39:10.380 to find 00:39:10.380 --> 00:39:11.500 one person, 00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:13.240 maybe this week, 00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:16.240 that you can talk to 00:39:16.239 --> 00:39:18.479 and you can 00:39:18.479 --> 00:39:19.759 be present with 00:39:19.759 --> 00:39:20.759 and share 00:39:20.759 --> 00:39:21.500 in the light 00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:22.119 of Christ 00:39:22.119 --> 00:39:22.719 with others. 00:39:22.879 --> 00:39:23.819 That is so 00:39:23.819 --> 00:39:25.479 important for us. 00:39:26.919 --> 00:39:28.079 We have to think 00:39:28.079 --> 00:39:28.899 of all these things 00:39:28.899 --> 00:39:29.439 and as we 00:39:29.439 --> 00:39:32.739 consider 00:39:32.739 --> 00:39:34.319 this church 00:39:34.319 --> 00:39:35.099 in Sardis, 00:39:35.759 --> 00:39:36.799 I pray 00:39:36.799 --> 00:39:38.500 that we 00:39:38.500 --> 00:39:40.500 may be alert, 00:39:41.239 --> 00:39:42.419 that we may 00:39:42.419 --> 00:39:43.699 be awake. 00:39:43.699 --> 00:39:45.319 not just 00:39:45.319 --> 00:39:46.739 alert 00:39:46.739 --> 00:39:47.460 and prepared, 00:39:47.879 --> 00:39:49.000 but that the Spirit 00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:49.480 of God 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:50.219 will move 00:39:50.219 --> 00:39:50.960 in and through 00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:52.359 each and every 00:39:52.359 --> 00:39:53.299 one of your lives, 00:39:53.299 --> 00:39:54.559 but also 00:39:54.559 --> 00:39:55.519 through this church. 00:39:56.799 --> 00:39:57.579 May you 00:39:57.579 --> 00:39:58.460 experience 00:39:58.460 --> 00:39:59.480 God, 00:40:00.059 --> 00:40:00.799 have a close 00:40:00.799 --> 00:40:01.879 encounter with Him, 00:40:02.719 --> 00:40:03.359 be moved 00:40:03.359 --> 00:40:04.439 by the Holy Spirit. 00:40:05.359 --> 00:40:06.199 May there be 00:40:06.199 --> 00:40:07.460 an awakening. 00:40:08.980 --> 00:40:09.419 We talk 00:40:09.419 --> 00:40:09.980 so much, 00:40:10.839 --> 00:40:11.460 many churches 00:40:11.460 --> 00:40:12.639 talk about revival 00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:13.239 and renewal, 00:40:13.239 --> 00:40:13.959 may it be done 00:40:13.959 --> 00:40:14.339 so. 00:40:15.679 --> 00:40:16.739 May the Spirit 00:40:16.739 --> 00:40:17.379 of the Lord 00:40:17.379 --> 00:40:18.359 lead and guide 00:40:18.359 --> 00:40:18.939 us to 00:40:18.939 --> 00:40:21.219 work 00:40:21.219 --> 00:40:22.559 in the ministry 00:40:22.559 --> 00:40:24.019 to bring people 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:24.579 to Christ, 00:40:25.019 --> 00:40:26.059 to share 00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:26.919 in the gospel 00:40:26.919 --> 00:40:27.659 message with 00:40:27.659 --> 00:40:28.039 others, 00:40:28.359 --> 00:40:29.579 how important 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:30.119 that is 00:40:30.119 --> 00:40:31.519 and certainly 00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:32.779 our prayer 00:40:32.779 --> 00:40:33.379 should be that 00:40:33.379 --> 00:40:33.959 our church 00:40:33.959 --> 00:40:34.500 will never be 00:40:34.500 --> 00:40:35.179 like Sardis, 00:40:35.239 --> 00:40:35.459 amen? 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:36.959 So important 00:40:36.959 --> 00:40:37.559 for us to 00:40:37.559 --> 00:40:38.459 keep that in 00:40:38.459 --> 00:40:38.759 mind. 00:40:38.760 --> 00:40:41.360 and so 00:40:41.360 --> 00:40:43.280 let's pray 00:40:43.280 --> 00:40:43.840 together. 00:40:45.460 --> 00:40:46.360 Father God, 00:40:46.420 --> 00:40:47.220 we thank you 00:40:47.220 --> 00:40:48.200 for this time 00:40:48.200 --> 00:40:48.840 and this opportunity 00:40:48.840 --> 00:40:49.620 for us to gather 00:40:49.620 --> 00:40:50.940 together as we're 00:40:50.940 --> 00:40:52.100 going over Revelation 00:40:52.100 --> 00:40:52.900 chapter 3 00:40:52.900 --> 00:40:54.160 verses 1 through 6. 00:40:54.159 --> 00:40:56.940 what great 00:40:56.940 --> 00:40:57.920 mystery, 00:40:58.619 --> 00:40:59.079 what great 00:40:59.079 --> 00:40:59.899 power and 00:40:59.899 --> 00:41:00.339 might you 00:41:00.339 --> 00:41:00.699 have 00:41:00.699 --> 00:41:02.099 to know 00:41:02.099 --> 00:41:02.460 that your 00:41:02.460 --> 00:41:02.899 son, 00:41:03.579 --> 00:41:05.559 he's in 00:41:05.559 --> 00:41:06.000 control 00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:07.239 and he 00:41:07.239 --> 00:41:08.039 provides 00:41:08.039 --> 00:41:09.139 the fullness, 00:41:09.940 --> 00:41:10.579 the seven 00:41:10.579 --> 00:41:11.599 fold spirit 00:41:11.599 --> 00:41:12.339 to us. 00:41:13.079 --> 00:41:13.619 It may be 00:41:13.619 --> 00:41:14.199 hard for us 00:41:14.199 --> 00:41:14.899 to understand, 00:41:15.059 --> 00:41:15.599 but we just 00:41:15.599 --> 00:41:15.940 ask, 00:41:16.199 --> 00:41:16.259 Father, 00:41:16.420 --> 00:41:17.440 in a simplistic 00:41:17.440 --> 00:41:18.039 way, 00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:19.800 that we 00:41:19.800 --> 00:41:20.259 live in 00:41:20.259 --> 00:41:20.779 love like 00:41:20.779 --> 00:41:21.239 your son 00:41:21.239 --> 00:41:22.000 Jesus Christ 00:41:22.000 --> 00:41:22.360 and we 00:41:22.360 --> 00:41:22.820 are led 00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:23.179 by the 00:41:23.179 --> 00:41:23.900 Holy Spirit. 00:41:25.840 --> 00:41:26.599 May we 00:41:26.599 --> 00:41:27.300 all have 00:41:27.300 --> 00:41:28.019 that relationship 00:41:28.019 --> 00:41:28.619 with you 00:41:28.619 --> 00:41:29.199 first and 00:41:29.199 --> 00:41:29.639 foremost. 00:41:30.460 --> 00:41:31.179 May we 00:41:31.179 --> 00:41:31.900 grow in 00:41:31.900 --> 00:41:32.139 you. 00:41:33.539 --> 00:41:33.940 May we 00:41:33.940 --> 00:41:34.519 be moved 00:41:34.519 --> 00:41:34.860 to do 00:41:34.860 --> 00:41:35.420 good in 00:41:35.420 --> 00:41:35.900 the name 00:41:35.900 --> 00:41:36.480 of Christ 00:41:36.480 --> 00:41:37.059 being led 00:41:37.059 --> 00:41:37.480 by the 00:41:37.480 --> 00:41:37.820 Spirit 00:41:37.820 --> 00:41:38.920 to transform 00:41:38.920 --> 00:41:40.539 culture, 00:41:41.300 --> 00:41:42.059 our community, 00:41:43.059 --> 00:41:43.880 our families. 00:41:44.739 --> 00:41:45.440 May we 00:41:45.440 --> 00:41:46.199 rely on 00:41:46.199 --> 00:41:46.599 you for 00:41:46.599 --> 00:41:46.960 this. 00:41:48.039 --> 00:41:48.539 And may 00:41:48.539 --> 00:41:49.099 we as 00:41:49.099 --> 00:41:49.500 a church 00:41:49.500 --> 00:41:50.039 be known 00:41:50.039 --> 00:41:51.279 for our 00:41:51.279 --> 00:41:51.800 love and 00:41:51.800 --> 00:41:52.279 dedication 00:41:52.279 --> 00:41:52.840 for you 00:41:52.840 --> 00:41:53.159 and your 00:41:53.159 --> 00:41:53.719 word and 00:41:53.719 --> 00:41:54.279 do good 00:41:54.279 --> 00:41:54.539 in your 00:41:54.539 --> 00:41:54.860 name, 00:41:54.960 --> 00:41:55.239 but may 00:41:55.239 --> 00:41:55.880 we also 00:41:55.880 --> 00:41:56.460 be known 00:41:56.460 --> 00:41:56.800 as a 00:41:56.800 --> 00:41:57.000 church 00:41:57.000 --> 00:41:57.300 that is 00:41:57.300 --> 00:41:57.779 led by 00:41:57.779 --> 00:41:58.000 your 00:41:58.000 --> 00:41:58.460 Spirit. 00:41:59.659 --> 00:42:00.259 And I 00:42:00.259 --> 00:42:00.460 pray, 00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:00.800 Father, 00:42:00.880 --> 00:42:01.219 if there's 00:42:01.219 --> 00:42:01.679 any sort 00:42:01.679 --> 00:42:03.259 of resistance, 00:42:03.639 --> 00:42:04.059 we know 00:42:04.059 --> 00:42:04.559 that when 00:42:04.559 --> 00:42:05.380 we speak 00:42:05.380 --> 00:42:05.860 so much 00:42:05.860 --> 00:42:06.739 about the 00:42:06.739 --> 00:42:07.579 working of 00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:07.940 the Holy 00:42:07.940 --> 00:42:08.320 Spirit, 00:42:08.400 --> 00:42:08.900 it's hard 00:42:08.900 --> 00:42:09.559 to understand. 00:42:10.559 --> 00:42:11.239 I just 00:42:11.239 --> 00:42:12.360 pray for 00:42:12.360 --> 00:42:12.840 softened 00:42:12.840 --> 00:42:13.219 hearts, 00:42:13.500 --> 00:42:14.300 for changed 00:42:14.300 --> 00:42:14.779 minds, 00:42:15.639 --> 00:42:16.380 and for 00:42:16.380 --> 00:42:17.059 this place 00:42:17.059 --> 00:42:18.239 to be 00:42:18.239 --> 00:42:18.679 alive. 00:42:19.679 --> 00:42:20.400 We thank 00:42:20.400 --> 00:42:20.739 you for 00:42:20.739 --> 00:42:21.199 your word 00:42:21.199 --> 00:42:21.500 and we 00:42:21.500 --> 00:42:21.860 thank you 00:42:21.860 --> 00:42:22.299 for this 00:42:22.299 --> 00:42:23.059 wonderful 00:42:23.059 --> 00:42:24.519 lesson, 00:42:25.599 --> 00:42:26.099 this wonderful 00:42:26.099 --> 00:42:26.860 truth that 00:42:26.860 --> 00:42:27.420 we can learn 00:42:27.420 --> 00:42:27.860 from the 00:42:27.860 --> 00:42:28.340 church in 00:42:28.340 --> 00:42:28.799 Sardis. 00:42:31.000 --> 00:42:31.759 We thank 00:42:31.759 --> 00:42:32.159 you so 00:42:32.159 --> 00:42:32.440 much. 00:42:33.259 --> 00:42:33.699 It is in 00:42:33.699 --> 00:42:34.139 the name 00:42:34.139 --> 00:42:34.920 of Jesus 00:42:34.920 --> 00:42:36.279 Christ that 00:42:36.279 --> 00:42:37.599 we pray and 00:42:37.599 --> 00:42:38.000 we all say 00:42:38.000 --> 00:42:38.299 together, 00:42:38.420 --> 00:42:38.559 Amen, 00:42:38.739 --> 00:42:39.039 church. 00:42:39.279 --> 00:42:39.599 Amen. 00:42:39.599 --> 00:42:41.779 Thank you 00:42:41.779 --> 00:42:42.199 for tuning 00:42:42.199 --> 00:42:42.679 in to 00:42:42.679 --> 00:42:43.119 Ontario 00:42:43.119 --> 00:42:43.599 Community 00:42:43.599 --> 00:42:43.980 Church. 00:42:44.319 --> 00:42:44.799 I hope 00:42:44.799 --> 00:42:45.159 that this 00:42:45.159 --> 00:42:45.559 message 00:42:45.559 --> 00:42:46.019 stirred 00:42:46.019 --> 00:42:46.440 something 00:42:46.440 --> 00:42:46.880 in your 00:42:46.880 --> 00:42:47.139 heart 00:42:47.139 --> 00:42:47.440 today. 00:42:48.079 --> 00:42:48.500 You know, 00:42:48.699 --> 00:42:49.159 one of the 00:42:49.159 --> 00:42:49.819 most challenging 00:42:49.819 --> 00:42:50.400 things about 00:42:50.400 --> 00:42:50.759 the letter 00:42:50.759 --> 00:42:51.420 to Sardis 00:42:51.420 --> 00:42:52.059 is that it 00:42:52.059 --> 00:42:52.779 forces us 00:42:52.779 --> 00:42:53.159 to look 00:42:53.159 --> 00:42:53.599 beyond 00:42:53.599 --> 00:42:54.179 appearances. 00:42:54.839 --> 00:42:55.279 We live 00:42:55.279 --> 00:42:55.759 in this 00:42:55.759 --> 00:42:56.199 culture, 00:42:56.380 --> 00:42:56.599 in this 00:42:56.599 --> 00:42:56.980 world, 00:42:57.119 --> 00:42:57.779 that values 00:42:57.779 --> 00:42:58.759 image and 00:42:58.759 --> 00:42:59.380 reputation 00:42:59.380 --> 00:43:00.319 and even 00:43:00.319 --> 00:43:00.639 outward 00:43:00.639 --> 00:43:01.259 success. 00:43:01.659 --> 00:43:02.339 But Christ 00:43:02.339 --> 00:43:02.880 isn't 00:43:02.880 --> 00:43:03.779 interested in 00:43:03.779 --> 00:43:04.319 how things 00:43:04.319 --> 00:43:05.339 look just 00:43:05.339 --> 00:43:05.679 on the 00:43:05.679 --> 00:43:06.099 surface. 00:43:06.339 --> 00:43:06.799 In fact, 00:43:06.900 --> 00:43:07.400 he is more 00:43:07.400 --> 00:43:08.480 interested in 00:43:08.480 --> 00:43:09.480 seeing where 00:43:09.480 --> 00:43:10.059 your heart 00:43:10.059 --> 00:43:10.539 is at. 00:43:11.139 --> 00:43:11.800 Christ does 00:43:11.800 --> 00:43:12.559 not leave 00:43:12.559 --> 00:43:13.360 Sardis or 00:43:13.360 --> 00:43:14.179 leave any 00:43:14.179 --> 00:43:14.559 of us 00:43:14.559 --> 00:43:15.059 without any 00:43:15.059 --> 00:43:15.380 hope. 00:43:15.820 --> 00:43:16.519 He offers 00:43:16.519 --> 00:43:17.079 the fullness 00:43:17.079 --> 00:43:18.159 of his 00:43:18.159 --> 00:43:18.599 spirit, 00:43:18.780 --> 00:43:19.840 the seven-fold 00:43:19.840 --> 00:43:20.679 spirit of 00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:20.980 God, 00:43:21.280 --> 00:43:21.740 or in other 00:43:21.740 --> 00:43:22.039 words, 00:43:22.240 --> 00:43:22.559 what we 00:43:22.559 --> 00:43:23.300 call the 00:43:23.300 --> 00:43:24.019 Holy Spirit. 00:43:24.639 --> 00:43:25.360 Christ gives 00:43:25.360 --> 00:43:26.119 us a path 00:43:26.119 --> 00:43:27.179 to remember 00:43:27.179 --> 00:43:27.800 the gospel, 00:43:28.240 --> 00:43:28.659 to hold 00:43:28.659 --> 00:43:29.460 fast to it, 00:43:29.519 --> 00:43:30.079 to keep it, 00:43:30.139 --> 00:43:30.679 to remain 00:43:30.679 --> 00:43:31.119 in it, 00:43:31.219 --> 00:43:31.679 and to 00:43:31.679 --> 00:43:32.440 continue to 00:43:32.440 --> 00:43:33.159 repent or, 00:43:33.380 --> 00:43:34.119 as I mentioned 00:43:34.119 --> 00:43:34.639 in the sermon 00:43:34.639 --> 00:43:35.000 today, 00:43:35.159 --> 00:43:35.599 to be 00:43:35.599 --> 00:43:36.280 transformed. 00:43:36.960 --> 00:43:37.619 If this 00:43:37.619 --> 00:43:38.059 message 00:43:38.059 --> 00:43:38.539 resonated 00:43:38.539 --> 00:43:39.079 with you, 00:43:39.500 --> 00:43:39.739 would you 00:43:39.739 --> 00:43:40.099 do me a 00:43:40.099 --> 00:43:40.340 favor? 00:43:41.000 --> 00:43:41.519 Share it 00:43:41.519 --> 00:43:41.960 with someone 00:43:41.960 --> 00:43:42.380 who might 00:43:42.380 --> 00:43:42.699 need to 00:43:42.699 --> 00:43:43.059 hear it. 00:43:43.460 --> 00:43:44.019 Maybe you 00:43:44.019 --> 00:43:44.619 know someone 00:43:44.619 --> 00:43:45.119 who needs 00:43:45.119 --> 00:43:45.400 to be 00:43:45.400 --> 00:43:45.980 reminded of 00:43:45.980 --> 00:43:46.440 the gospel 00:43:46.440 --> 00:43:46.880 of Jesus 00:43:46.880 --> 00:43:47.380 Christ. 00:43:47.840 --> 00:43:48.719 Maybe there's 00:43:48.719 --> 00:43:49.159 someone that 00:43:49.159 --> 00:43:49.759 you can pray 00:43:49.759 --> 00:43:50.599 for that 00:43:50.599 --> 00:43:51.079 the Holy 00:43:51.079 --> 00:43:51.840 Spirit will 00:43:51.840 --> 00:43:52.759 fill their 00:43:52.759 --> 00:43:53.360 life and 00:43:53.360 --> 00:43:54.059 move them 00:43:54.059 --> 00:43:55.059 to respond. 00:43:55.659 --> 00:43:56.179 Here's my 00:43:56.179 --> 00:43:56.739 challenge for 00:43:56.739 --> 00:43:57.320 you this week 00:43:57.320 --> 00:43:57.900 and it builds 00:43:57.900 --> 00:43:58.539 upon what we 00:43:58.539 --> 00:43:59.139 talked about 00:43:59.139 --> 00:43:59.799 in the sermon 00:43:59.799 --> 00:44:00.179 today. 00:44:00.820 --> 00:44:01.440 Don't just 00:44:01.440 --> 00:44:02.019 be active 00:44:02.019 --> 00:44:02.759 in your faith. 00:44:03.159 --> 00:44:03.779 Be alive 00:44:03.779 --> 00:44:04.500 in the Spirit. 00:44:05.059 --> 00:44:05.779 Ask the Holy 00:44:05.779 --> 00:44:06.340 Spirit to 00:44:06.340 --> 00:44:07.259 reveal areas 00:44:07.260 --> 00:44:07.940 where you've 00:44:07.940 --> 00:44:08.580 been operating 00:44:08.580 --> 00:44:09.040 on your 00:44:09.040 --> 00:44:09.800 own strength 00:44:09.800 --> 00:44:10.800 rather than 00:44:10.800 --> 00:44:11.480 relying on 00:44:11.480 --> 00:44:12.340 Him and 00:44:12.340 --> 00:44:12.920 His power. 00:44:13.840 --> 00:44:14.820 Invite Christ 00:44:14.820 --> 00:44:15.460 into those 00:44:15.460 --> 00:44:15.800 areas. 00:44:16.200 --> 00:44:16.840 Invite the 00:44:16.840 --> 00:44:17.500 Holy Spirit 00:44:17.500 --> 00:44:18.120 to fill 00:44:18.120 --> 00:44:18.780 your life. 00:44:19.460 --> 00:44:19.740 Let Him 00:44:19.740 --> 00:44:20.080 lead. 00:44:20.660 --> 00:44:21.000 Let Him 00:44:21.000 --> 00:44:21.420 guide. 00:44:22.000 --> 00:44:22.320 Let Him 00:44:22.320 --> 00:44:22.960 work in 00:44:22.960 --> 00:44:23.360 and through 00:44:23.360 --> 00:44:23.620 you. 00:44:24.360 --> 00:44:24.920 You can 00:44:24.920 --> 00:44:25.340 visit us 00:44:25.340 --> 00:44:25.560 at 00:44:25.560 --> 00:44:27.280 OntarioCommunityChurch.org 00:44:27.280 --> 00:44:28.060 for more 00:44:28.060 --> 00:44:28.640 resources, 00:44:28.820 --> 00:44:29.820 including our 00:44:29.820 --> 00:44:30.740 sermon archive, 00:44:30.900 --> 00:44:31.260 which has 00:44:31.260 --> 00:44:32.040 Bible studies 00:44:32.040 --> 00:44:33.240 and congregational 00:44:33.240 --> 00:44:33.760 notes from 00:44:33.760 --> 00:44:34.320 this message 00:44:34.320 --> 00:44:35.040 and other 00:44:35.040 --> 00:44:35.920 messages as well. 00:44:35.920 --> 00:44:37.079 Everything is 00:44:37.079 --> 00:44:37.740 available on 00:44:37.740 --> 00:44:38.280 our website 00:44:38.280 --> 00:44:38.900 for free. 00:44:39.579 --> 00:44:40.680 This next week 00:44:40.680 --> 00:44:41.079 we will be 00:44:41.079 --> 00:44:41.700 looking at the 00:44:41.700 --> 00:44:42.420 sixth church 00:44:42.420 --> 00:44:43.119 in Revelation, 00:44:43.740 --> 00:44:44.220 Philadelphia. 00:44:44.900 --> 00:44:46.099 This is one 00:44:46.099 --> 00:44:46.680 of only two 00:44:46.680 --> 00:44:47.800 churches that 00:44:47.800 --> 00:44:48.800 receives no 00:44:48.800 --> 00:44:49.360 rebuke from 00:44:49.360 --> 00:44:50.740 Christ, only 00:44:50.740 --> 00:44:51.780 accommodation 00:44:51.780 --> 00:44:52.820 and encouragement. 00:44:53.400 --> 00:44:54.180 We'll explore 00:44:54.180 --> 00:44:54.920 what it means to 00:44:54.920 --> 00:44:55.500 have an open 00:44:55.500 --> 00:44:56.300 door that no 00:44:56.300 --> 00:44:57.000 one can shut, 00:44:57.260 --> 00:44:58.440 to keep Christ's 00:44:58.440 --> 00:44:59.519 word even when 00:44:59.519 --> 00:45:00.059 you have little 00:45:00.059 --> 00:45:01.400 strength, and to 00:45:01.400 --> 00:45:02.079 be kept from 00:45:02.079 --> 00:45:02.700 the hour of 00:45:02.700 --> 00:45:03.059 trial. 00:45:03.559 --> 00:45:04.539 It is a message 00:45:04.539 --> 00:45:05.759 of hope and 00:45:05.759 --> 00:45:07.119 endurance that I 00:45:07.119 --> 00:45:07.639 think we all 00:45:07.639 --> 00:45:08.139 need to hear 00:45:08.139 --> 00:45:08.519 today. 00:45:09.440 --> 00:45:10.440 May God bless 00:45:10.440 --> 00:45:10.619 you. 00:45:10.619 --> 00:45:36.559 do you 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.559 00:45:40.619 --> 00:46:10.599 Thank you.