WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.480 Good morning. It's great to be with you again. 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:08.099 I want to invite you to turn with me to the book of Revelation if you have your Bibles with you. 00:00:08.759 --> 00:00:10.980 The passage is also found in our bulletins. 00:00:11.140 --> 00:00:14.419 We're hearing from God's Word today, Revelation chapter 3, 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:19.359 and the call to hold fast that Jesus has to His church, 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:21.980 and it's the church specifically in Philadelphia, 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:26.100 but as this is God's holy and inspired Word, 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:29.460 it is also His Word for us today as well. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.439 So draw your attention to the reading of God's Word from Revelation 3, verses 7 through 13. 00:00:36.899 --> 00:00:39.480 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:44.620 the words of the Holy One, the true One, who has the key of David, 00:00:45.060 --> 00:00:48.740 who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:50.620 I know your works. 00:00:51.260 --> 00:00:56.359 Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. 00:00:57.060 --> 00:00:59.000 I know that you have but little power, 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:02.219 and yet you have kept my Word and have not denied my name. 00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:05.799 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, 00:01:06.200 --> 00:01:09.319 who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:12.280 Behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, 00:01:12.299 --> 00:01:14.180 and they will learn that I have loved you, 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:17.599 because you have kept my Word about patient endurance. 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:21.500 I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:23.640 to try those who dwell on the earth. 00:01:23.640 --> 00:01:26.099 I am coming soon. 00:01:26.099 --> 00:01:30.819 Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 00:01:31.319 --> 00:01:35.019 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. 00:01:35.599 --> 00:01:39.920 Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, 00:01:40.159 --> 00:01:42.280 and the name of the city of my God, 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:46.260 the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, 00:01:46.260 --> 00:01:48.100 and my own new name. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:52.219 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:01:52.859 --> 00:01:53.859 This is the Word of God. 00:01:54.960 --> 00:01:55.980 Thanks be to him. 00:01:56.380 --> 00:01:58.480 Let us pray together for our time in his Word. 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:02.420 Lord God, Father, Son, and Spirit, 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:06.300 we come now and we sit underneath the preaching, 00:02:06.520 --> 00:02:08.180 the proclamation of your Word, 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:11.659 asking that you would be gracious to us, 00:02:11.879 --> 00:02:15.740 that you by your Spirit would come and pour out knowledge, 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:19.620 pour out wisdom, pour out revelation about who Jesus is. 00:02:20.040 --> 00:02:22.840 Lord, that you would awaken our hearts, 00:02:23.319 --> 00:02:25.900 that you would give us understanding about these things, 00:02:26.480 --> 00:02:28.740 that you would come and take the things of Jesus 00:02:28.740 --> 00:02:31.100 and make them real to our hearts. 00:02:31.500 --> 00:02:34.740 We ask that for our little theologians in this room as well, 00:02:35.040 --> 00:02:36.980 our covenant children who are in this place. 00:02:36.979 --> 00:02:39.859 God, we ask that you would also give them understanding, 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:43.219 that you would help them to see you as you truly are. 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:46.719 Lord, to think big thoughts about you, 00:02:46.839 --> 00:02:51.159 that they would have a big God and a big Savior for them even now. 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:54.539 We ask that you would bless the preaching 00:02:54.539 --> 00:02:57.819 and the hearing of your Word now for your church, 00:02:57.979 --> 00:02:59.819 and it's in Jesus' name that we ask this. 00:03:00.259 --> 00:03:00.479 Amen. 00:03:01.819 --> 00:03:02.699 Amen indeed. 00:03:02.699 --> 00:03:07.679 Well, in December of 1914, 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:11.819 Ernest Shackleton and his 27-member crew 00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:13.979 aboard the ship The Endurance 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:17.099 entered the ice fields of the Wendell Sea 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:19.879 navigating through dangerous packed ice. 00:03:20.679 --> 00:03:23.120 With only 100 miles left in their journey, 00:03:23.839 --> 00:03:25.679 Shackleton made the fateful decision 00:03:25.679 --> 00:03:29.219 to stop and wait for a break in the heavy ice. 00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:33.460 The temperature dropped and the ice closed in around the ship, 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:35.680 making it impossible to proceed. 00:03:36.340 --> 00:03:39.500 The crew would live aboard the ship for the next 10 months. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:43.460 Gradually, the ship began to succumb 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:45.639 to the crushing grip of the ice. 00:03:46.620 --> 00:03:49.539 Shackleton gave the order to abandon ship. 00:03:49.539 --> 00:03:53.159 The crew began a march in search of safety, 00:03:53.679 --> 00:03:57.340 carrying minimal supplies and dragging three lifeboats. 00:03:58.060 --> 00:03:59.859 Eventually, reaching open water, 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:01.919 they boarded the lifeboats and sailed off 00:04:01.919 --> 00:04:03.379 in an attempt to find land. 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:06.319 Surviving perilous conditions, 00:04:06.699 --> 00:04:09.560 they finally landed on the deserted Elephant Island. 00:04:10.819 --> 00:04:13.759 Stranded on that island with no hope of rescue, 00:04:14.259 --> 00:04:16.439 Shackleton and four of his crew members 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:21.160 set sail in a lifeboat in an effort to reach the island of South Georgia. 00:04:21.259 --> 00:04:22.600 This was a whaling island. 00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:26.019 They traveled 800 miles, 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:28.639 800 nautical miles, 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:31.480 through the world's worst seas. 00:04:32.459 --> 00:04:34.819 When they arrived to the island finally, 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:36.819 they discovered that the whaling station 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:38.980 was on the other side of the island. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:43.220 And in order to rescue the remaining crew in time, 00:04:43.220 --> 00:04:45.800 Shackleton and two of his men 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:47.740 had to cross on foot 00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:50.240 the treacherous cliffs of this island. 00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:51.520 They were icy. 00:04:51.740 --> 00:04:54.340 They were forbidding cliffs. 00:04:54.980 --> 00:04:57.220 They were vulnerable to sudden blizzards 00:04:57.220 --> 00:04:59.380 and hurricane-force winds. 00:05:00.380 --> 00:05:02.600 The island's inhabitants, as a matter of fact, 00:05:02.660 --> 00:05:03.780 had considered the journey 00:05:03.780 --> 00:05:05.500 from one side of the island to the other 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:06.920 on foot impossible. 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:10.980 Nevertheless, Shackleton and his two partners 00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:13.520 crossed in 36 hours. 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:17.180 His diary provides an interesting perspective 00:05:17.180 --> 00:05:19.680 on the South Georgia island crossing. 00:05:19.780 --> 00:05:22.540 This is what Ernest Shackleton's journal says. 00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:22.900 Quote, 00:05:23.520 --> 00:05:25.160 In memories we were rich. 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:28.400 We had pierced the veneer of outside things. 00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:29.620 We had suffered. 00:05:30.020 --> 00:05:31.000 We had starved. 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:32.240 We had triumphed. 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:33.420 We had groveled down, 00:05:33.420 --> 00:05:35.100 yet grasped at glory, 00:05:35.520 --> 00:05:37.879 grown bigger in the bigness of the whole. 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:40.500 We had seen God in his splendors, 00:05:40.840 --> 00:05:42.800 heard the text that nature renders. 00:05:43.280 --> 00:05:46.000 We had reached the naked soul of men, 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:49.240 and by endurance we conquered. 00:05:50.580 --> 00:05:52.920 And while we will likely 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:55.639 never face the extreme physical conditions 00:05:55.639 --> 00:05:57.379 that Ernest Shackleton did, 00:05:57.379 --> 00:06:01.519 we will face extreme spiritual conditions 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:03.180 where our fortitude, 00:06:03.459 --> 00:06:04.180 our resolve, 00:06:04.339 --> 00:06:06.219 our endurance will be tested. 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:09.360 The New Testament is clear on this point 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:11.759 that it is through many tribulations 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:13.439 that we enter the kingdom of God, 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:14.759 Acts chapter 14. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:16.279 As a matter of fact, 00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:17.279 Jesus said, 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:18.839 If they hated me, 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:20.819 they will hate you. 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:22.579 If they persecuted me, 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:23.040 he said, 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:24.600 they will persecute you. 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:27.560 Now this raises the obvious question 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:28.540 as to why. 00:06:29.340 --> 00:06:30.520 Why the hatred? 00:06:31.080 --> 00:06:33.920 Why the persecution of Jesus of Nazareth? 00:06:34.400 --> 00:06:36.220 And why the subsequent hatred 00:06:36.220 --> 00:06:38.020 and persecution of his followers? 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:41.020 Why, given the fact 00:06:41.020 --> 00:06:43.040 of how pluralistic 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:44.900 the worship of many gods, 00:06:45.200 --> 00:06:46.540 the acceptance of many gods, 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:48.620 and how syncretistic 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:50.780 the combining of those gods 00:06:50.780 --> 00:06:52.580 the ancient world was? 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:54.220 The ancient world was pluralistic. 00:06:54.220 --> 00:06:55.680 You could worship many gods. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:56.760 It was syncretistic. 00:06:56.880 --> 00:06:57.740 You could combine 00:06:57.740 --> 00:06:59.400 the worship of many gods. 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:01.620 Why in this context 00:07:01.620 --> 00:07:05.440 was the message of Jesus, 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:06.680 the person of Jesus, 00:07:07.240 --> 00:07:09.460 so antagonistic? 00:07:10.140 --> 00:07:11.600 Every month at our church 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:12.140 at Westside, 00:07:12.200 --> 00:07:13.220 we have a potluck dinner 00:07:13.220 --> 00:07:14.400 called Eat Church 00:07:14.400 --> 00:07:15.780 where everyone brings 00:07:15.780 --> 00:07:17.220 what they want to share 00:07:17.220 --> 00:07:18.120 with everyone else. 00:07:18.820 --> 00:07:20.400 That's what the ancient world 00:07:20.400 --> 00:07:21.480 was like in terms of 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:22.280 religion and worship. 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:23.699 Everyone brings 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:24.699 what appeals to them 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:25.419 and says, 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:26.779 here, worship Caesar. 00:07:26.979 --> 00:07:27.939 Here, worship Zeus. 00:07:28.259 --> 00:07:29.559 Here, worship Artemis, 00:07:29.679 --> 00:07:30.939 Diana, and so forth. 00:07:31.859 --> 00:07:32.479 Of course, 00:07:32.739 --> 00:07:34.239 what's interesting about this 00:07:34.239 --> 00:07:35.559 is that our culture 00:07:35.559 --> 00:07:36.639 is very much the same 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:37.959 in our day as well. 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:39.399 Even though ours, 00:07:39.619 --> 00:07:39.839 perhaps, 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:41.579 is the most secular age 00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:42.479 of human history, 00:07:43.039 --> 00:07:43.879 that itself, 00:07:44.019 --> 00:07:44.859 that itself 00:07:44.859 --> 00:07:45.979 is a religious claim. 00:07:46.219 --> 00:07:47.119 And that is one 00:07:47.119 --> 00:07:47.979 of many claims 00:07:47.979 --> 00:07:48.799 that is accepted 00:07:48.799 --> 00:07:49.519 right alongside 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:50.539 the major religions 00:07:50.539 --> 00:07:51.359 of our world. 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:53.539 If that was the case then, 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:54.519 and it continues 00:07:54.519 --> 00:07:55.539 to be the case now, 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:56.719 then the question 00:07:56.719 --> 00:07:57.479 that I'm asking is, 00:07:57.659 --> 00:07:58.560 why wasn't Jesus 00:07:58.560 --> 00:07:59.379 just acknowledged 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:00.879 as another religious teacher? 00:08:01.359 --> 00:08:02.620 Why wasn't his message 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:03.079 acknowledged 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:04.339 as just another 00:08:04.339 --> 00:08:05.399 religious path? 00:08:06.099 --> 00:08:06.539 Why, 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:08.099 in a religious potluck, 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:09.379 wasn't Christianity 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:10.560 just one of many 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:11.699 casserole dishes? 00:08:12.479 --> 00:08:13.539 Why the heat? 00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:14.419 Why the persecution? 00:08:14.420 --> 00:08:17.379 The answer is found 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:18.520 in the book of Revelation, 00:08:18.980 --> 00:08:19.840 and in particular, 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:22.100 in Revelation chapter 3, 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:25.040 in the word that Jesus has 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:26.720 to his church in Philadelphia. 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:27.840 Verse 7. 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:29.220 You can start there, 00:08:29.420 --> 00:08:30.140 looking with me. 00:08:31.340 --> 00:08:32.060 He says, 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:33.279 to the angel of the church 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:33.879 in Philadelphia, 00:08:34.060 --> 00:08:34.279 write, 00:08:34.420 --> 00:08:35.960 the words of the Holy One, 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:36.960 the True One, 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:38.580 who has the key of David, 00:08:38.860 --> 00:08:39.600 who opens 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:40.639 and no one will shut, 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:41.340 and who shuts 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:42.360 and no one will open. 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:43.759 You see, 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:44.560 right away, church, 00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:46.379 we see in this passage 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:48.600 that Jesus doesn't claim 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:49.560 to be just 00:08:49.560 --> 00:08:50.800 another religious teacher, 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:52.419 or that his message 00:08:52.419 --> 00:08:53.460 is one of many 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:54.779 that you can take or leave. 00:08:55.700 --> 00:08:55.860 No, 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:57.060 Jesus declares, 00:08:58.039 --> 00:08:59.659 I am the Holy One. 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:01.399 I am the True One. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:03.039 He declares that 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:03.919 I am the way, 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:04.440 the truth, 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:05.039 and the life. 00:09:05.180 --> 00:09:06.279 No one comes to the Father 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:06.960 but through me. 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:08.340 He proclaims 00:09:08.340 --> 00:09:09.279 that all authority 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:10.399 in heaven and on earth 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:11.379 has been given to him. 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:12.820 And he reveals, 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:14.720 he reveals by his spirit 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:16.259 that he is the one 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:17.179 who opens 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:18.860 and no one is able to shut, 00:09:19.179 --> 00:09:19.799 who shuts 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:21.700 and no one is able to open. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:23.320 In other words, 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:24.919 Jesus is exclusive. 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:26.379 Jesus is unique. 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:27.740 He stands alone. 00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:29.139 He stands above 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:31.299 every other single person 00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:32.500 who has lived. 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:34.639 It's not Jesus versus 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:35.399 fill in the blank. 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:36.299 It's just Jesus. 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:38.039 And that is something 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:39.220 that the church in Philadelphia 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:40.519 knew very well. 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:42.639 little theologians. 00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:43.860 Kids, 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:45.379 if you're taking notes, 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:46.779 if you'd like to follow along, 00:09:47.079 --> 00:09:48.199 I have two assignments 00:09:48.199 --> 00:09:48.779 for you, kids. 00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:49.960 One is to draw a picture 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:51.419 of a key and a door. 00:09:51.939 --> 00:09:53.159 A key and a door, kids. 00:09:54.179 --> 00:09:54.939 And then, 00:09:55.179 --> 00:09:56.220 the question is, 00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:57.579 what makes Jesus 00:09:57.579 --> 00:09:58.740 unique 00:09:58.740 --> 00:09:59.740 and stand out 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:00.860 from every other person 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:01.960 who has ever lived? 00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:03.579 What makes Jesus unique? 00:10:03.819 --> 00:10:04.600 What makes him stand out 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:05.480 from everyone else, kids? 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:06.779 Now, 00:10:06.819 --> 00:10:07.519 for the rest of us, 00:10:07.559 --> 00:10:07.960 I want to give you 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:08.439 some background 00:10:08.439 --> 00:10:09.439 of the city of Philadelphia. 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:10.940 It was founded 00:10:10.940 --> 00:10:12.420 as a missionary city 00:10:12.420 --> 00:10:14.320 in 189 B.C. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:15.600 What that means 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:16.640 is that it was meant 00:10:16.640 --> 00:10:17.860 to be a gateway, 00:10:18.540 --> 00:10:19.160 a doorway 00:10:19.160 --> 00:10:20.800 to Asia Minor. 00:10:21.560 --> 00:10:23.120 It was the Greek culture 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:24.120 in the east 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:26.380 to further spread 00:10:26.380 --> 00:10:27.180 the Greek culture 00:10:27.180 --> 00:10:29.560 in the year 189 B.C. 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:31.020 It was a doorway 00:10:31.020 --> 00:10:32.060 into Asia. 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.560 And this helps us 00:10:33.560 --> 00:10:34.200 understand 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:35.620 the play on words 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:36.760 that Jesus is using here 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:37.360 where he says, 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:38.439 I have a door 00:10:38.439 --> 00:10:39.360 that I open 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:40.019 and no one is able 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:40.419 to shut 00:10:40.419 --> 00:10:41.019 and who shuts 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:42.000 and no one is able 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:42.340 to open. 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:43.600 The church in Philadelphia 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:44.059 would have known 00:10:44.059 --> 00:10:44.860 exactly what Jesus 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:45.840 was referring to there. 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:47.720 By the first century, 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:48.700 it was one of the greatest 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:49.480 trade routes 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:50.399 in the Roman Empire. 00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:51.439 So the Roman Empire 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:52.939 continued to use Philadelphia 00:10:52.939 --> 00:10:53.899 as a doorway, 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:55.679 a doorway from Rome 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:56.259 in the west 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:58.379 to Asia in the east. 00:10:58.840 --> 00:10:59.860 It was an open door 00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:00.759 linking the two 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:02.139 vastly different cultures 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:03.500 there in the ancient world. 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:05.919 Following a devastating earthquake 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:07.139 early in the first century, 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:08.379 the city was rebuilt 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:10.500 by the Roman Emperor Tiberius 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.220 and a temple 00:11:11.220 --> 00:11:13.120 was dedicated to him there 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:14.559 as people came 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:15.299 to pay homage 00:11:15.299 --> 00:11:16.820 to worship Tiberius 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:17.740 as the savior 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:18.899 of the city. 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:21.019 This helps us understand 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:22.700 why Jesus addresses them 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:24.440 in such an extraordinary way. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:26.379 They are holding fast, 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:27.120 as he says, 00:11:27.419 --> 00:11:28.240 to him 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:29.620 amid a culture 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:30.299 that says 00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:31.519 you must worship 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.740 these other gods as well. 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:34.899 You must worship Caesar 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:36.039 for he is savior 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:36.659 of the city. 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:38.659 This helps us understand 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:39.980 why Jesus begins 00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:40.740 to address them 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:41.680 in the way that he does. 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:43.399 It's very intentional 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:44.620 on his part. 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:45.500 As a matter of fact, 00:11:45.560 --> 00:11:46.860 in all of these seven addresses 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:47.539 to his church, 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:48.639 the way that Jesus 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:49.639 describes himself, 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:51.080 he is speaking directly 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:52.960 to what is going on 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:53.659 in that city. 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:55.639 And here in Philadelphia, 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:57.419 he means to remind them, 00:11:57.659 --> 00:11:59.740 remind them of who he is 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:00.799 in contrast 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:01.939 with the claims 00:12:01.939 --> 00:12:02.399 of the culture 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:03.159 that they're living in. 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:04.559 And what does Jesus 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:05.419 remind them of 00:12:05.419 --> 00:12:06.059 in his address? 00:12:06.459 --> 00:12:07.379 First, he says 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:09.059 that he is holy. 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:10.039 He is holy. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:11.339 He is the holy one. 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:12.240 Holy one. 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:13.159 He is none other 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:14.219 than God Almighty. 00:12:14.959 --> 00:12:15.559 For John, 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.299 who was an apostle, 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:17.259 who was a Jew, 00:12:17.719 --> 00:12:18.179 for him, 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:19.339 there was only one 00:12:19.339 --> 00:12:20.179 who was holy. 00:12:20.439 --> 00:12:22.299 As 1 Samuel 2 says, 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:22.659 it says, 00:12:22.859 --> 00:12:23.919 there is none holy 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:24.659 like the Lord. 00:12:24.819 --> 00:12:25.839 There is no rock 00:12:25.839 --> 00:12:26.979 like our God. 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:27.019 God. 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:28.920 In John's gospel, 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:29.700 John's gospel, 00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:30.539 he talks about 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:31.300 in chapter 6, 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:32.300 that the disciples, 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:33.279 after they witnessed 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.960 Jesus feeding the 5,000, 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:35.960 they declared 00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:37.420 that he was 00:12:37.420 --> 00:12:38.399 the holy one 00:12:38.399 --> 00:12:39.200 of God. 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:40.320 John knew 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:41.259 who Jesus was. 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:42.759 What is holiness? 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.759 Holiness speaks 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:46.039 of separation 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:46.920 or distinction. 00:12:47.920 --> 00:12:48.519 Uniqueness, 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.720 speaking of 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:50.539 our Lord's 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:51.300 separation, 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.500 his uniqueness 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:54.539 from his creation. 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:56.620 It's not Jesus 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:57.879 and his creation 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.500 are together. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:12:59.279 It's Jesus 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:01.120 over his creation. 00:13:01.959 --> 00:13:02.799 Jesus is not 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:03.679 subject to us, 00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:03.959 friends. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.159 We are subject 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:05.719 to him. 00:13:06.219 --> 00:13:07.240 He is not subject 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:07.919 to the cosmos. 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:10.579 He is over 00:13:10.579 --> 00:13:11.120 the cosmos. 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:11.699 The cosmos 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.639 is in subjection 00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:13.019 to him. 00:13:13.599 --> 00:13:14.459 He upholds it, 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.159 the Bible says, 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:15.719 by the word 00:13:15.719 --> 00:13:16.299 of his power, 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:17.579 Hebrews chapter 1. 00:13:18.459 --> 00:13:19.539 Jesus moves 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:20.659 in a mysterious way 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.559 to quote the old hymn. 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.519 His wonders 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:23.299 to perform. 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:24.459 He plants 00:13:24.459 --> 00:13:25.099 his footsteps 00:13:25.099 --> 00:13:25.819 in the sea 00:13:25.819 --> 00:13:26.599 and he rides 00:13:26.599 --> 00:13:27.559 upon the storm. 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:28.379 This is who 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:29.399 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:29.979 is, friends. 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:31.079 He is the almighty 00:13:31.079 --> 00:13:31.299 one. 00:13:31.359 --> 00:13:32.240 He is the sovereign 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:33.319 son of God 00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:35.479 who is addressing 00:13:35.479 --> 00:13:36.359 his church 00:13:36.359 --> 00:13:37.319 from a place 00:13:37.319 --> 00:13:37.899 of authority 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.799 and a place 00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:39.339 of majesty. 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:41.000 So Jesus is holy. 00:13:41.219 --> 00:13:41.740 The second thing 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:42.199 that he says 00:13:42.199 --> 00:13:42.859 is that Jesus 00:13:42.859 --> 00:13:43.659 is true. 00:13:43.959 --> 00:13:45.139 He is the true one. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:46.479 Later on 00:13:46.479 --> 00:13:46.759 in the book 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:47.259 of Revelation, 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:48.039 John describes 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:48.899 Jesus as being 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:50.439 holy and true. 00:13:50.959 --> 00:13:51.519 And the word 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:52.240 here for true 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:53.259 means that 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:54.679 Jesus is the authentic. 00:13:54.939 --> 00:13:55.720 He is the genuine. 00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:56.659 He is real. 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:57.879 And this is signifying 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:58.639 that everything 00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.639 about Jesus 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:01.000 is the real deal. 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:02.240 Everything about him 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:02.799 is the real deal. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:03.939 His divine nature, 00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:04.840 his attributes, 00:14:05.080 --> 00:14:05.700 his words, 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.539 his character. 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.779 Jesus is the standard 00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:09.399 of truth. 00:14:09.819 --> 00:14:10.939 We do not measure him 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:12.700 by our inferior standards. 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.659 He is the measuring rod 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:15.439 that assesses 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:15.919 and judges. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.659 We do not appeal 00:14:17.659 --> 00:14:18.860 to a higher authority 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:20.120 to validate Jesus. 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:22.379 Jesus is the highest authority. 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:24.679 He is validation itself. 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:26.799 Jesus is the very embodiment 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:27.539 of truth. 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:29.580 Glory as of the only son 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:30.259 from the father 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.299 full of grace 00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:32.120 and truth, 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:32.679 John 1. 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.759 He is the true light 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.860 which enlightens everyone. 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.179 He is the true light 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:37.879 which continues 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:39.080 to shine in the darkness 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:40.039 and the darkness 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:40.980 cannot put it out. 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.960 Now why is it significant 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:44.019 that John's pointing this out? 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:46.000 Why is the fact 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.220 that Jesus is holy 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:48.539 and Jesus is true, 00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:49.980 why is that significant? 00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:51.919 Little theologians, 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:52.219 kids, 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:53.000 why is it important 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:54.199 for you to know 00:14:54.199 --> 00:14:56.839 that Jesus is holy 00:14:56.839 --> 00:14:58.240 and Jesus is significant 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:59.480 or Jesus is true? 00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:01.339 Well, 00:15:01.579 --> 00:15:02.219 in a world 00:15:02.219 --> 00:15:02.959 that is searching 00:15:02.959 --> 00:15:04.000 for significance, 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.480 searching for meaning, 00:15:05.839 --> 00:15:06.419 in a world 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.179 that is longing 00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:08.879 for transcendence, 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:10.299 here is Jesus, 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:11.579 the holy one, 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:12.559 made flesh, 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:14.299 walking and talking 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:15.339 among us 00:15:15.339 --> 00:15:16.000 and to us. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.759 Jesus, 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:17.740 the holy one, 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:18.639 the transcendent one, 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:20.240 is addressing you and I 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.639 in a world 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.720 that is searching for 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:23.379 and wondering 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:25.059 if there is any truth, 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:26.500 anything worth believing 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:27.159 and defending, 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.720 anything worth fighting 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:29.820 and dying for. 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:31.100 Here is Jesus, 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:32.019 the source 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:33.679 in whom all the treasures 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:34.360 of wisdom 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:35.000 and knowledge 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.500 and truth 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.120 are found. 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:37.980 In him, 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:38.980 in him, church, 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.259 we have holiness. 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.100 In him, 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:42.059 we have truth. 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.460 And these two things 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.720 begin to shape 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.500 the way that we view 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:45.940 the world. 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:47.700 They begin to shape 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:48.680 the way that we view 00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:49.840 ourselves in the world, 00:15:49.920 --> 00:15:51.000 what we are called to. 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.639 They answer the question 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.240 of significance. 00:15:53.420 --> 00:15:54.399 They answer the question 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:54.980 of meaning 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.720 and purpose 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:56.720 and value. 00:15:58.040 --> 00:15:59.680 Much like for the church 00:15:59.680 --> 00:16:00.379 in Philadelphia 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:02.360 who are holding fast 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:03.080 to this testimony, 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.320 the question for you 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:05.040 and I today is, 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.279 are we holding fast? 00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:07.660 Are we holding fast 00:16:07.660 --> 00:16:09.060 to this Jesus 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:09.840 as he is revealed 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:10.340 in scripture? 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.720 To the one 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:12.560 who is holy 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.339 and true? 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:15.939 It was just as, 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:16.959 if not more difficult 00:16:16.959 --> 00:16:18.379 for them in the first century 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:20.319 to hold fast to this. 00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:21.539 They were facing 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.719 open persecution. 00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:23.599 They were facing 00:16:23.599 --> 00:16:24.679 heat for their witness. 00:16:24.959 --> 00:16:25.659 What about us? 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:27.259 Do we know him 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:27.859 who is holy? 00:16:28.619 --> 00:16:29.879 Do we know his voice? 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.619 One of the ways 00:16:31.619 --> 00:16:32.379 that we can tell 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.000 that we listen 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.759 to his voice 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:35.519 is we listen 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.139 because we know 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:36.619 his voice 00:16:36.619 --> 00:16:37.479 has authority. 00:16:37.839 --> 00:16:39.159 It carries authority. 00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:41.480 And that's the third 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.879 point that Jesus 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.779 reminds them of. 00:16:44.199 --> 00:16:44.879 His authority. 00:16:45.199 --> 00:16:45.939 Not only because 00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:46.579 of his character 00:16:46.579 --> 00:16:47.179 and his attributes, 00:16:47.319 --> 00:16:47.779 he is holy, 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.299 he is true, 00:16:48.459 --> 00:16:49.799 but because of his authority, 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:51.360 he holds the key of David, 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:52.039 he says there. 00:16:52.699 --> 00:16:53.519 In our Old Testament 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.699 reading from Isaiah 22, 00:16:54.819 --> 00:16:55.339 you heard it. 00:16:55.579 --> 00:16:56.500 We heard how God 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:58.100 intervened at a time 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:59.360 that he provided 00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:00.079 a steward 00:17:00.079 --> 00:17:01.139 for the house of David 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.000 in Eliakim. 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.699 And this was God 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:04.619 providing this 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:05.440 to David's household 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:07.680 so that David's household 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.399 could be preserved. 00:17:09.320 --> 00:17:10.180 It could be preserved 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:11.660 so that the coming Messiah, 00:17:12.120 --> 00:17:13.320 the Messiah could come 00:17:13.320 --> 00:17:13.920 into the world. 00:17:14.100 --> 00:17:15.160 The Messiah who now 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.240 rules and reigns 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.180 over David's household. 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.019 The church. 00:17:18.320 --> 00:17:19.000 That's what Jesus 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.700 is alluding to 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.220 when he says 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.680 that I have the keys 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.160 of David. 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:24.280 It's absolutely incredible 00:17:24.280 --> 00:17:25.259 to think of how God 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.560 used that bleak moment, 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.380 that bleak moment 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:28.920 in history 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:30.680 roughly 700 years 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:31.900 before Jesus was born 00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:32.980 as an analogy 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.820 pointing to 00:17:33.820 --> 00:17:35.240 Christ's own rule 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.000 and reign 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.940 over his church. 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:38.420 So he holds 00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.220 the key of David, 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:40.019 he says, 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:40.940 and he opens 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:42.480 and he closes the door. 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:44.480 Much like how the steward 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:45.180 was in charge 00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:46.620 of who was in the household, 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.259 who was accepted 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.140 in the palace, 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:50.059 and who could come 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.039 before the king, 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:53.220 so now Jesus says 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:53.660 to the church 00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:54.220 in Philadelphia 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.840 that he is the one, 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.640 he is the one 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.279 who opens 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.440 and shuts the door. 00:17:59.320 --> 00:17:59.900 Now this raises 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:00.320 the question, 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:00.920 what door 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.820 is he talking about? 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:03.519 He's about to tell us 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.180 that in verse 8 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:04.619 and following. 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.879 He says, 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.980 I know your works, 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:07.920 behold I have set 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.920 before you an open door 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:09.700 which no one 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:11.500 is able to shut. 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:13.279 And in the Bible 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.900 when God talks about, 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:16.139 when Jesus talks about 00:18:16.139 --> 00:18:17.680 an open door, 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:18.879 it's talking about 00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:19.720 within the context 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.579 of the advancement, 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.579 the establishment 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:23.440 of the gospel message. 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:24.960 And that is 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.639 that the church 00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:26.299 in Philadelphia 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:27.599 had remained faithful 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:28.379 to that 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:29.879 despite the difficulties 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:30.700 that they were facing. 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.559 they had remained 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.200 an open door 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:32.880 where the gospel 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:33.740 was being proclaimed. 00:18:34.100 --> 00:18:34.680 They were holding 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:35.420 fast to Jesus. 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:36.720 They were not compromising 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.580 to the culture 00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:38.080 around them, 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:39.200 but they continued 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:39.900 to proclaim. 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:40.700 They continued 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.340 to witness 00:18:41.340 --> 00:18:42.759 to the truthfulness 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.900 of who Jesus was. 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:45.240 And that was 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.100 despite the difficulties 00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:46.900 that they were facing. 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.220 In verse 9, 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.900 Jesus says, 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.059 I know you have 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.819 but little power 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:51.980 and yet you have 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:52.860 kept my word 00:18:52.860 --> 00:18:53.900 and you have not 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:54.900 denied my name. 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:56.880 Though they were 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:57.779 little in power, 00:18:58.640 --> 00:18:59.519 they were mighty 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.580 in their perseverance. 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.340 In their endurance, 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.160 their faithfulness 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:03.580 to Jesus. 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.580 One thing 00:19:05.580 --> 00:19:06.500 that we can take away 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:08.380 from this 00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:08.860 is the way 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:09.440 that Jesus 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.539 assesses his church. 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.380 The way that he 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:12.180 assesses the church, 00:19:12.600 --> 00:19:13.380 it's not the way 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:14.019 that we typically 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.200 assess churches nowadays. 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:17.240 Because he's not 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.960 assessing them 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:18.640 by numbers 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:20.819 or anything external. 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:21.940 It's by their 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.840 holding fast 00:19:22.840 --> 00:19:23.600 to his word 00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:24.819 and their faithfulness 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.240 to him. 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:27.640 It's who they are 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:29.279 and where they turn 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.899 in time of crisis. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.119 That's what defines 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:32.879 them as a church. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:34.980 When external difficulties 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.779 are threatening 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.660 the church itself, 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:38.059 it's what defines them 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.440 that they are 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.599 holding fast to Jesus. 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.660 They are not 00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.440 looking outside. 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.160 They are looking 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.779 to him. 00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:44.059 Jesus sees this 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.639 and he commends 00:19:44.639 --> 00:19:45.279 them for it. 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:46.859 Now what were 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.779 the external difficulties 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.460 that they were facing? 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.420 He says in verse 9 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.339 that there were those 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:52.139 of the synagogue 00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:53.019 of Satan. 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.980 Those who say 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.660 they are Jews 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.300 but are not. 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.500 They lie, 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.420 Jesus says. 00:19:59.320 --> 00:20:00.120 These are sharp 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:01.000 piercing words 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:02.460 from Christ. 00:20:03.580 --> 00:20:04.600 Much like the church 00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:05.600 in Smyrna 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:07.940 in Revelation chapter 2, 00:20:08.060 --> 00:20:08.900 there's another church 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:10.180 that has no rebuke there. 00:20:11.320 --> 00:20:12.759 There Jesus only has 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.900 commendation for them. 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.580 He has encouragement 00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:15.040 for them. 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:15.940 In Smyrna, 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.620 they were facing 00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:17.540 hostility from the 00:20:17.540 --> 00:20:18.180 Jewish community 00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:18.900 there as well. 00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:20.320 In Philadelphia, 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.200 they are facing 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.340 the same kind 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:22.880 of persecution 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:23.480 from those 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.640 who are ethnically 00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:25.220 Jewish 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.819 but Jesus says 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:28.240 morally and spiritually 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.980 they are not Jewish. 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.519 What does he say 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.059 that they are? 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:32.680 He says they're 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.519 satanic. 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.640 Those who oppose 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.960 and act in hostility 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:39.079 against Christ's church 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:41.079 are acting satanically 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.519 whether through deception 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:44.099 as Jesus talks about here. 00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.500 They say they are Jews 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.160 and are not. 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.579 They lie about it 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:49.720 or as in violence. 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:50.539 That was in the case 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.200 in Smyrna. 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:52.460 They were violently 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.420 persecuting the church 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:53.660 there. 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.500 Here in Philadelphia, 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:55.720 they are persecuting 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.120 the church 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.920 through deception. 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.140 So it continues 00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:00.039 in our day as well. 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.620 It may not be 00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:02.779 the synagogue of Satan 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.539 that we are facing 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.279 in 2021 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:06.460 but the same 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.759 deceptive hostility 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.640 is prevalent 00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:09.860 down through the ages 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.860 as an attack 00:21:10.860 --> 00:21:12.019 against the church. 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.480 We should not be 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.240 surprised by this. 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:15.100 The Bible talks about, 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:16.140 the New Testament talks about 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:17.560 that the whole world 00:21:17.560 --> 00:21:18.840 lies in the power 00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:19.680 of the evil one, 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.600 1 John 5. 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:22.100 The apostle Paul, 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:22.400 of course, 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:23.600 said in 2 Corinthians 4 00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.800 that the God 00:21:24.800 --> 00:21:25.600 of this age 00:21:25.600 --> 00:21:26.440 has blinded 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:26.840 the minds 00:21:26.840 --> 00:21:27.500 of unbelievers 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.240 to keep them 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.940 from seeing 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:30.040 the light 00:21:30.040 --> 00:21:31.019 of the gospel 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.680 of the glory 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.280 of Christ. 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:33.880 The God of this age, 00:21:34.040 --> 00:21:34.720 Satan himself. 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.880 And so for us, 00:21:37.080 --> 00:21:37.900 we live 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:38.540 in a relatively 00:21:38.540 --> 00:21:39.420 free society. 00:21:39.800 --> 00:21:40.480 We don't face, 00:21:40.580 --> 00:21:41.180 as of now, 00:21:41.280 --> 00:21:42.400 the violent persecution 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:43.980 as much as we face 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.620 an attack 00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:45.519 on the truth, 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.660 whether that be 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.740 on the outside 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:49.480 or as Jesus 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.240 makes clear 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:51.019 in Revelation 2 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.259 and 3, 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:51.980 all these addresses 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.620 to the churches, 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.140 there's also attack 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:54.599 that happens 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:55.400 within the church 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.140 as well, 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.759 outside or inside. 00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.839 The early church 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.640 there was facing 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.259 contamination 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.759 of false teaching, 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.640 sexual compromise, 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.400 immorality. 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.740 They were facing 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.599 people bringing 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:08.460 in the idols 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:09.579 and ideologies 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:11.579 of the surrounding culture. 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.379 They were trying 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.259 to mix all these things 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.220 with Christ's teaching 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:15.079 and authority, 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:15.839 syncretism. 00:22:15.919 --> 00:22:16.220 They were trying 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.519 to mix these things. 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.679 And that is what 00:22:18.679 --> 00:22:19.419 had put the church 00:22:19.419 --> 00:22:20.259 at the first century 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.879 in such a perilous position. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:24.179 Five out of the seven churches 00:22:24.179 --> 00:22:25.319 that Jesus addresses, 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:26.879 they are rebuked by him. 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:27.599 They are warned 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.799 that if they don't repent, 00:22:29.639 --> 00:22:30.519 Jesus will come 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.619 in judgment on them. 00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:33.619 In Ephesus, 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.039 it was their neglecting 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.799 the truth 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:37.960 that above all else, 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:39.399 Christ calls us 00:22:39.399 --> 00:22:40.419 to embrace him, 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.620 to love him, 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.920 allowing that love 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.740 to then in turn 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:46.380 affect how we love 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:46.800 one another, 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.900 how we treat one another 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.580 in the church. 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.500 Or in Sardis, 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.400 in Sardis, 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.120 Jesus said, 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.240 your exterior, 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.740 how you present yourself, 00:22:54.820 --> 00:22:56.000 it doesn't matter at all 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:57.779 when inside 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.960 you are dead to me. 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.400 When you have forgotten 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.320 what you have received 00:23:01.320 --> 00:23:02.060 and what you have heard, 00:23:02.340 --> 00:23:03.460 outwardly you may appear 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.039 beautiful, 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:05.700 but inwardly you are full 00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.900 of spiritual death 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:07.500 and decay. 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.300 Jesus to that church 00:23:09.300 --> 00:23:09.539 said, 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.359 wake up. 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.319 The call is for you 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:11.940 to wake up, 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.359 to hear my voice, 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.920 to hear my voice of truth 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:15.619 and to repent. 00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:16.960 I am the one 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:18.039 who knows the heart 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.619 and the mind, 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.180 Jesus says. 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:20.519 I see you, church. 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:21.519 I know what's there. 00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:22.420 Wake up 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.159 and repent. 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.460 This church, 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.099 he talks about 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:27.539 strengthening what remains. 00:23:28.159 --> 00:23:29.279 Strengthening what remains. 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.440 You're in the church. 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.680 You hear the voice 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.259 of his word. 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.619 The call to respond 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.200 with repentance 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.139 and faith is there. 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.159 Respond, 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:36.779 O church, 00:23:37.100 --> 00:23:37.400 hear. 00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:39.660 What we gather, 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.860 brothers and sisters, 00:23:41.600 --> 00:23:42.519 by examining 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.820 what our Lord says 00:23:43.820 --> 00:23:44.460 to his church 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:46.180 is that we cannot afford 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:47.080 to be passive 00:23:47.080 --> 00:23:48.000 in our faith, 00:23:48.320 --> 00:23:49.960 nor can we be neglectful 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.620 of the truth 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.380 that we have received 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:51.920 from Jesus. 00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:53.940 Like Smyrna, 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.500 we are called 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.340 to be faithful, 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.980 faithful even unto death. 00:23:57.120 --> 00:23:57.840 We are called, 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.540 as he says here 00:23:58.540 --> 00:23:59.100 to Philadelphia, 00:23:59.340 --> 00:24:00.380 to hold fast 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:00.920 to the truth, 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:02.500 even when spiritual 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.680 forces rage 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.680 and they combat 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.620 against that truth. 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.660 I want to say 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.880 that as a pastor, 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:12.480 I feel the weightiness 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:14.360 of these calls. 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.980 These calls 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:17.100 in that not only 00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:17.800 am I called 00:24:17.800 --> 00:24:19.580 to deliver the message, 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:21.620 but I also am charged 00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:22.620 with setting the example. 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.800 I'm called to be 00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:25.140 out front leading the way. 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:29.039 And to be honest 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.880 with you, 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:32.100 it's a heavy task. 00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.860 It's a heavy task. 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:36.759 I know my own heart. 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:38.360 I know my own struggles, 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:39.539 my own failures, 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:42.120 not only as a man, 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.019 but as a husband, 00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:44.160 as a father, 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.140 as a friend, 00:24:45.320 --> 00:24:46.019 as a brother, 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:47.940 and as a pastor. 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:52.360 And there have been times 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:55.880 when the shame 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.660 in my life 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:58.259 has been so overwhelming, 00:24:58.259 --> 00:25:01.119 so suffocating, 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:04.000 that all I want to do 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:05.579 is crawl under a rock 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.519 and hide, 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.539 believing that the world 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.339 would be a better place 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:09.859 without me. 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:12.319 I go full George Bailey. 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:16.539 And without this word, 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.039 friends, 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.980 without this Jesus, 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:21.879 who is holy and true, 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:24.339 who holds the keys 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:25.779 to God's household, 00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:27.059 who holds the key 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:28.740 to all of redemptive history, 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:30.519 who opens the door, 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:31.159 and you know who 00:25:31.159 --> 00:25:32.039 he opens the door for? 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.159 For the weary 00:25:33.159 --> 00:25:34.339 and the shame-filled 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.519 like me, 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.279 without this, 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:38.039 I would be lost. 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:39.980 All hope, 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:40.859 all hope 00:25:40.859 --> 00:25:41.839 would be gone. 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:46.039 But what has been so rich 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:47.460 and so timely for me 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:49.519 during this season 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.399 of hard providence 00:25:50.399 --> 00:25:51.420 that I've been going through 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:53.480 are these promises 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.819 that Jesus has 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.599 to his church 00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:57.159 for those who are 00:25:57.159 --> 00:25:58.180 undergoing trials 00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:58.940 and difficulties, 00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.619 being reminded 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.899 that it's our Lord Jesus, 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:02.859 brothers and sisters, 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:05.059 who continues to promise, 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.259 promise to his people, 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:08.220 that the day is coming 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:09.079 when disappointment, 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:09.599 grief, 00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.879 and fear will be gone, 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:12.559 that sorrow will be forgotten, 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:14.079 that love's purest joys 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.839 will be restored, 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:16.359 when change and tears 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:16.940 are passed 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:18.559 and all saved and blessed 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.920 we shall meet at last. 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.960 That is who Jesus is. 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:26.160 And even to his church 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:26.879 here in Philadelphia, 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:28.379 he talks about acting 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:29.119 in such a way 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:30.299 that will be undeniable. 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.279 He's going to act 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.000 on their behalf. 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.420 And he talks about that 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.619 in verses 9 through 10. 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.420 He talks about 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.380 that he's going to make 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:37.019 those that are 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.000 of the synagogue of Satan 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.920 come down 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:40.920 and bow before their feet 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:42.140 that they will learn 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:43.380 that I have loved you 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:45.920 and that he will keep them 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.960 from the hour of trial 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.460 that is coming 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.300 on the whole earth 00:26:48.300 --> 00:26:49.480 to try those 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.600 who dwell on the earth. 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:52.420 He talks about 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:54.360 those that are 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:55.340 of the synagogue of Satan 00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:56.100 and this is 00:26:56.100 --> 00:26:57.279 an incredible picture 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:59.480 because when he says 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.580 that he holds open the door 00:27:00.580 --> 00:27:01.600 and no one is able to shut 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:03.019 and he shuts 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:04.060 and no one is able to open, 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:05.639 Jesus is saying, 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:05.919 friends, 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:07.139 that he has the authority 00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:08.579 to bring even 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.779 the most heinous, 00:27:10.379 --> 00:27:12.200 even the most blasphemous enemies 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.919 and bring them 00:27:13.919 --> 00:27:14.819 into his house 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:17.740 as those who now know him 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:19.019 and know his love 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.679 for his people. 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.579 What an encouragement 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.599 that is for us 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:24.079 knowing the power 00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:24.879 and the grace 00:27:24.879 --> 00:27:26.159 of Jesus. 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.240 There is nothing 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.139 too heinous. 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.179 There is nothing 00:27:30.179 --> 00:27:30.759 too dirty. 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:31.319 There is nothing 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:31.940 too shameful. 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:32.960 There is no one 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.480 too dirty 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.259 or too shameful 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.779 for him. 00:27:35.320 --> 00:27:36.200 Even those 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:37.080 that he called 00:27:37.080 --> 00:27:39.000 part of Satan's domain. 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.279 Christ is able 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.180 to save 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:43.160 to the uttermost 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.140 no matter, 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.220 no matter the sin. 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:47.039 And the second thing 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:48.059 that he promises 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:49.100 to his church 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:49.680 in Philadelphia 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:51.100 is that he will 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:52.120 protect them 00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:53.059 from the hour of trial 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:53.960 that is coming upon 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.700 those who dwell 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.160 on the earth. 00:27:56.080 --> 00:27:56.660 Now the thing 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.799 I want to just point out 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.160 to you 00:27:58.160 --> 00:28:00.220 is keeping in mind 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:01.319 that Jesus is addressing 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:02.900 a very specific church 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.519 at this time. 00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:04.900 I do not believe 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:06.120 that he is talking 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:06.940 about a period 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.600 of tribulation 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:09.019 that they themselves 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.039 would not experience. 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.039 That doesn't fit 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.519 the context 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.400 of what he's saying here. 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.720 Rather, 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:15.380 what Jesus is saying 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.839 is a principle 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.660 that holds true, 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.380 that rings true 00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:18.900 for the church 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:20.180 down through the ages 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.299 all the way 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.120 to the end 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:23.180 of time. 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.339 And that is 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:25.339 that for those 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.480 who hold fast to him 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.279 during trials 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.059 and tribulations, 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.500 he promises 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.779 to provide the strength, 00:28:30.879 --> 00:28:32.339 the supernatural strength 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.240 and presence 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:33.899 that they will need 00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:34.619 to endure that. 00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:36.599 The world is filled 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:37.960 with tribulation. 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:38.619 You and I, 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.599 we cannot avoid it. 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.660 But Jesus provides 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:43.000 what no one else can, 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.059 spiritual endurance 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:46.480 and ultimately 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.519 the victory 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:48.619 that comes with him. 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:49.879 And he says that 00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:50.759 in verse 11 and following. 00:28:50.859 --> 00:28:51.119 He says, 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.259 I am coming soon. 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.759 Hold fast to what you have 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.799 that no one 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.819 may seize your crown. 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:57.220 The one who conquers, 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.019 I will make him 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:59.359 a pillar in the temple 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:00.119 of my God, 00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:00.700 he says. 00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:02.859 To the one who conquers, 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:04.279 by holding fast to me, 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:04.819 he says, 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:06.240 there is a place for you. 00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:07.679 There is a name for you. 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.879 And it's my God, 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.539 Jesus says. 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.319 It is a place 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.119 that my God 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:12.859 is preparing for you. 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.460 It is a name 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.259 that my God 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.339 has written on you. 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.480 And Jesus says 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:19.639 that I will make him, 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.480 I will make him 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.460 the one who endures. 00:29:21.879 --> 00:29:22.879 I will make him 00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:24.159 a member. 00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:25.380 I will make him 00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:26.220 a partaker 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:28.140 in the city 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.019 that is coming down 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:29.500 from heaven. 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.840 The city that is 00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:31.640 prepared for you. 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.740 So all of that, 00:29:33.800 --> 00:29:34.300 all of that 00:29:34.300 --> 00:29:34.920 is for you, 00:29:35.040 --> 00:29:35.620 Cheyenne Mountain. 00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:37.560 For you who hold fast 00:29:37.560 --> 00:29:38.600 even amid trials 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:39.320 and afflictions 00:29:39.320 --> 00:29:40.140 in this life. 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.759 The one who is true 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.960 and faithful. 00:29:43.120 --> 00:29:44.080 The one who is holy. 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:45.100 Who is the fulfillment 00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:46.259 of all of God's 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.980 covenant promises. 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:48.400 He holds the door 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:49.279 open to this day, 00:29:49.360 --> 00:29:50.120 to this very day. 00:29:51.080 --> 00:29:52.259 And Jesus does this, 00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:52.500 friends, 00:29:52.560 --> 00:29:53.860 because he ultimately 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:54.939 took on the form 00:29:54.939 --> 00:29:55.919 of a servant for us. 00:29:56.459 --> 00:29:57.419 He was obedient 00:29:57.419 --> 00:29:58.219 to his father 00:29:58.219 --> 00:29:59.779 even unto death. 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:01.219 He faced trial 00:30:01.219 --> 00:30:01.899 after trial. 00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:03.000 He faced trial 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:03.619 from Satan. 00:30:03.899 --> 00:30:04.659 He faced trial 00:30:04.659 --> 00:30:05.859 from the unbelieving world 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:07.019 and the betrayal, 00:30:07.179 --> 00:30:07.599 the slander, 00:30:07.719 --> 00:30:08.139 the lies, 00:30:08.219 --> 00:30:08.819 the injustice 00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:10.019 that we afflict 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:11.099 on one another. 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.179 Jesus did all this 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:14.500 who for the joy 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.579 that was set before him, 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.619 he endured it all. 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.439 He endured the cross. 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.740 He endured the shame. 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:21.119 He endured the rejection, 00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:21.819 the ridicule, 00:30:21.899 --> 00:30:22.459 the malice, 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.180 the betrayal, 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.019 the abandonment, 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:24.920 the loneliness, 00:30:25.360 --> 00:30:26.680 the wrath of his father. 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.680 He did all that 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:30.759 knowing that for the joy 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.799 that was set before him, 00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:33.559 he would bring you and I 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.920 into his kingdom. 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.579 And he calls, 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.860 he calls you and I 00:30:38.860 --> 00:30:40.920 to follow in his footsteps 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:42.480 by embracing 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.539 and holding fast 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.079 to him 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:45.019 who promises 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.860 by his word 00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:46.340 and spirit 00:30:46.340 --> 00:30:47.440 through the ministry 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.180 of his church 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:49.799 that we will overcome. 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:52.359 There is no one 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:53.119 like Jesus. 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:54.819 There is no one 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.279 like him. 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.019 So the call 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:57.700 goes out to you, 00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.039 church, 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.440 to hold fast, 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.339 to hold fast. 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:03.419 He who has ears, 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:03.980 let him hear 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:04.480 what the spirit 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.339 says to the church. 00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:07.240 By his endurance, 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.819 we will conquer. 00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.740 Thanks be to him. 00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:11.919 Let's pray. 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:13.740 Lord, 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.200 we thank you 00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:14.740 for this word. 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.159 We thank you 00:31:15.159 --> 00:31:15.799 for this time. 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:17.279 Jesus, 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:17.859 we thank you 00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:18.680 that even though 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:20.039 we in the eyes 00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:20.539 of the world 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.200 as a church 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:22.539 may have little power 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:24.039 in your eyes, 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:24.399 Lord, 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.960 help us to be faithful. 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:27.659 Help us to hold fast. 00:31:28.879 --> 00:31:30.539 Help us by your spirit, 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.059 Lord, 00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:33.440 to endure 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:34.339 what we must. 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:36.700 We ask that you would, 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:37.379 Lord, 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.119 convert us, 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:39.519 convert us out of our 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:41.379 worldly way of thinking. 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:42.399 Convert us. 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:42.720 If we, 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.319 Lord, 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:44.599 if we do not see you 00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:45.960 as you are, 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:47.480 as the holy and true one, 00:31:47.679 --> 00:31:49.200 as the one who holds the keys, 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:50.639 keys to heaven, 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:52.059 keys to the kingdom of God, 00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:53.579 that no one, 00:31:53.639 --> 00:31:54.720 no one is able to shut 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.919 what you have established 00:31:55.919 --> 00:31:58.599 and no one is able to open 00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:59.379 what you have shut. 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:01.039 You have ultimate authority, 00:32:01.179 --> 00:32:01.539 Lord Jesus, 00:32:01.679 --> 00:32:02.419 and we pray that 00:32:02.419 --> 00:32:03.799 as we come to your table now, 00:32:03.899 --> 00:32:04.899 you would remind us 00:32:04.899 --> 00:32:06.439 of how you set 00:32:06.439 --> 00:32:09.119 your authority aside 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:09.859 from heaven 00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:10.480 to come down 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.279 and to serve us 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:12.700 in this incredible way. 00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:13.439 Lord, 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.319 help us to eat and drink 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:14.700 in faith 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:17.480 as we go 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.500 to your table now. 00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:19.439 And it's in your name 00:32:19.439 --> 00:32:19.799 we pray. 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.179 Amen.