WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.140 Good morning. It's good to be back with you. I was here last week. I know some of you 00:00:08.140 --> 00:00:13.019 ! I know some of you weren't here last week. So just a brief introduction so I'm not too much 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:18.440 ! of a stranger. Do you have the photo of my whole family there? So this is my whole family. 00:00:18.440 --> 00:00:25.500 I'm delighted this morning to have my wife with me, Jessica, and my son, Trevor, and then 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:31.280 we have three others who are about to say youngsters, but they're less and less youngsters. 00:00:32.939 --> 00:00:39.039 And so and then I'm part of a ministry called Promote Humility, and we do workshops and coaching 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:46.439 and have some initiatives, focus on disability ministry around the world and other aspects 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:55.019 of what it means to grow in humility. And so that's a little about me. And Pastor Mike, 00:00:55.500 --> 00:01:01.200 we actually went to the same seminary at the same time, and we have some overlapping relationships. 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:09.840 So he invited me here, and he's been in Alaska, where my wife and I served for 10 years. And so 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:16.859 when I asked last week how many people have been to Alaska, I was very disappointed in the number 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:19.500 of people who are here. So it's God's country up there. It's beautiful. 00:01:21.980 --> 00:01:28.299 But we're in... So Pastor Mike said, you know, Phil, could you come with a two-part series? 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:33.840 And so I thought, you know, let's just go to Revelation for two weeks, right? Just something 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:44.700 really easy. But what I've been wanting to do here is to really rekindle your interest, 00:01:44.700 --> 00:01:54.140 draw toward this incredible book of Revelation. Pastor Mike said he preached it back in 2018. 00:01:55.020 --> 00:02:03.240 I'm sure you remember most of those sermons. But we always need to be refreshed in our memory of 00:02:03.240 --> 00:02:11.740 God's Word. Last week, and I'm trying to come at Revelation from some angles that you may not 00:02:11.740 --> 00:02:18.280 think about often. And sometimes you come to the book of Revelation, and people talk about timelines. 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:26.620 And I'm coming from a different angle of... Well, last week, we looked at this incredible imagery 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:37.219 of the Lamb on the throne. Over two dozen times or so, he's called the Lamb on the throne. Not the Lion 00:02:37.219 --> 00:02:46.680 on the throne. A lamb on the throne. And so what we did was we took apart different layers of what 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:56.740 that image, imagery is. He's a lamb. Image of weakness. But he's a lamb that was... But we don't just 00:02:56.740 --> 00:03:03.439 think of the symbolism just from thin air. We look at the context. And we saw in the context, 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:09.599 there's emphasis this lamb was slain. And then we go another... We peeled back another layer of this 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:18.060 onion. And we saw in the context in chapter 5 that this lamb, he was slain, but he's conquered. 00:03:18.979 --> 00:03:27.840 And then he invites his sheep to follow him, to conquer along with him and reign with him. 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:35.860 And so this week, I thought we would come at Revelation from yet another angle. 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:42.819 And we'll do that by looking at chapters 2 and 3, where there's seven messages. So if you turn, 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:47.379 if you haven't already turned to Revelation, we'll focus on chapters 2 and 3. 00:03:49.620 --> 00:03:55.719 And you recall, if you were here last week, we talked about this very interesting genre of Revelation, 00:03:55.719 --> 00:04:03.139 where it's kind of three genres mixed. There's apocalyptic, so there's a lot of imagery and 00:04:03.139 --> 00:04:11.479 metaphor and all these layers. There's prophecy. It says very explicitly that prophecies are things 00:04:11.479 --> 00:04:18.879 it's saying will come in the future. And it's also a letter. It's a letter that the apostle John 00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:22.259 wrote to these churches. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:34.079 I'm very grateful that was part of our passage today. And chapter 1 was read. So go back to chapter 1, 00:04:34.219 --> 00:04:39.959 because before we get to chapter 2, I want to just set the context there. 00:04:39.959 --> 00:04:46.939 But what I like to do before we start reading Scripture is to pray as we come to God's Word. So would 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:53.919 you close your eyes and bow your heads and just take a moment, ask God to speak to you through his Word 00:04:53.919 --> 00:04:54.779 this morning. 00:04:54.779 --> 00:04:54.859 Amen. 00:04:54.860 --> 00:05:12.180 You are a glorious Christ. 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:18.660 We want to stand in awe of you. We want to see you clearer. 00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:32.740 Father, would you send your Spirit to just open our eyes so we might see another layer of your majesty 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:39.620 and greatness and goodness and grace. And our hearts, whatever our hearts need this morning, 00:05:39.780 --> 00:05:45.100 you would bring through your Word. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:05:45.100 --> 00:05:45.260 Amen. 00:05:47.580 --> 00:05:54.939 So, the passage this morning that was read was chapter 1, verse 12. But if you'd go back just a little 00:05:54.939 --> 00:06:01.360 before that to chapter 1, verse 9, just to set the context a little bit. And you see here, 00:06:01.620 --> 00:06:06.280 chapter 1, and if you're still looking for the book of Revelation, last book of the Bible, 00:06:06.700 --> 00:06:12.020 chapter 1, verse 9. I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom 00:06:12.019 --> 00:06:19.620 and the patient endurance that are in Jesus was on the island called Patmos on account of the Word of God 00:06:19.620 --> 00:06:27.139 and the testimony of Jesus. And I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:36.279 like a trumpet saying, write what you see in a book and send it. So, it's a book that's made into a kind of a letter 00:06:36.279 --> 00:06:44.899 because it's being sent to the seven churches, Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira 00:06:44.899 --> 00:06:50.119 and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea. And in chapters, if you just flip the page there, 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:55.939 chapters 2 and 3 are to those seven churches in that order. These churches were in the, 00:06:56.500 --> 00:07:04.659 what's geography, it's where Turkey is right now on the western side of Turkey. And it's as if 00:07:04.660 --> 00:07:11.820 these are all kind of in an order as if a mailman was going around to these different churches. 00:07:15.160 --> 00:07:23.220 One thing to keep in mind as we look at the passage we are today, I just want, I titled this message 00:07:23.220 --> 00:07:34.560 Stunning Generosity. Last week, we saw this stunning reveal as the Lamb was revealed on the 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:40.699 throne and we marveled at the fact that it's a Lamb. In the back of your mind here, I want you to think 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:53.639 about the stunning generosity of this Lamb. And we saw the glorious picture of this Jesus as was read 00:07:53.639 --> 00:08:06.959 earlier of chapter 1, verses 12 and following of this glorious King in which John falls before. 00:08:07.159 --> 00:08:11.560 His face shining like the sun in full strength. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:21.259 We already see God's generosity. This glorious one is among the lampstands. Do you see that in verse 12? 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:27.719 There's seven golden lampstands. And then at the very end of chapter 1, it says in the seven lampstands 00:08:27.719 --> 00:08:35.840 are the seven churches. So there's this picture of this glorious, bright, really terrifying, 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:44.480 conquering, glorious one. And he's walking among the churches. You think about Kenosha. 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:59.039 This king walking among his people. And so you say this glorious generosity of this king coming along to 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:06.460 this people and each church having its specific issue. He knows these churches and he knows the 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:15.040 particular temptations of some, discouragements of some, where they need to be warned, where they need 00:09:15.040 --> 00:09:25.280 to be encouraged. He knows his people like a tender shepherd. By the way, something I was just thinking 00:09:25.280 --> 00:09:32.240 about. Isn't that interesting that he's described in such glorious terms here in chapter 1? So bright and 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:38.240 fearsome. It could have been that the descriptions of Jesus for the rest of the book could have been 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:49.340 the glorious one on the throne. But he's described as a lamb on the throne. It's very interesting how the 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:56.960 book is put together. So it's written to seven churches, or this whole book is written to seven 00:09:56.960 --> 00:10:04.879 churches. But it's all within, and here's very interesting, it's all within one book. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:15.519 So think about the other letters in the Bible. You have a book to Corinth. It's to, you know, 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:23.080 one location. There may be some house churches in that book, but it's to Corinth. Or it's to Thessalonica. 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:28.360 But we have something very unique here, and something to keep in mind as you read the book of Revelation. 00:10:28.680 --> 00:10:40.400 It's one letter written to seven churches in very unique situations. They need the book of Revelation 00:10:40.400 --> 00:10:48.000 for a different reason. Again, some that need to be warned. Some need to be encouraged. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:53.320 So in a sense, you need to read the book of Revelation seven times at least. 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:57.820 Having read the context of each of these seven churches, 00:10:58.179 --> 00:11:01.019 they are seven letters or messages in chapter two and three. 00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:05.879 What was it like in that particular church? What were they facing? What were the temptations or 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:08.080 discouragements? And then, 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:12.059 read the book of Revelation. What did they need to hear? 00:11:12.059 --> 00:11:20.359 What we're going to do today is, just like last week, we peeled an onion. 00:11:22.319 --> 00:11:24.239 Today, we're going to go the opposite direction. 00:11:25.179 --> 00:11:27.899 We're going to be like an image of a telescope. 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:32.859 We're going to focus on one of these churches. We're just going to start with the first one. 00:11:33.439 --> 00:11:35.539 We're going to look at the book of, or the message 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:39.059 to the church in Ephesus, chapter two, verses one through seven. 00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:42.359 We'll focus in on that. And then what we'll do is, we'll take a, 00:11:43.939 --> 00:11:45.839 we'll change the lens a little bit. 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:49.739 And then we'll, and then we'll change it once again. 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:55.439 What was it like for Ephesians to get this message to them particularly? 00:11:56.439 --> 00:11:57.199 But then, 00:11:57.919 --> 00:12:02.719 what was it like for the Ephesians to read the other people's mail? 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:05.000 Do you realize that? 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:11.080 These aren't just individual messages to this particular church, 00:12:11.299 --> 00:12:16.480 but they are given the opportunity to read other people's mail and see what was said. 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:23.659 And it's very interesting what the Ephesians need to hear as they read what was written to the other churches. 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:27.159 Because the one phrase that's repeated exactly the same in each, 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:28.200 each message, 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:32.520 you can see it in chapter two, verse seven. 00:12:34.020 --> 00:12:34.680 He who has an ear, 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:37.379 let him hear what the Spirit says to the 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:39.080 Ephesians? 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:41.660 No, to the churches, all the churches. 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:44.540 That same phrase is said each place. 00:12:45.160 --> 00:12:46.460 Listen to what 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:49.340 Jesus is saying to all the churches. 00:12:50.140 --> 00:12:50.980 You need this. 00:12:52.220 --> 00:12:52.720 And we'll find, 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:53.840 especially with Ephesians, 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:56.200 that the message of the Ephesians is that, 00:12:56.420 --> 00:12:57.379 and these seven, 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.180 there's seven by the way, 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:01.220 a characteristic of literature 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:05.800 in the Bible often is a chiastic structure. 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:10.379 That means there's a similarity between the first and the last. 00:13:10.940 --> 00:13:14.580 There's a similarity between the second and the second to last, etc. 00:13:15.280 --> 00:13:16.899 And that's what we actually find here. 00:13:17.540 --> 00:13:21.120 If you want to look at two churches that there was only encouragement, 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:22.519 there was no warning, 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:26.139 they only needed to be challenged to persevere, 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:28.699 it's the second and the second to last. 00:13:29.319 --> 00:13:30.460 And we'll find today 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:33.159 is the first and the last, 00:13:33.439 --> 00:13:35.919 Ephesus and Laodicea. 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:37.899 There's some similarities 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:39.699 of what their challenges were 00:13:39.699 --> 00:13:41.480 and what they needed to hear. 00:13:42.819 --> 00:13:45.579 So, let's look at the telescope here. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:47.399 Let's just look at Ephesus, okay? 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:48.480 And what we have is a warning. 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:53.440 Chapter 2, verse 2. 00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:56.440 Jesus is saying, 00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:58.180 and by the way, back up in verse 1, 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:59.500 to the angel of the church in Ephesus. 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:02.519 Now, that could be just the leader of the church. 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:05.740 The words of him who holds the seven stars in his hands 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:06.480 and who walks, 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:07.899 I love this, 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:11.820 walks among the seven golden lampstands. 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:14.180 That is, he walks among the churches. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:16.000 He knows what they need. 00:14:16.040 --> 00:14:18.720 And this is what this particular church needs. 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:22.460 I know your works, 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:23.200 your toil, 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:24.399 and your patient endurance 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:25.879 and how you cannot bear 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:27.800 with those who are evil 00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:29.500 but have tested those 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:31.000 who call themselves apostles 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:31.740 and are not 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:33.460 and found them to be false. 00:14:33.560 --> 00:14:35.740 I know you are enduring patiently 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:38.040 and bearing up for my name's sake 00:14:38.040 --> 00:14:39.740 and you have not grown weary. 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:42.960 This is an amazing church. 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:47.759 I'd recommend you go to this church 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:49.100 by what's been written already. 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.300 Here are some, 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:52.019 what's admirable about this, 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:53.500 admirable strength. 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:54.379 Do you notice there, 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:55.240 they've not, 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:56.860 they've not grown weary. 00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:57.860 Patient endurance. 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:58.400 There's been, 00:14:58.500 --> 00:15:00.280 there's been hardship. 00:15:03.900 --> 00:15:04.960 There's been persecution. 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:07.060 There's been hard things 00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:09.139 but they have persevered. 00:15:09.400 --> 00:15:11.060 They're not like the seed 00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:13.259 that fell among the rocky soil 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:14.459 that just died off 00:15:14.459 --> 00:15:15.599 when the persecution came. 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:17.239 No, their roots have gone deep 00:15:17.239 --> 00:15:18.839 and they've persevered. 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:20.539 Admirable strength. 00:15:21.619 --> 00:15:23.179 And they have admirable minds. 00:15:25.099 --> 00:15:26.679 They knew what was right and wrong. 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.279 Look at verse, 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:33.559 verse two. 00:15:34.199 --> 00:15:35.259 But you have tested those 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.279 who call themselves apostles 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.739 and are not 00:15:37.739 --> 00:15:39.159 and found them to be false. 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:42.139 They knew what was right and wrong. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:44.480 They courageously stood up 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.719 to these false teachers. 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.719 Admirable minds, 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:50.139 admirable strength. 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.980 And perhaps this could be said 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:53.559 of Christ the King, 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:54.079 Kenosha. 00:15:54.719 --> 00:15:56.819 You've endured through hard things. 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:58.779 You've got bright minds. 00:15:59.199 --> 00:16:00.419 You're able to decipher 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:02.480 what's good and bad. 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:05.320 But 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:11.519 I was noticing 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.820 that the description of 00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:15.220 Jesus in chapter one, 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:16.440 his eyes were like 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:17.860 a flame of fire. 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:19.440 I.e. 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:21.539 his eyes could see, 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:22.500 bring light 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:24.120 to dark places. 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.779 He could see 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:27.659 what was really going on. 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.340 On the surface, 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:28.740 you go, 00:16:28.920 --> 00:16:29.220 wow, 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.680 great church. 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:32.719 But something else 00:16:32.719 --> 00:16:33.500 is being 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:35.059 unveiled. 00:16:36.479 --> 00:16:37.519 Verse four. 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:41.059 But I have this against you 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:43.419 that you have abandoned 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.599 the love 00:16:44.599 --> 00:16:45.899 you had 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:47.559 at first. 00:16:47.739 --> 00:16:47.919 So, 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:48.779 admirable minds, 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:49.659 admirable strength, 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:51.139 but absent hearts. 00:16:52.719 --> 00:16:53.620 And what's 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.779 really remarkable 00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:55.740 is this is 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:57.379 Ephesus. 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.799 If you know your Bibles, 00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:00.559 this is where 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:02.139 Timothy was a pastor. 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.439 Paul wrote a letter 00:17:03.439 --> 00:17:05.279 to the church 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.079 in Ephesus. 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.799 But that 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:09.819 motivation 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:12.200 out of a genuine 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:14.039 affection for God 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:14.319 were 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:17.039 drained away. 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:19.500 It was becoming 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.619 mechanical. 00:17:20.919 --> 00:17:21.619 They knew the right 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.440 things to do. 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.079 They knew the right 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.399 things to say 00:17:24.399 --> 00:17:25.019 and do, 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:25.339 but 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:27.539 they 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.619 no longer 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:30.419 delighted 00:17:30.419 --> 00:17:31.279 in God. 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:34.059 Perhaps when they 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.879 first fell in love 00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.379 with God, 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:36.099 they loved to 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:37.319 walk with Him 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:38.339 and talk with Him. 00:17:38.419 --> 00:17:39.700 They loved to sing 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.680 and their hearts 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.659 were overflowing. 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.639 They loved to tell 00:17:42.639 --> 00:17:43.799 people about Jesus 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.879 out of that overflow. 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.879 But now, 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.000 it was just 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:47.919 duty. 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.559 It was good 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:48.940 duty, 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.899 great duty, 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:51.000 but it was 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.559 just 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.720 duty. 00:17:54.419 --> 00:17:54.919 And this 00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:55.559 doesn't speak 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.559 of specifically 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.659 you've abandoned 00:17:57.659 --> 00:17:58.079 the love 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:58.579 at first. 00:17:58.659 --> 00:17:59.079 It doesn't say 00:17:59.079 --> 00:17:59.859 love toward God 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:00.659 or love towards 00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:01.000 others, 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.720 so it's probably 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.460 a bit ambiguous 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.599 as it's both. 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.539 So when at first 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:08.000 their love 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.859 for one another 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:10.599 was sacrificial 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:13.460 and long-suffering 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.639 now is just 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:16.619 they just kind of 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:17.399 put up with people. 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:18.240 They just loved 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:18.679 the people that 00:18:18.679 --> 00:18:19.839 were easy to love, 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.960 not the ways 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:23.019 that was sacrificial 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.599 and loving. 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:27.339 So let's just 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:27.779 stop here 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:29.699 and reflect. 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:33.779 Think about 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.939 a married couple. 00:18:36.419 --> 00:18:37.339 Imagine a couple 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:38.619 that the husband 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.839 is madly 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:41.139 in love 00:18:41.139 --> 00:18:42.039 with his wife, 00:18:42.719 --> 00:18:44.059 but over time 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.980 the wife's 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.699 love 00:18:45.699 --> 00:18:47.059 just starts 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:47.839 to grow 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:49.500 cold. 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:50.259 Nothing that 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:50.699 the husband 00:18:50.699 --> 00:18:51.459 has been doing, 00:18:51.699 --> 00:18:52.699 it's just her, 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:53.980 just her attention 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:55.440 as other places 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:56.860 get involved 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:57.519 in hobbies 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.220 and activities, 00:18:58.340 --> 00:18:58.960 a side job, 00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.460 the kids, 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.000 the friends, 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.960 and her heart 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.900 just drifts 00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:03.600 ever so slowly 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:04.860 away over time. 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:05.559 She's still faithful 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.220 to her husband, 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:07.319 still fulfills 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.140 her responsibilities 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:08.600 at home, 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.259 but she doesn't 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.559 delight in him. 00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:16.980 So a while back, 00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:18.160 Jessica, 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.720 my wife, 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.039 and I 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:20.259 were on a walk 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:22.319 and 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:24.460 we were holding 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:24.819 hands 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:27.799 and a couple 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.379 older folks 00:19:28.379 --> 00:19:28.779 were coming 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.500 the other direction 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.039 and I still 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.359 remember 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:31.920 one of them 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.859 mentioning, 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:33.440 oh, 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.619 it's great to see 00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:35.140 young people 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:35.879 holding hands 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:37.339 and I was like, 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:37.539 well, 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:38.400 of course I'm 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:38.680 going to hold 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.359 my wife's hand, 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:39.799 but it was just 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.379 an image 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:42.240 that caught me. 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:45.440 you know, 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.299 I still remember 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:47.019 my father 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:48.319 who's passed away 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:49.339 eight years ago 00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:49.740 or so, 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.440 his big hands 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.940 and my mom's 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:54.400 very slender hands 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:55.620 and all the way 00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:56.299 up till his, 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:57.940 he could no longer 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.480 walk, 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.319 they'd be walking 00:19:59.319 --> 00:19:59.940 through the halls 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.480 of the retirement 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:00.720 center, 00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:01.859 and he'd have 00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:02.680 his big hands 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.420 on her hands, 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:05.400 like that affection. 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.880 And so I just, 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:08.039 as an image for you, 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.620 are you holding 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:10.599 God's hand 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:11.219 or are you just 00:20:11.219 --> 00:20:12.259 kind of marching 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.659 and getting things 00:20:13.659 --> 00:20:14.419 done and knowing 00:20:14.419 --> 00:20:15.279 this is the right 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.019 direction to go 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.879 or are you actually 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:19.199 holding his hand 00:20:19.199 --> 00:20:22.559 in affection? 00:20:24.439 --> 00:20:25.279 Because if you're 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.199 holding his hand, 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:27.240 you'll go the right 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.099 direction and you'll 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:28.899 have endurance. 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.799 Are we holding 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.279 his hand? 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.639 But this is no 00:20:34.639 --> 00:20:35.899 small matter. 00:20:36.199 --> 00:20:36.359 Look, 00:20:36.379 --> 00:20:37.319 look at verse 4 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:37.659 again, 00:20:37.899 --> 00:20:38.500 but I have this 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.219 against you 00:20:39.219 --> 00:20:39.799 that you have 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:40.539 abandoned the 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:40.980 love you had 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.440 at first. 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:42.899 Remember, 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.700 therefore, 00:20:44.659 --> 00:20:45.899 from where 00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:46.700 you have fallen. 00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:47.720 Repent 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:49.879 and do the 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:50.500 things you did 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.279 at first. 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.779 If not, 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.319 I will come 00:20:58.319 --> 00:20:58.799 to you 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.619 and remove 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.819 your lampstand 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:02.099 from its place 00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:04.879 unless you repent. 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.359 Wow. 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:06.980 Lampstand 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:07.500 referring to 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.279 the church 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.779 where God's 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.940 spirit is working 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:12.359 and he would 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.460 just move 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:13.759 away. 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.160 I don't know 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.460 how immediate, 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:15.960 maybe over 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.740 decades or 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.099 something, 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.420 but the life, 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.759 God's life 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.440 in the church 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.180 would ebb away. 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:21.539 He would 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.200 leave it. 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:34.340 So it's a warning, 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:36.220 a warning to love. 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:37.960 Well, 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.740 what if you feel 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:40.059 like your love 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:41.180 has grown cold? 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:41.460 Well, 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.440 this is what he 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:42.740 says, 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:43.779 the Ephesians 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.860 kind of the three R's, 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:46.039 just briefly there, 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:46.799 verse 5, 00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:47.419 remember, 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:48.299 therefore, 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:48.899 from when you're 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:49.139 fallen, 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:49.680 so remember, 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:51.099 what was that 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:51.819 when I was 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:53.139 on fire for 00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:53.579 Jesus, 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.619 what did that 00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:55.200 look like? 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:55.720 Again, 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.460 I walked with 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:56.599 him, 00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:57.460 I was talking 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:57.779 to him, 00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:59.200 I was singing, 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:00.039 I was telling, 00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:00.659 what was that 00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:01.139 like? 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.059 So I remember, 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.419 second R, 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.519 repent, 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:06.839 right, 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.539 middle of verse 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.000 5, 00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:08.720 repent, 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.899 just a humble 00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:10.559 recognition, 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:10.839 yeah, 00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:12.500 this is how 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.119 it is. 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.299 My affection 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:14.940 has grown 00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:15.500 cold, 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.379 and so don't 00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:17.180 be dismissive, 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:17.960 don't think 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.659 about somebody 00:22:18.659 --> 00:22:20.399 on the other 00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:21.039 pew there, 00:22:21.159 --> 00:22:21.359 it's, 00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:21.659 it's, 00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:23.339 I need 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:23.839 this, 00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:25.460 and then 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:26.339 return, 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.440 and do the 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.000 works you did 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.819 at first. 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.960 But I'm 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.980 really glad, 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.619 unfortunately, 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:42.859 we read 00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.299 this, 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.859 and that's 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.319 all we 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:45.740 read. 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.899 I'm so 00:22:49.899 --> 00:22:50.919 glad that's 00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:52.039 not it. 00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:54.099 That this 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:54.740 message, 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.879 the Ephesians, 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.859 was put 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:59.700 in another 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.539 context. 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:02.619 And so 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.980 let's back 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.720 up here 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.339 with the 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:05.859 telescope, 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.440 and look 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.379 at what 00:23:08.379 --> 00:23:09.079 the Ephesians 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.460 would have 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.000 read in 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.859 addition to 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.680 this message. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:14.060 again, 00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:14.640 these seven 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.019 books, 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:15.380 and there's 00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:16.080 a similarity 00:23:16.080 --> 00:23:17.279 between the 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.500 first message 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.100 and the 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:20.140 last one. 00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:22.160 Look at the 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:22.759 last one, 00:23:22.820 --> 00:23:23.680 chapter 3, 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:25.640 verse 14. 00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:28.480 they would be 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.420 reading this 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:31.040 after they 00:23:31.040 --> 00:23:32.140 read about 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:32.960 their own 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:34.259 situation, 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.259 and perhaps 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.980 they're feeling 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.480 like, 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.900 oh boy, 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:40.880 love is not 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.520 like a, 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.640 affection is not 00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:45.180 like a switch 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:45.660 you flip, 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:46.060 you know, 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:46.840 just turn the 00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:47.220 lights on, 00:23:47.280 --> 00:23:47.500 and I have 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.040 this affection 00:23:48.040 --> 00:23:48.680 for God. 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:50.500 what's a 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:50.860 good thing 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.279 they keep 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:51.779 on reading. 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.259 And they 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.060 run across 00:23:54.060 --> 00:23:54.420 the church 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:54.960 of Laodicea 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:55.320 in a very 00:23:55.320 --> 00:23:56.240 similar situation 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:56.700 in which 00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:57.259 love has 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.259 grown cool. 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.100 Chapter 3, 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:01.660 verse 14, 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:01.960 and the 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.360 angel of the 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:02.700 church in 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:03.200 Laodicea 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.580 write the 00:24:03.580 --> 00:24:04.019 words of 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.460 the amen, 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.160 the faithful 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:05.500 and the 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.019 true witness, 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:06.600 the beginning 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.320 of God's 00:24:07.320 --> 00:24:07.740 creation. 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:08.180 I know 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:08.900 your works. 00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:11.799 You are 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.440 neither cold 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.019 nor hot. 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.060 They've 00:24:15.060 --> 00:24:15.779 lost the 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.840 warmth of 00:24:16.840 --> 00:24:17.420 their affection 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.120 for God. 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:19.680 Would that 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:19.980 you were 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.500 either cold 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:20.900 or hot. 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.360 So because 00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:21.779 you are 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.360 lukewarm 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:22.720 and neither 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.160 hot nor 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.420 cold, 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:24.200 I will spit 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:24.640 you out 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.039 of my 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.560 mouth. 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.200 Consequence 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:27.580 again, 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.980 quite dramatic. 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:30.519 For you 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.019 say, 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.080 this is, 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:35.360 you say, 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.100 I am rich, 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.539 I have 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.180 prospered, 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:37.440 and I 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:37.660 need 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.039 nothing. 00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:40.640 Too often 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.759 we see 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.519 the things 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.320 going well 00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:43.660 and we 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:43.900 think, 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.140 well, 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.480 we've 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:44.960 arrived 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.340 as a 00:24:45.340 --> 00:24:45.720 church. 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:49.200 not 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:49.740 realizing 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.120 that you 00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:50.259 are 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.539 wretched, 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.000 pitiful, 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.380 poor, 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:51.880 blind, 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.300 and naked. 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:52.519 I 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:52.980 counsel 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.320 you 00:24:53.320 --> 00:24:54.220 to buy 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.660 from me 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:54.880 gold. 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.279 That is, 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.420 come to 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:56.840 another 00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:57.539 market, 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.080 as it 00:24:58.080 --> 00:24:58.440 were, 00:24:58.840 --> 00:24:59.180 which we 00:24:59.180 --> 00:24:59.900 find all 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:00.360 these things 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:00.960 are free 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.360 in this 00:25:01.360 --> 00:25:01.680 market. 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.480 Come to 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.340 Jesus and 00:25:05.340 --> 00:25:05.840 you'll find 00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:06.519 gold, 00:25:06.820 --> 00:25:07.820 gold refined 00:25:07.820 --> 00:25:08.380 by fire, 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:08.759 so you may 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.460 be rich in 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:10.240 white garments, 00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:10.779 so you may 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.360 be clothed 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:11.700 yourself, 00:25:11.860 --> 00:25:12.460 and the 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:12.960 shame of 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.100 your 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:13.740 nakedness 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.180 may not 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.700 be seen 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:15.340 and salved 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:15.720 to anoint 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.339 your eyes 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:16.900 so that 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.200 you may 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:17.420 see. 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.059 Everything 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.500 is at 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:18.700 the 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.120 Jesus 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:19.700 market. 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.140 And notice 00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:22.720 verse 19 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:22.900 though, 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.120 very, 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:23.339 very 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:23.759 interesting. 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:25.799 Those 00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.299 whom 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.420 I 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:27.960 love, 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.940 I 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.519 reprove 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:31.759 and 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.160 discipline, 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:33.660 so be 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:33.980 zealous 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.559 and repent. 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:35.740 Very 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.180 interesting. 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.420 The 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:37.839 seven, 00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:38.440 that's 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.559 this 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.019 chiastic 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.579 structure, 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.059 you see 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.500 the very 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.259 first one, 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:41.860 they're 00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:42.360 lacking 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.099 love. 00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:44.879 And the 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.819 last one, 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.000 the emphasis 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.399 is on 00:25:48.399 --> 00:25:49.199 God's 00:25:49.199 --> 00:25:50.299 love 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.259 for his 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.539 people. 00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:51.959 And look 00:25:51.959 --> 00:25:52.240 at this 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.159 beautiful 00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:53.759 image 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:55.099 of Jesus' 00:25:55.479 --> 00:25:56.059 love 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:57.299 for his 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:57.939 church, 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:58.839 a church 00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.299 that has 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:00.059 grown cold 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.419 in its 00:26:00.419 --> 00:26:01.000 love or 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.639 cruel in 00:26:01.639 --> 00:26:02.279 its love. 00:26:02.659 --> 00:26:03.459 Verse 19, 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.179 those whom 00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:04.599 I love, 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.219 I reprove 00:26:05.219 --> 00:26:05.639 discipline, 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.059 so be 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.379 zealous 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:06.719 and repent. 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.279 Behold, 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:07.819 verse 20, 00:26:07.919 --> 00:26:08.799 beautiful image 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.059 here. 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:10.439 Behold, 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.339 I stand 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:11.699 at the 00:26:11.699 --> 00:26:12.439 door and 00:26:12.439 --> 00:26:12.839 knock. 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:16.039 If anyone 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:17.099 hears my 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:18.899 voice and 00:26:18.899 --> 00:26:19.839 opens the 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:21.559 door, I 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.179 will come 00:26:22.179 --> 00:26:22.959 into him 00:26:22.959 --> 00:26:23.779 and eat 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.480 with him 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:26.099 and he 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:27.019 with me. 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:29.179 It's 00:26:29.179 --> 00:26:29.859 such a 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.839 beautiful 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.519 image. 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:33.619 And this 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.019 is for 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.839 Christians. 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:35.839 This is 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.299 for a 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.599 church. 00:26:36.699 --> 00:26:36.919 This is 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.299 not for 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.299 non-Christians 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.599 to get 00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:38.899 introduced 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:39.480 to Jesus. 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.379 This is 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:40.759 for the 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.199 church to 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.400 be 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.539 reintroduced 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.160 to Jesus 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.960 and he's 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.460 offering 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.160 himself 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:45.960 to the 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.840 church. 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.580 He's 00:26:51.580 --> 00:26:51.920 ready to 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.400 come in. 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.120 What do 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:54.519 you do 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.380 to grow 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:55.700 in your 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.160 affection 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.960 for Jesus? 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:57.700 Do you 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.000 kind of 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.660 work up 00:26:58.660 --> 00:26:59.640 this energy 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.059 and this 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:01.660 to love 00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:02.480 Jesus more? 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.620 You just 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.080 open the 00:27:06.080 --> 00:27:06.420 door. 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:08.840 You have 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:09.480 him come 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:09.720 in. 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:11.299 he wants 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:11.620 to be 00:27:11.620 --> 00:27:12.079 with you. 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.579 He's 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:12.980 the one 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.519 taking 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:13.740 the 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:14.299 initiative. 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.160 And it's 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:18.759 this image 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.640 of fellowship. 00:27:19.860 --> 00:27:20.240 Come in 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:20.799 and eat 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.259 with him 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.579 and he 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.039 with me. 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.360 So this 00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:22.579 idea, 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:23.220 sitting 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:23.720 around a 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.100 table, 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:25.980 being with 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.240 him, 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.120 enjoying 00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:27.460 his 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:27.960 company. 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:33.600 every 00:27:33.600 --> 00:27:34.039 day, 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:36.120 we say, 00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:36.740 I need 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.019 you. 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.319 Come 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:38.759 in. 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.500 I want 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:40.819 you. 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.039 I want 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.779 more of 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.140 you. 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:47.140 So if 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.420 you look 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:47.700 at the 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.900 church in 00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:49.299 Ephesus, 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:49.880 if you just 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:50.340 looked at the 00:27:50.340 --> 00:27:50.819 message of 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.000 them, 00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:51.420 there's this 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.019 warning. 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.240 They're to 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:53.900 repent of 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:54.380 this lack 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:54.940 of affection. 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:56.519 But as you 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.039 open the 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.799 telescope a 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.240 little bit, 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:58.740 as they've 00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.680 continued to 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.080 read, 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:01.140 they learn 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:01.840 about this 00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:04.340 generosity 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:05.480 of this 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.840 Jesus that 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.720 keeps on 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.200 knocking. 00:28:09.100 --> 00:28:09.539 This is not 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.180 the first time 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:10.620 he's come, 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.259 but he keeps 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:11.980 on knocking. 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:13.500 He wants 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:13.900 to have 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.700 fellowship and 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.500 friendship with 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:15.880 them. 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:17.120 And so 00:28:17.120 --> 00:28:17.400 they've, 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.220 that's the 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:18.480 second, 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.120 they've 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:19.640 read the 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.259 other mail 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.980 because that's 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.839 purposely here 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:22.480 for them. 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.700 But there's 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.299 yet one 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.740 more. 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.539 Because 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.960 these letters 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.700 don't end 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.559 there. 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.539 This, 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:34.180 this whole 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:34.539 letter, 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.620 including the 00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:35.980 what's to 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.319 the Ephesians, 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.519 continues for 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.980 the rest of 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.380 the book. 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.539 So here's the 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:39.960 question. 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:41.319 This is why 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:41.640 you need to 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.319 read the 00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:42.519 book of 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:42.779 Revelation 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.680 seven times 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.220 in each of 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:44.900 those churches 00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.519 seats, 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.299 as it were. 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:48.399 what did 00:28:48.399 --> 00:28:49.119 the church 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:49.980 in Ephesus 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.700 need from 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.059 the rest 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.279 of the 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.519 book? 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:54.859 Because often 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.399 we think, 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:55.899 well, 00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:56.779 what the 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.180 churches 00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:57.799 needed at 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.299 that time 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:58.639 with all 00:28:58.639 --> 00:28:59.779 the persecution 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.799 and hardship, 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:01.819 and some of 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.299 these churches, 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:02.879 they were 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:03.259 suffering, 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:03.960 and what they 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.480 needed to hear 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:04.940 from Jesus 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.859 was endure. 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.480 Don't be 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.000 afraid. 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:08.940 And so as 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:09.299 they would 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:09.559 read the 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:09.819 book of 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.240 Revelation, 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.359 they'd learn 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:11.919 about this 00:29:11.919 --> 00:29:12.639 conquering 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:13.639 king that 00:29:13.639 --> 00:29:13.960 they could 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.619 depend on 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.079 to bring 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.839 full redemption 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:16.279 to them. 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:16.940 Yes, 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.399 that's what 00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:17.759 they needed 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.099 to hear. 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:18.799 But what 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.200 did the 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:19.659 church in 00:29:19.659 --> 00:29:20.319 Ephesus 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.119 need? 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.099 They needed 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:26.119 their hearts 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:28.019 rekindled. 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:29.500 So for 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:29.899 them, 00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:31.119 that's what 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:31.700 the rest 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:31.980 of the 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.319 book of 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:32.759 Revelation 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.680 was for, 00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:35.220 was to 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.639 rekindle 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:38.159 their delight 00:29:38.159 --> 00:29:38.960 in God, 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.680 to stir 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.599 their affections 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.240 afresh. 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:43.180 And so what 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.759 I encourage 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.379 you to do 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:45.240 is read 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.599 the book 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.219 of Revelation 00:29:46.219 --> 00:29:46.980 with that 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:48.099 lens on, 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.000 Jesus, 00:29:49.199 --> 00:29:49.599 I want to 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:50.039 fall in 00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:50.439 love with 00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:51.000 you again. 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.119 And see 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:53.459 what the 00:29:53.459 --> 00:29:53.759 book of 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.219 Revelation 00:29:54.219 --> 00:29:54.939 does for 00:29:54.939 --> 00:29:55.679 your heart. 00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:58.719 Let me 00:29:58.719 --> 00:29:59.219 just give you 00:29:59.219 --> 00:29:59.599 a number of 00:29:59.599 --> 00:29:59.980 the images 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.619 that you run 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:01.139 across the 00:30:01.139 --> 00:30:01.379 book of 00:30:01.379 --> 00:30:01.719 Revelation 00:30:01.719 --> 00:30:02.240 that I 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:02.740 found just 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.959 wow. 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.399 In certain 00:30:04.399 --> 00:30:04.839 seasons, 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.459 I need 00:30:05.459 --> 00:30:06.099 these images. 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:06.459 Obviously, 00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:07.199 last week, 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.619 it was the 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:08.139 lamb on 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:08.639 the throne. 00:30:09.939 --> 00:30:10.199 And you 00:30:10.199 --> 00:30:10.740 just meditate 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.359 on, oh, 00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:11.939 my goodness, 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.399 he's this 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:13.279 symbol of 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:14.019 weakness 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.919 that conquers 00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:16.139 and when 00:30:16.139 --> 00:30:16.939 we feel 00:30:16.939 --> 00:30:17.359 weak, 00:30:17.439 --> 00:30:17.919 we're strong 00:30:17.919 --> 00:30:18.299 when we're 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:18.759 in Jesus 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.319 and depending 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.879 on him, 00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:20.559 his power 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:20.899 is made 00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:21.439 perfect in 00:30:21.439 --> 00:30:21.799 weakness. 00:30:21.979 --> 00:30:22.439 Incredible 00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:23.219 image you 00:30:23.219 --> 00:30:23.919 meditate on. 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:25.959 One of the 00:30:25.959 --> 00:30:26.479 images I 00:30:26.479 --> 00:30:27.059 mentioned last 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:27.659 week also 00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:28.259 is this 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.419 spring of 00:30:29.419 --> 00:30:30.019 water, 00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:30.799 repeatedly 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.799 in this 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:31.959 book, 00:30:32.199 --> 00:30:32.519 to the 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.059 thirsty 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.639 I will 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.240 give from 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:35.079 the spring 00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:35.539 of the 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.079 water of 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.799 life without 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.519 payment. 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.839 it's a 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.400 beautiful 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.119 image I 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:40.660 can come 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.279 to Jesus 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:42.200 with as 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.039 by 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:44.720 greatest 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.799 thirst and 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:46.259 hunger. 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:46.500 I don't 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:46.759 have to 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.099 bring 00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:48.019 anything. 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:48.539 I just 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.000 come with 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:50.079 my neediness 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.519 and my 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.920 lack and 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.359 he is 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:53.859 there with 00:30:53.859 --> 00:30:54.980 eternal 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:56.079 living 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:57.099 water. 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.359 Wow. 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.180 And it's 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:03.200 described in 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:04.180 Revelation 22 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:05.440 as a river 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:07.359 plentiful 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:07.859 righteous 00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:08.799 the water 00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:09.279 of life. 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:11.960 So maybe 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:12.259 you need 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:12.460 that 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:12.980 encouragement. 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:14.859 Or maybe 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.299 you're just 00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:16.180 feeling a 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.720 lack of 00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:18.660 you're feeling 00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:19.220 alone 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:21.920 and then 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.259 you run 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:22.940 across this 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:23.400 image of 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:24.220 this wedding 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:25.980 feast and 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.720 the Lamb's 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:27.680 delight in 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:28.500 his bride. 00:31:28.879 --> 00:31:29.400 In this 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:30.220 wedding feast 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.879 that's just 00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:32.720 overflowing 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.940 and he's 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.879 building a 00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:36.019 home for 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.639 his bride. 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:37.980 And so 00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:38.440 perhaps you 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:38.839 are also 00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.539 feeling a 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:39.920 sense of 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:40.740 insecurity 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:43.019 and you 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:43.559 learn about 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.440 this city 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.139 he's building 00:31:45.139 --> 00:31:45.879 which is 00:31:45.879 --> 00:31:47.299 perfectly 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:48.139 secure. 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.400 Safe. 00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.259 Oh and 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:52.799 along the 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.240 way you 00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:53.579 read all 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:54.779 these songs 00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:56.420 that can 00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.039 stir our 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.539 hearts in 00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:58.660 affection for 00:31:58.660 --> 00:32:00.299 this king. 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:01.980 Oh also 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:03.940 to those 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.319 of you 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:04.700 who are 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.000 in the 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.500 midst of 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.000 struggling 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.680 through 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.660 being 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:08.380 taken 00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:08.900 advantage 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:09.440 of. 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:10.980 There's 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.620 injustice. 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.420 You're 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.099 angry at 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.440 how you've 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.120 been treated. 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:16.759 Oh 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.700 Revelation 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.500 is a good 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:18.960 book for 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:19.240 you. 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.380 There's a 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:22.559 rider on 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.000 a white 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:23.500 horse. 00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:24.240 There will 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.799 be justice 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.400 and as we 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.180 sang earlier 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:26.500 on 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.779 everything 00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:29.360 will be 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:29.860 made 00:32:29.860 --> 00:32:30.460 right. 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.640 everything. 00:32:34.340 --> 00:32:34.920 It's a 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.140 bloody 00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:35.539 book. 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:37.759 And for 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.240 those who 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.840 have faced 00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:40.819 injustice 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:42.160 it's good 00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:42.640 news. 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:44.720 And so 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.019 what we 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.500 find is 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:45.840 this book 00:32:45.840 --> 00:32:46.140 is a 00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:46.480 feast. 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:48.860 So do 00:32:48.860 --> 00:32:49.059 you see 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.319 what's 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:49.660 happened 00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:50.140 as we 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:50.380 have 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:51.180 opened up 00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:51.360 the 00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:51.799 telescope 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.240 if you 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:52.500 were in 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:52.940 Ephesus 00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:53.380 you've 00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:53.700 read the 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.079 letter to 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:54.420 yourself 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:54.720 and you've 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:54.960 had a 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.259 warning. 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:56.700 You open 00:32:56.700 --> 00:32:57.200 the telescope 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:57.539 a little 00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:58.100 more and 00:32:58.100 --> 00:32:58.380 you have 00:32:58.380 --> 00:32:58.620 this 00:32:58.620 --> 00:32:59.460 invitation 00:32:59.460 --> 00:32:59.900 of this 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:00.140 king 00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:00.440 and wants 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:00.880 to sit 00:33:00.880 --> 00:33:01.600 with you 00:33:01.600 --> 00:33:02.140 and you 00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:02.600 open it 00:33:02.600 --> 00:33:03.240 even further 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:03.860 and there 00:33:03.860 --> 00:33:04.340 is a 00:33:04.340 --> 00:33:04.860 feast. 00:33:06.860 --> 00:33:07.560 Jesus 00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:08.340 is the 00:33:08.340 --> 00:33:09.140 feast for 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:09.520 you. 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:11.620 And he 00:33:11.620 --> 00:33:12.259 comes in 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:12.900 so many 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.280 different 00:33:13.280 --> 00:33:13.740 images 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:15.520 to satisfy 00:33:15.520 --> 00:33:17.420 your needs 00:33:17.420 --> 00:33:19.240 and that 00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:19.560 you might 00:33:19.560 --> 00:33:20.460 follow him 00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:21.259 and worship 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.860 him for 00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:23.920 all that 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:24.520 he is 00:33:24.520 --> 00:33:25.900 for us. 00:33:27.340 --> 00:33:27.640 And so 00:33:27.640 --> 00:33:28.040 think of 00:33:28.040 --> 00:33:28.560 this stunning 00:33:28.560 --> 00:33:29.200 generosity 00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:30.420 of this 00:33:30.420 --> 00:33:30.960 feast. 00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:33.200 Talking to 00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:33.440 Jessica 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:33.660 as we 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:33.720 were 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.120 driving 00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:34.460 up here 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:34.640 I don't 00:33:34.640 --> 00:33:34.840 know if 00:33:34.840 --> 00:33:35.019 you've 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.440 seen the 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:35.900 websites 00:33:35.900 --> 00:33:36.440 where you 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.360 can zoom 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:38.200 really far 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:39.700 in like 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.019 to an 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.759 atom or 00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:42.080 smaller and 00:33:42.080 --> 00:33:42.600 then zoom 00:33:42.600 --> 00:33:44.120 way out 00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:45.200 and you can 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:45.660 see the 00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.279 galaxies. 00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.519 It's just a 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.460 website that 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.059 helps you see 00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:49.660 the big 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.259 and the small. 00:33:50.620 --> 00:33:51.160 That's what I 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:51.700 encourage you 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.120 as you come to 00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:52.519 the book of 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:52.980 Revelation. 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:53.920 Think of that 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.319 image. 00:33:54.620 --> 00:33:55.299 You come to 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.039 these images 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:56.539 and you 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:57.379 kind of peel 00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:57.859 back the 00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.399 layers like 00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:58.920 that onion 00:33:58.920 --> 00:34:00.339 or you 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:00.819 back up 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.079 and you 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:01.639 see all 00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:01.920 these 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:02.839 incredible 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:03.480 images 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:05.279 and may 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:06.200 it be a 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:07.259 stunning 00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:08.019 generously 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:08.800 stunning 00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:09.820 feast 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.820 for your 00:34:10.820 --> 00:34:11.259 souls. 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:12.639 Let's pray. 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:17.599 Father, I 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.199 just want to 00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.559 give another 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.119 moment of 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:21.079 quiet for 00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:22.420 my brothers 00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:22.879 and sisters 00:34:22.879 --> 00:34:25.159 here and 00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.420 that they 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.019 would just 00:34:26.019 --> 00:34:27.480 take this 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:28.339 moment and 00:34:28.339 --> 00:34:30.960 what images 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.639 perhaps that 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:31.980 have already 00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:32.539 been mentioned 00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:34.379 do you want 00:34:34.379 --> 00:34:35.839 to feast 00:34:35.839 --> 00:34:37.759 upon for 00:34:37.759 --> 00:34:38.319 this coming 00:34:38.319 --> 00:34:38.759 week? 00:34:39.259 --> 00:34:40.119 What is it 00:34:40.119 --> 00:34:40.900 about Jesus 00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:41.920 that you want 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.500 to grow in 00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:43.139 your awe 00:34:43.139 --> 00:34:43.680 and your 00:34:43.680 --> 00:34:46.360 delight in? 00:34:47.700 --> 00:34:48.260 Take a 00:34:48.260 --> 00:34:48.579 moment and 00:34:48.579 --> 00:34:49.019 do that. 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.300 And Father, 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:03.079 as we see 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.700 so often 00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:04.039 in the book 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:04.680 of Revelation, 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.260 your people 00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:07.220 turn to 00:35:07.220 --> 00:35:07.680 sing. 00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:09.099 We have 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:10.539 so much 00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:11.440 to sing 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:12.019 about. 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:13.519 You 00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:14.300 bring 00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:16.400 so many 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:17.179 lavish 00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:19.079 blessings 00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.519 even though 00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:20.019 we don't 00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:20.739 deserve it. 00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:21.759 We come 00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:22.679 empty handed. 00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:24.599 You are 00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:25.259 so, 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.179 so generous 00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:27.039 to us. 00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:29.779 As 00:35:29.779 --> 00:35:31.619 we prayed 00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:32.360 last week, 00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.420 tune our 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:34.259 hearts 00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:34.360 souls 00:35:34.360 --> 00:35:35.880 to sing 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:36.220 your 00:35:36.220 --> 00:35:36.900 grace. 00:35:37.540 --> 00:35:38.080 Streams 00:35:38.080 --> 00:35:38.600 of mercy 00:35:38.600 --> 00:35:39.160 never 00:35:39.160 --> 00:35:39.760 ceasing 00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:40.540 call for 00:35:40.540 --> 00:35:41.140 songs 00:35:41.140 --> 00:35:42.000 of 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.700 loudest 00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.380 praise. 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.080 Pray this 00:35:45.080 --> 00:35:45.480 in Jesus' 00:35:45.720 --> 00:35:45.860 name. 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:46.540 Amen. 00:35:46.540 --> 00:35:46.680 Amen. 00:35:46.679 --> 00:36:16.659 Thank you.