WEBVTT 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:04.179 We're going to do a Bible reading now from Revelation. 00:00:04.520 --> 00:00:08.380 We'll be reading chapter 1 and then chapter 21. 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:13.939 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:15.179 that must soon take place. 00:00:16.339 --> 00:00:21.519 He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:25.839 of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:31.280 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who 00:00:31.280 --> 00:00:34.740 hear it and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. 00:00:36.420 --> 00:00:42.340 John, to the seven churches that are in Asia, grace to you and peace from him who is and 00:00:42.340 --> 00:00:47.500 who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from 00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:52.679 Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on 00:00:52.679 --> 00:00:53.000 earth. 00:00:53.679 --> 00:00:58.920 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us a kingdom, 00:00:59.460 --> 00:01:04.480 priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. 00:01:04.659 --> 00:01:04.900 Amen. 00:01:06.539 --> 00:01:11.840 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:16.239 him, and all the tribes of the earth will wail on account of him, even so. 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:16.760 Amen. 00:01:16.760 --> 00:01:23.939 I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, 00:01:24.240 --> 00:01:24.800 the Almighty. 00:01:26.300 --> 00:01:31.760 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:37.120 are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:37.700 of Jesus. 00:01:37.700 --> 00:01:43.260 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:48.980 saying, Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to 00:01:48.980 --> 00:01:54.300 Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea. 00:01:55.800 --> 00:02:01.140 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:06.299 and in the midst of the lampstands, one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:08.020 with a golden sash around his chest. 00:02:08.840 --> 00:02:12.520 The hairs on his head were white, like white wool, like snow. 00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:18.979 His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze refined in a furnace, 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:21.900 and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 00:02:22.979 --> 00:02:25.159 In his right hand he held seven stars. 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:30.639 From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun, shining in full 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:31.079 strength. 00:02:32.139 --> 00:02:37.479 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead, but he laid his right hand on me, saying, 00:02:38.039 --> 00:02:41.259 Fear not, I am the first and the last and the living one. 00:02:41.579 --> 00:02:46.899 I died, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades. 00:02:48.139 --> 00:02:52.759 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place 00:02:52.759 --> 00:02:53.419 after this. 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:58.719 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden 00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:03.859 lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands 00:03:03.859 --> 00:03:04.919 are the seven churches. 00:03:06.780 --> 00:03:10.740 Now reading from Revelation 21, first 11 verses. 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:18.780 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:20.620 away, and the sea was no more. 00:03:21.260 --> 00:03:27.020 And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride 00:03:27.020 --> 00:03:28.360 adorned for her husband. 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:34.980 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. 00:03:35.460 --> 00:03:40.260 He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them 00:03:40.260 --> 00:03:41.040 as their God. 00:03:41.900 --> 00:03:46.180 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. 00:03:46.720 --> 00:03:51.360 Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:52.060 passed away. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:57.900 And he who is seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. 00:03:58.659 --> 00:04:02.520 Also he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. 00:04:02.979 --> 00:04:05.020 And he said to me, It is done. 00:04:05.420 --> 00:04:08.620 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:12.860 To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life, without payment. 00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:18.560 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:24.780 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:30.259 sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with 00:04:30.259 --> 00:04:32.620 fire and sulfur, which is the second death. 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:38.100 Then came one of the seven angels, who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, 00:04:38.319 --> 00:04:42.480 and spoke to me, saying, Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:47.340 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great high mountain, and showed me the holy city 00:04:47.339 --> 00:04:49.639 Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 00:04:50.060 --> 00:04:55.199 Having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:55.519 crystal. 00:04:58.339 --> 00:05:02.179 Okay, well, why don't we get underway and get into God's word? 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:07.159 Before we do that, I'm David. 00:05:07.239 --> 00:05:08.159 I'm one of the pastors here. 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:10.500 If you're visiting this morning, a warm welcome to you. 00:05:11.779 --> 00:05:14.519 And I'd like to pray before we get into God's word. 00:05:14.919 --> 00:05:16.039 So why don't we pray together? 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:24.220 Lord, as we've heard your word read, that you're present in your church, and you are 00:05:24.220 --> 00:05:31.300 powerfully speaking by your spirit through your word, I pray that you would be applying 00:05:31.300 --> 00:05:33.820 your word to each one of us where we are at. 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:36.280 Give us ears to hear you. 00:05:37.320 --> 00:05:41.820 Lord, some of us are in love with the things of this world. 00:05:41.819 --> 00:05:49.439 Lord, I pray that you would expose how empty they are and fill us with true riches. 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:57.759 Lord, some of us are feeling, I suppose, disillusioned and have grown weary in doing good. 00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:06.060 I pray that you would give us a refreshed vision of yourself to help us have joy in serving 00:06:06.060 --> 00:06:06.560 you again. 00:06:07.860 --> 00:06:13.259 Lord, some of us are burdened by sin and just a sense of unworthiness. 00:06:14.219 --> 00:06:21.199 And I pray that you would, like the Apostle John, that you would put your hand on each of 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:23.659 our shoulders and saying, fear not. 00:06:24.779 --> 00:06:26.279 Lord, we each need you to speak. 00:06:26.379 --> 00:06:28.599 So I pray that you would speak to each one of us in Jesus' name. 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:29.120 Amen. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:41.280 Well, today we, as David's bulletin church email said, we're finishing off our church 00:06:41.280 --> 00:06:42.959 series, our church series. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:47.560 I hope my mind gets engaged soon, otherwise you guys are in for a rough ride here. 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:50.060 But our series on the church, that's what it is. 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:57.540 We set out to see the church through God's eyes, not just our own eyes, but through God's. 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:04.259 I made you turn around and talk to the people around you, so did Catherine, to the kids. 00:07:05.660 --> 00:07:07.959 Like, I enjoy being part of this community and all. 00:07:08.220 --> 00:07:09.420 Like, there's a lot of benefits. 00:07:09.780 --> 00:07:11.920 It's really quite pleasant. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:19.079 But what do you think of our series title, Church is to be a foretaste of heaven? 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:22.060 That's a bit rich, isn't it? 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:25.840 Like, come on. 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:32.060 Have you just dismissed that, thinking it's a marketing ploy from us preachers, going, 00:07:32.679 --> 00:07:36.459 come on, get volunteering more in this church? 00:07:36.539 --> 00:07:37.500 Have you just got... 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:38.959 Yeah, they're just exaggerating. 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:40.500 Have you written it off? 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:50.540 If you haven't, if in this series you've seen God's vision for his gathered people under his rule, 00:07:51.660 --> 00:08:01.560 characterised by holiness and unity and love, worshipping him and being a bright light to the world of the saving power of Jesus, 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:05.560 the more serious you get about that and pushing... 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:09.500 it pushes you into real engagement in this local community, 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:13.500 the more you see the flaws in church, don't you? 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:21.340 It's like the reality of coming home from your honeymoon and it sinks in. 00:08:21.339 --> 00:08:28.139 Oh, I have married a sinful person. 00:08:30.159 --> 00:08:30.379 Oh. 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:36.899 The flaws become more real the more serious you take God's word. 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:44.000 The deeper the relationships, the more you will get hurt in this community. 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:52.240 The more it demands not just bearing your own struggles in life, but you want to bear all of our struggles. 00:08:53.899 --> 00:09:00.379 The more responsibility it places on you because the burdens of the church aren't just the staffs, 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:03.519 it's not the leadership, it's our burden to carry. 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:12.000 So it's not a few Christians who have been once serious about the local church have been disillusioned 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:18.240 and now they're just willing to dip their toe into the church, afraid, I think. 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:25.500 There's not a few Christians hopping around Newcastle looking for that better church, that perfect church. 00:09:26.840 --> 00:09:27.759 A foretaste of heaven? 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:30.960 It's a nice theory. 00:09:31.080 --> 00:09:32.279 It's a nice theory, isn't it? 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:34.759 But it's idealistic. 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:38.480 I'm not saying it is. 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:41.519 I'm saying our attitudes can treat it that way. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:44.080 Is anyone else feeling warm or is it just me? 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:46.159 Not feeling warm? 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:46.960 Okay, it's just me. 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:49.320 Just wondered if we need the air con on. 00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:50.720 I don't want to put you to sleep. 00:09:53.080 --> 00:10:01.740 If we lose the vision of the church from God's eyes, if we lose that hope of heaven, 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:08.740 then I think it leaves space in our imaginations, it leaves space in our hope vacant. 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:09.740 It leaves it empty. 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:10.639 It leaves it empty. 00:10:10.940 --> 00:10:14.960 And the world, in what it offers, will quickly fill it. 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:16.279 It will be filled. 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:21.700 I'm going to quote a guy called David Foster Wallace. 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:22.659 He's an unbeliever. 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:26.519 And he said it better than I can, which is why I'm quoting him, 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:32.360 at a university commencement speech in 2005 at Kenyon College in the US. 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:37.259 Now, it's a bit of a lengthy quote, but I think it's worth getting across. 00:10:38.940 --> 00:10:41.100 There is no such thing as not worshipping. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:43.080 Everybody worships. 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:45.419 The only choice we get is what to worship. 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:49.440 And the compelling reason for maybe choosing some sort of God 00:10:49.440 --> 00:10:53.340 is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. 00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:58.340 If you worship money and things, if they are where you tap real meaning in life, 00:10:58.399 --> 00:10:59.620 then you will never have enough. 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:01.800 Never feel you have enough. 00:11:02.280 --> 00:11:06.940 Worship your body and beauty and sexual allure, and you will always feel ugly. 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:11.660 And when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths 00:11:11.660 --> 00:11:13.180 before they finally grieve you. 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:14.480 Worship power. 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:17.660 You will end up feeling weak and afraid. 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:22.799 And you will need ever more power over others to numb you to your own fear. 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:24.259 Worship your intellect. 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:28.179 Being seen as smart, you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, 00:11:28.579 --> 00:11:30.240 always on the verge of being found out. 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:34.100 And the so-called real world will not discourage you 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:36.279 from operating on your default settings 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:40.579 because the so-called real world of men and money and power 00:11:40.579 --> 00:11:47.220 hums merrily along in a pool of fear and anger and frustration 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:50.680 and craving and worship of self. 00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:55.200 That's an unbeliever saying that. 00:11:57.500 --> 00:12:00.700 If we don't fill our minds with the hope of heaven, 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:03.899 we will fill it with something else. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:11.720 And the remedy for both undervaluing Christ's flawed church, local church, 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:15.300 and worshipping some created good, trying to have heaven now, 00:12:15.299 --> 00:12:17.000 the remedy is the same, isn't it? 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:20.500 To fill our minds with what God says heaven will be like. 00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:26.759 If we see the church through God's eyes, the glorious riches of heaven, 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:32.000 then I think we'll find that our concerns with the local church 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:35.819 aren't actually too big but too small. 00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:42.160 And I think we'll find that the desires that are trying to have heaven now, 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:44.900 our desires aren't too strong, they're too weak. 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:48.560 When God offers us so much more. 00:12:52.300 --> 00:12:53.480 C.S. Lewis says, 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:58.340 Our love for this world, like money, beauty, and family and so on, 00:12:58.519 --> 00:13:01.039 we are like kids, poor kids in a slum, 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:05.659 where we're so satisfied by making mud pies in the dirt 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:08.960 that when someone offers us a holiday at the beach, 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:12.279 we don't want it because we're so satisfied in the dirt. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:16.659 He's saying our desires aren't too big, it's too small. 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:21.279 We need a clear picture of what God has promised. 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:24.679 So that's why we're getting into Revelation in this final talk. 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:28.139 Revelation helps us see the church now, the local church, 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:29.919 as it really is in the first few chapters, 00:13:30.199 --> 00:13:33.839 and it sees our eternal hope of where we're going. 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:40.659 Now just to help us get into Revelation, 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:44.679 Revelation is meant to be relevant to every generation of the church. 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:45.679 Revelation is meant to be relevant to every generation of the church. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:48.239 It's not just saying what will happen in the future, 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:50.959 or it's not just saying what happened in John's day. 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:55.259 It is addressed in verse 1 to Christ's servants. 00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:59.000 So if you're a servant of Christ, this is written for you. 00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:05.239 Verse 3 says you'll be blessed if you persevere in understanding this book. 00:14:06.859 --> 00:14:13.319 I think, let me just give you two quick tips, I suppose, 00:14:13.320 --> 00:14:16.460 for understanding Revelation, because I think they go a long way 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:22.400 in making it less scary and the meaning just becoming rich. 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:24.860 The first is just understand the genre. 00:14:25.160 --> 00:14:25.920 It's a picture book. 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:29.760 In Romans we get logic and reason, Revelation, it's pictures. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:34.400 So we need to treat it as pictures, which I really... 00:14:34.400 --> 00:14:36.000 I love picture books, and it's great. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:39.000 It captures the imagination. 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:44.159 The second thing we need to understand is a lot of these pictures, 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:46.000 nearly all of them, come from Scripture. 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:50.000 So it's not like you need... 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:52.679 Commentators and things are absolutely helpful, don't get me wrong, 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:56.299 but we've got all the pictures we need here. 00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:58.299 We've got all we need to understand this book. 00:14:58.299 --> 00:15:05.879 These are real churches that are being addressed in the region of Asia, 00:15:06.099 --> 00:15:08.319 and they're facing two real threats. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:12.079 One is the threat of persecution from Jews and Romans, 00:15:12.599 --> 00:15:15.279 but the other thing they're facing, 00:15:15.439 --> 00:15:17.359 and I think we forget this when reading Revelation, 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:24.459 is they're tempted to just find heaven now in the Roman Empire, 00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:29.540 to have your status and wealth and safety and wellbeing here. 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.840 So there's threat of persecution, 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:35.460 but there's also temptation of just love this world, 00:15:36.040 --> 00:15:41.879 which is exactly where every church in every age is faced with. 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:48.940 I think verse 9 helps us understand where the book takes us, 00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:53.200 and I'm hoping where our time together in this sermon will take us. 00:15:54.460 --> 00:16:00.620 So I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:07.519 and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus. 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:13.720 The tribulation, the kingdom, and the patient endurance. 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:18.040 John is enslaved on an island for his faith in Jesus, 00:16:18.540 --> 00:16:23.700 but he can endure it patiently because he knows the promised kingdom that is his. 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:25.320 And so too the church. 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:29.060 Now is tribulation, trouble. 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:35.080 But we can patiently endure because we know what the outcome is going to be. 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:36.200 We have the kingdom. 00:16:38.160 --> 00:16:43.420 We know we belong to the Alpha and the Omega. 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:46.620 We can patiently endure. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:56.819 So now the church is marked by present tribulation, trouble, striving. 00:16:56.959 --> 00:16:58.779 So we see that in chapters 1 to 3. 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:05.700 What is Jesus doing now? 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.740 What is he doing? 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.579 He has all authority. 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:12.199 What is he doing? 00:17:14.699 --> 00:17:18.359 Well, he is present in his struggling churches. 00:17:19.439 --> 00:17:22.799 He is speaking by his spirit through his word. 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.759 To what end? 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:28.319 To prepare his bride for himself. 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:33.679 John turns to see the voice speaking to him. 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:37.060 And what does he see? 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.680 He sees seven lampstands. 00:17:39.580 --> 00:17:40.920 And we're told what they represent. 00:17:41.360 --> 00:17:46.100 These lampstands represent the local churches, real churches. 00:17:48.320 --> 00:17:52.380 Now, there were ten local churches in Asia of the time. 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:59.160 So the selection of seven, seven is just a repeated number in this book and throughout Scripture. 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:02.340 It can represent completion. 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:05.820 Another way to understand it is the essence of something. 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:12.200 So as we come to the seven churches, it's saying this is what the church is really like. 00:18:12.280 --> 00:18:14.200 This is the essence of how the church is. 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:19.860 I don't think we should read it as let's find what grace evangelical is like. 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:22.080 Are we like Ephesus or Smyrna? 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:26.240 This is saying we're always like all of these. 00:18:26.600 --> 00:18:27.759 We're always facing these. 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:34.640 Some individuals, sometimes more than others, but this is all seven letters are for us. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.799 It's always relevant. 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:43.359 If we pin these seven churches on a map, it forms something of a circle. 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:46.759 And what do we see in the middle of the circle? 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:50.740 Jesus. 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:52.019 That's where he is. 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.099 That's what he's up to. 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:56.839 All his attention is for his people. 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:02.899 God's faithful witness to the truth. 00:19:04.419 --> 00:19:06.220 The firstborn of the dead. 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:09.180 The ruler of the kings of the world. 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:13.940 If you want truth and life and power, it's all in him. 00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:16.379 And he's using it all for his church. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:22.659 It's a human figure like that of Daniel 7. 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:27.259 He's dressed like a priest or a king or a judge. 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.680 He's holy. 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:30.279 His hair is white. 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:33.779 Those with white hair celebrating that. 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.659 He's holy. 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:35.359 He's pure. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.680 His eyes are like flaming fire. 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:40.480 He sees things as they are. 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.940 He looks through any pretense. 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:43.639 He sees it as it is. 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:46.079 His feet are bronze. 00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:47.159 He is strong. 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:51.059 Like an NRL player trying to tackle those feet. 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:53.319 He's not budging. 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.220 He is strong. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.259 His voice is powerful. 00:19:56.259 --> 00:20:02.859 It's a two-edged sword just piercing through either in judgment or in healing. 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:06.039 He's divine. 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:09.839 His face radiant like the sun. 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:17.319 John saw this glory one time before when he was up on the mountain transfiguration. 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:22.079 Now he sees it now that he's risen and ascended in all his glory. 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:28.559 He falls down as though dead. 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:31.740 But see his grace. 00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:35.779 He has died and he's alive and he can say to John, fear not. 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:38.399 You don't have to be afraid in my presence. 00:20:39.399 --> 00:20:40.599 You can have peace. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:43.279 You can enjoy my presence. 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:49.960 What does our Lord care about the most? 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:51.139 His church. 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.099 That's what he's up to. 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:54.759 Who's at the center of the church? 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:55.639 Not you. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.359 Not me. 00:20:58.720 --> 00:21:00.079 Not us even. 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.240 He is. 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.879 It's about him. 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:07.920 He created the church. 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:11.379 It exists and grows through him and it is for him. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:22.039 If you're disillusioned by the local church, by this local church, that we're not what we ought to be, you're right. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.420 You're right. 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:28.200 Because it's time for much tribulation, struggle. 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:32.019 But that is no reason to disengage. 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.619 Jesus isn't disengaged. 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:37.339 His church is the apple of his eye. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:41.000 We're still called to be his light in the world. 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:50.680 So if we step back from these seven letters, I'm not going to go through the detail. 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:53.859 But if we step back and we ask, what is he doing? 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:55.740 What is Jesus' goal? 00:21:57.619 --> 00:22:02.059 He's preparing us for that day when we will be in heaven. 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:09.299 He's calling for whole of heart, all of life, devotion to him. 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:14.299 He's not just critical. 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.319 He knows us. 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.240 He sees us. 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:18.099 He commends us for the devotion. 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.960 He sees in us. 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.440 I know your works. 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:22.819 I know your love and faith. 00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:24.539 I know your love for the truth. 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:28.319 And that you hate those who take people away from the truth. 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:32.639 I know that you're standing up under trials. 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.240 I know. 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:33.980 I see. 00:22:34.179 --> 00:22:34.740 I'm here. 00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:39.639 He commends. 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:43.339 But he also sees where our devotion is lacking. 00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:49.579 John Stott describes it like he is the divine lover. 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:56.240 And he's pining for our continuing, deepening, maturing adoration. 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:00.720 This I have against you. 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:02.240 Sometimes we have good doctrine. 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:05.159 We know the truth, but we don't have love. 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:10.799 We don't love God and one another in the world like we should. 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:12.599 That's fantastic. 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:13.980 Stick to the truth. 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:18.220 But it's empty without love. 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:26.200 Sometimes we need to care more about doctrine because the lies are drawing people away from Jesus. 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:28.339 Truth matters. 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:40.920 Sometimes our conscience has stopped caring about immorality that dishonors him and puts distance between him and us and one another. 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:45.180 We need to take immorality seriously. 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:48.519 Sometimes we think we are rich. 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:54.779 We've got new clothes, a better car, higher salary. 00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:58.100 Our affluence here is so dangerous. 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:04.740 Jesus looks at when we have that attitude and goes, you're blind. 00:24:04.840 --> 00:24:06.180 You don't see how you really are. 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.880 You think you don't need me. 00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:10.220 I'm about to spit you out. 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:13.660 You think you're fine on your own. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:15.320 Affluence is so dangerous. 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.360 It puts us to sleep. 00:24:18.580 --> 00:24:20.500 It makes us self-dependent. 00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:22.980 Where's your enthusiasm for me? 00:24:25.580 --> 00:24:29.620 If you like me, all of these describe me at some points. 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:36.699 Or another way of saying it is all of these describe me pretty much all the time. 00:24:37.699 --> 00:24:38.139 Struggle. 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.939 It is time for tribulations. 00:24:42.219 --> 00:24:45.179 And faith in Jesus looks like conquering. 00:24:46.459 --> 00:24:47.959 To he who conquers. 00:24:48.679 --> 00:24:51.659 You have to conquer these things by trusting in him. 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:54.139 To fight for our love for him. 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:56.120 Now how do we do it? 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:59.580 We do it listening to him. 00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:00.759 We've got to listen to him. 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.740 But how does he motivate us? 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:08.460 The primary way he motivates us is he promises to him who conquers. 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:14.200 And then he reminds us what he will share with us in the promised kingdom to come. 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:17.400 He's going to share his immortal resurrected life. 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:20.660 Don't fear what can happen. 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:22.160 Standing up for me. 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:24.319 I will share my life with you. 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:28.440 I will share my status as belonging to God. 00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:29.440 His family. 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:35.980 I will share the security where one day you will know nothing can harm you. 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:36.580 Nothing. 00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:39.820 I can't even imagine that. 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:42.340 We're told to imagine it because it's coming. 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:47.000 I will share my pure character with you. 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:50.799 Don't come with your filthy rags of trying to be a good person. 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.620 They're filthy. 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.600 I'll clothe you. 00:25:53.820 --> 00:25:55.019 I'm going to give you my character. 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:57.860 I'm going to share my rule over the world with you. 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:59.779 I'm going to share my riches with you. 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.419 That's how we conquer. 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:03.139 Trusting his promises. 00:26:05.159 --> 00:26:09.479 And the one who stands speaking and promising these things, he knows the end. 00:26:09.919 --> 00:26:11.459 He is the end. 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.539 He's written the end. 00:26:14.159 --> 00:26:18.500 He knows we will adore him as we should one day. 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:22.899 And so he calls for us to live now more and more in light of that. 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:37.279 So that's why I think if you've been disillusioned by the local church, I don't think your concerns are too big. 00:26:37.659 --> 00:26:39.240 They're probably too small. 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:44.920 I think we often place ourselves at the centre. 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:52.539 To give just one example, what hurts the most, conflict in the church. 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:57.279 I think we often care about relational conflict because it hurts. 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.819 It really does. 00:26:58.819 --> 00:27:02.220 And we're ready to break fellowship. 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:10.579 We care about getting, I suppose, justice, understanding. 00:27:10.899 --> 00:27:15.679 When our bigger concern should be demonstrating the reconciling power of the gospel. 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:25.899 Are we concerned that breaking fellowship is going to undermine the message that Jesus unites all? 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:29.060 Are we concerned with his glory? 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:39.160 I think our concerns aren't too big. 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:40.080 They're too small. 00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:52.980 What right have I, what right have you to give up on the people Jesus died for, whom he's loving and whom he will perfect? 00:27:55.900 --> 00:28:02.880 Now, the way we value God's church isn't to expect the church to be lovely. 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.200 It's not lovely. 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:08.000 There's bits of loveliness, but it's not lovely yet. 00:28:08.040 --> 00:28:08.880 We're not lovely yet. 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:11.140 The way is to fall back in love with Jesus. 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:16.580 And when you love Jesus, he loves his church. 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:21.619 And that's when we'll rekindle our affection for one another. 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:29.859 So that's the church as it is now. 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:32.319 It's time for struggle. 00:28:34.679 --> 00:28:36.299 But how do we patiently endure? 00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:40.039 Looking at what we will be, God's vision of heaven. 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:58.420 So flipping over to chapter 21, if you're following along in your Bibles, I think we can narrow what heaven will be like in our imagination to true aspects. 00:28:58.920 --> 00:29:00.500 I'm not saying these are not true. 00:29:00.619 --> 00:29:04.059 I'm just saying we can narrow it down to just one thing. 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:06.700 Like, we're going to be free from a suffering body. 00:29:07.399 --> 00:29:07.799 Wow. 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.720 Bring it on. 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.659 That's going to be great. 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.599 But what's the purpose of that? 00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:20.039 Or we're going to be reunited with believing loved ones. 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.019 Wow. 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:23.379 That's going to be fantastic. 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:27.799 These are great, but I think they're just incomplete. 00:29:28.639 --> 00:29:31.039 It's not God's full picture. 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:37.619 One of the great blessings that God gives us is he tells us where history is headed. 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:38.740 We're not in the dark. 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:40.279 We know where we're going. 00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:42.500 We know what we're aiming for. 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:48.680 Chapter 21, then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 00:29:50.639 --> 00:29:54.099 Our hope isn't so much that our spirits are going to go to heaven. 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:57.500 Our hope is that heaven is going to come live with us on earth. 00:29:58.899 --> 00:30:00.259 It's going to be a new earth. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:07.779 And in this new creation, what are we shown most in chapter 21? 00:30:08.399 --> 00:30:11.180 You'd expect the focus to be on Jesus, right? 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:13.480 Or the wonderful place. 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:16.119 And there is, that is in here. 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:21.599 But surprisingly, a stranger takes center stage along with Jesus. 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:27.539 It's the city of Jesus' died four people coming down out of heaven from God, 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:30.299 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:38.000 And we're told in chapter 9, it gets in, chapter 9, verse 9, 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:41.599 come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the lamb. 00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:44.480 Our attention is drawn to the church. 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:55.200 There's a preacher in the US who lived a long time ago now, but Jonathan Edwards, 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:56.900 some of you would have heard his name. 00:30:57.160 --> 00:31:01.660 Now, his sermons, you read them and, wow, they are technical, they are logical. 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:07.299 That's all to say that he's not given to flowery language like Spurgeon was. 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:14.019 But he's got a sermon that I found so encouraging and it's called Heaven is a World of Love. 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:18.339 I would encourage you to listen to it. 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:26.240 It's based on 1 Corinthians 13 that right now through scripture we see God truly. 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:31.119 It's true what we learn about God, but it's like looking dimly through a mirror. 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:35.239 But then we'll see him face to face. 00:31:35.899 --> 00:31:38.699 We'll know him truly as we are truly known. 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:45.439 And what that means is love, charity for one another, is forever. 00:31:45.919 --> 00:31:47.059 It's a world of love. 00:31:48.979 --> 00:31:51.559 His face will be the scripture we read. 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:58.139 Knowledge of God will fill that world and each person to the full. 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:00.240 There won't be a bit of darkness. 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:02.119 It will be constant daytime there. 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:03.700 There's no night. 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:11.500 Light, knowledge of God will fill us, each one of us and all of us and everything in it, in that world. 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:18.759 His spirit, like a stream, will turn into a river and turn into an ocean 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:25.579 that will just nourish us fully, always producing goodness, blessing. 00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:34.539 In our heart and mind, try and imagine this because I don't think we've had this to the full yet in this life. 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:39.480 There will not be a hint of doubt, not a hint that God loves you. 00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:47.259 There won't be a hint of doubt that God loves your brother and sister next to you. 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:54.500 There won't be a hint of fear that he'll stop loving you because we know it will be forever. 00:32:59.140 --> 00:33:02.180 Now, I'm looking forward to that. 00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:08.259 And that being filled with his love is going to spill over in how we treat one another. 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:13.299 Nothing unclean will enter that city. 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:16.039 There won't be any lies or temptation anymore. 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:19.019 There won't be a sinful nature to wrestle with. 00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:25.420 That sin you did again this week that you are sick of doing, 00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:29.279 you won't be struggling with that anymore. 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:31.159 Full devotion to him. 00:33:34.399 --> 00:33:37.980 The church is pictured as a city with dimensions as a cube. 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:43.619 The only other cube in Scripture is the Holy of Holies in the temple. 00:33:43.619 --> 00:33:47.959 This is where God will dwell, in his people, the church. 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:50.659 Now, that's almost blasphemous. 00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:56.359 It's almost blasphemous to say that we are his temple. 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:58.979 But that's what God says. 00:33:59.379 --> 00:34:00.479 We will be holy. 00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:05.679 Like, I was shocked this week in verse 11. 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:11.360 Listen, the church is described as having the glory of God. 00:34:16.240 --> 00:34:17.900 And you read the Old Testament. 00:34:18.180 --> 00:34:20.260 Like, when Ezekiel saw his vision, he's like, 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:25.760 the kind of likeness similar to the glory of God. 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:28.360 He was careful in describing what he saw. 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:31.380 This is just, we will have the glory of God. 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:33.300 Like, wow. 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.559 We will be holy. 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.860 Holy love. 00:34:41.840 --> 00:34:46.559 There's every reason to see this worship of God as expressed in community. 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:49.039 There's not individual brides. 00:34:49.160 --> 00:34:50.019 We're one bride. 00:34:50.660 --> 00:34:52.840 It's not families and clans. 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.900 It's one family. 00:34:54.860 --> 00:34:56.400 Not individual churches. 00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.440 It's one church. 00:34:57.440 --> 00:35:00.440 Unity centered on Jesus. 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.420 Full trust. 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:08.400 Like, imagine relating to someone where there's zero pretense. 00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:10.639 There's zero faking. 00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:15.119 I think we're all, it's just a matter of degree that we're doing it. 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:18.159 There will be none of that anymore in this community. 00:35:18.780 --> 00:35:23.639 We will trust each other's motives because we know that we'll be devoted to God, 00:35:23.639 --> 00:35:28.319 that whatever we say and do to each other, it's like our motives will be transparent glass. 00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:29.599 We'll see right into the heart. 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:33.119 It's fully sincere and it's full of authenticity. 00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:35.519 It's full of passion for God. 00:35:36.879 --> 00:35:39.679 That's going to be an incredible community to be a part of. 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:48.460 Whatever conflict you've had with another brother or sister in the church, 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:56.139 in that day, I think the picture here tells us that you will love them more fully 00:35:56.139 --> 00:35:59.299 than you've ever known love in this life. 00:36:00.319 --> 00:36:01.419 It's hard to imagine. 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:02.699 I don't know how he's going to do it. 00:36:04.319 --> 00:36:07.460 But that's the world of love we're pictured here. 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:19.840 To quote Jonathan Edwards, this world here is like a tempestuous sea. 00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:29.079 Selfishness, envy and revenge and jealousy keep life on earth in a constant tumult 00:36:29.079 --> 00:36:34.659 and make it a scene of confusion and uproar where no quiet rest is to be enjoyed 00:36:34.659 --> 00:36:40.299 except in renouncing this world and looking to another. 00:36:41.879 --> 00:36:48.799 But oh, what rest is there in that world that the God of peace and love fills with his own 00:36:48.799 --> 00:36:53.719 gracious presence where there is no enemy and no enmity, 00:36:54.799 --> 00:36:57.420 but where there is perfect love in every being. 00:36:57.420 --> 00:37:02.139 This is God's rest to be at home with his people. 00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:04.200 It's the end of his work of creation. 00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:06.619 It's the end of his work of salvation. 00:37:10.380 --> 00:37:11.980 It's as if Christ has said, 00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:16.420 I am not starting the wedding feast of heaven until you, my beloved, are with me. 00:37:19.360 --> 00:37:21.000 Heaven is a world of love. 00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:28.159 God's love for his bride, the church, the church fully responding with passionate love for God, 00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:31.119 which will overflow into love for our neighbour. 00:37:35.320 --> 00:37:37.239 This is our glorious inheritance. 00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:45.340 A day is coming when this is going to be our daily experience. 00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:47.600 How good is that? 00:37:55.980 --> 00:37:59.200 So in light of this promised world of love, 00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:06.200 are you thirsting for it? 00:38:06.199 --> 00:38:18.179 If you're not, either I failed to express it clearly today, which is possible, 00:38:19.460 --> 00:38:23.500 or maybe you've just had a super rough week and your mind is just zapped. 00:38:23.899 --> 00:38:25.019 That's possible too. 00:38:26.359 --> 00:38:31.919 But if you're not thirsting for it, you need to do some serious soul searching. 00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:38.159 Because it might be that you're still just head over heels in love with this world 00:38:38.159 --> 00:38:41.760 and you're coming to this community, but you're not in the church. 00:38:41.760 --> 00:39:01.480 Jesus stands at the door and knocks. 00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:04.260 He wants to come in. 00:39:04.260 --> 00:39:14.720 But there might be others here who may well believe this world is coming. 00:39:14.840 --> 00:39:16.840 You just really doubt that it's for you. 00:39:19.820 --> 00:39:22.060 You doubt that you're worthy of this. 00:39:23.760 --> 00:39:25.460 You believe it's coming. 00:39:25.620 --> 00:39:26.760 The certainty of the promise. 00:39:27.240 --> 00:39:31.220 It's just, I'm not worthy of it. 00:39:31.219 --> 00:39:37.099 To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 00:39:39.619 --> 00:39:46.099 I'm going to steal an illustration from a preacher, Alistair Begg. 00:39:46.500 --> 00:39:48.179 Some of you will know it. 00:39:48.639 --> 00:39:50.399 But he's talking about the thief on the cross 00:39:50.399 --> 00:39:56.079 and how Jesus promised a thief on the cross. 00:39:56.199 --> 00:39:58.019 Today you'll be with me in paradise. 00:39:58.019 --> 00:40:03.159 And Alistair Begg is like, I can't wait in heaven to find that fella 00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:06.500 and ask him, how did that shape out for you? 00:40:06.820 --> 00:40:10.679 Like you were cussing the guy while you were on the cross. 00:40:11.139 --> 00:40:12.820 You've never been to a Bible study. 00:40:14.219 --> 00:40:15.739 You've never been baptised. 00:40:16.880 --> 00:40:19.099 You didn't know a thing about church membership. 00:40:20.219 --> 00:40:21.460 And yet you made it. 00:40:21.960 --> 00:40:23.179 How did you make it? 00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:26.139 And that's what the angel must have said. 00:40:26.360 --> 00:40:27.599 What are you doing here? 00:40:29.019 --> 00:40:29.920 I don't know. 00:40:32.759 --> 00:40:33.559 Excuse me. 00:40:33.659 --> 00:40:35.300 I'm just going to go get my supervisor. 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:37.280 The supervisor angel comes over. 00:40:37.739 --> 00:40:39.320 Sir, we just have a few questions for you. 00:40:39.400 --> 00:40:42.920 Are you clear on the doctrine of justification by faith? 00:40:45.079 --> 00:40:46.659 I've never heard of it in my life. 00:40:47.659 --> 00:40:51.320 Eventually in frustration he asked, on what basis are you here? 00:40:51.320 --> 00:40:55.620 And he said, the man on the middle cross said, I can come. 00:41:00.000 --> 00:41:00.980 I love that. 00:41:01.280 --> 00:41:05.440 Because it just, if you've got no hope in yourself, that's the point. 00:41:05.580 --> 00:41:06.519 You're fit for heaven. 00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:08.519 Because that's all we're going to be doing. 00:41:08.820 --> 00:41:09.920 Praising what he's done. 00:41:09.920 --> 00:41:10.519 Amen. 00:41:21.199 --> 00:41:28.980 So, what kind of church will we be if we set our hope on the full taste of heaven that is coming? 00:41:28.980 --> 00:41:31.539 We're going to be filled with awe. 00:41:31.679 --> 00:41:34.000 We're going to be leaning forward in anticipation. 00:41:34.000 --> 00:41:42.420 We're going to see the gap between what is promised to us and what I deserve. 00:41:43.460 --> 00:41:44.960 And we're going to be humble. 00:41:44.960 --> 00:41:48.780 praising his cross only. 00:41:49.420 --> 00:41:53.740 We're going to be groaning because our current inconsistent, 00:41:54.079 --> 00:41:59.860 tainted devotion to the one who loved us so much is just a taste 00:41:59.860 --> 00:42:01.039 of what's coming. 00:42:01.880 --> 00:42:03.400 And we're groaning now. 00:42:04.619 --> 00:42:06.260 But we won't lose heart. 00:42:06.400 --> 00:42:12.360 We won't discourage because the grace we have experienced in him, 00:42:12.360 --> 00:42:15.840 we will give that grace to our brothers and sisters. 00:42:16.820 --> 00:42:20.740 And we know who it is who says we will make it. 00:42:21.599 --> 00:42:25.400 It's the Alpha and the Omega who said, I will get you there. 00:42:31.079 --> 00:42:39.220 We will be so devoted to his great building project of his people 00:42:39.219 --> 00:42:46.379 that we will stop mucking around with what this world hopes in 00:42:46.379 --> 00:42:49.259 because it's just glitter. 00:42:50.699 --> 00:42:53.079 There won't be any cost too great. 00:42:53.759 --> 00:42:57.779 Not too much time or money or service. 00:42:58.279 --> 00:43:01.079 The risk of moving your family to another country. 00:43:01.980 --> 00:43:03.399 No cost will be too great. 00:43:03.400 --> 00:43:13.980 If Christ's church is built, if Christ's people are built up 00:43:13.980 --> 00:43:16.500 in their devotion to him. 00:43:19.900 --> 00:43:24.519 In short, if we see through God's eyes and we know the full banquet 00:43:24.519 --> 00:43:29.240 of heaven is coming, we're going to do anything we can to get more 00:43:29.239 --> 00:43:32.639 and more of a taste of that world of love now. 00:43:36.879 --> 00:43:38.279 To get ourselves ready. 00:43:41.359 --> 00:43:45.899 Because by striving to be the church, that will be a lampstand, 00:43:46.019 --> 00:43:47.219 will be a light. 00:43:49.319 --> 00:43:52.039 That it is so good to belong to Jesus. 00:43:53.719 --> 00:43:54.739 We will honour him. 00:43:54.739 --> 00:44:01.639 So church, a foretaste of heaven? 00:44:02.159 --> 00:44:02.559 Absolutely. 00:44:03.219 --> 00:44:04.219 It's just a taste. 00:44:05.299 --> 00:44:07.559 We need to set our hope on the full banquet. 00:44:10.099 --> 00:44:10.799 Let me pray. 00:44:10.959 --> 00:44:11.319 Let's pray. 00:44:11.319 --> 00:44:11.359 Let's pray. 00:44:11.360 --> 00:44:27.800 Lord, thank you for your blood. 00:44:29.160 --> 00:44:34.880 That means that we are ransomed from this empty way of life 00:44:34.880 --> 00:44:37.240 that this world chases after. 00:44:37.239 --> 00:44:56.679 Lord, please fill us with that picture of your church adoring you 00:44:56.679 --> 00:45:06.039 so that we might be a light for your name to bring honour to you 00:45:06.039 --> 00:45:12.779 in this world and be used by you to build individuals up in knowing you 00:45:12.779 --> 00:45:16.599 and in building your church, both here in this church family 00:45:16.599 --> 00:45:18.159 but also all over the world. 00:45:19.299 --> 00:45:20.480 Lord, fill us with this vision. 00:45:21.480 --> 00:45:22.319 In Jesus' name. 00:45:22.519 --> 00:45:22.779 Amen. 00:45:22.779 --> 00:45:22.879 Amen.