WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:04.400 So we're in our third week studying the book of Revelation. 00:00:04.559 --> 00:00:15.279 What we've been saying, because perhaps you haven't been here the last few weeks, what we've been saying about this book that we can we can open up and read a verse out of Revelation and just be kind of blown away and not sure if we want to keep reading. 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:19.679 What we've been saying is some people treat this letter, it's a letter to seven churches, is what it is. 00:00:20.559 --> 00:00:24.320 They treat it as a secret code and they kind of over-read it in that way. 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:30.719 And so they use any of the symbolism in there to kind of even like project onto it what they want to say. 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:32.560 And that way they over-read Revelation. 00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:36.960 And then what we say is some other people react to that, the way that I've been throughout my life. 00:00:37.039 --> 00:00:39.520 And I just won't kind of haven't ever won any part with it. 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:41.600 It was a really strange book of the Bible. 00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:43.600 And I hear people making up all this stuff. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:45.359 And I was like, eh, I'll just stay away from it. 00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:49.200 And that way, some of us can under-read the book of Revelation. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:58.479 And it's not an easy book because there's literal language and there's figurative language, there's metaphors, there's references to the Old Testament, there's symbolism, there's all this going on in it. 00:00:58.560 --> 00:00:59.119 Here's what we do. 00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:04.239 John was exiled to an island in the GNC, and he is writing this letter. 00:01:04.400 --> 00:01:09.439 Some of it that's literal, some of it, he's having these visions, some crazy stuff that we're gonna make our way through. 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:11.040 He's writing it to seven churches. 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:19.439 Last week we spent time looking at four churches that Jesus is speaking, caring, correcting words to. 00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:26.000 And then this week we have three churches left that Jesus is speaking, caring, correcting words to. 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:28.719 And so we're gonna read our way through this chapter. 00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:31.840 I'll read a little, make a few points as we go. 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:36.239 Revelation 3, 1 through 3, we'll reread what Brad just read for us. 00:01:36.400 --> 00:01:43.359 And to the angel of the church and Sardis, write the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. 00:01:43.519 --> 00:01:44.079 And remember that? 00:01:44.159 --> 00:01:46.239 That's even referencing back to the first chapter. 00:01:46.319 --> 00:01:48.879 This is Jesus, the image of Jesus holding seven stars. 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:55.519 Beautiful poetic language of Jesus holds these churches, these people that he loves. 00:01:55.920 --> 00:01:58.000 Here's what Jesus says: I know your works. 00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:00.560 You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:03.439 Wake up and strengthen what remains is about to die. 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:06.560 For I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 00:02:06.799 --> 00:02:09.120 Remember then what you have received and heard. 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:10.479 Keep it and repent. 00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:16.400 If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:19.439 Now we have to remember, we can read that verse 3 and go, ooh, wow. 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:27.439 There's a couple of verses throughout this chapter where we can react to it pretty quickly, and we forget that Jesus is speaking to churches. 00:02:27.599 --> 00:02:31.120 So some of this is to a church, not to an individual. 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:37.759 So here in verse 3, I personally don't think this is about God coming against a person or individual. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:48.719 I think this is Jesus speaking to the division that's created between a church and God when that church refuses to root themselves in Jesus. 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:58.479 Now, we can personalize it a bit and say point number one is this our faith is expressed by ongoing repentance inside of God's care of us. 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:02.000 Now, what that means is we begin with God's care of us. 00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:03.919 We begin with God's kindness. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:06.879 God's kindness leads us to repentance. 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:10.319 So what that means is it means that shame doesn't lead us to repentance. 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:13.840 We don't have shame-motivated repentance, or faith for that matter. 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:18.000 We don't have shame in our faith, and we don't have to have shame in our repentance. 00:03:18.319 --> 00:03:25.919 The more we come alive to the embrace of the Heavenly Father for us, his caring, that's the beginning point here, even the correction, the beginning point is caring. 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:31.199 The more we come alive to the Heavenly Father, the more joyfully we ongoingly repent. 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:33.199 We don't resist it. 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:42.240 In his kindness, we actually repent with sorrow for our mistakes, but we don't have to resist it because we're not in shame. 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:45.439 We fall back into Jesus' work for us. 00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:47.360 This is actually what our faith looks like. 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:52.639 This is an expression of faith that births all the other fruit of our faith, like service. 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:54.960 Imagine verse number one. 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:56.240 Remember, this is a letter. 00:03:56.319 --> 00:03:59.199 So imagine this letter showing up in your mailbox. 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:01.039 We always get excited to get letters, right? 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:05.360 You get excited, especially like a personalized letter versus like a bill or junk mail or whatever, but actually a letter. 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:05.919 Imagine that. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:14.400 You get a letter and you break this thing open, and verse one is you, you know, you have a reputation of being alive. 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:15.919 Imagine that being the opening line. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:19.040 You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:21.279 Like that's the letter you get. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:22.319 Like, thanks. 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:23.600 Thanks a lot. 00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:25.120 Appreciate that. 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:32.639 And Palm Springs, uh, Frank Sinatra in the 1940s, he built a desert modern house. 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:35.680 Here's a picture of his house in Palm Springs. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:39.360 If you look at it, the whole back of the house opens up to that backyard and that pool. 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:42.480 The pool's shaped like a piano, of course, Frank Sinatra. 00:04:42.720 --> 00:04:44.560 Is it a beautiful house? 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:46.720 Beautiful house, amazing house. 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:47.759 You can walk in there. 00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:53.519 All the furniture is original from the 1940s, it's immaculately held, preserved. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:58.480 There's a master suite that opens out to that backyard and that pool, there's a kid's room. 00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:01.920 You can go, you can go and tour that house. 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:07.120 You can walk around like snobby modern architecture people, and if you do, just talk about the clean lines. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:07.839 You'll fit right in. 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:08.639 That's all you have to say. 00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:11.279 If you're with snobby modern architecture, it's just a clean line. 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:12.079 Look at the clean lines. 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:13.279 That's all you have to say. 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:16.720 The place is renowned. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:21.759 Like if you're like two of you are snobby modern architecture people, and you're like, I already know the house. 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:22.480 I've been there. 00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:24.800 Yeah, we talked about the clean lines. 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:27.680 But it's a museum. 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:30.160 You walk around, it's a museum. 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:34.079 There's there's there's no life in it. 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:36.800 It's dead. 00:05:37.360 --> 00:05:38.800 It's all reputation. 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:44.000 Now, last week I walked into one of your houses. 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:47.360 I won't say who, but it was my next door neighbor. 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:54.639 And I walked in the side door, because my children were over there, needed to get my children, bring them home. 00:05:54.879 --> 00:06:00.800 I walk in, music's on, the husband's doing the dishes, the wife was getting the kids ready to go somewhere. 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:05.439 So right when I walk in, the smallest little small girl, she runs right up to me. 00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:10.000 She looked me dead in the eyes, very serious, and she said, We don't talk about Bruno. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:12.240 And she very forcefully. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:13.519 She walked right off. 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:14.959 I think she fell. 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:20.000 Like as she walked away, I think she tripped and fell, and like a lot of people laughed, like all the other kids laughed, and she bounced back up. 00:06:20.160 --> 00:06:23.120 Like, there's all this life, right? 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:26.560 Like, like all this life inside of that house. 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:31.360 See, Jesus says the inside of you should be alive. 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:34.720 Not like a museum with a reputation. 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:37.759 See, faith is an inside job. 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:39.439 We should be alive on the inside. 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:43.759 It's not behavioral to begin with, it's inside out. 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:51.439 And see, Sardis, this city, was a city of wealth and glory, but it had lost its power. 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:54.240 It no longer had power like it used to. 00:06:54.399 --> 00:06:57.759 And Jesus was saying, You have a big reputation to this church. 00:06:57.839 --> 00:06:59.199 You have a big reputation. 00:06:59.519 --> 00:07:07.040 People think you're alive because you still look good, but actually, you are not alive as a church. 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:10.639 Because you do not ongoingly repent. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:15.120 Because churches rest in Jesus, in his sufficiency. 00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:16.879 They adore Jesus. 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:19.199 That's what churches do. 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:21.199 Verse 4. 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:23.439 Still talking to Sardis. 00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:33.439 Yet, yet, you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:35.040 Say, well, how are they worthy? 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:35.519 How's this? 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:41.360 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:44.399 I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:48.560 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:53.199 Point number two is this we are secured by Jesus' faithfulness and righteousness for us. 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:54.480 That's how we're secured. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:55.839 That's how our name's in that book. 00:07:55.920 --> 00:07:58.480 That's why we're pillars of righteousness. 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:01.839 This week we saw some old friends of ours. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:09.920 They've been married for a while at this point, but we knew them better and were around them a lot more when they were just engaged. 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:16.879 And when they were engaged, they came to us because of a mistake had been made. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:20.399 And it was one of those romantic mistakes. 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:21.920 And they were devastated. 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:22.959 They were ashamed. 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:24.000 And they're engaged. 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:26.879 It's just a few months from their wedding. 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:29.279 They didn't know what to do. 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:34.480 One of those types of mistakes other people were probably gonna find out about soon. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:40.080 And they just got it out of order. 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:48.080 And for her, in just a few months, she's gonna put on a white dress. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:51.039 That symbolizes purity. 00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:58.559 You know what I'm talking about? 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:01.120 Like, nobody makes it about the guy, do they? 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:01.679 Right? 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:05.120 Never a joke about the guy, just the woman. 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:10.639 And she was just particularly she was devastated. 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:14.559 Guilt and shame, just beating herself up relentlessly. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:16.320 We had the privilege. 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:21.360 We had the privilege in that season of life. 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:23.440 They were already broken. 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:24.799 They already knew. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:28.399 This is the kind of thing Jesus has correcting, guiding words on. 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:30.480 They already knew them. 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:33.360 They already knew those words, and they were already broken. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:35.440 What they needed was the promise. 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:39.519 We just got to shower them with that promise. 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:44.159 It's in his kindness that we repent. 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:50.240 These correcting words come out of his care that he holds these seven churches. 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:53.679 I mean, really, who of any of us could really wear white? 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:58.480 I mean, if you if you really if you knew my heart. 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:01.120 Or if I knew yours. 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:04.080 I mean, who, any of us, any of us? 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:05.120 None of us. 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:06.080 None of us. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:10.000 And yet we have verse five. 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:23.600 And there's the promise for us, those who conquer, which means those who walk by grace through faith in Jesus, because he clothes us with the white garments. 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:26.960 And he promises to hold on to us. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:29.440 That's how we conquer. 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:36.799 That's how we live lives of worthiness is outside of, or from the point that he clothes us. 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:39.279 Revelation 3, verse 7. 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:41.519 Second church, Philadelphia. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:45.519 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write the words of the Holy One, the true one. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:47.440 It's a bit of reading here, let's just hang with me. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:53.759 Who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens, I know your works. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:57.919 Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:00.639 I know that you have but little power. 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:04.399 And yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:15.759 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie, behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:21.519 So this church is given a really rough time by this group coming out of a synagogue. 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.720 This is what's going on here. 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:27.840 Most likely the church was meeting in the synagogue, because that's where churches met in those ancient times. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:30.399 And then the church probably got kicked out of the synagogue. 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:35.759 When they got kicked out of the synagogue, it would have made them very exposed to Rome because inside of the synagogue they were protected. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:38.559 Outside, they were not protected from Rome. 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:51.200 Because you, verse 10, because you have kept my word and about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:52.480 I am coming soon. 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:57.360 Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:12:02.080 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:03.919 Never shall he go out of it. 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:14.639 And I will write him the name of my God, the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:18.480 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:21.440 Now we could spend four weeks just in this passage. 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:28.159 But overarching here, point number three, hold on to Jesus inside of his hold of you. 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:30.080 We talk about that a lot. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:33.840 That's how we hold on to him, is the fact that he's holding on to us. 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:40.000 This church in Philadelphia was threatened by this group of people out of this synagogue. 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:44.720 So they would have been afraid, uncertain, very anxious. 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:48.799 And Jesus says, You're going to conquer, you're going to make it through. 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:50.639 Stay true in faith. 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:52.639 Listen to all these phrases of Jesus. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:54.320 You probably, you maybe didn't pick up on this. 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:57.039 It took me a couple times to reading through it until I picked up on it. 00:12:57.360 --> 00:13:01.360 How many phrases of Jesus begin with, like what he will do for us? 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:05.440 Verse 8, I have before you an open door which no one is able to shut. 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:07.759 Verse 8, I know that you have little power. 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:09.120 Verse 9, I will make. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:10.399 Verse 9, I will make them. 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:11.840 Verse 9, I have loved you. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:13.279 Verse 10, I will keep you. 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:14.960 Verse 11, I am coming soon. 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:16.240 Verse 12, I will make him. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:18.320 Verse 12, I will write on him. 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:21.200 The point here is the active agent. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:26.159 And our relationship with God is Jesus toward us and Jesus upon us. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:29.200 The text tells us he holds us. 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:32.320 Eternity is before them, but he's holding them. 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:34.240 And their names are secure. 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:39.120 Their security is not in their own work, it is in this Jesus that's toward them and upon them. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:43.759 So the entire passage here is about undeserved favor. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:48.960 Undeserved forever favor that we have in God's grace to us. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:51.360 Verse 14. 00:13:53.440 --> 00:14:01.679 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea, write the words of the Amen, the faithful and the true witness, the beginning of God's creation. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:05.679 And here Jesus speaks to them. 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:09.840 Verse 15 I know your works, you are neither cold nor hot. 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:13.200 Would that you were either cold or hot. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:18.320 So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:21.919 For you say, I'm rich, I've prospered, and I need nothing. 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:26.559 Not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:40.559 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:43.679 Those whom I love I reprove and discipline. 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:46.159 So be zealous and repent. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:48.159 See, we see it again in verse 19, right? 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:49.440 Those who he loves. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:51.840 So out of his care comes the correcting words. 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:57.440 Verse 15 and 16 again is Jesus speaking to this church, a word of consequence. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:59.279 Same as verse 3. 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:03.120 And this church would have known about lukewarm water. 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:07.919 Laodicea was known for its useless lukewarm water. 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:11.519 Ten miles north was a city that had hot water. 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:13.200 Not hot water was good. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:15.679 It was good for bathing. 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:18.159 It was good for medical purposes. 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:21.039 But they didn't have hot water in Laodicea. 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:23.679 Laodicea also didn't have cold water. 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:26.320 Cold water was found in the east. 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.639 About 10 miles to the east. 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:31.039 Cold water, perfect for drinking. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:34.639 Hot and cold water meant everything back then. 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:38.879 But Laodicea as a church, they're like their city. 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.960 Just lukewarm water. 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:42.960 Just kind of useless. 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.480 And here's why. 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.840 Verse 17 tells us why. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:46.879 Why? 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:48.320 Like what's going on in this church? 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:50.080 They're like this, they're useless. 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:51.039 What would that be? 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:51.440 Why? 00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:52.399 Verse 17. 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:56.960 For you say, I am rich, I've prospered, and I need nothing. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:02.080 Not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:07.200 They don't understand that they are in need and they do need God's grace to them. 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:10.000 Here's the point coming straight out of this context. 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:13.360 Point number four: money and materials are resources. 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.600 Jesus is our treasure. 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:18.399 Now I don't love that truth. 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:21.519 Because my heart loves to treasure resources. 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:27.440 I love to use resources, I love to take joy in resources, I love to take security and resources. 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:38.159 I really believe on many days I would be happier and I would finally be okay as a human being if I had a, this is my dream, a three-bay garage. 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:40.639 Just to myself. 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:45.919 Maybe I let other people in every once in a while, but pretty much it's just to myself, like a layer, like a layer. 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:53.039 In bay number one, I would go and find my first truck. 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:57.360 1985 four-wheel drive Toyota truck. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:17:05.519 I don't know where it's at, what junkyard, what Central American country it has ended up in, but I would go find it, bring it back, and restore it. 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.720 Bay number one. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:16.559 Bay number two, I would get a fully restored 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser, FZJ 80. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:20.240 Particularly in Hunter Green. 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:24.079 I've given this way too much thought. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:27.759 Bay number three, I've talked about it before. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:32.480 1973 Brittany Blue Ford Bronco. 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.640 Thank you. 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:38.160 I've done the math. 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:38.720 Okay? 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:40.480 I've done the math. 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:44.400 Just for the vehicles, we're at about a half million dollars. 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:46.480 Fully restored. 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:46.960 Okay? 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:54.720 I've I've sadly I actually even know the companies in the United States you can source these vehicles from. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:57.440 That's how bad this is. 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.960 Just just a half million dollars. 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:04.480 You know, my family won't have a house, but I'll have three cars. 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.519 Right? 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:06.559 That's treasury. 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:14.240 Like, and then and then that I will use that when I don't feel like enough, right? 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:15.440 Or you feel like a failure. 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:18.720 It's like, well, I can go toy around with that dream for a little bit. 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.319 And we do it, right? 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:28.640 We do it with cars, we do it with shoes, we do it with crown molding, right? 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:36.160 Just you've done it because you have crown molding in every other room in the house, but you didn't have it in the living room yet. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:43.920 And you kept looking at it, you thought, man, if we can get, like, babe, if we can do this, like if we can get crown molding in here. 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:46.720 Like, that's really it's gonna match the rest. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:54.640 And man, that's really when I come home from work and or like our marriage isn't too good, that crown molding's really. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:58.640 You know what I'm talking about, is we do that. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:01.279 We do it, we treasure in that way. 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:03.119 It's weird how we do that. 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:07.920 Laodicea's money, our money, it's not the problem. 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:10.240 Crown molding's not the problem. 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:14.720 And maybe you're gonna get that, Brittany Blue, Ford Bronco. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:16.000 I just want to go ahead and say this. 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:20.400 If you do, please invite me over because it's not the problem. 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:22.960 I want to I want to ride around in that with you, okay? 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:24.640 And maybe maybe you'll let me borrow it. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.960 I just need to throw that out there when we're saying it. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.880 Our money's not the problem. 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:30.480 It's the treasuring. 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:32.319 It's the treasuring of it. 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:42.799 It's the use of it for our heart issues, like enoughness and security, and forgiveness, and righteousness, and justification, self-worth, and peace. 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:46.079 And then here's what Jesus says. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.359 Did you pick up on it? 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.799 Verse 18. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:57.759 So kind, I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich. 00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:59.519 He's talking about an inner wealth. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:04.079 Like an inner wealth inside of us that He can give us. 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:10.720 And white garments, so that you may clothe yourself, and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:14.400 So he's talking about that sense in us that feels like we're not enough. 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.119 Shame. 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:18.720 That could be covered, that could be healed. 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:24.400 And to salve, and salve, to anoint your eyes, so you may see. 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:29.200 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:31.680 So be zealous and repent. 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:35.279 Jesus is saying, Come to me for wealth of heart. 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:40.160 The rest is conditional, it's gonna rot. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.559 Right? 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:47.039 Maybe you get the Britney Blue Ford Bronco, you have me over, we're gonna have a great time. 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:48.319 It's gonna put you to work. 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:51.279 It's gonna rust. 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.400 It's conditional. 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:54.079 It'll never love you back. 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:56.079 It won't love me back. 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:59.519 Because it's just a material. 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:04.880 And verse 18 brings us two astonishing promises, gospel promises to us. 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:07.119 Great symbols for us. 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.799 Currency. 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:14.079 That we have a better currency for our hearts than what this world offers. 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:19.599 That we can have that inner wealth of heart and the gospel and in the image of covering. 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:26.319 That we're covered, that part of us that feels like we're exposed and we're not enough, that I can be covered and healed. 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:29.440 Last few verses. 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:31.359 Verse 20. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:34.319 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:40.240 If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:44.880 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne. 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:48.640 As I also conquered and sat down with my father on his throne. 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:53.759 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:59.440 So the knock is primarily a knock of discipline and correcting care. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.200 To his church. 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:03.440 And it's a promise of presence. 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:05.599 He wants to be with them. 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.279 He wants to be with them. 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:11.599 He said, I want to come in, I want to be with you, I want to live with you, I want to reside in you. 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:17.039 We see this personalized with Zacchaeus in Luke 19. 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:18.000 Maybe you remember that story. 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:22.799 Zacchaeus is a tax collector, which means he would not have been favored by religious people. 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:32.880 He would not have been living a pure life when it came to living by the Torah, especially when it came to his home and his table, the food he ate. 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:35.039 Because they had all these rules about that. 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:37.599 And he wouldn't have cut those. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.960 And in ancient times, that was the place. 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:48.640 The table was the place you showed your religiosity, faithfulness by how you ate and what you ate. 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:59.279 So it makes sense when Jesus starts to eat with all these people outside of the Jewish faith that the Jews are getting so upset that he eats with gluttons and sinners and drunkards. 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:02.799 And this Zacchaeus hears about this Jesus. 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:07.200 And he goes to find them when Jesus is in the area. 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:12.240 And Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see, just catch a glimpse. 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:15.200 Verse 5, Luke 19, verse 5. 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:22.799 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today. 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:27.279 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:29.359 And when they saw it, they all grumbled. 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:31.119 All those religious folks. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:40.319 Religious people, they only ate with the pure. 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:43.279 And Jesus starts to eat with this guy. 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:44.880 He wants to go be with him. 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.559 Eat at his table. 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:51.599 I mean, what a revolution of grace and love and redemption. 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:54.880 See Jesus toward him and upon him. 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.359 Jesus stands at the door and knocks. 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:59.119 He wants to come in and eat with you. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:08.960 That's language saying he wants to come into the most intimate core places of your being, of your heart. 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:11.519 That place that feels like a failure. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.960 You don't know what to do about it. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:15.119 That's where he wants to come in. 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:17.759 Provide forgiveness and righteousness. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.839 That place that feels like you're not doing enough. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:21.200 You always need to do more. 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:23.759 He wants to come in and grant you peace. 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:27.440 That place that you just always think you need something more. 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:31.119 He wants to bring you inner wealth, or you're just not enough. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:34.960 He has to provide you an identity secure in him. 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:41.599 See, it's there at that place, that table inside of you that Jesus wants to be with you. 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:45.039 That's the gospel Jesus toward us. 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:47.839 Just like these seven churches that he holds, he holds us. 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:50.400 Any correcting words you receive is from his care. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.920 It's his care of you. 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:53.359 Let's pray together. 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:57.039 God, thank you for your grace and your truth. 00:24:57.680 --> 00:25:02.319 That you bring correcting words to our lives, guiding words for our lives. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:06.880 And it's inside of your care for us, and it's in your kindness we repent. 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:18.480 Thank you that you do not beat us down with shame unto submission, but you love us and woo us and welcome us, shower us because the cross is enough. 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:27.279 All of our sin has been put upon Jesus on the cross, and his righteousness is given to us, so we are forever the beloved. 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:42.880 Help our gaze to move off of ourselves what we want, what we think we need, how good we think we are, or how bad we think we are, and may our eyes and our hearts gaze upon you. 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:45.440 May we behold more of you. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:59.759 May our hearts be opened up even more this morning to let you into those core, intimate places that you desire to come in and you desire to live and be with us as Savior and as friend. 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:01.200 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:01.920 Amen.