Postcards From Patmos
September 4, 2020
27:29
In Revelation 2-3; Jesus Christ is pictured as evaluating seven key churches in Asia Minor. Those reports or “letters” reveal what Christ values and what He abhors in congregations; as well as in the lives of those Christians who comprise those churches.
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Postcards From Patmos
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- ♪ MUSIC
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- [ANNOUNCER] FROM THE PULPIT
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- OF THE FIRST BAPTISTCHURCH OF DALLAS, TEXAS,
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- THIS IS "PATHWAY TO VICTORY"WITH DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS.
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- HI, I'M ROBERT JEFFRESS,
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- AND WELCOME AGAIN TO"PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
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- AS MUCH AS WE ALL LOVEOUR INDIVIDUAL CHURCHES,
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- THERE'S PROBABLY SOMETHINGS YOU'D LIKE TO CHANGE
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- ABOUT YOUR CHURCH.
- 00:00:24.013 --> 00:00:25.415
- MAYBE THE WAY YOU DO WORSHIP
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- OR THE KIND OF PROGRAMS YOURCHURCH OFFERS THE FAMILY.
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- WELL, WHILE THOSE THINGSARE CERTAINLY IMPORTANT,
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- THERE ARE MUCH BIGGERISSUES TO CONSIDER
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- WHEN MEASURING THEEFFECTIVENESS OF ANY CHURCH.
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- AND TODAY WE'RE GOINGTO DISCOVER WHAT JESUS
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- CARES ABOUT MOST INTHE BODY OF CHRIST.
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- MY MESSAGE IS TITLED,"POSTCARDS FROM PATMOS,"
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- ON TODAY'S EDITION OF"PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
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- ("IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL")
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- ♪ WHEN PEACE, LIKE ARIVER, ATTENDETH MY WAY ♪
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- ♪ WHEN SORROWS LIKESEA BILLOWS ROLL ♪
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- ♪ WHATEVER MY LOT, THOUHAS TAUGHT ME TO SAY ♪
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- ♪ IT IS WELL, IT ISWELL, WITH MY SOUL ♪
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- ♪ IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL
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- ♪ WITH MY SOUL, WITH MY SOUL
- 00:01:59.876 --> 00:02:04.814
- ♪ IT IS WELL, IT ISWELL, WITH MY SOUL ♪
- 00:02:06.182 --> 00:02:10.753
- ♪ AND LORD, HASTE THE DAYWHEN MY FAITH SHALL BE SIGHT ♪
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- ♪ THE CLOUDS BE ROLLEDBACK AS A SCROLL ♪
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- ♪ THE TRUMP SHALL SOUND,AND THE LORD SHALL DESCEND ♪
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- ♪ EVEN SO, IT ISWELL WITH MY SOUL ♪
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- ♪ IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL
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- ♪ WITH MY SOUL, WITH MY SOUL
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- ♪ IT IS WELL, IT ISWELL, WITH MY SOUL ♪
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- ♪ AMEN
- 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:45.615
- (CONGREGATION APPLAUDING)
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- [NARRATOR] COULD TODAY'SDISTURBING HEADLINES BE A SIGN
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- THAT WE'RE LIVINGIN THE END TIMES?
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- IN HIS BRAND NEW BOOK, "THERAPTURE: FACT OR FANTASY,"
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- DR. ROBERT JEFFRESSEXPLAINS WHERE WE ARE
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- ON GOD'S PROPHETIC TIMELINE
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- AND ANSWERS YOURDOUBTS AND QUESTIONS
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- ABOUT THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH.
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- LEARN WHY YOU CANHAVE HOPE AND PEACE
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- ABOUT GOD'S PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
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- BY REQUESTING DR.JEFFRESS' BRAND NEW BOOK,
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- "THE RAPTURE: FACT OR FANTASY."
- 00:04:24.954 --> 00:04:27.290
- A COPY IS YOURS WHENYOU GIVE A GENEROUS GIFT
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- TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRYOF "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
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- ♪ MUSIC
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- YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THIS,
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- BUT ONE THING WE DO AS ACHURCH, OUR STAFF DOES,
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- IS WE OCCASIONALLYHIRE A SECRET SHOPPER
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- TO COME INTO OUR CHURCH.
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- NOW, THIS IS SOMEBODYWHO COMES UNANNOUNCED.
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- WE DON'T KNOW WHATDAY THEY'RE COMING.
- 00:04:55.952 --> 00:04:58.421
- WHEN THEY'RE HERE, WE DON'TEVEN KNOW THEY'RE HERE,
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- BUT THEY ARE HERE TOSECRETLY INSPECT OUR CHURCH.
- 00:05:00.590 --> 00:05:04.360
- AND AFTER THEY'VEDONE THEIR RESEARCH,
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- THEN THEY CALL USAND TELL US, YES,
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- THEY HAVE COME TO OUR CHURCHAND THEY HAVE A REPORT
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- THEY'RE GOING TO ISSUE TO US.
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- THEY COMMEND THE GOOD THINGS,
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- BUT THEN THEY TALK ABOUT THETHINGS THAT NEED TO CHANGE
- 00:05:15.371 --> 00:05:18.307
- IN ORDER TO BEMORE USER FRIENDLY.
- 00:05:18.341 --> 00:05:21.844
- YOU KNOW, WHAT I THOUGHTABOUT THAT CONCEPT THIS WEEK,
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- AS I WAS PREPARING THEMESSAGE ON REVELATION 2 AND 3,
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- THE PICTURE OF JESUSWALKING AMONG THE LAMPSTANDS
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- AMONG THE CHURCHES ISREALLY A PICTURE OF JESUS
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- INSPECTING THE CHURCHESAS A SECRET SHOPPER.
- 00:05:35.558 --> 00:05:39.762
- AND EACH OF THESE REPORTSTO THE SEVEN CHURCHES,
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- YOU FIND SOME GOOD THINGS,
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- WELL, IN MOST OF THEM YOUFIND SOME GOOD THINGS,
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- BUT YOU ALSO FIND SOMETHINGS THAT NEED TO IMPROVE.
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- BUT UNLIKE OUR SECRET SHOPPER,
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- JESUS HAS MADE HIS REPORTAVAILABLE TO EVERYONE TO READ.
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- AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING INTHIS PART OF THE REVELATION.
- 00:05:58.681 --> 00:06:00.650
- WE'RE LOOKING AT NOTONLY WHAT JESUS ADMIRERS
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- AND ABHORS IN A CHURCH,
- 00:06:05.154 --> 00:06:08.224
- BUT WE ALSO LOOK AT WHATHE ADMIRES AND ABHORS
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- IN OUR INDIVIDUAL LIVES AS WELL.
- 00:06:11.928 --> 00:06:14.964
- AFTER ALL, WHEN ITCOMES DOWN TO IT,
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- ISN'T THAT THE ONLYTHING THAT MATTERS?
- 00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:19.669
- WHAT DOES JESUS THINK ABOUT ME?
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- HOW DOES HE EVALUATE MY LIFE?
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- WHAT THINGS AM IDOING THAT PLEASE HIM?
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- WHAT THINGS AM I DOINGTHAT DISPLEASE HIM?
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- WE FIND THE ANSWERSTO THOSE QUESTIONS
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- IN THE REPORT TOTHESE SEVEN CHURCHES.
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- SO IF YOU HAVE YOUR BIBLES,
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- I WANT YOU TO TURN TOREVELATION CHAPTER TWO.
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- AS WE LOOK AT SOMEPOSTCARDS FROM PATMOS,
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- SHORT LETTERS TO THE SEVENCHURCHES OF ASIA MINOR.
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- NOW, JUST BY WAY OF BACKGROUND,
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- REMEMBER THAT REVELATION ISDIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS.
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- CHAPTER ONE VERSE 19GIVES US THE OUTLINE.
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- JESUS TOLD JOHN, "WRITETHEREFORE THE THINGS
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- WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN,"THAT'S CHAPTER ONE,
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- WHAT JOHN SAW IN PATMOS,THE EXALTED CHRIST.
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- THEN HE SAID, SECONDLY, "WRITEDOWN THE THINGS WHICH ARE,"
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- THAT'S THE CONDITIONOF THE CHURCHES
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- IN CHAPTERS TWO AND THREE.
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- AND THEN THE THIRD DIVISION,
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- "THE THINGS WHICHARE YET TO BE."
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- THE FUTURE THINGS,REVELATION 4 THROUGH 22.
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- AND AGAIN, IT'S SO EASY TOSKIP PAST THESE TWO CHAPTERS
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- TO GET TO WHAT WE FEELLIKE IS THE GOOD STUFF.
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- THE THINGS THATARE GOING TO HAPPEN
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- THAT WILL RESULT IN THERETURN OF JESUS CHRIST.
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- BUT IT'S IMPORTANTTHAT OUR LIVES BE RIGHT
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- BEFORE CHRIST RETURNS.
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- AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE GONNATAKE NOT A LONG AMOUNT OF TIME,
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- BUT SOME TIME OVERTHE NEXT THREE WEEKS
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- TO LOOK AT THESE SEVEN REPORTS
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- SO WE CAN DISCOVER WHATJESUS WANTS IN EACH OF US.
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- NOW, BEFORE WE LOOK ATTHE FIRST TWO LETTERS,
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- AND THAT'S WHATWE'RE GONNA DO TODAY,
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- I WANNA TALK ABOUT FOURCOMMON CHARACTERISTICS
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- OF EACH OF THESE LETTERS.
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- WRITE THESE DOWN SOYOU REMEMBER THEM.
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- FIRST OF ALL, EACH OFTHESE LETTERS IS ADDRESSED
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- TO THE PASTOR OFEACH OF THE CHURCHES.
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- SECONDLY, EACH CONTAINS AUNIQUE DESCRIPTION OF CHRIST
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- FROM REVELATION 1.
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- YOU'LL FIND THAT THERE'SA DESCRIPTION OF CHRIST
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- THAT IS SUITABLE FOR EACHONE OF THESE LETTERS.
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- THIRD, MOST CONTAIN A WORDOF AFFIRMATION FOR THE CHURCH
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- EXCEPT POOR LAODICEA.
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- JESUS COULDN'T THINKOF ONE GOOD THING
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- TO SAY ABOUT THAT CHURCH.
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- HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AMEMBER OF A CHURCH LIKE THAT?
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- JESUS COULDN'T THINK OF A SINGLEGOOD THING TO SAY ABOUT IT.
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- THAT WAS LAODICEA.
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- AND THEN FOURTHLY, WITHTHE EXCEPTION OF TWO,
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- SMYRNA AND PHILADELPHIA ALLCONTAIN A WORD OF ADMONITION.
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- THERE WERE TWO CHURCHESTHAT WERE SO GOOD
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- JESUS COULDN'T FIND ANYTHINGTO SAY THEY NEEDED TO IMPROVE.
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- NOW REMEMBER, ALL OF THESECHURCHES WERE REALLY WITHIN 40
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- OR 50 MILES OF EACH OTHER.
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- THEY WERE REAL CHURCHES THATWERE CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER,
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- BUT THEY DID REPRESENTDIFFERENT CONDITIONS
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- OF CHURCHES, EVEN TODAY.
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- NOW WITH THAT BACKGROUND,LET'S LOOK AT, FIRST OF ALL,
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- EPHESUS, WHAT I CALLTHE COLD CHURCH.
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- LET ME JUST SAY A BRIEF WORD,
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- BECAUSE I'M RUNNING OUT OFTIME, ABOUT THE CITY OF EPHESUS.
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- IT WAS A MAJOR CITY OF COMMERCE.
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- IT WOULD BE LIKE NEW YORKCITY IN THE UNITED STATES.
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- PERGAMUM WAS THECAPITAL OF THE ASIA,
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- BUT EPHESUS WAS THECOMMERCIAL CENTER.
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- AND IT WAS KNOWNFOR A LOT OF THINGS,
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- INCLUDING BEING THE HOME
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- TO ONE OF THE SEVENWONDERS OF THE WORLD,
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- THE TEMPLE DIANA OR ARTEMIS.
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- THAT WAS THECITY OF EPHESUS.
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- NOW, THE DESCRIPTION OF CHRIST
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- IS ONE THAT YOUFIND IN VERSE ONE,
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- "TO THE ANGEL OF THECHURCH IN EPHESUS,
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- THE ONE WHO HOLDS THE SEVENSTARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND,"
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- THAT NOT ONLY REFERS TOGOD HOLDING THE PASTORS
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- IN HIS HANDS, BUT THEPASTORS BEING IN GOD'S HAND,
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- THE CHURCH BELONGSTO JESUS CHRIST.
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- NOT TO ANY PASTOR,NOT TO ANY LAY LEADER.
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- AND THEN "THE ONE WHO WALKS
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- AMONG THE SEVENGOLDEN LAMPSTANDS..."
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- THE PICTURE IS JESUS WAS WALKING
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- AMONG THE MEMBERS OFTHE CHURCH AT EPHESUS.
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- HE'S WALKING AMONG THE CHURCHES.
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- YOU KNOW, IT NEVER LEAVES ME,
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- THE REALITY THAT WHENEVERWE MEET HERE AS A CHURCH,
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- JESUS IS WALKING AMONG US.
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- JESUS IS CONSTANTLYTAKING HIS WHITE GLOVE
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- AND INSPECTINGWHAT HE SEES HERE.
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- WE SHOULD NEVER MEET HEREWITHOUT THE REALIZATION
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- THAT JESUS IS AMONG US.
- 00:10:34.924 --> 00:10:37.126
- NOTICE THE AFFIRMATIONTO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS.
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- HE SAYS, IN VERSE TWO,"I KNOW YOUR DEEDS
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- AND YOUR TOIL AND PERSEVERANCE,
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- THAT YOU CANNOTTOLERATE EVIL MAN,
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- AND THAT YOU PUT TO THE TEST
- 00:10:48.437 --> 00:10:49.905
- THOSE WHO CALL THEMSELVESAPOSTLES, AND THEY ARE NOT,
- 00:10:49.939 --> 00:10:53.008
- AND YOU FOUND THEM TO BE FALSE."
- 00:10:53.042 --> 00:10:55.377
- NOTICE THREE THINGS, THAT HEAFFIRMS THE EPHESIANS FOR.
- 00:10:55.411 --> 00:10:58.380
- FIRST OF ALL, THEIR HARD WORK,
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- NOT JUST THEIR DEEDS,BUT THEIR TOIL.
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- THAT WORD IS KOPOS IN GREEK.
- 00:11:02.852 --> 00:11:04.854
- IT LITERALLY MEANS TO LABORTO THE POINT OF EXHAUSTION.
- 00:11:04.887 --> 00:11:09.892
- WILLIAM BARCLAY SAYS, "THECHRISTIAN WAY IS NOT FOR THOSE
- 00:11:11.327 --> 00:11:13.963
- WHO ARE AFRAID TO BREAK SWEAT."
- 00:11:13.996 --> 00:11:17.600
- SOME PEOPLE DON'T GET THAT.
- 00:11:17.633 --> 00:11:19.435
- THEY THINK IF IT REQUIRESEFFORT, IT MUST NOT BE OF GOD.
- 00:11:19.468 --> 00:11:23.105
- NO, THE CHURCH IS TOWORK, AND TO WORK HARD.
- 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:26.609
- THAT WAS THE EPHESIAN CHURCH.
- 00:11:26.642 --> 00:11:28.043
- THEY WERE HARD, NOTDOING BUSY WORK,
- 00:11:28.077 --> 00:11:29.979
- THEY WERE WORKING FOR THE LORD.
- 00:11:30.012 --> 00:11:32.081
- HE COMMENCED THEM FROMTHEIR PERSEVERANCE,
- 00:11:32.114 --> 00:11:34.784
- HUPOMENO, IT MEANS ENDUREUNDER EXTREME HARDSHIP.
- 00:11:34.817 --> 00:11:39.822
- IT WASN'T EASYMINISTERING AT EPHESUS.
- 00:11:40.856 --> 00:11:42.291
- IT WAS A SECULARCITY, A PAGAN CITY,
- 00:11:42.324 --> 00:11:45.628
- AND THEY WERE SWIMMING UPSTREAM
- 00:11:45.661 --> 00:11:48.464
- WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TOMINISTER IN A GODLY CULTURE,
- 00:11:48.497 --> 00:11:51.500
- BUT THEY DIDN'T GIVE UP.
- 00:11:51.534 --> 00:11:53.035
- AND THIRDLY, HE COMMENDEDTHEM FOR THEIR ORTHODOXY.
- 00:11:53.068 --> 00:11:55.938
- HE SAID, IN VERSE TWO, "YOUCAN'T TOLERATE EVIL MEN,
- 00:11:55.971 --> 00:11:58.607
- AND YOU PUT TO THE TEST
- 00:11:58.641 --> 00:12:00.075
- THOSE WHO CALLTHEMSELVES APOSTLES."
- 00:12:00.109 --> 00:12:02.144
- THEY DIDN'T LISTEN TO ANYTHINGWITHOUT CAREFULLY EVALUATING
- 00:12:02.178 --> 00:12:05.714
- ITS BIBLICAL ACCURACY.
- 00:12:05.748 --> 00:12:08.350
- YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THECHURCH WAS SO ORTHODOX.
- 00:12:08.384 --> 00:12:10.686
- IT WAS FOUNDED BY THEAPOSTLE PAUL IN 52 AD.
- 00:12:10.719 --> 00:12:14.557
- LATER, TIMOTHY, HISPROTEGE, PASTORED IT.
- 00:12:14.590 --> 00:12:17.326
- AND NOW THE APOSTLE JOHN WASTHE PASTOR THERE AS WELL.
- 00:12:17.359 --> 00:12:21.063
- I MEAN, TALK ABOUTA RICH HERITAGE.
- 00:12:21.096 --> 00:12:22.998
- THIS WAS A CHURCH THAT WASTRULY BUILT ON THE BIBLE,
- 00:12:23.032 --> 00:12:27.736
- AND THEY COULDN'TTOLERATE FALSE TEACHING.
- 00:12:27.770 --> 00:12:30.406
- THEY RECOGNIZED ERRORWHEN THEY HEARD IT.
- 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:33.175
- THAT WAS SOMETHING TOBE COMMENDED BY JESUS.
- 00:12:33.209 --> 00:12:37.613
- AND YET, JESUS SAID ALLIS NOT WELL IN EPHESUS.
- 00:12:37.646 --> 00:12:42.484
- NOTICE THIS ADMONITION BEGINNINGIN VERSES FOUR AND FIVE.
- 00:12:42.518 --> 00:12:47.089
- "NEVERTHELESS, I HAVETHIS AGAINST YOU,
- 00:12:47.122 --> 00:12:51.327
- THAT YOU HAVE LEFTYOUR FIRST LOVE."
- 00:12:52.728 --> 00:12:56.432
- SOME PEOPLE SAY,WHAT DOES THAT MEAN,
- 00:12:57.733 --> 00:12:59.301
- THEY HAVE LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE?
- 00:12:59.335 --> 00:13:01.237
- SOME PEOPLE THINK JESUS ISTALKING ABOUT THEIR LOVE
- 00:13:01.270 --> 00:13:04.440
- FOR JESUS, THAT THEY HADBECOME ROTE IN THEIR WORSHIP,
- 00:13:04.473 --> 00:13:08.777
- AND IN THEIR WORK.
- 00:13:08.811 --> 00:13:10.179
- THIS WAS A SECOND GENERATIONGROUP OF CHRISTIANS,
- 00:13:10.212 --> 00:13:12.147
- AND THEY HAD LOST THE FIREOF THEIR LOVE FOR JESUS.
- 00:13:12.181 --> 00:13:16.218
- OTHER PEOPLE SAY, NO,
- 00:13:16.252 --> 00:13:17.486
- THEY HAD LOST THEIRHEART FOR EVANGELISM.
- 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:20.623
- THEY HAD STOPPED BEINGOUTWARDLY FOCUSED
- 00:13:21.790 --> 00:13:24.894
- AND HAD BECOME INWARDLY FOCUSED.
- 00:13:24.927 --> 00:13:27.830
- THEY WERE RESTINGON THEIR REPUTATION.
- 00:13:27.863 --> 00:13:30.099
- IF PEOPLE WANNACOME, LET 'EM COME.
- 00:13:30.132 --> 00:13:32.368
- INSTEAD OF BEING FERVENT INTHEIR WITNESS FOR THE LORD.
- 00:13:32.401 --> 00:13:35.504
- BY THE WAY, THAT PARTICULARVIEW IS SUPPORTED BY VERSE FIVE,
- 00:13:35.537 --> 00:13:39.108
- WHEN HE GIVES US THE REMEDY.
- 00:13:39.141 --> 00:13:40.809
- JESUS SAID, "REMEMBER, THEREFOREFROM WHERE YOU HAVE FALLEN,
- 00:13:40.843 --> 00:13:44.146
- AND REPENT AND DO THEDEEDS YOU DID AT FIRST."
- 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:48.684
- YOU NEED TO START DOING,NOT START FEELING,
- 00:13:48.717 --> 00:13:51.420
- BUT START DOING WHATYOU DID AT FIRST.
- 00:13:51.453 --> 00:13:55.424
- SOME PEOPLE SAY IT'SREFERRING TO EVANGELISM.
- 00:13:55.457 --> 00:13:57.793
- WHICH IS IT THAT THEY LEFT,THEIR LOVE FOR CHRIST,
- 00:13:57.826 --> 00:14:01.730
- OR THEIR LOVE FORWINNING PEOPLE TO CHRIST?
- 00:14:01.764 --> 00:14:05.234
- I THINK IT'S BOTH.
- 00:14:05.267 --> 00:14:06.535
- I DON'T THINK YOU CANSEPARATE ONE FROM ANOTHER.
- 00:14:07.937 --> 00:14:10.706
- YES, JESUS WANTS US TO LOVEHIM WITH ALL OF OUR HEART,
- 00:14:10.739 --> 00:14:14.376
- BUT WHAT'S THE MEASUREOF LOVING JESUS?
- 00:14:14.410 --> 00:14:16.445
- JESUS SAID, "IF YOU LOVEME, YOU WILL DO," WHAT?
- 00:14:16.478 --> 00:14:19.581
- "YOU WILL KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS."
- 00:14:19.615 --> 00:14:22.251
- DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU GETLITTLE GOOSEBUMPS, YOU KNOW,
- 00:14:23.686 --> 00:14:25.754
- WHEN YOU COME TO CHURCH,THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
- 00:14:25.788 --> 00:14:28.624
- IT'S ABOUT, ARE YOUKEEPING MY COMMANDMENTS?
- 00:14:28.657 --> 00:14:31.593
- AND WHAT'S THE LASTCOMMANDMENT JESUS LEFT US
- 00:14:31.627 --> 00:14:34.630
- BEFORE HE ASCENDEDBACK INTO HEAVEN?
- 00:14:34.663 --> 00:14:36.398
- "GO INTO ALL THE WORLDAND MAKE DISCIPLES."
- 00:14:36.432 --> 00:14:41.303
- THERE'S ONLY ONE REASONJESUS LEFT US HERE ON EARTH
- 00:14:41.337 --> 00:14:43.839
- INSTEAD OF TAKINGUS TO BE WITH HIM.
- 00:14:43.872 --> 00:14:45.975
- NOT TO BUILD A GREAT BUSINESS,
- 00:14:46.008 --> 00:14:48.544
- NOT TO ACCUMULATEA LOT OF MONEY,
- 00:14:48.577 --> 00:14:50.279
- NOT EVEN TO HAVE AHAPPY FAMILY LIFE.
- 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:54.650
- HE LEFT US HERE TOBE A WITNESS FOR HIM.
- 00:14:54.683 --> 00:14:58.587
- AND IF WE LOVE HIM,THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
- 00:14:58.620 --> 00:15:00.222
- THAT'S WHY THIS CHURCH EXISTS.
- 00:15:00.255 --> 00:15:03.192
- AND REMEMBER WHAT HESAYS WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN
- 00:15:03.225 --> 00:15:05.594
- IF WE DON'T DO THAT, HE SAYS,
- 00:15:05.627 --> 00:15:06.829
- "REMEMBER THE DEEDSYOU DID AT FIRST,
- 00:15:06.862 --> 00:15:09.732
- OR ELSE I AM COMING TO YOU ANDWE'LL REMOVE YOUR LAMPSTAND
- 00:15:09.765 --> 00:15:14.136
- OUT OF ITS PLACE,UNLESS YOU REPENT."
- 00:15:14.169 --> 00:15:17.406
- THE CHURCH IS A LIGHT TOTHE WORLD, BUT HE SAID,
- 00:15:17.439 --> 00:15:20.175
- JUST LIKE YOU DISCARDA BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB,
- 00:15:20.209 --> 00:15:22.978
- YOU THROW IT AWAY AND PICKUP ANOTHER LIGHT BULB TO USE.
- 00:15:23.012 --> 00:15:27.950
- IF ANY CHURCH,INCLUDING THIS CHURCH,
- 00:15:29.018 --> 00:15:30.753
- FORGETS ITS REASON FOR EXISTING,
- 00:15:30.786 --> 00:15:32.988
- HE'S GONNA DISCARD US,NOT USE US ANY LONGER.
- 00:15:34.556 --> 00:15:38.060
- FIND SOMEBODY ELSETO USE IN OUR PLACE.
- 00:15:38.093 --> 00:15:41.864
- WARREN WIERSBE WASRIGHT WHEN HE WROTE,
- 00:15:41.897 --> 00:15:43.565
- "THE CHURCH THAT LOSES ITSLOVE WILL SOON LOSE ITS LIGHT,
- 00:15:43.599 --> 00:15:48.003
- NO MATTER HOW DOCTRINALLYSOUND, IT MAY BE."
- 00:15:48.037 --> 00:15:51.874
- RETURN TO YOUR FIRSTLOVE, TO JESUS CHRIST,
- 00:15:51.907 --> 00:15:54.977
- AND THE ONE THING HEHAS LEFT YOU HERE TO DO.
- 00:15:55.010 --> 00:15:57.813
- JESUS GAVE THIS PROMISE,BY THE WAY, TO EPHESUS,
- 00:15:59.014 --> 00:16:02.351
- "HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIMHEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS.
- 00:16:02.384 --> 00:16:05.487
- TO HIM WHO OVERCOMES I WILLGRANT THE TREE OF LIFE,
- 00:16:05.521 --> 00:16:09.792
- WHICH IS IN THEPARADISE OF GOD."
- 00:16:09.825 --> 00:16:11.693
- WHO ARE THE OVERCOMERS?
- 00:16:11.727 --> 00:16:12.928
- IT'S NOT SOME SPECIALGROUP OF CHRISTIANS.
- 00:16:12.961 --> 00:16:15.364
- IT'S THOSE WHO PERSEVEREIN SPITE OF DIFFICULTY.
- 00:16:15.397 --> 00:16:18.600
- 1 JOHN 5:5, AND "WHO IS THEONE WHO OVERCOMES THE WORLD,
- 00:16:18.634 --> 00:16:22.004
- BUT HE WHO BELIEVES THATJESUS IS THE SON OF GOD?"
- 00:16:22.037 --> 00:16:25.941
- NOW THE SECOND CHURCHIS THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA.
- 00:16:25.974 --> 00:16:28.277
- THIS IS A UNIQUE CHURCHBECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THE TWO
- 00:16:28.310 --> 00:16:31.914
- THAT JESUS DIDN'T CONDEMN.
- 00:16:31.947 --> 00:16:34.149
- SMYRNA WAS ABOUT 55MILES NORTH OF EPHESUS.
- 00:16:34.183 --> 00:16:39.188
- THE WORD, SMYRNA,COMES FROM THE WORD
- 00:16:40.355 --> 00:16:41.523
- THAT WE GET MYRRH,THAT FRAGRANT INCENSE.
- 00:16:41.557 --> 00:16:45.828
- THE WISE MEN BROUGHTMYRRH TO THE LORD.
- 00:16:45.861 --> 00:16:48.597
- MYRRH WAS USED AS,NOT AN EMBALMING,
- 00:16:48.630 --> 00:16:51.533
- BUT A SUBSTANCE TOPRESERVE CORPSES.
- 00:16:51.567 --> 00:16:55.170
- IT HAD A SWEET FRAGRANCE, BUTTHAT FRAGRANCE WAS RELEASED
- 00:16:55.204 --> 00:16:58.607
- ONLY WHEN MYRRHWAS UNDER PRESSURE,
- 00:16:58.640 --> 00:17:00.943
- WHEN IT HAD BEEN POUNDED.
- 00:17:00.976 --> 00:17:02.544
- AND THAT'S EXACTLYWHAT WAS HAPPENING
- 00:17:02.578 --> 00:17:04.613
- TO THE CHRISTIANS AT SMYRNA.
- 00:17:04.646 --> 00:17:06.115
- THEY WERE UNDER PERSECUTION.
- 00:17:06.148 --> 00:17:08.083
- AND THAT'S WHY THISDESCRIPTION OF CHRIST
- 00:17:08.117 --> 00:17:09.985
- IS ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE.
- 00:17:10.018 --> 00:17:12.454
- "I AM THE FIRST AND THE LAST,
- 00:17:12.488 --> 00:17:14.323
- WHO WAS DEAD, ANDHAS COME TO LIFE."
- 00:17:14.356 --> 00:17:17.159
- THE CITY OF SMYRNAHAD DIED SEVERAL TIMES
- 00:17:17.192 --> 00:17:20.129
- THROUGH INVASIONS ANDCOME BACK TO LIFE,
- 00:17:20.162 --> 00:17:22.231
- BUT THIS WAS TALKINGABOUT THE CHRISTIANS.
- 00:17:22.264 --> 00:17:24.466
- JESUS IS SAYING, NO MATTERHOW BEATEN DOWN YOU FEEL,
- 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:27.569
- REMEMBER I WAS CRUCIFIED, BUTI CAME BACK TO LIFE AGAIN,
- 00:17:27.603 --> 00:17:31.974
- AND SO WILL YOU.
- 00:17:32.007 --> 00:17:33.876
- NOTICE THE AFFIRMATIONFOR THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA
- 00:17:33.909 --> 00:17:36.211
- IN VERSE NINE?
- 00:17:36.245 --> 00:17:37.679
- "I KNOW YOUR TRIBULATION ANDYOUR POVERTY, BUT YOU ARE RICH,
- 00:17:37.713 --> 00:17:42.050
- AND THE BLASPHEMY BY THOSEWHO SAY THEY ARE JEWS,
- 00:17:42.084 --> 00:17:45.988
- BUT ARE THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN."
- 00:17:46.021 --> 00:17:48.657
- HE SAID, I'M AWARE OF YOURPERSECUTION OR TRIBULATION.
- 00:17:48.690 --> 00:17:51.827
- THAT WORD TRIBULATION, THLIPSIS,MEANS TO BE UNDER PRESSURE.
- 00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:56.431
- AND BY THE WAY, HE SAID,
- 00:17:56.465 --> 00:17:57.966
- "I KNOW OF THE BLASPHEMY BYTHOSE WHO SAY THEY ARE JEWS,
- 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:00.536
- BUT ARE NOT."
- 00:18:00.569 --> 00:18:01.603
- THE JEWISH ARE THE CHRISTIANSTHAT SMYRNA WOULD NEED
- 00:18:02.938 --> 00:18:05.607
- IN THE JEWISH SYNAGOGUE FOR AWHILE, BUT FINALLY THE JEWS,
- 00:18:05.641 --> 00:18:08.777
- SOME OF THEM DISPELLED THEM
- 00:18:08.810 --> 00:18:10.712
- AND WORKED WITH THE ROMANGOVERNMENT TO IMPRISON THEM.
- 00:18:10.746 --> 00:18:14.082
- AND THEY MADE THESE SIX CHARGES
- 00:18:14.116 --> 00:18:15.784
- AGAINST THECHRISTIANS IN SMYRNA.
- 00:18:15.817 --> 00:18:18.187
- THEY ACCUSED THEM, FIRSTOF ALL, OF BEING CANNIBALS.
- 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:20.923
- CAN YOU IMAGINE?
- 00:18:20.956 --> 00:18:22.457
- CANNIBALS BECAUSE THEY ATE OFTHE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST.
- 00:18:22.491 --> 00:18:25.994
- THEY ACCUSED THEM OF IMMORALITYBECAUSE THEY PARTICIPATED
- 00:18:26.028 --> 00:18:29.431
- IN THE LOVE FEAST,WHICH WAS NOTHING MORE
- 00:18:29.464 --> 00:18:31.934
- THAN THE COMMUNAL MEALTHE CHURCH WOULD HAVE
- 00:18:31.967 --> 00:18:34.036
- EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT CLOSINGWITH THE LORD'S SUPPER.
- 00:18:34.069 --> 00:18:37.172
- THEY CALLED THEMDESTROYERS OF FAMILIES
- 00:18:37.206 --> 00:18:39.241
- BECAUSE FAMILIES WERE OSTRACIZED
- 00:18:39.274 --> 00:18:42.044
- BECAUSE OF THEIRCOMMITMENT TO CHRIST.
- 00:18:42.077 --> 00:18:44.046
- CALLED THEM ATHEISTS BECAUSETHEY REFUSED TO BOW DOWN
- 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:46.982
- TO THE EMPEROR,THE PAGAN DEITIES.
- 00:18:47.015 --> 00:18:49.384
- THEY WERE CALLED TREASONOUS,
- 00:18:49.418 --> 00:18:51.086
- AND THIS GOT THEROMANS RILED UP,
- 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:53.055
- BECAUSE THEIR FIRSTALLEGIANCE WAS NOT TO CAESAR,
- 00:18:53.088 --> 00:18:55.624
- BUT JESUS CHRIST.
- 00:18:55.657 --> 00:18:56.825
- AND THEY ACTUALLYCALLED THEM ANARCHISTS
- 00:18:56.858 --> 00:18:59.895
- BECAUSE THEY TAUGHTTHAT THE WORLD
- 00:18:59.928 --> 00:19:01.463
- WOULD BE BURNED UP ONE DAY.
- 00:19:01.496 --> 00:19:03.565
- THIS WAS THE CHARGE AGAINSTTHE CHRISTIANS AT SMYRNA.
- 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:08.136
- BUT NOTICE THE PROMISE?
- 00:19:08.170 --> 00:19:11.607
- NOW, IF I WERE JESUS,
- 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:14.109
- WOULDN'T THAT BE ASCARY THOUGHT TO YOU?
- 00:19:14.142 --> 00:19:16.445
- AND I WANTED TO COMFORTTHE CHRISTIANS THAT SMYRNA,
- 00:19:16.478 --> 00:19:19.581
- I WOULD SAY, JUST HOLD ONFOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER,
- 00:19:19.615 --> 00:19:21.883
- BECAUSE I PROMISE THINGSARE GONNA GET BETTER.
- 00:19:21.917 --> 00:19:24.386
- IF YOU WERE ACHRISTIAN AT SMYRNA
- 00:19:24.419 --> 00:19:26.121
- AND YOU WERE SUFFERINGALL OF THESE ATTACKS,
- 00:19:26.154 --> 00:19:28.223
- WOULDN'T THAT BE THEMESSAGE YOU'D WANT TO HEAR?
- 00:19:28.257 --> 00:19:30.425
- HANG ON, THINGS AREGOING TO GET BETTER.
- 00:19:30.459 --> 00:19:33.862
- THERE IS NO PROMISE THATTHINGS ARE GONNA GET BETTER
- 00:19:33.895 --> 00:19:36.665
- IN THE SHORT TERM FOR ANY OF US.
- 00:19:36.698 --> 00:19:38.867
- IN FACT, JUST THE OPPOSITE.
- 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:40.302
- LOOK AT VERSE 10.
- 00:19:40.335 --> 00:19:41.603
- HERE'S WHAT JESUS SAID.
- 00:19:41.637 --> 00:19:43.038
- "DO NOT FEAR WHAT YOUARE ABOUT TO SUFFER."
- 00:19:43.071 --> 00:19:47.976
- YOU'RE SUFFERING NOW,IT'S GONNA GET WORSE.
- 00:19:48.010 --> 00:19:50.846
- "BEHOLD, THE DEVIL IS ABOUT THECAST SOME OF YOU INTO PRISON
- 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:54.149
- SO THAT YOU WILL BE TESTED,
- 00:19:54.182 --> 00:19:55.917
- AND YOU WILL HAVETRIBULATION FOR 10 DAYS."
- 00:19:55.951 --> 00:19:58.987
- THE ROMANS IMPRISONEDPEOPLE, NOT AS PUNISHMENT,
- 00:19:59.021 --> 00:20:01.823
- BUT AS A TOOL FOR COERCION,
- 00:20:01.857 --> 00:20:04.660
- TO FORCE THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGETHAT CAESAR WAS LORD.
- 00:20:04.693 --> 00:20:09.231
- AND HE SAID, THIS ISGONNA HAPPEN TO YOU
- 00:20:09.264 --> 00:20:10.966
- FOR A PERIOD OF 10 DAYS,
- 00:20:10.999 --> 00:20:12.501
- YOU'RE GOING TO BECAST INTO PRISON.
- 00:20:12.534 --> 00:20:15.637
- YOU SAY, WELL, WHERE'STHE GOOD NEWS FOR THAT?
- 00:20:15.671 --> 00:20:18.173
- VERSE 10, "BEFAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH,
- 00:20:18.206 --> 00:20:21.543
- AND I WILL GIVE YOUTHE CROWN OF LIFE.
- 00:20:21.576 --> 00:20:24.746
- HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIMHEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS
- 00:20:24.780 --> 00:20:27.482
- TO THE CHURCHES.
- 00:20:27.516 --> 00:20:28.984
- HE WHO OVERCOMES WILL NOT BEHURT BY THE SECOND DEATH."
- 00:20:29.017 --> 00:20:31.420
- WHAT IS HE TALKING ABOUT?
- 00:20:31.453 --> 00:20:33.288
- WE ALL EXPERIENCE THE FIRSTDEATH, UNLESS WE'RE RAPTURED.
- 00:20:33.322 --> 00:20:36.825
- THE FIRST DEATH IS THESEPARATION OF OUR SPIRIT
- 00:20:36.858 --> 00:20:39.928
- FROM OUR BODY.
- 00:20:39.961 --> 00:20:40.862
- TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY
- 00:20:40.896 --> 00:20:42.264
- IS TO BE AT HOME WITH THE LORD.
- 00:20:42.297 --> 00:20:44.199
- NOTHING TO FEAR ABOUTTHE FIRST DEATH,
- 00:20:44.232 --> 00:20:45.901
- IF YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN.
- 00:20:45.934 --> 00:20:47.235
- BUT THE SECOND DEATHIS ETERNAL DEATH.
- 00:20:47.269 --> 00:20:50.572
- THE SEPARATION OF OURSPIRIT FROM GOD HIMSELF.
- 00:20:50.605 --> 00:20:54.109
- AND THAT'S THE FATETHAT AWAITS EVERYBODY
- 00:20:54.142 --> 00:20:56.311
- WHO DOESN'T KNOWCHRIST AS SAVIOR.
- 00:20:56.345 --> 00:20:58.914
- THE FIRST DEATH STINGSFOR JUST A SECOND.
- 00:20:58.947 --> 00:21:01.550
- THE SECOND DEATH IS TORMENTFOREVER AND EVER AND EVER.
- 00:21:03.185 --> 00:21:08.156
- THE BIBLE, "BEFAITHFUL UNTO DEATH,
- 00:21:09.358 --> 00:21:12.761
- AND I WILL GIVE YOUTHE CROWN OF LIFE."
- 00:21:12.794 --> 00:21:15.263
- WHAT KIND OF COMMITMENT DOESJESUS REQUIRE FROM YOU AND ME?
- 00:21:16.732 --> 00:21:21.336
- THAT KIND OF COMMITMENT,
- 00:21:23.205 --> 00:21:24.573
- A COMMITMENT TO MAKEOUR PRIORITY IN LIFE
- 00:21:24.606 --> 00:21:28.176
- THE SALVATION OF SOULS.
- 00:21:28.210 --> 00:21:30.579
- TO MAKE OUR FIRSTTHOUGHT IN THE MORNING
- 00:21:30.612 --> 00:21:32.381
- AND OUR LAST THOUGHT AT NIGHT,
- 00:21:32.414 --> 00:21:34.349
- WHO CAN I REACH WITH THEGOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST?
- 00:21:35.550 --> 00:21:39.721
- THAT'S THE KIND OF COMMITMENTHE TALKED TO THE CHURCH
- 00:21:39.755 --> 00:21:41.790
- AT EPHESUS ABOUT, RETURNINGTO THEIR FIRST LOVE.
- 00:21:41.823 --> 00:21:45.727
- BUT HE ALSO REQUIRES FROMEACH ONE OF US COURAGE.
- 00:21:45.761 --> 00:21:49.898
- THE COURAGE TO ENDURE WHATEVERHOSTILITY THAT COMES AT US
- 00:21:49.931 --> 00:21:54.636
- AND OUR OBEDIENCE TOTHE COMMAND OF GOD.
- 00:21:55.837 --> 00:21:59.241
- ARE YOU WILLING TO BE OBEDIENTTO THE POINT OF DEATH?
- 00:22:00.575 --> 00:22:03.678
- REMEMBER, "HE ISFAITHFUL UNTO DEATH,
- 00:22:05.147 --> 00:22:08.550
- I WILL GIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE."
- 00:22:08.583 --> 00:22:10.986
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:14.189
- CHRIST NEVER PROMISED THATFOLLOWING HM WOULD BE EASY,
- 00:22:17.125 --> 00:22:20.729
- BUT THE PRIZE THAT AWAITSTHOSE WHO PERSEVERE
- 00:22:20.762 --> 00:22:23.698
- IS WORTH MORE THAN ANYTHINGTHIS WORLD CAN OFFER.
- 00:22:23.732 --> 00:22:27.669
- AS WE CONCLUDE TODAY,
- 00:22:27.702 --> 00:22:28.904
- I'D LIKE TO OFFER AWORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
- 00:22:28.937 --> 00:22:30.839
- TO THOSE OF YOU WHO SUPPORT"PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:22:30.872 --> 00:22:33.742
- BECAUSE WHILE IT'SMY VOICE YOU HEAR
- 00:22:33.775 --> 00:22:36.311
- ON THIS TELEVISION PROGRAM,
- 00:22:36.344 --> 00:22:38.280
- IT'S YOUR GIFT THAT ALLOWSUS TO TOUCH SO MANY LIVES.
- 00:22:38.313 --> 00:22:43.084
- NOT LONG AGO, MATTHEWWROTE FROM OHIO AND SAID,
- 00:22:43.118 --> 00:22:46.455
- "PASTOR JEFFRESS, IN A WORLDTHAT WANTS TO DEFINE GOD
- 00:22:46.488 --> 00:22:50.125
- IN ITS OWN WAY, PATHWAYTO VICTORY HAS TAUGHT ME
- 00:22:50.158 --> 00:22:53.395
- HOW TO STAND FORCHRIST WITH COURAGE."
- 00:22:53.428 --> 00:22:56.765
- HE WENT ON TO EXPRESSHIS THANKS TO ME,
- 00:22:56.798 --> 00:22:59.100
- BUT REALLY MATTHEW'S GRATITUDEBELONGS TO PEOPLE LIKE YOU
- 00:22:59.134 --> 00:23:03.705
- WHO GIVE SO GENEROUSLY.
- 00:23:03.738 --> 00:23:05.740
- SO THANK YOU FORPLACING YOUR CONFIDENCE
- 00:23:05.774 --> 00:23:08.543
- IN "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:23:08.577 --> 00:23:10.378
- GOD IS TRULY USINGYOUR INVESTMENT
- 00:23:10.412 --> 00:23:12.948
- TO PIERCE THE DARKNESSWITH THE LIGHT OF HIS WORD.
- 00:23:12.981 --> 00:23:16.585
- NOW STAY RIGHT THERE,
- 00:23:16.618 --> 00:23:17.819
- I'LL BE BACK WITH MORE"PATHWAY TO VICTORY"
- 00:23:17.853 --> 00:23:20.489
- IN JUST A MOMENT.
- 00:23:20.522 --> 00:23:21.890
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:23:21.923 --> 00:23:23.225
- (CLOCK TICKING)
- 00:23:23.258 --> 00:23:25.760
- [NARRATOR] IN LIGHTOF CURRENT EVENTS,
- 00:23:25.794 --> 00:23:27.262
- YOU CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IFWE'RE LIVING IN THE END TIMES.
- 00:23:27.295 --> 00:23:30.999
- [ROBERT] ONE DAY,THE BIBLE SAYS,
- 00:23:31.032 --> 00:23:32.534
- THE TRUMPET IS GOING TO SOUND.
- 00:23:32.567 --> 00:23:34.302
- THE HEAVENS ARE GOING TO PART,
- 00:23:35.370 --> 00:23:37.472
- SHOULD THAT AFFECTHOW WE LIVE TODAY?
- 00:23:37.506 --> 00:23:40.408
- [NARRATOR] DR. ROBERTJEFFRESS EXPLAINS WHERE WE ARE
- 00:23:40.442 --> 00:23:42.711
- ON GOD'S PROPHETIC TIMELINE,
- 00:23:42.744 --> 00:23:44.346
- AND WHY CHRISTIANS DON'TNEED TO FEAR THE END
- 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:47.082
- IN HIS BRAND NEW BOOK, "THERAPTURE: FACT OR FANTASY."
- 00:23:47.115 --> 00:23:51.119
- JESUS CHRIST COULD USHER INTHE END TIMES TRIBULATION
- 00:23:51.152 --> 00:23:54.789
- AT ANY MOMENT, ANDFACING THIS TRUTH
- 00:23:54.823 --> 00:23:57.392
- WILL HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT ONTHE WAY YOU AND I LIVE TODAY.
- 00:23:57.425 --> 00:24:02.197
- [NARRATOR] A COPY OF DR.JEFFRESS' BOOK ON THE RAPTURE
- 00:24:02.230 --> 00:24:04.766
- IS YOURS WHEN YOUGIVE A GENEROUS GIFT
- 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:06.735
- TO "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:24:06.768 --> 00:24:08.336
- AND WHEN YOUR GIFTIS $100 OR MORE,
- 00:24:08.370 --> 00:24:10.906
- YOU'LL ALSO RECEIVEDR. JEFFRESS' SERIES
- 00:24:10.939 --> 00:24:13.174
- ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION,"FINAL CONQUEST,"
- 00:24:13.208 --> 00:24:15.844
- ON BOTH CD AND DVD.
- 00:24:15.877 --> 00:24:18.079
- IT COULD HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT,THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH.
- 00:24:18.113 --> 00:24:20.081
- THERE ARE NO PROPHECIESTHAT HAVE TO BE FULFILLED
- 00:24:20.115 --> 00:24:22.817
- FOR THE RAPTURE.
- 00:24:22.851 --> 00:24:24.319
- IT COULD HAPPEN BEFORE WECONCLUDE THE SERVICE TODAY.
- 00:24:24.352 --> 00:24:27.289
- [NARRATOR] THANKYOU FOR PARTNERING
- 00:24:27.322 --> 00:24:28.490
- WITH "PATHWAY TO VICTORY"
- 00:24:28.523 --> 00:24:29.758
- TO SHARE THE GOODNEWS OF THE GOSPEL
- 00:24:29.791 --> 00:24:31.826
- AT A TIME WHEN OURWORLD NEEDS IT MOST.
- 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:34.195
- IN THESE DAYS OFANXIETY AND STRIFE,
- 00:24:34.229 --> 00:24:36.431
- "PATHWAY TO VICTORY"IS REACHING MORE PEOPLE
- 00:24:36.464 --> 00:24:38.767
- THAN EVER BEFORE WITH THEBOLD TEACHING OF GOD'S TRUTH.
- 00:24:38.800 --> 00:24:42.103
- AND WHEN YOU GIVE GENEROUSLYTO SUPPORT THE MINISTRY
- 00:24:42.137 --> 00:24:44.873
- OF "PATHWAY TO VICTORY,"PLEASE REQUEST YOUR COPY
- 00:24:44.906 --> 00:24:47.776
- OF DR. JEFFRESS' BRAND NEWBOOK AND TEACHING SERIES.
- 00:24:47.809 --> 00:24:51.079
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:24:53.048 --> 00:24:54.416
- AS YOU CAN TELL,THERE'S SO MUCH MORE
- 00:24:54.449 --> 00:24:56.351
- TO THE BOOK OF REVELATIONTHAN JUST BIBLE PROPHECY,
- 00:24:56.384 --> 00:24:59.754
- ALTHOUGH THAT'S CERTAINLYA MAJOR PART OF.
- 00:24:59.788 --> 00:25:02.591
- IN THESE EARLY CHAPTERSOF JOHN'S WRITINGS,
- 00:25:02.624 --> 00:25:05.493
- WE FIND AN HONESTAPPRAISAL FROM JESUS
- 00:25:05.527 --> 00:25:08.263
- ABOUT SEVERAL CHURCHES,
- 00:25:08.296 --> 00:25:10.165
- AND BOTH HIS CRITIQUEAND PRAISE TEACH US
- 00:25:10.198 --> 00:25:13.301
- WHAT JESUS VALUES MOST INOUR LOCAL CHURCHES TODAY.
- 00:25:13.335 --> 00:25:18.039
- WELL, IS IT POSSIBLE FORCHRISTIANS TO BE TOO ACCEPTING
- 00:25:18.073 --> 00:25:22.410
- AND TOO TOLERANT?
- 00:25:22.444 --> 00:25:24.045
- OUR CULTURE WOULD SAY, NO,BUT GOD'S WORD SAYS, YES.
- 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:29.017
- STAY TUNED FOR A PREVIEW OFWHAT'S COMING UP NEXT TIME
- 00:25:30.452 --> 00:25:32.120
- ON "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:25:32.153 --> 00:25:34.255
- [ANNOUNCER] TODAY, WHENYOU GIVE A GENEROUS GIFT
- 00:25:35.457 --> 00:25:36.891
- TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRYOF "PATHWAY TO VICTORY,"
- 00:25:36.925 --> 00:25:39.494
- WE'LL SAY THANKS BYSENDING YOU A COPY
- 00:25:39.527 --> 00:25:41.763
- OF DR. JEFFRESS'BRAND NEW BOOK TITLED,
- 00:25:41.796 --> 00:25:44.099
- "THE RAPTURE: FACT OR FANTASY,"
- 00:25:44.132 --> 00:25:46.801
- PLUS THE BOOKLET, "BIBLEPROPHECY MADE SIMPLE,"
- 00:25:46.835 --> 00:25:49.537
- IS OUR GIFT TO YOU SIMPLYFOR CONTACTING US TODAY
- 00:25:49.571 --> 00:25:52.474
- AT "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:25:52.507 --> 00:25:54.175
- AND WHEN YOUR GIFT IS $100OR MORE, WE'LL ALSO SEND YOU
- 00:25:54.209 --> 00:25:58.279
- THE COMPLETE FINALCONQUEST TEACHING SERIES
- 00:25:58.313 --> 00:26:01.282
- ON BOTH CD AND DVD.
- 00:26:01.316 --> 00:26:03.685
- THESE PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE
- 00:26:03.718 --> 00:26:05.420
- BECAUSE OF YOURGENEROUS SUPPORT.
- 00:26:05.453 --> 00:26:07.489
- SO THANKS FOR CALLING,WRITING, OR GOING ONLINE
- 00:26:07.522 --> 00:26:10.191
- TO GIVE TODAY.
- 00:26:10.225 --> 00:26:11.459
- NOW, COMING UP NEXT TIMEON "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:26:11.493 --> 00:26:14.562
- THE ONLY THING THAT THEWORLD CAN SEE OF JESUS CHRIST
- 00:26:14.596 --> 00:26:18.299
- IS THE BODY OFCHRIST, THE CHURCH.
- 00:26:18.333 --> 00:26:21.503
- THE LOCAL CHURCH IS THEREPRESENTATION OF JESUS CHRIST,
- 00:26:21.536 --> 00:26:26.474
- AND WHAT THE WORLDTHINKS OF THE CHURCH,
- 00:26:27.742 --> 00:26:30.445
- IT ENDS UP THINKINGABOUT JESUS HIMSELF.
- 00:26:30.478 --> 00:26:33.948
- THAT IS WHY GOD IS SOINTERESTED IN MAKING SURE
- 00:26:33.982 --> 00:26:38.286
- THAT THE CHURCH REFLECTS THEBEAUTY AND THE GLORY OF JESUS.
- 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:43.324
- [ANNOUNCER] SET YOUR DVRAND JOIN US NEXT TIME
- 00:26:45.093 --> 00:26:47.128
- FOR THE MESSAGE, "THE CHURCHTHAT WAS TOO ACCEPTING,"
- 00:26:47.162 --> 00:26:50.165
- HERE ON "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:26:50.198 --> 00:26:51.800
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:26:53.802 --> 00:26:58.139
- ON SUNDAY MORNINGS.
- 00:26:58.173 --> 00:26:59.074
- NOTHING KEEPS US FROMATTENDING CHURCH
- 00:26:59.107 --> 00:27:00.975
- TOGETHER ONLINE.
- 00:27:01.009 --> 00:27:03.244
- LOGIN TO THEFIRST DALLAS ICAMPUS.
- 00:27:03.278 --> 00:27:05.680
- CONNECT WITH A LIVE ONLINECOMMUNITY FROM AROUND THE
- 00:27:05.714 --> 00:27:08.283
- WORLD AND ENJOY MAJESTICMUSIC FROM THE
- 00:27:08.316 --> 00:27:10.618
- CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA.
- 00:27:10.652 --> 00:27:11.853
- ALONG WITH BOLD ANDCLEAR BIBLE TEACHING FROM.
- 00:27:11.886 --> 00:27:14.122
- DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS.
- 00:27:14.155 --> 00:27:15.190
- INTERACT, CHAT, AND PRAYWITH OUR ICAMPUS TEAM.
- 00:27:15.223 --> 00:27:18.226
- JOIN US ONLINE SUNDAYMORNINGS AT 9:30 AND 11:00
- 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:21.396
- AND THEN AGAIN AT 6 P.M. CENTRAL
- 00:27:21.429 --> 00:27:22.997
- FOR THE FIRST DALLAS ICAMPUS
- 00:27:23.031 --> 00:27:24.833
- GO TO ICAMPUS .FIRSTDALLAS.ORG.
- 00:27:24.866 --> 00:27:29.010