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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - What If Jesus Sent You An Email?

April 3, 2025 | S25:E80

Greg Laurie - What If Jesus Sent You An Email?
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#GregLaurie #Faith #WalkwithGod #Prayer #RelationshipwithGod #Religion #Jesus #inActive #Communication #HarvestwithPastorGregLaurie #Revelation2

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - What If Jesus Sent You An Email? | April 3, 2025
  • ...
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  • Greg laurie: hi, i'm greg laurie, and i'm so glad you've
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  • Joined us because god's word is full of promises.
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  • It's alive, it's powerful, and it can change your life.
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  • So, let's get started.
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  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪♪
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  • Greg laurie: let me start with a question.
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  • Have you ever wondered about what is going
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  • To happen in the future?
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  • Have you ever wished you could just peer over time and see what
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  • Is going to take place.
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  • I have to be honest with you, in some ways, i'm glad
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  • I don't know the future.
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  • Bottom line, god knows the future, and i know him,
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  • And that's enough.
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  • But in fact, the book of revelation does give us a
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  • Glimpse into the future.
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  • Not only does revelation reveal the future, it reveals us.
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  • It reveals us to us.
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  • You know, when we think of revelation, we think of
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  • Armageddon and antichrist and the 144,000 and the mark of the
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  • Beast and all those things.
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  • And that's all in this book, of course, but there's more than
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  • That in this book.
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  • And as we're gonna see from revelation chapter 2 to 3, jesus
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  • Has a lot to say to the church.
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  • But before we get into all the prophetic things, jesus has
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  • A lot to say to his followers.
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  • He has a lot to say to you.
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  • And he has a lot to say to me.
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  • So, in effect, before the lord addresses our future, he says,
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  • "there's some things i want to say to you, my children,
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  • Right now."
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  • And that's very important 'cause we're gonna look at the words
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  • Of jesus to the seven churches.
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  • You can think of this as god's letter to you, or you could
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  • Think of it as god's email to you.
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  • Imagine if you got an email from god, or if you got
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  • A text from jesus.
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  • Would you read it?
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  • I think you would.
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  • Think of this as a personal email, a personal text,
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  • A letter, a card, from the lord directly to you.
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  • Now, as we look at what jesus says to these seven churches,
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  • There's three things we need to know.
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  • Number one, this speaks to us practically.
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  • In other words, these were actual churches we're gonna read
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  • About, the church of ephesus, the church of smyrna, the church
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  • Of pergamos, thyatira, laodicea, laodicea, philadelphia,
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  • And so forth.
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  • So, they were actual churches, and in fact, they followed
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  • A postal route of that day.
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  • So, jesus is speaking specifically to these existing
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  • Churches and their pastor.
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  • So, we don't want to miss that.
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  • Secondly, the words of jesus to the seven churches speak
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  • To us prophetically.
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  • We have sort of a flyover of church history starting with the
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  • Church of ephesus and concluding with the church of laodicea.
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  • So, we start with an apostolic church, and we end up with an
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  • Apostate church.
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  • We start with a church that is in danger of leaving its first
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  • Love, and we end up with a church of jesus says, "you make
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  • Me sick to my stomach."
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  • While you know things are messed up when someone says, "you make
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  • Me sick to my stomach."
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  • Guy, if you ask a girl or guys, if you ask a girl out on a date
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  • And she says, "you make me want to throw up,"
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  • That's not a good sign.
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  • And that's exactly what jesus says to the final church
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  • We'll be looking at.
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  • So, we start with a church that's losing its passion.
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  • And we end with a church that jesus is on the outside of
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  • Trying to get into.
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  • And one final thing, as we look at the words of jesus to these
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  • Churches, they speak to us personally.
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  • Again, i want you to think of this as god's email to you.
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  • So, let's look together now at revelation chapter 2.
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  • I'm reading verses 1 to 5.
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  • "to the angel of the church of ephesus write 'these things says
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  • He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the
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  • Midst of the seven golden lampstands: i know your works,
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  • Your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who
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  • Are evil.
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  • And you've tested those who say they are apostles and are not,
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  • You found them liars; you persevered, you've had patience,
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  • And you've labored for my name's sake and have not become weary.
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  • Nevertheless i have this against you, you have left
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  • Your first love.
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  • Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do
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  • The first works, or else i will come to you quickly and remove
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  • Your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.'"
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  • Wow, powerful words.
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  • I want you to notice how aware jesus is of what is going on
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  • In his church.
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  • Look at verse 1, "these things says he who holds the seven
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  • Stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven
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  • Golden lampstands."
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  • Now, when you think of a lampstand, think of a menorah
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  • Holding candles.
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  • These are symbols of the church.
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  • So effectively jesus is saying, "i am walking in the midst
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  • Of my church."
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  • Let me put it another way.
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  • Jesus is saying, "i know what's going on in my church."
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  • And he's also saying, "i know what's going on in your life as
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  • One of my followers."
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  • You know, it's very popular today to critique the church.
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  • But remember, jesus himself walks in the midst of it.
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  • He only started one organization when he walked this earth, and
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  • It's called the church.
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  • And he said, "the gates of hell will not prevail against it."
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  • Listen, the church has many critics, but it has no equals.
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  • And a true child of god should want to be a part of the church.
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  • So, jesus is saying to these seven churches, "i know, i know
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  • What's happening."
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  • And he would say that to you as an individual right now.
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  • Wherever you are, he'd say, "i know what you're facing.
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  • I know how hard it is.
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  • I know how challenging it is.
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  • I know what your dreams are.
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  • I know what your aspirations are.
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  • I am aware of what is happening in your life right now."
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  • Remember, this church that jesus was speaking to was a literal
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  • Church.
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  • Both the apostle paul, and possibly the apostle john, were
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  • Pastors of the church of ephesus.
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  • Now, think about that for a moment.
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  • The apostle paul as your pastor, and then the apostle john.
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  • It doesn't get much better than that, two living apostles
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  • Opening the word of god for you.
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  • But here's what was going on.
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  • When this church was in existence, they were in the
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  • Second generation of faith.
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  • In other words, the people in this church were born to the
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  • Parents that came to jesus right after his earthly ministry.
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  • So, this church is in the aftermath of the first
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  • Jesus movement.
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  • But as it often happens, sometimes that wonderful truth
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  • Is not passed on to the next generation.
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  • They were losing it.
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  • They were missing it.
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  • So, jesus comes to tell them how to get things right, and he
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  • Starts with a commendation.
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  • He starts with a compliment.
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  • Number one, and if you're taking notes, here's my first point.
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  • As followers of jesus, we should be busy and be about our
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  • Father's business.
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  • As followers of jesus, we should be busy and be about our
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  • Father's business.
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  • Look at revelation 2, verse 2.
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  • Jesus says to the church of ephesus, "i know your works,
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  • Your labor, and your patience."
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  • They were a very active church.
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  • This can be literally translated, you've labored to
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  • The point of weariness.
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  • They didn't just work, they worked really hard to the point
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  • Of exhaustion.
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  • It's even implied in the original language.
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  • They worked even at the cost of pain.
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  • Could jesus say that to you?
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  • "man, thank you for working so hard for me.
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  • Thank you for all that you do for my glory.
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  • I appreciate all that you do behind the scenes."
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  • You know, a lot of times, you don't get a lot of back pats or
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  • "attaboys."
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  • And you get a little bit discouraged.
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  • But here's what jesus is saying, "i know what you're doing
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  • For me.
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  • I am aware of it, and i appreciate it."
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  • I love what he says in matthew 6:3.
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  • He says, "when you give to the needy
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  • Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
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  • So your giving may be in secret.
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  • Then your father who sees what is done
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  • In secret will reward you."
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  • So whatever you've done in the name of the lord,
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  • However you've served faithfully behind the scenes.
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  • Be aware of this: god is aware of this, god knows about it,
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  • And god will bless you for it.
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  • Point number two, as followers of jesus, we need to hang in
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  • There through thick and thin.
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  • As followers of jesus, we need to hang in
  • 00:09:16.499 --> 00:09:18.801
  • There through thick and thin.
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  • Jesus says, "i know your works, your labor, and your patience."
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  • The word that is used here for patience is a word that means to
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  • Bear up under a load.
  • 00:09:28.711 --> 00:09:31.681
  • It wasn't easy to be a christian in the city of ephesus.
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  • Ephesus was sort of a center of pagan idolatry.
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  • They worshiped a goddess there, in their minds, a goddess,
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  • A deity.
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  • She was known as diana.
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  • And they would chant, "great is diana of the ephesians."
  • 00:09:48.364 --> 00:09:52.201
  • In fact, when paul went there to preach the gospel, a riot broke
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  • Out because of it.
  • 00:09:55.838 --> 00:09:57.173
  • So, it was a very pagan place to be.
  • 00:09:57.173 --> 00:10:00.042
  • It's not always easy to be a christian in a godless city or a
  • 00:10:00.042 --> 00:10:04.547
  • State that isn't as spiritual as you wish it was.
  • 00:10:04.547 --> 00:10:07.984
  • But it was hard to be a christian in ephesus.
  • 00:10:07.984 --> 00:10:10.953
  • But they were very discerning.
  • 00:10:10.953 --> 00:10:13.856
  • That's point number three, we need to be more discerning
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  • As christians.
  • 00:10:16.959 --> 00:10:18.294
  • Look at verse 2.
  • 00:10:18.294 --> 00:10:19.662
  • "you cannot bear them which are evil."
  • 00:10:19.662 --> 00:10:23.265
  • You see, they didn't just believe someone because they
  • 00:10:23.265 --> 00:10:25.668
  • Said they had a word from the lord, or they claimed to speak
  • 00:10:25.668 --> 00:10:29.905
  • For god, or they claimed to be an apostle, or a prophet.
  • 00:10:29.905 --> 00:10:33.809
  • The bible actually warns that one of the signs of the last
  • 00:10:33.809 --> 00:10:36.979
  • Days will be false prophets telling us certain things are
  • 00:10:36.979 --> 00:10:40.483
  • Gonna happen, and then those things don't happen.
  • 00:10:40.483 --> 00:10:43.319
  • And they lead people astray.
  • 00:10:43.319 --> 00:10:45.287
  • We need more discernment in the church today.
  • 00:10:45.287 --> 00:10:49.025
  • In 1 john 4:1, he writes, "dear friends,
  • 00:10:49.025 --> 00:10:51.427
  • Don't believe everyone who claimed to speak by the spirit.
  • 00:10:51.427 --> 00:10:54.463
  • Test them to see if the spirit they have
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  • Comes from god for there's false prophets in the world."
  • 00:10:57.299 --> 00:11:01.570
  • We need to be more discerning.
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  • And i bring this up because there's a lot of
  • 00:11:03.372 --> 00:11:05.841
  • Crazy conspiracy theories floating around out there
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  • That sometimes i see christians believing.
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  • And a lot of these theories have to do with end time events.
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  • We have to be very careful and look at the scripture
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  • For direction.
  • 00:11:20.690 --> 00:11:22.358
  • But jesus says there's a problem.
  • 00:11:22.358 --> 00:11:23.859
  • "you guys are doing awesome.
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  • You're hard working, you're discerning.
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  • You do so much for me, and i appreciate it.
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  • But there is a problem developing, and i have to tell
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  • You what this problem is.
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  • You no longer love me as you did at the beginning.
  • 00:11:36.305 --> 00:11:40.342
  • You have left your first love."
  • 00:11:40.342 --> 00:11:43.279
  • Or one translation puts it this way, "you no longer love me as
  • 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:47.316
  • You did at first."
  • 00:11:47.316 --> 00:11:49.585
  • What does that mean?
  • 00:11:49.585 --> 00:11:50.953
  • It means these christians had traded their devotion and put
  • 00:11:50.953 --> 00:11:55.524
  • Duty in its place.
  • 00:11:55.524 --> 00:11:56.859
  • They had motion, but they lost the emotion.
  • 00:11:56.859 --> 00:12:00.429
  • They had labor, but they lost the love.
  • 00:12:00.429 --> 00:12:03.299
  • They had perspiration, but they didn't seem to have inspiration.
  • 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:07.136
  • And you might say, "well, but is it really that big of a deal to
  • 00:12:07.136 --> 00:12:10.306
  • Just leave your first love?
  • 00:12:10.306 --> 00:12:12.341
  • I mean, in a marriage, you can't always have butterflies in your
  • 00:12:12.341 --> 00:12:16.412
  • Stomach and all that."
  • 00:12:16.412 --> 00:12:17.780
  • No, i understand that, you know, there's sort of the spark that
  • 00:12:17.780 --> 00:12:20.349
  • Sets marriage into motion, but then you settle down into a
  • 00:12:20.349 --> 00:12:24.386
  • Deeper love.
  • 00:12:24.386 --> 00:12:25.721
  • When you see a married couple who've been together for years
  • 00:12:25.721 --> 00:12:29.391
  • Holding hands and walking together and still in love,
  • 00:12:29.391 --> 00:12:32.728
  • That's because they've cultivated that.
  • 00:12:32.728 --> 00:12:35.097
  • If you take your hand off the wheel, so to speak, your
  • 00:12:35.097 --> 00:12:37.867
  • Marriage is gonna go the wrong way.
  • 00:12:37.867 --> 00:12:39.568
  • If you want to keep a marriage strong, you have to do things to
  • 00:12:39.568 --> 00:12:43.038
  • Strengthen it.
  • 00:12:43.038 --> 00:12:44.373
  • And in the same way in your relationship with god, if you
  • 00:12:44.373 --> 00:12:47.009
  • Take your hand off the wheel, if you stop moving forward, you'll
  • 00:12:47.009 --> 00:12:50.846
  • Begin to start moving backwards.
  • 00:12:50.846 --> 00:12:53.415
  • You've left your first love.
  • 00:12:53.415 --> 00:12:55.718
  • See, it was a heart problem.
  • 00:12:55.718 --> 00:12:58.020
  • Notice that jesus says you've left your first love, and he
  • 00:12:58.020 --> 00:13:01.357
  • Talks about how they have fallen.
  • 00:13:01.357 --> 00:13:04.059
  • Remember from where you have fallen.
  • 00:13:04.059 --> 00:13:06.061
  • See, this is the first step to falling away.
  • 00:13:06.061 --> 00:13:09.265
  • When someone backslides or turns away from god, it's not
  • 00:13:09.265 --> 00:13:13.002
  • Something they generally do overnight.
  • 00:13:13.002 --> 00:13:15.504
  • You don't call up your christian buddy.
  • 00:13:15.504 --> 00:13:17.306
  • By the way, why is this the phone?
  • 00:13:17.306 --> 00:13:18.674
  • We make this the phones like this, i don't know.
  • 00:13:18.674 --> 00:13:20.976
  • But anyway, you call up your christian buddy.
  • 00:13:20.976 --> 00:13:22.578
  • "hey, dude, want to backslide tonight?"
  • 00:13:22.578 --> 00:13:25.047
  • "yeah, let's do it. pick me up at seven."
  • 00:13:25.047 --> 00:13:27.283
  • No, no one plans to backslide generally, but it's a little
  • 00:13:27.283 --> 00:13:32.488
  • Compromise here, lowering your guard there.
  • 00:13:32.488 --> 00:13:36.458
  • And next thing you know, you're slipping.
  • 00:13:36.458 --> 00:13:39.862
  • And so, if you're not moving forward in cultivating that
  • 00:13:39.862 --> 00:13:42.598
  • Relationship with the lord, your spiritual life is going to come
  • 00:13:42.598 --> 00:13:46.836
  • To a standstill.
  • 00:13:46.836 --> 00:13:48.204
  • That's what's happening.
  • 00:13:48.204 --> 00:13:49.605
  • Okay, but jesus doesn't just tell him what's wrong.
  • 00:13:49.605 --> 00:13:52.741
  • He tells them what to do to make it right.
  • 00:13:52.741 --> 00:13:55.511
  • There's three r's to get right with god.
  • 00:13:55.511 --> 00:13:59.081
  • Three r's to get right with god.
  • 00:13:59.081 --> 00:14:01.750
  • You need to remember, you need to repent,
  • 00:14:01.750 --> 00:14:05.154
  • And you need to repeat.
  • 00:14:05.154 --> 00:14:07.389
  • So, if you want to get right with god, listen very carefully.
  • 00:14:07.389 --> 00:14:10.893
  • First, you need to remember.
  • 00:14:10.893 --> 00:14:13.028
  • He says, "remember from where you have fallen."
  • 00:14:13.028 --> 00:14:16.332
  • This can be translated, keep on remembering.
  • 00:14:16.332 --> 00:14:19.735
  • Remember where you were when you were at your highest point of
  • 00:14:19.735 --> 00:14:25.207
  • Commitment to christ and go back to that place.
  • 00:14:25.207 --> 00:14:28.777
  • It's sort of a marker so you have a point of reference.
  • 00:14:28.777 --> 00:14:33.782
  • You know, let's say you're trying to lose weight.
  • 00:14:33.782 --> 00:14:35.684
  • And you're saying, "how did i get so overweight?
  • 00:14:35.684 --> 00:14:38.587
  • Why do i have two wardrobes now, one for skinny me and one for
  • 00:14:38.587 --> 00:14:44.593
  • Fatter me?" right?
  • 00:14:44.593 --> 00:14:46.061
  • And you keep both wardrobes 'cause you fluctuate
  • 00:14:46.061 --> 00:14:48.297
  • Between the two.
  • 00:14:48.297 --> 00:14:49.665
  • Well, that's not a good thing.
  • 00:14:49.665 --> 00:14:51.000
  • There's telltale signs you're gaining weight.
  • 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:53.402
  • You know you're gaining weight when you take a shower, and
  • 00:14:53.402 --> 00:14:55.471
  • Nothing below your waist gets wet.
  • 00:14:55.471 --> 00:14:58.407
  • You know, you're gaining weight when the couch gets up when you
  • 00:14:58.407 --> 00:15:01.176
  • Do, right?
  • 00:15:01.176 --> 00:15:02.511
  • You know you're gaining weight when you get your shoes shined
  • 00:15:02.511 --> 00:15:05.814
  • And you have to take the guy's word for it.
  • 00:15:05.814 --> 00:15:08.117
  • So, that's not good.
  • 00:15:08.117 --> 00:15:09.551
  • So remember, remember when your pants fit.
  • 00:15:09.551 --> 00:15:12.321
  • Remember, when you didn't have to punch holes in a belt that
  • 00:15:12.321 --> 00:15:15.791
  • Shouldn't really be there.
  • 00:15:15.791 --> 00:15:17.126
  • You shouldn't have a hole in your belt right to the very edge
  • 00:15:17.126 --> 00:15:20.195
  • Of it, right?
  • 00:15:20.195 --> 00:15:21.530
  • So remember, it's a point of reference.
  • 00:15:21.530 --> 00:15:22.865
  • "i was in better shape before," and repent.
  • 00:15:22.865 --> 00:15:26.235
  • Change your behavior.
  • 00:15:26.235 --> 00:15:27.970
  • Stop beating donuts all the time.
  • 00:15:27.970 --> 00:15:30.239
  • Stop, you're late-night eating.
  • 00:15:30.239 --> 00:15:32.474
  • Stop the things that you're doing.
  • 00:15:32.474 --> 00:15:33.909
  • Stop being complacent and lazy and get out there and exercise.
  • 00:15:33.909 --> 00:15:38.180
  • So, you need to repent and then you need to repeat.
  • 00:15:38.180 --> 00:15:41.383
  • Do the first works quickly.
  • 00:15:41.383 --> 00:15:43.018
  • All right, so go out there and think about what you're eating,
  • 00:15:43.018 --> 00:15:47.256
  • Exercise more, et cetera.
  • 00:15:47.256 --> 00:15:49.358
  • Okay, so now let's apply this to the spiritual life.
  • 00:15:49.358 --> 00:15:52.394
  • Remember, was there a time when you were closer to god than you
  • 00:15:52.394 --> 00:15:55.898
  • Are right now?
  • 00:15:55.898 --> 00:15:57.232
  • Well, make that a point of reference, if the answer is yes,
  • 00:15:57.232 --> 00:15:59.935
  • Now repent.
  • 00:15:59.935 --> 00:16:01.270
  • Admit that you're not as close to the lord as you want to be.
  • 00:16:01.270 --> 00:16:04.239
  • Now repeat.
  • 00:16:04.239 --> 00:16:05.574
  • Go back and do the first works quickly.
  • 00:16:05.574 --> 00:16:07.576
  • So, let me ask you a question.
  • 00:16:07.576 --> 00:16:09.178
  • What did you used to do when your relationship with jesus was
  • 00:16:09.178 --> 00:16:12.748
  • Stronger?
  • 00:16:12.748 --> 00:16:14.083
  • Well, you say, "i used to read my bible every day.
  • 00:16:14.083 --> 00:16:16.919
  • And i would listen to bible teaching on podcasts and praise
  • 00:16:16.919 --> 00:16:21.223
  • Music."
  • 00:16:21.223 --> 00:16:22.558
  • Go back and do that again.
  • 00:16:22.558 --> 00:16:23.926
  • "yeah, well, i used to share the gospel whenever i could."
  • 00:16:23.926 --> 00:16:26.729
  • Go back and do that again as well.
  • 00:16:26.729 --> 00:16:29.198
  • Do the first works quickly
  • 00:16:29.198 --> 00:16:31.000
  • And return to your first love.
  • 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:33.669
  • And if you do that, if you're walking closely with the lord,
  • 00:16:33.669 --> 00:16:37.473
  • Guess what will happen.
  • 00:16:37.473 --> 00:16:38.807
  • In fact, this is a confirmation you're doing the right thing.
  • 00:16:38.807 --> 00:16:42.745
  • Ready for it?
  • 00:16:42.745 --> 00:16:44.079
  • You're thinking, "what, i'll be blessed?"
  • 00:16:44.079 --> 00:16:45.581
  • Well, in a way, yes, but maybe not the kind of blessing you're
  • 00:16:45.581 --> 00:16:49.251
  • Hoping for.
  • 00:16:49.251 --> 00:16:50.753
  • You will be persecuted. that's right.
  • 00:16:50.753 --> 00:16:54.890
  • The bible says, "all that live godly in christ jesus will
  • 00:16:54.890 --> 00:16:58.894
  • Suffer persecution."
  • 00:16:58.894 --> 00:17:01.196
  • When someone harasses you, makes fun of you, gives you a hard
  • 00:17:01.196 --> 00:17:04.700
  • Time, or even outright attacks you because of your faith,
  • 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:08.537
  • That's an indication you're on the right track.
  • 00:17:08.537 --> 00:17:11.407
  • If you're never persecuted, if you're never criticized, if
  • 00:17:11.407 --> 00:17:15.511
  • You're never hassled for your faith in any way, shape, or
  • 00:17:15.511 --> 00:17:18.313
  • Form, i wonder if you're actually living a godly life.
  • 00:17:18.313 --> 00:17:21.917
  • And that brings us to the second of seven churches that jesus
  • 00:17:21.917 --> 00:17:26.722
  • Sends a message to.
  • 00:17:26.722 --> 00:17:28.791
  • They're called the church of smyrna.
  • 00:17:28.791 --> 00:17:32.127
  • And in revelation 2, verse 8 he says, "don't fear those things
  • 00:17:32.127 --> 00:17:36.065
  • That you're about to suffer.
  • 00:17:36.065 --> 00:17:38.000
  • The devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may
  • 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:40.969
  • Be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days.
  • 00:17:40.969 --> 00:17:44.373
  • Be faithful until death, and i will give you the crown of life.
  • 00:17:44.373 --> 00:17:49.244
  • He that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the spirit says to
  • 00:17:49.244 --> 00:17:53.015
  • The churches.
  • 00:17:53.015 --> 00:17:54.383
  • He that overcomes will not be hurt by the second death."
  • 00:17:54.383 --> 00:17:59.054
  • You know, it's interesting to note that this message of jesus
  • 00:17:59.054 --> 00:18:02.925
  • To our second of seven churches, smyrna, is the briefest of all
  • 00:18:02.925 --> 00:18:08.063
  • The messages he gave, and there's not a single critical
  • 00:18:08.063 --> 00:18:11.934
  • Word said to them.
  • 00:18:11.934 --> 00:18:13.669
  • He had some criticism for the first church.
  • 00:18:13.669 --> 00:18:15.938
  • He had lots of criticism for the last one.
  • 00:18:15.938 --> 00:18:18.707
  • He had none for this particular body of believers.
  • 00:18:18.707 --> 00:18:22.211
  • Now, again, this was an actual historical church.
  • 00:18:22.211 --> 00:18:26.215
  • And as smyrna was like ephesus a capital of paganism, but instead
  • 00:18:26.215 --> 00:18:30.686
  • Of worshiping this goddess called diana, they actually
  • 00:18:30.686 --> 00:18:34.323
  • Worshiped caesar.
  • 00:18:34.323 --> 00:18:36.191
  • Around 25 ad, many asian cities were competing with each other
  • 00:18:36.191 --> 00:18:40.762
  • For the privilege of building a temple to the emperor tiberias.
  • 00:18:40.762 --> 00:18:45.934
  • Smyrna had the dubious distinction of winning the
  • 00:18:45.934 --> 00:18:49.271
  • Contest, so they prided themselves in their worship of
  • 00:18:49.271 --> 00:18:53.742
  • Caesar as lord.
  • 00:18:53.742 --> 00:18:55.177
  • And they erected a giant temple to him.
  • 00:18:55.177 --> 00:18:57.679
  • And people were expected to say, "caesar is lord."
  • 00:18:57.679 --> 00:19:01.416
  • So, if you were a christian and you said, "jesus is lord," they
  • 00:19:01.416 --> 00:19:04.820
  • Would say, "but you have to say caesar is lord."
  • 00:19:04.820 --> 00:19:08.290
  • And many christians would not, and they lost their lives
  • 00:19:08.290 --> 00:19:11.560
  • As a result.
  • 00:19:11.560 --> 00:19:13.529
  • It was a hard place to be a christian.
  • 00:19:13.529 --> 00:19:16.131
  • Jesus says in verse 9, "i know your works, your tribulation,
  • 00:19:16.131 --> 00:19:20.068
  • And your poverty."
  • 00:19:20.068 --> 00:19:22.104
  • They suffered greatly.
  • 00:19:22.104 --> 00:19:23.438
  • They suffered in their businesses
  • 00:19:23.438 --> 00:19:24.907
  • Because of their faith.
  • 00:19:24.907 --> 00:19:26.675
  • People would not want to trade with these people that would not
  • 00:19:26.675 --> 00:19:29.211
  • Say, "caesar is lord," but instead said, "jesus is lord."
  • 00:19:29.211 --> 00:19:33.382
  • And they were mistreated, and many of them
  • 00:19:33.382 --> 00:19:35.617
  • Were even put to death.
  • 00:19:35.617 --> 00:19:38.153
  • But jesus says in verse 10, "be faithful unto death, and i will
  • 00:19:38.153 --> 00:19:41.523
  • Give you the crown of life."
  • 00:19:41.523 --> 00:19:43.659
  • When we get to heaven someday, god has some rewards waiting for
  • 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:49.531
  • Us and among those rewards will be the crown of life.
  • 00:19:49.531 --> 00:19:54.870
  • You know, the bible mentions that there is a crown of
  • 00:19:54.870 --> 00:19:57.606
  • Rejoicing, which is a crown for winning people to christ in 2
  • 00:19:57.606 --> 00:20:02.811
  • Thessalonians 2:19.
  • 00:20:02.811 --> 00:20:04.680
  • Then there is a crown of righteousness that will be given
  • 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:08.483
  • To those who love his appearing, 2 timothy 4:8.
  • 00:20:08.483 --> 00:20:13.288
  • And here we have the crown of life.
  • 00:20:13.288 --> 00:20:16.391
  • Interestingly, this is the same crown promised to those who
  • 00:20:16.391 --> 00:20:19.728
  • Resist temptation.
  • 00:20:19.728 --> 00:20:21.496
  • In james 1: 12 it says, "blessed is the man who endures
  • 00:20:21.496 --> 00:20:25.067
  • Temptation and perseveres under trial because when he has
  • 00:20:25.067 --> 00:20:28.503
  • Stood the test, he'll receive the crown of life
  • 00:20:28.503 --> 00:20:31.173
  • That god has promised to those who love him."
  • 00:20:31.173 --> 00:20:34.810
  • So, if you want to receive the crown of life, you must
  • 00:20:34.810 --> 00:20:36.945
  • Persevere under trial.
  • 00:20:36.945 --> 00:20:39.781
  • You must hang in there when you're persecuted.
  • 00:20:39.781 --> 00:20:42.951
  • You must resist temptation.
  • 00:20:42.951 --> 00:20:46.154
  • And if you are living a godly life, this persecution
  • 00:20:46.154 --> 00:20:49.391
  • Will come into it,
  • 00:20:49.391 --> 00:20:51.860
  • But sometimes god allows persecution to wake us up,
  • 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:56.064
  • To keep us on our toes spiritually.
  • 00:20:56.064 --> 00:20:59.334
  • Let me close with this.
  • 00:20:59.334 --> 00:21:01.003
  • If you've trusted in jesus christ, you don't have
  • 00:21:01.003 --> 00:21:04.940
  • To fear the second death.
  • 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:07.142
  • Look at revelation chapter 2, verse 11.
  • 00:21:07.142 --> 00:21:10.245
  • "he that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the spirit says
  • 00:21:10.245 --> 00:21:13.615
  • Of the churches.
  • 00:21:13.615 --> 00:21:15.050
  • He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death."
  • 00:21:15.050 --> 00:21:19.021
  • What is this second death?
  • 00:21:19.021 --> 00:21:21.490
  • The second death is dying without christ
  • 00:21:21.490 --> 00:21:24.393
  • And going to hell.
  • 00:21:24.393 --> 00:21:26.495
  • Yes, hell is real.
  • 00:21:26.495 --> 00:21:29.031
  • We'll talk about that as we get deeper into the book
  • 00:21:29.031 --> 00:21:31.800
  • Of revelation.
  • 00:21:31.800 --> 00:21:33.168
  • Just as surely is there is a heaven, there also is a hell.
  • 00:21:33.168 --> 00:21:37.973
  • Hell was not created for people.
  • 00:21:37.973 --> 00:21:40.742
  • According to jesus, hell was created for the devil
  • 00:21:40.742 --> 00:21:43.645
  • And his angels.
  • 00:21:43.645 --> 00:21:45.113
  • And the last thing that god wants is for any person, made in
  • 00:21:45.113 --> 00:21:48.050
  • His image, to spend eternity separated from him in this place
  • 00:21:48.050 --> 00:21:52.988
  • Called hell, are also known as the second death.
  • 00:21:52.988 --> 00:21:56.792
  • The first death is when we die physically.
  • 00:21:56.792 --> 00:21:59.194
  • The second death is when we face judgment if we have not put our
  • 00:21:59.194 --> 00:22:03.265
  • Faith in christ.
  • 00:22:03.265 --> 00:22:04.666
  • So, i can simplify it this way.
  • 00:22:04.666 --> 00:22:06.368
  • If you're born once, you will die twice.
  • 00:22:06.368 --> 00:22:08.704
  • But if you're born twice, you will die once.
  • 00:22:08.704 --> 00:22:11.006
  • Does that make sense?
  • 00:22:11.006 --> 00:22:13.308
  • If you're born once, you'll die twice.
  • 00:22:13.308 --> 00:22:15.210
  • You'll be born physically, and then you'll die physically and
  • 00:22:15.210 --> 00:22:18.246
  • Die spiritually in the second death, facing judgment.
  • 00:22:18.246 --> 00:22:23.318
  • But if you're born twice, you'll die once.
  • 00:22:23.318 --> 00:22:25.954
  • And by being born twice, i mean you've been born again.
  • 00:22:25.954 --> 00:22:28.957
  • Yes, you're born physically, but then you put your faith in
  • 00:22:28.957 --> 00:22:31.893
  • Christ and you're born again spiritually.
  • 00:22:31.893 --> 00:22:35.297
  • Remember jesus said to that religious leader named
  • 00:22:35.297 --> 00:22:39.167
  • Nicodemus, "you must be born again or literally born
  • 00:22:39.167 --> 00:22:43.972
  • From above."
  • 00:22:43.972 --> 00:22:45.907
  • Yes, this is the promise god has, and we won't be hurt
  • 00:22:45.907 --> 00:22:49.711
  • By the second death.
  • 00:22:49.711 --> 00:22:51.513
  • You know, when you don't know christ, you're spiritually dead.
  • 00:22:51.513 --> 00:22:56.351
  • You're like a zombie.
  • 00:22:56.351 --> 00:22:57.786
  • Oh, you're alive, but you're dead in the inside.
  • 00:22:57.786 --> 00:23:00.889
  • The bible says, "she the lives her pleasure is dead while she
  • 00:23:00.889 --> 00:23:04.693
  • Is living."
  • 00:23:04.693 --> 00:23:06.061
  • Don't live that way.
  • 00:23:06.061 --> 00:23:07.562
  • God has something better for you.
  • 00:23:07.562 --> 00:23:08.964
  • Listen to this.
  • 00:23:08.964 --> 00:23:10.298
  • This earth is as good as it ever will be for the non believer.
  • 00:23:10.298 --> 00:23:14.770
  • But for the believer, this earth is as bad as it gets because for
  • 00:23:14.770 --> 00:23:19.541
  • Those who have trusted christ, the best is yet to come.
  • 00:23:19.541 --> 00:23:28.884
  • Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart, and you have seen
  • 00:23:33.021 --> 00:23:37.559
  • Your need for jesus christ.
  • 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:39.694
  • Jesus christ is the son of god who came from heaven
  • 00:23:39.694 --> 00:23:43.765
  • To this earth.
  • 00:23:43.765 --> 00:23:45.133
  • He was born in a manger.
  • 00:23:45.133 --> 00:23:46.535
  • He died in a cross.
  • 00:23:46.535 --> 00:23:48.670
  • He rose again from the dead, why?
  • 00:23:48.670 --> 00:23:50.739
  • Because he loves you, and he wants a relationship with you.
  • 00:23:50.739 --> 00:23:54.142
  • Listen, i'm not talking about religion.
  • 00:23:54.142 --> 00:23:56.545
  • I don't want to be a religious person.
  • 00:23:56.545 --> 00:23:58.280
  • I don't think you want to be one either.
  • 00:23:58.280 --> 00:24:00.248
  • I'm talking about relationship with god.
  • 00:24:00.248 --> 00:24:03.919
  • Jesus, who died and rose again, stands at the door of your life
  • 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:08.256
  • And he knocks.
  • 00:24:08.256 --> 00:24:09.591
  • And he says if you'll hear his voice and open the door, he will
  • 00:24:09.591 --> 00:24:12.627
  • Come in.
  • 00:24:12.627 --> 00:24:13.962
  • Question, have you asked jesus christ to come and live inside
  • 00:24:13.962 --> 00:24:16.932
  • Of you?
  • 00:24:16.932 --> 00:24:18.266
  • You might say, "well, i think so. i'm not sure."
  • 00:24:18.266 --> 00:24:19.634
  • Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle of the
  • 00:24:19.634 --> 00:24:22.137
  • Night, do you think you would be aware of it?
  • 00:24:22.137 --> 00:24:24.739
  • I'm sure you would.
  • 00:24:24.739 --> 00:24:26.408
  • And then the same way, if christ has come to live inside of you,
  • 00:24:26.408 --> 00:24:29.511
  • You will know.
  • 00:24:29.511 --> 00:24:30.846
  • And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in yet.
  • 00:24:30.846 --> 00:24:34.249
  • He's just a prayer away.
  • 00:24:34.249 --> 00:24:36.184
  • All you need to do is say, "jesus,
  • 00:24:36.184 --> 00:24:37.919
  • I want this relationship with you.
  • 00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:40.188
  • I want you to forgive me of my sin.
  • 00:24:40.188 --> 00:24:42.290
  • I want to go to heaven when i die."
  • 00:24:42.290 --> 00:24:44.392
  • Would you like to do that?
  • 00:24:44.392 --> 00:24:45.827
  • Would you like christ to come into your life?
  • 00:24:45.827 --> 00:24:48.497
  • If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me?
  • 00:24:48.497 --> 00:24:51.132
  • You can pray it out loud or you can pray it in the quietness
  • 00:24:51.132 --> 00:24:54.936
  • Of your heart.
  • 00:24:54.936 --> 00:24:56.471
  • But this is a prayer where you're asking jesus christ to be
  • 00:24:56.471 --> 00:24:59.241
  • Your savior and lord.
  • 00:24:59.241 --> 00:25:00.842
  • Pray this with me now.
  • 00:25:00.842 --> 00:25:02.310
  • "lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner, but i know that you're
  • 00:25:02.310 --> 00:25:06.715
  • The savior who died on the cross for my sin
  • 00:25:06.715 --> 00:25:10.151
  • And rose again from the dead.
  • 00:25:10.151 --> 00:25:12.120
  • Now come into my life.
  • 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:14.289
  • I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
  • 00:25:14.289 --> 00:25:18.593
  • Thank you for hearing this prayer and answering
  • 00:25:18.593 --> 00:25:21.763
  • This prayer.
  • 00:25:21.763 --> 00:25:23.231
  • In jesus's name, amen."
  • 00:25:23.231 --> 00:25:25.734
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:25:25.734 --> 00:25:28.136
  • If so, i want you to know, in the authority of scripture, that
  • 00:25:28.136 --> 00:25:31.006
  • Christ himself has come to live inside of you
  • 00:25:31.006 --> 00:25:33.808
  • And i would love to send to
  • 00:25:33.808 --> 00:25:35.377
  • You, at no charge,
  • 00:25:35.377 --> 00:25:36.745
  • Something called "the
  • 00:25:36.745 --> 00:25:38.079
  • New believer's bible."
  • 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:39.447
  • It's a very friendly translation of the new testament you'll find
  • 00:25:39.447 --> 00:25:42.784
  • Very understandable, and it's filled with hundreds of notes
  • 00:25:42.784 --> 00:25:46.421
  • That i wrote that will encourage you in this commitment you've
  • 00:25:46.421 --> 00:25:50.058
  • Just made to follow jesus.
  • 00:25:50.058 --> 00:25:51.893
  • Let me send that to you at no charge.
  • 00:25:51.893 --> 00:25:54.296
  • And let me be the first to say to you, congratulations, and
  • 00:25:54.362 --> 00:25:58.199
  • Welcome to the family of god.
  • 00:25:58.199 --> 00:26:01.303
  • Male announcer: explore the life and legacy of one of the bible's
  • 00:26:01.369 --> 00:26:04.539
  • Most captivating and relatable people, king david.
  • 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:08.677
  • From shepherd to warrior king, david's journey is marked by
  • 00:26:08.677 --> 00:26:12.280
  • Incredible triumphs, heartbreaking failures, and
  • 00:26:12.280 --> 00:26:15.317
  • A relentless pursuit of god's heart.
  • 00:26:15.317 --> 00:26:17.919
  • For a limited time, you can receive "house of david: 30 days
  • 00:26:17.919 --> 00:26:21.723
  • With a man after god's own heart," with your gift of any
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  • Amount to harvest ministries.
  • 00:26:24.726 --> 00:26:26.661
  • This brand-new devotional is the official companion-piece to the
  • 00:26:26.661 --> 00:26:30.465
  • New series on amazon prime, exploring timeless lessons from
  • 00:26:30.465 --> 00:26:34.502
  • David's life.
  • 00:26:34.502 --> 00:26:35.870
  • It reveals how his story can inspire and guide your walk
  • 00:26:35.870 --> 00:26:39.174
  • With god.
  • 00:26:39.174 --> 00:26:40.508
  • David's story reminds us that god uses imperfect people to do
  • 00:26:40.508 --> 00:26:43.979
  • Extraordinary things.
  • 00:26:43.979 --> 00:26:45.880
  • Support the work of "harvest ministries" and request your
  • 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:49.417
  • Copy of "house of david" today at harvest.org/give.
  • 00:26:49.417 --> 00:26:55.090
  • Step into david's story and discover how his faith can
  • 00:26:55.090 --> 00:26:59.060
  • Strengthen yours.
  • 00:26:59.060 --> 00:27:02.297
  • Female announcer: jesus says that "where two or three are
  • 00:27:02.364 --> 00:27:04.799
  • Gathered in my name, there i am in the midst of them."
  • 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:09.437
  • We are all different.
  • 00:27:09.437 --> 00:27:10.839
  • We have different interests, different personalities,
  • 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:13.975
  • Different upbringings, and different ways we do life.
  • 00:27:13.975 --> 00:27:17.746
  • But here we have a deep connection and you are
  • 00:27:17.746 --> 00:27:23.351
  • Welcome here.
  • 00:27:23.351 --> 00:27:25.687
  • This is harvest.
  • 00:27:25.687 --> 00:27:28.523