Tony Evans - A Challenge To Faithfulness

April 27, 2025 | S25:E17 | 27:29

Dr. Tony Evans is known as a relevant expositor and is a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.

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Dr. Tony Evans | Tony Evans - A Challenge To Faithfulness | April 27, 2025
  • ...
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  • Tony evans: i'm here to tell you: make jesus lord.
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  • That does not always mean he will deliver you from,
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  • But it does mean he'll join you in.
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  • And if he joins you in, there's victory even in the fire
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  • Because when god comes through for you,
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  • You will discover that greater is he that's in you--
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  • In the fire-- than he that's in the world.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Tony: god has a major problem with part-time christians
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  • Who don't wanna be full-time saints,
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  • Who want to identify when it comes to a blessing,
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  • But not when it comes to a struggle,
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  • Who want the benefits of heaven, but not the trouble
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  • That heaven brings on earth.
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  • John the apostle writes to this second church,
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  • The church at smyrna.
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  • Smyrna is located 35 miles north of our previous church, ephesus.
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  • And it is a seaport town, very well off,
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  • Somewhat prestigious, but there was trouble in smyrna.
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  • Verse 8, jesus says to the pastor,
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  • The angel of the church,
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  • The one who's going to deliver the message,
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  • He says, "the first and the last,
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  • The one who was dead and alive says this.
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  • So i'm going to give the message,
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  • But jesus is doing the talking.
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  • So if you get mad at what i'm getting ready to say,
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  • Talk to jesus.
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  • Leave me alone."
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  • Because he just told him to say what he was saying.
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  • He identifies himself before he gets into
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  • The core of his message
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  • As the one who is the first and the last.
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  • Now, that may not mean much to you until you understand
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  • Where that phrase comes from.
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  • Because in isaiah chapter 41, verse 4;
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  • And isaiah chapter 44, verse 6;
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  • And in isaiah chapter 48, verses 12 and 13,
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  • Where you see the phrase "the first and the last,"
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  • That phrase is used of almighty god.
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  • In fact, in isaiah 48:12 and 13 he says,
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  • "i am the first and the last,
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  • The god who created heavens and earth."
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  • So when jesus christ declares himself
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  • In revelation 2, verse 8, to be the first and the last,
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  • He's declaring himself to be god.
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  • So he picks this old testament designation of god
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  • And applies it to himself.
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  • Now, we know he's applying it to himself because he says,
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  • "i was dead and now i'm alive."
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  • Well, god the father didn't die; god the son died.
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  • So in that little phrase,
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  • Jesus speaks of both his deity and his humanity.
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  • He's the first and the last, he's god, but he died.
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  • So he's man.
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  • In fact, that is, as we've often said,
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  • The uniqueness of jesus christ.
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  • The baby in the manger made his mother.
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  • The baby in the stable made the animals
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  • That surrounded him there.
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  • The same one who got thirsty could walk on water.
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  • Same one who got hungry could turn sardines and crackers
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  • Into a moby dick sandwich.
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  • The same one who died could rise from the dead
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  • Because he is both the first and the last--god.
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  • And he's the one who died-- man--but who's now alive.
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  • We explained last time that he now sits
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  • As the risen, ascended christ.
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  • So you must learn to look at and relate to him now
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  • In his current status as the one in charge.
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  • It is to this person that we read the phrase--
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  • He says, "i know your tribulation.
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  • I know your trouble.
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  • I know what you're going through.
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  • I know you're hurting right now."
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  • One of the things you need to understand is
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  • Jesus never goes, "oops," about what's happening to you.
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  • Jesus never says, "oh, i'm so sorry.
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  • That one caught me by surprise."
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  • He says, "i am fully aware that you're going through it
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  • Because i'm god,
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  • But i'm also fully aware of what it feels like
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  • 'cause i'm man.
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  • If you feel like you're dying,
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  • I know what that feels like 'cause i died.
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  • I've been through all of the categories of trouble
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  • That any human being has been through as man
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  • Even though i am simultaneously deity.
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  • I know your trouble."
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  • If you're hurting today, he's aware of it.
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  • If you're crying today, he's aware of it.
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  • If your world has been shaken today,
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  • He's aware of it not only because he's omniscient--god,
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  • But because he's human--man.
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  • And so he's got that dual reality of identification
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  • While transcending time and being involved in time.
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  • He says, "i know you got trouble."
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  • Now, let me give you the first category of trouble
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  • These believers was face-- were facing.
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  • This is smyrna.
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  • Smyrna was well-known for something.
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  • The mountains around smyrna look like a crown,
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  • A crown that a king would wear.
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  • They were shaped that way.
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  • Many of the buildings in smyrna were built to reflect
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  • This mountain look of a crown.
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  • The reason why that is a big deal,
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  • If you lived in smyrna, is because as a roman colony,
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  • They worshiped caesar as lord.
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  • You had to recognize caesar as god.
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  • Well, these christians had another declaration:
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  • Jesus is lord.
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  • That created a conflict with the roman government.
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  • So they were going through the pressure and oppression
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  • Of not yielding to the governmental authority
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  • When it claimed the rights of deity.
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  • While everybody else was saying, "caesar is lord,"
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  • They were declaring, "no, jesus is lord.
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  • While we will recognize government
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  • And respect government, we won't bow to government
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  • Because jesus, and not caesar, is lord."
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  • That created a problem
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  • Because once you rejected caesar,
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  • You were now an enemy of the state.
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  • And as a result of that,
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  • There was confiscation of property.
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  • It says, "you are having trouble, and you are poor."
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  • Well, what they were facing
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  • In their declaration that jesus is lord
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  • Was an impoverishment economically,
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  • The loss of something financially
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  • Because of their commitment to the risen, ascended christ
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  • And their unwillingness to compromise their declaration
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  • In front of rome-- that "you are not our god;
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  • Jesus is our god."
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  • So they were spiritually rich.
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  • That's why he says in the next phrase,
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  • "you are rich."
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  • "you are rich because of your decision
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  • To be committed to me
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  • Even though it's costing you a price tag."
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  • So let me say this as we get going here:
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  • If it's never cost you anything to follow jesus christ as lord,
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  • It is because you are not following
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  • Jesus christ as lord.
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  • Paul told timothy, "all those who live godly in christ jesus
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  • Will suffer persecution.
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  • So if you're never suffering rejection,
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  • If you're never suffering defeat,
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  • If you're never suffering loss,
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  • It is because you're not godly enough
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  • For you to suffer any of that
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  • Because he says there are absolutely no exceptions.
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  • All those, they don't suffer the same thing.
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  • They don't suffer the same amount of things,
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  • But there is a loss to following christ.
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  • I would love to come to you today and tell you,
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  • "follow christ and it's going to be roses 24/7."
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  • He says, "you are in trouble, and i know you're in trouble
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  • Because you've taken a public stand
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  • For the first and the last, who was dead."
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  • He not talking about "you believe in god,"
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  • Being very generic,
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  • So nobody knows who you talking about.
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  • He's talking about the recognition
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  • Of jesus christ as lord
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  • In the face of a rejecting government.
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  • And let me explain this real clear:
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  • We are getting to the place in america
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  • Where if you publicly declare jesus christ is lord--
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  • Not the democrats, not the republicans,
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  • Not the congress, not the white house--
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  • Jesus christ is lord, and it is he that will make
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  • The final decisions for the church,
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  • Not the government, we have set ourself up
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  • For an attack that has already begun.
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  • We're living in a day when there's little respect
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  • For our faith,
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  • When religious freedom is in jeopardy,
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  • And regardless of which party you're for--
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  • That's not my point.
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  • My point is it ought to be clear
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  • And there ought to be no mistakes about it
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  • That our ultimate allegiance is not to washington.
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  • It's to the king of kings and the lord of lords.
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  • Says, "i know the trouble you're facing.
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  • I know that you're on delicate territory now
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  • When you do not declare that caesar is lord,
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  • When you do not declare--"
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  • In fact, unfortunately many christians--
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  • And certainly the secular political world--
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  • Don't even really understand what's happening right now.
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  • 2 chronicles chapter 15, verses 3 to 6, it says,
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  • "in those days there was no true god,
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  • No teaching priests, no law.
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  • There was no peace to him who went in, peace to he--
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  • To him who came out.
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  • City rose up against city,
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  • And nation rose up against nation."
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  • And then it says,
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  • "for god troubled them with every kind of distress."
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  • Now, if god is your problem, only god is your solution.
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  • If god is your problem, i don't care who you select
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  • 'cause we got losers on both sides.
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  • I don't care who you elect.
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  • In fact, the only reason we got these two options
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  • Is because god has placed the whole thing under judgment,
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  • Because god's saying,
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  • "okay, you gonna put me out the pasture,
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  • Kick me out your schools, kick me out your courts,
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  • Kick me out-- you just going to kick me out?
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  • Well, i'm gonna let you see what your country looks like
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  • When i go."
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  • He says, "i know your trouble.
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  • I know when you don't compromise at work,
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  • You might not get that promotion,
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  • I know when you don't compromise with your friends,
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  • You might not get that recognition.
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  • But that's the piece of your commitment
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  • You need to know about
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  • So that you're not shocked when it happens,
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  • So that you don't know where that came from."
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  • Says, "i know your trouble, and i know there is a price tag
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  • To full commitment to me."
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  • There are a number of reasons that god allows suffering.
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  • Let me review this with you.
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  • One reason that god allows suffering--
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  • Because he knows what's going on.
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  • He says, "i know."
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  • Say--let me say something.
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  • Nothing happens to you that doesn't pass through
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  • His fingers first, okay?
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  • It's called sovereignty.
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  • Nothing--in order for it to get to you,
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  • It's gotta go through him,
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  • Which means it has to have permission.
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  • Now, i'm not talking about suffering
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  • Because of you doing evil.
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  • That's one kind of suffering.
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  • I'm talking about when you trying to live for god,
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  • When you trying to proclaim christ,
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  • When you try-- and it's still going south.
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  • It had to pass through his fingers first, okay?
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  • One reason he does it is to humble us--
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  • 2 corinthians 12, verse 7-- to humble us.
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  • In other words, he wants to deal with something
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  • In our character that we either actually or potentially
  • 00:15:23.674 --> 00:15:27.411
  • Are headed toward.
  • 00:15:27.411 --> 00:15:29.180
  • Another reason he lets us
  • 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:30.982
  • When we're seeking to live for him
  • 00:15:30.982 --> 00:15:34.285
  • Is to use us.
  • 00:15:34.285 --> 00:15:37.355
  • 2 corinthians chapter 1, verse 4,
  • 00:15:37.355 --> 00:15:39.056
  • Paul says "in our affliction--" we going through stuff.
  • 00:15:39.056 --> 00:15:42.259
  • We trying to serve god, love god, please god,
  • 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:44.128
  • Walk with god,
  • 00:15:44.128 --> 00:15:45.463
  • And we are underneath affliction, suffering.
  • 00:15:45.463 --> 00:15:48.933
  • He says god met us in our affliction--watch this--
  • 00:15:48.933 --> 00:15:54.138
  • So that we would now be able to comfort others
  • 00:15:54.138 --> 00:15:59.543
  • Who are in the same affliction.
  • 00:15:59.543 --> 00:16:02.646
  • So god lets you go through stuff
  • 00:16:02.646 --> 00:16:05.483
  • Even though you're trying to please him
  • 00:16:05.483 --> 00:16:07.518
  • And are publicly associated with him
  • 00:16:07.518 --> 00:16:10.054
  • 'cause he has somebody else down the line
  • 00:16:10.054 --> 00:16:13.491
  • Who's gonna be going through what you are now going through.
  • 00:16:13.491 --> 00:16:17.695
  • And he doesn't just want you to quote bible verses;
  • 00:16:17.695 --> 00:16:20.898
  • He doesn't just want to say, "i'm going to pray for you";
  • 00:16:20.898 --> 00:16:23.734
  • He wants you to feel what they feel
  • 00:16:23.734 --> 00:16:26.170
  • And emote where they emote,
  • 00:16:26.170 --> 00:16:27.872
  • And--because you've been where they've been.
  • 00:16:27.872 --> 00:16:31.809
  • And he wants to use you experientially.
  • 00:16:31.809 --> 00:16:34.478
  • Isn't it irritating?
  • 00:16:34.478 --> 00:16:35.813
  • Somebody trying to help you
  • 00:16:35.813 --> 00:16:37.148
  • That don't know what you talking about
  • 00:16:37.148 --> 00:16:39.717
  • 'cause they've never been there?
  • 00:16:39.717 --> 00:16:42.987
  • He says, "i want to use the comfort i give you
  • 00:16:42.987 --> 00:16:45.990
  • In what i allowed you to go through."
  • 00:16:45.990 --> 00:16:48.492
  • He does it for another reason: to grow us.
  • 00:16:48.492 --> 00:16:52.063
  • James chapter 1, verses 2 to 4, says the testings of your faith
  • 00:16:52.063 --> 00:16:58.135
  • Is to develop you.
  • 00:16:58.135 --> 00:17:00.004
  • He wants to take you to another level.
  • 00:17:00.004 --> 00:17:03.074
  • So there is purpose in the pain
  • 00:17:03.074 --> 00:17:06.110
  • If you're seeking to live for him publicly.
  • 00:17:06.110 --> 00:17:10.948
  • Oh, here's one:
  • 00:17:10.948 --> 00:17:14.151
  • To deepen his reality in your life.
  • 00:17:14.151 --> 00:17:18.622
  • Now, watch this.
  • 00:17:18.622 --> 00:17:19.957
  • It's called in philippians 3:10 the fellowship of his suffering.
  • 00:17:19.957 --> 00:17:24.829
  • Fellowship means increased intimacy.
  • 00:17:24.829 --> 00:17:28.732
  • God knows if it's only blessing,
  • 00:17:28.732 --> 00:17:31.669
  • He ain't gonna get your undivided attention.
  • 00:17:31.669 --> 00:17:34.238
  • If it's only blessing, you may not pick up the phone.
  • 00:17:34.238 --> 00:17:37.541
  • If it's only blessing, you may not get desperate enough.
  • 00:17:37.541 --> 00:17:41.345
  • So he brings you to the fellowship of his suffering.
  • 00:17:41.345 --> 00:17:45.749
  • He lets you feel what it feels like to be him
  • 00:17:45.749 --> 00:17:49.620
  • When he was going through what you're going through
  • 00:17:49.620 --> 00:17:52.790
  • 'cause he knows you going to snuggle up a little closer.
  • 00:17:52.790 --> 00:17:55.893
  • You going to spend a little bit more time
  • 00:17:55.893 --> 00:17:57.528
  • In prayer.
  • 00:17:57.528 --> 00:17:58.863
  • You going to meet him longer in the word
  • 00:17:58.863 --> 00:18:01.198
  • When it's hurting bad enough that you need him.
  • 00:18:01.198 --> 00:18:06.403
  • And so he does that to deepen the intimacy with his people.
  • 00:18:06.403 --> 00:18:10.975
  • But he says, "it's even worse than that.
  • 00:18:10.975 --> 00:18:13.777
  • I know," verse 9, "the blasphemy of those
  • 00:18:13.777 --> 00:18:17.348
  • Who say they are jews and are not
  • 00:18:17.348 --> 00:18:19.483
  • But are a synagogue of satan."
  • 00:18:19.483 --> 00:18:22.386
  • Oh, wait a minute.
  • 00:18:22.386 --> 00:18:24.121
  • He started with the secular world.
  • 00:18:24.121 --> 00:18:26.390
  • Now he says you get in trouble from the religious world.
  • 00:18:26.390 --> 00:18:30.694
  • Synagogue, that's a place of worship.
  • 00:18:30.694 --> 00:18:34.031
  • These were the jews who rejected christ
  • 00:18:34.031 --> 00:18:37.835
  • Who were now persecuting the christians.
  • 00:18:37.835 --> 00:18:40.538
  • These are church folk who reject you
  • 00:18:40.538 --> 00:18:44.775
  • Because you've taken your stand for jesus christ.
  • 00:18:44.775 --> 00:18:47.244
  • 'cause--just 'cause they in church don't mean they right.
  • 00:18:47.244 --> 00:18:52.950
  • Just 'cause they in church,
  • 00:18:52.950 --> 00:18:54.285
  • Carrying a bible under their arm--
  • 00:18:54.285 --> 00:18:55.986
  • 'cause these jews were carrying the old testament--
  • 00:18:55.986 --> 00:18:58.222
  • Just 'cause they carrying a bible under their arm
  • 00:18:58.222 --> 00:19:00.558
  • Doesn't mean they committed.
  • 00:19:00.558 --> 00:19:03.494
  • Just 'cause they saying, "amen, hallelujah, praise the lord,"
  • 00:19:03.494 --> 00:19:06.564
  • Standing up, sitting down, clapping their hands,
  • 00:19:06.564 --> 00:19:09.133
  • That don't mean a thing if jesus is not lord.
  • 00:19:09.133 --> 00:19:13.737
  • In fact, he said, "you got a church full of devils."
  • 00:19:13.737 --> 00:19:20.778
  • There is resistance from the synagogue of sa--
  • 00:19:20.778 --> 00:19:24.315
  • The religious folk were against them.
  • 00:19:24.315 --> 00:19:26.750
  • Because--i want to tell you now--
  • 00:19:26.750 --> 00:19:28.485
  • If you take your stand for jesus christ,
  • 00:19:28.485 --> 00:19:31.455
  • Church folk will say, "you a fanatic."
  • 00:19:31.455 --> 00:19:34.992
  • Church folk will say, "you being too serious about this.
  • 00:19:34.992 --> 00:19:39.530
  • Church folk will start calling you "rev."
  • 00:19:39.530 --> 00:19:42.933
  • Church folk will tell you,
  • 00:19:42.933 --> 00:19:44.435
  • "i don't need to hear that bible no more."
  • 00:19:44.435 --> 00:19:47.938
  • Church folk will do that and become your persecutors
  • 00:19:47.938 --> 00:19:53.978
  • Because you're taking your stand for god.
  • 00:19:53.978 --> 00:19:56.780
  • Goes on to say-- oh, i like this--
  • 00:19:56.780 --> 00:20:01.051
  • "do not fear," mm, 'cause you can get scared
  • 00:20:01.051 --> 00:20:10.327
  • When you're hurting because of your faith.
  • 00:20:10.327 --> 00:20:14.064
  • "are they gonna accept me? are they gonna like me?
  • 00:20:14.064 --> 00:20:15.933
  • Are they gonna befriend me? are they gonna work with me?
  • 00:20:15.933 --> 00:20:19.036
  • Are they gonna, are they gonna,
  • 00:20:19.036 --> 00:20:20.371
  • Are they gonna, are they gonna--"
  • 00:20:20.371 --> 00:20:22.273
  • I'm talking about appropriately but clearly
  • 00:20:22.273 --> 00:20:24.174
  • Representing the faith.
  • 00:20:24.174 --> 00:20:25.509
  • He says, "do not fear."
  • 00:20:25.509 --> 00:20:27.177
  • Now, why did he tell them, "do not fear"?
  • 00:20:27.177 --> 00:20:28.512
  • 'cause he said, "getting ready to get worse."
  • 00:20:28.512 --> 00:20:31.515
  • Ooh, see, see? i lost my "amens" right there.
  • 00:20:31.515 --> 00:20:34.018
  • "it's getting ready to get worse."
  • 00:20:34.018 --> 00:20:36.153
  • He says, "do not fear what you are about to suffer."
  • 00:20:36.153 --> 00:20:40.924
  • And he already told 'em, "you're suffering."
  • 00:20:40.924 --> 00:20:42.726
  • He says, "well, something else coming."
  • 00:20:42.726 --> 00:20:45.396
  • He says, "behold, the devil is about to cast some of you
  • 00:20:45.396 --> 00:20:49.466
  • In prison so that you will be tested
  • 00:20:49.466 --> 00:21:00.077
  • And you will have tribulation for ten days."
  • 00:21:00.144 --> 00:21:04.114
  • He said, "so some of y'all are going to jail."
  • 00:21:04.114 --> 00:21:06.550
  • In fact, some of you here may feel like you're in jail--
  • 00:21:06.550 --> 00:21:09.687
  • A circumstance you can't get out of,
  • 00:21:09.687 --> 00:21:11.021
  • A suffering you can't get away from--
  • 00:21:11.021 --> 00:21:13.190
  • And you feel like "i am in prison."
  • 00:21:13.190 --> 00:21:15.659
  • He said, "it's going to get worse."
  • 00:21:15.659 --> 00:21:17.328
  • And then he tells you, "but don't fear."
  • 00:21:17.328 --> 00:21:21.498
  • He says, "don't be afraid
  • 00:21:21.498 --> 00:21:24.768
  • Because you will undergo some trouble for ten days."
  • 00:21:24.768 --> 00:21:30.708
  • If god says, "in ten days it's going to be over,"
  • 00:21:30.708 --> 00:21:35.379
  • You want to make sure you done
  • 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:40.317
  • 'cause you don't want to see it extended any longer
  • 00:21:40.317 --> 00:21:42.653
  • Than what his clock called for.
  • 00:21:42.653 --> 00:21:46.557
  • See, sometimes we going through stuff
  • 00:21:46.557 --> 00:21:49.259
  • 'cause we ain't done.
  • 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:51.161
  • No, we still not confessing christ,
  • 00:21:51.161 --> 00:21:53.263
  • We're still not living for christ,
  • 00:21:53.263 --> 00:21:55.065
  • But we want to say, "get me out of here."
  • 00:21:55.065 --> 00:21:56.767
  • Well, god said, "well, the bell rung,
  • 00:21:56.767 --> 00:21:58.235
  • But you ain't ready.
  • 00:21:58.235 --> 00:22:00.204
  • You raw all on the inside. you ain't done."
  • 00:22:00.204 --> 00:22:05.275
  • God says, "i control the clock.
  • 00:22:05.275 --> 00:22:06.844
  • That's why you don't have to be afraid.
  • 00:22:06.844 --> 00:22:08.178
  • I got this clock, and satan is on a leash.
  • 00:22:08.178 --> 00:22:14.451
  • And i didn't given him ten days to do his stuff
  • 00:22:14.451 --> 00:22:16.920
  • For me to do in you what i want you to do,
  • 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:19.156
  • But at ten days i'm jerking that sucker back."
  • 00:22:19.156 --> 00:22:23.327
  • See, here's the deal:
  • 00:22:23.327 --> 00:22:24.895
  • If you going to go through down times, suffering times,
  • 00:22:24.895 --> 00:22:28.632
  • Tribulation times, for following christ,
  • 00:22:28.632 --> 00:22:31.135
  • The key thing you going to need to know
  • 00:22:31.135 --> 00:22:32.970
  • Is he's there.
  • 00:22:32.970 --> 00:22:34.705
  • See, that's the key thing.
  • 00:22:34.705 --> 00:22:36.673
  • Even if the circumstance hasn't changed,
  • 00:22:36.673 --> 00:22:39.610
  • You need to know he in the vicinity.
  • 00:22:39.610 --> 00:22:42.246
  • You need to know that mr. rogers is in the neighborhood.
  • 00:22:42.246 --> 00:22:44.681
  • You need to know that god is right there,
  • 00:22:44.681 --> 00:22:48.318
  • Where you're going through it.
  • 00:22:48.318 --> 00:22:49.987
  • "so what do you want? what do you want from me, lord?"
  • 00:22:49.987 --> 00:22:52.089
  • Here he tells you at the end of verse 10,
  • 00:22:52.089 --> 00:22:54.291
  • "i want you to be faithful unto death."
  • 00:22:54.291 --> 00:22:57.728
  • That's the message.
  • 00:22:57.728 --> 00:22:59.062
  • "i want you, if you going to be an overcomer,
  • 00:22:59.062 --> 00:23:02.332
  • To be faithful until the end.
  • 00:23:02.332 --> 00:23:07.304
  • Until this life is over,
  • 00:23:07.304 --> 00:23:11.375
  • I want you to go all the way for me.
  • 00:23:11.375 --> 00:23:14.344
  • And if you do, i will give you,"
  • 00:23:14.344 --> 00:23:16.713
  • Verse 10 says, "the crown of life.
  • 00:23:16.713 --> 00:23:20.517
  • I will give you a crown, a crown."
  • 00:23:20.517 --> 00:23:24.254
  • Now, if you wear a crown, you are in a privileged position.
  • 00:23:24.254 --> 00:23:28.025
  • "i'm gonna give you the recognition.
  • 00:23:28.025 --> 00:23:34.498
  • I'm gonna give you the notoriety
  • 00:23:34.498 --> 00:23:38.469
  • That it looks like you gave up
  • 00:23:38.469 --> 00:23:40.437
  • Because of your commitment to me.
  • 00:23:40.437 --> 00:23:42.539
  • I'm going to give you the crown of life."
  • 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:44.508
  • And he closes by saying, "he who has an ear,
  • 00:23:44.508 --> 00:23:47.177
  • Let him hear"--okay,
  • 00:23:47.177 --> 00:23:49.012
  • Everybody who's paying attention this morning--
  • 00:23:49.012 --> 00:23:51.782
  • "what the spirit says to the churches."
  • 00:23:51.782 --> 00:23:53.784
  • And then he speaks to you as an individual:
  • 00:23:53.784 --> 00:23:55.853
  • "he who overcomes will not be hurt
  • 00:23:55.853 --> 00:24:00.791
  • By the second death."
  • 00:24:00.791 --> 00:24:02.659
  • Now, the reason why that's a curious phrase
  • 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:04.895
  • Is that the second death refers to hell.
  • 00:24:04.895 --> 00:24:08.232
  • Bible says hell is cast into the lake of fire,
  • 00:24:08.232 --> 00:24:10.234
  • And that is the second death.
  • 00:24:10.234 --> 00:24:12.202
  • So that's hell.
  • 00:24:12.202 --> 00:24:13.837
  • But wait a minute. he's talking to christians here.
  • 00:24:13.837 --> 00:24:16.006
  • These are believers who are suffering.
  • 00:24:16.006 --> 00:24:18.175
  • So they not going to hell; they going to heaven.
  • 00:24:18.175 --> 00:24:21.445
  • So why would he tell believers,
  • 00:24:21.445 --> 00:24:23.113
  • "if you are an overcomer, not just a christian,
  • 00:24:23.113 --> 00:24:26.316
  • But you overcome the temptation of not being faithful
  • 00:24:26.316 --> 00:24:29.019
  • In the midst of tribulation,
  • 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:30.888
  • You will not be hurt by something
  • 00:24:30.888 --> 00:24:32.356
  • That has absolutely nothing to do with you
  • 00:24:32.356 --> 00:24:34.625
  • Because the second death is hell,
  • 00:24:34.625 --> 00:24:35.959
  • And that's not where you going"?
  • 00:24:35.959 --> 00:24:37.327
  • So it's an irrelevant topic.
  • 00:24:37.327 --> 00:24:39.730
  • Or let me say it another way:
  • 00:24:39.730 --> 00:24:43.267
  • Don't let folk--second death-- who are going to hell
  • 00:24:43.267 --> 00:24:49.439
  • Keep you from getting your reward.
  • 00:24:49.439 --> 00:24:54.011
  • "don't let folk who not on their way to heaven
  • 00:24:54.011 --> 00:24:57.681
  • Keep you from getting all that heaven has for you
  • 00:24:57.681 --> 00:25:00.817
  • 'cause you are more committed to them
  • 00:25:00.817 --> 00:25:03.053
  • Who can do nothing for you ultimately
  • 00:25:03.053 --> 00:25:05.455
  • Than you are committed to me."
  • 00:25:05.455 --> 00:25:07.357
  • Don't let the second death-- hell-bound folk--
  • 00:25:07.357 --> 00:25:11.094
  • Keep you from maximizing heaven's opportunity.
  • 00:25:11.094 --> 00:25:16.400
  • Don't quit.
  • 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.834
  • And if we are not developing those kinds of christians
  • 00:25:17.834 --> 00:25:20.237
  • As a church, we've failed
  • 00:25:20.237 --> 00:25:22.873
  • Because our job isn't to have "church."
  • 00:25:22.873 --> 00:25:25.709
  • Our job is to create disciples who are not ashamed
  • 00:25:25.709 --> 00:25:28.478
  • To say jesus christ is lord.
  • 00:25:28.478 --> 00:25:31.448
  • We're in a political-correct environment now.
  • 00:25:31.448 --> 00:25:34.017
  • "well, you can't bring up this,
  • 00:25:34.017 --> 00:25:35.352
  • And you can't bring up that."
  • 00:25:35.352 --> 00:25:36.687
  • Of course, you can cuss like a sailor if you want.
  • 00:25:36.687 --> 00:25:39.489
  • You can be insulting to the faith if you want.
  • 00:25:39.489 --> 00:25:42.159
  • But bring up jesus, and you in trouble.
  • 00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:45.395
  • Well, i'm just going to have to be in trouble
  • 00:25:45.395 --> 00:25:46.730
  • 'cause i'm bringing up jesus.
  • 00:25:46.730 --> 00:25:52.102
  • Like paul, i am not ashamed of the gospel.
  • 00:25:52.102 --> 00:25:54.771
  • It is the power of god unto salvation
  • 00:25:54.771 --> 00:25:57.874
  • To everyone who believes.
  • 00:25:57.874 --> 00:25:59.977
  • You do it lovingly, you do it appropriately,
  • 00:25:59.977 --> 00:26:01.945
  • You do it wisely, but you do it clearly.
  • 00:26:01.945 --> 00:26:07.284
  • So you don't quit.
  • 00:26:07.284 --> 00:26:08.652
  • If you're going through a tough time
  • 00:26:08.652 --> 00:26:09.987
  • And you're living for christ,
  • 00:26:09.987 --> 00:26:11.421
  • If you're not living for christ, that's a whole different story.
  • 00:26:11.421 --> 00:26:13.557
  • That's getting right.
  • 00:26:13.557 --> 00:26:15.292
  • But if you have made the decision
  • 00:26:15.292 --> 00:26:16.827
  • "i have decided to follow jesus.
  • 00:26:16.827 --> 00:26:19.029
  • No turning back. no turning back,"
  • 00:26:19.029 --> 00:26:21.999
  • You've made it known.
  • 00:26:21.999 --> 00:26:24.001
  • Everybody understands that that's who you are.
  • 00:26:24.001 --> 00:26:28.105
  • If you were accused of being a christian at work,
  • 00:26:28.105 --> 00:26:29.906
  • There would be enough evidence to convict you
  • 00:26:29.906 --> 00:26:33.243
  • 'cause you come through that way,
  • 00:26:33.243 --> 00:26:34.911
  • You live that way, you make your decisions that way
  • 00:26:34.911 --> 00:26:37.748
  • Because that's who you are,
  • 00:26:37.748 --> 00:26:39.449
  • And that's your normal modus operandi.
  • 00:26:39.449 --> 00:26:42.419
  • None of us is perfect,
  • 00:26:42.419 --> 00:26:44.187
  • But that's your normal modus operandi.
  • 00:26:44.187 --> 00:26:49.159
  • Now, you keep going.
  • 00:26:49.159 --> 00:26:50.661
  • God's got the clock. he knows how many days.
  • 00:26:50.661 --> 00:26:53.497
  • He's got a purpose in the pain. you keep going.
  • 00:26:53.497 --> 00:26:57.000
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:57.000 --> 00:27:01.138
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:01.138 --> 00:27:20.424
  • ♪ that's right. hey! ♪
  • 00:27:11.081 --> 00:27:23.760
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:23.760 --> 00:27:23.760