7 Churches - Sardis

[teaching text] </p>“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.</p>“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’</p><strong>Revelation 3:1-6</strong></p><br /></p><strong>SARDIS</strong></p><br /></p>The particular intellectual problem I was wrestling with, for the first time since my conversion as a teenager, was the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures. Seeming contradictions and problems with interpretation defied intellectual solutions, or so I thought. Could the Bible be trusted completely?</p><br /></p><strong>Billy Graham Photo*</strong></p><br /></p>During the 1940s Templeton and Graham were Youth for Christ’s dynamic duo. Though Graham routinely induced better results with his altar calls, Templeton was widely considered the more gifted preacher. Handsome, suave, intelligent, and charismatic.</p><strong>Collin Hansen</strong></p><br /></p><strong>Billy Graham and Charles Templeton photo**</strong></p>Billy Graham and Henrietta Mears Photo**</p><br /></p>Still, many of Graham’s questions remained unanswered. Did Noah actually build an ark to survive a great flood? Could a whale really have swallowed Jonah? Pondering these miracles, Graham roamed into the foothills of the nearby San Bernardino Mountains. With the moon shining, he wandered off the trail, opened his Bible on a tree stump, and took his concerns to God. Inexplicably, the burden lifted.</p>"Father, I am going to accept this as thy Word—by faith!” Graham proclaimed. “I'm going to allow faith to go beyond my intellectual questions and doubts, and I will believe this to be your inspired Word.” Tears streaming down his face, Graham returned to Forest Home. Though he didn’t have an explanation for every biblical oddity, for the first time in months he felt powerful intimacy with God and renewed confidence in the Scripture he proclaimed.</p><strong>Collin Hansen</strong></p><br /></p>Farewell To God photo***</p><br /></p>“And how do you assess this Jesus?” It seemed like the next logical question—but I wasn’t ready for the response it would evoke.</p>Templeton’s body language softened. It was as if he suddenly felt relaxed and comfortable in talking about an old and dear friend. His voice, which at times had displayed such a sharp and insistent edge, now took on a melancholy and reflective tone. His guard seemingly down, he spoke in an unhurried pace, almost nostalgically, carefully choosing his words as he talked about Jesus.</p>“He was,” Templeton began, “the greatest human being who has ever lived. He was a moral genius. His ethical sense was unique. He was the intrinsically wisest person that I’ve ever encountered in my life or in my readings. His commitment was total and led to his own death, much to the detriment of the world. What could one say about him except that this was a form of greatness?”</p>I was taken aback. “You sound like you really care about him,” I said.</p>“Well, yes, he is the most important thing in my life,” came his reply. “I . . . I . . . I . . . ,” he stuttered, searching for the right word, ‘I know it may sound strange, but I have to say . . . I adore him!”</p>” . . . Everything good I know, everything decent I know, everything pure I know, I learned from Jesus. Yes . . . yes. And tough! Just look at Jesus. He castigated people. He was angry. People don’t think of him that way, but they don’t read the Bible. He had a righteous anger. He cared for the oppressed and exploited. There’s no question that he had the highest moral standard, the least duplicity, the greatest compassion, of any human being in history. There have been many other wonderful people, but Jesus is Jesus….’</p>“Uh . . . but . . . no,’ he said slowly, ‘he’s the most . . .” He stopped, then started again. “In my view,” he declared, “he is the most important human being who has ever existed.”</p>That’s when Templeton uttered the words I never expected to hear from him. “And if I may put it this way,” he said as his voice began to crack, ‘I . . . miss . . . him!”</p>With that tears flooded his eyes. He turned his head and looked downward, raising his left hand to shield his face from me. His shoulders bobbed as he wept. . . .</p><br /></p><strong>Reputation: </strong>the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something</p><br /></p>We tend to put a lot of weight on other people’s opinions and feelings about us, but our reputation carries no weight in the eyes of Jesus.</p><br /></p>Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.</p><strong>Luke 12:2</strong></p><br /></p><strong>There is no such thing as hidden sin.</strong></p><br /></p>“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.</p>“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.</p><strong>Revelation 3:1</strong></p><br /></p>Sardis painting****</p>Sardis boundary photo*****</p><br /></p>Sardis was located on the top of a mountain. It had one entrance on the southern side which was the only way you could get into the city in the old days. Therefore, all that Sardis had to do was to put a detail at that one place to watch the city.</p><strong>J. Vernon McGee</strong></p><br /></p>On two occasions in their history they had been invaded by their enemies because they felt secure, believing that the hill was impregnable, and the guard went to sleep on the job. In 549 B.C. the Median soldiers of Cyrus scaled the parapet, and then again in 218 B.C. Antiochus the Great. This was embarrassing because of the two occasions in their history when they had been caught napping.</p><strong>J. Vernon McGee</strong></p><br /></p>“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.</p><strong>Revelation 3:1b-2</strong></p><br /></p><strong>OUR DESIRE FOR OUTWARD PRAISE LEADS TO DEAD WORKS</strong></p><br /></p>The essence of worship is that while it begins in the church, it takes hold upon heaven. If the hymn is simply a musical expression of pleasant feeling, there is no worship in it. But if upon the wings of sacred song our spirits find their way into the Holy of Holies, then that song is fulfilled before God. If the prayer we utter is a compilation of sentences, spoken for the fulfillment of duty, it is not prayer. But if the prayer, expressing a sense of need, finds its way above the mists and the mysteries of ME, to the throne, it is fulfilled before God. If our gifts are bestowed that we may be kept square with duty, they are utterly refused in heaven. But if they express a sacrifice and a sympathy, though they be but small according to the arithmet...</p>

00:55:03

7 Churches - Pergamum

[teaching text]</p>12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.</p>13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith[b] even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’</p><strong>Revelation 2:12-17</strong></p><br /></p>Your Bible is not just the best book there is among all the books out there. The Bible is a different kind of book. It’s of another class. It is similar to other books in that it is bound between two covers and is filled with small black letters compromising words throughout. But the Bible is different from other books in the way rainfall is different from your garden hose—it comes from above and provides a kind of nourishment far beyond what our own resources can provide.</p><strong>Dane C. Ortlund</strong></p><br /></p><strong>PERGAMUM</strong></p><br /></p>This introduction stresses that Jesus is central to the church, and should be recognized as central to the church.</p><strong>David Guzik</strong></p><br /></p>Jesus chose this title from His initial appearance to John to remind the Christians in Smyrna that they served the risen Lord, victorious over death.</p><strong>David Guzik</strong></p><br /></p>The person born once dies twice. The person born twice dies once.</p><strong>D.L. Moody</strong></p><br /></p>12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.</p><strong>Revelation 2:12</strong></p><br /></p><strong>“The Words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.”</strong></p><br /></p>11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.</p><strong>Hebrews 4:11-13</strong></p><br /></p>Remember when you preach the Word of God that it is quick and sharp, but it is a two-edged sword. It will cut toward the congregation, but the other side is going to cut toward you. Therefore, don’t preach anything that you are not preaching to yourself</p><br /></p><br /></p>You see, the Bible does not deal with acts primarily. What the hand does is because of what the heart thought. The heart had the action of the hand in hand before the hand got ahold of it. Therefore the Word of God goes down and deals with the heart.</p><strong>J. Vernon McGee</strong></p><br /></p>Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.</p><strong>2 Corinthians 5:17</strong></p><br /></p>For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,</p><strong>Romans 7:22</strong></p><br /></p>13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.</p><strong>Hebrews 4:13</strong></p><br /></p>Search me, O God, and know my heart!</p>    Try me and know my thoughts!</p>24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,</p>    and lead me in the way everlasting!</p><strong>Psalm 139:23-24</strong></p><br /></p>13 “‘I know where you dwell [Pergamum], where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.</p><strong>Revelation 2:13</strong></p><br /></p><strong>Pergamum “Where Satan dwells”</strong></p>PERGAMUM PICUTRE*</p>LIBRARY OF CELCUS* </p>ASKLEPIOS STATUE* </p>SYMBOL FOR MODERN MEDICINE*</p>ANTIPAS AND THE BRAZEN BULL*</p><br /></p>Some believe it is because Pergamos was a center of pagan religion, especially of “Asclepios Soter” or “Asclepios Savior.” Some believe it was because Pergamos had a huge throne-like altar dedicated to the Roman god Zeus. Some believe it was because Pergamos was a center for the ancient Babylonian priesthood, but this is tough to prove conclusively. Others believe it was because Pergamos was the political center of the worship-demanding Roman government.</p><strong>David Guzik</strong></p><br /></p>The historical parallel to the church in Pergamum is the period following Constantine's legalization of Christianity in A.D. 313, which lasted for about 300 years. When Christianity became the official religion of the empire, paganism overwhelmed it. It became hard to distinguish true Christians, because people claiming to be Christians were everywhere. Many of them were practicing pagans who indulged in immoral festivals and all kinds of behavior that is inconsistent with the teachings of Christianity. </p><strong>Dr. Constable’s Notes on Revelation</strong></p><br /></p>Satan couldn’t accomplish much by persecution, because many did hold fast, like Antipas. So Satan tried to accomplish his goals by using deception. The strategy was first violence, then alliance.</p><strong>David Guzik</strong></p><br /></p>14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. </p><strong>Revelation 2:14</strong></p><br /></p><strong>“Hold to the teachings of Balaam”</strong></p>BALAAM PICTURE*</p><br /></p>3 So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.</p><strong>Numbers 25:3</strong></p><br /></p>16 Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord. </p><strong>Numbers 31:16</strong></p><br /></p>The doctrine of Balaam broadly stated was undoubtedly that seeing that they were the covenant people off God, they might with safety indulge themselves in social fellowship with their neighbors for no harm could happen to them. His declaration to the children of Israel was that their covenant with God was so sure, as would witness the blessing he had been compelled to pronounce, that they need not be anxious about their conduct.</p><strong>G. Campbell Morgan</strong></p><br /></p><strong>Cheap grace, license to sin, and affirming things Jesus condemns</strong></p><br /></p><strong>The value of God’s word and ways decreased as ease of being a Christian increased.</strong></p><br /></p>16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear wh...</p>

00:57:03

7 Churches - Smyrna

[teaching text] </p>8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.</p>9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander[a] of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’</p><strong>Revelation 2:7-11</strong></p><br /></p>“The churches of the land are sprinkled all over with bald-headed old sinners whose hair has been worn off by the constant friction of countless sermons that have been aimed at them and glanced off and hit the man in the pew behind.”</p><strong>H.W. Beecher</strong></p><br /></p><strong>SMYRNA</strong></p><br /></p>Whereas the Ephesian church needed to return to past conditions, the church in Smyrna needed to persevere in what was characteristic of it in the present.</p><strong>Dr. Constable’s notes on Revelation</strong></p><br /></p>They were the churches that heard no word of condemnation from Him, and it is interesting that these two cities, Smyrna and Philadelphia, are the only two which have had a continuous existence [to this day].</p><strong>J. Vernon McGee</strong></p><br /></p><strong>CONTEXT OF SMYRNA</strong></p><br /></p>8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.</p>9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander[a] of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’</p><strong>Revelation 2:7-11</strong></p><br /></p><strong>Hellenization: </strong>the process by which non-Greeks adopt Greek culture, language, religion, and identity.</p><br /></p>What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.</p><strong>John Wesley</strong></p><br /></p>The Roman Emperor Domitian (A.D. 81-96) was the first to demand worship under the title “Lord” from the people of the Roman Empire as a test of political loyalty.</p><strong>David Guzik</strong></p><br /></p><strong>Martyr: </strong>a person who is killed or suffers because of their religious beliefs.</p><br /></p>Emperor worship had begun as spontaneous demonstration of gratitude to Rome; but toward the end of the first century, in the days of Domitian, the final step was taken and Caesar worship became compulsory. Once a year the Roman citizen must burn a pinch of incense on the altar to the godhead of Caesar; and having done so, he was given a certificate to guarantee that he had performed his religious duty. All that the Christians had to do was to burn that pinch of incense, say, ‘Caesar is Lord,’ receive their certificate, and go away and worship as they pleased. But that is precisely what the Christians would not do. They would give no man the name of Lord; that name they would keep for Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. They would not even formally conform.</p><strong>Barclay</strong></p><br /></p><strong>IS PRIVATE DEVOTION TO JESUS REAL DEVOTION TO JESUS?</strong></p><br /></p>Christians were martyred because they would not bow the knee to Rome, sacrifice to the emperor as a god and treat the empire as if it had ultimate authority. Christian belief had public consequences.</p><strong>Gerald Sittser</strong></p><br /></p><strong>POLYCARP OF SMRYNA</strong></p><br /></p>Ironically, this persecution achieved the opposite result for which is was intended. Rather than snuff out the Christian movement, persecution fanned it.</p><strong>Gerald Sittser</strong></p><br /></p><strong>Smyrna:</strong> bitter; or suffering (mor=myrrh: Hebrew translation of smyrna)</p><br /></p>Myrrh was used to embalm the dead.</p><br /></p><strong>38 </strong>After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. <strong>39 </strong>Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2019%20&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26853e">e</a>] by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2019%20&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26853f">f</a>] in weight. <strong>40 </strong>So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. </p><strong>John 19:38-40</strong></p><br /></p>Myrrh becomes very fragrant when it is crushed.</p><br /></p><strong>14 </strong>But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. <strong>15 </strong>For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, <strong>16 </strong>to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? <strong>17 </strong>For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.</p><strong>2 Corinthians 2:14-17</strong></p><br /></p>Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.</p><strong>James 1:2-4</strong></p><br /></p><strong>WE MAY NEVER DIE A MARTYR’S DEATH, BUT WE CAN LIVE A MARTYR’S LIFE.</strong></p><br /></p><br /></p><strong>HOW TO LIVE A LIFE OF MARTYRDOM:</strong></p><strong>MY RICHES ARE IN CHRIST </strong>“I know your poverty, yet you are rich”</p><br /></p><br /></p><strong>MY HOPE IS IN CHRIST </strong>“Do not be afraid”</p><br /></p><br /></p><strong>MY VICTORY IS IN CHRIST </strong>“The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death”</p><br /></p>Those born once will die twice. Those born twice only die once.</p><strong>D.L. Moody</strong></p>

00:52:13

7 Churches - Ephesus

[teaching text]<br /> “ 1The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-things which much shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,2 who bore witness to the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:1-3. </p>Revelation: disclosure of that which was previously hidden or unknown </p>“The book is the record of what the Apostle John saw and head with the purpose to provide the setting for the revelation of Jesus Christ.”- Study Bible </p>“9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,’ and, ‘What you see, write in a </p>book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, to Laodicea.’<br />12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands <em>One </em>like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 his feet <em>were </em>like fine brass, as if refined in the furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance <em>was </em>like the sun shining in its strength.17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18I <em>am </em>He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.’” </p>“This book is the revelation OF, CONCERNING, and FROM Jesus Christ”- Susan C. Howell </p>“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 </p>“Early Christians gathered in small private homes, known as house churches, but a city’s whole Christian community would also be called a church.”- Susan C. Howell </p>“John’s life work was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and salvation through him...he was told to stop teaching about Jesus. He did not. His punishment was to be shipped to Patmos.”- Susan C. Howell </p>#1. “Things which have been seen” (Rev 1:1-20) • ThisisthePatmosvision </p>#2. “Things which are” (Rev 2:1-3:22) • The7churches </p>#3. “Things which must take place after this” (Rev 4:1-22:5) • Thepartthatconfuses,fascinates,worriesmost </p>“seven golden lampstands” and in the midst of these he sees “one like the Son of Man” </p><br /></p>1) His head and hair were white as wool, white as snow o “Represent his purity and eternity”- G. Cambell </p>Morgan.<br /> 2) His eyes were as a flame of fire </p>o “The suggestion is that of infinite and infallible knowledge, eyes that pierce and penetrate, from which no secret thing can possibly be hidden.”- G. Cambell Morgan. </p>3) His feet like burnished brad, as if refined in a furnace<br />o “The feet are the symbols of procedure and indicate </p>the continued activity of Christ.”- G. Cambell Morgan. 4) His voice is the voice of many waters </p>o “There is no subject upon which He has not something to say. Many waters, many messengers, many messages, yet one voice, one word, one revelation.”- G. Cambell Morgan. </p>5) In His right hand seven stars<br />o “The right hand is mark of authoritative </p>administration.”- G. Cambell Morgan.<br /> 6) Out of His mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword </p>o “Here is symbolized another aspect of His speech to men, that namely of His pronouncement on things of men...It’s double action condemns the fault and approves the excellence.”- G. Cambell Morgan. </p>7) His countenance has as the sun shineth in his strength </p>o “The countenance is the sum total of all the features of his face.”- G. Cambell Morgan. </p>John is writing to churches that have been in existence for some time now, have heard the good news and been moved by this love of God like John, have face continued persecution, and now are receiving a message from an awesome glorified Jesus who stands in the midst of them </p><br /></p>CHURCH OF EPHESUS-the loveless church </p>“1To the angel of the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not and have found them liars; 3 And you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.4 Nevertheless I have <em>this </em>against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-unless you repent.6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.<br />7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.’” Rev 2:1-7 </p>“You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but <strong>on the lampstand </strong>and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 </p><br /></p>The Nicolaitans are thought to have taught Christians could practice idolatry and immorality and it was permissible to practice such things and remain Christian. The idea was whatever was done in the body did not affect the soul. This teaching could allow such things as participating in temple prostitution, compromising their faith, or a confession of Cesar as Lord.”- Thomas Penney </p><ul><li>LaboredforHisname’ssake </li><li>Patienceandperseverance </li><li>CannotbearthosewhoareevilliketheNicolaitans </li><li>Testedthosewhoareapostlesandarenot,findingthemto </li><li>be liars </li><li>“Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Rev 2:4 </li><li>“The church of Ephesus was still a remarkable church, but it lacked the element of that enthusiasm...He says in effect, there is much of excellency, but I miss the first love.”- G. Cambell Morgan </li><li>“remember therefore from where you have fallen repent and do the first works...” Rev 2:5 </li><li>In the consciousness of the infinite love of His heart your love was born, and the first flesh of that young love of yours was pure, unselfish, humble, bur...</li></ul>

00:52:23

In Everything - Praying in faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. </p><strong>Hebrews 11:1-3, 6</strong></p><br /></p><strong>The only way to grow in prayer is through prayer.</strong></p><br /></p>“No other god can save. No other God can heal. No other God’s alive and active here today.”</p><strong>Met By Love</strong></p><br /></p><strong>PRAYING IN FAITH</strong></p>D.L. MOODY PICUTRE***</p>6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. </p><strong>Hebrews 11:6</strong></p><br /></p>The great gulf fixed today is between the evangelical rationalist and the evangelical mystic. The evangelical rationalists insist upon trying to reduce everything down to where it can be explained and proved and thus have rationalized faith and have pulled the Almighty God down to the low level of human reason. On the other hand, the evangelical mystic believes God and disbelieves human reason since there are some things human reason cannot do</p><strong>A.W. Tozer</strong></p>One famous Jewish prayer began like this: “Blessed, praised, and glorified, exalted, and honored, magnified and lauded be the name of the Holy One.”</p><br /></p>5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.</p><strong>Matthew 6:5-8</strong></p><br /></p><strong>PRAYING IN FAITH DOESN’T REQUIRE A LOT OF…</strong></p><br /></p><ol><li><strong>WORDS</strong></li></ol><br /></p>7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.</p><strong>Matthew 6:7-8</strong></p><br /></p>Many of the most prevailing prayers have been as short as they were strong.</p><strong>Charles Spurgeon</strong></p><br /></p>Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.[a] 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. </p><strong>Acts 3:1-7</strong></p><br /></p><strong>2. VOLUME/ATTENTION</strong></p><br /></p>20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” 26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.</p>30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” 32 and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs[a] of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” 34 And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. 35 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.</p>36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”</p><strong>1 Kings 18:20-39</strong></p><br /></p>22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. </p><strong>1 Kings 18:22</strong></p>Their writhings were born of ignorance and superstition and got them nowhere. Everything was a mistake—their zeal, their body-punishing prayer, their determination. They were wrong in spite of their zealous praying. And such error did not die with them.</p><strong>A.W. Tozer</strong></p><br /></p>9 All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. 10 Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing?</p>14 He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the...</p>

00:57:45

In Everything - Praying in God's will

00:40:49

In Everything - Praying in obedience

[teaching text]</p>26 When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. 27 And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord…</p>And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. </p><strong>2 Samuel 11:26-27, 12:15-20</strong></p><br /></p><strong>It requires faith and patience</strong></p><br /></p><strong>It can be boring and awkward</strong></p><br /></p>40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.</p><strong>Matthew 26:40-45</strong></p><br /></p>9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.</p><strong>Acts 20:9</strong></p><br /></p><strong>It is easily misunderstood</strong></p><br /></p>Some prayers are like a fire escape, used only in times of critical emergency—never very enjoyable, but used as a way of terrified escape from danger. They do not represent the regular life of the one who offers them; rather they are the unusual and uncommon acts of the spiritual amateur.</p><strong>A.W. Tozer</strong></p><br /></p>16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.</p><strong>1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</strong></p><br /></p>Now Jesus[a] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray</p><strong>Luke 11:1</strong></p><br /></p>"Prayer at its best is the expression of the total life."</p><strong>A.W. Tozer</strong></p><br /></p><strong>PRAYING IN OBEDIENCE</strong></p><br /></p><strong>What is prayer?</strong></p><br /></p>11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”</p><strong>Luke 17:11-19</strong></p><br /></p>Remember that only one Samaritan wanted more than cleansing from leprosy. He wanted to know the Savior. He came back glorifying God, worshipping Him, and giving thanks. The other nine lepers just had the thing they wanted but the one leper got much more; the Savior and increased faith.</p><strong>W.L. Seaver</strong></p><br /></p>There was an extra healing for this tenth leper. When Jesus said this, He likely meant God’s work within the man’s heart. The other lepers had whole bodies, but sick hearts.</p><strong>David Guzik</strong></p><br /></p>Prayer among evangelical Christians is always in danger of degenerating into a glorified gold rush. Almost every book on prayer deals with the “get” element mainly.</p><strong>A.W. Tozer</strong></p><br /></p><strong>PRAYER IS COMMUNION</strong></p><br /></p><strong>Communion: </strong>the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.</p><br /></p><strong>Prayer is a shared life with God</strong></p><br /></p>But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.</p><strong>1 Corinthians 6:17</strong></p><br /></p>I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.</p><strong>Galatians 2:20</strong></p><br /></p><strong>IN PRAYER, GOD DESIRES TO REVEAL HIMSELF, HIS POWER, AND HIS KINGDOM TO US.</strong></p><br /></p><strong>WHAT CAN HINDER GOD’S ANSWER TO OUR PRAYER?</strong></p><br /></p><strong>DISOBEDIENCE</strong></p><br /></p>13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.”</p><strong>2 Samuel 12:13-14</strong></p><br /></p>And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. </p><strong>2 Samuel 12:13-14</strong></p><br /></p>The act of committal to Christ in salvation releases the believing man from the penalty of sin, but it does not release him from the obligation to obey the words of Christ.</p><strong>A.W. Tozer</strong></p><br /></p>Have you noticed how much praying for revival has been going on of late—and how little revival has resulted? Considering the volume of prayer that is ascending these days, rivers of revival should be flowing in blessing throughout the land. That no such results are in evidence should not disc...</p>

00:55:31

The Way of Jesus - Doing what Jesus did

01:01:25

The Way of Jesus - Become Like Him

[teaching text]</p>What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.</p>For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.</p><strong>Romans 6:1-11</strong></p><br /></p>We must come to realize that following Jesus is the main point of life.</p><strong>John Mark Comer</strong></p><br /></p><strong>BECOME LIKE HIM</strong></p>PICTURE*</p>VIDEO***</p><br /></p><strong>23 </strong>And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. <strong>24 </strong>So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.</p><strong>Matthew 4:23-24</strong></p><br /></p>23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. </p><strong>Matthew 8:23-24</strong></p><br /></p>8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,</p>“‘You shall worship the Lord your God<br />     and him only shall you serve.’”</p>11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.</p><strong>Matthew 4:8-11</strong></p><br /></p>19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.</p><strong>Matthew 14:19-21</strong></p><br /></p>12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.</p><strong>John 14:12</strong></p><br /></p>Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”</p><strong>Matthew 26:41</strong></p><br /></p><strong>Humans are capable of achieving amazing things, like the very things we see Him doing, and humans are capable of achieving terrible things, like the very sins we see Him warning against.</strong></p><br /></p>So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.</p><strong>Genesis 1:27</strong></p><br /></p>7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. </p><strong>Genesis 2:7</strong></p><br /></p>And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.</p><strong>Colossians 3:10</strong></p><br /></p>The true nature of man in the image of God was also seen in the earthly life of Christ.</p><strong>Wayne Grudem</strong></p><br /></p>The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of principles to be obeyed apart from identification with Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is a statement of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is getting his way with us.</p><strong>Oswald Chambers</strong></p><br /></p>As the saying goes, “A black belt is just a white belt who never quit.” A saint is just an ordinary apprentice who stayed at it with Jesus.</p><strong>John Mark Comer</strong></p><br /></p>7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.</p><strong>1 Timothy 4:7-8</strong></p><br /></p><strong><em>gymnasia—</em></strong><strong>training: </strong>the exercise of the body in a palaestra or school of athletics</p><br /></p>The aim and substance of spiritual life is not fasting, prayer, hymn singing, frugal living, and so forth. Rather, it is the effective and full enjoyment of active love of God and humankind in all the daily rounds of normal existence where we are placed. The spiritually advanced person is not the one who engages in lots and lots of disciplines, any more than the good child is the one who receives lots and lots of instruction or punishment. </p>People who think they are spiritually superior because they make a practice of a discipline such as fasting or silence or frugality are entirely missing the point.</p><strong>Dallas Willard</strong></p><br /></p>What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?</p><strong>Romans 6:1</strong></p><br /></p>Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…  10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.</p><strong>Romans 5:1, 10-11</strong></p><br /></p><strong>WHAT IS ROMANS 6 PUSHING BACK AGAINST?</strong></p><strong>LAZY CHRISTIANS</strong></p><br /></p><strong>WHAT’S THE POINT OF BECOMING LIKE JESUS IF I’M ALREADY PERFECTLY LOVED BY HIM? </strong></p><br /></p><ol><li><strong>DESIGN</strong></li></ol><br /></p>5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. </p><strong>John 15:8</strong></p><ol><li><strong>WITNESS</strong></li></ol><br /></p><strong>8 </strong>By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. </p><strong>John 15:8 </strong></p><ol><li><strong>FULFILLMENT</strong></li></ol><br /></p>10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.</p><strong>John 15:10-11</strong></p><br /></p><strong>THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES</strong></p><br /></p><br /></p><strong>DISCIPLINES OF ABSTINENCE...</strong></p>

00:55:59

The Way of Jesus - Being with Him

<strong>34 </strong>But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. <strong>35 </strong>And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. <strong>36 </strong>“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” <strong>37 </strong>And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. <strong>38 </strong>This is the great and first commandment. <strong>39 </strong>And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. <strong>40 </strong>On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”</p><strong>Matthew 22:34-40</strong></p><br /></p>I have listened to at least three thousand sermons in my life thus far, with many more to come, I am sure. I remember only a few of them, usually the atrocious ones or the brilliant ones. I have forgotten the vast majority. Not that they were entirely forgettable. The brain can only store so much information, and my brain has decided not to store that many sermons. I do believer however, that they have left an impression on me, doing their quiet work in the soul, just as the many words of instruction and advice I have received over the years from my parents, teachers and friends have influenced me, though I do not remember many of those words either.</p><strong>Gerald Sittser</strong></p><br /></p><strong>68% of the American population identifies as Christian.</strong></p><br /></p>A disciple during the time of Jesus was a Jewish person who had been invited by a rabbi [teacher] to come and follow him for a long period of time.</p><br /></p>“Disciple” had less to do with what <em>you did or could do</em>, and more to do with <em>who you were actively following</em>.</p><br /></p><strong>BEING WITH HIM</strong></p><br /></p>35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”</p><strong>Matthew 9:35-36</strong></p><br /></p>This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.</p><strong>Joshua 1:8</strong></p><br /></p><strong>6 </strong>Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.</p><strong>John 14:6</strong></p><br /></p>Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.</p><strong>James 1:27</strong></p><br /></p>But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.</p><strong>1 John 3:17-18</strong></p>3 Mary therefore took a pound[a] of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii[b] and given to the poor?”</p><strong>John 12:3-5</strong></p><br /></p>27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.</p><strong>Matthew 23:27-28</strong></p><br /></p>34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”</p><strong>Matthew 22:34-40</strong></p><br /></p>37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”</p><strong>Matthew 22:34-40</strong></p><br /></p><strong>THE HIGHEST PRIORITY OF A DISCIPLE IS TO LOVE GOD.</strong></p><br /></p>19 We love because he first loved us. </p><strong>1 John 4:19</strong></p><br /></p><strong>WE LEARN TO LOVE GOD AS WE ARE LOVED BY GOD</strong></p><br /></p>The most important thing that happens between God and the human soul is to love and be loved.</p><strong>Kallistos Katfygiotis</strong></p><br /></p>As a general rule, we become more loving by experiencing love, not by hearing about it in a lecture or reading about it in a book. Psycologists’ basic rule of thumb is that we are loving to the degree that we have been loved. This is why it’s so much easier for those who were loved by their parents or caregivers in their early years to give and receive love as adults. That said, no family of origin is healthy enough to transform us into the kind of love we see in Jesus, and no family is dysfunctional enough to keep us from become people of love in Jesus. All of us have the potential to grow and mature into people of agape. But to do so, we have to experience the love of God. </p><strong>John Mark Comer</strong></p><br /></p>One way of knowing involves learning information about God; it is doctrinal. Another way of knowing leads to union with God; it is mystical.</p><strong>Gerald Sittser</strong></p><br /></p>14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family[c] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 <strong>and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge</strong>, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.</p><strong>Ephesians 3:14-19</strong></p><br /></p><strong><em>Ginōskō</em></strong><strong>—know:</strong> to feel</p><br /></p><strong>“I look at Him, He looks at me, and we are happy.”</strong></p><br /></p>What’s your response when you are aware of your sin? If you’re like me, you know Christ died for that, and you’re grateful. But just to show how grateful you are, or to seal the deal, you do a bit of psychological self-inflicted pain to top it off. Not., of course, to self-consciously add to Christ’s work. Heaven forbid. Just to let Him know how much you care, to make it clear that you’re a serious Christian. Nothing physical. Just a bit of externalized obedience or forma...</p>

00:46:13