two about whom there is nothing wrong in Jesus sight see the most important thing
Jesus sight see the most important thing for you and me is to find out what Jesus
for you and me is to find out what Jesus thinks about the church we go to not
thinks about the church we go to not what people think not what the pastor
what people think not what the pastor thinks not what the Press think but what
thinks not what the Press think but what Jesus thinks about the church and his
Jesus thinks about the church and his opinion is usually very very
opinion is usually very very different from the world's opinion we
different from the world's opinion we talk about successful churches and so
talk about successful churches and so often particular particularly here in
often particular particularly here in America that means the numbers on the
America that means the numbers on the membership list whether their membership
membership list whether their membership is nominal or real or
is nominal or real or whatever got to be big to be
whatever got to be big to be successful if I was asked what is the
successful if I was asked what is the god of America I'd say success but I
god of America I'd say success but I must be careful not to say more but it's
must be careful not to say more but it's got right into the church world too and
got right into the church world too and we have our ideas to what a successful
we have our ideas to what a successful church is but that may not be jesus'
church is but that may not be jesus' idea at all
idea at all have you ever asked Jesus what he thinks
have you ever asked Jesus what he thinks of your
of your church may I commend to you what I call
church may I commend to you what I call interrogatory
interrogatory prayer I've seen many books on prayer
prayer I've seen many books on prayer but I've never seen anyone talk about
but I've never seen anyone talk about interrogatory prayer intercessory prayer
interrogatory prayer intercessory prayer yes but interrogatory prayer is asking
yes but interrogatory prayer is asking God
God questions do you ever do that and expect
questions do you ever do that and expect him to
him to answer I learned some years ago to pray
answer I learned some years ago to pray practice this kind of prayer and to ask
practice this kind of prayer and to ask God in a situation how do you feel about
God in a situation how do you feel about this and I was engaged in a public
this and I was engaged in a public debate with a communist and he was
debate with a communist and he was aggressive and even abusive towards me
aggressive and even abusive towards me publicly but I just sent up a little
publicly but I just sent up a little 10-second prayer Lord how do you feel
10-second prayer Lord how do you feel about that
about that man and you know what I burst into
man and you know what I burst into tears in front of
tears in front of everybody and I wept
everybody and I wept and I realized Jesus wept over his the
and I realized Jesus wept over his the whole state of his soul change my
whole state of his soul change my attitude towards
attitude towards him CU I can give as good as you get and
him CU I can give as good as you get and I could have given him some real verbal
I could have given him some real verbal punch-ups but when I asked Jesus what he
punch-ups but when I asked Jesus what he felt and he shared with me how he did
felt and he shared with me how he did feel the whole debate
feel the whole debate changed and in fact uh though it was a
changed and in fact uh though it was a bunch of unbelieving students and staff
bunch of unbelieving students and staff in the University attending the debate
in the University attending the debate hundreds of them well the Lord won the
hundreds of them well the Lord won the debate and the overwhelming vote was for
debate and the overwhelming vote was for the Lord at the end from a whole bunch
the Lord at the end from a whole bunch of unbelievers but that might not have
of unbelievers but that might not have happened if I hadn't asked that
happened if I hadn't asked that question and I assume when I ask God a
question and I assume when I ask God a question that the next thing that comes
question that the next thing that comes to into my mind however unexpected is
to into my mind however unexpected is his answer it's not always right about
his answer it's not always right about eight or nine out of 10 so so far I'm
eight or nine out of 10 so so far I'm getting better at it and I make mistakes
getting better at it and I make mistakes but I assume he wants to talk to me ask
but I assume he wants to talk to me ask God
God questions and expect an
questions and expect an answer and if you want to try this
answer and if you want to try this here's the first question I suggest you
here's the first question I suggest you ask ask the Lord is there anything in my
ask ask the Lord is there anything in my life you don't
life you don't like try asking that question and see if
like try asking that question and see if you get an answer from him I told a lady
you get an answer from him I told a lady to try this one she said I've never
to try this one she said I've never heard God speak to me I said well just
heard God speak to me I said well just ask him this question is there anything
ask him this question is there anything in my life you don't like and she
in my life you don't like and she immediately said I know what it'll
immediately said I know what it'll be and I said no you don't it might be
be and I said no you don't it might be something quite different you go and ask
something quite different you go and ask him but next Sunday when she came to
him but next Sunday when she came to church she said it
church she said it was but she'd never thought of asking
was but she'd never thought of asking God questions but when you read the
God questions but when you read the lives of Abraham Isaac Jacob and Moses
lives of Abraham Isaac Jacob and Moses they were always asking questions of God
they were always asking questions of God and expecting him to answer
and expecting him to answer well ask him what he thinks of your
well ask him what he thinks of your church try and find out because that's
church try and find out because that's the most important question about any
the most important question about any church what does Jesus think about
church what does Jesus think about it so there we have it now when you've
it so there we have it now when you've got that little um chart with all those
got that little um chart with all those letters side by side this is what I did
letters side by side this is what I did with it I got some colored
with it I got some colored pencils and I started filling in the
pencils and I started filling in the colors of all the things that were the
colors of all the things that were the same and a pattern began to emerge from
same and a pattern began to emerge from this it's obvious that the first to the
this it's obvious that the first to the angel of the church in is identical
angel of the church in is identical wording all the way across the only
wording all the way across the only change is the place the address
change is the place the address changes and then these are the words of
changes and then these are the words of him who goes right
him who goes right across but what follows those words
across but what follows those words changes for each church and fits their
changes for each church and fits their situation
situation and then he's constantly saying I know I
and then he's constantly saying I know I know your Deeds I know your Reflections
know your Deeds I know your Reflections I know I know your
I know I know your Deeds can't you see that
Deeds can't you see that one I know your Deeds
one I know your Deeds again there it is every letter I know I
again there it is every letter I know I know I know these things begin to emerge
know I know these things begin to emerge as important things that Jesus wants to
as important things that Jesus wants to say
say and so on right to the end let him hear
and so on right to the end let him hear what the spirit says to the churches
what the spirit says to the churches that goes right the way through though
that goes right the way through though it changes places halfway through and so
it changes places halfway through and so on I noticed that there's more about
on I noticed that there's more about Satan in these letters than the letters
Satan in these letters than the letters of Paul and John and Peter put
of Paul and John and Peter put together because Jesus knew who his foe
together because Jesus knew who his foe really was he had battled Satan before
really was he had battled Satan before and so he mentions Satan
and so he mentions Satan frequently and I can't just see too
frequently and I can't just see too clearly where it is but I put a
clearly where it is but I put a different color for Satan and then I
different color for Satan and then I began to notice words like
began to notice words like remember and words like repent his
remember and words like repent his advice was full of
advice was full of remember remember what you used to be
remember remember what you used to be like those of you who've lost your first
like those of you who've lost your first love recall how you felt when you first
love recall how you felt when you first fell in love with Jesus what happened is
fell in love with Jesus what happened is the honeymoon over remember what it was
the honeymoon over remember what it was like and in fact he told e is that the
like and in fact he told e is that the way to recapture your first
way to recapture your first love is to do the things you used to do
love is to do the things you used to do when you first had that love isn't that
when you first had that love isn't that interesting now that means that many men
interesting now that means that many men here will Rush from this meeting and buy
here will Rush from this meeting and buy some flowers and some
some flowers and some chocolates for their wives see remember
chocolates for their wives see remember the things you used to do when you were
the things you used to do when you were in
in love it's a very simple bit of advice
love it's a very simple bit of advice but oh how wise it is when when you
but oh how wise it is when when you first fell in love with Jesus what did
first fell in love with Jesus what did you do about
you do about it then remember and go and do it again
it then remember and go and do it again to other churches he has to say very
to other churches he has to say very strongly repent turn around turn away
strongly repent turn around turn away from that renounce it cut it out finish
from that renounce it cut it out finish with it and repentance is not just
with it and repentance is not just saying I'm sorry for all my sins that
saying I'm sorry for all my sins that that's not repentance at all I remember
that's not repentance at all I remember a young man coming to my front door once
a young man coming to my front door once on a motorbike with handlebars up here
on a motorbike with handlebars up here and mirrors stuck out like a porcupine
and mirrors stuck out like a porcupine and he was in leather black leather
and he was in leather black leather covered with brass metal studs I think
covered with brass metal studs I think you know the kind of guy and there he
you know the kind of guy and there he was and he rang my front doorbell and I
was and he rang my front doorbell and I said hello Paul what can I do for you
said hello Paul what can I do for you and he said I want to talk I said come
and he said I want to talk I said come on in then and he sat down on
on in then and he sat down on R and the marks still show where he
R and the marks still show where he squirmed his brass jacket into the Moet
squirmed his brass jacket into the Moet cover and I said 'what do you want to
cover and I said 'what do you want to talk about Paul he Saidi want to be
talk about Paul he Saidi want to be baptized I said good but I said Paul do
baptized I said good but I said Paul do you know how we baptize people here he
you know how we baptize people here he said yeah you duck them in the water I
said yeah you duck them in the water I said so you want to be ducked in the
said so you want to be ducked in the water right but I said Paul do you know
water right but I said Paul do you know what the word repent
what the word repent means no I said well Paul go home and as
means no I said well Paul go home and as Jesus is there anything in my life you
Jesus is there anything in my life you don't like and when he tells you cut it
don't like and when he tells you cut it out and come back three weeks
out and come back three weeks later I heard him coming for a half a
later I heard him coming for a half a mile away and there he is at the front
mile away and there he is at the front door and I said what what is it Paul he
door and I said what what is it Paul he said
said there I said what do you mean
there I said what do you mean there I've stopped biting my
nails so I said Paul I will now baptized you and I
you and I did it showed me he repent Paul Paul
did it showed me he repent Paul Paul said this I was not disobedient to the
said this I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision so I
heavenly vision so I preached to the Gentiles that they
preached to the Gentiles that they should repent and turn to God and prove
should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their
their repentance by their deeds many of you weren't even asked if
deeds many of you weren't even asked if you'd stop biting your nails when you
you'd stop biting your nails when you were
were baptized you were not asked for any
baptized you were not asked for any proof of repentance but that's the New
proof of repentance but that's the New Testament approach you're baptized not
Testament approach you're baptized not on profession of Faith but on proof of
on profession of Faith but on proof of repentance in the New Testament and
repentance in the New Testament and Jesus here has to say to churches repent
Jesus here has to say to churches repent and that doesn't mean feel sorry it
and that doesn't mean feel sorry it means change turn around get rid of what
means change turn around get rid of what you doing walk away from it that's
you doing walk away from it that's repentance and boy what a need there is
repentance and boy what a need there is for repentance
for repentance today so that's his advice and it comes
today so that's his advice and it comes out when you start adding these colors
out when you start adding these colors well you take that chart home and do a
well you take that chart home and do a little homework on it for
little homework on it for yourself I thought I'd talk about one or
yourself I thought I'd talk about one or two of the churches now we haven't time
two of the churches now we haven't time to go through it all but I've made a
to go through it all but I've made a video it's on The Book Stall just out
video it's on The Book Stall just out there or a few copies are oh there it is
there or a few copies are oh there it is thank you
thank you yes this is Bob Harvey who distributes
yes this is Bob Harvey who distributes my tapes and videos in America bless
my tapes and videos in America bless him and here it is letters of Jesus to
him and here it is letters of Jesus to his churches I believe believe this is a
his churches I believe believe this is a prophetic message for the church today
prophetic message for the church today as It prepares for the troubles that lie
as It prepares for the troubles that lie ahead it's had a tremendous impact on
ahead it's had a tremendous impact on many a church buy one for your church
many a church buy one for your church and play it to the house groups or
and play it to the house groups or whatever goes through each letter in
whatever goes through each letter in detail and it also we've put in the
detail and it also we've put in the scenes that the film crew uh captured uh
scenes that the film crew uh captured uh so you can go to the places and live in
so you can go to the places and live in it but I can't we haven't time to go
it but I can't we haven't time to go through each letter this morning but let
through each letter this morning but let me give you a little taste of some of
me give you a little taste of some of them here's that Main Street in
them here's that Main Street in Ephesus it's magnificent even though
Ephesus it's magnificent even though it's in Ruins now like and Hillary
it's in Ruins now like and Hillary Clinton was walking just down here when
Clinton was walking just down here when they saw her there's that magnificent
they saw her there's that magnificent Library along to the right is a huge
Library along to the right is a huge Theater seating thousands of people and
Theater seating thousands of people and I went into the theater and I stood at
I went into the theater and I stood at the center of the stage and our people
the center of the stage and our people went up and sat at the very back far
went up and sat at the very back far away I could just see them and speaking
away I could just see them and speaking in a normal voice without a microphone
in a normal voice without a microphone they heard every word the Acoustics were
they heard every word the Acoustics were astonishing but it was in that very
astonishing but it was in that very theater that there was a public Riot
theater that there was a public Riot when Paul was hauled before the populace
when Paul was hauled before the populace and accused of attacking Diana of
and accused of attacking Diana of Ephesians I want to show you what they
Ephesians I want to show you what they were talking about
were talking about this is Diana of the
Ephesians and it was a huge statue 40 ft high in the temple of Diana
statue 40 ft high in the temple of Diana originally called emis she changed her
originally called emis she changed her name and became Diana in Roman
name and became Diana in Roman mythology now why is she like this it
mythology now why is she like this it was because long ago a
was because long ago a meteorite fell out of space out of the
meteorite fell out of space out of the sky shy and fell on
sky shy and fell on Ephesus it was an
Ephesus it was an extraordinary meteorite it was black and
extraordinary meteorite it was black and it was covered with
it was covered with knobs which from one angle looked just
knobs which from one angle looked just like female
like female breasts and from that meteorite they
breasts and from that meteorite they believed they'd been visited by Diana
believed they'd been visited by Diana the Queen of Heaven and so they modeled
the Queen of Heaven and so they modeled this Idol with all these knobs looking
this Idol with all these knobs looking like breasts of course it is a fertility
like breasts of course it is a fertility symbol most Pagan religion is concerned
symbol most Pagan religion is concerned about the fertility of Mother Earth and
about the fertility of Mother Earth and by the way she doesn't exist it's
by the way she doesn't exist it's amazing how many people are talking
amazing how many people are talking about Mother Earth today and I've never
about Mother Earth today and I've never met the lady but there we are there has
met the lady but there we are there has been a lot of talk about this part some
been a lot of talk about this part some say it's actually a collection of bulls
say it's actually a collection of bulls testicles and certainly the bull was an
testicles and certainly the bull was an anci ancient symbol of fertility others
anci ancient symbol of fertility others say it's a bunch of grapes Whatever It
say it's a bunch of grapes Whatever It Is What You worship you become like and
Is What You worship you become like and in fact Ephesus was a Cess pit of sexual
in fact Ephesus was a Cess pit of sexual perversion as the result of worshiping
perversion as the result of worshiping di of the
di of the Ephesians now here's a lesson for us
Ephesians now here's a lesson for us today Paul never said a word against
today Paul never said a word against Diana he was accused of doing so
Diana he was accused of doing so but when the crowd was
but when the crowd was shouting he attacks our goddess the town
shouting he attacks our goddess the town Clark bless him stood up in front of the
Clark bless him stood up in front of the whole crowd and said he hasn't I will
whole crowd and said he hasn't I will testify that he hasn't what he had done
testify that he hasn't what he had done was robed Diana of all her
was robed Diana of all her customers and that's the way to go about
customers and that's the way to go about cleaning things
cleaning things up not to protest but to take the
up not to protest but to take the customers
customers away and they still sell today to
away and they still sell today to tourist these little models of Diana
tourist these little models of Diana usually in plastic or something today
usually in plastic or something today but then it was in silver and the silver
but then it was in silver and the silver Smiths made a bomb out of it they really
Smiths made a bomb out of it they really had a a going trade everybody wanted to
had a a going trade everybody wanted to take home this ugly little goddess to
take home this ugly little goddess to worship and now they' gone out of
worship and now they' gone out of business after Paul had been preaching
business after Paul had been preaching there and yet he never once preached
there and yet he never once preached against Diana isn't that
against Diana isn't that interesting but he took the customers
interesting but he took the customers away because once you found the real God
away because once you found the real God you don't have anything to do with that
you don't have anything to do with that kind of
kind of stuff so that's Ephesus and you know it
stuff so that's Ephesus and you know it was a church that had many good things
was a church that had many good things going for it they were Orthodox in
going for it they were Orthodox in Doctrine they guarded their Pulpit they
Doctrine they guarded their Pulpit they had Zeal for the Lord they were
had Zeal for the Lord they were enthusiastic it was Al live active
enthusiastic it was Al live active church
church but Jesus said you've lost your first
but Jesus said you've lost your first love now I've got a question for you and
love now I've got a question for you and we'll take a vote on it all right the
we'll take a vote on it all right the question is do you think they had lost
question is do you think they had lost their love for the
their love for the Lord or their love for each
Lord or their love for each other or their love for the
other or their love for the Lost let's take a vote on that if you
Lost let's take a vote on that if you got the question do you think they'd
got the question do you think they'd lost their love for the Lord or for each
lost their love for the Lord or for each other or for the Lost take a vote who
other or for the Lost take a vote who thinks they' lost their love for the
thinks they' lost their love for the Lord could I
Lord could I see who thinks they'd lost their love
see who thinks they'd lost their love for each other
for each other and who thinks they'd lost their love
and who thinks they'd lost their love for the
for the lost that's an interesting
lost that's an interesting vote you're all
vote you're all right because if one of these loves
right because if one of these loves begins to fade the other two will fade
begins to fade the other two will fade too they're all tied together you can't
too they're all tied together you can't love the Lord without loving each other
love the Lord without loving each other John says in his letter if you don't
John says in his letter if you don't love your brother you're not loving the
love your brother you're not loving the Lord because the Lord is in you brother
Lord because the Lord is in you brother so all this love is tied up together and
so all this love is tied up together and there they will were a zealous Church an
there they will were a zealous Church an Orthodox Church very careful about
Orthodox Church very careful about choosing preachers oh they wanted
choosing preachers oh they wanted everything right in the Pulpit they were
everything right in the Pulpit they were zealous to do the work of the Lord so
zealous to do the work of the Lord so much going for them but you know without
much going for them but you know without love it's all a waste of time one of my
love it's all a waste of time one of my favorite stories in the Bible is about
favorite stories in the Bible is about poor old Peter I have real sympathy with
poor old Peter I have real sympathy with Peter he had foot and mouth disease and
Peter he had foot and mouth disease and every time he opened his mouth he put
every time he opened his mouth he put his foot in it
his foot in it and there he was he denied the Lord
and there he was he denied the Lord three times over a charcoal
three times over a charcoal fire where he was warming himself in the
fire where he was warming himself in the courtyard of Caiaphas the high priest
courtyard of Caiaphas the high priest there is only one other charcoal fire
there is only one other charcoal fire mentioned in the New Testament and it's
mentioned in the New Testament and it's after the resurrection when the
after the resurrection when the disciples have gone back to Galilee
disciples have gone back to Galilee Jesus has told them in he'll meet them
Jesus has told them in he'll meet them there and they've waited and waited and
there and they've waited and waited and he hasn't turned up and they're getting
he hasn't turned up and they're getting a bit fed up so finally Peter said I'm
a bit fed up so finally Peter said I'm going fishing I can't wait any longer
going fishing I can't wait any longer let's go fishing and they toed all night
let's go fishing and they toed all night and caught nothing and in the morning as
and caught nothing and in the morning as the sun came up and by the way I've
the sun came up and by the way I've spent a whole night on Galilee with the
spent a whole night on Galilee with the fishermen I'll never forget it but when
fishermen I'll never forget it but when the sun came up they saw someone
the sun came up they saw someone standing on the shore and he said you're
standing on the shore and he said you're doing it all
doing it all wrong throw your net that way not that
wrong throw your net that way not that way now here's a word of advice if ever
way now here's a word of advice if ever you see a man fishing and and he hasn't
you see a man fishing and and he hasn't caught anything he wants you to give him
caught anything he wants you to give him advice as to how he should do it he will
advice as to how he should do it he will really welcome if you say you're doing
really welcome if you say you're doing it all wrong cuz he's so disappointed
it all wrong cuz he's so disappointed after working for hours and not catching
after working for hours and not catching anything that he he will welcome any
anything that he he will welcome any help at
help at all I'm afraid that's not true with
all I'm afraid that's not true with fishermen and yet the amazing thing is
fishermen and yet the amazing thing is they said well we might as well try and
they said well we might as well try and they caught
they caught 153 fish now on the night I spent on
153 fish now on the night I spent on Galilee with fishermen when they threw
Galilee with fishermen when they threw their wide net they might catch five 10
their wide net they might catch five 10 at most then you throw it again
at most then you throw it again 153 unheard of so do you know what the
153 unheard of so do you know what the Bible commentators have done they've
Bible commentators have done they've tried to find a meaning to
tried to find a meaning to 153 and the most popular scholarly
153 and the most popular scholarly comment is that if you take the 12
comment is that if you take the 12 apostles and square 12 you get 144
apostles and square 12 you get 144 and if you take the Trinity which is
and if you take the Trinity which is three and Cube the Trinity that's
three and Cube the Trinity that's another nine and 144 + 9 is
another nine and 144 + 9 is 153 and they've got a
sermon I will tell you the real meaning of 153 cuz I know the real meaning of
of 153 cuz I know the real meaning of that figure the real meaning is that's
that figure the real meaning is that's an awful lot of
fish and then John said to Peter it's the Lord
the Lord must be and Peter jumped into the water
must be and Peter jumped into the water and splashed ashore and came face to
and splashed ashore and came face to face with a charcoal
face with a charcoal fire and he immediately must have
fire and he immediately must have remembered the other charcoal
remembered the other charcoal fire and Jesus had cooked breakfast for
fire and Jesus had cooked breakfast for them Resurrection bodies can cook
them Resurrection bodies can cook breakfast for unresurfaced
I've got a question I'd like to ask you you've rather let me down haven't
you you've rather let me down haven't you I'd HED to make you the first pastor
you I'd HED to make you the first pastor of the church but I think I'll have to
of the church but I think I'll have to you can give out the H books at the
door no he didn't say that did he say Peter I'll put you on
that did he say Peter I'll put you on probation for a couple of years and
probation for a couple of years and we'll see how you turn out and if you if
we'll see how you turn out and if you if you turn over a new Leaf we'll
you turn over a new Leaf we'll reconsider your position as apostle
reconsider your position as apostle no he
no he didn't and he didn't say Peter you'll
didn't and he didn't say Peter you'll have to go to Purgatory for 25 years
have to go to Purgatory for 25 years before you'll get to
before you'll get to heaven what did he say he said Peter do
heaven what did he say he said Peter do you love me that's all he said it's
you love me that's all he said it's three
three times and Peter refused to use the word
times and Peter refused to use the word love he said I'm very fond of
love he said I'm very fond of you oh do you love me more than these
you oh do you love me more than these others you know I like your so much oh
others you know I like your so much oh you only like me you know everything
you only like me you know everything Lord I'm not going to lie to you then
Lord I'm not going to lie to you then feed my
feed my sheep you see Jesus is not interested in
sheep you see Jesus is not interested in a live active church that's doctrin his
a live active church that's doctrin his sound that's not the big thing it's how
sound that's not the big thing it's how much do you
much do you love that's what he's
love that's what he's after my wife can put up with my
after my wife can put up with my mistakes and worse than that things I do
mistakes and worse than that things I do to Hur her if I've done it
to Hur her if I've done it she can put up with a lot of things
she can put up with a lot of things provided she's
provided she's sure that I love
sure that I love her if that isn't true the rest would
her if that isn't true the rest would Loom
Loom enormously and problems my marriage
enormously and problems my marriage would break up like everybody else's
would break up like everybody else's seems to be
seems to be doing but if she's sure that I love her
doing but if she's sure that I love her she can cope with the
she can cope with the rest now that's why
rest now that's why Ephesus wasn't being persecuted from
Ephesus wasn't being persecuted from outside or corrupted from
outside or corrupted from inside it was just the love had
inside it was just the love had gone the other church I'll say a bit
gone the other church I'll say a bit about is Le
about is Le oia let's have a picture of
oia let's have a picture of leoda now that's not exactly what you
leoda now that's not exactly what you expected I think is it some of you may
expected I think is it some of you may have been to this place in turkey called
have been to this place in turkey called pamal and pamala is is a mountain range
pamal and pamala is is a mountain range which for about three
which for about three 3 kilometers or two miles is pure
3 kilometers or two miles is pure white it looks as if it's permanently is
white it looks as if it's permanently is snowcapped and covered but it's not this
snowcapped and covered but it's not this is
is salt there are hot springs because the
salt there are hot springs because the Earth's crust is very thin at leod deia
Earth's crust is very thin at leod deia very thin and the rain goes through the
very thin and the rain goes through the crust and immediately touches the red
crust and immediately touches the red hot molten rock underneath and comes
hot molten rock underneath and comes straight back up as hot steaming water
straight back up as hot steaming water and it comes up full of salts of all
and it comes up full of salts of all kinds of chemicals and then it flows
kinds of chemicals and then it flows down the mountain and the salts
down the mountain and the salts gradually crystallize out until the
gradually crystallize out until the whole Mountain I've never seen anything
whole Mountain I've never seen anything like it it's just white a whole
like it it's just white a whole mountain and uh of course it's a tourist
mountain and uh of course it's a tourist Resort you can get sunburned on both
Resort you can get sunburned on both sides there cuz the Sun comes back up
sides there cuz the Sun comes back up from the white underneath you and and
from the white underneath you and and the waters are just just hot beautiful
the waters are just just hot beautiful and so you get tourists in swimming
and so you get tourists in swimming costumes all over Leo deia now Leo DEA
costumes all over Leo deia now Leo DEA itself is 2 miles away but it has no
itself is 2 miles away but it has no springs of water so the Romans built an
springs of water so the Romans built an aqueduct from here to take the water
aqueduct from here to take the water across 2 miles of Countryside and there
across 2 miles of Countryside and there it supplied fountains which you can
it supplied fountains which you can still see in the marketplaces and
still see in the marketplaces and running water for everybody however by
running water for everybody however by the time it got to leod DEA it was
the time it got to leod DEA it was lukewarm and if you drank it it acted
lukewarm and if you drank it it acted like a tic it made you
like a tic it made you sick you threw up if you drank that
sick you threw up if you drank that water and then it went on into the river
water and then it went on into the river Meander until it was cold but at Leo DEA
Meander until it was cold but at Leo DEA the water was lukewarm and made you feel
the water was lukewarm and made you feel sick I've had that experience when I
sick I've had that experience when I lived in Arabia our water came out of an
lived in Arabia our water came out of an artisian well through a natural deposit
artisian well through a natural deposit of Epsom
of Epsom salts and you can imagine what it was
salts and you can imagine what it was like we could either drink it boiling
like we could either drink it boiling hot or we put it in the fridge and we
hot or we put it in the fridge and we drank it cold but if we drank it as it
drank it cold but if we drank it as it was lukewarm we were sick too we had to
was lukewarm we were sick too we had to mix it with all kinds of cordial to get
mix it with all kinds of cordial to get the taste out of it I can understand all
the taste out of it I can understand all this and Jesus knew about their water
this and Jesus knew about their water supply and Jesus said to leod DEA
supply and Jesus said to leod DEA you make me
you make me sick I will spew you out of my
sick I will spew you out of my mouth why because they were a warm
mouth why because they were a warm Church Jesus said I can coope with you
Church Jesus said I can coope with you when you're hot I'd even rather you were
when you're hot I'd even rather you were Stone Cold about me but lukewarm
Stone Cold about me but lukewarm half-heartedness that's an insult to the
half-heartedness that's an insult to the Lord and yet I've noticed that churches
Lord and yet I've noticed that churches prefer to describe themselves as warm
prefer to describe themselves as warm these days we pride ourselves on being a
these days we pride ourselves on being a warm
warm Fellowship we give you a warm welcome
Fellowship we give you a warm welcome have you heard to like this you know
have you heard to like this you know what we should say we're a hot
what we should say we're a hot fellowship and we give you a hot welcome
fellowship and we give you a hot welcome and we preach the hot gospel
and we preach the hot gospel here but lukewarmness to be half-hearted
here but lukewarmness to be half-hearted and not sold out on the Lord that is an
and not sold out on the Lord that is an insult but there are plenty of lukewarm
insult but there are plenty of lukewarm churches
churches around the trouble is that Leo deia was
around the trouble is that Leo deia was a very rich
a very rich place it was the center of the fur coat
place it was the center of the fur coat trade special black wool was used to
trade special black wool was used to make special coats which sold well it
make special coats which sold well it was the center of uh a pharmaceutical
was the center of uh a pharmaceutical industry that produced ointment for
industry that produced ointment for eyes and because it was rich it was a
eyes and because it was rich it was a banking
banking center where you changed your Travelers
center where you changed your Travelers checks the money trading went on leod
checks the money trading went on leod deia because of course it was where the
deia because of course it was where the two roads the Inland and the Coast Road
two roads the Inland and the Coast Road met again to go to the other continents
met again to go to the other continents it was fabulously
it was fabulously wealthy and of course there were loads
wealthy and of course there were loads of Beggars who came along and lined the
of Beggars who came along and lined the streets hoping to get a coin from the
streets hoping to get a coin from the rich people in their fur coats as they
rich people in their fur coats as they passed unfortunately the church
passed unfortunately the church reflected the situation they had big
reflected the situation they had big congregations big
congregations big collections people turned up in the
collections people turned up in the finest faur coats for the service there
finest faur coats for the service there was only one thing wrong with the
was only one thing wrong with the church Jesus never attended
church Jesus never attended it he was completely out of it he was
it he was completely out of it he was outside the church and they didn't know
outside the church and they didn't know it you know a church can have big
it you know a church can have big congregations big Collections and never
congregations big Collections and never know that Jesus has stopped attending
know that Jesus has stopped attending the services
the services meetings amazing but it
meetings amazing but it happens and Jesus wrote to them and said
happens and Jesus wrote to them and said you think you're rich in my sight you're
you think you're rich in my sight you're desperately poor you're a beggar you
desperately poor you're a beggar you think you can see to me you're blind and
think you can see to me you're blind and you need to come to me for ironment to
you need to come to me for ironment to open your eyes so you can see your real
open your eyes so you can see your real condition and then he said a word to
condition and then he said a word to them which is the most abused and
them which is the most abused and misquoted text in the whole new
misquoted text in the whole new testament he said behold I stand at the
testament he said behold I stand at the door and
door and knock if anyone opens the door I'll come
knock if anyone opens the door I'll come in and Su with him and he with
in and Su with him and he with me that has nothing to do with becoming
me that has nothing to do with becoming a Christian it has nothing to do with
a Christian it has nothing to do with conversion it should never be used in
conversion it should never be used in counseling an Inquirer but I'm afraid
counseling an Inquirer but I'm afraid evangelist the world over quote that the
evangelist the world over quote that the door in that word is the door of a
door in that word is the door of a church and it's Jesus who's knocking at
church and it's Jesus who's knocking at a church full of Believers it is a word
a church full of Believers it is a word not to unbelievers but to Believers
not to unbelievers but to Believers who've lost Jesus from their church and
who've lost Jesus from their church and it's a beautiful promise it takes only
it's a beautiful promise it takes only one member of that church to get me back
one member of that church to get me back inside it isn't that a beautiful word
inside it isn't that a beautiful word just one person who realizes that Jesus
just one person who realizes that Jesus has left the church who will go and open
has left the church who will go and open the door and say Jesus please come back
the door and say Jesus please come back into our church
into our church he didn't say I'll come back to the
he didn't say I'll come back to the whole church but he said I'll come back
whole church but he said I'll come back to that person and I'll s with him
to that person and I'll s with him perhaps a reference to the Lord's Supper
perhaps a reference to the Lord's Supper so that when that person took the Lord's
so that when that person took the Lord's Supper they would know Jesus was with
Supper they would know Jesus was with them and it would be truly
them and it would be truly communion well that's how the verse
communion well that's how the verse ought to be understood but alas it's
ought to be understood but alas it's not one of the most famous paintings in
not one of the most famous paintings in the world is in St Paul's Cathedral in
the world is in St Paul's Cathedral in London but it's been reproduced the
London but it's been reproduced the world
world over have any of you seen this
over have any of you seen this picture I am the light of the world no
picture I am the light of the world no it's the wrong way around let's put it
it's the wrong way around let's put it the other way around any of you seen
the other way around any of you seen that
that picture yes quite a few was painted by a
picture yes quite a few was painted by a man called hman hunt I'm afraid I'm
man called hman hunt I'm afraid I'm going to spoil the painting for you but
going to spoil the painting for you but painted by a man called hman hunt who
painted by a man called hman hunt who was quite a mixed character and he chose
was quite a mixed character and he chose three three girls to model Christ for
three three girls to model Christ for him and one girl modeled the hair for
him and one girl modeled the hair for him another the face and the other the
him another the face and the other the figure dressed up in Bishop's robes and
figure dressed up in Bishop's robes and it was painted in an orchard not far
it was painted in an orchard not far from where I live where there's an old
from where I live where there's an old barn with a door that you can't open and
barn with a door that you can't open and hman Hunt thought Revelation 3:20 is a
hman Hunt thought Revelation 3:20 is a lovely verse I'm going to paint it
lovely verse I'm going to paint it behold I stand at the door knock and he
behold I stand at the door knock and he thought the door was the door of the
thought the door was the door of the human heart and that it had no handle on
human heart and that it had no handle on the outside and could only be open from
the outside and could only be open from the inside oh preachers have used this
the inside oh preachers have used this all over the world but it's very
all over the world but it's very misleading you see it's patronizing we
misleading you see it's patronizing we don't invite Jesus in we're not saying
don't invite Jesus in we're not saying we'll give room for you in our hearts
we'll give room for you in our hearts that's not the way round at all the
that's not the way round at all the sinner is knocking at the door of the
sinner is knocking at the door of the kingdom and it's Jesus who decides to
kingdom and it's Jesus who decides to let him in and in fact Jesus is the door
let him in and in fact Jesus is the door itself he said that we should never use
itself he said that we should never use this to counsel unbelievers it doesn't
this to counsel unbelievers it doesn't mention repentance it doesn't mention
mention repentance it doesn't mention baptism it doesn't mention receiving the
baptism it doesn't mention receiving the holy spirit it's totally inadequate to
holy spirit it's totally inadequate to counsel someone into the kingdom but
counsel someone into the kingdom but hman hunt painted another
hman hunt painted another picture and I love his other picture of
picture and I love his other picture of Jesus here it
Jesus here it is that's the other picture he did of
is that's the other picture he did of our Lord Jesus I'll make it bigger so
our Lord Jesus I'll make it bigger so that you can see it
that you can see it do you recognize
Jesus if you know the Book of Leviticus you do Leviticus 16 once a year the Jews
you do Leviticus 16 once a year the Jews took a goat and they laid their hands on
took a goat and they laid their hands on its head and confess their sins and then
its head and confess their sins and then they drove it out of Jerusalem and it
they drove it out of Jerusalem and it had to wander away into the Judean
had to wander away into the Judean Wilderness where it died near the Dead
Wilderness where it died near the Dead Sea and that was a type or prefiguring a
Sea and that was a type or prefiguring a foreshadowing of Jesus who would take
foreshadowing of Jesus who would take away the sins of the people outside
away the sins of the people outside Jerusalem and halman hun went and camped
Jerusalem and halman hun went and camped by the shores of the Dead Sea for two
by the shores of the Dead Sea for two years to paint this picture a very
years to paint this picture a very dangerous thing to do because Bandits
dangerous thing to do because Bandits controlled the country in those days and
controlled the country in those days and he camped alone and there he is looking
he camped alone and there he is looking over the salt Dead Sea to the mountains
over the salt Dead Sea to the mountains of Moab that's Mount Nebo where Moses
of Moab that's Mount Nebo where Moses died with his last limbs of the holy
died with his last limbs of the holy land and here is mcus where John the
land and here is mcus where John the Baptist had his head cut off to please a
Baptist had his head cut off to please a dancing girl it's full of memories this
dancing girl it's full of memories this place and he has painted this
place and he has painted this goat even the eyes speak of Jesus
goat even the eyes speak of Jesus compassion and the goat is dying
compassion and the goat is dying weighted down with the sins of the
weighted down with the sins of the people and there's last year's goat or
people and there's last year's goat or the remains of it behind I find that
the remains of it behind I find that picture very moving it's in a private
picture very moving it's in a private collection so it's not on public view
collection so it's not on public view but it's seen something more I think
but it's seen something more I think here do you know that in the year that
here do you know that in the year that Jesus died the Jews will tell you this
Jesus died the Jews will tell you this the
the scapegoat came back into Jerusalem and
scapegoat came back into Jerusalem and brought all the sins of the people
brought all the sins of the people back they didn't get rid of them that
back they didn't get rid of them that way that year because now we don't need
way that year because now we don't need a scapegoat we've got Jesus who's done
a scapegoat we've got Jesus who's done this for us
this for us well that's Leo deia I have one more
well that's Leo deia I have one more picture to show
you it's a painting in
painting in Scotland and not easy for you to see
Scotland and not easy for you to see from here it's the inside the dark
from here it's the inside the dark interior of a
interior of a cathedral which is brilliantly lit at
cathedral which is brilliantly lit at the far end where all the priests are at
the far end where all the priests are at the altar and where everything's
the altar and where everything's happening here people are sitting
happening here people are sitting looking to that brilliantly Lit end but
looking to that brilliantly Lit end but way at the back here is a woman
way at the back here is a woman kneeling she's weeping she's confessing
kneeling she's weeping she's confessing her sins she doesn't feel worthy to join
her sins she doesn't feel worthy to join the rest of the congregation or to go
the rest of the congregation or to go any nearer to the priests at the
any nearer to the priests at the front but when you look at the picture
front but when you look at the picture carefully and I'm sorry this is a poor
carefully and I'm sorry this is a poor reproduction it's the only one I could
reproduction it's the only one I could make but it's such a lovely picture the
make but it's such a lovely picture the figure of Jesus is at the back of the
figure of Jesus is at the back of the cathedral with with the
cathedral with with the woman he's supping with one person and
woman he's supping with one person and she with him she's got him into the
she with him she's got him into the cathedral through her prayer I love that
cathedral through her prayer I love that picture well that's the letter to Leo
picture well that's the letter to Leo deia how's the time going dear me it's
time I'll leave this one up for you to copy if you
copy if you wish it's a summer of the seven churches
wish it's a summer of the seven churches their character According To
their character According To Jesus
Jesus Ephesus loyal but
Ephesus loyal but Loveless
Loveless smyrner Afflicted but affluent they were
smyrner Afflicted but affluent they were persecuted and poor but Jesus said to me
persecuted and poor but Jesus said to me you're rich rich in faith rich in
you're rich rich in faith rich in loyalty
loyalty pergamum faithful but terribly flawed
pergamum faithful but terribly flawed there was Dreadful immorality
there was Dreadful immorality woman prophetes was encouraging people
woman prophetes was encouraging people to have sex in the name of Jesus with
to have sex in the name of Jesus with people they were not married to always
people they were not married to always been one of the weaknesses in the church
been one of the weaknesses in the church thyra
thyra committed but
committed but compromised they were always starting
compromised they were always starting things for Jesus but never getting them
things for Jesus but never getting them finished Sardis
finished Sardis Dynamic but
Dynamic but dying they had the reputation of being a
dying they had the reputation of being a live church but Jesus knew they were
live church but Jesus knew they were actually dying on their feet and were on
actually dying on their feet and were on the way
the way out Philadelphia
out Philadelphia small but significant I've opened a door
small but significant I've opened a door before you that nobody can
before you that nobody can shut you're a church with great
opportunity and finally Le O deia crowded but
deia crowded but christless when we meet together this
christless when we meet together this afternoon we'll talk about how to apply
afternoon we'll talk about how to apply these letters to our churches
these letters to our churches today how do we learn from them what do
today how do we learn from them what do we do with them but I'm ready for lunch
we do with them but I'm ready for lunch and so are some of you and some of you
and so are some of you and some of you are
are fasting but uh we're all ready to leave
fasting but uh we're all ready to leave so let's
pray we remember Lord Jesus that you said I will build my church
said I will build my church forgive us if we think that we build it
forgive us if we think that we build it it's your church it belongs to you
it's your church it belongs to you forgive us if we've ever talked about my
forgive us if we've ever talked about my church or even our church and teach us
church or even our church and teach us to say his
to say his church the bride belongs to the
church the bride belongs to the bridegroom the church is yours and
bridegroom the church is yours and therefore we thank you that one day the
therefore we thank you that one day the church will be
church will be complete and successful in the right way
complete and successful in the right way because you are for building it by your
because you are for building it by your holy
holy spirit thank you for what we've learned
spirit thank you for what we've learned in this session but may it remain with
in this session but may it remain with us may we take it to heart and may we
us may we take it to heart and may we realize that you are constantly walking
realize that you are constantly walking among the churches and looking at the
among the churches and looking at the churches and that you know everything
churches and that you know everything about us and to you be the glory and the
about us and to you be the glory and the praise and the honor forever and ever
praise and the honor forever and ever amen
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