2019-05-26-LIVE OAKS - Part 4

It's always a joy to be able to begin a sermon with an amen. So. Thank you our worship leaders, cuz we are all being led and worship am a kid in my youth group years ago. Who was the worship leader of our stop me something. He said almost anyone with a little bit of skill can lead a group of people in music. But to lead someone in worship means that you are worshipping leading other people and worship through music and I am I'm so blessed. We are all so blessed to see worship leaders up in front every week. Let me go buy something, you know slightly personal we're all family here, right? So when I set out to preach this series I thought okay. This is going to be great. These are seven letters to the seven churches and you know, it's just a couple paragraphs of Peace. It is going to be 7 nice tight schiesser Mancino nice and snappy straight to the point and I'll I don't know what has happened but that is clearly not been the case and I even last week saying that it is, you know, I said the last week was part 1 2 part sermon on standing by that but instead of thinking of it as the second part of a sermon why don't we all imagined that last week was just a very long intro to a really long one part sermon the net sound that sounds better to me for some reason. The Lord has a lot to say to his church to the different congregations of his church and I preach to these before. I don't know how I preach through this this this Giant mountain of repentance. So briskly it is.

I'm like accelerated and exhausted already spent so much time in Repentance. But he may be the holy spirit is actually telling us something maybe maybe if we have ears to hear we could very well hear what the spirit says to the church. Perhaps this this entire. Theme is for me. In and maybe you along with me, but let's approach the throne humbly, but boldly and ask that the Holy Spirit would speak to our church this morning.

Got it. I don't want to hold things back from you. You know, that's my desire. You know, my flesh can seem so strong at times. I know my mind can seem so weak. So again, and we're just leaning on your grace and your mercy we need it. We need your Grace & Mercy. Give us the ears to hear speak through me. Speak through me if you can speak around me if you have to but please speed that that is going to be your grace. Your Grace will prevail and speaking this morning through a broken vessel into Broken Vessels. It's a miracle and it's by your grace that you perform those Miracles. We believe in them. We receive them on a daily basis and sometimes you work through the hands of a surgeon or a doctor to perform a great miracle. So you can work through the hands of a of a Doctor Surgeon. I'm asking that you would work through the mouth of a Preacher this morning and and that you would be glorified. This is for your glory Lord. Jesus make us as it's already been said, I agree with that make us the bride that you deserve. Lord Jesus for you for your glory. I'm in in Revelation to do your church. Love Jesus. This is part 4. 5 sherbet Spartan next

4B yes. 4B Revelation 2 beginning and verse 18. I'm going to read the the the letter to the Church of thyatira again, and then wall and we'll jump back. So Revelation to beginning an 18 and to the angel the church in thyatira write the words of the Son of God who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your Works your love and faith and service and patient endurance that your ladder work succeed the first but I have this against you that you tolerate that woman Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to Idols. I gave her time to repent but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality behold. I will throw her onto a sickbed and Those who commit adultery with her. I will throw into Great Tribulation unless they repent of her works and I will strike her children dead and all the churches will know that I am he Searches mind and heart and will give to each of you according to your works. But to the rest of you in thyatira, who do not hold this teaching who have not learned what some call the Deep things of Satan to you. I say I do not lay on you any other only hold fast to what you have until I come. The one who conquers and keeps my works until the end to him. I will give authority over the nation's and he will rule them with a rod of iron and one Earth and pots are broken and pieces even as I myself have received Authority from my father and I will give him the Morning Star he who has an ear let him hear what the spirit says to the churches last week very heavy theme was the call of repentance to call to repent to to change your mind to turn around and change direction. We have talked about it. So blessedly thankfully repentance is a gift. It's a miraculous gift of God and we are granted repentance. We are we are granted given gifted a changed mind.

Not not immediate Perfection as we see it not immediate victory over all of our Earthly struggles, but we are immediately gifted a changed mind a change set of desires. What would you use to to Love Now turns your stomach. what you used to used to seek after you now wrestle with that's a miraculous change of desire a change of mind blessed repentance that was granted to

What did they need to repent from will in the Church of thyatira, there were? people You know, I keep on the air quotes things members of the church that were listening to this woman. Who is leading them astray into sexual immorality into idolatry and in and they were following her and then the rest of the church was being silent about this. They were indulging in this sin and being quiet about it. And and God is saying You must repent you must repent of this. I'm not honored by this. This will bring you death and not life. This does not make the church the gradient and beautiful. This distorted schs the white dress of the Bride right this this this does not show the world the worthiness of the groom this reflects poorly on the head of the body on Christ. You have to repent you must repent and there's just entering interesting kind of inversion of what Christ told the church in Ephesus. Priceless was proclaiming truth to the church in Ephesus. He says thank you. You will love. What is true you're holding onto what is true? You're rebuking those were teaching falsehood. Thank you. but where are where are the good works that I prepared for you? Where are the good works that you began with? Where is Your Love of my people and your love of me? Go back to the love. You had it first. Go back to the Good Deeds that you were doing in love at first. It's like yes, you're proclaiming truth. You're standing up for truth. Why aren't you living it? End of the church entire Tyrel he sang. Man, you are living this.

You're living it. Thank you. You're not proclaiming it and you're tolerating those that are proclaiming falsehood. You've got to Proclaim this. Show me the the prophetic portrait that is painted for us. If you take the letter to Ephesus in the letter that I can take them together. This is the perfect portraits painted. Live the gospel proclaim the gospel choose one. No. You live it and you Proclaim it or you are not it.

if you proclaim the truth and don't let it your hypocrite.

If you live the truth, but don't Proclaim it. It's empty. It's powerless.

Paul tells us that face comes through hearing

how many times have I excused myself from not proclaiming the gospel because I soothed myself with yeah, but you lived it. Lived it. I could tell her nerdy Greek joke maybe pastor and I live to skubalon out of that gospel. But I didn't Proclaim it.

Try and help me sleep a little better at night faith comes through hearing we live it and we Proclaim it let us not be rebuked like episis or thyra. Let us live and Proclaim it. But it's not just a living in proclaiming in this is the part. That's just so difficult missed the part that really rubs against the grain of of where we are right now as a culture where we are right now. It's a church culture.

We have to live it. We have to Proclaim it but then Jesus's words of rebuke to tie a tie rod. Is that that that not only did they have to Proclaim it they have to shush those that are proclaiming something different. They have to rebuke those that are teaching falsehood. This is not just like a well but my conscience is clear. You know, I'm living it and I'm proclaiming it in and who am I to judge judge not?

Jesus is saying they are speaking falsehoods. They're leading my sheep. Astray.

Pick up the sword of truth and cut them down.

now not out of Self-righteousness or Vengeance? We just cut them down with rebuke.

Humbly, but boldly in love now.

Did this is a Lakers a little thing that just drives me up the wall expression my Jesus. My Jesus wouldn't say that my Jesus not talking about who your Jesus might be. Speak the truth of the Jesus. There's only one.

And it matters what we Proclaim about him.

Let me ask you something husbands. Somebody calls your wife a hore.

Or do you rebuke them?

This is what God is saying. rebuke those for speaking falsehoods repeat those that are speaking. What's false? Do not be tolerance. Habitat for rubbing against the grain of of who you are right now. Do not be tolerant now catch this. of those in the church not talking at the world. The world's going to be what the world is. Remember repentance is a gift. You can't makes you can't change. Someone's mind. Has anybody ever ever tried that on Facebook yet? That's just a sermon for the reality. You cannot change. Somebody else's mind. You can't that's only only God. Has the the power of desire and the right to change someone's mind to change someone's heart to change someone's desire. We can't do that. But but if you call yourself a follower of Christ and you are making Christ look Wicked faults. Then it is our responsibility as the church to rebuke looking Galatians chapter 1.

starting in verse 6 I am astonishment.

You are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel. Not that there is another one. But there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preach to you let him be accursed. As we have said before so now I say again if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received. Let him be accursed. That's Paul's way of. Yeah, I did not stutter. I said it.

It is is not our role. It's not a responsibility to judge The World. God will do that.

What you claim to take on Christ?

And then proclaim a different gospel.

We are to rebuke. we just are And being quiet about it. Not rebuking is embracing. Not rebuking is embracing. Look at Romans 1 starting in verse 28. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness evil covetousness. Malice. They're full of Envy murder Strife deceit maliciousness. They are gossips slanderers haters of God insulin party boastful inventors of evil disobedient to parents foolish faithless heartless ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die. They not only do them, but give approval to those who practice them.

You say that you follow Christ. You are claiming you are acknowledging that you know God's decree.

That those who practice such things deserve to die.

They don't really do them, but give approval to those who practice them in the church right now.

There are preachers boldly proclaiming that wickedness is righteousness. And they cover it with Grace. We are to repeat them. We are to repeat them cuz I am absolutely haunted by Revelation 2:20.

I can't I can't avoid it it's there. Revelation 2:20 again, but I have this against you you tolerate that woman.

Who calls herself a prophetess and it's teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols.

Like yeah, my son's just my son is addicted to pornography just real day and night. My son is just addicted to p***. Hi-5 rebuked him now. We're talkin hurt feelings were talking. This could like damaged. The Buddy thing. We got going on. This could really cause some difficulty or some stripe. You know what I'll just call it Grace.

Cuz I'm talking about my son right there. My son not talking about you know, the Dude down the street son not talking about outside in the world. I'm talking about my family.

my family we in I am I am with you I get so heartbroken / angry. at the world for the desk that is embracing for Fort for the destruction that the world is leading. It's children off to

I rebuke that by just boldly proclaiming the gospel.

That's the world inside of the church. It is is quite different. Our responsibility is quite different Revelation 2:20 is there and it and it can't be moved in 1st Corinthians 5

starting in verse 1 read this

Here I am on the matching. I'm Paul and I'm on Paul right now. and I am

I'm speaking to the bride of Christ.

It is actually reported. if there is sexual immorality among you

End of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans.

From man has his father's wife.

And you're arrogant about it.

Aren't you rather? Not mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

For though absent in body, I'm president spirit.

And ask his present. I have already pronounce judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are a symbol in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. So that his Spirit May might just be saved in the day of the Lord. Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that A little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump.

As you really are unleavened. For Christ Our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival not with the old leaven the leaven of malice and evil, like don't miss it. The church tolerating sexual immorality in the church and covering it with Grace is not loving it's not gracious. It's malicious and Evil.

The leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and Truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. Not at all, meaning the sexually immoral of this world or the greedy and swindlers are idolaters since then you would like you no need to like go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who Bears the name of brother. If he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed or is an idolator reviler drunker or swindler. I am a man forgive me. I'm maybe I'm taking advantage of the fact that my son Fisher. 11 year old isn't here and present. Just take a moment and let me make this very clear.

You read the news that entire denominations of Christ followers debating whether or not

to ordain open homosexual pastors now again for the record My Sims not off the hook.

I had a rose sexual lust deviants my pride my greed my Disobedience to parents. It's on the list to none of us get out of this alive, but she that's the point. We are tolerating debates whether or not open bow.

Rebels

against God's word and against his creation to we are doing that ordain them will let me ask you this.

I am an open.

Ordained me. I opened and proud adulterer ordained me. I am a proud drunk ordained me.

Not my son me I am a pornaddict and I'm proud of it. It's who I am ordained me.

God made me a materialist. I will not be happy until I'm preaching in $7,000 sneakers ordained me.

I hate my parents ordained me. I cannot wait till you're in a different room so I can gossip about you ordained me. It's who I am.

The church is to reflect Christ. She is to be radiant. Baird Excited to welcome the coming of her Lord.

We are not called to prop up corpses of unrepentant Hypocrites posing as disciples.

Not that I would not be one. Humble me.

Let me see send inside the church. We call it out. We separate ourselves from it and continue pressing on towards Christ. We Don't Damn we don't punish. That's the Lord job. back in Revelation 2 continuing in 21

I gave her time to repent but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality behold. I will throw her onto his sickbed and Those who commit adultery with her. I will throw into Great Tribulation unless they repent of her works and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart and I will give to each of you according to your Works notice. Jesus says I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it I'm going to do we don't do it. We boldly Proclaim. What is true bend your knee to this truth? You claim Christ. This is his word. We bow to this word me first. No, not you.

Not you.

Then you're in God's hands.

Rebel Jesus says I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. And then check this up and all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart. The focus is on him. And an in Christ disciplining his church. Put him on display puts his sovereignty on display puts his Grandeur kids Justice on display not hours.

The only hornwy toot is that of Christ and his grace and the fact that we have repented because he gave us the gift of repentance not because we were smart enough for strategic enough wise enough. To see the truth and Valor need to it. We were given that repentance by God. This last part is interesting here in this verse in the in the end of the tail end of a 23 know that I am he who searches mind and heart and I will give and I will give to each of you according to your works. All right, so I don't know what I mean. If you have like little hair little triggers little things that you know, like this kind of triggers me a little bit and I'm going to Works righteousness thing, you know, he's just like a like a like a god root of Jesus rewarding Good Deeds look at it and it's contacts. This is not a reference to Works righteousness is the reference to works or wickedness. This is Jesus saying look you'll get what you deserve. I'm righteous. I'm just you will get what you deserve. This is not work to righteousness. This is Works wickedness standing before the great white Throne. We have two options. We can stand on our own works. And we can get what we deserve or we can stand on Christ's works and we can get what he deserves.

We can stand on our own works and get what we deserve or we can stand on his works and kit would he deserts? Revelation 20 starting in verse 11 continuing our theme of happy scriptures

Revelation 20 verse 11 then I saw a great white throne and him who is Seated on it from his presents Earth and Sky float away and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead Great and Small standing Before the Throne and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is The Book of Life and the dead were judged by what was written in the books according to what they had done and the Sea gave up her dead who were in it death in Hades gave up the Dead who are in them and they were judged each of them according to what they had done then death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death the Lake of Fire. If anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life. He was thrown into the Lake of Fire. If you were named by the grace of God has not been written in the book. Then we will stand in front of the throne on our own works and we will be judged accordingly. Pastor Paul Washer says this about the great white Throne. He says but on the day of judgment, there will be no covenant made no deals will be worked on that day. There is no rainbow. Also, there are no smaller Thrones here and Revelation chapter 20 and chapter 4. There were Thrones also. It is though God by command has withdrawn every other throne and God is saying no these people will deal with me alone. There will be no angel seated upon Thrones to go at my beck and call and give a word to them. No one to minister to them know. I am their God. I told them to prepare to meet with their God they did not Now they have me alone to deal with.

It's almost like we have decided as a as a church as a people we've decided that works were erased by grace. Write the presence of the grace of Christ erases all works for all time. right when we're not under the law when the gray said whole deal you can find lots of nice big loopholes to dive head-first through and This is what we need to understand Grace does not render irrelevant the call to righteous Deeds. Grace is the righteousness of the Deeds of Christ. Applied to those who did not would not could not live righteously themselves. We are saved by works Christ works.

It was his righteousness. It was his to have in his to enjoy. But yet he has shared it with us.

in the summer of 1985 granted I am

7 summer 1984 big detail have been thrown way off. Had I not gotten that right. Summer 1984 my dad's a pastor this little church in in Longwood over there outside of Orlando Rolling Hills Moravian Church live there between 2 and 6 again another very crucial detail the office in that church was not air-conditioned. And so there's my dad.

Just sweating his Bible off. everyday and an elder Came In the Heat of the summer and giant hugely expensive window air conditioner put in the window of my dad's office. Printed on like old-school hotel-style. You know how when you go to hotel used to be able to make that sucker cold preserve a slab of meat and now it's like there's nothing you can do about it. Anyway have the thing crank down just basking in in the in the glow be cool basking in the cool Globe. I suppose in this world loving is cool refreshing like outside his office inside his office. It was his. about 10 minutes and then he remembered. the woman

in our church who was great with child right in the middle. of the summer heat in Orlando in 1984 and my dad said took the air conditioner out. Brought it to her house put it in her window secure. Enjoy the cool. Where does come from its not important? George

We are saved by works, but not ours. His any gifts to us gifted righteousness.

Gifted righteousness The Works of Jesus not our works, but that rubs against our grain to our flesh cuz we want to do it right we want to earn it. Who here does not want to hear well done good and faithful servant.

Me tell you something if that is spoken. in the courtroom of my life

God me say it out loud, but he's looking at Jesus.

Jesus is the good and faithful servant, not me.

Those good and faithful Works cover me cuz they were given to me as a gift.

We either confess his lordship and receive that Grace and be covered in those righteous works that Holiness gifted righteousness covering us. We'd about our need to Kim and be covered by him or we rejected and we stand on our own and we receive accordingly. back into 24

which of the rest of you in thyatira who do not hold this teaching who have not learned what some called The Deep things of Satan to you. I say I do not lay on you any other burden things here learned about your mind learned and then deep things are saying what are these deep things of Satan? I almost imagine Jesus using some air quotes there, right? There's a hole to the Deep things of Shane. What are the Deep things of Satan forwards? I'm going to give them to you right now for words. You might even want to write them down or burn them on your mind or in your heart.

four words did God actually say that's the trick of the enemy. That's his one trick.

It's the one thing he's good at.

Lucifer had one job

Just and Inglorious protection of the glory of God.

He's like cash and if I'm so awesome. Why can't I be God?

This car really need me to protect him. I guess I guess that means I'm more powerful.

End the Rebellion lasted what like that long? And he was cast down. And what's the first thing that he does is he deceives the image of God? Any deceives the image bearers of god with four words. Did God actually say in Genesis 3:1 did God actually say

Just since this passage here. In Revelation where we are is is primarily to the church. Let me say this to the Church of Jesus Christ.

It doesn't matter what words come after. if they begin with God really say

That leads to death. That leads to tarnishing the image of Christ. That means that that leads to soiling the bride of Christ. Did God really say and all of the current Progressive intellectual biblical scholarship begins with Satan's lie Did God really say this did his word of really say this? Did the doctors got a really say does the bible really say that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God did this God say that the even before were born we have worth in value as image bearers of God does the bible really say that actually not because you look at Old Testament law if you strike a pregnant woman in the baby dies, you just over a fine. So that has to mean that the baby is not human in a why did God really say the god really say that marriage is only between a man and a woman did God really say that he hates divorce is God really say the drunken. This is debauchery. The guy really say that last is adultery did God really say that we are to be holding the guy really say that we must be born again. Because no matter what comes after did God really say this is where the enemy is leading us is Jesus really Lord.

All of those are just Avenues around the lordship of Jesus in the authority of the scriptures.

Ultimately leading us to ask this question. Is Jesus really the only way the only truth the only life the only way to the father?

Did God really say?

Is understand like Satan's Big Goal. It's not to like liberate liberate us to like sexual freedom because he wants us to have a really great time. Right. I mean she's not trying to just you know free fun suppressed people. She doesn't care about us. He's the thief he's come to steal and kill and destroy. He has come to lead us away from what would bring us life. He came to lead mankind out of the garden.

Leave them out of the garden to God really say Church. Yes. God really did say

and me to learn those deep things of Satan. By eating of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. It could have been anything. God could have said all the rocks and even you can pick up. Don't pick up that one of all the sticks in Eden, you can jump over any of them. But this one of all the springs in Eden don't drink from this one of all of it, you know. Of all the words just don't say this one. It could have been anything. God said it and then Satan doubted it man believed it and they became aware. They learned the Deep things of Satan.

Which is I promise you life I take it from you instead.

The freedom of Eden was this God commanded them be naked. Make babies subdue the Earth reflect me. That sounds good to me. Yes, sign me up for that one. That sounds like freedom. And Satan promising Freedom ends up taking it from us. And then Jesus says in 24. To you I say I do not lay on you any other burden.

What Jesus is saying is? Now you're needing me abide with me and you're back in the Eden.

You can be naked and feel no shame. You can have every one of your needs met just abide in me. And you're back in Eden? The Glorious Grace of Jesus just stay faithful to me verse 25 only hold fast what you have until I come the one who conquers who keeps my works until the end to him. I will give authority over the nation's and he will rule them with a rod of iron has been Earthen pots are broken in pieces. Even as I myself have received Authority for my father and I will give him the Morning Star he who has an ear let him hear what the spirit says to Church's I'm going to I'm going to sum up all of that. in a few verses from Ephesians and be encouraged. This is my last scripture reference for this morning, but infusions to starting inverse for he says these unbelievable words and like the most incredible thing to me is when we just just Breeze right past understandably. So, I mean we're soaking up in the awesome Grace of Jesus being forgiven of our sins so mean, I guess we got ourselves a little slack, but look at what we missed starting in verse 4 of Ephesians 2, but God being rich in Mercy because of the great love with which he loves us. Even when we were dead in our trespasses gift of repentance hear it made us alive together with Christ. By Grace, you have been saved and does it really say this. Somebody Pinch Me does it really say this and raised us up with him and Seed us with him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Does it really say that we're not only made alive and allowed to stand in the presence of God, but Jesus pulls us up with him and seats us with him. On his throne, he shares it with us. Are adopted Big Brother invites us?

To be with him.

And like play with his toys.

I have 11 year old son of a three-year-old son almost 12 almost for this is beautiful relationship that I'm watching unfold in front of me. And here's one of my favorite Parts. When was Judas eyes. I he wore my Superman shirt ironed it speaking back at Summer of 84. I believe it was 5 labels from Superman peanut butter cinnamon waited six to eight weeks for delivery in and I had to Superman peanut butter shirt is mine and then I get to see my son Fisher wear the same shirt.

And now Judah is thrilled to wear his big brother shirt. He like where is it with pride even claims it as his own.

Can I catch these little moments where Fisher almost 12 year old? Lowers himself down to Judas level wrestles with him. Is it a fair fight? Like is it do they have any business? But there's Fisher.

And she sits back up and you got me again and they race they were races who's going to win that race.

Hey Judah want to play. She Judas face just light up my big brother wants to play.

My big brother gave me that.

our big brother It's given us. So much.

And all he's asking is be faithful to me abide in me. If you know the beauty and glory of the grace that you've been given don't let anyone. Not yet.

Cover it. perverted

live and proclaim the beauty of the grace that you know is yours because it's been given to you.

pray

Father what Joy do you have in your infinite heart to see your son?

Bless his adopted brothers and sisters with his presents with his clothes and with his throne.

What did you enjoy that brings you?

I I cannot wrap my heart around this truth.

It it's it's going to have to take an eternity to understand this.

And never Proclaimers of the supposed truth. Just cheapening it ruining it.

Don't allow us to become self righteous. No such thing. We have Christ's righteousness. And we wanted to shine. God give us a Grace to see that sin in our own heart first.

Pray that we would trust your Holy Spirit. If we speak truth and someone feels convicted we didn't say a name you did.

Forgive us for making other people's feelings and idle that we serve rather than you.

Figures for making other people's feelings of other people's approval. of us

it went we made their approval of us a title and worshipped it. rebuke has first that we may show the world. How radiant and awesome you are whether they bother me or not. That's yours. Not mine. It's to you not me.

and basking in the Cool Glow

of your presence

allow us to sleep soundly just trusting in you. This is your church. Not ours. We submit ourselves to you Jesus. prunus molded shaped us review cos may we not misrepresent you to the world?