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[music]

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Hi, Pastor Mark
here in Izmir, Turkey,

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a city of some 4--
4.5 million people.

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A city that is famous
in the Bible because a letter

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was actually sent
to the church

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in this city from
the mouth of the Lord Jesus,

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through the pen
of his servant, John.

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We read that early
in the book of Revelation.

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And in that day this was
actually called Smyrna.

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And so when this letter
was written from Jesus,

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through John,
to the church at Smyrna,

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this was a city of about
60 to 100,000 people.

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And Christianity
had been established there

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in its infancy form.

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There was a church
or a collection

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of small churches
that were meeting.

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And they were undergoing
persecution and suffering.

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This is during the reign
of the Emperor Domitian,

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and he was systematically
persecuting

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and murdering Christians.

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And so John has a number of
letters to deliver from Jesus,

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to 7 churches
in Revelation 2 and 3.

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And the letter that he delivers
to the church here at Smyrna

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includes only encouragements,
no criticisms.

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This was a very faithful church
that adhered to the Scriptures

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and adored the Lord Jesus.

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The name of the city, Smyrna,
has a few different meanings.

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Its Hittite meaning was
"city of the mother goddess."

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This was a city known for the
pagan worship of a female deity,

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who was actually
a very powerful demon.

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The Greek version of the city
means "the city of myrrh."

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And if you'll remember
back to the days of Jesus,

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surrounding his birth,

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particularly
in Matthew's Gospel,

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it says that there were
wise men who came from the East,

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and they brought gifts of
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

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And so the Greek rendering
of this city is it is

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the city of myrrh.

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And myrrh was a curious gift
to give to a baby because

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it was not only a perfume
but an embalming fluid

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for those who were dead.

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And so it typified both
death and pleasant sweetness.

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And though that is perplexing,

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it was fitting
for the life of Jesus,

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as his death was both
pleasing and satisfying

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of the wrath of God.

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And it was also appropriate for
this city because, though they

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were suffering, and though
they were persecuted,

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and though they were dying,
their faithful service imitated,

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emulated the life of Jesus.

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And also they would have been
considered by God

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a sweet fragrance,
a sacrificed life,

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that was pleasing in his sight

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because of their
unyielding devotion to him.

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And perhaps this is all typified
in one particular citizen

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of this city's life.

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He is a man who was legendary.

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And he is a man for whom
we have much to thank.

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His name, and I'll give you
the details, was Polycarp.

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And Polycarp was a church
father trained by John,

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in so far as we can ascertain,
the same John who was

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the youngest and beloved
disciple of Jesus.

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The same John who wrote
1, 2, 3 John,

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the Gospel of John,
and Revelation.

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He lived to be about
100 years of age

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and is buried roughly
an hour's drive from here,

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outside of the ancient city
of Ephesus.

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And he trained Polycarp and sent
Polycarp to this city

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of ancient Smyrna,
modern-day Izmir,

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and he was presumably
the bishop overseeing

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all of the pastors and leaders
in this particular area.

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And he was part
of a tour group that went

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to represent Christianity
in Rome.

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And while he was away from this
city and his people and place,

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he was essentially
arrested, falsely tried,

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and he was sentenced to death
because he was unwilling

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to worship
the Roman Emperor Domitian,

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who had declared himself
to be lord, god, and savior.

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And Polycarp
would not deny Jesus,

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and he confessed that Jesus
alone was Lord, God, and Savior.

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And so when they
brought Polycarp,

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the pastor and bishop
from this church,

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to his place of execution,
they asked him if he

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wanted to renounce his faith
and deny Jesus,

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thereby sparing his own life.

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And here's what he had to say as
they were preparing to burn him

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at the stake.

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He said, quote, "For 86 years
I have served Christ

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"and he has done me no wrong.

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How can I blaspheme
my king, who saved me?"

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And Polycarp,
right to the end,

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like Jesus, suffered nobly,
humbly, righteously,

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and the news
came back to this town,

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that, in fact, their pastor,
their beloved leader,

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their theologian, the man who
had led many people to Christ,

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and baptized them,
and discipled them,

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and officiated their weddings,
and tenderly cared for them,

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that he had been brutally
murdered and died

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a martyr's death.

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And this city remained a place
where Christianity flourished,

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where the people of God remained
devout and steadfast

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in the face of suffering,

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following the example of Jesus,

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following the example of
their great leader, Polycarp.

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And today what we find is,
a few thousand years later,

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there is only a faithful remnant
of Christianity that remains.

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Modern-day Turkey is a place
to or from which

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2/3 of the New Testament
can be traced.

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And it is a city today
that bridges Europe

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and the Middle East.

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It is a cosmopolitan nation.

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And it is a nation
that is post-Christian.

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Of the 74 million people
here, only roughly

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3,500 Turks are
evangelical Christians.

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In cities like Izmir, Smyrna,
where we are at present,

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out of the 4 million people,
only hundreds are,

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in fact, Christians.

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And there are only 2 churches
in this city that have

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more than 100 people.

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One of them is
the Lighthouse Church.

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It is a church founded some
16 or 17 years ago

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by the New Frontiers Network,

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which is a wonderful
network of churches

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that we love, and appreciate,
and work with around the world.

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And the Lighthouse Church
is just over my shoulder.

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It meets in
the Anglican church building

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just behind me.

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And today I have
one of the great privileges

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and joys of my life,

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preaching to the church
at Smyrna on John's letter

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to the church at Smyrna,
in the Bible.

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So we're very pleased
to have you join us.

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And we'll transition down
for this church service.

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You'll get to hear what Jesus
had to say

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through his servant John,

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in the book of Revelation,
to the church at Smyrna.

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How it remains absolutely
applicable today.

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And you'll get to see Christians
worshiping Jesus in this place,

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including many of whom
are converted Turks,

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and God is beginning
to stir in this city

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people who are coming to Jesus.

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And we're grateful to join
them in worship today,

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and to share them with you.

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Good to see you, buddy.
Come here a minute.

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Good to see you, bro.

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I pray in Turkish, yeah?

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Lord, I want to bless
Pastor Mark, Jesus.

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Lord, I want you bless him,
Lord,

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and I want you anoint him, Lord.

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And Lord, I want you to speak
to your people, Lord,

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your congregation,
through his message.

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Lord, please be with us, Lord.

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And speak to your people, Lord.

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Lord, let your words,
Lord, dwell in our hearts.

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Lord, thank you so much for
Pastor Mark, Lord, bless him.

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In your holy name, and I
bless the church, amen.

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Amen, thank you brother.
Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you to the leaders
for allowing me to join you.

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And thank you Betsy
for translating.

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This is my third time to
your nation and I am learning

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a tremendous amount.

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And with this opportunity
to preach, of course,

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I will be in Revelation 2:8-11.

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It may be a familiar text
of Scripture for you,

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but I hope that God has
something fresh for you today.

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And as an American boy there
is nothing cooler than preaching

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to the church at Smyrna,
about the church at Smyrna.

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As I've been in your country

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I've noticed that you
love television.

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Is that true?

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Every home and apartment has
two television satellite dishes.

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It seems to me that there
are twice as many televisions

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as Turks.

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And every time you watch
television I want you

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to think of this:

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According to
Revelation 2 and 3,

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Jesus watches 7 channels.

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And one of his favorite
channels is Smyrna, or Izmir.

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Two thousand years ago Jesus
spoke to the church in Smyrna

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through John.

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And he told them that he was
watching them

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and paying careful attention
to their life.

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And the Bible says that
God is the same

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yesterday, today, and forever.

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And what is Jesus
watching right now

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from his throne
in heaven as Lord?

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He is watching
the church in Smyrna.

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And so today we will be
looking at his words to you.

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And as you know, Jesus had
seven letters to seven churches

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and yours is one of the only
cities that still has

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a Christian church.

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There is nowhere on earth
that has had a legacy

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of faithful Christianity
longer than you.

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And on behalf of your
brothers and sisters

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in the United States,
we say, "Thank you."

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Jesus says in Revelation 2

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"And to the angel
of the church in Smyrna,"

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or Izmir, "write."

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Here Jesus is telling us
that there is an angel

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appointed for this city.

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A powerful spirit being
sent to serve.

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And since angels do
not die as humans do

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that same angel may be
appointed to this very church,

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overseeing your life.

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This angel has been
laboring to preserve faithful

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Christianity in this city.

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And opposing this
angel and God, are demons,

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unclean spirits.

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And let me say this, this is
the darkest place on earth

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for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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The research says that
Turkey is the most

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unchurched nation on the earth.

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And so this angel is fighting
in the heavenlies

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for the life of this church.

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And I want you to know that
the struggles that you have

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are spiritual in nature.

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There is a spiritual battle
for the future of the nation

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of Turkey.

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And churches like this
are essential

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for the forward progress
of the message of Jesus.

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I have preached in at least
a dozen nations and this is

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the most difficult place
I have ever seen.

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You may not know that
because it seems for you

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that this is normal.

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But you are
an inspiration to me.

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And on behalf of Jesus,
I say, "Thank you."

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When I started my
church 15 years ago,

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it was the least churched city
in the United States of America.

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But there were far more
Christians than there are

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in the entire nation of Turkey.

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And being a Christian
here, you may be discouraged.

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And Jesus does not want
you to be discouraged.

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He wants you to be
encouraged and hopeful.

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And the letter that he gave
to the church in this city

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2,000 years ago
is still applicable today.

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As Jesus gave these
seven letters

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to seven churches,

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the letter to your church has
no rebuke, only encouragement.

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I'll now read his words.

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And Betsy, I'll read it all
and then you can read it all.

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"The words of the first
and the last, who died

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"and came to life.

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"I know your tribulation
and your poverty

246
00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:12,417
"(but you are rich)

247
00:18:12,500 --> 00:18:14,417
"and the slander
of those who say that

248
00:18:14,500 --> 00:18:16,333
"they are Jews," or God's people,

249
00:18:16,375 --> 00:18:18,833
"and are not, but are
a synagogue of Satan.

250
00:18:18,875 --> 00:18:21,208
"Do not fear what you
are about to suffer.

251
00:18:21,292 --> 00:18:25,000
"Behold, the devil is about to
throw some of you into prison,

252
00:18:25,042 --> 00:18:26,833
"that you may be tested,

253
00:18:26,875 --> 00:18:29,208
"and for ten days
you will have tribulation.

254
00:18:29,292 --> 00:18:32,917
"Be faithful unto death, and I
will give you the crown of life.

255
00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:36,125
"He who has an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit says

256
00:18:36,167 --> 00:18:37,500
"to the churches.

257
00:18:37,583 --> 00:18:42,167
The one who conquers will not
be hurt by the second death."

258
00:19:37,583 --> 00:19:43,042
Here Jesus is asking you to
endure what he endured for you.

259
00:19:56,667 --> 00:19:59,792
And if you know that Jesus
loves you, and you love him,

260
00:19:59,833 --> 00:20:02,792
you will be willing to do
this, though it is hard.

261
00:20:14,458 --> 00:20:17,167
And Jesus says there are
five ways that you

262
00:20:17,250 --> 00:20:19,542
will be mistreated as he was.

263
00:20:27,333 --> 00:20:30,458
Number one, he says
there will be tribulation.

264
00:20:35,292 --> 00:20:38,708
This means that it will be
harder to live in this city

265
00:20:38,792 --> 00:20:40,583
as a Christian.

266
00:20:48,042 --> 00:20:51,000
Number two,
there will be poverty.

267
00:20:53,750 --> 00:20:56,500
Being a Christian
will cost you money.

268
00:21:02,083 --> 00:21:05,042
Some of you will lose
jobs and inheritances

269
00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:14,250
and it will not be repaid
until the kingdom of God.

270
00:21:21,792 --> 00:21:24,333
Number three,
you will be slandered.

271
00:21:28,792 --> 00:21:31,083
Being a Christian means
that your reputation

272
00:21:31,167 --> 00:21:32,750
might be destroyed.

273
00:21:38,250 --> 00:21:41,208
People will say things that
are untrue, perhaps, about you,

274
00:21:41,292 --> 00:21:44,292
or your church, or your faith.

275
00:21:54,500 --> 00:21:57,917
They will misunderstand
or misrepresent who you love

276
00:21:58,000 --> 00:21:59,792
and what you believe.

277
00:22:07,083 --> 00:22:09,375
Is this, in fact, happening?

278
00:22:16,167 --> 00:22:18,542
Jesus' words are true.

279
00:22:20,500 --> 00:22:22,667
All of Jesus' words are true.

280
00:22:25,167 --> 00:22:27,958
Number four, Jesus says
there will be suffering.

281
00:22:36,167 --> 00:22:40,667
Being a Christian will make
your life far more difficult.

282
00:22:46,083 --> 00:22:49,292
And number five,
it could include death.

283
00:22:54,833 --> 00:22:58,000
For some
in the city's history,

284
00:22:58,083 --> 00:23:01,917
such as men like Polycarp,
all the way to the present,

285
00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:04,375
this has been
the price to be paid.

286
00:23:14,583 --> 00:23:18,250
We do not aspire to die
or to cause any conflict.

287
00:23:25,292 --> 00:23:27,750
But we believe
the words of the Bible:

288
00:23:31,875 --> 00:23:33,833
"To live is Christ

289
00:23:35,875 --> 00:23:37,750
and to die is gain."

290
00:23:39,458 --> 00:23:40,958
Whatever the price,

291
00:23:43,292 --> 00:23:45,292
we belong to the Lord.

292
00:23:46,667 --> 00:23:48,667
And he promises

293
00:23:49,833 --> 00:23:51,667
that after death

294
00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:55,167
there will be
no second death.

295
00:23:59,042 --> 00:24:02,750
There will be no hell,
condemnation, or wrath.

296
00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:11,667
For the Christian, this as
close to hell as you will get.

297
00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:23,917
For the non-Christian,
this is as close to heaven

298
00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:25,667
as they will get.

299
00:24:34,333 --> 00:24:38,292
Because Jesus died
for us and rose for us,

300
00:24:42,167 --> 00:24:44,667
if we die for him,

301
00:24:46,583 --> 00:24:49,000
we will rise with him.

302
00:24:52,375 --> 00:24:55,167
This is, in fact, true.

303
00:24:56,875 --> 00:24:59,083
Some of you have lost
family and friends

304
00:24:59,167 --> 00:25:00,833
who have rejected you.

305
00:25:08,792 --> 00:25:11,833
Some of you have lost
jobs and inheritances.

306
00:25:16,458 --> 00:25:19,333
Some of you have lost
spouses, family members,

307
00:25:19,375 --> 00:25:21,167
and friends.

308
00:25:27,167 --> 00:25:29,500
And Jesus grieves with you.

309
00:25:33,958 --> 00:25:37,000
He experienced the same
thing while on the earth.

310
00:25:41,167 --> 00:25:43,708
And even as this city
has a history

311
00:25:43,792 --> 00:25:46,208
of putting Christian leaders
in prison,

312
00:25:46,292 --> 00:25:48,833
Jesus has experienced
that as well.

313
00:25:58,167 --> 00:26:00,625
And some of you, perhaps,
have even feared

314
00:26:00,667 --> 00:26:02,542
for your own life.

315
00:26:09,292 --> 00:26:11,875
And Jesus says,
"He who has an ear,

316
00:26:11,958 --> 00:26:15,542
let him hear what the Spirit
has to say to the churches."

317
00:26:21,667 --> 00:26:25,583
Jesus wants to open your ear
to hear a word from him today.

318
00:26:34,083 --> 00:26:37,458
And his word is very
important for you to believe.

319
00:26:41,542 --> 00:26:45,167
Jesus says, "Do not fear."

320
00:26:48,542 --> 00:26:52,333
Jesus says, "Do not fear."

321
00:26:56,167 --> 00:27:00,667
This is the most common
commandment in the entire Bible

322
00:27:08,167 --> 00:27:10,375
because this is
the most common problem

323
00:27:10,458 --> 00:27:11,958
for the Christian.

324
00:27:18,250 --> 00:27:20,125
Who are you afraid of?

325
00:27:20,167 --> 00:27:22,292
What are you afraid of?

326
00:27:25,458 --> 00:27:27,792
That fear will paralyze you.

327
00:27:31,583 --> 00:27:35,167
It will cause you not to
live courageously and boldly.

328
00:27:40,792 --> 00:27:43,917
And Jesus knows that there
are reasons for you

329
00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:45,875
to be afraid.

330
00:27:49,958 --> 00:27:53,042
And he says, "Do not fear."

331
00:27:55,583 --> 00:27:58,667
He does not promise
that life will be easy.

332
00:28:03,042 --> 00:28:05,500
But he does promise
to be with you.

333
00:28:09,667 --> 00:28:12,208
He is a God who has
experienced tribulation,

334
00:28:12,292 --> 00:28:15,375
poverty, slander,
suffering, and death.

335
00:28:28,167 --> 00:28:30,875
He is always present
to comfort you

336
00:28:35,292 --> 00:28:38,375
because he has walked
the road that you are on.

337
00:28:42,750 --> 00:28:46,125
And since he has walked
that road for you,

338
00:28:46,167 --> 00:28:51,000
inviting you to walk it
with him is a great honor.

339
00:28:59,833 --> 00:29:01,750
So, do not fear.

340
00:29:02,875 --> 00:29:04,792
They may take your money.

341
00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:09,083
They may take
your reputation.

342
00:29:11,292 --> 00:29:13,042
They may take your life.

343
00:29:15,167 --> 00:29:17,292
But they cannot
take your Jesus.

344
00:29:21,875 --> 00:29:25,458
And if Jesus is who
you treasure the most,

345
00:29:30,667 --> 00:29:33,583
then the fact that he is
always with you

346
00:29:33,667 --> 00:29:36,875
and cannot be taken from you
is enough.

347
00:29:48,333 --> 00:29:51,375
"So, do not fear," Jesus says.

348
00:29:54,667 --> 00:29:57,500
Let me say
a few things about fear.

349
00:30:01,167 --> 00:30:04,167
Fear turns us
into false prophets.

350
00:30:10,167 --> 00:30:13,083
It compels us
to look into the future

351
00:30:18,750 --> 00:30:22,875
to predict only that which
is the worst-case scenario.

352
00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:32,500
And then
to live fearful of it.

353
00:30:35,583 --> 00:30:38,500
The truth is, we do not
know what the future holds.

354
00:30:44,083 --> 00:30:46,708
We should be less concerned
about the future

355
00:30:46,792 --> 00:30:49,167
and what might happen,

356
00:30:53,042 --> 00:30:55,500
and more concerned--

357
00:30:55,542 --> 00:30:58,875
and more concerned with
just doing what is right.

358
00:31:03,083 --> 00:31:05,667
Trusting God for our future.

359
00:31:09,583 --> 00:31:15,292
Fear is an opportunity to
run to God, or to run from God.

360
00:31:28,375 --> 00:31:30,417
Just like when
a child is scared,

361
00:31:30,500 --> 00:31:33,542
they should run to their
parent for protection.

362
00:31:39,375 --> 00:31:43,667
Everyone is afraid of
something, or someone,

363
00:31:43,750 --> 00:31:45,500
at some time.

364
00:31:51,375 --> 00:31:54,125
Fear is not always a sin
or a demonstration

365
00:31:54,167 --> 00:31:56,167
of a lack of faith.

366
00:32:00,875 --> 00:32:04,833
But it can be
an opportunity to trust God

367
00:32:09,375 --> 00:32:11,042
and to run to him,

368
00:32:14,292 --> 00:32:16,750
trusting that
he may deliver us

369
00:32:21,375 --> 00:32:24,792
and if not, he will use
it to teach us more about

370
00:32:24,833 --> 00:32:27,000
the sufferings of Jesus.

371
00:32:35,167 --> 00:32:40,042
So then even evil is used for
our good because of God's love,

372
00:32:46,875 --> 00:32:49,208
just as Jesus
himself was murdered

373
00:32:49,292 --> 00:32:51,167
so that we might be loved.

374
00:32:59,042 --> 00:33:00,667
God is good.

375
00:33:02,167 --> 00:33:04,667
The devil mentioned
here is evil.

376
00:33:08,958 --> 00:33:11,667
The devil does
that which is evil.

377
00:33:14,375 --> 00:33:17,667
And God is so powerful,
he uses it for our good.

378
00:33:25,292 --> 00:33:26,958
So, do not fear.

379
00:33:28,583 --> 00:33:30,667
Do not fear.

380
00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:34,875
Hear what the Spirit
says to the churches.

381
00:33:40,167 --> 00:33:43,292
I believe God wants you
to go to multiple services.

382
00:33:50,167 --> 00:33:52,042
Do not be afraid.

383
00:33:53,333 --> 00:33:55,875
God wants you
to plant more churches.

384
00:34:02,500 --> 00:34:04,083
Do not be afraid.

385
00:34:05,500 --> 00:34:08,375
God wants you to advance
the message of Jesus.

386
00:34:13,667 --> 00:34:15,375
Do not be afraid.

387
00:34:16,375 --> 00:34:20,167
And in 2,000 years from today,

388
00:34:23,167 --> 00:34:25,875
wouldn't it be wonderful

389
00:34:27,500 --> 00:34:29,875
if there was still
a church in Smyrna?

390
00:34:35,792 --> 00:34:38,083
A church that loved Jesus.

391
00:34:40,167 --> 00:34:42,042
A church that served Jesus.

392
00:34:44,667 --> 00:34:48,000
A church that made
Jesus famous in Turkey.

393
00:34:52,167 --> 00:34:55,292
And from Turkey into Europe
and the Middle East.

394
00:34:59,250 --> 00:35:02,333
Hear what the Spirit
says to the churches.

395
00:35:05,542 --> 00:35:08,167
God has placed
you here today.

396
00:35:11,792 --> 00:35:13,875
Do not be afraid.

397
00:35:16,167 --> 00:35:21,333
Acts 17 says God determines
when we are born

398
00:35:21,375 --> 00:35:23,792
and where we will live.

399
00:35:35,458 --> 00:35:38,333
You are part
of God's divine plan.

400
00:35:44,083 --> 00:35:47,667
God has placed you
today in this place.

401
00:35:51,167 --> 00:35:53,250
Because Turkey matters.

402
00:35:55,833 --> 00:35:58,000
Because Izmir matters.

403
00:35:59,958 --> 00:36:02,167
Because Jesus matters.

404
00:36:04,167 --> 00:36:06,375
And because
your life matters.

405
00:36:08,500 --> 00:36:12,083
You have been placed in
the most difficult city.

406
00:36:17,667 --> 00:36:20,042
Do not be afraid.

407
00:36:21,583 --> 00:36:24,667
Know that God must have
something wonderful for you.

408
00:36:29,042 --> 00:36:32,792
And what a great honor
it is to be chosen by God

409
00:36:32,833 --> 00:36:34,875
for such a time as this.

410
00:36:41,333 --> 00:36:43,792
Especially you young men.

411
00:36:46,333 --> 00:36:49,083
The future belongs
to the young men,

412
00:36:49,167 --> 00:36:51,333
if they will serve Jesus.

413
00:37:00,083 --> 00:37:03,833
God would ask you young men
to walk in holiness,

414
00:37:03,875 --> 00:37:06,792
to study faithfully,
to be courageous,

415
00:37:06,833 --> 00:37:11,125
and to make this church
and city something that you

416
00:37:11,167 --> 00:37:13,667
take responsibility for.

417
00:37:26,542 --> 00:37:30,167
It is not enough to just
be a Christian in this city.

418
00:37:34,000 --> 00:37:36,458
You must be
a fruitful Christian.

419
00:37:41,292 --> 00:37:44,500
And for you young men,
this is a magnificent,

420
00:37:44,542 --> 00:37:46,583
historic opportunity

421
00:37:51,292 --> 00:37:54,167
to marry women
who love Jesus.

422
00:37:59,375 --> 00:38:01,875
To raise children
who love Jesus.

423
00:38:05,833 --> 00:38:08,292
To raise grandchildren
who love Jesus.

424
00:38:12,333 --> 00:38:15,958
And to leave servants
of Jesus for generations.

425
00:38:23,792 --> 00:38:26,333
The work here will be slow.

426
00:38:33,375 --> 00:38:35,167
And it will be hard.

427
00:38:37,375 --> 00:38:42,583
But it is possible to see
Jesus made much of in Izmir.

428
00:38:50,667 --> 00:38:52,792
And I pray that
your grandsons

429
00:38:52,833 --> 00:38:54,500
would be planting churches.

430
00:38:59,167 --> 00:39:01,333
And that you would not fear.

431
00:39:04,792 --> 00:39:06,375
Jesus loves you.

432
00:39:08,375 --> 00:39:10,000
I love you.

433
00:39:11,500 --> 00:39:13,750
Thank you for being
an encouragement.

434
00:39:16,583 --> 00:39:18,542
And do not fear.

435
00:39:20,167 --> 00:39:21,583
Let me pray.

436
00:39:21,667 --> 00:39:23,458
Father God,

437
00:39:24,667 --> 00:39:26,583
I pray against
Satan and demons.

438
00:39:31,750 --> 00:39:34,333
I pray for the churches
in this city.

439
00:39:38,167 --> 00:39:41,000
I pray for this church
in this city.

440
00:39:46,042 --> 00:39:48,792
Thank you for the older
Christians who have served,

441
00:39:48,833 --> 00:39:51,167
and sacrificed, and suffered.

442
00:39:59,333 --> 00:40:01,417
Thank you
for the newer Christians

443
00:40:01,500 --> 00:40:03,667
and the recent 18 baptisms.

444
00:40:10,667 --> 00:40:14,958
Thank you that there is
still a Christian witness here.

445
00:40:22,542 --> 00:40:26,167
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that
you are watching this city.

446
00:40:30,792 --> 00:40:34,375
And thank you, Lord Jesus,
for watching over this church.

447
00:40:38,667 --> 00:40:40,875
And I pray
for the young people,

448
00:40:43,292 --> 00:40:45,458
especially the young men,

449
00:40:47,667 --> 00:40:50,375
that their hearts
would be full of hope,

450
00:40:53,792 --> 00:40:56,667
that they would not
be filled with fear,

451
00:40:59,375 --> 00:41:03,083
that they would give their
lives to the service of Jesus.

452
00:41:07,000 --> 00:41:09,792
And that, Lord Jesus,
the church, and this city,

453
00:41:09,833 --> 00:41:12,333
and this nation, would grow.

454
00:41:21,542 --> 00:41:24,542
Thank you for this
magnificent opportunity

455
00:41:28,583 --> 00:41:31,000
that you have given
my brothers and sisters.

456
00:41:33,500 --> 00:41:35,583
This is a hard task,

457
00:41:39,083 --> 00:41:41,292
but you are a great God.

458
00:41:43,833 --> 00:41:46,542
And so we do not fear,
in Jesus' name.

459
00:41:49,167 --> 00:41:52,083
Amen.
Thank you.

460
00:41:53,958 --> 00:41:57,125
So, the one thing we didn't
get to show you is what happened

461
00:41:57,167 --> 00:41:58,500
after the sermon.

462
00:41:58,583 --> 00:42:01,125
I was rushing out
the door to catch a flight,

463
00:42:01,167 --> 00:42:03,792
and the military
was keeping an eye on me.

464
00:42:03,833 --> 00:42:07,000
And there was a man, young man,
who stopped me and he said,

465
00:42:07,042 --> 00:42:08,708
"Hey, I really
wanna talk to you."

466
00:42:08,792 --> 00:42:11,208
And I told him, "Hey, I've got
just a minute

467
00:42:11,292 --> 00:42:13,208
and then I've gotta go catch
this flight."

468
00:42:13,292 --> 00:42:16,208
He said, "Well, I feel like I'm
supposed to become a Christian

469
00:42:16,292 --> 00:42:18,708
"but my family's gonna disown
me, I'll lose the inheritance,

470
00:42:18,792 --> 00:42:20,708
"I won't be part
of the family business,

471
00:42:20,792 --> 00:42:22,917
I will probably
even get killed."

472
00:42:23,000 --> 00:42:25,208
And he said, "In addition
to becoming a Christian,

473
00:42:25,292 --> 00:42:28,208
"I know if I become a Christian,
Jesus is asking me

474
00:42:28,292 --> 00:42:30,417
to become a pastor,
and I don't wanna die."

475
00:42:30,500 --> 00:42:33,417
And so I looked him in
the eye, and I told him,

476
00:42:33,500 --> 00:42:35,917
"You need to do what
Jesus tells you to do.

477
00:42:36,000 --> 00:42:37,625
What has Jesus told you to do?"

478
00:42:37,667 --> 00:42:40,375
And he looked me in the eye,
teared up and scared,

479
00:42:40,458 --> 00:42:42,875
and he said, "He's told
me to become a Christian

480
00:42:42,958 --> 00:42:44,375
and plant a church."

481
00:42:44,458 --> 00:42:46,875
I said, "Then do that,
and do not be afraid."

482
00:42:46,958 --> 00:42:48,292
So pray for him.

483
00:42:48,333 --> 00:42:49,667
Pray for his church.

484
00:42:49,750 --> 00:42:52,583
Pray for his city, where
the persecution still continues.