043: Ben Brinkerhoff - When You Cannot Bear

Automatically transcribed. Accuracy is good but not perfect, and words are sometimes wrong. Trust the audio over the text.

1. 0:13

   Welcome to the good Christian talks podcast. I’m Levi and I’m Chris. Thank you so much for joining us this week on this podcast. We select one taco week to help each one of us get the Bible in our daily news feed. We post at the start of each week for you to listen with a short intro before hand to kind of set the stage for the talk.

2. 0:32

   You’re about to hear and now let’s hear more about this week’s talk. Well, it’s kind of a unique thing. Chris and I are sitting at here at Idyllwild. We were both blessed to be here for the week. So we heard a really good class. So we’re doing like a live quick reaction to the sixth classroom been Brinckerhoff series on unity and Ephesus.

3. 0:59

   Yeah. So yeah all six classes were really good the first two we kind of starts up talking about the concept of unity and it’s one of those ones where you hear that the topic and the first direction is a little bit of a where’s where’s the Go with that, but he did a really really amazing job with it. He started in the beginning talking about how God scriptures don’t teach unity in the sense of what we think about it sort of the worldview of Tolerance.

4. 1:28

   But instead really focused on the concept of unity through forbearance or loving each other to the point of learning and coming to some sort of commonality and learning to understand what God’s truth is. Yeah. He makes a couple really good points. I also had the same reaction like oh no he’s going to whole week on Unity. Like I’m sure he’s going to step in trouble areas at some point, but he never really does which I think was really a credit to him.

5. 1:54

   He makes like the he makes a bunch of good points. I think will eventually get to the whole series. I’m assuming putting this series up because the last three classes it was hard to decide but it was between class 4 5 & 6 I just didn’t actually hear I heard glass 4 & 5 were good, but I was on baby duty, but I was able to sit in here and class 6, which is what we’re going to have here on the on the show.

6. 2:13

   It was really excellent. He makes a think here in class 6 well earlier in the week. He makes really good point about Unity being set on what God’s truth and What God Says is right and that is always the Baseline and our opinions are kind of our opinions. It is always what God is right and it’s up to us to humbly figure out what that is.

7. 2:31

   So yeah, he does a really good job. I think established kind of setting it does a lot of table setting and then I think these last three classes are really when he kind of hits the throws the punches if you will, so yeah what you heard class four and five Giving you points from that. Yeah.

8. 2:45

   I mean, I’ll just kind of Briefly summarize without going into great detail. I thought what Ben did for this class that was really really well done. Is he kind of broke down the three kind of viewpoints that you could approach the concept of unity from so you have the, you know, the judaizers in the legalistic methodology of where you know, if you follow these rules you will make yourself right and using those guidelines is how you can be righteous with God. He also really a lot of time laying the groundwork on the concept of gnosticism and Nicolaitans which were some different sects that had broken off and we’re sort of forming actually within the Ecclesia and Ephesus at the time when Paul wrote this letter and tied in also where John also more than likely spent some time in Ephesus, which he gets into in this class and how that you know, the Gnostic belief was that you had some sort of indwelling of God inside yourself and that was how you determine what was and wasn’t right and I thought he made a really The strong point he makes it a couple times in all of his classes and he recounts that here that if you come at it from the perspective that you love God and in turn that means that you love his Commandments one of his Commandments is to love each other. So if you are ever at a point where you say, I love God, but I hate you you’re you’re not following the commands. You’re making yourself a hypocrite. I think that was the around pick that up. But that was the Bell to get in

9. 4:10

   the next class. I think I think that was the most All part of this class is that he had set up this idea of narcissism was the opponent to to the fusion Ecclesia and the reveal that he has in this six class that you’ll hear is that what gnosticism is missing is love.

10. 4:27

    That’s why I fusions like and unity is based on love. It’s based on love of each other and like you he makes the point about being rival children, you know, you would never say I’m repeating a point you said but you would never say as a child that your brother does not deserve the love of your parents, right, which is what we do to each other.

11. 4:43

    So often in our kind of in are ecclesial structures, which is which is a huge embarrassment and to uh, so yeah, this was this to me I definitely felt he had built to of this point like, oh, here’s the I’m going to remove the veil the the real problem with gnosticism was the was the complete lack of love as an important tenant. So yeah, this was a really great class. I think it was kind of neat.

12. 5:03

    You could really feel in this series that this is Ben’s home. You know, he’s been living in New Zealand for some time. He’s from this area and now he’s like kind of he has his very strong. Durand kind of emotional connection through this series that I would argue could kind of only be done here with two kind of his home crowd in a way.

13. 5:20

    So it was a really special special group of classes. So yeah, I’m excited to share this one. Yeah, I think Ben did a fantastic job and also because he and he shares both in this class in some of the other ones some really personal not details, but that some very personal impact that he’s had with the concept of unity and that actually stuff was going on with his homework Leisure at the time he was Writing these classes which makes it even more powerful to hear his perspective on it.

14. 5:47

    So I thought it was a tremendous class a really really good. Look at what otherwise could be a really difficult topic to approach. So we’ll turn it over to brother Ben for his sixth class on Unity Ephesus and when you can for bear no more good morning, my beloved brothers and sisters.

15. 6:09

    It’s want to give to you. Thanks on behalf of my wife Alyssa. And my family for your love and generosity for your hugs. For your encouragement as we travel through what is really a complicated and difficult subject together. I’ve remarked to several people that this study really helps me always think that’s the earmark of a study worth sharing. Did it help you?

16. 6:48

    Did it change you? If it did then maybe you ought to pass it along and if not, maybe just keep studying. Yeah, as you mentioned in our last class. I think Paul dies knowing this controversy in some of the Ecclesia is he established hadn’t really been resolved. Second Timothy contains some evidence that the problem got worse. In fact, according to tradition Nero puts Paul to Death Around 80 68-67, but this isn’t the last time of course that we hear about the Ephesian Ecclesia.

17. 7:31

    We know that it’s mentioned in Revelation Chapter 2 where it’s given a last warning by the Lord Jesus Christ before we get that warning. Let’s first consider that The city of Ephesus like we had special importance for another apostle. The apostle that wrote Revelation. In fact John now, we’re not told anywhere directly in Scripture that John the Apostle was in Ephesus and and that instance and because that’s true.

18. 8:03

    I’m just going to hold out some evidence that he might have been in Evan Ephesus, but I’m not going to be dogmatic about it because if scripture re-up, I really need to know that I think scripture would have told me right we can sort of think that’s reasonable right? I think that’s reasonable.

19. 8:18

    But if Is there helps clarify a few things? So let’s just go through this a little bit. The most obvious evidence is probably from Revelation 1 verse 9 where it says John your brother and companion and the suffering and Kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Well the island of Patmos Is is a place where Pliny the Roman historian tells us that political offenders were often banished and it just so happens.

20. 8:53

    You probably are aware of this but Patmos. Is really close to Ephesus and it’s not very likely you get banished to a place like Patmos if you’re sitting out over here in in Jerusalem or in Israel indeed. There’s other evidence consider the fact that in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 that they were a cliche has all over the Roman Empire at this time, but we’re given a letter to the Seven equations in we’re in in Asia. It is not that those were the only seven Ecclesia has. It’s more likely that Jesus channeled this message through John and that John had taken some leadership in those seven equations.

21. 9:48

    And that’s why Jesus Through John use those seven occasions as a microcosm for the entire occlusal world as I think most of us recognize if we’ve done that study.

22. 10:03

    In my research any of the early church historians that mention John are they all attribute that he was in Ephesus the this includes eusebius, but the earliest reference would be from Iranians and his book against heresies book 3 chapter 3 section 4 and he explaining how the apostles passed their teaching on to their heirs. I radius says this.

23. 10:35

    There are also those who heard from him. That’s polycarp. That John the disciple of the Lord going to bathe at Ephesus and perceiving sir in ‘this within rushed out of the bath house without bathing exclaiming let us fly less even the bathhouse fall down because Serena’s the enemy of the truth is within.

24. 11:03

    Iranians to live between 125 ad and 202 ad and so he wrote in sort of the late 2nd Century era but as a young man, he met polycarp and polycarp were told by another story and was a disciple of John and polycarp was the leader of the Collegiate in Smyrna as an example and eusebius says as well polycarp was himself martyred. So so why is this quote interesting outside of maybe giving us a little bit of extra biblical evidence that John might have in fact been or lived in the city of Ephesus. Well, it’s interesting to me because you know, I just have one of those mines aggravatingly and I think to myself because I’m all I’m doing when I’m studying. This guys is I’m just present sisters guys. What am I thinking, you know Brethren and sisters. I’m just thinking I’m getting comfortable with you. Can you tell right?

25. 12:08

    I’m thinking who’s the rent this did anyone else kind of think that themselves as they went through is God. Who is this the rent this guy so I I can call him a guy see that so I look him up and this is what we have to hear about and this is from Robert gundry a survey the New Testament.

26. 12:28

    He says for instance Arendt. This was a gnostic. And to summon early Christian who was prominent as a Harris Arc in the view of the early church fathers. He denied that the Supreme God made the physical world. Okay, you may not recognize that but that immediately says he’s thinking about the law along the lines of Play-Doh.

27. 12:51

    Okay, he denied the Supreme God made the physical world and surrender this interpretation. The Christ came to Jesus who is a man born of Joseph and Mary at baptism. Guided him in his ministry and left him at his crucifixion. Okay, in other words syringe this taught that Jesus as Christ did not come in the flesh. What did he believe in?

28. 13:23

    Well, according to the quote above strength is taught that that Jesus was flesh. Jesus was flesh, but the Christ was spirit. And that Spirit came on Jesus at baptism. But because the Christ was not flesh the Christ could not die. It left Jesus at his death and in Sorrento’s few, by the way. Jesus wasn’t Resurrected.

29. 13:53

    Jesus is going Jesus. The man is going to be resurrected with everyone else on the last day confusing isn’t it? Because we all know this completely contradicts the gospel, but what’s amazing is that people even in the Apostle John’s day were teaching this stuff? This is only what 60 years 50 years after Christ and already these views that are so far away from Apostolic teaching are taking root.

30. 14:22

    Now that Doctrine isn’t exactly Nicolaitans but it’s Gnostic and if the legend has some truth to it because it’s merely Legend here. This would be a cause for disunity and here in the Ephesian Ecclesia. We could all agree. Yet we’re told this about the equation Ephesus in Revelation 2 verse 2. I Know Thy Works Christ says to diffusion equation to the angel.

31. 14:53

    Or to the leadership of that Ecclesia. I Know Thy works and thy Labour and thy patience. And how thou canst not bear them which are evil. That was tried them which say they are Apostles and are not and found them to be Liars. Now, I believe that this Commendation to this specific Ecclesia.

32. 15:25

    May be attributable to John himself. Did you ever consider that? What clue might we have that to be true other than Iranians record, which was just written down fifty or a hundred years after it actually occurred. Notice Jesus words here in verse 2 thou Hast tried. It’s past tense thou Hast tried them which say they are Apostles and are not so on. What basis did the Ephesian leaders try the false Apostles? Well, it may be that John himself living in Ephesus supplied the phases of the trial. Let me just suggest why that might be true. We look at first John chapter 4 and verse 1 beloved believe not every Spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world. So so that that’s really informative. But let me just line up those two verses because seeing them juxtaposed to one another probably adds another layer of meaning here.

33. 16:35

    So we have here. First John four saying believe not every Spirit but try the spirits because many false prophets are gone in the world and Revelation 2 verse 2 says Thou Hast tried. Them which say they are Apostles and are not. So if John is living in Ephesus riding from Ephesus dealing with issues in ethicists, as some of the historical record seems to suggest Christ said you made a trial and John said this is the basis of the trial the maybe these two things might have something to do with one another. But I want one what basis did John try the false prophets? We’re told in verses two and three or three and four, I guess hereby know we know ye the spirit of God every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is not come in the flesh.

34. 17:49

    Is not of God and this is the spirit of antichrist whereof ye have heard that it should come even now is already in the world now. Okay, what did surrender this believe he believed that Jesus as Christ did not come in the flesh rather. The Christ Spirit came on Jesus and baptism and left him a crucifixion.

35. 18:12

    So there’s strong reason to believe that that John came in to Ephesus. And try to eradicate the Ecclesia of are giving the Brethren really simple terms and clear Lines by which they could identify apostasy.

36. 18:34

    And based on Revelation to we see the Ephesian Ecclesia succeeded by identifying those in the Ecclesia that were liars and that were evil. This is not the only place in first John by the way that you might see John argue against the false teaching of his day recall the quote from Robert gundry syringe this taught that Jesus was the child of Mary and Joseph. But Jesus was not the Son of God Christ in a sense with the Son of God, but not Jesus.

37. 19:16

    So look at what John says in first John chapter 4 verse 15 Whoever whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the son of God. God dwelt in him and he in God so is is John making that point because he has to not just because we need to know it because it was an issue in his own time. so why am I making these points what’s clear that there needed to be a delineation by which the Brethren could tell the difference between truth and are either you believe that Jesus was God’s son or not, either you believe that he came in the flesh or you don’t Are we fighting for a bit? One of the things I struggled with brother and sisters with this study?

38. 20:13

    Is the studies own contradictions? We see an inspired basis for Unity in the mercy and Oneness of God. We seen exportation for for forbearance. Even after I show you some evidence that there’s probably some things in that Ecclesia that were difficult to bear. Yeah, we see in first Timothy that Paul discusses that some of the leadership of this group had been delivered to Satan. And there seems to be clear evidence in Timothy that the problems getting worse not better. We see the Fulfillment of Paul’s prophecy and Acts chapter 20 verse 28 to 30 that there were going to be wolves in that Ecclesia not sparing the flock and drawing disciples after themselves as Paul predicted.

39. 21:18

    And now we see a clear delineation being drawn whether someone is with Christ or is Antichrist. Now I ask you the question brothers sisters. What is the right approach to Unity?

40. 21:44

    Okay, you’re confused too. Alright, it’s good. Is it just me or does anyone else struggle to summarize all this? I think it shows the complexity of the subject personally and why I don’t think we should ever subject– Unity to a formula or a legalistic approach. It must be guided by God’s wisdom and it must be an exercise in spiritual and scriptural principles.

41. 22:16

    Guided by the word of God, which is complete. Nevertheless does there need to be clear In and Out Lines today like there appeared to be in that is the Apostle John’s day. Obviously, the Ecclesia had reached a point where it was necessary to create a fence to protect the sheep from the Wolves the time for forbearance had come to an end because the bond of Peace could not Maintained in the light of such a doctrinal are the time for patience had run out either you believe the truth or you do not you make a decision and you go forward now our first principles are written today in this type of clear and delineating language.

42. 23:12

    They’re there to separate truth from are on some particularly controversial points as regards to Christianity. Where there’s potential for confusion? Having such dividing points I think is probably scriptural and I think this is the proof. In Revelation Jesus shows that he’s pleased he is pleased by the trial of the false Apostles and at the Ecclesia no longer bears with Liars.

43. 23:53

    As we wait from sisters for Christ’s return. We’re going to be faced with more challenges that will wrestle with us and we’ll try our patients and our lowliness and our meekness. Some challenges will probably inevitably require a clear inner outline.

44. 24:23

    When this happens we have to remember that we too are always saved by God’s mercy. We as remember that no legal structures will ever save That God also me is right, even if we feel that we’re right. We must make sure that in and out line is consistent with the whole view of scripture and we must ask ourselves. The question does or does not this new joxer and idea being foisted on the Ecclesia contradict the inspired word of God as defined in this line.

45. 25:06

    And yet today brothers sisters almost all of Christianity. Deny that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. The Catholics believe it was immaculate. But they can’t see it. Couldn’t see the air that was going to a rods and John saw it in his day. So he gave us a basis for truth. And he showed leadership and he provides a line for Unity. I think the truth is that much of First John can be understood. At least have suggested it originally by HP Mansfield and in white of this Gnostic controversy. I’ll show you a particular example because it’s in just its this example shows a fundamental flaw in nasik philosophy that I want to use to draw agitation from later on so the gnostics believed as we previously discussed that that God dwells within them not figuratively we can understand how that works figuratively.

46. 26:25

    But no no, they they believed it was true literally to the extent of believing that their soul was Immortal. So God is literally in them. Okay to the point where they can they can hold it. That’s a greater Authority than the scripture is in terms of what the will of God actually is. So so God, so John then is going to help them to see if this is really true or if they’re deluded. How do you know if God’s in you?

47. 26:55

    Well, John says going to say This is how you know of God’s in you. number one you love others. Verse 12 if we love one another, excuse me in John chapter 4 verse 12 if we love one another God dwelleth in us as well as perfected in us. So you want to know that God is in you number one way.

48. 27:19

    You’re going to know you’re going to love one another number two. God’s words and Doctrine with and have power in you which is spirit. So verse 13, hereby. We know that we dwell in him and he in us because he has given us of his Spirit was the third way. You’re going to know if God really dwelling in you.

49. 27:43

    Number 3 verse 15 you have correct Doctrine who has whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the son of God. God dwells in him and he in God, so if you don’t have correct Doctrine then God doesn’t dwell in you. Fourth way you dwell in love. Verse 16 be he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him.

50. 28:11

    So you can see the John’s giving you four ways. You might actually be able to discern whether or not God is dwelling in you. How can I know how can I know the truth of it? And you can also see. That of the Four Points to of the 4.2 love so this is again.

51. 28:34

    I’ve been so I’m just kind of tracing this out as I’m doing this tell you I’m I ask myself the question. I think maybe Dennis has asked this question as well. I haven’t heard his studies unfortunately, but you ask yourself the question. Well why I love why was love the test. Why was The Well of the test if God is dwelling in me or not. Because more than anything else brothers and sisters. the gnostics valued knowledge not love They thought knowledge was the key to God dwelling in them

52. 29:20

    and John disagreed. John saying in effect God isn’t found via some secret knowledge some Revelation or Enlightenment. God is found in love. Because God is love. In other in other words, the thing the gnostics were searching for was that hidden wisdom? and that thing is love so first of all loves stays as a contrast to enlightenment. as the key object of a True Believer Secondly, those who love God will obey God’s commands and the Nicolaitans famously didn’t follow God’s commands. This is actually pointed out to us in Crystal Clear language because look at first John chapter 5 verse 3 for this is the love of God.

53. 30:33

    That we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not Grievous. love compels us The keep the Commandments and walk in the way that Jesus walk. Therefore love showed someone if God was truly in that person because if God was in you would you act contrary to the will of God?

54. 30:59

    If God and at the will of God is summarized in his Commandments and someone doesn’t follow God his Commandments. Can God really dwell on that person and could that person really love God? And I got to tell you brothers sisters. It wasn’t only the Apostle John that had this particular Point figured out.

55. 31:26

    Do you know who else understood this? the Apostle Paul was turning back to Ephesians chapter 3 verses 17 to 18 observe this This is Paul’s prayer for the Ecclesia in Ephesus. And Paul says that Christ May dwell in your hearts by faith. That being rooted and grounded in love in love then you’ll be able to comprehend with All Saints. What is the breadth?

56. 32:04

    What is the length? What is the height? What is the depth? to know the love of God that passeth knowledge Which is gnosis? That ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. You want to be filled with the fullness of God. You need a love that passes. Knowledge that’s greater than knowledge. So both Paul and John knew something really important that the aim of this false Doctrine was not love. Soul of the king the true test for the Gnostic as to whether God really dwelled in them.

57. 32:57

    But as love a test for the gnostics only. Is love not a test for those upholding right Doctrine as well. You see love unites. It has to because the two greatest Commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself.

58. 33:20

    See the excitation of love God alone. It’s that’s not enough because in the process of loving God, I could easily develop a form of self righteousness. I might be so zealous for the love of God. So zealous that I make myself a judge over other people than aren’t loving him enough or honoring him the way I think he ought to be honored. So I’ll cede from God his righteousness seed from God his judgment.

59. 33:49

    A place that upon myself and I as God’s agent will judge you. Because I love God so much. And so so Christ knew that I have to couple. The Commandment to love God with the Fulfillment of that commandment and that command is then to love you as a result as the end result of loving God and if I haven’t brought myself to the web of you, I haven’t even understood the first commandment let alone the second commandment. And that this would be able to help us put down a vicious Pride.

60. 34:35

    And then Christ is going to go and tell us that the definition or the example of who the neighbor is is a Samaritan who even in Gospel of John chapter 4 We’re told Samaritans worship what they don’t understand. So love unites us with God, who is the commander? And with others who love at God’s command. The reason I point this out.

61. 35:05

    Is although Paul and John clearly used love to point out the flaws in Gnostic thinking. And we can see that can’t we? Hopefully we can But then Jesus. in speaking to the Elders of the Ecclesia in Ephesus After commending them for not being able to bear with the liars. Tells them they lost their first love. And you can you get you can sort of hear the Ephesian leadership reading this going.

62. 35:51

    Oh, hold on a minute. Hold on a minute. It’s it’s the rent this it’s the gnostics. It’s these is these both Brethren they have a problem with love thinking they have special knowledge and that they’re so important how have I left my first love?

63. 36:12

    And that brings us to a question of what’s the first love and I’ve heard many wonderful expositions on this and and I’m not sure that the way I’ve come to understand this is the right way because every time I hear someone explain this to me, I like their definition, you know, and I but this is just the way I saw it looking at the lens of this study if you can just patiently bear with that. What might the first love be?

64. 36:43

    Well, I remembered that the test if the test that Jesus commends the Ephesian leadership for implementing in Revelation 2 if that test is described. And first John four then maybe the spirit is telling me to look at first John four as a helpful place to understand this this many epistle in Revelation to the Ephesian Ecclesia. And when I look in first John four, I can’t help but see these words.

65. 37:23

    We love him. Because he first loved us. If a man say I love God and hateth his brother. He is a liar for he that loveth not his brother whom he has seen how can you love God whom he has not seen and this commandment we have from him that he who loveth God love his brother.

66. 37:45

    Also. Could it be that our first love Is that which is invoked within us? when we first contemplated God’s love when we first truly understood that if that’s true then what would it mean for an Ecclesia upholding right Doctrine to leave their first love? Well, well if we comprehend. If we comprehend really that God loved us first.

67. 38:30

    How would that affect? our attitude and perspective brothers sisters Well, well, I can’t I can’t speak for you. But if you truly comprehend it. Then you would have a really deep sense of gratitude. They God would love me even me a sinner and call me to something that I actually genuinely feel as greater than I am. We would realize that we haven’t earned it. We have an earned that love we haven’t deserve that love. It’s the first two of it’s a sort of like the love a parent has to our newborn child.

68. 39:20

    The hasn’t done anything to deserve the affection poured into it. All it’s done is made my wife not be able to sleep be grumpy at me all this pain and all this money, right and there it is a big lump of Flesh. And I love it. And I’d sacrifice myself for it and it’s done nothing for me. It’s only made my life hard.

69. 39:52

    And I love it. I love him. Now if if you comprehend it and you are touched with that sort of love with that sort of Agra pay. the kindness and the grace and the mercy that you benefited from you cannot turn to another person also in receipt of that love and say I deserve the love.

70. 40:26

    But you don’t. or even worse to say I hate you. Comprehending the first two of the love you don’t deserve. You simply can’t look to another one who’s also receipt of it.

71. 40:54

    And hate them you can only ever feel that way as John tells us in first John chapter 4. Listen, you can’t say you love God and hate your brother. How could you do that? You could only really do that if you felt that you’ve earned the love. and they haven’t that you deserve the love.

72. 41:21

    With anyone that’s had two children. Could the first child say to the second child? I deserve mommy and daddys love but you little baby. You don’t deserve it. With that even make sense.

73. 41:44

    The child couldn’t say that. Because it hasn’t been earned it isn’t deserved. So if you’ve left your first love. You’ve left the love that God gave you when you hadn’t earned a thing.

74. 42:02

    And you failed the follow your King’s Command that you love your brother even as God is love to you. So perhaps just perhaps the first love.

75. 42:18

    That the faithful Brethren Ephesus who upheld the doctrine Left Behind was this? But how would they leave it behind? Could it be that first John chapter 4 was written as John reflected on what was going on in his Ecclesia. That John sits back and says this is what’s happening in this Ecclesia that I’m in in Asia.

76. 42:51

    I’ve just given you a test to tell whether someone’s inner out of the Ecclesia. I’ve just give you the test now, what’s the danger once I give a test like that? What’s the danger wants a test is lay down. I say I’m on the right side of the line. What’s the immediate danger brother sisters?

77. 43:11

    That will happen? I deserve the love. You don’t. So John reflecting on his own Ecclesia has to write these words and maybe Christ is saying to that Ecclesia. You’ve left your first love. You haven’t earned this you didn’t deserve this and just because you’ve actually kept the word pure.

78. 43:50

    It’s not that you know something special. because as soon as you think, you know something special Who you acting alike? You’re now acting like the people on the other side of the line. If so, high ironic see love was what the Gnostic Believers were missing by aiming for special Revelation and knowledge, but maybe love was what the faithful Brethren had left behind in proudly believing that they were better and deserving of the truth and the false Brethren weren’t Just maybe. both gnostics and true brethren needed to remember love. Sadly, we know that Pagan philosophy would overcome the Ephesian Ecclesia the Candlestick and that Ecclesia would burn out. but actually in the end brethren this Ecclesia lost the truth.

79. 45:21

    That’s how the story ends. But I believe the Ephesian Ecclesia still instructs us how to hold onto truth. And hold on to each other in these last days. And it’s asked me to remember my first love and for that I am incredibly grateful. As I was writing these studies.

80. 46:05

    Mike Leisure was torn apart. Controversy took a United Ecclesia and made it into two. I reckon I felt just about every emotion you can feel in that process. before the Collision divided every night I said Paul’s prayer for Unity found in Ephesians chapter 3 verses 14 to 21. I said it so often I practically memorized it.

81. 46:41

    For this reason, I bow my knees before the father from whom every family under Heaven is named and I pray that according to the riches of I Glory. Now you might Grant my cliche to be strengthened with might through thy Spirit working in the Inner Man. The Christ Jesus would dwell in our hearts through faith that being rooted and grounded in love that we might be able to understand.

82. 47:11

    What is the breadth and what is the length and what is the height and what is the depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge and to be filled with all the fullness of thee now unto thee who through the power that is at work within us is able to do far more than I ask or I To thee be glory in the Ecclesia. And in Christ, Jesus unto all generations forever and ever. amen I prayed it over.

83. 47:49

    And over again. Because I didn’t feel like I had the words, you know, like you you ever feel present systems like you don’t have the words. You don’t know what to say to God. You don’t know how to articulate your pain. You don’t know how to articulate your problem. And so you just borrow scripture. He say Paul is going to take this. This is your prayer Paul.

84. 48:10

    I know it’s your prayer, but I’m just well, I’m just going to borrow it. And just for for some time this is going to be my prayer because I can’t express how I feel.

85. 48:25

    Then one Friday night on hard Friday night. I got a phone call. Saying that the Ecclesia was splitting. What could I do? What could I pray? I reflected on these talks. I had been in the midst of preparing.

86. 48:56

    What did I learned? How do I learn to anything? was it just was it just knowledge? It’s anything different. And when we are hurt, we have an instinct to retreat when were hurt. We have an instinct to divide with an instinct to separate. And something in my heart want to punish those brothers and sisters. Something my heart wanted to be part from them. They will be a part for me.

87. 49:33

    I’m going to be a part from them. I felt anger start to swell to the surface. Was that the spirit of Paul? What’s that the spirit of John?

88. 49:53

    Who are dealing with controversies in truth much much much more serious. Then the controversy we were doing within our Ecclesia. I wanted to judge. but brothers sisters I remembered my first love.

89. 50:24

    The same love that God offered to me when I was helpless. What’s the same love he was offering to them? I to live in Salvation. So I fell to my knees once more that night. And for the first time I changed a word in that prayer. And the word I changed was Ecclesia. And I changed it to a cliche cuts. I prayed for our Ecclesia has.

90. 51:14

    to have a love that surpasses knowledge and for God to be glorified in our equation has both of them I decided why Paul I would emphasize what we have in common.

91. 51:32

    That I might have opportunity in time. Whilst varying to discuss what’s not in common. I learned this from Paul. I learned this from John test the spirits if it is from God, it will be motivated by love.

92. 51:53

    And we do love very much. So let me summarize a study that for me has defied summary. God is one. Love God. Obey his truth. Follow his commands. Love the brethren.

93. 52:40

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