We have a bonus episode for you this week, with a live, on location intro from both of us. The class is by Bro. Ben Brinkerhoff that was just given at the Idyllwild Bible School in 2019 from his series title “Unity in Ephesus”, this is Class 6 “When You Cannot Bear.”
Thank you for listening, God bless, and talk to you next week.
Send talk suggestions or comments to: [email protected]
For Show Notes, visit our website: Anchor.fm/GCT
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
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Welcome to the good Christian
talks podcast.
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I’m Levi and I’m Chris.
Thank you so much for joining us
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this week on this podcast.
We select one taco week to help
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each one of us get the Bible in
our daily news feed.
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We post at the start of each
week for you to listen with a
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short intro before hand to kind
of set the stage for the talk.
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You’re about to hear and now
let’s hear more about this
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week’s talk.
Well, it’s kind of a unique
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thing.
Chris and I are sitting at here
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at Idyllwild.
We were both blessed to be here
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for the week.
So we heard a really good class.
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So we’re doing like a live quick
reaction to the sixth classroom
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been Brinckerhoff series on
unity and Ephesus.
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Yeah.
So yeah all six classes were
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really good the first two we
kind of starts up talking about
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the concept of unity and it’s
one of those ones where you hear
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that the topic and the first
direction is a little bit of a
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where’s where’s the Go with
that, but he did a really really
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amazing job with it.
He started in the beginning
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talking about how God scriptures
don’t teach unity in the sense
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of what we think about it sort
of the worldview of Tolerance.
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But instead really focused on
the concept of unity through
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forbearance or loving each other
to the point of learning and
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coming to some sort of
commonality and learning to
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understand what God’s truth is.
Yeah.
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He makes a couple really good
points.
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I also had the same reaction
like oh no he’s going to whole
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week on Unity.
Like I’m sure he’s going to step
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in trouble areas at some point,
but he never really does which I
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think was really a credit to
him.
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He makes like the he makes a
bunch of good points.
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I think will eventually get to
the whole series.
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I’m assuming putting this series
up because the last three
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classes it was hard to decide
but it was between class 4 5 & 6
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I just didn’t actually hear I
heard glass 4 & 5 were good, but
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I was on baby duty, but I was
able to sit in here and class 6,
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which is what we’re going to
have here on the on the show.
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It was really excellent.
He makes a think here in class 6
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well earlier in the week.
He makes really good point about
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Unity being set on what God’s
truth and What God Says is right
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and that is always the Baseline
and our opinions are kind of our
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opinions.
It is always what God is right
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and it’s up to us to humbly
figure out what that is.
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So yeah, he does a really good
job.
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I think established kind of
setting it does a lot of table
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setting and then I think these
last three classes are really
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when he kind of hits the throws
the punches if you will, so yeah
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what you heard class four and
five Giving you points from
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that.
Yeah.
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I mean, I’ll just kind of
Briefly summarize without going
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into great detail.
I thought what Ben did for this
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class that was really really
well done.
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Is he kind of broke down the
three kind of viewpoints that
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you could approach the concept
of unity from so you have the,
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you know, the judaizers in the
legalistic methodology of where
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you know, if you follow these
rules you will make yourself
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right and using those guidelines
is how you can be righteous with
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God.
He also really a lot of time
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laying the groundwork on the
concept of gnosticism and
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Nicolaitans which were some
different sects that had broken
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off and we’re sort of forming
actually within the Ecclesia and
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Ephesus at the time when Paul
wrote this letter and tied in
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also where John also more than
likely spent some time in
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Ephesus, which he gets into in
this class and how that you
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know, the Gnostic belief was
that you had some sort of
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indwelling of God inside
yourself and that was how you
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determine what was and wasn’t
right and I thought he made a
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really The strong point he makes
it a couple times in all of his
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classes and he recounts that
here that if you come at it from
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the perspective that you love
God and in turn that means that
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you love his Commandments one of
his Commandments is to love each
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other.
So if you are ever at a point
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where you say, I love God, but I
hate you you’re you’re not
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following the commands.
You’re making yourself a
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hypocrite.
I think that was the around pick
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that up.
But that was the Bell to get in
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the next class.
I think I think that was the
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most All part of this class is
that he had set up this idea of
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narcissism was the opponent to
to the fusion Ecclesia and the
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reveal that he has in this six
class that you’ll hear is that
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what gnosticism is missing is
love.
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That’s why I fusions like and
unity is based on love.
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It’s based on love of each other
and like you he makes the point
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about being rival children, you
know, you would never say I’m
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repeating a point you said but
you would never say as a child
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that your brother does not
deserve the love of your
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parents, right, which is what we
do to each other.
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So often in our kind of in are
ecclesial structures, which is
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which is a huge embarrassment
and to uh, so yeah, this was
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this to me I definitely felt he
had built to of this point like,
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oh, here’s the I’m going to
remove the veil the the real
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problem with gnosticism was the
was the complete lack of love as
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an important tenant.
So yeah, this was a really great
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class.
I think it was kind of neat.
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You could really feel in this
series that this is Ben’s home.
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You know, he’s been living in
New Zealand for some time.
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He’s from this area and now he’s
like kind of he has his very
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strong.
Durand kind of emotional
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connection through this series
that I would argue could kind of
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only be done here with two kind
of his home crowd in a way.
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So it was a really special
special group of classes.
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So yeah, I’m excited to share
this one.
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Yeah, I think Ben did a
fantastic job and also because
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he and he shares both in this
class in some of the other ones
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some really personal not
details, but that some very
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personal impact that he’s had
with the concept of unity and
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that actually stuff was going on
with his homework Leisure at the
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time he was Writing these
classes which makes it even more
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powerful to hear his perspective
on it.
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So I thought it was a tremendous
class a really really good.
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Look at what otherwise could be
a really difficult topic to
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approach.
So we’ll turn it over to brother
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Ben for his sixth class on Unity
Ephesus and when you can for
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bear no more good morning, my
beloved brothers and sisters.
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It’s want to give to you.
Thanks on behalf of my wife
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Alyssa.
And my family for your love and
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generosity for your hugs.
For your encouragement as we
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travel through what is really a
complicated and difficult
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subject together.
I’ve remarked to several people
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that this study really helps me
always think that’s the earmark
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of a study worth sharing.
Did it help you?
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Did it change you?
If it did then maybe you ought
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to pass it along and if not,
maybe just keep studying.
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Yeah, as you mentioned in our
last class.
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I think Paul dies knowing this
controversy in some of the
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Ecclesia is he established
hadn’t really been resolved.
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Second Timothy contains some
evidence that the problem got
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worse.
In fact, according to tradition
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Nero puts Paul to Death Around
80 68-67, but this isn’t the
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last time of course that we hear
about the Ephesian Ecclesia.
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We know that it’s mentioned in
Revelation Chapter 2 where it’s
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given a last warning by the Lord
Jesus Christ before we get that
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warning.
Let’s first consider that The
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city of Ephesus like we had
special importance for another
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apostle.
The apostle that wrote
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Revelation.
In fact John now, we’re not told
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anywhere directly in Scripture
that John the Apostle was in
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Ephesus and and that instance
and because that’s true.
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I’m just going to hold out some
evidence that he might have been
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in Evan Ephesus, but I’m not
going to be dogmatic about it
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because if scripture re-up, I
really need to know that I think
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scripture would have told me
right we can sort of think
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that’s reasonable right?
I think that’s reasonable.
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But if Is there helps clarify a
few things?
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So let’s just go through this a
little bit.
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The most obvious evidence is
probably from Revelation 1 verse
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9 where it says John your
brother and companion and the
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suffering and Kingdom and
patient endurance that are ours
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in Jesus was on the island of
Patmos because of the word of
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God and the testimony of Jesus.
Well the island of Patmos Is is
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a place where Pliny the Roman
historian tells us that
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political offenders were often
banished and it just so happens.
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You probably are aware of this
but Patmos.
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Is really close to Ephesus and
it’s not very likely you get
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banished to a place like Patmos
if you’re sitting out over here
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in in Jerusalem or in Israel
indeed.
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There’s other evidence consider
the fact that in Revelation
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chapters 2 and 3 that they were
a cliche has all over the Roman
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Empire at this time, but we’re
given a letter to the Seven
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equations in we’re in in Asia.
It is not that those were the
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only seven Ecclesia has.
It’s more likely that Jesus
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channeled this message through
John and that John had taken
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some leadership in those seven
equations.
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And that’s why Jesus Through
John use those seven occasions
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as a microcosm for the entire
occlusal world as I think most
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of us recognize if we’ve done
that study.
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In my research any of the early
church historians that mention
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John are they all attribute that
he was in Ephesus the this
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includes eusebius, but the
earliest reference would be from
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Iranians and his book against
heresies book 3 chapter 3
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section 4 and he explaining how
the apostles passed their
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teaching on to their heirs.
I radius says this.
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There are also those who heard
from him.
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That’s polycarp.
That John the disciple of the
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Lord going to bathe at Ephesus
and perceiving sir in ‘this
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within rushed out of the bath
house without bathing exclaiming
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let us fly less even the
bathhouse fall down because
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Serena’s the enemy of the truth
is within.
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Iranians to live between 125 ad
and 202 ad and so he wrote in
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sort of the late 2nd Century era
but as a young man, he met
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polycarp and polycarp were told
by another story and was a
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disciple of John and polycarp
was the leader of the Collegiate
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in Smyrna as an example and
eusebius says as well polycarp
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was himself martyred.
So so why is this quote
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interesting outside of maybe
giving us a little bit of extra
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biblical evidence that John
might have in fact been or lived
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in the city of Ephesus.
Well, it’s interesting to me
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because you know, I just have
one of those mines aggravatingly
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and I think to myself because
I’m all I’m doing when I’m
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studying.
This guys is I’m just present
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sisters guys.
What am I thinking, you know
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Brethren and sisters.
I’m just thinking I’m getting
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comfortable with you.
Can you tell right?
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I’m thinking who’s the rent this
did anyone else kind of think
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that themselves as they went
through is God.
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Who is this the rent this guy so
I I can call him a guy see that
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so I look him up and this is
what we have to hear about and
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this is from Robert gundry a
survey the New Testament.
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He says for instance Arendt.
This was a gnostic.
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And to summon early Christian
who was prominent as a Harris
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Arc in the view of the early
church fathers.
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He denied that the Supreme God
made the physical world.
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Okay, you may not recognize that
but that immediately says he’s
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thinking about the law along the
lines of Play-Doh.
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Okay, he denied the Supreme God
made the physical world and
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surrender this interpretation.
The Christ came to Jesus who is
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a man born of Joseph and Mary at
baptism.
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Guided him in his ministry and
left him at his crucifixion.
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Okay, in other words syringe
this taught that Jesus as Christ
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did not come in the flesh.
What did he believe in?
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Well, according to the quote
above strength is taught that
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that Jesus was flesh.
Jesus was flesh, but the Christ
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was spirit.
And that Spirit came on Jesus at
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baptism.
But because the Christ was not
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00:13:41,900 –> 00:13:48,400
flesh the Christ could not die.
It left Jesus at his death and
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00:13:48,400 –> 00:13:52,200
in Sorrento’s few, by the way.
Jesus wasn’t Resurrected.
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00:13:53,200 –> 00:13:55,900
Jesus is going Jesus.
The man is going to be
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00:13:55,900 –> 00:13:59,200
resurrected with everyone else
on the last day confusing isn’t
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00:13:59,200 –> 00:14:00,400
it?
Because we all know this
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00:14:00,400 –> 00:14:03,600
completely contradicts the
gospel, but what’s amazing is
221
00:14:03,600 –> 00:14:07,400
that people even in the Apostle
John’s day were teaching this
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00:14:07,400 –> 00:14:11,400
stuff?
This is only what 60 years 50
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00:14:11,400 –> 00:14:17,300
years after Christ and already
these views that are so far away
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00:14:17,300 –> 00:14:20,600
from Apostolic teaching are
taking root.
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00:14:22,200 –> 00:14:27,900
Now that Doctrine isn’t exactly
Nicolaitans but it’s Gnostic and
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00:14:27,900 –> 00:14:31,900
if the legend has some truth to
it because it’s merely Legend
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00:14:31,900 –> 00:14:35,600
here.
This would be a cause for
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00:14:35,600 –> 00:14:39,500
disunity and here in the
Ephesian Ecclesia.
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00:14:39,500 –> 00:14:43,700
We could all agree.
Yet we’re told this about the
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00:14:43,700 –> 00:14:47,000
equation Ephesus in Revelation 2
verse 2.
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00:14:47,800 –> 00:14:52,300
I Know Thy Works Christ says to
diffusion equation to the angel.
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00:14:53,800 –> 00:14:55,400
Or to the leadership of that
Ecclesia.
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00:14:56,100 –> 00:14:59,900
I Know Thy works and thy Labour
and thy patience.
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00:15:01,100 –> 00:15:07,000
And how thou canst not bear them
which are evil.
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00:15:08,100 –> 00:15:13,100
That was tried them which say
they are Apostles and are not
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00:15:13,800 –> 00:15:20,700
and found them to be Liars.
Now, I believe that this
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00:15:20,700 –> 00:15:24,200
Commendation to this specific
Ecclesia.
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00:15:25,600 –> 00:15:29,600
May be attributable to John
himself.
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00:15:30,000 –> 00:15:36,300
Did you ever consider that?
What clue might we have that to
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00:15:36,300 –> 00:15:40,900
be true other than Iranians
record, which was just written
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00:15:40,900 –> 00:15:44,100
down fifty or a hundred years
after it actually occurred.
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00:15:45,400 –> 00:15:49,600
Notice Jesus words here in verse
2 thou Hast tried.
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00:15:49,600 –> 00:15:53,400
It’s past tense thou Hast tried
them which say they are Apostles
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00:15:53,400 –> 00:15:57,500
and are not so on.
What basis did the Ephesian
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00:15:58,500 –> 00:16:04,000
leaders try the false Apostles?
Well, it may be that John
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00:16:04,000 –> 00:16:07,400
himself living in Ephesus
supplied the phases of the
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00:16:07,408 –> 00:16:10,700
trial.
Let me just suggest why that
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00:16:10,700 –> 00:16:13,600
might be true.
We look at first John chapter 4
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00:16:13,600 –> 00:16:20,400
and verse 1 beloved believe not
every Spirit but try the spirits
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00:16:20,400 –> 00:16:25,000
whether they are of God because
many false prophets are gone out
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00:16:25,008 –> 00:16:27,900
into the world.
So so that that’s really
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00:16:27,900 –> 00:16:29,600
informative.
But let me just line up those
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00:16:29,600 –> 00:16:33,200
two verses because seeing them
juxtaposed to one another
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00:16:33,500 –> 00:16:35,500
probably adds another layer of
meaning here.
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00:16:35,500 –> 00:16:40,900
So we have here.
First John four saying believe
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00:16:40,900 –> 00:16:45,500
not every Spirit but try the
spirits because many false
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00:16:45,500 –> 00:16:49,500
prophets are gone in the world
and Revelation 2 verse 2 says
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00:16:49,500 –> 00:16:54,900
Thou Hast tried.
Them which say they are Apostles
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00:16:55,700 –> 00:17:01,300
and are not.
So if John is living in Ephesus
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00:17:01,800 –> 00:17:07,700
riding from Ephesus dealing with
issues in ethicists, as some of
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00:17:07,700 –> 00:17:11,900
the historical record seems to
suggest Christ said you made a
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00:17:11,900 –> 00:17:16,500
trial and John said this is the
basis of the trial the maybe
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00:17:16,500 –> 00:17:19,700
these two things might have
something to do with one
264
00:17:19,700 –> 00:17:25,500
another.
But I want one what basis did
265
00:17:25,500 –> 00:17:29,500
John try the false prophets?
We’re told in verses two and
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00:17:29,500 –> 00:17:36,500
three or three and four, I guess
hereby know we know ye the
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00:17:36,500 –> 00:17:40,800
spirit of God every spirit that
confesseth that Jesus Christ is
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00:17:40,800 –> 00:17:45,000
come in the flesh is of God.
Every spirit that confesseth
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00:17:45,000 –> 00:17:47,800
that Jesus Christ is not come in
the flesh.
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00:17:49,200 –> 00:17:53,100
Is not of God and this is the
spirit of antichrist whereof ye
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00:17:53,100 –> 00:17:56,700
have heard that it should come
even now is already in the world
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00:17:56,700 –> 00:17:59,500
now.
Okay, what did surrender this
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00:17:59,500 –> 00:18:05,300
believe he believed that Jesus
as Christ did not come in the
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00:18:05,300 –> 00:18:10,000
flesh rather.
The Christ Spirit came on Jesus
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00:18:10,000 –> 00:18:12,300
and baptism and left him a
crucifixion.
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00:18:12,600 –> 00:18:16,300
So there’s strong reason to
believe that that John came in
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00:18:16,300 –> 00:18:21,300
to Ephesus.
And try to eradicate the
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00:18:21,300 –> 00:18:26,400
Ecclesia of are giving the
Brethren really simple terms and
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00:18:26,400 –> 00:18:31,800
clear Lines by which they could
identify apostasy.
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00:18:34,400 –> 00:18:37,800
And based on Revelation to we
see the Ephesian Ecclesia
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00:18:38,500 –> 00:18:44,700
succeeded by identifying those
in the Ecclesia that were liars
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00:18:45,200 –> 00:18:52,400
and that were evil.
This is not the only place in
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00:18:52,400 –> 00:18:56,400
first John by the way that you
might see John argue against the
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00:18:56,400 –> 00:18:59,900
false teaching of his day recall
the quote from Robert gundry
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00:19:00,700 –> 00:19:06,000
syringe this taught that Jesus
was the child of Mary and
286
00:19:06,000 –> 00:19:11,600
Joseph.
But Jesus was not the Son of God
287
00:19:12,100 –> 00:19:15,500
Christ in a sense with the Son
of God, but not Jesus.
288
00:19:16,100 –> 00:19:19,500
So look at what John says in
first John chapter 4 verse 15
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00:19:21,500 –> 00:19:25,600
Whoever whosoever shall confess
that Jesus is the son of God.
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00:19:27,400 –> 00:19:33,800
God dwelt in him and he in God
so is is John making that point
291
00:19:33,800 –> 00:19:36,800
because he has to not just
because we need to know it
292
00:19:36,800 –> 00:19:43,200
because it was an issue in his
own time. so why am I making
293
00:19:43,200 –> 00:19:47,400
these points what’s clear that
there needed to be a delineation
294
00:19:47,600 –> 00:19:52,400
by which the Brethren could tell
the difference between truth and
295
00:19:52,400 –> 00:19:57,900
are either you believe that
Jesus was God’s son or not,
296
00:19:58,500 –> 00:20:05,000
either you believe that he came
in the flesh or you don’t Are we
297
00:20:05,000 –> 00:20:07,400
fighting for a bit?
One of the things I struggled
298
00:20:07,400 –> 00:20:11,300
with brother and sisters with
this study?
299
00:20:13,000 –> 00:20:14,800
Is the studies own
contradictions?
300
00:20:16,600 –> 00:20:23,300
We see an inspired basis for
Unity in the mercy and Oneness
301
00:20:23,300 –> 00:20:27,600
of God.
We seen exportation for for
302
00:20:27,600 –> 00:20:30,300
forbearance.
Even after I show you some
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00:20:30,300 –> 00:20:33,600
evidence that there’s probably
some things in that Ecclesia
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00:20:33,800 –> 00:20:39,400
that were difficult to bear.
Yeah, we see in first Timothy
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00:20:39,600 –> 00:20:45,500
that Paul discusses that some of
the leadership of this group had
306
00:20:45,500 –> 00:20:50,800
been delivered to Satan.
And there seems to be clear
307
00:20:50,800 –> 00:20:55,600
evidence in Timothy that the
problems getting worse not
308
00:20:55,600 –> 00:20:59,800
better.
We see the Fulfillment of Paul’s
309
00:20:59,800 –> 00:21:05,000
prophecy and Acts chapter 20
verse 28 to 30 that there were
310
00:21:05,000 –> 00:21:10,700
going to be wolves in that
Ecclesia not sparing the flock
311
00:21:10,800 –> 00:21:15,800
and drawing disciples after
themselves as Paul predicted.
312
00:21:18,800 –> 00:21:23,500
And now we see a clear
delineation being drawn whether
313
00:21:23,500 –> 00:21:27,000
someone is with Christ or is
Antichrist.
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00:21:28,300 –> 00:21:30,900
Now I ask you the question
brothers sisters.
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00:21:31,600 –> 00:21:35,400
What is the right approach to
Unity?
316
00:21:44,400 –> 00:21:46,800
Okay, you’re confused too.
Alright, it’s good.
317
00:21:50,200 –> 00:21:52,700
Is it just me or does anyone
else struggle to summarize all
318
00:21:52,700 –> 00:21:55,900
this?
I think it shows the complexity
319
00:21:55,900 –> 00:22:00,300
of the subject personally and
why I don’t think we should ever
320
00:22:00,300 –> 00:22:05,000
subject– Unity to a formula or
a legalistic approach.
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00:22:06,200 –> 00:22:10,600
It must be guided by God’s
wisdom and it must be an
322
00:22:10,600 –> 00:22:15,500
exercise in spiritual and
scriptural principles.
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00:22:16,700 –> 00:22:21,300
Guided by the word of God, which
is complete.
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00:22:24,900 –> 00:22:33,300
Nevertheless does there need to
be clear In and Out Lines today
325
00:22:33,700 –> 00:22:39,100
like there appeared to be in
that is the Apostle John’s day.
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00:22:40,700 –> 00:22:43,500
Obviously, the Ecclesia had
reached a point where it was
327
00:22:43,500 –> 00:22:48,300
necessary to create a fence to
protect the sheep from the
328
00:22:48,300 –> 00:22:52,900
Wolves the time for forbearance
had come to an end because the
329
00:22:52,900 –> 00:22:56,700
bond of Peace could not
Maintained in the light of such
330
00:22:56,700 –> 00:23:01,600
a doctrinal are the time for
patience had run out either you
331
00:23:01,600 –> 00:23:05,100
believe the truth or you do not
you make a decision and you go
332
00:23:05,100 –> 00:23:10,200
forward now our first principles
are written today in this type
333
00:23:10,200 –> 00:23:12,700
of clear and delineating
language.
334
00:23:12,700 –> 00:23:17,100
They’re there to separate truth
from are on some particularly
335
00:23:17,100 –> 00:23:20,200
controversial points as regards
to Christianity.
336
00:23:22,000 –> 00:23:26,300
Where there’s potential for
confusion?
337
00:23:27,900 –> 00:23:32,000
Having such dividing points I
think is probably scriptural and
338
00:23:32,000 –> 00:23:38,700
I think this is the proof.
In Revelation Jesus shows that
339
00:23:38,700 –> 00:23:44,100
he’s pleased he is pleased by
the trial of the false Apostles
340
00:23:44,300 –> 00:23:49,300
and at the Ecclesia no longer
bears with Liars.
341
00:23:53,900 –> 00:23:57,400
As we wait from sisters for
Christ’s return.
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00:23:59,600 –> 00:24:02,700
We’re going to be faced with
more challenges that will
343
00:24:02,700 –> 00:24:08,700
wrestle with us and we’ll try
our patients and our lowliness
344
00:24:09,300 –> 00:24:16,500
and our meekness.
Some challenges will probably
345
00:24:16,500 –> 00:24:20,900
inevitably require a clear inner
outline.
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00:24:23,500 –> 00:24:27,000
When this happens we have to
remember that we too are always
347
00:24:27,000 –> 00:24:30,600
saved by God’s mercy.
We as remember that no legal
348
00:24:30,600 –> 00:24:38,200
structures will ever save That
God also me is right, even if we
349
00:24:38,200 –> 00:24:45,700
feel that we’re right.
We must make sure that in and
350
00:24:45,700 –> 00:24:50,500
out line is consistent with the
whole view of scripture and we
351
00:24:50,500 –> 00:24:53,800
must ask ourselves.
The question does or does not
352
00:24:53,800 –> 00:24:57,200
this new joxer and idea being
foisted on the Ecclesia
353
00:24:57,400 –> 00:25:03,000
contradict the inspired word of
God as defined in this line.
354
00:25:06,700 –> 00:25:09,900
And yet today brothers sisters
almost all of Christianity.
355
00:25:11,100 –> 00:25:15,100
Deny that Jesus Christ came in
the flesh.
356
00:25:19,400 –> 00:25:22,800
The Catholics believe it was
immaculate.
357
00:25:26,300 –> 00:25:30,800
But they can’t see it.
Couldn’t see the air that was
358
00:25:30,800 –> 00:25:34,800
going to a rods and John saw it
in his day.
359
00:25:34,800 –> 00:25:42,300
So he gave us a basis for truth.
And he showed leadership and he
360
00:25:42,300 –> 00:25:49,900
provides a line for Unity.
I think the truth is that much
361
00:25:49,900 –> 00:25:55,200
of First John can be understood.
At least have suggested it
362
00:25:55,200 –> 00:25:59,000
originally by HP Mansfield and
in white of this Gnostic
363
00:25:59,000 –> 00:26:00,800
controversy.
I’ll show you a particular
364
00:26:00,800 –> 00:26:06,500
example because it’s in just its
this example shows a fundamental
365
00:26:06,500 –> 00:26:10,500
flaw in nasik philosophy that I
want to use to draw agitation
366
00:26:10,500 –> 00:26:13,800
from later on so the gnostics
believed as we previously
367
00:26:13,800 –> 00:26:21,600
discussed that that God dwells
within them not figuratively we
368
00:26:21,600 –> 00:26:24,200
can understand how that works
figuratively.
369
00:26:25,300 –> 00:26:29,900
But no no, they they believed it
was true literally to the extent
370
00:26:29,900 –> 00:26:32,600
of believing that their soul was
Immortal.
371
00:26:33,000 –> 00:26:37,800
So God is literally in them.
Okay to the point where they can
372
00:26:38,200 –> 00:26:40,300
they can hold it.
That’s a greater Authority than
373
00:26:40,300 –> 00:26:43,500
the scripture is in terms of
what the will of God actually
374
00:26:43,500 –> 00:26:47,200
is.
So so God, so John then is going
375
00:26:47,200 –> 00:26:50,800
to help them to see if this is
really true or if they’re
376
00:26:50,800 –> 00:26:53,400
deluded.
How do you know if God’s in you?
377
00:26:55,300 –> 00:26:59,400
Well, John says going to say
This is how you know of God’s in
378
00:26:59,400 –> 00:27:08,300
you. number one you love others.
Verse 12 if we love one another,
379
00:27:08,700 –> 00:27:13,500
excuse me in John chapter 4
verse 12 if we love one another
380
00:27:14,000 –> 00:27:17,400
God dwelleth in us as well as
perfected in us.
381
00:27:17,700 –> 00:27:19,900
So you want to know that God is
in you number one way.
382
00:27:19,900 –> 00:27:23,800
You’re going to know you’re
going to love one another number
383
00:27:23,800 –> 00:27:27,200
two.
God’s words and Doctrine with
384
00:27:27,200 –> 00:27:29,600
and have power in you which is
spirit.
385
00:27:29,600 –> 00:27:33,100
So verse 13, hereby.
We know that we dwell in him and
386
00:27:33,100 –> 00:27:39,800
he in us because he has given us
of his Spirit was the third way.
387
00:27:39,800 –> 00:27:41,700
You’re going to know if God
really dwelling in you.
388
00:27:43,700 –> 00:27:48,800
Number 3 verse 15 you have
correct Doctrine who has
389
00:27:48,800 –> 00:27:53,100
whosoever shall confess that
Jesus is the son of God.
390
00:27:53,900 –> 00:27:58,100
God dwells in him and he in God,
so if you don’t have correct
391
00:27:58,100 –> 00:28:00,700
Doctrine then God doesn’t dwell
in you.
392
00:28:01,800 –> 00:28:08,400
Fourth way you dwell in love.
Verse 16 be he that dwelleth in
393
00:28:08,400 –> 00:28:11,400
love dwelleth in God and God in
him.
394
00:28:11,500 –> 00:28:13,800
So you can see the John’s giving
you four ways.
395
00:28:13,800 –> 00:28:17,200
You might actually be able to
discern whether or not God is
396
00:28:17,200 –> 00:28:20,700
dwelling in you.
How can I know how can I know
397
00:28:20,700 –> 00:28:24,200
the truth of it?
And you can also see.
398
00:28:25,800 –> 00:28:34,800
That of the Four Points to of
the 4.2 love so this is again.
399
00:28:34,800 –> 00:28:36,900
I’ve been so I’m just kind of
tracing this out as I’m doing
400
00:28:36,900 –> 00:28:38,700
this tell you I’m I ask myself
the question.
401
00:28:38,800 –> 00:28:41,300
I think maybe Dennis has asked
this question as well.
402
00:28:41,400 –> 00:28:44,100
I haven’t heard his studies
unfortunately, but you ask
403
00:28:44,100 –> 00:28:47,500
yourself the question.
Well why I love why was love the
404
00:28:47,500 –> 00:28:51,100
test.
Why was The Well of the test if
405
00:28:51,100 –> 00:28:56,100
God is dwelling in me or not.
Because more than anything else
406
00:28:56,200 –> 00:29:07,700
brothers and sisters. the
gnostics valued knowledge not
407
00:29:07,700 –> 00:29:16,700
love They thought knowledge was
the key to God dwelling in them
408
00:29:20,100 –> 00:29:27,800
and John disagreed.
John saying in effect God isn’t
409
00:29:27,800 –> 00:29:32,700
found via some secret knowledge
some Revelation or
410
00:29:32,700 –> 00:29:37,000
Enlightenment.
God is found in love.
411
00:29:38,900 –> 00:29:45,200
Because God is love.
In other in other words, the
412
00:29:45,200 –> 00:29:48,900
thing the gnostics were
searching for was that hidden
413
00:29:48,900 –> 00:29:59,400
wisdom?
and that thing is love so first
414
00:29:59,400 –> 00:30:06,600
of all loves stays as a contrast
to enlightenment. as the key
415
00:30:06,600 –> 00:30:15,900
object of a True Believer
Secondly, those who love God
416
00:30:16,400 –> 00:30:20,700
will obey God’s commands and the
Nicolaitans famously didn’t
417
00:30:20,700 –> 00:30:23,100
follow God’s commands.
This is actually pointed out to
418
00:30:23,100 –> 00:30:25,700
us in Crystal Clear language
because look at first John
419
00:30:25,700 –> 00:30:30,100
chapter 5 verse 3 for this is
the love of God.
420
00:30:33,100 –> 00:30:37,200
That we keep his Commandments
and his Commandments are not
421
00:30:37,200 –> 00:30:45,500
Grievous. love compels us The
keep the Commandments and walk
422
00:30:45,500 –> 00:30:49,900
in the way that Jesus walk.
Therefore love showed someone if
423
00:30:49,900 –> 00:30:55,300
God was truly in that person
because if God was in you would
424
00:30:55,300 –> 00:30:57,900
you act contrary to the will of
God?
425
00:30:59,900 –> 00:31:04,300
If God and at the will of God is
summarized in his Commandments
426
00:31:04,500 –> 00:31:06,900
and someone doesn’t follow God
his Commandments.
427
00:31:06,900 –> 00:31:10,200
Can God really dwell on that
person and could that person
428
00:31:10,200 –> 00:31:17,100
really love God?
And I got to tell you brothers
429
00:31:17,100 –> 00:31:22,100
sisters.
It wasn’t only the Apostle John
430
00:31:22,400 –> 00:31:24,900
that had this particular Point
figured out.
431
00:31:26,400 –> 00:31:28,100
Do you know who else understood
this?
432
00:31:30,800 –> 00:31:35,500
the Apostle Paul was turning
back to Ephesians chapter 3
433
00:31:35,600 –> 00:31:43,400
verses 17 to 18 observe this
This is Paul’s prayer for the
434
00:31:43,400 –> 00:31:48,700
Ecclesia in Ephesus.
And Paul says that Christ May
435
00:31:48,700 –> 00:31:55,600
dwell in your hearts by faith.
That being rooted and grounded
436
00:31:55,600 –> 00:32:01,900
in love in love then you’ll be
able to comprehend with All
437
00:32:01,900 –> 00:32:03,500
Saints.
What is the breadth?
438
00:32:04,100 –> 00:32:06,800
What is the length?
What is the height?
439
00:32:06,800 –> 00:32:13,300
What is the depth?
to know the love of God that
440
00:32:13,500 –> 00:32:20,200
passeth knowledge Which is
gnosis?
441
00:32:22,600 –> 00:32:25,900
That ye might be filled with all
the fullness of God.
442
00:32:26,000 –> 00:32:28,000
You want to be filled with the
fullness of God.
443
00:32:28,600 –> 00:32:36,200
You need a love that passes.
Knowledge that’s greater than
444
00:32:36,300 –> 00:32:39,800
knowledge.
So both Paul and John knew
445
00:32:39,800 –> 00:32:43,700
something really important that
the aim of this false Doctrine
446
00:32:44,000 –> 00:32:48,700
was not love.
Soul of the king the true test
447
00:32:49,100 –> 00:32:52,600
for the Gnostic as to whether
God really dwelled in them.
448
00:32:57,000 –> 00:32:59,200
But as love a test for the
gnostics only.
449
00:33:02,400 –> 00:33:05,900
Is love not a test for those
upholding right Doctrine as
450
00:33:05,900 –> 00:33:09,400
well.
You see love unites.
451
00:33:09,400 –> 00:33:12,100
It has to because the two
greatest Commandments are to
452
00:33:12,100 –> 00:33:14,300
love the Lord your God with all
your heart soul mind and
453
00:33:14,300 –> 00:33:17,700
strength and to love your
neighbor as yourself.
454
00:33:20,100 –> 00:33:21,800
See the excitation of love God
alone.
455
00:33:21,800 –> 00:33:25,500
It’s that’s not enough because
in the process of loving God, I
456
00:33:25,500 –> 00:33:28,600
could easily develop a form of
self righteousness.
457
00:33:28,700 –> 00:33:33,000
I might be so zealous for the
love of God.
458
00:33:33,100 –> 00:33:38,500
So zealous that I make myself a
judge over other people than
459
00:33:38,500 –> 00:33:42,300
aren’t loving him enough or
honoring him the way I think he
460
00:33:42,300 –> 00:33:46,700
ought to be honored.
So I’ll cede from God his
461
00:33:46,700 –> 00:33:49,400
righteousness seed from God his
judgment.
462
00:33:49,900 –> 00:33:55,100
A place that upon myself and I
as God’s agent will judge you.
463
00:33:56,900 –> 00:34:03,600
Because I love God so much.
And so so Christ knew that I
464
00:34:03,600 –> 00:34:08,600
have to couple.
The Commandment to love God with
465
00:34:08,600 –> 00:34:11,300
the Fulfillment of that
commandment and that command is
466
00:34:11,300 –> 00:34:18,400
then to love you as a result as
the end result of loving God and
467
00:34:18,400 –> 00:34:21,199
if I haven’t brought myself to
the web of you, I haven’t even
468
00:34:21,199 –> 00:34:23,900
understood the first commandment
let alone the second
469
00:34:23,900 –> 00:34:27,600
commandment.
And that this would be able to
470
00:34:27,600 –> 00:34:30,100
help us put down a vicious
Pride.
471
00:34:35,900 –> 00:34:39,500
And then Christ is going to go
and tell us that the definition
472
00:34:39,500 –> 00:34:44,000
or the example of who the
neighbor is is a Samaritan who
473
00:34:44,000 –> 00:34:49,100
even in Gospel of John chapter 4
We’re told Samaritans worship
474
00:34:49,100 –> 00:34:54,100
what they don’t understand.
So love unites us with God, who
475
00:34:54,100 –> 00:34:58,200
is the commander?
And with others who love at
476
00:34:58,200 –> 00:35:04,200
God’s command.
The reason I point this out.
477
00:35:05,600 –> 00:35:10,500
Is although Paul and John
clearly used love to point out
478
00:35:10,500 –> 00:35:16,400
the flaws in Gnostic thinking.
And we can see that can’t we?
479
00:35:16,408 –> 00:35:25,000
Hopefully we can But then Jesus.
in speaking to the Elders of the
480
00:35:25,000 –> 00:35:32,700
Ecclesia in Ephesus After
commending them for not being
481
00:35:32,700 –> 00:35:42,100
able to bear with the liars.
Tells them they lost their first
482
00:35:42,100 –> 00:35:49,000
love.
And you can you get you can sort
483
00:35:49,000 –> 00:35:51,200
of hear the Ephesian leadership
reading this going.
484
00:35:51,800 –> 00:35:54,000
Oh, hold on a minute.
Hold on a minute.
485
00:35:54,800 –> 00:35:57,600
It’s it’s the rent this it’s the
gnostics.
486
00:35:57,800 –> 00:36:01,400
It’s these is these both
Brethren they have a problem
487
00:36:01,400 –> 00:36:04,700
with love thinking they have
special knowledge and that
488
00:36:04,700 –> 00:36:08,300
they’re so important how have I
left my first love?
489
00:36:12,000 –> 00:36:15,100
And that brings us to a question
of what’s the first love and
490
00:36:15,100 –> 00:36:19,000
I’ve heard many wonderful
expositions on this and and I’m
491
00:36:19,000 –> 00:36:22,000
not sure that the way I’ve come
to understand this is the right
492
00:36:22,000 –> 00:36:26,200
way because every time I hear
someone explain this to me, I
493
00:36:26,200 –> 00:36:30,600
like their definition, you know,
and I but this is just the way I
494
00:36:30,600 –> 00:36:34,100
saw it looking at the lens of
this study if you can just
495
00:36:34,100 –> 00:36:39,900
patiently bear with that.
What might the first love be?
496
00:36:43,100 –> 00:36:49,300
Well, I remembered that the test
if the test that Jesus commends
497
00:36:49,700 –> 00:36:54,100
the Ephesian leadership for
implementing in Revelation 2 if
498
00:36:54,100 –> 00:37:00,900
that test is described.
And first John four then maybe
499
00:37:00,900 –> 00:37:06,000
the spirit is telling me to look
at first John four as a helpful
500
00:37:06,000 –> 00:37:10,800
place to understand this this
many epistle in Revelation to
501
00:37:10,800 –> 00:37:14,200
the Ephesian Ecclesia.
And when I look in first John
502
00:37:14,200 –> 00:37:18,600
four, I can’t help but see these
words.
503
00:37:23,500 –> 00:37:28,400
We love him.
Because he first loved us.
504
00:37:29,900 –> 00:37:32,100
If a man say I love God and
hateth his brother.
505
00:37:32,100 –> 00:37:37,800
He is a liar for he that loveth
not his brother whom he has seen
506
00:37:37,900 –> 00:37:41,200
how can you love God whom he has
not seen and this commandment we
507
00:37:41,200 –> 00:37:45,000
have from him that he who loveth
God love his brother.
508
00:37:45,000 –> 00:37:51,300
Also.
Could it be that our first love
509
00:37:56,500 –> 00:37:58,900
Is that which is invoked within
us?
510
00:38:00,700 –> 00:38:09,400
when we first contemplated God’s
love when we first truly
511
00:38:10,800 –> 00:38:15,300
understood that if that’s true
then what would it mean for an
512
00:38:15,300 –> 00:38:19,800
Ecclesia upholding right
Doctrine to leave their first
513
00:38:19,800 –> 00:38:25,000
love?
Well, well if we comprehend.
514
00:38:26,100 –> 00:38:28,800
If we comprehend really that God
loved us first.
515
00:38:30,100 –> 00:38:33,900
How would that affect?
our attitude and perspective
516
00:38:33,900 –> 00:38:39,700
brothers sisters Well, well, I
can’t I can’t speak for you.
517
00:38:43,300 –> 00:38:48,500
But if you truly comprehend it.
Then you would have a really
518
00:38:48,500 –> 00:38:56,000
deep sense of gratitude.
They God would love me even me a
519
00:38:56,008 –> 00:39:00,700
sinner and call me to something
that I actually genuinely feel
520
00:39:00,700 –> 00:39:07,200
as greater than I am.
We would realize that we haven’t
521
00:39:07,200 –> 00:39:09,200
earned it.
We have an earned that love we
522
00:39:09,207 –> 00:39:14,700
haven’t deserve that love.
It’s the first two of it’s a
523
00:39:14,700 –> 00:39:19,500
sort of like the love a parent
has to our newborn child.
524
00:39:20,800 –> 00:39:24,600
The hasn’t done anything to
deserve the affection poured
525
00:39:24,600 –> 00:39:27,600
into it.
All it’s done is made my wife
526
00:39:27,600 –> 00:39:31,200
not be able to sleep be grumpy
at me all this pain and all this
527
00:39:31,200 –> 00:39:35,500
money, right and there it is a
big lump of Flesh.
528
00:39:37,400 –> 00:39:42,500
And I love it.
And I’d sacrifice myself for it
529
00:39:43,100 –> 00:39:48,900
and it’s done nothing for me.
It’s only made my life hard.
530
00:39:52,200 –> 00:39:54,500
And I love it.
I love him.
531
00:40:00,100 –> 00:40:05,400
Now if if you comprehend it and
you are touched with that sort
532
00:40:05,400 –> 00:40:11,700
of love with that sort of Agra
pay. the kindness and the grace
533
00:40:11,900 –> 00:40:16,100
and the mercy that you benefited
from you cannot turn to another
534
00:40:16,100 –> 00:40:24,300
person also in receipt of that
love and say I deserve the love.
535
00:40:26,400 –> 00:40:37,600
But you don’t. or even worse to
say I hate you.
536
00:40:41,800 –> 00:40:45,300
Comprehending the first two of
the love you don’t deserve.
537
00:40:46,400 –> 00:40:51,000
You simply can’t look to another
one who’s also receipt of it.
538
00:40:54,300 –> 00:40:59,500
And hate them you can only ever
feel that way as John tells us
539
00:40:59,500 –> 00:41:02,400
in first John chapter 4.
Listen, you can’t say you love
540
00:41:02,400 –> 00:41:04,600
God and hate your brother.
How could you do that?
541
00:41:04,600 –> 00:41:10,000
You could only really do that if
you felt that you’ve earned the
542
00:41:10,000 –> 00:41:17,200
love. and they haven’t that you
deserve the love.
543
00:41:21,200 –> 00:41:24,100
With anyone that’s had two
children.
544
00:41:26,900 –> 00:41:29,900
Could the first child say to the
second child?
545
00:41:30,300 –> 00:41:33,700
I deserve mommy and daddys love
but you little baby.
546
00:41:33,700 –> 00:41:38,800
You don’t deserve it.
With that even make sense.
547
00:41:44,900 –> 00:41:50,700
The child couldn’t say that.
Because it hasn’t been earned it
548
00:41:50,700 –> 00:41:54,800
isn’t deserved.
So if you’ve left your first
549
00:41:54,800 –> 00:41:58,700
love.
You’ve left the love that God
550
00:41:58,700 –> 00:42:00,400
gave you when you hadn’t earned
a thing.
551
00:42:02,800 –> 00:42:06,100
And you failed the follow your
King’s Command that you love
552
00:42:06,100 –> 00:42:08,700
your brother even as God is love
to you.
553
00:42:09,800 –> 00:42:15,100
So perhaps just perhaps the
first love.
554
00:42:18,700 –> 00:42:21,300
That the faithful Brethren
Ephesus who upheld the doctrine
555
00:42:21,300 –> 00:42:27,500
Left Behind was this?
But how would they leave it
556
00:42:27,500 –> 00:42:31,600
behind?
Could it be that first John
557
00:42:31,600 –> 00:42:38,800
chapter 4 was written as John
reflected on what was going on
558
00:42:38,800 –> 00:42:43,700
in his Ecclesia.
That John sits back and says
559
00:42:44,400 –> 00:42:49,000
this is what’s happening in this
Ecclesia that I’m in in Asia.
560
00:42:51,000 –> 00:42:55,900
I’ve just given you a test to
tell whether someone’s inner out
561
00:42:55,900 –> 00:42:58,300
of the Ecclesia.
I’ve just give you the test now,
562
00:42:58,300 –> 00:43:01,200
what’s the danger once I give a
test like that?
563
00:43:01,600 –> 00:43:04,200
What’s the danger wants a test
is lay down.
564
00:43:04,200 –> 00:43:07,800
I say I’m on the right side of
the line.
565
00:43:09,100 –> 00:43:11,800
What’s the immediate danger
brother sisters?
566
00:43:11,900 –> 00:43:17,100
That will happen?
I deserve the love.
567
00:43:19,600 –> 00:43:27,900
You don’t.
So John reflecting on his own
568
00:43:27,900 –> 00:43:32,700
Ecclesia has to write these
words and maybe Christ is saying
569
00:43:32,900 –> 00:43:36,800
to that Ecclesia.
You’ve left your first love.
570
00:43:38,000 –> 00:43:42,500
You haven’t earned this you
didn’t deserve this and just
571
00:43:42,500 –> 00:43:45,100
because you’ve actually kept the
word pure.
572
00:43:50,400 –> 00:43:55,600
It’s not that you know something
special. because as soon as you
573
00:43:55,600 –> 00:44:01,000
think, you know something
special Who you acting alike?
574
00:44:03,800 –> 00:44:06,100
You’re now acting like the
people on the other side of the
575
00:44:06,100 –> 00:44:18,300
line.
If so, high ironic see love was
576
00:44:18,300 –> 00:44:23,600
what the Gnostic Believers were
missing by aiming for special
577
00:44:23,700 –> 00:44:28,900
Revelation and knowledge, but
maybe love was what the faithful
578
00:44:28,900 –> 00:44:35,900
Brethren had left behind in
proudly believing that they were
579
00:44:35,900 –> 00:44:39,600
better and deserving of the
truth and the false Brethren
580
00:44:39,600 –> 00:44:52,700
weren’t Just maybe. both
gnostics and true brethren
581
00:44:54,200 –> 00:45:05,500
needed to remember love.
Sadly, we know that Pagan
582
00:45:05,500 –> 00:45:10,100
philosophy would overcome the
Ephesian Ecclesia the
583
00:45:10,100 –> 00:45:17,400
Candlestick and that Ecclesia
would burn out. but actually in
584
00:45:17,400 –> 00:45:21,000
the end brethren this Ecclesia
lost the truth.
585
00:45:21,700 –> 00:45:31,400
That’s how the story ends.
But I believe the Ephesian
586
00:45:31,400 –> 00:45:34,200
Ecclesia still instructs us how
to hold onto truth.
587
00:45:37,400 –> 00:45:39,600
And hold on to each other in
these last days.
588
00:45:40,700 –> 00:45:44,500
And it’s asked me to remember my
first love and for that I am
589
00:45:44,500 –> 00:46:03,400
incredibly grateful.
As I was writing these studies.
590
00:46:05,400 –> 00:46:14,200
Mike Leisure was torn apart.
Controversy took a United
591
00:46:14,200 –> 00:46:19,800
Ecclesia and made it into two.
I reckon I felt just about every
592
00:46:19,800 –> 00:46:25,800
emotion you can feel in that
process. before the Collision
593
00:46:25,800 –> 00:46:32,300
divided every night I said
Paul’s prayer for Unity found in
594
00:46:32,300 –> 00:46:35,500
Ephesians chapter 3 verses 14 to
21.
595
00:46:36,800 –> 00:46:39,200
I said it so often I practically
memorized it.
596
00:46:41,300 –> 00:46:44,900
For this reason, I bow my knees
before the father from whom
597
00:46:44,900 –> 00:46:49,400
every family under Heaven is
named and I pray that according
598
00:46:49,400 –> 00:46:54,600
to the riches of I Glory.
Now you might Grant my cliche to
599
00:46:54,600 –> 00:46:59,600
be strengthened with might
through thy Spirit working in
600
00:46:59,600 –> 00:47:03,300
the Inner Man.
The Christ Jesus would dwell in
601
00:47:03,300 –> 00:47:07,800
our hearts through faith that
being rooted and grounded in
602
00:47:07,800 –> 00:47:11,000
love that we might be able to
understand.
603
00:47:11,000 –> 00:47:14,000
What is the breadth and what is
the length and what is the
604
00:47:14,000 –> 00:47:18,900
height and what is the depth and
to know the love of Christ that
605
00:47:18,900 –> 00:47:23,300
surpasses knowledge and to be
filled with all the fullness of
606
00:47:23,300 –> 00:47:27,200
thee now unto thee who through
the power that is at work within
607
00:47:27,200 –> 00:47:33,100
us is able to do far more than I
ask or I To thee be glory in the
608
00:47:33,100 –> 00:47:37,500
Ecclesia.
And in Christ, Jesus unto all
609
00:47:37,500 –> 00:47:48,300
generations forever and ever.
amen I prayed it over.
610
00:47:49,500 –> 00:47:53,400
And over again.
Because I didn’t feel like I had
611
00:47:53,400 –> 00:47:56,000
the words, you know, like you
you ever feel present systems
612
00:47:56,000 –> 00:47:58,700
like you don’t have the words.
You don’t know what to say to
613
00:47:58,700 –> 00:48:00,800
God.
You don’t know how to articulate
614
00:48:00,800 –> 00:48:02,700
your pain.
You don’t know how to articulate
615
00:48:02,700 –> 00:48:04,800
your problem.
And so you just borrow
616
00:48:04,800 –> 00:48:08,300
scripture.
He say Paul is going to take
617
00:48:08,300 –> 00:48:10,000
this.
This is your prayer Paul.
618
00:48:10,000 –> 00:48:14,300
I know it’s your prayer, but I’m
just well, I’m just going to
619
00:48:14,300 –> 00:48:18,000
borrow it.
And just for for some time this
620
00:48:18,000 –> 00:48:21,600
is going to be my prayer because
I can’t express how I feel.
621
00:48:25,100 –> 00:48:28,500
Then one Friday night on hard
Friday night.
622
00:48:28,500 –> 00:48:37,400
I got a phone call.
Saying that the Ecclesia was
623
00:48:37,400 –> 00:48:42,700
splitting.
What could I do?
624
00:48:47,000 –> 00:48:51,500
What could I pray?
I reflected on these talks.
625
00:48:51,500 –> 00:48:52,900
I had been in the midst of
preparing.
626
00:48:56,700 –> 00:49:00,900
What did I learned?
How do I learn to anything?
627
00:49:03,200 –> 00:49:07,300
was it just was it just
knowledge?
628
00:49:11,100 –> 00:49:16,800
It’s anything different.
And when we are hurt, we have an
629
00:49:16,800 –> 00:49:19,700
instinct to retreat when were
hurt.
630
00:49:19,700 –> 00:49:23,100
We have an instinct to divide
with an instinct to separate.
631
00:49:24,500 –> 00:49:26,800
And something in my heart want
to punish those brothers and
632
00:49:26,800 –> 00:49:32,200
sisters.
Something my heart wanted to be
633
00:49:32,200 –> 00:49:33,900
part from them.
They will be a part for me.
634
00:49:33,900 –> 00:49:35,200
I’m going to be a part from
them.
635
00:49:36,800 –> 00:49:39,400
I felt anger start to swell to
the surface.
636
00:49:46,200 –> 00:49:51,600
Was that the spirit of Paul?
What’s that the spirit of John?
637
00:49:53,600 –> 00:49:58,300
Who are dealing with
controversies in truth much much
638
00:49:58,300 –> 00:50:03,000
much more serious.
Then the controversy we were
639
00:50:03,000 –> 00:50:12,900
doing within our Ecclesia.
I wanted to judge. but brothers
640
00:50:12,900 –> 00:50:17,900
sisters I remembered my first
love.
641
00:50:24,600 –> 00:50:30,700
The same love that God offered
to me when I was helpless.
642
00:50:32,500 –> 00:50:36,300
What’s the same love he was
offering to them?
643
00:50:41,500 –> 00:50:50,200
I to live in Salvation.
So I fell to my knees once more
644
00:50:50,200 –> 00:50:53,300
that night.
And for the first time I changed
645
00:50:53,300 –> 00:50:59,500
a word in that prayer.
And the word I changed was
646
00:50:59,500 –> 00:51:04,600
Ecclesia.
And I changed it to a cliche
647
00:51:04,600 –> 00:51:12,300
cuts.
I prayed for our Ecclesia has.
648
00:51:14,200 –> 00:51:19,200
to have a love that surpasses
knowledge and for God to be
649
00:51:19,200 –> 00:51:27,300
glorified in our equation has
both of them I decided why Paul
650
00:51:27,300 –> 00:51:29,600
I would emphasize what we have
in common.
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00:51:32,100 –> 00:51:34,500
That I might have opportunity in
time.
652
00:51:36,200 –> 00:51:39,400
Whilst varying to discuss what’s
not in common.
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00:51:39,800 –> 00:51:43,600
I learned this from Paul.
I learned this from John test
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00:51:43,600 –> 00:51:49,900
the spirits if it is from God,
it will be motivated by love.
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00:51:53,300 –> 00:52:01,700
And we do love very much.
So let me summarize a study that
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00:52:01,700 –> 00:52:12,300
for me has defied summary.
God is one.
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00:52:14,000 –> 00:52:17,700
Love God.
Obey his truth.
658
00:52:19,600 –> 00:52:23,900
Follow his commands.
Love the brethren.
659
00:52:40,000 –> 00:52:42,800
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00:52:43,200 –> 00:52:45,600
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