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As long as it is day we must do the work of him who sent me.

Night is coming, when no one can work.

So far we have seen 3 examples of Jesus noting things he had to do:

1. I must … be about my Father’s business - be a worshipper, be focused on him.

2. I must … go to the cross - the great expression of love and forgiveness.

3. I must … preach the good news to others also - locally and broader.

Jesus said:

"I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."

The love of God for us is seen in Jesus going to cross for us.

I want to take a few weeks to consider some words of Jesus Christ:

words that he spoke some 2000 years ago

words that can revolutionise people’s lives even today.

Words that, if we will open our hearts and minds, to them, if we will understand them, if we will ask God by His Spirit to apply them,

They will change the way we live.

These churches were dealing with Real Historical issues.

These truths speak to the church at any time, age or situation.

The church at Ephesus was a in its early days a very Strong church.

It obviously had an Impact on its Society considering the riots in Acts 19.

What does Jesus tell this church?

1. Jesus Knows His Church.

Jesus is in the Midst of His church.

He knows us as Individuals and knows our church.

2. Jesus Knows Our Deeds.

The church in Ephesus was Outstanding because of its ability to Distinguish between True and False apostles and its Refusal to Tolerate those who were false.

This church did not tolerate Wickedness or wicked people.

It is good to Love what Jesus loves and Hate what Jesus hates.

These Christians are Not Quitters when the going gets tough.

3. Jesus Knows Our Defects.

Jesus not only sees What we do. Jesus also sees Why we do it.

They had put so much emphasis on correct teaching and orthodox doctrine that they Neglected the work of Love.

Because Jesus calls them to Action we know that it is Possible to get this Balance between knowing and living the Truth and living it in Love.

We need to hear the Promise of Jesus Christ:

“I will Build my Church and the gates of Hades will Not Overcome it.“ (Matt 16:18)

Why does it matter that Jesus Christ is Building His Church?

It Matters:

1. Because of the Builder.

Who is the builder of the church today? Jesus Christ.

The one who is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe said He will build His Church.

Because Jesus builds his church there is Nothing like the Church, Neither will there be Anything like the Church.

It Matters:

2. Because of What He is Building.

What is He building? His Church.

He brought the church into Existence.

This is not Your church, it is not My church, it is Jesus’ church.

The NT describes the church as a Fellowship, a Family, as the Body of Christ, as the Bride of Christ, as an Army.

Jesus gives His church what we need to be Victorious.

When the church Advances, the gates of hell, will not be able to hold it back. There has been no Revocation of this Promise.

What are some of the characteristics of the last days?

From our last study:

1. We are in the Last Days Now.

2. Not everyone will Recognise the Last Days.

3. Some will Reject the Reality of the Last Days.

4. A time of Moral Collapse.

Reasons for moral collapse:

a. Misplaced Love.

b. Unhealthy Relationships.

5. A time of Hollow Spirituality.

Scene in:

a. Symbolism over Substance.

2 major ways:

1. Traditionism.

No longer just Compromise but the Denial of Truth.

2. Alternative-ism.

They have No Power to deal with our greatest Need.

b. Spirituality based on Deceit.

Many people are being Deceived.

6. How are we to Respond to all this?

a. Seek out and follow Faithful Mentors.

b. Be Obsessed with the Truth.

c. Tell others about Jesus.

d. Walk the Walk.

Christians should be Different.

We should be people of Truth.

We should be people of Hope.