Indonesian version:
v. 20, BEHOLD = lihat....how to see the door without glass? We must have a very clear vision when we hear God's word! Your vision determines what you hear.
Beethoven wrote the percussion strokes intro to his Violin Concerto based on when people knocked on his door due to loud music.
BCN 21 reached 9 year old in Lebanon, touched Tong.
Chinese Version:
For revival a church must:
- pure faith
- sacred lifestyle
- clear vision
John Song of China focused on sacred lifestyle. Martin Luther, Calvin, etc. focused on pure faith.
Lukewarm, worst than cold or hot. For if cold, one would know to repent.
Lots of first inventions from China:
- Glass, before Song Dynasty (around 1000 AD), while the West only started 13-14th century.
- Paper, Han Dynasty
- Gun powder
- Compass
- printing press
- clock, Song Dynasty, water clock, only seen in Japan now. Invented by Su Song 苏颂.
You don't need to be fluent in English to teach/preach in English. An old pastor, Pan, 79, encouraged Tong (29 then), in Singapore, to not be afraid to preach in English. John Song was bad in English grammar, but people loved and needed his message in English. Not the language, but the message. Tong had the experience in the Berkeley University The Wheeler Auditorium preaching. An old pastor (David Beckony?) also took and accompany Tong to tour the university, eating meals, etc. to encourage Tong before his preaching. 主的同在比任何是都要紧。
v.20 Why Christ, the head of the church, standing outside knocking? Because the church has chased Him out.
Ephesus - Lost the first love, barbaric, uncontrollable, inexperienced, but with true heart, precious. (First rebuke)
Smyrrna - You must endure hardship
Pergamun - You abide in Satan's throne (second rebuke)
Nicolas sect, Balaam, Jezebel. (third rebuke)
Thyatira - idol, sexual immorality (4th rebuke)
Sardis - 按名你是活的，其实是死的 (5th rebuke), lots of church members look alive but actually are dead, same with the elders.
Laodicea - Lukewarm (6th rebuke), he doesn't recognize the Lord and His glory, God will also abandon him.
You put your Lord outside (7th rebuke), knocking on the door outside.
After this sermon series. Tong will preach on the 8 judgments of the Bible, starting the next week)