Listen (1 Samuel 3:9; Matthew 7:24) (Discipleship)
LISTEN. We are in one of the world’s most famous cities. Its location bridges two continents, Europe and Asia. It was once known as Byzantium until 330 when the city became the new capital of the Roman Empire and was renamed Constantinople. This city fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. The current name Istanbul was used by the Turks for the city even before it fell in 1453. Its name reflects the word, “Islamboul,” which means “full of Islam.” In 1930, the Turkish government began to publicly ask that the name “Istanbul” be used in all maps and other means of recognition. We are here for four days. We will be listening today especially as we walk through the parts of the city that have buildings and monuments that take us back to the early years of Constantinople when it became the center of the Christian world. We know that places always change in Christianity. But what never changes is Jesus who is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). One day we will be part of a new city which God is preparing for us (Hebrews 11;10, 16). Images of that city contrasted to cities of this world is prophesied by John in Revelation many times, especially chapter 21. “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (21:2). That city will be full of the Lord God Almighty…”and the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (21:23).
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