WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.219 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:05.400 --> 00:00:08.759 and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:12.660 Special welcome if you are new or you're visiting with us. 00:00:12.700 --> 00:00:17.460 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:21.879 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:26.820 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good. 00:00:26.820 --> 00:00:30.699 They don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:37.299 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:41.380 We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark. 00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:46.379 Today we're ending Mark chapter 3, and next week we'll begin Mark chapter 4. 00:00:46.879 --> 00:00:54.039 You'll remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus in His life and His death and His resurrection. 00:00:54.039 --> 00:00:59.179 And as we come to Mark, there are two questions particular to this Gospel, 00:00:59.299 --> 00:01:00.979 which are first, who is Jesus? 00:01:01.420 --> 00:01:04.039 And two, how do we respond to Him? 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:07.079 This morning as we look at the end of chapter 3, 00:01:07.180 --> 00:01:12.560 we're going to continue to see what Jesus' call to follow Him actually means. 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:16.400 We're going to see how far that call actually goes. 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:20.739 You'll remember from chapter 1, Jesus walking along, picking His disciples, 00:01:20.739 --> 00:01:26.319 He calls them to Himself, and He says, for example, in chapter 1, verse 20, 00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:28.140 follow Me. 00:01:29.259 --> 00:01:31.959 Well, in 1.20 it says He called them. 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:38.500 And earlier in this chapter, He goes up on a mountain to pick His disciples, 00:01:38.619 --> 00:01:40.239 and it tells us that He called them. 00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:48.879 And so we're continuing to look at this call to see how radical it is and how deep it is. 00:01:48.919 --> 00:01:51.140 We're going to see two things in this passage. 00:01:51.459 --> 00:01:55.819 First of all, the priority of the kingdom, and second, the mark of the kingdom. 00:01:56.639 --> 00:02:02.000 First, the priority of the kingdom, and second, the mark of the kingdom. 00:02:02.479 --> 00:02:03.780 And so with that, we're going to read now. 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:05.159 I invite you to turn with me. 00:02:05.679 --> 00:02:07.299 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:02:07.799 --> 00:02:08.840 You can turn in your Bible. 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:10.659 You can turn on your phone. 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:13.539 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's Word. 00:02:13.639 --> 00:02:17.840 And God tells us that His Word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold. 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:22.259 And it's sweeter than honey, even the honey that comes straight from the honeycomb, 00:02:22.340 --> 00:02:25.079 which is why we read now, starting at verse 31. 00:02:25.079 --> 00:02:32.039 And His mother and His brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to Him and called Him. 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:35.400 And a crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:39.120 Your mother and your brothers are outside seeking You. 00:02:39.939 --> 00:02:43.780 And He answered them, Who are my mother and my brothers? 00:02:44.519 --> 00:02:47.979 And looking about at those who sat around Him, He said, 00:02:48.299 --> 00:02:50.939 Here are my mother and my brothers. 00:02:51.519 --> 00:02:57.639 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother. 00:02:57.639 --> 00:03:02.439 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:10.599 Our Father in Heaven, we simply thank You that You have given us Your Word 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:12.799 and that You speak to us now. 00:03:13.179 --> 00:03:15.639 But we also confess that it is hard for us. 00:03:15.739 --> 00:03:21.119 We come as people who are distracted, people are hurting, 00:03:22.459 --> 00:03:24.419 people who are burdened, people who are confused. 00:03:24.419 --> 00:03:31.560 And so we ask that You would clear those things up for us by Your Spirit this morning, 00:03:31.959 --> 00:03:37.979 that You would focus us, that You'd comfort us, that You'd clarify for us. 00:03:38.060 --> 00:03:43.679 Most of all, You'd show us Jesus Christ, that we would see Him as beautiful and glorious, 00:03:44.119 --> 00:03:50.000 that You would use Your Word to encourage us and to challenge us as we follow Him. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:55.819 And we thank You that we can have determined His confidence as we ask these things 00:03:55.819 --> 00:03:59.620 because we ask them in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:11.080 So I don't know how many of you have been involved in some sort of family intervention. 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:13.360 You know what I'm talking about. 00:04:13.420 --> 00:04:17.319 You finally meet with a member of your family and you confront them, 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:20.899 whether it's confronting them about their addiction or their behavior, 00:04:20.899 --> 00:04:24.480 or maybe it's about an unhealthy relationship. 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:28.300 Now, I've never participated in a family intervention, 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:31.219 but as a pastor, I've certainly heard about them. 00:04:32.040 --> 00:04:34.019 And in this passage before us this morning, 00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:40.100 we get to witness a family intervention from Jesus and His immediate family. 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:44.319 Jesus here has become the crazy family member 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:47.159 who finally needs to be brought back from the brink. 00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:53.040 Now, his family maybe has known there's always been something a little bit off about Jesus. 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:58.500 It was sort of cute when He stayed in Jerusalem as a child 00:04:58.500 --> 00:05:02.199 and Mary and Joseph couldn't find Him because He was hanging out with the teachers. 00:05:02.980 --> 00:05:06.959 The unfortunate fact is that there are some things that are only cute when you're little. 00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:10.139 And Jesus has come to an age. 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:14.620 Jesus is not little anymore, and what He's doing is not cute anymore. 00:05:15.539 --> 00:05:18.060 Maybe His family should have intervened sooner, 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:21.799 but as they say, better late than never. 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:27.099 It has finally come time for them to do something. 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:29.019 Jesus, you've had a good run, 00:05:29.459 --> 00:05:34.000 and it's time for you to finally pack it up and come home. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:36.220 And so that's what we see here in verse 31. 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:38.079 His mother and his brothers came, 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:41.639 and standing outside, they sent to Him and called Him. 00:05:42.300 --> 00:05:44.339 Jesus has gone too far, 00:05:44.779 --> 00:05:47.319 and it's time to finally bring it to an end. 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:54.180 We're picking up a story that we began earlier in verses 20 and 21. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:57.259 You may remember all the way back before Advent in November 00:05:57.259 --> 00:06:01.680 when we finished or paused in the Gospel of Mark. 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:04.560 Jesus' family at that point goes out to look for Him. 00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:05.819 So if you have your Bible with you, 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:09.040 you can see this in verses 20 and 21. 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:10.759 Especially 21, it says, 00:06:10.879 --> 00:06:13.079 And when His family heard it, they went out to seize Him, 00:06:13.120 --> 00:06:13.920 for they were saying, 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:15.480 He is out of His mind. 00:06:15.800 --> 00:06:17.360 Now, after His family says this, 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:18.420 look, Jesus is crazy. 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:19.540 He's gone too far. 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:21.620 We immediately switch scenes, 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:23.720 and we go to what we talked about last week 00:06:23.720 --> 00:06:26.019 when the scribes come and oppose Jesus, 00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:28.199 and they credit His power to demons. 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:30.479 Now, this is something we can't overlook 00:06:30.479 --> 00:06:32.180 because when we read the Bible, 00:06:32.339 --> 00:06:34.219 really when you read any good literature, 00:06:34.599 --> 00:06:37.120 if a story is broken up like that, 00:06:37.159 --> 00:06:38.240 it means something. 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:40.060 Especially in the Gospels, 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:42.599 if we have an interruption where we start a story, 00:06:42.939 --> 00:06:44.219 we go to another story, 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:45.539 and we come back, 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:48.139 the author is doing that with a clear intention. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:49.480 It's called a bookend, 00:06:49.639 --> 00:06:52.599 and it's meant to highlight some sort of connection 00:06:52.599 --> 00:06:53.959 between these two stories. 00:06:54.459 --> 00:06:56.639 Either there's a contrast to be made, 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:58.680 one character is to be emulated, 00:06:58.819 --> 00:06:59.439 other is not, 00:06:59.519 --> 00:07:00.899 or there's a similarity 00:07:00.899 --> 00:07:02.500 that's being drawn between the two. 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:04.599 And so what is the connection here 00:07:04.599 --> 00:07:05.579 between the scribes, 00:07:05.599 --> 00:07:06.219 on the one hand, 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:07.599 who are hostile to Jesus, 00:07:07.959 --> 00:07:09.259 and His family, 00:07:09.419 --> 00:07:10.139 on the other hand, 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:11.879 who are the ones who are closest to Him, 00:07:12.219 --> 00:07:14.240 perhaps the ones who love Jesus 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:16.419 more than anything else? 00:07:17.899 --> 00:07:19.439 Well, the connection is this. 00:07:20.159 --> 00:07:23.659 Both Jesus' family and the scribes 00:07:23.659 --> 00:07:26.419 miss what is actually going on. 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:30.240 Both Jesus' family and the scribes 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:33.139 miss what is actually going on. 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:34.939 Both, at some level, 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:38.759 are opposing Jesus and His mission. 00:07:39.800 --> 00:07:42.740 Now, one is out of active hostility, right? 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:45.419 The scribes do not like Jesus, 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:46.759 and we're gonna ultimately see 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:48.199 they're part of the plot to kill Him. 00:07:48.680 --> 00:07:49.019 So one is hostility. 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:51.060 His family here, of course, 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:52.199 we can assume the best, 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:55.680 perhaps out of misunderstanding or ignorance. 00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:58.000 Regardless of the motive, 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:01.600 both misunderstand Jesus' mission, 00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:03.340 both oppose it. 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:06.959 And so as we, at Chine Mountain, 00:08:07.100 --> 00:08:09.819 look to follow Jesus together, 00:08:09.960 --> 00:08:11.800 the point for us is this. 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:15.199 It is not just those on the outside 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:19.060 who thwart following God's mission. 00:08:19.060 --> 00:08:23.339 It is not just those on the outside 00:08:23.339 --> 00:08:27.699 who misunderstand what God's kingdom is about 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:30.000 and what He is calling us to. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:34.379 It is sometimes those on the inside as well. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:38.940 In fact, sometimes it is not just those on the inside. 00:08:39.259 --> 00:08:42.860 It is those who are the very closest to us. 00:08:43.639 --> 00:08:47.000 It is those with the very best intentions 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:49.519 who misunderstand Jesus' call. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:54.100 Of course, misunderstanding is better 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:55.939 than all-out hostility. 00:08:56.319 --> 00:08:58.699 What His family does here is better 00:08:58.699 --> 00:09:02.360 than accusing Jesus of being in league with the devil. 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:06.439 And it is still misunderstanding, missing, 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:11.419 not realizing what it is that Jesus is here for. 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:13.519 And so it's within this conflict 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:17.199 that Jesus clarifies His priorities. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:20.160 Verse 32. 00:09:20.860 --> 00:09:23.680 So 31, His mother and His brothers come. 00:09:23.900 --> 00:09:24.660 They're calling Him. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:28.160 Verse 32, there's a crowd who's sitting around Him. 00:09:28.660 --> 00:09:29.500 And they said to Him, 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:32.460 Your mother and your brothers are outside seeking you. 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:34.360 Now the expectation of His family 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:37.000 is that His response is obvious. 00:09:37.160 --> 00:09:40.000 Of course, Jesus is going to stop teaching 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:42.400 and He's going to go out and talk to His family 00:09:42.400 --> 00:09:43.860 because what could be more important? 00:09:44.180 --> 00:09:45.980 We're in a culture, as we read here, 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:48.800 where family is more important than anything else. 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:51.580 It is a core commitment, a core value. 00:09:51.779 --> 00:09:54.500 And so Jesus, being a good Jewish boy, 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:57.300 is going to respect His mother and honor His brothers 00:09:57.300 --> 00:09:59.879 by leaving, stopping to teach, 00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:03.039 and dealing with whatever the emergency is in that moment. 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:06.519 And so that's what makes Jesus' response here so surprising. 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:09.980 Verse 33, He asks them this rhetorical question, 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:13.460 Who are my mother and my brothers? 00:10:13.460 --> 00:10:15.740 And then He tells them, 00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:17.500 Here are my mother and my brothers. 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:20.139 In other words, you all are actually my family. 00:10:20.540 --> 00:10:22.980 For whoever does the will of God, 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:26.540 he is my brother and sister and mother. 00:10:29.040 --> 00:10:34.160 Jesus, in a culture that puts family 00:10:34.160 --> 00:10:38.440 as one of, if not the top priority here, 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:39.820 is doing something radical, 00:10:40.060 --> 00:10:42.240 something shocking, something disruptive. 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:44.560 He is upsetting and violating 00:10:44.560 --> 00:10:49.360 what the Jews would have loved and valued at great cost, 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:52.659 perhaps more than anything else. 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:57.060 Now, this is hard for us as Western people to understand 00:10:57.060 --> 00:10:59.899 because family is not our number one value. 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:02.139 And so when we hear Jesus saying, 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:03.680 Okay, my family is going to have to wait. 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:04.860 I have a higher priority. 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:07.139 That doesn't strike us as offensive 00:11:07.139 --> 00:11:09.560 and as upsetting as it would have the original audience. 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:11.240 That makes a little bit more sense to us. 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:13.980 We don't live in a culture that says family oriented. 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:20.039 And so I want for us to feel how disruptive this is as Americans. 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:22.639 It would probably be something like this. 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:26.560 For us, our core value is not loyalty to family. 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:32.180 One of our greatest core values is freedom and choice. 00:11:32.179 --> 00:11:35.959 We love freedom and choice. 00:11:35.959 --> 00:11:39.439 That's our loyalty, perhaps above almost anything else. 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:42.439 So I want you to imagine this. 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:44.500 Someone says to you, 00:11:45.439 --> 00:11:49.379 The only way that you can get married 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:52.099 is to have an arranged marriage. 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:56.740 Yeah. 00:11:56.920 --> 00:12:01.080 The only way you can get married is to have an arranged marriage. 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:03.159 Western people, we'd say what? 00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:09.580 Better to not get married than to risk limiting my options. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:12.379 If that's what we're talking about, 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:14.560 if that's my only option, 00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:17.559 I am definitely remaining single forever. 00:12:18.739 --> 00:12:18.919 Right? 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:23.579 If giving up family is my only option, 00:12:23.719 --> 00:12:25.939 I'm definitely not following Jesus. 00:12:27.079 --> 00:12:31.099 That is a step too far. 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:32.319 Okay? 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:35.340 Sacrificing family would have been a nightmare for them 00:12:35.340 --> 00:12:37.600 in the way that having limited options, 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:40.140 having our decisions made for us, 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:42.080 is a nightmare for us. 00:12:42.660 --> 00:12:43.780 The American nightmare. 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:49.820 And so that's how we come to our first point from this passage, 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:52.000 the priority of the kingdom. 00:12:53.640 --> 00:12:55.960 Jesus is making a point here for us 00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:57.620 that there is a hierarchy, 00:12:57.860 --> 00:13:00.220 a priority of loyalties in this life. 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:01.800 Our ultimate priority, 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:04.079 our ultimate loyalty is with him. 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:05.859 The kingdom of God, 00:13:06.219 --> 00:13:06.799 for these people, 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:07.859 comes before family. 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:09.979 We could say the kingdom of God 00:13:09.979 --> 00:13:12.979 comes before anyone and anything else. 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:15.620 In fact, to bring this point home for us, 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:18.620 Mark actually draws us a picture in this passage. 00:13:19.099 --> 00:13:20.399 The Bible is God's word 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:22.679 in which he instructs us and guides us. 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:25.799 It is also a phenomenal piece of literature. 00:13:26.939 --> 00:13:28.779 And so watch what's happening here. 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:31.579 There are literally two circles 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:32.700 in this story. 00:13:32.920 --> 00:13:34.220 There's an inner circle 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:35.639 and an outer circle. 00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:37.200 Verse 31, 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:39.560 his mother and his brothers came 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:41.720 and standing outside. 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.020 Okay? 00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:45.280 They're on the outer circle. 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:47.000 Verse 32, 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:51.060 a crowd was sitting around him. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:53.139 There's an inner circle. 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:55.379 In this story, 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:58.539 Mark is literally illustrating for us 00:13:58.539 --> 00:14:00.000 by geography, 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.259 Jesus' order of priorities. 00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:05.059 Yes, family matters. 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:08.100 It does not matter as much 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:10.419 as his mission for the kingdom of God 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:11.159 as he sits, 00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:13.039 teaching and discipling 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:15.720 those who are or will become 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:17.080 his disciples 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:19.740 who are eager to sit at his feet 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:21.919 and learn what he has to say. 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:24.740 They are quite literally 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:26.080 the inner circle. 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:27.799 They are literally 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:29.799 his first priority. 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:34.419 There's another literary device here 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:36.159 going on with some word play. 00:14:37.320 --> 00:14:39.080 So we have the visual illustration 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:40.240 of Jesus' priorities. 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:43.340 We also have a demonstration 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:45.240 of the conflict that's going on. 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:47.000 There's an important word 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:47.740 that we've seen 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:48.840 throughout the gospel in Mark, 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:49.860 and it's the word call 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:51.539 or called or calling. 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:53.919 Mark chapter 1, verse 20, 00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:55.500 Jesus finds James and John. 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.120 It tells us, 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:58.820 and immediately he called them. 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.279 Earlier in this chapter, 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:04.060 we saw Jesus pick 00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:05.759 the 12 who follow him. 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:06.620 Verse 13, 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:08.120 he went up on the mountain 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:09.820 and called to him 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:10.680 those he desired, 00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:11.620 and they came to him. 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:14.680 Did you notice 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:16.659 what Jesus' family does 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:17.779 in this passage? 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.039 Verse 31, 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:22.879 standing outside, 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:24.139 they sent to him 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:25.980 and called him. 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:31.059 The point is this. 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:34.639 Jesus calls people 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:36.559 to follow him, 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:40.279 and there are always 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:42.539 other voices calling. 00:15:42.539 --> 00:15:46.639 Jesus calls people 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:48.139 to follow him, 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:50.419 and there are always 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:52.019 many other voices 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:53.519 calling us to follow. 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:56.360 There is always 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.159 competition 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:58.919 for our attention. 00:15:59.339 --> 00:16:00.199 There is always 00:16:00.199 --> 00:16:00.919 competition 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:02.179 for our loves 00:16:02.179 --> 00:16:03.339 and our loyalty. 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.219 And so part of the reason 00:16:05.219 --> 00:16:06.439 that we are gathered here 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:07.559 together this morning 00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:09.039 as the family of God 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:09.679 at Cheyenne Mountain 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:10.699 Presbyterian Church 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.400 is so that we could 00:16:11.400 --> 00:16:12.080 be reminded 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:13.020 this morning 00:16:13.020 --> 00:16:13.700 as we are 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.560 every Sunday 00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:15.900 of the ultimate call 00:16:15.900 --> 00:16:16.480 of Jesus 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:18.040 that he gives to us 00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:19.180 and on our lives. 00:16:19.300 --> 00:16:20.300 When we come 00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:21.280 and we hear the call 00:16:21.280 --> 00:16:21.800 to worship, 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:23.120 that is our reminder 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.300 again that Jesus' 00:16:24.540 --> 00:16:25.300 calling matters 00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:26.560 more than any other. 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:27.700 It is the reminder 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:29.140 that we belong to him 00:16:29.140 --> 00:16:29.840 as family 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.980 that have been adopted, 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:31.860 and so we come 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.820 and worship him, 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:34.220 directing our worship 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:34.940 towards him 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:36.340 and with other people 00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:36.980 around us 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:38.420 who are our brothers 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.199 and sisters. 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:42.620 There is only 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:44.559 one ultimate call, 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:47.299 and there are 00:16:47.299 --> 00:16:48.799 many other voices 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:50.159 looking to pull us 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:51.620 and direct us. 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:56.299 Jesus is the one 00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:57.819 who is ultimately calling. 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:01.620 His mother and his brothers 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.740 remind us 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:04.539 there are other calls 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.139 calls as well. 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:09.899 Calls that are tuned out 00:17:09.899 --> 00:17:11.980 when and if 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.619 they conflict 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:14.799 with Jesus' call. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.759 It is his call 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:19.819 that is most important. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:25.619 Jesus, in other words, 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:28.539 upends and directs 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:31.159 the budget of our lives. 00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:34.920 It is almost a cliche 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:36.300 to say that 00:17:36.300 --> 00:17:36.920 how you budget 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:37.860 your life, 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.019 how you budget 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.560 your money, 00:17:40.560 --> 00:17:41.779 reveals what you 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.900 believe is essential 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:44.640 and what you believe 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:45.600 is discretionary. 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:46.700 In fact, 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.560 some people would say 00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:48.360 if you show me 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:49.240 your budget, 00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:49.900 I will show you 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:50.920 what is important to you. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.680 It reveals 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:54.080 what you consider 00:17:54.080 --> 00:17:54.960 to be wants 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:56.380 and what you consider 00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:57.100 to be needs. 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:58.860 So I want you 00:17:58.860 --> 00:17:59.320 to imagine 00:17:59.320 --> 00:17:59.840 for a second 00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:00.980 someone saying this. 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.560 I've spent 00:18:02.560 --> 00:18:03.640 so much 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:05.080 on new clothes 00:18:05.080 --> 00:18:05.840 this month, 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:07.060 it's actually 00:18:07.060 --> 00:18:07.779 not going to work 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.300 for me to pay 00:18:08.300 --> 00:18:08.759 my mortgage. 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:10.980 That's going to have 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.860 to wait until next month. 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:13.600 No. 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.480 Everyone knows 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.040 you don't budget 00:18:16.040 --> 00:18:16.600 like that. 00:18:16.840 --> 00:18:18.120 You do not spend 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:18.940 and then see 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.759 if you have money 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.320 left over 00:18:20.320 --> 00:18:21.100 to pay your mortgage. 00:18:21.580 --> 00:18:21.800 No, 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:23.040 you pay your mortgage 00:18:23.040 --> 00:18:24.120 and you see 00:18:24.120 --> 00:18:24.940 what's left over 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:25.759 for other things. 00:18:26.080 --> 00:18:26.680 You pay 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:27.620 what's essential. 00:18:27.800 --> 00:18:28.080 You pay 00:18:28.080 --> 00:18:28.940 for your needs 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.960 and then you see 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.800 what's left over 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:31.559 for your wants. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.759 Your savings 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:35.139 determine your spending, 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:36.539 not the other way around. 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.859 Your essentials 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:39.940 determine how much 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:40.779 is left over 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:42.500 for your discretionary spending, 00:18:42.659 --> 00:18:44.139 not the other way around. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:46.000 You don't pay 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.839 for house cleaning 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.740 if you can't afford 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.159 your mortgage. 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.180 You don't pay 00:18:50.180 --> 00:18:50.859 for your car 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.579 to be repainted 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.779 if you can't buy gas. 00:18:53.639 --> 00:18:54.819 You don't send money 00:18:54.819 --> 00:18:55.680 to other families 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.460 if you can't 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.279 feed your own. 00:18:57.279 --> 00:19:00.619 The same applies 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:01.619 to the budget 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.799 of our lives. 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:06.059 Our essential spending, 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:08.220 what is a need 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.160 and not a want 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:10.180 is our commitment 00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:11.059 to God 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:12.059 and his kingdom 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:13.480 which directs 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:14.359 and determines 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.559 everything else. 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.899 That is the essential 00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:21.660 from which everything else 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:22.500 is downstream. 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.900 and so we do this. 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.359 We prioritize 00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:26.880 being with God's people 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:27.539 in worship 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:29.539 and we see 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.420 what time 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.380 is left over 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.240 for other things. 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.299 We don't ask 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:35.240 whether we can afford 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.680 to obey God's commands. 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:38.220 We obey God's commands 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.339 and we trust him 00:19:39.339 --> 00:19:40.160 to provide. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:43.359 We set aside money 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.039 for God 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.859 and for the poor 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:45.519 and we see 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.559 what is left over 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.319 for us. 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:49.819 We see 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.539 if someone 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.720 shares our faith 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.859 commitment first 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:55.139 and then we determine 00:19:55.139 --> 00:19:55.639 whether they're 00:19:55.639 --> 00:19:56.079 a candidate 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.679 for dating 00:19:56.679 --> 00:19:58.059 or for marriage. 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.619 We honor 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:01.359 our commitments 00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:02.399 as parents 00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:03.200 and spouses 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:03.980 first 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:06.119 and then we see 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:07.179 what's left over 00:20:07.179 --> 00:20:08.500 for extracurriculars. 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:10.960 And in this passage 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.500 particularly 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.339 we know 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.240 God's will 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.859 first 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:15.759 and then we evaluate 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.740 the expectations 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:18.099 of our families. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:21.000 We have clarity 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:22.240 about our priorities 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.119 and our hierarchies 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:24.119 about what's essential 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:25.500 and what's discretionary 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.839 in other parts 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.819 of life. 00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:30.359 But somehow 00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:31.079 when it comes 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:32.500 to our spiritual life 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.700 things quickly 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.900 get muddled. 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:38.359 Jesus here 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.259 cuts through 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.160 all of that 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:41.200 and provides us 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:41.920 with tremendous 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.940 clarity. 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.579 We are tempted 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.379 to think 00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:47.419 that Christianity 00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:48.859 is a hobby 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:50.799 that we pick up 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.740 and put down 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.439 when we want. 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.220 Jesus says 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.399 follow me. 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.740 Jesus says 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.899 everything else 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:03.359 can be 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:04.339 a hobby 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.139 but not me. 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:06.159 I am not 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:06.919 the priority 00:21:06.919 --> 00:21:08.000 that's juggled 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.359 along with many others. 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.519 I am the 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.379 priority 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:12.179 that determines 00:21:12.179 --> 00:21:13.460 what else can fit 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.179 and where 00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:15.119 it fits. 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:18.239 I am 00:21:18.239 --> 00:21:19.179 the inner 00:21:19.179 --> 00:21:20.019 circle. 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.339 In other words 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:23.019 our commitment 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.579 to Christ 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.219 is not an 00:21:24.219 --> 00:21:25.379 accessory commitment 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:26.439 it is what we'd 00:21:26.439 --> 00:21:26.919 call a 00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:27.639 keystone 00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:28.219 commitment. 00:21:28.919 --> 00:21:29.899 It's not an 00:21:29.899 --> 00:21:30.899 accessory commitment 00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:31.959 it's what we'd 00:21:31.959 --> 00:21:32.479 call a 00:21:32.479 --> 00:21:33.159 keystone 00:21:33.159 --> 00:21:34.039 commitment. 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.439 Everything else 00:21:35.439 --> 00:21:36.399 is downstream 00:21:36.399 --> 00:21:37.179 of that. 00:21:37.719 --> 00:21:38.619 Family commitment 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.219 downstream 00:21:39.219 --> 00:21:40.019 of faith 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.439 commitment. 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.460 We don't 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.100 abandon 00:21:42.100 --> 00:21:42.420 it 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.180 for our 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:43.480 faith 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.860 we filter 00:21:44.860 --> 00:21:45.299 it through 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:45.799 our faith. 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.460 We don't 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.140 abandon 00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:49.080 other commitments 00:21:49.080 --> 00:21:49.779 for our 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.080 faith 00:21:50.080 --> 00:21:51.080 we filter 00:21:51.080 --> 00:21:51.400 them 00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:52.140 through 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:52.860 our 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.240 faith. 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.740 This is not 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.840 an issue 00:21:55.840 --> 00:21:57.779 of legalism 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.740 or moralism 00:21:58.740 --> 00:22:00.460 it's an issue 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.680 of priorities. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.160 It's not 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:05.259 an issue 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.079 of obeying 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.900 rules or not 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.380 an issue 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:07.839 of what our 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.839 heart loves 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.880 more than 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:10.720 anything else. 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:11.900 In other 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:12.299 words 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.220 everyone 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.000 has an 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.299 ultimate 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:14.880 priority. 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.559 Everyone 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.500 has something 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.339 they love 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:20.259 and value 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.339 more than 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.120 anything else. 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:23.000 the question 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.799 is which 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.659 story do 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.059 we live 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.319 in? 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.000 Which 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.019 horizon 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.959 do we 00:22:28.959 --> 00:22:29.839 set our 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.500 eyes on? 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.539 Everyone 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:33.159 has a 00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:33.679 keystone 00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:34.419 everyone 00:22:34.419 --> 00:22:35.659 has a 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:36.179 horizon 00:22:36.179 --> 00:22:36.619 line 00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:37.399 everyone 00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:38.319 has an 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:38.639 ultimate 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:39.159 loyalty. 00:22:40.199 --> 00:22:41.159 For many 00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:41.899 people today 00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.559 their ultimate 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.899 loyalty is 00:22:43.899 --> 00:22:44.759 freedom from 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.699 all commitments. 00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.679 I want to 00:22:47.679 --> 00:22:48.199 make sure I'm 00:22:48.199 --> 00:22:48.799 free whatever 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.559 shows up. 00:22:50.979 --> 00:22:51.559 For other 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:52.039 people their 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.359 ultimate 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:53.500 loyalty is 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:53.980 safety. 00:22:55.619 --> 00:22:56.099 They never 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.839 buy anything 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.440 because the 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.099 larger your 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.759 bank account 00:22:58.759 --> 00:23:00.000 the safer 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.700 you feel. 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.039 Still others 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.539 and this is 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.099 common in our 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.819 culture their 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.920 ultimate horizon 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:06.819 is pleasure 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.899 and peak 00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:08.700 experiences. 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.559 Jesus here 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.680 tells us what 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.619 our horizon 00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:14.599 line should 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.440 be and 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.039 is. 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.539 We fix 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.339 our eyes 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.139 first and 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:20.099 foremost more 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.460 than on 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.220 anything else 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.519 towards him 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.279 and his 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:23.640 kingdom. 00:23:25.100 --> 00:23:26.539 That is the 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.480 place our 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.160 eyes set. 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:29.140 That is what 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:30.559 directs everything 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.319 else in our 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:31.700 lives. 00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:32.720 That is what 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:34.200 sets every 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.380 other priority. 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.339 That is the 00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:37.460 filter we 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.960 place everything 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.860 through. 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:39.899 through. 00:23:43.179 --> 00:23:43.839 Now it is 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.659 important as we 00:23:44.659 --> 00:23:45.459 talk about 00:23:45.459 --> 00:23:46.199 these issues 00:23:46.199 --> 00:23:47.000 of hierarchies 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.799 especially as 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.279 Jesus is 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.919 talking about 00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:49.500 his family 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.399 to have 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:51.339 clarity about 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:51.759 what this 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.240 passage 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.279 doesn't 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:53.599 mean. 00:23:54.399 --> 00:23:55.059 Because it 00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.319 would be 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:55.899 easy at 00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:56.339 this point 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.859 to take 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:57.179 Jesus' 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:58.319 words and 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:58.839 to abuse 00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.039 it. 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:00.539 It does 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.399 not mean 00:24:01.399 --> 00:24:02.219 that we 00:24:02.219 --> 00:24:02.659 abandon 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:03.299 our families. 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.959 It means 00:24:05.959 --> 00:24:06.459 that we put 00:24:06.459 --> 00:24:07.079 them in the 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:08.179 appropriate place. 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:08.660 we put them 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:08.900 in the 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.580 proper place. 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:10.960 It is not 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.700 right for us 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.480 to abuse 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.340 this passage 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:13.960 to neglect 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.680 our families. 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.279 In fact, 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.279 if you're 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.860 supposed to 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.460 follow the 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:17.980 will of 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.380 God, 00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:19.240 if that's 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:19.740 what determines 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.380 his family, 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.519 remember that 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.060 the will of 00:24:23.060 --> 00:24:23.900 God includes 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.380 caring for 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:24.840 your family. 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:26.660 The fifth 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.180 commandment, 00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:27.700 honor your 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.560 father and 00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:28.980 your mother. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:29.960 Deuteronomy 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.759 chapter 6, 00:24:30.840 --> 00:24:31.860 be diligent in 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:32.759 instructing your 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.460 children in the 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:33.880 way of the 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.140 Lord. 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.400 Ephesians and 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:36.560 Colossians teach 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.399 us about being 00:24:37.399 --> 00:24:38.539 faithful spouses 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.700 and parents. 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:41.700 And so we 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.139 have found 00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:42.720 ourselves in a 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.460 bad place if 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:44.220 we confuse 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.899 this passage 00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:45.379 and find 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.119 ourselves so 00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:47.359 busy with 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.299 Christian activity 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.099 that we can't 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:49.779 be present with 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.359 our families. 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:52.240 Something is 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.639 wrong at that 00:24:53.639 --> 00:24:53.960 point. 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:56.099 You don't get 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:57.079 to use, as 00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:57.899 many do, 00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.659 service to 00:24:59.659 --> 00:25:00.299 God as an 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.079 excuse for 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:01.960 being a poor 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.980 and absent 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:04.220 wife, husband, 00:25:04.399 --> 00:25:05.099 mother, father, 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.359 son, daughter. 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:11.539 But in 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.440 places where 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:12.899 there's a 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:14.579 conflict between 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.519 the demands 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.539 and priorities 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:18.039 and expectations 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:19.559 of family or 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.500 anything else 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:22.200 and the will 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:23.899 of God, you 00:25:23.899 --> 00:25:24.919 choose and 00:25:24.919 --> 00:25:26.079 always choose 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:27.039 the will of 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.339 God. 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:30.359 And part of 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:30.960 God's will 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.159 involves caring 00:25:32.159 --> 00:25:32.779 for your family. 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.359 Now if this 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:36.579 is confusing 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.519 for you, 00:25:38.659 --> 00:25:39.079 thankfully, 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.479 Jesus models 00:25:40.479 --> 00:25:41.259 this for us 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.779 perfectly. 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.919 Jesus cares 00:25:43.919 --> 00:25:44.419 for his 00:25:44.419 --> 00:25:45.359 family and 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.079 puts them in 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:46.500 the right 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.099 place. 00:25:47.219 --> 00:25:47.839 On the one 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.439 hand, in 00:25:48.439 --> 00:25:49.039 this passage, 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:50.139 we see that 00:25:50.139 --> 00:25:50.659 his family is 00:25:50.659 --> 00:25:51.459 not able to 00:25:51.459 --> 00:25:52.339 pull him away 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.339 from his 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:54.000 mission, his 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.819 direction, and 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.399 his purpose. 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.259 Right? 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.000 If he had, he 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.500 would have left, 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.139 stopped teaching, 00:25:59.299 --> 00:25:59.859 scaled down his 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:01.059 ministry, returned 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:01.799 back to Nazareth. 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.480 Jesus doesn't 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:02.899 do that. 00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:05.159 On the other 00:26:05.159 --> 00:26:06.399 hand, Jesus 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:08.079 cares faithfully 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:09.159 for his 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:09.559 family. 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.180 You'll remember 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:11.000 John chapter 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.099 19, Jesus 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:13.299 is dying on 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.119 the cross in 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:14.500 agony. 00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:15.779 And what does 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.279 he make sure 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.700 happens? 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.740 He makes sure 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.759 his mother is 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.399 cared for. 00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:22.019 Okay? 00:26:22.919 --> 00:26:24.359 Jesus shows 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:24.980 us how to 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.579 balance it. 00:26:26.379 --> 00:26:27.279 On the one 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:27.940 hand, he keeps 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.419 his mission 00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:28.919 first. 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.900 On the other 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:30.560 hand, he is 00:26:30.560 --> 00:26:31.580 faithful to 00:26:31.580 --> 00:26:32.060 his family. 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:32.420 He doesn't 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.060 cut them off. 00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:33.360 He's not 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:34.160 estranged from 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:34.420 them. 00:26:35.060 --> 00:26:35.860 Jesus cares 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.560 about them. 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:37.640 They are just 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:38.560 not his 00:26:38.560 --> 00:26:39.220 fundamental 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.039 orientation. 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.880 Instead, Jesus 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.680 is oriented 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.180 around a 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.820 mission and a 00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:45.060 direction and 00:26:45.060 --> 00:26:45.580 a purpose. 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:48.779 In fact, many 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.120 have pointed 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:49.900 out that putting 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:51.580 God first is 00:26:51.580 --> 00:26:52.120 what actually 00:26:52.120 --> 00:26:53.120 allows us to 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:54.300 love our 00:26:54.300 --> 00:26:55.060 families rather 00:26:55.060 --> 00:26:56.539 than neglecting 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.060 them on the 00:26:57.060 --> 00:26:58.480 one hand or 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.279 idolizing them 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.339 on the other. 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.860 And when we 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.579 idolize them, we 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:04.059 put pressure on 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.720 those around us 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.160 that they are 00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:06.539 impossible to 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.160 bear up under. 00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:09.200 And so it's in 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:09.860 putting God 00:27:09.860 --> 00:27:10.680 first that we're 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.299 able to be 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.779 faithful to our 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.180 families. 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:16.940 That then is 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:19.779 the priority of 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.779 the kingdom, that 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.660 it comes first, it 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.380 comes before 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:24.019 anything else. 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.559 We also see in 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:27.000 this passage not 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.839 just the priority of 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.399 the kingdom, but 00:27:28.399 --> 00:27:29.679 the mark of the 00:27:29.679 --> 00:27:29.939 kingdom. 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:32.000 I've told you that 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.819 when you read the 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.839 Bible, bookends are 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:34.879 extremely important 00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:36.119 when a story is 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:37.039 broken up as it is 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.319 here. 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.699 Another element to 00:27:38.699 --> 00:27:39.740 watch out for as you 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.599 read scripture is 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.779 final statements. 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.399 Closing statements in 00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:45.059 stories often, especially 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.919 when they're stated by 00:27:45.919 --> 00:27:47.559 Jesus, give us the 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.259 main point. 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:48.980 They give us the 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.500 conclusion. 00:27:49.699 --> 00:27:51.119 They explain what's 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.759 going on. 00:27:52.439 --> 00:27:53.599 And here we have 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:55.139 such a final statement 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.700 in verse 35. 00:27:57.580 --> 00:27:58.800 For whoever does the 00:27:58.800 --> 00:28:00.720 will of God, he is my 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:02.700 brother and sister and 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.000 mother. 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:10.020 This gives us two 00:28:10.020 --> 00:28:11.400 things, both an 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:13.560 encouragement and a 00:28:13.560 --> 00:28:13.880 challenge. 00:28:14.040 --> 00:28:14.400 First, the 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:15.580 encouragement is the 00:28:15.580 --> 00:28:17.120 inclusion that Jesus 00:28:17.120 --> 00:28:17.740 has here. 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:21.220 Jesus includes anyone 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:23.099 and everyone who 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:25.220 follows after him in 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.279 his family. 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:28.859 God makes these 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:30.140 people his family. 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:30.759 That's why we 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:32.180 confessed this morning 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.299 about the doctrine 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:34.220 of adoption. 00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:36.299 And so people might 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.500 come and say, hey, you 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.079 should visit our 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:38.420 church. 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.579 It is like a 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:39.880 family. 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.279 There's a sense in 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:42.960 which that's true. 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:44.000 There's also a sense in 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.920 which it's not true. 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.900 It's not like a 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.259 family. 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:48.579 It is a family. 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.599 God has set this as 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:52.879 the greatest priority 00:28:52.879 --> 00:28:55.059 for us socially and 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:55.720 relationally. 00:28:56.339 --> 00:28:57.539 You, if you follow 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.940 after him, are part of 00:28:58.940 --> 00:29:00.579 his family, not just in 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.460 your relationship to 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:02.160 him, but in your 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:03.379 relationship with 00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:03.879 others. 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:05.160 And so that's why I 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:06.339 say every Sunday that 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:07.500 we are following Jesus 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:09.359 together as one 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:09.940 community. 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:13.119 If you've seen or 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:14.819 read any story or 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:16.059 movie about someone 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:17.119 who's adopted or in 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.960 an orphanage, you 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:20.819 know there are some 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.980 orphans who are more 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:23.000 attractive to be 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.000 adopted than others. 00:29:25.179 --> 00:29:26.559 You know that there's 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.740 discussion about, oh, 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:29.200 I'm too old enough to 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:30.359 be, I'm too old to be 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:30.759 adopted. 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.899 I'm not young enough. 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:35.099 I'm not cute enough. 00:29:35.179 --> 00:29:36.419 I'm not sweet enough. 00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:38.419 Only certain types of 00:29:38.419 --> 00:29:39.519 people get chosen. 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.919 The good news of this 00:29:41.919 --> 00:29:43.279 passage as Jesus tells 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.500 us that those who obey 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.960 his will are part of 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.819 his family is that 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:48.119 there is no such thing 00:29:48.119 --> 00:29:49.440 as too old or too 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.740 young or too cute or 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.380 too hard. 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:53.559 Jesus will adopt anyone 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.759 and everyone who 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:56.339 follows after him in 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:56.960 his will. 00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:58.740 His invitation to 00:29:58.740 --> 00:30:01.220 follow him is for 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:02.920 anyone who receives 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.200 it. 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:07.599 Jesus will adopt you. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:11.459 That's the good news of 00:30:11.459 --> 00:30:13.319 the mark of the kingdom. 00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:16.619 There's also some bad 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:16.980 news. 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:20.319 The bad news is you do 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:21.519 not belong to Jesus 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:23.659 because of familiar or 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:24.559 social ties. 00:30:25.699 --> 00:30:26.779 Church membership and 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.759 attendance does not 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:29.419 guarantee that you are 00:30:29.419 --> 00:30:30.480 with Jesus. 00:30:31.179 --> 00:30:32.819 The people who are with 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:34.219 him have a mark and a 00:30:34.219 --> 00:30:35.279 sign and it's this. 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:37.480 They do the will of 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:37.839 God. 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:42.799 Yes, Jesus takes us as 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:44.460 we are and he never 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.359 leaves us there. 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:47.879 Yes, Jesus saves us 00:30:47.879 --> 00:30:49.519 apart from anything we 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.740 have ever done and 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:52.619 those he saves, he 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.359 sanctifies. 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.920 Our holiness as we 00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:57.119 follow after the will of 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:58.779 God is the sign that he 00:30:58.779 --> 00:31:00.759 has chosen us as his 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:02.319 sons and his daughters. 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:07.460 And so there's a 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:08.619 radical offense here 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:12.039 and a radical love. 00:31:12.899 --> 00:31:14.200 And the radical love is 00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:15.500 this, adoption is 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.859 always available. 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:21.639 Adoption is always 00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.619 an option. 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:24.200 Jesus is always willing 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:24.839 to adopt. 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.819 He doesn't rule people 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:27.000 out based on age or 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.819 desirability. 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:31.619 Instead, his call to 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:33.579 follow him is a call 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:35.359 that's extended even 00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:37.960 now to you right here 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:38.700 in this place. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:41.700 Jesus is still calling 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:43.240 people to follow after 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:46.619 him and those who do, 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:49.339 do it because they are 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:50.639 his family, because he's 00:31:50.639 --> 00:31:52.460 adopted them and received 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:52.700 them. 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:52.759 Amen. 00:31:57.819 --> 00:32:00.819 Now we've looked this 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.619 morning at some heavy 00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.059 things. 00:32:03.139 --> 00:32:06.059 The heavy call to make 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:08.399 Jesus the ultimate, the 00:32:08.399 --> 00:32:09.859 greatest priority in our 00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:10.299 lives. 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:13.299 And the sobering reminder 00:32:13.299 --> 00:32:15.639 that the mark of that 00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:17.319 family is one of 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:17.679 obedience. 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:20.079 And it would be easy in 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:21.279 the face of those things 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:23.720 to feel a weight that's 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:25.139 impossible for us to 00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:26.859 carry by ourselves. 00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:28.179 A call that's impossible 00:32:28.179 --> 00:32:30.419 for us to answer alone. 00:32:31.439 --> 00:32:32.379 Thankfully, the good news 00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:33.639 of the gospel is that God 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:35.759 always enables and 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:37.299 empowers what he 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.759 commands. 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:40.719 It is impossible, in 00:32:40.719 --> 00:32:42.079 other words, for us to 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:44.199 fix our eyes on the right 00:32:44.199 --> 00:32:46.240 horizon line by 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.799 ourselves. 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:51.139 And thankfully, God has 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:53.559 not left us to do that. 00:32:54.359 --> 00:32:55.419 We see a similar 00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:57.039 sentiment to this passage 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.480 in John chapter 14. 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.740 If you have your Bible 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.660 with you, I invite you to 00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:01.519 turn there with me. 00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:04.779 And John says this of 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.720 Jesus' words in verse 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:08.120 15, if you love me, you 00:33:08.120 --> 00:33:09.960 will keep my commandments. 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:13.400 Thankfully, that's not 00:33:13.400 --> 00:33:14.700 all John says. 00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:18.740 God's grace always comes 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:21.300 before obedience or 00:33:21.300 --> 00:33:21.820 commands. 00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:23.340 And if you're familiar with 00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:25.139 John chapter 14, you know 00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:27.079 before Jesus ever says that, 00:33:27.379 --> 00:33:28.500 he says this, 00:33:28.939 --> 00:33:30.099 let not your hearts be 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.480 troubled. 00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:31.799 Believe in God. 00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:33.220 Believe also in me. 00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:35.799 In my Father's house are 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.740 many rooms. 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.980 If it were not so, would I 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:41.039 have told you that I go to 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:42.519 prepare a place for you? 00:33:43.199 --> 00:33:44.919 And if I go and prepare a 00:33:44.919 --> 00:33:46.319 place for you, I will come 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:48.419 again and I will take you to 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:51.840 myself that where I am, you 00:33:51.840 --> 00:33:54.279 may be also. 00:33:56.620 --> 00:33:58.539 Horizon lines are what we 00:33:58.539 --> 00:34:00.279 believe about the future. 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:02.180 Jesus here, before he tells 00:34:02.180 --> 00:34:03.560 his people that if they love 00:34:03.560 --> 00:34:04.800 him, they will keep his 00:34:04.800 --> 00:34:06.220 commandments, gives them a 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.539 picture and a vision of the 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:09.860 future that he has for them. 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:11.059 It's one of a family. 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:13.260 What does a family have? 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:15.980 It has a home. 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:18.980 Jesus reminds his people that 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:20.940 he is preparing a place for 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.300 them. 00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:23.320 It is not up to us, brothers 00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:24.480 and sisters, to pull 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:26.000 ourselves up by our 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:27.300 bootstraps to try to figure 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:29.099 out how we can make Jesus 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:30.539 our number one priority and 00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:31.780 follow after his will. 00:34:32.099 --> 00:34:34.000 No, Jesus comes first with 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:35.860 his grace, reminding his 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:37.440 people that he is a father 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:39.460 who prepares a home for 00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:39.840 them. 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:42.559 He presents that vision and 00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.820 that picture to us that we 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:45.820 would fix our eyes on it and 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:47.440 see it as our future that is 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.760 more beautiful and more 00:34:48.760 --> 00:34:50.320 glorious than anything else. 00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:52.620 He shows us his promises and 00:34:52.620 --> 00:34:54.700 his provision before he ever 00:34:54.700 --> 00:34:55.960 gives a command. 00:34:57.500 --> 00:35:00.340 Even more than that, Jesus 00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:01.920 doesn't just tell his people 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:03.480 here that he has a home for 00:35:03.480 --> 00:35:03.680 them. 00:35:03.900 --> 00:35:05.580 He reminds them of perhaps 00:35:05.580 --> 00:35:07.220 what is more important than 00:35:07.220 --> 00:35:09.559 that, that a family is a place 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:11.160 where there is presence and 00:35:11.160 --> 00:35:13.620 access and fellowship and love. 00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:16.359 And so immediately after he 00:35:16.359 --> 00:35:18.099 tells them that love equals 00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:19.880 obedience, he reminds them in 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:22.559 verses 16 and 17, and I will 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:24.440 ask the father and he will give 00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:26.059 you another helper to be with 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:26.900 you forever. 00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:29.759 Even the spirit of truth whom 00:35:29.759 --> 00:35:32.079 the world cannot receive because 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:34.339 it neither sees him, you nor 00:35:34.339 --> 00:35:35.039 knows him. 00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:38.579 You know him for he dwells with 00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:40.940 you and will be with you. 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:47.980 Jesus, hard reminder and 00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:50.519 command in this passage that he 00:35:50.519 --> 00:35:52.679 comes before anything and 00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:53.980 everything else that he's calling 00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:56.099 his people to obedience and that 00:35:56.099 --> 00:35:58.480 is their mark and sign, rests and 00:35:58.480 --> 00:36:01.019 only rest on God's grace and 00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:03.639 provision as he reminds us of what 00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:06.319 he has prepared for us in the 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:09.600 future and the way he by his 00:36:09.600 --> 00:36:13.860 spirit meets us now, today, in 00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:14.320 the present. 00:36:15.840 --> 00:36:18.820 And so it's as we embrace and 00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:21.500 receive that grace, as we look to 00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:23.539 what God has prepared, is 00:36:23.539 --> 00:36:26.220 preparing and has given to us that 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:29.559 we are able to follow after him. 00:36:30.900 --> 00:36:33.380 Brothers and sisters, Jesus calls 00:36:33.380 --> 00:36:34.940 you to follow him. 00:36:35.300 --> 00:36:37.660 He offers to make you his 00:36:37.660 --> 00:36:38.119 family. 00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:42.880 He offers you more than anyone or 00:36:42.880 --> 00:36:45.180 anything else can give you. 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:48.440 Will you? 00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:54.460 For whoever does the will of God, he 00:36:54.460 --> 00:36:57.240 is my brother and sister and mother. 00:36:58.320 --> 00:36:59.099 Let's pray. 00:36:59.099 --> 00:37:03.039 Our Father in heaven, we thank you 00:37:03.039 --> 00:37:05.039 for this family that you've given 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:05.339 us. 00:37:05.639 --> 00:37:08.099 We thank you that you always enable 00:37:08.099 --> 00:37:10.759 and empower what you command and 00:37:10.759 --> 00:37:12.259 that you meet us first with your 00:37:12.259 --> 00:37:12.659 grace. 00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:14.559 We thank you most of all that you do 00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:16.639 that in your son and our savior, 00:37:16.819 --> 00:37:17.440 Jesus Christ. 00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:20.079 And so we ask that you would set our 00:37:20.079 --> 00:37:21.960 eyes on the right horizon. 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:26.139 That we would love you and follow you 00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:27.659 more than anything else. 00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:30.239 We ask these things in the mighty name 00:37:30.239 --> 00:37:31.099 of Jesus Christ. 00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:31.799 Amen.