WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.760 So we've been moving through, we've been seeing the beginning of Jesus' ministry. 00:00:03.760 --> 00:00:10.540 He comes out, he's in Galilee, he's been baptized, he begins establishing his authority as he's tempted 00:00:10.540 --> 00:00:17.879 ! and establishes his authority over Satan, as he drives out demons, as he heals paralytics and cleanses lepers. 00:00:18.580 --> 00:00:27.519 We saw in the beginning of chapter 2 that he has returned to Capernaum. For a while he was out in desolate places because of the healing of the leper. 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:34.960 He's returned back to Capernaum and now here at the beginning of our story we see him again back out beside the sea. 00:00:35.079 --> 00:00:42.519 Now Capernaum is located close to the sea. It's a port town and the Sea of Galilee is on the northwest. 00:00:43.380 --> 00:00:46.820 Capernaum would have been on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee. 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:52.280 And so that's where he is back out by the sea and there's again a massive crowd that's following him. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:58.200 We've said repeatedly that this crowd was not necessarily following him from genuine faith. 00:00:58.300 --> 00:01:00.579 In fact, more than likely not. 00:01:00.660 --> 00:01:06.040 We see a very, very few faithful followers of Christ after his crucifixion. 00:01:06.099 --> 00:01:10.879 As they're waiting for his resurrection, the number we count in the beginning of Acts is 120. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:14.399 And here we see thousands and thousands of people following him. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:17.099 More than likely because of the miracles. 00:01:17.759 --> 00:01:21.019 Because he was doing something fantastic and they wanted to see it. 00:01:21.159 --> 00:01:25.399 Or they themselves had some infirmity that they wanted healed. 00:01:25.759 --> 00:01:28.299 So again we see a crowd following him. 00:01:28.379 --> 00:01:31.579 And I'll just point out to you once again his ministry. 00:01:31.979 --> 00:01:33.879 The ministry that God gave him of teaching. 00:01:34.819 --> 00:01:37.879 So he's teaching them we see at the beginning of verse 13. 00:01:37.879 --> 00:01:38.560 Verse 13. 00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:42.259 Remember the very thrust of Jesus' teaching. 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:50.840 Even as we get further into the Gospel of Mark and we begin to study the parables and all these different facets of what he's teaching. 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:56.939 Remember the primary thing that he's teaching is the coming of the Kingdom of God. 00:01:57.479 --> 00:01:57.640 Right? 00:01:57.799 --> 00:01:59.500 Back in chapter 1, verse 15. 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:05.140 He says that he came out of Galilee, into Galilee, proclaiming the Gospel of God and saying, 00:02:05.140 --> 00:02:07.820 The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand. 00:02:07.939 --> 00:02:10.599 Repent and believe in the Gospel. 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:16.439 So we can, with surety, say that in some way he was teaching this very same thing. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:22.199 As we see him here walking alongside the seashore and teaching this crowd. 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:28.000 And in verse 14 we see that he passes by a man named Levi. 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:28.199 Levi. 00:02:29.020 --> 00:02:33.620 Now it's interesting, the record here is that he's Levi, the son of Alphaeus. 00:02:33.699 --> 00:02:37.000 We know that the Apostle James was also the son of Alphaeus. 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:41.099 So would this be then James' brother Levi? 00:02:41.419 --> 00:02:43.180 And who is this Levi? 00:02:43.379 --> 00:02:47.699 He's not listed in the account of the Apostles in other places in the Gospels. 00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:55.240 And there's a bit of debate about this, but most people agree that this Levi is the Apostle we know as Matthew. 00:02:55.240 --> 00:02:57.439 Now I won't get into the argument. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:02:58.180 I thought about it. 00:02:58.219 --> 00:02:59.040 It's not worth the time. 00:02:59.659 --> 00:03:03.580 Because most people agree that this is in fact Matthew. 00:03:03.820 --> 00:03:09.520 One author said that much ink has been spilled over determining if this is in fact Matthew. 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:11.980 I like the way J.C. Ryle put this. 00:03:12.020 --> 00:03:16.240 He's a well-respected 19th century evangelical Anglican bishop and commentator. 00:03:16.340 --> 00:03:16.700 He said, 00:03:17.080 --> 00:03:22.520 The person who is called Levi at the beginning of this passage is the same person who is called Matthew in the first of the four Gospels. 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:24.780 Let us not forget this. 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:30.360 It is no less an apostle and an evangelist whose early history is now before our eyes. 00:03:30.520 --> 00:03:38.439 So I think with fair certainty, we can't say definitively, but with fair certainty we can say that this is Matthew. 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:47.680 In this day, most people had some form of nickname, often a Hebrew name and a Gentile name, which would have been sort of a nickname for them. 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:49.599 For example, Simon Peter. 00:03:49.599 --> 00:03:51.060 Jesus gave him the name Peter. 00:03:51.159 --> 00:03:54.759 His name was Simon and he was sometimes called Cephas. 00:03:54.919 --> 00:03:59.719 If you recall, he was mocked a bit by Paul using that name. 00:03:59.900 --> 00:04:02.599 His Greek slang name being Cephas. 00:04:03.340 --> 00:04:12.599 And so the probability here is that this is in fact one of his other names of the apostle that we know as Matthew. 00:04:12.599 --> 00:04:13.159 Matthew. 00:04:13.359 --> 00:04:15.039 So let's assume that together. 00:04:15.139 --> 00:04:15.900 That's what we're looking at. 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:18.159 And he was a tax collector. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:20.680 We see that he was sitting at the tax booth. 00:04:20.779 --> 00:04:25.100 And some of your translations may say toll booth by the seashore. 00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:30.120 So he was likely collecting admission for passengers headed to Capernaum. 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:34.560 So who were landing on the seashore, had sailed across the Sea of Galilee and headed into Capernaum. 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:36.800 He was charging them a toll. 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:40.680 And he would have been doing this as an agent of the Roman Empire. 00:04:41.300 --> 00:04:43.560 Collecting money for Rome. 00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:44.840 For their governance. 00:04:45.459 --> 00:04:46.819 For their war effort. 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:51.180 You know Rome marched themselves across the known world conquering people. 00:04:51.280 --> 00:04:53.899 And that's what these dollars were going to. 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:56.959 These men were crooked in nature. 00:04:56.959 --> 00:04:58.079 The tax collectors. 00:04:58.259 --> 00:04:59.539 The toll collectors were. 00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:08.120 Because the way they were paid is they were allowed to exact a charge above and beyond the actual toll charge. 00:05:08.739 --> 00:05:15.539 Rome didn't care as long as they got the cut that they had required of that particular trade route or port. 00:05:15.779 --> 00:05:17.620 They could collect above and beyond that. 00:05:17.699 --> 00:05:21.419 And so these men lined their pockets by charging more than was necessary. 00:05:21.539 --> 00:05:23.500 That was the arrangement that they had. 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:30.259 Furthermore, having been working for Rome, he would have been absolutely despised by most Jews. 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:32.620 Remember, Rome was ruling over them. 00:05:32.779 --> 00:05:34.759 So he was a traitor in their sight. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:39.980 The tax collectors, you see them commonly named amongst sinners throughout the New Testament. 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:43.540 Because they were very, very disliked. 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:48.740 Notice here that as he's traveling along, it says, 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:57.160 And as he passed by, he, being Jesus, saw Levi sitting at this booth. 00:05:58.280 --> 00:06:00.560 It doesn't say that Levi was following him. 00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:04.180 It does not say that Levi sought him out. 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:09.400 But here we see our great Lord seeking out Levi. 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:12.639 Luke 19, 10. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:19.560 Jesus says of his ministry that what he came to do was to seek and to save the lost. 00:06:20.460 --> 00:06:24.259 Jesus seeks out and finds his lost sheep. 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:26.199 And the sheep follows him. 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:28.160 John 10, verse 27 says, 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:32.840 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 00:06:32.839 --> 00:06:38.219 So we have to pause at this and look at the efficacious call of our Lord. 00:06:38.839 --> 00:06:42.899 The Lord calls and Levi responds. 00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:44.679 He simply says to him, 00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:45.879 Follow me. 00:06:46.659 --> 00:06:49.699 He works in him the ability to do so. 00:06:50.079 --> 00:06:52.000 And Levi gets up and follows. 00:06:52.139 --> 00:06:55.219 And I love Mark's punctuality at this point. 00:06:55.599 --> 00:06:57.939 We've talked a bit about how he's so brief. 00:06:58.219 --> 00:07:00.659 And he runs us through stories so quickly. 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:02.820 And in this case, I absolutely love. 00:07:02.880 --> 00:07:04.100 Jesus says, follow me. 00:07:04.200 --> 00:07:05.980 And the record is, and he rose and followed him. 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:10.660 He left behind his profession that he was doing quite well at. 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:15.440 Any of these men would have been incredibly wealthy doing this service for Rome. 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:19.379 And he stands up and he walks away from it. 00:07:20.400 --> 00:07:22.580 Remember who this person is. 00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:25.720 This Matthew leaves everything to follow Jesus. 00:07:25.720 --> 00:07:30.380 Some 60 years or so later, writes the Gospel of Matthew. 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:32.640 Follows Jesus to the grave. 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:33.920 Experiences all of this. 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:36.240 Writes the Gospel of Matthew. 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:39.680 And is later, we think, martyred in Ethiopia. 00:07:40.160 --> 00:07:44.260 That's the prevalent rumor that he was martyred in Ethiopia. 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:50.740 He leaves behind fame, success, fortune, and follows Christ. 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:54.040 And this is a great work of grace in his life. 00:07:55.259 --> 00:07:58.980 You don't see a record here of him debating this. 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:01.980 He doesn't go, this man seems pretty amazing. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:02.819 Healing people. 00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:04.540 And I'm kind of liking his teaching. 00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:07.639 I'm going to follow him around a little while and get a feel for what he's got going on. 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:11.819 I'm going to have a chat with him and see what he may promise me if I follow him. 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:16.480 If this is the Christ, the one who's come to reign, I want a prominent place in the kingdom. 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:18.819 Let me go see if I can get on board with what he's doing. 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:24.439 He had, by the world's measure, everything he could want. 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:27.639 And Jesus walks by and says to him, follow me. 00:08:27.779 --> 00:08:28.920 And his heart is turned. 00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:31.500 And he does just that. 00:08:31.719 --> 00:08:36.879 What a precious view of the sovereign work of grace in a person's life. 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:44.120 And so it would seem, we find in verse 15, that we see the record that Jesus is now reclining in his house. 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:46.960 At table, it says. 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:51.900 And so it's likely that as he followed him, he said, please come to my place. 00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:53.139 I have a house. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:55.780 And we can fill it with people. 00:08:56.160 --> 00:09:00.060 We see that many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:02.480 For there were many who followed him. 00:09:02.800 --> 00:09:04.160 And again here we see some debate. 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:08.580 It could be that these tax collectors and sinners were those who followed Jesus. 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:10.879 Or they were ones who followed Levi. 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:11.039 Levi. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:11.779 Right? 00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:15.460 That he was already working as an evangelist. 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:15.860 Right? 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:18.919 We don't know exactly who this pronoun applies to. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:23.720 But all the same, we see them have a feast together at this table. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:29.240 And the record is that we find him at home with Levi reclining at table. 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:35.240 Now, just to explain to you a little bit, tables of this day, they would have been low tables. 00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:37.919 People would have sat on three sides of them. 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:41.060 One side was left open conveniently for serving at the table. 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:44.799 Servants would bring food to the table and you didn't have to reach over somebody's shoulder. 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:47.759 It would be kind of nice this day, wouldn't it, if we had the opening at the end? 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:49.580 Maybe like our booths, our modern day booths. 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:51.879 People can serve food in that way. 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:55.360 And they reclined on couches that were at about a ten degree angle. 00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:57.820 And they actually sloped in towards the table. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:00.679 And they laid with their heads towards the table. 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:05.580 And it was proper for them to prop themselves up on their left arm so they could use their right hand to eat. 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:08.279 This seems like a miserable way to eat to me. 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:11.000 This sounds so uncomfortable. 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:13.159 I can't tell you the last time I laid on my stomach. 00:10:13.439 --> 00:10:14.320 No, thank you. 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:15.039 Right? 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:18.019 But this is the way they spent time together. 00:10:18.139 --> 00:10:20.299 They reclined together in this way. 00:10:20.299 --> 00:10:23.699 And the significant thing about the fact that he's in this place, 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:26.079 this was the normal way that they ate food, 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:29.019 but the fact that he was doing this was an intimate thing. 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:35.099 You reclined at table with people that you had relationships with. 00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:37.599 And this is where we find our Lord. 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:39.199 The one, Jesus Christ. 00:10:39.439 --> 00:10:41.019 The one who is without sin. 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:43.779 Who does he choose to spend his time with? 00:10:43.839 --> 00:10:47.599 He spends his time with tax collectors and sinners. 00:10:48.099 --> 00:10:50.279 That he might advance the gospel. 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:50.799 The one who is without sin. 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:51.139 The one who is without sin. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:51.299 The one who is without sin. 00:10:51.299 --> 00:10:51.799 The one who is without sin. 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:52.299 The one who is without sin. 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:54.859 Now there's a sort of common phrase. 00:10:54.959 --> 00:10:59.979 I actually hope some of your minds were drawn to it immediately as I made that point about Christ. 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:03.639 And people pull this phrase from John chapter 17 and they say, 00:11:03.819 --> 00:11:07.479 we're called to be in the world, but not of the world. 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:08.620 Are you familiar with that? 00:11:08.939 --> 00:11:11.879 We're called to be in the world, but not of the world. 00:11:11.939 --> 00:11:14.059 And admittedly, this is something I have used as well. 00:11:14.059 --> 00:11:20.579 And I think the person who probably coined this, the language is incredibly close to what's happening in John chapter 17. 00:11:20.699 --> 00:11:26.399 The high priestly prayer did so with the best of intention and probably meant the right thing as they coined it. 00:11:26.859 --> 00:11:31.879 However, I think most people fall off one of two sides when they think in these terms. 00:11:32.099 --> 00:11:39.239 As living in this world as a redeemed person, they think I'm supposed to be in the world, but not of the world. 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:43.180 And they either take it too far into licentious living, right? 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:46.500 I'm supposed to be in the world, but not of the world. 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:49.639 That's the way they tend to treat that, right? 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:53.759 I'm supposed to hang out with sinners and in the act of doing so, 00:11:54.180 --> 00:12:02.139 they are continually worked into a more intimate relationship with these people who influence them and they themselves then sin. 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:05.680 It's the end result of this action together. 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:11.719 And then there are others who say, yeah, we're supposed to be in the world, but not of the world. 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:14.259 We're not supposed to be of the world. 00:12:14.859 --> 00:12:20.179 And they therefore cut themselves off altogether from those who don't know Christ, right? 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:23.479 They create these small little cultural subgroups. 00:12:23.479 --> 00:12:29.019 I actually think this is the side that we err to more often as evangelical believers. 00:12:29.579 --> 00:12:32.879 And we quit associating altogether with the world. 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:36.820 And so there's a tightrope as there is with so many things here to be walked. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:42.860 How is it that we are meant to follow Christ into his ministry, 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:46.659 the way in which he ministered to those around him, 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:50.500 as those who have been called to carry out his mission in this world? 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.799 Look at John chapter 17. 00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:55.600 I should have go there with me. 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:59.019 We've got a couple of verses to look at, so it would be of benefit to us all to be there together. 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:07.319 I want to revise this common phrase this morning. 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:12.759 Whether or not you actually say it differently, that's okay. 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:16.340 But that you think of it rightly is my hope in making a revision to it. 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:19.679 John chapter 17, beginning in verse 14. 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:21.819 This is the high priestly prayer. 00:13:21.939 --> 00:13:25.279 This is the prayer that Jesus prays on the behalf of his apostles 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:28.839 and the disciples that would follow preceding his crucifixion. 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:31.039 This is Jesus praying to God, 00:13:31.179 --> 00:13:32.399 I have given them your word, 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:36.079 and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, 00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:37.299 just as I am not of the world. 00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:38.019 There's the language. 00:13:38.199 --> 00:13:39.000 Not of the world. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:39.699 Verse 15. 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:42.799 I do not ask that you take them out of the world. 00:13:43.079 --> 00:13:44.480 There's the in the world part. 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:47.279 But that you keep them from the evil one. 00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:49.240 They are not of the world, 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:51.179 just as I am not of the world. 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:53.559 Sanctify them in the truth. 00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:55.199 Your word is truth. 00:13:55.599 --> 00:13:57.299 As you sent me into the world, 00:13:57.419 --> 00:13:59.539 so have I sent them into the world. 00:13:59.719 --> 00:14:00.659 And for their sake, 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:01.919 I consecrate myself, 00:14:02.119 --> 00:14:05.319 that they also may be sanctified in truth. 00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:06.679 So we see him very clearly say, 00:14:06.819 --> 00:14:07.779 they are not of the world, 00:14:07.959 --> 00:14:09.339 just as I am not of the world. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:11.159 But recognize that in this prayer, 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:12.879 this is not the destination. 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:15.779 He's not saying to God, 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:17.559 make them not of the world. 00:14:17.979 --> 00:14:19.859 And now let's talk about the means by which that happens. 00:14:20.359 --> 00:14:22.259 The primary point of him saying this 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:22.919 is to say, 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:24.720 they're not of the world, 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:25.960 therefore, 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:27.700 they're being sent into the world. 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:28.559 Right? 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:29.179 You see that? 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:31.159 Verse 17. 00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:32.139 Sanctify the truth and the word of the earth. 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.419 As you sent me into the world, 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:36.279 so have I sent them into the world. 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:37.240 Right? 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:39.259 Luke chapter 19, verse 10. 00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:42.439 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. 00:14:42.460 --> 00:14:43.600 So this is the very reason 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:46.000 for which we are left in the world. 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:47.179 As those not of it, 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:49.379 we are sent into it. 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.779 And then his prayer for them 00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:52.220 is that we will be spared 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:54.480 from the sin that we'll be exposed to. 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:56.179 That we'll be sanctified 00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:58.580 or perfected in the truth. 00:14:59.259 --> 00:14:59.700 Right? 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:01.299 That we will remain 00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:02.840 not of the world 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:04.879 as we're in the world. 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.519 So let me suggest to you 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.320 that we change the phrase 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:08.419 in the world but not of the world 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.720 to not of the world 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:11.700 but sent into the world. 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:12.379 Right? 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.440 This is the calling 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:15.440 of our lives. 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:16.279 So, 00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:17.679 we've been set free 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:19.199 from the passions of the world. 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:21.359 The slavery of sin 00:15:21.359 --> 00:15:23.500 that controls sinful man. 00:15:23.979 --> 00:15:25.000 And we've been given freedom 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:27.579 in order to serve the world 00:15:27.579 --> 00:15:28.539 to the glory of God. 00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:29.399 Right? 00:15:29.699 --> 00:15:31.279 Look at what Jesus did 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:32.139 with his time. 00:15:33.099 --> 00:15:33.179 Right? 00:15:33.579 --> 00:15:34.899 He's confronting here 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:35.639 in chapter 2 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:36.799 in a number of ways 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:37.959 the religious culture. 00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:39.259 And that's what we're going to get to here 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:39.839 in just a moment. 00:15:39.959 --> 00:15:41.419 The scribes of the Pharisees 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.579 are all kinds of offended 00:15:42.579 --> 00:15:43.359 by this. 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:43.799 Right? 00:15:44.219 --> 00:15:45.579 This Jesus in their minds, 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:46.399 if he was the teacher 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.279 he said he was, 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.120 if he was in fact 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:48.779 the Son of God, 00:15:49.079 --> 00:15:49.600 should have spent 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:51.519 all of his time with them. 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.399 Right? 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:54.500 That's where he should have dwelt. 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.439 Sitting around 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:57.240 having high-minded conversation 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:58.799 with the scribes 00:15:58.799 --> 00:15:59.679 of the Pharisees, 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.919 the great theologians 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:02.000 of the day. 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:03.120 But he instead 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.500 finds himself 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:06.000 reclining at table 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.240 with tax collectors 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:09.299 and with sinners. 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:11.360 Now this has all kinds 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:11.879 of implications 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.480 in our life. 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.939 And in the time we have, 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:14.819 I couldn't even possibly 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:15.360 work it out. 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:16.100 And I don't even know 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:16.680 that I've completely 00:16:16.680 --> 00:16:17.260 worked it out 00:16:17.260 --> 00:16:18.440 in my day-to-day. 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:19.580 What does it look like 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:20.620 to spend time 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.260 with sinners 00:16:21.260 --> 00:16:22.480 in this way? 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.540 But we have to 00:16:23.540 --> 00:16:24.660 engage this world 00:16:24.660 --> 00:16:25.820 with the gospel of Christ. 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:27.660 There's no debate 00:16:27.660 --> 00:16:28.440 in that part. 00:16:28.760 --> 00:16:28.879 Right? 00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:30.020 We're not supposed 00:16:30.020 --> 00:16:31.340 to get in huddles 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:32.660 and avoid the world 00:16:32.660 --> 00:16:33.200 altogether. 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:33.900 Right? 00:16:34.040 --> 00:16:34.900 We're victorious 00:16:34.900 --> 00:16:35.700 because what of Christ 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:36.340 has done for us. 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.000 We're sent 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.120 into the world. 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.060 The gates of hell 00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:40.640 will not stand 00:16:40.640 --> 00:16:41.500 against the advance 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.200 of the kingdom 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:43.000 of God. 00:16:43.140 --> 00:16:44.100 That is what we are 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:45.200 called to do. 00:16:45.300 --> 00:16:46.180 To go in 00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:47.340 and to take over 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:48.280 for the glory of God. 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:51.120 And so many believers 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:53.420 have their little rites 00:16:53.420 --> 00:16:54.420 and their rituals 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:55.580 and their schedule 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:56.600 and they include 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.420 the lost world 00:16:57.420 --> 00:16:58.640 all together 00:16:58.640 --> 00:16:59.640 in the things of God. 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:01.420 This is not 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:03.080 our calling, beloved. 00:17:03.900 --> 00:17:05.140 Galatians 5.13 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:06.340 says, 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:06.939 For you are called 00:17:06.939 --> 00:17:07.919 to freedom, brothers. 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.759 Given freedom. 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:11.480 Only do not use 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.039 your freedom 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.859 as an opportunity 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:14.240 for the flesh 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.799 but through love 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:17.359 serve one another. 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.299 Paul is saying 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:18.799 to us here 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.399 that our freedom 00:17:19.399 --> 00:17:20.379 is meant to be used 00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:22.399 to serve the world. 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.019 Right? 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:24.039 Not to live 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.059 in licentiousness. 00:17:25.439 --> 00:17:25.559 Right? 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.519 Not to run off 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.179 hanging out 00:17:27.179 --> 00:17:28.019 with all of our pals 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:29.459 and living however we might 00:17:29.459 --> 00:17:30.419 because of grace 00:17:30.419 --> 00:17:31.740 but in order 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:33.439 to serve the world. 00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:34.639 Again, 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.220 a warning 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:36.539 just as you're thinking about 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.740 how do I engage 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.200 a culture? 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:39.380 How do I get involved? 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:41.019 How do I recline 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.720 at table 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.680 with those 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.559 who are sinners? 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:46.059 1 Peter 2.11-12 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:46.900 Peter says, 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:47.299 Beloved, 00:17:47.360 --> 00:17:47.839 I urge you 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.860 as soldiers of exiles 00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:50.059 to abstain 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:50.839 from the passions 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.660 of the flesh 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.759 which wage war 00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.660 against your soul. 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.900 Which wage war 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.740 against your soul. 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:57.240 Keep your conduct 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.120 among the Gentiles 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:58.620 honorable 00:17:58.620 --> 00:17:59.600 so that when they 00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:00.299 speak against you 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:00.799 as evildoers 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.500 they may see 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.319 your good deeds 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:03.240 and glorify God 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.600 on the day of visitation. 00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:05.279 So there you see 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:06.740 that tightrope line 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:07.439 of walking 00:18:07.439 --> 00:18:08.959 that we keep 00:18:08.959 --> 00:18:09.819 our conduct 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.379 honorable 00:18:10.379 --> 00:18:11.879 but that these people 00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:12.539 do in fact 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:14.219 see our good deeds. 00:18:14.699 --> 00:18:15.559 That they actually 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:17.199 know who we are. 00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:18.119 They can observe 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:19.199 the work of God 00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.339 in our lives. 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.639 And I hope this morning 00:18:21.639 --> 00:18:22.579 that we'll take a cue 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:23.459 from Christ 00:18:23.459 --> 00:18:24.399 here as we see him 00:18:24.399 --> 00:18:25.279 reclining at table 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:27.819 with the tax collectors 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:29.379 and the sinners. 00:18:30.439 --> 00:18:31.379 Verse 16 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:33.060 we see the scribes 00:18:33.060 --> 00:18:34.080 of the Pharisees. 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:35.020 Some of your translations 00:18:35.020 --> 00:18:36.240 may say scribes 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.400 and Pharisees. 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.800 You can insert 00:18:39.800 --> 00:18:40.520 at this point 00:18:40.520 --> 00:18:41.080 we talked a bit 00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:41.680 about who these 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:42.500 people were 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.080 specifically 00:18:43.080 --> 00:18:44.000 last week 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.840 but just insert 00:18:44.840 --> 00:18:45.980 at this point 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.860 these were the 00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:48.220 this was the 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:49.520 legalistic 00:18:49.520 --> 00:18:50.380 religious culture. 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.600 These men 00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:52.220 were certainly 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:52.980 apostate 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.600 but they didn't 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.560 think that they were. 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.139 They thought 00:18:56.139 --> 00:18:56.679 that they kept 00:18:56.679 --> 00:18:57.519 God's law 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.279 to a T. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.720 But they had 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.359 failed to 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:01.759 understand the 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.940 point of God's law. 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.179 So they were 00:19:04.179 --> 00:19:05.339 self-righteous 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.519 they were built up 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.079 they were holy 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:08.759 in their own minds 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.440 and they asked 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.339 this question 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:11.059 to the disciples 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:12.460 why does he eat 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:14.039 with tax collectors 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:15.419 and sinners? 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:16.779 Now you remember 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.919 the reason 00:19:17.919 --> 00:19:18.700 that Jesus 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.779 was crucified 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.960 was the charge 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.700 of blasphemy. 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:22.700 Because Jesus 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.299 had said 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.279 that he himself 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:25.279 was God. 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.980 And certainly 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:27.819 that would be 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.259 blasphemy 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.039 if he wasn't. 00:19:29.399 --> 00:19:30.500 If he wasn't God 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.220 that would be 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.879 the case. 00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:32.960 And so the 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:33.859 constant effort 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:35.440 of the scribes 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.119 the Pharisees 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:36.919 the Sadducees 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:38.059 was to prove 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:39.259 him to not 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:39.980 be God. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.680 Because then they 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.139 had him 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:41.919 on the charge 00:19:41.919 --> 00:19:42.740 of blasphemy. 00:19:43.159 --> 00:19:43.940 He said it 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.519 and he said it 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.519 again and again 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.039 and again 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.779 that he was 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.919 the son of God. 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.460 And so they 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.379 continued to do this 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:50.099 and they did so 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:52.319 by accusing him 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:52.919 of things 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.539 that they 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.100 thought were 00:19:54.100 --> 00:19:54.440 wrong. 00:19:54.820 --> 00:19:55.860 By their own 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:57.160 set of rules 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:57.700 that they 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.680 thought God 00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.560 had commanded. 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.340 And so here 00:20:00.340 --> 00:20:01.420 we see this 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.120 this charge 00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:02.860 being railed 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.320 against him 00:20:03.320 --> 00:20:04.300 that he would 00:20:04.300 --> 00:20:05.680 stoop so low 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.539 to associate 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.200 with these 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.820 unclean men. 00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:10.920 They had clearly 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:12.019 categorized themselves. 00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:13.640 They were so 00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:14.279 much better 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.000 as keepers 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.580 of the law 00:20:15.580 --> 00:20:16.720 versus those 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.340 that collect 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:18.620 taxes and sin. 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.660 And sinners 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.460 is just a general. 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.360 There are tax collectors 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:22.000 and a bunch 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.279 of other 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:22.599 sinners 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.759 is all that's 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.319 being said 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:25.299 in this case. 00:20:25.379 --> 00:20:25.819 And so this is 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.500 their attempt 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.719 to continue 00:20:27.719 --> 00:20:28.179 to build 00:20:28.179 --> 00:20:28.899 evidence 00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:29.919 against him. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:31.319 Why is it 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:31.679 that he is 00:20:31.679 --> 00:20:32.619 not the son 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:33.039 of God? 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:33.500 Because look 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:33.979 at the sin 00:20:33.979 --> 00:20:34.799 he lives in 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.579 and Jesus 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.359 in all of his 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:38.539 wonderful 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.119 profundity 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:40.519 hears what 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.119 they say 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:42.639 and responds, 00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:43.539 those who are 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.199 well have no 00:20:44.199 --> 00:20:44.879 need of a physician 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:45.539 but those 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.639 who are sick. 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.640 I came 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.360 not to call 00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:48.860 the righteous 00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:50.259 but sinners. 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.220 And I love 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:52.820 that he doesn't 00:20:52.820 --> 00:20:54.100 actually address 00:20:54.100 --> 00:20:55.080 the charge. 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:56.759 He doesn't 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.380 even give them 00:20:57.380 --> 00:20:57.920 the time 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:58.640 of day 00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:00.080 but says to them 00:21:00.080 --> 00:21:01.500 this is why 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.240 I came 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.620 to come 00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:04.320 into this world 00:21:04.320 --> 00:21:05.660 to save 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:07.020 sinners. 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:07.980 Now you see 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.759 these two groups 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.360 we see those 00:21:09.360 --> 00:21:10.060 who are well 00:21:10.060 --> 00:21:11.120 and the righteous 00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:11.980 we can think 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.320 of those 00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:13.100 as one. 00:21:13.280 --> 00:21:13.680 He says 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.540 basically the same 00:21:14.540 --> 00:21:16.000 sentence twice 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.440 to give us 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:17.279 more explanation 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.819 of what he 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:19.119 means by this. 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:19.880 Those who are 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.880 well have no 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:22.000 need of a 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.440 physician but 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.599 those who 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:24.259 are sick. 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:24.819 So these would 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.099 have been 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:25.799 people who 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.019 would have 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.880 been well 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.319 in their 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:28.299 own minds. 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:30.400 Jesus here 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.519 introduces himself 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.839 as the great 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.519 physician. 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.000 Certainly he's 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.500 healed people 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.440 who are sick. 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:37.319 He could take 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:37.880 that title 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.980 for this reason 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.839 but here he's 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.779 speaking specifically 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:42.140 of being a 00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:43.359 spiritual healer 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:43.680 of making 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.460 people's 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.200 souls 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.180 right. 00:21:47.080 --> 00:21:47.759 So just 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.259 think about 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.460 our day 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.500 of modern 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:50.900 medicine. 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.259 I'm sure 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.720 you're thinking 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.340 more about 00:21:52.340 --> 00:21:52.759 that these 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.240 days than 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.000 maybe other 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.380 days you 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:54.600 might. 00:21:56.100 --> 00:21:56.519 But how 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.559 many people 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.460 act and 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.299 think as if 00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.779 they're well 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.160 and they're 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.480 not? 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:00.819 Because the 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.400 reality of it 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:01.900 is that none 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.539 of us really 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.660 are well. 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.759 We may not 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.140 be in the 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:06.920 hospital or 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:08.220 necessarily need 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:08.799 a doctor at 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.440 that time 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.080 but you're 00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:11.039 all falling 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.420 apart. 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:13.480 The degradation 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.259 is happening. 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.460 Maybe the 00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:15.879 little guys 00:22:15.879 --> 00:22:16.140 are still 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:16.619 getting bigger 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:16.960 and growing 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.519 up but 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.640 those of you 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:19.140 who understand 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:19.519 what I'm 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:19.960 saying right 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.799 now, you 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.220 are falling 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:21.720 apart. 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:22.980 We're all 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.559 in some 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.879 way sick. 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:25.599 How many 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.000 of you have 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.759 a very 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:28.200 stubborn 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.740 relative, 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.299 maybe a 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.180 dad or a 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:30.559 grandpa, 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.500 that will be 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.519 so sick 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.599 and will 00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:34.559 just refuse 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:35.460 to believe 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:35.700 that they're 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.039 sick? 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.019 That person, 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.420 that's somebody 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:37.799 who's like, 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.559 it sounds like 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:38.799 they're going 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.099 to turn 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:39.879 inside out, 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.339 they're coughing 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.000 so hard and 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.240 you say, 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:42.379 why when you 00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:43.160 not go to the 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:43.559 doctor and say, 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.099 I'm not sick, 00:22:44.179 --> 00:22:44.559 this is just a 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.039 little cough. 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:46.359 Do you know 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.440 those people? 00:22:47.679 --> 00:22:48.039 I do. 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:51.759 These are the 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.480 type of men 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:54.200 who certainly 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:54.759 were soul 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:55.079 sick, 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.559 certainly were 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:56.919 sinners, 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:58.059 but not in 00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:58.519 their own 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.460 mind. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.859 You see them 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.839 constantly comparing 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.339 themselves. 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.179 They knew 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:03.599 that they were 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:03.940 flawed, 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.319 they knew 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.579 that they 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.019 weren't keeping 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.419 the law 00:23:05.419 --> 00:23:06.240 perfectly, 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:06.879 but they 00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:07.440 were constantly 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:07.839 comparing 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.359 themselves, 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.779 high-minded, 00:23:09.919 --> 00:23:10.480 setting themselves 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.220 apart from 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.019 everyone else. 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:12.659 We're not 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.380 like them. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:14.620 There's some 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.920 6,000 Pharisees 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.779 at this time, 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.440 and they were 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.660 so much 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.960 better in 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.500 their own 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.180 minds that 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:21.440 they had 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:23.100 earned this 00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:24.279 type of 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.640 righteousness. 00:23:25.060 --> 00:23:25.420 It's a 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.800 self-given 00:23:26.800 --> 00:23:27.420 righteousness, 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.480 an outward 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.660 righteousness that 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:30.720 they appeared 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.820 to be doing 00:23:31.820 --> 00:23:32.740 quite well. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.279 We can be 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:34.759 that way 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.279 sometimes. 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.519 They trusted 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.480 in themselves 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:39.200 for righteousness. 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.340 righteousness. 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.559 In Matthew 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.440 chapter 23, 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.299 verse 27 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.440 and verse 28, 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:45.799 Jesus hands 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.680 out quite the 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.380 indictment to 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:48.180 the scribes 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:48.799 and the 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.180 Pharisees. 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:49.500 He says, 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.039 Woe to 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.319 you, 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.180 scribes 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:51.700 and Pharisees, 00:23:51.840 --> 00:23:52.400 hypocrites, 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:53.400 for you are 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:54.500 like whitewashed 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.180 tombs, 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:56.200 which outwardly 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:56.920 appear beautiful, 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.559 but within are 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.460 full of dead 00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:59.279 people's bones 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.080 and all 00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:00.860 uncleanness. 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.299 So you also 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:03.100 outwardly appear 00:24:03.100 --> 00:24:03.759 righteous to 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.039 others, 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:05.059 but within you 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:05.819 are full of 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:07.180 hypocrisy and 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:07.640 lawlessness. 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:07.780 righteousness. 00:24:08.800 --> 00:24:09.480 Woe to 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:11.060 you if you 00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:11.960 think that 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.360 you can look 00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:13.080 to yourself 00:24:13.080 --> 00:24:14.320 for righteousness. 00:24:15.320 --> 00:24:16.160 If you think 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:16.600 that you have 00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:17.360 any good 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.740 in and of 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.520 yourself, 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.180 right? 00:24:20.280 --> 00:24:21.140 You are like 00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:21.740 these Pharisees 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.259 and hypocrites. 00:24:22.580 --> 00:24:23.040 You are a 00:24:23.040 --> 00:24:23.700 whitewashed 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.020 tomb, 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:24.360 right? 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:24.700 You've made 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.180 yourself up 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.680 all neat 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:26.120 and pretty 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:26.860 on the outside, 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.820 but inside 00:24:27.820 --> 00:24:28.800 you're full 00:24:28.800 --> 00:24:29.980 of death. 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.540 That's what 00:24:30.540 --> 00:24:31.180 Jesus is saying 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.680 here. 00:24:32.540 --> 00:24:33.100 And these are 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.640 the men that 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.320 deliver this 00:24:34.320 --> 00:24:35.440 accusation. 00:24:35.540 --> 00:24:35.880 How could 00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:36.480 he possibly 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.520 eat with 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.440 these men, 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.940 these sinners, 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:41.639 these unclean 00:24:41.639 --> 00:24:42.700 ones? 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:44.519 So we must 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:46.000 recognize our 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.539 sin, 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:47.980 our sickness 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.779 to see our 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.940 need of a 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:50.220 physician. 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.220 I think a lot 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.559 of you know 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:52.599 that on Tuesday 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.259 I threw my 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:53.799 back out of 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.200 place. 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:54.799 My lower 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.639 back is one 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:55.940 of the most 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.319 miserable 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:57.539 experiences of 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.099 my life. 00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:58.559 I'm still, 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.700 I'm rocking a lot 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.079 today because 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.559 I'm still a little 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.740 uncomfortable as 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.500 a result of it. 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.940 I stayed 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.599 bent in half 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.180 for about 20 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:05.579 minutes before 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:05.980 I could even 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:06.440 straighten. 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.759 Spent just a 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.240 couple of days 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.880 laying on a 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.480 heating pad. 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.299 There was 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.700 absolutely no 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.279 avoiding the 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.779 fact that I 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.700 was in pain. 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.940 I couldn't go, 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.420 I'm alright, 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.299 things are good. 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:18.079 I wanted to 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:18.619 throw up. 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:20.079 I cried once. 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:20.940 I sneezed, 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:21.599 I sneezed, 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:21.980 and it made me 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.599 cry because it 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.180 hurt so bad. 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:24.700 There was no 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.339 doubt of this, 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.440 and so the 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.200 very day I did 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:27.519 it, I went to 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.019 the chiropractor. 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:28.559 There was no 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.240 question in my 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:29.599 mind. 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.939 Like Sam 00:25:30.939 --> 00:25:31.599 suggested it, 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:32.099 I didn't go, 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.740 well, I don't 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.099 know, let's 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.619 wait and see 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:35.000 how this goes 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.379 for me. 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:35.919 I went, 00:25:36.199 --> 00:25:37.099 okay, alright, 00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:38.699 I'll make the 00:25:38.699 --> 00:25:39.319 call right now. 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.699 I did, and I 00:25:40.699 --> 00:25:41.379 went, and it 00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:41.719 helped. 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:42.500 It certainly 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.819 moved me along. 00:25:43.939 --> 00:25:44.599 We must 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.859 recognize our 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.279 need of the 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:47.879 great physician. 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.199 We must 00:25:49.199 --> 00:25:49.879 recognize that 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:50.740 we have a 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.500 sickness that 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.439 we cannot 00:25:52.439 --> 00:25:54.459 heal ourselves. 00:25:55.219 --> 00:25:56.099 We must be 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:57.119 humble in this 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:57.379 way. 00:25:58.899 --> 00:25:59.399 We must 00:25:59.400 --> 00:25:59.980 recognize that 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.360 we have no 00:26:00.360 --> 00:26:01.280 good in us, 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.300 nothing at 00:26:02.300 --> 00:26:02.540 all. 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.019 And this is 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.340 the great 00:26:03.340 --> 00:26:03.800 sickness of 00:26:03.800 --> 00:26:04.259 our soul. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.080 And that if 00:26:05.080 --> 00:26:05.480 we're to stand 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.019 right before 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.880 God one day 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.360 in judgment, 00:26:07.820 --> 00:26:08.060 if we're to 00:26:08.060 --> 00:26:08.440 have any 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.180 joy in life 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:10.000 now, that 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.660 we need 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.519 Christ's 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:11.900 righteousness. 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:12.840 That our 00:26:12.840 --> 00:26:13.900 source of 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:14.400 health must 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.040 come from 00:26:15.040 --> 00:26:16.720 someplace else. 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:17.900 Remember 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:18.980 Jesus' 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:19.840 gospel call 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:20.460 to repent 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.240 and believe 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.560 in the 00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:21.880 gospel. 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:22.960 Repentance 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.700 is carried 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.820 along by 00:26:24.820 --> 00:26:25.259 humility. 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.340 A proud 00:26:26.340 --> 00:26:27.040 person never 00:26:27.040 --> 00:26:27.500 asks for 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:27.900 forgiveness, 00:26:28.280 --> 00:26:28.900 never admits 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:29.560 they're wrong. 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:30.019 Right? 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:31.200 You must be 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.940 humble in 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.280 order to 00:26:32.280 --> 00:26:32.620 repent. 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:32.960 And this is 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.280 the very 00:26:33.280 --> 00:26:34.060 thing that 00:26:34.060 --> 00:26:34.759 Jesus Christ 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.580 is calling 00:26:35.580 --> 00:26:36.080 us to. 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.580 To recognize 00:26:37.580 --> 00:26:39.360 who we are 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.259 apart from 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.240 him and 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.160 respond in 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:42.660 faith to 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.160 the grace 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.480 that he 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.500 lavishes on 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.360 sinners. 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.220 Because that 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:46.800 is who he 00:26:46.800 --> 00:26:47.960 came to 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.280 save. 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.680 We were 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.440 all once 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:52.860 like Levi. 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:53.420 You might 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:53.560 say, 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:53.740 well, I 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.060 haven't been 00:26:54.060 --> 00:26:54.500 rich. 00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:56.120 You've been 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:56.819 successful. 00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:58.379 You've had 00:26:58.379 --> 00:26:58.959 what this 00:26:58.959 --> 00:26:59.819 world can 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:00.579 offer to 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:00.839 you. 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.439 And you 00:27:01.439 --> 00:27:02.119 were happy 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.719 to have 00:27:02.719 --> 00:27:02.879 it. 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.219 And one 00:27:04.219 --> 00:27:04.719 day Jesus 00:27:04.719 --> 00:27:05.299 came along 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:06.000 beside you 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.459 and said, 00:27:06.919 --> 00:27:07.459 follow me. 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.119 And by the 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.779 spirit working 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.399 in your life, 00:27:10.479 --> 00:27:10.859 you said, 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:11.719 yes, sir. 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:12.119 And you 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:13.079 got up and 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.479 you followed 00:27:13.479 --> 00:27:14.639 him if you 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:15.119 were found 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:15.719 in him. 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.959 And now he 00:27:16.959 --> 00:27:17.419 has sent us 00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:17.759 into the 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.099 world the 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:18.459 way he 00:27:18.459 --> 00:27:19.659 went into 00:27:19.659 --> 00:27:20.039 the world. 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.259 You know, 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.239 Paul gives 00:27:22.239 --> 00:27:22.599 us a little 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:24.659 more severe 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.519 example of 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.500 this idea 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:28.700 of sickness 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.640 and health. 00:27:29.800 --> 00:27:30.340 There's a 00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:30.680 bit of an 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.440 implication here, 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:31.759 and I'm not 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.100 saying that 00:27:32.100 --> 00:27:32.500 Jesus was 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:32.960 flawed in 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.560 his presentation 00:27:33.560 --> 00:27:34.040 at all, 00:27:34.300 --> 00:27:34.740 but there's a 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:34.980 bit of an 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.740 implication that 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.360 if we're 00:27:36.360 --> 00:27:36.640 sick, 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.120 maybe there's 00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:37.460 something we 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:37.860 can do for 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.320 ourselves. 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.620 Maybe it's 00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:40.660 possible that 00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.500 we could do 00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:41.759 this for 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.120 ourselves. 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.480 And I'll 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.320 draw you 00:27:43.320 --> 00:27:43.820 back again 00:27:43.820 --> 00:27:44.100 to my 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:44.800 back example. 00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:45.680 I was not 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.180 popping my 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.680 own back 00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:47.620 that morning. 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.580 I needed 00:27:48.580 --> 00:27:49.160 a physician. 00:27:50.300 --> 00:27:51.120 Many places 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:51.400 in the 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:51.820 scripture that 00:27:51.820 --> 00:27:52.160 we see that 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.740 we're actually 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.980 dead. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.680 This is the 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.839 example given 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:56.259 to us. 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:56.759 This is what 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.279 we see as 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.420 Jesus brings 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:58.799 out this 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.700 indictment to 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.380 the Pharisees 00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:00.759 that they're 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.440 full of 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.539 dead people's 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:02.960 bones. 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.799 In Colossians 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.299 2, 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.500 verse 13 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.140 and 14, 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.360 Paul writes, 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:08.039 And you who 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.819 were dead in 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.620 your trespasses 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.259 and the 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:10.960 uncircumcision 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.559 of your flesh, 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.440 God made 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.599 alive together 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:14.160 with him, 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.480 having forgiven 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.519 us all our 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.120 trespasses, 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.120 by canceling 00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:18.620 the record of 00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.079 debt that stood 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.559 against us 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:19.880 with its 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.680 legal demands. 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:22.299 This he set 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:22.779 aside, 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:23.880 nailing it, 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.980 to the cross. 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:28.220 These scribes 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.940 of the Pharisees, 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.759 or the scribes 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:31.180 and Pharisees, 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:32.559 stood in this 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:33.960 very same place, 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.740 dead in their 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.420 trespasses, 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.559 in the 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.900 uncircumcision 00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:39.799 of their 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.500 hearts. 00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:42.360 And they 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:43.420 desperately needed 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.160 a physician. 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:45.700 Desperately. 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.420 But they were 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:47.000 not willing to 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.360 be humble. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:47.720 And we get 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.160 to see that 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.720 record all 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:49.620 throughout the 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:50.099 Gospels. 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.400 All over the 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:52.200 place we see 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.180 scribes and 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.759 the Pharisees 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.560 hearing the 00:28:54.560 --> 00:28:55.340 Gospel message 00:28:55.340 --> 00:28:56.120 and rejecting 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:56.640 it and 00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.240 rejecting it 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:57.880 and rejecting 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.279 it because 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:58.600 they were 00:28:58.600 --> 00:29:00.500 so proud. 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.180 For those 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:03.539 of us who 00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:03.799 are in 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.240 Christ, 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.360 we can rejoice 00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:05.920 this morning 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.799 and see that 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.759 the record of 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.160 debt was 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:09.600 canceled that 00:29:09.600 --> 00:29:10.080 stood against 00:29:10.080 --> 00:29:10.600 us with all 00:29:10.600 --> 00:29:11.360 its legal demands, 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:12.140 meaning our 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:12.940 eternal punishment. 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:13.820 Like what was 00:29:13.820 --> 00:29:15.019 properly would 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.500 have been given 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.279 to us for our 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:17.440 infinite sin was 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.380 infinite death. 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.039 Right? 00:29:19.360 --> 00:29:19.880 But this was 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:21.019 set aside and 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.360 nailed to the 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:22.899 cross and we 00:29:22.899 --> 00:29:23.539 can rejoice 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.299 in that great 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:24.699 truth. 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:25.419 And now the 00:29:25.419 --> 00:29:26.319 response to 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.199 that is to 00:29:27.199 --> 00:29:28.000 recognize that 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.899 just as Jesus 00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.439 came into the 00:29:29.439 --> 00:29:30.039 world to seek 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.619 and to save 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:30.979 the lost, 00:29:31.199 --> 00:29:31.719 he has sent 00:29:31.719 --> 00:29:32.659 us into the 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.259 world as 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.740 high priestly 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:33.759 ! 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.099 Prayer, 00:29:34.439 --> 00:29:34.779 and therefore 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.839 we go and 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.859 we share his 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:37.719 goodness to us 00:29:37.719 --> 00:29:38.719 in Christ. 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.119 I hope you 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:42.000 find yourself in 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:43.119 that place this 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:43.699 morning, that you 00:29:43.699 --> 00:29:44.299 can rejoice 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:45.459 alongside me, 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.039 that you can 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.839 rejoice new 00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.699 alongside me, 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:48.139 that you're not 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:48.459 sitting there 00:29:48.459 --> 00:29:49.139 saying, I've 00:29:49.139 --> 00:29:49.719 heard this 00:29:49.719 --> 00:29:50.119 before. 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:51.199 Yeah, I'm a 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.700 redeemed one, 00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.380 good for me. 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.819 This should warm 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:54.500 your heart, 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:56.500 to remember who 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:58.100 you once were, 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:59.500 Levi, Matthew, 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:00.539 sitting here 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.920 successful, happy 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.759 as he could be, 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.319 and then his 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:04.420 world got flipped 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.580 upside down and 00:30:05.580 --> 00:30:06.140 he discovered 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:08.059 true joy in 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.460 Christ. 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.160 To the point of 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.920 death, he 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:12.000 discovered true 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.420 joy in Christ. 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.100 You may find 00:30:15.100 --> 00:30:15.580 yourself this 00:30:15.580 --> 00:30:17.080 morning not in 00:30:17.080 --> 00:30:17.680 that place, 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:18.860 having some doubt 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.639 of that, 00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:20.959 finding that 00:30:20.959 --> 00:30:21.859 maybe you 00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:23.559 have built 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.219 your righteousness 00:30:24.219 --> 00:30:25.000 on the things 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.799 that you do, 00:30:26.139 --> 00:30:27.439 that you come 00:30:27.439 --> 00:30:28.000 to church, 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:28.719 that you live 00:30:28.719 --> 00:30:29.479 in the south 00:30:29.479 --> 00:30:30.259 and grew up 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.559 in a Christian 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.000 home. 00:30:32.719 --> 00:30:33.559 Most of us 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:33.899 did. 00:30:35.419 --> 00:30:36.339 That you have 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:37.339 a Bible and 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:38.019 you read it 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:38.679 occasionally. 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:40.359 That when things 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:41.079 are going real 00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:41.759 crummy in your 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.379 life, you pray. 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:44.059 Right before 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:45.619 finals, lots of 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:47.119 prayer happens. 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:47.179 things. 00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:48.339 Right? 00:30:48.699 --> 00:30:49.599 And you hang 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.119 your goodness 00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:50.859 on that. 00:30:51.719 --> 00:30:51.959 Right? 00:30:52.219 --> 00:30:53.139 And not that 00:30:53.139 --> 00:30:53.699 bad. 00:30:54.439 --> 00:30:54.619 Right? 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:54.919 You hold 00:30:54.919 --> 00:30:55.479 yourself up to 00:30:55.479 --> 00:30:56.039 other people. 00:30:56.179 --> 00:30:56.599 You guys all 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.839 have friends and 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.979 co-workers that 00:30:58.979 --> 00:31:00.000 are way worse 00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:01.099 than you in 00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:01.579 your mind. 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:02.599 Right? 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.199 Horrible messes. 00:31:04.659 --> 00:31:04.979 And so you're 00:31:04.979 --> 00:31:05.779 doing so much 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.199 better. 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.779 There's not a 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.619 scale that will 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:09.479 be judged upon. 00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:09.919 Right? 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:10.759 You don't get up 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.179 there and God 00:31:11.179 --> 00:31:12.219 says, eh, you're 00:31:12.219 --> 00:31:12.779 good enough. 00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:13.879 I'm going to tip 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:14.619 it that direction. 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.479 Come on in. 00:31:15.899 --> 00:31:16.139 Right? 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.220 You're either in 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:18.300 Christ or you're 00:31:18.300 --> 00:31:18.759 not. 00:31:19.620 --> 00:31:19.720 Right? 00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:20.320 You're in 00:31:20.320 --> 00:31:20.860 Christ. 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:23.000 He sees Jesus' 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.660 righteousness. 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.000 Perfect righteousness. 00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.080 That's what's 00:31:26.080 --> 00:31:27.540 required of us to 00:31:27.540 --> 00:31:27.980 stand in his 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.340 presence. 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.620 If you're not, 00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:31.800 the little bit, 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:33.240 little pilfy 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:34.700 righteousness of 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:36.040 your own is not 00:31:36.040 --> 00:31:38.000 nearly enough to 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.540 pay the infinite 00:31:38.540 --> 00:31:39.700 debt of your 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:40.020 sin. 00:31:40.620 --> 00:31:41.540 That's why, 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:43.040 that is why 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:44.819 Christ bore the 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:46.200 wrath for us 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:46.720 that we might 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:48.200 trade these two 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:48.720 things. 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.200 Martin Luther 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:49.619 called it the 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:50.359 great exchange. 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.359 He took our 00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:51.740 sin. 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:53.159 He gave us his 00:31:53.159 --> 00:31:53.859 righteousness. 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:55.220 This is what 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.619 happened on the 00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:57.000 cross. 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.779 He perfectly 00:31:58.779 --> 00:32:00.559 suffered for the 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:00.980 sins of the 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.319 church. 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.659 For those that he 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.779 would efficaciously 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.759 call, effectively 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.599 call, is what that 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:05.920 means. 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:06.579 Right? 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:09.659 Our sin has been 00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:11.720 expunged from the 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.000 record. 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:12.899 It's been cast as 00:32:12.899 --> 00:32:13.919 far as the east is 00:32:13.919 --> 00:32:14.980 from the west. 00:32:15.399 --> 00:32:17.639 Let us rejoice in 00:32:17.639 --> 00:32:18.519 that great truth. 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:20.000 And let us be active 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:21.659 sharing that great 00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:23.099 truth with this 00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:23.399 world. 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:25.359 We take the Lord's 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:26.519 Supper together every 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.139 Sunday here. 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:29.279 And we do it as a 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:30.439 climactic point. 00:32:30.659 --> 00:32:31.679 I hope it's that for 00:32:31.679 --> 00:32:31.899 you. 00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:33.000 We really work at 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:34.220 leading you up to 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:34.480 it. 00:32:35.379 --> 00:32:35.619 Right? 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:36.879 To stop and pause 00:32:36.879 --> 00:32:38.079 and think about this 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:39.519 work of Christ on 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:39.979 our behalf. 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:40.799 His body broken, 00:32:41.239 --> 00:32:41.959 his blood spilled. 00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:42.679 There's symbols 00:32:42.679 --> 00:32:43.039 here. 00:32:43.459 --> 00:32:44.279 We don't believe in 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.979 transubstation. 00:32:45.139 --> 00:32:45.639 We don't believe this 00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.719 actually becomes the 00:32:46.719 --> 00:32:47.739 body and the blood 00:32:47.739 --> 00:32:48.239 of Christ. 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:48.919 Right? 00:32:48.979 --> 00:32:49.979 We don't believe that 00:32:49.979 --> 00:32:51.019 this is in some way 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:52.599 goes into your 00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.799 righteousness purse 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.839 and you gain a little 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:56.019 bit as a result of 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.599 taking the Lord's 00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:57.399 Supper together. 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.039 Right? 00:32:58.399 --> 00:32:59.179 That's heresy. 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:00.899 But what we do 00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:01.719 believe is it's a good 00:33:01.719 --> 00:33:02.179 practice. 00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:03.399 It's as a symbolic 00:33:03.399 --> 00:33:04.479 thing for us to 00:33:04.479 --> 00:33:05.319 participate in 00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:06.139 together to 00:33:06.139 --> 00:33:07.439 remember the work 00:33:07.439 --> 00:33:08.480 of Christ on our 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:10.220 behalf as well as 00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:11.000 the things he's 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.200 promised to do and 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:13.439 complete finally and 00:33:13.439 --> 00:33:13.679 fully. 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:15.039 And that's why we do 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:15.480 it together. 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:18.019 It only makes sense to 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.500 take the Lord's 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:18.960 Supper together 00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:20.779 though from a pure 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.779 place, from a clean 00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:22.200 heart. 00:33:22.879 --> 00:33:22.980 Right? 00:33:23.099 --> 00:33:24.119 If you harbor sin in 00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:25.559 your heart in light of 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:26.539 these great truths, 00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:28.119 what business do you 00:33:28.119 --> 00:33:29.659 have celebrating the 00:33:29.659 --> 00:33:30.460 death and the 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.859 resurrection of Christ? 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:33.539 It makes no sense. 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:35.319 But if you're going to 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:36.339 actually celebrate what 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:36.859 he's done on your 00:33:36.859 --> 00:33:37.779 behalf, you ought to 00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:39.220 also ask that the 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:39.960 Spirit would examine 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.500 your life. 00:33:41.659 --> 00:33:42.960 Shed light in the dark 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:43.879 corners, which we all 00:33:43.879 --> 00:33:45.079 have, that you might 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:46.940 repent and believe once 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:47.359 again. 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.960 Turn from your sin and 00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:50.240 turn to God and take 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.819 the Lord's Supper 00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:52.399 together with us. 00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:54.019 So I'm going to pray, 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:55.700 men who are going to 00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:56.240 take the Lord's Supper, 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.460 if you'll go ahead and 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.559 move to those as I'm 00:33:58.559 --> 00:33:58.839 praying. 00:33:58.839 --> 00:34:01.099 As we do before, we'll 00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:02.059 have our station set up 00:34:02.059 --> 00:34:03.039 and I just ask as you're 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:05.259 prepared, come take the 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:07.000 elements and partake of 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:07.419 the Lord's Supper. 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.559 Let's pray together. 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:08.619 together.