WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:03.839 This morning, we are going back to Matthew's Gospel. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:09.019 If you've been part of Watermark for a while, you should be familiar with Matthew's Gospel. 00:00:09.560 --> 00:00:14.019 We've been preaching through it on and off for about four years now. 00:00:14.120 --> 00:00:16.699 We do it for a couple of months, and then we go to other books of the Bible, 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:18.339 and then we come back to Matthew's Gospel. 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:22.039 We called our series, Following Jesus. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:26.179 Someone in the office said we should rename it, Still Following Jesus, 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:29.280 because it's been four years of just following Jesus. 00:00:30.019 --> 00:00:30.900 But that's okay. 00:00:32.160 --> 00:00:36.520 And so today, we're going to dive back in where we left off in August last year, 00:00:36.679 --> 00:00:38.760 which is Matthew chapter 19. 00:00:39.760 --> 00:00:43.439 And before Iris comes to read, if you've got a Bible or a bulletin, 00:00:43.520 --> 00:00:46.120 I want you just to look at the first verse with me. 00:00:46.680 --> 00:00:47.340 It says this. 00:00:47.400 --> 00:00:47.740 It says, 00:00:47.740 --> 00:00:51.120 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, 00:00:51.719 --> 00:00:56.280 he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan, 00:00:56.280 --> 00:01:00.140 and large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 00:01:01.439 --> 00:01:06.700 What's happening here is Matthew 19 marks a bit of a transition in Matthew's Gospel, 00:01:06.840 --> 00:01:10.280 because Jesus leaves Galilee, the area in the north of Israel, 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:13.120 and he's heading down towards Jerusalem. 00:01:13.980 --> 00:01:14.780 And why Jerusalem? 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:18.000 Because that's where he's going to encounter the cross. 00:01:18.760 --> 00:01:21.280 For three years, Jesus has been doing his ministry, 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:24.400 healing, and signs and wonders, and proclaiming the Gospel. 00:01:24.620 --> 00:01:27.219 He's been proclaiming the Gospel in word and deed. 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:30.780 But now, his greatest work, his most important work, 00:01:30.859 --> 00:01:32.019 his death on the cross, 00:01:32.799 --> 00:01:34.820 is his appointment has come. 00:01:35.060 --> 00:01:36.060 And that's in Jerusalem. 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:38.280 And so he's making his way towards Jerusalem. 00:01:39.099 --> 00:01:41.359 And so for the next three months or so, 00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:42.640 until Easter this year, 00:01:42.700 --> 00:01:45.340 we're going to follow Jesus' journey through Matthew 00:01:45.340 --> 00:01:47.799 towards Jerusalem and to the cross. 00:01:47.859 --> 00:01:48.719 And when we get to Easter, 00:01:48.780 --> 00:01:50.439 we're going to end at the cross. 00:01:50.520 --> 00:01:51.579 And so for the next couple of months, 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:53.340 we're going to follow Jesus through Matthew 00:01:53.340 --> 00:01:55.480 as he makes his way towards the cross. 00:01:56.040 --> 00:01:56.980 So with that introduction, 00:01:57.200 --> 00:02:00.300 can I call Iris to come and read the Scripture reading? 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:01.879 It's a long passage of reading, 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:02.980 a long passage of Scripture, 00:02:03.180 --> 00:02:04.300 so buckle up. 00:02:04.520 --> 00:02:07.120 But let's listen to God's word to us this morning. 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:08.759 Good morning, Watermark. 00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:12.819 The Scripture reading comes from Matthew chapters 19 and 20. 00:02:12.819 --> 00:02:15.280 Please follow along on your bulletin, 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:17.159 on the screen, or on your own Bible. 00:02:18.519 --> 00:02:20.439 Starting in verse 1, we read, 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:24.139 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, 00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:25.739 he went away from Galilee 00:02:25.739 --> 00:02:28.500 and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:31.060 And large crowds followed him, 00:02:31.240 --> 00:02:32.319 and he healed them there. 00:02:33.139 --> 00:02:36.539 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, 00:02:37.039 --> 00:02:40.560 Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause? 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:41.959 He answered, 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:46.400 Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:47.740 made them male and female, 00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:49.320 and said, 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:52.420 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother 00:02:52.420 --> 00:02:54.180 and hold fast to his wife, 00:02:54.540 --> 00:02:56.240 and the two shall become one flesh? 00:02:57.040 --> 00:02:59.659 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 00:03:00.480 --> 00:03:02.400 What therefore God has joined together, 00:03:02.980 --> 00:03:04.159 let not men separate. 00:03:05.219 --> 00:03:06.200 They said to him, 00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:10.639 Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce 00:03:10.639 --> 00:03:12.139 and to send her away? 00:03:12.899 --> 00:03:13.859 He said to them, 00:03:14.459 --> 00:03:16.599 Because of your hardness of heart, 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:19.000 Moses allowed you to divorce your wives. 00:03:19.419 --> 00:03:21.639 But from the beginning, it was not so. 00:03:22.359 --> 00:03:23.519 And I say to you, 00:03:24.199 --> 00:03:25.979 Whoever divorces his wife, 00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:27.919 except for sexual immorality, 00:03:28.359 --> 00:03:29.539 and marries another, 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:31.060 commits adultery. 00:03:31.060 --> 00:03:33.659 The disciples said to him, 00:03:33.659 --> 00:03:37.120 If such is the case of a man with his wife, 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:38.840 it is better not to marry. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:40.539 But he said to them, 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:43.460 Not everyone can receive the saying, 00:03:43.979 --> 00:03:45.819 but only those to whom it is given. 00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:49.379 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, 00:03:49.379 --> 00:03:52.219 and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:54.979 and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs 00:03:54.979 --> 00:03:57.199 for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. 00:03:58.039 --> 00:04:01.340 Let the one who is able to receive this receive it. 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:04.359 Then children were brought to him 00:04:04.359 --> 00:04:06.599 that he might lay his hands on them and pray. 00:04:07.219 --> 00:04:09.060 The disciples rebuked the people, 00:04:09.359 --> 00:04:10.159 but Jesus said, 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:12.539 Let the little children come to me 00:04:12.539 --> 00:04:14.139 and do not hinder them, 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:17.339 for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:20.619 And he laid his hands on them and went away. 00:04:21.299 --> 00:04:22.099 And behold, 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:24.099 a man came up to him saying, 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:24.659 Teacher, 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:28.119 what good deed must I do to have eternal life? 00:04:28.419 --> 00:04:29.620 And he said to him, 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:32.159 Why do you ask me about what is good? 00:04:32.779 --> 00:04:34.759 There is only one who is good. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:36.859 If you would enter life, 00:04:37.239 --> 00:04:38.359 keep the commandments. 00:04:38.939 --> 00:04:39.959 He said to him, 00:04:40.159 --> 00:04:40.859 Which ones? 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:42.359 And Jesus said, 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:43.819 You shall not murder, 00:04:44.339 --> 00:04:45.799 you shall not commit adultery, 00:04:45.799 --> 00:04:47.319 you shall not steal, 00:04:47.799 --> 00:04:49.579 you shall not bear false witness. 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:52.039 Honor your father and mother, 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:55.259 and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:04:56.039 --> 00:04:57.439 The young man said to him, 00:04:57.599 --> 00:04:59.299 All these I have kept. 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:00.839 What do I still lack? 00:05:01.719 --> 00:05:02.759 Jesus said to him, 00:05:03.239 --> 00:05:04.759 If you would be perfect, 00:05:05.419 --> 00:05:08.279 go sell what you possess and give to the poor, 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:10.859 and you will have treasure in heaven. 00:05:11.299 --> 00:05:13.000 And come, follow me. 00:05:13.860 --> 00:05:15.480 When the young man heard this, 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:16.879 he went away sorrowful, 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:19.139 for he had great possessions. 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:24.480 And Jesus said to his disciples, 00:05:25.220 --> 00:05:26.540 Truly I say to you, 00:05:27.160 --> 00:05:31.339 only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of God. 00:05:31.339 --> 00:05:33.139 Again, I tell you, 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:36.759 it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:40.339 than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. 00:05:40.839 --> 00:05:42.619 When the disciples heard this, 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:44.419 they were greatly astonished, 00:05:44.919 --> 00:05:45.299 saying, 00:05:46.099 --> 00:05:47.719 Who then can be saved? 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:50.280 But Jesus looked at them and said, 00:05:50.820 --> 00:05:53.120 With man, this is impossible. 00:05:53.760 --> 00:05:54.620 But with God, 00:05:55.100 --> 00:05:56.820 all things are possible. 00:05:57.940 --> 00:05:59.380 Then Peter sat in reply, 00:05:59.780 --> 00:06:02.860 See, we have left everything and followed you. 00:06:03.280 --> 00:06:04.500 What then will we have? 00:06:05.200 --> 00:06:06.260 Jesus said to them, 00:06:07.080 --> 00:06:08.320 Truly I say to you, 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:09.680 in the new world, 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:12.780 when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, 00:06:13.300 --> 00:06:17.220 you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones. 00:06:18.020 --> 00:06:19.860 Judging the twelve tribes of Israel, 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:22.840 and everyone who has left houses, 00:06:23.320 --> 00:06:24.560 brothers or sisters, 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:26.180 or father or mother, 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:28.540 or children of lands for my namesake, 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:30.240 will receive a hundredfold, 00:06:30.520 --> 00:06:32.660 and will inherit eternal life. 00:06:33.080 --> 00:06:35.660 But many who are first will be last, 00:06:36.100 --> 00:06:37.300 and the last first. 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:42.840 For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, 00:06:42.900 --> 00:06:44.560 who went out early in the morning 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:46.880 to hire laborers for his vineyard. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:51.260 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:53.360 he sent them into his vineyard. 00:06:54.300 --> 00:06:56.340 And going out about the third hour, 00:06:56.600 --> 00:06:59.240 he saw others standing idle in the marketplace. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:01.160 And to them, he said, 00:07:01.580 --> 00:07:03.140 You go into the vineyard too, 00:07:03.660 --> 00:07:05.020 and whatever is right, 00:07:05.200 --> 00:07:05.840 I will give you. 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:07.280 So they went. 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:10.540 Going out again about the sixth hour 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:11.500 and the ninth hour, 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:12.460 he did the same. 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:14.719 And about the eleventh hour, 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:16.759 he went out and found others standing. 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:18.139 And he said to them, 00:07:18.579 --> 00:07:20.500 Why do you stand here idle all day? 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:21.939 They said to him, 00:07:22.479 --> 00:07:24.399 Because no one has hired us. 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:25.719 He said to them, 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:27.879 You go into the vineyard too. 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:30.019 And when evening came, 00:07:30.219 --> 00:07:32.480 the owner of the vineyard sat to his foreman, 00:07:33.219 --> 00:07:35.800 Call the laborers and pay them their wages, 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:38.800 beginning with the last up to the first. 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:42.540 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, 00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:44.800 each of them received a denarius. 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:47.620 Now when those hired first came, 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:49.240 they thought they would receive more, 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:52.740 but each of them also received a denarius. 00:07:53.620 --> 00:07:55.160 And on receiving it, 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:57.120 they grumbled at the master of the house, 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:57.600 saying, 00:07:58.300 --> 00:08:00.019 The last worked only one hour, 00:08:00.620 --> 00:08:02.420 and you have made them equal to us, 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:04.280 who have borne the burden of the day 00:08:04.280 --> 00:08:05.579 and the scorching heat. 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:07.900 But he replied to one of them, 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:08.819 Friend, 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:11.100 I'm doing you no wrong. 00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:14.180 Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:17.120 Take what belongs to you and go. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:20.079 I choose to give to this last worker 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:21.240 as I give to you. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:24.079 Am I not allowed to do what I choose 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:25.399 with what belongs to me? 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:28.620 Or do you begrudge my generosity? 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:31.199 So the last will be the first, 00:08:31.540 --> 00:08:32.399 and the first last. 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:34.220 This is the word of God. 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:35.960 Great. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:38.440 Thank you, Iris, for that long reading. 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:41.279 Okay. 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:42.700 I didn't introduce myself. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:43.279 If you're new, 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:44.039 my name is Kevin, 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:46.200 and great to have you with us today. 00:08:47.020 --> 00:08:48.160 In this passage, 00:08:48.280 --> 00:08:49.840 there's lots of material, 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:52.920 and there's lots that we could dive into and cover. 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:56.160 We could dive into the first kind of section 00:08:56.160 --> 00:08:59.580 where Jesus talks about marriage and divorce and remarriage, 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:01.020 and look at Jesus' teaching there. 00:09:01.560 --> 00:09:03.660 We could dive into the second story 00:09:03.660 --> 00:09:05.300 of the rich young ruler, 00:09:05.640 --> 00:09:06.560 and talk about money, 00:09:06.660 --> 00:09:07.879 and Jesus' views of money. 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:10.980 We could spend a lot of time in the third parable, 00:09:11.160 --> 00:09:12.879 that Jesus tells this parable, 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:15.220 and talk about his lavish generosity, 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:16.240 and his grace, 00:09:16.439 --> 00:09:17.799 and his mercy. 00:09:18.439 --> 00:09:20.939 But what I want us to do is to step back, 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:23.700 and to try and see what Matthew's doing 00:09:23.700 --> 00:09:25.120 in this passage together. 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:28.700 Matthew and Mark both put, 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:31.519 certainly the first two stories together, 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:33.039 in a very specific order. 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:34.919 And there's a reason for that. 00:09:34.980 --> 00:09:35.779 That's not an accident. 00:09:35.960 --> 00:09:37.100 It's not by chance. 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:39.680 I think one of the things we sometimes do 00:09:39.680 --> 00:09:40.759 when we read our Bibles, 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:42.379 we say, okay, here's a story about, 00:09:42.519 --> 00:09:43.920 or teaching about marriage and divorce, 00:09:44.040 --> 00:09:45.720 and here's a story about money, 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:47.180 and this guy goes away sad. 00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:51.180 But the biblical writers were very careful and clever 00:09:51.180 --> 00:09:54.060 in the way that they structured their text. 00:09:54.220 --> 00:09:56.600 And Matthew and Mark both put them 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:57.960 in a very specific order. 00:09:58.779 --> 00:10:00.420 And there's a reason for that. 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:02.759 The writers in the Bible, 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:05.460 one of the ways that they communicate their point, 00:10:05.460 --> 00:10:06.540 that they want us to see, 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:08.019 is not by just saying, 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:09.340 this is the point, 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:11.960 but by actually the way that they've structured it. 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:15.200 And so look at these first two kind of main, 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:18.200 big sections in verses 3 to 12, 00:10:18.300 --> 00:10:20.440 and 16 to 28. 00:10:21.060 --> 00:10:22.759 Here we have two people, 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:24.000 or in the first instance, 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:24.920 a group of people, 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:25.620 the Pharisees, 00:10:25.680 --> 00:10:26.320 and the second one, 00:10:26.400 --> 00:10:27.420 a rich young ruler, 00:10:27.920 --> 00:10:29.740 both of whom are very devout, 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:31.280 very religious, 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:33.519 very law-abiding, 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:34.900 observant Jews, 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:38.080 and they come to Jesus with questions. 00:10:38.940 --> 00:10:39.879 And in both instances, 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.300 there's a first question, 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:42.740 and then Jesus gives an answer, 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:44.560 and then there's a second question, 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.600 and Jesus responds. 00:10:46.280 --> 00:10:47.300 And then we don't really know 00:10:47.300 --> 00:10:48.500 what happens with those people, 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:50.879 and Jesus turns to his disciples on the side, 00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:53.000 and has a kind of private conversation. 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:55.139 And so structurally, 00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:57.519 these two stories are almost identical. 00:10:58.460 --> 00:11:00.040 And there's a reason for that, 00:11:00.680 --> 00:11:02.460 because we're meant to read them together. 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:05.160 And what we're meant to see here, 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:07.040 is that Jesus is going to tell us, 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:07.980 or Matthew's telling us, 00:11:08.019 --> 00:11:09.480 that if we come to Jesus, 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:12.580 with something to commend ourselves, 00:11:13.280 --> 00:11:18.120 if we appeal to any sense of moral virtuousness within us, 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:19.040 of what we've done, 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:20.259 how we've obeyed the law, 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:21.840 how we've been so dedicated, 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:23.320 how we've been righteous, 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:27.660 if we come with anything other than humility, 00:11:27.660 --> 00:11:29.500 that comes from the gospel, 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:32.900 we will either become pride and hypocritical, 00:11:33.560 --> 00:11:34.300 because we'll think, 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.400 oh, look how good I am, 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:39.580 or we'll walk away sad and disillusioned, 00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:41.540 and we'll be disappointed, 00:11:41.540 --> 00:11:44.840 that Jesus doesn't deliver all that he promises. 00:11:45.920 --> 00:11:46.060 Okay? 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:47.460 So let me say that again, 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:48.360 if we come to Jesus, 00:11:48.420 --> 00:11:50.900 with any kind of moral sense of, 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:51.940 look at what I've done, 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:52.960 or how good I am, 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:53.900 or I'm the good guy, 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:56.340 we'll either become pride and hypocritical, 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:59.360 or we'll become sad and disillusioned with Jesus, 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:00.820 and walk away empty-handed. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:03.860 So let's dive in, 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:05.880 and see how Matthew wants us to see it. 00:12:05.940 --> 00:12:09.220 Look at the first pericope with me. 00:12:09.300 --> 00:12:11.160 Pericope is kind of a section in the scripture. 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:15.040 Verses 19, verses 3 to 9. 00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:17.020 Some Pharisees come to Jesus, 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:18.340 and they ask him this question. 00:12:18.340 --> 00:12:21.180 Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife, 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:22.759 for any reason, 00:12:22.839 --> 00:12:23.539 any cause? 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:29.359 Now, this is not the first time that Matthew has told us Jesus' teaching on marriage, 00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:29.839 and divorce, 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:30.599 and remarriage. 00:12:30.979 --> 00:12:32.339 Back in chapter 5, 00:12:32.739 --> 00:12:35.379 Matthew gave us Jesus' views on this subject, 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:37.959 and it's almost word-for-word identical, 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:40.559 what he repeats here in chapter 19, 00:12:41.319 --> 00:12:47.000 which is that the marriage covenant is not something that you just jump in and out of, 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:48.440 like a lease agreement, 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:48.980 right? 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:49.980 You like it, 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:50.620 so you're in. 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:52.419 Oh, you find something else, 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.059 but better, 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:55.299 so you jump out of that one into another one. 00:12:56.179 --> 00:12:59.480 Jesus says that the marriage covenant is so sacred, 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:02.620 that it's something you commit to for life, 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:09.740 and that Jesus says that for a person to divorce their spouse in order to marry somebody else, 00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:13.039 even if they go through the correct legal process, 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.180 and they go through the divorce, 00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:15.560 and they get legally married, 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:17.159 and they stand in the church, 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.659 and say their vows before God, 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:21.279 he says that if your heart motivation is, 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:23.840 let me leave this one just to jump into another one, 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:25.899 that's the same thing as having an affair, 00:13:26.040 --> 00:13:26.340 right? 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:32.720 Just because you go through the right legal or religious process of divorce and remarried, 00:13:32.780 --> 00:13:33.540 before a priest, 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.180 in a church, 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:38.519 doesn't whitewash your heart motivation of leaving the one for another, 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.160 okay? 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:42.160 So Matthew already established that in chapter 5, 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:44.139 but here he says the same thing. 00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:45.259 He gives it to us again. 00:13:46.300 --> 00:13:48.620 Why does he tell us that again? 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:53.659 Well, the reason is because he's trying to show us something in this whole big section, 00:13:53.659 --> 00:14:00.500 and what he's showing us is that it's not those that obey the rules or the law 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:07.019 or technically compliant with the Mosaic law that encountered Jesus and his grace 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:09.039 and are entered into God's kingdom. 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:13.500 Matthew wants to show us that it's those that are welcome to God's kingdom 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:16.220 are not those that obey the rules or follow the rules. 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:20.720 It's those who come to Jesus with humility that comes from the gospel, 00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:21.740 okay? 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.800 So look what happens here. 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:25.200 Some Pharisees come to Jesus, 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.740 and who are the Pharisees? 00:14:27.160 --> 00:14:31.080 Well, the Pharisees have got a bad reputation because in the gospels they're often the villains, 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:37.860 but the Pharisees really were a group of people that wanted to take God's word radically seriously. 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:40.639 They felt that most Jews were far too loose, 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:42.360 far too casual with God's word, 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.460 and they thought, 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:44.000 actually, 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:45.500 we want to honor God's word, 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:47.320 we want to take what God says seriously, 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:49.600 we want to be in God's good books, 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:51.679 and that means taking his word seriously, 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:57.340 and so they were radical and ruthless with obeying every minute detail of the law, 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:58.019 okay? 00:14:58.559 --> 00:15:02.080 So we sometimes think the Pharisees are these sleazy hypocrites, 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:02.720 and yeah, 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:03.740 there were some like that, 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.200 no doubt, 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.539 but by and large, 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:08.860 the Pharisees were people that just wanted to take God's word seriously 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:12.200 because they wanted to be on the right side of God's word. 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:15.200 So they come to Jesus and they ask him this question, 00:15:15.660 --> 00:15:16.740 is it lawful? 00:15:17.280 --> 00:15:18.040 Which means, 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:20.620 is it right in God's eyes? 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.000 Is it okay? 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:26.460 Are we okay with God for a man to divorce his wife for any cause? 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:27.920 And the reason, 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:29.460 the question behind that question, 00:15:30.020 --> 00:15:30.980 is in the first century, 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:34.379 there were two schools of thought about the law. 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:37.879 There was a more liberal and a more conservative view, 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:38.759 a school of thought. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:41.019 There was a traditionalist and the progressives. 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:45.319 And these two groups, 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:48.059 kind of all in for this way, 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:51.360 there was debates about what constituted a legitimate divorce, 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:56.559 and it all hinged on an interpretation of Deuteronomy 24 verse 1, 00:15:56.639 --> 00:16:01.460 which is the place in the Old Testament that Matthew speaks about divorce and remarriage. 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:03.139 And so there are these debates, 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:04.019 there are these schools, 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:05.620 there are these arguments going on, 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:07.919 and the Pharisees come to Jesus and say, 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.060 who's right? 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:11.240 Who is God going to accept? 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:13.700 The conservatives or the liberals? 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:16.240 The traditionalists or the progressives? 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:21.779 Which group of people whose interpretation and obedience to the law 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:24.960 is acceptable or good in God's eyes? 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:27.720 Who's justified based on their understanding? 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:31.920 But how does Jesus answer the Pharisees? 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:34.879 Look at what he does in verse 4 and 6. 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:38.820 Jesus doesn't even talk about Moses or the law. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:40.960 He goes straight back to God, 00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:42.220 and essentially Jesus says, 00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:45.420 if you want to know what God wants, 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.899 don't listen to Moses. 00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:50.840 You've got to find out who God is and what God says. 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.980 So look what he says in verse 4 and 6. 00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.720 Jesus answered them, 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:56.759 Have you not read that he, 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.460 that's God, 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:59.500 who created them from the beginning, 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.259 made them male and female? 00:17:02.200 --> 00:17:02.460 You see, 00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:03.040 and he, 00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:03.920 God said, 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:06.519 therefore a man shall leave his father and mother 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:08.380 and hold fast to his wife, 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:10.440 and the two shall become one flesh. 00:17:11.100 --> 00:17:12.220 So they're no longer two, 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:12.740 but one. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.779 What God has joined together, 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:16.360 let not man separate. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:21.079 Jesus doesn't even bother answering about what Moses said. 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:23.400 He goes right back to Genesis 1 and 2, 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:23.800 and he says, 00:17:24.080 --> 00:17:25.720 let's talk about what God wants here. 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:27.019 That's the question. 00:17:27.840 --> 00:17:30.180 And Jesus says a couple of things here on the side. 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.620 It's not Matthew's main point, 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.640 but it's worth noticing. 00:17:33.280 --> 00:17:37.180 He defines marriage as God's design, 00:17:37.320 --> 00:17:40.480 not a human invention or social construct. 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:43.820 He defines marriage as being a monogamous relationship 00:17:43.820 --> 00:17:45.600 between one man and one wife, 00:17:46.360 --> 00:17:47.160 one woman for life. 00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:49.980 He defines marriage as the most important 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:51.700 of all human relationships. 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:53.299 And this is challenging 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:55.259 because he says it's even more important, 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:55.880 significant, 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:58.620 than the relationship between a parent and their child. 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:00.600 So Jesus actually says 00:18:00.600 --> 00:18:02.819 that the marriage covenant is thicker than blood, 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.880 which I know that's very challenging 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:06.840 in a honor-shame culture, 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:09.519 in a culture that takes family value so importantly. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:12.039 But look at the main thing Jesus says here. 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:12.900 He says, 00:18:13.100 --> 00:18:14.360 he talks about the oneness 00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:16.779 and the unity of marriage. 00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:18.700 Five times he says it. 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.039 He says, 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.100 hold fast. 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.340 Two become one. 00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:22.559 No longer two, 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:23.059 but one. 00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:24.720 What God has joined together. 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:26.380 Let not man separate. 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:28.640 Five times he talks about unity, 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.200 unity, 00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:29.759 unity, 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.440 oneness, 00:18:30.600 --> 00:18:30.980 oneness, 00:18:31.100 --> 00:18:31.559 oneness. 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:34.559 And so on the side note, 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.680 let me just say for those of us 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.460 that are married 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.500 or looking to get married 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:39.360 or think about getting married one day, 00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:41.779 one of the things God wants us to see, 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:43.940 the most important thing about marriage 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:46.380 is the unity and the oneness 00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:47.960 of the two coming together. 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.779 And when the Bible says 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.940 the two become one, 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.920 he's not just talking about sex. 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:55.039 Physical oneness 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:56.920 is meant to be a picture 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:58.320 and a celebration 00:18:58.320 --> 00:19:00.360 of a oneness and a unity 00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:03.120 that permeates the entire relationship. 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:06.559 So it's oneness in beliefs and worship. 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:09.059 Husband and wife worshiping Jesus together. 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:11.980 It's oneness in conviction and values. 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.259 Right? 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:16.240 It's oneness in finances and assets. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:17.860 I don't think you can say, 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:19.079 okay, we won in this area, 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.079 we won in this area, 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:20.740 we won here, 00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:21.180 won here, 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:21.819 oh, but this area, 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:22.440 we're going to be two. 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.200 There's a oneness. 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:26.120 There's a oneness and a direction. 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.920 God, what are you calling our family to? 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:30.039 There's a oneness and a unity 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.160 in pursuing Jesus 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:32.380 and abiding in Christ. 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:34.519 And so sharing a bed 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.860 or sharing a house 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.000 doesn't make you one. 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.720 Marriage is about a oneness 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.380 and a unity. 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.500 Jesus says that oneness, 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.400 unity in marriage 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.039 is at the heart 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:44.059 of what makes a marriage. 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:46.079 But that's a side note. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:48.160 Look at what the Pharisees say. 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.359 What are they interested in? 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.599 They're not interested 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:51.980 in what God has to say. 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.259 Their question is, 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.700 but what did Moses say? 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:55.920 Right? 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.859 Because all they're interested in 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:59.299 is what does the law say? 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.640 Are we on the right side of the law 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.640 or the wrong side of the law? 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.559 Is God going to accept us 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.920 or is God not going to accept us? 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:06.920 And what about those liberals out there? 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:08.380 Is God going to accept them or not 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:10.740 based on their obedience to the law? 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:11.560 What do they say? 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:12.180 Verse 7, 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:13.800 the Pharisees say, 00:20:14.840 --> 00:20:15.060 yes, 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:16.360 but then why did Moses 00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:17.320 command one to give 00:20:17.320 --> 00:20:18.500 a certificate of divorce 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.340 and send her away? 00:20:20.040 --> 00:20:21.100 So Jesus just said, 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:23.400 this is what God has said. 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:24.440 And their response, 00:20:24.840 --> 00:20:25.980 let's talk about Moses. 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:28.100 So all they're interested in 00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:29.220 is what is the law? 00:20:30.020 --> 00:20:31.560 And Jesus shows them 00:20:31.560 --> 00:20:33.260 that their real problem 00:20:33.260 --> 00:20:34.940 is not whether they're obeying 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:36.779 the rules of the law or not. 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:37.940 It's not even whether 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:40.140 they're technically compliant or not. 00:20:40.620 --> 00:20:41.700 The real problem 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:43.240 is where is their heart? 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.360 Where is their heart? 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:47.000 What's ruling their heart 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.559 at the moment? 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:50.200 Do they see themselves 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:52.039 in need of God's grace and mercy? 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:54.420 Or do they come full of pride 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.360 and self-sufficiency? 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.840 We are Pharisees. 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.039 We are right. 00:20:58.660 --> 00:21:00.259 Not like those guys down there. 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:01.740 In other words, 00:21:01.820 --> 00:21:03.180 to try and live by the law, 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.799 by the rules, 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:05.440 won't do you any good 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:06.539 if your heart is full 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:09.059 of self-sufficiency and pride. 00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:10.879 And so Jesus says then, 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.440 verse eight, 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.259 look at what he says. 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.419 He says, 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:15.559 it's because of your hardness of hearts 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:17.079 that Moses allowed you 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:17.980 to divorce your wives. 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.200 But from the beginning, 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.579 this was not God's intention. 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.440 And so I say to you again, 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:24.279 whoever divorces a wife, 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:27.399 except for the case of sexual morality 00:21:27.399 --> 00:21:28.119 or unfaithfulness, 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:30.299 and then jumps into another relationship, 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:32.299 that's the same as committing adultery. 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:34.519 Douglas O'Donnell, 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.740 one of my favorite commentators, 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.000 says, 00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:38.419 take away the disease of hard-heartedness. 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:40.659 You can take away all divorce lawyers, 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.919 divorce laws, 00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:43.359 divorce settlements, 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:44.500 divorce costs. 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:47.240 And so an example of this, 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:48.359 I once knew a man 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:50.960 when I was growing up, 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:52.019 a friend of my dad's. 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.339 He was very involved in the church. 00:21:53.399 --> 00:21:54.480 He was an elder in the church. 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.839 He used to preach from time to time. 00:21:55.839 --> 00:22:00.819 But he fell in love with his wife. 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:01.899 Sorry, 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.119 he didn't fall in love with his wife. 00:22:03.199 --> 00:22:03.759 That was the problem. 00:22:03.939 --> 00:22:05.059 He fell in love with his secretary. 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:07.439 And so he divorced his wife 00:22:07.439 --> 00:22:09.279 in order to marry his secretary. 00:22:10.199 --> 00:22:12.119 And my dad challenged him on this one day 00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:12.399 and said, 00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:14.439 how can this be? 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.579 How can you do this? 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:17.919 And his response was, 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.359 he said, 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:20.139 I guarantee you, 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:22.539 I never slept with my secretary 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:24.259 until the divorce 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:27.039 had legally gone through the process. 00:22:27.979 --> 00:22:28.439 In other words, 00:22:28.459 --> 00:22:29.159 you see what he's saying? 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:29.959 He's saying, 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:32.159 I was not unfaithful to my wife 00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:34.179 because I never slept with my secretary 00:22:34.179 --> 00:22:35.759 while I was still a married man. 00:22:36.959 --> 00:22:38.139 And yet to say that 00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:40.139 misses the entire point, right? 00:22:41.219 --> 00:22:41.759 But friends, 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:43.559 can you see the hypocrisy in that? 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:44.759 But friends, 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:46.619 you know that we can do that 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:48.339 in our own way? 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.079 All the time. 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:51.419 I remember times in my life, 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.240 you'll be glad to know, 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:53.839 not recently, 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.899 when I was a younger man, 00:22:55.399 --> 00:22:57.979 when I would be blatantly dishonest 00:22:57.979 --> 00:22:58.539 with somebody. 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.179 You know, 00:22:59.240 --> 00:23:00.439 I would lie to somebody, 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:02.399 but I could convince myself 00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:04.419 that in some parallel universe, 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.919 there was some scheme 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:07.159 in which what I was saying 00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:09.879 wasn't technically all that untrue. 00:23:10.479 --> 00:23:10.799 Right? 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.579 And so I would say something 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:13.659 knowing that actually, 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:15.259 I'm actually not being honest 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:15.879 with this person, 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:17.339 but if I, you know, 00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:18.159 hold my fingers 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.080 or cross my legs 00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:19.580 or something, 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.300 actually, 00:23:20.540 --> 00:23:21.640 technically what I'm saying 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:23.160 is not all that false. 00:23:24.040 --> 00:23:24.420 And friends, 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.080 we all do this. 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:26.180 We can find ways 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:27.820 of justifying ourselves 00:23:27.820 --> 00:23:28.600 technically 00:23:28.600 --> 00:23:29.980 and yet our hearts 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.820 are far from God. 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.700 And so maybe someone says, 00:23:32.800 --> 00:23:33.080 oh, you know, 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:34.400 I know I shouldn't sleep 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:34.940 with my girlfriend 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:36.040 before we married. 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:37.279 We haven't actually 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:37.980 had sex together, 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:39.680 but we've done everything else. 00:23:39.840 --> 00:23:40.720 You might as well have. 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:43.000 And Jesus says here 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:45.460 that it's not the technicalities 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.200 that's the issue, 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:47.519 it's where our hearts are. 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:48.960 You see, friends, 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.620 if we think following Jesus 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.940 is about following the rules, 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.960 we can tick every box. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.720 You can go to church on Sunday, 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.200 be part of a CG, 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:59.380 give 10% of your salary, 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.579 tie it to the church, 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:02.799 do all that's expected of you 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:03.740 and those are good things. 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:05.279 And yet Jesus says, 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.420 that doesn't mean 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:07.279 that we love God 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:08.059 and love others. 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:10.139 You can still be self-righteous 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:11.680 and self-justifying 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.819 because we've done 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.960 all the right things technically, 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:15.180 but we have our hearts. 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:17.139 Jesus says that 00:24:17.139 --> 00:24:18.299 if we want to relate to God 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.440 on the basis of the law, 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.920 what is or isn't allowed, 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.019 what's acceptable 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.019 or not acceptable, 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.500 it shows there's something 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.399 wrong with our hearts. 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.940 And so the only way 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.799 to know God 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:29.259 and to encounter His grace 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.839 and to encounter 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:31.619 the living Jesus 00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:33.359 is to come with a humility 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.500 that says, 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.700 God, I don't have 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.240 what it takes, 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:37.299 but I need your grace. 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:38.920 Jesus come, 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.539 I need you. 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:41.079 Because friends, 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:42.680 observing the religious rules 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.720 doesn't save people 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:45.480 and being technically right 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.000 with the law 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.099 doesn't save people. 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:49.000 Jesus saves people 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:50.480 and Jesus welcomes 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.240 those who come 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.400 in need of Him. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.339 Okay, does that make sense? 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:56.220 So let's look at 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.960 the second instance here 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:59.460 and we'll see the same thing. 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:01.140 Look at verse 16 to 22. 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.839 Here we have a man 00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:04.519 who Matthew tells us 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.919 is young and he's wealthy. 00:25:06.419 --> 00:25:07.199 Luke tells us 00:25:07.199 --> 00:25:08.759 he was a ruler of some sorts. 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:10.779 That's quite a potent combination 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:12.559 to be young and wealthy 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:14.139 and a man of authority. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.039 And he comes to Jesus 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.759 with a question. 00:25:16.919 --> 00:25:17.559 Verse 16, 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.359 teacher, 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:20.039 what good deed 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:21.179 must I do 00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:22.879 to have eternal life? 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.500 Okay, so essentially 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.879 he's asking the same question 00:25:25.879 --> 00:25:26.919 as the Pharisees. 00:25:27.419 --> 00:25:29.019 It's maybe well-intentioned, 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.659 but it's flaw. 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.440 He's saying, 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.680 what must I do 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:33.420 to be right with God? 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:35.180 To get in God's good books? 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.940 Or another way of saying this 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.120 is, 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:38.560 what must I do 00:25:38.560 --> 00:25:39.480 to be considered 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.540 a good person? 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:41.900 I think that's why 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:43.100 Jesus asks and says, 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.940 why do you ask 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.600 about what's good? 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.680 There's only one that's good, 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.279 that's God. 00:25:47.060 --> 00:25:47.860 But here he says, 00:25:48.080 --> 00:25:48.860 what must I do 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:49.560 to be considered 00:25:49.560 --> 00:25:50.560 a good person? 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:52.720 To get in God's good books? 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.180 And just like 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.420 the previous conversation, 00:25:56.080 --> 00:25:57.560 Jesus is going to help him 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:59.099 see what's really going on 00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.720 in his heart. 00:26:00.639 --> 00:26:01.919 Jesus is going to help him see 00:26:01.919 --> 00:26:03.940 the issue is not about 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:05.259 what good deeds 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.539 you have or haven't done, 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:08.000 what rules you have 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.919 or haven't obeyed. 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.079 The issue is 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:11.440 what's ruling your heart. 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.240 And so like he does 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:13.980 with the Pharisees, 00:26:14.179 --> 00:26:15.599 he holds up a mirror 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.440 to this man 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.679 to help him see. 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:19.519 And so he asks him 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.359 a bunch of questions. 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:20.919 He asks him 00:26:20.919 --> 00:26:21.799 about the commandments. 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:22.639 He says, 00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:23.079 oh, you know, 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.299 what commandments 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.059 have you obeyed? 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.779 And the guy asks, 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:26.500 which ones? 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:29.079 And Jesus selects a few. 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.960 And what's interesting here 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:32.299 is that Jesus omits 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:34.140 five out of the ten commandments. 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:35.380 He omits the first four 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:37.039 about loving God, 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:38.259 not having an idol, 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.759 honoring the Sabbath 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:41.380 and not using God's name, 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.420 misusing God's name. 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.940 And he also omits 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:46.519 the last commandment, 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.480 which is essentially 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:49.500 about not being greedy. 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.099 And that's a really 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.740 interesting one 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.680 because you'd think 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:54.440 that if there's one commandment, 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.920 Jesus would really nail, 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.460 you know, 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.340 double down on 00:26:57.340 --> 00:26:58.420 to this guy 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.480 who's obviously 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.340 loves his money, 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.160 it would be 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:02.039 the last commandment 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.700 about greed. 00:27:03.840 --> 00:27:04.779 But Jesus doesn't 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.539 do that at first. 00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:06.519 And the reason is 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.320 because I think 00:27:07.320 --> 00:27:08.779 he's going to find 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.320 another way 00:27:09.320 --> 00:27:10.500 of really showing 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.100 this guy 00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:12.440 what's in his heart, 00:27:13.080 --> 00:27:13.840 what he's really 00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:14.580 trusting in. 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:17.060 And Jesus finds a way 00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:18.259 of asking the guy 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.519 and saying, 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:18.840 yes, 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.740 you've obeyed that law, 00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:20.560 you've obeyed that law, 00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:21.380 you've obeyed that law, 00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:22.360 but what about 00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:22.980 the last one? 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.680 What's really 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.640 going on in your heart? 00:27:25.300 --> 00:27:26.240 And so outwardly, 00:27:26.300 --> 00:27:27.320 this guy is faithful, 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.680 he's observant, 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:30.020 he's a dutiful Jew, 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:30.780 he checks off 00:27:30.780 --> 00:27:31.740 all the requirements, 00:27:32.260 --> 00:27:32.400 okay, 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.540 he hasn't stolen anything, 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:35.020 he hasn't lied to anyone, 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:36.640 he hasn't slept around, 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.700 he goes to the temple, 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.580 he offers sacrifices, 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:41.040 look at what he says, 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:41.840 he says, 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:44.000 I've done all these things 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.380 since my youth. 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:47.180 I'm a card carrying, 00:27:47.320 --> 00:27:47.880 observant, 00:27:48.060 --> 00:27:48.640 faithful Jew, 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.600 there's nothing 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:50.440 that nobody 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.840 can point at me 00:27:51.840 --> 00:27:52.660 that I've done wrong. 00:27:53.260 --> 00:27:54.220 If you ask somebody 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.240 in the temple, 00:27:55.620 --> 00:27:55.760 hey, 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.140 you know, 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.060 here's this young guy, 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.360 what's he like? 00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:58.760 Oh, 00:27:58.780 --> 00:27:59.460 he's a good, 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.340 faithful man, 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:01.780 does all the right things, 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.200 nothing wrong with him. 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.820 And yet, 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:06.400 what he fails to see, 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:08.560 and what Jesus does see, 00:28:09.760 --> 00:28:10.640 is what's really 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:11.440 ruling his heart, 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:13.060 is a love for money. 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:15.740 And so what does that mean? 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.779 It means he thinks 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:19.039 he ticks all the boxes, 00:28:19.419 --> 00:28:20.639 but actually he doesn't. 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.179 Because he hasn't even 00:28:22.179 --> 00:28:23.119 come close 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:24.899 to ticking the first box, 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.500 which is having 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.819 no other gods before him, 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:28.779 and loving God supremely. 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:31.059 Do you see that? 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.079 He has a guy who thinks 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:34.980 that I follow all the rules, 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.980 I've done everything 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:37.159 that everybody's asked of me, 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:39.179 I'm a good man, 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.319 I've done these good deeds, 00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:42.259 I give money to the poor, 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:43.660 I do everything 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.599 that's asked of me. 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.579 And yet Jesus shows him, 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.720 if that's your confidence, 00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:50.640 you've got to leave empty handed, 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:52.599 because that's not enough. 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.539 And so Jesus, 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.259 very lovingly, 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:58.359 applies the same painful remedy 00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:59.180 by showing him 00:28:59.180 --> 00:28:59.980 what's ruling his heart. 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.500 And he says, 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:02.420 if you want to be perfect, 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.279 why don't you just go 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.379 sell all your possessions 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:05.059 and give to the poor, 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.720 and then follow me, 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.259 I'm sure there'll be 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:07.059 no problem for you, 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:07.299 right? 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:09.180 And what happens? 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:12.560 The man goes away sorrowful, 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:14.480 for he had great possessions. 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.039 You see, 00:29:16.100 --> 00:29:17.000 when Jesus said that, 00:29:17.100 --> 00:29:18.299 when Jesus said to him, 00:29:18.560 --> 00:29:18.660 hey, 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:19.240 what about following 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:19.759 the commandments, 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.380 you know what the man 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:21.100 should have said? 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:23.080 If he had the humility 00:29:23.080 --> 00:29:24.140 that Jesus was looking for, 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:24.799 he should have said, 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.039 you know, 00:29:25.100 --> 00:29:25.360 Jesus, 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.320 I've really tried 00:29:26.320 --> 00:29:26.960 to honor God, 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:28.500 I've tried to serve him, 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.320 but actually, 00:29:29.400 --> 00:29:29.980 if I'm honest, 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.660 I'm not very good at that, 00:29:32.060 --> 00:29:32.720 and I've tried 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.460 to obey the commands, 00:29:33.560 --> 00:29:33.880 but God, 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.259 actually, 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:35.480 I've got to admit, 00:29:35.580 --> 00:29:35.820 Jesus, 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:36.980 I love money, 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:38.319 and I actually trust 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:38.900 in these things, 00:29:39.140 --> 00:29:40.460 but I want to follow God, 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:40.880 Jesus, 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.680 I need your help, 00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:43.000 won't you help me? 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.880 But he doesn't say that. 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:45.860 He says, 00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:46.000 yeah, 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.860 I've done all those things, 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:47.880 I'm right, 00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:49.120 I'm good, 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:51.000 and Jesus says, 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:53.500 he tells them what to do 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.440 to go and sell his possessions, 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:56.259 and the man left sorrowful, 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:58.279 for he loved his wealth. 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:02.059 Here we have two groups of people, 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.079 the Pharisees 00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:04.079 and this rich young ruler, 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.019 two group of people 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.099 that outwardly keep 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:06.880 all the rules, 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:09.099 they're a picture perfect example 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:10.599 of a perfect Jew, 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:12.559 nobody can accuse them 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.200 of anything, 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:13.960 the Pharisees 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.120 were so fastidious, 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.880 there was not a single thing 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:18.519 that anybody could accuse them 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:18.680 of, 00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.500 of breaking the rules, 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:21.880 and here's this young man 00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:23.480 that genuinely just 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.180 want to follow God, 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:25.200 he's obeyed all the rules, 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:27.539 and yet Jesus shows us 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.860 that both of these people 00:30:28.860 --> 00:30:30.480 that are a picture perfect example 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.559 of what a beautiful, 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.839 faithful Jew looks like, 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:34.559 doesn't have what it takes, 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.920 doesn't have what it takes, 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.640 it's not enough, 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.700 and friends, 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:39.079 what these stories show us 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:40.599 is that if you come to Jesus 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:42.880 on the basis of your track record, 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.579 your faithfulness, 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.940 if you come to Jesus 00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:47.599 on the basis of your obedience 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:48.620 to the moral law, 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.720 or religious law, 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:51.319 or obedience to the scriptures, 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:53.779 you and I are in deep trouble, 00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:57.440 because even your so-called perfect track record 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.799 is not perfect, 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.420 here the Pharisees 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.759 see themselves as good guys, 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:03.680 here this rich young ruler 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:05.059 sees himself as a good guy, 00:31:05.399 --> 00:31:07.099 and they both leave empty handed, 00:31:08.099 --> 00:31:09.339 and so look at verse 23, 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:11.460 Jesus says to his disciples, 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.720 truly I say to you, 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.960 only with difficulty 00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:14.980 will a rich person 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:16.059 enter the kingdom of heaven, 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.480 and I don't think Jesus 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:19.099 is only talking about material riches, 00:31:19.659 --> 00:31:20.339 he's talking about those 00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:21.899 that are rich in self-sufficiency, 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.399 those who are rich 00:31:23.399 --> 00:31:25.819 in self-assurance, 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:27.259 he says, 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:28.799 how difficult it is, 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.619 again I tell you, 00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:30.879 it's easier for a camel 00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:32.339 to go through the eye of a needle, 00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:32.980 in other words, 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.639 it's impossible, 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:35.139 for someone who's rich 00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:36.039 to enter God's kingdom, 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:37.920 when the disciples heard this, 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.740 they were astonished, 00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.119 they said, 00:31:39.379 --> 00:31:40.579 well who can be saved, 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:42.420 Jesus looked at them and said, 00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:44.259 with man this is impossible, 00:31:44.839 --> 00:31:46.639 but with God all things are possible, 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:47.940 friends, 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:49.779 good deeds don't save people, 00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:52.460 religious observance doesn't save people, 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:54.899 obeying all the technicality of the rule 00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:55.740 don't save people, 00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:57.440 Jesus saves people, 00:31:57.879 --> 00:31:59.119 God saves people, 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.819 who can be saved, 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.559 with man this is impossible, 00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:04.819 but with God all things are possible, 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.559 now, 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.240 here's the question, 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:09.259 okay, 00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:11.859 so if Matthew's trying to tell us, 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:14.379 it's not those that have got it all together, 00:32:14.379 --> 00:32:15.440 that are welcomed by Jesus, 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:17.139 who is welcomed by Jesus, 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.019 I mean, 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:19.779 who can be saved, 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:21.059 and how do we make sure, 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:24.259 that we are those that are welcomed by Christ, 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.899 and not those that are left empty handed, 00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:28.879 so who gets to enter God's kingdom, 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:30.220 and encounter the living God, 00:32:31.399 --> 00:32:32.539 well I don't know if you noticed, 00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:34.000 the little section, 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.619 of three verses, 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:37.399 in between the two stories, 00:32:37.739 --> 00:32:38.559 did you notice that, 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:40.279 Matthew and Mark, 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:41.279 very specifically, 00:32:41.439 --> 00:32:43.359 put all three of these things together, 00:32:43.479 --> 00:32:44.339 in that order, 00:32:44.459 --> 00:32:45.559 and there's a reason for it, 00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:47.659 because Matthew and Mark as well, 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:49.459 are trying to show us, 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.959 it's not the Pharisees, 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:52.500 it's not the rich young ruler, 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.639 there's another category of people, 00:32:54.719 --> 00:32:55.959 that are welcomed by Jesus, 00:32:56.399 --> 00:32:57.639 and this little thing, 00:32:57.699 --> 00:32:58.479 these three verses, 00:32:58.619 --> 00:33:00.079 are so small and insignificant, 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:01.079 it's so easy, 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:02.559 just to read right over it, 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:03.779 and skip over that part, 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:04.519 and get to the part, 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.439 about the rich young ruler, 00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:07.319 but Matthew wants us to stop, 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:08.259 and to think about it, 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:10.399 and so who is welcomed by Jesus, 00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:12.139 it's the children, 00:33:12.619 --> 00:33:14.139 it's the children right, 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:16.079 and what's Matthew's point, 00:33:16.539 --> 00:33:17.539 his point is that, 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:19.199 it's not those that have got it all together, 00:33:19.199 --> 00:33:20.439 that are welcomed by Jesus, 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.879 it's certainly not those, 00:33:21.939 --> 00:33:22.679 that think of themselves, 00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:23.519 as good people, 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.279 because they've done what, 00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:24.680 you know, 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:26.539 the religious order expects, 00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:28.680 it's those who come to Jesus, 00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.720 with humility, 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:32.259 and the simplicity, 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:33.519 and honesty of children, 00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:35.619 look at what he says here, 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:37.500 Jesus says, 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:39.379 let the children come to me, 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:40.500 and do not hinder them, 00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:42.359 for to such as these, 00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:43.900 belongs the kingdom of heaven, 00:33:44.579 --> 00:33:45.960 what is it about children, 00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:47.839 that Jesus honors, 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.319 well Jesus is not saying, 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:50.220 that he likes children, 00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:50.940 more than adults, 00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:52.339 it's not children per se, 00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:54.419 it's those that are like children, 00:33:54.679 --> 00:33:55.939 and what is it that are, 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:58.699 what is childlike that Jesus affirms, 00:33:59.179 --> 00:34:00.319 I think there's a couple of things, 00:34:00.379 --> 00:34:01.179 I think it's one that, 00:34:01.699 --> 00:34:03.699 children generously are brutally honest, 00:34:03.919 --> 00:34:04.159 right, 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:06.119 they haven't grown up enough, 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.299 to play the game, 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:08.539 of the social etiquette, 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:10.039 so they don't know how to, 00:34:10.679 --> 00:34:11.400 drop hints, 00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:14.759 and manipulate, 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:15.920 and say the right things, 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:17.900 they're just brutally honest, 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.199 right, 00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:19.659 think of young children, 00:34:19.779 --> 00:34:20.599 they come to their mom, 00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:21.019 and their dad, 00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:21.380 and they say, 00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:22.740 mama help, 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:24.000 or dad come, 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:24.599 right, 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.640 they're just, 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:27.260 they're just very real, 00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:27.780 and honest, 00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:29.320 but the other thing is, 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:30.500 young children often, 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:31.640 not always, 00:34:31.760 --> 00:34:32.059 often, 00:34:32.599 --> 00:34:33.980 they know their limitations, 00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.300 they know that, 00:34:35.720 --> 00:34:36.880 they need help, 00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:37.220 right, 00:34:37.559 --> 00:34:38.700 they're reaching for something, 00:34:38.780 --> 00:34:39.599 and they can't get it, 00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:41.320 so they come and grab you by the finger, 00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:42.220 and they drag you, 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.720 because they need your help, 00:34:44.260 --> 00:34:45.920 sometimes children think, 00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:46.700 that they know everything, 00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:47.280 that's going on, 00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:48.260 they don't need your help, 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:49.140 and really they do, 00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:51.119 but there's something about children, 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:54.299 that they're just brutally honest, 00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:56.759 and they know that they're in need of adult help, 00:34:57.859 --> 00:34:59.639 anyone heard a 18 month, 00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:00.659 come to their mom and dad, 00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:00.980 said, 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:01.699 mom and dad, 00:35:01.839 --> 00:35:03.379 I've done what you've asked of me, 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:03.559 right, 00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:05.079 I've cleaned my nappy, 00:35:05.379 --> 00:35:06.299 I've gone to the toilet, 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:07.519 I've brushed my teeth, 00:35:07.819 --> 00:35:10.039 now will you please give me my, 00:35:10.779 --> 00:35:11.699 whatever it is, 00:35:12.379 --> 00:35:12.719 porridge, 00:35:12.879 --> 00:35:12.980 or, 00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:14.279 it's been a long time, 00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:15.500 since I had 18 month old kids, 00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.640 food or something, 00:35:16.740 --> 00:35:16.940 right, 00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:17.540 no, 00:35:17.600 --> 00:35:17.660 no, 00:35:17.660 --> 00:35:18.060 kids are, 00:35:18.140 --> 00:35:19.040 they're demanding, 00:35:19.660 --> 00:35:20.700 but they're honest, 00:35:21.120 --> 00:35:22.200 they know they need help, 00:35:22.800 --> 00:35:23.880 just in the chapter before, 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.660 in chapter 18, 00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:25.340 Jesus says, 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.300 truly I say to you, 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:28.060 unless you turn and become like children, 00:35:28.560 --> 00:35:29.880 you'll never enter God's kingdom, 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.960 whoever humbles himself, 00:35:32.060 --> 00:35:32.680 that's the issue, 00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:33.640 humbles himself, 00:35:33.700 --> 00:35:34.500 like this child, 00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:36.440 is the greatest in God's kingdom, 00:35:37.560 --> 00:35:38.640 and so Jesus' point here, 00:35:38.680 --> 00:35:40.560 is it's those that know their limitations, 00:35:40.559 --> 00:35:42.299 and are honest enough, 00:35:42.299 --> 00:35:44.079 not to come and play the religious game, 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:44.940 that come to him and say, 00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:45.960 Jesus I need you, 00:35:46.659 --> 00:35:48.719 those are those that are welcomed by him, 00:35:49.119 --> 00:35:50.380 to encounter his grace, 00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:51.340 to come to know him, 00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:52.500 to be brought into the kingdom, 00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:54.219 friends you need to collapse, 00:35:54.279 --> 00:35:55.279 into the arms of Jesus, 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:57.480 because religion won't save you, 00:35:57.840 --> 00:35:59.159 and the law won't save you, 00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:01.519 and being a picture perfect example, 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:03.699 of a beautiful person won't save you, 00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:05.079 Jesus saves you, 00:36:05.099 --> 00:36:06.199 and who does Jesus save, 00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:07.719 those who come to him, 00:36:07.739 --> 00:36:08.739 with the humility, 00:36:08.739 --> 00:36:11.039 to acknowledge the need of him, 00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:13.519 but here's the last question, 00:36:14.379 --> 00:36:15.699 where do we find that humility, 00:36:16.859 --> 00:36:18.239 where do we find that humility, 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:21.159 the honesty to see ourselves, 00:36:21.219 --> 00:36:22.039 as we really are, 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:23.339 to bring the real self, 00:36:23.439 --> 00:36:24.319 to the real Jesus, 00:36:25.199 --> 00:36:26.359 you see the Pharisees, 00:36:26.459 --> 00:36:27.139 okay the Pharisees, 00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:28.759 are sometimes wrapped up in themselves, 00:36:29.299 --> 00:36:30.239 I mean it says here, 00:36:30.239 --> 00:36:32.099 that they came to test Jesus, 00:36:32.439 --> 00:36:33.979 there's a bit of cynicism in their heart, 00:36:34.319 --> 00:36:35.559 but the rich young ruler, 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:37.699 he seems fairly genuine, 00:36:37.699 --> 00:36:38.500 right, 00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:40.480 I mean he seems like a genuine seeker, 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:41.799 he really wants to know, 00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:43.960 and yet he's in some way, 00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:45.199 pushed away by Jesus, 00:36:45.939 --> 00:36:47.500 and what about the disciples, 00:36:48.000 --> 00:36:48.939 even the disciples, 00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:50.519 kind of trust themselves, 00:36:50.659 --> 00:36:52.419 because look at what Peter says, 00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:53.299 in verse 28, 00:36:53.799 --> 00:36:56.079 after Jesus says how hard it is, 00:36:56.159 --> 00:36:56.539 he says, 00:36:56.879 --> 00:36:58.539 Jesus says it's impossible with man, 00:36:58.619 --> 00:37:00.099 but with God all things are possible, 00:37:00.779 --> 00:37:02.319 well Peter says in reply, 00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:03.580 see Jesus, 00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:06.539 we have left everything to follow you, 00:37:07.140 --> 00:37:09.460 what reward will we have, 00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:11.260 so even the disciples, 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:12.160 kind of feel like, 00:37:12.460 --> 00:37:13.840 we've been so faithful, 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:16.360 surely that puts us in God's good books, 00:37:17.180 --> 00:37:17.920 so where do we, 00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:19.600 where do we find the humility, 00:37:19.740 --> 00:37:20.340 and the honesty, 00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:21.400 to come to Jesus, 00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:22.120 and say Jesus, 00:37:22.660 --> 00:37:23.700 I need your grace, 00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:27.480 well look at the parable, 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:29.219 that Jesus tells in chapter 20, 00:37:29.500 --> 00:37:30.719 and we won't go into it, 00:37:30.859 --> 00:37:31.819 in much detail, 00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:34.500 it's a fascinating parable, 00:37:34.799 --> 00:37:35.719 it's challenging, 00:37:35.960 --> 00:37:36.960 but his point is clear, 00:37:37.319 --> 00:37:38.980 his point is found in verse 15, 00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:39.759 Jesus says, 00:37:40.299 --> 00:37:41.899 or in the parable he says, 00:37:42.259 --> 00:37:43.439 am I not allowed to do, 00:37:43.519 --> 00:37:45.259 what I choose is what belongs to me, 00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:48.500 or do you begrudge my generosity, 00:37:49.599 --> 00:37:51.099 and that's the key isn't it, 00:37:51.839 --> 00:37:52.939 Jesus point is that, 00:37:52.940 --> 00:37:54.940 those who think they deserve, 00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:56.559 God's kindness and generosity, 00:37:57.220 --> 00:37:58.800 those who think they can earn it, 00:37:59.099 --> 00:38:00.260 find themselves corrected, 00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:03.139 but those who come to him empty handed, 00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:06.599 wholly relying on his lavish generosity, 00:38:06.599 --> 00:38:07.659 and his kindness, 00:38:08.240 --> 00:38:10.260 are those that receive grace and mercy, 00:38:11.119 --> 00:38:12.720 friends the parable is meant to, 00:38:12.720 --> 00:38:14.880 upend any sense of entitlement, 00:38:15.400 --> 00:38:17.039 or earning or meritocracy, 00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:18.860 or sense that we've deserved, 00:38:18.860 --> 00:38:20.220 God's grace and kindness, 00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:21.900 Jesus says that, 00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:24.679 everything we have, 00:38:24.800 --> 00:38:28.220 apart from the fires of hell, 00:38:28.780 --> 00:38:29.460 we'll lean for this way, 00:38:29.740 --> 00:38:30.019 everything, 00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.700 the thing that we deserve, 00:38:31.800 --> 00:38:32.700 is the fires of hell, 00:38:33.079 --> 00:38:35.579 and everything else we get apart from that, 00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:37.179 is his mercy and his grace, 00:38:37.300 --> 00:38:38.599 and his lavish generosity, 00:38:39.599 --> 00:38:40.000 and so, 00:38:40.559 --> 00:38:42.639 what this tells us is two things, 00:38:42.720 --> 00:38:44.139 it's a challenge and encouragement, 00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:46.519 it's a challenge to those of us, 00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:47.480 who like the Pharisees, 00:38:47.539 --> 00:38:48.659 or like the rich young ruler, 00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:50.519 think that either our pedigree, 00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:51.440 or our class, 00:38:51.719 --> 00:38:52.759 or our family background, 00:38:52.940 --> 00:38:54.059 or our religious devotion, 00:38:54.280 --> 00:38:55.539 or all the things we've done, 00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:57.599 earn us God's grace and mercy, 00:38:58.500 --> 00:38:59.259 and it's a challenge, 00:38:59.360 --> 00:38:59.940 and Jesus says, 00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:00.940 if you come to Jesus, 00:39:01.019 --> 00:39:02.320 because you've ticked all the boxes, 00:39:02.980 --> 00:39:03.699 you're going to be very, 00:39:03.780 --> 00:39:05.340 you're either going to be hypocritical and proud, 00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:07.420 or you're going to be sad and disillusioned, 00:39:07.719 --> 00:39:08.280 but either way, 00:39:08.320 --> 00:39:09.539 you're going to go home empty handed, 00:39:09.539 --> 00:39:11.920 but it's a great encouragement, 00:39:12.199 --> 00:39:13.320 because some of us maybe, 00:39:13.759 --> 00:39:14.239 here this morning, 00:39:14.360 --> 00:39:14.679 you feel like, 00:39:14.759 --> 00:39:15.719 God I am so unworthy, 00:39:16.400 --> 00:39:17.599 actually my life is a mess, 00:39:18.179 --> 00:39:20.239 actually God I don't deserve anything, 00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:21.800 and Jesus says, 00:39:21.900 --> 00:39:23.820 you're the exact kind of person I came for, 00:39:24.480 --> 00:39:26.000 and if you'll come to him and realize, 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:28.759 God everything you give me is your generosity, 00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:30.759 God I need you, 00:39:31.139 --> 00:39:32.179 and I'm banking on you, 00:39:32.239 --> 00:39:34.420 and if you'll come with the humility of children, 00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:36.139 but also the confidence of the gospel, 00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:37.539 Jesus says, 00:39:37.539 --> 00:39:38.900 I'll pour out my grace on you, 00:39:39.219 --> 00:39:40.519 I'll wash you with my grace, 00:39:40.579 --> 00:39:41.159 and so friends, 00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:42.759 let's come to Jesus, 00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:44.679 let's come not just today, 00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:46.099 but every day this week, 00:39:46.659 --> 00:39:47.940 let's come not just now, 00:39:48.119 --> 00:39:49.900 but always for the rest of our lives, 00:39:50.279 --> 00:39:51.679 let's come in repentance, 00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:54.099 acknowledging our guilt and our sin and our shame, 00:39:54.559 --> 00:39:57.199 but let's come in bold confidence and faith, 00:39:57.759 --> 00:40:00.340 knowing that Jesus lavishly and generously, 00:40:01.179 --> 00:40:04.619 wishes to pour out his grace on people like us, 00:40:04.920 --> 00:40:06.099 let's come without pride, 00:40:06.099 --> 00:40:07.099 let's come without self-sufficiency, 00:40:08.219 --> 00:40:11.279 come without any sense of earning or deserving his grace, 00:40:11.880 --> 00:40:12.840 let's come on our knees, 00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:14.119 but also come boldly, 00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:15.980 with humble confidence, 00:40:16.380 --> 00:40:20.000 because Jesus loves to welcome sinners like us, 00:40:20.300 --> 00:40:21.539 and give us his grace, 00:40:22.179 --> 00:40:23.360 let's pray together, 00:40:23.360 --> 00:40:26.340 Father, 00:40:26.500 --> 00:40:29.620 I thank you so much for Matthew's brilliance, 00:40:29.760 --> 00:40:32.480 and the way he structured his text, 00:40:32.620 --> 00:40:36.400 and the way he's shown these juxtapositions, 00:40:36.599 --> 00:40:38.420 the Pharisees and the rich young ruler, 00:40:39.220 --> 00:40:40.220 with the simple children, 00:40:41.579 --> 00:40:41.880 Jesus, 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:43.120 we hear your message, 00:40:43.380 --> 00:40:45.140 we hear what you're saying to us this morning, 00:40:45.860 --> 00:40:48.120 it's not those of us that think we've got it all together, 00:40:48.120 --> 00:40:49.320 that you welcome, 00:40:49.320 --> 00:40:51.680 it's those who acknowledge our need for you, 00:40:52.559 --> 00:40:53.980 Jesus, 00:40:54.180 --> 00:40:55.780 we say we need you, 00:40:56.260 --> 00:40:56.760 Lord, 00:40:56.840 --> 00:40:57.340 we need you, 00:40:57.380 --> 00:40:58.580 every hour, 00:40:59.280 --> 00:41:00.000 we need you, 00:41:00.100 --> 00:41:00.360 God, 00:41:00.780 --> 00:41:02.980 Lord, 00:41:03.039 --> 00:41:03.360 I pray, 00:41:03.460 --> 00:41:04.680 won't you help us to, 00:41:05.180 --> 00:41:06.019 like the rich young man, 00:41:06.100 --> 00:41:07.420 to see what's going on in our heart, 00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:08.780 to see what rules our hearts, 00:41:09.540 --> 00:41:10.460 help us to see, 00:41:10.620 --> 00:41:10.760 God, 00:41:10.820 --> 00:41:12.600 our pride and our self-sufficiency, 00:41:12.760 --> 00:41:13.040 and God, 00:41:13.600 --> 00:41:15.040 help us to forsake, 00:41:15.080 --> 00:41:16.980 any sense of earning your grace, 00:41:17.840 --> 00:41:18.400 but help us, 00:41:18.640 --> 00:41:19.200 like the children, 00:41:19.340 --> 00:41:19.480 God, 00:41:19.519 --> 00:41:20.440 to come to you, 00:41:21.040 --> 00:41:21.840 in humility, 00:41:22.860 --> 00:41:24.340 in a boldness, 00:41:24.380 --> 00:41:25.220 and a confidence, 00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:26.400 that God, 00:41:26.480 --> 00:41:27.960 your lavish generosity, 00:41:28.420 --> 00:41:29.540 is all we need, 00:41:31.360 --> 00:41:31.680 God, 00:41:31.740 --> 00:41:32.280 I pray for us, 00:41:32.400 --> 00:41:33.200 maybe those of us, 00:41:33.240 --> 00:41:34.400 that aren't Christians this morning, 00:41:34.880 --> 00:41:35.720 help us to see, 00:41:35.860 --> 00:41:35.960 God, 00:41:36.019 --> 00:41:36.960 that you're not asking us, 00:41:37.019 --> 00:41:38.500 to do a whole bunch of good deeds, 00:41:38.500 --> 00:41:39.699 to be welcomed in your kingdom, 00:41:40.300 --> 00:41:40.679 you're helping, 00:41:40.820 --> 00:41:41.380 you're asking us, 00:41:41.460 --> 00:41:42.300 just to get in our needs, 00:41:42.400 --> 00:41:43.619 and acknowledge our need for you, 00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:45.760 God, 00:41:45.800 --> 00:41:46.559 I pray for those of us, 00:41:46.599 --> 00:41:47.199 that have been Christians, 00:41:47.360 --> 00:41:48.139 for a long time, 00:41:48.940 --> 00:41:50.320 and maybe we find it so easy, 00:41:50.420 --> 00:41:50.480 to, 00:41:50.699 --> 00:41:52.179 we say the right things, 00:41:52.239 --> 00:41:53.219 we do the right things, 00:41:53.280 --> 00:41:54.059 we play the game, 00:41:54.119 --> 00:41:55.460 we do what's expected of us, 00:41:56.119 --> 00:41:57.099 but actually our hearts, 00:41:57.139 --> 00:41:57.719 have been captured, 00:41:57.820 --> 00:41:58.699 by something else, 00:42:00.280 --> 00:42:00.659 Christ, 00:42:00.739 --> 00:42:01.199 won't you come, 00:42:01.280 --> 00:42:02.059 and capture our hearts, 00:42:02.199 --> 00:42:02.599 this morning, 00:42:03.719 --> 00:42:04.059 won't you come, 00:42:04.099 --> 00:42:04.480 and help us, 00:42:04.539 --> 00:42:05.599 to love you supremely, 00:42:05.679 --> 00:42:06.420 above all else, 00:42:07.480 --> 00:42:07.840 and Jesus, 00:42:07.880 --> 00:42:08.460 as we go, 00:42:08.500 --> 00:42:09.039 into the city, 00:42:09.039 --> 00:42:09.460 of Hong Kong, 00:42:09.539 --> 00:42:09.780 this week, 00:42:09.820 --> 00:42:10.820 I pray God, 00:42:10.940 --> 00:42:11.659 may we go, 00:42:11.960 --> 00:42:13.079 in a sense on our knees, 00:42:13.679 --> 00:42:15.119 in that humble confidence, 00:42:15.940 --> 00:42:17.059 that all we need is you, 00:42:18.099 --> 00:42:20.360 God, 00:42:20.440 --> 00:42:21.219 I pray these things, 00:42:21.719 --> 00:42:22.360 in your great, 00:42:22.420 --> 00:42:23.219 and gracious name, 00:42:24.280 --> 00:42:24.559 Amen.