WEBVTT 00:00:00.980 --> 00:00:09.500 We're going to continue this morning in our series looking at the kingdom of God is like in Matthew 13. 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:18.980 This is the third in our series we kicked off three weeks ago looking at the parable of the sower, a variegated soil. 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:24.060 And it told us to not be discouraged by hard hearts because the word of God grows. 00:00:24.760 --> 00:00:28.060 The word of God grows in life and bears fruit. 00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:34.619 And then last week we looked at a sabotage field as we looked at the wheat and the weeds and how an enemy had come. 00:00:35.839 --> 00:00:41.519 And sown weeds amongst the good seed that Jesus had planted. 00:00:43.539 --> 00:00:46.579 Today we come to two parables side by side. 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:49.099 They're kind of his and hers parables. 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:52.780 One is about a man who planted a mustard seed. 00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:57.140 The other is about a woman who was making some bread. 00:00:57.140 --> 00:01:00.960 So we come to Matthew 13, 31 to 35. 00:01:01.560 --> 00:01:05.060 An explosive, a world dominator. 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:11.719 And the big message is don't be discouraged by slow growth and slow change. 00:01:12.379 --> 00:01:18.439 Because Jesus' kingdom will come and it will fill the whole earth. 00:01:18.439 --> 00:01:22.120 And what we read in Revelation at the start will be a reality. 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:28.759 That people from every tribe and tongue and nation will be gathered before God's throne. 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:29.400 So let's pray. 00:01:30.099 --> 00:01:32.400 And then we'll read and look at this together. 00:01:32.400 --> 00:01:38.240 Father God, what we know not would you teach us. 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:42.020 Father, what we have not would you give us. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:46.120 And Father, what we are not would you make us. 00:01:46.820 --> 00:01:49.260 For the glory of your son Jesus we pray. 00:01:50.320 --> 00:01:50.719 Amen. 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:54.700 So I want to read the first two verses. 00:01:55.079 --> 00:01:57.079 It would help if you follow along. 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:00.280 Matthew 13, verse 31. 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:03.939 He told them another parable. 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:10.960 The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his field. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:15.080 Though it was the smallest of all seeds. 00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:16.640 Yet when it grows. 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:21.400 It is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree. 00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:27.819 So that the birds come and perch in its branches. 00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:34.980 And so this is Ronald Wayne. 00:02:34.979 --> 00:02:45.839 This guy is Ronald Wayne and Wayne was a co-founder of Apple Computing with Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. 00:02:46.399 --> 00:02:54.359 When Apple was founded on the 1st of April 1976, Wayne had a 10% share in the company. 00:02:54.360 --> 00:03:06.820 But less than two weeks after they started their company, Wayne sold his shares back to Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak for $800. 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:11.840 10% share in Apple, $800. 00:03:13.220 --> 00:03:17.820 And the reason given was that Wayne didn't think Apple would go anywhere. 00:03:17.820 --> 00:03:24.220 And could never compete with computing giants like Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Microsoft. 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:28.460 10% share, $800. 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:35.560 Last year alone, Apple made $187 billion. 00:03:37.100 --> 00:03:40.720 It really seems to have gone somewhere. 00:03:41.640 --> 00:03:46.560 As the fact I have every single Apple device somewhere on this stage, hidden. 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:55.460 Something so small, started in a garage in California, has now grown to be the largest, most influential company in the world. 00:03:59.159 --> 00:04:07.340 Overlooked by Wayne as a pathetic attempt, an insignificant idea, a stupid investment. 00:04:07.340 --> 00:04:20.780 And if that is true for Robert Wayne, Ronald Wayne and Apple, I wonder if that's how many of us come to look at Jesus Christ and his gospel. 00:04:21.780 --> 00:04:27.920 That we know things about him and we think, well that's just a myth, that's just a fairy tale, that is insignificant. 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:45.280 But what we see in this parable of the mustard seed, is that the good news about Jesus Christ, his coming to us, living for us, dying in place of us and rising to give us hope. 00:04:45.279 --> 00:04:51.739 Is that it is an unstoppable word, that it will dominate the whole world. 00:04:53.119 --> 00:04:55.259 See how Jesus describes it. 00:04:55.259 --> 00:05:01.339 He says, the kingdom of heaven, my kingdom is like a mustard seed. 00:05:02.339 --> 00:05:10.259 A microscopic dot, that if I dropped it on the floor here and we all got down on our hands and knees, we probably wouldn't find out. 00:05:11.599 --> 00:05:16.959 I have trouble locating my keys most mornings, so a mustard seed is going to cause me real difficulty. 00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:24.299 And a mustard seed was an Aramaic idiom to talk about something so tiny. 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:30.359 Maybe like the way we use the skin of your teeth or a hair's breadth. 00:05:30.939 --> 00:05:36.560 There was many things smaller than a mustard seed, but they used mustard seed to say this is so tiny. 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:40.459 And Jesus says, my kingdom is like that. 00:05:40.659 --> 00:05:42.319 It starts so small. 00:05:43.319 --> 00:05:45.779 It's so minute and seemingly pathetic. 00:05:45.779 --> 00:05:50.619 But over time it grows and boy, does it grow. 00:05:51.899 --> 00:06:00.119 It starts from something so small and yet it becomes the largest plant in the garden, dominating everything. 00:06:01.579 --> 00:06:07.779 Hard to be seen by the naked eye, but in the end unmissable by absolutely everyone. 00:06:07.779 --> 00:06:16.159 It is an unstoppable, relentless gospel that extends the rule and reign of Christ everywhere. 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:19.639 Absolutely everywhere. 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:26.439 Today, millions upon millions of people will gather together under the rule and reign of Christ. 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:33.100 And his kingdom will expand as this word goes out and grows in people's lives. 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:37.540 One day, Christ will fill all. 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:43.959 He will be everything that is important and lasting in the world. 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:46.360 Let me show you this biblically in the book of Acts. 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:54.160 Around 33 AD, Jesus dies on a cross alone, having been deserted by all his disciples. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:58.360 Three days later, he rises out of the grave. 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:02.340 And then we start the book of Acts, which is about the expansion of this kingdom. 00:07:02.339 --> 00:07:07.459 First in Jerusalem and then Judea and then Samaria and then to the ends of the earth. 00:07:08.599 --> 00:07:12.239 And so Luke gives us a gospel progress report throughout the book. 00:07:13.399 --> 00:07:20.699 So in Acts 2 verse 41, those who accepted his message were baptized and about 3,000 were added to their number that day. 00:07:21.419 --> 00:07:24.439 150 becomes 3,000 after one sermon. 00:07:25.919 --> 00:07:28.339 How we'd love to preach sermons like that. 00:07:28.339 --> 00:07:34.959 2, 47, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 00:07:35.179 --> 00:07:36.039 Just gross. 00:07:36.719 --> 00:07:37.699 So small. 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:40.620 And yet gathering momentum and growing. 00:07:42.099 --> 00:07:48.219 4 verse 4, but many who heard the message believed so that the number of men who believed grew to about 5,000. 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:55.079 Less than four chapters we've gone from tiny mustard seed to now maybe a shrub. 00:07:55.819 --> 00:07:56.839 Maybe a bush. 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:00.759 And it just keeps on going and keeps on going. 00:08:01.339 --> 00:08:02.619 So the word of the Lord spread. 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:05.419 The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly. 00:08:05.859 --> 00:08:10.659 And a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. 00:08:10.719 --> 00:08:12.199 Even the priests are involved. 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:18.539 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened, 00:08:18.719 --> 00:08:21.399 living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. 00:08:21.559 --> 00:08:23.259 It increased in numbers. 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:25.919 It started in Jerusalem and now we're out all the way to Samaria. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:36.539 The Lord's hand was with them and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord as it starts pressing beyond the fringe of Israel. 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:40.379 But the word of the Lord continued to spread and flourish. 00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:46.399 On this next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 00:08:46.439 --> 00:08:47.419 Do you see how it's growing? 00:08:48.580 --> 00:08:53.919 Now whole cities are swept up in its amazing, unstoppable growth. 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:57.919 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 00:08:58.059 --> 00:08:59.620 It's just growing like a snowball. 00:09:00.179 --> 00:09:04.799 They preached the gospel in that city and what a large number of disciples. 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:06.679 It is unstoppable. 00:09:07.339 --> 00:09:11.659 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 00:09:12.339 --> 00:09:13.599 And it just goes on. 00:09:14.079 --> 00:09:19.199 After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:23.139 After I have been there, he said, I must visit Rome also. 00:09:24.219 --> 00:09:29.699 Going to the most influential city in all the world because the gospel cannot be stopped. 00:09:29.700 --> 00:09:39.160 Towards the very end of the book, they arranged to meet Paul on a certain day and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. 00:09:39.900 --> 00:09:43.860 He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God. 00:09:44.560 --> 00:09:50.180 And from the law of Moses and all the prophets, he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 00:09:50.300 --> 00:09:52.100 Here's the last words of the book of Acts. 00:09:52.100 --> 00:10:00.960 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus with all boldness and without hindrance. 00:10:01.040 --> 00:10:02.860 That word literally unhinderedly. 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:05.139 The gospel cannot be stopped. 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:07.620 It starts so small. 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:12.159 By the book of Acts, it's invaded all of Europe. 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:14.340 It's taken over Asia Minor. 00:10:15.060 --> 00:10:19.080 The whole Roman Empire is being influenced by the gospel. 00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:30.900 And so even in the modern era, there's a guy, Peter Cameron Scott, and he founded the Africa Inland Mission in 1895. 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:37.600 Sixteen missionaries arrived in Kenya, landing at Mombasa. 00:10:39.300 --> 00:10:46.800 And Peter Cameron Scott, in those first days, as he saw a lot of Kenyans sacrifice a goat, he wrote this in his diary. 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:54.059 They have very hazy ideas about God that are so far from the truth of the gospel. 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:57.259 Could be about Edinburgh today, couldn't it? 00:10:57.319 --> 00:11:01.779 That they have many hazy ideas about God. 00:11:02.859 --> 00:11:09.339 By 1898, less than three years later, all but one of the missionaries had gone. 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:14.539 Many had died or returned home plagued with illness. 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:17.620 The work was so hard and so slow. 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:24.179 And even after three years, there was but a handful of people knowing and loving the Lord Jesus. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:42.179 In 1995, just 20 years ago, in the main square in Mombasa, Kenya, 25,000 local Kenyan missionaries who worked for the Africa Inland Mission gathered to celebrate, 00:11:42.319 --> 00:11:47.079 after 100 years, a million lives reached for the gospel in Kenya. 00:11:47.080 --> 00:11:55.200 A country that is now 82% Christian in 120 years. 00:11:55.759 --> 00:12:03.520 And as they gathered, they joined as one voice to God be the glory, great things he has done. 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:07.100 So loved he the world that he gave us. 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:12.879 His son so small, so slow, so seemingly insignificant. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:20.939 But the gospel takes root and bears fruit and a glorious harvest is reaped. 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:31.559 And the kingdom of Jesus Christ is expanded and salvation is given freely to anyone who will turn and trust in him. 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:34.360 Two more examples. 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:41.560 The gospel arrived in China in the late 18th century, carried by James Hudson Taylor and his colleagues. 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:48.700 By the time of the Cultural Revolution in 1949, there were around a million Chinese Christians. 00:12:50.300 --> 00:12:57.120 During the Cultural Revolution, all foreign missionaries and all missionary activity were ceased and all Westerners were kicked out. 00:12:57.120 --> 00:13:03.220 With the death of Chairman Mao in 1976, the Cultural Revolution ended. 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:12.899 Today in China, conservative estimates say that there are 53 million Chinese Christians. 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:17.779 Citizens of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:20.960 By his grace. 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:31.040 And such is the exponential growth that Economist magazine estimates that the number will rise to 160 million by 2025. 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:42.540 A tiny seed that's grown to 53 million and will grow to 160 million. 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:47.379 Also think about the way that the gospel grew in your own life. 00:13:48.579 --> 00:13:55.799 Maybe you were brought to church and it was sprinkled in and it just sat there dormant and you thought it's part of my life, but it's not my life. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:01.379 But one day that seed began to grow. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.959 And it was very slow. 00:14:05.099 --> 00:14:09.279 We do hear about the miraculous conversion, but it's definitely the exception, not the rule. 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:12.699 And as this gospel takes root. 00:14:15.339 --> 00:14:19.759 It starts to grow and the Bible ceases to be a dry and dusty book. 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:25.319 It starts to become meaty and thrilling and you can't stop devouring it. 00:14:26.439 --> 00:14:30.279 Jesus ceases to be a historical boring figure of the past. 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:36.779 But becomes a satisfying living reality in life each and every day. 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:42.759 And church ceased to be a chore where you were dragged along for things like baby dedications. 00:14:45.199 --> 00:14:47.699 But it starts to become the highlight of the week. 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:52.240 The one that you spring out of bed for even though you were in bed. 00:14:53.319 --> 00:14:54.199 Ridiculously late. 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:57.039 I never forget a woman, Wendy. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:15:00.600 She was part of the first Christianity Explorer I ever ran through in the West. 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:05.060 She came to the course every week and she never said anything. 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:11.220 And at week seven, at the very end at the coffee time, she said, I need to tell you one thing. 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:16.500 She said, the more I read about Jesus, the more unbelievable I find him. 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:21.580 The more I find myself wanting to trust him with every area of my life. 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:24.800 It was just a little seed that was sown. 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:31.340 And yet it grew and started to dominate her life and grew into eternal life. 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:36.240 She said, I came to know things. 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:39.040 I came to this course to find out things about Jesus. 00:15:40.400 --> 00:15:42.920 But I'm leaving now the feeling that I know him. 00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:44.440 Myself. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:47.420 The gospel grows exponentially. 00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:51.220 And it dominates absolutely everything. 00:15:51.400 --> 00:15:52.380 Entire lives. 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.880 Entire communities. 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:54.980 Entire countries. 00:15:55.400 --> 00:15:57.500 And in the end it will fill the whole earth. 00:15:58.940 --> 00:16:01.340 As Jesus rules and reigns over everything. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:05.820 And so Jesus finishes by saying it becomes a tree. 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:08.960 And he's not plugged that idea out of anywhere. 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:10.740 He's plugged it out of the Old Testament. 00:16:10.920 --> 00:16:14.000 That there are two kingdoms in the Old Testament described as trees. 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:16.980 One is Assyria in Ezekiel 31. 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:21.260 It's a place that all the birds of the air come to rest. 00:16:21.380 --> 00:16:26.060 And the place where the animals and the wild beasts give birth under its branches. 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:31.900 But it's also a tree that God cut down because it became proud. 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:39.560 And so the kingdom of man that seemed to be such an unmovable object is felled in its prime. 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:42.899 And in Daniel 4 speaking about Babylon. 00:16:43.079 --> 00:16:52.019 This same tree imagery is conjured up in the imagination as Daniel interprets the prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar. 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:56.059 But again this tree is felled. 00:16:57.199 --> 00:17:03.299 Because God will not have anyone competing with his kingdom or deflecting his glory. 00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:07.599 And so Jesus says my kingdom is like a tree. 00:17:08.879 --> 00:17:10.900 But not a tree that will be felled. 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:12.339 A tree that will last forever. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:14.220 A kingdom that will last forever. 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:18.579 As I rule and reign in perfect righteousness and justice. 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:21.559 For all eternity over my people. 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:24.240 Him I will satisfy forever. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:28.000 Paul writing in Philippians about this tree. 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:29.960 This kingdom as it's finally realized. 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:36.940 Therefore God has highly exalted Jesus and bestowed on him the name that is above every name. 00:17:37.019 --> 00:17:43.319 So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:47.140 And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:50.359 Says that on that day every knee will bow. 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:53.319 Every knee will bow. 00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:56.480 Now everyone will circumflex before the Lord Jesus. 00:17:57.599 --> 00:18:03.720 Many in humble, joyful, loving adoration of Jesus Christ. 00:18:04.419 --> 00:18:08.899 Whom they have known in life and trusted with everything. 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:12.759 But many others will be compelled and terrified. 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:18.379 As they fall before the one whom they've rejected, spurned and ignored. 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:23.460 I wonder if this gospel grows into this tree and it will be the last tree left. 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.780 I wonder how you will bow. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:28.060 If that happened right now. 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:28.940 How would you bow? 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:31.520 In loving adoration. 00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:35.560 For the one that you love and know and have trusted. 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:39.000 Or in fear filled terror. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:43.179 For the one that you've rejected and spurned. 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:49.039 Ronald Wayne missed the opportunity of a lifetime shunning his stake in Apple. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:52.200 Please hear me clearly. 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:55.839 There is available for each of us today. 00:18:57.119 --> 00:19:00.539 In Christ Jesus a far more valuable investment. 00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:07.180 That will pay a dividend of glorious satisfaction for all eternity. 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:13.160 Starts as a mustard seed and you may be overlooking it even now. 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:16.160 But it grows unstoppably. 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:21.320 And will dominate entirely. 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:25.060 That was the his parable. 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:26.980 Now look at the her, verse 33. 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:34.339 He told them still another parable. 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:36.860 The kingdom of heaven is like yeast. 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:42.980 And a woman took and mixed into it about 30 kilograms of flour. 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:46.400 Until it worked all the way through the dough. 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:51.640 Jesus again is saying that the kingdom is like something very small. 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.480 It's like yeast. 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.980 It's like leaven. 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.620 Leaven. 00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:59.559 And in the gospels yeast and leaven is usually negative. 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:03.319 Talking about the yeast of the Pharisees. 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:05.259 But context sets everything. 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:08.700 Because there's the metaphor of the devil being a lion. 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:10.059 Jesus being a lion. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.700 God being a lion. 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:13.460 So it's not hard and fast rules. 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:15.660 But the context is everything. 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:20.860 And I used to think that these two parables were the same. 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:24.000 That the mustard seed grows and the yeast grows. 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.099 But I don't think they are. 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:29.119 I think the mustard seed is about exponential growth. 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:32.699 But I think the yeast is about extraordinary transformation. 00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:38.939 And so when I lived through in Airdrie for a wedding present, we got a bread maker. 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:49.720 And I really liked the idea of putting the ingredients in the bread maker and waking up to the smell of fresh bread with some lovely thick shredded marmalade. 00:20:50.100 --> 00:20:51.100 It was idyllic. 00:20:52.019 --> 00:21:01.180 It was like the icing on top of the cake of marrying the woman that you never thought you could love that much to then have breakfast with her with a slice of fresh bread. 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:04.060 But there was only one problem. 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:09.380 For days and days in a row, I would wake up to the smell of fresh bread. 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:15.160 But when I opened the thing, there was a loaf about that big that was heavier than anything you could ever imagine. 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:18.259 It was inedible. 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.799 So I used to throw it on the lawn. 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:22.360 And not even the Airdrie pigeons would eat it. 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:23.720 It was so indigestible. 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:26.120 And what was the reason? 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:29.519 I've always missed out one little ingredient. 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:34.500 And the reason I missed it is because you had to put it in a different place and I couldn't cope with that. 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:36.400 Multitasking has never been my thing. 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:43.259 And so we got this lump of lead instead of beautiful spongy bread. 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:47.900 And yeast makes all the difference in bread. 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:52.680 The woman takes a little bit of yeast and eats it. 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:55.379 She mixes it into every area of the dough. 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:58.240 And what does that yeast do? 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.500 It transforms the dough. 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:10.400 It means that it's radically transformed from a lump of nothing to a tasty, satisfying bread. 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:17.500 And so I think as the gospel works into every area of our life, it brings incredible transformation. 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.740 Let me show you this. 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:23.519 This is the painting Gin Lane by William Hogarth. 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:28.420 And it's a caricature of life in Britain in the early 18th century. 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:37.740 As the gin craze takes root in all of society in Britain because they ban the import of French wine and spirits. 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:44.859 The government legalised the distilling of gin and everyone got on the sauce in the way that no one ever has in history. 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:54.500 It's literally, as people became addicted to gin, dissolved the very fabric of society. 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:58.559 You thought going out in Edinburgh on Saturday night was bad. 00:22:58.640 --> 00:23:00.640 This was Monday to Friday. 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:02.079 Monday to Sunday. 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:04.920 24 hours a day. 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:10.300 And this picture starts to illustrate the moral wrongs of society. 00:23:11.300 --> 00:23:14.080 Down in this bottom corner is the gin royal. 00:23:14.300 --> 00:23:20.779 And it says on the outside, drunk for a penny, dead drunk for two pennies, clean straw for nothing. 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:25.579 The woman in the middle throwing her child was an infamous story. 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:32.819 Who became so drunk, became such a drunkard that she gave her child to the workhouse. 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:37.920 And a charity came and gave the child new clothes. 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:47.440 At which point she took the child out of the workhouse, strangled the child to death, sold the clothes just so she could buy some gin. 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:52.900 Such was the gin craze that had swept through the nation. 00:23:54.980 --> 00:24:04.380 However, by the mid-18th century, preachers like Whitfield, Wesley and Edwards were gathering huge crowds. 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:12.200 And the gospel swept through and was worked into every area of society. 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:19.539 And the gin-addled streets, through the gin-addled streets, swept the great awakening. 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:24.580 With hundreds of thousands of people becoming citizens of Jesus' kingdom. 00:24:25.100 --> 00:24:27.420 Through trusting him and his good news. 00:24:28.080 --> 00:24:29.519 Radical transformation. 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.200 Extraordinary transformation. 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:34.440 Total transformation. 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:40.600 The gospel, this message, works its way into every area of life. 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:47.119 Just imagine if the gospel worked its way into every area of my life and your life and our lives together. 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:54.639 That we would relate to one another in a gospel-saturated, grace-centered way. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:25:00.859 That we're always initiating the way God initiates and we're always walking towards others in love. 00:25:01.939 --> 00:25:03.539 That they would be built up. 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:08.659 When I do Basics Bank on Friday, I never want to do Basics Bank. 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:10.460 Some of the people who come are a nightmare. 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:16.560 But then as I think about the gospel and how in relation to God I am a nightmare. 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.900 I've not loved him as I should. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:21.540 I've rebelled against him constantly. 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:24.120 He's been nothing but unchangingly loving to me. 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:27.680 I think I can put up with your nightmare today. 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:34.220 What if it was in our marriages and we really did love our wives as Christ loved the church? 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:38.580 In that sacrificial, unchanging, unending way. 00:25:40.060 --> 00:25:43.640 What if we were truly loving towards each other in a gospel way? 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:45.880 That was so tangible to those outside. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:51.880 What if we worked the gospel into every area of our lives that it just oozed out of us? 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:55.120 So as we witness at work and at home and among our friends. 00:25:56.760 --> 00:25:58.220 They go, that's really different. 00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:01.720 They're totally transformed. 00:26:02.840 --> 00:26:04.860 Do you know if you make bread you need to give it a good kneading. 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.700 It's a real workout. 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:10.920 What if we kneaded the gospel into every area of our lives? 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:14.180 So that it was the foundation of everything that we are. 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.519 Martin Luther wrote this. 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:19.660 The gospel is the central article of the Christian faith. 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:27.299 Most necessary is it that we learn it well, teach it to others and beat it into our heads continuously. 00:26:28.580 --> 00:26:31.340 Wouldn't that be great if that was true for us? 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:34.160 The gospel brings exponential growth. 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:36.720 It'll be the only thing standing. 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:41.740 So it's so important that we trust Jesus and the citizens of his kingdom. 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:44.220 Because in the end it's the only kingdom that will last. 00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:46.860 And the gospel brings transformation. 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:52.980 So let's knead it into every area of our lives that it might transform us completely. 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:56.259 Into the image of Jesus Christ. 00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:59.680 Let me finish by quoting Napoleon. 00:27:01.080 --> 00:27:02.840 He said this at the end of his life. 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.579 I know men. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:07.319 And I tell you Jesus Christ is no mere man. 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:11.099 Between him and every other person in the world. 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:13.659 There is no possible term of comparison. 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:18.459 Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I have founded kingdoms. 00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:21.399 But on what did we rest the creation of their genius? 00:27:22.419 --> 00:27:23.439 Upon force. 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:27.200 Jesus Christ founded his kingdom upon love. 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:30.519 And this hour millions of men would die for him. 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:34.340 The kingdoms of men rise and fall. 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:40.080 Jesus' kingdom though is the only one that remains. 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:42.740 And even this day grows. 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.320 Let's pray. 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:55.059 Father God thank you that the gospel grows unstoppably. 00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:59.000 Father though it seems so small and insignificant. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.819 Thank you that it is the power of God. 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:03.859 For the salvation of everyone who believes. 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:08.899 And so Lord I pray we would be leaving in the good news of your son today. 00:28:09.699 --> 00:28:11.599 Father maybe for the first time. 00:28:12.199 --> 00:28:15.000 Lord maybe trusting him for the millionth time. 00:28:15.939 --> 00:28:19.559 But Lord may we be willing and worthy citizens of his kingdom. 00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:23.619 That he's recruited us into through his love for us. 00:28:24.159 --> 00:28:26.479 And his death on the cross in our place. 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:29.799 And Father I pray that as citizens of that kingdom. 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:33.980 We would work this gospel into every iota of our lives. 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:38.420 And Lord that it would transform us into the people that you would have us be. 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:42.299 Father come and glorify your son in this place. 00:28:42.860 --> 00:28:45.180 In our lives and through our lives. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:49.599 Father may Jesus rule and reign over it all. 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:54.279 And we pray it in his all powerful name. 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.360 Amen.