WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.900
 Good morning, everyone.

00:00:02.580 --> 00:00:05.020
 For those of you who don't know, my name is Andrew Rimm.

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! I am one of the pastoral interns here at Trinity Cambridge Church.

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! If you guys could please turn with me now to Matthew chapter 12.

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 Matthew chapter 12, verse 38 to 50.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word.

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 Lord, more than ever, in our time and culture, in this generation, we need you.

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 We need your word to be permeating throughout our lives.

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 We need your word to be dictating how we can live a faithful life to you

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 in the face of all the darkness and unbelief around us, Lord.

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 So we ask you, God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, won't you illuminate this passage to us, Lord?

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 Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts to know.

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 That even amongst this generation of evil that we live in, you are still good.

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 You are greater than all, and you are worthy to be praised.

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 Won't you be glorified?

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 Won't you be magnified in the preaching of your word?

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Would you please stand with me for the reading?

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 That does remind me, if any of you don't have a Bible and would like one,

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 please raise your hand and we'll try to get a copy for you, for your keeping.

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 Matthew chapter 12, verse 38 to 50.

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 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying,

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 Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.

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 But he answered them,

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 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign,

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 but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

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 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish,

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 so will the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

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 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it,

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 for they repented at the preaching of Jonah.

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 And behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

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 The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it,

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 for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon.

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 And behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

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 When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person,

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 it passes through waterless places seeking rest but finds none.

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 And then it says,

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 I will return to my house from which I came.

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 And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order.

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 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits, more evil than itself,

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 and they enter and dwell there,

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 and the last state of that person is worse than the first.

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 So also will it be with this evil generation.

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 While he was still speaking to the people,

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 behold, his mother and his brother stood outside asking to speak to him.

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 But he replied to the man who told him,

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 Who is my mother?

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 And who are my brothers?

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 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples,

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 he said,

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 Here are my mother and my brothers.

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 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven

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 is my brother and sister and mother.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 You may be seated.

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 Amen.

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 Growing up, my brothers and I,

00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:23.399
 my younger brothers and I,

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 were all classically trained in music.

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 I played the cello.

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 My younger brother plays the violin.

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 And his twin brother plays the viola.

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 And throughout my childhood,

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 my mom would schedule practice time during the day.

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 And we would go into our respective rooms

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 and for two hours practice our instruments.

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 My mom would be around the house taking care of chores.

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 And every once in a while,

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 like a prison guard,

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 she would open our doors

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 and check to make sure that we were practicing.

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 But my brothers and I had a little secret.

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 While we were practicing,

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 we would have our phones or our iPods

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 on our music stands.

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 And we would watch cartoons

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 and YouTube videos while we were practicing

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 or when we were taking a break.

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 My brothers and I had another little secret.

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 We had unspoken understanding,

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 a code,

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 that we would send signs to one another,

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 some sort of signal,

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 if we sensed that our mom

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 was coming to check in on us.

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 We confessed this on my wedding day to my parents.

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 And my mom was flabbergasted.

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 Sometimes it would be a quick text.

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 Yo, mom.

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 Quickly, put away the phone.

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 Start playing through my Suzuki book.

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 Other times,

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 a sharp cough

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 from the next room over.

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 Away goes my phone

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 and I wear my Measure 24 box suite.

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 You know?

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 And other times,

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 I'd hear the hurried clatter of bows.

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 And my brothers would quickly start playing.

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 And that would be a clear indication.

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 Mom's right around the corner.

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 And so my last resort move,

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 in that hurriedness,

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 I'd pretend to tune my cello

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 with a face of clear concentration

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 of such a difficult task

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 of tuning a cello.

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 But over time,

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 I started to get cocky.

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 I started to get overconfident

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 in my own ability.

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 I felt like I didn't need

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 my brother's signs and signals anymore.

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 And like a Jedi using the Force,

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 I could sense my mom's presence

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 and know when to start back up

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 with my cello practice.

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 But then one day,

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 my mom went out of the house

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 to go buy some groceries

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 while we were supposed to be

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 in practice time.

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 The house was dead silent

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 because all three boys

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 were lounging in their respective rooms

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 on their phones.

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 An hour passed,

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 and suddenly,

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 I got a message on my phone

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 from one of my brothers.

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 Yo,

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 I think I saw mom's car with Pullen.

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 I glanced out the window.

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 I thought I saw a flash of white,

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 but maybe that was just my imagination.

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 Then another text popped up.

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 I heard the garage door opening.

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 I listen,

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 and I hear a low rumbling.

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 Eh,

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 must be the laundry machine.

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 In my mind,

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 I thought,

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 there had better be

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 a legit sign,

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 a legitimate sign

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 that mom was home

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 that I can see

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 or tangibly hear.

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 Else,

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 I'm not believing my brothers.

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 I got this.

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 I can get away with this.

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 Suddenly,

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 I hear the clattering

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 of my brother's bows,

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 and they start playing

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 their instruments again.

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 And in my hubris,

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 I thought to myself,

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 they're just being paranoid.

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 Suddenly,

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 my mom opens the door,

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 and she finds her eldest son

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 lounging on the bed

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 with a cello on the ground

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 and an iPhone in hand,

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 busted.

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 In the end,

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 my pride and my unbelief

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 made me overlook

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 the obvious

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 and abundant signs

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 that my mom

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 was indeed home,

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 and I paid dearly.

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 What I share with you

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 here, church,

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 is a much sillier anecdote.

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 But many of you guys

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 probably have stories

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 of your own,

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 of similar circumstances

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 of unbelief.

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 Whether it's you

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 or someone that you know

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 who has felt skepticism,

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 even when all the signs

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 seem to point

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 to the truth of the matter.

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 But in our stubbornness,

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 we refuse to admit the truth,

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 and even when the evidence

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 and signs stack up against us,

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 we continue to be in denial.

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 In our passage this morning,

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 we encounter

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 a more serious case

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 of unbelief,

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 even when the signs

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 seem to overwhelmingly

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 point to the truth.

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 And that is the Pharisees

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 and their contemporaries'

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 denial of Jesus

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 as the promised Messiah

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 and the Son of God.

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 Their measure of unbelief

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 leads Jesus to call them

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 an evil and adulterous generation,

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 and one that continues

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 to become worse and worse

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 in their spiritual condition.

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 Church,

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 the evil generation,

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 that streak of unbelief

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 that Jesus calls out

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 in our passage,

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 is prevalent in our age now.

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 More than ever,

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 we're surrounded by a culture

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 of skepticism,

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 skepticism of the gospel,

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 and the culture demands

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 signs from the Christian faith.

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 Prove,

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 prove it to us

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 that Jesus is real,

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 that he's the way,

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 the truth,

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 and the life,

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 as you guys say,

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 that he really did die

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 and rise from the grave.

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 But this generation,

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 they often demand

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 to see these signs

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 not because they want

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 to believe,

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 but because they want

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 to confirm

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 their unbelief.

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 I was right along,

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 all along,

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 it's not true.

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 As Christians

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 and as bearers

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 of the gospel,

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 church,

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 we need to be aware

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 of this evil generation

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 of unbelief,

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 and we need to rely

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 on the power

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 of the Holy Spirit

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 to guide us

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 in not falling into

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 that temptation

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 of unbelief

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 and reminding ourselves

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 that there is a generation

00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:04.919
 that is far better

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 than this evil one,

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 and that's the generation

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 that Jesus calls

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 his family.

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 And so this is my main point

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 this morning.

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 As brothers and sisters

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 of Christ,

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 be set apart

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 from this evil generation

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 of unbelief.

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 I'll touch on three points

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 this morning.

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 First,

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 the sign for an evil generation.

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 Second,

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 the worsened state

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 of the evil generation.

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 And third,

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 the family of Jesus.

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 Throughout the gospel

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 of Matthew,

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 Matthew's been recording

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 various miracles

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 Jesus performed

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 since he began

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 this ministry

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 in chapter 4.

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 Already,

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 he's healed diseases

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 and afflictions

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 and cast out demons

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 several times

00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:49.400
 within his ministry.

00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:50.580
 Even within our chapter,

00:10:50.680 --> 00:10:51.200
 chapter 12,

00:10:51.560 --> 00:10:52.460
 Jesus has healed

00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:53.780
 a man with a withered hand

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 and healed

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 a demon-oppressed man

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 of his blindness

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 and muteness

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 with great authority,

00:10:59.040 --> 00:11:00.120
 causing many to wonder,

00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:02.460
 is this the Messiah,

00:11:03.180 --> 00:11:03.980
 the Son of God?

00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:07.639
 But the scribes

00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:08.300
 and Pharisees,

00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:09.920
 out of selfish ambition

00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:10.740
 and jealousy,

00:11:11.979 --> 00:11:13.219
 continued to scorn Jesus

00:11:13.219 --> 00:11:14.819
 and criticize his ministry.

00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:17.439
 They accused Jesus

00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:18.740
 of operating in his miracles

00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:20.139
 of healing and exorcism

00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:22.099
 by the power of Beelzebul,

00:11:22.579 --> 00:11:23.419
 the prince of demons,

00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:24.740
 as we saw in our previous passage.

00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:26.659
 Jesus proceeded

00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:27.620
 to rebuke them

00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:28.779
 of blaspheming

00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:29.559
 the Holy Spirit

00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:30.179
 in their words,

00:11:30.479 --> 00:11:31.459
 showing the wickedness

00:11:31.459 --> 00:11:32.039
 and unbelief

00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:32.620
 in their hearts.

00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:34.559
 And this sets the stage

00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:35.639
 for where we are now.

00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:38.939
 Verse 38,

00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:39.980
 the Pharisees replied

00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:41.279
 to Jesus by telling him,

00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:41.980
 Teacher,

00:11:43.100 --> 00:11:43.759
 we wish to see

00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.439
 a sign from you.

00:11:45.699 --> 00:11:46.639
 The Pharisees wanted

00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:47.740
 to see another sign

00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:48.120
 from Jesus

00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:49.139
 as if everything

00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:50.019
 that happened before,

00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:50.919
 all those healings,

00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:51.840
 all those exorcisms,

00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:53.279
 meant nothing to them.

00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:55.639
 Fine, teacher,

00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.460
 if you say

00:11:56.460 --> 00:11:57.639
 that you're not

00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:58.600
 of Beelzebul

00:11:58.600 --> 00:11:59.259
 and you say

00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:00.200
 that you are of God,

00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:01.399
 show us a sign.

00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:03.460
 Our own people

00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:04.500
 have performed exorcisms.

00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:05.340
 Our own people

00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:06.039
 have been able

00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:06.740
 to heal people

00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:07.279
 in the past.

00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:08.659
 Show us something different.

00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:10.320
 Prove your worth.

00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:13.980
 Their skepticism

00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:14.559
 was as much

00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:15.539
 as if we were to

00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:17.100
 ambush a magician

00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:18.340
 after the magic show,

00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:19.019
 demanding him

00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:20.840
 to show us real magic

00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:22.460
 now that all the setups,

00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:23.419
 now that all the lights,

00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:24.320
 now that all the smoke

00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:25.059
 has died away.

00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:27.620
 But Jesus isn't having that.

00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:29.179
 He wasn't going

00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:30.019
 to pull off a miracle

00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:31.460
 like some cheap party trick

00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:32.860
 in front of the Pharisees

00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:33.440
 at their whim

00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:33.940
 in their bidding.

00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.659
 And his response

00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:36.080
 to them

00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:37.659
 is sharp and clear.

00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:38.340
 Verse 39,

00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:40.340
 an evil and adulterous

00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:40.779
 generation

00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:41.679
 seeks for a sign,

00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:42.960
 but no sign

00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:43.700
 will be given to it

00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:44.799
 except the sign

00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:46.039
 of the prophet Jonah.

00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.139
 Let's focus

00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:49.720
 on the first part

00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:50.419
 of Jesus' reply.

00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:51.779
 An evil and adulterous

00:12:51.779 --> 00:12:52.360
 generation

00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:54.279
 seeks for a sign.

00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.960
 It's interesting

00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:57.940
 who Jesus addresses

00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:58.440
 as a whole.

00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:00.059
 He could have just said,

00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.899
 you evil and adulterous

00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:03.120
 scribes and Pharisees

00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:03.779
 seek a sign.

00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:05.019
 But instead,

00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:07.080
 he expands the scope

00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:08.159
 of his rebuke

00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:09.860
 to the whole generation.

00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:12.299
 An evil and adulterous

00:13:12.299 --> 00:13:13.200
 generation.

00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:16.860
 Jesus calls this generation

00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:18.440
 evil because they seek

00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:21.060
 a sign out of malicious intent.

00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:23.899
 They don't ask for a sign

00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:24.840
 so that they can believe

00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:25.399
 in the Messiah,

00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:28.100
 but rather to destroy him.

00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:30.779
 Jesus calls this generation

00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:31.639
 adulterous because

00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:32.600
 they're seeking a sign

00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.200
 shows their faithlessness

00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:35.500
 in the Lord God.

00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:37.519
 That they desire

00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:38.320
 to put their trust

00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:39.460
 in what they see

00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.360
 with their own eyes

00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:41.300
 and not in what

00:13:41.300 --> 00:13:42.440
 the Lord had promised.

00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:44.920
 It's spiritual adultery.

00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:48.580
 As an aside,

00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:50.399
 what Jesus is not saying here

00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:52.779
 is that it's evil

00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.360
 or adulterous

00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.320
 to seek for a sign

00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:54.800
 from the Lord.

00:13:55.719 --> 00:13:56.459
 All throughout the Bible,

00:13:56.579 --> 00:13:57.879
 God gave signs to people

00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:59.299
 like Moses and Gideon

00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:01.000
 to stir them in their faith

00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.879
 amidst doubt and fear.

00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:05.000
 In our own context,

00:14:05.359 --> 00:14:06.199
 we pray to God

00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:06.979
 to show us a sign,

00:14:07.099 --> 00:14:07.599
 whether that's through

00:14:07.599 --> 00:14:09.099
 answering our prayer requests,

00:14:09.359 --> 00:14:10.599
 placing supernatural peace

00:14:10.599 --> 00:14:11.019
 in our hearts

00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:12.319
 about a decision to be made,

00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:13.579
 or comfort amidst

00:14:13.579 --> 00:14:14.099
 our sorrows

00:14:14.099 --> 00:14:15.279
 or supernatural gifts

00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:15.799
 of the Spirit

00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:16.979
 such as healing or prophecy.

00:14:17.339 --> 00:14:18.339
 What sets us,

00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.299
 Moses and Gideon,

00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:20.699
 apart from these Pharisees

00:14:20.699 --> 00:14:21.259
 and scribes

00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:22.679
 is that we ask for God

00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:23.659
 to show his power

00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:25.139
 to stir up our faith

00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:27.340
 rather than to fuel

00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:28.679
 our biased unbelief

00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:30.120
 to ultimately scorn

00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.080
 and reject Jesus

00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:32.519
 like the Pharisees did.

00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:35.399
 That is what this generation

00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.879
 that Jesus condemns

00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.759
 chooses to do.

00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:40.840
 This isn't Jesus'

00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:42.000
 first condemnation

00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.700
 of this generation,

00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:44.759
 nor will it be his last

00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.799
 throughout the Gospel of Matthew.

00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.639
 In Matthew chapter 11,

00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.860
 Jesus calls out

00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.860
 this generation

00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:51.159
 as being like children

00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:52.080
 who play the flute

00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.940
 and sing a dirge,

00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:54.360
 forcing their playmates

00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.100
 to play along

00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:55.820
 by their rules

00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:56.519
 of their games.

00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:59.019
 The Pharisees in Matthew 11

00:14:59.019 --> 00:14:59.840
 were rebuked

00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:01.200
 for being like these children,

00:15:01.560 --> 00:15:02.720
 moving the goalposts

00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.340
 of righteousness

00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:04.720
 to fit their own agendas

00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.399
 and desires.

00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.899
 They called John the Baptist

00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:09.460
 demonized for fasting,

00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:12.279
 and yet they called Jesus

00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:13.639
 a glutton and drunkard

00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.860
 for eating and drinking

00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:16.420
 out of their unbelief

00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:17.539
 and hypocrisy.

00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:20.799
 Later in Matthew chapter 23,

00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:22.419
 Jesus again condemns

00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:23.399
 the Pharisees and scribes

00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:24.740
 with seven woes

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.579
 for their hypocrisy

00:15:25.579 --> 00:15:26.079
 and unbelief,

00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.099
 for imposing laws

00:15:28.099 --> 00:15:29.059
 which they themselves

00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:30.000
 were not following,

00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:33.139
 for neglecting weightier matters

00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.639
 of the law

00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:35.199
 like mercy and justice,

00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:36.339
 and instead focusing

00:15:36.339 --> 00:15:37.740
 on external cleanliness

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.919
 when deep inside

00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:39.620
 they were stained

00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:41.199
 with idolatry of the self

00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:42.939
 and lawlessness.

00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.860
 All these things,

00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:45.639
 Jesus pronounces,

00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:47.419
 will incur great judgment

00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:49.539
 upon this generation.

00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:51.860
 Matthew 23, 36.

00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:55.279
 Jesus is directly addressing

00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:55.799
 the Pharisees

00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:56.439
 who confront him,

00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:58.439
 but he's also saying

00:15:58.439 --> 00:15:59.159
 that there are more

00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:01.159
 beyond this group

00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:02.159
 of conspirators

00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:03.340
 who participate

00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:04.879
 in the same wrongdoings

00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.759
 of unbelief

00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.840
 and unfaithfulness.

00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:09.139
 The Pharisees and scribes

00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:09.659
 are simply

00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:11.080
 the chief representatives

00:16:11.080 --> 00:16:12.759
 of a whole generation.

00:16:13.520 --> 00:16:15.680
 An evil and adulterous generation

00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:16.900
 that refuses to believe

00:16:16.900 --> 00:16:17.360
 in Jesus

00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:19.060
 as the promised Messiah.

00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:22.480
 And spoiler alert,

00:16:23.180 --> 00:16:24.160
 Jesus is very worried

00:16:24.160 --> 00:16:25.060
 about this whole generation

00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:25.860
 is fulfilled.

00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.700
 Because of this generation's

00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.900
 unbelief and wickedness,

00:16:29.180 --> 00:16:30.259
 Jesus was turned over

00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.220
 to Pontius Pilate.

00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.379
 He was demanded

00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.020
 to be crucified

00:16:33.020 --> 00:16:33.980
 by the Jewish leaders

00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:34.860
 and the crowds of people.

00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.080
 This whole generation

00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:38.120
 rejected Jesus

00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.340
 by scorning his words,

00:16:39.520 --> 00:16:40.420
 spurning his miracles,

00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:41.779
 and crucifying him

00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:43.059
 and putting him to death.

00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:46.479
 And so Jesus condemns

00:16:46.479 --> 00:16:47.139
 this generation

00:16:47.139 --> 00:16:47.799
 and declares

00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:49.399
 no sign

00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.259
 will be given

00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.399
 to this evil generation

00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:52.179
 except

00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:53.299
 the sign

00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:54.339
 of the prophet Jonah.

00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:57.879
 What then

00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.899
 is the sign

00:16:58.899 --> 00:16:59.899
 of the prophet Jonah?

00:17:00.579 --> 00:17:01.240
 Let's look at

00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.019
 Jesus' explanation

00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:02.559
 of the sign.

00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:03.179
 Verse 40.

00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.839
 For just as Jonah

00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:05.740
 was three days

00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.420
 and three nights

00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.159
 in the belly

00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:07.960
 of the great fish,

00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:09.940
 so will the Son of Man

00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.920
 be three days

00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:11.600
 and three nights

00:17:11.600 --> 00:17:12.380
 in the heart

00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:12.840
 of the earth.

00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.980
 The prophet Jonah

00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:16.960
 in the Old Testament

00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.200
 was appointed by God

00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:19.400
 to warn the city

00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:20.120
 of Nineveh

00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:21.140
 that judgment

00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:22.140
 was coming upon them

00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:22.740
 from their Lord

00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.600
 for their wickedness.

00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.160
 But Jonah instead

00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:27.820
 fled from God's presence.

00:17:29.120 --> 00:17:30.039
 God caused

00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.960
 a great storm

00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:32.340
 to torment Jonah's ship

00:17:32.340 --> 00:17:33.080
 and appointed

00:17:33.080 --> 00:17:33.820
 a great fish

00:17:33.820 --> 00:17:34.680
 to swallow up Jonah

00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.500
 for three days

00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.100
 and three nights

00:17:36.100 --> 00:17:37.080
 before God caused

00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:37.400
 a fish

00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:38.240
 to spit Jonah

00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.359
 onto dry land.

00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.079
 Jonah then

00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:42.160
 heeded God's command

00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:42.920
 and proclaimed

00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:43.640
 God's judgment

00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:44.380
 to the Ninevites

00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:45.819
 and these Gentile

00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:47.200
 Ninevites believed

00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.299
 and feared the Lord

00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:48.900
 and repented

00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:49.799
 of their wickedness

00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:51.259
 and they were saved.

00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:54.279
 The sign of Jonah

00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.700
 that Jesus refers to

00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:57.380
 is a symbol

00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:58.079
 of Jesus'

00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:59.160
 own death

00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:00.240
 and resurrection.

00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.559
 Like Jonah's

00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.079
 deliverance

00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:03.859
 from the fish's belly

00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.819
 after three days

00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:05.420
 and three nights,

00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.640
 Jesus will be

00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:07.140
 crucified

00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:07.920
 and buried

00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:09.200
 for three days

00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.180
 and three nights

00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.920
 before doing

00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:12.259
 something no one else,

00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.600
 no other Jewish

00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:15.060
 healer or exorcist

00:18:15.060 --> 00:18:15.880
 could have done.

00:18:16.840 --> 00:18:17.840
 He resurrected

00:18:17.840 --> 00:18:18.660
 from death

00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:19.300
 to life.

00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.820
 And this

00:18:20.820 --> 00:18:21.520
 would be

00:18:21.520 --> 00:18:23.240
 that unmistakable sign

00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.840
 given to the generation

00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:25.420
 that proves

00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.380
 Jesus' authority

00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:27.880
 as the Son of God

00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:29.380
 and the promised Messiah.

00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:34.180
 We have a very smart

00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:35.080
 congregation here

00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:36.819
 and you may have heard

00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:37.779
 three days

00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.359
 and three nights

00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:38.899
 and you may be

00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:39.500
 doing the math

00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.079
 and there may be

00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.419
 a little bit

00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:41.259
 of confusion now.

00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:44.500
 If we hold the view

00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.379
 that Jesus died

00:18:45.379 --> 00:18:46.199
 on what we call

00:18:46.199 --> 00:18:47.119
 Good Friday,

00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.960
 a full three days

00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.539
 and three nights,

00:18:49.699 --> 00:18:50.599
 72 hours,

00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:52.000
 would not get us

00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:53.079
 to Resurrection Sunday,

00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:55.339
 more of a Resurrection Monday.

00:18:56.199 --> 00:18:57.199
 Or going the other way,

00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:58.419
 if Jesus resurrected

00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:59.059
 on what we call

00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:00.119
 Resurrection Sunday,

00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.879
 a full three days

00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:02.379
 and three nights

00:19:02.379 --> 00:19:03.679
 prior would bring us

00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.980
 to a good Thursday.

00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.820
 What we see here

00:19:07.820 --> 00:19:08.460
 is that Jesus

00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.820
 is using three days

00:19:09.820 --> 00:19:10.360
 and three nights

00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:11.600
 as an example

00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:12.900
 of a Hebraic idiom,

00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:14.060
 a figure of speech,

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.900
 where a day

00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:16.420
 and a night

00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:17.440
 can refer to just

00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:18.620
 part of a full day

00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.700
 and not necessarily

00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:21.180
 a full 24-hour

00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:22.080
 time frame.

00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:24.420
 In the Resurrection account,

00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:25.160
 what we call

00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:25.860
 Good Friday,

00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.759
 Holy Saturday,

00:19:27.100 --> 00:19:28.000
 and Resurrection Sunday

00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.120
 would count as

00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:29.840
 three days

00:19:29.840 --> 00:19:30.519
 and three nights,

00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:31.940
 even if this time frame

00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.680
 does not span

00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:34.320
 that full 72 hours.

00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.340
 It's similar to

00:19:36.340 --> 00:19:37.640
 the way we say things like,

00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:39.640
 I was at work all day,

00:19:40.620 --> 00:19:41.559
 without actually meaning

00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.980
 that we were in the office

00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:44.680
 for a full 24-hour period.

00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.220
 And so Jesus uses

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:48.200
 this Hebraic idiom,

00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.059
 this figure of speech,

00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:51.820
 as a typological representation.

00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:54.139
 Just as Jonah

00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:55.220
 was in the belly

00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:55.579
 of the fish

00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.279
 for three days

00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.759
 and three nights

00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.599
 before being spit up,

00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:58.839
 so was Jesus

00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:00.240
 in the realm of the dead

00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.220
 for three days

00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:01.720
 and three nights

00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.720
 before He resurrected

00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.599
 to life.

00:20:04.939 --> 00:20:05.980
 Jesus' resurrection,

00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:06.379
 then,

00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.679
 would be that sign

00:20:07.679 --> 00:20:08.659
 to the Pharisees

00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:09.559
 and to the rest

00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.319
 of the generation

00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:11.779
 that Jesus is indeed

00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.899
 the promised Messiah,

00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:14.259
 the Son of David,

00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.139
 and the Savior

00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:16.179
 of the world

00:20:16.179 --> 00:20:17.700
 to both Jews

00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.359
 and Gentiles.

00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:20.139
 And yet,

00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:20.959
 even though Jesus

00:20:20.959 --> 00:20:22.219
 has been proclaiming

00:20:22.219 --> 00:20:23.459
 of God's kingdom to come

00:20:23.459 --> 00:20:25.059
 and how this generation

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.779
 needs to repent

00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.419
 and prepare

00:20:26.419 --> 00:20:27.419
 for the kingdom at hand,

00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:29.279
 the generation continues

00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:30.379
 to not believe.

00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:33.000
 And it's for this reason

00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.419
 Jesus tells the Pharisees,

00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:36.179
 the men of Nineveh

00:20:36.179 --> 00:20:37.119
 will rise up

00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:37.659
 at the judgment

00:20:37.659 --> 00:20:38.559
 with this generation

00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.639
 and condemn it,

00:20:39.699 --> 00:20:40.439
 for they repented

00:20:40.439 --> 00:20:41.379
 at the preaching of Jonah

00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:42.179
 and behold,

00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.419
 something greater

00:20:43.419 --> 00:20:45.299
 than Jonah is here.

00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:50.379
 If the Ninevites

00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:51.539
 were able to receive

00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.039
 the warnings

00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.859
 of the prophet Jonah

00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:54.219
 and reach the conclusion

00:20:54.219 --> 00:20:55.659
 that they had to repent

00:20:55.659 --> 00:20:56.139
 to the Lord,

00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:58.079
 the Pharisees

00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:58.979
 and their contemporaries

00:20:58.979 --> 00:21:00.240
 should be even more

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.659
 cognizant of their sin

00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:03.339
 and even more repentant

00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.299
 toward the warnings

00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.199
 of Jesus,

00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:06.979
 who is far greater

00:21:06.979 --> 00:21:07.819
 than Jonah.

00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:10.240
 Jonah's proclamation

00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.779
 was toward the salvation

00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.659
 of one city,

00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.959
 the one city of Nineveh,

00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:15.939
 and yet Jesus' proclamation

00:21:15.939 --> 00:21:17.459
 was toward the salvation

00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:19.000
 of the whole world.

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.900
 But as we've seen

00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:23.059
 over and over in Matthew,

00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.120
 the Pharisees

00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:24.880
 in this generation

00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.819
 instead continue

00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.539
 to be hardened

00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.259
 in their hearts

00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.059
 and continue

00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:29.279
 in their unbelief,

00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.420
 rejecting Jesus

00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.519
 as that promised Messiah.

00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.940
 Their lack of faith

00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.819
 and unwillingness

00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.500
 to receive Jesus

00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.579
 is shameful

00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.960
 compared to the response

00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:38.840
 of repentance

00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.779
 from the Ninevites.

00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.440
 Nineveh,

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.799
 a city of Gentiles,

00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.920
 repented to

00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:47.160
 a mere mortal man's preaching.

00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:49.420
 While the Pharisees

00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:49.920
 and Jews,

00:21:50.340 --> 00:21:52.120
 God's own covenant people,

00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.779
 scoffed at the preaching

00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:55.039
 of the Son of God,

00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.840
 the one who is far greater

00:21:56.840 --> 00:21:58.360
 than the prophet Jonah.

00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:02.380
 Jesus presents his rebuke

00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:03.380
 in another example

00:22:03.380 --> 00:22:04.100
 in verse 42,

00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:05.519
 the queen of the south,

00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.600
 the queen of the kingdom

00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:08.220
 of Sheba

00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:10.120
 from 1 Kings chapter 10.

00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:12.000
 She was Gentile royalty,

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.360
 and yet when she heard

00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:16.139
 of the great God-given wisdom

00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:17.539
 that King Solomon possessed,

00:22:18.879 --> 00:22:20.179
 she came from the ends

00:22:20.179 --> 00:22:20.639
 of the earth

00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:21.859
 to hear the wisdom

00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.399
 of Solomon.

00:22:24.639 --> 00:22:25.740
 The kingdom of Sheba

00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.179
 is believed

00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:26.979
 to have been located

00:22:26.979 --> 00:22:27.819
 in what is today

00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.879
 between Yemen

00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:29.559
 and Ethiopia.

00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:31.779
 The queen of the south,

00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:32.839
 the queen of Sheba,

00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:34.000
 would have had to travel

00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:35.959
 up to 1,500 miles

00:22:35.959 --> 00:22:37.519
 to arrive at Jerusalem

00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:39.159
 to test Solomon

00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:40.119
 with hard questions,

00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:42.479
 and after questioning Solomon,

00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.379
 the queen left,

00:22:44.719 --> 00:22:46.239
 marveling at his display

00:22:46.239 --> 00:22:47.279
 of godly wisdom,

00:22:47.739 --> 00:22:48.859
 as 1 Kings 10 says.

00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.919
 If the queen of Sheba

00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:51.719
 was willing to go

00:22:51.719 --> 00:22:52.579
 such great lengths,

00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:54.159
 literally great lengths,

00:22:54.399 --> 00:22:55.899
 over 1,000 miles,

00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:57.619
 to consult the God-given

00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.359
 wisdom of Solomon,

00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.479
 the Pharisees

00:23:00.479 --> 00:23:01.500
 and their contemporaries

00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.500
 should all be

00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.699
 all the more willing

00:23:03.699 --> 00:23:04.839
 to heed the teachings

00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.719
 and admonishments

00:23:05.719 --> 00:23:06.279
 of Jesus,

00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.399
 who is greater than Solomon,

00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:10.519
 because he is the very wisdom

00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.500
 of God,

00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:13.140
 as proclaimed in

00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:15.200
 1 Corinthians 1,21,4.

00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.880
 And yet again,

00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:17.820
 the Pharisees

00:23:17.820 --> 00:23:18.540
 in this generation

00:23:18.540 --> 00:23:19.280
 are shameful

00:23:19.280 --> 00:23:20.420
 and worthy

00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.340
 to be condemned

00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:22.380
 in their response

00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:23.420
 to Jesus' teachings

00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:24.920
 and his wisdom.

00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:27.180
 Church,

00:23:28.340 --> 00:23:29.060
 Jesus' warnings

00:23:29.060 --> 00:23:30.160
 of this evil generation

00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.340
 is not just limited

00:23:31.340 --> 00:23:32.620
 to the Pharisees

00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:33.519
 of Jesus' time.

00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:35.500
 Here and now,

00:23:35.800 --> 00:23:36.259
 this evil

00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.280
 and adulterous generation

00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:39.200
 is still in our midst.

00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.119
 We're surrounded

00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:42.099
 by many people

00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:43.500
 who do not believe

00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.440
 in the proclamation

00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:46.099
 and wisdom of Jesus

00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.720
 and many who are hostile

00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.559
 towards the gospel

00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:50.180
 and seek to quelch

00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.379
 and destroy those

00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.500
 who do believe in it,

00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.200
 just as the Pharisees

00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:54.579
 plotted

00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:56.599
 for Jesus' destruction.

00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.920
 We look at our time

00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.639
 in culture today.

00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:02.779
 With the rise of secularism

00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.819
 and post-modern thought,

00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.960
 more and more people

00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:06.279
 see the Christian faith

00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.319
 as oppressive

00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.000
 and offensive

00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.799
 to their current

00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.960
 cultural sensibilities

00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:12.240
 and they hurl insults

00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.779
 and vitriol

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.299
 at those

00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.220
 who still adhere

00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.180
 to the teachings

00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:16.880
 of God's word.

00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.620
 All around the world,

00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.880
 persecution of Christians

00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:22.920
 continues to run rampant.

00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:25.059
 I think of Nigeria

00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.519
 where in this past year,

00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.900
 thousands of Christians

00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:29.180
 have been harassed,

00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:29.759
 kidnapped,

00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:30.779
 or martyred

00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:32.460
 by extremist terrorist groups.

00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:33.680
 And these persecutions

00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.380
 have ramped up

00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.000
 all the more

00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.960
 in recent weeks.

00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:38.259
 This past month in China,

00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:40.420
 many pastors and leaders

00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.720
 of the largest house church

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.120
 in China

00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:42.980
 were arrested

00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.140
 for illegally gathering

00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.900
 for the sake

00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.700
 of the gospel,

00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:47.980
 including dear friends

00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.900
 of some of my fellow

00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:50.039
 seminary students.

00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:53.180
 As Ed had mentioned

00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.680
 last week,

00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:55.700
 anti-conversion laws

00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:57.340
 and Gar-Wafi,

00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.720
 return home campaigns

00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.759
 in India

00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:01.559
 forcibly put Christians

00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:03.360
 in societal disadvantages.

00:25:04.900 --> 00:25:06.299
 Authorities don't bat an eye

00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.900
 when churches

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.640
 and church members

00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.579
 are beaten,

00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.519
 ransacked,

00:25:09.600 --> 00:25:10.640
 and taken advantage of.

00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:12.339
 But even the smallest

00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.039
 of gestures

00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.980
 from a Christian

00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:15.000
 will land them

00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.440
 in prison.

00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:19.160
 Jesus promised

00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:19.860
 to the Pharisees

00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:21.200
 that this evil generation

00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.559
 that seeks for a sign

00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.940
 will not receive anything

00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:25.240
 except the sign

00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:25.819
 of Jonah.

00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:28.359
 We live amongst

00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:29.599
 this generation today.

00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:30.679
 And this generation

00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:31.759
 has received

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.819
 that sign of Jonah

00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.779
 in the death

00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.539
 and resurrection

00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.200
 of Jesus.

00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.240
 Jesus has given

00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.740
 this generation

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.419
 that sign

00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:39.759
 proving his authority

00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:41.000
 as the son of God.

00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:43.000
 But people today,

00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.720
 like the Pharisees,

00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.839
 still don't believe.

00:25:45.679 --> 00:25:46.159
 If anything,

00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.259
 the evil generation

00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.659
 is in a worse state

00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.419
 than ever before

00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:50.980
 because they've received

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.599
 the good news

00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:52.200
 of the gospel,

00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:53.740
 of Jesus' death

00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.279
 and resurrection,

00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:55.740
 and yet they continue

00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:57.099
 in their unbelief

00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:58.140
 and faithlessness.

00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.579
 Church,

00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:00.460
 we're in the midst

00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.599
 of this evil generation

00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.779
 all around us,

00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:04.859
 but this generation

00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:06.460
 still desperately needs

00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.579
 to hear the gospel

00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:09.319
 and have the Holy Spirit

00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:10.900
 soften their hardened hearts

00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.500
 to believe.

00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.700
 Jesus then returns

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.319
 to the issue

00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:16.980
 that triggered

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.579
 his rebuke

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.559
 towards the Pharisees,

00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:20.039
 his exorcism

00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.099
 of the demon-possessed man

00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:22.019
 earlier in Matthew 12.

00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:25.079
 Jesus now presents

00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.819
 a parable

00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.980
 of an unclean spirit,

00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:27.900
 a demon

00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:29.379
 that has gone

00:26:29.379 --> 00:26:30.059
 out of a person.

00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.200
 He says in verses

00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:33.160
 43 to 45

00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:34.819
 that the unclean spirit

00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:36.319
 wanders around

00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:37.920
 through waterless places,

00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:39.039
 places that are barren

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.980
 and lifeless,

00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.220
 but is unable

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.559
 to find a resting place

00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:44.180
 before it concludes,

00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:46.819
 I'll return to my house

00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.680
 from which I came.

00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:49.620
 The evil spirit

00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.200
 is referring

00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:50.980
 to the person

00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:52.840
 it had once demonized

00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:54.820
 as my house.

00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:57.400
 I'll just go back

00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.360
 to my house,

00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.660
 the person

00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:00.560
 who I used to torment.

00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.279
 Pastor Charles Spurgeon

00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.940
 remarks about this

00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.660
 in his commentary.

00:27:07.320 --> 00:27:08.320
 His audacity,

00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:09.560
 Satan's audacity

00:27:09.560 --> 00:27:10.320
 is amazing.

00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.060
 Evidently,

00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:12.660
 he considers

00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:13.240
 that he has

00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:13.920
 the freehold

00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.680
 of man's nature

00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.640
 and can go

00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:16.740
 and come at his pleasure

00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.640
 if Satan

00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.779
 quits a man

00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.660
 of his own will,

00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:21.099
 he is sure to return

00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:22.420
 just when it suits

00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:23.299
 his purpose.

00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:26.120
 Only the divine force

00:27:26.120 --> 00:27:27.000
 which ejects him

00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.880
 can secure

00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:29.400
 his non-return.

00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:33.400
 When a house

00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:33.960
 is built,

00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:35.720
 when a house

00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.519
 is established,

00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.559
 it requires

00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.500
 an occupant.

00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.700
 A house

00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.279
 needs the Lord.

00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.140
 And in the case

00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.980
 of the human being,

00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:44.900
 that Lord

00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.640
 and occupant

00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.500
 is either

00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.259
 the Holy Spirit

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.700
 or Satan.

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.140
 There is no

00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:50.759
 neutral ground,

00:27:51.060 --> 00:27:52.200
 no empty house

00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:53.100
 that will remain

00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:54.300
 empty for long.

00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:57.000
 It's only by

00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.780
 the indwelling

00:27:57.780 --> 00:27:58.640
 of the Holy Spirit

00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.259
 in a person

00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.300
 that an evil spirit

00:28:00.300 --> 00:28:01.020
 that is cast out

00:28:01.020 --> 00:28:02.140
 cannot enter

00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:02.880
 to demonize

00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:03.560
 the person again.

00:28:04.280 --> 00:28:05.320
 And here lies

00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:05.880
 the problem

00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:07.200
 in Jesus' parable.

00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.040
 The demon

00:28:09.040 --> 00:28:10.240
 returns to the person

00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.060
 that it had once

00:28:11.060 --> 00:28:11.700
 resided in

00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.500
 and it finds

00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.039
 the house

00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.880
 empty,

00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:14.580
 swept,

00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.340
 and put

00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:15.960
 in order.

00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.340
 The house

00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:18.860
 or the person

00:28:18.860 --> 00:28:19.440
 is made empty

00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.160
 because the evil

00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:21.080
 spirit was cast out.

00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.840
 It's been cleaned up

00:28:22.840 --> 00:28:24.120
 while the unclean

00:28:24.120 --> 00:28:24.840
 spirit has been away.

00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.640
 Maybe the person

00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:26.660
 has reformed

00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.180
 their ways

00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:27.700
 from sin,

00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.779
 tidied their life

00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.380
 back in order,

00:28:30.120 --> 00:28:31.220
 but the house

00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.220
 remains

00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.200
 empty.

00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.740
 The house

00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.740
 has evicted

00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.860
 the evil spirit,

00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:39.939
 but it has not

00:28:39.939 --> 00:28:40.599
 been replaced

00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.779
 with the presence

00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.199
 of the Holy Spirit.

00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.319
 And as a result,

00:28:45.639 --> 00:28:46.299
 the evil spirit

00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.319
 is able to return

00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.019
 into this house

00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.919
 and not only

00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:49.459
 on its own,

00:28:50.159 --> 00:28:50.919
 but with seven

00:28:50.919 --> 00:28:51.500
 other spirits

00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.059
 more evil

00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:52.659
 than itself.

00:28:53.979 --> 00:28:54.679
 It invites

00:28:54.679 --> 00:28:55.240
 its friends

00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.099
 also to enter

00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:57.039
 so that they

00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.539
 may have

00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.659
 an even stronger

00:28:58.659 --> 00:28:59.299
 hold on their

00:28:59.299 --> 00:28:59.659
 victim,

00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:01.179
 so that it's

00:29:01.179 --> 00:29:01.819
 even more

00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.799
 difficult to cast

00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.459
 out these demons

00:29:03.459 --> 00:29:04.159
 from the person.

00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:06.359
 Without the Holy

00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:07.299
 Spirit residing

00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:07.879
 in the person

00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.639
 to prevent

00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.799
 re-entry of evil,

00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.119
 they're in a

00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:11.839
 worse state

00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:12.879
 than the first.

00:29:15.379 --> 00:29:15.940
 Through this

00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.220
 parable,

00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.159
 Jesus is referring

00:29:17.159 --> 00:29:18.000
 to the Pharisees

00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.539
 who claimed

00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:19.240
 to be able

00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:19.980
 to cast out

00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.299
 demons.

00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:21.399
 However,

00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.480
 these Pharisees

00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.399
 were merely

00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:24.740
 removing the

00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.299
 evil spirits

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.919
 from the person

00:29:25.919 --> 00:29:27.159
 by legalistic

00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:27.619
 ritual,

00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:30.099
 and not by

00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:30.619
 the name

00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:31.220
 of Jesus

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.539
 and the power

00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:33.259
 of the Holy

00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.579
 Spirit.

00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.119
 They were

00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:35.879
 leaving people

00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:36.720
 emptied and

00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.259
 cleansed

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:37.859
 of the evil

00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:38.259
 spirit,

00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.900
 but only

00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:40.339
 for a little

00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:40.720
 while.

00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:42.759
 After a bit,

00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.539
 because the

00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:43.920
 Holy Spirit

00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.759
 is not the

00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.579
 present active

00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:46.720
 force dwelling

00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.420
 in and working

00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.039
 in the person's

00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.220
 life,

00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:48.960
 the person

00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.700
 will be filled

00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.559
 with an even

00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.379
 more evil

00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:53.119
 force and be

00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:53.839
 in an even

00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.900
 worse state.

00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.200
 The Pharisees'

00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:57.700
 work then

00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:59.180
 is futile,

00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.079
 and it's

00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:01.599
 perhaps even

00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:02.539
 more detrimental

00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.640
 to this person.

00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:06.120
 But Jesus'

00:30:06.300 --> 00:30:06.759
 parable is

00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.259
 also pointing

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.060
 to an even

00:30:08.060 --> 00:30:08.820
 deeper heart

00:30:08.820 --> 00:30:09.740
 issue beneath

00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.280
 the matters

00:30:10.280 --> 00:30:11.180
 of exorcism,

00:30:12.320 --> 00:30:12.940
 and that is

00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:13.580
 the Pharisees

00:30:13.580 --> 00:30:13.880
 and this

00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:14.480
 generation's

00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.720
 persistent and

00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.300
 progressively

00:30:16.300 --> 00:30:17.440
 worsening state

00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.860
 of spiritual

00:30:18.860 --> 00:30:19.480
 unbelief.

00:30:21.100 --> 00:30:21.700
 This is why

00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.420
 Jesus applies

00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.100
 this parable

00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:23.720
 to them by

00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.280
 saying in

00:30:24.280 --> 00:30:25.120
 verse 45,

00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.500
 so also

00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.440
 will it be

00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.140
 with this

00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:28.980
 evil generation.

00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:32.059
 The Pharisees

00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:32.299
 and their

00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:32.880
 contemporaries

00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:33.519
 had witnessed

00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.099
 and heard

00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:34.380
 Jesus'

00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.039
 proclamation

00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.559
 of the

00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:35.819
 gospel.

00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.480
 They heard

00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.120
 Jesus pronounce

00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:39.059
 himself as

00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:39.559
 the fulfillment

00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:40.500
 of the law

00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.299
 and the prophets,

00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.559
 the same law

00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.000
 that bound

00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.680
 the Pharisees

00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.079
 and Jews

00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:45.640
 to sin and

00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:45.900
 death.

00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.620
 They saw

00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.220
 and witnessed

00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:49.059
 Jesus perform

00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:49.680
 miracles of

00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.420
 healing and

00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.200
 exorcism with

00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:51.819
 great authority.

00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.279
 They witnessed

00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:53.920
 the power of

00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.420
 the Holy Spirit

00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:54.980
 through Jesus,

00:30:55.120 --> 00:30:55.640
 and they were

00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.799
 invited by Jesus

00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:57.860
 to come to

00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:58.940
 him and to

00:30:58.940 --> 00:30:59.460
 believe in

00:30:59.460 --> 00:30:59.940
 the gospel

00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:00.860
 that grants

00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:01.860
 them true

00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:02.519
 rest.

00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:04.620
 And yet,

00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.400
 this evil

00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:05.960
 generation

00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.480
 persisted in

00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.160
 unbelief.

00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:09.600
 Though they

00:31:09.600 --> 00:31:10.279
 presented the

00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:10.740
 gospel by

00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:10.960
 Jesus,

00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:11.680
 the Pharisees

00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.360
 refused to

00:31:12.360 --> 00:31:12.759
 accept Jesus

00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:13.080
 as their

00:31:13.080 --> 00:31:13.779
 Messiah and

00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.259
 blasphemed

00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:14.980
 the Holy Spirit

00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.519
 by their

00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.019
 malicious

00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:17.480
 rejection of

00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:18.059
 Jesus as

00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.700
 the Son of

00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:18.980
 God.

00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.120
 Their rejection

00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:21.559
 of Jesus

00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.400
 means that

00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:23.180
 they reject

00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:24.100
 the Holy Spirit

00:31:24.100 --> 00:31:24.940
 from entering

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.640
 into their

00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:26.279
 own hearts,

00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:27.779
 giving way

00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:28.519
 to Satan

00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.259
 to enter

00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.059
 and dwell

00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.660
 inside them.

00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:33.299
 And it's

00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.680
 for this

00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.220
 reason this

00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:35.039
 evil generation

00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.879
 will be in

00:31:35.879 --> 00:31:36.240
 a worse

00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:37.059
 state than

00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:37.619
 ever before,

00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:39.460
 because they

00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:39.839
 heard the

00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:41.519
 gospel and

00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.160
 had a chance

00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:42.660
 to receive

00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.319
 Jesus into

00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:43.779
 their hearts,

00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:45.119
 but they

00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:45.879
 actively chose

00:31:45.879 --> 00:31:46.420
 not to.

00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:48.940
 Instead,

00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.740
 letting the

00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.579
 sinister spirits

00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:51.379
 of unbelief

00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:52.519
 and self-righteousness

00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.299
 creep into and

00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:53.980
 take root into

00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.460
 their hearts,

00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:54.500
 hearts,

00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.900
 and they

00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:56.319
 will become

00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.039
 more and

00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.920
 more spiritually

00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:58.600
 corrupt.

00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.880
 Brothers and

00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:02.160
 sisters,

00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.759
 we need to

00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.240
 be filled

00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.019
 with the

00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:05.440
 Holy Spirit

00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:06.000
 in our lives.

00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:08.660
 We need the

00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:09.259
 Holy Spirit

00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:10.200
 in our lives

00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:10.960
 to be truly

00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.620
 set apart

00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:12.220
 from the

00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:12.980
 evil generation.

00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.340
 Satan is

00:32:15.340 --> 00:32:15.860
 sinister

00:32:15.860 --> 00:32:17.220
 in tricking us

00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:17.799
 into thinking

00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.799
 we can work

00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.340
 out our own

00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:20.600
 salvation apart

00:32:20.600 --> 00:32:21.100
 from the Holy

00:32:21.100 --> 00:32:21.400
 Spirit.

00:32:21.400 --> 00:32:23.780
 And Satan

00:32:23.780 --> 00:32:24.200
 is going to

00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:25.120
 use any

00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:25.800
 measure of

00:32:25.800 --> 00:32:26.480
 unbelief,

00:32:27.060 --> 00:32:27.759
 any measure

00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.980
 of self-righteousness,

00:32:29.560 --> 00:32:30.480
 any sense

00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.800
 of self-sufficiency

00:32:31.800 --> 00:32:32.920
 to take root

00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:33.620
 into our hearts

00:32:33.620 --> 00:32:34.960
 to influence us

00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.820
 away from

00:32:35.820 --> 00:32:36.600
 God's grace.

00:32:37.840 --> 00:32:38.640
 Look at the

00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.160
 Pharisees.

00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:40.720
 They thought

00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.080
 that they were

00:32:41.080 --> 00:32:41.720
 righteous by

00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.120
 pursuing

00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:42.780
 cleanliness

00:32:42.780 --> 00:32:43.580
 and moralism

00:32:43.580 --> 00:32:44.060
 and following

00:32:44.060 --> 00:32:44.480
 the law

00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.040
 scrupulously.

00:32:46.060 --> 00:32:46.460
 However,

00:32:46.540 --> 00:32:46.840
 when the

00:32:46.840 --> 00:32:47.780
 gospel was

00:32:47.780 --> 00:32:48.400
 presented before

00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:49.100
 them in the

00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:49.620
 person of

00:32:49.620 --> 00:32:50.259
 Jesus Christ,

00:32:51.040 --> 00:32:51.380
 they did

00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:52.160
 not receive

00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:52.760
 him out

00:32:52.760 --> 00:32:52.980
 of their

00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.440
 external

00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.420
 self-righteousness

00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.240
 and their

00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.020
 hearts were

00:32:56.020 --> 00:32:56.400
 hardened.

00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.220
 Their

00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:58.580
 cleansing

00:32:58.580 --> 00:32:59.040
 rituals,

00:32:59.220 --> 00:32:59.800
 their external

00:32:59.800 --> 00:33:00.280
 piety,

00:33:00.600 --> 00:33:00.820
 and their

00:33:00.820 --> 00:33:01.480
 strivings to

00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.060
 follow God's

00:33:02.060 --> 00:33:02.340
 commandments

00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:02.920
 by their

00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:04.040
 own efforts

00:33:04.040 --> 00:33:05.000
 was merely

00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.620
 their playing

00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:06.060
 the role

00:33:06.060 --> 00:33:06.360
 of a

00:33:06.360 --> 00:33:07.020
 housekeeper,

00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:08.200
 sweeping

00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:09.280
 and organizing

00:33:09.280 --> 00:33:09.860
 that empty

00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:10.380
 room in their

00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:10.680
 hearts,

00:33:11.520 --> 00:33:12.180
 unwittingly

00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:13.060
 preparing them

00:33:13.060 --> 00:33:14.100
 for the return

00:33:14.100 --> 00:33:15.120
 of the evil

00:33:15.120 --> 00:33:15.580
 spirits.

00:33:16.800 --> 00:33:17.440
 It's only

00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.280
 by confessing

00:33:18.280 --> 00:33:18.760
 our great

00:33:18.760 --> 00:33:19.740
 need for

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.200
 Jesus,

00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:21.580
 our Lord

00:33:21.580 --> 00:33:22.080
 and Savior

00:33:22.080 --> 00:33:22.940
 and receiving

00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:23.380
 the Holy

00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:23.819
 Spirit in

00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.200
 our hearts

00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:24.759
 that we

00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.059
 can be

00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:25.940
 truly saved

00:33:25.940 --> 00:33:26.340
 from the

00:33:26.340 --> 00:33:26.860
 bondage of

00:33:26.860 --> 00:33:27.940
 sin and

00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.720
 sanctified toward

00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:29.519
 God rather

00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.100
 than being a

00:33:30.100 --> 00:33:30.640
 part of this

00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:31.420
 evil generation

00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:32.759
 that persists

00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.440
 in their sin

00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:34.039
 and their

00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:34.600
 unbelief.

00:33:34.599 --> 00:33:38.619
 for those of

00:33:38.619 --> 00:33:38.939
 you this

00:33:38.939 --> 00:33:39.439
 morning who

00:33:39.439 --> 00:33:40.539
 feel the

00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:41.079
 burden of

00:33:41.079 --> 00:33:41.379
 sin,

00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:42.319
 who feel

00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:42.959
 the temptation

00:33:42.959 --> 00:33:43.339
 of our

00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:43.759
 fleshly

00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.259
 desires,

00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:46.119
 take heart

00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:47.299
 and repent

00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:47.819
 to Jesus

00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:48.679
 confessing

00:33:48.679 --> 00:33:49.379
 that you

00:33:49.379 --> 00:33:49.899
 need not

00:33:49.899 --> 00:33:50.480
 your own

00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.199
 power but

00:33:51.199 --> 00:33:51.740
 the power

00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.539
 of the

00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:53.099
 Holy Spirit

00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:53.519
 in your

00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:53.799
 hearts.

00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.219
 It's only

00:33:56.219 --> 00:33:56.599
 by the

00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.059
 power of

00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:57.319
 the Holy

00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:57.980
 Spirit that

00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.579
 we can

00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.119
 overcome

00:33:59.119 --> 00:33:59.659
 sin.

00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:02.920
 I think

00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.380
 of Ed's

00:34:03.380 --> 00:34:03.840
 sermon last

00:34:03.840 --> 00:34:04.100
 week,

00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.200
 of that

00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:05.700
 terrifying

00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:06.340
 point of

00:34:06.340 --> 00:34:07.300
 no return

00:34:07.300 --> 00:34:08.500
 that denying

00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:09.300
 and blaspheming

00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:09.780
 the work of

00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:10.000
 the Holy

00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.440
 Spirit can

00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:10.920
 culminate

00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:11.159
 to.

00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.220
 Just as

00:34:13.220 --> 00:34:13.800
 the final

00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.380
 stage of

00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.000
 frostbite

00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:15.579
 brings

00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.480
 irreparable

00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:17.180
 damage to

00:34:17.180 --> 00:34:17.639
 the body,

00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.780
 the final

00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:19.480
 stage of

00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.559
 unbelief is

00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.639
 the irreversible

00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.579
 spiritual death

00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:23.539
 that will lead

00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.360
 to eternal

00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:25.280
 separation from

00:34:25.280 --> 00:34:25.599
 God.

00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:25.639
 God,

00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:28.940
 this is no

00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:29.880
 trifling matter

00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:32.559
 but for those

00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:33.019
 of you who

00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.599
 feel that

00:34:33.599 --> 00:34:33.980
 burden,

00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:35.000
 for those

00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.360
 of you who

00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:36.039
 feel those

00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:36.679
 pangs of

00:34:36.679 --> 00:34:37.460
 regret and

00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:38.099
 remorse over

00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:38.779
 your sins and

00:34:38.779 --> 00:34:39.380
 your unbelief,

00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:41.199
 if you feel

00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:41.940
 the burden and

00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:42.779
 hopelessness of

00:34:42.779 --> 00:34:43.460
 not being able

00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:43.960
 to save

00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.539
 yourself by

00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:44.920
 your own

00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:45.440
 strength,

00:34:46.299 --> 00:34:47.500
 this means

00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:47.940
 that you're

00:34:47.940 --> 00:34:48.380
 not too

00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:48.619
 late.

00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.799
 You're not

00:34:50.799 --> 00:34:51.619
 at that final

00:34:51.619 --> 00:34:52.099
 point of

00:34:52.099 --> 00:34:52.579
 frostbite.

00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:53.119
 You're not

00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:54.339
 at that final

00:34:54.339 --> 00:34:54.980
 point of

00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.579
 unbelief.

00:34:55.599 --> 00:34:59.219
 there's still

00:34:59.219 --> 00:35:00.219
 warmth remaining

00:35:00.219 --> 00:35:00.839
 in your soul

00:35:00.839 --> 00:35:01.440
 and there's

00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.039
 still an

00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:02.900
 opportunity for

00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.619
 your heart to

00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:04.259
 receive the

00:35:04.259 --> 00:35:05.119
 Holy Spirit and

00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:05.839
 be set apart

00:35:05.839 --> 00:35:06.639
 from this evil

00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:07.500
 generation by

00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.440
 declaring your

00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:09.440
 allegiance and

00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:10.599
 need for

00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:11.380
 Jesus Christ.

00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.400
 As the

00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.079
 apostle Paul

00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:14.659
 writes in

00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:15.199
 Romans chapter

00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:15.500
 8,

00:35:16.659 --> 00:35:17.099
 you,

00:35:17.299 --> 00:35:17.539
 however,

00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:18.920
 are not in

00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:19.980
 the flesh but

00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:21.119
 in the spirit.

00:35:21.819 --> 00:35:22.599
 If in fact the

00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:23.199
 spirit of God

00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:24.319
 dwells in you,

00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:25.460
 anyone who

00:35:25.460 --> 00:35:26.180
 does not have

00:35:26.180 --> 00:35:26.600
 the spirit of

00:35:26.600 --> 00:35:27.200
 Christ does

00:35:27.200 --> 00:35:28.420
 not belong to

00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:28.700
 him.

00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.800
 But if Christ

00:35:29.800 --> 00:35:30.400
 is in you,

00:35:30.740 --> 00:35:31.200
 although the

00:35:31.200 --> 00:35:31.720
 body is dead

00:35:31.720 --> 00:35:32.100
 because of

00:35:32.100 --> 00:35:32.260
 sin,

00:35:32.460 --> 00:35:33.280
 the spirit is

00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:34.220
 life because of

00:35:34.220 --> 00:35:34.640
 righteousness.

00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.220
 If the spirit

00:35:36.220 --> 00:35:36.760
 of him who

00:35:36.760 --> 00:35:37.440
 raised Jesus

00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.940
 from the dead

00:35:37.940 --> 00:35:39.380
 dwells in you,

00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:40.820
 he who raised

00:35:40.820 --> 00:35:41.280
 Christ Jesus

00:35:41.280 --> 00:35:41.780
 from the dead

00:35:41.780 --> 00:35:42.740
 will also give

00:35:42.740 --> 00:35:43.660
 life to your

00:35:43.660 --> 00:35:44.519
 mortal bodies

00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:45.160
 through the

00:35:45.160 --> 00:35:45.539
 spirit,

00:35:45.800 --> 00:35:46.500
 his spirit,

00:35:46.740 --> 00:35:47.480
 who dwells

00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.180
 in you.

00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.220
 Praise God

00:35:50.220 --> 00:35:51.200
 that the Holy

00:35:51.200 --> 00:35:52.120
 Spirit is the

00:35:52.120 --> 00:35:53.240
 seal and guarantee

00:35:53.239 --> 00:35:54.019
 of our salvation

00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:54.799
 and that we

00:35:54.799 --> 00:35:55.519
 don't have to

00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.039
 work out our

00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:56.579
 salvation on

00:35:56.579 --> 00:35:57.219
 our own strength,

00:35:57.839 --> 00:35:58.519
 but we can

00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.279
 receive such

00:35:59.279 --> 00:36:00.479
 grace through

00:36:00.479 --> 00:36:01.159
 faith in our

00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:01.659
 Lord Jesus

00:36:01.659 --> 00:36:02.099
 Christ.

00:36:04.799 --> 00:36:05.799
 So who

00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:07.399
 then is

00:36:07.399 --> 00:36:08.019
 set apart

00:36:08.019 --> 00:36:09.339
 from this

00:36:09.339 --> 00:36:10.119
 evil generation?

00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.399
 Jesus gives

00:36:13.399 --> 00:36:14.079
 us the answer

00:36:14.079 --> 00:36:15.059
 in a very

00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:15.739
 surprising way.

00:36:16.799 --> 00:36:17.579
 We see in

00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:18.299
 verse 46,

00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:18.940
 in the midst

00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:19.360
 of Jesus

00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:20.320
 teaching and

00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:21.039
 rebuking these

00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:21.580
 Pharisees.

00:36:22.700 --> 00:36:23.220
 His mother

00:36:23.220 --> 00:36:23.560
 and his

00:36:23.560 --> 00:36:24.640
 brothers stood

00:36:24.640 --> 00:36:25.600
 outside asking

00:36:25.600 --> 00:36:26.539
 to speak to

00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:26.760
 him.

00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:28.960
 While we

00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.240
 don't know

00:36:29.240 --> 00:36:30.260
 exactly in

00:36:30.260 --> 00:36:30.820
 the text what

00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:31.440
 they wanted to

00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:31.820
 talk to him

00:36:31.820 --> 00:36:32.900
 about, we

00:36:32.900 --> 00:36:33.380
 have several

00:36:33.380 --> 00:36:34.000
 accounts in

00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:34.580
 the Gospel of

00:36:34.580 --> 00:36:35.100
 John and the

00:36:35.100 --> 00:36:35.519
 Gospel of

00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:36.120
 Mark that

00:36:36.120 --> 00:36:36.940
 attest to

00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:37.840
 Jesus' biological

00:36:37.840 --> 00:36:38.480
 brothers and

00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:39.360
 family not

00:36:39.360 --> 00:36:40.019
 believing in

00:36:40.019 --> 00:36:40.760
 him and his

00:36:40.760 --> 00:36:41.100
 ministry.

00:36:42.580 --> 00:36:43.500
 We can imagine

00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.140
 in this case

00:36:44.140 --> 00:36:44.900
 too, they

00:36:44.900 --> 00:36:45.440
 wanted to speak

00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:46.500
 to Jesus either

00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.280
 out of concern

00:36:47.280 --> 00:36:48.180
 from him or

00:36:48.180 --> 00:36:48.620
 wanting to

00:36:48.620 --> 00:36:49.640
 pull him away

00:36:49.640 --> 00:36:50.100
 from any

00:36:50.100 --> 00:36:51.080
 confrontation or

00:36:51.080 --> 00:36:52.080
 conflict with

00:36:52.080 --> 00:36:52.720
 the Pharisees.

00:36:53.300 --> 00:36:54.340
 Jesus, you're

00:36:54.340 --> 00:36:55.060
 causing a scene.

00:36:55.880 --> 00:36:56.420
 Jesus, this is

00:36:56.420 --> 00:36:56.940
 too much.

00:36:58.040 --> 00:36:58.500
 Get out of

00:36:58.500 --> 00:36:58.940
 this place.

00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:01.200
 But Jesus

00:37:01.200 --> 00:37:02.000
 replies to

00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.600
 their pleas,

00:37:03.800 --> 00:37:05.640
 who is my

00:37:05.640 --> 00:37:07.300
 mother and

00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:08.220
 who are my

00:37:08.220 --> 00:37:08.460
 brothers?

00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:11.760
 Now, I

00:37:11.760 --> 00:37:12.000
 don't know

00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:12.360
 about you

00:37:12.360 --> 00:37:14.019
 guys, but

00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:14.700
 if my mother

00:37:14.700 --> 00:37:15.200
 and my

00:37:15.200 --> 00:37:15.940
 brothers wanted

00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:16.420
 to talk to

00:37:16.420 --> 00:37:16.620
 me,

00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:17.920
 and if I

00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:18.160
 were to

00:37:18.160 --> 00:37:18.480
 say to

00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:18.680
 them,

00:37:19.160 --> 00:37:20.380
 who is

00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:20.800
 my mom?

00:37:21.600 --> 00:37:22.300
 Who are

00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:22.800
 my brothers?

00:37:23.900 --> 00:37:24.640
 I'd be in

00:37:24.640 --> 00:37:25.180
 some pretty

00:37:25.180 --> 00:37:25.760
 big trouble.

00:37:28.340 --> 00:37:29.160
 But Jesus

00:37:29.160 --> 00:37:29.760
 asked this

00:37:29.760 --> 00:37:31.420
 question, and

00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:31.720
 then he

00:37:31.720 --> 00:37:32.460
 stretches out

00:37:32.460 --> 00:37:33.080
 his hand

00:37:33.080 --> 00:37:34.240
 toward his

00:37:34.240 --> 00:37:34.880
 disciples and

00:37:34.880 --> 00:37:35.519
 declares in

00:37:35.519 --> 00:37:36.040
 verse 50,

00:37:37.080 --> 00:37:38.800
 here are my

00:37:38.800 --> 00:37:39.480
 mother and

00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:39.960
 my brothers.

00:37:41.220 --> 00:37:42.220
 For whoever

00:37:42.220 --> 00:37:43.040
 does the will

00:37:43.040 --> 00:37:43.660
 of my Father

00:37:43.660 --> 00:37:44.640
 in heaven is

00:37:44.640 --> 00:37:45.220
 my brother

00:37:45.219 --> 00:37:46.919
 sister and

00:37:46.919 --> 00:37:47.239
 mother.

00:37:49.819 --> 00:37:50.699
 Jesus isn't

00:37:50.699 --> 00:37:51.219
 saying all

00:37:51.219 --> 00:37:51.919
 this to

00:37:51.919 --> 00:37:53.119
 outright reject

00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:53.759
 his biological

00:37:53.759 --> 00:37:54.239
 family.

00:37:54.719 --> 00:37:55.279
 He's not

00:37:55.279 --> 00:37:55.699
 doing all

00:37:55.699 --> 00:37:56.359
 this to

00:37:56.359 --> 00:37:57.179
 coldly diss

00:37:57.179 --> 00:37:57.659
 his mother

00:37:57.659 --> 00:37:58.079
 and brothers.

00:37:59.379 --> 00:38:00.559
 However, what

00:38:00.559 --> 00:38:01.559
 he is saying

00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:02.639
 is that his

00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:03.779
 biological tie to

00:38:03.779 --> 00:38:04.619
 his family is

00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:06.379
 secondary to

00:38:06.379 --> 00:38:07.099
 his relationship

00:38:07.099 --> 00:38:08.159
 with those who

00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:09.119
 claim allegiance

00:38:09.119 --> 00:38:10.199
 to God.

00:38:10.199 --> 00:38:10.239
 God.

00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:12.339
 Those who

00:38:12.339 --> 00:38:13.039
 follow Jesus

00:38:13.039 --> 00:38:13.819
 and believe in

00:38:13.819 --> 00:38:14.379
 his word and

00:38:14.379 --> 00:38:15.139
 ministry are

00:38:15.139 --> 00:38:15.819
 closer to

00:38:15.819 --> 00:38:17.000
 Jesus than

00:38:17.000 --> 00:38:17.399
 are his

00:38:17.399 --> 00:38:18.259
 actual mother

00:38:18.259 --> 00:38:19.199
 and brothers.

00:38:21.139 --> 00:38:21.939
 Jesus' claim

00:38:21.939 --> 00:38:22.319
 here is

00:38:22.319 --> 00:38:23.079
 reminiscent of

00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:23.659
 his earlier

00:38:23.659 --> 00:38:24.179
 statement in

00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:24.719
 Matthew chapter

00:38:24.719 --> 00:38:25.699
 10, verse

00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:26.619
 34 to 38,

00:38:26.719 --> 00:38:27.299
 where he says,

00:38:28.159 --> 00:38:28.859
 whoever loves

00:38:28.859 --> 00:38:29.879
 father or

00:38:29.879 --> 00:38:30.559
 mother more

00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:31.460
 than me is

00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:32.619
 not worthy

00:38:32.619 --> 00:38:33.359
 of me.

00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:37.880
 and whoever

00:38:37.880 --> 00:38:38.820
 loves son or

00:38:38.820 --> 00:38:39.380
 daughter more

00:38:39.380 --> 00:38:40.240
 than me is

00:38:40.240 --> 00:38:41.140
 not worthy

00:38:41.140 --> 00:38:41.700
 of me.

00:38:43.960 --> 00:38:44.860
 Whoever does

00:38:44.860 --> 00:38:45.599
 not take his

00:38:45.599 --> 00:38:46.599
 cross and

00:38:46.599 --> 00:38:47.880
 follow me is

00:38:47.880 --> 00:38:48.340
 not worthy

00:38:48.340 --> 00:38:48.740
 of me.

00:38:52.079 --> 00:38:52.980
 If family

00:38:52.980 --> 00:38:54.340
 relationships or

00:38:54.340 --> 00:38:55.420
 any earthly

00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:56.099
 relationship,

00:38:56.760 --> 00:38:57.260
 father,

00:38:57.740 --> 00:38:58.039
 mother,

00:38:59.160 --> 00:38:59.579
 child,

00:39:00.120 --> 00:39:00.440
 sibling,

00:39:01.539 --> 00:39:02.039
 friend,

00:39:02.260 --> 00:39:02.500
 lover,

00:39:02.620 --> 00:39:02.940
 boss,

00:39:02.940 --> 00:39:03.579
 whoever,

00:39:04.320 --> 00:39:05.179
 if any of

00:39:05.179 --> 00:39:05.980
 these relationships

00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:07.200
 takes priority

00:39:07.200 --> 00:39:08.139
 over loving

00:39:08.139 --> 00:39:08.960
 and treasuring

00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:10.019
 God first,

00:39:11.039 --> 00:39:11.740
 then Jesus

00:39:11.740 --> 00:39:12.460
 says that they

00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:12.780
 are not

00:39:12.780 --> 00:39:13.679
 worthy of

00:39:13.679 --> 00:39:13.880
 him.

00:39:15.780 --> 00:39:16.840
 There is

00:39:16.840 --> 00:39:17.760
 no compromise

00:39:17.760 --> 00:39:18.340
 of this.

00:39:19.280 --> 00:39:19.760
 There's no

00:39:19.760 --> 00:39:20.860
 secondary or

00:39:20.860 --> 00:39:21.920
 tertiary option.

00:39:22.280 --> 00:39:22.720
 Either we

00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:23.380
 give Jesus

00:39:23.380 --> 00:39:24.579
 our undivided

00:39:24.579 --> 00:39:25.300
 allegiance and

00:39:25.300 --> 00:39:25.880
 priority in

00:39:25.880 --> 00:39:26.340
 our hearts

00:39:26.340 --> 00:39:27.000
 and in our

00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:27.400
 lives,

00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:28.079
 or we are

00:39:28.079 --> 00:39:28.720
 not for

00:39:28.720 --> 00:39:28.940
 him.

00:39:29.900 --> 00:39:30.380
 And giving

00:39:30.380 --> 00:39:30.900
 him only

00:39:30.900 --> 00:39:31.619
 half-hearted,

00:39:31.619 --> 00:39:32.679
 partial

00:39:32.679 --> 00:39:33.339
 attention.

00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:36.239
 But amidst

00:39:36.239 --> 00:39:36.920
 this hard

00:39:36.920 --> 00:39:37.380
 truth,

00:39:38.179 --> 00:39:39.739
 there's also

00:39:39.739 --> 00:39:40.460
 something so

00:39:40.460 --> 00:39:41.299
 loving and

00:39:41.299 --> 00:39:42.079
 gracious in

00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:42.559
 what Jesus

00:39:42.559 --> 00:39:42.980
 says.

00:39:44.480 --> 00:39:45.239
 Won't you

00:39:45.239 --> 00:39:45.799
 read verse

00:39:45.799 --> 00:39:46.460
 50 with me

00:39:46.460 --> 00:39:46.719
 again?

00:39:48.000 --> 00:39:48.639
 For

00:39:48.639 --> 00:39:49.480
 whoever,

00:39:50.259 --> 00:39:51.859
 whoever does

00:39:51.859 --> 00:39:52.420
 the will of

00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:53.039
 my Father in

00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:54.179
 heaven is my

00:39:54.179 --> 00:39:55.139
 brother and

00:39:55.139 --> 00:39:56.119
 sister and

00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:56.420
 mother.

00:39:56.420 --> 00:40:03.300
 Jesus could

00:40:03.300 --> 00:40:03.680
 have placed

00:40:03.680 --> 00:40:04.420
 all sorts of

00:40:04.420 --> 00:40:05.960
 criteria for

00:40:05.960 --> 00:40:06.500
 those who can

00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:06.920
 be called

00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:07.920
 worthy to be

00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:08.619
 called his

00:40:08.619 --> 00:40:09.119
 family.

00:40:10.700 --> 00:40:11.320
 He could

00:40:11.320 --> 00:40:11.740
 have said,

00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:13.460
 only the Jews

00:40:13.460 --> 00:40:14.220
 can be called

00:40:14.220 --> 00:40:15.300
 my family because

00:40:15.300 --> 00:40:15.800
 we share the

00:40:15.800 --> 00:40:16.480
 same bloodline.

00:40:17.480 --> 00:40:18.139
 He could have

00:40:18.139 --> 00:40:18.599
 looked at the

00:40:18.599 --> 00:40:19.159
 Pharisees and

00:40:19.159 --> 00:40:20.280
 said, thank you

00:40:20.280 --> 00:40:21.019
 for your piety

00:40:21.019 --> 00:40:21.720
 and your zeal.

00:40:22.300 --> 00:40:22.860
 You are who I

00:40:22.860 --> 00:40:23.440
 call family.

00:40:23.440 --> 00:40:25.200
 or he could

00:40:25.200 --> 00:40:25.679
 have placed a

00:40:25.679 --> 00:40:26.460
 whole sequence

00:40:26.460 --> 00:40:27.200
 of requirements.

00:40:29.280 --> 00:40:30.039
 Whoever has

00:40:30.039 --> 00:40:30.740
 kept all of the

00:40:30.740 --> 00:40:31.200
 commandments,

00:40:32.000 --> 00:40:32.480
 whoever has

00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:33.059
 gave at least

00:40:33.059 --> 00:40:33.940
 10% of their

00:40:33.940 --> 00:40:34.599
 earnings to the

00:40:34.599 --> 00:40:35.380
 temple, has

00:40:35.380 --> 00:40:35.960
 pilgrimed to

00:40:35.960 --> 00:40:36.700
 Jerusalem for

00:40:36.700 --> 00:40:37.280
 all the Jewish

00:40:37.280 --> 00:40:37.740
 feasts and

00:40:37.740 --> 00:40:40.039
 festivals, whoever

00:40:40.039 --> 00:40:41.000
 has recited the

00:40:41.000 --> 00:40:41.880
 Torah from memory

00:40:41.880 --> 00:40:43.220
 is worthy to be

00:40:43.220 --> 00:40:43.860
 called my family.

00:40:43.940 --> 00:40:44.360
 He could have

00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:44.980
 placed all of

00:40:44.980 --> 00:40:45.579
 these requirements

00:40:45.579 --> 00:40:47.280
 and criteria to

00:40:47.280 --> 00:40:50.099
 have family.

00:40:51.599 --> 00:40:52.559
 But he doesn't

00:40:52.559 --> 00:40:53.000
 do that.

00:40:54.320 --> 00:40:55.139
 Instead, he

00:40:55.139 --> 00:40:56.000
 stretches his

00:40:56.000 --> 00:40:56.740
 hand out to

00:40:56.740 --> 00:40:57.760
 his disciples and

00:40:57.760 --> 00:40:59.159
 calls out, these

00:40:59.159 --> 00:41:00.420
 are my brothers.

00:41:01.920 --> 00:41:03.480
 Whoever does

00:41:03.480 --> 00:41:04.059
 the will of my

00:41:04.059 --> 00:41:05.200
 father is my

00:41:05.200 --> 00:41:05.559
 family.

00:41:07.240 --> 00:41:08.240
 Look at Jesus'

00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:08.940
 disciples.

00:41:09.940 --> 00:41:10.679
 We have

00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:11.159
 fishermen.

00:41:11.760 --> 00:41:12.200
 We have a

00:41:12.200 --> 00:41:12.960
 tax collector.

00:41:13.579 --> 00:41:14.139
 We have a

00:41:14.139 --> 00:41:15.099
 political radical

00:41:15.099 --> 00:41:17.139
 zealot who

00:41:17.139 --> 00:41:17.619
 made the

00:41:17.619 --> 00:41:18.559
 ragtag group

00:41:18.559 --> 00:41:19.440
 of men that

00:41:19.440 --> 00:41:20.380
 followed Jesus.

00:41:21.039 --> 00:41:21.579
 The 12

00:41:21.579 --> 00:41:22.460
 stooges, if I

00:41:22.460 --> 00:41:22.700
 may.

00:41:23.440 --> 00:41:25.039
 Some of

00:41:25.039 --> 00:41:25.300
 them were

00:41:25.300 --> 00:41:26.019
 illiterate.

00:41:26.579 --> 00:41:26.980
 Some were

00:41:26.980 --> 00:41:27.840
 stereotyped as

00:41:27.840 --> 00:41:29.179
 dishonest and

00:41:29.179 --> 00:41:29.559
 greedy.

00:41:30.460 --> 00:41:30.900
 Some were

00:41:30.900 --> 00:41:31.880
 revolutionaries

00:41:31.880 --> 00:41:32.360
 trying to

00:41:32.360 --> 00:41:33.019
 overthrow the

00:41:33.019 --> 00:41:33.800
 Roman government.

00:41:34.860 --> 00:41:35.599
 It's the

00:41:35.599 --> 00:41:36.139
 strangest

00:41:36.139 --> 00:41:36.940
 combination of

00:41:36.940 --> 00:41:37.760
 folks congregated

00:41:37.760 --> 00:41:38.119
 together.

00:41:39.440 --> 00:41:40.039
 The Pharisees

00:41:40.039 --> 00:41:40.559
 would have seen

00:41:40.559 --> 00:41:41.119
 this group of

00:41:41.119 --> 00:41:41.679
 guys and thought

00:41:41.679 --> 00:41:42.019
 to themselves,

00:41:42.159 --> 00:41:42.619
 what the heck

00:41:42.619 --> 00:41:43.099
 is this?

00:41:44.059 --> 00:41:44.599
 How does

00:41:44.599 --> 00:41:45.360
 Jesus call

00:41:45.360 --> 00:41:46.000
 these guys

00:41:46.000 --> 00:41:46.900
 his brothers?

00:41:46.900 --> 00:41:50.160
 Jesus calls

00:41:50.160 --> 00:41:50.599
 these men

00:41:50.599 --> 00:41:51.980
 these whoever's,

00:41:52.059 --> 00:41:52.599
 his brothers,

00:41:52.720 --> 00:41:53.320
 his family,

00:41:53.320 --> 00:41:54.160
 because they

00:41:54.160 --> 00:41:54.720
 were willing

00:41:54.720 --> 00:41:55.599
 to leave

00:41:55.599 --> 00:41:56.340
 everything they

00:41:56.340 --> 00:41:56.720
 knew and

00:41:56.720 --> 00:41:57.139
 had.

00:42:01.139 --> 00:42:01.780
 Their

00:42:01.780 --> 00:42:02.700
 occupations,

00:42:03.220 --> 00:42:03.800
 their family,

00:42:04.420 --> 00:42:05.180
 the comforts of

00:42:05.180 --> 00:42:05.660
 their homes,

00:42:06.099 --> 00:42:06.720
 to follow

00:42:06.720 --> 00:42:08.440
 Jesus and

00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:09.420
 to do the

00:42:09.420 --> 00:42:10.320
 will of the

00:42:10.320 --> 00:42:11.039
 Father in

00:42:11.039 --> 00:42:11.300
 heaven.

00:42:11.300 --> 00:42:14.820
 these men

00:42:14.820 --> 00:42:15.500
 were able to

00:42:15.500 --> 00:42:16.160
 be set apart

00:42:16.160 --> 00:42:16.740
 from the evil

00:42:16.740 --> 00:42:17.200
 generation

00:42:17.200 --> 00:42:18.360
 because they

00:42:18.360 --> 00:42:18.940
 believed,

00:42:19.800 --> 00:42:20.460
 because they

00:42:20.460 --> 00:42:21.360
 followed Jesus.

00:42:24.820 --> 00:42:25.539
 Church,

00:42:26.880 --> 00:42:27.240
 Jesus'

00:42:27.500 --> 00:42:28.280
 declaration of

00:42:28.280 --> 00:42:28.780
 his family

00:42:28.780 --> 00:42:30.320
 is also an

00:42:30.320 --> 00:42:30.940
 invitation.

00:42:32.820 --> 00:42:33.660
 It's an

00:42:33.660 --> 00:42:34.500
 invitation for

00:42:34.500 --> 00:42:35.180
 us today.

00:42:36.500 --> 00:42:36.820
 Whoever

00:42:36.820 --> 00:42:37.980
 does the

00:42:37.980 --> 00:42:38.539
 will of my

00:42:38.539 --> 00:42:38.900
 Father,

00:42:39.500 --> 00:42:39.880
 it's my

00:42:39.880 --> 00:42:40.840
 brother and

00:42:40.840 --> 00:42:41.920
 sister and

00:42:41.920 --> 00:42:42.220
 mother,

00:42:42.940 --> 00:42:43.500
 they are

00:42:43.500 --> 00:42:44.680
 my family.

00:42:46.519 --> 00:42:47.160
 This

00:42:47.160 --> 00:42:47.800
 invitation

00:42:47.800 --> 00:42:48.920
 still remains

00:42:48.920 --> 00:42:49.400
 for us

00:42:49.400 --> 00:42:49.720
 today.

00:42:50.100 --> 00:42:50.600
 Whoever is

00:42:50.600 --> 00:42:51.120
 willing to

00:42:51.120 --> 00:42:51.860
 sacrifice their

00:42:51.860 --> 00:42:52.880
 worldly lives,

00:42:53.460 --> 00:42:54.059
 their idols,

00:42:54.200 --> 00:42:55.380
 their self-righteousness

00:42:55.380 --> 00:42:56.480
 to follow Jesus

00:42:56.480 --> 00:42:57.480
 will be set

00:42:57.480 --> 00:42:58.519
 aside from

00:42:58.519 --> 00:42:58.940
 the evil

00:42:58.940 --> 00:42:59.640
 generation of

00:42:59.640 --> 00:43:00.600
 unbelief and

00:43:00.600 --> 00:43:01.680
 instead be part

00:43:01.680 --> 00:43:02.680
 of the family

00:43:02.680 --> 00:43:03.440
 of Jesus,

00:43:04.140 --> 00:43:04.680
 the chosen

00:43:04.680 --> 00:43:05.440
 generation.

00:43:08.160 --> 00:43:08.640
 And that's

00:43:08.640 --> 00:43:09.340
 whoever

00:43:09.340 --> 00:43:10.660
 does the

00:43:10.659 --> 00:43:11.500
 will of

00:43:11.500 --> 00:43:11.899
 the Father

00:43:11.899 --> 00:43:12.319
 in heaven.

00:43:15.879 --> 00:43:16.859
 And Jesus

00:43:16.859 --> 00:43:17.559
 is only

00:43:17.559 --> 00:43:18.379
 able to

00:43:18.379 --> 00:43:19.159
 declare that

00:43:19.159 --> 00:43:20.879
 by

00:43:20.879 --> 00:43:21.879
 accomplishing

00:43:21.879 --> 00:43:23.059
 the prophesied

00:43:23.059 --> 00:43:23.920
 sign of

00:43:23.920 --> 00:43:24.359
 Jonah,

00:43:24.980 --> 00:43:25.679
 his death

00:43:25.679 --> 00:43:26.399
 and

00:43:26.399 --> 00:43:26.960
 resurrection.

00:43:30.839 --> 00:43:31.559
 The

00:43:31.559 --> 00:43:32.039
 gospel of

00:43:32.039 --> 00:43:32.239
 John,

00:43:32.339 --> 00:43:32.940
 chapter 1,

00:43:33.599 --> 00:43:34.839
 testifies the

00:43:34.839 --> 00:43:35.699
 true light

00:43:35.699 --> 00:43:36.259
 which gives

00:43:36.259 --> 00:43:36.659
 light to

00:43:36.659 --> 00:43:37.399
 everyone was

00:43:37.399 --> 00:43:37.920
 coming into

00:43:37.920 --> 00:43:38.299
 the world.

00:43:38.300 --> 00:43:38.340
 God,

00:43:38.780 --> 00:43:40.019
 he was in

00:43:40.019 --> 00:43:40.380
 the world

00:43:40.380 --> 00:43:40.640
 and the

00:43:40.640 --> 00:43:41.100
 world was

00:43:41.100 --> 00:43:41.560
 made through

00:43:41.560 --> 00:43:41.820
 him,

00:43:42.039 --> 00:43:42.480
 yet the

00:43:42.480 --> 00:43:42.860
 world did

00:43:42.860 --> 00:43:43.340
 not know

00:43:43.340 --> 00:43:43.580
 him.

00:43:44.360 --> 00:43:44.960
 He came to

00:43:44.960 --> 00:43:45.380
 his own

00:43:45.380 --> 00:43:45.860
 and his own

00:43:45.860 --> 00:43:46.460
 people did

00:43:46.460 --> 00:43:47.420
 not receive

00:43:47.420 --> 00:43:47.780
 him.

00:43:48.480 --> 00:43:49.120
 But to all

00:43:49.120 --> 00:43:49.539
 who did

00:43:49.539 --> 00:43:50.140
 receive him,

00:43:50.220 --> 00:43:50.860
 who believed

00:43:50.860 --> 00:43:51.440
 in his name,

00:43:51.620 --> 00:43:52.519
 he gave the

00:43:52.519 --> 00:43:53.480
 right to

00:43:53.480 --> 00:43:53.940
 become

00:43:53.940 --> 00:43:55.220
 children of

00:43:55.220 --> 00:43:55.539
 God,

00:43:56.539 --> 00:43:57.400
 who are born

00:43:57.400 --> 00:43:58.280
 not of blood,

00:43:58.460 --> 00:43:59.060
 nor of the

00:43:59.060 --> 00:43:59.640
 will of the

00:43:59.640 --> 00:43:59.960
 flesh,

00:44:00.200 --> 00:44:00.600
 nor of the

00:44:00.600 --> 00:44:01.260
 will of man,

00:44:01.460 --> 00:44:02.200
 but of

00:44:02.200 --> 00:44:02.840
 God.

00:44:02.840 --> 00:44:07.059
 brothers and

00:44:07.059 --> 00:44:07.380
 sisters,

00:44:07.700 --> 00:44:08.559
 we too were

00:44:08.559 --> 00:44:09.780
 once part of

00:44:09.780 --> 00:44:10.420
 the evil

00:44:10.420 --> 00:44:11.160
 generation.

00:44:12.300 --> 00:44:13.059
 We too at

00:44:13.059 --> 00:44:13.620
 one point did

00:44:13.620 --> 00:44:14.440
 not believe in

00:44:14.440 --> 00:44:15.059
 Jesus as our

00:44:15.059 --> 00:44:15.600
 Lord and Savior

00:44:15.600 --> 00:44:16.360
 and thought that

00:44:16.360 --> 00:44:16.920
 we could save

00:44:16.920 --> 00:44:17.539
 ourselves,

00:44:17.960 --> 00:44:18.360
 our own

00:44:18.360 --> 00:44:19.180
 self-righteousness,

00:44:19.300 --> 00:44:20.340
 our self-sufficiency,

00:44:20.760 --> 00:44:21.120
 our own

00:44:21.120 --> 00:44:21.920
 strivings.

00:44:23.240 --> 00:44:23.940
 And in our

00:44:23.940 --> 00:44:24.380
 unbelief,

00:44:24.480 --> 00:44:25.380
 we idolized the

00:44:25.380 --> 00:44:26.380
 world and

00:44:26.380 --> 00:44:27.340
 idolized ourselves

00:44:27.340 --> 00:44:28.360
 and in our

00:44:28.360 --> 00:44:28.579
 sin,

00:44:28.740 --> 00:44:29.460
 we with the

00:44:29.460 --> 00:44:30.200
 Pharisees and

00:44:30.200 --> 00:44:30.740
 the Jews and

00:44:30.740 --> 00:44:31.180
 the rest of the

00:44:31.180 --> 00:44:32.140
 world crucified

00:44:32.139 --> 00:44:33.299
 Jesus on that

00:44:33.299 --> 00:44:33.699
 cross.

00:44:37.440 --> 00:44:38.259
 But Jesus,

00:44:38.400 --> 00:44:38.799
 the Son of

00:44:38.799 --> 00:44:39.099
 God,

00:44:39.739 --> 00:44:40.339
 the fulfillment

00:44:40.339 --> 00:44:40.960
 of the law

00:44:40.960 --> 00:44:41.460
 and prophets

00:44:41.460 --> 00:44:42.279
 after three

00:44:42.279 --> 00:44:42.799
 days and

00:44:42.799 --> 00:44:43.480
 three nights

00:44:43.480 --> 00:44:44.119
 in the place

00:44:44.119 --> 00:44:44.659
 of the dead,

00:44:45.420 --> 00:44:46.319
 rose again

00:44:46.319 --> 00:44:46.900
 from the

00:44:46.900 --> 00:44:47.239
 grave.

00:44:50.359 --> 00:44:51.019
 And in

00:44:51.019 --> 00:44:51.539
 resurrecting,

00:44:51.639 --> 00:44:52.179
 he defeated

00:44:52.179 --> 00:44:52.679
 sin and

00:44:52.679 --> 00:44:54.559
 death to

00:44:54.559 --> 00:44:54.940
 resurrection

00:44:54.940 --> 00:44:55.420
 life.

00:44:56.819 --> 00:44:57.299
 Jesus

00:44:57.299 --> 00:44:58.099
 displayed the

00:44:58.099 --> 00:44:58.400
 Son of

00:44:58.400 --> 00:44:59.099
 Jonah to

00:44:59.099 --> 00:44:59.539
 show his

00:44:59.539 --> 00:45:00.159
 authority as

00:45:00.159 --> 00:45:00.579
 the Son of

00:45:00.579 --> 00:45:00.839
 God,

00:45:01.059 --> 00:45:01.619
 his authority

00:45:01.619 --> 00:45:02.279
 over life

00:45:02.279 --> 00:45:02.920
 and death.

00:45:03.359 --> 00:45:03.859
 And it's

00:45:03.859 --> 00:45:04.380
 through this

00:45:04.380 --> 00:45:04.699
 death and

00:45:04.699 --> 00:45:05.059
 resurrection,

00:45:05.299 --> 00:45:05.960
 Jesus declares

00:45:05.960 --> 00:45:07.039
 that whoever

00:45:07.039 --> 00:45:08.119
 believes in

00:45:08.119 --> 00:45:08.319
 him,

00:45:08.619 --> 00:45:09.500
 whoever follows

00:45:09.500 --> 00:45:09.679
 him,

00:45:09.779 --> 00:45:10.440
 whoever does

00:45:10.440 --> 00:45:11.319
 the will of

00:45:11.319 --> 00:45:11.699
 the Father

00:45:11.699 --> 00:45:12.119
 in heaven

00:45:12.119 --> 00:45:12.980
 will not

00:45:12.980 --> 00:45:13.599
 perish,

00:45:14.279 --> 00:45:16.460
 but have

00:45:16.460 --> 00:45:17.359
 eternal life

00:45:17.359 --> 00:45:18.539
 forever a

00:45:18.539 --> 00:45:19.219
 member of the

00:45:19.219 --> 00:45:20.219
 family of

00:45:20.219 --> 00:45:20.599
 Jesus.

00:45:21.880 --> 00:45:22.839
 It's through

00:45:22.839 --> 00:45:23.599
 his death and

00:45:23.599 --> 00:45:24.559
 resurrection that

00:45:24.559 --> 00:45:25.199
 we have the

00:45:25.199 --> 00:45:26.599
 opportunity to

00:45:26.599 --> 00:45:27.559
 believe and

00:45:27.559 --> 00:45:28.279
 follow Jesus

00:45:28.279 --> 00:45:29.480
 and forever be

00:45:29.480 --> 00:45:30.440
 adopted into

00:45:30.440 --> 00:45:31.179
 his family to

00:45:31.179 --> 00:45:31.659
 be able to

00:45:31.659 --> 00:45:32.240
 call God

00:45:32.240 --> 00:45:32.780
 our Father

00:45:32.780 --> 00:45:33.260
 and to

00:45:33.260 --> 00:45:33.840
 call Jesus

00:45:33.840 --> 00:45:34.840
 our brother.

00:45:36.639 --> 00:45:37.099
 It's through

00:45:37.099 --> 00:45:37.579
 his death and

00:45:37.579 --> 00:45:38.179
 resurrection that

00:45:38.179 --> 00:45:39.420
 Jesus is able to

00:45:39.420 --> 00:45:40.280
 stretch his hands

00:45:40.280 --> 00:45:41.940
 out to us and

00:45:41.940 --> 00:45:42.440
 testify,

00:45:43.860 --> 00:45:44.900
 here are my

00:45:44.900 --> 00:45:45.260
 brothers,

00:45:45.920 --> 00:45:46.760
 here are my

00:45:46.760 --> 00:45:47.200
 sisters,

00:45:48.000 --> 00:45:48.760
 here is my

00:45:48.760 --> 00:45:49.280
 family.

00:45:49.280 --> 00:45:49.340
 family.

00:45:53.560 --> 00:45:54.620
 If any of you

00:45:54.620 --> 00:45:55.780
 here are new to

00:45:55.780 --> 00:45:56.320
 the church,

00:45:57.040 --> 00:45:57.780
 to our church,

00:45:58.380 --> 00:45:59.040
 and this is your

00:45:59.040 --> 00:46:00.160
 first time hearing

00:46:00.160 --> 00:46:00.960
 the gospel of

00:46:00.960 --> 00:46:01.519
 Jesus Christ,

00:46:02.160 --> 00:46:04.140
 please listen to

00:46:04.140 --> 00:46:05.200
 Jesus' invitation.

00:46:06.200 --> 00:46:07.580
 Whoever does the

00:46:07.580 --> 00:46:08.340
 will of my Father

00:46:08.340 --> 00:46:09.120
 in heaven is my

00:46:09.120 --> 00:46:09.820
 brother and sister

00:46:09.820 --> 00:46:10.260
 and mother.

00:46:11.120 --> 00:46:11.920
 Look around you.

00:46:13.420 --> 00:46:14.560
 None of us have

00:46:14.560 --> 00:46:15.980
 the qualifications

00:46:15.980 --> 00:46:17.820
 to be called

00:46:17.820 --> 00:46:18.619
 Jesus' family.

00:46:19.800 --> 00:46:20.659
 I don't know if

00:46:20.659 --> 00:46:21.059
 we have any

00:46:21.059 --> 00:46:21.940
 ethnic Jews here.

00:46:23.539 --> 00:46:24.099
 I don't know,

00:46:24.280 --> 00:46:25.240
 I know for sure

00:46:25.240 --> 00:46:26.360
 that we all have

00:46:26.360 --> 00:46:27.360
 not followed God's

00:46:27.360 --> 00:46:28.139
 commandments to the

00:46:28.139 --> 00:46:28.740
 perfect T.

00:46:33.460 --> 00:46:34.579
 This is a house,

00:46:34.820 --> 00:46:35.619
 a hospital of

00:46:35.619 --> 00:46:36.679
 broken souls and

00:46:36.679 --> 00:46:37.579
 broken people,

00:46:38.019 --> 00:46:39.240
 and yet God in

00:46:39.240 --> 00:46:39.820
 his infinite

00:46:39.820 --> 00:46:41.639
 kindness sent

00:46:41.639 --> 00:46:42.880
 his son Jesus to

00:46:42.880 --> 00:46:43.699
 die for our

00:46:43.699 --> 00:46:45.320
 sins, that we

00:46:45.320 --> 00:46:46.180
 can be grafted

00:46:46.180 --> 00:46:47.400
 into the body

00:46:47.400 --> 00:46:47.860
 of Christ,

00:46:47.960 --> 00:46:48.980
 the family of

00:46:48.980 --> 00:46:49.320
 Jesus.

00:46:51.840 --> 00:46:52.900
 So for those of

00:46:52.900 --> 00:46:53.420
 you who don't

00:46:53.420 --> 00:46:54.059
 believe yet,

00:46:55.380 --> 00:46:56.300
 we're in the

00:46:56.300 --> 00:46:57.120
 midst of an evil

00:46:57.120 --> 00:46:58.420
 generation, but

00:46:58.420 --> 00:46:59.500
 the invitation is

00:46:59.500 --> 00:47:00.460
 still here.

00:47:06.260 --> 00:47:07.700
 If you feel that

00:47:07.700 --> 00:47:08.420
 conviction in your

00:47:08.420 --> 00:47:09.260
 heart to consider

00:47:09.260 --> 00:47:10.760
 following Jesus as

00:47:10.760 --> 00:47:11.300
 your Lord and

00:47:11.300 --> 00:47:12.240
 Savior, following

00:47:12.240 --> 00:47:13.059
 Jesus as your

00:47:13.059 --> 00:47:14.140
 brother, please

00:47:14.140 --> 00:47:14.800
 don't hesitate.

00:47:15.320 --> 00:47:17.260
 please don't

00:47:17.260 --> 00:47:17.960
 hesitate to talk

00:47:17.960 --> 00:47:18.700
 to me, any of

00:47:18.700 --> 00:47:19.440
 our pastoral team,

00:47:19.740 --> 00:47:20.280
 any of our

00:47:20.280 --> 00:47:21.000
 church members,

00:47:21.300 --> 00:47:22.059
 about what it

00:47:22.059 --> 00:47:22.760
 means and what

00:47:22.760 --> 00:47:23.360
 it takes to

00:47:23.360 --> 00:47:23.980
 believe in the

00:47:23.980 --> 00:47:25.080
 gospel and to

00:47:25.080 --> 00:47:26.080
 be a part of

00:47:26.080 --> 00:47:26.600
 the family of

00:47:26.600 --> 00:47:26.860
 God.

00:47:29.260 --> 00:47:30.080
 And for those

00:47:30.080 --> 00:47:30.700
 of us who do

00:47:30.700 --> 00:47:31.200
 believe in the

00:47:31.200 --> 00:47:33.059
 gospel, who are

00:47:33.059 --> 00:47:33.559
 part of the

00:47:33.559 --> 00:47:34.360
 family of Jesus,

00:47:35.980 --> 00:47:36.780
 Jesus is still

00:47:36.780 --> 00:47:37.220
 calling.

00:47:38.340 --> 00:47:38.820
 He's still

00:47:38.820 --> 00:47:39.580
 inviting those

00:47:39.580 --> 00:47:40.100
 who are still in

00:47:40.100 --> 00:47:40.680
 the darkness of

00:47:40.680 --> 00:47:41.600
 this generation to

00:47:41.600 --> 00:47:42.440
 step out in

00:47:42.440 --> 00:47:42.800
 faith.

00:47:42.800 --> 00:47:42.860
 faith.

00:47:43.740 --> 00:47:44.460
 And so as

00:47:44.460 --> 00:47:45.019
 brothers and

00:47:45.019 --> 00:47:45.500
 sisters to

00:47:45.500 --> 00:47:46.340
 Jesus and as

00:47:46.340 --> 00:47:47.100
 bearers of the

00:47:47.100 --> 00:47:47.720
 gospel in this

00:47:47.720 --> 00:47:49.440
 broken world, let

00:47:49.440 --> 00:47:50.360
 us do the will of

00:47:50.360 --> 00:47:50.900
 our Father in

00:47:50.900 --> 00:47:51.860
 heaven and extend

00:47:51.860 --> 00:47:53.019
 that invitation of

00:47:53.019 --> 00:47:53.700
 faith to those

00:47:53.700 --> 00:47:55.500
 around us, that

00:47:55.500 --> 00:47:56.420
 they may believe and

00:47:56.420 --> 00:47:57.300
 become part of the

00:47:57.300 --> 00:47:58.740
 family of Jesus, that

00:47:58.740 --> 00:47:59.640
 we can call them our

00:47:59.640 --> 00:48:00.420
 brothers and our

00:48:00.420 --> 00:48:00.820
 sisters.

00:48:02.160 --> 00:48:03.320
 Because one day

00:48:03.320 --> 00:48:06.320
 we will see for

00:48:06.320 --> 00:48:06.580
 sure.

00:48:07.460 --> 00:48:08.620
 We will all know

00:48:08.620 --> 00:48:10.220
 for sure whether

00:48:10.219 --> 00:48:11.039
 we are a believer

00:48:11.039 --> 00:48:12.939
 or not, every

00:48:12.939 --> 00:48:13.959
 knee will bow and

00:48:13.959 --> 00:48:14.799
 every tongue will

00:48:14.799 --> 00:48:16.199
 confess that Jesus

00:48:16.199 --> 00:48:18.619
 is Lord and we'll

00:48:18.619 --> 00:48:19.659
 be judged before the

00:48:19.659 --> 00:48:20.719
 Lord of whether we

00:48:20.719 --> 00:48:22.279
 truly believed and

00:48:22.279 --> 00:48:23.559
 lived out the

00:48:23.559 --> 00:48:24.659
 gospel or not.

00:48:30.379 --> 00:48:32.000
 What great love

00:48:32.000 --> 00:48:34.179
 that we should be

00:48:34.179 --> 00:48:35.699
 called children of

00:48:35.699 --> 00:48:37.039
 God, that we should

00:48:37.039 --> 00:48:38.379
 be called brothers

00:48:38.380 --> 00:48:39.320
 and sisters to

00:48:39.320 --> 00:48:39.640
 Jesus.

00:48:42.760 --> 00:48:44.019
 May the God of

00:48:44.019 --> 00:48:45.960
 hope fill you with

00:48:45.960 --> 00:48:46.960
 all joy and peace

00:48:46.960 --> 00:48:48.240
 and believing so

00:48:48.240 --> 00:48:49.640
 that by the power of

00:48:49.640 --> 00:48:51.160
 the Holy Spirit you

00:48:51.160 --> 00:48:52.200
 may abound in hope.

00:48:53.800 --> 00:48:54.480
 Let's pray.

00:48:54.480 --> 00:49:08.480
 Lord, we confess

00:49:08.480 --> 00:49:14.079
 that we often are so

00:49:14.079 --> 00:49:15.219
 discouraged when we

00:49:15.219 --> 00:49:17.300
 look out to this evil

00:49:17.300 --> 00:49:20.039
 generation, all the

00:49:20.039 --> 00:49:21.199
 darkness around us.

00:49:21.199 --> 00:49:26.359
 we confess that there

00:49:26.359 --> 00:49:27.059
 are moments where we

00:49:27.059 --> 00:49:28.899
 do doubt, where doubt

00:49:28.899 --> 00:49:29.960
 does creep in and

00:49:29.960 --> 00:49:31.699
 Satan does try to

00:49:31.699 --> 00:49:32.919
 tempt us to draw us

00:49:32.919 --> 00:49:33.519
 away from you.

00:49:35.719 --> 00:49:36.799
 But Lord, we thank

00:49:36.799 --> 00:49:37.639
 you so much that you

00:49:37.639 --> 00:49:38.599
 give us your Holy

00:49:38.599 --> 00:49:42.699
 Spirit as a sure

00:49:42.699 --> 00:49:44.299
 guarantee and seal of

00:49:44.299 --> 00:49:44.879
 our salvation.

00:49:48.519 --> 00:49:49.519
 We thank you that

00:49:49.519 --> 00:49:50.759
 through the blood of

00:49:50.760 --> 00:49:52.340
 Jesus, through his

00:49:52.340 --> 00:49:54.240
 death on the cross and

00:49:54.240 --> 00:49:55.120
 his resurrection from

00:49:55.120 --> 00:49:57.380
 the grave, we can be

00:49:57.380 --> 00:49:58.380
 called your children,

00:49:59.700 --> 00:50:00.720
 that we can be called

00:50:00.720 --> 00:50:02.160
 brothers and sisters to

00:50:02.160 --> 00:50:03.600
 Jesus, his family.

00:50:05.300 --> 00:50:06.520
 And thank you that you

00:50:06.520 --> 00:50:07.740
 extend that invitation

00:50:07.740 --> 00:50:09.760
 out, not just to

00:50:09.760 --> 00:50:11.220
 righteous people, not

00:50:11.220 --> 00:50:13.360
 just to Jews, but to

00:50:13.360 --> 00:50:14.040
 the whole world.

00:50:14.039 --> 00:50:19.759
 Lord, we pray that your

00:50:19.759 --> 00:50:21.279
 word convicts our

00:50:21.279 --> 00:50:22.940
 hearts, draws us nearer

00:50:22.940 --> 00:50:25.000
 to us and reminds us

00:50:25.000 --> 00:50:29.340
 that though we are in

00:50:29.340 --> 00:50:30.199
 the midst of an evil

00:50:30.199 --> 00:50:33.599
 generation, your way is

00:50:33.599 --> 00:50:33.900
 better.

00:50:33.900 --> 00:50:38.180
 that you are our great

00:50:38.180 --> 00:50:38.599
 father.

00:50:45.220 --> 00:50:46.039
 We thank you, Lord.

00:50:46.180 --> 00:50:46.740
 We love you.

00:50:47.220 --> 00:50:48.539
 We pray all this in Jesus'

00:50:48.680 --> 00:50:48.800
 name.

00:50:48.800 --> 00:50:49.380
 Amen.