WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:09.500 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.280 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:37.340 Today's scripture reading comes from the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 16, verses 13 through 28, as printed in your liturgy. 00:00:40.100 --> 00:00:44.960 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 00:00:45.900 --> 00:00:48.100 Who do people say the Son of Man is? 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:50.740 They replied, Some say John the Baptist. 00:00:50.740 --> 00:00:55.980 Others say Elijah, and still others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 00:00:56.640 --> 00:00:58.140 But what about you? He asked. 00:00:58.520 --> 00:00:59.980 Who do you say I am? 00:01:00.760 --> 00:01:05.000 Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:13.920 Jesus replied, Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 00:01:14.439 --> 00:01:19.719 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I would build my church. 00:01:19.719 --> 00:01:22.500 And the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 00:01:23.179 --> 00:01:25.379 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. 00:01:25.879 --> 00:01:28.359 Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. 00:01:28.739 --> 00:01:31.719 And whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:35.920 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:47.640 From that time on, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law. 00:01:48.099 --> 00:01:51.340 And he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 00:01:51.939 --> 00:01:53.859 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 00:01:53.960 --> 00:01:55.260 Never, Lord, he said. 00:01:55.700 --> 00:01:57.299 This shall never happen to you. 00:01:57.299 --> 00:02:00.280 Jesus turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan. 00:02:00.920 --> 00:02:02.500 You are a stumbling block to me. 00:02:03.099 --> 00:02:06.899 You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns. 00:02:07.620 --> 00:02:14.939 Then Jesus said to his disciples, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:20.800 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:25.480 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 00:02:27.100 --> 00:02:29.719 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:38.080 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. 00:02:38.700 --> 00:02:45.380 Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. 00:02:46.640 --> 00:02:48.320 This is the Gospel of the Lord. 00:02:49.160 --> 00:02:50.580 Praise to you, O Christ. 00:02:50.800 --> 00:02:53.760 Good morning, Christ Church. 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:58.380 Today I want to talk with you about one of my greatest loves. 00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:04.120 And this is not a sermon about Catherine, although I do love her so much. 00:03:05.020 --> 00:03:09.420 It's not a sermon about my children, Constance, Scott, or Walter, though I love them so much. 00:03:09.460 --> 00:03:11.240 It's not a sermon about running. 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:13.780 It's not a sermon about smoothies. 00:03:14.260 --> 00:03:16.780 It's not a sermon about books or barbecue or bourbon. 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:18.160 Love all those things. 00:03:18.580 --> 00:03:19.280 Love them all. 00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:24.500 But my greatest love is the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:28.639 And my second greatest love is the thing that he loves the most. 00:03:29.479 --> 00:03:30.219 And what is that? 00:03:30.900 --> 00:03:31.840 It's the church. 00:03:32.740 --> 00:03:34.060 It's the people of God. 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:35.900 It's the family of God. 00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:37.920 It's the disciples of Jesus Christ. 00:03:37.919 --> 00:03:44.619 I want to talk to you today about why Christ Church is worthy of our love. 00:03:44.620 --> 00:03:53.319 And there's a promise over the last 17 years of my time here at Christ Church and all our starts and stops, ups and downs. 00:03:53.319 --> 00:03:59.079 You know, the challenges and opportunities that we face together. 00:03:59.080 --> 00:04:03.980 There's a promise that's just really carried me through the last 17 years. 00:04:03.979 --> 00:04:11.560 And I think and I hope that it will continue to carry us through no matter what God has prepared for us in the season ahead. 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:22.800 And it's this promise in verse 18 where Jesus says, I will build my church and the gates of Hades or the gates of hell will not prevail against it. 00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:27.259 Now, this is one of the most discussed passages in all the New Testament. 00:04:27.379 --> 00:04:30.240 That's one of the most discussed verses in all the New Testament. 00:04:30.939 --> 00:04:32.920 And Jesus makes two promises here. 00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:36.819 He says, I'm going to build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:43.519 That is, I will be the constructor of my church and I will be the protector of my church. 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:52.879 And what this tells us is that Jesus did not come to merely save individual people, individual sinners. 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:57.099 What he did, what he came to do is to build a community of salvation. 00:04:58.139 --> 00:04:58.279 Right? 00:04:58.299 --> 00:05:05.839 He's the good shepherd who came not only to find lost sheep, but he came to form a healthy and reproducing flock. 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:12.819 And the goal of his whole ministry is to form, to build this church. 00:05:12.819 --> 00:05:18.560 All right, Ephesians 5 says Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. 00:05:18.819 --> 00:05:21.240 And you can see that from the very beginning of the gospel. 00:05:21.420 --> 00:05:25.240 Jesus goes in Matthew 4 and he calls his first disciples. 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:29.000 He says, come follow me and I'll send you out to fish for people. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:34.339 That is, he calls them as a community and he sends them out to form a community. 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:39.819 And in the middle of this gospel in Matthew 12, Jesus' family, they come. 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:41.480 They're seeking to talk to Jesus. 00:05:42.300 --> 00:05:46.259 And Jesus turns and he says, well, who's my mother and who are my brothers? 00:05:46.459 --> 00:05:55.719 And pointing to his disciples, he says, whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, you are my brothers and my sisters and my mother. 00:05:56.539 --> 00:06:02.199 And so using that language of family, Jesus says, this is my doctrine of the church. 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:04.979 I've come to build a new family. 00:06:05.079 --> 00:06:10.019 I've come to shed my blood and to die to bring this new family into existence. 00:06:10.019 --> 00:06:15.399 A family that would have first claim above all other claims in your life. 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:20.839 And what do we see when we turn to the Acts of the Apostles, the letters of the New Testament? 00:06:21.699 --> 00:06:26.759 We see this new kind of heavenly community where the powers of God are at work. 00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:36.719 Where Christian people are bound together as brothers and sisters with ties of grace that are thicker even than ties of blood. 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:41.420 Where life is being lived as it's meant to be lived. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:47.079 And where people are carrying out all those beautiful commands of the New Testament to love one another. 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:49.599 Forgive one another. 00:06:50.159 --> 00:06:51.300 Confess sin to one another. 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:52.339 Pray for one another. 00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:53.240 Serve one another. 00:06:53.399 --> 00:06:54.279 Encourage one another. 00:06:54.399 --> 00:06:55.779 Et cetera, et cetera. 00:06:55.779 --> 00:07:02.459 And that family of love we see is, you know, over that first three centuries after Christ's resurrection, 00:07:02.859 --> 00:07:10.339 it grew and grew and grew until eventually it became, you know, half of the Roman Empire was Jesus' family of love 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:17.039 precisely because he promised that he would be the builder and the protector of his church. 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:21.299 And so the question for us today is what kind of church? 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:23.639 What's the mission of this church? 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:27.399 What's Jesus' vision and his values for this church? 00:07:27.519 --> 00:07:28.759 What are his priorities? 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:32.139 And what are his emphases in the church? 00:07:32.219 --> 00:07:35.019 And to answer that question, you pretty much have to read the entire New Testament. 00:07:35.779 --> 00:07:46.120 But today in this text, what we learn is that Jesus builds a Christ-centered, cross-focused, disciple-making church. 00:07:46.120 --> 00:07:52.199 Jesus builds a Christ-centered, cross-centered, disciple-making church. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:56.060 First of all, Jesus builds a Christ-centered church. 00:07:57.139 --> 00:08:02.920 Verse 13 says that when Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:06.000 who do the people say the Son of Man is? 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:10.120 And this is a turning point in Jesus' training of the Gospels. 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:16.639 And he's testing them to see how deep his teaching has sunk into their hearts and their minds. 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:21.920 And so he says, well, what do you think about my person, about who I am? 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:28.220 But before you answer, first I want you to put your finger on the pulse of the culture and popular opinion. 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:34.360 And I want you to tell me, what do the masses of people say that the Son of Man is? 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:41.100 And what we hear are four representative viewpoints among the crowds about who Jesus is. 00:08:41.160 --> 00:08:48.379 In verse 14, they replied, some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. 00:08:48.580 --> 00:08:52.600 Now, these are all heroes that people respected. 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:59.840 It was a high compliment to have your name named among the ranks of these servants of God. 00:08:59.980 --> 00:09:06.300 And yet, each view fails to recognize the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:15.159 That yes, he is like John the Baptist and Elijah and Jeremiah and the prophets, but he's far greater than any of them. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.639 He's not just a teacher. 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:17.899 He's not just an example. 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:20.420 He's in a class all by himself. 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:27.639 And what this teaches us is that it's possible to have good thoughts about Jesus, but just not the right ones. 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:28.939 Right? 00:09:28.959 --> 00:09:34.860 It's possible for us to have high opinions of Jesus, but for those opinions to not be high enough. 00:09:34.979 --> 00:09:39.559 And that's why Jesus turns to his disciples and he says, well, what about you, plural? 00:09:40.079 --> 00:09:42.319 Who do y'all say that I am? 00:09:43.079 --> 00:09:45.639 What do you guys say, depending on where you're from? 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:47.799 What do you say that I am? 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:59.399 And Jesus' one goal is that he wants to confirm in their hearts and their minds of his disciples what he's taught them about his person, about who he is. 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:03.599 And he wants to separate them from the opinions and the perspectives of the crowds. 00:10:03.719 --> 00:10:10.519 And he says, look, I want every single one of you to be absolutely convicted and completely committed. 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:16.600 I want to know right now, what are you prepared to tell other people about me? 00:10:17.819 --> 00:10:27.620 And Peter, as a representative of the group, he steps forward with great clarity of mind and conviction of heart and concision of speech. 00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:33.159 And he says in verse 16, you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:45.679 Now, Jesus, I mean, Peter does not say, I personally think that you are the Christ, as if that's a subjective opinion and not an objective fact. 00:10:46.459 --> 00:10:55.539 He doesn't say, well, for us, you are the Christ, as if it's a relative perspective and not an absolute universal truth. 00:10:55.539 --> 00:11:06.079 No, this is a firm, foundational, decisive, and emphatic confession that you, Jesus, are the Christ. 00:11:07.039 --> 00:11:09.819 You are God's only chosen king. 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:17.379 You are the Messiah, the deliverer, the Savior and the rescuer who's come to usher in the kingdom of God. 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:21.459 Now, that's only the first truth of Peter's confession. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:23.180 And there's a second truth, right? 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:27.379 He says, you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. 00:11:28.540 --> 00:11:32.420 The God who is life and the God who gives life. 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:38.040 You are uniquely his Son in a way that applies to no other being in the universe. 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:43.620 You're not just another in a long line of prophets from Moses to John the Baptist. 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:50.799 And you're not just another little deity among the pantheon of deities among the nations. 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:55.279 No, you are the divine Son of the living one. 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:59.259 You are the God-man. 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:06.279 You're the mediator between God and humanity, and there's no one else like you. 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:12.340 What Peter's saying is that, Jesus, you're not a prophet who's come to help us find God. 00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:15.780 You are God who's come to find us. 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:21.139 And Jesus agrees that no lesser estimation of him will do. 00:12:21.220 --> 00:12:22.660 And that's why he says in verse 17, 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:30.519 Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:35.560 If any of us have faith today, and I hope at least a few of us do, 00:12:37.180 --> 00:12:40.680 it's not because you've figured that out on your own. 00:12:40.679 --> 00:12:49.620 If any of us have faith, it's not because you're smarter, you're more intuitive, you're more capable than other people. 00:12:49.699 --> 00:12:53.500 If you have faith today, it's because God has opened your eyes. 00:12:53.839 --> 00:12:55.839 It's because God has enlightened your heart. 00:12:55.919 --> 00:13:02.620 It's because God himself has revealed to you from heaven above who Jesus is. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:05.039 And that's what he's saying to Peter. 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:08.299 It's God's truth. 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:11.679 And God gives us the grace to see the truth. 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:17.039 And then God gives us the faith to cling to that truth with all of our soul and all of our life. 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:21.720 And so the truth, the grace, the faith, it's all a gift from God. 00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:25.639 And it's all an undeserved gift that doesn't come from any of us. 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:31.340 And having settled that, Jesus says in verse 18, 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:35.819 And I tell you, this is now his colossal cosmic promise, 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:39.539 And I tell you that you are Peter, you are Petras, 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:44.799 And on this rock, on this Petra, I will build my church, 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:49.699 And the gates of Hades or the gates of hell will not overcome it. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:56.899 The rock, the foundation of the church is this Christ-centered confession of faith. 00:13:57.059 --> 00:14:00.779 Jesus builds his church on the rock of this truth. 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:05.959 1 Corinthians chapter 3, the apostle Paul says, 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:11.259 No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:13.819 And then he says in Ephesians 2, 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:17.639 The household of God is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:21.480 With Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:26.539 And what this means is that this Christ-centered, Christ-confessing Peter 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:35.519 Peter is honored to be the first stone that's chosen to be built into and upon the rock of Jesus Christ. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.959 But he's not the first stone. 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:40.559 Well, he is the first stone, but he's not the last stone. 00:14:40.699 --> 00:14:43.000 There will be many, many more stones. 00:14:44.079 --> 00:14:47.699 Which is why when Peter eventually writes his first epistle, 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:50.159 This is what he says in 1 Peter 2. 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:51.459 He says, 00:14:51.460 --> 00:15:12.920 That is, 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:18.479 If you take your stand with Peter and say that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, 00:15:18.959 --> 00:15:24.919 You too will be built into this great spiritual house that Jesus is building. 00:15:25.979 --> 00:15:27.299 Stone upon stone. 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:32.679 One Christ-centered person upon another Christ-centered person. 00:15:32.819 --> 00:15:34.699 And Jesus is going to keep doing that. 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:36.279 He's been doing that for 2,000 years. 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:41.860 He's going to keep doing it until the last stone is put into that great edifice. 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.519 And Jesus says, 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:46.539 I'm building this church where? 00:15:48.819 --> 00:15:50.500 Opposite the gates of hell. 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:56.259 Now, that's not where I'd plant a church, but that's where Jesus decides to plant a church. 00:15:57.419 --> 00:16:02.240 And the gate in the ancient world, the gate of the city is City Hall, right? 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:03.740 It's where all the plans are made. 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:06.080 It's where all the authority rests. 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:10.779 And what Jesus is saying about the gates of hell is that there's this opposing kingdom 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:17.700 with an organized strategy to destroy the purposes of God. 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.360 And Jesus says, 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:25.740 My church is going to be under attack from day one, from Good Friday onwards. 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:30.899 My church is going to be under the fire of the gates of hell. 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:36.019 And it was unleashed, right, on Good Friday, undoubtedly. 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:41.639 But if you read the Acts of the Apostles, that kingdom of darkness, the gates of hell that 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:47.759 Jesus is talking about, keeps coming against the church in many different forms. 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:54.639 Physical persecution, moral subversion, organizational distraction. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:57.279 That's just like the first few chapters of the book of Acts. 00:16:57.559 --> 00:17:03.879 And those are all the strategies that the gates of hell continues to bring against the church today. 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:09.319 But Jesus' promise is that the gates of hell are not going to prevail against my church. 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:13.079 They didn't prevail then. 00:17:13.659 --> 00:17:16.079 And they're not going to prevail now. 00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:18.819 Because the church is immortal. 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:22.599 The church is indestructible. 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:27.359 The church is an anvil that has worn out many hammers. 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:31.439 And it will continue to wear out many, many hammers. 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:37.480 Because even death cannot prevail against the church. 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:42.759 And that's so important for us to know that Christ-centered, Christ-confessing believers 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:49.279 who have departed from us by death are not lost to the Christian church. 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:53.660 Because the church does not exist only here on the earth. 00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:59.960 Indeed, a far greater part of our membership has been glorified in heaven. 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:05.900 So that we have the church militant on earth and the church triumphant in heaven. 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:13.060 And all of those Christ-centered, confessing believers in these two different companies 00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:15.500 constitute one church. 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:17.540 And Jesus says, that's what I'm building. 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.160 That's what I'm protecting. 00:18:19.620 --> 00:18:22.480 And nothing can destroy it. 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:25.759 Do you believe that? 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:30.840 Do you believe that Jesus is God's only chosen king? 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:37.240 And that he is the one mediator between the living God and dying humanity? 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:42.759 Because that is the bedrock truth upon which Jesus is building his church. 00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:47.380 And the gates of hell are never, ever going to prevail against that truth. 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:52.080 That's what keeps me going as a pastor. 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:55.339 Jesus is building a Christ-centered church. 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:59.579 But more than that, he's building a cross-focused church. 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:06.720 You see, he wants his disciples to have a clear, concise conviction about his person and who he is, 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:10.240 but also about his work and what he's come to do and come to achieve. 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:12.160 And that's why he goes on in verse 21. 00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:18.299 He says, from that time on, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:23.779 and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:28.299 and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:36.899 Jesus, from this point on, now that they know who he is, he wants them to know what he's come to do. 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:42.440 And he's explicitly, insistently explaining the necessity of his death. 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:45.599 Because they might assume that his death is an accident. 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:48.859 That his death is plan B. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:52.619 That it's something that Jesus is not actually prepared for. 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:54.299 And Jesus says, no, no, no, no, no. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:59.279 My death is part of the eternal covenant of redemption. 00:20:00.239 --> 00:20:02.219 It's why God the Father sent me. 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:04.759 It's why I, God the Son, was born. 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:09.639 And for Peter, this news is blowing his mind, right? 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:11.639 He's surprised by it. 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.899 He's troubled by it. 00:20:12.939 --> 00:20:14.000 He's disturbed by it. 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:19.699 And that's why he says in verse 22, Peter took him aside and he began to rebuke Jesus. 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:23.660 Never, Lord, he said, this shall never happen to you. 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:34.420 You see, Peter shares the popular opinion that Jerusalem is to be the center where the Messiah will set up his earthly rule 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:39.160 and where he'll drive all the Romans and all the unbelievers out of the promised land. 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:45.299 And he'll set up this amazing house of worship to God and establish righteousness and justice 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:49.000 according to the holy word of God. 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:55.940 And for Peter, all this talk about the death of the Messiah and the death of God's king, 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:58.039 that's going to ruin this revolution. 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:05.420 Jesus, are you saying that Jerusalem, the place where God's king should rule, 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:07.960 is the place where he's actually going to be opposed? 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:16.160 Jesus, are you saying that the people who should most want to honor and worship God's only king 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:19.539 are actually going to torture him and kill him? 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.259 Never. 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.220 Never, Lord. 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:29.500 Now, how does Jesus respond to Peter's rebuke? 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:37.180 Jesus basically says, Peter, you're being anti-God, right? 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:40.259 Verse 23, Jesus turned to Peter and said, 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:42.140 Get behind me, Satan. 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:44.599 You are a stumbling block to me. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:48.900 You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns. 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:55.380 See, it's possible to be sincere, well-meaning, Christ-centered people, 00:21:55.580 --> 00:21:59.880 but that does not mean that we are fully aligned with Jesus Christ. 00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:02.519 And what's the problem here? 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:06.160 The problem is that, Peter, you're supposed to be behind me. 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:08.620 Peter, you're supposed to be under me. 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:11.320 Peter, you're supposed to be following me, 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:13.439 but somehow you've gotten before me. 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:15.539 Somehow you've gotten ahead of me. 00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:18.339 Somehow you've elevated yourself above me 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:22.740 so that you're now advising me and correcting me. 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:28.960 When your role is to listen to me and submit to me and obey me. 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:31.279 And what's the problem here? 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.460 What's the root of the problem? 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:36.480 The problem beneath the problem, Jesus says, is your mind. 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.799 It's the way you're thinking. 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:42.319 What has Peter set his mind upon? 00:22:42.659 --> 00:22:46.460 He set his mind upon human things, upon earthly things. 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:50.339 But what has Jesus set his mind upon? 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:55.200 He set his mind upon God and upon the things of heaven. 00:22:56.119 --> 00:22:57.279 And that's the question for us. 00:22:57.399 --> 00:23:02.099 When we start our day, what are we setting our minds upon? 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:08.099 What's the pattern of thinking that we take on when we begin each new day? 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:11.159 Because the Apostle Paul says in Romans 12, 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:16.399 do not conform to the pattern of this world and its way of thinking, 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:20.259 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:22.919 He says in Colossians 3, 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:24.519 since then you've been raised with Christ. 00:23:24.679 --> 00:23:27.519 Set your hearts on things above where Christ is, 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.959 seated at the right hand of God, 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:31.619 and set your minds on things above, 00:23:31.939 --> 00:23:33.099 not on earthly things, 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:38.159 for you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:44.059 You see, Peter and me and maybe you, 00:23:44.459 --> 00:23:47.740 we need to have our neural pathways rewired. 00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:51.699 And we need to develop the mind of Jesus Christ 00:23:51.699 --> 00:23:53.579 and not correct his word, 00:23:53.699 --> 00:23:55.099 but submit to his word 00:23:55.659 --> 00:23:58.399 and learn to think his thoughts after him. 00:23:58.400 --> 00:24:02.220 It's not enough to be a church-going, 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:03.840 Christ-centered person. 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:08.060 Because Peter here obviously takes this orthodox truth 00:24:08.060 --> 00:24:09.680 that Jesus is the Messiah, 00:24:09.800 --> 00:24:10.900 the Son of the living God, 00:24:11.040 --> 00:24:13.380 and he pours into that truth 00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:15.680 some very unbiblical ideas 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:19.220 that somehow he could be an unsuffering Christ, 00:24:19.280 --> 00:24:21.259 a Christ without a cross. 00:24:22.820 --> 00:24:25.440 You see, it's possible to be right about the person of Jesus 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.120 and who he is, 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:30.299 but to be completely wrong about the work of Jesus 00:24:30.299 --> 00:24:32.039 and what he's come to do. 00:24:33.820 --> 00:24:37.320 And why does Jesus rebuke Peter's rebuke here? 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:41.960 Because without the death of Jesus on the cross, 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:46.559 all people, including Peter, 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:49.400 would be eternally lost. 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:54.340 Without the death of Jesus on his cross, 00:24:55.060 --> 00:24:57.740 all people would be without God 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:59.519 and without salvation 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:02.380 and without hope in this world. 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:06.200 You see, Jesus' cross is the final revelation 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:08.220 of our human condition. 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:11.800 It shows us that we are far more flawed 00:25:11.800 --> 00:25:13.700 than we ever dared to believe. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:18.100 And that we're living under the curse of our sins, 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.919 that we are living, 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:21.019 we have the wrath and the judgment of God 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:23.799 upon our souls without that cross. 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:27.059 But the cross also reveals to us 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:30.639 the final revelation of divine grace, 00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:33.539 that we're far more loved and accepted 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:35.579 than we ever dared to imagine. 00:25:35.719 --> 00:25:36.839 The cross says to us 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:40.279 that God sent his Son as the mediator 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:43.299 to die in the place of sinners, 00:25:43.419 --> 00:25:46.859 to absorb our sins into his very self, 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:48.659 and to bear that wrath 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:50.439 and to bear that judgment of God 00:25:50.439 --> 00:25:51.619 that we deserved 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:54.679 so that he might remove from us 00:25:54.679 --> 00:25:57.959 the curse and the stain of sin 00:25:57.959 --> 00:25:59.959 and to give us all that mercy 00:25:59.959 --> 00:26:01.139 and all that peace 00:26:01.139 --> 00:26:01.779 and all that blessedness 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:03.259 and all that life 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:05.379 that none of us deserved. 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:09.899 And you know what so deeply moves me about this? 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:14.400 is that Jesus not only mercifully corrects Peter, 00:26:14.560 --> 00:26:17.720 and Peter is so very wrong 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.960 and needs to be corrected, 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:23.400 but Jesus also mercifully dies for Peter. 00:26:25.280 --> 00:26:26.840 Peter's supposed to be the rock 00:26:26.840 --> 00:26:28.700 for building the church, 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:33.240 but he becomes a stone for stumbling. 00:26:34.840 --> 00:26:37.120 Peter is supposed to be the servant to Jesus, 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:39.739 but somehow he became the Satan 00:26:39.739 --> 00:26:42.199 and the adversary of Jesus. 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.719 You see, Peter had said, 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.579 I'll be loyal to you, Jesus, 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:49.579 until I die with you. 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:52.959 But then Peter denied Jesus three times 00:26:52.959 --> 00:26:53.799 and swore up and down. 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:56.059 He never knew Jesus. 00:26:56.199 --> 00:26:56.919 But you know what? 00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:59.899 Jesus dies for the likes of Peter. 00:27:01.139 --> 00:27:03.179 And Jesus dies for the likes of me 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.799 and the likes of you, 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.799 people who are total failures, 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:09.680 utterly unworthy. 00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:10.320 And he says, 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:10.799 you know what? 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:13.660 I'm going to build my church on these people, 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:16.700 people who are poor in spirit, 00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:20.039 people who say to themselves 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:20.799 and say to God, 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:22.420 nothing in my hands I bring, 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:25.519 simply to thy cross I cling. 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:30.920 That's the kind of church Jesus wants to build, 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:33.000 a Christ-centered church 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.639 and a cross-focused church. 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:38.160 And finally, a disciple-making church. 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:41.099 Are you guys still with me? 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:43.500 I'm a little medicated this morning, 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:46.220 and I can barely even hear myself preach. 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:48.299 So you've got to just give me a little something 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.440 like Presbyterians, 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.680 you can just blink your eyes. 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.339 Let me know. 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:53.639 Let me know you're still here. 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:56.520 He wants His disciples 00:27:56.520 --> 00:27:59.140 to have a clear, concise conviction, 00:27:59.380 --> 00:28:00.540 not only of His person 00:28:00.540 --> 00:28:01.440 and who He is 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:01.960 and His work 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.920 and what He's come to do, 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.040 but He wants us to know 00:28:04.040 --> 00:28:04.660 how to be 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.900 and how to make disciples 00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:07.300 in response to His person 00:28:07.300 --> 00:28:08.380 and His work. 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.920 And that's why He says in verse 24, 00:28:10.080 --> 00:28:11.560 whoever wants to be My disciple 00:28:11.560 --> 00:28:13.180 must deny themselves 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:14.320 and take up their cross 00:28:14.320 --> 00:28:15.680 and follow Me. 00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:18.360 He does not say, 00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:20.120 I will save you 00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:21.400 if you deny yourself. 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:23.920 I will love you 00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:25.259 if you deny yourself. 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:28.100 No, the idea here is 00:28:28.100 --> 00:28:29.920 because I've set my heart on you, 00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:32.560 because I've saved you by my grace, 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:34.960 because I've united you to me 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:36.840 by my blood shed on the cross, 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:39.280 because I've put the Holy Spirit in you 00:28:39.280 --> 00:28:42.040 and put my new life inside of you, 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:45.680 therefore, you should deny yourself. 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:48.440 Christianity is a religion 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:50.320 of self-renunciation. 00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:53.559 And that is the exact opposite 00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:57.039 of everything everyone around you 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.240 is telling you to do. 00:28:59.340 --> 00:29:00.320 Be yourself. 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:02.880 Right? 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.640 Hallelujah. 00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:08.019 You're the captain of your soul. 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.840 You're the master of your fate. 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.600 You do you. 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:13.819 And Jesus is saying, 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:15.299 no, no. 00:29:15.719 --> 00:29:16.579 Say farewell 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:18.819 to all those old and tired, 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.699 self-centered, 00:29:19.919 --> 00:29:21.000 self-interested, 00:29:21.459 --> 00:29:23.539 self-preserving ways of living. 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:26.159 Renounce power. 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:28.899 Renounce your desire 00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:30.980 to have honor and glory 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:33.240 and the approval of other people. 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.899 When Jesus says, 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.799 deny yourself, 00:29:35.899 --> 00:29:36.219 He's saying, 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.219 do what I did. 00:29:37.919 --> 00:29:39.279 I emptied myself, 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:40.740 I lowered myself, 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:42.180 and I said over and over again, 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.940 not my will, Father, 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:46.519 but your will be done, 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.440 because there's something 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:49.639 far greater than the self 00:29:49.639 --> 00:29:50.460 to live for. 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:52.940 The kingdom of God 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.279 is so great. 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:57.579 It's so worth denying yourself 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:59.200 even good things, 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.279 even legitimate things. 00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:02.039 The kingdom of God 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:03.960 is so worth trading in 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:05.139 all of your comfort 00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:06.639 and all of your security 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:09.480 for a cross of self-sacrifice. 00:30:11.280 --> 00:30:11.880 And friends, 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:12.800 the church exists 00:30:12.800 --> 00:30:14.460 to make disciples like that. 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.660 People who look like, 00:30:16.820 --> 00:30:17.460 smell like, 00:30:17.620 --> 00:30:18.120 think like, 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.820 talk like, 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.580 act like. 00:30:20.040 --> 00:30:20.560 Jesus, 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.080 who denied Himself 00:30:22.080 --> 00:30:23.900 and took up His cross. 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.759 And that's why He says, 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.700 come follow me. 00:30:26.540 --> 00:30:28.420 Come get behind me. 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:30.920 Come live under me. 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:33.680 He says in verse 25, 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:35.299 whoever wants to save their life 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.820 will lose it, 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:37.140 but whoever loses their life 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:38.860 for me will find it. 00:30:39.840 --> 00:30:41.820 If you turned in on yourself 00:30:41.820 --> 00:30:42.640 and you're looking out 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:44.500 only for your own interests, 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.519 your own advancement, 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.740 your own reputation, 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.080 your ease, 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.759 your comfort, 00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:49.680 your popularity, 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.480 your beauty, 00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:51.160 your prestige, 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.120 your success, 00:30:52.560 --> 00:30:53.180 your power, 00:30:53.320 --> 00:30:54.100 and your influence, 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.360 Jesus is telling you 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:55.960 right here, 00:30:56.080 --> 00:30:56.600 right now, 00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:57.900 you are going to lose 00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:59.740 real life 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:01.320 because it cannot be found 00:31:01.320 --> 00:31:02.820 in any of those things. 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:05.019 Real life 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:07.039 can only be found 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:07.860 in a loving, 00:31:08.320 --> 00:31:08.660 living, 00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:10.220 saving relationship 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.360 with me. 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.799 So get behind me 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:14.299 and follow me. 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.580 Verse 26, 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:17.900 what good will it be 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:18.640 for you to gain 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.420 the whole world 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:20.920 yet forfeit your soul? 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.600 Or what can you give 00:31:22.600 --> 00:31:23.980 in exchange for your soul? 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.340 There's no temporal 00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:27.779 or material gain 00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:28.519 that can make up 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.240 for the loss 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.480 of your soul. 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.480 Jesus says, 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.320 do the math. 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:34.740 Right? 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.580 If you seek 00:31:35.580 --> 00:31:36.900 temporal trinkets 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:38.220 and material comforts 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.340 and earthly rewards, 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:40.420 but you end up 00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:42.100 with eternal condemnation, 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.440 that's a bad deal. 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:46.039 That's just a bad deal. 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:47.340 People who seek first 00:31:47.340 --> 00:31:48.539 their own interests 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:50.019 will never find 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.820 their satisfaction 00:31:50.820 --> 00:31:52.220 even in this life, 00:31:52.320 --> 00:31:53.860 much less the life 00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:54.680 to come. 00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.580 And Jesus is saying, 00:31:56.060 --> 00:31:56.259 look, 00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.400 those who do not 00:31:57.400 --> 00:31:59.060 deny themselves temporally 00:31:59.060 --> 00:32:00.340 are in fact 00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:01.360 denying themselves 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:02.340 eternally. 00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:02.399 glory. 00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:05.579 And so he says 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.359 in verse 27, 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.119 the Son of Man 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:07.919 is going to come 00:32:07.919 --> 00:32:08.980 in His Father's glory 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:10.240 with His angels 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:11.399 and then He will reward 00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:12.379 everyone according 00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:14.599 to what they have done. 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.859 Following me, 00:32:19.439 --> 00:32:20.679 following my desires, 00:32:20.879 --> 00:32:22.039 following my concerns, 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:23.259 following my cares, 00:32:23.459 --> 00:32:25.019 following my agenda, 00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:26.059 being caught up 00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:26.879 in something that's 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:29.020 far bigger and better 00:32:29.020 --> 00:32:30.160 than yourself, 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:32.540 will be rewarded 00:32:32.540 --> 00:32:34.260 in my kingdom 00:32:34.260 --> 00:32:35.200 beyond what you 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:36.940 could possibly imagine 00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:38.440 now. 00:32:38.540 --> 00:32:39.280 And Jesus is saying, 00:32:39.380 --> 00:32:39.480 look, 00:32:39.560 --> 00:32:40.500 that's why my church, 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.880 my church exists, 00:32:42.520 --> 00:32:43.780 to make disciples 00:32:43.780 --> 00:32:46.420 who value Jesus' 00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:48.240 future reward 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.080 more than we value 00:32:49.080 --> 00:32:50.360 anything anyone 00:32:50.360 --> 00:32:51.520 can give us 00:32:51.520 --> 00:32:52.320 in this life. 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:52.379 life. 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:55.220 The church exists 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:56.720 for this very purpose, 00:32:57.659 --> 00:32:58.960 to make disciples 00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.119 who can say 00:33:00.119 --> 00:33:00.759 what many, 00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:01.519 many people 00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.200 have said, 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.359 that He is 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:04.720 no fool, 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:07.119 to give 00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:07.859 what He cannot 00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:08.480 keep 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:10.960 in order to gain 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:12.299 what He cannot 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:13.220 lose. 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:13.759 And if you 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:14.819 live that way, 00:33:14.939 --> 00:33:15.599 oh my goodness, 00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:16.159 the world 00:33:16.159 --> 00:33:17.039 will be set 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:17.980 on fire. 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:21.259 friends, 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:23.480 the church 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:24.200 belongs to 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:25.019 Jesus Christ. 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:25.620 It doesn't belong 00:33:25.620 --> 00:33:26.059 to me, 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.440 it doesn't belong 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:27.819 to you, 00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:28.400 it belongs 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:29.440 to Jesus Christ. 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:31.559 He planned it, 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:33.059 He announced 00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:33.660 His intention 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:34.339 to build it, 00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:36.099 He died 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:36.759 to purchase 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.860 it with His blood 00:33:37.860 --> 00:33:38.599 and the resurrected 00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:40.099 living Christ 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:41.339 is now building it, 00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:43.200 He's animating it, 00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:44.360 He's directing it, 00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:45.259 He's protecting it, 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:46.420 He's making disciples 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.620 within it 00:33:47.619 --> 00:33:48.139 and Jesus 00:33:48.139 --> 00:33:49.619 is going to come 00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:50.879 again as He says 00:33:50.879 --> 00:33:51.939 to receive it 00:33:51.939 --> 00:33:54.439 and to present it 00:33:54.439 --> 00:33:54.959 to Himself 00:33:54.959 --> 00:33:56.559 as a perfect church, 00:33:56.639 --> 00:33:57.779 a radiant church 00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:58.979 without spot, 00:33:59.119 --> 00:33:59.859 without wrinkle, 00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:01.139 without blemish, 00:34:01.479 --> 00:34:02.879 pure and whole 00:34:02.879 --> 00:34:04.139 and undefiled 00:34:04.139 --> 00:34:05.219 and I gotta say, 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.199 I don't wanna live 00:34:06.199 --> 00:34:07.279 for anything else 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:09.900 than Jesus' vision 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:11.559 for His church. 00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.839 So let's love 00:34:13.839 --> 00:34:14.960 what Jesus loves 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:16.739 and let's give 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:17.440 our lives 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.260 for what Jesus 00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:20.460 gave His life for, 00:34:21.260 --> 00:34:22.300 a Christ-centered, 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:24.019 cross-focused, 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:26.300 disciple-making church. 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:28.659 In the name of the Father, 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:29.659 Son, and Holy Spirit, 00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:30.800 Amen.