WEBVTT 00:00:00.760 --> 00:00:11.099 The story goes of a primary school teacher who was teaching a group of five year olds to understand the difference between the past, the present and the future. 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:23.760 ! So on a Monday morning she got the class together and she told them to write down on a piece of paper, today is Monday, yesterday was Sunday, tomorrow is Tuesday. 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:32.500 The class did that, no problem. But the problem started was when they did the same exercise on the following day, on the Tuesday. 00:00:34.260 --> 00:00:40.400 Class come together and write down on a piece of paper, today is Tuesday, yesterday was Monday. 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:45.180 A hand went up in the class, Miss, you told us that today is Monday. 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:50.660 No, no, Monday was yesterday, she said. Today is Tuesday. 00:00:50.659 --> 00:00:57.579 But you said yesterday was Sunday. No, no, today is Tuesday, tomorrow is Wednesday. 00:00:58.439 --> 00:01:00.659 But Miss, how can today be Tuesday? 00:01:01.799 --> 00:01:06.060 See, the children had not grasped, had they, the concept of time. 00:01:06.979 --> 00:01:11.519 And how eventually today is tomorrow, isn't it? 00:01:12.359 --> 00:01:17.939 And how today becomes, sorry, today becomes yesterday and tomorrow becomes today. 00:01:17.939 --> 00:01:18.019 Okay. 00:01:22.140 --> 00:01:28.280 Jesus, Jesus in this parable teaches us that we need to learn to be better at doing that. 00:01:29.219 --> 00:01:34.019 To learn how time works and to learn what today means. 00:01:35.479 --> 00:01:42.239 In God's timing, you see, our today will soon become yesterday and tomorrow will come. 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:47.619 And we're going to look at this parable in Luke 13 about a fig tree. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:52.099 We've been doing some parables on a Thursday at the lunchtime talks. 00:01:52.759 --> 00:01:56.539 And this parable comes in a larger section that Luke compiles. 00:01:57.259 --> 00:01:59.119 A collection of Jesus' teaching. 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:03.179 And it seems, I don't know if you felt, it seems a bit cobbled together, doesn't it? 00:02:03.539 --> 00:02:07.219 But actually there's a united theme here in this part of Luke. 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:11.759 The theme is whether you know what day it is today. 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:17.900 The conversation earlier from verse 54 about the signs of the weather. 00:02:18.099 --> 00:02:18.939 Verse 56. 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:22.719 Don't you know how to interpret the present time? 00:02:22.879 --> 00:02:24.520 Don't you know what day it is today? 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:29.400 Out of court settlements before the time when you meet the judge. 00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:33.400 Don't you know what you need to do today before you get to that point? 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:42.319 The mention in chapter 13 verse 1, Luke tells us that these people were there at the present time, today. 00:02:43.460 --> 00:02:46.439 In Luke's mind, today is what matters here. 00:02:47.319 --> 00:02:50.740 Don't you know what day it is today and what you must do with today? 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:56.860 The parable of the fig tree that gets one more year, doesn't it, to bear fruit, 00:02:56.960 --> 00:02:59.140 is all about the present time. 00:02:59.879 --> 00:03:01.319 Being borrowed time. 00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:04.939 It's all about knowing what kind of day today is. 00:03:05.579 --> 00:03:09.180 Of how to proportion your life and to prioritise things in your life. 00:03:10.379 --> 00:03:15.400 And I think we see Jesus teaching here two things about the present day. 00:03:16.459 --> 00:03:19.840 Our present day, the day that we're in, the present time, 00:03:20.019 --> 00:03:23.419 shouts to us of two things that we've got to hold in tension. 00:03:23.419 --> 00:03:28.539 Today shouts to us and says we're out of time. 00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:33.159 And today shouts to us and says that there's still time. 00:03:34.039 --> 00:03:36.219 We're out of time and there's still time. 00:03:37.079 --> 00:03:39.639 To prioritise and prepare for tomorrow. 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:43.099 And there's a tension between the two. 00:03:44.379 --> 00:03:45.759 I want to look at those two things. 00:03:46.279 --> 00:03:49.699 Today tells us we're out of time, first of all. 00:03:49.979 --> 00:03:51.500 Today tells us we're out of time. 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:55.459 Now Jesus speaks to a particular group of people here, doesn't he, 00:03:55.519 --> 00:03:58.619 who are in a particular generation at a particular time, 00:03:59.259 --> 00:04:01.639 who are in a crucial place in history. 00:04:01.639 --> 00:04:07.279 They are on the earth as Jesus exercises his earthly ministry. 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:12.659 And Luke emphasises that they are people who are with Jesus, 00:04:12.839 --> 00:04:17.039 verse 1 of chapter 13, at that very present time. 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:24.699 Luke tells us that because of the significance of the moment that they find themselves in. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:29.879 That there today is a day of extraordinary significance. 00:04:29.879 --> 00:04:34.659 Because they wake up one morning, don't they, on this day, 00:04:34.740 --> 00:04:39.219 and they don't realise it, but today is the day that Jesus is going to visit their town. 00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:43.360 And here he is, today of all days. 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:48.439 And that for them means that they are out of time. 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:53.279 Today marks a crisis for them. 00:04:54.620 --> 00:04:59.180 Look with me at the first half of the parable from verse 6. 00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:02.240 Jesus tells this parable. 00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:04.939 A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, 00:05:05.159 --> 00:05:08.060 and he came seeking fruit on it, 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:10.079 and it found none. 00:05:11.300 --> 00:05:13.740 And he gives the order, doesn't he, in verse 7, 00:05:13.899 --> 00:05:15.639 and they are really serious words, 00:05:16.219 --> 00:05:18.620 cut it down. 00:05:18.620 --> 00:05:20.340 Now. 00:05:22.180 --> 00:05:24.660 He's not a ruthless vineyard owner. 00:05:24.780 --> 00:05:26.000 He's a good vineyard owner. 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:27.579 He's waited three years, 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:30.399 but he's had no fruit from this fig tree. 00:05:30.780 --> 00:05:32.259 So now is the time. 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:33.920 Cut it down. 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:36.920 The day has come, hasn't it, 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:38.060 when the fig tree 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:40.000 is out of time. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:46.120 And that is a picture of the day that has come for Jesus' listeners here. 00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:48.399 That is today for them. 00:05:49.339 --> 00:05:51.639 And if they don't turn to God, 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:54.240 God has already said earlier, 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:55.000 yesterday, 00:05:55.860 --> 00:05:57.300 that he would come and do this, 00:05:57.360 --> 00:05:59.620 that he would come and clear out the vineyard, 00:05:59.740 --> 00:06:00.519 and break it down, 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:01.339 and remove it. 00:06:02.119 --> 00:06:04.759 And he's done that back in the beginning of Luke's Gospel. 00:06:05.239 --> 00:06:07.319 Just before the arrival of Jesus, 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:09.139 we get John the Baptist, don't we? 00:06:09.939 --> 00:06:11.139 Back in Luke 3, 00:06:11.679 --> 00:06:14.799 John the Baptist is the last of the Old Testament prophets, 00:06:15.799 --> 00:06:18.699 and he gets the people ready for their tomorrow. 00:06:20.039 --> 00:06:22.019 When God is going to come, 00:06:22.479 --> 00:06:23.719 and he is going to do this, 00:06:23.779 --> 00:06:24.579 he is going to come, 00:06:24.679 --> 00:06:27.099 and he is going to clear out his vineyard. 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:31.580 He uses the same picture of trees and fruit. 00:06:32.780 --> 00:06:34.580 In chapter 3, verse 8 and 9, 00:06:34.640 --> 00:06:35.260 he says to them, 00:06:35.460 --> 00:06:38.460 bear fruit in keeping with repentance, 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:40.320 of turning back to God now. 00:06:41.340 --> 00:06:41.980 Verse 9, 00:06:42.080 --> 00:06:44.600 even now the axe is laying to the fruit of the tree, 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:48.560 and every tree that doesn't bear good fruit 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:50.920 is cut down and thrown into the fire. 00:06:51.300 --> 00:06:52.700 And his message yesterday 00:06:52.700 --> 00:06:54.180 was people, 00:06:54.379 --> 00:06:56.439 tomorrow God is going to come. 00:06:57.100 --> 00:06:59.240 And he's going to cut you away 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:01.960 unless you turn back to him. 00:07:03.400 --> 00:07:05.180 And so now in Luke 13, 00:07:05.320 --> 00:07:06.820 tomorrow has come, hasn't it? 00:07:07.840 --> 00:07:09.100 And for these people, 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:10.240 God has arrived. 00:07:11.900 --> 00:07:13.480 Jesus has entered in, 00:07:14.520 --> 00:07:15.740 and time has run out. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:19.020 And the problem for these people 00:07:19.020 --> 00:07:20.879 is that they can't see that. 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:24.040 Today is crisis point. 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:27.360 And the vineyard owner has come to say, 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:28.520 cut it down. 00:07:30.020 --> 00:07:31.500 The axe was laid at the root, 00:07:31.640 --> 00:07:32.420 and now he's saying, 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:33.600 take a swing at it. 00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:37.140 And they didn't know that their case 00:07:37.140 --> 00:07:39.180 was very, very bad on this day. 00:07:39.860 --> 00:07:42.060 That judgment was imminent 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:43.259 upon these people, 00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:44.259 upon this generation. 00:07:45.720 --> 00:07:47.500 And in the context of this parable, 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:49.860 Jesus is trying to explain that to them, 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:52.379 of how significant today is for them. 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:54.259 And he's saying all the signs 00:07:54.259 --> 00:07:56.019 point to this crisis. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:07:59.399 Back to when he's talking about the weather. 00:08:00.519 --> 00:08:02.079 He says you can tell what's coming, 00:08:02.159 --> 00:08:02.500 can't you, 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:03.600 when you look at the weather. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.480 But you can't see 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:07.620 what's really significant about today. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:10.519 That there is a moral and spiritual 00:08:11.159 --> 00:08:12.860 storm brewing today. 00:08:12.860 --> 00:08:15.300 And you know, 00:08:15.480 --> 00:08:17.180 when you're going to court tomorrow 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:18.020 to meet the judge, 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:19.920 that today is really important 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:22.020 for settling with him 00:08:22.020 --> 00:08:23.360 before you get to court. 00:08:24.520 --> 00:08:26.020 But what had happened was 00:08:26.020 --> 00:08:28.340 that time had sneaked up on them, 00:08:28.400 --> 00:08:28.879 hadn't it? 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:32.240 And tomorrow had suddenly become today. 00:08:33.300 --> 00:08:34.539 And God had arrived. 00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:39.300 Time does that, doesn't it? 00:08:39.299 --> 00:08:41.639 Tomorrow has a funny way 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:42.799 of sneaking up on us. 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:44.419 You know, 00:08:44.459 --> 00:08:45.659 when you listen to the radio, 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:47.620 and if you're sad like me, 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:48.859 you listen to radio too. 00:08:49.079 --> 00:08:50.679 And you hear a song, 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:51.000 isn't it? 00:08:51.059 --> 00:08:53.219 And you remember it really well. 00:08:53.319 --> 00:08:54.339 And the DJ says that 00:08:54.339 --> 00:08:55.399 that was Michael Jackson 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:56.319 from 1983. 00:08:56.779 --> 00:08:57.399 And you're thinking, 00:08:57.899 --> 00:08:58.799 no way. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:01.659 That only seems like yesterday, 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:02.579 Billie Jean. 00:09:03.459 --> 00:09:05.179 Where has the time gone? 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:08.719 Older people say to the young, 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:09.180 don't they? 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:10.420 Enjoy your youth 00:09:10.420 --> 00:09:11.279 because it's going to go 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:12.340 in the blink of an eye. 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:14.500 Enjoy your kids 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:15.460 while they're young 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:17.200 because they grow up so fast. 00:09:18.160 --> 00:09:18.759 And I've got to tell you, 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:19.759 it doesn't feel fast 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:20.639 at the time, does it? 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:23.000 It feels laboriously slow. 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:24.940 But then, bang! 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:27.240 And you look back 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:28.340 and time flies. 00:09:29.560 --> 00:09:31.000 Time sneaks up on you. 00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:34.519 Life sneaks up on you. 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:37.639 Death sneaks up on you. 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:40.660 And the day of Jesus 00:09:40.660 --> 00:09:42.340 has arrived for this generation 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:42.980 in Luke 00:09:42.980 --> 00:09:44.120 and time has run out. 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:46.680 And their intentions 00:09:46.680 --> 00:09:48.259 with John the Baptist 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:49.379 and their plans 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:50.320 and their resolutions 00:09:50.320 --> 00:09:50.879 and their, 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:52.360 I'll do it tomorrow's 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:54.160 to sort out their lives 00:09:54.160 --> 00:09:55.200 with God 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:56.200 and to get right with him 00:09:56.200 --> 00:09:57.500 have expired now. 00:09:58.759 --> 00:10:00.160 And I'll do it tomorrow 00:10:00.160 --> 00:10:01.060 won't work 00:10:01.060 --> 00:10:02.620 because Jesus is here now 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:04.399 and tomorrow has come. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:05.799 And today, 00:10:05.919 --> 00:10:06.759 God has arrived. 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:10.279 There's this funny little section 00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:11.279 in the middle, isn't there, 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:12.279 of our passage today 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:14.000 in chapter 13, 00:10:14.079 --> 00:10:15.120 verse 1 to 5. 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:16.340 And it just seemed 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:17.220 out of place 00:10:17.220 --> 00:10:18.939 on these people 00:10:18.939 --> 00:10:19.720 coming to Jesus 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:20.899 and asking Jesus 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:22.100 about Pilate 00:10:22.100 --> 00:10:24.179 killing these Galileans 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:24.980 whose blood 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:26.399 he's mixed with sacrifices. 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:27.480 It's really bizarre. 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:28.960 and the tower 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:30.460 falling on people's heads. 00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:32.519 And the reason 00:10:32.519 --> 00:10:33.960 why Luke puts that here 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:34.680 is just because 00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:35.560 Jesus is saying 00:10:35.560 --> 00:10:36.800 to people around him, 00:10:37.180 --> 00:10:38.960 these are disastrous things 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:39.680 that are going on 00:10:39.680 --> 00:10:40.680 in the world today 00:10:40.680 --> 00:10:43.159 and they are telling you 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:45.080 that there is no time left. 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:48.740 Atrocities of unjust governments, 00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:50.360 natural disasters, 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:52.159 accidents, 00:10:52.560 --> 00:10:54.139 towers falling on people's heads, 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:55.519 people on killing them, 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:57.480 tell you that today 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:58.759 is closing time 00:10:58.759 --> 00:10:59.620 for the world. 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:01.460 That this world 00:11:01.460 --> 00:11:02.980 is at a crisis point. 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:04.899 And morality 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:05.919 and history 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:06.840 testify that 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:08.500 time is winding up. 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:11.139 So Sunday, 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.519 13th of October, 00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:13.600 2019, 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:14.960 things going on 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:15.819 in the world today. 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:16.779 We look around us, 00:11:16.819 --> 00:11:17.259 don't we? 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:18.319 There is something 00:11:18.319 --> 00:11:19.299 terribly wrong 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:20.240 in the world today 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:21.860 and it's not Brexit. 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:23.819 It really isn't. 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:25.379 Get that out of your heads. 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.759 It's not climate change. 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:29.159 It really isn't that. 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:31.460 Things in the world 00:11:31.460 --> 00:11:32.360 tell us 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:33.299 that there is something 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:34.120 awfully wrong 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:34.600 with the world 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:35.539 and it's a crisis. 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:37.899 That the vineyard 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:38.759 that God has made 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:40.240 is not a good place 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:42.579 that God wanted it to be 00:11:42.579 --> 00:11:44.100 and that he had designed it to be 00:11:44.100 --> 00:11:45.259 and it's got to be cleared. 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:48.319 And the signs of the times 00:11:48.319 --> 00:11:50.139 tell us that time has run out. 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:53.679 Louis Armstrong says, 00:11:53.779 --> 00:11:54.679 we've all the time 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:55.379 in the world 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:57.839 and that is exactly 00:11:57.839 --> 00:11:59.099 why we should be worried. 00:12:00.599 --> 00:12:01.639 Because when we look 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:02.899 properly at the world, 00:12:03.319 --> 00:12:04.099 time has run out, 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:04.579 hasn't it? 00:12:06.179 --> 00:12:07.439 And they were called 00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:08.099 to repent 00:12:08.099 --> 00:12:09.419 and turn back to God 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:10.459 but that was yesterday. 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:14.179 You might think this morning, 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:15.779 why are you telling me this? 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:18.860 I suppose you could say, 00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:19.079 isn't it, 00:12:19.079 --> 00:12:20.240 that this is hardly fair 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:21.620 because I've got no beef 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.259 with God. 00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:23.659 We're okay. 00:12:24.699 --> 00:12:25.620 I'm not an atheist. 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:28.000 I'm not a mass murderer. 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:30.580 I'm not a thorny person 00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:31.879 and if God were to come 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:32.740 and visit me today, 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:34.060 that would be fine. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:35.840 That is fine. 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:37.560 I'm not prickly towards God. 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:39.700 But I want to ask you, 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:41.159 do you need to be actively 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:42.480 hostile to God 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:44.019 to rebel against him? 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:47.840 To disdain the gardener? 00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:49.399 Do you need to be 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:50.780 actively against him, 00:12:50.920 --> 00:12:52.300 consciously against him 00:12:52.300 --> 00:12:53.899 to warrant him 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:55.500 cutting you off altogether? 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:59.300 Just imagine your boss 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:00.700 comes to you this week 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:01.399 and he asks you 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.120 to do something. 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:03.280 Can you get hold of 00:13:03.280 --> 00:13:04.040 such and such 00:13:04.040 --> 00:13:06.060 or fill out that form 00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:07.160 online or whatever? 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:09.720 Or your mum and dad, 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:10.340 kids, 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:11.240 comes into the room 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:12.280 and you're watching TV 00:13:12.280 --> 00:13:13.240 and they come into the room 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:13.700 and they say, 00:13:13.780 --> 00:13:15.120 can you get ready for dinner? 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:17.259 Or can you do your homework, 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:17.780 please? 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:20.420 And all you do 00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:22.180 is just ignore them, 00:13:22.300 --> 00:13:22.700 isn't it? 00:13:24.040 --> 00:13:25.620 You just carry on 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:26.759 on your computer screen 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:27.280 at work 00:13:27.280 --> 00:13:28.500 and you just blank out 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.100 your boss. 00:13:29.800 --> 00:13:30.840 And you just keep 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:31.860 staring at the TV 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:33.100 and you just ignore 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:33.759 your mum and dad 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.620 stood in the room. 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.139 What is that? 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:38.139 It is passive rebellion, 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:38.740 isn't it? 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:41.540 It's passive aggression. 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.379 You don't have to 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.440 shout at your boss 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:46.100 and you don't have to 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:47.460 throw toys at your mum 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:47.900 and dad 00:13:47.900 --> 00:13:49.560 to rebel at them. 00:13:50.920 --> 00:13:51.700 You can do it 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:52.400 really quietly. 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:54.120 You can do it 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:54.639 passively. 00:13:54.800 --> 00:13:55.700 You can even do it 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:56.540 really politely. 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.040 But it would 00:13:59.040 --> 00:13:59.700 anger us, 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.040 wouldn't it? 00:14:00.040 --> 00:14:01.240 If our employee, 00:14:01.420 --> 00:14:02.400 if we were the boss, 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.860 just ignored us 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.580 or our child 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:06.600 just ignored us 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.540 when we gave them 00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:08.100 instructions, 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:10.879 if we had 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:12.280 authority over them 00:14:12.280 --> 00:14:13.160 to just be ignored, 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:13.839 sorry my mum, 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.699 I'm watching TV, 00:14:15.339 --> 00:14:16.559 we would feel angry. 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:19.100 And God has every 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:19.959 right to feel angry 00:14:19.959 --> 00:14:20.360 with that, 00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:20.719 hasn't he, 00:14:20.719 --> 00:14:21.379 when we treat him 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.120 in the same way. 00:14:22.319 --> 00:14:23.079 You don't have to 00:14:23.079 --> 00:14:23.860 join a militant 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:24.860 atheist group 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:26.839 or persecute 00:14:26.839 --> 00:14:28.139 the Christian church. 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:29.519 Actually, 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.439 I reckon the vast 00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:31.539 majority of people 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:33.179 rebel against God 00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:34.620 quietly, 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:37.179 as nice people, 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:39.419 as good people. 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:41.699 And all you've 00:14:41.699 --> 00:14:42.159 got to do 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:42.839 to deserve 00:14:42.839 --> 00:14:44.019 God's rightful 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:45.299 response of anger 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:47.399 is to just 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:48.179 stay there, 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:48.559 isn't it? 00:14:48.599 --> 00:14:49.459 And to just do 00:14:49.459 --> 00:14:50.299 what you're doing 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:51.159 and don't change 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:51.679 a thing. 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.539 Just stare at 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:54.179 the telly 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:56.000 to rebel 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:57.219 and disdain 00:14:57.219 --> 00:14:57.839 God, 00:14:57.979 --> 00:14:58.979 the great gardener, 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:00.000 and to ignore him. 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:02.879 And so we, 00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:03.360 like them, 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:03.819 we can have 00:15:03.819 --> 00:15:04.759 little sense 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:06.719 of the impending 00:15:06.719 --> 00:15:08.240 crisis of today. 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:11.360 It's so obvious 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.259 that the case 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:12.879 is stacked 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:14.179 against this world. 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:18.299 The Westminster 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:19.019 Directory 00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:19.939 tells me that 00:15:19.939 --> 00:15:20.819 my job this 00:15:20.819 --> 00:15:21.539 morning is to 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.679 admonish you 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:24.259 in times of 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:24.719 health, 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:26.519 in order to 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.219 prepare you 00:15:27.219 --> 00:15:27.939 in times of 00:15:27.939 --> 00:15:28.360 sickness 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.439 and in death. 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:31.279 It's quite morbid, 00:15:31.339 --> 00:15:31.699 isn't it? 00:15:32.959 --> 00:15:33.939 It would be 00:15:33.939 --> 00:15:34.779 much easier 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:35.299 this morning 00:15:35.299 --> 00:15:36.079 to spend our 00:15:36.079 --> 00:15:36.579 time just 00:15:36.579 --> 00:15:37.059 numbing 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:37.779 ourselves, 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:39.600 just numbing 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.279 ourselves to 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:40.980 the truth 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:42.779 that time 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:43.279 has run 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:43.699 out. 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:45.620 And that 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.679 today is a 00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:47.120 day when 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:48.199 Jesus comes 00:15:48.199 --> 00:15:48.860 to you 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.259 in his 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:49.659 gospel 00:15:49.659 --> 00:15:51.439 and the 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:51.980 world 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:52.500 crumbles 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.019 and our 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:53.860 lives crumble 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:54.439 under the 00:15:54.439 --> 00:15:55.079 weight of 00:15:55.079 --> 00:15:55.699 tomorrow 00:15:55.699 --> 00:15:57.279 and of 00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:57.439 his 00:15:57.439 --> 00:15:57.799 judgment. 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:00.039 And what 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:00.399 God is 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:00.980 asking for 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.220 is that 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:02.120 we understand 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:03.199 that today. 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:06.000 the preacher 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:06.740 Matthew Henry 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:07.340 said that 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:08.379 many good 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.520 purposes, 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:10.940 resolutions 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:12.120 and intentions 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:13.060 lie in the 00:16:13.060 --> 00:16:13.800 churchyard. 00:16:15.400 --> 00:16:16.360 Because life 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.080 sneaks up on 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:17.259 you, 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:17.759 doesn't it? 00:16:18.920 --> 00:16:19.660 And God 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:20.480 doesn't owe us 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.060 all the time 00:16:21.060 --> 00:16:21.680 in the world. 00:16:22.640 --> 00:16:23.160 He doesn't 00:16:23.160 --> 00:16:24.000 owe us our 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:24.980 70 or 80 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.879 years of life. 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:26.320 He doesn't 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:26.940 even owe us 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:27.379 tomorrow. 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.420 Before he 00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:29.920 should come 00:16:29.920 --> 00:16:30.780 and meet us 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:32.379 and respond 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.139 rightly to 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:34.220 quiet rebellion. 00:16:35.579 --> 00:16:36.019 So today 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:36.659 tells us we're 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:37.259 out of time 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:37.679 but there's 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.279 another thing 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:38.799 that we need 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:39.319 to hold in 00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:39.699 tension. 00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:41.559 Time is out 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.740 but today 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.399 tells us 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.120 there is still 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:44.639 time. 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.039 Today tells us 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.639 there is still 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:48.500 time but 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.259 not much. 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:50.980 Not much. 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:52.779 If you've 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.240 got the sense 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:53.600 of the New 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.159 Testament you 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:54.459 might have 00:16:54.459 --> 00:16:55.699 heard parables 00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.240 like this 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:56.839 before where 00:16:56.839 --> 00:16:57.299 Jesus is 00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:57.860 talking about 00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:58.399 fig trees 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.299 and vines. 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:00.799 He talks 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:01.120 about it 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:01.439 a lot 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:01.659 doesn't 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:01.899 he? 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:02.959 There's 00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:03.599 the occasions 00:17:03.599 --> 00:17:04.279 in Matthew 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.879 and Mark 00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:05.519 where Jesus 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.859 curses a fig 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:07.379 tree and 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:07.859 it withers 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:08.599 and dies. 00:17:09.899 --> 00:17:10.279 And John 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:10.659 the Baptist 00:17:10.659 --> 00:17:11.379 uses this 00:17:11.379 --> 00:17:11.619 sort of 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.240 language we've 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:12.539 seen. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:13.980 He talks 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:14.559 about the 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.259 signs of 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:15.619 the fig 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:17.200 tree later 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:17.659 on in Luke 00:17:17.659 --> 00:17:18.480 chapter 21. 00:17:19.639 --> 00:17:20.419 So this 00:17:20.419 --> 00:17:21.019 is a picture 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.319 isn't he 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.119 that he uses 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:22.639 a lot, 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.039 that the 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.740 gospel writers 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.279 use, 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.759 that is a 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:27.039 classic picture 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.839 from the 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.599 Old Testament 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:31.240 of the 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:31.939 vine and 00:17:31.939 --> 00:17:32.319 the fig 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:32.939 tree and 00:17:32.939 --> 00:17:33.459 it pictures 00:17:33.459 --> 00:17:34.319 the relationship 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:35.379 between God 00:17:35.379 --> 00:17:36.439 and his 00:17:36.439 --> 00:17:36.939 people. 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.639 Remember Isaiah 00:17:38.639 --> 00:17:39.899 says the 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:40.859 vineyard of 00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:41.419 the Lord of 00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:42.740 hosts is the 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.099 house of 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:43.559 Israel. 00:17:45.159 --> 00:17:45.919 And God 00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:46.679 in his 00:17:46.679 --> 00:17:47.500 tender loving 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.359 care means 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:49.159 his people to 00:17:49.159 --> 00:17:49.740 be something 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.259 like Kew 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:50.839 Gardens, 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.459 isn't it? 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.139 Fruitful and 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:55.859 beautiful and 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.519 delightful. 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:56.680 people. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.519 But as the 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.019 history of the 00:17:59.019 --> 00:17:59.599 Bible shows 00:17:59.599 --> 00:18:00.039 the people 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:00.859 harden and 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:01.519 rebel against 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:01.960 their loving 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.680 gardener and 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.200 they end up 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:03.839 more like my 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:05.859 backyard full of 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:06.420 thorns and 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:08.019 briars and 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:08.379 they get 00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:09.099 prickly with 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:09.460 God. 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.059 And so God 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:11.400 is going to 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.099 come and stop 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.579 that and he's 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.039 going to cut 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.539 down this 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:15.339 fig tree and 00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:15.980 that terrible 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:17.279 reality is in 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.139 the background of 00:18:18.139 --> 00:18:18.819 the New Testament 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.960 imagery on the 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.519 vineyard. 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:21.639 But this 00:18:21.639 --> 00:18:22.440 parable here 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.279 brings something 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.319 unique to that 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:24.740 picture. 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:26.819 to all the 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.440 other mentions 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:28.220 of vineyards 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:29.359 and fig trees. 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.880 This parable 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:33.000 speaks of 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.000 the ends, 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.460 doesn't it? 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.519 Of cutting the 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.380 fig tree down 00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:37.200 but there is 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.740 more. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.720 Just look at 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.319 verse 8 and 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:40.759 9. 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:42.880 And he 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.480 answered them, 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.579 Sir, let it 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.599 alone this year 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.799 also until I 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:47.640 dig round it 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.240 and put on 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:48.700 manure. 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.259 Then if it 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:50.700 should bear 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:51.660 fruit next year, 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.440 well and good. 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.940 But if not, 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.660 then you can 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:55.480 cut it down. 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.720 Today marks 00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.259 a crisis, 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.120 but Jesus 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:02.200 says in this 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:02.600 parable, 00:19:02.820 --> 00:19:03.779 for today, 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.200 that crisis 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:05.580 has been 00:19:05.580 --> 00:19:06.100 averted. 00:19:07.820 --> 00:19:08.279 John the 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.960 Baptist said, 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.420 didn't he, 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.539 judgment is 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:10.920 here. 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.259 Jesus says 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.680 now, 00:19:14.620 --> 00:19:15.160 there's still 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:15.620 time, 00:19:16.580 --> 00:19:17.360 but not 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:17.860 much. 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:19.939 In the 00:19:19.939 --> 00:19:20.379 story, 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.219 the fig tree 00:19:21.219 --> 00:19:22.099 is spared 00:19:22.099 --> 00:19:23.279 for another 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:23.740 year, 00:19:23.899 --> 00:19:24.319 isn't it? 00:19:25.419 --> 00:19:25.899 There are 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:26.500 all kinds of 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.119 opinions on 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:27.719 why three 00:19:27.719 --> 00:19:28.199 years, 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:28.699 why an 00:19:28.699 --> 00:19:29.379 extra year, 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.579 about Jesus' 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.500 ministry being 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.059 three years 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:32.279 long, 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:32.799 I don't know, 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.240 there could be 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:33.819 truth in that, 00:19:33.879 --> 00:19:34.399 but I think 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:35.159 just quite 00:19:35.159 --> 00:19:35.919 basically it 00:19:35.919 --> 00:19:36.259 shows, 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:36.659 doesn't it, 00:19:36.679 --> 00:19:37.179 that three 00:19:37.179 --> 00:19:37.779 years is 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.500 long enough 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.759 to see that 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.519 this fig tree 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.339 is in trouble, 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:41.899 that it 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:42.619 hasn't produced 00:19:42.619 --> 00:19:43.019 fruit, 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:43.559 and it needs 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.359 another season, 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.019 it needs 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.779 another year. 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:48.660 This is 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:50.339 last chance 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:50.819 saloon, 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:51.279 isn't it? 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.379 This is 00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:54.180 one more 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:55.619 go for 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.259 the fig tree. 00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.000 And so 00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.639 Jesus is 00:19:59.639 --> 00:19:59.980 saying, 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.940 today is a 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.319 crisis, 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:01.799 but there 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.259 is another 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.660 day, 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.420 there's still 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:03.960 time, 00:20:04.399 --> 00:20:05.180 but not 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:05.559 much. 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:07.539 And so 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.019 we learn 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.779 that Jesus' 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.700 ministry 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:11.379 operates on 00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:11.980 the edge 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.539 between 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.220 judgment 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:14.539 and mercy. 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.599 because the 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.279 crisis day 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:18.059 has come, 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.339 but it's 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:19.819 also been 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.599 pushed back, 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:21.980 it's been 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.359 delayed. 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.720 And perhaps 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.980 the vine 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.879 owner thinks, 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.220 doesn't he, 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.899 just perhaps 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.879 this destruction 00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:29.440 is not 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:30.000 necessary. 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.200 The story 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.859 has the same 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:33.500 bite to it, 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.180 God comes 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:34.720 and finds 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.319 no fruit. 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:36.879 He comes 00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:37.480 to a world 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:37.980 that is 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:38.399 rebelling 00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:38.960 against him 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.359 and he 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.139 should end 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:40.680 it right 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.019 now, 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.559 today. 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:42.339 And he's 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:43.019 not sentimental 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.899 about that. 00:20:43.900 --> 00:20:45.019 I was 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.500 chatting with 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.500 someone at 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:46.900 the Lunchtime 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:47.340 Thoughts on 00:20:47.340 --> 00:20:47.759 Thursday, 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.140 and he was 00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.460 saying that 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:49.880 he's just 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:50.360 ordered a 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:50.920 plum tree 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:51.300 in his 00:20:51.300 --> 00:20:51.759 garden. 00:20:53.100 --> 00:20:53.340 And I 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:53.480 said, 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:53.780 that is 00:20:53.780 --> 00:20:54.420 delightful, 00:20:54.560 --> 00:20:54.880 isn't it? 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:55.759 A plum tree 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.380 in London, 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:56.940 that is 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:57.720 just lovely. 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.400 And I 00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:58.780 was really 00:20:58.780 --> 00:20:59.340 bigging up 00:20:59.340 --> 00:20:59.860 this plum 00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:00.140 tree. 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:00.840 What a 00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:01.640 lovely thought, 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.160 this plum 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:02.300 tree. 00:21:02.600 --> 00:21:03.180 I chopped 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:03.920 it down, 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:04.820 he said. 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:06.580 I've had it 00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:07.360 for two years 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:07.840 and it hasn't 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:08.220 given me 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.720 anything. 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:09.860 Oh, 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:10.200 that's a 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.420 shame. 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:12.160 this is 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:12.420 one of 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:13.000 the loveliest 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.420 gentlemen 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:13.820 you'd ever 00:21:13.820 --> 00:21:14.160 meet, 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.480 and he's 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:14.779 got this 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.640 plum tree, 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.000 but he's 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.420 just chopped 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:16.800 it down. 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.180 He's not 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:17.759 sentimental 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.759 about these 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.400 fruit trees 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:19.740 that he's 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.060 got. 00:21:20.800 --> 00:21:21.240 And God 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:21.600 is not 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:22.080 sentimental 00:21:22.080 --> 00:21:22.860 about people 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:23.380 who do 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:23.980 wrong and 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.700 who rebel 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.920 and live in 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.279 his world 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:26.700 as if he 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.380 isn't there. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.640 But this 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:29.920 is the 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.900 unique thing 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:31.259 about the 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:31.820 parable. 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.360 He isn't 00:21:32.360 --> 00:21:32.800 sentimental, 00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:33.500 but he 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.600 is kind. 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:36.759 And in 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.660 his wrath, 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.380 he remembers 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:39.140 mercy. 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.460 And today 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:41.820 is the 00:21:41.820 --> 00:21:42.100 day, 00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:42.660 but there 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.019 is still 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.480 time, 00:21:43.800 --> 00:21:45.100 but not 00:21:45.100 --> 00:21:45.480 much. 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:47.340 There is 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:48.120 still time, 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.279 but it's 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.600 borrowed time, 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.180 isn't it, 00:21:51.620 --> 00:21:52.340 for the fig 00:21:52.340 --> 00:21:52.800 tree in the 00:21:52.800 --> 00:21:53.140 parable. 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:54.920 And some 00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:55.539 of Jesus' 00:21:55.840 --> 00:21:56.680 audience in 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.279 his day 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:57.820 there, 00:21:58.340 --> 00:21:59.240 literally may 00:21:59.240 --> 00:21:59.880 only have 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.920 one day 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:02.759 with Jesus' 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.800 presence there 00:22:03.800 --> 00:22:04.340 before he 00:22:04.340 --> 00:22:05.080 moves on. 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.740 He's travelling 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.860 in this part 00:22:06.860 --> 00:22:07.380 of Luke from 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.320 the north of 00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:09.080 Israel down 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:09.800 to Jerusalem, 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.539 and they've 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:11.940 got this 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.920 one chance, 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.560 haven't they? 00:22:14.800 --> 00:22:15.660 And Jesus 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.740 extends this 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.900 opportunity with 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:18.240 them, 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.740 and they don't 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.420 know when that 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:21.120 chance will be 00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:21.400 over, 00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:21.820 and they've 00:22:21.820 --> 00:22:22.500 got to grab 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.259 it now. 00:22:25.080 --> 00:22:25.720 And good 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.960 intentions and 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:27.580 resolutions, 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:28.600 and I'll do it 00:22:28.600 --> 00:22:29.060 tomorrow, 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.800 are not what he 00:22:30.800 --> 00:22:31.660 seeks from them, 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:33.800 and not what he 00:22:33.800 --> 00:22:34.539 seeks from you 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.039 now, 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:37.600 because they and 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:38.240 we are on 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.259 borrowed time. 00:22:40.459 --> 00:22:41.119 And he seeks 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:42.039 repentance, 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.879 fruit of 00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:44.259 repentance, 00:22:44.439 --> 00:22:45.139 of saying to 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:45.359 God, 00:22:45.439 --> 00:22:46.179 I have not 00:22:46.179 --> 00:22:47.299 lived life in 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.000 this world as 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.419 I should have 00:22:48.419 --> 00:22:48.699 done, 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.359 and I've 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:51.299 quietly rebelled 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.059 against you, 00:22:52.179 --> 00:22:52.719 and I'm going 00:22:52.719 --> 00:22:53.500 to turn around 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:53.919 from that, 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.339 and I'm going 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:54.839 to live for 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:55.159 you. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:57.879 And the 00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:58.319 Lord Jesus, 00:22:58.459 --> 00:22:59.339 he wants to 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.119 help you with 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:00.480 that. 00:23:01.719 --> 00:23:02.459 It's not, 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:03.259 is it just a 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.399 cold deadline 00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:05.079 extension, 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:07.619 it's not 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:08.419 just extending 00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:08.980 the time, 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.639 but leaving 00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:10.220 you to get 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:10.779 on with it, 00:23:10.919 --> 00:23:11.259 and sort 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.019 yourself out. 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.079 Notice the 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.899 suggestion of 00:23:13.899 --> 00:23:14.339 the vine 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:14.899 dresser to 00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:15.939 rework the 00:23:15.939 --> 00:23:16.419 ground. 00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:18.240 He says, 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.419 no, 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.079 give it another 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.419 year, 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:19.939 and I'll 00:23:19.939 --> 00:23:20.579 dig around 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:20.839 it, 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:21.139 and I'll 00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:21.819 put manure 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.259 on the 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:22.599 ground. 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:23.980 Now that 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.439 is bizarre, 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.079 because fig 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:25.559 trees were 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.259 not known to 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.679 be high 00:23:26.679 --> 00:23:27.139 maintenance 00:23:27.139 --> 00:23:27.679 trees. 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.000 You didn't 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.639 need to do 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.159 much for 00:23:30.159 --> 00:23:30.299 them, 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:30.639 you just 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.139 plant them 00:23:31.139 --> 00:23:31.639 and let 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:31.960 them do 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.579 their thing. 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.199 And so the 00:23:34.199 --> 00:23:34.879 vine dresser 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:35.660 is suggesting, 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:36.140 isn't he, 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:36.980 an unusual 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.860 amount of 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.760 help and 00:23:38.760 --> 00:23:39.340 care for 00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:39.720 this fig 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:39.980 tree. 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.460 He's going 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:41.840 to pull 00:23:41.840 --> 00:23:42.360 out all 00:23:42.360 --> 00:23:43.120 the stops 00:23:43.120 --> 00:23:43.940 to get 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.060 this fruitful 00:23:45.060 --> 00:23:46.780 tree fruitful 00:23:46.780 --> 00:23:47.200 again. 00:23:47.760 --> 00:23:48.100 And he's 00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:48.280 going to 00:23:48.280 --> 00:23:48.860 spend time 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.140 with them 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.680 to nurture 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.220 them and 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.800 to try 00:23:51.800 --> 00:23:52.380 and give 00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:53.060 them faith. 00:23:54.340 --> 00:23:54.900 And that 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.200 is what 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:55.840 Jesus does 00:23:55.840 --> 00:23:56.320 in the next 00:23:56.320 --> 00:23:56.640 chapters. 00:23:56.800 --> 00:23:57.360 He heals 00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:58.280 in synagogues 00:23:58.280 --> 00:23:58.720 and he goes 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.380 through towns 00:23:59.380 --> 00:23:59.900 and villages 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.640 in Israel. 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:01.800 And he 00:24:01.800 --> 00:24:02.580 teaches and 00:24:02.580 --> 00:24:03.280 he journeys 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.619 and he 00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.240 heals and 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:05.899 he preaches 00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:06.279 and he 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.139 warns. 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.180 Today is a 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:10.559 day when 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.240 time is up 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.599 but there 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.039 is still 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:12.899 time to 00:24:12.899 --> 00:24:13.460 be changed 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.000 by him 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.339 and to 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:14.759 come to 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.059 him. 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.000 And he 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.500 wants to 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.019 help you 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.579 with that 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.359 today. 00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:21.139 You don't 00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:21.599 have to do 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:21.899 that on 00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:22.519 your own. 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.460 If you'll 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.000 come to 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.500 him and 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.279 you'll admit 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:27.799 how you've 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.139 lived your 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:28.460 life, 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.000 he will 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.559 come to 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:29.879 you and 00:24:29.879 --> 00:24:30.160 he will 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.599 give you 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.000 what you 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.700 need to 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:32.880 be 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:33.279 fruitful. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:33.740 He'll 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.440 provide the 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.059 manure that 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.559 you need, 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.299 the nutrition. 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.960 There's still 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.840 time but 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:41.480 not much. 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.460 And for 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:45.880 now the 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.580 mistake is 00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:47.600 thinking that 00:24:47.600 --> 00:24:48.539 since tomorrow 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.740 hasn't come 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:51.440 that somehow 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:51.900 we are 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.460 special, 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.160 that we're 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:54.759 different, 00:24:56.100 --> 00:24:56.819 that we're 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.319 not going to 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.019 meet God 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.759 like these 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.220 people have 00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.880 met God, 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:02.000 that we're 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.560 not like the 00:25:02.560 --> 00:25:03.100 bad people 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:03.380 in the 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:03.680 world. 00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.220 And that 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:04.540 is what 00:25:04.540 --> 00:25:05.120 they think, 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:05.600 isn't it? 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.200 And this 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.860 whole question 00:25:07.860 --> 00:25:08.540 of what 00:25:08.540 --> 00:25:09.160 happened to 00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:09.740 those people 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.100 that the 00:25:10.100 --> 00:25:10.700 tower fell 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.440 on and 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:11.760 who were 00:25:11.760 --> 00:25:12.980 killed by 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.600 Pilate, 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.400 the question 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:15.940 they ask, 00:25:16.020 --> 00:25:16.260 isn't it, 00:25:16.300 --> 00:25:17.140 was it 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:17.780 their fault? 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.320 But Jesus 00:25:18.320 --> 00:25:18.960 turns that 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.400 around. 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.020 Because the 00:25:21.020 --> 00:25:21.540 question they 00:25:21.540 --> 00:25:21.880 should be 00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:22.360 asking is 00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:23.660 why haven't 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.640 we perished 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.840 for Jesus? 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:28.019 And if 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.480 you live 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.339 life ignoring 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:29.779 God, 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.500 the answer 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.679 is that 00:25:31.679 --> 00:25:32.419 every day 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:33.099 that passes 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.679 away in 00:25:33.679 --> 00:25:34.359 your life 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:34.919 isn't the 00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:35.379 sign that 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:35.779 you're better 00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:36.279 than anyone 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:36.839 else, 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.059 or you 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.899 deserve more 00:25:38.899 --> 00:25:39.459 time than 00:25:39.459 --> 00:25:40.279 anyone else, 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.439 but that in 00:25:41.439 --> 00:25:42.379 God's mercy 00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:43.220 each day 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.819 is another 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:45.059 crisis averted. 00:25:46.919 --> 00:25:47.659 And don't 00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:48.480 mistake the 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.459 postponing of 00:25:49.459 --> 00:25:50.279 God's response 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.359 to our wrongdoing 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:52.359 as a cancellation 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:54.500 of that response. 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:56.279 It is delayed, 00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:56.759 isn't it, 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.900 it is set back, 00:25:58.619 --> 00:25:59.779 not discontinued, 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:00.559 not cancelled. 00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:03.279 It's what Peter 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:03.759 says, 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.519 that the Lord 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.500 is not slow 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.259 to fulfil his 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:06.579 promise, 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.039 as some 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.940 count slowness, 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.220 but is patient 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.039 towards you, 00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.559 not wishing 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:11.980 that any 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.700 should perish, 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:13.960 but should 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.759 reach repentance. 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.299 See, 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.259 when today 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:19.440 becomes yesterday 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.559 and tomorrow 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.640 does come, 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:23.980 it shows that 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.579 there is still 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:24.940 time, 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.220 but there 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:25.920 isn't much. 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.680 And not 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.059 because it 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:29.380 will never 00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:29.740 happen, 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.519 but because 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:30.900 God is 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.460 patient. 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.259 Where Jesus 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.960 seeks to 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.900 rework you 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.720 and replant 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.140 you and 00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:37.640 make you 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:38.460 fruitful and 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.099 pleasing to 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:39.660 God when 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.000 he does 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.319 come. 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.680 So this is 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.539 about preparing, 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:43.960 isn't it, 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.940 now while you 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:45.339 can, 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.700 of being 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.440 admonished 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.019 now, 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.460 and it's not 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:49.819 pleasant, 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:50.120 is it, 00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:50.779 it's not a 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.380 nice thing 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:52.380 to think about, 00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:53.900 to get 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.540 ready now 00:26:54.540 --> 00:26:55.700 in times 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.160 of health 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.520 or when 00:26:56.520 --> 00:26:56.820 there is 00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:57.040 still 00:26:57.040 --> 00:26:57.520 breath in 00:26:57.520 --> 00:26:57.840 you. 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.540 I was 00:27:00.540 --> 00:27:00.880 reading a 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:01.860 book by 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.260 this author 00:27:02.260 --> 00:27:02.520 called 00:27:02.520 --> 00:27:03.260 Jen Wilkin, 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.020 many of you 00:27:04.020 --> 00:27:04.620 know her, 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.380 she's a good 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:05.720 writer, 00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:07.160 and she 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:08.460 shares about 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.120 her struggles 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:09.960 that she had 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.420 with skin 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:10.880 cancer. 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:12.240 She was 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.020 unexpectedly 00:27:13.020 --> 00:27:14.160 diagnosed in 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:15.000 her 30s, 00:27:15.820 --> 00:27:16.220 and she 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:16.620 went through 00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:17.060 treatment, 00:27:17.820 --> 00:27:18.420 and thankfully 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:18.940 that went 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.280 well, 00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:19.980 and she's 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.460 in remission, 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:20.840 but she 00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:21.400 talks about 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.180 the scars 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:22.559 of her 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.059 surgery. 00:27:24.620 --> 00:27:25.160 She says, 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:25.840 some people 00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:26.680 have tattoos 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.519 with a mantra 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:27.980 for their 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.000 lives engraved 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.380 on their 00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:29.920 bodies, 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:31.039 but I have 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.900 something better. 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.140 Perhaps you 00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.680 can relate, 00:27:33.840 --> 00:27:34.299 she says. 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.160 Unlike those 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:36.900 who ink their 00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:37.680 credos into 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:38.319 their flesh, 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.000 I won't get 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.519 a tattoo, 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:40.700 not because I 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.360 disapprove of 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:41.579 them, 00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:43.079 but because I'm 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:44.140 already sufficiently 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:44.740 marked. 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.340 I have a 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:47.200 satin slick 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.860 scar, 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.079 which if you 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:49.579 were to see 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.160 it traces 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.960 no apparent 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.460 pattern, 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.300 but to my 00:27:53.300 --> 00:27:53.660 eyes, 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.480 more legible 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.060 than any 00:27:55.060 --> 00:27:55.500 tattoo, 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.380 it forms 00:27:56.380 --> 00:27:57.180 the words 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:58.400 tomorrow 00:27:58.400 --> 00:28:00.180 if the 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:00.440 Lord 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.140 wills. 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.480 She says, 00:28:03.560 --> 00:28:03.920 we view 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.960 time differently 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.740 if we see 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.460 tomorrow as a 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.019 place where 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.680 we go, 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.000 only if the 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.779 Lord wills. 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:12.660 When and 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.680 if Monday 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.980 tomorrow 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.759 comes, 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.040 it is because 00:28:18.040 --> 00:28:18.480 the Lord 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:18.960 wills, 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.360 isn't it? 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:21.360 And if you 00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:22.300 are not a 00:28:22.300 --> 00:28:23.120 Christian believer 00:28:23.120 --> 00:28:23.940 this morning, 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:24.519 we're really 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.080 glad you're 00:28:25.080 --> 00:28:25.440 here. 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.000 Tomorrow, 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.220 you can start 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:29.980 by praying a 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.279 prayer, 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.000 can't you? 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.880 Lord God, 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.660 thank you for 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:34.960 another disaster 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:36.580 averted for 00:28:36.580 --> 00:28:37.220 another day. 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.000 Thank you for 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.680 grace and 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:41.600 mercy tomorrow 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:42.360 if the Lord 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:42.900 wills. 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.360 Because time 00:28:45.360 --> 00:28:45.880 really does 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.500 creep up on 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:46.680 you, 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.140 doesn't it? 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.140 God, 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:48.680 and you 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.520 can't ignore 00:28:49.520 --> 00:28:50.100 this God 00:28:50.100 --> 00:28:50.620 forever. 00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:52.860 And so 00:28:52.860 --> 00:28:53.560 today he is 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:54.100 not asking 00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:54.520 you to be 00:28:54.520 --> 00:28:54.840 a better 00:28:54.840 --> 00:28:55.420 person. 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:56.780 He's not 00:28:56.780 --> 00:28:57.259 asking you 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.800 to pull 00:28:57.800 --> 00:28:58.259 your socks 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.620 up and 00:28:58.620 --> 00:28:59.220 make a 00:28:59.220 --> 00:28:59.700 better effort 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.020 to be 00:29:00.020 --> 00:29:00.400 nicer. 00:29:01.340 --> 00:29:01.960 That's not 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.300 the kind 00:29:02.300 --> 00:29:02.680 of fruit 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.000 that he 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.520 wants. 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.580 John the 00:29:04.580 --> 00:29:05.160 Baptist has 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:05.900 already said, 00:29:06.100 --> 00:29:06.880 bear fruit 00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:07.480 in keeping 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.460 with repentance. 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:09.900 That's the 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.320 sort of fruit 00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:10.660 that he's 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.340 looking for. 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.620 Of saying to 00:29:12.620 --> 00:29:12.800 God, 00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:13.580 I have not 00:29:13.580 --> 00:29:14.380 lived my life 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:14.840 as I should 00:29:14.840 --> 00:29:15.240 have done in 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:15.839 your world. 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.539 And I'm 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:17.779 going to 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.519 turn around 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:18.940 and I'm 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.140 going to 00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:19.559 live for 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.059 you now. 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:21.940 And in 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.460 doing that, 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.299 let Jesus 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:24.059 be the 00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:24.740 Lord and 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.240 Saviour 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:25.680 that you 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.220 need. 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.779 And let 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.299 him help 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:28.660 you to 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.259 do that. 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:30.559 Let him 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.700 provide what 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.480 you need 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.259 to please 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.680 him. 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:35.940 Join with 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.299 me in 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.700 doing that 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.140 today. 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.680 Because when 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.099 you've got 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:39.620 all the 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:40.059 time in 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:40.440 the world 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:40.839 to do 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.220 that, 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.319 that's how 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:44.079 little time 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:44.640 you've got. 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.779 There is 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.259 time, 00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.859 but not 00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:49.240 much. 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.059 Let's 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:51.319 pray.