WEBVTT

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 Now, Sarah's going to come and read for us.

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 The text is in the Gospel of Matthew.

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 We're back in Matthew chapter 12, verse 15.

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 You'll find it on page 977.

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 If you're using a church Bible, thank you, Sarah.

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 So, this is just after the Pharisees are plotting how they might kill Jesus.

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 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place.

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 A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.

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 He warned them not to tell others about him.

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 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah.

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 Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love in whom I delight.

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 I will put my spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

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 He will not quarrel or cry out.

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 No one will hear his voice in the streets.

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 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.

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 Till he has brought justice to victory.

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 In his name, the nations will put their hope.

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 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute,

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 and Jesus healed him so that he could both talk and see.

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 The people were astonished and said,

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 Could this be the son of David?

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 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said,

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 It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.

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 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them,

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 Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined,

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 and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

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 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself.

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 How then can his kingdom stand?

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 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out?

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 So then, they will be your judges.

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 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons,

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 then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

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 Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions

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 unless he first ties up the strong man?

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 Then he can plunder his house.

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 Whoever is not with me is against me,

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 and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

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 And so I tell you,

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 Every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven,

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 but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

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 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,

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 but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven,

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 either in this age or in the age to come.

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 So we're back in Matthew 12, page 977,

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 looking at that chapter.

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 And we're really thinking about the danger of disregarding Jesus this evening.

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 But maybe we can begin picturing Matthew, the gospel writer.

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 So these events have taken place,

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 and about 30 years or so later,

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 Matthew sits down to pen his account of the life of Jesus.

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 So he has his pen in one hand,

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 he has his Old Testament scroll perhaps in the other.

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 He's looking back,

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 led by the Spirit on the events and the teaching of the life of Jesus.

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 But he's also very aware of different reactions to Jesus.

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 Matthew grew up at a time,

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 and Jesus grew up at a time when there was a very enthusiastic movement

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 among the Jews asking the question,

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 when will the Lord return as King as He promised?

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 What will it be like?

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 How will He come?

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 And what will change?

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 And of course, Matthew, because he knows Jesus,

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 he knows the answer.

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 He knows that God has come in His Son, the Lord Jesus.

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 He is the promised King.

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 And so we hear that, for example, in Matthew chapter 12, verse 28.

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 He remembers Jesus' words as he says,

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 if it's by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons,

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 then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

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 And as Matthew is aware that Jesus is the King,

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 and he's looking into his Bible,

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 he's asking himself,

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 what Bible passage sums up Jesus' life and ministry?

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 And the Spirit leads him to Isaiah chapter 42.

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 So we've got that lengthy quotation

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 from one of the servant songs of Isaiah.

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 And this is one thing that I want to remind us,

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 to encourage us this evening,

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 that what you and I need,

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 whether we're Christians or not Christians,

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 we need to see Jesus.

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 And how do we see Jesus?

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 We meet Him in His Word.

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 And Matthew understands that,

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 so he reads the Old Testament,

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 and he sees Jesus.

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 His friend, His Savior, His King.

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 And he understands that God has fulfilled His promise,

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 the servant, the Lord, has come.

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 So I don't know how everyone has come here this week.

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 Perhaps some of us have had a very tough week.

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 Perhaps some of us, we're struggling in our faith.

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 Perhaps we have questions about Christianity.

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 What we need is to ask,

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 Lord, show me Jesus.

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 The Jesus that Matthew knew,

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 and He reveals to us.

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 But again, as we think about Matthew writing his gospel,

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 and as he looks back 30 years in the past,

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 as he looks around his own society,

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 there's an other influence that he's clearly aware of

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 that's on his mind.

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 It's the influence of the Pharisees.

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 We thought about this a bit last week.

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 The religious leaders of the day,

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 who are also firmly opposed to Jesus,

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 therefore firmly opposed to God's kingdom of grace.

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 And the pressure from these authorities,

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 which began on Jesus,

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 is now impressing itself on the church.

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 They are under pressure.

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 And then there are the pressures from the Roman Empire.

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 And so as Matthew writes his gospel

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 to the first generation of Christians,

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 he's wanting them to see from his gospel

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 that their verdict,

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 their response to Jesus matters.

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 That what we're dealing with is life and death reality.

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 And so this little text in Matthew,

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 it reminds us what's at stake for us personally

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 as we consider Jesus.

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 It reminds us what's at stake for the people around us,

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 for the people that we love

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 when we think about Jesus and response to Him.

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 And it also reminds us of the significance of our mission,

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 the mission of the church,

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 that as God's people we are called to.

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 We proclaim Christ and His good news

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 and we call people to response.

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 And so our text really invites us to do two things.

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 It invites us to consider the character of Christ

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 and it invites us to consider the cost of rejecting Christ.

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 And what I hope we can see is that because Jesus is God's beloved Son,

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 because He is the servant King,

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 to disregard Him in our lives is disaster.

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 But let's begin focusing our attention on the character of Christ,

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 especially here in verses 15 to 21.

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 But just to recognize the context Sarah reminded us,

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 it starts with verse 14,

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 the Pharisees are plotting to kill Jesus.

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 And then as we get to verse 15,

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 we see Jesus is doing ministry,

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 but then He's warning people not to tell others about Him.

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 So we know that this is also a time

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 when people have false expectations

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 and misunderstandings about Jesus.

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 So you've got Pharisees who are plotting

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 and you've got people with false expectation.

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 And in the middle of that, we've got Jesus

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 and He's loving people and He's healing people

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 and He's showing us what the kingdom of God is like,

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 but He's also saying,

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 be quiet.

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 Because people need to understand who Jesus really is.

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 And at that point, for so many,

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 they had a false view of some kind of

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 political revolutionary Messiah.

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 And maybe when we think about that,

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 it reminds us of the importance of

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 which voice we listen to

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 when it comes to truths about Jesus.

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 That we don't listen to the world's opinions.

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 We don't even settle for the faith of our parents.

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 We don't even stop at certain truths about Jesus.

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 We need to get to know Jesus personally.

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 It's one of the reasons we come to church.

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 That we would have a personal encounter

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 with the Lord Jesus in His Word.

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 It's one of the great privileges that we have

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 whenever we open God's Word in our home,

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 individually or as families.

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 We get to encounter Jesus to hear Him speak.

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 And I think it's really important to remember that

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 and to ask ourselves,

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 are we enjoying time with Jesus day by day?

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 And to help us, Matthew highlights four things

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 that we can know about Jesus,

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 Matthew's friend and Matthew's king and Matthew's savior.

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 And here's the first thing for us to remember

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 as we think about the character of Christ.

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 First, that Jesus is God's beloved son.

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 Look at verse 18.

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 And this is from the beginning of Isaiah 42.

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 Here is my servant whom I have chosen,

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 the one I love in whom I delight.

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 That's God's verdict on Jesus.

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 And you know, Matthew has heard personally

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 God's verdict on Jesus.

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 Because remember, Matthew was there

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 when Jesus was baptized.

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 And when Jesus came out of the water

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 and the spirit came down

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 and the voice from heaven,

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 this is my son and I love him.

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 And Matthew was also a friend of James and Peter and John.

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 And so after Jesus has risen from the dead,

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 they get told about the transfiguration,

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 that point up the mountain

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 where Jesus shone with the glory of God.

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 And as Jesus is shining with the glory of God,

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 there's the voice from heaven.

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 There's the father.

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 This is my son.

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 I love him.

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 Listen to him.

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 And then Matthew, as he thinks about that,

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 he turns to Isaiah 42.

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 And it captures the reality that he's come to know

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 that God the Father has joy in God the Son.

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 That as God the Father looks upon Jesus' life on this earth,

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 he is well pleased.

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 He is well pleased with Jesus' perfect obedience

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 at all stages in his life.

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 When he is 12 years old and he says to his anxious parents,

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 I must be in my father's house.

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 And we know that Jesus lived his life

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 being about his father's business.

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 We know that the obedience of Jesus

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 led him always to resist temptation,

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 intense temptation that would only grow more intense

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 because he never caved in.

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 The father has joy in Jesus

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 because of his perfect love.

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 We've been thinking about the perfect love of Jesus

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 when we heard him in the last chapter,

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 chapter 11, verse 28,

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 inviting people to find the rest of God,

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 to find God's rest in knowing Jesus as Savior.

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 We see Jesus displaying the perfect love of God the Father

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 when he brings healing as he does here.

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 When he shows compassion on the crowds,

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 go back to chapter 9, verse 36,

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 it's Jesus' compassion on helpless people

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 who are looking for God,

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 but they don't know that Jesus is God's King

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 that leads him to send the disciples on mission.

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 And the father is pleased with the love

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 and the compassion of his son, Jesus.

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 And so he tells his story.

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 At the same time that there are some,

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 the Pharisees, who want to destroy Jesus,

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 and there's many that are captured

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 as willing to dismiss Jesus

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 as an irrelevance,

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 he tells us God the Father,

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 he delights in Jesus,

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 his beloved son.

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 And I think the encouragement for us as Christians

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 is the invitation that we have

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 to get into the gospels

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 to get to know Jesus better,

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 that we would share the father's delight

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 in Jesus, the son,

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 that we would learn to call precious

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 what God calls precious.

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 He delights in Jesus

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 and we're invited to do the same.

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 So Jesus is God's beloved son.

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 We also are told here

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 that Jesus is God's suffering servant.

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 It's there in verse 18.

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 Here is my servant whom I have chosen,

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 the one I love in whom I delight.

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 And the servant songs in the book of Isaiah

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 become a great hope

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 that one day a Messiah will come,

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 that redemption and rescue

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 and deliverance and peace will come.

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 And so the question that's being asked

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 in the first century in Jerusalem and beyond

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 is what will it look like

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 when God comes and acts as he's promised?

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 What will this rescue be like?

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 What will it look like

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 when God's king comes to establish his kingdom,

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 to bless the nations as he's promised?

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 Well, what answer does Matthew offer?

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 What answer do the gospels offer

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 as they present us Jesus?

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 It looks like a humble servant

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 who is ready and willing to heal the despised,

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 to care for those society has cast aside,

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 to welcome the excluded,

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 and to demonstrate mercy.

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 And if we know our Bibles

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 and we know our gospels,

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 our minds will perhaps go to some of those stories

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 where Jesus extends the mercy and grace of God.

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 Perhaps we think of his encounter

00:14:48.160 --> 00:14:49.740
 with the woman at the well,

00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:51.659
 that notorious sinner,

00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:54.180
 and he shares deep theology,

00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:57.659
 but ultimately he identifies himself

00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:58.960
 as the promised one,

00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.680
 the source of living water.

00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:03.120
 Or perhaps we think about

00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:05.100
 how Jesus showed mercy to people

00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:07.080
 from the wrong places.

00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:10.120
 Earlier in this gospel,

00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:12.700
 a centurion's faith is honored.

00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:15.840
 I've not met faith like this anywhere in Israel.

00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:18.000
 There'll be people who'll come from

00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:20.139
 north and south and east and west

00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:21.080
 and they'll be part of the kingdom.

00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:24.779
 Well, those who had the Old Testament,

00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:27.120
 those who should have seen the Messiah,

00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:28.360
 they're going to miss out.

00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:31.139
 Jesus showed mercy to people

00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:32.899
 with the wrong look,

00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.220
 people with leprosy,

00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.659
 people with withered hands.

00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:41.620
 When the king comes,

00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.779
 when the servant comes,

00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:44.379
 it looks like a figure

00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:47.179
 riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.

00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:50.559
 ruling in humility

00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:52.899
 for humble people.

00:15:53.820 --> 00:15:55.100
 It looks like a king

00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:58.019
 come to establish God's kingdom

00:15:58.019 --> 00:16:00.539
 by way of sacrifice

00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:02.299
 and self-giving

00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:04.100
 and a death on the cross.

00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:08.679
 And it looks like what we read about

00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:10.059
 in verses 19 and 20.

00:16:11.080 --> 00:16:12.759
 This servant, this one,

00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:14.360
 this spirit-filled one,

00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:16.580
 he will not quarrel or cry out.

00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:18.960
 No one will hear his voice in the streets.

00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:21.360
 A bruised reed he will not break

00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:24.400
 and a smoldering wick he'll not snuff out

00:16:24.400 --> 00:16:26.220
 till he's brought justice through to victory.

00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.980
 It looks like gentleness

00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:29.680
 and compassion.

00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.680
 It looks like a Messiah

00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:35.680
 who is so patient with weak faith,

00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:38.160
 who is so patient with Matthew

00:16:38.160 --> 00:16:39.180
 and the other disciples

00:16:39.180 --> 00:16:40.879
 in all of their misunderstanding.

00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:43.559
 It looks like a Savior

00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:45.480
 who will not despise

00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.500
 fragile faith,

00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:49.240
 but who honors and protects

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.960
 all of his own.

00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:54.720
 I have a friend who

00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:56.559
 used to work for,

00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.879
 in Midlothian,

00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:59.759
 the mobile library service.

00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:02.519
 And on day one of his work,

00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:04.400
 he thought it was the only day of his work

00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.460
 because on day one,

00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:06.779
 he crashed the van.

00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:10.940
 And so he had that fear all day long.

00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.819
 What's going to happen

00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:13.519
 when I get back to the depot

00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:15.379
 and I have to tell my boss

00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:16.440
 what's happened?

00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.539
 So at the end of the day,

00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:19.940
 he went in with great fear

00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:20.839
 and trepidation,

00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.960
 expecting the worst,

00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.660
 only to be told,

00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.420
 it's no problem,

00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:25.039
 these things happen.

00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:27.119
 Now imagine the relief

00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:28.779
 to be met with gentleness

00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:30.920
 and mercy.

00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:34.000
 It's exactly what we find

00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:36.140
 from the heart of Jesus.

00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:38.279
 And it's the encouragement

00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:40.100
 that we've been hearing from Jesus.

00:17:40.820 --> 00:17:41.860
 It's that encouragement

00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:43.980
 of chapter 11, verse 28.

00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:45.039
 Come to me,

00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:47.700
 all you who are weary and burdened,

00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:50.160
 and I will give you rest.

00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:53.440
 We're invited to remember

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.720
 the heart of Jesus.

00:17:55.060 --> 00:17:56.380
 Remember he described his heart

00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:57.940
 in verse 29 of chapter 11.

00:17:57.940 --> 00:18:00.779
 I am gentle and humble.

00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.700
 in heart.

00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:04.779
 And the most common emotion

00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:06.759
 that Jesus shows in the Gospels

00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:10.160
 is the compassion of God.

00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.800
 And that's so important

00:18:12.800 --> 00:18:13.620
 for us to remember

00:18:13.620 --> 00:18:14.860
 as the people of God

00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:16.320
 because I think it's really easy

00:18:16.320 --> 00:18:18.620
 for us to despise ourselves

00:18:18.620 --> 00:18:20.480
 when we fail and fall short.

00:18:21.080 --> 00:18:22.300
 It's really easy

00:18:22.300 --> 00:18:24.420
 to beat ourselves up,

00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:27.180
 never mind looking outside at others.

00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:28.840
 But our Jesus,

00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:31.480
 he is gentle with us,

00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:34.439
 and he doesn't despise weak faith.

00:18:35.179 --> 00:18:37.199
 And what we discover wonderfully

00:18:37.199 --> 00:18:38.339
 is that our sin

00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:39.159
 and our suffering,

00:18:39.399 --> 00:18:40.500
 it actually draws out

00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:42.819
 more of Jesus' heart to us

00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:44.919
 to meet our needs.

00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:48.059
 So he is the beloved son

00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:50.919
 and he is the suffering servant.

00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:53.539
 And here in Matthew chapter 12,

00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:55.440
 we also discover

00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:57.099
 more of the character of Christ

00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:58.420
 as he is announced

00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:59.579
 to be the light

00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:01.819
 to the nations.

00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:04.000
 That's part of Isaiah's phrase

00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.420
 about this coming servant.

00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:06.960
 Now Matthew doesn't quote

00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:08.359
 as far as verse 6

00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.480
 of chapter 42,

00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:10.220
 but if he did,

00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:12.420
 that's what we would hear.

00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:14.899
 If he'd quoted from Isaiah chapter 49

00:19:14.899 --> 00:19:15.700
 about the servant,

00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.879
 we would hear

00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:18.240
 that it wasn't enough

00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:20.180
 just for this servant

00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.200
 to come and be a light

00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.720
 for the Jews.

00:19:21.840 --> 00:19:22.559
 He had to be a light

00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:24.319
 to the Gentiles also.

00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.759
 So there is something

00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.700
 in the character

00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:29.319
 of this one,

00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.400
 this Jesus,

00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:32.160
 that represents good news

00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.180
 for all peoples.

00:19:33.340 --> 00:19:35.100
 And here we have it

00:19:35.100 --> 00:19:37.680
 at the end of verse 18.

00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.740
 This spirit-filled one,

00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:43.080
 he will proclaim justice

00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:45.139
 to the nations.

00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.439
 And in verse 21,

00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.859
 we see how wide

00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:50.240
 the welcome is.

00:19:50.699 --> 00:19:51.799
 In his name,

00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:53.000
 the nations

00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:54.779
 will put their hope.

00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:57.559
 So when God sends his king

00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:59.259
 to establish his kingdom,

00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:01.919
 the promise reaches beyond

00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:04.539
 just that small portion

00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:05.779
 of Israel.

00:20:05.939 --> 00:20:06.859
 It extends

00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:08.639
 to all the nations

00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.480
 of the earth.

00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.839
 The call of Jesus,

00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:11.899
 the good shepherd.

00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:13.200
 Remember when he said,

00:20:13.360 --> 00:20:13.960
 I have sheep

00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:14.460
 that are not

00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.360
 in this sheepfold,

00:20:15.580 --> 00:20:16.640
 but I must call them

00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:18.160
 and they must come in too

00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:19.340
 so that there be

00:20:19.340 --> 00:20:19.860
 one flock

00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:20.700
 and one shepherd.

00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:23.100
 Or if you were here

00:20:23.100 --> 00:20:23.640
 this morning

00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:24.180
 and we were in

00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:26.220
 the story of Abraham,

00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:28.060
 Abraham gets that promise

00:20:28.060 --> 00:20:29.300
 that someone

00:20:29.300 --> 00:20:30.320
 from his family line

00:20:30.320 --> 00:20:30.880
 will be a source

00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.400
 of blessing

00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:33.360
 to all the nations.

00:20:33.580 --> 00:20:34.840
 It all flows

00:20:34.840 --> 00:20:36.240
 from Jesus,

00:20:36.800 --> 00:20:37.980
 the one who declares

00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.240
 himself to be

00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.500
 the light

00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:42.140
 of the world.

00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.960
 And what we discover

00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.980
 about Jesus

00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:47.819
 is someone

00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.140
 who,

00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:48.980
 as it were,

00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.759
 rolls out

00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.779
 the welcome mat.

00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.500
 Not just for

00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.859
 the elite

00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:54.579
 or not just for

00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.339
 certain types

00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:55.900
 of people

00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:56.579
 who might make

00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:57.000
 the cut

00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.359
 the way,

00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:57.980
 you know,

00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:59.339
 a Hollywood red carpet

00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:00.299
 event works.

00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.880
 He extends

00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.000
 a welcome

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.039
 and offers

00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.900
 hope to

00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.980
 all.

00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:07.980
 It's often said

00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.480
 that Matthew

00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.579
 is the most Jewish

00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.400
 of all the gospel

00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:10.839
 writers,

00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.900
 but we still have

00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:13.539
 significant hints

00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.940
 within Matthew's

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.640
 gospel that he

00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.940
 understands the good

00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.559
 news of Jesus

00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.440
 is universal.

00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.579
 So the first

00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.119
 worshippers,

00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:20.759
 and we think about

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.599
 it most Christmases,

00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.519
 the first worshippers

00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.420
 of Jesus we find

00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:24.240
 in Matthew's gospel,

00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.359
 it's the Magi

00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:26.039
 from the east.

00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.259
 We spoke about

00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.539
 the centurion's

00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:29.859
 faith,

00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.000
 the one who was

00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.680
 honoured

00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.799
 when he said

00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.259
 to Jesus,

00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:33.920
 Jesus you don't

00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.299
 even need to

00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.340
 come to my house

00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:36.519
 to heal my servant,

00:21:36.600 --> 00:21:37.380
 just say the word

00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:38.759
 and he'll be healed

00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.000
 and his faith

00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.560
 is honoured.

00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.240
 Or we think about

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.380
 Jesus crossing

00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:43.980
 the sea

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.900
 to heal

00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.820
 the demon

00:21:45.820 --> 00:21:46.680
 possessed.

00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:49.160
 Matthew's gospel

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:50.039
 tells us that

00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.279
 Jesus is for

00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:52.440
 all nations

00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:53.640
 and all people

00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.340
 and of course

00:21:54.340 --> 00:21:55.240
 think about

00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:55.759
 when Matthew

00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.340
 is writing,

00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:57.700
 he's writing now

00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:59.019
 maybe in the mid-60s

00:21:59.019 --> 00:22:00.320
 by which point

00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:01.039
 the spirit

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.660
 has come

00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:03.519
 first on the

00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:03.900
 apostles

00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:04.680
 and then on the

00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:04.940
 church

00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.580
 and the church

00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:06.740
 has been sent

00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.400
 out on that

00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:08.200
 great commission

00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:10.340
 and the church

00:22:10.340 --> 00:22:11.300
 is both announcing

00:22:11.300 --> 00:22:12.519
 and showing

00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:14.700
 the saving reign

00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.279
 of Jesus

00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:17.640
 that faith in Jesus

00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:19.220
 transforms lives

00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:20.100
 and builds

00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:21.360
 a new community

00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:23.100
 a new society

00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:24.480
 and that movement

00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.000
 is going

00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.580
 as Jesus

00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:26.820
 said it would

00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:27.400
 from Jerusalem

00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.060
 to Judea

00:22:28.060 --> 00:22:28.640
 to Samaria

00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:30.060
 and to the ends

00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:31.079
 of the earth.

00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.240
 Why is this

00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:33.819
 good news?

00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.559
 Well it's good

00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.980
 news for us

00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.559
 personally

00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:38.319
 if we've received

00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:39.139
 this message

00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:41.159
 because it reminds

00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:41.779
 us just how

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:43.759
 wide and inclusive

00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.740
 the gospel message

00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.240
 is.

00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.720
 Believe in the

00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.200
 Lord Jesus

00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:47.980
 and you will

00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.659
 be saved.

00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:49.980
 But it's also

00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.679
 hugely important

00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:51.480
 for our mission

00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:53.099
 that this is saying

00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:53.740
 to us we can

00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.539
 go anywhere

00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.639
 to anyone

00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:57.000
 from any place

00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.980
 and say to them

00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.940
 Christ Jesus

00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.820
 has died

00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:00.660
 for you.

00:23:00.780 --> 00:23:01.400
 Christ Jesus

00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:02.300
 is the saviour

00:23:02.300 --> 00:23:03.320
 that you need

00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:04.480
 regardless of

00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.680
 a background

00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.560
 regardless of

00:23:06.560 --> 00:23:07.600
 language or culture.

00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:09.960
 And of course

00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.660
 it's realities

00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:11.560
 like these as well

00:23:11.560 --> 00:23:12.180
 that matter

00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:14.100
 for global mission.

00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:15.959
 Jesus has now

00:23:15.959 --> 00:23:16.779
 returned to heaven

00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.819
 but he's

00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.740
 continuing to do

00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.259
 his work.

00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:20.740
 As he sends

00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.240
 the spirit

00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.740
 the spirit

00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.679
 fills his people

00:23:22.679 --> 00:23:23.119
 the spirit

00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:23.980
 fills the church

00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.539
 and the church

00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.719
 proclaims Christ.

00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:27.980
 And so

00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.980
 John Piper

00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.579
 is somebody

00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:29.919
 who writes

00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:30.559
 a lot about

00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:30.919
 mission

00:23:30.919 --> 00:23:32.519
 and he would

00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:32.939
 say that

00:23:32.939 --> 00:23:33.839
 every Christian

00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.480
 is called

00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.299
 to either

00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.759
 go on

00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.139
 mission

00:23:37.139 --> 00:23:38.719
 or to

00:23:38.719 --> 00:23:39.379
 pray

00:23:39.379 --> 00:23:39.879
 and to

00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:40.240
 support

00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.699
 mission

00:23:40.699 --> 00:23:42.879
 or being

00:23:42.879 --> 00:23:43.639
 disobedient.

00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:46.819
 And it's

00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.599
 the reality

00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.879
 of Jesus

00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.619
 being light

00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.480
 to all the

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:50.959
 nations

00:23:50.959 --> 00:23:51.859
 that makes

00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.379
 that so.

00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.039
 And it also

00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:54.740
 matters then

00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.199
 for our

00:23:55.199 --> 00:23:56.339
 gospel welcome.

00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:57.899
 It's one of

00:23:57.899 --> 00:23:59.740
 the wonderful

00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.199
 things about

00:24:00.199 --> 00:24:00.679
 this time of

00:24:00.679 --> 00:24:01.219
 year isn't it?

00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.359
 When the whole

00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:02.839
 nation

00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:04.279
 seem to be

00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:04.859
 gathering in

00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.139
 Edinburgh

00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:06.359
 it should be

00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:06.759
 the case

00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.619
 that anybody

00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:09.039
 should be

00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.679
 able to walk

00:24:09.679 --> 00:24:10.159
 in through

00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:10.939
 those doors

00:24:10.939 --> 00:24:12.079
 and feel

00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.959
 welcome.

00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:14.740
 to feel

00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.279
 the welcome

00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:16.599
 to belong

00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.740
 before they

00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.179
 believe.

00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:19.919
 And there

00:24:19.919 --> 00:24:20.279
 should be

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.879
 something in

00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:21.319
 the loving

00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.259
 welcome of

00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:22.819
 the church

00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:23.259
 that should

00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.599
 help someone

00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.559
 to believe.

00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:26.899
 To make

00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:27.539
 the message

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.179
 of the gospel

00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:28.899
 seem more

00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:29.859
 credible.

00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:32.579
 Because someone

00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.000
 should come

00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.579
 into a church

00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:33.899
 and see

00:24:33.899 --> 00:24:35.199
 here's a group

00:24:35.199 --> 00:24:35.539
 of people

00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:36.319
 and they look

00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.819
 very different

00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.219
 and they seem

00:24:37.219 --> 00:24:37.679
 to come from

00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.299
 different places

00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.699
 and they're from

00:24:38.699 --> 00:24:39.219
 different ages

00:24:39.219 --> 00:24:39.639
 and stages

00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.899
 but they love

00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:41.339
 one another

00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:42.899
 and they're

00:24:42.899 --> 00:24:43.639
 kind to each

00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:43.859
 other

00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:45.500
 and they

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:45.859
 practice

00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:46.500
 generosity

00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.199
 together

00:24:47.199 --> 00:24:49.059
 and so we're

00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.679
 breaking down

00:24:49.679 --> 00:24:50.439
 some barriers

00:24:50.439 --> 00:24:51.039
 perhaps

00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:52.599
 so that people

00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.159
 might be more

00:24:53.159 --> 00:24:54.279
 open to

00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:55.500
 our message.

00:24:56.959 --> 00:24:57.639
 Because we

00:24:57.639 --> 00:24:58.299
 remember that

00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.919
 every local

00:24:58.919 --> 00:24:59.679
 church has a

00:24:59.679 --> 00:24:59.879
 mission.

00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.259
 We have a

00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:00.679
 mission here

00:25:00.679 --> 00:25:01.079
 in Beclood.

00:25:01.179 --> 00:25:01.659
 Galashiels

00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:02.339
 has a mission

00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:04.480
 to make

00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.419
 Jesus known,

00:25:06.179 --> 00:25:06.839
 to make

00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:08.099
 his message

00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.339
 intelligible

00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:11.039
 and credible

00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.819
 and desirable

00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:15.319
 for the

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.720
 communities

00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.059
 in which

00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.519
 God has

00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.199
 placed us.

00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.919
 So Matthew

00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:21.439
 is reminding

00:25:21.439 --> 00:25:21.699
 us,

00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.419
 Jesus is

00:25:22.419 --> 00:25:23.139
 the beloved

00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:23.559
 son,

00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:24.659
 he is

00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.220
 the servant,

00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:27.679
 he is

00:25:27.679 --> 00:25:28.579
 the light

00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:28.839
 to the

00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.139
 nations

00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:29.699
 and he's

00:25:29.699 --> 00:25:30.240
 also

00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:31.459
 the king

00:25:31.459 --> 00:25:32.099
 of grace.

00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.039
 Many of

00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.480
 Matthew's

00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.119
 contemporaries

00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:35.839
 as we said,

00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.859
 they had a

00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.259
 particular

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.059
 expectation

00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.539
 for what

00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.059
 a Messiah

00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.399
 would be

00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:39.700
 like.

00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:39.899
 They're

00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.359
 expecting

00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:41.539
 political

00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:41.960
 hero,

00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:42.240
 they're

00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:42.700
 expecting

00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.779
 overthrow,

00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.079
 they're

00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:44.539
 expecting

00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.159
 the

00:25:45.159 --> 00:25:45.720
 establishment

00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.200
 of a

00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.500
 new

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.599
 order.

00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.059
 And perhaps

00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.379
 it's a

00:25:49.379 --> 00:25:49.759
 natural

00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.539
 expectation

00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:50.919
 that we

00:25:50.919 --> 00:25:51.379
 have.

00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:52.279
 Often

00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:52.599
 it's the

00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:52.879
 way the

00:25:52.879 --> 00:25:53.119
 world

00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.659
 works.

00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.599
 If you

00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:54.960
 have a

00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.379
 powerful

00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:55.940
 role,

00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.679
 then you

00:25:57.679 --> 00:25:58.200
 may well

00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:58.700
 be tempted

00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:59.359
 to operate

00:25:59.359 --> 00:25:59.960
 by force

00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.359
 of will

00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:00.720
 or even

00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.159
 the force

00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:01.799
 of arms.

00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.220
 Look with

00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.440
 me at

00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.159
 verses 22

00:26:05.159 --> 00:26:05.740
 and 23

00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.200
 and see

00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:06.759
 just how

00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.139
 different

00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:08.159
 Jesus is.

00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:09.180
 Then they

00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.560
 brought

00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:09.980
 Jesus,

00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:10.440
 a demon

00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:10.759
 possessed

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.400
 man who

00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:11.920
 was blind

00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:12.460
 and mute

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.180
 and Jesus

00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:14.060
 healed him

00:26:14.060 --> 00:26:15.019
 so that he

00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.440
 could both

00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:16.320
 talk and

00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:16.820
 see.

00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.440
 All the

00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:18.960
 people were

00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.980
 astonished and

00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.240
 said,

00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:20.960
 could this

00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:22.040
 be the

00:26:22.040 --> 00:26:23.040
 son of

00:26:23.040 --> 00:26:23.360
 David?

00:26:24.800 --> 00:26:25.640
 Jesus is a

00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:26.300
 remarkably

00:26:26.300 --> 00:26:27.600
 powerful figure

00:26:27.600 --> 00:26:29.759
 doing remarkable

00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.840
 things and he

00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:31.220
 has this

00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.920
 powerful,

00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.500
 remarkable title.

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.420
 Son of

00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:35.700
 David was the

00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.460
 great hope that

00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.319
 in the future

00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:37.819
 someone would

00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.140
 come and

00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:38.480
 he'd be

00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.299
 God's

00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:39.680
 king,

00:26:39.860 --> 00:26:40.340
 that God

00:26:40.340 --> 00:26:40.880
 would rule

00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.600
 through his

00:26:41.600 --> 00:26:42.539
 chosen king

00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.180
 and people

00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.559
 are beginning

00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.100
 to ask,

00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:44.600
 is it

00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:44.980
 Jesus?

00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.680
 But just

00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:49.340
 recognize,

00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:49.799
 how does

00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.519
 Jesus use

00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.000
 his power?

00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.539
 How does

00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:51.960
 he use

00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.440
 this role

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:52.920
 which is

00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.460
 his role?

00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:55.360
 Well,

00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:55.900
 he uses it

00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:56.420
 to extend

00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:56.840
 God's

00:26:56.840 --> 00:26:57.180
 grave.

00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:58.860
 He uses

00:26:58.860 --> 00:26:59.519
 it to

00:26:59.519 --> 00:26:59.920
 show

00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.860
 healing

00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.620
 and

00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:02.500
 deliverance.

00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.440
 He will

00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:03.880
 use it

00:27:03.880 --> 00:27:05.260
 to bring

00:27:05.260 --> 00:27:05.920
 forgiveness

00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:08.260
 and to

00:27:08.260 --> 00:27:08.620
 display

00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:09.140
 mercy

00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:10.580
 and to

00:27:10.580 --> 00:27:11.000
 give people

00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.440
 hope.

00:27:13.020 --> 00:27:13.780
 And because

00:27:13.780 --> 00:27:14.380
 this is

00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:14.860
 true,

00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:16.680
 because Jesus

00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.620
 is both

00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.700
 wonderfully

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.380
 powerful

00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:20.860
 and at the

00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:21.260
 same time

00:27:21.260 --> 00:27:21.740
 wonderfully

00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.440
 loving,

00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:24.960
 you and I

00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.420
 can trust

00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:25.700
 him.

00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:27.980
 Here is

00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.640
 one power

00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.180
 figure who

00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:29.680
 will never

00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.740
 exploit or

00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.800
 abuse his

00:27:31.800 --> 00:27:32.700
 role or

00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:33.300
 his people.

00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.460
 And so

00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:34.840
 we can

00:27:34.840 --> 00:27:35.700
 submit to

00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.900
 him knowing

00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:37.740
 it's for

00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:39.020
 our good.

00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.380
 So we

00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.020
 can gladly

00:27:41.020 --> 00:27:42.200
 seek his

00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:42.740
 kingdom.

00:27:45.020 --> 00:27:45.840
 So Matthew

00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.220
 has been

00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:46.820
 showing us

00:27:46.820 --> 00:27:47.920
 the character

00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:49.320
 of Christ

00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:51.080
 to help us

00:27:51.080 --> 00:27:51.420
 to see

00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.340
 this is why

00:27:52.340 --> 00:27:52.600
 it would be

00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:53.240
 so dangerous

00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:54.000
 to disregard

00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.720
 and ignore

00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:55.140
 Jesus,

00:27:55.320 --> 00:27:56.440
 simply because

00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:57.100
 he is so

00:27:57.100 --> 00:27:57.640
 good,

00:27:58.320 --> 00:27:59.020
 because he

00:27:59.020 --> 00:27:59.600
 is so

00:27:59.600 --> 00:28:00.600
 wonderful

00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.220
 and loving

00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.640
 and to

00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:02.060
 miss out

00:28:02.060 --> 00:28:02.480
 on this

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:02.840
 one would

00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:03.140
 be to

00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:03.580
 miss out

00:28:03.580 --> 00:28:04.020
 on so

00:28:04.020 --> 00:28:04.680
 much.

00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:06.920
 But he

00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.220
 gives a

00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.520
 second

00:28:07.520 --> 00:28:08.100
 answer

00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:09.580
 about the

00:28:09.580 --> 00:28:10.020
 danger of

00:28:10.020 --> 00:28:10.860
 disregarding

00:28:10.860 --> 00:28:11.540
 Jesus,

00:28:13.040 --> 00:28:13.400
 and now

00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:13.820
 the tone

00:28:13.820 --> 00:28:14.460
 changes

00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:16.500
 as he

00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:16.980
 focuses on

00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.460
 the cost

00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:18.040
 of rejecting

00:28:18.040 --> 00:28:18.660
 Christ,

00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:20.140
 from verse

00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:20.900
 24 onwards.

00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:21.880
 I suspect

00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.380
 we all have

00:28:22.380 --> 00:28:22.800
 this kind

00:28:22.800 --> 00:28:23.300
 of person

00:28:23.300 --> 00:28:23.980
 in our

00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.160
 lives,

00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.440
 the kind

00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:24.759
 of person

00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:24.980
 that we

00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.320
 would say

00:28:25.320 --> 00:28:25.640
 of them,

00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.140
 well they

00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:26.440
 wouldn't

00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:26.900
 hurt a

00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.220
 fly,

00:28:27.320 --> 00:28:28.400
 or nobody

00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:28.640
 has a

00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:29.140
 bad word

00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:29.720
 to say

00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.340
 about them,

00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:30.840
 they're always

00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.819
 ready to

00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.199
 help

00:28:32.199 --> 00:28:33.059
 others.

00:28:33.939 --> 00:28:34.319
 The kind

00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.679
 of person

00:28:34.679 --> 00:28:35.000
 you want

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.299
 to be

00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:35.579
 with,

00:28:35.899 --> 00:28:36.339
 perhaps the

00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:36.599
 kind of

00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:36.980
 person you

00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.259
 want to

00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.699
 be when

00:28:37.699 --> 00:28:38.019
 you grow

00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.359
 up.

00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.740
 So imagine

00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:42.659
 that's your

00:28:42.659 --> 00:28:43.199
 friend,

00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:44.240
 and you know

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.519
 so many

00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.159
 wonderful things

00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:45.679
 about him,

00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:46.439
 and you meet

00:28:46.439 --> 00:28:46.939
 someone else,

00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.359
 and at the

00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:47.939
 very mention

00:28:47.939 --> 00:28:48.279
 of their

00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:48.639
 name,

00:28:48.879 --> 00:28:49.259
 you can

00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:49.799
 see a

00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:50.240
 person's

00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:51.119
 blood boil

00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:51.119


00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:51.399
 And their

00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:51.919
 fists

00:28:51.919 --> 00:28:52.519
 clench,

00:28:52.659 --> 00:28:53.359
 and what

00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:54.019
 they speak

00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.279
 of that

00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:54.740
 person is

00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.240
 hate and

00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:55.779
 anger.

00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:57.399
 We'd be

00:28:57.399 --> 00:28:57.720
 shocked,

00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.199
 wouldn't we?

00:28:58.200 --> 00:29:00.200
 confused.

00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:02.940
 Matthew has

00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:03.539
 been introducing

00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:04.360
 Jesus to

00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:04.620
 us,

00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:05.519
 the real

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:05.880
 Jesus,

00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.500
 the personal

00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:06.880
 Jesus,

00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.299
 full of

00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:08.480
 love and

00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.080
 compassion,

00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.240
 doing good

00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:10.740
 and bringing

00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.240
 grace,

00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:11.700
 but the

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.799
 Pharisees,

00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:14.880
 verse 14,

00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.640
 plotting how

00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:15.960
 they may

00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:16.860
 kill Jesus,

00:29:17.840 --> 00:29:19.000
 verse 22,

00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:19.519
 what's their

00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.299
 verdict on

00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:20.680
 Jesus?

00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:21.759
 It's only

00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:23.360
 by Beelzebul,

00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.140
 the prince of

00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.539
 demons,

00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:24.940
 that this

00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:25.860
 fellow drives

00:29:25.860 --> 00:29:26.539
 out demons.

00:29:26.620 --> 00:29:27.039
 What's going

00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:27.960
 on here?

00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:29.660
 As J.C.

00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.259
 Ryle puts it,

00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.480
 it's the

00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.100
 human heart

00:29:31.100 --> 00:29:31.720
 showing its

00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.460
 true colors

00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.460
 in rejecting

00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.019
 God and

00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.519
 his chosen

00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.080
 servant.

00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:36.940
 And this

00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.580
 little section

00:29:37.580 --> 00:29:38.680
 reminds us

00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.640
 that to

00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:40.080
 disregard

00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:41.620
 Jesus has

00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:42.940
 eternal

00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:44.000
 consequences.

00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:45.700
 And I

00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:45.920
 think it's

00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:46.519
 important for

00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:46.799
 us to

00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:47.539
 remember that,

00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:47.819
 that we

00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.279
 would guard

00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:48.620
 our own

00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:49.200
 hearts,

00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:49.920
 that if

00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:50.059
 we're

00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.440
 Christians,

00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:50.860
 we'd want

00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:51.259
 to walk

00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.640
 closely with

00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.100
 Jesus,

00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.480
 and we'd

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.140
 want to pray

00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:55.700
 for others

00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.259
 knowing this

00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:56.940
 to be true.

00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:59.460
 So as we

00:29:59.460 --> 00:29:59.840
 think very

00:29:59.840 --> 00:30:00.519
 briefly about

00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.299
 Jesus' dialogue

00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.640
 with the

00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.100
 Pharisees,

00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:03.400
 notice again,

00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:03.920
 first of all,

00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.180
 that the

00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:05.299
 identity question

00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.059
 comes up.

00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:07.559
 Verses 25 to

00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.200
 29, the

00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:08.660
 question is

00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.240
 really, well,

00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:09.819
 whose kingdom

00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:10.400
 is Jesus

00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.120
 in?

00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:12.600
 Because they

00:30:12.600 --> 00:30:13.120
 have said

00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:13.700
 very clearly,

00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.039
 well, we

00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.580
 think Jesus

00:30:14.580 --> 00:30:15.720
 is working

00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.220
 and siding

00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:16.860
 with Satan.

00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.559
 And so Jesus

00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.340
 takes the time

00:30:19.340 --> 00:30:20.120
 to expose

00:30:20.120 --> 00:30:20.840
 their faulty

00:30:20.840 --> 00:30:21.420
 logic,

00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.580
 that a house

00:30:22.580 --> 00:30:23.420
 divided against

00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.160
 itself can't

00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.440
 stand,

00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:24.819
 that makes

00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.639
 no sense.

00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.119
 He makes

00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:27.700
 plain that

00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.399
 Jesus is

00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:29.679
 working against

00:30:29.679 --> 00:30:30.279
 the kingdom

00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:30.879
 of darkness,

00:30:31.079 --> 00:30:31.899
 he's standing

00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:33.200
 against Satan,

00:30:33.379 --> 00:30:34.179
 he is the

00:30:34.179 --> 00:30:35.099
 strong man

00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:36.159
 who ties up

00:30:36.159 --> 00:30:36.659
 Satan so

00:30:36.659 --> 00:30:36.980
 that he can

00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.519
 bring people

00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.139
 from that

00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:38.579
 kingdom of

00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:38.859
 darkness

00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:40.259
 into the

00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:41.579
 kingdom of

00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:42.279
 God.

00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.720
 And so to

00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.119
 get that

00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:46.700
 wrong is

00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.399
 hugely

00:30:47.399 --> 00:30:49.059
 important.

00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:51.919
 And Jesus

00:30:51.919 --> 00:30:52.460
 says as

00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:53.619
 much very

00:30:53.619 --> 00:30:54.339
 directly in

00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:55.059
 verse 30

00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.359
 when he

00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:56.559
 says,

00:30:56.659 --> 00:30:57.000
 whoever is

00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.419
 not with

00:30:57.419 --> 00:30:57.720
 me is

00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.099
 against

00:30:58.099 --> 00:30:58.500
 me,

00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.419
 and whoever

00:30:59.419 --> 00:30:59.859
 does not

00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:00.460
 gather with

00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:02.399
 me scatters.

00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:04.259
 Inviting

00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.700
 everyone to

00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.000
 consider,

00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:05.299
 well, whose

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.799
 side are we

00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.220
 on?

00:31:07.639 --> 00:31:08.559
 To recognize

00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.099
 that no one

00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:09.740
 is a spiritual

00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.379
 Switzerland,

00:31:10.679 --> 00:31:11.079
 we're either

00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:12.139
 for or we're

00:31:12.139 --> 00:31:13.240
 against Jesus.

00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:13.859
 Or as he

00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:14.179
 puts it,

00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:14.599
 we're either

00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:16.059
 gathering people

00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.919
 into the

00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:17.379
 kingdom of

00:31:17.379 --> 00:31:17.879
 God as we

00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.379
 are gathered

00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:19.200
 ourselves,

00:31:19.520 --> 00:31:20.480
 or we're

00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.060
 scattering.

00:31:24.300 --> 00:31:24.940
 And so

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.280
 Jesus'

00:31:25.520 --> 00:31:26.100
 warning is

00:31:26.100 --> 00:31:26.720
 clear.

00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:27.880
 We must

00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.340
 take him

00:31:28.340 --> 00:31:28.580
 and his

00:31:28.580 --> 00:31:28.940
 claims

00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:29.500
 seriously.

00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.040
 We must

00:31:30.040 --> 00:31:31.020
 examine what

00:31:31.020 --> 00:31:31.400
 the Bible

00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:32.580
 says for

00:31:32.580 --> 00:31:33.040
 our verdict,

00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:33.380
 and we

00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:34.700
 must follow

00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:35.080
 where the

00:31:35.080 --> 00:31:35.660
 evidence leads,

00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:35.880
 and we

00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:36.380
 must nail

00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:36.940
 our colors

00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:37.260
 to the

00:31:37.260 --> 00:31:37.760
 mast as

00:31:37.760 --> 00:31:38.400
 we respond

00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:39.000
 with faith.

00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:40.860
 But he

00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:41.280
 doesn't just

00:31:41.280 --> 00:31:41.820
 stop at the

00:31:41.820 --> 00:31:42.240
 identity

00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:42.720
 question,

00:31:42.820 --> 00:31:43.260
 he also

00:31:43.260 --> 00:31:44.060
 moves on

00:31:44.060 --> 00:31:44.480
 to the

00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.000
 destiny

00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.700
 question.

00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:47.720
 There's a

00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.579
 very sobering

00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:49.100
 reality,

00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:49.440
 isn't there,

00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:49.759
 in verses

00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:50.579
 31 and

00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:51.160
 32,

00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:51.819
 when Jesus

00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:53.380
 makes plain

00:31:53.380 --> 00:31:54.400
 that there

00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:55.000
 is a sin

00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.620
 that won't

00:31:55.620 --> 00:31:56.980
 be forgiven,

00:31:57.100 --> 00:31:57.400
 there's a

00:31:57.400 --> 00:31:58.180
 heart attitude

00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:59.220
 towards Jesus

00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.740
 that leads

00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.380
 to eternal

00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.059
 punishment.

00:32:02.120 --> 00:32:02.860
 Verse 31,

00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:03.620
 so I tell

00:32:03.620 --> 00:32:03.940
 you,

00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:04.860
 every kind

00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:05.200
 of sin

00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:05.720
 and slander

00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.140
 can be

00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.500
 forgiven,

00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.880
 but blasphemy

00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:08.519
 against the

00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:08.960
 Spirit will

00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:09.480
 not be

00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:09.839
 forgiven.

00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.039
 Anyone who

00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:11.440
 speaks a

00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:11.920
 word against

00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:12.259
 the Son

00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:12.660
 of Man

00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.180
 will be

00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:13.559
 forgiven,

00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:14.400
 but anyone

00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:14.880
 who speaks

00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:15.339
 against the

00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:16.019
 Holy Spirit

00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.819
 will not be

00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.180
 forgiven,

00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:18.160
 either in

00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:18.700
 this age

00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.220
 or in

00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.779
 the age

00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.380
 to come.

00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:22.700
 It's a

00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:22.940
 kind of

00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.380
 saying of

00:32:23.380 --> 00:32:23.820
 Jesus we

00:32:23.820 --> 00:32:24.019
 need to

00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.420
 be very

00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.320
 careful with.

00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:26.400
 We need

00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:26.640
 to be

00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:27.820
 careful about

00:32:27.820 --> 00:32:28.279
 tender

00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:29.000
 consciences.

00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:29.299


00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.060
 first of

00:32:30.060 --> 00:32:30.140
 all,

00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:30.380
 what is

00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:30.620
 Jesus

00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:31.039
 not

00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:31.480
 saying?

00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.080
 He's not

00:32:34.080 --> 00:32:34.500
 saying if

00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:34.799
 we ever

00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.160
 say a

00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:35.820
 bad word

00:32:35.820 --> 00:32:36.140
 about

00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:36.500
 Jesus,

00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:36.920
 then we

00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.220
 can't

00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:37.380
 be

00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:37.759
 forgiven.

00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.680
 We only

00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:39.980
 need to

00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.299
 look as

00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:40.680
 far as

00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.180
 Peter,

00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:42.320
 the

00:32:42.320 --> 00:32:42.840
 disciple,

00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:43.600
 to see

00:32:43.600 --> 00:32:43.840
 that.

00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:44.400
 Remember

00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:45.720
 Peter calling

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.120
 down

00:32:46.120 --> 00:32:47.000
 curses on

00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.299
 himself.

00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.140
 I don't

00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:48.819
 know that

00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.200
 man.

00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:51.460
 So it's

00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:51.940
 not that.

00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:53.559
 Nor is

00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.039
 it all

00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:55.480
 unbelief and

00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.460
 opposition to

00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:56.779
 Jesus.

00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.579
 Think about

00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.140
 Paul,

00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.100
 the great

00:33:00.100 --> 00:33:00.620
 apostle.

00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:02.740
 Before Jesus

00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.319
 met him on

00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:03.940
 the Damascus

00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:04.620
 road, he

00:33:04.620 --> 00:33:05.519
 hated and

00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.860
 despised Jesus

00:33:06.860 --> 00:33:07.299
 and the

00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:07.860
 church.

00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:10.000
 And later he

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.299
 would look

00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:11.039
 back and say,

00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.899
 I'm the

00:33:11.899 --> 00:33:12.480
 chief of

00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:12.839
 sinners.

00:33:14.420 --> 00:33:14.980
 But I

00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.379
 acted in

00:33:15.379 --> 00:33:15.720
 ignorance.

00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.740
 So it's

00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:18.059
 not that

00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:18.480
 either.

00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:21.859
 Maybe to

00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:22.359
 begin to

00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:22.839
 get to what

00:33:22.839 --> 00:33:23.279
 he's talking

00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:23.799
 about, think

00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.119
 about what

00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:24.799
 the Pharisees

00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:25.259
 are doing.

00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:25.839
 So here

00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.220
 they are,

00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:26.639
 they have

00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.619
 front row

00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:28.299
 seats to

00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:28.940
 the life and

00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.539
 ministry of

00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:29.799
 Jesus.

00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.960
 They hear

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.579
 his teaching,

00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:32.220
 they see

00:33:32.220 --> 00:33:33.220
 his miracles,

00:33:33.359 --> 00:33:33.859
 they see

00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:34.920
 his character,

00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:36.019
 and they see

00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:36.460
 the Spirit

00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:37.359
 working in

00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:38.019
 and through

00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:38.480
 Jesus.

00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.059
 And we're

00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:39.599
 told that the

00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:40.099
 Father has

00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:41.339
 pleasure in

00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:41.779
 Jesus and

00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.159
 he comes

00:33:42.159 --> 00:33:42.779
 according to

00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.359
 the Father's

00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:43.819
 plan and

00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.480
 their verdict

00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.279
 is Jesus

00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:46.279
 is satanic.

00:33:47.899 --> 00:33:48.399
 Jesus is

00:33:48.399 --> 00:33:49.019
 part of the

00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:49.839
 devil's kingdom.

00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:51.240
 And so

00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:52.299
 they continue

00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:53.399
 this public

00:33:53.399 --> 00:33:54.619
 persistent

00:33:54.619 --> 00:33:55.539
 attack.

00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:56.579
 They are

00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.299
 turned against

00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:58.019
 Jesus and

00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.659
 they're turning

00:33:58.659 --> 00:34:00.119
 others against

00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:00.599
 Jesus.

00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:00.959
 Remember,

00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:01.939
 even as

00:34:01.939 --> 00:34:02.519
 Jesus is

00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.980
 being put

00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:04.599
 on trial,

00:34:04.719 --> 00:34:05.419
 they're stirring

00:34:05.419 --> 00:34:06.259
 up the crowd.

00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:07.779
 Away with

00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:08.259
 this man,

00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.500
 crucify him.

00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.799
 And so

00:34:10.799 --> 00:34:11.059
 this is

00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.679
 public

00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:13.219
 determination

00:34:13.219 --> 00:34:14.699
 to reject

00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.079
 what they

00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:15.440
 see,

00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:16.579
 to attribute

00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.360
 evil to

00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:17.719
 what is

00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:18.219
 good,

00:34:18.719 --> 00:34:20.619
 to deny

00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:21.579
 the truth

00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:21.880
 of the

00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:22.400
 gospel.

00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.319
 But there

00:34:25.319 --> 00:34:25.779
 is within

00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:26.299
 this a

00:34:26.299 --> 00:34:26.699
 warning,

00:34:26.839 --> 00:34:27.319
 isn't there,

00:34:28.179 --> 00:34:28.559
 that to

00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:29.299
 say no

00:34:29.299 --> 00:34:31.279
 to what

00:34:31.279 --> 00:34:31.839
 we're told

00:34:31.839 --> 00:34:32.360
 of Jesus

00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:32.699
 and the

00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:33.179
 gospel,

00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:34.299
 if we

00:34:34.299 --> 00:34:35.460
 never turn

00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:35.940
 away from

00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.360
 sin to

00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:36.920
 trust in

00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:37.159
 him,

00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:37.960
 if we

00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:39.019
 never change,

00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:40.559
 and follow,

00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:42.099
 then there

00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:42.559
 can be

00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:42.940
 no

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.920
 forgiveness.

00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:46.699
 And so

00:34:46.699 --> 00:34:46.900
 if we're

00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:47.219
 here and

00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:47.579
 we're not

00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:48.000
 yet a

00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:48.280
 Christian,

00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:48.559
 that's

00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.039
 something that

00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:49.519
 we must

00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:50.079
 do,

00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:50.400
 we must

00:34:50.400 --> 00:34:50.780
 humble

00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:51.239
 ourselves

00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:52.460
 to turn

00:34:52.460 --> 00:34:53.199
 to trust

00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:54.559
 in Jesus

00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.219
 and to

00:34:55.219 --> 00:34:55.539
 do it

00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:55.860
 as a

00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.119
 matter

00:34:56.119 --> 00:34:56.759
 of

00:34:56.759 --> 00:34:57.420
 urgency.

00:34:59.380 --> 00:34:59.880
 So

00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:00.179
 Matthew

00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:00.579
 writes

00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:01.460
 to warn

00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:01.800
 us by

00:35:01.800 --> 00:35:02.460
 looking at

00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:03.539
 the Pharisees

00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:03.780
 here,

00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:04.280
 that

00:35:04.280 --> 00:35:05.139
 disregarding

00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:05.460
 Jesus

00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:05.859
 is

00:35:05.859 --> 00:35:06.659
 dangerous

00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.659
 because

00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:07.940
 of who

00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:08.219
 Jesus

00:35:08.219 --> 00:35:08.539
 is,

00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:08.759
 because

00:35:08.759 --> 00:35:08.960
 of

00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:09.179
 what

00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:09.460
 we

00:35:09.460 --> 00:35:09.879
 would

00:35:09.879 --> 00:35:10.779
 miss,

00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:11.599
 because

00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:11.819
 he

00:35:11.819 --> 00:35:12.159
 is

00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:12.400
 so

00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:12.819
 precious,

00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.079
 he

00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:13.420
 is

00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:13.659
 so

00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:13.920
 good,

00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.119
 to

00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:14.359
 miss

00:35:14.359 --> 00:35:14.579
 him

00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:14.799
 would

00:35:14.799 --> 00:35:14.960
 be

00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.179
 to

00:35:15.179 --> 00:35:15.500
 miss

00:35:15.500 --> 00:35:16.279
 everything.

00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:18.400
 But then

00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:18.799
 there's also

00:35:18.799 --> 00:35:19.299
 the other

00:35:19.299 --> 00:35:19.679
 side,

00:35:19.759 --> 00:35:20.039
 that it's

00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:20.359
 dangerous

00:35:20.359 --> 00:35:21.099
 to disregard

00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.519
 Jesus

00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:21.839
 because

00:35:21.839 --> 00:35:22.119
 of the

00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:22.519
 eternal

00:35:22.519 --> 00:35:23.239
 cost

00:35:23.239 --> 00:35:25.299
 of ignoring

00:35:25.299 --> 00:35:25.699
 him and

00:35:25.699 --> 00:35:26.299
 his claims.

00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:28.079
 We thought

00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.559
 this morning

00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:28.980
 about the

00:35:28.980 --> 00:35:29.480
 Titanic.

00:35:30.299 --> 00:35:30.739
 On the

00:35:30.739 --> 00:35:31.099
 night that

00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:31.579
 Titanic

00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:32.139
 sank,

00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:33.099
 there were

00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:33.739
 six

00:35:33.739 --> 00:35:34.679
 iceberg

00:35:34.679 --> 00:35:35.359
 warnings

00:35:35.359 --> 00:35:36.519
 that came

00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:37.319
 in.

00:35:38.199 --> 00:35:38.559
 Now some

00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:38.759
 of them

00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.299
 were missed,

00:35:40.219 --> 00:35:40.739
 others were

00:35:40.739 --> 00:35:41.500
 simply ignored,

00:35:42.859 --> 00:35:43.379
 and we know

00:35:43.379 --> 00:35:43.699
 how that

00:35:43.699 --> 00:35:43.980
 finished.

00:35:45.759 --> 00:35:46.259
 And so we

00:35:46.259 --> 00:35:47.000
 recognize that

00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:48.359
 the importance

00:35:48.359 --> 00:35:50.179
 of not ignoring

00:35:50.179 --> 00:35:50.639
 Jesus,

00:35:51.299 --> 00:35:51.839
 of not ignoring

00:35:51.839 --> 00:35:52.440
 his warnings,

00:35:53.079 --> 00:35:53.799
 of not ignoring

00:35:53.799 --> 00:35:54.299
 his promise

00:35:54.299 --> 00:35:54.879
 of salvation,

00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:55.679
 rather to come

00:35:55.679 --> 00:35:56.460
 to find life

00:35:56.460 --> 00:35:56.940
 and joy

00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:57.639
 and rest

00:35:57.639 --> 00:35:58.779
 in him.

00:35:59.699 --> 00:36:00.239
 Let's pray

00:36:00.239 --> 00:36:00.619
 together.

00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:02.359
 Lord God,

00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:02.880
 we thank

00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:03.359
 you for the

00:36:03.359 --> 00:36:03.920
 way Matthew

00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:04.599
 could write

00:36:04.599 --> 00:36:05.239
 of his

00:36:05.239 --> 00:36:05.739
 friend,

00:36:06.219 --> 00:36:06.719
 of his

00:36:06.719 --> 00:36:07.179
 savior,

00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:08.199
 of his

00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:08.639
 king,

00:36:09.279 --> 00:36:10.079
 to look

00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:11.319
 through the

00:36:11.319 --> 00:36:11.940
 pages of

00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:12.359
 the Bible

00:36:12.359 --> 00:36:13.059
 and to see

00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:14.219
 Jesus fulfilling

00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:15.579
 that great

00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:16.519
 prophecy of

00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:17.519
 Isaiah 42.

00:36:18.239 --> 00:36:18.839
 We thank

00:36:18.839 --> 00:36:19.239
 you for

00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:20.139
 sending Jesus

00:36:20.139 --> 00:36:20.739
 to be such

00:36:20.739 --> 00:36:21.339
 a humble,

00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:22.400
 suffering

00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:23.019
 servant,

00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:24.500
 to be willing

00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.839
 to wash

00:36:25.839 --> 00:36:26.519
 his disciples'

00:36:26.799 --> 00:36:26.980
 feet,

00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:27.619
 to be willing

00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:28.339
 to wash

00:36:28.339 --> 00:36:29.639
 us clean

00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:30.199
 of our

00:36:30.199 --> 00:36:30.480
 sin,

00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:31.239
 by his

00:36:31.239 --> 00:36:31.559
 death

00:36:31.559 --> 00:36:31.859
 on the

00:36:31.859 --> 00:36:32.279
 cross.

00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:33.519
 We thank

00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:33.779
 you that

00:36:33.779 --> 00:36:34.380
 he is a

00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:34.699
 king,

00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.380
 but he

00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:35.659
 is a

00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:36.519
 king marked

00:36:36.519 --> 00:36:37.880
 by grace.

00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:39.319
 We thank

00:36:39.319 --> 00:36:40.339
 you for

00:36:40.339 --> 00:36:41.359
 how tender

00:36:41.359 --> 00:36:42.019
 and gentle

00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.759
 he is

00:36:42.759 --> 00:36:43.480
 with us

00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.299
 when our

00:36:44.299 --> 00:36:45.039
 faith is

00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:45.380
 weak.

00:36:46.319 --> 00:36:46.819
 We thank

00:36:46.819 --> 00:36:47.079
 you that

00:36:47.079 --> 00:36:47.579
 he is the

00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:48.000
 one who

00:36:48.000 --> 00:36:48.900
 will hold

00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.579
 us fast.

00:36:50.119 --> 00:36:50.559
 We thank

00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.119
 you for

00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:51.500
 the good

00:36:51.500 --> 00:36:51.880
 news that

00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.539
 Jesus isn't

00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.359
 just for

00:36:53.359 --> 00:36:54.019
 some people,

00:36:54.139 --> 00:36:54.679
 but for

00:36:54.679 --> 00:36:55.960
 all people,

00:36:56.059 --> 00:36:56.380
 so we can

00:36:56.380 --> 00:36:57.139
 have confidence

00:36:57.139 --> 00:36:58.679
 in proclaiming

00:36:58.679 --> 00:36:59.739
 Christ as

00:36:59.739 --> 00:37:00.339
 Lord.

00:37:01.879 --> 00:37:02.339
 And we

00:37:02.339 --> 00:37:02.879
 pray too

00:37:02.879 --> 00:37:03.179
 that you

00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:03.659
 would remind

00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:04.039
 us how

00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:04.899
 important it

00:37:04.899 --> 00:37:05.379
 is,

00:37:05.819 --> 00:37:06.559
 how eternally

00:37:06.559 --> 00:37:07.299
 important it

00:37:07.299 --> 00:37:08.039
 is to get

00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:08.979
 our response

00:37:08.979 --> 00:37:09.579
 to Jesus

00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:10.079
 right.

00:37:10.779 --> 00:37:11.439
 Help us and

00:37:11.439 --> 00:37:12.000
 teach us,

00:37:12.419 --> 00:37:13.119
 we ask in

00:37:13.119 --> 00:37:13.859
 Jesus' name.

00:37:14.299 --> 00:37:14.639
 Amen.

00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:14.819
 Amen.