WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:04.339 Okay folks, keep that passage in Malachi chapter 2 open in front of you. 00:00:04.400 --> 00:00:07.219 So this is the proverbial cod liver oil tablet passage. 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:12.580 Really hard to swallow, but really good for our bodies. 00:00:13.140 --> 00:00:18.640 Really good for us to take in the message, the central message of this passage today. 00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:23.179 So my laptop's in for repair, so there's no PowerPoint today. 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:26.000 So you're going to have to concentrate extra hard. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:30.379 But this is really good for us to take in this passage. 00:00:31.079 --> 00:00:33.299 So, you up for some song lyrics as we begin? 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:36.140 You're getting song lyrics as we begin. 00:00:37.399 --> 00:00:42.100 I'm free to do what I want any old time. 00:00:42.539 --> 00:00:47.200 And I'm free to be who I choose any old time. 00:00:47.260 --> 00:00:50.939 If you're a culture vulture, which many of you are, 00:00:50.939 --> 00:00:56.059 you will recognise those as the lyrics that the Soup Dragons sang back in 1990. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:58.699 That was the anthem of my childhood growing up. 00:00:59.459 --> 00:01:02.699 I'm free to do what I want any old time. 00:01:02.780 --> 00:01:06.979 If you're a culture dweller though, and that's all of us by definition, 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:12.019 you will recognise those lyrics as the drumbeat of our day. 00:01:12.019 --> 00:01:17.519 It's the drumbeat of the Western world where we celebrate individual expression 00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:25.379 and we elevate our own personal happiness as being the ultimate goal of our lives. 00:01:26.199 --> 00:01:28.620 That you and I need to be our true selves, 00:01:29.259 --> 00:01:33.739 regardless of the people who like skittles in a bowling alley we happen to knock down 00:01:33.739 --> 00:01:36.280 in the process of trying to get there. 00:01:36.759 --> 00:01:38.399 This is the mindset of our world. 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:41.980 I'm free to do what I want any old time. 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:45.100 I'm free to choose to be who I want any old time. 00:01:45.540 --> 00:01:47.700 And the thing is, if you search your hearts this morning, 00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:51.680 and I really searched mine in preparation for this this week. 00:01:53.160 --> 00:01:56.900 The truth of it is, like flavouring in your morning coffee, 00:01:58.020 --> 00:02:00.480 sometimes you can drink this every day 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:03.219 and not even realise that it's in your system. 00:02:04.300 --> 00:02:05.060 This mindset. 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:07.120 Do you see it in your own heart? 00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:11.680 I'm free to do what I want any old time. 00:02:12.379 --> 00:02:15.620 You see, that's the mindset that as we look at this generation of God's people, 00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:18.659 who we'll see in a minute have bought it hook, line and sinker. 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:22.840 That's the mindset that God is going to challenge in each of our hearts this morning. 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:29.180 Particularly in terms of how we understand this whole area of sex and marriage. 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:31.120 That's the presenting issue here in this day. 00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:35.879 Now your reaction to me saying that is likely to be one of two things. 00:02:35.879 --> 00:02:37.460 Number one is that you'll switch on. 00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:40.439 Number two is that you'll switch off. 00:02:41.539 --> 00:02:41.719 Right? 00:02:42.519 --> 00:02:47.199 Maybe wondering, why on earth would I care that God has something to say about that? 00:02:47.299 --> 00:02:49.620 Why is he meddling in this field? 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:52.199 I met a guy in America whose surname was Meddler. 00:02:52.759 --> 00:02:53.539 I thought it was quite funny. 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:57.280 Why is God meddling in this field? 00:02:58.099 --> 00:02:59.879 Why should I care what he thinks? 00:02:59.879 --> 00:03:04.340 You maybe see God like C.S. Lewis did before he became a Christian. 00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:06.280 He outlines it in his book. 00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:09.759 Remember reading it as a young Christian, surprised by joy. 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:10.340 Right? 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:14.039 And it's a tale of how he came to faith as a kind of atheist, agnostic. 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:16.840 How he came to believe in the God of the Bible. 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:21.879 Before he believed, he called God, in his own words, the grand interferer. 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:23.960 Right? 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:26.939 Maybe that's how you understand God today. 00:03:26.939 --> 00:03:39.240 Well, it's been my prayer for you this week that you might detect the scent of the sweet answer that the Bible has for you on that. 00:03:40.039 --> 00:03:40.539 Right? 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:49.280 As we contemplate how and why Jesus calls his followers to adopt a different mindset from that of the world. 00:03:49.340 --> 00:03:54.719 Now, we've seen over the last number of weeks, God's stinging words of rebuke to the priests. 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:55.520 Do you remember that? 00:03:55.520 --> 00:03:56.680 That was kind of chapter two. 00:03:58.460 --> 00:04:00.719 Well, now God turns to address the people. 00:04:02.100 --> 00:04:02.420 The people. 00:04:02.500 --> 00:04:11.960 Now, let me just say two really quick things to try and create a canvas for this sermon so that we can see clearly the picture where we're going to end with this that's right at the center of it. 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:13.000 Right? 00:04:13.020 --> 00:04:15.120 I want us to see the word of the text. 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:17.720 Now, if you've got it there, just have a look. 00:04:17.900 --> 00:04:18.720 Glance over it. 00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:20.019 Remember what John was reading. 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:23.660 The word of the text is the word faithless. 00:04:23.660 --> 00:04:31.600 Now, if you scan your eye over the passage, you'll clock that it comes up five times in this passage. 00:04:31.860 --> 00:04:33.400 So this is Malachi addressing the people. 00:04:33.520 --> 00:04:36.540 God's speaking through Malachi, addressing the people. 00:04:36.540 --> 00:04:45.819 And it's almost as if God is saying that that's the word that I'd use to sum up what I see when I look at you, this generation of my people. 00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:46.920 Faithless. 00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:47.000 Faithless. 00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:52.620 And from the word of the text, I want us to be honest about the pain of the topic. 00:04:53.819 --> 00:05:03.400 Because the issue here, on the surface, is that easy to force has become a thing amongst God's people. 00:05:03.399 --> 00:05:15.439 And I recognize that for many of us, even just the mention of that word might be touching some really sensitive and painful nerves right now. 00:05:16.179 --> 00:05:26.879 Whether you know that word personally, you know the pain of it, or maybe that you've seen it from a distance, how it's affected your closest friends and family. 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:32.779 In ways that words can't even begin to put that, you can't even begin to put that into words. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:41.300 Isn't it true that Hollywood almost presents it to us as a harmless and almost natural conclusion to a marriage relationship? 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:47.819 Remember a number of years ago, what was that phrase that was made popular by Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow? 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:50.420 To describe their divorce back in 2014. 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:51.879 They called it a conscious uncoupling. 00:05:52.659 --> 00:05:53.180 Do you remember that? 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:57.660 You might get away with that if you've got tons of money in the bank. 00:05:59.019 --> 00:06:01.680 But I've got friends who work in different areas of this city. 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:06.639 And let me say, when it happens, it causes utter chaos. 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:08.439 Utter chaos. 00:06:08.759 --> 00:06:09.439 Utter pain. 00:06:11.079 --> 00:06:15.899 Now it's worth saying that even though God hates divorce, we see it clearly in this passage. 00:06:16.019 --> 00:06:20.519 The Bible has so much more to say on that, that we're going to have time to cover today. 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:25.740 Regarding the times when it is sadly and regrettably permissible. 00:06:26.479 --> 00:06:31.659 But if you have questions on this, and I take it many of us will, a lot of us will, 00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:34.439 then please come and speak to one of the elders. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:37.599 We're here this morning to answer your questions about this topic. 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:39.459 And just to chat and to pray and to listen. 00:06:39.459 --> 00:06:46.599 Because we want to strive to be that kind of church community where we have that spirit of honesty and love for one another. 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:53.699 And we can walk with one another compassionately through the things that really hurt in life. 00:06:54.539 --> 00:06:56.179 That's the community we want to be, is it not? 00:06:56.779 --> 00:06:58.120 That's the community we want to be. 00:06:58.120 --> 00:07:13.759 And if nothing else, I want us to be greatly heartened this morning by the fact that the God of the Bible would speak into the most painful and deepest wounds and sorest of wounds with his words. 00:07:13.860 --> 00:07:15.160 This is why he speaks here. 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:23.579 To offer words of challenge and to pour gallons of grace on the people who are behind this text. 00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:25.660 He loves us. 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:28.740 The God of the Bible is committed to his glory. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:35.740 And he's committed, determined to bring the people, the world over to see his goodness, love and grace. 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:37.920 And he is a good father. 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:42.420 Maybe for some of us here this morning, and again, this has been my prayer, 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:52.440 that this might even be by God's sheer goodness and grace, the start of that long road that is the healing process. 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:56.100 And so let's get into the meat of this. 00:07:56.219 --> 00:07:59.000 And again, here is the structure for today. 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:01.920 It's really simple because there's no PowerPoint. 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:03.339 Here it is, 3, 2, 1. 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:04.860 Okay? 00:08:05.259 --> 00:08:06.199 Here's the three. 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:12.120 Notice the three names of God that Malachi uses right up top. 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:17.939 Give us an indication into who he is and why he's speaking here. 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:19.139 Here's the first one. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:19.939 He's our father. 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:20.579 Verse 10. 00:08:20.660 --> 00:08:21.120 Do you see it? 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:23.000 He's our father. 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:29.360 God speaking through Malachi reminds them that as a nation, they are his special possession. 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:30.879 Right? 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:35.299 He is the father of the like, and they are all his children. 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:40.199 So this is him saying, it's not like we happen to have all pitched up and live in the same street. 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:42.979 No, God has brought us together. 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:44.759 He saved us as a people. 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:47.659 He's bound us and bonded us together. 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:48.599 He's our father. 00:08:49.399 --> 00:08:53.479 So it's a family metaphor that Malachi is using here. 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:54.579 He's our father. 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:55.819 We're his children. 00:08:56.959 --> 00:09:00.379 And do you see he say, has not one God created us? 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:04.919 Now, the Hebrew word there is the Genesis 1 word for God. 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:10.200 This God, says Malachi, remember, he's our creator. 00:09:12.340 --> 00:09:13.419 Look at your hands. 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:14.120 Take a breath. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:14.799 Sing a song. 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:19.539 It's him that's given us all the abilities that we have. 00:09:20.340 --> 00:09:21.159 He's our creator. 00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:23.200 He is the one. 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:27.139 He is the three in one God who's made us in his image. 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:34.720 And because the three in one God has made us in his image, we are deeply relational beings. 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:35.919 That is not an accident. 00:09:36.340 --> 00:09:40.740 And friends, that is why many of us, all of us really struggled with COVID being inside, not together. 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:42.679 Because we're wired. 00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:43.740 We're wired like this. 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:46.340 We are deeply relational beings. 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:49.740 In other words, the grand watchmaker knows how we tick. 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:52.399 He's made us in his image. 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:56.919 He's the relational God, father, son, spirit, loving each other perfectly. 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:59.080 Since before eternity began. 00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:06.879 Therefore, particularly when it comes to human relationships, and I take it this is Malachi's point, and sexuality. 00:10:08.319 --> 00:10:10.960 And how they will flourish best. 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:20.399 It seems that there is great wisdom in acknowledging that perhaps the God who framed us and knows us and who loves us. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:25.340 Might have something to say for our good into that. 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:32.159 Now, it's Glenn Harrison, Christian doctor and psychologist who's working down in Bristol. 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:35.579 In his wonderful little book, A Better Story. 00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:38.600 God, Sex, and Human Flourishing. 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:43.300 And this is one of the best books I've read on this that somebody has produced really recently. 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:45.680 He says this. 00:10:45.779 --> 00:10:46.159 He says, 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:50.180 The gospel calls us to learn to be God's creatures all over again. 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:53.879 Because this is his reality, not ours. 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:59.480 And we will flourish when we work in harmony with our creator's reality. 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:00.700 And I think that's so helpful. 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:06.000 This gospel calls us to learn to be God's creatures all over again. 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:07.600 If you want to check this out, just come and grab it. 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:08.660 It will be on the stage afterwards. 00:11:09.180 --> 00:11:11.860 But it's a really good book worth checking out. 00:11:12.060 --> 00:11:13.360 This is what Malachi is saying. 00:11:13.460 --> 00:11:14.420 He is our God. 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:15.460 He's the God. 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.740 He's the God who made us. 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:18.480 He designed it all. 00:11:19.800 --> 00:11:22.700 And lastly, thirdly, he is, verse 12, the Lord of hosts. 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:23.879 Do you see that? 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:27.120 He is the God of angel armies. 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:30.120 So this is a serious thing. 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:36.560 Not only when we lean into our own wisdom and neglect deliberately his, 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:41.799 but it's a serious thing when we inflict pain, not just on any human being, 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:47.440 but particularly when we inflict it in this context on God's children. 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:53.600 And we've got to answer to him at the end of the day for how we've treated others. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:57.139 So do you see the three aspects to God there? 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:58.500 He's our father. 00:11:59.120 --> 00:11:59.759 He loves us. 00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:00.300 He knows us. 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:00.899 He saved us. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:02.240 He's our God. 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:03.759 He's the one who framed us. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:04.500 He knows us. 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:05.960 And he's the Lord of angel armies. 00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:07.700 He's the one who we'll have to give account to. 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:11.980 They just frame this whole discussion that this is who God is. 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:15.379 And really quickly, from the three names of God, 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:19.000 see the two problems with this generation. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:24.019 And the first one is most clearly seen at the end of verse 15, 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:29.860 where Malachi says, guard yourselves in your spirit, right? 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:31.600 Heart, your inner self. 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:37.480 Guard yourselves in your spirit and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:41.779 So there's an easy divorce culture developing in Israel. 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:46.339 And there's two angles on this as to why God takes it so seriously. 00:12:46.579 --> 00:12:48.779 Firstly, there's a horizontal angle. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:58.459 Simply, the detrimental impact that the unfaithfulness has on other people. 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:01.659 As men in this generation, I take it, 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:06.259 normalize and legitimize ditching their wives 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:10.679 and going after the woman of the nations round about them, 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:13.080 thinking to themselves, 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:15.220 simply, I take it, I want a bit of that. 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:18.059 They are flourishing. 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:18.819 They are pretty. 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:21.439 Life might go better for me over there. 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:23.139 And so they go. 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:25.779 Which in this culture, 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:30.379 to do that, you are consigning the wife of your youth. 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:34.399 And just notice the details who God witnessed you to get married. 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:35.259 Verse 14, 00:13:35.699 --> 00:13:37.480 he witnessed you pledge yourself to her. 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:41.579 What you're doing is causing her to move back in with her parents. 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:46.799 And you're inflicting a shed load of shame and pain 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:51.079 on her, her family and their community. 00:13:51.459 --> 00:13:53.600 And the thing is, where did that all start? 00:13:54.579 --> 00:13:56.279 It started in their spirits. 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:58.819 That's why Malachi says, guard your spirits, guard your hearts. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.879 It all started in there. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:05.700 All started, in other words, from the vertical angle. 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:06.679 Right? 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:08.039 Horizontal, vertical angle. 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:12.019 These men being unfaithful to their wives and to their community, 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:13.340 why did they do it? 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.559 Because, first of all, 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:17.539 their hearts had given up on being faithful to the Lord. 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:21.879 Being satisfied with who he is. 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:24.080 In love with who he is. 00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:26.899 Desiring to be obedient to what he said. 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:31.740 Because God's instruction to his people throughout the Old Testament is explicit. 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:36.299 Don't marry foreign wives. 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:39.939 Now, you've got to be really clear here, right? 00:14:40.199 --> 00:14:42.840 That this instruction is not an ethnic thing. 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:45.959 Hear me loud and clear on that. 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:48.259 Neither is it a racial thing. 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:51.079 Again, hear me loud and clear on that. 00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:52.699 But hear me loud and clear on this. 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:53.319 What is it? 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:55.159 It's a worship thing. 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:57.399 It's a worship thing. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:59.819 Because why did God give them that law? 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:02.240 Because he knew the hearts of his people, 00:15:02.719 --> 00:15:03.679 that if they did, 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:07.159 they would wander right into idolatry. 00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:11.139 They would take up the customs of the nations round about, 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:13.159 of the small g gods, 00:15:13.439 --> 00:15:14.699 and they would run 00:15:14.699 --> 00:15:18.299 into the direction of rebellion against Yahweh. 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:21.959 This is a worship thing. 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:25.139 And the second problem, 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.000 verse 13, 00:15:27.219 --> 00:15:28.979 is that these same men 00:15:28.979 --> 00:15:31.719 waltz into God's temple, 00:15:32.859 --> 00:15:35.319 throw crocodile tears of contrition before him, 00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:36.959 weeping and groaning, 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:40.419 and they're puzzled when God doesn't seem to answer their prayers. 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:43.879 They even have the brass neck to ask in their hearts, 00:15:43.979 --> 00:15:44.639 verse 14, 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.819 why does he not? 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:47.099 And the answer, 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:47.679 I take it, 00:15:47.719 --> 00:15:50.459 is that God will not be played for a fool. 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:54.539 And so it's little wonder that Malachi says to this generation, 00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:55.559 guard your spirits, 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.579 guard your hearts, 00:15:56.959 --> 00:15:59.939 because this is a worship thing. 00:16:00.599 --> 00:16:01.839 So true in our lives, 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:02.199 isn't it, 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:02.459 friends? 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.500 This is, 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:05.740 everything else flows downstream from here. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:08.220 downstream from here. 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:11.000 This is a worship thing. 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.480 And when you frame it like that, 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.720 that is why, 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:16.740 even though we are not Old Testament Israel, 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:19.899 it is not unsurprising that a command 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:21.320 to only marry a believer 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:23.700 is repeated in the New Testament. 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:25.000 Now again, 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:26.820 I recognize that that is going to be painful 00:16:26.820 --> 00:16:28.019 for many of us. 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:29.820 And again, 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.299 we'd love to chat and pray with you 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:32.879 if you want to after this. 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.980 But I remember this, 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.680 growing up. 00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:39.620 If you're single here today, 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.940 I get that this is tough. 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:44.539 It is so good to have non-Christian friends. 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:45.779 So good. 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:48.879 But let us not go fishing there for romance. 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:52.700 It's just not good for us to do it. 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:55.440 And you ask in your hearts, 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:56.100 I remember this, 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:56.379 thinking, 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:56.600 oh, 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:58.060 but people are so much fun. 00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:58.299 It's, 00:16:58.899 --> 00:17:01.200 I can maybe attract them to Christian friends. 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:02.879 It rarely goes well. 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:04.720 And God has said, 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:06.180 don't do it. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.360 This is a worship thing. 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.680 He knows our hearts. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:12.039 And so here is the question 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.900 that's right at the heart of this. 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:16.460 Do we love the Lord? 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.600 Do you love him? 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:22.339 Do we trust what he says? 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.860 Do we trust his blueprint 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:26.119 for human relationships 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:27.359 and particularly for sex 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:28.679 in the context for that 00:17:28.679 --> 00:17:30.759 where it's going to go the best 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:32.139 the way that he's designed it to 00:17:32.139 --> 00:17:34.459 is a marriage between one man 00:17:34.459 --> 00:17:35.199 and one woman? 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:36.179 Are you convinced 00:17:36.179 --> 00:17:37.839 that that is the best? 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:41.319 Do we trust Jesus 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:43.839 with our relationship status? 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:47.059 the fact that we worship 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.079 a single man 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:50.819 who lived the most full 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:53.319 and most satisfied human life 00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:54.179 that ever existed. 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.619 I take it that 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.859 whoever we are today 00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:57.699 and whatever angle 00:17:57.699 --> 00:17:59.379 we're coming at this passage from, 00:17:59.919 --> 00:18:00.899 I take it 00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:02.619 that should be a great source 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:03.679 of comfort to us. 00:18:03.939 --> 00:18:05.359 Do you see how Jesus Christ 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:06.980 is the stone in the shoe 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:08.959 of the sexual revolution 00:18:08.959 --> 00:18:09.480 that the world 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.459 is trying to tell us? 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:12.579 that you cannot be satisfied 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.559 unless you give 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.960 some kind of outlet, 00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:16.680 you find some kind of partner 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:18.120 where you can be sexually fulfilled 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:19.940 and Jesus Christ would say 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:21.240 that's not true. 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:23.600 He's the stone in the shoe 00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:24.920 to the sexual revolution 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:26.880 as the world 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:29.200 is trying to sell it to us. 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:29.440 Friends, 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.980 do you trust God's blueprint 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.860 for your body? 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:34.259 You know, 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:35.519 we had that discussion recently 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.319 around the dinner table 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.039 with our kids 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:39.299 about special parts 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.019 of the body. 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.299 He said, 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:41.779 isn't that not just 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:44.019 a revealing thing 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.539 about our society, 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.579 our culture today 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.119 that we're having 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:48.119 to have that conversation 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:49.359 with six and seven year olds? 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.799 I don't think I was 14 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:52.019 until we got that at school. 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.400 But it's true, isn't it? 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:55.559 But what did we say to them? 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:58.339 You don't let just anyone go there. 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:00.519 Okay? 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.980 That's why I take it 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:03.119 when sex goes wrong, 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.940 the pain of it 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:06.940 is not like you've just 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.799 fallen off your bike 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.660 and skinned your knee 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.779 in the playground, is it? 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:11.359 The pain of it, 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.480 it feels like 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.879 sacred space 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.900 has been intruded upon. 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:18.019 Now, why do we feel like that? 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.240 I take it because 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.579 God has designed this 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.879 purposefully. 00:19:23.639 --> 00:19:25.619 That there is great sanctity 00:19:25.619 --> 00:19:26.920 in sex, 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.079 that God designed it 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:29.240 for more than just 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.119 mere pleasure. 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:32.240 God designed it 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.740 in order to help us 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:35.500 grasp something 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.920 profoundly bigger 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:38.259 and more real 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.259 and satisfying 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:41.060 about who he is 00:19:41.060 --> 00:19:42.580 and about his love 00:19:42.580 --> 00:19:43.740 for us. 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:47.400 Because that's true, 00:19:47.580 --> 00:19:49.039 the question is, 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:50.180 is Jesus worth 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:51.460 more to us 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.700 than the fleeting 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:54.259 pleasures and lusts 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.820 of this world? 00:19:56.320 --> 00:19:57.940 Will we trust him 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:59.600 when he says, 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:01.019 whoever wants to come 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:03.019 after me must deny himself, 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.660 take up his cross, 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:06.160 and follow me? 00:20:06.320 --> 00:20:07.180 That whoever would 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.279 lose his life 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.040 for my sake 00:20:09.040 --> 00:20:09.759 in the gospel 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:12.160 will gain his life. 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:17.000 And part of that denial, 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:17.560 I take it, 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:18.220 of self 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:19.840 is saying no 00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:20.600 to anything 00:20:20.600 --> 00:20:22.080 that would cause us 00:20:22.080 --> 00:20:22.980 to go against 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.180 King Jesus. 00:20:24.320 --> 00:20:24.940 And that takes us 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.500 to the one, 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:26.380 right, 00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:27.560 no great surprise here, 00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:28.400 he is the one. 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.440 Right, 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:30.540 three names of God, 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.220 two problems 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.100 with this generation, 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.820 and the one person 00:20:33.820 --> 00:20:35.240 that we need to run to here. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.519 It's fascinating 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.160 if you look at it 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:38.800 and glance at it 00:20:38.800 --> 00:20:39.080 if you want 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:40.340 in Mark chapter 10. 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:43.759 This topic of divorce 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.639 is put to Jesus. 00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:46.299 Right, 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:47.039 the Pharisees, 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:47.919 the religious lawyers 00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:48.379 of the day, 00:20:48.459 --> 00:20:49.259 they quiz him on it, 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:49.799 they want to know 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:51.119 what he thinks about it. 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:54.500 And notice the clues 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.339 as to the state 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:55.959 of their hearts 00:20:55.959 --> 00:20:57.079 and how this conversation 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.759 goes down. 00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:58.659 And I take it 00:20:58.659 --> 00:21:00.419 that's always a good thing 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:02.480 that is worth doing 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.379 when there's a question 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:05.679 asked of Jesus 00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:06.579 and Jesus asks 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.339 a question the other way. 00:21:07.419 --> 00:21:08.399 Put yourself in the shoes 00:21:08.399 --> 00:21:08.819 of the one 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.839 who's asking the question. 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:11.199 Because it's so often 00:21:11.199 --> 00:21:12.179 when Jesus answers 00:21:12.179 --> 00:21:13.439 a question with a question 00:21:13.439 --> 00:21:14.559 that the question 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:16.199 reveals the heart 00:21:16.199 --> 00:21:17.059 of the questioner. 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:17.419 Right? 00:21:17.959 --> 00:21:18.740 That makes sense. 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.419 Reveals the heart 00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:21.159 of the questioner. 00:21:21.199 --> 00:21:21.480 And otherwise, 00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:23.099 Jesus asks questions 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:24.099 to bring out 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:25.539 what's really going on 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.039 in the heart. 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.379 That's what happens here, 00:21:27.459 --> 00:21:28.220 Mark chapter 10. 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:30.299 They ask Jesus, 00:21:30.439 --> 00:21:30.720 Jesus, 00:21:30.939 --> 00:21:31.939 is it lawful 00:21:31.939 --> 00:21:32.579 for a man 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:34.419 to divorce his wife? 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:36.400 Now notice 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:37.940 that they don't ask 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.960 is it right 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.480 for a man 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:41.120 to divorce his wife? 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.860 They don't ask 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:43.840 is it wise for, 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.640 they ask 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:45.539 is it lawful 00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:45.960 for a man 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:47.100 to divorce his wife? 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:47.440 And again, 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.539 that's just the first clue 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.240 as to the state 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:49.759 of their hearts 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.160 and what they're 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.980 really worried about. 00:21:52.060 --> 00:21:52.700 And Jesus, 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:54.560 in classic Jesus style, 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.779 answers their question 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:58.100 with a question. 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.600 He says, 00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:00.100 what did Moses say? 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:01.120 Which is a good question. 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:03.459 And they reply, 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.119 he permitted us 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:04.919 to write a certificate 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:05.599 of divorce 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:07.879 and to send her away. 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.379 And again, 00:22:08.459 --> 00:22:09.419 that's the second clue 00:22:09.419 --> 00:22:10.339 as to the coldness 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:11.059 of the question. 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.319 What's going on 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:13.019 in their hearts? 00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:14.759 To send her away? 00:22:16.899 --> 00:22:18.299 How chilling is that 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.839 as a response? 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.119 Again, 00:22:22.179 --> 00:22:22.719 the conversation 00:22:22.719 --> 00:22:23.579 could have ended there 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.359 because the question 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:25.679 technically has been answered. 00:22:25.959 --> 00:22:27.139 But Jesus wants them 00:22:27.139 --> 00:22:28.019 to see when it comes 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.959 to this whole area 00:22:28.959 --> 00:22:30.039 of sex and marriage 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.719 that they've 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.600 totally missed 00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:32.740 the wood from the trees 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.960 in the most chilling 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:35.140 and in the most heartless 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:35.660 of ways. 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:36.920 He says, 00:22:37.360 --> 00:22:38.039 this is true 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:39.299 because of the hardness 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.339 of your hearts. 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.299 In other words, 00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:44.019 the problem isn't marriage. 00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:44.480 No, 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.240 the problem 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:48.039 is the sinful human heart. 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.400 He reaffirms 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:50.259 that God made them 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.920 in the beginning 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:52.740 male and female. 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:55.180 And he designed marriage 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.100 so that the two 00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:58.120 would become one flesh. 00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.740 In other words, 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:01.259 there's a design purpose 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.200 to the way God 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.140 has put this together. 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:05.279 You need to see it 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:07.000 and you ain't seeing it, 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.359 says Jesus to the Pharisees. 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:08.519 Now, 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.359 a good question 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:10.380 to ask at this point 00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:12.559 is why is Jesus 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.660 so strong in this? 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.339 It seems to be a good question. 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.480 Let me put it another way. 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:19.079 Have you ever asked yourself 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:21.059 why God gave us sexuality? 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:22.059 Now, 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:24.179 that's a conversation starter 00:23:24.179 --> 00:23:24.879 when you meet your friends 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:25.539 after this. 00:23:26.879 --> 00:23:27.819 But it's a question 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.399 I want to know 00:23:28.399 --> 00:23:29.299 that if you're a Christian 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.919 here today, 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:32.019 the Bible has a wonderfully 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.440 profound answer to you 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.740 for that question. 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:37.379 Why has God designed sexuality? 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.119 I'll get the how, 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:40.379 but why has he designed it? 00:23:41.639 --> 00:23:42.460 If you're here today 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.299 and you don't believe 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:44.059 any of the stuff 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.559 that I've said, 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.259 there's a question 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.319 for you to chew on. 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.940 Why is it even... 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:49.460 God could easily have made us 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:51.720 without that being necessary, 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:52.120 right? 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:54.539 Why did God design sexuality? 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:57.480 Well, 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:57.860 I take it 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.420 it's a question 00:23:58.420 --> 00:23:59.200 that one that Jesus 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:00.519 in the context of Mark 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:02.820 is about to show us 00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:03.620 the answer to 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:06.340 because he's about to fulfill. 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.000 Remember this, 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:08.580 where this comes, 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.660 Mark chapter 10, 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.840 Mark chapter 8. 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.680 If you want to read it through 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.759 in your own time after this, 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.340 that's where the penny drops 00:24:14.340 --> 00:24:15.580 as to who Jesus is. 00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:17.320 Chapters 1 to 8, 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.759 almost who he is, 00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:19.980 what the kids are doing upstairs. 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.700 Chapters 8 to 16, 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.879 this is why he came. 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.019 Where does this come? 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:24.720 Chapter 10, 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:26.039 it's the beginning of 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:27.220 why he came. 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:30.559 He is everything 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:32.079 that marriage is pointing to. 00:24:32.419 --> 00:24:34.639 He is the divine bridegroom 00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:36.819 who's come on a rescue mission 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:38.319 to woo 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:40.139 and to win his people 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:42.839 as his bride to himself. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.879 And he does it 00:24:44.879 --> 00:24:46.659 because he's going to the cross 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:48.100 to win his people 00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:49.060 for himself, 00:24:49.060 --> 00:24:51.160 going to the cross 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:53.279 to pay for their sin. 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:55.480 And whoever we are here today, 00:24:55.560 --> 00:24:56.880 we've all made mistakes 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:57.700 in this field. 00:24:58.580 --> 00:25:00.019 All of us have made mistakes 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.700 in this field, 00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:02.720 regardless of what your relationship status 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.600 is here today. 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:05.600 And this is why he's the one person 00:25:05.600 --> 00:25:06.700 that we need to get to. 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.480 And he's the one person 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.120 that we need to see. 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.660 No, our identity is in him 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.400 and who he is 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:12.740 and what he's done for us. 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:15.059 That's where we need to get to 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:16.400 because he on the cross 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.539 took all of our shame 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.160 and our sin, 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:21.039 all of our past regrets, 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.680 all of our secret 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:25.299 and hidden mistakes, 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:28.259 all the pain that's wrapped up, 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:29.779 not just in this area, 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.940 but every area. 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:32.359 He goes to the cross 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:34.039 to make our problems 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:35.920 and our shame 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:37.460 and our sin 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.700 his own. 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:42.299 And whoever you are here today, 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.819 that's where we need to get to 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:45.660 because there is forgiveness 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:47.620 and there is gallants of grace 00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.400 to be found 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:50.140 in Jesus. 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:52.600 Because where you and I 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:54.360 are faithless, 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:57.240 he is faithful. 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:01.460 Human marriage is a pale 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:03.180 and imperfect reflection of 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:05.420 and one that points to 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:07.019 the relationship 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:09.299 that Jesus Christ has 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.880 with his church. 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:14.259 For those who are married 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:14.940 here today, 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:16.759 is this not a wonderful reminder, 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.980 one that we will never 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:20.019 be able to measure up to 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.920 and yet wonderfully 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.960 is our call 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.920 to make our marriages 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:24.660 about the bigger 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.799 and ultimate purpose 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:27.519 of Jesus 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.840 and his church. 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.340 It's why, 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:30.860 husbands, 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.700 if we're here today, 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:34.140 the call to sacrificially 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:34.980 serve 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:37.120 and give yourself 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.799 for 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:39.940 and have eyes 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.860 only for 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:42.299 our wives 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.039 is the call 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.519 on us 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.819 and it's why 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.380 wives, 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.740 God calls you 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.580 to choose 00:26:47.580 --> 00:26:48.200 to follow 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:49.140 the servant-hearted, 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.720 loving lead 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.360 of your husband 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:51.640 and to submit 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:52.059 to him 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.580 as the church 00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:53.460 does to Jesus 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.980 because we recognize 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:57.059 that there's a bigger 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.759 game in which 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.420 we're playing. 00:26:59.440 --> 00:26:59.880 Right? 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.500 And I watched it 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.259 over Christmas time, 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.680 my aunt, 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.859 she cried over 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:03.279 my uncle 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:04.000 when he died 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:05.799 but at the end 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.279 of the pain 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.819 of half an hour 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.500 she walked out 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:07.900 of the room 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.339 and they pulled 00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:08.980 down the blinds 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.359 and do you know 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:09.879 what she said? 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.839 I'll see him 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.319 in glory 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:13.619 because there's 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.379 a bigger game 00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:15.000 that we're playing 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.279 in, 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.660 there's a bigger 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.319 marriage that 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:17.940 we're involved 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.480 in and whoever 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.180 you are here 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.660 today, 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:21.200 that wedding 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.039 photo at the 00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:22.799 end of time, 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.519 you will be in it 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.879 by your faith 00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.480 in Christ 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.539 when the wedding 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.720 photo of Jesus 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.940 and his church 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.500 happens 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:31.240 and the thing 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.740 is you won't 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.440 just be a face 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.120 in the crowd, 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.240 your face 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.460 will be caught 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.960 up in the face 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:39.200 of the bride 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:42.019 and that's where 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.640 this is pointed 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.519 to this whole 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.779 thing, 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:46.680 your face 00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:47.480 will be in that 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.660 wedding photo. 00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:50.559 Friends, 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.120 just as we close, 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:51.400 do you see 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:51.940 how Jesus 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.940 calls us 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:54.460 to dance 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:56.100 to a new 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:56.420 tune? 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.440 The world 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.240 says I'm free 00:27:59.240 --> 00:27:59.819 to do what I 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.600 want any old 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.840 time and I'm 00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:02.720 free to be who 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.600 I choose any 00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:04.079 old time. 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:04.340 Do you want to 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:04.660 know the other 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.120 song that's been 00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:05.600 in my head all 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:07.700 week from a 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.279 generation even 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:09.140 before this? 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:10.960 It's a song by 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:12.440 T-Rex and a 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.100 handful of you 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:13.420 will know what 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.039 that song is. 00:28:14.600 --> 00:28:15.319 They sang the 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:15.799 song, do you 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:16.079 remember it, 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.779 Children of the 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.299 Revolution? 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:18.880 Remember that song 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.640 Children of the 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.059 Revolution? 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:20.720 Some of you are 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.360 nodding, some of 00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:21.799 you don't have a 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.019 clue. 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:24.339 But this is 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.980 what you are if 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.460 you're a Christian 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.259 here today and 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.160 you adopt this. 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:29.019 You're a child 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:30.160 of the 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.700 revolution. 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.819 The eternal 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:34.000 sexual revolution 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.779 that Jesus 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:36.500 Christ unveiled 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:37.379 2,000 years 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:39.000 ago in a 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.960 Greco-Roman world 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.619 that prized 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:41.259 power and 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.039 dominance and 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.859 saw women and 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:43.379 children as 00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:43.900 inferior, 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:45.319 encouraged men 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.359 not to hold 00:28:46.359 --> 00:28:46.960 back on 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.779 unleashing their 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.700 sexual desires. 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.559 You can imagine 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.420 the revolution that 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.059 kicked off in 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:52.000 this time. 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:54.519 And it might 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.180 just be that the 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:55.799 scales are on the 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.539 other side in our 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.200 culture today. 00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:58.660 But make no 00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.339 mistake, it is 00:28:59.339 --> 00:28:59.839 still as 00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:01.359 revolutionary then 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:02.700 as it is today. 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.839 So the question 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.519 is, friends, do we 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.039 love him? 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.900 Do we love Jesus? 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:09.200 Will we take him 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:09.980 up at his words 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:11.480 that what he says 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.119 his way is the 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:12.539 best? 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:13.859 Will we allow him 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:15.079 to pour gallons 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:16.359 of grace into our 00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.220 wounds in this 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:17.839 whole area? 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.359 And will we take 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.119 up our cross, 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.819 deny self, 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:23.339 and follow him? 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:23.879 Let me just give 00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:24.619 you a real concrete 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.319 example as we 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.480 finish as to how 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.359 I saw this play 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:28.960 out in my time 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.619 at Brunsfield. 00:29:30.639 --> 00:29:31.279 I remember a 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.000 girl here years 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:32.299 ago. 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:34.079 She was engaged 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.799 to her soon-to-be 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.180 husband. 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:36.920 And as is the 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.639 nature of renting 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.460 in this city, 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.240 he needed to be 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.079 out of his flat 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.799 before they got 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.160 married. 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:42.980 And you can 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.500 imagine the 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.379 issues that that 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:44.940 caused. 00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:46.759 Anyone looking on 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.359 would see that the 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:48.200 easy thing for them 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:49.059 to do was just to 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.799 move in together. 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:51.339 It would save on 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:52.899 money, tons of 00:29:52.899 --> 00:29:53.759 money for two or 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.379 three months before 00:29:54.379 --> 00:29:55.039 they got married. 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:57.019 All the hassle of 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.579 trying to find 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.240 somewhere to put 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.019 your stuff. 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.519 Not to mention the 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.419 inconvenience of 00:30:01.419 --> 00:30:02.099 rocking up at 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:02.779 someone's house and 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.359 saying, can I just 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.139 stay over for a 00:30:04.139 --> 00:30:04.899 little bit of time? 00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:07.440 Why bother? 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:08.740 Well, they made the 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:10.740 call that to do so, 00:30:11.139 --> 00:30:12.139 to move in together, 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.919 would not only be 00:30:12.919 --> 00:30:13.940 potentially damaging 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:15.039 to their witness in 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.720 front of the watching 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:17.359 world, they would 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.859 make their own 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:19.000 conclusions as to what 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:20.180 they were doing, but 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.539 it would just 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:22.019 unnecessarily put them 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:23.200 in temptation's way. 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.200 And so they made 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:25.900 the call, no, we're 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.440 going to live in 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.480 separate places until 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.140 we get married. 00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:30.940 And it cost them, it 00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:32.839 cost them money, it 00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:33.319 cost them the 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:34.279 inconvenience of 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.500 having to do it, but 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.680 they wanted to do it 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.839 to show the world, 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.819 actually our lives are 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:41.440 caught up in the 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:42.240 truer marriage. 00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:43.700 And we want to 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.480 honour him right at 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.200 the beginning of our 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:45.940 married life. 00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:47.140 But what a powerful 00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:48.059 statement to the 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.900 watching world. 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:50.500 not just that we 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:52.720 honour Jesus, but 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.579 that we understand 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.400 the bigger story 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:55.000 which God has 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.099 called us to in 00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:56.380 him. 00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:58.240 The one of which 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.140 the Apostle Paul, 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.359 another single man, 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:03.039 could see is a 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.400 profound mystery. 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.759 And it's a mystery 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.759 because it points to 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.420 the profound 00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:10.079 marriage between 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:12.160 Jesus Christ and 00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:12.740 his church. 00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:14.859 Now we're going to 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.500 move into a time of 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.220 communion in just a 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.720 minute, we'll sing 00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:17.480 one song and then 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:17.880 do it. 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.920 But I hope this 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:19.780 just lends itself 00:31:19.780 --> 00:31:21.580 so naturally to 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:22.300 that being a 00:31:22.300 --> 00:31:23.300 fitting climax to 00:31:23.300 --> 00:31:23.940 our time together 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.520 this morning. 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.520 Because that is 00:31:25.520 --> 00:31:26.580 exactly what we're 00:31:26.580 --> 00:31:27.460 celebrating, isn't 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:27.660 it? 00:31:28.300 --> 00:31:28.840 As we take the 00:31:28.840 --> 00:31:29.240 bread and the 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:29.760 wine, we're 00:31:29.760 --> 00:31:31.260 celebrating the 00:31:31.260 --> 00:31:32.260 union that we 00:31:32.260 --> 00:31:33.660 have with our 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:34.740 divine husband, with 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.080 Jesus. 00:31:36.340 --> 00:31:37.220 Friends, I recognise 00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:37.820 that this would have 00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:38.820 been a painful topic 00:31:38.820 --> 00:31:39.660 for many of us 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.520 today and that it 00:31:40.520 --> 00:31:42.000 really is a genuine 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:42.920 offer if you want to 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:43.740 chat or to pray. 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.859 And again, just 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:45.559 maybe to anyone 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:47.400 sitting around 00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:48.180 about you to do 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:48.460 that. 00:31:48.620 --> 00:31:49.079 Again, we just want 00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:49.980 to foster that 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.099 culture where we're 00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:52.440 just praying together 00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:53.259 is just a natural 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:54.279 thing that we do. 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.380 But I'm going to 00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:56.140 pray just now. 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.420 I'm just going to 00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:58.259 pray particularly that 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.920 God would be with 00:31:58.920 --> 00:32:00.559 us as we journey on 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.120 this morning. 00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:02.059 So let us pray. 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.200 Amen. 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:10.279 And so Father, I 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:11.160 just pray, Lord, that 00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:12.200 by your Holy Spirit, 00:32:13.080 --> 00:32:14.420 Lord, that you would 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:16.360 be bringing words 00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:18.200 right now, I take 00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:19.440 it, of challenge 00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:23.000 and perhaps of 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:25.259 painful prodding in 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:26.120 areas where we need 00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:26.759 to change. 00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:29.200 Oh, but Father, would 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:30.200 he also be bringing 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:31.740 words of comfort, 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:33.700 and words of 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.200 grace. 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:37.559 Father, as you, as 00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.220 we've looked at this 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:40.000 morning, speak those 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:41.860 words into some of 00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:42.940 the most painful and 00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:44.559 sensitive of places. 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:46.759 So Lord, I pray that 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:48.059 wherever we are today, 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.160 Lord, that we 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:50.200 wouldn't leave this 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:51.900 place with a spirit of 00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:54.120 judgment or condemnation 00:32:54.120 --> 00:32:54.900 upon us. 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:56.180 But Lord, we would 00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:57.059 leave this morning 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:58.720 having met with the 00:32:58.720 --> 00:33:00.819 gracious King, Jesus 00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.360 Christ. 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:03.340 gracious Father, we 00:33:03.340 --> 00:33:04.140 just commit ourselves 00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:06.080 into your hands, the 00:33:06.080 --> 00:33:07.900 hands that hold us, the 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:08.980 hands and heart that 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:09.620 love us. 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:11.240 We just pray these 00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:12.200 things to you, our 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:14.059 good Father, in Jesus 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.420 name. 00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:15.480 Amen.