WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.339 --> 00:00:12.939 Amen. 00:00:13.720 --> 00:00:17.480 We're delighted to have Brian and Jill Fickert with us this weekend. 00:00:17.660 --> 00:00:19.300 Thank you all for joining us. 00:00:19.859 --> 00:00:25.719 And we learned last night within the first 30 seconds of Dr. Fickert's message that he 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:29.420 is both taller and funnier than our normal pastor. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.359 And that hurt my feelings a little bit. 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:34.560 I thought one was less obvious than the other. 00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:41.759 But we're delighted that he's back from Chattanooga, where he is a professor at Covenant College, 00:00:41.859 --> 00:00:44.960 the founder and director of the Chalmers Center there. 00:00:45.380 --> 00:00:50.859 And he loves God's church and God's word as we do. 00:00:51.159 --> 00:00:55.060 And so he's coming to open God's word for us this morning, and we're eager to hear from 00:00:55.060 --> 00:00:55.200 him. 00:00:55.200 --> 00:00:56.840 Thank you, Dr. Fickert, for being here. 00:00:56.840 --> 00:00:59.960 Thank you, brother. 00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:00.540 Thank you. 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:11.760 Well, good morning. 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:17.000 I bring your greetings from Covenant College, which is the college of this denomination, 00:01:17.180 --> 00:01:18.620 the Presbyterian Church in America. 00:01:18.620 --> 00:01:19.540 I'm a professor there. 00:01:19.900 --> 00:01:23.140 I'm also the founder and president of something called the Chalmers Center. 00:01:23.300 --> 00:01:25.480 We are a church-equipping organization. 00:01:25.660 --> 00:01:31.500 We seek to equip the church to minister in words and in deeds to people who are poor, both 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:33.120 in the United States and around the world. 00:01:33.260 --> 00:01:35.439 And it's just a joy to be with you folks today. 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:38.939 I am a professor, so I have to start off with a quiz for you. 00:01:38.939 --> 00:01:42.599 You do have the outline, I believe, of my talk in your bulletin. 00:01:42.739 --> 00:01:44.340 And there's two opening questions. 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:49.039 I would really like you to write down your answers to these two questions very briefly. 00:01:49.159 --> 00:01:50.060 The first is this. 00:01:50.539 --> 00:01:52.239 Why did Jesus come to earth? 00:01:53.299 --> 00:01:54.219 Why did Jesus... 00:01:54.219 --> 00:01:55.159 These are easy ones. 00:01:55.959 --> 00:01:57.640 Why did Jesus come to earth? 00:01:57.719 --> 00:02:00.340 And secondly, what is the gospel? 00:02:00.340 --> 00:02:03.079 Why did Jesus come to earth? 00:02:03.659 --> 00:02:05.659 And what is the gospel? 00:02:05.659 --> 00:02:05.780 Why did Jesus come to earth? 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:05.960 Why did Jesus come to earth? 00:02:05.960 --> 00:02:07.740 And what is the gospel? 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:37.780 As you're finishing that up, let me just give a little bit of introduction before we look 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:39.379 at today's reading. 00:02:40.039 --> 00:02:46.800 As we think about pursuing the Great Commission in the 21st century, whether at home or abroad, 00:02:47.219 --> 00:02:50.780 we are immediately confronted with the issue of poverty. 00:02:50.780 --> 00:02:56.580 You see, the center of Christianity has shifted from the West to the majority world of Africa, 00:02:57.140 --> 00:02:58.960 Asia, and Latin America. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:05.120 And within those continents, the gospel is growing and spreading most rapidly amongst 00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:07.640 the poorest people in those places. 00:03:08.480 --> 00:03:13.780 As historian Philip Jenkins has noted, the typical Christian in the 21st century is not 00:03:13.780 --> 00:03:17.480 an American business person attending a megachurch in a U.S. suburb. 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:23.719 Rather, the typical Christian in the 21st century is a poor woman living in a slum in Sao Paulo, 00:03:23.860 --> 00:03:27.680 Brazil, or a poor woman living in a village in rural Nigeria. 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:32.659 And closer to home, we are confronted with poverty right outside our doors. 00:03:33.340 --> 00:03:38.740 A recent study has suggested that the poverty rate in Huntsville is about 18%, but there are 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:43.879 actually some neighborhoods just outside of the city center where the poverty rate is actually 00:03:43.879 --> 00:03:44.840 as high as 66%. 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:54.540 Huntsville is the 14th, sorry, Madison County is the 14th worst county in the country in terms 00:03:54.539 --> 00:03:55.539 of upward mobility. 00:03:55.539 --> 00:04:00.919 In other words, if one does the things that one does to pursue the American dream, get an 00:04:00.919 --> 00:04:07.719 education, try to find work, your capacity for achieving the goal of the American dream 00:04:07.719 --> 00:04:12.180 in Madison County is the 14th worst in the country. 00:04:12.180 --> 00:04:18.699 Now, coexisting with these poor people, both at home and abroad, are the rest of us who 00:04:18.699 --> 00:04:24.000 are amongst the richest people ever to walk the face of planet Earth. 00:04:24.720 --> 00:04:29.740 Now, how should the Church of Jesus Christ respond to these disparities as we try to pursue 00:04:29.740 --> 00:04:30.680 the Great Commission? 00:04:31.100 --> 00:04:32.139 What should we do? 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:38.039 Well, I don't believe that we can get a comprehensive answer to that question from today's passage, 00:04:38.319 --> 00:04:44.159 but I do believe that today's passage, when interpreted in light of all of Scripture, does 00:04:44.159 --> 00:04:52.219 shed some light for us on how we should pursue the Great Commission in the face of poverty at 00:04:52.219 --> 00:04:53.139 home and abroad. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:58.439 The passage we're about to read describes Paul and Barnabas, who are really the first missionaries, 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:05.019 as they seek to bring the gospel into the town of Lystra, which is essentially, it's Gentile 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:09.879 territory, they're essentially bringing the gospel to an unreached people group. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:18.100 So Acts chapter 14, verses 8 through 20, Acts chapter 14, verses 8 through 20 is our reading 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:18.500 today. 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:28.420 Again, Paul and Barnabas pursuing the Great Commission, bringing the gospel to an unreached 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:29.759 unreached people group. 00:05:32.199 --> 00:05:35.939 It says this, in Lystra there sat a man who was lame. 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:39.420 He had been that way from birth and had never walked. 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:41.519 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:46.659 Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed, and called out, stand up 00:05:46.659 --> 00:05:47.339 on your feet. 00:05:48.300 --> 00:05:51.720 At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. 00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:58.019 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in Lyconian language, the gods have come 00:05:58.019 --> 00:05:59.799 down to us in human form. 00:06:00.479 --> 00:06:04.879 Barnabas they called Zeus, Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:11.019 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:16.719 gates, because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:21.720 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes. 00:06:22.140 --> 00:06:26.040 They rushed into the crowd shouting, friends, why are you doing this? 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:28.380 We too are only human like you. 00:06:28.780 --> 00:06:33.700 We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the 00:06:33.700 --> 00:06:38.020 living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 00:06:38.019 --> 00:06:41.719 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 00:06:42.259 --> 00:06:44.859 Yet he has not left himself without testimony. 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:50.139 He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons. 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:55.159 He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. 00:06:56.339 --> 00:07:00.519 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:05.259 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:09.699 They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking that he was dead. 00:07:09.779 --> 00:07:14.219 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up, went back into the city. 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:17.420 The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:19.819 This is the word of the Lord. 00:07:19.899 --> 00:07:23.339 Let us just ask the Lord's blessing on us this morning. 00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:29.560 Almighty God, these are not just words on a page. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:31.680 These are your words to your people. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:36.639 Words of life, words of truth, words that are meant for wholeness, 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:41.699 words that are meant to call us unto yourself, to bring us into your presence, 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:44.120 words that are meant to make us flourish. 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:46.220 We pray that you be with us today. 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:49.360 Help us to hear what you are saying to us in your word. 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:51.480 Holy Spirit, we ask that you would show up, 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:56.199 that you would bring the transformation that all of us need to our hearts 00:07:56.199 --> 00:07:58.219 and our minds and our bodies and our actions. 00:08:00.519 --> 00:08:02.800 We pray that you would do something with us today. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:06.339 Through your word, in Jesus' name we pray. 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:07.259 Amen. 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:13.699 As Paul and Barnabas bring the gospel to this unreached people group, 00:08:13.779 --> 00:08:17.120 the first thing that they do is they encounter this man who's crippled, 00:08:17.219 --> 00:08:18.060 crippled from birth. 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:23.279 And commentators are agreed that almost certainly this man would have been a beggar. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:26.639 He would have been unable to work due to the fact that he was lame. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:30.239 And so he's the kind of person who would have sat there in the marketplace 00:08:30.239 --> 00:08:32.179 with his hands outstretched, 00:08:32.959 --> 00:08:37.339 hoping that somebody would put food into his hands so that he could survive. 00:08:38.299 --> 00:08:42.339 Now what do the first missionaries do when they encounter this crippled man, 00:08:42.419 --> 00:08:44.980 this man who is poor, this beggar, if you will? 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:48.500 Well, the first thing we notice is that they heal him. 00:08:48.819 --> 00:08:51.679 They restore him so that he's able to function again. 00:08:51.679 --> 00:08:54.120 He would have been able to work again. 00:08:54.839 --> 00:08:56.159 Now why do they do this? 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:59.259 Why would missionaries heal a crippled man? 00:08:59.359 --> 00:09:02.719 Isn't the task of the church solely to preach? 00:09:03.579 --> 00:09:06.939 Isn't it the case that addressing the man's physical needs 00:09:06.939 --> 00:09:13.199 will divert the church and its missionaries from their task of fulfilling the Great Commission? 00:09:13.839 --> 00:09:16.899 I would submit to you that the answer to this question is no. 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:21.100 I would submit to you the answer to those questions are no. 00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:27.539 And the reason has to do with the two questions I asked you at the start of this talk. 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:29.939 Why did Jesus come to earth? 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:32.139 And what is the gospel? 00:09:32.959 --> 00:09:35.899 And in order to understand the answers to those questions, 00:09:36.059 --> 00:09:40.279 we have to back up way back, way back to the very, very beginning 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:45.339 and understand this passage in light of all of God's grand story. 00:09:45.439 --> 00:09:47.339 You see, the story begins in the garden, right? 00:09:48.059 --> 00:09:52.860 God creates a good world, and in the beginning, he calls it all good, 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:56.620 and he appoints human beings to be in charge of his creation. 00:09:57.439 --> 00:10:00.579 And he makes these human beings in his image. 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:08.060 And because he is a creator, they reflect his image when they engage in creative activity. 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:12.800 In other words, work is part of what it means to be human. 00:10:12.940 --> 00:10:14.340 We are wired for work. 00:10:14.780 --> 00:10:16.740 Work is not just a necessary evil. 00:10:17.300 --> 00:10:22.060 Work is part of how we fulfill our calling as image bearers. 00:10:22.420 --> 00:10:26.400 And God sets it up in the garden in such a way that as a result of our work, 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:28.020 we'll be able to eat. 00:10:28.019 --> 00:10:30.879 We'll be able to sustain ourselves through our work. 00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:33.779 Now, of course, what happens is the fall, right? 00:10:34.319 --> 00:10:36.939 The fall happens, and Adam and Eve sinned against God. 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:41.379 One of the very first things that we see happening is that work is cursed. 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:44.899 Adam is told thorns will infest the ground. 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:47.360 It won't bear fruit the way that it was supposed to. 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:50.460 Eve is told there will be pains and childbearing. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:55.220 One of the root causes of poverty is that moment. 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:59.920 That moment of the fall, work is undermined. 00:11:00.779 --> 00:11:05.180 And a loss of sustaining work is at the essence of poverty. 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:10.420 But right there in the garden, God promises to send a savior. 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:14.360 He promises to Eve that through her offspring, 00:11:15.160 --> 00:11:17.580 one will come who will crush the serpent's head. 00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:22.120 And as the Old Testament unfolds, we learn more and more of what this promise means. 00:11:22.300 --> 00:11:27.360 Abraham is told that through his seed, all people on earth will be blessed. 00:11:28.400 --> 00:11:30.500 And then the scriptures unfold a little bit more. 00:11:31.040 --> 00:11:32.520 We get to the book of Isaiah. 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:36.460 And we find out in Isaiah that this one who is promised, 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:38.220 the one who is coming, 00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:42.640 will be a king who will usher in a kingdom. 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:45.279 Isaiah chapter 9, verses 6 through 7, 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:47.399 a passage we often read at Christmas. 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:50.039 Talking about this coming king, 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:52.039 talking about his coming kingdom, 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:52.840 we read this. 00:11:53.439 --> 00:11:55.299 For to us a child is born, 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:57.439 to us a son is given. 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:00.279 And the government will be on his shoulders, 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:02.340 and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, 00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:03.840 Mighty God, 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:06.000 Everlasting Father, 00:12:06.819 --> 00:12:08.620 Prince of Peace. 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:11.259 That word peace is very important in this passage. 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:15.019 Of the greatness of his government and of peace, 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:18.019 there will be no end. 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:22.120 Note that this kingdom will expand over the whole earth, 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:25.259 bringing justice and righteousness and peace 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:27.860 as far as the curse is found. 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:30.159 Now folks, this word peace 00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:33.019 doesn't just mean the absence of war. 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:35.159 It's actually in Hebrew the word shalom. 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:38.539 It means comprehensive happiness, 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:42.439 completeness, health, prosperity, 00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:45.099 restoration of all things 00:12:45.099 --> 00:12:47.379 to the way they are supposed to be. 00:12:48.199 --> 00:12:50.399 It's what we're all longing for. 00:12:52.079 --> 00:12:53.319 And as Isaiah unfolds, 00:12:53.459 --> 00:12:54.899 we read that in particular, 00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:56.980 he will bring this peace, 00:12:57.339 --> 00:12:59.299 this shalom to the poor. 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:03.219 Isaiah chapter 61, verses 1 and 2, 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:06.440 a passage that foretells 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:08.600 the coming of this king and his kingdom. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.379 We read this, 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:12.160 the spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me 00:13:12.160 --> 00:13:13.820 because the Lord has anointed me 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:17.560 to proclaim good news to the poor. 00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:20.700 He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:22.580 to proclaim freedom for the captives, 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:25.399 and release from darkness for the prisoners. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:30.519 To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:31.620 The year of the Lord's favor 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:33.319 is referring to the year of Jubilee. 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:36.240 Every 50 years in Old Testament Israel, 00:13:36.699 --> 00:13:37.879 land was to be restored 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:39.220 to the original landowners. 00:13:39.679 --> 00:13:40.919 Debts were to be forgiven. 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:43.079 There was a moment of restoration 00:13:43.079 --> 00:13:45.299 for all in the land, 00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:46.919 including the poor. 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:49.939 Once again, the poor people would be restored 00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:52.259 to what we are made to be. 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:53.579 People who can work 00:13:53.579 --> 00:13:56.539 and support ourselves through that work. 00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:59.139 Look, the kingdom is introduced 00:13:59.139 --> 00:14:01.279 in economic terms. 00:14:01.459 --> 00:14:02.219 I'm an economist. 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.439 The kingdom is introduced 00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:07.099 in economic terms. 00:14:07.219 --> 00:14:07.980 It is a kingdom 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:10.399 that will restore human beings 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:12.500 to image-bearing people 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:14.419 who can work and support themselves 00:14:14.419 --> 00:14:15.620 through their own work. 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:17.159 Now, I need you to move forward 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:18.740 to about 700 years. 00:14:20.579 --> 00:14:21.959 700 years from the time 00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:23.019 of the prophet of Isaiah. 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:23.139 Isaiah. 00:14:24.579 --> 00:14:27.340 Jesus is about to launch 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:28.539 his earthly ministry. 00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:30.939 He's just been tempted 00:14:30.939 --> 00:14:32.480 in the desert, 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:34.179 and he goes to a synagogue, 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.639 and in that synagogue, 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:37.120 the Jews are worshiping, 00:14:37.439 --> 00:14:38.399 and they're longing 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:40.059 because they knew 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:42.340 that there was a promised Messiah. 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:44.059 They knew that there was 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:45.379 a king who was coming, 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.659 and they were longing 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:47.600 for that king. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:48.620 They were longing 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:49.439 for that kingdom, 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:51.480 but the Romans 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:52.480 were writing the show. 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:56.019 And hope was probably 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:57.039 in short supply. 00:14:58.860 --> 00:14:59.960 And in that synagogue, 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:01.779 Jesus, the son of the carpenter, 00:15:01.939 --> 00:15:02.819 stands up, 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:05.240 and a scroll is handed to him 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.480 from the book of Isaiah, 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:08.000 and he opens it 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.699 to the passage 00:15:08.699 --> 00:15:10.139 that we just read. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.860 In Luke chapter 4, 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:14.279 we read that Jesus opens up, 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:16.000 and he reads that passage 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.539 from Isaiah, 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.600 the one that we just read, 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:19.340 and he closes with this. 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:20.340 today, 00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:20.940 today, 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:22.259 this scripture 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.500 is fulfilled 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.759 in your hearing. 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:30.279 A shiver must have run 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.759 up and down the spines 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.819 of the people 00:15:32.819 --> 00:15:33.700 in the synagogue 00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:34.519 that day, 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:35.779 because what Jesus 00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:36.480 is saying 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:38.200 is that promised king 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:39.679 and that promised kingdom 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.539 is at hand, 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:41.860 and he is that king. 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:43.179 He is the king of kings 00:15:43.179 --> 00:15:43.960 and lord of lords. 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:44.919 He is the one 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:45.399 who's going to make 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.139 all things new. 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:47.039 He is the one 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.860 who's bringing healing 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.700 for the lame, 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.539 for the blind, 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:50.480 and for the leper. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:52.120 That's who he is. 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.519 Indeed, 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:55.860 the good news 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:57.980 of the kingdom of God 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:59.000 was Jesus' 00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:00.720 primary message. 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:02.860 We read in Luke chapter 4, 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.840 verse 43, 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:05.720 Jesus says, 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:06.960 I must proclaim 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:08.080 the good news 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:09.580 of the kingdom of God 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:11.679 to the other towns also, 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:14.200 because that is why 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.279 I was sent. 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.200 Jesus' message was 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:19.019 the kingdom of God. 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:21.220 I asked you at the start, 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:23.420 why did Jesus come to earth, 00:16:23.660 --> 00:16:25.040 and what is the gospel? 00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:26.560 Now, if you're like 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:27.899 most Christians in America, 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:29.480 you answer those questions 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.360 in the following way. 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:31.820 Why did Jesus come to earth? 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.060 He came to earth 00:16:33.060 --> 00:16:34.100 to die on the cross 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:35.620 to save me from my sins. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.960 What is the gospel? 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:38.420 The gospel is the good news 00:16:38.420 --> 00:16:40.139 that if I repent of my sins 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.300 and trust in Jesus, 00:16:41.560 --> 00:16:42.860 my soul can go to heaven 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.759 when I die. 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.960 Those are good answers. 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.519 They're true answers. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:49.500 Hallelujah. 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:52.059 My sins are nailed to the cross 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:53.320 and I bear them no more. 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.419 I'm a sinner. 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.759 I need a savior. 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:58.279 And Jesus solves that problem for me 00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:59.659 because I have a legal problem 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:01.580 before a righteous and holy God. 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.440 But folks, 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:04.440 when we reduce the message 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:06.039 of Jesus Christ and his work 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.980 to that, 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.319 it creates problems. 00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:15.200 Because there's a fuller story, 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:16.539 and it's the story 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:18.220 of the kingdom of God, 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:20.079 which was Jesus' primary story. 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:21.539 And see, 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.700 without that story, 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.259 we end up in weird places. 00:17:24.639 --> 00:17:25.599 Let me give you an example. 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:28.440 I'm a Presbyterian pastor's kid. 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:30.799 I grew up 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:32.399 in this kind of setting. 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.559 My father was an Orthodox 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:36.180 Presbyterian pastor. 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:38.059 That means that 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:40.599 in the space of Presbyterianism, 00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:42.839 I am a Hebrew of the Hebrews. 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:48.319 The OPC are like the Hasidic Jews 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:49.459 of Presbyterianism. 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:51.500 I can out-Orthodox all of you. 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:56.419 And being a pastor's kid, 00:17:56.899 --> 00:17:58.480 I was told 00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:01.159 that whenever the church doors were open, 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.779 I had to be there. 00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:06.480 Mom would say to me, 00:18:06.719 --> 00:18:08.879 don't you want to set a good example 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:09.920 for your peers? 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:12.340 Well, believing that the salvation 00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:13.760 of an entire generation 00:18:13.760 --> 00:18:15.120 rested on my shoulders, 00:18:16.060 --> 00:18:18.100 every time the church doors were open, 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:18.840 I was there. 00:18:19.280 --> 00:18:20.640 My therapist says that 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:21.680 in 30 or 40 years, 00:18:21.780 --> 00:18:23.320 I might get over all of this. 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.860 Now, I was subjected 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:29.100 to many, many horrible experiences, 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:30.500 playing your banjo 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.540 at the age of three 00:18:31.540 --> 00:18:33.020 in front of the entire congregation, 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.040 those kinds of things. 00:18:34.580 --> 00:18:36.100 But the lowest rung, 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.880 the worst experience 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:38.960 that I could have ever imagined 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:41.300 was singing in the junior choir 00:18:41.300 --> 00:18:43.740 when I was 12 years old. 00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:46.500 Because I didn't feel like 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.540 singing in the junior choir. 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.900 I had to wear this robe. 00:18:49.780 --> 00:18:50.420 And it wasn't, 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.420 it was kind of creepy. 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:55.260 And to make matters worse, 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:56.460 my older sister 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:58.080 was the choir director. 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:02.300 But there was one thing 00:19:02.300 --> 00:19:03.020 that made it 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.799 the worst thing possible. 00:19:06.420 --> 00:19:08.299 I somehow believed 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:10.519 that for all eternity, 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:12.539 I was going to be singing 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:14.039 in the junior choir, 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.160 floating around 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.920 like a ghost on clouds 00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:18.500 with a diaper on 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.740 and a harp in my hands. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.920 And quite frankly, 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.059 that wasn't 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:24.279 a very compelling vision. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:29.259 And the vision of me 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.039 floating around in clouds 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.420 with a harp 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.559 is not a very compelling vision 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:32.139 for you either. 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:36.319 It wasn't a very compelling vision. 00:19:36.619 --> 00:19:37.099 You know, 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:38.000 I didn't want to go to hell, 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:38.919 but to be honest with you, 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.559 this only sounded 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.519 marginally better. 00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:46.960 It's not a particularly 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.299 compelling vision. 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:50.179 It's a disembodied vision. 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.740 It's a ghost-like 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.559 existence vision. 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.299 It didn't give me 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:55.079 a reason to want to 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.619 get out of bed 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.379 on Monday morning 00:19:56.379 --> 00:19:57.559 because my soul 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.639 was secure in heaven. 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.779 That didn't sound that great, 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:00.240 but it was better 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:00.759 than the other place. 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:02.079 But what was I supposed 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.059 to do on Monday morning? 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.359 It wasn't a particularly 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.379 compelling story. 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:08.019 And I would submit to you, 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.759 it's not a particularly 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.759 compelling story 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.720 on its own 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:13.079 for little children 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:13.940 picking garbage 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.779 out of dumps 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.379 in Manila. 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:17.259 It's not a particularly 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.140 compelling story 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:18.799 for little girls 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.379 being sold into brothels 00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:22.339 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:24.000 And it's not a particularly 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.720 compelling story 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.359 for little boys 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:26.000 and little girls 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:27.160 who are attending schools 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:28.259 in Huntsville, Alabama 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:29.119 that are not going to 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:29.839 prepare them 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:31.140 to live in this world. 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:34.700 We need a fuller story. 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:37.339 We need a fuller story 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.359 and the story we need 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.980 is the story of Jesus Christ. 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.539 We need the good news 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.519 of the gospel. 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.160 And the good news 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:44.759 of the gospel 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.440 is the good news 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.579 of the kingdom of God. 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.319 It's the good news 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:49.259 that Jesus Christ 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.200 is King of kings 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:51.079 and Lord of lords. 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.960 That he's making 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.879 all things new. 00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.480 That he cares about my soul, 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:56.039 he cares about my body, 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:57.599 he cares about the city, 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:58.980 he cares about grass 00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:00.559 and trees and cows, 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:03.119 he cares about our schools, 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:05.819 he cares about every square inch 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.960 of his creation, 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:08.500 he cared about it enough 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.579 to die for it. 00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:12.539 That's the good news 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.519 of the gospel. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.000 And it's the good news 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.680 that you and I 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.480 need to embrace 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.700 and it's the good news 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:19.180 for the low income people 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:20.440 in this city. 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:22.240 It provides real hope, 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:23.500 real purpose, 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:26.579 both for this life 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:28.180 and the next. 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.460 We need to rethink 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:31.259 our story 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:33.059 and we need to rethink 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:34.500 how we're telling 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.119 that story. 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:35.480 You see, 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:37.059 Jesus declares 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.680 the good news 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:38.339 of his kingdom 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:39.079 verbally, 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:41.740 but he also does it 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.220 with deeds. 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.119 Imagine how silly 00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:43.640 it would have been 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:45.299 if Jesus had walked around 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:45.839 with his hands 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.579 in his pockets. 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.900 He saw lepers 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:50.759 and he saw the lame 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:52.160 and he saw the blind 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.840 and he said to them, 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.640 I'm king of kings 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.340 and lord of lords. 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.740 I'm using all the authority 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:58.200 and power that I have 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:58.800 in heaven and earth 00:21:58.800 --> 00:22:00.180 to usher in a new kingdom, 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:00.860 a new heaven, 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.960 a new creation 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:03.140 where all is made whole, 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.560 where shalom abounds. 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.840 I can do it all, 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.560 but I'm not going to bother 00:22:06.560 --> 00:22:07.080 showing you, 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:07.860 just trust me. 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:09.620 He puts his hands 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:10.220 in his pockets. 00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:13.200 Who would have believed him? 00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:15.980 His message was crazy enough 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.960 to begin with. 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:19.160 Who would have possibly believed 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:20.660 that the son of the carpenter 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:23.200 could do this kind of thing? 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.579 So what does Jesus do? 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.980 He preaches the kingdom 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:28.319 and he shows the kingdom. 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.740 He pulls his hands 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.620 out of his pockets. 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.500 He touches the lame. 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.740 He touches the blind. 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:35.180 He touches the leper. 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.799 He preaches the kingdom 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:38.480 and he shows the kingdom. 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.420 I need you to notice something. 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:43.120 Notice that all of Jesus' miracles 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:44.600 were restorative. 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:47.500 He didn't just show off. 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.139 He didn't just say, 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.259 hey, watch this, 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:52.699 and like take somebody's head 00:22:52.699 --> 00:22:53.480 and wrap it around 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:55.319 and make it fly off or something. 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.859 He didn't just make the moon 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:59.219 run around, the sun. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.859 He didn't just show off. 00:23:02.719 --> 00:23:03.980 Because Jesus was trying 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.599 to communicate 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:07.179 a particular message. 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.719 He was trying to communicate 00:23:08.719 --> 00:23:10.059 that the new heavens 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.799 and new earth 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:12.519 were dawning in him. 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.480 You see, in Jesus, 00:23:15.199 --> 00:23:16.579 death and resurrection, 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.079 he is the start 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:19.379 of the new creation. 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:21.519 His body is the first thing 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.579 in the new creation. 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:24.339 He's ushering in 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:26.199 this place where Shalom abounds. 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.299 And in that place 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.359 where Shalom abounds, 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.259 there's restoration. 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.759 There's healing. 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:34.759 The poor are restored 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:37.019 to people who can work 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.539 and support themselves 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.480 through their work. 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.599 They're restored 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.599 to image-bearing. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.539 They're restored 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.719 to all that it means 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.339 to be human. 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.640 What Jesus is doing 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.220 in his miracles 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:48.200 is giving a sneak preview 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.259 of the coming attractions. 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.160 For those of you 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.079 under the age of 30, 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.500 he was creating trailers. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:57.500 When Jesus heals, 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:59.240 he's creating a trailer, 00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:00.339 a sneak preview 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.720 of what it'll be like 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:03.180 when his kingdom comes 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.200 in its fullness. 00:24:04.860 --> 00:24:05.660 And in that kingdom, 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.500 there is restoration. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.319 There is healing. 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:10.019 There is the returning 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:12.259 to full image-bearing. 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:18.240 And Jesus continues 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.659 his mission 00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:21.319 through his church. 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:23.439 Luke chapter 9, 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.740 verses 1 through 2, 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.539 it says this, 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:27.039 when Jesus had called 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.059 the twelve together, 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.899 he gave them power 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.679 and authority 00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:32.119 to drive out all demons 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.259 and to cure diseases, 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.759 and he sent them out 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.359 to preach. 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:37.240 Look at the message. 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:40.079 The kingdom of God. 00:24:40.459 --> 00:24:41.619 That's the message. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:44.099 He sends out his followers 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:45.719 to preach the kingdom of God 00:24:45.719 --> 00:24:48.019 and to heal the sick. 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:50.579 Jesus preaches the kingdom of God 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.599 in words and in deeds, 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.719 and his church 00:24:52.719 --> 00:24:54.399 is to continue his mission 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:56.179 by preaching the kingdom of God 00:24:56.179 --> 00:24:57.339 in words and in deeds 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:59.199 through deeds of restoration. 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.179 And folks, 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:02.220 back to our passage in Acts, 00:25:02.580 --> 00:25:03.779 this is what Paul 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:05.120 and Barnabas were doing. 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:07.180 They'd been sent out 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:08.240 by Jesus Christ 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.779 to preach the kingdom 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:11.600 and to show the kingdom, 00:25:12.320 --> 00:25:13.519 and that's what Paul 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.560 and Barnabas are doing 00:25:14.560 --> 00:25:15.620 when they encounter 00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:16.680 the crippled man. 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:18.279 They heal him 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:20.160 because it's the commission 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:22.640 that God had given to them. 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.920 But the deeds 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:29.000 were not enough. 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:30.519 You see, 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.500 Paul and Barnabas 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:33.099 also used words 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:34.180 to communicate 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:35.519 the kingdom of God. 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:36.339 I would submit to you 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.299 that in this passage, 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:39.140 Paul and Barnabas' words 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:40.500 ministered to three 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:42.759 different groups of people. 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.500 First of all, 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:46.000 the words ministered 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:47.440 to the crippled man himself. 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.160 We read in the passage 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:51.160 that he had been listening 00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:53.400 to Paul and Barnabas' preaching, 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:55.160 and Paul saw 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:55.819 they had faith 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:56.619 to be healed. 00:25:56.619 --> 00:26:01.639 We know from elsewhere 00:26:01.639 --> 00:26:02.479 in Scripture 00:26:02.479 --> 00:26:05.500 that words are necessary 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.939 to draw people 00:26:06.939 --> 00:26:08.919 into saving faith. 00:26:09.439 --> 00:26:11.319 Deeds are not enough. 00:26:11.459 --> 00:26:12.739 Romans chapter 10, 00:26:13.199 --> 00:26:14.219 verse 17, 00:26:15.219 --> 00:26:17.259 says this, 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.279 faith comes from 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.519 hearing the message, 00:26:19.979 --> 00:26:21.819 and the message is heard 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:23.339 through the word 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:24.699 about Christ. 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:24.840 Christ. 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:26.160 Yes, 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.299 the kingdom is bringing 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:28.500 healing as far 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:30.100 as the curse is found, 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.799 but it is only those 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.480 who repent 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:34.920 of their sins 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:37.059 and trust in the king 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.740 who get to enter 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:40.000 into that kingdom 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.220 and experience 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.519 its full benefits. 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:44.100 We have many people today, 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:46.180 we have many people today 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.420 who are passionate 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:49.160 about social justice. 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:51.000 that's a good thing. 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:53.740 We have many people today 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.880 who are passionate 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:56.460 for the kingdom to come, 00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:58.220 and that's a good thing. 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:00.980 But they want the king, 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.019 the kingdom, 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:03.300 without the king. 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.840 They want the goodies 00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:07.180 without submitting 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:08.660 to King Jesus 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:10.620 in faith and repentance. 00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:13.399 If you want the kingdom, 00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:15.179 you have to bow your knee 00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:16.179 to the king. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:19.959 This shows up all the time 00:27:19.959 --> 00:27:21.639 in poverty alleviation work. 00:27:23.199 --> 00:27:24.619 Everybody who's ever worked 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.159 in the space 00:27:25.159 --> 00:27:26.559 of poverty alleviation 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:28.359 knows a famous quote 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.199 that's been attributed 00:27:29.199 --> 00:27:30.559 to Francis of Assisi. 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:32.139 Nobody actually knows 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.879 if he said it, 00:27:33.479 --> 00:27:34.939 but it's every community 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:36.039 development worker's 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.919 favorite quote. 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:39.019 And it goes like this. 00:27:39.820 --> 00:27:40.860 Preach the gospel. 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:44.340 Use words if you must. 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.860 Now what that's trying 00:27:47.860 --> 00:27:49.380 to get at is precious, 00:27:49.820 --> 00:27:51.620 but it's fundamentally wrong. 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:54.140 Because we always must. 00:27:55.120 --> 00:27:56.519 We always must. 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.820 You cannot enter 00:27:58.820 --> 00:27:59.940 into the kingdom 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:02.600 without faith in the king. 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:03.980 And you can't have 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:05.740 saving faith in the king 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:07.420 without the words 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:09.839 about who he is. 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.140 Second, 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.900 the words ministered 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.680 to the people 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.640 who were watching 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.279 the miracle. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.220 You see, folks, 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:21.640 without words, 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:24.440 people will interpret deeds 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.859 through their own worldview, 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:28.099 through their own presuppositions 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:29.900 about how the world works. 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:31.400 We see this happening 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:32.059 in the passage. 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:35.099 Look at what happened. 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:36.799 They healed the crippled man 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:38.519 and immediately the people 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:40.459 think that Paul and Barnabas 00:28:40.459 --> 00:28:41.319 are gods. 00:28:42.639 --> 00:28:44.299 Now there's a reason for this. 00:28:45.639 --> 00:28:47.319 There was a folklore 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.939 in this part of the world 00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:51.299 that at a previous era, 00:28:51.699 --> 00:28:53.119 the gods had come down 00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:54.119 in human form. 00:28:55.439 --> 00:28:56.759 And because the people 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.480 in that area 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.779 had not been very hospitable, 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.759 the gods had wiped out 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.819 all of their homes. 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:04.279 And so there's actually 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.179 a sense here 00:29:05.179 --> 00:29:06.439 of franticness, 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.220 of we're being given 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.500 a second chance 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.679 to show hospitality. 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.779 And that's why this priest 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.960 is so frantic. 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.240 He said, 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.799 oh, I've only got 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.759 one job to do. 00:29:16.919 --> 00:29:17.679 I've got to do it. 00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:19.039 So he's running out there 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.919 with the reeds 00:29:19.919 --> 00:29:20.559 and the bulls 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:21.720 to make sure 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.740 that they show hospitality 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.480 to the gods 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.319 because he doesn't want 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.279 the people's homes 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.179 to be wiped out 00:29:26.179 --> 00:29:28.119 as they were in the past. 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:30.839 Now notice what Paul 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:31.859 and Barnabas do 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:33.779 in light of this. 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:37.759 Do they close their mouths 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.259 and say, 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:38.819 well, we don't want 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.739 to be offensive here 00:29:39.739 --> 00:29:40.359 to anybody? 00:29:41.979 --> 00:29:42.899 Do they say, 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.699 well, we're kind of 00:29:43.699 --> 00:29:44.419 postmodern 00:29:44.419 --> 00:29:47.479 and what's true for us 00:29:47.479 --> 00:29:48.699 might not be true for you 00:29:48.699 --> 00:29:49.239 and we don't want 00:29:49.239 --> 00:29:50.279 to impose our worldview 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:50.879 on you? 00:29:51.239 --> 00:29:52.459 That's not what happens. 00:29:52.919 --> 00:29:54.739 What Paul and Barnabas do 00:29:54.739 --> 00:29:56.139 is they're frantic. 00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.599 They tear their clothes. 00:29:57.599 --> 00:29:58.939 It's actually a symbol 00:29:58.939 --> 00:29:59.939 of great distress. 00:30:00.639 --> 00:30:02.399 They are very concerned 00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:04.419 that people understand 00:30:04.419 --> 00:30:06.919 what's actually going on here. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:08.379 And look what they do. 00:30:08.699 --> 00:30:10.279 They narrate the miracle 00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:13.000 but then they narrate 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.259 God's working 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:16.419 in all of creation. 00:30:18.179 --> 00:30:19.619 They narrate 00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:21.379 the general functioning 00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:22.359 of the universe 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:22.939 and they say, 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:24.279 it's God who created 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:24.980 the heavens, 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:25.500 the earth, 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.119 and the sea. 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:28.039 It's God who sends you rain. 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:29.299 It's God who makes 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.179 your crops grow. 00:30:30.479 --> 00:30:31.819 It's God who gives you food. 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.559 It's God who gives you joy. 00:30:33.939 --> 00:30:34.679 In essence, 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.859 what Paul and Barnabas 00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:36.519 are doing 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.639 is they're trying 00:30:37.639 --> 00:30:38.299 to replace 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:39.579 a pagan worldview 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:41.259 with the worldview 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:42.919 of the kingdom of God 00:30:42.919 --> 00:30:44.279 that all of creation 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.819 is created, 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.359 sustained, 00:30:45.419 --> 00:30:46.019 and being redeemed 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:48.119 by Jesus Christ alone. 00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:52.859 and third, 00:30:53.219 --> 00:30:53.919 and this might be 00:30:53.919 --> 00:30:54.739 less obvious, 00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:56.519 I believe the words 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:58.019 are actually ministering 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:59.599 to Paul and Barnabas 00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.579 themselves. 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.399 You see, 00:31:04.479 --> 00:31:05.839 we are always tempted. 00:31:06.479 --> 00:31:08.359 We are always tempted 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:09.459 to take credit 00:31:09.459 --> 00:31:11.399 for God's work. 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.119 Folks, 00:31:14.219 --> 00:31:14.779 in the space 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:16.039 of poverty alleviation, 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:18.039 this is a constant 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.819 temptation 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:22.119 because every 00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:23.399 non-profit ministry 00:31:23.399 --> 00:31:25.000 has to raise money 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:27.740 and so there's a temptation 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.559 to jockey 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.920 and to compete 00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:31.680 with other ministries 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:33.099 because we're all 00:31:33.099 --> 00:31:33.980 on our way 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:35.639 to the same donors. 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.500 We're running 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.139 to the same donors. 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.259 We're bumping into each other 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:39.059 on the way there 00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:39.899 and we've got to say 00:31:39.899 --> 00:31:40.659 that we did something. 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.899 So these are my poor people. 00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.759 You didn't fix them. 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.480 I fixed them. 00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:46.819 We need to take credit 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:48.000 for the success 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.460 to get more money. 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.480 And then many of us 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.119 have egos. 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.319 I have one. 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.579 I want to have a sense 00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.660 of meaning and purpose 00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.079 in my life 00:31:59.079 --> 00:31:59.859 that I accomplish 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.559 something. 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:02.000 And so the temptation 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:03.779 is always to take credit 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:05.019 for God's work 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:06.799 and God doesn't take 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:08.160 this sin lightly. 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:11.200 Indeed, Paul and Barnabas' 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:13.360 very lives 00:32:13.360 --> 00:32:15.120 may have been at risk 00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:16.420 at this moment. 00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:20.300 Not just from the people 00:32:20.300 --> 00:32:23.000 but from God Almighty. 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:26.820 You see, in just a few chapters earlier 00:32:26.820 --> 00:32:28.980 in Acts chapter 12 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:32.580 King Herod stands up 00:32:32.580 --> 00:32:34.960 and gives a public address 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:37.200 and the audience 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:38.880 called him a god. 00:32:40.600 --> 00:32:42.700 And look what the Bible says. 00:32:43.600 --> 00:32:44.019 Immediately, 00:32:44.380 --> 00:32:45.620 because Herod did not 00:32:45.620 --> 00:32:47.100 give praise to God 00:32:47.100 --> 00:32:48.720 an angel of the Lord 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.799 struck him down 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:51.259 and he was eaten 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:52.799 by worms 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:54.120 and died. 00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:57.140 God is the king 00:32:57.140 --> 00:32:58.440 and he wants 00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:59.700 the praise. 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:02.120 Paul and Barnabas' 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:03.279 very lives 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:04.680 and certainly 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:05.920 their spiritual health 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:07.180 were at stake. 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:09.240 They needed to narrate 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:10.299 that Jesus 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:11.619 is the king. 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.339 Now what does this have to do 00:33:13.339 --> 00:33:14.079 with Southwood 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:15.740 Presbyterian Church? 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:19.160 What does this have to do 00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:19.819 with you folks? 00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:22.639 Four points 00:33:22.639 --> 00:33:23.859 and they're going to go fast 00:33:23.859 --> 00:33:24.660 if you're getting antsy. 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.359 Just hang in there. 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:32.359 First, 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:34.759 you must continue 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.979 Jesus' mission 00:33:35.979 --> 00:33:37.639 of declaring 00:33:37.639 --> 00:33:39.019 and demonstrating 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:40.159 good news 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:41.000 for the poor. 00:33:41.959 --> 00:33:42.359 Folks, 00:33:42.439 --> 00:33:43.039 the Bible says 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:44.019 that you are the body 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:44.740 and the bride 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.639 and the very fullness 00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:46.859 of Jesus Christ. 00:33:46.959 --> 00:33:47.639 It's in Ephesians. 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:48.859 This means 00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.439 when the world 00:33:49.439 --> 00:33:50.039 looks at you, 00:33:50.199 --> 00:33:50.879 when the poor 00:33:50.879 --> 00:33:51.479 look at you, 00:33:51.659 --> 00:33:52.219 you're supposed 00:33:52.219 --> 00:33:53.339 to look like Jesus, 00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:54.879 the one who declares 00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:55.520 and demonstrates 00:33:55.520 --> 00:33:56.320 his kingdom. 00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:58.140 In this light, 00:33:58.300 --> 00:33:58.500 folks, 00:33:58.800 --> 00:33:59.780 care for the poor, 00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:01.120 care for this city 00:34:01.120 --> 00:34:02.080 isn't just kind of 00:34:02.080 --> 00:34:03.320 icing on the cake. 00:34:03.540 --> 00:34:04.200 It's not just kind of 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.480 a nice thing to do. 00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:06.920 It's actually central 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:08.380 to what it means 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:08.940 to be 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:10.760 the people of God. 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:12.980 Indeed, 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:13.980 throughout the Old 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.720 and New Testaments 00:34:14.720 --> 00:34:15.619 we are told 00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:16.880 that one of the primary 00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:18.119 evidences 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:19.440 of saving faith 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:20.799 is our willingness 00:34:20.799 --> 00:34:22.000 to care for the poor. 00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:23.219 1 John 3, 00:34:23.359 --> 00:34:24.679 verses 17-18. 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:25.639 If anyone has 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:26.559 material possessions, 00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:28.639 and we do, 00:34:29.839 --> 00:34:30.460 if anyone has 00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:31.159 material possessions 00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:31.880 and sees a brother 00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:32.739 or sister in need 00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:33.940 but has no pity on them, 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:35.079 how can the love 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:36.359 of God be in that person? 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:36.940 Dear children, 00:34:37.019 --> 00:34:37.619 let us love 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:38.679 not with words 00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:39.339 or speech 00:34:39.339 --> 00:34:40.619 but with actions 00:34:40.619 --> 00:34:41.699 and in truth. 00:34:42.279 --> 00:34:43.559 People of God, 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:45.179 you are the richest 00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:46.079 people ever 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:47.340 to walk the face 00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:48.119 of the earth. 00:34:48.259 --> 00:34:49.039 If this command 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:49.759 is to anybody, 00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:50.539 it's to you. 00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:52.279 You must act. 00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:53.759 You must do something. 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:55.360 But what you do 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.420 really matters. 00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:57.799 Good intentions 00:34:57.799 --> 00:34:58.900 are not enough. 00:34:59.219 --> 00:35:00.239 And that's the second point. 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:04.400 Our ministries 00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:05.759 amongst the poor 00:35:05.759 --> 00:35:07.799 must be restorative. 00:35:11.340 --> 00:35:12.679 They have a purpose. 00:35:13.219 --> 00:35:14.219 They're trying to give 00:35:14.219 --> 00:35:15.279 a sneak preview 00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:16.820 of the coming attraction 00:35:16.820 --> 00:35:18.160 of Christ and His kingdom 00:35:18.160 --> 00:35:19.540 when people are restored 00:35:19.540 --> 00:35:20.960 to full image bearers. 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:23.860 The deeds have to match 00:35:23.860 --> 00:35:24.540 the words, 00:35:24.780 --> 00:35:25.500 which means that 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.280 our ministries 00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:27.540 must restore people 00:35:27.540 --> 00:35:28.220 to what God 00:35:28.220 --> 00:35:29.320 has made them to be. 00:35:29.900 --> 00:35:30.920 Image bearers 00:35:30.920 --> 00:35:32.320 who can work 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:33.860 and enjoy the fruits 00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:34.660 of their work. 00:35:34.760 --> 00:35:35.900 That may sound obvious 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.380 to you, 00:35:36.640 --> 00:35:37.680 but I would submit to you 00:35:37.680 --> 00:35:39.040 that a very large number 00:35:39.040 --> 00:35:40.460 of Christian ministries 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:41.240 around the world 00:35:41.240 --> 00:35:42.220 aren't doing that. 00:35:42.219 --> 00:35:46.159 we run in with solutions 00:35:46.159 --> 00:35:47.500 that quite frankly 00:35:47.500 --> 00:35:48.759 create dependencies, 00:35:49.299 --> 00:35:50.899 that undermine dignity, 00:35:51.899 --> 00:35:54.299 that don't restore people 00:35:54.299 --> 00:35:55.379 as image bearers. 00:35:55.480 --> 00:35:56.579 I have something to tell you. 00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:57.579 It's a dirty little secret. 00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:02.579 The Chalmers Center works 00:36:02.579 --> 00:36:03.159 with churches 00:36:03.159 --> 00:36:04.379 all over the world, 00:36:04.380 --> 00:36:06.820 and the hardest places, 00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:08.460 the hardest places 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:09.800 to bring 00:36:09.800 --> 00:36:10.920 the good news 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:12.660 of Christ's restoration 00:36:12.660 --> 00:36:13.760 are places 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:15.000 where the American church 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.940 has been a lot. 00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:19.820 Because the American church 00:36:19.820 --> 00:36:21.099 runs around the world 00:36:21.099 --> 00:36:22.900 hurling around resources, 00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:24.780 creating all kinds 00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:25.559 of dependencies, 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:27.019 and so when you walk 00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:27.740 into a community 00:36:27.740 --> 00:36:28.119 and say, 00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:29.680 we're here to help restore you 00:36:29.680 --> 00:36:30.280 to image bearer, 00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:30.599 and they're like, 00:36:30.720 --> 00:36:31.079 why? 00:36:31.079 --> 00:36:32.679 I can go across the street 00:36:32.679 --> 00:36:33.900 and get goodies for free. 00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:35.759 It's demeaning. 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:37.440 It undermines image bearing. 00:36:37.699 --> 00:36:38.960 It is not the gospel 00:36:38.960 --> 00:36:39.759 of the kingdom. 00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.599 It's the gospel 00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:41.420 of us feeling good 00:36:41.420 --> 00:36:41.980 about ourselves 00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:42.799 and what we're doing. 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:45.960 Third, 00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:48.139 we must design 00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:48.940 our ministries 00:36:48.940 --> 00:36:51.159 so from top to bottom 00:36:51.159 --> 00:36:53.380 there is a verbal narration 00:36:53.380 --> 00:36:55.460 of who Jesus is 00:36:55.460 --> 00:36:57.480 so that at the end of the day 00:36:57.480 --> 00:36:58.519 people are worshiping 00:36:58.519 --> 00:36:59.360 the King of Kings 00:36:59.360 --> 00:37:00.420 and Lord of Lords. 00:37:01.079 --> 00:37:03.360 that's harder 00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:04.179 to pull off 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:05.119 than you might think. 00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:08.179 You see, 00:37:08.319 --> 00:37:08.940 when it's us 00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:09.639 bringing in 00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:10.420 the malaria nets, 00:37:10.679 --> 00:37:11.360 when it's us 00:37:11.360 --> 00:37:12.360 bringing in the food, 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:13.340 when it's us 00:37:13.340 --> 00:37:14.659 bringing in all the goodies, 00:37:16.259 --> 00:37:17.139 the temptation 00:37:17.139 --> 00:37:18.099 for people 00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:19.340 is to start 00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:20.579 to put their faith 00:37:20.579 --> 00:37:21.340 in us. 00:37:23.739 --> 00:37:24.980 And so we've got 00:37:24.980 --> 00:37:25.880 to design our ministries 00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:26.579 in such a way 00:37:26.579 --> 00:37:27.299 that we act like 00:37:27.299 --> 00:37:28.059 Paul and Barnabas. 00:37:28.259 --> 00:37:29.179 It's not us. 00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:30.420 It's not about us. 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:31.619 It's about King Jesus 00:37:31.619 --> 00:37:32.400 who's healing us. 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:33.960 He provides the malaria nets. 00:37:34.159 --> 00:37:35.260 He provides the wells. 00:37:35.559 --> 00:37:36.920 He provides the clean water. 00:37:37.180 --> 00:37:38.220 He provides the sun. 00:37:38.460 --> 00:37:39.480 He provides everything. 00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:40.360 It's all about him. 00:37:40.420 --> 00:37:41.079 It's not about you 00:37:41.079 --> 00:37:42.000 and it's not about me. 00:37:43.880 --> 00:37:45.380 It's very difficult 00:37:45.380 --> 00:37:46.180 to do this, 00:37:46.360 --> 00:37:47.260 especially if you take 00:37:47.260 --> 00:37:48.220 sources of money 00:37:48.220 --> 00:37:49.079 that don't allow you 00:37:49.079 --> 00:37:49.760 to do it. 00:37:49.760 --> 00:37:53.900 Christian ministries 00:37:53.900 --> 00:37:55.200 all across this country 00:37:55.200 --> 00:37:56.220 are taking funds 00:37:56.220 --> 00:37:57.240 from sources 00:37:57.240 --> 00:37:58.920 that will not allow you 00:37:58.920 --> 00:37:59.680 to narrate 00:37:59.680 --> 00:38:01.160 the gospel truth. 00:38:05.600 --> 00:38:06.820 And then finally, 00:38:08.820 --> 00:38:12.420 we must repent 00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:14.680 of our own worldview. 00:38:14.679 --> 00:38:17.839 You see, 00:38:17.919 --> 00:38:18.980 it wasn't just the people 00:38:18.980 --> 00:38:19.899 that Paul and Barnabas 00:38:19.899 --> 00:38:20.539 were ministering to 00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:21.619 that have a fallen worldview. 00:38:21.940 --> 00:38:22.599 You and I 00:38:22.599 --> 00:38:23.940 have a fallen worldview too. 00:38:24.339 --> 00:38:25.279 You've got to listen carefully 00:38:25.279 --> 00:38:25.819 because we've got to 00:38:25.819 --> 00:38:26.519 end here quickly. 00:38:29.319 --> 00:38:30.679 Western Christianity 00:38:30.679 --> 00:38:32.699 has tended to focus 00:38:32.699 --> 00:38:34.940 on the legal aspects 00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:36.039 of Christ's work. 00:38:36.339 --> 00:38:37.480 Christ dies on the cross 00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.940 to save me from my sins. 00:38:39.319 --> 00:38:40.279 My soul goes to heaven 00:38:40.279 --> 00:38:41.000 when I die. 00:38:41.259 --> 00:38:41.960 That's it. 00:38:41.960 --> 00:38:44.139 And as a result, 00:38:44.220 --> 00:38:45.099 we don't have a story 00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:46.440 of Monday through Saturday. 00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:51.659 He solves our sin problem 00:38:51.659 --> 00:38:52.579 on Sunday mornings 00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:53.320 we worship him. 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:54.460 We don't have a story 00:38:54.460 --> 00:38:55.539 Monday through Saturday. 00:38:55.679 --> 00:38:56.679 Most of us have reverted 00:38:56.679 --> 00:38:57.179 to deism. 00:38:58.139 --> 00:38:59.199 Most of us believe 00:38:59.199 --> 00:39:00.340 that functionally 00:39:00.340 --> 00:39:01.880 the world operates 00:39:01.880 --> 00:39:02.760 like a machine. 00:39:03.220 --> 00:39:04.300 And brothers and sisters 00:39:04.300 --> 00:39:05.220 who I love 00:39:05.220 --> 00:39:06.220 with all my heart, 00:39:08.860 --> 00:39:09.699 the backgrounds 00:39:09.699 --> 00:39:11.240 of most of the people 00:39:11.239 --> 00:39:12.359 in this congregation 00:39:12.359 --> 00:39:13.859 lend themselves to this. 00:39:14.979 --> 00:39:15.819 You're scientists. 00:39:17.739 --> 00:39:18.779 You're scientists. 00:39:19.259 --> 00:39:20.699 And you've been inculcated 00:39:20.699 --> 00:39:21.199 in a worldview 00:39:21.199 --> 00:39:22.299 that says the world 00:39:22.299 --> 00:39:24.039 functions on its own 00:39:24.039 --> 00:39:25.879 like a closed machine. 00:39:26.399 --> 00:39:26.959 And Christ, 00:39:27.159 --> 00:39:27.939 if he exists, 00:39:28.279 --> 00:39:29.119 simply heals 00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:30.019 our sin problems. 00:39:30.299 --> 00:39:31.439 He has nothing to do 00:39:31.439 --> 00:39:33.019 with Monday through Saturday. 00:39:33.239 --> 00:39:34.539 But that's not the gospel. 00:39:35.339 --> 00:39:36.359 The gospel is that 00:39:36.359 --> 00:39:36.959 he's the king, 00:39:37.199 --> 00:39:37.919 that he holds 00:39:37.919 --> 00:39:39.219 the atoms in place, 00:39:39.219 --> 00:39:40.619 that he makes 00:39:40.619 --> 00:39:41.639 the chemical formulas 00:39:41.639 --> 00:39:42.879 work the same time 00:39:42.879 --> 00:39:43.959 over and over 00:39:43.959 --> 00:39:44.859 and over again 00:39:44.859 --> 00:39:45.859 because he's a covenant 00:39:45.859 --> 00:39:46.539 keeping God. 00:39:46.719 --> 00:39:47.459 That's him 00:39:47.459 --> 00:39:48.579 holding the atoms 00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:49.259 in place. 00:39:52.179 --> 00:39:53.079 But you see, 00:39:53.159 --> 00:39:54.679 if Jesus is in king 00:39:54.679 --> 00:39:56.259 of Monday through Saturday, 00:39:56.959 --> 00:39:58.179 then who is? 00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:01.159 I would submit to you 00:40:01.159 --> 00:40:01.799 that the issue 00:40:01.799 --> 00:40:02.699 that most of us 00:40:02.699 --> 00:40:03.259 are facing 00:40:03.259 --> 00:40:03.980 in the West 00:40:03.980 --> 00:40:04.679 is this. 00:40:04.679 --> 00:40:06.699 we believe 00:40:06.699 --> 00:40:08.659 that our own knowledge, 00:40:08.940 --> 00:40:10.159 our own know-how, 00:40:10.460 --> 00:40:11.419 our own science, 00:40:11.699 --> 00:40:12.779 our own technology, 00:40:13.119 --> 00:40:14.199 our own wealth 00:40:14.199 --> 00:40:16.139 are things that we created 00:40:16.139 --> 00:40:16.919 on our own 00:40:16.919 --> 00:40:18.219 because we don't understand 00:40:18.219 --> 00:40:18.779 the gospel 00:40:18.779 --> 00:40:20.000 of the kingdom of God. 00:40:21.279 --> 00:40:22.219 We don't understand 00:40:22.219 --> 00:40:23.119 that it's all a gift 00:40:23.119 --> 00:40:23.779 from him. 00:40:24.819 --> 00:40:25.219 And you know 00:40:25.219 --> 00:40:26.139 what happens from that? 00:40:26.199 --> 00:40:27.139 We get really arrogant. 00:40:28.319 --> 00:40:29.940 We get really arrogant. 00:40:30.359 --> 00:40:31.419 And when you're arrogant, 00:40:31.599 --> 00:40:33.019 you crush poor people 00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:34.179 because poor people 00:40:34.179 --> 00:40:35.280 are typically suffering 00:40:35.280 --> 00:40:36.320 from a marred identity, 00:40:36.659 --> 00:40:37.980 a sense of inferiority, 00:40:38.219 --> 00:40:39.519 a sense of not fully human. 00:40:39.719 --> 00:40:40.880 And we rush in 00:40:40.880 --> 00:40:42.059 and we take over 00:40:42.059 --> 00:40:42.759 to fix them 00:40:42.759 --> 00:40:44.159 and we confirm in them 00:40:44.159 --> 00:40:45.119 what they're already feeling. 00:40:45.320 --> 00:40:46.199 I'm less than human. 00:40:46.280 --> 00:40:47.099 I can't do anything. 00:40:47.199 --> 00:40:48.119 I would submit to you 00:40:48.119 --> 00:40:49.500 that the wealthiest people 00:40:49.500 --> 00:40:50.079 in the world 00:40:50.079 --> 00:40:52.099 are the least capable people 00:40:52.099 --> 00:40:53.340 of helping the poor 00:40:53.340 --> 00:40:54.280 around the world. 00:40:57.719 --> 00:40:59.199 The wealthiest people 00:40:59.199 --> 00:40:59.860 in the world 00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:01.039 are the least capable 00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:02.199 of helping poor people 00:41:02.199 --> 00:41:02.860 around the world. 00:41:03.019 --> 00:41:03.920 Because poor people 00:41:03.920 --> 00:41:04.960 don't need our stuff. 00:41:05.800 --> 00:41:06.619 They don't need us 00:41:06.619 --> 00:41:07.500 telling them 00:41:07.500 --> 00:41:08.579 how smart we are. 00:41:08.759 --> 00:41:09.739 What they need 00:41:09.739 --> 00:41:11.239 is King Jesus. 00:41:12.920 --> 00:41:13.980 So I would call us 00:41:13.980 --> 00:41:15.159 to repentance this morning. 00:41:16.059 --> 00:41:17.219 Repentance of the arrogance 00:41:17.219 --> 00:41:17.920 and the pride 00:41:17.920 --> 00:41:19.280 that are dripping 00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:20.920 all over Western civilization. 00:41:22.739 --> 00:41:23.159 But folks, 00:41:23.239 --> 00:41:23.840 here's the thing. 00:41:24.579 --> 00:41:25.980 We can't get over 00:41:25.980 --> 00:41:27.500 our pride on our own. 00:41:27.840 --> 00:41:28.780 We're helpless 00:41:28.780 --> 00:41:31.000 to overcome our pride. 00:41:31.659 --> 00:41:32.880 So what I'm telling you is 00:41:32.880 --> 00:41:34.180 that the first step 00:41:34.180 --> 00:41:35.440 in poverty alleviation 00:41:35.440 --> 00:41:36.680 is for us 00:41:36.680 --> 00:41:38.280 to reach out our hands 00:41:38.280 --> 00:41:40.800 like beggars 00:41:40.800 --> 00:41:44.599 and to say to King Jesus, 00:41:45.500 --> 00:41:47.360 please come heal me. 00:41:49.099 --> 00:41:50.260 Folks, in this light, 00:41:50.420 --> 00:41:51.340 poverty alleviation 00:41:51.340 --> 00:41:53.000 isn't so much about us 00:41:53.000 --> 00:41:54.340 putting food 00:41:54.340 --> 00:41:55.820 in the hands of a beggar, 00:41:56.099 --> 00:41:56.820 although sometimes 00:41:56.820 --> 00:41:57.460 that's helpful. 00:41:58.180 --> 00:41:59.480 It's more like this. 00:41:59.480 --> 00:42:00.360 It's more like 00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:01.500 grabbing the hand 00:42:01.500 --> 00:42:02.019 of a beggar 00:42:02.019 --> 00:42:02.579 and saying, 00:42:03.119 --> 00:42:04.360 I'm broken 00:42:04.360 --> 00:42:06.920 and you're broken. 00:42:08.800 --> 00:42:10.019 I'm hungry 00:42:10.019 --> 00:42:12.119 and you're hungry. 00:42:13.420 --> 00:42:15.059 Let us go feed 00:42:15.059 --> 00:42:17.280 on King Jesus together. 00:42:18.219 --> 00:42:18.960 Let us pray. 00:42:18.960 --> 00:42:29.300 King Jesus, 00:42:29.460 --> 00:42:30.099 forgive us. 00:42:31.980 --> 00:42:32.760 Forgive us 00:42:32.760 --> 00:42:33.280 when we think 00:42:33.280 --> 00:42:34.320 it's all about ourselves. 00:42:35.860 --> 00:42:36.780 Forgive me 00:42:36.780 --> 00:42:38.440 when I think 00:42:38.440 --> 00:42:39.240 it's all about me. 00:42:41.240 --> 00:42:41.940 King Jesus, 00:42:42.139 --> 00:42:43.000 you are the creator 00:42:43.000 --> 00:42:44.480 and the sustainer 00:42:44.480 --> 00:42:46.059 and the reconciler 00:42:46.059 --> 00:42:46.880 of all things. 00:42:46.880 --> 00:42:48.740 it's all about you. 00:42:49.619 --> 00:42:50.820 We can do nothing 00:42:50.820 --> 00:42:51.579 without you. 00:42:51.680 --> 00:42:52.860 You tell us in your word 00:42:52.860 --> 00:42:54.000 that apart from you 00:42:54.000 --> 00:42:54.660 we can do 00:42:54.660 --> 00:42:56.500 absolutely nothing. 00:42:58.039 --> 00:42:58.599 And so Lord, 00:42:58.680 --> 00:42:59.539 we come to you today 00:42:59.539 --> 00:43:00.380 like beggars. 00:43:02.059 --> 00:43:03.119 We come to you 00:43:03.119 --> 00:43:04.539 with outstretched hands 00:43:04.539 --> 00:43:06.079 asking you 00:43:06.079 --> 00:43:07.480 to heal us. 00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:08.960 Heal us 00:43:08.960 --> 00:43:10.039 from our materialism. 00:43:10.920 --> 00:43:11.260 Heal us 00:43:11.260 --> 00:43:12.200 from our pride. 00:43:13.160 --> 00:43:13.980 May we fall 00:43:13.980 --> 00:43:14.880 at the foot 00:43:14.880 --> 00:43:15.599 of the cross. 00:43:15.599 --> 00:43:18.619 And we fall 00:43:18.619 --> 00:43:19.019 at the foot 00:43:19.019 --> 00:43:19.639 of the cross. 00:43:20.159 --> 00:43:20.679 And may you 00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:22.539 heal our deepest needs. 00:43:23.019 --> 00:43:23.679 And then may you 00:43:23.679 --> 00:43:24.199 use us 00:43:24.199 --> 00:43:25.319 to heal others. 00:43:25.799 --> 00:43:26.480 It's in your name 00:43:26.480 --> 00:43:27.339 alone that we pray. 00:43:27.719 --> 00:43:28.019 Amen. 00:43:32.339 --> 00:43:33.279 For more information, 00:43:33.659 --> 00:43:34.579 visit us online 00:43:34.579 --> 00:43:35.880 at southwood.org.