WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000 This is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:06.560 and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:10.099 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:10.160 --> 00:00:12.519 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here, 00:00:12.939 --> 00:00:18.780 not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:19.219 --> 00:00:23.760 And as we follow Jesus together, we've become convinced that there's no one so good, 00:00:23.820 --> 00:00:27.260 they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:32.380 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:36.200 We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark. 00:00:36.300 --> 00:00:41.900 You'll remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus and His life and His death and His resurrection. 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:45.520 And as we go through this Gospel, we're asking two questions. 00:00:45.719 --> 00:00:49.660 First, who is Jesus? And second, how do we respond to Him? 00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:54.000 And these are questions not that we impose from the outside on the text, 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:57.359 but they're questions from the inside that come out of the text. 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:01.439 Last week, we asked this question of what does great faith look like? 00:01:01.480 --> 00:01:06.400 And we saw that great faith includes the persistence that we saw from the Syrophoenician woman 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:11.240 and also the humility that she demonstrated, her understanding of God's grace. 00:01:11.640 --> 00:01:17.500 This week, we're going to ask a related question, which is how do we get that type of faith? 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:20.780 How do we get that type of faith? 00:01:21.460 --> 00:01:23.400 It's with that that we turn now to God's Word. 00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:28.200 I invite you to turn with me to Mark 7, verse 31. 00:01:28.460 --> 00:01:29.980 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:01:30.620 --> 00:01:32.960 You can turn in your Bible. You can turn on your phone. 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:36.400 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's Word. 00:01:36.940 --> 00:01:41.740 And God tells us that His Word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold. 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:46.439 And it's sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:01:46.939 --> 00:01:50.500 Which is why we read now Mark 7, verse 31. 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:58.920 Then He returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee in the region of the Decapolis. 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:03.340 And they brought to Him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. 00:02:03.719 --> 00:02:05.760 And they begged Him to lay His hand on him. 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:11.159 And taking Him aside from the crowd privately, He put His fingers into His ears. 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:13.840 And after spitting, touched His tongue. 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:17.680 And looking up to heaven, He sighed and said to Him, 00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:28.340 Verse 36, 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:31.439 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. 00:02:32.219 --> 00:02:35.700 But the more He charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 00:02:36.420 --> 00:02:38.960 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:41.900 He has done all things well. 00:02:42.760 --> 00:02:46.180 He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak. 00:02:47.219 --> 00:02:51.500 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:02:53.600 --> 00:03:01.000 Our Father in heaven, we praise You again for Your goodness in speaking to us. 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:04.980 We're reminded of Your words in Matthew chapter 11. 00:03:04.979 --> 00:03:09.340 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give You rest. 00:03:10.419 --> 00:03:13.019 And so we ask for that rest this morning, 00:03:13.399 --> 00:03:15.919 that You would open up Your Word to us, 00:03:15.979 --> 00:03:18.259 that we would be able to understand it clearly, 00:03:18.759 --> 00:03:22.259 that we would see our need for Your grace, 00:03:23.399 --> 00:03:25.459 for Your miraculous work in our lives, 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:30.620 and we would also understand and see how You meet us at that very same place. 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:33.479 Most of all, we ask that You would help us to see Jesus, 00:03:33.479 --> 00:03:37.519 that You would shine a spotlight on Him for us, 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:39.780 that we would see Him clearly, 00:03:40.739 --> 00:03:41.819 that we would love Him, 00:03:42.179 --> 00:03:43.299 that we would worship Him, 00:03:43.699 --> 00:03:44.919 that we would obey Him. 00:03:45.679 --> 00:03:48.539 We thank You that we don't have to worry about 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:50.439 whether we've earned these things or deserve them, 00:03:50.519 --> 00:03:53.579 but instead we simply ask them in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:03:54.179 --> 00:03:54.379 Amen. 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:55.099 Amen. 00:03:57.900 --> 00:04:00.340 In his book, The Good American, 00:04:00.939 --> 00:04:05.199 Robert Kaplan tells the story of a man named Bob Gersani, 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:07.799 and Bob, the subtitle of the book is 00:04:07.799 --> 00:04:10.479 The U.S. Government's Greatest Humanitarian. 00:04:11.340 --> 00:04:14.639 And the reason he gives him this exceptional title 00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:18.219 is that Bob had this incredible influence throughout his life 00:04:18.219 --> 00:04:21.240 working for both USAID and the State Department. 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:24.220 He gathered information and he made recommendations 00:04:24.220 --> 00:04:26.960 that affected world events, 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:28.240 public policy decisions, 00:04:28.340 --> 00:04:30.759 made their way all the way up to U.S. presidents, 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:32.860 especially during the Cold War. 00:04:33.379 --> 00:04:35.100 Of course, we could probably find many people 00:04:35.100 --> 00:04:36.400 who've done exceptional things. 00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:37.960 What was surprising about Bob 00:04:37.960 --> 00:04:41.720 was the fact that he was unexpected and unequipped. 00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:44.100 He'd had incredible learning disabilities, 00:04:44.600 --> 00:04:46.840 and so he was unable to finish high school. 00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:49.300 I believe he dropped out around the 10th grade. 00:04:49.300 --> 00:04:52.000 And he was running in these circles 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:53.980 that were filled with people who had graduated 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:54.920 not just from college, 00:04:55.060 --> 00:04:56.780 but from elite colleges and universities. 00:04:56.780 --> 00:05:00.220 He was way in over his depth from a worldly perspective. 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:03.939 He was someone who was traveling in third world countries, 00:05:04.060 --> 00:05:07.240 often separated from communication for weeks at a time, 00:05:08.460 --> 00:05:10.199 and yet had a very sensitive stomach. 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:12.639 And so you can imagine the sort of things 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:13.519 that that brought on him. 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:14.400 In addition to that, 00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:17.180 he was in many ways emotionally fragile. 00:05:17.180 --> 00:05:20.800 And yet, despite all of his handicaps, 00:05:20.860 --> 00:05:22.180 all the things that held him back, 00:05:22.240 --> 00:05:24.780 he was able to have this incredible career 00:05:24.780 --> 00:05:25.740 all around the globe. 00:05:26.459 --> 00:05:26.800 Why? 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:30.840 Well, Bob had a few secret superpowers, 00:05:31.340 --> 00:05:32.780 and one of them was this. 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:36.720 He had this incredible ability to work with people 00:05:36.720 --> 00:05:37.819 and connect with them. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:41.060 He was able to exceed all the things we might expect 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:44.399 because he understood things that no one else did. 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:46.779 He would go and interview dozens, if not hundreds, 00:05:46.899 --> 00:05:48.439 of people in different countries 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:50.060 so that he could have access to information 00:05:50.060 --> 00:05:51.979 that no one else in the State Department had. 00:05:52.299 --> 00:05:54.339 He would sit with them for hours. 00:05:54.479 --> 00:05:56.399 He knew exactly how to build rapport, 00:05:56.739 --> 00:05:58.699 and he knew, more than anything, 00:05:58.859 --> 00:06:00.139 how to be a great listener. 00:06:01.539 --> 00:06:04.379 That was the superpower that allowed him 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:07.000 to punch so far above his weight. 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:09.979 He didn't judge people based on their education. 00:06:10.099 --> 00:06:11.599 In fact, he commented that often, 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:14.760 it was those who were uneducated that he found intelligent 00:06:14.760 --> 00:06:15.840 and full of information. 00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:19.100 During his interviews, he developed these techniques 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:22.560 that he would use to be able to learn as much as he could. 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:25.500 One of them was he insisted on privacy 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:26.780 with everyone he interviewed. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:29.760 If possible, it was just him and the person 00:06:29.760 --> 00:06:30.939 and maybe a translator 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:32.840 so that he could build trust with them 00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:34.379 and get the information that he needed. 00:06:34.920 --> 00:06:36.500 Now, he also had this other trick 00:06:36.500 --> 00:06:37.580 that I found fascinating, 00:06:37.700 --> 00:06:39.920 that as he worked with these individuals, 00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:42.280 most of the time, he didn't speak the same language 00:06:42.280 --> 00:06:42.920 that they did. 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:45.780 And so he had to use these translators to communicate. 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:48.780 And he had something that I would never have thought of, 00:06:48.819 --> 00:06:50.640 which is that he wanted to make sure 00:06:50.640 --> 00:06:53.400 the person he was talking to trusted the translator. 00:06:54.040 --> 00:06:55.060 Well, how can you make sure 00:06:55.060 --> 00:06:56.379 that someone trusts a translator 00:06:56.379 --> 00:06:57.800 when you don't speak their language? 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:00.439 He would do it by sign language. 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:02.220 And so he would ask questions like this. 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:04.180 What was the first thing that you heard? 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:05.500 And then he would tug his ear 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:08.120 so that when they heard the translator say it, 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:10.000 they would know that it was an accurate translation. 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:11.180 And he would say, 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:12.639 what was the next thing that you saw? 00:07:12.819 --> 00:07:13.939 And he would pull at his eye 00:07:13.939 --> 00:07:15.560 so that they would know 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:17.139 the translator was saying the right thing. 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:19.300 He might talk about that person running 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:20.740 and he would pump his arms 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:22.060 so they would know 00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:24.819 that what was coming across was accurate. 00:07:25.340 --> 00:07:27.280 Because of that, because of his skill, 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:29.220 because of his care for people 00:07:29.220 --> 00:07:31.680 and building their trust and rapport with them, 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:33.720 despite all his handicaps, 00:07:33.800 --> 00:07:36.079 this man was able to affect the course of world events. 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:39.699 It was because of his care for people 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:43.199 and his sensitivity with people 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:44.939 that he was able to do things 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:47.079 that other people with greater skills, 00:07:47.159 --> 00:07:48.139 perhaps in education, 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:49.339 were not able to accomplish. 00:07:50.719 --> 00:07:53.759 It's that tremendous skill with people 00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:56.879 that we observe with Jesus here in this passage. 00:07:56.979 --> 00:07:58.719 As we pick up in verse 31, 00:07:59.139 --> 00:08:01.740 he's continuing his tour of the Gentile area 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:03.199 that we saw last week 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:06.139 when he was in the region of Tyre and Sidon. 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:08.420 He goes north to Sidon, 00:08:08.460 --> 00:08:09.920 which is also a Gentile area, 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:11.819 and then heads to the area of the Decapolis, 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:13.160 which may sound familiar 00:08:13.160 --> 00:08:15.819 if you were with us when we were in chapter five, 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:17.300 because that was the section 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:19.759 where he met that man who had an unclean spirit. 00:08:20.379 --> 00:08:22.480 And you'll recall in that story, 00:08:22.780 --> 00:08:23.480 the spirit said, 00:08:23.579 --> 00:08:24.340 I'm not just one, 00:08:24.420 --> 00:08:24.980 I'm legion, 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:26.060 there's many of me. 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:27.759 And Jesus allows the spirits 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:29.039 to go into the pigs 00:08:29.039 --> 00:08:30.680 that run down into the water. 00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:33.220 The end of that story 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:35.080 is when then Jesus tells that man 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:38.559 to go and tell his town how he was healed. 00:08:38.860 --> 00:08:39.720 And if you remember, 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:41.500 he is an overachiever. 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:43.080 He doesn't just tell his town, 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:45.740 he tells the entire Decapolis. 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:48.980 He goes throughout the entire 10 city region, 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:51.939 making sure everyone knows how Jesus healed him. 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:54.319 It should not surprise us then 00:08:54.319 --> 00:08:56.439 that as Jesus returns to that area, 00:08:56.440 --> 00:08:58.400 this story has had an effect. 00:08:58.580 --> 00:09:00.160 People in that region know 00:09:00.160 --> 00:09:02.000 what Jesus has done in the past 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:04.240 and what he's capable of in the present, 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:07.200 which is why this group, verse 32, 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:09.680 brings to Jesus a man who's deaf 00:09:09.680 --> 00:09:12.400 and had a speech impediment. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:15.100 Jesus' response here 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:17.660 is to use the same tactics 00:09:17.660 --> 00:09:19.700 that we just talked about with Bob Gersani, 00:09:20.060 --> 00:09:22.480 his tactics of building this trust 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:24.600 and this rapport with this individual. 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:26.879 First, we see verse 33, 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:30.879 Jesus cares about being in privacy with this man. 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:33.940 He takes him off by himself away from the crowd. 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:35.680 This helps us understand 00:09:35.680 --> 00:09:39.000 that Jesus is not interested in putting on a show. 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:41.840 Instead, he wants to meet this man 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:45.440 in his humanity without any tricks or gimmicks. 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:48.320 Jesus is meeting this man 00:09:48.320 --> 00:09:51.080 not as an attempt to show his power off 00:09:51.080 --> 00:09:52.120 to a great crowd, 00:09:52.120 --> 00:09:55.240 but instead to minister to this man 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:57.259 personally and specifically. 00:09:58.800 --> 00:10:00.680 It's not just that, though. 00:10:00.780 --> 00:10:05.980 He also uses sign language with this man. 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:09.120 Remember, this is someone who cannot hear, 00:10:09.580 --> 00:10:10.660 and so that answers the question 00:10:10.660 --> 00:10:12.259 of why we haven't seen Jesus 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:14.240 use this method of healing before. 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:15.940 He hasn't had to. 00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:18.640 Those he's healed in the past 00:10:18.640 --> 00:10:20.960 have been able to hear and understand 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:22.880 what Jesus is doing here. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:25.380 Jesus, though, knows that this man 00:10:25.380 --> 00:10:26.680 is going to need more, 00:10:26.780 --> 00:10:28.840 and so he acts out with his hands 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:30.780 the miracle he's about to perform. 00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:32.580 We see him in verse 33. 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:34.440 He puts his fingers into his ears, 00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:35.880 which is his way of saying, 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:37.560 you know, these ears are stopped right now. 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:39.180 I'm going to unstop them. 00:10:39.179 --> 00:10:44.559 He puts his finger onto his tongue, 00:10:44.959 --> 00:10:46.239 which is his way of saying, 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:48.919 I'm about to fix your speech. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:53.419 And so don't miss what Jesus is doing here. 00:10:54.019 --> 00:10:57.099 Jesus cares so much about this man, 00:10:57.419 --> 00:10:59.319 he is not another number 00:10:59.319 --> 00:11:00.659 to be touched and healed. 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:06.159 This is a man that Jesus is meeting personally, 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:08.679 making sure that he communicates 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:10.779 in a way that he can understand. 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:14.079 And in case we get pulled off track, 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:15.639 I want you to know the power here 00:11:15.639 --> 00:11:17.359 is not in Jesus' actions. 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:19.899 He is not performing some sort of magic trick 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:21.919 in the touching of the ears and the tongue, 00:11:21.959 --> 00:11:23.459 and we know that for a couple reasons. 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:26.399 First of all, Jesus has not had to do this before. 00:11:27.219 --> 00:11:29.699 We haven't seen Jesus do these other things 00:11:29.699 --> 00:11:31.459 in his prior healings. 00:11:31.579 --> 00:11:33.559 Also, we know it because of verse 34, 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:35.379 which tells us what actually happens. 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:37.419 Jesus looks up to heaven, 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:40.919 which is a sign of his reliance on God, his Father. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:43.419 The last time we saw Jesus look up to heaven 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:45.480 was when he prayed to bless the food 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:46.820 at the feeding of the 5,000. 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:48.480 And then it's his command, 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:49.159 this ethvatha, 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:51.100 this order to be opened, 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:53.159 that's what results in the healing. 00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:54.799 In other words, 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:57.279 Jesus is doing whatever he can 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:58.759 to draw close to this man. 00:11:59.019 --> 00:12:00.399 He's doing everything he can 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:01.899 to take down the barriers 00:12:01.899 --> 00:12:03.919 that separate him from someone 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:05.659 who cannot hear communication 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:07.839 and cannot give communication. 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:10.439 This is an individual who is locked away 00:12:10.439 --> 00:12:11.699 in his own reality, 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:14.839 cut off from the world in many ways. 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:18.600 If you're anything like me, 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:20.620 as you've grown older 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:23.139 and as you've watched others age, 00:12:23.560 --> 00:12:25.080 you've learned that there are 00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:27.420 two kinds of doctors in this world. 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:30.660 There's the first kind of doctor 00:12:30.660 --> 00:12:34.480 who cares a lot about making money. 00:12:35.940 --> 00:12:37.860 There's the second kind of doctor 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:40.900 who cares a lot about you. 00:12:42.420 --> 00:12:43.980 Now, don't hear what I'm not saying. 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:45.519 I'm not here to rag on doctors. 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:46.259 We could say this 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:47.960 about all sorts of professions. 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:49.480 You could say it about pastors 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:50.240 if you wanted to. 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.700 But I bring up doctors here 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:54.620 because we have seen Jesus before 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:56.320 as the great physician. 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:57.240 There's the doctor 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:59.019 who wants to get you in and out. 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:01.399 He's not careful to look at your records 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.000 or your sheets 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:03.779 and know what's happened in the past. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.320 He's not bothered to spend 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:06.659 too much time talking to you 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:08.100 because he's already seen it before. 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.399 And before he talks to you, 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:10.779 he knows what he's going to prescribe. 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.960 Then there's the doctor 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:14.639 who cares deeply about you. 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.240 He wants to understand 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:17.400 exactly what your experience 00:13:17.400 --> 00:13:18.379 has been like, 00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:20.780 what's unique about the struggles 00:13:20.780 --> 00:13:21.700 that you are facing 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:24.680 and the way that he can help you the best. 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:29.360 For him, you are not another number. 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:31.560 He's not trying to get you in and out 00:13:31.560 --> 00:13:35.220 so that your copay hits as fast as possible. 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:37.920 Brothers and sisters, 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:41.339 Mark chapter 7 verses 31 through 37 00:13:41.339 --> 00:13:42.939 is telling us that Jesus 00:13:42.939 --> 00:13:45.240 is the second kind of doctor. 00:13:46.299 --> 00:13:47.860 Jesus is not here 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:51.000 because you are another number in his system. 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:53.199 He is not interested in this man 00:13:53.199 --> 00:13:55.299 for what he can gain by him 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:56.779 in showing a display 00:13:56.779 --> 00:13:58.360 to the crowds of his power. 00:13:59.139 --> 00:14:00.879 No, Jesus is interested 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:02.759 specifically and individually 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:04.459 in this man. 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:08.259 Jesus in his healing 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:09.160 and his salvation 00:14:09.160 --> 00:14:10.340 is specifically, 00:14:11.060 --> 00:14:14.080 individually interested in you. 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:18.139 Jesus is the doctor 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:20.220 who cares deeply 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:22.360 about each and every one 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:24.360 of his patients. 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:27.440 And in case we were in any doubt, 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:29.400 we see in verse 34, 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:32.579 not only does Jesus look up to heaven 00:14:32.579 --> 00:14:35.059 relying on the power of his Father, 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:37.100 we also see that he sighs. 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:42.639 When Jesus sighs in the Gospels, 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:46.480 it is a sign of his grief 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.879 and frustration 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:49.500 and anger 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:51.439 at the brokenness of the world. 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:56.480 It is a sign of how upset he is 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:57.480 about the disease 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:59.379 and sickness of sin. 00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:03.139 Jesus is actually moved 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:05.500 by this specific individual 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:07.720 in this Gentile territory 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:09.680 in the fact that he cannot hear 00:15:09.680 --> 00:15:10.680 or speak. 00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:14.000 And he's interested in that 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:15.500 more than what the crowds 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:17.340 might know or see. 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.740 Who is Jesus? 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:26.159 Jesus is the one 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:27.700 who draws near 00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:29.560 and cares about you 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:30.919 individually, 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:32.500 personally, 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.100 specifically. 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:40.379 No matter what your story is, 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:41.560 if you are a Christian, 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:43.460 that is true of you. 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.980 God's grace to you, 00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:46.299 his drawing near to you 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:47.379 might have been as simple 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.799 as providing a church 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:50.940 that is in your part of town 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:52.820 where your language is spoken. 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:56.300 God's grace in meeting you 00:15:56.300 --> 00:15:57.220 might have been 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:58.460 in providing you 00:15:58.460 --> 00:16:00.400 with your actual parents 00:16:00.400 --> 00:16:01.820 who actually taught you 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:02.460 about Jesus, 00:16:03.540 --> 00:16:05.600 which is not a small thing. 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:09.080 God's grace to you 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:09.860 might have been 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.900 that you were suspicious 00:16:10.900 --> 00:16:11.780 of Christians 00:16:11.780 --> 00:16:13.080 and hurt by the church, 00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:14.980 and God brought 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.000 the one person 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:16.920 that you trusted 00:16:16.920 --> 00:16:17.960 and respected 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:19.520 to talk to you about it. 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:22.019 God's grace to you 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.819 might have been 00:16:22.819 --> 00:16:24.259 that you didn't get it, 00:16:24.819 --> 00:16:26.259 and he finally brought 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.759 someone who could explain it 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:29.419 in words you could understand. 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:32.379 God's grace to you 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.019 might have been 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:34.019 that you were hurting 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:35.659 and suffering like this man, 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.960 and you walked into a study 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.419 in a group, 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.740 and someone said 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:40.100 the right words 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:41.240 that finally got through. 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:44.740 God's grace to you 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:46.279 might be 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:47.539 that you're rebellious 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.439 and hard-hearted 00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:49.019 and cynical, 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.980 and God arranged 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:51.679 the circumstances 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:52.480 of your life 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.339 in such a way 00:16:53.339 --> 00:16:54.620 that he finally broke you. 00:16:56.719 --> 00:16:58.500 God's grace for you 00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.279 is personal 00:16:59.279 --> 00:17:00.259 and specific 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:01.360 and careful, 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:04.720 and that's every story 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.559 with Jesus. 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.420 Jesus came to be able 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:09.420 to make you here 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:12.879 if you're a Christian. 00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:16.000 If you're not a Christian, 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:18.040 this right now 00:17:18.040 --> 00:17:19.160 might be God's moment 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.860 of moving towards you. 00:17:22.080 --> 00:17:23.220 That, perhaps, 00:17:23.320 --> 00:17:23.740 we hope, 00:17:23.820 --> 00:17:25.020 is why you are here 00:17:25.020 --> 00:17:26.080 with us now. 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:29.940 That like the blind man, 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:32.220 Jesus is moving closer 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:34.020 to touch you personally, 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:34.740 specifically, 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.380 privately, 00:17:35.580 --> 00:17:36.060 powerfully. 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:40.060 That is who Jesus is. 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:44.339 And so we see 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:45.220 Jesus' care. 00:17:46.679 --> 00:17:48.220 We also see, 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.480 this will sound familiar, 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:52.319 this man's great need. 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:54.879 He is utterly helpless. 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.119 Verse 32, 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.819 other people have to bring him 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.539 to Jesus. 00:17:59.019 --> 00:17:59.960 Verse 32, again, 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:00.679 he's deaf 00:18:00.679 --> 00:18:01.579 and he cannot speak. 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:03.099 He's so helpless 00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:05.399 that Jesus has to invent 00:18:05.399 --> 00:18:07.440 some rudimentary sign language 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.419 to have a hope 00:18:08.419 --> 00:18:09.839 of communicating something 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.679 to him. 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.980 Verse 34, 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:14.220 and don't miss this, 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:16.179 Jesus commands him 00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:17.259 to do something, right? 00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:17.939 Ethophah, 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:18.699 be opened, 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.559 is a command. 00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:20.339 It's telling. 00:18:22.459 --> 00:18:24.559 And Jesus has to be the one 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.740 to give him 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:27.480 the power to obey. 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:29.919 Jesus doesn't just command him 00:18:29.919 --> 00:18:30.339 to see, 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.119 Jesus causes him to see. 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.439 Don't miss that. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.819 That is one of the 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:37.099 spiritual principles 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:38.099 that's the baseline 00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:38.959 of Christianity, 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:41.120 that what God commands, 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.539 he also empowers. 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:45.819 The obedience he expects 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.759 is the obedience 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.920 he enables. 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:49.819 Moralism tells us 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.740 just obey. 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.860 End of discussion. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:55.000 But it provides 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.779 no power. 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:58.680 The gospel says obey 00:18:58.680 --> 00:19:00.600 and comes along 00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:01.700 with the engine 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.880 that fuels it. 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.579 God empowers our obedience 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.460 by his spirit, 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:06.519 through his promises, 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:08.039 just like in this man 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:09.579 as he commands his eyes, 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.839 his ears to be opened 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:12.079 and his mouth to be loose, 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:12.859 he's the one 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:13.859 at the same time 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.819 providing the power 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.619 for that to happen. 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.700 Brothers and sisters, 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:18.720 if you're a Christian, 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:19.980 that is the same thing 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:21.059 that has happened to you. 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:23.059 God commands obedience 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:25.059 that only he can enable 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.720 and empower. 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:28.960 as he meets you personally, 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:29.700 specifically, 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.420 carefully, 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:32.400 he is the one 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:33.200 who is giving you 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.660 what you need. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.759 You are so helpless 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:43.400 that you can't do anything 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:45.000 unless God performs 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.660 a miracle. 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:49.540 You are so helpless. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:53.080 You cannot respond to God 00:19:53.080 --> 00:19:54.880 unless he performs 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:56.000 a miracle. 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.680 And so we've been asking 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.560 this question, 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:02.759 who Jesus is, 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.620 and what we're finding out 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.300 in this passage 00:20:04.300 --> 00:20:05.759 is we're actually incapable 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:07.640 of answering it 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:09.800 unless God gives us sight. 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:12.320 We're asking a question 00:20:12.320 --> 00:20:14.040 that's impossible for us 00:20:14.040 --> 00:20:14.960 to conclude. 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:15.840 We won't be able 00:20:15.840 --> 00:20:16.319 to see it, 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:16.779 grasp it, 00:20:16.860 --> 00:20:17.279 apply it, 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:18.120 understand it, 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:19.000 live differently 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:20.600 unless God is the one 00:20:20.600 --> 00:20:21.759 who comes and performs 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:23.160 a miracle in our hearts 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:24.180 and our lives. 00:20:25.840 --> 00:20:27.140 We, together, 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:28.059 this morning 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.819 and every Sunday 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:30.120 when we open up God's word 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:31.079 are doing something 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:32.960 that is actually impossible 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.120 unless God comes 00:20:34.120 --> 00:20:34.860 and helps us. 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.980 That's why at the beginning 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.079 of every worship service 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.079 I pray that God 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:41.079 would send his spirit 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.000 to us in the prayer 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.519 of invocation 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.539 that he would help us 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:45.039 because we know 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.980 that unless there's 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.579 a miracle 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.899 we are wasting 00:20:47.899 --> 00:20:49.099 our time together. 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.819 Unless God works 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:53.000 powerfully in our midst 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.879 to help us see 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.359 and hear 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:55.039 and understand 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:56.819 we will not be able 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.599 to change 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.420 or grow. 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:01.079 And so how do we 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:02.000 respond to Jesus? 00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:03.200 We respond to him 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.139 by recognizing 00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:05.079 the helplessness 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:06.019 of us 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:07.420 and those around us. 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:09.259 We are spiritually dead 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:10.700 without God's intervention 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.940 in our lives. 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:14.120 We are not 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.920 as clever 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.940 or independent 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:17.120 as we'd like to think. 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.880 If you're a Christian 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:22.080 there is nothing 00:21:22.080 --> 00:21:23.140 that you have 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:24.460 that is not by grace. 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.740 That's what Paul tells us 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:29.080 in 1 Corinthians 4. 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.819 If the gospel 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.799 does nothing else 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.740 if the gospel of Mark 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:34.039 has no other effect on us 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.000 it should do this 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.299 it should remove us 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.340 far away 00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:38.360 from the land 00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.779 of self-congratulation 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.359 and pride. 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.779 Many people think 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:43.519 that this story 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.379 appears in Mark 00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:45.359 and appears in none 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.319 of the other gospels 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.299 because Mark 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:47.920 is the record 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.559 that comes from 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.480 the apostle Peter. 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.779 In the next chapter 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.799 chapter 8 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.759 we're going to see 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.740 that the apostle Peter 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.839 thinks he gets it 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.839 and he doesn't. 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.619 And so many people 00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.539 think that this story 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.879 shows up in this place 00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:02.819 in this gospel 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:04.359 because Peter is saying 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:05.500 this is what had 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.359 to happen to me. 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.660 This is what I was 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.700 why I couldn't see 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:12.060 or understand Jesus. 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.920 It was this 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.940 sort of radical 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.519 transformation 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.779 that had to take place 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.800 in my life. 00:22:18.560 --> 00:22:19.620 As we look 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:20.120 at the world 00:22:20.120 --> 00:22:20.740 around us 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.080 sometimes 00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:22.140 it is tempting 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:23.340 to say 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:25.500 how could those 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.279 people be 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.340 so stupid? 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.180 Don't hear 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:30.960 what I'm not saying. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.580 It is good 00:22:32.580 --> 00:22:33.440 and right 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.259 to lament 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.960 the sin 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.600 and evil 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:36.640 and brokenness 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.820 of this world 00:22:37.820 --> 00:22:39.960 and 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:42.160 apart from 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:43.320 God's grace 00:22:43.320 --> 00:22:44.600 we are no 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:45.240 better. 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.320 It is only 00:22:48.320 --> 00:22:49.620 because of a miracle 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:50.340 it is only 00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:51.000 because God 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.540 has touched 00:22:51.540 --> 00:22:52.480 our ears 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.460 and our tongue 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:55.460 that we are able 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.560 to see what we see. 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:58.520 And so there's 00:22:58.520 --> 00:22:59.280 a posture 00:22:59.280 --> 00:23:00.780 of humility 00:23:00.780 --> 00:23:01.820 and grace 00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:02.420 that comes 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.000 to the world 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.680 around us 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:05.440 even as we grieve 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.140 and lament 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:07.380 its wickedness 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:07.900 and sin 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.360 and evil. 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.799 Because we know 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.799 that we stand 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.940 apart from it 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:14.259 only by God's 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:14.759 grace. 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.799 If you're not 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.240 a Christian 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:22.000 you can hear 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:22.720 and listen 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:23.779 all you want 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:26.000 and it will 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.299 make no difference 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.660 unless God's 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:29.160 grace 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.180 his powerful 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:31.580 miraculous work 00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:32.360 in your life 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:33.179 penetrates 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:34.059 your heart 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.959 and your life 00:23:34.959 --> 00:23:35.819 and your mind. 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.240 And so you can pray. 00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:39.899 There's a reason 00:23:39.899 --> 00:23:40.439 that you're here. 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.619 Nothing happens 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.199 by accident. 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.779 And you can pray 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.939 that God's power 00:23:46.939 --> 00:23:47.879 would be at work 00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:48.759 in your life 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.699 that he would cut 00:23:49.699 --> 00:23:50.799 through the things 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.740 that you can't hear 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.319 and understand 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:52.979 that he would 00:23:52.979 --> 00:23:53.619 unstop 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.599 your ears 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.539 that you would be able 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.500 to finally see 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.079 and understand 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:57.779 and believe 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:59.500 Jesus for who he is 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.500 and all his power 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.420 and beauty 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.359 and holiness. 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.839 It is Jesus 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:06.559 ultimately 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:07.599 who is able 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.400 to do that 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.240 for us. 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:11.359 The things I say 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:12.039 in other words 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.460 have no impact. 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:15.140 They are powerless. 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.619 They are futile 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:19.539 unless God 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.480 is at work. 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.140 Unless God 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:24.420 chooses to use 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.319 my words 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:25.880 as his 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:26.839 instrument. 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:26.899 Christian. 00:24:28.439 --> 00:24:29.059 So if you're 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.559 not a Christian 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.199 you can pray 00:24:30.199 --> 00:24:31.679 that God 00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:32.039 would make 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.480 these things 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.579 effective in your life. 00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:35.000 That he would 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.659 open your eyes. 00:24:37.639 --> 00:24:38.839 If you are a Christian 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.819 you can pray 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.419 that God 00:24:40.419 --> 00:24:41.240 would continue 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.339 to open your eyes. 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.619 In two weeks 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.159 we're going to look 00:24:45.159 --> 00:24:45.899 at another healing 00:24:45.899 --> 00:24:46.980 and we're going to 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.859 talk about that more. 00:24:47.959 --> 00:24:48.399 There's going to be 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.759 a man who sort of 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.199 sees 00:24:50.199 --> 00:24:51.919 doesn't fully see. 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.439 It's going to be 00:24:53.439 --> 00:24:53.819 a picture 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.859 of what it looks like 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.859 to be 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:57.079 a Christian. 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:01.339 Finally I want you 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:01.959 to recognize 00:25:01.959 --> 00:25:03.119 not just that 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.819 we are blind 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:05.559 also those 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.279 around us 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.439 are blind as well. 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:08.939 Do you want 00:25:08.939 --> 00:25:10.219 to see your friend 00:25:10.219 --> 00:25:11.059 come to know 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:11.919 and follow Jesus? 00:25:14.479 --> 00:25:15.519 Do you know 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.059 someone 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:17.899 who thinks 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:18.599 they're okay 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:19.199 spiritually 00:25:19.199 --> 00:25:19.959 but they're not? 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.899 What's the best 00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:23.639 thing you can do? 00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:25.959 Yes, 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.759 speak to them 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.519 but even more 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:27.979 than that 00:25:27.979 --> 00:25:29.179 pray that God 00:25:29.179 --> 00:25:30.240 would be at work 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:30.879 in the words 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:31.439 you speak. 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:35.099 God is the one 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:35.799 who must 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.419 perform 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.299 the miracle. 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:38.479 Ask that God's 00:25:38.479 --> 00:25:39.699 supernatural work 00:25:39.699 --> 00:25:41.179 would be shown 00:25:41.179 --> 00:25:41.959 by his power. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.319 Last week 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:43.839 and this week 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.939 you may have noticed 00:25:44.939 --> 00:25:45.559 that a lot of my 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.399 application is that 00:25:46.399 --> 00:25:46.979 we pray. 00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:48.859 Why? 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:51.019 Because that's the way 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.919 we talk to God 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:52.319 now. 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:54.500 Jesus is not 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.339 with us physically 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.119 he's with us 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.579 spiritually. 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:58.799 The disciples 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.539 could go up 00:25:59.539 --> 00:25:59.960 to Jesus 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.679 and see him 00:26:00.679 --> 00:26:01.359 and ask him. 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:03.119 We now 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.819 go to God 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.339 in prayer 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.019 and ask 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.619 in the same 00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:05.960 way. 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.460 The best 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.099 illustration 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:12.539 the clearest 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.279 explanation 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:15.659 is worthless 00:26:15.659 --> 00:26:16.919 if it falls 00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.759 on deaf ears. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:20.160 God 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.519 and God 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:20.879 alone 00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.660 is the one 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:23.140 who unstops 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:24.140 the ears 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:24.859 of people. 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.680 He's the one 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.379 who unstops 00:26:27.379 --> 00:26:28.420 our ears 00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:30.220 he's the one 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:30.900 who unstops 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.839 the ears 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.539 of those 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.299 around us. 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:35.259 So we look 00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.539 to him 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.259 we pray to him 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:37.700 we trust in him. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.519 That's exactly 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.119 what we've already 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:43.359 sung this morning. 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:43.940 I invite you to 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.480 look with me 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.359 at page four 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:46.960 of your worship 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.379 guide. 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.480 We sang 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.539 about Jesus 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.160 as the one 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.980 who meets us 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.579 verse one 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:53.279 Jesus ready 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.460 stands to save you 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.700 full of pity 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.559 love 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.460 and power. 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:59.180 That's the doctor 00:26:59.180 --> 00:26:59.900 who cares 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.759 about you. 00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:03.019 That is the doctor 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:04.059 who sighs. 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.160 And then 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.519 the next 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.660 last verse 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.519 if you tarry 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.680 till you're better 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:11.099 you will never 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:11.700 come at all. 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.619 Come to Jesus 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.000 now. 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:16.200 Let him 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.900 heal you. 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:19.160 you are deaf 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:21.039 Jesus 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.759 is the one 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.259 who has 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.740 to give you 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.079 hearing. 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.539 Who is Jesus? 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.460 Jesus 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.339 is the doctor 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.019 who cares 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.980 about you. 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.619 He comes 00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:34.379 into your life 00:27:34.379 --> 00:27:35.039 personally 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:36.460 and specifically. 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:39.619 How do we respond? 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.239 God 00:27:40.239 --> 00:27:43.159 we recognize 00:27:43.159 --> 00:27:44.259 how helpless 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.119 we are 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.079 without God 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.819 and his power 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.579 in our lives 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:49.659 and we throw 00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:50.179 ourselves 00:27:50.179 --> 00:27:51.359 on his mercy. 00:27:52.199 --> 00:27:52.939 Let's pray. 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:55.360 our father 00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:55.740 in heaven 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:57.420 we praise you 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.019 and thank you 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.920 for the work 00:27:58.920 --> 00:28:00.400 that you have 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:00.740 done 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.820 that you are 00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:02.180 doing 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:02.900 and that you 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.440 will do 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.320 in our lives. 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.519 We thank you 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.080 for the grace 00:28:06.080 --> 00:28:06.720 that you've 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.580 offered to us 00:28:07.580 --> 00:28:09.160 that you give us. 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.480 We ask that it 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:10.880 would abound 00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:11.559 more and more 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:12.279 that we would 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:12.720 grow 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:14.620 in our ability 00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:15.080 to see 00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:15.580 and hear 00:28:15.580 --> 00:28:16.160 and understand 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:17.080 and believe 00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:18.779 that you 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:20.039 are our good 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.659 and loving 00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:21.460 Lord and Savior 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:22.939 the doctor 00:28:22.939 --> 00:28:24.000 who cares for us 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.939 who heals us 00:28:24.939 --> 00:28:25.679 who saves us. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.899 We ask these things 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:27.599 in the mighty name 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:28.419 of Jesus Christ. 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.079 Amen.