WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.259 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:08.259 --> 00:00:12.700 and it's my joy, truly, to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:17.480 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here, 00:00:17.780 --> 00:00:22.059 and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:22.519 --> 00:00:26.039 but because we're following Jesus together as one community, 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:30.859 and as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good, 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:35.359 they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:35.479 --> 00:00:41.460 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:42.739 --> 00:00:45.780 We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark. 00:00:45.879 --> 00:00:52.439 You'll remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus and His life and His death and His resurrection, 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:57.640 and as we come to this passage this morning, there's really no two ways about it. 00:00:57.699 --> 00:01:02.239 We have a difficult text of Scripture before us. 00:01:02.280 --> 00:01:06.019 It's difficult to understand. It's difficult to hear. 00:01:06.439 --> 00:01:11.819 It's hard intellectually because it appears, at least on first reading, 00:01:11.900 --> 00:01:13.799 that somehow we can control God. 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:18.180 We can have supernatural powers if simply we have enough faith. 00:01:18.180 --> 00:01:23.160 And it's hard spiritually because as we come to this passage, 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:28.900 it has the potential to bring us maybe guilt or shame or cynicism 00:01:28.900 --> 00:01:33.060 as we look at things that we've cried out to God for, we've prayed earnestly for, 00:01:33.160 --> 00:01:35.600 and God has chosen not to grant that. 00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:41.940 We wonder if something was wrong with us if we didn't just have enough faith, 00:01:41.940 --> 00:01:46.920 and so maybe we found ourselves in a place of resignation or cynicism. 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:52.379 So as we come to Jesus' teaching here, I say sometimes, as I do now, 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:54.439 I'm going to say something, not everything, 00:01:54.599 --> 00:01:59.400 as we try to unravel the knots of this passage to both satisfy our minds, 00:01:59.480 --> 00:02:04.599 to understand it, and also to address our hearts as we face the challenges 00:02:04.599 --> 00:02:07.460 of just living as Christians, crying out to God, 00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:11.460 and feeling like at times He doesn't hear or answer. 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:15.680 And so it's with those challenges that we're going to turn now to God's Word. 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:20.219 I invite you to turn with me to Mark chapter 11. 00:02:20.360 --> 00:02:23.620 We're going to start at verse 20, and remember that this is God's Word. 00:02:23.780 --> 00:02:28.060 God tells us that His Word is a lamp to our feet, and it's a light to our path, 00:02:28.099 --> 00:02:31.520 which means that God has not left us to stumble alone in the dark, 00:02:31.659 --> 00:02:35.240 but instead He's given us His Word to show us the way to go. 00:02:35.319 --> 00:02:38.840 And so that's why we read together now, starting at verse 20. 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:45.000 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 00:02:45.920 --> 00:02:47.640 And Peter remembered and said to Him, 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:51.099 Rabbi, look, the fig tree that you cursed has withered. 00:02:51.719 --> 00:02:53.060 And Jesus answered them, 00:02:53.580 --> 00:02:54.920 Have faith in God. 00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:57.060 Truly I say to you, 00:02:57.420 --> 00:02:59.060 whoever says to this mountain, 00:02:59.640 --> 00:03:01.520 be taken up and thrown into the sea, 00:03:02.060 --> 00:03:03.860 and does not doubt in his heart, 00:03:03.939 --> 00:03:06.640 but believes that what he says will come to pass, 00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:08.459 it will be done for him. 00:03:09.419 --> 00:03:10.279 Verse 24, 00:03:11.139 --> 00:03:12.279 Therefore I tell you, 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:14.139 whatever you ask in prayer, 00:03:14.679 --> 00:03:16.299 believe that you have received it, 00:03:16.339 --> 00:03:17.339 and it will be yours. 00:03:18.239 --> 00:03:20.139 And whenever you stand praying, 00:03:20.399 --> 00:03:20.619 forgive, 00:03:21.219 --> 00:03:23.719 if you have anything against anyone, 00:03:24.219 --> 00:03:25.579 so that your Father also, 00:03:25.699 --> 00:03:26.359 who is in heaven, 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:27.479 may forgive you 00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:29.539 your trespasses. 00:03:30.619 --> 00:03:32.560 I invite you to pray with me as we come 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:34.519 to this portion of God's Word. 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:37.859 Our Father in heaven, 00:03:38.059 --> 00:03:39.439 we do praise you 00:03:39.439 --> 00:03:41.239 and thank you again this morning 00:03:41.239 --> 00:03:44.099 that you teach us and instruct us, 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:45.079 that you challenge us 00:03:45.079 --> 00:03:46.659 and you encourage us with your Word. 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:49.199 We ask that you would do that this morning. 00:03:49.339 --> 00:03:50.799 You would especially help us 00:03:50.799 --> 00:03:52.839 to understand clearly 00:03:52.839 --> 00:03:55.859 what Jesus is teaching in this passage, 00:03:56.519 --> 00:03:58.679 and that you would encourage us 00:03:58.679 --> 00:04:00.859 to be bold in our prayers, 00:04:00.860 --> 00:04:02.760 and comfort us 00:04:02.760 --> 00:04:03.980 and sustain us 00:04:03.980 --> 00:04:05.760 in the prayers 00:04:05.760 --> 00:04:07.240 that we have prayed for 00:04:07.240 --> 00:04:09.860 months and years 00:04:09.860 --> 00:04:11.220 and perhaps decades, 00:04:11.600 --> 00:04:13.420 that you would stir up our faith, 00:04:13.900 --> 00:04:15.400 that we would see Jesus 00:04:15.400 --> 00:04:16.360 in his beauty 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:17.240 and his glory, 00:04:17.420 --> 00:04:18.740 and that our love for him 00:04:18.740 --> 00:04:20.319 would grow more and more, 00:04:20.400 --> 00:04:21.439 that you would change us, 00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:22.860 that we would look like him. 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:24.759 We thank you 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:26.300 that even though 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:27.540 we haven't earned these things 00:04:27.540 --> 00:04:28.520 and we don't deserve them, 00:04:28.519 --> 00:04:29.759 we can ask them with confidence 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:31.459 because we ask them in Jesus' name. 00:04:32.039 --> 00:04:32.319 Amen. 00:04:35.819 --> 00:04:37.599 As we come to this passage, 00:04:37.699 --> 00:04:38.339 we're picking up 00:04:38.339 --> 00:04:39.740 where we left off last week. 00:04:39.799 --> 00:04:40.359 You'll remember 00:04:40.359 --> 00:04:41.399 that we had first 00:04:41.399 --> 00:04:43.279 this cursing of the fig tree 00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:44.399 by Jesus, 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:45.819 which was an illustration 00:04:45.819 --> 00:04:47.159 that he was acting out, 00:04:47.219 --> 00:04:48.339 that he was living out, 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:50.419 so that he could tell his disciples 00:04:50.419 --> 00:04:52.439 what was actually going on 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:53.099 with the temple, 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:54.299 that the temple was 00:04:54.299 --> 00:04:55.859 all leaves and no fig. 00:04:55.859 --> 00:04:57.740 It was all external appearances, 00:04:57.740 --> 00:04:59.400 but no substance. 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:00.960 As we move on 00:05:00.960 --> 00:05:01.699 from that episode, 00:05:01.840 --> 00:05:03.040 Jesus cleaning out 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:03.699 of the temple, 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:05.139 it appears to be important 00:05:05.139 --> 00:05:06.639 to Mark to tell us 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:07.699 once again 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:08.660 about this fig tree. 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:09.439 And so we see 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:10.340 in verse 20 00:05:10.340 --> 00:05:11.639 what we didn't learn 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:12.139 last week, 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:13.280 which is the totality 00:05:13.280 --> 00:05:14.100 of its destruction. 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:15.480 It's not just 00:05:15.480 --> 00:05:16.300 that the fig tree 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:17.319 has been destroyed, 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:18.660 but it has been destroyed 00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:19.199 away, 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:20.120 all the way 00:05:20.120 --> 00:05:21.100 to the roots. 00:05:22.300 --> 00:05:23.840 Jesus has taken here 00:05:23.840 --> 00:05:25.860 a scorched earth policy 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:27.660 towards the fig tree, 00:05:28.020 --> 00:05:29.639 that this destruction here 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:30.800 is total and utter 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:31.620 and complete. 00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:33.060 And so Peter represents 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:34.600 the surprise of the disciples 00:05:34.600 --> 00:05:35.759 in verse 21. 00:05:36.080 --> 00:05:36.280 He says, 00:05:36.699 --> 00:05:37.120 look, Rabbi, 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:37.860 the fig tree 00:05:37.860 --> 00:05:38.639 that you cursed 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:39.699 has withered, 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:41.020 which reminds us 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:41.840 that it wasn't clear 00:05:41.840 --> 00:05:42.720 what the conclusion 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:43.300 would be 00:05:43.300 --> 00:05:44.340 in the previous passage. 00:05:44.460 --> 00:05:45.819 There's all sorts of ways 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:46.879 this could have played out 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:48.040 when Jesus says, 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:50.420 may you never bear figs again. 00:05:50.520 --> 00:05:51.520 And here it plays out 00:05:51.520 --> 00:05:53.120 in an incredibly dramatic 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:54.680 and severe way. 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:55.780 It is complete 00:05:55.780 --> 00:05:56.420 and quick 00:05:56.420 --> 00:05:57.060 and total, 00:05:57.180 --> 00:05:58.259 more than Peter 00:05:58.259 --> 00:06:00.240 perhaps expected. 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:02.280 That's important 00:06:02.280 --> 00:06:03.060 for us to understand 00:06:03.060 --> 00:06:03.540 as we head 00:06:03.540 --> 00:06:04.699 into this next story 00:06:04.699 --> 00:06:05.699 because what Jesus 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:06.959 says next 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:08.220 assumes Peter's 00:06:08.220 --> 00:06:09.139 surprise here. 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:11.180 Verses 22 and 23, 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:12.240 Jesus is essentially 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:12.680 saying, 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:13.899 oh, you think 00:06:13.899 --> 00:06:15.319 that's a big deal? 00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:18.120 You think it's surprising 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:19.340 and powerful 00:06:19.340 --> 00:06:20.680 to wither 00:06:20.680 --> 00:06:21.939 a fig tree away 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:23.180 all to its roots? 00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:26.620 Look up. 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:28.800 You see that mountain 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:29.439 over there? 00:06:32.400 --> 00:06:33.819 If you have enough faith, 00:06:33.819 --> 00:06:35.860 you can throw that 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:37.420 into the sea. 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:39.939 In other words, 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:42.540 making a fig tree 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:44.120 wither to its roots 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:45.319 isn't anything. 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:46.340 Disciples, 00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:48.120 you all ain't seen 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:49.379 nothing yet. 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:51.519 If you are impressed 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:52.079 by that, 00:06:52.180 --> 00:06:54.079 you are too easily pleased. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:55.420 There is so much 00:06:55.420 --> 00:06:56.540 more power 00:06:56.540 --> 00:06:57.319 than you realize. 00:06:57.420 --> 00:06:58.100 There is something 00:06:58.100 --> 00:06:58.920 greater even 00:06:58.920 --> 00:06:59.779 than what you've seen. 00:07:00.219 --> 00:07:00.699 Now when Jesus 00:07:00.699 --> 00:07:01.659 in verse 23 00:07:01.659 --> 00:07:02.100 says, 00:07:02.339 --> 00:07:03.360 look at this mountain, 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:04.319 that helps us understand 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:05.300 that he's talking about 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:06.519 not just mountains 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:07.259 in general 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:08.819 but a specific mountain. 00:07:09.279 --> 00:07:10.079 There's disagreement 00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:10.719 about whether 00:07:10.719 --> 00:07:11.920 he's referring here 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:13.579 to the Mount of Olives 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:14.500 that he crosses over 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:15.819 as he approaches Jerusalem 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:17.259 or if he's referring 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:18.360 to the Temple Mount 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:19.780 where the Temple itself 00:07:19.780 --> 00:07:20.939 stands. 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:22.639 Regardless, 00:07:23.500 --> 00:07:26.120 there is a little-known 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:27.100 historical fact 00:07:27.100 --> 00:07:27.780 that's important 00:07:27.780 --> 00:07:28.980 for us to know 00:07:28.980 --> 00:07:30.259 as we come to this passage 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:30.759 to be able 00:07:30.759 --> 00:07:31.500 to understand it. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:32.480 And that little-known 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:33.439 fact is this. 00:07:33.900 --> 00:07:35.300 Neither the Temple Mount 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:37.220 nor the Mount of Olives, 00:07:37.460 --> 00:07:38.160 believe it or not, 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:39.699 have ever been cast 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:40.340 into the sea. 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:43.139 That's actually 00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:43.860 never happened. 00:07:44.080 --> 00:07:44.780 And it's important 00:07:44.780 --> 00:07:46.560 for me to point that out 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:47.399 because it highlights 00:07:47.399 --> 00:07:48.240 the first thing 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:49.339 we need to understand 00:07:49.339 --> 00:07:50.300 about this passage 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:51.819 which is the form 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:53.139 of Jesus' teaching here. 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:54.540 When Jesus tells them, 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:55.800 hey, if you have enough faith, 00:07:56.040 --> 00:07:57.100 you can throw a mountain 00:07:57.100 --> 00:07:57.899 into the sea, 00:07:58.019 --> 00:07:58.840 Jesus is using 00:07:58.840 --> 00:07:59.600 what we might call 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:00.780 an overstatement. 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:02.459 Some have referred to it 00:08:02.459 --> 00:08:04.220 as an exaggeration 00:08:04.220 --> 00:08:05.180 or a hyperbole 00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:07.139 or a proverbial saying. 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:08.720 And unless you think, 00:08:08.779 --> 00:08:09.500 in case you think 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:10.699 I'm making this up 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:12.340 to take a hard passage 00:08:12.340 --> 00:08:13.180 and make it easier, 00:08:13.300 --> 00:08:14.279 remember we've already 00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:14.939 seen this. 00:08:15.039 --> 00:08:17.779 Mark 9, verses 43-47, 00:08:17.979 --> 00:08:18.739 Jesus says, 00:08:19.179 --> 00:08:20.099 hey, it's a good idea 00:08:20.099 --> 00:08:21.299 to cut off your hand, 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:22.399 cut off your foot, 00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:23.599 tear out your eye. 00:08:25.859 --> 00:08:26.899 None of you, however, 00:08:27.039 --> 00:08:28.000 here have cut off 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:28.799 your hands, your feet, 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:29.919 or torn out your eyes 00:08:29.919 --> 00:08:31.299 as far as I can tell. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:32.860 And so you're in agreement. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:34.279 There's times when Jesus 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:35.699 uses an exaggeration 00:08:35.699 --> 00:08:36.720 to make a point. 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:38.159 The same thing is true 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:39.159 in Luke 12. 00:08:39.459 --> 00:08:40.139 You have a passage 00:08:40.139 --> 00:08:41.019 about this on the back 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:41.939 of your worship guide. 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:43.759 Or Luke 14, excuse me. 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:44.679 Jesus says, 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:46.379 you should hate your family. 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:49.319 And yet, 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:50.799 so many of you 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:51.639 are sitting here 00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:52.799 with your families 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:56.120 because you know, right, 00:08:56.220 --> 00:08:57.000 Jesus is making 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:57.860 an overstatement. 00:08:57.980 --> 00:08:59.240 He is saying something 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:01.819 extreme to make a point. 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:03.139 And the point here 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:04.039 is this, 00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:06.319 that prayer is very powerful. 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:08.559 But it's more impactful, 00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:09.399 it's more memorable 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:10.419 for Jesus to say, 00:09:10.580 --> 00:09:10.840 hey, 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:12.480 prayer's so powerful 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:13.399 you can take mountains 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:14.100 and cast them 00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:14.680 into the sea 00:09:14.680 --> 00:09:15.159 than to say, 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.480 oh, you think that's big? 00:09:16.659 --> 00:09:17.879 Well, prayer's a really big deal. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:20.480 That might go over 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:21.460 the disciples' heads, 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:21.899 but here, 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:22.240 Jesus, 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:23.519 as the master teacher, 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:24.779 gives them this image 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:25.560 to help them 00:09:25.560 --> 00:09:27.100 remember forever 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:28.399 how important it is 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:29.159 that they would pray. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:32.440 Jesus is simply 00:09:32.440 --> 00:09:33.360 telling them this, 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:34.480 prayer can accomplish 00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:36.620 more than you imagine. 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:39.620 Prayer can make 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:41.980 the impossible possible. 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:44.659 And so that helps us 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:45.519 escape the trap 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:46.240 that's been used 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:46.919 by those who have 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:47.879 abused this passage 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:48.440 that somehow 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:49.500 we have to take it 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.580 woodenly 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:51.919 or literalistically 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:53.100 that if we just 00:09:53.100 --> 00:09:53.919 have enough faith, 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:55.440 God will do anything 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:55.960 for us. 00:09:56.039 --> 00:09:56.759 God is somehow 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:58.340 this genie in the bottle 00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:59.100 and if our faith 00:09:59.100 --> 00:09:59.960 can rub that bottle 00:09:59.960 --> 00:10:01.060 just the right way, 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:01.879 then we will have 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:02.700 the superpower 00:10:02.700 --> 00:10:03.639 to do whatever 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:04.980 we want in this world. 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:08.259 And yet that is not 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:09.659 what Jesus is teaching here. 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:11.500 He is simply telling them, 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:12.259 look, 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:15.399 what you've seen here 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:16.759 is nothing compared 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:17.600 to the power 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:18.399 that is available 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:19.399 to you 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:21.039 through prayer. 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:24.360 And so that's the first thing 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:25.460 we need to understand 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:26.920 about Jesus' teaching here 00:10:26.920 --> 00:10:27.840 is the form 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:28.740 of his teaching. 00:10:29.300 --> 00:10:30.259 That in this, 00:10:30.320 --> 00:10:30.860 he is using 00:10:30.860 --> 00:10:31.759 this overstatement, 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:32.539 this hyperbole, 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:33.720 this proverbial saying. 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:34.980 The second thing 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:35.840 we need to understand 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:36.740 to make sense 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:37.460 of this teaching 00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:38.060 from Jesus 00:10:38.060 --> 00:10:39.399 is the context 00:10:39.399 --> 00:10:41.000 of his teaching. 00:10:41.560 --> 00:10:42.480 That he's teaching this 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:43.340 in the context 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:44.360 of the overthrow 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.420 of evil, 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:45.980 the clearing 00:10:45.980 --> 00:10:46.620 of the temple 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:47.379 which prevents 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:48.100 God's people 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:48.820 from actually 00:10:48.820 --> 00:10:50.940 accessing God's presence. 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:52.360 The point of confusion 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:53.060 here for those 00:10:53.060 --> 00:10:54.180 who abuse this passage 00:10:54.180 --> 00:10:55.399 or misunderstand it 00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:56.740 would be in verse 24 00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:58.540 when Jesus says, 00:10:58.920 --> 00:11:00.240 whatever you ask 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:00.940 in prayer. 00:11:01.940 --> 00:11:02.560 And the confusion 00:11:02.560 --> 00:11:02.960 would be 00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:04.019 if we make the word 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:04.519 whatever 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:05.900 mean anything 00:11:05.900 --> 00:11:07.879 or everything. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:09.720 And whatever 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:10.600 does not mean 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:11.840 anything or everything 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:12.720 and so I want you 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:13.620 to think about it 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:14.139 this way. 00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:16.680 You invite me 00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:17.540 to your house 00:11:17.540 --> 00:11:18.100 for dinner 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:20.480 and I come over 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.200 and being 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:22.639 the housebroken, 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:24.280 well-trained guest 00:11:24.280 --> 00:11:25.000 that I am 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:25.759 with just really 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:26.680 clear boundaries, 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:28.220 as soon as I come 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:28.840 to your house, 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:30.040 I make a beeline 00:11:30.040 --> 00:11:30.940 for your freezer. 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:33.899 And I pull open 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:34.580 the freezer door 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:35.019 and I say, 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:35.879 what do we have 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:36.440 in here? 00:11:37.160 --> 00:11:38.240 And there it is, 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:38.920 it's glowing 00:11:38.920 --> 00:11:39.820 and bright 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:40.720 in your freezer, 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.519 I see that you 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:44.259 have the quart 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:44.960 of Blue Bell 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:45.639 ice cream. 00:11:46.779 --> 00:11:47.820 And so I say, 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:48.420 yes, 00:11:48.980 --> 00:11:49.920 this is what 00:11:49.920 --> 00:11:50.680 I've hoped for 00:11:50.680 --> 00:11:51.700 and longed for, 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:52.820 that is what 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:53.620 I want. 00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:54.980 We haven't eaten 00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:55.500 dinner yet. 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:58.120 And so what do 00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:58.740 you say to me 00:11:58.740 --> 00:11:59.379 at that point? 00:11:59.800 --> 00:12:00.320 You say, 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:00.800 Matthew, 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:03.120 you can have 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:05.300 whatever you want. 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:08.139 What does that 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.200 not mean? 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:11.340 It does not mean 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:12.519 that you have 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:13.379 invited me 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.340 to go upstairs 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:15.340 in your house 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:16.460 and take all 00:12:16.460 --> 00:12:17.100 your guns 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:18.200 and all your jewelry. 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:20.120 Whatever 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:21.460 does not mean 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:22.840 anything or everything. 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:23.580 When you say, 00:12:23.700 --> 00:12:24.039 Matthew, 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:25.059 you can have 00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:26.219 whatever you want. 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:27.039 What you mean is 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:27.799 you can have 00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:28.539 whatever you want 00:12:28.539 --> 00:12:29.599 in the context, 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:30.399 in the realm, 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:31.240 in the sphere 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.019 of the freezer. 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:34.139 And if I'm lucky, 00:12:34.219 --> 00:12:34.919 in the sphere 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:35.839 of the refrigerator. 00:12:36.219 --> 00:12:37.179 There's a context 00:12:37.179 --> 00:12:38.039 to that statement. 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:39.159 When you say whatever, 00:12:39.459 --> 00:12:39.899 you don't mean 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:41.039 anything in the world. 00:12:41.099 --> 00:12:41.419 You don't mean 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.779 everything in your house. 00:12:42.819 --> 00:12:43.419 You mean 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:44.839 whatever you need 00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:45.439 to eat 00:12:45.439 --> 00:12:46.319 from this 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:47.879 refrigerated instrument. 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:49.099 Okay, 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:49.860 there's a realm, 00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:50.639 there's a context, 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.379 there's a boundary, 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.179 there's a limit 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:53.639 on your statement there. 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:54.980 I might also 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:55.679 never be invited 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:56.599 for dinner again. 00:12:58.599 --> 00:12:59.379 Same thing 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:00.500 is going on here 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.139 with Jesus 00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:02.179 is that there is 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:03.099 a context 00:13:03.099 --> 00:13:03.719 and a realm. 00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:04.620 When Jesus says 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.740 in verse 24, 00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:07.259 whatever you ask 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:07.939 in prayer, 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:09.219 he is speaking 00:13:09.219 --> 00:13:10.240 in the context 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:11.299 about the advancing 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:12.379 of God's kingdom, 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:13.120 the destruction 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:13.779 of evil, 00:13:14.099 --> 00:13:15.120 and the erasing 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:16.199 of what separates 00:13:16.199 --> 00:13:16.919 God's people 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:17.899 from God's presence. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.099 We are not 00:13:19.099 --> 00:13:19.699 in the realm 00:13:19.699 --> 00:13:20.519 of the refrigerator, 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:21.579 we're in the realm 00:13:21.579 --> 00:13:22.319 of the clearing 00:13:22.319 --> 00:13:22.939 of the temple 00:13:22.939 --> 00:13:24.059 that has just happened 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:24.759 and the withering 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:25.539 of the fig tree. 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.460 The withering 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:27.199 of the fig tree 00:13:27.199 --> 00:13:28.079 is destroying 00:13:28.079 --> 00:13:28.699 those things 00:13:28.699 --> 00:13:29.519 that have spiritual 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.019 appearance 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.079 but no spiritual 00:13:31.079 --> 00:13:31.759 substance. 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:34.039 Whatever you ask 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:34.819 in prayer 00:13:34.819 --> 00:13:37.419 in that genre, 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:40.439 whatever you ask 00:13:40.439 --> 00:13:41.039 in prayer 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:42.199 for the advancing 00:13:42.199 --> 00:13:43.919 of God's kingdom, 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:46.019 whatever you ask 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:46.360 in prayer 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.019 for the defeat 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:47.559 of evil 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:48.639 and the overthrowing 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:49.459 of spiritual 00:13:49.459 --> 00:13:51.379 strongholds. 00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:52.539 One pastor 00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:53.699 puts it this way, 00:13:54.099 --> 00:13:55.599 we can move mountains 00:13:55.599 --> 00:13:56.599 in our prayers, 00:13:57.319 --> 00:13:58.019 the mountain 00:13:58.019 --> 00:13:58.819 we are moving 00:13:58.819 --> 00:14:00.039 is the overthrow 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:01.699 of a broken world 00:14:01.699 --> 00:14:02.919 and the coming 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:04.000 of the kingdom 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.159 of God. 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.259 Which means 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:10.039 that this morning 00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:12.299 you have already prayed 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:13.539 that God would cast 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.879 mountains into the sea 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:15.899 because that's exactly 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:16.699 what we pray for 00:14:16.699 --> 00:14:17.479 in the Lord's prayer. 00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:18.479 we come together 00:14:18.479 --> 00:14:18.899 and say, 00:14:19.219 --> 00:14:19.899 hey, may your kingdom 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:21.139 come, your will be done 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.579 on earth as it is 00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:23.139 in heaven. 00:14:23.579 --> 00:14:24.919 For God's kingdom 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:25.419 to come 00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:26.339 and his will to be done 00:14:26.339 --> 00:14:27.279 on earth as it is 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:27.619 in heaven 00:14:27.619 --> 00:14:29.139 is much more difficult 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:30.459 than shriveling 00:14:30.459 --> 00:14:31.219 a fig tree 00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:32.379 to its roots. 00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:33.179 It is in fact 00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:34.719 much more challenging 00:14:34.719 --> 00:14:36.000 than casting a mountain 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.319 into the sea. 00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:38.000 It is something 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.179 that only happens 00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:40.819 if God's supernatural 00:14:40.819 --> 00:14:42.359 power is at work 00:14:42.359 --> 00:14:43.139 in the world. 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:46.799 And so you might 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.100 be thinking, 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:47.699 oh man, 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:49.419 that's all this passage 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:49.840 means? 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:51.039 Like, we're downplaying it. 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:51.439 It just means 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:52.419 the Lord's prayer. 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:55.399 No, I don't say this 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.879 to downplay this passage 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.919 but to highlight 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.600 and emphasize 00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:00.199 what a radical 00:15:00.199 --> 00:15:01.500 act of faith 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:02.879 it actually is 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.980 when we pray 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:05.120 the Lord's prayer 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:05.720 together. 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:08.340 Remember verse 25 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.259 of this passage. 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:09.980 Jesus says, 00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:10.659 hey, by the way, 00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:11.279 when you're praying, 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:12.459 you also need to forgive. 00:15:13.459 --> 00:15:14.759 And if you're honest, 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:16.220 you know how hard 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:17.399 it is to forgive 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:18.459 someone who has 00:15:18.459 --> 00:15:19.819 truly hurt you. 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.600 It is harder 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.519 to do that 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:25.779 than to cast 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.279 a mountain 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:27.399 into the sea. 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:30.199 We are asking God 00:15:30.199 --> 00:15:30.679 when we pray 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:31.279 for his kingdom 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:31.759 to come 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.480 on earth 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.220 as it is in heaven 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:34.000 to do what 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.339 no earthly government 00:15:35.339 --> 00:15:36.679 has ever been able 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:37.539 to accomplish. 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.259 Dynamite 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:43.259 can destroy 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:43.819 mountains. 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:47.080 We have the technology 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:47.939 right now 00:15:47.939 --> 00:15:48.720 to cast 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.439 mountains 00:15:49.439 --> 00:15:50.299 into the sea. 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:54.460 We do not have 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:55.519 the technology 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.399 to move 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.139 the human heart. 00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:00.039 We do not have 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:00.700 the technology 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.379 to break 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:02.500 the forces of evil 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.340 once and for all. 00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.519 We do not have 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.439 the technology 00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:06.080 necessary 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:06.879 to restore 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.860 dignity and worth 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.299 to people 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:09.200 who are on the margins. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.660 We do not have 00:16:10.660 --> 00:16:11.420 the technology 00:16:11.420 --> 00:16:12.460 to rescue 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:13.140 the poor 00:16:13.140 --> 00:16:14.440 and bring down 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:15.020 the arrogant. 00:16:18.180 --> 00:16:18.700 Now, 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.320 I didn't share this 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:20.480 with you last week 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.220 because I didn't 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:21.820 want to brag, 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.480 but I do want 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.200 to tell you this week 00:16:24.200 --> 00:16:24.680 I actually 00:16:24.680 --> 00:16:26.020 personally have 00:16:26.020 --> 00:16:27.240 the capacity 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:28.160 to shrivel 00:16:28.160 --> 00:16:29.300 fig trees 00:16:29.300 --> 00:16:30.040 to their roots. 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:33.199 I have 00:16:33.199 --> 00:16:35.399 a can 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:37.199 of Roundup 360 00:16:37.199 --> 00:16:38.379 in my backyard 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.000 right now. 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:42.399 And even if I didn't, 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.480 we all know 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.199 Home Depot 00:16:44.199 --> 00:16:45.099 is less than 00:16:45.099 --> 00:16:45.639 10 minutes 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.379 from this church. 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:48.740 And I guarantee you 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.879 they have it in stock. 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:54.039 Roundup 360 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:56.079 cannot destroy 00:16:56.079 --> 00:16:56.719 the sin 00:16:56.719 --> 00:16:57.559 in our hearts 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:59.579 to its root. 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.959 God's power 00:17:03.959 --> 00:17:04.559 at work 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.259 through prayer 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.240 is much 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.639 more powerful 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:08.619 than the shriveling 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.599 of a fig tree. 00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:11.039 It makes 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.139 putting a 00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:12.899 mountain 00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:13.779 into the sea 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.440 look like 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:14.899 nothing. 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:18.539 When we pray 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.500 for God's 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.539 kingdom to come, 00:17:20.659 --> 00:17:21.539 we are praying 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.119 something 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:23.279 impossible 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.579 and radical 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:26.119 and revolutionary. 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:30.940 we are praying 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:31.799 for power 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.960 that can come 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:34.039 from God 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:34.899 and God alone. 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:36.539 And so 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.279 we can say 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.179 mountains truly 00:17:38.179 --> 00:17:38.859 are moved 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:39.460 when we pray 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.279 in our congregational 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:40.980 prayer for our 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.720 army chaplains 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.299 and they are able 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.319 to speak clearly 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:44.279 about the gospel 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.220 and soldiers 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:45.759 are moved 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.379 in their hearts 00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.440 because of that. 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:49.059 God has moved 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.500 a mountain. 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.619 That is harder 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:52.279 than withering 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:52.799 a fig tree. 00:17:52.919 --> 00:17:53.259 It's harder 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.759 than casting 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.139 a mountain 00:17:54.139 --> 00:17:54.859 into the sea. 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:55.859 When we pray 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.359 for children 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:56.939 who are taught 00:17:56.939 --> 00:17:57.419 in our Sunday 00:17:57.419 --> 00:17:58.000 school classes 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.079 week after week 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:00.379 that in 40 years 00:18:00.379 --> 00:18:01.119 they would still 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:01.879 love Jesus 00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:02.500 and be part 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.199 of his community 00:18:03.199 --> 00:18:04.039 in the church, 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.199 we are praying 00:18:05.199 --> 00:18:05.959 that a mountain 00:18:05.959 --> 00:18:06.879 has been moved, 00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:08.139 that God would 00:18:08.139 --> 00:18:09.299 move mountains 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:09.919 that are beyond 00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:10.639 our control. 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:11.839 To do that 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:13.159 is much harder 00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:13.799 than withering 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:14.399 a fig tree. 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.219 When we pray 00:18:15.219 --> 00:18:16.059 for oppressive 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:17.359 and unjust systems 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:18.159 to be replaced 00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:18.839 by the love 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.359 of God 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:20.240 and his gospel, 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:23.279 we are praying 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.000 for mountains 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.819 to be moved. 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.559 And so what Jesus 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.240 here is saying 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.039 is that the power 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:31.839 of God's kingdom, 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.859 the defeat of evil, 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.920 those are the prayers 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:35.440 that God cooperates 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:36.259 and answers. 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.680 Jesus always 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.660 and ultimately 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.859 answers the prayer, 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.799 thy kingdom come, 00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:41.660 thy will be done 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:42.420 on earth 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.440 as it is in heaven. 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:45.440 He just doesn't 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.319 always answer it 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.279 in our way 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:49.839 on our timetable. 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:55.539 And so that's 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.159 what's going on 00:18:56.159 --> 00:18:56.779 in this image 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.480 of the mountain. 00:18:57.939 --> 00:18:58.899 How do we make sense 00:18:58.899 --> 00:19:00.339 of this hard saying? 00:19:00.399 --> 00:19:00.839 We have to know 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:01.539 the form 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.619 of Jesus' teaching. 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:03.980 His form 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:05.019 is in exaggeration. 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:05.519 We have to know 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.179 the context 00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:07.099 of his teaching 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:08.159 which is in 00:19:08.159 --> 00:19:09.019 the kingdom. 00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:12.199 And we are not 00:19:12.199 --> 00:19:12.980 out of the woods 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.480 yet. 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.459 Because we also 00:19:15.459 --> 00:19:16.619 have verses 23 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:17.379 and 24 00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:18.019 which would 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:19.399 at first glance 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.080 make us believe 00:19:20.080 --> 00:19:20.400 that maybe 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.040 we can somehow 00:19:21.040 --> 00:19:21.640 name it 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:22.340 and claim it 00:19:22.340 --> 00:19:22.759 if we just 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.660 have enough faith 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.980 whatever we want 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.900 in this life 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:26.440 will happen. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.780 Or on the other side 00:19:27.780 --> 00:19:28.480 maybe we're filled 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.080 with shame 00:19:29.080 --> 00:19:29.580 and guilt 00:19:29.580 --> 00:19:30.740 because obviously 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.980 we don't have 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.680 enough faith 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.259 or God 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.580 would have acted. 00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:35.280 And so we're going 00:19:35.280 --> 00:19:35.860 to head straight 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:36.920 into that as well. 00:19:37.040 --> 00:19:38.380 Verse 23 says 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.400 if you don't doubt 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:39.960 in your heart 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.620 but this man 00:19:40.620 --> 00:19:41.640 believes what he says 00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:42.440 will come to pass 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.600 it will be done 00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:43.960 for him. 00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:46.440 No qualifications. 00:19:47.540 --> 00:19:48.000 If you have 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.540 enough faith 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.440 it's going to happen. 00:19:50.159 --> 00:19:51.180 Verse 24 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.359 whatever you ask 00:19:52.359 --> 00:19:52.799 in prayer 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.720 believe that you 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.779 have received it 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:56.460 and it will 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.379 be yours. 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.079 I want you to 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:00.960 think about this 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:02.019 and understand it 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.839 in the context 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.859 of verse 22 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:05.480 where Jesus says 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.859 have faith 00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:07.879 in God. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.619 Now in our 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:10.399 confession this morning 00:20:10.399 --> 00:20:10.920 we already hit 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:12.759 the first two elements 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.740 of Charles Spurgeon's 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.700 definition of faith. 00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.420 First that faith 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:16.220 is knowledge 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.980 but it's also 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.940 trust or belief. 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.460 It's not just 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.299 knowing the facts 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:19.900 but that they're 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.620 believing that 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:21.120 they're true. 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.320 Spurgeon gives 00:20:22.320 --> 00:20:23.120 a third element 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:23.660 though which we 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.039 might call 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:25.320 trust or action 00:20:25.320 --> 00:20:25.720 which means 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.740 I live 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.640 as if these 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.279 things are true. 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:28.820 I don't just 00:20:28.820 --> 00:20:29.900 say in my head 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.580 I believe them 00:20:30.580 --> 00:20:31.420 but my feet 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.140 and my hands 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:32.779 and my heart 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:34.180 show that I 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:34.799 believe those 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.180 things. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.720 If that's what 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.900 we mean by faith 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:38.420 if that's the 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:39.220 faith that we're 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.920 talking about 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.680 in this prayer 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.640 then we can say 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:42.059 that Jesus 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:43.120 is teaching this. 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.580 The direction 00:20:44.579 --> 00:20:46.079 of our prayers 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:48.639 must match 00:20:48.639 --> 00:20:49.899 the direction 00:20:49.899 --> 00:20:51.019 of our lives. 00:20:52.399 --> 00:20:53.839 The direction 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:55.439 of our prayers 00:20:55.439 --> 00:20:57.139 must match 00:20:57.139 --> 00:20:58.179 the direction 00:20:58.179 --> 00:20:59.500 of our lives. 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.799 Don't expect 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:02.679 God to answer 00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:03.339 your prayers 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.240 if you pray 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.039 for the kingdom 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:07.259 and refuse 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:08.240 to live 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.960 like the kingdom 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.539 is true. 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.000 In fact 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.700 that's the logic 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.140 that's given 00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:13.660 in the Lord's 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.099 prayer right? 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.759 Forgive us 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.660 our debts 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:17.559 as we 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.420 forgive our 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:18.900 debtors. 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:21.000 It is in 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.359 that sense 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:23.759 that we believe 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.160 that we've 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:24.980 already received 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.220 it. 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:26.039 In the sense 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.379 that we're 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.099 praying for 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:27.579 the kingdom 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:28.879 and we're 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.799 living as if 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.220 the kingdom 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:30.839 is true. 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.940 We're demonstrating 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.539 that faith 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:33.579 by our actions. 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.799 We're not just 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.680 saying words 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.059 but there's 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.700 an integrity 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.519 there's a 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.279 consistency 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:39.519 between what 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.140 we ask 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:40.960 God for 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.500 and the way 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.220 that we act 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.120 in the world. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.059 And so that 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:45.860 helps us understand 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:46.680 why verse 25 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.319 is here. 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:47.980 Verse 25 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.840 is one 00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:49.380 application 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:50.039 of that 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.460 principle. 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.120 Okay, 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:51.720 your prayer 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.380 and your life 00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:52.900 needs to move 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.299 in the same 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.200 direction so 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:54.940 verse 25 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.539 whenever you 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.120 stand praying 00:21:56.120 --> 00:21:56.720 forgive 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:58.019 if you have 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.660 anything against 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.380 anyone so 00:21:59.380 --> 00:21:59.640 that your 00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:00.500 father also 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.039 who is in 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.500 heaven may 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.420 forgive you 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.840 your trespasses. 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:08.659 verses 23 00:22:08.659 --> 00:22:09.399 and 24 00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:10.019 are not 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:10.500 saying 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.559 be perfect 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.000 and have 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.599 superhuman 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.119 faith 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:14.179 and then 00:22:14.179 --> 00:22:14.720 whatever you 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.240 want to 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:15.619 happen 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:16.179 will happen. 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.399 It is saying 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:18.720 this, 00:22:18.939 --> 00:22:19.519 live out 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.119 the Christian 00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:20.579 life. 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:22.899 Live your 00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:23.659 life in 00:22:23.659 --> 00:22:24.579 such a way 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.119 that if 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:26.199 Jesus doesn't 00:22:26.199 --> 00:22:27.000 come back 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.740 and if the 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.419 kingdom is 00:22:28.419 --> 00:22:29.220 not true 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:30.019 you will 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.519 lose 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.599 big time. 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.900 That's what 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.319 it means 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.039 to believe 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.879 your prayer 00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.680 has already 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.639 been answered. 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:39.980 It's to 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:41.099 truly live 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:42.379 into the 00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:42.700 kingdom. 00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:44.160 First 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:44.519 Corinthians 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.099 15 00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.660 talking about 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.240 the resurrection 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.019 Paul says 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.559 hey by the 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.319 way if 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.339 Jesus didn't 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:49.920 rise from 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.440 the dead 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:51.660 we Christians 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.500 we should 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.139 be pitied 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:53.660 more than 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.299 anyone else 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.779 in the world. 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.940 We're actually 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.660 the stupidest 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:56.980 people. 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:59.099 We're going 00:22:59.099 --> 00:22:59.899 to lose 00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:01.179 more than 00:23:01.179 --> 00:23:01.919 anyone else. 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.659 Matthew 00:23:03.659 --> 00:23:04.279 17 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:04.619 Jesus 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.299 clarifies 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:05.799 he talks 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.219 again 00:23:06.219 --> 00:23:06.819 in that 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.119 passage 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:07.659 about moving 00:23:07.659 --> 00:23:08.039 mountains 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.419 and he 00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:09.099 says hey 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:09.359 you know 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:10.000 how large 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.539 and great 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.119 your faith 00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:11.619 has to be 00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:11.919 to move 00:23:11.919 --> 00:23:12.339 a mountain? 00:23:12.939 --> 00:23:13.759 It has to 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.819 be so large 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.299 and great 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:15.619 that it's 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.019 like a 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.899 mustard seed. 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.659 The smallest 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.679 of all the 00:23:19.679 --> 00:23:20.000 seeds. 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.659 The smallest 00:23:24.659 --> 00:23:25.299 amount 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:26.199 of faith 00:23:26.199 --> 00:23:27.439 can move 00:23:27.439 --> 00:23:28.419 mountains. 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:31.599 that's 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:31.819 what it 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.299 means to 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.740 believe 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.159 that we 00:23:33.159 --> 00:23:33.480 already 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:33.839 have it 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.419 to receive 00:23:34.419 --> 00:23:34.639 it. 00:23:35.159 --> 00:23:35.740 It means 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.139 that we 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:36.759 are living 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.359 as if 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.059 our prayers 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.119 are true. 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:44.179 I told 00:23:44.179 --> 00:23:45.039 you we 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.459 have two 00:23:45.459 --> 00:23:46.059 challenges 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.699 before us 00:23:46.699 --> 00:23:47.079 this morning. 00:23:47.219 --> 00:23:47.839 One to 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.619 satisfy our 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.159 minds and 00:23:49.159 --> 00:23:49.639 understanding 00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:50.119 what it is 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:50.459 that Jesus 00:23:50.459 --> 00:23:50.980 is actually 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.579 teaching in 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.099 this passage 00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:52.359 and the 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:52.859 other one 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.759 is to 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.299 address our 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:54.619 hearts 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:55.019 because I 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.480 can talk 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:55.879 about the 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.480 power of 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.019 prayer as 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.579 much as I 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.679 want and 00:23:58.680 --> 00:24:00.220 I am very 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:00.940 aware that 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.660 for all of 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.080 us many 00:24:02.080 --> 00:24:02.640 of us in 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.160 this room 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:03.980 who have 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:04.420 lived as 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:05.140 Christians for 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:05.580 any amount 00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:06.019 of time 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.259 we have 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.940 had seasons 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.740 of prayer 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:09.279 perhaps in 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:09.680 the past 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.100 perhaps in 00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:10.519 the present 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.120 and we 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:11.779 have not 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:13.120 seen the 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:14.460 kingdom come 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.140 in the way 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.759 we wanted 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.680 or expected. 00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:18.820 And so this 00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:19.720 passage raises 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.299 up for us 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.320 either this 00:24:21.320 --> 00:24:21.860 sense of 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:22.740 cynicism and 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.160 despair 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.980 prayer isn't 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.380 worth it 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:24.740 I am going to 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.380 continue to 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:25.940 go through 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:27.100 the motions of 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:27.480 the Christian 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:27.919 life but 00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:28.059 I have 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:28.519 shut my 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.099 heart down 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.399 I am not 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:29.659 going to 00:24:29.659 --> 00:24:31.079 risk hoping 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.579 again. 00:24:32.719 --> 00:24:33.299 Or it has 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:33.719 brought us to 00:24:33.719 --> 00:24:34.240 places of 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.779 guilt and 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.299 shame. 00:24:35.719 --> 00:24:36.319 Man if I 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.819 had only 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.819 prayed more 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.719 back then 00:24:38.719 --> 00:24:39.559 then things 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:39.819 would be 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.179 different. 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.240 If I had 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.359 more faith 00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:43.099 then I 00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:43.399 wouldn't be 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:43.619 in the 00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.539 situation I 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.059 am in 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.879 now. 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:47.419 In other 00:24:47.419 --> 00:24:47.679 words we 00:24:47.679 --> 00:24:47.859 have to 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.259 answer this 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:48.719 question what 00:24:48.719 --> 00:24:49.279 do we do 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.759 when our 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.439 prayers aren't 00:24:50.439 --> 00:24:50.759 answered? 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.199 How do we 00:24:51.199 --> 00:24:52.059 respond when 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.240 we pray that 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:53.719 God would 00:24:53.719 --> 00:24:54.119 move a 00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:54.699 mountain and 00:24:54.699 --> 00:24:55.480 we see the 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.219 mountain still 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.100 standing? 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.519 I have a 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.600 mentor I'll 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:02.240 call him 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.420 John and 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:04.799 John grew 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.100 up in a 00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:05.819 Christian family 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:06.120 and his 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.640 parents were 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.519 both believers 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.220 and when he 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:08.500 was an 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.860 adult his 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:10.759 parents decided 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.960 that they 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.779 did not want 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.200 to be married 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:13.720 to each other 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.059 anymore. 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.480 And John 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.519 begged God 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:17.940 that he would 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.600 move that 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:18.960 mountain. 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:19.600 He begged 00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:19.839 that the 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.440 kingdom would 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:20.920 come in 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:21.519 such a way 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.339 that his 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.259 parents would 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:23.819 not get a 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.200 divorce. 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:26.259 And they 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.580 did. 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.080 Later 00:25:29.080 --> 00:25:30.299 John met 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.920 the love 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:31.200 of his 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:32.319 life and 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:32.940 they married 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.279 and they 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:33.840 had great 00:25:33.840 --> 00:25:34.640 hopes and 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:35.940 dreams of 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.799 children together 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:38.400 and they 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:39.039 prayed that 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.779 God would 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.400 move that 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:40.700 mountain. 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.680 And he 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.019 didn't. 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.660 And so I 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.160 asked him at 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:48.660 one point I 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.160 said what have 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:49.720 you done 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:50.180 with that? 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:50.680 How do you 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.920 work through 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.559 that in light 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:53.039 of God's 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.759 promises to 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.139 you about 00:25:54.139 --> 00:25:54.579 prayer and 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:54.839 what you 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.619 believe about 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.099 his goodness? 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:56.779 And he 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.319 said this. 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:58.879 He said that 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.440 took several 00:25:59.440 --> 00:25:59.980 years to 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.539 really work 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:02.319 through because 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:02.799 there's so 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:03.259 many other 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.879 ways that I've 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:04.700 seen God's 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.000 goodness. 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.419 You use 00:26:07.419 --> 00:26:08.339 what you've 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.440 seen in the 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:11.419 light to 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:11.960 help you 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:13.159 trust in 00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:13.639 the dark. 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.639 I don't 00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:16.480 understand Lord 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.019 why you would 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.399 let this 00:26:17.399 --> 00:26:18.059 happen but I 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:19.000 also know 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:20.079 this is a 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:20.740 broken world 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.240 and that's not 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.720 your fault. 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.279 that's our 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.539 fault. 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.100 I need to 00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:24.720 trust that 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.120 you're still 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.940 with me in 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.319 this and 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:27.819 you haven't 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.500 forgotten me. 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.480 You use 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:31.920 what you've 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:33.019 seen in the 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:35.500 light to 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:35.900 help you 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:37.559 trust in 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.039 the dark. 00:26:39.600 --> 00:26:40.019 And then he 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.420 goes on to 00:26:40.420 --> 00:26:40.920 say this. 00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:42.180 When prayer 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.900 does not change 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.440 things I need 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:43.880 to trust. 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.440 Lord you are 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:46.480 still good and 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.240 I don't know 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.920 why you haven't 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.700 answered this but 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.339 I trust you and 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:50.980 I'm going to 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.860 keep asking. 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.380 That doesn't 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:54.799 mean there 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.440 aren't times 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:55.980 when I'm in 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.319 sorrow. 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.220 That's why so 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:58.640 many of the 00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.279 psalms are 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.099 lament psalms 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:01.319 because of 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:01.880 unanswered 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:02.140 prayer. 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.620 God knows 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:05.220 how grieving 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.079 that can be and 00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:06.860 so he gives us 00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:07.740 the language to 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:09.240 use in the 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:10.539 face of 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.079 unanswered 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.339 prayer. 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:11.379 prayer. 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.339 The same 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.099 trust that 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:18.039 allows us to 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.939 pray allows us 00:27:18.939 --> 00:27:19.319 to keep 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:20.139 following God 00:27:20.139 --> 00:27:20.799 even when we 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.699 don't see what 00:27:21.699 --> 00:27:22.240 we want to 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.519 see. 00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:28.500 You use what 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.159 you've seen in 00:27:29.159 --> 00:27:30.419 the light to 00:27:30.419 --> 00:27:31.179 help you trust 00:27:31.179 --> 00:27:32.519 in the dark. 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.119 Of course 00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:34.519 that's what we 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.019 sang this 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.599 morning, right? 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.039 We sang how 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.519 long? 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:40.059 How long 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:40.779 until you wipe 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.339 our tears 00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:42.200 away? 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:45.139 How long 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:45.720 until we see 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.220 you descending 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.799 from the sky? 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.200 Of course 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:50.779 if you read 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.460 the book of 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:51.940 Psalms you know 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.379 that at the 00:27:52.379 --> 00:27:55.079 end the last 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:56.059 psalms are all 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:57.000 psalms of praise 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.539 which is the 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.379 psalmist's way of 00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:59.160 teaching us that 00:27:59.160 --> 00:28:00.079 in the end all 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.920 of our laments 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:02.980 turn into songs 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.779 of praise to 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.559 God if we 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.680 wait long 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.240 enough. 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.560 The kingdom 00:28:08.560 --> 00:28:09.620 will come 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:11.600 fully and 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:11.940 finally. 00:28:14.340 --> 00:28:15.220 Finally Jesus 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.180 teaches this 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:17.480 knowing that 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.279 the most 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:18.940 painful 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:19.840 unanswered 00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:20.220 prayer in 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.500 all of 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:20.860 history 00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:22.660 will happen 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.160 to him 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:23.700 soon. 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:26.060 You'll 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:26.539 remember as 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.380 Jesus is 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:28.960 facing his 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.660 own death 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:32.259 he prays out 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.840 to God 00:28:32.840 --> 00:28:34.360 and he 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:34.940 basically says 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.940 look I want 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.279 there to be 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.039 another way 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.759 for this to 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.080 happen 00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:41.600 but not 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:42.059 my will 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:42.539 be done 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.920 your will. 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:48.120 And so 00:28:48.120 --> 00:28:48.440 Jesus' 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:50.019 prayer goes 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:50.799 unanswered 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:53.160 and Jesus 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:54.580 himself removes 00:28:54.580 --> 00:28:55.140 the greatest 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:55.820 mountain he 00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:56.920 removes the 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.559 mountain of 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.160 sin that 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:59.160 separates us 00:28:59.160 --> 00:28:59.840 from God 00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:00.460 because of 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.880 his unanswered 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:02.519 prayer he 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.299 suffers the 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:03.900 punishment the 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.460 death that we 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:06.180 deserve and 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:06.800 he lives the 00:29:06.800 --> 00:29:07.400 perfect life 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:07.840 that we did 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:08.940 not so that 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:10.400 we can cry 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:11.140 out how long 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:12.000 so that we 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:13.100 can pray to 00:29:13.100 --> 00:29:13.720 God asking 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.420 him to move 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.160 mountains so 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:16.300 that we can 00:29:16.300 --> 00:29:17.240 have the faith 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.420 that accesses 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:19.700 the very power 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.640 of God. 00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:24.820 When we don't 00:29:24.820 --> 00:29:25.560 know where 00:29:25.560 --> 00:29:26.480 God is or 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.160 how he is 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:27.880 acting we 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.920 simply look to 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:30.140 Jesus on the 00:29:30.140 --> 00:29:30.620 cross. 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:30.719 Jesus. 00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:33.179 And we 00:29:33.179 --> 00:29:33.839 know 00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:35.659 as we're 00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:37.219 told by 00:29:37.219 --> 00:29:37.679 the apostle 00:29:37.679 --> 00:29:38.619 Paul all 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.399 the promises 00:29:39.399 --> 00:29:40.319 of God are 00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:41.119 yes and 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:42.159 amen in 00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:42.439 him. 00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:44.819 All our 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.500 prayers for 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.000 mountains to 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:46.399 be moved, 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:46.899 all our 00:29:46.899 --> 00:29:47.359 prayers for 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:47.839 the kingdom 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:48.679 to come 00:29:48.679 --> 00:29:50.599 are, have 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:51.299 been answered 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.539 and will be 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.619 answered in 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:54.679 Jesus. 00:29:54.679 --> 00:29:54.859 Jesus. 00:29:54.859 --> 00:30:00.599 I 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:00.839 mentioned 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.139 before 00:30:01.139 --> 00:30:01.559 Charles 00:30:01.559 --> 00:30:02.000 Spurgeon 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.579 who's a 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:03.059 famous 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.439 Baptist 00:30:03.439 --> 00:30:03.819 preacher 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.279 in London 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:04.579 in the 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.959 19th century 00:30:05.959 --> 00:30:06.319 and the 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:06.740 story is 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.219 told of 00:30:07.219 --> 00:30:08.019 five young 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.399 college 00:30:08.399 --> 00:30:08.939 students who 00:30:08.939 --> 00:30:09.359 were spending 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:09.919 a Sunday 00:30:09.919 --> 00:30:11.279 in London 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:11.819 and so they 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.359 decided hey 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:12.799 here's what we 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.219 really want to 00:30:13.219 --> 00:30:13.740 do we want to 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.459 go hear this 00:30:14.459 --> 00:30:15.240 great Charles 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:15.959 Spurgeon guy 00:30:15.959 --> 00:30:16.919 preach because 00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:17.519 we've heard 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:17.919 about how 00:30:17.919 --> 00:30:19.059 wonderful he 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:19.339 is. 00:30:19.479 --> 00:30:19.699 So they're 00:30:19.699 --> 00:30:20.019 waiting for 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:20.599 the doors to 00:30:20.599 --> 00:30:21.399 open and 00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:22.939 this unassuming 00:30:22.939 --> 00:30:23.859 man comes in 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.419 and greets 00:30:24.419 --> 00:30:24.819 them and 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.119 he says 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:25.659 gentlemen let 00:30:25.659 --> 00:30:26.119 me show 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:26.679 you around 00:30:26.679 --> 00:30:27.740 would you 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.200 like to 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:28.819 see the 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.859 heating plant 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:30.799 of this 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.200 church. 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:32.579 They thought 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.000 this was a 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.700 strange request 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.259 because they 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:34.599 happened to 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.039 be visiting 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.659 in the month 00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:36.399 of July but 00:30:36.399 --> 00:30:36.960 they decided 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:38.079 to amuse 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:38.759 this old 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.059 man. 00:30:39.679 --> 00:30:39.939 They didn't 00:30:39.939 --> 00:30:40.159 want to 00:30:40.159 --> 00:30:40.659 offend him 00:30:40.659 --> 00:30:40.960 so we're 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.379 told they're 00:30:41.379 --> 00:30:41.819 taken down 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.519 a stairway. 00:30:43.339 --> 00:30:43.700 A door 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.359 was quietly 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:44.839 opened and 00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:45.319 their guide 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:45.939 whispered 00:30:45.939 --> 00:30:47.419 this is 00:30:47.419 --> 00:30:48.019 our heating 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:48.700 plant. 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.519 To the 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.259 surprise the 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:52.039 students saw 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:53.399 700 people 00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:54.480 bowed in 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.279 prayer seeking 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:55.799 a blessing 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:56.200 on the 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:56.720 service that 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.279 was soon 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:57.920 to begin 00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:58.319 in the 00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.099 auditorium 00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.599 above. 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.240 Softly 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:02.839 closing the 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.400 door that 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.160 man introduced 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:04.759 himself to 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.000 them. 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.440 It was 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.420 Charles Spurgeon 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:08.460 himself. 00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:13.700 Prayer 00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:15.059 moves 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:16.019 mountains. 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.160 Christians. 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:19.940 It is the 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:21.099 heating plant 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.200 of the 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.599 Christian 00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:23.339 life. 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:26.579 And as 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.160 we pray 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:27.799 in faith 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.440 for God's 00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:29.139 kingdom to 00:31:29.139 --> 00:31:29.599 come 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:31.920 we use 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:32.299 what we've 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:32.720 seen in 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.119 the light 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:34.839 to trust 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:35.900 in the 00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:36.160 dark. 00:31:37.139 --> 00:31:37.619 Let's pray. 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.019 Our 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.400 Father in 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:40.940 heaven we 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:42.019 praise you 00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.619 and thank you 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:43.019 for your 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:43.500 word for 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:44.180 your promises 00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:45.880 of prayer 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.580 and for 00:31:46.580 --> 00:31:46.720 your 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.160 encouragement 00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:47.680 to us. 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.100 We ask 00:31:48.100 --> 00:31:48.420 that you 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:49.120 would use 00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:50.380 this teaching 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:50.680 in our 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.080 lives. 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.600 That we 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.060 would cry 00:31:53.060 --> 00:31:53.560 out to you 00:31:53.560 --> 00:31:54.039 more and 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:54.539 more with 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.080 hope and 00:31:55.080 --> 00:31:55.440 longing 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:58.019 that the 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:58.580 direction of 00:31:58.580 --> 00:31:59.039 our lives 00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.240 and the 00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.680 direction of 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.240 our prayers 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:00.820 would be 00:32:00.820 --> 00:32:01.519 one and 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:01.960 the same. 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.279 Knowing that 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.620 you're the 00:32:03.620 --> 00:32:04.140 one who 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:04.580 gives us 00:32:04.580 --> 00:32:05.000 the power 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.259 and the 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:05.480 grace. 00:32:05.600 --> 00:32:05.960 We ask 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:06.539 these things 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:06.960 in Jesus 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.320 name. 00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:08.060 Amen. 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.460 I invite 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:10.700 you to 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:10.880 stand