WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.459
 Well, good morning. It's good to see you all here.

00:00:03.300 --> 00:00:05.759
 I'm glad you could join us for worship this morning.

00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:08.099
 Today we're going to talk a little bit about forgiveness.

00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:14.320
 And you know, I've been thinking about it, and the world today is wrestling with forgiveness.

00:00:15.700 --> 00:00:23.440
 Some of us, facing the fatigue of living in a fallen world and with a proper desire for justice,

00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:29.000
 have come to view forgiveness as weak, or even worse, unjust and wrong.

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.500
 Something that allows evil to continue.

00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:37.179
 The attitude is, we just can't forgive that.

00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:43.600
 And yet there's a whole other strain of our culture today that's saying that forgiveness is really important.

00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:47.320
 But it's important for us. It's important for our well-being.

00:00:47.620 --> 00:00:54.120
 If you go to the Mayo Clinic, or if you go to the Center for the Greater Good at the University of Berkeley,

00:00:54.120 --> 00:00:58.579
 you will see that they see forgiveness as forsaking bitterness and resentment

00:00:58.579 --> 00:01:03.659
 to free yourself from unhealthy emotions so that you can live at peace.

00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:09.200
 Now, both of these have a thread of truth in them.

00:01:09.420 --> 00:01:11.759
 Both of these see something right and good.

00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:15.959
 And yet, it's missing something, I think, often in this,

00:01:16.039 --> 00:01:21.859
 which is that forgiveness has a relational element to it that we need to make clear.

00:01:21.980 --> 00:01:23.819
 Forgiveness is not just about us.

00:01:23.819 --> 00:01:30.059
 Forgiveness in the financial world, for example, means that if you borrowed $10,000 from me,

00:01:30.799 --> 00:01:33.859
 I would then hold you to pay that back.

00:01:34.039 --> 00:01:36.699
 I might choose then to forgive that debt.

00:01:36.819 --> 00:01:40.079
 And this is not a policy discussion, just in case you're wondering.

00:01:40.619 --> 00:01:42.479
 This is simply an illustration.

00:01:43.219 --> 00:01:47.219
 I might choose to forgive that $10,000 debt.

00:01:47.219 --> 00:01:54.859
 But if I do that, I forsake the claim to that $10,000 that were originally mine and is now yours.

00:01:55.019 --> 00:01:56.719
 I am giving up that.

00:01:56.900 --> 00:01:58.299
 I bear the loss.

00:01:58.680 --> 00:02:01.640
 I bear the cost of this forgiveness.

00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:09.780
 And so there's a relational element in this where I'm bearing something if I choose to forgive.

00:02:09.780 --> 00:02:24.080
 If forgiveness is relational, then we would say that it is forswearing vengeance or revenge of a wrong that someone has done against you.

00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:28.360
 It does not mean that you don't allow consequences to play out.

00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:31.879
 It does not mean that it's wrong to ask for restitution.

00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:37.539
 It does not require instantaneous and unquestioned trust when forgiveness is offered.

00:02:37.539 --> 00:02:41.199
 But forgiveness happens in the context of relationships.

00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:51.899
 These are just some big picture thoughts about forgiveness to get our minds thinking about the topic that our passage is going to look at this morning.

00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:57.299
 I want you to imagine this scenario that's going to focus in on what our passage this morning is looking at.

00:02:57.659 --> 00:03:01.199
 If I walk up to Alex and I say,

00:03:01.579 --> 00:03:02.799
 Alex, I forgive you.

00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:04.980
 His first response is,

00:03:05.219 --> 00:03:05.520
 Great.

00:03:06.480 --> 00:03:07.760
 What did I do wrong?

00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:09.660
 Because he probably doesn't know.

00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:10.600
 Maybe he does.

00:03:10.680 --> 00:03:11.200
 And he's like,

00:03:11.320 --> 00:03:11.820
 Yeah, I know.

00:03:11.880 --> 00:03:12.300
 I blew it.

00:03:12.560 --> 00:03:12.740
 Right?

00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:17.680
 But what happens if a stranger in the street walks up to Alex and says,

00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:18.920
 Hey, Alex, I forgive you.

00:03:19.020 --> 00:03:20.140
 He doesn't even know I ask his name.

00:03:20.160 --> 00:03:20.420
 He's like,

00:03:20.480 --> 00:03:20.880
 Hey, you.

00:03:22.020 --> 00:03:23.240
 I forgive you.

00:03:24.540 --> 00:03:25.080
 You think,

00:03:25.200 --> 00:03:26.160
 Do I know you?

00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:28.199
 If I don't,

00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:29.740
 What are you talking about?

00:03:30.180 --> 00:03:31.919
 I've never done anything wrong.

00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:37.620
 How is it that you can forgive me when we've never met and that we've never done anything?

00:03:38.180 --> 00:03:41.300
 We've never had a relationship to deal with.

00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:47.840
 This actually brings us to, I think, the passage most clearly today.

00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:50.780
 Our passage isn't going to be how we forgive one another.

00:03:51.159 --> 00:03:52.419
 This is not what it's about.

00:03:52.419 --> 00:03:55.519
 It's about who can forgive and why that's true.

00:03:56.199 --> 00:03:57.299
 So let's look at us.

00:03:57.399 --> 00:04:02.819
 We're in Mark chapter 2, verses 1 through 12.

00:04:03.339 --> 00:04:04.919
 I forgot to look up the page number.

00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:07.060
 Anyone want to, in the Pew Bible?

00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:09.560
 786.

00:04:09.839 --> 00:04:10.299
 There we go.

00:04:10.539 --> 00:04:12.000
 786 in the Pew Bible.

00:04:12.239 --> 00:04:16.500
 If you want to look along with me, that would be great because it's a great story.

00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:23.120
 It's a great narrative for us to look at this morning as we think about the topic of forgiveness.

00:04:24.720 --> 00:04:27.259
 So let's go ahead and read our passage together.

00:04:27.420 --> 00:04:28.740
 We'll pray and then we'll dive in.

00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:29.439
 Does that sound good?

00:04:31.620 --> 00:04:34.660
 Mark 2, starting in verse 1.

00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:37.759
 And when he, that is referring to Jesus,

00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:43.259
 And when he returned to Capernaum, after some days, it was reported that he was at home.

00:04:44.019 --> 00:04:48.399
 And many were gathered together so that there was no more room, not even at the door.

00:04:48.959 --> 00:04:51.459
 And he was preaching the word to them.

00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:56.459
 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

00:04:57.060 --> 00:05:02.139
 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him.

00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:07.560
 And when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.

00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:11.979
 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,

00:05:12.139 --> 00:05:14.719
 My son, your sins are forgiven.

00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:19.079
 Now some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in their hearts,

00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:21.620
 Why does this man speak like that?

00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:23.979
 He's blaspheming.

00:05:24.219 --> 00:05:26.459
 Who can forgive sins but God alone?

00:05:26.459 --> 00:05:32.419
 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves,

00:05:33.219 --> 00:05:34.079
 Said to them,

00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:37.680
 Why do you question these things in your hearts?

00:05:38.180 --> 00:05:40.459
 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,

00:05:40.579 --> 00:05:41.459
 Your sins are forgiven?

00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:44.459
 Or to say, Rise, take up your bed and walk?

00:05:45.859 --> 00:05:50.599
 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,

00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:52.399
 He said to the paralytic,

00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:56.779
 I say to you, Rise, pick up your bed and go home.

00:05:57.419 --> 00:06:03.339
 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all so that they were all amazed

00:06:03.339 --> 00:06:05.019
 and glorified God saying,

00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:08.339
 We never saw anything like this.

00:06:08.859 --> 00:06:09.639
 Let's pray.

00:06:10.359 --> 00:06:12.179
 Lord Jesus, we thank you for your word.

00:06:12.299 --> 00:06:17.039
 We thank you for what you have to say to us through it this morning.

00:06:17.459 --> 00:06:19.139
 Lord, I ask for your help,

00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:23.439
 that your spirit would enable me to speak clearly as I ought.

00:06:23.979 --> 00:06:25.439
 And Lord, I pray for all of us,

00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:27.779
 that our hearts would be humbled before you

00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:31.139
 and prepared to receive and to sit under your word.

00:06:31.899 --> 00:06:33.539
 We pray this in Jesus' name.

00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:34.899
 Amen.

00:06:36.099 --> 00:06:39.539
 So as we continue our series in the book of Mark,

00:06:39.919 --> 00:06:44.099
 the context, chapter one tells us that Jesus has come

00:06:44.099 --> 00:06:46.419
 proclaiming the kingdom of God is at hand

00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:49.980
 and that he's calling people to repent and believe the good news.

00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:54.240
 He's begun his ministry characterized by preaching and teaching

00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:57.740
 and healing and delivering from evil spirits.

00:06:57.920 --> 00:06:59.420
 And in the last section, if you remember,

00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:04.540
 Tom preached to us last week about Jesus healing a man with leprosy.

00:07:04.980 --> 00:07:09.060
 And it said at the end of that story that his fame became so great,

00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:13.420
 he could no longer go into towns because the crowd was so great.

00:07:13.420 --> 00:07:19.780
 And so Jesus was now such a thing that there were crowds,

00:07:19.939 --> 00:07:21.319
 there were mobs happening.

00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:22.980
 And so he couldn't go into a town.

00:07:24.280 --> 00:07:26.460
 And that leads right into our story,

00:07:26.520 --> 00:07:28.600
 which has a very surprising beginning

00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:30.580
 because it says he returned to Capernaum,

00:07:30.700 --> 00:07:33.840
 which is a city on the north side of the Sea of Galilee.

00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:36.480
 It's likely where Jesus lived during his time

00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:40.900
 in doing ministry in the northern part of Israel

00:07:40.899 --> 00:07:44.759
 before he moved to Jerusalem later in his ministry life.

00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:48.599
 And Jesus was in a house.

00:07:49.979 --> 00:07:52.399
 And it seems like he was there kind of clandestinely

00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:53.919
 because it says,

00:07:54.259 --> 00:07:55.439
 and when they found out,

00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:56.719
 and they meaning the crowds,

00:07:56.859 --> 00:07:57.779
 they meaning the people,

00:07:58.000 --> 00:07:59.219
 when they found out,

00:07:59.599 --> 00:08:00.759
 the mob showed up.

00:08:01.039 --> 00:08:02.099
 And the house was full.

00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:02.919
 And if you don't know,

00:08:03.039 --> 00:08:05.479
 first century houses were usually one story.

00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:11.400
 They would have lattice roofs with mud plaster on top of it.

00:08:11.700 --> 00:08:14.540
 And often there would be different rooms.

00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:17.780
 And so even at the doorway meant that this house

00:08:17.780 --> 00:08:22.100
 was completely full of people spilling out into the hallway,

00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:25.660
 into this road outside of the house, I mean.

00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:27.759
 And so Jesus is there.

00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:29.280
 He's teaching the word,

00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:32.240
 continuing his normal ministry, right?

00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:35.980
 And then we pick up and we are introduced now

00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.399
 to some new characters in the story

00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:39.000
 because suddenly there's a paralytic.

00:08:39.320 --> 00:08:40.399
 And he has four friends.

00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:41.539
 And these four friends say,

00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:44.159
 Jesus is going around doing all these amazing things.

00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:45.019
 He can heal you.

00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:46.419
 Let's take you there.

00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:49.120
 So they pick up the guy on his bed

00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:50.500
 and they try to take him to Jesus.

00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:51.740
 But the crowds are so great,

00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:52.580
 they can't get there.

00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:53.879
 What are they gonna do?

00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:54.560
 They say,

00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:57.299
 we will not be put off.

00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:58.360
 We will not,

00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:00.340
 we are determined to get you to Jesus.

00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:01.480
 So they go around,

00:09:01.560 --> 00:09:02.899
 they climb up onto the roof

00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:04.580
 and they dig through the roof.

00:09:05.460 --> 00:09:06.920
 If you've ever seen The Chosen,

00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:08.680
 it's a lovely miniseries

00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:10.600
 that depicts first century life.

00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:12.100
 It's not always theologically

00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:13.800
 exactly how I would interpret the Bible,

00:09:13.920 --> 00:09:15.259
 but it's worth watching.

00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:16.860
 And the picture of this one,

00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:17.960
 we actually saw this episode.

00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:18.879
 And it's amazing

00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:20.740
 because Jesus is in this dark room

00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:22.920
 and then suddenly chunks start falling

00:09:22.920 --> 00:09:24.360
 from the ceiling above him.

00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:26.180
 And then the roof collapses

00:09:26.179 --> 00:09:29.299
 as these guys dig a hole

00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:30.459
 through the plaster

00:09:30.459 --> 00:09:33.039
 and lower this man down.

00:09:35.599 --> 00:09:36.479
 Brief aside,

00:09:36.599 --> 00:09:38.239
 what a beautiful picture of friends.

00:09:38.819 --> 00:09:40.839
 Friends who see their friend in need

00:09:40.839 --> 00:09:42.579
 and are so determined

00:09:42.579 --> 00:09:45.239
 to bring their friend to Jesus,

00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:46.579
 the one who can help them.

00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:49.739
 Oh, may we be friends like that.

00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:52.059
 And would we have friends like that?

00:09:52.459 --> 00:09:54.079
 What a beautiful picture it is.

00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:55.300
 But you wonder,

00:09:55.420 --> 00:09:57.780
 how is Jesus gonna respond

00:09:57.780 --> 00:09:59.759
 to the ceiling collapsing on him?

00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:00.820
 You would imagine

00:10:00.820 --> 00:10:02.340
 he might be a little frustrated

00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:04.639
 or a little upset at this,

00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:06.440
 but Jesus isn't.

00:10:06.840 --> 00:10:08.080
 Jesus looks at the man,

00:10:08.180 --> 00:10:09.520
 he looks at his friends

00:10:09.520 --> 00:10:10.400
 and their faith,

00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:13.259
 and he rejoices in this.

00:10:13.900 --> 00:10:15.520
 And he looks on them with compassion.

00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:17.360
 And we know what's gonna happen

00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:18.060
 in the story.

00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:19.820
 He's gonna look at the paralytic,

00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:20.600
 he's gonna say,

00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:21.640
 rise and walk,

00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:23.000
 and everyone's gonna say,

00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:23.860
 this is amazing.

00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:27.340
 Except that's not what Mark is telling us,

00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:28.759
 and that's not what Jesus did.

00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:30.800
 Look with me at verse five,

00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:32.300
 because it's shocking.

00:10:33.160 --> 00:10:35.180
 What we expect is Jesus coming

00:10:35.180 --> 00:10:36.759
 to demonstrate his power

00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:37.500
 over the fall

00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:38.680
 and the brokenness of the world

00:10:38.680 --> 00:10:40.500
 by healing this man's paralysis,

00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:42.040
 by bringing wholeness

00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:43.060
 to his spinal cord

00:10:43.060 --> 00:10:45.240
 and restoring his ability to walk.

00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:46.420
 But instead,

00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:47.600
 he looks at the man

00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:48.420
 and he says,

00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:49.919
 son,

00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:49.959
 son,

00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:52.740
 your sins are forgiven.

00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:55.939
 He speaks personally

00:10:55.939 --> 00:10:59.139
 like he's a part of his family,

00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:01.259
 showing his compassion.

00:11:01.939 --> 00:11:02.240
 And yet,

00:11:02.319 --> 00:11:03.939
 Jesus' compassion sees

00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:05.219
 greater than we do.

00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:07.459
 Jesus' compassion sees

00:11:07.459 --> 00:11:09.179
 more than we do,

00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:10.459
 because he sees

00:11:10.459 --> 00:11:11.899
 that this man's greatest need

00:11:11.899 --> 00:11:13.039
 is not healing,

00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:14.879
 but forgiveness.

00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:18.299
 And we may bristle at this.

00:11:19.199 --> 00:11:20.839
 This is not compassion.

00:11:21.719 --> 00:11:23.559
 You're looking at a paralytic man,

00:11:23.819 --> 00:11:25.439
 and you're telling him

00:11:25.439 --> 00:11:26.939
 he's got a greater problem?

00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:29.620
 You're looking at him

00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:31.020
 who suffered such great,

00:11:31.180 --> 00:11:32.360
 such loss

00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:33.080
 and has suffered

00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:34.200
 so much of his life,

00:11:34.260 --> 00:11:35.340
 who's completely helpless,

00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:37.480
 and you're going to ignore that?

00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:40.340
 And to infer that

00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:42.820
 he has a greater problem than that?

00:11:43.780 --> 00:11:45.220
 But it's clear that Jesus

00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:46.640
 is being compassionate,

00:11:47.160 --> 00:11:48.500
 not cruel.

00:11:49.300 --> 00:11:50.640
 So what is Jesus doing?

00:11:51.320 --> 00:11:53.020
 He's seeing that this man's

00:11:53.020 --> 00:11:54.140
 spiritual paralysis

00:11:54.140 --> 00:11:55.560
 of unforgiven sin

00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:57.539
 is greater than any

00:11:57.539 --> 00:11:58.859
 of his physical suffering.

00:11:59.859 --> 00:12:01.119
 Now, in the first century,

00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:01.899
 there were often,

00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:03.500
 there's lots of speculation

00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:05.219
 that sin was connected

00:12:05.219 --> 00:12:07.319
 to physical suffering.

00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:07.719
 And so,

00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:09.219
 if someone was suffering physically,

00:12:09.599 --> 00:12:10.500
 people would often think,

00:12:10.619 --> 00:12:12.079
 well, what sin did he do?

00:12:12.479 --> 00:12:14.099
 This is a common question.

00:12:14.199 --> 00:12:15.179
 It would have been an assumption

00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:16.159
 in the first century.

00:12:16.299 --> 00:12:17.419
 But there's no reason

00:12:17.419 --> 00:12:18.879
 in this text to believe that.

00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:20.139
 There's nothing in here

00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:21.439
 that gives us a sense

00:12:21.439 --> 00:12:23.579
 that you see anything

00:12:23.579 --> 00:12:24.339
 in this man

00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:25.600
 but his need

00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:26.440
 and his friends.

00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:27.960
 They bring him,

00:12:28.040 --> 00:12:28.720
 they lower him,

00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:30.980
 because they've seen Jesus

00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:32.340
 heal people with touch.

00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:37.500
 Jesus looks and he sees

00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:39.160
 at this paralytic's

00:12:39.160 --> 00:12:40.740
 greatest need,

00:12:41.180 --> 00:12:42.540
 and he looks at our hearts

00:12:42.540 --> 00:12:43.240
 and he says,

00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:46.320
 I see all of you

00:12:46.320 --> 00:12:47.840
 in your greatest need.

00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:49.420
 And your greatest need is,

00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:49.940
 in fact,

00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:51.639
 the forgiveness of your sins.

00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:54.519
 How can this be?

00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:56.620
 Well, biblically,

00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:57.699
 we need to recognize

00:12:57.699 --> 00:12:59.240
 that sin is never merely

00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:00.399
 a horizontal thing.

00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.100
 Oh, surely,

00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.779
 we will sin against one another,

00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:03.659
 and we do so

00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:05.319
 in our selfishness,

00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.039
 in our pride,

00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:06.799
 in our anger,

00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:07.740
 our jealousy,

00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.500
 our ingratitude,

00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:10.580
 our self-pity.

00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:12.960
 We are always being selfish

00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:14.460
 and therefore sinning

00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:15.879
 against those around us

00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.740
 by asking them to change

00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:19.320
 and work according

00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:20.180
 to our plan

00:13:20.180 --> 00:13:21.100
 and our world.

00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.340
 But sin,

00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.419
 biblically,

00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:24.519
 is more than that.

00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.580
 It is fundamentally

00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:26.419
 a rebellion

00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:27.980
 against our creator.

00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:30.080
 It is fundamentally

00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:31.060
 a rejection

00:13:31.060 --> 00:13:33.419
 that God should be

00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:35.000
 the center of our lives

00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:36.940
 and instead putting ourselves

00:13:36.940 --> 00:13:38.899
 in the center of our lives.

00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.879
 God who created us

00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:43.440
 to flourish under him,

00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:46.000
 and yet we have rejected him

00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:46.259
 and said,

00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.720
 we're going to go our own way.

00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:49.019
 This is what happened

00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:50.000
 in the Garden of Eden.

00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:52.399
 God provided everything

00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:53.440
 for Adam and Eve

00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:53.899
 and said,

00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:57.320
 live and receive my provision

00:13:57.320 --> 00:13:58.259
 so you can flourish.

00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:59.080
 And they said,

00:13:59.159 --> 00:13:59.379
 no,

00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:00.580
 we would rather try

00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:01.799
 to be like you

00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:03.860
 than receive from you.

00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.299
 And tellingly,

00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:09.139
 when one of the greatest stories

00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:10.639
 of human sin and failure

00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:12.639
 in the story

00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.980
 of the life of King David,

00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:15.899
 after David's sins,

00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:16.820
 horrifically,

00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:18.320
 against a woman,

00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:19.820
 against her husband,

00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:21.460
 against the nation.

00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:23.980
 Psalm 51,

00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.019
 when David writes

00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:26.019
 about his sin,

00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:28.019
 he says this

00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:29.000
 in Psalm 51,

00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:29.840
 three and four,

00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:31.480
 for I know my transgressions

00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.200
 and my sin

00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:33.460
 is ever before me

00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:35.860
 against you,

00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:37.259
 speaking to God,

00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.440
 against you

00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:39.519
 and you only

00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.399
 have I sinned

00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:42.039
 and done what is evil

00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:44.100
 in your sight.

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:45.879
 See,

00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:46.399
 the Bible

00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:47.420
 and what David

00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:48.259
 is saying here

00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:49.340
 is though he has sinned

00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:51.420
 terribly against Bathsheba,

00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:53.139
 terribly against Uriah,

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:55.379
 and he's not denying that,

00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:56.060
 I don't believe

00:14:56.060 --> 00:14:56.659
 in this passage,

00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:57.259
 but he's saying,

00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:58.519
 deeper than that,

00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:59.379
 I have sinned

00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.480
 against my creator.

00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.720
 I have sinned

00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.740
 against my God.

00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:05.139
 And this is the greatest fault

00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:06.460
 and the greatest problem.

00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:08.400
 And Jesus sees

00:15:08.400 --> 00:15:09.340
 in the life

00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:10.100
 of the paralytic

00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.120
 and he sees

00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.480
 in our own hearts

00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.440
 that this too

00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:14.780
 is our greatest need.

00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:18.720
 Jesus comes,

00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:19.519
 Mark is painting

00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.139
 this picture

00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:20.800
 of the kingdom

00:15:20.800 --> 00:15:21.860
 of God on earth.

00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:23.460
 And this passage

00:15:23.460 --> 00:15:24.019
 reminds us

00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:24.639
 that the forgiveness

00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:25.280
 of sins

00:15:25.280 --> 00:15:26.000
 and the restoration

00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:27.000
 of a relationship

00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.060
 with God

00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:29.980
 is the very centerpiece

00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.540
 of it.

00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:31.820
 Friends,

00:15:31.900 --> 00:15:32.900
 we need to recognize

00:15:32.900 --> 00:15:33.460
 if we gain

00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:34.379
 all the healing,

00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.680
 all the righteousness,

00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:37.000
 if we overthrow

00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:39.719
 evil in all of society,

00:15:39.959 --> 00:15:41.299
 if we eradicate

00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.519
 sickness and disease,

00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:43.839
 poverty and oppression,

00:15:43.959 --> 00:15:44.939
 but do not have

00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:45.719
 the forgiveness

00:15:45.719 --> 00:15:47.219
 of sins from our God,

00:15:47.719 --> 00:15:49.179
 we have nothing.

00:15:51.359 --> 00:15:52.679
 We know that Jesus

00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.339
 and his kingdom

00:15:53.339 --> 00:15:54.559
 is more than just

00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:55.500
 forgiveness of sins,

00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:57.759
 but it must be based on

00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.959
 and centered on

00:15:58.959 --> 00:16:00.899
 this idea.

00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.699
 So I ask you,

00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.259
 do you think

00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.700
 this is your greatest need?

00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.620
 Do you think

00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.799
 it's the greatest need

00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:11.039
 of the whole world?

00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.740
 So you look at

00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.259
 your neighbors

00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:14.200
 and your family

00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.179
 and your friends,

00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:16.700
 even your enemies,

00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:17.480
 do you see

00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.700
 that their greatest need

00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:20.960
 is for forgiveness

00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:21.919
 from God

00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:23.139
 for their sins?

00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:27.080
 So verse 5,

00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:28.559
 Mark brings us

00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:29.299
 to this point

00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:31.059
 where we're expecting

00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:31.580
 healing

00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.939
 and we get something

00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:33.860
 very different.

00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:35.580
 But the story goes on

00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:37.080
 because it doesn't just say

00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:38.360
 this is the greatest need

00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.039
 that you have,

00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:40.899
 but verses 6 through 12

00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:41.919
 tells us that there is

00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:43.419
 a help that will meet

00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.580
 that greatest need.

00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:46.519
 And the narrative continues,

00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.200
 right?

00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:49.080
 So we have this man,

00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:50.019
 the scribes haven't even

00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:51.220
 been mentioned until now,

00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:52.300
 but now in verse 6,

00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.320
 the scribes show up.

00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.120
 And remember from

00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.899
 a couple weeks ago,

00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.340
 the scribes are the teachers

00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.000
 of the law.

00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.460
 They're the experts

00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.340
 who would act

00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:02.460
 as both moral advisors,

00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.059
 as judges,

00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.380
 and as teachers

00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:06.220
 and rabbis.

00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.220
 And so this is what

00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:08.000
 they do,

00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.160
 this is what

00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:10.299
 the scribes are,

00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.920
 and they look at Jesus

00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.860
 and they think

00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:14.079
 in their hearts,

00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:16.180
 you can't do that.

00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:18.480
 Why are you doing that?

00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:20.519
 Who do you think you are?

00:17:21.080 --> 00:17:22.759
 Only God can do that.

00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.580
 And of course,

00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.120
 they're right.

00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.960
 In the Old Testament,

00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:27.120
 what we see in multiple places

00:17:27.120 --> 00:17:28.340
 and in critical places

00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:29.120
 in the Bible

00:17:29.120 --> 00:17:30.900
 is that we see

00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:31.740
 God as the one

00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.700
 who forgives sins.

00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.180
 So when God reveals

00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:35.279
 himself to Moses,

00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.620
 when Moses demands

00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:37.519
 on Mount Sinai,

00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:39.259
 God, show me your glory.

00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:41.180
 And God responds

00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:41.440
 and says,

00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.140
 well, you can't see

00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:42.920
 my glory and live,

00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.600
 but you can see

00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:44.460
 the backside of my glory.

00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.420
 So I'm going to show you

00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.299
 just a little bit.

00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:47.819
 And so he hides Moses

00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.819
 in the cleft of a rock

00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.600
 and he passes,

00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:50.740
 the presence of the Lord

00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.420
 passes by

00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:53.440
 and the words come out,

00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:54.460
 the Lord,

00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.340
 the Lord,

00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:57.180
 a God merciful and gracious,

00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:58.160
 slow to anger

00:17:58.160 --> 00:17:58.819
 and abounding

00:17:58.819 --> 00:18:00.400
 in steadfast love

00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.240
 and faithfulness,

00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:03.039
 keeping steadfast love

00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:03.740
 for thousands,

00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.620
 forgiving iniquity

00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:06.960
 and transgression

00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.180
 and sin.

00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.500
 He says more than that,

00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.460
 but he's saying

00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.819
 this is the God

00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:15.480
 that has revealed himself.

00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:16.500
 And so these scribes

00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.700
 are not wrong

00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.980
 when they see,

00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:20.240
 when they say

00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:22.039
 only God can forgive sin.

00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.720
 And Jesus looks at them

00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:26.119
 and he knows their hearts.

00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:27.059
 This is one of those

00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:27.619
 little windows

00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:28.279
 where you realize

00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.659
 Jesus,

00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:30.439
 Mark is just assuming

00:18:30.439 --> 00:18:31.740
 that we understand

00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:33.319
 that Jesus is someone special,

00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:35.319
 that Jesus has the ability

00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:35.819
 to understand

00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.799
 our hearts

00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:39.759
 supernaturally.

00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:41.359
 We didn't have to tell him that.

00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:43.019
 He wasn't super insightful

00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:44.379
 in guessing that this was true.

00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.879
 He knew what they were saying

00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.539
 in their hearts.

00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.940
 And he looks at them

00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.799
 and he says,

00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.440
 he challenges their thinking.

00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:50.839
 He says,

00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:52.299
 why are you questioning

00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:53.019
 in this way?

00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:55.099
 Let me ask you this.

00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:56.599
 Which is easier?

00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:57.819
 To say,

00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.900
 I forgive you

00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:00.460
 or to say,

00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.559
 rise and walk

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:03.279
 to this paralytic man?

00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.059
 Now,

00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:05.980
 think through the logic

00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.879
 of this for a minute.

00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:09.000
 if I say,

00:19:09.300 --> 00:19:10.240
 I forgive you,

00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:12.220
 it's easier

00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.280
 in a way

00:19:13.280 --> 00:19:14.280
 because

00:19:14.280 --> 00:19:16.080
 you can't disprove it.

00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.160
 Right?

00:19:17.300 --> 00:19:18.700
 There's nothing to see.

00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.300
 And so I can say

00:19:20.300 --> 00:19:21.140
 whatever I want

00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:23.120
 and there's nothing

00:19:23.120 --> 00:19:24.320
 actually that happens.

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:24.600
 Right?

00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:25.680
 But if I say,

00:19:25.800 --> 00:19:26.720
 rise and walk

00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:28.080
 to a paralyzed man,

00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:30.080
 it either happens

00:19:30.080 --> 00:19:31.000
 or it doesn't.

00:19:31.280 --> 00:19:31.520
 Right?

00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:32.420
 And you can see

00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.140
 the outcome.

00:19:33.340 --> 00:19:34.820
 And that's Jesus' point.

00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:38.019
 He's saying to these scribes,

00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:40.379
 you don't think

00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:41.419
 I have the ability

00:19:41.419 --> 00:19:43.399
 or the authority

00:19:43.399 --> 00:19:44.399
 to forgive sin.

00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:44.980
 Well,

00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.839
 what about the authority

00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.519
 to do something

00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.939
 that you can watch me do

00:19:47.939 --> 00:19:48.899
 and see me do?

00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.919
 I also think Jesus

00:19:50.919 --> 00:19:51.819
 is suggesting

00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.159
 that actually

00:19:53.159 --> 00:19:54.240
 forgiving of sins

00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.359
 is way,

00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:55.519
 way,

00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.099
 way harder

00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:57.519
 than actually healing

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.220
 the paralytic.

00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.839
 And he's going to show us

00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.539
 that from the arc

00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.379
 of his whole life

00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:02.179
 because he's going to go

00:20:02.179 --> 00:20:02.859
 to the cross

00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.779
 for the forgiveness

00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.480
 of our sins.

00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.899
 So I think that's also

00:20:05.899 --> 00:20:07.079
 what Mark is doing here.

00:20:07.439 --> 00:20:08.220
 But in the middle

00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:09.039
 of this,

00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:09.960
 Jesus says,

00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.220
 okay,

00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:12.379
 you're asking a question,

00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.759
 who do you say I am?

00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:14.599
 Well,

00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.480
 let me show you.

00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:16.299
 Watch this.

00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:18.339
 So that you may know

00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.980
 that the Son of Man

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:21.200
 has authority

00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.399
 to forgive sins

00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:23.019
 on earth.

00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.779
 And he turns from them

00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.519
 and he turns

00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.200
 to the paralytic

00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.919
 and he says,

00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.139
 rise,

00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.480
 pick up your bed

00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.919
 and walk

00:20:31.919 --> 00:20:33.659
 and go home.

00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:36.460
 the man picks up

00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.580
 the mat

00:20:37.580 --> 00:20:38.540
 that he'd lived

00:20:38.540 --> 00:20:39.340
 his life on

00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:41.120
 and he walked home.

00:20:41.580 --> 00:20:42.840
 And the crowd responds

00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:43.640
 with amazement.

00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.680
 We've never seen

00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.700
 anything like this.

00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:49.380
 And Jesus is sitting there

00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:50.440
 with a crowd

00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.600
 and Mark is looking

00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:52.120
 at us,

00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:52.759
 the audience

00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.920
 that he's writing to

00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.680
 and he's saying,

00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:56.660
 who do you think

00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:58.000
 Jesus is now?

00:20:58.000 --> 00:21:00.079
 And this is the point

00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.740
 of the story,

00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.319
 right?

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.359
 This is the point

00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:03.400
 of the narrative arc

00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:05.180
 is Jesus alone

00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:05.960
 has the authority

00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:07.160
 to forgive sins.

00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:07.960
 He,

00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.920
 as the Son of Man,

00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.779
 has the authority

00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:11.220
 to forgive sins.

00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:14.480
 and we see in this story

00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.579
 a response

00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:17.000
 of awe

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.819
 and joy

00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.480
 and wonder

00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.900
 because the greatest

00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:20.980
 need that we have,

00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:22.079
 even greater than

00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:23.100
 our personal suffering,

00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.440
 even greater than

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:26.160
 our circumstances now,

00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:27.559
 even greater than

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:29.200
 the global trials

00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.279
 that we are facing

00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.759
 and enduring

00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.779
 as a world,

00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.180
 even greater than

00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:35.100
 all of those things,

00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.140
 our greatest need

00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:37.259
 is met

00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:39.360
 by the greatest help

00:21:39.360 --> 00:21:40.420
 we could ever imagine,

00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:41.759
 the Son of Man

00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.420
 who comes

00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.620
 with authority

00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.240
 to forgive

00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:46.240
 our sins.

00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.700
 And we see the crowds

00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.800
 responding in awe

00:21:49.800 --> 00:21:50.480
 and wonder,

00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:52.400
 the man walking home

00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:53.140
 with joy.

00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.340
 Friends,

00:21:56.820 --> 00:21:57.840
 we who are now,

00:21:58.320 --> 00:21:59.080
 and of course Mark

00:21:59.080 --> 00:22:00.160
 is writing to Christians

00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.060
 who know the end

00:22:01.060 --> 00:22:01.660
 of the story,

00:22:01.800 --> 00:22:02.400
 they know where

00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:03.120
 Jesus is going,

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.840
 the gospel itself

00:22:04.840 --> 00:22:05.660
 tells us

00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.779
 that Jesus has

00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:08.040
 authority to forgive sins

00:22:08.040 --> 00:22:09.660
 in a unique way

00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.840
 because it's baked

00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:11.900
 into the logic

00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:12.620
 of the gospel.

00:22:13.040 --> 00:22:13.700
 And I want to spend

00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.700
 just a few minutes

00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:16.160
 thinking with you

00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.660
 for a minute

00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.880
 about how is it

00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.680
 that God can

00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.720
 forgive sins,

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.440
 right?

00:22:22.560 --> 00:22:23.960
 Because what we see

00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.420
 in the Bible,

00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.000
 and we're just going

00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.440
 to walk through,

00:22:25.540 --> 00:22:26.300
 this is going to feel

00:22:26.300 --> 00:22:27.540
 familiar to a lot of you,

00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:29.560
 but Romans 6.23

00:22:29.560 --> 00:22:30.480
 tells us that

00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.560
 the wages of sin

00:22:31.560 --> 00:22:32.480
 is death,

00:22:32.820 --> 00:22:33.140
 right?

00:22:33.540 --> 00:22:34.540
 That our offense

00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.980
 against our creator

00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:37.079
 is so great,

00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:38.579
 it is a capital offense.

00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:40.119
 We have rejected

00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:41.039
 the Lord of life,

00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:41.779
 we have turned

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.899
 from life to death,

00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.119
 and God is going

00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:45.440
 to bring his judgment

00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:47.000
 upon our sin

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:49.539
 with the condemnation

00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.059
 of death.

00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:50.960
 This is what happened

00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.480
 in the garden,

00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:52.339
 it's what we see.

00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.700
 So Romans 6 says

00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.740
 the wages of sin

00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.259
 is death.

00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:58.039
 Then Hebrews 9.22

00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.799
 tells us,

00:22:59.159 --> 00:22:59.879
 without the shedding

00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:00.460
 of blood,

00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:01.500
 there is no forgiveness

00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.180
 of sins.

00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:03.599
 This is the outworking

00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.640
 of Romans 6.

00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:07.099
 Somebody has to die

00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:07.779
 for sin.

00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:09.980
 In God's economy,

00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:12.799
 it must be atoned for.

00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:14.220
 Either the one

00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.319
 who committed the sin

00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.380
 must die,

00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:18.119
 or perhaps someone

00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.779
 might be able

00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:20.779
 to die in their place.

00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.960
 But who could do that?

00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.279
 Who could die

00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.539
 for someone else's sins,

00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:27.480
 since we know

00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.420
 that all have sinned

00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:28.940
 and fall short

00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.839
 of the glory of God

00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:31.000
 in Romans 3.23?

00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.720
 And Jesus comes,

00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.939
 and he was without sin.

00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.240
 And he says,

00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:39.939
 I have come

00:23:39.939 --> 00:23:41.139
 to offer my life

00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:42.959
 a ransom for many.

00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.919
 I have come

00:23:44.919 --> 00:23:45.899
 to give myself

00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:47.039
 to die

00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.799
 so that you

00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.659
 might live.

00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:51.819
 And so Romans 3

00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:53.119
 tells us this,

00:23:53.199 --> 00:23:54.179
 there is no distinction

00:23:54.179 --> 00:23:55.059
 for all who sinned

00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.599
 and fall short

00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.439
 of the glory of God

00:23:56.439 --> 00:23:57.240
 and are justified

00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.459
 by his grace

00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:59.759
 as a gift

00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:01.299
 through the redemption

00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:03.680
 that is in Christ Jesus,

00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:05.519
 whom God put forward

00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.779
 as a propitiation

00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:08.039
 by his blood

00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.680
 to be received

00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.420
 by faith.

00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.600
 This was to show

00:24:11.600 --> 00:24:12.559
 God's righteousness

00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:14.460
 because in his divine

00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.140
 forbearance,

00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.980
 he had passed over

00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.860
 former sins.

00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.039
 It was to show

00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.680
 his righteousness

00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.860
 at the present time

00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:21.100
 so that he might be

00:24:21.100 --> 00:24:21.920
 both just

00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:23.140
 and the justifier

00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.799
 of the one

00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.579
 who has faith

00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.140
 in Jesus.

00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:28.120
 Paul uses

00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:29.320
 some fancy words here,

00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.520
 some theologically

00:24:30.520 --> 00:24:31.700
 loaded words.

00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:32.700
 Justification

00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.380
 means being

00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:34.400
 made right

00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.340
 before God

00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:36.560
 and it requires

00:24:36.560 --> 00:24:37.340
 the removal

00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:38.520
 of the penalty

00:24:38.520 --> 00:24:39.120
 of sin

00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:40.100
 and the curse

00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:40.580
 of sin.

00:24:41.280 --> 00:24:42.000
 Propitiation

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.320
 is the satisfaction

00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:44.480
 of God's judgment

00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:46.280
 against sin

00:24:46.280 --> 00:24:47.680
 and Jesus

00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:48.259
 is the one

00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.360
 who accomplishes

00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:50.640
 that propitiation

00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:52.400
 through his death,

00:24:52.780 --> 00:24:53.759
 making possible

00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.379
 the forgiveness

00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:55.000
 of sin

00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:56.220
 because Jesus

00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:56.819
 comes

00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:58.220
 and dies

00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.220
 in our place

00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:01.200
 so that our sins

00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.539
 might be judged

00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.539
 in Jesus

00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:05.519
 and so that forgiveness

00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.660
 might be extended

00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.759
 to us.

00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.599
 This is the logic

00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.640
 of the gospel.

00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:11.420
 You see,

00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.279
 because God doesn't

00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.900
 forgive sin

00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.680
 the way we do.

00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:15.379
 Most of the time

00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.420
 when we forgive sin,

00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.240
 we pretend

00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.960
 that you really

00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:19.059
 didn't do anything wrong

00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:21.099
 or we say

00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:21.940
 it wasn't really

00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.640
 a big deal

00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.980
 or I've gotten

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.600
 over it.

00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.380
 It's okay.

00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.660
 But God

00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.700
 can't do that

00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.440
 because God

00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.680
 is perfectly just

00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:32.360
 and he can't

00:25:32.360 --> 00:25:33.460
 overlook our sin.

00:25:33.560 --> 00:25:34.520
 He can't overlook

00:25:34.520 --> 00:25:35.000
 evil

00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.040
 and we don't want

00:25:36.040 --> 00:25:36.320
 him to

00:25:36.320 --> 00:25:37.080
 when someone else

00:25:37.080 --> 00:25:37.540
 is evil

00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:39.100
 but we really

00:25:39.100 --> 00:25:39.600
 want him to

00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.860
 overlook our evil

00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.900
 in our own hearts

00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.700
 but God

00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.860
 can't do that

00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:46.100
 nor will he

00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:46.520
 simply

00:25:46.520 --> 00:25:47.540
 condemn the whole

00:25:47.540 --> 00:25:48.020
 world

00:25:48.020 --> 00:25:49.160
 with no chance

00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:49.740
 of forgiveness

00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.519
 because he is

00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.120
 a God

00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:52.839
 loving and merciful

00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:53.799
 slow to anger

00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.460
 and abounding

00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.319
 in kindness.

00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.579
 So how can God

00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.680
 be both just

00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:00.180
 and the justifier

00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:01.140
 of the ungodly?

00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.019
 Well because

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.900
 a perfect man

00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.319
 came

00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:06.200
 and in love

00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:06.960
 offered himself

00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.680
 for us.

00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:11.319
 He did not

00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:12.240
 deserve to die

00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.079
 said I will

00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.940
 die for you

00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:16.140
 so that the wrath

00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:16.980
 of my father

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.900
 against your sin

00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:19.079
 will fall on me

00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:21.460
 so that you

00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.480
 can be forgiven

00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:24.519
 and your slate

00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.480
 wiped clean

00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.759
 and restored

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:28.220
 to a relationship

00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.819
 with your creator.

00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:33.399
 And this is what

00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.500
 the gospel is about

00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.639
 and this is

00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:36.480
 ultimately why

00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.299
 Jesus says

00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.740
 I have the only

00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.240
 authority

00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.679
 to forgive sin

00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:42.079
 because I alone

00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.619
 am the one

00:26:42.619 --> 00:26:43.460
 who will do

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:45.480
 what is necessary

00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:47.460
 for you

00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.640
 to have your sins

00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:49.180
 wiped away

00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.100
 so you can be

00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:50.660
 restored

00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.900
 in your relationship

00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:52.620
 with God.

00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:55.779
 Now Mark

00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.880
 doesn't spell this out

00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:58.620
 but this is for us

00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.640
 as we think about

00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.340
 what is it

00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:01.340
 how is it

00:27:01.340 --> 00:27:02.420
 that it is good news

00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:02.940
 that Jesus

00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.059
 as the son of man

00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:06.259
 has authority

00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:08.620
 to forgive sins.

00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:10.319
 So coming back

00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:10.939
 to this story

00:27:10.939 --> 00:27:11.379
 in Mark

00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.979
 Jesus looks at us

00:27:12.979 --> 00:27:13.819
 and he says

00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:15.219
 yes I can heal

00:27:15.219 --> 00:27:16.199
 your paralysis

00:27:16.199 --> 00:27:17.679
 I can heal

00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:18.539
 your leprosy

00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.719
 I can cast out

00:27:19.719 --> 00:27:20.779
 the demons

00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:22.939
 but more than that

00:27:22.939 --> 00:27:24.259
 I can forgive

00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.039
 your sin

00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:27.439
 come to me

00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:28.759
 in repentance

00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.819
 and faith

00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:31.559
 come and believe

00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.439
 and trust

00:27:32.439 --> 00:27:33.239
 in me

00:27:33.239 --> 00:27:35.319
 come

00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:37.700
 to me

00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:39.099
 the only one

00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:40.279
 who can meet

00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.319
 your greatest need

00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:43.799
 and if you're here

00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.399
 this morning

00:27:44.399 --> 00:27:45.559
 and you're not sure

00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.299
 whether Jesus

00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:47.200
 has forgiven you

00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.399
 of your sin

00:27:48.399 --> 00:27:49.779
 if you're feeling

00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.259
 like

00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.679
 he can't

00:27:51.679 --> 00:27:52.579
 or he won't

00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.599
 or he doesn't

00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:55.439
 Jesus invites you

00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:56.000
 to come

00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:58.200
 come

00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:59.059
 and receive

00:27:59.059 --> 00:27:59.960
 his forgiveness

00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:01.099
 as you repent

00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:01.939
 of those sins

00:28:01.939 --> 00:28:02.939
 and turn

00:28:02.939 --> 00:28:03.819
 and put your faith

00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.279
 in him

00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:06.619
 and if you're here

00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:07.500
 and you've been hearing

00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.059
 this story

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.000
 for a long

00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.839
 long time

00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:11.059
 and this is

00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:12.279
 the good news

00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.259
 I pray

00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.279
 I pray that you

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.000
 would be renewed

00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.700
 this morning

00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:17.079
 in your awe

00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:17.920
 and wonder

00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.579
 and joy

00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:20.559
 like the man

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.740
 who walked home

00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.779
 with his bed

00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.660
 under his arm

00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:25.220
 for the first time

00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.720
 in who knows

00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:28.160
 perhaps his whole life

00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:29.680
 may we have

00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.420
 that same

00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.960
 sense of joy

00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.059
 that we

00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:33.839
 who are crippled

00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.519
 by our sin

00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.599
 can now walk

00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.819
 and rise

00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.859
 and live

00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:38.539
 and worship

00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:40.139
 because Jesus

00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:41.419
 can forgive

00:28:41.419 --> 00:28:42.139
 our sins

00:28:42.139 --> 00:28:45.940
 let's go ahead

00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.359
 and pray

00:28:46.359 --> 00:28:47.119
 together

00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:56.039
 oh Lord Jesus

00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.639
 we

00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:59.299
 come to you

00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:00.859
 and

00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.440
 Lord

00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.259
 we confess

00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:05.099
 that we

00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.500
 often

00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.099
 don't see

00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.539
 the world

00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:06.859
 the way

00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:07.359
 you do

00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.059
 Lord

00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.480
 we don't

00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.000
 often

00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:10.599
 understand

00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.180
 things

00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:11.579
 the way

00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:11.980
 you have

00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.399
 arranged

00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:12.740
 them

00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:14.379
 and Lord

00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:15.000
 how often

00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.539
 we lose

00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.339
 sight of you

00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:17.099
 and who you

00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:17.379
 are

00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:17.920
 and what you

00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.420
 have done

00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:19.940
 that you

00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.420
 alone

00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:21.059
 are our

00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.440
 hope

00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:22.859
 in being

00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.539
 reconciled

00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.019
 with God

00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:24.759
 you alone

00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.299
 are the one

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.619
 who can

00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:26.259
 wash away

00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:26.839
 our sin

00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:29.920
 Lord

00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.339
 I pray

00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:30.960
 this morning

00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:33.379
 that you

00:29:33.379 --> 00:29:33.639
 would be

00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:34.119
 with us

00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:34.400
 as we

00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:34.680
 go to

00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.139
 the Lord's

00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:35.480
 table

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:37.680
 Lord

00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.139
 that as we

00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:38.700
 celebrate

00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.500
 communion

00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.099
 together

00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:41.480
 Lord

00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:41.839
 that you

00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.400
 would renew

00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:42.740
 in us

00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.139
 joy

00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:45.819
 that you

00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.039
 would

00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.440
 Lord

00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.339
 draw those

00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:47.740
 who are

00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.059
 here

00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.299
 who

00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:48.940
 maybe

00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.339
 haven't

00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:49.619
 taken

00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:50.319
 that step

00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:51.740
 Lord

00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.319
 to put

00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:52.779
 their faith

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.220
 in you

00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:53.539
 and the

00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:53.900
 forgiveness

00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:54.360
 that you

00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:54.680
 offer

00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.279
 in Christ

00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.839
 we pray

00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.279
 this in

00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:57.920
 Jesus name

00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:58.880
 Amen