WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.060 Good morning, Watermark. The scripture reading today comes from Matthew chapter 10, verses 34 to 39. 00:00:07.060 --> 00:00:12.259 ! If you're using the church Bible, you can turn to page 765. 00:00:15.259 --> 00:00:17.900 ! Starting from verse 34, we read, 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:22.699 Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. 00:00:23.179 --> 00:00:25.719 I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:29.339 For I have come to set a man against his father, 00:00:29.339 --> 00:00:31.780 and a daughter against her mother, 00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:34.700 and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:39.039 and a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 00:00:40.119 --> 00:00:44.340 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:49.179 and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me, 00:00:49.659 --> 00:00:54.760 and whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 00:00:55.420 --> 00:00:58.019 Whoever finds his life will lose it, 00:00:58.020 --> 00:01:02.120 and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 00:01:02.620 --> 00:01:03.940 This is the word of God. 00:01:03.939 --> 00:01:05.799 Okay, thanks, Cyrus. 00:01:06.200 --> 00:01:07.700 Is this working? You can hear? 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:09.659 Okay, great. 00:01:10.819 --> 00:01:11.859 Doesn't sound like it. 00:01:12.819 --> 00:01:14.459 Okay, one last time. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:15.679 Good morning. I hope you can hear. 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:17.299 If not, we're going to go back to the hand. 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:19.879 Okay, that was it. 00:01:22.539 --> 00:01:23.840 It's like when I say to my kids, 00:01:23.900 --> 00:01:25.640 I'm only speaking one more time, right? 00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:28.540 Okay, let's stick with this. 00:01:28.700 --> 00:01:30.040 What just happened there? 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:33.439 Okay, so welcome to December. 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:35.680 Can you believe it's December already? 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:37.519 What happened to 2025? 00:01:38.819 --> 00:01:39.920 Disappeared in a heartbeat. 00:01:40.099 --> 00:01:41.180 But here we are, December, 00:01:41.540 --> 00:01:44.140 and December is the season of Advent. 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:44.859 Advent. 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:47.299 Niels explained Advent means coming. 00:01:47.980 --> 00:01:49.019 In the season of Advent, 00:01:50.400 --> 00:01:54.939 we celebrate Christ's coming 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, 00:01:54.939 --> 00:01:57.299 but we also look forward to His second coming. 00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:59.079 We anticipate Christ's return. 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:02.060 And so we celebrate in the month of December, 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:04.900 Advent, Christ's coming and His return. 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:07.439 But in order to do that, 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:09.039 we want to understand it. 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:10.719 We want to internalize it. 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:12.639 We don't just want to remember Christ's coming. 00:02:13.060 --> 00:02:14.379 We want to make the most of it. 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:17.000 We want to understand why did Christ come. 00:02:17.419 --> 00:02:19.159 It's one thing to know that He came, 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:20.819 but why did Christ come? 00:02:21.340 --> 00:02:23.180 That's what we're going to be looking at this December. 00:02:23.180 --> 00:02:25.480 And so for today and the next couple of weeks, 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:27.240 we're going to be looking at passages of Scripture 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:30.140 that explain why Jesus came. 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:33.760 And we start off today with a fairly unusual passage 00:02:33.760 --> 00:02:35.319 because if you've got your Bible, 00:02:35.460 --> 00:02:36.500 you can look at it with me. 00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:38.580 Verse 34, Jesus says, 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:41.580 Do not think that I've come to bring peace on the earth. 00:02:42.040 --> 00:02:44.060 I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 00:02:44.700 --> 00:02:46.600 That doesn't sound very Advent-like, right? 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:50.300 I mean, isn't Christmas all about peace and joy 00:02:50.300 --> 00:02:52.800 and light and love and all these wonderful things. 00:02:53.219 --> 00:02:55.480 And this morning we lit the candle of peace. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:57.160 When we think of Christmas, 00:02:57.320 --> 00:02:58.900 we often think of a time of peace. 00:02:59.660 --> 00:03:02.560 Jesus is described in Isaiah chapter 9 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:03.460 as the Prince of Peace. 00:03:03.540 --> 00:03:04.560 I think we read it this morning. 00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:05.820 For us a child is born. 00:03:06.260 --> 00:03:07.280 To us a son is given. 00:03:07.860 --> 00:03:09.840 He will be called Wonderful Counselor, 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:11.780 Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, 00:03:12.240 --> 00:03:13.380 the Prince of Peace. 00:03:13.920 --> 00:03:15.920 And of the increase of His government and peace, 00:03:16.020 --> 00:03:17.720 there will be no end. 00:03:18.379 --> 00:03:19.979 Remember when Jesus was born, 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:22.319 the angels appeared to the shepherds out in the fields 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:23.159 and they say this, 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:25.340 Glory to God in the highest, 00:03:25.460 --> 00:03:28.500 and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased. 00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:30.979 Isn't peace all about Christmas? 00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:32.280 Isn't Christmas all about peace? 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:34.419 So how is it that Jesus can say, 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:36.120 This is why I came. 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:37.520 Don't think I came to bring peace. 00:03:37.579 --> 00:03:38.680 I came to bring a sword. 00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:40.340 What's up with that? 00:03:40.979 --> 00:03:41.539 Well, friends, 00:03:41.659 --> 00:03:44.680 you will never understand Christianity in general, 00:03:44.860 --> 00:03:46.079 or Christmas in particular, 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:48.900 unless we understand what Jesus has to say here. 00:03:49.640 --> 00:03:50.940 And so in this passage, 00:03:50.940 --> 00:03:52.900 we're going to discover three things 00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:55.520 about Christmas and about Christianity. 00:03:55.760 --> 00:03:56.500 Jesus tells us, 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:57.620 in order to understand Christmas, 00:03:57.740 --> 00:03:59.200 we have to understand who He is, 00:03:59.880 --> 00:04:00.920 why He came, 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:03.000 and how to find lasting peace. 00:04:03.600 --> 00:04:04.120 Who He is, 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:05.000 why He came, 00:04:05.420 --> 00:04:06.800 and how to find lasting peace. 00:04:07.040 --> 00:04:08.560 So let's dive in. 00:04:08.620 --> 00:04:08.880 Firstly, 00:04:09.300 --> 00:04:10.060 who He is, 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:11.140 who Jesus is. 00:04:11.740 --> 00:04:12.100 Now, 00:04:12.160 --> 00:04:13.260 over the last couple of months, 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:15.039 we've been going through John's Gospel. 00:04:15.239 --> 00:04:18.079 And John's Gospel is full of all these remarkable claims 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:19.379 that Christ makes about Himself. 00:04:20.019 --> 00:04:20.759 He says things like, 00:04:20.899 --> 00:04:22.079 I am the bread of life. 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:23.159 I am living water. 00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:24.420 I am the light of the world. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:27.459 Jesus makes all these remarkable claims about Himself. 00:04:28.159 --> 00:04:29.319 And in Matthew's Gospel, 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:31.159 to understand what Jesus is saying here, 00:04:31.219 --> 00:04:32.779 if we go back and look at the context, 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:36.120 we see that Jesus is making another remarkable claim 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:36.779 about Himself. 00:04:36.779 --> 00:04:39.579 In Matthew chapter 9, 00:04:39.659 --> 00:04:40.719 at the end of chapter 9, 00:04:41.239 --> 00:04:41.779 it says that, 00:04:41.779 --> 00:04:44.219 Jesus looks out on the crowds of people, 00:04:44.719 --> 00:04:46.819 and He describes the crowds that He sees 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:48.919 as people that are harassed and helpless, 00:04:49.119 --> 00:04:50.519 like sheep without a shepherd. 00:04:51.139 --> 00:04:53.439 You can picture a flock of sheep, 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:54.859 there's no shepherd in sight, 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:56.799 and the wolves are circling around them, right? 00:04:56.859 --> 00:04:57.000 Or, 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:58.199 I'm from Africa, 00:04:58.319 --> 00:04:59.579 I don't know too much about sheep, 00:04:59.679 --> 00:05:00.179 and shepherding, 00:05:00.259 --> 00:05:00.679 and farming, 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:01.219 and that stuff, 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:03.199 but I know a little bit about wild animals, 00:05:03.619 --> 00:05:04.519 and safaris, 00:05:04.619 --> 00:05:05.179 and those things. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:07.620 And I'm sure you've all seen on YouTube 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:11.259 a video of maybe some antelope or something, 00:05:11.579 --> 00:05:14.780 and the lions and the hyenas are circling, right? 00:05:14.840 --> 00:05:16.620 And they've got them in their sights. 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:18.740 Maybe they haven't attacked them yet, 00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:20.120 but it's just a moment of, 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:22.439 just an amount of time 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:24.860 before those lions are going to have, 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:25.120 you know, 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:27.160 antelope steak for dinner that night, right? 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:28.620 They're circling them around them, 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:29.800 and all the animals are, 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:30.680 they're harassed, 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:31.060 they're kind of, 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:31.800 they're worried, 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:32.360 they're scared, 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:33.100 they're vulnerable, 00:05:33.100 --> 00:05:36.000 they know that they could be attacked at any time. 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:38.400 And Jesus looks out on the people, 00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:40.540 and the towns and the villages that he goes to, 00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:41.840 and his heart is stirred, 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:43.020 and he's full of compassion, 00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:44.720 because everywhere he goes, 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:45.680 he sees people, 00:05:46.360 --> 00:05:47.240 people that he made, 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:48.540 people that are made in God's image, 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:49.480 people that he loves, 00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:50.540 that he came to rescue. 00:05:51.020 --> 00:05:52.100 He says they are like these, 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:53.660 these antelope that are surrounded, 00:05:53.780 --> 00:05:55.000 they are like sheep without a shepherd, 00:05:55.100 --> 00:05:56.400 there's no one to protect them, 00:05:56.460 --> 00:05:57.460 no one to guide them, 00:05:57.500 --> 00:05:58.580 no one to rescue them, 00:05:58.960 --> 00:06:00.360 from the impending dangers, 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:01.560 that are all around them. 00:06:02.139 --> 00:06:03.339 They are harassed and vulnerable, 00:06:03.780 --> 00:06:04.600 with no defender, 00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:05.500 no rescuer, 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:06.939 who will come to them. 00:06:07.839 --> 00:06:08.540 And so Jesus, 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:09.420 what does he do? 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:09.780 Well, 00:06:10.019 --> 00:06:11.420 beginning of Matthew 10, 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:13.639 he sends out his disciples, 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:15.240 with some good news. 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:16.480 And listen to what he says here. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:18.540 Chapter 10 verse 1 says, 00:06:18.980 --> 00:06:20.420 he called to him as 12 disciples, 00:06:20.600 --> 00:06:21.800 he gave them authority, 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:23.720 over the unclean spirits, 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:24.939 to cast them out, 00:06:25.399 --> 00:06:26.560 to heal every disease, 00:06:26.660 --> 00:06:27.279 every affliction, 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:28.060 saying, 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:30.079 go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:31.139 saying to them, 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:32.979 the kingdom of heaven is at hand, 00:06:33.039 --> 00:06:34.300 the kingdom of heaven has come, 00:06:34.779 --> 00:06:35.680 the king has come. 00:06:36.259 --> 00:06:36.519 So, 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:37.479 heal the sick, 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:38.599 raise the dead, 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:40.019 cleanse the lepers, 00:06:40.599 --> 00:06:42.099 cast out the demons. 00:06:42.979 --> 00:06:44.459 So Jesus looks out on these people, 00:06:44.519 --> 00:06:44.779 and he says, 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:46.159 they're harassed, 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:46.939 they're helpless, 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:47.779 they're vulnerable, 00:06:48.039 --> 00:06:49.639 they have no one to lead them, 00:06:49.699 --> 00:06:50.719 no one to guide them, 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:52.099 they're unprotected. 00:06:52.800 --> 00:06:54.100 And then he sends out his messages, 00:06:54.100 --> 00:06:55.320 with good news. 00:06:55.780 --> 00:06:56.140 He says, 00:06:56.200 --> 00:06:57.260 your king has come, 00:06:57.320 --> 00:06:58.460 the kingdom of heaven has come, 00:06:58.760 --> 00:06:59.760 the king has come. 00:07:00.520 --> 00:07:01.620 And what has he come to do? 00:07:01.960 --> 00:07:03.379 He's come to put right, 00:07:03.460 --> 00:07:04.340 all that is wrong, 00:07:04.400 --> 00:07:05.480 and broken with the world. 00:07:06.640 --> 00:07:08.280 Jesus is the rescuer, 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:09.040 the defender, 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:09.840 the protector, 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:11.520 the one that all these people need, 00:07:11.540 --> 00:07:12.540 the one that we need, 00:07:12.540 --> 00:07:13.260 to put right, 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:14.220 that which is broken, 00:07:14.320 --> 00:07:15.060 and wrong with the world. 00:07:15.700 --> 00:07:16.840 Christ has come. 00:07:17.320 --> 00:07:18.360 Go with this good news, 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:20.060 the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:21.240 Therefore, 00:07:21.560 --> 00:07:22.180 heal the sick, 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:22.899 raise the dead, 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:24.079 cleanse the lepers, 00:07:24.280 --> 00:07:25.459 cast out demons. 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:26.879 You see friends, 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:29.759 the Bible has a very clear explanation, 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:31.280 for why the world, 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:32.480 is the way that it is. 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:35.120 Why is there so much grief in our world? 00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:37.019 Why is there so much pain? 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:38.860 Why is there so much agony? 00:07:39.840 --> 00:07:41.000 Why all the tears? 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:42.259 Why all the anxiety? 00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:44.959 Why is life such a hard struggle? 00:07:45.840 --> 00:07:47.779 And the Bible has a very clear explanation for it. 00:07:47.779 --> 00:07:50.419 It's not because of the cosmic battle, 00:07:50.419 --> 00:07:51.779 between yin and yang. 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:54.379 It's not because of the karmic forces, 00:07:54.379 --> 00:07:55.959 that are now paying us back. 00:07:56.919 --> 00:07:59.719 It's not because we have dishonored our ancestors, 00:07:59.719 --> 00:08:01.579 and now there's trouble in our life. 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:02.599 The Bible says, 00:08:02.719 --> 00:08:04.279 the reason for the agony, 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:05.359 and the strife, 00:08:05.459 --> 00:08:06.319 and the struggle, 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:07.179 and the hardship, 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:08.619 and the tears in our world, 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:10.159 is that in a sense, 00:08:10.359 --> 00:08:11.359 we humanity, 00:08:11.659 --> 00:08:13.439 have engaged in an open rebellion, 00:08:14.039 --> 00:08:14.859 against our maker, 00:08:15.059 --> 00:08:16.339 against the king of all creation. 00:08:17.099 --> 00:08:17.359 We, 00:08:17.619 --> 00:08:18.579 who are made in his image, 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:19.819 to glorify and mirror him, 00:08:20.099 --> 00:08:21.560 we've staged this insurrection, 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:22.339 against him. 00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:23.219 And now, 00:08:23.299 --> 00:08:23.619 in a sense, 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:25.299 the world is a rebel state. 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:27.639 And we are seeking independence, 00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:28.759 from our king and our lord. 00:08:29.179 --> 00:08:30.699 To go back to Jesus analogy, 00:08:31.099 --> 00:08:32.579 we are like a flock of sheep, 00:08:32.819 --> 00:08:34.399 that have trampled on the shepherds, 00:08:34.459 --> 00:08:35.879 and we don't want your authority, 00:08:36.059 --> 00:08:37.459 we will go our own way. 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:38.600 And now we've left, 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:40.959 and we wonder why we feel vulnerable, 00:08:41.459 --> 00:08:42.259 and afraid, 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:43.879 and terrified. 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:46.179 We've left the sheepfold, 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:47.259 we've gone our own way, 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:48.259 and we found ourselves, 00:08:48.299 --> 00:08:49.399 lost and exposed, 00:08:49.679 --> 00:08:50.259 and surrounded, 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:52.139 and we wonder why. 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:55.220 And life in this rebel state, 00:08:55.299 --> 00:08:56.559 is not going so well, 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:57.000 is it? 00:08:57.840 --> 00:08:58.960 We've cut ourselves off, 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:00.159 from the source of life, 00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:01.960 and we experience death. 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:04.000 We cut ourselves off, 00:09:04.139 --> 00:09:04.659 from light, 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:06.659 and we experience darkness. 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:10.039 We have rejected his authority, 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:12.000 and now it's every man, 00:09:12.079 --> 00:09:12.620 for himself. 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:14.899 And this is the story, 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:15.779 of the world. 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:17.799 But this is also the story, 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:18.699 of our lives. 00:09:19.439 --> 00:09:21.159 But the one who made us, 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:22.059 to know him, 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:23.579 and love him, 00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:25.299 and glorify him, 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:27.079 does not reject us. 00:09:27.719 --> 00:09:28.639 This God does not, 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:29.779 destroy the earth, 00:09:29.839 --> 00:09:30.079 and say, 00:09:30.179 --> 00:09:31.000 I'm going to go start off, 00:09:31.039 --> 00:09:31.579 a new one, 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:32.379 down the road. 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:33.879 This king does not, 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:34.759 abandon his own, 00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:36.559 rather he comes to us. 00:09:37.059 --> 00:09:38.500 And he comes to rescue us, 00:09:38.579 --> 00:09:39.579 and to restore us. 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:40.559 Or in the words of the Bible, 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:42.819 he comes to redeem us. 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:44.839 To redeem this broken world, 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:46.019 by coming to us. 00:09:46.459 --> 00:09:47.319 And in his coming, 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:49.139 Jesus does two things. 00:09:49.959 --> 00:09:50.159 He, 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:50.899 firstly, 00:09:51.339 --> 00:09:52.519 he overthrows, 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:54.159 the heart of the rebellion. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:56.120 The control sense of the rebellion, 00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:57.620 he overthrows it. 00:09:57.759 --> 00:09:59.039 But then the second thing he does, 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:01.360 is he invites former rebels, 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:02.659 that's me and you, 00:10:03.100 --> 00:10:05.059 to rebel against the rebellion, 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:06.639 and to join the rebellion, 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:07.500 thanks of the redeemed. 00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:08.199 Okay? 00:10:08.699 --> 00:10:09.799 So Jesus comes, 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:10.759 into this world, 00:10:10.819 --> 00:10:12.019 that's rejected his authority, 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:12.879 and he says, 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:14.439 I will crush the rebellion, 00:10:14.699 --> 00:10:15.899 I will destroy it, 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:17.439 and I will invite people, 00:10:17.439 --> 00:10:18.919 to join my kingdom, 00:10:18.919 --> 00:10:20.959 and I invite former rebels, 00:10:20.959 --> 00:10:23.019 to leave the insurrection, 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:24.179 to leave the rebellion, 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.759 to rebel against the rebellion, 00:10:25.959 --> 00:10:27.279 and join my kingdom, 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:28.159 of the redeemed. 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:30.100 And the entire narrative, 00:10:30.100 --> 00:10:30.620 of scripture, 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:31.879 all the way from Genesis, 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:33.659 right to the end of the Bible, 00:10:33.659 --> 00:10:35.200 the whole point of the Bible, 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:37.179 is that despite our sin, 00:10:37.679 --> 00:10:39.100 God has not given up on the world. 00:10:39.720 --> 00:10:40.759 God has not given up, 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:41.799 on his image bearers. 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:43.899 God is going to send, 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:44.779 a redeemer, 00:10:45.019 --> 00:10:46.120 one who will put everything, 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:47.019 right to the world, 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:48.960 not simply through nice teaching, 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:50.700 or moral instruction, 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:53.419 or discipleship groups, 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:55.819 but by overcoming the rebellion, 00:10:56.719 --> 00:10:58.379 and by inviting all people everywhere, 00:10:58.939 --> 00:11:00.919 to abandon this insurrectionist project, 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:02.360 and join the kingdom, 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:03.079 of the redeemed. 00:11:03.719 --> 00:11:04.339 And so that's why, 00:11:04.459 --> 00:11:05.759 when Jesus sends out his disciples, 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:06.779 look what he says to them. 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:07.439 He says, 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.839 he gave them authority. 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:10.860 Why does Jesus give his disciples authority? 00:11:11.439 --> 00:11:12.500 Because he's the king. 00:11:12.819 --> 00:11:13.899 He has all authority. 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:14.979 Jesus says, 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:16.079 I have all authority, 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:17.539 now I give you the authority, 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:18.639 to do what? 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:19.699 He gave them authority, 00:11:19.699 --> 00:11:20.980 over unclean spirits, 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.459 to cast them out, 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:24.420 to heal every disease, 00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:25.400 and every affliction. 00:11:25.560 --> 00:11:26.320 That's the symptoms, 00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:27.400 of this broken world, 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:28.360 the rebellious world. 00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:29.100 Saying, 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:30.560 go to the lost sheep, 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:31.420 of the people of Israel. 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:31.860 Saying, 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:33.540 the kingdom of heaven has come. 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.440 The king has come. 00:11:35.040 --> 00:11:35.300 So, 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:36.240 heal the sick, 00:11:36.400 --> 00:11:37.000 raise the dead, 00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:38.060 cleanse the lepers, 00:11:38.440 --> 00:11:40.139 cast out those evil demons. 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.820 Who is Jesus? 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:43.720 Jesus is the rescuer, 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:44.860 the redeemer, 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:46.200 the one who's come, 00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:47.240 to put all things right. 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:48.940 And he has come, 00:11:48.940 --> 00:11:50.200 to heal this lost, 00:11:50.300 --> 00:11:50.940 and broken world, 00:11:51.060 --> 00:11:52.420 by overthrowing the rebellion, 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:54.240 and inviting former rebels, 00:11:54.460 --> 00:11:55.700 to join the kingdom, 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:56.500 of the redeemed. 00:11:57.280 --> 00:11:58.360 This is who he is. 00:11:58.800 --> 00:11:59.460 And understanding, 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:00.660 who Jesus is, 00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:02.019 now helps us make sense, 00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:03.480 of why he came. 00:12:04.060 --> 00:12:05.280 So why did Jesus come? 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:05.560 Well, 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:06.940 look at what he says. 00:12:07.160 --> 00:12:08.220 Look at verse 34. 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.280 Now I think we can, 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:10.500 make better sense of, 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:12.060 what Jesus says here. 00:12:12.400 --> 00:12:12.720 He says, 00:12:13.060 --> 00:12:13.639 do you not think, 00:12:13.700 --> 00:12:14.840 I've come to bring peace, 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.360 on the earth? 00:12:15.460 --> 00:12:15.660 No, 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:17.220 I've come to not bring peace, 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:18.220 but a sword. 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:19.379 Friends, 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:20.400 Jesus has not come, 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.299 to negotiate, 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:22.179 with the rebellion. 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:24.259 Jesus has not come, 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:26.019 to talk things over, 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:27.600 or to find a middle ground. 00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:29.600 He's come to destroy it. 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:31.159 I'm sure you've all seen, 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:31.559 you know, 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:32.279 Hollywood movies, 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:34.199 where there's a terrorist attack, 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:34.500 right? 00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:35.480 And there's like, 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:36.500 terrorists that are, 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:37.639 holding hostages, 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:38.399 in a bank, 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:38.639 right? 00:12:38.699 --> 00:12:38.799 They, 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.000 something like that. 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:40.899 And they, 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:42.360 they send a message to, 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:42.639 you know, 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:43.220 the authorities, 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:44.720 we want a hundred million dollars, 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.039 whatever. 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:46.439 And what do they all say? 00:12:47.079 --> 00:12:48.279 We don't negotiate, 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:48.899 with terrorists, 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:49.219 right? 00:12:49.459 --> 00:12:50.500 We don't negotiate, 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:51.559 with hostage takers. 00:12:51.939 --> 00:12:52.299 Friends, 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:53.279 Jesus has not come, 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.019 to negotiate, 00:12:54.219 --> 00:12:54.819 with the rebellion. 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:55.819 Jesus has not come, 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:57.120 to sit across the table, 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:57.319 and say, 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:57.939 let's try, 00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:58.779 and work things out. 00:12:59.419 --> 00:12:59.799 He's come, 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:00.740 to overthrow it. 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.019 And what does that mean? 00:13:02.079 --> 00:13:02.379 It means, 00:13:02.459 --> 00:13:03.240 bring your sword. 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:03.639 It means, 00:13:03.699 --> 00:13:04.699 bring his authority. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:05.860 Do not think, 00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:06.860 I've come to bring peace, 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:07.379 on the earth. 00:13:07.719 --> 00:13:07.959 I know, 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:08.659 I've not come, 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.279 to bring peace. 00:13:09.319 --> 00:13:09.539 I've come, 00:13:09.599 --> 00:13:10.259 to bring a sword. 00:13:10.939 --> 00:13:12.079 Jesus is the righteous, 00:13:12.219 --> 00:13:12.939 Messiah King. 00:13:13.219 --> 00:13:14.419 He's come to drive, 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:15.339 out of his kingdom, 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:16.799 all that aligns itself, 00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:17.819 and collaborates, 00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:18.819 with the rebellion, 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:20.199 and to restore righteousness, 00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:21.899 and peace on the earth. 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:23.000 Do you remember, 00:13:23.339 --> 00:13:24.500 the very first promise, 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.219 in the Bible, 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:25.979 in the Old Testament, 00:13:26.579 --> 00:13:27.839 of the redeemer coming? 00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:30.120 Back in Genesis chapter 3. 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:31.759 So right after Adam and Eve, 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:33.179 sin against God, 00:13:33.439 --> 00:13:34.500 there's a promise. 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:36.740 In Genesis 3 verse 15, 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.419 God says that, 00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:39.459 God says to Satan, 00:13:40.059 --> 00:13:40.620 that one day, 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:41.980 a redeemer will come. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.559 Someone who is born, 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:44.240 of a woman, 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:46.419 a son of Adam and Eve, 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:48.179 a human in some senses, 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.159 someone who is born, 00:13:49.219 --> 00:13:49.479 of a woman, 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:50.079 will come, 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.679 and Satan, 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:53.219 will bruise his heel. 00:13:53.339 --> 00:13:53.799 In other words, 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:54.679 Satan will try, 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.459 and injure him, 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.639 and stop him, 00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:57.719 and damage him, 00:13:57.959 --> 00:13:59.099 but in doing so, 00:13:59.240 --> 00:13:59.860 the redeemer, 00:13:59.939 --> 00:14:01.479 will crush the head, 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:02.519 of Satan, 00:14:02.599 --> 00:14:03.379 in the process. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.039 A redeemer will come, 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.459 and Satan will do his best, 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:07.479 to try and harm him, 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.120 and injure him, 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.199 but in the process, 00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:09.740 the redeemer, 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:10.719 will destroy, 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:12.259 the work of the Satan. 00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:13.819 The redeemer, 00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:14.460 will be injured, 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:16.419 Satan will be overthrown, 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:17.860 which of course, 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:19.620 is the cross of Jesus. 00:14:20.360 --> 00:14:21.840 As Jesus hangs on the cross, 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:22.840 he is injured, 00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:24.159 he is damaged, 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:25.600 but in doing so, 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:26.500 he destroys, 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.720 the heart of the rebellion, 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.439 by crushing, 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:28.980 Satan, 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.120 sin, 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:31.419 and death, 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:32.500 through his death, 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:33.120 and resurrection. 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:34.539 In a sense, 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.080 Jesus says, 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:35.620 I've come to, 00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:36.960 come to bring a sword, 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:37.480 but actually, 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:38.000 on the cross, 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:39.059 he will bear the sword, 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:39.500 won't he? 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:40.419 Remember, 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:41.459 the sword will pierce, 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.019 his own sight. 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:43.500 Jesus will bear the sword, 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:44.939 in order to crush, 00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:45.819 the rebellion. 00:14:46.479 --> 00:14:47.339 And Jesus says, 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:47.919 he's come, 00:14:48.339 --> 00:14:49.039 for that purpose. 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:49.779 And so in a sense, 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.039 yes, 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.979 Jesus has come, 00:14:50.979 --> 00:14:51.699 to bring peace. 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:53.000 He's come to restore, 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:53.879 peace to his kingdom. 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:54.819 After all, 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:56.519 he is the prince of peace. 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:57.939 But how will he do it? 00:14:58.179 --> 00:14:59.479 Not by coming to earth, 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:00.799 with nice teaching, 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:02.299 or moral instruction. 00:15:02.599 --> 00:15:03.799 Not by telling people, 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.799 how to get along, 00:15:05.079 --> 00:15:05.860 or five tips, 00:15:05.939 --> 00:15:07.139 not to fight in your family. 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:07.799 Even though, 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.799 that's not a bad thing, 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:09.579 if you've got kids, 00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:09.860 right? 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:10.860 He will come, 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:12.540 by confronting the rebellion, 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:14.440 especially the rebellion, 00:15:14.540 --> 00:15:15.580 that lies in our hearts. 00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:17.240 Because the way, 00:15:17.300 --> 00:15:18.520 that Jesus will bring peace, 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:19.100 in our world, 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.180 is first, 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.240 by restoring the peace, 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:21.860 between us, 00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:22.940 and God. 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.540 And in that sense, 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:24.900 in the sense, 00:15:25.180 --> 00:15:26.060 Jesus coming, 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:27.400 splits history, 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:27.920 into two, 00:15:28.020 --> 00:15:28.759 between AD, 00:15:29.160 --> 00:15:29.759 and BC, 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.460 and AD. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.800 Jesus coming, 00:15:31.900 --> 00:15:33.139 also splits humanity, 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.600 in two. 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:34.700 Between those, 00:15:34.800 --> 00:15:35.940 who are with him, 00:15:36.040 --> 00:15:37.160 and join his ranks, 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:37.820 and those, 00:15:37.900 --> 00:15:38.500 who continue, 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.679 in the rebellion. 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:40.919 And so, 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.720 it's not that Jesus, 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.740 comes in order, 00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:44.159 to bring divisional strife, 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:45.559 but it's that his coming, 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:47.539 results in division, 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.419 between those, 00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:49.080 who continue, 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:49.980 in the insurrection, 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:50.899 against their maker, 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.460 and those who turn, 00:15:52.820 --> 00:15:53.600 and follow him. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.340 One Bible scholar, 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:55.720 R.T. 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:56.440 France, 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:57.200 put it like this, 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:59.039 the peace that Jesus, 00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:00.299 the Messiah brings, 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:01.320 is much more, 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:02.039 than the absence, 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:03.059 of fighting. 00:16:03.559 --> 00:16:04.480 It is a restored, 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.759 relationship with God. 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.200 And in the brinking, 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:07.980 of such peace, 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:08.840 paradoxically, 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:10.440 conflict is inevitable, 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:11.700 as not all, 00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.440 will accept him. 00:16:12.940 --> 00:16:13.980 As long as some people, 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:15.360 refuse the lordship of God, 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:16.960 following the prince of peace, 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:18.279 will always be, 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.759 a way of conflict. 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:21.220 And that's why, 00:16:21.300 --> 00:16:22.060 we get these really, 00:16:22.060 --> 00:16:22.879 challenging verses, 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:24.700 in verse 35, 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.139 and 36. 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.279 Look at what Jesus says here. 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:27.220 He says, 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:28.639 I've come to set a man, 00:16:28.680 --> 00:16:29.500 against the father, 00:16:30.040 --> 00:16:30.420 a daughter, 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:31.180 against mother, 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.120 daughter-in-law, 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:33.160 against mother-in-law, 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.639 and a person's enemies, 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:36.139 will be of their own household. 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.759 Challenging stuff. 00:16:38.540 --> 00:16:38.920 I remember, 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:39.720 well, 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.460 I don't remember, 00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:41.460 I remember hearing the story, 00:16:41.540 --> 00:16:42.160 I was very young, 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.879 in the 1980s, 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:46.019 in Australia, 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:48.139 there was a strike, 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.019 that happened with, 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:49.980 airline pilots. 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:50.300 So, 00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:51.660 all the pilots, 00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:52.220 in Australia, 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:52.879 in 1989, 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.560 launched the strike, 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:55.860 against their employer, 00:16:56.060 --> 00:16:57.200 which were the airline pilots, 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:57.779 but also, 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.060 the Australian government, 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.139 because they wanted, 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:01.040 wage increases, 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:01.379 right? 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:02.220 And, 00:17:02.300 --> 00:17:03.660 so they refused to fly, 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:04.660 and the Australian government, 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:06.200 wouldn't budge, 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.299 and so they actually got, 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.039 the air force, 00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:09.600 to fly all the commercial airlines, 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.400 around Australia, 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.339 for a couple of months, 00:17:11.620 --> 00:17:12.279 in order to, 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:12.680 you know, 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.819 not negotiate. 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:14.799 And, 00:17:14.860 --> 00:17:15.440 eventually, 00:17:15.620 --> 00:17:16.740 the Australian government said, 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.519 listen, 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:19.319 if you won't come back, 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:19.920 to work, 00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:21.200 you will be blacklisted, 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:21.940 from flying, 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:23.120 for an Australian airline, 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:23.640 forever, 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.759 for the rest of your life. 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:25.720 And, 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.519 my mom had, 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.940 my mom's cousins, 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.799 lived in Australia, 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.240 and two brothers, 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.039 were pilots, 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:33.799 for Australian airlines. 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:34.500 And so, 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:35.119 they held out, 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:35.619 on the strike, 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.259 but eventually, 00:17:36.379 --> 00:17:37.460 the one brother said, 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.819 I need to go back to work. 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:39.440 And, 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.599 the other brother held out, 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:41.920 and was blacklisted, 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:42.700 from ever flying, 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.559 from Australian airline, 00:17:43.639 --> 00:17:44.200 ever again. 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:45.360 But, 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.500 the division, 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.600 between the two brothers, 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:49.039 was so severe, 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.240 that these two brothers, 00:17:50.380 --> 00:17:51.900 refused to speak to each other, 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.640 for the next 20 years. 00:17:54.380 --> 00:17:54.580 And so, 00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:55.440 for 20 years, 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.240 these two brothers, 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:57.880 would not talk to each other, 00:17:58.180 --> 00:17:59.460 because of their division, 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:01.100 around going back to work, 00:18:01.120 --> 00:18:01.539 or not. 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.080 Brother, 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:03.840 against brother. 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.299 A person's enemies, 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:06.660 will be those of his own household. 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:07.519 But, 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:08.319 that's over something, 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:08.559 as, 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:09.940 I guess, 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:10.559 important, 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:12.240 but something like a paycheck, 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.640 over a labor dispute. 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:14.680 Friends, 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.320 what about something, 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.800 infinitely more important, 00:18:17.320 --> 00:18:18.740 such as the authority of Jesus, 00:18:18.840 --> 00:18:19.520 to be your Lord, 00:18:19.580 --> 00:18:20.180 and your King, 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:21.380 your Master, 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.160 and your God, 00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:23.660 to live for Him, 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.280 and His glory, 00:18:24.560 --> 00:18:25.620 in obedience to Him, 00:18:26.120 --> 00:18:26.720 as sovereign. 00:18:27.540 --> 00:18:28.220 Jesus says, 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:28.580 He comes, 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.480 and He makes this claim, 00:18:29.560 --> 00:18:30.580 this radical claim. 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.900 And those who, 00:18:32.060 --> 00:18:32.700 are for Him, 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.540 those who are against Him, 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:35.000 there is an invisible division, 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.960 that takes place. 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.259 That He hasn't come, 00:18:37.340 --> 00:18:38.240 to cause the division, 00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:39.240 but it's the consequence, 00:18:39.820 --> 00:18:40.580 of the rebellion. 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:41.720 And so, 00:18:41.800 --> 00:18:42.520 in verse 37, 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.120 we see these, 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:44.399 Jesus claims, 00:18:44.459 --> 00:18:44.799 He says, 00:18:45.199 --> 00:18:46.159 you've got to give me, 00:18:46.239 --> 00:18:47.039 your highest authority, 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:48.099 your fullest allegiance. 00:18:48.239 --> 00:18:48.759 Look at what He says, 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.519 verse 37. 00:18:50.239 --> 00:18:51.899 Whoever loves father, 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.479 or mother, 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.159 more than me, 00:18:53.199 --> 00:18:54.179 is not worthy of me. 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.319 Whoever loves son, 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:55.779 or daughter, 00:18:55.939 --> 00:18:56.839 more than me, 00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:57.759 is not worthy of me. 00:18:58.179 --> 00:18:58.959 Whoever does not, 00:18:58.959 --> 00:18:59.879 take up his cross, 00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:00.619 and follow me, 00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:01.779 is not worthy of me. 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.539 Challenging words. 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:04.679 Now, 00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:05.839 you know, 00:19:05.899 --> 00:19:06.579 you may say, 00:19:06.719 --> 00:19:06.899 well, 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:07.179 you know, 00:19:07.219 --> 00:19:08.459 that's a very Western idea, 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:08.679 right? 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.159 Westerners, 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:10.279 they don't care about their parents, 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:10.540 right? 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:11.420 But us Asians, 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:12.019 or, 00:19:12.340 --> 00:19:12.560 okay, 00:19:13.040 --> 00:19:13.820 let's just be honest, 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:14.640 you Asians, 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.019 I know, 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.360 I think I'm an Asian, 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.820 but us in Asia, 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.400 right, 00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:20.420 that's a very offensive thing. 00:19:21.060 --> 00:19:21.460 In Asia, 00:19:21.540 --> 00:19:22.540 we teach our kids, 00:19:22.540 --> 00:19:23.040 to honor, 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:23.420 you know, 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.120 mother and father, 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:24.500 kind of, 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.820 from the moment that they're born. 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:27.980 This is a very high value, 00:19:28.080 --> 00:19:28.380 right? 00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:29.140 And so, 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:29.860 how offensive, 00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:30.860 for Jesus to say, 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:32.140 whoever loves father, 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:32.480 or mother, 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:32.820 son, 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.180 or daughter, 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:33.660 more than me, 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:34.560 is not worthy of me. 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:36.240 Who does Jesus think He is? 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:38.299 But that's exactly the point, 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:38.779 isn't it? 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:40.799 Who does Jesus think He is? 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:43.400 Who gets to make a claim like this? 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:46.160 Who has the right to say something like this? 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.839 Only God does. 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:51.000 Jesus obviously thinks He has the right to say this. 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.880 Jesus is God. 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:55.440 But let's think about this a little bit more. 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:56.519 Friends, 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:58.339 if the Bible is God's word, 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.539 as we believe it is, 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:04.920 the Bible is going to both encourage and challenge every culture, 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:07.880 in every season of the history of the world. 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:08.940 The Bible, 00:20:09.080 --> 00:20:12.160 there'll be some things that encourage and challenge Western culture, 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:16.060 and there'll be some things that encourage and challenge Asian culture, 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:16.480 right? 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:17.420 And so, 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.620 if you think about this here, 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.620 if Jesus really is the King, 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:22.980 who's come to end the rebellion in all of our hearts, 00:20:23.100 --> 00:20:25.220 every culture is going to be confronted by His claims. 00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:26.400 And so, 00:20:26.560 --> 00:20:27.200 Westerners, 00:20:27.360 --> 00:20:27.539 you know, 00:20:27.560 --> 00:20:28.320 I grew up in South Africa, 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.480 in a very Western context, 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:31.880 we're not that acquainted with filial piety, 00:20:32.060 --> 00:20:32.259 right? 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:32.920 And so, 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.080 we look at Jesus' words here, 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.539 and we say, 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.539 what's the big deal? 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.240 Sure, 00:20:36.379 --> 00:20:36.500 okay, 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.759 honor Jesus more than your parents. 00:20:37.899 --> 00:20:38.159 Okay, 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:38.980 what's the big deal? 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:41.299 And those of you come from an Asian context, 00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:41.579 you say, 00:20:41.679 --> 00:20:42.059 what? 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:42.679 You know, 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.319 Koreans, 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:43.960 Chinese, 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.379 you never do that. 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:45.899 Now, 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.039 how, 00:20:46.419 --> 00:20:47.679 this is ridiculous. 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.639 This is so offensive. 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:49.899 What is Jesus, 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:51.199 who does Jesus think He is? 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:53.079 But Westerners, 00:20:53.139 --> 00:20:54.859 who are far more individualistic, 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:58.259 and far more devoted to self-actualization, 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.359 personal fulfillment, 00:20:59.939 --> 00:21:02.000 we look at Jesus' words in verse 38, 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.700 where Jesus says, 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:04.839 whoever does not take up his cross and follow me, 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:05.859 and we think, 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.720 that's ridiculous. 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.180 That's outrageous. 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.539 Who does Jesus think He is? 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.200 Right? 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.140 And so, 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.140 both cultures, 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.640 Asian and Western, 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:15.579 are all confronted with this reality, 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:17.460 I have come to be your king. 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.480 And I'm going to be your king, 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:21.740 that means you need to follow me. 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:24.819 Jesus is making a radical claim here. 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:27.240 Jesus wants to be our Lord and Master. 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:27.619 Friends, 00:21:27.699 --> 00:21:29.039 it doesn't matter who you are, 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:29.919 what your culture is, 00:21:29.959 --> 00:21:30.739 or where you come from. 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:33.000 Jesus Christ looks you and I, 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:33.699 in the eye, 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.559 and He says, 00:21:34.719 --> 00:21:35.000 I, 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:36.559 I am the one to bring life. 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:38.799 I am the one who brings hope to the hopeless. 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:42.019 I am the one who's come to redeem this broken world, 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:44.659 and I do it by calling people to follow me. 00:21:45.939 --> 00:21:46.299 Friends, 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:46.919 what about you? 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.939 What do you make of the claims of Jesus? 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:51.500 Now, 00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:53.239 what are the implications of this? 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.379 Well, 00:21:53.399 --> 00:21:55.019 let's just think through two implications. 00:21:55.699 --> 00:21:56.579 Two implications of this. 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.240 First is this, 00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.819 you need to make a decision. 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:00.740 The need to make a decision. 00:22:01.699 --> 00:22:04.179 Jesus Christ won't allow any of us to sit on the fence. 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:07.179 Jesus doesn't allow us just to tolerate Him. 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:08.659 Jesus says, 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:10.079 either I'm your highest priority, 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.740 I'm your Lord, 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.759 or something else is. 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:15.720 You can't accept Jesus as King in some areas of your life, 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:17.720 but not King in other areas of your life. 00:22:18.159 --> 00:22:21.039 You can't love Jesus supremely as Lord of all, 00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.539 in just half of your life, 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:23.500 but not the other half. 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.839 Jesus says, 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.740 you can't sit on the fence. 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.720 You have to make a decision. 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:30.599 Are you going to accept me and the claims I make to be Lord and King of all? 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:33.240 Or are you going to be part of the rebellion and reject me? 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.720 And Jesus says that it has huge, 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.619 huge consequences. 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.880 What are you going to do with Him? 00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:40.080 As the wonderful Christmas carol says, 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:43.140 long lay the world in sin and error pining, 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:46.120 until He appeared and the soul felt its worth. 00:22:46.540 --> 00:22:47.380 A thrill of hope, 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:49.260 the weary world rejoices, 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:52.060 for yonder breaks a new and glorious moor. 00:22:52.520 --> 00:22:54.600 So fall on your knees. 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.240 Welcome Him as King. 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:58.420 Christ the King has come to bring hope, 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.460 so fall on your knees. 00:22:59.560 --> 00:23:00.260 Receive Him. 00:23:00.760 --> 00:23:01.680 Don't sit on the fence. 00:23:02.760 --> 00:23:03.880 Here's the second implication. 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:07.460 This is maybe a bit more applicable for a young church like us, 00:23:07.520 --> 00:23:08.380 full of young adults. 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:10.720 Be careful who you marry. 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:11.540 Okay? 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.520 Very practical. 00:23:12.820 --> 00:23:13.660 Be careful who you marry. 00:23:15.320 --> 00:23:17.060 Notice what Jesus doesn't say here. 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.580 When Jesus says, 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.240 verse 35, 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:20.940 I've come to set man against his father, 00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:21.880 daughter against mother, 00:23:22.040 --> 00:23:24.320 and a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 00:23:25.040 --> 00:23:26.560 No in Scripture does Jesus say, 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:28.460 I've come to set husband against wife. 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.200 Right? 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.700 He doesn't ever say that. 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:31.640 Why? 00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:33.900 You don't get to choose your parents. 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.860 You don't get to choose your siblings. 00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:37.620 But you do get to choose your spouse. 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:41.860 And the Bible assumes that Christians, 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:44.940 those who have rebelled against the rebellion, 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:48.360 those who have joined the ranks of the kingdom of the redeemed, 00:23:48.840 --> 00:23:51.100 prioritize Jesus above all else, 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:55.080 and will make a decision to unite themselves in one flesh 00:23:55.080 --> 00:23:56.819 with someone who has the same values. 00:23:56.819 --> 00:24:00.039 Someone who also has made Christ king and Lord 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:01.480 and is living for his glory. 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.679 Friends, 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:05.039 Jesus Christ can renew an entire home. 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:07.000 And we've seen it tons of times in the church. 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:07.839 A husband, 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:10.019 a wife together decide to follow Jesus. 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:11.799 It's the most wonderful thing. 00:24:11.879 --> 00:24:13.700 God turns the whole atmosphere, 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:15.119 the culture of the home around. 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:17.819 As husband and wife together choose to follow Jesus 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:19.519 and parent their kids and align with him. 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.220 It's the most wonderful thing. 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.279 But friends, 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:24.160 we've also seen households torn apart. 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:27.440 As one person wants to follow Jesus 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.420 and the other doesn't. 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:33.279 And one person wants to submit and surrender to him 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.879 and the other wants to ridicule Jesus. 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.500 And so friends, 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:39.119 do you see why we are so clear in the Bible's teaching? 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.960 Those who love and follow Jesus 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:44.259 should take care to unite yourself in marriage 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:46.279 to someone who shares your same values. 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:47.480 Okay. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.279 Why did Jesus came? 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:51.240 Jesus came as the rescuing king, 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.119 the great redeemer, 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.859 to call us back from the rebellion 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:55.500 into the kingdom of the redeemed, 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:58.539 to restore lasting peace between God and man. 00:24:58.899 --> 00:25:00.319 And those who respond to him 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:02.180 will experience that thrill of hope 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:04.579 and new mourning breaking in their lives. 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.619 Those who refuse him 00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:07.579 will find themselves in eternal, 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.899 never-ending conflict 00:25:08.899 --> 00:25:10.480 between God and man. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:11.740 And so friends, 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:13.200 Jesus draws a lie in the sand. 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.099 And he says, 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:15.019 where do you stand? 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.619 Where do you stand? 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:18.639 Are you going to make peace with the world 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:19.960 and end up an enemy of God? 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:20.840 Well, 00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:22.180 are you going to receive Christ as king 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:23.220 and receive his peace? 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:25.600 Even if that means enmity with God. 00:25:26.380 --> 00:25:27.940 Everything hinges on that decision. 00:25:28.780 --> 00:25:29.640 Where do you stand? 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:30.900 Okay. 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:31.880 Thirdly and finally, 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:33.380 how to find lasting peace. 00:25:33.640 --> 00:25:34.660 How to find lasting peace. 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:34.900 Now, 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:37.120 how can this Christmas 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:38.020 we find deep, 00:25:38.280 --> 00:25:38.680 genuine, 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.580 lasting peace? 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:40.560 Not just the peace that 00:25:40.560 --> 00:25:42.160 is there for a holiday season 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:44.080 or the peace for a weekend. 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:45.679 How do we find deep, 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.939 lasting peace 00:25:46.939 --> 00:25:49.139 in the midst of the hardship 00:25:49.139 --> 00:25:50.039 and the storms 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:51.220 and the chaos of life, 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:52.740 in the midst of tragedy 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.720 and difficulty? 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.859 How do we find 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.500 a deep, 00:25:55.699 --> 00:25:56.359 lasting peace 00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:57.439 that abides 00:25:57.439 --> 00:25:59.419 through the difficulties of life? 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.859 In this passage, 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.899 Jesus tells us how. 00:26:02.419 --> 00:26:03.159 But the answer 00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:04.740 is actually counterintuitive. 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.699 Because Jesus says 00:26:06.699 --> 00:26:07.740 that if you want to find 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.839 lasting peace, 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.240 the secret is 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.619 don't try and find peace. 00:26:12.439 --> 00:26:13.459 Jesus says here 00:26:13.459 --> 00:26:15.119 that in order to experience 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:16.459 deep and lasting peace, 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.619 you've got to give up 00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:18.519 trying to find peace. 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:20.159 Look at how he says it. 00:26:20.239 --> 00:26:21.319 What do I mean? 00:26:21.399 --> 00:26:22.579 Look what he says in verse 38. 00:26:23.159 --> 00:26:24.919 Whoever does not take up his cross 00:26:24.919 --> 00:26:25.919 and follows me 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:27.319 is not worthy of me. 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:29.319 Whoever finds his life 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.259 will lose it. 00:26:30.679 --> 00:26:32.119 Whoever loses his life 00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:33.099 for my sake 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:34.319 will find it. 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.359 Friends, 00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:35.839 in the Bible, 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.599 we are told again and again 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.539 that Jesus' kingdom 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.459 is upside down 00:26:39.459 --> 00:26:40.359 and counterintuitive. 00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:42.000 The Bible tells us 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.699 that the way up 00:26:42.699 --> 00:26:43.859 is to go down. 00:26:44.399 --> 00:26:45.419 The way to find life 00:26:45.419 --> 00:26:46.719 is to give away your life. 00:26:47.199 --> 00:26:48.159 The way to be great 00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:49.179 is to become nothing. 00:26:49.919 --> 00:26:51.579 The kingdom of heaven 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.259 belongs to those 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.079 who are poor in spirit. 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.659 Jesus says that 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:55.639 the least are the greatest 00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:56.439 and the blessed 00:26:56.439 --> 00:26:57.319 are those that mourn. 00:26:57.939 --> 00:26:58.659 In the Bible, 00:26:59.119 --> 00:26:59.719 God's kingdom 00:26:59.719 --> 00:27:00.799 is upside down 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.639 and counterintuitive. 00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:03.079 And Jesus says 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.819 the same thing here. 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.479 He says those who do 00:27:05.479 --> 00:27:06.699 everything in their life 00:27:06.699 --> 00:27:07.959 to make life work, 00:27:07.959 --> 00:27:09.119 to get ahead of life, 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.799 to succeed, 00:27:09.939 --> 00:27:11.279 to make life a success 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.339 will end up being 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:13.119 the biggest losers. 00:27:13.919 --> 00:27:14.579 Those who want 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.519 to make life great 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.619 will end up being 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.859 the biggest losers. 00:27:18.379 --> 00:27:18.679 Friends, 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.539 Jesus Christ, 00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:20.339 we'll come to that 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:20.959 quote a little later, 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.899 Jesus Christ says 00:27:21.899 --> 00:27:22.899 that the way to find 00:27:22.899 --> 00:27:24.139 true and lasting peace 00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:25.359 is not by going 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.479 on silent retreats. 00:27:26.939 --> 00:27:27.699 It's not by 00:27:27.699 --> 00:27:28.839 a more manageable 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:30.339 work-life balance schedule. 00:27:30.719 --> 00:27:32.059 It's not by escaping 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:33.699 the pressures of life, 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:35.379 trying to control 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:36.000 your schedule, 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.659 get your kids 00:27:36.659 --> 00:27:37.459 into the right school, 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.639 get the perfect spouse. 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:39.700 We're trying to get 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.800 everything under control. 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.280 Those things are good 00:27:42.280 --> 00:27:42.640 and fine, 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.560 but all they'll give you 00:27:43.560 --> 00:27:44.520 is a brief respite, 00:27:45.300 --> 00:27:46.620 a few weeks of quietness. 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:47.940 And when the storms 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.960 of life come again, 00:27:49.040 --> 00:27:50.500 it will rock your world. 00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:52.259 The way to find 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.520 deep and lasting peace 00:27:53.520 --> 00:27:54.259 in the midst 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.040 of the storms 00:27:55.040 --> 00:27:56.560 is by coming 00:27:56.560 --> 00:27:57.759 to the Prince of Peace 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.180 himself. 00:27:59.120 --> 00:27:59.360 You see, 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.680 peace is not a commodity 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.920 that you can download 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:02.740 from an app 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:04.060 or buy off the shelf 00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:05.900 or get from an ATM. 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:08.340 Peace is deeply personal. 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:10.160 It's deeply relational. 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:12.560 It's found in relationship 00:28:12.560 --> 00:28:13.700 with the Prince 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.540 of Peace himself. 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.860 Tony Renko said it like this. 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.840 Separated from Christ, 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:17.800 there is no grace 00:28:17.800 --> 00:28:18.680 for the Christian life. 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:20.540 United to Christ, 00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:21.460 there is full 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:22.259 and free access 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.640 to the full riches 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.200 of Christ 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.920 who is the fountain 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:27.180 of all grace. 00:28:28.340 --> 00:28:28.600 Friends, 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.320 peace is found 00:28:29.320 --> 00:28:30.180 in being united 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:31.960 with Christ himself 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.720 by surrendering to him. 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.960 And Jesus says here 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:36.160 that the way 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:37.079 to find lasting peace 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:38.039 is not by stepping 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:39.079 off the incessant 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:40.519 treadmill of a busy life. 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:42.100 It's actually to walk 00:28:42.100 --> 00:28:42.880 on a different path 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:43.319 altogether, 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:45.240 to do life differently, 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:46.860 to walk with Jesus 00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:47.500 as king, 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:49.480 to surrender to him. 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.059 Jesus says 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:52.039 this is a narrow path, 00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:52.880 a difficult path. 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:53.940 It's the path 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.779 that leads to life. 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.799 And so what Jesus 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.180 says here, 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:56.680 verse 39, 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.140 whoever finds his life 00:28:58.140 --> 00:28:58.779 will lose it 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.660 and whoever loses 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.660 his life for my sake 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:01.440 will find it. 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.240 Jesus is saying 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:02.940 whoever seeks 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:03.960 to control their life 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:05.080 will actually find 00:29:05.080 --> 00:29:05.980 that it's out of control. 00:29:06.660 --> 00:29:07.380 Whoever seeks 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:08.500 to idolize peace 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.600 will find that peace 00:29:09.600 --> 00:29:10.500 is like grasping 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.299 after the wind. 00:29:11.580 --> 00:29:12.420 You'll never get it. 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:14.400 Those who let go 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.340 of trying to be 00:29:15.340 --> 00:29:16.340 their own God, 00:29:16.820 --> 00:29:18.059 those who surrender 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.779 and let go 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:20.059 of trying to be 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.740 their own king, 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:22.039 those who come to God 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.620 and their needs 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.840 will find that the God 00:29:23.840 --> 00:29:24.620 of the universe, 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.980 the one who has come 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:27.580 to us and for us 00:29:27.580 --> 00:29:28.160 at Christmas 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:29.840 will come to us 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:31.160 with his peace. 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.740 And we'll infuse 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.440 our anxious 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.500 and weary hearts 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.480 with the peace 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.299 that is not from 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.940 this world 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:38.180 but a peace 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:39.539 that comes from above. 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:40.700 So friends, 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.500 don't seek peace 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.360 in and of itself. 00:29:43.080 --> 00:29:43.779 Seek Christ. 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.299 He'll give you the peace 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:45.980 that only comes 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.720 from knowing him. 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:47.880 So friends, 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.460 what about you? 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.900 How have you come 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.279 to him? 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.480 Jesus, 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.220 the Prince of Peace? 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.880 Have you given up control? 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.700 Have you surrendered? 00:29:57.840 --> 00:29:58.340 Have you said, 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:58.660 Jesus, 00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.559 come and be king 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.559 of every area 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.200 of my life? 00:30:02.320 --> 00:30:02.500 Friends, 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.100 are you still trying 00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.940 to hold on to life? 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.000 Hold on to control? 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.640 Manage your life? 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.259 You'll never find peace. 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.799 The way to find 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.820 deep and lasting peace 00:30:10.820 --> 00:30:11.420 is to actually 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.200 get on your knees, 00:30:12.860 --> 00:30:13.880 to open up your hands 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:14.960 and say, 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.220 okay, 00:30:15.320 --> 00:30:15.640 Jesus, 00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:17.180 have your way. 00:30:17.820 --> 00:30:19.120 Here's Douglas O'Donnell 00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:19.420 again. 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:19.759 He says, 00:30:20.100 --> 00:30:20.920 the biggest gainers 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.519 in this world 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.559 turn out to be 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.340 the biggest losers. 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:25.059 But if you are willing 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:26.140 to come to Jesus 00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:26.680 as king 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:27.720 and give him your life, 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.240 saying, 00:30:28.320 --> 00:30:28.980 here's my life, 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.200 Lord, 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.160 it's all yours. 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:30.920 I'll go where you 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:31.720 would have me go. 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.759 I'll do what you 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.400 would have me do. 00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:34.480 I'll give what you 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.160 would have me give. 00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:36.480 I will suffer what you 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.220 would have me suffer. 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:37.799 Then, 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:38.980 and this is the beautiful 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.180 irony of the kingdom life, 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:42.000 then you will find life, 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.220 true life, 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.960 life in this life, 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:46.380 and true reward 00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:47.819 in the life to come. 00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:49.160 Let's pray together. 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:52.000 Lord Jesus, 00:30:52.340 --> 00:30:54.860 we know that you 00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:55.580 have come to 00:30:55.580 --> 00:30:56.759 bring true peace, 00:30:57.060 --> 00:30:58.360 peace between God 00:30:58.360 --> 00:30:58.759 and man, 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.440 peace in our hearts, 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:02.279 not just to make the world 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:03.120 slightly nicer 00:31:03.120 --> 00:31:03.540 and better 00:31:03.540 --> 00:31:04.320 and more kinder. 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:05.620 God, 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.320 for all of us, 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:07.160 we confess 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:08.180 that there is 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.360 the natural tendency 00:31:09.360 --> 00:31:10.080 for the rebellion 00:31:10.080 --> 00:31:10.779 in our hearts. 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:11.900 Jesus, 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.460 come and bring 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.220 your lasting peace, 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:13.600 I pray. 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.540 Come and help us 00:31:15.540 --> 00:31:16.100 to surrender, 00:31:16.840 --> 00:31:17.540 help us to join 00:31:17.540 --> 00:31:18.600 the ranks of the redeemed, 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.659 to rebel against 00:31:19.659 --> 00:31:20.179 the rebellion 00:31:20.179 --> 00:31:21.939 and to come 00:31:21.939 --> 00:31:22.819 and surrender to you. 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:25.740 Christ Jesus, 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.740 we need you. 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.159 Lord, 00:31:28.199 --> 00:31:28.619 we confess 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:29.439 that it's hard 00:31:29.439 --> 00:31:31.019 and so help us, 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:31.279 God. 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.240 Lord, 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.000 where there's a wrestle 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.659 in our hearts, 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:35.059 where there's a storm 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.980 going on in our hearts, 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:37.619 whether to yield to you 00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:39.039 or to keep control 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:39.699 of our own lives, 00:31:40.459 --> 00:31:41.099 give us faith, 00:31:41.179 --> 00:31:41.599 we pray, 00:31:42.439 --> 00:31:43.219 in your wonderful 00:31:43.219 --> 00:31:44.619 and gracious name. 00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:45.579 Amen.