WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.099 --> 00:00:15.060 Turn with me this morning to Luke 17. 00:00:16.519 --> 00:00:19.240 It's our last Sunday in Luke for a while. 00:00:21.400 --> 00:00:23.539 Just letting you groan or something. 00:00:23.780 --> 00:00:24.800 Nobody's going to cry. 00:00:25.460 --> 00:00:28.859 We're going to jump just for a little while to the Old Testament this summer. 00:00:28.859 --> 00:00:34.079 See the gospel of grace in some of those great stories that we love. 00:00:35.019 --> 00:00:41.200 But this morning, this passage at the end of Luke 17 has a little bit of everything. 00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:44.659 And it can be a bit confusing as you get into it. 00:00:45.420 --> 00:00:47.600 Jesus redirects Pharisees. 00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:49.579 He quotes Proverbs. 00:00:50.739 --> 00:00:53.079 He discusses some Old Testament characters. 00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:55.500 He even looks forward and talks about end times. 00:00:55.500 --> 00:01:02.679 But he's responding here to a question about the kingdom of God. 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:12.280 Now, we need to know what he says about the kingdom of God because that's our vision as a church is to advance the kingdom of God, right? 00:01:12.620 --> 00:01:15.439 So, Jesus, we really need to know what that means. 00:01:15.939 --> 00:01:17.159 What it's all about. 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:27.819 I think it's helpful before we read this passage together to give you a little background that may help parts of it make a bit more sense to you as we read it. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:37.439 In the Bible, the kingdom of God is wherever Yahweh is worshipped, trusted, and obeyed. 00:01:37.579 --> 00:01:39.840 Where his reign is active. 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:43.019 And people submit to him as king. 00:01:43.019 --> 00:01:51.539 So, we as a church, in seeking to advance the kingdom of God, are doing that in our hearts, in our lives. 00:01:51.739 --> 00:01:52.759 Here and everywhere. 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:56.519 People more and more trusting and following the king. 00:01:56.659 --> 00:01:58.159 That's what we're about. 00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:04.120 That phrase, kingdom of God, is also used then to talk about eternity. 00:02:04.479 --> 00:02:10.560 When the rule and reign of Yahweh will be fully and finally established, right? 00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:17.140 Where he's perfectly obeyed and worshipped and trusted in the new heavens, the new earth. 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:20.479 The prophets talk a lot about these days. 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:28.280 And Daniel, in particular, explains that the Son of Man, this glorious divine figure, 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:34.159 will reign with God the Ancient of Days in an everlasting kingdom. 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:38.359 That's Daniel 7, the Son of Man. 00:02:38.520 --> 00:02:41.500 He's the king who comes for that everlasting kingdom. 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:43.859 Daniel 7, great to read later. 00:02:44.259 --> 00:02:46.840 Really important to know for this morning. 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:48.439 The Son of Man is the king. 00:02:50.120 --> 00:02:54.340 So, when those days come that the prophets talk about looking forward to, 00:02:54.599 --> 00:02:58.039 when the king returns to be enthroned forever, 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:02.599 perhaps the most notable theme of everything in the Old Testament about it, 00:03:02.840 --> 00:03:07.539 is that that day is both a joyful one and a fearful one. 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:14.459 It's a day of judgment as well as a day of salvation at the same time. 00:03:15.340 --> 00:03:17.219 When that eternal kingdom comes, 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:20.019 those who have refused to submit to Yahweh, 00:03:20.019 --> 00:03:23.479 to bow the knee and trust and follow the king, 00:03:23.579 --> 00:03:24.399 will be punished. 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:26.740 On the other hand, 00:03:27.200 --> 00:03:29.099 those who have suffered much, 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:30.960 but who are aligned with the king, 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:35.000 will find rescue and rest in his victory. 00:03:36.080 --> 00:03:38.500 A day of judgment and salvation. 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:40.240 A day of separation. 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:42.900 Destinies being settled. 00:03:44.420 --> 00:03:50.219 In fact, we see at times this eternal kingdom break into human history. 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:52.860 And we get a taste of that reality, 00:03:52.860 --> 00:03:54.000 of that separation. 00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:57.260 Think, for example, of Noah and the ark. 00:03:57.560 --> 00:03:58.980 You may know that story. 00:03:59.420 --> 00:04:02.240 But judgment comes on the wicked, right? 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:04.060 Many are destroyed. 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:07.640 And yet, those inside the ark are rescued, 00:04:07.960 --> 00:04:08.740 miraculously, 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:10.240 from the flood. 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:12.759 God's people saved. 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:14.180 His enemies destroyed. 00:04:15.819 --> 00:04:19.000 It doesn't happen catastrophically like that often. 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:21.220 But you can think of, for instance, 00:04:21.220 --> 00:04:23.199 the entrance into the promised land. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:29.300 Idolatrous nations tasting the inbreaking of that eternal judgment, right? 00:04:30.139 --> 00:04:32.060 And God's people delivered. 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:36.099 Or you could think of Sodom and Gomorrah, 00:04:36.699 --> 00:04:39.879 tasting God's righteous wrath on their sin, 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:42.180 while Lot, who is also a sinner, 00:04:42.620 --> 00:04:44.839 is spared by God's grace. 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:51.939 Sometimes the eternal kingdom shows up in moments like that in the present. 00:04:53.379 --> 00:04:58.500 Which, by the way, helps us some with understanding some of those really tough passages 00:04:58.500 --> 00:05:01.419 and what is God doing in these moments of judgment. 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:05.400 But whether you side with the true king or not, 00:05:05.640 --> 00:05:09.580 leads to two extremely different outcomes. 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:11.920 Devastating judgment 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:15.220 or glorious salvation 00:05:15.220 --> 00:05:18.120 at the kingdom of God's coming. 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:20.620 Let's read what Jesus says 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:22.399 and then we'll pray together. 00:05:22.819 --> 00:05:24.079 You'll see we need His help 00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:24.819 always 00:05:24.819 --> 00:05:25.920 and especially 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:28.399 today as we look at this passage. 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:30.360 Luke 17 at verse 20. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:31.579 This is God's Word. 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:35.060 Being asked by the Pharisees 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:37.000 when the kingdom of God would come, 00:05:37.399 --> 00:05:38.379 He answered them, 00:05:38.839 --> 00:05:42.459 The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, 00:05:43.060 --> 00:05:43.839 nor will they say, 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:44.919 Look, here it is, 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:45.839 or there. 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:49.519 For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:52.279 And He said to the disciples, 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:55.419 The days are coming when you will desire to see 00:05:55.419 --> 00:05:57.139 one of the days of the Son of Man 00:05:57.139 --> 00:05:58.519 and you will not see it. 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:00.479 And they will say to you, 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:01.560 Look there! 00:06:01.700 --> 00:06:02.879 Or look here! 00:06:03.900 --> 00:06:06.040 Do not go out or follow them. 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:08.160 For as the lightning flashes 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:09.220 and lights up the sky 00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:10.640 from one side to the other, 00:06:11.200 --> 00:06:13.700 so will the Son of Man be in His day. 00:06:14.660 --> 00:06:17.160 But first He must suffer many things 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:19.420 and be rejected by this generation. 00:06:20.460 --> 00:06:22.220 Just as it was in the days of Noah, 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:24.800 so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 00:06:25.520 --> 00:06:27.439 They were eating and drinking and marrying 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:28.680 and being given in marriage 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:30.680 until the day when Noah entered the ark 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:32.319 and the flood came 00:06:32.319 --> 00:06:33.759 and destroyed them all. 00:06:35.139 --> 00:06:37.319 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot, 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:38.620 they were eating and drinking, 00:06:38.780 --> 00:06:39.660 buying and selling, 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:40.840 planting and building. 00:06:41.340 --> 00:06:43.579 But on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, 00:06:43.900 --> 00:06:46.000 fire and sulfur rained from heaven 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:47.480 and destroyed them all. 00:06:48.280 --> 00:06:49.660 So will it be on the day 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:51.259 when the Son of Man is revealed. 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:54.899 On that day let the one who is on the housetop 00:06:54.899 --> 00:06:55.939 with his goods in the house 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:57.839 not come down to take them away. 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:00.139 And likewise let the one who is in the field 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:01.139 not turn back. 00:07:01.860 --> 00:07:03.240 Remember Lot's wife. 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:06.379 Whoever seeks to preserve his wife, 00:07:06.719 --> 00:07:08.099 his life, will lose it. 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:11.500 But whoever loses his life will keep it. 00:07:12.719 --> 00:07:13.939 I tell you in that night 00:07:13.939 --> 00:07:15.360 there will be two in one bed. 00:07:15.719 --> 00:07:17.360 One will be taken and the other left. 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:19.620 There will be two women grinding together. 00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:21.780 One will be taken and the other left. 00:07:22.340 --> 00:07:23.540 And they said to him, 00:07:23.780 --> 00:07:24.680 Where, Lord? 00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:26.939 He said to them, 00:07:27.019 --> 00:07:28.019 Where the corpse is. 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:30.000 There the vultures will gather. 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:32.079 Let's pray. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:37.860 Father, we do ask for your help. 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:40.899 We want to understand. 00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:44.139 But more than that, Father, 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:46.079 we want to know 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:49.340 this message that you have for us. 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:52.720 Jesus, we need to know more of you 00:07:52.720 --> 00:07:53.800 and we want to know 00:07:53.800 --> 00:07:55.699 what you speak of so clearly 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:56.699 and directly 00:07:56.699 --> 00:07:57.939 and so, Holy Spirit, 00:07:58.040 --> 00:07:59.000 would you teach us 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:01.439 that we might know things 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:03.699 that are too lofty 00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:05.199 for us to understand on our own. 00:08:05.300 --> 00:08:08.120 We cry out for your help. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.459 Would you teach us 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:12.060 and would you change us? 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:14.780 In Jesus' name, 00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:16.000 Amen. 00:08:18.280 --> 00:08:20.160 Let's walk through this passage 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:21.639 together this morning, 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:22.500 the one we just read, 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:24.139 to understand 00:08:24.139 --> 00:08:25.740 the significant things 00:08:25.740 --> 00:08:26.600 Jesus is saying 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:28.120 and then we'll take a few minutes 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:29.300 to talk about 00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:30.120 what it means 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:31.379 for us. 00:08:32.700 --> 00:08:33.919 Jesus begins here 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:35.639 by saying to the Pharisees, 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:36.919 the kingdom 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:38.659 may look different 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:40.799 from what you expect. 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:43.340 The Pharisees ask 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:44.639 when the kingdom is coming 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:46.100 and Jesus says 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:47.100 the kingdom of God 00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:48.019 is not coming 00:08:48.019 --> 00:08:49.220 with signs 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:50.519 to be observed, 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:52.259 nor will they say, 00:08:52.419 --> 00:08:53.299 look, here it is 00:08:53.299 --> 00:08:54.299 or there, 00:08:54.539 --> 00:08:55.279 for behold, 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:56.419 the kingdom of God 00:08:56.419 --> 00:08:58.399 is in the midst of you. 00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:01.139 See, the Pharisees 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:01.899 were one group 00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:03.759 among many at the time 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:05.480 who taught and believed 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:07.059 that the kingdom of God, 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:08.080 when it showed up, 00:09:08.299 --> 00:09:08.840 there were going to be 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:10.319 some really easy things 00:09:10.319 --> 00:09:10.799 to notice 00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:11.720 among which, 00:09:11.819 --> 00:09:12.819 probably most prominent, 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:13.840 was the Romans 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:15.000 were going to be defeated 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:16.580 and driven out 00:09:16.580 --> 00:09:17.779 and so the power 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:18.500 and prestige 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.480 of the Jews 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:21.019 was going to flourish 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:22.059 in some really 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:23.879 tangible, exciting ways. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:25.080 They were looking forward 00:09:25.080 --> 00:09:25.600 to that, 00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:27.120 looking for signs 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:28.000 that that was happening 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:30.519 and perhaps not seeing them 00:09:30.519 --> 00:09:31.299 the way they'd hoped. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:34.199 And when they say when, 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:35.699 Jesus says, 00:09:35.939 --> 00:09:37.840 let me clear something up 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:38.279 for you. 00:09:39.439 --> 00:09:40.399 You're looking 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:42.159 for the wrong thing. 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:44.319 God's kingdom 00:09:44.319 --> 00:09:46.279 is not tied to 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:48.259 or dependent upon 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:50.659 any political power 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:51.439 or party. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:54.819 God's kingdom 00:09:54.819 --> 00:09:56.439 is not tied to 00:09:56.439 --> 00:09:57.980 or dependent upon 00:09:57.980 --> 00:10:00.279 any political power 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:01.279 or party, 00:10:01.579 --> 00:10:02.120 then or now. 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:05.039 It doesn't look like 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:05.899 God's people 00:10:05.899 --> 00:10:07.779 increasing earthly success 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:11.199 or social influence 00:10:11.199 --> 00:10:12.379 that they have per se. 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:14.240 It's more about 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:15.100 God's people 00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:15.939 individually 00:10:15.939 --> 00:10:17.720 and corporately 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:19.679 submitting to the king, 00:10:20.059 --> 00:10:21.480 embodying the values 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:22.480 and the priorities 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:24.100 of the king. 00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:25.779 And friends, 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:26.699 I think if we 00:10:26.699 --> 00:10:28.500 want to see society impacted, 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:30.000 if we're confused 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.120 about political power, 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:32.039 we've got a lot 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:32.759 to work on 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:33.360 just right there, 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:33.720 don't we? 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:35.259 A lot that will have 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:36.240 a big influence 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:37.519 in our society 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:38.580 when we work on 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:40.360 embodying the king's 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:41.539 values and priorities, 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:42.279 submitting to him 00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:42.919 ourselves. 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:46.000 Beyond that kind of 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:46.919 redirection 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:48.139 of the Pharisees, 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:49.940 Jesus seems to be saying 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:50.620 in some ways 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:52.139 the kingdom is already here. 00:10:52.539 --> 00:10:53.500 The kingdom of God 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:54.860 is in the midst of you. 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:55.240 I mean, 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:55.759 after all, 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:56.740 the king is here, 00:10:56.819 --> 00:10:57.080 right? 00:10:58.220 --> 00:10:59.500 Jesus came preaching 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:00.819 the kingdom of heaven 00:11:00.819 --> 00:11:01.740 is at hand. 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:04.220 That's been the message. 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:06.399 But in looking for 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:07.620 the kind of signs 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:08.960 that they wanted to see, 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:11.159 the Pharisees were missing 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:12.799 the glorious signs 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:14.039 that the king was bringing. 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:16.980 Outsiders welcomed in. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:19.399 Sick, healed. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:22.220 Poor having good news 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.240 preached to them. 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:24.259 This is what the kingdom 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:25.120 is going to be, right? 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:27.919 Don't miss it, 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:28.740 Jesus says. 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:32.000 But then I love 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:33.439 how Jesus comforts 00:11:33.439 --> 00:11:35.240 and helps his followers 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:36.639 in this next section. 00:11:36.819 --> 00:11:37.980 He turns to them 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:39.220 and what he says to them 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:40.120 is so much what 00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:41.759 we need to hear 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:42.759 because we live 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.419 in between 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:44.879 Jesus' two comings, 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:45.360 don't we? 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:46.519 That's where 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:48.019 we find ourselves 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:49.279 in the course of history. 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:50.179 He's come once 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:51.960 but he's coming again. 00:11:52.439 --> 00:11:53.240 And so we live 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:54.179 where his kingdom 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:55.759 is already here 00:11:55.759 --> 00:12:00.559 and not yet here fully. 00:12:01.859 --> 00:12:03.299 We feel this every day, 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:03.719 don't we? 00:12:04.859 --> 00:12:06.500 Sin is defeated 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:08.919 but it's still fighting against us. 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:11.559 Satan is conquered 00:12:11.559 --> 00:12:14.279 but he's still prowling around 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:15.839 and seeking to devour. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:18.439 The curse has been reversed 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:19.559 but we still look around 00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:21.019 and see evidence of it everywhere. 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:23.879 creation is still longing 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.939 to be restored 00:12:24.939 --> 00:12:26.519 to what God created it 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:27.620 to be. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:30.759 And so as we live there, 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:31.740 Jesus says, 00:12:32.079 --> 00:12:32.919 don't fear. 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:34.879 Listen, 00:12:35.079 --> 00:12:36.860 when the kingdom comes 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:39.019 fully and finally, 00:12:39.699 --> 00:12:40.819 it may look different 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:41.960 from what you expect. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:45.059 But you won't miss the king 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:48.019 when he returns to reign. 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:50.399 The days are coming, 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:52.000 he says to his disciples, 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:53.699 when you will desire 00:12:53.699 --> 00:12:55.439 to see one of the days 00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.500 of the Son of Man 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.919 and you will not see it. 00:12:58.220 --> 00:13:00.259 When you will long 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:02.879 to see the king come 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:04.419 and to be in those days 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:05.559 where everything's made 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:07.480 the way it's supposed to be. 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:10.199 In your suffering and pain 00:13:10.199 --> 00:13:11.279 as Jeremy led us 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:13.419 in acknowledging this morning, 00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:15.259 as you cry out, 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:17.179 you'll long for the day 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:17.960 when that full 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:19.860 and final rescue comes 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:22.340 and you won't see it. 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:24.740 You'll still ache. 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:29.159 Jesus says we're going to be 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:30.500 living in the in-between 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:32.200 and he knows 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:33.679 it's going to be hard for us. 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:36.159 And when it is, 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.439 when we're struggling, 00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:39.019 when it's hard, 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.439 people will say, 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:42.240 look there 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:43.819 or look here. 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:46.080 Do not go out 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:47.200 or follow them 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:48.720 for as the lightning flashes 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:49.820 and lights up the sky 00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:51.120 from one side to the other, 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:52.820 so will the Son of Man 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:54.420 be in his day. 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:56.500 You won't miss the king. 00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:57.220 No one will 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:59.540 when he returns to reign. 00:13:59.680 --> 00:14:01.000 So don't let your focus 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:03.100 be distracted from Jesus. 00:14:04.280 --> 00:14:05.420 People will offer you 00:14:05.420 --> 00:14:06.700 easier ways. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.000 People will offer you 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:10.080 paths of life 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:11.300 that avoid suffering. 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:13.680 People will tell you 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:14.359 there's hope 00:14:14.359 --> 00:14:15.459 somewhere else. 00:14:15.739 --> 00:14:16.939 You're crazy to wait 00:14:16.939 --> 00:14:17.739 for Jesus. 00:14:18.939 --> 00:14:21.439 Don't you believe it, 00:14:22.079 --> 00:14:22.899 Jesus says. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.919 You remember 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:27.339 that though the kingdom 00:14:27.339 --> 00:14:30.339 is here only in seed form, 00:14:30.739 --> 00:14:32.199 it's not yet 00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:33.159 what it will be. 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:35.699 And so in the distress 00:14:35.699 --> 00:14:36.639 and difficulty 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:38.479 of living in the not yet, 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:40.439 cling to Jesus 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:41.920 peace and hope 00:14:41.920 --> 00:14:42.980 in him. 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:46.420 I was pulling weeds 00:14:46.420 --> 00:14:47.560 last week 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:48.880 under the shade 00:14:48.880 --> 00:14:50.420 of a beautiful 00:14:50.420 --> 00:14:52.340 Japanese maple tree 00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:53.440 in our front yard. 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:54.620 It turns these 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:56.640 beautiful orange colors 00:14:56.640 --> 00:14:58.180 and it's grown 00:14:58.180 --> 00:14:59.060 just in the few years 00:14:59.060 --> 00:14:59.980 that we've been in the house 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:01.260 all over the place. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.420 It's got some branches 00:15:02.420 --> 00:15:03.000 that hang out 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:03.820 over the front yard 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.860 and some spread up 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.420 onto the roof 00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:06.080 of the house 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:07.120 and every year 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:07.980 it seems like branches 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.060 sprout up in a new 00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:10.019 in different direction. 00:15:10.979 --> 00:15:12.199 And so keeping cool 00:15:12.199 --> 00:15:12.919 under that shade, 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:14.099 I'm pulling up weeds 00:15:14.099 --> 00:15:14.979 in the flower bed 00:15:14.979 --> 00:15:16.339 and I really easily 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:17.979 plucked up this little sprig 00:15:17.979 --> 00:15:19.399 and I looked down 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:20.219 to see what it was. 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:20.919 You know what I was holding 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:21.679 in my hand? 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.719 A Japanese maple. 00:15:24.859 --> 00:15:26.079 Right there in my hand. 00:15:26.119 --> 00:15:26.579 I looked at it. 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.879 It had a stump, 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:28.699 you know, 00:15:28.739 --> 00:15:29.259 as it were. 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:31.479 It had some leaves 00:15:31.479 --> 00:15:32.339 that sure enough 00:15:32.339 --> 00:15:34.219 were Japanese maple leaves. 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:35.579 Little sprigs 00:15:35.579 --> 00:15:37.159 of branches on it. 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:38.319 everything 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:39.980 that you needed 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.039 to be a real 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.360 Japanese maple tree 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.679 right there 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:45.259 in the palm of my hand. 00:15:46.339 --> 00:15:48.419 It was already 00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:49.500 a Japanese maple 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:52.259 but one day, 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.600 not yet, 00:15:54.079 --> 00:15:54.860 it will look 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:56.799 very, very different. 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:58.899 What fit in my hand 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.699 will be taller 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:01.240 than our house 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:04.980 if it survives 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:05.899 extreme weather 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.940 and severe storms 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:10.159 and careless gardeners 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:11.519 who pull them up? 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.740 And that's a bit like 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.919 living in the already 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:17.399 and not yet 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.299 of the kingdom. 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:20.960 All the essential properties 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:21.820 of the kingdom 00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:22.680 are here 00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:23.960 but there are days 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:25.539 of smallness, 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:28.120 of dryness, 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:30.500 windy days 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:32.120 where you're sure 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.200 that the kingdom 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:34.340 is never going to come 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:34.899 in its fullness 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:36.500 and if it ever does 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.519 you sure won't be able 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.159 to hang in there 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.120 until it comes. 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:44.019 But it's much more certain 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:45.220 that the kingdom 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:45.860 is coming 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.639 in its fullness 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.360 than the growth 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.639 of my little Japanese 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.799 maple tree 00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:50.600 in my hand. 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.139 Jesus says, 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.080 I know it's hard, 00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.779 I know it looks 00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:56.700 bleak some days, 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:58.340 I am coming back, 00:16:58.540 --> 00:16:59.020 the kingdom 00:16:59.020 --> 00:17:00.300 will come, 00:17:00.420 --> 00:17:01.620 I've got you. 00:17:02.900 --> 00:17:03.340 So, 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:05.259 don't let suffering 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.840 cause you 00:17:06.840 --> 00:17:08.700 to lose hope. 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.539 After all, 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.340 you're not the only one 00:17:13.340 --> 00:17:13.819 who suffers, 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:16.180 the king must suffer too, 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:16.440 right? 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.319 Verse 25, 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:20.660 first, 00:17:21.100 --> 00:17:22.100 he must suffer 00:17:22.100 --> 00:17:23.160 many things 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.660 and be rejected 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:26.519 by this generation. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.100 It's the way 00:17:28.100 --> 00:17:28.900 the kingdom works, 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:29.319 isn't it? 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.299 Not the way 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.220 the Pharisees 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.080 or the disciples 00:17:32.080 --> 00:17:33.019 perhaps would have 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.620 planned it, 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.900 but the seed 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:36.360 must fall to the ground 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:37.440 and die 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.980 before it grows. 00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:40.559 There's a cross 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.900 coming before 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.799 the crown 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:44.039 even and especially 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:45.460 for the king. 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.240 Here we are again. 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.140 Jesus, 00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.240 remember where we are 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:50.580 in Luke, 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.160 marching 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.680 toward Jerusalem, 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:53.880 intent 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:55.140 on going 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.220 to the cross 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.420 to die 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.880 and wanting 00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:00.200 us to understand 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.480 how utterly 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:03.600 essential it is 00:18:03.600 --> 00:18:05.259 that he do that. 00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:06.460 He must 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.980 suffer. 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.680 We can expect 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:12.100 similar struggles 00:18:12.100 --> 00:18:13.560 to come for us 00:18:13.560 --> 00:18:14.360 while we wait 00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:15.460 for our king 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.240 to come again. 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:17.240 So, 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.160 keep hoping 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:18.920 in him 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:20.600 and in his promised 00:18:20.600 --> 00:18:21.600 return. 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.240 He's coming. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:25.599 Then Jesus 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:26.279 turns to some 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.039 of those Old Testament 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:27.599 examples 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:28.400 that we've already 00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:28.920 mentioned 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:30.779 to say in a few 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.839 different ways, 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.660 but come what may, 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.059 no matter how bad 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.660 it gets, 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.539 don't get so 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.519 preoccupied 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.339 with your life 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.839 that you are 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.660 unprepared 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:43.299 for the return 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.900 of the king. 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.620 See, 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.099 nothing 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:48.259 could be more 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:48.779 important 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.400 than being prepared, 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:52.019 than being ready, 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:54.019 for the kingdom. 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.099 And there are 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:55.859 many things 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:56.819 every day 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:58.059 calling our attention 00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:59.379 away from that. 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.259 He gives these 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.099 examples so we 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:01.559 understand. 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.539 Verse 26, 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:03.740 just as it was 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.599 in the days of Noah, 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:05.579 so will it be 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.099 in the days 00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:07.119 of the Son of Man. 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:08.420 They were eating 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.180 and drinking 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:10.000 and marrying 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.720 and being given 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.460 in marriage 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:12.599 until the day 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.319 when Noah 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.039 entered the ark 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:14.819 and the flood 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.480 came and destroyed 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:15.879 them all. 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:17.740 They were doing 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:19.220 normal things, 00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:19.519 right? 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.720 Good things. 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:22.920 but not 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.559 trusting 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.759 the king, 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.240 not prepared 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.400 for when the 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:27.819 kingdom 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.920 broke into 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.880 their world. 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.339 Most of them 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:33.579 received judgment 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.980 rather than 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.500 salvation. 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.420 Same with 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.220 Sodom and 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:38.600 Gomorrah. 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.440 Verse 28, 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.200 likewise, 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.299 just as it was 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.299 in the days of Lot, 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.160 they were eating 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.680 and drinking, 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.660 buying and selling, 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.759 planting and building, 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:46.960 but on the day 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.480 when Lot 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.180 went out from 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.680 Sodom, 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.160 fire and sulfur 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.340 rained from heaven 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:52.299 and destroyed 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:52.920 them all. 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.279 So will it be 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:55.299 on the day 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.500 when the Son of Man 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.100 is revealed. 00:19:58.360 --> 00:19:58.779 Again, 00:19:58.920 --> 00:19:59.220 good, 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.940 normal stuff 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.779 to be doing, 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.840 except 00:20:03.840 --> 00:20:04.860 they hadn't 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:06.000 prepared themselves 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:07.539 for the king 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:09.019 and the kingdom 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:10.440 comes suddenly. 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.820 Unmistakably, 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.440 you see it, 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.019 inescapably, 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:16.799 you can't avoid it, 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:18.399 but normal life 00:20:18.399 --> 00:20:19.220 is interrupted 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:20.359 by sudden 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:21.399 destruction. 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.619 And it's disaster 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:24.399 for those who 00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:25.299 don't know the king, 00:20:25.379 --> 00:20:25.759 isn't it? 00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:28.720 So be ready, 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:29.940 Jesus says. 00:20:31.419 --> 00:20:31.919 How? 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.599 By trusting Jesus 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:36.059 and treasuring 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.700 him above 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.659 all else. 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:38.639 Verse 31, 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.099 on that day, 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:40.759 let the one 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.740 who's on the housetop 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.720 with his goods 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.220 in the house 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.220 not come down 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.220 to take them away 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.220 and likewise 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:46.720 let the one 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.539 who's in the field 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.779 not turn back. 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:51.220 Remember Lot's wife. 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.680 Whoever seeks 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:54.500 to preserve his life 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.700 will lose it, 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.440 but whoever loses 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.120 his life 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:58.000 will keep it. 00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.559 Don't look back 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.200 for anything 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.799 that's been left there 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:02.140 and think, 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:02.559 oh, 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.559 I need that. 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.940 That's what's most important. 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:05.620 That's what I'm 00:21:05.620 --> 00:21:06.480 hanging on to. 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:06.880 It's something 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:07.579 in my house. 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.079 It's the crops 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.620 I have. 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:11.319 That's what keeps me safe. 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.019 I need to make sure 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:12.900 I take them with me. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.879 What did Lot's wife do? 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:18.460 She looked back 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:20.000 against God's command 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.119 as they were 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:22.279 leaving Sodom 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.720 and instead of being 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.519 rescued, 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.000 she becomes 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.379 a pillar 00:21:27.379 --> 00:21:28.720 of salt. 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:31.139 Anything that 00:21:31.139 --> 00:21:32.359 makes up this life, 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.480 even life itself, 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:36.279 pales in comparison 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:37.460 to eternal life 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.660 with Jesus. 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:41.980 If I asked you today, 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.640 what's your heart 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.259 set on? 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:46.480 What are you longing 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:46.920 for? 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:48.460 What do you most want? 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.560 Would Jesus 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.779 and his kingdom 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.480 come to mind? 00:21:52.340 --> 00:21:52.920 Be honest. 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:55.820 Where's your heart 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:56.160 set? 00:21:56.820 --> 00:21:57.540 Is it on him? 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.759 Or is it distracted 00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.800 from the king 00:21:59.800 --> 00:22:01.500 by other things 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.920 that you love 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.759 and you long for 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.940 just a little bit more? 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.360 Listen to Jesus. 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:10.779 There's a great 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.720 separation coming. 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.140 I tell you 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:15.040 in that night 00:22:15.040 --> 00:22:15.779 there will be 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.840 two in one bed. 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.259 One will be taken 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.640 and the other left. 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.120 There will be 00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:21.620 two women 00:22:21.620 --> 00:22:22.600 grinding together. 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.360 One will be taken 00:22:24.360 --> 00:22:26.060 and the other 00:22:26.060 --> 00:22:27.140 left. 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.140 A day where 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:30.320 two people are sleeping, 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:32.200 two people are working, 00:22:33.800 --> 00:22:34.200 otherwise 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:36.220 very similar people 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.640 receive very 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:39.380 different destinies. 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.660 Upon what basis? 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.920 Are they prepared 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:45.100 for trusting 00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:46.960 in the king? 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.160 Don't tell yourself 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:50.319 you'll think about it later. 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:52.299 Don't say other things 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.440 are more important. 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.299 Don't let the busyness 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.140 of life, 00:22:56.600 --> 00:22:58.140 lots of good things 00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:58.680 to do, 00:22:59.019 --> 00:23:00.019 keep you from 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.299 prioritizing 00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:02.299 eternity. 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:02.440 busy. 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.680 Because Jesus 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.299 will return 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:05.899 suddenly 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:07.259 in the midst 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.299 of that normal 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:09.539 busy life 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.539 and you must 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:12.039 be prepared. 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.500 Perhaps 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.539 taken aback 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.639 or not wanting 00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:18.279 to miss out 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:19.759 again on any of this, 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:20.659 the disciples 00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.180 ask, 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:21.839 where? 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.279 And Jesus 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.799 says, 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.099 where the corpse 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:26.639 is, 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.099 there the 00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:28.779 vultures 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.599 will gather. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:32.480 Now, 00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.179 in some ways 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:33.639 that's not a 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:34.059 particularly 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.939 complicated 00:23:34.939 --> 00:23:35.879 proverb to 00:23:35.879 --> 00:23:36.480 understand. 00:23:36.719 --> 00:23:37.159 He's saying 00:23:37.159 --> 00:23:37.939 you'll see it, 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.500 you won't miss it, 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:39.879 you'll be able 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:40.359 to look up 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.039 from where you are 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:42.079 and find out 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.939 what's going on, 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:44.159 but there's lots 00:23:44.159 --> 00:23:44.839 of ways to say 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.079 that, 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:45.419 aren't there? 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.319 This is Jesus 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:47.980 in a very 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:49.079 pointedly 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.740 serious 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:51.179 way 00:23:51.179 --> 00:23:52.399 saying it's 00:23:52.399 --> 00:23:52.859 coming 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.599 and you'll 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.099 see it 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:55.399 and death 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:56.980 will be there. 00:23:58.439 --> 00:23:58.939 There will be 00:23:58.940 --> 00:24:00.019 death around 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.920 and you'll 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:02.019 notice it. 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.180 Be warned! 00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:07.140 So that's a summary 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:07.860 of what Jesus 00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:08.640 is teaching 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:10.660 in this passage. 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:11.960 God's kingdom 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.779 may look different 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.960 from what you expect, 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.259 but you won't 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.039 miss the king 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.080 when he returns 00:24:17.080 --> 00:24:17.779 to reign, 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:19.000 so don't let 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.080 suffering cause 00:24:20.080 --> 00:24:20.880 you to lose 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:21.340 hope. 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:22.360 After all, 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.180 the king must 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.480 suffer too, 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:26.799 but come what may, 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.799 don't get so 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.779 preoccupied 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.700 with your life 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.920 that you're 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.539 unprepared 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.379 for the return 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:33.759 of the king. 00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:36.059 That's pretty 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:36.740 direct talk, 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.119 isn't it? 00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:38.859 You know, 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.359 as I was 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.639 pondering 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.680 this week 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.039 Jesus 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:43.680 speaking to us 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.420 this directly 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.420 and this clearly, 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:47.440 it began 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.299 to have 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.039 this weight 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.960 on my heart. 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.519 What's Jesus 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.259 trying to say 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.599 to us? 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.379 I looked back 00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:54.200 to the end 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:55.000 of Luke 9, 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:56.099 seems like 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.759 a long time 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.079 ago. 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.139 The end 00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:58.639 of Luke 9 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:58.919 is where 00:24:58.919 --> 00:24:59.679 Jesus tells 00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.359 us he set 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:00.899 his face 00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:01.639 to Jerusalem. 00:25:02.659 --> 00:25:03.059 He said, 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.539 I'm going 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.500 to the cross 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.419 and everything 00:25:05.419 --> 00:25:06.199 starts to head 00:25:06.199 --> 00:25:06.919 in that direction. 00:25:07.179 --> 00:25:07.859 For us 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:08.720 here at Southwood, 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.220 that's been 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:09.919 really this 00:25:09.919 --> 00:25:10.639 entire school 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.879 year that 00:25:11.879 --> 00:25:12.319 we've been 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:13.439 following Jesus 00:25:13.439 --> 00:25:14.339 as he teaches 00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:15.319 about the kingdom 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.279 on the way 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.079 to the cross. 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.359 And for some 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:19.679 reason, 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.480 for the first 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.460 time this week, 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.000 it kind of 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:24.099 sunk in to me 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:25.439 that I seem 00:25:25.439 --> 00:25:26.159 to be talking 00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:28.439 about eternity 00:25:28.439 --> 00:25:28.980 a lot. 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:30.619 Heaven 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:32.240 and hell 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.740 and eternal 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.500 significance 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:36.000 and being ready 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:37.079 and it's come 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:37.959 up over and over 00:25:37.959 --> 00:25:38.539 and I look back 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.039 and sure enough, 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:39.719 that's what Jesus 00:25:39.719 --> 00:25:40.539 has been talking 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:40.879 about. 00:25:41.219 --> 00:25:41.859 It's interesting, 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:42.399 isn't it, 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:43.939 that as he makes 00:25:43.939 --> 00:25:44.679 his way to the 00:25:44.679 --> 00:25:46.299 cross to die 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.159 for immortal 00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:47.939 souls, 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.419 that these issues 00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:50.319 of eternity 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:51.319 keep being 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:52.399 pressed in 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.180 to us. 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:53.720 He doesn't 00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:54.259 want anybody 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.040 to miss it. 00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.000 Over and over 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.500 he gathers 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.060 his followers 00:25:57.060 --> 00:25:57.800 around and says, 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.860 listen to me. 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.120 There's something 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:01.240 you can't miss 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.640 here. 00:26:02.600 --> 00:26:03.200 It's on his 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.600 heart for us. 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.820 Just in these 00:26:05.820 --> 00:26:06.560 few chapters 00:26:06.560 --> 00:26:07.200 we've walked 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.440 through, 00:26:07.540 --> 00:26:08.259 he said things 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.540 like, 00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:10.019 we must repent 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:11.780 or we too 00:26:11.780 --> 00:26:12.580 will perish. 00:26:13.860 --> 00:26:14.320 That there's a 00:26:14.320 --> 00:26:15.320 place of weeping 00:26:15.320 --> 00:26:16.280 and gnashing 00:26:16.280 --> 00:26:16.980 of teeth 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.580 for some 00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.580 while others 00:26:18.580 --> 00:26:19.440 feast at the 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.519 banquet of God. 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:21.840 A banquet 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.639 where a lot 00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:23.199 of religious 00:26:23.199 --> 00:26:23.959 insiders 00:26:23.959 --> 00:26:24.799 are not 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.359 actually going 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:25.980 to be present 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.579 although they 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.539 expect to be. 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.039 But actually 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.519 you must be 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.199 willing to leave 00:26:31.199 --> 00:26:32.059 everything else 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:32.980 in order to 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.779 follow him. 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.339 He even put 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:36.919 words in the 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.459 mouth of a 00:26:37.459 --> 00:26:38.139 rich man 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:39.379 warning everyone 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:40.220 he loved about 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.000 the seriousness 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.859 of eternity. 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.740 How many 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.459 times have I 00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:46.079 stood up here 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.500 and said, 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.480 this is really 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.220 weighty. 00:26:49.939 --> 00:26:50.819 We must 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.659 really consider 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.279 eternity. 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:53.980 We must 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.600 repent and 00:26:54.600 --> 00:26:55.040 embrace 00:26:55.040 --> 00:26:55.540 Jesus. 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.600 Y'all, 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.640 please, 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:04.180 please hear 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:04.980 the call 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.800 of Jesus. 00:27:06.540 --> 00:27:07.220 He's speaking 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.519 clearly and 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:10.160 seriously and 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:11.380 lovingly to 00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:11.680 you. 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.640 It's a 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.360 drum that he 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:15.600 continues to 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:15.779 beat. 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.500 He's not 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.300 mincing words. 00:27:17.600 --> 00:27:18.000 He's saying, 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.940 trust me 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.740 today. 00:27:22.860 --> 00:27:23.680 Here's what 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:23.940 God's 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.400 particularly 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:24.920 been putting 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:25.279 on my 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:26.460 heart in 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:26.820 light of 00:27:26.820 --> 00:27:27.080 this. 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:28.100 We've been 00:27:28.100 --> 00:27:29.120 watching Jesus 00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:30.299 and what I'll 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:30.799 call the 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:32.660 sober passion 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.519 that he has 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.660 for bringing 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.360 this eternity 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:36.059 in front of 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:37.180 everyone who's 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.860 around him. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.420 As he 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.259 pleads with 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.160 people passionately, 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:42.720 I was asking 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.279 myself, 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.859 do I share 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:46.000 Jesus' 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.619 sober passion? 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.480 This passage 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.839 really drove it 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.519 home for me. 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:53.220 Let me say it to 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.779 you this way. 00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:56.139 There's an 00:27:56.139 --> 00:27:57.220 eternal separation 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.039 coming with 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:59.160 two different 00:27:59.160 --> 00:27:59.899 outcomes that 00:27:59.899 --> 00:28:01.240 couldn't possibly 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.839 be further 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.339 apart. 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:04.819 One of 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.160 eternal 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:05.740 destruction 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:07.180 and one 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:07.859 of everlasting 00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.539 glory. 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.460 And two 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.120 spouses 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:12.799 sharing the 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:13.440 same bed 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.039 for a few 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:15.160 years will 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:15.579 go to 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:15.980 different 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.680 places 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.700 forever. 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:21.039 And two 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.880 people working 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.980 in the same 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.220 office building 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.819 on the 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:25.339 arsenal 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:27.460 will be 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.579 apart from 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:29.140 each other 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:30.339 for all of 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:30.859 eternity. 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:32.079 And two 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:33.620 moms playing 00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:34.059 with their 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:35.519 kids on 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:35.900 the same 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.480 playground 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:37.740 won't play 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.099 together 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:38.500 again. 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.839 And two 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.680 students 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.740 sitting in 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:45.279 the same 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.180 classroom on 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:46.559 the same 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.559 campus for a 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.339 whole semester 00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.279 will spend 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:50.779 eternity in 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.740 two different 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.599 places. 00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:54.119 And two 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:54.920 people sitting 00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.680 shoulder to 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:56.220 shoulder in 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.799 the same 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.839 church pew 00:28:57.839 --> 00:28:58.799 week after 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.440 week and 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:00.059 year after 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.920 year will 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:01.539 do that 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.940 apart from 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:03.480 each other 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.720 for eternity. 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:07.480 And that 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:07.879 has to 00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.359 break our 00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:08.920 hearts. 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.460 It's not a 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.000 reality we 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.779 like to talk 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.480 about a lot 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:15.139 but it's also 00:29:15.139 --> 00:29:15.940 not one Jesus 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.619 is unclear 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.099 on. 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.019 Does it 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.480 break your 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:19.940 heart? 00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:24.720 Who comes 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.200 to mind 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:25.440 mind for 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:25.700 you? 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:35.100 Is that 00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:35.799 not why God 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.259 has us 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:36.480 here? 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.519 Isn't that 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:38.980 why he's put 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.259 you in 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:39.660 Huntsville? 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:41.940 In your 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.360 house? 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:42.779 In your 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.160 neighborhood? 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:43.600 In your 00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:44.000 workplace? 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.680 With your 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:45.980 friends? 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.080 Are we as 00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:48.799 committed to 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.779 eternal souls 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.539 and eternal 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.559 realities as 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.559 Jesus is? 00:29:54.419 --> 00:29:55.159 All the 00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:55.799 examples of 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.119 God's 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:56.639 destruction 00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:57.440 coming on 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.000 many with 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:59.039 a few being 00:29:59.039 --> 00:29:59.919 rescued are 00:29:59.919 --> 00:30:00.799 sobering but 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.700 perhaps none 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.139 more than 00:30:02.139 --> 00:30:03.179 Lot's wife. 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.599 Because she 00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.559 reminds us that 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.839 nearness to 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.679 kingdom people 00:30:08.679 --> 00:30:09.379 does not 00:30:09.379 --> 00:30:10.099 equal 00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:11.639 preparation 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.519 for the 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:12.799 kingdom. 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.299 She was 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.399 walking right 00:30:15.399 --> 00:30:15.899 there with 00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:16.859 those who 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:17.220 were being 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:18.019 rescued and 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:19.200 found herself 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.599 not. 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.399 There are 00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:20.980 family, 00:30:21.699 --> 00:30:22.279 friends, 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.740 others we 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.159 would call 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:25.039 loved ones. 00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:25.980 And y'all I 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.599 think every 00:30:26.599 --> 00:30:27.179 neighbor is 00:30:27.179 --> 00:30:27.559 supposed to 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.079 be a loved 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.659 one, yes? 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:32.500 Do we 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.699 really actively 00:30:33.699 --> 00:30:35.119 love them? 00:30:36.879 --> 00:30:37.519 It's not 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.019 merely about 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:38.439 wanting to 00:30:38.439 --> 00:30:39.159 spend eternity 00:30:39.159 --> 00:30:39.839 with them, 00:30:39.899 --> 00:30:40.539 although that's 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.240 sweet and 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.599 desirable, but 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:43.659 wanting them to 00:30:43.659 --> 00:30:44.480 spend eternity 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.819 with Jesus. 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.279 Pastor Peter, 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:49.759 when we were 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.539 talking about 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.180 this passage 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:51.819 this week, 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.519 said what 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:52.960 comes to 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:53.319 mind for 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:53.920 him is are 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.599 we soul 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.099 conscious? 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.960 I love 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.220 that. 00:30:58.379 --> 00:30:59.000 Consider for 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.559 a minute how 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.720 you think of 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.740 and treat the 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.539 people in 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.079 your life. 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:03.680 Are they 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:04.180 merely a 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:04.700 means to 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.139 an end 00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:05.799 for you? 00:31:06.899 --> 00:31:07.660 Ways to be 00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:08.119 entertained? 00:31:09.639 --> 00:31:10.259 Someone who 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:10.779 can care for 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.319 your kids, 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.460 an avenue for 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.559 you to get 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:15.639 food or make 00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.940 money or pass 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:17.660 the time? 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.720 Is that 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.660 what people 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.560 are some 00:31:20.560 --> 00:31:21.160 days for 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.400 you? 00:31:21.840 --> 00:31:22.360 Or do you 00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:22.860 think of 00:31:22.860 --> 00:31:23.740 them as 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:25.259 eternal souls? 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:26.960 Do you 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:27.940 consider their 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:29.259 eternal destiny? 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:29.840 Are you 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:31.400 soul conscious? 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:35.000 Now listen, 00:31:35.060 --> 00:31:35.420 that doesn't 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:35.940 mean that we 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:36.540 all need to 00:31:36.540 --> 00:31:37.000 go rent 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.940 megaphones 00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:38.980 this afternoon, 00:31:39.540 --> 00:31:40.200 drive around 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:40.800 Huntsville 00:31:40.800 --> 00:31:41.800 announcing heaven 00:31:41.800 --> 00:31:42.560 and hell to 00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:43.540 everyone within 00:31:43.540 --> 00:31:44.120 earshot. 00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:45.480 It doesn't 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:45.900 have to look 00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:46.380 like that. 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:47.940 It also 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.660 doesn't mean 00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:48.920 that we 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:49.340 get to put 00:31:49.340 --> 00:31:49.980 on headphones 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.640 and start 00:31:51.640 --> 00:31:52.200 going through 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:52.740 life, 00:31:53.360 --> 00:31:54.160 oblivious to 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:54.840 everyone around 00:31:54.840 --> 00:31:55.220 us, 00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.680 driving by, 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.640 missing eternal 00:31:58.640 --> 00:31:59.640 souls all around 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:00.519 you every day, 00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:01.680 forgetting the 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.900 priority of 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:03.880 Jesus for 00:32:03.880 --> 00:32:04.759 each of them, 00:32:05.100 --> 00:32:05.860 for each of 00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:06.460 us. 00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:07.600 Al Eller 00:32:07.600 --> 00:32:08.340 prayed last 00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:08.560 week, 00:32:08.820 --> 00:32:09.560 people need 00:32:09.560 --> 00:32:10.380 the Lord, 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.180 and he said, 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.240 Jesus, I need 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:12.600 you. 00:32:12.860 --> 00:32:13.400 This is not 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:13.980 us versus 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:14.460 them. 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:16.140 This is 00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:17.180 all of us 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:17.640 together 00:32:17.640 --> 00:32:18.340 needing 00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:19.360 Jesus. 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:24.960 So what 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.299 do we do? 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.200 If our 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:26.700 hearts start 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.279 beating with 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:27.980 this same 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:29.220 passion that 00:32:29.220 --> 00:32:30.100 Jesus has, 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:31.279 what do we 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:31.539 do? 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:32.980 You know, 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.500 it's interesting, 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:34.460 there's one 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:35.240 specific thing 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:35.840 we're told to 00:32:35.840 --> 00:32:36.279 do, and 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:37.140 it's to pray 00:32:37.140 --> 00:32:38.640 persistently. 00:32:39.620 --> 00:32:40.200 It's the next 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:40.900 verse actually, 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.759 chapter 18, 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.539 it's a passage 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.279 connected to 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.180 this one still, 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:45.500 Jesus tells a 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:45.900 parable, 00:32:46.360 --> 00:32:46.700 the first 00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:47.259 verse says, 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.120 to teach 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:48.860 them, in 00:32:48.860 --> 00:32:49.240 light of all 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.819 these things, 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:50.420 that they 00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:51.500 ought always 00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:52.519 to pray, 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:54.220 and never 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:54.880 to give up. 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:58.019 For someone 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:58.539 who's on your 00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:58.819 heart, 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:01.539 for people you 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.360 haven't met yet, 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:03.079 or you'll be 00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:03.779 with this week, 00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:06.759 we must be 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:08.039 on our knees 00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:08.880 for our 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:09.160 neighbors. 00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:09.340 prayers. 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.600 If you need 00:33:11.600 --> 00:33:12.000 somewhere to 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.460 start, take 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.220 this prayer 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:13.660 guide, and 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:14.279 the very 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.160 first item 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:15.980 this week, 00:33:16.100 --> 00:33:16.540 pray for 00:33:16.540 --> 00:33:17.100 specific 00:33:17.100 --> 00:33:17.779 opportunities 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.620 to engage 00:33:18.620 --> 00:33:19.360 meaningfully 00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:20.180 with those 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:20.500 in your 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:20.920 neighborhood 00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:21.380 who do 00:33:21.380 --> 00:33:21.759 not know 00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:22.180 Jesus. 00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.600 There's one 00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:23.940 if you need 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.340 something to 00:33:24.340 --> 00:33:25.100 pick, pray 00:33:25.100 --> 00:33:25.820 that this 00:33:25.820 --> 00:33:26.620 week, and 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.000 then don't 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.880 stop praying. 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:28.560 Keep 00:33:28.560 --> 00:33:29.140 praying 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:30.120 persistently. 00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:31.220 I don't know 00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:31.820 anything better 00:33:31.820 --> 00:33:32.660 than praying 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:33.540 for someone 00:33:33.540 --> 00:33:34.480 to help lead 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:35.019 our hearts 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.740 toward loving 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:36.160 them 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:37.900 intentionally. 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:39.779 Don't be 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.700 preoccupied 00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:41.440 with your 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:41.800 life. 00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:42.320 If you get 00:33:42.320 --> 00:33:43.279 preoccupied 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:44.259 with something, 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:44.880 let it be 00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:45.360 with giving 00:33:45.360 --> 00:33:45.960 others a 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.460 taste of 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:46.960 the kingdom, 00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:47.960 showing them 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.660 the love 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.480 of King 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:49.860 Jesus. 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:50.440 How can I 00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:51.019 love them? 00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:51.620 How can we 00:33:51.620 --> 00:33:51.920 get more 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.759 time together? 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:54.940 Some of us 00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:55.480 are very well 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.180 trained at this 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:56.960 point to say, 00:33:57.380 --> 00:33:58.340 oh, I don't 00:33:58.340 --> 00:33:58.600 want to make 00:33:58.600 --> 00:33:59.000 somebody a 00:33:59.000 --> 00:34:00.200 project to 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:00.860 treat them as 00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:01.160 though they're 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:01.880 just something 00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:02.640 I can use to 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:03.120 get a feather 00:34:03.120 --> 00:34:04.040 in my Christian 00:34:04.040 --> 00:34:04.620 cap. 00:34:04.619 --> 00:34:06.259 Y'all, 00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:07.099 that's true, 00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:07.679 but can I 00:34:07.679 --> 00:34:08.079 be honest 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.480 with you? 00:34:09.719 --> 00:34:10.440 That's just 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:11.380 by and large 00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:11.819 not our 00:34:11.819 --> 00:34:12.219 problem. 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:15.339 Talking about 00:34:15.339 --> 00:34:16.299 Jesus too 00:34:16.299 --> 00:34:17.099 much with 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.619 other people. 00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:19.900 When you 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.480 have two of 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:20.940 your friends 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.500 come to me 00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:22.139 and complain 00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:22.719 that you 00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:23.199 won't leave 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:23.619 them alone 00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:24.219 about Jesus 00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:24.559 and you 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:25.199 keep sharing 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:25.659 your heart 00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:26.339 about eternity 00:34:26.339 --> 00:34:26.940 with them, 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:27.940 then we'll 00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.859 talk about 00:34:28.859 --> 00:34:29.480 that problem. 00:34:31.659 --> 00:34:32.380 Let's not 00:34:32.380 --> 00:34:33.079 hide behind 00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:33.440 that. 00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:36.599 avoid loving 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.699 people intentionally 00:34:37.699 --> 00:34:39.480 and sharing 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.019 with them 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:41.359 the hope 00:34:41.359 --> 00:34:42.239 of our 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:42.579 Savior. 00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:44.759 Last thing, 00:34:44.799 --> 00:34:45.239 we get to do 00:34:45.239 --> 00:34:45.539 that with 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.139 great joy. 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:47.539 What's so 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:48.299 exciting about 00:34:48.299 --> 00:34:48.659 this? 00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:49.619 It's because I 00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:50.219 could berate 00:34:50.219 --> 00:34:50.880 you and say, 00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:52.099 leave here with 00:34:52.099 --> 00:34:53.299 a guilt trip 00:34:53.299 --> 00:34:54.119 that you should 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:55.059 do this more 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:55.839 and if you 00:34:55.839 --> 00:34:56.259 don't, 00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:56.920 your friends 00:34:56.920 --> 00:34:57.440 and neighbors 00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.019 will go to 00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:58.380 hell. 00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:00.259 Y'all, 00:35:00.319 --> 00:35:00.759 what's the 00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:01.799 one thing 00:35:01.800 --> 00:35:02.660 that must 00:35:02.660 --> 00:35:03.180 be done 00:35:03.180 --> 00:35:04.680 to secure 00:35:04.680 --> 00:35:05.660 their eternity? 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:07.160 There's one 00:35:07.160 --> 00:35:07.580 thing that's 00:35:07.580 --> 00:35:07.980 required 00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:09.340 and it's 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:09.900 not on your 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:10.300 list. 00:35:10.600 --> 00:35:10.860 What did 00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:11.660 Jesus tell us? 00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:12.640 One thing 00:35:12.640 --> 00:35:13.300 that must 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:13.760 happen, 00:35:15.240 --> 00:35:16.560 he must 00:35:16.560 --> 00:35:17.880 suffer 00:35:17.880 --> 00:35:19.440 and be 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:19.940 rejected. 00:35:20.800 --> 00:35:22.300 He must 00:35:22.300 --> 00:35:23.180 go to the 00:35:23.180 --> 00:35:23.780 cross 00:35:23.780 --> 00:35:25.240 and he 00:35:25.240 --> 00:35:26.380 has 00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.560 done it. 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.060 It's 00:35:29.060 --> 00:35:29.560 finished. 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:31.620 All that's 00:35:31.620 --> 00:35:31.940 needed 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:32.940 to secure 00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:33.740 your eternity, 00:35:34.860 --> 00:35:35.700 my eternity 00:35:35.700 --> 00:35:36.580 and that 00:35:36.580 --> 00:35:37.140 of your 00:35:37.140 --> 00:35:37.740 neighbors, 00:35:38.820 --> 00:35:39.240 Jesus 00:35:39.240 --> 00:35:40.160 has 00:35:40.160 --> 00:35:40.760 done 00:35:40.760 --> 00:35:41.260 and so 00:35:41.260 --> 00:35:41.680 we get 00:35:41.680 --> 00:35:42.000 to go 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.400 not with 00:35:42.400 --> 00:35:42.740 intense 00:35:42.740 --> 00:35:43.220 pressure 00:35:43.220 --> 00:35:44.019 but with 00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:45.160 great joy 00:35:45.160 --> 00:35:46.600 to tell 00:35:46.600 --> 00:35:47.480 them about 00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.019 a Savior 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:49.060 who loves 00:35:49.060 --> 00:35:49.780 them and 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:50.240 has died 00:35:50.240 --> 00:35:50.640 for them. 00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:51.260 It's why 00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:51.740 we keep 00:35:51.740 --> 00:35:52.500 pointing each 00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.440 other to 00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:53.860 Him. 00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:54.539 As we 00:35:54.539 --> 00:35:55.039 wait in 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:55.300 every 00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:55.960 circumstance 00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:56.619 for Him 00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:57.320 to return, 00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:59.159 we remember 00:35:59.159 --> 00:35:59.880 that the 00:35:59.880 --> 00:36:00.519 hard work 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.340 to secure 00:36:01.340 --> 00:36:01.820 eternity 00:36:01.820 --> 00:36:02.280 has been 00:36:02.280 --> 00:36:02.739 done. 00:36:03.800 --> 00:36:04.280 It's 00:36:04.280 --> 00:36:04.619 over. 00:36:05.559 --> 00:36:06.059 So we 00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:06.599 exhale. 00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:08.519 So we 00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:09.460 rest in 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:10.019 hope. 00:36:11.659 --> 00:36:12.019 And so 00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:13.400 we rejoice 00:36:13.400 --> 00:36:14.860 in telling 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:16.039 forth the 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:17.199 glories of 00:36:17.199 --> 00:36:17.760 the eternal 00:36:17.760 --> 00:36:18.820 kingdom and 00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:19.579 the gracious 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:20.719 King to 00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:21.679 everyone, 00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:22.559 everywhere. 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:23.299 Amen? 00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:24.539 Let's 00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:24.759 pray. 00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:30.779 Jesus, 00:36:30.919 --> 00:36:31.199 you have 00:36:31.199 --> 00:36:31.639 given us 00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:32.099 eternal 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:32.500 hope. 00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:35.659 Let us 00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:35.940 see it 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.539 clearly this 00:36:36.539 --> 00:36:36.819 morning. 00:36:41.719 --> 00:36:42.379 And would 00:36:42.379 --> 00:36:42.739 you break 00:36:42.739 --> 00:36:43.339 our hearts 00:36:43.339 --> 00:36:45.440 for the 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:45.899 reality 00:36:45.899 --> 00:36:48.279 of separate 00:36:48.279 --> 00:36:48.960 eternal 00:36:48.960 --> 00:36:49.639 destinies? 00:36:49.639 --> 00:36:51.339 of anyone 00:36:51.339 --> 00:36:51.819 not getting 00:36:51.819 --> 00:36:52.159 to be 00:36:52.159 --> 00:36:52.900 with you 00:36:52.900 --> 00:36:54.659 forever. 00:36:55.299 --> 00:36:55.460 See, 00:36:55.519 --> 00:36:56.139 the glory 00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:56.759 of God 00:36:56.759 --> 00:36:57.079 in the 00:36:57.079 --> 00:36:57.699 face of 00:36:57.699 --> 00:36:58.379 Jesus 00:36:58.379 --> 00:36:58.980 Christ. 00:36:59.239 --> 00:37:01.639 And would 00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:02.259 we long 00:37:02.259 --> 00:37:04.159 that all 00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:04.420 of our 00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:05.059 family and 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:05.319 friends, 00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:05.619 that all 00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.400 of Huntsville, 00:37:06.879 --> 00:37:07.879 that everyone 00:37:07.879 --> 00:37:09.980 we touch 00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:11.299 would be there 00:37:11.299 --> 00:37:11.940 with us 00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:12.980 to know 00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:13.219 Him, 00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:14.900 to glory 00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:15.500 in Him 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:17.059 forever. 00:37:17.059 --> 00:37:17.139 forever. 00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:18.639 We ask 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:18.860 it in 00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:19.299 His name. 00:37:19.659 --> 00:37:19.880 Amen. 00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:24.340 For more 00:37:24.340 --> 00:37:24.840 information, 00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:25.639 visit us 00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:26.559 online at 00:37:26.559 --> 00:37:27.440 southwood.org.