WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.120 Emile Callier was a philosophy professor at Princeton. 00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:10.740 And in his early life, even his early academic life, 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:14.900 he was a consummate materialist, a naturalist. 00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:18.480 In other words, he studied philosophy for a living 00:00:18.480 --> 00:00:23.920 and had rejected all possibility of the supernatural, the transcendent. 00:00:24.080 --> 00:00:26.560 He was more or less an atheist. 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:31.939 And this served him well, this worldview, until World War I. 00:00:33.799 --> 00:00:38.439 And following the horrors of such a war, 00:00:40.420 --> 00:00:43.119 his books, when he came back to them, 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:46.840 didn't sustain him the way they had. 00:00:47.939 --> 00:00:51.960 He found the philosophy that he had built his life on to be empty. 00:00:52.340 --> 00:00:53.879 He found it to be impotent. 00:00:53.880 --> 00:01:00.880 He found it to be incapable of helping him make sense of either the horror that he had seen in the war 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:02.680 or of his own heart and soul. 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:12.200 Then one day, his wife brought home a Bible that she had unintentionally, 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:16.859 sort of almost accidentally acquired at a used bookstore in town. 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:19.760 And here's what he says about it. 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:24.060 And this is after a long period of searching in his life, 00:01:24.620 --> 00:01:26.299 searching and searching and searching, 00:01:27.140 --> 00:01:29.560 and not finding what he was looking for. 00:01:29.640 --> 00:01:29.920 He says, 00:01:29.980 --> 00:01:33.039 I literally grabbed the book and rushed to my study with it. 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:35.879 And he opens to the teachings of Jesus, 00:01:36.019 --> 00:01:39.260 just randomly opens to a place where Jesus is teaching. 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:40.079 And he says, 00:01:40.160 --> 00:01:41.660 I read and I read and I read, 00:01:42.079 --> 00:01:45.620 now aloud with an indescribable warmth surging within. 00:01:46.320 --> 00:01:49.359 I could not find words to express my awe and wonder, 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:52.100 and suddenly the realization dawned upon me, 00:01:52.939 --> 00:01:55.980 this was the book that would understand me. 00:01:57.380 --> 00:01:59.680 I needed it so much, yet unaware, 00:02:00.080 --> 00:02:02.780 I had attempted to write my own in vain. 00:02:02.780 --> 00:02:06.620 The more you spend time reading the Bible, 00:02:06.700 --> 00:02:07.640 and some of you know this, 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:09.920 the more you spend time reading the Bible, 00:02:09.979 --> 00:02:11.960 the more you will find this to be true. 00:02:12.420 --> 00:02:13.960 That the more you read the Bible, 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:16.099 the more it reads you. 00:02:17.979 --> 00:02:20.580 It's the only book out there that the more you read it, 00:02:20.659 --> 00:02:21.920 the more you try to understand it, 00:02:21.939 --> 00:02:26.199 the more you will actually experience it reading you. 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:28.379 And as Callie says, 00:02:28.500 --> 00:02:30.199 explaining you to yourself. 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:34.419 It uncovers things in your heart. 00:02:34.579 --> 00:02:38.259 It illuminates things that you're not aware of, 00:02:38.299 --> 00:02:40.259 that you can't see, that you won't see. 00:02:42.060 --> 00:02:44.819 It sometimes illuminates things that are uncomfortable, 00:02:45.060 --> 00:02:46.479 things that we don't like to admit. 00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:49.299 But the more you read it, 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:51.139 the more you realize it's true. 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:53.459 And one of the places this happens most 00:02:53.459 --> 00:02:55.179 is when you read the parables of Jesus, 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:57.139 because that's what the parables are designed to do. 00:02:57.139 --> 00:02:59.799 They're stories about everyday things, 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:05.560 and yet they reveal deep, profound spiritual truth. 00:03:06.820 --> 00:03:08.460 And so this summer we've been looking at 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:09.680 some of Jesus' parables, 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:11.180 stories about everyday things 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:12.719 and what they reveal. 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:14.740 And tonight we're looking at this parable 00:03:14.740 --> 00:03:16.420 that's commonly referred to 00:03:16.420 --> 00:03:18.280 as the parable of the wicked tenants 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:21.540 in Luke chapter 20, verses 9 to 19. 00:03:21.820 --> 00:03:22.920 So what I want to do tonight 00:03:22.920 --> 00:03:24.740 is to look at a summary of this parable, 00:03:24.860 --> 00:03:26.740 and then we're going to look at what it shows us. 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:27.980 It shows us three things. 00:03:28.260 --> 00:03:30.200 It shows us first our motives, 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:33.379 and then God's heart, 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:35.900 and then lastly Jesus' mission. 00:03:36.080 --> 00:03:38.879 Our motives, God's heart, and Jesus' mission. 00:03:39.020 --> 00:03:41.040 Let's pray for God's guidance in this. 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:45.580 Lord, we gather here tonight 00:03:45.580 --> 00:03:47.100 from all manner of backgrounds 00:03:47.100 --> 00:03:49.140 and assumptions and even beliefs. 00:03:49.139 --> 00:03:53.239 Some of us have given our lives to you 00:03:53.239 --> 00:03:57.239 and endeavor to follow you in faith. 00:03:57.839 --> 00:04:00.099 Lord, others of us here are not sure 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:01.399 what we think about you 00:04:01.399 --> 00:04:02.399 or if you're even there, 00:04:03.019 --> 00:04:05.000 but we know that of all your great promises, 00:04:05.179 --> 00:04:07.179 you've promised to make yourself known 00:04:07.179 --> 00:04:08.500 to those who seek you, 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:10.859 to reveal yourself, 00:04:10.979 --> 00:04:12.599 to speak to us, Lord. 00:04:12.659 --> 00:04:13.859 So we pray that these words 00:04:13.859 --> 00:04:16.199 would be for us your word. 00:04:16.300 --> 00:04:17.279 We pray that that would happen 00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:18.259 by your spirit, Lord, 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:20.239 for our good and for your glory. 00:04:20.719 --> 00:04:22.159 And we ask this in your son's name. 00:04:22.339 --> 00:04:22.619 Amen. 00:04:24.019 --> 00:04:24.819 So first of all, 00:04:24.859 --> 00:04:26.259 let's just summarize this parable. 00:04:26.359 --> 00:04:27.799 It's one that's probably familiar 00:04:27.799 --> 00:04:28.899 to many of you, 00:04:28.979 --> 00:04:30.599 but just to give you a quick summary 00:04:30.599 --> 00:04:32.039 of the context of this parable. 00:04:32.919 --> 00:04:34.699 Jesus presents us with a situation 00:04:34.699 --> 00:04:37.479 that is more or less a common situation 00:04:37.479 --> 00:04:39.399 really then and now. 00:04:39.539 --> 00:04:40.639 Not much has changed 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:41.779 with the kind of arrangement 00:04:41.779 --> 00:04:42.719 that we see here. 00:04:43.099 --> 00:04:45.019 A man buys some land 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:46.439 with his own money 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:48.299 and then he invests in that land 00:04:48.299 --> 00:04:49.919 and he tills the soil 00:04:49.919 --> 00:04:51.199 and he plants vines. 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:55.740 And in another version of this story 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:56.699 in one of the other Gospels, 00:04:56.839 --> 00:04:59.259 we hear that he sets up 00:04:59.259 --> 00:05:00.359 all of the things, 00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:01.899 all of the resources necessary 00:05:01.899 --> 00:05:03.799 to have a fully functioning vineyard 00:05:03.799 --> 00:05:04.699 to produce wine. 00:05:05.079 --> 00:05:06.399 You know, he sets up a wine press 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:07.019 and buildings 00:05:07.019 --> 00:05:07.859 and all, you know, 00:05:07.899 --> 00:05:08.799 storage bins 00:05:08.799 --> 00:05:10.319 and everything that you would need. 00:05:10.419 --> 00:05:11.879 And he sets all this up 00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:13.419 out of his own pocket 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:15.300 and then he brings in, 00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:16.100 as was common, 00:05:16.360 --> 00:05:17.080 tenant farmers 00:05:17.080 --> 00:05:18.699 to work it. 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:20.939 And he goes on a long journey 00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:22.199 to a distant land. 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:23.640 And the relationship 00:05:23.640 --> 00:05:24.800 that the tenant farmers 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:25.920 would have to the owner 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:26.740 is this. 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:27.920 They were paid, 00:05:28.400 --> 00:05:28.640 you know, 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:29.360 sort of an income, 00:05:29.520 --> 00:05:30.200 days' wages 00:05:30.200 --> 00:05:32.639 to work the vineyard. 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:33.879 And yet the vineyard 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:35.120 belonged to the owner. 00:05:36.379 --> 00:05:37.200 And so the expectation 00:05:37.200 --> 00:05:38.100 is that they would 00:05:38.100 --> 00:05:41.020 oversee and care for the vineyard 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:42.560 according to the owner's instructions, 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:43.759 according to his guidance, 00:05:44.500 --> 00:05:46.540 and for his profit. 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:47.300 You know, 00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:48.399 ostensibly, 00:05:48.839 --> 00:05:49.420 we can assume 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:50.180 that the owner hoped 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:50.959 to turn a profit. 00:05:51.519 --> 00:05:52.280 That once he cleared 00:05:52.280 --> 00:05:53.060 all of his overhead, 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:53.860 he would actually make 00:05:53.860 --> 00:05:54.699 some money off this. 00:05:55.340 --> 00:05:56.439 And so the tenants 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:56.980 were there 00:05:56.980 --> 00:05:58.639 to govern 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:00.379 according to his instructions 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:01.840 and for his profit. 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:04.600 And then look what happens. 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:06.980 The owner goes away. 00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:08.439 Harvest time comes. 00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:09.540 The owner sends a servant 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:10.639 to collect some of the fruit. 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:11.399 And what happens? 00:06:11.899 --> 00:06:13.019 They beat the servant 00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:13.819 and they send him back 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:14.339 empty-handed. 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:15.500 And so the owner 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:16.360 sends another servant 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:17.399 and they treat him even worse. 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:18.539 They not only beat him, 00:06:18.579 --> 00:06:19.680 but they treat him shamefully. 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:20.939 We can probably imagine 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:21.500 some of the things 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:22.199 that that would entail. 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:23.719 And they send him back 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:24.439 empty-handed. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:25.360 So the owner sends 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:26.099 a third servant. 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:27.699 And it says 00:06:27.699 --> 00:06:28.439 they wounded him. 00:06:28.479 --> 00:06:29.459 It says that in the English, 00:06:29.620 --> 00:06:30.539 but the Greek word is 00:06:30.539 --> 00:06:32.639 traumatizo. 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:34.439 In other words, 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:35.500 they traumatized him. 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:38.319 And they send him back 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:38.860 empty-handed. 00:06:38.860 --> 00:06:39.480 And the owner says, 00:06:39.580 --> 00:06:40.920 well, surely if I send 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:41.660 my own son, 00:06:41.740 --> 00:06:43.100 they'll listen to my son. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:44.160 And we know how 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:45.139 the story ends. 00:06:45.800 --> 00:06:46.780 When they see the son, 00:06:46.840 --> 00:06:47.879 they realize an opportunity 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:48.639 and they capitalize 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:49.420 on that opportunity 00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:51.060 by taking the son 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:51.639 out of the vineyard 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:52.280 and killing him. 00:06:53.580 --> 00:06:55.120 So Jesus tells this parable 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:57.819 and obviously 00:06:57.819 --> 00:06:59.120 his original listeners 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:00.280 would have been shocked. 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:01.660 It's a pretty appalling story. 00:07:02.460 --> 00:07:02.900 In fact, 00:07:02.960 --> 00:07:03.680 their initial reaction 00:07:03.680 --> 00:07:04.199 is to say, 00:07:04.280 --> 00:07:04.800 heavens no. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:07.579 So what we want to do 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:07.980 is ask, 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:08.759 what did this 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:10.100 originally mean to them? 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:11.600 And then how does this 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:12.680 then apply to us? 00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:13.240 And as I said, 00:07:13.280 --> 00:07:14.139 we're going to ask this 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:14.939 in three headers. 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:15.879 The first of which is, 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:17.220 this story actually 00:07:17.220 --> 00:07:18.139 reveals something 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:20.139 about our motives 00:07:20.139 --> 00:07:21.019 as human beings. 00:07:22.420 --> 00:07:22.620 See, 00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:23.439 on one level, 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:24.540 this was about Israel. 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:26.300 Right? 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:26.800 If you look back 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:27.480 in the Old Testament, 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:28.620 the prophets like 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:30.100 Isaiah, 00:07:30.280 --> 00:07:30.720 Jeremiah, 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:31.600 in the Psalms, 00:07:31.700 --> 00:07:33.020 they refer to, 00:07:33.020 --> 00:07:34.880 Hosea as well, 00:07:34.940 --> 00:07:36.200 they refer to Israel 00:07:36.200 --> 00:07:37.040 as God's vineyard. 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:38.380 So anytime you see 00:07:38.380 --> 00:07:39.320 a reference to a vineyard, 00:07:39.460 --> 00:07:40.220 think Israel. 00:07:41.500 --> 00:07:42.440 And so on one level, 00:07:42.520 --> 00:07:43.840 Jesus is talking about Israel. 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:45.520 The leaders of Israel 00:07:45.520 --> 00:07:46.560 are like the tenants, 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:47.200 the scribes 00:07:47.200 --> 00:07:48.000 and the Pharisees. 00:07:48.580 --> 00:07:49.620 And Jesus is saying this, 00:07:49.700 --> 00:07:50.840 God has blessed Israel. 00:07:50.980 --> 00:07:51.880 God has given Israel 00:07:51.880 --> 00:07:52.360 everything 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:54.660 to make it what it is. 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:55.860 He's provided 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:56.640 for his people. 00:07:57.180 --> 00:07:57.940 And Israel is like 00:07:57.940 --> 00:07:58.340 a vineyard. 00:07:58.440 --> 00:07:59.000 And the leaders 00:07:59.000 --> 00:07:59.860 were supposed to 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:01.319 govern and lead Israel 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:02.920 in accordance with 00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:03.960 God's law, 00:08:04.080 --> 00:08:04.780 his word, 00:08:05.280 --> 00:08:06.520 and for God's glory 00:08:06.520 --> 00:08:07.639 rather than their own 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:09.000 glory, 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:10.180 their own power, 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:12.580 their own prominence. 00:08:13.960 --> 00:08:16.360 And so on one level, 00:08:16.520 --> 00:08:17.720 Jesus is illustrating 00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:18.439 that reality. 00:08:18.540 --> 00:08:19.520 But on a deeper level, 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:20.460 this is actually 00:08:20.460 --> 00:08:21.819 revealing something deep 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:23.379 about all human beings. 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:24.620 And what it's revealing 00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:26.600 is sort of two realities 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:28.139 that clash together 00:08:28.139 --> 00:08:28.840 in our hearts. 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:31.600 Two coexisting truths 00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:32.519 that can't coexist 00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:33.860 and they clash. 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:34.779 And they are this. 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:35.740 First of all, 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:38.720 our life 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:40.620 is meant to be 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:41.379 God's vineyard 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:41.960 in the world. 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:44.240 Your life 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:45.820 is meant to be 00:08:45.820 --> 00:08:46.700 God's vineyard 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:47.560 in the world. 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:48.279 There's a beautiful 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:49.460 kind of related reference 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:50.360 in Ephesians 2 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:51.600 where the Greek 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:52.379 is poema 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:53.720 and Paul says 00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:54.800 our lives 00:08:54.800 --> 00:08:55.899 are God's poems 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:57.060 in the world, 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:57.840 God's poetry 00:08:57.840 --> 00:08:58.500 to the world. 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:00.820 Your life 00:09:00.820 --> 00:09:01.340 is meant to be 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:02.100 God's vineyard. 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:02.580 In other words, 00:09:02.780 --> 00:09:03.720 we are the tenants 00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:04.660 of our life. 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:06.899 We're not the owners 00:09:06.899 --> 00:09:07.540 of our lives. 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:08.360 We're the tenants. 00:09:10.540 --> 00:09:11.200 So all of your, 00:09:11.280 --> 00:09:11.420 I mean, 00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:12.040 think about your life 00:09:12.040 --> 00:09:12.360 for a second. 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:13.680 All of your intelligence, 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:16.340 all of your talents, 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:16.660 I mean, 00:09:16.680 --> 00:09:17.139 if you know anything 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:17.980 about this congregation, 00:09:18.820 --> 00:09:19.800 this room is filled 00:09:19.800 --> 00:09:20.820 with some of the most 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:21.320 intelligent, 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:22.180 talented people 00:09:22.179 --> 00:09:24.000 I've ever personally 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:24.379 known, 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:25.299 the concentration 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:27.500 of that in this room 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:28.299 is unbelievable. 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:30.719 But all of your intelligence, 00:09:30.899 --> 00:09:31.659 all of your talents, 00:09:31.799 --> 00:09:32.479 all of your learning, 00:09:32.579 --> 00:09:33.419 all of your education, 00:09:33.839 --> 00:09:34.899 all of your creativity, 00:09:35.319 --> 00:09:35.839 all of your, 00:09:35.959 --> 00:09:37.459 the privilege 00:09:37.459 --> 00:09:38.219 that got you 00:09:38.219 --> 00:09:38.859 to where you are 00:09:38.859 --> 00:09:39.439 in your life, 00:09:39.579 --> 00:09:40.679 all of the resources, 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:42.839 that all of that 00:09:42.839 --> 00:09:43.899 is God's investment 00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:44.939 in this vineyard. 00:09:45.839 --> 00:09:46.819 God set it up. 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:51.140 And like any good tenant, 00:09:51.520 --> 00:09:52.780 we are meant to live 00:09:52.780 --> 00:09:54.160 and to use all of this 00:09:54.160 --> 00:09:56.480 according to God's instructions 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:57.680 and for God's, 00:09:57.680 --> 00:09:59.040 not profit, 00:09:59.180 --> 00:10:00.080 but God's glory. 00:10:01.780 --> 00:10:02.860 That's the design, 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:03.800 that's the intention 00:10:03.800 --> 00:10:04.600 for his purposes 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:05.240 and not our own. 00:10:05.420 --> 00:10:06.360 So that's the first thing 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:06.980 that we see. 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:08.160 Your life, 00:10:08.260 --> 00:10:08.780 my life, 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:10.580 is meant to be God's vineyard 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:11.800 in this world. 00:10:12.140 --> 00:10:13.100 The second thing, 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:14.760 here's what clashes with it. 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:17.340 Knowing that we are tenants, 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:18.539 we know deep down 00:10:18.539 --> 00:10:19.120 that we're tenants, 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:20.179 we hate it. 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:23.019 We hate it. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:25.860 And you may say, 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:26.139 well, 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:27.100 I'm a Christian, 00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:27.860 I don't hate it. 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:29.319 You hate it. 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:32.740 You hate it. 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:33.779 We all hate it. 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:35.700 We hate it 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:36.259 because we all 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:36.899 want to be owners. 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:39.860 And so we hate God 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:40.559 because we're not. 00:10:42.679 --> 00:10:43.639 We hate God 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:44.000 because 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:45.740 every reminder, 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:46.500 every reference 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:48.340 to the very fact of God 00:10:48.340 --> 00:10:51.080 implicitly tells us 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:52.899 you don't own your life. 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:54.419 You don't own this vineyard. 00:10:57.559 --> 00:10:59.139 You see the ultimate motive 00:10:59.139 --> 00:10:59.700 of the tenants 00:10:59.700 --> 00:11:00.460 in verse 15. 00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:00.779 It says, 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:01.639 when the sun comes, 00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:02.139 they say, 00:11:02.440 --> 00:11:03.360 this is the air. 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:05.179 Let us kill him. 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:05.639 Why? 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:08.100 So that the inheritance 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:09.279 may be ours, 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:09.700 right? 00:11:10.919 --> 00:11:11.899 All human beings 00:11:11.899 --> 00:11:12.519 are tenants 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:13.740 who live like owners. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:14.820 We're tenants 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:16.139 and we live like owners. 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:19.039 Whenever you feel 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:20.240 a sense of 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:23.500 try as you might not to, 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:25.740 superiority, 00:11:27.419 --> 00:11:28.679 whenever you feel 00:11:28.679 --> 00:11:29.679 a sense that, 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:32.759 you know, 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:34.139 we don't boast outright 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:35.139 but we're really good 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:36.500 at things like social media 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.220 at kind of 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:37.919 the humble brag, 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:40.079 sort of very 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:42.419 indirectly letting people 00:11:42.419 --> 00:11:43.339 know about our accomplishments, 00:11:43.979 --> 00:11:44.279 you know. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:47.199 Whenever we're tempted 00:11:47.199 --> 00:11:48.059 to do that, 00:11:48.199 --> 00:11:49.019 we are being tempted 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:49.899 to think like owners, 00:11:50.659 --> 00:11:51.000 you know. 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:52.579 Those of you, 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:53.159 and many of you, 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:53.379 you know, 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:54.159 you're right at this phase 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:54.539 in life. 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:55.099 Many of you, 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:55.659 where you're beginning 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:56.419 to arrive, 00:11:56.539 --> 00:11:56.719 you know. 00:11:56.959 --> 00:11:57.339 You know, 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:58.219 I hear more and more, 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.120 as opposed to 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:00.099 eight years ago 00:12:00.099 --> 00:12:00.659 when we started, 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:01.459 I hear more and more 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:02.199 sort of people 00:12:02.199 --> 00:12:02.879 who are at the beginning 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:03.439 of their careers 00:12:03.439 --> 00:12:04.379 are starting to get 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:05.059 to the place 00:12:05.059 --> 00:12:05.919 that they wanted to be. 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:06.860 You know, 00:12:06.979 --> 00:12:07.599 I studied, 00:12:07.699 --> 00:12:08.179 I went to school, 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:08.719 I prepared, 00:12:08.839 --> 00:12:09.879 and now I'm arrived. 00:12:09.959 --> 00:12:11.139 I'm where I wanted to be. 00:12:11.219 --> 00:12:11.699 I'm here. 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:15.620 And I wonder if deep down 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.939 when we realize that, 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:17.679 we don't think, 00:12:18.099 --> 00:12:19.659 I made it because of me. 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:20.439 I got here. 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:21.279 I did this. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:23.179 It's because I'm unique 00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:24.740 and I made it happen 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.779 by the sweat of my brow. 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:27.519 We don't think about 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:28.000 the fact that 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:28.599 your intelligence 00:12:28.599 --> 00:12:29.299 and your ability 00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:29.959 and the resources 00:12:29.959 --> 00:12:30.519 that brought you 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:30.980 into the world 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:31.679 and the education 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:32.839 and all that you had, 00:12:33.059 --> 00:12:33.779 you have no more 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:34.279 to do that 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.419 than the color of your hair. 00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:37.579 You had no say in that. 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.620 Our anxiety, 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:41.759 most of our anxiety 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:42.860 is a result of what? 00:12:42.959 --> 00:12:44.519 Us trying to control 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:46.179 things that we can't control. 00:12:46.459 --> 00:12:47.679 Trying to control the future. 00:12:48.199 --> 00:12:48.819 Trying to control 00:12:48.819 --> 00:12:49.639 future outcomes. 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.419 Trying to think through 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:51.779 every possibility, 00:12:51.959 --> 00:12:52.819 every contingency 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:54.079 and be ready for it. 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:55.679 Or we try to control 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:56.439 the opinion 00:12:56.439 --> 00:12:57.500 that other people have of us. 00:12:57.559 --> 00:12:58.699 We try to manage that. 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:00.379 All of the reasons 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.219 that we have anxiety 00:13:01.219 --> 00:13:01.959 and we could go on 00:13:01.959 --> 00:13:02.699 and on about that 00:13:02.699 --> 00:13:04.139 are ultimately about 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.960 us trying to have control 00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:07.100 over things 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:07.980 that we don't have control. 00:13:08.059 --> 00:13:08.500 In other words, 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:09.740 trying to live like owners 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:11.679 rather than tenants. 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:15.779 Our country was founded 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:18.659 in part on ideals 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:20.399 about liberty 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:23.039 that can be traced back 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:24.480 to the late 14th century. 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:26.299 William of Ockham, 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:28.460 famous for Ockham's razor. 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:31.680 And Ockham was one 00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:32.360 of the first people 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:33.620 to articulate something 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:35.440 called nominalism. 00:13:36.040 --> 00:13:37.139 Nominalist philosophy. 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:40.220 And via his influence 00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:41.680 on people like John Locke 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:42.660 and Thomas Jefferson, 00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:45.860 these seed ideas 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:46.879 have over the last 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:47.759 several hundred years 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.220 sloured into 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:50.840 defining assumptions 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:54.400 that shape all of us 00:13:54.400 --> 00:13:55.139 in how we think. 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:56.440 Assumptions that we don't 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:57.040 even question. 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:57.940 They're in the background. 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:59.200 They're fundamental. 00:14:00.920 --> 00:14:02.200 But they're shaping 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:02.940 our lives, 00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:04.100 they're shaping 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:04.980 our worldviews, 00:14:05.040 --> 00:14:05.500 they're shaping 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.720 our entire culture. 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:08.880 This kind of view 00:14:08.880 --> 00:14:11.540 that Ockham sort of 00:14:11.540 --> 00:14:12.020 gets credit 00:14:12.020 --> 00:14:13.220 for first articulating 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:15.420 is summarized 00:14:15.420 --> 00:14:16.360 perfectly actually 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:17.400 in a Supreme Court 00:14:17.400 --> 00:14:18.120 decision written 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.080 by Justice Kennedy 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:20.440 way back in 1992. 00:14:21.380 --> 00:14:22.360 He says this, 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:24.780 at the heart of liberty 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:27.360 is the right to define 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.539 one's own concept 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:29.299 of existence, 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:30.779 of meaning, 00:14:31.319 --> 00:14:32.360 of the universe, 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:33.799 and of the mystery 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:34.539 of human life. 00:14:35.839 --> 00:14:36.980 This is back in 92. 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:38.379 At the heart of liberty 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:39.480 is the right to define 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:40.480 one's own concept 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:41.299 of existence, 00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:42.679 of meaning, 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:43.959 of the universe, 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:45.220 and of the mystery 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:45.980 of human life. 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:46.720 In other words, 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.980 by this definition, 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:50.420 liberty 00:14:50.420 --> 00:14:52.240 means living 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.200 like we own the place. 00:14:55.040 --> 00:14:55.480 Liberty, 00:14:56.600 --> 00:14:57.360 true freedom 00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:58.139 by this definition, 00:14:58.779 --> 00:14:59.600 is having the freedom 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.139 to define 00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:01.139 the most fundamental 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:02.320 aspects of existence, 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:03.500 including existence, 00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:05.620 any way we choose. 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:07.860 it's living 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:08.740 like we own the place. 00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:10.480 And the kind of 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.399 corollary to this 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:11.820 is it says, 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:13.799 I can't be free 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.779 unless, 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.000 I can't be free 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.759 unless 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:19.500 I'm the owner 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.220 of my life. 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:23.560 Anything that tells me 00:15:23.560 --> 00:15:24.899 I'm not in charge, 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.740 anything that would 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:27.700 presume to define 00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:28.740 these things for me 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.639 is a prison. 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:30.840 And that's something 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:31.580 that needs to be 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.560 escaped from. 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:33.139 It needs to be, 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:33.779 we need to break 00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.480 out of that. 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.360 So freedom 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.200 equals the freedom 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:38.899 to choose 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:39.919 at the deepest level. 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:41.279 That is built 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:41.919 into the DNA, 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.899 that's not a liberal thing, 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:43.820 it's not a conservative thing, 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:44.980 that's built into the DNA 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:46.039 of our culture, 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:46.759 of our country. 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.139 It is so deep 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.139 that we don't even question it. 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:49.899 It's in our bones, 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:50.679 it's in our marrow. 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:57.039 And as technology advances, 00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.060 our confidence 00:15:59.060 --> 00:15:59.960 in this grows. 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:00.720 We have the rise 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.259 of movements 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:03.240 like the transhumanist movement, 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:04.720 which I think 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.299 the church needs 00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:05.759 to be talking 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.839 a lot more about. 00:16:08.979 --> 00:16:09.479 Transhumanism, 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.240 which is the belief 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.219 that through technology 00:16:11.219 --> 00:16:13.459 we will improve upon 00:16:13.459 --> 00:16:16.039 humanity. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.319 Humanity 2.0, 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:20.319 3.0, 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:21.099 10.0. 00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:22.319 Right? 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.919 We can overcome death. 00:16:24.199 --> 00:16:24.719 It's everything 00:16:24.719 --> 00:16:26.120 from extending 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.839 the life 00:16:26.839 --> 00:16:28.279 of human beings 00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:29.339 infinitely, 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.740 which some people 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.599 believe that we can do 00:16:31.599 --> 00:16:32.240 with enough money 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.700 and enough technology. 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.440 There's big money 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:36.080 going into that, 00:16:36.180 --> 00:16:36.840 all the way to 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:37.899 genetically engineering 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:38.460 our children. 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:41.620 The transhumanist movement. 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.399 And the question is, 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.180 if we're the owners 00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:48.440 of our lives, 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:50.060 if we're the owners 00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:50.519 of the vineyard, 00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:51.180 then why not? 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.580 What's to stop us? 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:54.060 What reason is there 00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:56.320 possibly not to do this 00:16:56.320 --> 00:16:57.720 if we're the owners, 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.519 and if that's the only 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.279 way we can be free? 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:01.560 But, 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:03.580 what the Bible says 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:04.819 is the Bible shows us 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.660 that this concept 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:06.839 of human independence 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.720 and autonomy 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:09.940 didn't start with Ockham. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.740 You go all the way 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:14.259 back to Genesis chapter 3, 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.839 the story of the fall, 00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:16.799 and this is exactly 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.500 what happened. 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.259 This is when this 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.579 definition of freedom 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.240 originated. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.819 When human beings 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:23.460 said to God, 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.500 we would rather decide 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.299 for ourselves 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.380 right from wrong. 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.579 We'll still worship you, 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:28.319 but we want to do it 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.099 on our terms. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.679 That's Genesis 3. 00:17:31.139 --> 00:17:32.019 Not on your terms, 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:32.539 on our terms. 00:17:32.659 --> 00:17:33.279 We'll decide. 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:36.339 And what the Bible says 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:38.619 is that this human act 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:39.319 of saying to God, 00:17:39.439 --> 00:17:40.079 we want the freedom 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.159 to choose the most 00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:41.939 fundamental things 00:17:41.939 --> 00:17:42.639 for ourselves, 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:45.039 that this is what's wrong 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:46.099 with the world. 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:49.119 It's tenants saying to God, 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:49.879 from now on, 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.819 we want to be owners. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.759 We want to be co-owners 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.179 with you. 00:17:52.439 --> 00:17:53.299 That was the promise 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.079 that the serpent gave. 00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:55.039 You'll be like God. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.119 God. 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:58.379 Simply put, 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:00.220 this creates an enormous 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.039 problem for us 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:03.599 because we're not 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.539 independent beings. 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:07.000 We're not autonomous beings. 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:07.839 We're fundamentally 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:09.639 dependent beings, 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.539 and we hate that. 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.220 But we're ultimately 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:13.819 powerless, 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.579 not over just the world, 00:18:16.139 --> 00:18:17.460 but even our own lives. 00:18:17.659 --> 00:18:17.799 You know, 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:19.000 there are so many people 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.859 who say, 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:20.420 well, you know, 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.099 look at my life, 00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:21.960 and look at all the stuff 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.420 that's happened, 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.359 and all this hard stuff 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:23.720 that's happened, 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.240 and all the stuff 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:24.880 I've had to go through. 00:18:25.140 --> 00:18:25.920 My life is nothing 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.740 like I thought it would be. 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.319 It's nothing like 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:28.019 I wanted it to be. 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:29.279 How could I believe in God? 00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:33.039 I think it's actually 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:34.980 making an opposite point. 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:37.339 My life is nothing 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:38.400 like I want it to be, 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:38.900 ergo, 00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:39.720 the only thing 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.299 that you can derive 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:40.759 from that is, 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.819 you're not God. 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.600 Because if you were, 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.180 your life would be 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.480 exactly like you want it to be. 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:46.539 But it's not, 00:18:46.620 --> 00:18:47.279 which means you're not 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:47.839 in charge, 00:18:48.100 --> 00:18:48.960 which means somebody 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.579 else must be. 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:53.079 So this is the first point. 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.819 Our life, 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:57.419 our life is God's vineyard. 00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:59.379 That's what it's designed to be. 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:00.799 God's vineyard. 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:02.299 But we prefer the illusion, 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:02.859 and again, 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:04.220 through things like technology, 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:05.819 we have a very convincing illusion 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.699 that in fact, 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.339 we're the owners. 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:09.579 And we hate, 00:19:10.199 --> 00:19:12.419 hate anyone or anything 00:19:12.419 --> 00:19:13.359 that reminds us otherwise. 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.179 Right? 00:19:14.939 --> 00:19:16.240 So the second question is this. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.279 How does the owner 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:18.099 of the parable, 00:19:18.399 --> 00:19:19.339 in the parable, 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:21.159 respond to the tenants, 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:21.579 and thus, 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.899 what do we learn about God's heart? 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.279 How God responds to this? 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.859 So second point, 00:19:25.939 --> 00:19:26.460 God's heart. 00:19:26.639 --> 00:19:27.679 What does the owner do? 00:19:28.939 --> 00:19:30.439 He sends the first servant, 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:31.119 and the tenants 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:32.240 physically assault him 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.019 and send him back 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.799 to the master, 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.759 empty-handed. 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:35.539 Now, 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.279 when this happens, 00:19:36.399 --> 00:19:37.339 first servant goes, 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.720 they beat the crap out of him, 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.460 they send him back. 00:19:39.699 --> 00:19:40.419 What would happen, 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.579 in most cases, 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:42.639 then and now? 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.460 Not much difference. 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:44.100 Right? 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.860 Imagine you own a restaurant, 00:19:46.060 --> 00:19:47.220 and the manager of the restaurant 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.820 does this, 00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:49.100 or imagine you own a property, 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.080 and the property manager 00:19:50.080 --> 00:19:51.380 embezzles all the profits, 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:51.680 right? 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.680 And you send somebody 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:53.500 to kind of, 00:19:53.540 --> 00:19:53.759 you know, 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:55.240 have there be a reckoning 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.780 and send me some of the profits, 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:58.080 and that person comes back 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:58.560 in a wheelchair. 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.520 What do you do? 00:20:00.520 --> 00:20:00.920 Well, 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.800 in the least, 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:03.060 you would fire that person 00:20:03.060 --> 00:20:04.280 and probably press charges. 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:06.759 But what does this owner do? 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:08.960 He sends another servant. 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:11.200 They do worse things to him. 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.740 He sends another servant. 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.420 They do worse things to him. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:16.440 And then he sends his son. 00:20:16.899 --> 00:20:17.899 What does this tell us 00:20:17.899 --> 00:20:19.099 about this owner 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:19.920 and his heart? 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:23.339 Look at this owner 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.220 and look at his heart. 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:25.899 Again, 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.480 on one level, 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.879 this is talking about Israel. 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:28.940 It's talking about 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:29.819 all of the profits 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:31.099 that God sent to his people 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:31.819 over the ages. 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.759 And if you want to look at 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:35.039 look at the prophets. 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.640 They were severely mistreated 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.539 and rejected 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.200 and hated. 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.240 You know? 00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:40.879 God is straight up honest 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.500 with Jeremiah 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.759 at the beginning of his ministry. 00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:44.359 You're going to have this message 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.579 and they're going to hate you for it 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.460 and they're not going to believe you 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.379 and they're going to beat you up 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.099 and treat you shamefully. 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.039 You know? 00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:51.480 Bon voyage. 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.119 You know? 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:56.099 What we see here 00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:58.099 is a God of unimaginable patience 00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:58.900 and mercy. 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.500 Unimaginable patience and mercy. 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.480 He sends messenger 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.839 messenger after messenger 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:04.720 after messenger 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.519 after messenger 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.980 over and over and over. 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:07.559 Why? 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.920 Because he loves the tenants. 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.980 Because he loves us. 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:12.079 Because he loves us. 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:14.019 He gives them one chance 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.680 after another. 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:17.460 And he loves us that way. 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.299 Don't you understand? 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:20.440 He uses all of the circumstances 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.380 in our lives 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:23.420 in this very same way. 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:25.380 Not necessarily always 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:26.079 the good stuff. 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.180 Probably more often 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:27.860 the hard stuff, 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.460 the bad stuff, 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.480 the stuff we don't want. 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:31.860 all ways of trying 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.559 to shake us 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.259 and wake us up 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:34.099 and make us realize 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.920 we're not the owners, 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.819 we're not in charge. 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:38.160 To go on pretending 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:38.900 that we're in charge 00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:40.259 is an exercise in futility. 00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:41.140 They say to give somebody 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:41.920 responsibility 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:42.920 without authority 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:44.380 is a recipe for insanity, right? 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:45.220 That's bad management. 00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.240 But that's exactly 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.779 what we're doing. 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.380 We're trying to have 00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:47.920 responsibility 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:49.220 over everything 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.579 with absolutely no authority. 00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:51.819 It will make us crazy 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:53.900 if we insist 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.720 on living that way. 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:59.420 But just like in the parable, 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:02.940 this is not something 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:04.440 that we can be talked out of. 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.620 I mean, at the deepest level, 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:07.100 we want to be the owners 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:08.519 and nothing anyone says 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:09.940 can convince us otherwise. 00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:11.519 That's why Romans 8 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.500 says that our minds 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.100 on their own 00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:14.559 are hostile toward God. 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:17.160 They are enmity toward God. 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.600 So far, this parable 00:22:21.600 --> 00:22:22.059 has shown us 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:23.079 these two things, right? 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:27.240 First, our lives 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.980 are God's vineyard, 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.579 but we prefer 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:30.779 to ignore that fact 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.460 and live as though 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.059 we're the owners 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.299 instead of the tenants. 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:36.679 That's our motive. 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.099 The second thing 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:39.579 it shows us 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.619 is that God's heart 00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:42.220 is incredibly patient, 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.339 incredibly merciful, 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.619 and he's the kind of God 00:22:44.619 --> 00:22:45.299 who gives chance 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.980 after chance 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.119 after chance. 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:49.179 But the problem is 00:22:49.179 --> 00:22:49.759 that nothing, 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.619 none of the prophets, 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.699 even the greatest prophet, 00:22:51.939 --> 00:22:52.099 right? 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:52.779 John the Baptist, 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:54.319 what happened 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.059 to John the Baptist, 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.039 right? 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:56.960 He had the audacity 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.699 to call out 00:22:57.699 --> 00:22:58.599 Herod Antipas 00:22:58.599 --> 00:23:00.079 over issues 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.879 of sexual morality. 00:23:01.199 --> 00:23:01.859 He confronted him 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:02.939 because he was 00:23:02.939 --> 00:23:03.619 committing adultery. 00:23:04.199 --> 00:23:05.259 He got his head chopped off. 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.460 That's what happens 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.039 to the prophets. 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:08.740 He was saying, 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:11.299 your sex life isn't, 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.519 you're not the owner 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:12.839 of that. 00:23:12.919 --> 00:23:14.179 That's part of God's vineyard. 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:16.299 He got his head chopped off. 00:23:17.179 --> 00:23:18.439 Nothing can convince us 00:23:18.439 --> 00:23:19.000 of this 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:20.380 or overcome 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.960 this heart-level enmity 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:23.440 that we have 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.000 toward God. 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:24.680 Thus, 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.519 the final point, 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:27.039 Jesus' mission. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.240 When you get to this part 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.599 of the parable, 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.480 you have to imagine 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.460 the kind of dramatic 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.700 irony and tension 00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:35.059 in the room 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.960 as Jesus is telling 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.500 this parable. 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:36.720 I mean, 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.640 it's sort of layers 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.779 of irony and tension 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.660 because Jesus, 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.500 there Jesus is, 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.700 the Son of God 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.279 in the flesh 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.420 talking to the leaders 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:43.940 of Israel. 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.900 He's telling them 00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:45.920 a story about 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.819 wicked tenants 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.859 who, 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.460 when the owner 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.220 sins the Son, 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.119 they kill him. 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:51.220 And as Jesus 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:52.279 is telling this parable, 00:23:52.399 --> 00:23:54.019 what does verse 19 say? 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.179 Even as he's telling 00:23:55.179 --> 00:23:55.619 the parable, 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.480 you have the scribes 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:56.939 and the Pharisees 00:23:56.939 --> 00:23:57.299 saying, 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.899 we want to lay hands 00:23:58.899 --> 00:23:59.480 on him and kill him 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.019 right now. 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.659 But they can't, 00:24:01.679 --> 00:24:02.059 they won't, 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:02.639 because they're afraid 00:24:02.639 --> 00:24:04.059 the people will riot. 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.980 So the parable 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.480 is actually, 00:24:07.639 --> 00:24:08.779 the truth of the parable 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:10.119 is being demonstrated 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:11.500 even as Jesus tells it. 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.659 And what this really does 00:24:14.659 --> 00:24:15.439 is it brings us 00:24:15.439 --> 00:24:16.240 to the majesty 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.160 and the brilliance 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:17.940 of the gospel. 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:20.099 Because it presents 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:20.779 this question, 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:21.900 what do you do 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:22.880 if you're God 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:24.140 and you love the world 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:24.819 that you made 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:26.240 and you love the people 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.339 that you put in the world 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.180 to take care of it 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.779 in your name, 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.200 the tenants? 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.519 What do you do 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:30.960 if you're God 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.140 and you love those people 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:33.559 and yet you know 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.240 that those people 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.559 hate you so much 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.720 that no matter 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.960 what you do, 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.640 no matter what you do, 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.319 they won't come back 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:41.680 to you. 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.440 And they hate you 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.500 so much that the moment 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.480 you become vulnerable, 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.259 they will grab you 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.860 and kill you. 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.160 And that's exactly 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:48.579 what happens. 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.339 So what do you do 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.120 if you're God 00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:51.240 and you're in that situation? 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:54.339 How do you save people 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.579 who want to kill you? 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.720 That's the brilliance 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.279 of the gospel. 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:00.900 You use your own death 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.920 as the means of salvation. 00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:04.400 You use your own death. 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.940 Jesus' mission 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:07.160 is to take our place 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:08.579 by becoming our rebellion, 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.839 becoming enmity, 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:11.339 and then dying 00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:12.399 on our behalf. 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:13.839 In other words, 00:25:13.899 --> 00:25:14.699 what you see on the cross 00:25:14.699 --> 00:25:16.000 is God subverting 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.599 the hatred 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.919 of the tenants, 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.039 using it, 00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:20.980 repurposing it, 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:22.019 redefining it. 00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:25.099 So he used our rebellion 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:25.980 as the means 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:26.839 of our salvation. 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:27.779 It's beautiful. 00:25:28.439 --> 00:25:29.319 It's the only hope 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.220 we ever could have had. 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.659 And the only thing 00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:33.879 that can convince us 00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:34.659 to let go 00:25:34.659 --> 00:25:35.699 of this illusion 00:25:35.699 --> 00:25:36.379 of control, 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.259 the only thing 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.919 that will loosen 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:39.380 the white-knuckle death grip 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:39.920 that we have 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.640 on our lives 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:44.140 is when we look 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:45.519 at the love of God 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:47.080 on the cross. 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.220 And when that, 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.440 through the power 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.580 of the Holy Spirit, 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:54.100 begins to convince us 00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:55.120 that a God 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:56.039 who would do that 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.840 for us 00:25:56.840 --> 00:26:00.940 can better be trusted 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.720 with our lives 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.779 even than we can. 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:04.820 And it's that point 00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:05.720 that we cross 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.460 where we're looking 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.519 at the cross 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.700 and through 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.160 the power 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.660 of the Spirit 00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.579 we begin to realize 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.339 that our life 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:12.720 is in better hands 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.579 when God 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.220 is in control. 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:16.000 That we can trust 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:17.220 Him and His love 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:17.819 and His power 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.299 more than ourselves. 00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.740 And that's when 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.379 that transition 00:26:22.379 --> 00:26:24.259 begins to happen. 00:26:24.619 --> 00:26:26.839 And Jesus leads us, 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.579 as we're kind of 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.579 bringing this to a close 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:29.920 in verses 17 and 18, 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.319 Jesus leads us 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:32.599 with this choice. 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.160 He says, 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.559 knowing these things 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.359 that I've laid out, 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:37.000 you can either 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.119 continue living 00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:39.199 like an owner 00:26:39.199 --> 00:26:41.259 and that will 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.399 eventually crush you. 00:26:42.459 --> 00:26:42.959 You will eventually 00:26:42.959 --> 00:26:43.799 be crushed 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:45.740 doing that. 00:26:45.939 --> 00:26:46.299 Or, 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.740 or, 00:26:48.959 --> 00:26:49.719 He becomes 00:26:49.719 --> 00:26:50.419 the cornerstone 00:26:50.419 --> 00:26:51.000 of your life. 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.959 It's either or. 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.119 Either you continue 00:26:54.119 --> 00:26:55.159 pretending you're an owner 00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:56.579 and ultimately 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.359 that's a dead end 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:57.919 and you will be 00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:58.859 crushed by that 00:26:58.859 --> 00:27:00.059 because you're never 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:00.899 meant to do that. 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.179 Or He becomes 00:27:03.179 --> 00:27:03.819 the cornerstone. 00:27:03.959 --> 00:27:04.500 No middle ground. 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.119 And when we talk 00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:06.859 about cornerstone, 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.900 it's hard to get our minds 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.519 around what that's 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.059 talking about. 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:09.740 Do you remember 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.720 when we were kids 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.619 and we were going to school 00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.420 and you first learned 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:14.539 about plate tectonics? 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.180 Remember how you learned 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.380 that this theory, 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.720 this kind of geological theory 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.279 that you have, 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:21.819 you know, 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:22.660 all the continents 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.980 and you have the land masses 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.819 and you have the mountains 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.460 and the valleys 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:27.359 and you have all the topography, 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.539 the contours of the world 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.420 that you can see, 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.940 but the thing that really 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:32.339 defines the shape 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:32.960 of the world 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.900 that we can see 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:36.780 is actually way down deep 00:27:36.780 --> 00:27:37.620 where we can't see. 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.340 It's the kind of 00:27:38.340 --> 00:27:39.259 these plates 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:40.160 that are floating 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:41.340 on the mantle 00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:42.360 of the earth 00:27:42.360 --> 00:27:43.660 and they move 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:45.080 and thus we have 00:27:45.080 --> 00:27:45.960 continental drift. 00:27:46.540 --> 00:27:47.400 Remember learning this? 00:27:47.860 --> 00:27:48.720 Plate tectonics. 00:27:50.580 --> 00:27:50.820 You're like, 00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:51.000 yeah, 00:27:51.060 --> 00:27:51.480 I was just thinking 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:51.960 about that. 00:27:53.540 --> 00:27:54.440 If you don't remember 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:54.860 learning it, 00:27:55.040 --> 00:27:56.800 you should have learned it. 00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:57.519 That's what we learn. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:28:00.059 That's how our world works. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:04.099 On an ideological level, 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:06.700 on an ideological level, 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.980 just as the world 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.839 that we see, 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.500 the shape of that world 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.539 is largely determined 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:14.379 by the rock underneath, 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.680 the bedrock 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.639 that we can't see. 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:19.240 So our world views, 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.220 our assumptions, 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:23.220 the place from which 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:23.859 we reason, 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:25.799 not so much 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:27.099 the reasoning itself 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:27.740 but the place 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:29.000 from which we reason, 00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:32.219 is almost entirely shaped 00:28:32.219 --> 00:28:33.539 by bedrock assumptions. 00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:36.319 These plates 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:37.659 that are the bedrock 00:28:37.659 --> 00:28:38.740 at the very foundation 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:41.079 upon which we build 00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:42.039 our world view. 00:28:42.639 --> 00:28:43.259 And we all have 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.740 a world view. 00:28:44.459 --> 00:28:45.099 And what Jesus 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:46.019 is saying is, 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:48.779 you'll either be crushed 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.459 because you're trying 00:28:49.459 --> 00:28:50.039 to be an owner 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:51.579 in a world 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.199 where you're the tenant, 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:54.380 or I become that bedrock. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.500 I become the plate 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.680 underneath your world view. 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.920 I become the foundation, 00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:58.740 the cornerstone 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.559 upon which 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:01.420 you build everything else. 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.600 It's an entire 00:29:02.600 --> 00:29:03.720 redefining 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.740 from the ground up 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.539 of the entire way 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.400 that you see yourself, 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.059 God, 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:07.600 meaning, 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.059 purpose, 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.600 existence, 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.100 identity, 00:29:09.340 --> 00:29:09.799 flourishing, 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:11.559 freedom. 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.240 So for example, 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:15.640 for example, 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.120 I'll just give you 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:16.680 one example. 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:19.080 For Jesus to become 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.759 our cornerstone 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:21.039 means that he becomes 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:22.460 the bedrock upon which 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:24.200 our definition of 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:25.399 something like freedom 00:29:25.399 --> 00:29:26.319 rests, 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:27.359 right? 00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:29.220 Unlike Ockham 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.019 or Locke 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:31.240 or Justice Kennedy, 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.500 there is a parallel 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:35.019 understanding of freedom 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.039 that goes all the way 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.359 back through Aquinas, 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.279 Augustine, 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:38.960 all the way back 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.399 to Jesus. 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:41.980 It's parallel 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:43.220 and yet utterly distinct, 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:43.940 but it runs all 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:44.579 throughout history. 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.200 From Genesis 3, 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:47.619 you have this one 00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:48.420 definition of freedom, 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.600 and then when Jesus 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:49.940 comes, 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.420 you have another 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:51.220 definition of freedom. 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:54.680 And what they would 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.420 say is this, 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.480 that freedom is not 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.160 just the ability 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:58.000 to choose, 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:59.779 but to choose well. 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:02.039 In other words, 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.080 it's the freedom 00:30:03.080 --> 00:30:03.800 to choose 00:30:03.800 --> 00:30:05.140 that for which 00:30:05.140 --> 00:30:06.360 you were made. 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.800 That's freedom. 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.800 And you were made, 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.200 friends, 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:12.920 you were made 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.900 for the love of God. 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:16.740 Like a fish 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:17.880 was made for water 00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:21.140 and can only flourish 00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:21.940 when it is thoroughly 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.880 immersed in water, 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:23.800 you were made 00:30:23.800 --> 00:30:24.660 for the love of God. 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.660 And you will not flourish, 00:30:27.780 --> 00:30:28.740 you will not be free 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.880 unless you are immersed 00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:30.740 in that love, 00:30:30.820 --> 00:30:31.700 unless you are immersed 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.759 on the kind of love 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:34.000 that we see on display 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:35.300 on the cross of Christ. 00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:37.280 You will not be free 00:30:37.280 --> 00:30:38.540 unless you are able 00:30:38.540 --> 00:30:40.320 to choose that love, 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:42.040 to plunge into it, 00:30:42.040 --> 00:30:43.820 to be immersed in it. 00:30:44.820 --> 00:30:46.060 But the promise is this, 00:30:46.120 --> 00:30:46.880 the promise that Jesus 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.660 gives to us 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:51.040 in John chapter 15 00:30:51.040 --> 00:30:51.480 is this, 00:30:51.540 --> 00:30:52.740 the more we are 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.880 immersed in that love, 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:55.000 the more we abide 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.759 in that love, 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:57.080 the more we will 00:30:57.080 --> 00:30:58.700 bear fruit, 00:30:59.120 --> 00:31:00.980 the more we will become 00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:02.360 and our lives will become 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:04.519 God's vineyards 00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:06.340 in this world. 00:31:07.060 --> 00:31:07.740 Let's pray. 00:31:11.360 --> 00:31:12.660 Our Father in heaven, 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:14.600 we have just said 00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:15.360 that these are things 00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:16.540 that we cannot be convinced 00:31:16.540 --> 00:31:17.980 of intellectually, 00:31:18.360 --> 00:31:18.560 Lord, 00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:19.720 that this is not ultimately 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.960 an intellectual issue. 00:31:21.360 --> 00:31:22.560 It's a profoundly 00:31:22.560 --> 00:31:23.660 spiritual issue. 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:26.360 We need your Holy Spirit 00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:27.680 to take these words 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:29.480 to illuminate 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:31.180 where this is true 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:31.880 in our hearts 00:31:31.880 --> 00:31:34.880 and then to illuminate 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.600 for us 00:31:35.600 --> 00:31:38.279 the compelling, 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:39.279 otherworldly love 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:40.079 of Jesus Christ 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:42.519 to melt our hearts 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.440 that we would see 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.379 the beauty 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.240 of the invitation 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:46.539 to walk in freedom 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:48.119 by plunging 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:49.519 into that love 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:51.139 just as you plunged 00:31:51.139 --> 00:31:51.839 into the world 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:53.240 to show it to us. 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.859 And we pray this, 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.139 Lord, 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.279 in your Son's holy name. 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:56.720 Amen. 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:56.839 Amen. 00:31:58.660 --> 00:32:00.660 Amen. 00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:01.100 Amen. 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.200 Amen. 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:02.600 Amen. 00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:03.480 Amen. 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.640 Amen. 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:06.799 Amen. 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:06.839 Amen. 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:06.900 Amen. 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:08.940 Amen. 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:16.100 Amen. 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:16.620 Amen. 00:32:16.620 --> 00:32:16.799 Amen. 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:19.120 Amen. 00:32:19.120 --> 00:32:19.180 Amen. 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:20.259 Amen. 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:21.539 Amen. 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:23.640 Amen. 00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:24.980 Amen. 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.620 Amen. 00:32:25.620 --> 00:32:25.720 Amen. 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:26.140 Amen.