WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.020 My name is Jeremy. People in the back, can you see me? Awesome. 00:00:06.219 --> 00:00:08.779 And I'm one of the staff here in Watermark. 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:11.880 And it's a pleasure to be with you this morning. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:14.839 And we're actually going to start a new series. 00:00:15.700 --> 00:00:20.059 So for those of you who haven't really been journeying with us the last few months, 00:00:20.339 --> 00:00:25.260 we've actually started in the new year with Deuteronomy, which is a book in the Old Testament, 00:00:25.260 --> 00:00:28.199 a very foundational book. 00:00:29.140 --> 00:00:35.359 And this week, we're going to start a new series called Sinners Jesus Met. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:38.500 Now, there's a link there, though, which is very important. 00:00:39.519 --> 00:00:44.480 In Deuteronomy, we explored God's call to his people, Israel, if you remember. 00:00:45.019 --> 00:00:51.140 The call was to be this unique nation, a nation that reflected God's love, 00:00:51.140 --> 00:00:57.760 his brilliance, his character, his light, reflecting that light to a dark and broken world. 00:00:58.200 --> 00:01:03.400 That was a call that this community of people in Deuteronomy received. 00:01:04.520 --> 00:01:08.140 But if you've read the Old Testament, and when you read the Old Testament, 00:01:08.299 --> 00:01:15.939 you find that, sadly, most of it is just story after story about how Israel failed, 00:01:16.420 --> 00:01:21.480 how they could not live up to that purpose, that call, and how they could not do it. 00:01:21.480 --> 00:01:28.520 And so, by the time we get to the New Testament, in this passage that Gabriel just read for us, 00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:37.740 the time of Jesus' ministry and his life, we find, unfortunately, that the people of Israel are still very much failing. 00:01:38.820 --> 00:01:41.100 They're failing to live up to God's purpose. 00:01:41.099 --> 00:01:44.919 And the word that we often use for that is the word sin. 00:01:45.819 --> 00:01:46.299 Sin. 00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:54.459 And so, we see that in the New Testament, in the Gospels, Jesus interacted with many of these sinners, 00:01:54.699 --> 00:01:56.979 many of these people of Israel. 00:01:58.219 --> 00:02:01.759 And so, this new series will profile a number of these sinners. 00:02:01.760 --> 00:02:11.439 And we believe that God will use these stories to reveal that every one of us has these characteristics of sin in our own lives. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:19.700 In essence, every one of these sinners that Jesus met is you and me. 00:02:21.640 --> 00:02:28.640 This series is a bridge from Deuteronomy to our next series, which is the Book of Acts. 00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:37.259 You see, the God-given purpose that God had called his people Israel to do, they failed. 00:02:37.419 --> 00:02:38.719 But Jesus comes. 00:02:39.579 --> 00:02:45.199 Jesus comes and fulfills all the purposes that God had put on his people. 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:50.439 And so, as these sinners encountered Jesus, they were liberated. 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:51.699 They were transformed. 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:53.379 They were empowered. 00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:56.579 And we'll see as we move on to Acts later. 00:02:56.580 --> 00:03:05.580 This is the church that is full of the Spirit, full of empowerment, that begins to live out the calling that Israel failed. 00:03:05.720 --> 00:03:09.000 So, there's that overarching kind of narrative. 00:03:09.180 --> 00:03:10.740 You just want to keep it in mind. 00:03:10.860 --> 00:03:15.220 So, Deuteronomy, the bridge that is Jesus that we're looking at right now. 00:03:15.280 --> 00:03:19.520 And we're looking forward to Acts in about a month's time. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:28.860 So, as we look at these stories, our hope is that we'll begin to see the depth and the breadth of our sinfulness in new and unique ways. 00:03:29.379 --> 00:03:33.219 And I'm excited, not because I like thinking about my failure. 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:35.060 I don't know if many people do. 00:03:36.020 --> 00:03:39.300 But because I know that God loves me and he loves us. 00:03:39.300 --> 00:03:47.140 And as we see our sinfulness more clearly, I believe we'll also see God's love more clearly. 00:03:47.860 --> 00:03:58.680 And as we meet Jesus in these powerful, profound ways, we'll realize that we as the people of God can actually begin to live out that purpose. 00:03:58.680 --> 00:04:04.760 We as watermark can actually begin living out the purpose that he's called us to. 00:04:05.560 --> 00:04:09.620 So, let me pray for us, pray for myself before we begin. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:19.819 Lord, I just thank you for this amazing story that you've captured for us this morning of Simon the Pharisee and Jesus and the woman. 00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:26.060 I pray, Lord, that you would just open our ears, open our hearts, including my own, Lord. 00:04:26.060 --> 00:04:35.019 Lord, this is an exercise not of me preaching to an audience, Lord, but of your words speaking into all of our hearts, God. 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:40.340 So, this morning, I pray that we would just focus on you, Lord. 00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:44.740 We would just be attentive to you, what you are speaking into our hearts. 00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:50.180 God, let us be still right now. 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:59.860 Let us know that you are with us, that you are ready and willing to speak to us. 00:05:00.680 --> 00:05:06.160 Lord, give us ears to hear and hearts to receive. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:09.600 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:13.240 Okay, so let's dig in. 00:05:13.240 --> 00:05:22.480 And in today's fascinating episode of Sinners That Jesus Met, Simon the Pharisee invites Jesus into his home. 00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:24.759 Okay, everyone got that? 00:05:25.060 --> 00:05:30.540 Jesus, now this, Jesus was this famous prophet at this time who had been going around the country, 00:05:31.100 --> 00:05:38.439 wowing people, like amazing people with his teaching and his miracles and his healings that Ed had mentioned. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:42.219 And if you've read, who's read this account before? 00:05:43.519 --> 00:05:45.279 If you've read it, I have too. 00:05:45.860 --> 00:05:51.300 If you've read it, chances are your natural inclination is to focus on the woman. 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:58.139 Or maybe not, but I know definitely that was mine because she's kind of like the one doing all this stuff, right? 00:05:58.139 --> 00:06:11.479 But Simon, I would say, is just as much a central character because he represented a significant group in society back then and today. 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:15.199 And who was Jesus speaking to for most of it? 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:17.500 He was actually speaking to Simon. 00:06:18.219 --> 00:06:27.120 So today we're really going to look into Simon and his psyche and his character and see what is it about Simon that reflects us. 00:06:28.139 --> 00:06:31.519 So we know that Simon is a Pharisee. 00:06:31.599 --> 00:06:32.919 What do we know about Pharisees? 00:06:33.339 --> 00:06:37.500 Well, at the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were a group of religious people. 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:38.599 They were religious leaders. 00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:44.939 And what they did was they explored and they interpreted and they researched the Old Testament laws, 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:48.599 the laws that we learned about in Deuteronomy in the previous series. 00:06:48.600 --> 00:06:57.700 And what was happening at this time was they were under Roman occupation, these kind of foreign Gentile, nasty rulers. 00:06:58.260 --> 00:07:00.760 And the Pharisees really couldn't do much about that. 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:03.840 They really couldn't fight them away or anything. 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:15.879 But what they could do and what they developed this idea that, okay, if we were just very piously and diligently followed every little aspect of the law, 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:20.219 then maybe we could somehow fulfill God's purpose for Israel. 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:29.940 Maybe if I interpreted all these specific laws and I followed them meticulously, I could fulfill my purpose. 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:33.000 So they looked at tithing their income. 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:37.280 It's something we looked about last series, if you remember. 00:07:37.420 --> 00:07:40.840 Tithing your income, basically giving a tenth of your income. 00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:45.859 And they took that principle and took it to the point of tithing even their garden herbs. 00:07:46.799 --> 00:07:55.259 I don't know if many guys grow herbs in your gardens in Hong Kong, but it's just like, you know, just little bits of vegetable. 00:07:55.459 --> 00:08:02.379 And they were tithing that as well because they felt, if I tithe that, maybe I can fulfill the principle of tithing better. 00:08:03.299 --> 00:08:05.559 Most people fasted once in a while. 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:10.559 The Pharisees fasted twice a week, religiously. 00:08:10.839 --> 00:08:11.639 Diligently. 00:08:12.539 --> 00:08:14.479 And on and on it went. 00:08:14.579 --> 00:08:17.339 There's so many examples of these principles. 00:08:18.599 --> 00:08:26.679 So Simon, this Pharisee, invites the prophet Jesus into his home for a fancy ceremonial banquet. 00:08:27.459 --> 00:08:33.639 And we know it's a ceremonious kind of thing because the scripture says they reclined at the table. 00:08:33.639 --> 00:08:40.039 And that was a thing that you did in a formal occasion like that, to recline at the table. 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:43.500 I don't know how good that is for eating, but that's what they did. 00:08:43.699 --> 00:08:44.599 They reclined. 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:47.319 So he was actually on his side, I guess. 00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:55.759 And the dining table in that culture, in Jewish culture, was one of the most intimate social settings you could have. 00:08:55.759 --> 00:09:00.720 So when you dined with something, dined with someone, that meant something. 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:02.259 That was important. 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:14.120 And Simon, by inviting Jesus into his home, shows that he believes or he feels that he is in some way equal to Jesus. 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:17.980 That he can actually be okay in Jesus' presence. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:24.100 That he is accepted by Jesus, or he wouldn't have invited Jesus in the first place. 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:31.980 And of course, Simon has every reason to think that he's a good man according to his religion. 00:09:32.680 --> 00:09:33.820 I mean, he's a Pharisee. 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:37.300 He's a respected religious leader. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:40.759 He's been tithing his garden herbs all week. 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:48.679 But Simon's initial actions in this story reveal something interesting. 00:09:51.059 --> 00:09:56.840 So picture with me, a woman enters into a woman, a stranger, looking for Jesus. 00:09:58.500 --> 00:10:00.480 Now, this isn't that weird. 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:05.480 It's not like you're at home having dinner with your family, and someone just walks in and sits down with you. 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:12.420 Because ceremonial dinners at this time, in this culture, were actually semi-public affairs. 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:22.600 And it would not have been unusual for people to kind of come in, gather in the room, sit around by the walls, and kind of just listen in. 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:29.360 Kind of become an audience to the centerpiece, which is the official guests who are talking and discussing things. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:32.480 So there's almost kind of a little show atmosphere there. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:39.259 So it's not that unusual that this woman, this stranger, came in to observe and listen. 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:43.220 But something stands out about her, right? 00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:47.480 She's a sinner, the text says. 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:52.560 Which means that she is publicly known for doing some kind of wrong. 00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:53.980 Publicly known. 00:10:54.759 --> 00:11:02.120 She has this alabaster flask of ointment, which is actually expensive perfume. 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:08.720 She positions herself at Jesus' feet, a place of humility. 00:11:09.940 --> 00:11:12.220 She's weeping for some reason. 00:11:13.539 --> 00:11:23.379 And as her tears fall on his feet, she wipes them with her hair and anoints them with her perfume. 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:28.740 This is a complete gong show. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:30.360 It's crazy. 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:37.620 You know, in that culture, sinners were not supposed to be interacting with holy prophets. 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:44.980 It was incredibly inappropriate in that culture for a woman to let down her hair. 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:47.600 Incredibly inappropriate. 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:54.820 It's like I've read one commentator said it might have been even on par to, like, you know, be nudity in some respects. 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:56.980 It was that inappropriate. 00:11:56.980 --> 00:12:07.000 But up to this point, Jesus doesn't do anything except kind of passively receive the woman's actions. 00:12:07.560 --> 00:12:08.460 He's silent. 00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:09.420 He's passive. 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:15.960 And this surprises, maybe even annoys the host. 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:31.259 Seeing the spectacle, Simon says to himself, if this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who's touching him. 00:12:32.660 --> 00:12:35.740 What sort of woman this is that's touching him. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.639 For she is a sinner. 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:51.679 You see, Simon is actually judging Jesus, this supposed prophet, for not responding with the judgments and discernment that Simon wants. 00:12:53.299 --> 00:13:00.600 This sinful woman had no business interrupting their meal like this, breaking the customs of the land like this. 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:08.779 So one of the key characteristics we can see from the Pharisees was their clear sense of hierarchy. 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:16.680 Hierarchy between good, bad, better, worse, insider, outsider. 00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:19.220 It was very clear to them. 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:27.759 The Pharisee thinks he is the one with all these important values and rules and principles that he's following. 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:31.279 All those things that he's sort of distilled from the Old Testament. 00:13:32.939 --> 00:13:38.720 And he instinctively uses himself to compare others to him. 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:41.240 Think about it with me. 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:48.220 The Pharisee cannot be positive that he's perfectly following all of his principles, right? 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:54.659 He can't be sure 100% that he is really following God. 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:56.299 Because no one can. 00:13:56.299 --> 00:14:00.120 The man even gives a tenth of his herbs. 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.479 But is that enough? 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:04.799 Is there something else he should tithe? 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.759 And on and on it goes. 00:14:07.859 --> 00:14:11.519 He can never be 100% sure. 00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:17.639 So the best way to have that security, to know, to feel right, to feel good, 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:22.359 is to compare himself with the obvious sinners in culture. 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:30.159 Later in the Gospel of Luke, you also read that Jesus tells a parable where the Pharisee is praying, 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:34.460 God, I thank you that I'm not like the other people. 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:41.840 The robbers, the evildoers, the adulterers, or even this tax collector. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:48.160 That's the prayer of thanksgiving that the Pharisee gives. 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:56.919 So what Simon thinks when he sees other people is revealed in this thought that is recorded in the passage today. 00:14:57.719 --> 00:15:00.860 He thinks what sort of woman this is. 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:03.019 What sort of woman this is. 00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:03.899 What's her category? 00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:05.539 What is her label? 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:07.240 She's a sinner. 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:11.379 And he even does this with Jesus. 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:13.819 He looks at Jesus and all he's thinking about is, 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:15.480 is this guy really a prophet? 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:17.399 Is he really a prophet? 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:17.459 Is he really a prophet? 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:21.939 So let me ask you guys a question today. 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:24.319 Are you religious? 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:29.720 Show of hands, who would consider themselves religious here? 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:35.079 Yeah, not after that description of Simon, right? 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:36.799 It's okay. 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:38.159 You can answer in your own heart. 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:40.399 Now, those of you who are thinking, 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:43.539 well, Jeremy, well, that depends what you mean by religious, right? 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:46.199 Well, how do you define that word? 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:48.400 And then you guys are thinking like good lawyers. 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:55.700 Because you're not really committing or deciding anything before you really have analyzed it. 00:15:56.300 --> 00:15:57.259 So you're welcome. 00:15:57.400 --> 00:16:00.600 I've gone ahead and I've done the hard work for you. 00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:05.100 I've found the broadest dictionary definition of the word religion. 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:06.540 And here it is. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.100 Are you ready? 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:17.399 Religion can be defined as a cause, a principle, or a system of beliefs held to with passion and faith. 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:24.860 Thank you, Miriam Webster. 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:33.639 So based on this definition of religion, I think every single person in here is religious. 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:40.460 Because every one of us lives according to a cause, a principle, or a system of beliefs, don't we? 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:46.059 Every one of us has been shaped by our upbringings and our cultural influences. 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:54.620 Each and every one of us has values, has ideals, has morals, has rules and standards, don't we? 00:16:54.620 --> 00:17:01.820 And I think whether explicitly or implicitly, we believe those things are good or we wouldn't be following it, right? 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:17.900 So even if you don't have your religion written out in a book or your dear diary or something, it's still in there in your mind, in your hearts, in your beliefs. 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:24.340 So I was thinking about the religion of Jeremy Tam as I was writing the sermon. 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:26.000 That's me, in case you didn't realize. 00:17:26.320 --> 00:17:28.000 And I figured out a few principles. 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:30.259 And they're in no particular order. 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:34.559 None of these are actually written anywhere, unless I've forgotten. 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:37.619 And not all of them are equally important to me. 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:44.819 But if I'm honest, they are all important principles in some way that I adhere to, that I live according to. 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:54.220 So I was typing on my computer and I realized, gosh, it's important for me to have my computer files organized in a logical and coherent manner. 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.180 It is. 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:57.960 Some of you guys can sort of amen to that. 00:17:57.960 --> 00:18:04.380 And some of you guys with your desktop just littered with folders and files that aren't even arranged in rows. 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:08.200 You know, I would look at your laptop and I would judge you. 00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:11.740 And it would make me very uncomfortable to borrow your laptop. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:16.900 Another thing, it's important to look presentable when I go out. 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:19.460 It's important to tell the truth. 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:24.220 It's important to get particular grades in school, in seminary. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:28.500 It's important to have a particular status in society. 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:35.420 It's very important to believe that I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:42.380 And I could go on and on with these different types of principles and ideals and rules. 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:45.059 But this is the interesting thing, guys. 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:52.220 The hallmark of the Jeremy Tam religion is that it's ultimately about me. 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:54.740 It says it in the name itself. 00:18:56.400 --> 00:19:02.720 And if you noticed, every one of those principles I listed is centered around me. 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:11.400 Even my belief that Jesus died for my sins, I can express that as something that's up to my ability to believe. 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:13.600 My effort to believe. 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:15.100 To believe more. 00:19:15.360 --> 00:19:17.039 To believe more passionately. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:20.039 How well I believe. 00:19:20.379 --> 00:19:26.500 And so the Jeremy Tam religion is ultimately about how well I live out my principles and beliefs. 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:30.480 And every one of us does the same for our own personal religions. 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:37.099 You may say, Jeremy, but what if my principle is to love and to serve others? 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:38.460 Right? 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.980 That sounds very altruistic. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.460 And that sounds great. 00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:43.359 I commend you for that. 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:48.859 But if you're honest, I think it's still ultimately about how well you love. 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:51.099 And how well you serve. 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:53.159 And the same for me. 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.579 It's your religion. 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:59.639 And this is what I would call a self-centered religion. 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:01.779 A self-centered religion. 00:20:02.219 --> 00:20:05.259 And by definition, this religion is about ourselves. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.579 What we do. 00:20:06.899 --> 00:20:07.979 What we think. 00:20:08.419 --> 00:20:11.379 It's the way we know that we're doing well in life. 00:20:11.380 --> 00:20:11.600 Right? 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:14.720 The way we can feel good about ourselves. 00:20:14.820 --> 00:20:15.820 We make rules. 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:17.540 We modify those rules. 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.720 We add those rules. 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:20.200 As time goes by. 00:20:20.580 --> 00:20:22.420 But those are the things we know. 00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:23.860 The things that make us sane. 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:28.760 Those are goals that when we achieve, we feel like we are valuable. 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:29.660 We are important. 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:35.640 So does self-centered religion sound familiar to you? 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:45.120 Imagine with me that you and your best buddies organize this great party. 00:20:46.800 --> 00:20:50.680 You know, it could be a house party, karaoke party, whatever floats your boat. 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:54.600 And you've dressed to impress. 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.640 You're looking good. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:59.500 You've invited all your friends and your colleagues. 00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:03.440 And even your boss is there because you want to leave a great impression on her. 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:06.980 You want to show her that you're ready for the big leagues. 00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:08.240 You're ready for that promotion. 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:12.519 You know how to handle a social situation. 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.900 You want her to be impressed. 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:16.519 So this party is going and it's great. 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:20.920 But out of the blue, out of the corner of your eye, you see Jeremy. 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:24.320 That annoying intern that nobody really likes. 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.440 He's kind of weird. 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:29.040 Sometimes he even smells a bit. 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:31.580 He's not that good at his job. 00:21:31.820 --> 00:21:32.360 He's okay. 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:35.340 And in your mind, you're thinking to yourself, 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:35.720 Ugh! 00:21:36.860 --> 00:21:38.880 How did he find out about this party? 00:21:40.300 --> 00:21:42.960 And as you're chatting and laughing with your boss, 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.140 showing off your stuff, 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:45.799 your worst nightmare comes true 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:48.420 because you see him kind of like scurrying over in your direction. 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:53.420 And then he basically interjects into the conversation 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.860 and starts talking to your boss. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:59.740 And even worse, your boss seems to be okay with that. 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.759 She's talking back to him. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.640 She's laughing. 00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:04.579 She's enjoying the conversation. 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.400 And you're mortified. 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:08.059 He's ruined your groove. 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:10.220 Jeremy has ruined your plan. 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.519 Who is this? 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:13.220 Who does he think he is? 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:16.200 Does he not know his place? 00:22:19.859 --> 00:22:23.119 Does that scenario ring a bell at all for you? 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:30.359 Maybe some of you can never imagine hosting a party with work friends. 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.420 God forbid, right? 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:35.740 But how about any social setting in your life? 00:22:37.300 --> 00:22:41.539 Who is that social pariah, that outcast, 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:45.180 that modern-day sinful woman in your life? 00:22:47.320 --> 00:22:49.039 We all have at least one. 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:52.300 And if it's not one person, it's a type of person. 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:55.820 It's a group of people in your own society, 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:58.519 in the broader society of Hong Kong, 00:22:58.840 --> 00:22:59.600 and in this world. 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.799 Just be honest with yourself. 00:23:01.459 --> 00:23:02.679 Who is that to you? 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:08.179 I work for a church, so to be honest, 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:13.079 like one of mine that's kind of ingrained in me day after day 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:15.779 that I have to fight against is people who aren't apparently 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:17.359 as devoted to God as I am. 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:21.459 That's a sinful woman to me. 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:26.799 You see, every person is religious in your own way. 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:32.980 And when they encounter people who are so different, 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:36.019 so far from their standards, 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:41.880 that fall so much outside of their sense of what is good, 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:46.600 we put this big fat label on them, 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:52.320 and they just don't see that this person is really a person. 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:54.080 They don't see the person. 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.240 They see the label. 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:56.740 They see the category. 00:23:57.040 --> 00:23:58.380 They see the other. 00:23:58.380 --> 00:24:04.380 This is the folly of self-centered religion. 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:09.260 But Jesus sees right through Simon the Pharisee. 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:12.180 Jesus sees right through us. 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:13.780 He's a prophet. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.780 He's God. 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:19.200 And he tells us a parable of two people who owe money to a moneylender. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:25.080 One debt is about the equivalent of two months' wages. 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:29.799 The other debt is closer to about two years of wages. 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:32.799 So these are both significant sums. 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:36.259 And when neither of them can repay, 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:40.059 the lender decides to graciously cancel all the debts. 00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:41.140 He cancels it. 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:43.000 Puts it on himself. 00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:44.500 He takes the blow. 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:48.200 Who do you think, Jesus asked, 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:51.700 Who do you think will love the moneylender more? 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.960 And I want you guys to notice here 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:58.019 that there's no specific word in Hebrew or Aramaic 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.519 for thanks or gratitude. 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:04.400 So I think the idea of love here is actually more comprehensive. 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:07.779 It's not just love, but there's this thankfulness. 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:10.799 There's this sense of gratefulness into this. 00:25:10.860 --> 00:25:15.180 So who do you think will love the moneylender more? 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:18.640 And Simon answers correctly. 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:21.460 The one whose debt was larger. 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:27.519 And this is when Jesus literally shifts our perspective. 00:25:28.340 --> 00:25:29.920 He turns to the woman. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:35.400 He puts the attention on her, the focus on her. 00:25:36.060 --> 00:25:38.740 The woman who was an outcast up until now. 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:43.640 He puts her in a place of honor by looking at her, focusing on her. 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:46.560 And naturally, the whole room would have done the same. 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:49.560 But he's still talking to Simon. 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:55.579 And he says, Simon, do you see this woman? 00:25:57.700 --> 00:26:00.619 Church, do you see this woman? 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:02.700 Interesting. 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:06.599 Of course Simon saw the woman. 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:07.639 Duh. 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:10.940 She's the whole reason for his frustration, 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:13.339 why he's feeling so vexed. 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:20.459 But did Simon truly see her for who she really was? 00:26:20.699 --> 00:26:23.699 Did he see a person made in God's image? 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:28.419 Did he see a person broken and hurting from being a social outcast? 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:32.639 Searching for purpose and forgiveness? 00:26:33.939 --> 00:26:39.539 Or did he just see her sin and the fact that she was so different from him? 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:44.920 Do you really see that person in your social setting, 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:48.220 that group of people that came to your mind? 00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:52.440 Not for their reputations, not for their behavior or their past, 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:56.480 but do you see them for who they are in God's eyes? 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:05.359 Then Jesus says, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, 00:27:06.139 --> 00:27:08.420 for she loved much. 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:14.200 And notice here that the woman's love is not the cause of forgiveness. 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:20.519 Her love is the evidence that she has already been forgiven. 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:25.379 Because the debt that was graciously canceled by the money lender, 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:31.819 the debtor now responds with overwhelming love and thanksgiving and gratitude. 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:42.779 You see, Jesus makes it clear that the folly of self-centered religion must be replaced by Jesus, 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:45.679 by Christ-centered religion. 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:48.399 What do I mean by that? 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:51.299 See, Jesus says afterwards, 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:56.139 he who is forgiven little loves little. 00:27:56.379 --> 00:27:59.379 He who is forgiven little loves little. 00:27:59.380 --> 00:28:02.200 Now this could be a reference to Simon, 00:28:02.780 --> 00:28:07.220 but don't take it to mean that Simon actually sinned little, 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:10.280 and therefore, you know, he didn't need to respond with as much love, 00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:11.900 because he wasn't forgiven as much. 00:28:13.280 --> 00:28:15.820 This isn't fully captured in the English translation, 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:20.160 but Jesus actually switches here to the present tense when he says this. 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:24.340 He makes it clear that while the woman has been forgiven, 00:28:25.040 --> 00:28:27.600 and therefore has loved in response, 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:31.540 there's no indication that Simon is also forgiven. 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:38.180 And Jesus is saying this to Simon because the problem with his self-centered religion, 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:40.800 the problem with our self-centered religion, 00:28:40.800 --> 00:28:44.960 is that he cannot help but to compare himself with others. 00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:48.180 He was using himself as the standard. 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:50.740 He was condemning the woman. 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:55.440 He was the one comparing the two amounts of debt in the first place, 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:58.039 and the parable exposed that. 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:04.100 But Christ-centered religion comes into the picture 00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:06.420 and changes the dynamic completely. 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.440 It turns it upside down. 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:12.660 Because each of us must give an account to the money lender, 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:15.080 not to each other. 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:19.879 It's meaningless to compare debts, 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:22.059 because as soon as you do it, 00:29:22.419 --> 00:29:23.879 you've already missed the point. 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:27.980 It's not about whose debt is bigger. 00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:32.639 So if you think, like Simon perhaps did, 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:34.319 that you've been forgiven less, 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:36.980 you will love God less, 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:38.639 and chances are, church, 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:43.420 that you and I haven't really understood forgiveness at all. 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:51.640 The scripture says that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. 00:29:51.780 --> 00:29:55.540 We fail to perfectly love the God who created us. 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:59.920 And the consequence of that sin is death. 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:05.820 So if the penalty for defaulting on any amount of payment is death, 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:07.080 the death penalty, 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:11.340 then really does it even matter who has a greater amount of debt? 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.019 No. 00:30:13.580 --> 00:30:14.580 We're all dead. 00:30:15.080 --> 00:30:16.400 We're all in the grave. 00:30:18.300 --> 00:30:20.820 We judge those outsiders in our lives, 00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:21.660 our society, 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:23.539 and how big their debts are. 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:26.359 God looks at all of us 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:28.539 and sees that we're all outcasts. 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:32.240 Self-centered religion is like orphans 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:34.539 fighting over who deserves the best scraps, 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.639 the best leftovers, 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:39.779 when God is offering us adoption 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:42.579 and a banquet feast every day. 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:46.339 Christ-centered religion 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:49.740 is about trusting in what Jesus does 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:52.420 when he cancels our unpayable debts. 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:55.140 He takes the debt upon himself 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:58.400 and he welcomes us as children of God. 00:31:02.080 --> 00:31:03.720 So if you're following me here, 00:31:03.800 --> 00:31:05.560 we have self-centered religion, 00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:10.100 which is overturned by Christ-centered religion. 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:13.620 And our last point today 00:31:13.620 --> 00:31:15.980 is how we respond to Jesus. 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:20.259 You see, the interesting thing, 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:23.779 the interesting thing about Simon the Pharisee 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:25.720 is that his treatment of Jesus 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.879 wasn't actually that bad. 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:30.920 It's a misconception to kind of look at him 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:32.099 and say, ooh, you know, 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:34.180 bad, bad host. 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:36.140 What a bad host. 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:37.579 He was out of line. 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.299 No. 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:40.200 Because in his culture, 00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:42.619 there was no mandatory obligation 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:45.440 for a host to offer foot-washing water 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:47.059 or a kiss of greeting 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:48.559 or anointing oil. 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.980 There was no obligation 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.279 for him to do that. 00:31:52.320 --> 00:31:54.180 Simon is actually courteous to Jesus. 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.720 He even calls him teacher, 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:59.220 which is a title of honor and respect. 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.980 But here's the thing. 00:32:03.100 --> 00:32:04.059 His response, 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.720 his treatment of Jesus, 00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:07.440 although culturally appropriate, 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:11.799 showed that Simon did not understand 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:13.379 the depths of his own sinfulness. 00:32:15.139 --> 00:32:17.339 I wonder how many of us are like that. 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:20.899 Do we just respect Jesus 00:32:20.899 --> 00:32:23.339 as a nice teacher 00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:25.079 who helps us with this little sin 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:26.279 when we're struggling with it 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:27.619 or this little sin 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:28.519 or this problem 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.299 or this goal 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.539 that we can't reach in life? 00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:33.779 Is he kind of like an ad hoc teacher 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.759 that you just bring in 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.440 once in a while, 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.019 a consultant? 00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:39.019 Do we offer him 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:40.379 like the bare minimum 00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:41.220 of our worship 00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:42.180 from week to week 00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:44.240 when we come in on Sundays 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.059 to serve 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:46.559 throughout the weeks 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.660 in your community groups? 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.879 Do you only serve him 00:32:50.879 --> 00:32:52.700 when it's convenient for you? 00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.480 Do you, 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:56.139 I don't know, 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:56.920 do you get anxious 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:58.460 about whether your tithe 00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:59.379 or your offering 00:32:59.379 --> 00:33:00.539 should be on your net income 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.539 or your gross income 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.460 or something in between? 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:04.539 You know, 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.639 is church and religion 00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:06.879 just a checklist 00:33:06.879 --> 00:33:07.639 of things 00:33:07.639 --> 00:33:08.720 that you need to do 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.920 that you need to figure out, 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:11.819 that you need to meticulously parse 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:13.360 like the Pharisees did 00:33:13.360 --> 00:33:15.440 so that you can feel like, 00:33:15.620 --> 00:33:15.740 okay, 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.759 I've done enough. 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:21.240 And if you're subconsciously thinking 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:22.240 or feeling, 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:25.279 I don't feel that bad, 00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:25.779 Jeremy, 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:26.880 I don't feel that bad. 00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.640 I think I'm okay. 00:33:28.539 --> 00:33:29.980 My question to you is this, 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:31.660 by whose standard? 00:33:33.360 --> 00:33:33.839 Yours? 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:36.200 The woman's? 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.160 Or God's? 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:41.180 You see, 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.860 by very nature, 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:45.279 some form of Simon the Pharisee 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:46.559 lives in all of us. 00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:48.299 And this story 00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:49.880 is God's gracious reminder 00:33:49.880 --> 00:33:51.860 for us to examine our love. 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:53.880 You see, 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.920 the woman understood 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:56.420 the magnitude, 00:33:57.420 --> 00:33:59.559 the magnitude of her sin 00:33:59.559 --> 00:34:02.440 and her love for Jesus 00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:05.980 was appropriately massive. 00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:09.980 So here's what I want to do. 00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:11.880 Using the woman's actions 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.539 as categories, 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.199 I want to take us 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:15.900 in these final moments 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:17.260 to reflect on how 00:34:17.260 --> 00:34:19.280 we respond to Jesus. 00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:23.559 The woman greets Jesus 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.440 with kisses, 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:27.840 which was appropriate back then 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.820 as a cultural thing. 00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:31.860 Have you ever greeted Jesus 00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:33.320 with kisses, 00:34:33.320 --> 00:34:34.539 welcoming him 00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:35.539 into your life? 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:38.200 Not just as a good teacher, 00:34:39.200 --> 00:34:41.460 but as an absolute Lord 00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:42.840 over your life. 00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.840 A savior 00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:45.920 who brings you 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:46.500 from death 00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:47.360 to life. 00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:49.700 Whether you consider yourself 00:34:49.700 --> 00:34:50.340 a Christian 00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:52.000 or not this morning, 00:34:52.539 --> 00:34:53.519 is this 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.440 the day 00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:55.539 for you to welcome 00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:57.039 Jesus into your life 00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:58.059 to the extent 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.980 that that woman did? 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:01.920 If you accept 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:03.300 that complete forgiveness 00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:04.360 from God today, 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.039 I encourage you, 00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:06.960 don't leave this place 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:08.059 without telling me 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:09.659 or somebody else, 00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:10.800 the person who brought you, 00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:11.980 because that's huge. 00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:13.659 That's the beginning 00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:14.619 of new life, 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:16.000 of adoption 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:17.199 into God's family. 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:20.240 And if something's stopping you 00:35:20.240 --> 00:35:21.179 from making that decision 00:35:21.179 --> 00:35:22.320 or you still have doubts 00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:23.780 or questions, 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:25.960 please come chat with me 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:27.719 or any one of the leaders. 00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:29.839 I'd love to talk 00:35:29.839 --> 00:35:30.619 to you about that. 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:32.799 If you want, 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:33.719 if you're searching 00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:34.399 and you're still 00:35:34.399 --> 00:35:35.139 on this journey, 00:35:35.259 --> 00:35:36.299 we have the Alpha Course 00:35:36.299 --> 00:35:37.179 starting tomorrow. 00:35:37.359 --> 00:35:39.259 It's this amazing opportunity 00:35:39.259 --> 00:35:41.139 to explore Christianity 00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:42.719 in a safe, 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:44.159 judgment-free environment. 00:35:46.919 --> 00:35:48.119 So the woman wept. 00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.659 Sorry, the woman, 00:35:49.839 --> 00:35:51.299 she greeted Jesus. 00:35:52.619 --> 00:35:54.699 Now she wept as well. 00:35:55.419 --> 00:35:55.980 Number two, 00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:57.500 when was the last time 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.679 you felt that deep, 00:35:59.300 --> 00:36:00.760 gut-wrenching emotion 00:36:00.760 --> 00:36:01.500 from the bottom 00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:02.199 of your stomach 00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:03.159 that just turned? 00:36:03.780 --> 00:36:05.059 And maybe you even wept. 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:07.820 Maybe you even wept 00:36:07.820 --> 00:36:08.960 a lot of tears 00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:10.699 and you cried out to God 00:36:10.699 --> 00:36:11.900 because you grieved 00:36:11.900 --> 00:36:12.960 over your sin 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:15.460 and you rejoiced 00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:17.240 over God's forgiveness. 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:19.000 When have you felt that last? 00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:19.760 Have you ever? 00:36:21.659 --> 00:36:21.980 Church, 00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:22.679 I confess 00:36:22.679 --> 00:36:23.799 I have been a Christian 00:36:23.799 --> 00:36:25.079 for so long 00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:26.460 that oftentimes, 00:36:27.139 --> 00:36:27.919 you know, 00:36:27.980 --> 00:36:29.119 I just think I'm fine. 00:36:30.119 --> 00:36:30.579 You know, 00:36:30.599 --> 00:36:31.079 I'm okay. 00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:32.739 I know God loves me. 00:36:32.779 --> 00:36:33.199 I'm okay. 00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:36.179 When have you felt it? 00:36:36.239 --> 00:36:36.879 When's the last time 00:36:36.879 --> 00:36:37.699 you felt it? 00:36:42.219 --> 00:36:43.000 The woman 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:45.500 wiped Jesus' feet. 00:36:46.579 --> 00:36:47.919 When was the last time 00:36:47.919 --> 00:36:49.739 you were so focused 00:36:49.739 --> 00:36:51.339 on serving God 00:36:51.339 --> 00:36:52.500 that you did something 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.299 on par 00:36:53.299 --> 00:36:54.219 with the woman 00:36:54.219 --> 00:36:55.339 letting down her hair? 00:36:56.179 --> 00:36:57.799 A total cultural bomb. 00:36:59.759 --> 00:37:00.599 What she did 00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:01.279 was basically 00:37:01.279 --> 00:37:03.479 social suicide. 00:37:04.479 --> 00:37:05.199 But today, 00:37:05.319 --> 00:37:06.419 I still get concerned 00:37:06.419 --> 00:37:07.979 about whether I'm 00:37:07.979 --> 00:37:08.659 doing something 00:37:08.659 --> 00:37:09.399 too extreme 00:37:09.399 --> 00:37:10.019 in church 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:12.000 or amongst my friends. 00:37:13.259 --> 00:37:14.779 When was the last time 00:37:14.779 --> 00:37:15.639 or is there something 00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:16.639 in your heart 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:17.659 that you want to do 00:37:17.659 --> 00:37:19.099 that it's just 00:37:19.099 --> 00:37:19.719 that you would, 00:37:19.799 --> 00:37:20.879 the culture will look down 00:37:20.879 --> 00:37:21.239 and say, 00:37:21.319 --> 00:37:21.779 that's weird, 00:37:21.879 --> 00:37:22.460 that's stupid. 00:37:24.460 --> 00:37:25.639 When was the last time 00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:26.500 you did something 00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:27.339 like that 00:37:27.339 --> 00:37:28.199 because you were 00:37:28.199 --> 00:37:29.480 so enamored, 00:37:29.839 --> 00:37:30.779 so in love 00:37:30.779 --> 00:37:31.980 with the Christ, 00:37:32.460 --> 00:37:33.039 the Messiah 00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:33.920 who saved you? 00:37:37.319 --> 00:37:37.759 Finally, 00:37:37.759 --> 00:37:39.199 when was the last time 00:37:39.199 --> 00:37:40.039 you did something 00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:41.379 so extravagant 00:37:41.379 --> 00:37:43.019 and so costly 00:37:43.019 --> 00:37:44.440 for God? 00:37:45.079 --> 00:37:46.159 Like breaking open 00:37:46.159 --> 00:37:47.539 that alabaster jar 00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:48.179 of perfume. 00:37:50.779 --> 00:37:52.399 I admit sometimes 00:37:52.399 --> 00:37:52.940 I, 00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:55.019 most of the time, 00:37:55.119 --> 00:37:55.679 I serve out 00:37:55.679 --> 00:37:56.319 of my abundance. 00:37:57.819 --> 00:37:59.039 I serve out 00:37:59.039 --> 00:38:00.440 of my wealth. 00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:02.759 And there's no real sacrifice. 00:38:03.019 --> 00:38:03.980 There's no real cost. 00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:06.739 So if there's something 00:38:06.739 --> 00:38:08.159 that comes to your mind 00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:09.000 right now, 00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:10.179 write it down. 00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:11.159 Remember it. 00:38:11.159 --> 00:38:13.960 What is something costly 00:38:13.960 --> 00:38:16.259 that God calls you to do 00:38:16.259 --> 00:38:17.719 because of his love 00:38:17.719 --> 00:38:18.239 for you? 00:38:22.500 --> 00:38:22.940 Guys, 00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:24.279 if you haven't seen 00:38:24.279 --> 00:38:25.440 any of that evidence 00:38:25.440 --> 00:38:26.239 in your life, 00:38:26.839 --> 00:38:27.619 I want you to listen 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:28.839 to me very carefully. 00:38:30.839 --> 00:38:32.639 I am not challenging you 00:38:32.639 --> 00:38:33.659 to go and do 00:38:33.659 --> 00:38:35.219 lots of religious stuff now. 00:38:36.420 --> 00:38:37.879 That's what the Pharisees do. 00:38:37.880 --> 00:38:41.860 What I am inviting you 00:38:41.860 --> 00:38:42.440 to do 00:38:42.440 --> 00:38:44.320 is to really think, 00:38:45.599 --> 00:38:45.980 meditate, 00:38:46.340 --> 00:38:47.039 think again 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:49.140 about who Jesus Christ 00:38:49.140 --> 00:38:49.860 is to you. 00:38:51.200 --> 00:38:52.920 He who loves little, 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:55.420 he who loves little 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:56.539 is probably spending 00:38:56.539 --> 00:38:57.599 too much time 00:38:57.599 --> 00:38:58.940 comparing himself 00:38:58.940 --> 00:38:59.640 to others 00:38:59.640 --> 00:39:01.119 and too little time 00:39:01.119 --> 00:39:02.420 comparing himself 00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:03.039 to Jesus. 00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:06.119 the one who created you, 00:39:07.219 --> 00:39:07.539 Jesus, 00:39:07.699 --> 00:39:08.759 the one who created 00:39:08.759 --> 00:39:09.779 you and I 00:39:09.779 --> 00:39:10.619 to reflect 00:39:10.619 --> 00:39:12.300 his perfect character. 00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:14.900 The one who knows 00:39:14.900 --> 00:39:16.300 every dirty, 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:17.259 ugly, 00:39:17.480 --> 00:39:18.500 shameful little thought 00:39:18.500 --> 00:39:19.259 that has ever 00:39:19.259 --> 00:39:20.239 crossed your mind. 00:39:22.079 --> 00:39:23.340 The one who knows 00:39:23.340 --> 00:39:24.460 every selfish, 00:39:24.719 --> 00:39:25.779 ungodly thing 00:39:25.779 --> 00:39:26.619 that has ever 00:39:26.619 --> 00:39:27.980 happened in your life, 00:39:28.559 --> 00:39:29.360 both publicly 00:39:29.360 --> 00:39:30.539 and privately. 00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:33.380 yet is the one 00:39:33.380 --> 00:39:35.059 who still loves you 00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:36.539 and died on that cross 00:39:36.539 --> 00:39:37.219 to forgive 00:39:37.219 --> 00:39:38.539 your sins. 00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:40.380 How will you 00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:41.519 respond to him? 00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:43.860 Let's pray. 00:39:47.300 --> 00:39:47.860 Father, 00:39:47.980 --> 00:39:48.539 I thank you 00:39:48.539 --> 00:39:49.679 that in this story 00:39:49.679 --> 00:39:51.179 as the woman 00:39:51.179 --> 00:39:52.920 comes to you 00:39:52.920 --> 00:39:55.820 in recognition 00:39:55.820 --> 00:39:57.460 of her brokenness, 00:39:57.460 --> 00:40:03.039 she comes 00:40:03.039 --> 00:40:03.720 with reckless 00:40:03.720 --> 00:40:04.300 abandon 00:40:04.300 --> 00:40:05.000 knowing that 00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:06.380 it is your opinion, 00:40:07.400 --> 00:40:07.679 Jesus, 00:40:07.960 --> 00:40:09.000 your opinion, 00:40:09.559 --> 00:40:10.320 your standard 00:40:10.320 --> 00:40:10.800 alone 00:40:10.800 --> 00:40:11.559 that matters. 00:40:16.300 --> 00:40:17.360 I thank you 00:40:17.360 --> 00:40:18.740 that as she came, 00:40:19.119 --> 00:40:20.860 as she wept, 00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:22.139 as she served, 00:40:22.240 --> 00:40:23.260 as she loved, 00:40:24.199 --> 00:40:25.039 the people 00:40:25.039 --> 00:40:26.139 around the room 00:40:26.139 --> 00:40:28.179 saw that 00:40:28.179 --> 00:40:30.940 and they marveled, 00:40:30.960 --> 00:40:31.460 they wondered, 00:40:31.619 --> 00:40:33.400 who is this Jesus 00:40:33.400 --> 00:40:34.900 who even forgives 00:40:34.900 --> 00:40:35.799 sins? 00:40:37.440 --> 00:40:38.159 So God, 00:40:38.219 --> 00:40:38.859 I pray that 00:40:38.859 --> 00:40:39.699 your Holy Spirit 00:40:39.699 --> 00:40:40.699 would convict us 00:40:40.699 --> 00:40:41.519 now and speak 00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:42.379 into our lives 00:40:42.379 --> 00:40:43.819 what is the next step 00:40:43.819 --> 00:40:45.379 for every one of us 00:40:45.379 --> 00:40:46.239 to take. 00:40:47.500 --> 00:40:48.239 And above all, 00:40:48.319 --> 00:40:48.900 I pray that 00:40:48.900 --> 00:40:49.699 that next step 00:40:49.699 --> 00:40:51.440 would not be because 00:40:51.440 --> 00:40:52.839 we are like Pharisees 00:40:52.839 --> 00:40:53.400 who just want 00:40:53.400 --> 00:40:54.019 to be better, 00:40:54.500 --> 00:40:55.219 who just want 00:40:55.219 --> 00:40:55.659 to be better 00:40:55.659 --> 00:40:56.259 than the person 00:40:56.259 --> 00:40:57.059 next to us. 00:40:57.359 --> 00:40:58.319 But that next step, 00:40:58.439 --> 00:40:58.519 Lord, 00:40:58.579 --> 00:40:59.059 would come 00:40:59.059 --> 00:41:00.299 because we see 00:41:00.299 --> 00:41:01.419 the cross, 00:41:01.519 --> 00:41:02.480 we see how much 00:41:02.480 --> 00:41:03.099 you love us, 00:41:03.179 --> 00:41:04.539 we see the debt 00:41:04.539 --> 00:41:05.379 that was canceled. 00:41:06.819 --> 00:41:07.679 And everything 00:41:07.679 --> 00:41:08.519 is a reaction 00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:09.019 to you, 00:41:09.079 --> 00:41:09.239 God. 00:41:09.279 --> 00:41:10.480 I pray that 00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:11.279 that would happen 00:41:11.279 --> 00:41:12.539 for every single 00:41:12.539 --> 00:41:13.119 one of us 00:41:13.119 --> 00:41:13.819 in this room 00:41:13.819 --> 00:41:15.079 and that we would 00:41:15.079 --> 00:41:15.659 walk out 00:41:15.659 --> 00:41:16.339 being ready 00:41:16.339 --> 00:41:17.379 to take the next step, 00:41:17.459 --> 00:41:18.139 that we would sing 00:41:18.139 --> 00:41:19.079 these next songs 00:41:19.079 --> 00:41:20.039 responding, 00:41:20.599 --> 00:41:21.219 knowing that 00:41:21.219 --> 00:41:22.279 you are calling us 00:41:22.279 --> 00:41:23.219 to something greater. 00:41:23.219 --> 00:41:25.079 and I pray 00:41:25.079 --> 00:41:25.980 like in this story 00:41:25.980 --> 00:41:26.639 that the people 00:41:26.639 --> 00:41:27.279 around us, 00:41:27.319 --> 00:41:28.399 the people of Hong Kong, 00:41:28.500 --> 00:41:29.379 the people of our 00:41:29.379 --> 00:41:30.259 workplaces, 00:41:30.379 --> 00:41:31.059 our families, 00:41:31.259 --> 00:41:31.879 our city, 00:41:32.239 --> 00:41:33.179 would see that 00:41:33.179 --> 00:41:34.299 and they would also 00:41:34.299 --> 00:41:34.679 say, 00:41:34.859 --> 00:41:35.099 wow. 00:41:36.159 --> 00:41:37.239 They would marvel 00:41:37.239 --> 00:41:37.719 and say, 00:41:37.980 --> 00:41:39.419 who is this Jesus 00:41:39.419 --> 00:41:41.559 who forgives sins, 00:41:42.159 --> 00:41:44.519 that incites 00:41:44.519 --> 00:41:45.639 this kind of passion 00:41:45.639 --> 00:41:46.819 and transformation 00:41:46.819 --> 00:41:48.980 in these people? 00:41:48.980 --> 00:41:51.360 God, 00:41:51.440 --> 00:41:52.760 would you shine 00:41:52.760 --> 00:41:53.300 that light 00:41:53.300 --> 00:41:54.099 into our hearts 00:41:54.099 --> 00:41:54.619 right now? 00:41:54.780 --> 00:41:55.619 Would your spirit 00:41:55.619 --> 00:41:56.800 bring conviction 00:41:56.800 --> 00:41:57.980 and truth 00:41:57.980 --> 00:41:59.139 into our lives? 00:42:01.719 --> 00:42:02.740 In Jesus' name 00:42:02.740 --> 00:42:03.139 we pray. 00:42:03.820 --> 00:42:04.139 Amen.