WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.919 So, good morning, everyone. 00:00:04.280 --> 00:00:06.660 As you've hopefully figured out by now, 00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:10.960 ! This Sunday is a special Sunday in the life of our church, 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:11.960 in the church calendar. 00:00:11.960 --> 00:00:15.380 This is the last Sunday in the Christian year, 00:00:15.380 --> 00:00:18.960 and we call it the Feast of Christ the King 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:22.580 because we recognize and celebrate that Jesus is King. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:24.359 And if you're listening to the readings, 00:00:24.760 --> 00:00:26.800 all of the readings point to that reality. 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:28.300 We have the Old Testament reading 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:32.460 that shows how the human shepherds and leaders 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:34.560 over God's people ultimately failed, 00:00:35.179 --> 00:00:38.299 and God says that one day He's going to come Himself 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:41.140 and shepherd His people, gather them together. 00:00:41.420 --> 00:00:44.280 And in the Psalms, we see God's people 00:00:44.280 --> 00:00:47.700 clinging to that promise, waiting, hoping, 00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:49.540 the day when all violence will end, 00:00:49.620 --> 00:00:51.939 when God will finally put things right, 00:00:52.140 --> 00:00:53.880 and we have but to be still. 00:00:54.120 --> 00:00:56.640 I could have sung that for an hour, by the way, 00:00:56.780 --> 00:00:57.679 just that refrain. 00:00:57.679 --> 00:00:59.619 I just felt that in my soul. 00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:00.600 That was so wonderful. 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:03.039 And then we see this incredible description 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:07.280 in the New Testament reading of Christ the King, 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:10.700 the cosmic King, the one through whom all things were made, 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:12.900 the one in whom all things hold together. 00:01:14.420 --> 00:01:16.819 But then we come to this gospel reading, 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:19.939 and I have to say it is a curious finale. 00:01:19.939 --> 00:01:24.620 Four readings in a row, all extolling this great king, 00:01:24.679 --> 00:01:28.120 until we get to the gospel reading. 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:31.959 Luke chapter 23 immediately becomes clear 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:36.099 that Jesus is unlike any king this world has ever known, 00:01:36.780 --> 00:01:41.579 because we see Jesus not with a crown being celebrated 00:01:41.579 --> 00:01:44.519 and worshipped, but hanging on a cross, 00:01:45.239 --> 00:01:46.560 suffering and dying. 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:51.060 And even more curious, we see this story, 00:01:51.780 --> 00:01:54.700 and the details of this story that we're going to focus on 00:01:54.700 --> 00:01:56.739 are unique to Luke's gospel of two criminals, 00:01:57.680 --> 00:02:01.000 one on Jesus' right, one on his left. 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:04.859 Now, as we're going to see, one of these criminals 00:02:04.859 --> 00:02:08.560 is going to gain the great honor and privilege 00:02:08.560 --> 00:02:13.099 of being the first person welcomed into Jesus' kingdom. 00:02:14.939 --> 00:02:17.379 The other is going to completely miss his chance. 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:22.080 And the question we're going to contemplate together this morning is why? 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:24.780 What's the difference? 00:02:25.920 --> 00:02:29.340 Both men are criminals, both accused of the same crime, 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:30.840 both under the same sentence, 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:33.659 both turned to Jesus in their time of need. 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:38.759 One has his life completely transformed. 00:02:40.199 --> 00:02:41.419 The other does not. 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:45.659 I think this is an important question for those of us 00:02:45.659 --> 00:02:47.620 who grew up in the modern West, 00:02:47.659 --> 00:02:50.680 because the vast majority of people in our society 00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:52.740 either grew up attending church 00:02:52.740 --> 00:02:55.840 or grew up Christianity adjacent. 00:02:57.439 --> 00:02:59.520 When you grow up in a culture like that, 00:02:59.520 --> 00:03:01.820 like myself, for instance, I grew up in the South, 00:03:01.939 --> 00:03:05.260 which Flannery O'Connor famously described as Christ-haunted. 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:08.899 When you grow up in a Christ-haunted culture, 00:03:09.319 --> 00:03:13.120 it's easy to assume that you know what Christianity is all about. 00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:16.479 It's easy to assume a kind of familiarity with Jesus. 00:03:16.479 --> 00:03:21.419 Many people don't understand that growing up around Jesus 00:03:21.419 --> 00:03:24.239 is not the same thing as having a relationship with him. 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:28.320 So there are many people, I think, in our culture, 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:30.820 many people who fill our churches on Sunday mornings 00:03:30.820 --> 00:03:33.719 who assume they have a relationship with Jesus, 00:03:33.860 --> 00:03:35.360 but who, in fact, do not. 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:38.740 Their lives have never really been changed by him, 00:03:39.240 --> 00:03:42.040 although they may know quite a bit about him. 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:44.700 The question we're going to ask this morning is, 00:03:44.860 --> 00:03:45.320 why not? 00:03:46.040 --> 00:03:47.180 And this passage, I believe, 00:03:47.260 --> 00:03:48.879 shows us three things we need to see 00:03:48.879 --> 00:03:50.460 in order to answer that question. 00:03:50.580 --> 00:03:52.200 What's the difference between these two criminals? 00:03:53.140 --> 00:03:53.719 Let's pray. 00:03:55.080 --> 00:03:56.659 Lord, we thank you for your word, 00:03:56.740 --> 00:03:59.480 and we thank you for this final Sunday in our church year, 00:03:59.540 --> 00:04:01.020 and we thank you for the focus. 00:04:02.100 --> 00:04:04.319 Help us to understand what it means that you are king, 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:07.040 what kind of king you are, 00:04:07.900 --> 00:04:10.120 and what this could possibly mean, 00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:13.420 what hope it has to offer criminals like us. 00:04:13.920 --> 00:04:15.980 We pray this in Jesus' holy name. 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:16.340 Amen. 00:04:16.339 --> 00:04:16.459 Amen. 00:04:18.219 --> 00:04:19.979 So the first issue, 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:22.179 the first difference I would suggest 00:04:22.179 --> 00:04:23.679 between these two criminals 00:04:23.679 --> 00:04:27.179 has to do with the posture of their heart 00:04:27.179 --> 00:04:29.000 toward Jesus. 00:04:31.419 --> 00:04:34.559 Is Jesus the means to an end, 00:04:34.639 --> 00:04:36.699 or is Jesus the end itself? 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:39.299 The first criminal says, 00:04:39.959 --> 00:04:40.879 aren't you the Messiah? 00:04:42.019 --> 00:04:44.259 Save yourself and us. 00:04:44.259 --> 00:04:46.719 But most commentators agree 00:04:46.719 --> 00:04:48.879 his tone is quite sarcastic. 00:04:49.300 --> 00:04:50.539 What he's really saying is this, 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:52.240 aren't you supposed to be the Messiah? 00:04:53.699 --> 00:04:55.819 If so, if you're the Messiah, as you say, 00:04:56.079 --> 00:04:56.519 prove it. 00:04:57.800 --> 00:04:59.219 I've got a great idea how you can prove it. 00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:00.360 Get me off this cross. 00:05:02.180 --> 00:05:02.980 That's his approach. 00:05:03.060 --> 00:05:04.139 Get me down from here. 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:04.819 In other words, 00:05:05.420 --> 00:05:08.579 if you solve this urgent problem in my life, 00:05:08.579 --> 00:05:14.279 if you meet my felt need, 00:05:15.079 --> 00:05:19.099 then I will consider believing you as the Messiah. 00:05:20.219 --> 00:05:21.319 So for this man, 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:22.360 we begin to see right away 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:26.339 that Jesus is for him a means to an end. 00:05:26.419 --> 00:05:27.319 I'll believe in you. 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:28.839 I'll put my faith in you 00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:32.560 as long as it benefits me in some way. 00:05:32.659 --> 00:05:33.699 You do this for me, 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:36.039 and then I'll consider doing that for you. 00:05:36.040 --> 00:05:40.120 And before we pile on to this poor man, 00:05:40.180 --> 00:05:42.920 I think we probably need to reflect and admit 00:05:42.920 --> 00:05:44.220 that many of us, I think, 00:05:44.260 --> 00:05:46.819 have done the same thing in our lives, 00:05:46.860 --> 00:05:48.000 if we're really honest. 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:51.260 At some point in most people's lives, 00:05:51.720 --> 00:05:52.840 not just Christians, 00:05:52.960 --> 00:05:53.860 but non-Christians, 00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:55.020 atheists, right? 00:05:55.100 --> 00:05:56.540 At most people, 00:05:56.640 --> 00:05:58.040 at some point in their life, 00:05:58.340 --> 00:06:01.600 when they're in a time of desperation and need, 00:06:01.720 --> 00:06:03.160 some major crisis happens, 00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:04.500 even non-religious people 00:06:04.500 --> 00:06:06.680 will sometimes in a moment of desperation 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:07.660 cry out to God. 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:08.860 God, if you're there, 00:06:09.740 --> 00:06:10.520 please help me. 00:06:10.640 --> 00:06:11.980 I need you to do this for me. 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:14.939 I need you to keep this bad thing from happening. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:17.260 But the fact is, 00:06:17.280 --> 00:06:18.600 and I think we know this anecdotally, 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:20.740 most people are not changed by that. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:22.720 They cry out to God in a moment of need, 00:06:22.780 --> 00:06:23.940 but they're not changed by that. 00:06:25.760 --> 00:06:28.040 The reason is because most of the time, 00:06:28.140 --> 00:06:29.160 what we're really saying 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:31.200 when we cry out to God in those moments, 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:32.139 what we're really saying is, 00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:34.479 if you're really worth believing in, God, 00:06:34.519 --> 00:06:35.699 if you're really worth following, 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:37.920 then get me out of this situation 00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:39.680 or do this for me, 00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:40.839 and then I'll believe. 00:06:41.659 --> 00:06:43.719 Some of us may have even prayed that prayer before. 00:06:43.819 --> 00:06:45.240 If you do this one thing for me, 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:46.599 God, I've never asked you for anything, 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:49.240 and if you just do this one thing for me, 00:06:50.039 --> 00:06:51.839 then I promise I will go to church every week 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:52.419 and I will follow you 00:06:52.419 --> 00:06:53.480 and I will give all my money away 00:06:53.480 --> 00:06:54.300 and I will do all these things. 00:06:54.419 --> 00:06:55.899 If you just do this one thing for me. 00:06:57.500 --> 00:06:58.680 And the reason I think 00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:00.120 that most of us have done this, 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:01.079 and the reason that I think 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:02.280 most people tend to do this 00:07:02.280 --> 00:07:03.780 is because it's only natural. 00:07:04.899 --> 00:07:06.220 I mean, if we're honest, 00:07:06.340 --> 00:07:08.560 most people are not walking around 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:11.480 contemplating life's greatest questions. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:13.519 Most people are not walking around 00:07:13.519 --> 00:07:14.560 on an average Tuesday 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:16.899 considering the claims of Christianity 00:07:16.899 --> 00:07:18.439 and whether or not they're true. 00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:19.800 Right? 00:07:19.840 --> 00:07:20.840 Most people are thinking about 00:07:20.840 --> 00:07:22.300 the person who just broke up with them 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:23.639 and how to get that person back. 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:26.660 You know, most people are thinking 00:07:26.660 --> 00:07:27.920 about their job stress. 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:29.460 The reason they're up 00:07:29.460 --> 00:07:30.740 at three, four o'clock in the morning. 00:07:32.020 --> 00:07:33.320 Most people spend their time 00:07:33.320 --> 00:07:34.160 and energy thinking about 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:35.260 how they're going to be able 00:07:35.260 --> 00:07:36.280 to afford the things 00:07:36.280 --> 00:07:37.080 that they need in life. 00:07:38.640 --> 00:07:40.120 Most people are worrying 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:41.200 and wringing their hands 00:07:41.200 --> 00:07:42.200 over their health, 00:07:42.260 --> 00:07:43.200 or the health and well-being 00:07:43.200 --> 00:07:43.980 of their kids. 00:07:46.040 --> 00:07:47.140 We're not contemplating 00:07:47.140 --> 00:07:48.720 these deep existential questions. 00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:51.040 It's only natural. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:51.480 It makes sense. 00:07:51.480 --> 00:07:52.540 We're focusing on the needs 00:07:52.540 --> 00:07:53.540 right in front of our face 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:54.500 most of the time. 00:07:56.120 --> 00:07:57.060 But see, we need to understand 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:57.840 the problem here. 00:07:57.939 --> 00:07:58.800 The problem is this. 00:07:59.280 --> 00:08:01.220 Our biggest need as human beings 00:08:01.220 --> 00:08:04.420 is never the problem 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:05.319 right in front of our face. 00:08:06.420 --> 00:08:07.840 It feels like it in the moment. 00:08:08.580 --> 00:08:10.100 Our biggest need is never 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:11.460 the need that's right 00:08:11.460 --> 00:08:12.220 in front of our face. 00:08:12.340 --> 00:08:13.280 Our biggest need 00:08:13.280 --> 00:08:14.740 is the salvation 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:16.020 and renewal of our souls. 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:20.899 But most of the time 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:22.439 we live with that need 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:23.379 buried way down there 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:24.839 in the list of priorities. 00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:28.479 The point for us to see here, though, 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:30.099 is that when our relationship 00:08:30.099 --> 00:08:32.240 with Jesus is based on 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:34.199 what He can give us 00:08:34.199 --> 00:08:35.620 or do for us, 00:08:35.699 --> 00:08:37.059 or the ways in which 00:08:37.059 --> 00:08:38.439 He will or will not 00:08:38.439 --> 00:08:39.779 address those immediate 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:40.840 felt needs, 00:08:41.059 --> 00:08:41.919 if our relationship 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:43.179 with Jesus is based on that, 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:44.559 then if we're really honest, 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:46.159 it's not actually about Jesus. 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:49.519 It's about that thing 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:51.079 that we want or don't want. 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:52.819 It's about that felt need. 00:08:53.739 --> 00:08:55.699 And whatever that thing is, 00:08:56.659 --> 00:08:58.459 that is really our God. 00:09:00.079 --> 00:09:01.559 That is really the thing 00:09:01.559 --> 00:09:03.019 that drives and animates our life. 00:09:04.959 --> 00:09:06.599 And we're trying to make Jesus 00:09:06.599 --> 00:09:08.099 a servant of that thing. 00:09:10.099 --> 00:09:11.139 So for those of us 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:11.639 who are Christians, 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:12.879 we should really pay attention 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:13.479 to this. 00:09:14.559 --> 00:09:18.079 Do we want Jesus 00:09:18.079 --> 00:09:20.979 even if and when 00:09:20.979 --> 00:09:22.479 He doesn't give us that thing 00:09:22.479 --> 00:09:24.439 that we cry out for? 00:09:26.479 --> 00:09:29.039 Or if by not doing that thing 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:30.119 we want Him to do, 00:09:30.619 --> 00:09:32.279 if by not doing it, 00:09:33.079 --> 00:09:34.899 He's actually doing something 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:37.799 far deeper in us 00:09:37.799 --> 00:09:39.399 that only He understands, 00:09:39.399 --> 00:09:42.179 do we still want Him? 00:09:44.019 --> 00:09:45.220 Will we still trust Him 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:45.899 and follow Him? 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:47.220 Do we still love Him? 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:49.179 Do we still believe He loves us? 00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:52.220 For some of us, 00:09:52.439 --> 00:09:54.379 it can take a very long time 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:56.199 to learn that Jesus 00:09:56.199 --> 00:09:57.939 is infinitely more valuable 00:09:57.939 --> 00:10:00.100 than anything He might give us. 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:03.440 and the second criminal 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:04.440 already, 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:05.120 I would say, 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:06.019 on some 00:10:06.019 --> 00:10:09.139 maybe pre-conscious level, 00:10:09.180 --> 00:10:10.240 we're going to come back to this, 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:13.100 is beginning to figure that out. 00:10:13.940 --> 00:10:14.940 Because if we look at 00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:15.960 this second criminal's 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:16.980 posture toward Jesus, 00:10:17.080 --> 00:10:18.060 it's completely different. 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:19.240 He doesn't even, 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:19.700 notice, 00:10:19.800 --> 00:10:21.240 He doesn't even ask Jesus 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:22.620 to get Him down off the cross. 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:25.060 He doesn't ask Jesus 00:10:25.060 --> 00:10:26.539 to solve anything 00:10:26.539 --> 00:10:27.759 about their crisis. 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:29.360 He simply, 00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:29.860 in a way, 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:30.340 says, 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:33.980 wherever you are, 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:34.840 I want to be. 00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:39.060 Whatever your kingdom is, 00:10:40.060 --> 00:10:40.740 remember me. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:43.419 I want to be there with you. 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:46.039 That's His only request. 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:47.580 So for Him, 00:10:47.680 --> 00:10:48.580 we're beginning to see 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:49.860 that Jesus is not simply 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:51.379 a means to an end. 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:53.340 Jesus is the end. 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:55.899 The first criminal says, 00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:56.179 Jesus, 00:10:56.320 --> 00:10:57.700 I want you to fix my life. 00:10:57.960 --> 00:10:58.820 The second criminal says, 00:10:58.919 --> 00:10:59.120 Jesus, 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:00.279 I want you to be my life. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:04.379 And if it means 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:05.320 all of this trouble, 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:06.019 if it means 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:06.740 all of this suffering, 00:11:06.860 --> 00:11:07.600 if it means 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:08.539 I have to deal with that 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:09.360 in order to have you, 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:10.379 then so be it. 00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:12.899 That's a very different posture. 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:16.379 So if we're only ever focused 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:17.379 on what we can get 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:18.019 from Jesus, 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.600 and we never come to see 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:20.559 that having Jesus 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:21.559 is everything, 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:22.839 is worth everything, 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:25.419 then even if we grow up 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:25.959 in church, 00:11:26.079 --> 00:11:26.739 and we grow up 00:11:26.739 --> 00:11:27.739 all of our lives 00:11:27.739 --> 00:11:29.000 hearing about Jesus, 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:30.500 our hearts can remain 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.599 far away. 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:36.259 That's the first thing 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:36.819 that we see, 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:37.639 the first difference 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.339 between someone 00:11:38.339 --> 00:11:39.059 who's going to have 00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:39.819 their life changed 00:11:39.819 --> 00:11:40.419 by Jesus, 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:42.439 and someone who's not. 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:44.840 the second difference 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:45.400 we see 00:11:45.400 --> 00:11:47.700 has to do with 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:48.760 their response 00:11:48.760 --> 00:11:50.740 to the wrong 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:51.820 that they have done 00:11:51.820 --> 00:11:53.160 in their own lives, 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:53.920 and what we see 00:11:53.920 --> 00:11:54.800 is this difference. 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.740 It is not regret 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:57.700 over sin, 00:11:58.540 --> 00:11:59.540 but a willingness 00:11:59.540 --> 00:12:01.000 to accept responsibility 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:02.040 for our sin 00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:04.780 that opens the door 00:12:04.780 --> 00:12:05.400 to grace 00:12:05.400 --> 00:12:07.340 in our lives. 00:12:08.400 --> 00:12:09.460 It's not regret, 00:12:09.460 --> 00:12:10.139 but a willingness 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:11.280 to accept responsibility. 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.480 The first criminal 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:14.400 clearly feels regret. 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:16.060 The first criminal 00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:17.480 feels a ton of regret. 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:20.300 He regrets the circumstances 00:12:20.300 --> 00:12:21.060 that he's in. 00:12:21.320 --> 00:12:22.400 He regrets the fact 00:12:22.400 --> 00:12:23.280 that they got caught. 00:12:24.540 --> 00:12:27.100 He regrets the consequences. 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:29.500 He regrets the fact 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:29.980 that it's brought 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:30.580 all this suffering 00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:31.100 into his life, 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.000 and he just wants 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:32.560 to escape. 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:34.440 Tons of regret. 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:37.280 But look at the second criminal. 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.680 Verse 40. 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:42.460 But the other criminal 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:43.160 rebuked him. 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:45.860 Don't you fear God? 00:12:46.520 --> 00:12:47.020 He said. 00:12:47.520 --> 00:12:48.540 Since you're under 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:49.400 the same sentence, 00:12:50.540 --> 00:12:52.400 we are punished justly 00:12:52.400 --> 00:12:53.840 for we're getting 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:54.820 what our deeds deserve, 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:55.460 but this man 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:56.480 has done nothing wrong. 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:59.000 Now that, my friends, 00:12:59.060 --> 00:13:00.240 is not just regret. 00:13:01.140 --> 00:13:02.500 There's far more 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.240 going on here. 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:05.540 First of all, 00:13:05.760 --> 00:13:06.540 he knows 00:13:06.540 --> 00:13:07.540 and is acknowledging 00:13:07.540 --> 00:13:08.640 with trepidation 00:13:08.640 --> 00:13:12.220 that there is a holy God, 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:15.140 and he's clearly able 00:13:15.140 --> 00:13:15.820 to recognize 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:17.440 some degree of truth 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:18.480 about Jesus. 00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:20.060 He rebukes 00:13:20.060 --> 00:13:21.140 this other criminal 00:13:21.140 --> 00:13:22.960 for blaspheming 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:24.280 against Jesus 00:13:24.280 --> 00:13:25.240 by mocking him. 00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:26.560 He recognizes 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:27.340 and affirms 00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:28.820 Jesus' innocence, 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:30.980 and he seems 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:31.680 to be able 00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:32.400 to recognize 00:13:32.400 --> 00:13:32.920 that Jesus 00:13:32.920 --> 00:13:33.880 is some kind 00:13:33.880 --> 00:13:34.380 of king 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:35.679 with some kind 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:36.240 of kingdom, 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:38.720 only it's clearly 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:39.360 very different. 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:41.259 But I would say 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.539 the most amazing thing 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:45.279 is that this second criminal 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:46.659 is willing to fully 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.740 admit his wrong. 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:50.720 Now that is very, 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:51.299 very rare. 00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:53.259 It's very rare. 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:55.419 He is willing to say, 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:58.360 we deserve this. 00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:01.919 We are getting what we deserve. 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:04.539 And that kind of admission, 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:06.000 that willingness 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:07.360 to fully own 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.820 and accept responsibility, 00:14:10.060 --> 00:14:10.600 the willingness 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.180 to admit 00:14:11.180 --> 00:14:11.860 that you're wrong, 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:12.919 that is the beginning 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:14.320 of the road 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:16.960 to true repentance. 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:19.060 And in the Christian life, 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:19.560 repentance 00:14:19.560 --> 00:14:20.840 is that word 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:21.379 that means 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.639 turning away 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:23.440 from your sin 00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:24.860 and reorienting 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:25.360 your heart 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.019 toward God 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:26.699 completely 00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:27.939 because of his mercy. 00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:29.220 The beginning of that 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:30.340 is what we see here, 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:31.500 a willingness to admit 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.559 this is wrong 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:33.340 and I deserve 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:33.879 what I'm getting 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:34.519 as a result. 00:14:36.319 --> 00:14:37.600 And I want to pause 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:38.159 for a second 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:39.159 and just focus 00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:40.319 on this 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:40.939 a little more 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:41.360 because it's 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:42.480 extremely important. 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:44.919 Some people, 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:47.079 when they 00:14:47.079 --> 00:14:48.319 do something wrong, 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:50.299 they might go on 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:50.720 and on 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:51.120 and on 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:52.299 about how sorry 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:52.799 they are, 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:55.019 about how much 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.679 they regret 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:57.199 what they've done. 00:14:58.099 --> 00:14:58.819 But sometimes 00:14:58.819 --> 00:14:59.859 if you pay attention, 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:01.479 they will ultimately 00:15:01.479 --> 00:15:02.779 avoid actually 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.979 taking responsibility 00:15:03.979 --> 00:15:05.159 for their actions. 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.500 They're very sorry, 00:15:07.599 --> 00:15:08.500 they're full of regret, 00:15:08.699 --> 00:15:09.699 but they won't 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:10.799 actually accept 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.620 responsibility. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:12.159 So, 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:13.240 imagine someone 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:14.779 who gets angry 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:16.259 and in their anger 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:16.899 they snap 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.379 and they say 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:18.319 something hurtful 00:15:18.319 --> 00:15:19.319 to their spouse 00:15:19.319 --> 00:15:20.079 or their friend. 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:23.500 which one 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.020 of these 00:15:24.020 --> 00:15:24.860 apologies 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:26.460 reflects a 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:26.879 genuine 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.420 willingness 00:15:27.420 --> 00:15:28.180 to accept 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:28.920 responsibility? 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:29.740 This is multiple 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.240 choice. 00:15:31.180 --> 00:15:31.280 Okay? 00:15:32.680 --> 00:15:32.940 Okay, 00:15:33.060 --> 00:15:34.440 the other person's 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:34.600 hurt, 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:35.060 they're upset, 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:35.820 things are tense 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:36.320 and awkward 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:36.820 and now 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.660 this person 00:15:37.660 --> 00:15:38.200 wants to try 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:38.820 to make it better 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:39.200 so they're going 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:39.680 to apologize. 00:15:40.060 --> 00:15:40.320 Okay? 00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:41.940 Which reflects 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:42.460 a genuine 00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:42.840 willingness 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:43.639 to accept 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:45.600 responsibility? 00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:46.280 A. 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.140 Whoa, 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:48.600 sorry, 00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:49.259 I was just kidding. 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:49.799 It's not that 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:50.360 big of a deal. 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:52.980 B. 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.240 Look, 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.779 I'm sorry 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:57.299 but I only 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.039 said that 00:15:58.039 --> 00:15:58.439 because of 00:15:58.439 --> 00:15:58.960 what you said 00:15:58.960 --> 00:15:59.279 to me. 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:01.939 C. 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:04.259 I'm sorry, 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.700 I feel awful, 00:16:05.819 --> 00:16:06.259 I'm just a 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:07.100 terrible person, 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.879 I'm not worth 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:09.220 loving. 00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:12.159 D. 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.100 Sorry, 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:16.039 I didn't realize 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:16.399 you were so 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:16.759 sensitive. 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:16.860 D. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:19.659 E. 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.500 I'll say 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.039 I'm sorry 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:25.519 if you admit 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:26.000 that what you 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.340 did to me 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:26.779 was wrong. 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:29.759 F. 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.319 F. 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.340 I'm sorry, 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.200 I'm just under 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:38.899 so much stress 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:39.340 right now. 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.519 Which one? 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:44.299 Right? 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.399 None of the above, 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:45.819 right? 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:46.640 If you guess 00:16:46.640 --> 00:16:47.460 none of the above, 00:16:47.680 --> 00:16:48.660 you get a gold star. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.240 Why not? 00:16:49.420 --> 00:16:49.600 Right? 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.040 Well, 00:16:50.040 --> 00:16:50.780 what do we see here? 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:51.800 We see minimizing. 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:53.680 We see blame shifting. 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:54.900 We see self-pity. 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:57.620 We see a lighter 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.840 form of gaslighting. 00:16:58.920 --> 00:16:59.980 We see conditional 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:00.940 apology. 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:02.720 We see making excuses 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:04.180 to justify yourself. 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:04.519 Right? 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.860 What are all of those? 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.019 They're all tactics 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:09.779 to avoid actually 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:11.000 having to accept 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.720 responsibility. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.720 What does a genuine 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.940 apology sound like? 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:18.920 Right? 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:20.160 It doesn't have to be 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:22.240 verbose and flowery 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.180 and extended. 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:25.839 What does it do? 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:27.639 It clearly and specifically 00:17:27.639 --> 00:17:28.779 names the wrong 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:30.599 and it accepts 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.379 responsibility 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:33.220 without any conditions 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.319 or excuses. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:35.500 Now, 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.480 there might be context 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.399 and there might be 00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:38.359 a point to come to that 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:39.139 in the conversation. 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.319 But a genuinely 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.639 repentant apology 00:17:42.639 --> 00:17:43.919 clearly and specifically 00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:44.779 names the wrong, 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.319 accepts responsibility, 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:48.099 and places no conditions 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:49.379 or excuses on that. 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.359 So, 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.419 it might sound 00:17:51.419 --> 00:17:52.419 something like this. 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.639 What I did to you 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:55.240 was hurtful. 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:57.659 I did it out of anger. 00:17:58.839 --> 00:17:59.679 It was wrong. 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:03.299 Please forgive me. 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:04.559 I'm really sorry. 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:06.200 Right? 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.899 It doesn't have to be 00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:08.619 complicated. 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.059 I've known people 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:11.000 who have been Christians 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.980 for years 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:14.119 who are well-known 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:15.079 and highly respected 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:15.579 in the church 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.740 who may even serve 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:18.259 in prominent leadership roles 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.279 and yet they are 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.659 incapable of actually 00:18:20.659 --> 00:18:21.899 accepting responsibility 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:23.279 when they mess up. 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:26.220 And I'll tell you this, 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:27.299 in the best 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:28.839 and most thriving marriages, 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.659 people think of 00:18:29.659 --> 00:18:30.519 thriving marriages 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:31.359 as marriages 00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:32.440 that are conflict-free 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:33.600 absolutely not. 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.500 The best, 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.259 healthiest, 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:36.360 most godly marriages, 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:37.640 there might be a lot of, 00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:39.440 you might come into seasons 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.380 where there's very high 00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:41.320 conflict season 00:18:41.320 --> 00:18:42.279 in your life. 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:44.039 That's going to happen 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:45.120 in the best marriages. 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:46.759 The difference 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:48.460 is that healthy, 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:48.860 godly, 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.680 thriving marriages, 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:52.019 when the conflict happens, 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:53.340 they're able to do 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:54.400 the work of repairing 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:55.080 and healing 00:18:55.080 --> 00:18:56.120 and moving forward. 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:56.840 And what makes 00:18:56.840 --> 00:18:57.519 that possible? 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:59.180 It's that both people 00:18:59.180 --> 00:19:00.379 are willing to admit 00:19:00.379 --> 00:19:01.420 and take responsibility 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.639 for their sin. 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:03.960 Right? 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.259 When that's not happening, 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:08.359 your ability to repair 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:08.819 and heal 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.480 and move forward 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.460 is very stunted. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:11.759 Right? 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:12.700 Now you say, 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:12.859 well, 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:13.639 I thought we were talking 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:14.160 about the criminal 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:14.819 and now we're talking 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.720 about relationships 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.740 and why are we talking 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.400 about all this now? 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:20.099 A couple of reasons. 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.500 Number one, 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:23.480 if we have a hard time 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.039 doing this 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.519 in our human relationships, 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:27.579 chances are 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.339 we have a hard time 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:29.059 doing it with God. 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:31.839 If you cannot admit 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.500 you're wrong 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.619 to your best friend 00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:35.019 whose feelings you hurt, 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:37.240 then what are the chances 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:38.319 that you're going to be able 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:39.000 to go to your knees 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.660 before God 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.680 and confess 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.139 and admit 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:41.960 all of your sin 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:43.319 to Him? 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.319 Conversely, 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.400 I believe the more 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:49.240 comfortable we become 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:51.099 taking responsibility 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.859 for our sins 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:53.500 and wrongs 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.799 in our human relationships, 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.960 or I'm sorry, 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.759 the more comfortable 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.779 we become confessing 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.639 and taking responsibility 00:19:58.639 --> 00:19:59.339 for our sins 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:00.159 before the Lord, 00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:02.000 the easier it becomes 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.539 to do this 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.319 in our relationships 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:04.200 with other people. 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.579 You know, 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:07.659 if you get used to 00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:08.659 on a daily basis 00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:09.220 when you're doing 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:09.980 morning prayer 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:11.779 or coming to meet 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.240 with a priest 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:12.960 for confession 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.500 or even going down 00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:14.960 on your knees 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:16.059 and confessing your sin 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:16.639 thoughtfully 00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:17.299 and meaningfully 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:18.359 on a Sunday service, 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.680 if that becomes 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.220 a part of your 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:21.440 regular life rhythm, 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:23.000 confessing and owning 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.960 your sin to the Lord, 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.200 I guarantee you 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:25.980 that's going to translate 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:27.279 into your human relationships. 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:30.519 Having a relationship 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.099 with God 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:32.579 begins by recognizing 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:33.480 that God 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.480 is a holy God 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:36.019 and that ultimately 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:37.180 all of the sin 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:37.819 that we commit 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.480 in the world 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.240 is ultimately 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.420 committed against Him. 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:42.519 And it begins 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.299 by a willingness 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:44.839 to accept responsibility 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.960 over our sin, 00:20:46.380 --> 00:20:47.380 to confess it 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:47.940 to the Lord, 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.240 and then to cry out 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:49.799 for mercy 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.779 and forgiveness 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.940 knowing that 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.980 we don't deserve it. 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.639 That is the beginning 00:20:54.639 --> 00:20:55.480 of repentance, 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.859 that reorientation 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:57.460 of our hearts 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:57.919 and lives 00:20:57.919 --> 00:20:58.599 toward God. 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.319 So here's what 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:01.759 we've talked about 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.200 so far. 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:02.720 The difference 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.639 between these two criminals, 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.180 number one, 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:04.779 posture. 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:07.180 Is Jesus a means 00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:08.079 to an end in my life 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:08.899 or is He the end? 00:21:10.419 --> 00:21:11.099 Number two, 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.539 do we simply feel 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.839 regret over our sin 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.740 or are we willing 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.960 to take responsibility 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.720 for it 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:18.019 and confess it 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.460 to the Lord? 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:20.640 That's number two. 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:22.559 But those 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:24.360 have to lead us. 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.539 We can't stop here 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.140 because there's one 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:26.960 final difference 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.880 that arguably I think 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:28.700 is the most important 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.460 difference of all 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:30.740 between these two criminals. 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.559 And it's something 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.680 that we need to understand 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.819 anytime we talk about 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.539 practices like 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.000 confession, 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:37.620 repentance, 00:21:38.340 --> 00:21:39.259 we need to understand 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.940 this final truth 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:42.600 that ultimately, 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.079 friends, 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.400 it is not 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:45.400 our repentance 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:48.420 but God's grace 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:50.740 that saves us. 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:52.940 Now listen, 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:55.340 repentance is necessary, 00:21:55.560 --> 00:21:56.200 don't get me wrong, 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:59.420 but God's grace 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:00.500 is what makes 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:02.080 repentance possible. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.180 And God's grace 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.220 is the only reason 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.240 repentance offers 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:07.060 any hope 00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:07.900 of salvation. 00:22:08.560 --> 00:22:09.840 And if we forget that, 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.539 we start thinking 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.340 that there is some kind 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:11.920 of formula 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:12.759 that we've been given 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.980 and that is not at all 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.740 the kind of God 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.800 we're dealing with. 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.519 We need to understand 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.500 something very important 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.879 about this second criminal. 00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:19.940 Actually, two things. 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.519 Number one, 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:22.240 this was not a petty thief. 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.799 It's much more likely 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.700 given the way this word 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.460 is translated 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.539 contextually elsewhere 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:29.519 that this man 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.379 was violent, 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:32.299 he was murderous, 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:34.279 and he was an insurrectionist. 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.799 He was probably part 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.500 of a group that was 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.720 trying to overthrow Rome 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.440 and they had probably 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:39.220 done all kinds of 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.000 horrible things 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.299 to try to make that happen. 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:42.079 So this is the very 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:43.339 worst kind of person. 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.500 He's a violent, 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:48.099 murderous insurrectionist. 00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.419 Number two, 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.279 this second criminal, 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.839 this detail is very easy 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.819 to miss because it's not 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.579 in Luke's gospel, 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:57.899 but it shows up 00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:58.839 in Matthew's gospel. 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.639 Moments before 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.519 this second criminal 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.500 says what he does 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.279 in our passage, 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:07.279 moments before he says this, 00:23:07.919 --> 00:23:08.919 the second criminal 00:23:08.919 --> 00:23:10.220 was mocking Jesus 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.220 right alongside 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.000 the first criminal. 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:15.019 It says in Matthew 27, 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:15.600 44, 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.880 in the same way, 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.720 the rebels, 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.640 that's what Matthew 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:19.360 refers to the mass, 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.519 the rebels who were 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.460 crucified with him 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:23.519 also heaped insults 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:25.220 upon him. 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:27.480 So imagine this scene. 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.880 All the while, 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.700 these men, 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.539 all three men 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.880 are being laid down 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:36.880 and nailed to their crosses. 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.420 All the while, 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.420 the crowds 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:41.039 and the religious leaders 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:41.880 and the soldiers, 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:42.720 they're all 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:44.820 mocking and insulting Jesus. 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.019 Nobody's paying any attention 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.680 to the other two. 00:23:47.340 --> 00:23:48.680 They're all mocking 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.320 and focusing 00:23:49.320 --> 00:23:50.120 all of their hate 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.720 on Jesus. 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:52.320 And these other two men, 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:53.600 as they're being put 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.320 on their crosses, 00:23:54.560 --> 00:23:55.880 are also heaping 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.820 insults 00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:58.140 and reviling Jesus. 00:23:58.320 --> 00:23:58.700 Everyone, 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.759 even the other criminals, 00:24:00.060 --> 00:24:01.440 they're all mocking Jesus. 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:04.000 And then as they hang there, 00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:05.500 they're all mocking Jesus. 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:07.539 On his right and his left, 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:09.039 everybody's hurling insults 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.500 in Jesus. 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.380 And then, 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.339 all of a sudden, 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.500 imagine this, 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.400 all of a sudden, 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.359 one of them stops 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:20.180 and he begins 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:22.839 to have an inexplicable 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.539 change of heart. 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:26.599 And it's like the pieces 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:28.339 start to fall into place. 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:29.759 Maybe he's seen Jesus 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:31.160 or heard Jesus teach. 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:31.980 Maybe he's seen him 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.880 perform miracles. 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:34.300 Maybe he's interacted 00:24:34.300 --> 00:24:36.080 with some of Jesus' disciples. 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.960 They're probably all 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:37.980 roughly the same age. 00:24:38.100 --> 00:24:39.360 And all of those pieces 00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:40.100 that he's been around 00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:42.220 maybe all of his adult life, 00:24:42.280 --> 00:24:43.480 it all begins to click. 00:24:44.580 --> 00:24:47.120 And he begins to grasp something 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:48.780 about what's actually happening. 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.260 And what's happening 00:24:50.260 --> 00:24:51.000 is that grace, 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:52.000 you know, 00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:53.500 is beginning to break 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.180 into his life. 00:24:54.520 --> 00:24:55.540 And he doesn't know it yet. 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:59.700 But this man is by no means 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.940 a model for us to follow. 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.120 Right? 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.040 The preacher, 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.880 Alistair Begg, 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:07.520 has a wonderful sermon 00:25:07.520 --> 00:25:08.560 on this passage. 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:11.620 And I'll paraphrase him here 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:12.600 as best I can, 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:14.040 although I lack the Scottish accent 00:25:14.040 --> 00:25:14.700 to do it well. 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.920 But he sort of has us imagine 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.960 this criminal, 00:25:19.060 --> 00:25:19.780 this second criminal, 00:25:20.540 --> 00:25:21.420 sort of arriving 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:22.300 at the gates of heaven. 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:23.200 Right? 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:25.080 So he arrives 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:25.800 and he's looking around 00:25:25.800 --> 00:25:26.120 and he says, 00:25:26.520 --> 00:25:26.720 you know, 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.860 the angel standing at the gate 00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:29.640 comes up and says, 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:32.920 what are you doing here? 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.180 The man says, 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.759 I have no idea. 00:25:39.080 --> 00:25:39.400 Well, 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:41.980 what do you mean 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.420 you don't know? 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:42.880 Guy says, 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.800 that's what I'm saying. 00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:44.380 I have no idea. 00:25:44.600 --> 00:25:45.120 I have no idea 00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:45.660 how I got here. 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.720 Angels are like, 00:25:47.800 --> 00:25:48.540 all right, 00:25:48.560 --> 00:25:49.380 we can figure this out. 00:25:49.560 --> 00:25:49.759 He says, 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:50.020 well, 00:25:51.020 --> 00:25:51.340 well, 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:51.620 I mean, 00:25:51.620 --> 00:25:51.980 obviously, 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.180 surely you've been baptized, 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:53.560 right? 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.280 Guy says, 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:55.920 I have no idea 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:56.460 what that means. 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:58.860 Okay? 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.059 Well, 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:02.079 so, 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:04.559 so surely you're clear 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.180 on the doctrine 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.960 of salvation 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:07.180 by grace through faith, 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:07.440 right? 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:07.940 Guy, 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:09.079 I've never heard 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:09.660 of that in my life. 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:13.819 Well, 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:14.400 let's just start 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.100 with the basics then. 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.920 What about your doctrine 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.460 of scripture? 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:17.799 Have you, 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:18.500 Guy says, 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:20.120 blank expression, 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:20.799 I have no idea 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.380 what you're talking about. 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.860 Never even heard 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.279 of a Bible. 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:26.660 angel, 00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:27.379 after asking 00:26:27.379 --> 00:26:28.119 all these questions, 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.759 finally just throws 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:29.359 his hands up 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:29.819 in frustration 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.079 and says, 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:30.440 well, 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.160 on what basis 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.899 are you here then? 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:34.319 And the man says, 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:38.139 because the man 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:38.940 on the middle cross 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:40.759 said I could come. 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:46.700 I don't know 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.279 if you've been 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.200 ever asked that question 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.680 of, 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.019 you know, 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.059 if you were to die today 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:52.519 and you were to go 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.139 and you try to gain 00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:53.759 entry to heaven 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.720 and someone were 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.140 to ask you 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:55.819 on what basis 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.559 should you be allowed 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.099 to come in, 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:59.140 what would you say? 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.819 If your answer 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.920 begins with, 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.839 because I, 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.799 you've already 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.339 gone wrong, 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:09.379 right? 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:11.180 Because I believe 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:11.779 this, 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.759 because I was 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.160 baptized, 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.140 because I did 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:17.420 this or did 00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:18.099 that or stopped 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:18.940 doing these things. 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:23.440 the only proper 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.120 answer to that 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:24.559 question, 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:28.140 because he, 00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:30.480 because Jesus. 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:33.100 Think about this 00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:33.840 for just a moment. 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.779 The first person 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:37.320 to enter paradise 00:27:37.320 --> 00:27:38.240 through the cross 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:41.200 was a violent 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:41.680 criminal 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.880 who had 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:42.900 who had 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:44.120 no theological 00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:44.900 understanding, 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:47.140 no baptism, 00:27:48.340 --> 00:27:48.940 never even 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:49.920 heard of a Bible, 00:27:50.560 --> 00:27:52.100 and no opportunity 00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:52.779 to amend 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.340 his life. 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.940 If that doesn't 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.799 make us all 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:59.220 extremely uncomfortable, 00:28:00.340 --> 00:28:01.200 then I think 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.900 we're missing it. 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.400 And here's the way, 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.380 I think the longer 00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:04.299 that you've been a Christian 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.140 and the longer 00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:05.640 that you've been 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:06.060 in the church, 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.940 and maybe even 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.539 for those of us 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.480 who are pastors 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.500 and theology 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:10.099 professors 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:11.860 and Bible scholars, 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.120 right, 00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:13.019 who teach this, 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.440 and we have 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.680 our ordo salutis, 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.200 and here's how 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:17.140 salvation works, 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:17.880 and here's how 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.900 it all maps out, 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.120 right, 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:19.660 and then you read 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:20.180 this story, 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.500 and you're just 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:20.940 kind of like, 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.120 what? 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.500 Now, 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.000 I'm not saying 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.480 all that stuff 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.039 doesn't matter. 00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:26.940 I'm not saying 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.700 it's not solid 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.180 and biblical. 00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:28.900 I'm not saying 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.579 that repentance 00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.400 isn't necessary. 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.259 I'm not saying 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:32.360 that we shouldn't 00:28:32.360 --> 00:28:33.960 baptize all believers, 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:34.200 right? 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:35.559 I'm not saying 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.259 any of that, 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:36.839 right? 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:40.620 But what this 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:41.519 ultimately means 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.380 is that the reason 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.240 that any of that 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.180 has any value 00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:44.960 is that we are 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:46.099 dealing with a 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:46.839 promiscuous, 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:47.980 unpredictable, 00:28:48.620 --> 00:28:49.660 scandalous grace, 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:53.339 and I think it 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.519 means that when 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.240 we do enter 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.059 into paradise 00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:57.900 and we look 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:59.279 around at who's 00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.500 here, 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:00.120 I think we're 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:00.420 going to be 00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:02.259 shocked at 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:02.799 who's there, 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:04.799 and I think 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.099 there's going 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.660 to be a whole 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.160 lot of that 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.559 kind of thing 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.120 going on. 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:08.179 what are you 00:29:08.179 --> 00:29:08.779 doing here? 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.139 What are you 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:10.439 doing? 00:29:11.939 --> 00:29:12.699 We'll probably 00:29:12.699 --> 00:29:13.139 have people 00:29:13.139 --> 00:29:13.659 look at us 00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:13.919 and say, 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.399 what are you 00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:14.879 doing here? 00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:21.500 So the season 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:21.919 of Advent 00:29:21.919 --> 00:29:22.939 begins next week, 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.500 and it's a 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.079 wonderful time 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:25.599 for us to 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.599 reexamine our 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.299 relationship 00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:28.619 with Jesus. 00:29:29.699 --> 00:29:30.219 You know, 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.819 for those of us 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.299 who want our 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:32.319 lives changed 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:33.079 by Jesus, 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.039 for those of us 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.599 who don't just 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:35.099 want to be 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:36.379 Christianity adjacent, 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:38.520 right? 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.980 But those of us 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.440 who actually 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:40.800 want to be 00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:41.280 changed, 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.300 Advent is a 00:29:42.300 --> 00:29:43.060 wonderful time 00:29:43.060 --> 00:29:44.440 for us to 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.080 remember some 00:29:45.080 --> 00:29:45.480 of the things 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.080 that we've been 00:29:46.080 --> 00:29:46.780 talking about 00:29:46.780 --> 00:29:47.360 this morning, 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:47.880 to do some 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:48.820 self-examination. 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.240 First, 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.600 in my relationship 00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:51.260 with Jesus, 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.120 is Jesus a 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:52.720 means to an 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.200 end or is 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:53.720 Jesus the 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.000 end? 00:29:55.320 --> 00:29:56.060 How does my 00:29:56.060 --> 00:29:57.020 faithfulness and 00:29:57.020 --> 00:29:57.680 devotion to him 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.580 wax and wane 00:29:58.580 --> 00:29:59.140 depending on 00:29:59.140 --> 00:29:59.720 whether or not 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:01.600 he's living 00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:02.280 according to my 00:30:02.280 --> 00:30:02.880 plan for my 00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:03.140 life? 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:04.700 You know, 00:30:04.760 --> 00:30:05.100 one of the 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:05.719 disciplines we 00:30:05.719 --> 00:30:06.500 use to remind 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.119 ourselves of 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.599 this is the 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.099 discipline of 00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:08.500 fasting. 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.299 And we're 00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:10.019 encouraging our 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.779 church beginning 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:12.599 on Fridays 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:14.500 during Advent 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.539 to either fast 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.199 for one meal 00:30:16.199 --> 00:30:16.980 or fast for the 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.339 day. 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:18.399 A lot of the 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:19.419 church around the 00:30:19.419 --> 00:30:19.919 world will be 00:30:19.919 --> 00:30:20.439 doing the same 00:30:20.439 --> 00:30:20.819 thing. 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.279 And one of the 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.139 main points of 00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:24.319 fasting is to 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:25.119 recenter our 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:26.819 focus on our 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.459 ultimate need 00:30:27.459 --> 00:30:28.039 for Christ. 00:30:29.139 --> 00:30:29.639 You know, 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.379 I love the 00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:31.259 old quote by 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:31.619 the old 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:33.679 preacher Charles 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.120 Spurgeon. 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:34.480 He says, 00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:35.759 nothing teaches 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.360 us about the 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:37.080 preciousness of 00:30:37.080 --> 00:30:37.820 the creator as 00:30:37.820 --> 00:30:38.440 much as when we 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:38.799 learn the 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.400 emptiness of 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.060 everything else. 00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:42.259 And this is an 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:42.960 opportunity to 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.560 remember that. 00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.180 Number two, 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.900 for those of us 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.420 who want to 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:47.539 reevaluate our 00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.400 relationship with 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:49.080 Jesus and grow 00:30:49.080 --> 00:30:49.779 closer to him, 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:51.120 focusing on how 00:30:51.120 --> 00:30:52.140 do we respond to 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:53.799 the sin in our 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.380 lives? 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:55.039 Do we simply 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:57.019 feel regret over 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.000 the consequences 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.660 of the trouble? 00:30:59.560 --> 00:31:00.980 Or is there in 00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:01.580 us a willingness 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.279 to accept 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:03.500 responsibility for 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.279 our sin that 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.139 opens the door 00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:05.819 to grace? 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.740 Beginning in 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:11.039 Advent, we're 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:11.619 going to have a 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.279 number of unique 00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:13.199 opportunities for 00:31:13.199 --> 00:31:14.179 corporate repentance. 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:16.179 As a church, 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.839 there's also going 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:17.519 to be opportunities 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.619 to come and 00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:19.960 meet with clergy 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:21.039 and do confession 00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:21.659 if you'd like to 00:31:21.659 --> 00:31:21.939 do that. 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:22.259 There's an 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.199 Anglican version 00:31:23.199 --> 00:31:23.720 of that that we 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.599 do during these 00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:24.980 seasons. 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.319 And you can let 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:26.740 us know if you 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.259 want to do that. 00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:28.359 But I think that 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:29.220 this is particularly 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:29.939 important for those 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:31.960 of us this year, I 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:33.660 think any time you 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:34.640 are on the cusp, 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:36.259 on the precipice of 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.240 a new season in 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:39.559 your life as a church 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.519 community, as we 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.320 are beginning to 00:31:41.320 --> 00:31:41.880 move into this 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.380 neighborhood and 00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:43.019 this building and 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:43.600 all the things that 00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:44.100 we're hoping to 00:31:44.100 --> 00:31:47.440 see, often in the 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.039 story of God's 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:49.180 people, before times 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:50.039 of flourishing and 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:50.500 growth and 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.180 fruitfulness, there 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:51.940 are times of 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.620 hardship and 00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:53.320 desolation and 00:31:53.320 --> 00:31:53.720 challenge. 00:31:54.820 --> 00:31:55.900 And we're in one 00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:56.400 of those right 00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:56.720 now. 00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:58.299 And it's easy to 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:58.840 just kind of shake 00:31:58.840 --> 00:31:59.580 our fists and be 00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:01.399 frustrated and focus 00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:02.299 on the negativity 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:02.779 of that. 00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:04.179 But in reality, this 00:32:04.179 --> 00:32:04.899 presents a major 00:32:04.899 --> 00:32:05.980 opportunity for us. 00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.339 As we've been 00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:08.199 saying, even as we're 00:32:08.199 --> 00:32:08.799 renovating our 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.539 building, this is an 00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:10.159 opportunity to 00:32:10.159 --> 00:32:10.619 renovate our 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:11.019 hearts. 00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:12.939 And that a heart 00:32:12.939 --> 00:32:13.939 level renovation 00:32:13.939 --> 00:32:14.919 begins with 00:32:14.919 --> 00:32:15.299 repentance. 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.980 It always does. 00:32:18.179 --> 00:32:19.779 Repenting, turning 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.220 to the Lord, 00:32:20.399 --> 00:32:22.619 confessing, seeking 00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:24.500 or asking forgiveness, 00:32:24.699 --> 00:32:25.740 extending forgiveness, 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:27.259 doing the work of 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.199 reconciliation where 00:32:28.199 --> 00:32:28.679 possible. 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:31.240 this is a time for 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:31.379 that. 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:32.059 Number three, 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.899 remembering as we 00:32:33.899 --> 00:32:34.759 talk about all of 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.399 these practices, 00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.119 right, it's always 00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:36.819 important to remember 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.359 whenever we talk 00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:37.819 about things like 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.379 fasting and 00:32:38.379 --> 00:32:39.000 repentance and all 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:40.059 that, it's not 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.879 ultimately these 00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:43.199 practices, but God's 00:32:43.199 --> 00:32:46.139 grace that saves us. 00:32:47.399 --> 00:32:48.259 It's important to 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:48.819 remember that these 00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:50.039 practices have no real 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:51.179 inherent value in and 00:32:51.179 --> 00:32:51.819 of themselves. 00:32:52.379 --> 00:32:53.460 It is the grace of 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.399 Jesus Christ which 00:32:54.399 --> 00:32:55.480 gives them value. 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:55.539 value. 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:58.960 It's only because of 00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.779 Jesus, our suffering 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:02.740 king, that they have 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.620 any value at all. 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.960 It's only because we 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:06.120 have the kind of king 00:33:06.120 --> 00:33:08.259 who refused to save 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:10.039 himself in order to 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:12.440 save us that they 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:12.759 matter. 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.599 Let's pray. 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:18.339 our Lord and heavenly 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:21.019 father, you have shown 00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:21.919 us what a true king 00:33:21.919 --> 00:33:22.480 looks like. 00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:25.759 You have shown us the 00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:26.399 true king of the 00:33:26.399 --> 00:33:26.659 world. 00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:30.039 And you've shown us the 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:30.839 hope that he brings. 00:33:31.659 --> 00:33:33.459 You've shown us how and 00:33:33.459 --> 00:33:35.179 at what cost he gathers 00:33:35.179 --> 00:33:36.439 his people together as 00:33:36.439 --> 00:33:37.159 their true shepherd. 00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:39.259 You've shown us why 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:41.599 violence will one day 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.759 come to an end. 00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:44.059 We see that on the 00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:44.420 cross. 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:46.720 You who refused to do 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:49.240 violence but accepted 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.500 it upon yourself. 00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:53.420 We see how you are the 00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:55.000 one in whom all things 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:56.539 hold together, Lord. 00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:58.879 We see your glory on the 00:33:58.879 --> 00:33:59.220 cross. 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:01.019 We pray that we would be 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.559 changed as we approach 00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:02.879 you. 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:04.279 That whether we are 00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:05.319 long time seasoned 00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:07.180 Christians, whether we 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:09.000 are teenagers who are 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:09.739 just beginning to think 00:34:09.739 --> 00:34:11.699 about this, whether we're 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.400 here and we've never 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.019 heard any of this 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:13.960 before, we pray that 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.599 Lord, in the coming 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:16.420 weeks, we would all be 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:17.400 changed by you. 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.980 From the inside out, 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:21.099 Lord, not just for our 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.780 good, but ultimately 00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:22.519 that we might be a 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:23.660 people who glorify you. 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.220 We pray this in your 00:34:25.220 --> 00:34:25.700 holy name. 00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.099 Amen. 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:56.079 Thank you.