WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:20.379 And I want us to think really about that question in verse 3, where John the Baptist asks Jesus through his messengers, are you the one who is to come or shall we look for another? 00:00:20.379 --> 00:00:20.379 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:45.340 Do you ever feel disappointed with your minister? Do you ever feel disappointed with the church? Do you ever say to yourself, this is just not what I hope for? 00:00:45.340 --> 00:00:57.420 Well, perhaps there's some of you this morning and you might say, well I never ever feel disappointed and my quiet times are always a joy and you live your Christian life on the heights. 00:00:58.220 --> 00:01:01.840 And I congratulate you and I'm also very worried about you. 00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:10.859 Because most of us have down times, don't we? Times when we're disappointed, when we're disappointed most of all with ourselves. 00:01:12.359 --> 00:01:19.359 And we easily get disappointed with other Christians and sometimes we get disappointed with God. 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:28.719 And we're almost afraid to say it, but there's a little voice inside of us that says, is this it? Is this all there is? 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:32.000 And if you feel like that, you're not the first. 00:01:33.280 --> 00:01:36.760 For John the Baptizer was a disappointed man in this passage. 00:01:37.140 --> 00:01:38.000 Of course he's in prison. 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:43.359 Almost certainly he's in that grim fortress of Mahiras on the east of the Dead Sea. 00:01:43.459 --> 00:01:45.340 It's one of the most desolate spots on earth. 00:01:46.659 --> 00:01:49.719 The scholars tell us he'd probably be in prison by this time of about a year. 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:51.000 He's been in a dark dungeon. 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:53.500 He's on death row, though he doesn't know it. 00:01:54.000 --> 00:01:54.879 He's never coming out. 00:01:54.980 --> 00:01:56.500 He's going to be decapitated. 00:01:56.500 --> 00:01:59.239 And not enough to depress anyone. 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:02.599 But there's something deeper troubling John. 00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:04.319 There's a darkness in his spirit. 00:02:05.319 --> 00:02:07.040 His faith is growing weak. 00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:10.080 There's an aspect of doubt about how he feels. 00:02:10.580 --> 00:02:12.180 And there's a fear that's troubling him. 00:02:13.120 --> 00:02:16.960 And he's asking himself questions on his life and his ministry. 00:02:17.960 --> 00:02:18.879 And he wonders this. 00:02:18.920 --> 00:02:20.400 Have I made a terrible mistake? 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:23.800 Have I been wrong from the first? 00:02:25.960 --> 00:02:28.780 We might never ever get as low as John the Baptist. 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:34.700 But I suspect we all have known times of discouragement. 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:37.300 And maybe this week. 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:40.140 Times when we're uncomfortably aware that 00:02:40.139 --> 00:02:43.639 what the Christian life is supposed to be like. 00:02:44.459 --> 00:02:46.119 And what in our case it is like. 00:02:47.399 --> 00:02:49.419 And I think John can really help us here. 00:02:49.519 --> 00:02:50.559 He'd been so excited. 00:02:50.679 --> 00:02:51.959 Do you remember at the start of the gospel 00:02:51.959 --> 00:02:54.379 when John had been, when Christ had been revealed. 00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:55.919 He'd preached in the desert. 00:02:55.919 --> 00:02:58.939 And he was wonderfully Christ honouring. 00:02:59.059 --> 00:03:00.780 Saying Christ must increase. 00:03:00.919 --> 00:03:01.959 I must decrease. 00:03:03.299 --> 00:03:06.259 He says after one will come one who is mightier than I. 00:03:06.339 --> 00:03:07.959 And he'll baptise you with the Holy Spirit. 00:03:08.579 --> 00:03:10.959 And he pointed away from himself to the Saviour. 00:03:11.299 --> 00:03:13.799 He said to me again and again in John's gospel. 00:03:13.959 --> 00:03:14.919 I am not the Christ. 00:03:15.039 --> 00:03:15.939 I am not the Christ. 00:03:16.039 --> 00:03:16.639 He is. 00:03:17.959 --> 00:03:19.979 I'm not even worthy to tie his shoelaces. 00:03:21.279 --> 00:03:23.299 And then there was that great day at the Jordan River. 00:03:23.300 --> 00:03:26.260 When he saw, as it were, coming down from heaven. 00:03:26.380 --> 00:03:27.640 And he heard a voice. 00:03:29.040 --> 00:03:30.040 This is my son. 00:03:31.200 --> 00:03:32.500 With whom I am well pleased. 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:33.140 Listen to him. 00:03:33.740 --> 00:03:34.840 What a moment that was. 00:03:35.960 --> 00:03:37.660 And speaking later to the disciples. 00:03:37.860 --> 00:03:39.260 He sees Jesus coming towards him. 00:03:39.320 --> 00:03:40.600 And John points and shouts. 00:03:40.720 --> 00:03:43.240 Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:49.400 He was totally wrapped up in holy joy. 00:03:50.439 --> 00:03:51.320 And excitement. 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:53.199 He must increase. 00:03:53.379 --> 00:03:54.239 I must decrease. 00:03:54.639 --> 00:03:56.959 He is the bride and I'm just the best man. 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:00.400 But as the months pass. 00:04:00.579 --> 00:04:02.219 John begins to feel disappointed. 00:04:04.639 --> 00:04:05.599 Disappointment with Jesus. 00:04:07.900 --> 00:04:09.139 He was a wonderful person. 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:09.459 Yes. 00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:10.979 He was doing great miracles. 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:11.699 He was impressive. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:14.840 But you see John had been expecting so much more. 00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:19.060 And it was all very well to heal a few individuals here and there. 00:04:19.800 --> 00:04:25.360 But God had promised, hadn't he, that when the Messiah came, he would heal the whole world. 00:04:26.540 --> 00:04:29.000 That the Messiah, the Lord, would renew the cosmos. 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:33.980 John would think back to Isaiah 35 in the wilderness. 00:04:34.639 --> 00:04:38.459 Where it says that the wilderness and the dry land will be glad. 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:41.360 The wilderness will rejoice and it will blossom. 00:04:41.939 --> 00:04:43.040 And it will break forth. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:44.459 There's going to be streams in the desert. 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:45.699 But it wasn't happening. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:52.860 Or Isaiah 65 where Isaiah prophesies, behold, I'm going to make a new heavens and a new earth. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:53.920 And that wasn't happening. 00:04:55.899 --> 00:05:00.279 And I think what especially nagged at John was what about the destruction of the wicked. 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:04.159 That is what he preached. 00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:11.759 He preached that when the Messiah comes, the Lord Jesus, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:13.920 And there will be a winnowing fork in his hand. 00:05:15.639 --> 00:05:17.779 And he will clear his thrashing floor. 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:19.560 He will gather the wheat into the barn. 00:05:20.159 --> 00:05:23.719 But the chaff, he will burn with unquenchable fire. 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:26.560 And so where was the chaff burning? 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:28.740 Where were those who opposed God's people? 00:05:29.699 --> 00:05:30.639 What was happening to them? 00:05:30.719 --> 00:05:31.319 You didn't see it. 00:05:32.579 --> 00:05:36.159 Why were the Romans still sitting in Caesarea in Jerusalem? 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:40.420 Why was Herod still on the throne of Galilee? 00:05:40.420 --> 00:05:42.060 Why was John still in prison? 00:05:42.180 --> 00:05:42.980 It's too low key. 00:05:43.140 --> 00:05:43.699 It's undramatic. 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:50.140 And so from prison he sends Jesus these poignant, haunting questions. 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:53.379 You can imagine, can't you, the lonely months wrestling with this question. 00:05:54.580 --> 00:05:59.560 Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another? 00:06:01.620 --> 00:06:03.259 I wonder how you'd answer that. 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:10.500 Supposing an adult Sunday school this morning, had someone put up their hand to a chaffer, 00:06:10.579 --> 00:06:11.599 is anybody going to need questions? 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:16.899 And they said, well, the question I've got is this, I'm not sure that Jesus is the Son of God. 00:06:18.659 --> 00:06:19.860 What would the reaction be? 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:21.339 Gasp. 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:22.000 Horror. 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:23.120 Out of darkness. 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:24.079 Immediately. 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:26.939 It wouldn't be. 00:06:26.939 --> 00:06:29.579 But our Lord could have said, couldn't he? 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:31.500 He could have said, John, how dare you ask that question? 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:34.019 Who do you think you are, John? 00:06:35.399 --> 00:06:38.240 Our Lord could have said, John, I'm disappointed in you. 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:39.600 I'd have thought better than you. 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:41.779 I thought your faith was stronger than that. 00:06:41.860 --> 00:06:43.519 But our Lord doesn't do that, does he? 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:45.800 He is kind and he is gentle as me. 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:51.560 And yet he persuasively points out that John is making two basic mistakes. 00:06:51.659 --> 00:06:52.319 Here are my headings. 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:54.379 First of all, John is expecting too much. 00:06:54.379 --> 00:06:57.519 John is expecting too much. 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:06.079 His answer to John is a really firm answer. 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:09.719 Are you the one or should we look for another? 00:07:09.959 --> 00:07:10.920 Are you the Messiah? 00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:12.860 And Jesus' answer is a yes. 00:07:12.980 --> 00:07:14.600 It is an unqualified yes. 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:16.459 I am the one who is to come. 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:18.480 Should we look for another? 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:20.219 No, you should not. 00:07:20.379 --> 00:07:21.159 Look at what he says. 00:07:21.160 --> 00:07:24.660 He says, you go and tell John what you see and what you hear. 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:27.040 He refers to categories. 00:07:27.200 --> 00:07:28.640 He says, the blind receive sight. 00:07:29.380 --> 00:07:30.140 The lame walk. 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:31.180 The lepers are cleansed. 00:07:31.400 --> 00:07:32.060 The deaf hear. 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:32.960 The dead are raised. 00:07:34.280 --> 00:07:36.120 And the poor have the good news preached to them. 00:07:37.420 --> 00:07:39.379 The blinds, the lame, the deaf, the poor. 00:07:39.520 --> 00:07:41.680 They are actually messianic words. 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:48.800 It is digging back into the Old Testament that John would know so well from Isaiah 35 and Isaiah 61. 00:07:49.280 --> 00:07:51.240 What will happen when the Messiah comes? 00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:55.960 Well, one of the things that will happen is the eyes of the blind will be opened. 00:07:56.780 --> 00:07:58.660 And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 00:07:58.740 --> 00:08:00.439 And the lame man will leap like a deer. 00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:03.839 And the spirit of the Lord God is upon me. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:06.600 Because the Lord has appointed me to preach good news to the poor. 00:08:06.860 --> 00:08:09.879 When Messiah comes, the blind will see. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:11.000 The lame will walk. 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:11.939 The deaf will hear. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:15.339 And the poor will have the good news preached to them. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:21.060 And so John says, John is being told, isn't he, that is coming true. 00:08:22.159 --> 00:08:24.180 That is being fulfilled in me and my ministry. 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:26.180 Jesus is saying, I am the anointed one. 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:27.420 I am the Messiah. 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:28.779 I am the promised deliverer. 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:32.519 What the scriptures have said is now happening. 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:34.220 And you have seen it happen. 00:08:34.579 --> 00:08:36.100 And I am the bringer of salvation. 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:46.919 And because John knew his Bible, he would also know that those passages in Isaiah also spoke of vengeance. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:49.639 And of judgment. 00:08:51.939 --> 00:08:55.779 In Isaiah 34, the prophet continues, your God will come with vengeance. 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.939 With the recompense of God. 00:08:59.779 --> 00:09:02.899 But tellingly, our Lord doesn't quote that, does he? 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:10.319 And what John is to understand is that all of this is not happening at once. 00:09:11.699 --> 00:09:16.779 John is being told that his presuppositions, his view of the Messiah, needs to be adjusted. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:18.059 That there is suffering. 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:20.979 And there is apparent weakness. 00:09:20.979 --> 00:09:23.419 And there is humiliation. 00:09:24.859 --> 00:09:27.939 That he's coming not just as a king, but as a suffering servant. 00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:29.559 The despised and the rejected. 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:32.739 And that was why he was preaching. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:37.639 When he was preaching in Nazareth, it failed so significantly and spectacularly. 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:43.059 Do you remember when he goes into the synagogue? 00:09:44.319 --> 00:09:46.740 And in Luke chapter 4, he picks up the scroll. 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:50.519 And he's sitting there with the teachers, isn't he? 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:53.240 And he gets up and he reads from the scroll on a Sabbath morning. 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:56.539 And he reads from Isaiah 61. 00:09:57.259 --> 00:10:01.759 But so the shock of his hearers, he never finishes the quote, the passage. 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:04.439 Do you remember what he says? 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:09.519 He says, the spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has appointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:14.319 He sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:16.620 To set at liberty those who are oppressed. 00:10:16.980 --> 00:10:18.799 And to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour. 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:20.259 And he rolled up the scroll. 00:10:20.659 --> 00:10:22.100 And he gave it back to the attendant. 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:23.019 And he sat down. 00:10:23.299 --> 00:10:27.080 And they would look at each other and say he didn't finish the reading. 00:10:27.080 --> 00:10:31.860 It would be like me quoting John 3.16. 00:10:32.020 --> 00:10:36.560 He would say this, for God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him. 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:41.340 And you would say, well, finish the verse. 00:10:42.160 --> 00:10:43.160 You've got to finish the verse. 00:10:44.660 --> 00:10:46.480 And our Lord didn't finish the verse. 00:10:46.780 --> 00:10:52.360 He said to proclaim the day of the Lord's favour and the day of the vengeance of our God. 00:10:52.440 --> 00:10:53.560 But Jesus didn't read that. 00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:56.720 He couldn't read it. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:57.420 He couldn't say it. 00:10:58.360 --> 00:10:59.379 It wouldn't have been true. 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:04.779 Because he wouldn't be able to say, today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:05.879 So he pauses. 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:07.240 And the pause is deliberate. 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:09.759 And he's saying something to the people and to us. 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:14.480 That he's come to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour. 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:17.680 But not yet the day of the vengeance of our God. 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:22.820 Because the day of vengeance of our God is still, it's a come, it's still in the future. 00:11:22.820 --> 00:11:30.080 And when he comes again, John's expectations need to be adjusted. 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:35.500 John had thought that the first coming of the Messiah would all be triumph. 00:11:36.300 --> 00:11:38.080 And he'd forgotten the suffering servant. 00:11:39.180 --> 00:11:41.780 He'd forgotten the rejection of the sin bearer. 00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:45.319 He's thinking only of the triumphant King. 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:51.560 And Jesus is saying, instead of being disillusioned, John, you need to recognise that. 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:57.760 You need to bring your expectations of what life is like now into line with who I am and what I've come to do. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:12:02.240 You should accept the not yet of the kingdom. 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:03.860 You're expecting too much. 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:08.319 And that's why there's a gentle warning in verse 6 of chapter 11 in Matthew's Gospel, isn't it? 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:11.899 Blessed is the one who's not offended by me. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:15.259 He's expecting too much. 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:16.860 But he's also making another mistake. 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:19.220 The second heading, he's overlooking too much. 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:22.019 He's overlooking too much. 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:23.500 The blind receive sight. 00:12:24.319 --> 00:12:25.120 The lame walk. 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:26.019 The lappards are cleansed. 00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:26.620 The deaf hear. 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:27.440 The dead are raised. 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:29.360 The poor of the good news preached to them. 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:31.259 What is happening? 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:32.960 They are miracles, of course, aren't they? 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:35.759 But they are more than miracles. 00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:37.840 They are eschatological events. 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:42.019 They are the new creation breaking in to today. 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:45.580 They're the signs of the great end time. 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:48.299 They are the blessings of the last days. 00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:49.940 It's in microchasm. 00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:53.120 Blessings of the last days. 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:54.379 The renewal of the world. 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:58.439 This is the fullness of salvation. 00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:00.939 Jesus is demonstrating what heaven will be like. 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:07.340 A mighty power has come into the world and is reversing the effects of sin and the fall. 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:08.179 The kingdom has come. 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:11.379 It doesn't come as John thought it would come. 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:15.100 It doesn't come as we would expect it to come. 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:20.840 But the dead are being raised. 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:22.439 The blind are receiving sight. 00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:23.740 The lame are walking. 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:25.419 And God's salvation has come. 00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:31.099 And he says, John, you need to look at where you're at in history. 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:34.360 You need to look at it in the light of the Bible. 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:41.579 That's why, when we get to Matthew chapter 13 and Matthew chapter 11 and 12, you're going to find the kingdom parables. 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:45.500 There's great opposition to Jesus. 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:46.379 We're going to see that. 00:13:47.280 --> 00:13:48.360 And rejection of him. 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:50.600 And hostility from scribes and Pharisees. 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:52.680 They're going to accuse him of being demon possessed. 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:57.800 And you can imagine, can't you, the followers of Jesus getting more and more depressed. 00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:00.400 Here is the king of kings, the son of God. 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:02.340 He's come to redeem the world. 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:03.680 And everyone's laughing at him. 00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:08.439 And so in Matthew chapter 13, he starts to tell parables. 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:11.559 And the parables are all about what is the kingdom of God like? 00:14:11.959 --> 00:14:13.179 The kingdom of heaven like? 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:13.919 What's it like? 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:18.959 If we'd ask the disciples, what's the kingdom of heaven like? 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:21.500 They would have said, well, it's like earthquake and thunder and fire. 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:23.319 And the whole universe being shaken. 00:14:23.719 --> 00:14:25.599 And God appearing in glory. 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:27.500 And the wicked being dealt with. 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.459 And destroyed. 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:30.019 That's what the kingdom of God is like. 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:37.099 Jesus says, the kingdom of heaven is like a man going out to sow seed in a field. 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:43.379 And after he's finished, the field looks exactly the same as it did before he started. 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:45.059 Big deal. 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:47.319 Nothing has happened. 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.500 Everything is the same. 00:14:49.599 --> 00:14:50.279 No, it's not. 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:53.179 Everything has changed, hasn't it? 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:54.379 And the farmer knows that. 00:14:54.979 --> 00:14:58.079 The whole field has been radically different. 00:14:58.439 --> 00:15:00.419 Something irreversible has come. 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:03.279 It doesn't look like that to the eyes of sight. 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:07.919 But to those who know, we know it's different. 00:15:09.979 --> 00:15:10.699 Or the woman. 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:14.099 The woman mixing the yeast in the dough. 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:17.339 That is what the kingdom of heaven is like. 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:20.339 And the dough doesn't look any different. 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:21.159 But it is different. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:24.519 And Jesus has come to earth. 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:26.159 And nothing seems to change. 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:27.839 And you're so disappointed. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:30.000 And you're asking, is that a mistake? 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:32.539 But John, everything has changed. 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:36.039 Because I'm the seed in the soil. 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.740 I'm the yeast in the dough. 00:15:38.839 --> 00:15:41.299 And everything has changed if only you've got eyes to see it. 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.559 Do you see this paradox? 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:47.740 Two truths which seem to be contradicting each other. 00:15:47.819 --> 00:15:49.659 And yet, they match. 00:15:49.659 --> 00:15:53.000 On the one hand, John is expecting too much. 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:54.439 And on the other hand, he's disappointed. 00:15:55.759 --> 00:16:00.139 Because he's overlooking the wonder of the fact of what has already happened. 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:03.879 That only the eyes of faith can see. 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:11.019 Now, like John, I think we can feel let down in our Christian lives. 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:15.939 Things are not what we hoped for. 00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:21.540 Perhaps your experience of God. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:24.700 You've read about figures in history. 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:26.080 Great people of God. 00:16:26.280 --> 00:16:29.820 And the experience they had of his love and of his grace. 00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:33.960 And you think, well, my knowledge of God isn't like that. 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:43.460 Perhaps when you were a young Christian, you thought that you would grow in holiness much more quickly and easily than you have. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.920 And yet, it's been a struggle. 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:49.940 And perhaps sometimes you come to worship at IPC. 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:52.340 And sometimes the sermon is a bit flat. 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:56.480 And the singing isn't terribly enthusiastic. 00:16:58.780 --> 00:17:00.740 And you think, is this it? 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:09.840 Is this the worship of God in his presence with all the holy angels and the glorified saints in heaven? 00:17:12.120 --> 00:17:14.640 And sometimes life in the church disappoints us. 00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:17.720 People seem eccentric. 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:19.920 And weird. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.840 And petty. 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.659 And annoying. 00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.199 Shall I go on? 00:17:27.959 --> 00:17:30.579 And we look at the failures of the professing Christians. 00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:33.559 We look at the Christian church as a whole. 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:40.119 You think about ministry and evangelism and how hard it is to get people interested. 00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:41.359 And we're tempted, aren't we? 00:17:41.439 --> 00:17:43.419 I'm tempted to become cynical and apathetic. 00:17:47.419 --> 00:17:49.959 Or to ask, well, look at others. 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.679 Look at what they're doing. 00:17:50.939 --> 00:17:51.740 Shall we look for another? 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:56.740 And I would say to you, that is what is happening in the church today. 00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:01.539 There's a frenetic restlessness in the church. 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:05.779 People looking here and there and everywhere for the secret and for the answer. 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:09.680 For the thing that's going to take away all the disappointments in church life. 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:21.700 I think that is a lot of what is behind much of the charismatic worship movement. 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:26.160 It's also exactly what is behind the move to high ritual. 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:31.860 And people going to churches where there's enormous amounts of mystery into Eastern Orthodoxy. 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:39.019 And so people say to me, if we get worship right, music needs to be more contemporary and really excellent quality. 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:40.519 It'll lift us to another level. 00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:42.619 Maybe it's a new building. 00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:46.439 Maybe it's a new experience. 00:18:46.439 --> 00:18:48.439 Maybe it's a new minister. 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:51.059 Should we look for another? 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.340 Is this it? 00:18:51.340 --> 00:18:53.500 Is this it? 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.860 Is this all there is? 00:18:56.859 --> 00:19:04.740 There are many, many possible reasons, aren't there, why you and I get disappointed in our Christian lives. 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:06.339 Our unbelief and our sin. 00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:09.839 Our neglect of the means of grace. 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:13.639 But I think often we're like John. 00:19:13.919 --> 00:19:15.339 Sometimes we expect too much. 00:19:15.439 --> 00:19:16.980 There's a false idealism. 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:21.759 I'm sorry to say that's fed by irresponsible Christian teachers. 00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:23.799 The idea that you can always live on a high. 00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:26.059 That you can kind of live on a Christian mountaintop. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:29.279 It's a particular temptation, isn't it? 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:31.439 I think for first generation Christians. 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.799 That's what some of you are. 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:35.619 You've been dramatically changed by God. 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:40.039 There's been a great transformation in your life. 00:19:40.159 --> 00:19:42.659 And you really are a new man or a new woman in Christ. 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:44.879 And it's obvious for everyone what has happened to you. 00:19:44.939 --> 00:19:46.459 And your expectations are high. 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:51.099 And in a sense we cannot expect too much from God. 00:19:51.179 --> 00:19:52.319 There are no limits with God. 00:19:53.659 --> 00:19:55.959 We should have great expectation. 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:59.179 But you've got to realise that in the Christian life there is a not yet. 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:03.279 And the word of God is clear. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:06.480 That we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:08.420 And we have to struggle with imperfection. 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:11.359 And we will suffer with opposition. 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:14.539 And we wrestle, don't we, against sin that's within us. 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:19.740 And Paul says, now is a time of groaning and longing for what is yet to come. 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:25.879 And if you expect more than what the word of God gives you warrants to expect. 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.839 You will be disappointed. 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:30.500 And justifiably disappointed. 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:33.220 I'm not a prophet. 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.640 And I'm not the son of a prophet. 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:38.579 And I don't work for a prophet making organisation. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:47.859 But I will make a prophecy that I think in the next 20 years we will see many disappointed Christians coming to us. 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:51.559 Because they've been taught what isn't true. 00:20:52.919 --> 00:20:57.139 And they've been presented with expectations which are unwarranted from the Bible. 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:59.339 And they will discover for themselves. 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:01.240 And we have to lovingly welcome them. 00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:08.619 To expect more than what the Bible warrants is to set yourself up for depression and sin. 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:12.519 And then there's the opposite danger. 00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:14.459 Which really is the danger of IPC I think. 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:19.359 It's the danger of a second and third generation Christian. 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:27.319 And it's the settling for a tame and bland, unexciting view of Christian living. 00:21:28.659 --> 00:21:30.519 And it's the settle for mediocrity. 00:21:31.179 --> 00:21:32.079 No thrill. 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.079 No vision. 00:21:33.419 --> 00:21:35.000 No daring expectations. 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.959 No real risk. 00:21:37.139 --> 00:21:39.000 No great prayers for God. 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:40.000 And no high endeavour. 00:21:40.439 --> 00:21:42.359 And it's the danger of overlooking too much. 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:45.879 And perhaps that's us this morning. 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:47.599 We are overlooking too much. 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:53.879 And we need to look at ourselves and our lives and those around us with the eyes of faith. 00:21:56.959 --> 00:22:01.099 It is a remarkable thing that you are sitting here this morning. 00:22:02.199 --> 00:22:04.539 To worship God regardless of the thing. 00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:12.039 That you have given up a day of your weekends to come and worship the living God. 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:13.200 That is not natural. 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:15.420 That is not normal. 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.879 And that is not predictable. 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:24.819 And you and I are here this morning as a result of God's supernatural working. 00:22:26.159 --> 00:22:27.920 The working of the power of the house. 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:34.359 You are this morning a walking, living, breathing miracle. 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.279 Remember that. 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:40.359 That is not how you are by nature. 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:44.539 That is not the sort of person you are naturally. 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:47.200 But God has transformed you. 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:54.259 And you are surrounded by people in this building who love you and pray for you and esteem you. 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.240 And that is not natural. 00:22:55.240 --> 00:23:06.019 If you came up after the morning service and you said, I have a great financial need or a personal need. 00:23:06.120 --> 00:23:07.019 Let me tell you something. 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.880 You say, my heart is breaking. 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.019 I am in trouble. 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:16.119 I can promise you that in a minute there would be a dozen people around you. 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:18.259 Hugging you and loving you and praying for you. 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.779 And giving to you. 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:23.059 That is not natural. 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:23.799 That is wonderful. 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:31.740 Those of us in families, we sit in family worship every day with our children. 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.480 We gather them around us. 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:36.579 And we struggle to come. 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:41.059 And we come to the God who has promised that I will be your God and the God of your descendants. 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:46.980 And we lay hold of that promise and we say, oh Lord, do what you have said. 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:52.179 Our children join us in praising and praying to God. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.500 And that is a wonderful thing. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:24:00.180 There are places in the world today out there where the kingdom of God is advancing and leaping in bounds. 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:03.119 And thousands and thousands and thousands are coming into the kingdom. 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:05.680 And the church is growing and it is wonderful. 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:08.819 We have this word. 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:14.940 And every one of us has the living and true word of God that speaks to you and me. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.619 And we can open it up at any time. 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:22.039 And it addresses us individually in our hearts and in our lives like a voice from heaven. 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:22.819 And it's wonderful. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:28.500 And God the Holy Spirit indwells you this morning if you've trusted in Christ. 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.359 Never to leave you. 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:33.319 And he is working all the time to make you more like Jesus Christ. 00:24:33.400 --> 00:24:34.519 And that is a glorious thing. 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:40.220 And John is confronted by the Son of God. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.680 But he doesn't look like the Son of God. 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:43.519 He looks like the carpenter from Nazareth. 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:52.599 And he's engaged in an itinerant ministry in the corner of a remote province with a handful of nobodies as his followers. 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:58.220 And he says, John, blessed is the one who's not offended by me. 00:24:58.220 --> 00:25:04.480 In other words, there's something about Jesus which is offensive. 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:12.019 There's something about the Lord Jesus that challenges your faith that would make people stumble. 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:13.779 He doesn't look like a king, does he? 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:16.319 He doesn't look like the Son of God. 00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:18.319 He doesn't look like the Savior of the world. 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:18.720 But he is. 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:20.220 And faith sees that. 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.319 Is this it? 00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:26.220 Is this it? 00:25:27.939 --> 00:25:29.119 Well, for the present it is. 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:32.199 It's not all we might want, is it? 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:34.259 And we should want more. 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:38.479 It's not all we will one day receive. 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.899 But it's more than what you once had. 00:25:42.199 --> 00:25:46.179 And that is the texture of an authentic Christian life on this earth. 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:47.619 This is its warmth and warmth. 00:25:47.719 --> 00:25:48.599 This is the reality. 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:50.659 This is the challenge to our faith. 00:25:51.399 --> 00:25:53.239 It's what the writer in Hebrews 11 said. 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:55.099 Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. 00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:57.059 And the evidence of things not seen. 00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:58.819 Don't stumble. 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.740 Don't stumble over the offense of Christ. 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:03.200 The offense of the cross. 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.120 The offense of faith. 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:08.559 Don't go looking for some will-o'-the-wisp experience of perfect joy. 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:11.099 An unbroken perfection on this earth. 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:13.079 Don't throw it all away for a dream. 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:21.339 This evening, God willing, we will meet again to worship in this place. 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:26.460 What will the service be like this evening? 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:30.339 I don't know what the hymns are and what the sermon is going to be like. 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:36.759 Would I be wrong in saying that as we gather to worship tonight, it's not going to be overwhelmingly impressive? 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:44.779 I doubt a visitor would come in and say, wow, what wonderful singing. 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:47.660 What amazing people. 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.200 What a sermon. 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:53.120 I've never heard such a sermon in all my life before. 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.440 They won't. 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:56.259 It'll be pretty ordinary. 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.099 Is this it? 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:01.180 What's really happening? 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:02.500 What is really happening? 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:10.319 We're on the surface of this bent and broken and fallen planet. 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:14.519 The people of God will be lifting up their voices in worship. 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:24.079 And what will happen among us this evening is far, far more important than all the prime ministers and all the presidents and all the great ones. 00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:28.559 The angels in heaven will stop what they're doing and take note of it. 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:36.079 And our prayers and our praises will rise into God's very presence and the great God of heaven and earth will be pleased. 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:39.319 And God's word will come to us. 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:44.419 And it will touch some aspect of our lives that the preacher won't know about and couldn't understand. 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:48.060 And we will say, God is speaking to me. 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:51.180 And we will be joined with the saints in heaven and the angels and the redeemed. 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:56.080 And we will be part of this great worldwide fellowship throughout the earth. 00:27:56.079 --> 00:28:02.240 And you will be sitting by tonight, people who will love you and know you and love you to all eternity. 00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:03.740 Forever and ever and ever. 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:05.059 Throughout the ages. 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:05.859 And we'll be together. 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:10.539 And there there'll be nothing in our midst apart from affection and goodwill. 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:16.519 And most of all the presence of him who loved us and gave himself for us. 00:28:16.619 --> 00:28:18.119 Is that not a wonderful place to be? 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:22.199 Is our experience not glorious? 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.779 Is our saviour not glorious? 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:28.839 Is the Christian life well exceedingly excellent? 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.480 And joyful? 00:28:33.379 --> 00:28:38.619 And this statement of verse 6 should really stab us in the heart, shouldn't it? 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:44.500 Blessed is the one who is not offended by me. 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:50.859 He could be offended with us, couldn't he? 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:51.539 But he isn't. 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:56.000 And so how could we be offended with Jesus? 00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.980 Lord, to whom shall we go? 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.639 We have believed. 00:29:02.899 --> 00:29:04.000 And we have come to know. 00:29:05.139 --> 00:29:06.619 That you are the Holy One of God. 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:08.700 Let's pray. 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:08.720 Let's pray.