WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.839 Well, this morning as we come to the Word of God, we're back in the Gospel of Luke, continuing on with the story of Jesus. 00:00:06.440 --> 00:00:11.080 Last time, we heard Jesus tell the parable of the sower and the soils. 00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:20.760 It was a parable about how people have different responses to the Word of God that Jesus has been speaking. 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:22.780 And why? 00:00:24.160 --> 00:00:27.060 Well, after telling that parable, Jesus had more to say. 00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:28.740 He continues on. 00:00:28.739 --> 00:00:36.339 And so, we're going to listen to what Jesus has to say in Luke chapter 8, verse 16. 00:00:38.259 --> 00:00:40.979 Luke chapter 8, verse 16. 00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:50.959 No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:56.000 Instead, they put it on a stand so that those who come in can see the light. 00:00:56.000 --> 00:01:06.299 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:11.540 Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. 00:01:11.540 --> 00:01:15.500 Whoever has will be given more. 00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:22.440 Whoever does not have, even what they think they have, will be taken from them. 00:01:22.439 --> 00:01:29.719 Now, these words of Jesus aren't easy to understand. 00:01:30.799 --> 00:01:34.099 Jesus uses an analogy of lamp and light. 00:01:35.179 --> 00:01:36.599 But what does he mean by it? 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:40.280 Jesus uses proverbial language. 00:01:41.039 --> 00:01:46.180 Verse 17 and verse 18 sound like they could be right out of the book of Proverbs. 00:01:46.180 --> 00:01:53.340 In order to understand what Jesus means, we have to understand what the elements of this analogy relate to. 00:01:54.040 --> 00:02:00.020 We have to understand how the proverbial truth applies to what Jesus is talking about. 00:02:00.019 --> 00:02:04.659 And as we hear these words of Jesus, for many of us are probably thinking, 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:07.439 these things sound really familiar. 00:02:09.340 --> 00:02:14.620 And that's maybe because Jesus says these same things on more than one occasion. 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:24.199 And he applies each of these three sayings in each of these three verses in different ways on different occasions. 00:02:24.199 --> 00:02:29.319 If we flip ahead just a few chapters to Luke chapter 11, verse 33, 00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:32.739 we notice Jesus says the same thing. 00:02:32.859 --> 00:02:33.219 He says, 00:02:33.359 --> 00:02:38.139 No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden or under a bowl. 00:02:39.119 --> 00:02:44.560 Instead, they put it on its stand so that those who come in may see the light. 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:48.939 But there in Luke chapter 11, as he continues on, 00:02:49.500 --> 00:02:51.120 he says this, he says, 00:02:51.120 --> 00:02:53.539 Your eye is the lamp of your body. 00:02:54.199 --> 00:02:58.560 When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. 00:03:01.039 --> 00:03:06.699 Jesus goes in a totally different direction than he did here in Luke chapter 8. 00:03:07.259 --> 00:03:09.919 The analogy relates differently to what he says. 00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:14.759 Or we could look at this thing Jesus says in chapter 8, verse 17, 00:03:14.759 --> 00:03:18.439 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, 00:03:18.719 --> 00:03:24.179 and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 00:03:24.199 --> 00:03:30.879 Jesus says the same thing later in Luke chapter 12, verse 2. 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:34.519 There he says, 00:03:34.639 --> 00:03:38.339 Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:41.939 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, 00:03:42.439 --> 00:03:45.219 or hidden that will not be made known. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:49.659 He goes on in that chapter, chapter 12, to say, 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:52.240 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, 00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:59.319 and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:05.120 Again, we see Jesus use the same words, the same sort of proverb, 00:04:05.120 --> 00:04:07.800 but go in a totally different direction with it. 00:04:08.620 --> 00:04:12.400 Instead of applying it to the light of a lamp and exposing what is hidden, 00:04:13.039 --> 00:04:16.800 he applies it to the hidden hypocrisy of the Pharisees. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:20.420 So that's what makes these words of Jesus kind of hard to understand. 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:22.899 We wonder, what is he talking about? 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:27.120 What does the lamp and the light represent? 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:31.959 What does hiding that lamp under the bed represent? 00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:37.759 Many of us look to Matthew's gospel for an understanding of these words. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:40.759 Matthew 5, verse 14 and 16. 00:04:40.899 --> 00:04:42.620 Jesus uses the same language there. 00:04:43.899 --> 00:04:44.459 He says, 00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:46.420 You are the light of the world. 00:04:47.280 --> 00:04:50.139 A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:53.899 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 00:04:53.899 --> 00:04:56.679 Instead, they put it on its stand, 00:04:57.099 --> 00:04:59.639 and it gives light to everyone in the house. 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:01.759 In the same way, 00:05:02.599 --> 00:05:04.939 let your light shine before others, 00:05:05.419 --> 00:05:07.339 that they may see your good deeds 00:05:07.339 --> 00:05:10.879 and glorify your Father in heaven. 00:05:12.779 --> 00:05:16.339 It's a familiar and wonderful and true saying of Jesus. 00:05:17.819 --> 00:05:18.739 And so many think, 00:05:19.019 --> 00:05:21.560 this must be what Jesus is talking about 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:24.740 when he uses the same language in Luke's gospel 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:27.319 about putting a lamp on the lampstand. 00:05:28.280 --> 00:05:29.680 No one lights a lamp 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:32.319 and hides it in a clay jar 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:33.660 or puts it under a bed. 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:36.699 Instead, they put it on a stand 00:05:36.699 --> 00:05:38.800 so that those who come in can see the light. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:41.720 For there is nothing hidden 00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:43.379 that will not be disclosed 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:45.379 and nothing concealed 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:46.379 that will not be known 00:05:46.379 --> 00:05:47.980 or brought out into the open. 00:05:47.980 --> 00:05:51.819 Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. 00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:54.420 Whoever has will be given more. 00:05:55.500 --> 00:05:56.600 Whoever does not have, 00:05:57.340 --> 00:05:58.759 even what they think they have, 00:05:59.520 --> 00:06:00.640 will be taken from them. 00:06:02.379 --> 00:06:03.780 Many interpret these words 00:06:03.780 --> 00:06:04.939 as sort of dovetailing in 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:06.900 with what we just read from Matthew's gospel. 00:06:07.520 --> 00:06:09.100 And according to this way of reading it, 00:06:09.520 --> 00:06:11.840 this passage is about sharing the light of Jesus 00:06:11.840 --> 00:06:13.100 with others around us, 00:06:13.660 --> 00:06:15.560 letting them see our faith in public 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:17.780 rather than hiding it in private. 00:06:19.220 --> 00:06:22.920 Let your lamp shine out brightly 00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:24.280 and your faith in Jesus 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:26.139 be known publicly 00:06:26.139 --> 00:06:28.340 since all that is hidden now 00:06:28.340 --> 00:06:30.639 will eventually be known 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:31.759 and public anyway. 00:06:33.660 --> 00:06:35.639 Verse 18 may mean then 00:06:35.639 --> 00:06:37.079 that we ought to listen carefully 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:38.899 to God's word that we've received 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:40.100 and act on it 00:06:40.100 --> 00:06:41.180 because those who do 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:43.240 will be blessed or rewarded 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:45.120 while those who do not 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:46.920 will lose in the end. 00:06:49.319 --> 00:06:51.379 That may well be the right way 00:06:51.379 --> 00:06:53.740 to understand these words, 00:06:54.060 --> 00:06:55.180 but there's some things 00:06:55.180 --> 00:06:56.240 in Luke's gospel here 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:57.139 that make me wonder. 00:06:58.420 --> 00:06:59.639 Here in Luke's gospel, 00:07:00.460 --> 00:07:02.800 I notice that Jesus doesn't start off 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:03.379 by saying, 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:04.819 you are the light of the world. 00:07:08.960 --> 00:07:10.139 Neither does he follow 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:11.839 this lamp analogy up with 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:13.360 in the same way, 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:14.879 let your light shine 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:15.860 before others. 00:07:18.659 --> 00:07:20.279 The thing he implores us to do, 00:07:20.379 --> 00:07:20.599 rather, 00:07:20.719 --> 00:07:21.979 is to consider carefully 00:07:21.979 --> 00:07:22.939 how we listen. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:26.919 And that has to do 00:07:26.919 --> 00:07:27.479 with what Jesus 00:07:27.479 --> 00:07:28.519 has just been explaining 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:29.399 to his disciples 00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:31.459 with this parable of the sower 00:07:31.459 --> 00:07:33.039 and the seed 00:07:33.039 --> 00:07:33.779 and the soils. 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:36.979 It was all about hearing 00:07:36.980 --> 00:07:38.020 and responding 00:07:38.020 --> 00:07:39.080 to the word of God. 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:43.259 If this teaching of Jesus here 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:44.140 is all about us 00:07:44.140 --> 00:07:45.060 shining the light 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:46.319 and telling others 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:46.939 about Jesus, 00:07:47.900 --> 00:07:48.879 then why does Jesus 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:50.480 tell us as the main point 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:52.920 to consider carefully 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:54.420 how we listen? 00:07:57.480 --> 00:07:58.879 Why does he follow this up 00:07:58.879 --> 00:07:59.520 with a warning 00:07:59.520 --> 00:08:00.759 that for some, 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:02.360 even what they think 00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:03.020 they have 00:08:03.020 --> 00:08:04.800 will be taken away? 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:09.400 There's another way 00:08:09.400 --> 00:08:09.860 that Christians 00:08:09.860 --> 00:08:10.439 have understood 00:08:10.439 --> 00:08:11.120 these words 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:12.240 in Luke. 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:13.319 And it's not 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:14.139 what Jesus said 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:15.160 in the Sermon on the Mount 00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:16.740 about letting our light shine. 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:19.160 That's true. 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:20.580 That's absolutely true. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:22.780 But maybe Jesus 00:08:22.780 --> 00:08:24.580 is in a different occasion here 00:08:24.580 --> 00:08:25.920 using the same Proverbs 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:27.120 to make a different point. 00:08:29.120 --> 00:08:30.040 If we look back 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:30.860 to chapter 8, 00:08:31.340 --> 00:08:32.639 verses 9 and 10 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:33.279 for a moment, 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:34.620 remember Jesus 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:36.080 is talking to his disciples. 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:37.779 They're asking about 00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:39.000 the meaning of the parable 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:40.320 of the soils. 00:08:40.440 --> 00:08:41.120 What does that mean? 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:43.000 And Jesus said to them, 00:08:43.060 --> 00:08:43.659 Well, the knowledge 00:08:43.659 --> 00:08:44.519 of the secrets 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:45.620 of the kingdom of God 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:47.120 has been given to you. 00:08:48.179 --> 00:08:49.080 But to others 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:50.200 I speak in parables 00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:51.279 so that though seeing 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.259 they may not see, 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:53.779 though hearing 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:55.620 they may not understand. 00:08:57.799 --> 00:08:59.139 So the context here 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:00.320 is Jesus explaining 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:01.960 this parable of the sower 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:02.840 to his disciples 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:04.980 and why he uses parables. 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:06.560 And as we look 00:09:06.560 --> 00:09:07.379 at that explanation, 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:08.259 what is hidden? 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:10.660 What is it that's hidden? 00:09:11.920 --> 00:09:13.160 Well, it's the knowledge 00:09:13.160 --> 00:09:14.600 of the secrets 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:15.280 of the kingdom. 00:09:17.280 --> 00:09:18.480 We talked about that 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:19.180 a couple weeks ago. 00:09:19.300 --> 00:09:20.420 There are hidden truths 00:09:20.420 --> 00:09:21.920 about God's purposes, 00:09:22.440 --> 00:09:23.879 about the kingdom of God. 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:25.300 And these are the things 00:09:25.300 --> 00:09:26.460 that Jesus is teaching. 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:28.220 He's doing it 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:29.120 in parable form, 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:30.519 but then explaining 00:09:30.519 --> 00:09:31.080 in private 00:09:31.080 --> 00:09:31.940 to his disciples 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:33.179 what these parables mean. 00:09:34.299 --> 00:09:35.159 So you can probably 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:36.240 imagine the disciples 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:37.340 wondering 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:39.120 and asking, 00:09:39.320 --> 00:09:39.960 Why do you teach 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:40.560 in parables? 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:42.679 Why not just 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:44.379 explain plainly 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:46.080 without the parables 00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:48.019 what God has to say 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:48.620 to everyone? 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:51.320 Do you want people 00:09:51.320 --> 00:09:51.860 to see 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:53.399 and understand 00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:54.460 or not? 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:57.700 Well, it could be 00:09:57.700 --> 00:09:58.560 that verse 16 00:09:58.560 --> 00:09:59.960 is Jesus' answer 00:09:59.960 --> 00:10:01.720 to that question. 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:05.259 No one lights a lamp 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:06.000 and hides it 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:06.759 in a clay jar 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:08.120 or puts it under a bed. 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:09.780 Instead, they put it 00:10:09.780 --> 00:10:10.340 on a stand 00:10:10.340 --> 00:10:11.560 so that those who come in 00:10:11.560 --> 00:10:12.620 can see the light. 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:13.800 Perhaps Jesus 00:10:13.800 --> 00:10:14.660 is simply saying 00:10:14.660 --> 00:10:15.379 that the goal here 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:16.220 is not to hide 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:17.240 the truth from people. 00:10:18.780 --> 00:10:20.440 He has come as light 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:21.460 into the darkness 00:10:21.460 --> 00:10:22.320 of our world. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:23.740 And his teaching 00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:24.379 is intended 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.240 to illuminate. 00:10:25.400 --> 00:10:26.560 It's there 00:10:26.560 --> 00:10:27.400 to give knowledge 00:10:27.400 --> 00:10:28.220 and understanding. 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:31.040 God has not 00:10:31.040 --> 00:10:31.640 sent his Son 00:10:31.640 --> 00:10:32.220 into the world 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:32.920 as a light 00:10:32.920 --> 00:10:34.140 only to hide 00:10:34.140 --> 00:10:34.700 that light 00:10:34.700 --> 00:10:35.340 from people. 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:37.620 That would be absurd. 00:10:38.640 --> 00:10:39.320 Just like 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:40.060 hiding 00:10:40.060 --> 00:10:41.620 a lit lamp 00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:42.820 in a jar 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:44.480 or putting it 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:45.180 under a bed. 00:10:47.300 --> 00:10:47.820 Rather, 00:10:48.420 --> 00:10:49.080 God has sent 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:49.440 Jesus 00:10:49.440 --> 00:10:50.600 as the light 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:51.280 to shine 00:10:51.280 --> 00:10:52.120 brightly 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:53.340 on the lamp 00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:53.779 stand 00:10:53.779 --> 00:10:54.779 so that all 00:10:54.779 --> 00:10:55.399 who come in 00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:56.379 can see the light. 00:10:57.460 --> 00:10:58.399 So that the things 00:10:58.399 --> 00:10:59.039 that are hidden 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:00.399 may be disclosed 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:01.700 and revealed. 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:03.740 The secrets 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:04.340 of the kingdom 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:05.179 so that they might 00:11:05.179 --> 00:11:06.019 be made known 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:07.639 and brought out 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:08.299 into the open. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:10.639 And therefore, 00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:11.379 verse 18, 00:11:11.560 --> 00:11:12.500 consider carefully 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:14.320 how you listen. 00:11:15.419 --> 00:11:15.820 Personally, 00:11:15.940 --> 00:11:16.519 I think this way 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:17.100 of looking at it 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:18.060 makes a little more sense. 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:18.759 At least to me, 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:19.200 it does. 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:21.120 It seems to flow better. 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:22.799 And we notice 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:23.360 in the parable 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:24.100 before this, 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:24.580 the parable 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:25.220 of the sower, 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:27.480 the word of God 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:28.440 was the seed 00:11:28.440 --> 00:11:30.840 which fell upon 00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:32.340 the ears 00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:32.899 and the hearts 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:33.560 of the people. 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:35.460 Jesus was the sower. 00:11:36.580 --> 00:11:37.419 Could this be 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:38.139 just a different 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.060 analogy to say 00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:39.779 the same thing? 00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:41.299 Jesus is the lamp 00:11:41.299 --> 00:11:42.159 that God has 00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:42.840 given 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:44.779 to give the light 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:45.779 of his good news 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:46.919 to a dark world. 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:48.679 and God's purpose 00:11:48.679 --> 00:11:50.259 in lighting the lamp, 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:51.339 in sending Jesus 00:11:51.339 --> 00:11:52.779 is not to hide things 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:54.259 but to reveal 00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:54.939 what is hidden. 00:11:55.959 --> 00:11:56.599 To reveal 00:11:56.599 --> 00:11:57.639 what we can't see 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:58.279 and know 00:11:58.279 --> 00:11:59.799 without his light 00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:00.500 of truth. 00:12:01.719 --> 00:12:02.099 And therefore, 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:02.759 it's critical 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:04.979 that we listen 00:12:04.979 --> 00:12:06.419 to Jesus carefully, 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:07.759 that we pay attention 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:08.479 to his words 00:12:08.479 --> 00:12:09.419 and really hear them. 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:11.620 It's the difference 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.579 in the parable 00:12:12.579 --> 00:12:13.179 of the soils 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:13.879 between that 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:15.240 bumper crop harvest 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:17.259 and getting nothing 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:18.779 from what was sown. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:20.860 It's the difference 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:21.539 in the analogy 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:22.120 of the lamp 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:23.379 between seeing 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:24.539 and understanding 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:25.299 what is hidden 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:27.200 or continuing 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:27.960 to grope about 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:28.700 in the darkness 00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:30.259 blind 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:31.419 and ignorant 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:32.600 to God's mercy 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:33.539 and to his kingdom. 00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:37.039 When we come 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:38.340 to verse 18, 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:42.139 whoever has 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:43.000 will be given more. 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:45.200 Whoever does not have 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:46.280 even what they think 00:12:46.280 --> 00:12:46.920 they have 00:12:46.920 --> 00:12:47.480 will be taken 00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:48.060 from them. 00:12:49.280 --> 00:12:50.180 I can't help 00:12:50.180 --> 00:12:50.860 but see a parallel 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:51.440 here to what 00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:52.520 Jesus shared with us 00:12:52.520 --> 00:12:53.280 in the parable 00:12:53.280 --> 00:12:54.200 of the sower 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:54.879 and the soils. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:56.480 Remember, 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:58.200 each soil type 00:12:58.200 --> 00:12:58.660 mentioned, 00:12:58.920 --> 00:12:59.500 the path, 00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:00.879 the rocky soil, 00:13:01.020 --> 00:13:01.720 the weedy soil, 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:02.379 the good soil. 00:13:02.520 --> 00:13:03.440 Each one received 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:03.940 the seed. 00:13:05.060 --> 00:13:06.480 Each kind of hearer 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:07.820 had the word of God, 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.879 the truth of God 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:10.440 which comes 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:11.020 through Jesus 00:13:11.020 --> 00:13:11.460 and yet 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:13.340 there was that 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:14.060 good harvest 00:13:14.060 --> 00:13:15.379 from only one 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:16.240 kind of hearer, 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:18.060 the good soil. 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:19.920 Those who hear 00:13:19.920 --> 00:13:21.060 and retain 00:13:21.060 --> 00:13:22.379 and by persevering 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:23.620 produce a crop. 00:13:24.780 --> 00:13:25.080 Well, 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.560 what happens 00:13:25.560 --> 00:13:26.180 to the others 00:13:26.180 --> 00:13:28.000 in that parable? 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:30.780 Well, 00:13:30.800 --> 00:13:31.300 this seems to 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:31.840 describe it 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.340 in a nutshell, 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:32.920 doesn't it? 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:33.740 Whoever 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:35.639 has 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.519 will be given more. 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.560 Whoever does not 00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:38.879 have, 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:39.800 even what they think 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:40.379 they have 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.759 will be taken 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.319 from them. 00:13:43.819 --> 00:13:44.699 Either the devil 00:13:44.699 --> 00:13:45.339 comes and 00:13:45.339 --> 00:13:46.719 takes away the word 00:13:46.719 --> 00:13:47.519 from their hearts 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:48.359 as with the seed 00:13:48.359 --> 00:13:50.000 that fell on the path 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:52.719 or the difficulties 00:13:52.719 --> 00:13:53.859 of following Jesus 00:13:53.859 --> 00:13:55.099 come and 00:13:55.099 --> 00:13:56.019 take away 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:56.799 what they first 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:57.259 believed 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:58.179 and they fall away 00:13:58.179 --> 00:14:00.039 or the worries 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:00.659 of life, 00:14:01.959 --> 00:14:02.359 greed, 00:14:02.979 --> 00:14:03.740 the distractions 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.479 of pleasures 00:14:04.479 --> 00:14:05.059 in this world 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:05.500 come and 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.299 take away 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:07.039 what they had. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:09.639 they choke 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:10.240 out the word 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:10.759 they heard. 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:14.879 These words, 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:15.219 I think, 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:15.639 are worthy 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.339 of meditation. 00:14:17.339 --> 00:14:17.839 Even what 00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:18.379 they think 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.039 they have 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:20.860 will be taken 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.419 from them. 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:24.039 That's sobering. 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:25.759 Sort of speaks 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.319 of the mindset 00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:26.879 of people 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.639 who don't 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.360 take Jesus' 00:14:28.579 --> 00:14:29.439 words seriously. 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:31.879 They think, 00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:32.799 perhaps, 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:33.379 that they're 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:34.439 okay with God. 00:14:35.719 --> 00:14:36.399 I prayed 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:37.079 the sinner's prayer 00:14:37.079 --> 00:14:37.860 when I was a kid. 00:14:38.959 --> 00:14:39.720 Or I went up 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:40.259 to the altar 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:40.939 at the call 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:41.659 of the pastor. 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:44.039 Or I believe 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:44.679 in Jesus, 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:47.039 just not like 00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:47.620 the crazy 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:49.039 fundamentalist types 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:49.379 do. 00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:51.299 Where I go 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:51.759 to church 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.519 once in a while, 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:55.459 it's like 00:14:55.459 --> 00:14:56.000 there's a sort 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:56.939 of self-deception 00:14:56.939 --> 00:14:58.439 whereby people 00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:59.220 who do not 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:00.319 have true faith 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:00.879 in Jesus 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.480 often think 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:03.100 that they do. 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:05.820 people who 00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:06.279 are not 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:07.120 seen clearly 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:07.720 by the light 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:08.120 of Jesus' 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:08.620 words 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.379 think that 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:09.800 they are. 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:12.759 Even what 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:13.180 they think 00:15:13.180 --> 00:15:13.740 they have 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.720 will be 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.259 taken from 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:15.500 them. 00:15:17.800 --> 00:15:18.519 The Bible 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:19.019 tells us 00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:19.560 that one day 00:15:19.560 --> 00:15:20.040 when Jesus 00:15:20.040 --> 00:15:20.500 returns, 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:21.139 he will sort 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:22.080 out the 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:22.560 goats 00:15:22.560 --> 00:15:23.700 from the 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:24.259 true sheep 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:27.360 and the 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:27.779 tares 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:28.139 or the 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:28.759 false wheat 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.680 from the 00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:30.019 wheat, 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:31.259 the true 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:31.759 disciples 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.559 from the 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:33.159 imposters. 00:15:36.819 --> 00:15:37.519 One thing 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:37.819 I think 00:15:37.819 --> 00:15:38.319 we can all 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:38.779 agree on 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.220 as we look 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:39.519 at these 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:39.879 words 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:41.100 is that 00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:41.759 that's 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.460 in verse 00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:43.079 18, 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:45.259 that imperative, 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:46.240 therefore 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.960 consider 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:47.639 carefully 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:48.600 how 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:49.199 you 00:15:49.199 --> 00:15:49.620 listen, 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:50.699 how 00:15:50.699 --> 00:15:51.019 you 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.399 hear. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:52.919 Jesus 00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:53.659 said this 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:54.539 to his 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:55.059 disciples. 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:56.819 Imagine 00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:57.259 yourself 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:57.600 there in 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:57.919 the room 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:58.500 with Jesus 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:58.840 as he 00:15:58.840 --> 00:15:59.240 said all 00:15:59.240 --> 00:15:59.460 this. 00:15:59.460 --> 00:15:59.860 imagine 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:00.220 Jesus 00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:00.660 looking 00:16:00.660 --> 00:16:00.980 you 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.280 in the 00:16:01.280 --> 00:16:01.660 eyes 00:16:01.660 --> 00:16:03.120 and 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:03.440 saying 00:16:03.440 --> 00:16:03.940 therefore 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:05.519 consider 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.100 carefully 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.100 how 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:07.320 you 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:07.639 hear. 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.460 There 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:10.800 is more 00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:11.160 than one 00:16:11.160 --> 00:16:11.700 way to 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:12.040 hear 00:16:12.040 --> 00:16:12.780 or to 00:16:12.780 --> 00:16:13.180 listen 00:16:13.180 --> 00:16:14.480 to the 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:14.840 words 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:15.800 of God. 00:16:17.040 --> 00:16:17.620 Some 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:17.980 of those 00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:18.379 ways 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:18.759 are 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:19.320 disastrous 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:20.560 and they 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:20.920 leave us 00:16:20.920 --> 00:16:21.680 self-deceived 00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:22.280 and wanting 00:16:22.280 --> 00:16:22.600 in the 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:22.900 end. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.300 How 00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:27.940 seriously 00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:29.340 do you 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:29.680 take 00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:30.460 the 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:30.720 words 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:30.900 of 00:16:30.900 --> 00:16:31.240 Jesus? 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.780 Will 00:16:34.780 --> 00:16:34.980 you 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.500 rearrange 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:35.840 your 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.300 life 00:16:36.300 --> 00:16:36.600 and 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:36.780 your 00:16:36.780 --> 00:16:37.420 priorities 00:16:37.420 --> 00:16:38.320 if 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:38.740 needed 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.860 to hear 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.280 Jesus' 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:40.820 words 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:42.520 and follow 00:16:42.520 --> 00:16:42.820 them? 00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:48.140 I was 00:16:48.140 --> 00:16:48.600 thinking about 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.240 that analogy 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:49.640 of the 00:16:49.640 --> 00:16:49.960 lamp 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:50.540 and the 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:50.780 light 00:16:50.780 --> 00:16:51.280 and hiding 00:16:51.280 --> 00:16:51.600 it 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:53.960 and just 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:54.379 the light 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:54.860 that Jesus 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.540 is and 00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:56.900 what came 00:16:56.900 --> 00:16:57.360 to mind 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:00.140 was a 00:17:00.140 --> 00:17:00.580 time this 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:01.000 week when I 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.420 was in my 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:02.040 storage room 00:17:02.040 --> 00:17:02.340 and I 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:02.879 accidentally 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.280 turned 00:17:03.280 --> 00:17:03.920 the lights 00:17:03.920 --> 00:17:04.380 went off 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:04.700 and all 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:04.860 of a sudden 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:05.140 it was 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:05.700 pitch black 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.019 in there. 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.400 there's 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:07.339 no windows 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:07.819 at all 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.660 in there 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.680 and I 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:09.839 got 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.139 thinking 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:10.440 about 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:10.819 that. 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:15.639 When 00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:15.859 it's 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:16.119 pitch 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:16.619 black 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:17.319 what do 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:17.759 we see? 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:18.200 What do 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:18.900 we experience? 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.460 Nothing. 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.019 You can't 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.619 see anything. 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:24.759 It's just 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.180 nothing. 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.379 We have 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:27.960 so much 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.400 more 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:29.480 by the 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:29.799 light. 00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:30.339 We can 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:30.579 see 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:31.200 everything. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.240 All the 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.819 stuff that's 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:34.119 there. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:39.200 God wants 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:39.519 us to 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:39.879 live in 00:17:39.879 --> 00:17:40.299 the light 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:41.779 and to 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.440 enjoy his 00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:42.879 grace. 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:44.019 And that's 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.319 why he 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:44.900 has lit 00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:45.480 a lamp. 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:45.759 That's 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.019 why he 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.440 has sent 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.000 his son. 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.339 Not to 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:49.759 hide the 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:50.240 truth from 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:50.639 us but 00:17:50.639 --> 00:17:51.180 to reveal 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:51.680 the truth 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:52.299 to us. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.680 But how 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:56.220 seriously 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.680 do we 00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:58.039 take the 00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:58.440 words of 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:58.740 Jesus? 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:03.539 Would 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:03.700 you 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:04.099 rearrange 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:04.980 your life 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.779 and your 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.460 priorities 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:08.839 to better 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:10.059 hear and 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:11.619 follow the 00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:12.039 words of 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.379 Jesus? 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:16.779 Let's 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.440 continue on 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:17.700 with 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:19.940 verse 19. 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:21.460 Now 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:21.799 Jesus' 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.399 mother and 00:18:22.399 --> 00:18:23.039 brothers came 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.440 to see 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:24.099 him but 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:24.399 they were 00:18:24.399 --> 00:18:24.799 not able 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.139 to get 00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:25.720 near him 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.200 because of 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.639 the crowd. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:27.839 Someone 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:28.940 told Jesus 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.559 your mother 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.039 and brothers 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:30.559 are standing 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.440 outside wanting 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.660 to see 00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:32.920 you. 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:34.399 Jesus 00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:34.940 replied 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:36.080 my mother 00:18:36.080 --> 00:18:36.580 and my 00:18:36.580 --> 00:18:37.019 brothers 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:38.100 are those 00:18:38.100 --> 00:18:38.539 who hear 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.000 God's 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.320 word 00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:40.460 and put 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:40.779 it into 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.360 practice. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.259 Imagine 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:44.820 this for a 00:18:44.820 --> 00:18:45.100 moment. 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:45.620 You're in 00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:46.019 the house 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.559 with Jesus 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:46.960 and the 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.360 house is 00:18:47.360 --> 00:18:47.700 packed 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.320 solid with 00:18:48.320 --> 00:18:48.720 people. 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.200 Everybody 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:50.779 wants to 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:51.180 get near 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:51.539 Jesus. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:51.940 Everybody 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:52.539 wants to 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.039 see what 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.519 he's doing 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.940 or hear 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.279 what he's 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:54.580 saying. 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:55.940 And then 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:56.460 suddenly this 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.120 man calls 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:57.400 out, 00:18:57.820 --> 00:18:58.140 Jesus, 00:18:58.620 --> 00:18:59.220 your mother 00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.460 and your 00:18:59.460 --> 00:18:59.759 brothers 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.100 are here. 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:00.319 They're 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:00.519 just 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.140 outside. 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:03.920 Who 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.200 could be 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.480 more 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.140 important 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:05.380 than 00:19:05.380 --> 00:19:05.799 family, 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.519 right? 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:08.660 They 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.059 should have 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.640 an automatic 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:11.200 VIP seat 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:12.039 in the 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.440 house if 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:12.799 they want 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:12.920 it, 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.140 right? 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.360 What will 00:19:15.360 --> 00:19:16.019 Jesus do? 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.299 Will he 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:18.860 dismiss the 00:19:18.860 --> 00:19:19.360 whole crowd 00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:21.200 and then 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.640 spend some 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:22.019 time with 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.220 them? 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.600 Or will 00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:24.039 he call 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:24.440 for those 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:24.660 in the 00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.019 room to 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.579 make space 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:25.860 so that 00:19:25.860 --> 00:19:26.160 they can 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:26.559 come in 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.579 and sit? 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:29.940 Jesus' 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.799 response in 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.200 this moment 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.940 is surprising. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.139 He replies 00:19:33.139 --> 00:19:34.460 with this, 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.099 my mother 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:35.619 and my 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.220 brothers are 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:36.740 those who 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.539 hear God's 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:39.099 word and 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:39.720 put it into 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.259 practice. 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.960 He turns it 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.339 into a 00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:44.079 teaching moment 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.919 and we 00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:46.480 never find 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:46.879 out from 00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:47.319 Luke whether 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:47.659 Jesus' 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.179 mother and 00:19:48.179 --> 00:19:48.679 brothers end 00:19:48.679 --> 00:19:49.000 up getting 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.579 to see him 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.700 on this 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.119 occasion. 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.019 But there's 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.500 one piece 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.379 of context 00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:54.899 here that 00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:55.419 might shed 00:19:55.419 --> 00:19:55.839 some light 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:56.259 on this. 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.220 If we 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:57.539 look at 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:57.919 Mark, 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.039 a parallel 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.740 account, 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.679 chapter 3, 00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:01.879 verse 20, 00:20:03.179 --> 00:20:04.019 the following, 00:20:04.679 --> 00:20:05.159 then Jesus 00:20:05.159 --> 00:20:05.700 entered a 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.139 house and 00:20:06.139 --> 00:20:06.599 again a 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:07.319 crowd gathered 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.099 so that 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.419 he and 00:20:08.419 --> 00:20:09.059 his disciples 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.579 were not 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.119 even able 00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:10.639 to eat. 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:11.879 When his 00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:12.500 family heard 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:12.980 about this, 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:13.359 they went 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:13.779 to take 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.379 charge of 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:14.720 him for 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.259 they said, 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.019 he is 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.480 out of 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.119 his mind. 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:20.899 And then 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.339 just 10 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:21.980 verses after 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.379 that in 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:22.659 Mark, 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.119 we read 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:23.700 this account 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.559 of Jesus' 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.099 mother and 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:25.940 brothers arriving 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:26.580 to talk 00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:27.120 to Jesus. 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:28.799 And so we 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.259 kind of get 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:29.539 a little 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.140 sense here 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:30.660 of what's 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.160 going on 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:31.380 in the 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:31.920 relationship 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.380 between 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:33.320 Jesus and 00:20:33.320 --> 00:20:34.240 his family 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:34.740 around this 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.120 time. 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.900 It would 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:37.380 seem that 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:37.680 Jesus' 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:38.220 family, 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.140 his mother 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:39.640 and his 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:39.960 brothers, 00:20:40.120 --> 00:20:40.480 don't 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.039 understand 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:41.960 what's going 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.460 on here. 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.400 Maybe 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:45.240 they're even 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.559 a little 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.180 embarrassed 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.559 by all the 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:47.840 public 00:20:47.840 --> 00:20:48.380 attention 00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.720 that's coming 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.200 to them 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.660 and coming 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.220 to Jesus. 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:52.740 perhaps 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.100 some of 00:20:53.100 --> 00:20:53.339 them are 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:53.880 even unsure 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:54.319 about some 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:54.539 of the 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:54.960 things that 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.460 Jesus has 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.000 been saying. 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.160 Maybe some 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:57.400 of his 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:57.759 brothers. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.339 We kind 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:00.700 of notice 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.039 in the 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.720 context of 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.039 Mark, 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.000 if we just 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.420 look down 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:03.779 the page 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.059 a little 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.319 bit, 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.539 that already 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.140 Jesus is 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.880 facing major 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:07.480 opposition 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.259 from the 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:08.799 Pharisees 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.079 and the 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.559 teachers of 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:09.920 the law. 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.740 They're even 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.420 accusing him 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:13.200 already at 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:13.660 this point 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.079 of being 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.680 possessed 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.799 by the 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.079 devil. 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:18.539 And what's 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:18.819 Jesus' 00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:19.380 mother and 00:21:19.380 --> 00:21:19.960 brothers doing? 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.960 well, 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.259 they're trying 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.900 to take 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.420 charge of 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:22.579 him, 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:23.019 it says. 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:25.860 At least 00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.720 some of 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:26.900 them, 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:28.680 probably his 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.000 brothers, 00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:29.539 are saying, 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.720 he's out 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.000 of his 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.380 mind. 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:33.539 He's not 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.039 possessed. 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.660 He's gone 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.160 insane. 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:37.880 It's not 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.220 really the 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.500 kind of 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.019 support that 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.380 you hope 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.920 for from 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.440 your family 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.180 when you 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:42.480 take a 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:42.920 stand for 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.140 what's 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:43.600 right and 00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:44.039 speak the 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:44.340 truth. 00:21:45.340 --> 00:21:45.920 But I 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.200 think it 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:46.600 might shed 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:46.980 some light 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.319 on what's 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:47.980 happening here 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.319 in Luke 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:48.980 chapter 8. 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.680 Mark 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:52.120 chapter 3. 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:53.019 We don't 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:53.380 know for 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:53.600 sure, 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.259 but perhaps 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:54.579 Jesus' 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.120 mother and 00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:55.620 brothers have 00:21:55.620 --> 00:21:56.160 come again 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:56.880 to try and 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:57.539 take charge 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:57.880 of him, 00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.480 or at least 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.360 let's sit 00:21:59.360 --> 00:21:59.740 down and 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.039 have a 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.460 discussion 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:00.819 as a 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.380 family here. 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:01.680 We've got 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.600 to talk 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.079 some things 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.400 through. 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:04.700 Whatever the 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.019 case, 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:06.620 Jesus turns 00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:07.279 their arrival 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.480 into a 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.259 teaching moment. 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:10.940 He declares 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.460 that his 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:11.960 family, 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:12.519 those who 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.019 are kin 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.579 to him, 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.759 are those 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.200 who hear 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:15.940 God's word 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.880 and put 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.259 it into 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:17.820 practice. 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:19.980 And I 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.360 don't think 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:20.620 that we 00:22:20.620 --> 00:22:21.039 should read 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:21.759 any disrespect 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:23.140 into those 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:24.559 words from 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.340 Jesus towards 00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:25.920 his family. 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.019 I think if 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.600 anybody was 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:28.220 careful to 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:28.880 honor his 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:30.200 mother and 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:30.539 father, 00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:31.279 it was 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:31.640 Jesus. 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:33.880 It might 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.259 be that 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.620 there's some 00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:35.200 tension here 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:35.860 between honoring 00:22:35.860 --> 00:22:36.259 Jesus' 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.380 human mother 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.400 and honoring 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.259 his heavenly 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:39.700 father. 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:39.759 father. 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.600 But I 00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:41.980 don't think 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.420 that Jesus 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.299 is disowning 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:43.600 them, 00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:44.799 saying you're 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.160 not my 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:45.539 mother and 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.220 brothers anymore 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:47.340 or saying 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:47.740 that they 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.960 don't matter 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:49.400 to him. 00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:49.960 You're not 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:51.400 important to 00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:51.920 me anymore. 00:22:53.840 --> 00:22:54.580 But what 00:22:54.580 --> 00:22:55.100 Jesus is 00:22:55.100 --> 00:22:56.900 saying is 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.279 that what's 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.220 most important, 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.019 even more 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.940 important maybe 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.360 than our 00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:01.340 family relationships 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:03.600 is hearing 00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:04.340 God's word 00:23:04.340 --> 00:23:06.000 and putting 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.360 it into 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:06.860 practice. 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.700 That's the 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.420 chief concern 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:09.960 of Jesus 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:11.980 doing the 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.640 will of 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:13.180 his father. 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.100 It trumps 00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:15.080 everything else. 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.660 And not 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.200 only is that 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:19.539 Jesus' 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.539 priority to 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.740 obey the 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.080 word of 00:23:22.080 --> 00:23:23.560 God and 00:23:23.560 --> 00:23:24.000 submit to 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.500 his father, 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:24.960 but right 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.519 now he's 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.680 teaching the 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.220 very words 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:27.920 of God to 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.480 the people. 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.800 And that's 00:23:30.800 --> 00:23:31.380 of the utmost 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.039 importance, 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.580 both to 00:23:32.580 --> 00:23:33.440 God and 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:33.980 to the 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.300 people. 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:36.200 And if we 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:36.640 just follow 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.140 this through, 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:38.060 there are 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:38.640 some people 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.019 in the 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.360 crowd, 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:39.740 who are 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.259 there to 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.800 hear the 00:23:40.800 --> 00:23:41.480 very word 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.060 of God 00:23:42.060 --> 00:23:42.800 so that 00:23:42.800 --> 00:23:43.259 they can 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:43.960 follow it 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.440 and put 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:44.779 it into 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:45.340 practice. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.320 And therefore 00:23:47.320 --> 00:23:47.920 some in the 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.420 room are 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:49.779 now just 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.420 as important 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:50.840 in this 00:23:50.840 --> 00:23:51.380 moment to 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:52.759 Jesus as 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.240 his own 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.840 mom and 00:23:54.840 --> 00:23:55.240 brothers. 00:23:56.580 --> 00:23:57.300 It's not 00:23:57.300 --> 00:23:57.640 that he's 00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.340 diminishing the 00:23:58.340 --> 00:23:58.920 importance of 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.460 his family, 00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.860 but that he's 00:24:00.860 --> 00:24:01.700 elevating the 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.440 importance of 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.320 hearing the 00:24:03.320 --> 00:24:03.900 word of God 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.500 and putting it 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.180 into practice. 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:06.720 that's as 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.640 important as 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.080 family. 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.640 Those who 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.279 hear and put 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:11.940 God's word 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.720 into practice 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.900 are my 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.340 family. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.700 This really 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.580 fits with 00:24:18.580 --> 00:24:18.980 what we've 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.299 just been 00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:19.920 hearing from 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.460 the parable 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:20.840 of the 00:24:20.840 --> 00:24:21.400 sower and 00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:21.960 the analogy 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:22.320 of the 00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:22.680 lamp. 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:24.820 Both of 00:24:24.820 --> 00:24:25.340 those things 00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:25.580 have been 00:24:25.580 --> 00:24:26.120 about hearing 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:26.480 the word 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:26.860 of God 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:27.220 and how 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.600 important 00:24:27.600 --> 00:24:28.060 that is. 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:30.240 Jesus says 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.819 a lot about 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.240 that, but 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.740 maybe it's 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.179 because we 00:24:32.179 --> 00:24:32.519 have this 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.359 tendency to 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.079 underestimate 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:35.079 the importance 00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:36.700 of hearing 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.359 God's word 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.159 and of really 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:38.859 paying attention 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:39.299 to it. 00:24:41.179 --> 00:24:41.819 It's like 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.299 Jesus is 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:42.720 saying, there 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.679 isn't anything 00:24:43.679 --> 00:24:44.559 more important 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.339 than hearing 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.059 and putting 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.940 into practice 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.500 the word of 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:47.779 God. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.940 It's at, 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.440 it's even 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.240 above the 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:50.700 level of 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.059 family. 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:52.799 It's what 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.740 characterizes 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.559 the family 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.659 of God. 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:59.799 it's also 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.259 hard not 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:00.720 to miss 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.579 the emphasis 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.200 of Jesus 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:03.279 on putting 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.720 it into 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.339 practice. 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.240 That's 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.579 something 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:07.139 maybe not 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:07.720 mentioned as 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.059 much in 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.519 the parables 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.019 before. 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.099 Those who 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:11.879 hear and 00:25:11.879 --> 00:25:12.339 put it 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.159 into practice 00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:14.379 are the 00:25:14.379 --> 00:25:14.919 family of 00:25:14.919 --> 00:25:15.339 Jesus. 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:17.299 It suggests 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.779 to us that 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.220 if we hear 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:18.519 the word 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:18.899 of God 00:25:18.899 --> 00:25:19.639 but don't 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:19.980 put it 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.200 into 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:20.759 practice, 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:22.220 we fall 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.819 short of 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:23.240 the family 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.720 of God. 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.220 We cannot 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.960 claim to 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.399 be a 00:25:27.399 --> 00:25:27.940 brother or 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:28.620 sister of 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.580 Christ or 00:25:29.580 --> 00:25:29.880 a fellow 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.440 son or 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.519 daughter of 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:31.880 God. 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.240 In Jesus' 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:35.799 parable of 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.160 the sower, 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:36.539 this is 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.140 probably the 00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:37.759 difference right 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.380 here between 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:39.360 those three 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:39.960 soils where 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.420 there was no 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:41.840 harvest and 00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:42.220 the good 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.759 soil where 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.580 there was a 00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:44.259 great harvest. 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.820 All of the 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:47.759 soils had 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.440 the seed fall 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:48.740 on them. 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.400 All of the 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.200 people heard 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:50.820 the word of 00:25:50.820 --> 00:25:51.779 God but 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:53.420 only one by 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.200 persevering 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:55.240 produced a 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.500 crop. 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.039 Those who 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.440 hear, 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:59.220 and truly 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.279 believe the 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:00.620 word of 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:02.320 God will 00:26:02.320 --> 00:26:02.620 put it 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:02.820 into 00:26:02.820 --> 00:26:03.340 practice. 00:26:05.340 --> 00:26:05.980 Those who 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.500 hear and 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.279 truly believe 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:07.779 the word of 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.200 God will 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:08.779 put it into 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.320 practice. 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.620 It's not 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.120 enough just 00:26:12.120 --> 00:26:12.700 to hear it. 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.100 That in 00:26:15.100 --> 00:26:16.440 itself doesn't 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.059 result in 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.559 salvation. 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.100 It doesn't 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:20.340 do anything 00:26:20.340 --> 00:26:20.880 for us. 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.220 It's not 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:21.640 enough to 00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:22.500 just come to 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:22.980 church every 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.500 Sunday and 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.180 hear the 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:24.480 word of 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:24.820 God, 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:25.900 the words 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:26.380 of Jesus. 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:26.860 We must 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:28.140 put Jesus' 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.300 words into 00:26:29.300 --> 00:26:29.920 practice. 00:26:30.340 --> 00:26:30.880 We must 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:31.519 obey them. 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.120 We must 00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:33.680 do them. 00:26:35.580 --> 00:26:36.200 That's the 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:36.780 evidence that 00:26:36.780 --> 00:26:37.240 we truly 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:37.740 believe. 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:39.720 Now don't 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.519 misunderstand me. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:40.980 I'm not 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.340 saying we 00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:41.720 need to do 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.240 good works 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:42.800 in order to 00:26:42.800 --> 00:26:43.380 be saved. 00:26:43.840 --> 00:26:44.259 To be 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:44.720 saved we 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.480 just believe 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.000 in Jesus. 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:46.860 No good 00:26:46.860 --> 00:26:47.600 works required. 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.040 And true 00:26:50.040 --> 00:26:50.640 belief in 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.259 Jesus will 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.019 lead us to 00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:53.320 do what 00:26:53.320 --> 00:26:53.840 he says. 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:55.159 to obey 00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:55.720 his word. 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.519 To do 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:57.619 good works. 00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:01.539 Is it 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.039 your life 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:03.480 goal not 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:03.859 only to 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.199 hear the 00:27:04.199 --> 00:27:04.519 word of 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:04.959 God but 00:27:04.959 --> 00:27:05.419 to do 00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:05.639 it? 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:09.059 Is that 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.699 the highest 00:27:09.699 --> 00:27:11.500 priority in 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:11.980 your life? 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.259 To put 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.039 God's words 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:15.879 into practice? 00:27:17.639 --> 00:27:18.319 If it's 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.879 not, what 00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:20.220 is the 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.919 highest priority 00:27:20.919 --> 00:27:21.259 in your 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.559 life? 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:26.339 I want 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:26.679 to urge 00:27:26.679 --> 00:27:26.980 you this 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.439 morning to 00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:27.799 examine 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.819 yourself and 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.439 ask yourself 00:27:29.439 --> 00:27:30.079 that question. 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.679 I really 00:27:32.679 --> 00:27:33.119 do think 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:33.500 that's the 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:33.839 difference 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:34.359 between the 00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:34.859 good soil 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.199 and the 00:27:35.199 --> 00:27:35.899 other soils. 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.599 Between 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:42.519 having and 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:44.119 even what 00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:44.519 you think 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:44.939 you have 00:27:44.939 --> 00:27:45.220 will be 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.779 taken from 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.000 you. 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:48.000 God's 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.519 love. 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:48.740 I don't 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.119 know what's 00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:49.680 in everyone's 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:51.819 hearts but 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.539 Jesus does. 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.019 And we 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.720 can't, when 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.200 it comes to 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:56.720 Jesus, we 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.359 can't fake 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:57.779 it till we 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:58.200 make it. 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.599 Either we 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:01.240 listen to his 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.180 words and in 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:02.940 faith take 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.259 them as 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.980 truth and put 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.339 them into 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:06.599 practice or 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.180 we perish. 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.700 Am I 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.400 really listening 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:10.940 to God? 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:13.900 Am I 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.220 really 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.019 listening to 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.340 Jesus? 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:17.539 Does he 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.140 have the 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.779 attention of 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.299 my heart? 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.180 Am I 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:23.080 organizing my 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:24.240 life according 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.900 to the 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:26.019 commands and 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.660 the priorities 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.700 that he 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.299 has given? 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.299 This is what 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:32.140 it is to be a 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.920 child of God, 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:35.200 to be in the 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.940 family of God. 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.440 This is what 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.180 it is to be a 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.700 follower of 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.000 Jesus. 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:40.759 Now God 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.420 knows that we 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.119 will not live 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:43.519 perfectly in 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.480 perfect obedience 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.240 always. 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:47.900 But if we 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:48.680 really believe in 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.160 him, if we 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:50.079 really fear him 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:51.240 and love him, 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:51.779 then we will 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.160 take him 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.700 seriously. 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.099 We'll make 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:54.900 every effort to 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.420 do what he 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:55.759 says. 00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.859 His words are 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:01.099 light in the 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:01.500 darkness. 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.240 His words reveal 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.140 the secrets of 00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:05.160 the kingdom of 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:05.440 God. 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.039 That great 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.740 kingdom that's 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.240 soon going to 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:07.920 sweep over 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:08.600 this world 00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:10.800 and overshadow 00:29:10.800 --> 00:29:11.620 all human 00:29:11.620 --> 00:29:12.500 history forever. 00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:15.380 Therefore, 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.420 consider carefully 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:16.900 how you 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.259 listen. 00:29:20.100 --> 00:29:20.940 Many of you 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:22.100 hearing this, 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.560 I hope and I 00:29:23.560 --> 00:29:23.920 pray, are 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.259 thinking, 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:25.420 yes, amen. 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.279 That's my 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.000 life's goal, 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.860 to obey the 00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:29.400 Lord Jesus 00:29:29.400 --> 00:29:30.200 Christ and do 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.840 what he says. 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.100 And if that's 00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:32.620 you, that's a 00:29:32.620 --> 00:29:33.240 good indication. 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:33.860 I think that 00:29:33.860 --> 00:29:34.460 you are that 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.060 good soil. 00:29:35.060 --> 00:29:35.140 Soil. 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:38.780 Jesus says 00:29:38.780 --> 00:29:39.840 this, whoever 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.740 has will be 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.500 given more. 00:29:43.560 --> 00:29:44.400 So I want to 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.060 encourage you, if 00:29:45.060 --> 00:29:46.180 that's you, keep 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:46.480 on. 00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:48.080 Don't give up. 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.220 Let's not grow 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.220 weary of doing 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:51.220 good. 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.440 For at the 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.240 proper time, we 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:54.900 will reap a 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.300 harvest. 00:29:56.300 --> 00:29:57.200 If we don't 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.380 give up, we 00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:59.320 will inherit what 00:29:59.320 --> 00:29:59.660 has been 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.060 promised. 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.500 We will receive 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.519 that crown of 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.000 glory. 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.500 The Lord has 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:05.880 promised. 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:06.599 His word is 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:06.880 true. 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.619 And he will 00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:09.059 bring it to 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:09.440 pass. 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.119 We can be 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:11.599 sure of it. 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.140 Let's pray. 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:20.740 Father in 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.140 heaven, we 00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:21.700 thank you that 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.339 you have spoken 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:24.019 to us through 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.420 your son. 00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:26.220 And I pray 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:26.779 that each one 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.259 of us 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:30.660 values that so 00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:31.279 deeply and 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:31.880 treasures that 00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:32.519 so deeply 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.800 that we 00:30:33.800 --> 00:30:34.600 respond to 00:30:34.600 --> 00:30:36.220 it well. 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.360 That it's not 00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:40.180 just a religion 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:41.560 thing that we 00:30:41.560 --> 00:30:42.480 do because 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.040 that's what we 00:30:43.040 --> 00:30:43.640 grew up with, 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.180 but it's a 00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:44.800 thing that's 00:30:44.800 --> 00:30:46.300 meaningful and 00:30:46.300 --> 00:30:48.160 powerful in our 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:49.000 lives that we 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:50.720 are doing this. 00:30:50.800 --> 00:30:51.340 We are living 00:30:51.340 --> 00:30:53.340 this way because 00:30:53.340 --> 00:30:54.220 we know you. 00:30:54.320 --> 00:30:55.040 We believe in 00:30:55.040 --> 00:30:55.160 you. 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:55.920 We believe your 00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:56.279 words. 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.180 And it's our 00:30:58.180 --> 00:31:00.000 greatest honor and 00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:01.779 joy in life to 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:02.559 submit to you 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.119 and to follow 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:03.440 you. 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.980 For you are a 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.740 glorious God. 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.619 Work that in 00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:08.319 each one of our 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:08.880 hearts, Lord. 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.299 Don't let us 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.240 deceive ourselves. 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:18.359 We just commit 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.019 ourselves to you 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:20.059 in Jesus' name. 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:20.819 Amen.