WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:28.320 Benjamin Franklin, in a letter in 1789, said this, 00:00:28.320 --> 00:00:36.899 Our new constitution is now established and has an appearance that promises permanency. 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:43.140 But in this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes. 00:00:44.359 --> 00:00:49.780 And so if you ever wondered where it came from, this is where at least most of the internet thinks it came from. 00:00:50.260 --> 00:00:55.799 And we're not talking about taxes today, which means that we are talking about death. 00:00:55.799 --> 00:00:59.239 And what does it look like to face death? 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.019 Taxes will be another week. We'll get there. 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:03.599 It's in the Gospels too. 00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:06.840 It's an interesting thing to think about. 00:01:07.060 --> 00:01:11.700 We live in a culture today in particular where death is often distant from us. 00:01:12.459 --> 00:01:17.539 In fact, there was a book in 1974, a guy named Ernst Becker. 00:01:17.540 --> 00:01:23.560 I've read the summaries of it, not the whole thing, but it's called The Denial of Death. 00:01:24.120 --> 00:01:31.120 He was a sociologist, psychologist, and philosopher who sought to explore the way that death shapes us, 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:33.740 whether we want it to or not. 00:01:33.739 --> 00:01:42.479 And how often in our culture when we seek to deny death, how much yet still it drives us. 00:01:43.299 --> 00:01:49.919 How much it affects the way we live our everyday life, the things we aspire to, the things we hope for. 00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:54.640 How does it influence us? 00:01:55.239 --> 00:01:56.780 Let's explore this a little bit. 00:01:56.780 --> 00:02:02.820 I think first, the reality of death makes us insecure. 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:05.900 We realize that our life is finite. 00:02:06.379 --> 00:02:09.300 That we are like the grass here today and gone tomorrow. 00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:12.020 And we wonder, does my life have meaning? 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:14.500 Does it have purpose? 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:15.520 Am I important? 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:19.479 If I'm gone, will anyone remember me? 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:25.879 And in doing so, it drives us, I think. 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:31.299 It drives us to live lives, to try to produce memorials. 00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:36.620 To try to make a difference and build a monument. 00:02:37.439 --> 00:02:41.280 Or to find some kind of significance in our life. 00:02:44.280 --> 00:02:45.379 Think about this. 00:02:45.379 --> 00:02:49.859 If you lived forever, how concerned would you be about finding the right spouse? 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:54.560 About how you serve humanity this week, this year. 00:02:55.799 --> 00:02:58.259 Whether your career would pan out or not. 00:02:59.780 --> 00:03:02.439 If you lived forever, how would it be different? 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:08.560 But in fact, the shortness, the finitude of our life, 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:11.340 shapes how we think about these things. 00:03:11.340 --> 00:03:16.360 There's a scene, the end of Saving Private Ryan. 00:03:16.500 --> 00:03:17.280 You know the story. 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:19.439 Private Ryan, one of four survivors. 00:03:19.780 --> 00:03:22.400 Only one of four men in a family. 00:03:22.539 --> 00:03:25.120 Four boys who fought in World War II. 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:28.020 Three of them died within a week. 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:29.000 He was the last one. 00:03:29.080 --> 00:03:33.319 The whole movie is about a small squad of men who went to find him. 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:34.180 And to save him. 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:35.360 To bring him home. 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:37.539 But the final scene of the movie 00:03:37.539 --> 00:03:41.959 is Private Ryan, having lived his whole life 00:03:41.959 --> 00:03:45.579 under the burden of what the colonel had told him. 00:03:45.659 --> 00:03:47.000 The colonel who had found him. 00:03:47.079 --> 00:03:47.680 Who had died. 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:50.340 Who had said, earn this. 00:03:51.399 --> 00:03:54.879 And this man, standing before this colonel's tombstone, 00:03:55.699 --> 00:03:57.000 looks at his wife and says, 00:03:57.159 --> 00:03:57.659 tell me. 00:03:58.359 --> 00:04:00.319 Tell me I've lived a good life. 00:04:00.919 --> 00:04:02.479 Tell me I'm a good man. 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:08.840 And I think, friends, this is what death does to us. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:11.759 It drives us in those ways. 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:16.139 I think there's another way that death 00:04:16.139 --> 00:04:18.500 can affect how we live our lives. 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:21.939 I think that death makes us impatient. 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:25.079 In our culture today in particular, 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:28.599 death doesn't make us live for eternity. 00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:30.819 Death makes us live for now. 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:35.560 Run it through the rubric of those 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:37.879 grand dynamics of life. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:39.759 Sex, power, and money. 00:04:42.900 --> 00:04:45.400 How easy is it today in our culture 00:04:45.400 --> 00:04:48.840 to think that I could live a lifetime of celibacy? 00:04:53.080 --> 00:04:54.840 How many of you feel the pressure? 00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:58.300 When am I going to have that relationship? 00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:00.840 If you're in high school, 00:05:00.960 --> 00:05:02.360 how much pressure do you feel? 00:05:03.160 --> 00:05:04.360 You've got to get there. 00:05:04.640 --> 00:05:05.600 This is what, this is, 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:07.000 you're not going to live forever. 00:05:07.580 --> 00:05:08.879 You got to get it now. 00:05:12.140 --> 00:05:14.500 For those of you who've been married for a while, 00:05:15.020 --> 00:05:19.220 how much cultural weight is there behind the, 00:05:19.460 --> 00:05:20.660 is it really working for you? 00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:22.160 There's probably something better out there. 00:05:22.220 --> 00:05:23.060 You better get it now. 00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:24.340 Get it while you can, 00:05:24.400 --> 00:05:25.640 because it's not going to last forever. 00:05:26.340 --> 00:05:29.319 You might be stuck in this for the rest of your life. 00:05:29.400 --> 00:05:30.360 Can you handle that? 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:37.860 When we have these short time frames, 00:05:38.080 --> 00:05:40.900 it puts pressure on how we think. 00:05:40.899 --> 00:05:44.979 How about money? 00:05:45.919 --> 00:05:47.239 Some of you are workaholics. 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:48.719 You can rest when you're dead. 00:05:51.779 --> 00:05:52.099 Well, 00:05:52.719 --> 00:05:55.719 what are you working for? 00:05:55.720 --> 00:05:59.160 Is it because you want to build a monument? 00:05:59.280 --> 00:06:01.860 Is it because you're pursuing the good life now, 00:06:01.940 --> 00:06:02.380 and you think, 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:04.360 I've got to do whatever it takes to do that? 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:09.139 To get the money, 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:10.100 to get the position, 00:06:10.199 --> 00:06:11.020 to get the prestige? 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:15.379 How about power? 00:06:16.860 --> 00:06:17.960 How many of you think, 00:06:18.080 --> 00:06:20.060 if only I had control over my life, 00:06:20.259 --> 00:06:22.300 then I could get through it? 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:24.639 If I only have this much money, 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:27.800 I need to amass as much control as I can, 00:06:27.900 --> 00:06:30.379 so that I can do exactly what I think I need to do, 00:06:30.420 --> 00:06:32.180 because I only have 60, 70, 80 years. 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:35.420 And then I'm going to be gone. 00:06:36.340 --> 00:06:38.639 And we spend our lives pursuing, 00:06:39.379 --> 00:06:40.800 in various ways, 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:41.300 control. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:42.620 Control over relationships. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:45.019 Control over our physical comfort, 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:45.879 and our well-being. 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:51.259 Control over the way other people view us, 00:06:51.280 --> 00:06:51.899 and see us. 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:54.360 We seek power in various ways, 00:06:54.360 --> 00:06:57.580 so that we might be, 00:06:57.580 --> 00:06:59.660 fulfilled, 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:01.600 in this life. 00:07:04.520 --> 00:07:05.080 So, 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:06.780 if death makes us insecure, 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:08.319 and death makes us impatient, 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:10.860 it also can make us despair. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:13.600 For those of us who are willing to forsake, 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:15.199 the denial of death, 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:17.040 we face it firmly, 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:19.240 and it overwhelms us. 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:22.139 Think of the character Denethor, 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:23.160 in the Lord of the Rings. 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:24.639 The King of Gondor. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:26.300 No, not the King, right? 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:26.900 The Steward. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:28.600 The Steward of Gondor, 00:07:28.960 --> 00:07:31.720 maintaining the last defense, 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:33.220 against the forces of darkness. 00:07:35.420 --> 00:07:36.019 And yet, 00:07:36.100 --> 00:07:37.139 he has seen the future, 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:38.280 or he thinks he has, 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:40.439 and he thinks that it is full of death, 00:07:40.460 --> 00:07:41.100 and destruction. 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:44.180 And in doing so, 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:45.280 he gives up the fight. 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:48.519 He abandons his post. 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:50.479 He takes his ill, 00:07:50.599 --> 00:07:51.899 but not yet dead son, 00:07:52.179 --> 00:07:54.519 and goes to the funeral halls, 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:55.799 to burn himself, 00:07:55.919 --> 00:07:56.539 and his son, 00:07:57.579 --> 00:07:58.619 in a fey mood. 00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:02.119 What's the point in fighting? 00:08:02.219 --> 00:08:03.279 We're all going to die anyway. 00:08:03.419 --> 00:08:04.479 Why not die now? 00:08:08.559 --> 00:08:09.279 And friends, 00:08:09.359 --> 00:08:10.599 if we don't take that route, 00:08:11.739 --> 00:08:13.559 maybe we just make peace, 00:08:13.559 --> 00:08:14.959 with joyless drudgery. 00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:17.979 It's not going to get any better. 00:08:18.299 --> 00:08:19.259 We're like puddle glums. 00:08:19.599 --> 00:08:20.599 Nope, it's going to be bad. 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:21.819 Nope, it's going to be bad. 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:24.159 What else did you expect? 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:24.879 Life is hard. 00:08:27.799 --> 00:08:29.239 And we live in a despair, 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:30.779 that comes from disappointment, 00:08:30.779 --> 00:08:31.599 in this world. 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.259 And then some of us, 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:35.100 look at that despair, 00:08:35.199 --> 00:08:35.519 and we think, 00:08:35.579 --> 00:08:36.419 I can't handle it. 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:37.679 I'm going to turn on the TV. 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:40.339 Or have another drink. 00:08:42.819 --> 00:08:43.579 Or worse. 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:49.860 Maybe we turn on the video game, 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:51.480 and lose ourselves, 00:08:51.560 --> 00:08:52.360 in some adventure, 00:08:52.680 --> 00:08:54.860 for hours, 00:08:55.220 --> 00:08:55.780 and hours, 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:56.759 till the middle of the night. 00:08:57.440 --> 00:08:58.759 Not that I've never done this, 00:08:58.860 --> 00:08:59.020 but, 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:03.000 do we ever run, 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:05.060 from death, 00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:08.659 by seeking to anesthetize our souls? 00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:11.839 Friends, 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:13.639 I believe that death shapes us, 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:15.500 in many, 00:09:15.619 --> 00:09:16.179 many ways. 00:09:17.479 --> 00:09:18.219 It is for not, 00:09:18.699 --> 00:09:19.219 it is for, 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:20.679 it is not for nothing, 00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:22.059 that the Bible calls death, 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:22.979 the last enemy, 00:09:23.599 --> 00:09:24.359 of life. 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:26.379 It is an enemy of life. 00:09:26.459 --> 00:09:27.500 It is not the way, 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:28.899 it was supposed to be, 00:09:28.979 --> 00:09:29.500 in the beginning. 00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:31.899 It is something, 00:09:31.899 --> 00:09:33.120 to be fought against. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:37.419 But it raises a question for us, 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:38.639 what difference would it make, 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:41.000 if death was not the last word? 00:09:41.919 --> 00:09:43.440 How would we be different, 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:44.620 if we knew, 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:46.240 one who had power, 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:47.279 over death? 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:49.480 And this, 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:49.840 friends, 00:09:49.919 --> 00:09:50.419 leads us, 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:51.779 to our text this morning. 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:53.759 We're in our series, 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:54.639 in the book of Luke, 00:09:54.779 --> 00:09:56.100 we're in chapter 7, 00:09:56.100 --> 00:09:58.200 page 863, 00:09:58.300 --> 00:09:59.159 in your pew Bibles. 00:10:01.540 --> 00:10:03.000 And as we look at these two, 00:10:03.220 --> 00:10:04.279 the first two stories, 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:05.200 in chapter 7, 00:10:05.300 --> 00:10:06.320 starting in verse 1, 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:08.659 we're going to see Jesus, 00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:09.980 in the face of death. 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:12.420 And as we've been seeing, 00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:13.779 this whole section in Luke, 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:15.320 he's trying to give us, 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:17.420 a portrait of who this Jesus is. 00:10:17.560 --> 00:10:19.080 He started in chapter 4, 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:20.639 reading from the prophet Isaiah, 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:21.940 about one who would come, 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:24.580 and help the lame to walk, 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:26.080 and set the captives free. 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:29.480 And now Luke is, 00:10:29.480 --> 00:10:30.700 illustrating that, 00:10:30.800 --> 00:10:31.700 by the life, 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:33.080 that Jesus lived, 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:34.340 in his ministry on earth. 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:35.460 He's giving us pictures, 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:37.259 of who this Jesus is. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:42.040 So let's read this passage together. 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:44.480 Luke chapter 7, 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:45.460 verse 1. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:49.840 After he had finished, 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:50.720 all his sayings, 00:10:50.779 --> 00:10:51.639 in the hearing of the people, 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:52.680 he entered Capernaum. 00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:54.580 Now a centurion, 00:10:54.660 --> 00:10:55.320 had a servant, 00:10:55.420 --> 00:10:56.019 who was sick, 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:57.440 and at the point of death, 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:59.480 who was highly valued by him. 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:01.620 When the centurion, 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:02.540 heard about Jesus, 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:04.040 he sent to him, 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:05.180 elders of the Jews, 00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:06.060 asking him, 00:11:06.420 --> 00:11:07.980 to come and heal his servant. 00:11:08.680 --> 00:11:10.220 And when they came to Jesus, 00:11:10.420 --> 00:11:11.500 they pleaded with him, 00:11:11.580 --> 00:11:12.480 earnestly saying, 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:15.860 he is worthy to have you do this for him. 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:16.420 He is worthy to have you do this for him. 00:11:16.420 --> 00:11:17.980 For he loves our nation, 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:19.639 and he is the one who built us, 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:20.420 our synagogue. 00:11:21.300 --> 00:11:22.800 And Jesus went with them. 00:11:23.800 --> 00:11:25.560 When he was not far from the house, 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:28.039 the centurion sent friends, 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:29.200 saying to him, 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:29.700 Lord, 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:31.879 do not trouble yourself, 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:34.840 for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 00:11:35.700 --> 00:11:36.000 Therefore, 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:38.120 I did not presume to come to you, 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:39.759 but say the word, 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:41.500 and let my servant be healed. 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:44.679 For I too am a man set under authority, 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:46.399 with soldiers under me. 00:11:46.779 --> 00:11:47.840 And I say to one, 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:48.179 go, 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:48.860 and he goes, 00:11:48.940 --> 00:11:49.440 and to another, 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:49.879 come, 00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:50.539 and he comes. 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:51.879 And to my servant, 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:52.500 do this, 00:11:52.539 --> 00:11:53.320 and he does it. 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:56.360 When Jesus heard these things, 00:11:56.440 --> 00:11:57.879 he marveled at him. 00:11:58.500 --> 00:12:00.860 And turning to the crowd that followed him, 00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:01.519 he said, 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.779 I tell you, 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:05.579 not even in Israel have I found such faith. 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:09.139 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:10.600 they found the servant well. 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:12.799 Soon afterwards, 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:14.759 he went to a town called Nain. 00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:18.699 And his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:21.120 As he drew near to the gate of the town, 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:21.679 behold, 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:24.399 a man who had died was being carried out, 00:12:25.079 --> 00:12:26.699 the only son of his mother, 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:28.179 and she was a widow. 00:12:28.179 --> 00:12:32.139 And a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 00:12:32.739 --> 00:12:34.339 And when the Lord saw her, 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:35.879 he had compassion on her, 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:37.059 and said to her, 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:38.099 do not weep. 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:41.039 And he came up and touched the beer, 00:12:41.339 --> 00:12:42.699 and the bearer stood still. 00:12:43.599 --> 00:12:44.159 And he said, 00:12:44.219 --> 00:12:44.819 young man, 00:12:44.939 --> 00:12:45.979 I say to you, 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:47.079 arise. 00:12:48.459 --> 00:12:51.079 And the dead man sat up and began to speak. 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:53.639 And Jesus gave him to his mother. 00:12:54.719 --> 00:12:56.299 Fear seized them all, 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:57.719 and they glorified God, 00:12:57.859 --> 00:12:58.099 saying, 00:12:58.179 --> 00:13:00.620 a great prophet has risen among us, 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:02.279 and God has visited his people. 00:13:03.099 --> 00:13:05.539 And this report about him spread 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:07.620 through the whole of Judea, 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:09.199 and all the surrounding country. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:10.779 Let's pray. 00:13:12.939 --> 00:13:13.419 Lord, 00:13:13.479 --> 00:13:14.559 we thank you for your word. 00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:15.799 We ask that this morning, 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.579 you would open our eyes, 00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:18.179 and our hearts, 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:18.959 and our minds, 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:19.620 Lord, 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:21.159 that we might see you clearly, 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:23.939 and that we would respond to you, 00:13:23.939 --> 00:13:24.599 in faith, 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:25.179 and worship, 00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:28.239 because we know more of you. 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:30.059 Lord, 00:13:30.099 --> 00:13:31.939 I pray you would use me this morning, 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:33.679 to make your word clear, 00:13:33.819 --> 00:13:36.399 and that your spirit would teach all of us, 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:39.659 about what a savior you are for us. 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:41.839 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:43.440 Amen. 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:43.580 Amen. 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:47.040 Jesus, 00:13:47.300 --> 00:13:48.259 in the face of death, 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:50.720 displays his authority, 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:51.759 and his compassion, 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:55.940 as he addresses death, 00:13:56.780 --> 00:14:00.560 and shows himself to be the one who has the power over death. 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:02.799 So let's look at these things. 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:04.279 The first story, 00:14:04.619 --> 00:14:06.359 is about an outsider, 00:14:06.579 --> 00:14:07.739 a Roman centurion, 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:09.439 who had made himself, 00:14:09.699 --> 00:14:10.319 a friend, 00:14:11.079 --> 00:14:12.439 of the Jewish people. 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.979 And he had a sick servant. 00:14:14.099 --> 00:14:14.959 This was the crisis. 00:14:15.579 --> 00:14:17.479 One of his beloved servants was sick. 00:14:19.739 --> 00:14:21.219 And this centurion, 00:14:21.359 --> 00:14:22.599 having heard about Jesus, 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:24.019 sent a delegation, 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:26.419 which isn't a backdoor channel thing, 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:29.500 it's simply a polite way of interacting with someone, 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.279 in those days, 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:31.639 particularly because he had, 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:33.220 a standing and reputation, 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:35.299 and a relationship with the Jewish community, 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:36.820 sent the Jewish elders and said, 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.320 would you ask Jesus, 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:39.679 if you would come and help? 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.580 And the response, 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:44.139 I will come. 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.460 To stop for a minute, 00:14:48.059 --> 00:14:49.820 I want to just interject a few thoughts, 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:51.320 as we walk through this passage. 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:52.679 Friends, 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.960 when you're facing a trial, 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:55.460 when you're facing something, 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.659 that's difficult, 00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:57.519 where do you turn? 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.100 Do you ever think, 00:14:59.100 --> 00:14:59.340 oh, 00:14:59.420 --> 00:15:00.100 where is Jesus? 00:15:00.540 --> 00:15:02.700 How can he help me in this? 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:05.540 Do we tend to gripe, 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.139 or complain, 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.379 or fix it ourselves, 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:09.340 think that we're alone in it? 00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:11.259 The centurion, 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:13.060 turns to Jesus, 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:13.519 and says, 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:13.860 Jesus, 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:14.600 will you help? 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.700 And so you think, 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.399 this is going to be, 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:18.340 Jesus will show up, 00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:19.560 and heal the servant, 00:15:19.680 --> 00:15:20.540 that'll be a nice story, 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.379 but that's not it. 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.820 The elders, 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:23.399 as they go, 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:23.840 they say, 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:25.360 this man is worthy, 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.540 for you to do it. 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:29.459 But then as Jesus draws near to the house, 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:33.399 the man sends his friends, 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:33.860 and says, 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:34.419 Jesus, 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:34.860 wait, 00:15:35.339 --> 00:15:36.439 don't come anymore, 00:15:36.959 --> 00:15:38.019 I'm not worthy. 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:40.799 Though those around him, 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:42.339 viewed him with great esteem, 00:15:42.599 --> 00:15:44.139 he had a great humility, 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:44.959 before Jesus. 00:15:45.179 --> 00:15:45.959 He knew, 00:15:46.459 --> 00:15:47.919 that he didn't deserve, 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.379 to have Jesus in his house. 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.559 And so he sent him, 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:52.519 and part of the reason, 00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:53.559 why he had this humility, 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:54.919 is because he recognized, 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:56.019 something about Jesus. 00:15:57.079 --> 00:15:58.059 He recognized, 00:15:58.199 --> 00:15:59.219 that Jesus had authority. 00:15:59.439 --> 00:15:59.959 Look with me, 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:00.839 at what he says. 00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:02.819 Starting verse six. 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.159 I'm not worthy, 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:05.419 for you to have you, 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.339 come under my roof, 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:07.619 therefore I did not presume, 00:16:07.699 --> 00:16:08.500 to come to you, 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:11.079 but say the word, 00:16:11.219 --> 00:16:12.399 and let my servant be healed, 00:16:12.459 --> 00:16:13.479 for I too am a man, 00:16:13.599 --> 00:16:14.419 set under authority. 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:14.779 That is, 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:16.879 I too have a role of authority, 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:17.719 and I recognize, 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:18.779 that you do too. 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:21.339 You have a kind of authority here. 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:23.179 You have an authority, 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:25.679 like mine. 00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:27.919 I say to my servant, 00:16:28.079 --> 00:16:28.899 or to my soldiers, 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:29.480 do this, 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.000 go here, 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:30.459 go there, 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.439 and they do it. 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:33.959 Like, 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:35.819 I imagine Mark Zuckerberg, 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:36.839 at Facebook, 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.600 when he says, 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.399 let's do this, 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.819 people don't go say, 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.699 I don't know, 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.480 let's not do that. 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.319 I think they say, 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.419 yes sir Mr. Zuckerberg, 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.179 right away. 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:47.019 Or maybe, 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:47.699 I don't know, 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.720 maybe he's a little post, 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.279 modern leader, 00:16:49.339 --> 00:16:50.659 and it doesn't quite work that way, 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.659 but how about, 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:52.919 if you were a football player, 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:54.000 on Bill Belichick, 00:16:54.059 --> 00:16:55.360 or Bill Parcell's team, 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:58.059 had to go on both ways, 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.319 right? 00:16:58.600 --> 00:16:59.319 New York, 00:16:59.500 --> 00:16:59.860 Boston, 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:00.759 got both of them going, 00:17:01.079 --> 00:17:01.360 right? 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.220 If you're a, 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.279 if you're a player, 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:05.440 and you play for one of these coaches, 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.839 you either do what they say, 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.859 you get off the field. 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:12.259 They wield a kind of authority, 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.420 where you go here, 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.000 you do this, 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:14.500 you do that, 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.759 because they say so. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:21.279 And the centurion is looking at Jesus saying, 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.980 you have that authority, 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:24.500 over life, 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.220 and death. 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.960 You have that authority, 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.839 over sickness, 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:29.160 and health. 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:31.000 You have that authority, 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.460 to speak, 00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:34.400 and it will happen. 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:38.100 And Jesus marvels at this. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.880 Jesus only marvels three times, 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:40.640 in the whole scripture, 00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:41.960 and this is the only time, 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:43.420 he marvels at something positive. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.680 The other two times, 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:46.700 he's marveling at people's unbelief. 00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:47.780 But here, 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:48.920 he marvels, 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:51.500 and not at a Jewish person, 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:53.700 who recognizes his Messiah has come, 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:56.680 but at a complete outsider. 00:17:57.780 --> 00:17:59.280 Someone who knows, 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.400 that he is not worthy. 00:18:00.860 --> 00:18:01.980 And Jesus looks at him, 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.880 and he marvels, 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.720 at his faith. 00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:08.259 And of course, 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.220 interestingly, 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:11.059 in a very understated way, 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.180 Luke says, 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.920 well of course he's right. 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:15.920 Because when these people, 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:16.940 got back to the house, 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.799 what did they find? 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.559 The servant was healed. 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:20.900 Interestingly, 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:22.420 you don't even see the moment. 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.079 In many other healing stories, 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:24.740 in the gospels, 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.579 you see Jesus, 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:26.839 touching the man, 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:28.220 speaking the word, 00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:29.259 doing something, 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:30.000 and it happens. 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:30.519 Here, 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:32.119 you don't even see that. 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.819 But what you see, 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:37.200 is a man who recognized, 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:38.599 that Jesus had authority. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.559 And think about how he did it. 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.619 He was far away. 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:44.759 He didn't even know, 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:45.740 what the sickness was. 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:46.960 He couldn't touch him. 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:48.160 He couldn't diagnose him. 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:49.720 He couldn't do a physical examination. 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:51.700 None of the normal things. 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:54.700 The authority that Jesus exerted, 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.379 in this healing, 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:57.180 is greater than almost any other. 00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:59.680 Because he did it from far away. 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.119 Friends, 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:07.940 the centurion, 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.900 sees that Jesus has authority, 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:10.920 over life and death. 00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:13.639 Which poses the question for us, 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.539 if he has authority, 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.559 over life and death, 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:17.160 what does he not, 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:18.160 have authority over? 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.099 Do you believe it? 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:27.539 Do you believe that he has authority, 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:29.579 over all of your life? 00:19:29.919 --> 00:19:31.579 All of your circumstances? 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.139 All of the people, 00:19:33.139 --> 00:19:34.659 who have authority over you, 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.939 are under his authority? 00:19:36.619 --> 00:19:38.079 All of the responsibilities, 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.079 and the trials, 00:19:40.699 --> 00:19:41.599 that you face, 00:19:41.959 --> 00:19:43.359 are under his authority? 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:43.500 authority, 00:19:43.959 --> 00:19:46.379 how often, 00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:48.279 do you try to be, 00:19:48.399 --> 00:19:49.119 your own authority, 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:49.899 in your life? 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:54.759 How often do you trust, 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:55.660 in other things? 00:19:56.780 --> 00:19:58.340 As Lydia prayed earlier, 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.340 little saviors, 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:01.360 that cannot save, 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:03.759 rather than him. 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:07.040 But Luke goes on, 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.440 not only does Jesus, 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:09.240 have authority, 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:11.360 over sickness and death, 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:12.019 in this way, 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:12.960 but then he goes on, 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:14.879 to this second story. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:17.920 Jesus travels, 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.980 from Capernaum, 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:21.000 probably 25 or so miles, 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.240 to this city. 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:22.960 He arrives there, 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.039 at the end of the day, 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.859 and he encounters, 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:27.220 a funeral procession. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.740 Jesus takes it all in, 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.160 in a moment. 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.220 Luke describes it, 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.779 with great brevity. 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.339 Verse 12, 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.200 look with me. 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.019 A man had died, 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:38.139 and was being carried out. 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.160 He probably would have died, 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:39.700 that day, 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.559 they would have buried him, 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.460 at the end of the day, 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.400 that he had died on. 00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:44.799 But here's the description. 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:46.059 He's the only son, 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:46.720 of his mother. 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.100 Which means, 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:48.880 that with his death, 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:50.620 there's no progeny left. 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.500 And she was a widow, 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:53.059 which meant, 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.380 that she had no husband, 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.640 and so in her society, 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:59.000 was completely vulnerable, 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.620 unprotected, 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:02.000 and unprovided for. 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:08.019 Jesus takes all of this in, 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:10.880 and he sees her. 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:15.340 He sees her in a situation, 00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:16.579 where it sure feels like, 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.400 death has won. 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:19.420 And she's the loser, 00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:21.680 in the battle, 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:22.900 on this day. 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.539 And he steps in. 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:28.440 You see verse 13? 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:30.640 When he sees her, 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:32.059 he has compassion, 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:33.480 upon her. 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.700 friends, 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:37.640 friends, 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.559 when you think, 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.920 death is won in your life, 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.220 whether it's the loss, 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:44.019 of a loved one, 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:46.120 whether it's the loss, 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:48.039 of hopes and dreams, 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.559 whether it's the loss, 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.779 of abilities, 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:52.019 as you grow old, 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.819 whether it's the loss, 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:55.059 of opportunities, 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.400 as jobs, 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:58.819 as doors close, 00:21:58.819 --> 00:22:00.579 whether it's the loss, 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.579 of jobs, 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.460 or positions, 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.879 or roles in your life. 00:22:06.179 --> 00:22:07.659 Do you think Jesus cares? 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:09.980 Here, 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.599 Jesus looks, 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.839 at a situation, 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:14.819 where it seems like, 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:15.480 death is won. 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:17.279 And the first thing he does, 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:19.000 is he has compassion. 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.639 He says, 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.399 I do care. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:24.519 But he doesn't just care, 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:26.160 from afar. 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:28.440 But in a beautiful, 00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:30.079 I want you to picture this scene, 00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:31.579 this would be a great movie scene, 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:32.039 right? 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:33.339 The funeral procession, 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:35.000 is going out of the town gate, 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.559 probably out to the graveyard, 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:38.059 outside the city walls. 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:40.859 They're mourning, 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:42.279 they're wailing, 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:45.259 the woman is probably walking ahead, 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.899 covered in black, 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.619 alone. 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:52.039 And Jesus steps in, 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:53.480 to the procession of death, 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:54.960 and he stops it. 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:56.779 And he looks at the woman, 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.259 and says, 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.000 don't weep, 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:59.920 which doesn't make any sense, 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.420 unless he's going to do, 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.519 what he's about to do. 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:05.940 And then he steps in, 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.879 and he touches the funeral beer. 00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:09.700 And if you were a Jewish person, 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:11.059 you would never do that. 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:13.039 Numbers 19 would say, 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:14.039 you are defiled, 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.579 by touching, 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:17.019 a dead body. 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.079 And Jesus enters, 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.899 into even the defilement, 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:21.460 of death, 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:23.519 by stopping the procession, 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.660 and touching the beer. 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:26.899 And then he looks at the man, 00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:30.480 and he commands death, 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.079 to depart. 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.619 And he commands, 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:34.180 a lifeless body, 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.819 and a soul, 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:37.619 to be brought back together, 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:40.019 and brought back to life. 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:42.460 Jesus is knitting back together, 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:44.259 what death has torn us under, 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.339 in this person, 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.599 in this man. 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.359 And he calls him, 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.240 to arise. 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:58.120 Have you ever been to a viewing? 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.880 I've been to too many, 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:01.500 recently. 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.880 Have you ever seen, 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:05.339 a dead body? 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:07.779 I'm sure some of you have. 00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:09.859 It's very sobering. 00:24:10.659 --> 00:24:11.539 It's very helpful, 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:12.659 I find. 00:24:14.659 --> 00:24:15.779 Helpful to recognize, 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.699 what death is. 00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:19.220 Because when you see, 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:20.659 that body lying there, 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.379 and you realize, 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.740 there's no more life in it. 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:24.179 And the person, 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.039 who you loved, 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:26.339 the person who you knew, 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:28.079 is no longer there. 00:24:33.659 --> 00:24:34.099 Remarkably, 00:24:34.939 --> 00:24:36.259 Jesus steps in, 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:38.679 and he can take that body, 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.679 and bring it back to life. 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:44.000 And so Luke, 00:24:44.419 --> 00:24:45.319 if you read this, 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.199 with a literary eye, 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.919 he makes this funny statement. 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:48.619 He says, 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.859 the dead man sat up. 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.480 Have you ever thought about, 00:24:52.699 --> 00:24:55.099 how incomprehensible that is? 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:56.879 The dead man sat up. 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:57.539 Well, 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:58.419 the dead man sat up, 00:24:58.459 --> 00:24:59.879 because he was no longer dead. 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.839 He was alive, 00:25:00.879 --> 00:25:01.879 and he began to speak, 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.139 just in case you thought, 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.839 this was some, 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.699 muscular, 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:06.299 contraction, 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.919 post mortis. 00:25:10.399 --> 00:25:11.819 And he begins to speak, 00:25:11.899 --> 00:25:12.500 and it's clear, 00:25:12.679 --> 00:25:13.859 that Jesus has brought him, 00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:15.379 back to life. 00:25:17.419 --> 00:25:18.659 And in a situation, 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:20.399 where just moments before, 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:22.000 it seemed that death had won, 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:24.659 and there was only, 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.360 mourning, 00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:26.120 and darkness. 00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:27.620 Instead, 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.580 there is wonder, 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:29.340 and joy. 00:25:30.580 --> 00:25:31.640 The man sits up, 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.160 and speaks. 00:25:32.340 --> 00:25:33.360 Jesus takes him, 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.680 gives him back, 00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:35.540 to his mother, 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.880 restoring her, 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.560 restoring her hope, 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:40.080 restoring her provision, 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:40.980 and her protection, 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.519 restoring her place, 00:25:42.580 --> 00:25:43.360 in society. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:47.360 And the people around, 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.720 are filled with awe. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:51.140 who is this man, 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:52.180 who can do this? 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.759 God, 00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:55.140 has visited us. 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.839 God has sent us a prophet, 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.680 ringing in their ears, 00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.519 of the stories, 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:00.339 of Elisha, 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:01.039 and Elijah, 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.799 and how they raised, 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.779 the widow's sons, 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.799 from the dead. 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.680 God has sent us, 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.400 another prophet, 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:08.440 like that. 00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:09.940 He is with us. 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.940 God has sent us, 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:14.620 and they rejoice, 00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:15.799 and they worship him. 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.380 Jesus, 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:23.200 in the face of death, 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:25.160 shows that he has the authority, 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.700 over death. 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.900 He can step in, 00:26:29.080 --> 00:26:30.360 and bring life, 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:31.340 again, 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.320 where there is, 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.640 where it seems that death, 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.900 has had victory. 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:38.160 Now, 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.160 we need to acknowledge, 00:26:39.820 --> 00:26:41.220 these men, 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:41.880 the servant, 00:26:42.060 --> 00:26:42.600 and the son, 00:26:42.800 --> 00:26:43.880 they both died. 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.560 They were not raised, 00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:46.580 to eternal life. 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:51.360 Jesus is not, 00:26:52.120 --> 00:26:53.220 permanently, 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.240 defeating death, 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:55.519 in these moments. 00:26:56.280 --> 00:26:57.220 But instead, 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.840 he is displaying himself, 00:26:58.840 --> 00:26:59.740 as the one, 00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:01.720 who will have power, 00:27:01.800 --> 00:27:02.900 over life and death. 00:27:03.540 --> 00:27:04.900 The precursor, 00:27:05.040 --> 00:27:05.680 of a greater, 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:07.320 resurrection, 00:27:07.800 --> 00:27:08.560 of a greater, 00:27:08.800 --> 00:27:09.740 and eternal life, 00:27:10.060 --> 00:27:11.440 that is to come. 00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:13.800 He may heal, 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.800 in this life, 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:15.700 he may not. 00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:17.220 But the question, 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:19.140 that these passages, 00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:20.040 put before us, 00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:20.460 is not, 00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:21.680 will he heal me now? 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:23.460 Will he raise me now? 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.380 It is not, 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:27.259 can I keep this life, 00:27:27.340 --> 00:27:28.180 that God has given me, 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.240 as long as I can? 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.560 But more, 00:27:31.100 --> 00:27:32.240 can I keep the God, 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.880 of life, 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:33.900 forever? 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:33.980 forever. 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:35.880 That's the question, 00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.820 that this passage, 00:27:37.320 --> 00:27:38.840 asks us to see. 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:40.120 This is what, 00:27:40.560 --> 00:27:41.540 this is the Jesus, 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.120 that Luke, 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:43.140 wants us to see. 00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:44.780 One who has compassion, 00:27:44.780 --> 00:27:45.580 over us, 00:27:45.620 --> 00:27:46.620 in the face of death. 00:27:46.800 --> 00:27:47.840 One who has real, 00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:48.500 authority, 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.660 over it. 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.460 Who is able to bring, 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.580 to life, 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.259 and to heal. 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.280 Friends, 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:57.960 this is what, 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.519 Isaiah had foretold, 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.880 so long ago. 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:01.819 Behold, 00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:03.840 this is our God. 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.400 Do you remember, 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.380 the words that we read, 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:05.819 earlier? 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.319 He will swallow up, 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:07.980 death forever, 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.860 and the Lord God, 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:09.600 will wipe away, 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:11.160 tears from all faces, 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.640 and the reproach, 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.259 of his people, 00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:14.100 he will take away, 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.140 from all the earth. 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.200 For the Lord, 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:16.840 has spoken, 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.880 and it will be said, 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.700 on that day, 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.299 behold, 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:21.319 this is our God. 00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.579 We have waited, 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:23.160 for him, 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.720 that he might save us. 00:28:25.120 --> 00:28:26.539 This is our Lord. 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.100 We have waited, 00:28:28.100 --> 00:28:28.660 for him. 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.740 Let us be glad, 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.420 and rejoice, 00:28:31.120 --> 00:28:32.700 in his salvation. 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:37.339 Friends, 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:38.279 what would it take, 00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:41.440 for God to give us, 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:43.039 not just more human life, 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.200 but eternal life? 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:46.339 What would it take, 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.039 for God, 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:50.039 to do that for us, 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:51.200 who in our sin, 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.600 and rebellion against him, 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.220 deserve, 00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:54.160 rightly, 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:55.500 only death? 00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:57.940 God can't just, 00:28:58.040 --> 00:28:58.900 wave his hand, 00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.440 and say, 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.500 it's okay, 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.600 it doesn't matter. 00:29:03.840 --> 00:29:05.259 He has to deal, 00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:06.080 with our sin, 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.519 and the cause, 00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:08.259 of our death. 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.300 And so, 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.100 this Jesus, 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:13.180 as Luke tells this story, 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:14.140 is looking ahead, 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:15.480 he's looking ahead, 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.100 to the day, 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.700 that Jesus, 00:29:17.120 --> 00:29:18.200 would take death, 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:18.940 upon himself, 00:29:19.300 --> 00:29:20.019 for us. 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.040 When Jesus, 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.900 would walk, 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.840 the hill, 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:24.419 walk to the hill, 00:29:24.419 --> 00:29:25.720 of Calvary, 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:27.019 and he would, 00:29:27.179 --> 00:29:29.199 allow himself, 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.539 he would submit, 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.799 to death itself, 00:29:31.959 --> 00:29:33.119 on our behalf. 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:35.359 He would offer himself up, 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:35.759 and say, 00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:36.980 I will not, 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.379 for your sake, 00:29:39.199 --> 00:29:40.159 let you die, 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.980 I will offer myself, 00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:42.480 instead. 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:44.679 And yet, 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.240 this one, 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:46.259 who offers himself, 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:47.759 and takes on death, 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:48.240 for us, 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:49.539 does not stay there. 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:51.000 But we know, 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:52.279 that three days later, 00:29:52.379 --> 00:29:53.180 he rises, 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:54.299 from the grave. 00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.440 And as we, 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.599 in this Lenten season, 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:58.379 hurdle towards Easter, 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.279 we look forward, 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.799 to the remembrance, 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.500 that we can, 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.559 know, 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.960 that he did not, 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:06.759 stay in the grave, 00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.559 he did not, 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.480 simply die, 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.799 but he rose. 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:11.720 And in, 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:14.139 rising from the dead, 00:30:14.399 --> 00:30:15.259 he broke, 00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:16.519 the power of sin, 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.420 and death, 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:18.259 for all, 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:19.339 who believe in him. 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.619 He removed, 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.299 the judgment, 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.500 he took away, 00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:23.640 the stain of sin, 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:26.079 and he gave us, 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.720 instead, 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.079 life, 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:28.700 eternal. 00:30:31.099 --> 00:30:32.660 The resurrected Jesus, 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.660 speaks to us, 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.279 the words, 00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:34.980 that he spoke, 00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:35.900 in John 11, 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.359 I am the resurrection, 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:38.200 and the life. 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.319 He who believes in me, 00:30:40.379 --> 00:30:41.339 though he die, 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:43.119 yet shall he live, 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.039 forever. 00:30:45.119 --> 00:30:46.099 Though we will, 00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:47.160 most likely, 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:48.119 face physical, 00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:48.619 death, 00:30:49.159 --> 00:30:49.939 that death, 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.739 no longer, 00:30:50.739 --> 00:30:52.579 has power over us, 00:30:52.679 --> 00:30:53.959 because it is not, 00:30:54.179 --> 00:30:55.599 in Jesus, 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.979 the last enemy, 00:30:57.459 --> 00:30:58.099 but it is, 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:58.599 in fact, 00:30:58.719 --> 00:30:59.299 transformed, 00:30:59.939 --> 00:31:01.000 into the doorway, 00:31:01.179 --> 00:31:01.759 to eternity. 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.000 It is, 00:31:07.199 --> 00:31:07.459 in fact, 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.039 the time, 00:31:08.179 --> 00:31:08.799 when we move, 00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:09.479 towards, 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.000 the final, 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.500 work of God, 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.339 in this world. 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:16.220 John the apostle, 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.679 saw, 00:31:16.899 --> 00:31:17.519 in Revelation, 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.319 behold, 00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:19.139 the dwelling place, 00:31:19.179 --> 00:31:19.539 of God, 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.220 is with man, 00:31:20.399 --> 00:31:21.199 he will dwell, 00:31:21.199 --> 00:31:21.619 with them, 00:31:21.659 --> 00:31:22.139 and they will be, 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:22.639 his people, 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.579 and God himself, 00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:24.319 will be with them, 00:31:24.399 --> 00:31:24.980 as their God, 00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:26.159 he will wipe away, 00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:26.859 every tear, 00:31:26.939 --> 00:31:27.720 from their eyes, 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.500 and death, 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.439 shall be no more, 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:29.819 neither, 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.539 shall there be, 00:31:30.639 --> 00:31:30.959 mourning, 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:31.679 nor crying, 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.299 nor pain, 00:31:32.459 --> 00:31:33.319 anymore, 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:34.799 for the former things, 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:36.359 like death, 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:38.000 have passed away, 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:38.960 like death, 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.460 isn't in there, 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.140 I added it, 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:42.200 the former things, 00:31:42.299 --> 00:31:43.079 have passed away, 00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:46.680 and he, 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.819 he who is seated, 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:48.380 on the throne, 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.039 said behold, 00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:49.680 I am making, 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:51.119 all things new, 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:55.339 behold, 00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:56.960 this is our God, 00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.680 this is the God, 00:31:58.759 --> 00:31:59.099 that Luke, 00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:00.140 wants us to see, 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:01.599 one who has authority, 00:32:02.140 --> 00:32:03.240 and in compassion, 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.660 loves us, 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:06.980 and longs, 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.579 to give us, 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.839 to free us, 00:32:08.839 --> 00:32:09.980 from the fear of death, 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.400 so that we might live, 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.140 life, 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.940 so what difference, 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.759 does this mean, 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.980 what difference, 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:16.960 does it mean, 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.799 if we can say, 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.000 Jesus lives, 00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:19.759 and by faith, 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.880 so shall I, 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.619 let's think about, 00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.519 what we started with, 00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:24.980 at the beginning, 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:25.619 of our morning, 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:28.680 knowing the Lord of life, 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.000 makes us secure, 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:31.940 what can man, 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:32.759 do to me, 00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:36.119 we no longer, 00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:36.819 have to live, 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.960 this life, 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:39.819 seeking, 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.119 seeking to, 00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:41.099 build monuments, 00:32:41.099 --> 00:32:41.880 for ourselves, 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:43.660 so that we might be known, 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.799 so that we might be assured, 00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:45.720 of our significance, 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.660 so we might know, 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.559 that we are loved, 00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:49.259 because in fact, 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.279 Jesus has already, 00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:50.880 shown us, 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:52.019 all of those things, 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:54.559 and so death, 00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:55.460 is no longer, 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.259 something that we're, 00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:56.920 afraid of, 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:58.180 because it's the end, 00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:59.279 of when we can do that, 00:32:59.380 --> 00:32:59.980 but in fact, 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:01.000 Jesus in the life, 00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:02.140 that he has given us, 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.720 now frees us, 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.940 to live this life, 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:06.079 with great abandon, 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.360 because we don't have, 00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:08.660 to do it for ourselves, 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:10.720 and we don't have, 00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:11.440 to be insecure, 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:12.319 but in fact, 00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:13.660 the security of knowing, 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:15.039 the eternal life, 00:33:15.100 --> 00:33:15.559 in Jesus, 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:16.880 allows us, 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.600 to live a very full life, 00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:19.600 a life, 00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:20.660 of great stewardship, 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.059 and, 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.339 and of great hope, 00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:23.240 and great risk, 00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:24.480 and great faith, 00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:26.120 that God might use us, 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:27.019 to do great things, 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:27.620 for him, 00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:29.619 but not for our sake, 00:33:29.959 --> 00:33:31.399 not for our security, 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:32.319 not, 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:34.019 for our meaning in life, 00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:35.599 but for him, 00:33:35.679 --> 00:33:36.539 and for his glory, 00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:40.039 it frees us, 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:41.119 to live in obscurity, 00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:42.699 if that's our calling, 00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:45.279 with joy, 00:33:46.179 --> 00:33:48.679 friends, 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.679 knowing the Lord of life, 00:33:49.739 --> 00:33:50.899 also makes us patient, 00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:52.319 because if we know, 00:33:52.459 --> 00:33:53.679 that he is risen from the dead, 00:33:53.739 --> 00:33:54.299 and if we know, 00:33:54.419 --> 00:33:55.779 that we will be raised, 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:57.239 with him on that last day, 00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:57.900 and we will enter, 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:58.720 into that world, 00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.700 that picture, 00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:01.220 of what John gave us, 00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:02.779 if we know, 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:04.220 that that is the fulfillment, 00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:05.319 we don't need to get it, 00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:06.099 all here, 00:34:06.859 --> 00:34:09.119 and so we can be patient, 00:34:10.280 --> 00:34:13.880 and so we can pursue, 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.579 celibacy, 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.360 and purity, 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:17.059 in our sex lives, 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:18.420 knowing that there is, 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.719 an intimacy to come, 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:20.300 with the Lord, 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.260 that will outweigh, 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:22.019 all of it, 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:24.800 there is something better, 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.639 than sex, 00:34:26.219 --> 00:34:27.019 in this world, 00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:29.719 well in eternity, 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:33.519 and it's worth waiting for, 00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:36.459 it means that we don't have to, 00:34:36.459 --> 00:34:37.279 amass money, 00:34:37.779 --> 00:34:38.419 and influence, 00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:39.199 and security, 00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:41.359 and allow ourselves, 00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:42.119 to be driven, 00:34:42.319 --> 00:34:43.119 by our careers, 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:44.479 in such a way, 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.439 that we lose, 00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:46.039 the ability, 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:46.939 to live life, 00:34:46.979 --> 00:34:47.379 for God, 00:34:47.439 --> 00:34:48.279 and for his glory, 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:51.380 it frees us, 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:54.440 to live with plenty, 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:55.300 or with want, 00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:57.780 to do it for the glory, 00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:58.300 of God, 00:34:58.820 --> 00:35:00.500 and we no longer, 00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:01.960 have to amass power, 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:04.320 to try to control, 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:05.400 our relationships, 00:35:05.620 --> 00:35:06.519 and our circumstances, 00:35:07.040 --> 00:35:08.519 to control, 00:35:08.620 --> 00:35:09.620 our reputations, 00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:10.619 for the sake of others, 00:35:10.619 --> 00:35:11.239 but instead, 00:35:11.359 --> 00:35:11.779 because, 00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:13.940 we know that we have life, 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:14.359 with him, 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:15.219 and life eternal, 00:35:16.839 --> 00:35:17.239 instead, 00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:17.779 we can, 00:35:17.900 --> 00:35:19.119 follow his pattern, 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:20.920 of living sacrificially, 00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:21.960 humbly, 00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:23.960 for the sake of others, 00:35:24.299 --> 00:35:25.460 to be a blessing, 00:35:26.139 --> 00:35:27.619 and to be a help, 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:32.619 the hope, 00:35:32.699 --> 00:35:33.279 of the resurrection, 00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:34.239 gives us strength, 00:35:34.359 --> 00:35:34.920 for today, 00:35:35.319 --> 00:35:35.920 and hope, 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:36.500 for tomorrow, 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:37.739 in the face of despair, 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:40.799 friends, 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.739 in light of eternity, 00:35:42.239 --> 00:35:43.380 the greatest trial, 00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:44.159 you will face, 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:45.819 and I don't say this lightly, 00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.500 is light, 00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:48.299 and momentary, 00:35:48.859 --> 00:35:53.359 the worst thing, 00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:53.940 that you think, 00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:55.440 I can't endure this anymore, 00:35:55.759 --> 00:35:56.659 you can, 00:35:56.799 --> 00:35:57.400 when you see, 00:35:57.400 --> 00:35:57.840 eternity, 00:35:58.360 --> 00:35:59.180 that awaits you, 00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:04.059 when you think, 00:36:04.139 --> 00:36:05.260 life has no more meaning, 00:36:05.320 --> 00:36:06.360 and I can't go on, 00:36:07.079 --> 00:36:08.460 you can look to the one, 00:36:08.619 --> 00:36:09.119 who has, 00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:10.760 power over life, 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.260 and death, 00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:11.700 and know, 00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:12.860 he has given you, 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:13.980 life and breath today, 00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:15.960 and if he has done that, 00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:19.380 then you can hold on, 00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:21.380 and you can live in hope, 00:36:23.680 --> 00:36:26.579 and you who, 00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:28.400 maybe are, 00:36:29.099 --> 00:36:29.960 feel powerless, 00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:31.699 before the little saviors, 00:36:32.440 --> 00:36:33.679 the little addictions, 00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:34.599 that you run to, 00:36:34.759 --> 00:36:34.900 for, 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:36.980 for some kind of, 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:38.239 hope in the midst, 00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:38.619 some, 00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:39.920 some kind of distraction, 00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:41.199 from the face of death, 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.440 you can now look, 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.340 death in the face, 00:36:43.719 --> 00:36:44.380 and say, 00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.639 you have no power, 00:36:45.739 --> 00:36:46.239 over me, 00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:46.920 death, 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:48.099 where is your sting, 00:36:48.599 --> 00:36:48.860 death, 00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:50.119 where is your victory, 00:36:50.119 --> 00:36:53.799 and you can turn off the TV, 00:36:54.460 --> 00:36:55.639 and you can put down the bottle, 00:36:56.699 --> 00:36:58.839 you can throw out your video games, 00:36:59.539 --> 00:37:01.319 and you can worship God, 00:37:02.679 --> 00:37:04.739 for this is the end of the story, 00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:06.719 it's the crowds marveling, 00:37:06.779 --> 00:37:07.319 and wondering, 00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:09.639 at this God, 00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:11.079 who has come to save them, 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:17.519 this is our hope as well, 00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:18.599 this is our calling, 00:37:18.699 --> 00:37:19.199 and our joy, 00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:21.940 that we who know, 00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:22.920 the Lord of life, 00:37:23.500 --> 00:37:25.519 might worship him, 00:37:25.960 --> 00:37:27.539 might be filled with joy, 00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:28.659 we've sung great songs, 00:37:28.739 --> 00:37:29.799 we're about to just sing, 00:37:30.059 --> 00:37:30.799 one more, 00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:31.779 Jesus lives, 00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:32.779 and so shall I, 00:37:32.780 --> 00:37:36.700 but before we do that, 00:37:36.780 --> 00:37:37.380 let me quote, 00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:38.460 a hymn that, 00:37:39.080 --> 00:37:39.260 Nick, 00:37:39.340 --> 00:37:40.280 can we sing this in Easter, 00:37:40.580 --> 00:37:40.900 I won't, 00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:41.840 I won't tie you to it, 00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:42.019 but, 00:37:42.660 --> 00:37:44.460 lives again our glorious king, 00:37:44.600 --> 00:37:45.400 where oh death, 00:37:45.440 --> 00:37:46.620 is now thy sting, 00:37:47.160 --> 00:37:48.240 once he died, 00:37:48.320 --> 00:37:49.480 our souls to save, 00:37:49.680 --> 00:37:50.980 where thy victory, 00:37:51.640 --> 00:37:52.760 boasting grave, 00:37:53.260 --> 00:37:54.080 alleluia, 00:37:54.600 --> 00:37:55.620 so are we now, 00:37:55.620 --> 00:37:56.820 where Christ has led, 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:58.420 following our exalted head, 00:37:58.840 --> 00:37:59.800 made like him, 00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:01.320 like him we rise, 00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:02.760 ours the cross, 00:38:03.240 --> 00:38:03.920 the grave, 00:38:04.380 --> 00:38:05.160 the skies, 00:38:05.760 --> 00:38:06.519 alleluia, 00:38:07.120 --> 00:38:08.800 hail the Lord of heaven and earth, 00:38:08.960 --> 00:38:10.080 praise to thee, 00:38:10.180 --> 00:38:11.760 by both be given, 00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:14.260 thee we greet triumphant now, 00:38:14.780 --> 00:38:16.120 hail the resurrection, 00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:17.260 thou, 00:38:18.560 --> 00:38:19.440 alleluia, 00:38:20.100 --> 00:38:20.720 let's pray, 00:38:25.060 --> 00:38:26.600 Lord I pray this morning, 00:38:27.040 --> 00:38:27.820 that we would, 00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:30.560 respond, 00:38:31.280 --> 00:38:31.700 to you, 00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:32.600 Holy Spirit, 00:38:33.280 --> 00:38:34.080 turn our hearts, 00:38:34.180 --> 00:38:34.580 and worship, 00:38:34.820 --> 00:38:35.280 and praise, 00:38:35.380 --> 00:38:35.960 and adoration, 00:38:36.420 --> 00:38:37.380 right now, 00:38:38.380 --> 00:38:39.100 Lord help us, 00:38:39.100 --> 00:38:39.940 to see how much, 00:38:40.040 --> 00:38:41.400 we are controlled by death, 00:38:42.400 --> 00:38:43.760 and by the fear of it, 00:38:44.620 --> 00:38:46.260 and Lord will you free us, 00:38:46.900 --> 00:38:47.519 free us, 00:38:47.519 --> 00:38:48.700 by faith in the one, 00:38:48.760 --> 00:38:49.860 who holds the keys, 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:50.460 to death, 00:38:50.460 --> 00:38:53.800 Lord, 00:38:53.800 --> 00:38:54.720 free us, 00:38:54.720 --> 00:38:56.920 by faith in him, 00:38:57.119 --> 00:38:58.179 to know that our life, 00:38:58.260 --> 00:38:59.220 is secure in him, 00:38:59.860 --> 00:39:00.619 and to live, 00:39:01.460 --> 00:39:02.340 rather out of, 00:39:02.599 --> 00:39:02.980 rather, 00:39:03.320 --> 00:39:04.599 instead of living in fear, 00:39:05.340 --> 00:39:05.559 Lord, 00:39:05.619 --> 00:39:06.539 to live in faith, 00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:07.720 and hope in him, 00:39:08.220 --> 00:39:09.900 we pray this in Jesus name, 00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:10.820 amen. 00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:12.240 Amen.