WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.020 Well, good morning. 00:00:07.540 --> 00:00:12.580 As Mike shared, my name is Dave, and it is a pleasure to be here this morning. 00:00:14.620 --> 00:00:18.839 When I first met Mike, I immediately knew that I was going to like him. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:26.600 His heart for the Lord and for his people is evident, but despite my last name, Cartwright, 00:00:26.600 --> 00:00:30.360 which is English, my mom is Italian, so I knew I would like him just based on his name. 00:00:31.800 --> 00:00:36.800 And coming into Kenosha this morning, I actually have not really spent much time in Kenosha. 00:00:37.060 --> 00:00:41.000 And driving through, it's just like Italian restaurant after Italian restaurant, so I 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:43.820 will take recommendations afterwards of where I should go. 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:45.560 I would appreciate that. 00:00:47.140 --> 00:00:48.480 Oh, okay, we already got one. 00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:52.180 It's a privilege to be here. 00:00:52.179 --> 00:01:01.399 It is good to get to be together with brothers and sisters in the Lord just a few miles away. 00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:05.579 It's a unique privilege of working for the Simeon Trust that we just get to see the way 00:01:05.579 --> 00:01:09.060 that God is moving in so many different local congregations. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:14.579 Be encouraged of the work that the Lord is doing simply in southeastern Wisconsin. 00:01:15.039 --> 00:01:18.840 You might not always see it, but great things are being done. 00:01:18.840 --> 00:01:23.460 Our passage this morning is in Matthew 8. 00:01:24.780 --> 00:01:32.000 I'm going to read it in its entirety, Matthew 8, 23 through 9, 8. 00:01:32.740 --> 00:01:34.920 Afterwards, I'll pray and then we will jump in. 00:01:34.980 --> 00:01:39.000 So if you want to turn there, Matthew 8, starting in verse 23. 00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:47.079 And when he, being Jesus, got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 00:01:48.040 --> 00:01:53.840 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. 00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:55.920 But he was asleep. 00:01:57.180 --> 00:02:01.140 And they went and woke him, saying, Save us, Lord, we are perishing. 00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:06.840 And he said to them, Why are you afraid, O you of little faith? 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:12.300 Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:21.759 And the men marveled, saying, What sort of man is this that even the winds and sea obey him? 00:02:21.759 --> 00:02:32.719 And when he came to the other side, to the country of Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him coming out of the tomb so fierce that no one could pass that way. 00:02:33.560 --> 00:02:37.439 And behold, they cried out, What have you to do with us, O son of God? 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:41.680 Have you come here to torment us before the time? 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:49.300 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them, and the demons begged him, saying, 00:02:49.740 --> 00:02:52.860 If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs. 00:02:54.060 --> 00:02:55.400 And he said to them, Go. 00:02:57.040 --> 00:03:03.659 So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:11.180 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city, they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:19.900 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. 00:03:22.060 --> 00:03:26.180 Getting into the boat, he crossed over and came to his own city. 00:03:27.020 --> 00:03:30.960 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed. 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:37.520 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Take heart, my son, your sins are forgiven. 00:03:37.520 --> 00:03:42.800 Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, This man is blaspheming. 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:47.879 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why do you think evil in your hearts? 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:53.980 For which is easier to say, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Rise and walk. 00:03:55.240 --> 00:03:59.040 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:04.239 He then said to the paralytic, Rise, pick up your bed, and go home. 00:04:05.379 --> 00:04:07.099 And he rose and went home. 00:04:07.699 --> 00:04:14.039 When the crowd saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. 00:04:14.959 --> 00:04:15.699 Let's pray. 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:19.180 Father, we thank you for your word. 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:28.659 We thank you that in the midst of all else that is going on in life, your word draws us back to you. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:30.719 It comforts us. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:31.680 It challenges us. 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:36.279 It gives us a picture of who you are. 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:40.139 In your majesty, in your glory, in your love. 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:48.620 And so, Father, as we come here this morning, we pray that you use your word to shape us more into the image of your Son. 00:04:49.699 --> 00:04:51.379 We pray all this in his name. 00:04:52.180 --> 00:04:52.379 Amen. 00:04:55.120 --> 00:05:02.779 Despite all the emotional turmoil that it has given me over the years, I can't help but absolutely love the NFL. 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:05.620 It is one of my favorite hobbies. 00:05:05.620 --> 00:05:08.500 It's one of the things that I enjoy most in the world. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:12.480 It's sitting down on Sunday and watching football. 00:05:13.240 --> 00:05:20.720 Now, I'm not originally from Wisconsin, so I kind of dread actually bringing this up in conversation when I'm initially meeting somebody. 00:05:21.459 --> 00:05:25.779 Because they will, of course, ask, well, do you follow the Green Bay Packers? 00:05:26.779 --> 00:05:30.319 And to my shame, I say, no, I'm not from Wisconsin. 00:05:30.480 --> 00:05:32.360 I do not follow the Green Bay Packers. 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:36.240 And they're a little distraught at my response. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:40.280 And they have the follow-up question, which I dread even more. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:42.980 Well, then, who do you follow? 00:05:44.900 --> 00:05:51.540 It is with great shame I come before you this morning and say, I follow the Dallas Cowboys. 00:05:52.980 --> 00:05:53.780 I know. 00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:55.460 That's the response. 00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:56.939 That's why I hate this conversation. 00:05:56.939 --> 00:06:02.259 And then after people collect themselves, they ask the follow-up question. 00:06:03.540 --> 00:06:03.980 Why? 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:08.439 Why do you follow the Dallas Cowboys? 00:06:10.199 --> 00:06:11.540 I wish I had a good reason. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:19.759 I wish I could say something like, you know, it was a family team that was passed down from father to son. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:22.759 And that's why I passionately follow the Dallas Cowboys. 00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:26.240 I don't have a good reason for why I follow the Cowboys. 00:06:27.159 --> 00:06:29.500 Simply, I was born in the 90s. 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:32.139 I was a frontrunner. 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:34.259 They were the best team, and I followed them. 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:37.539 And I've stuck with them, and I have paid for it ever since. 00:06:40.539 --> 00:06:43.399 I do not have a good reason for following the Dallas Cowboys. 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:44.579 I admit it. 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:49.479 The question I have for us this morning is pretty simple. 00:06:51.099 --> 00:06:52.319 Why do you follow Jesus? 00:06:54.719 --> 00:07:01.539 I mean, why do you follow Jesus day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year? 00:07:03.299 --> 00:07:09.699 In good seasons, in bad seasons, when life is full, when life is full of disappointments, 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:13.680 why do you continue to follow Jesus? 00:07:14.579 --> 00:07:20.779 Perhaps you're here this morning, and you're not actually a follower of Jesus. 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:26.699 So the question for you is, well, why should you consider even following this Jesus? 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:33.000 Matthew is going to answer this question for us this morning. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:43.240 And if I could put Matthew's argument of why we should follow Jesus into one simple phrase, 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:45.399 let me say it like this. 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:52.560 Follow the one who has all authority to fix everything. 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:56.339 That's why you and I should follow Jesus. 00:07:56.480 --> 00:07:58.819 That's why you and I should continue to follow Jesus. 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:04.959 Because he's the one who has all authority to fix everything. 00:08:06.220 --> 00:08:10.480 As we go through our passage this morning, we're going to see three scenes. 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:15.100 Each scene has a different arena, a different realm, 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:21.980 in which Jesus is going to bring his authority into to fix, 00:08:22.820 --> 00:08:25.080 to realign things. 00:08:25.140 --> 00:08:28.840 He's going to use his authority, his prerogative, and his power 00:08:28.840 --> 00:08:34.200 to bring into order, to bring into perfect alignment 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:39.139 that which has become absolute chaos. 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:42.559 The first arena we see is the natural world. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:45.559 We see this in 8.23-27. 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:49.340 The disciples decided to follow Jesus. 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:51.679 They decided to get onto this boat with him. 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:58.379 And very quickly, it becomes a lot different than perhaps what they expected. 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:01.580 We thought following Jesus was going to be fun. 00:09:01.939 --> 00:09:03.019 We thought it was going to be easy. 00:09:04.179 --> 00:09:06.559 Now all of a sudden, he's downstairs taking a nap, 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:07.779 and we're in the middle of a storm. 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:11.159 Most of these men were fishermen, 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:15.039 so they probably had some experience in storms, 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:17.899 but not like this. 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:22.620 They did everything they knew how to do to keep the boat up, 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:26.379 but even them, at a certain point, 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:29.279 realized that there was no hope for them. 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:33.539 And so they run down to where Jesus is sleeping, 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:35.340 and they stir him awake. 00:09:35.340 --> 00:09:37.820 And in verse 27, or I'm sorry, 00:09:39.660 --> 00:09:41.240 then they say to him, 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:44.180 Lord, save us. 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:48.840 They cry out, 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:51.960 and he's right there, 00:09:52.120 --> 00:09:54.280 but they're still not confident 00:09:54.280 --> 00:10:00.000 that he's actually going to be able to save them. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:03.299 Now for us, on this side of the cross, 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:06.379 sometimes it's a little easy to poke fun at the disciples, isn't it? 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:09.480 I mean, how foolish of them, how silly of them. 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:10.759 They have Jesus in the boat, 00:10:10.940 --> 00:10:13.360 and they are losing their minds. 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:17.539 But don't you and I do the same thing? 00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:21.740 Life can become chaotic, 00:10:22.680 --> 00:10:25.159 and all of a sudden, we're screaming out, 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:26.320 Lord, save us. 00:10:27.080 --> 00:10:29.300 And we're wondering, is he even listening? 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:30.360 Is he even there? 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:34.259 Or is he just asleep at the wheel 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:36.899 as life becomes chaotic? 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:41.319 Jesus wakes up from his nap, 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.459 and with one word, 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:44.179 that's all it takes, 00:10:45.199 --> 00:10:46.840 he calms this storm. 00:10:48.959 --> 00:10:49.720 And the disciples, 00:10:50.699 --> 00:10:52.319 their response in verse 27, 00:10:52.579 --> 00:10:53.299 look at it again. 00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:54.899 They marveled, 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:56.699 saying, 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:59.079 what sort of man is this 00:10:59.079 --> 00:11:03.819 that even the winds and the sea obey him? 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:06.700 Indeed, what kind of man 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:10.020 would have authority over nature? 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:13.500 From a Jewish perspective, 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:15.379 it can only be one thing, 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:16.240 one person. 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:18.860 It would have to be God. 00:11:20.760 --> 00:11:23.140 The Jewish faith 00:11:23.140 --> 00:11:25.340 saw God as the creator. 00:11:26.800 --> 00:11:28.340 He was the only one 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:31.300 who had power over nature. 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:34.859 Psalm 107, verse 28 and 29 00:11:34.859 --> 00:11:35.759 put it this way, 00:11:36.419 --> 00:11:38.199 they cried out to the Lord 00:11:38.199 --> 00:11:39.179 in their trouble, 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:41.319 and he brought them out 00:11:41.319 --> 00:11:42.099 of their distress. 00:11:43.459 --> 00:11:44.699 He stilled the storm 00:11:44.699 --> 00:11:46.079 to a whisper. 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:49.019 The waves of the sea 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:50.099 were hushed. 00:11:50.459 --> 00:11:52.639 So what Matthew is showing us here 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:54.859 in this little scene 00:11:54.859 --> 00:11:57.539 is Jesus demonstrating 00:11:57.539 --> 00:12:00.259 his divine authority 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:02.220 over nature. 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:04.559 This act 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:06.319 is nothing less 00:12:06.319 --> 00:12:08.080 than his declaration 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:12.319 of I am fully God. 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:16.000 And while this act 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:17.460 leaves these men 00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:19.879 in a state of confusion, 00:12:20.439 --> 00:12:21.120 they don't know 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:21.939 what to make of it. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:23.179 I mean, who is this man 00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:25.159 that the seas even obey him? 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:28.379 You and I 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:30.620 are not to be left 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:31.559 in a state of confusion 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:32.179 as they were. 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.259 You and I have the benefit 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:36.059 of being on the other side 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:37.059 of the cross 00:12:37.059 --> 00:12:38.539 and of Jesus' resurrection. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:41.480 And when we see Jesus 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:43.339 and his divine authority 00:12:43.339 --> 00:12:45.480 over the natural world, 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:48.100 despite all the chaos 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:49.379 that we still see present 00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:50.220 in this world, 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:53.299 rather than leading you 00:12:53.299 --> 00:12:54.519 to confusion 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:56.459 of where are you, Jesus, 00:12:57.319 --> 00:12:59.159 let it bring you 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:00.240 to a place of comfort. 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.979 That Jesus is indeed 00:13:02.979 --> 00:13:04.479 in control. 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:06.779 That he does indeed 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:09.639 reign over this world. 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:12.679 I don't think I need 00:13:12.679 --> 00:13:13.599 to convince anybody 00:13:13.599 --> 00:13:14.419 in this room 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:15.199 that this world 00:13:15.199 --> 00:13:16.179 is in need of fixing. 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:20.519 We could talk for hours 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:22.919 about the chaos 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:24.100 that we see 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:25.159 as we turn on the news. 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:27.919 Natural disasters, 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.259 disease, 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:31.179 mental health problems, 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:32.500 tragic accidents. 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:35.620 The world is a deeply 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.720 broken place. 00:13:38.079 --> 00:13:38.879 It's in need 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:40.539 of some serious repair. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:42.139 And you and I 00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:43.480 can easily get caught 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.199 looking at it 00:13:44.199 --> 00:13:44.879 and simply say, 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:45.860 is this ever going 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:46.699 to get better? 00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:51.060 When you think of it, 00:13:52.060 --> 00:13:53.140 it makes you 00:13:53.140 --> 00:13:53.759 a little frantic. 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:55.700 It makes you 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:56.600 a little uneasy 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:57.660 and you get why 00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:58.259 the disciples 00:13:58.259 --> 00:13:59.740 and we would say, 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:01.040 Lord, save us. 00:14:04.020 --> 00:14:05.340 But rather than confusion, 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.340 let it drive you 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:06.980 to comfort, 00:14:08.040 --> 00:14:08.920 knowing Jesus' 00:14:09.140 --> 00:14:10.379 divine authority. 00:14:11.420 --> 00:14:12.580 That one day, 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.360 even though 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.580 your heart will stop 00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:16.120 and my heart will stop, 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:18.500 one day, 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:21.980 Jesus will come back 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:23.060 and all who have 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:23.539 followed him 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:24.419 will have eternal life, 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.539 that he will bodily 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.940 raise us from the dead. 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:29.379 In this fallen world, 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:31.360 nature is distorted, 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.519 it deteriorates, 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.120 it groans, 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:34.220 it causes damage, 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.340 but one day, 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.480 when Jesus returns, 00:14:39.560 --> 00:14:40.320 he's going to 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:41.720 perfectly restore 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:42.919 and bring harmony 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:43.919 to the natural world 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:44.620 as it was always 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.200 meant to be. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:46.879 and you and I 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:48.300 will live in that 00:14:48.300 --> 00:14:50.120 wonderful paradise. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.560 The ailments, 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:52.259 the fragility, 00:14:52.420 --> 00:14:52.940 the diseases 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:53.740 that plague 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:55.320 our earthly bodies. 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:56.680 One day, 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.800 when Jesus returns, 00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:59.780 he says that there 00:14:59.780 --> 00:15:00.840 will be no more death 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.759 or mourning 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.800 or crying 00:15:02.800 --> 00:15:03.500 or pain 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.340 because he, 00:15:04.780 --> 00:15:05.420 praise God, 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:06.400 will make all 00:15:06.400 --> 00:15:07.480 things new. 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:10.320 I don't know what 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:11.220 your struggle is 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:11.860 this morning. 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.899 I don't know what 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:15.860 chaos in your life 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:17.879 is wreaking havoc. 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.879 Maybe it is a disease. 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.720 Maybe it is 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:24.620 the damage 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:26.480 that somehow 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.580 you have 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:29.259 endured 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:31.259 through a fallen 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:31.940 relationship. 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:36.100 but we are 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:36.880 not to be 00:15:36.880 --> 00:15:38.160 confused 00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:38.780 about who 00:15:38.780 --> 00:15:39.540 is in charge. 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.400 Find comfort. 00:15:43.260 --> 00:15:43.720 Don't have 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:44.320 little faith 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:45.020 because chaos 00:15:45.020 --> 00:15:46.000 does not rule 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:46.860 the day 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:47.560 and it most certainly 00:15:47.560 --> 00:15:50.200 will not win. 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:53.280 You and I 00:15:53.280 --> 00:15:53.920 know 00:15:53.920 --> 00:15:54.540 the one 00:15:54.540 --> 00:15:54.880 who has 00:15:54.880 --> 00:15:55.680 divine authority 00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:56.880 and who has 00:15:56.880 --> 00:15:57.560 the power 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.760 to restore 00:15:58.760 --> 00:15:59.540 our world 00:15:59.540 --> 00:16:00.400 as it is 00:16:00.400 --> 00:16:01.160 meant to be. 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:03.100 that is why 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:03.860 we follow him. 00:16:05.079 --> 00:16:05.759 But of course 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.500 it is not just 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.219 that the natural 00:16:07.219 --> 00:16:08.259 world is out 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:08.620 of order. 00:16:10.079 --> 00:16:11.240 We can see 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:12.179 that in the 00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:12.639 next scene 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.319 Matthew 8 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.639 28-34 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:16.179 here we see 00:16:16.179 --> 00:16:16.639 it is not the 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.379 natural world 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:17.799 that Jesus 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:18.879 is setting 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.919 back to 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:20.500 right 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.100 but the 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.079 spiritual realm. 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:24.360 Jesus enters 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:24.879 into 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:26.980 this land 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.360 which is 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.100 actually outside 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:28.659 of Israel. 00:16:28.839 --> 00:16:29.139 It is one of 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:30.259 the few places 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.139 in the gospel 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:31.679 accounts 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.199 that Jesus 00:16:32.199 --> 00:16:33.159 goes outside 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:34.340 of Israel 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.120 outside of 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:35.919 the promised 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:36.439 land of 00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:37.159 God's people. 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:38.879 It is as if 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.500 Jesus is 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.100 literally 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.659 entering 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:41.199 into 00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:41.720 enemy 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.580 territory. 00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:44.919 And he 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:45.559 enters in 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:46.179 and gets 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:46.399 out of 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:46.799 the boat 00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:48.819 and he 00:16:48.819 --> 00:16:49.159 encounters 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.740 these two 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.439 demon possessed 00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:50.779 men. 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.259 He thought 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:52.840 the storm 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.480 was powerful 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.179 of the natural 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:54.580 world. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:55.419 Well look 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:55.779 at these 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:56.340 two men 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.539 in this 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.539 spiritual realm. 00:16:59.019 --> 00:16:59.299 The text 00:16:59.299 --> 00:16:59.699 says in 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:00.299 verse 28 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:01.099 that no 00:17:01.099 --> 00:17:01.419 one could 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:01.799 even get 00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:02.479 past them. 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.740 But in 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.319 verse 29 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:07.019 notice what 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.500 they call 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.000 him son 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.500 of God. 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:09.799 Even 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.319 these two 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:10.700 men are 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.379 recognizing 00:17:11.379 --> 00:17:12.680 Jesus' 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.399 divine 00:17:13.399 --> 00:17:14.319 nature 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:15.619 and the 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:16.019 authority 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.659 that he 00:17:16.659 --> 00:17:17.240 carries. 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:19.460 Now of 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:19.879 course when 00:17:19.879 --> 00:17:20.460 we come to 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.159 a text like 00:17:21.159 --> 00:17:21.799 this our 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:22.240 minds 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:22.700 immediately 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.480 ask like 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.220 okay well 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.940 does this 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.539 still happen 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.000 today? 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:27.660 Like I 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:27.900 mean are 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:28.400 spiritual 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:29.640 forces still 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:30.840 active in 00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:31.580 this way? 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.700 Let's 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.180 start 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:37.039 with the 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:37.580 idea that 00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:38.680 100% 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.019 they are 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.480 still at 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:39.759 play. 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.440 Listen to 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.140 me as I 00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:42.840 read from 00:17:42.840 --> 00:17:44.220 Ephesians 6 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:44.799 this is the 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.660 Apostle Paul 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.920 in Ephesians 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.539 6 verses 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.120 12 through 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:48.759 13. 00:17:50.340 --> 00:17:51.100 For we do 00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:51.759 not wrestle 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.580 against flesh 00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.100 and blood 00:17:53.100 --> 00:17:54.340 but against 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:54.839 the rulers 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.779 against the 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.220 authorities 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:56.879 against the 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:58.159 cosmic powers 00:17:58.159 --> 00:17:59.699 over this 00:17:59.699 --> 00:18:00.759 present darkness 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:02.459 against the 00:18:02.459 --> 00:18:03.139 spiritual forces 00:18:03.139 --> 00:18:03.819 of evil 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.859 in the heavenly 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:05.619 places. 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:06.980 Therefore 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.699 take up the 00:18:07.699 --> 00:18:08.379 whole armor 00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:08.799 of God 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.119 that you 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:09.659 may be able 00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.259 to withstand 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.919 in the evil 00:18:10.919 --> 00:18:12.079 day and 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.859 having done 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:13.899 all to 00:18:13.899 --> 00:18:14.740 stand firm. 00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:18.019 The Apostle 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.599 Paul is very 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:19.299 clear that these 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.119 spiritual forces 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:20.659 are not 00:18:20.659 --> 00:18:21.259 passive. 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.779 They are still 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.359 very much 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:24.039 active. 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.119 And they 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:25.859 are opposed 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:26.459 to God 00:18:26.459 --> 00:18:26.720 and to 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.059 everybody 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:27.939 who would 00:18:27.939 --> 00:18:28.980 desire to 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.799 follow him. 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:32.639 And they 00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:33.480 love attacking 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.579 God's people. 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.579 Their tactics 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:37.980 are pretty 00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:38.319 simple. 00:18:38.459 --> 00:18:38.980 They bind, 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:39.759 deceive, 00:18:39.959 --> 00:18:40.279 and they 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:40.859 entice 00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:41.859 into sin. 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.639 And the 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.379 result that 00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.059 we have 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.539 is the 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:45.939 world that 00:18:45.939 --> 00:18:46.419 we see. 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.079 It's not 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:48.579 one of 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:50.339 natural order 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:50.779 becoming 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:51.299 chaotic 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:53.180 but are 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:53.599 spiritual 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:53.940 one, 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:54.579 are 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:54.960 moral 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:55.259 one. 00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.019 We see 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.759 this as 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.680 legitimately 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.399 the problem 00:19:00.399 --> 00:19:00.919 of evil 00:19:00.919 --> 00:19:02.940 that affects 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.539 every single 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.099 one of us, 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.740 every human 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.299 that has 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:05.779 ever been 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.159 born, 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.259 the pain 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.240 and destruction 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.180 that sin 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:09.960 brings. 00:19:11.879 --> 00:19:12.339 But as 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:12.919 powerful as 00:19:12.919 --> 00:19:13.579 they are, 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.519 they 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.139 legitimately 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:17.559 are no 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:17.940 match for 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.279 Jesus. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:19.940 Once again 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.620 in verse 00:19:20.620 --> 00:19:21.220 32, 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:22.360 Jesus simply 00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:22.900 says one 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.200 word, 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.240 go. 00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:26.000 That's it. 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.700 It's not 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.620 some giant 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.080 struggle, 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:29.740 it's one 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.220 word, 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.279 and that 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:31.720 carries 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.420 enough power, 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:32.680 enough 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.100 authority, 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:33.820 enough weight 00:19:33.820 --> 00:19:35.600 that they 00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.180 immediately 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:37.360 are vanquished. 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:41.019 What Matthew 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.799 is showing us 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.440 in this scene 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:44.160 is that Jesus 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:45.140 not only has 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.059 authority to 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.900 set right the 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.720 natural world, 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:49.980 but he has 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.759 authority to 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.779 fix the 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.840 spiritual one 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.519 as well. 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:55.860 What does 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:56.559 this mean for 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.360 you and I 00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:58.160 this morning? 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.100 I would say 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:01.120 simply this, 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.620 you no longer 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.580 have to walk 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:05.580 as you once 00:20:05.580 --> 00:20:05.980 did. 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.720 We don't 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.320 have to walk 00:20:09.320 --> 00:20:09.820 in sin, 00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:11.519 we don't have 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.279 to walk in 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:12.980 the patterns 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.940 of life that 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.860 cause so much 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:15.559 damage to 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.259 ourselves and 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.880 to others, 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:19.040 you are 00:20:19.040 --> 00:20:19.660 free to 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.040 walk in 00:20:20.040 --> 00:20:20.540 the newness 00:20:20.540 --> 00:20:21.080 of life 00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:21.580 that Jesus 00:20:21.580 --> 00:20:22.940 alone provides. 00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:26.700 You don't 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.200 have to be 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:28.060 living as a 00:20:28.060 --> 00:20:28.620 citizen of 00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.100 the domain 00:20:29.100 --> 00:20:29.720 of darkness, 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:31.100 but you are 00:20:31.100 --> 00:20:31.680 now freed, 00:20:32.080 --> 00:20:32.460 you are now 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:34.920 liberated to 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:35.480 live as a 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.300 citizen of 00:20:36.300 --> 00:20:36.700 the kingdom 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.580 of God. 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:41.000 So my 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.660 question for 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.280 you is, 00:20:43.280 --> 00:20:44.140 which kingdom 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:44.760 are you living 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:44.960 in? 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.420 I want to 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:48.299 speak to 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:48.779 those of us 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.400 this morning 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.259 that perhaps 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.859 are feeling 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.119 especially weighed 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:54.299 down by 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:54.660 sin, 00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:57.299 feeling defeated 00:20:57.299 --> 00:21:00.140 by a particular 00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:01.180 sin that has 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:02.779 seemingly held 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.539 you captive, 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.900 that as much 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:06.680 as you try, 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.359 as much as you 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:08.359 pray, it seems 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.759 that you can't 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.400 get free of 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:10.640 it. 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:11.640 I want to 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.140 sin. 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.020 The idea 00:21:16.020 --> 00:21:16.740 that this 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:18.920 sin will 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.600 always have 00:21:19.600 --> 00:21:19.940 you in 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:20.520 bondage, 00:21:21.080 --> 00:21:23.000 that is a 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.300 lie. 00:21:25.800 --> 00:21:26.740 We see it 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.500 simply here. 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.620 Jesus has 00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:29.280 the authority, 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:29.780 he has the 00:21:29.780 --> 00:21:30.180 power. 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:31.500 He has 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.160 overcome 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.920 that which 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.460 binds you. 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:36.320 It's another 00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:37.200 lie straight 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:37.759 out of hell 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.360 that you will 00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.259 never be free 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.579 of sin 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.819 that binds 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.039 you. 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.920 I think 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.579 for a lot 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.140 of us, 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:49.299 it is simply 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:49.940 a matter of 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:50.920 believing this 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.379 truth, 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:52.900 that Jesus' 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:53.859 authority 00:21:53.859 --> 00:21:55.400 actually has 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.059 conquered 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:59.059 the spiritual 00:21:59.059 --> 00:22:00.059 binds 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:02.180 that are so 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:02.740 easily 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:04.180 around us 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:04.799 and entangle 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.240 us. 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:08.779 take hope. 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.440 This is 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.160 the beauty 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:11.700 of the 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.059 gospel, 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:13.859 that though 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:14.460 once we 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.140 were in 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:15.579 the kingdom 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.200 of darkness, 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:16.859 we can now 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.559 live in the 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.180 kingdom of 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.500 light. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.440 Why do we 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.400 follow Jesus? 00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:24.140 Simple. 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:25.980 He's the 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:26.319 one who's 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.160 liberated us. 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.200 He's the 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:29.680 one who has 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.160 freed us 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:30.680 and defeated 00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:31.920 the evil 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.420 spiritual 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.079 forces. 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:35.399 What's 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.099 interesting in 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:36.839 this little 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.500 scene, 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:37.779 though, 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.119 is the 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:38.480 town's 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.139 response. 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.339 The town 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:41.939 sees what 00:22:41.939 --> 00:22:42.460 Jesus has 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:43.539 done and 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.059 they're not 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:45.119 really impressed. 00:22:46.159 --> 00:22:46.839 They're not 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.639 rejoicing that 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.339 these two men 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:48.859 that have been 00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:49.720 bound by this 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.740 evil spirit 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.099 have been 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:51.480 freed. 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.119 And they're 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:53.579 most certainly 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.259 not interested 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.819 in following 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.480 Jesus either. 00:22:56.659 --> 00:22:57.339 They just 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:57.679 want him 00:22:57.679 --> 00:22:58.119 to leave. 00:23:00.179 --> 00:23:01.139 Seeing Jesus 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:02.019 demonstrate his 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.659 divine authority 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.279 over nature, 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:04.060 that left the 00:23:04.060 --> 00:23:04.779 disciples in 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.340 confusion, 00:23:05.540 --> 00:23:06.660 but seeing his 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:07.480 divine authority 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.000 over the 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.980 spiritual realm, 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.220 that left the 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.180 town simply 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.300 wanting to 00:23:13.300 --> 00:23:13.960 dismiss him, 00:23:15.040 --> 00:23:16.220 refusing his 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:16.640 authority. 00:23:17.580 --> 00:23:18.160 We want 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:18.880 nothing to do 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:19.259 with you. 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.620 We just want 00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:21.340 to live as we 00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:22.080 want to live. 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:24.000 Don't come in 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.720 here and mess it 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.100 all up. 00:23:25.340 --> 00:23:26.140 Go away. 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.920 It reminds me 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.320 of Jesus' 00:23:29.580 --> 00:23:30.279 words in the 00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:31.140 gospel of John 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:31.820 in chapter 3 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.259 when he says, 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.119 the light has 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.879 come into the 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:35.059 world and 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:36.079 people loved the 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:36.939 darkness rather 00:23:36.939 --> 00:23:37.599 than the light 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.399 because their 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:39.359 works were evil. 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:41.899 You might be 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.500 here this morning 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.619 and confess Jesus, 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:46.500 but realize that 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.279 it's not simply 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:49.059 that you're caught 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.819 up in sin, 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:52.579 but you're actively 00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:53.720 participating in it, 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.439 that you're 00:23:55.439 --> 00:23:56.539 voluntarily giving 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.599 yourself to it. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:24:00.439 you're dismissing 00:24:00.439 --> 00:24:01.359 his divine 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:02.019 authority over 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.519 your life. 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.579 Or maybe you're 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.099 here this morning 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:07.519 and you've just 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.059 never put your 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:08.659 faith in Jesus 00:24:08.659 --> 00:24:09.119 at all. 00:24:09.719 --> 00:24:10.319 Maybe you're here 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:11.019 this morning and 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.740 you've never 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.779 actually responded 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.959 to him as the 00:24:13.959 --> 00:24:14.719 one who is 00:24:14.719 --> 00:24:15.500 Lord and Savior. 00:24:16.959 --> 00:24:17.779 And now you're 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.699 seeing that Jesus 00:24:18.699 --> 00:24:20.319 actually has come, 00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:23.259 yes, as the one 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.859 with authority, 00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:25.000 but the one who 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.279 uses his authority 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.480 for your good. 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:29.940 To free you from 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.619 the power and 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.420 bondage of sin. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.779 To bring life 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.180 where sin has only 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.180 left death. 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.819 This is the Jesus 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:39.759 that Matthew says 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.599 is worth following 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.240 with everything. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.299 And if that is you, 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:45.279 I would plead with 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.019 you this morning to 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.619 talk to myself, 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.259 talk to Mike, 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:48.420 talk to whomever 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.220 brought you here 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:51.160 this morning about 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.980 what it looks like 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:53.440 to believe and 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:54.259 follow Jesus. 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:58.619 does beg the 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.319 question though, 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:02.200 because at some 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.960 point we've all 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.839 actually rejected 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.720 Jesus' authority, 00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:05.079 right? 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.740 We know that. 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:08.680 So it begs the 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.200 question, 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.359 well, if I 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.160 recognize that I 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:11.839 have rejected 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.879 Jesus' authority, 00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:16.319 when I come to 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.639 him, 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:19.700 will he accept 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:19.960 me? 00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:22.599 Or will he just 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.720 cast me out? 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:27.339 Matthew moves us 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.339 into his last 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:28.860 scene. 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.980 We see that Jesus 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.600 not only has 00:25:32.600 --> 00:25:33.220 authority over 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:33.620 nature, 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:35.299 not only over the 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.140 spiritual realm, 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.500 he has authority 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.620 to repair 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:41.240 our hearts. 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.940 The last story 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.720 is a unique one. 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:48.140 A man hears that 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:49.220 Jesus is in town. 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:51.720 undoubtedly, 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:52.799 this man had 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:54.100 heard of Jesus' 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.600 ability to heal. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.720 And so, 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.079 being a paralytic, 00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.880 he makes sure 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:01.620 that he ends up 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.480 in front of Jesus. 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.259 He gets some of 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:04.900 his friends to 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.339 help him. 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.460 And he's 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.200 lowered down, 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:09.620 and the initial 00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.420 words that come 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:10.960 out of Jesus' 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:11.680 mouth are 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.299 certainly not 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:12.940 what he expected 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:13.360 to hear. 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.960 He was looking 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:17.200 for a physical, 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.259 miraculous healing. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:20.619 He was looking 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.299 for the ability 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:22.019 to walk again. 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:23.680 Instead, 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.640 Jesus says 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.160 something very 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.740 strange. 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:27.359 Son, 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.000 your sins 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.579 are forgiven. 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.640 Now, 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:30.960 I want to be 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.180 clear, 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.720 it isn't that 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.319 Jesus is 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:33.500 unconcerned 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:33.759 with our 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.500 physical condition. 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.099 It's not that 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:36.059 Jesus is 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:37.279 unconcerned 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.799 with our 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.220 physical 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:39.920 well-being. 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:41.980 In chapter 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.480 eight of, 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.339 or, 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.039 sorry, 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:44.799 in chapter 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.400 seven of 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:45.740 Matthew, 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:45.900 you, 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:47.779 we see 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.440 Jesus healing 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:49.180 again and 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.599 again, 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.240 compassionately 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.940 going towards 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:54.539 those who 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:56.120 are sick, 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:56.880 who have 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:57.339 diseases. 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.400 Jesus is 00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:00.299 very concerned 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.400 and compassionate 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.380 towards our 00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:04.240 physical state. 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.160 At the same 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.559 time, 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:10.240 Jesus knows 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:10.700 it is not 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.120 our biggest 00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:11.519 problem. 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:14.099 Jesus knows 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:16.099 that there 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:16.559 is something 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.160 in much 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:17.859 more need 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.700 of repair 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.099 than our 00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:19.379 physical 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:19.940 bodies. 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.740 It's our 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.079 hearts. 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:25.519 The question 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.259 becomes, 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.599 if the human 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.119 heart 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:33.180 is in need 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.740 of repairing, 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.200 who can 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.819 actually do 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:34.980 it? 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:38.240 This is 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.059 what Jesus 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:40.700 does for us. 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:41.819 So, 00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.200 who does 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:42.639 he choose 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:43.000 to heal 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.220 though? 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.460 Whose 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:44.819 hearts 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:45.400 does he 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:45.859 repair? 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:46.980 We see 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.240 it right 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:47.579 there in 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.059 verse two. 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:49.779 When Jesus 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.720 saw their 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.240 faith. 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:52.680 That's it. 00:27:53.139 --> 00:27:53.500 That's all 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:53.940 it takes. 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.400 It's that 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:54.900 simple. 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:55.980 Jesus sees 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.859 this man's 00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:59.220 faith and 00:27:59.220 --> 00:27:59.920 he exercises 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.579 his authority 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.059 to forgive 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:01.559 sins. 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.059 It doesn't 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.799 matter what 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.639 you've done. 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.059 It doesn't 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.559 matter what 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.039 you will 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.379 do. 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.920 Jesus responds 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:10.720 to those who 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.279 come to him 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.759 in faith to 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.619 forgive their 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.180 sins. 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.240 Our story 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:17.759 doesn't end 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.200 there though. 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.019 Usually you 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.660 would think that 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.299 the story would 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:21.720 end there. 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.460 This man came, 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.019 his sins were 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.399 forgiven, 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.220 everybody goes 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.940 home happy, 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:27.139 but the story 00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:27.839 doesn't end 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.019 there, 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.519 does it? 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.420 I actually 00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:33.299 like the fact 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:33.839 that it doesn't 00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.359 end there because 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:34.960 if you're anything 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.839 like me, 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:38.200 Jesus declaring 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:38.960 this forgiveness 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:40.140 over this man, 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.259 you question. 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:44.420 How do I know? 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.059 How can I be 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.759 confident that 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:46.539 Jesus actually 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:48.039 does have the 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:49.180 authority to 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:50.000 forgive my 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.400 sins? 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:50.759 I mean, 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.340 can I be 00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:52.039 confident? 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:52.640 Can I rest 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:54.220 assured that 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.960 Jesus actually 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:55.660 does what he 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.799 says he 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.620 does? 00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:00.360 A few other 00:29:00.360 --> 00:29:00.960 people had the 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.700 same question. 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.559 In verse 3, 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.779 the scribes and 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.640 religious leaders, 00:29:04.840 --> 00:29:06.160 they hear and 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.740 see what he's 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.279 done and they 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.059 say this man is 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.639 blaspheming. 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.379 And there's a 00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:12.259 clear reason why 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.740 they would say 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.759 this in their 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.379 understanding, 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.279 only God can 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.819 forgive sins and 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.500 Jesus is not 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:17.839 God. 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:21.019 So, he is 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:23.059 usurping God's 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.700 authority and 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.419 putting himself in 00:29:24.419 --> 00:29:25.240 position of God. 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.359 Of course that's 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:26.779 blasphemy. 00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:28.419 And let's be 00:29:28.419 --> 00:29:29.099 clear, if Jesus 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:30.579 wasn't God, if he 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.220 didn't have this 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.859 divine authority, 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.599 this divine 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:33.740 prerogative and 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.539 power to do 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.119 such a thing, 00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:36.379 they would be 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:37.140 absolutely right. 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:40.680 So, Jesus 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.680 turns to them 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:43.420 and he's like, 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.820 fine, I'll 00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:45.380 play your little 00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:46.740 game and I'll 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.660 prove it to you. 00:29:48.840 --> 00:29:49.820 I'll prove to 00:29:49.820 --> 00:29:50.400 you that I have 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.460 all authority to 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:52.820 forgive sins as 00:29:52.820 --> 00:29:53.840 I have said that 00:29:53.840 --> 00:29:54.360 I do. 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:57.380 What's easier to 00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:58.760 say in verse 5? 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:00.540 Your sins are 00:30:00.540 --> 00:30:02.440 forgiven or rise 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.060 and walk? 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:04.940 You have to 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.440 love Jesus' 00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:06.179 move here. 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:06.639 It's quite 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.200 genius. 00:30:09.139 --> 00:30:10.119 Because what is 00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:10.519 easier? 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.200 To say your sins 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.759 are forgiven or 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.399 to say rise and 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:12.679 walk? 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.779 Well, anybody can 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.500 say your sins are 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:15.799 forgiven. 00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.419 You can't really 00:30:17.419 --> 00:30:17.899 see it. 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.679 You can't show 00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:18.980 it. 00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:21.019 But rise and 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.819 walk to a 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.279 paralytic? 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:25.079 That's undeniable 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:25.599 proof. 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.659 And so, Jesus is 00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:28.099 going to give 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:30.159 them the proof 00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:31.460 that they so 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:32.019 desire. 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:33.379 this indisputable 00:30:33.379 --> 00:30:33.900 proof. 00:30:35.379 --> 00:30:36.079 And I love the 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.759 way that he says 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:38.119 it, so that you 00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:38.660 may know. 00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:43.960 Again, how can 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.539 you and I be 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:44.900 certain? 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.519 How can we be 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.000 confident? 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.279 How can we rest 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.079 assured that Jesus 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:48.779 actually does 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:50.519 forgive our sins? 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.839 That he does 00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:53.379 have the power and 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:54.139 authority to do 00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:54.420 so? 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:57.639 Well, we see it 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:59.400 in this healing. 00:30:59.400 --> 00:31:02.060 we can be 00:31:02.060 --> 00:31:04.220 confident that 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:06.420 Jesus means what 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:08.900 he says when he 00:31:08.900 --> 00:31:09.620 says your sins are 00:31:09.620 --> 00:31:09.940 forgiven. 00:31:11.080 --> 00:31:12.060 And this is the 00:31:12.060 --> 00:31:13.600 Jesus that Matthew 00:31:13.600 --> 00:31:14.880 is imploring you and 00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:15.960 I to follow once 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:17.080 again, day after day, 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.880 week after week, 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.860 year after year. 00:31:21.360 --> 00:31:22.360 We all sin. 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:25.879 We all have guilt 00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:27.000 and shame. 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.719 And that guilt 00:31:28.719 --> 00:31:29.379 and shame 00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:31.279 tells us a 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:31.599 narrative 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:33.619 about who we 00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:34.939 are, about how 00:31:34.939 --> 00:31:36.359 God and Jesus 00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:37.519 feel about us. 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:41.099 Church, don't 00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:42.619 let that 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:43.559 story 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.979 that comes from 00:31:44.979 --> 00:31:45.639 your guilt, that 00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.199 comes from your 00:31:46.199 --> 00:31:47.919 shame, have 00:31:47.919 --> 00:31:48.699 more power 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:50.019 and more 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:51.900 authority than 00:31:51.900 --> 00:31:52.980 the words of 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.580 your Lord and 00:31:53.580 --> 00:31:53.840 Savior. 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:57.080 Let those words 00:31:57.080 --> 00:31:58.080 sink deep into 00:31:58.080 --> 00:32:01.360 your soul, that 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:02.660 you who have 00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.360 placed your faith 00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:05.860 in Christ can 00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:08.200 be confident that 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.779 he has forgiven 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.299 you of your 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:09.660 sins. 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:12.539 God does not 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.799 want us as his 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:17.180 people to doubt 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:19.019 what he has 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.660 done for us. 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:21.279 He doesn't want 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:23.320 us to go 00:32:23.320 --> 00:32:24.019 through life 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.759 wondering, is 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:26.080 he still 00:32:26.080 --> 00:32:27.200 actually mad at 00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:27.440 me? 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.759 Does he still 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.759 hold it against 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.060 me? 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:33.299 He doesn't want 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:34.060 us wondering 00:32:34.060 --> 00:32:34.700 whether or not 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.299 we will face 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.440 his wrath when 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.120 we come before 00:32:37.120 --> 00:32:37.720 him face to 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:37.960 face. 00:32:39.400 --> 00:32:40.600 He wants us 00:32:40.600 --> 00:32:41.960 to be confident 00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:43.779 in his divine 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:45.799 authority to 00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:46.720 forgive our 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.500 sins. 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.140 And he has 00:32:51.140 --> 00:32:51.799 this authority 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:53.960 because he's 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:54.339 the one who 00:32:54.339 --> 00:32:54.860 went to take 00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:56.039 those sins on 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.680 our behalf. 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.720 As we read 00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.240 earlier in 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.519 Isaiah 53, 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:03.460 he bore our 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.220 sins so that 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:04.779 we might be 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.140 healed. 00:33:06.400 --> 00:33:06.920 And then to 00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:07.880 prove that his 00:33:07.880 --> 00:33:08.400 death was 00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:09.160 sufficient for 00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:10.200 our justification, 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.539 on the third 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.400 day he rose 00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:12.799 again. 00:33:14.360 --> 00:33:14.680 An even 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:15.500 greater miracle 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.299 for us to 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:18.379 witness than 00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:18.759 the hearing 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.039 of the 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:19.559 paralytic. 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:21.879 So church, 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.599 be confident 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:24.139 that your 00:33:24.139 --> 00:33:24.579 Lord and 00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:24.859 Savior, 00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:26.819 when he says 00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:27.079 you are 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:27.460 forgiven, 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.200 you are 00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:29.659 indeed 00:33:29.659 --> 00:33:30.319 forgiven. 00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.639 This is why 00:33:33.639 --> 00:33:34.139 we follow 00:33:34.139 --> 00:33:34.599 Jesus. 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:37.000 He has 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:38.419 all authority 00:33:38.419 --> 00:33:39.859 to fix 00:33:39.859 --> 00:33:40.299 everything, 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:41.779 the natural 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.159 world, 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.480 the spiritual 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:43.920 world. 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:45.400 Most 00:33:45.400 --> 00:33:45.880 importantly, 00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:47.620 me, 00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:49.559 you. 00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:51.700 He has 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.279 the ability, 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:52.960 the authority 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:54.720 to forgive 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.640 us and fix 00:33:55.640 --> 00:33:56.000 us. 00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:00.240 The crowd's 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:01.079 response is 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:02.279 a little 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:02.839 different in 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:03.480 this last 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:04.180 scene. 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.640 It's not 00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.019 confusion, 00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:06.480 it's not 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:07.380 dismissal, 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:09.840 it's one of 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.340 celebration. 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:12.740 they lift 00:34:12.740 --> 00:34:13.600 their voices 00:34:13.600 --> 00:34:15.539 in 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.039 thanksgiving 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.559 and praise 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.380 because finally 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.000 somebody has 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:19.059 all authority. 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.760 This world 00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:22.400 needs to fix 00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:22.820 all of its 00:34:22.820 --> 00:34:23.260 problems. 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:23.360 songs. 00:34:25.580 --> 00:34:26.240 I love 00:34:26.240 --> 00:34:27.340 anthem songs. 00:34:28.720 --> 00:34:29.080 An anthem 00:34:29.080 --> 00:34:29.820 song being, 00:34:30.640 --> 00:34:30.860 you know, 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:31.420 when you're at a 00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:31.800 barbecue, 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.400 it comes on 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:32.880 and everybody 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.680 sings along 00:34:33.680 --> 00:34:34.080 to it, 00:34:34.140 --> 00:34:34.360 right? 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:34.800 It just, 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.180 like, 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:36.360 everybody knows 00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:36.860 it and it 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:37.960 captures some 00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:39.240 universal 00:34:39.240 --> 00:34:40.340 experience and 00:34:40.340 --> 00:34:40.880 emotion. 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.360 Something like 00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:43.140 Piano Man. 00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:44.300 We didn't start 00:34:44.300 --> 00:34:44.720 the fire. 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:45.180 Apparently, 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:45.540 I love 00:34:45.540 --> 00:34:46.020 Billy Joel. 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:48.240 I love 00:34:48.240 --> 00:34:48.980 anthem songs. 00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:51.040 One of my 00:34:51.040 --> 00:34:51.980 favorite anthem 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:53.040 songs is 00:34:53.260 --> 00:34:55.240 is Authority 00:34:55.240 --> 00:34:55.760 song by 00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:56.620 John Mellencamp. 00:34:57.620 --> 00:34:58.860 It captures 00:34:58.860 --> 00:35:00.920 this rebellious 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:02.920 spirit 00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:04.240 of American 00:35:04.240 --> 00:35:04.760 youth. 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:07.360 In it, 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:08.520 he writes 00:35:08.520 --> 00:35:10.280 this simple 00:35:10.280 --> 00:35:10.700 line, 00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:12.720 I fight 00:35:12.720 --> 00:35:13.180 authority 00:35:13.180 --> 00:35:15.180 and authority 00:35:15.180 --> 00:35:16.300 always wins. 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:18.200 I fight 00:35:18.200 --> 00:35:18.860 authority and 00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:19.660 authority always 00:35:19.660 --> 00:35:19.920 wins. 00:35:20.020 --> 00:35:20.880 It's a great 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:21.260 anthem. 00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:23.320 I particularly 00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:24.080 enjoy listening 00:35:24.080 --> 00:35:24.620 to it on the 00:35:24.620 --> 00:35:25.180 way to work, 00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:25.980 in my car, 00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.180 just screaming 00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:27.560 it out. 00:35:29.360 --> 00:35:30.160 I fight 00:35:30.160 --> 00:35:31.120 authority and 00:35:31.120 --> 00:35:32.140 authority always 00:35:32.140 --> 00:35:32.700 wins. 00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:36.040 Brothers and 00:35:36.040 --> 00:35:36.380 sisters, 00:35:36.560 --> 00:35:37.160 for you and 00:35:37.160 --> 00:35:37.520 I, 00:35:38.520 --> 00:35:39.100 if we are 00:35:39.100 --> 00:35:39.860 following Jesus, 00:35:40.540 --> 00:35:41.880 we have a 00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.700 very different 00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.400 anthem in our 00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:43.780 hearts. 00:35:44.740 --> 00:35:45.860 Our anthem is 00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:46.760 one that celebrates 00:35:46.760 --> 00:35:47.340 his authority. 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:49.680 authority and 00:35:49.680 --> 00:35:51.420 thank God that 00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:52.019 his authority 00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:53.460 always wins. 00:35:54.980 --> 00:35:55.800 Let's pray. 00:35:58.200 --> 00:35:58.800 Jesus, 00:35:58.980 --> 00:36:00.100 we thank you 00:36:00.100 --> 00:36:01.960 that you 00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:02.680 indeed do 00:36:02.680 --> 00:36:03.280 have all 00:36:03.280 --> 00:36:03.680 authority. 00:36:05.680 --> 00:36:06.120 Lord, 00:36:06.180 --> 00:36:06.620 in that you 00:36:06.620 --> 00:36:07.300 use your 00:36:07.300 --> 00:36:07.840 authority 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:10.579 not just to 00:36:10.579 --> 00:36:11.840 serve yourself, 00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:12.340 but to 00:36:12.340 --> 00:36:14.059 serve us. 00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:15.299 as you 00:36:15.299 --> 00:36:15.480 said, 00:36:15.539 --> 00:36:15.840 the Son of 00:36:15.840 --> 00:36:16.119 Man did 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:16.599 not come 00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:17.639 to be 00:36:17.639 --> 00:36:18.079 served, 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:18.539 but to 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:18.980 serve. 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:21.039 And so, 00:36:21.239 --> 00:36:21.440 Lord, 00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:22.119 we pray 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:25.299 as we 00:36:25.299 --> 00:36:26.099 look at 00:36:26.099 --> 00:36:26.400 your 00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:27.619 authority, 00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:30.099 we don't 00:36:30.099 --> 00:36:30.539 look at it 00:36:30.539 --> 00:36:31.059 as something 00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:31.619 that is 00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:32.340 confusing to 00:36:32.340 --> 00:36:32.699 us, 00:36:32.799 --> 00:36:33.259 but something 00:36:33.259 --> 00:36:33.920 that comforts 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:34.279 us. 00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.420 Not as 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.019 something to 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:36.619 dismiss, 00:36:36.779 --> 00:36:37.279 but something 00:36:37.279 --> 00:36:38.860 to accept. 00:36:40.699 --> 00:36:41.400 And something 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:42.059 to be 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:43.920 confident in. 00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:45.719 that your 00:36:45.719 --> 00:36:46.199 authority, 00:36:47.199 --> 00:36:47.679 your death 00:36:47.679 --> 00:36:48.360 and resurrection 00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:50.019 are sufficient 00:36:50.019 --> 00:36:51.579 to cover 00:36:51.579 --> 00:36:52.159 all our 00:36:52.159 --> 00:36:54.000 sins if we 00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.480 put our 00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:55.119 faith in 00:36:55.119 --> 00:36:55.340 you. 00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:56.400 Amen.