WEBVTT

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 So, the scripture reading comes from the book of Matthew chapter 13.

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 Please follow along on your bulletin or your own Bible.

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 Starting in verse 24, we read,

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 He put another parable before them, saying,

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 The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

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 But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.

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 So, when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.

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 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him,

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 Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?

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 How then does it have weeds?

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 He said to them, An enemy has done this.

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 So, the servants said to him, Then do you want us to go and gather them?

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 But he said, No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.

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 Let both grow together until the harvest.

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 And at harvest time, I will tell the reapers,

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 Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned.

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 But gather the wheat into my barn.

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 He put another parable before them, saying,

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 The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.

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 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown,

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 it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree,

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 so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.

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 He told them another parable.

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 The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour,

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 till it was all leavened.

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 Then he left the crowds and went into the house.

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 And his disciples came to him, saying,

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 Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.

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 He answered,

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 The one who sows the good seed is the son of man.

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 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom.

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 The weeds are the sons of the evil one,

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 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil.

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 The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

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 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire,

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 so will it be at the end of the age.

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 The son of man will send his angels,

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 and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all lawbreakers,

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 and throw them into the fiery furnace.

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 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father.

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 He who has ears, let him hear.

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 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field,

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 which a man found and covered up.

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 Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

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 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,

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 who, on finding one pearl of great value,

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 went and sold all that he had and bought it.

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 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea

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 and gathered fish of every kind.

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 When it was full, men drew it ashore,

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 and sat down and sorted the good into containers,

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 but threw away the bad.

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 So it will be at the end of the age.

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 The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous,

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 and throw them into a fiery furnace.

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 And in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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 This is the word of God.

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 Great.

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 Thanks, Irene.

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 Sorry we didn't have the scripture up on the slide.

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 I'm not sure what happened,

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 but I hope you were able to follow along in your bulletin.

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 Well, if you don't know me, my name is Kevin,

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 and we are continuing to work our way through Matthew's gospel.

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 We are in Matthew chapter 13,

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 and Matthew 13 is the chapter that introduces all the parables that Jesus told.

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 And last week, Chris started off this section,

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 and we looked at the parable of the various soils.

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 And we looked at how God sows the gospel, his seed,

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 and we looked at how the gospel message is actually unchanging throughout the ages,

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 but its impact on people, I guess,

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 is varied depending on how receptive we are to this gospel message.

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 And that's one of the constant refrains throughout Matthew's gospel,

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 that this is Jesus, how are you going to respond?

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 These are the claims of Jesus, what is your response?

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 Throughout Matthew's gospel, Matthew is constantly asking us,

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 this is who Jesus is, what are you going to do about it?

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 And Chris introduced us to a really second, very important theme last week in Matthew 13,

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 which is that the parables actually serve two functions.

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 They serve to both reveal and to conceal.

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 For those that have a heart that are seeking God and the truth,

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 they illuminate, they open up who God is,

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 but for those who are too lazy to seek it out,

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 or too proud or self-centered,

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 actually the parables have a way of concealing who Jesus is,

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 and his truth.

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 In other words,

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 the parables bring to light those who are looking for it,

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 but for those who do not, the darkness intensifies.

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 And that's what Jesus says in verse 12,

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 he says,

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 the one who has, even more will be given,

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 and he will have abundance.

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 The one who does not have,

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 even the little that he has, will be taken away.

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 So that's what we looked at last week.

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 Now in today's passage,

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 so Chris looked at one parable,

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 today we're going to look at six parables, okay?

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 We're taking a big leap up,

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 a big jump forward.

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 And let me give you the big idea for today right up front.

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 Have you ever wished that you had perfect perspective on something?

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 You could see the whole picture.

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 Maybe you're working on a project at work,

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 and it's a long-term project,

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 and you're just thinking,

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 I wonder how this thing's going to end.

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 I wish I could see in three years' time

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 how it's all going to end.

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 Sometimes I feel like that with parenting, right?

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 When parenting's tough,

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 I think to myself,

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 are we raising monsters,

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 or I just wish that I could see 15 years down the road

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 and see whether I'm on the right track now,

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 whether this is just a little bit of pain for much gain,

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 or whether I'm completely on the wrong track.

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 I wish I could see the end

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 while I'm in the middle of it.

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 Maybe you're working away through your PhD,

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 or you've got a loved one in a hospital.

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 You're in the middle of a situation,

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 and you think,

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 I wish I could just zoom out

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 and see how this story ends.

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 Knowing how the story ends changes everything.

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 And in these six parables

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 that we're going to look at today,

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 Jesus wants to give us some heavenly perspective.

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 He wants us to zoom out

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 and see how the story that began all those years ago

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 is going to end.

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 He wants us to see the perspective

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 of the kingdom of God from his perspective,

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 so that when we're in the midst of it

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 and it feels like,

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 oh my goodness, I'm raising monsters,

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 we can zoom back and see

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 actually we're on the right track.

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 Okay, so that's what Matthew wants us to see today.

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 Now, one of the very first things

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 that we should notice when I read and read to us

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 is that all six of these parables

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 start off the same way.

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 They all say,

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 the kingdom of heaven is like,

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 the kingdom of heaven is like.

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 Again, I'll tell you,

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 the kingdom of heaven is like.

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 Jesus wants to explain

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 to both the crowds and the disciples

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 what the kingdom of God is like.

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 And that's actually one of the things

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 you have to grapple with,

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 you have to reckon with

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 if you're going to understand Jesus at all.

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 That Jesus Christ unashamedly claims

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 to be heaven and earth's true king.

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 Jesus says he didn't just come

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 to give us some wise advice,

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 he didn't just come to give us

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 some to make life all comfortable.

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 Jesus unashamedly comes and says,

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 I am heaven and earth's true king.

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 Either you bow down and you follow me

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 or you reject me completely.

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 But don't just tolerate me.

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 Jesus says,

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 and the Bible says,

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 that the world as we currently know it

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 is actually in a state of rebellion

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 against heaven's true king.

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 That's why there's so many problems in the world.

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 That's what's wrong with the world.

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 And Jesus came to establish a means,

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 a way by which rebels can be reconciled

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 to their king.

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 Jesus came to open up a way

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 to offer amnesty to rebels

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 that we can be united with him

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 and brought back into his kingdom.

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 And that's really what a Christian is.

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 A Christian is someone who has turned

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 from the kingdom of darkness

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 to the kingdom of light.

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 Someone who's turned from the kingdom of self

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 to the kingdom of God.

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 Someone who's turned from the kingdom of my way

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 to the kingdom of heaven.

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 Jesus comes and he says,

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 let me tell you what the kingdom of heaven is like.

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 And he gives us these six parables.

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 Now, these six parables are actually

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 in three sets of pairs.

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 Okay, and so we're gonna look at these three pairs,

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 these three sets under these three points.

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 Okay, you know,

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 we gotta have three points at Watermark,

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 otherwise it's not a proper sermon.

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 And so under these three points,

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 okay, we're gonna look at these six parables.

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 The kingdom that is like its king,

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 the kingdom that is unlike its beginning,

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 and then the way into this kingdom.

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 Okay, I'm sorry if you can't see,

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 I'll try that, okay.

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 The kingdom that is like its king,

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 the kingdom that is unlike its beginning,

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 and the way into this kingdom.

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 Okay, so let's dive over with the first one.

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 The kingdom that is like its king.

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 Actually, let me pray for us.

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 So I was gonna pray earlier and I dived right in.

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 Let's just ask God to come speak to us.

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 Heavenly Father, as we come to your word this morning,

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 we want your perspective on life and eternity

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 and the kingdom of heaven.

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 God, we want you to open up our eyes.

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 God, won't you, through these parables,

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 reveal the kingdom of God.

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 Don't conceal it.

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 God, we come before you this morning

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 with our hearts wanting to know the truth and light.

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 God, don't intensify the darkness.

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 Open up our eyes to see you for who you are,

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 to see us for who we are in you,

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 and to see the kingdom of heaven.

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 God, I pray for those of us

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 that are discouraged this morning,

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 that your word will encourage us.

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 I pray, God, for those of us

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 that have kicked back and taking life easy.

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 Won't you come and challenge us this morning?

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 God, you know where each one of us at.

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 And so, Holy Spirit, we ask you

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 to come and be part of our time.

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 Come and take the words

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 that are on the pages of scripture

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 and write them on our hearts.

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 Come and help us to see the kingdom of God

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 as you want us to see it.

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 We ask you, God, this in your awesome

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 and your gracious name.

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 Amen.

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 Okay, so firstly, the kingdom that is like its king.

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 So, in Matthew's gospel,

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 Matthew goes to great lengths

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 to explain that Jesus Christ

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 is the long-awaited Messiah king.

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 You remember, in the Old Testament,

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 King David is the greatest king

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 that Israel ever had.

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 And he really established righteousness

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 and justice in the nation of Israel.

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 He wasn't perfect.

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 He made some bad mistakes.

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 But by and large, during David's reign,

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 Israel was at its best.

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 It flourished.

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 It won its battles.

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 The borders expanded.

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 Life was flourishing.

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 In the nation of Israel under David's rule.

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 And the Old Testament is constantly saying

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 that as great as David was,

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 there is a true and better David that's coming.

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 One who's going to establish true justice

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 and true righteousness on the earth.

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 That's why, a few weeks ago,

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 Chris looked at that passage in Matthew 12,

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 where it talks about

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 when the true and better David comes,

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 he will not crush a bruised reed.

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 He will not put out a smoldering wick.

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 He will establish righteousness and justice

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 for the Gentiles till the ends of the earth.

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 That's what the Old Testament is constantly saying.

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 As great as David was,

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 don't put your hope in him.

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 Wait for the heaven and earth's true Messiah King to come.

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 He will establish justice and righteousness in the earth.

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 And so when Jesus announces,

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 the kingdom of heaven is at hand,

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 people are speculating,

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 is this the Messiah King?

00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:27.100
 Is this the one we've been waiting for?

00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:29.560
 And so at the beginning of Jesus' ministry,

00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:33.519
 speculation and anticipation is sky high.

00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.480
 People see his miracles,

00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.419
 they hear his teaching,

00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:37.139
 and they're thinking,

00:12:37.479 --> 00:12:38.120
 this is it,

00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:39.039
 the Messiah is here.

00:12:40.199 --> 00:12:41.620
 But after a little while,

00:12:42.699 --> 00:12:44.659
 Jesus' claims to bring the kingdom

00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:47.339
 seems a little underwhelming.

00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:49.539
 And people start wondering,

00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:50.679
 is this all there is?

00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:53.059
 Remember in Matthew chapter 11,

00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:53.959
 John the Baptist,

00:12:54.319 --> 00:12:55.539
 the guy who originally said,

00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:56.799
 behold, the Lamb of God

00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:59.099
 who takes away the sins of the world.

00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:02.019
 He sends some disciples to Jesus

00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:02.460
 and says,

00:13:02.579 --> 00:13:03.059
 Jesus,

00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:04.620
 did we get it wrong?

00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:05.939
 Are you really the one

00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:06.860
 that we've been waiting for?

00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.740
 Or should we start looking for somebody else?

00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:09.939
 Because your kingdom

00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:11.699
 is a little underwhelming, right?

00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:15.139
 I wonder if you've ever felt like that.

00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:17.319
 Maybe if you like the gospel,

00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:19.840
 it just feels a little bit impotent.

00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:22.059
 Why is the kingdom of God

00:13:22.059 --> 00:13:23.360
 not taken over the whole world,

00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:24.399
 established itself

00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:26.139
 as the one true world religion?

00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.639
 Why don't all people accept Jesus

00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:30.000
 and surrender to him as Lord?

00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:31.319
 And maybe,

00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:33.200
 those that do call him Lord,

00:13:33.760 --> 00:13:34.640
 why do their lives

00:13:34.640 --> 00:13:36.080
 not look like they surrender to him

00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:37.300
 as Lord at all?

00:13:38.020 --> 00:13:38.660
 In other words,

00:13:38.780 --> 00:13:40.280
 why is there so much wickedness,

00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:41.180
 so much sin,

00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:43.260
 so much hypocrisy in the world?

00:13:43.900 --> 00:13:45.660
 And why is there so much sin

00:13:45.660 --> 00:13:46.540
 and wickedness

00:13:46.540 --> 00:13:48.180
 and hypocrisy in the church?

00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:49.400
 I mean,

00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:50.220
 it's one thing out there,

00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.280
 but in here?

00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:55.140
 And why especially after Jesus lived

00:13:55.140 --> 00:13:56.540
 and died and rose again,

00:13:56.640 --> 00:13:57.820
 now reigns in glory,

00:13:57.920 --> 00:13:59.580
 all authority in heaven and earth,

00:14:00.180 --> 00:14:01.060
 why is the world,

00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:03.319
 why is the church so messy?

00:14:04.319 --> 00:14:04.639
 Sure,

00:14:04.739 --> 00:14:06.059
 Jesus sits enthroned in heaven,

00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:07.239
 but when is he going to bring

00:14:07.239 --> 00:14:08.519
 some of that heavenly justice

00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:10.000
 to earth?

00:14:11.739 --> 00:14:12.839
 These were the questions

00:14:12.839 --> 00:14:14.639
 that anyone in the first century

00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:15.699
 was grappling with.

00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:16.059
 Remember,

00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:16.859
 the Roman Empire

00:14:16.859 --> 00:14:17.839
 was ruthless.

00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:19.099
 And friends,

00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:19.959
 maybe some of these

00:14:19.959 --> 00:14:20.579
 are the questions

00:14:20.579 --> 00:14:22.179
 that we grapple with ourselves.

00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:28.099
 Jesus wants to answer that

00:14:28.099 --> 00:14:29.620
 in the first and the last parable.

00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:31.019
 Look at the first parable,

00:14:31.199 --> 00:14:32.099
 the parable of the weeds,

00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:32.779
 and the last one,

00:14:32.819 --> 00:14:33.859
 the parable of the net.

00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:35.819
 In both of these parables,

00:14:35.979 --> 00:14:37.559
 the good and the bad,

00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:39.199
 the righteous and the wicked,

00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:41.679
 the true and the counterfeit,

00:14:42.319 --> 00:14:43.939
 live side by side,

00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:45.259
 coexist as it will,

00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:47.279
 until the end of the age,

00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:48.500
 until the day that Jesus

00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:49.539
 brings his judgment.

00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:51.339
 In the first parable,

00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.480
 God's kingdom is pictured

00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:53.679
 as a field.

00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:55.099
 And sown in this field

00:14:55.099 --> 00:14:56.299
 is this great seed,

00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:57.000
 and it's waiting

00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.980
 to reap a harvest,

00:14:58.079 --> 00:14:58.579
 30-fold,

00:14:58.719 --> 00:14:59.259
 60-fold,

00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.079
 100-fold.

00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:01.539
 And as the workers

00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:02.759
 are walking in this field,

00:15:02.839 --> 00:15:03.439
 the grain field,

00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:04.839
 they notice weeds

00:15:04.839 --> 00:15:05.779
 are sprouting out

00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:06.620
 next to the wheat.

00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:08.099
 And they go to the master

00:15:08.099 --> 00:15:08.360
 and say,

00:15:08.459 --> 00:15:09.219
 what's going on?

00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.259
 How can this be?

00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:12.120
 We know your seed is not bad.

00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.219
 We know the gospel is great.

00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:14.599
 How come it's producing

00:15:14.599 --> 00:15:15.339
 this weed?

00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:16.919
 And Jesus says,

00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:18.519
 just wait until the end

00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:19.360
 of the age.

00:15:19.939 --> 00:15:21.159
 Jesus says in verse 38,

00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.620
 these are the sons

00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.759
 of the evil one,

00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:25.459
 meaning those who belong

00:15:25.459 --> 00:15:26.500
 to the kingdom of darkness.

00:15:26.699 --> 00:15:27.439
 In verse 41,

00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.179
 Jesus says,

00:15:29.219 --> 00:15:30.860
 these weeds will be gathered up

00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:32.079
 out of the kingdom

00:15:32.079 --> 00:15:33.959
 of Christ's kingdom.

00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.059
 In other words,

00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:37.360
 these weeds appear to be those

00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:39.360
 who look like sons

00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.379
 of the kingdom of God,

00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:41.699
 but they aren't genuinely

00:15:41.699 --> 00:15:42.519
 part of his kingdom.

00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:44.379
 They are those who profess

00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.199
 faith in Christ,

00:15:45.199 --> 00:15:46.799
 but they aren't genuinely saved.

00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:48.199
 They aren't genuinely born again.

00:15:48.780 --> 00:15:49.759
 And we see the same thing

00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:50.780
 in the parable of the net.

00:15:51.280 --> 00:15:52.280
 God's kingdom is pictured

00:15:52.280 --> 00:15:53.360
 as this big net

00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.060
 trawling behind,

00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:55.700
 a trawling boat,

00:15:56.060 --> 00:15:57.300
 and it brings in this whole

00:15:57.300 --> 00:15:58.820
 big harvest of fish,

00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.420
 and they pull it up on shore,

00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:02.799
 and the fish are separated

00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:03.679
 into two piles,

00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.899
 those that are truly

00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:06.120
 the ones that they want

00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.199
 and those that are rejected

00:16:07.199 --> 00:16:08.179
 and cast out.

00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:10.360
 And the point that Jesus is making

00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:12.079
 is that within his kingdom,

00:16:12.699 --> 00:16:13.899
 there always appears

00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:15.539
 to be those that are weeds

00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.899
 that look like wheat,

00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.719
 those that are good fish,

00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:19.639
 those that are bad fish

00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:20.919
 that look like good fish,

00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:23.219
 those sons of the evil one

00:16:23.219 --> 00:16:24.519
 masquerading as sons

00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:25.099
 of the kingdom.

00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:27.120
 And Jesus' point is

00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.460
 don't let that bother you.

00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:30.120
 Don't get put off by it.

00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:31.759
 Don't get perplexed by it.

00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:33.779
 Don't let the perplexing presence

00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:35.399
 of evil confuse you

00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.279
 as the true nature

00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.000
 of God's kingdom.

00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:38.379
 Look at what he says

00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.320
 in verse 41.

00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:40.379
 He says,

00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:54.799
 Jesus says that

00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.919
 when the kingdom of heaven

00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:57.120
 finally comes,

00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.919
 he will bring judgment to bear

00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:00.759
 not only on the evil in the world,

00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:03.179
 but all those who even cause evil,

00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:05.220
 even the temptations to evil.

00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.640
 Jesus says that

00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:07.359
 a day is coming

00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.740
 when he's going to root out

00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.859
 of his kingdom

00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:11.719
 that which is masquerading

00:17:11.719 --> 00:17:12.179
 as truth,

00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.259
 but is actually falsehood.

00:17:13.959 --> 00:17:14.959
 He says the same thing

00:17:14.959 --> 00:17:15.759
 in verse 49.

00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:17.159
 The angels will come

00:17:17.159 --> 00:17:18.199
 and separate the evil

00:17:18.199 --> 00:17:18.879
 from the righteous

00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:19.619
 and throw them

00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.619
 into the fiery furnace.

00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.819
 In that place,

00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:22.779
 there will be weeping

00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:24.000
 and gnashing of teeth.

00:17:25.659 --> 00:17:26.019
 Friends,

00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:26.619
 you see what Jesus

00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:27.259
 is doing here?

00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.699
 Jesus is allowing us

00:17:29.699 --> 00:17:30.699
 to zoom back

00:17:30.699 --> 00:17:31.539
 and he's giving us

00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:33.019
 a heavenly perspective.

00:17:33.659 --> 00:17:34.359
 He's helping us

00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:35.319
 to see the big picture

00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:36.459
 and how the story ends.

00:17:37.419 --> 00:17:38.219
 And Jesus says,

00:17:38.439 --> 00:17:39.459
 even though now

00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.900
 it can look perplexing

00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:42.259
 because you look around

00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:42.620
 and you say,

00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.019
 Jesus,

00:17:43.100 --> 00:17:43.880
 I thought your kingdom

00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:44.519
 was meant to come.

00:17:44.620 --> 00:17:45.340
 I thought you meant to

00:17:45.340 --> 00:17:46.980
 destroy the evil one.

00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.480
 And yet where I look,

00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.460
 it seems like evil

00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.840
 coexists within us.

00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:52.000
 Jesus says,

00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:53.400
 don't be put off by it

00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:54.660
 because he's going to bring

00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:55.640
 his judgment to bear

00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.900
 on evil and wickedness

00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:57.640
 and hypocrisy.

00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:00.120
 And when that time comes

00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:00.960
 for his people

00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.440
 to be brought

00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.079
 into his kingdom,

00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.440
 his kingdom

00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:05.279
 will finally look like

00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:05.960
 its king.

00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:08.660
 The king

00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:09.960
 of the kingdom

00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.480
 of heaven

00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.960
 is utterly glorious,

00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.539
 utterly pure,

00:18:14.340 --> 00:18:15.460
 utterly blameless.

00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.319
 And in that day,

00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:18.100
 his kingdom

00:18:18.100 --> 00:18:19.279
 will finally

00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.640
 look glorious

00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:21.860
 like its king.

00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.740
 But that day

00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:24.700
 has not yet come.

00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.200
 Friends,

00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:27.700
 one of the things

00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:28.840
 that we must reckon with

00:18:28.840 --> 00:18:29.480
 if we're going to be

00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.420
 followers of Jesus

00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:32.420
 is to take seriously

00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.299
 Jesus' words

00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:34.019
 of his judgment.

00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.879
 throughout the whole

00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.759
 of chapter 13,

00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:38.059
 Jesus is constantly

00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:40.799
 bringing gospel grace

00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.900
 and gospel judgment

00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:42.599
 together.

00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.740
 And as modern people,

00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:45.920
 we struggle with this

00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.940
 idea of judgment,

00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:47.240
 right?

00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.579
 We like Jesus,

00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.940
 his and his affirming love,

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:52.079
 Jesus and his sovereign grace,

00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:54.220
 Jesus and his great mercy,

00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.799
 but we struggle with this idea

00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:57.240
 of Jesus' judgment.

00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:57.720
 And yet,

00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.099
 Douglas O'Donnell

00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:00.200
 calls these

00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:00.900
 his words

00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:02.099
 of gospel judgment.

00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:03.799
 O'Donnell says that

00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.779
 Jesus' words

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.299
 of judgment

00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:06.599
 are as much part

00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:07.399
 of the good news

00:19:07.399 --> 00:19:08.079
 as the gospel

00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:09.419
 as his words

00:19:09.419 --> 00:19:10.619
 of sovereign grace.

00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:12.819
 Think about it this way.

00:19:13.379 --> 00:19:14.399
 In most countries

00:19:14.399 --> 00:19:15.000
 of the world,

00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.619
 we have judges,

00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:16.980
 right?

00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:17.919
 And we call them

00:19:17.919 --> 00:19:18.680
 justices,

00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.500
 whether they are

00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.539
 magistrates

00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:21.559
 or up to the

00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:22.359
 high court judge.

00:19:22.919 --> 00:19:23.960
 And the role

00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:25.099
 and the position

00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.919
 of a justice

00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:27.539
 is to judge wisely,

00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.740
 to judge accurately,

00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.099
 and to establish

00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:31.539
 justice in society.

00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:33.779
 When the justices

00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.539
 rule

00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.480
 in accordance

00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.180
 with justice,

00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:37.559
 justice flourishes

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.519
 in society.

00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.399
 And when they don't,

00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.259
 things go horribly wrong.

00:19:43.159 --> 00:19:43.659
 Well,

00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.740
 the Bible depicts

00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:46.440
 Jesus as the ultimate

00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.159
 justice.

00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:49.099
 Our laws are imperfect,

00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.279
 his laws are perfect.

00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.680
 Our justices

00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.319
 are imperfect,

00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.599
 Jesus is perfect.

00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.279
 Jesus is the

00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.819
 perfectly just

00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:57.720
 justice.

00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:59.579
 And Douglas O'Donnell

00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.480
 helped me to see this

00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:00.980
 when he says,

00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.519
 it is good news

00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.220
 that one day

00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.220
 Jesus will come

00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.720
 and judge

00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.720
 the living and the dead.

00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.339
 As good as when

00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.279
 Jesus cried out

00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:08.759
 on the cross,

00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:09.660
 my God,

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.259
 my God,

00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:10.980
 why have you

00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.680
 forsaken me?

00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:12.960
 You see what

00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.940
 O'Donnell's saying there?

00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:14.900
 He's saying that

00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.160
 when Jesus died

00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:16.600
 on the cross,

00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.799
 he took our sins,

00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.200
 he covered up

00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:19.680
 our shame,

00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.500
 he allowed that

00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.500
 we who are in

00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.059
 God's kingdom

00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.900
 will no longer

00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:23.860
 receive his judgment

00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.519
 because it's been

00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.559
 poured out on Jesus.

00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.100
 Jesus felt

00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:28.319
 the heat and the wrath

00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.879
 of God in his place

00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:30.819
 so that those

00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.459
 who are in his kingdom

00:20:31.459 --> 00:20:32.119
 will not.

00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:33.740
 Jesus died

00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:35.339
 so that we may

00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.459
 die to death itself.

00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:38.000
 Jesus covered

00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.980
 over our shame

00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:40.079
 that we may receive

00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:41.019
 glory and mercy.

00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:42.519
 Jesus our Savior King,

00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:43.039
 glory.

00:20:43.699 --> 00:20:44.619
 Good news, right?

00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:46.079
 Is that good news?

00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:47.779
 I hope it's good news.

00:20:47.899 --> 00:20:48.619
 Okay, great.

00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.439
 Thank you, Chris.

00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:50.439
 Good news,

00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.639
 Jesus died on the cross

00:20:51.639 --> 00:20:52.759
 for sinners like us.

00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.059
 But you know

00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.980
 what's also good news?

00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:56.339
 That one day

00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:57.619
 Jesus is going to come

00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.939
 and make all things new.

00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:01.079
 One day Jesus is going to come

00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:02.399
 and wipe away every tear.

00:21:02.939 --> 00:21:04.399
 One day Jesus is going to come

00:21:04.399 --> 00:21:05.480
 and he's going to root out

00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.379
 every source of wickedness

00:21:07.379 --> 00:21:07.959
 and evil

00:21:07.959 --> 00:21:08.699
 and brokenness

00:21:08.699 --> 00:21:09.379
 in our world.

00:21:11.459 --> 00:21:11.899
 Friends,

00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:13.099
 Jesus as judge

00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:14.399
 is also the gospel

00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:16.319
 because when you wake up

00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:16.799
 in the morning

00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.899
 and you look at your phone

00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:19.599
 and you see breaking news,

00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.399
 five people raped

00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:22.299
 in some country,

00:21:22.939 --> 00:21:24.059
 terrorism attacked,

00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:25.059
 abuse,

00:21:25.399 --> 00:21:25.819
 murder,

00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:28.539
 the gospel of Jesus

00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.119
 as judge

00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:29.839
 is good news

00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.960
 because what it says

00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.899
 is that one day

00:21:31.899 --> 00:21:32.919
 there is a day coming

00:21:32.919 --> 00:21:34.339
 when those things

00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:35.579
 are going to be done away with.

00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.700
 There is a world coming.

00:21:37.919 --> 00:21:39.519
 Jesus' kingdom is coming

00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.899
 and one day

00:21:40.899 --> 00:21:41.399
 there will be,

00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.440
 none of those things

00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.460
 will be present anymore

00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.720
 and Jesus will root

00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.599
 those things out

00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.619
 and his kingdom

00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:48.079
 will be utterly glorious.

00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:48.980
 Friends,

00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.500
 don't you long

00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.419
 for a day like that?

00:21:51.320 --> 00:21:51.960
 Just this week

00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.600
 in my devotions

00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:53.180
 I was reading

00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:54.539
 Revelation 20

00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.980
 and it talks about

00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.120
 how there's coming

00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:58.060
 a day when heaven

00:21:58.060 --> 00:21:58.640
 and earth

00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.519
 will be united

00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.440
 like in marriage.

00:22:00.560 --> 00:22:01.759
 The two will become one.

00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.340
 We'll be fully united.

00:22:03.580 --> 00:22:05.259
 God and heaven

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:05.680
 and earth,

00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:06.380
 God and man

00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:07.480
 together.

00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.860
 And it says that

00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:09.480
 in that place

00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.820
 there'll be no more tears,

00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.380
 no more agony,

00:22:13.080 --> 00:22:14.240
 no more mourning,

00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:16.100
 no more abuse,

00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:18.500
 no more disapproving parents,

00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:22.039
 no more judgment,

00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:24.319
 no more COVID,

00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.279
 no more tears,

00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:28.039
 no more evil,

00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:29.460
 no more hypocrisy,

00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:30.900
 no more people

00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:32.039
 stabbing you in the back,

00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.440
 no more people

00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.119
 saying one thing

00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.700
 to your face

00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.640
 and acting another way

00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:36.500
 behind your back.

00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:37.660
 Friends,

00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.180
 don't you long

00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:38.759
 for that day?

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.700
 I long for that day.

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.619
 This week I wrote

00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:43.220
 in my journal,

00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:43.819
 God,

00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.660
 I can't wait

00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.579
 for heaven to come.

00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:46.920
 For that day

00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:48.320
 when nothing wrong

00:22:48.320 --> 00:22:48.980
 with our world

00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.580
 will exist.

00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.259
 When the kingdom

00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.720
 of heaven

00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.480
 will be utterly

00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.920
 glorious and beautiful

00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.680
 like you.

00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:56.860
 Friends,

00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.460
 Jesus says

00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.300
 that day is coming

00:22:58.300 --> 00:22:59.360
 when all that is evil

00:22:59.360 --> 00:23:00.320
 and wrong with our world

00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:01.980
 will face his perfect justice.

00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:03.420
 But in order

00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.220
 to establish

00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:06.080
 a just and glorious world,

00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.140
 Jesus,

00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:08.279
 the true justice,

00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.660
 will first judge

00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:10.980
 all that is wrong

00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.759
 with our world.

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.600
 First in righteousness

00:23:13.600 --> 00:23:14.200
 the world

00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.480
 and then the church.

00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.620
 the weeds

00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.539
 will be rooted out.

00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.160
 The bad soil

00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.000
 will be rooted out.

00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.839
 The bad apples

00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:21.700
 will be removed.

00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.079
 Friends,

00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:23.700
 where will you be

00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.319
 on that day?

00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.099
 Where will you be?

00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:28.200
 Will you be gathered up

00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:28.720
 with the sons

00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.220
 of the kingdom?

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.099
 Will you be discarded

00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.779
 with the sons

00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.599
 of the evil one?

00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.900
 Will you experience

00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:35.460
 the good news

00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.380
 of this just judgment?

00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.279
 Or will you be rooted out

00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:38.680
 and shown

00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:39.700
 for who you really are?

00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.660
 Jesus is wanting us

00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.480
 to zoom out

00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:42.960
 and to see

00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.259
 the kingdom of heaven

00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:46.359
 is in this temporary stage

00:23:46.359 --> 00:23:47.240
 where evil

00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.819
 and righteousness

00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.460
 coexist.

00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.299
 But it won't exist

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:49.960
 like this forever.

00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:50.879
 There's coming a day

00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:52.019
 where the kingdom of heaven

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:53.299
 will look glorious

00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.000
 and beautiful

00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:54.660
 and majestic

00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.480
 like its king.

00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.519
 That day is coming.

00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:59.119
 That's good news.

00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:01.400
 Jesus is coming again.

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.079
 But maybe,

00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:05.859
 changing track,

00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.259
 maybe that's not

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.859
 your objection.

00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.480
 Maybe you

00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:11.019
 hear the good news,

00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:12.359
 you struggle

00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:13.359
 with the kingdom of God

00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:14.240
 but maybe it's not

00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.079
 because there's so much

00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:16.259
 wickedness and evil

00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:16.699
 in the world.

00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.839
 You know your own heart.

00:24:18.419 --> 00:24:19.839
 You see what you're capable of

00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:20.219
 and you think,

00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.379
 that's me.

00:24:22.159 --> 00:24:23.819
 Maybe your problem

00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:25.459
 is that the kingdom of God

00:24:25.459 --> 00:24:26.779
 just seems so small,

00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:28.079
 so insignificant.

00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.219
 It feels like Jesus came

00:24:30.219 --> 00:24:30.500
 and said,

00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.639
 the kingdom of God

00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.119
 is coming,

00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.439
 repent,

00:24:32.719 --> 00:24:32.959
 turn,

00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.479
 it's coming.

00:24:33.959 --> 00:24:34.659
 And it feels like

00:24:34.659 --> 00:24:35.759
 2,000 years later,

00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:37.459
 what do we have to show

00:24:37.459 --> 00:24:37.879
 for it?

00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.679
 Well, look at the second

00:24:39.679 --> 00:24:40.479
 set of parables.

00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:41.500
 The kingdom that is

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.660
 unlike its beginning.

00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:45.000
 Now, as we look at

00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:46.720
 verse 31 and 33,

00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.860
 I want you to imagine

00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:50.360
 yourself as a Christian

00:24:50.360 --> 00:24:51.740
 in the first century.

00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.200
 Okay?

00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:54.519
 It's around 80 or 90 AD

00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:56.640
 and it's about 40,

00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:58.120
 50 years after Jesus

00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:59.900
 has come and lived

00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:01.140
 and died and risen again

00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:01.960
 and gone to heaven.

00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:03.500
 You've become a follower

00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:03.980
 of Jesus.

00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.120
 Maybe some of your family

00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:06.180
 members have as well.

00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.279
 And you've been given

00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.440
 this new sense of hope

00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:09.500
 and meaning and purpose

00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:11.039
 in life where suddenly

00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.980
 you've encountered

00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.680
 the living God,

00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.359
 the Holy Spirit

00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:14.299
 is inside of you.

00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.619
 You live with this

00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:16.420
 renewed hope

00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.900
 in the midst of a broken world

00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:20.539
 and you begin to hear

00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.319
 about these churches

00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.759
 all over the Roman Empire

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.460
 that are forming.

00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.940
 Your own church

00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:26.299
 in your small town

00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.460
 has become like family

00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.099
 to you.

00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.619
 And yet,

00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:30.920
 you marvel

00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:32.759
 because for all the wonders

00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:34.480
 of your newfound faith,

00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:36.119
 you can't help

00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.500
 but also wonder

00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:39.299
 as you look at the world

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:39.979
 around you.

00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.799
 Because compared to

00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.959
 the Roman Empire,

00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:45.099
 the church still seems

00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:45.899
 so small,

00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:47.379
 so insignificant.

00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.519
 Everywhere it looks,

00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.219
 it seems that

00:25:50.219 --> 00:25:51.459
 from outward appearances,

00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.639
 Caesar's Lord,

00:25:52.739 --> 00:25:53.279
 not Jesus.

00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:54.659
 Everywhere you go

00:25:54.659 --> 00:25:55.159
 in the streets

00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:55.959
 and everyone's home,

00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.419
 Caesar is revered

00:25:57.419 --> 00:25:57.859
 and honored

00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:59.319
 as the great king.

00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.519
 And Jesus,

00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:00.919
 well,

00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:02.239
 he's just disregarded.

00:26:02.959 --> 00:26:03.919
 Everywhere you go,

00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:05.380
 Caesar's reign appears

00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.820
 and he appears all-powerful.

00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:08.620
 And as a humble Christian,

00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:09.820
 you begin to wonder,

00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.680
 is Jesus really

00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.720
 going to win in the end?

00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:14.240
 It sure seems like

00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.820
 Rome is winning.

00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.259
 Are we,

00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.640
 I know we're growing,

00:26:18.300 --> 00:26:19.220
 but how are we ever

00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.039
 going to outgrow

00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.360
 the kingdom,

00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.580
 the empire of Rome?

00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:24.580
 And so,

00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.560
 a little discouraged

00:26:25.560 --> 00:26:26.840
 and a little disheartened,

00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.240
 you mosey off

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.600
 to the gathering

00:26:29.600 --> 00:26:30.180
 of believers

00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:31.039
 in your town,

00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.560
 maybe the 20 of you

00:26:32.560 --> 00:26:33.580
 or the 30 of you,

00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:35.140
 and you go to the

00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:36.380
 assembly of God's people

00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:37.180
 on the Lord's day

00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.920
 and you pray

00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:39.560
 and you sing some songs

00:26:39.560 --> 00:26:40.860
 and you're reminded

00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.860
 of God's love for you

00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:42.400
 and you're reminded

00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.320
 of God's suffering

00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:44.400
 on the cross for you

00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:46.759
 and you hear from the Bible,

00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.560
 somebody reads a portion

00:26:48.560 --> 00:26:49.539
 from the Old Testament,

00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.539
 maybe one of Paul's letters

00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.360
 are circulated

00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:53.800
 to your gathering that week

00:26:53.800 --> 00:26:55.100
 and you read a portion of that

00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:56.660
 and then somebody reads

00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.380
 from the Gospels

00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:58.259
 and there are four Gospels,

00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.560
 Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

00:26:59.560 --> 00:27:00.779
 but your little church

00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.660
 only has a copy

00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:02.580
 of Matthew's Gospel

00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:02.919
 and so,

00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:04.419
 the pastor stands up

00:27:04.419 --> 00:27:05.359
 and he says,

00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:07.000
 he reads from Matthew 13

00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.500
 and he says,

00:27:07.659 --> 00:27:08.679
 listen to the words

00:27:08.679 --> 00:27:10.379
 of our Lord and Master

00:27:10.379 --> 00:27:12.279
 and he reads this,

00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.480
 the kingdom of heaven

00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.399
 is like a grain

00:27:14.399 --> 00:27:15.399
 of mustard seed

00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:16.799
 that a man took

00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.960
 and sowed in a field.

00:27:18.699 --> 00:27:19.480
 It's the smallest

00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.240
 of all seeds,

00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:20.879
 we know that

00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:21.759
 but when it's grown,

00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.859
 it grows larger

00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:24.079
 than all the garden plants

00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:25.139
 and it becomes a tree

00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:27.079
 and so birds of the air

00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:28.139
 come and make their nests

00:27:28.139 --> 00:27:28.539
 in it.

00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.759
 again,

00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:30.799
 the kingdom of heaven

00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.859
 is like a little bit

00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:32.519
 of leaven,

00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:33.539
 a little bit of yeast

00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.720
 that a woman took

00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:36.220
 and hid in some measures

00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:36.799
 of flour

00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:38.799
 until it was all leavened

00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:41.200
 and he rolls up the scroll

00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:42.099
 and he puts it away

00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.740
 and he gives you

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.759
 a simple encouragement

00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.339
 and he says,

00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.539
 brothers and sisters,

00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:48.339
 remember the words

00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:49.200
 of our Lord and Savior

00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:49.899
 that he spoke.

00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:51.019
 The kingdom of God,

00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:52.079
 it seems so small,

00:27:52.159 --> 00:27:53.299
 it seems so insignificant

00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:55.500
 here in our Roman colony

00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.779
 in the backwaters of Rome,

00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:58.399
 it appears like nothing

00:27:58.399 --> 00:27:59.660
 substantial is happening.

00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:01.139
 Everywhere we look,

00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.639
 Caesar seems to be Lord,

00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.660
 drowned out by the powerful

00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.359
 and the voices

00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:06.799
 and the prestige around us

00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.920
 but friends,

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.180
 this kingdom is going to grow.

00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.500
 Jesus promised us

00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.139
 that though it looks

00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:12.720
 small and insignificant now,

00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.859
 it will reach

00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:15.200
 to the furthest corners

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:15.839
 of the world.

00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:17.359
 The furthest east

00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:17.980
 we hear about

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:19.000
 the good news of Jesus.

00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:20.099
 The furthest west

00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:21.279
 we hear about the gospel

00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.980
 and it will take root there

00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.759
 and it will grow.

00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:25.139
 It will become a mighty

00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.340
 and a significant force

00:28:26.340 --> 00:28:26.980
 in the world

00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:28.320
 and such that people

00:28:28.320 --> 00:28:29.540
 from every tribe

00:28:29.540 --> 00:28:30.100
 and nation

00:28:30.100 --> 00:28:30.780
 and language

00:28:30.780 --> 00:28:31.300
 and tongue

00:28:31.300 --> 00:28:32.100
 will come in here

00:28:32.100 --> 00:28:33.100
 and find refuge

00:28:33.100 --> 00:28:34.540
 in who Jesus is.

00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:36.320
 And if he knew about it,

00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:37.040
 maybe he'd say,

00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.860
 one day there'll be

00:28:37.860 --> 00:28:39.060
 a city called Hong Kong

00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:40.360
 and there'll be people there

00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:41.640
 from China

00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.300
 and Korea

00:28:42.300 --> 00:28:43.020
 and Singapore

00:28:43.020 --> 00:28:44.060
 and Africa

00:28:44.060 --> 00:28:44.960
 and South America

00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:45.620
 and they will come

00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.620
 and find refuge

00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:48.280
 in this gospel message.

00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:50.180
 And as he's talking,

00:28:50.300 --> 00:28:51.280
 you're thinking to yourself,

00:28:52.080 --> 00:28:52.680
 hey, our church

00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.520
 has recently preached

00:28:53.520 --> 00:28:54.400
 through the book of Daniel.

00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:55.759
 And you remember

00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.780
 how in chapter 2,

00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.759
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.540
 has this dream

00:28:58.540 --> 00:29:00.200
 about this mighty statue

00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.920
 and it's the kingdoms

00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:01.640
 of the world.

00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:03.259
 But there's this little stone

00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.900
 that's not cut

00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.880
 by any human hand

00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:06.560
 and it brings down

00:29:06.560 --> 00:29:07.880
 the kingdoms of the world.

00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:09.140
 And Daniel says

00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:10.280
 that the stone grows

00:29:10.280 --> 00:29:10.880
 and it grows

00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.440
 and it grows

00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:11.940
 and eventually

00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:13.720
 it becomes a mighty mountain

00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:15.000
 that fills the whole earth.

00:29:15.560 --> 00:29:16.540
 And as you're daydreaming

00:29:16.540 --> 00:29:18.220
 about this mighty mountain,

00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:19.100
 your pastor

00:29:19.100 --> 00:29:20.259
 looks you in the eye

00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.360
 and he says,

00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.800
 don't be discouraged.

00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:24.920
 Don't be disheartened.

00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:26.780
 There'll be setbacks,

00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:27.160
 yes.

00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:28.440
 There'll be rejection.

00:29:29.320 --> 00:29:30.360
 There'll be persecution.

00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.200
 Some in our midst

00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:33.380
 will change their mind

00:29:33.380 --> 00:29:34.600
 and no longer follow Jesus.

00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.360
 That's okay.

00:29:36.060 --> 00:29:36.480
 But friends,

00:29:36.560 --> 00:29:37.520
 the kingdom is advancing.

00:29:38.520 --> 00:29:39.540
 Jesus promised it will.

00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.259
 It looks small.

00:29:40.340 --> 00:29:41.120
 It looks insignificant.

00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:42.560
 Caesar seems like he's Lord,

00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:44.020
 but don't be discouraged.

00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.560
 The kingdom will come.

00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:47.500
 Christ's words in his way,

00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:48.759
 they look like yeast.

00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:49.879
 They look unnoticeable.

00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:50.899
 Soon they'll pervade

00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:52.299
 and permeate the whole world.

00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.399
 The whole earth

00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:54.679
 will be filled with the glory

00:29:54.679 --> 00:29:56.139
 and his glorious good news.

00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.139
 Take heart.

00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:57.819
 Hold on.

00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:59.980
 Don't be discouraged.

00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.899
 And he ends up,

00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.679
 rolls up his scroll,

00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:05.119
 says the benediction

00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.679
 and goes home.

00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.279
 Friends,

00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:08.919
 how do you think

00:30:08.919 --> 00:30:11.299
 that that little discouraged Christian

00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:13.359
 in first century Rome

00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:14.619
 is gonna feel?

00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.519
 He's gonna be encouraged.

00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.419
 He's gonna be built up.

00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.139
 He's gonna be edified.

00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:19.379
 He's gonna think,

00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.819
 yes, Jesus' kingdom is coming.

00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:21.980
 It looks small.

00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:22.839
 It looks insignificant,

00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:23.779
 but it's coming.

00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:24.980
 Friends,

00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:26.919
 God's word is meant to do the same

00:30:26.919 --> 00:30:28.319
 for you and I today.

00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.419
 Yes,

00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.339
 we walk in the streets

00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:30.720
 and we think

00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:32.220
 we see these mighty towers

00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.399
 and skyscrapers

00:30:33.399 --> 00:30:34.359
 and we think,

00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:36.019
 is God's kingdom ever gonna come?

00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:37.460
 There's so much injustice in the world.

00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.440
 Everything's going wrong.

00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.859
 Where's the kingdom of heaven?

00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:41.159
 Friends,

00:30:41.219 --> 00:30:42.179
 it's like yeast

00:30:42.179 --> 00:30:43.000
 that is sown

00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.899
 and it looks small

00:30:43.899 --> 00:30:44.500
 and insignificant.

00:30:44.679 --> 00:30:46.099
 It's like a tiny mustard seed.

00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:46.959
 It looks like,

00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.679
 what's gonna happen?

00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.939
 What's gonna come of this thing?

00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.919
 God's kingdom is growing.

00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.039
 Friends,

00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.559
 I'll ask you,

00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:55.199
 has Jesus not been remarkably accurate?

00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:56.859
 Is it not true

00:30:56.859 --> 00:30:57.879
 that the kingdom of heaven,

00:30:57.979 --> 00:30:59.039
 though seemingly small

00:30:59.039 --> 00:30:59.699
 and insignificant

00:30:59.699 --> 00:31:00.839
 in the first century,

00:31:00.919 --> 00:31:02.139
 has spread to every corner

00:31:02.139 --> 00:31:02.619
 of the world?

00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:04.039
 The 50th story

00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:05.399
 of a Hong Kong skyscraper

00:31:05.399 --> 00:31:06.679
 or under some tree

00:31:06.679 --> 00:31:07.719
 in the African savannah?

00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.199
 The kingdom of God

00:31:09.199 --> 00:31:09.819
 is going forward.

00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.859
 It's changing lives.

00:31:10.959 --> 00:31:11.819
 It's giving you meaning

00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.819
 and hope and purpose.

00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:14.259
 Those that are seeking

00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:15.199
 where God is

00:31:15.199 --> 00:31:16.259
 are finding Him.

00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:18.099
 God's kingdom is growing

00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:19.859
 and is spreading.

00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.319
 Friends,

00:31:22.399 --> 00:31:23.079
 the Roman Empire

00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:24.079
 no longer exists.

00:31:24.219 --> 00:31:24.879
 It hasn't existed

00:31:24.879 --> 00:31:26.459
 for 1,500 years.

00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:28.000
 The Babylonian Empire

00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.119
 came crashing down.

00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.159
 The Egyptian Empire

00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:30.759
 is gone.

00:31:31.379 --> 00:31:32.399
 The kingdom of God

00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:32.919
 is going

00:31:32.919 --> 00:31:34.419
 and it's growing strong.

00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.539
 It's getting better

00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.119
 every day.

00:31:36.119 --> 00:31:38.199
 That tiny mustard seed

00:31:38.199 --> 00:31:39.419
 that Jesus planted

00:31:39.419 --> 00:31:40.739
 by the shores of Galilee

00:31:40.739 --> 00:31:42.119
 2,000 years ago

00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:43.619
 is growing and bearing fruit.

00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.639
 And millions and billions

00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:47.179
 of people are finding refuge

00:31:47.179 --> 00:31:47.819
 in the shade.

00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:50.039
 But there's also

00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:51.479
 a warning for us here.

00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.099
 There's a warning

00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:54.039
 because as Christians,

00:31:54.179 --> 00:31:55.299
 sometimes we can think,

00:31:55.459 --> 00:31:55.639
 yes,

00:31:55.679 --> 00:31:56.459
 we'll take the kingdom.

00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:56.959
 We'll go.

00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:57.659
 We'll advance

00:31:57.659 --> 00:31:58.379
 to the end of the world.

00:31:58.619 --> 00:31:59.719
 All we need is money.

00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.519
 We need power.

00:32:00.619 --> 00:32:01.519
 We need the politicians

00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.259
 on our side.

00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.940
 If we can become powerful

00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.640
 and influential,

00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.900
 we'll take the gospel

00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:06.900
 to the ends of the world.

00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.259
 Friends,

00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:09.259
 Jesus shows us

00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:09.859
 that often

00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:11.480
 the way the kingdom advances

00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:13.019
 is not through politicians,

00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.900
 not through tons of money,

00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:16.180
 not through power

00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:16.779
 and positions

00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.519
 and prestige.

00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.920
 It happens

00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:19.940
 through simple folk.

00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.759
 It happens slowly.

00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.920
 It permeates the city

00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:25.119
 from the inside out.

00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:27.619
 You know,

00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:29.599
 Jesus here says

00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.759
 that the kingdom of God

00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.579
 is like leaven.

00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:32.480
 You know what leaven is?

00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.460
 Leaven is yeast.

00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.019
 You know,

00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:35.119
 when you're baking some bread,

00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:35.579
 I don't know,

00:32:35.639 --> 00:32:36.960
 do you throw yeast in sourdough?

00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.299
 Where's Karen?

00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:39.500
 Yes.

00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:40.079
 Okay.

00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:40.839
 You know,

00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:41.859
 you're baking some sourdough

00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:42.720
 like we all did

00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.339
 during COVID

00:32:43.339 --> 00:32:45.859
 and you throw

00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:46.619
 a little bit of yeast

00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:46.960
 in there

00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:48.259
 and it makes the bread rise,

00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:48.480
 right?

00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.339
 It's just a pinch,

00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:51.379
 just a tiny little pinch

00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:52.819
 makes the bread rise.

00:32:53.679 --> 00:32:54.039
 Jesus,

00:32:54.439 --> 00:32:54.679
 you know,

00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.480
 in the Bible,

00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.460
 yeast

00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:58.419
 is always used negatively.

00:32:59.339 --> 00:33:00.699
 Remember how Jesus says,

00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:02.480
 beware of the yeast

00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.500
 of the Pharisees.

00:33:03.580 --> 00:33:03.880
 He says,

00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.740
 their teaching,

00:33:05.340 --> 00:33:06.180
 their man-centered,

00:33:06.340 --> 00:33:07.240
 self-centered teaching,

00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.720
 if you get a pinch

00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.559
 of that in your heart,

00:33:09.620 --> 00:33:10.460
 it can ruin you.

00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.400
 It can mess you up,

00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:11.600
 right?

00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:12.779
 Beware of the yeast

00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.600
 of the Pharisees.

00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:15.059
 Paul says in Corinthians,

00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:16.920
 beware of the yeast

00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:18.080
 of sin in the community.

00:33:18.580 --> 00:33:19.600
 There's a bunch of Christians

00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:20.980
 and some of them say,

00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.100
 oh,

00:33:21.140 --> 00:33:22.259
 my sin is personal.

00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:22.940
 It's private.

00:33:23.100 --> 00:33:23.840
 It doesn't affect you.

00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:25.580
 Just let me sin on my own.

00:33:26.140 --> 00:33:26.660
 And Paul says,

00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.680
 that is like yeast.

00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.799
 It's just a little pinch.

00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:30.519
 You think it's personal and private?

00:33:30.620 --> 00:33:31.519
 It's going to permeate

00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.440
 the whole community.

00:33:33.580 --> 00:33:34.539
 Remember the Jews

00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:35.600
 before Passover,

00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.519
 they've got to remove

00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:37.940
 any traces of yeast

00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.700
 out of the house.

00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:40.259
 Yeast in the Bible

00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:42.060
 is always used negatively.

00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:44.299
 But Jesus here

00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:45.880
 deliberately says,

00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:47.240
 the kingdom of God

00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:48.240
 is like yeast.

00:33:48.840 --> 00:33:49.900
 Why is he doing that?

00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.259
 Do you know what he's saying?

00:33:52.340 --> 00:33:52.860
 He's saying,

00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:53.659
 the kingdom of God

00:33:53.659 --> 00:33:54.519
 is not made up

00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:55.479
 of the most powerful

00:33:55.479 --> 00:33:57.919
 and the most prestigious.

00:33:58.740 --> 00:34:00.000
 It's often made up

00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:01.639
 by those that are abandoned

00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:02.639
 and sidelined

00:34:02.639 --> 00:34:04.419
 and marginalized by society.

00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:06.199
 It's those that the elites

00:34:06.199 --> 00:34:07.059
 look down upon.

00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.539
 It's shepherds

00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:11.579
 and scruffy soldiers.

00:34:12.259 --> 00:34:13.799
 It's prostitutes

00:34:13.799 --> 00:34:14.759
 and tax collectors.

00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:15.839
 The kingdom of God

00:34:15.839 --> 00:34:16.400
 is made up

00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:18.420
 that those that society thinks

00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:19.539
 are there's no use for them.

00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.440
 Those the kingdom of God

00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:21.900
 is going to use.

00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:22.680
 But the kingdom

00:34:22.680 --> 00:34:23.780
 is going to be like yeast.

00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.599
 It's going to spread.

00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:26.440
 My kingdom is going to

00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:27.500
 change the world.

00:34:28.160 --> 00:34:28.480
 Friends,

00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.740
 that's the story of the church.

00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:31.039
 That's the story of this church.

00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.619
 It's the story of anyone

00:34:32.619 --> 00:34:33.960
 who encounters the grace of God.

00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.639
 It's not the bold.

00:34:34.720 --> 00:34:35.500
 It's not the impressive.

00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:36.099
 It's not those

00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:37.000
 that have it all together.

00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:38.660
 It's those who recognize

00:34:38.660 --> 00:34:39.480
 their need for him.

00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.960
 It's those who recognize

00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:42.000
 their need for amnesty.

00:34:42.160 --> 00:34:43.160
 It's those who are rebels

00:34:43.160 --> 00:34:43.800
 that come and say,

00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:44.760
 God, I've got nothing.

00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:46.119
 I need your mercy and grace.

00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:47.119
 Friends,

00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:48.760
 Jesus is heaven and earth's

00:34:48.760 --> 00:34:49.320
 true king.

00:34:49.860 --> 00:34:50.519
 And yet for those

00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.780
 who have rebelled against him,

00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:52.639
 Jesus says,

00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:53.519
 don't bring your resume.

00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:55.019
 Don't bring your credentials.

00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:56.639
 Don't bring the things

00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:57.920
 that you think qualify you.

00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:58.760
 Come empty handed.

00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:00.760
 Come with your nothingness.

00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:03.019
 Come with your need for grace.

00:35:03.720 --> 00:35:05.000
 And you can come to my kingdom.

00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:08.260
 One last application of this.

00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:10.059
 Friends, for some of us,

00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:12.079
 you may look at your family members

00:35:12.079 --> 00:35:12.860
 and you're longing

00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.840
 for your family members

00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:14.699
 to come to faith,

00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:15.900
 to experience the grace

00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:16.400
 of the gospel.

00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:18.219
 You've been praying for weeks,

00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:19.360
 for months, for years.

00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:20.380
 You've been praying for your mom

00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:20.920
 and your brother

00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:21.539
 and your sister,

00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:22.820
 thinking when are they ever

00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:23.639
 going to come to faith?

00:35:24.119 --> 00:35:25.119
 And it seems like

00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:26.039
 everyone around you,

00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:26.619
 your home,

00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.760
 money is Lord,

00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.780
 career is Lord,

00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:30.139
 self-fulfillment is Lord.

00:35:30.699 --> 00:35:31.820
 Friends, keep on praying.

00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:33.199
 Keep on sowing

00:35:33.199 --> 00:35:34.159
 those mustard seeds.

00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:35.359
 It seems like

00:35:35.359 --> 00:35:36.239
 the kingdom of God

00:35:36.239 --> 00:35:37.639
 is insignificant and poor

00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:38.779
 and nothing is happening,

00:35:38.939 --> 00:35:39.699
 but that kingdom

00:35:39.699 --> 00:35:40.379
 is going to grow.

00:35:40.859 --> 00:35:41.879
 You keep on praying.

00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.819
 You keep on witnessing.

00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:44.179
 You keep on telling them

00:35:44.179 --> 00:35:46.000
 about the wonder of Jesus.

00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:47.460
 Okay.

00:35:48.339 --> 00:35:49.419
 The kingdom of God,

00:35:50.659 --> 00:35:51.899
 though it looks like a mess,

00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:52.899
 it looks perplexing,

00:35:53.359 --> 00:35:54.439
 one day it's going to look

00:35:54.439 --> 00:35:55.359
 glorious and beautiful

00:35:55.359 --> 00:35:56.039
 like it's king.

00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:57.319
 Everything wrong

00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:58.079
 is going to be done

00:35:58.079 --> 00:35:59.219
 and taken out from it.

00:35:59.219 --> 00:36:00.059
 The kingdom of God

00:36:00.059 --> 00:36:00.980
 looks nothing like

00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:01.460
 it's beginning.

00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:02.619
 Small and insignificant,

00:36:02.619 --> 00:36:03.460
 but it's growing,

00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:04.159
 going to take over

00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:04.779
 the whole world.

00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:06.359
 Thirdly and finally,

00:36:06.920 --> 00:36:08.440
 the way into this kingdom.

00:36:10.259 --> 00:36:11.460
 What does all this mean?

00:36:12.679 --> 00:36:14.299
 Remember, Matthew asks us,

00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:15.420
 this is Jesus,

00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:16.380
 how are you going to respond?

00:36:17.139 --> 00:36:19.000
 This is who Jesus claims to be,

00:36:19.139 --> 00:36:20.119
 how are you going to respond?

00:36:20.279 --> 00:36:21.019
 What are you going to do?

00:36:21.819 --> 00:36:23.139
 Well, look at the final pair

00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:24.719
 of parables in Matthew 13.

00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:27.440
 Jesus says this,

00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:28.380
 the kingdom of heaven

00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:29.279
 is like a treasure

00:36:29.279 --> 00:36:30.920
 hidden in a field,

00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:32.300
 which a man found

00:36:32.300 --> 00:36:33.079
 and covered up.

00:36:33.680 --> 00:36:34.280
 In his joy,

00:36:34.360 --> 00:36:35.200
 he goes and sells

00:36:35.200 --> 00:36:36.039
 all that he has

00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:37.240
 and he buys that field.

00:36:37.800 --> 00:36:38.119
 Again,

00:36:38.240 --> 00:36:38.980
 the kingdom of heaven

00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:39.720
 is like a merchant

00:36:39.720 --> 00:36:40.820
 in search of pearls,

00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:41.519
 find pearls,

00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.300
 who,

00:36:42.740 --> 00:36:43.940
 when finding one pearl

00:36:43.940 --> 00:36:44.980
 of great value,

00:36:45.460 --> 00:36:46.200
 went and sold

00:36:46.200 --> 00:36:47.360
 all that he had

00:36:47.360 --> 00:36:48.800
 and bought it.

00:36:49.760 --> 00:36:50.440
 We're going to look

00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.500
 at this more next week,

00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:52.300
 so we'll just look at it

00:36:52.300 --> 00:36:53.320
 very briefly here.

00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:54.619
 What does Jesus say here?

00:36:54.619 --> 00:36:57.039
 Jesus says that

00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:58.099
 because he is heaven

00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:59.199
 and earth's true king,

00:36:59.880 --> 00:37:01.159
 because he will one day

00:37:01.159 --> 00:37:02.139
 come to judge

00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:03.339
 the living and the dead,

00:37:04.079 --> 00:37:05.019
 because his kingdom

00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:06.299
 is an eternal kingdom

00:37:06.299 --> 00:37:07.859
 that is growing

00:37:07.859 --> 00:37:09.039
 and will never end,

00:37:09.699 --> 00:37:10.199
 therefore,

00:37:10.519 --> 00:37:11.699
 joyfully embrace

00:37:11.699 --> 00:37:12.900
 whatever cost

00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:13.859
 it requires

00:37:13.859 --> 00:37:15.480
 and take hold of it.

00:37:16.299 --> 00:37:17.380
 Jesus says that

00:37:17.380 --> 00:37:18.559
 to enter the kingdom

00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:19.880
 is going to be costly.

00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:21.059
 In fact,

00:37:21.159 --> 00:37:21.819
 Jesus says,

00:37:21.820 --> 00:37:23.539
 because he is the king,

00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:25.140
 it's going to cost you

00:37:25.140 --> 00:37:26.660
 everything you have.

00:37:28.260 --> 00:37:29.000
 Jesus is saying

00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:29.960
 that if you come to him

00:37:29.960 --> 00:37:30.320
 and say,

00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:31.039
 Jesus,

00:37:31.200 --> 00:37:33.340
 I think I've got some change.

00:37:33.880 --> 00:37:34.000
 Here,

00:37:34.240 --> 00:37:34.820
 let me,

00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:36.240
 you can take this,

00:37:36.320 --> 00:37:36.720
 you can have,

00:37:36.880 --> 00:37:37.140
 Jesus,

00:37:37.260 --> 00:37:38.460
 I've got some leftovers,

00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.840
 you can have this.

00:37:40.620 --> 00:37:41.180
 Jesus says,

00:37:41.240 --> 00:37:42.460
 then you don't recognize

00:37:42.460 --> 00:37:43.700
 that he is the king

00:37:43.700 --> 00:37:45.180
 and this is a kingdom.

00:37:46.100 --> 00:37:47.539
 When we come to Jesus

00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:48.580
 with our leftovers,

00:37:49.240 --> 00:37:50.800
 it means that we still remain

00:37:50.800 --> 00:37:51.900
 the king of our lives.

00:37:52.840 --> 00:37:53.660
 Jesus says that

00:37:53.660 --> 00:37:54.900
 the way into the kingdom

00:37:54.900 --> 00:37:56.019
 is to recognize

00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:57.240
 that he's the king

00:37:57.240 --> 00:37:58.820
 and that he demands

00:37:58.820 --> 00:37:59.980
 everything.

00:38:01.160 --> 00:38:01.600
 Everything.

00:38:03.340 --> 00:38:03.740
 Friends,

00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:04.860
 some of you may have stumbled

00:38:04.860 --> 00:38:05.960
 across Jesus Christ

00:38:05.960 --> 00:38:06.580
 by accident.

00:38:06.760 --> 00:38:07.780
 You weren't looking for him

00:38:07.780 --> 00:38:09.140
 and suddenly he barged

00:38:09.140 --> 00:38:09.800
 into your life

00:38:09.800 --> 00:38:10.460
 like this man

00:38:10.460 --> 00:38:11.420
 looking in a field

00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:12.740
 and suddenly he discovers

00:38:12.740 --> 00:38:13.660
 the wonder of Jesus.

00:38:14.280 --> 00:38:15.280
 Some of you may have been

00:38:15.280 --> 00:38:16.000
 searching for it

00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:16.620
 all your life.

00:38:16.740 --> 00:38:17.580
 You've tried pleasure,

00:38:17.740 --> 00:38:18.400
 you've tried money,

00:38:18.519 --> 00:38:19.280
 you've tried religion,

00:38:19.620 --> 00:38:20.460
 you've tried everything

00:38:20.460 --> 00:38:21.840
 and suddenly you find Jesus.

00:38:22.740 --> 00:38:23.420
 Either way,

00:38:23.519 --> 00:38:24.800
 however you discover him,

00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:26.139
 Jesus is saying

00:38:26.139 --> 00:38:27.280
 that he won't allow you

00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:28.619
 to merely tolerate him.

00:38:29.159 --> 00:38:29.960
 He won't allow you

00:38:29.960 --> 00:38:31.260
 to merely accommodate him.

00:38:31.720 --> 00:38:32.679
 Either you hand over

00:38:32.679 --> 00:38:33.699
 your entire life to him

00:38:33.699 --> 00:38:34.500
 and you make him king

00:38:34.500 --> 00:38:35.679
 or you hold on

00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:36.440
 to your kingdom

00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:38.119
 and you lose him completely.

00:38:39.139 --> 00:38:39.900
 Jesus shows

00:38:39.900 --> 00:38:41.000
 that the kingdom of heaven

00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:42.019
 is filled with those

00:38:42.019 --> 00:38:43.059
 who recognize him

00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:43.880
 for who he is

00:38:43.880 --> 00:38:45.440
 and to take hold of it

00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:46.340
 despite the cost,

00:38:46.760 --> 00:38:48.340
 giving everything they have

00:38:48.340 --> 00:38:50.500
 because of the all-surpassing worth

00:38:50.500 --> 00:38:52.480
 of knowing Christ Jesus.

00:38:53.280 --> 00:38:53.600
 Friends,

00:38:53.680 --> 00:38:54.380
 to follow Jesus

00:38:54.380 --> 00:38:55.700
 may mean persecution,

00:38:56.220 --> 00:38:57.320
 it may mean poverty,

00:38:57.900 --> 00:38:59.480
 it may mean misunderstanding,

00:38:59.920 --> 00:39:01.340
 it may mean being maligned,

00:39:01.720 --> 00:39:03.100
 but it'll be worth it

00:39:03.100 --> 00:39:05.300
 because to follow Jesus' king

00:39:05.300 --> 00:39:06.220
 means entrance

00:39:06.220 --> 00:39:07.500
 into his kingdom

00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:09.240
 and it means intimacy

00:39:09.240 --> 00:39:09.960
 and knowing

00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:11.440
 heaven and earth's

00:39:11.440 --> 00:39:12.120
 true king.

00:39:13.120 --> 00:39:13.600
 Friends,

00:39:13.680 --> 00:39:14.260
 what about you?

00:39:15.260 --> 00:39:16.120
 How are you responding

00:39:16.120 --> 00:39:17.180
 to Jesus as king?

00:39:18.060 --> 00:39:19.440
 Jesus comes to each one of us

00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:20.480
 and he looks us in the eye

00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:20.840
 and says,

00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:21.880
 this is who I am.

00:39:21.940 --> 00:39:22.740
 How are you going to respond?

00:39:23.500 --> 00:39:24.320
 I'm heaven and earth's

00:39:24.320 --> 00:39:24.760
 true king.

00:39:25.560 --> 00:39:26.220
 Are you going to be part

00:39:26.220 --> 00:39:26.720
 of my kingdom?

00:39:26.940 --> 00:39:27.380
 Are you going to hold

00:39:27.380 --> 00:39:28.000
 on to your kingdom?

00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:29.780
 Are you willing to give

00:39:29.780 --> 00:39:30.600
 it all up for me

00:39:30.600 --> 00:39:32.120
 or are you going to hold

00:39:32.120 --> 00:39:32.880
 on to your own way?

00:39:33.820 --> 00:39:34.140
 Friends,

00:39:34.260 --> 00:39:35.020
 Jesus comes

00:39:35.020 --> 00:39:35.420
 and he says,

00:39:35.500 --> 00:39:36.480
 I am heaven and earth's

00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:36.900
 true king.

00:39:37.460 --> 00:39:38.580
 Come and follow me.

00:39:39.380 --> 00:39:40.920
 Come and enjoy

00:39:40.920 --> 00:39:41.620
 my kingdom.

00:39:42.320 --> 00:39:43.220
 Let's pray together.

00:39:43.219 --> 00:39:47.659
 Lord Jesus,

00:39:47.919 --> 00:39:49.019
 you don't hold

00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:49.579
 any punches

00:39:49.579 --> 00:39:50.980
 when you speak to us.

00:39:52.839 --> 00:39:54.119
 You look us in the eye

00:39:54.119 --> 00:39:54.579
 and you say,

00:39:54.699 --> 00:39:55.759
 either you have all of me

00:39:55.759 --> 00:39:57.359
 or you take none of me.

00:39:59.119 --> 00:39:59.799
 Lord Jesus,

00:39:59.919 --> 00:40:00.819
 won't you help us?

00:40:02.179 --> 00:40:03.119
 Won't you open our eyes

00:40:03.119 --> 00:40:04.480
 to see you for who you are

00:40:04.480 --> 00:40:06.639
 and to come

00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:07.839
 and surrender to you.

00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:10.519
 Father,

00:40:10.599 --> 00:40:11.139
 for those of us

00:40:11.139 --> 00:40:12.079
 that are discouraged

00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:13.559
 because we look around

00:40:13.559 --> 00:40:14.039
 the world,

00:40:14.139 --> 00:40:15.099
 we look around the church,

00:40:15.659 --> 00:40:17.139
 we see all the brokenness

00:40:17.139 --> 00:40:19.500
 and we wonder,

00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:20.099
 what's happening

00:40:20.099 --> 00:40:20.920
 with the kingdom of God?

00:40:21.000 --> 00:40:21.199
 God,

00:40:21.279 --> 00:40:22.079
 won't you open our eyes

00:40:22.079 --> 00:40:22.460
 to see?

00:40:22.559 --> 00:40:23.139
 Won't you give us

00:40:23.139 --> 00:40:24.239
 your heavenly perspective?

00:40:28.519 --> 00:40:28.880
 Father,

00:40:28.920 --> 00:40:29.559
 for those of us

00:40:29.559 --> 00:40:30.519
 that feel like

00:40:30.519 --> 00:40:31.219
 the kingdoms

00:40:31.219 --> 00:40:32.039
 of this world

00:40:32.039 --> 00:40:32.480
 are winning,

00:40:33.480 --> 00:40:34.199
 won't you help us

00:40:34.199 --> 00:40:34.639
 to remember

00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:35.719
 the story of Babylon,

00:40:35.900 --> 00:40:37.360
 the story of the Roman Empire,

00:40:38.039 --> 00:40:38.519
 that God,

00:40:38.639 --> 00:40:39.259
 your kingdom,

00:40:39.260 --> 00:40:40.120
 though small

00:40:40.120 --> 00:40:40.840
 and insignificant,

00:40:41.100 --> 00:40:41.720
 though hidden

00:40:41.720 --> 00:40:43.520
 and perplexing,

00:40:45.640 --> 00:40:46.200
 your kingdom

00:40:46.200 --> 00:40:47.000
 is ultimately,

00:40:47.520 --> 00:40:48.240
 the kingdoms

00:40:48.240 --> 00:40:48.920
 of this world

00:40:48.920 --> 00:40:49.460
 are ultimately

00:40:49.460 --> 00:40:50.120
 going to become

00:40:50.120 --> 00:40:50.600
 the kingdoms

00:40:50.600 --> 00:40:51.280
 of our God.

00:40:53.220 --> 00:40:53.580
 God,

00:40:53.640 --> 00:40:54.560
 won't you give us hope

00:40:54.560 --> 00:40:55.140
 for those

00:40:55.140 --> 00:40:55.980
 that are discouraged?

00:40:59.740 --> 00:41:00.360
 Lord Jesus,

00:41:00.500 --> 00:41:01.080
 come and help us,

00:41:01.140 --> 00:41:01.540
 we pray.

00:41:04.600 --> 00:41:04.940
 Friends,

00:41:04.980 --> 00:41:05.440
 we're going to come

00:41:05.440 --> 00:41:06.320
 to communion now,

00:41:06.320 --> 00:41:07.460
 but before we do that,

00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:08.400
 I want to just

00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:11.600
 offer anyone a chance,

00:41:11.680 --> 00:41:13.200
 if you are here

00:41:13.200 --> 00:41:13.740
 this morning

00:41:13.740 --> 00:41:14.300
 and you're not

00:41:14.300 --> 00:41:14.820
 a Christian,

00:41:15.840 --> 00:41:18.000
 maybe your whole life

00:41:18.000 --> 00:41:19.280
 you've been searching

00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:19.960
 for truth,

00:41:21.000 --> 00:41:21.740
 you've been looking

00:41:21.740 --> 00:41:22.539
 all over the place,

00:41:22.600 --> 00:41:23.000
 you've been looking

00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:23.580
 for meaning

00:41:23.580 --> 00:41:24.160
 and purpose

00:41:24.160 --> 00:41:24.900
 and career

00:41:24.900 --> 00:41:25.700
 and wealth

00:41:25.700 --> 00:41:26.860
 and various religions,

00:41:27.600 --> 00:41:28.480
 you've tried Buddhism,

00:41:29.700 --> 00:41:31.180
 you've tried Taoism,

00:41:32.080 --> 00:41:32.380
 friends,

00:41:32.559 --> 00:41:33.220
 Jesus Christ

00:41:33.220 --> 00:41:34.000
 stands before you

00:41:34.000 --> 00:41:34.480
 this morning

00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:34.880
 and says,

00:41:34.880 --> 00:41:37.000
 I am the eternal king,

00:41:37.760 --> 00:41:38.320
 I'm heaven and earth

00:41:38.320 --> 00:41:38.780
 true king,

00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:39.680
 come and follow me,

00:41:39.800 --> 00:41:40.599
 come and bow down

00:41:40.599 --> 00:41:41.180
 before me.

00:41:42.039 --> 00:41:42.300
 Friends,

00:41:42.360 --> 00:41:42.720
 how are you going

00:41:42.720 --> 00:41:43.260
 to respond?

00:41:45.300 --> 00:41:46.360
 Maybe here this morning

00:41:46.360 --> 00:41:47.099
 you're not a Christian,

00:41:47.340 --> 00:41:48.660
 Jesus is inviting you

00:41:48.660 --> 00:41:49.500
 to enter his kingdom,

00:41:50.039 --> 00:41:51.200
 to bow down,

00:41:51.320 --> 00:41:51.960
 to surrender,

00:41:53.079 --> 00:41:55.619
 to hand over your life,

00:41:56.039 --> 00:41:57.039
 to no longer

00:41:57.039 --> 00:41:57.940
 be in the kingdom

00:41:57.940 --> 00:41:58.640
 of self,

00:41:59.320 --> 00:42:00.460
 but to transfer

00:42:00.460 --> 00:42:01.019
 your life

00:42:01.019 --> 00:42:01.619
 into the kingdom

00:42:01.619 --> 00:42:02.119
 of heaven.

00:42:04.880 --> 00:42:05.640
 the way to do that

00:42:05.640 --> 00:42:07.500
 is to recognize

00:42:07.500 --> 00:42:09.000
 that you've lived

00:42:09.000 --> 00:42:09.700
 for yourself.

00:42:10.360 --> 00:42:11.380
 The Bible calls

00:42:11.380 --> 00:42:11.960
 that sin.

00:42:13.260 --> 00:42:14.099
 The Bible says

00:42:14.099 --> 00:42:15.119
 that the sin

00:42:15.119 --> 00:42:15.840
 that we do

00:42:15.840 --> 00:42:17.519
 is the manifestation

00:42:17.519 --> 00:42:19.099
 of a heart condition

00:42:19.099 --> 00:42:20.840
 which is orientated

00:42:20.840 --> 00:42:21.619
 on ourselves.

00:42:23.320 --> 00:42:23.579
 Friends,

00:42:23.619 --> 00:42:24.140
 have you been living

00:42:24.140 --> 00:42:24.680
 for yourself

00:42:24.680 --> 00:42:25.579
 your entire life?

00:42:28.539 --> 00:42:29.440
 Have you been living

00:42:29.440 --> 00:42:30.260
 for your own way

00:42:30.260 --> 00:42:31.019
 and your own glory?

00:42:31.019 --> 00:42:33.699
 You may do

00:42:33.699 --> 00:42:34.920
 all the Christian things,

00:42:35.179 --> 00:42:35.900
 go to church,

00:42:36.159 --> 00:42:36.739
 go to CG,

00:42:37.380 --> 00:42:38.059
 but you may not

00:42:38.059 --> 00:42:39.099
 be a follower of Jesus.

00:42:40.739 --> 00:42:41.139
 Friends,

00:42:41.199 --> 00:42:42.019
 I want to urge you

00:42:42.019 --> 00:42:42.679
 to hand over

00:42:42.679 --> 00:42:43.699
 your life to King Jesus.

00:42:43.920 --> 00:42:45.280
 Don't go another day.

00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:48.759
 Don't go another week.

00:42:49.980 --> 00:42:51.099
 The kingdom of heaven

00:42:51.099 --> 00:42:51.599
 is coming

00:42:51.599 --> 00:42:53.840
 and in that day

00:42:53.840 --> 00:42:54.699
 Jesus is going to

00:42:54.699 --> 00:42:55.699
 root out all rebels

00:42:55.699 --> 00:42:57.739
 and he's giving us

00:42:57.739 --> 00:42:58.900
 a chance of amnesty.

00:42:59.059 --> 00:42:59.940
 He's giving us a chance

00:42:59.940 --> 00:43:01.000
 to hand over our lives.

00:43:01.579 --> 00:43:02.000
 Today,

00:43:02.159 --> 00:43:02.900
 hand over your life

00:43:02.900 --> 00:43:03.739
 to King Jesus.

00:43:07.059 --> 00:43:08.099
 The way to do that

00:43:08.099 --> 00:43:08.619
 is to pray

00:43:08.619 --> 00:43:09.679
 a really simple prayer.

00:43:11.000 --> 00:43:12.039
 In your own words,

00:43:12.119 --> 00:43:12.599
 just to say,

00:43:12.719 --> 00:43:13.320
 Lord Jesus,

00:43:13.539 --> 00:43:14.300
 I recognize

00:43:14.300 --> 00:43:15.239
 that I've lived

00:43:15.239 --> 00:43:15.920
 for myself.

00:43:17.420 --> 00:43:18.259
 I recognize

00:43:18.259 --> 00:43:18.980
 that I've

00:43:18.980 --> 00:43:20.199
 been the king

00:43:20.199 --> 00:43:21.219
 of my own life.

00:43:21.360 --> 00:43:22.259
 I've sat on the throne.

00:43:23.280 --> 00:43:24.239
 But I recognize

00:43:24.239 --> 00:43:24.900
 that you

00:43:24.900 --> 00:43:25.960
 are the true king,

00:43:26.179 --> 00:43:26.659
 heaven and earth

00:43:26.659 --> 00:43:27.159
 true king.

00:43:28.500 --> 00:43:29.179
 I'm sorry

00:43:29.179 --> 00:43:29.780
 for my sin.

00:43:32.019 --> 00:43:32.719
 Come and have

00:43:32.719 --> 00:43:33.019
 your way

00:43:33.019 --> 00:43:33.699
 in my life.

00:43:34.699 --> 00:43:34.980
 Friends,

00:43:35.039 --> 00:43:35.639
 can you say that?

00:43:35.699 --> 00:43:36.239
 Why don't you pray

00:43:36.239 --> 00:43:36.920
 that right now?

00:43:38.000 --> 00:43:38.300
 Jesus,

00:43:38.420 --> 00:43:38.840
 I'm sorry.

00:43:38.960 --> 00:43:39.300
 I've lived

00:43:39.300 --> 00:43:39.980
 for myself.

00:43:41.880 --> 00:43:42.219
 God,

00:43:42.280 --> 00:43:42.820
 I want to live

00:43:42.820 --> 00:43:43.179
 for you.

00:43:43.899 --> 00:43:44.579
 I want you

00:43:44.579 --> 00:43:45.319
 to be my lord

00:43:45.319 --> 00:43:45.599
 and king.

00:43:45.659 --> 00:43:45.960
 I want you

00:43:45.960 --> 00:43:46.579
 to forgive me

00:43:46.579 --> 00:43:47.159
 of my sin.

00:43:50.039 --> 00:43:50.639
 I want you

00:43:50.639 --> 00:43:50.960
 to come

00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:51.559
 and have your way

00:43:51.559 --> 00:43:52.139
 in my life.

00:43:55.419 --> 00:43:55.779
 Friends,

00:43:55.919 --> 00:43:56.779
 Jesus promises

00:43:56.780 --> 00:43:58.140
 that if you

00:43:58.140 --> 00:43:58.820
 do that,

00:43:59.780 --> 00:44:00.940
 he says it'll

00:44:00.940 --> 00:44:01.460
 be like being

00:44:01.460 --> 00:44:02.160
 born again.

00:44:02.300 --> 00:44:02.900
 You'll experience

00:44:02.900 --> 00:44:04.080
 a whole new life.

00:44:05.000 --> 00:44:05.620
 For the first

00:44:05.620 --> 00:44:06.220
 time in your life,

00:44:06.280 --> 00:44:07.000
 you'll be the person

00:44:07.000 --> 00:44:08.000
 that God intended

00:44:08.000 --> 00:44:08.440
 you to be.

00:44:08.580 --> 00:44:09.380
 You'll be the person

00:44:09.380 --> 00:44:10.019
 that you were made

00:44:10.019 --> 00:44:10.400
 to be.

00:44:11.220 --> 00:44:12.040
 You'll be saved.

00:44:12.140 --> 00:44:12.880
 You'll be changed.

00:44:14.680 --> 00:44:15.640
 You'll be his son

00:44:15.640 --> 00:44:16.240
 or his daughter.

00:44:21.780 --> 00:44:22.720
 For the rest of us,

00:44:22.780 --> 00:44:23.460
 we're going to come

00:44:23.460 --> 00:44:24.280
 to communion.

00:44:24.500 --> 00:44:25.179
 Maybe the communion

00:44:25.179 --> 00:44:26.139
 stewards can come

00:44:26.139 --> 00:44:26.760
 and serve

00:44:26.760 --> 00:44:27.480
 and get ready

00:44:27.480 --> 00:44:28.199
 to serve us.

00:44:29.619 --> 00:44:30.840
 Communion is a time

00:44:30.840 --> 00:44:31.880
 when we remember

00:44:31.880 --> 00:44:32.440
 the gospel.

00:44:33.480 --> 00:44:34.519
 Remember the good

00:44:34.519 --> 00:44:35.280
 news of the gospel

00:44:35.280 --> 00:44:36.780
 that Jesus is a savior.

00:44:38.019 --> 00:44:38.820
 But we also remember

00:44:38.820 --> 00:44:39.320
 the good news

00:44:39.320 --> 00:44:39.860
 of the gospel

00:44:39.860 --> 00:44:41.159
 that Jesus is judge.

00:44:43.579 --> 00:44:44.480
 As we come

00:44:44.480 --> 00:44:45.500
 to the communion table,

00:44:45.639 --> 00:44:46.679
 I want us to take

00:44:46.679 --> 00:44:47.320
 a few minutes

00:44:47.320 --> 00:44:48.760
 to examine our lives

00:44:48.760 --> 00:44:49.780
 and to examine our hearts.

00:44:50.500 --> 00:44:51.380
 The communion table

00:44:51.380 --> 00:44:52.380
 really is for Christians,

00:44:52.539 --> 00:44:53.059
 for those that are

00:44:53.059 --> 00:44:53.820
 followers of Jesus.

00:44:53.980 --> 00:44:55.199
 If you're not yet

00:44:55.199 --> 00:44:55.940
 a follower of Jesus,

00:44:56.079 --> 00:44:56.900
 I want to urge you

00:44:56.900 --> 00:44:58.739
 just to pass this by.

00:44:58.860 --> 00:44:59.860
 Don't come and participate.

00:45:00.980 --> 00:45:01.840
 This is for those

00:45:01.840 --> 00:45:02.599
 who have recognized

00:45:02.599 --> 00:45:03.900
 I was a rebel

00:45:03.900 --> 00:45:04.820
 but I've handed over

00:45:04.820 --> 00:45:05.779
 my life to Jesus.

00:45:07.599 --> 00:45:09.619
 It's a weekly reminder

00:45:09.619 --> 00:45:12.239
 that though we are not perfect,

00:45:12.360 --> 00:45:13.139
 though we still live

00:45:13.139 --> 00:45:14.340
 in this world,

00:45:15.619 --> 00:45:17.079
 we so need Jesus.

00:45:18.159 --> 00:45:18.940
 It's a reminder

00:45:18.940 --> 00:45:20.139
 that our only hope

00:45:20.139 --> 00:45:20.719
 for salvation

00:45:20.719 --> 00:45:21.599
 is Jesus' death

00:45:21.599 --> 00:45:22.159
 on the cross.

00:45:23.820 --> 00:45:24.579
 It's a time

00:45:24.579 --> 00:45:25.799
 to examine our lives

00:45:25.799 --> 00:45:27.059
 where we've lived

00:45:27.059 --> 00:45:27.840
 for ourselves.

00:45:28.860 --> 00:45:29.739
 And so I want to ask us

00:45:29.739 --> 00:45:30.159
 to do that.

00:45:30.239 --> 00:45:31.199
 Let's look back

00:45:31.199 --> 00:45:32.019
 on the last week.

00:45:33.239 --> 00:45:33.460
 Friends,

00:45:33.559 --> 00:45:34.400
 where have you lived

00:45:34.400 --> 00:45:35.039
 for yourself?

00:45:36.159 --> 00:45:36.799
 Where have you tried

00:45:36.799 --> 00:45:37.440
 to climb back

00:45:37.440 --> 00:45:37.960
 on the throne

00:45:37.960 --> 00:45:39.000
 of your own heart again?

00:45:39.000 --> 00:45:42.039
 Let's bring those moments

00:45:42.039 --> 00:45:42.659
 before God

00:45:42.659 --> 00:45:43.820
 as a time of confession,

00:45:43.980 --> 00:45:44.420
 repentance.

00:45:45.559 --> 00:45:46.699
 Let's genuinely ask

00:45:46.699 --> 00:45:47.599
 Him to forgive us.

00:45:53.539 --> 00:45:54.659
 Let's take a few minutes

00:45:54.659 --> 00:45:55.159
 to do that.

00:45:55.159 --> 00:45:58.619
 Let's take a few minutes

00:45:58.619 --> 00:45:59.159
 to do that.

00:45:59.159 --> 00:46:25.399
 Lord Jesus Christ,

00:46:25.400 --> 00:46:26.539
 we come before you

00:46:26.539 --> 00:46:29.599
 as sinners

00:46:29.599 --> 00:46:30.139
 that are saved

00:46:30.139 --> 00:46:30.760
 by grace.

00:46:31.980 --> 00:46:32.960
 We come before you

00:46:32.960 --> 00:46:33.539
 not as those

00:46:33.539 --> 00:46:34.740
 who have it all together,

00:46:35.920 --> 00:46:37.599
 but those who

00:46:37.599 --> 00:46:39.720
 desperately need

00:46:39.720 --> 00:46:40.539
 your grace

00:46:40.539 --> 00:46:41.500
 to work in our lives.

00:46:41.500 --> 00:46:44.519
 Father,

00:46:44.639 --> 00:46:45.059
 thank you

00:46:45.059 --> 00:46:46.360
 for your assurance

00:46:46.360 --> 00:46:47.260
 that anyone

00:46:47.260 --> 00:46:48.599
 who confesses

00:46:48.599 --> 00:46:49.519
 and owns up

00:46:49.519 --> 00:46:50.360
 and brings our

00:46:50.360 --> 00:46:51.699
 sin into light

00:46:51.699 --> 00:46:52.800
 rather than hiding it

00:46:52.800 --> 00:46:53.679
 and covering it

00:46:53.679 --> 00:46:54.820
 will receive

00:46:54.820 --> 00:46:55.280
 your mercy

00:46:55.280 --> 00:46:55.800
 and grace.

00:46:56.840 --> 00:46:57.599
 You say,

00:46:57.699 --> 00:46:58.099
 Lord Jesus,

00:46:58.199 --> 00:46:59.099
 that when we take

00:46:59.099 --> 00:46:59.719
 responsibility

00:46:59.719 --> 00:47:00.519
 for our sin,

00:47:00.639 --> 00:47:01.239
 you remove it

00:47:01.239 --> 00:47:02.519
 as far as the east

00:47:02.519 --> 00:47:03.400
 is from the west.

00:47:08.699 --> 00:47:09.139
 Lord,

00:47:09.219 --> 00:47:09.559
 thank you

00:47:09.559 --> 00:47:10.880
 for your great assurance

00:47:10.880 --> 00:47:11.840
 of forgiveness

00:47:11.840 --> 00:47:12.500
 of sins.

00:47:13.159 --> 00:47:13.380
 Jesus,

00:47:13.480 --> 00:47:13.779
 thank you

00:47:13.779 --> 00:47:14.320
 for dying

00:47:14.320 --> 00:47:14.880
 on the cross

00:47:14.880 --> 00:47:15.380
 for us

00:47:15.380 --> 00:47:18.000
 so that our sin

00:47:18.000 --> 00:47:18.519
 is covered,

00:47:19.320 --> 00:47:19.759
 our shame

00:47:19.759 --> 00:47:20.360
 is removed.

00:47:23.820 --> 00:47:24.179
 Friends,

00:47:24.239 --> 00:47:24.719
 if you're a follower

00:47:24.719 --> 00:47:25.099
 of Jesus,

00:47:25.199 --> 00:47:25.820
 I want to invite you

00:47:25.820 --> 00:47:26.279
 to come

00:47:26.279 --> 00:47:27.619
 and take the elements

00:47:27.619 --> 00:47:29.759
 from the front

00:47:29.759 --> 00:47:30.380
 and the back.

00:47:30.880 --> 00:47:31.299
 Let's come back

00:47:31.299 --> 00:47:31.739
 to our seats

00:47:31.739 --> 00:47:32.380
 and I'll lead us

00:47:32.380 --> 00:47:33.279
 in taking communion

00:47:33.279 --> 00:47:33.699
 together.

00:47:33.699 --> 00:47:33.820
 Amen.

00:47:39.559 --> 00:47:40.779
 Amen.

00:47:52.279 --> 00:47:53.059
 Amen.

00:47:53.119 --> 00:47:54.320
 Amen.

00:47:54.380 --> 00:47:54.679
 Amen.

00:47:55.159 --> 00:47:55.219
 Amen.

00:47:55.299 --> 00:47:55.679
 Amen.

00:47:55.840 --> 00:47:56.500
 Amen.

00:47:56.639 --> 00:47:56.739
 Amen.

00:47:57.059 --> 00:47:57.219
 Amen.

00:47:57.239 --> 00:47:57.340
 Amen.

00:47:57.480 --> 00:47:57.519
 Amen.

00:47:57.519 --> 00:47:57.900
 Amen.

00:47:57.900 --> 00:47:58.059
 Amen.

00:47:58.139 --> 00:47:58.159
 Amen.

00:47:58.159 --> 00:47:58.639
 Amen.

00:47:58.639 --> 00:47:58.699
 Amen.

00:47:58.759 --> 00:47:58.799
 amen.

00:47:58.940 --> 00:47:59.299
 Amen.

00:47:59.400 --> 00:47:59.779
 Amen.

00:48:00.079 --> 00:48:01.099
 Amen.

00:48:03.219 --> 00:48:03.980
 Amen.

00:48:04.059 --> 00:48:04.539
 Amen.

00:48:04.559 --> 00:48:04.980
 Amen.

00:48:04.980 --> 00:48:05.019
 Amen.

00:48:05.340 --> 00:48:05.880
 Amen.

00:48:05.880 --> 00:48:06.559
 Amen.

00:48:06.559 --> 00:48:06.579
 Amen.

00:48:06.579 --> 00:48:07.400
 Amen.

00:48:07.519 --> 00:48:07.779
 chakra

00:48:07.779 --> 00:48:08.599
 Amen.

00:48:08.599 --> 00:48:09.539
 Amen.