WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.399
 Leave your Bibles open where Amish just read to us.

00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:10.759
 And I'm going to pray.

00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:13.660
 Lord Jesus, as we come to your word

00:00:13.660 --> 00:00:15.980
 and as we think again about your coming again,

00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:19.440
 open our hearts to you

00:00:19.440 --> 00:00:22.280
 and help us to live our lives in the light of your coming

00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:25.859
 and to see what your coming means for those who are safe in you.

00:00:25.940 --> 00:00:27.500
 Great joy, great security

00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:30.440
 and help us to rejoice in what we see in here tonight.

00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:32.240
 In Jesus' name, Amen.

00:00:33.719 --> 00:00:36.000
 I had a pretty low day the other day.

00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:41.759
 I had a moment where I was desperately in need of God's wisdom

00:00:41.759 --> 00:00:47.760
 and I think also wanting a sense of his nearness and his care.

00:00:47.859 --> 00:00:49.060
 You know, you hit a low spot,

00:00:49.219 --> 00:00:52.600
 you almost want to feel God's there as well as know God's there.

00:00:54.439 --> 00:00:56.179
 And I went to a quiet spot.

00:00:56.179 --> 00:00:57.560
 In fact, I went up to the foyer at church.

00:00:57.679 --> 00:00:58.420
 Nobody was around.

00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:00.460
 And I sat there to pray.

00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:05.340
 And the best I was able to do was pray,

00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:07.700
 Lord, please give me wisdom and love.

00:01:08.840 --> 00:01:10.920
 That was about as big as the prayer got.

00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:16.420
 I needed God's presence.

00:01:16.939 --> 00:01:18.159
 I couldn't feel it.

00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:20.900
 And then I phoned a friend.

00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:25.719
 And he was wisdom in the flesh for me.

00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:30.819
 I don't know how I really expected God to answer my prayer,

00:01:30.980 --> 00:01:33.459
 but I tell you that he did it in a way that was really simple.

00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:36.719
 He answered it in the person of my friend,

00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:39.359
 whom I call wisdom personified.

00:01:39.539 --> 00:01:41.620
 In fact, my wife knows who this man is

00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:42.659
 because I said to her,

00:01:42.799 --> 00:01:45.500
 I prayed to God and then I rang wisdom personified

00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:47.939
 and she knew exactly who I rang.

00:01:47.939 --> 00:01:50.420
 And in that moment,

00:01:50.819 --> 00:01:54.959
 I take my friendship with my friend as God's blessing to me.

00:01:55.259 --> 00:01:57.159
 I was reassured about the presence

00:01:57.159 --> 00:01:58.679
 and the protection

00:01:58.679 --> 00:02:02.420
 and the purposes of God in the person of my friend.

00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:08.360
 Life this side of heaven

00:02:08.360 --> 00:02:11.599
 is sometimes very difficult.

00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:15.780
 And I guess when I talk to church family even tonight,

00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:18.919
 each of us are walking in a different place

00:02:18.919 --> 00:02:20.560
 and a different moment

00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:22.159
 and experiencing different things.

00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:23.759
 So some of us will be sitting here thinking,

00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:25.120
 it's pretty cool at the moment,

00:02:25.180 --> 00:02:25.680
 it's pretty great

00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:26.579
 and it's coming up to Christmas

00:02:26.579 --> 00:02:27.840
 and I'm going to get all the things I wanted.

00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:29.560
 And that's for you.

00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:31.620
 But there may be another one or two amongst us

00:02:31.620 --> 00:02:32.979
 who are really struggling at the moment

00:02:32.979 --> 00:02:33.979
 for whatever reason.

00:02:35.419 --> 00:02:37.359
 And when life is difficult,

00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:39.240
 I think that's when we really want to pray

00:02:39.240 --> 00:02:41.600
 the last words of the Bible,

00:02:41.800 --> 00:02:42.360
 which are,

00:02:43.300 --> 00:02:45.320
 come Lord Jesus, come.

00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:48.540
 Come back again, please Lord Jesus

00:02:48.540 --> 00:02:50.480
 and wrap this whole show up

00:02:50.480 --> 00:02:53.140
 because it's just not that cool

00:02:53.140 --> 00:02:54.320
 being here at the moment.

00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:57.080
 I want to say tonight

00:02:57.080 --> 00:02:59.580
 that the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ

00:02:59.580 --> 00:03:02.640
 is an essential part of Christian understanding

00:03:02.640 --> 00:03:05.420
 and it helps us to wait

00:03:05.420 --> 00:03:08.140
 and make sense of the very imperfect world

00:03:08.139 --> 00:03:09.519
 which we're living in at the moment.

00:03:11.099 --> 00:03:12.979
 I'm preaching this short series

00:03:12.979 --> 00:03:15.199
 on Jesus coming,

00:03:15.299 --> 00:03:16.439
 the return of the Lord Jesus.

00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:17.759
 I spoke about it last week

00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:19.239
 and went to three passages,

00:03:19.399 --> 00:03:20.439
 a few different passages,

00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:23.639
 some in John's Gospel,

00:03:23.839 --> 00:03:25.359
 some in 1 Thessalonians

00:03:25.359 --> 00:03:26.979
 and some in Acts chapter 1.

00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:31.159
 And I said that Christians believe

00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:33.159
 very distinctive things

00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:34.439
 about life after death.

00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:37.939
 We believe in the resurrection of all people.

00:03:39.359 --> 00:03:41.659
 We don't believe in reincarnation.

00:03:41.819 --> 00:03:44.460
 We don't believe in endless cycles of life.

00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:46.099
 We don't believe that you can come back

00:03:46.099 --> 00:03:47.379
 as a flea on a dog's bottom.

00:03:48.780 --> 00:03:51.020
 And we don't believe in annihilation,

00:03:51.460 --> 00:03:53.599
 back to dust with no further consequences.

00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:57.039
 We believe that people cannot escape

00:03:57.039 --> 00:03:58.759
 the ultimate justice of God

00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:00.219
 by dying out of this world.

00:04:00.219 --> 00:04:04.280
 And we believe in the resurrection

00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:06.020
 to face the judgment of God

00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:07.539
 and of ultimate accountability.

00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:10.159
 We believe in the justice of God

00:04:10.159 --> 00:04:11.300
 which does not allow us

00:04:11.300 --> 00:04:12.520
 to escape responsibility.

00:04:13.180 --> 00:04:15.020
 And we believe in the mercy of God

00:04:15.020 --> 00:04:16.399
 in the Lord Jesus Christ

00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:18.139
 which allows us to stand safe

00:04:18.139 --> 00:04:18.860
 at his judgment.

00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:20.579
 We do not have to fear

00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:22.420
 the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:04:23.660 --> 00:04:25.259
 So Jesus' second coming

00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:26.420
 from a Bible point of view,

00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:27.160
 it is certain,

00:04:27.300 --> 00:04:28.160
 it will be sudden,

00:04:28.459 --> 00:04:29.899
 it will be seen by all,

00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:30.819
 it will happen

00:04:30.819 --> 00:04:32.699
 when his father says it will happen.

00:04:33.179 --> 00:04:34.779
 Nobody can predict the moment.

00:04:34.919 --> 00:04:36.239
 So when somebody tries to,

00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:37.159
 somebody puts a date

00:04:37.159 --> 00:04:38.039
 on the coming of Jesus,

00:04:38.179 --> 00:04:39.219
 somebody says you can be slow,

00:04:39.279 --> 00:04:40.099
 it's not coming yet,

00:04:40.679 --> 00:04:42.259
 or it's going to happen next year

00:04:42.259 --> 00:04:43.379
 on such and such a date,

00:04:43.599 --> 00:04:45.019
 I want you as Christian people,

00:04:45.079 --> 00:04:46.099
 as my brothers and sisters

00:04:46.099 --> 00:04:47.000
 to be able to just say

00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:47.799
 straight out rubbish.

00:04:49.339 --> 00:04:50.339
 It's nonsense.

00:04:51.259 --> 00:04:53.079
 Even if it's the most well-meaning

00:04:53.079 --> 00:04:54.319
 and well-intentioned person.

00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:55.019
 What do I say to them?

00:04:55.259 --> 00:04:55.679
 Rubbish.

00:04:55.899 --> 00:04:57.399
 Because the scripture says otherwise.

00:04:57.399 --> 00:05:00.120
 All people will be raised

00:05:00.120 --> 00:05:01.679
 to face the judgment of God.

00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:03.339
 Jesus' coming will mean

00:05:03.339 --> 00:05:04.819
 that judgment and destruction

00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:05.879
 for those people

00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:07.179
 who have rejected him,

00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:09.319
 but joy for everyone

00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:10.839
 who trusts and hopes in him.

00:05:11.959 --> 00:05:12.959
 So to have your name

00:05:12.959 --> 00:05:15.039
 written in the Lamb's book of life

00:05:15.039 --> 00:05:16.379
 means that you will be safe

00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:17.399
 on the day of his coming.

00:05:18.599 --> 00:05:20.379
 I'm particularly preaching tonight

00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:21.899
 about Matthew chapter 25,

00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:23.060
 verses 1 to 13.

00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:25.000
 Jesus tells a story

00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:26.100
 about 10 virgins

00:05:26.100 --> 00:05:27.660
 waiting to meet a bridegroom

00:05:27.660 --> 00:05:28.680
 and to escort him

00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:29.560
 to collect his bride.

00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:30.780
 That doesn't sound very good,

00:05:30.819 --> 00:05:31.160
 does it?

00:05:31.780 --> 00:05:32.860
 I think the virgins

00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:33.860
 are the bridesmaids

00:05:33.860 --> 00:05:35.199
 and they're waiting

00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:36.240
 for the groom to come

00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:37.819
 and to collect his bride.

00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:40.620
 I've preached this passage before

00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:42.319
 and I was going to preach it,

00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:43.680
 not I haven't preached it here,

00:05:43.779 --> 00:05:44.759
 I've preached it in another place,

00:05:45.259 --> 00:05:46.399
 and I was going to preach it

00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:47.480
 unchanged for the night

00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:48.220
 and I got it out

00:05:48.220 --> 00:05:48.620
 and I thought,

00:05:48.699 --> 00:05:49.399
 oh, this is easy,

00:05:49.500 --> 00:05:50.920
 easy work of preparation,

00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:52.040
 I've done this before

00:05:52.040 --> 00:05:53.840
 and as I started to read

00:05:53.840 --> 00:05:54.400
 over the work

00:05:54.400 --> 00:05:55.300
 that I'd done before,

00:05:55.420 --> 00:05:56.220
 I realised I'd done

00:05:56.220 --> 00:05:57.920
 a really lousy job last time

00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:00.280
 and I hadn't understood

00:06:00.280 --> 00:06:01.500
 the passage properly

00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:02.520
 and all of a sudden

00:06:02.520 --> 00:06:03.319
 I had a workload

00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:04.580
 which I didn't expect

00:06:04.580 --> 00:06:07.700
 and I want to say to you tonight

00:06:07.700 --> 00:06:09.120
 that I think I've learnt some things,

00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:10.180
 I think I've got better

00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:11.740
 in understanding the passage

00:06:11.740 --> 00:06:12.520
 but I don't think

00:06:12.520 --> 00:06:13.400
 I've got it perfect,

00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:14.520
 so if you're sitting there

00:06:14.520 --> 00:06:15.240
 reading the passage

00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:16.620
 while I'm speaking to you tonight

00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:18.759
 and you see some things in it

00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:19.259
 and you go,

00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:21.899
 aha, tell me about it afterwards

00:06:21.899 --> 00:06:23.560
 because we don't see everything

00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:24.879
 every time we get up to speak.

00:06:26.480 --> 00:06:28.659
 You can't understand this passage

00:06:28.659 --> 00:06:31.180
 without understanding

00:06:31.180 --> 00:06:32.459
 Matthew chapter 24

00:06:32.459 --> 00:06:34.379
 which is immediately before it

00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:36.599
 and Matthew 24

00:06:36.599 --> 00:06:39.699
 is a notoriously difficult chapter

00:06:39.699 --> 00:06:41.240
 of the Bible to understand.

00:06:42.839 --> 00:06:45.039
 So the people of the first century,

00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:47.459
 the people that this was written to

00:06:47.459 --> 00:06:49.439
 were like some of us,

00:06:50.239 --> 00:06:51.659
 they were living at a time

00:06:51.659 --> 00:06:53.039
 when God hadn't spoken

00:06:53.039 --> 00:06:53.939
 for a long time,

00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:55.319
 maybe 500 years

00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:56.359
 since one of the prophets

00:06:56.359 --> 00:06:57.060
 had spoken.

00:06:58.339 --> 00:06:59.859
 There hadn't been a word of God

00:06:59.859 --> 00:07:00.879
 for a long time

00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:04.859
 and there was this growing expectancy

00:07:04.859 --> 00:07:06.839
 that God was going to turn up

00:07:06.839 --> 00:07:08.039
 and show his face.

00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:11.860
 some people were expecting

00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:13.240
 the coming of the Messiah,

00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:13.900
 the King

00:07:13.900 --> 00:07:16.640
 and they associated his coming

00:07:16.640 --> 00:07:17.819
 with the end of time,

00:07:18.280 --> 00:07:18.980
 one coming,

00:07:19.080 --> 00:07:19.420
 one end.

00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:20.720
 So when the Messiah comes,

00:07:20.820 --> 00:07:21.500
 that'll be the end,

00:07:21.560 --> 00:07:22.420
 it's all wrapped up.

00:07:26.520 --> 00:07:27.800
 We're a bit the same.

00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:31.460
 We're looking for one more coming

00:07:31.460 --> 00:07:32.060
 of Jesus

00:07:32.060 --> 00:07:35.120
 and we associate his coming

00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:36.080
 when he comes again

00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:37.479
 with the wrapping up of history

00:07:37.479 --> 00:07:38.399
 as we know it,

00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:39.779
 the end of the world,

00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:41.079
 one more coming,

00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:42.439
 one end.

00:07:46.539 --> 00:07:48.639
 Jesus lived in revolutionary times.

00:07:48.899 --> 00:07:50.659
 You find this out

00:07:50.659 --> 00:07:51.659
 when you read the New Testament.

00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:53.519
 People were anticipating a king

00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:54.979
 who would lead them to glory,

00:07:55.459 --> 00:07:56.680
 who would reestablish

00:07:56.680 --> 00:07:57.779
 the kingdom of David

00:07:57.779 --> 00:07:59.120
 with all its magnificence

00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:00.419
 for a thousand years before.

00:08:02.019 --> 00:08:03.419
 A king who would drive

00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:04.560
 the pagan Romans

00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:05.500
 out of the land

00:08:05.500 --> 00:08:06.520
 of God's promise

00:08:06.520 --> 00:08:09.379
 and there were false Christs

00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:10.500
 in Jesus' day

00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:11.600
 who were going to lead

00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:12.780
 God's people to glory.

00:08:12.900 --> 00:08:13.780
 You can read about them

00:08:13.780 --> 00:08:14.800
 in the New Testament.

00:08:14.980 --> 00:08:15.800
 Two of them are mentioned

00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:17.060
 in Acts chapter 5.

00:08:17.960 --> 00:08:19.400
 They were Jewish revolutionaries.

00:08:19.520 --> 00:08:21.240
 Their names were Thutis and Judas,

00:08:21.340 --> 00:08:23.060
 not Judas who was Jesus' disciple

00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:24.060
 but another Judas.

00:08:25.200 --> 00:08:26.379
 And both these men

00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:27.360
 led uprisings

00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:28.460
 of several hundred men

00:08:28.460 --> 00:08:29.300
 against the Romans

00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:31.100
 and these movements collapsed

00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:32.840
 when their leaders were killed.

00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:33.840
 So kill the leader,

00:08:33.940 --> 00:08:34.860
 the movement collapses.

00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:38.920
 Jesus was executed

00:08:38.920 --> 00:08:39.980
 in an environment

00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:41.259
 where he was seen to be

00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:42.879
 a threat to national security.

00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:46.920
 He died

00:08:46.920 --> 00:08:49.500
 and the movement around him

00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:50.320
 didn't collapse,

00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:50.879
 it grew.

00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:56.500
 When Jesus was on trial

00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:57.300
 before Pilate,

00:08:57.420 --> 00:08:58.440
 the Jewish leadership

00:08:58.440 --> 00:08:59.480
 whipped up the crowd

00:08:59.480 --> 00:09:01.240
 to demand the release of Barabbas.

00:09:01.399 --> 00:09:02.480
 Set Barabbas free.

00:09:02.560 --> 00:09:03.680
 Don't set Jesus free.

00:09:03.960 --> 00:09:04.980
 Set Barabbas free.

00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:05.740
 We want him.

00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:06.860
 And Barabbas was

00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:08.600
 a murderous insurrectionist.

00:09:11.700 --> 00:09:13.240
 When Jesus was arrested,

00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:14.519
 Peter drew his sword

00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:15.120
 straight away,

00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:15.840
 didn't hesitate

00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:16.920
 and cut off the ear

00:09:16.920 --> 00:09:18.019
 of the high priest's servant.

00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:19.460
 Great stroke.

00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:21.139
 Magic to see.

00:09:23.800 --> 00:09:25.259
 Because he was expecting

00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:27.180
 to have to swing his sword

00:09:27.179 --> 00:09:28.539
 in following his king,

00:09:28.679 --> 00:09:29.019
 Jesus.

00:09:33.599 --> 00:09:34.919
 These were all people

00:09:34.919 --> 00:09:35.839
 who were expecting

00:09:35.839 --> 00:09:36.959
 to use weapons

00:09:36.959 --> 00:09:38.120
 to help God achieve

00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:38.799
 his purposes.

00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:42.979
 They had preconceived ideas

00:09:42.979 --> 00:09:43.899
 about what the coming

00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:44.639
 of the Messiah

00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:45.459
 would look like.

00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:46.319
 And that's why

00:09:46.319 --> 00:09:47.159
 so many of them

00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:48.039
 had no idea

00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:49.500
 that it was even happening

00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.719
 when it was actually happening

00:09:50.719 --> 00:09:51.339
 because they had

00:09:51.339 --> 00:09:52.279
 such another idea

00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:52.679
 in their head

00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:54.279
 about what would happen.

00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:56.980
 even Peter.

00:09:57.959 --> 00:09:59.059
 And what you see here

00:09:59.059 --> 00:09:59.559
 is that God

00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:00.620
 is very active

00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:01.419
 in his work

00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:01.839
 in a way

00:10:01.839 --> 00:10:02.899
 that they cannot see

00:10:02.899 --> 00:10:03.980
 and is not yet understood.

00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:08.779
 So Matthew 24

00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:10.659
 begins with Jesus saying,

00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:11.360
 well, it's all over

00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:11.879
 for the temple

00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:12.500
 and it's all over

00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:13.139
 for Jerusalem.

00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:16.779
 The disciples

00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:17.579
 are with Jesus.

00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:18.240
 They're travelling.

00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:19.000
 They're marvelling

00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:19.899
 at the cityscape.

00:10:19.959 --> 00:10:20.639
 I did it yesterday.

00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:21.059
 We went,

00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.319
 by the grace

00:10:22.319 --> 00:10:23.399
 of some of our friends here,

00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:23.939
 we went and saw

00:10:23.939 --> 00:10:24.399
 the Messiah

00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:25.399
 in the Sydney Opera House

00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:26.100
 yesterday afternoon,

00:10:26.199 --> 00:10:26.659
 Kerry and I,

00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:27.759
 with a few of you.

00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:28.240
 Who else went?

00:10:28.959 --> 00:10:29.779
 Look at the hands going.

00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:31.340
 It was the

00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:33.779
 Foo Club.

00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:37.039
 The Foo Fan Club

00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:38.299
 because we were supporting

00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:39.019
 Chrissie Fulcher

00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:39.579
 who was singing

00:10:39.579 --> 00:10:40.059
 in the chorus.

00:10:42.579 --> 00:10:43.159
 And, you know,

00:10:43.199 --> 00:10:43.939
 the city skyline

00:10:43.939 --> 00:10:44.720
 is pretty magnificent,

00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:45.179
 isn't it?

00:10:45.199 --> 00:10:46.039
 You can sit on the northern

00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:46.799
 side of the harbour

00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:47.799
 and you look across the city,

00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:48.759
 you see the Opera House,

00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:49.559
 it's silhouetted

00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:50.899
 by the bridge down this side

00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:51.919
 and the high-rise buildings

00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:52.620
 on the other side

00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:53.539
 and you can go sometimes,

00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:54.179
 oh, wow,

00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:54.879
 isn't it awesome?

00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.240
 And that's what these guys

00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:58.299
 did outside Jerusalem.

00:10:58.440 --> 00:10:58.879
 They're travelling

00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:00.220
 with Jesus,

00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:01.100
 they're looking back

00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:01.700
 at Jerusalem,

00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:02.960
 they're seeing the walls

00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:03.679
 and the temple

00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:05.139
 and the other buildings

00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:05.560
 out there

00:11:05.560 --> 00:11:06.080
 and they're saying,

00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:07.980
 it's awesome, Jesus.

00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:11.560
 And Jesus says,

00:11:11.820 --> 00:11:13.139
 it's up for demolition.

00:11:14.419 --> 00:11:15.759
 It's all coming down.

00:11:15.759 --> 00:11:20.019
 And in AD 67,

00:11:20.319 --> 00:11:20.980
 the Roman army

00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:21.500
 came in

00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.519
 and totaled the city.

00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:25.939
 And 600 years later,

00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.139
 Muslims built a mosque

00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:27.720
 on the side,

00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:28.939
 the third holiest shrine

00:11:28.939 --> 00:11:29.500
 in Islam

00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:31.279
 and it's been

00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:32.480
 the most contentious

00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:33.539
 piece of real estate

00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:34.120
 in the world

00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:34.819
 ever since.

00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:37.740
 A temple

00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:39.000
 hasn't been rebuilt.

00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:39.980
 Why wasn't a temple

00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:40.379
 rebuilt?

00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:41.379
 Why doesn't a temple

00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:42.299
 need to be rebuilt?

00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:42.939
 Help me out.

00:11:42.939 --> 00:11:42.980
 Help me out.

00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:48.919
 God is everywhere.

00:11:51.319 --> 00:11:52.360
 We are the temple

00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:53.259
 of the living God.

00:11:54.600 --> 00:11:55.740
 So why do we need

00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:56.759
 a temple rebuilt

00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:58.080
 to sacrifice animals

00:11:58.080 --> 00:11:59.019
 over and over again

00:11:59.019 --> 00:11:59.480
 to God

00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:00.399
 in worship of him

00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:01.220
 when we have had

00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:02.620
 the one true sacrifice

00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:03.100
 for sin

00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:04.100
 that Romans describes

00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:04.740
 in the person

00:12:04.740 --> 00:12:06.340
 of the Lord Jesus

00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:07.580
 step onto the stage

00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:08.399
 of the world history?

00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:11.439
 So Christians

00:12:11.439 --> 00:12:12.080
 who want to bring

00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:12.860
 a temple back,

00:12:13.700 --> 00:12:14.700
 we need to be able

00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:15.340
 to say to them,

00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:17.180
 rubbish as well.

00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:19.639
 There's two rubbishes

00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:20.100
 tonight.

00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:23.460
 If you go to the chapter

00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:23.920
 before,

00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:25.139
 Matthew chapter 23,

00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:27.540
 Jesus actually brings

00:12:27.540 --> 00:12:28.420
 the curtain down

00:12:28.420 --> 00:12:28.860
 on the whole

00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:29.720
 of the Old Testament.

00:12:31.780 --> 00:12:33.100
 He says these words,

00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:33.899
 O Jerusalem,

00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:34.879
 Jerusalem,

00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:35.019
 Jerusalem,

00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:38.259
 the city that kills

00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:39.040
 the prophets

00:12:39.040 --> 00:12:40.620
 and stones those

00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.900
 who are sent to it.

00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:45.179
 how often would I

00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:45.740
 have gathered

00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:47.000
 your children together

00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:48.079
 as a hen gathers

00:12:48.079 --> 00:12:48.959
 her brood under

00:12:48.959 --> 00:12:49.679
 her wings

00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:51.319
 and you would not.

00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:55.159
 Your house is left

00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:56.079
 to you desolate

00:12:56.079 --> 00:12:57.199
 for I tell you,

00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:58.419
 you will not see me

00:12:58.419 --> 00:12:59.519
 again until you say,

00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:00.459
 blessed is he

00:13:00.459 --> 00:13:01.500
 who comes in the name

00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.059
 of the Lord.

00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:06.299
 Jesus has told

00:13:06.299 --> 00:13:06.939
 parables

00:13:06.939 --> 00:13:09.179
 about the rejection

00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:10.559
 of God's messengers

00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:12.179
 and ultimately

00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:13.219
 God's son

00:13:13.219 --> 00:13:15.519
 and a new age

00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:16.059
 is coming

00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:16.899
 and a new dawn

00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:17.939
 is about to begin

00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:19.299
 and so in chapter 24

00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:19.939
 verse 3,

00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:20.719
 he sat on the

00:13:20.719 --> 00:13:21.419
 Mount of Olives,

00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.119
 the disciples

00:13:22.119 --> 00:13:23.279
 came to him privately

00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:23.979
 and they said,

00:13:24.439 --> 00:13:24.939
 tell us,

00:13:25.079 --> 00:13:26.139
 when will these things

00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:27.139
 be and what will be

00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.319
 the sign of your coming

00:13:28.319 --> 00:13:29.479
 and of the close

00:13:29.479 --> 00:13:30.219
 of the age?

00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:34.740
 So you get

00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:35.680
 information here,

00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:36.420
 you see that Jesus

00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:37.980
 is alone with his disciples,

00:13:38.180 --> 00:13:39.560
 he's teaching them privately,

00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:40.840
 this private teaching

00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.620
 goes on through

00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:43.019
 the whole of chapter 24

00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:45.180
 and the whole of chapter 25

00:13:45.180 --> 00:13:49.000
 and his close friends,

00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:49.779
 his disciples,

00:13:49.940 --> 00:13:50.540
 his followers

00:13:50.540 --> 00:13:51.180
 have got two

00:13:51.180 --> 00:13:52.279
 really big questions,

00:13:52.940 --> 00:13:53.920
 when and what?

00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:56.240
 When will these things

00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:56.580
 happen?

00:13:58.160 --> 00:13:59.139
 And what will be

00:13:59.139 --> 00:14:00.160
 the sign of your coming

00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:00.819
 and of the close

00:14:00.819 --> 00:14:01.299
 of the age?

00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:02.019
 How will we know

00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:02.980
 that it's about to happen

00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.759
 so that we can see

00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:04.740
 it coming and be warned?

00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:06.219
 They have this mindset

00:14:06.219 --> 00:14:07.379
 that the coming of Jesus

00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:08.219
 means the close

00:14:08.219 --> 00:14:08.819
 of the age,

00:14:08.939 --> 00:14:09.959
 for them the end

00:14:09.959 --> 00:14:11.120
 of history is upon them

00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:13.039
 and they want to be

00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.740
 ready for it.

00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.519
 And the first question

00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:20.799
 has an easy answer,

00:14:20.939 --> 00:14:22.419
 chapter 24 verse 36,

00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:23.240
 concerning that,

00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:24.259
 this is Jesus speaking,

00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.419
 concerning that day

00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:26.519
 and hour,

00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:27.299
 no one knows,

00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.539
 not even the angels

00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:29.059
 of heaven

00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:29.719
 nor the son

00:14:29.719 --> 00:14:30.939
 but the father only.

00:14:32.119 --> 00:14:32.919
 Only the father

00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:33.639
 of God in heaven

00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.419
 knows when this

00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:35.079
 is going to happen,

00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:36.019
 not even me.

00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:40.559
 And then in verse 44,

00:14:40.719 --> 00:14:41.559
 therefore you must

00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:42.079
 be ready

00:14:42.079 --> 00:14:43.399
 because the son of man

00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:44.419
 is coming at an hour

00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:46.059
 when you do not expect.

00:14:47.959 --> 00:14:49.099
 And so the easy answer

00:14:49.099 --> 00:14:50.059
 is be ready.

00:14:50.239 --> 00:14:51.199
 My father is the only

00:14:51.199 --> 00:14:51.979
 person who knows

00:14:51.979 --> 00:14:52.459
 the timing,

00:14:52.579 --> 00:14:53.239
 it will be sudden,

00:14:53.359 --> 00:14:54.279
 it will be unexpected

00:14:54.279 --> 00:14:55.120
 and if anybody else

00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:55.839
 has got a suggestion

00:14:55.839 --> 00:14:56.539
 about the timing,

00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.259
 just forget it.

00:14:58.559 --> 00:14:59.639
 They don't know.

00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:02.720
 But the second question

00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.539
 is much harder.

00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.439
 It's a really good question

00:15:06.439 --> 00:15:07.579
 but they're asking it

00:15:07.579 --> 00:15:08.779
 with wrong expectations.

00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:11.860
 They don't yet understand

00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:13.559
 that Jesus will come twice.

00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:17.899
 All the end time expectations

00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.980
 which they're expecting

00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:20.120
 to happen right now

00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:20.959
 aren't going to happen

00:15:20.959 --> 00:15:21.779
 just right now,

00:15:21.839 --> 00:15:22.679
 they're going to be spread

00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:23.299
 over time.

00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:25.620
 Not everything's going

00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.379
 to be completed

00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.759
 with Jesus' first coming.

00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.839
 It's a brand new idea

00:15:29.839 --> 00:15:30.639
 and it's never been

00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.659
 on their radar before

00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:33.379
 that Jesus might come once

00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.639
 and then he might come again

00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.559
 or the Messiah,

00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.859
 the King might come once

00:15:36.859 --> 00:15:38.279
 and then he might come again.

00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:42.959
 And so Jesus tells them

00:15:42.959 --> 00:15:44.079
 things about the destruction

00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:44.819
 of the temple,

00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.179
 many false Christs,

00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:47.359
 wars, famines,

00:15:47.539 --> 00:15:48.859
 persecution of believers

00:15:48.859 --> 00:15:49.559
 to death,

00:15:50.359 --> 00:15:51.359
 sun, moon and stars

00:15:51.359 --> 00:15:52.179
 not giving light,

00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:52.819
 the abomination

00:15:52.819 --> 00:15:53.919
 of desolation

00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.959
 standing in the temple.

00:15:56.099 --> 00:15:58.299
 And in verses 34 and 35

00:15:58.299 --> 00:15:59.379
 he says,

00:15:59.459 --> 00:16:00.599
 I tell you the truth,

00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.620
 this generation

00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:04.519
 will certainly not pass away

00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.859
 until all these things

00:16:05.859 --> 00:16:06.339
 have happened.

00:16:08.719 --> 00:16:09.799
 And he's saying

00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:11.179
 that there are events

00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:12.799
 of cosmic consequence

00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:14.359
 in the life and times

00:16:14.359 --> 00:16:15.519
 of the current generation.

00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:16.519
 You're living in them

00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:17.039
 at the moment

00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:18.019
 to the people back there

00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:19.240
 2,000 years ago.

00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:21.600
 They're happening

00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.700
 with this current visit

00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:23.820
 of God to his world

00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:24.539
 and in the person

00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:25.100
 of his son,

00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.220
 the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.779
 You have to move past Christmas.

00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:28.820
 Christmas is nothing

00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:29.740
 compared with what

00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.899
 Christ is about to do.

00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.500
 It's a great time of the year

00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.940
 but in terms of what

00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.879
 Christ is about to do,

00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:35.899
 it's what he's come to do

00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:36.519
 and who he is

00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:37.740
 which is really important.

00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.580
 We move beyond

00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.379
 the baby story

00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.500
 to the glory of Christ

00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.759
 and the kingship

00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.860
 which he's going to exercise

00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:45.240
 and he's particularly

00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.139
 going to exercise

00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:46.759
 that cross,

00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.080
 that,

00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:47.399
 that,

00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:51.060
 his kingship

00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:51.940
 on a hill

00:16:51.940 --> 00:16:53.180
 outside of Jerusalem

00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:54.500
 when he gives his life

00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:55.019
 for the sins

00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:55.460
 of anybody

00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:56.480
 who would trust in him

00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.919
 and when God vindicates him

00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:59.360
 by raising him

00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:00.000
 from the dead.

00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:01.320
 And the Bible says

00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:03.480
 that this is a climactic event

00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:05.019
 with cosmic consequences.

00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:08.839
 What Jesus is doing

00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.539
 back there

00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:11.480
 has implications

00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:13.019
 for the whole of history.

00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:14.579
 That's how big this event is.

00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:18.180
 I think when Jesus died

00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:18.720
 on the cross

00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:20.119
 that was the abomination

00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:21.019
 that causes desolation.

00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:22.619
 There is nothing

00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.460
 that has happened

00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:25.519
 in the whole of human history

00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.639
 which is as gross

00:17:26.639 --> 00:17:27.339
 as what happened

00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:28.680
 to Jesus on the cross.

00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:31.119
 Because we,

00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:33.279
 the people that God has made,

00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.839
 even the religious leaders

00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:36.099
 of his own time,

00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.599
 the people who were supposed

00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:38.839
 to protect religion

00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:39.500
 and the temple

00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.460
 and keep it holy

00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:42.220
 and all those things

00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:44.100
 seized God himself

00:17:44.100 --> 00:17:45.660
 with their own hands

00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:47.339
 and tried to destroy him

00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:48.460
 as ridiculous

00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:49.660
 as that is.

00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:52.660
 That is an abomination.

00:17:52.660 --> 00:18:00.759
 So Jesus is also preparing them

00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.940
 for an intervening period

00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.940
 and another coming.

00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:04.880
 In chapter 24,

00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:06.380
 verses 39 to 44,

00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.480
 he says,

00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.140
 keep watch

00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:09.320
 because you do not know

00:18:09.320 --> 00:18:09.940
 on what day

00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:11.000
 your Lord will come.

00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:13.140
 But understand this,

00:18:13.300 --> 00:18:14.580
 if the owner of the house

00:18:14.580 --> 00:18:15.740
 had known

00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:17.019
 at what time of night

00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:18.140
 the thief was coming,

00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:20.080
 he would have kept watch

00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:21.240
 and would not have let

00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:22.379
 his house be broken into.

00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.939
 If the thief had made

00:18:24.939 --> 00:18:25.460
 an appointment,

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.579
 the owner of the house

00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.599
 wouldn't have got caught out.

00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.899
 So you also must be ready

00:18:31.899 --> 00:18:32.839
 because the Son of God

00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:33.639
 will come at an hour

00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:34.679
 when you don't expect him.

00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.579
 God's not going to make

00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.039
 an appointment

00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.079
 for you to look forward to.

00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:42.000
 There will be another coming.

00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:44.019
 There will be a delay

00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.980
 between the two

00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.679
 and that is where

00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:47.619
 the story of the wedding

00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:49.159
 in chapter 25 comes in.

00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:49.879
 Ten virgins

00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:50.639
 took their lamps

00:18:50.639 --> 00:18:52.319
 and they went out

00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:53.239
 to meet the bridegroom.

00:18:54.239 --> 00:18:55.539
 Five of them were foolish

00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.859
 and five were wise.

00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:59.439
 The foolish ones

00:18:59.439 --> 00:19:01.899
 took their lamps

00:19:01.899 --> 00:19:04.159
 but did not take

00:19:04.159 --> 00:19:05.659
 any oil with them.

00:19:07.199 --> 00:19:08.439
 The wise, however,

00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.639
 took oil in jars

00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:11.919
 along with their lamps.

00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:14.759
 Bridegroom was a long time

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.179
 in coming

00:19:15.179 --> 00:19:16.679
 and they all became drowsy

00:19:16.679 --> 00:19:17.459
 and fell asleep.

00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:23.039
 So Jesus tells this story.

00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:23.559
 There's a wedding.

00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.979
 No, I can't say

00:19:32.979 --> 00:19:33.599
 what I want to say.

00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.619
 And you hear nothing

00:19:36.619 --> 00:19:37.559
 about the bride

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.219
 in this wedding.

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:42.979
 It's bridegroom focused.

00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:44.259
 It's man-centric.

00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.359
 It's man-centric.

00:19:47.619 --> 00:19:50.239
 The man spends the money.

00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:52.379
 The man makes the arrangements.

00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:53.959
 I'm a dad

00:19:53.959 --> 00:19:55.939
 and I've got

00:19:55.939 --> 00:19:57.239
 one married son,

00:19:57.479 --> 00:19:58.819
 one unmarried son

00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:01.179
 and I've also got

00:20:01.179 --> 00:20:02.639
 three unmarried daughters.

00:20:02.739 --> 00:20:03.899
 So I like this passage

00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:04.479
 because

00:20:04.479 --> 00:20:06.879
 I think it's great

00:20:06.879 --> 00:20:08.659
 for the man's family

00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:09.599
 to bear the cost

00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:11.199
 of the marriage

00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:13.840
 and I think

00:20:13.840 --> 00:20:14.519
 dowries

00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.559
 are especially

00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.259
 encouraged

00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:19.120
 and

00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:20.620
 I know I'm right

00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:21.279
 because I talked

00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.279
 to my boss this morning

00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.319
 and he totally agrees

00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:23.720
 with me.

00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:30.039
 So in Jesus' day,

00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.880
 marriage was like

00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:32.180
 this three-stage process.

00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:33.240
 You'd get engaged.

00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:37.900
 There was engagement,

00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.940
 there was betrothal

00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:40.099
 and then there was marriage

00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:42.940
 and the story Jesus tells

00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:44.319
 is about the third stage

00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.799
 where the bridegroom

00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:47.759
 returns from his dad's place

00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.960
 to take his bride.

00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.240
 He's been building

00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.599
 and what he's been doing,

00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.940
 he's been at his dad's house

00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:54.940
 building on an additional room

00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:56.579
 that he can bring his bride to

00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:59.480
 to begin their married life together.

00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:02.500
 So he will come

00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:04.779
 as soon as the building's completed,

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.640
 he will come

00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.660
 at that moment

00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:08.019
 with his entourage

00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:09.120
 to get his bride

00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:10.500
 and take her to his house

00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.980
 to consummate the marriage

00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:14.700
 and to live in their new home.

00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:16.180
 It's a great moment.

00:21:16.360 --> 00:21:16.880
 It's a moment

00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:18.059
 that they've been anticipating

00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:20.240
 together for some time.

00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:23.039
 Really interesting,

00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:25.180
 Jesus uses similar language

00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:26.000
 and imagery

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.220
 in John chapter 14

00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.940
 when he said,

00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:30.000
 in my father's house

00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:31.120
 are many rooms

00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:33.259
 and I am going there

00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:34.620
 to prepare a place for you.

00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:37.259
 And he also said,

00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:39.100
 I will come back

00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:41.580
 and take you to be with me

00:21:41.580 --> 00:21:43.840
 that you may be where I am.

00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:46.460
 I'm going away,

00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.840
 there are going to be rooms

00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:49.779
 for my followers,

00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.920
 I will return

00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:52.320
 and we will journey

00:21:52.320 --> 00:21:54.880
 to the place where I am.

00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:59.680
 So these ten young women

00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.740
 are going to light the way

00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.400
 for the groom

00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.340
 when he arrives

00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:03.759
 and they will go with him

00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.740
 to the wedding banquet.

00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:07.480
 Five are described as foolish,

00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:08.620
 five are wise,

00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.799
 all of them have lamps,

00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.980
 the lamps are not the little thing

00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.900
 they carry around a house,

00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:13.000
 they're probably long sticks

00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.940
 with a rag on the end

00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.620
 soaked in oil

00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:16.500
 that creates a blazing light

00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.539
 outside as you travel

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.200
 through the night.

00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:21.660
 Five are called wise

00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:23.460
 because they have jars of oil,

00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:25.860
 five are called foolish

00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.900
 because they don't.

00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.660
 They all look the same

00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.299
 while they're waiting,

00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.860
 they don't look any different,

00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.819
 there's no difference

00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.039
 except the oil.

00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.960
 The bridegroom's delayed,

00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:39.539
 he takes a long time,

00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.880
 he doesn't come as quickly

00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:43.759
 as they had expected him to come,

00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:45.039
 everybody gets the nods

00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.960
 and they go to sleep.

00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:48.720
 And it's really interesting

00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.920
 because there's no judgment

00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.799
 in this passage

00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:52.940
 about them going to sleep,

00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.579
 it's not as though

00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.240
 going to sleep

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.000
 was a wrong thing

00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.740
 for them to do,

00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:56.799
 they all go to sleep.

00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:01.680
 But what Jesus is preparing them for

00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:03.600
 is a delayed return,

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.640
 that's a new thought.

00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.740
 It may well be

00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:10.120
 an unexpectedly long time

00:23:10.120 --> 00:23:10.840
 into the future

00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:13.420
 and for people like us

00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.120
 we can see that,

00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.819
 we can look back,

00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:15.360
 we can say,

00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:17.159
 well it's been 2,000 years already,

00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:18.159
 of course it was going to be

00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:19.359
 a long time into the future.

00:23:19.679 --> 00:23:20.899
 But it doesn't take faith

00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:21.740
 for us to see that,

00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.659
 we just look and see.

00:23:25.419 --> 00:23:26.819
 But we do need faith

00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.719
 to know that Jesus

00:23:27.719 --> 00:23:28.579
 is still coming.

00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.639
 It was probably

00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:32.699
 very difficult

00:23:32.699 --> 00:23:33.839
 for Jesus' disciples

00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.759
 to come to terms

00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.799
 with a slow return

00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.699
 because they just thought

00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:38.159
 it was going to be imminent.

00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:38.559
 You know,

00:23:38.619 --> 00:23:39.359
 this same Jesus

00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.259
 that you've seen

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.959
 going to heaven,

00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.379
 he's going to return again

00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.019
 in the same way

00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.599
 that you've seen him

00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.199
 going to heaven,

00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.920
 said the angel.

00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.420
 And they thought

00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:47.180
 it was going to be

00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:48.080
 in their own lifetime.

00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.740
 But it shouldn't fill us

00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.140
 with a,

00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.319
 or lull us

00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.200
 into a false sense

00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.140
 of security either.

00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:56.539
 One of,

00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.580
 when I was in

00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:59.120
 country town

00:23:59.120 --> 00:24:00.120
 in New South Wales

00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:00.779
 ministering,

00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.940
 one of my precious

00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.100
 90 year old ladies

00:24:03.100 --> 00:24:05.100
 who was full of faith

00:24:05.100 --> 00:24:05.900
 and she'd walked

00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.819
 through some hard yards

00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:07.480
 in her life

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.140
 and God had been

00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:09.039
 really gracious with her

00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.160
 so I really respected her.

00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:12.140
 but she said to me

00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:12.540
 one day,

00:24:12.580 --> 00:24:13.060
 she said,

00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.700
 I don't think

00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:16.300
 Jesus will return yet

00:24:16.300 --> 00:24:17.380
 because I don't think

00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:18.320
 all the prophecies

00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:19.500
 have been fulfilled yet.

00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:23.300
 She was trying

00:24:23.300 --> 00:24:24.220
 to be scriptural

00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:25.560
 but she was limiting

00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:26.980
 God with her theology.

00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.360
 And I lovingly

00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:32.960
 disagreed

00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.740
 and reminded her

00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:35.220
 that Jesus teaches us

00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.600
 to be at the ready.

00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.639
 I don't think

00:24:37.639 --> 00:24:38.399
 I changed her mind

00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:38.839
 by the way

00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:40.659
 but we differed

00:24:40.659 --> 00:24:41.619
 and it was okay.

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.639
 And when you think

00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:44.199
 about readiness

00:24:44.199 --> 00:24:45.359
 I think there's two ways

00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.399
 of understanding

00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:48.119
 or thinking about readiness.

00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.079
 There's a right way

00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:49.959
 and there's a wrong way.

00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:52.259
 So the wrong way

00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.759
 is the story

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.619
 I told in my message

00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.179
 last week

00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:55.359
 about the deputy principal

00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:56.779
 at Frenchess Forest High School

00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.819
 who resigned his job

00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.740
 in 1981

00:24:58.740 --> 00:25:00.859
 absolutely convinced

00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:02.099
 that Jesus would return

00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:03.000
 in 1982.

00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:04.319
 I'm not sure

00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:04.779
 what he did

00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.639
 after 1982.

00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:08.179
 And I was thinking

00:25:08.179 --> 00:25:08.599
 about this

00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.139
 because I thought

00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:11.179
 if I knew Jesus

00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:12.039
 was coming back

00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:13.379
 in four weeks time

00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:15.279
 I'm going to stop

00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.000
 putting money

00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:17.019
 into superannuation

00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.759
 straight away

00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.299
 and I'm going to

00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.099
 start spending it.

00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:21.000
 I'm not going

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.699
 to do any work.

00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.559
 I said that to Steve

00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.019
 this morning.

00:25:23.219 --> 00:25:23.779
 No work.

00:25:24.219 --> 00:25:24.759
 Sorry Deb.

00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:25.599
 You have to do it all.

00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:27.759
 You do it all anyway.

00:25:27.939 --> 00:25:28.319
 That's probably

00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.019
 what you're going to say.

00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.579
 I'd be with my family

00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.240
 and I'd probably

00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.819
 be pleading

00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.539
 with any members

00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.299
 of my family

00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:38.279
 to prepare

00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:39.439
 to meet Christ.

00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.039
 That would be

00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.939
 important for me

00:25:40.939 --> 00:25:41.939
 just because I know

00:25:41.939 --> 00:25:42.819
 and love the Lord Jesus.

00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:46.939
 But if I was

00:25:46.939 --> 00:25:47.519
 in the country

00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.179
 I wouldn't bother

00:25:48.179 --> 00:25:49.319
 planting any more crops.

00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.559
 Wouldn't even bother

00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.220
 harvesting them

00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:51.639
 because there'd be

00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:52.319
 no one to sell to

00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.119
 in four weeks time.

00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.079
 People who aren't

00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:56.599
 Christians

00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:59.220
 I think would go

00:25:59.220 --> 00:25:59.919
 into a frantic

00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:00.899
 indulgent panic

00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:01.480
 if they thought

00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:01.939
 it was true

00:26:01.939 --> 00:26:02.419
 if the world

00:26:02.419 --> 00:26:03.000
 was going to end

00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.880
 in four weeks time.

00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.539
 I think you'd

00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.299
 go and load up

00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.000
 your credit card

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.579
 knowing that you'd

00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.579
 never have any bank fees

00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.160
 again never have

00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:10.720
 to pay it back.

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.299
 I think life

00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.839
 would be turned

00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.299
 on its head.

00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:14.779
 We'd become

00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.819
 totally irresponsible

00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.539
 and selfish.

00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.420
 We'd go out there

00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.039
 and live and do

00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:18.680
 whatever we wanted

00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:19.259
 to do without

00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.859
 regard to the

00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:20.460
 consequences.

00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.619
 The routines

00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.539
 of life would be

00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.240
 shot to pieces.

00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.119
 Nobody would be

00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.940
 serving one another.

00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:29.480
 That's the wrong

00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.620
 type of readiness

00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:33.500
 and when somebody

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.380
 preaches to us

00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:34.720
 that you've just

00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.480
 got to be ever ready

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:35.900
 as though he's

00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.299
 going to walk

00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.680
 in the door

00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.000
 tonight

00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.820
 well yes

00:26:37.820 --> 00:26:38.900
 that's right

00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.660
 but no

00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.620
 in terms of panic.

00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:45.640
 So what is

00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:46.200
 the right way?

00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:46.840
 Well I think you

00:26:46.840 --> 00:26:47.340
 see it in the

00:26:47.340 --> 00:26:47.940
 remainder of the

00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.220
 story.

00:26:48.320 --> 00:26:48.840
 The moment of

00:26:48.840 --> 00:26:49.620
 truth arrives

00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.460
 verse 6

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.620
 at midnight

00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.620
 the cry rang out

00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:53.600
 here's the bridegroom

00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:54.400
 come out to meet

00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:55.200
 him and all the

00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.860
 virgins woke

00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:56.360
 and they trimmed

00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:56.940
 their lamps

00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:59.200
 and the bridegroom's

00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.040
 return catches

00:27:00.040 --> 00:27:01.480
 everyone by surprise

00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.680
 the wise and the

00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.600
 foolish everybody's

00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:04.160
 caught up in the

00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.880
 surprise of his

00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.340
 return.

00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.920
 They all have to

00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.700
 wake up to meet

00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:07.860
 him.

00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.780
 He turns up in the

00:27:08.780 --> 00:27:09.480
 dead of the night

00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.440
 when all the women

00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.060
 are asleep.

00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.440
 Everyone needs to

00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.000
 do the normal

00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.700
 things including

00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.540
 sleep so it's all

00:27:14.540 --> 00:27:15.220
 right to sleep

00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.540
 but now there is a

00:27:16.540 --> 00:27:18.759
 problem because the

00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.580
 difference between

00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:20.340
 the two groups

00:27:20.340 --> 00:27:21.540
 becomes immediately

00:27:21.540 --> 00:27:22.480
 obvious with the

00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.019
 coming of the

00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.240
 groom.

00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.320
 Some are ready

00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:24.960
 to meet him

00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.480
 and some

00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:25.859
 aren't.

00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:26.759
 And the

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.339
 foolish ones

00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:27.819
 in a panic

00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.299
 say to the

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:28.819
 wives give us

00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.279
 some of your

00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.859
 oil our lamps

00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.500
 are going out.

00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.619
 No they replied

00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.639
 there mightn't be

00:27:32.639 --> 00:27:33.259
 enough for both

00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.819
 of us and you

00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.359
 you get down

00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:34.879
 the shop really

00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.659
 quickly and go to

00:27:35.659 --> 00:27:36.240
 the cellars of

00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:36.779
 oil wake them

00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.679
 up and buy

00:27:37.679 --> 00:27:38.119
 some for

00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.579
 yourselves.

00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.099
 And while they

00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.480
 were on their

00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.000
 way to buy

00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.740
 some oil the

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.720
 bridegroom arrived

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.559
 the virgins who

00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:45.220
 were ready went

00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.779
 in with him to

00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.480
 the wedding banquet

00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.059
 and the door

00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.579
 was shut.

00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:52.299
 it's a hard

00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:56.139
 word and if

00:27:56.139 --> 00:27:56.699
 you're like me

00:27:56.699 --> 00:27:57.539
 you sort of you

00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.259
 ask all sorts of

00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:58.899
 questions when you're

00:27:58.899 --> 00:27:59.500
 trying to prepare a

00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.220
 message and figure out

00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.980
 what's going on here

00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.519
 but you know

00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.599
 couldn't they have

00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:02.919
 shared?

00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.960
 But you've got to

00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.839
 look beyond the

00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.819
 parable to see that

00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.980
 this is a decisive

00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.119
 moment of truth.

00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:14.119
 There just isn't

00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:15.279
 enough for everyone.

00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.519
 It is the moment

00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.420
 when preparedness

00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.319
 is going to be

00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.319
 seen in a final

00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:20.519
 and an unchangeable

00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:20.920
 way.

00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:23.500
 When Jesus

00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.359
 returns it will

00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:25.339
 be too late to

00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.279
 decide to get

00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:26.619
 ready.

00:28:27.379 --> 00:28:28.119
 The opportunity

00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:29.000
 will be in the

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.559
 past.

00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.660
 You can't rely on

00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.519
 another person's

00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.059
 preparedness.

00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:34.879
 You might live in

00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:35.539
 a family where

00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.680
 one partner knows

00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.440
 and loves the

00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.379
 Lord Jesus Christ

00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:39.019
 or maybe your

00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.460
 mum or your

00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:41.519
 dad do and

00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.700
 they are well

00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.480
 prepared for the

00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.399
 return of Christ.

00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.000
 They know him

00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.859
 and he knows

00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.160
 them.

00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.599
 And they don't

00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.359
 have to fear the

00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:51.759
 day and on that

00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.420
 day you won't be

00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:53.160
 able to say my

00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:54.339
 partner did all the

00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:55.039
 church going for

00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.619
 our family.

00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.539
 Or don't you see

00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.559
 the fine Christian

00:28:58.559 --> 00:28:59.559
 kids that I've

00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:01.299
 raised or my

00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:02.220
 family goes back

00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.980
 three or four

00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:04.079
 generations,

00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.940
 believers, we've

00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.700
 been saying grace

00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.579
 for the last

00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:07.359
 hundred years in

00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:07.899
 our family.

00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:07.980
 family.

00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.800
 Or the really

00:29:12.800 --> 00:29:14.500
 hard one from a

00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.220
 parent point of

00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:19.940
 view is take my

00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:21.240
 faith, take my

00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:23.440
 oil and give it to

00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.540
 my children, please

00:29:24.540 --> 00:29:26.140
 save them instead of

00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:26.519
 me.

00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:29.960
 That doesn't work

00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.320
 either.

00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:37.099
 We have to answer

00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:37.879
 for ourselves.

00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.039
 Do we have any

00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.299
 oil?

00:29:41.399 --> 00:29:42.079
 Have we prepared?

00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:44.879
 It's about you and

00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.619
 whether you have

00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.480
 prepared for that

00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:46.859
 day.

00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:48.319
 Will you go in with

00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.500
 the groom or will

00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:51.099
 the door be shut in

00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:51.619
 your face?

00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:56.679
 And I know as I

00:29:56.679 --> 00:29:57.659
 speak tonight that

00:29:57.659 --> 00:29:58.459
 there may be some

00:29:58.459 --> 00:29:59.319
 people here who

00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:00.619
 know that what I'm

00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:01.579
 saying about Christ

00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:02.559
 and his return is

00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:02.879
 true.

00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.779
 You also know that

00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:07.819
 you are unprepared to

00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.359
 face him.

00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:12.459
 You may know lots of

00:30:12.459 --> 00:30:13.579
 true things about the

00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.339
 Bible especially

00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.219
 because you hang

00:30:15.219 --> 00:30:16.139
 around churches and

00:30:16.139 --> 00:30:17.019
 churches are a great

00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.819
 place to hang around

00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.839
 so no discouragement

00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:19.339
 of that.

00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:20.519
 Even if you don't

00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.279
 believe this is a

00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:21.599
 wonderful place to

00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.419
 be.

00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.959
 You may know that

00:30:26.959 --> 00:30:27.699
 Jesus died.

00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.599
 You may know that

00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:29.559
 Jesus was raised.

00:30:29.659 --> 00:30:30.279
 You may know that

00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.279
 Jesus is king in

00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.199
 heaven right now.

00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:34.579
 You may know some

00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.779
 great theology and you

00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.459
 may have read some

00:30:36.459 --> 00:30:37.579
 great Christian books.

00:30:40.439 --> 00:30:41.599
 But to know about

00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:42.859
 Jesus is different

00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:44.219
 from knowing Jesus

00:30:44.219 --> 00:30:45.819
 and loving Jesus.

00:30:47.719 --> 00:30:48.599
 Need both.

00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:54.399
 people who know and

00:30:54.399 --> 00:30:55.339
 trust the Lord Jesus

00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:56.539
 will be well prepared

00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.599
 to meet him when he

00:30:57.599 --> 00:30:58.119
 comes.

00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.480
 We don't have to be

00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:00.899
 afraid.

00:31:02.199 --> 00:31:03.759
 He has prepared us for

00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:04.919
 his coming by taking

00:31:04.919 --> 00:31:06.079
 our sin and nailing it

00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.679
 to the cross.

00:31:07.639 --> 00:31:08.859
 And we have already

00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:10.240
 entrusted ourselves to

00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.259
 him in response to what

00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:12.179
 he has done for us.

00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:13.379
 We will be safe when he

00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.559
 returns by the grace of

00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:15.619
 the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.539
 Story goes on and

00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.440
 almost comes to a

00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:23.839
 conclusion in verse 11.

00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.899
 Others came to him.

00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.899
 Sir, sir, they said,

00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:27.440
 open the door.

00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:29.000
 The others, the others,

00:31:29.100 --> 00:31:30.080
 that's the foolish ones,

00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:31.100
 came to him and said,

00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:32.259
 sir, sir, open the door

00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:32.720
 for us.

00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.500
 And he replied,

00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:38.220
 I tell you the truth,

00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.640
 I don't know you.

00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.420
 I don't know you.

00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:50.740
 And then Jesus says,

00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:51.700
 therefore keep watch

00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.740
 because you do not know

00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:53.580
 the day or the hour.

00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:58.039
 See, the rejection for

00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:59.059
 the unprepared is

00:31:59.059 --> 00:31:59.960
 dreadfully clear.

00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:00.759
 It's too late.

00:32:01.859 --> 00:32:03.500
 There is no reversal.

00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.899
 Rejection is final.

00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:09.319
 And I think at the very

00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:10.439
 heart of this story are

00:32:10.439 --> 00:32:11.319
 the words at the end of

00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:12.339
 the story which are,

00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:14.519
 I don't know you.

00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:17.960
 The wise ones are known

00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:20.919
 by the groom and the

00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:22.519
 foolish ones aren't.

00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:27.379
 I said this morning,

00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:28.500
 nobody invites guests

00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.240
 to a wedding whom

00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:29.919
 they don't know.

00:32:30.119 --> 00:32:31.019
 Well, one of our mums

00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.859
 contradicted me,

00:32:31.919 --> 00:32:32.500
 but there you go.

00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:34.939
 It's the gardener wedding

00:32:34.939 --> 00:32:36.119
 next week and they've got

00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:37.379
 250 people coming.

00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:38.179
 I don't think they know

00:32:38.179 --> 00:32:38.519
 them all.

00:32:39.659 --> 00:32:40.720
 But take the principle.

00:32:44.699 --> 00:32:45.879
 You don't get invited

00:32:45.879 --> 00:32:46.720
 if you're not known.

00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.619
 So being ready for Jesus'

00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.960
 coming does not mean

00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.740
 frantic panic,

00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:54.500
 really important.

00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:56.960
 It means knowing the

00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:57.799
 Saviour now.

00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:00.920
 It means being on about

00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:01.539
 his business.

00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:02.340
 I'm going to come to that

00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:02.880
 next week.

00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.720
 Chapter 24,

00:33:05.840 --> 00:33:07.460
 verse 44 says,

00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:08.600
 you must also be ready

00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:09.559
 because the Son of Man

00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.259
 will come at an hour

00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.299
 when you do not expect

00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:11.660
 him.

00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:13.500
 Who then is the faithful

00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.799
 and wise servant whom

00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:15.840
 the Master has put in

00:33:15.840 --> 00:33:16.900
 charge of the servants in

00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:18.519
 his household to give them

00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:19.279
 the food at the proper

00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:19.940
 time?

00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:20.880
 The Master has given

00:33:20.880 --> 00:33:21.820
 him a job to do.

00:33:21.880 --> 00:33:22.940
 Who's the faithful servant?

00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:25.060
 It will be good for that

00:33:25.060 --> 00:33:25.940
 servant whose Master

00:33:25.940 --> 00:33:26.940
 finds him doing what

00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.720
 he's supposed to be doing

00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:28.340
 when he returns.

00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:33.280
 So when Jesus returns,

00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:35.140
 people will see what they

00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:36.120
 are missing out on and

00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:36.920
 they will want it.

00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.880
 But it will be too late.

00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:42.700
 When Jesus returns,

00:33:42.820 --> 00:33:43.780
 there won't be anybody

00:33:43.780 --> 00:33:45.200
 having a peek at how good

00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:46.000
 it is and saying,

00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:47.079
 I don't want any of that.

00:33:48.380 --> 00:33:49.660
 We'll all want in.

00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:54.119
 And those who reject

00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:55.720
 Christ now face a future

00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.680
 of grieving what they

00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:57.500
 have missed out on.

00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:01.019
 But the call throughout

00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.700
 the Bible is to a life

00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.859
 of faith now.

00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.859
 Faith which has impact

00:34:06.859 --> 00:34:08.260
 on how we live now.

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.880
 Faith which is driving us

00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.980
 to want to know Christ

00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:11.579
 now.

00:34:12.679 --> 00:34:13.960
 Faith which leads us to

00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:15.179
 hope in Christ now.

00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:17.639
 Faith which is hungry

00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:18.500
 for the righteousness

00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.780
 of Christ now.

00:34:20.739 --> 00:34:22.059
 Faith which leads us

00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:23.260
 to bow our knee to Jesus

00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:25.500
 and to give way to him

00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:26.159
 now.

00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:29.079
 Faith which puts all our

00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:30.260
 hope and trust in Jesus

00:34:30.260 --> 00:34:31.139
 now.

00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:33.780
 It's a verse in Acts,

00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.099
 isn't it?

00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:35.280
 Today is the day of

00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:35.780
 salvation.

00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:40.599
 Knowing the groom now

00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:43.380
 is what will keep us

00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:44.340
 safe then.

00:34:46.000 --> 00:34:48.219
 So, and that makes us

00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:49.260
 safe right now,

00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:49.960
 even tonight,

00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:50.539
 to pray,

00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:52.639
 come Lord Jesus

00:34:52.639 --> 00:34:53.300
 come.

00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.139
 And we can only pray

00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:56.039
 that safely now

00:34:56.039 --> 00:34:56.940
 because we know

00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:58.340
 that we will be safe

00:34:58.340 --> 00:34:58.760
 then.

00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.139
 Amen.

00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:02.059
 that you will take

00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:06.480
 who lives

00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:06.739
 with Christ.

00:35:06.739 --> 00:35:08.719
 You

00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:11.400
 father

00:35:12.239 --> 00:35:13.199
 and

00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:13.299
 how

00:35:13.299 --> 00:35:13.839
 you