WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.400 My name is Sean, for those of you who know me, and I'm one of the pastors of Trinity Cambridge Church. 00:00:04.400 --> 00:00:07.919 It's my joy and privilege to preach God's word to you this morning. 00:00:07.919 --> 00:00:11.679 Please turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 9. 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:24.439 Matthew chapter 9 verses 27 to 34. 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:49.040 We normally stand for the reading of God's word, but I'm just going to have you guys sit today. 00:00:49.040 --> 00:00:54.579 I will read for us Matthew chapter 9 verses 27 to 34. 00:00:58.719 --> 00:00:59.820 Let me pray. 00:01:04.820 --> 00:01:07.120 Father, open up your word to us. 00:01:07.920 --> 00:01:19.240 That we might see the glory, the authority, the compassion, and mercy of Jesus Christ our Savior. 00:01:21.060 --> 00:01:27.480 And through him that we might be reconciled to you, to love you, to worship you forever. 00:01:30.040 --> 00:01:32.960 Speak to us in your word. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:37.620 I'm going to read it out loud for us. Matthew chapter 9 verses 27 to 34. 00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:45.379 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, 00:01:45.879 --> 00:01:47.599 Have mercy on us, son of David. 00:01:48.659 --> 00:01:52.799 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, 00:01:53.240 --> 00:01:56.260 Do you believe that I am able to do this? 00:01:57.180 --> 00:01:59.460 They said to him, Yes, Lord. 00:01:59.459 --> 00:02:05.699 Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it done to you. 00:02:06.419 --> 00:02:08.219 And their eyes were opened. 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:13.539 And Jesus sternly warned them, See that no one knows about it. 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:19.060 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. 00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:25.199 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 00:02:25.699 --> 00:02:29.060 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. 00:02:29.740 --> 00:02:35.120 And the crowds marveled, saying, Never was anything like this seen in Israel. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:41.379 But the Pharisees said, He casts out demons by the prince of demons. 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:45.060 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:02:46.060 --> 00:02:52.219 When it comes to Christianity, many people have qualms and questions about this doctrine or that, 00:02:52.620 --> 00:02:54.479 this ethical requirement or that. 00:02:54.939 --> 00:02:58.159 But the central question of Christianity is, Who is Jesus? 00:02:58.159 --> 00:03:02.240 Because if Jesus is who he said he is, 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:06.139 if he really is the Messiah whom God has sent, 00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:08.919 if he really is the Son of God, 00:03:09.620 --> 00:03:16.300 if he really is the atoning sacrifice, the Lamb of God, 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:21.819 and if really Christianity is not a man-made religion, 00:03:22.340 --> 00:03:24.280 but the truth of God, 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:28.599 then we are in no position to quibble about this or that. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:31.879 We must believe in Jesus and follow him, 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:34.539 or else be found to be resisting God himself. 00:03:35.520 --> 00:03:39.039 After Jesus finished his first magisterial sermon, 00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:42.659 the Sermon on the Mount that we went through recently in Matthew chapters 5 to 7, 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:45.039 he said in chapter 7, 28 to 29, 00:03:45.139 --> 00:03:46.920 The crowds were astonished at his teaching, 00:03:47.379 --> 00:03:51.439 for he was teaching them as one who had authority and not as their scribes. 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:55.539 And then Matthew has been spending the next subsequent two chapters, 00:03:55.659 --> 00:03:56.599 chapters 8 and 9, 00:03:56.819 --> 00:04:00.060 to demonstrate to us that authority that Jesus had 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:03.439 by recounting nine miracle stories in three groups of three. 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:09.379 To show us the kind and the extent of authority that Jesus had over diseases, 00:04:09.699 --> 00:04:11.819 over natural disasters, over demons, 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:13.939 and even over death itself. 00:04:13.939 --> 00:04:18.060 And we're at the very end of that section of Matthew, 00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:23.199 looking at the last two miracles that Jesus did in this section. 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:26.620 Matthew's aim in retelling these stories is this, 00:04:26.680 --> 00:04:29.759 to show us that there is no one like Jesus, 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:32.019 and we must believe in him. 00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:33.939 We're going to first talk about, 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:35.720 it's a very simple message and a short message 00:04:35.720 --> 00:04:37.899 to accommodate our setting here. 00:04:37.899 --> 00:04:40.919 My two points are that just who Jesus is, 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:42.839 and what we must do. 00:04:43.079 --> 00:04:44.759 That's going to be my outline for the morning. 00:04:45.459 --> 00:04:47.219 Let's first look at who Jesus is. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:52.079 Having just raised a ruler's daughter from the dead in the preceding passage, 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:54.139 Jesus is now moving to a new location, 00:04:54.359 --> 00:04:55.719 when it says in verse 27, 00:04:56.139 --> 00:04:58.099 two blind men start following Jesus. 00:04:58.500 --> 00:04:59.459 They're crying aloud, 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:01.419 have mercy on us, son of David. 00:05:02.099 --> 00:05:05.819 But Jesus doesn't heal the blind men right then and there in public, 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:06.800 on the road. 00:05:07.159 --> 00:05:08.360 No, he says in verse 28, 00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:10.560 that when he entered the house, 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:12.339 then the blind men came to him, 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:14.699 and Jesus then starts interacting with them. 00:05:15.480 --> 00:05:18.120 We are not told whose house this is. 00:05:18.779 --> 00:05:23.039 There are times when Matthew specifies whose house Jesus was in. 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:26.379 For example, we are told that Jesus entered Peter's house, 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:28.120 in chapter 8, verse 14, 00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:32.519 that he was in the ruler's house in chapter 9, verse 23, 00:05:32.519 --> 00:05:36.979 and then he was in the house of Simon the leper in chapter 26, verse 6. 00:05:37.399 --> 00:05:39.259 But there are also several times in the gospel 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:41.740 when we are told without any additional detail 00:05:41.740 --> 00:05:43.699 that he just simply entered the house. 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:45.599 In such cases, 00:05:45.799 --> 00:05:49.539 it seems most likely that Matthew is referring to Jesus' family home, 00:05:49.939 --> 00:05:52.639 his parents' house in Capernaum. 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:58.300 It's only after entering his house that Jesus addresses the blind men. 00:05:58.419 --> 00:06:00.579 Do you believe that I am able to do this? 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:01.939 And they reply, 00:06:02.139 --> 00:06:02.860 Yes, Lord, 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:03.979 in verse 28. 00:06:05.979 --> 00:06:07.419 It's easy to gloss over this, 00:06:07.479 --> 00:06:09.259 but this is quite the profession of faith. 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:14.979 These blind men believe that Jesus can give them sight. 00:06:16.479 --> 00:06:17.919 Think of the people in your life 00:06:17.919 --> 00:06:20.259 that you have the greatest confidence and trust in. 00:06:20.259 --> 00:06:25.319 You trust them to get anything that you ask them to do done. 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:27.639 They're very reliable, dependable people. 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:31.240 You ask them for big things sometimes. 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:34.599 You ask them to do things for planning your wedding. 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:37.079 But imagine, 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:40.039 would you trust them to open the eyes of the blind? 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:41.959 You wouldn't. 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:44.519 That would be a misplaced confidence. 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:47.459 Because even with all the advances in modern medicine, 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:49.519 most forms of blindness have no cure. 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:52.740 Yet these two blind men reply in the affirmative, 00:06:52.959 --> 00:06:53.639 Yes, Lord. 00:06:54.019 --> 00:06:56.120 Yes, we believe that you can make us see. 00:06:56.879 --> 00:06:58.699 And it says in verses 29 to 30 00:06:58.699 --> 00:07:00.259 that Jesus touched their eyes and said, 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:02.279 According to your faith be it done to you. 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:03.599 And their eyes were opened. 00:07:04.339 --> 00:07:05.480 A simple touch, 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:06.800 a simple word. 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:09.480 And the two men who once were blind, 00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:10.539 now see. 00:07:11.779 --> 00:07:14.459 And that's meant to raise the question in our minds, 00:07:14.459 --> 00:07:16.360 what kind of man is this? 00:07:16.360 --> 00:07:18.960 Who is Jesus? 00:07:19.520 --> 00:07:21.199 How does he have such authority? 00:07:22.139 --> 00:07:24.639 And then we get to the last miracle story of this section. 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:27.319 As Jesus and his disciples are leaving, 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:30.900 a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:34.240 Even though it's translated here as demon-oppressed, 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:36.500 here as opposed to demon-possessed, 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:38.480 as we saw in chapter 8, verse 28, 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:41.939 the Greek word behind the two expressions are exactly the same. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:44.719 It means literally that they were demonized, 00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:48.660 meaning that they were under some kind of controlling influence of the demon. 00:07:49.219 --> 00:07:52.459 Demon has taken residence within this man. 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:57.660 In the case of the gathering demoniacs in chapter 8 that we saw, 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:00.699 the demon spoke through the man that they inhabited. 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:03.560 But in this case, the demon makes the man mute, 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.659 which shows us that the demons, 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:09.800 the different kinds of demons who have different effects on their hosts. 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:13.720 But Jesus' reaction in both cases is the same. 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:18.560 It says in verse 23 that the demon had been cast out. 00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:23.920 Matthew is not at all interested in capturing the drama 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:26.280 or the mechanics of exorcisms. 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:30.699 He doesn't give us any detail about how it went down. 00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:35.220 He simply tells us that the demon was cast out by Jesus. 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:42.340 He who has authority over demons can cast out demons. 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:44.080 It's as simple as that. 00:08:44.540 --> 00:08:45.580 And that's Matthew's point. 00:08:46.560 --> 00:08:49.320 And Matthew's point is that Jesus has that authority, 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:52.259 not only over the visible created world, 00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:54.800 the diseases, the natural disasters, and death, 00:08:54.920 --> 00:08:58.899 but also over the invisible created world, 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:01.920 the realm of spirits, angels, and demons. 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:05.659 The crowds understandably marvel in verse 33, 00:09:05.799 --> 00:09:06.240 and they say, 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:09.339 never was anything like this seen in Israel. 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:13.159 This is a remarkable statement for these Jews to make 00:09:13.159 --> 00:09:16.899 because there have been other exorcists in the history of Israel. 00:09:17.599 --> 00:09:19.539 In 1 Samuel 16, verse 23, 00:09:19.719 --> 00:09:23.120 when an evil spirit came upon King Saul and tormented him, 00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:24.779 David played the liar, 00:09:25.219 --> 00:09:26.980 and the spirit departed from him. 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:29.180 But in that situation, 00:09:29.320 --> 00:09:33.720 the evil spirit always returned time and time again to torment Saul. 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:37.800 The exorcism was not permanent in that situation. 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:42.279 But Jesus casts out demons once and for all 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:44.300 with the word of his mouth. 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:47.440 That's the difference. 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:50.860 There were also Old Testament prophets who raised the dead. 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:52.600 You might recall Elijah, 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:56.480 who raised the dead son of the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17, 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:58.980 but that was not an easy affair. 00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:00.720 It was quite an involved affair. 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:04.240 He had to earnestly cry out to God in prayer, 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:08.820 and then he had to lay himself out on top of the child three times 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:13.180 before the child began consciousness and came back to life. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:16.039 Similarly, Elijah in 2 Kings 4, 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:18.200 when he raised the Shimonite's son, 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:21.259 he also had to put his staff on the child for a bit, 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:22.060 which didn't work, 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:24.039 and then he had to come and pray earnestly 00:10:24.039 --> 00:10:27.259 and lay himself out for probably maximal physical context 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:28.919 and spiritual healing power. 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:32.120 And that had to happen multiple times 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:34.980 before the child regained life. 00:10:35.719 --> 00:10:36.399 But Jesus, 00:10:36.699 --> 00:10:39.299 when he raised the ruler's daughter in chapter 9, verse 25, 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.659 simply took her by the hand, 00:10:42.219 --> 00:10:43.599 and the girl arose. 00:10:45.079 --> 00:10:45.559 Moreover, 00:10:46.179 --> 00:10:47.899 as Todd preached on a couple weeks ago, 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:52.120 what manner of man ever claimed to forgive sins? 00:10:53.720 --> 00:10:56.860 Jesus did that to the paralytic in chapter 9, verse 2. 00:10:58.179 --> 00:11:00.819 And the Pharisees were understandably upset, 00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:02.740 and they objected to Jesus' claim, 00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:04.039 and they murmured among themselves, 00:11:04.459 --> 00:11:05.720 this man is blaspheming, 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:08.279 for who can forgive sins but God alone? 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:13.240 But Jesus claimed that unique divine authority for himself, 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:17.059 and Jesus possessed that authority in himself. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:19.620 So the crowds marveled, saying, 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:22.220 never was anything like this seen in Israel. 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:25.600 Never before was there anyone like Jesus. 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:29.919 And never again will there be someone like Jesus. 00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:32.779 Who then is this man? 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.879 How does he have such authority? 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:38.220 We're given several important hints in this passage. 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:39.240 And first, 00:11:39.419 --> 00:11:42.600 is that Jesus is addressed by the two blind men in this story, 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:43.460 in verse 27, 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:45.379 as the son of David. 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:48.320 Jesus was introduced to us with this title 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:50.100 at the very beginning of Matthew's Gospel, 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.240 chapter 1, verse 1, 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:53.620 the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:55.279 the son of David. 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:58.200 David was the great king of Israel, 00:11:58.299 --> 00:11:59.919 to whom God had made this promise, 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.860 in 2 Samuel 7, 12-14. 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:04.620 I will raise up your offspring after you, 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:06.179 who shall come from your body, 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.539 and I will establish his kingdom. 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:09.820 He shall build a house for my name, 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:12.220 and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:14.340 I will be to him a father, 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:16.639 and he shall be to me a son. 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:20.679 This prophecy was fulfilled in an immediate sense 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:21.919 by King Solomon, 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:23.560 who reigned after his father David, 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:25.039 and built the temple of the Lord. 00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:27.820 But Solomon did not fulfill this prophecy 00:12:27.820 --> 00:12:29.659 in an ultimate sense, 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:31.639 because the Davidic dynasty, 00:12:31.819 --> 00:12:32.779 along with the temple, 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:35.439 came crumbling down at the Babylonian exile. 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:37.459 But nonetheless, 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:40.579 in Jeremiah 23, verses 14-17, 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:44.199 God renewed his promise of a Davidic king, 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:44.939 the Messiah, 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:47.059 to his exiled people in Babylon. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:48.240 And he said, 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:48.759 Behold, 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:49.680 the days are coming, 00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:50.480 declares the Lord, 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:52.399 when I will fulfill the promise 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:53.899 I made to the house of Israel 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:55.039 and the house of Judah. 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:57.159 In those days and at that time, 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.500 I will cause a righteous branch 00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.519 to spring up for David, 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:01.100 and he shall execute justice 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:02.399 and righteousness in the land. 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:03.840 In those days, 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:05.019 Judah will be saved, 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:06.680 and Jerusalem will dwell securely. 00:13:07.180 --> 00:13:08.220 And this is the name 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.379 by which it will be called, 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:11.379 The Lord is our righteousness. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:13.200 For thus says the Lord, 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:15.720 David shall never lack a man 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:16.700 to sit on the throne 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:18.120 of the house of Israel. 00:13:18.800 --> 00:13:20.379 That ancient promise 00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:22.060 is finally being fulfilled 00:13:22.060 --> 00:13:23.800 in Jesus the Christ, 00:13:23.940 --> 00:13:25.920 which means the anointed one, 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.520 the prophesied king, 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.420 the messianic king. 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:29.740 And that's what it means 00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:31.640 that he is the son of David. 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:34.660 The second clue is that Jesus 00:13:34.660 --> 00:13:36.660 is also addressed by the blind men 00:13:36.660 --> 00:13:38.180 in verse 28 as Lord. 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:40.520 Skeptics of scripture 00:13:40.520 --> 00:13:41.660 are quick to point out 00:13:41.660 --> 00:13:43.120 that the word Lord 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:45.720 in Greek can simply mean sir. 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:47.019 It could simply mean 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:48.320 a polite differential term 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:49.000 in the same way 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:50.279 people in the south 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:52.379 call everybody that's every male 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:54.200 that occupies a higher social station 00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:55.060 than them sir. 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:56.940 And they explain that 00:13:56.940 --> 00:13:58.039 that's just what it means here. 00:13:58.080 --> 00:13:59.000 It just means sir. 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:02.279 However, that doesn't go deep enough 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.220 in its interpretation. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:06.060 Between Matthew chapters 1 to 6, 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:08.980 only God is ever called Lord 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:11.500 in all six of those early chapters. 00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:12.879 About 10 times. 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:14.919 The first time that that word 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:16.080 is applied to anyone 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.179 other than God 00:14:17.179 --> 00:14:18.460 is in chapter 7, 00:14:18.560 --> 00:14:19.700 verse 21 to 23. 00:14:20.060 --> 00:14:21.320 When Jesus says, 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:22.899 not everyone who says to me, 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:23.759 Lord, Lord, 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:25.460 will enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:27.480 But the one who does the will 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:28.759 of my father who is in heaven. 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:29.899 On that day, 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:30.799 many will say to me, 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:31.419 Lord, Lord, 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.980 did we not prophesy in your name 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:34.440 and cast out demons in your name 00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:35.460 and do many mighty works 00:14:35.460 --> 00:14:35.960 in your name 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:37.340 and then I will declare to them, 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:39.280 I never knew you. 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.519 Depart from me, 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:41.899 you workers of lawlessness. 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:44.120 So the first time 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:44.820 that this title, 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:45.080 Lord, 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:45.960 is applied to anyone 00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:46.720 other than God, 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.460 first time that Jesus 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.399 applies this title 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:49.980 to himself, 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:51.519 he claims to be 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:53.300 the cosmic end time 00:14:53.300 --> 00:14:54.519 judge and ruler 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:55.500 of the universe. 00:14:56.660 --> 00:14:57.820 So once again, 00:14:58.360 --> 00:15:00.420 appropriating divine prerogatives 00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:01.220 for himself 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:02.139 as he has done 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:03.000 throughout the gospel. 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:04.960 This is intentional. 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:07.159 In Matthew chapter 3, 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:07.879 verse 3, 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:10.779 Matthew quotes Isaiah 40, 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.419 verse 3, 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.519 and says that 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:13.240 John the Baptist 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:13.799 is the one 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:15.559 who fulfills the prophecy 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:17.340 that someone would come 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:18.019 who would prepare 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.440 the way of the Lord. 00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:21.139 In the original context 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:21.659 of Isaiah, 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:22.759 that Lord is 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.960 Lord in all caps. 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:25.019 It's Yahweh. 00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:26.360 It's referring to God. 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:27.919 And yet, 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:28.700 when you read on 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:29.840 in Matthew chapter 3, 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:31.039 he tells us that 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:31.820 John the Baptist 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:32.940 is preparing the way 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:33.960 for Jesus. 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:35.500 So again, 00:15:35.680 --> 00:15:37.060 Jesus is being equated 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:39.100 to claiming 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:40.500 divine lordship. 00:15:42.560 --> 00:15:44.440 Because Jesus is God. 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:46.240 Because as he was, 00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:46.940 as God the Father 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:48.020 declared at his baptism 00:15:48.020 --> 00:15:48.880 in Matthew chapter 3, 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.880 he is the beloved 00:15:49.880 --> 00:15:51.000 son of God. 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:52.940 He raises the dead 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.960 and casts out demons 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:55.040 and forgives sin 00:15:55.040 --> 00:15:55.960 with the word of his mouth 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:57.660 because he is God. 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.320 It's no coincidence 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:01.880 that the last two miracles 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:02.879 of this section 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:04.740 are of Jesus 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:05.879 opening the eyes 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:06.460 of the blind 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:08.480 and opening the mouth 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.279 of the mute 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.939 because those two 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:12.399 are signature miracles 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:15.379 that only God can do 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:17.659 and are characterized 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.700 and are associated 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:20.259 with the messianic age. 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:22.080 In Exodus 4, 11, 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.120 God says, 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:25.279 who has made man's mouth? 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:27.120 Who makes him mute 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:27.720 or deaf 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:28.360 or seeing 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.060 or blind? 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.480 Is it not I, 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:31.019 the Lord? 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.519 These are divine prerogatives 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.620 that Jesus has assumed 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.220 for himself. 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:36.580 As we read also 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.600 from our call to worship 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.720 in Isaiah 35, 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:40.340 he prophesied of a day 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:41.060 when God himself 00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:41.519 would come 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.519 and save his people. 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:43.840 And on that day, 00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:44.139 he said, 00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:45.360 the eyes of the blind 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.039 shall be opened 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.720 and the ears 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:48.039 of the deaf unstopped. 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:49.460 Then shall the lame man 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.360 leap like a deer 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:50.879 and the tongue 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.320 of the mute 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:52.300 sing for joy. 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:54.100 This is why 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:56.399 these are the signs 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:58.800 and these are the representations 00:16:58.800 --> 00:17:00.460 of the messianic age 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:01.139 and that's why 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:01.960 Matthew mentions 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:03.759 and singles these miracles out 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:04.940 of a sea of miracles 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.779 that he could have used. 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:06.940 He's saying 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:08.079 the Messiah is here. 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.599 Jesus is God 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.200 in the flesh. 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.420 But there is still 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:13.279 one more way 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.599 that Jesus is unlike 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:15.900 any other ruler 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.740 or deliverer 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.740 that has ever lived. 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.460 I noted earlier 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.339 that Jesus does not 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.599 heal the two blind men 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.139 in public. 00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:23.959 He waits for a more 00:17:23.959 --> 00:17:24.779 private setting. 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.779 In verses 30 to 31, 00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:27.659 we see why 00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:28.500 Jesus waited 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:30.359 until he was inside 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:30.839 the house. 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:31.879 He says, 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.839 Jesus sternly warned them, 00:17:34.439 --> 00:17:35.779 see that no one 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:36.939 knows about it. 00:17:38.459 --> 00:17:39.879 Jesus is not telling them 00:17:39.879 --> 00:17:41.139 to keep the fact 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:42.019 that they were healed 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:43.299 of their blindness secret. 00:17:43.679 --> 00:17:44.720 If you think about that 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.339 for one minute, 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:45.959 you realize that 00:17:45.959 --> 00:17:46.539 that would be 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:47.939 an impossible request. 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.959 How do two blind men 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.920 who used to not 00:17:50.920 --> 00:17:51.539 be able to see 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.680 but now can see 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:53.600 hide that fact 00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:54.660 from anyone around them? 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.819 That's impossible 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:56.440 to hide 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:59.460 unless they pretend 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.019 that they're blind 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:00.900 for the rest of their lives. 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.579 That's not what 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.620 Jesus is talking about. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.799 He's telling them 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:06.400 to hide, 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.759 keep his identity 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.460 concealed. 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:10.420 They know who he is, 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:11.799 the son of David, 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:12.779 the Christ, 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.720 the Messiah, 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.340 the Lord, 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:16.079 and he's telling them 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:17.439 to not make that known. 00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:20.079 The common standard Bible, 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.599 the Christian standard Bible, 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:23.339 CSB translates it this way. 00:18:25.939 --> 00:18:27.740 Instead of saying nothing 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.259 to anyone, 00:18:29.419 --> 00:18:29.859 it says, 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:32.419 make sure no one finds out. 00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:34.399 He doesn't want them 00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:36.500 to find out who he is. 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:38.199 That's why in verse 31, 00:18:38.439 --> 00:18:39.779 when they don't listen to him 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:40.919 and they go out 00:18:40.919 --> 00:18:41.480 and telling people 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:41.980 what happened, 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:43.179 it says that they went away 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:45.259 and spread his fame 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:47.160 through all that district. 00:18:47.360 --> 00:18:48.220 That's what Jesus 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:49.060 was concerned about. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:51.160 His identity being revealed, 00:18:51.340 --> 00:18:52.799 his fame spreading 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:53.740 among the crowds. 00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:56.840 This secrecy, 00:18:57.060 --> 00:18:59.160 it fits the pattern 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.080 of Jesus' ministry. 00:19:00.860 --> 00:19:01.880 Earlier in chapter 9, 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.480 verse 25, 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.640 when Jesus was raising 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:04.759 the ruler's daughter 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.320 from the dead, 00:19:05.580 --> 00:19:06.640 he first made sure 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.320 that the crowd 00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:08.500 had been put outside 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.019 of the house 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:10.480 before he did the miracle. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.680 Later in 12, 16, 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:13.940 after healing 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:16.060 many of those 00:19:16.060 --> 00:19:16.900 who followed Jesus, 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.259 he ordered them 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.820 not to make him known. 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:22.759 In Matthew 16, 19-21, 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.680 after Peter confesses 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.660 that Jesus is the Christ, 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.220 the Messiah, 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:28.320 Jesus tells his disciples, 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:30.180 tell no one, 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.940 he strictly charges 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:33.380 the disciples 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:34.460 to tell no one 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:36.220 that he is the Christ. 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.539 And then finally 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:39.060 in chapter 17, verse 9, 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:40.759 after temporarily revealing 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:42.079 his divine glory 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:43.240 at the transfiguration, 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.940 Jesus tells his disciples, 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:46.599 tell no one the vision 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:48.180 until the Son of Man 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.440 is raised from the dead. 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:52.099 But why does Jesus 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:53.099 hide the fact 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:54.279 that he is the Messiah, 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.019 the Christ? 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:57.200 Why does he not reveal 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.619 his full glory and power 00:19:58.619 --> 00:19:59.400 to everyone 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.400 for all to see? 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:02.259 Because Jesus 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.640 is not interested 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:04.759 in stirring up 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:06.279 people's misguided 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.379 zeal, 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.579 messianic fervor. 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:10.579 He is not interested 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:12.319 in instigating 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.119 a revolution 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:14.579 and overthrowing Caesar. 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.919 His goal wasn't 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:17.639 to amass 00:20:17.639 --> 00:20:19.039 as many supporters 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.579 and followers 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:20.199 as he could 00:20:20.199 --> 00:20:21.639 because he wasn't 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.480 trying to consolidate 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.519 influence and power 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.319 to make himself 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:25.079 untouchable, 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:25.639 which is what 00:20:25.639 --> 00:20:26.339 earthly rulers 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:27.039 tried to do. 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.059 Instead, 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.000 Jesus knew 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.299 that his destiny 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.799 was to suffer 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:33.139 and die 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:34.319 on the cross 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.439 for the sins 00:20:35.439 --> 00:20:35.919 of many 00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:37.159 as the sacrificial 00:20:37.159 --> 00:20:38.299 Lamb of God. 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:41.159 Jesus could have 00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:42.220 overthrown Caesar 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.960 if he wanted to. 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.179 Could the man 00:20:45.179 --> 00:20:45.639 who opened 00:20:45.639 --> 00:20:46.199 the eyes 00:20:46.199 --> 00:20:47.039 of the blind 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.939 instead 00:20:47.939 --> 00:20:49.819 strike people blind? 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:51.220 Of course he could. 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.079 Could the man 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:53.419 who 00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:55.399 stopped 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:56.240 and calmed 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.319 a furious storm 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:57.779 with the word 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.339 of his mouth 00:20:58.339 --> 00:21:00.299 make a storm 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.839 erupt 00:21:00.839 --> 00:21:01.899 to overtake 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:02.919 the strongholds 00:21:02.919 --> 00:21:03.419 of his enemies? 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:04.859 Of course he could 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.240 do that. 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.359 Could the man 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:08.319 who raised 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:08.859 someone from 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:09.339 the dead 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:10.459 also strike 00:21:10.459 --> 00:21:11.099 someone dead? 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:12.879 He is the Lord 00:21:12.879 --> 00:21:13.359 of life 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.139 and of all creation. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:14.839 Of course he could 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.199 do that. 00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:17.679 In Matthew 26, 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.219 53, 00:21:18.939 --> 00:21:19.599 Jesus tells 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.179 his disciples 00:21:20.179 --> 00:21:21.039 explicitly that 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.079 if he wanted to, 00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:22.899 he could appeal 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:23.599 to his heavenly 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:24.500 father and he would 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.519 at once send 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.719 more than 12 00:21:26.719 --> 00:21:27.959 legions of angels 00:21:27.959 --> 00:21:29.159 to protect him 00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:30.000 and fight for him. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:32.519 But why 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.240 doesn't Jesus 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:33.759 do that? 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:36.059 The Pharisees 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.359 here 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:37.339 detract from 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:37.640 Jesus 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.339 and slander 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:38.700 Jesus 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:39.519 in verse 34. 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.539 He casts 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:41.019 out demons 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.720 by the prince 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.200 of demons. 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:44.019 But Jesus 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:44.900 does nothing 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.660 to retaliate. 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:46.759 He doesn't 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.259 even defend 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.099 himself against 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:49.880 their false 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.279 argument 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.019 until later 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.839 in chapter 12. 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.079 Jesus 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:54.039 minds his own 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:54.380 business 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:54.980 and continues 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:55.599 to proclaim 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.240 the good news 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:56.720 of the kingdom 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.220 of God 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.240 because that 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.740 is what he 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.359 came to do. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:01.240 Jesus is a man 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.000 like no other 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.400 and he saves 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.180 us in a manner 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.220 like no other. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.119 Jesus 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:07.759 state his 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.460 mission very 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:08.920 clearly 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:10.279 two passages 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:11.279 ago that Todd 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:11.740 preached on 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.339 in chapter 9 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:13.339 verse 12 to 13. 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:16.240 Those who are 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:17.180 well have no 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.059 need of a physician 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.259 but those 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:19.940 who are sick 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:21.440 go and learn 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.180 what this means. 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.339 I desire mercy 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:24.480 and not sacrifice 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.839 for I came 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.599 not to call 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:27.099 the righteous 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:28.180 but sinners. 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:29.759 the two 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.440 blind men 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:30.940 said to 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.180 Jesus 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:32.019 in verse 27 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.920 have mercy 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.519 on us 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.180 son of David 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:35.299 and that's 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.080 exactly what 00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:36.900 Jesus did. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.240 If that is 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.100 who Jesus 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:40.620 is 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:41.680 and what 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.460 he came 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:42.980 to do 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.700 then how 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.120 should we 00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:45.600 respond? 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.000 What must 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.680 we do? 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:51.420 unless I 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.019 missed something 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.600 I don't 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:53.060 think anyone 00:22:53.060 --> 00:22:53.460 here is 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:53.759 physically 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.160 blind 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:57.000 but even 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.320 if you 00:22:57.320 --> 00:22:57.539 and I 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:57.799 are not 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.140 physically 00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:58.580 blind 00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:59.160 all of 00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.440 us 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.140 are 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:00.680 spiritually 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.100 blind 00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:01.440 by 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.039 default 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:04.299 later in 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.180 chapters 15 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:06.140 and 23 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.779 Jesus 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.440 repeatedly 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.100 rebukes 00:23:08.100 --> 00:23:08.660 the Jewish 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.140 leaders 00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:09.640 of his 00:23:09.640 --> 00:23:09.880 day 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.440 for being 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.120 spiritually 00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:11.759 blind 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:13.640 he says 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:13.960 in Matthew 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.379 15 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:14.740 14 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.180 let them 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.480 alone 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:15.779 they are 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.259 blind 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:16.819 guides 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:17.180 and if 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.799 the blind 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.339 lead 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:18.960 the blind 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.500 both will 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.079 fall into 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:21.460 a pit 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:23.079 that is 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:23.879 the unfortunate 00:23:23.879 --> 00:23:24.519 condition 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.579 of every 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:25.960 man 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.799 and every 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.200 woman 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.559 apart from 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:28.839 Jesus 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.319 Christ 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:31.059 2nd Corinthians 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.480 4 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.119 4 says 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:32.419 that the 00:23:32.419 --> 00:23:32.799 God of 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:32.959 this 00:23:32.959 --> 00:23:33.219 world 00:23:33.219 --> 00:23:33.500 namely 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:33.979 Satan 00:23:33.979 --> 00:23:34.479 the prince 00:23:34.479 --> 00:23:35.000 of demons 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:36.139 the sinful 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:36.479 world 00:23:36.479 --> 00:23:37.339 has blinded 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:37.839 the minds 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.179 of the 00:23:38.179 --> 00:23:38.719 unbelievers 00:23:38.719 --> 00:23:39.179 to keep 00:23:39.179 --> 00:23:39.619 them from 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.179 seeing the 00:23:40.179 --> 00:23:40.659 light of 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.119 the gospel 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.459 of the 00:23:41.459 --> 00:23:41.839 glory of 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.159 Christ 00:23:42.159 --> 00:23:42.899 who is 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.399 the image 00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:43.819 of God 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:45.399 not all 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:45.619 of us 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:45.779 have 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.079 blindness 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:46.419 of the 00:23:46.419 --> 00:23:46.619 eyes 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.000 but all 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.259 of us 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:47.859 do have 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.579 by default 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.139 apart from 00:23:49.139 --> 00:23:49.539 Christ 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.059 blindness 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.419 of the 00:23:50.419 --> 00:23:50.739 mind 00:23:50.739 --> 00:23:52.219 so what 00:23:52.219 --> 00:23:52.739 then must 00:23:52.739 --> 00:23:53.159 we do 00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:54.479 we must 00:23:54.479 --> 00:23:54.919 take our 00:23:54.919 --> 00:23:55.379 cue from 00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:55.679 the two 00:23:55.679 --> 00:23:56.000 blind 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.299 men 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.019 who cry 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.379 out to 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:57.639 Jesus 00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:58.259 for mercy 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.339 have 00:23:59.339 --> 00:23:59.839 mercy 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:00.319 on us 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:00.659 son of 00:24:00.659 --> 00:24:00.979 David 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:02.860 mercy 00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:03.500 is not 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:04.140 a wage 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:04.559 or an 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:04.980 award 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.339 that we 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.680 earn 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.960 it's 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.259 rather 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.900 a pardon 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.759 for guilty 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.180 sinners 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.140 it's 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:10.960 favor 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.539 for the 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.299 undeserving 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.599 we 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:14.160 cannot 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:15.140 attain 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.839 spiritual 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.319 sight 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.860 or some 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.259 kind 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:17.400 of 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:17.759 spiritual 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.360 enlightenment 00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:19.700 by meditating 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.299 for long 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:20.680 enough 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.920 or piling 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.559 up enough 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:22.940 merit 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.360 or good 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:23.799 deeds 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:25.240 no 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:25.680 spiritual 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:26.220 sight 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.240 is given 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.980 as a 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.360 gift 00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:29.440 by Jesus 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.120 to those 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:30.299 who 00:24:30.299 --> 00:24:30.779 humble 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.379 themselves 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:32.160 those 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.299 who 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:32.819 admit 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.139 that 00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:33.299 they 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:33.460 are 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:33.819 sinners 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.099 and 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:34.779 acknowledge 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.160 their 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.680 need 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.139 for 00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:36.759 mercy 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:38.519 that's 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:38.700 why 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:38.940 if 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.559 you're 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:39.920 that 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:40.339 person 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:40.660 that 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:42.559 that 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:42.819 God 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.379 spoke 00:24:43.379 --> 00:24:43.660 to 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:43.960 through 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.359 Lauren's 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:44.799 prophecy 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.180 earlier 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:45.500 and you 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:45.779 feel 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.079 that 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.379 your 00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:46.759 sins 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:46.920 are 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.180 too 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:47.619 great 00:24:47.619 --> 00:24:48.700 that 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:48.839 you 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.139 cannot 00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:49.759 possibly 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.099 be 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.440 saved 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:50.660 or you 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:50.879 cannot 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:51.500 possibly 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:51.779 be 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.220 loved 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.579 actually 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:53.940 you are 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.359 exactly 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:54.759 the kind 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.139 of person 00:24:55.139 --> 00:24:55.500 who can 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:55.899 receive 00:24:55.899 --> 00:24:56.299 the mercy 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:56.639 of God 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:56.879 because 00:24:56.879 --> 00:24:57.079 you're 00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:57.460 humbling 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:57.779 yourself 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:57.960 and 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.519 acknowledging 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.240 your need 00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.859 for mercy 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:01.079 because mercy 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:01.659 is not 00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:02.099 merit 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:02.879 it is 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.479 given to 00:25:03.479 --> 00:25:04.279 the undeserving 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:05.299 it is 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.079 pardoned for 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.179 guilty 00:25:07.179 --> 00:25:07.719 sinners 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:12.200 the biblical 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.799 term for 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.039 this 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.480 humbling 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:13.640 of 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.079 yourself 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.400 to 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:14.720 receive 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.039 God's 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.319 mercy 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.680 is 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.240 faith 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.160 believing 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:17.360 in 00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:17.700 Jesus 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.880 Jesus 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.259 asked 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.380 in 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:19.519 verse 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:19.980 28 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.380 do 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:20.500 you 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:20.940 believe 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:21.319 that 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:21.460 I 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:21.579 am 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:21.779 able 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:21.940 to 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.059 do 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.380 this 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:23.319 and 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:23.480 it's 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:23.720 only 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.000 when 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.140 the 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:24.400 blind 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:24.539 men 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:24.940 reply 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:25.319 yes 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:25.700 Lord 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:27.120 Jesus 00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:27.440 says 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:27.860 according 00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:28.240 to 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.440 your 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.000 faith 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.319 let 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.440 it 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:29.579 be 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:29.860 done 00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.120 to 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.400 you 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.600 faith 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:31.960 as 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.100 a 00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:32.759 prerequisite 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.039 for 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.539 healing 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:33.799 is 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.259 attested 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:34.460 in 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:34.759 numerous 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.120 places 00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:35.299 in 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:35.559 scripture 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.740 later 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:36.919 in 00:25:36.919 --> 00:25:37.179 chapter 00:25:37.179 --> 00:25:38.000 13 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.339 of 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:38.659 Matthew 00:25:38.659 --> 00:25:38.879 it 00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:39.059 says 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.240 that 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.500 Jesus 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.059 did 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.339 not 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:40.599 do 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:40.919 many 00:25:40.919 --> 00:25:41.299 mighty 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.740 works 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.259 in 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.480 that 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:42.960 place 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.740 because 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.179 of 00:25:44.179 --> 00:25:44.539 their 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.759 unbelief 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:47.599 faith 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:48.639 precedes 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:49.220 these 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.480 mighty 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:49.919 works 00:25:49.919 --> 00:25:50.500 works 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:50.679 of 00:25:50.679 --> 00:25:51.000 healing 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.859 we 00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:52.240 often 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.619 want 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:52.899 God 00:25:52.899 --> 00:25:53.059 to 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.259 work 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.419 on 00:25:53.419 --> 00:25:53.700 our 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:54.119 terms 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:55.079 but 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.240 the 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.599 proper 00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:56.460 posture 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:56.720 is 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:56.879 to 00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:57.299 surrender 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:57.539 to 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:57.819 God 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.159 and 00:25:58.159 --> 00:25:58.559 submit 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:58.960 ourselves 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.159 to 00:25:59.159 --> 00:25:59.399 him 00:25:59.399 --> 00:25:59.960 and 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.339 work 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:00.539 and 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:00.759 live 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.099 according 00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:01.319 to 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:01.679 his 00:26:01.679 --> 00:26:02.079 terms 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:03.220 belief 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.039 precedes 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.399 healing 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:05.519 and 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:05.700 just 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:05.900 as 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:06.220 faith 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:06.440 is 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:06.560 a 00:26:06.560 --> 00:26:07.000 prerequisite 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.259 for 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.440 the 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:07.840 healing 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.220 of 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.560 physical 00:26:08.560 --> 00:26:08.960 blindness 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.720 so 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:09.940 it 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.160 is 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:10.320 a 00:26:10.320 --> 00:26:10.860 prerequisite 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.380 for 00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:11.680 the 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.000 healing 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.280 of 00:26:12.280 --> 00:26:12.780 spiritual 00:26:12.780 --> 00:26:13.259 blindness 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:15.320 non-Christians 00:26:15.320 --> 00:26:16.019 often say 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.460 I will 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.759 believe 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:16.940 in 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.259 Jesus 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.180 when 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:18.300 I 00:26:18.300 --> 00:26:18.480 can 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:18.960 see 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.680 the 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.019 spiritual 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.560 realities 00:26:20.560 --> 00:26:20.780 that 00:26:20.780 --> 00:26:20.920 you 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.220 speak 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:21.460 of 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.640 it's 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:22.800 the 00:26:22.800 --> 00:26:23.500 materialist 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.120 objection 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:25.040 I 00:26:25.040 --> 00:26:25.160 will 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.400 only 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:25.780 believe 00:26:25.780 --> 00:26:25.960 what 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.060 I 00:26:26.060 --> 00:26:26.200 can 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.620 see 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:26.860 with 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.040 my 00:26:27.040 --> 00:26:27.400 physical 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:27.820 eyes 00:26:27.820 --> 00:26:28.640 however 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:28.880 the 00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:29.200 spiritual 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:29.700 reality 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:29.920 is 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:30.360 precisely 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:30.640 the 00:26:30.640 --> 00:26:31.000 opposite 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.840 we 00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:32.080 must 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:32.400 first 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.100 believe 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:34.139 in order 00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:34.480 to 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:34.819 see 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.980 the 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.240 blind 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.439 men 00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:36.919 believe 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.299 Jesus 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:37.839 first 00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:38.619 then 00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:38.839 they 00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:39.000 are 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.259 healed 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.399 in 00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:39.819 accordance 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.099 with 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.259 their 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.579 faith 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:42.119 Augustine 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:42.319 a 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:42.599 fourth 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:42.959 century 00:26:42.959 --> 00:26:43.519 theologian 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:43.679 and 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00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.140 11th 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:55.400 century 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:55.720 Christian 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.079 pastor 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.359 puts 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:56.480 it 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:56.839 similarly 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:57.640 let 00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:57.779 me 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.220 seek 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:58.440 you 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:58.640 he's 00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:58.900 talking 00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.079 to 00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.299 God 00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.579 praying 00:26:59.579 --> 00:26:59.720 to 00:26:59.720 --> 00:26:59.859 God 00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.059 let 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:00.200 me 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:00.579 seek 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:00.799 you 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.059 in 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.460 desiring 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:01.720 you 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.359 let 00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:02.480 me 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:02.900 desire 00:27:02.900 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00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:39.899 go 00:27:39.899 --> 00:27:40.740 I 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:40.960 keep 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.159 my 00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:41.539 hand 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:41.759 under 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.079 you 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.299 and 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:42.700 you 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.079 will 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.579 float 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.619 everyone 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.119 floats 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.500 the 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:46.779 water 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.019 will 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.339 hold 00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:47.619 you 00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:49.139 she 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:50.279 it 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:50.460 took 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:50.619 her 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:50.799 maybe 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.039 two 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.339 years 00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:51.519 to 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:51.819 believe 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.119 me 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:52.920 and 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.339 she 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:53.519 is 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:53.899 finally 00:27:53.899 --> 00:27:54.420 starting 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:54.619 to 00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:54.799 let 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.139 herself 00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:55.500 go 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:58.559 no 00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:58.720 matter 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:58.879 how 00:27:58.879 --> 00:27:59.019 many 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.180 times 00:27:59.180 --> 00:27:59.299 I 00:27:59.299 --> 00:27:59.599 tell 00:27:59.599 --> 00:27:59.759 her 00:27:59.759 --> 00:27:59.920 that 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.139 that's 00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:00.259 the 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:00.619 case 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.359 it's 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:01.599 not 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.000 until 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.240 she 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.720 actually 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.079 lets 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.559 go 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.659 that 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00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:18.899 do 00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:19.119 not 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:19.519 see 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.179 and 00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:20.319 you 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.500 will 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:20.899 see 00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:21.539 what 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:21.659 you 00:28:21.659 --> 00:28:22.019 believe 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:23.460 do 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:23.460 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:23.460 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:23.460 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:23.579 you 00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:23.920 believe 00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:24.160 that 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:24.400 Jesus 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:24.619 is 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:24.920 Lord 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:26.259 do 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.379 you 00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:26.759 believe 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.000 that 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.160 he 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:27.420 is 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:27.579 the 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:27.740 son 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:27.859 of 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.180 God 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:29.279 do 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.400 you 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:29.759 believe 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:29.980 that 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.240 Jesus 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:30.500 is 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:30.680 able 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:30.859 to 00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.160 save 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:31.379 you 00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:32.279 do 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:32.400 you 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:32.680 believe 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:32.879 that 00:28:32.879 --> 00:28:33.139 Jesus 00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:33.639 died 00:28:33.639 --> 00:28:33.900 on the 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.200 cross 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:34.379 for 00:28:34.379 --> 00:28:34.559 your 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:34.920 sins 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:35.279 and 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.460 was 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:35.859 raised 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.099 from 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.259 the 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.500 dead 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:36.639 on 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:36.779 the 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:36.980 third 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.279 day 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.599 all 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:38.960 those 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.119 who 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:39.399 say 00:28:39.399 --> 00:28:39.859 yes 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.180 to 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.339 that 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:40.839 question 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.859 can 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.440 sing 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.119 and 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:44.859 testify 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.839 unreservedly 00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:46.200 what we 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.799 sang earlier 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:47.319 this morning 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.359 amazing 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:48.899 grace 00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.799 how sweet 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:50.440 the sound 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:51.359 that saved 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:51.899 a wretch 00:28:51.899 --> 00:28:52.700 like me 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:54.119 I once 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:55.039 was lost 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:56.259 but now 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.039 I'm found 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.460 I was 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.059 blind 00:28:59.059 --> 00:29:00.240 but now 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.399 I see 00:29:01.399 --> 00:29:03.079 let's pray 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.460 together 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:11.759 yes 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.079 father 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:12.559 that is 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:12.940 a true 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.360 statement 00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:16.120 we were 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:16.600 all once 00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:16.960 blind 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:20.759 but in 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.000 your 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.680 mercy 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:23.579 you have 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:23.980 opened 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.840 our eyes 00:29:24.840 --> 00:29:25.319 to see 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:27.200 your truth 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.740 your love 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:30.240 your salvation 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:32.400 and God 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:32.720 for that 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.220 you deserve 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.539 all the 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:33.839 glory 00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:36.759 make us 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:36.940 Lord 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.440 glad 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:37.860 recipients 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.220 of your 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.539 mercy 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:41.120 and if 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:41.319 there's 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:41.620 anyone 00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:42.000 here 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.480 who has 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:42.980 not yet 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.500 surrendered 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:43.960 to that 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.360 mercy 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:46.120 help 00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:46.400 them 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:48.120 open 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:48.360 their 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:48.660 blind 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.059 eyes 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:50.700 help 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:50.880 them 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.259 to let 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:51.640 go 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:53.480 entrust 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:53.980 themselves 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.579 to 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.019 Jesus 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:55.500 Christ 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:57.740 our 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.100 Lord 00:29:58.100 --> 00:29:58.880 our 00:29:58.880 --> 00:29:59.140 only 00:29:59.140 --> 00:29:59.500 Savior 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:01.279 in 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.480 his 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:01.819 precious 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.160 name 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.880 we 00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:03.160 pray 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:04.120 amen 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:04.200 amen 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:04.220 amen 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:05.380 ! 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.380 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:35.360 Thank you.