WEBVTT 00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:07.080 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:07.080 --> 00:00:13.679 and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:13.740 --> 00:00:19.400 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:19.699 --> 00:00:23.260 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:28.260 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good. 00:00:28.260 --> 00:00:31.820 They don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:31.900 --> 00:00:37.140 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word, 00:00:37.240 --> 00:00:39.560 because we believe God has something to say to everyone. 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:43.260 He has something to say to people who've been Christians their entire lives. 00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:47.640 He has something to say to people who've been Christians for a very short amount of time. 00:00:48.120 --> 00:00:51.719 And He has something to say to people who would not consider themselves Christians, 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:56.219 people who have objections or doubts or questions about Christianity. 00:00:56.219 --> 00:01:00.500 And so that's why we open it up every week and read and learn together. 00:01:00.879 --> 00:01:03.500 We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark, 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:09.939 and you'll remember that the Gospels tell us the story of Jesus and His life and His death and His resurrection. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:13.859 And we come this morning to an interesting and rich passage, 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:19.719 which in some ways takes us away from Jesus and returns us to the story of John the Baptist, 00:01:20.299 --> 00:01:23.379 which we left off much earlier in the Gospel. 00:01:23.379 --> 00:01:27.679 Now, because this is a rich passage, there's many different directions that we could take it in. 00:01:27.819 --> 00:01:31.159 We could talk about the relationship of Christians to the government. 00:01:31.599 --> 00:01:38.659 I could talk about the dangers of the type of party that Herod throws in this passage. 00:01:39.099 --> 00:01:42.060 Thankfully, though, we're not left to wander or fumble around, 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:45.919 because we have our two questions that arise from within the text that are going to guide us. 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:48.419 And so we're going to continue to focus on those. 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:50.419 First of all, who is Jesus? 00:01:50.679 --> 00:01:53.000 And second, how do we respond to Him? 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:58.500 And really what we're looking at this morning is two different pictures of a response to Jesus. 00:01:58.659 --> 00:02:01.980 And so it's our second question that we're going to focus on. 00:02:02.099 --> 00:02:06.540 As we've seen before, this question is something that comes from within the text. 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:11.340 And so at the very beginning, verses 14 through 16, we're going to see this is on the minds of these people. 00:02:11.819 --> 00:02:14.180 They want to know who Jesus is. 00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:16.659 They're asking about it. 00:02:17.400 --> 00:02:21.979 We're also going to continue to see something that I've been warning you guys about as we go through this gospel, 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:27.019 which is that as we proceed, it's been pointed out that the middle ground disappears. 00:02:27.020 --> 00:02:32.920 In other words, at the beginning, we see those who are following Jesus, those who are opposed to Jesus, 00:02:32.920 --> 00:02:34.620 and then we have these onlookers. 00:02:35.660 --> 00:02:42.960 The onlookers disappear as we go on in the book of Mark to make the point that at the end of the day, there are only two groups. 00:02:43.480 --> 00:02:47.340 Either we follow Jesus or we reject Him. 00:02:47.340 --> 00:02:54.000 It's those two pictures, those two responses that we're going to see in this story about Herod and the John the Baptist. 00:02:54.140 --> 00:02:58.780 And I'll say one more thing, which is that we're asking this question about how we respond to Jesus. 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:03.159 Technically, Herod is responding not to Jesus, but to John the Baptist. 00:03:03.740 --> 00:03:09.240 But John the Baptist is preaching the message of repentance to prepare the way for Jesus. 00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:12.599 And so we're going to continue to ask that question. 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:18.680 This passage, these two pictures, one of Herod, one of John, the perplexing thing is this. 00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:26.500 If Herod is afraid of John the Baptist, if he knows that he's a holy man, which verse 20 tells us he does, 00:03:27.259 --> 00:03:29.740 why doesn't he save him? 00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:36.699 Why is it that we make the foolish and stupid decisions that we do? 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:40.319 Why is it that Herod makes a foolish and stupid decision? 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:45.159 We're told, in fact, verse 26, that the king was exceedingly sorry. 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:48.579 He hates it and he still does it. 00:03:49.099 --> 00:03:49.400 Why? 00:03:50.959 --> 00:03:53.319 It's with that we're going to turn now to our passage. 00:03:53.519 --> 00:03:55.959 I invite you to turn there with me in Mark chapter 6. 00:03:56.039 --> 00:03:58.340 You can find it in your worship guide on page 6. 00:03:58.459 --> 00:04:00.019 You can turn in your Bible. 00:04:00.139 --> 00:04:01.340 You can turn on your phone. 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:04.599 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:09.099 And God tells us that his word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, 00:04:09.180 --> 00:04:13.500 which means that God has not left us to stumble alone in the dark, 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:17.079 but instead he's given us his word to show us the way to go. 00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:21.360 And so that's why we read now Mark chapter 6, starting at verse 14. 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:47.879 Verse 17. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:54.219 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, 00:04:54.659 --> 00:04:57.639 his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:00.000 For John had been saying to Herod, 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:02.620 It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. 00:05:03.300 --> 00:05:07.740 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. 00:05:08.159 --> 00:05:11.000 But she could not, for Herod feared John, 00:05:11.500 --> 00:05:14.899 knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. 00:05:14.899 --> 00:05:20.259 When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. 00:05:21.239 --> 00:05:21.859 Verse 21. 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:28.520 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders 00:05:28.520 --> 00:05:30.139 and the leading men of Galilee. 00:05:30.660 --> 00:05:35.840 For when Herodias' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:37.819 And the king said to the girl, 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:41.319 Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you. 00:05:41.860 --> 00:05:43.000 And he vowed to her, 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:46.439 Whatever you ask, I will give you up to half of my kingdom. 00:05:47.080 --> 00:05:48.920 And she went out and said to her mother, 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:50.379 For what should I ask? 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:51.839 And she said, 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:54.620 The head of John the Baptist. 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:56.000 Verse 25. 00:05:57.040 --> 00:06:00.079 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:05.159 I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:07.920 And the king was exceedingly sorry, 00:06:08.279 --> 00:06:10.759 but because of his oaths and his guests, 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:13.659 he did not want to break his word to her. 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:18.939 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:24.699 He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:26.579 and the girl gave it to her mother. 00:06:27.379 --> 00:06:32.600 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. 00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:37.420 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:45.560 Our Father in heaven, we thank you and we praise you that you are a good and loving Father. 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:49.819 And so you instruct us day by day, week by week in your word. 00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:55.460 We ask for your help because we need it, that you would honor your promise in Isaiah 55, 00:06:55.740 --> 00:07:00.840 that your word will not return to you empty, but it will accomplish the purpose for which you sent it. 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:05.239 We ask that it would accomplish your purpose in our lives, that you would change us, 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:08.759 that you would encourage us, you challenge us. 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:12.819 More than that, you would show us Jesus and his beauty and his glory, 00:07:12.919 --> 00:07:18.659 that our affection and our love, our reverence and our all for him would grow and grow. 00:07:19.979 --> 00:07:25.559 We thank you that we don't have to ask these things afraid of whether we've earned them or deserved them. 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:30.959 We know that we haven't, and so we ask them in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:40.840 I had a conversation recently with the woman who designed our new church logo, 00:07:40.840 --> 00:07:44.660 and she shared with me that she had just celebrated her son's birthday. 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:46.939 I think her son is seven or eight. 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:52.319 And for his birthday, they gave to him the great Lego pirate ship. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:59.699 Now, this reminded me of when I was that age, long ago, back in the 90s. 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:04.019 As a kid, I desperately wanted the Lego pirate ship. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:08.579 We would get these Lego catalogs in the mail, and we would pour through them, 00:08:08.939 --> 00:08:11.839 dreaming about all the Lego sets that we couldn't afford. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:14.939 And I can still remember exactly how much it cost. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:19.120 In the 1990s, the Lego pirate ship cost $50. 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:23.139 I checked. It's $100 today. 00:08:23.660 --> 00:08:25.860 So that's inflation for you. 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:34.620 Now, some of you know that I was raised by two parents who met and married in a graduate program for economics, 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:38.200 which is to say that we talked about money a lot growing up. 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:41.960 And we got, at that time, $2 a week in allowance. 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:45.560 We had to split it up between different envelopes and bins, 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:48.099 so we had to put aside 10% for tithe. 00:08:48.859 --> 00:08:53.039 Then we had to put aside a certain amount for birthday and Christmas presents, 00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:58.919 so that when that came around, we wouldn't be caught without any money to buy something for our siblings or our parents. 00:08:59.419 --> 00:09:03.559 We had to put some in long-term savings, and then the rest we could spend. 00:09:04.859 --> 00:09:06.039 And so the question is this. 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:10.939 Why did I not buy the $50 Lego pirate ship? 00:09:12.719 --> 00:09:16.120 You could say that I couldn't afford it, right? 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:19.399 You could say, well, he only got $2 a week. 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:21.279 It was outside of his ability. 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:23.279 But that's really not true. 00:09:24.459 --> 00:09:27.519 I could have saved, let's say I put all those things away. 00:09:27.579 --> 00:09:28.959 I could have saved $1 a week. 00:09:29.199 --> 00:09:32.879 If I had gone for a year, I would have had enough for the pirate ship. 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:34.720 So what was the problem? 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:38.220 Problem is not that I couldn't afford it. 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:42.240 The problem is that I didn't want it enough. 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:49.600 I wanted other things, and I tried to remember what it is that I spent my money on as a kid. 00:09:49.659 --> 00:09:51.480 I think I bought a lot of double bubble bubble gum, 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:55.799 and there were some baseball cards in there somewhere, 00:09:55.899 --> 00:09:58.740 and who knows what other trash I spent my money on, okay? 00:09:58.740 --> 00:10:03.580 The point is that I wanted those other things more. 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:07.740 Many times when people say, I can't afford that, 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:11.220 what they really mean is that's not a priority. 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:14.960 I'm not willing to spend that much on that particular item. 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:16.279 It's not in the budget. 00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:21.180 Now, I don't mean to make light of the fact that's not always true, right? 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:23.539 Yes, there are things that none of us can afford, 00:10:23.539 --> 00:10:26.839 and there are times in our lives, in the past, 00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:30.259 and times in some of our lives right now where we struggle to make ends meet, right? 00:10:30.319 --> 00:10:31.620 So I'm not trying to make light of that. 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:36.519 What I am trying to say is for those who are middle class, upper class, upper middle class, 00:10:36.939 --> 00:10:41.980 our life is one of choices and priorities when it comes to finances. 00:10:43.079 --> 00:10:45.919 Now, you're probably wondering, what in the world does this have to do with Herod? 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:51.360 Life is a game of priorities and choices. 00:10:52.719 --> 00:11:00.579 Many, many people will say, I can't, when what they really mean is I won't. 00:11:01.939 --> 00:11:07.779 Many, many people will say, I can't, when what they really mean is I won't. 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:12.559 We have many more choices than we often are willing to admit. 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.919 What does this have to do with Herod? 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:20.360 This story that we're looking at this morning is a story about priorities and choices. 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:23.439 It's a story about what it is that our hearts love, 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:26.539 why something is more valuable than another thing. 00:11:26.699 --> 00:11:31.459 We're taking a break from the story of Jesus, in a sense, to finish this story about John. 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:37.519 We see in verses 14 through 16 that Jesus' miracles have raised this question of who he is. 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:42.559 And so once again, that question for us is coming not outside of the text, but from inside of the text. 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:49.000 And one of these possible answers that we're given is that maybe Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead. 00:11:49.399 --> 00:11:54.500 That's the idea that resonates with Herod because Herod has an anxious mind that's at work. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:56.139 And this is what anxious minds do. 00:11:56.419 --> 00:12:00.059 They come up with worst case scenarios to protect themselves. 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:07.379 The worst case scenario for Herod is that this is going to be the reincarnate version of someone he killed who he shouldn't. 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:10.939 And so that's the idea that keeps him awake at night. 00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:17.039 It's with that that we go back to this flashback so we can understand why it is that Herod is so afraid. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:21.639 And we find out that he's the one who put John the Baptist to death. 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:25.320 Verse 17, Herod has married his brother's wife. 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:28.000 And this is wrong on multiple levels. 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:32.980 We know from other sources that Herodias was the one who divorced Philip, Herod's brother. 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.580 So we have that problem. 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:39.420 On top of that, it's against Old Testament law to marry your brother's wife. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:47.320 And on top of that, the fact that her name's Herodias and his name is Herod helps us understand this is an incestuous marriage. 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:51.920 His marriage is wrong on multiple levels. 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:59.659 And it's with that that John, in verses 18 through 20, comes as apparently the only person who's willing to speak truth to power. 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:08.539 The only person who's willing to say what no one else wants to say, which is that Herod has put himself in a terrible and embarrassing situation. 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:13.500 Verse 19, we find out Herodias is so angry about it, she will kill John. 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:15.399 But Herod is conflicted. 00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:17.419 And so he protects him. 00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:20.319 Verse 20, we're told he keeps him safe. 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:24.300 Some people think he actually keeps him safe by putting him in prison. 00:13:24.640 --> 00:13:30.860 In other words, Herodias is so incensed that prison's the only place that he can be kept safe from her plans to kill him. 00:13:32.420 --> 00:13:34.500 We also see that Herod is conflicted. 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:37.700 Again, verse 20, on the one hand, he fears John. 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:42.080 On the other hand, he likes to listen to John. 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:43.660 And so he's caught. 00:13:44.680 --> 00:13:47.720 He won't respond to him, but he'll protect him. 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:50.860 He won't act on what he says, but he'll listen to him. 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:54.060 Herodias, though, is just waiting for her moment. 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:58.980 It's with that background that we come to this party that's thrown where the trap is set. 00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:01.660 His daughter comes forward to dance. 00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:07.080 Most likely, Herod is thinking under the influence at this point. 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:16.160 He offers her anything she wants, up to half the kingdom, not thinking of how persistent Herodias is. 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:21.120 Daughter goes to her mom, says, what should I ask for? 00:14:21.160 --> 00:14:24.780 And she says, I want the head of John the Baptist. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:30.559 This is my chance to finally put this man to death. 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:35.699 And this is where we have perhaps the most important quote here of this passage. 00:14:35.839 --> 00:14:36.740 Verse 26. 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:41.919 He did not want to break his word to her. 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:45.899 Notice the importance there. 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:47.539 He didn't want to. 00:14:47.959 --> 00:14:50.399 It doesn't say he couldn't. 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:55.139 He didn't want to. 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:57.379 It doesn't say he couldn't. 00:14:57.799 --> 00:15:00.100 Herod had a choice. 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:01.600 So our question is this. 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:05.419 Why did Herod choose not to do the right thing? 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:07.980 Why did he not save John in this situation? 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:12.439 If it's true, as we're told in verse 20, that he knows he's a holy man and he's afraid of him. 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:19.360 Well, this passage here gives us several answers that help us understand the response of Herod to John the Baptist. 00:15:19.540 --> 00:15:23.820 And by his response to John the Baptist, ultimately his response to Jesus. 00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:30.280 First of all, Herod is someone who is always listening, never acting. 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:34.860 Herod is someone who is always listening, but never acting. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.920 We see in verse 18 here, 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:42.240 John had been saying to Herod, it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:47.720 We get the sense here that this is not one conversation that John had with Herod, but many conversations. 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:52.100 This was an ongoing theme, most likely in their conversations. 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:56.740 John was saying over and over, this is bad. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:58.480 It needs to end. 00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:05.700 Then, verse 20, we get the sense that he's okay with listening to this. 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:12.100 Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. 00:16:12.420 --> 00:16:17.879 When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:21.920 John was constantly talking. 00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:24.900 Herod was constantly listening. 00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:28.500 But listening was all Herod was going to do. 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:30.879 The point is this. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:36.779 Herod demonstrates the danger for us of just listening. 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:41.799 Herod demonstrates the danger for us of just listening. 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:48.379 Herod shows us that there is no middle ground or neutral ground when it comes to our response to Jesus. 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:53.320 Not following Jesus is by default to reject him. 00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:57.519 Not making a decision is a decision. 00:16:58.500 --> 00:17:01.000 He protects John. 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:05.400 He listens to him, but he won't repent. 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:09.500 He will not give up his marriage with Herodias. 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:16.359 In a sense, Herod is the perpetual skeptic, but the middle ground that he's standing on, it is an illusion. 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:25.759 You do not stand on neutral ground when it comes to Jesus. 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:32.579 You always stand in one kingdom or another. 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:39.319 You are always choosing obedience or rebellion, worship or rejection. 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:43.200 Those are the only options. 00:17:44.379 --> 00:17:48.180 You cannot remain a skeptic forever. 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:53.720 Either you are for Jesus or you are against him. 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:58.080 Either you follow Jesus or you reject him. 00:17:58.079 --> 00:18:01.779 And maybe you like coming to church. 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:03.039 Maybe you like coming to listen. 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.539 That's great. 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:08.199 It's also not enough. 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:12.879 You have to choose a camp. 00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:14.720 In fact, it's worse than that. 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:16.319 It's not that you have to choose a camp. 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:18.559 It's that you're already in one. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:22.099 There is no middle ground. 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:24.539 There is no neutral ground. 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:33.419 As we continue in Mark, as I mentioned before, it will become clearer and clearer and clearer that there are only two responses to Jesus. 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:36.900 Follow him or reject him. 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:37.740 Worship him. 00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:38.940 Rebel against him. 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:42.259 Colossians chapter 1 says this about Jesus' work. 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:52.300 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:55.320 Notice there's only two places that you can be. 00:18:55.319 --> 00:19:00.819 You're in the domain of darkness or you're in the kingdom of his beloved son. 00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:04.740 That is true right now of each and every one of you. 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.939 You are in one of those two places. 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:10.379 There is no third option. 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:13.720 Not making a choice is a choice. 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:15.799 Okay? 00:19:17.399 --> 00:19:22.200 You don't get the luxury of just listening and standing in the middle. 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:31.600 And to go from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of the beloved son, you have to do more than listen. 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:37.600 Jesus' call is not less than listening to him, but it is so much more than that. 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:42.920 Remember, we've talked before about Mark chapter 8, which we haven't even gotten to yet, when Jesus says this, 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:48.100 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:56.679 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 00:19:59.459 --> 00:20:03.039 Maybe you've been listening for a long time. 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:14.799 Maybe you've been listening for a long time. 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:19.000 The time to do more than just listen is now. 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:24.539 Jesus calls us to and demands of us more than that. 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:28.779 He calls us to take up our cross and follow him. 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:33.039 Herod loved listening to John. 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:37.619 Herod, we find out here, believed in Jesus, right? 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:39.259 He's asking this question, who is this? 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:41.579 He doesn't deny that Jesus exists, right? 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:42.960 He listens. 00:20:43.139 --> 00:20:43.779 He believes. 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.579 He doesn't act. 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:49.259 That's what James warns us about in chapter 2. 00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:49.639 He says, 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:50.980 You believe that God is one. 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.460 You do well. 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:55.160 Even the demons believe and shudder. 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:58.339 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person? 00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:01.660 That faith apart from works is useless? 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:05.079 And then we get this warning in chapter 1 of James. 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:07.799 Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:11.039 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:15.299 he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:20.299 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.759 That's what we see with Herod. 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:24.779 He loves to listen. 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.819 Sees what he likes. 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.180 Walks away. 00:21:28.859 --> 00:21:29.480 Does nothing. 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:35.720 Following Jesus is more than listening. 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:41.180 Now that partially answers our question. 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:44.259 Why is it that Herod did not save John the Baptist? 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:46.839 Well, reason one, he only listened. 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.660 He never acted. 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:49.140 It raises that next question though. 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:52.380 Why was it that he wasn't willing to act? 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:53.579 Why? 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:57.440 What was going on in Herod that caused him to only listen and never respond? 00:21:57.660 --> 00:22:01.500 We see this conflict internally for him throughout the passage. 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:05.940 Verse 20, we're told that there's this fear that he has of John. 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:07.539 Why would he need to fear John? 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:10.059 Herod is the one in control, right? 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:13.200 We find out he's actually the one who's able to kill John. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:17.819 He's the one with all the power and yet he is the one that's scared. 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:23.039 Well, Herod recognizes that there's a higher power at work in the world. 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:26.599 And so in one sense, Herod is the more powerful one. 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:30.920 In another sense, in an ultimate sense, it is John who is more powerful. 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:35.259 So he's conflicted when it comes to his relationship with John 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:38.640 and his standing in the world as a man and a ruler who can put people to death. 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:42.599 He's also conflicted when it comes to John's message. 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:46.380 Verse 20, we're told he's perplexed and he hurt him gladly. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:51.680 He hurt him gladly as verse 17 and 18, John was rebuking him about his marriage. 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:56.420 He's doing two things at the same time that don't make sense. 00:22:56.700 --> 00:23:00.240 He's listening and loving John's message and he's refusing it. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:03.099 Herod is a deeply conflicted man. 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:06.920 If he's afraid, if he's perplexed, if he likes to listen to John, 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:09.880 why is it that Herod will not act? 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:16.920 Herod does not act because it is desire. 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:21.539 It is the heart that always wins. 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:27.019 Why did I not buy the $50 pirate ship? 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.720 It wasn't because I couldn't afford it. 00:23:30.159 --> 00:23:33.099 It's because I didn't want it enough. 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:37.159 Why does Herod choose not to save John? 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.680 It's not because he couldn't. 00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:42.099 It's because he didn't want it enough. 00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:48.319 It's because at the end of the day, Herod feared man more than he feared God. 00:23:48.459 --> 00:23:52.159 This story before us this morning is a story about want-tos. 00:23:52.439 --> 00:23:56.000 In fact, we see the idea, concept, and word come up over and over. 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:59.699 Verse 17, why do you think it is that Herod married Herodias, 00:23:59.959 --> 00:24:03.980 even though she was related to him and the wife of his brother? 00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:07.459 Because he wanted to. 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:11.259 Verse 19, what is Herodias thinking? 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:14.940 She wants to put John to death. 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:17.720 Verse 22, what does he say to his daughter? 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:20.500 Ask me for whatever you wish. 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:28.579 Verse 25, I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter. 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:32.859 Verse 26, but because of his oaths and his guests, 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:38.099 he did not want to break his word to her. 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:43.980 What do you want? 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:50.220 Herod wanted many things. 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:56.539 He wanted to be protected from the power that John represented, 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:58.360 enough to protect him in prison. 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:01.700 He did not want it enough to save his life. 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:07.140 At the end of the day, what Herod wanted, what his heart loved, 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:10.819 more than anything else was what he was unwilling to lose. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:14.640 Power, pleasure, wealth, and status. 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:22.060 Herod knew the truth, and he loved those things more. 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:27.680 It is our hearts and our desires that always win. 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:30.960 Herod loved comfort and power more than he loved God. 00:25:31.100 --> 00:25:34.340 Herod feared man more than he feared God. 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:39.059 You can listen all you want. 00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:45.119 You can know all sorts of things about God. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:51.759 And the gospel requires a change of heart. 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:57.659 The gospel requires a change in our desires and our wills. 00:25:57.660 --> 00:26:02.540 It requires and demands a change in what we love. 00:26:03.540 --> 00:26:09.220 We have to love the things of God more than anything else. 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:14.040 I'm going to invite you to turn with me on the back of your worship guide, 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:16.340 which I warned you about during the announcement time. 00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:20.240 This quote lays it out for us. 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:40.680 Herod's mind understood. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:44.400 His heart disagreed. 00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:51.280 He loved many things more than he loved God. 00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:56.820 That's why John the Baptist was put to death. 00:26:57.000 --> 00:27:01.759 That is why Herod refused to protect him despite knowing the truth. 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:06.320 That is why Herod put him to death even though he knew that he was a holy man. 00:27:06.320 --> 00:27:09.500 That is why Herod kept his oath. 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:13.400 Not because he couldn't break it, because he didn't want to. 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:18.540 His heart, his desires were in the wrong place. 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:22.259 Now I told you we had two pictures. 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.380 Herod is one of them. 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.660 He's our negative example. 00:27:24.820 --> 00:27:26.980 Our other example here is John the Baptist. 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:30.000 John follows after Jesus no matter what. 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:35.320 Verse 18, he has the courage to tell the truth to an extremely powerful person. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:40.660 He, I'm sure, knew the risk and he gets to experience the consequences 00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:46.080 because he ends up having one person, Herodias, trying to kill him actively 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:50.000 and another person protecting him by putting him in prison. 00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:52.400 Now I want you to think about that for a second. 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:56.620 His situation was so bad that Herod did him a favor by putting him in jail. 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:59.459 That's how bad off things were. 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:02.799 That's how much commitment he had to his words. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:05.859 He could have easily turned a blind eye. 00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:10.000 He could have easily ignored what was going on in the life of Herod, 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:14.000 but he loved God and his truth more than anything else. 00:28:14.219 --> 00:28:18.079 He loved what God loved more than comfort and pleasure. 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:22.799 He was willing to sit in prison to do what honored God. 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:28.559 And then he's in prison, verse 17, he has the courage to remain there. 00:28:29.319 --> 00:28:33.419 We don't see him relent in his prophetic word. 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:40.440 John's courage and truth-telling reward him with death. 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:46.559 John's courage and truth-telling reward him with death. 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:51.440 And that reminds us also of Jesus' words in Mark 8. 00:28:51.440 --> 00:29:21.420 Verse 18. 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:25.559 John refuses to gain the whole world to forfeit his soul. 00:29:26.320 --> 00:29:29.519 He gives up the world and he keeps his soul. 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:34.920 John loves Jesus more than anything else. 00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:39.200 John loves the truth more than anything else. 00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:43.980 John accepts the consequences because what he wants 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:47.860 is radically different than what Herod wants. 00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:57.839 Now, it's strange that this story appears at this point in the Gospel of Mark. 00:29:57.919 --> 00:30:01.799 You might be asking why in all the places it could have shown up, does it show up here? 00:30:02.159 --> 00:30:05.199 We certainly could have heard earlier about the death of John. 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:08.799 He's a character from many chapters ago in the book of Mark. 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:13.500 And I believe there's two reasons, at least two reasons, that Mark tells us the story here. 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:18.940 First of all, if you remember our last episode, Jesus has just sent out his disciples. 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:25.820 This helps us understand what it is they're going to face as they follow Jesus. 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:29.980 This is the kind of opposition that his people will experience in this world. 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:31.980 One, he's sending them out. 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:35.420 Two, we get a story of what happens to people who represent Jesus. 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:37.640 Following Jesus is a path of suffering. 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:41.599 There's a second reason, though, which is that John the Baptist, 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:44.779 remember from earlier in the book, prepares the way for Jesus. 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:47.740 John baptizes, then Jesus baptizes. 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:51.200 John dies. 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.839 Jesus will die. 00:30:53.839 --> 00:31:01.879 This is a foreshadowing of what waits for Jesus and for those who follow him. 00:31:04.959 --> 00:31:10.079 And so we see a picture of what happens in following Jesus in the gospel, 00:31:10.199 --> 00:31:13.879 that God is going to send his son to die for us. 00:31:13.939 --> 00:31:15.199 That is his path. 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:17.980 That is our path, a path of suffering. 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:19.799 But we know how that path ends. 00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:22.819 It ends in Jesus being risen from the dead, being resurrected, 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:25.639 and having all power and authority that God gives him. 00:31:25.939 --> 00:31:30.119 And so this is the same dynamic that we talked about when we looked at the letters written by Peter, 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:32.500 that what's true of Jesus is true of us. 00:31:32.679 --> 00:31:33.319 Jesus suffers. 00:31:33.439 --> 00:31:33.960 We will suffer. 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:35.139 Jesus is glorified. 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:37.119 We will be glorified. 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:43.899 That brings us to the hardest question of all for this passage of Herod, 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:47.460 is a warning of the dangers of the heart. 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:52.079 And if John is an example of right and true love, 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:54.160 what are we supposed to do? 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:58.279 The story of the gospel is this. 00:31:58.460 --> 00:32:00.500 We must change. 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:03.120 Our hearts and our desires must be different. 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.579 One. 00:32:04.620 --> 00:32:05.039 Two. 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:07.319 We cannot change ourselves. 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:12.440 We cannot change our hearts and our desires. 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:14.360 We're actually incapable of doing it. 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:16.680 And so there's a trap. 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.480 There's a catch-22. 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:19.740 What are we supposed to do with the fact that on the one hand, 00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:20.600 we must change, 00:32:20.620 --> 00:32:21.460 and on the other hand, 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:23.320 we cannot change ourselves? 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.720 Well, we get the answer here. 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:27.480 I'm going to invite you to turn again to the back of your worship guide 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.519 and finish this quote. 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:31.940 The trouble with human nature is that we are born with a heart 00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:35.980 that loves ourselves over and above everything else in this world, 00:32:36.080 --> 00:32:36.820 including God. 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:38.659 That's why, 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:40.399 if left to ourselves, 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:42.659 we will always love those things 00:32:42.659 --> 00:32:44.819 that make us feel good about ourselves, 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:48.319 even as we depart more and more from God and His ways. 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.159 Therefore, 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:53.439 God must intervene in our lives 00:32:53.439 --> 00:32:56.319 in order to bring salvation. 00:32:57.980 --> 00:33:00.159 What do we do with the fact that we must change 00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:01.319 and we can't change ourselves? 00:33:01.419 --> 00:33:03.019 We recognize that that's true 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:05.899 and we have to have help that comes to us from outside. 00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:08.519 We recognize that God and God alone, 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.720 by His Holy Spirit, 00:33:09.820 --> 00:33:12.340 can turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. 00:33:12.780 --> 00:33:15.019 We recognize that God and God alone 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:17.040 is the one who's able to change our desires 00:33:17.040 --> 00:33:18.080 and our hearts and our wills. 00:33:18.100 --> 00:33:19.500 And so as we look at Herod, 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:22.880 we see ourselves more in Him than in John. 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:27.240 We see the tendency of our hearts, 00:33:27.360 --> 00:33:29.519 which is to love what's good for us 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:31.240 and our pleasure and our comfort and our power, 00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:34.280 to fear men more than we fear God, 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:36.599 to be warned of that response 00:33:36.599 --> 00:33:38.500 and to know that by ourselves, 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:40.299 there's nothing we can do. 00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:42.359 And so simply, 00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.940 we cry out to God. 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:46.000 We ask God to be at work in our lives 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:47.019 by His Holy Spirit. 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:48.480 We ask that He would do this, 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:51.399 that He would intervene to bring salvation, 00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:52.539 as it says here on the back. 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:55.240 We would recognize that we are helpless 00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:57.339 unless He helps us. 00:33:57.339 --> 00:34:01.119 We recognize that the heart of prayer 00:34:01.119 --> 00:34:02.220 is dependency, 00:34:02.859 --> 00:34:04.159 as our worship guide says. 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:06.000 And so we come to God, 00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:07.019 bringing Him our need, 00:34:07.139 --> 00:34:08.659 confessing that like Herod, 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:11.559 our hearts want many things more than Him. 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:15.400 And we know that He is the only one 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:18.340 who can change us and transform us. 00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:20.920 And so that's the basics. 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:24.340 It's the basics of response to Jesus, 00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:26.620 that to respond correctly to Jesus, 00:34:26.620 --> 00:34:28.519 we have to be like John. 00:34:28.600 --> 00:34:30.600 We love Him more than anything else. 00:34:30.720 --> 00:34:32.620 We're willing to give up anything 00:34:32.620 --> 00:34:34.120 to be with Him. 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:38.039 And we know that's not what our hearts 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:39.320 want by themselves. 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:42.660 And so rather than pulling ourselves up 00:34:42.660 --> 00:34:44.760 by the bootstraps to be like John, 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:47.800 instead we cry out to God and we say, 00:34:47.800 --> 00:34:50.220 I'm like Herod. 00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:52.560 I desire many things. 00:34:53.280 --> 00:34:55.420 Make me like John by your Holy Spirit. 00:34:55.600 --> 00:34:57.140 Change me and transform me 00:34:57.140 --> 00:34:59.560 that I would want one thing. 00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:05.580 Herod here trades a heavenly feast 00:35:05.580 --> 00:35:07.539 for an earthly feast. 00:35:08.160 --> 00:35:09.880 He makes a terrible bargain. 00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:13.960 He's not willing to be embarrassed 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:16.160 at this birthday party, 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:19.379 this small feast on earth. 00:35:20.719 --> 00:35:22.819 Revelation 19 tells us 00:35:22.819 --> 00:35:25.059 how the story of the world ends. 00:35:25.259 --> 00:35:27.039 Our story, if we're Christians, 00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:29.279 ends with a feast. 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:32.259 It ends with a wedding feast of the Lamb. 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:33.879 Now I say ends, 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:35.639 it's really the end that's a beginning, right? 00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:37.619 It's the beginning of our life with God. 00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:42.379 Herod trades a heavenly feast 00:35:42.379 --> 00:35:44.000 for an earthly feast. 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:48.500 Herod takes something that is worth little, 00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:51.659 gives up something that is worth much. 00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:54.320 John sits in prison, 00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:56.840 looks forward to a feast 00:35:56.840 --> 00:35:58.159 at the end of the world. 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.860 Herod sits at a feast, 00:36:01.420 --> 00:36:02.980 he looks forward to prison 00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:04.519 at the end of the world. 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:10.460 Brothers and sisters, 00:36:10.659 --> 00:36:12.420 we do the same. 00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:16.280 No matter what we face in this life, 00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:18.440 no matter what sufferings come our way, 00:36:18.599 --> 00:36:20.920 opposition from within and without, 00:36:21.099 --> 00:36:23.119 we keep our eyes focused, 00:36:23.240 --> 00:36:25.139 not on what we can enjoy 00:36:25.139 --> 00:36:26.539 and experience here and now, 00:36:26.619 --> 00:36:28.680 not on the feast that we can see, 00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:30.200 but on the feast that we can't see. 00:36:30.760 --> 00:36:33.480 We look to the feast 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:35.480 at the end of the world. 00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:37.519 And so we're reminded 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:40.079 of Jesus' words in Matthew chapter 10. 00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:42.880 Do not fear those who kill the body 00:36:42.880 --> 00:36:44.039 but cannot kill the soul. 00:36:44.840 --> 00:36:47.039 Rather fear him who can destroy 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:49.860 both soul and body in hell. 00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:53.980 Our hearts must change. 00:36:55.299 --> 00:36:57.059 We cannot change them. 00:36:58.380 --> 00:37:00.340 God does change them. 00:37:00.340 --> 00:37:04.260 We listen and we ask. 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:05.980 Let's pray. 00:37:07.600 --> 00:37:08.660 Our Father in heaven, 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:09.620 we praise you 00:37:09.620 --> 00:37:10.940 and thank you for your word 00:37:10.940 --> 00:37:12.820 that you've given to feed us. 00:37:13.680 --> 00:37:15.559 We ask that you would stir it up 00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:16.860 in our minds and our hearts 00:37:16.860 --> 00:37:19.720 that we would see and recognize 00:37:19.720 --> 00:37:21.240 the many things that we want 00:37:21.240 --> 00:37:22.920 and desire more than you 00:37:22.920 --> 00:37:24.300 and that you would be at work 00:37:24.300 --> 00:37:25.180 doing for us 00:37:25.180 --> 00:37:26.920 the thing that we are incapable 00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:27.900 of doing ourselves, 00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:29.220 that you would change our minds 00:37:29.219 --> 00:37:29.739 and our hearts 00:37:29.739 --> 00:37:30.399 and our affections 00:37:30.399 --> 00:37:30.980 and our loves 00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:32.379 that we would love you 00:37:32.379 --> 00:37:34.199 and follow you no matter what. 00:37:34.439 --> 00:37:35.439 We ask these things 00:37:35.439 --> 00:37:37.079 in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:37:37.579 --> 00:37:37.819 Amen.