WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.240 Good morning. Happy Palm Sunday. This is the beginning of an amazing week. It's my favorite time of the year. 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:17.359 So if you're just joining us for the first time, we hope you keep coming, at least for the next week, 00:00:17.699 --> 00:00:24.199 because there's a journey that we're on right now where we're following in the footsteps of Jesus. 00:00:24.199 --> 00:00:31.519 And so we step out of our ordinary sense of time, and we inhabit this story together, this timeless story. 00:00:31.619 --> 00:00:37.159 And as we do this, the past, the present, and the future are drawn together. 00:00:38.100 --> 00:00:44.859 So the events over these next few weeks connect us to all of history, all that has been, all that will be. 00:00:45.340 --> 00:00:52.879 We're also in a series looking at the final book of the Bible, what we call Revelation, the Revelation of St. John. 00:00:52.880 --> 00:00:56.700 And we're looking at it during the season of Lent in preparation for Easter, 00:00:56.700 --> 00:01:00.679 because in the first part of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:08.520 we see the only place in the Bible where you have letters that are written directly by Jesus to his church. 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:13.900 And these are, in many ways, Jesus' final words to his church. 00:01:14.460 --> 00:01:17.820 This is not the Jesus who entered Jerusalem on a donkey, though. 00:01:18.020 --> 00:01:20.879 This is the triumphant, risen Christ. 00:01:20.879 --> 00:01:23.699 And these are his words to his bride. 00:01:24.539 --> 00:01:28.379 To prepare us for all that is to come until he comes again. 00:01:28.979 --> 00:01:30.239 And so we're looking at these letters. 00:01:30.359 --> 00:01:33.019 We're going to look at the last two letters together today. 00:01:33.379 --> 00:01:38.759 The letter to Philadelphia, the church in Philadelphia, and the letter to the church in Laodicea. 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:43.179 It's actually in the Greek Laodicea, but a lot of people say Laodicea, so that's what I'm going to say. 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:47.960 And we're going to look at them together, because when we compare and contrast these two letters, 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:56.020 there are some themes that emerge that I think speak to us as this church family in a city like D.C. 00:01:56.180 --> 00:01:59.100 in the time and place that God has allotted for us. 00:01:59.660 --> 00:02:00.380 And so let's pray. 00:02:00.500 --> 00:02:02.320 And what we're going to do is look at the letters together, 00:02:02.320 --> 00:02:04.700 and then we're going to look at a couple of implications for us. 00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:05.260 Let's pray. 00:02:05.260 --> 00:02:08.259 Lord, we thank you for your word. 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:14.200 And we thank you that every week we get to come and we get to sit under your word. 00:02:14.700 --> 00:02:20.120 And that you promise to speak to us through this word in a way that you don't through any other medium. 00:02:20.580 --> 00:02:26.759 That this word is unique in that you enliven it and empower it and speak through it to your people. 00:02:27.060 --> 00:02:30.719 And that's what we most need, Lord, is your presence and your voice, 00:02:31.400 --> 00:02:33.319 as much as we need your flesh and your blood. 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:35.479 And it's in your son's name that we pray. 00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:36.000 Amen. 00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:40.680 So we're going to look at two churches and we're going to compare them a little bit. 00:02:40.739 --> 00:02:47.340 The first letter that we see is the letter from Jesus via John to the letter in Philadelphia. 00:02:47.479 --> 00:02:49.459 Now let me tell you a little bit about the church in Philadelphia. 00:02:50.120 --> 00:02:55.500 The church in Philadelphia is that little storefront church that you pass on the way to the grocery store. 00:02:56.199 --> 00:03:00.199 It's right there in the strip mall, and it's kind of nestled in there, 00:03:00.199 --> 00:03:03.339 and there's a nail salon on one side and a rite aid on the other. 00:03:04.119 --> 00:03:08.179 And if you're totally honest, you had lived in the neighborhood for a little over three years 00:03:08.179 --> 00:03:12.500 before you even knew the church was there because you were just driving past it every day. 00:03:12.619 --> 00:03:14.539 It has a sign, but it's kind of broken. 00:03:14.899 --> 00:03:16.039 Most of the letters are missing. 00:03:16.139 --> 00:03:17.399 You didn't even know it was a church. 00:03:18.099 --> 00:03:21.500 And yet here's what Jesus says to the church in Philadelphia. 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:22.539 He says in verse 8, 00:03:22.539 --> 00:03:31.459 He says, 00:03:31.459 --> 00:03:33.719 I know that you have but little power, 00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:37.680 and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 00:03:38.819 --> 00:03:41.139 The power brokers in Philadelphia, 00:03:41.419 --> 00:03:43.699 the influencers, the decision makers, 00:03:44.079 --> 00:03:45.439 the social gatekeepers, 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:49.060 what he describes as Jews who are not actually Jews, 00:03:49.060 --> 00:03:54.699 they had summarily rejected Jesus and his followers. 00:03:54.840 --> 00:03:59.300 And so what had likely happened is these Christians had tried to go into the synagogues, 00:03:59.340 --> 00:04:01.500 and they had been rejected. 00:04:01.659 --> 00:04:02.560 They had been kicked out. 00:04:03.479 --> 00:04:06.400 And they did not have reputation in Philadelphia. 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:07.379 They did not have, 00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:08.759 they were not welcomed there. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:11.180 They had been treated probably with overt hostility. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:14.099 And so Jesus is saying to these people, 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:15.219 He says, 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:17.120 I know that you were rejected from the synagogues. 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:20.300 I know that the kind of influential who's who of Philadelphia, 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:21.780 they've excluded you. 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:24.139 But I'm the true gatekeeper. 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:28.040 And he introduces himself as the one who holds the keys of David. 00:04:28.180 --> 00:04:30.280 I'm the one who ultimately decides 00:04:30.280 --> 00:04:32.300 who is welcome into the kingdom 00:04:32.300 --> 00:04:35.100 and who is left out in the dark. 00:04:35.740 --> 00:04:36.879 I'm the doorkeeper. 00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:40.139 And there was a position in this time, 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:44.399 the doorkeeper was a very authoritative position at the royal palace. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:46.600 It was the person who decided who gained entry. 00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:47.240 And Jesus is saying, 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:48.120 I'm that person. 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:50.520 And so Jesus is the one, 00:04:50.780 --> 00:04:52.360 not the leaders of the synagogues, 00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:54.100 who decides who gets sent. 00:04:54.460 --> 00:04:56.820 And so Jesus is saying to these Christians who've been rejected, 00:04:57.180 --> 00:04:57.500 He says, 00:04:57.700 --> 00:04:58.560 when I come, 00:04:59.820 --> 00:05:01.960 not only am I going to welcome you into the temple, 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:06.900 but I'm actually going to build you into the architecture of the true temple. 00:05:07.040 --> 00:05:09.560 You will be pillars in the true temple. 00:05:09.820 --> 00:05:11.220 And never will you be sent out again. 00:05:11.320 --> 00:05:12.800 Never will anyone reject you again. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:17.300 Because you'll be part of the very foundation of the new temple that I'm building in the world. 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:22.100 This is an amazing promise that he gives to the Philadelphian Christians. 00:05:22.460 --> 00:05:22.819 And he says, 00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:27.040 all of those who rejected you because of your faith will one day bow at your feet. 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:30.139 Now he's not saying that they're going to be worshipped. 00:05:30.580 --> 00:05:31.699 What he's saying is, 00:05:31.860 --> 00:05:34.040 is that when you are welcomed into the kingdom of God, 00:05:34.080 --> 00:05:35.120 when you are made a saint, 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:37.280 through the grace of Jesus Christ, 00:05:37.840 --> 00:05:39.639 that you are the new temple. 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:42.100 And that where you stand, 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:45.060 that is holy ground because that is where the temple stands. 00:05:45.720 --> 00:05:48.100 And so as they used to come and bow and worship at the temple, 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:52.040 so they will come and recognize that you are part of the true temple. 00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:53.579 It's an amazing image, 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:54.420 an amazing promise. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:57.160 So this is what he says to the Philadelphian Christians, 00:05:57.379 --> 00:05:58.540 hold fast to me, 00:05:58.879 --> 00:05:59.840 hold fast to Christ, 00:05:59.840 --> 00:06:01.040 until I come again. 00:06:02.180 --> 00:06:04.560 Now compare this with the Laodicean letter. 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:07.579 Let's talk a little bit about the church in Laodicea. 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:08.620 The church in Laodicea, 00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:11.740 you can't miss it because it spans about four city blocks. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:14.240 When you roll up to the church in Laodicea, 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:16.139 you're met by the valet staff. 00:06:16.280 --> 00:06:17.860 And they valet park your car. 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:19.360 And they give you a ticket. 00:06:19.780 --> 00:06:21.560 And as you're putting the ticket into your pocket, 00:06:21.959 --> 00:06:24.980 a guest experience coordinator meets you at the door. 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:27.779 And they lead you in to the north lobby 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:29.980 because that's where the newcomers enter. 00:06:30.100 --> 00:06:31.399 And so you go into the north lobby 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:34.360 and the guest experience coordinator then whisks your children off 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:36.060 to the East Wing Amusement Park. 00:06:36.199 --> 00:06:38.439 You're not going to see them for at least two hours. 00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:39.220 Okay, they're gone. 00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:42.280 You're invited instead to go to the in-house coffee shop 00:06:42.280 --> 00:06:45.000 and to order a latte that's custom made by the barista 00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:47.720 who used to work at Starbucks corporate before he found Jesus. 00:06:47.860 --> 00:06:48.620 And now he's here. 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:51.100 And then you have a little time to spare. 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:53.759 And so you go into the bookstore to browse the merch. 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:58.759 And you're looking at a pair of sneakers with the church logo on it. 00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:01.959 And then you begin to notice that the top of your coffee is rippling. 00:07:02.039 --> 00:07:03.300 And that can only mean one thing, 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:05.300 that the worship band has taken the stage. 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:06.279 So it's time. 00:07:07.159 --> 00:07:08.379 It's all in the commentaries. 00:07:08.500 --> 00:07:09.839 It's time to go into worship. 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:13.079 So Laodicea is a very different place. 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:14.659 And yet here's what Jesus says. 00:07:15.539 --> 00:07:16.879 Revelation 3.15. 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:31.159 Now what's he talking about there? 00:07:31.259 --> 00:07:33.600 Well, on the surface we know what he's getting at. 00:07:33.659 --> 00:07:36.819 But there are some references here that help give us context. 00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:41.319 In Laodicea, it was very common to complain about the water. 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:44.600 And the reason is because where they were located, 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:47.580 they had no direct access to a water supply. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:51.300 They had to pipe all of their water in from the south. 00:07:52.200 --> 00:07:55.320 And so their neighbors on one side lived in the mountains. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:59.700 And they had cold mountain water that came right up out of the ground. 00:07:59.820 --> 00:08:02.879 And so they had access to cold, refreshing water. 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:07.820 Their neighbors on the other side in Hierapolis had hot springs. 00:08:08.420 --> 00:08:12.120 And of course, hot water is great for bathing and washing and relaxing. 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:14.100 Laodicea had neither. 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:15.840 They were piping their water in. 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:20.620 And by the time it reached the city, it was lukewarm and it was filled with silt. 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:22.040 Lots of lime deposits. 00:08:22.520 --> 00:08:27.700 And so it was very common in Laodicea to hear people complain about the quality of the water. 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:29.360 And so Jesus is saying, 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:32.240 Hey, you know that water that you complain about all the time, 00:08:32.300 --> 00:08:35.360 that you love to just go and just moan about? 00:08:36.960 --> 00:08:37.700 That's you. 00:08:38.920 --> 00:08:42.180 He says, just like you spit the water out on the ground and complain, 00:08:42.179 --> 00:08:45.419 One day I'm going to spit you out on the ground. 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:48.120 And the word that he uses can be translated vomit. 00:08:48.239 --> 00:08:49.819 One day I'm going to vomit you out on the ground. 00:08:50.859 --> 00:08:55.739 And so this for the people in Laodicea would come as a huge kick in the stomach. 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:57.759 And he says this for verse 17. 00:08:57.759 --> 00:09:27.740 For you say, 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:29.500 There's tons of irony here. 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:32.620 The Laodicean church was very wealthy. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:35.279 Laodicea as a community was very wealthy. 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:36.779 And yet he's saying, 00:09:36.939 --> 00:09:38.500 You have no idea how poor you are. 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:42.139 You need the gold that is refined by fire. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:42.899 So come to me. 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:44.100 Get the gold that I provide. 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:45.620 Get the wealth that I provide. 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:47.120 And then you'll be rich. 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:51.740 The Laodiceans were also famous for their textile industry. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:52.620 And get this. 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:59.720 In particular, they were famous for the black wool that they used to create cloth and carpets. 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:06.560 So Laodicean textiles were famous for being very dark in color and very well made. 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:08.000 They made a lot of money from that. 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:08.800 And Jesus says, 00:10:09.580 --> 00:10:10.779 You're so proud of your clothing. 00:10:10.899 --> 00:10:12.100 You're so proud of your textiles. 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:12.860 You're naked. 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:15.060 You're pitiable. 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:17.580 Come to me and get white garments. 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:19.580 And cover your shame. 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:22.840 And then he says to these Laodiceans, 00:10:23.020 --> 00:10:27.020 They had a famous eye doctor that was well known in the ancient world. 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:30.860 They actually had a first century medical school in Laodicea. 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:36.960 And they produced an eye salve that was reputed to be able to improve eyesight 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:40.860 or even sometimes cure blindness if the gods had mercy on you. 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:43.080 And yet he's saying to these people, 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:44.940 You have no idea how blind you are. 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:47.040 None of you can see. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:48.079 You're all blind. 00:10:48.459 --> 00:10:51.379 Don't trust the salve that you're famous for. 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:51.919 Come to me. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:56.439 I'll give you a salve that will actually allow you to be able to see. 00:10:57.419 --> 00:11:02.480 And so Jesus is striking at the very heart of the pride of the Laodiceans. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:04.319 And, you know, we hear this. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:07.159 And in case anyone thinks that Jesus has just had enough, 00:11:07.939 --> 00:11:10.579 you know, and he's just finally letting loose, 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:13.779 he reminds us why he's being so harsh with them. 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:16.759 He says in verse 19, he says, 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:20.059 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:22.699 So he's saying, you know, these are hard words. 00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:24.799 And sometimes if you love somebody, 00:11:24.919 --> 00:11:26.620 sometimes if you really care about somebody, 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:28.759 you have to say hard things to them. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:31.439 And he says, I'm saying this because I love you. 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:33.360 Please repent. 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:35.580 Please turn back. 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:40.280 You know, Kevin gave a great explanation last week for what repentance actually means. 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:41.700 Turn around. 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:43.080 Go the other way. 00:11:43.760 --> 00:11:44.900 Be zealous and repent. 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:46.620 And he says, if you repent, 00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:49.959 I promise that one day you're going to share my throne. 00:11:50.939 --> 00:11:53.679 And one day we're going to eat together at the supper of the Lamb. 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:57.379 So he says, instead of spitting out silty, nasty water, 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:58.799 we're going to be feasting together. 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:01.659 And so in all of these ways, 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:05.819 we can contrast Philadelphia and Laodicea. 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:08.100 I just want to draw out a couple of contrasts. 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:09.899 Look at Philadelphia. 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:13.579 In Philadelphia, Jesus offers no rebuke, 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:15.879 just words of praise and encouragement. 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:19.879 But in Laodicea, he offers no words of praise and encouragement, 00:12:20.419 --> 00:12:21.259 only rebuke. 00:12:22.139 --> 00:12:23.199 And if you look at Philadelphia, 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:25.659 he says they're clinging to Christ 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:28.519 even though they have no wealth, no influence. 00:12:29.699 --> 00:12:30.840 They're clinging to Christ. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:34.379 They've got nothing in terms of social or cultural capital, 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:35.799 but they have Christ. 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:38.120 And by contrast, in Laodicea, 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:40.039 they are clinging to their wealth 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:42.080 and their status and their influence, 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:44.259 but in doing so, they have lost hold of Christ. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:47.220 And then finally, in Philadelphia, 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:49.799 Jesus opens a door in Philadelphia, 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:51.360 this little storefront church 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:54.580 that you always pass on your way to the grocery store. 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:56.179 Jesus has opened a door there 00:12:56.179 --> 00:12:58.960 where many will enter the kingdom of God. 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:01.139 You're the door, he says. 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:01.600 I've opened it. 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:02.980 And nobody can shut it. 00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:04.120 Nobody. 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:04.360 Nobody. 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:06.720 Nobody can rob you 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:09.179 of the spiritual power that I've given you. 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:12.679 Many will come to the kingdom through you. 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:13.840 And yet in Laodicea, 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:14.919 what's the situation? 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:17.220 The door's shut. 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:19.379 And to make matters worse, 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:22.019 Jesus is the one who's locked out. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:23.659 And Jesus says, 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:25.060 I stand at the door and knock. 00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:27.179 Not only am I not opening a door in you, 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:28.440 but you've shut the door on me. 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:29.600 You shut it in my face. 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:33.340 And so there's a huge world of difference 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:34.500 between these two churches. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:37.080 And so to come back to our original question, 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:39.980 when we look at these words, 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:42.100 what does Jesus desire for his church 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:44.580 in a world like ours? 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:47.720 What does he desire for our church family 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:49.000 being in a place like D.C. 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:50.940 in a time such as this? 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:52.320 And there's a couple of things 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:54.060 that I think we can draw out of this 00:13:54.060 --> 00:13:55.920 that may apply. 00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:58.539 The first implication is this, 00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:02.079 that this is leading us 00:14:02.079 --> 00:14:03.620 to consider what it means 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:06.279 to have faithfulness 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:08.679 in the midst of materialism. 00:14:10.079 --> 00:14:11.240 The church in general, 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:12.219 but also our church, 00:14:12.339 --> 00:14:14.199 what does faithfulness look like 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:17.500 in a culture of incredible materialism? 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:19.639 You know, all joking aside 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.399 about the kind of, 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.299 you know, this is not 00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:22.759 a kind of small church 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:25.159 versus megachurch kind of dynamic here. 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:27.799 I mean, not all small churches are faithful 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:30.959 and not all big churches are faithless, right? 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.839 The real issue here 00:14:32.839 --> 00:14:36.480 is how hard it is to remain faithful 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:38.579 when you're surrounded by material wealth. 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.980 That's the issue in Laodicea. 00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:44.199 It's phenomenally difficult 00:14:44.199 --> 00:14:46.299 to cling to Christ 00:14:46.299 --> 00:14:48.759 when you have so much else in your life 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:50.000 to cling to. 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.079 The thing that I want to make clear 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:55.400 is the Bible does not condemn wealth per se. 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.420 And in fact, 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:59.139 there are people in the early church, 00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:00.020 people like Lydia, 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:01.360 who are very wealthy 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:03.060 and they're very much a part 00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:04.920 of the life of the church there. 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:07.500 And so wealth is not condemned, 00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:09.000 but wealth is seen 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.400 as a great temptation 00:15:10.400 --> 00:15:13.220 and a threat to Christian faithfulness. 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:15.020 And I think that this is especially true 00:15:15.020 --> 00:15:16.500 for Christians in the West 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.700 and especially true 00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:19.020 for Christians like us 00:15:19.020 --> 00:15:20.580 living in a place like this. 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:22.280 It's no coincidence 00:15:22.280 --> 00:15:24.600 that the Laodicean church 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:26.480 was wealthy and lukewarm. 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.940 No coincidence. 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:30.560 And it's no coincidence 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:32.259 that as we look at our society, 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:35.820 that many of the wealthy elites 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:38.440 also tend to be very theologically 00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:40.300 liberal and relativistic. 00:15:41.040 --> 00:15:41.759 Right? 00:15:41.920 --> 00:15:43.280 They go together. 00:15:43.900 --> 00:15:44.660 It's no coincidence 00:15:44.660 --> 00:15:45.620 that wealthy elites 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:47.379 tend to be the most relativistic. 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:47.960 And by the way, 00:15:48.020 --> 00:15:48.980 when I say wealthy elites, 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:50.740 that would include most people 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:51.279 in this room. 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.019 Okay? 00:15:52.060 --> 00:15:52.899 So don't think I'm talking 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:53.820 about somebody else. 00:15:54.300 --> 00:15:54.560 Okay? 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:57.940 So to say everything is relative, 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.019 right? 00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.420 In other words, 00:15:59.480 --> 00:15:59.779 to say, 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:00.399 well, you know, 00:16:00.560 --> 00:16:02.060 God could be Yahweh 00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:03.180 or God could be Allah 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:04.320 or God could be 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:05.639 an impersonal, 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:06.940 transcendent life force. 00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:08.019 And I'm really open 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:08.960 to God being 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:11.080 whatever people think God is. 00:16:11.180 --> 00:16:11.279 You know, 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:13.300 that has the air of enlightenment 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:14.300 in our culture. 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.620 That has the air of learning. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:17.740 It has the air of sophistication. 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.960 But the fact is, 00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:20.039 I want to suggest 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:22.299 that that way of thinking 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:23.659 is the very essence of privilege. 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.840 It's the very essence 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:27.419 of existential privilege. 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:29.340 Because the only way 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:30.860 that you can truly be a relativist 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.860 is if none of it 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:33.379 really matters to you at all. 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:34.580 Right? 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:35.860 It doesn't really actually 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.539 make a difference 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.759 because you don't actually 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:39.480 need anything from God. 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.799 You say, 00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:41.419 I'm wealthy. 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.519 I've prospered. 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:43.279 I need nothing. 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:45.180 I need nothing from God. 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:45.820 Right? 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:46.320 The only way 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.100 that you can actually 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:48.040 think that way 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:49.520 is because your wealth 00:16:49.520 --> 00:16:50.280 and your status 00:16:50.280 --> 00:16:51.440 and your technology 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.740 and your education 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.100 and your, 00:16:53.260 --> 00:16:54.240 they've convinced you 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.560 of the limitless power 00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:57.240 of human beings. 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.840 They've convinced you 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:01.140 of the unlimited potential 00:17:01.140 --> 00:17:02.940 of human beings. 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:04.259 And so, 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.920 if you're in that category, 00:17:06.340 --> 00:17:07.320 you can afford 00:17:07.320 --> 00:17:08.600 to treat religion 00:17:08.600 --> 00:17:10.039 like a luxury addition 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:10.779 to your life. 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.880 It's like the metaphysical 00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:14.460 equivalent of a beach house 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.120 in Malibu. 00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:16.819 You know, 00:17:16.840 --> 00:17:17.700 it's like you can have it 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:18.079 or not. 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:19.140 It's nice to have it. 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.500 It has its place 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.079 in your life 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:22.400 and for some people 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.380 that's a really great place 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:23.840 to go 00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:25.079 when you need to relax. 00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:27.539 But that's all it is. 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.220 Right? 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:29.680 If, 00:17:29.840 --> 00:17:30.640 on the other hand, 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.779 you are powerless, 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.660 if you're marginalized, 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.340 if you're oppressed, 00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:36.799 if you're poor, 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:39.360 if the only systems 00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:40.340 that exist around you, 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:41.299 the government systems 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:41.960 that are supposed 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:43.019 to take care of you 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:45.160 have abandoned you 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.640 or they've exploited you 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.180 or they've given 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:48.120 preferential treatment 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:49.259 to other people 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:50.799 and you're left in the lurch 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.819 and you have no hope, 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:53.160 well, 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.180 then you better believe 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:55.360 these questions matter. 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:57.559 Is there a God? 00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:00.079 Who is that God? 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.920 Is that God personal? 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:04.120 Does that God know I'm here? 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:05.920 Does that God care about me at all? 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:07.340 Does that God have any power 00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:09.200 to intervene in my life at all? 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:11.000 Can that God save my children? 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:13.559 These are not topics 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:15.600 for leisurely speculation 00:18:15.600 --> 00:18:16.819 in coffee shops. 00:18:17.840 --> 00:18:19.519 These are life and death questions 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.840 because you're crying out 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:21.900 because you have nothing else 00:18:21.900 --> 00:18:22.940 to cling to. 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.500 Right? 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.920 So theological relativism 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:28.920 is a kind of luxury religion 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:31.819 and it's the lukewarm swill 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:33.120 that Jesus vomits 00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:34.539 out onto the ground. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:35.759 And so, you know, 00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:37.240 in these final days of Lent, 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:38.600 I think it's worth considering 00:18:38.600 --> 00:18:39.960 for us in this room 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:42.360 how our wealth and privilege 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:45.220 impact our relationship with God. 00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:46.319 You know, 00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:46.900 last night, 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.900 Laura and I went to see 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:49.299 this old folk musician, 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.200 David Wilcox. 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:50.759 I don't even know 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:52.559 if anybody knows who that is, 00:18:52.620 --> 00:18:54.000 but we went to see David Wilcox 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.500 and one of the things he said 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.120 that I thought was interesting, 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:56.400 he said, 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:56.700 I said, 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.819 I write these songs 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.940 and he says, 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.019 they're way ahead of me. 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:00.840 And he says, 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:01.700 I like to write songs 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:03.100 and I learn from the songs. 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:03.519 You know, 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.880 their songs are further down 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.700 the path than I am 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.240 and I write them 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.259 and then I learn from them 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.019 for the rest of my life. 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:09.799 Sometimes preachers feel that way 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.500 about our sermons, 00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:10.860 you know. 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:11.799 You preach something, 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.000 you're like, 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.259 man, 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.460 I wish that was true about me. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.319 Man, 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:16.960 I wish I fully believed that. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:17.960 You know, 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.200 man, 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.680 I wish I could really see 00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:21.200 how that would actually work 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.220 in my life. 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:23.400 And this is one of those places 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:26.220 where I reflect on my own life. 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:26.440 You know, 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.440 I'm not a relativist, 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.600 just to clear that up. 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:31.759 Yeah, 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.940 if the bishop asks, 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:33.960 I'm not a relativist, 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.240 okay. 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.340 Okay. 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:37.620 Yeah, 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.720 that's how rumors get started. 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.539 I'm not a relativist. 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.240 But when's the last time, 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:42.680 I think, 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.539 when's the last time 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:45.559 I felt a desperate need for God? 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:49.019 I mean desperate, 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:50.120 like on my knees. 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:54.080 I have access to three hospitals 00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:55.900 within like five minutes 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.519 of my house. 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:59.100 I have access to a 24-hour pharmacy. 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:01.840 I can literally go on my computer 00:20:01.840 --> 00:20:02.840 and within two hours 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:04.900 have groceries delivered to my house. 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:06.320 anything that I want. 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:08.420 I have Uber. 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.440 I have parents. 00:20:10.560 --> 00:20:11.620 I have an amazing house. 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:11.900 I mean, 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.880 the list just goes on. 00:20:13.040 --> 00:20:13.640 When's the last time 00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:14.620 I actually thought 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:16.880 if God doesn't intervene right now, 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.880 I am lost. 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:21.980 How much does our wealth 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.780 allow us 00:20:22.780 --> 00:20:24.840 to compartmentalize our faith, 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.720 to relegate it 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:27.160 to the backseat of our life? 00:20:28.280 --> 00:20:29.880 Be quiet unless I talk to you. 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:30.900 Right? 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:33.460 Don't bother me. 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.920 I'm focusing on my life. 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.500 Just be quiet and read a book 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:39.740 unless I want to talk to you 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.519 and then talk to me. 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:43.220 How much am I allowed to do that 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.259 because of the wealth 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.259 and privilege in my life? 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:47.560 You know who Marie Kondo is? 00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:50.980 She's kind of her own luxury religion. 00:20:51.320 --> 00:20:51.480 You know, 00:20:51.580 --> 00:20:52.920 it's like she only matters 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:54.060 if you have a lot of stuff. 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:56.579 But Marie Kondo says, 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.539 what does she say? 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.259 What's her mantra? 00:20:58.460 --> 00:21:02.220 If something doesn't bring you joy, 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.359 toss it out, right? 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:06.539 I think that we could modify that 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:06.940 a little bit 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.399 and say, you know, 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:10.240 if something doesn't bring you joy in God, 00:21:10.919 --> 00:21:14.899 if something doesn't catalyze you 00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:18.759 to see God as the creator and provider 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.720 and giver of all good gifts, 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:23.039 then maybe we should consider giving it 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:24.359 to somebody who needs it. 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.500 Because here's the thing 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.440 about the material world. 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:29.059 God doesn't hate the material world. 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.159 Here's the thing. 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:32.799 God created the material world, 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.779 all of this, 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:38.379 as a means of communing with him. 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:41.559 We're meant to enjoy, experience, 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:43.159 participate in, and celebrate God 00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:44.460 through this world. 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:47.000 It's meant to be a means of communion, 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:48.619 not a means of insulation. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:52.000 And so if anything is insulating us 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.039 from God's presence 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:55.099 and the joy of who he is, 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:56.700 we should probably get rid of it. 00:21:58.859 --> 00:22:00.359 So this is the first thing 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:01.400 we need to reflect on. 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.880 What does faithfulness look like 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:04.160 in a culture of materialism? 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.240 The second thing, 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.619 and the last thing I'll say is this. 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:10.059 Mercy in the midst of a meritocracy. 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:13.519 Mercy in the midst of a meritocracy. 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.960 I don't have to tell you 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:16.279 we live in a culture 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:17.519 that is a meritocracy. 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:19.920 You are as good as your resume. 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:22.559 You are as good as your most recent accomplishments. 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:25.220 You are as good as your accolades. 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.879 And that's about it. 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:29.379 And because we live in this culture 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:31.759 and we by default define ourselves 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:34.339 and one another by our accomplishments, 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:37.960 it's so easy to import that way of thinking 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.740 into the church. 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:40.720 It's so easy to import that way of thinking 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:43.000 into how we think God thinks about us. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:46.859 And yet this is showing us 00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:50.039 that Jesus is the only one worthy enough, 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:51.680 the only one righteous enough 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:54.180 to sit on the throne of the world. 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:57.400 It's saying that Jesus is the only one 00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:59.779 whose resume passes muster. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:02.660 And yet Jesus is also 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:05.279 the only one who decides 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:07.960 who else is welcomed into the kingdom. 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:10.099 And we say, well, that's so exclusive. 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:12.359 How could Christianity be so exclusive to say, 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:14.859 Jesus is the only way, the only truth, 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:17.240 the only hope, the only means of salvation? 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:20.299 Yeah, Christianity is radically exclusive. 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:22.399 Unapologetically exclusive. 00:23:23.679 --> 00:23:26.679 We're probably the most exclusive religion there is. 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:28.659 Because we say there's only one person 00:23:28.659 --> 00:23:29.459 that meets the standard. 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.639 But look at that person. 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:35.559 And if you understand the heart of that person, 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.839 you realize that Christianity 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:40.379 is simultaneously the most exclusive faith there is 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:43.900 and the most inclusive faith there is. 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:45.340 Because look at the heart of Jesus. 00:23:46.280 --> 00:23:47.500 What do we pray every week? 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:51.440 His eternal nature is to have mercy. 00:23:51.820 --> 00:23:53.040 This is the heart of our God. 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:55.980 So his eternal nature is to give people 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:57.960 precisely what they don't deserve, 00:23:58.300 --> 00:24:00.180 didn't earn, could never repay. 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:03.160 And so when he promises the Philadelphians 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:05.120 that even though they've been rejected, 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:08.019 that they will become pillars in the true temple. 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:11.440 You know, this is actually an allusion to Isaiah 56, 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:14.460 this amazing place in Isaiah's prophecy. 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:16.480 In Isaiah 56, 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:20.880 it's focusing entirely on people 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:24.060 who assumed they would be rejected by God. 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.039 Foreigners, 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.860 who at this point in Israel's history 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:29.879 had no business coming to the temple. 00:24:30.479 --> 00:24:31.179 And eunuchs, 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.659 people who either forcibly 00:24:33.659 --> 00:24:34.959 or many times voluntarily, 00:24:35.719 --> 00:24:37.959 because they knew it would advance their career, 00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:40.779 had sexually altered their own bodies 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:42.339 so that they could occupy 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:45.199 higher positions of power and influence. 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:45.799 For some people, 00:24:45.899 --> 00:24:47.359 this was the only way they had a shot 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.419 at a good career. 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.079 And yet, 00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:51.240 because they had sexually altered their bodies, 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.979 the law was clear in Deuteronomy, 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.339 you're not allowed in the temple. 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.439 You're not allowed in the temple. 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:59.059 And yet, 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:00.600 Isaiah 56 says, 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.160 the day is going to come 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:04.160 and someone is going to come 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:05.080 on that day 00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:06.759 who will not only welcome 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:08.500 people like that into the temple, 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.259 but it says, 00:25:09.600 --> 00:25:10.200 to the eunuchs, 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:12.039 I will give in my house 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:13.299 and within my walls 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:14.279 a monument 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.660 and a name 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:17.640 better than sons and daughters. 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:19.500 I will give you an everlasting name 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.539 that shall not be cut off. 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:22.240 The eunuchs' greatest source of grief 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.980 in the ancient world 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.400 is that they would never have children, 00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:25.660 they would never have a family, 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:27.000 they had sacrificed that 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:28.759 or it had been taken from them. 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.279 And Isaiah is saying, 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.660 one day someone's going to come, 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:33.080 they're going to welcome you in 00:25:33.080 --> 00:25:35.220 and you're going to have descendants 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:37.600 as numerous as the stars. 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.759 You're going to be built into the architecture 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.940 of God's house. 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:43.779 So through Jesus, 00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:46.640 people who never would have been allowed 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.560 in the earthly temple 00:25:47.560 --> 00:25:49.259 are given places of honor 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.320 in the true temple. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.519 They're monuments and pillars. 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:53.420 And by the way, 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.879 this connects to Palm Sunday. 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.319 It connects to Palm Sunday 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:57.700 in that, 00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:58.700 what did Jesus do 00:25:58.700 --> 00:26:00.379 right after the triumphal entry? 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.639 What's the next thing he did? 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:02.779 He enters Jerusalem, 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:04.639 he goes straight into the temple. 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:05.740 And what does he do? 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:07.420 He begins to turn over tables 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:08.960 and kick all the money lenders 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.000 and the vendors 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.519 out onto the street. 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.359 And why is that? 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.559 It's not just because 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.740 there was corruption happening, 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:16.299 although there was. 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.539 It's not just because 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.960 Jesus doesn't like a free market. 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.420 We'll talk about that later. 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:20.460 prayer. 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:22.100 It's because Jesus 00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:24.600 recognized that they had 00:26:24.600 --> 00:26:26.700 completely crowded the Gentiles 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:28.480 out of the court of the Gentiles. 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.420 And he says, 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.800 it is written that my house 00:26:31.800 --> 00:26:32.740 shall be a house of prayer 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.640 for all people. 00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:35.039 He's saying, 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:35.980 don't you get it? 00:26:36.360 --> 00:26:38.640 These Gentiles who are now 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:40.740 welcome only into the outer court, 00:26:41.300 --> 00:26:42.400 you should let them pray 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.140 because one day 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:44.259 they're going to be pillars. 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:46.460 There's going to be monuments of them 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.340 in the temple. 00:26:47.340 --> 00:26:49.120 And one day you may bow to them. 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:51.500 They will be the true descendants 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:51.979 of Abraham. 00:26:52.939 --> 00:26:54.079 And so he kicks them out 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.639 on the street. 00:26:55.479 --> 00:26:56.959 And so what this shows us 00:26:56.959 --> 00:26:57.919 again and again and again, 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.559 and the Bible is full of this theme. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:03.439 Although we live in a meritocracy 00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:05.099 where we're only as good 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:05.759 as our resumes, 00:27:06.679 --> 00:27:08.919 God's family is defined by mercy. 00:27:10.479 --> 00:27:11.919 We are a people of mercy 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:13.519 because we are a people 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.359 who are only a people 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.679 because we've received mercy. 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:18.320 And that means we recognize 00:27:18.320 --> 00:27:19.840 that we have earned nothing. 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:22.340 We are all impressive people. 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.600 You're amazing people. 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.799 But you've earned nothing. 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:28.279 We're entitled to nothing. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:31.019 Every single thing in our lives 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.340 is an undeserved gift. 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:34.519 And what that produces 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.960 in the lives of Christians, 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:37.380 above everything else, 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:39.299 is humility and gratitude. 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:39.500 gratitude. 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.940 Thank you that I'm even here. 00:27:43.180 --> 00:27:45.079 Thank you that I'm even alive. 00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:46.799 Thank you that I have people 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:48.000 who love me and care about me. 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:49.579 I don't deserve any of it. 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.639 And I think one day 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.799 when all is said and done, 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:54.480 and when we look around, 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:54.759 you know, 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.819 when kind of all accounts 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.359 are settled 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.720 and the new Jerusalem 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.539 has come down 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.680 and everything's been renewed, 00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:01.339 and you're kind of looking around 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:01.779 and like, 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.299 you know, 00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:03.099 who made it? 00:28:03.419 --> 00:28:03.779 You know? 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:04.819 Who's here? 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:05.480 You know, 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.220 I think that's probably 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:06.759 going to happen. 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.839 Wow, man. 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.700 Wow, do I recognize any? 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.960 And you look around. 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.399 I think that there are 00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:13.079 going to be some people 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:14.439 who assumed all along 00:28:14.439 --> 00:28:15.019 they were in. 00:28:15.899 --> 00:28:16.919 And we won't see them. 00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:18.960 But I think that there are 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:20.859 many, many, many, many people, 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.879 probably many more 00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:22.839 than we dare hope, 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.259 who maybe we all assumed. 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.859 No chance. 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.419 No chance. 00:28:28.939 --> 00:28:30.299 And they're going to be laughing 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.879 and singing and celebrating 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:33.200 at the very center of the party. 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.379 They're going to have 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:35.200 the places of honor 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.060 at the feast. 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:38.980 That's the great joy of mercy 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.560 is that it is 00:28:39.560 --> 00:28:40.620 completely unpredictable. 00:28:41.800 --> 00:28:42.120 You know, 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:42.840 we have our rules 00:28:42.840 --> 00:28:43.480 and our formulas 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:45.020 and our ordo salutis, 00:28:45.100 --> 00:28:45.920 but at the end of the day, 00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:48.000 we're dealing with a God 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:49.300 of radical, wild, 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.260 unpredictable grace. 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.720 And we have no idea 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:53.180 what that's going to mean 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.160 in the kingdom. 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.620 But Jesus does 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:56.740 because he's the gatekeeper 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:58.300 and he holds the keys. 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:00.540 So it doesn't matter 00:29:00.540 --> 00:29:01.840 how successful we are. 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.620 It doesn't matter 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:03.800 how intelligent you are. 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.659 It doesn't matter 00:29:04.659 --> 00:29:05.740 how accomplished we are. 00:29:05.899 --> 00:29:06.599 It doesn't matter 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:08.279 how morally upright we are 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.980 or how much of an impact 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:11.000 we've had in the world. 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.019 The only thing 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:13.019 that matters is this. 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.099 Are you willing 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:15.460 to humble yourself 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.859 and receive 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:18.519 the gift of mercy 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.980 that Jesus offers? 00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:21.359 Let's pray. 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:26.659 której? 00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:30.219 Let's pray. 00:29:30.439 --> 00:29:30.779 Let's pray.