WEBVTT 00:00:00.100 --> 00:00:05.639 Well, good morning again. It's lovely to be here. Sorry for my complete lack of grace 00:00:05.639 --> 00:00:10.480 in failing to congratulate anyone from South Africa. I'm going to be speaking to a very 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:15.960 dear friend who's South African tomorrow, so I'm kind of, I'm stealing myself for his 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:23.400 gloating. So anyway, we're going to be talking a little today then about this idea of the 00:00:23.399 --> 00:00:30.159 restoration of humanity. And that might be, it might even seem like a strange idea that 00:00:30.159 --> 00:00:35.439 when we're talking about the Christian faith then, we're not talking about something that 00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:42.519 causes us to escape from reality or escape from creation, but rather it's about the restoration 00:00:42.519 --> 00:00:52.179 of it. C.S. Lewis, the author, once said something that I find deeply moving. He said that if we met 00:00:52.179 --> 00:01:02.140 now a human person untainted by sin, an unfallen human person, they would be so glorious that we 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:08.620 would be tempted to fall down and worship them. But of course, we're not unfallen. There are so 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:16.340 many things that are broken and that are twisted. We are what another author referred to as glorious 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:22.019 ruins. And as a way of thinking about who we are as human persons, it's very helpful. 00:01:22.180 --> 00:01:28.420 We're glorious ruins. There's still so much that is beautiful that we can see in every person. 00:01:28.920 --> 00:01:35.540 The idea of every person being created in God's image confers dignity and respect. It means that 00:01:35.540 --> 00:01:43.320 there are no little or insignificant people. Everybody has value, and that's a beautiful thing. 00:01:43.820 --> 00:01:50.960 But also that everybody is infected by this same problem that we described yesterday, this idea of being 00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:59.419 curved in upon ourselves, where we're created to love God and to love others. Instead, we curve in 00:01:59.419 --> 00:02:06.039 and use our relationships to get what we can. I'm going to say more about that in just a minute or two. 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:14.500 We looked at a bit of a framework for thinking about the Bible's bigger picture, creation. And we looked 00:02:14.500 --> 00:02:20.379 forward, though, to new creation as well. And the importance of that is that when you look at the 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:27.099 creation account, do we just feel nostalgic because it's not like that now? But the Bible tells us how 00:02:27.099 --> 00:02:36.359 things conclude, how things come to their fantastic conclusion, where things are restored, where God 00:02:36.359 --> 00:02:42.939 restores things to be the way they're supposed to be. So it's not just a nostalgia for what's lost, 00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:53.000 but it's a longing for how things will be also. Things in the meantime, though, are not the way they're 00:02:53.000 --> 00:03:00.280 supposed to be. We don't need to look very hard to see that. And what God's in the business of doing 00:03:00.280 --> 00:03:08.240 in the meantime, then, is to restore and renew and to redeem, instead of being curved in on ourselves to 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:14.420 turn us outward from ourselves. We talked a lot yesterday about the rejection of creatureliness 00:03:14.420 --> 00:03:25.300 in the account of the temptation in the Garden of Eden. The temptation is, you will take this fruit, 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:33.420 then you will be like God. A rejection of creatureliness and the right ordering of our relationships. 00:03:33.419 --> 00:03:38.280 But also in that original temptation, there's the doubt about God's goodness. 00:03:39.479 --> 00:03:44.839 Is God good enough that I can trust him that what he says is actually good for me? 00:03:45.779 --> 00:03:49.779 And of course, that's exactly the temptation for all of us every moment of every day. 00:03:50.439 --> 00:03:56.599 Did God really say, is he really trustworthy? Is he good? Does he want my best? Or is he somebody 00:03:56.599 --> 00:04:06.000 who just wants to constrain and restrict, to cramp us, to make us somehow less than fully human instead 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:12.120 of fully human? And that's the reason for choosing that title today, the restoration of humanity. 00:04:12.819 --> 00:04:18.860 Because one of the big lies out there, and many of us are tempted to believe it, I'm sure, 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:28.699 is that God's law, God's commands, God's ways for us are in fact those which constrain, constrict, 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:38.040 reduce us, diminish our humanity. Whereas in actual fact, the message of the Bible is good news 00:04:38.040 --> 00:04:47.139 that what God says is good for us, is best for us. So that's what we're going to be thinking about, 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:58.740 is how then does this get reversed, this assertion of autonomy? The idea of autonomy is that I am in 00:04:58.740 --> 00:05:05.719 charge, and that life and the purpose of life, the meaning of life is that I should try to arrange 00:05:05.719 --> 00:05:12.379 all my circumstances and my relationships and my possessions and use my gifts and opportunities, 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:21.680 and all of that stuff there exists in order to make me happy and to make me contented and to make me 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:29.699 secure and to fulfill my life. It puts me at the center. And of course, when it's ramped up in our 00:05:29.699 --> 00:05:36.759 current culture, it goes beyond just, if you like, the idea that I can use what's around me to make me 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:42.920 better, to make me happier, it goes beyond that even to, and I actually get to decide what's right 00:05:42.920 --> 00:05:49.420 and wrong in the world on the basis of how I feel. I get to decide what's true and false on the basis of 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:58.399 how I feel internally. And of course, our culture right now has perhaps promoted and normalized this 00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:05.779 more than any culture in human history. This idea of autonomy, it's almost reflexive. We think of 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:13.779 ourselves, a good friend of mine has worked a great deal in Eastern Europe and in the East, and he 00:06:13.779 --> 00:06:24.339 asks people always a question, how do you think about yourself? And he notes, he observes that in the West, 00:06:24.479 --> 00:06:31.559 for most folks like us here, our instinctive response is to answer, I, whereas there are cultures in the 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:39.300 world where people's responses, we, which is fascinating, very, very different. So a culture 00:06:39.300 --> 00:06:48.819 that normalizes autonomy, I'm in charge. Into that culture, directly confronting it comes the words 00:06:48.819 --> 00:06:57.079 that were read, Jesus' words. And Jesus' call to discipleship. Those words were, if anyone would come 00:06:57.079 --> 00:07:09.279 after me, let them deny themselves, take up the cross daily and follow me. That call to deny self, 00:07:09.379 --> 00:07:19.139 take up cross and follow, it confronts, it clashes head on with this idea of autonomy. And what I'm 00:07:19.139 --> 00:07:25.099 wanting to say and what I want to argue and commend to you is this, that that call to deny self, 00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:31.820 take up cross and follow, far from being a diminishment, a restriction or constraint, 00:07:32.580 --> 00:07:38.560 is a merciful call from the one who made us and knows us better than we know ourselves, 00:07:39.280 --> 00:07:44.280 who loves us more than we love ourselves, cares for us more than we care for ourselves, 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:51.180 wants what's best and can do what's best for us. It's that one who says, deny self, 00:07:51.180 --> 00:08:00.400 take up cross and follow. And that's a liberation from the corrosive, the poisonous effects of autonomy. 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:07.000 That's what Jesus' call is. And that's what I want us to focus in on. And we'll just go through 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:15.600 bit by bit. There's the text up there. One of the things that I want to just point out, 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:21.060 and it's just a little thing for how we read the Bible for when you're reading it yourself. 00:08:21.960 --> 00:08:28.400 This little passage that we read, of course, is in a context. And its context is it's sandwiched between 00:08:28.400 --> 00:08:36.680 the beginning of Luke chapter 9, Jesus sends out 12. Beginning of chapter 10 of Luke, Jesus sends out 72. 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:43.799 And he sends them out to do Jesus' stuff. To do the stuff that Jesus has been doing in the world. 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:52.419 To go and to preach good news of kingdom. To heal people. To drive out demons. To do Jesus' stuff. 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:57.159 He sends them out, and then he sends even more out at the beginning of chapter 10. 00:08:57.559 --> 00:09:02.979 And the idea of what does it take for people to be prepared to be the kind of people who can go and 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:09.899 do Jesus' stuff in the world is right in the middle of the chapter. Deny self, take a cross, 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:18.000 and follow, says Jesus. And then you're going and you're doing Jesus' stuff in the world. A world that 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:24.639 desperately needs that. To put it more technically, discipleship and mission are so intimately related 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:31.759 and inseparable. Those who follow Jesus are those who do Jesus' stuff in the world, if you like. 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:39.039 Let's think about this business of denying self. Because we probably hear that as quite a negative 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:47.080 thing. We may associate that with the sort of false asceticism, perhaps. Like, you know, give up 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:55.559 chocolate for Lent or whatever. These rather trivial things. But much more fundamentally, this question of 00:09:55.559 --> 00:10:04.559 deny self is a question that addresses who is in charge. One of the ways that I find helpful to think 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:11.759 about this is to imagine a throne or a seat of authority in our lives. And who's sitting on it, 00:10:12.079 --> 00:10:18.799 giving the instructions and the directions? Is it me that's sitting on that seat of authority? 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:29.240 Or is it God who's sitting on that seat of authority? And this battle that enrages for many of us as we're 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:35.319 constantly tempted, as we doubt whether God really is good enough to trust to sort of push aside and to 00:10:35.319 --> 00:10:41.419 get back onto that seat. So that's really the question that's being asked is, who is in charge? 00:10:41.419 --> 00:10:53.919 Who's the one who calls the shots? Is it myself? Am I in charge and basically trying to use God to get 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:59.319 what I want and use all my other relationships to get what I want? There's a direction that follows 00:10:59.319 --> 00:11:06.459 from this. If I put myself in charge, then I have to get very busy making life work for me. 00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:12.200 And that's going to involve making my relationships work to provide me with what I think I need. 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:18.100 It's going to involve defending myself against things that might threaten me. It's going to involve 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:27.800 using everything at my disposal to try to make me secure and happy and content. And Jesus says, no, that's 00:11:27.800 --> 00:11:35.120 not actually the way. And we'll come to this in a minute or two. Not only is that not the way, that guarantees 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:40.399 that you won't get the things that you're looking for. It's actually counterproductive. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:49.539 This question of who's in charge could also be framed in terms of ownership. Who owns us? Who's the one 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:57.919 who actually has claim of ownership over us? That's why we started with the idea of creation yesterday. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:04.379 Because actually there is one who said, I made it all and it's mine. And therefore you are accountable to me. 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:12.600 This idea of ownership then is about rightly ordered relationships rather than disordered relationships. 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:19.080 Paul talks about this, the Apostle Paul talks about this in other different ways. 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:24.340 I was reflecting on this and it was nice that it was mentioned in the kids session 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:27.519 earlier in the service, 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:34.399 where part of Ephesians 2, 1 to 10 was quoted, verse 8, about it's by grace you've been saved and through faith. 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.879 But that passage is fascinating 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:39.439 because Paul describes 00:12:39.439 --> 00:12:41.340 people like you and me 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:43.659 as being dead in our sins 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:45.279 and our transgressions. 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:47.600 And the idea 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:50.000 and the picture is of helplessness, 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:52.559 of hopelessness. 00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:55.100 He describes us as being, by nature, 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:57.100 children of wrath. 00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.360 And he then says, 00:13:00.920 --> 00:13:02.340 but God, 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:06.680 but God has done something amazing about this. 00:13:07.300 --> 00:13:09.259 That God has reached in, 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:11.060 has come to us 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:12.540 in our helplessness 00:13:12.540 --> 00:13:14.220 and in our hopelessness. 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.720 And Paul goes on to say, 00:13:15.800 --> 00:13:17.360 he's then made us alive 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.879 together with Christ. 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:22.000 He's raised us from the grave 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.220 together with Christ 00:13:23.220 --> 00:13:25.000 and seated us together 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:25.600 with Christ 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:26.720 in the heavenlies. 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:28.120 By grace, 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:28.939 you're saved, 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:29.740 he says. 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:32.059 And it's not just that he's 00:13:32.059 --> 00:13:33.139 made us alive 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.299 and raised and seated us. 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.360 He's done this, 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.399 Paul goes on to say, 00:13:36.659 --> 00:13:38.259 so that we might walk 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:40.000 in the good works 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:40.879 that God's prepared 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:41.960 for us to do in advance. 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:44.120 It's another way of saying 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:44.820 the same thing. 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:45.759 Deny self is 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:47.559 is a transfer of ownership. 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:49.120 And here in Ephesians, 00:13:49.319 --> 00:13:50.659 Paul is talking about 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:52.340 a transfer of ownership 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:53.980 and actually a transfer 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:56.000 from death to life 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.720 and life that is united 00:13:57.720 --> 00:13:59.279 to Jesus Christ. 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:01.819 And that's the good news 00:14:01.819 --> 00:14:04.259 that he unites us 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:05.200 by grace 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:06.899 out of pure kindness 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:07.799 and gift 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:09.379 to Christ 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:11.399 to give us the gift 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:12.120 of new life 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:14.899 and transformed relationships 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:16.199 as a result. 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.980 The basis for transformation, 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:21.620 and this is so key 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.319 when we're reading 00:14:22.319 --> 00:14:23.120 the Gospels, 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:23.819 when we're reading 00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:24.919 any part of the Bible, 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:27.360 is not go and sort yourself out 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.419 and try a bit harder. 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:33.000 That's not good news 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:35.220 to go and sort yourself out, 00:14:35.699 --> 00:14:36.659 try a bit harder, 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:37.980 tidy up your act, 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:39.059 and try and look 00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:40.279 like you're a bit better 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:41.419 than you actually are. 00:14:41.419 --> 00:14:43.439 The good news is 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:45.539 that this is gift 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:47.299 and it's a gift 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.379 of new life 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.860 to be united 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:50.719 with Jesus, 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:53.519 to deny self, 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:54.879 the ownership 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.879 to be transferred, 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.439 the Christ being 00:14:57.439 --> 00:14:58.079 on the throne 00:14:58.079 --> 00:14:58.599 of the life 00:14:58.599 --> 00:14:59.659 of our lives 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:00.579 instead of ourselves 00:15:00.579 --> 00:15:01.279 sitting on it. 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:02.479 All these different ways 00:15:02.479 --> 00:15:04.159 of saying the same thing. 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:06.079 That's the basis then 00:15:06.079 --> 00:15:07.339 for receiving this gift 00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:07.899 of new life 00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:08.779 that's transformative. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:14.579 It leads to a whole set 00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:16.419 of new heart attitudes. 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:18.100 But maybe you're sitting 00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:18.699 and you're thinking, 00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:20.179 well, what about my rights? 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:23.500 What about me? 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.699 If I deny self, 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.959 if someone else owns me, 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.899 then what about my rights? 00:15:27.939 --> 00:15:29.120 And that's what Jesus 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.059 goes on to say. 00:15:30.459 --> 00:15:31.779 It's not just deny self. 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.120 He says, 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:32.799 deny self, 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:34.360 take up cross, 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:36.000 take up your cross daily 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.759 and follow. 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:39.799 What does that mean? 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:43.740 This idea of taking up 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:45.100 the cross and following 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:46.879 is a pattern 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:47.679 that's repeated 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:49.819 all over the New Testament. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:51.939 The idea of this 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:53.179 taking up the cross 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:54.519 is to reflect 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.600 on the pattern 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:57.019 of what Jesus does 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:58.519 in going to the cross. 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.120 And when Jesus 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.139 goes to the cross, 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.480 it's actually 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.720 demonstrating 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:05.379 God's love to us. 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:08.799 It's a love then 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:09.620 that is willing 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.980 to give 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:12.000 to others. 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.399 It's a love 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.419 that doesn't 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:15.539 defend itself 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.519 but in fact 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:18.240 gives all that it has 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:19.279 for the blessing 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:20.259 and the benefit 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.100 of others. 00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:23.100 Even if that 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:24.159 seems to involve 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:24.840 suffering 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:26.039 or pain 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:27.039 or loss. 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:29.200 So to take up 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:29.759 the cross 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:30.360 and follow 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:31.720 is to recognize 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:33.399 that there's a cross-shaped 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:34.000 pattern 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.139 for life 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:36.600 that Jesus 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.840 calls people 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:39.179 to walk in. 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.439 A pattern 00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:41.240 of life 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:42.079 that involves 00:16:42.079 --> 00:16:42.879 understanding 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:44.240 that all we are 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:45.000 and all we have 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.579 is actually not 00:16:45.579 --> 00:16:46.259 given to us 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:47.399 for ourselves 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:48.279 but actually 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.240 for the blessing 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:49.819 and benefit 00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:50.459 of others. 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:51.500 We're designed 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.059 if you like 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:52.860 not so much 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:54.220 to be receptacles 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:55.740 of what God gives 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:57.259 but channels of it 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.319 to others. 00:16:58.899 --> 00:17:00.179 And that's this picture 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:01.519 of cross-shaped living. 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:02.859 We've already mentioned 00:17:02.859 --> 00:17:03.259 Ephesians 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.059 so we might as well 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:05.539 mention a bit more 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.139 of Ephesians 00:17:06.139 --> 00:17:06.799 but the beginning 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.960 of chapter 5 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:09.000 in Ephesians 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.779 is just one of the 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.500 many places 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.279 in the New Testament 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.419 that gives us 00:17:12.419 --> 00:17:13.740 exactly this pattern. 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.200 Paul there says 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:15.659 therefore 00:17:15.659 --> 00:17:17.220 be imitators 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.779 of God. 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.159 It's a startling statement. 00:17:19.879 --> 00:17:21.200 How do we imitate God? 00:17:22.179 --> 00:17:24.399 We can't create worlds 00:17:24.399 --> 00:17:25.679 and sustain them 00:17:25.679 --> 00:17:27.159 but Paul goes on 00:17:27.159 --> 00:17:28.519 to define exactly 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:30.079 what imitation of God 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:31.299 actually means. 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:32.559 He says 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:34.259 as beloved children 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.900 walk in love 00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:37.700 as Christ loved us 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.940 and gave himself 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:39.759 for us. 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.579 Let's think about 00:17:41.579 --> 00:17:42.299 that pattern 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.059 a bit further. 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:44.480 Deny self 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:45.460 take up cross 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.660 and here's this pattern. 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:47.700 Paul says 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.660 be imitators 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:50.039 and first thing 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.379 he says 00:17:50.379 --> 00:17:51.119 is be imitators 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:52.680 as beloved children. 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.240 You don't 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.740 be imitators 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.139 in order 00:17:56.139 --> 00:17:57.119 to become 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.139 loved children. 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:58.860 That's crucial. 00:17:58.980 --> 00:17:59.460 That's the point 00:17:59.460 --> 00:17:59.800 I was making 00:17:59.800 --> 00:18:00.259 just a second 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:00.820 or two ago. 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:03.080 It's as beloved children 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:03.900 who've already 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:05.820 received love 00:18:05.820 --> 00:18:06.960 from God 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.900 and received it 00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:09.540 not because 00:18:09.540 --> 00:18:11.440 we are special people 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.320 who've particularly 00:18:12.320 --> 00:18:13.300 managed to clean up 00:18:13.300 --> 00:18:13.700 our act 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:14.560 try harder 00:18:14.560 --> 00:18:16.020 or look nice 00:18:16.020 --> 00:18:16.860 or be nice 00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:18.740 but received 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.580 gift 00:18:19.580 --> 00:18:20.780 from God. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.140 This idea 00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:22.900 of gift 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:24.460 is so fundamental 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.860 to the way 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:26.939 that the Bible 00:18:26.939 --> 00:18:27.779 speaks about 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.639 God's relationship 00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:29.179 with us 00:18:29.179 --> 00:18:31.459 and part of 00:18:31.459 --> 00:18:32.339 the twisting 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:33.159 out of shape 00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:33.759 that we see 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.279 so much 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:34.859 is that we 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:36.259 reject gift 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.579 and we want 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.039 to do it 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.500 ourselves 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:39.759 in all kinds 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.559 of different ways. 00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:43.019 As beloved 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.879 children though 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:45.259 those who receive 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.159 God's love 00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:47.740 with open hands 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:49.240 this gift 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:51.680 and that idea 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.480 of open hands 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:52.799 I think 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:53.400 is a really 00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:54.279 helpful way 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:54.680 of thinking 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:55.180 about what 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:55.980 faith is. 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.460 Earlier 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.859 in Ephesians 00:18:58.859 --> 00:18:59.519 in the passage 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.759 that was referred 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.160 to 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.620 salvation 00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:03.779 is described 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.839 as being by grace 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.779 and through faith. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.440 Again 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:08.259 we hear the word 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:08.779 faith 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.279 and we think 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:09.660 about it 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:12.099 as an intellectual 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:12.480 thing 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.220 agreeing with 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:13.779 certain things 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.460 that are true. 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:15.599 Much 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:16.259 much better 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:16.880 is to think 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:17.339 about it 00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.220 as the open 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:19.519 hands that receive 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:21.059 and of course 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.680 if hands are 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.360 to be open 00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:23.180 to receive 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:24.100 gift from God 00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:25.160 they've got to 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:25.860 let go of all 00:19:25.860 --> 00:19:26.600 the other stuff 00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:26.920 that they're 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.640 holding on to 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.360 in the meantime. 00:19:29.360 --> 00:19:30.319 All the things 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:30.860 that I want 00:19:30.860 --> 00:19:31.579 to hold on to 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.480 to make life work 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:34.019 and as long 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.740 as that's the case 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.720 I can't receive 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.400 this gift 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:36.940 and I have to 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:37.839 let them go. 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:39.900 It's a similar 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.779 picture to getting 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.720 off that seat 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.740 off that throne 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:44.279 denying self 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.140 and having 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.100 Christ alone 00:19:46.100 --> 00:19:46.579 as the one 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.980 who's in charge 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.799 and calling 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.339 the shots. 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.380 So as beloved 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:52.640 children then 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.279 those who've 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:54.099 received gift 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:55.039 how are we 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.720 then to live? 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.640 And Paul says 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.220 our imitation 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:58.960 of God 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.940 is to imitate 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.880 the pattern 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:02.019 of Christ's 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.579 love 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:04.279 which is 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.200 a loving 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:05.960 sacrifice. 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:06.900 He gave himself 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:07.980 a fragrant 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.519 offering 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.640 and a sacrifice 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:10.660 to God 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:12.559 so that our 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.160 imitation 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:14.240 as loved 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.900 children 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.500 is to love 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.400 as Christ loved 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:19.120 to understand 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:19.660 that all we 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.420 are and have 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:20.900 is given 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:21.640 to love 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.060 and bless 00:20:22.060 --> 00:20:22.460 others. 00:20:23.280 --> 00:20:24.240 To recognize 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:24.980 that there is 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:26.220 nothing that we 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:26.800 have 00:20:26.800 --> 00:20:27.920 that is just 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:28.740 for ourselves. 00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:30.200 To recognize 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:30.960 that our very 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:32.180 purpose in life 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:33.620 is to love 00:20:33.620 --> 00:20:34.700 and to bless 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.120 others 00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:36.660 and that this 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.380 pattern of being 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.259 a child of God 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.340 receiving from 00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:39.740 God 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:41.060 is then to 00:20:41.060 --> 00:20:41.820 pour out from 00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:42.500 what we receive 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.080 to others. 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.759 That's the picture 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.799 that I guess 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:47.160 I'm trying 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:47.519 to wrestle 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:47.839 with. 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:49.259 This idea 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.319 then of 00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:51.519 receiving from 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.379 God so that 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:53.140 we are filled 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:53.720 from what 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.640 he gives us 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.279 as gift 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:56.099 freely 00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:57.400 and abundantly 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:58.400 and lavishly 00:20:58.400 --> 00:21:00.059 so that 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:00.759 we are then 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.700 pouring the 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.279 same out 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.339 towards others. 00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:04.759 The people 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.359 we live with 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:06.240 our workmates 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.599 our schoolmates 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.720 university friends 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.339 our family 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:10.619 whoever it is 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.920 we are receiving 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.800 from God 00:21:12.800 --> 00:21:13.380 himself 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:14.400 in order 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:15.060 to pour 00:21:15.060 --> 00:21:15.539 out love 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.460 towards others. 00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:17.920 It's a beautiful 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:18.480 picture 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.680 of what 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.720 we are designed 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.920 to do. 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:23.620 The contrast 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:23.900 though 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:24.660 and it's important 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.560 to point it out 00:21:25.560 --> 00:21:26.660 the contrast 00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:27.300 is that 00:21:27.300 --> 00:21:28.039 instead of 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:28.700 receiving 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:30.440 and being 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:31.259 loved 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:32.120 children 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:33.620 instead of 00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.080 that it's 00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:35.140 this idea 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.820 of saying 00:21:35.820 --> 00:21:36.900 I am empty 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.539 and lacking 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.220 and deficient 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.600 and I need 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:38.980 to get 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.660 what I can. 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.360 It's the contrast 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:41.919 in other words 00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:42.339 between 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.059 receiving 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.579 and giving 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.979 and grasping 00:21:44.979 --> 00:21:45.740 and getting. 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:47.979 We could say 00:21:47.979 --> 00:21:48.879 that the essence 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:49.479 of sin 00:21:49.479 --> 00:21:51.379 because if sin 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:52.039 is the opposite 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:53.219 of loving people 00:21:53.219 --> 00:21:55.759 then what sin 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.240 is 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:57.119 is using 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:57.639 people. 00:21:58.639 --> 00:21:59.500 It's getting 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.219 what we can 00:22:00.219 --> 00:22:01.059 from other people 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.859 it's manipulating 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:02.319 them 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.139 it's trying 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:03.579 to use 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.319 that relationship 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:05.039 to get something 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.699 that makes me 00:22:05.699 --> 00:22:06.299 feel better 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:07.039 about me. 00:22:07.939 --> 00:22:08.979 It's exactly 00:22:08.979 --> 00:22:09.539 the opposite 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.119 of receive 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:10.679 and give. 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:12.680 it's grasping 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.820 and keeping 00:22:13.820 --> 00:22:15.259 and think 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.200 about the number 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.019 of relationships 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:18.340 maybe you're 00:22:18.340 --> 00:22:19.560 smarting from 00:22:19.560 --> 00:22:20.500 the pain of that 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.240 of being treated 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:21.980 that way. 00:22:24.060 --> 00:22:24.980 Maybe you can 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.580 think of ways 00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:26.000 that you 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.340 do that yourself 00:22:27.340 --> 00:22:29.340 but that's 00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:30.420 the fundamental 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.340 contrast 00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:31.860 deny self 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.259 take up 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:32.740 cross 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:35.039 is to receive 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.840 as a loved 00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:36.420 child 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.560 and give 00:22:37.560 --> 00:22:38.880 rather than 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:40.039 grasping 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.680 to get 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:41.480 what I can 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.480 or desperately 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.380 defending myself 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:44.380 against perceived 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:44.900 threat. 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:46.800 And right at the 00:22:46.800 --> 00:22:47.420 heart of that 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:47.740 then 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.660 if that's 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.320 to change 00:22:49.320 --> 00:22:50.200 from grasping 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:50.680 and getting 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.620 to receiving 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:52.140 and giving 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:53.519 is being a 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.080 beloved 00:22:54.080 --> 00:22:55.640 child of God 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.800 someone who's 00:22:56.800 --> 00:22:57.600 denied self 00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:58.480 takes up 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:58.880 cross 00:22:58.880 --> 00:22:59.960 and follows. 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:04.340 This then 00:23:04.340 --> 00:23:05.100 creates 00:23:05.100 --> 00:23:05.819 and sets 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.380 out for us 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:07.140 a pattern 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:08.079 for restored 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:08.720 image. 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.559 This is what 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.319 the restored 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.779 image looks 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.180 like 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.539 because 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.660 Christ is the 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.019 one who 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:16.000 supremely 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.079 images God 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:18.299 who shows us 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.740 what God 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.279 is like 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.019 and to 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.039 be restored 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.059 in that image 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.779 is to become 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.319 more like 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:23.640 Jesus 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.880 to do 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:25.480 Jesus 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:25.940 stuff 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.440 if you like 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.120 in Jesus 00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:27.759 ways 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:29.420 and that 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:29.759 is to 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.160 love 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:30.660 as 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.380 Jesus 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:31.880 loved. 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.080 It's about 00:23:33.080 --> 00:23:33.960 a revolution 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:35.160 in relationships. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.680 I've totally 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:38.120 lost track 00:23:38.120 --> 00:23:38.460 of time. 00:23:38.560 --> 00:23:38.900 What time 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:39.860 do you want 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:40.259 me just to 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.420 stop right 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:41.640 now? 00:23:42.100 --> 00:23:42.440 Keep going. 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:42.860 Stop. 00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:43.380 Stop. 00:23:43.580 --> 00:23:43.860 Stop. 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.180 Soon. 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.200 Alright. 00:23:45.300 --> 00:23:45.460 Okay. 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.700 I totally 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.560 have a very 00:23:47.560 --> 00:23:48.840 distant relationship 00:23:48.840 --> 00:23:49.460 to the concept 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:49.900 of time 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:51.640 and I'm 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.000 encouraged 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.620 by the fact 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:54.019 that punctuality 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.639 is not really 00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:55.399 a biblical 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:55.879 concept 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.379 that I can 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:56.659 find. 00:23:59.239 --> 00:23:59.859 My wife 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.299 doesn't buy 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.659 this one 00:24:00.659 --> 00:24:01.279 at all. 00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:02.139 Right. 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:02.899 Okay. 00:24:03.439 --> 00:24:03.759 Now, 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:04.379 some of you 00:24:04.379 --> 00:24:04.539 are going 00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:04.719 to be 00:24:04.719 --> 00:24:05.079 thinking, 00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:05.639 okay, 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.359 that sounds 00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:06.839 great in 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.179 theory, 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:07.979 receiving, 00:24:08.159 --> 00:24:08.359 giving, 00:24:08.739 --> 00:24:09.500 not protecting 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:09.939 myself, 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:11.139 not using 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:11.539 others to 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:11.939 get what I 00:24:11.939 --> 00:24:12.099 need, 00:24:12.219 --> 00:24:12.659 but what 00:24:12.659 --> 00:24:13.059 about me? 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:13.719 What's 00:24:13.719 --> 00:24:13.939 going to 00:24:13.939 --> 00:24:14.379 happen to 00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:14.479 me? 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:14.699 Am I 00:24:14.699 --> 00:24:15.000 just going 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.259 to be 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.879 trampled 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:16.359 all over? 00:24:16.459 --> 00:24:16.639 Am I 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:16.779 going to 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.079 be a 00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:17.500 doormat 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:17.859 in every 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.439 relationship 00:24:18.439 --> 00:24:18.819 that I'm 00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:18.919 in? 00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:19.519 Is this 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:21.179 a charter 00:24:21.179 --> 00:24:22.059 for abusers? 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:23.839 And the 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.119 answer to 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:24.359 that is 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.099 absolutely 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:25.939 and categorically 00:24:25.939 --> 00:24:26.299 no, 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:26.879 that is 00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:27.859 not a 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:28.159 charter 00:24:28.159 --> 00:24:29.759 for abusers. 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.399 Not least 00:24:30.399 --> 00:24:31.379 because each 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:31.839 of us is 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:33.099 responsible to 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:33.599 deny self, 00:24:33.679 --> 00:24:33.939 take up 00:24:33.939 --> 00:24:34.259 cross, 00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:34.739 to love 00:24:34.739 --> 00:24:35.479 people in 00:24:35.479 --> 00:24:36.179 this kind 00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:37.119 of way. 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.699 And of 00:24:38.699 --> 00:24:38.799 course, 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:39.079 one of 00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:39.459 those ways 00:24:39.459 --> 00:24:39.799 of loving 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.459 people is 00:24:40.459 --> 00:24:41.519 at times 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:41.939 going to 00:24:41.939 --> 00:24:42.859 mean saying 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:43.639 no to 00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:44.699 those who 00:24:44.699 --> 00:24:45.619 would abuse 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.599 and misuse. 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:47.899 But more 00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:48.500 fundamentally, 00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:49.479 what's going 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:49.940 to happen 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:50.220 if I'm 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:50.599 just giving 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.140 myself? 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.900 Do I 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.839 just empty 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:54.759 out and 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.460 burn out? 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.420 And the 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:56.900 key really 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.400 is not 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:57.920 just in 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.460 this idea 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:59.579 of receiving, 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.420 obviously, 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.160 as beloved 00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:01.880 children, 00:25:02.599 --> 00:25:04.079 but the 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.620 key is in 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:05.120 these words 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:05.680 that Jesus 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.400 gives us, 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:08.019 this paradox 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.539 at the 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.099 heart of 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:09.599 reality. 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:10.640 Jesus 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:11.200 says, 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:11.940 deny self, 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.360 take up 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:12.880 cross and 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.200 follow, 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.440 for whoever 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.799 would save 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.360 his life 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:16.920 will lose 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.100 it. 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.360 And whoever 00:25:19.360 --> 00:25:20.160 loses his 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.620 life for 00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:21.039 my sake 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.700 will save 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:21.920 it. 00:25:22.800 --> 00:25:23.060 And he 00:25:23.060 --> 00:25:23.300 goes on, 00:25:23.340 --> 00:25:23.580 whoever is 00:25:23.580 --> 00:25:24.700 ashamed of 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.360 my words, 00:25:25.560 --> 00:25:26.320 of him will 00:25:26.320 --> 00:25:26.720 the Son of 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.080 Man be 00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:27.660 ashamed when 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.120 he comes. 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.620 This is 00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:30.440 this amazing 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.300 paradox at 00:25:31.300 --> 00:25:31.600 the heart 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:32.180 of reality. 00:25:33.060 --> 00:25:34.120 This paradox 00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:35.340 that if you 00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:36.300 try to look 00:25:36.300 --> 00:25:37.019 after number 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:38.259 one, look 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.160 after self, 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:39.960 then what 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.580 Jesus says 00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:40.860 is you 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:42.000 actually lose 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.900 your life. 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:43.840 This is the 00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:44.840 word soul 00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:45.519 or tsuke 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:45.900 there. 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:47.460 You lose 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.200 your very 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:48.720 self. 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:50.300 If you 00:25:50.300 --> 00:25:50.700 try and 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.120 protect 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:51.780 yourself by 00:25:51.780 --> 00:25:52.040 living 00:25:52.040 --> 00:25:52.460 differently, 00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.240 by avoiding 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.500 this pattern, 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.360 then actually 00:25:56.360 --> 00:25:56.920 it is 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:58.259 inherently 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.740 counterproductive 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:01.160 and self-destructive. 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.660 It will 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.380 never 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:04.280 work. 00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:06.880 And think 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.340 about, I mean 00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:07.740 that's so 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.500 obviously true, 00:26:08.560 --> 00:26:08.940 isn't it? 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.780 Think about 00:26:09.780 --> 00:26:10.240 the people 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.800 you know 00:26:10.800 --> 00:26:11.780 who are 00:26:11.780 --> 00:26:13.500 self-centered, 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:15.180 who arrange 00:26:15.180 --> 00:26:16.339 life entirely 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:16.960 around their 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.819 own pleasures 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.400 or their 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.319 own fulfillment. 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:21.900 I have, 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:25.079 I can think 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.559 of numbers 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.140 of people 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:26.960 who swim 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.619 across my 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.039 eyes 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:30.420 as I think 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.000 about that. 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:34.099 Family members, 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.900 for example. 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:37.339 And they're the 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:37.859 most miserable 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.299 people. 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.099 They're proof 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.779 of what Jesus 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.240 says. 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:42.259 That when 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.660 you put 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.019 yourself 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.539 first in 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:43.940 this kind 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.319 of way, 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:45.000 it's 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:45.539 counterproductive. 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:45.859 It doesn't 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:46.599 work anyway. 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:47.980 And Jesus 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.720 says, and 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.700 whoever loses 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.240 his life, 00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:50.759 that is, 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.759 denies self 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.119 and takes 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.700 up cross, 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.700 lives this 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.299 pattern. 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.879 That's how 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.519 you save. 00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.059 That's how 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.500 you gain. 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.460 That's actually 00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:58.920 the good 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.279 life. 00:26:59.379 --> 00:26:59.980 That's fullness 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:00.680 of life. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.279 So that 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:03.319 inherent to 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.000 this call 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.599 of Jesus 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:05.720 is also 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.759 this promise 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:08.399 grounded in 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:08.799 the very 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.619 nature of 00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:10.720 reality itself 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:12.400 that as 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:13.420 human persons, 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.299 this is the 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.240 way to 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.160 life as 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:16.720 we long 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.120 for it 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:17.539 to be. 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:19.240 And it 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:20.000 starts with 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.839 getting off 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:21.339 that throne 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:21.620 at the 00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:21.920 center. 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.380 You are 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.200 not God. 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.420 You're a 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:24.839 creature. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.620 And you need 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:25.839 to be 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.500 reconciled to 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:26.839 that God. 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:27.019 And that 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.360 means he 00:27:27.360 --> 00:27:27.660 needs to 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:27.839 be the 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.079 one in 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.480 charge. 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:29.839 And he 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.259 needs to 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:30.539 be the 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.860 one whose 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:32.900 gift of 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.400 new life 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:33.819 we have 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.640 received 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.400 with open 00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:36.000 hands having 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.539 let go of 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:36.980 all the rest 00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:37.279 of it. 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:39.480 And unless 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.000 and until 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.480 we do 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:40.859 that, 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.720 we are 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.339 simply 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:43.279 destroying 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.059 ourselves 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.579 as we 00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:46.059 go about 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.399 trying to 00:27:46.399 --> 00:27:46.940 make life 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.460 work. 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.399 What does 00:27:48.399 --> 00:27:49.160 a society 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:49.920 look like 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:51.119 that puts 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.799 self at the 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.279 center in 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:52.680 this kind 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.019 of way? 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.279 Just look 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:54.680 outside. 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.440 Just look 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:57.139 around us. 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.879 It's not 00:27:58.879 --> 00:27:59.500 turning out 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.039 well. 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.339 It really 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:01.799 isn't. 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:04.339 There's a 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.819 warning in 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.200 here as 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:05.700 well though 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.960 just to 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.579 close with. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:08.960 Whoever is 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.680 ashamed of 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.019 me and 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:10.759 my words. 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.000 Now remember 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.039 that's the 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:14.000 context is 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.240 deny 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.500 self, 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:14.859 take up 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.299 cross and 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:15.619 follow. 00:28:16.639 --> 00:28:17.259 And Jesus 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.139 it seems 00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:18.940 to me is 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:19.700 saying this. 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.059 If you 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:22.779 try to 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.500 avoid 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.279 this, 00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:25.180 if you 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:25.619 are too 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.940 ashamed of 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.440 humbling 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.259 yourself enough 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.980 to just 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.879 give yourself 00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.740 to others 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.720 the way 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.120 that I 00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:32.299 am 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.140 demonstrating 00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:33.900 to you, 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.539 if you 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.000 try and 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.299 do it 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.819 any other 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.400 way, 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.779 says Jesus, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.079 I'll be 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:40.700 ashamed of 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.099 you. 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:42.940 You're 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.539 turning your 00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:44.620 back on 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:44.960 me, 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.019 says Jesus. 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.740 It's a 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.099 very, 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:48.460 very sobering 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.400 warning. 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:50.480 We might 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.019 put it this 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.599 way and it 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:51.920 was on a 00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:52.500 slide earlier 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:52.819 on. 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.819 We can't 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.319 do Jesus 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:56.539 work in 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.140 non-Jesus 00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.720 ways. 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.120 We can't 00:28:59.120 --> 00:28:59.539 go about 00:28:59.539 --> 00:28:59.980 following 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.380 Jesus. 00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:01.080 In ways 00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:01.600 that aren't 00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:02.720 prescribed and 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:03.560 demonstrated by 00:29:03.560 --> 00:29:03.760 Jesus. 00:29:03.840 --> 00:29:04.200 That seems 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:04.740 dead obvious, 00:29:04.840 --> 00:29:05.220 doesn't it? 00:29:06.340 --> 00:29:07.060 But one of 00:29:07.060 --> 00:29:07.500 the things we 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.500 see over and 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.040 over again, 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:09.420 and it's what 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.960 gives the 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.760 church a 00:29:10.760 --> 00:29:11.500 really bad 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:11.820 name. 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:13.340 It's given 00:29:13.340 --> 00:29:14.060 the church a 00:29:14.060 --> 00:29:14.620 really bad 00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:14.940 name, 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.900 is that 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.640 instead of 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.360 following this 00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:18.100 example of 00:29:18.100 --> 00:29:18.420 Jesus, 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:19.040 deny self, 00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:19.420 take up, 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:19.700 cross, 00:29:19.760 --> 00:29:20.240 and follow, 00:29:21.360 --> 00:29:22.560 we thought we 00:29:22.560 --> 00:29:23.160 can surely 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.040 do it better 00:29:24.040 --> 00:29:24.540 than that. 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:25.840 There's a 00:29:25.840 --> 00:29:26.580 parallel passage 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:27.120 in Mark 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:28.200 chapter 8 that 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.040 recounts exactly 00:29:29.040 --> 00:29:29.500 the same 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:29.880 words. 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.340 The difference 00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:31.780 in Mark 00:29:31.780 --> 00:29:32.660 8 is that 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.980 Jesus has 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.700 just revealed 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.520 his identity, 00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:37.180 who he 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:37.880 really is, 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.500 and the 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.360 apostle Peter 00:29:39.360 --> 00:29:42.340 then confesses 00:29:42.340 --> 00:29:42.560 Jesus' 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.180 identity. 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.480 And Jesus 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:44.740 says, 00:29:44.840 --> 00:29:45.460 this means 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.860 my identity, 00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:47.840 my power, 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:48.480 everything about 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:48.700 that, 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:49.500 that means I'm 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.000 going to go 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:51.100 and be rejected, 00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:51.600 suffer, 00:29:51.760 --> 00:29:52.540 and die in 00:29:52.540 --> 00:29:52.960 Jerusalem. 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.920 and Peter 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.319 says, 00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:57.400 there's got to 00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:58.200 be an easier 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.940 way of doing 00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.460 things. 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.460 I've just 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.039 seen you have 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.920 the power to 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.720 calm a storm 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.880 and to heal 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:05.860 the sick and 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.620 to cleanse 00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.500 lepers and to 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.019 do all these 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:09.319 amazing things. 00:30:10.120 --> 00:30:11.160 How does that 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.900 fit with 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:12.840 suffering and 00:30:12.840 --> 00:30:13.220 death? 00:30:13.340 --> 00:30:13.480 No, 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:13.620 no, 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:13.720 no. 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.340 Use your 00:30:14.340 --> 00:30:15.299 power differently. 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.299 Use it to 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.900 get what you 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:17.579 want and to 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.420 do what you 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:18.740 want. 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.099 And Jesus 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:21.039 responds to 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.359 that, 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:23.720 that temptation 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.920 to say, 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:25.680 there's got to 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.279 be an easier 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:26.720 way than 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.279 deny self, 00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:27.680 take up 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:28.259 cross and 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:28.539 follow. 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.519 There's got to 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:29.960 be a more 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:31.059 efficient way 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:31.759 of getting 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.160 the work 00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:32.519 done. 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.519 Jesus' 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.240 response to 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:34.980 Peter is, 00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:35.880 get behind 00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:36.240 me, 00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:36.559 Satan. 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.039 And that's 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.759 still Jesus' 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:43.420 response when 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.000 you and I 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:45.200 come to him 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:45.620 and say, 00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.099 there's got to 00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:46.559 be an easier 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:46.859 way, 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:47.759 a more 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:48.420 efficient way. 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.579 We can do 00:30:49.579 --> 00:30:50.140 this work 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:51.099 much better 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:51.779 than the way 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.380 of the cross. 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.220 There's much 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.000 easier ways of 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.220 doing it, 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:55.500 there's much 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:56.120 more pleasant, 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.000 less painful 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.640 ways of doing 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:57.819 it, 00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.299 and Jesus 00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:58.599 says, 00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.220 get behind 00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.599 me. 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.940 Because this 00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.460 is the way. 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.519 If you try 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.240 to save your 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.099 life by avoiding 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:06.160 this cross-shaped 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:06.579 living, 00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:07.599 you will lose 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:07.720 it, 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.460 you will destroy 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:08.980 everything, 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:09.620 and you'll 00:31:09.620 --> 00:31:10.319 destroy those 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:10.940 around you as 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:11.279 well. 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.000 Deny self, 00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:14.440 take up 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:14.920 cross and 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.220 follow, 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:16.000 and there 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:17.120 is life, 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:17.980 there is 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.480 beauty. 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:22.380 C.S. Lewis 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:23.980 puts it like 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.259 this, 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:24.620 and I think 00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:25.319 it's a really 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:26.099 helpful way 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:26.579 of putting it. 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.000 When God 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:28.180 talks of 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:28.640 their losing 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.220 themselves, 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.559 he means 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:31.640 only abandoning 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.339 the clamor 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.420 of self-will. 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:34.880 Once they've 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.559 done that, 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.279 he really 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:36.740 gives them 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.500 back all 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.400 their personality 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:39.680 and boasts 00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:40.180 that when 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.500 they are 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.279 wholly his, 00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:41.920 they will 00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:42.319 be more 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:42.900 themselves 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:43.420 than ever. 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:50.420 self-fulfillment 00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:50.840 come through 00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:51.539 self-denial 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.259 or through 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.120 self-indulgence. 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.360 It comes 00:31:54.360 --> 00:31:55.380 through self-giving 00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:56.660 with Christ 00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:57.640 on the throne 00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:58.480 of our lives. 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.580 I had some 00:32:00.580 --> 00:32:00.980 questions. 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.480 I'm just going 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.560 to leave them 00:32:02.560 --> 00:32:02.820 up there. 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:03.380 You can look 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:03.920 at them if you 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.200 want. 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.680 But one of 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:05.960 the things 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:06.420 I'd love you 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:07.200 to do is a 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:08.059 little imaginative 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.960 exercise as I 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:09.880 just go and 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:10.259 sit down. 00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.299 Imagine, 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.779 just think 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.240 about your 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:14.819 own life, 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.259 your own 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:15.940 relationships, 00:32:16.620 --> 00:32:17.380 perhaps your 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:17.779 family, 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:19.160 your workplace. 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:20.460 Think maybe 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.039 more broadly, 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:21.980 your community, 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:22.620 your neighbourhood, 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.019 this country. 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.420 What would 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:27.500 it look like 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.380 with Jesus' 00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:29.059 will, 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.039 with Jesus' 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:31.059 pattern of 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:31.340 living? 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.880 What would 00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:33.819 it look like 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:36.379 for Jesus 00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:36.859 to have 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:37.659 his way 00:32:37.659 --> 00:32:38.519 in your 00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:38.960 family? 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:42.179 For fathers 00:32:42.179 --> 00:32:42.759 to take 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.740 seriously what 00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.439 it means to 00:32:44.439 --> 00:32:44.939 deny self, 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.279 take up 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:45.720 cross and 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.059 follow, 00:32:46.659 --> 00:32:47.119 and to 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:47.539 seek to 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.019 serve 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:49.700 their 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.259 children 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.139 and their 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:51.579 wives 00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:53.119 instead of 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:53.839 dominate and 00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:54.339 use them? 00:32:55.359 --> 00:32:55.679 What would 00:32:55.679 --> 00:32:56.019 that look 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.399 like? 00:32:56.879 --> 00:32:57.139 Wouldn't 00:32:57.139 --> 00:32:57.399 that be 00:32:57.399 --> 00:32:57.879 great? 00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:58.859 What would 00:32:58.859 --> 00:32:59.159 it look 00:32:59.159 --> 00:32:59.539 like in 00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:00.379 the workplace 00:33:00.379 --> 00:33:01.139 for people 00:33:01.139 --> 00:33:02.079 to understand 00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:02.980 that what 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.359 they've been 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:03.799 given is 00:33:03.799 --> 00:33:04.099 for the 00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:04.639 blessing and 00:33:04.639 --> 00:33:05.180 benefit of 00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:05.940 others and 00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:06.240 not a 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.599 means of 00:33:06.599 --> 00:33:07.659 exploiting and 00:33:07.659 --> 00:33:08.139 dominating 00:33:08.139 --> 00:33:08.599 others? 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:10.299 What might 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:11.159 society more 00:33:11.159 --> 00:33:11.740 widely look 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:12.059 like? 00:33:12.859 --> 00:33:13.419 And how 00:33:13.419 --> 00:33:13.799 would that 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:15.779 happen unless 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.379 people like 00:33:16.379 --> 00:33:16.740 you and 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:18.180 me say, 00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:18.819 yes, 00:33:18.899 --> 00:33:19.119 Lord, 00:33:19.399 --> 00:33:20.700 I receive 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:21.279 this gift 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:22.440 of being a 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.500 beloved child 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.960 and let me 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:25.700 just show 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.259 that same 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:26.659 love to 00:33:26.659 --> 00:33:27.519 others in 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.079 every 00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:28.700 interaction. 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.319 God 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.080 will 00:33:30.080 --> 00:33:30.700 love to 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.080 God 00:33:31.080 --> 00:33:31.600 let's 00:33:31.600 --> 00:33:32.180 pray together 00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:33.080 as we 00:33:33.080 --> 00:33:33.799 pray that 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:35.059 the Lord 00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.360 would have 00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:35.980 mercy on 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.299 us, 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.319 enable us 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:37.740 to be 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:38.519 channels of 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.400 this blessing 00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:40.420 to those 00:33:40.420 --> 00:33:41.100 around us. 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:43.900 Our 00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:44.200 Father, 00:33:44.340 --> 00:33:44.860 thank you. 00:33:46.080 --> 00:33:46.819 Thank you. 00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:47.120 None of 00:33:47.120 --> 00:33:47.940 this depends 00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:48.539 upon us 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.259 being clever 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:50.620 people who 00:33:50.620 --> 00:33:51.900 sort 00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:52.779 ourselves out 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:55.079 and try 00:33:55.079 --> 00:33:56.039 ever harder 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:57.000 to fix 00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:57.579 things for 00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:58.059 ourselves. 00:33:59.460 --> 00:34:00.180 Thank you, 00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:00.379 Lord, 00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:00.879 for that 00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:01.539 liberating 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:02.980 call to 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.519 abandon 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:04.180 the throne, 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:06.539 to joyfully 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:07.160 welcome 00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:08.519 Jesus as 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.279 our Lord, 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.199 as the 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:10.539 one who's 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.159 in charge. 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.119 Lord, 00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:12.759 please would 00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.460 for each 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:13.900 one of us 00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:14.400 sitting here 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:14.759 today, 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.239 would we 00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:16.759 have either 00:34:16.759 --> 00:34:17.119 for the 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:17.759 first time 00:34:17.759 --> 00:34:18.119 or a 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:18.480 renewed 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.719 sense that 00:34:19.719 --> 00:34:20.079 we are 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:20.820 loved 00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:21.699 children of 00:34:21.699 --> 00:34:22.139 the living 00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:22.599 God, 00:34:22.780 --> 00:34:24.000 and Lord, 00:34:24.080 --> 00:34:24.420 might we 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.140 then pour 00:34:25.140 --> 00:34:25.600 out that 00:34:25.600 --> 00:34:26.100 love in 00:34:26.100 --> 00:34:26.780 all of our 00:34:26.780 --> 00:34:27.400 relationships 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:28.320 with those 00:34:28.320 --> 00:34:28.800 around about 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:29.140 us. 00:34:30.060 --> 00:34:30.740 Let it be 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.000 so, 00:34:31.120 --> 00:34:31.280 Lord. 00:34:31.740 --> 00:34:32.400 Have mercy 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:32.720 on us, 00:34:32.760 --> 00:34:33.120 we pray, 00:34:33.240 --> 00:34:33.580 in Jesus' 00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:33.940 name. 00:34:34.120 --> 00:34:34.320 Amen.