We come to the baptism of Annie Voinikov. We baptise the children of believers not because
! and not because of tradition, but because we believe the Bible directly commands it.
! And we believe that God, in the way that He deals with people, always deals with people
! by a covenant.
He always deals with people by His promises. We've seen that haven't we with Adam and Eve?
He deals with them by a covenant. And we also see that throughout the Bible, people are not
just individuals. God deals with us as families, as covenant people. So the great promise to
Abraham is, I will be your God, and you will be my people, and I will be the God of your
children also. And so in the Old Testament, the covenant sign was given to baby boys.
It was given to baby boys, circumcision. And it was a cutting away. Now that didn't mean
that those children didn't need to be born again. Of course they did. The Bible talks
again and again, doesn't it, about our hearts being circumcised. They needed to be born again.
They needed to have a right relationship with God. But they were part of the covenant people
of God. They haven't believed the promises for themselves, but they belong to the people.
And so as you come to the New Testament, we see that the Passover is replaced by the Lord's
Supper. We see that circumcision is replaced by baptism. Let me just read to you from the
book of Colossians. These verses. It says, in Him you were also circumcised. That is in
Christ. In the putting off of the sinful nature. That is what circumcision pointed them to.
Not with the circumcision done by the hands of men, but with the circumcision done by baptism.
Done by Christ. Having been buried with Him in baptism. And raised with Him through your
faith. In the power of God who raised Him from the dead.
It's saying that what circumcision meant and what baptism means are the same thing.
And God still deals with people, doesn't he, by nature of a covenant. And the covenant is,
this promise is for you, and for your children, and for all who are far off. That is Acts chapter 2.
God dealt with His people and their children by a covenant in the Old Testament. So when you
come to the New Testament, children are not worse off, are they? They are still part of the
people of God. So what does it mean for Annie? Little Annie Voynichoff this morning. Well, I
found this book when I was up in Aberdeen. And lots of books on baptism are absolutely awful.
But this book is very, very helpful. So let me say to you what your baptism means. At your baptism,
God tells you that for you, Jesus Christ came into the world. You are baptized because you belong
to God. It is God's sign of covenant ownership. And you are part of God's family. For you,
Jesus Christ came into the world. You children here. For you. Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sin. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to become human like us without sin. For you,
Jesus lived and showed God's love. While He lived on earth, Jesus was a healer, a teacher,
a friend and so much more. For you, He suffered the darkness of Calvary and cried at the last,
it is finished. Jesus showed His great love for us by dying on the cross. The Bible tells
us that Jesus' death takes away the sin of the world. For you, Jesus triumphed over death
and rose in newness of life. But death was not the end. Jesus came back to life. Now we can live
each day with God's power. And when we die, we can live with God forever. For you, He ascended
to reign at God's right hand. When Jesus left earth, He returned to heaven. He talks to God,
the Father, about us and sent the Holy Spirit with us all the time. And this He did for you
before you knew anything of it. Jesus lived, died and rose for us because He loves us. And
we don't have to do anything to earn His love. And so the word of Scripture is fulfilled.
We love because God loved us first. And we see God's love for us through Jesus. Jesus shows
us how to love so that we can love God and other people. And when you think about your baptism,
all of us, remember that God loves you. Remember that you are part of God's worldwide family.
And no one can take these promises away from you. These promises are for you. They are for
you. Each one of you has been baptized. And so believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be
saved. Love those promises and believe them. Bristol, Paul, Maria and Annie do come to the
front. If you bought one of these books, if you're a child who's been baptized, come on,
I'll give you one. If you're an adult, you can buy it. Come on.
Let's pray. Let's pray. Let's pray. Let's pray. Let's pray. Let's pray. Let's pray. Let's pray.
we praise you that you are the God of the covenant
that you have made promises
that you will be our God
and we will be your people
and you will be the God of our children
so we pray for this household
this family
pray that they will love you
and they will follow you
and Christo will say all the days
as for me and my house
we will serve the Lord
so we thank you for the sacrament
we thank you for this baptism
which is a picture of your covenant love
which is a sign and a seal
and shows us that we belong
to your family
shows us that the blood of Jesus Christ
cleanses us and washes us from all sin
so we pray for her
that she will love you all her days
that she will follow the Lord Jesus Christ
and you will be her shepherd
so we pray this in Jesus' name
Amen
I'm going to ask you questions
I don't have a time
I'll try and hold it
Do you acknowledge
that you are saved only through faith in Jesus
and that you trust in God
anything you have done or will ever do
but only in the finished work
is there to come to Christ
by which you took upon yourself
a penalty for sins
I can't beat the suspense
in the moment
Do you realise that baptism
is not a saving ordinance
and though it signifies Annie's membership
in the covenant community
it is not a matter of magic
and do you understand
that she is herself responsible
to receive Christ as Saviour and Lord
as she becomes accountable to him
Yes, really long
Do you in this sacrament
covenant together with God
to raise Annie
in the instruction, obedience
and worship of the Lord
to pray for and with her
to keep her in the fellowship
of God's people
to be faithful
and loving in your home
to be an immediate example of faith
and therefore
to do your utmost
to lead her
to a saving knowledge
of Christ at an early age
Amen
Do you acknowledge
that Annie is a gift from God
who is of course
to be cherished and enjoyed
but who belongs at last
not to you
but to God
Do you undertake
to assist her
in every possible way
as she seeks
to lead a life
of devoted service
to her Lord and Saviour
Do you with God's help
undertake
not to hinder Annie
should she feel called
to serve God
in a far away place
and do you with God's help
undertake
not to complain against God
should Annie die before you
Do you, the members
of this congregation
agree to pray
for Frisco and Maria
as they raise Annie
in the Christian faith
and to support them
in their efforts
by providing her
with further examples
of obedience
and service to God
and should they neglect
their God given task
will you in all humility
rebuke and correct them
Amen
It's heavy
I'll take this off
Annie
Christopher
Annie
Christopher
Boylecrow
I baptise you
in the name
of the Father
the name
of the Son
and in the name
of the Holy Spirit
May God bless you
and keep you
May God make
his face
to shine upon you
and may God
turn his countenance
towards you
and give you peace
Amen
and turn to Luke
chapter 6
Luke chapter 6
Luke 6
verse 12
and 26
this morning
I had the privilege
this week
of speaking at
Paul
Claree's funeral
and it was a joy
to be able to do that
and yet it was
difficult to think
of Paul
to express this
in a few words
and what he meant
to myself
and to many of you
and when you go
to a funeral
it gets you thinking
doesn't it
I wonder what people
will say
at my funeral
I wonder what
the people
will say
who give the tribute
they might say that
I want it very brief
right
and four hymns
that's it
done just in an hour
and I guess
we'd all like
to be people
who are funeral
people
will say
they lived well
one thing
we wouldn't want
people to say
is that he
wasted his life
I'm reading a book
by John Piper
an American pastor
that's called
Don't Waste Your Life
and I'm going to
read you
one of the stories
that he tells
but I haven't
got the book
with me
but it's on page
45
if you want to
remember
it's about a
couple that
retire to
Florida
and they've
been in business
for years
and they retire
to Florida
and each day
they go along
the beach
in Florida
and they collect
shells
and their house
is full of
the most amazing
collection of
shells
they check out
in retirement
and that is
what they do
day in
day out
they go onto
the beach
and they look
for shells
and John Piper
shells
not shells
and John Piper
says when they
die they will
stand before God
on the day of
judgment
and God will
say what did
you do with
your life
and they will
get out
their trays
and their trays
of shells
and John Piper
says that
is a tragedy
I mean that is
what so many
of us want
don't we
we won't get
to the point
where we have
enough money
maybe not too
much
where we can
just take it
easy
that is the
kind of dream
of life
where we can
just relax
and take it
easy
the greatest
challenge to
the spread of
the gospel
in this country
and the good
news about the
Lord Jesus
in the western
world
is not the
kind of
bonkers
secular atheism
of somebody
like Richard Dawkins
it is not
the Islamist
extremist
radicals
that is not
the greatest
threat
it is
Christians
who live
for this
world
rather than
the next
it is
Christians
whose lives
look
like everybody
else
around them
it is people
who call
themselves
Christians
and yet
their
priorities
are no
different
from those
who don't
have Jesus
as Lord
that is the
greatest threat
to the spread
of the gospel
and the growth
of the church
in this
country
and that is
why when we
come to Luke
6 we've got
big problems
with it
especially when
you look down
at verses 22
and 23
blessed are you
when people
hate you
when they
exclude you
and insult
you
and reject
your name
as evil
because of
the son
of man
rejoice in
that day
and leap
for joy
because great
is your reward
in heaven
now if you
are anything
like me
verse 22
does not
sound like
blessing
does it
sounds like
a nightmare
and if we're
going to
understand
why this
is the life
that all
of us
should desire
well we
need to see
first of all
that we are
an ordinary
people
we are
ordinary
people
now at the
beginning of
this passage
the Pharisees
the Jewish
leaders
have been
told that
Jesus has
come to
do a
new
thing
they
can't
squeeze
Jesus
into
their
legalistic
understanding
of the
Old Testament
law
he has
come to
create
a new
people
of God
and look
what happens
in verse
12
do you see
what they
say
well do you
see what
Jesus does
one of those
days Jesus
went out to a
mountainside
to pray
and spent
the night
praying to
God
so it seems
Jesus is far
more into
24-7
prayer than
I have
whenever
there is a
big step
forward
for Jesus
in his
mission
he talks
to his
father
about
heaven
he prays
and he
spent the
whole night
in prayer
and verse
17
when morning
comes
sorry
verse 13
when morning
comes
he calls
his disciples
the 12
of them
whom he
designated
apostles
now if we
were Jews
our hearts
would be
racing at
this stage
we would
be singing
12
that's like
the 12
tribes of
Israel
isn't it
that is
the people
who went
up to
make up
the people
of God
and now
Jesus is
choosing
12 new
leaders
and they
are going
to be
the witnesses
!
the foundation
of the new
people of
God
is going
to be
built
the church
those people
who have
trusted Jesus
in history
who have
seen him
and the church
is going
to be built
on that
foundation
so you
would expect
them wouldn't
you to have
a great CV
you would
expect them
to be very
impressive
you would
expect them
to be leaders
of the day
to be high
achievers
you'd expect
well you'd
expect people
to be able
to mean
them all
so let's
do that
if the elders
and the deacons
would look up
and not look
down
and let's
test the elders
and the deacons
alright
no looking down
alright I can
see you
so let's
shout out
elders and
deacons
in the middle
of the 12
disciples
Bartholomew
well done
keep your
head up
Chris
Craddock
pardon
Matthew
Andrew
pardon
John
Judas
come on elders
there's only one
set only
Peter
Philip
James
John
we've done
another
Thomas
Judas
we're at 11
Peter
are we
yes
you see
they just
trip off
the tongue
don't they
we all
know them
we can't
help ourselves
but the point
is this
they are very
very ordinary
people
and in fact
they are so
ordinary
that actually
we can't remember
the names of
them all
can we
the only one
that we've
heard much of
in Luke's
gospel
is Simon
and now he's
had his name
changed to
Peter
and so we
saw that he
was a fisherman
and he was
convinced
wasn't he
that he
wasn't worthy
to follow
Jesus
so look at
Luke chapter 5
verse 8
when he meets
Jesus
he realises
who he is
and he says
depart from me
for I'm a sinful
man
get away from me
Lord
I don't deserve
to know you
then there's
Levi
Levi is
known as
Matthew
in Luke's
list
he was one
of the tax
collectors
he was a
cheat
and a liar
and as you
read on
you find that
they are the
most hated
of people
don't you
those tax
collectors
and what
are the
disciples like
the disciples
in Luke's
gospel are
not known
for getting
things right
they are not
known for being
at the top
of the class
they are known
for constantly
getting things
wrong
and they weren't
special
they were very
ordinary men
and Jesus
does not choose
people on
merit
even the names
of followers
should tell us
that
what does the
word disciple
mean
it means
learner
do you remember
that when you
were learning to
drive
I used to
despise
L plates
it was
enormously
humiliating
when you
were in
sixth form
and you
would drive
along the
road
at 20
mile per
hour
past your
mates
with your
mother
telling you
to slow
down
and it
was a
great relief
wasn't it
it was a
great relief
when you
passed your
test to go
into the
sixth form
common room
and rip
up the
L plates
it felt
didn't it
like L
was for
loser
as much
as for
learner
unless you've
got a really
spiteful
parent
it makes
you
put those
green ones
on the
car
sorry
for people
like that
but if
you're a
follower of
Jesus
this morning
you will
know
won't you
that you
need
L plates
for the
whole
of life
we are
spiritual
losers
who will
always be
learners
and that
is what
it means
to be
a
Christian
to be
a
disciple
even
actually
the word
apostle
it just
means
sent
one
it's
somebody
who
Jesus
has
sent
to do
an
errand
it is
not
great
one
it is
not
holy
one
it is
not
a
powerful
one
it is
errand
boy
it is
a
sent
one
and the
errand
happens
to be
telling
the
whole
world
about
him
but all
they
are
is
sent
that's
what
apostle
means
and verse
16
should be
enough
to remind
us
shouldn't
it
that it
is
not by
merit
we become
followers
of Jesus
look at
verse
16
it's
and Judas
Iscariot
who became
a traitor
even now
at the
beginning
we're hearing
about
Judas
who's going
to betray
Jesus
to death
on a cross
that death
that he had
to die
in our
place
so he
could make
us worthy
to be his
followers
by taking
his sin
upon ourselves
and if
you're a
Christian
this morning
at the
heart of
King
Jesus
people
are some
very
ordinary
men and
women
and if
you're not
a Christian
if you
feel
ordinary
or maybe
you feel
worse than
ordinary
then you
are just
the sort
of person
Jesus
wants
in fact
Paul tells
the church
in Corinth
these words
that God
chose the
foolish
things
of the
world
to shame
the wise
and God
chose
the weak
things
of the
world
to shame
the strong
and God
chose
the lowly
things
and the
despised
things
and the
things
that are
not
to nullify
the things
that are
so that
no one
may boast
before him
God
chooses
ordinary
people
so that
there is
no doubt
is there
who is
responsible
for our
salvation
and that
is him
if you're
not a
Christian
and you're
here this
morning
you've
probably
been told
all of
your life
you've
got to
be
someone
I was
reading this
week
of the
huge
pressure
that's
on
Chinese
students
who come
to the
UK
they've
come to
this
country
and they're
under
enormous
pressure
because
they've
got to
achieve
the degree
that their
parents want
they've
got to
achieve
the right
degree
to get
the job
that they
want to
get
and maybe
you feel
you need
to be
admired
and you
need to
be somebody
who earns
your way
you pay
your way
in life
can I say
that will
never work
with God
will it
to be
one of
his people
you've
got to
recognise
that you
are very
very
ordinary
and that
you cannot
do anything
to win
God's love
and you
fail to
keep his
standards
and in
fact you
deserve
his
punishment
in the
game of
life
you're not
just a
learner
you're a
loser
and so am
I
but he
will freely
give you
his love
if you
come to
Jesus
and that
is the
only
sensible
course
of
action
we are
an
ordinary
people
secondly
we are
called
by a
powerful
king
we are
called
by a
powerful
king
look down
at verse
17
look at
verse 17
he went
down with
them
and stood
in a
level
place
you can
have a
fascinating
discussion
on this
for those
who would
like to
whether
Luke is
giving an
abbreviated
version of
the sermon
on the
mount
from chapter
5 to
chapter 7
whether the
word level
place means
plain at the
bottom of a
hill
or like a
plateau
halfway up a
hill
or whether
Jesus is
giving a
totally different
sermon on a
different occasion
but who cares
frankly
because God's
spirit has
caused this
to be written
and as we
look at this
passage our
focus first
and foremost
is not on
when these
words were
spoken
and not on
where these
words were
spoken
but on
what was
spoken
and on
the one
who was
speaking
so look
what he
says
look at
verse 17
he went
down with
them and
stood at a
level
place and a
large crowd
of his
disciples were
there
and where
were they
from?
Well they
were from
all over
Judea
from Jerusalem
and from
the coast
of Tyre
and Sidon
do you see
what Luke
is emphasising
it's a
large crowd
there's a
great number
of people
clearly
Jesus has
got some
quite impressive
pulling power
hasn't he?
Even people
from Tyre
and Sidon
were there
why is that
significant?
Well because
they were the
two arch enemies
of God's
people
Israel
the point
is this
there is
no one
who is
excluded
from coming
into God's
people
and when
they come
they find
a king
of huge
power
look what
happens
in verse
18
they come
to cure
him
and to be
healed
of their
diseases
those troubled
by evil
spirits
were cured
and the
people
all
tried to
touch him
because
power was
coming from
him
and healing
them
all
do you see
that?
All tried
to touch
him
healing
from them
all
Jesus
is so
awesome
that a
touch of
faith
smashes
evil
it gives
sick bodies
health
and the
message is
clear
this is
God on
earth
restoring
a sin
ravaged
creation
during this
life
Jesus acts
as a
trailer
showing what
his perfect
kingdom would
be like
so you go
to the cinema
don't you
and you look
at the trailers
and it shows
you all the
best bits
in fact
the only
good bits
of the film
is often
and you
turn to
the person
sitting next
to you
afterwards
and you
either give
a nod
or you
give a
no I
don't want
to go
to see
that
that is
what happens
to us
all
the trailer
is supposed
to show
us what
the film
is like
it's supposed
to whet the
appetite
it's an
advertisement
and the
idea is
that you
see the
trailer
and think
that's
fantastic
I'm going
to go
to the
film
and when
Jesus
walks the
earth
Jesus
shows you
and I
how wonderful
the new
creation
is going
to be
when he
will return
and he
will judge
this world
and he
will rid
it of
all evil
and he
shows us
in one
man
what the
renovated
universe
is going
to be
like
let me
tell you
what it
will be
like
Revelation
21
this is
what he
says
what's
it going
to be
like
it says
he will
wipe
every tear
from their
eyes
and there
will be
no more
death
or mourning
or crying
or pain
for the
old order
of things
has passed
away
the dwelling
of God
is with
man
and that
is the
certain
future
how do
we know
that is
a certain
future
because we
look at
King Jesus
in the
present
this is
what happens
all around
him
isn't it
everything
is healed
everything
is better
all sin
all sickness
and evil
disappear
but God
in his
mercy
has delayed
that final
judgment
that new
world
so that
very
orderly
people
like you
and like
me
can come
to know
him
can come
to King
Jesus
for forgiveness
you see
nobody else
has shown
that they
can deal
with the
problems
of our
world
secular
humanism
promises
that the
human race
can better
itself
but anybody
who knows
history
knows
that
that is a
lie
if you
look just
at the
lives
of secular
humanist
philosophers
you find
time and
time again
that they
are miserable
people
Islam
it says
doesn't it
it's the
route
to peace
and happiness
that's what it
says on the
bus
as it drives
past
but let's
have a look
for a moment
at those
countries
that practice
Islamic
government
in the world
today
just think
about them
what are
they
they are
places of
oppression
and they
are places
of fear
look at
the life
of Mohammed
and you
will find
that he
is a
very
troubled
man
only
Jesus
says
I'm
going to
make a
perfect
new
world
and you
can come
into my
kingdom
now
he shows
us what
that kingdom
is like
what that
perfect new
world would
be like
as he
strides
the earth
and he
smashes
the effect
of sin
and Jesus
calls people
to follow
him
to come
into my
kingdom
now
Jesus
says you
are not
going to
experience
the full
benefits
of my
kingdom
now
that is
madness
you won't
but when
I return
and I
judge the
world
this is
what life
is going
to be
like
and so
we wait
don't we
we are
an ordinary
people
called by
powerful
king
and thirdly
we are
called to
live
extraordinary
lives
extraordinary
lives
Jesus
fixes his
followers
and his
gaze
and he
says you
are to
long for
the things
that this
world
despises
and you
are to
reject the
things that
this world
admires
and these
verses are
totally
counter
cultural
let me
say before
we look at
verses 20
to 26
if everybody
here today
who claims
the name of
Christian
lived like
this it
would transform
not only
our lives
but our
city
wouldn't it
look at
verse 20
he looked at
his disciples
and he said
blessed are you
who are poor
for yours is the
kingdom of God
to be blessed
is so much
more than to
be happy
it is that
deep
contentment
that only a
relationship with
the true and
living God
can give you
it is to
know how
high and
how wide
and how
long and
how deep
the love of
Jesus Christ
is for you
and that
blessing comes
to those who
are poor
it doesn't
mean those
don't have
money
it doesn't
fit with
what Jesus
has been
teaching in
Luke
no this
is those
who recognise
that they
are spiritually
poor
those who
know that
they are
sinners
and there's
nothing they
can do
with it
do about it
those who
recognise the
truth of that
verse from
Luke earlier
in verse 31
that they are
sick and they
need Dr.
Jesus
those who
don't just
sing nothing
in my hands
I bring
simply to your
cross I cling
but that is
shown in the
way that they
live
that is a
certain person
who has
the kingdom
of God
and they
live it now
they live
under the
rule of
King Jesus
they realise
there's nowhere
else and
no one else
to go to
and if you
want to know
God's blessing
in your life
the first thing
you need to
see is that
you are
totally
unworthy
of it
and it's
not just
a one off
event
it is an
ongoing
attitude
it is to
realise
that spiritually
you are
bankrupt
and it's
so easy
to go on
thinking
I'm not
as bad
as other
people are
and as I
have looked
at Luke's
gospel
the one
thing
that I
think I've
been
confronted
again
more and
more
is by
what a
Pharisee
I am
how easy
it is
to think
that I'm
better than
other
Christians
that is an
awful thing
that they are
doing
I would
never do
that
so for
example
last week
we looked
at the
great privilege
and the
great blessing
it is
for us
to be able
to have
a sabbath
a day
of rest
I got
home on
the Monday
and I read
a friend
of mine
who's written
an article
on why
because of
Easter
I don't
no longer
keep the
sabbath
a day
of rest
I think
it's a
pretty
appalling
article
that is
badly
worded
I've
told him
that
and is
badly
argued
I don't
think it's
right
but I
got so
angry
about it
and I
thought
well actually
he just
doesn't get
it does
he
I get
it
but he
that's the
spirit of the
Pharisee
but if only
you and I
will see our
poverty
daily
we will enjoy
the true
blessing of
being in
God's
kingdom
you see
it's only
when we
recognise
that we
are lost
without
Jesus
that we
long to
know him
more and
more
look at
verse 21
blessed are
you who are
hungry now
who hunger
now for
you will be
satisfied
that is
what it
is
to
hunger
to
crave
Christ
more
to
long to
live that
way
to
long to
know
God
better
to
want a
deeper
experience
of his
love
if you
desire
for
Jesus
and his
kingdom
then you
will be
satisfied
because there
will be a
day when
you will be
with him
Paul says
at the end
of that
passage
in 1
Corinthians
13
now we
see but
a poor
reflection
in a
mirror
then we
will see
face to
face
now I
know in
part
but then I
will know
fully
I'll know
fully as
I am fully
known
and if you
long for
God like
that
then what
will you
be
when you
will be
saddened
and you
will be
sickened
by a
world that
rejects
him
so look at
verse 21
blessed are
you who
weep now
for you
will laugh
and you
weep at
your sin
don't you
and you
will weep
at the
sin
you see
around
you
and you
will weep
at the
lives that
are displayed
not just
on the
news but
in your
family
your wider
family
and you
will weep
at the
suffering that
sin brings
onto others
and if you're
groaning for
the end of
this God
dishonouring
sin filled
suffering world
well then one
day you will
laugh
you will laugh
with joy
as you
enjoy
paradise
with God
in Jesus
perfect new
creation
and because
all of that
is made
possible
for you
by the
precious
son of
man
look at
verse 22
blessed are you
when men hate
you
when they
exclude you
and insult
you and
reject your
name as
evil because
of the
son of
man
now we
long
to be
accepted
don't we
I crave
the approval
of others
forgive
personal
illustrations
but
occasionally
I will
preach a
sermon
I'll get
home
and nobody
said anything
to me
afterwards
and I
will say
to Claire
over lunch
it wasn't
great this
morning was
it
now actually
I don't
believe that
I think
it was
fantastic
but what
I want
Claire to
do is
to say
no love
that was
marvellous
that was
moving
what she
normally
says is
it was
ok
what am I
doing
I'm fishing
for compliments
aren't I
I'm craving
the approval
of others
and we
love that
don't we
we need
somewhere
to fit
in
but look
at verse 22
Jesus says
blessing comes
when we
stand out
when we
want his
approval
above
everything
else
when we
are not
accepted
by the
world
which
rejects
him
now I
want you
to see
there's
progression
in verse
22
do you see
the escalating
persecution
verse 22
they will
hate you
that's the
emotional
response
then there
is the
action
they will
shut you
out
they will
exclude
you
then finally
practically
they insult
you
before your
whole character
is assassinated
you are
labelled as
evil
for following
King Jesus
and that's
happening now
isn't it
we see it
as Christians
who make a
stand
on Friday
in the
Guardian
newspaper
there was
an article
entitled
was Jesus
gay
probably
and it
is
astonishing
well number
one was
the Guardian
of the Guts
to publish
something like
that about
Mohammed
but it
is appallingly
argued
it's really
this man
has kind of
read into
what it is
but go and
read the
comments
and there are
some nutty
Christians on
there
but read
the Christians
who have
responded
quite nicely
and politely
and see
how
others
react
to them
we've seen
it haven't we
in Christians
who make a
stand about
registering a
civil partnership
they say
that they
won't do it
as part of
their work
how does
media portray
them
evil
uncaring
and unloving
we know
it don't we
we are friends
who are
ministers of
Scotland
and they
have stood
up for
biblical truth
and they
are vilified
in the
local media
and they
are having
a fight
for their
own church
authorities
for something
they keep
the building
they meet
in
and their
crime
standing up
for the
truth
and standards
of God's
word
the Bible
but if you
read the
press
if you
didn't know
those men
you would
think that
they were
evil
and loving
people
and maybe
just maybe
you've
experienced
that
maybe
you've
asked
somebody
to do
a carol
service
or
something
at church
and out
of love
you've
longed
for them
to hear
about
Jesus
and they've
just
labelled
you as
a religious
busy
body
maybe
you'd
be
called
sad
because
you won't
join in
the drinking
like
everyone
else
you refuse
to go to
the strip
club
after the
office
party
perhaps
maybe
you've
lost
the
promotion
perhaps
you feared
for your
job
maybe
it's
school
there's
that group
of friends
and they
like you
and they
accept
you
you find
them fun
but when
they find
out
actually
you go
to church
and actually
you believe
in Jesus
and you
want to
follow him
and you
take your
faith
seriously
they chip
away
don't
they
why do
you want
to go
there
have you
seen the
people who
go there
the odd
people who
are in
your
church
well when
Jesus
when that
happens
Jesus says
verse 23
it's party
time
rejoice in
that day
leap
for joy
because
great is
your
reward in
heaven
he says
be so
happy
for that
is how
the
father
has
treated
the
prophet
it
is a
wonderful
day
oh
happy
day
when that
happens
why
well because
when you
stand in
heaven
and Jesus
greets you
as a good
and faithful
servant
all the
insults
and all
the
taunts
and all
the
mocking
will
disappear
because
you'll be
with the
king
and in
fact you
are following
a long
lie
distinguished
truth
speakers
do you
remember
Manchaia
the prophet
he got
slapped in
the face
he got
thrown in
prison
for telling
the truth
and that
is the
life of
the
Christian
absurdly
happy
absurdly
happy
because
Jesus
loves us
I'm never
out of
trouble
because
the world
hates us
we live
in the
midst
of the
revolution
but we're
loyal to
the king
radically
different
and yet
daily
resolved
to resist
the temptation
to settle
for the
quiet life
and to
fit in
because if
you do
settle for
the quiet
life and
you just
try and
fit in
look at
verse 24
the results
are terrible
woe to
you
are
rich
for
you've
already
received
your
comfort
woe
means
how
terrible
how
terrible
for you
who are
rich
and again
the problem
is not
money
it might
be the
problem
is money
but I
don't
think it
is
through the
example
isn't it
of every
rich man
in Luke's
gospel
if you
look through
those
who
reject
God
because
they
don't
they
feel
they don't
need him
and one
of the
signs
for rich
people
becoming
Christians
in Luke's
gospel
is that
they
give away
all their
money
but I
don't
think
it is
material
money
that he's
talking
about
again I
think it's
those who
feel spiritually
self-righteous
They have no
need for
Jesus
because they
are good
and they
are nice
people
they don't
need anybody
to die
for their
sins
because
they're
self-satisfied
and that
is all
the
self-satisfaction
they're
going to
get
look at
verse 25
woe to
you who
are well
fed
now
for you
will
go
hungry
they don't
feel they
need to
know God
any better
they are
content
not with
food
they are
well fed
by their
own ego
and they
are living
for themselves
and their
desire is
for more
self
but when
they stand
before Jesus
the judge
they will
realize
how much
they've
missed
because they
will be
sent into
an eternity
of receiving
God's
punishment
rather than
rejoicing
in his
presence
in verse
25
woe to
you
who
laugh
now
for you
will
more
than
weep
Jesus
is not
against
laughing
although
you would
think so
sometimes
by his
followers
it is
those who
in their
self
satisfaction
are not
really bothered
by sin
or suffering
in the
world
or in
fact
anyone else
they can
be quite
happy
as long
as their
little
corner of
creation
is going
to plan
but when
they are
shut out
of God's
new
creation
they will
weep
and mourn
in hell
forever
and there
are people
aren't there
they long
to fit in
verse 26
when all
men speak
well of
you
for that
is how
their
fathers
treated
the
false
prophets
you see
the only
way to
fit in
this world
is to
peddle
its
lies
and if
the world
rejects
Jesus
and yet
praises
you
then we've
got a
problem
with me
the danger
is we
might be
singing
from the
world's
hymn
book
and not
the
Lord's
the
false
prophets
do you
remember
what they
did
they
didn't
just
tell people
what they
wanted to
hear
what did
they do
they told
people what
they didn't
want to
hear
and it
made them
very
unpopular
but if
as preachers
we tell
people what
we want
to hear
it will
make us
very popular
now
but very
sad
forever
it is a
stark
contrast
and what
you and I
need to
remember
is this
Jesus
is speaking
to
disciples
at verse
20
it is
possible
to call
yourself
a Christian
and to
think that
you are
rich
and to
think that
you are
well fed
and to
laugh at
sin and
to be
spoken well
of
and this
morning only
you know
what your
heart is
like
and what
your life
feels like
and if you
are finding
Jesus
following
Jesus
dissatisfying
it may
well be
that you
are longing
for the
wrong
things
and you
are looking
for happiness
as the
world
defines it
not as
the word
defines it
and you
are focused
on you
and Jesus
says how
terrible
it will be
for you
because the
only way
to find
blessing
is to
live the
radical life
I've called
you to
it is
worth it
it is
worth it
Jesus
says if
you are a
member of
my kingdom
now
you will
know my
perfection
in my new
creation
forever
Christians
are ordinary
people
called by
a powerful
king
to lead
extraordinary
lives
and it's
not the
easy life
but neither
is it a
waste of
time
let's pray
ending