WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:11.900 --> 00:00:14.259 Turn with me to Luke 6. 00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:16.199 Luke 6. 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:23.760 We look this morning at a powerful and challenging conclusion to Jesus' sermon. 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:28.660 Before we read, let's remember the context of this sermon. 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:33.600 Jesus is speaking to crowds of people who have gathered around. 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:35.880 Some of them His new apostles. 00:00:37.159 --> 00:00:41.820 Others coming from great distances away just to get a glance. 00:00:42.219 --> 00:00:45.079 Just to touch Him that they might be healed. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:49.420 To hear this new teacher they've heard so much about. 00:00:50.400 --> 00:00:54.439 And Jesus has begun to shape this new community of followers. 00:00:54.439 --> 00:00:58.539 Others imparting to them radically new values. 00:00:59.259 --> 00:01:00.559 Blessed are the poor. 00:01:01.500 --> 00:01:02.339 The have-nots. 00:01:03.439 --> 00:01:06.519 Calling them to a strikingly new ethic. 00:01:07.319 --> 00:01:08.400 Love your enemies. 00:01:10.299 --> 00:01:11.759 Sacrificial generosity. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:18.700 And here's what I think Jesus is doing in our passage this morning at the end of this sermon. 00:01:18.920 --> 00:01:23.740 He's issuing a clear challenge to all these people who've come to hear Him. 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:27.719 Not merely to hear, but to follow Him. 00:01:27.719 --> 00:01:32.819 Perhaps knowing all the motives of the people in the crowd. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:34.420 Curiosity. 00:01:35.620 --> 00:01:36.819 Desire for healing. 00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:38.280 Entertainment. 00:01:39.739 --> 00:01:40.780 Sincere faith. 00:01:41.659 --> 00:01:48.840 Jesus wants to make very clear the need to have one's life reshaped by Him and by His kingdom. 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:53.500 And He does so with clear warnings for those who don't. 00:01:53.600 --> 00:01:58.439 For those who would hear Him, as they all would, but would choose a different path. 00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:03.980 Many of you have expressed what I've felt these last couple of weeks. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:09.140 As we've talked about the new values and the new ethic that Jesus has called us to. 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:10.879 That they're very challenging. 00:02:12.460 --> 00:02:14.840 That need is difficult for us. 00:02:14.939 --> 00:02:15.659 We feel it. 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:17.520 And the call is hard. 00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:23.219 Lord, perhaps this week Jesus' words should be sobering for us. 00:02:23.620 --> 00:02:28.400 Everyone here this morning has in some way come to hear Jesus. 00:02:29.260 --> 00:02:31.540 Whether to get something from Him. 00:02:31.700 --> 00:02:33.120 To see what He's like. 00:02:33.180 --> 00:02:34.680 To be entertained perhaps. 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:39.480 Whatever the mixture of things that have brought you here this morning. 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:44.960 Jesus wants to speak clearly and directly to our hearts. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:52.400 Listen to Him as He picks up on that new ethic of love that He's been talking with His followers about. 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:55.640 At verse 37 of Luke 6. 00:02:55.760 --> 00:02:56.700 This is God's Word. 00:02:56.699 --> 00:03:17.759 He also told them a parable. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:20.479 Can a blind man lead a blind man? 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:22.780 Will they not both fall into a pit? 00:03:23.419 --> 00:03:29.120 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:35.780 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:41.000 How can you say to your brother, brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:44.300 when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:45.400 You hypocrite! 00:03:45.840 --> 00:03:52.379 First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. 00:03:52.379 --> 00:03:57.979 For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit. 00:03:58.359 --> 00:04:00.699 For each tree is known by its own fruit. 00:04:01.579 --> 00:04:05.819 For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 00:04:06.419 --> 00:04:09.599 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:13.180 and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil. 00:04:13.460 --> 00:04:16.379 For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:21.100 Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you? 00:04:21.100 --> 00:04:26.500 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like. 00:04:26.840 --> 00:04:31.220 He is like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. 00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:37.300 And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it because it had been well built. 00:04:38.520 --> 00:04:44.040 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. 00:04:44.040 --> 00:04:51.439 When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great. 00:04:52.760 --> 00:04:53.780 Pray with me. 00:04:53.779 --> 00:04:58.639 Father, we thank you for your word. 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:06.559 Even words that are hard to hear and that are warnings and challenges to us, our hearts need them. 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:15.259 Would we come to your word this morning as those dependent upon you and expectant to hear from you. 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:23.899 We ask that you would speak and that we might listen and hear and do your word. 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:26.920 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:05:29.599 --> 00:05:35.839 It's hard to miss as you read that Jesus is wrapping up his sermon with a strong warning, isn't it? 00:05:35.839 --> 00:05:46.359 I mean, when you close this way, but the one who hears my words and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. 00:05:46.899 --> 00:05:52.479 When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great. 00:05:53.839 --> 00:05:54.779 End of sermon. 00:05:56.599 --> 00:06:01.959 It's hard not to hear a warning issued to those who are listening to those words, right? 00:06:01.959 --> 00:06:09.719 It's actually in all these verses building up to that last one that Jesus is warning very clearly. 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:18.740 Eight plus years ago when Christy and I moved to Huntsville and bought our home, we loved the location of the home, the neighborhood. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:22.459 We loved the backyard, the home itself. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:26.579 But there were these cracks in the walls. 00:06:26.919 --> 00:06:30.879 I don't know how well you can see them, but there are cracks there in the walls. 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:33.279 You may have seen some like that in your house. 00:06:34.339 --> 00:06:38.779 And I learned then that these are warning signs, right? 00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:48.939 When you see cracks like this in the wall of your home, you need to check, especially if they keep growing, for foundation issues. 00:06:50.219 --> 00:06:54.120 Now, the foundation of a house is of vital importance, isn't it? 00:06:54.420 --> 00:06:58.300 It's what holds everything else up, what everything's built upon. 00:06:58.300 --> 00:07:05.720 It's what will allow the house and the things in it to stand or fall when storms come, when there's strain on the house. 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:10.340 But you don't typically go around looking at foundations, do you? 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:13.620 You don't see much of the foundation itself. 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:19.759 What you see are cracks in the walls when there are problems. 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:23.780 They're warnings to you of issues that need to be addressed. 00:07:23.779 --> 00:07:30.439 That's a big part of what Jesus is doing here in these preceding verses. 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:36.479 He's still building on his new ethic of love that he's been teaching. 00:07:36.659 --> 00:07:41.059 Teaching what it looks like to live in his kingdom, to follow his ways. 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:47.259 And as he comes to the conclusion of this and of the sermon, he's increasingly pointed. 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:54.180 While he lays out the true path for us to walk, he also creates sharp distinctions. 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:58.019 Distinctions between two approaches to life. 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:05.360 The way of his kingdom, which I'll call the Jesus ethic for our purposes this morning. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:08.600 And the other way. 00:08:09.460 --> 00:08:14.400 Perhaps the way of self or the world or just of not Jesus. 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:16.400 Some other way. 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:22.379 In other words, what Jesus is doing is he's telling us what a stable house, 00:08:23.139 --> 00:08:27.540 a healthy life following him actually looks like. 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:31.780 As well as what is the danger in the other way. 00:08:31.779 --> 00:08:38.059 Over and over you're going to notice in this passage pairs of things that are contrasted. 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:42.919 Some of them I'll admit are a bit confusing when you read through them. 00:08:43.059 --> 00:08:49.600 Jesus is using imagery and humor and parables and so forth to teach these things. 00:08:49.939 --> 00:08:56.860 So I want to walk through them with you to understand and apply that new ethic he's calling us to a little bit further. 00:08:57.240 --> 00:09:00.600 What does Jesus mean with each of these individual sayings? 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:05.519 Then as we get to the end, we're going to revisit Jesus' bottom line. 00:09:05.680 --> 00:09:09.779 What's he using all of these things to get at in us? 00:09:09.820 --> 00:09:14.139 We'll see the bigger picture that these smaller parts combine to paint. 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:21.860 So along the way you may want to write words down that describe the ethic Jesus is teaching. 00:09:22.540 --> 00:09:25.399 And words that describe the other option. 00:09:25.560 --> 00:09:28.660 What are the two things Jesus is showing us? 00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:31.539 What's on this list and what's on the other one? 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:37.600 You can already start the Jesus ethic list with things from last week, from earlier. 00:09:38.199 --> 00:09:40.179 Like love your enemies. 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:43.079 Pray for those who abuse you. 00:09:43.579 --> 00:09:44.899 Sacrificial generosity. 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:47.819 Those sorts of things from last week. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:50.860 Now Jesus adds to that picture. 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:52.600 What does it look like? 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:54.720 The new ethic he's calling his followers to. 00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:56.120 Verse 37. 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:01.480 Judge not and you will not be judged. 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:04.100 Condemn not and you will not be condemned. 00:10:04.840 --> 00:10:06.399 Forgive and you will be forgiven. 00:10:07.160 --> 00:10:08.860 Give and it will be given to you. 00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:13.500 Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over will be put into your lap. 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:16.600 For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:22.480 Boy, some great verses to pull out of context right here if you're so inclined. 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:30.139 If you really wanted to hear something that Jesus doesn't actually mean, these are great verses that are easy to do that with. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:32.899 Judge not and you won't be judged. 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:35.259 You've heard people tell you that, right? 00:10:36.120 --> 00:10:42.620 Christians should never judge, says the person who wants you to leave him alone so he can live any way he good and well pleases. 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:43.019 Judge not. 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:45.120 Judge not. 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:46.460 Is that what Jesus is saying? 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:50.179 Christians should never judge, should never be thoughtful about things? 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:52.039 Well, no. 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:57.759 Multiple times just in these verses we're commanded to be discerning. 00:10:58.600 --> 00:11:02.299 To distinguish truth from error in beliefs. 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:05.659 To distinguish right from wrong in behavior. 00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:08.539 Just right here, the next words. 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:13.719 How can you forgive unless something has been determined to have been wrong and need forgiveness? 00:11:16.219 --> 00:11:20.659 No, Jesus is not saying don't ever evaluate something. 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:24.600 Instead, Jesus is fleshing out verse 36. 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:28.939 Be merciful as your Father is merciful. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:34.839 You should be looking to love your enemy, not to destroy him. 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:42.780 Don't be judgmental, condemning, dismissive, assuming the worst of others. 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:46.879 Christians are actually pretty good at those things, aren't we? 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:50.019 We do that pretty fast just with other Christians. 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:52.440 We do it on social media. 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:55.879 Especially if you want to talk politics on social media. 00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:59.740 Every other perspective from mine is suspect. 00:12:00.900 --> 00:12:02.040 Motives are assumed. 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:06.319 Dispersions are cast on anyone else who would see things differently. 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:10.539 How many times recently have I read the statement, 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:15.799 Any real Christian would support fill in the blank. 00:12:16.579 --> 00:12:20.559 Meaning all of those of you who don't see things my way, of course, 00:12:22.219 --> 00:12:24.519 must not really be Christians. 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:26.679 Is it that simple? 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:31.579 Is condemning others what makes you feel significant? 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:34.739 It doesn't have to be politics. 00:12:35.099 --> 00:12:41.059 We can do it over schooling, eating, worshipping. 00:12:41.599 --> 00:12:45.039 Whatever is really important to you, whatever you're passionate about. 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:47.479 Do you condemn those who do it differently? 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:50.259 Do you think that they're less than you? 00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:53.179 Less of a person, less of a Christian. 00:12:53.179 --> 00:12:56.859 Are you quick to judge? 00:12:58.179 --> 00:12:59.959 Jesus says, no, no, no, no, no. 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:06.139 Instead, my people are to be forgiving and giving. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:09.219 Patient and generous to others. 00:13:09.539 --> 00:13:13.500 Seeking their good, not to harm them or catch them. 00:13:14.359 --> 00:13:17.259 This is what it looks like to be a child of God. 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:21.699 Forgiven people, forgive people. 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:25.860 This is not earn your forgiveness by your performance. 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:28.020 See how well you do. 00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:34.080 Jesus is saying, you can tell a child of God who will not be judged or condemned, 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:40.460 but who will instead be forgiven and given to because he treats others that way. 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:44.700 If you don't forgive others, you evidence the reality that you haven't received 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:48.900 the gracious forgiveness of God for yourself. 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:57.159 Then there's the last part of these two verses about giving, which is another one people love 00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:58.659 to misuse regularly. 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:05.299 It's actually a picture there of harvesting grain, of what you would do harvesting the grain. 00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:08.100 I don't know much about harvesting grain, if I'm honest. 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:10.220 I do rake leaves, though. 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:15.159 And I'm very particular when I rake leaves because I'm pretty tight-fisted. 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:16.460 No, I'm really tight-fisted. 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:22.360 And so if you can cram more leaves into a bag in the long term, you're going to save yourself money. 00:14:22.800 --> 00:14:28.740 And in squeezing leaves into bags, I believe I've probably saved nearly 73 cents in the last 10 years. 00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:32.060 So if you work really hard, it can pay off. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.580 But how do you do it? 00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:36.340 Because it's the exact same picture that Jesus is giving. 00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:38.120 How do you squeeze more leaves in? 00:14:38.900 --> 00:14:41.019 You press them down, right? 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:45.600 You shake the bag so that they settle out and fill it up more. 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:50.819 But then when there are a lot of leaves, they still come overflowing out the top and all over the place. 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:53.460 Those are the words Jesus is using here. 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:55.500 That's what happened when you did the grain. 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:58.639 This is how God will give to us. 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:04.360 So graciously that it's overflowing into the folds of your garment all in your lap. 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:06.240 You've got more than you know what to do with. 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:14.060 And so people say, just give money to my church and God will give you more back. 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:20.000 Just tithe and God will bless your business tenfold this year. 00:15:22.180 --> 00:15:26.399 Just give and God will quid pro quo give you back. 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:28.420 He'll get you back exactly as you do. 00:15:28.460 --> 00:15:29.159 Maybe even more. 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:32.959 That's what it says, isn't it? 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.939 Rich Christians, all of us. 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:43.159 If you really love Jesus, you'll keep getting richer because you'll be giving and he'll just give more back to you and so we'll all be rich. 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:50.000 And if you don't think this passage is used that way, you haven't been listening to much of what is said in our culture. 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:52.399 Church culture. 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.399 Really? 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.279 Is that what Jesus is saying? 00:15:56.279 --> 00:16:02.959 Right here in the same breath with blessed are the poor and woe to the rich? 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:06.659 I think we may be missing something. 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:12.659 There's certainly no need to deny God's good promises of provision for us. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:19.139 But we must not treat him as though he is controlled or manipulated by our giving. 00:16:19.819 --> 00:16:25.339 Nor as though he pays back in the same currency that we give in. 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:36.419 You may have read this week the story of a young man in Florida who was caught for stealing $7 billion through fraudulent wire transfers. 00:16:37.579 --> 00:16:39.120 That may happen. 00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:40.519 I don't know how common that is. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:43.360 This one was really unique though because you know why he did it? 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:49.500 According to the Huffington Post story, he did it because Jesus wanted him to be rich. 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:57.700 He said he was just, and I quote, obtaining the wealth Jesus Christ created for him that belonged to him. 00:16:58.899 --> 00:17:02.440 This has nothing to do with the sermon, but the best line of the whole article was this. 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:05.579 Jesus was unavailable for comment on this matter. 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:09.119 Thought you would appreciate that. 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:11.699 Except the reality is what? 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:14.599 Jesus is available for comment on this matter. 00:17:14.959 --> 00:17:19.779 He says, blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of God. 00:17:20.719 --> 00:17:27.219 Jesus says to us and even to the $7 billion man who thinks that's what he has coming to him, 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:30.819 your view of fullness is too small. 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:35.579 You don't have a big enough picture of what I intend for you. 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:39.839 Your understanding of the riches I promised my children is too limited. 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:46.960 I have a kingdom of eternal wealth awaiting them beyond anything they could ever give away. 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:50.079 Pressed down, shaken together, overflowing. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.899 And yes, it starts now. 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:54.039 Yes, you begin to get a taste of it. 00:17:54.220 --> 00:18:00.960 But in particular, eternally, lasting you forever beyond your wildest dreams. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:03.159 That's what Jesus has been promising. 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:06.040 That's the way God gives back to us, right? 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:14.120 He cares for his children, but he blesses us beyond what we think we could come make for ourselves in dollars and cents. 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:16.440 That's how I'm going to bless you. 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:19.400 So forgive, give, share. 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.740 That's what he means. 00:18:24.300 --> 00:18:25.220 Verse 39. 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:28.440 He also told them a parable. 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:31.440 Can a blind man lead a blind man? 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:33.840 Will they not both fall into a pit? 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:39.880 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone, when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher. 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.059 Here's a warning. 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:46.180 Again, it's a warning against pride in one's own performance. 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:49.840 I don't think you'll outperform Jesus. 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:52.799 That's not even the goal, verse 40 says. 00:18:52.799 --> 00:19:02.359 If you can't see your own weaknesses, your own sins, you're blind, and you will mislead others, verse 39 is saying. 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:10.379 That's a good reminder for all of us, particularly for church leaders, as we look toward ordaining church officers next week. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:15.019 Don't be a blind guide who is puffed up with pride. 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:17.920 We'll talk more about that next week. 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:20.160 It's a reminder to all of us. 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:25.200 Are we following spiritual leaders who think too highly of themselves? 00:19:26.639 --> 00:19:29.119 Ask yourself, how human is your hero? 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:41.000 Perhaps here, as you're thinking through what Jesus is calling us to, you're adding to the list of the other ethic, the not Jesus is one. 00:19:41.719 --> 00:19:49.679 Not only judgmental, but now words like prideful, self-righteous, and so on. 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:55.759 And Jesus is going to drive that point home deeper with a memorable image. 00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:57.299 Verse 41. 00:19:58.200 --> 00:20:03.360 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:08.240 How can you say to your brother, brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:11.680 when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? 00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:12.740 You hypocrite. 00:20:13.320 --> 00:20:19.259 First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:23.940 Ever walked around seeing somebody with a log sticking out of his eye? 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:26.060 It's a crazy image, right? 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:31.920 What Jesus is saying here, his ethic involves deep humility. 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:38.120 Seeing your own sin as bigger than your brother's sin. 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:45.259 Being slow to find faults in others and quick to see your own faults. 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:49.500 While I was in school, I did a lot of journalism. 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:52.759 Spent a lot of time copy editing. 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:55.200 I loved copy editing. 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.460 Made me feel so good. 00:20:56.600 --> 00:20:57.680 You get the red pen out. 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.860 Some of you have graded papers. 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.860 Yeah, a comma here. 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:04.539 A split infinitive. 00:21:04.979 --> 00:21:06.859 A dangling participle. 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.259 A few ideas. 00:21:08.479 --> 00:21:14.619 And by the time I get through, oh, if I've made your paper look bloody, I feel proud of myself. 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:15.679 Like I was important. 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:19.220 Do you sometimes live that way? 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:21.220 Copy editing? 00:21:21.560 --> 00:21:24.000 Spell checking other people's lives? 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.940 Catching all the wrong? 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.920 Does that make you feel better? 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:33.519 Most of us are ruthless with others' sin. 00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:37.680 And very patient and understanding with our own weaknesses. 00:21:37.840 --> 00:21:41.779 We've got lots of reasons and explanations for why we behave that way. 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:44.559 Jesus says flip that around. 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:47.700 Be ruthless with your own sin. 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:49.879 Quick to acknowledge it. 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:52.039 Quick to repent of it. 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.399 And patient. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:57.299 Understanding with others' sin. 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:59.460 You may get to help them. 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:02.839 They may have a speck in their eye. 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:05.579 But not until you've dealt with yourself. 00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:07.419 The log. 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:15.899 See, some teachers in Jesus' day were making these detailed lists of religious things for God's people to do. 00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:23.419 The goal that they had was that they would get God's people to do all of these things and not do other things so that they would be holy. 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:27.699 And therefore protect themselves from the nations around them. 00:22:27.959 --> 00:22:29.519 That was the heart behind it. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:34.460 That we're going to be different and separate and protected from others who don't do these things to be very holy. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:37.700 They were dealing in specks, right? 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:40.579 All these details of laws and ways they were going to live. 00:22:42.139 --> 00:22:44.359 But the problem was they were missing the log. 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:49.519 They were missing the big picture that the law of God was given to them. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:51.799 Not to protect them from other nations. 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:56.519 But to make them into a light to the other nations. 00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:59.099 That was the heart behind it. 00:22:59.099 --> 00:23:00.599 That was the big picture. 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:02.579 And they missed that entirely. 00:23:02.959 --> 00:23:04.899 In being self-protective. 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:07.480 We can miss God's heart. 00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:11.219 And not deal with our own deep sin. 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:15.579 And so Jesus adds to the other list. 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:17.059 Hypocritical. 00:23:18.199 --> 00:23:19.240 You hypocrite. 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.219 He says. 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:27.420 One definition of a hypocrite is someone who sees his own sin only in others. 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:30.220 He knows how to pick that one out. 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:36.600 He loves to criticize the materialistic while denying his own materialism. 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:40.200 He loves to catch cheaters while getting away with it himself. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:44.140 He loves to yell at those who are losing their temper. 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.120 Calm down! 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:45.279 Calm down! 00:23:46.719 --> 00:23:48.719 Any of your parents ever done that before? 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.599 Calm down kids! 00:23:52.199 --> 00:23:52.599 No, no. 00:23:52.659 --> 00:23:53.299 Jesus says. 00:23:53.679 --> 00:23:55.239 You're seeing sin. 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:56.899 But you're missing the log. 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:58.500 You've found a speck. 00:23:58.579 --> 00:24:00.859 But you've looked right past a log in your own eye. 00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:03.079 Deal with your own log. 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.159 Confess. 00:24:04.979 --> 00:24:05.619 Repent. 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.659 Find healing. 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:13.300 So Jesus lays out this ethic. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:15.019 What it's like to follow him. 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:18.560 And he would push us this morning to self-examination. 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:22.480 After showing us the true and beautiful way. 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.460 How he would call us to live. 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.019 He says. 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:26.220 Verse 43. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:28.740 No good tree bears bad fruit. 00:24:28.860 --> 00:24:30.860 Nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit. 00:24:31.540 --> 00:24:33.779 For each tree is known by its own fruit. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:36.860 For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes. 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:39.059 Nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 00:24:40.179 --> 00:24:43.139 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good. 00:24:43.419 --> 00:24:46.240 And the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil. 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:50.419 For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 00:24:51.479 --> 00:24:55.079 Your deeds and your words reflect your treasure. 00:24:55.919 --> 00:24:57.679 What's really in your heart. 00:24:57.839 --> 00:25:00.959 There's that word that we talked about a couple weeks ago, right? 00:25:01.459 --> 00:25:02.159 Your treasure. 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:04.919 Do we treasure Jesus? 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.200 Jesus? 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:09.140 Or is something else more valuable? 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:16.680 For asking that question honestly, we find that our lives reveal the answer pretty reliably, don't they? 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.980 Jesus says, look at the fruit. 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:22.840 Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:26.500 But we love to say, oh I didn't mean it. 00:25:27.439 --> 00:25:30.899 What I said or what I did, I didn't mean that. 00:25:33.199 --> 00:25:34.679 Most of the time you did. 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:38.220 You just have realized you probably shouldn't have. 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:45.940 So will you do honest self-examination this morning? 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:48.500 Good fruit or bad fruit? 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:52.940 What do your actions reveal about your character? 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:57.100 What do the cracks say about the foundation? 00:25:57.099 --> 00:26:00.039 Jesus says they're so connected. 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.559 The tree and the fruit. 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:05.000 The heart and the actions. 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:09.019 It's maybe not the actions you'd think of. 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:13.159 It's not religious performance that is on the good list here, is it? 00:26:14.419 --> 00:26:16.299 What do you got written down for Jesus ethic? 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:20.539 I don't know how your list reads there if you've been writing things down. 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:23.399 But it probably says things like loving enemies. 00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:25.180 Giving sacrificially. 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:26.720 Repenting quickly. 00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:28.960 Forgiving deeply. 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:34.200 Not necessarily performing perfectly. 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:36.339 Don't see that on the list. 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:40.180 In fact, no points for hanging around Jesus a lot. 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:42.440 For calling him Lord, Lord. 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.619 Verse 46. 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:49.879 Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I tell you? 00:26:50.959 --> 00:26:53.639 Lots of people show up at a church on a Sunday. 00:26:56.619 --> 00:26:58.179 Ask yourself honestly. 00:26:58.699 --> 00:27:01.859 Is the pattern of your life one of love? 00:27:02.719 --> 00:27:03.339 Repent. 00:27:03.939 --> 00:27:04.239 Forgive. 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:05.679 Give. 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:08.379 Does that characterize you? 00:27:09.459 --> 00:27:10.459 Or not? 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:13.539 Young people. 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:17.700 Are you one of the so-called Christian kids at school? 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:22.539 Who are actually what they're known for is being hateful. 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:24.100 And exclusive. 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.799 Of others. 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:31.240 Have you decided that you know best. 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:34.440 And you can do what you think is best with your body. 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:38.079 Regardless of what God's word might have to say about it. 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:38.720 Adults. 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.679 Adults. 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:43.399 Are you a critical spirit. 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:45.539 That makes others feel unsafe. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.079 And unworthy. 00:27:47.699 --> 00:27:48.919 To be around you. 00:27:50.199 --> 00:27:52.740 Are you impossible to critique yourself. 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:55.819 Because you've always got an explanation. 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.599 Or a defense. 00:27:58.919 --> 00:28:02.679 Is your lifestyle above the critique even of God's word? 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.160 Or a defense. 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:03.420 Or a defense. 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:03.519 Or a defense. 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.000 Or a defense. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.600 Or a defense. 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.400 Or a defense. 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:05.820 Or a defense. 00:28:05.820 --> 00:28:06.460 Or a defense. 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.560 Or a defense. 00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:09.700 Maybe write something down there on self-examination. 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:16.000 What do you see when you look at the overflow of your heart? 00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:20.840 Do you see any patterns of cracks beginning to show up? 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:28.799 There's a danger we all tend to fall into when we see these cracks. 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:32.119 You can do it with your home for years and years. 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:35.899 I've heard the figures on foundation work. 00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:38.279 The dollar amounts it can cost. 00:28:38.659 --> 00:28:39.680 I don't want anything to do with it. 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:43.000 I've watched the lengthy projects across the street. 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:46.220 As they go to fix the foundation of the other homes in the neighborhood. 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:48.819 I don't want any part of them in my yard for months. 00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:50.799 Digging everything up. 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:54.799 It's so much easier just to hide the cracks. 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.759 You know? 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:58.639 A little bit of putty up there. 00:28:59.139 --> 00:29:00.099 Some good paint. 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.460 Maybe. 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.539 Maybe a few coats. 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:05.799 It's a lot easier than all the pain of the foundation work. 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:06.559 It's a lot cheaper. 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:11.299 That's our tendency, isn't it? 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:13.200 You know, just be a little nicer here. 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:15.240 Bite my tongue there. 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:17.399 Not going to say that anymore in front of her. 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:21.779 Maybe they'll think I'm getting better over time. 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:26.960 I'll just hide what I'm indulging in from my parents. 00:29:28.399 --> 00:29:29.599 You know, I was a church kid. 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:33.119 Church kids really like to do that. 00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:36.240 It makes us feel better about ourselves. 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:41.160 We think if our parents don't know if we can hide what we're doing from them, 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:43.000 then everything's really okay. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:48.160 Adults do that too, don't they? 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:53.620 I'm just going to hide this from my spouse rather than confess it to him or her. 00:29:55.320 --> 00:29:56.480 It'll make me feel better. 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:59.820 Everything will really be fine if they just don't find out about it. 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:03.040 Just a little bit of paint over the cracks. 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:07.960 We spend most of our time thinking that's the solution, don't we? 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:10.420 Brush up the image on social media. 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:12.440 Stand in front of the mirror long enough. 00:30:12.540 --> 00:30:13.560 Work on the externals. 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.920 Everything's going to be okay. 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:18.620 That's our natural tendency in all of life. 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:23.660 And everything in this passage warns us against that. 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:29.519 Jesus says if the heart is bad, if the foundation is problematic, 00:30:30.100 --> 00:30:32.720 the cracks will split right through the new paint. 00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:36.620 No matter how many coats you've put on, that will come out. 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:40.379 You can't hide. 00:30:41.899 --> 00:30:44.779 If you see things in your life that are warning signs, 00:30:44.899 --> 00:30:48.739 you've got to be willing to address the foundation issues. 00:30:49.159 --> 00:30:51.959 That's the only solution, Jesus says. 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.959 You see how Jesus makes that clear? 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:58.399 You've got to start at the heart, at the foundation to address the real issues. 00:30:58.759 --> 00:31:02.219 Because Jesus says here as he gets to the end, floods are coming. 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:07.299 You see, the landscape in Israel where Jesus would have been looking out as he taught 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:12.100 had lots of really smooth sand where it was tempting to think there was a quick building project ready. 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:16.220 You could go and you could build there very quickly and easily. 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:21.720 But to reach solid rock, you had to dig much deeper. 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:23.759 It took a lot more work up front. 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:30.440 And only that would actually withstand the floods that happened when the nearby rivers flooded. 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:32.819 The sand, of course, washed away. 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:35.980 If you hadn't gotten down to the rock, you were in trouble. 00:31:36.879 --> 00:31:39.480 There are floods coming in this life, yes. 00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:45.740 But in particular, these would refer to the floods of judgment and eternal destinies. 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:55.480 And you won't stand in that day if you've just done touch-up work on the external exterior cracks. 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:59.400 You've got to address the foundation. 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:06.960 Y'all, it would break my heart beyond what I can express to you if you sat in here in this room 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:10.680 week after week and year after year thinking, 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:13.799 I'm safe eternally. 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:15.680 I'm in. 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.859 I'm good. 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:18.279 I come to this place. 00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:25.500 Only to find out on that day that you were not. 00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:28.919 That you didn't actually trust in Christ. 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:31.659 That you had a house without a foundation. 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:35.079 To your eternal grief. 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:40.379 How tragic that would be. 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:42.039 In verse 46. 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:46.019 Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I tell you? 00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:51.079 The one who hears my words and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground 00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:52.559 without a foundation. 00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:56.079 When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell. 00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:59.680 And the ruin of that house was great. 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:03.879 Maybe you would call yourself a Christian. 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:09.460 And by that, what you mean is, well, I'm not a Muslim. 00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:11.840 And I'm not an atheist. 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:19.900 So, I mean, I live in the Bible belt and I want to kind of be socially respectable. 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:25.240 And I want my family to be moral and upstanding. 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:27.579 And so, yeah, I'm a Christian. 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:36.539 But if you're honest, you don't really love Jesus or have a relationship with Him. 00:33:36.599 --> 00:33:41.140 You've just called yourself a Christian for other reasons. 00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:44.720 You don't see Jesus as that glorious. 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:50.580 Maybe you don't see God's mission as that central to your purpose. 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:56.120 You don't see God's Word as that essential for directing your life. 00:33:56.119 --> 00:34:02.059 Jesus says this is what it means to follow Him, to be a Christian. 00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:10.500 That you come to Him, that you hear His words, and that you love Him so much because of His 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:15.900 great love for you that His words shape the direction of your life. 00:34:17.359 --> 00:34:18.480 That's what He's saying. 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:28.099 Listen, don't leave today without talking with someone about the foundation issues. 00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:35.079 Pray that God would give you the courage not merely to paint over the cracks until it looks 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:40.579 better, but to deal with eternal questions, to examine the treasure of your heart, what you 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:45.260 really love and value, to address foundation issues. 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:52.580 I think the great English preacher Charles Spurgeon was right on when he spoke about the danger 00:34:52.580 --> 00:34:55.500 for people like you and me who've been around church a lot. 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:58.340 And we've heard sermons like this before. 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:02.980 And the danger is that we wouldn't actually engage. 00:35:03.100 --> 00:35:04.220 We would just talk about it. 00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:09.880 The common temptation, he said, is instead of really repenting, to talk about repenting. 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:14.020 Instead of truly loving, to talk of love without loving. 00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:20.920 Instead of coming to Christ, to speak about coming to Christ, and profess to come to Christ, 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:24.239 and yet not come at all. 00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:30.079 Y'all, how tragic would that be to spend your life doing that? 00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:35.519 God has so much more in mind. 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:40.980 He wants a relationship with you where you get to be everything he's created you to be, 00:35:41.759 --> 00:35:46.800 where you love him and you know of his love for you beyond what you can imagine. 00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:51.840 How tragic would it be to spend your life talking about Christian things? 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:53.860 We're just not that interesting, honestly. 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:58.099 Spend your life talking about church stuff and not know the one we're all talking about. 00:35:58.099 --> 00:36:06.559 Jesus invites you this morning, truly, to come to him. 00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:09.039 Verse 47. 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:14.779 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I'll show you what he's like. 00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:19.759 He's like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. 00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:24.580 And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it 00:36:24.580 --> 00:36:27.380 because it had been well built. 00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:34.640 It doesn't involve your perfect performance, but rather your complete trust in his. 00:36:35.080 --> 00:36:36.380 Because you're not the foundation. 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:43.260 You trust him to be the one that holds, the only thing that holds you. 00:36:43.580 --> 00:36:47.320 So you can actually have moments of failure without the house crashing. 00:36:47.320 --> 00:36:49.000 Because you're not the foundation. 00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:54.300 And you can have moments where the house actually looks like everything he designed 00:36:54.300 --> 00:36:57.860 and intended for it to be and not get prideful. 00:36:58.240 --> 00:36:59.600 Because you're not the foundation. 00:37:01.760 --> 00:37:05.860 Jesus offers himself as the sure foundation. 00:37:06.220 --> 00:37:11.200 He invites us into a transformed life in relationship with him. 00:37:11.200 --> 00:37:16.840 Where we're fully human giving and loving and repenting and forgiving. 00:37:17.320 --> 00:37:18.440 All of that. 00:37:18.780 --> 00:37:22.240 But his perfect life is the one we trust in. 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:28.480 His death on the cross covers all our failures so that he declares it is finished. 00:37:29.140 --> 00:37:31.820 There's nothing else left for you to do. 00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:34.500 Nothing more we have to earn or achieve. 00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:36.680 He has done it for us. 00:37:37.160 --> 00:37:40.600 That's the kind of Savior invites you into relationship with him this morning. 00:37:40.599 --> 00:37:43.799 That's the Savior we celebrate at this table. 00:37:44.420 --> 00:37:47.659 That we know a foundation like that. 00:37:48.059 --> 00:37:52.059 One who has never failed and will never fail us. 00:37:54.259 --> 00:37:58.440 Listen to how Paul records the institution of this supper we're about to celebrate. 00:37:59.559 --> 00:37:59.900 He says, 00:37:59.900 --> 00:38:29.760 I'm going to read a little bit further. 00:38:29.900 --> 00:38:35.460 Whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner 00:38:35.460 --> 00:38:39.440 will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 00:38:40.139 --> 00:38:43.300 Let a person examine himself then. 00:38:44.180 --> 00:38:46.680 And so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 00:38:47.019 --> 00:38:50.280 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body 00:38:50.280 --> 00:38:54.480 eats and drinks judgment on himself. 00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:59.940 It may be hard to come to this table 00:38:59.940 --> 00:39:05.780 having just heard a sermon and a warning like that. 00:39:06.039 --> 00:39:09.820 Having just heard a call to self-examination 00:39:09.820 --> 00:39:14.440 and a warning of partaking unworthily like Paul writes there. 00:39:14.440 --> 00:39:19.019 Because we all examine our lives and see some cracks, don't we? 00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:22.579 All of us who are willing to look honestly, 00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:25.420 we see some of those cracks 00:39:25.420 --> 00:39:29.019 and wonder what's the foundation issue. 00:39:29.280 --> 00:39:31.240 So it's good to examine ourselves. 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:36.280 Paul says examine yourself before just coming thoughtlessly to this table. 00:39:36.639 --> 00:39:37.619 But let me tell you this, 00:39:37.619 --> 00:39:40.279 if you examine yourself and you see those cracks 00:39:40.279 --> 00:39:45.759 and what they make you do is to cry out to Jesus for forgiveness 00:39:45.759 --> 00:39:48.539 because you have no other hope, 00:39:50.019 --> 00:39:54.500 then come to this table and find that He is indeed your foundation, 00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:57.759 the one you would hope in rather than yourself. 00:39:58.139 --> 00:40:00.880 When you have no way to defend yourself 00:40:00.880 --> 00:40:03.640 or hope in yourself any longer, 00:40:05.539 --> 00:40:08.000 pray for His forgiveness. 00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:12.019 Pray that He would give you more love for Him 00:40:12.019 --> 00:40:14.940 and come eagerly to this table. 00:40:15.380 --> 00:40:17.000 Come to His body and blood 00:40:17.000 --> 00:40:22.500 given to cover the cracks permanently for you forever. 00:40:24.160 --> 00:40:25.320 To come to this table, 00:40:25.460 --> 00:40:27.220 you don't have to be Presbyterian. 00:40:27.219 --> 00:40:31.659 You just have to be repenting of yourself 00:40:31.659 --> 00:40:35.179 and trusting in Jesus. 00:40:36.379 --> 00:40:38.139 May you pray for us and then we'll come. 00:40:40.399 --> 00:40:42.219 Father, thank You for such a table. 00:40:43.859 --> 00:40:45.359 Thank You for a foundation 00:40:45.359 --> 00:40:48.480 that is not one we have built. 00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:54.539 We see all the places that we have messed up. 00:40:54.539 --> 00:40:57.440 Father, would You show us the beauty 00:40:57.440 --> 00:40:59.920 of a foundation built by another. 00:41:00.619 --> 00:41:02.679 Show us for those of us who have never known Him 00:41:02.679 --> 00:41:03.940 our need for it, 00:41:04.940 --> 00:41:07.579 that we may come and find Him 00:41:07.579 --> 00:41:10.779 to have lived that perfect life 00:41:10.779 --> 00:41:13.279 and died for all of our failures. 00:41:15.579 --> 00:41:18.739 Father, use these elements in our hearts 00:41:18.739 --> 00:41:20.019 for a spiritual purpose 00:41:20.019 --> 00:41:23.419 that they would strengthen our trust in Christ again. 00:41:24.419 --> 00:41:25.739 We ask in His name. 00:41:26.519 --> 00:41:26.839 Amen. 00:41:31.019 --> 00:41:32.159 For more information, 00:41:32.539 --> 00:41:34.759 visit us online at southwood.org. 00:41:34.760 --> 00:41:53.600 website or at southwood.org. 00:41:54.160 --> 00:41:56.080 www.funkful.org. 00:41:56.080 --> 00:41:56.820 irian.org. 00:41:56.920 --> 00:42:02.220 our