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 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.679 --> 00:00:13.880 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:14.220 --> 00:00:18.980 I trust the Lord has been faithful to you over these past few weeks, even as we gather 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:21.900 together on this sixth day of Christmas. 00:00:21.899 --> 00:00:29.960 This time of year, more than most, can cause me to get a little bit more disjointed and 00:00:29.960 --> 00:00:34.000 compartmentalized in my approach to life and living. 00:00:35.839 --> 00:00:42.219 People who deal with grief and death and all of that, you know, the absence of the ones 00:00:42.219 --> 00:00:46.980 who we mourn and whom we miss can accentuate this time of year a little bit, and I think 00:00:46.980 --> 00:00:48.560 most of us know that feeling as well. 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:56.620 So, and yet we get to come and be together and sometimes pretend and sometimes not with 00:00:56.620 --> 00:00:57.079 each other. 00:00:57.719 --> 00:01:04.719 But as we reflect on Advent and relish in this Christmas season, we're going to go a little 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:10.599 slower this morning and consider what it means to actually be a whole person, the way that 00:01:10.599 --> 00:01:18.060 we were created to be, the way that the creator God intended as he secures his way for his 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:21.200 people and brings them to himself. 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:26.760 I apologize a few weeks ago when I had to turn in my information for this sermon. 00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:31.200 You don't have an outline on the back of your bulletin, but I promise if you pay attention 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:36.079 and write good notes, especially kids, go see Pastor Derek after the service today and he 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:37.120 has a special prize for you. 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:48.640 So one of my favorite sequences in the Bible, especially considering the assurance of salvation, 00:01:48.859 --> 00:01:53.320 is found in Deuteronomy between chapters four through six. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:59.500 Moses is kind of writing his parting sermon to the Israelites as they've been wandering through 00:01:59.500 --> 00:02:03.800 the desert and they're about to take over the promised land. 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:06.280 And if you remember the story, Moses won't be there with them. 00:02:07.099 --> 00:02:13.819 He violated God's law and part of his punishment is not entering into the land flowing with 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:14.900 milk and honey with them. 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:21.579 So for these people who are prone to wander, idolatry always seems to be right around the 00:02:21.579 --> 00:02:21.819 corner. 00:02:21.819 --> 00:02:26.859 But their God is the one and true and living God. 00:02:27.079 --> 00:02:31.840 So Moses, by way of assurance, starts talking to them in Deuteronomy. 00:02:32.359 --> 00:02:34.539 We'll start in chapter four, verse seven. 00:02:34.620 --> 00:02:35.840 He says a few things to them. 00:02:38.680 --> 00:02:45.939 For what great nation is there that has a God so near, so near to it as the Lord our God 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:48.259 is to us whenever we call upon him? 00:02:48.259 --> 00:02:51.060 And he continues right there in verse eight. 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:57.099 And what great nation is there that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that 00:02:57.099 --> 00:02:58.419 I set before you today? 00:02:59.340 --> 00:03:03.359 Then he continues in verses 34 and 35. 00:03:03.479 --> 00:03:08.759 Has any God ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another by testings and by 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:14.299 miraculous signs and wonders or by great and awesome deeds like all the things the Lord 00:03:14.299 --> 00:03:15.879 has done for you in Egypt? 00:03:15.879 --> 00:03:22.719 You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God and beside him there 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:23.719 is no other. 00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:30.919 Then this is quickly followed by the giving of the law in chapter five, which is similar 00:03:30.919 --> 00:03:32.800 to the giving of the law in Exodus 20. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:38.579 And what Moses is doing is he's setting up the righteousness of God over and above the 00:03:38.579 --> 00:03:39.740 righteousness of the people. 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:46.500 God acted and rescued his people from Egypt before he commanded a response. 00:03:47.080 --> 00:03:52.180 He spoke to his people and gave them his rules after calling them his people. 00:03:53.379 --> 00:03:59.040 God offers his presence listening to people who are only required to call upon him. 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:06.840 And then Moses slams down the gavel in chapter six, verses four and five, which even in the 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:07.819 Hebrew, it's startling. 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:11.799 In verse three, he's talking about entering the land flowing with milk and honey. 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:14.939 And then he stops in a famous passage often called the Shema. 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:16.199 In Hebrew, he says, 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:25.180 The Lord your God, the Lord is one. 00:04:26.180 --> 00:04:28.159 Shema, hear me, stop, hear. 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:33.319 The Lord your God, the Lord is one. 00:04:34.159 --> 00:04:41.680 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your 00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:42.019 might. 00:04:42.019 --> 00:04:51.319 What a powerful and fitting exclamation to Moses's encouragement to God's people to respond 00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:52.599 to the love of their father. 00:04:54.419 --> 00:04:59.039 In our text this morning, Jesus is calling those around him back to this reality. 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:04.579 And although the scene is recounted in a couple of other gospels, it's important to remember 00:05:04.579 --> 00:05:08.319 when you're reading Matthew that this was primarily written to a Jewish community. 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:14.000 And there's an assumption that these people are able to track with Jesus on a much deeper 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:20.240 level than just some surface level of understanding that he's saying, reciting something from the 00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:20.879 Old Testament. 00:05:21.060 --> 00:05:24.759 There's some deep context that should be able to be understood and should be able to be 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:25.480 followed here. 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:31.319 The Jewish leaders are picking at Jesus with several questions about certain theological points, 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:37.779 perhaps to get his input, perhaps an attempt to get him to say something that'll help them 00:05:37.779 --> 00:05:43.360 in their conversations, but more than likely to get him to say something out and not heretical. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:48.879 And Jesus gave them Jesus answers and he baffled them. 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:53.480 Then the Pharisees get together and they send a scribe to ask Jesus a question. 00:05:53.600 --> 00:05:55.279 And that brings us to our text this morning. 00:05:55.279 --> 00:06:00.419 It's in Matthew 22 and we'll be reading verses 34 through 38. 00:06:01.119 --> 00:06:02.419 This is a famous text. 00:06:02.579 --> 00:06:06.119 Please understand that we're only going to tackle the first part of it today. 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:09.379 Not nearly enough time to do both parts justice. 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:11.500 Probably not even this part, but we'll work hard at it. 00:06:12.739 --> 00:06:15.179 So Matthew chapter 22, beginning in verse 34. 00:06:15.799 --> 00:06:21.500 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, he being Jesus, they gathered together. 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:25.300 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 00:06:26.019 --> 00:06:28.240 Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law? 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:34.500 And he said to them, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:36.459 and with all your mind. 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:39.860 This is the first and greatest commandment. 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:41.439 Pray with me if you would. 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:47.879 Gracious God and Heavenly Father, we come before you today, 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:54.459 a people who bless a people who need you. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:57.939 Even in our time as we listen to your word today, 00:06:58.079 --> 00:07:03.259 we pray that that need would be shown in ways that we've never felt before. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:06.699 Understood in ways that we've never considered before. 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:12.300 Thought of in ways that are hard for us to deal with. 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:19.500 But are also good for us to deal with because you're a faithful God who loves his people and refines us. 00:07:20.540 --> 00:07:22.420 Turning us more and more into Christ. 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:28.980 And I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts will be focused upon you. 00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:32.840 And that our hearts will be illumined to the work of your spirit even now. 00:07:33.019 --> 00:07:34.840 And we pray all this for the sake of King Jesus. 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:36.340 Amen. 00:07:36.340 --> 00:07:36.480 Amen. 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:40.819 I love counseling. 00:07:40.819 --> 00:07:45.719 I love that I studied for my main counseling. 00:07:45.899 --> 00:07:48.639 I love that I have friends who are licensed professional counselors. 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:52.800 And I have as many of those friends, it seems, as I do who are pastors. 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:54.519 I love brain science. 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:57.240 And here's why I love all those things. 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:59.439 And this is also going to be my pitch for counseling. 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:01.379 I'll throw that out to you. 00:08:02.659 --> 00:08:04.860 Things are not the way that they're created to be. 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:13.439 The world and the flesh and the devil wage war against all the good things that God created. 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:16.000 All of the good things of our Heavenly Father. 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:16.819 People sin. 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:18.560 People are sinned against. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:23.740 And sometimes you're just an innocent bystander who gets hit in the drive-by of sinning. 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:34.620 This is why an argument like to each his own or as long as you're not hurting me and I'm not hurting you, those ring as fallacies to me. 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:37.259 Things are way too complex to understand that. 00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:38.659 Nothing's ever that simple. 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:50.740 And what counseling does is counseling helps people bring things out of the individual compartments that we keep them in and open them up and apply them to the whole of life. 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:55.480 And counseling helps people to process things and discover the dignity. 00:08:55.839 --> 00:08:58.819 And when I say dignity, I mean the things that are good and that are of God. 00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:01.519 And the depravity. 00:09:02.299 --> 00:09:06.480 Things which don't measure up to God in any given situation. 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:11.940 And when we practice this, what we're able to do is live life more wholly and more fully. 00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:13.820 W-H-O-L-L-Y. 00:09:13.920 --> 00:09:16.120 Hopefully also more H-O-L-Y. 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:18.220 But more wholly and more fully. 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:27.060 But the reality of most people heading into counseling, however, is to get a quick fix on something in their life. 00:09:28.060 --> 00:09:32.800 Or more usually, someone else is hoping that they get a quick fix on something in their life. 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:36.019 That they perceive to be wrong with them. 00:09:36.940 --> 00:09:43.139 And the assumptions here are, one, they're in counseling because something is in fact wrong with them. 00:09:44.420 --> 00:09:50.440 Two, that something that's wrong with them can be fixed through talking probably in a half an hour or less. 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:53.259 And then we can sit there shooting the breeze for the rest of that time. 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:57.080 Or three, once that thing is fixed, they're not going to find out that there's anything else wrong with them. 00:09:57.080 --> 00:10:06.259 And this comes from a segmented and compartmentalized view of who we are as people, as creatures, as God's creatures. 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:13.820 We want to treat symptoms in our lives and quickly get past things and we don't want to dive into what the root cause of these things actually are. 00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:18.120 And much like someone seeking counseling for those reasons I just mentioned, 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:27.220 the religious leaders in this text are coming to Jesus with symptoms or perceptions of something wrong with their religious understanding or practices. 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:32.760 Jesus, being the fulfillment of any substance in their religiosity at all, 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:37.140 answers them by driving them to the root problem of their systems and their practices. 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:42.600 They think they can perfect certain things and keep themselves with God. 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:46.960 And this isn't much different with us. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:51.039 Some of us like to talk about grace and then hold out some flag of responsibility, 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:57.419 waving it around, proving that we have shown grace because of the responsible way in which we live. 00:10:58.799 --> 00:11:01.580 This is to say that we hold up our sanctification, 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:07.320 sanctification being the completed work of Christ in us as well as the ongoing work of Christ in us. 00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:11.680 As our proof to others of the grace that we found, 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:18.020 that's the I'm better than you way of living life and encouraging and exhorting others. 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:24.540 And others talk about our sin as though it doesn't really matter because of the grace of Jesus Christ. 00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:30.460 And we claim to be repenting of our sin when really what we're actually doing is merely reciting our sin. 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:37.520 We're just saying it out loud with no real intention of turning from it and turning to God. 00:11:38.800 --> 00:11:41.400 And certainly not in any type of joyful obedience. 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:47.000 But both of these things lack the humility that we see here from Moses and from Jesus. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:52.860 Humility, which drives us to joy in the work of our Father through Jesus and by the Spirit, 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:54.820 which continues to change us. 00:11:54.820 --> 00:12:01.140 We think that we can bring ourselves to and keep ourselves in right relationship with God. 00:12:02.140 --> 00:12:07.000 But the ultimate truth here is that if we can bring ourselves to God or keep ourselves with God, 00:12:07.140 --> 00:12:08.300 God doesn't matter. 00:12:10.640 --> 00:12:11.620 He's unnecessary. 00:12:13.040 --> 00:12:13.740 And so is Jesus. 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:17.060 And so is everything that Jesus did. 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:24.959 Our qualifications both of omission and commission replace those things. 00:12:25.579 --> 00:12:28.779 And we are ultimately what keep ourselves with God. 00:12:30.839 --> 00:12:33.819 Thankfully, the gospel is so much richer than all of that. 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:37.679 In the book, The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson, he writes this. 00:12:37.679 --> 00:13:07.659 Jesus says, 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:32.179 God doesn't need or want our naughty and nice lists in order to keep his people as his own. 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.740 God comes to us. 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:36.120 He shows us his goodness. 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:39.860 And he uses it to change our whole person. 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:44.580 He calls us back to himself with the most incredible of commands. 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:48.539 Love me with all of your being. 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:52.320 And because God is good, he becomes our righteousness, 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:55.240 bringing us into right relationship with him. 00:13:56.060 --> 00:13:57.940 We're going to look at this in a couple of ways this morning. 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:59.820 We'll go a little bit quicker. 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:03.039 But kids, get a pencil out. 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:05.159 Remember, Pastor Derek, after the service. 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:07.719 We're going to look at this in a couple of ways. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:09.799 First, God calls us to the impossible. 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:13.259 And second, God keeps us through the incredible. 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:20.100 So how does God call us to the impossible? 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:24.319 Let's look at what's happening here in verses 34 through 36 of chapter 22. 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:31.060 They've already blasted Jesus with some pretty impossible questions here. 00:14:31.059 --> 00:14:33.839 And he's astonished them with his answers. 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:38.039 In the ESV, it says that they gather together. 00:14:38.219 --> 00:14:41.159 But in the Greek, it says something a little bit more sinister. 00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:42.000 Let's read it together. 00:14:42.119 --> 00:14:45.579 When the Pharisees heard that he'd silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:49.959 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 00:14:50.359 --> 00:14:52.639 Teacher, which is the greatest commandment of the law? 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:58.519 Well, and the sinister tone there in the Greek is actually more like they became of one mind 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:59.879 or they put their heads together. 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:02.740 They didn't just gather together and say, hey, let's go ask Jesus a question. 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:05.580 They said, hey, let's get together and let's stump this guy. 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:09.080 He's astonished us. 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:09.759 Let's get him. 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:11.199 Let's not let this keep going. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:19.879 And maybe they'd been talking about, without some resolution to this question, 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:22.080 that they ask him about what's the greatest commandment. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:27.639 And maybe they really wanted his opinion, but it seemed like they would rather him fall 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:30.580 on his face than do anything else. 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:34.659 And it also seems to me that a question like this can be a motivational piece. 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:37.539 I mean, these people are the teachers of the law. 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:40.360 They are the leaders of the Jewish community. 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:43.939 And if you're encouraging people to figure out which is the greatest commandment without 00:15:43.939 --> 00:15:47.340 giving them any real leadership, well, they're going to press into that. 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:49.039 And that means they're going to study all the commandments. 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:52.200 And that means they're going to try to perfect keeping all of the commandments. 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:56.299 And in this culture, that's probably what you're looking for out of people is everybody's 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:58.759 striving to do things perfectly all of the time, right? 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:03.179 So they say that those who can't do coach. 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:06.259 About 12 years ago, I put on a pregnant suit. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:08.279 And I haven't taken it off yet. 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:14.220 But even before that, after my college basketball career was over, I got into coaching college 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.199 and high school basketball. 00:16:16.459 --> 00:16:23.759 And to me, my philosophy of winning, at least, comes down to a very certain easy thing to 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.179 look at. 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:28.879 And this is how I would explain it to the guys that I was coaching. 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:35.639 If we win every offensive possession, that is to say that every time we have the ball, we score. 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:43.839 And if we win every defensive possession, that is to say every time the other team has the ball, 00:16:43.839 --> 00:16:45.139 they do not score. 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:48.000 We will win the game. 00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:49.959 Are we able to follow that? 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:53.120 Now, in a setting like this, it seems silly. 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:54.300 I see several of you laughing. 00:16:55.560 --> 00:17:01.000 But you should see the look on a 14 to 22-year-old's face when they hear you take the game of basketball 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:04.700 and simplify it down to that. 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:09.559 It is an aha moment like you have never seen before. 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:16.220 It's laughable, but it also changes the motivation of everything we do. 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:21.500 Now, everything you do on offense can be graded by the simple reality of, 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:23.579 how did this help us score a basket? 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:28.799 Everything you do on defense can be graded by the simple reality of, 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:31.799 how did this keep the other team from scoring a basket? 00:17:33.860 --> 00:17:38.559 But even when you simplify a game like basketball down to that, 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:43.220 whether it be in practice or whether it be in scrimmages or whether it be in actual games, 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:48.920 inevitably, we had offensive possessions where we couldn't score the ball. 00:17:50.120 --> 00:17:54.680 And we had defensive possessions where the other team did score the ball. 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:58.620 We couldn't be perfect. 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:07.640 Jesus knows in this setting that he's being invited to play an impossible game. 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:15.520 He also knows that no man can play this impossible game other than himself, the God-man. 00:18:15.800 --> 00:18:17.840 Let's look at verses 37 and 38. 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:23.780 And he said to them, answering this question, 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:28.660 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:32.640 This is the great and first commandment. 00:18:34.520 --> 00:18:37.000 And don't be alarmed at strength missing from here. 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:44.380 Because the point is not all of the different words that are used in the different times that this is told. 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:49.039 The point is actually to bring everything together. 00:18:50.180 --> 00:18:52.039 It's not about the absence of the word. 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:54.400 It's about the reality of all of the words. 00:18:55.619 --> 00:19:02.359 Scripture doesn't make a clear distinction between the soul and the body and the mind and our strength. 00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:05.339 It's always kind of a this thing. 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.939 You know what a this thing is? 00:19:08.439 --> 00:19:14.599 You can't pull it apart and you don't really know how it's all intertwined, but it all is all the time. 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:30.139 And Jesus is answering them by saying, you're treating symptoms and you're asking me weird questions and I'm trying to give you an answer that answers the hole and the root of the problem that you're dealing with. 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:36.180 Because God is good, he calls us to wrestle with that same reality. 00:19:36.840 --> 00:19:42.480 Jesus reminds us that it's not actually about our inability to complete this impossible task. 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:50.840 It's actually about understanding that God rescued us and simply called us to love him and respond accordingly. 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:57.480 It's not about being burdened with bringing ourselves to God or keeping ourselves with God. 00:19:57.599 --> 00:20:00.399 It's about acknowledging him in all of our ways. 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:03.919 Trusting that he will make straight our paths. 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:08.980 It's about having a daily regimen of prayer in the mornings. 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:11.939 I encourage you, pick this book up. 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:14.240 Do this with us. 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:29.640 It's about praying before meals and before bed and developing an astonished and thankful attitude that the God of the universe listens to you and cares for you. 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:33.559 You're not becoming worthy because you pray. 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:37.620 You pray because you get to talk to God. 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:42.220 It's about reading and studying scripture daily. 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:48.559 And I'd suggest at the start and at the end of your day, not because you're better than someone else or because it gets you something, 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:55.120 but because your heavenly father has acted in history and has actually written down his word for you. 00:20:56.059 --> 00:21:01.100 He's communicated the wisdom of the ages for you and for me in his word. 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:06.420 It's about turning to him daily in confession and repentance. 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:09.779 As Derek was saying earlier, because he loves you. 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:17.039 And if you confess your sin, he's faithful and just to forgive you of your sin and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:21.960 God calls us to the impossible because he's good. 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:25.420 His faithfulness endures forever. 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:31.079 The whole person, this whole person, this thing, 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:37.299 is edified through pursuing our father through some practical means. 00:21:38.679 --> 00:21:41.199 We're not merely called to the impossible to linger, 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:43.179 but we're actually kept with him. 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.939 Point two, kids. 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.899 We're actually kept with him 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:49.379 through an incredible means, 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.579 via the incredible. 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:59.579 Understanding the context of where this falls in Matthew is really helpful in understanding 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:04.460 just how remarkable this interaction is between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. 00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:08.480 Jesus follows what we're diving into this morning 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:13.199 by lighting up the Pharisees and the scribes. 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:18.420 He digs into them, giving them seven woes in the very next chapter. 00:22:18.580 --> 00:22:19.720 And you can flip through and see that. 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:21.840 And then you flip to the end of that chapter. 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:24.700 And all of a sudden, he's lamenting over Jerusalem. 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:31.000 And then he gives some prophetic things about the end times. 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:33.039 And the next thing you know, 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:35.819 in chapter 26, the passion begins. 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:35.939 Jesus. 00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:41.419 And that's the way that Matthew's telling us the story. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.939 Jesus shut them up. 00:22:45.939 --> 00:22:48.259 And that drove them immediately to kill him, 00:22:48.419 --> 00:22:49.299 to plot to kill him. 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:53.740 Jesus is present with the people of God. 00:22:54.159 --> 00:22:56.500 Their Messiah, their very Messiah, is in their midst. 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:59.399 And yet those charged with knowing him best 00:22:59.399 --> 00:23:01.939 instead choose to run away, 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.379 and they ignore his grace. 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:06.520 And they can't understand anything which he says, 00:23:07.100 --> 00:23:08.680 and yet know he's correct. 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:11.880 But they turn from him instead of toward him. 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:17.040 Even so, many are not interested in what he can give them. 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:19.480 Many of the people listening to him, 00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:22.560 they're actually only interested in him. 00:23:24.800 --> 00:23:26.500 Our youngest child, Susanna, 00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:28.900 she may be a typical fifth child. 00:23:29.260 --> 00:23:29.800 I don't know. 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:34.200 I withheld the desire to put, like, 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:36.419 an amazingly cute picture of her behind me right now. 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.559 And I don't know if she's typical, 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:41.919 but what's really unique about her 00:23:41.919 --> 00:23:45.720 is that the way that she presses into Emily and me, 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.419 she wants us. 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.639 And that's not remarkable. 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:52.220 I can understand the attachment to Emily. 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.500 I'm attached to Emily too. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:57.559 And she would be attached to Emily on multiple levels. 00:23:58.279 --> 00:24:00.819 But it's been the most remarkable thing for me 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:03.480 just to be wanted by her 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:05.759 for no apparent reason. 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.680 And let me tell you, 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:11.359 when she walks up to me at any point 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:13.220 and just looks at me and goes, 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.059 up-a-da-da, 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:17.299 I'm picking that thing up. 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.059 I'm picking her up. 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:20.220 There's no way I'm not doing that. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:23.860 I pick her up and I hold her. 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.100 And I dance with her. 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:28.000 And I sing to her. 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.880 And I tickle her. 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.839 And I snuggle her. 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:35.160 And sometimes we just sit there. 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:38.319 And she snuggles into me. 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.940 And I hold her. 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.839 Just a daddy and his daughter 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:47.480 wanting nothing more than that from each other. 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:52.960 The goodness of God seeks a relationship 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:56.460 with us that resembles this. 00:24:57.339 --> 00:25:01.220 A relationship that we're intended to have with him. 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.900 Sure, we fight with our brothers. 00:25:06.600 --> 00:25:08.579 We sometimes are mean to the dog 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.819 and we knock things over 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.480 and we scream, 00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:10.920 mine! 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:13.720 When someone touches our toy 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:15.120 or when we want something else. 00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:17.140 We cry at the wrong times 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:18.380 about the wrong things. 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:20.980 And we mostly babble incoherently 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:21.840 when we talk to God. 00:25:25.040 --> 00:25:26.300 But what it often looks like 00:25:26.300 --> 00:25:28.100 to love God with all of our being 00:25:28.100 --> 00:25:29.280 is to turn to him 00:25:29.280 --> 00:25:31.920 knowing that we want to be with him. 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:33.780 Not necessarily to be safe 00:25:33.780 --> 00:25:37.380 and not necessarily to be fed 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:40.000 and not necessarily to have our diaper changed. 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:43.060 Or maybe all of those things 00:25:43.060 --> 00:25:44.180 and probably more. 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:47.519 We need him. 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:50.019 We want him. 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:53.480 I'm almost 6'9". 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:56.259 Susanna can't get to me. 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:59.299 She can reach for me all she wants to 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:00.740 but she can't get to me. 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:04.080 She can't put herself in my arms. 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.160 And once she's in there 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:08.660 she certainly can't keep herself in my arms. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:12.160 Jesus was about to endure 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:14.140 the climax of his whole mission 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:15.100 on the earth. 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:19.360 He tears into the Pharisees and scribes 00:26:19.360 --> 00:26:23.000 and then immediately laments over Jerusalem. 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:26.220 And he prophesies about the end of days 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.759 and then he's anointed. 00:26:29.540 --> 00:26:31.160 He's betrayed by Judas 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:33.060 and then he prays. 00:26:34.060 --> 00:26:35.600 He's tortured and crucified. 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.940 Then he's resurrected. 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:41.980 Jesus said the Father's will 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.720 as a whole person. 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:46.800 And Jesus as his whole person 00:26:46.800 --> 00:26:48.560 and as his work 00:26:48.560 --> 00:26:50.800 is the incredible way 00:26:50.800 --> 00:26:51.920 which we're brought to 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:53.860 and kept in God. 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:57.740 A familiar passage from 2 Corinthians 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:59.000 says, 00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:01.920 He became sin who knew no sin 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:04.240 so that we might become 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:06.019 the righteousness of God. 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:08.720 God gives himself 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:11.079 to us 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:13.180 through his son 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:14.639 and even grants us his spirit 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:16.359 so that we can always endeavor 00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:17.420 to love him 00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:20.119 with our whole being. 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:23.639 Not a compartmentalized part of ourself. 00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:25.420 Not something that comes and gets washed 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:27.819 and clean on Sunday mornings. 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:29.299 Or maybe for some of you 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:31.139 you came to church 00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:32.179 on Christmas Eve 00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:33.939 and you're coming back today 00:27:33.939 --> 00:27:35.179 and you don't really have plans 00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:36.599 to come back to church beyond that. 00:27:36.679 --> 00:27:37.759 Maybe it's not even about 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:39.359 that much 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.679 cleansing. 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.819 But he grants us his spirit 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:46.960 so that we can try to love him 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:49.359 with our whole being 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.639 because of his goodness 00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:51.859 and when we succeed 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.179 he's there to hold us. 00:27:54.439 --> 00:27:55.959 And when we fail 00:27:55.959 --> 00:27:59.019 he's there to hold us. 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:01.699 Jesus became our sin 00:28:01.699 --> 00:28:03.559 so that we might become 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.539 his righteousness 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:06.459 eternally kept by our Father. 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:09.419 This is incredible 00:28:09.419 --> 00:28:11.179 and unfathomable grace. 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:16.480 Here's my main pitch 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.100 for counseling. 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:20.380 Counseling is actually 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:21.779 what the community of believers 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.860 is called to do with 00:28:22.860 --> 00:28:23.740 and for each other. 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:27.720 I might have been taught 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:29.120 certain therapeutic strategies 00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:30.680 and know certain ins and outs 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:32.860 and be able to pass some exams 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:34.380 that you can't pass. 00:28:36.100 --> 00:28:37.700 But that doesn't make me 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:39.060 a better listener 00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:40.360 than anybody in this room. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.840 That's essentially what I do. 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.460 I'm a listener. 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.740 I listen to someone talk 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.640 and I tell them 00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:46.700 what I heard them say. 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:50.200 It's really that simple. 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.920 And once I know 00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:53.299 that you've communicated to me 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.080 we can talk about 00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:55.680 how the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:57.519 intersects that reality. 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:01.620 And although we're off for this week 00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:02.680 our connect communities 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:04.000 are an entryway 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:05.180 to that type of community 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:06.000 in our church. 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.420 We get together 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:08.940 and weigh 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:10.299 and discuss the things of God 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:11.200 and see how the gospel 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.359 intersects our lives. 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.980 Is that why you go 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.700 to connect community? 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:16.579 I hope it is. 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.919 I hope there's good intention there. 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.759 I hope there's intention 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:22.339 of diving into real life 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:23.019 and real community 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.720 with each other. 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.220 We listen 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:26.819 and we learn 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.700 and we grow together 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:28.279 by the power 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.099 of the Holy Spirit 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:30.859 through the mutual pursuit 00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:32.259 of a loving God 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:34.419 dealing with our whole person. 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:37.600 We want everyone here 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:39.500 to be involved 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.300 in a small group 00:29:40.300 --> 00:29:41.500 for that same reason 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:43.820 only it's that big group setting 00:29:43.820 --> 00:29:45.460 brought to a much more intimate 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.220 and close 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:48.600 and relational level 00:29:48.600 --> 00:29:49.600 that's easier 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.440 to go deeper 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.680 into God's word with 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:52.180 and easier 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:53.200 to go deeper 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:54.019 with each other in. 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.600 We're called 00:29:56.600 --> 00:29:57.600 to live in a community 00:29:57.600 --> 00:29:59.220 reminding each other 00:29:59.220 --> 00:30:00.160 of God's faithfulness 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.960 in the past 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:02.820 so that we might understand 00:30:02.820 --> 00:30:03.519 his faithfulness 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.160 in the present. 00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.619 The Holy Spirit 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.279 is alive 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.779 and at work 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.220 in us 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:10.000 as individuals. 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.180 He's alive 00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:12.740 and at work 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.660 amongst us 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.839 as the people of God 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:17.700 and God is good 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:20.379 and through his goodness 00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:21.720 he's given us himself 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:23.599 in relationship 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:25.460 and he's given us 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:25.980 each other. 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.660 Thanks be to God. 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.599 Let's pray together. 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:37.500 Heavenly Father 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.539 we thank you 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.720 for the love 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.740 shown to us 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:43.019 through your son Jesus 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:43.900 through his 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:46.619 love and life 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:49.639 through the way 00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:50.639 the God man came 00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:51.240 and lived 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:52.500 perfectly 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:54.519 as God 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:54.859 but 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:57.220 able to understand 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.759 everything 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.480 as a man. 00:30:58.480 --> 00:31:01.120 a great 00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:01.920 sympathizer 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:03.339 and a great 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:03.700 savior. 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:06.259 We thank you 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.920 for the gift 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.839 of your Holy Spirit 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:09.579 that allows us 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:10.819 to know you 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.299 at all 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:13.559 allows us 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:14.059 to grow 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:14.620 in you 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.279 and allows us 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.200 to grow together 00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:16.799 as a body 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.360 of believers 00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:19.559 and we pray 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.019 that that would 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.700 never be 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.860 an inward focus 00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.279 things 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:23.259 but to us 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:23.700 community 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:24.360 would mean 00:31:24.360 --> 00:31:25.059 always 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:26.419 accepting 00:31:26.419 --> 00:31:27.359 other people 00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:28.659 and knowing 00:31:28.659 --> 00:31:29.419 the change 00:31:29.419 --> 00:31:30.299 that necessarily 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.779 happens 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.339 when someone 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:31.619 new 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.480 enters a community 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:34.379 and loving 00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:35.099 them the way 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:35.519 that you've 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:35.879 called us 00:31:35.879 --> 00:31:36.379 to love each 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:36.639 other. 00:31:38.659 --> 00:31:39.159 We pray 00:31:39.159 --> 00:31:40.099 that our hearts 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:40.700 and minds 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.619 would be changed 00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:41.919 and that we 00:31:41.919 --> 00:31:42.240 would know 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:42.779 more of your 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.419 love for us 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:43.839 now 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:45.039 than we even 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.579 knew before 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:45.940 now. 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:47.960 We thank you 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.480 for the grace 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:49.139 found in our 00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:49.659 King Jesus. 00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:50.220 We pray all 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:50.659 this in his 00:31:50.659 --> 00:31:50.899 name. 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:51.659 Amen. 00:31:51.659 --> 00:31:51.759 Amen. 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.720 For more 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.220 information 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:57.019 visit us 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.519 online 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:57.919 at 00:31:57.919 --> 00:31:58.819 southwood.org