WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.000 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Shine Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:15.259 and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:15.320 --> 00:00:20.699 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:20.740 --> 00:00:25.640 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. And as we follow Jesus together, 00:00:25.640 --> 00:00:29.820 we become convinced that there's no one so good. They don't need God's grace. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.820 And no one so bad that they can't have it, which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:38.600 --> 00:00:46.519 We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark. You'll remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus and His life and His death and His resurrection. 00:00:47.120 --> 00:00:54.200 And last week, we took a look at the importance, in fact, more than the importance, the necessity of childlike faith, 00:00:54.200 --> 00:01:01.800 the necessity of acknowledging that we have nothing to offer to God, and all we can do is receive. 00:01:02.300 --> 00:01:12.240 This week, we're going to continue that theme with one very specific application of Jesus talking about the issue, the challenge, the danger of money. 00:01:12.960 --> 00:01:18.079 Money is one of those things that falls into the category of not bad, just dangerous. 00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:21.120 In fact, in many ways, money is good. It's a blessing. 00:01:22.179 --> 00:01:25.780 There was great wealth in the Garden of Eden when God created Adam and Eve, 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:30.420 and we look forward to the new heavens and the new earth when there will also be great wealth. 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:36.400 And so money is not bad in and of itself. It just presents unique temptations and challenges. 00:01:36.640 --> 00:01:38.420 And so it's with that we're going to dive right in. 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:42.640 As we come to this passage in Mark chapter 10, I'm going to tell you three things. 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:47.219 First of all, about the love of money. Second of all, the danger of money. 00:01:47.799 --> 00:01:53.920 And third, the new heart. That's the love of money, the danger of money, and the new heart. 00:01:54.239 --> 00:01:57.180 With that, I invite you to turn with me to God's Word. 00:01:57.640 --> 00:02:01.140 You can turn on your phone. You can turn in your Bible. 00:02:01.599 --> 00:02:06.540 You can turn in your worship guide. No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's Word. 00:02:06.540 --> 00:02:12.420 In Proverbs chapter 30, verse 5, tells us that every word of God proves true. 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:16.979 He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 00:02:17.679 --> 00:02:21.699 And so that's why we read now Mark chapter 10, starting at verse 17. 00:02:23.299 --> 00:02:29.279 And as He was setting out on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, 00:02:29.859 --> 00:02:34.339 Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:02:35.099 --> 00:02:38.519 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? 00:02:39.119 --> 00:02:42.279 No one is good except God alone. 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:47.599 You know the commandments. Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. 00:02:47.979 --> 00:02:51.979 Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Do not defraud. 00:02:52.679 --> 00:02:54.419 Honor your father and mother. 00:02:55.399 --> 00:02:56.000 Verse 20. 00:02:57.139 --> 00:03:00.500 And He said to Him, Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth. 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:07.080 And Jesus, looking at Him, loved Him and said to Him, You lack one thing. 00:03:08.139 --> 00:03:14.060 Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. 00:03:14.580 --> 00:03:16.360 And come, follow Me. 00:03:17.639 --> 00:03:23.219 Disheartened by the saying, He went away sorrowful, for He had great possessions. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:27.580 And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, 00:03:27.979 --> 00:03:33.039 How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God. 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:36.360 And the disciples were amazed at His words. 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:41.579 But Jesus said to them again, Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God. 00:03:41.580 --> 00:03:50.580 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. 00:03:51.320 --> 00:03:52.220 Verse 26. 00:03:52.920 --> 00:03:57.460 And they were exceedingly astonished and said to Him, Then who can be saved? 00:03:58.100 --> 00:04:03.320 Jesus looked at them and said, With man it is impossible, but not with God. 00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:07.320 For all things are possible with God. 00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:13.859 Peter began to say to Him, See, we have left everything and followed you. 00:04:14.919 --> 00:04:15.620 Verse 29. 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:28.120 Jesus said, Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for My sake and for the gospel, 00:04:28.459 --> 00:04:35.839 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, 00:04:35.839 --> 00:04:41.459 with persecutions and in the age to come eternal life. 00:04:42.419 --> 00:04:47.879 But many who are first will be last and the last will be first. 00:04:48.739 --> 00:04:52.039 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:04:55.039 --> 00:05:04.199 Our Father in heaven, we come to you this morning confessing that we need to be like little children to receive your instruction. 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:05.860 And so we ask that you would help us. 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:07.939 We know that we can't do it alone. 00:05:08.420 --> 00:05:14.939 That all by ourselves, we are incapable of hearing and understanding what it is you have to say to us. 00:05:15.579 --> 00:05:18.480 And so we ask that you would send your Holy Spirit to be with us. 00:05:18.539 --> 00:05:20.139 That you would soften our hearts. 00:05:20.860 --> 00:05:22.139 That you'd open up our minds. 00:05:22.779 --> 00:05:25.439 That you would be at work this morning. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:30.819 So that we would be able to hear and receive and obey your words. 00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:37.879 We thank you most of all that you don't come to us as simply a moral instructor. 00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:42.459 But you come to us as a man who lived and walked among us as Jesus. 00:05:43.659 --> 00:05:47.040 Full of beauty and glory and holiness and truth. 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:51.079 We ask that you would show us him and that we would be changed as a result. 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:54.639 We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:05:55.279 --> 00:05:55.599 Amen. 00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:08.099 The last time we saw Jesus, he was in the midst of taking these children up in his arms and blessing them despite the protests of his disciples. 00:06:08.099 --> 00:06:14.759 But the time has come now for Jesus to pack up and move on to his next adventure. 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:22.899 You might think of this as a scene at the end of a lecture or an event and the speaker is trying to make his way out. 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:25.399 He has somewhere else he needs to be. 00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:28.319 But you have an urgent and pressing question. 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:32.839 And so you rush in on him to catch him before it is too late. 00:06:33.240 --> 00:06:37.139 Because what you have to ask is so incredibly important. 00:06:37.939 --> 00:06:39.839 That's what happens with this man here. 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:48.279 He runs up to Jesus to block him before Jesus is able to escape to the next event because his question is so pressing. 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:53.459 And thankfully he's able to catch Jesus here just in the nick of time. 00:06:53.859 --> 00:06:58.159 We understand why his question is pressing because he wants to know of all things, 00:06:58.279 --> 00:07:00.979 how is it that he can inherit eternal life? 00:07:01.359 --> 00:07:04.679 And in that he addresses Jesus as this good teacher. 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:11.240 Jesus' answer here should surprise us because Jesus seems to correct him. 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:13.560 He says, why are you calling me a good teacher? 00:07:14.060 --> 00:07:15.819 Only God is good. 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:20.819 And we should be surprised by this because we saw in Mark chapter 8, 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:23.879 Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ. 00:07:24.100 --> 00:07:26.620 That Jesus is actually God. 00:07:26.960 --> 00:07:30.379 And so why is Jesus seeming to misdirect this man here? 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:35.439 It should seem to us it would be the most normal expectation for Jesus to accept this. 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:37.199 Yes, I am divine. 00:07:37.319 --> 00:07:39.240 You recognize me for who I am. 00:07:39.300 --> 00:07:41.680 Of course, I should be called good. 00:07:43.019 --> 00:07:47.439 Why does Jesus act as if he's not God? 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:55.719 What we have to understand here is that Jesus is playing into this man's assumption. 00:07:55.720 --> 00:08:01.580 This rich ruler does not see or know that Jesus is divine. 00:08:01.760 --> 00:08:04.500 He sees Jesus as only human. 00:08:04.900 --> 00:08:08.580 And so what Jesus is doing in this passage is instead of correcting him, 00:08:08.640 --> 00:08:11.960 he decides to play along with this man's perspective. 00:08:12.580 --> 00:08:16.560 Jesus is saying, oh, you think that I'm merely a good teacher. 00:08:16.900 --> 00:08:20.360 You think that I am just another rabbi. 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:26.040 Okay, let's roll with that and see where it takes us. 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:31.400 Let's operate on that assumption and see what happens. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:37.680 Well, if I am a mere human, if I am just a rabbi, if I'm just a teacher, 00:08:38.060 --> 00:08:41.659 good, can't and doesn't apply to me. 00:08:42.800 --> 00:08:47.200 Because no human can truly be called good. 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:57.379 And in that answer, Jesus has already indirectly cut out the legs from underneath this man's question. 00:08:58.320 --> 00:08:59.400 What does he ask? 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:02.180 What must I do, right? 00:09:03.280 --> 00:09:05.640 How can I be good enough? 00:09:06.160 --> 00:09:08.040 And Jesus is poking him here. 00:09:08.820 --> 00:09:10.840 No one is good. 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:15.740 You think I'm just a human. 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:19.980 Well, then you have overestimated me. 00:09:21.399 --> 00:09:25.360 This phrase here that he asks him, what must I do? 00:09:25.940 --> 00:09:29.780 Verse 17, it is the opposite of what we saw last week, 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:35.420 that we must receive the kingdom as children. 00:09:35.419 --> 00:09:39.919 But Jesus decides he's going to keep playing this game out with this man. 00:09:39.979 --> 00:09:45.819 And so he says, okay, let's continue to unfold this, unroll this blanket and see what happens. 00:09:45.959 --> 00:09:47.799 Verse 19, what about the moral law? 00:09:47.899 --> 00:09:49.139 What about the Ten Commandments? 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:53.699 How are you doing with your performance in your life? 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:57.699 This man, missing the fact that Jesus has already corrected him, 00:09:57.879 --> 00:09:59.699 continues to take the bait and says, 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:03.180 yes, I can make this a matter of moral performance. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:08.060 If that's the bar that needs to be set, I have met it and exceeded it. 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:10.020 I have done it. 00:10:10.660 --> 00:10:14.379 I have kept all of these things from my youth. 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:19.640 And so he misses the deeper point that Jesus is driving at, 00:10:19.680 --> 00:10:21.940 the deeper issue of the human heart, 00:10:22.040 --> 00:10:24.600 the deeper issue of love for God. 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:28.340 Has this man kept the law? 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:35.860 Well, no, not in the way Jesus is going to go on and define it in Mark chapter 12. 00:10:36.060 --> 00:10:39.680 In Mark chapter 12, someone's going to ask him what the greatest commandment is. 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:45.379 And Jesus' response is that the sum of the law is love for God and love for others. 00:10:45.800 --> 00:10:52.019 And so Jesus is setting this man up to suddenly crush his understanding of himself 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:57.120 by helping him understand you don't love God. 00:10:58.340 --> 00:11:03.720 You think that you have kept the law, but you are so incredibly far away. 00:11:03.920 --> 00:11:09.920 You love and trust and worship something much more than God himself. 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:12.780 And that's what he sets him up for in verse 21. 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:17.800 Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:19.420 you lack one thing. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:23.320 Go sell all that you have and give to the poor, 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:27.980 and you will have treasure in heaven and come follow me. 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:33.860 Jesus brings down the hammer on this man. 00:11:35.300 --> 00:11:36.860 Not to crush him, 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:42.400 but we're told explicitly because he loved him. 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:48.620 You're almost there. 00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:51.340 There's just one more thing you need to do. 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:54.539 Give up all your money. 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:58.699 Jesus is asking him, 00:11:58.980 --> 00:12:01.100 where is your true heart? 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:06.579 What is it that you actually love and worship? 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:11.160 What is your ultimate treasure? 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:17.139 Disheartened by the saying, 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:18.400 he went away sorrowful, 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:20.560 for he had great possessions. 00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:24.100 Jesus is telling him this, 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:28.060 you may be generally morally good and upright, 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:33.379 but your trust and your hope and your love is not in me. 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:36.000 It is in money. 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:42.100 You do not love the Lord your God with all your heart. 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:47.139 One pastor points out that this word here in verse 22, 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:47.379 disheartened, 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:49.980 that is used to describe this man 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:53.379 is the same word that we're going to see in Mark chapter 14 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:58.360 used of Jesus when he's facing separation from God the Father 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:00.059 as he looks to the potential 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:02.360 and the reality of heading towards the cross. 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.680 In other words, 00:13:03.820 --> 00:13:06.360 what this man feels about money 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:11.620 is what Jesus feels about God the Father. 00:13:13.060 --> 00:13:18.680 That is how rapt and enamored he is with his possessions. 00:13:19.560 --> 00:13:22.379 He was good at external moral commands 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:25.560 and he loved money more than God. 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:30.620 This man loved money most of all. 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:36.139 And so Jesus uses this as an object lesson for his disciples 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:39.000 to help them understand the danger of wealth. 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:41.980 It's right after this episode that he begins to teach them. 00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:42.779 Verse 23, 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:44.840 he looks at his disciples and said, 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:47.679 how difficult it will be for those who have wealth 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:50.419 to enter the kingdom of God. 00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:53.679 And then we find out verse 25, 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:56.899 it is not simply difficult. 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:57.899 Verse 27, 00:13:58.179 --> 00:14:00.100 it is impossible. 00:14:01.079 --> 00:14:03.679 Jesus uses this illustration of the camel, 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:05.259 which is the largest animal, 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:06.279 and the thread, 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.259 the eye of a needle, 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.379 the smallest opening, 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.100 and says, 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:10.799 for a rich person to enter heaven, 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:13.179 it is like taking the largest animal 00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:14.840 that you have as a frame of reference 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:17.199 and putting it through the smallest opening. 00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:18.579 Now, 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:20.220 there have been attempts throughout the centuries 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:22.360 to explain away this passage 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:23.259 and to say, 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:23.560 well, 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.600 the eye of the needle 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:27.539 maybe was referring to this gate in Jerusalem 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.980 that was narrow, 00:14:29.180 --> 00:14:30.340 but it wasn't too narrow. 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:32.220 And so if you unpack the camel, 00:14:32.680 --> 00:14:34.700 then maybe you'd be able to make it through. 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:38.639 And that's not what Jesus is saying. 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:41.860 We use Jesus' words here 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:43.399 to interpret his meaning. 00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:44.680 Verse 27, 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.740 he tells us, 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:48.120 it is impossible. 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:52.100 He is giving them an image 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.899 that is meant to be so extreme 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:56.519 that there's no way of wiggling out of it. 00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:57.980 If you have money, 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:58.879 if you're wealthy, 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:00.580 you can't enter the kingdom, 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:04.259 at least on first appearance. 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:07.320 With man, 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.600 it is impossible. 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.180 With God, 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:12.560 all things are possible. 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:14.559 Money, 00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:19.639 outside of God's intervention 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:22.019 and work in our hearts 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:25.899 will keep us away from his kingdom. 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:28.000 Why? 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:32.559 There's two reasons. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:34.439 One, 00:15:34.719 --> 00:15:37.739 money pretends to be God. 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:41.560 And money tempts us 00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:43.240 to believe that we are God. 00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:47.340 Money pretends to be God 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:48.659 and money tempts us 00:15:48.659 --> 00:15:51.080 to believe that we are God. 00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:53.600 I have some examples for you 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:55.080 on the back of your worship guide. 00:15:55.180 --> 00:15:55.879 There's a book called 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.860 Far From the Tree 00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:57.560 that studies, 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:58.919 among many things, 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:00.680 children with profound disabilities. 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:02.480 And the author makes this observation 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:05.379 that people of higher socioeconomic status 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:07.019 tend towards perfectionism 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:08.779 and have a harder time 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:10.679 living with perceived defects. 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.819 One French study said, 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:13.419 baldly, 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.939 the lower classes 00:16:14.939 --> 00:16:16.799 show a higher tolerance 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:19.439 for severely handicapped children. 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:22.159 In other words, 00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:23.159 rich people 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:25.299 can't handle imperfection. 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.500 Why? 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:30.199 Because money 00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:31.840 has convinced them 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:34.079 that they are all powerful. 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:36.840 there is nothing 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:38.440 for which they cannot 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:40.160 simply write a check. 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.259 And so, 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.500 they are unprepared 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.259 to face 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.540 the brokenness 00:16:45.540 --> 00:16:46.340 of this world. 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.139 They believe 00:16:47.139 --> 00:16:48.460 that they are God 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.500 because of their money, 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.580 their experience 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.220 in this life. 00:16:51.420 --> 00:16:52.980 Everything has been easy. 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:54.540 There's been no challenge. 00:16:54.680 --> 00:16:55.160 They're not able 00:16:55.160 --> 00:16:56.920 to buy their way out of 00:16:56.920 --> 00:16:59.100 or hire their way into. 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:01.360 And so, 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.159 when they hit up 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:03.420 against imperfection 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:05.079 that they cannot solve, 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.680 they do not know 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.920 what to do. 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.700 Money 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:12.079 causes us 00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:12.839 to believe 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:13.980 that we are 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.480 like God. 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:18.819 In an article 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:20.460 about rich politicians, 00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:21.460 we're told this, 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:22.559 a mounting body 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.099 of research 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.660 is showing 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.720 wealth can actually 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.860 change how we think 00:17:25.860 --> 00:17:26.460 and behave 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.539 and not for the better. 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.899 Rich people 00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:29.759 have a harder time 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.819 connecting with others, 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:32.500 showing less empathy 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.420 to the extent 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.500 of dehumanizing 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.000 those who are 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.700 different from them. 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:37.139 They are less charitable 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:37.759 and generous. 00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:39.279 They are less likely 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:39.980 to help someone 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.480 in trouble. 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:42.240 And they are more likely 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.920 to defend 00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:44.579 an unfair status quo. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:45.920 These aren't 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:47.480 just inherited traits 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:49.159 but developed ones. 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:50.339 Money, 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:51.339 in other words, 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.079 changes 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:54.359 who you are. 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:54.399 are. 00:17:56.179 --> 00:17:57.019 The researchers 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:57.959 then go on 00:17:57.959 --> 00:17:58.740 to say 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.319 they believe 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.240 this has to do 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:00.779 with the fact 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:01.519 of a few things. 00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:02.000 First of all, 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:02.559 money tends 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.159 to make people 00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:04.139 think that they're 00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:05.379 special and different. 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.459 Somehow they're set 00:18:06.459 --> 00:18:07.879 apart from other people. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.259 They don't have 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:08.979 to be bothered 00:18:08.979 --> 00:18:10.559 by what bothers 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:12.139 normal everyday folks. 00:18:12.719 --> 00:18:13.679 The other reality 00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:14.359 is that money 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:15.159 allows them 00:18:15.159 --> 00:18:16.059 to disconnect 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:17.299 from other people. 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.539 The more money 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.299 you have, 00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:21.519 the less dependent 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.700 you are. 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.119 You don't need 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:25.220 to ask your neighbor 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:25.920 or friend 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.579 for help 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.639 if you're simply 00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.759 able to pay 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:30.639 to get things done. 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:33.400 Which makes us 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.940 less empathetic 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.700 and connected 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.460 to those 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.639 around us. 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:42.359 The point 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:43.099 of all of those 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:44.019 things is this. 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:45.559 Money 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:47.700 allows us 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.500 to pretend 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.639 we aren't 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:50.299 children. 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.420 money gets 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.059 in the way 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:55.240 of the childlike 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.240 posture we talked 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.240 about last week. 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.000 And remember, 00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:58.940 Jesus didn't say 00:18:58.940 --> 00:18:59.940 being like a child 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:00.579 is helpful. 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.660 He said being 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.559 like a child 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.720 is necessary. 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:06.019 It is a requirement. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:06.779 Need 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.660 is the price 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:08.539 of admission. 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.500 And wealth 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.519 deceives us 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.259 into believing 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.000 we have 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:14.400 no need. 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:16.839 Wealth 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:19.480 is an obstacle 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:21.200 to childlike 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.680 faith. 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.940 Wealth 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:25.779 is dangerous 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.460 because 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:27.240 it is an 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:27.680 obstacle 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:29.120 to childlike 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:29.900 faith. 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.539 What is it 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.000 that children 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.839 don't have? 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.799 Many things. 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.779 One of them 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.400 is money 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:38.559 and resources. 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.240 Trusting 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.980 in riches 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:41.839 is the 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.559 opposite 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.460 of trusting 00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:44.099 in God. 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:44.880 Trusting 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.279 in money 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:45.680 is the 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.099 opposite 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.680 of having 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.460 childlike 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:47.920 faith. 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.460 And so 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:48.800 we think 00:19:48.800 --> 00:19:49.120 in this 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.300 way. 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:49.580 You know 00:19:49.580 --> 00:19:49.759 what? 00:19:49.820 --> 00:19:50.180 Jesus 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:52.220 is kind 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:52.860 of volatile. 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:53.460 You know? 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:56.160 But money 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:58.240 is safe 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.000 and secure. 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.039 And the 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:02.080 more I have 00:20:02.080 --> 00:20:02.279 of it, 00:20:02.320 --> 00:20:02.580 the more 00:20:02.580 --> 00:20:03.340 I've piled 00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:03.740 up and 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.120 saved, 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:04.740 the safer 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.519 I am. 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:06.080 That's 00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:06.620 something I 00:20:06.620 --> 00:20:07.180 can really 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.140 rely on. 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.080 And so 00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:10.580 I don't 00:20:10.580 --> 00:20:11.060 have to 00:20:11.060 --> 00:20:12.300 be like 00:20:12.300 --> 00:20:13.000 a child. 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:15.940 I don't 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:16.300 have to 00:20:16.300 --> 00:20:16.800 recognize 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:17.779 and embrace 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:19.159 helplessness. 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.399 It's a 00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:22.799 natural 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:23.359 posture 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.019 for a 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.639 child to 00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:25.159 believe 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:25.619 that her 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.139 parents are 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:26.559 going to 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.200 provide for 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.379 her. 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:27.759 And so 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.460 there's 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:28.919 something 00:20:28.919 --> 00:20:29.720 deeply 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.180 wrong. 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:30.440 I want 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:30.639 you to 00:20:30.639 --> 00:20:31.039 imagine 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:31.440 for a 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:31.619 second 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:31.879 that 00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:32.099 you're 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.240 a 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.539 parent 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.259 and 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:33.460 you 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.000 discover 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.339 that 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:34.559 your 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:35.180 son 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:36.059 is 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.859 hoarding 00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.200 money 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.639 in this 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.019 mason 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.440 jar 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:38.700 in the 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:38.879 back 00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.000 of 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.139 his 00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:39.480 closet. 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:39.799 Right? 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:41.419 And so 00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:41.859 you ask 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:42.019 him, 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:42.559 what is 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:42.779 this 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.019 money 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.299 for? 00:20:43.419 --> 00:20:43.599 Why 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:43.879 do you 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.180 have 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:44.379 this 00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:44.819 jar 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.259 filled 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:45.519 with 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:45.960 quarters 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.779 and dollar 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.220 bills? 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:48.120 And your 00:20:48.120 --> 00:20:48.700 son says 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.059 to you, 00:20:49.100 --> 00:20:49.380 well, 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.440 I'm afraid 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:50.880 that there's 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.079 going to 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.480 come a 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:51.980 time when 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.460 you're not 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:52.660 going to 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:52.960 be able 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.400 to buy 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.039 food for 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.380 us. 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:56.140 So I've 00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:56.920 stored a 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:57.120 little 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:57.700 something 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.259 away. 00:20:58.259 --> 00:21:01.819 And what 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.119 is your 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:02.859 response as 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:03.019 a 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.319 parent? 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:06.619 Heartbroken, 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:06.940 right? 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.559 And 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.019 there's a 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:11.099 ridiculousness 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:11.599 to it 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:13.119 that this 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:14.119 child thinks 00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:14.519 they can 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.519 store enough 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.660 away to 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.859 care for 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.799 the family. 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.539 There's a 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:21.980 sadness, 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:22.299 right? 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.799 You want 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.180 something 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:23.859 better for 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.559 that child. 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:27.379 brothers and 00:21:27.379 --> 00:21:27.639 sisters, 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.359 the same 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.039 is true 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.740 with us 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.139 and our 00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:30.559 heavenly 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.099 father. 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:33.059 It is 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.879 ridiculous 00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:36.399 for us 00:21:36.399 --> 00:21:36.899 to think 00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:37.259 that it 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.000 is our 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.779 job 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.799 ultimately 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.700 to provide 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.299 for 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:41.879 ourselves. 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.519 It is 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.440 laughable 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.419 that we 00:21:46.419 --> 00:21:47.139 can store 00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:48.220 away enough 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.960 money to 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.559 protect 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.419 ourselves. 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:53.539 there's 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:53.860 something 00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:54.680 sad for 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:54.880 you, 00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:55.120 right? 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:55.420 As a 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:55.600 parent, 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.080 you want 00:21:56.080 --> 00:21:56.460 something 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.220 better for 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.840 that child. 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:58.620 You know 00:21:58.620 --> 00:21:59.080 that children 00:21:59.080 --> 00:21:59.620 are not 00:21:59.620 --> 00:22:00.140 meant to 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:00.560 stash 00:22:00.560 --> 00:22:01.279 away money 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:01.539 in the 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:01.860 back of 00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:02.000 their 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.420 closets 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.039 thinking 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.640 that you're 00:22:03.640 --> 00:22:03.940 going to 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:04.380 run out 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:04.600 of an 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:04.940 ability 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.440 to feed 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:05.840 them or 00:22:05.840 --> 00:22:06.279 provide 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:06.660 for them. 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:07.120 And so 00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:07.519 there's a 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.220 joy and 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.019 a relief 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:09.940 that comes 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.360 for that 00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:10.840 son or 00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:11.320 that daughter 00:22:11.320 --> 00:22:12.019 in trusting 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.680 that their 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.240 parents are 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.519 going to 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.060 make sure 00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:14.480 that they 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:14.960 have 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.740 enough. 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:17.980 The same 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.779 is true 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.580 for us. 00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:20.659 as tempting 00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:21.679 as money 00:22:21.679 --> 00:22:22.299 is, 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.359 as alluring 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:24.039 as wealth 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.960 presents itself 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.480 to be, 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.720 God wants 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.279 something 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.359 better for 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:28.819 you. 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:32.500 God wants 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.059 you to 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.579 have the 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.220 joy and 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.099 relief and 00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:35.740 trust that 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.419 comes from 00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:37.220 knowing that 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.179 he will 00:22:38.179 --> 00:22:38.699 provide. 00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:39.559 He wants 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.379 us to be 00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:40.919 able to 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:41.859 pray and 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.439 believe, 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:42.939 give us 00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:43.579 this day 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:45.240 our daily 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:45.879 bread. 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:58.039 wealth is 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.399 such a 00:22:58.399 --> 00:22:58.859 challenge 00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.279 and such 00:22:59.279 --> 00:22:59.699 a threat. 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:01.460 And by 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:01.699 the way, 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.079 whether you 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:02.519 think so 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:02.960 or not, 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.379 if you 00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:03.720 live in 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.139 America 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:04.980 in 2022, 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:06.639 you're 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:07.439 basically in 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:07.799 the top 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.019 1% of 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.899 the world 00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:10.179 throughout 00:23:10.179 --> 00:23:10.639 history. 00:23:11.419 --> 00:23:11.939 In other 00:23:11.939 --> 00:23:12.119 words, 00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:12.379 you're 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:12.659 wealthy, 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:13.179 whether you 00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:13.379 want to 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:13.720 admit it 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.059 or not. 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:16.599 what are 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:16.940 we supposed 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.379 to do 00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:18.039 if wealth 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.440 is the 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:18.819 opposite 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.119 of 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:19.980 childlike 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.679 faith? 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:22.799 Well, 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.419 Jesus gives 00:23:23.419 --> 00:23:24.099 us an 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.960 answer here. 00:23:26.419 --> 00:23:27.279 Verse 21, 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.319 he tells 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:28.919 this man, 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.240 go sell 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.759 all that 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.299 you have 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:31.659 and give 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:31.940 to the 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:32.419 poor and 00:23:32.419 --> 00:23:32.639 you will 00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:32.779 have 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.179 treasure 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:33.740 in heaven 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:35.079 and come 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:36.200 follow me. 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.480 What's the 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.359 solution for 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:39.960 that child 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:40.279 with the 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.839 mason jar 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:41.059 in the 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.419 back of 00:23:41.419 --> 00:23:41.579 his 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:41.940 closet? 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:43.980 The 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:44.740 solution is 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.059 to get 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:45.880 rid of 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.039 the 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.580 mason jar. 00:23:48.120 --> 00:23:48.960 What is 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:49.680 the solution 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.660 for making 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.279 wealth 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:51.880 into a 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:52.220 god? 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:52.460 The 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:52.920 solution 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.720 is to 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.420 get rid 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:54.680 of it. 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:56.700 Now, 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:58.100 don't hear 00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:58.360 what I'm 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:58.980 not saying. 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:00.700 Jesus' 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.980 command is 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.400 not for 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.120 every person 00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:03.400 to give 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:03.799 all their 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.340 money away. 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.299 This man 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:06.880 receives a 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.299 specific 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:07.940 command from 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.620 Jesus because 00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:09.279 money is 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:09.880 such an 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.539 idol for 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:10.700 him. 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.140 We talked 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.720 earlier about 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.140 the fact 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:12.940 that money 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.720 for him 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.240 is like 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:14.640 God the 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.120 father to 00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:15.460 Jesus. 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.420 He's so 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.200 wrapped around, 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:17.740 it is so 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.700 powerful in 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.779 his life that 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.860 the only way 00:24:20.860 --> 00:24:21.480 he's going to 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.180 be able to 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.759 receive and 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.319 embrace the 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:23.779 kingdom is 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.259 to give it 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.400 all away. 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.600 Jesus does 00:24:27.600 --> 00:24:28.500 not give that 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.519 same command 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:30.319 to everyone 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:30.980 he meets in 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.660 the gospels. 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:33.880 Luke 19, 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.460 for example, 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.079 Zacchaeus, 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:35.420 remember, 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.140 is defrauding 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:36.640 people. 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:38.299 Zacchaeus gives 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.839 a tremendous 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.500 amount of his 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.059 money away. 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.059 We don't hear 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.460 that he gives 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:41.940 all of it 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.200 away. 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:44.500 If we take 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.019 the teaching 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:45.339 of the 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.079 Bible from 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.859 Genesis to 00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:47.419 Revelation, 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.079 we see there 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.399 are three 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:48.919 things we're 00:24:48.919 --> 00:24:49.240 supposed to 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.519 do with 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:49.759 money. 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.240 We're 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:50.559 supposed to 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:50.879 give it, 00:24:50.919 --> 00:24:51.039 we're 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.419 supposed to 00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:51.919 save it, 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.679 and we're 00:24:52.679 --> 00:24:53.179 supposed to 00:24:53.179 --> 00:24:54.019 spend it 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:55.639 in that 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:55.919 order. 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:57.299 And so 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:57.619 Jesus' 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.359 command for 00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:58.819 you this 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.319 morning is 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.000 not that you 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.440 would give 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.059 all of your 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:01.799 money away to 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.240 the poor and 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.759 have nothing 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.240 left, 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:06.839 but the 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.700 way to 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.539 break the 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.420 power and 00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:10.319 allure of 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:11.399 money is 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:11.899 to get 00:25:11.899 --> 00:25:12.980 rid of 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.240 it. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.659 Remember 00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:16.240 what Scott 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:16.920 read earlier 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.599 this morning, 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.519 we know 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.099 that money 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:19.559 is a 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.500 problem for 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.740 us if we 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.740 are unable 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.200 to give 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.019 large amounts 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.519 of it away. 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.960 We know 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.579 that money 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.359 has become 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:29.019 a God 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.619 when we 00:25:29.619 --> 00:25:30.420 are unable 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.240 to give 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:32.720 large amounts 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.500 of it away. 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:33.599 money. 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.859 And if 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:38.880 that sounds 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.619 radical, 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:42.420 that simply 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.319 reveals how 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:44.579 powerful and 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.539 consuming 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:47.359 money truly 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:48.140 is. 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:50.559 If that 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.259 sounds radical, 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:51.779 it simply 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.539 reveals how 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.420 powerful and 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:53.920 consuming 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:55.400 money truly 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.319 is. 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.339 And so 00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:57.799 that's why 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.539 Jesus tells 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.140 us the truth 00:25:59.140 --> 00:25:59.359 here, 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.319 verses 26 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:01.460 and 27, 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.279 it is 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.140 impossible. 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:05.619 with man 00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:06.059 it is 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.559 impossible, 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.200 with not 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.859 with God, 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:09.359 for all 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.559 things are 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.039 possible 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:12.259 with God. 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.960 The command 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.539 for this 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.180 man is not 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:19.000 necessarily the 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.660 command for 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.119 us, 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:23.220 but what 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.579 should be 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.180 true of us 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:24.640 is this, 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.480 Christians' 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.559 fists are 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.400 not tightly 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:28.160 grasped 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:29.079 around 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:29.819 money. 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:32.039 We're able 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.779 to let it 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.079 go. 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:35.759 when we 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.180 let it 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.640 go, 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:38.160 the spell 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.680 that money 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.339 has over 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:40.000 us breaks. 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.940 When we're 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.420 able to 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:42.799 let it 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.160 go, 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.299 we recognize 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:45.140 it's not 00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:45.619 our God. 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.519 When we 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.160 let it go, 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:48.480 we are 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:48.819 saying, 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.200 Jesus, 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:50.180 I trust 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:51.019 you enough 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.079 that you're 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:52.339 going to 00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:53.059 provide for 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.700 me tomorrow. 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.980 I am 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.980 able to 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.700 receive from 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.619 you my 00:26:58.619 --> 00:26:59.220 daily bread. 00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.319 God. 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.579 If we 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.339 cannot let 00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:04.980 money go, 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:07.240 it proves 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:07.680 we don't 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:08.319 trust God. 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.500 It's that 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:12.819 simple. 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.799 If we 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.500 cannot let 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.140 money go, 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:17.000 it proves 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.740 we do 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.600 not trust 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:19.480 God. 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:19.539 God. 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:27.099 hard task. 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.399 How do 00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:29.659 we do 00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:29.819 it? 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.639 I've 00:27:32.639 --> 00:27:33.019 told you 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:33.839 before about 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:34.359 this man 00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:35.039 named Thomas 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.420 Chalmers, 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.259 who is a 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.619 Scottish 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.259 preacher in 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:37.819 the 19th 00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:38.159 century, 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.440 and he 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:39.819 preached this 00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.619 famous sermon 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.960 on 1 John 2 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.399 called the 00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:42.920 expulsive 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:44.379 power of a 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:45.039 new affection. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:46.539 He says 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:46.799 if you 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.259 want to 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.839 get rid 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.259 of one 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.539 thing, 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:49.039 you must 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.720 replace it 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.180 with another 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:50.519 thing. 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.180 Our hearts 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:51.619 are this 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:53.740 affection vacuum 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.139 that we 00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:54.619 have to 00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:55.019 love 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.579 something. 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.639 We can't 00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:57.079 get rid 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:57.519 of one 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.000 love without 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.779 replacing it 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.279 with another. 00:27:59.480 --> 00:27:59.940 He gives 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.659 this illustration 00:28:00.659 --> 00:28:01.420 of a house 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.099 where a 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:02.920 strong man 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.460 lives. 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.579 If you 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.279 want to 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:05.859 get rid 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:06.180 of that 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:06.839 strong man, 00:28:06.899 --> 00:28:07.240 there's only 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.879 one way. 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.700 You have 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.399 to find 00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:11.500 a stronger 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.299 man to 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:12.740 kick him 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.019 out. 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:15.559 If you 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.139 want to 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:16.980 love one 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.819 thing less, 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.240 you must 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.319 find another 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:19.980 love that 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.559 is even 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.039 greater, 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.160 even more 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.759 powerful. 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.859 He goes 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.240 on to 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.859 talk about 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.440 the love 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:25.920 of riches 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.379 in this 00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:26.660 sermon, 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:26.980 and he 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:27.339 says if 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:27.740 you want 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:28.299 to tell 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:28.799 a man 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.460 to stop 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:29.799 loving 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.220 money, 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.099 it's the 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:31.759 same as 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.319 telling him 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.799 to burn 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.279 his house 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:33.619 down. 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.980 It makes 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.819 no sense. 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.059 And so 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:38.420 what he's 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:38.759 saying is 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.180 basically 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:39.819 everything 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.400 that I've 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:40.960 told you 00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:41.500 this morning 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.180 is worthless. 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:45.940 it doesn't 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.220 matter. 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.599 You can 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.240 tell someone 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.819 over and 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.400 over again 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:48.740 that they 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.180 need to 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:49.599 give up 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:49.980 wealth, 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:50.639 but no 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:50.940 one is 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.400 going to 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:51.900 burn their 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.379 own house 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:52.660 down, 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:52.920 right? 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.259 Except 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:58.259 unless, 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.480 Chalmers says, 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:00.740 he knows 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.299 that when he 00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:01.779 burns it 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.220 down, 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.240 he's going 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:03.839 to have 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.420 a new 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:04.900 house 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:06.119 ten times 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:06.720 as great. 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:10.380 no man 00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:10.960 in his 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.920 right mind 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.880 will burn 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:13.400 his house 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.079 down unless 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:14.579 he knows 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.220 when he 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:15.640 does, 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:15.980 he will 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.839 receive one 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:18.200 ten times 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.200 as valuable. 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.200 Jesus 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.039 knows the 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.920 human heart 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.759 better than 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.620 anyone else, 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.140 and that's 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:27.120 exactly what 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:27.880 he does 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:29.000 here in 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.440 this 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.400 passage. 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:30.480 church. 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:35.120 He tells 00:29:35.120 --> 00:29:35.460 them, 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.720 there is 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.580 something 00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:40.700 ten times 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.680 as valuable 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.580 as money. 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.259 In fact, 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.840 more than 00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:46.680 ten times 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.800 as valuable. 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:52.019 Jesus is 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:53.200 the strong 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:54.280 man that 00:29:54.280 --> 00:29:55.019 is more 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:56.080 powerful than 00:29:56.080 --> 00:29:56.740 the love 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.660 of money. 00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.280 And he 00:29:59.280 --> 00:29:59.820 presents them 00:29:59.819 --> 00:30:00.159 with this 00:30:00.159 --> 00:30:00.700 vision here 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:00.980 in verses 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:02.179 29-31. 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:03.859 Peter, 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:04.480 looking for 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.139 reassurance 00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:05.399 here, 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:05.599 says, 00:30:05.679 --> 00:30:05.819 see, 00:30:05.919 --> 00:30:06.279 we've left 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:06.799 everything 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.439 and followed 00:30:07.439 --> 00:30:07.779 you. 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.039 By the way, 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:09.619 people pointed 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:09.859 out, 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.319 Peter does 00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:10.659 not say, 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.179 we've sold 00:30:11.179 --> 00:30:11.539 everything 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.019 and followed 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.259 you. 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:13.399 Again, 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:13.679 Jesus' 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.259 command is 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:14.599 not for 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:14.960 every 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:15.439 Christian 00:30:15.439 --> 00:30:16.519 to divest 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:16.939 themselves 00:30:16.939 --> 00:30:17.480 of all 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.039 resources. 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:19.859 Jesus 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:20.339 gives him 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.980 this assurance. 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.240 Truly I 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.639 say to 00:30:22.639 --> 00:30:22.740 you, 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.059 there is 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:23.559 no one 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:23.839 who has 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.039 left 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.639 house or 00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:25.240 brothers or 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.879 sisters or 00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:26.319 mother or 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:26.779 father or 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.279 children or 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.279 lands for 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:29.179 my sake and 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.920 for the gospel 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:31.160 who will not 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.799 receive a 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.840 hundredfold now 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:33.740 in this time 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.880 houses and 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:35.440 brothers and 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.000 sisters and 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.420 mother and 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:36.880 children and 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:38.000 lands with 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:39.680 persecutions and 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:40.400 in the age to 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.580 come eternal 00:30:41.580 --> 00:30:42.460 life. 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:45.060 Jesus is saying 00:30:45.060 --> 00:30:46.080 there is 00:30:46.080 --> 00:30:48.299 something not 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.140 ten times 00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:50.259 greater, a 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:51.620 hundredfold 00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:52.340 greater. 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:55.339 there are 00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:55.839 things that 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:56.679 wealth offers 00:30:56.679 --> 00:30:57.240 you that it 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.119 cannot deliver. 00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.419 It cannot 00:30:59.419 --> 00:31:00.139 provide 00:31:00.139 --> 00:31:01.459 satisfaction and 00:31:01.459 --> 00:31:02.159 joy and 00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:02.759 significance. 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:03.699 You know 00:31:03.699 --> 00:31:04.359 what can? 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.319 God and 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:07.980 his people. 00:31:09.399 --> 00:31:10.339 The brothers 00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:11.259 and sisters that 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:12.059 he is promising 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:13.439 them here in 00:31:13.439 --> 00:31:14.299 the present are 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:14.939 the people that 00:31:14.939 --> 00:31:15.599 you can look 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.679 around and see 00:31:16.679 --> 00:31:17.819 here this 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.220 morning. 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:20.319 when he 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.339 talks about all 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.100 the great things 00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:22.799 that he has for 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.400 his people, he's 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:24.200 also presenting 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:25.059 them the vision of 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:26.400 what is to come in 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:27.059 his heavenly 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.819 kingdom. 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.160 Money, brothers and 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.839 sisters, cannot 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.900 deliver on its 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:31.360 promises. 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:33.319 It can arouse and 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:34.000 entice. 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.480 It cannot 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.420 fulfill. 00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:38.380 Do you want 00:31:38.380 --> 00:31:39.360 more of what 00:31:39.360 --> 00:31:39.759 matters? 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.819 Do you want 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.980 more relationships 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.880 of significance? 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:43.779 Do you want 00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.900 more things that 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.779 fill up the 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:46.720 emptiness of your 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.019 heart? 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:48.139 Jesus tells us 00:31:48.139 --> 00:31:49.240 clearly what needs 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:49.700 to happen. 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:51.059 He says, follow 00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:51.900 me. 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:54.400 Do you want 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:55.099 to have a 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:55.480 future? 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.799 Jesus says, the 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:58.200 future is with 00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:59.900 me, not in 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.779 your investment 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.879 accounts. 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:05.099 I am your 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:06.059 security. 00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:09.079 And so what he 00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:10.339 tells this man is 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.559 true of us as 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:11.859 well. 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:13.519 No one is 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:14.200 good. 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:17.360 God, everyone 00:32:17.360 --> 00:32:19.200 needs, verse 27, 00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:20.440 Jesus to do the 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:20.980 impossible. 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.620 Everyone needs a 00:32:22.620 --> 00:32:23.759 change, a radical, 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:25.500 miraculous change of 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.420 heart so that we 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:27.700 love what is truly 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:29.580 good and valuable and 00:32:29.580 --> 00:32:30.880 precious and not 00:32:30.880 --> 00:32:32.840 just what appears to 00:32:32.840 --> 00:32:33.140 be. 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:37.080 This man does not 00:32:37.080 --> 00:32:38.100 understand that he is 00:32:38.100 --> 00:32:39.500 not simply spiritually 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:41.600 bankrupt, but he is 00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:43.080 also in debt. 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:44.319 He needs Jesus' 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:45.559 divine intervention 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:47.539 just like us. 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:49.379 And so we have not 00:32:49.379 --> 00:32:50.619 just Jesus' promise of 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:51.619 what is to come in the 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:52.740 future, but we have 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:54.159 Jesus as our hope that 00:32:54.159 --> 00:32:55.519 what is impossible with 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:56.740 man is possible with 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.099 God. 00:32:57.359 --> 00:32:58.720 That when Jesus died on 00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.720 the cross for us, 00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:00.899 taking the punishment 00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:01.980 that we deserve, when 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.859 he lived the perfect 00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:04.179 life doing what we 00:33:04.179 --> 00:33:06.019 should have done, he is 00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:07.720 able then to come and 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.899 change our hearts and 00:33:08.899 --> 00:33:11.639 lives and minds so that 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:12.860 we love what is 00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:14.480 actually valuable. 00:33:15.840 --> 00:33:17.360 And so we confess with 00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:18.520 this man, or with 00:33:18.520 --> 00:33:20.620 Jesus here, that we are 00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:21.640 not good. 00:33:22.920 --> 00:33:24.600 God alone is good. 00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:25.759 We need him to change 00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:26.700 our hearts and our 00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.920 loves and our 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:28.500 affections. 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:36.099 In the year 79 AD, there 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:37.240 was a volcano that 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:38.259 erupted on Mount 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:39.099 Vesuvius on the 00:33:39.099 --> 00:33:40.079 western coast of 00:33:40.079 --> 00:33:41.140 Italy, destroying the 00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:42.640 ancient city of 00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:44.240 Pompeii, which was 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:44.980 terrible for the 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:46.359 residents of Pompeii and 00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:47.420 was wonderful for 00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:49.759 archaeologists because the 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:51.700 ash preserved everything 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:53.079 that was in that city. 00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:54.160 And so it buried what 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:55.640 became an archaeologist's 00:33:55.640 --> 00:33:56.000 dream. 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:58.900 In January of 1911, 00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.960 there was a California 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.799 newspaper that 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:01.880 announced a recent 00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:02.700 discovery that 00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.640 archaeologists have 00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.779 made of a woman's 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:07.420 petrified body as she 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:09.039 was fleeing from the 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.559 city trying to escape 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.159 the volcano. 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.920 With her, she had what 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:15.420 was most valuable, and 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.519 so the newspaper report 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.460 tells us both of her 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.380 hands were full of 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:18.980 jewels. 00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:20.960 Evidently, the woman 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:22.059 was fleeing from the 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:23.219 eruption that overwhelmed 00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:25.079 Pompeii, carrying her 00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:26.420 valuables and was 00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:26.739 buried. 00:34:27.619 --> 00:34:28.679 The jewels are 00:34:28.679 --> 00:34:29.719 excellently preserved. 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:31.719 They consist of 00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.699 bracelets, necklaces, 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:34.440 rings, amulets studded 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:35.599 with gems, and a pair of 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:36.319 earrings which are 00:34:36.319 --> 00:34:37.380 probably unique. 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:39.519 They may be the most 00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.819 valuable specimens of 00:34:40.819 --> 00:34:42.299 ancient jewelry ever 00:34:42.299 --> 00:34:43.019 discovered. 00:34:44.259 --> 00:34:46.179 Each earring contains 00:34:46.179 --> 00:34:48.699 21 perfect pearls set in 00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:51.159 gold in imitation of a 00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:52.340 bunch of grapes. 00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:55.539 She had the most valuable 00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:56.900 specimens of ancient 00:34:56.900 --> 00:35:00.660 jewelry ever discovered, and 00:35:00.660 --> 00:35:02.460 they were worthless. 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:08.019 Ultimately, her jewels were 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:09.880 of no use. 00:35:11.880 --> 00:35:13.740 Mark chapter 10, verse 15, 00:35:13.860 --> 00:35:15.460 truly I say to you, whoever 00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:17.079 does not receive the kingdom 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:19.440 of God like a child shall not 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:19.960 enter it. 00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:23.139 And verse 21, Jesus 00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:24.400 looking at him, loved him 00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:25.679 and said to him, you lack 00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:26.699 one thing. 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:29.099 Go sell all that you have 00:35:29.099 --> 00:35:30.159 and give to the poor and 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:31.320 you will have treasure in 00:35:31.320 --> 00:35:31.579 heaven. 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:34.740 And come, follow me. 00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:36.639 Let's pray. 00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:40.079 Our Father in heaven, we 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:41.960 thank you that you offer us 00:35:41.960 --> 00:35:44.019 something so much more 00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:45.920 precious and more valuable 00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:48.420 in the wealth and riches of 00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:49.659 this world, and yet we also 00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:52.360 confess that we, without 00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:54.559 your help, love what cannot 00:35:54.559 --> 00:35:55.139 deliver. 00:35:55.260 --> 00:35:56.480 And so we ask that you would 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:57.639 change our hearts, that you 00:35:57.639 --> 00:35:58.840 would do what is impossible 00:35:58.840 --> 00:36:00.880 with man but possible with 00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:01.159 you. 00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:04.159 That we would be willing to 00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:06.059 burn it down knowing there 00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:08.320 will be something ten times 00:36:08.320 --> 00:36:10.320 more valuable, the value of 00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:11.760 you and your kingdom. 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:13.920 We ask all these things in the 00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:15.200 mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:36:15.659 --> 00:36:15.900 Amen. 00:36:15.900 --> 00:36:19.079 I invite you to stand for our 00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:19.720 closing hymn. 00:36:19.720 --> 00:36:20.119 Amen. 00:36:20.119 --> 00:36:20.220 Amen.