WEBVTT

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 Today, we will be reading Luke 5, 1 through 16.

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 So if you could turn to that in your Bibles.

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 As you turn, I'll just share, as I was reading and preparing for Scripture reading today,

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 I was overwhelmed by Jesus' authority and his sovereignty to heal, to deliver, to correct, to guide.

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 How disciples turn from all that they knew to follow the Lord.

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 And so I'll pray in a moment, but as you hear and read along, may the Lord speak to you as he desires.

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 Father God, thank you so much for your word, your infallible word.

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 Lord, I pray that you will move in our hearts today as we hear the word, as it ministers to us.

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 Lord God, may your Holy Spirit guide and direct our thoughts, guide and direct our understandings.

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 May you prepare a way for Pastor Sean's message today, Lord God, that we are able to receive it even more so after hearing this word.

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 So may you move, Father God, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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 Luke 5, 1.

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 Jesus calls the first disciples.

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 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing on to him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.

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 And he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.

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 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land.

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 And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

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 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.

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 And Simon answered, Master, we toiled all night and took nothing.

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 But at your word, I will let down the nets.

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 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish and their nets were breaking.

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 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them.

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 And they came and filled both boats.

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 So both the boats, so that they began to sink.

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 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees saying,

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 Depart from me, for I'm a sinful man, O Lord.

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 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken.

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 And so also were James and John, sons of David, who were partners with Simon.

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 And Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid.

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 From now on, you'll be catching men.

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 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

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 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy.

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 And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him,

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 Lord, if you will, can you make me clean?

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 Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying,

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 I will be clean.

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 And immediately the leprosy left him.

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 And he charged him to tell no one,

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 But go and show yourself to the priests and make an offering for your cleansing,

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 as Moses commanded, for proof to them.

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 But now, even more, the report about him went abroad,

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 and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.

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 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

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 The word of the Lord.

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 Good morning.

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 My name is Sean.

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 For those of you who are visiting,

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 one of the pastors at Trinity Cambridge Church,

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 I have the privilege of preaching God's word on most Sundays.

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 And we're in Luke, in the series through the Gospel of Luke.

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 We're in chapter 5, verses 1 through 16.

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 This morning.

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 We saw in chapters 3 and 4,

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 Jesus getting baptized,

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 which was his anointing as the messianic king,

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 the king that God had promised to send to save his people.

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 And then we saw him demonstrate his authority and power in those chapters as well.

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 But in spite of all of this,

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 Jesus faced rejection from his own townspeople in Nazareth.

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 And then at the end of that chapter,

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 in chapter 4,

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 Jesus concluded by saying that he must preach the good news of the kingdom of God

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 to the other towns as well.

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 And at the beginning of our passage today,

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 we find ourselves wondering

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 who then will be the kind of people

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 who will receive the good news,

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 who will be able to respond to Jesus' message.

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 The answer is surprising.

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 I'm just going to come down real quick to grab the iPads

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 so that I can show you guys the things that I'm pointing out.

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 And the answer is surprising because in our society,

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 it's people who are the most successful

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 or the people who are the most attractive

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 or the people who seem to have everything put together

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 that will get admission to things

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 and get accepted or invited into things.

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 But here, the kind of people that Jesus invites to follow him is surprising.

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 God's kingdom is an upside-down kingdom.

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 He does not choose to minister only to the best and the brightest

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 or even to the holiest people,

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 but he calls the sinful and cleanses the unclean.

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 That's really the main point of this passage,

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 that Jesus calls the sinful and cleanses the unclean.

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 And we see this first in verses 1 to 11,

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 the calling of the sinful.

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 First, let's look at that.

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 Verses 1 to 2 tell us that the crowd was pressing in on him

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 to hear the word of God.

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 And throughout chapter 4,

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 we saw Luke emphasizing Jesus' teaching,

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 his word,

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 that his word possessed authority and power.

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 So once again,

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 the focus in Luke is not on his signs and wonders,

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 but on his word,

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 what he taught,

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 his preaching,

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 that takes center stage.

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 The sign and wonders serve to prove

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 the things that he's teaching,

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 his word,

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 to authenticate and confirm his word.

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 And the preaching of the word of God

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 is a central concern here as well.

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 And the people are so eager to hear Jesus speak the word of God

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 that they're pressing in while Jesus is standing by the lake of Gennesaret,

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 which is another name for the Sea of Galilee.

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 And Jesus notices two boats there on the shore.

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 They were empty because the fishermen were out washing their boats,

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 washing their nets, I mean.

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 And one of the boats turned out to be Simon Peters,

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 whom we already encountered in chapter 4.

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 Jesus had just healed his mother-in-law of an illness,

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 of a fever.

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 And Jesus now sees his boat.

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 And in order to get away from the crowd that was pressing in on him,

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 he goes into the boat.

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 He tells Peter to put out a little from the land.

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 And then Jesus proceeds to teach people from the boat.

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 So instead of casting nets from the boat to catch fish,

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 Jesus is casting the net of his gospel,

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 the good news that he's preaching,

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 to catch people.

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 And in the next verse,

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 Jesus now turns to teaching Peter how to do the same,

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 to become a fisher of men, as he says.

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 So look at verse 4 with me.

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 It tells us,

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 When he had finished speaking,

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 Jesus said to Simon,

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 Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.

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 So Jesus is taking control over Peter's boat,

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 which is ironic,

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 because I don't know if you guys remember

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 who Jesus' earthly adoptive father was,

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 which was Joseph,

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 and he was a carpenter.

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 So he works with wood.

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 And here's a carpenter,

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 because in those days,

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 you learned the profession,

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 your trade from your father.

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 Here's a carpenter ordering fishermen

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 where to fish.

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 And it's like me telling a manager

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 at an investment banking firm

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 where to invest their money.

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 It's absurd.

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 It's almost funny.

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 They'll just laugh at me if I told them.

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 And Peter is understandably skeptical,

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 and he answers in verse 5,

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 Master,

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 We toiled all night

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 and took nothing.

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 The word toil is a reference

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 to very difficult,

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 laborious, backbreaking labor.

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 And nighttime was the best time

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 in this place to fish.

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 And their backbreaking work

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 the night before

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 had produced nothing,

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 indicating that it's not a good idea,

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 according to Peter's professional opinion,

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 to go out fishing during the day

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 immediately on the next day.

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 But Peter doesn't end there,

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 even though he's skeptical.

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 He continues in verse 5,

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 But at your word,

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 I will let down the nets.

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 Once again,

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 the word takes center stage

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 because Jesus speaks from God.

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 He speaks the word of God.

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 Peter,

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 in spite of his best professional opinion,

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 defers to Jesus

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 and obeys his instruction.

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 Peter serves here

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 as a model of faith

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 and obedience here.

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 And sometimes God leads us

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 in surprising ways

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 as well in our lives.

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 He leads us in ways

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 that sometimes seem to contradict

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 our own wisdom

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 and expertise.

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 Sometimes the Bible teaches us things

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 that contradict our culture

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 or what our parents taught us.

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 But because it is God's word,

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 we must overcome that skepticism

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 and have faith,

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 as Peter does.

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 We have to take God at his word

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 and obey him

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 because we can do that.

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 We can build our faith for that

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 by cultivating a habit

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 of seeking God's help

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 and guidance on things

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 that are small and big.

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 And we should be open to

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 and sensitive to

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 the leading,

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 God's redirection in our lives.

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 So when he tells us,

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 put out into the deep

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 and let down your nets

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 for a catch

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 and we might be able

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 to hear his voice

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 and obey.

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 The result of Peter's obedience

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 is the haul of a lifetime.

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 Verses 6 to 7 tell us

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 that when they had done this,

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 they enclosed

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 a large number of fish

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 and their nets were breaking.

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 They signaled to their partners

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 in the other boat

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 to come and help them

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 and they came and filled

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 both the boats

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 so that they began to sink.

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 The catch was so abundant

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 that they didn't have enough nets

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 and they didn't have enough partners

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 and they didn't have enough boats.

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 And Peter knows better

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 than to attribute this

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 to his genius fishing skills

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 or to a stroke of luck.

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 It says in verses 8 to 10,

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 read with me,

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 but when Simon Peter saw it,

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 he fell down at Jesus' knees

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 saying,

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 depart from me

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 for I am a sinful man,

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 O Lord.

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 For he and all who were with him

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 were astonished

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 at the catch of fish

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 that they had taken.

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 And so also were James and John,

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 sons of Zebedee

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 who were partners with Simon.

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 So Peter,

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 along with James and John,

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 who will also be chosen

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 as Jesus' 12 disciples,

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 recognize that Jesus

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 is the reason

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 for their spectacular

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 catch of fish.

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 And seeing that

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 miraculous catch of fish

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 enables Peter to see Jesus

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 for who he really is

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 so that he can't help

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 but humble himself

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 before Jesus

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 by falling down

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 before his knees.

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 And he says,

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 depart from me

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 for I am a sinful man,

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 O Lord.

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 I'm unworthy to be

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 in your presence.

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 I'm unworthy to be here

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 like sitting at your knees.

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 Please leave.

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 Depart from me.

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 The word Lord here

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 can be a generic word

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 that refers to

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 any kind of superior.

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 So something like

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 an English equivalent

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 of a sir,

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 hey sir,

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 something like that.

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 But in the Gospels,

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 the word is frequently

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 given more theological weight.

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 It's given a deeper meaning.

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 So for example,

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 in Luke chapter 1 verse 43,

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 God was called the Lord.

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 And in Luke chapter 2 verse 11,

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 he said that Jesus

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 is a Savior

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 who is Christ the Lord.

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 So this is a significant word.

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 Peter's addressing him

00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:29.620
 as Lord

00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:30.600
 and bowing down before him.

00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.720
 He suggests that Jesus

00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:33.439
 is in fact either God

00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:34.679
 or a divine messenger.

00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:35.559
 That's what Peter

00:12:35.559 --> 00:12:36.679
 knows at this point.

00:12:36.679 --> 00:12:38.279
 Even though,

00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:39.279
 as we find out later

00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:39.759
 in the Gospel,

00:12:39.959 --> 00:12:41.919
 Peter and Jesus' disciples

00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:43.099
 don't quite grasp

00:12:43.099 --> 00:12:45.419
 the extent of who Jesus is.

00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:47.219
 They don't fully grasp it yet.

00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:48.219
 But he knows enough

00:12:48.219 --> 00:12:49.219
 to recognize that Jesus

00:12:49.219 --> 00:12:50.199
 is a divine messenger

00:12:50.199 --> 00:12:52.199
 before whom he is unworthy

00:12:52.199 --> 00:12:53.859
 and he must bow.

00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:55.819
 And we know that this is

00:12:55.819 --> 00:12:56.639
 a divine encounter

00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:58.179
 because in Luke,

00:12:58.379 --> 00:12:59.899
 there is a standard pattern

00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:01.679
 that Luke follows

00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:03.539
 when a human being

00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:04.879
 encounters a divine being.

00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:07.620
 So in Luke chapter 1 to 2,

00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:09.240
 the angel of the Lord,

00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:10.360
 a messenger of the Lord,

00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:11.779
 appears to Zechariah,

00:13:12.059 --> 00:13:12.360
 Mary,

00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:13.340
 and the shepherds

00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:15.000
 in three separate occasions.

00:13:15.439 --> 00:13:16.500
 And each of those

00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:17.240
 three occasions

00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:19.100
 follow the exact same pattern.

00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.939
 So when you encounter

00:13:20.939 --> 00:13:21.939
 a divine being,

00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:22.439
 first,

00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:23.320
 there's the appearance

00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:24.200
 of the divine being.

00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:24.879
 Second,

00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.039
 there's the astonishment

00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.960
 and fear

00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:28.759
 of the human being

00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.500
 in the presence

00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.240
 of the divine being.

00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:30.899
 Third,

00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:31.940
 there's the assurance

00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:33.039
 by the divine being

00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:33.360
 saying,

00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.360
 do not fear,

00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:35.180
 do not be afraid.

00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.139
 And then fourth,

00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.060
 there is the announcement

00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:38.419
 of the divine beings.

00:13:38.940 --> 00:13:39.460
 And usually,

00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:40.139
 that's accompanied

00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.120
 by a sign

00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:41.820
 that guarantees

00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.600
 the fulfillment

00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.399
 of the announcement

00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:44.800
 that this divine agent brought.

00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:47.200
 So if you look

00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:47.820
 at that pattern

00:13:47.820 --> 00:13:48.480
 and map

00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:49.560
 the encounter

00:13:49.560 --> 00:13:50.519
 with Peter onto it,

00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:51.580
 it follows the pattern

00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:52.720
 exactly because first,

00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:54.180
 Jesus' appearance

00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:54.639
 is met

00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.740
 after the catch of fish.

00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:57.920
 Peter sees it,

00:13:58.060 --> 00:13:58.759
 sees him.

00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:00.220
 And then second,

00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:01.419
 there's the astonishment

00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.200
 and fear.

00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:04.639
 And he's astonished

00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:05.259
 and falls down

00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:05.919
 before Jesus.

00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:06.759
 And then third,

00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.679
 Jesus tells him,

00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:08.799
 do not be afraid.

00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:09.879
 And then fourth,

00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:11.259
 he makes his announcement,

00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:12.319
 from now on,

00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:14.179
 you will be catching men.

00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:15.019
 That's the announcement.

00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:17.019
 And that miraculous

00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:17.879
 catch of fish

00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:18.960
 that they just have taken

00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:21.019
 serves as the accompanying sign

00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:21.879
 that guarantees

00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.460
 to Peter,

00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:22.799
 James,

00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.259
 and John

00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.480
 that they will indeed

00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.759
 become fishers of men.

00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:28.080
 So even though Peter

00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:28.939
 might not recognize

00:14:28.939 --> 00:14:29.679
 fully yet

00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:30.439
 who Jesus is,

00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:31.039
 he senses

00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:34.220
 that he is a divine messenger

00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:36.240
 and he is unworthy

00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:36.620
 and says,

00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:37.860
 depart from me

00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:39.200
 for I am a sinful man.

00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:40.879
 It's just like

00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:42.000
 a person who emerges

00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.919
 from darkness,

00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:44.700
 from the bedroom

00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:45.799
 after night's sleep

00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:47.179
 and if the sun's

00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:48.200
 really bright in his eyes,

00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:49.700
 he can't quite open his eyes.

00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:51.360
 Or maybe someone like

00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:52.740
 a poor man

00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.620
 in a village

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:55.340
 who feels unworthy

00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:56.840
 to have a king

00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:58.220
 come into his lowly house,

00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.360
 Peter senses

00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.280
 that he is unworthy

00:15:00.280 --> 00:15:01.960
 to be in Jesus' presence

00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:03.639
 because Jesus is the Holy One.

00:15:04.300 --> 00:15:05.080
 So he confesses,

00:15:05.160 --> 00:15:05.980
 depart from me

00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:08.019
 for I am a sinful man.

00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.639
 This is a major theme

00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:11.759
 throughout the Gospel of Luke

00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:12.759
 and actually later

00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:13.680
 in chapter 18,

00:15:14.180 --> 00:15:15.519
 Luke tells the parable

00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:17.019
 of a Pharisee

00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.920
 and a tax collector.

00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:19.820
 That famous parable

00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.560
 that many of you guys

00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:20.980
 have heard.

00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:22.660
 And in this parable,

00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:24.019
 God rejects

00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.959
 the self-righteous Pharisee

00:15:25.959 --> 00:15:26.919
 who boasts

00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:29.000
 of his righteousness.

00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:30.579
 This Pharisee

00:15:30.579 --> 00:15:32.019
 is self-congratulating.

00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:32.459
 He's saying,

00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.360
 I am so righteous.

00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.600
 I'm not like this sinner,

00:15:34.699 --> 00:15:35.439
 this tax collector

00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:36.240
 here over there.

00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.759
 But God rejects

00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.819
 that tax collector's

00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:41.279
 prayer.

00:15:41.819 --> 00:15:42.659
 But he accepts

00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:43.579
 the humble

00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:45.039
 and contrite

00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.000
 tax collector

00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:46.659
 who confesses

00:15:47.319 --> 00:15:48.000
 his sinfulness

00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:48.679
 and pleads

00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:49.759
 for God's mercy.

00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:51.559
 So in a similar manner,

00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.759
 contrary to normal

00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.740
 human expectation,

00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:55.340
 Peter's admission

00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.419
 of his sinfulness,

00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:57.840
 his acknowledgement

00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:59.340
 of his shortcoming,

00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.299
 his failure

00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:01.299
 and unworthiness,

00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.899
 it does not distance

00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.819
 him from God,

00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:04.519
 but instead

00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.679
 that draws him closer.

00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:07.840
 Because in God's

00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:08.759
 wonderful mercy,

00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:10.379
 he calls the sinful

00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:11.539
 and cleanses

00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.279
 the unclean.

00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.159
 Recognizing our own

00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:15.679
 sinfulness

00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.879
 and unworthiness

00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:17.360
 before God

00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.639
 is the first step

00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:19.620
 toward God.

00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.919
 So if you feel

00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:21.620
 pretty good about

00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.559
 yourself before God,

00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:24.319
 if you are

00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:25.259
 self-righteous,

00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.659
 if you don't have

00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.399
 enough of God's

00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.299
 light in your life

00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:29.439
 to expose your darkness,

00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:30.419
 if you think

00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:31.600
 that you deserve

00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.319
 to be saved

00:16:32.319 --> 00:16:32.919
 more than other

00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:34.000
 people around you,

00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:35.080
 that's a sign

00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:35.960
 actually of your

00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:37.139
 distance from God.

00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.679
 You're further away

00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:40.000
 from God

00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:40.539
 than you think.

00:16:42.319 --> 00:16:43.419
 But the converse

00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.120
 is also true.

00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.159
 If you feel

00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.939
 out of place

00:16:46.939 --> 00:16:47.600
 here this morning,

00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:49.560
 if you feel

00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.180
 unworthy

00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:50.920
 to be here,

00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.420
 if you feel

00:16:52.420 --> 00:16:53.259
 unqualified

00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.259
 to worship God

00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.860
 and to be

00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:56.139
 in his presence,

00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.060
 if you feel

00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:57.600
 that you're too

00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.639
 much of a sinner

00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:00.040
 to approach God,

00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:00.639
 if you feel

00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.360
 that God

00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:01.840
 would want

00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.279
 nothing

00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:03.460
 to do with you,

00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:04.480
 that's all

00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.519
 the more reason

00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.220
 for you

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.140
 to be here,

00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:09.299
 to approach God.

00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.720
 Because that

00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.140
 humility

00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:12.480
 is necessary

00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.620
 for approaching God.

00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:14.319
 It's your sign

00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:14.819
 of nearness

00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:15.319
 to God.

00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:16.460
 You're exactly

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.279
 the type of person

00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.279
 that God seeks.

00:17:19.419 --> 00:17:20.179
 As God says

00:17:20.179 --> 00:17:20.759
 in Isaiah

00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:22.079
 chapter 66

00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:22.939
 verse 2,

00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.639
 but this

00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:24.659
 is the one

00:17:24.659 --> 00:17:25.159
 to whom

00:17:25.159 --> 00:17:26.079
 I will look,

00:17:26.439 --> 00:17:27.399
 he who is humble

00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:29.179
 and contrite

00:17:29.179 --> 00:17:29.639
 in spirit

00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:30.899
 and trembles

00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:31.599
 at my work.

00:17:33.179 --> 00:17:34.419
 For this reason,

00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.659
 instead of scolding

00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:37.059
 and shunning Peter,

00:17:37.659 --> 00:17:38.319
 and Jesus

00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:39.339
 had every right

00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:39.859
 to do that,

00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:40.879
 he's the holy one

00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.899
 and here lies

00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:42.879
 a sinful man

00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:44.480
 that Jesus

00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:45.240
 had every right

00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.800
 to reject

00:17:45.800 --> 00:17:47.000
 and shun.

00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:48.120
 Yet instead,

00:17:48.760 --> 00:17:50.500
 Jesus tells Peter

00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.180
 not to fear

00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:52.220
 and gives him

00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.220
 this wonderful promise

00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:54.820
 from now on.

00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:56.780
 That's a key phrase

00:17:56.780 --> 00:17:57.120
 in Luke

00:17:57.120 --> 00:17:57.700
 that indicates

00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.040
 that life-transforming

00:17:59.040 --> 00:18:00.260
 effect of an encounter

00:18:00.260 --> 00:18:00.780
 with Jesus.

00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:02.360
 From now on,

00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.320
 you will be

00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:04.540
 catching men.

00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.680
 Instead of catching fish,

00:18:06.860 --> 00:18:07.220
 Peter will be

00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:07.880
 catching men.

00:18:08.560 --> 00:18:09.300
 Peter's life

00:18:09.300 --> 00:18:10.100
 is now changed.

00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:10.700
 So normally,

00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:12.539
 you catch fish

00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:14.000
 in order to kill

00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.680
 and eat it,

00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:14.920
 right?

00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.259
 So the image

00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.720
 is a little bit

00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:19.200
 jarring for some people

00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:20.180
 because that's

00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:20.960
 the normal function

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.940
 of catching fish.

00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.539
 So that's actually,

00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.600
 that's why

00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.299
 the image of

00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:25.900
 catching fish

00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:27.220
 is usually used

00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:28.120
 in the Old Testament

00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:29.660
 as a metaphor

00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.799
 for God's judgment.

00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.140
 So God says

00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:33.860
 he will catch

00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:35.380
 them like fish

00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:36.059
 with hooks

00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:37.779
 and he will consume

00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.380
 them with his wrath.

00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:39.860
 So that's the typical image

00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:40.560
 that's used

00:18:40.560 --> 00:18:41.160
 in the Old Testament.

00:18:41.560 --> 00:18:42.680
 But Jesus here

00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:44.480
 transforms that imagery

00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.740
 in a surprising way

00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.840
 because the word

00:18:46.840 --> 00:18:47.920
 catching here

00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:49.060
 is actually,

00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:49.860
 it actually means

00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:50.540
 more precisely

00:18:50.540 --> 00:18:52.080
 to catch alive.

00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:54.940
 In the Greek translation

00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.560
 of the Old Testament,

00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.280
 the same word

00:18:56.280 --> 00:18:57.520
 is used to refer to

00:18:57.520 --> 00:18:58.780
 sparing people

00:18:58.780 --> 00:18:59.980
 from death

00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:01.020
 or from judgment.

00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.080
 It refers to

00:19:02.080 --> 00:19:02.940
 saving them

00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.680
 from the judgment

00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.580
 that they deserved.

00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.980
 So Peter then

00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.559
 will join Jesus

00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.859
 on his mission

00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:09.759
 to seek

00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:11.179
 and save the lost.

00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.299
 They will take

00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.039
 those people

00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.679
 who deserve

00:19:13.679 --> 00:19:14.519
 to be caught

00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.299
 and killed

00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.819
 and instead

00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:18.019
 catch them alive.

00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.019
 They will rescue

00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:21.099
 people who are

00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.740
 set for judgment

00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:24.199
 so that they might

00:19:24.199 --> 00:19:24.919
 be spared.

00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:26.119
 That's the call.

00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.339
 And these fishermen's

00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:29.179
 response to Jesus'

00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.659
 call is incredible.

00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.699
 It says in verse 11,

00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:33.360
 And when they had

00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:34.960
 brought their boats

00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.500
 to land,

00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.559
 they left everything

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:39.319
 and followed him.

00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.580
 The word follow

00:19:41.580 --> 00:19:42.840
 is the standard word

00:19:42.840 --> 00:19:43.680
 that indicates

00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.660
 discipleship.

00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:45.600
 A disciple

00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:46.080
 is someone

00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:46.840
 who follows

00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:47.400
 a master

00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:47.980
 to learn

00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:49.019
 from his instruction

00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:50.160
 and to imitate

00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.279
 his example.

00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:52.519
 And notice that

00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.680
 they didn't here

00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:55.380
 sell their record

00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:56.140
 haul of fish

00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:57.319
 to set up

00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.460
 their retirement accounts

00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:59.759
 and then follow Christ.

00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:03.400
 It says that

00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:04.720
 they left everything

00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:06.519
 at the height

00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:07.480
 of their greatest

00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:08.960
 professional success.

00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.720
 They left everything

00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:12.720
 and followed Jesus.

00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:16.680
 This is not an exception

00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:18.720
 reserved for special cases.

00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.440
 This is the rule

00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:22.079
 of Christian discipleship.

00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.440
 So many people say,

00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:25.339
 Oh, after I grow up,

00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.859
 I'm a little older,

00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:27.799
 after I become an adult,

00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.960
 I will really

00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.599
 follow God

00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.240
 and serve Him.

00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.619
 Oh, after I have

00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:33.680
 graduated,

00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.319
 I will really

00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.059
 follow God

00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.240
 and serve Him.

00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:39.960
 Oh, after I have

00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.759
 job security,

00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.339
 I will really

00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:43.039
 follow God

00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:43.599
 and serve Him.

00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:44.500
 Oh, after I'm married

00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.359
 and have a family,

00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.099
 I will really

00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:46.700
 follow God

00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.279
 and serve Him.

00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:48.159
 After I've made

00:20:48.159 --> 00:20:48.839
 enough money,

00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.099
 I will really

00:20:50.099 --> 00:20:50.799
 follow God

00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.680
 and serve Him.

00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.960
 But that's not

00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:54.460
 Christian discipleship.

00:20:54.460 --> 00:21:00.680
 Christian discipleship is to leave everything to follow Christ

00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:03.680
 because Jesus is extremely worth it.

00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:07.240
 Now, don't hear what I'm not saying.

00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:09.860
 I'm not saying that all of you should quit your jobs right now,

00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:14.059
 text your bosses to become ministers and foreign missionaries.

00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:16.840
 But please do hear what I'm saying.

00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:19.079
 Leaving everything and following Jesus

00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:23.840
 is not the exclusive call of ministers and foreign missionaries.

00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:28.660
 It is the call of every single Christian

00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:34.039
 because Jesus later says to all of them in Luke 9, 23,

00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.940
 he said to all,

00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:39.200
 if anyone would come after me,

00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:44.059
 let him deny himself and take up his cross daily

00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:45.900
 and follow me.

00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:52.620
 With all due respect to all of you and all your jobs,

00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:55.179
 you guys, some of you have, a lot of you have great jobs.

00:21:55.719 --> 00:21:57.439
 Your job is not your calling.

00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:03.679
 That's not where you're supposed to derive

00:22:03.679 --> 00:22:06.259
 your purpose and meaning in life

00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.739
 in an infinite ultimate sense.

00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:12.819
 And that's why when you seek to get from your job

00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:14.339
 that meaning and purpose

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:16.639
 that only Christ is supposed to fulfill,

00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:19.279
 it always disappoints you and leaves you wanting.

00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:24.319
 Your job is the context in which to live out

00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:27.399
 your Christian calling to follow Jesus.

00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.519
 It's not your calling.

00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:32.119
 That's why 1 Corinthians 7, 24,

00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:32.619
 says,

00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.200
 so brothers,

00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:36.139
 in whatever condition each was called,

00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:39.460
 there let him remain with God.

00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.720
 R. Kent Hughes,

00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:44.240
 a pastor and a Bible commentator,

00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:46.019
 puts it this way.

00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:49.240
 Jesus calls his people

00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:51.079
 to diverse vocations,

00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:53.579
 but all are to devote their lives

00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:55.299
 to catching men and women alive.

00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:59.200
 This is to be our perpetual vocation.

00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:04.000
 No matter what condition your life is in,

00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:06.099
 whether you're well or sick,

00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.240
 rich or poor,

00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:08.299
 married or single,

00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:10.000
 employed or unemployed,

00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:12.319
 no matter what job you might have,

00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:13.679
 if you are a Christian,

00:23:13.879 --> 00:23:16.179
 you have a God-given calling

00:23:16.179 --> 00:23:18.939
 to leave everything and follow Jesus

00:23:18.939 --> 00:23:21.200
 so that you can catch men and women alive.

00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:25.139
 The center of your life is no longer you,

00:23:25.419 --> 00:23:27.439
 it's no longer your boyfriend or girlfriend,

00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.939
 it's no longer your spouse,

00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:30.220
 nor your child,

00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:31.419
 nor your parent,

00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.539
 nor your boss,

00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:34.720
 nor your professor or advisor.

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.859
 The center of your life is Jesus.

00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:41.039
 Your purposes and priorities revolve around Jesus.

00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:43.539
 Your decisions serve Jesus.

00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:45.819
 Your life belongs to Jesus.

00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:49.139
 That's what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:53.740
 So that's why we can't compartmentalize our lives

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.899
 and say,

00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:59.879
 well, this much of my time belongs to God.

00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.579
 The rest is mine.

00:24:04.379 --> 00:24:06.519
 This much of my money belongs to God.

00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:08.639
 The rest is mine.

00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:12.560
 These relationships I have belong to God,

00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.560
 but these are for me.

00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:19.240
 There's no such thing as my time,

00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:20.240
 my money,

00:24:20.800 --> 00:24:21.920
 my relationships,

00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:23.860
 when you're following Christ.

00:24:24.800 --> 00:24:26.960
 All your time is Christ's.

00:24:27.080 --> 00:24:28.580
 All your money is Christ's.

00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:30.420
 All your relationship is Christ's.

00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:32.400
 All that you are is Christ's.

00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:35.700
 Have you left everything to follow Jesus?

00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:39.559
 Or are you still serving your own desires

00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:41.559
 and ambitions,

00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.640
 selfish ambitions?

00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:46.039
 And Christ's mission of fishing men

00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:48.299
 is worth leaving everything behind for.

00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:50.059
 There's a quote I love to use.

00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:51.319
 I'm sure you've heard this before.

00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.819
 C.T. Studd,

00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:55.500
 one of the famous Cambridge Seven.

00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:57.539
 Unfortunately, it's not Cambridge, Massachusetts.

00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.500
 It's Cambridge, UK.

00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.700
 These students from Cambridge University

00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:02.880
 who became foreign missionaries,

00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:04.340
 all of them went to China.

00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:06.779
 And he wrote this.

00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:08.299
 Sorry, I'm getting this slight error

00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:09.199
 that keeps going back.

00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:10.579
 It says,

00:25:10.679 --> 00:25:13.059
 Some want to live within the sound of church

00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:13.859
 or chapel bell.

00:25:14.459 --> 00:25:16.339
 I want to run a rescue shop

00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:18.019
 within a yard of hell.

00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:22.159
 All around us,

00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:25.199
 there are people about to be caught like fish

00:25:25.199 --> 00:25:28.480
 and consumed by the just wrath of God.

00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:31.819
 And Jesus calls us to join him

00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:34.039
 in catching fish,

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.259
 catching them alive.

00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:39.700
 Is evangelism a priority in your life?

00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:42.519
 Jesus said that his purpose

00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:44.039
 in his mission

00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:46.420
 was to proclaim the good news

00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:49.059
 of liberation and salvation to people.

00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:51.319
 Is that your purpose in life?

00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:53.200
 If it were,

00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:54.259
 how would it look different?

00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.779
 The king,

00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.359
 Christ the king,

00:25:58.439 --> 00:25:59.759
 has summoned you

00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:01.779
 and he has commissioned you

00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.779
 for this mission.

00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:05.439
 Are you answering your call

00:26:05.439 --> 00:26:06.740
 as a disciple of Jesus?

00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:12.640
 So verses 1 to 11 taught us

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:14.279
 that Christ calls sinful people

00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.079
 to be his disciples.

00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:17.200
 And then in verses 12 to 16,

00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.900
 we see that Jesus' mission

00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.819
 of fishing men

00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:22.299
 involves cleansing the unclean.

00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.660
 So verse 12,

00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.160
 read with me,

00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.200
 says that while Jesus

00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:27.740
 was in one of the cities,

00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:29.220
 there came a man

00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:31.380
 full of leprosy.

00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:35.059
 The term leprosy

00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:37.119
 is used more technically

00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:38.019
 narrowly nowadays,

00:26:38.159 --> 00:26:38.720
 but in scripture,

00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:40.519
 it refers to a wide range

00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.359
 of skin diseases.

00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:44.559
 It can cause scaly patches,

00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:46.139
 swellings, rashes,

00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:47.539
 blisters,

00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.480
 and or scabs

00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.480
 all over your skin.

00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:50.879
 Leprosy,

00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:52.099
 also known technically

00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:53.259
 as Hansen's disease,

00:26:53.659 --> 00:26:56.099
 is a long-term bacterial infection

00:26:56.099 --> 00:26:58.079
 that inflames the skin

00:26:58.079 --> 00:27:00.240
 and damages the nervous system.

00:27:00.919 --> 00:27:01.859
 And it can, in fact,

00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:03.000
 damage your nervous system

00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.619
 so severely

00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:05.179
 that an infected person

00:27:05.179 --> 00:27:06.719
 no longer feels any pain

00:27:06.719 --> 00:27:07.819
 in his extremities.

00:27:08.459 --> 00:27:09.359
 So this often leads

00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.519
 to further injuries

00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.219
 and infections

00:27:11.219 --> 00:27:12.639
 because he can no longer

00:27:12.639 --> 00:27:13.459
 feel any pain

00:27:13.459 --> 00:27:14.399
 when he touches something

00:27:14.399 --> 00:27:15.219
 that he shouldn't touch,

00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.259
 like something really sharp

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.119
 or scalping hot.

00:27:17.979 --> 00:27:20.099
 And so I got a picture.

00:27:20.219 --> 00:27:20.819
 Here's a picture

00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:22.719
 of a man

00:27:22.719 --> 00:27:25.059
 from 1886,

00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:26.219
 a 24-year-old man

00:27:26.219 --> 00:27:27.159
 who has leprosy.

00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:28.160
 Now,

00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:29.960
 so the physical symptoms

00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:32.220
 alone were severe enough,

00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:34.279
 but the social consequences

00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.160
 of being a leper

00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.440
 was even worse

00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:38.279
 because leprosy

00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.140
 was contagious.

00:27:40.060 --> 00:27:40.820
 It was associated

00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:42.500
 with ritual uncleanness.

00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.340
 Leviticus 13,

00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.759
 45-46,

00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.560
 commanded this,

00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:49.079
 The leprous person

00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:50.819
 who has the disease

00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:52.399
 shall wear torn clothes

00:27:52.399 --> 00:27:53.220
 and let the hair

00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:54.559
 of his head hang loose.

00:27:54.919 --> 00:27:55.899
 And he shall cover

00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:56.819
 his upper lip

00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.639
 and cry out,

00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:58.639
 Unclean!

00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.480
 Unclean!

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:01.179
 He shall remain unclean

00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:02.119
 as long as he has

00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:02.720
 the disease.

00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:04.159
 He is unclean.

00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.759
 He shall live alone.

00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:07.419
 His dwelling shall be

00:28:07.419 --> 00:28:09.059
 outside the camp.

00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.740
 This was not intended

00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.619
 to be cruel.

00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.159
 Lepers simply

00:28:14.159 --> 00:28:15.480
 had to be quarantined

00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.339
 in order to protect

00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.440
 the rest of the population.

00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:19.640
 As a parent

00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:21.079
 of a child in school,

00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:23.259
 I receive an advisory email

00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.880
 every year

00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.559
 from the Cambridge

00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.579
 Public School District,

00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.819
 and they tell us

00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.880
 to keep our child

00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.460
 at home

00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.620
 if they have,

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.079
 one,

00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.480
 temperature over 100 degrees,

00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:33.220
 vomiting or diarrhea,

00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:35.180
 discharge from the nose

00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:36.120
 that is not clear,

00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.079
 eye inflammation

00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:38.640
 or crusting,

00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:41.539
 or undiagnosed rash

00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:42.960
 or skin eruption.

00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:45.059
 So it's really

00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.840
 not all that different.

00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:47.360
 It's the same idea.

00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:48.460
 You isolate

00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.259
 the people

00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:50.019
 who are contagious

00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:50.779
 so that you can

00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:52.160
 keep the disease

00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.700
 from spreading.

00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:54.079
 The difference,

00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.559
 of course,

00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:56.620
 is that a sick child

00:28:56.620 --> 00:28:57.660
 could return to school

00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:58.680
 as soon as he or she

00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.340
 gets better,

00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.700
 but the leper

00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.779
 in the ancient world

00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:03.180
 had no hope,

00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:03.600
 usually,

00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.340
 of getting better.

00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.539
 The bacterium

00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.600
 that causes leprosy

00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.400
 wasn't discovered

00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:08.960
 until the 19th century,

00:29:09.340 --> 00:29:10.360
 and a cure for it

00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:10.900
 wasn't developed

00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:12.600
 until the 1940s.

00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:14.120
 So for this man

00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.680
 in the Bible,

00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:16.240
 leprosy was a permanent

00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.840
 and incurable condition.

00:29:18.840 --> 00:29:19.400
 And so,

00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:20.120
 for that reason,

00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:20.940
 lepers lived

00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.360
 as,

00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.740
 in their entire lives,

00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.960
 as social outcasts,

00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:26.120
 excluded from normal

00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:26.960
 human interaction

00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.420
 in life.

00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.579
 And it says

00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.600
 in the rest of verse 12

00:29:31.600 --> 00:29:32.860
 that when he saw,

00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:34.120
 this leper saw Jesus,

00:29:34.840 --> 00:29:36.000
 he fell on his face

00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.559
 and begged him,

00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:36.840
 Lord,

00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.880
 if you will,

00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:39.680
 you can make me clean.

00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:41.000
 The very fact

00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.640
 that this leper

00:29:41.640 --> 00:29:43.240
 has come into the city

00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.940
 and has approached Jesus

00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.860
 is daring

00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.640
 and remarkable

00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.900
 because it would mean

00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:48.660
 putting other people

00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.240
 at risk

00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.460
 and he would face

00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.759
 tremendous criticism

00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:53.000
 and pressure,

00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:54.539
 perhaps even abuse.

00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.600
 He's putting himself

00:29:57.600 --> 00:29:58.120
 out there,

00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:59.380
 counting on Jesus'

00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:00.360
 power to heal.

00:30:01.080 --> 00:30:02.420
 If Jesus heals him,

00:30:02.580 --> 00:30:03.200
 then everything

00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.860
 will be well

00:30:03.860 --> 00:30:05.360
 and the man can return

00:30:05.360 --> 00:30:05.960
 to a healthy,

00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:06.519
 normal life.

00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:08.019
 But if he does not heal,

00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.839
 this leper will remain

00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:10.639
 in sickness

00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.879
 and experience

00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:12.920
 much shame

00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.500
 and score,

00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:14.440
 probably even worse,

00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:15.579
 for having dared

00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.180
 to do this.

00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.119
 There's a lot

00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:19.379
 of dramatic tension here

00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:20.859
 about this leper

00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:22.259
 banks on Jesus'

00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.700
 ability and willingness

00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.400
 to heal.

00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:27.119
 And just as Peter

00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:28.579
 fell down at Jesus' knees

00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.519
 and called him Lord

00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.099
 in verse 8,

00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:30.720
 here the leper

00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.720
 also recognizes

00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.379
 that Jesus,

00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:34.319
 when he's with Jesus,

00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:35.099
 he's in the presence

00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:36.099
 of a divine messenger

00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:37.000
 and he falls

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.059
 on his face

00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.959
 to beg Jesus

00:30:38.959 --> 00:30:40.219
 and addresses him

00:30:40.219 --> 00:30:41.399
 again as Lord.

00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.879
 And pay attention

00:30:43.879 --> 00:30:45.219
 to how he phrases

00:30:45.219 --> 00:30:45.939
 his request.

00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.599
 This is important.

00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.819
 He doesn't say,

00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.240
 Lord, if you will,

00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:50.379
 you can heal me.

00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.159
 He doesn't say that.

00:30:52.939 --> 00:30:53.240
 He says,

00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:53.959
 if you will,

00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:55.559
 you can make me clean.

00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:58.319
 Clean is the language

00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.740
 of ritual purity.

00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:00.899
 As I said,

00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:02.139
 leprosy was associated

00:31:02.139 --> 00:31:02.679
 in the Old Testament

00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:04.119
 with ritual uncleanness.

00:31:04.119 --> 00:31:05.739
 So the leper knows

00:31:05.739 --> 00:31:07.139
 that he not only carries

00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:08.599
 a physical disease,

00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:10.119
 that he also carries

00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:10.659
 with him

00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:12.500
 spiritual defilement.

00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.119
 He's unclean.

00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:16.519
 He's polluted by sin.

00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.939
 The leper,

00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.639
 knowing this,

00:31:19.719 --> 00:31:21.500
 asks to be made clean.

00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:23.319
 Notice also

00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:23.839
 that the leper

00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:24.699
 does not say,

00:31:24.919 --> 00:31:25.139
 Lord,

00:31:25.219 --> 00:31:26.500
 if you are able,

00:31:26.919 --> 00:31:28.059
 please make me clean.

00:31:28.959 --> 00:31:29.559
 He says,

00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:30.000
 Lord,

00:31:30.179 --> 00:31:31.799
 if you will,

00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:33.559
 you can

00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.639
 make me clean.

00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:36.639
 The leper knows

00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:37.740
 that it's not a matter

00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.839
 of Jesus' ability

00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.399
 to heal,

00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.399
 but a matter

00:31:40.399 --> 00:31:41.579
 of his willingness

00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.299
 to heal.

00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.559
 I wish that

00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:46.000
 all of our prayers

00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.720
 would be filled

00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.539
 with such faith.

00:31:49.919 --> 00:31:50.440
 Lord,

00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.319
 I believe

00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:52.740
 with all of my heart,

00:31:52.899 --> 00:31:53.720
 I know that

00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.399
 you can heal

00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:55.480
 if you will.

00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:56.200
 Oh, Lord,

00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:58.079
 you can make me clean.

00:31:58.079 --> 00:31:59.419
 If we had such faith,

00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.099
 wouldn't we

00:32:00.099 --> 00:32:01.419
 be quick

00:32:01.419 --> 00:32:02.220
 to throw ourselves

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.299
 before Jesus' feet

00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:03.759
 to pray?

00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:07.079
 You have faith

00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:07.939
 that spurs you

00:32:07.939 --> 00:32:08.500
 into prayer

00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.220
 like this leper.

00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:12.159
 Even if you feel

00:32:12.159 --> 00:32:13.599
 unworthy of God's favor,

00:32:13.679 --> 00:32:14.399
 even if you feel

00:32:14.399 --> 00:32:15.039
 like your life

00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:15.839
 is a mess,

00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:17.199
 even if you feel

00:32:17.199 --> 00:32:17.799
 like you've been

00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:19.199
 shunned by everybody else,

00:32:19.399 --> 00:32:20.720
 you can turn to Jesus

00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.519
 because Jesus

00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.539
 calls us sinful

00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:23.740
 and he cleanses

00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:24.579
 the unclean.

00:32:26.119 --> 00:32:27.299
 It says in verse 13,

00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:28.019
 and Jesus

00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.299
 stretched out

00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:29.759
 his hand

00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:31.419
 and touched him

00:32:31.419 --> 00:32:32.980
 saying,

00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:34.299
 I will

00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:36.139
 be clean.

00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:38.440
 And immediately,

00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:40.159
 the leprosy

00:32:40.159 --> 00:32:40.680
 left him.

00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.539
 The Gospel of Luke

00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.980
 often mentions

00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.539
 that Jesus

00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:47.039
 touched someone

00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:48.399
 or laid his hand

00:32:48.399 --> 00:32:49.099
 on someone

00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:50.940
 in order to heal them.

00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:51.919
 This is an expression

00:32:51.919 --> 00:32:52.539
 of Jesus'

00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.680
 tender care,

00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:55.559
 especially in the case

00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:56.480
 of this leper.

00:32:57.879 --> 00:32:59.200
 You saw the picture earlier.

00:32:59.299 --> 00:33:00.599
 This leper is contagious.

00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:03.019
 He's ritually unclean.

00:33:03.679 --> 00:33:04.299
 You almost get

00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:05.980
 this visceral aversion

00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:07.139
 to getting near

00:33:07.139 --> 00:33:08.039
 a person like that.

00:33:09.619 --> 00:33:10.679
 To touch him

00:33:10.679 --> 00:33:12.019
 was to be contaminated

00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:12.759
 spiritually

00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:14.440
 and it was to put yourself

00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:14.940
 at risk

00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:15.619
 of contracting

00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.659
 leprosy yourself.

00:33:17.399 --> 00:33:18.200
 But instead

00:33:18.200 --> 00:33:19.980
 of putting on

00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:21.519
 the sanitary gloves

00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:23.079
 and a face mask

00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:24.339
 and backpedaling

00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:25.259
 to keep the man

00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:26.099
 at a distance,

00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.519
 Jesus stretches

00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.400
 himself out

00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:30.279
 to touch the man.

00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:32.960
 I will

00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:34.460
 be

00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:35.359
 clean.

00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:38.119
 That's the kind

00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:38.579
 of king

00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:39.519
 that Jesus is.

00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:43.259
 Do you feel lonely

00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:45.019
 and unwanted?

00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:48.879
 Do you feel

00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:50.099
 dirty and defiled?

00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:52.940
 Do you feel

00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:53.559
 sinful

00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:55.480
 and unworthy?

00:33:57.619 --> 00:33:58.940
 Other false gods

00:33:58.940 --> 00:33:59.660
 will tell you,

00:33:59.839 --> 00:33:59.859
 hey,

00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.639
 get clean

00:34:00.639 --> 00:34:01.519
 before you come.

00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.779
 Clean yourself.

00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.539
 But Jesus

00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:06.000
 comes,

00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:07.299
 God comes to us,

00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.400
 the Son of God

00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.420
 comes to us

00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:10.460
 and makes us

00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:11.199
 clean so that

00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:12.199
 we might live

00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:13.099
 forever with Him.

00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.179
 That's the kind

00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:15.159
 of God we have.

00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:16.419
 That's the king

00:34:16.419 --> 00:34:17.139
 that we serve.

00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:18.159
 So instead of

00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:18.699
 the leper

00:34:18.699 --> 00:34:19.919
 making Jesus

00:34:19.919 --> 00:34:20.639
 unclean

00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:21.219
 as everybody

00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:21.719
 around Him

00:34:21.719 --> 00:34:22.679
 expected to happen,

00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:24.000
 Jesus makes

00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:24.619
 the leper

00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.339
 clean.

00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.940
 If you bring

00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.379
 your sins

00:34:27.379 --> 00:34:27.779
 to Jesus

00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:28.359
 in repentance,

00:34:28.759 --> 00:34:29.480
 you can be

00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.239
 made clean.

00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:34.299
 There was a

00:34:34.299 --> 00:34:35.000
 19th century

00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.819
 Christian minister

00:34:35.819 --> 00:34:37.059
 named Damien.

00:34:38.319 --> 00:34:38.799
 He moved

00:34:38.799 --> 00:34:39.739
 to Molokai,

00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:41.059
 an island

00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:41.679
 in Hawaii

00:34:41.679 --> 00:34:42.839
 where a village

00:34:42.839 --> 00:34:43.500
 had been

00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:44.059
 dedicated.

00:34:44.399 --> 00:34:45.079
 Quarantined

00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:46.239
 as a leper

00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:46.719
 colony,

00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:47.419
 a place

00:34:47.419 --> 00:34:47.859
 where only

00:34:47.859 --> 00:34:48.559
 lepers live.

00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:50.639
 For 16 years

00:34:50.639 --> 00:34:51.299
 he devoted

00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:52.399
 his entire life,

00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:53.539
 the entirety

00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.379
 of that 16 years

00:34:54.379 --> 00:34:55.339
 to serve the lepers.

00:34:55.839 --> 00:34:56.500
 He lived

00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:56.980
 with them,

00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:57.679
 he spoke

00:34:57.679 --> 00:34:59.000
 their language,

00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:00.079
 he bandaged

00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:00.839
 their wounds,

00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.619
 he touched

00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:02.559
 the hands

00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:03.019
 that no one

00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:03.639
 else would touch

00:35:03.639 --> 00:35:04.480
 and he preached

00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.199
 to them

00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:05.739
 the good news

00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:06.559
 of Jesus Christ.

00:35:07.279 --> 00:35:07.759
 He built

00:35:07.759 --> 00:35:08.699
 homes for them

00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:09.199
 to live in,

00:35:09.339 --> 00:35:10.179
 schools for them

00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:11.059
 to study in,

00:35:11.339 --> 00:35:12.059
 church buildings

00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:13.299
 for them to worship in,

00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:13.960
 and he

00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.660
 handmade

00:35:14.660 --> 00:35:15.920
 2,000 coffins

00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:16.660
 so that when

00:35:16.660 --> 00:35:17.260
 they died

00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:18.300
 inevitably of

00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:19.160
 this disease

00:35:19.160 --> 00:35:19.840
 that they might

00:35:19.840 --> 00:35:20.320
 be buried

00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:21.160
 with dignity.

00:35:22.620 --> 00:35:23.300
 And because of him

00:35:23.300 --> 00:35:23.940
 people said

00:35:23.940 --> 00:35:25.400
 that this village

00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:26.060
 in Molokai

00:35:26.060 --> 00:35:26.560
 became,

00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:27.680
 it was no longer

00:35:27.680 --> 00:35:28.260
 a place

00:35:28.260 --> 00:35:28.820
 where people

00:35:28.820 --> 00:35:29.740
 would come to die,

00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.539
 but it became

00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:30.980
 a place

00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:31.420
 for people

00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:32.060
 to live.

00:35:34.180 --> 00:35:34.920
 And one day

00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:35.600
 when Damien

00:35:35.600 --> 00:35:36.360
 was preparing

00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:36.940
 a bath,

00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:37.820
 he accidentally

00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:38.880
 dipped his foot

00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:40.220
 in the scalding

00:35:40.220 --> 00:35:40.700
 water,

00:35:41.059 --> 00:35:41.740
 which caused

00:35:41.740 --> 00:35:42.579
 blisters on his

00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:42.920
 foot.

00:35:43.720 --> 00:35:44.140
 However,

00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:45.579
 he did not

00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:46.780
 feel any

00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:48.240
 pain from the

00:35:48.240 --> 00:35:48.480
 burn,

00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:50.300
 which alerted

00:35:50.300 --> 00:35:50.820
 him to the

00:35:50.820 --> 00:35:51.460
 fact that he

00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:52.500
 had two

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.119
 contracted

00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:53.720
 leprosy.

00:35:55.180 --> 00:35:56.260
 The next time

00:35:56.260 --> 00:35:56.880
 he preached,

00:35:57.280 --> 00:35:57.680
 instead of

00:35:57.680 --> 00:35:58.460
 addressing them

00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:59.480
 as he usually

00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:00.240
 did as brothers

00:36:00.240 --> 00:36:00.900
 and sisters,

00:36:01.640 --> 00:36:02.440
 he addressed

00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:02.860
 them as

00:36:02.860 --> 00:36:03.820
 fellow lepers.

00:36:05.700 --> 00:36:06.720
 He had become

00:36:06.719 --> 00:36:07.480
 one of them.

00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:10.279
 And he died

00:36:10.279 --> 00:36:11.059
 as one of them.

00:36:12.419 --> 00:36:12.839
 In his

00:36:12.839 --> 00:36:13.879
 sacrificial ministry,

00:36:14.459 --> 00:36:15.099
 Pastor Damien

00:36:15.099 --> 00:36:15.779
 was not

00:36:15.779 --> 00:36:16.799
 blazing a new

00:36:16.799 --> 00:36:17.139
 trail.

00:36:17.959 --> 00:36:18.819
 He was following

00:36:18.819 --> 00:36:19.959
 in the footsteps

00:36:19.959 --> 00:36:21.119
 of Christ,

00:36:21.279 --> 00:36:21.879
 his Savior

00:36:21.879 --> 00:36:23.059
 and King.

00:36:23.859 --> 00:36:24.619
 The King

00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:25.239
 who stretched

00:36:25.239 --> 00:36:25.839
 out his hand

00:36:25.839 --> 00:36:26.459
 to touch the

00:36:26.459 --> 00:36:27.259
 leper and

00:36:27.259 --> 00:36:27.939
 made him clean.

00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:30.459
 Do we have

00:36:30.459 --> 00:36:31.179
 the compassion

00:36:31.179 --> 00:36:32.159
 of Christ

00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:33.379
 to serve

00:36:33.379 --> 00:36:33.919
 the sick

00:36:33.919 --> 00:36:34.539
 in our midst?

00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:39.800
 Do we serve

00:36:39.800 --> 00:36:40.539
 the outcasts?

00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:45.800
 Those who are

00:36:45.800 --> 00:36:46.659
 rejected and

00:36:46.659 --> 00:36:47.300
 ridiculed by

00:36:47.300 --> 00:36:47.699
 society,

00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:48.639
 do we stretch

00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:49.519
 out to

00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:50.199
 minister to

00:36:50.199 --> 00:36:50.420
 them?

00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:53.619
 Christians

00:36:53.619 --> 00:36:54.259
 should be on

00:36:54.259 --> 00:36:54.759
 the front

00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:55.659
 lines of any

00:36:55.659 --> 00:36:56.400
 such kind of

00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:56.759
 minister.

00:36:58.759 --> 00:36:59.599
 And we must

00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:00.099
 do more than

00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:00.420
 that.

00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.579
 We should care

00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:02.980
 for the

00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:03.820
 physically sick,

00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:04.780
 but we also

00:37:04.780 --> 00:37:05.860
 need to care

00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:06.280
 for those

00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:06.559
 who are

00:37:06.559 --> 00:37:07.140
 spiritually

00:37:07.140 --> 00:37:07.920
 unclean.

00:37:09.780 --> 00:37:10.340
 The doctor

00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:11.480
 cannot heal

00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:11.860
 the sick

00:37:11.860 --> 00:37:12.580
 without first

00:37:12.580 --> 00:37:13.360
 getting in

00:37:13.360 --> 00:37:14.300
 contact with

00:37:14.300 --> 00:37:14.539
 them.

00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:15.160
 And we

00:37:15.160 --> 00:37:15.940
 cannot share

00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:16.680
 the saving

00:37:16.680 --> 00:37:17.580
 news of

00:37:17.580 --> 00:37:18.559
 Jesus Christ

00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:19.200
 with our

00:37:19.200 --> 00:37:19.940
 neighbors unless

00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:21.019
 we first get

00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.720
 to know them

00:37:21.720 --> 00:37:22.559
 and talk to

00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:22.780
 them.

00:37:24.480 --> 00:37:25.000
 Yes,

00:37:25.080 --> 00:37:25.780
 there are a lot

00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:26.519
 of self-righteous

00:37:26.519 --> 00:37:27.000
 people in the

00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:27.800
 world who think

00:37:27.800 --> 00:37:28.240
 that they have

00:37:28.240 --> 00:37:28.820
 no need for

00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:29.160
 Jesus.

00:37:29.559 --> 00:37:30.059
 But there are

00:37:30.059 --> 00:37:30.900
 also a lot

00:37:30.900 --> 00:37:31.380
 of people in

00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:32.519
 the world who

00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:33.480
 are aware of

00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:34.219
 their sinfulness.

00:37:34.800 --> 00:37:35.300
 People with

00:37:35.300 --> 00:37:36.400
 checkered pasts

00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:37.059
 and broken

00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:37.800
 relationships

00:37:37.800 --> 00:37:38.880
 who are afraid

00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.480
 to talk to

00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:40.240
 Christians because

00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:41.119
 they fear

00:37:41.119 --> 00:37:42.159
 judgment and

00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:43.000
 condemnation.

00:37:43.260 --> 00:37:43.780
 And we should

00:37:43.780 --> 00:37:44.360
 be addressing

00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:45.440
 these people as

00:37:45.440 --> 00:37:46.420
 fellow lepers,

00:37:46.920 --> 00:37:47.619
 fellow sinners

00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:48.019
 saved.

00:37:48.360 --> 00:37:49.260
 We are all

00:37:49.260 --> 00:37:50.000
 sinners before

00:37:50.000 --> 00:37:50.420
 God,

00:37:51.019 --> 00:37:52.380
 but we have

00:37:52.380 --> 00:37:53.119
 been saved by

00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:53.760
 the grace of

00:37:53.760 --> 00:37:53.980
 God.

00:37:55.679 --> 00:37:56.500
 We should be

00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:56.960
 sharing the

00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:57.440
 goodness of

00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:58.059
 Jesus Christ

00:37:58.059 --> 00:37:58.500
 with them.

00:37:58.500 --> 00:37:58.559
 Amen.

00:37:58.559 --> 00:37:58.619
 Amen.

00:37:58.619 --> 00:37:58.659
 Amen.

00:37:58.659 --> 00:37:59.059
 Amen.

00:37:59.059 --> 00:37:59.559
 Amen.

00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.559
 Amen.

00:38:00.559 --> 00:38:00.619
 Amen.

00:38:03.480 --> 00:38:05.480
 Amen.

00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:06.199
 Amen.

00:38:06.199 --> 00:38:06.539
 Sorry, I just

00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:07.179
 heard from an

00:38:07.179 --> 00:38:07.820
 old friend.

00:38:16.760 --> 00:38:20.980
 They made

00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:21.360
 really bad

00:38:21.360 --> 00:38:21.780
 decisions,

00:38:21.960 --> 00:38:22.240
 did a lot

00:38:22.240 --> 00:38:22.539
 of bad

00:38:22.539 --> 00:38:22.900
 things.

00:38:25.000 --> 00:38:25.579
 And now

00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:25.980
 she's in the

00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:26.559
 area and

00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:26.980
 we're inviting

00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:28.639
 her to come

00:38:28.639 --> 00:38:28.920
 and her

00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:30.960
 husband to

00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:31.179
 come.

00:38:31.179 --> 00:38:32.919
 and they

00:38:32.919 --> 00:38:33.759
 feel unworthy

00:38:33.759 --> 00:38:34.259
 to come.

00:38:37.899 --> 00:38:38.500
 If you

00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.299
 feel unworthy,

00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:40.000
 you're exactly

00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:40.539
 the type of

00:38:40.539 --> 00:38:40.960
 person that

00:38:40.960 --> 00:38:41.319
 should be

00:38:41.319 --> 00:38:41.679
 here.

00:38:43.699 --> 00:38:44.480
 Because Jesus

00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:45.119
 calls the

00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:46.039
 sinful and

00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:46.739
 cleanses the

00:38:46.739 --> 00:38:47.079
 sick,

00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:48.000
 cleanses the

00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:48.480
 unclean.

00:38:50.379 --> 00:38:51.119
 So after

00:38:51.119 --> 00:38:51.659
 making the

00:38:51.659 --> 00:38:52.299
 leper clean,

00:38:52.940 --> 00:38:53.399
 it says in

00:38:53.399 --> 00:38:54.239
 verse 14 that

00:38:54.239 --> 00:38:55.399
 Jesus charged

00:38:55.399 --> 00:38:56.000
 him to tell

00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:56.899
 no one but

00:38:56.899 --> 00:38:57.460
 to go and

00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:58.019
 show yourself

00:38:58.019 --> 00:38:58.639
 to the priest

00:38:58.639 --> 00:38:59.500
 and make an

00:38:59.500 --> 00:39:00.119
 offering for

00:39:00.119 --> 00:39:00.779
 your cleansing.

00:39:01.179 --> 00:39:02.259
 As Moses

00:39:02.259 --> 00:39:02.940
 commanded for

00:39:02.940 --> 00:39:03.500
 a proof to

00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:03.679
 them.

00:39:05.019 --> 00:39:06.119
 Why doesn't

00:39:06.119 --> 00:39:06.980
 Jesus want

00:39:06.980 --> 00:39:07.719
 this leper to

00:39:07.719 --> 00:39:08.480
 tell others

00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:10.719
 about his

00:39:10.719 --> 00:39:11.000
 healing?

00:39:11.219 --> 00:39:12.000
 Verses 15

00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:12.779
 to 16 tell

00:39:12.779 --> 00:39:13.239
 us why.

00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:14.159
 He says,

00:39:14.239 --> 00:39:14.739
 But now,

00:39:14.960 --> 00:39:15.519
 even more,

00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:16.079
 the report

00:39:16.079 --> 00:39:16.599
 about him

00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.359
 went abroad,

00:39:18.019 --> 00:39:18.519
 and great

00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:19.379
 crowds gathered

00:39:19.379 --> 00:39:20.139
 to hear him

00:39:20.139 --> 00:39:20.859
 and to be

00:39:20.859 --> 00:39:21.339
 healed of

00:39:21.339 --> 00:39:22.259
 their infirmities.

00:39:22.599 --> 00:39:23.059
 But he

00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:23.719
 would withdraw

00:39:23.719 --> 00:39:24.440
 to desolate

00:39:24.440 --> 00:39:25.299
 places and

00:39:25.299 --> 00:39:25.679
 pray.

00:39:27.039 --> 00:39:27.559
 So Jesus'

00:39:27.819 --> 00:39:28.679
 reputation as

00:39:28.679 --> 00:39:29.339
 a healer

00:39:29.340 --> 00:39:30.960
 always gathered

00:39:30.960 --> 00:39:31.800
 large crowds

00:39:31.800 --> 00:39:32.460
 around him.

00:39:33.140 --> 00:39:33.660
 Jesus,

00:39:34.100 --> 00:39:34.519
 because of

00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:34.680
 that,

00:39:34.760 --> 00:39:35.240
 would withdraw

00:39:35.240 --> 00:39:35.880
 to desolate

00:39:35.880 --> 00:39:36.420
 places and

00:39:36.420 --> 00:39:36.700
 pray.

00:39:37.200 --> 00:39:37.720
 So instead

00:39:37.720 --> 00:39:38.579
 of basking

00:39:38.579 --> 00:39:39.120
 in his

00:39:39.120 --> 00:39:39.720
 fame and

00:39:39.720 --> 00:39:40.260
 his glory

00:39:40.260 --> 00:39:41.440
 and compulsively

00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:42.140
 checking the

00:39:42.140 --> 00:39:42.519
 number of

00:39:42.519 --> 00:39:43.100
 likes he has

00:39:43.100 --> 00:39:43.380
 on his

00:39:43.380 --> 00:39:43.920
 Facebook and

00:39:43.920 --> 00:39:44.220
 Instagram

00:39:44.220 --> 00:39:44.760
 account,

00:39:45.079 --> 00:39:47.559
 he retreats

00:39:47.559 --> 00:39:48.200
 to solitude

00:39:48.200 --> 00:39:50.600
 to converse

00:39:50.600 --> 00:39:50.960
 with his

00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:51.559
 father through

00:39:51.559 --> 00:39:51.860
 prayer.

00:39:53.140 --> 00:39:53.880
 And earlier

00:39:53.880 --> 00:39:54.539
 in Luke 4,

00:39:54.620 --> 00:39:55.460
 42 to 43,

00:39:55.460 --> 00:39:56.320
 Jesus also

00:39:56.320 --> 00:39:56.920
 withdrew to

00:39:56.920 --> 00:39:57.280
 a desolate

00:39:57.280 --> 00:39:57.800
 place and

00:39:57.800 --> 00:39:58.159
 left the

00:39:58.159 --> 00:39:58.659
 crowds that

00:39:58.659 --> 00:39:59.139
 sought him.

00:39:59.500 --> 00:39:59.820
 And the

00:39:59.820 --> 00:40:00.320
 reason that

00:40:00.320 --> 00:40:00.820
 he gave

00:40:00.820 --> 00:40:01.340
 there was

00:40:01.340 --> 00:40:01.820
 this.

00:40:07.079 --> 00:40:07.659
 And when

00:40:07.659 --> 00:40:07.940
 it was

00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:08.099
 there,

00:40:08.159 --> 00:40:08.619
 he departed

00:40:08.619 --> 00:40:09.000
 and went

00:40:09.000 --> 00:40:09.280
 into a

00:40:09.280 --> 00:40:09.480
 desolate

00:40:09.480 --> 00:40:09.920
 place.

00:40:10.179 --> 00:40:10.639
 And the

00:40:10.639 --> 00:40:11.360
 people sought

00:40:11.360 --> 00:40:11.760
 him and

00:40:11.760 --> 00:40:12.199
 came to

00:40:12.199 --> 00:40:12.860
 him and

00:40:12.860 --> 00:40:13.220
 would have

00:40:13.220 --> 00:40:13.659
 kept him

00:40:13.659 --> 00:40:14.079
 from leaving

00:40:14.079 --> 00:40:14.260
 them.

00:40:14.300 --> 00:40:14.559
 But he

00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:15.039
 said to

00:40:15.039 --> 00:40:15.260
 them,

00:40:15.320 --> 00:40:15.559
 this is

00:40:15.559 --> 00:40:16.059
 the reason,

00:40:16.420 --> 00:40:16.980
 I must

00:40:16.980 --> 00:40:17.659
 preach the

00:40:17.659 --> 00:40:18.059
 good news

00:40:18.059 --> 00:40:18.340
 of the

00:40:18.340 --> 00:40:18.740
 kingdom of

00:40:18.740 --> 00:40:19.360
 God to

00:40:19.360 --> 00:40:19.699
 the other

00:40:19.699 --> 00:40:20.280
 towns as

00:40:20.280 --> 00:40:20.480
 well,

00:40:20.559 --> 00:40:20.840
 for I

00:40:20.840 --> 00:40:21.420
 was sent

00:40:21.420 --> 00:40:22.599
 for this

00:40:22.599 --> 00:40:23.340
 purpose.

00:40:23.760 --> 00:40:24.280
 So it

00:40:24.280 --> 00:40:24.699
 seems that

00:40:24.699 --> 00:40:25.019
 Jesus,

00:40:25.019 --> 00:40:25.960
 withdraws

00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:26.280
 from the

00:40:26.280 --> 00:40:26.800
 crowds and

00:40:26.800 --> 00:40:27.139
 tells the

00:40:27.139 --> 00:40:27.639
 leper not

00:40:27.639 --> 00:40:28.059
 to tell

00:40:28.059 --> 00:40:29.119
 others because

00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:29.880
 his reputation

00:40:29.880 --> 00:40:30.239
 as a

00:40:30.239 --> 00:40:31.139
 healing would

00:40:31.139 --> 00:40:31.579
 bring so

00:40:31.579 --> 00:40:32.280
 many crowds

00:40:32.280 --> 00:40:32.559
 that he

00:40:32.559 --> 00:40:33.099
 would prevent

00:40:33.099 --> 00:40:33.759
 him from

00:40:33.759 --> 00:40:34.639
 fulfilling his

00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:35.539
 mission of

00:40:35.539 --> 00:40:36.239
 preaching the

00:40:36.239 --> 00:40:37.039
 good news of

00:40:37.039 --> 00:40:37.480
 the kingdom,

00:40:37.940 --> 00:40:38.300
 the preaching

00:40:38.300 --> 00:40:38.960
 the good news

00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:39.639
 of salvation

00:40:39.639 --> 00:40:40.119
 to these

00:40:40.119 --> 00:40:40.480
 people.

00:40:42.840 --> 00:40:43.360
 Yes,

00:40:43.440 --> 00:40:44.059
 the signs and

00:40:44.059 --> 00:40:44.480
 wonders are

00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:44.739
 great.

00:40:44.860 --> 00:40:45.000
 Yes,

00:40:45.059 --> 00:40:45.759
 the healing's

00:40:45.759 --> 00:40:46.199
 great,

00:40:46.340 --> 00:40:46.880
 but that's

00:40:46.880 --> 00:40:47.500
 supposed to

00:40:47.500 --> 00:40:48.079
 serve to

00:40:48.079 --> 00:40:49.280
 authenticate and

00:40:49.280 --> 00:40:50.400
 prove the

00:40:50.400 --> 00:40:51.079
 message.

00:40:51.519 --> 00:40:52.179
 That's not the

00:40:52.179 --> 00:40:52.820
 main point

00:40:52.820 --> 00:40:54.300
 because Jesus

00:40:54.300 --> 00:40:55.300
 must preach

00:40:55.300 --> 00:40:55.880
 the good

00:40:55.880 --> 00:40:56.800
 news that

00:40:56.800 --> 00:40:57.160
 we must

00:40:57.160 --> 00:40:57.780
 repent of

00:40:57.780 --> 00:40:58.180
 our sins

00:40:58.180 --> 00:40:58.640
 and believe

00:40:58.640 --> 00:40:59.120
 in him

00:40:59.120 --> 00:41:00.440
 for salvation.

00:41:02.240 --> 00:41:03.060
 Even though

00:41:03.060 --> 00:41:03.880
 he tells the

00:41:03.880 --> 00:41:04.560
 leper not to

00:41:04.560 --> 00:41:05.060
 tell anyone

00:41:05.060 --> 00:41:05.519
 about his

00:41:05.519 --> 00:41:05.860
 healing,

00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:07.280
 Jesus does

00:41:07.280 --> 00:41:08.160
 tell him to

00:41:08.160 --> 00:41:09.460
 go show

00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:10.060
 the priest

00:41:10.060 --> 00:41:10.720
 what has

00:41:10.720 --> 00:41:12.100
 happened and

00:41:12.100 --> 00:41:12.620
 offer a

00:41:12.620 --> 00:41:13.080
 sacrifice.

00:41:14.080 --> 00:41:14.660
 This is a

00:41:14.660 --> 00:41:15.320
 reference to

00:41:15.320 --> 00:41:15.920
 Leviticus

00:41:15.920 --> 00:41:16.700
 chapter 14

00:41:16.700 --> 00:41:17.760
 which speaks

00:41:17.760 --> 00:41:18.180
 of the

00:41:18.180 --> 00:41:19.240
 procedure for

00:41:19.240 --> 00:41:20.660
 declaring a

00:41:20.660 --> 00:41:21.380
 leper clean.

00:41:21.380 --> 00:41:22.660
 It was a

00:41:22.660 --> 00:41:23.059
 week-long

00:41:23.059 --> 00:41:23.860
 process that

00:41:23.860 --> 00:41:24.619
 began with

00:41:24.619 --> 00:41:25.500
 two birds.

00:41:26.500 --> 00:41:27.240
 One was

00:41:27.240 --> 00:41:27.800
 dipped in

00:41:27.800 --> 00:41:28.140
 blood.

00:41:29.079 --> 00:41:29.599
 One was

00:41:29.599 --> 00:41:30.099
 sacrificed.

00:41:30.300 --> 00:41:30.860
 One bird was

00:41:30.860 --> 00:41:31.720
 sacrificed and

00:41:31.720 --> 00:41:32.420
 its blood was

00:41:32.420 --> 00:41:33.160
 sprinkled on the

00:41:33.160 --> 00:41:34.539
 leper and

00:41:34.539 --> 00:41:35.840
 the other bird

00:41:35.840 --> 00:41:36.360
 that was not

00:41:36.360 --> 00:41:37.039
 sacrificed was

00:41:37.039 --> 00:41:37.640
 dipped in the

00:41:37.640 --> 00:41:38.160
 blood of the

00:41:38.160 --> 00:41:39.019
 sacrificed leper.

00:41:39.500 --> 00:41:40.039
 It was

00:41:40.039 --> 00:41:40.960
 released to

00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:41.440
 go free.

00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:42.760
 This was

00:41:42.760 --> 00:41:43.440
 intended to

00:41:43.440 --> 00:41:44.140
 serve as a

00:41:44.140 --> 00:41:45.180
 picture of

00:41:45.180 --> 00:41:45.860
 removal of

00:41:45.860 --> 00:41:46.260
 sin and

00:41:46.260 --> 00:41:47.300
 cleansing and

00:41:47.300 --> 00:41:47.660
 ultimately

00:41:47.660 --> 00:41:48.440
 pointed to

00:41:48.440 --> 00:41:49.119
 Jesus,

00:41:49.700 --> 00:41:50.380
 the sacrifice

00:41:50.380 --> 00:41:50.800
 that he would

00:41:50.800 --> 00:41:51.059
 make.

00:41:51.059 --> 00:41:51.659
 So the

00:41:51.659 --> 00:41:52.259
 bird that

00:41:52.259 --> 00:41:53.059
 is sacrificed

00:41:53.059 --> 00:41:53.900
 serves as

00:41:53.900 --> 00:41:54.779
 the substitute

00:41:54.779 --> 00:41:55.619
 for the

00:41:55.619 --> 00:41:56.380
 other bird

00:41:56.380 --> 00:41:57.199
 and for

00:41:57.199 --> 00:41:57.719
 the leper.

00:41:58.380 --> 00:41:58.880
 This bird

00:41:58.880 --> 00:41:59.500
 is sacrificed

00:41:59.500 --> 00:42:00.420
 and its

00:42:00.420 --> 00:42:01.079
 blood is

00:42:01.079 --> 00:42:01.480
 used for

00:42:01.480 --> 00:42:02.079
 the cleansing

00:42:02.079 --> 00:42:02.980
 of the

00:42:02.980 --> 00:42:03.799
 bird which

00:42:03.799 --> 00:42:04.579
 represents the

00:42:04.579 --> 00:42:05.360
 leper so

00:42:05.360 --> 00:42:05.820
 that both

00:42:05.820 --> 00:42:06.340
 can now be

00:42:06.340 --> 00:42:07.259
 released and

00:42:07.259 --> 00:42:08.519
 go clean and

00:42:08.519 --> 00:42:09.279
 be released to

00:42:09.279 --> 00:42:09.840
 go free.

00:42:11.460 --> 00:42:12.039
 So that's the

00:42:12.039 --> 00:42:12.320
 picture.

00:42:12.579 --> 00:42:12.799
 And the

00:42:12.799 --> 00:42:13.500
 reason why

00:42:13.500 --> 00:42:15.599
 Jesus is able

00:42:15.599 --> 00:42:16.299
 to say to

00:42:16.299 --> 00:42:17.739
 this leper not

00:42:17.739 --> 00:42:18.460
 only to heal

00:42:18.460 --> 00:42:19.119
 him but also

00:42:19.119 --> 00:42:20.239
 to cleanse him,

00:42:20.239 --> 00:42:21.099
 to declare

00:42:21.099 --> 00:42:21.739
 him clean,

00:42:22.839 --> 00:42:24.719
 it's because

00:42:24.719 --> 00:42:25.259
 Jesus is

00:42:25.259 --> 00:42:26.159
 looking ahead to

00:42:26.159 --> 00:42:27.459
 the substitutionary

00:42:27.459 --> 00:42:28.299
 sacrifice that

00:42:28.299 --> 00:42:29.299
 he will make on

00:42:29.299 --> 00:42:30.379
 the cross for

00:42:30.379 --> 00:42:31.099
 our sins.

00:42:31.639 --> 00:42:32.500
 Just like that

00:42:32.500 --> 00:42:32.939
 bird that

00:42:32.939 --> 00:42:33.419
 sacrificed,

00:42:33.579 --> 00:42:34.479
 Jesus himself

00:42:34.479 --> 00:42:35.139
 will die on

00:42:35.139 --> 00:42:36.059
 the cross as

00:42:36.059 --> 00:42:37.239
 our substitute

00:42:37.239 --> 00:42:38.899
 so that we

00:42:38.899 --> 00:42:39.579
 can be sprinkled

00:42:39.579 --> 00:42:40.459
 with his blood,

00:42:40.619 --> 00:42:41.059
 metaphorically

00:42:41.059 --> 00:42:41.379
 speaking,

00:42:42.019 --> 00:42:42.799
 and be made

00:42:42.799 --> 00:42:43.259
 clean.

00:42:43.260 --> 00:42:46.140
 This is why

00:42:46.140 --> 00:42:47.080
 the blood is

00:42:47.080 --> 00:42:47.700
 significant.

00:42:48.660 --> 00:42:49.600
 Hebrews 9.22

00:42:49.600 --> 00:42:49.900
 says,

00:42:50.140 --> 00:42:50.600
 Without the

00:42:50.600 --> 00:42:51.140
 shedding of

00:42:51.140 --> 00:42:51.480
 blood,

00:42:51.680 --> 00:42:52.620
 there is no

00:42:52.620 --> 00:42:53.800
 forgiveness of

00:42:53.800 --> 00:42:54.300
 sins.

00:42:54.660 --> 00:42:55.340
 The reason for

00:42:55.340 --> 00:42:56.200
 this is because

00:42:56.200 --> 00:42:57.940
 blood represents

00:42:57.940 --> 00:42:58.800
 life.

00:42:59.280 --> 00:43:00.120
 And the penalty

00:43:00.120 --> 00:43:01.360
 for sin is

00:43:01.360 --> 00:43:01.880
 death.

00:43:02.980 --> 00:43:03.960
 The just penalty

00:43:03.960 --> 00:43:04.720
 for sin against

00:43:04.720 --> 00:43:05.580
 God is death.

00:43:06.080 --> 00:43:07.500
 So only the

00:43:07.500 --> 00:43:08.140
 blood which

00:43:08.140 --> 00:43:08.900
 represents life

00:43:08.900 --> 00:43:10.020
 must be shed,

00:43:10.240 --> 00:43:11.080
 must be poured

00:43:11.080 --> 00:43:12.340
 out in order for

00:43:12.340 --> 00:43:13.180
 that penalty to

00:43:13.180 --> 00:43:13.820
 be satisfied,

00:43:14.400 --> 00:43:14.900
 in order for

00:43:14.900 --> 00:43:15.640
 the justice of

00:43:15.640 --> 00:43:16.160
 God to be

00:43:16.160 --> 00:43:16.660
 satisfied.

00:43:17.579 --> 00:43:18.480
 And so Jesus

00:43:18.480 --> 00:43:20.320
 comes as God's

00:43:20.320 --> 00:43:20.519
 agent.

00:43:20.640 --> 00:43:21.100
 God the Father

00:43:21.100 --> 00:43:21.800
 sends his only

00:43:21.800 --> 00:43:22.480
 son, Jesus,

00:43:22.660 --> 00:43:23.260
 to be the

00:43:23.260 --> 00:43:23.940
 substitutionary

00:43:23.940 --> 00:43:24.600
 sacrifice for

00:43:24.600 --> 00:43:25.320
 our sins,

00:43:25.700 --> 00:43:26.120
 and so that

00:43:26.120 --> 00:43:26.780
 when he dies

00:43:26.780 --> 00:43:27.300
 to pay the

00:43:27.300 --> 00:43:27.860
 penalty for

00:43:27.860 --> 00:43:28.480
 our sins on

00:43:28.480 --> 00:43:29.039
 the cross,

00:43:29.180 --> 00:43:30.079
 and he's raised

00:43:30.079 --> 00:43:30.860
 victoriously on

00:43:30.860 --> 00:43:31.600
 the third day,

00:43:31.900 --> 00:43:32.900
 all of us who

00:43:32.900 --> 00:43:33.720
 turn to him,

00:43:33.780 --> 00:43:34.500
 all the sinners

00:43:34.500 --> 00:43:35.220
 and unclean,

00:43:35.420 --> 00:43:36.039
 who come to him

00:43:36.039 --> 00:43:36.600
 and turn to him

00:43:36.600 --> 00:43:37.160
 and trust him

00:43:37.160 --> 00:43:37.980
 for salvation,

00:43:38.400 --> 00:43:39.400
 can be cleansed

00:43:39.400 --> 00:43:40.280
 by the blood

00:43:40.280 --> 00:43:41.400
 and receive

00:43:41.400 --> 00:43:42.320
 eternal life.

00:43:42.340 --> 00:43:45.079
 That's what

00:43:45.079 --> 00:43:45.800
 1 John is

00:43:45.800 --> 00:43:46.380
 talking about.

00:43:47.780 --> 00:43:48.579
 But if we

00:43:48.579 --> 00:43:49.140
 walk in the

00:43:49.140 --> 00:43:50.079
 light as he

00:43:50.079 --> 00:43:50.740
 is in the

00:43:50.740 --> 00:43:51.820
 light, we

00:43:51.820 --> 00:43:52.380
 have fellowship

00:43:52.380 --> 00:43:52.980
 with one

00:43:52.980 --> 00:43:53.680
 another, and

00:43:53.680 --> 00:43:54.559
 the blood of

00:43:54.559 --> 00:43:55.280
 Jesus, his

00:43:55.280 --> 00:43:57.160
 son, cleanses

00:43:57.160 --> 00:43:58.420
 us from all

00:43:58.420 --> 00:43:58.760
 sin.

00:43:59.539 --> 00:44:00.380
 If we say we

00:44:00.380 --> 00:44:01.000
 have no sin,

00:44:01.039 --> 00:44:01.539
 we deceive

00:44:01.539 --> 00:44:02.640
 ourselves, and

00:44:02.640 --> 00:44:03.320
 the truth is

00:44:03.320 --> 00:44:04.140
 not in us.

00:44:04.559 --> 00:44:05.460
 If we confess

00:44:05.460 --> 00:44:06.240
 our sins, he

00:44:06.240 --> 00:44:07.180
 is faithful and

00:44:07.180 --> 00:44:07.920
 just to forgive

00:44:07.920 --> 00:44:08.860
 us our sins

00:44:08.860 --> 00:44:09.800
 and to cleanse

00:44:09.800 --> 00:44:10.480
 us from all

00:44:10.480 --> 00:44:11.500
 unrighteousness.

00:44:11.500 --> 00:44:12.900
 If we say we

00:44:12.900 --> 00:44:13.659
 have not sinned,

00:44:13.699 --> 00:44:14.300
 we make him a

00:44:14.300 --> 00:44:15.340
 liar, and his

00:44:15.340 --> 00:44:16.340
 word is not in

00:44:16.340 --> 00:44:16.840
 us.

00:44:18.340 --> 00:44:19.400
 So this is my

00:44:19.400 --> 00:44:20.199
 plea with you

00:44:20.199 --> 00:44:20.699
 this morning.

00:44:21.340 --> 00:44:22.139
 Let's not make

00:44:22.139 --> 00:44:23.239
 God out to be a

00:44:23.239 --> 00:44:23.440
 liar.

00:44:26.039 --> 00:44:27.179
 Let's confess our

00:44:27.179 --> 00:44:27.619
 sins.

00:44:29.480 --> 00:44:30.119
 Acknowledge our

00:44:30.119 --> 00:44:30.659
 sinfulness.

00:44:31.659 --> 00:44:32.480
 It's only those

00:44:32.480 --> 00:44:33.239
 who acknowledge that

00:44:33.239 --> 00:44:33.739
 they're in the

00:44:33.739 --> 00:44:34.559
 darkness that can

00:44:34.559 --> 00:44:35.300
 step into the

00:44:35.300 --> 00:44:35.940
 light that Christ

00:44:35.940 --> 00:44:36.320
 offers.

00:44:36.320 --> 00:44:36.480
 sinners.

00:44:38.480 --> 00:44:40.460
 It's only the

00:44:40.460 --> 00:44:41.380
 unclean that

00:44:41.380 --> 00:44:42.100
 offer themselves

00:44:42.100 --> 00:44:43.180
 to Jesus to be

00:44:43.180 --> 00:44:43.880
 cleansed by the

00:44:43.880 --> 00:44:44.519
 blood of Christ.

00:44:46.300 --> 00:44:47.240
 So if you are

00:44:47.240 --> 00:44:47.800
 not yet a

00:44:47.800 --> 00:44:48.460
 follower of Jesus,

00:44:48.800 --> 00:44:49.500
 today you can

00:44:49.500 --> 00:44:49.940
 make that

00:44:49.940 --> 00:44:50.680
 commitment to

00:44:50.680 --> 00:44:51.680
 become his

00:44:51.680 --> 00:44:52.740
 disciple, to

00:44:52.740 --> 00:44:53.340
 leave everything

00:44:53.340 --> 00:44:54.100
 and follow him.

00:44:55.039 --> 00:44:55.559
 But if you're

00:44:55.559 --> 00:44:56.080
 already a follower

00:44:56.080 --> 00:44:56.700
 of Christ, I

00:44:56.700 --> 00:44:57.580
 implore you to

00:44:57.580 --> 00:44:58.280
 make it your

00:44:58.280 --> 00:44:59.980
 daily practice to

00:44:59.980 --> 00:45:01.160
 confess our sins

00:45:01.160 --> 00:45:02.260
 and to receive

00:45:02.260 --> 00:45:03.320
 joyfully and

00:45:03.320 --> 00:45:04.019
 gratefully the

00:45:04.019 --> 00:45:04.680
 forgiveness of

00:45:04.679 --> 00:45:05.359
 sins and

00:45:05.359 --> 00:45:06.059
 cleansing from

00:45:06.059 --> 00:45:07.379
 all unrighteousness

00:45:07.379 --> 00:45:08.379
 that Jesus has

00:45:08.379 --> 00:45:09.919
 freely given to

00:45:09.919 --> 00:45:10.299
 us.

00:45:12.399 --> 00:45:13.559
 Let me close by

00:45:13.559 --> 00:45:14.359
 reading a verse

00:45:14.359 --> 00:45:15.059
 from this hymn,

00:45:15.559 --> 00:45:16.039
 There is a

00:45:16.039 --> 00:45:16.859
 fountain filled

00:45:16.859 --> 00:45:17.339
 with blood.

00:45:17.460 --> 00:45:17.899
 I think we're

00:45:17.899 --> 00:45:18.659
 singing it at the

00:45:18.659 --> 00:45:19.379
 end of service.

00:45:20.339 --> 00:45:20.579
 It says,

00:45:20.759 --> 00:45:21.480
 There is a

00:45:21.480 --> 00:45:22.539
 fountain filled

00:45:22.539 --> 00:45:23.139
 with blood,

00:45:23.719 --> 00:45:24.659
 drawn from

00:45:24.659 --> 00:45:25.839
 Emmanuel's veins,

00:45:26.759 --> 00:45:27.480
 and sinners

00:45:27.480 --> 00:45:29.139
 plunged beneath

00:45:29.139 --> 00:45:30.859
 that flood lose

00:45:30.859 --> 00:45:32.399
 all their guilty

00:45:32.399 --> 00:45:33.279
 stains.