WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.620 I've called this the man who nearly had it all, because he nearly did. 00:00:04.400 --> 00:00:06.140 But he didn't quite have everything. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:10.019 It's 986 in the pew Bible that you've got there. 00:00:11.859 --> 00:00:13.259 Look at verse 16. 00:00:14.300 --> 00:00:15.740 He's a class act, this chap. 00:00:16.379 --> 00:00:21.900 Now, a man came up to Jesus and asked, teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life? 00:00:22.580 --> 00:00:25.679 If you look down the story, we find out some facts about him. 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:28.039 We're told a few times he's wealthy. 00:00:28.039 --> 00:00:31.099 Verse 22, 22 and 23 and 24. 00:00:31.419 --> 00:00:33.100 We're told a few times he's wealthy. 00:00:34.159 --> 00:00:35.740 He's young, verse 22. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:37.939 And he's really polite. 00:00:38.700 --> 00:00:39.820 Look at him in 16. 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:43.579 Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life? 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:49.439 So many people approach Jesus quite aggressively in the Gospels, in the four accounts of his life. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:50.840 This chap's great. 00:00:51.239 --> 00:00:52.899 So start adding them up now. 00:00:52.939 --> 00:00:53.920 He's top man, this boy. 00:00:55.120 --> 00:00:55.420 Right? 00:00:55.420 --> 00:00:58.899 He's young, which doesn't, you know, if you're young, doesn't matter. 00:00:58.980 --> 00:00:59.740 But wait till you're old. 00:00:59.780 --> 00:01:00.740 It's great being young. 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:02.039 He's young. 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:04.079 He's got a few bob. 00:01:06.740 --> 00:01:10.439 And he's really, really got great emotional intelligence. 00:01:10.439 --> 00:01:16.920 Now, my girls are taken for, but if they weren't, this boy would have a chance. 00:01:17.899 --> 00:01:18.819 He's a top man. 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:23.259 But do you notice there is something missing? 00:01:24.819 --> 00:01:25.219 Look. 00:01:25.560 --> 00:01:26.420 Look closely. 00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:27.840 Just have the words in front of you. 00:01:27.879 --> 00:01:29.019 Do you see what's missing there? 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:31.259 He's got everything going for him. 00:01:31.260 --> 00:01:33.920 But he's not Welsh. 00:01:36.580 --> 00:01:36.980 Yeah. 00:01:37.219 --> 00:01:38.359 No, it's not in the text. 00:01:39.180 --> 00:01:40.660 It's just a throwaway line. 00:01:45.660 --> 00:01:47.300 This story is really straightforward. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:49.000 It's a brilliant story. 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:55.320 I hope I can, well, I hope together we can show how straightforward it is and what a powerful punch it packs. 00:01:55.319 --> 00:02:00.979 This boy asks a question to Jesus and he is a really nice chap. 00:02:01.119 --> 00:02:02.959 And he's obviously a cultural achiever. 00:02:03.419 --> 00:02:05.719 He's obviously a top, top guy. 00:02:07.139 --> 00:02:11.000 He's smart and he knows what he wants out of life. 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:14.259 And he just asks one question and he gets three answers. 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:15.500 And that's our story. 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:16.379 He gets three answers. 00:02:17.479 --> 00:02:20.199 In fact, he gets three chances to see he asked the wrong question. 00:02:21.359 --> 00:02:22.259 Wrong question. 00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:24.120 Here's the question. 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:25.560 There it is, 16. 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:30.680 Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life? 00:02:31.080 --> 00:02:32.840 He's used to cutting deals, presumably. 00:02:33.140 --> 00:02:34.640 Hi, very nice to meet you. 00:02:35.300 --> 00:02:36.920 My name's the rich young man. 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:40.840 Look, I like you, Jesus. 00:02:41.460 --> 00:02:42.719 Are there good things about you? 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:44.159 I think you and I could cut a deal. 00:02:45.319 --> 00:02:48.060 I think I would definitely like to be on your team. 00:02:49.740 --> 00:02:51.500 I think I could contribute something. 00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:54.360 Almost certainly that's his posture. 00:02:55.500 --> 00:02:59.360 So can we find a way to transact here so we can be in together? 00:03:00.520 --> 00:03:00.780 Wow. 00:03:00.919 --> 00:03:01.520 Look at Jesus. 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:02.860 Look at what Jesus does here. 00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:04.659 He's kind of firm. 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:07.099 Firm, but really friendly. 00:03:07.539 --> 00:03:08.620 All at the same time. 00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:09.859 He doesn't embarrass him once. 00:03:10.340 --> 00:03:10.719 Here we go. 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:11.900 Let's have a look at them, shall we? 00:03:12.120 --> 00:03:13.840 What must I do to get eternal life? 00:03:14.539 --> 00:03:15.300 Three chances. 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:18.139 Here's chance number one to see the questions the wrong one. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:19.439 Have a look at it. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:20.099 Verse 17. 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:22.139 Why do you ask me about what is good? 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:25.180 Jesus replied, there's only one who's good. 00:03:25.879 --> 00:03:28.120 Now, I say that with a sort of curious voice. 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:30.000 But I think you're meant to. 00:03:31.020 --> 00:03:31.659 How do you do? 00:03:31.960 --> 00:03:33.120 I'd like to cut a deal. 00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:35.879 Tell me what good thing to do. 00:03:36.020 --> 00:03:37.420 And I think I could be in with you. 00:03:38.060 --> 00:03:39.540 Ah, interesting question. 00:03:39.960 --> 00:03:41.319 Why do you ask me about what is good? 00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:49.580 I mean, the next clause might have been, mate, do you think you're good enough to come to me? 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:50.719 Are you mad? 00:03:51.520 --> 00:03:52.699 That's what he might have said. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:54.840 But he puts it ever so nicely, doesn't he? 00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:56.180 And I think I'm justified. 00:03:56.379 --> 00:03:57.319 Wait till you see the other two. 00:03:57.419 --> 00:03:58.439 You'll see it follows, I think. 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:01.879 There's only one who's good. 00:04:03.020 --> 00:04:06.719 Now, the assumption here is that this is a Jewish boy. 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:12.979 He's grown up in the family, the Jewish family, the nation of Israel. 00:04:13.159 --> 00:04:15.159 And he'd have known the Jewish scriptures. 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:20.240 And in the Jewish scriptures, there's a regular system of all kinds of sacrifices. 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:29.280 Because the sacrifice of animals in a dominant format is to cover the brokenness of human beings who have turned their back on God. 00:04:29.980 --> 00:04:36.580 And there would be a universal assumption as a Jewish kid that no one was good enough for God. 00:04:38.220 --> 00:04:45.500 There had to be intermediaries, usually an animal sacrificed by a priest, so that you could not be judged by God. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:50.040 So clearly his first premise is super vain, isn't it? 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:53.720 Yeah, I think I'm up to going to heaven. 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:57.399 I think I, you know, I may not be nine out of ten, but I'm probably a good eight. 00:04:57.399 --> 00:05:00.199 I know a couple of nines. 00:05:00.299 --> 00:05:01.359 I mean, they're definitely in. 00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:04.159 I'll tell you what, I know a few people who have fours as well. 00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:04.799 Idiots. 00:05:05.359 --> 00:05:07.159 But me, I'm probably solid. 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:10.399 Probably a bit better than solid, and perhaps you could have a deal. 00:05:11.699 --> 00:05:12.479 No, son. 00:05:12.959 --> 00:05:13.799 No one's good enough. 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:17.679 Now, of course, many of us would say at this point, 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:22.740 not all, but many people in the room would say, 00:05:22.819 --> 00:05:23.500 yeah, I see that. 00:05:23.579 --> 00:05:25.519 I think that's the heart of the Christian message, 00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:29.740 that no one's good enough, so God had to send his son into the world 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:33.879 because somebody who was perfect, who was good enough, 00:05:34.399 --> 00:05:38.399 had to be the substitute to pay the penalty for those of us who aren't good enough, 00:05:38.600 --> 00:05:40.899 which is why I've trusted in Christ as my saviour. 00:05:40.899 --> 00:05:45.799 Many in the room would say that, and maybe as a visitor 00:05:45.799 --> 00:05:48.219 or somebody starting coming to church, you're thinking, 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:51.859 gosh, I've never really, really grasped that. 00:05:53.679 --> 00:05:56.079 Well, let's be clear right at the beginning 00:05:56.079 --> 00:06:02.299 that human muscle memory, I think, however long you've been a Christian, 00:06:02.779 --> 00:06:07.399 I mean, I've got a few years under my belt now because I'm ageing fast. 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:13.259 I think the human muscle memory can't stop but defaulting to this. 00:06:17.039 --> 00:06:19.959 Often when you're a Christian, Christians, do you think this? 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:23.819 When you've done something wrong, I mean, really wrong, 00:06:24.039 --> 00:06:27.120 you know, even the closest person to you doesn't know you've done it. 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:29.000 You know, it's horrid. 00:06:30.579 --> 00:06:33.839 Inside, do you think, well, I'll keep my distance from God for a while now 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:35.819 because I've had an absolute shocker last Thursday. 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:40.779 So I better just wind my neck in and maybe try and work up my goodness 00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:42.360 so I can start talking to him again. 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:45.459 It's a remarkable default mode of the human condition 00:06:45.459 --> 00:06:49.120 to think, well, it's all about how good I am, 00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:52.379 and if I have a shocking week, then clearly I ought to keep away from everybody 00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:54.399 and keep my mouth shut and certainly not talk to God. 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:55.719 How weird is that? 00:06:56.199 --> 00:06:57.959 Well, not weird at all, I would put it here, 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:01.699 because it's a default human sickness. 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:07.599 Sins are multiple things, all kinds of symptoms for the disease called sin, 00:07:08.659 --> 00:07:11.839 and each of us will have our own symptoms that plague us. 00:07:12.339 --> 00:07:15.819 But the disease itself is self-sufficiency, 00:07:16.659 --> 00:07:19.639 and self-sufficiency shows itself in one of two ways. 00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:20.560 Hubris. 00:07:21.599 --> 00:07:23.379 Oh, I'm good enough, don't worry about me. 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:26.680 Or, funnily enough, despair. 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:30.379 I'm a disgrace, I'm a shambles. 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:32.420 It's the same sickness. 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:34.680 Self-sufficiency. 00:07:35.860 --> 00:07:38.459 This boy is plagued by the sickness. 00:07:39.459 --> 00:07:40.759 I fear I am too. 00:07:42.339 --> 00:07:43.360 What have I got to do? 00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:44.959 Nothing, son, you're not good enough. 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:46.240 Don't even think about it. 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:46.899 Stop. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:48.759 You asked me the wrong question. 00:07:48.899 --> 00:07:50.279 Strike two, here it comes. 00:07:50.279 --> 00:07:52.279 It looks like a contradiction. 00:07:52.479 --> 00:07:53.139 Have a look at it. 00:07:53.359 --> 00:07:54.559 Second half of 17, 00:07:54.919 --> 00:07:57.899 it looks like a complete antithesis of what he's just said. 00:07:58.479 --> 00:08:01.779 17b, if you want to enter life, obey the commandments. 00:08:02.059 --> 00:08:02.319 Do you see? 00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:03.759 He's just said no one's good enough. 00:08:05.719 --> 00:08:07.439 I tell you what, they'll keep the commandments, right? 00:08:07.779 --> 00:08:08.099 Contradiction. 00:08:10.059 --> 00:08:12.099 Every Jewish kid knew the Ten Commandments. 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:13.279 Everybody knew there were ten. 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:14.839 He'd have known them since he's a dot. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:16.099 He'd know them inside out. 00:08:16.939 --> 00:08:17.799 Now he's chuffed. 00:08:17.919 --> 00:08:18.359 Look at this. 00:08:19.239 --> 00:08:19.959 Do you say chuffed? 00:08:21.239 --> 00:08:21.599 Okay. 00:08:22.099 --> 00:08:23.059 It's a bit Welsh, isn't it? 00:08:25.679 --> 00:08:26.619 Keep the commandments. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:27.099 18. 00:08:27.419 --> 00:08:27.779 Yes. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:28.839 He's like this now. 00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:29.299 Result. 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:30.139 Which ones? 00:08:31.119 --> 00:08:32.259 Oh, he's cocky now. 00:08:33.559 --> 00:08:34.459 Jesus replied. 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:37.000 Now, you can count these with me. 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:38.179 So there's ten commandments. 00:08:38.179 --> 00:08:44.120 And of those ten commandments given by God in the Jewish scriptures, 00:08:44.659 --> 00:08:48.699 four, the first four, we might call them vertical. 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:51.199 You shall have no other gods before me. 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:53.420 Don't use the Lord's name in vain. 00:08:53.420 --> 00:08:54.920 It's like me and God. 00:08:55.820 --> 00:08:57.879 And then the second six are social. 00:08:58.300 --> 00:08:58.940 You and me. 00:09:00.160 --> 00:09:05.040 Work through these with me because he lists the social ones, not the God and me ones. 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:06.200 Can you see them? 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:06.660 There they are. 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:06.920 Look. 00:09:07.640 --> 00:09:10.160 I mean, you don't have to look at me, but I'm counting them on my fingers. 00:09:10.920 --> 00:09:11.720 Do not murder. 00:09:12.280 --> 00:09:13.600 Do not commit adultery. 00:09:14.160 --> 00:09:15.280 Do not steal. 00:09:16.020 --> 00:09:16.860 Do not lie. 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:18.020 False testimony. 00:09:18.660 --> 00:09:19.780 Honor your father and mother. 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:24.100 Those five are definitely five of the six social commandments. 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:26.120 But then he gives a sixth clause. 00:09:26.199 --> 00:09:26.679 Do you see it? 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:29.240 And love your neighbor as yourself. 00:09:30.019 --> 00:09:33.740 Looks like it might be the sixth social commandment, but it isn't. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:42.600 He leaves out the sixth social commandment or the tenth overall commandment because the six come after the four. 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:48.860 Love your neighbor as yourself is a summary of the six social commandments, but it's not the sixth. 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:51.879 So what's the sixth? 00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:53.639 It's rhetorical. 00:09:53.959 --> 00:09:54.980 I'm not testing you. 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:56.980 What's the sixth? 00:09:57.179 --> 00:09:59.899 What's the tenth commandment or the sixth social commandment? 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:02.339 Well, that's what the boy should ask, don't you think? 00:10:03.559 --> 00:10:03.939 Ah, yeah. 00:10:04.079 --> 00:10:08.459 Listen, I think I'm good enough for heaven, but you're the expert. 00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:10.240 I've heard great things about you. 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:11.539 I'm a good guy. 00:10:11.959 --> 00:10:13.120 I can cut a deal. 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:14.199 I'm in. 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:16.559 What have I got to do? 00:10:17.959 --> 00:10:18.559 You can't. 00:10:18.559 --> 00:10:19.240 You're not good enough. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:20.799 Huh? 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:23.699 Well, keep the commandments. 00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:25.259 Which ones? 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:26.720 Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:27.980 Do not. 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:29.179 Leaves the last one out. 00:10:30.199 --> 00:10:31.559 He's got to say, don't you think? 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:32.480 He's got to say. 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:33.679 He's got to say, hasn't he? 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:36.980 You left out do not covet. 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:39.459 That's the tenth. 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:40.919 You left it out. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:42.459 He's got to say. 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:43.459 Why did he leave it out? 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:47.039 Because Jesus isn't forgetting it because he's the best teacher this boy's ever heard. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:49.419 And everybody knows them. 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:51.319 Why did he leave it out? 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:54.099 He's got to ask, don't you think? 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:55.939 He should ask. 00:10:55.940 --> 00:11:02.120 I went to do a year nine assembly in a place called Middleton Keynes recently. 00:11:02.820 --> 00:11:03.680 Not a nice place. 00:11:04.540 --> 00:11:04.840 I'm sorry. 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:05.100 All right. 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:06.000 Oh, no. 00:11:06.060 --> 00:11:06.680 Do you come from there? 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:07.239 Yeah. 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:12.379 And it was a Tuesday morning and it was pouring with rain. 00:11:13.199 --> 00:11:18.419 And there was a foyer in the school, really huge, perhaps not far smaller than this. 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:21.079 So it was Tuesday morning. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.659 I didn't know anyone there. 00:11:22.699 --> 00:11:23.639 Never been to the school. 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:24.779 So I walked in. 00:11:24.819 --> 00:11:27.979 It wasn't very good, really, because there was no one in reception, you know, safeguarding and things. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:28.939 There was no one in reception. 00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:29.659 I was the only chap. 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:35.039 And there was a boy, about 14, standing against the wall. 00:11:35.939 --> 00:11:36.980 Because I didn't know where to go. 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:38.299 So I said, excuse me. 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:41.159 And then I looked at him and I thought he was going to faint. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:43.399 I mean, he was as pale as the wall. 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:46.899 I was worried now because I'm the only bloke there. 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:50.539 And this chap's about to faint or throw up. 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.439 I mean, look, so ill. 00:11:52.199 --> 00:11:53.199 I said, you all right? 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:56.039 He said, no, sir. 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:58.500 I said, oh, no, what's the matter? 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.700 So he went close. 00:11:59.960 --> 00:12:00.639 What's the matter? 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:06.080 He said, yesterday, sir, it was pouring with rain when we left school to get on the buses. 00:12:06.440 --> 00:12:07.960 And everybody came through here. 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:11.419 So there were hundreds of people in here. 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:14.500 It had nothing to do with my question, obviously. 00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:15.960 So I said, yeah. 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:17.080 He said, yeah. 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:24.080 He said, and somebody took that fire extinguisher off the wall and punched it down and sprayed it all over people. 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:26.460 I said, never. 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:28.259 He said, yeah. 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:30.500 Wow. 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:32.740 I said, did you do it? 00:12:33.960 --> 00:12:35.200 He said, I don't know. 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:38.740 He did know. 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:40.179 He did know. 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:42.019 I couldn't leave the school. 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:42.919 I did the assembly. 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:49.620 I didn't leave the school without seeing the head teacher how to ask and say, you know, what happened to the boy who looked sick? 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:51.179 And he said, yeah. 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.860 He said, he sprayed people with a fire extinguisher. 00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:55.700 I said, what did you do? 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:57.299 He said, well, he got two punishments. 00:12:57.440 --> 00:12:58.639 I said, oh, what were they? 00:12:58.700 --> 00:13:01.580 He said, well, one for doing it, one for being really thick. 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:03.040 He said, well, he's got two. 00:13:03.040 --> 00:13:06.259 He said, well, he could escape when the staff would spread around. 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:08.759 This boy's an idiot. 00:13:09.059 --> 00:13:10.259 He's got to tell the truth. 00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:11.939 He's got to tell the truth. 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:15.000 Covert's a funny word. 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:16.159 Do not covet. 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:21.179 Clearly, what Jesus is doing is saying, mate, you can't cut a deal with me. 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:22.639 No one's good enough to come to heaven. 00:13:23.339 --> 00:13:25.120 You've got a shocking disease. 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:29.240 And one of its symptoms is, what is coveting? 00:13:29.459 --> 00:13:30.600 Greedy grasping. 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:37.579 The actual commandment says, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, husband, I guess. 00:13:38.319 --> 00:13:42.399 Must not covet their home, their wealth, their possessions. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:50.539 So here's a boy then who, he just can't have it if you're better than him. 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:54.159 He can never be happy for you if it's going fine for you because he's got to beat you. 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:58.399 Deep in his heart, there's a spitefulness. 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:01.840 There's an overcompetitiveness. 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:04.360 There's a vanity that says, I'm better than everybody. 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:08.460 And he's very good, clearly, at his front stage behavior. 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.600 He masks it nicely. 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:12.360 But look out if you cross him, is my guess. 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:13.959 He'll have you. 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:17.419 And Jesus has spotted it. 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:22.079 Now, let's give the third reply that gives him the chance to answer now. 00:14:22.939 --> 00:14:26.860 What is the worst thing to say to a covetous person, do you think? 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:31.519 Where I grew up, it's a bit superficial, but we call somebody tight. 00:14:31.699 --> 00:14:32.259 Do you use that? 00:14:33.939 --> 00:14:34.379 Tight? 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:35.419 Mean? 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.720 Last of the bar? 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:37.659 Sort of? 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:38.539 Yes. 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.319 Is that what you say? 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:39.620 Is that? 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:39.840 Yeah. 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:42.780 In my street, there was a man called Tom Tite. 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:44.620 There was. 00:14:44.680 --> 00:14:46.160 There was a man called Tom Tite. 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:49.879 I grew up near Dillon Thomas country in Carmarthenshire in Wales. 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.660 And there was a man called Tom Tite. 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:56.120 Well, I assumed he was called Tom Tite until one summer holiday when I was about eight. 00:14:56.639 --> 00:15:00.159 And I was kicking a ball against the wall outside my house and Tom Tite walked by. 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:02.639 So I said, good morning, Mr. Tite. 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:04.399 Must have felt grown up, I suppose. 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:07.659 I was hauled in by my mother five minutes later. 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.419 Here's how the conversation went. 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:15.360 What did you call Tom Tite Tom Tite for? 00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:20.360 I said, because you and Daddy call him Tom Tite. 00:15:21.319 --> 00:15:23.639 She said, you silly boy, he's not called Tom Tite. 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:25.279 I said, what's he called then? 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:27.079 Tom Williams. 00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:29.679 Wait till your father comes home. 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:35.959 So I pushed off down the park, you know, when my dad was coming home because I knew I was in trouble here. 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.219 I didn't quite know why. 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:39.799 So I got home late. 00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:42.199 Father, in here. 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:45.639 Did you call Tom Tite Tom Tite? 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:49.359 Yeah. 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:50.479 Yeah. 00:15:51.219 --> 00:15:51.620 Why? 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:53.419 Because you and Mommy do. 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.419 You stupid boy. 00:15:56.219 --> 00:15:57.120 Tom Williams. 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:59.539 You've been around here complaining to your mother. 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.899 He wants to see me. 00:16:03.079 --> 00:16:04.939 He said, why didn't you work that out? 00:16:06.359 --> 00:16:07.779 He said, and then he probed me. 00:16:07.859 --> 00:16:08.659 And then, of course, he gave me. 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.779 He has a few names for you. 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.779 What about Tom Twice? 00:16:11.859 --> 00:16:13.239 Do you think he's called Tom Twice? 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.579 I said, yeah. 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:17.379 He said, no. 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.159 Thomas. 00:16:19.579 --> 00:16:19.859 Thomas. 00:16:20.979 --> 00:16:21.379 See? 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:22.819 Tom Twice. 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:25.059 Boy across the road. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.699 I went, ah. 00:16:26.819 --> 00:16:27.939 It's like digging bats now. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:28.859 Ah. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.840 Evans above. 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:33.220 He's not called Mr. Above, is he? 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.779 I said, well, I thought he was. 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:37.620 He said, he's the undertaker, you lemon. 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.440 Do you get it, Evans? 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:41.419 I'm not joking. 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:43.539 Like, these are proper names in my cul-de-sac. 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:46.560 And this is the best of it. 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:49.159 Dad says, he says, you need to be careful here, boy. 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:51.080 He said, you'll end up like Bill Bungalow. 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:53.860 And in our street, there were no bungalows. 00:16:54.300 --> 00:16:58.600 And it never occurred to me that Bill Bungalow was Bill Bungalow. 00:16:59.680 --> 00:17:00.220 I said, sir. 00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:01.660 He said, why do you think he's Bill Bungalow? 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.600 I said, I don't know. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.180 He said, bit like you, son. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.460 Nothing upstairs. 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:08.279 He was a nice father. 00:17:08.340 --> 00:17:09.319 He was a nice father. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.519 He was just one of those days. 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:12.000 You know, he was just one of those days. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:25.000 What's the worst thing you can say to a self-sufficient, cultural-achieving, high-attainer, brilliant front stage, 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:30.539 gives a fantastic projection of who they are, cuts, steals, everybody loves them. 00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:33.779 What is the worst thing to say to them? 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:36.559 Give up your reputation. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.680 Expose your reputation. 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:44.120 Be willing to lose all your cultural kudos. 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:47.960 So let's see what the third option is that Jesus gives him. 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.299 Verse 21. 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:57.779 If you want to be perfect, go and sell your possessions and give them to the poor. 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:59.759 And then you will have treasure in heaven. 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:01.500 Then come and follow me. 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:05.880 The Bible has plenty to say about wealth and poverty and social justice. 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:08.740 Don't confuse this story with that. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:10.240 Don't confuse this story with that issue. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.819 Do you see why? 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.500 This is a story for him. 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:16.400 This is the state of his heart. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:19.680 This is the symptom of self-sufficiency. 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:23.039 It could have been anything, couldn't it? 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:23.960 It could have been theft. 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:27.400 It could have been sexual immorality. 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:29.660 It could have been anger. 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:31.040 It could have been vindictiveness. 00:18:31.280 --> 00:18:32.680 Those weren't his symptoms. 00:18:32.820 --> 00:18:38.900 His symptoms were total disdain that anybody could be as good as him. 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:41.400 That was his big symptom. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:44.300 But it was only a symptom of the deep disease. 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:48.080 That he's the center of the world. 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.700 He wasn't a man. 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:51.560 Clearly he was prone to be in despair. 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:55.240 He was a man who was prone to self-confidence. 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.899 And Jesus said, I'll tell you what then. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.200 You think I'm a mug? 00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:01.659 Jesus could have said. 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.960 He said, you think I'm a mug? 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:05.279 You approach me. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:09.440 You must know things about me to talk to me like this. 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.899 To come and cut a deal with me. 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:14.599 And you say to me, what have I got to do to go to heaven? 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:17.279 I've given you two chances already. 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.859 You can't do anything. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:22.000 Look in the mirror, son. 00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:27.299 You know there's things in your heart that you wouldn't tell anybody else. 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:29.019 So I've given you a chance. 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:31.219 I said to you, well, which have you failed in? 00:19:32.219 --> 00:19:35.579 And you didn't have the courage to say to me, 00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:40.059 I'm really, really, really arrogant in my self-sufficiency. 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:41.139 And I want to beat everybody. 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:42.519 And I'm going to beat everybody. 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:45.900 You wouldn't admit it to me. 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:48.000 He said, I'll tell you what then. 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.000 Here's the deal. 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:54.160 Give everything away that gives you cultural respect. 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:57.460 Become somebody who's a nobody. 00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:00.000 And you're in. 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.680 That's what you've got to do. 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.500 And you're in. 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:04.960 It was very specific to this man. 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:07.700 In fact, in Mark's account of this story, 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:12.080 because this account is in two other of the New Testament Gospels, 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:13.340 stories of the life of Jesus. 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:16.880 In Mark's account, there's a different phrase by the editor, Mark. 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:18.440 He throws a phrase in here that says, 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:20.680 Jesus looked at him and loved him. 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:22.299 Isn't that a strange thing? 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:25.620 It's almost as if his empathy went to him 00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:28.440 because the man could not, 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:32.500 could not let go of being in charge of his life 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.779 because he was such a success. 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.960 When the young man heard this, 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:41.140 he went away sad 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:43.099 because he had great wealth. 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.880 I would be a poor, 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:46.180 excuse me, 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.660 I'd be a poor messenger, wouldn't I, 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.460 of Christ 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:51.119 when it's my privilege to have 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:53.119 read this story and prepared it 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:55.480 to offer it for you to think about this morning. 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:57.279 I'd be a really poor messenger, wouldn't I, 00:20:57.279 --> 00:21:00.000 if I didn't say off the back of this story. 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:06.579 Are you in the position of this young man? 00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:13.940 Approaching God and saying, 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:16.019 I'd like to be a Christian. 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:18.119 I'd like to have a relationship with you. 00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:19.500 I'd like to go to heaven. 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:22.539 Is one thing. 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:25.259 It's an entirely different thing. 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:28.640 Actually, the Bible's name for it is repentance. 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.980 It's an old-fashioned word, 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:31.700 but it means, 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:34.940 it literally means in its original language, 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.480 walk it, 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:37.480 turning around 180 degrees, 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:39.559 going the wrong way down a motorway 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.240 and turning around. 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:40.779 That's how you, 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.379 repentance, 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.539 that's how you define it. 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:43.879 Human beings, 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:46.119 and this is hard to take. 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.519 This young man couldn't take it. 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.299 He went away sad. 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:52.119 The instinctive human condition 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:54.339 is to say, 00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:55.160 there's God. 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:57.180 And I'm walking this way. 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.000 It's my life. 00:21:58.119 --> 00:21:59.160 I'm in charge of it. 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:00.460 I'll run it my own way. 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.579 I won't need you. 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:04.140 I'll be respectful to you. 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:06.259 Tip my hat at you. 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:09.359 I'll show up at things 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:10.980 where people talk about God 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.900 and the Christian faith. 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:12.539 But look, 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.440 in the end, 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.319 stay in your lane. 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:16.640 Stay over there. 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:19.579 Keep a distance from me. 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:20.379 It's my life. 00:22:21.020 --> 00:22:22.040 And I'm going to walk it 00:22:22.040 --> 00:22:22.820 my way. 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.300 That's the, 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.200 that's what sin, 00:22:25.300 --> 00:22:26.200 when you hear the word sin, 00:22:26.320 --> 00:22:26.900 fundamentally, 00:22:27.020 --> 00:22:27.900 that's what sin means. 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.720 I am in charge. 00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:30.820 You're not. 00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:33.039 I'm the one who runs my life. 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.759 You don't. 00:22:34.159 --> 00:22:35.599 So I'm happy to do a deal with you. 00:22:35.679 --> 00:22:37.259 I'm happy to come close sometimes 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.240 and turn up at something 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.639 and maybe look at a book 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.319 or read the Bible, 00:22:40.679 --> 00:22:41.079 say a prayer. 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:42.059 But really, 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.879 in the end, 00:22:43.139 --> 00:22:44.599 just keep there. 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.639 I'm not turning around. 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.799 I'm not coming to you. 00:22:46.959 --> 00:22:48.019 I'm not giving my life up 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.719 to come to you. 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:50.339 And this man can't do it. 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.879 And it's a miracle 00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:52.740 if somebody can. 00:22:52.899 --> 00:22:53.839 You understand that, 00:22:53.919 --> 00:22:54.259 some of you. 00:22:54.959 --> 00:22:56.019 It's a total miracle 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.019 that you can do that. 00:22:57.459 --> 00:22:58.539 You would never do it 00:22:58.539 --> 00:23:01.699 by your own volition. 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:03.719 It's a divine intervention. 00:23:03.939 --> 00:23:04.740 So if there is a woman 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:06.079 or a man in the room today 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:07.179 who's saying, 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.219 I've never really thought 00:23:08.219 --> 00:23:09.079 about it this clearly, 00:23:09.959 --> 00:23:12.459 then it's a divine initiative 00:23:12.459 --> 00:23:13.339 in your life, 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.919 regardless of your mom and dad 00:23:14.919 --> 00:23:15.500 or your parents 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.119 or your background 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:16.759 or your friend. 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.240 You may be moving 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.199 from second hand 00:23:19.199 --> 00:23:20.139 to first hand 00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:21.119 in your relationship 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:21.859 with your creator. 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:24.220 Because at that moment 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:26.299 when you realize 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:28.179 he loves me, 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.679 not my friend. 00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:31.980 He wants me 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:33.459 to come back to him 00:23:33.459 --> 00:23:34.220 and turn around 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:36.439 is a very beautiful moment 00:23:36.439 --> 00:23:37.480 in a human's life. 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:40.199 Very, very, very beautiful. 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:42.019 Turning to Christ. 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:42.879 Repenting. 00:23:44.159 --> 00:23:45.799 Well, this man can't do it. 00:23:46.679 --> 00:23:47.759 He doesn't believe Jesus. 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:50.159 So here's the end of the story. 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.579 Jesus said to his disciples, 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:54.699 I tell you the truth. 00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:56.299 There's that word again. 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.519 It's hard for a rich man. 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.119 Shall we call it 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:59.779 self-sufficient person? 00:24:00.399 --> 00:24:02.240 It's hard for a self-sufficient person 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:04.019 to enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.919 Again, I tell you, 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.500 it's easier for a camel 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.799 to go through the eye of a needle 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:09.179 than for a rich man 00:24:09.179 --> 00:24:10.399 to enter the kingdom of God. 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:12.019 I think there's a bit of fun 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:13.080 or irony in that. 00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:15.180 Ridiculously. 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:17.019 Because people would be used 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:18.060 to camels in the street 00:24:18.060 --> 00:24:19.019 and they had a little gate 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.640 to Jerusalem 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.580 called the eye of the needle 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:21.120 and a camel 00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:22.480 couldn't get through it. 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.799 Unless you're in the zoo, 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.960 there's no camels in Edinburgh 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:26.279 so we're not laughing at it, right? 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.980 But, you know, 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:29.140 he's trading on it. 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.080 It'd be easier for a camel 00:24:30.080 --> 00:24:31.140 to go through that little gate 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:34.120 than for a self-sufficient human being 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:36.340 to get to heaven. 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.460 Have a new life. 00:24:39.060 --> 00:24:40.000 Get a new start. 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.820 Have a new heart. 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:42.640 Have a new meaning, purpose, hope. 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.880 Have a new reason to get up every day. 00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:46.780 Oh, no, it'd be harder 00:24:46.780 --> 00:24:47.920 for a camel to do that. 00:24:48.040 --> 00:24:49.259 Easier for a camel to do that. 00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:50.680 Well, look, let's draw it in. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.000 The disciples can't believe it. 00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:52.940 They can't believe it. 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.640 Look at 25. 00:24:54.540 --> 00:24:55.780 I mean, they are astonished. 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.180 They say, 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:58.300 but he's an unbelievable bloke. 00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:59.540 What are you doing? 00:25:00.280 --> 00:25:01.680 I mean, we'll never meet 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.920 a nicer bloke than him. 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:04.640 If you're trying to build a brand, 00:25:05.040 --> 00:25:05.820 get him in. 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.500 I mean, you'll collect 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.640 all sorts of people. 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:10.300 Your church will be heaving. 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:12.659 You get your man in. 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.139 He's an absolute winner. 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:17.119 He wants to do a deal with you. 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.019 Do the deal. 00:25:18.159 --> 00:25:18.940 Do the deal. 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.799 And he says, 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:22.419 boys, you don't get it, do you? 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:25.559 It's impossible to do that deal. 00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:27.019 I can't do that deal. 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:28.460 No one's ever doing that deal. 00:25:29.659 --> 00:25:31.079 He can only come to heaven 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.919 when he realizes 00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:33.359 he's walking the wrong way. 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.500 He's turned his back on me 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.399 and he turns around 00:25:35.399 --> 00:25:36.480 and he walks to me. 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:38.099 If he walks to me 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:39.140 and says, 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.420 I can't do anything, 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:42.079 but you've done everything. 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:44.620 Christianity isn't spelled D-O, is it? 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.099 It's not what you do. 00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:49.160 It's what Jesus has done. 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:54.480 And at this stage of the story, 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.319 they can't get it. 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:55.839 Not yet. 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.360 Or one day they will. 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.640 One day they will. 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.120 But not yet. 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:02.299 And then finally, 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:02.620 God, 00:26:02.860 --> 00:26:03.660 Jesus looked at them 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.580 and said with man, 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:06.160 with human beings, 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.019 this is impossible. 00:26:08.060 --> 00:26:08.900 But with God, 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:11.400 all things are possible. 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.500 You can't achieve 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.800 a relationship with God. 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:17.000 It's received. 00:26:17.840 --> 00:26:18.540 It's a gift. 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.840 So there we are. 00:26:21.820 --> 00:26:22.519 What can I do 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.560 to get eternal life? 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.100 Nothing. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.759 But turn around 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:29.120 and watch for the open arms 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:29.600 of Christ, 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.880 saying on this Sunday morning, 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.500 here I am. 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:35.500 You silly Billy. 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.480 Don't you think? 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.000 I mean, 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:39.559 the best thing about coming to church 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.900 by a million miles 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:43.220 is a routine 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.920 where on a Sunday morning, 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.920 your phone goes off, 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.559 you sit here for a little bit, 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:50.019 you recalibrate who you are 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.779 and you say, 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.839 who made me? 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.460 How has he reached me? 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.880 What's my instinctive position 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:57.579 against him? 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:59.920 How did I live last week? 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:02.240 Oh, I made some bad decisions 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:02.980 last week. 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.500 I made some good ones. 00:27:04.560 --> 00:27:05.380 I made some bad ones. 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.180 But on this Sunday, 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.460 isn't it, 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.120 we just go, 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.340 ah, 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.340 there you are 00:27:09.340 --> 00:27:10.420 with your arms wide open 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.960 waiting for me again today. 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.759 There you are again. 00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:14.420 Don't you need it 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.380 every six days? 00:27:16.060 --> 00:27:16.840 Oh God, 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.660 just the chance 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:18.700 to stop and say, 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:19.720 there you are 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.900 waiting for me, 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.360 sweeping me up 00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:23.060 as we sing 00:27:23.060 --> 00:27:23.560 and pray 00:27:23.560 --> 00:27:24.340 and read the Bible 00:27:24.340 --> 00:27:26.160 and discuss it together. 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.360 And he sweeps us up 00:27:27.360 --> 00:27:27.660 and he says, 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.400 come on, 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:29.400 you fool. 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:32.220 I know you so well. 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.720 I know your failures. 00:27:35.080 --> 00:27:36.340 I know your brokenness. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.759 I know I love you. 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.180 Come on with me. 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.340 Let's start again today. 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.779 So for many of us, 00:27:43.800 --> 00:27:45.120 it'll be another restart, 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.540 won't it? 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.519 Christ has got me. 00:27:48.100 --> 00:27:49.380 Christ has got me. 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.759 And I come to church 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.960 to get my muscle memory 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.779 back in shape. 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.980 No despair. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.660 That's too vain. 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.319 Don't despair. 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.299 Everyone's broken. 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.519 He's the savior. 00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.400 Don't despair 00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:03.799 and don't be too full of it 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:05.319 if it's been really good 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:05.799 all week. 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:07.880 Turn to him. 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.039 And there he is. 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.240 Hello, darling. 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:14.099 And maybe this is the first time 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:15.259 it's ever dawned on you 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:17.940 that you must turn to him 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:20.440 and let his arms wrap you 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.160 at that cross 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:23.420 and let him be the good one 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:25.019 who dies so that you can live. 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:27.160 And then you get out this week 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:27.519 and you say, 00:28:27.580 --> 00:28:29.039 I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive. 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:30.160 I've got meaning and purpose 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.340 that I've never experienced 00:28:31.340 --> 00:28:32.820 in my heart and in my mind. 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.060 Well, with that in mind, 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:35.340 shall I say prayer 00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:38.060 from both sides of that equation? 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:43.359 Holy Father, thank you for the Bible. 00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:45.599 Thank you for the good news 00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:46.559 of Jesus Christ 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:48.419 that you have revealed to us 00:28:48.419 --> 00:28:52.559 through eyewitnesses 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:54.240 who captured all that was done 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:56.639 and said and wrote it down for us 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:57.379 so that we could know 00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:58.240 what we need to know. 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:01.519 For those in the room this morning 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:07.259 who have never quite experienced 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:09.500 a first-hand relationship with you. 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.579 May today be the day. 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:13.539 May it have happened now. 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:16.279 This is the beginning of a new life. 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:19.059 A relationship with you. 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.720 Going to heaven 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:22.400 and knowing that joy now. 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.720 And for those who have known you, 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:27.339 as Graeme said earlier, 00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:29.179 for 10 minutes or for 100 years. 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:33.259 May we know 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:35.500 the joy of forgiveness 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:37.439 and new life again today. 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:39.799 May we remember 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.919 it's impossible with us, 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.980 but everything's possible with you 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:44.480 and you're our best friend 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:46.079 and our greatest ally. 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.779 And you'll always be there 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:49.079 a quarter to three in the morning 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.119 without fail. 00:29:50.579 --> 00:29:51.559 When we need you, 00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:53.339 you never will disappoint us. 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:55.099 And we thank you for these things 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:56.159 as we sing together now 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:58.360 to celebrate these wonderful truths. 00:29:58.660 --> 00:29:59.560 In Jesus' name. 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:00.320 Amen.