WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.900 Matthew chapter 18, starting at verse 1. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 In verse 1. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.159 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. 00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:14.500 It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:19.760 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:26.859 It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:33.700 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:01:33.700 --> 00:01:39.460 Aspiring to greatness. 00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:44.920 It's a very basic human character, I think. 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:58.320 We have within us that basic longing, that deep longing to make a significant impact in the world we live in. 00:01:58.820 --> 00:02:02.520 We want people to notice a difference for us having been here. 00:02:02.519 --> 00:02:11.060 We want, in simple terms, to make a real difference in the world we live in. 00:02:11.799 --> 00:02:15.620 So aspiring to greatness is a very normal, very human character. 00:02:15.620 --> 00:02:23.200 Of course, the sort of greatness a person aspires to then depends on what thinking they bring to that process. 00:02:24.420 --> 00:02:33.620 So it may be that the desire to be great is actually the desire to be the most powerful or the most popular. 00:02:33.620 --> 00:03:01.099 And if that's the case, then you're likely to see a lifetime shaped by self-interest, a desire for recognition, perhaps inevitably expressed in obsession with pegging orders and social status, accumulating possessions, and perhaps having a reputation among your peers for being the best in your field, whichever that field is, whether it's work or play or politics or whatever. 00:03:01.099 --> 00:03:12.400 Or your aspiration to goodness may be driven by thinking that you want to be the most useful you can be in your lifetime. 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:33.780 And so you might then see from that a lifetime devoted to perhaps research, where somebody spends their whole life hoping to discover some new medicine, some new treatment for some disease, a new machine, a new process perhaps that will just advance the world generally or help people in particular, in a particular area. 00:03:34.860 --> 00:03:37.599 Or indeed, you might see a lifetime of service. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:46.099 Some people aspire to greatness through a lifetime of service, helping the poor, the oppressed, neglected. 00:03:47.340 --> 00:03:48.859 And we see that a lot. 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:55.819 And of course, in that category, many of those people are actually quite selfless and unassuming. 00:03:56.459 --> 00:04:01.639 And so their tag of greatness is actually almost an unintended consequence for them. 00:04:01.639 --> 00:04:05.539 Because that wasn't what they set out to achieve. 00:04:07.299 --> 00:04:15.159 But I think even for us more locally and immediate, for me, for you, there still is a sense in which we aspire for greatness. 00:04:15.539 --> 00:04:19.819 Like we would say, look, I would want to be a great friend to such and such. 00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:23.219 For me, I want to be a great dad. 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:24.479 I want to be a great husband. 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:27.340 And now, as I'm getting older, I want to be a great grandfather. 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:31.700 Well, that's another stage. 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:33.620 I don't want to take Don's position. 00:04:33.700 --> 00:04:36.060 I want to be a great grandfather. 00:04:36.460 --> 00:04:38.140 If you see, you know, I'll just move on. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:40.200 It wasn't like that in my notes. 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:47.120 Or we say we want to be a nice, dependable worker, a great worker, a great grandchild, a great student, whatever. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:52.000 So there's just this list of things where, in our own small way, we're aspiring to greatness. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:57.000 But here's the question for us this morning. 00:04:58.060 --> 00:05:01.879 Is it appropriate for us as Christians to aspire to greatness? 00:05:07.019 --> 00:05:09.279 That's certainly the focus of the passage this morning. 00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:13.040 The disciples ask a question about greatness. 00:05:13.459 --> 00:05:14.319 Who is the greatest? 00:05:14.459 --> 00:05:16.300 Who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:22.319 And Jesus' answer is confronting, at the very least. 00:05:22.840 --> 00:05:25.360 But at the worst, it's outrageous. 00:05:27.800 --> 00:05:31.720 Because he outright rejects the question as expressed. 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:34.699 They come and say, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:37.340 And Jesus gives them a real serve, in a sense. 00:05:37.339 --> 00:05:41.639 But here's the nuance in it, I think. 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:48.519 That Jesus doesn't actually reject the notion of aspiring to greatness on their behalf, on their part. 00:05:52.459 --> 00:05:55.159 Rather, he redefines greatness. 00:05:55.659 --> 00:05:58.099 So it seems to me that, and we'll see the details in a few minutes, 00:05:58.219 --> 00:06:01.679 they come asking for greatness in this category. 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:07.000 Jesus rejects that, but doesn't reject the idea of greatness, 00:06:07.160 --> 00:06:09.579 but redefines it into kingdom categories. 00:06:12.780 --> 00:06:17.699 And kingdom greatness, we'll see this morning, is radically different to worldly greatness. 00:06:18.680 --> 00:06:22.500 Kingdom greatness is about self-sacrificing 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:27.800 versus worldly greatness, which is often self-aggrandizing. 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:31.220 Anyway, we'll get to the details more. 00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:33.360 I want to do a little bit of revision, 00:06:33.580 --> 00:06:36.380 because I think to understand the teaching of 18.1-9, 00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:40.660 we need to remind ourselves of a big picture context in Matthew here. 00:06:41.860 --> 00:06:44.320 So flick back to chapter 16, verse 13, 00:06:44.660 --> 00:06:47.220 and I'm going to walk through these texts fairly quickly. 00:06:48.200 --> 00:06:52.980 So at 16.13, the whole of that first section of Matthew's gospel 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:56.940 leads Matthew to finally answering his first question. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:01.259 The question that's been working for the first 16 chapters, 00:07:01.459 --> 00:07:02.660 who is this Jesus? 00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:10.279 And in building that picture, Matthew's reached for evidence all the way back to Abraham 00:07:10.279 --> 00:07:15.399 and right forward through all these incidents in these early chapters to Peter's confession. 00:07:15.779 --> 00:07:16.759 And here's the answer. 00:07:17.220 --> 00:07:18.680 You are God. 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:20.040 You are Messiah. 00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:21.879 You are God's King and Savior. 00:07:22.400 --> 00:07:24.439 The long-awaited one. 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:30.360 And with that, then, Matthew turns his attention to the second question of Jesus. 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:35.260 That is, what does it mean for this Jesus to be Messiah? 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:40.139 What does Jesus come to do, and how will he do it? 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:45.259 That, then, is Matthew's focus for the second part of his biography of Jesus. 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:47.560 And this is where I want you to follow me through the text. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:50.500 So if you look at chapter 16, verse 18 to 20, 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:54.500 it's interesting, the very, very first thing Jesus says 00:07:54.500 --> 00:07:57.539 about what he's going to do as Messiah is, 00:07:58.219 --> 00:07:59.399 he will build his church. 00:07:59.399 --> 00:08:03.819 Which is another picture of God's kingdom, 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:07.679 God's rule in the hearts and minds of his people. 00:08:08.919 --> 00:08:11.859 And then verse 21, 23 of verse 16, 00:08:12.459 --> 00:08:16.579 Jesus says this will require him to deal with sin. 00:08:16.659 --> 00:08:19.359 That is, to go to Jerusalem to die and be resurrected. 00:08:20.759 --> 00:08:25.000 It's interesting, isn't it, that his first statement is a corporate statement. 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:27.279 He has come to establish the church. 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:32.100 And the means of establishing the church is that he will die 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:35.019 to save people individually into the church. 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:40.559 Through apparent defeat, 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:45.120 he would be shown to be God's triumphant, successful king and savior. 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:47.919 Chapter 16, verse 24 to 27. 00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:53.860 As for king and savior, so for his disciples. 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:58.779 All in commitment from Jesus, including his death. 00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:02.919 All in commitment from his disciples. 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:05.720 Described here as dying to self. 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:08.120 All in loyalty to Jesus. 00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:09.519 All in commitment. 00:09:10.899 --> 00:09:12.659 17 verses 1 to 13. 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:16.659 The transfiguration story. 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:19.220 Jesus is up to the task. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:24.759 We get God's stamping of Jesus with his authority again. 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:28.480 He's all powerful. 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:29.279 He's all sufficient. 00:09:29.800 --> 00:09:32.700 He'll do what Moses and Elijah were unable to do. 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:35.580 That is, deal with sin and renew God's people. 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:41.860 And victoriously, then, he will ultimately return to the glory 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:46.899 for which he's set aside while he's in this world. 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:48.279 He will return to that glory. 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:52.220 But the pathway to glory is one of suffering and death. 00:09:55.339 --> 00:09:59.240 And then 17, 14 to 27 that we looked at last week. 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:01.839 We come down to the harsh reality. 00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:03.659 The bottom of the mountain in the valley again. 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:09.480 The pathway to glory is a hard, costly, spiritual battle. 00:10:09.959 --> 00:10:12.339 It means, verse 14 through 21, 00:10:12.459 --> 00:10:15.480 it means engaging with Satan's kingdom and Satan's power. 00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:18.759 And freeing God's people from the ravages of sin. 00:10:19.680 --> 00:10:25.600 And to do that requires all in faith in the all-sufficiency of Jesus. 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:29.240 It means Jesus again. 00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:30.920 Going to the cross. 00:10:31.560 --> 00:10:32.580 Going to the cross. 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:39.940 Consciously sacrificing himself to deal with Satan's kingdom 00:10:39.940 --> 00:10:43.820 and Satan's power and the issues of sin. 00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:47.780 And finally, in verse 24 through 27, 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:51.620 it means dismantling the old Jewish system of worship. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:54.800 It was focused on the temple and sacrifice. 00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:59.160 And Jesus is now going to reestablish a completely new order 00:10:59.160 --> 00:11:02.520 that's focused on him, a new community. 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:07.420 He'll be the place where people find acceptance with God. 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:10.740 He'll be the place where people go for forgiveness of sin. 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:13.360 He'll be the place where people go to worship. 00:11:15.820 --> 00:11:20.060 And this new community will actually be family. 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:27.399 It will mean an emergence of a totally new community gathered around Jesus. 00:11:28.060 --> 00:11:30.240 New family identity in Jesus. 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:35.279 New family obligations to Jesus as Savior and Lord. 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:40.879 Now, with that, we can see chapter 18 then, 19 and 20, 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:46.339 starts to spell out in detail the character of this new community. 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:50.079 And this is why all this revision was important. 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:56.299 That these verses can't be seen just as little moral do-goody things. 00:11:56.819 --> 00:12:01.539 It's actually Jesus starting to spell out the character of this new salvation community, 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:03.220 the one he's come to establish. 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:09.680 It's a community of died for people, the church. 00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:12.279 And once again, the principle is the same. 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:16.540 As for the king, so for his people. 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:20.620 In other words, in summary here, therefore, 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:27.220 we are to reflect King Jesus in our attitudes and actions. 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:35.139 We're to live in the light of the all-sufficiency of Jesus. 00:12:36.680 --> 00:12:40.480 We're to think and act selflessly. 00:12:43.160 --> 00:12:44.500 We're to be loving. 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:50.180 And in that love, we're to extend grace to those around us, 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:52.660 especially brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:56.360 We're to extend compassion, mercy to the helpless. 00:12:58.319 --> 00:13:02.579 And we're to hate any expression of sin in our actions. 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:08.719 So with that, I want to jump into the detail now of chapter 18. 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:13.539 And the question, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:16.299 Well, of course, it's hard. 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:20.000 Well, it's actually impossible to know what the disciples had in mind 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:21.399 when they asked that question. 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:25.719 Were they thinking about who was the most powerful? 00:13:27.839 --> 00:13:29.099 Who was the most useful? 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:30.459 Who was the most popular? 00:13:32.079 --> 00:13:33.360 Who was the most privileged? 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:34.339 Who was the most important? 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:38.519 It's impossible to say exactly what is in their mind. 00:13:38.940 --> 00:13:42.960 But the question at least suggests rivalry, 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:46.899 jealousy, resentment, 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:53.480 self-interested focus on status and pegging order among the disciples. 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:59.720 And it's not hard, just reading the context of this, 00:13:59.920 --> 00:14:01.300 chapters 16, 17, and 18, 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:03.720 it's not hard to read the context and think, 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:06.800 well, perhaps Peter and James and John 00:14:06.800 --> 00:14:10.779 started to think that they had a very privileged position 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:11.840 because, after all, 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:15.420 they were the ones that Jesus took up the mountain 00:14:15.420 --> 00:14:17.540 and experienced the transfiguration. 00:14:19.160 --> 00:14:21.060 Perhaps they even started to fancy themselves 00:14:21.060 --> 00:14:22.899 as being of the sort of importance 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:24.320 as an Elijah and a Moses. 00:14:27.560 --> 00:14:30.259 Or perhaps Peter then wanted to separate himself 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.019 to another level 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:32.720 because maybe he thought 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:34.539 that he was extra special, 00:14:34.939 --> 00:14:37.139 even higher up again than James and John's 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:38.120 because, after all, 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:40.799 when Jesus talked about establishing the church 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:41.620 in chapter 16, 00:14:42.079 --> 00:14:43.159 it was Peter's mention, 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.539 Peter's name that was mentioned. 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:46.100 It was Peter who was associated 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:48.000 as a foundation of the church. 00:14:48.819 --> 00:14:51.220 And then, just immediately prior to these verses, 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:55.700 Jesus paid the temple tax for Peter only. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:59.040 So it wouldn't be too hard to think, 00:14:59.120 --> 00:14:59.700 well, Peter thought, 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:02.060 well, hey, maybe I'm the favorite. 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:03.060 I'm Jesus' favorite. 00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:06.019 Or at least I'm further up the pegging order 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:06.860 than you guys are. 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:09.720 Not too hard to imagine all that at all, 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:11.080 but we don't really know. 00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:13.080 We don't know their precise thinking, 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:14.220 but Jesus did, obviously. 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:17.000 And in response to the thinking, 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:20.740 Jesus delivered an incredibly strong response. 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:24.560 Greatness in my kingdom 00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:27.240 is not about competing with others 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.379 for social status 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:31.820 in a self-indulgent pegging order. 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.360 Greatness in my kingdom 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:38.779 is seen in attitude to Jesus. 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:45.899 It doesn't sound like very much, does it? 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:47.720 It doesn't catch our attention. 00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:51.360 We associate greatness with great things, 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:53.779 great actions, great endeavors, 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.879 years of effort. 00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:57.459 Jesus said, well, 00:15:57.839 --> 00:16:00.159 greatness is first and foremost 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:03.199 about an attitude to Jesus. 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:08.600 Now, there's something that jars in the text here 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:09.820 as I was preparing this week 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:12.440 because just, I don't know, 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:14.080 hours, maybe a couple of days, 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.360 maybe a week earlier, 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:18.420 the disciples, at least three of them, 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:20.980 had seen the glory of Jesus 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:22.960 in transfiguration. 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.480 Certainly it would have been a talking point 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:27.259 among the disciples for all that time. 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:30.340 And certainly they would have gotten the message 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:32.100 that Jesus' pathway to glory 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:34.240 was through suffering and death. 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:36.899 But it would seem like 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:39.600 the disciples are still determined 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:41.959 to pursue their own glory 00:16:41.959 --> 00:16:46.679 in a form of worldly greatness. 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.379 They were going to carve out 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:53.100 their own pathway to glory 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.879 through status and privilege 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.000 and reputation. 00:16:58.079 --> 00:17:00.100 And in response to all of that, 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:02.860 Jesus puts a little child 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:04.019 in the center of a group 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:06.240 as an illustration 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:08.220 of greatness 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.680 in the salvation community, 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.259 the church. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.599 And he speaks about 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:15.299 childlike humility. 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:18.160 Truly I say to you, 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.620 unless you turn 00:17:19.620 --> 00:17:20.720 and become like children, 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:22.299 you will never enter 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.220 the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.740 Whoever humbles himself 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.920 like this child 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:28.860 is the greatest 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:31.299 in the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:32.179 --> 00:17:32.919 Not will become, 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:34.839 but is the greatest 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:36.059 in the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:36.419 --> 00:17:39.559 So what is this childlike humility? 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.899 I think it's actually quite simple. 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:46.039 I think it's an attitude 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:46.899 of littleness 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:49.839 and insignificance. 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:53.159 That's certainly how 00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:54.319 children were viewed 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.659 in the ancient world. 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:57.980 And you have to think about that. 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.039 If you think about children 00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.500 these days, 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:00.279 they're not little 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:01.039 and insignificant. 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:02.179 They rule the roost 00:18:02.179 --> 00:18:03.199 far too often. 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.359 But in Jesus' day, 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:08.079 children were viewed 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:10.179 as little 00:18:10.179 --> 00:18:11.220 and insignificant. 00:18:13.399 --> 00:18:14.339 And in many ways 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:14.919 they still are. 00:18:16.399 --> 00:18:17.619 Because children in the end, 00:18:17.939 --> 00:18:19.079 in spite of what they might think, 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:19.899 they're unable 00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:20.980 to care for themselves. 00:18:22.399 --> 00:18:23.220 They're certainly unable 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.500 to care for themselves properly. 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.939 And Jesus' point here 00:18:28.939 --> 00:18:31.500 is that in sharp contrast 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:33.379 to the subtle self-promotion 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.099 of the disciples, 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:36.319 the little child 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:38.279 doesn't consider himself 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:38.859 or herself 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:40.079 to command the attention 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.500 of Jesus. 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.779 The little child's just happy 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.679 to be in the middle there 00:18:42.679 --> 00:18:44.460 and have the focus 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.339 of Jesus' attention 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:46.039 on them. 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:52.819 So greatness in the kingdom 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:54.879 begins, therefore, 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.619 with an attitude 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:57.199 of honest realization 00:18:57.199 --> 00:18:58.240 about ourselves. 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:01.059 What is that realization? 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:03.359 That there's nothing in us 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:06.179 to command God's attention. 00:19:07.179 --> 00:19:08.779 Command God's attention, sorry. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:11.220 To command God's recognition. 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:15.980 And that we have God's attention, 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:17.019 we have God's love 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.360 and care 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:19.160 is a matter of grace. 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:23.380 And then it's an attitude, 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:23.740 I think, 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:25.539 of trustful dependence. 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.559 And children just look 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.259 to their parents 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.380 to care for them, 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.180 to provide for them. 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.740 They expect their parents 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.860 to dispel their fears. 00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.559 They expect their parents 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.339 to fix whatever 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:38.180 needs to be fixed. 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:40.240 It's just that sort of 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:42.660 all-in dependence 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:44.240 on mom and dad. 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:48.580 Well, I think 00:19:48.580 --> 00:19:51.620 it's almost exactly the same, 00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:53.140 Jesus' point here. 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:54.799 Greatness in mind, 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:56.279 you died for community, 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.220 will be characterized 00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:00.060 by total dependence, 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:03.140 unembarrassed 00:20:03.140 --> 00:20:04.920 dependence 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:06.700 on Christ's 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.539 goodness 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.340 and care 00:20:08.340 --> 00:20:09.420 and provision 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:09.940 and blessing. 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.940 Not their own abilities. 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.240 Now, those two things 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.080 aren't too hard 00:20:17.080 --> 00:20:18.300 to describe. 00:20:20.060 --> 00:20:20.820 But gosh, 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.580 they're a lot harder 00:20:21.580 --> 00:20:22.120 to live out, 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:22.500 aren't they? 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:26.080 Very hard to live out. 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:29.160 And that's the other point 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:30.500 I think Jesus is making here. 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.480 He says, 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:32.560 you need to turn 00:20:32.560 --> 00:20:33.420 unless you turn. 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:36.160 this sort of attitude, 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.460 this childlike humility 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:39.860 is not natural to us. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.360 It requires 00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.960 a conscious turning away 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:47.779 from how the world 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:49.019 thinks of greatness 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:50.920 and a conscious commitment 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:52.519 to Jesus' pathway 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.200 to greatness. 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:56.500 But put simply, 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:58.100 humility is not natural 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:58.539 to us 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.759 in our sinful state. 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:10.480 I cannot consciously 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.840 strive to secure 00:21:11.840 --> 00:21:12.740 my own glory 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.340 or greatness 00:21:13.340 --> 00:21:14.300 through what I do 00:21:14.300 --> 00:21:17.000 and at the same time 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.320 consciously strive 00:21:18.320 --> 00:21:19.019 to express 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.320 childlike humility 00:21:20.320 --> 00:21:21.860 towards Jesus 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:22.380 and other 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:24.060 died for people 00:21:24.060 --> 00:21:24.740 in this community. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:27.019 The two just don't mix. 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:29.380 We can convince 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:30.279 ourselves they do, 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.920 but they don't 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.639 truly mix. 00:21:33.379 --> 00:21:33.799 One will, 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:35.599 it's like oil and water, 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.259 one will settle 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.039 on top of the other. 00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:44.019 We need to 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:46.139 consciously turn. 00:21:47.639 --> 00:21:47.899 So, 00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:49.460 it seems to me 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:49.940 that greatness 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.460 in the church 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:53.259 is a real paradox. 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:55.819 It actually 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.599 is the 00:21:56.599 --> 00:21:57.160 unintended 00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:58.299 consequence 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.460 of 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.900 an all-in 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:01.559 commitment 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:03.220 to thinking 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:04.000 and acting 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.019 with childlike 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.460 humility. 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.779 So, 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:12.160 as we 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:12.859 go about 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:13.900 serving Jesus 00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:17.200 in that attitude 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:17.859 of trustful 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.339 dependence 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:19.039 and that attitude 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:20.059 of insignificance 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:20.640 living in the 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:21.480 light of grace 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:22.799 and having 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.400 our identity 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.079 from Jesus, 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.620 it's as we're 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:27.400 doing that 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:29.000 that we're 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.620 actually declared 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:30.059 by Jesus 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:30.740 to be great. 00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:33.420 And it's not 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.279 a conscious thing 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.839 we're pursuing. 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.500 And there's 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.140 the paradox. 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.500 Our world 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.319 offers greatness 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.680 through self-achievement, 00:22:46.120 --> 00:22:47.240 self-aggrandizing. 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.539 And often 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.079 that comes 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:50.740 at the expense 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.500 of manipulating 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.339 others around 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:52.660 us. 00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:53.539 So, 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.079 if I set 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.680 myself to be 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.200 great in this 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:55.599 congregation, 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.720 then I'm 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.259 going to have 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:57.900 to barge 00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:58.700 through others 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.079 that might 00:22:59.079 --> 00:22:59.680 stop in my 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.000 way. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:01.099 Or I might 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:02.039 see others 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.559 as useful 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:02.960 to me 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.460 toward the 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.420 end of me 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:05.099 looking great. 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:05.819 And so, 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.380 I'll manipulate 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:06.660 them, 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.099 I'll use 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:07.299 them. 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.019 And if they 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.339 get in the 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:09.500 way, 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.099 I'll skittle 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:10.400 them. 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.200 That's what 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.700 our world 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.279 offers as 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:19.559 greatness. 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.920 Jesus 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.359 says, 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:23.579 the most 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:25.099 inconsequential 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:25.759 Christian 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.779 who is 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.799 faithful and 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.359 loyal to 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:28.759 Christ 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.859 will be the 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.500 one deemed 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:32.019 greatest 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.059 in heaven. 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.779 It's a very 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.539 different pathway, 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:37.980 isn't it? 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:44.059 imagine if 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.759 local church 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.900 families like 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:47.599 ours, all 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.480 around Australia, 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:49.120 all around the 00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:50.500 world, could 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.200 get a grasp 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:51.759 of that. 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:54.920 It would 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:55.240 just 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.460 immediately rid 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.059 church of 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.420 all the 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:59.940 politics that 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.920 is so 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.599 grubby, even 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.079 in churches. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:02.220 churches. 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.659 It would 00:24:04.659 --> 00:24:05.240 rid churches 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:05.779 of so 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:07.059 many, probably 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:07.879 not all, so 00:24:07.879 --> 00:24:08.399 many of the 00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:09.980 conflicts, so 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:11.699 many that 00:24:11.699 --> 00:24:12.519 ended up in 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.099 broken 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:13.980 relationships or 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.379 strained 00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:14.980 relationships. 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.419 It would 00:24:16.419 --> 00:24:17.019 literally be 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.779 life-changing. 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.379 Then moving on, 00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:22.039 verses 5 through 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.439 to 9, 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:23.439 greatness is seen 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:24.139 in attitude to 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.359 sin. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.419 Verse 5 is a 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:25.720 bridge. 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:29.539 It's a 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.079 bridge from 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:30.680 verses 1 to 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.339 4, obviously, 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.279 through to the 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.160 severe warnings 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:35.620 of Jesus in 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.319 verses 6 to 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.640 9. 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.319 And these 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:40.900 verses, if you 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.440 came here 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.500 hoping for a 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.120 warm, fuzzy 00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:43.880 sermon this 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.920 morning, they're 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.360 going to really 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:45.980 disappoint you 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:46.940 because they're 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.400 harsh. 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:48.839 These are 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.319 confronting 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:49.799 verses. 00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:52.160 Extreme. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.519 And again, 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.379 once again, we 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:56.740 see the 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.400 principle of 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.059 as for the 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:59.000 king, so 00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.319 for his 00:24:59.319 --> 00:24:59.579 people. 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.700 Greatness in 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.779 Jesus died for 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.680 people also 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:06.460 means reflecting 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.660 Jesus' character 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.299 and attitude 00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:09.119 towards sin. 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.379 What was his 00:25:11.379 --> 00:25:11.839 character and 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.500 attitude towards 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:12.619 sin? 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.440 He saw it so 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.920 awful, so 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:16.259 much the 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.359 cause of the 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.279 broken relationship 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.480 between God 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:19.960 and his people 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.859 that he is 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.480 prepared to 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.480 sacrifice himself 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:24.240 to deal with 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:24.400 it. 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:27.759 he didn't 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.559 spare anything 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:30.660 to deal with 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:32.440 sin and 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.259 free God's 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.680 people from 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.400 its ravages. 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.180 And in 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:40.059 verse 4 and 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:43.400 5, you 00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:44.839 get that 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:46.220 notion of 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:46.940 not being able 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.660 to separate 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.759 Jesus from 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.279 his people, 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.039 from his 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.480 died for 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:50.819 people. 00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:55.579 very, very 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:55.899 simple 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:56.579 connection, but 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:57.039 it's very, very 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.700 powerful and 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.099 profound. 00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:00.579 The way we 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.359 treat other 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:05.079 believers is a 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:06.159 clear indication 00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:08.220 of how we 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:09.339 ourselves believe 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:10.279 we are saved 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:10.879 and acceptable 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:11.399 to God. 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:16.940 all believers 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:19.160 are died for 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:19.580 people. 00:26:21.060 --> 00:26:21.400 That's what 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:22.200 Jesus came, go 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.700 back to that 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.540 summary again, 00:26:23.560 --> 00:26:23.860 that's what 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.560 Jesus came to 00:26:24.560 --> 00:26:25.019 achieve. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.140 He came to 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:27.280 achieve, to 00:26:27.280 --> 00:26:28.240 establish his 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.700 church, and 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.620 he did that by 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:31.560 dying for it. 00:26:35.560 --> 00:26:36.440 All, therefore, 00:26:36.560 --> 00:26:37.080 are part of 00:26:37.080 --> 00:26:37.880 God's kingdom on 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:38.280 the same 00:26:38.280 --> 00:26:39.640 basis, grace 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.019 alone. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:42.740 All, therefore, 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.680 are precious to 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:45.960 Christ, regardless 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:47.500 of how insignificant 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:49.139 they are in 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:49.619 the world's 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:49.940 terms. 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.539 So what does 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.639 that mean for 00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:56.119 us in practice? 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.539 What does that 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.680 look like in 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.059 practice? 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.619 Well, I think 00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:01.079 very, very 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:01.839 simply in this 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.519 context it 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.779 means that we 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.839 should never be 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:05.779 competing with 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.359 other believers. 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.279 Never should we 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:09.839 be competing 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.439 with other 00:27:10.439 --> 00:27:11.480 believers, especially 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:13.079 not for social 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:14.779 status or 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:16.439 reputation or 00:27:16.439 --> 00:27:17.220 recognition. 00:27:19.899 --> 00:27:20.679 Because to do 00:27:20.679 --> 00:27:21.079 that in the 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.959 church is to 00:27:21.959 --> 00:27:22.699 say that, well, 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.819 when Jesus died 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.559 for his people, he 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.000 was actually 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.959 establishing some 00:27:25.959 --> 00:27:26.919 new but equally 00:27:26.919 --> 00:27:27.799 horrible pegging 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.119 order. 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.559 Not quite the 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:29.939 same as the 00:27:29.939 --> 00:27:31.339 world, but in 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:31.939 some ways it's 00:27:31.939 --> 00:27:32.539 like the world. 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:41.119 against that and 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:43.019 contrast that, because 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:44.519 of shared identity 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:47.220 in Christ, we 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.899 should have the 00:27:47.899 --> 00:27:49.279 same all in love 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.339 for and commitment 00:27:50.339 --> 00:27:53.119 to our brothers and 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:54.099 sisters, our fellow 00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:55.200 died for people. 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:57.619 We should love and 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.819 commit to them as 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.920 Christ loves and 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.579 commits to them. 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:07.179 And that's 00:28:07.179 --> 00:28:07.720 greatness. 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.460 Practically, that 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:14.539 means these last 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.359 three verses, 00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:16.220 practically that 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:16.659 means doing 00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:18.000 anything we can 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:20.059 to avoid causing 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:21.299 little ones or 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.039 other believers 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.720 to sin. 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:25.980 verse 6. 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.539 It would be 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:31.440 better for him 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.660 to have a great 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.940 millstone fastened 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.680 around his neck and 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.339 to be drowned in 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:35.900 the depths of the 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.120 sea. 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:38.319 Now, apparently, 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:40.380 the Jews had 00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:42.360 a protocol of 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:44.100 taking the worst 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:44.799 of criminals 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:46.400 out to sea, 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:49.039 tying a millstone 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.819 around their 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.220 necks, 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:52.839 chucking them 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.259 overboard, 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.460 drowning them. 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:56.319 Why? 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.019 Because the 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.579 nature of their 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.299 crime was so 00:28:59.299 --> 00:28:59.920 awful, they 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.860 wanted to remove 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:01.600 them, as it 00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:02.000 were, from 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:02.559 existence. 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:04.180 They wanted to 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:05.420 deprive them of 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:06.500 a proper burial. 00:29:08.100 --> 00:29:09.160 Their crimes are 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:10.039 so horrendous. 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:13.079 And they 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:13.640 believed the 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:14.500 awfulness of that 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.660 crime required 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.420 such an extreme 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:16.980 response. 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:20.279 Jesus is 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:20.900 saying here 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:22.860 that the 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:24.140 worst possible 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:25.539 death imaginable 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:27.960 is actually 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:29.900 preferable to 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:30.700 causing one of 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.380 his died-for 00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:32.140 people to sin. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.759 Now, I have 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.299 to say, I got 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:37.900 stuck on this 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.380 this week, 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:40.400 because that's 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.400 such a huge 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:41.940 call. 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.019 Well, 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:48.480 it's a huge 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:50.099 call in 00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:51.039 terms of the 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.019 challenge for 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:53.099 how I relate 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:54.160 to and 00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:56.960 treat my 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.279 fellow 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:57.759 believers. 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.940 Greatness in 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:08.440 Christ's new 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.160 community, the 00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:09.720 church, is 00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:10.480 seen in loving 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.380 what Christ 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:13.059 loves and 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:13.980 hating what 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:14.640 he hates. 00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:18.559 And that 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.140 means, again, 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.180 practically, being 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:21.079 as ruthless on 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:21.799 yourself as 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:23.460 necessary to 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:24.039 guard other 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.420 believers. 00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:28.880 Now, look at 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.360 those verses 00:30:29.360 --> 00:30:29.740 again. 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.360 Woe to the 00:30:31.360 --> 00:30:32.720 world for 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.960 temptation to 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.559 sin, for it's 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.519 necessary or it's 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:36.599 inevitable that 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:37.380 temptations will 00:30:37.380 --> 00:30:37.720 come. 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:39.400 But woe to 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.160 the one by 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:40.800 whom the 00:30:40.800 --> 00:30:41.220 temptation 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.680 comes. 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:43.140 And then 00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:43.700 here it is. 00:30:44.540 --> 00:30:45.820 If your hand or 00:30:45.820 --> 00:30:46.700 your foot causes 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.320 you to sin, 00:30:48.540 --> 00:30:49.300 cut it off and 00:30:49.300 --> 00:30:49.820 throw it away. 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:53.840 Now, that's 00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:54.980 extreme language, 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:55.340 isn't it? 00:30:55.540 --> 00:30:56.019 It's picture 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.620 language, but 00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:57.040 it's still an 00:30:57.040 --> 00:30:57.720 extreme picture 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.140 language. 00:30:59.460 --> 00:30:59.860 Why? 00:31:00.540 --> 00:31:01.660 It is better for 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.080 you to enter 00:31:02.080 --> 00:31:03.120 life crippled or 00:31:03.120 --> 00:31:04.220 maimed than 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.160 with two hands 00:31:05.160 --> 00:31:05.920 or two feet to 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.480 be thrown into 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:06.860 the eternal 00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:07.279 fire. 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:07.319 fire. 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:09.019 And if your 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.920 eye causes you 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:11.299 to sin, tear 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:11.700 it out and 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.220 throw it away. 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:14.200 It's better for 00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:15.399 you to enter 00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:16.099 life with one 00:31:16.099 --> 00:31:16.619 eye than with 00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:17.460 two eyes to be 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:18.099 thrown into the 00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:18.899 hell of fire. 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.920 That picture 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.680 language is in 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:24.099 the context of 00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:27.920 the temptation 00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:28.879 or causing 00:31:28.879 --> 00:31:29.899 little ones to 00:31:29.899 --> 00:31:30.139 sin. 00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:30.180 sin. 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:34.080 It's picture 00:31:34.080 --> 00:31:34.820 language to 00:31:34.820 --> 00:31:35.820 describe how 00:31:35.820 --> 00:31:37.380 severely and 00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:39.220 passionately we 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:40.000 must hold 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.800 ourselves to 00:31:40.800 --> 00:31:41.340 account. 00:31:44.300 --> 00:31:45.040 That is, we 00:31:45.040 --> 00:31:45.740 hold ourselves 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.080 to account. 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:46.960 So, it says 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:48.080 here, it's not 00:31:48.080 --> 00:31:48.920 that we can stop 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:49.440 sin altogether 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.180 because it's 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:50.940 inevitable, verse 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.700 7, that 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.640 temptations will 00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:52.880 come. 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:53.840 Sin is everywhere 00:31:53.840 --> 00:31:54.759 around us and 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:55.560 in everything around 00:31:55.560 --> 00:31:55.800 us. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.480 So, it's 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:56.840 inevitable. 00:31:57.100 --> 00:31:58.060 But we can 00:31:58.060 --> 00:31:58.960 take ourselves 00:31:58.960 --> 00:31:59.580 to account. 00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:02.900 And this is 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:03.580 the extreme 00:32:03.580 --> 00:32:04.180 length where 00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:04.540 we hold 00:32:04.540 --> 00:32:05.080 ourselves to 00:32:05.080 --> 00:32:05.500 account. 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.520 Our 00:32:11.520 --> 00:32:12.259 thinking, our 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:14.580 attitudes, our 00:32:14.580 --> 00:32:14.940 actions. 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:15.560 And we've 00:32:15.560 --> 00:32:16.660 got to be so 00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.620 passionate about 00:32:17.620 --> 00:32:19.600 those that 00:32:19.600 --> 00:32:20.040 we'll take 00:32:20.040 --> 00:32:21.960 whatever action 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:22.820 it is within 00:32:22.820 --> 00:32:23.880 our will to 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:24.300 do and our 00:32:24.300 --> 00:32:25.140 ability to do 00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:28.520 rather than 00:32:28.520 --> 00:32:29.840 possibly 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.699 cause a 00:32:30.699 --> 00:32:31.319 fellow brother 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:31.839 or sister 00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.419 in Christ 00:32:32.419 --> 00:32:34.059 to get 00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:34.579 tripped into 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:34.859 sin. 00:32:38.659 --> 00:32:39.240 So, it's 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:39.759 not a 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.019 sinless 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.480 perfection 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:40.959 Jesus is 00:32:40.959 --> 00:32:41.339 talking about 00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:41.619 here. 00:32:42.939 --> 00:32:43.579 Because even 00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.119 as believers, 00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:44.619 we know the 00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.319 reality of sin 00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:46.019 at every point 00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:47.039 in our being. 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:49.079 But what he's 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:49.399 talking about 00:32:49.399 --> 00:32:50.220 here is taking 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.399 responsibility for 00:32:51.399 --> 00:32:51.740 ourselves, 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.439 holding ourselves 00:32:52.439 --> 00:32:53.099 to account 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:56.299 for how our 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:57.619 actions, our 00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:58.319 thinking, our 00:32:58.319 --> 00:33:00.579 words impact on 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.379 those around us, 00:33:01.459 --> 00:33:02.619 other died for 00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:02.959 people. 00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:05.980 And Jesus 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.500 said here, we 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.179 need to struggle 00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:08.599 with every ounce 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.359 of our ability 00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:12.859 and being to 00:33:12.859 --> 00:33:13.619 ensure our 00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:14.519 impact on other 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.759 believers reflects 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.699 our identity in 00:33:16.699 --> 00:33:16.959 Jesus. 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.079 Jesus. 00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:23.299 Now, I was 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:23.700 trying to work 00:33:23.700 --> 00:33:24.180 out, well, how 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:25.579 do you unpack 00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:27.340 these things in 00:33:27.340 --> 00:33:27.840 application? 00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:28.900 And I honestly 00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:29.340 came to the 00:33:29.340 --> 00:33:29.779 conclusion I 00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:30.460 didn't know how. 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.600 And I wasn't 00:33:31.600 --> 00:33:32.180 sure even if I 00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:32.740 needed to because 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.259 the words 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:34.259 themselves are so 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.860 painfully obvious. 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:38.980 But I thought, 00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:39.840 well, okay, I'll 00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:40.559 give it one go 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:40.819 anyway. 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:42.980 So how might 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:44.299 we cause other 00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:45.039 believers to 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:45.419 stumble? 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:46.819 In Greek, the 00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:47.099 word is 00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:47.879 scandalize. 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:48.839 So how might 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:50.220 we scandalize 00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:51.819 other believers? 00:33:54.939 --> 00:33:56.139 I think in the 00:33:56.139 --> 00:33:57.519 context here, in 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:59.379 these verses, it 00:33:59.379 --> 00:34:00.159 will be thinking 00:34:00.159 --> 00:34:02.899 about church 00:34:02.899 --> 00:34:06.000 competitively and 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:06.939 evaluating one 00:34:06.939 --> 00:34:08.179 another on 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:08.819 performance. 00:34:08.820 --> 00:34:08.860 because. 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:11.740 And we hear it 00:34:11.740 --> 00:34:12.880 all the time, 00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:13.280 don't we? 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.860 I am more 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.840 important than 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.720 others because. 00:34:18.740 --> 00:34:19.880 I have more 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:20.559 influence than 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.480 you because. 00:34:23.620 --> 00:34:24.559 I am more 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:26.039 useful in this 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.740 church than you 00:34:26.740 --> 00:34:27.460 because. 00:34:29.200 --> 00:34:30.160 I am more 00:34:30.160 --> 00:34:31.800 godly than 00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:32.920 you because. 00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:34.420 And so the 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:35.000 list could go 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.600 on and on. 00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:37.840 Now, of 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.340 course, we might 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:39.140 not hear such 00:34:39.140 --> 00:34:40.059 thoughts expressed 00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.980 openly because I 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.740 think even for 00:34:41.740 --> 00:34:42.579 our own ears, 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.900 and sometimes our 00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:44.460 ears are rather 00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:45.320 dull to these 00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:46.380 awful things, but 00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:47.019 even to our own 00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:47.820 ears to express 00:34:47.820 --> 00:34:48.860 that openly would 00:34:48.860 --> 00:34:49.620 be a step too 00:34:49.620 --> 00:34:49.940 far. 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:52.039 But I suspect it's 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:52.860 there lurking in 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:53.380 the back of our 00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:54.240 minds and driving 00:34:54.240 --> 00:34:54.800 us nonetheless. 00:35:00.800 --> 00:35:01.740 I don't think I 00:35:01.740 --> 00:35:02.300 need to spell it 00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:02.660 out to you. 00:35:02.720 --> 00:35:03.120 I think if you've 00:35:03.120 --> 00:35:03.760 been around 00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:05.480 churches for any 00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:06.100 length of time, 00:35:06.640 --> 00:35:07.300 you've seen it. 00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:08.900 you've experienced 00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:09.140 it. 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:09.700 You've probably 00:35:09.700 --> 00:35:10.360 dished it out. 00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:13.380 And together we 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:14.280 see its destructive 00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:14.920 impact. 00:35:22.300 --> 00:35:23.580 So here's the 00:35:23.580 --> 00:35:24.060 challenge. 00:35:25.640 --> 00:35:26.840 Are you able to 00:35:26.840 --> 00:35:29.580 say, honestly, in 00:35:29.580 --> 00:35:30.620 your mind before the 00:35:30.620 --> 00:35:31.240 Lord this morning, 00:35:31.320 --> 00:35:31.900 are you able to 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.920 say that you're so 00:35:32.920 --> 00:35:34.019 concerned to avoid 00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:34.980 causing others to 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:37.119 stumble into sin or 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:38.119 to be disheartened 00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:38.920 in their service of 00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:40.940 Christ, that you 00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:42.960 would restrict any 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:44.179 freedom that's 00:35:44.179 --> 00:35:45.280 rightfully yours as a 00:35:45.280 --> 00:35:48.099 believer, that you 00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:49.599 would curb any 00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:51.380 opinion legitimately 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:53.000 held as a believer, 00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:55.199 that you would back 00:35:55.199 --> 00:35:56.780 down on any issues 00:35:56.780 --> 00:35:57.760 that you might 00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:58.880 legitimately be 00:35:58.880 --> 00:36:03.039 passionate about in 00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:04.179 order to avoid 00:36:04.179 --> 00:36:05.219 causing somebody 00:36:05.219 --> 00:36:05.840 else in this 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:06.679 church family here 00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:07.420 to stumble into 00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:07.679 sin? 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:10.759 That's a big call, 00:36:10.840 --> 00:36:11.139 isn't it? 00:36:11.639 --> 00:36:12.539 I think that's what 00:36:12.539 --> 00:36:13.759 the text asks us to 00:36:13.759 --> 00:36:13.960 do. 00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:17.619 That's exactly what 00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.559 Christ calls us to 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:18.719 do. 00:36:20.199 --> 00:36:21.099 Now the question is, 00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:21.900 do you see why? 00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:26.320 these disciples were so 00:36:26.320 --> 00:36:27.240 determined to advance 00:36:27.240 --> 00:36:28.320 their own position and 00:36:28.320 --> 00:36:29.880 rank that they were 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:31.420 prepared to wound other 00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:32.980 believers in the 00:36:32.980 --> 00:36:35.139 process instead of 00:36:35.139 --> 00:36:36.200 guarding them and 00:36:36.200 --> 00:36:37.039 encouraging them. 00:36:39.139 --> 00:36:40.240 And after all that, 00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:42.400 these disciples had 00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:43.300 missed the mark anyway 00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:45.440 because the evidence of 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:46.480 greatness in Christ's 00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:47.220 kingdom is treating 00:36:47.220 --> 00:36:48.880 all believers as 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:50.720 carefully and lovingly 00:36:50.720 --> 00:36:51.820 and sacrificially. 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:53.160 as Christ does. 00:36:56.260 --> 00:36:57.280 So friends, let's 00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:58.119 look right back to 00:36:58.119 --> 00:36:58.579 my start. 00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:01.320 Greatness is a 00:37:01.320 --> 00:37:02.260 great thing to 00:37:02.260 --> 00:37:02.960 aspire to. 00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:07.000 I think it's an 00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:07.740 honourable thing to 00:37:07.740 --> 00:37:08.780 say I want to be a 00:37:08.780 --> 00:37:09.880 great Christian. 00:37:10.099 --> 00:37:10.660 I want to be a 00:37:10.660 --> 00:37:11.840 great follower of 00:37:11.840 --> 00:37:12.220 Christ. 00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:14.460 I want to be known 00:37:14.460 --> 00:37:15.639 as a great follower 00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:16.280 of Christ. 00:37:19.880 --> 00:37:20.780 But here's the 00:37:20.780 --> 00:37:21.000 rub. 00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:24.380 You need to choose 00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:25.059 then whether you 00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:26.340 chase greatness in 00:37:26.340 --> 00:37:27.320 the self-seeking 00:37:27.320 --> 00:37:28.400 categories of the 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:30.139 world, position, 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:31.119 power, reputation, 00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:33.360 status, or whether 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:34.079 you'll pursue 00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:37.360 greatness, kingdom 00:37:37.360 --> 00:37:40.119 greatness, self-giving, 00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:42.099 self-sacrificing 00:37:42.099 --> 00:37:43.539 humility, total 00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:44.619 dependence on the 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:45.480 all-sufficiency of 00:37:45.480 --> 00:37:46.780 Christ, and a 00:37:46.780 --> 00:37:47.860 ruthless determination 00:37:47.860 --> 00:37:49.300 to avoid anything that 00:37:49.300 --> 00:37:50.019 might cause another 00:37:50.019 --> 00:37:51.320 believer in this 00:37:51.320 --> 00:37:52.380 church family to 00:37:52.380 --> 00:37:52.579 sin. 00:37:55.119 --> 00:37:56.920 As always, it's 00:37:56.920 --> 00:37:57.519 your choice. 00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.780 But make a choice 00:38:00.780 --> 00:38:03.679 you must because 00:38:03.679 --> 00:38:04.639 the two can't fit 00:38:04.639 --> 00:38:05.039 together. 00:38:09.179 --> 00:38:10.059 Pray with me, 00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:10.480 please. 00:38:18.420 --> 00:38:19.420 Lord, these are hard 00:38:19.420 --> 00:38:21.940 words, but they're 00:38:21.940 --> 00:38:22.739 your words, Lord, 00:38:23.639 --> 00:38:27.259 spoken in love for 00:38:27.259 --> 00:38:27.719 the good of your 00:38:27.719 --> 00:38:28.000 people. 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:31.039 So help us to hear 00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.259 them. 00:38:32.840 --> 00:38:33.920 Help us, Lord, to 00:38:33.920 --> 00:38:34.599 hear them without 00:38:34.599 --> 00:38:35.360 defensiveness. 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.539 Help us to hear 00:38:36.539 --> 00:38:39.599 them with a heart 00:38:39.599 --> 00:38:40.480 of repentance. 00:38:41.759 --> 00:38:42.440 For each of us 00:38:42.440 --> 00:38:43.179 know only too 00:38:43.179 --> 00:38:43.860 well, Lord, how 00:38:43.860 --> 00:38:45.699 we've sought to 00:38:45.699 --> 00:38:46.619 carve our own 00:38:46.619 --> 00:38:48.079 little empires in 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:49.239 a church family 00:38:49.239 --> 00:38:49.800 like this. 00:38:50.340 --> 00:38:51.000 We want to be 00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:51.239 noticed. 00:38:51.380 --> 00:38:51.840 We want to be 00:38:51.840 --> 00:38:52.199 recognized. 00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:54.159 We want to be 00:38:54.159 --> 00:38:54.980 considered to be 00:38:54.980 --> 00:38:55.360 important. 00:38:55.820 --> 00:38:56.579 We want our 00:38:56.579 --> 00:38:57.400 statements to be 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:58.300 considered valued, 00:38:58.900 --> 00:38:59.279 valuable. 00:39:00.219 --> 00:39:01.139 And so the list 00:39:01.139 --> 00:39:01.619 goes on. 00:39:01.619 --> 00:39:04.019 Lord, help us 00:39:04.019 --> 00:39:06.039 to be truly 00:39:06.039 --> 00:39:07.339 childlike in our 00:39:07.339 --> 00:39:07.779 humility. 00:39:08.679 --> 00:39:09.420 Help us to be 00:39:09.420 --> 00:39:10.319 those who are 00:39:10.319 --> 00:39:11.319 most noticeable 00:39:11.319 --> 00:39:11.839 for our 00:39:11.839 --> 00:39:12.500 dependence on 00:39:12.500 --> 00:39:12.779 Jesus. 00:39:15.579 --> 00:39:16.239 Help us, we 00:39:16.239 --> 00:39:16.819 pray, Lord, in 00:39:16.819 --> 00:39:17.519 Jesus' name I 00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:17.719 pray. 00:39:17.940 --> 00:39:18.159 Amen.