WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.899 Lord, we ask that you would bless us as we hear your word, 00:00:04.400 --> 00:00:07.860 that you would renew our minds, and you'll renew our hearts, 00:00:08.279 --> 00:00:11.380 you'll renew our souls, that you'll meet us where we need it. 00:00:12.220 --> 00:00:14.859 Lord, we thank you that these words are ancient, 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:17.580 and yet they are for us this very moment today. 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:20.240 We pray all these things in Christ's name. Amen. 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:22.719 Please be seated. 00:00:25.859 --> 00:00:27.420 We've been going through the Gospel of Mark. 00:00:27.420 --> 00:00:30.800 In fact, we're going to be going through the Gospel of Mark for some time, 00:00:31.820 --> 00:00:38.060 and it really is, when you go through a whole narrative like this, 00:00:38.340 --> 00:00:41.859 rather than just maybe a one-off sermon, you start to see patterns. 00:00:41.980 --> 00:00:46.900 You start to see the intention of Mark, certain things that he is doing. 00:00:47.380 --> 00:00:50.500 And one of the things that he is doing is that he is leading us to the cross. 00:00:50.500 --> 00:00:58.340 We start to see bits of who this Messiah is and what he has come to do. 00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:02.820 Before we get into it, I'm going to just share a bit of a story. 00:01:03.140 --> 00:01:12.599 Years ago, I was really offended by a family member in a big way. 00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:15.000 It was a very rude thing that was said. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:17.400 And I lost my cool. 00:01:18.319 --> 00:01:19.260 It was over the phone. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:22.120 And I was 20 at the time. 00:01:22.859 --> 00:01:28.640 And my anger came out in a physical way, and I smashed the phone. 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:29.599 I was so angry. 00:01:29.700 --> 00:01:31.500 I've never seen red in my life. 00:01:31.560 --> 00:01:32.140 I saw red. 00:01:33.099 --> 00:01:34.260 I was bent. 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:35.719 I was bent with anger. 00:01:36.659 --> 00:01:39.719 Anyways, didn't talk to this family member for months. 00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:45.060 It wasn't the first time I've had an issue with this family member. 00:01:45.640 --> 00:01:48.539 And anyways, it's summertime, and I'm at a summer camp. 00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:56.180 And if you're at a Christian summer camp ever, it's like spirituality is like it's ramped up to like a 10 or 11. 00:01:56.299 --> 00:01:59.420 Like you are on a high with Jesus, especially if you're 20. 00:02:00.379 --> 00:02:02.099 And I just thought, man, you know what? 00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:03.099 I've forgiven. 00:02:03.340 --> 00:02:04.879 I've forgiven this family member. 00:02:05.460 --> 00:02:06.200 I've got to phone them up. 00:02:07.099 --> 00:02:08.079 I phoned up the family member. 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:09.760 It was six months, almost to the day. 00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:12.980 And small talk, small talk, small talk. 00:02:13.620 --> 00:02:18.980 And I said, you know, by the way, what you said in January, I forgive you. 00:02:20.460 --> 00:02:22.380 He said, forgive me for what? 00:02:23.480 --> 00:02:24.380 Oh, man. 00:02:24.860 --> 00:02:26.200 I thought I forgave. 00:02:26.760 --> 00:02:29.300 And within a moment, the red came. 00:02:29.380 --> 00:02:30.020 I was in the car. 00:02:30.260 --> 00:02:32.780 I didn't smash it or like drive it into the ditch. 00:02:32.880 --> 00:02:34.480 Like it wasn't quite at that level. 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:42.859 But I realized then, and it's stuck with me ever since, forgiveness is something we need. 00:02:44.099 --> 00:02:47.099 We also need to give desperately. 00:02:48.179 --> 00:02:50.539 But it is darn hard to give it. 00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:52.780 And it's hard to receive it. 00:02:52.780 --> 00:02:56.780 We're going to learn a bit about forgiveness today. 00:02:57.740 --> 00:02:59.240 How Jesus approaches it. 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:05.520 We're going to see that forgiveness is actually at the center of the cross. 00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:11.139 And as Mark is leading us, setting these kind of breadcrumbs, so to speak, leading us to the cross, 00:03:11.139 --> 00:03:18.119 we're going to see that forgiveness is something that is greater than we could have ever hoped for. 00:03:18.779 --> 00:03:22.159 It is beyond the pale, the forgiveness of God. 00:03:23.299 --> 00:03:26.859 It's, and I use this, it is scandalous. 00:03:27.519 --> 00:03:28.819 It is a scandalous thing. 00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:38.560 Jesus is proclaiming the gospel of God, the good news that he will destroy death and forgive sins forever by dying on the cross. 00:03:38.699 --> 00:03:44.620 This is what we see right from the opening verses of the gospel, 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:49.419 that Jesus is the gospel himself, his life, his death, his resurrection. 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:57.099 And that an implication of the gospel is the kingdom of heaven breaking into the kingdom of earth. 00:03:57.099 --> 00:04:01.280 And all of a sudden we get to see little flavors, little bits of flavors of the kingdom. 00:04:01.859 --> 00:04:05.319 That restoration and healing start to take place wherever Jesus goes. 00:04:06.039 --> 00:04:09.719 Cleansing and joy starts to take place wherever Jesus goes. 00:04:09.799 --> 00:04:13.079 We learned about the cleansing of the leper last week. 00:04:13.539 --> 00:04:16.560 The kingdom of God is breaking into the kingdom of earth. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:24.480 We'll see how Jesus this week has the authority and the ability to forgive sins. 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:29.600 Not in the Daniel style of forgiving sins. 00:04:29.700 --> 00:04:31.720 The 20-year-old Daniel style of forgiving sins. 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:35.780 Or maybe the 35-year-old Daniel forgiving sins. 00:04:36.180 --> 00:04:38.580 Or your version of forgiving sins. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:40.840 But true forgiveness of sins. 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:44.960 And we'll see this play out as Jesus interacts with a paralytic, 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:47.400 interacts with a traitor, 00:04:48.180 --> 00:04:51.600 and how it kind of plays out at a dinner party. 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:55.140 So let's take a first look at the paralytic. 00:04:55.240 --> 00:04:58.860 This is a very, very, very famous passage of scripture. 00:04:59.580 --> 00:05:01.820 The lowering of the paralytic through the roof. 00:05:01.960 --> 00:05:03.160 Let's take a read. 00:05:03.960 --> 00:05:06.600 This is chapter 2 of Mark, starting in... 00:05:07.240 --> 00:05:08.860 Why don't we start in verse 2? 00:05:09.980 --> 00:05:11.660 And many were gathered together, 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:15.879 so that there was no more room, not even at the door. 00:05:16.200 --> 00:05:17.780 And Jesus was preaching the word to them. 00:05:17.779 --> 00:05:20.000 Notice, Jesus is preaching. 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:23.359 Five times I've counted, since chapter 1, 00:05:23.659 --> 00:05:26.119 Jesus is either preaching, teaching, or proclaiming. 00:05:26.659 --> 00:05:28.679 And in all cases, what's implied is that 00:05:28.679 --> 00:05:31.679 he is preaching, teaching, and proclaiming the gospel. 00:05:32.619 --> 00:05:34.159 The good news of God. 00:05:34.299 --> 00:05:35.259 And this is no different. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:37.459 He is preaching the gospel. 00:05:38.259 --> 00:05:39.579 And people are eager to hear. 00:05:40.219 --> 00:05:41.419 I have a suspicion, though, 00:05:41.539 --> 00:05:44.599 and we'll see that people are actually eager just to see a miracle happen. 00:05:45.059 --> 00:05:46.519 Jesus has already done a few of them. 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:49.779 Anyways, the crowd is pressing in against Jesus. 00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:50.339 Verse 3. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:54.379 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:57.859 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, 00:05:58.079 --> 00:05:59.659 they removed the roof above. 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:01.339 And when they had made an opening, 00:06:01.459 --> 00:06:04.279 they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 00:06:05.459 --> 00:06:08.919 So this house, it would not have been a big house. 00:06:09.339 --> 00:06:10.319 There's no room. 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:13.459 It wouldn't have been an uncommon thing to remove a part of the roof. 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:14.199 It's pitch. 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:14.920 It's wood. 00:06:15.639 --> 00:06:16.639 You remove it. 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:21.339 It's, I mean, seasonally, they'd have to repair the roofs anyways. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:23.139 So it's not like for us. 00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:25.000 It's like, oh, yeah, he tore up on my roof. 00:06:25.159 --> 00:06:25.639 Thanks a lot. 00:06:25.719 --> 00:06:27.779 $20,000 bill or whatever, you know. 00:06:28.420 --> 00:06:32.839 In this case, the guys are just like, well, we need to get this paralytic down. 00:06:32.839 --> 00:06:40.339 They open the roof and they lower this friend down. 00:06:41.339 --> 00:06:45.899 And then all of a sudden the excitement starts in the story. 00:06:47.799 --> 00:06:48.719 Verse 5. 00:06:48.779 --> 00:06:52.699 And when Jesus saw their faith, talking about the four friends, 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:56.620 he said to the paralytic, son, your sins are forgiven. 00:06:56.620 --> 00:07:00.300 It's very interesting what we have here. 00:07:00.459 --> 00:07:03.740 Jesus, he is proclaiming the gospel. 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:08.500 People are there maybe to hear the gospel, but really to see some kind of miracle. 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:09.980 Jesus is a miracle worker. 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:10.959 He heals people. 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:11.980 He casts out demons. 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:13.399 He cleanses lepers. 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:18.060 And he's proclaiming the gospel. 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:21.600 This paralytic comes and there's like almost bated breath, I can picture. 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:25.580 And instead of healing him right off the bat, he says your sins are forgiven. 00:07:27.260 --> 00:07:31.060 If we pause it right there, there is no miracle that is happening. 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:33.300 Jesus is just pronouncing words. 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:41.600 The wonderful thing about this is that Jesus is seeing the faith of the friends of the paralytic. 00:07:42.580 --> 00:07:47.280 He sees their faith and then looks at the paralytic and forgives them of his sins. 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:52.059 And this isn't like a point in the sermon, a bit of an aside. 00:07:54.159 --> 00:07:56.659 Don't give up on praying for your friends and family. 00:07:57.639 --> 00:07:58.779 Do not give up. 00:07:59.739 --> 00:08:04.319 If you've been praying for something, for some kind of breakthrough for years, don't give up. 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:08.939 God hears your prayers and they're precious to him. 00:08:09.159 --> 00:08:12.139 And he might move the next prayer you pray. 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:17.379 He might do a miracle in your midst and change hearts or bring great healing. 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:19.620 This is what we have here. 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:22.599 These guys, in a sense, are interceding for their friend. 00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:25.899 They're helping their friend. 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:27.819 They're sacrificing for their friend. 00:08:28.719 --> 00:08:29.860 It's a bit of an aside. 00:08:30.099 --> 00:08:32.460 Don't stop praying for those in your life. 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:34.939 Let's get back to the text. 00:08:34.940 --> 00:08:43.920 Jesus, unlike any other religious leader in the Bible, he is pronouncing forgiveness of sins on his own authority. 00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:51.240 The prophets, the kings, whoever, they are saying stuff in the Bible, saying like, 00:08:51.300 --> 00:08:52.680 The Lord forgive you your sins. 00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:57.840 The Lord forgive you of all of your infirmities. 00:08:58.420 --> 00:09:01.120 All of your misdoings. 00:09:01.280 --> 00:09:02.560 Jesus here, what does he say? 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:05.579 He says, Son, your sins are forgiven. 00:09:06.339 --> 00:09:11.919 He is speaking with authority as if this man whom he just has met is under him. 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:13.519 He is over his authority. 00:09:16.659 --> 00:09:25.339 And it's also very interesting that Jesus here, it seems like, so nothing specific is given in terms of what these sins are. 00:09:26.219 --> 00:09:29.979 But it's, Jesus is, he's not just saying some kind of generic thing. 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:38.620 He is speaking to the heart of that young man on his cot, on his bed, and he's saying your sins are forgiven. 00:09:39.899 --> 00:09:44.560 The very specific things about, the thing about sins is they're very specific to us. 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:52.059 In a kind of a weird way, our sins are the things that make us quite unique. 00:09:53.839 --> 00:10:00.119 I mean, you might do the same kind of sin as somebody else, but it's unique to you in the situation. 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:08.480 Jesus looks at this young man and says, son, your sins are forgiven. 00:10:08.560 --> 00:10:09.659 He speaks to his heart. 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:11.799 Jesus knows what's up. 00:10:12.100 --> 00:10:13.419 He knows what this guy needs. 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:15.580 And he speaks directly to him. 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:28.639 Really, really incredible and also controversial, and this is kind of where it picks up steam. 00:10:29.780 --> 00:10:32.600 Mark draws our attention to the next verses. 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:37.379 And in many ways, the scribes are going to say, verse 6 and 7. 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:44.300 But if you're being honest and following along and kind of putting your Christian history behind, if you can, 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:47.960 and you're reading this, you might ask the question, 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:52.860 who is, what kind of gall does Jesus have in saying this? 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:56.159 And the Pharisees say just this in verse 6. 00:10:56.159 --> 00:11:01.879 Now, some of the scribes, the scribes of the Pharisees were sitting there questioning in their hearts, 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:04.699 why does this man speak like that? 00:11:04.839 --> 00:11:05.919 He is blaspheming. 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:09.719 Who can forgive sins but God alone? 00:11:11.339 --> 00:11:14.379 The thing here is that they're not wrong. 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.919 Verse 7, what does it say? 00:11:19.339 --> 00:11:21.759 Who can forgive sins but God alone? 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:23.000 They're right. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:27.600 Jesus never corrects that bit, does he? 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:30.320 Look what he says after. 00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:33.179 He says, why do you question these things in your heart? 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:39.820 He is addressing how they're incensed with Jesus, 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:42.240 that he is a blasphemer in their books. 00:11:43.019 --> 00:11:45.799 See, the scribes aren't wrong, but they're failing to see that Jesus, 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:47.399 there's something about him. 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:49.700 He is a divine man. 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:54.640 There is something wonderful about this man. 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:59.020 And isn't it so interesting that we can be almost right, 00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:00.920 and yet be completely wrong? 00:12:04.120 --> 00:12:09.020 We can get 90% or, you know, three quarters of things right, 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:10.940 and we can just slip up on one bit, 00:12:11.400 --> 00:12:13.240 and it renders everything wrong. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:16.379 And this is what's happening with the Pharisees here. 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:23.759 Jesus is perceiving in their spirit. 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:28.399 So not only does Jesus say something that only God does, 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:30.580 aka forgive sins, 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:32.840 but he is perceiving in their spirit. 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:35.059 He is reading their minds. 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:37.799 Who can read the mind of somebody? 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:39.519 I've, you know, 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:43.639 I think I have intuition with Christine, my wife, 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:45.159 where she can give a look, 00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:45.559 and I'm just like, 00:12:45.579 --> 00:12:46.939 I know exactly what she's thinking. 00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:49.419 Maybe I nail it every now and then. 00:12:49.579 --> 00:12:50.559 Not too, too often. 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:53.600 We don't have intuition. 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:54.759 We don't know. 00:12:54.819 --> 00:12:56.100 We can't read people's minds. 00:12:57.199 --> 00:12:59.559 You can know somebody very, very well and misread. 00:12:59.699 --> 00:13:01.419 Jesus here, he is nailing it. 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:03.679 He is perceiving what they were thinking. 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:07.079 Only God can do such things. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:12.419 Who knows the mind of men except God? 00:13:12.719 --> 00:13:13.339 Who knows, 00:13:13.839 --> 00:13:17.599 who can understand what's going on in the human mind, 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:19.120 in the human heart except God? 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:21.719 And it speaks to Jesus' divinity. 00:13:22.599 --> 00:13:23.179 It continues. 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:24.339 Jesus says, 00:13:24.439 --> 00:13:25.899 Why do you question these things in your heart? 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:28.339 Which is easier to say to the paralytic, 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:29.919 your sins are forgiven, 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:32.399 or to say, rise, take up your bed, and walk. 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.199 And we'll pause there. 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:35.399 What is easier to say? 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:39.819 I can say anything I want. 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:41.479 I can say, yeah, 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:43.899 your sins are forgiven you. 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:46.439 Nobody can verify that. 00:13:46.839 --> 00:13:48.039 I just say stuff. 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:50.979 If I all of a sudden then said, 00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:51.279 you know, 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:53.539 take up your bed and walk, 00:13:53.579 --> 00:13:54.559 and nothing happens, 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:59.859 I mean, that's the harder thing to verify. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:02.539 That's the harder thing of the two. 00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:03.759 I can say whatever I want. 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:06.179 If that person doesn't get up, 00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:08.059 it's not verified. 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:10.019 I'm a liar. 00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:11.439 I'm a cheat. 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:12.240 I'm a swindler. 00:14:13.079 --> 00:14:14.120 My words mean nothing. 00:14:15.459 --> 00:14:16.159 Jesus here, 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:16.839 he says, 00:14:16.939 --> 00:14:18.439 what is easier to say to the paralytic, 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:19.399 your sins are forgiven, 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:20.679 or to say, 00:14:20.819 --> 00:14:21.459 rise up, 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:22.539 rise, 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:23.139 rise, 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:23.879 take up your bed, 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:24.360 and walk. 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:25.039 Verse 10, 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.519 but that you may know 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.620 that the Son of Man 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.819 has authority on earth 00:14:28.819 --> 00:14:29.779 to forgive sins. 00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:31.240 Then he looks to the paralytic, 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.079 I say to you, 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:32.399 rise, 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:33.519 pick up your bed, 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.500 and go home. 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:36.360 And the paralytic, 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.919 former paralytic, 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:39.000 rose and immediately 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:39.819 picked up his bed 00:14:39.819 --> 00:14:41.299 and went out before them all, 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.980 so that they were all amazed 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.860 and glorified God, 00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:44.120 saying, 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:46.419 we never saw anything like this. 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:48.460 Jesus, 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:52.139 he says to the man, 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:52.940 your sins are forgiven, 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:54.480 and then, 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:57.620 he validates that claim 00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:59.480 that only God could make 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:01.259 by healing the paralytic. 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.720 Because the same authority 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:05.100 and ability to heal 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.200 is the same authority 00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:08.100 and ability to forgive sins, 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.419 to truly forgive sins. 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:12.080 Only God and God alone 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:13.299 can forgive sins. 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:16.200 The authority is only God's, 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:17.139 and clearly here, 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:18.639 Jesus has that authority. 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:20.360 And for you folks, 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.899 if you have friends 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:23.120 that are Jehovah's Witnesses, 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:24.360 or are Muslim, 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:27.259 or people that are just skeptics, 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:28.720 atheists, 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.019 say something like, 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:32.120 Jesus never ever claimed to be God, 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.899 it was some manifestation 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:35.340 that came up later on, 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.340 the church made it up, 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.840 or Paul made it up. 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:40.279 Jesus, sure, 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.980 he doesn't say that I am God. 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:44.399 Everything in this section 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:46.759 screams that Jesus is God. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:48.560 Everything. 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:51.019 That he has God's divine authority, 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:52.399 God's divine ability. 00:15:52.820 --> 00:15:55.000 Only he can forgive sins. 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:57.080 Him and him alone. 00:15:58.700 --> 00:16:00.879 Jesus heals the sinner, 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.820 but really, what does he do? 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:02.740 He forgives the sinner. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.639 He is validated 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:06.480 as God himself 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.320 with all authority. 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.100 And this, then, 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:10.160 forgiveness 00:16:10.160 --> 00:16:12.520 flavors the rest of this portion 00:16:12.520 --> 00:16:13.200 of Scripture. 00:16:13.920 --> 00:16:14.140 So, 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:16.879 he shows his forgiveness, 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:17.720 Jesus does, 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:19.520 by healing a paralytic, 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.680 but then also 00:16:20.680 --> 00:16:21.980 with the call of a traitor. 00:16:22.660 --> 00:16:23.480 Take a look with me 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:26.280 at verses 13 and 14. 00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:28.620 Jesus went out again 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.400 beside the sea, 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.379 and all the crowd 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:31.300 was coming to him, 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:32.860 and he was teaching them. 00:16:33.160 --> 00:16:33.480 Again, 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.160 Jesus is teaching. 00:16:35.660 --> 00:16:36.720 He is proclaiming. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:38.139 He is preaching the gospel. 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:40.940 Verse 14, 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:42.240 And as he passed by, 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.540 he saw Levi, 00:16:44.040 --> 00:16:45.060 the son of Alphaeus, 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.320 sitting at the tax booth. 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.399 And he said to him, 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:47.980 Follow me. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.980 And he rose 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.180 and followed him. 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:51.879 Levi, 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.399 also known as Matthew, 00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.399 is a tax collector. 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.660 And he most certainly 00:16:55.660 --> 00:16:56.220 was a traitor 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:56.860 to his people. 00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:59.460 He was a collaborator 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:00.720 with a foreign power. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.440 I don't think it's quite 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.480 apples to apples, 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:05.420 but I think something 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.339 that would maybe 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.360 be a bit more current 00:17:07.360 --> 00:17:07.900 is, say, 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.200 the French 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:10.900 who collaborated 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:11.720 with the Nazis 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.420 during the war. 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.700 This foreign power 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:16.319 came in. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.440 They were oppressive. 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:20.980 They taxed people 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:22.599 into poverty. 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:24.839 And this tax collector 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:26.879 was a Jewish man 00:17:26.879 --> 00:17:28.359 who collected taxes 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:30.219 and stuffed his pockets, 00:17:30.419 --> 00:17:31.279 lined his pockets 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.159 with money 00:17:32.159 --> 00:17:35.099 that was forcefully taken. 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:38.599 There was no chance 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:39.740 that Levi was a part 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.879 of the religious community. 00:17:42.219 --> 00:17:43.579 He was greedy. 00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:45.039 He was on the outskirts. 00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:46.939 He was considered 00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:48.279 a traitor 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.139 to his own people. 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:52.920 He was an unclean person. 00:17:53.040 --> 00:17:53.460 In fact, 00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:55.080 there were two big rabbis 00:17:55.080 --> 00:17:56.320 not too long 00:17:56.320 --> 00:17:57.700 after Jesus' time 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.860 who disagreed 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:00.900 on just about everything. 00:18:01.520 --> 00:18:02.300 But one of the things 00:18:02.300 --> 00:18:03.180 that they agreed upon 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:04.700 was that it's totally 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:05.520 permissible to lie 00:18:05.520 --> 00:18:06.240 to tax collectors. 00:18:07.320 --> 00:18:08.360 They don't deserve 00:18:08.360 --> 00:18:08.980 our honesty. 00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:10.160 They're traitors. 00:18:12.140 --> 00:18:14.759 I don't know 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.640 if there's some kind 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:16.140 of equivalent 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:16.920 in our day, 00:18:17.340 --> 00:18:18.200 but the tax collectors 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.400 were not cool guys. 00:18:20.340 --> 00:18:20.819 They weren't. 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:22.340 They're not like CRA people 00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:23.340 or just bureaucrats 00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:24.120 just doing their job. 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.380 These guys were corrupt. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.539 They were corrupt. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.480 They sold out 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.140 their own people. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:34.380 Jesus shows up 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:37.140 just like with 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:38.319 Andrew and Simon 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.319 and James and John 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:40.059 in chapter 1 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:41.400 and he doesn't say, 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:41.799 Levi, 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:44.259 you need to get 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.120 your act together, 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.620 clean yourself up, 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.519 and then come follow me. 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:49.100 He just says, 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:49.740 follow me. 00:18:50.360 --> 00:18:51.600 It's the same call 00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:52.740 as the four other ones 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.500 in chapter 1. 00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:54.440 He says, 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.039 follow me. 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.759 And what does Levi do? 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.600 He leaves his tax booth 00:18:58.600 --> 00:19:00.360 and he follows Jesus. 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.640 We start to see 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:05.039 the beginning of restoration, 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:06.220 that forgiveness 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.580 is being extended 00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:08.160 to somebody 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:08.960 who ought not 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.819 to be forgiven. 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:10.980 I mean, 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:13.059 he really shouldn't. 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.220 He should pay 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.160 for what he's done. 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.580 You know, 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.400 sometimes vengeance 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:18.220 feels good 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:19.580 and it feels right 00:19:19.580 --> 00:19:21.140 and I'm not saying 00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:21.420 it's, 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.779 I'm not condoning it, 00:19:22.860 --> 00:19:23.440 but it's like, 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.480 like you're, 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.380 if you're being honest 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:25.840 with yourself, 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.240 like yeah, 00:19:26.300 --> 00:19:26.900 that guy should just 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:28.100 be tossed in jail. 00:19:28.320 --> 00:19:29.160 The key should be 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:30.400 melted down, 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.019 like not even 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.880 tossed in a river, 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:33.279 just obliterated. 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.160 Jesus says, 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:36.759 follow me 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.160 and he starts 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:38.160 to extend forgiveness 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:38.880 and all of a sudden 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:39.519 we start to see 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.540 that the forgiveness 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.740 that Jesus extends 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:44.359 is truly scandalous. 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.799 It is. 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:49.579 It knows no bounds. 00:19:50.899 --> 00:19:52.279 There's no untouchables 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.859 to Jesus' forgiveness. 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:56.000 No matter what 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.519 we have done, 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.659 are we Levi? 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:01.099 And even if we were worse, 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.639 this text tells us 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:04.139 that the call 00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:04.920 is for us as well. 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.460 It's beautiful. 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:08.960 It really, 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:10.039 it really is something. 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:11.480 And it, 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:13.200 it makes me uncomfortable. 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.920 Because the, 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:16.299 the, 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:18.220 the levels of forgiveness 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:19.200 that have been extended 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:19.859 to me, 00:20:20.399 --> 00:20:21.420 we'll talk about this 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:21.839 in a bit, 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.420 God is calling me 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.519 to extend them to others 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:26.039 and I don't want to. 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:28.339 I really don't. 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:31.359 Maybe you don't either. 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.639 I don't know, 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:36.339 I don't know 00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:37.000 if you, 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:38.259 if you want to either. 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.359 But Jesus extends 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.879 this forgiveness 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:44.879 to persona non grata 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:45.659 Levi. 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:47.920 It's, 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.039 it really is 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.720 something else. 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:50.799 And what is 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.639 Levi's response? 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.240 Yeah, 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.859 I'm taking it. 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.500 I'm, 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.599 I'm taking this, 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.299 this offer 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.460 and I'm following Jesus. 00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:59.359 And this brings us 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:00.119 to the other thing 00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:01.639 that shows us 00:21:01.639 --> 00:21:02.599 about God's forgiveness 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:03.579 is the dinner party. 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:05.059 So it's, 00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:05.740 it's clear, 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.559 we'll continue on, 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.199 verse 15. 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.779 It's clear that this is 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.559 at Levi's, 00:21:09.679 --> 00:21:10.639 what's implied is that 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:12.379 it's at Levi's house. 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:15.359 But before we read it, 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.899 it's also implied here 00:21:16.899 --> 00:21:18.399 that Levi isn't the host. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:20.199 But Jesus is the host. 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.960 And as he reclined, 00:21:23.139 --> 00:21:24.099 Jesus at table 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:25.339 in Levi's house, 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.419 many tax collectors 00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:26.899 and sinners 00:21:26.899 --> 00:21:27.519 were reclining 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:27.980 with Jesus 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.679 and his disciples. 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:30.200 For there were many 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:31.100 who followed him. 00:21:31.820 --> 00:21:32.640 And the scribes 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:33.500 of the Pharisees 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.120 when they saw 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:35.120 that he was eating 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:36.100 with sinners 00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:37.140 and tax collectors, 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.700 see unclean there. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.240 Unclean. 00:21:41.320 --> 00:21:42.259 No different 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.279 in many respects 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:45.299 than the leprous man. 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.000 Okay? 00:21:46.320 --> 00:21:46.519 See, 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.180 see that. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.500 Think unclean. 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:51.980 We'll go back 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.560 in verse 16. 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:53.240 And the scribes 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:53.900 of the Pharisees 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.500 when they saw 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:55.299 that he was eating 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:55.759 with sinners 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.680 and tax collectors, 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.320 those that were unclean, 00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:00.059 said to Jesus' disciples, 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.139 why does he eat 00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:02.139 with tax collectors 00:22:02.139 --> 00:22:02.779 and sinners? 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.460 And when Jesus heard it, 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.179 he said to them, 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.659 those who are well 00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:07.439 have no need 00:22:07.439 --> 00:22:08.179 of a physician, 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.939 but those who are sick. 00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.439 I came not to call 00:22:11.439 --> 00:22:11.839 the righteous, 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.460 but the sinners. 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:14.559 And it's not as though 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:16.619 there are a class 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:17.639 of righteous people 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:19.700 that Jesus isn't referring to. 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.559 What he's saying is, 00:22:20.899 --> 00:22:21.859 I've come for everybody 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.879 because everybody's a sinner. 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:25.000 There are none righteous. 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.740 I've come for everybody. 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:29.200 Who here looks like 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:29.839 the true, 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:32.160 unclean sinner? 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.980 Is it the tax collectors 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.559 and sinners? 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.720 Sinners is this kind 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:37.500 of generic term. 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:38.859 Or does it, 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:41.099 is it the Pharisees? 00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:41.740 Like, 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.400 is there not room 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.180 at the table 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:43.900 for them too? 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:46.059 I think there would be. 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:49.319 Their pride wells up. 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:50.720 Their self-righteousness 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.279 wells up. 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:54.259 We are the religious ones. 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:54.920 These people 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.900 that were the tax collectors 00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:56.380 and sinners, 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.660 they were either 00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:59.160 too busy 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.019 or too poor 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:01.480 or just completely indifferent 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:03.080 to join any kind 00:23:03.080 --> 00:23:04.080 of religious life 00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:06.000 in Israel at the time. 00:23:07.560 --> 00:23:08.040 Interestingly, 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.259 shepherds were a part 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:09.660 of that. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.500 Shepherds, 00:23:10.600 --> 00:23:11.420 I know we read about 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:11.860 shepherds 00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:13.120 in King David, 00:23:13.280 --> 00:23:14.460 King David being a shepherd 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:15.300 and Christ has 00:23:15.300 --> 00:23:16.280 a beautiful picture 00:23:16.280 --> 00:23:16.700 of a shepherd. 00:23:17.080 --> 00:23:18.220 But shepherds became 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:19.580 the type that were 00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:20.220 untrusted 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.740 because they weren't 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:23.200 a part of religious life. 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:25.420 prostitutes, 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.700 tax collectors, 00:23:30.100 --> 00:23:30.660 beggars, 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:31.700 lepers, 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.259 you name it. 00:23:35.080 --> 00:23:36.480 They were unable 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.240 to participate 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.440 in religious life. 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.039 And Jesus, 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:41.140 what does he do? 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:42.660 He doesn't whip them. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.920 He doesn't just 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:47.259 give them a tongue lashing. 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:50.099 He eats with them. 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.700 He has table fellowship 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.220 with them. 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:54.019 You can invite anybody 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.039 over to your house 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:57.160 and if you feel comfortable, 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:57.940 you probably should 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.500 if you can. 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:00.379 But, you know, 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.019 it's nice to have dinner 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.440 with somebody. 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.940 To have table fellowship 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:03.640 with somebody 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.740 in the Bible, 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.359 it meant 00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:07.220 that you were 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:08.299 embracing them. 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.680 That there was 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:11.839 a connection, 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:12.700 there was 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:14.900 a friendship, 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:15.580 there was 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:17.480 some sort of 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:19.180 deep, 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.240 deep bond. 00:24:21.560 --> 00:24:22.160 And that's what's 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:23.100 happening with Jesus. 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.280 He is 00:24:25.280 --> 00:24:26.640 the true host. 00:24:26.820 --> 00:24:27.300 He is 00:24:27.300 --> 00:24:28.640 forgiving the sinners 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.900 and the tax collectors. 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.200 And the basis 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.480 of this table fellowship 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.780 is truly forgiveness. 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:34.860 And although 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:36.040 we don't see it here 00:24:36.040 --> 00:24:36.800 as though 00:24:36.800 --> 00:24:37.920 the tax collectors 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.360 and sinners 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:41.259 are throwing themselves 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.340 at Jesus' feet 00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:43.519 asking for forgiveness, 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.920 forgiveness, 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.639 we know that 00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.279 in Scripture 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:47.420 that the basis 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.599 for table fellowship 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.619 is the forgiveness 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:50.220 of sins. 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.099 How do we know? 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.819 At the end of the age, 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:54.940 and if anybody 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.740 wants to turn to, 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.379 I'll just read it 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:56.980 off my notes, 00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:58.599 Revelation chapter 19, 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.539 at the end of the age, 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:02.000 the redeemed of God, 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:03.200 those that He saves, 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:04.740 will dine with Him. 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.259 It's called 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.039 the marriage supper 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:07.660 of the Lamb. 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.319 And although Revelation, 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.700 the book of Revelation, 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:12.339 can be kind of intense 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:14.240 and difficult to understand 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:16.079 and, I don't know, 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.699 cause of all sorts 00:25:17.699 --> 00:25:18.339 of controversy, 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.359 Revelation 19, 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.299 6-9, 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:21.939 I mean, 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:24.319 it is like the high point 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.259 of our existence, 00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:27.039 of what we'll experience. 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.259 That we are forgiven 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:30.000 in such a way, 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:31.619 clothed with God's righteousness, 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:33.279 and we dine with Him. 00:25:36.679 --> 00:25:38.399 Verse 6 of chapter 19, 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:40.300 Then I heard what seemed 00:25:40.300 --> 00:25:40.980 to be the voice 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.900 of a great multitude. 00:25:42.040 --> 00:25:42.920 This is John, 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.420 the Apostle, 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.560 speaking. 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.240 Like the roar 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.140 of many waters, 00:25:49.280 --> 00:25:50.040 and like the sound 00:25:50.040 --> 00:25:51.100 of mighty peals 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:51.620 of thunder, 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.540 crying out, 00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:53.560 Hallelujah! 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.840 For the Lord, 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.480 our God, 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:57.040 the Almighty reigns. 00:25:57.300 --> 00:25:58.100 Let us rejoice 00:25:58.100 --> 00:25:58.780 and exalt 00:25:58.780 --> 00:25:59.860 and give Him the glory. 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.320 For the marriage 00:26:01.320 --> 00:26:02.160 of the Lamb 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:02.759 has come, 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.720 and the bride 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.800 has made herself ready. 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.100 It was granted 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:07.300 her to clothe herself 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.159 with fine linen, 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.039 bright and pure. 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.279 For the fine linen 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.319 is the righteous deeds 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.839 of the saints. 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.700 And verse 9 says, 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:14.039 And the angel said to me, 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.619 Write this, 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:17.059 Blessed are those 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.819 who are invited 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.419 to the marriage supper 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.079 of the Lamb. 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:20.899 And he said to me, 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.799 These are the true words 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.299 of God. 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:26.099 To dine with Jesus. 00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:28.220 That there is no more 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.599 separation between us 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:29.919 and Him. 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:31.000 His forgiveness 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:32.440 goes down 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.919 to the last inch 00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:34.879 of our being. 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.919 There's no more 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:38.240 of us 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.340 that is no longer 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:39.860 redeemed. 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.700 We're redeemed 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.220 completely. 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:44.080 If you are honest 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:44.759 with yourself 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.779 and you 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:49.519 ask yourself, 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.420 What sins 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:51.160 have I committed 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:52.180 that are very unique 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.600 to me? 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:56.680 That make me unique? 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.519 And if you are 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.940 honest and raw 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.660 with yourself 00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:03.320 about that, 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.140 and you might feel 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:05.259 shame and guilt, 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:08.060 look to the cross 00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:09.360 and know that God 00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:10.520 has forgiven them all 00:27:10.520 --> 00:27:12.320 if you only 00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:13.140 cry out to Him. 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:13.940 If you only 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:15.720 leave the tax booth 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:17.160 and follow Him. 00:27:18.820 --> 00:27:19.580 In the end, 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.620 it really isn't 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.560 the amount of faith 00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:22.040 we have. 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.759 And we want to grow 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.240 in our faith. 00:27:23.300 --> 00:27:23.680 We do. 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:25.240 But it's the object 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.920 of our faith. 00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:27.480 That's what matters. 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:32.920 It does not, 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.920 it doesn't matter 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:36.019 as much 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.579 in many respects. 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:37.900 In fact, 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.480 it doesn't matter 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.000 at all 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.160 at how tight 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.839 my grasp 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.640 is on Jesus 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:43.240 if His grasp 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.319 on me 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.640 exists. 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:46.599 Because He'll never 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.120 let me go. 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.079 That's why 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:49.740 when we go through 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.599 tough times 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:51.319 where our faith 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:52.480 wanes, 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.059 it's like we have 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.839 no faith, 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.679 it feels like, 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.799 we can be sure 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.419 that God 00:27:57.419 --> 00:27:59.279 in Christ 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.679 is not letting us go. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.559 The object 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.240 of our faith 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.119 is what matters. 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.500 So Jesus 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.980 dines with sinners. 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.299 And it is this 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.119 beautiful picture 00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:11.379 of what is to come 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.039 and all of a sudden 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.699 we start to see 00:28:12.699 --> 00:28:13.179 a bit more 00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:14.240 of who this Messiah is. 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.099 Mark is laying 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.779 these breadcrumbs. 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.500 He's leading us 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.259 on the trail 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.199 to the cross. 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.220 We're seeing 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.059 what Jesus is going 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:20.939 to do on the cross. 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.779 How He is going 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.740 to truly forgive 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.699 our sins. 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.059 He's going 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:26.100 to pay the penalty 00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:27.059 on our behalf 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.200 so that we can 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:29.559 be in His presence 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:30.019 forever. 00:28:30.360 --> 00:28:31.019 It's something 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:32.539 you could have 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.960 infinite lifetimes 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.759 to try to earn 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.400 and you won't 00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:35.819 earn it. 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.580 It's incredible. 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:41.220 It is remarkable. 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.880 How do we respond? 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:44.420 Well, there's 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:45.460 a few different ways. 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.059 We can look 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:48.799 at the four 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:51.860 friends 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.380 lowering their 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:53.799 paralytic friend 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.440 through the roof. 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.380 We can look 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.140 at Levi 00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:57.059 and how he 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.019 leaves his tax booth. 00:28:58.120 --> 00:28:58.680 Those are all 00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.860 I think really good 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:01.279 things to look at 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:03.180 as an example 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:03.900 of how we are 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.500 to respond 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.140 to Jesus. 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:07.000 But Jesus 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.220 in verse 14 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.059 of chapter 1 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:11.240 really verse 15 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:11.720 when Jesus 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.620 comes on the scene 00:29:12.620 --> 00:29:13.740 his first words 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.360 that he says 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:15.080 in Mark's gospel 00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:15.420 it says 00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:16.319 the time is fulfilled 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.299 and the kingdom 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.200 of God 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:18.759 is at hand. 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.039 Repent and believe 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.559 in the gospel. 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:22.120 The response 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:22.739 is to repent 00:29:22.739 --> 00:29:23.419 and believe. 00:29:24.699 --> 00:29:25.219 It is. 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.059 Jesus says it. 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.479 And in the same 00:29:27.479 --> 00:29:28.019 message 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:29.279 he either 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.899 preaches 00:29:29.899 --> 00:29:30.359 teaches 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:31.239 or proclaims 00:29:31.239 --> 00:29:31.759 it's the same 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.139 thing. 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:33.559 Repent 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.299 and believe 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:35.079 in the gospel. 00:29:36.659 --> 00:29:37.459 So what does it 00:29:37.459 --> 00:29:38.019 mean to repent? 00:29:38.219 --> 00:29:38.579 I think 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:40.019 it's being honest 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.719 about our sin. 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.959 We need to recognize 00:29:42.959 --> 00:29:43.519 that we need 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.279 deep forgiveness. 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.319 We need to not 00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:46.500 justify the fact 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.439 that we are 00:29:47.439 --> 00:29:48.659 tax collectors 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.240 and sinners. 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.300 And our society 00:29:51.300 --> 00:29:51.740 is set up 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.480 in such a way 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:54.100 maybe even 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:54.700 your mind 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.220 is set up 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:55.880 in such a way 00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:56.779 that justifies 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.100 sin. 00:29:59.140 --> 00:29:59.840 The way 00:29:59.840 --> 00:30:01.600 we see need 00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:02.080 and choose 00:30:02.080 --> 00:30:02.840 not to 00:30:02.840 --> 00:30:04.380 meet it 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.100 not because 00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:06.140 we don't have 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.640 the means 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.360 or the time 00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:07.940 or the ability 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.900 because we're selfish. 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.779 Or the things 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.800 we do with our bodies. 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.519 How we view 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.200 sexuality. 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.040 We have this 00:30:16.040 --> 00:30:16.600 kind of subjective 00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:17.460 nature about it. 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.300 How we 00:30:19.300 --> 00:30:21.259 abuse people 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:22.300 with words 00:30:22.300 --> 00:30:22.840 or deeds. 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.060 We are mean. 00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.320 We are 00:30:26.320 --> 00:30:27.500 just 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:28.700 low level 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.380 abusive 00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:30.120 in maybe 00:30:30.120 --> 00:30:30.640 sometimes 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:30.900 the way 00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:31.420 we treat people. 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.320 Whatever it may be 00:30:32.320 --> 00:30:33.700 we can easily 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.660 justify our sin. 00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:35.600 The call 00:30:35.600 --> 00:30:36.340 of repentance 00:30:36.340 --> 00:30:36.940 is to just 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.600 be honest. 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.500 Be honest 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.259 with your need 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.920 for Jesus. 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:43.160 That's it. 00:30:44.620 --> 00:30:44.880 I mean 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.660 it really 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.540 is just 00:30:46.540 --> 00:30:47.500 first and foremost 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.160 recognize 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:49.220 that we 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.820 are in need 00:30:49.820 --> 00:30:50.220 of him. 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.519 We can't 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.519 live a godly 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:52.940 life. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.120 We are the 00:30:55.120 --> 00:30:55.660 tax collectors 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.060 and sinners 00:30:56.060 --> 00:30:56.480 in the story 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:56.960 by the way. 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:57.980 Just in case 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.840 you were thinking 00:30:58.840 --> 00:30:59.420 you were 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.180 maybe 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:01.259 I don't know 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.840 somebody a bit 00:31:02.840 --> 00:31:04.120 more nicer 00:31:04.120 --> 00:31:05.360 in the story. 00:31:06.580 --> 00:31:07.220 I'm the 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:07.820 sinner and tax 00:31:07.820 --> 00:31:08.060 collector 00:31:08.060 --> 00:31:08.600 in the story. 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.640 Maybe you're 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.000 even the 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.960 Pharisee 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.240 or the 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:11.620 scribe. 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.540 The call 00:31:13.540 --> 00:31:13.800 is still 00:31:13.800 --> 00:31:14.160 the same 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:14.660 to repent 00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:14.980 and believe 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.240 so we 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:15.700 repent 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.460 we throw 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:16.840 ourselves 00:31:16.840 --> 00:31:17.140 at the 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:17.340 mercy 00:31:17.340 --> 00:31:17.560 of 00:31:17.560 --> 00:31:17.920 Jesus 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:20.040 we stop 00:31:20.040 --> 00:31:20.980 justifying 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:22.279 we stop 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:23.040 seeing truth 00:31:23.040 --> 00:31:23.720 as subjective 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.900 but objective 00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:25.680 that there is a 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.620 truth that there is a 00:31:26.620 --> 00:31:28.519 way to truly live 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.759 and the second thing 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.340 is to believe 00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:31.400 and it is to have 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:32.060 faith in Jesus 00:31:32.060 --> 00:31:32.620 and again 00:31:32.620 --> 00:31:33.080 it is 00:31:33.080 --> 00:31:35.120 it matters 00:31:35.120 --> 00:31:35.940 more about 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:36.740 who our faith 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.120 is in 00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:37.680 than how much 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.279 faith we have. 00:31:38.340 --> 00:31:38.820 We want to continue 00:31:38.820 --> 00:31:39.560 to grow in faith. 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.080 I can't say that 00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:41.400 enough 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:42.580 but we have 00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:43.160 our faith 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:44.019 and trust 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.700 in Jesus. 00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.460 We need to be 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:46.800 careful 00:31:46.800 --> 00:31:47.600 that we're not 00:31:47.600 --> 00:31:48.180 like the crowds. 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:48.900 The crowds 00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:49.740 in the gospel 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.220 of Mark 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:51.340 for whatever 00:31:51.340 --> 00:31:51.840 reason 00:31:51.840 --> 00:31:52.820 show up 00:31:52.820 --> 00:31:54.340 and Jesus 00:31:54.340 --> 00:31:55.120 has compassion 00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:55.560 on them 00:31:55.560 --> 00:31:56.140 he teaches 00:31:56.140 --> 00:31:56.519 them 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:57.759 but they 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.480 get in the 00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:58.880 way 00:31:58.880 --> 00:32:00.220 the crowds 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.500 do. 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.220 They get in 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.620 the way 00:32:02.620 --> 00:32:03.340 of this 00:32:03.340 --> 00:32:04.620 whole healing 00:32:04.620 --> 00:32:04.920 of the 00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:05.420 paralytic. 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:06.460 The crowds 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:06.800 aren't 00:32:06.800 --> 00:32:07.060 they don't 00:32:07.060 --> 00:32:07.480 exactly have 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.080 the best 00:32:08.080 --> 00:32:09.500 reputation 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.720 here. 00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:12.400 Remember 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:12.880 Jesus 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.519 when he's 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:13.680 going to 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:13.800 get 00:32:13.800 --> 00:32:14.080 crucified 00:32:14.080 --> 00:32:14.320 where are 00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:14.680 the crowds 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.000 then? 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.820 It's really 00:32:16.820 --> 00:32:17.519 easy to 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:17.900 think 00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:19.259 I am 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:20.180 close to 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:20.500 Jesus 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:21.280 because I 00:32:21.280 --> 00:32:21.740 am a 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.019 part of 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.640 the church. 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.140 I am a 00:32:24.140 --> 00:32:24.800 church goer 00:32:24.800 --> 00:32:26.480 and it's 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.800 really good 00:32:26.800 --> 00:32:27.120 to go to 00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:27.420 church 00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:27.820 and to be 00:32:27.820 --> 00:32:28.019 around 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.540 church people. 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.080 It really 00:32:29.080 --> 00:32:29.460 is. 00:32:30.040 --> 00:32:30.580 But let 00:32:30.580 --> 00:32:31.400 that not 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:32.360 be confused 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:33.019 with having 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.580 genuine 00:32:33.580 --> 00:32:34.400 faith in 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:34.759 Christ. 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.120 To be 00:32:37.120 --> 00:32:37.540 more of 00:32:37.540 --> 00:32:37.860 like the 00:32:37.860 --> 00:32:38.140 Levi 00:32:38.140 --> 00:32:39.480 who follows 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:39.840 Jesus 00:32:39.840 --> 00:32:40.420 rather than 00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:40.900 the crowds 00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:41.220 that just 00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:42.079 hang around 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.640 looking for 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:43.400 a show 00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:44.180 or maybe 00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:44.799 the benefit 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.680 of being 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:45.940 a part 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:46.140 of a 00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:46.539 community 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.500 or being 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:47.799 a part 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:48.240 of a 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:48.940 more of 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.319 like a 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:49.880 respectable 00:32:49.880 --> 00:32:51.640 person or 00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:52.200 a part of 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:53.059 polite society. 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:53.519 I don't mean 00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:54.319 necessarily like 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:55.480 within our 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.360 community but 00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:57.140 within the 00:32:57.140 --> 00:32:57.380 group. 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:57.640 I don't 00:32:57.640 --> 00:32:57.799 know. 00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:58.160 Whatever 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.980 thing that 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:00.500 you think 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.039 coming to 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.440 church will 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:01.799 do, 00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:02.759 it has to 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.160 start with 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.600 Christ. 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.480 Repent and 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:05.860 believe. 00:33:06.900 --> 00:33:07.620 And it is 00:33:07.620 --> 00:33:08.480 hard and I'll 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:08.900 close with 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:09.200 this. 00:33:10.340 --> 00:33:10.980 We're not 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.200 going to 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.620 get to 00:33:11.620 --> 00:33:12.060 the second 00:33:12.060 --> 00:33:12.480 part of 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.140 Mark until 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:13.780 sometime in 00:33:13.780 --> 00:33:14.019 the new 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.200 year. 00:33:14.860 --> 00:33:15.280 We're going 00:33:15.280 --> 00:33:15.660 to go up 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:16.820 to chapter 00:33:16.820 --> 00:33:18.000 nine and 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:19.280 then we'll 00:33:19.280 --> 00:33:20.560 switch it up 00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:21.340 for a few 00:33:21.340 --> 00:33:21.800 weeks or 00:33:21.800 --> 00:33:22.220 something like 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.800 that and 00:33:22.800 --> 00:33:23.080 then we'll 00:33:23.080 --> 00:33:23.500 come back 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:23.920 to Mark. 00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:25.259 But when we 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:25.800 come back to 00:33:25.800 --> 00:33:26.100 Mark, 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.720 whenever that 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:26.960 will be, 00:33:27.040 --> 00:33:27.220 I think 00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:27.680 maybe the 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.240 fall of 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:28.800 2022, 00:33:29.580 --> 00:33:30.120 there's this 00:33:30.120 --> 00:33:32.320 really beautiful 00:33:32.320 --> 00:33:32.920 picture where 00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:33.580 this desperate 00:33:33.580 --> 00:33:34.759 man comes to 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.720 Jesus and 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.359 begs that 00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:36.920 Jesus would 00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:37.940 do a miracle 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.339 for his 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:38.579 boy. 00:33:40.180 --> 00:33:42.180 And he 00:33:42.180 --> 00:33:42.660 says to 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:42.940 Jesus, 00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:43.599 I believe, 00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:44.039 help my 00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:44.559 unbelief. 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.240 That is 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:47.779 becoming a 00:33:47.779 --> 00:33:48.299 prayer in 00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:48.879 my life 00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:50.019 because I 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:50.700 realize, 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:51.879 Lord, I 00:33:51.879 --> 00:33:52.339 believe, 00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:53.200 actually I 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:53.619 don't, 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.519 help me. 00:33:55.339 --> 00:33:55.960 My faith is 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:56.299 small. 00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:57.779 I don't 00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:58.279 trust that 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:58.559 you can 00:33:58.559 --> 00:33:59.039 really 00:33:59.039 --> 00:34:00.920 forgive my 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:01.200 sins. 00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:02.700 That you 00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.059 are the 00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:03.400 one who's 00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:03.740 really going 00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:04.220 to restore 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:04.519 me. 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:06.579 And cleanse 00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:07.000 me. 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:08.260 And that I 00:34:08.260 --> 00:34:09.179 truly have a 00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:09.559 spot at 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:09.940 your table. 00:34:11.739 --> 00:34:12.440 But the 00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:13.460 prayer is, 00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:14.099 I believe, 00:34:14.219 --> 00:34:14.500 help my 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:14.820 unbelief, 00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:15.539 I believe, 00:34:16.260 --> 00:34:16.980 even with a 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:17.780 tiny shred, 00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:18.579 you can 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:18.880 pray, 00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:20.219 of faith, 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.440 that you 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:21.739 are the 00:34:21.739 --> 00:34:22.099 one who's 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:22.480 doing this 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:22.820 work. 00:34:23.179 --> 00:34:23.380 And I 00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:23.679 think it 00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:24.260 brings great 00:34:24.260 --> 00:34:24.619 joy to 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:24.880 God. 00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.159 And that he 00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:26.619 will work 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:26.960 in our 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:27.619 hearts to 00:34:27.619 --> 00:34:28.340 grow that. 00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:29.079 And we 00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:29.420 grow, 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:29.800 by the 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:30.059 way, 00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:30.619 with 00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:31.219 fellowshipping 00:34:31.219 --> 00:34:31.619 with one 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:31.860 another, 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:32.440 by reading 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:33.019 his word, 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:34.179 by praying 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:34.659 with one 00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.000 another, 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:36.359 by lifting 00:34:36.359 --> 00:34:36.839 each other 00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:37.179 up, 00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:37.980 carrying each 00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:38.279 other's 00:34:38.279 --> 00:34:38.619 burdens, 00:34:39.819 --> 00:34:40.799 not trying 00:34:40.799 --> 00:34:42.039 to get 00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:42.500 some kind 00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:42.960 of new 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.699 result by 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:44.460 the same 00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:45.239 sinful 00:34:45.239 --> 00:34:46.339 decisions. 00:34:49.339 --> 00:34:49.980 Friends, 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:52.420 our God 00:34:52.420 --> 00:34:53.260 has set a 00:34:53.260 --> 00:34:53.800 table for 00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.159 us. 00:34:55.659 --> 00:34:55.960 It is 00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:56.219 what we 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:56.480 will be 00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:56.900 doing for 00:34:56.900 --> 00:34:57.340 eternity. 00:34:58.980 --> 00:34:59.380 Let's 00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:00.940 really press 00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:01.420 into that. 00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:03.079 Heavenly 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.420 Father, 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:03.840 we thank 00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:04.159 you so 00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:05.340 much for 00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:06.059 the truth 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:06.440 of your 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:06.740 word. 00:35:07.360 --> 00:35:07.760 We thank 00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:08.059 you that 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:08.360 Jesus 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.380 indeed came 00:35:09.380 --> 00:35:12.579 to heal 00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:13.119 the sick 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:13.440 and not 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:13.880 the well, 00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:15.699 to call 00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:16.380 the sinner 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:16.840 not the 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:17.260 righteous. 00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:18.340 Lord, 00:35:18.520 --> 00:35:19.220 help us 00:35:19.220 --> 00:35:19.700 to never 00:35:19.700 --> 00:35:20.300 think that 00:35:20.300 --> 00:35:20.640 in our 00:35:20.640 --> 00:35:21.300 own strength 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:21.780 we can 00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:22.140 be the 00:35:22.140 --> 00:35:22.440 righteous, 00:35:23.180 --> 00:35:24.120 that we 00:35:24.120 --> 00:35:24.640 are well, 00:35:25.080 --> 00:35:25.500 but it's 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.100 only through 00:35:26.100 --> 00:35:26.600 your Son 00:35:26.600 --> 00:35:27.140 that we 00:35:27.140 --> 00:35:27.560 are made 00:35:27.560 --> 00:35:27.920 righteous, 00:35:28.260 --> 00:35:28.800 only through 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:29.280 your Son 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:30.060 that we 00:35:30.060 --> 00:35:30.860 are forgiven, 00:35:31.080 --> 00:35:31.560 only through 00:35:31.560 --> 00:35:32.020 your Son 00:35:32.020 --> 00:35:32.300 that we 00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:32.940 are cleansed. 00:35:33.780 --> 00:35:34.100 Lord, 00:35:34.240 --> 00:35:34.560 by your 00:35:34.560 --> 00:35:34.820 Spirit, 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:35.360 do a big 00:35:35.360 --> 00:35:35.860 work in 00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:36.420 our hearts, 00:35:36.540 --> 00:35:37.040 we pray, 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:38.440 in Jesus' 00:35:38.700 --> 00:35:38.920 name. 00:35:40.240 --> 00:35:40.580 Amen. 00:35:40.580 --> 00:35:40.680 Amen. 00:35:40.680 --> 00:35:40.720 Amen. 00:35:40.720 --> 00:35:40.760 Amen. 00:35:40.760 --> 00:35:40.780 Amen. 00:35:40.780 --> 00:35:40.800 Amen. 00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:40.820 Amen. 00:35:40.820 --> 00:35:40.840 Amen. 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:40.900 Amen.