WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.860 Today's scripture reading is from Matthew chapter 16 verses 1 to 20. 00:00:07.520 --> 00:00:09.279 Starting in verse 1, we read. 00:00:10.900 --> 00:00:18.980 And the Pharisees and the Sadducees came, and to test him, they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:26.359 He answered them, When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red. 00:00:26.359 --> 00:00:31.439 And in the morning, it will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening. 00:00:32.259 --> 00:00:37.920 You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 00:00:38.740 --> 00:00:45.760 An evil and undoubterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:48.200 So he left them and departed. 00:00:49.480 --> 00:00:54.840 When the disciples reached to the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 00:00:54.840 --> 00:01:00.660 Jesus said to them, Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 00:01:01.460 --> 00:01:07.380 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, We brought no bread. 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:16.780 Jesus, aware of this, said, O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:18.599 Do you not yet perceive? 00:01:19.340 --> 00:01:24.859 Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 00:01:25.560 --> 00:01:29.579 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 00:01:30.259 --> 00:01:33.879 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? 00:01:33.879 --> 00:01:37.560 Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:48.879 Then they understood that he did not tell them to be aware of the leaven of the bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:59.119 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:09.359 And they said, Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 00:02:10.300 --> 00:02:13.780 He said to them, But who do you say that I am? 00:02:13.780 --> 00:02:19.680 Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:30.460 And Jesus answered him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 00:02:31.080 --> 00:02:39.400 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 00:02:39.400 --> 00:02:49.700 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you lose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 00:02:50.580 --> 00:02:54.640 Then he strictly charged his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 00:02:55.400 --> 00:02:56.900 This is the word of God. 00:02:56.900 --> 00:02:57.000 Amen. 00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:10.300 Check, one, two. 00:03:10.379 --> 00:03:14.020 Okay, thank you Dwight and Margot for reading the scriptures. 00:03:15.140 --> 00:03:16.140 Good morning, everyone. 00:03:16.700 --> 00:03:17.340 Good morning. 00:03:18.319 --> 00:03:18.759 Amen. 00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:19.659 Thank you for that. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:20.599 That was great. 00:03:21.460 --> 00:03:21.860 Welcome. 00:03:22.740 --> 00:03:25.040 For those of you who do not know me, my name is Alan. 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:31.900 I oversee the youths here at Watermark, and it's such a joy and privilege to be ministering God's word to you this morning. 00:03:32.020 --> 00:03:33.420 Can I pray for us before we start? 00:03:33.419 --> 00:03:50.939 Father God, we come before you this morning, and our prayer is this, that God, you would come, and you would reveal your word to us this morning, that your word would penetrate our hearts, that your word would come and convict us, but at the same time draw us close to who you are, Jesus. 00:03:51.259 --> 00:03:53.699 So come, for your name's sake, be glorified. 00:03:53.859 --> 00:03:54.839 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:03:55.719 --> 00:03:56.079 Amen. 00:03:56.080 --> 00:03:56.280 Amen. 00:03:57.040 --> 00:04:04.520 Okay, for those of you who do not know me, I studied in India for my whole high school, and then I came to Hong Kong around 2012. 00:04:05.180 --> 00:04:08.960 Now, I studied in a boarding school, all boys boarding school, so it was great. 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:14.840 One of the things we had to do was, we had to wake up early in the morning and do our PT exercise. 00:04:15.200 --> 00:04:18.560 So we all head to the ground, do some stretchings. 00:04:18.699 --> 00:04:21.520 I know it's in black and white, but I'm not that old. 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:29.879 We had to do some exercise, jumping jacks early in the morning, and we had to wake up somewhere around 6 years and head up to the ground. 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:31.620 Now, we had a PT teacher. 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:37.560 I used to describe him as he was the man of men, you know, like this guy was solid. 00:04:38.039 --> 00:04:40.779 And he used to come, make sure everyone was heading to the ground. 00:04:41.339 --> 00:04:48.299 I mean, if you're not there, he would literally drag you to the ground, and it did not matter whether you were dressed or not, whether you had your shoes on or not. 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:53.139 So we boys, obviously, we did not like going down to the ground. 00:04:53.520 --> 00:04:55.040 So there were three types of boys there. 00:04:55.500 --> 00:05:01.840 So one of the boys were, they would hear this teacher coming, and he used to whistle all the way from the top of the mountain. 00:05:01.980 --> 00:05:03.180 He used to come down to your dormitory. 00:05:03.520 --> 00:05:05.939 And as soon as they would hear the whistle, they would be all ready. 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:08.240 They would get ready, and they would head down to the road. 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:09.480 So those were the good boys. 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:11.480 Now, there were a second type of boys. 00:05:11.980 --> 00:05:17.519 Those who would listen to the whistle, wake up on their bed, and I don't know if you do this. 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:20.620 They sit on their bed, and they start contemplating their whole life. 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:27.699 And then for some reason, they just stay there for a while until the teacher comes in, and they're like, and then they head off. 00:05:28.740 --> 00:05:39.599 Now, there were the third type of boys, like me, who would hear the whistle, hear the sign, and for some reason think that the teacher is not going to visit my dormitory this morning. 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:45.700 And so there I was, sleeping on my bed, just to realize the teacher was already in the hall. 00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:52.820 So I came out of bed, went under my bed to hide, and then came out after a few minutes, only to see that he was waiting for me down the hall. 00:05:52.819 --> 00:06:06.420 So for the first time in my life, once-in-a-lifetime experience, I got an amazing spanking on my butt with a cricket bat while wearing the thinnest pajamas in the world on the winter cold morning. 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:10.100 So that was once-in-a-lifetime experience. 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:16.879 So the point is, all humans react to signs in a similar way. 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:26.759 You know, there are some people who see the sign, some people who see this message, and they accept it, they align their life, they conform their life to what the sign is pointing towards. 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:35.500 And there's the other group of people who see the sign, but for some reason, for distractions or some other reasons, they don't really get it, and they need more effort. 00:06:35.659 --> 00:06:37.279 They just don't understand it. 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:42.980 And there's the last group of people who do see the signs, who do see the message, but they totally ignore it. 00:06:42.980 --> 00:06:45.139 They just reject the sign. 00:06:45.139 --> 00:06:50.360 So, in today's scripture, we will be discovering these groups of people. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:55.060 And we have been doing the book of Ecclesiastes for the last seven weeks. 00:06:55.180 --> 00:06:57.579 Now we'll be going back to the Gospel of Matthew. 00:06:58.060 --> 00:07:03.360 The last time we did the Gospel of Matthew was in November last year, so we'll be going back, which is exciting. 00:07:04.219 --> 00:07:08.199 So in the last chapter, Jesus had been confronting the religious leaders of that time. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:11.680 So he had been telling the religious leaders, hey, you guys got to get your act up. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:14.780 He was telling them to focus on their heart. 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:19.879 There's a real need for the heart to change rather than just focusing on the external thing. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:29.439 And just before today's scriptures, Jesus had just performed this amazing miracle where he had fed thousands of people with a few loaves of bread and fishes. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:42.139 So, now just having just done these amazing miracles, as we dive into today's passage, we encounter the first type of people which cries out, give us a sign. 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:43.740 Give me a sign. 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:46.600 So we'll be looking into verse 1 and 4. 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:50.620 If you do have your bulletin, if you have your Bible, please follow along. 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:51.959 We'll be following really closely. 00:07:51.959 --> 00:07:57.139 If you do not have your bulletin, I'm sure we have some lying around here. 00:07:57.259 --> 00:08:00.359 So do get one or two of those. 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:02.799 Okay, let's dive into today's passage. 00:08:02.979 --> 00:08:04.199 Verses 1 to 4. 00:08:04.579 --> 00:08:11.639 Okay, what we see here is that the Pharisees and the Sadducees, the religious leaders, they come together and they ask Jesus to show them a sign. 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:13.179 They say, Jesus, show us a sign. 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:22.680 And Jesus says, you look at the weather, you see the signs, and you're able to predict the weather, but then you're not able to predict or interpret the signs of this time. 00:08:23.100 --> 00:08:27.920 And finally, Jesus leaves them saying, I'm going to give you no signs except the sign of Jonah. 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:30.560 So what's happening here? 00:08:31.660 --> 00:08:41.180 And if you remember, this similar event, this almost exact event actually happened in chapter 12, which we talked about around October last year. 00:08:41.179 --> 00:08:49.199 And if you look at chapter 12, verses 38, there the Pharisees come and they also make a similar demand. 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:50.959 They say like, Jesus, can you give us a sign? 00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:53.319 And similar to the same thing. 00:08:53.639 --> 00:09:00.919 And almost identical, Jesus gives them a similar response saying, an evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign. 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:04.879 So this is not the first time this is happening. 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:11.080 But if you stop and think about it, wasn't this a rational request? 00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:17.039 I mean, to come to Jesus and say, Jesus, can you show us that you are from God or not? 00:09:17.559 --> 00:09:19.259 I mean, it's a pretty rational request, right? 00:09:19.320 --> 00:09:25.059 I mean, if I'm buying a Gucci bag down the street from a man, I would love to see some signs that is authentic, right? 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:26.139 Who wouldn't want that? 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:28.179 Everyone wants a sign to see it's authentic. 00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:33.879 But it seems that that's not really the problem. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:38.679 What is it that's causing Jesus to give an answer in such a manner as this? 00:09:40.359 --> 00:09:44.639 The problem here was not that the religious leaders were blind. 00:09:45.219 --> 00:09:50.219 I mean, verses 2 and 3 tells us that they were able to look at the sky and predict. 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:51.819 So that means they are not blind. 00:09:51.820 --> 00:10:00.060 I mean, Jesus had just performed a miracle right before this, and it was not that the Pharisees did not see the sign before this. 00:10:00.920 --> 00:10:06.320 The real problem here was in the heart of the Pharisees and the religious leaders. 00:10:07.040 --> 00:10:08.080 And look at verse 4. 00:10:08.780 --> 00:10:10.620 It makes it abundantly clear. 00:10:11.260 --> 00:10:16.820 When Jesus calls them an evil and an adulterous generation. 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:19.160 Now, think about this. 00:10:19.300 --> 00:10:22.780 An evil, to call someone evil, okay, that's pretty understandable, right? 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:26.020 Okay, you're coming to me with an evil intent, and I'm calling you evil. 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:30.580 But what does adultery have to do with asking for a sign? 00:10:31.940 --> 00:10:35.580 What does adulterous have to do with this problem right here? 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:42.320 And adultery in the Bible is almost always linked to idolatry. 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:52.980 Because, like adultery, idolatry is when one worshipped and loved something, something else, rather than the one they were supposed to love and supposed to give their life to. 00:10:53.360 --> 00:11:02.320 It means that when they give their whole life, when they dedicate their life, when they surrender their life to something, rather than the God that actually created them. 00:11:02.760 --> 00:11:07.880 So that's why in the Bible, we always see that adultery and idolatry is always linked. 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:15.980 Now, when you look at the Pharisees, the religious leaders of that time were not coming to Jesus so that they can believe in Jesus. 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:20.779 They were not coming to Jesus so that they can come to Jesus and say, oh, Jesus, you are from God. 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:21.179 No, no, no. 00:11:21.439 --> 00:11:25.720 They were coming to Jesus so that they cannot believe in Him. 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:34.240 And because they were looking for something in Jesus that allowed them to say, okay, I do not believe in you. 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:37.700 Okay, I'm not going to believe in you because you cannot show me any signs. 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:44.759 If you think about it, it was adultery because they were coming to Jesus so at the end of it all, they can still keep their independence. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:51.080 They can still go on living their own life so that they can still go on and be the king of their own world. 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:58.480 And if we go back to chapter 11, and there's a section in there where Jesus is denouncing the city. 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:04.259 So basically what Jesus is doing in chapter 11 is that He goes there and He looks at this one city and He says, 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:07.000 Woe to you, CDA. 00:12:07.520 --> 00:12:14.120 If all the miracles I had done in your city was done in this city, they would have already repented and come back. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:24.720 And if you think about it, the purpose of signs, of all the signs and miracles was to actually draw people to repentance and to bring people back to God. 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:28.080 And one commentator said this, 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:38.299 The trouble with the Pharisees was that they sought the gratification of signs without the obligation of obeying God who gave them. 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:40.980 Do you see what's happening here? 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:48.560 The Pharisees are coming so that they can just walk away from Jesus, so that they can not really see that, 00:12:48.680 --> 00:12:56.139 Okay, just give me one more sign, just give me one more sign, but without any intention of actually committing their life to who Jesus is. 00:12:57.000 --> 00:13:02.300 Now going back to our Gucci bag illustration, imagine you're trying to sell your Gucci bag. 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.440 This guy comes back to you. 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:06.060 By the way, Gucci bag is an expensive bag. 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.840 For those of you who do not know. 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:11.420 So imagine you're trying to sell your Gucci bag. 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:12.899 And this person comes, 00:13:13.040 --> 00:13:14.100 Okay, I don't think this is authentic. 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:15.899 Give me a, I would love to see a receipt. 00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:16.780 And you give them a receipt. 00:13:16.920 --> 00:13:17.259 And they're like, 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:18.399 Ah, I'm still not sure. 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:19.960 Can you show me a credit card statement? 00:13:20.060 --> 00:13:21.040 You show them a credit card statement. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:21.940 And they're like, 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:23.460 Ah, no, I'm still not sure. 00:13:23.560 --> 00:13:26.440 Can you show me the shop that you bought this? 00:13:26.680 --> 00:13:27.759 And you show them the shop. 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:30.200 And this goes on and on and on. 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:37.280 And until you finally realize that this person has no intention of buying the bag from you at all. 00:13:37.900 --> 00:13:40.220 Just as the Pharisees had no intention. 00:13:40.520 --> 00:13:46.980 The Pharisees and Sadducees had no intention of actually committing to who Jesus is and coming back in repentance. 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:51.039 It's almost like saying to God, 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:57.180 God, I'm going to follow you all in if you just give me this one sign. 00:13:58.460 --> 00:14:02.519 God, I'm going to truly follow you if you just give me this one promotion. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:07.820 Or if you just give me this one career, this one job, or this one girlfriend. 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:09.340 Okay, we all get one girlfriend. 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.440 One girlfriend. 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:13.120 Okay, I don't know why I'm saying that. 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:17.480 If you just get a girlfriend, or if I just get this wife, or get a husband, 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:24.159 or if you just solve my problem, or if you just give me a job that has a better schedule. 00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:28.120 It's like coming to God, just asking for one thing, 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:31.019 and God, then I'm ready to follow you this time. 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:33.960 You know, it can be a better paying job. 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:36.120 It can be a better scheduled job. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:39.779 It can be a job that really fulfills your passion. 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.240 It can be anything. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:45.419 But we are just keeping it as a condition and saying to God, 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:47.060 God, can you just give me this one thing? 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:49.360 And I'm willing to come and follow you. 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:51.680 Then I will be able to give you all in. 00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:56.159 Church, are we coming to Jesus with a bunch of excuses 00:14:56.159 --> 00:15:01.500 and asking for just one more sign rather than trusting and obeying him? 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:03.639 And you might still say, 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:05.060 Ah, I just need this one thing. 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:06.480 I just need this one job. 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:10.920 But the truth of the matter is that you won't. 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:15.060 The truth of the matter is that you'll say that I will follow you, God, 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.560 if I just get this relationship. 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:18.759 And the thing is, you won't. 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:21.700 And if you remember the book of Ecclesiastes, 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:25.379 it talks about that God has put eternity in our hearts. 00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:29.180 There will always be something that you want 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:33.279 because our hearts are wired to worship something. 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:36.159 And if we are not worshiping God, 00:15:36.359 --> 00:15:38.339 then we will be worshiping something else. 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:40.439 So for us to come before God and say, 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:41.500 God, just one more thing, 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:44.120 is to just put God aside and say, 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:46.919 God, just give me one more thing before I come to you. 00:15:46.959 --> 00:15:50.779 Just give me one more thing before I finally give my life to you. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:54.059 So church, think about that. 00:15:54.699 --> 00:15:58.579 What is that one thing that you might be putting up before God 00:15:58.579 --> 00:16:02.659 and say, God, just give me this one sign before I come and follow you. 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:09.199 So there we have a group that even in the midst of signs, 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.620 they're asking for a sign. 00:16:10.959 --> 00:16:13.419 Not because they want to obey and believe, 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:19.019 but because they want an excuse not to trust and believe and follow Jesus. 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:21.379 A group that says, give us a sign. 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:24.779 And now, which leads us to this another group, 00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:27.620 that though they have all the signs in front of them, 00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:32.379 they still yet fail to really perceive what's going on. 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:34.460 To a group that just needs to be told, 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:37.519 look at the sign, which leads us to our second point. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:40.919 Okay, are you with me? 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:43.120 Okay, I'm loving the notes. 00:16:43.579 --> 00:16:46.019 Okay, we'll be looking at verses 5 to 12 now. 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:48.480 So do follow along in your Bibles and bulletin. 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:50.779 So what is happening here is, 00:16:51.180 --> 00:16:52.960 so as they finish the first part, 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:55.519 as Jesus walks away from this group, 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:57.920 Jesus is traveling with his disciples, 00:16:58.200 --> 00:17:00.340 and then Jesus looks over to his disciples and he says, 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:04.099 hey, watch and beware the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:07.120 Now, what is a leaven? 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:09.720 So in the Bible, leaven, 00:17:10.360 --> 00:17:11.740 but I guess outside the Bible, 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:15.360 leaven is something that causes the dough to rise. 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.200 I'm no baker. 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:18.100 So those of you who know baking, 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:18.779 you should know, 00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:21.000 you put a little bit of yeast and the bread rises. 00:17:21.620 --> 00:17:22.380 That's what I've learned. 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:23.779 I've never seen it, 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.720 but that's what I've learned. 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:25.960 So in the Bible, 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:31.600 leaven is usually symbolical to mean sin and corruption. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:34.019 Because, like leaven, 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:37.339 sin has the ability to actually, 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:41.159 even a little bit of sin has the ability to corrupt, 00:17:41.439 --> 00:17:43.119 to spread throughout our lives, 00:17:43.459 --> 00:17:44.459 to corrupt our mind, 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.699 to corrupt our hearts, 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:47.159 and to, at the end of it all, 00:17:47.219 --> 00:17:49.559 to affect everything in our lives. 00:17:49.659 --> 00:17:50.459 So like leaven, 00:17:50.659 --> 00:17:52.699 sin and corruption is always related, 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:54.139 because that's what sin does. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:57.299 A little bit of it has ability to corrupt everything. 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.039 I mean, I remember, 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.599 okay, I don't know who said it, 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:05.919 but I remember this person describing sin as a drilling machine. 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:08.019 Do you know those huge drilling machines? 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.759 Not the one that goes this way, 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.980 the one that goes this way. 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:13.819 And he talked about it. 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:17.139 Sin is like when your little bit of clothes get stuck on this, 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:19.119 and because it's just a little bit, 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.960 you cannot go like, 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.559 oh, it's okay, 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.859 it's just a little bit of cloth. 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.379 No, no, no. 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:24.639 It has the ability to suck you in. 00:18:25.159 --> 00:18:26.419 It's not just a little bit of cloth. 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:28.419 It's your whole body that's going to be sucked in. 00:18:28.699 --> 00:18:29.779 And that's what sin does. 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:34.139 A little bit of sin has the ability to corrupt everything. 00:18:35.719 --> 00:18:38.199 So, what's happening here is, 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.839 the disciples, they hear the word leaven, 00:18:40.199 --> 00:18:41.299 and they realize that, 00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:42.539 oh, man, we don't have any bread. 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:44.119 And then they start to discuss, 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:46.259 and Jesus confronts them saying, 00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:47.559 hey, I'm not talking about bread. 00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:49.240 And then he tells them, 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:53.160 hey, I'm talking about the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:54.759 Okay. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:59.059 Now, if you look at verse 9 and 10 in your scripture, 00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:00.859 it's quite interesting. 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:04.759 Because these two verses, 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.859 these two answers, 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:09.779 would have been a perfect answer to the ones, 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:12.759 to the Pharisees and the Sadducees in the previous section. 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.400 Think about it. 00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:15.980 In the previous section, 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:18.279 the Pharisees and the Sadducees come to Jesus and say, 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:20.019 hey, Jesus, give us a sign. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:22.319 And Jesus could have told them this, right? 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:25.519 Hey, do you not remember the five loaves and the five fish? 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:30.259 Do you not remember all the seven loaves and the 5,000? 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:34.720 I mean, this could have been a perfect response to the first group, isn't it? 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:38.680 But, he does not give them this response. 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:44.799 And we know that it was because they were already unwilling to believe whatever Jesus said anyway. 00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:47.680 So, Jesus does not give this response to them. 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:49.460 But, in this section, 00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:52.500 Jesus does give this response to this particular group. 00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:55.700 And if you look at verse 8, 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:58.820 we see that he tells it to his disciples, 00:19:59.320 --> 00:20:00.500 whom he calls them, 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:03.079 O you of little faith. 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.279 O you of little faith. 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:07.640 Now, that is an interesting phrase. 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:08.859 O you of little faith. 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:11.460 Because Jesus coins this word, 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:14.819 where he brings two words together in Greek, 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:17.000 and he comes up with this one whole word, 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:19.720 which in English is like a few more words. 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:22.440 So, basically, he brings little and faith together 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:24.039 and to come up with this word called, 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:26.119 O you of little faith. 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:26.939 Now, what does that mean? 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:33.559 Basically, it means those that are finding it hard to believe. 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:37.179 It's not those that are refusing to believe. 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:39.599 It's those that are finding it hard to believe. 00:20:39.679 --> 00:20:40.839 Those are struggling to believe. 00:20:40.979 --> 00:20:42.419 Those are somehow distracted 00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:44.659 and can't really get it. 00:20:44.979 --> 00:20:46.119 To them, he calls them, 00:20:46.239 --> 00:20:48.019 O you of little faith. 00:20:48.959 --> 00:20:50.000 So, let's look at this. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:51.479 What is happening here with the disciples? 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.739 Let's look at our passage. 00:20:52.739 --> 00:20:54.339 And Jesus tells them, 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:58.559 Watch and beware the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. 00:20:59.199 --> 00:21:01.879 Now, it seems that the disciples, 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:05.459 they hear Jesus saying it, 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.099 and they look at, 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.339 they hear Jesus saying it, 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:08.480 and they hear the word leaven, 00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:10.899 and as soon as they hear the word leaven, 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:13.559 they seem to have connected that word straight to 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:15.399 them not having any bread. 00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:19.059 It seems that they got so easily distracted 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:20.299 with one word, right? 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:22.939 It's like Jesus was in front of them saying like, 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:24.559 Hey guys, disciples, 00:21:25.320 --> 00:21:27.080 watch and beware the leaven of the Pharisees. 00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:27.880 And Peter goes like, 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.340 James, where's the bread? 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.380 Leaven, bread. 00:21:30.580 --> 00:21:31.220 I don't know, James. 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.360 Peter should be having it. 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:33.539 Peter's like, I don't have the bread. 00:21:33.600 --> 00:21:34.340 Andrew should be having it. 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:35.120 No, I don't have the bread. 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:36.600 Judah, you're in charge of the money. 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:37.299 You should have the bread. 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:37.860 No, no, no. 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.640 We are 12 guys. 00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.640 No one has the bread. 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:41.740 And Jesus must have been like, 00:21:41.800 --> 00:21:45.460 seriously, there's 12 bunch of guys. 00:21:47.280 --> 00:21:51.800 And you see that they got so easily distracted 00:21:51.800 --> 00:21:54.100 with just one word, leaven. 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:58.480 Now, how does one get distracted? 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.959 How does anyone get distracted? 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:07.199 One gets distracted when they focus on the wrong thing 00:22:07.199 --> 00:22:10.419 or prioritize something over the other. 00:22:11.199 --> 00:22:13.980 You know, it's like when one is supposed to be babysitting a kid 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:15.859 and suddenly there's a message on your Instagram 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:18.759 and then you see one post, you see another post, 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:19.740 your focus shifts, 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:22.019 and suddenly this becomes your priority 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:25.640 rather than taking care of a kid that you're babysitting. 00:22:27.620 --> 00:22:31.579 Now, we see that they seem to get so easily distracted. 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.799 They hear one word, leaven, 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:35.480 and their minds are all over the places. 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:37.900 Now, what does this lead to? 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:40.940 What is the consequences of getting distracted? 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.799 Let's look at verse 9 and 11. 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:47.900 And Jesus tells them two things that happen 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:50.320 because they are focusing on the wrong word 00:22:50.320 --> 00:22:51.780 and got distracted. 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:53.920 So the two things he talks about here is, 00:22:54.040 --> 00:22:56.220 one, he says, do you not remember? 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.660 And the second thing is, he says, 00:22:59.080 --> 00:23:01.500 how is it that you fail to understand? 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:06.480 So the disciples have not only failed to understand, 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.840 but also forgotten something. 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:13.320 You see, one, their focus went straight to the word leaven 00:23:13.320 --> 00:23:16.740 and they completely missed what Jesus was really talking about. 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:19.920 They completely missed what Jesus was trying to tell them. 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:24.039 And two, though they still misunderstood 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:26.079 and they thought that he was talking about bread, 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:28.759 they had forgotten that Jesus was someone 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:32.099 who fed thousands of people with just few loaves of bread. 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:34.519 So they seem to have totally misunderstood 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:37.960 and totally forgotten who Jesus is. 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:40.079 But at the bottom of it all, 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:43.720 this distraction has caused them to totally miss 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:47.880 and totally forget the wonder of who Jesus is. 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:53.559 Friends, we live in a time and age 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:57.180 where it's so easy to get distracted. 00:23:57.180 --> 00:24:00.400 In our pursuit of money, 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:04.700 we can easily spend all our energy and time 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:06.920 in our jobs and career hunting. 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:10.100 Maybe in our pursuit of relationship, 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:13.580 we can easily be consumed by that pursuit 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:15.259 and easily make it an idol 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:17.060 rather than worshiping God. 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:20.859 Or we can also be distracted 00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:23.740 when we come home after a really tiring day 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:25.139 and we just jump on our bed 00:24:25.139 --> 00:24:27.399 and spend hours and hours 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:29.859 going through our Instagram feeds, 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.879 our Facebook feeds. 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:34.419 It's so easy to get distracted. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:37.119 I mean, or maybe even like the disciples, 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:38.240 we could get distracted 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:40.159 by something we do not have. 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.859 It could be a financial crisis, 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:43.879 it could be a relational crisis, 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:45.919 career crisis, health crisis. 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.940 It could be all sorts of crisis, 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:49.360 things that we are missing out, 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.700 things that are broken, 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:54.460 things that we are really struggling with. 00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:56.960 But friends, are we forgetting that 00:24:56.960 --> 00:25:00.180 this is a Jesus who fed 5,000 and 4,000 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:03.320 with just a few loaves of bread and a few fishes? 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:09.860 Friends, it's so easy to get distracted. 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:12.580 Our distractions can't even be our sinfulness. 00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:14.820 You know, it could be something 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:17.399 that we have been entertaining in our lives. 00:25:17.679 --> 00:25:18.079 A sin. 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:20.379 Maybe it could be an addiction with pornography. 00:25:20.679 --> 00:25:21.399 It could be anything. 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:23.879 It could be all sorts of things, 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:27.399 sins that we have not really brought before God. 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:29.399 You know, those things are a distraction. 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:33.480 But are we forgetting that Jesus died on the cross? 00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:35.379 He paid the price of our sin, 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.700 that He is a holy God. 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.019 But at the same time, 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:39.039 He's a gracious God, 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:40.519 that if we bring our sinfulness, 00:25:40.659 --> 00:25:42.619 if we bring our brokenness before God, 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:47.019 that He's a God who with open arms welcomes us 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.579 and forgives us our sins 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:50.619 and renews us every day. 00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:55.639 What is that distraction that is stopping us? 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:58.920 But friends, let's look at this passage closely 00:25:58.920 --> 00:26:00.940 because it's not just the things that, 00:26:01.280 --> 00:26:02.800 this kind of things that distract us, 00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:04.060 but also the good things. 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.100 Look at verse 12, 00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:07.940 where Jesus warns them against the teachings 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:09.480 of the religious leaders. 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:12.660 You see, even the religious things we do 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:14.180 can distract us from God. 00:26:14.620 --> 00:26:17.000 I mean, we can be serving in all sorts of ministries, 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:18.120 all sorts of places. 00:26:18.620 --> 00:26:20.360 I mean, we can be praying, fasting, 00:26:20.580 --> 00:26:21.259 reading our Bible, 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.080 coming to church, 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:22.920 attending CGs, 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:24.400 doing all these religious things 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.920 which are important, 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:28.600 but miss out the most important thing 00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:29.620 of all of them. 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:30.800 And if you remember, 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:32.519 we've been talking about this last week. 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:34.060 And above it all, 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:36.220 love your Lord with all your heart, 00:26:36.360 --> 00:26:37.920 soul, mind, and strength, 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.860 and love your neighbors as yourself. 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.920 You see, we can be doing 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:43.660 all hundreds of things at church, 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:45.220 hundreds of good things, 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:47.240 but still miss out 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:50.100 that one thing that God calls us to do, 00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:51.240 which is to love Him 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:52.360 with all that we are 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.459 and all that we have. 00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:55.399 So friends, 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.839 let us take some time 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:58.639 to think about that right now. 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.599 Maybe let's take a minute or so 00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:02.459 and think about in your life, 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.619 where is it, 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.799 what is it 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:06.519 that is distracting us 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.519 from coming to God, 00:27:07.919 --> 00:27:09.679 distracting us from the wonder of God 00:27:09.679 --> 00:27:10.419 right now. 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.639 Let's take a minute. 00:27:11.639 --> 00:27:11.699 Let's take a minute. 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:30.500 Now, we have been talking about 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:34.100 science for quite some time now. 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.440 We've been talking about science, 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.500 science, 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:38.820 and if you think about it, 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:41.900 science usually point us, 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:42.759 point the viewer 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.680 to something else 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.580 or someone else 00:27:44.580 --> 00:27:45.940 or gives us a message 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:46.680 or something, right? 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.880 So the miracles 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.980 and the amazing thing 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.920 that Jesus does 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:50.740 in this gospel 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.779 and throughout the gospel 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:53.720 was not in itself 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.360 the main 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:55.539 and the most important point, 00:27:55.820 --> 00:27:56.759 but it was pointing 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.400 the viewers, 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:57.960 the readers, 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.700 and us 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.779 towards something 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.600 much more 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.720 than the miracles. 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:03.759 And if we go back 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.559 to verse 4 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.440 of today's scripture, 00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:07.460 Jesus tells the 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:09.160 unbelieving religious leaders 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:10.100 that I'm going to give you 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:10.559 no sign 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:12.400 except the sign of 00:28:12.400 --> 00:28:13.740 Jonah. 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.640 Now, what does Jonah 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.500 have to do here? 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:18.160 And if you remember, 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:19.380 it seems that Jonah 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:21.200 is almost like a shadow 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.120 of who Jesus 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:23.620 and what Jesus was doing 00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:25.360 because like Jonah 00:28:25.360 --> 00:28:26.940 and like Jesus, 00:28:27.120 --> 00:28:27.839 Jonah was sent 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.880 to preach repentance 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:30.519 to this sinful nation 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.599 and to call them 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.519 back to God. 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:33.660 And in the same way, 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.400 Jesus came 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.740 preaching repentance 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.420 and faith 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:37.900 and calling people 00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:38.980 back to his kingdom. 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.559 And like Jonah 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.519 who was in the belly 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:41.980 of a fish 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.539 for three days 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.119 and three nights, 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.039 so was Jesus 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.799 when he died 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.619 and went into 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:46.579 the heart of the earth 00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:48.160 and after three days 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:49.200 came back alive. 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.160 So it seems 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:51.220 that the sign of Jonah 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:53.139 and who Jesus was 00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:53.900 seemed to align. 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.359 Now, let me take 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:57.220 a pause here, friends, 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:59.000 because we have 00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:00.740 come to one of 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:02.559 the most important parts 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:03.680 in the gospel 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.960 of Matthew today, 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.519 if not the most. 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.599 Because this is what 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:09.579 Matthew has been 00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:11.180 trying to tell his readers 00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:12.200 and trying to tell us 00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:13.200 all the way 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.039 from chapter one 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.579 till now 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:16.380 by showing all the signs, 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.240 all the miracles, 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.240 all the parables, 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:18.799 the hierarchy 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.700 and all the stuff. 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.599 He's been trying 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.140 to show us 00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:22.220 this one sign 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.000 from right 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.700 from the beginning. 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:25.220 And here, 00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:26.200 in this section, 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:28.360 we come here finally 00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:29.299 face to face 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.360 with that one thing 00:29:30.360 --> 00:29:30.900 that Matthew 00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:31.480 has been trying 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:33.100 to say all along. 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:35.319 Because all the signs 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:35.880 were pointing 00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:36.680 to one thing 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:37.720 and that was 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.519 Jesus himself. 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.819 And with that, 00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:42.460 Jesus looks at 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:43.019 his disciples 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:44.240 and he asks them 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:45.740 one question 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:47.180 that matters the most 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.380 and that is, 00:29:48.840 --> 00:29:50.180 who do you say I am? 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:54.080 Here, 00:29:54.340 --> 00:29:55.299 after encountering 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:55.740 a group 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.779 that were unwilling 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.420 to believe 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.860 and another group 00:29:58.860 --> 00:29:59.740 that were distracted 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:01.240 and somehow missing 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.820 and forgetting 00:30:01.820 --> 00:30:02.620 the signs, 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:04.019 Jesus finally 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.840 comes up to them 00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:05.880 and asks them, 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:07.480 who do you say I am? 00:30:08.340 --> 00:30:09.180 And to which, 00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:10.360 Peter looks at him 00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:10.860 and says, 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.980 you are the Christ, 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.120 the Son 00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:14.500 of the living God. 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.680 Now, 00:30:16.820 --> 00:30:17.560 what is the Christ? 00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:19.100 What is Christ? 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.039 I mean, 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.700 it's not that 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.359 Mr. Christ 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:22.139 and Mrs. Christ 00:30:22.139 --> 00:30:22.659 had a baby 00:30:22.659 --> 00:30:23.460 called Jesus Christ. 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:23.879 No, no, no. 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.599 That's not Christ. 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.319 What is Christ? 00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:28.119 Christ 00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:29.799 basically means 00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:31.099 the Anointed One 00:30:31.099 --> 00:30:31.779 which is used 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.319 to translate 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:33.180 the Hebrew word 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:34.240 for Messiah. 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.220 Now, 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.039 what is the Messiah? 00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:37.980 Let us pause 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.299 and think. 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.379 The Messiah 00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:40.319 was the one 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:41.779 the nation of Israel 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:43.000 has been waiting 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:45.099 for over 400 years 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:46.000 at that time. 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.559 Who was promised 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:48.299 by God, 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.379 who was the hope 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:50.160 of this nation 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:51.280 that he's going 00:30:51.280 --> 00:30:51.680 to come, 00:30:51.800 --> 00:30:52.300 that God's going 00:30:52.300 --> 00:30:53.200 to send this Messiah 00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:53.820 and he's going 00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:54.280 to come 00:30:54.280 --> 00:30:55.720 and free this nation 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.440 from oppression 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.740 who's going to come 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:59.040 and give them salvation 00:30:59.040 --> 00:31:00.400 and usher in this 00:31:00.400 --> 00:31:01.460 amazing kingdom 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.720 and he's going to come 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:03.800 and be their king. 00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:04.800 Now, 00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:05.920 Peter looks at this 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:07.160 average looking guy, 00:31:07.320 --> 00:31:08.840 average looking Jewish guy 00:31:08.840 --> 00:31:10.000 who's in his 30s, 00:31:10.360 --> 00:31:11.960 a carpenter by work 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:12.780 or career 00:31:12.780 --> 00:31:13.600 and he, 00:31:13.820 --> 00:31:14.940 a guy who's from 00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:16.080 this town of Nazareth 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:17.379 and looks at him 00:31:17.379 --> 00:31:18.000 and gives him 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.639 this title 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:20.019 that his ancestors 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:21.019 and has been waiting 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.879 for generation 00:31:21.879 --> 00:31:22.699 and generation 00:31:22.699 --> 00:31:23.359 and generation. 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.039 He looks at him 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.460 and says, 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:25.759 you are the guy 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.639 we have been waiting 00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:27.399 for years 00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:27.819 and years 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:28.220 and years. 00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:30.240 You are the Christ, 00:31:30.679 --> 00:31:31.299 the Messiah. 00:31:32.679 --> 00:31:33.579 Isn't that amazing? 00:31:34.899 --> 00:31:36.000 Isn't that incredible 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:37.740 what Peter is confessing 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.740 here right now? 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:41.019 And if that is not 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.920 incredible enough, 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:43.200 there's one more 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:43.980 significant thing 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:45.140 and it is the location 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:46.160 where this is happening. 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:48.039 And if you look at verse 13, 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:49.720 we see that Jesus arrives 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.620 at a place called 00:31:50.620 --> 00:31:51.660 Caesarea Philippi. 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:53.500 Now, 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:54.599 why is that significant? 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:57.220 In a place called 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:58.000 Caesarea Philippi, 00:31:58.120 --> 00:31:58.960 there is a mountain 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:01.220 under which there's a grotto 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:02.380 where, 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.440 that is believed to be 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.140 the birthplace 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:06.099 of a pagan called, 00:32:06.620 --> 00:32:07.880 pagan god called Pan, 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:09.100 who is the god of, 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:10.020 who is a famous god 00:32:10.020 --> 00:32:11.320 of fertility. 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:12.820 Now, 00:32:13.080 --> 00:32:14.360 and this god 00:32:14.360 --> 00:32:15.000 and the worship 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.620 of this god 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.940 was extremely important 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:17.840 in this town. 00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:19.240 And not only that, 00:32:19.620 --> 00:32:20.560 he was a god of nature 00:32:20.560 --> 00:32:22.040 and he's one of the most 00:32:22.040 --> 00:32:23.180 important god in the city. 00:32:23.540 --> 00:32:24.200 But at the same time, 00:32:24.260 --> 00:32:25.460 this town was filled 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.960 with lots of temples 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:28.120 dedicated to all 00:32:28.120 --> 00:32:29.600 ancient pagan gods, 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:30.820 legendary gods 00:32:30.820 --> 00:32:31.940 all over this town. 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:33.080 At the same time, 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:34.340 there's this one temple 00:32:34.340 --> 00:32:35.880 towering over all of them, 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.340 made it a white marvel 00:32:37.339 --> 00:32:38.759 dedicated to the emperor 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.399 of the time 00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:40.279 from which this city 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:40.980 got their name, 00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:42.220 Caesarea Philippi. 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:43.740 Now, 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.500 think about this. 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.659 In this backdrop, 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.179 in the backdrop 00:32:47.179 --> 00:32:48.240 of religions, 00:32:48.399 --> 00:32:49.559 of thousands of religions, 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.799 thousands of distractions 00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:51.579 and idols, 00:32:52.159 --> 00:32:53.039 Jesus stands 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:53.759 in the midst 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.319 of all this 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:55.539 in front of his disciples 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:57.379 and he asks them, 00:32:58.159 --> 00:32:59.659 who do you say I am? 00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:03.740 Who do you say I am? 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:06.500 Church, 00:33:06.579 --> 00:33:07.200 in the backdrop 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:08.720 of all the distractions 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.620 in our lives, 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:11.120 when you are working 00:33:11.120 --> 00:33:11.819 in your office, 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:12.880 when you're studying, 00:33:13.380 --> 00:33:14.279 when you're interacting 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.480 with the people around you, 00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:16.339 when you're pursuing 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:17.120 a relationship, 00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:18.099 when you're pursuing 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:18.759 a career, 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:19.779 when you're going 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.620 through your financial 00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:21.180 struggles, 00:33:21.359 --> 00:33:22.200 health problems, 00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:23.680 relational problems, 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:24.880 all sorts of problems, 00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:25.420 crisis, 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.099 pandemic, 00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:27.579 in the backdrop 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.640 of all of that, 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:29.819 this question 00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:31.579 still stands firm. 00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:33.619 who do you say 00:33:33.619 --> 00:33:34.559 Jesus is? 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.659 And church, 00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:38.659 this is not a question 00:33:38.659 --> 00:33:39.419 that we answer 00:33:39.419 --> 00:33:40.519 once in our lifetime. 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.819 This is not a question 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.299 we answer 00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:43.879 when we become 00:33:43.879 --> 00:33:44.419 a Christian 00:33:44.419 --> 00:33:45.519 and that's it. 00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:46.259 It's a question 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:47.179 we need to answer 00:33:47.179 --> 00:33:48.139 every day, 00:33:48.339 --> 00:33:49.099 every moment, 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:50.099 every decision. 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:51.619 And it was a question 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.799 that I had to answer 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.699 when my mom 00:33:53.699 --> 00:33:54.720 was going through chemotherapy. 00:33:55.659 --> 00:33:56.699 And every day, 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:58.699 I had to look up 00:33:58.699 --> 00:33:59.720 and answer this question 00:33:59.720 --> 00:34:01.740 where I was asked 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.460 who do you say 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.019 Jesus is? 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:03.839 And I had to say, 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.120 God, 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:04.720 you are a God 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.220 who's sovereign. 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:06.420 Jesus, 00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:07.480 you are a sovereign God 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:08.220 who's in control. 00:34:09.220 --> 00:34:09.539 Jesus, 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.579 you're good. 00:34:11.240 --> 00:34:12.179 And even if these things 00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:12.780 don't work out 00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:13.619 and I lose my mom, 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:15.139 I know that there's eternity 00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:16.460 because you're a God, 00:34:16.539 --> 00:34:17.099 you're a Jesus 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.780 who is risen. 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.280 Friends, 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.019 it's a question 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:21.019 we need to answer 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.840 every day, 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:22.800 every moment 00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.579 of our lives. 00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:26.480 But then, 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:27.000 it's not only 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:27.780 in those moments 00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:29.500 of hardships 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.240 and every day 00:34:30.240 --> 00:34:31.120 that we need to answer. 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:32.660 If you are going 00:34:32.660 --> 00:34:33.740 through a time of peace 00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:35.440 and a time of a blessing 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:36.540 where nothing's happening 00:34:36.540 --> 00:34:37.519 and it's a good time, 00:34:38.160 --> 00:34:39.100 that is also a time 00:34:39.100 --> 00:34:39.720 we need to answer. 00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:40.460 Who do you say 00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:41.220 Jesus is? 00:34:42.160 --> 00:34:43.060 Is he a God 00:34:43.060 --> 00:34:44.160 who you keep him 00:34:44.160 --> 00:34:44.720 at the side, 00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.300 in the corner, 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:46.300 or is he a God 00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:46.820 who is the king 00:34:46.820 --> 00:34:48.080 of your life right now, 00:34:48.580 --> 00:34:49.660 even when things are good? 00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:52.680 And church, 00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:54.000 this is not a question 00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:54.640 we answer 00:34:54.640 --> 00:34:55.680 with our head only, 00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:57.219 but it's a question 00:34:57.219 --> 00:34:57.940 we need to answer 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:58.679 with our hearts 00:34:58.679 --> 00:34:59.579 and with our life. 00:35:00.379 --> 00:35:00.679 Yes, 00:35:00.739 --> 00:35:01.539 we do need to study 00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:02.019 the scripture. 00:35:02.239 --> 00:35:02.379 Yes, 00:35:02.419 --> 00:35:03.559 we do need to do theology 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:04.599 and all those sorts of things 00:35:04.599 --> 00:35:05.579 and pursue God, 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:06.919 but ultimately, 00:35:07.239 --> 00:35:07.879 we need to answer 00:35:07.879 --> 00:35:08.639 this question 00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:09.859 with our lives 00:35:09.859 --> 00:35:10.819 and with our hearts 00:35:10.819 --> 00:35:11.579 and our decisions 00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:13.319 because it has to penetrate 00:35:13.319 --> 00:35:14.399 deep into our hearts, 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:15.940 get rooted so deeply 00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:16.579 in our hearts 00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:18.239 that everything that we do 00:35:18.239 --> 00:35:20.319 flows out of this question, 00:35:20.699 --> 00:35:21.659 flows out of this 00:35:21.659 --> 00:35:25.039 truth of who Jesus is. 00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:28.179 And if you are new 00:35:28.179 --> 00:35:28.739 this morning 00:35:28.739 --> 00:35:30.599 and have not really 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.199 fully committed 00:35:31.199 --> 00:35:32.219 to Christ, 00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:34.460 this is one question 00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:36.639 that changes everything. 00:35:38.139 --> 00:35:39.559 This is one question 00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:41.759 that changes everything 00:35:41.759 --> 00:35:43.379 because, 00:35:44.119 --> 00:35:45.359 and this is for all of us, 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:48.079 because who Jesus is 00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:50.019 is much more 00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:51.599 than what Peter confessed. 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:54.059 Let me say that again. 00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:55.500 Who Jesus is 00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:56.779 is much more 00:35:56.779 --> 00:35:57.880 than what Peter 00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:58.900 had just confessed 00:35:58.900 --> 00:36:00.860 because they thought 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:02.119 the Messiah was coming 00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:03.339 to just save them 00:36:03.339 --> 00:36:04.519 from Roman rule 00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.480 that was over them. 00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:06.360 They thought that 00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:07.460 this Messiah was coming 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:08.839 to just save their nation 00:36:08.839 --> 00:36:09.679 of Israel 00:36:09.679 --> 00:36:10.599 and free them 00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:12.039 from all oppression 00:36:12.039 --> 00:36:13.000 like the Roman rule. 00:36:13.819 --> 00:36:14.199 But no, 00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:14.319 no, 00:36:14.339 --> 00:36:14.440 no, 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:16.159 but because we see here 00:36:16.159 --> 00:36:17.659 that Jesus was much more 00:36:17.659 --> 00:36:18.759 because Jesus came 00:36:18.760 --> 00:36:19.660 not to deal 00:36:19.660 --> 00:36:21.000 with this Roman rule, 00:36:21.100 --> 00:36:22.180 but he came to deal 00:36:22.180 --> 00:36:23.840 with this ancient enemy 00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:24.480 of human, 00:36:25.120 --> 00:36:26.400 which is sin. 00:36:27.380 --> 00:36:28.020 You see, 00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:29.980 sin that separated God 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:30.620 from men, 00:36:31.120 --> 00:36:31.660 sin that, 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:33.140 that made everything 00:36:33.140 --> 00:36:33.600 meaningless, 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:34.660 that made everything 00:36:34.660 --> 00:36:35.160 vanity, 00:36:35.680 --> 00:36:37.560 sin that brought death, 00:36:37.660 --> 00:36:38.920 but not just physical death, 00:36:39.020 --> 00:36:39.800 but death in our, 00:36:39.880 --> 00:36:40.560 in our creation, 00:36:40.740 --> 00:36:41.660 death in our relationship, 00:36:41.920 --> 00:36:42.920 death in our decisions, 00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:44.120 death in everything 00:36:44.119 --> 00:36:44.779 that we do. 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:47.440 And in that hopelessness 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:48.519 and in that darkness, 00:36:48.779 --> 00:36:49.679 Jesus came 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.799 being the light 00:36:50.799 --> 00:36:51.420 of the world. 00:36:51.940 --> 00:36:52.359 You see, 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.579 the wages of sin 00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:54.420 was death, 00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:56.239 a price that was 00:36:56.239 --> 00:36:58.179 just way too high 00:36:58.179 --> 00:36:59.319 for us to pay. 00:37:00.519 --> 00:37:01.819 But God loved us 00:37:01.819 --> 00:37:02.579 to the point 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:04.639 that Jesus took our sins 00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.440 to the cross 00:37:05.440 --> 00:37:07.619 and he gave us a price. 00:37:07.739 --> 00:37:08.739 He paid the price 00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:10.259 that we could not pay 00:37:10.259 --> 00:37:11.199 so that now 00:37:11.199 --> 00:37:12.739 we can stand before God 00:37:12.739 --> 00:37:15.519 as if we have never sinned, 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.819 receiving a gift 00:37:16.819 --> 00:37:18.539 that we never deserved. 00:37:20.099 --> 00:37:22.019 And Jesus rose from the dead 00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:23.399 and he defeated 00:37:23.399 --> 00:37:24.879 the consequences of sin. 00:37:25.239 --> 00:37:27.119 He defeated death itself 00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:28.399 so that now 00:37:28.399 --> 00:37:30.199 everything that was meaningless 00:37:30.199 --> 00:37:31.359 is meaningful. 00:37:31.879 --> 00:37:33.399 Everything that was vanity 00:37:33.399 --> 00:37:35.379 is not vanity. 00:37:36.259 --> 00:37:36.659 You see, 00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:38.599 so that those that are in him, 00:37:38.799 --> 00:37:38.979 yes, 00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:39.919 we will die once, 00:37:39.919 --> 00:37:40.779 but in him, 00:37:40.899 --> 00:37:41.339 in Christ, 00:37:41.459 --> 00:37:42.439 we shall rise again. 00:37:42.739 --> 00:37:44.179 And be reunited, 00:37:44.339 --> 00:37:45.279 be reconciled 00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:46.500 to our Savior, 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.119 our God, 00:37:47.179 --> 00:37:48.619 who created and loves us, 00:37:48.919 --> 00:37:49.679 who welcomes us 00:37:49.679 --> 00:37:50.379 in his arms 00:37:50.379 --> 00:37:52.119 because of what Jesus did 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:53.239 on that cross. 00:37:53.479 --> 00:37:56.079 And that is who Jesus is. 00:37:57.339 --> 00:37:59.159 Who do you say Jesus is 00:37:59.159 --> 00:38:00.239 in your everyday life? 00:38:01.379 --> 00:38:02.439 And finally, church, 00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:03.599 this is not a question, 00:38:04.139 --> 00:38:04.979 just a question 00:38:04.979 --> 00:38:07.019 for us to answer personally. 00:38:07.739 --> 00:38:09.259 Look at verse 18 and 19. 00:38:09.260 --> 00:38:11.800 Because as Peter confesses 00:38:11.800 --> 00:38:13.440 who Jesus is, 00:38:13.840 --> 00:38:15.240 Jesus at the same time 00:38:15.240 --> 00:38:16.700 establishes the church. 00:38:17.240 --> 00:38:18.160 For the first time, 00:38:18.260 --> 00:38:19.360 Jesus calls it a church 00:38:19.360 --> 00:38:19.720 and says, 00:38:19.900 --> 00:38:21.060 I'm going to establish my church 00:38:21.060 --> 00:38:22.720 on that confession 00:38:22.720 --> 00:38:24.960 that Peter has just made. 00:38:25.600 --> 00:38:26.200 And church, 00:38:26.700 --> 00:38:28.080 if we want Watermark 00:38:28.080 --> 00:38:29.060 to be flourishing 00:38:29.060 --> 00:38:29.840 10 years, 00:38:29.980 --> 00:38:31.160 20 years down the line, 00:38:31.580 --> 00:38:32.860 we need to be a church 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:34.600 that is always proclaiming 00:38:34.600 --> 00:38:35.940 who Jesus is. 00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:37.220 We have to be a church 00:38:37.220 --> 00:38:38.079 that proclaims 00:38:38.079 --> 00:38:39.599 that Jesus is the Messiah, 00:38:39.760 --> 00:38:40.200 the King, 00:38:40.300 --> 00:38:40.880 the Christ. 00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:42.539 I mean, 00:38:43.940 --> 00:38:45.519 if we look at verse 18 also, 00:38:45.679 --> 00:38:46.679 if we want Watermark 00:38:46.679 --> 00:38:47.539 to stand against 00:38:47.539 --> 00:38:48.420 the gates of hell 00:38:48.420 --> 00:38:49.559 to be firm and rooted 00:38:49.559 --> 00:38:51.000 in times of troubles 00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:51.820 and tribulation, 00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:53.920 we need to be a church 00:38:53.920 --> 00:38:54.740 that proclaims 00:38:54.740 --> 00:38:56.480 that Jesus is Messiah. 00:38:57.300 --> 00:38:58.019 So therefore, 00:38:58.920 --> 00:38:59.220 elders, 00:39:00.220 --> 00:39:01.460 we need you 00:39:01.460 --> 00:39:02.500 to be proclaiming 00:39:02.500 --> 00:39:03.480 who Jesus is 00:39:03.480 --> 00:39:04.539 and actually helping 00:39:04.539 --> 00:39:05.079 the church 00:39:05.079 --> 00:39:06.099 to proclaim 00:39:06.099 --> 00:39:07.440 that Jesus is the Messiah. 00:39:08.279 --> 00:39:08.960 CG leaders, 00:39:09.199 --> 00:39:09.719 we need you 00:39:09.719 --> 00:39:10.539 to be proclaiming 00:39:10.539 --> 00:39:11.480 who Jesus is 00:39:11.480 --> 00:39:12.820 and helping your CG 00:39:12.820 --> 00:39:13.440 to proclaim 00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:14.679 that Jesus is the Messiah. 00:39:14.860 --> 00:39:15.980 Various church leaders, 00:39:16.619 --> 00:39:17.019 we need you 00:39:17.019 --> 00:39:17.800 to be doing the same. 00:39:17.940 --> 00:39:19.360 Every member of Watermark, 00:39:19.739 --> 00:39:20.380 we need you 00:39:20.380 --> 00:39:21.199 to be proclaiming 00:39:21.199 --> 00:39:22.539 that Jesus is the Messiah 00:39:22.539 --> 00:39:24.119 and helping each other 00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:25.340 proclaim that Jesus 00:39:25.340 --> 00:39:26.139 is the Messiah, 00:39:26.239 --> 00:39:26.719 the King, 00:39:27.079 --> 00:39:27.840 the one who brings 00:39:27.840 --> 00:39:29.059 salvation and hope 00:39:29.059 --> 00:39:29.579 and the light 00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:31.039 of this dark world. 00:39:32.619 --> 00:39:33.099 Church, 00:39:33.179 --> 00:39:33.900 as we stand 00:39:33.900 --> 00:39:34.960 in this amazing city 00:39:34.960 --> 00:39:35.660 of Hong Kong, 00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:36.960 we need to be 00:39:36.960 --> 00:39:37.480 the church 00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:38.420 that is proclaiming 00:39:38.420 --> 00:39:40.019 that Jesus is King, 00:39:40.160 --> 00:39:41.320 that Jesus is Messiah. 00:39:42.519 --> 00:39:43.880 Not just with our mouths, 00:39:44.099 --> 00:39:45.220 not just with our programs, 00:39:45.840 --> 00:39:47.139 not just with what we do, 00:39:47.480 --> 00:39:48.320 but with our lives, 00:39:48.400 --> 00:39:49.160 with our hearts, 00:39:49.579 --> 00:39:50.160 with a heart 00:39:50.160 --> 00:39:51.480 that really cries out 00:39:51.480 --> 00:39:53.160 that Jesus is the Messiah, 00:39:53.300 --> 00:39:54.700 that He is the grisened King. 00:39:55.079 --> 00:39:55.740 It's a heart 00:39:55.740 --> 00:39:56.860 that truly understands 00:39:56.860 --> 00:39:57.960 that Jesus is King. 00:39:58.280 --> 00:39:58.720 So church, 00:39:58.800 --> 00:39:59.680 as you are coming 00:39:59.680 --> 00:40:00.680 to Sunday every day, 00:40:00.740 --> 00:40:01.720 as you are interacting 00:40:01.719 --> 00:40:02.239 with people, 00:40:02.559 --> 00:40:03.359 as you are leading 00:40:03.359 --> 00:40:03.779 youth, 00:40:03.939 --> 00:40:04.179 kid, 00:40:04.519 --> 00:40:05.159 university, 00:40:05.739 --> 00:40:06.559 CGs, 00:40:06.679 --> 00:40:07.519 and every other thing 00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:08.259 that we do here, 00:40:09.159 --> 00:40:10.299 and as you go into 00:40:10.299 --> 00:40:11.079 your work and school, 00:40:11.139 --> 00:40:11.759 as you hang out 00:40:11.759 --> 00:40:12.439 with your friends, 00:40:13.779 --> 00:40:14.719 who do you say 00:40:14.719 --> 00:40:15.500 Jesus is? 00:40:17.779 --> 00:40:18.579 And lastly, 00:40:18.839 --> 00:40:19.779 how do we do that? 00:40:21.559 --> 00:40:22.879 Look at verse 17, 00:40:23.859 --> 00:40:24.799 where Jesus says, 00:40:24.800 --> 00:40:33.260 Jesus is saying that 00:40:33.260 --> 00:40:34.820 we do this 00:40:34.820 --> 00:40:36.680 not just by pursuing God, 00:40:36.900 --> 00:40:38.000 not just coming to God 00:40:38.000 --> 00:40:38.620 and surrender, 00:40:39.280 --> 00:40:39.820 and literally 00:40:39.820 --> 00:40:41.260 coming after Him, 00:40:41.960 --> 00:40:42.680 but we need 00:40:42.680 --> 00:40:43.820 God's revelation 00:40:43.820 --> 00:40:45.160 to reveal 00:40:45.160 --> 00:40:46.539 who Jesus is 00:40:46.539 --> 00:40:48.440 in our everyday lives. 00:40:49.400 --> 00:40:50.340 So that means 00:40:50.340 --> 00:40:51.300 as we are diving 00:40:51.300 --> 00:40:52.160 into God's Word, 00:40:52.260 --> 00:40:53.220 we do that not just 00:40:53.220 --> 00:40:53.800 so that we have to 00:40:53.800 --> 00:40:54.500 read God's Word, 00:40:54.800 --> 00:40:55.539 but we do that 00:40:55.539 --> 00:40:56.240 so that we can 00:40:56.240 --> 00:40:57.940 encounter who Jesus is 00:40:57.940 --> 00:40:59.000 in His Word. 00:40:59.420 --> 00:41:00.340 As we are praying 00:41:00.340 --> 00:41:01.220 and spending time 00:41:01.220 --> 00:41:01.640 with God, 00:41:01.720 --> 00:41:02.539 we do that not just 00:41:02.539 --> 00:41:03.220 so that we have 00:41:03.220 --> 00:41:04.360 thousands of petitions 00:41:04.360 --> 00:41:05.320 we want to offer up, 00:41:05.760 --> 00:41:05.960 no, no, 00:41:05.980 --> 00:41:06.660 we do that so that 00:41:06.660 --> 00:41:07.500 we can encounter 00:41:07.500 --> 00:41:08.400 who Jesus is. 00:41:08.700 --> 00:41:09.539 We come to Sunday 00:41:09.539 --> 00:41:10.480 not just so that 00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:11.140 we can encourage 00:41:11.140 --> 00:41:11.720 each other 00:41:11.720 --> 00:41:12.780 and experience 00:41:12.780 --> 00:41:13.300 God's Word, 00:41:13.420 --> 00:41:13.780 no, no, no, 00:41:13.780 --> 00:41:14.740 we come so that 00:41:14.740 --> 00:41:15.580 we can encounter, 00:41:16.060 --> 00:41:16.940 so that we can receive 00:41:16.940 --> 00:41:17.620 the revelation 00:41:17.620 --> 00:41:19.260 of who God is. 00:41:19.340 --> 00:41:20.780 We need God's revelation 00:41:20.780 --> 00:41:23.160 to come and show us 00:41:23.160 --> 00:41:23.940 who God is. 00:41:25.180 --> 00:41:25.960 So church, 00:41:26.060 --> 00:41:26.600 on that note, 00:41:26.680 --> 00:41:27.640 can I ask us to stand 00:41:27.640 --> 00:41:29.780 as we petition, 00:41:29.920 --> 00:41:31.120 as we come before God 00:41:31.120 --> 00:41:32.480 and pray 00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:35.220 and tell God that, 00:41:35.320 --> 00:41:35.420 God, 00:41:35.539 --> 00:41:36.800 we can't just do this 00:41:36.800 --> 00:41:37.340 on our own. 00:41:37.840 --> 00:41:38.900 We need you, God, 00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:39.960 to come and reveal. 00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:41.780 So let me pray 00:41:41.780 --> 00:41:42.580 over us. 00:41:44.360 --> 00:41:44.800 Father, 00:41:44.880 --> 00:41:45.900 we come before you 00:41:45.900 --> 00:41:47.420 and we thank you 00:41:47.420 --> 00:41:49.060 for the amazing signs 00:41:49.060 --> 00:41:49.760 that you have given 00:41:49.760 --> 00:41:50.580 in your Word. 00:41:50.579 --> 00:41:52.219 and Father, 00:41:52.319 --> 00:41:53.099 all the signs 00:41:53.099 --> 00:41:54.039 point towards 00:41:54.039 --> 00:41:54.719 who you are 00:41:54.719 --> 00:41:55.860 and how amazing 00:41:55.860 --> 00:41:57.059 and how wonderful 00:41:57.059 --> 00:41:58.139 your gospel is. 00:41:58.840 --> 00:41:59.119 Father, 00:41:59.179 --> 00:41:59.860 even as we come 00:41:59.860 --> 00:42:00.559 before you, 00:42:01.000 --> 00:42:01.179 Father, 00:42:01.259 --> 00:42:02.619 we come and we pray 00:42:02.619 --> 00:42:03.519 that your Spirit 00:42:03.519 --> 00:42:04.199 would reveal 00:42:04.199 --> 00:42:04.880 the distractions 00:42:04.880 --> 00:42:05.559 in our life, 00:42:05.619 --> 00:42:06.319 the things that 00:42:06.319 --> 00:42:07.799 we are demanding, 00:42:07.960 --> 00:42:08.440 we're requesting 00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:09.400 for one more sign. 00:42:09.960 --> 00:42:10.159 Father, 00:42:10.239 --> 00:42:10.759 would you come 00:42:10.759 --> 00:42:11.579 and convict us 00:42:11.579 --> 00:42:12.319 of those things? 00:42:13.319 --> 00:42:13.679 And Father, 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:14.799 we come confessing 00:42:14.799 --> 00:42:16.079 that there are so many 00:42:16.079 --> 00:42:17.319 things that distract us 00:42:17.320 --> 00:42:18.320 and we want to come 00:42:18.320 --> 00:42:19.000 back to you 00:42:19.000 --> 00:42:20.460 and we want you 00:42:20.460 --> 00:42:21.460 to come and reveal 00:42:21.460 --> 00:42:22.440 who Jesus is. 00:42:23.200 --> 00:42:23.500 Father, 00:42:23.580 --> 00:42:24.740 as we go into our week, 00:42:24.840 --> 00:42:26.280 we pray that you 00:42:26.280 --> 00:42:27.580 would be our King, 00:42:27.660 --> 00:42:28.660 that you would be our God, 00:42:29.320 --> 00:42:30.160 that we would always 00:42:30.160 --> 00:42:31.780 answer this question, 00:42:31.920 --> 00:42:32.500 we would always be 00:42:32.500 --> 00:42:33.519 thoughtful of this question 00:42:33.519 --> 00:42:34.559 of who Jesus is 00:42:34.559 --> 00:42:35.360 as we interact, 00:42:35.440 --> 00:42:36.640 as we go into our work, 00:42:37.000 --> 00:42:37.700 into our lives, 00:42:37.780 --> 00:42:38.700 into our families, 00:42:39.420 --> 00:42:40.559 that you would be our King. 00:42:41.620 --> 00:42:42.100 So Father, 00:42:42.220 --> 00:42:42.460 come, 00:42:43.160 --> 00:42:43.519 Spirit, 00:42:43.660 --> 00:42:44.860 come and minister 00:42:44.860 --> 00:42:45.519 into our hearts 00:42:45.519 --> 00:42:46.019 right now 00:42:46.019 --> 00:42:47.840 and we wait upon you 00:42:47.840 --> 00:42:48.619 this moment. 00:42:49.820 --> 00:42:50.199 So come, 00:42:50.300 --> 00:42:50.519 Jesus.