WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.279 Let's turn to Matthew chapter 22. Matthew chapter 22, you've got a church Bible, it's on page 828. 00:00:12.320 --> 00:00:19.280 ! And it's the last paragraph of Matthew 22 and the first paragraph of Matthew 23. 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:26.320 ! It's one of those instances where the break in paragraphs and chapter headings is not very helpful. 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:32.000 So if you've been here for the last few weeks you'll know that we're in a pretty sticky section of Matthew's Gospel. 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:43.519 Jesus is in the hot seat and he is answering the rapid fire hostile questions from the religious leaders in Jerusalem. 00:00:43.519 --> 00:00:53.519 It's a week before he dies, they've been hounding him with questions in order to trick him up and to make him fall. 00:00:53.520 --> 00:01:00.800 So they can pounce on him once and for all and every answer of Jesus is utterly brilliant. 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:11.760 Which is very encouraging I think. Not just because he is so different from us but because we don't have the answers but he does. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:23.200 And if you've got the answers, you can go back to the start of Matthew 21 and you'll know quite surprisingly that Jesus asks twice the number of questions that they ask of him. 00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:27.439 And each time he reverses what they ask of him. 00:01:27.439 --> 00:01:33.760 And so the question as we read Matthew 21, 22, 23 is what is wrong with them? What is wrong with these guys? 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:41.920 And they are sincere men. And they're sincere men who spent their whole lives studying the Bible and they hate Jesus. 00:01:42.960 --> 00:01:48.040 And they refuse him. And they're bound to kill him. And they'll succeed in that, won't they? 00:01:48.040 --> 00:01:55.300 What is wrong with them? And the answer that Jesus gives us is hypocrisy. 00:01:57.440 --> 00:01:57.880 Hypocrisy. 00:01:59.160 --> 00:02:04.060 I don't have seen any thunder from next week's passage. There's plenty of lightning and thunder in our own passage. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:09.040 But next week we get to this last speech from Jesus to these people who've made themselves enemies. 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:13.599 And seven times he says to them, woe to you. 00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:17.079 I just look at the first verse after our passage. 00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:18.879 John 23, verse 13. 00:02:20.519 --> 00:02:29.599 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:36.620 For you neither enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who would enter to go in. 00:02:36.620 --> 00:02:39.400 And for good measure. 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:46.319 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you travel across a sea and land to make a single cross, a single convert. 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:51.360 But when he becomes a follower, when he becomes a crossite, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourself. 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:54.500 He's not messing around, is he, Jesus? 00:02:56.580 --> 00:03:00.240 But even as he says this, I want you to note the tone of the passage. 00:03:01.780 --> 00:03:04.099 Jesus' tone here is one of compassion. 00:03:04.099 --> 00:03:07.879 He is saying, woe to you. 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:09.400 He is not gloating. 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:10.740 He is not happy. 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:15.539 He tells them this as a last measure to bring them to repentance. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:19.180 This is the thing he's saying that's got a grip on your heart. 00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:20.139 It is hypocrisy. 00:03:20.299 --> 00:03:21.340 Wake up and see it. 00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:25.199 And you are about to reach the point of no return. 00:03:27.359 --> 00:03:31.340 And so this morning I want to tell you as a well-seasoned and a well-practiced hypocrite, 00:03:31.340 --> 00:03:33.219 I have found this passage terrifying. 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:37.420 Terrifying preparation. 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:44.539 It's like being in a massive lightning storm and lifting up the biggest umbrella you can find. 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:51.219 Or it's like grating cheese with a tiny nav of cheese. 00:03:51.219 --> 00:03:54.900 And you know as you do it that your finger's about to get cut. 00:03:56.659 --> 00:04:00.919 Or it's like trying to move a tiger from one room to the other in a house that doesn't have any doors inside. 00:04:02.039 --> 00:04:02.500 You get the picture? 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:07.240 It's a really great temptation for Bible preachers. 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:11.740 And to be very nice, to be very pious in front of you all. 00:04:11.740 --> 00:04:13.960 But to not let God change my heart. 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:19.980 And the danger of preaching is that the approval that comes in preaching, 00:04:20.120 --> 00:04:23.840 you begin to live as though appearances are more important than reality. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:30.439 And hypocrisy is so, so dangerous because it's a form of self-deception. 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:40.279 So you know, don't you, that it's possible to go through the motions of worship without any heart humility at all. 00:04:41.980 --> 00:04:48.120 It's possible to preach the Bible to others without any intention of obeying yourself. 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:57.120 Or as the Bible puts it, to honour God with my lips, but my heart's to be far from you. 00:04:57.120 --> 00:05:02.280 And of all sins, hypocrisy has got a unique power. 00:05:03.579 --> 00:05:07.920 Hypocrisy has got a unique power to push God away, to hold God at distance, 00:05:08.139 --> 00:05:12.500 to hold Him at arm's length by pretending that you are good. 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:16.439 By pretending that you are real, for real. 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:18.740 Let's just go through the motions. 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:26.199 And I think what is wonderful here about this is that Jesus' words are so hopeful and heartening for all of us who are hypocrites. 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:28.660 Which means all of us. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:30.459 Sorry to tell you. 00:05:32.579 --> 00:05:34.759 I was once talking about it with an older minister. 00:05:36.420 --> 00:05:40.840 And we went somewhere and as often comes somebody asks us, what do you do? 00:05:42.780 --> 00:05:46.280 The minister said, I'm a minister, absolutely I am too. 00:05:47.160 --> 00:05:48.920 And the person said, I can never go to church. 00:05:49.340 --> 00:05:50.420 Church is full of hypocrites. 00:05:50.420 --> 00:05:53.939 And the minister said, quick as a flash. 00:05:54.740 --> 00:05:56.699 He smiled and said, well there's always room for one more. 00:05:58.060 --> 00:05:59.400 I said, great insults isn't it? 00:05:59.740 --> 00:06:00.500 You should use it. 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:05.740 And so I think in the end we come away from this. 00:06:06.140 --> 00:06:08.700 It begins and it ends with great encouragement. 00:06:09.980 --> 00:06:14.360 And Jesus is going to give you, here this morning, the tools to cut through hypocrisy. 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:20.259 And what he's going to show us, wonderfully, is that he is Lord and that he is greater than our hypocrisy. 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:22.639 And so the passage divides into two. 00:06:23.020 --> 00:06:26.360 And there's a paragraph at the end of chapter 22 and the paragraph at the start of 23. 00:06:27.259 --> 00:06:27.920 Two points. 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:31.500 First of all, Jesus reveals that he is Lord. 00:06:32.139 --> 00:06:34.120 And secondly, Jesus implies that he is Lord. 00:06:35.400 --> 00:06:37.199 So number one, Jesus reveals that he is Lord. 00:06:37.280 --> 00:06:38.819 That's 22, 41 to 46. 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:41.860 So look at that passage. 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:43.599 While the Pharisees, they gather together. 00:06:43.699 --> 00:06:44.279 They're in a big group. 00:06:44.860 --> 00:06:47.839 They gather together and Jesus asks them a question. 00:06:47.980 --> 00:06:50.219 He goes right up to them with this question. 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:52.000 And he is on the front foot. 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:53.199 He's no longer on the defensive. 00:06:54.259 --> 00:06:55.800 And he says, what do you think about the Christ? 00:06:57.279 --> 00:06:58.159 Whose son is he? 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:01.860 And they say to him, don't they? 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:02.420 Can you see this? 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:04.399 They say to him, I'm the son of David. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:08.699 This is the big question. 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:12.439 This is the elephant in the room. 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:17.439 Because we've been during Matthew's gospel for 550 weeks. 00:07:18.040 --> 00:07:19.439 And we can miss this, I think. 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:23.680 But it's a big deal. 00:07:24.719 --> 00:07:25.500 They know it. 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:26.120 The son of David. 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:27.219 When he came in Jerusalem. 00:07:27.379 --> 00:07:28.659 When he cleaned the temple. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:29.500 When he healed people. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:35.300 They say to him, where do you get this authority from, Jesus? 00:07:35.420 --> 00:07:36.199 Who do you think you are? 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:39.740 And now he takes their lives in his hands. 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:40.680 And his life in their hands. 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:42.819 And he gives them an answer from their own scriptures. 00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:44.740 It's an explanation of who he is. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:47.819 The Christ just means Messiah. 00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:49.819 God's anointed king. 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:50.879 The Old Testament king. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:53.399 Who God had promised to David. 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:55.039 A thousand years before Jesus came. 00:07:56.659 --> 00:07:58.639 The Christ is also called the son of David. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:00.879 Because God promised the great king David. 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:01.899 A descendant. 00:08:02.419 --> 00:08:04.019 A descendant who would rule forever. 00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:08.279 And so if you've been with us through Matthew's gospel. 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:11.519 You will know that the son of David is a big deal in Matthew's gospel. 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:14.939 The first word in Matthew's gospel. 00:08:15.039 --> 00:08:15.579 Do you remember what they are? 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:18.299 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:20.279 The son of David. 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:22.939 It comes up, doesn't it? 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:23.479 Again and again. 00:08:23.579 --> 00:08:25.579 Moments of key recognition of Jesus. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:28.819 So do you remember when Jesus gets to Jerusalem. 00:08:28.979 --> 00:08:30.740 Twice he's called the son of David. 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:34.179 And the crowd as he comes to introduce them. 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:37.439 They say, Hosanna to the son of David. 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:41.840 My favorite is back in chapter 21 and verse 15. 00:08:42.420 --> 00:08:43.440 Just in case you missed it. 00:08:43.680 --> 00:08:45.860 The chief priests and the scribes. 00:08:46.280 --> 00:08:47.400 See Jesus in the temple. 00:08:48.660 --> 00:08:50.480 And they see the wonderful thing that he's doing. 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:52.300 And that he does healing people. 00:08:52.420 --> 00:08:54.660 And they hear children crying out in the temple. 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:56.400 Hosanna to the son of David. 00:08:56.760 --> 00:08:57.660 And the religious leaders. 00:08:57.800 --> 00:08:58.520 They are furious. 00:08:58.660 --> 00:08:59.100 They're indignant. 00:09:00.380 --> 00:09:01.540 And they say to Jesus. 00:09:01.800 --> 00:09:02.660 Do you hear what they're saying? 00:09:02.780 --> 00:09:03.840 Do you hear what they're calling you? 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:06.360 And Jesus said to them yes. 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:08.460 Have you never read. 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:10.780 Out of the mouths of babes and infants. 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:11.820 And nursing babies. 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:13.260 God you've prepared for age. 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:16.680 Now here is the background. 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:20.340 David was the greatest Israelite ever. 00:09:20.760 --> 00:09:23.200 David was a man after God's own heart. 00:09:23.940 --> 00:09:26.760 He is the sweet Samist of Israel. 00:09:27.760 --> 00:09:28.260 Do you remember? 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:29.880 He conquered Philistines. 00:09:29.880 --> 00:09:31.140 He killed Goliath. 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:34.260 He conquered God's enemies. 00:09:34.780 --> 00:09:37.060 There's nobody who gets higher on the tree. 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:38.560 In the Old Testament. 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:38.560 In the Old Testament. 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:39.100 The David. 00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:42.720 And God made a special promise. 00:09:42.820 --> 00:09:43.280 To King David. 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:46.240 That he would have a descendant. 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:48.460 David you will have a son. 00:09:48.520 --> 00:09:49.860 Who would rule after you. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:52.340 And God will establish. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:54.380 That throne of that descendant. 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:55.120 That Messiah. 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:55.520 That King. 00:09:55.540 --> 00:09:56.880 And he will rule forever and ever. 00:09:59.140 --> 00:10:01.120 And it is absolutely ridiculous. 00:10:01.300 --> 00:10:02.360 To these leaders in Jerusalem. 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:03.520 That Jesus. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:05.280 Should even pretend. 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:06.319 That he is the son of David. 00:10:06.839 --> 00:10:07.439 It is embarrassing. 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:09.699 He can't be no Philistines. 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:11.959 Didn't even have one wife. 00:10:13.299 --> 00:10:14.100 He didn't raise an army. 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:16.419 Couldn't use a sword. 00:10:17.699 --> 00:10:18.720 Didn't even have a coin. 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:20.399 It is deeply offensive. 00:10:21.959 --> 00:10:23.360 But the son of David. 00:10:23.699 --> 00:10:25.240 Should be the same sentence of Jesus. 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:25.480 Jesus. 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:28.500 But Jesus' question. 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:29.500 Shows that they've got it. 00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:30.680 Completely the wrong way around. 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:31.440 He was indeed. 00:10:31.680 --> 00:10:32.600 The son of David. 00:10:33.180 --> 00:10:34.279 But way more. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:37.139 They thought. 00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:38.139 Those religious leaders. 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:40.299 That they had a really high view. 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:41.060 Of the son of David. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.220 But Jesus shows them. 00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:43.220 That their view. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:44.259 Of the son of David. 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.580 Was woefully inadequate. 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:48.220 And here we need to pay. 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:49.019 Close attention. 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:50.139 To how Jesus asks the question. 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:51.620 So Jesus asks. 00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:52.100 Doesn't he. 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:53.860 Whose son is he? 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:56.480 How very small is he? 00:10:57.759 --> 00:10:59.720 And the leaders give the Sunday school answer. 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:00.279 Simple answer. 00:11:00.560 --> 00:11:01.340 He's the son of David. 00:11:01.800 --> 00:11:03.379 But Jesus doesn't finish there. 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:04.560 And neither does David. 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:07.480 That doesn't finish the question. 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:08.560 It still hangs. 00:11:08.680 --> 00:11:09.320 It needs a deeper. 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:10.440 More wonderful answer. 00:11:10.800 --> 00:11:12.259 And that has to do with God. 00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:13.600 Coming to be with us. 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:15.659 And so. 00:11:15.800 --> 00:11:16.519 You'll know that if you. 00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:17.920 Be with us on Matthew's Gospel. 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:18.840 There's a massive hint. 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:19.240 Something there. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:20.740 The previous chapter we form. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:22.240 Three parables. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:24.779 Jesus referred to himself. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:26.519 Again and again and again. 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:28.539 As not just the son of David. 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:29.620 But the son of God. 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:33.039 He is the chief cornerstone. 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:35.200 He is the one. 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:36.980 The one in peace is thrown. 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:37.840 And so. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:38.680 Verse 43. 00:11:38.820 --> 00:11:39.060 Okay. 00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:40.159 How is it then. 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:40.899 That David. 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:41.940 In the spirit. 00:11:42.419 --> 00:11:43.440 Calls him Lord. 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:44.980 Saying. 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:46.440 The Lord God said. 00:11:46.560 --> 00:11:47.740 To my Lord. 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:55.200 Sit in my right hand. 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:57.440 Until I put your enemies. 00:11:57.560 --> 00:11:58.299 Under your feet. 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:01.240 So if then. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:03.060 David calls him Lord. 00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:05.240 How then is he. 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:06.159 David's son. 00:12:08.060 --> 00:12:09.399 It's a quote from Psalm 110. 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:12.019 I think David. 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:12.840 Who wrote him obviously. 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:14.700 Is speaking about somebody. 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:15.919 Who is far superior to him. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:18.459 He calls this person. 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:19.120 My Lord. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.879 He cannot just be speaking. 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:23.279 About a human descendant. 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:24.759 But a Messiah. 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:26.659 Who is going to be his son. 00:12:27.939 --> 00:12:29.240 It doesn't make any sense. 00:12:29.339 --> 00:12:30.459 To call his descendants. 00:12:30.959 --> 00:12:31.439 Descendant. 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.159 My Lord. 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:32.659 Does it? 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:35.120 And in this Psalm. 00:12:35.459 --> 00:12:36.279 Jesus is saying. 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:36.979 That David. 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:38.579 Vows his kingship. 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:40.959 And does homage. 00:12:40.959 --> 00:12:42.120 To his descendant. 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:44.980 Because this descendant. 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:45.980 Is not just going to sit. 00:12:46.060 --> 00:12:47.139 On a throne of gold. 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:48.080 He's going to sit. 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:49.279 On the highest throne. 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:49.820 In the cosmos. 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:50.919 At the right hand of God. 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:51.600 The Father in heaven. 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:54.779 And David is prophesying. 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:56.779 That the coming Messiah. 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:57.879 Will be my Lord. 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.419 He says. 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:00.580 So the Messiah. 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:02.060 Is not just descended from David. 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:03.639 He is much greater than David. 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:06.299 He sits on a throne in heaven. 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:09.460 Imagine this is astonishing. 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:10.139 Here in the gospel. 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.379 Do you know what Jesus is driving at? 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:12.159 He's driving at. 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:12.939 His incarnation. 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.779 He's driving at. 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:16.960 That God. 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:17.659 Became. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:18.799 A man. 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:21.059 And the only way. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:21.720 This Psalm. 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:22.399 Is true. 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:23.539 Is if the Messiah. 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.080 This king. 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:25.879 Is divine. 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.399 If he is God. 00:13:27.439 --> 00:13:28.159 In the flesh. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:29.100 If he is. 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:29.820 Emmanuel. 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:30.439 God. 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:31.100 With us. 00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:33.960 So he's. 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:34.759 Saying here. 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:35.100 Is he. 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.080 I'm not just. 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:36.980 The son of David. 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:39.559 I'm the son of God. 00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:42.439 And you want to know. 00:13:42.619 --> 00:13:43.739 Where my authority comes from. 00:13:43.979 --> 00:13:44.519 Here I am. 00:13:44.619 --> 00:13:45.479 I am David's Lord. 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:47.399 I am the Lord of all. 00:13:48.979 --> 00:13:50.179 And it is absolutely. 00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:50.959 Mind-blowing. 00:13:53.959 --> 00:13:55.699 The closest Israel ever got. 00:13:55.839 --> 00:13:56.819 In the Old Testament. 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:57.979 And to draw near to God. 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.500 To be near to God. 00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:00.179 Was Mount Sinai. 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:03.399 And the mountain shook. 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:06.099 As in the centre. 00:14:06.739 --> 00:14:07.639 Thunder was heard. 00:14:07.739 --> 00:14:08.759 There was darkness all around. 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:10.019 There were deafening trumpets. 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:12.779 And in the centre of the darkness. 00:14:12.979 --> 00:14:13.819 Was fire. 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:15.039 Coming down. 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:16.419 Going right from the top of the mountain. 00:14:16.979 --> 00:14:17.879 And it says literally. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:18.599 That the people. 00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:19.979 Gathered with Moses. 00:14:20.099 --> 00:14:20.459 And they said. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.279 We're going to die. 00:14:22.959 --> 00:14:23.859 We're going to die. 00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:25.559 If we keep hearing the voice of God. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.439 So you go up there. 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.099 Instead Moses. 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:27.719 You go up. 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:31.740 But what is so shocking here. 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:32.259 Is. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:34.080 Jesus the man. 00:14:34.160 --> 00:14:34.580 Is saying. 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:35.399 He is Lord. 00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:37.639 Jesus the human. 00:14:38.920 --> 00:14:40.300 Jesus the vulnerable. 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:43.540 Jesus the completely human one. 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:45.019 His unbelievable humility. 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:46.560 Of the son of God. 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:48.480 To take on the human flesh. 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:49.899 Entering Jerusalem. 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:50.700 On a donkey. 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.779 Walking the path of humility. 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:54.440 Going to the cross. 00:14:54.920 --> 00:14:55.940 Praying for the forgiveness. 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:57.580 Of those who nailed him to the tree. 00:14:57.720 --> 00:15:00.100 This is what he does. 00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:00.899 With his lordship. 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:04.200 And that is what is really going on here. 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.580 A thousand years before. 00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:09.019 The fruit of Jesus in Bethlehem. 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:10.440 When this psalm was written. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.960 God knew exactly. 00:15:12.160 --> 00:15:13.180 How the son of David. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.200 Would be David's lord. 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:16.680 The son of David. 00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.860 Infinitely superior. 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.160 To any of the Israelites. 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.960 In the old testament. 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:22.820 Came from heaven. 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.920 Looking at him in the face. 00:15:26.040 --> 00:15:27.259 God draws very close. 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:27.860 God. 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.559 And as David's lord. 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:31.580 He is the lord. 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:32.620 And lord of all. 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:34.080 And if only they could see it. 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.179 Those religious leaders. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.360 They would be saved. 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:41.539 It's very encouraging to know. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.379 That he is lord of all. 00:15:43.819 --> 00:15:45.299 It's very encouraging to know that. 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:47.100 As they gather to put him to death. 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.559 That it was no surprise. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.379 To God in heaven. 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.639 That they are about to put him to death. 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:53.799 He has enemies. 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:57.620 And the great irony of course. 00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:59.080 Is that through his death. 00:15:59.199 --> 00:16:00.220 And through his resurrection. 00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:02.100 God will make all those. 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:03.559 Who make themselves enemies. 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.799 His enemies. 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.659 Well he'll put them under Jesus' feet. 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.199 Including those here. 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.740 Who want to do away with him. 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:14.840 We are on the cusp. 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:15.159 Aren't we. 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.740 Of the most terrible suffering. 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:17.440 For Jesus. 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.279 At their hands. 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:20.279 And he is trying to reach out to them in love. 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.799 Trying to reach out to them. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.860 Through their own scriptures. 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.840 Jesus is the son of God. 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.600 And Lord. 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:28.620 And you know. 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:29.919 If he is the key to life. 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:31.200 And is the key to everything. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:32.060 That God is doing. 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:33.680 It explains to us. 00:16:33.680 --> 00:16:34.000 Doesn't it. 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:35.000 Why Jesus can. 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:36.779 Reveal with such clarity. 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:38.220 And such authority. 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.139 Who God is. 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:39.980 And what heaven is like. 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:40.720 What hell is that. 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:43.059 And what it means to belong to the kingdom. 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.820 And that is why the Lord Jesus. 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:47.500 Is so strangely attractive. 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.340 As you read of him. 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:50.600 And desirable to us. 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:52.759 He is Lord. 00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:55.220 Secondly. 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:57.019 Then Jesus applies his lordship. 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:57.960 Here we are in. 00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:58.519 In 23. 00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:59.240 1 to 12. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:01.740 And he applies his lordship. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.379 In two directions. 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:02.860 Number 1. 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:03.120 2. 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:05.460 The religious leaders. 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.980 And then to the disciples. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.720 In verse 1. 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.660 He turns to the crowds. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.059 And his disciples. 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:13.500 So firstly. 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:14.420 He applies his lordship. 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.099 To these leaders. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.059 Here is the problem. 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.440 And you can say. 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:18.920 This morning. 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:19.359 Yes. 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.539 Everything that I have said. 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.140 Already. 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.799 And you can know it to be true. 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:29.079 But still hold God at arm's length. 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:30.059 Can't you? 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.839 And the way we do that. 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.779 Is by hypocrisy. 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:37.939 By saying something outwardly. 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:39.480 But inwardly. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.240 Refusing him. 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:43.199 And this is the great sin. 00:17:43.199 --> 00:17:44.079 Of Matthew's gospel. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:47.759 It is the one known sin. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:49.839 That refuses the lordship of Jesus. 00:17:49.939 --> 00:17:50.679 It's hypocrisy. 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:53.920 It's not that hypocrisy diminishes. 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:54.980 It's not that hypocrisy diminishes. 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:56.779 Or makes less Jesus lordship. 00:17:56.840 --> 00:17:57.360 In any way. 00:17:58.060 --> 00:18:00.920 But hypocrisy has got a uniquely effective way. 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:03.860 Of turning a heart away from Jesus. 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:08.299 Of placing ourselves outside the kingdom. 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:11.059 While we pretend to others. 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:12.339 And to ourselves. 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.279 That we are good. 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.980 Now to be fair. 00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:19.359 I think these leaders. 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:21.419 Here are not deliberately insincere. 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:25.600 They are not cynical about God. 00:18:27.300 --> 00:18:28.440 But in their attempt. 00:18:28.580 --> 00:18:30.000 To try and do what they could. 00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:31.960 They developed an approach to faith. 00:18:32.060 --> 00:18:32.980 And to life. 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:36.160 That was focused on the approval of others. 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:38.740 And not the approval of God. 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:42.120 And when you are focused. 00:18:42.120 --> 00:18:43.720 On the approval of others. 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:46.120 It becomes a kind of. 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:48.680 Spiritual force field around you. 00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:52.120 That makes you impervious. 00:18:52.620 --> 00:18:54.840 Makes you unable to be affected. 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.540 By the grace of God. 00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.980 The love and the knowledge. 00:18:59.080 --> 00:18:59.840 And the joy of God. 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.180 These people. 00:19:02.300 --> 00:19:04.220 They were daily dealing with the Bible. 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:06.740 And the things of God. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:10.299 But it was the audience around them. 00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:13.039 That had replaced the fear of God. 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:15.799 And it's a terrible thing to fall into. 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:19.640 And that's exactly how religious hypocrisy works. 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.680 Over time. 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.740 Appearance. 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.600 Becomes more important. 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.420 Than reality. 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.059 Look at verse. 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.180 3. 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.440 Of chapter 23. 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.900 Look what it says. 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.059 And they preach. 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.960 But they don't practice. 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:39.120 And they tie up heavy burdens. 00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:40.539 And they lay them on people's shoulders. 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:42.360 But they themselves. 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:45.519 Are not willing to move them with their fingers. 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.279 It's so different. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.339 To the teaching of Jesus. 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:53.200 And so the religious leaders. 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:54.380 They've got these strings. 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.519 And they've got these ropes. 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.259 And you. 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.759 You know these arcane. 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.440 Semantic. 00:19:59.600 --> 00:20:00.039 Abstract. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.660 Hermeneutical. 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.640 Theological arguments. 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:03.660 They've tied up the Old Testament. 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:06.040 With all these major commands. 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.220 And minor commands. 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:09.200 And then they've got the ropes. 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:09.680 And crumb. 00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:11.259 Lifted them on the people's shoulders. 00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:13.920 With great certainty. 00:20:15.040 --> 00:20:15.960 And authority. 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:19.279 But they don't obey the commands. 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:22.700 They don't apply to the rest. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.140 They say. 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:26.100 And they don't lift up the finger. 00:20:26.340 --> 00:20:27.579 To obey their own teaching. 00:20:27.860 --> 00:20:28.059 Now. 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:28.640 Why? 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:31.120 Why does Jesus say this happens? 00:20:31.520 --> 00:20:31.980 Verse 5. 00:20:32.080 --> 00:20:32.800 Is the great clue. 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:37.200 They do all their deeds. 00:20:39.040 --> 00:20:40.320 To be seen by others. 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:44.200 And they make their black things. 00:20:44.320 --> 00:20:44.560 Roll that. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.560 Those containers. 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.500 We talked about them last week. 00:20:46.560 --> 00:20:48.300 Holding a staple from the law. 00:20:49.280 --> 00:20:50.360 And their fringes. 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.600 Long kind of religious gear. 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:54.700 And they love their place. 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:56.160 Of honour at feasts. 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:58.860 And they love their best seats. 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.960 At the synagogues. 00:21:00.040 --> 00:21:01.279 And the greetings in the marketplaces. 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:03.519 And being called rabbis by others. 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.400 It's hypocrisy. 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:09.080 And in Jesus' day. 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.380 The word hypocrite meant. 00:21:10.800 --> 00:21:11.480 Actor. 00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:12.860 Or actors. 00:21:13.840 --> 00:21:15.160 An actor on stage. 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.180 And being an hypocrite. 00:21:18.340 --> 00:21:19.060 Being an actor. 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:19.900 Takes time. 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:22.040 And it takes skill. 00:21:23.820 --> 00:21:24.920 And to be a good actor. 00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:25.759 It takes practice. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.980 To get good at it. 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.299 And so actors. 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:29.819 Need. 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:30.819 Elocution. 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:31.619 Lessons. 00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:33.400 So that they can. 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:33.940 Deliver. 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:36.019 And they need. 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:37.480 Training for how to master. 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.299 Actions. 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.799 And inflections. 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.500 And so actors. 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:42.960 And actresses. 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.779 They practice. 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.619 In front of a mirror. 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:45.799 And they learn. 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.500 Gestures. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:48.079 And kind of micro expressions. 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:51.099 So that they can perform well. 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:53.599 So that they can convince. 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:54.319 To the audience. 00:21:54.459 --> 00:21:56.219 So they are someone else. 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.099 Jesus said. 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.579 The word could have a positive meaning. 00:22:00.699 --> 00:22:01.439 Or a negative meaning. 00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:02.980 But when Jesus uses it. 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.519 It is always entirely negative. 00:22:07.659 --> 00:22:09.379 Saying one thing in your life. 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:10.819 Of faith. 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.539 And doing another. 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:12.459 It's living alive. 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:15.759 We've got a really contemporary. 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.940 Form of this. 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:18.980 It's called. 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.319 Virtue signaling. 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:21.740 Do you know what that is? 00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:22.519 Virtue signaling. 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:25.360 It's been around us for a few years. 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.440 And by virtue signaling. 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.940 We say to people. 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:32.100 How morally superior we are. 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:32.900 We do it. 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:34.000 In a sophisticated way. 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:37.700 And we say that we either love something. 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.840 Or we hear something. 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.459 So for example. 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:42.000 I'll try to think of one. 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.299 I don't think it affects anyone here. 00:22:43.459 --> 00:22:44.419 But if I was to say. 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:46.299 I hate those pollution loving. 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.759 4x4 drivers. 00:22:49.699 --> 00:22:50.639 What am I really saying? 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:52.879 I'm saying. 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:52.879 I'm saying. 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.519 By kind of. 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.139 Voicing that. 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:57.899 They don't care. 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:59.220 About the environment. 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.740 As much as I do. 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:02.759 That's the way we work. 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.359 I'm better than them. 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:05.740 Because. 00:23:06.459 --> 00:23:07.699 I'm more concerned about the environment. 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.119 They are. 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.859 If you go to the shop. 00:23:10.959 --> 00:23:11.659 Whole Foods. 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.859 I don't know why I was in there. 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.639 It's not the kind of place. 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.500 I go in there. 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.699 But if you go to Whole Foods. 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:20.099 It's got a huge poster inside. 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.539 And it says this. 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:24.539 We are part of a growing consciousness. 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.759 That is bigger than food. 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:29.359 One that champions what is good. 00:23:30.939 --> 00:23:32.179 So go to Whole Foods. 00:23:32.939 --> 00:23:33.579 I shop in here. 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.559 Do you see it? 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:37.579 We are part of a growing consciousness. 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.500 That is bigger than food. 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.519 We're better. 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.639 One that champions what is good. 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:43.379 If you shop in Whole Foods. 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.379 It's interesting. 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:45.399 It's interesting. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:48.240 All the moral outrage that is out there. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.200 Distracts others. 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:54.200 From the fact that what we're really trying to say. 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.879 Is that we are better than others. 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:58.420 And it's no surprise. 00:23:58.420 --> 00:23:58.720 Is it? 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:02.700 It's no surprise that many professional actors. 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:05.380 What are they experts at? 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:07.560 They are experts. 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:07.900 Aren't they? 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.940 At virtue signaling. 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:14.220 Because it's a unique form of sin to us. 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:16.820 It's like a deliberate form of spiritual blindness. 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.460 So here's what I want you to see. 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:20.059 That has really helped me this week. 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:22.019 How does hypocrisy work? 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.200 If you write notes. 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.000 Write this down. 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:27.080 We begin by deceiving others. 00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:29.660 And we end up deceiving ourselves. 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:34.900 And that's why hypocrisy is so so dangerous in church life. 00:24:35.040 --> 00:24:37.500 We begin by deceiving other people. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:39.340 But we end up deceiving ourselves. 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:41.720 And so the more applause we get from other people. 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:43.420 The more dangerous it is for us. 00:24:44.580 --> 00:24:48.400 It enables you and I to pretend that we are better than we really are. 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:50.000 So we hold Jesus at arm's length. 00:24:50.040 --> 00:24:51.220 And we pretend that things are okay. 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.540 We hide our sin. 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.500 We say the right things. 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:56.259 But there's no reality behind it. 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:59.400 So what are we hypocrites to do? 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:03.540 How do we reverse the deadening effects of hypocrisy? 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:05.120 It is not trying harder. 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:09.279 But I think what Jesus does wonderfully at the end of this passage. 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:11.420 He gives you three concrete ways. 00:25:13.580 --> 00:25:16.660 That can certainly reverse hypocrisy on a day to day basis. 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:18.100 And I want to finish with these. 00:25:19.060 --> 00:25:19.980 Three practices. 00:25:20.100 --> 00:25:21.400 He's applying here to the disciples. 00:25:22.840 --> 00:25:24.019 And so number one. 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:27.519 Is the direct experience. 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:30.099 Of the Lord Jesus himself teaching us. 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:31.940 Through the Bible. 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.599 Through his word. 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.680 Again and again in the New Testament. 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:38.920 After Jesus had gone to heaven. 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:40.940 The apostles wrote to the church. 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.259 Churches of people. 00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:45.359 Churches of people that had never heard Jesus in the flesh. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:48.460 And they never met Jesus in the flesh. 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.460 Churches of people. 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:51.640 And they say things like this. 00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:53.480 Faith comes by hearing. 00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:57.279 And hearing from Christ preaching. 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:57.859 Churches of people. 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:57.859 00:25:57.859 --> 00:26:00.919 the translators 00:26:00.919 --> 00:26:03.000 of the Greek 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:05.179 they can't possibly mean that Jesus 00:26:05.179 --> 00:26:07.559 is actually preaching to this congregation 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:08.919 in Rome 00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:10.799 but he is 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:13.479 he says the same thing 00:26:13.479 --> 00:26:15.539 in Ephesians, he says it in a number of places 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:17.559 in other words, as we hear the Bible 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.439 preached 00:26:18.439 --> 00:26:21.779 you don't listen to my voice 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:25.539 but you begin to hear the voice 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:27.219 of Jesus Christ himself 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:31.319 and if we don't then the whole exercise 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:33.019 becomes a kind of mutual spiritual 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.240 status of superiority 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:36.420 look what Jesus says in verse 8 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:39.839 you are not to be called 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:41.079 Rabbi 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:44.900 Rabbi means 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:45.960 great way 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:48.839 he's saying you are all 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.940 brothers 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:52.019 brothers and sisters 00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:54.740 you're all on a level 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:58.339 and call no man father on earth 00:26:58.339 --> 00:27:00.180 because you have one father 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:02.319 who is in heaven 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:05.000 neither be called instructors 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.759 for you have one instructor 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.259 the Christ 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:09.720 he is not saying there that you shouldn't have teachers 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.759 and you shouldn't have preachers 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.720 any more than you shouldn't have earthly fathers 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:14.839 don't misunderstand what Jesus is saying 00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:16.759 but what he's saying 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:18.779 the whole silly game of titles 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:20.379 and spiritual status 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:20.819 he came 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:23.180 which is so much 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:24.639 part of the marketplace 00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:26.660 it has no place 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.240 among us 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:32.200 I was at a conference once 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:34.240 where an archdeacon 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:34.920 was speaking 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:36.819 the archdeacon 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:39.339 the title for an archdeacon 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.220 is the venerable 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:41.460 it's called the venerable 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.539 Paul 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.759 changes his name 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:46.639 and that's how he was introduced 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:47.200 the venerable 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.519 and then the guy who was 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.439 introducing him said 00:27:49.439 --> 00:27:50.679 are we to venerate you 00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:52.839 look what's ridiculous 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:54.659 it's ridiculous 00:27:54.659 --> 00:27:56.779 we have one instructor 00:27:56.779 --> 00:28:00.579 that kind of silly 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:02.139 one-adventure 00:28:02.139 --> 00:28:02.619 titles 00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:04.179 all this sort of stuff 00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:05.379 spiritual speakers 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:06.200 it has no place 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:07.380 we have one instructor 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.680 Jesus Christ himself 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:10.240 personally 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.620 and so when we hear 00:28:11.620 --> 00:28:13.340 God's word preached 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:15.799 we have direct communion 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:17.160 with the Lord Jesus Christ 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:20.220 and our hearts burn within us 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.759 and faith is created 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.500 and strengthened 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:24.400 and it begins to undermine 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:25.299 the hypocrisy 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:27.819 this will be under the preaching 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.440 of God's word 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:30.340 hearing the voice of Jesus Christ 00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:30.759 as the person 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:32.539 directly as the Bible is preached 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.519 the second is this 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.220 in verse 11 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.340 and it is actively 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:36.519 serving each other 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:38.399 it is a concrete thing 00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:39.159 that we can do 00:28:39.159 --> 00:28:42.980 that we reach out in love 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.819 to other people 00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.959 we actually do something 00:28:44.959 --> 00:28:46.480 that means every gathering 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.299 of Christians 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:48.279 is not a private 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.459 spiritual exercise 00:28:49.459 --> 00:28:51.939 for spiritual consumption 00:28:51.939 --> 00:28:54.819 it's meant to be a chance 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.659 to serve 00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:57.019 so when you come on a Sunday 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:58.899 or you gather in a small group 00:28:58.899 --> 00:29:01.519 or you help out on the road 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:03.259 or you help out with the children 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.799 young people 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.099 the thought 00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:05.039 it's not what is in it 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.720 for me 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:07.460 but how can I serve 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.619 and encourage others 00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:09.379 instead 00:29:09.379 --> 00:29:12.400 and that shows itself 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:12.859 during the week 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:13.480 isn't it 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:15.759 being in touch with one another 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.660 popping in or one another 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:17.140 having coffee 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:18.039 sending texts 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:19.420 because if it's only 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:20.420 on a Sunday 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:21.299 how Christianity 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.980 but it's just hypocrisy 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:26.019 actively serving 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:27.019 one another 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:29.319 hearing the voice of Jesus 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.900 and then 30 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:30.500 and finally 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:32.019 it means genuinely 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.740 humbling ourselves 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.500 look at verse 12 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.559 humbling ourselves 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.380 before Jesus 00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:38.700 whoever exalts himself 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:40.680 will be humbled 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:42.039 and whoever humbles himself 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.740 will be exalted 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:45.500 and so they're mutually exclusive 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:47.180 if we exalt him 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:49.200 we can't do 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.420 we can't do one without the other 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:51.759 it'll mean we humble ourselves 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:54.799 if we exalt him 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:56.039 we'll gradually 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:58.119 demote the opinion of others 00:29:58.119 --> 00:30:01.259 if we humble ourselves 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:02.119 we'll exalt him 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:04.039 you cannot exalt yourself 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:05.099 and exalt Jesus 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:05.979 at the same time 00:30:05.979 --> 00:30:08.439 and I think what this means 00:30:08.439 --> 00:30:09.479 is what we've done this morning 00:30:09.479 --> 00:30:11.079 is ongoing repentance 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:12.079 it means isn't it 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.579 continually 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:14.179 coming to the Lord Jesus 00:30:14.179 --> 00:30:15.319 and asking for his help 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:18.559 not trying to cover up my sin 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.319 not trying to pretend 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:20.079 that it's not there 00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:20.679 but saying 00:30:20.679 --> 00:30:22.159 to God and to others 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:22.959 I've done it again 00:30:22.959 --> 00:30:23.699 I've done it again 00:30:23.699 --> 00:30:24.359 I've done it again 00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:25.139 give me grace 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:26.659 help me to be humble 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:29.040 help me humble myself 00:30:29.040 --> 00:30:30.400 and your mighty hand 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:32.300 we don't try and cover it up 00:30:32.300 --> 00:30:34.880 but he says 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:35.740 and we keep coming back 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.360 to this verse 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:37.560 again and again 00:30:37.560 --> 00:30:38.060 and again 00:30:38.060 --> 00:30:38.360 don't we 00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:38.840 Jesus says 00:30:38.840 --> 00:30:39.519 come to me 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.720 all you who are weary 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.660 and heavy laden 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:43.060 and I will give you 00:30:43.060 --> 00:30:44.200 rest 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:46.940 take my young 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.660 and follow you 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:48.680 and learn from me 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.600 for I am gentle 00:30:49.600 --> 00:30:51.620 and lowly in heart 00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:54.640 and you will find rest 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:55.480 for yourselves 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:58.900 for my youth is easy 00:30:58.900 --> 00:31:01.559 and my goodness light 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:03.160 Amen 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:05.720 Let's pray