WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.080 It would be fantastic if you could keep that passage open in front of you. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:12.560 We're going to be looking through that now, and I'm going to pray for us that God will open our minds and our hearts. 00:00:12.820 --> 00:00:13.259 So let's pray. 00:00:15.080 --> 00:00:18.300 Father God, we thank and praise you for the gift of your word. 00:00:18.620 --> 00:00:22.320 We thank you for the opportunity we have this morning to open it and to hear you speak. 00:00:23.059 --> 00:00:27.100 Lord, we thank you for today, the chance to remember and honour the mothers amongst us, 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:30.200 both physical and spiritual, that you have blessed us with. 00:00:30.900 --> 00:00:34.920 And Lord, we thank you that you have brought us together as a family to sit under your word today. 00:00:35.640 --> 00:00:42.140 Lord, please shape us by your Holy Spirit and equip us to be your people as we await for Jesus' return. 00:00:42.820 --> 00:00:43.120 Amen. 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:47.799 It has been a significant week in the world. 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:51.500 We have had a fairly significant event in these past seven days. 00:00:51.500 --> 00:00:59.820 I spent last weekend out of mobile reception, so it only gradually leaked through to me the information that Osama bin Laden had been killed. 00:01:00.759 --> 00:01:08.099 And I was reflecting on that this week, and I wonder if you remember where you were on September 11, 2001. 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:10.799 I remember it for myself quite clearly. 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:15.359 I remember hearing on the radio I was driving in the car that a plane had crashed into one of the towers. 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:23.939 And I kind of, at that stage it was an accident, and so I turned it off and listened to some music or something like that, 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:26.900 and woke up the next morning to discover what had actually happened. 00:01:27.840 --> 00:01:33.500 And when we have a major event like September 11, or even this week, like the death of Osama bin Laden, 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:36.280 the question we ask is, what now? 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:42.579 A major event like that changes things, but we need to figure out what's different as a result. 00:01:42.579 --> 00:01:45.379 In 2001, a lot was different. 00:01:46.019 --> 00:01:49.679 It changed the way and the possibility of international travel. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:52.700 It changed the way airline security is done. 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:57.980 It sadly also changed the way that we view Middle Eastern people. 00:01:59.799 --> 00:02:01.480 A lot changed that day. 00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:07.200 And significant events in life affect what comes afterwards. 00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:14.020 And where we've reached today in our series in Isaiah, in chapter 56, Israel is at one of those significant turning points. 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:18.360 I'll just give you a quick recap of where we've been as we've wandered through the book of Isaiah. 00:02:18.819 --> 00:02:22.580 We've begun by looking at God's assessment of his people. 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:24.920 In chapter 5, God says this. 00:02:24.919 --> 00:02:25.719 It says, 00:02:25.719 --> 00:02:30.559 The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:36.159 And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed, for righteousness, but heard cries of distress. 00:02:36.959 --> 00:02:41.719 So the reality as God scans his people is that he sees nothing but disobedience and rebellion. 00:02:42.279 --> 00:02:46.919 And so for the first 35 chapters of Isaiah, as we've dropped in at different points, 00:02:47.219 --> 00:02:53.239 what we've seen is judgment, and righteous judgment, and correct judgment, and punishment for what Israel has done. 00:02:53.240 --> 00:02:56.840 God rescues Israel in the middle there in 36 to 39, 00:02:57.620 --> 00:03:01.400 but now in the back half, Israel has jumped out of the frying pan into the fire, 00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:04.360 and is in exile in Babylon, in trouble again. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:09.480 The first half of Isaiah feels like God's pointing the finger, and he is. 00:03:10.200 --> 00:03:14.260 He's pointing out where Israel has failed, and the punishment they deserve, 00:03:14.540 --> 00:03:18.879 but something significant has happened by the time we reach chapter 40. 00:03:19.540 --> 00:03:23.080 That finger pointing gives way to the first words of chapter 40, 00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:25.500 comfort, comfort my people. 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:29.379 There's this uplifting message that begins to come through. 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:35.379 In chapter 42, a couple of weeks ago, we looked at the promised servant of God who was going to bring justice. 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:37.900 Even though Israel had failed so significantly, 00:03:38.420 --> 00:03:42.840 this servant was going to bring the justice that they so desperately desired. 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:48.980 So now, in this back 26 chapters of Isaiah, Israel is entering into a new age. 00:03:49.460 --> 00:03:54.360 An age that won't be filled with the failure and the punishment and frustration that has gone before, 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:56.840 but an age of fulfillment and hope. 00:03:57.620 --> 00:04:01.219 An age where they get all these things that they've been looking forward to and hoping for, 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:03.599 and where the promises of God are fulfilled. 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:06.819 But the question is, what now? 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:14.180 As this servant arrives and establishes justice and delivers and changes the world as they know it, 00:04:14.740 --> 00:04:16.240 what now? 00:04:17.219 --> 00:04:23.860 What does it look like for Israel to be the people of God now that this servant has come? 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:30.520 What does it look like for us today to live knowing that Jesus has come and established justice on the earth, 00:04:30.699 --> 00:04:33.139 but that we still await the day when he will come back? 00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:38.139 The question we should always be asking ourselves is, in light of Jesus, what now? 00:04:38.580 --> 00:04:39.580 How do we live? 00:04:40.520 --> 00:04:45.860 And so into that situation, God speaks to his people in Isaiah 56 with these words. 00:04:45.960 --> 00:04:46.439 Verse 1. 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:49.319 This is what the Lord says. 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:54.660 Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand, 00:04:54.839 --> 00:04:57.019 and my righteousness will soon be revealed. 00:04:57.899 --> 00:05:00.980 Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, 00:05:01.279 --> 00:05:05.740 who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hands from doing any evil. 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:09.980 Maintain justice is the command that God gives to his people. 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:12.920 Not try and establish it like you've been failing at, 00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:17.379 but maintain the justice that my servant has established for you. 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:19.660 Live out the salvation that you've got. 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:21.879 Live as chosen, forgiven people. 00:05:22.280 --> 00:05:25.740 Live with all the benefits that go with being chosen to be part of my family, 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:31.280 because, there in verse 1, my salvation is close at hand, 00:05:31.840 --> 00:05:34.360 and my righteousness is being revealed. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:37.040 God is about to make it really obvious. 00:05:37.900 --> 00:05:39.600 They've had promises since Abraham. 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:41.280 God is going to bless them. 00:05:41.520 --> 00:05:42.600 God is going to save them. 00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:43.900 God is going to rescue them. 00:05:44.300 --> 00:05:45.920 And in Isaiah, we see it coming through. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:47.520 In 42, the servant is coming. 00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:52.220 Over Easter, we looked at 52 and 53, how the servant would bear their iniquities. 00:05:52.700 --> 00:05:56.439 So God is gradually giving them more insight to his plan for salvation. 00:05:57.540 --> 00:06:01.780 But now it is about to be revealed fully in Jesus. 00:06:02.379 --> 00:06:07.680 And this salvation is going to be different to the salvation that Israel's anticipating. 00:06:08.200 --> 00:06:10.840 It's going to be different to the salvation that they're expecting. 00:06:10.839 --> 00:06:13.060 It's going to be more than they're expecting. 00:06:13.159 --> 00:06:15.079 It's going to be bigger, better. 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:19.959 I remember when I was 21, I had the chance to travel through Europe. 00:06:20.859 --> 00:06:24.699 And one of the things I really enjoyed about Europe is that everything's old. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:30.519 When you go through Europe and you come back to Sydney, you realise that the oldest building in Sydney is a new building in Europe. 00:06:31.039 --> 00:06:32.899 We've got a whole 200 years of history. 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:37.279 And, you know, they're talking thousands and thousand-year-old ruins and stuff like that. 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:40.959 And so I was really excited about visiting the city of Pompeii in southern Italy. 00:06:41.539 --> 00:06:42.919 I'd read a little bit about it. 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:48.899 And it was in all the books recommended that you could go and see this city that had been buried by a volcano in almost no notice. 00:06:49.219 --> 00:06:53.599 And that there was just these amazingly well-preserved evidences of life. 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:58.080 And I had built up in my mind this expectation of what this city was going to be like. 00:06:58.220 --> 00:07:02.080 I thought, city, a long time ago, we're probably talking more like a village. 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:14.200 I was expecting sort of mud huts, maybe, you know, 100 yards of sort of a couple of huts and some areas where they'd, I don't know, done stuff, hung out, whatever you did in a city thousands of years ago. 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:15.899 But I had a picture in my mind. 00:07:15.979 --> 00:07:17.219 I expected it to be amazing. 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:26.420 But as I arrived and got off the train in the town that now is next to the ruins of Pompeii, the city wall went as far as I could see in both directions. 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:40.519 And after literally hours of walking past house, not hut, but house after house, after significant amphitheatre, after cobbled roads that went for, like, kilometre after kilometre, I was blown away. 00:07:40.519 --> 00:07:43.439 I had this expectation, which for me would have been plenty. 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:46.459 If there was a couple of huts there, I would have walked away a happy man. 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:51.740 But seeing Pompeii for real surpassed any expectation that I had had. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:54.240 It redefined what it was. 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:59.579 And for Israel, salvation has been tied up with returning to Jerusalem. 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:01.579 That would be enough for them. 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:08.420 If God would just take them out of Babylon and bring them back to Jerusalem, let them be a country again by themselves under their own rule, 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:09.899 that's what they're desiring. 00:08:10.339 --> 00:08:13.259 But God is redefining salvation for them. 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:19.800 He is saying, I have got a bigger, better plan, something that will far surpass anything you have expected. 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:23.279 Salvation is not about the country of Israel anymore. 00:08:23.579 --> 00:08:26.339 It's not about the city of Jerusalem and getting back there. 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:30.600 Salvation is now about justice. 00:08:31.540 --> 00:08:33.039 It's about God's justice. 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:40.459 Not Israel's idea of getting back what was taken, but of God's will and his plan being worked out. 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:42.779 His promises to Abraham being fulfilled. 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:48.839 And I want to show you two things in this passage in Isaiah 56 that mark the salvation that God has won. 00:08:49.139 --> 00:08:53.139 Two things that mark the community of salvation that we are now a part of. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:59.220 Two things that we must seek to be the things that define us as a group of people. 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:01.080 First one. 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:03.660 A better blessing. 00:09:04.680 --> 00:09:07.840 The salvation of God is about a better blessing. 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:13.399 When I was growing up, I had this habit of using words that my grandma didn't understand. 00:09:13.960 --> 00:09:15.340 And probably still doesn't understand. 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:18.540 My grandma's name, or her name is Merle, but we call her Marnie. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:19.320 I'm not sure why. 00:09:19.780 --> 00:09:23.399 But I remember when I was young, me and a group of friends, when we were about 12, 00:09:23.680 --> 00:09:26.860 thought that a good way to refer to ourselves would be to call ourselves units. 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:28.019 U-N-I-T. 00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:31.679 Because, you know, I was letting everyone know how big and impressive we were. 00:09:32.079 --> 00:09:35.819 And so I would always come home, and when Marnie was babysitting us, and I'd go, 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:36.579 Marnie, I'm a unit. 00:09:37.199 --> 00:09:40.220 And she'd look at me like, what are you talking about? 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:41.480 Like, just this confused look. 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:43.240 And she'd kind of shrug her shoulders and let it go. 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:47.819 And one day, she just couldn't take it anymore. 00:09:47.819 --> 00:09:49.379 And I'd said it too many times. 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:52.460 And she finally just said, look, why do you want to be a eunuch? 00:09:53.579 --> 00:09:56.799 And at the time, I had no idea what a eunuch was. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:10:01.359 So after she explained to me the ins and outs of being a eunuch, 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:04.479 I decided that I needed to come up with another word that sounded less like it. 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:08.939 But it was interesting for me, as I was preparing this week, 00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:13.419 to reflect on both my grammar and my attitude towards a eunuch. 00:10:14.319 --> 00:10:18.059 For her, she could not comprehend why someone would want that. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:21.039 And for me, hearing what it was, I couldn't either. 00:10:22.319 --> 00:10:26.319 The idea of being a eunuch seemed like it was some sort of a disability. 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:33.319 Now, a eunuch doesn't have to be someone who is physically mutilated or unable to have children. 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:37.759 A eunuch can be as simple as somebody who doesn't have children for choice, 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:40.199 by lack of means, whatever it might be. 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:45.479 But it's interesting how we look upon that as some sort of a failure. 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:49.500 Even today, in a culture that's all about doing your own thing, 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:52.299 and maybe the family unit doesn't have the value that it once did, 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:58.740 we look upon it as some sort of a lack of fulfilment in being a woman. 00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:02.740 And that's certainly the way that Israel viewed it. 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:07.960 For Israel, having children was the means by which God had given them to grow his kingdom. 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:10.480 God's kingdom was Israel. 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:13.120 If they didn't have kids, the kingdom died out in a generation. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:18.080 And so it was an incredible, prestigious and privileged position to be a mother. 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:19.899 And we feel that even today. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:23.220 That's why we here celebrate motherhood and parenthood. 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:29.820 But I'm sure that even today, there are women amongst us for whom today is a sad day. 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:33.520 Possibly you're unable to have children. 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:35.879 Possibly you have chosen not to. 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:40.360 Possibly you have difficult relationships with your children. 00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:47.379 And I fear that just like Israel, we look at you as if you're missing out. 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:52.800 We look down on you as if you didn't quite get to the fulfilment of a family. 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:54.660 We would never say it like that, but we pretend. 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:55.540 We look with pity. 00:11:55.539 --> 00:12:05.759 Because we feel like maybe you've failed or haven't fulfilled the ultimate design of God for a person. 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:12.620 But God has redefined family for Israel. 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:14.360 He has something better for them. 00:12:14.439 --> 00:12:18.819 In fact, he redefines it in the New Testament when in John 3, speaking to Nicodemus, 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:22.759 he says if you want to be saved, you must be born again of the Spirit. 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:27.019 The family of God is made up of those who are born again of the Spirit, 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:30.740 not of those who are physically born to particular parents or different countries. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:34.620 And that is why, as I prayed this morning, I rejoice that if you are a woman in this room, 00:12:34.700 --> 00:12:36.539 you are a mother in this family. 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:40.059 You are a sister in this family. 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:48.179 See, we have this really small view of salvation where we just narrow it down to the things 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:51.599 that affect us right here and right now, like being a parent. 00:12:53.219 --> 00:12:54.139 The Bible's clear. 00:12:54.239 --> 00:12:55.559 Being a parent is a gift from God. 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.219 It's a blessing. 00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:58.699 Being a grandparent is a gift from God. 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.299 It's a blessing. 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:04.079 Being a kid is a blessing and probably sometimes a curse on your parents. 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:08.659 But we have this idea that salvation exists in the right here and right now. 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:10.079 The job I have. 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:11.319 The house I have. 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.679 The friends I have. 00:13:12.679 --> 00:13:14.479 The opportunities that I have. 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:19.899 But God has a bigger picture of salvation. 00:13:20.719 --> 00:13:24.139 For Israel, salvation was just about getting back to Jerusalem. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:28.279 But God is saying, I've got something better for you than that. 00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:36.239 We've become like the paralytic in Mark 2 who goes to Jesus just to walk. 00:13:37.099 --> 00:13:38.240 That's what he wants. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:41.620 But God says, I have something better for you. 00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:48.419 Have a look with me in verse 5 at the blessing that God gives that is significantly better. 00:13:49.579 --> 00:13:54.879 It says, to them, this is to the eunuch and the foreigner, to the one who is outside of God's family, 00:13:55.439 --> 00:14:01.079 to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters. 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:04.819 I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:10.419 And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord and to worship him. 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:14.839 All who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant, 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:20.039 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:24.219 Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:28.259 for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:35.399 God looks to his people and he says, I have something better to offer you than sons and daughters. 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:40.799 He looks to the eunuch and the foreigner and he says, I will give you an everlasting name. 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:44.299 I will give you something that lasts forever. 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:47.419 I will give you joy in God's house. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:50.000 I will accept your sacrifices. 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:52.279 It's an eternal blessing. 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.639 Children are a blessing. 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:56.120 Marriage is a blessing. 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.440 Family is a blessing. 00:14:57.779 --> 00:15:00.720 But it is a temporary and a secondary blessing. 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:08.740 I had the privilege of speaking at our spare day, which is I think only a week ago now, but it's a blur. 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:13.500 On our spare day we had a bunch of primary school kids sitting together teaching 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:16.259 and I had the joy of teaching the year three to six kids. 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:21.740 And as I began speaking about treasures that we have and precious things and valuable things, 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:27.360 the joy of kids is that the idea of rhetorical or listening till the end doesn't really happen. 00:15:27.819 --> 00:15:33.059 So I'm midway through, in full swing, preaching away, and this arm pops up at the back 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:35.159 and it's Brian's eldest, Bethany Tung. 00:15:35.819 --> 00:15:38.799 And I politely ignore her for a little while and she gets more enthusiastic 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:41.299 and starts waving around to make sure I can see. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:44.799 And I thought, well, I kind of need to acknowledge her now. 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.639 Everyone's looking at her. 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:47.439 And so I said, what's up, Bethany? 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:51.159 And she goes, we're not supposed to have treasure on earth because of rust and moth. 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.659 We're supposed to have treasure in heaven. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:55.259 And I thought, that is so good. 00:15:55.799 --> 00:16:01.740 I pray that I know it as clearly and as simply and as much conviction as she does for the rest of my life. 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:06.139 There are good things that God gives us in this life now. 00:16:06.939 --> 00:16:08.659 And children are one of those. 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:17.399 But they are secondary and temporary compared to the eternal better blessings that God speaks of in this passage. 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:21.919 Compared to the chance to be with him forever in heaven. 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:24.159 Compared to this family. 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:29.379 Our physical families are secondary and temporary. 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:35.399 As the Bible paints the picture of heaven in the future, there is no marriage. 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:37.419 No giving in marriage. 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:41.959 There is every tribe, nation and tongue brought together. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:47.579 The distinction is not lost, but they are more importantly unified in Christ. 00:16:48.219 --> 00:16:53.439 There is a oneness in heaven that far surpasses who you are blood related to. 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:58.200 God gives us good blessings in our lives now. 00:16:59.560 --> 00:17:07.799 But the better blessing of the salvation that is won for us in the servant Jesus is that we have an everlasting covenant with God. 00:17:08.580 --> 00:17:10.100 A covenant of forgiveness. 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:12.019 A covenant of adoption. 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:15.240 A covenant of being welcomed into his family. 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:20.360 And that is why as a church we value treasuring Christ above all else. 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:23.119 Thanking God for his good gifts. 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:30.000 But gladly and willingly forgoing them and being content without them so long as we know Jesus. 00:17:31.699 --> 00:17:36.299 Anytime you look down on someone because they don't have something that you have in this life. 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:39.079 Be it children or an iPhone. 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:43.199 You are saying Jesus is not enough. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:47.919 You are saying I cannot be content. 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:52.480 Unless I have Jesus and this other thing. 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:57.600 You might be asking the question, can't I just have both? 00:17:59.019 --> 00:18:01.120 I mean, can't I have Jesus and the gift of children? 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:03.840 And look, I want to say I understand the question. 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:11.500 And I understand, well I don't understand, I'm not a mother, but I can comprehend the pain that goes with not being able to have kids. 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:17.059 It's one of my deepest desires is to one day be a father. 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:22.299 But can you see that the question is fundamentally wrong? 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:29.000 In asking the question you are saying I cannot be content with just Jesus. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:32.400 You're saying I need something else. 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.960 Children are not bad. 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:36.779 Desiring children is not bad. 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:41.960 But the best blessing we have is Jesus. 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.740 Is forgiveness. 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.319 Is eternal. 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:52.399 The coming of the servant who would establish justice was supposed to lift Israel's eyes. 00:18:52.939 --> 00:18:54.619 Beyond their immediate circumstance. 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:56.220 Beyond their return to Jerusalem. 00:18:56.539 --> 00:19:00.439 For them to see that they had an eternal destiny as the people of God. 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:05.980 That being the people of God meant forever with Jesus in heaven. 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:09.399 Not just being a military might. 00:19:09.400 --> 00:19:10.400 Not just being a military might. 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:13.580 And God's call to us now is the same. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:19.140 To live in light of the certain hope we have in a risen saviour. 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:22.019 And to eagerly await his return. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:27.040 Looking forward to the fullness of blessing that we will get when Jesus comes back. 00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:30.180 And to hold on to that blessing now. 00:19:31.840 --> 00:19:33.860 Even if it costs us everything else. 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:38.340 Paul paints an incredible picture in 1 Corinthians. 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:42.339 Where he said it is a great thing for those who can choose to go without family. 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:44.299 For the sake of the gospel and for the sake of the kingdom. 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:47.459 That picture of absolute contentment in Christ. 00:19:47.919 --> 00:19:51.720 That they choose to go without something good that God offers. 00:19:54.159 --> 00:19:56.679 Paul doesn't prescribe whether we should go one way or the other. 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.539 But the message is clear. 00:19:58.859 --> 00:20:00.299 The better blessing is Jesus. 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:03.480 Treasure Christ above all else. 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:10.160 The first mark of the salvation that God has brought in Jesus is a better blessing. 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.720 An eternal covenant. 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:15.180 The second one is an open community. 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:23.980 For us to comprehend just how offensive it was for God to welcome the eunuch and the foreigner into Israel is kind of difficult. 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:30.200 In ancient times a eunuch was looked down on as disabled in Israel. 00:20:30.560 --> 00:20:32.500 They were unable to grow the kingdom. 00:20:33.120 --> 00:20:35.900 They were cursed by God to not be able to have children. 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:41.820 There are countless stories in the Old Testament of women who were ostracised for not being able to have children. 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:44.859 Who begged God to release them from that curse. 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:51.179 And so for God to turn around now and say these people I welcome in with the everlasting covenant. 00:20:51.439 --> 00:20:53.619 Would have absolutely messed with their heads. 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:57.200 God's law forbid Israel marrying foreigners. 00:20:57.899 --> 00:21:00.839 Because they would be set apart as God's holy people. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.819 To stand out and be different. 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:07.220 But what God is saying is the servant I am sending. 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:09.259 This has been the drumbeat all the way through Isaiah. 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:12.439 Not only removes the guilt of Israel. 00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:19.279 But removes the guilt and sin of anyone who would come and trust in Jesus. 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:23.079 Isaiah 52 that we looked at at Easter. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:31.700 The substitutionary death of Jesus in our place was for anyone who would seek his forgiveness. 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:35.620 Not just for people who are born of a specific country. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:39.480 Not just for those who happen to be a little bit like us. 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:43.700 Not just for those who culturally fit in this group of people. 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.640 But anyone. 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:51.180 I wonder how we would go at welcoming a known criminal into this room. 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:55.299 I wonder how comfortable we would be with that. 00:21:55.340 --> 00:21:57.259 If they came here genuinely seeking Jesus. 00:21:57.259 --> 00:22:00.920 Would we be okay for them to sit here in their singlet and thongs. 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:02.680 Smoking a cigarette up the back. 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:05.019 Or would we have extra things that we wanted them to do. 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:06.980 Before it was okay for them to be part of this family. 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:12.319 Would we have extra hoops that we would want them to jump through. 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:15.879 Jesus quotes this passage in Isaiah in Mark 12. 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:17.019 When he clears the temple. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:19.599 He turns up and in the outer court. 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:21.779 Which is the court for the Gentiles and the foreigners. 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.539 There's people selling stuff. 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:24.579 There's people trading. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:27.500 And he overturns the tables and gets very angry. 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:32.259 And he says this is supposed to be a house of prayer for all nations. 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:36.179 Even after this word from God to say there's something better. 00:22:36.699 --> 00:22:41.960 Israel still puts barriers in the way for other people to come to Jesus. 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:48.759 I wonder if there are things that we put in the way. 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:52.240 For those who don't fit with us culturally. 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:56.140 Those who have different hobbies to us. 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:01.620 Maybe there's preferences that we have. 00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:04.740 About how we do church together. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.660 About how our relationships work. 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:08.259 About how big we get. 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:11.460 You might feel I'm pretty happy with this number of people. 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:14.420 But God is saying here. 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:16.240 His family. 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:18.220 The community of saved people. 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.360 Is not full. 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.500 Look there in verse 8. 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.860 The sovereign Lord declares. 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:25.620 He who gathers the exiles of Israel. 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:28.480 I will gather still others to them. 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.900 Besides those already gathered. 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:32.900 We are not full as a church. 00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:35.360 And we need to understand. 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:38.780 We need to remove the barriers that we add. 00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:40.300 To the gospel. 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:43.519 We are not to be defined by the building that we meet in. 00:23:44.320 --> 00:23:46.620 By the furniture that we have in this building. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:49.360 By the clothes that people wear in this building. 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:50.780 We are defined. 00:23:51.280 --> 00:23:52.000 By Jesus. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.180 By Jesus. 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:55.119 And by him alone. 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:58.460 He is the covenant and the better blessing. 00:23:58.460 --> 00:24:00.279 That God has given us. 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:06.099 And this community must be defined by Jesus. 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.519 And nothing else. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:15.500 My generation is really good at pointing the finger. 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:17.099 At an older generation. 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:19.160 Of church brothers and sisters. 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:22.339 We are really good at letting you know. 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:25.519 How you are too precious about your traditions in church. 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.720 We are really good at telling you. 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:30.379 That you should just stop being so petty. 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.940 About the clothes that we wear. 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.579 Or about the seats that we sit on. 00:24:33.639 --> 00:24:34.700 Or the songs that we sing. 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:36.400 Or the volume of the songs that we sing. 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:37.900 And all these other things. 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:39.240 But the reality is. 00:24:39.280 --> 00:24:40.440 As I look at my own heart. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.800 And the heart of people my age. 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.440 My peers. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:46.540 We have the exact same pride and selfishness in our own ways. 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:49.080 We want particular songs. 00:24:49.300 --> 00:24:50.680 We want particular seats. 00:24:50.820 --> 00:24:52.380 We want particular clothes. 00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:56.800 I want to say God is saying to all of us. 00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:59.620 Those are preference issues. 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:02.720 We are not defined by those things. 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:05.400 We need to let go of those things. 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:07.140 And be defined by Jesus. 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:09.840 He is the reason we are here. 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:12.320 He is the only thing that unites us together. 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:15.980 Not the fact that we sit in this room for an hour on Sunday morning. 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:21.580 We need to be willing to let go of tradition and preference. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:23.860 That is not dictated by God and his word. 00:25:24.820 --> 00:25:26.940 And be defined by Jesus alone. 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:29.860 We need to be willing to make sacrifices. 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:31.719 That are uncomfortable for us. 00:25:31.719 --> 00:25:33.740 That others might hear about Jesus. 00:25:34.199 --> 00:25:35.339 And join this community. 00:25:35.459 --> 00:25:37.699 Because God is still gathering people in. 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:39.379 We are not full. 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:44.259 We are the salvation community of God. 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:46.979 And God is continuing to call people to himself. 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:48.899 That they might know that better blessing. 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:54.019 Finally verse 8. 00:25:54.780 --> 00:25:57.000 The sovereign Lord declares. 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:59.380 He who gathers the exiles of Israel. 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:01.600 I will gather still others to them. 00:26:01.820 --> 00:26:03.540 Besides those already gathered. 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:08.440 It is the sovereign Lord who gathered you into this family. 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:12.720 It does not matter who your parents were. 00:26:14.159 --> 00:26:16.420 It does not matter what job you do. 00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:19.240 God chose you. 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:22.119 He sent his son to die for you and forgive you. 00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:24.659 And he gave you the eternal blessing. 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:27.219 Of a covenant of forgiveness. 00:26:27.919 --> 00:26:31.299 Of a certain hope that you would spend forever in heaven with him. 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:34.539 And so this morning. 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:36.519 And tomorrow morning. 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:38.339 And every day for the rest of your life. 00:26:38.959 --> 00:26:39.719 Be thankful. 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:42.099 You did nothing. 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:44.399 But he chose you and he drew you in. 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:46.699 And he gave you the best blessing he could give you. 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.299 Jesus. 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:47.500 Jesus. 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:52.119 But also. 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:54.379 He is still gathering others. 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:58.599 Until Jesus comes back. 00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:00.039 This community is open. 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:02.839 Until Jesus comes back. 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.299 There is still spare seats. 00:27:04.659 --> 00:27:05.919 No matter how full we get. 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.680 So don't give up. 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:10.359 On your brother. 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.079 Or sister. 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.559 Or friend. 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.899 Or neighbour. 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:17.119 No matter how many times. 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.819 They say no. 00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:19.419 Until Jesus comes back. 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:21.659 This community is still open. 00:27:22.179 --> 00:27:25.000 Because that is what salvation means for us right now. 00:27:25.439 --> 00:27:26.979 Between Jesus coming first. 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.959 And him coming back. 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:29.059 Which is where we live. 00:27:29.699 --> 00:27:31.779 Salvation means we have the best blessing. 00:27:32.159 --> 00:27:33.759 And that this community is open. 00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:36.359 So don't give up hope. 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.039 Keep praying. 00:27:38.719 --> 00:27:39.439 Keep talking. 00:27:40.479 --> 00:27:41.779 Keep persevering. 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:46.879 That we as the people of God. 00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:49.319 Might treasure Christ. 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:53.740 Might be the gospel in the way we relate to one another. 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.879 Might be open and welcoming. 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:58.379 Might willingly sacrifice. 00:27:59.099 --> 00:28:02.059 That as many people as possible would be gathered in. 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:04.519 And know the blessing of Jesus. 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:04.700 Jesus. 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:12.960 What a significant impact we would have on this world. 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:16.299 If we are able to genuinely. 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:19.180 Treasure Christ above all else. 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:25.259 If that was our deepest desire. 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.640 To know God. 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.220 To treasure him. 00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:30.400 And to represent him. 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:35.640 I pray that God would use us. 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:37.320 No matter what it costs. 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.680 Let's pray. 00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:44.200 Father God. 00:28:44.300 --> 00:28:46.360 We acknowledge and confess that. 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:48.660 We are so often distracted. 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:51.960 And obsessed with the things that you have given us. 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:54.820 Or the things that you have chosen not to give us. 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.580 And we forget. 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:58.000 That you have given us more than enough in Jesus. 00:28:58.000 --> 00:29:01.160 Lord I pray that. 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:03.380 Every day you would overwhelm us. 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.539 With a sense of gratitude. 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:05.539 And awe. 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.640 At your generosity. 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:10.359 Lord help us to have that eternal perspective. 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.660 To see with your eyes. 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:13.519 That your kingdom is forever. 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:15.900 That you have given us a name. 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:17.059 That will not be cut off. 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:19.299 That you have included us by your will. 00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:22.299 That even if we have nothing else. 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:23.140 We have enough. 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.019 In you. 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:27.339 Father we pray. 00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:29.099 That you would strip away anything in us. 00:29:29.179 --> 00:29:29.939 Any pride. 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.480 Any preference. 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.919 That would block the gospel. 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:33.740 For other people. 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:38.039 Lord may Jesus be the thing. 00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:38.939 That marks us. 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:40.439 As a community of your people. 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:44.119 Lord may you give us wisdom. 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:45.159 To love one another. 00:29:45.159 --> 00:29:46.919 As we search the waters. 00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:48.159 Of how we do church. 00:29:48.199 --> 00:29:49.259 And how we gather together. 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.139 That your gospel. 00:29:50.139 --> 00:29:51.819 Might be the clearest message. 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.500 Father I pray. 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.279 That we would have. 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.500 A burning desire. 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:59.660 To see your kingdom grow. 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.500 Amongst us. 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:03.039 That we would desire. 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:04.119 That all people. 00:30:04.119 --> 00:30:05.619 Would be brought into a relationship. 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:06.180 With you. 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:08.019 Might know the salvation. 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:09.180 And blessing of Jesus. 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:12.160 Lord I pray. 00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:13.599 That you would make our life difficult. 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:14.299 That this church. 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.200 Would be so full. 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.619 That we're having trouble. 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.299 Figuring out. 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.859 How to handle all the people. 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.839 That you are gathering in. 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.720 Lord give us perseverance. 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.960 With those who are difficult. 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:25.940 Those who oppose us. 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:27.120 When we speak your truth. 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:29.019 May we remember. 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:30.100 That it's you who gathers. 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.200 And until you return. 00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:32.340 You are still gathering. 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.539 Hope is not lost. 00:30:35.340 --> 00:30:36.779 Father we thank you for Jesus. 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:39.319 We thank you so much. 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.299 That we can know you. 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:43.740 That we can be part of your family. 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.960 And that we have everything. 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:48.100 We could ever hope for. 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:53.599 Father may we treasure you. 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:55.439 In everything that we do. 00:30:56.699 --> 00:30:57.079 Amen. 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:57.179 Amen.