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 Well, good morning, church. Our sermon text today is Mark chapter 6, verses 1 through 13.

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 That starts on page 789 in the Pew Bible.

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 Mark 6, 1 through 13. Let me pray for us, and then I'll read.

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 Father, we have just prayed that all of our delight is in you.

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 Lord, we ask that by your Spirit that would be more and more true.

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 And that as we come to your Word now, you would grant us by your Spirit the heart that delights in what you have to say to us.

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 Help us to receive it, to believe it, to live it to your glory.

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 We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

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 All right, let me read Mark 6 for us.

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 He, that is Jesus, went away from there and came to his hometown.

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 And his disciples followed him.

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 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue.

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 And many who heard him were astonished, saying,

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 Where did this man get these things?

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 What is the wisdom given to him?

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 How are such mighty works done by his hands?

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 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary,

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 and brother of James, and Joseph, and Judas, and Simon?

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 And are not his sisters here with us?

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 And they took offense at him.

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 And Jesus said to them,

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 A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown,

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 and among his relatives, and in his own household.

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 And he could do no mighty work there,

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 except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

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 And he marveled because of their unbelief.

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 And he went about among the villages teaching,

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 and he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two.

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 And he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

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 And he charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff,

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 no bread, no bag, no money in their belts,

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 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.

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 And he said to them,

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 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there.

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 And if any place will not receive you,

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 and they will not listen to you,

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 when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet

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 as a testimony against them.

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 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.

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 And they cast out many demons,

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 and anointed with oil many who were sick,

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 and healed them.

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 So from the very beginning,

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 the church has been a people on mission.

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 In Christ, God redeems a people for himself,

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 that they might display his glory

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 and take his saving good news to the ends of the earth.

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 A people on mission.

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 And this means Christianity has always had a profound answer

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 to one of the deepest human longings.

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 The longing for purpose.

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 Why am I here?

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 What's my life for?

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 We all know, or at least we find out sooner or later,

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 that living for things like pleasure or money or fame fall short.

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 But if not those things, what then do we live for?

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 Is there a bigger story or a bigger purpose

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 that can embrace and give deep meaning

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 to our, well, most of the time, ordinary lives?

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 Well, that's exactly what the church believes.

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 That in Christ, we've been given a mission, a purpose,

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 to make much of him and to be agents of his new creation in the world.

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 To advance a kingdom of love, of righteousness, of peace,

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 of forgiveness, of truth.

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 A truth that sets people free.

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 And what we see here in the opening of Mark 6

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 are two interconnected episodes that have to do with mission.

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 Now, that's fairly obvious when we consider the second half of the passage,

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 verses 6 through 13.

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 There Jesus sends out the 12 apostles for the first time.

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 Clearly, this is a passage about mission,

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 even if many of the details are specific

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 to that particular moment in salvation history.

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 But what does the first half of the passage have to do with mission?

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 Verses 1 through 6, where Jesus is rejected in his hometown.

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 Well, it's important to see that since chapter 3 of Mark's gospel,

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 Jesus has been preparing the 12 for mission.

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 He called them in chapter 3, verse 14,

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 so that they might be with him,

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 and he might send them out to preach.

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 So all this time in chapters 3 and 4 and 5,

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 Jesus has been training them, preparing them,

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 to be heralds of the in-breaking kingdom of God.

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 And so Mark chapter 6, verses 1 through 6,

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 is sort of like their last lesson

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 before heading out for the first time.

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 And what does Jesus have for them?

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 What does Jesus want them to learn?

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 What does he want us to learn?

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 Well, what he wants them and us to see

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 is that his mission will often cause offense.

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 In other words, he's preparing them

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 for the reality of rejection.

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 Now think about it.

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 Why is this an important lesson?

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 Since being chosen, the 12 apostles had been with Jesus.

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 They had shared his experiences.

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 They had heard his teaching.

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 And on top of that, they had seen his power.

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 Power, as we saw in chapter 5 over the last couple of weeks.

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 Power over demon possession.

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 Power over sickness.

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 Power even over death.

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 But imagine going directly from chapter 5

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 right to chapter 6, verse 7.

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 In other words, imagine going directly

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 from seeing Jesus' authority over all those things

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 directly to being sent out.

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 Imagine the expectations they would have had

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 for their mission.

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 Imagine how triumphalistic they would have been.

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 They might have thought nothing could stand in their way.

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 They would have thought that being a follower of Jesus,

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 being a part of his kingdom mission,

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 was only about power.

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 Only about victory.

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 And not also about suffering.

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 And so first, Jesus must also show them

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 the offense that he brings

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 and the reality of rejection.

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 So let's look a little more closely at our passage then

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 and see why Jesus causes offense,

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 how he responds,

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 and then in light of that,

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 how we can respond when we face rejection for Christ's sake.

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 So first, let's look at why Jesus causes such offense.

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 Let me read again verses 1 through 3.

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 Now, Jesus' hometown was Nazareth.

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 Nazareth was a small village

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 about 15 miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee.

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 And archaeologists estimate that the population of Nazareth

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 in Jesus' day was about 500 people at most.

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 So it was a very small town,

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 even by first century standards.

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 And Jesus returns home with his disciples following him.

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 And when he teaches in the synagogue,

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 their response is not the kind of beaming pride

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 in their hometown hero, right?

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 You know, he's not like the kind of hometown pro athlete

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 who comes home after winning the championship

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 to his small hometown

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 and they give a little parade in his honor.

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 You know, out comes the one fire truck

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 and out comes the one police car.

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 He's back!

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 In fact, the sentiment is just the opposite.

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 The people are astonished, Mark says,

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 but not in a good way.

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 Indeed, they are offended.

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 They could not think it possible

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 that one who had lived among them so many years

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 and whose brothers and sisters they knew

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 could deserve to be followed as a public teacher.

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 Their skepticism is most evident in verse 3.

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 Isn't this the carpenter?

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 Isn't this Mary's son?

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 Now, the word carpenter there

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 means something a little more broad

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 than our word carpenter.

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 It means something like craftsman or workman.

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 It was used of a broad range

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 of kind of manual laborers,

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 stonemasons, builders,

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 not just woodworkers.

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 But you hear the cynicism in their voice, don't you?

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 How are such mighty works done by his hands?

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 Aren't those just the hands of the carpenter?

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 Now, we should mention that in Jewish society,

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 there was nothing necessarily demeaning

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 about manual labor,

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 which was different, say, than Greco-Roman culture

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 that tended to look down on it.

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 But even if manual labor was more respected

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 among the Jews than among the Gentiles,

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 there is still a tinge of contempt in their voice.

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 The contempt that says,

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 you're rising above your station.

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 Who do you think you are?

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 Do you really think you're better

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 than the rest of us?

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 Now, as an aside,

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 isn't it wonderful

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 that our Lord Jesus,

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 the eternal Son of God,

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 spent the first 30 years of his life

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 as a tradesman,

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 as a manual worker,

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 as a carpenter,

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 as a stonemason?

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 And doesn't that completely deconstruct

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 the sort of worldly values

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 we place on different professions

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 and workplaces

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 that some are sort of inherently better

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 or more valuable than others?

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 Jesus blessed our ordinary life

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 and filled it with dignity.

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 One writer put it this way.

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 He said,

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 it's no disgrace to work with our hands

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 and earn our bread by our own labor.

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 The thought of the carpenter shop at Nazareth

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 should cast down the high thoughts

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 of all who make an idol of riches.

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 It cannot be dishonorable

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 to occupy the same position

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 as the Son of God

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 and Savior of the world.

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 Now, for the people that day in the synagogue,

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 why were they offended at Jesus?

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 Jesus,

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 the word Mark uses for offense

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 means a stumbling block.

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 What is it they were tripping over?

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 What was the great obstruction

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 to faith in Jesus?

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 Well, on the one hand,

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 it was their familiarity, right?

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 Their familiarity.

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 They had watched him grow up.

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 They knew every one of his living relatives.

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 Look, there are his brothers.

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 There are his sisters.

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 And I would imagine in a town of 500,

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 everybody knew everything

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 about everybody else, right?

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 There probably weren't many secrets

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 in a town that small.

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 They could not,

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 they would not believe

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 that one whose face

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 they knew so well,

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 who lived so long

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 eating and drinking

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 and dressing like one of them

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 had any right

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 to claim their attention.

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 Their long proximity to Jesus,

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 what they thought

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 they knew about him,

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 that supposed familiarity with him,

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 was the very thing

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 that made them turn away.

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 Of course, the same thing

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 is true today, isn't it?

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 A lot of people think

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 they know

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 what Christianity is all about.

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 And even if they didn't

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 grow up going to church,

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 they've grown up

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 in a post-Christian culture

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 with vestiges of Christianity

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 still sort of hanging on,

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 empty though they may be.

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 And that familiarity

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 so easily breeds contempt,

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 as we say.

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 But this might be

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 even more of a danger

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 for those inside the church

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 than those outside.

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 You know, if you've grown up

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 in the church,

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 hearing the Bible read,

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 hearing the gospel preached,

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 hearing God praised,

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 hearing prayers being made,

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 it's easy for it all

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 to become just a familiar thing.

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 Maybe it is a part of your life.

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 Maybe you'd say

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 it's an important part

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 of your life.

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 But Jesus Christ

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 is far from being

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 the Lord of your life.

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 And without knowing it,

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 perhaps your repeated exposure

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 to the gospel

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 has actually made you immune

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 to the very real grip

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 and power of it.

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 It's kind of like

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 being exposed to a virus

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 a little bit at a time

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 for a long period of time.

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 And your immune system

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 eventually builds up

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 a resistance to it.

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 And eventually,

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 you're kind of inoculated to it.

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 It has no power over you.

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 Has the reality of Jesus Christ,

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 has the wonder of the gospel,

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 has the power of the forgiveness

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 of sins and of reconciliation

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 with a holy God

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 become like that to you?

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 Something you're just

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 inoculated to.

00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:00.399
 If so,

00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:02.399
 pray to God,

00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:04.480
 our merciful God.

00:13:04.579 --> 00:13:05.419
 Ask Him to remove

00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:06.779
 the callousness of your heart,

00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:09.759
 to make Christ unfamiliar to you

00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:11.360
 so that you might really come

00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:12.899
 to genuine saving faith in Him.

00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:15.699
 But you know,

00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:16.740
 it wasn't just familiarity

00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.940
 that caused the offense.

00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:20.259
 It was also the claim

00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.720
 that Jesus was making.

00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:24.100
 In the rest of Mark's gospel,

00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:25.440
 we know when we see Jesus

00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:26.360
 teaching in the synagogue

00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:28.360
 that He did so with authority.

00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:30.279
 He was claiming to be

00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:32.340
 the one who could rightly

00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:33.879
 teach the way of Israel's God.

00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:36.019
 The one to rightly interpret

00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.860
 Israel's scriptures.

00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:39.539
 He wasn't like the other rabbis

00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:40.379
 or religious scholars.

00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:42.060
 He didn't quote other authorities

00:13:42.060 --> 00:13:43.180
 or teachers or traditions

00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:44.419
 to support or prove His point.

00:13:44.680 --> 00:13:45.060
 In fact,

00:13:45.180 --> 00:13:46.460
 He would often just simply say,

00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:47.259
 truly, truly,

00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.320
 I say to you.

00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:51.480
 But you know,

00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.240
 even more than that,

00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:54.320
 Jesus was claiming

00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:56.180
 to be the one

00:13:56.180 --> 00:13:58.960
 to usher in God's kingdom.

00:14:00.460 --> 00:14:02.240
 Now we know from Luke's gospel,

00:14:02.560 --> 00:14:02.940
 actually,

00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:04.500
 what passage

00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:06.019
 Jesus read from that day.

00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:08.560
 It was Isaiah 61.

00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:11.139
 What Jesus read was this,

00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:12.060
 the Spirit of the Lord

00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:12.759
 is upon me

00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:14.700
 because He has anointed me

00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:15.660
 to proclaim good news

00:14:15.660 --> 00:14:16.200
 to the poor.

00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:17.480
 He sent me

00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.560
 to proclaim liberty

00:14:18.560 --> 00:14:19.520
 to the captives

00:14:19.520 --> 00:14:21.180
 and recovering of sight

00:14:21.180 --> 00:14:21.860
 to the blind,

00:14:22.300 --> 00:14:23.259
 to set at liberty

00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.240
 those who are oppressed

00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.259
 and to proclaim

00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:26.340
 the year of the Lord's favor.

00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:27.520
 And then He said

00:14:27.520 --> 00:14:28.700
 to all those sitting there,

00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:29.620
 today,

00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.420
 this scripture

00:14:30.420 --> 00:14:31.180
 has been fulfilled

00:14:31.180 --> 00:14:31.840
 in your hearing.

00:14:34.520 --> 00:14:35.560
 This is the offense

00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:36.000
 of Jesus.

00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:39.039
 He claims to be the one

00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:40.700
 who can open

00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:41.639
 your blind eyes

00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:43.639
 and set at liberty

00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.779
 your guilty conscience.

00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:48.980
 But that's just it,

00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:49.340
 isn't it?

00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:51.519
 We don't want to be told

00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.820
 that we're blind

00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:53.539
 and guilty,

00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.679
 let alone be told

00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:57.480
 that some manual laborer

00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.279
 from Nazareth

00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:59.899
 is the one to fix the problem,

00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:00.679
 the problem

00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:02.299
 we don't even think we have.

00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:06.439
 And that's why Jesus

00:15:06.439 --> 00:15:07.719
 is still offensive today

00:15:07.719 --> 00:15:10.419
 and why He will always be.

00:15:11.719 --> 00:15:13.519
 Because He's making a claim

00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.939
 that goes as deep

00:15:14.939 --> 00:15:16.740
 as our very self,

00:15:17.199 --> 00:15:18.279
 our very identity.

00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:20.240
 And He's making a claim

00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.539
 on our very way

00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.899
 of viewing ourselves

00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:24.079
 and the world

00:15:24.079 --> 00:15:25.539
 and the God who made it.

00:15:28.599 --> 00:15:29.399
 And that's why

00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.599
 the mission of the apostles

00:15:30.599 --> 00:15:31.719
 that He sends out

00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:32.940
 was offensive too.

00:15:34.160 --> 00:15:34.840
 Notice that

00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.879
 He doesn't tell them

00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:36.259
 you're going to be

00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:36.960
 received everywhere.

00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:37.759
 He says some of them

00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.600
 are going to reject you.

00:15:39.060 --> 00:15:39.420
 Why?

00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:41.360
 Because they went out everywhere

00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.540
 saying that people

00:15:42.540 --> 00:15:43.220
 should repent.

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.560
 And that word repent

00:15:46.560 --> 00:15:47.580
 doesn't just mean

00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:48.519
 feeling sorry

00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.879
 for particular sins.

00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:52.100
 Everybody does that, right?

00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.620
 You don't have to feel,

00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:54.899
 you don't have to be a Christian

00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:55.820
 to feel sorry

00:15:55.820 --> 00:15:56.720
 for doing wrong things

00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:57.460
 from time to time.

00:15:58.940 --> 00:16:00.019
 No, repentance,

00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.680
 what repentance really means

00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:03.539
 is not just that,

00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:05.899
 but changing your whole outlook.

00:16:06.979 --> 00:16:08.259
 That your whole way

00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.299
 of viewing yourself

00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:10.319
 and the world

00:16:10.319 --> 00:16:11.779
 has Jesus Christ

00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.879
 in the center as Lord.

00:16:13.739 --> 00:16:15.500
 That He really defines

00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:17.159
 what's right and wrong,

00:16:17.359 --> 00:16:17.959
 what's beautiful,

00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:18.679
 what's true.

00:16:19.239 --> 00:16:20.179
 He's the fountainhead

00:16:20.179 --> 00:16:20.759
 of it all.

00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:24.559
 Repentance is changing

00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:25.919
 your whole worldview

00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.479
 to put Christ in the center.

00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:32.539
 Now, I'm guessing

00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.200
 that if you're here

00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:34.120
 and you're not a Christian,

00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:37.259
 that idea sounds

00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:40.279
 pretty impossible, right?

00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:41.620
 Why put Jesus

00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.920
 at the center of everything?

00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:45.700
 And let me just say,

00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.500
 if that's you,

00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:49.019
 almost everyone else

00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:49.639
 in this room

00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.759
 who is a Christian

00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:52.700
 at one point

00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:54.639
 felt exactly the same way

00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:54.960
 as you.

00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:57.340
 In many ways,

00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.379
 we all start out

00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:59.100
 like the folks

00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:00.220
 in Jesus' hometown.

00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.639
 So don't feel like

00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.679
 you can't stick around

00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.319
 here at Trinity

00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.720
 and ask questions

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.879
 and be honest.

00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.259
 But you know,

00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.079
 here's what's fascinating.

00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:11.579
 Historically,

00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.539
 we know

00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:14.420
 from passages like this

00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:15.539
 and many others

00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.460
 in the Gospels

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.660
 that Jesus'

00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:19.180
 immediate family

00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.460
 pretty much

00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.879
 all rejected Him

00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:22.980
 during His earthly ministry.

00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:24.360
 James and Joseph

00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:25.460
 and Judas and Simon

00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.259
 are some of the brothers

00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:26.799
 listed here

00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.519
 and there's mention

00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.420
 of sisters too.

00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:29.740
 By the way,

00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:31.140
 this is a different Judas

00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.640
 than Judas Iscariot.

00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:34.259
 This Judas is later

00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.019
 in the New Testament

00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:35.900
 called just Jude.

00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:38.720
 Now, you have to imagine

00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.480
 that there was probably

00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.160
 nothing

00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:41.680
 that would convince

00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:43.000
 someone to believe

00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.400
 that their sibling

00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:45.539
 was the Messiah,

00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:46.380
 right?

00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.559
 I mean,

00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:48.279
 if your older brother

00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.200
 came home from college,

00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:49.940
 sat down at dinner

00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.460
 and said,

00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:52.079
 I've come to set

00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:52.839
 the captives free

00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:54.019
 and open the eyes

00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.559
 of the blind,

00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.419
 you wouldn't sell everything

00:17:57.419 --> 00:17:58.480
 and become His disciple,

00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:58.980
 right?

00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:02.899
 But here's the thing.

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.439
 Eventually,

00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.339
 there was something

00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.179
 that convinced them.

00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.980
 When we study

00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.859
 the historical records

00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:11.659
 of the earliest days

00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:12.119
 of the church

00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:13.379
 after Jesus is crucified

00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:14.220
 and killed, no less,

00:18:14.659 --> 00:18:15.599
 who's there among

00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.159
 the leaders

00:18:16.159 --> 00:18:16.859
 of the earliest

00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.639
 Christian movement?

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.460
 Who is there

00:18:19.460 --> 00:18:20.339
 selling everything

00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.879
 and proclaiming

00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:23.000
 that the crucified Jesus

00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.519
 is Israel's Messiah

00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:26.019
 and the world's true Lord?

00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.539
 Who's there

00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:28.339
 among the leaders?

00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.459
 It's James,

00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.519
 the Lord's brother,

00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:32.799
 and Jude.

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.519
 Something happened

00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.619
 that changed

00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:38.500
 the most cynical

00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:39.879
 and skeptical minds.

00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:44.639
 What would it take

00:18:44.639 --> 00:18:45.459
 for you to believe

00:18:45.459 --> 00:18:46.459
 that your brother

00:18:46.459 --> 00:18:47.579
 was the Son of God?

00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:49.419
 Well, we think,

00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:49.619
 you know,

00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.299
 people do lots

00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.439
 of irrational things

00:18:51.439 --> 00:18:52.460
 for money

00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:53.099
 and power

00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:54.299
 and fame, right?

00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:56.720
 But that's not

00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.439
 what they got

00:18:57.439 --> 00:18:58.259
 for believing.

00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.439
 They got poverty,

00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:03.319
 extreme social marginalization,

00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.379
 and death.

00:19:06.659 --> 00:19:07.639
 So what was it?

00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.199
 What could take

00:19:10.199 --> 00:19:10.919
 the most skeptical

00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:12.159
 and cynical person

00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:14.059
 and make them believe?

00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:17.460
 The answer

00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.779
 the earliest Christians gave,

00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.220
 the answer

00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.099
 that James and Jude

00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.200
 themselves gave,

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.480
 is the resurrection.

00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:26.960
 Jesus Christ

00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:27.619
 was crucified,

00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:28.859
 died,

00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.019
 and was buried,

00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.799
 and on the third day

00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:33.059
 he rose again.

00:19:33.879 --> 00:19:34.519
 And he appeared

00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.019
 to Peter,

00:19:35.659 --> 00:19:36.379
 then to the twelve,

00:19:37.179 --> 00:19:37.740
 then he appeared

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.460
 to more than 500

00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.220
 at one time,

00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:40.639
 then he appeared

00:19:40.639 --> 00:19:41.220
 to James,

00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.159
 then to all the apostles.

00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:46.619
 Jesus claimed

00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:47.419
 to be the one

00:19:47.419 --> 00:19:48.599
 to heal our blindness

00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:50.319
 and to liberate us

00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.759
 from guilt.

00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.119
 And how did he do it?

00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.539
 Not through teaching

00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.179
 some path

00:19:55.179 --> 00:19:56.159
 for spiritual betterment,

00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:57.720
 but by accomplishing

00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:59.019
 something on our behalf.

00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:01.119
 To rescue us

00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:01.839
 from death,

00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.659
 he himself died

00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:05.039
 and rose again

00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:06.399
 to break death's power.

00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:08.240
 To deliver us

00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:08.879
 from guilt,

00:20:09.179 --> 00:20:09.819
 he suffered

00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.659
 under the penalty

00:20:10.659 --> 00:20:11.259
 of our guilt,

00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.539
 and then rose again

00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:14.039
 to pronounce us righteous.

00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:18.639
 That's why his claim

00:20:18.639 --> 00:20:20.359
 to be our Lord

00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:23.659
 isn't the selfish demand

00:20:23.659 --> 00:20:25.720
 of a divine despot,

00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:29.599
 but it's the irresistible call

00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:31.240
 of divine love.

00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:34.660
 the sort of call

00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:35.500
 that makes you want

00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.140
 to surrender

00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:37.539
 your whole life

00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:37.980
 to it.

00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:39.779
 The sort of call

00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.359
 that makes you want

00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:40.779
 to view

00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:42.400
 your whole world

00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:42.819
 anew.

00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.200
 In other words,

00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:46.259
 it's the sort of call

00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:48.380
 that leads you

00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.579
 to joyfully repent

00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:51.920
 and put the risen Lord Jesus

00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.500
 at the center

00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.079
 of everything.

00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.220
 Now,

00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:57.980
 if you are a Christian,

00:20:57.980 --> 00:21:00.120
 the idea that Jesus

00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:01.400
 calls the apostles here

00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.160
 to share

00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:03.160
 in his offense,

00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:04.180
 in his rejection,

00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:06.200
 probably makes you

00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:06.819
 a little nervous

00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:09.000
 because it means

00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:10.460
 he's calling us

00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:10.900
 today

00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.860
 to do the same.

00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:14.160
 But let's look quickly

00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.380
 at how Jesus

00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:16.299
 responds.

00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.599
 Pick up again

00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.960
 in verses 4-6.

00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:20.740
 And Jesus said to them,

00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.339
 a prophet is not

00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.980
 without honor

00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:24.440
 except in his hometown

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:26.160
 and among his relatives

00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:27.740
 and in his own household.

00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:29.380
 And he could do

00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:30.220
 no mighty work there

00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:30.920
 except that he laid

00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.759
 his hands on a few

00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.360
 sick people

00:21:32.360 --> 00:21:33.040
 and healed them.

00:21:33.800 --> 00:21:34.680
 And he marveled

00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:36.420
 because of their unbelief.

00:21:37.560 --> 00:21:38.420
 I think the first thing

00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.019
 to notice here

00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.680
 is that Jesus,

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:42.340
 he doesn't take

00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:43.920
 massive offense

00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.660
 in return.

00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.500
 We might even say

00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.960
 he doesn't take it

00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.420
 personally.

00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:51.279
 He has a deeper

00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:51.940
 understanding

00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.940
 of his own identity

00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:54.680
 that allows him

00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:56.360
 to be rejected

00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:57.160
 without rejecting

00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:57.820
 in return.

00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.539
 Notice he says,

00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:00.059
 a prophet is not

00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:00.720
 without honor

00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:02.279
 except in his hometown.

00:22:03.600 --> 00:22:04.240
 Jesus knew

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.100
 that because of

00:22:05.100 --> 00:22:06.120
 who he was,

00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.799
 and certainly

00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.940
 he was even greater

00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.600
 than a prophet,

00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.460
 but he knew

00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.000
 that because of

00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.720
 who he was,

00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:14.200
 rejection in his hometown

00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:16.580
 would not necessarily

00:22:16.580 --> 00:22:17.400
 be surprising.

00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:20.480
 Are you and I

00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.259
 willing to do the same,

00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.980
 to face rejection

00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:23.319
 with this same composure,

00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:25.180
 to not take it personally,

00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:26.799
 to expect that

00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.940
 because of who Jesus is

00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.859
 there will inevitably

00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.859
 be some offense,

00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:32.220
 and so not to respond

00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.759
 with anger

00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.920
 or offense in return.

00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:37.379
 The second thing

00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:38.039
 to notice is that

00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.779
 Jesus doesn't just

00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.660
 refuse to be offended

00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.180
 in return.

00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:41.900
 He doesn't just refrain

00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.700
 from kind of rejecting

00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.279
 them in return.

00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.519
 He actually responds

00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.220
 with compassion.

00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:46.559
 You know,

00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:47.160
 Jesus could have

00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:48.619
 stormed out of Nazareth

00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:49.839
 as soon as the synagogue

00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:50.779
 service was over.

00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.519
 Right?

00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:54.680
 Stupid hometown idiots.

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.400
 I'm out of here.

00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.079
 Right?

00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:57.539
 No.

00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:00.220
 He doesn't storm out

00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:00.960
 as soon as the service

00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.279
 is over.

00:23:01.379 --> 00:23:01.779
 Apparently,

00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.799
 he stayed long enough

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:06.079
 to heal a few sick people

00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:08.299
 even when,

00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.740
 because of their unbelief,

00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.900
 he wasn't able to do

00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:12.799
 what Mark calls

00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.740
 a mighty work.

00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:13.799
 work.

00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.539
 In other words,

00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.519
 Jesus knew,

00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:18.680
 Jesus knew

00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.819
 that he wasn't

00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.319
 going to do

00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.620
 anything amazing there.

00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:24.720
 He wasn't going to do

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.519
 anything

00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:27.400
 that would draw a crowd

00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:29.559
 or amaze the onlookers.

00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.640
 No one was going to

00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.400
 post a reel

00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:33.759
 of what Jesus did

00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.700
 in Nazareth that day.

00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:35.000
 Right?

00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.359
 He wasn't going to get

00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:37.240
 a lot of new followers

00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.299
 and build his brand.

00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:41.519
 But he stayed.

00:23:42.139 --> 00:23:43.059
 He stayed anyway.

00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.240
 And he healed the few

00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.799
 that he could.

00:23:48.399 --> 00:23:48.859
 Now,

00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:49.720
 it's interesting to ponder,

00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:50.159
 isn't it,

00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:51.160
 in what sense

00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.500
 Jesus was unable

00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.420
 to perform

00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.000
 a mighty work

00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:54.540
 in Nazareth?

00:23:55.820 --> 00:23:57.080
 Did human unbelief

00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:58.100
 literally prevent

00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:58.920
 Jesus from healing

00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.440
 that day?

00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:01.220
 If Jesus is God,

00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:01.960
 couldn't he have just

00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:03.460
 overridden their unbelief

00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.220
 and healed them anyway?

00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.440
 Well,

00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.019
 Mark obviously

00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.700
 doesn't delve

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:09.140
 into these questions here.

00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:11.600
 Theologically speaking,

00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.460
 certainly Jesus

00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.860
 is able to heal

00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:14.600
 and therefore

00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:15.740
 he was,

00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.259
 we might say,

00:24:16.340 --> 00:24:17.420
 choosing not to.

00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:21.300
 But Mark's kind of

00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:23.820
 narrative accent

00:24:23.820 --> 00:24:26.640
 falls more on the humanity

00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:27.480
 of Jesus here

00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:29.800
 and on the gravity

00:24:29.800 --> 00:24:30.980
 and tragedy

00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:32.860
 of human unbelief

00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:33.940
 and hardness of heart.

00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.120
 Their unbelief

00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:37.019
 and their hardness of heart

00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.779
 was so grave

00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.720
 and so serious

00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.880
 and such a problem

00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:42.460
 that it just put

00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.240
 a great hedge

00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.920
 between them

00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.740
 and the deep blessing

00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.840
 that Jesus could bring.

00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:49.019
 And in the face

00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.920
 of such unbelief,

00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:51.080
 Jesus marvels,

00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:51.640
 Mark says.

00:24:54.580 --> 00:24:55.539
 James Edwards

00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.519
 puts it this way

00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.920
 in his quite excellent

00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.460
 commentary

00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:59.560
 on the book of Mark.

00:24:59.700 --> 00:24:59.940
 He says,

00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:01.680
 what amazes God

00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:03.039
 about humanity

00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:05.840
 is not its sinfulness

00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:06.620
 and propensity

00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:07.360
 for evil,

00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:09.240
 but its hardness

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.900
 of heart

00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:11.340
 and unwillingness

00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:12.240
 to believe in him.

00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.800
 That

00:25:13.800 --> 00:25:15.740
 is the greatest problem

00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.840
 in the world.

00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:20.720
 And so,

00:25:20.800 --> 00:25:21.720
 Jesus' response

00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.340
 to rejection

00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:23.320
 is not contempt

00:25:23.320 --> 00:25:23.880
 and rejection

00:25:23.880 --> 00:25:24.480
 in return,

00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.340
 but compassion,

00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.180
 even amazement

00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:27.860
 that they would

00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:28.620
 fail to believe.

00:25:30.560 --> 00:25:30.960
 Now,

00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.500
 as we consider

00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.400
 how Jesus responded,

00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.279
 we start to recognize

00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.560
 that this isn't always

00:25:34.560 --> 00:25:35.380
 how we respond,

00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:35.740
 is it?

00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.039
 Because we certainly

00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:39.039
 face rejection today

00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.300
 as well,

00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:39.660
 don't we?

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.180
 You know,

00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.039
 just like the first century,

00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.960
 Jesus is still

00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.740
 offensive today.

00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:44.240
 The human heart

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.519
 does not want to admit

00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.460
 that it needs a Savior

00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.860
 and the human heart

00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:48.779
 certainly would prefer

00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.720
 to be its own Lord.

00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:51.079
 And so,

00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:51.920
 the claim of Jesus

00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.779
 will always offend.

00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.140
 So,

00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:56.019
 how do we respond

00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:57.340
 when because of Christ's sake

00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:59.259
 we too face rejection?

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.059
 Well,

00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:01.340
 of course,

00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:01.880
 like Jesus,

00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:03.019
 we don't take offense

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.519
 in return.

00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:05.059
 We don't take it personally.

00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:06.759
 After all,

00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:08.600
 it's not really us,

00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.400
 it's Christ.

00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:12.340
 And after all,

00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:12.920
 didn't you and I

00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:13.700
 think the same thing

00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.660
 before we came to faith?

00:26:15.580 --> 00:26:16.380
 That this was all

00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:17.460
 crazy and offensive.

00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.259
 Why would we expect

00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.780
 anything different

00:26:19.780 --> 00:26:20.300
 from our friends

00:26:20.300 --> 00:26:20.880
 and our coworkers,

00:26:21.060 --> 00:26:21.240
 right?

00:26:23.320 --> 00:26:23.680
 And,

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.019
 of course,

00:26:24.060 --> 00:26:25.220
 we continue to respond

00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.240
 with compassion.

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.519
 Jesus didn't stop

00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.440
 loving his hometown.

00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.180
 His heart was still

00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:30.780
 soft,

00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:31.880
 still amazed

00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.759
 at their unbelief.

00:26:32.860 --> 00:26:33.280
 And so,

00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:35.259
 we keep a soft heart

00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.940
 as well.

00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:38.539
 Now,

00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:39.180
 you might be noticing

00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.440
 that Jesus told the twelve

00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.820
 to shake the dust

00:26:41.820 --> 00:26:42.500
 from their feet

00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:43.460
 when a village

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:45.539
 refused to receive them.

00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.600
 And you might think,

00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:46.700
 well,

00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.279
 that doesn't sound

00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.140
 too soft hearted,

00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:48.779
 right?

00:26:49.820 --> 00:26:50.620
 But we have to remember

00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:52.220
 that the initial mission

00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.900
 of the twelve

00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:54.799
 was aimed at whom?

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:57.299
 At religious Jewish villages,

00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:57.740
 right?

00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.340
 And in that time,

00:26:59.440 --> 00:26:59.980
 shaking the dust

00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:00.500
 from your feet

00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.059
 was something

00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:02.519
 that a pious Jew did

00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.380
 when they left

00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.519
 a Gentile area.

00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.539
 And so,

00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:07.980
 during this preliminary mission,

00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:09.960
 if there was any place

00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.620
 that thought

00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:11.580
 they didn't need

00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:12.900
 Jesus' message

00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:14.019
 to be faithful

00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:15.279
 to Israel's God,

00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:17.039
 then this act

00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.900
 by the apostles

00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.779
 was communicating

00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.500
 to them

00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:21.080
 that they were

00:27:21.080 --> 00:27:22.320
 actually responding

00:27:22.320 --> 00:27:23.980
 not like faithful Jews

00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.059
 but just like

00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.400
 the unbelieving Gentiles.

00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.700
 It was saying to them

00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.420
 that their religion,

00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.700
 their tradition,

00:27:31.340 --> 00:27:32.400
 their family heritage,

00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.320
 as great as all

00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:34.200
 those things were,

00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.460
 were not going

00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.140
 to save them.

00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:38.160
 Only Jesus

00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.120
 and his kingdom could.

00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.279
 And in our context,

00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:42.660
 of course,

00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.920
 there may and will

00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.539
 come times

00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.079
 when we need

00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:45.680
 to be bold

00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.740
 and wise

00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:48.160
 to speak clearly

00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:49.500
 about the necessity

00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.360
 of Jesus

00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:51.240
 for salvation.

00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.600
 And in moments

00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:54.220
 like those,

00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:55.720
 compassion

00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.680
 and a soft heart

00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:58.840
 are even more critical.

00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.259
 Lest our hearts

00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:02.000
 begin to believe

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.660
 that it's anything

00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.220
 other

00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.759
 than sheer grace

00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.960
 that has opened

00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:06.600
 our eyes

00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.860
 to see the beauty

00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:09.060
 and necessity

00:28:09.060 --> 00:28:10.220
 and sufficiency

00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:10.920
 of Christ.

00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.519
 So we don't respond

00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.500
 in kind,

00:28:15.580 --> 00:28:16.100
 we don't take it

00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:16.580
 personally,

00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:17.820
 and we continue

00:28:17.820 --> 00:28:18.440
 to have a heart

00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.140
 of compassion

00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:19.880
 towards those

00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.980
 who may even

00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.940
 be rejecting us.

00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:25.539
 but we have

00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.200
 to go even deeper.

00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.559
 The question

00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.400
 isn't just

00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.860
 how do we respond

00:28:30.860 --> 00:28:32.279
 when we experience

00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:33.180
 rejection

00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:34.120
 for Christ's sake.

00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:36.299
 At a deeper level,

00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.299
 we need to ask,

00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:39.279
 how can we

00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.799
 overcome

00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.779
 the fear

00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.360
 of rejection

00:28:41.360 --> 00:28:43.480
 that keeps us

00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.799
 from publicly

00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.539
 identifying

00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.380
 with Christ

00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:47.539
 in the first place?

00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:50.399
 On Monday,

00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:52.200
 when your coworkers

00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.339
 or your classmates

00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:55.119
 ask how your weekend

00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:55.579
 was,

00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.519
 are we willing

00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.000
 to say,

00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:58.559
 you know,

00:28:59.339 --> 00:29:00.379
 I went to church

00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:01.579
 and it was really

00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.099
 encouraging.

00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.799
 The sermon

00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.579
 was a bit long

00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.299
 and I couldn't

00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.740
 quite follow

00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.339
 his outline,

00:29:06.899 --> 00:29:08.779
 but overall,

00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:09.359
 I'm really glad

00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:09.720
 I went.

00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:13.460
 That's the first

00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.480
 step of mission,

00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:14.799
 you know.

00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:16.779
 just making

00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:18.079
 Christ known

00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:18.579
 through your

00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.519
 everyday life,

00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.599
 identifying

00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.559
 as a believer,

00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.879
 making it normal

00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:24.720
 to be identified

00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.539
 with Jesus.

00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:26.980
 You know,

00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.480
 the first step

00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:27.839
 of mission

00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.519
 is not sitting

00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.139
 someone down

00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.579
 and walking

00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.039
 them through

00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.000
 the four spiritual

00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:32.059
 laws in one sitting,

00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:32.379
 right?

00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.359
 It's just letting

00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:35.519
 the aroma of Christ

00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:37.180
 be known around you,

00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.259
 being able to

00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.539
 publicly identify

00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.379
 with Christ

00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:41.539
 where you are.

00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.279
 But of course,

00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:44.960
 even that step

00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.440
 is difficult,

00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:45.779
 right?

00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:46.259
 We know that

00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:47.279
 even that step

00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:48.819
 can and does

00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.539
 cause offense.

00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.379
 Even that first

00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.039
 step of mission

00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.740
 can bring on

00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.339
 the reality

00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:54.019
 of rejection.

00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:56.220
 So what do we do?

00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.019
 Well, there's

00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.740
 actually one more

00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:01.619
 thread that ties

00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.480
 the two halves

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.319
 of our passage

00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:03.819
 together.

00:30:05.379 --> 00:30:06.099
 And it's found

00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:07.019
 in verses 8 and 9,

00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.720
 believe it or not.

00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:09.639
 In verses 8 and 9,

00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.200
 Mark writes,

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:11.119
 Jesus charged them

00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:11.819
 to take nothing

00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.680
 for their journey

00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:14.059
 except a staff

00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:15.139
 no bread,

00:30:15.379 --> 00:30:15.919
 no bag,

00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:16.500
 no money

00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.059
 in their belts,

00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:18.220
 but to wear

00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:19.339
 sandals and not

00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.359
 put on two tunics.

00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.799
 Now on the surface,

00:30:22.919 --> 00:30:23.599
 it seems like Jesus

00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.299
 is just telling

00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:24.919
 the apostles

00:30:24.919 --> 00:30:26.519
 to travel light

00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.539
 on this short

00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:27.899
 mission.

00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.339
 Travel light

00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:30.319
 so you don't depend

00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:31.299
 on your own resources

00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:32.159
 but rather depend

00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:33.200
 on God to provide.

00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:34.700
 And of course,

00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.399
 that's very true.

00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.700
 But you know,

00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.339
 there's actually

00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:39.779
 an Old Testament

00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.799
 illusion here.

00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:44.079
 What Jesus tells

00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:44.680
 the twelve

00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:46.500
 to take and wear

00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.399
 on their mission

00:30:47.399 --> 00:30:49.259
 is in fact

00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.059
 identical

00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:51.639
 to the belongings

00:30:51.639 --> 00:30:52.720
 God instructs

00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.339
 the Israelites

00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:54.039
 to take

00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:55.399
 on their flight

00:30:55.399 --> 00:30:56.019
 from Egypt.

00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:57.319
 Belt,

00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:58.519
 sandals,

00:30:59.200 --> 00:30:59.940
 staff in hand.

00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.779
 In other words,

00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.519
 Jesus tells

00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:05.220
 the apostles

00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.919
 to go out

00:31:06.919 --> 00:31:08.119
 wearing

00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:09.240
 Exodus

00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.259
 apparel.

00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.599
 Why?

00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.799
 Well,

00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.519
 because their mission

00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.079
 is announcing

00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:17.339
 something as foundational

00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.559
 and as revelatory

00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:19.200
 as the Exodus

00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:19.759
 from Egypt,

00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:20.440
 yes.

00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.759
 But what was

00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.120
 the event

00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.620
 of the Exodus

00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:23.019
 all about?

00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.019
 Well,

00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.940
 God was liberating

00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.500
 his people

00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:30.799
 from 400 years

00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.380
 in slavery

00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:32.920
 and finally

00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:34.059
 at long last

00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:35.240
 bringing

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.960
 them

00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:36.940
 home.

00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:39.759
 he was

00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.480
 calling

00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:41.160
 the Israelites

00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:42.680
 to leave

00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.539
 what was

00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.140
 at that point

00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:45.160
 familiar for them.

00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.660
 They were leaving

00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:47.500
 what for a long

00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.160
 time they might

00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.720
 have called

00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.259
 home

00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:50.319
 and being

00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.240
 brought out

00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:53.279
 and taken

00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.779
 to their real

00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.180
 home

00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:55.000
 and their

00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.680
 true home,

00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:56.960
 the home

00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.400
 God had

00:31:57.400 --> 00:31:57.960
 prepared for

00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.220
 them.

00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:01.299
 Think with me.

00:32:02.140 --> 00:32:03.200
 What makes

00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.500
 us so afraid

00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:05.200
 of rejection?

00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.680
 Of course,

00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.440
 nobody enjoys

00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:07.740
 it,

00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.600
 but where

00:32:08.600 --> 00:32:08.960
 does the

00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:10.220
 fear come

00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:10.559
 from?

00:32:12.360 --> 00:32:12.840
 Isn't it

00:32:12.840 --> 00:32:13.420
 the fear

00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.580
 that we'll

00:32:14.580 --> 00:32:15.180
 lose

00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:16.519
 the security,

00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:17.500
 the safety,

00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.240
 the welcome,

00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:19.539
 the belonging

00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:22.120
 that whether

00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:22.759
 we like to admit

00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.220
 it or not,

00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:23.860
 our hearts

00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:24.700
 really need?

00:32:26.360 --> 00:32:27.080
 In other

00:32:27.080 --> 00:32:27.360
 words,

00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:28.640
 the human

00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:29.100
 heart

00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:30.240
 longs

00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:31.319
 for home,

00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.279
 a place

00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:34.019
 of belonging,

00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.900
 a place

00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:35.680
 of acceptance.

00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:38.740
 As Robert

00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.220
 Frost said,

00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:39.799
 home is the

00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:40.420
 place where

00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:41.599
 when you have

00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:42.299
 to go there,

00:32:42.900 --> 00:32:43.500
 they have to

00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.119
 take you in.

00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:47.019
 And the fear

00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:47.519
 of rejection

00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.839
 rises because

00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.579
 we know

00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.599
 that that sense

00:32:50.599 --> 00:32:51.139
 of belonging

00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:51.759
 in home

00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.339
 will be

00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:52.819
 threatened.

00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:54.559
 What if my

00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:54.940
 co-workers

00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.440
 reject me?

00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:55.879
 What if my

00:32:55.879 --> 00:32:56.680
 friends reject me?

00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.099
 What if my

00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:57.799
 sports team

00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.379
 rejects me?

00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:58.900
 What if my

00:32:58.900 --> 00:32:59.599
 roommates reject

00:32:59.599 --> 00:32:59.879
 me?

00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:00.759
 Where will I

00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:01.240
 belong?

00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.660
 Where's home?

00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:07.059
 But here's

00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:07.339
 the good

00:33:07.339 --> 00:33:07.660
 news.

00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:09.799
 The proclamation

00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.639
 of the gospel,

00:33:11.339 --> 00:33:12.019
 the good news

00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:12.599
 of what Jesus

00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.200
 has done,

00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.660
 is the message

00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:15.319
 that God

00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:16.480
 has always

00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.960
 had our

00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:18.460
 home in

00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:18.839
 mind.

00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.240
 He created

00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:22.559
 us in a

00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:23.259
 garden home

00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.299
 to live

00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:24.559
 and to

00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:24.980
 flourish.

00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.259
 And when

00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:27.059
 sin destroyed

00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:27.220
 it,

00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.779
 he laid a

00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:28.220
 plan that

00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.599
 would stretch

00:33:28.599 --> 00:33:29.359
 for thousands

00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:29.940
 of years

00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.480
 to bring us

00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.139
 back again.

00:33:31.140 --> 00:33:32.440
 And the

00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:32.980
 exodus from

00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:33.380
 Egypt was

00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:34.020
 a picture,

00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:35.320
 a foretaste,

00:33:35.400 --> 00:33:35.600
 right?

00:33:37.080 --> 00:33:37.640
 A people

00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.300
 far from

00:33:38.300 --> 00:33:38.740
 home,

00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:39.580
 languishing,

00:33:40.020 --> 00:33:40.860
 but liberated

00:33:40.860 --> 00:33:41.520
 and brought

00:33:41.520 --> 00:33:42.920
 finally to a

00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:43.880
 permanent home,

00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.500
 their new

00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.680
 garden in

00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:46.160
 the promised

00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:46.560
 land.

00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.920
 But even a

00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:49.759
 greater liberation

00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.360
 was coming,

00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:51.800
 a greater

00:33:51.800 --> 00:33:52.200
 exodus,

00:33:52.300 --> 00:33:52.780
 a greater

00:33:52.780 --> 00:33:53.220
 home,

00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:54.720
 the place

00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.120
 our hearts

00:33:55.120 --> 00:33:55.740
 were always

00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.360
 made for,

00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:57.860
 the new

00:33:57.860 --> 00:33:58.600
 creation where

00:33:58.600 --> 00:33:59.259
 God dwells

00:33:59.259 --> 00:33:59.759
 in fullness.

00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:01.400
 And what

00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:02.200
 is it that

00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:02.759
 would win,

00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:03.079
 that would

00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:03.960
 win this

00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.379
 greater

00:34:04.379 --> 00:34:04.960
 liberation?

00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:06.140
 What is it

00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:06.379
 that would

00:34:06.379 --> 00:34:07.019
 launch us

00:34:07.019 --> 00:34:07.440
 out on

00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:08.039
 this new

00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.599
 exodus to

00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:09.039
 our greater

00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.320
 and our

00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:09.940
 true home?

00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:12.980
 Look at

00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:13.579
 Mark 6.

00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.320
 The Son of

00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:16.659
 God is

00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:17.079
 rejected.

00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.059
 He loses

00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:20.860
 his home so

00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.260
 that you and

00:34:21.260 --> 00:34:21.820
 I can gain

00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.179
 ours.

00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.340
 And Jesus'

00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.079
 loss will be

00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:26.639
 even greater

00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:27.340
 on the cross

00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:28.440
 when he cries

00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:29.099
 out in Mark's

00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:29.440
 gospel,

00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.039
 my God,

00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:30.619
 my God,

00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:31.820
 why have

00:34:31.820 --> 00:34:33.420
 you forsaken

00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:33.720
 me?

00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:36.079
 On the cross,

00:34:36.820 --> 00:34:37.380
 Jesus is

00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:39.119
 losing his

00:34:39.119 --> 00:34:40.320
 eternal home.

00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:41.800
 He's facing

00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:43.420
 cosmic rejection

00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:45.039
 in a way that

00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:46.059
 we cannot even

00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:46.740
 fathom.

00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:48.420
 He's losing

00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:49.079
 his home

00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:50.599
 for you.

00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:53.400
 So an even

00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.119
 greater exodus

00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:54.740
 can begin.

00:34:55.619 --> 00:34:56.139
 So an even

00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:57.039
 better home

00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:58.280
 can be opened

00:34:58.280 --> 00:34:58.720
 wide.

00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:01.200
 And in this

00:35:01.200 --> 00:35:01.519
 home,

00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:03.559
 there's no

00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:04.539
 more condemnation

00:35:04.539 --> 00:35:05.880
 and there's

00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:06.340
 no more

00:35:06.340 --> 00:35:06.880
 performing

00:35:06.880 --> 00:35:08.099
 and there's

00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:08.579
 no more

00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:09.079
 pretending

00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:10.380
 and there's

00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:10.760
 no more

00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:11.179
 rejection.

00:35:11.179 --> 00:35:11.239
 rejection.

00:35:12.919 --> 00:35:13.539
 This isn't

00:35:13.539 --> 00:35:14.000
 the home

00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.559
 that when you

00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:15.079
 have to go

00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.299
 there,

00:35:15.399 --> 00:35:15.719
 they have

00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:16.059
 to take

00:35:16.059 --> 00:35:16.419
 you in,

00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:16.619
 right?

00:35:16.679 --> 00:35:17.019
 This is

00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:17.539
 the home

00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.259
 where the

00:35:18.259 --> 00:35:18.639
 God who

00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:19.179
 made you

00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:20.179
 is glad

00:35:20.179 --> 00:35:20.559
 to take

00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:20.980
 you in

00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:23.460
 because you're

00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:24.000
 his beloved,

00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:25.539
 purchased by

00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:25.899
 his own

00:35:25.899 --> 00:35:26.259
 son,

00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:27.460
 sealed with

00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:27.819
 his own

00:35:27.819 --> 00:35:28.299
 spirit,

00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.419
 kept for

00:35:29.419 --> 00:35:29.819
 eternity.

00:35:29.820 --> 00:35:32.340
 God

00:35:32.340 --> 00:35:32.539
 and that's

00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:32.820
 how you

00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:33.140
 and I

00:35:33.140 --> 00:35:33.880
 can face

00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:35.120
 the everyday

00:35:35.120 --> 00:35:35.620
 fear of

00:35:35.620 --> 00:35:36.019
 rejection,

00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:37.160
 the fear

00:35:37.160 --> 00:35:37.559
 of losing

00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:38.160
 our belonging,

00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:38.840
 losing our

00:35:38.840 --> 00:35:39.100
 home.

00:35:39.220 --> 00:35:39.800
 We see

00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:41.660
 that Jesus

00:35:41.660 --> 00:35:42.380
 lost his

00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:42.880
 home for

00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:43.519
 us so that

00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:43.820
 we could

00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:44.080
 have an

00:35:44.080 --> 00:35:44.380
 eternal

00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:45.820
 home that

00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:46.380
 surpasses

00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:46.700
 all the

00:35:46.700 --> 00:35:47.039
 rest.

00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:49.800
 And when

00:35:49.800 --> 00:35:50.420
 the reality

00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:50.800
 and the

00:35:50.800 --> 00:35:51.599
 security of

00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:52.079
 our true

00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:52.519
 home in

00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:53.579
 Christ becomes

00:35:53.579 --> 00:35:54.559
 more and

00:35:54.559 --> 00:35:55.119
 more real

00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:55.519
 to our

00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.019
 hearts,

00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:56.980
 then the

00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:57.619
 more and

00:35:57.619 --> 00:35:58.099
 more will

00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:59.159
 become a

00:35:59.159 --> 00:35:59.619
 people of

00:35:59.619 --> 00:35:59.940
 mission.

00:36:01.279 --> 00:36:01.920
 Our lives

00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.199
 will be

00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:02.880
 dressed in

00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:03.480
 exodus

00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:04.099
 apparel,

00:36:04.840 --> 00:36:06.179
 living in

00:36:06.179 --> 00:36:07.380
 that unencumbered

00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:08.800
 freedom of

00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:09.259
 Christ,

00:36:10.279 --> 00:36:11.039
 taking this

00:36:11.039 --> 00:36:12.039
 journey together

00:36:12.039 --> 00:36:12.840
 as the

00:36:12.840 --> 00:36:13.239
 church,

00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:14.699
 knowing that

00:36:14.699 --> 00:36:15.400
 our home

00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:17.019
 is secure.

00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:19.199
 and when

00:36:19.199 --> 00:36:20.000
 the Lord

00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:21.019
 Jesus returns,

00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:22.599
 that home

00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:23.039
 will one day

00:36:23.039 --> 00:36:23.460
 cover the

00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:24.539
 earth like

00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:24.940
 the waters

00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:25.380
 cover the

00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:25.639
 sea.

00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:27.539
 Let's pray

00:36:27.539 --> 00:36:27.920
 together.

00:36:37.279 --> 00:36:38.159
 Lord Jesus,

00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:39.139
 you said,

00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:41.619
 blessed are

00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:44.159
 those who

00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:44.739
 are persecuted

00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:45.440
 for righteousness

00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:46.059
 sake when

00:36:46.059 --> 00:36:46.739
 others revile

00:36:46.739 --> 00:36:47.500
 you and

00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:48.199
 reject you.

00:36:48.879 --> 00:36:49.299
 Then you

00:36:49.299 --> 00:36:49.879
 are blessed.

00:36:51.299 --> 00:36:51.839
 Oh Lord,

00:36:51.959 --> 00:36:52.819
 help us to

00:36:52.819 --> 00:36:54.359
 embrace that

00:36:54.359 --> 00:36:55.179
 blessing for

00:36:55.179 --> 00:36:55.859
 your sake

00:36:55.859 --> 00:36:57.719
 with the

00:36:57.719 --> 00:36:58.399
 deep peace

00:36:58.399 --> 00:36:59.299
 and confidence

00:36:59.299 --> 00:37:00.099
 you give,

00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:01.619
 knowing that

00:37:01.619 --> 00:37:02.219
 you love us

00:37:02.219 --> 00:37:02.559
 and you've

00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:03.000
 walked this

00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.500
 road before

00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:03.879
 us.

00:37:04.959 --> 00:37:05.539
 In our

00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:05.979
 mission,

00:37:06.779 --> 00:37:07.399
 Lord Jesus,

00:37:08.399 --> 00:37:09.379
 make us

00:37:09.379 --> 00:37:10.039
 compassionate,

00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:12.459
 courageous,

00:37:12.460 --> 00:37:13.760
 and wise.

00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:16.400
 We ask this

00:37:16.400 --> 00:37:17.179
 in Jesus' name,

00:37:17.559 --> 00:37:17.820
 Father.

00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:18.240
 Amen.

00:37:18.240 --> 00:37:18.360
 Amen.