WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:05.540 Matthew chapter 9, starting at verse 9. 00:00:06.299 --> 00:00:12.660 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, 00:00:13.220 --> 00:00:16.280 Follow me. And he rose and followed him. 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:23.920 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came, 00:00:24.339 --> 00:00:27.080 and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 00:00:27.079 --> 00:00:31.919 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:35.619 Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:38.359 But when he heard it, he said, 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:43.700 Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 00:00:44.739 --> 00:00:46.379 Go and learn what this means. 00:00:47.299 --> 00:00:50.179 I desire mercy and not sacrifice. 00:00:50.980 --> 00:00:54.439 For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. 00:00:54.439 --> 00:00:59.759 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:04.759 Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:06.819 And Jesus said to them, 00:01:07.539 --> 00:01:11.799 Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? 00:01:12.759 --> 00:01:18.219 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:25.340 No one puts a piece of untrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, 00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:27.739 and a worse tear is made. 00:01:28.959 --> 00:01:32.439 Neither the new wine put into an old wineskin. 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:39.439 If it is, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed. 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:45.200 But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved. 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:51.719 Well, if you want to open up to Matthew 9, I'll keep it open. 00:01:52.840 --> 00:01:53.600 That'll be helpful. 00:01:53.780 --> 00:01:55.100 Make sure what I'm saying is true. 00:01:58.219 --> 00:02:06.700 Well, if you were to picture the final goal that God is moving all human history towards, 00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:08.699 so heaven on earth, in other words, 00:02:08.699 --> 00:02:10.379 what would you picture? 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:12.019 What's it look like? 00:02:13.579 --> 00:02:20.060 Scripture gives us a lot of pictures that develop certain aspects of what we can look forward to. 00:02:20.859 --> 00:02:27.259 One of them is a great wedding banquet, a feast. 00:02:27.419 --> 00:02:27.659 Why? 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:31.419 Because it's a great gathering, and it's full of celebration. 00:02:31.839 --> 00:02:33.079 That's what it's marked by. 00:02:33.079 --> 00:02:34.739 Why is it full of celebration? 00:02:34.740 --> 00:02:40.300 Because of the permanent covenant union between two people 00:02:40.300 --> 00:02:43.280 who have given themselves for each other in love. 00:02:44.280 --> 00:02:46.520 Isaiah 62 verse 5 picks this up. 00:02:46.600 --> 00:02:48.700 So this is the Lord speaking to his people. 00:02:49.920 --> 00:02:54.340 For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:57.960 And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, 00:02:58.420 --> 00:03:02.600 so shall your God rejoice over you. 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:07.819 It's quite an emotion-filled image. 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:10.340 God's quite the romantic. 00:03:11.340 --> 00:03:18.479 Heaven on earth will be so great because after all of human history of every one of us 00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:21.939 chasing after other lovers, thinking we'll find life in them, 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:28.620 finally we'll be united with the God, the lover of our souls, 00:03:28.620 --> 00:03:32.099 forever, at peace, in faithfulness. 00:03:32.640 --> 00:03:34.800 And it's a time marked by celebration. 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:36.080 It's a banquet. 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:38.259 It's a great gathering. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:44.860 So Jews of Jesus' day would speak of the time of the Messiah as being like a wedding banquet, 00:03:45.099 --> 00:03:48.759 and blessed is anyone who's invited to that party. 00:03:48.759 --> 00:03:54.060 We've already heard Jesus use this picture in chapter 8, 00:03:54.679 --> 00:03:58.639 but surprisingly not using it for a Jewish person, 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:05.639 but the oppressor of Jewish people, a Roman centurion who expresses such faith, 00:04:05.739 --> 00:04:08.120 just taking Jesus' word at face value. 00:04:08.120 --> 00:04:11.960 Jesus says in chapter 8, verse 11, 00:04:12.480 --> 00:04:19.480 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:21.439 in the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:23.199 It's this banquet. 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:24.300 It's this reclining. 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:27.199 It's this wedding celebration. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:30.879 In our passage this morning, we've got two paragraphs, 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:33.879 and the first one I think we warm to. 00:04:34.039 --> 00:04:39.319 It's Jesus lowering himself, eating with tax collectors and sinners. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:47.199 And then the second paragraph is about fasting and something to do with garments and wine, 00:04:47.339 --> 00:04:50.039 putting it in new wineskins, and we're not quite sure what to do with it. 00:04:50.039 --> 00:04:56.240 I think what unites these two paragraphs is this picture of the wedding banquet. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:05:00.579 This is the goal of Jesus' mission. 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:02.740 This is the end point. 00:05:03.420 --> 00:05:06.879 This is what God wants to achieve, this wedding banquet. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:09.099 This is what Jesus' mission is about. 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:12.500 So I think that's what unites our passage this morning. 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:23.819 The main obstacle to achieving this union between God and people is our sinfulness. 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:28.180 We all know this, or hopefully we know this. 00:05:28.980 --> 00:05:34.500 For Jesus to make this wedding banquet a reality, his mission must first remove the problem, 00:05:34.599 --> 00:05:39.800 the thing that breaks the fellowship, which is a lack of faithfulness, 00:05:39.879 --> 00:05:42.079 a lack of love for the Lord. 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:45.379 So let's get into the text. 00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:48.680 Who will have a seat at this heavenly wedding celebration? 00:05:48.680 --> 00:05:54.800 I think we get a glimpse of heaven in verses 9 and 10. 00:05:56.040 --> 00:06:03.439 I don't think it's just a little moralistic story of lowering yourself and identifying with the lowest in society. 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:04.720 I think it's much more than that. 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:07.699 I think it's a picture of heaven. 00:06:07.699 --> 00:06:17.199 Here is Jesus sitting with people like Matthew. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:24.240 Above all your aspirations in life, I'm not sure what you're looking forward to this week, 00:06:24.719 --> 00:06:27.759 what you're looking forward to this month, in the new year, 00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:30.379 what is your greatest aspiration? 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:38.980 It should be having a place at this table, at this wedding banquet that Scripture talks about. 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:45.240 Do you want to arrive at the door and read the table list and find your name? 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:51.120 That should be our greatest desire, to be invited at this wedding banquet. 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:55.340 Don't you love those seemingly rare times? 00:06:55.780 --> 00:06:59.360 Oh, I find them rare, where you're with friends, you're with family, 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:01.120 maybe at Christmastime coming up. 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:07.480 Or as Christmas, hopefully, is not stress and fighting, 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:12.120 but you know those rare times where you're just lounging around? 00:07:13.019 --> 00:07:16.879 Maybe you're in the living room and the coffee table is just full of food 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:20.839 and some are just sprawled out on the floor, some are on the lounge. 00:07:21.159 --> 00:07:22.139 No one's pretending. 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:24.060 There's no pretense in the room. 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:26.800 There's no personal agendas. 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:27.800 There's no tension. 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:30.439 There's just peace. 00:07:30.579 --> 00:07:32.199 There's just enjoying each other's company. 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:33.300 There's laughter. 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:36.839 There's food and drink. 00:07:37.159 --> 00:07:39.000 Some people need to loosen their belt. 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:40.240 They've just eaten too much. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:44.899 You know that picture of just being together? 00:07:44.899 --> 00:07:48.060 It's what we're looking forward to at Christmastime. 00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:53.120 I think that's kind of the picture we've got here. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:08:00.399 But instead of Christmastime, we've got Jesus, the Son of God, 00:08:00.659 --> 00:08:05.399 God in the flesh, relaxing, reclining at table in the house, 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:14.060 totally at peace, eating and drinking and celebrating, no pretense. 00:08:14.899 --> 00:08:15.699 Where is he? 00:08:15.779 --> 00:08:18.879 Is he in Jerusalem, the religiously pure place? 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:19.399 No, he's not. 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:20.459 He's in Capernaum. 00:08:21.339 --> 00:08:25.599 The people who have mixed their devotion with the world, 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:28.079 they're not devoted to God. 00:08:28.239 --> 00:08:29.779 They're mixed up in the world. 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:32.539 Worse than that, he's at Matthew's house. 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:34.459 What's he doing there? 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:35.600 This is a sinner. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:37.919 Other sinners would go, well, that's a bad guy. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:43.819 Now, I don't know if you've watched the TV show The Chosen. 00:08:44.839 --> 00:08:50.879 I think the show picks up well how much Matthew would have been hated. 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:57.719 This guy, you read it in Mark and Luke, the same story. 00:08:57.819 --> 00:08:58.939 His name there is Levi. 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:02.299 So it's the same person, two different names. 00:09:02.299 --> 00:09:03.299 He's a sinner. 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:07.039 Levi, he comes from the descendants of the Levites. 00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:09.139 He should have been devoted to the temple. 00:09:10.099 --> 00:09:10.579 But he's not. 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:11.159 What's he doing? 00:09:11.259 --> 00:09:13.939 He's devoted to being a tax collector. 00:09:14.819 --> 00:09:18.959 He's serving those who are subjugating God's people. 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:21.979 He would have been so hated. 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:32.519 And there was no corruption commission to stop Matthew from skimming off the top of the taxes for his own benefit. 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:41.060 He was stealing, robbing from his own people, devoted to himself rather than devoted to God. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:51.680 And Jesus, seeing Matthew at the tax booth, notice that Jesus is the one who takes the initiative here. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:57.500 I think it's similar to what we were reading last week with the healing of the paralyzed man. 00:09:57.979 --> 00:10:01.819 Matthew is paralyzed in his devotion to himself. 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:05.379 He's sitting and Jesus says, follow me. 00:10:05.719 --> 00:10:06.459 And he rose. 00:10:06.719 --> 00:10:08.519 I think it's similar to the paralyzed man. 00:10:09.079 --> 00:10:12.019 The command of Jesus makes him follow. 00:10:12.819 --> 00:10:19.399 He leaves his world behind him and puts all his trust in Jesus to give him life. 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:25.379 So, Jesus is sitting at Matthew's house. 00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:30.959 The worst of sinners, devoted to himself. 00:10:31.739 --> 00:10:33.120 And he goes to Matthew's house. 00:10:33.819 --> 00:10:34.719 And he's reclining. 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:37.000 He's celebrating with them. 00:10:37.899 --> 00:10:39.359 He's at peace with them. 00:10:39.699 --> 00:10:42.899 And many other sinners come and take their place at the table. 00:10:42.899 --> 00:10:45.259 This is the picture of heaven. 00:10:46.579 --> 00:10:49.759 Relax together around the table. 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:56.459 It's a glimpse of the everlasting wedding feast to come. 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:02.299 I think it's a beautiful picture. 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:05.899 It's the thing that's moved me most this week. 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:09.319 That Jesus wants to recline with me. 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:11.000 Totally at peace. 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:12.659 He knows my sin. 00:11:12.939 --> 00:11:14.740 He's not pretending here. 00:11:14.819 --> 00:11:15.679 He knows our sin. 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:18.379 But this is the goal. 00:11:18.959 --> 00:11:21.659 To be at peace together in the kingdom forever. 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:27.340 So, do you think you're too sick for God? 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:31.039 Too unworthy to be invited to sit at the table? 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:32.039 Too unworthy to be invited to sit at the table? 00:11:32.719 --> 00:11:35.240 Then I'd encourage you to soak in this picture. 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:40.059 Jesus is the friend of sinners. 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:44.099 In fact, he only wants sinners as his friends. 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:52.399 More than a friend, as we're tied up in the second paragraph as well, 00:11:52.459 --> 00:11:54.259 he's the groom of sinners. 00:11:54.259 --> 00:12:00.100 Even for those who everyone else has given up hope for, 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:03.100 even for those who have given up hope for themselves, 00:12:03.819 --> 00:12:06.460 Jesus has come for those very people. 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:10.759 So, whenever you're feeling full of guilt and shame, 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:15.179 remember, you're not too sick for the doctor. 00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:25.099 If you feel drawn to the almost unbelievable just acceptance that Jesus has, 00:12:25.219 --> 00:12:28.359 then don't wait until you feel better to come to him. 00:12:29.599 --> 00:12:33.799 Your place, your acceptance with him isn't because you're a great patient. 00:12:34.239 --> 00:12:35.859 It's because he's a great doctor. 00:12:37.079 --> 00:12:41.419 Don't wait until you are better before you come to him. 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:45.319 He's a friend of sinners, the worst of sinners. 00:12:46.819 --> 00:12:48.500 You're never too sick to come to him. 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:50.059 There is a place at his table. 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:50.819 You are invited. 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.379 Come as you are. 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.899 He won't leave you as you are. 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:55.979 Fellowship with him will change you. 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:59.019 You won't stay as you are, but come as you are. 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:04.799 Whenever you're plagued with guilt, 00:13:05.819 --> 00:13:07.879 feeling unworthy to open his word, 00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:09.179 unworthy to pray, 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:11.240 unworthy maybe to walk into church, 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:15.139 you're too dirty to be among holy people like us. 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:18.500 Whenever we're thinking those wrong thoughts, 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.579 Jesus is the friend of sinners. 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:27.399 It's fellowship with him that will renew your hope 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:29.579 that one day your sin will totally be gone 00:13:29.579 --> 00:13:31.519 and there will be that full peace. 00:13:31.959 --> 00:13:35.179 It's fellowship with him that will actually remind us 00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:38.079 of why sin is so awful in the first place 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:39.560 because it breaks that fellowship. 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:42.220 It robs us of that fellowship. 00:13:42.759 --> 00:13:44.000 It may not break it completely, 00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:46.040 but it robs us of enjoying that fellowship. 00:13:47.400 --> 00:13:48.660 And fellowship with him 00:13:48.660 --> 00:13:53.400 will make us boast in his grace towards us, 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:56.740 not in our own ability or goodness. 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:59.120 So come to him. 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:03.019 You are never too sick to come to him. 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:06.399 And notice in this passage, 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:08.860 who doesn't want a place at the table. 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:10.460 It's the righteous Pharisees. 00:14:11.079 --> 00:14:13.240 I think we might be attracted to this story 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:14.620 for the wrong reasons today. 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:17.519 I think we might be cheering Jesus on 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:19.419 that he's sticking it to the establishment. 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:21.079 Go, Jesus. 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:24.659 Align yourself with the minority, 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:25.579 with the oppressed. 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:27.139 Stick it to the establishment. 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:29.799 Stick it to those who have all the power. 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:32.659 Taking down the oppressors. 00:14:33.199 --> 00:14:34.479 Defending the marginalized. 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:37.979 But Jesus doesn't rebuke the Pharisees 00:14:37.979 --> 00:14:39.719 for being religious leaders. 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.859 He doesn't rebuke them for that, 00:14:41.959 --> 00:14:44.740 the fact that they did have social influence and power. 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.379 That's not their problem. 00:14:48.359 --> 00:14:51.479 If we hear Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees properly, 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:56.159 it's going to help us understand our own sin properly. 00:14:56.159 --> 00:15:00.219 I think we always get back into that thinking of 00:15:00.219 --> 00:15:02.639 sin is bad behavior. 00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:05.000 I think we're just inclined to think that way. 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:07.059 But sin is much, much deeper than that. 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:09.639 So let's hear... 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:11.139 Jesus does have a go at the Pharisees. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:12.000 Don't get me wrong, 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:14.100 but let's hear what the problem is 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:17.139 and not jump to our modern conclusions. 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:19.779 To do that, 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:21.879 I want to first appreciate the Pharisees. 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:25.879 You don't hear that in every sermon. 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:28.039 We love to hate Pharisees. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:31.419 But consider Matthew. 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:33.519 Matthew was devoted to himself, 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:35.399 greed at the expense of his people, 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.659 not serving God. 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:40.019 He was not even trying to love God. 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.600 And then you've got Pharisees 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:45.059 who were totally devoted to keeping God's law 00:15:45.059 --> 00:15:46.279 and the Jewish tradition. 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:47.980 Totally devoted. 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:50.180 Let me just give you two examples 00:15:50.180 --> 00:15:52.120 that are probably going to make us all 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.060 feel a bit uncomfortable 00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:55.080 because it puts us to shame 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:56.399 with how devoted they were. 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:57.720 Consider their giving. 00:15:58.920 --> 00:16:00.120 How much did they give? 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:03.480 The Old Testament commanded tithing 10% 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:05.320 of all produce to the Lord 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:06.840 to thank him, acknowledge him 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:08.159 as the giver of all things 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:11.480 and to give to the work of his temple, 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:13.220 of his kingdom work. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:16.560 The New Testament tithing is changed. 00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:19.239 It's not the law anymore, 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:21.079 but it's kind of expanded. 00:16:21.739 --> 00:16:23.239 In 2 Corinthians 8, 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:25.679 it's out of the joy that we have in Christ 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:27.539 that we give in our poverty. 00:16:28.359 --> 00:16:29.479 It's not 10%. 00:16:29.479 --> 00:16:32.599 It should be more than that. 00:16:32.699 --> 00:16:35.159 It should be coming from a heart of joy in the Lord. 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.899 In chapter 23 of Matthew, 00:16:38.479 --> 00:16:39.979 now the full context there, 00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:40.859 we won't go into it. 00:16:41.099 --> 00:16:43.019 Jesus is again rebuking the Pharisees, 00:16:43.119 --> 00:16:45.479 but notice the good part of what they do, 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.940 how devoted they were. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:49.759 They would tithe even their herbs in the garden. 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.860 Not just their main income, 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:54.980 but the herbs, the mint, the dill, the cumin. 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.159 Did I say that right? 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:58.100 I always get cumin. 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:01.759 It's like us on the way to church, 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.000 we find a dollar coin 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:05.759 and we go to the bank and break it 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:07.220 so that we can give the 10 cents. 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:12.700 It's that precise in making sure they keep the law. 00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:19.079 Well, what about their missionary zeal? 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:21.759 We're called at the end of Matthew's Gospel 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:24.640 to join Jesus in his mission to the world, 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.519 to the lost. 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:30.279 We do that ourselves 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.579 as we are light 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:33.500 in wherever God has planted us, 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:35.079 but also by supporting the church 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:36.720 in sending out gospel workers. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:39.799 In chapter 23 again, 00:17:39.879 --> 00:17:41.319 we're told the Pharisees were willing 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:44.019 to travel across seas and land 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:45.720 to make one disciple. 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:49.359 Would we be willing to give up 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:51.139 a large portion of our life and income 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:55.440 to make one follower of Jesus? 00:17:56.840 --> 00:17:58.080 The Pharisees would. 00:17:58.800 --> 00:17:59.920 Well, not of Jesus, 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:02.720 of their own brand. 00:18:04.080 --> 00:18:05.600 These were devoted people. 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:08.280 So the question I've had 00:18:08.280 --> 00:18:10.220 in thinking about this passage is, 00:18:10.580 --> 00:18:12.320 why did Jesus come to call sinners 00:18:12.320 --> 00:18:13.100 and not the righteous? 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:14.880 At least the Pharisees were trying. 00:18:15.840 --> 00:18:17.200 Matthew wasn't even trying. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:20.560 We need to understand 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:24.159 why Jesus quotes Hosea in verse 13. 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:26.379 Go and learn what this means. 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:29.579 I desire mercy and not sacrifice. 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.940 This is the rebuke. 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:34.440 This is their problem. 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:38.639 Now, what does he mean? 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.460 At face value, 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:41.059 that's quite a confusing sentence. 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:43.279 Does it mean that God never 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:45.539 wanted those animal sacrifices 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:47.819 commanded in the Old Testament? 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.059 That doesn't really make sense 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:50.539 because God commanded it. 00:18:51.679 --> 00:18:53.819 It was a pleasing aroma to him 00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:55.720 when people did it properly. 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.559 So what does this mean? 00:18:58.659 --> 00:19:01.419 Well, let's go back to Hosea 00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:03.399 and see what the problem was 00:19:03.399 --> 00:19:04.000 in his day. 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:06.879 Do you remember the prophet Hosea? 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:10.160 I think he's one of the most memorable 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:11.900 because he's the one 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:13.420 who's instructed to marry 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:14.960 an adulterous woman. 00:19:16.300 --> 00:19:17.640 And their marriage was 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:19.660 to be a living parable 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.840 of the relationship 00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:22.300 between the Lord and his people. 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:23.740 And like Hosea's wife, 00:19:24.280 --> 00:19:26.980 Israel had gone after other lovers. 00:19:28.260 --> 00:19:30.420 Instead of finding their life in God, 00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:31.840 their bread, 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.720 and their safety, 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.540 their security, 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:35.539 they go after other gods 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.799 to get those things. 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.819 Spiritually adulterous. 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:43.899 And in chapter 6 of Hosea, 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:45.059 on the surface, 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.279 there was still plenty 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:47.500 of religion going on, 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:49.379 plenty of good behaviour 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:50.700 still going on 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.220 on the surface, 00:19:51.379 --> 00:19:52.339 but inside, 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:54.379 they were chasing other lovers. 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:57.960 They weren't trusting the Lord 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.860 to give them life. 00:20:00.020 --> 00:20:01.100 And so Hosea 6, 00:20:01.520 --> 00:20:02.900 your love is like, 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.080 your love for the Lord, 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:05.860 your love is like a morning cloud, 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.760 like the dew 00:20:06.760 --> 00:20:08.940 that goes early away. 00:20:10.560 --> 00:20:13.040 I desire steadfast love, 00:20:13.560 --> 00:20:14.440 not sacrifice, 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.980 the knowledge of God, 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:18.220 rather than burnt offerings. 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.040 In other words, 00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:22.660 the Lord isn't pleased 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:24.540 with externally good behaviour 00:20:24.540 --> 00:20:26.420 if inwardly a person 00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:28.360 is giving themselves 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:29.440 to another lover. 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:34.480 It would be like a wife 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:36.000 who flirts and flirts 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.640 with other men. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.900 I'm stealing this from Matt Hand 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:38.840 who did a youth talk 00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:40.279 on jealousy on Friday night 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.440 that God's a jealous God. 00:20:42.600 --> 00:20:44.560 Someone who flirts and flirts 00:20:44.560 --> 00:20:46.420 but then thinks her husband 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.380 should be pleased 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:48.840 that she takes care 00:20:48.840 --> 00:20:49.420 of the laundry. 00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:52.820 It's not about the behaviour. 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.779 Where's your affection? 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:55.340 Where's your devotion? 00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:56.420 Where's... 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:58.580 That belongs to me, 00:20:59.300 --> 00:21:00.160 says the Lord. 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:02.600 I want steadfast love. 00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:07.440 It belongs to him 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.759 as our creator, 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.220 our saviour. 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:12.700 This is a sharp rebuke 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.440 of the Pharisees. 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:16.460 Yes, on the surface, 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.259 in your behaviour, 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:18.019 you are good, 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.580 or you seem good, 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.460 but inwardly, 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:22.240 you do not love God. 00:21:22.340 --> 00:21:23.160 You're not... 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:23.840 You're going after 00:21:23.840 --> 00:21:24.519 something else. 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.580 And for the Pharisees, 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:28.059 I think we saw in chapter 6 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:29.539 where they'll do their religion 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.840 to be seen by others. 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:33.320 It's probably their love of status 00:21:33.320 --> 00:21:34.700 and glory in the community. 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.519 Could be something different 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.180 for you and I. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.900 So where do we see 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.600 in this passage 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.899 that shows the condition 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.980 of the Pharisee's heart? 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.319 I think it's in 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.759 that loaded question 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.759 to the disciples. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.639 We all know 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.779 when someone asks a question 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.719 but really they're making 00:21:52.719 --> 00:21:53.299 a statement. 00:21:55.139 --> 00:21:56.759 I think of a dad 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:58.059 saying to a teenage daughter, 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.480 are you really 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.459 going to wear that? 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.559 That is not a question. 00:22:03.679 --> 00:22:04.799 That's a statement. 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.959 That's an accusation. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.599 Listen to their question, 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:11.039 why does your teacher 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:14.259 eat with tax collectors 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.939 and sinners? 00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:17.839 They're not wanting to learn. 00:22:17.939 --> 00:22:18.759 If they wanted to learn, 00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:19.759 they'd probably do 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.959 what John's disciples do 00:22:20.959 --> 00:22:22.240 and go to Jesus himself. 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:24.559 They're talking to the disciples, 00:22:24.719 --> 00:22:25.299 not to Jesus. 00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:28.179 Their question is an accusation. 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:30.399 Your teacher is unholy, 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:33.219 befriending people like this, 00:22:33.939 --> 00:22:35.699 associating with people like this. 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:40.140 Notice what the Pharisees 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:40.620 don't do. 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.660 They're not attracted 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.860 to Jesus' compassion. 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:46.019 They're disgusted by it. 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:50.160 They aren't even intrigued by it 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:51.160 and want to find out more. 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:53.380 They don't ask for a seat 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.279 at this table. 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.620 Let me put it this way. 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:58.600 They are so devoted to God 00:22:58.600 --> 00:23:01.440 that when they see God's mercy, 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:03.500 they're repelled by it. 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:09.599 Their behaviour might look good, 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.539 but they don't love 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.660 the mission of Jesus. 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:14.160 They don't love his mercy. 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:19.039 Even in Hosea's day, 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.099 the heart of God 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:22.420 is seen as he pursues his people. 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.339 It says in Hosea 2, 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:27.480 I will betroth you to me forever. 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:29.119 I will betroth you to me 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:29.759 in righteousness, 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.599 in justice, 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.879 in steadfast love, 00:23:31.959 --> 00:23:32.500 in mercy. 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:34.099 I will betroth you to me 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.959 in faithfulness, 00:23:35.439 --> 00:23:36.859 and you shall know the Lord. 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.379 Here is Jesus 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:40.240 showing this same grace. 00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:41.799 And the Pharisees, 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:44.079 they don't like it. 00:23:44.199 --> 00:23:45.099 They don't like it, 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.099 what they see. 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:50.779 They think they're too good 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:53.959 to want any part of it. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:59.039 They don't realise 00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:00.059 how sick they are. 00:24:04.219 --> 00:24:06.179 Jesus isn't saying here 00:24:06.179 --> 00:24:07.319 that there's two categories 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:07.799 of people, 00:24:07.939 --> 00:24:08.639 sick and healthy, 00:24:09.379 --> 00:24:09.799 righteous, 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.399 and sinners. 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.059 He's not saying 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.859 there's two categories. 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:16.500 There's only one category. 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:17.339 Everyone's sick. 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:17.899 They've all got 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.779 the same sickness. 00:24:20.199 --> 00:24:21.240 Some are going to show it 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.779 by doing whatever they want, 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.679 like Matthew. 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:24.699 Others are going to show it 00:24:24.699 --> 00:24:25.339 religiously 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.379 by being good people. 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.459 Same sickness 00:24:27.459 --> 00:24:28.959 if you don't love 00:24:28.959 --> 00:24:30.000 the mercy of Jesus. 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:35.139 What he's saying is 00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:37.659 they had the wrong 00:24:37.659 --> 00:24:38.339 understanding 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:38.979 of his mission. 00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.759 Christ didn't come 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.379 for good people. 00:24:41.459 --> 00:24:42.799 He came for bad, 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:43.079 people. 00:24:43.159 --> 00:24:43.979 There's no such thing 00:24:43.979 --> 00:24:44.699 as good people. 00:24:45.959 --> 00:24:47.339 My principal at school 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.119 growing up 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:50.119 used to say this phrase 00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:50.779 that puzzled me 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.539 for years, 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:52.859 only bad people 00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:53.399 go to heaven. 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.859 It puzzled me 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:56.339 for years. 00:24:57.979 --> 00:24:58.699 God's heart 00:24:58.699 --> 00:24:59.619 has always been 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.399 for the lost. 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.219 He always wants 00:25:02.219 --> 00:25:02.759 to relate 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.759 based on mercy. 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:08.319 And this helps us 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:08.740 understand 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.439 what the sickness 00:25:09.439 --> 00:25:10.439 Jesus came to deal 00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:10.799 with is. 00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:11.740 It's not primarily 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.619 bad behaviour. 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:13.699 It will show itself 00:25:13.699 --> 00:25:14.399 in bad behaviour 00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:16.039 but the real root 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.139 sickness is 00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:18.339 not loving 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.299 God, 00:25:19.419 --> 00:25:19.959 his character, 00:25:20.179 --> 00:25:20.739 his mercy. 00:25:25.739 --> 00:25:27.259 That's sin. 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.639 Not loving 00:25:28.639 --> 00:25:30.159 his mercy 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:30.939 and going after 00:25:30.939 --> 00:25:31.599 other lovers. 00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:31.819 teeth. 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:35.899 I heard an interview 00:25:35.899 --> 00:25:36.519 by a dentist 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.199 once that 00:25:37.199 --> 00:25:37.659 one of the 00:25:37.659 --> 00:25:38.599 major problems 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.379 with people 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:39.959 with their teeth 00:25:39.959 --> 00:25:40.539 is they only 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.159 go to the dentist 00:25:41.159 --> 00:25:41.619 if they've got 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:42.099 pain. 00:25:44.179 --> 00:25:44.899 There's a problem 00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:45.279 with that 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.179 because sometimes 00:25:46.179 --> 00:25:47.599 if you leave 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:48.199 that pain 00:25:48.199 --> 00:25:48.659 too long 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.339 it can get 00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:50.859 so corroded 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:52.359 in the nerve 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.119 in the teeth 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:54.199 that the pain 00:25:54.199 --> 00:25:54.899 stops and you 00:25:54.899 --> 00:25:55.319 think you don't 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:55.859 have a problem. 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:57.319 outwardly 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:57.619 you've still 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.139 got the teeth 00:25:58.139 --> 00:26:00.000 but they don't 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.839 come soon enough. 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.799 You don't realise 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.659 how deep it is 00:26:02.659 --> 00:26:04.259 there's no pain. 00:26:05.699 --> 00:26:06.719 It made me think 00:26:06.719 --> 00:26:07.139 of sin 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:08.459 but sometimes 00:26:08.459 --> 00:26:09.619 we think it's 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.299 just behaviour 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.319 that is what 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.799 God wants 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.259 it's not. 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.279 We can get 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:16.339 not even realise 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:16.919 that we don't 00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.699 love Jesus' 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:18.199 mercy. 00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:20.919 Don't realise 00:26:20.919 --> 00:26:21.779 how sick we are. 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.839 So do you think 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.220 you're too 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:24.119 healthy for God? 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.359 Some of us 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:25.720 are going to be 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.960 here this morning 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.420 thinking we're 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.299 too sick for God 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:29.099 but maybe others 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.839 of us are 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:30.119 thinking we're 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:30.879 too healthy. 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:32.559 We don't really 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.599 need his mercy 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.940 or maybe we did 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.680 back then 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:37.000 in our life 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.399 but we're 00:26:37.399 --> 00:26:40.039 okay now. 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:45.180 Or I think 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:46.240 this pandemic 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.019 we've gone through 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.539 and we're still 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.059 going through 00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:49.099 has exposed 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:50.019 our values. 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.559 We've had to 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.359 make choices 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.700 stark choices 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:55.819 about what 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.940 is more valuable. 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:57.960 We've got to 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:59.019 order our values 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:00.259 during this time. 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.099 I think 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:05.119 we're left 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:05.720 with a question 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.359 of what would 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:06.960 we want Jesus 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.700 to do at the 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:07.899 moment? 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.480 Would we want 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:08.960 him to put 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.679 our life back 00:27:09.679 --> 00:27:10.159 the way it 00:27:10.159 --> 00:27:10.500 was? 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.599 Maybe a little 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.000 bit better 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.519 than it was 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.000 before the 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.319 pandemic? 00:27:14.419 --> 00:27:15.659 Or is 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.279 our greatest 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:17.139 desire that 00:27:17.139 --> 00:27:18.700 we grow in 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.639 deeper enjoyment 00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:20.379 of fellowship 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:20.839 with God 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:21.339 ourselves 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:22.339 and that 00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:22.740 God would 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.299 use us 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.759 in bringing 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.579 others into 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.299 that fellowship 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:25.799 that we 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.179 enjoy? 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.659 I've got to 00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:31.159 admit to you 00:27:31.159 --> 00:27:31.639 this very 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:32.000 week 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.179 there's 00:27:33.179 --> 00:27:34.059 something I'm 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.559 looking forward 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:35.220 to in January 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.799 that I got 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.679 excited about 00:27:36.679 --> 00:27:39.279 and I'm 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.959 spending time 00:27:39.959 --> 00:27:40.379 with some 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.199 unbelieving friends 00:27:41.199 --> 00:27:41.699 next week 00:27:41.699 --> 00:27:42.000 and I'm like 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.459 oh okay 00:27:42.459 --> 00:27:43.439 yeah let's do 00:27:43.439 --> 00:27:43.679 that. 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:45.120 it just 00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:47.240 the excitement 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:47.600 wasn't 00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:48.019 proper 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.740 proportion. 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.720 Are we 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.120 happy to 00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:53.759 leave people 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.080 as they 00:27:54.080 --> 00:27:54.740 are as 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.019 long as 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.200 they're 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:55.600 socially 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:56.060 decent 00:27:56.060 --> 00:27:56.580 people? 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.759 Or do 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.180 we see 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.759 sin 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.640 the heart 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.100 that doesn't 00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:00.380 want to 00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:00.880 know God 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.180 as the 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:01.880 main evil 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.259 in our 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:02.700 lives 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:02.980 and in 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.340 the lives 00:28:03.340 --> 00:28:03.620 of our 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:03.980 family 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.500 and friends? 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:08.980 maybe we 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.200 think 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:09.660 ourselves 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.099 maybe we 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:10.380 think 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.720 others 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.160 are too 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.660 good to 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:12.940 need 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.099 his 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.420 mercy 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.880 it's 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:14.019 not 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.180 their 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:14.539 main 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.400 need 00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:19.480 but 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:19.779 Jesus 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.140 is the 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:20.559 friend of 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:20.900 sinners 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.720 he's 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.119 come for 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:22.500 fellowship 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:22.799 with 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.240 sinners 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:26.880 and then 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:27.180 we come 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:27.660 to that 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.359 third 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:29.700 section 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.099 the 00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:31.000 second 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.640 paragraph 00:28:31.640 --> 00:28:33.339 we've 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:33.660 still got 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:33.980 to deal 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.319 with 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.619 the 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:34.980 question 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.159 of 00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:35.500 John's 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:35.960 disciples 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.619 from 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:36.879 verse 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:37.220 14 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:37.559 onwards 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.819 it 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.059 seems 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.339 to be 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:39.480 a 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:39.879 sincere 00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:40.679 desire 00:28:40.679 --> 00:28:40.859 to 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:41.439 understand 00:28:41.439 --> 00:28:42.200 what 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.359 is 00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:42.619 Jesus 00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:43.019 about 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.319 what 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:43.480 is 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:43.619 his 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:43.879 mission 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.220 about 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.700 I 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:45.859 think 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.019 this 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.279 section 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:46.559 helps 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:46.720 us 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.200 clarify 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:48.579 why 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:50.359 devotion 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:50.539 to 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:50.740 God 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:50.919 will 00:28:50.919 --> 00:28:51.099 look 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:51.679 completely 00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:52.220 different 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.379 to 00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:53.539 the 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:53.819 Jewish 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:54.259 law 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.139 why 00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:55.379 does 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:55.679 Jesus 00:28:55.679 --> 00:28:56.079 change 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.460 everything 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:58.079 with 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.259 all 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.519 this 00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.059 eating 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.379 and 00:28:59.379 --> 00:28:59.919 drinking 00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:01.119 reclining 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:01.379 with 00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:01.879 sinners 00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:03.159 does 00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:03.559 Jesus 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:03.960 and his 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.399 disciples 00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:05.059 take 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.379 God's 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:05.599 law 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.039 seriously 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.220 do 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.359 they 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:06.679 take 00:29:06.679 --> 00:29:07.139 sin 00:29:07.139 --> 00:29:07.659 seriously 00:29:07.659 --> 00:29:08.000 why 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:08.159 aren't 00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:08.319 they 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:08.980 fasting 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.259 and 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:09.779 repenting 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:09.940 of 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.220 sin 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:11.659 longing 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.559 for 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:12.859 God's 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:13.139 kingdom 00:29:13.139 --> 00:29:13.359 of 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:13.799 righteousness 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.419 to come 00:29:14.419 --> 00:29:17.679 how can 00:29:17.679 --> 00:29:18.359 they party 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:19.200 when sin 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:19.679 is still 00:29:19.679 --> 00:29:20.440 so prevalent 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:22.580 sin 00:29:22.580 --> 00:29:24.340 and 00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:24.640 Jesus 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:25.019 makes 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.680 himself 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.240 the 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.660 answer 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.320 and 00:29:27.320 --> 00:29:27.460 the 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:27.720 wedding 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.080 guests 00:29:28.080 --> 00:29:28.860 mourn 00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:29.279 as 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.500 long 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:29.660 as 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:29.820 the 00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:30.200 bride 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.500 groom 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:30.700 is 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:30.920 with 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.180 them 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:35.360 imagine 00:29:35.360 --> 00:29:35.880 turning up 00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:36.140 to a 00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:36.320 wedding 00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:36.740 reception 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:36.940 and 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.180 going 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:38.759 let's 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.100 start 00:29:39.100 --> 00:29:39.640 let's 00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:40.019 celebrate 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.460 I'm 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:40.779 here 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:42.380 who 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:42.600 can 00:29:42.600 --> 00:29:42.880 say 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.220 that 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:45.660 only 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:45.799 the 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.039 bride 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.160 and 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.340 groom 00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:46.700 only 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.019 the 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.640 main 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.080 show 00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:48.519 Jesus 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:48.799 is 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.100 saying 00:29:49.100 --> 00:29:49.500 I'm 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:51.700 the 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:51.980 reason 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.319 everything 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.539 is 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:53.920 about to 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.079 change 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:55.599 you 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:55.900 can't 00:29:55.900 --> 00:30:19.480 just add me in to God's law into your old way of thinking of how to relate to God I'm going to change everything something new is coming or is here the goal of God's goal of history that fellowship that wedding banquet has begun because the groom has turned up it's a claim to be 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:49.460 the anticipated king 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.500 God's 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.940 it doesn't it it doesn't seem right to be the cows on a man's norm of the christian 00:30:51.940 --> 00:31:11.440 it doesn't seem right is he just pushing sin to the side he's not I think it's I think we get a hint of how seriously Jesus takes sin in verse 15 the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them before there can be a wedding 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:17.860 there must be an execution there will be a sacrifice it's just not the animal sacrifices of old 00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:25.719 sacrifices of old. It'll be the groom himself. There will be a temple. It's just not the 00:31:25.719 --> 00:31:33.299 temple of old. I'm going to be the meeting place. The groom is here. That picture is 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:40.119 no longer needed. The real thing, the groom is here. So it won't do to just add Jesus 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:46.459 to the old ways of being devoted to God. He's more than that. The goal is here. We need 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:53.980 new clothes for the wedding. We need new wine put in new expressions, new wine skins, new 00:31:53.980 --> 00:32:02.319 ways of showing devotion to God. We're not told precisely in this passage what that new 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:08.240 form of worship will be, so we need the rest of the New Testament to teach us that. But 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:15.660 what we are told is Jesus changes everything. That great wedding day has arrived. Sin is 00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:21.880 dealt with. It's taken away. That's what his mission is about. Completely dealing with 00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:31.800 sin. I think we are given one hint as to what devotion to God is going to look like now the 00:32:31.800 --> 00:32:39.040 groom is here. So if it's not obeying the laws of old, what does it look like to show devotion 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:50.000 to God? I think it's captured by that call of Matthew, follow me. Follow me. It's just 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:58.579 got to be all about him in other words. He's the new wine. And if Jesus' mission, if what 00:32:58.579 --> 00:33:06.939 Jesus is on about is showing mercy, calling, reclining with sinners, then following him must 00:33:06.939 --> 00:33:14.039 at least mean we join him in that. We love him, love his mercy and want to share that 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:22.079 mercy with others. The peace and fellowship we richly enjoy, knowing we are fully accepted. 00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:28.839 Do we want that for our children? Do we want that for our extended family? Do we want it 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:33.819 for our friends? Do we want it for that person we have only one conversation with randomly down 00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:38.220 the street? Do we want it for people on the other side of the world who will never meet? 00:33:41.419 --> 00:33:46.939 Do we want that reclining with Jesus, at peace with him, knowing our sin is completely dealt 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:55.160 with? We're called to follow him in that mission, reclining with sinners, sharing his call. 00:33:58.000 --> 00:34:08.500 The wedding banquet has begun. We're enjoying it already by grace, by faith in him. One day 00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:18.079 soon. Just think, if all here this morning who have faith in Jesus, we will be seated there 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:27.039 one day in his presence. Excuse the expression, but loosening our belt because we can't quite 00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:34.980 take in how much feasting there will be. We will be there one day. Do we want others with 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:50.599 Jesus? So, my sinful brothers and sisters, seeing this glimpse of that everlasting wedding banquet, 00:34:51.260 --> 00:34:59.059 isn't it such good news that Jesus is the friend of sinners? You're never too sick for him. 00:34:59.059 --> 00:35:10.299 But be convicted deeply if you ever feel like you've arrived. If you feel like, in this situation, 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:18.599 I don't need his mercy. We need to be convicted by that. And let's follow him on his mission. 00:35:19.299 --> 00:35:25.259 Let's recline with sinners. Will you pray with me? Let's pray. 00:35:25.259 --> 00:35:25.279 Let's pray. 00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:40.320 Father, I just pray that you would press that image into our hearts so that it becomes the 00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:51.719 greatest longing, the greatest joy, that we will be seated with you, fully at peace with 00:35:51.719 --> 00:35:57.679 you, enjoying your company in that great eternal wedding banquet. 00:35:57.679 --> 00:36:09.259 Lord, please fill our heart with that goal because that is your goal. And Lord, I pray that you would 00:36:09.259 --> 00:36:22.139 help us just rejoice in your mercy, that we would worship you for that, that we would relate all of our 00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:28.199 lives to your mercy, that everything we receive is because of that. Everything we have to look 00:36:28.199 --> 00:36:34.940 forward to is because of that. So, Lord, yeah, make us look forward to that great day when we're seated 00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:43.480 with you. Thank you that our sin is already dealt with. I pray that you would motivate us with your 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:49.519 same love for the lost, just as you pursued us. In Jesus' name. Amen.