WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:11.220 We've been looking at a short series of parables from Luke's Gospel, and we look at the final one from Luke 20 that we've just read together. 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:22.160 You can listen to the others back online on our church website. I encourage you to look at that and any feedback we always appreciate. 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:29.560 Well, let's pray. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.539 Before we look at God's Word together, let's do that now. 00:00:40.539 --> 00:00:49.260 Our Father God, we have been reminded, as we've gathered today, of how fragile our lives are. 00:00:49.259 --> 00:01:00.640 And Father, we recognize too that one day we will come to an end on this earth. 00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:21.319 And so we pray and we ask that you will not let these moments or days pass us by without us reflecting and thinking hard about our own lives today, 00:01:21.319 --> 00:01:27.199 how we live for you, and what is to come. 00:01:27.200 --> 00:01:35.960 And we pray that by the power of your Holy Spirit, you would take your Word, 00:01:35.959 --> 00:01:41.959 and you would drive it deep into our hearts and into our lives, 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:48.000 so that not one of us will leave this building 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:54.599 without meeting the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:01:55.500 --> 00:01:56.379 our King, 00:01:57.119 --> 00:01:57.939 our Saviour, 00:01:57.939 --> 00:01:58.560 our Father, 00:01:58.560 --> 00:01:59.340 and our Lord. 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:03.200 So, Father, please, 00:02:03.679 --> 00:02:05.579 do your work amongst us. 00:02:07.259 --> 00:02:09.439 Rebuke us where we need to be rebuked. 00:02:11.020 --> 00:02:13.020 Comfort us where we need that comfort. 00:02:13.020 --> 00:02:17.719 And build us up in the faith, we pray. 00:02:18.780 --> 00:02:21.080 We ask these things in Jesus' name. 00:02:22.219 --> 00:02:22.680 Amen. 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:35.939 Not long after Barack Obama was elected president for the very first time, 00:02:36.460 --> 00:02:38.860 I met a businessman from the US. 00:02:38.860 --> 00:02:42.740 And to make conversation, I asked him, 00:02:43.100 --> 00:02:45.080 what do you think of your new president? 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:48.500 He replied rather angrily, 00:02:49.440 --> 00:02:50.780 he ain't my president. 00:02:52.200 --> 00:02:55.480 He then proceeded to explain how he never wanted him 00:02:55.480 --> 00:02:57.740 and never voted for him. 00:02:59.440 --> 00:03:02.360 However, even though he doesn't like Obama, 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:05.120 he is still his president. 00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:09.620 No amount of rejection can actually change that fact. 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:12.340 Now, in a universal sense, 00:03:13.379 --> 00:03:15.740 Jesus has been appointed King 00:03:15.740 --> 00:03:18.439 over all peoples and over all nations. 00:03:19.719 --> 00:03:22.520 We might not like that he is King. 00:03:23.200 --> 00:03:26.240 We might not have voted him in as King. 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:29.860 But he is our King. 00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:35.540 This became crystal clear when Jesus arrived into Jerusalem 00:03:35.540 --> 00:03:37.140 as he was riding on a colt. 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:42.000 That very act of riding towards Jerusalem on a colt 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:46.080 fulfilled God's promise of an appointed king that was to come. 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:50.860 We can read about the crowd's reaction in chapter 19 of Luke, 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:52.380 if you just flick back a page. 00:03:52.860 --> 00:03:54.860 Luke chapter 19, verse 38. 00:03:54.860 --> 00:04:00.560 Here's the crowd's reaction as Jesus came. 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:05.980 Luke 19, verse 38. 00:04:06.700 --> 00:04:10.720 Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:04:11.840 --> 00:04:14.560 Peace in heaven and glory in the highest 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:19.199 as the crowds celebrated the arrival of King Jesus. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:23.699 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:27.159 Teacher, rebuke your disciples. 00:04:27.819 --> 00:04:30.139 Tell them to stop behaving like this. 00:04:32.099 --> 00:04:34.000 I tell you, Jesus replied, 00:04:34.420 --> 00:04:36.259 if they keep quiet, 00:04:37.500 --> 00:04:39.339 then the stones will cry out. 00:04:40.699 --> 00:04:43.360 In other words, he's being very pointed towards them. 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:44.240 He is saying, 00:04:44.379 --> 00:04:46.699 you might not like the fact that I am King. 00:04:46.699 --> 00:04:50.659 You might reject my kingship, 00:04:51.259 --> 00:04:53.879 but there is nothing and there is no one 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:56.500 who can stop me being King. 00:04:58.079 --> 00:05:00.240 Of course, this only intensified 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:03.659 Jesus' relationship with the religious leaders. 00:05:03.800 --> 00:05:05.379 It brought them into great conflict. 00:05:05.899 --> 00:05:08.240 In verse 47 of chapter 19, 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:09.539 we read that every day, 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:11.879 Jesus was teaching in the temple, 00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:14.420 but the chief priests, 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:16.040 the teachers of the law, 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:18.740 and the leaders among the people 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:21.459 were trying to kill him. 00:05:22.620 --> 00:05:25.379 So the big question that is being put to us 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:27.680 in these couple of chapters 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:31.000 is, are we as people going to accept 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:36.180 or are we going to reject Jesus as King? 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:41.319 Now Jesus confronts us with this head on. 00:05:42.180 --> 00:05:43.600 He tells us a parable 00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:46.079 in chapter 20, verse 9, 00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:47.319 that we had read to us. 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:50.199 Have a look at verse 9 with me of chapter 20. 00:05:52.180 --> 00:05:55.319 He went on to tell the people this parable. 00:05:56.420 --> 00:05:57.920 A man planted a vineyard, 00:05:58.680 --> 00:05:59.920 rented it to some farmers, 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:02.420 and went away for a long time. 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:05.600 Now this whole theme of vineyard 00:06:05.600 --> 00:06:07.140 that we have through the parable 00:06:07.140 --> 00:06:10.500 is not just a nice way of introducing a story. 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:14.960 It was intentionally confrontational 00:06:14.960 --> 00:06:16.939 on Jesus' part. 00:06:18.520 --> 00:06:19.460 Have a look back. 00:06:19.520 --> 00:06:21.259 Keep your finger in Luke 20 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:24.680 and flick back to Isaiah chapter 5, verse 1, 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:26.060 where we see the significance 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:29.560 of what the vineyard actually means 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:30.720 and what it was all about. 00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:33.360 and why Jesus chose 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:35.620 that particular symbol. 00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:37.860 Isaiah chapter 5. 00:06:42.340 --> 00:06:44.120 And we'll read at verse 1. 00:06:51.780 --> 00:06:52.920 Verse 1 reads, 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:54.740 I will sing for the one I love 00:06:54.740 --> 00:06:57.140 a song about his vineyard. 00:06:57.139 --> 00:07:00.039 My loved one had a vineyard 00:07:00.039 --> 00:07:01.919 on a fertile hillside. 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:04.899 And the question we need to ask, 00:07:04.979 --> 00:07:06.979 well, who or what is this vineyard? 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:09.139 Well, the answer came, didn't it, 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:10.599 at the very end in verse 7. 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:13.579 The vineyard of the Lord Almighty 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:16.560 is the house of Israel. 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:19.839 And the men and women of Judah 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:22.599 are a garden of his delight. 00:07:22.600 --> 00:07:25.060 And what did he want 00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:26.180 from this vineyard, 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:27.020 from this people? 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:28.640 Well, he looked for justice, 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:30.840 but saw bloodshed. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:32.760 He looked for righteousness, 00:07:33.320 --> 00:07:36.080 but heard only cries of distress. 00:07:37.740 --> 00:07:40.000 Back to Luke 20. 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:42.300 So as Jesus starts out 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:44.379 on this story, 00:07:44.520 --> 00:07:46.320 this parable of the vineyard, 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:49.159 Jesus is talking specifically 00:07:49.159 --> 00:07:50.639 to the religious leaders. 00:07:51.219 --> 00:07:52.719 And they're listening very carefully. 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:55.060 And as Jesus is talking to them, 00:07:55.579 --> 00:07:56.860 it's beginning to twig. 00:07:57.019 --> 00:07:58.740 The penny is beginning to drop. 00:07:59.159 --> 00:07:59.800 They're thinking, 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:00.980 well, we're Israel. 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:02.560 We're God's people. 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:04.539 We are the vineyard. 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:08.199 This story that Jesus is telling us 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:09.860 is a story about us. 00:08:09.860 --> 00:08:13.319 And as the story progressed, 00:08:13.460 --> 00:08:15.379 they did not like this story. 00:08:15.520 --> 00:08:16.379 Verse 19. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:18.060 The teachers of the law 00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:18.920 and the chief priests 00:08:18.920 --> 00:08:21.020 looked for a way to arrest him immediately 00:08:21.020 --> 00:08:23.139 because they knew 00:08:23.139 --> 00:08:26.759 he had spoken this parable against them. 00:08:28.520 --> 00:08:31.319 Now, what Jesus was speaking pointedly 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:32.700 to the religious leaders, 00:08:33.580 --> 00:08:37.120 he is now speaking directly to us. 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:39.460 You see, this story 00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:42.539 is also our story too. 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:46.139 This is a story about our response 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:48.120 to King Jesus, 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:50.139 whether we accept him 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:53.100 or whether we reject him. 00:08:53.919 --> 00:08:55.519 So there's three big things 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:56.639 that we're going to look at 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:59.340 as we look at this parable together. 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:03.379 First, we see the King's persistent grace 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:05.279 towards us. 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:08.419 Look at verse 10. 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:10.319 At harvest time, 00:09:11.079 --> 00:09:12.879 he sent a servant to the tenants 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:14.199 so they would give him 00:09:14.199 --> 00:09:16.419 some of the fruit of the vineyard. 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:19.039 But the tenants beat him 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:21.360 and sent him away empty-handed. 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:23.419 Now, if it was you or I 00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:24.639 who were telling this story, 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:26.879 if it was us who had made it up, 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:29.000 we probably would have gone 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:30.639 straight into verse 15. 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:33.379 Have a look there in verse 15, 00:09:33.459 --> 00:09:34.980 the middle part of verse 15. 00:09:35.940 --> 00:09:37.460 What then will the owner do? 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:39.060 What then will the owner 00:09:39.060 --> 00:09:40.240 of the vineyard do to them? 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:43.200 He will come and kill those tenants. 00:09:44.500 --> 00:09:46.259 I think that would be our response. 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:47.879 We would show no mercy. 00:09:48.060 --> 00:09:49.080 They had their chance. 00:09:49.300 --> 00:09:50.320 They didn't do it. 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:51.440 They beat up the servant. 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:54.019 Well, now we'll take it out on them. 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.259 But I want us to notice 00:09:56.259 --> 00:09:58.019 that that's not how God deals 00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:58.879 with his people. 00:09:59.659 --> 00:10:00.779 He is persistent. 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:03.000 He is never giving up. 00:10:03.559 --> 00:10:04.439 He is longing 00:10:04.439 --> 00:10:06.799 that people will change their lives 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:08.159 and turn to him. 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:10.919 So after he has sent the first servant, 00:10:11.059 --> 00:10:12.399 what do we read in verse 11? 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:16.120 He sent another servant. 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:19.019 But that one also they beat 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:20.060 and treated shamefully 00:10:20.060 --> 00:10:21.480 and sent away empty-handed. 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:23.639 But he persists. 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.639 He doesn't give up. 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:25.279 Verse 12. 00:10:25.639 --> 00:10:27.279 He sent still a third. 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:29.519 And they wounded him 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:31.279 and threw him out. 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:34.919 You see, throughout history, 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:37.959 God has pursued his people 00:10:37.959 --> 00:10:38.860 through his word. 00:10:39.720 --> 00:10:42.299 That's in effect the big story of Israel 00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:44.539 throughout the Old Testament. 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:47.220 We read time after time 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:49.860 that God kept on sending his servants. 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:52.259 He kept on sending his prophets 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:53.240 to teach them, 00:10:53.480 --> 00:10:54.419 to warn them, 00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:56.339 to call them to himself. 00:10:56.819 --> 00:10:58.480 One after another they came. 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:01.159 Century after century, 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:02.759 calling the people, 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:05.419 come back to your king. 00:11:05.579 --> 00:11:07.699 Come back to your true king. 00:11:09.059 --> 00:11:11.519 But they refused to listen. 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:17.459 This persistent grace of God 00:11:17.459 --> 00:11:19.600 is reflected in the very words of Jesus. 00:11:20.439 --> 00:11:22.639 Have a look back in Luke chapter 13. 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:24.259 Jesus knew the significance 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:27.179 of the servants who kept coming 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:28.879 and the prophets who kept teaching. 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:32.360 Listen to what Jesus says in, 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:34.120 sorry, it's Luke chapter 12 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.539 and verse, 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:39.019 no, Luke 13, verse 34. 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:41.100 Sorry, Luke 13, verse 34. 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:50.840 As Jesus looks over Jerusalem, 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:53.120 the city and its people, 00:11:53.920 --> 00:11:55.120 this is what he says, 00:11:55.180 --> 00:11:56.540 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 00:11:57.320 --> 00:11:59.180 you who kill the prophets 00:11:59.180 --> 00:12:02.240 and stone those sent to you, 00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:05.160 how often I have longed 00:12:05.160 --> 00:12:06.840 to gather your children together 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:09.639 as a hen gathers her chicks 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:11.040 under her wings. 00:12:11.780 --> 00:12:13.160 But you are not willing. 00:12:15.660 --> 00:12:17.240 And I think that's the pattern 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:18.300 of God with us. 00:12:19.300 --> 00:12:22.000 He continues to pursue us. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:25.160 He persists in grace 00:12:25.160 --> 00:12:28.680 while we resist in rebellion. 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:30.579 Day after day, 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:31.979 year after year, 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:34.459 God in his faithfulness 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:36.079 has provided those 00:12:36.079 --> 00:12:38.639 who will lovingly teach God's word. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:39.739 For some of us, 00:12:39.779 --> 00:12:41.259 that's from the very beginning 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.559 within our own homes, 00:12:42.859 --> 00:12:44.039 through Sunday school, 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.679 within the church family, 00:12:46.079 --> 00:12:47.539 God has intervened 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:49.179 time and time again, 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:52.199 persisting with his grace. 00:12:53.939 --> 00:12:55.459 God in his grace 00:12:55.459 --> 00:12:56.839 brings his word, 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:58.360 longing that we would 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:00.280 gather to him, 00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:02.720 just like a little chick 00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:04.240 finds its shelter 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.980 under its mother's wings. 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:11.320 But the depth of this pursuit 00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:12.320 of God's grace 00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:14.639 is seen in the sending 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:16.540 of his very own son. 00:13:17.800 --> 00:13:18.940 Back in Luke 20, 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:20.680 he sent one servant, 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:22.080 then another servant, 00:13:22.400 --> 00:13:24.019 then still a third servant, 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:25.600 and then in verse 13, 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.379 we read this, 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.299 then the owner 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:28.240 of the vineyard said, 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:29.419 what shall I do? 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:33.159 I will send my son, 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:35.039 whom I love. 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:38.159 Perhaps they will respect him. 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:40.539 But when the tenants saw him, 00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:42.120 they talked the matter over. 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:43.779 This is the heir, 00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:44.519 they said. 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:45.840 Let's kill him, 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:47.019 and the inheritance 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:47.879 will be ours. 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:50.360 So they threw him 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.259 out of the vineyard 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:53.200 and killed him. 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:56.220 Now it's not hard for us 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:57.160 to see what Jesus 00:13:57.160 --> 00:13:57.940 is saying here, 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:58.320 is it? 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.120 God has not 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.840 withheld his love 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:03.960 from us. 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:06.220 He has given to us 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.960 the ultimate prophet, 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:09.920 the final word, 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:11.940 Jesus Christ himself, 00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:13.540 the God-man 00:14:13.540 --> 00:14:16.379 who came into this world, 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.280 the one, 00:14:17.420 --> 00:14:18.400 the person in whom 00:14:18.400 --> 00:14:19.600 we find forgiveness, 00:14:20.160 --> 00:14:20.560 peace, 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:21.559 and joy 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:22.919 and eternal life. 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:24.079 He gives to us 00:14:24.079 --> 00:14:25.939 his own son. 00:14:27.979 --> 00:14:29.259 But those who listened 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:31.799 didn't want to hear 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:33.179 what Jesus had to say. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.500 They didn't want 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.579 Jesus as king. 00:14:36.959 --> 00:14:38.299 And the great tragedy 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:39.579 of this story is 00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:40.839 that they began 00:14:40.839 --> 00:14:42.099 to act out 00:14:42.099 --> 00:14:42.939 this story 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:44.319 in real life. 00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:46.140 the tenants 00:14:46.140 --> 00:14:49.680 became real. 00:14:50.800 --> 00:14:52.220 Within three days 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:53.180 of Jesus telling 00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:53.920 this story, 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:55.800 the same people 00:14:55.800 --> 00:14:56.500 who listened 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:57.700 had Jesus 00:14:57.700 --> 00:14:59.740 hanging on a cross. 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:02.740 Now we need 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:03.820 to be so careful 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:05.660 that we don't 00:15:05.660 --> 00:15:07.240 become like them. 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:08.840 You see, 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:10.460 to reject God's word, 00:15:11.180 --> 00:15:12.920 to ignore what God 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:14.139 has to say to us 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.620 through his son 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:18.039 is to kill him. 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.240 Look what they say 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.279 in verse 14. 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.399 This is the heir. 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:25.799 Let's kill him 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:27.039 and the inheritance 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:28.319 will be ours. 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.120 We don't want 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.360 Jesus ruling us. 00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:33.339 We want to be the boss. 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.719 And so we kill him. 00:15:35.959 --> 00:15:37.039 We shut him out 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:37.740 of our lives. 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:39.699 We close over his word. 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.019 We neither look at it, 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:41.819 read it, 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:43.160 nor listen to it. 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:45.620 We crucify him 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:47.360 so that he has 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.080 no part 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.540 in our lives. 00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:53.040 But what seemed 00:15:53.040 --> 00:15:53.620 to be such 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.580 a tragic death 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:56.820 as Jesus died 00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:57.540 on the cross 00:15:57.540 --> 00:15:59.420 was actually 00:15:59.420 --> 00:16:00.600 God's ultimate 00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:02.120 and greatest 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:03.560 act of grace 00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:04.980 towards us, 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:05.800 his people. 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:07.460 Through his death, 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.520 Jesus was taking 00:16:08.520 --> 00:16:09.120 the blame 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.539 for all the times 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.899 we have rejected him 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:13.279 and ignored him. 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:15.340 This king came down 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:18.000 and he died for us 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:20.039 so that we could be forgiven 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:21.840 and know his good 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.879 and kind 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:24.240 and loving rule. 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:26.960 God has been persistent 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:29.220 in bringing his word 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:31.000 and giving to us 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.659 of his son. 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:34.860 So he is persistent 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.839 in his grace. 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:38.620 But there's a second thing. 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:40.959 There is the king's 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:42.399 irreversible judgment 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:44.279 upon us. 00:16:45.339 --> 00:16:45.719 You see, 00:16:45.819 --> 00:16:47.419 while God is persistent 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:48.620 with his grace, 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:51.879 it will not be available 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:52.539 forever. 00:16:53.839 --> 00:16:54.419 Eventually, 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:55.740 a time will come 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:57.000 when rather than 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.539 us experiencing 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.459 his grace, 00:17:00.459 --> 00:17:02.980 we will experience 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:03.899 his judgment. 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:07.619 Look at verse 15. 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.839 So they threw him 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:12.659 out of the vineyard 00:17:12.659 --> 00:17:13.420 and killed him. 00:17:14.639 --> 00:17:16.399 What then will the owner 00:17:16.399 --> 00:17:17.399 of the vineyard 00:17:17.399 --> 00:17:18.299 do to them? 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:20.500 He will come 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.379 and kill 00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:22.680 those tenants. 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.039 You see, 00:17:25.139 --> 00:17:26.000 God is patient. 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:28.519 God is long-suffering. 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.599 But the day will come 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.700 when his patience 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:33.379 has run out. 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:34.839 He will bring 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:35.480 his judgment 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:36.480 on all those 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.500 who have refused 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.879 to bow the knee 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:40.159 and acknowledge him 00:17:40.159 --> 00:17:40.639 as king. 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:44.279 Now let's remember, 00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:45.299 God is not some 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.420 mean and capricious, 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.200 violent God 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.359 who wakes up 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:49.279 having a bad day 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.139 and decides to 00:17:50.139 --> 00:17:50.759 take it out 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.440 on his people 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:51.799 and go, 00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:53.019 oh, I'll just strike 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.659 that one down 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:54.279 or I'll strike 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.019 that one down. 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:56.559 No, 00:17:56.619 --> 00:17:57.399 God's judgment 00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:58.240 comes 00:17:58.240 --> 00:18:00.519 at the very end 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:02.000 it is a culmination 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.359 of a long, 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.620 long process 00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:06.579 of pursuing grace 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:08.220 down through the years. 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.700 It is his very 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:12.700 last act 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:14.200 of work. 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:16.660 You see, 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.480 God's judgment 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:19.099 is God giving to us 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.759 what we have asked for. 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:22.839 If we persist 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:23.960 in rejecting him, 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.140 he will eventually 00:18:25.140 --> 00:18:26.079 reject us. 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:27.359 If we tell him 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:27.939 often enough, 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:29.379 I don't want you, 00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:32.220 he will separate us 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:33.079 from him 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:35.259 for all eternity. 00:18:37.399 --> 00:18:38.439 C.S. Lewis 00:18:38.439 --> 00:18:39.539 put it like this, 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.980 there are only 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.220 two kinds of people, 00:18:44.419 --> 00:18:45.619 those who say, 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.980 thy will be done 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:48.939 to God, 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.899 or those to whom 00:18:50.899 --> 00:18:52.159 God in the end 00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:52.559 says, 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:54.419 thy will will be done. 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:56.560 God in the end 00:18:56.560 --> 00:18:57.080 in other words, 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:59.380 all that are in hell 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:01.080 choose it 00:19:01.080 --> 00:19:03.180 because they have 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.759 rejected Jesus 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:06.200 as king. 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.420 Our judgment, 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.500 if it were to come, 00:19:10.300 --> 00:19:11.660 is ultimately deserved. 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.660 We only have 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.279 ourselves 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.519 to blame. 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:18.460 And part of that 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:18.880 judgment 00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:21.600 will also mean 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:22.319 the removal 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:24.099 of God's grace. 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:26.139 Look at these 00:19:26.139 --> 00:19:27.339 searching words 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:29.240 again in verse 15. 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:31.199 What then will 00:19:31.199 --> 00:19:31.859 the owner of the 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:32.819 vineyard do to them? 00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:34.599 He will come 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:35.879 and kill those tenants, 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.879 there will be punishment, 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:40.019 and give the vineyard 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:42.379 to others. 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.399 Now let's remember 00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:46.799 who Jesus is speaking to. 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.279 He was talking 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.279 to the people 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.779 of Israel 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.980 and to her leaders. 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:52.779 They were a rich 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:54.459 and privileged people. 00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:55.879 God had chosen 00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:56.539 these people 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.859 out of all the nations 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:58.379 of the earth. 00:19:58.679 --> 00:19:59.359 He had set 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:00.279 his love 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.159 upon them. 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:03.039 He had rescued them. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.159 He had provided 00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:04.699 for them. 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.779 He had given them 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.299 blessing 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.379 after blessing. 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.179 But they had 00:20:10.179 --> 00:20:11.139 stubbornly 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:12.339 refused 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.679 his grace. 00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:15.959 You see, 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:16.759 to refuse 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.419 his grace 00:20:17.419 --> 00:20:17.919 means 00:20:17.919 --> 00:20:20.039 he will remove 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.779 his grace 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.440 from us 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:23.339 and give it 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:23.960 to others. 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.200 And if God 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.879 did that 00:20:26.879 --> 00:20:27.960 with Israel 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.220 and opened 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:29.859 the doorway 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:31.180 to the Gentiles, 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:31.960 to people like 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.680 you and me, 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:34.019 do you not think 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:35.180 that God can do 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:36.180 the same again 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:37.079 with his church, 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.980 with his people? 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:41.660 You see, 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.539 just as God 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.519 looked for fruit 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.319 from the leaders 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:44.900 of Israel, 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:45.779 he looked 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.940 for righteousness, 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:48.480 but he heard 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.440 cries of distress. 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.980 He looked for justice, 00:20:51.120 --> 00:20:52.120 but he saw bloodshed. 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.440 He looked for those 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.740 who would produce fruit, 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.019 a life in keeping 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.839 with a follower 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.599 and a disciple 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.160 of Jesus. 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.599 He looks for it. 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.039 Verse 10, 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:02.159 at harvest time 00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:03.159 he sent a servant 00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:03.879 to the tenants 00:21:03.879 --> 00:21:04.720 so they would 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.180 give him 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.079 some of the fruit 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:07.279 of the vineyard. 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:12.240 He has entrusted 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.500 to us the church 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:15.159 with the blessing 00:21:15.159 --> 00:21:16.079 of his grace. 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:17.960 If you are a believer 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.659 today, 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:20.200 if you are part 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:21.099 of God's family, 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:23.299 God has given you 00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:24.799 and entrusted 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.579 his grace 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.920 into your life 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:28.619 to work it 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.379 in your own life, 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.759 to share it 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.799 to the world. 00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:33.180 And if we fail 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:34.759 to use that grace, 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.720 if we fail 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.879 to put that grace 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:37.519 to work 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.920 in our own lives, 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:42.279 he will take it 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:44.420 and he will give it 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:45.680 to another. 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.559 God does not owe us. 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:51.559 We have no special 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.539 claim on God. 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:55.660 The great tragedy 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:57.039 is that those 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:59.079 who have had a taste 00:21:59.079 --> 00:22:00.599 of God's grace 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:00.740 grace, 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:03.000 but do not 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.899 produce fruit. 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.980 He will remove 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:07.240 that grace from us 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:09.039 and give it to one 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:10.299 who will produce fruit. 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.759 Are you 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.719 ignoring 00:22:14.719 --> 00:22:15.980 God's grace 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.699 in your life? 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.839 Are you 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.659 persisting 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:20.279 in sin 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.439 and disobedience 00:22:21.439 --> 00:22:22.839 and walking 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.599 your own way? 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.599 God's grace 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.799 will be 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.500 be very, 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.759 very careful 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:29.399 that you do not 00:22:29.399 --> 00:22:29.980 misuse 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.599 or abuse 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.279 his grace. 00:22:32.959 --> 00:22:33.859 So God 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.639 is persistent. 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.399 The king 00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:37.959 will come 00:22:37.959 --> 00:22:38.599 to judge. 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.759 And third, 00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.419 the king's 00:22:43.419 --> 00:22:44.219 eternal rule 00:22:44.219 --> 00:22:44.959 over us. 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.579 Those who 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.419 listen to Jesus 00:22:49.419 --> 00:22:50.019 may have 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.099 rejected his rule. 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:53.019 they may 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.599 have killed 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.399 him and hung 00:22:54.399 --> 00:22:55.219 him on a cross. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.779 But he still 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.799 rules 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.139 over us. 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:01.719 He rules 00:23:01.719 --> 00:23:02.119 by 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:03.919 his resurrection. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.119 Look at 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:05.879 verse 16. 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:08.039 We'll read 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:09.399 the middle 00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:10.139 of verse 16. 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.079 When the people 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:11.879 heard this, 00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:12.799 they said, 00:23:13.199 --> 00:23:13.639 may this 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.240 never be. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:15.939 In other words, 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:16.480 they couldn't 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.439 contemplate that 00:23:17.439 --> 00:23:18.079 God would 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:18.379 ever, 00:23:18.379 --> 00:23:19.279 ever remove 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:19.980 his favour 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:21.079 or his grace 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:21.619 from them. 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.199 God's not 00:23:23.199 --> 00:23:23.619 going to have 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.279 the last say. 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.099 We'll have 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:25.759 the last say. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.599 We'll kill 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:26.919 him. 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.619 Verse 17, 00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:31.539 Jesus looked 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.519 directly at 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:32.859 them and 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.220 asked, 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:34.859 then what 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.179 is the 00:23:35.179 --> 00:23:35.639 meaning of 00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:36.059 that which 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.500 is written? 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.500 The stone 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.079 the builders 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.659 rejected 00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:41.299 has become 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:41.980 the capstone. 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:44.099 The imagery 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:45.359 is so striking. 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:47.000 The one 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.699 stone that 00:23:47.699 --> 00:23:48.339 the builders 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.119 throw into 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:49.599 the waste 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.500 pile and 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.539 see no use 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.359 of has 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:53.000 become the 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.819 most important 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.659 stone in 00:23:54.659 --> 00:23:54.959 the whole 00:23:54.959 --> 00:23:55.359 building. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.679 The capstone 00:23:56.679 --> 00:23:57.519 was that last 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.099 and final 00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:59.000 stone that 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.659 went on the 00:23:59.659 --> 00:24:00.119 top and 00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:01.419 held everything 00:24:01.419 --> 00:24:02.079 together. 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.000 And Jesus 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.559 is saying, 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:04.619 I am that 00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.099 stone. 00:24:06.379 --> 00:24:07.099 You found 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:07.879 no use for 00:24:07.879 --> 00:24:08.059 me. 00:24:08.419 --> 00:24:09.000 You didn't 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.500 want me. 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.519 You rejected 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.000 me through 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.519 your life, 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:12.479 but I am 00:24:12.479 --> 00:24:13.119 the capstone. 00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:14.639 I am the 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.080 one who 00:24:15.080 --> 00:24:15.940 rules and 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.620 who reigns 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:17.440 over you. 00:24:18.540 --> 00:24:18.980 And I 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.580 think Jesus 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.180 is pointing 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:21.000 very clearly 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.880 to his 00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:22.560 resurrection. 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.420 In three 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.220 days of 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.960 Jesus telling 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.660 this story, 00:24:27.080 --> 00:24:28.000 Jesus was 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.840 rejected. 00:24:29.320 --> 00:24:29.860 He was 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:31.140 tossed to 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:31.840 one side, 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.640 rejected, 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:33.540 killed, 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.259 and hung 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.860 on a cross 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:35.660 by the 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.080 people. 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.620 But three 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.460 days after 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.140 that event, 00:24:39.540 --> 00:24:40.520 Jesus rose 00:24:40.520 --> 00:24:41.440 victoriously 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.000 from the 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.180 grave over 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.060 his enemies, 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.000 defeating 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.659 death, 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.839 triumphing 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.639 over the 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.079 grave. 00:24:48.419 --> 00:24:49.299 By his 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.139 resurrection, 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.659 Jesus has 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:52.679 become the 00:24:52.679 --> 00:24:53.379 capstone. 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:54.839 He rules 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.980 over all. 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.099 But it is 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:02.559 not just 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.359 his resurrection. 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.720 He rules 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.859 on his 00:25:06.859 --> 00:25:07.339 return. 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.339 You see, 00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:09.919 not everybody 00:25:09.919 --> 00:25:10.639 sees it this 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:10.859 way. 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:12.519 not everyone 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.259 except that 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.979 Jesus rose 00:25:13.979 --> 00:25:14.339 and that 00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:14.699 he is 00:25:14.699 --> 00:25:14.979 king. 00:25:15.399 --> 00:25:16.039 They still 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.519 go on 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.000 rejecting 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.779 and refusing 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.699 his kingship. 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.419 But the 00:25:20.419 --> 00:25:21.039 risen king 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.599 will come 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:21.959 again. 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:23.839 And all 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.319 who have 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:24.919 resisted 00:25:24.919 --> 00:25:25.219 him 00:25:25.219 --> 00:25:27.279 will see 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.879 and will 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.299 know 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.919 that he 00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:31.679 is king. 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.179 Verse 00:25:33.179 --> 00:25:33.659 18. 00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:35.559 Everyone 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.559 who falls 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.079 on that 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:37.740 stone will 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.319 be broken 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:38.919 to pieces. 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.579 But he 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.119 on whom 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.819 it falls 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.879 will be 00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:43.339 crushed. 00:25:45.439 --> 00:25:46.059 You see 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.419 what it's 00:25:46.419 --> 00:25:46.740 saying? 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.799 If we 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.659 persist in 00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:50.639 our rejection, 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.599 if we 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:53.220 continually 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.319 push 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:55.279 against 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.899 his 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:56.700 gentle 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.919 spirit, 00:25:58.919 --> 00:25:59.579 it will 00:25:59.579 --> 00:25:59.960 be like 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.399 walking 00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:00.899 into a 00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:01.240 large 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.799 stone 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.519 or rock. 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.099 It will 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:03.859 break us 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:05.299 and destroy 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.740 us. 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:06.259 Verse 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:06.639 18. 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.139 Everyone 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:07.919 who falls 00:26:07.919 --> 00:26:08.279 on that 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:08.839 stone will 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:09.339 be broken 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:10.039 to pieces. 00:26:11.939 --> 00:26:12.819 In fact, 00:26:12.899 --> 00:26:13.219 if we 00:26:13.219 --> 00:26:14.099 continue in 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.719 our rejection 00:26:14.719 --> 00:26:15.219 of him, 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.740 if we 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.500 insist on 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.479 ignoring his 00:26:18.479 --> 00:26:19.479 grace and 00:26:19.479 --> 00:26:20.619 favour towards 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.059 us, 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:22.539 then we 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:22.939 will not 00:26:22.939 --> 00:26:23.379 only be 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:23.779 broken, 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.259 we will 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.000 be crushed. 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.179 Look at 00:26:28.179 --> 00:26:28.479 the end 00:26:28.479 --> 00:26:28.819 of verse 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.259 18. 00:26:29.459 --> 00:26:30.000 But he 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:31.119 on whom 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:31.979 it falls 00:26:31.979 --> 00:26:34.019 will be 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.439 crushed. 00:26:36.159 --> 00:26:36.939 One day 00:26:36.939 --> 00:26:37.459 the risen 00:26:37.459 --> 00:26:38.099 Lord Jesus 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:38.659 will come 00:26:38.659 --> 00:26:40.219 again and 00:26:40.219 --> 00:26:41.159 establish his 00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:41.599 eternal 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:43.219 kingdom and 00:26:43.219 --> 00:26:43.539 he will 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.179 bring all 00:26:44.179 --> 00:26:44.799 his people 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.299 who love 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.659 him and 00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:46.199 know him 00:26:46.199 --> 00:26:46.979 and they 00:26:46.979 --> 00:26:47.359 will be 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:47.839 part of 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:48.179 that for 00:26:48.179 --> 00:26:48.979 all eternity. 00:26:50.439 --> 00:26:51.239 But those 00:26:51.239 --> 00:26:51.519 who have 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.179 stood opposed 00:26:52.179 --> 00:26:52.619 to him, 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.159 those who 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:54.619 have fought 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:55.339 against him, 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:56.739 who have 00:26:56.739 --> 00:26:57.619 resisted his 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:58.299 spirit and 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:58.939 his grace, 00:27:00.179 --> 00:27:00.739 all who 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.380 have used 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:01.980 and abused 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.700 his grace, 00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:04.339 will be 00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:04.859 crushed 00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:06.220 beneath his 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:06.579 power. 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.539 This week, 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:14.380 as I had 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.000 time with 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.299 Mrs. 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.000 Daunt and 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.980 as I've 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.799 been talking 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.620 with Jean, 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:20.579 it's been a 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.099 privilege. 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.920 For somebody 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:25.980 like Mrs. 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.460 Daunt, 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.480 she's now 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:27.880 with her 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:29.160 king because 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:30.039 she trusted 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:31.059 in her 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.379 king. 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:33.579 A simple 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:35.460 faith and 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:35.779 that is 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.180 where she 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.859 is with 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.319 the Lord 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:38.819 today. 00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:41.180 Last night 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.779 some of us 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.180 were with 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:44.039 Jean and 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.399 in her 00:27:44.399 --> 00:27:45.460 confused mind 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.539 she still 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.279 was able to 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:47.680 utter the 00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:48.079 words, 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.059 I know 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.420 where I'm 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:49.720 going. 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.619 Isn't that 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.000 great? 00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:53.740 She trusts 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.139 her king. 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:55.440 She has 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.240 accepted her 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.480 king. 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:58.339 she knows 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.319 grace in 00:27:59.319 --> 00:27:59.880 her life. 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.599 The question 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.039 is, 00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:03.559 do we all 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.000 know that 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.460 grace? 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.240 Have we 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.960 taken it 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:08.440 in and 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.299 accept Jesus' 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.039 rule over 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.920 every aspect 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.339 of our 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:11.740 life, 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:13.180 letting him 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:14.519 rule as 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.220 we submit 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.380 to him? 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:19.120 Don't let 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:19.660 these days 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:21.480 pass without 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.160 God doing 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.740 that work 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.519 in your 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:23.900 life. 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:25.220 let's 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:25.500 pray. 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:48.900 Lord Jesus, 00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:52.460 we bow 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.160 before you 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:54.040 in humility 00:28:54.040 --> 00:28:55.740 for you 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.200 are king. 00:28:57.580 --> 00:28:58.340 You are 00:28:58.340 --> 00:28:58.840 our lord 00:28:58.840 --> 00:28:59.920 and you 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.380 are our 00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:00.680 savior. 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:03.420 We thank 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:03.840 you so 00:29:03.840 --> 00:29:04.280 much for 00:29:04.280 --> 00:29:04.580 your 00:29:04.580 --> 00:29:05.240 persistent 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:07.300 and amazing 00:29:07.300 --> 00:29:07.880 grace, 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:09.580 continually 00:29:09.580 --> 00:29:10.340 chasing 00:29:10.340 --> 00:29:11.180 after us, 00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:12.720 longing that 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.120 we would 00:29:13.120 --> 00:29:13.840 gather to 00:29:13.840 --> 00:29:14.140 you, 00:29:15.580 --> 00:29:16.420 just like 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:16.940 the chick 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:18.559 gathers under 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.860 the wings 00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:20.220 of its 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:20.500 mother. 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.299 We thank 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:22.620 you that 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.019 we can 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.860 find safety 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:24.759 and security, 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:26.380 joy and 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:27.960 peace within 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:28.340 you. 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.559 And 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:30.840 father, 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.460 we pray 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:33.539 that if we 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.080 have not yet 00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:36.220 trusted or 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:36.740 if we have 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.480 been resisting, 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.580 that you 00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:40.039 would break 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:40.740 our spirit, 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.340 that we 00:29:42.340 --> 00:29:42.880 would bow 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:44.600 and accept 00:29:44.600 --> 00:29:46.140 you and 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:46.700 love you 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:48.080 and adore 00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:48.440 you. 00:29:50.040 --> 00:29:50.720 And we 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.360 pray that we 00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:52.100 ourselves would 00:29:52.100 --> 00:29:52.960 have opportunity 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:54.660 that we may 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.420 share of this 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:57.160 grace with 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.800 all those that 00:29:57.800 --> 00:29:58.460 we meet this 00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:59.160 coming week, 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.420 opportunity to 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:01.960 share of the 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.480 hope that we 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.259 have in Christ 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:05.520 and the joy 00:30:05.520 --> 00:30:06.240 that it 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.680 brings. 00:30:08.800 --> 00:30:09.560 Please help 00:30:09.560 --> 00:30:09.740 us, 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:10.020 father. 00:30:10.800 --> 00:30:11.340 We ask 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:11.759 this in 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.100 Jesus' 00:30:12.320 --> 00:30:12.540 name. 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.020 Amen. 00:30:14.020 --> 00:30:14.180 Amen. 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:21.759 We're going 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.440 to sing 00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:22.960 together 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:24.900 a hymn 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:27.020 about the 00:30:27.020 --> 00:30:27.820 kingship of 00:30:27.820 --> 00:30:28.259 the Lord 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.140 Jesus Christ. 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:30.300 Behold our 00:30:30.300 --> 00:30:30.820 God, 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:31.720 seated on 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.360 his throne. 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.640 Come, 00:30:34.040 --> 00:30:34.740 let us 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.420 adore him. 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.620 If Jesus 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.040 is your 00:30:37.040 --> 00:30:37.500 king and 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:37.840 you know 00:30:37.840 --> 00:30:38.500 his grace, 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.860 then sing 00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:40.220 it out 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:41.380 loud to 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.200 encourage one 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.580 another as 00:30:43.580 --> 00:30:44.100 we give our 00:30:44.100 --> 00:30:45.580 praise to 00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.079 the Lord. 00:30:46.179 --> 00:30:46.699 Let's stand 00:30:46.699 --> 00:30:47.899 together as 00:30:47.899 --> 00:30:48.279 we sing.