WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.740 Good evening everyone. First of all let me say thank you for everyone for your many prayers 00:00:07.740 --> 00:00:14.300 and encouragement and support over the past few months. Phoebe has arrived which was fabulous 00:00:14.300 --> 00:00:23.980 and is fabulous and she's going fairly strong. She's in a tank thing but she's breathing on her 00:00:23.980 --> 00:00:30.060 on her own so apart from the tank thing she's breathing on her own so we're and she's getting 00:00:30.060 --> 00:00:35.140 stronger the doctor's very happy with her and all going well so thank you for that really appreciate 00:00:35.140 --> 00:00:42.539 it. Let's pray. Gracious God thank you for your word we thank you for your many promises to us 00:00:42.539 --> 00:00:48.179 Lord we pray that as we look at discipleship tonight what it means to follow you I pray 00:00:48.179 --> 00:00:53.340 Father that you would encourage us that you would challenge us particularly over the next couple of 00:00:53.340 --> 00:01:02.420 weeks as we walk with Jesus to Jerusalem as as we see what it means to follow him Lord I pray that 00:01:02.420 --> 00:01:08.640 you would you would help us to understand it with clarity in a way that the disciples didn't understand 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:16.120 it so Lord that we might truly be your disciples challenge us we pray rebuke us we pray that you 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:25.920 would change us and encourage us as your people amen. It was December 2000 and Natalie and I had been 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:33.460 planning to go on a holiday to the UK it was the first time that we'd been overseas and it was kind 00:01:33.460 --> 00:01:39.060 of one of those things we had been planning it for you know six months or something like that and 00:01:39.060 --> 00:01:44.900 we'd planned every contingency. We'd spoken to a number of people who had been to places like the UK 00:01:44.900 --> 00:01:48.940 and so they gave us all the bits of advice and we wrote all the advice down and covered all our bases 00:01:48.940 --> 00:01:54.580 so we had everything covered we organized our passports we had clothing for every kind of 00:01:55.200 --> 00:02:04.980 weather contingency in the UK both cold and freezing we we had medication for every known disease 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:09.980 that we may potentially pick up on the way we had pre-booked accommodation put cars 00:02:09.979 --> 00:02:16.780 tours I think even meals I think we'd pre-booked basically everything we had we figured we had 00:02:16.780 --> 00:02:21.739 everything we were so you know had all the pamphlets and books and we you know our bags were just 00:02:21.739 --> 00:02:28.579 completely loaded we're so looking forward to this and you know we had it all prepared and I was we're 00:02:28.579 --> 00:02:34.959 flying out on a Sunday afternoon and so I decided I would preach and do services that Sunday morning 00:02:34.960 --> 00:02:41.300 and then left church and went straight to the airport and so I arrived at the airport we're excited we're happy 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:48.800 booked in and all that sort of stuff and we got to the back of the plane and which is where we were seated 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:56.439 right at the very back of the plane and I sat down and then I went oh no I'm not ready for this 00:02:56.439 --> 00:03:01.580 I had it was the first time that it dawned on me that it's a long way from Australia to the UK 00:03:01.580 --> 00:03:07.940 and I got to sit in this plane and that guy there is too close to me and that seat is too close to me 00:03:07.940 --> 00:03:14.280 and there are too many people too close to me and I got I realized however that there was a map on the 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:21.820 back of the plane on the back of the seat and so I watched the map basically all the way to the edge 00:03:21.820 --> 00:03:29.380 of Australia and so it was like five hours and I got on the plane I didn't have a change of clothes 00:03:29.379 --> 00:03:36.139 I didn't have a book I had I had nothing I literally walked out except for my sermon notes 00:03:36.139 --> 00:03:43.039 is all I had I hopped on this plane and I got to Singapore and it was like is there any other way 00:03:43.039 --> 00:03:49.419 to get to London than to get back on that plane I'm just not ready for this I just this is this is I 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:55.620 mean we have we're not even halfway there yet and I've got to get back on this plane and fly the rest of 00:03:55.620 --> 00:04:01.719 the way it was yeah I got to say it was probably the worst travel experience of my life I just had 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:06.259 not at all mentally prepared I prepared everything else it was down there in the dungeon the plane 00:04:06.259 --> 00:04:14.080 somewhere but I had not actually mentally prepared for the actual trip at all and and I just fidgeted and 00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:21.480 I whinged and I complained all the way I didn't sleep a wink all the way and this guy beside me wanted 00:04:21.480 --> 00:04:27.520 to talk for most of the way it was mind-boggling I said to that I got to the UK and I said look if we 00:04:27.520 --> 00:04:34.280 can book a boat home that would be fantastic I love the boat dates what we're about to embark on here 00:04:34.280 --> 00:04:42.920 is a journey that Jesus is beginning with his disciples and it's a journey that we have to prepare for 00:04:42.920 --> 00:04:49.439 it's a journey that we have to be clearly prepared for because Jesus talks about it in the end of 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:59.240 that verse 62 he talks about fickle following he talks about fickle following he wants to make it 00:04:59.240 --> 00:05:04.980 very clear what we are to expect if we're going to be his disciples and follow him and he says this in 00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:11.120 verse 62 no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:18.259 what Jesus is saying is you want the good stuff you want heaven but you're ready for the trip 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:25.899 are you ready for the trip to get there because we can have this idea of heaven and the trip's going 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:32.819 to be like heaven as well and Jesus said guys it's not quite like that this is the most significant 00:05:32.819 --> 00:05:38.240 turning point in Luke's gospel we've seen the great things that Jesus has done we've seen his 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:45.759 compassion for the lost and we've seen his authority over all that is and now it says in chapter 9 verse 51 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:51.680 having just moments before had Peter's confession that you are the Christ and God himself saying 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:57.819 this is my son whom I will please it's quite clear who Jesus is now what does it mean to follow this 00:05:57.819 --> 00:06:04.839 Jesus and so in 951 it says Jesus said his face for Jerusalem that's what it literally means he 00:06:04.839 --> 00:06:12.759 resolutely set out for Jerusalem he said his face for Jerusalem and so we are about to embark on this trip 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:22.339 with Jesus let's turn however to chapter 19 because in chapter 19 we get the end of the trip 00:06:22.339 --> 00:06:34.259 where Jesus is just about to arrive so Luke chapter 19 it's the last week of his life and Jesus says this 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:40.959 in verse 37 when he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives the whole crowd of 00:06:40.959 --> 00:06:49.379 disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen blessed is the 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:58.859 king who comes in the name of the Lord peace in heaven and glory in the highest it needed to be said 00:06:58.859 --> 00:07:08.479 as Jesus arrived at Jerusalem it needed to be said blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:14.420 Jesus said it had to be said the Pharisees and the teachers of the Lord said Jesus tell your disciples to 00:07:14.420 --> 00:07:21.240 shut up and Jesus said if they do not speak that which is true the stones would speak it it had to be 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:30.460 said the king has arrived I like to think of our worship in this age as a rehearsal for the age to come 00:07:30.460 --> 00:07:36.000 I like to think that as we gather week after week that that's what we're thinking as we come to church and 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:41.779 worship it's a rehearsal of that which is to come in the age when we are gathered around the throne 00:07:41.779 --> 00:07:48.759 one day we who by God's grace have been faithful to the Lord are going to stand with innumerable 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:55.240 millions of believers from Bangladesh and Poland and Egypt and the United States and Iceland and Cameroon 00:07:55.240 --> 00:08:01.420 and Ecuador and Burma and Borneo and Japan and thousands of tribes and peoples and languages 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:12.580 all purified by Christ with palms of praise in their hand and when we raise those palms of praise in salute to our King Jesus 00:08:12.580 --> 00:08:20.620 he will see almost an endless field of green shimmering with life and pulsating with praise 00:08:20.620 --> 00:08:31.280 and then like the sound of a thousand choruses we will sing our song of salvation while the mighty Christ with heartfelt love 00:08:31.280 --> 00:08:35.519 looks out over those whom he has brought with his own blood 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:42.120 that is the future that is the worship that we are in rehearsal for right now 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:47.220 but as Jesus approached Jerusalem 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:53.019 if he had taken his throne on that day at Jerusalem 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:56.220 none of us would be robed in white 00:08:56.220 --> 00:09:01.139 none of us would be waving palms of praise 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:02.620 in the age to come 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:05.659 there had to be a cross 00:09:05.659 --> 00:09:10.659 and this is what the disciples had not yet understood 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:13.719 so back in chapter 9 00:09:13.719 --> 00:09:15.059 flick back to Luke 9 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:20.620 as Jesus resolutely sets out for Jerusalem from Galilee 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:24.539 he tried to explain this to his disciples 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:27.559 in verse 22 of chapter 9 he said 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:31.579 the son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders 00:09:31.579 --> 00:09:33.839 the chief priests and the teachers of the law 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:37.840 he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:40.460 and then in verse 44 he says to them 00:09:40.460 --> 00:09:43.340 listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:45.420 I mean you should pick up at that point 00:09:45.420 --> 00:09:49.840 the son of man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:53.360 but verse 45 tells us 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:56.340 they did not understand what this meant 00:09:56.340 --> 00:09:58.780 it was hidden from them 00:09:58.780 --> 00:10:01.139 so they did not grasp it 00:10:01.139 --> 00:10:03.580 and they were afraid to ask him about it 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:08.680 you see clearly their understanding of Jesus' last journey 00:10:08.680 --> 00:10:11.200 to Jerusalem was actually flawed 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:14.860 they saw him as a king who was moving in to take control 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:15.840 and he was 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:21.500 but they could not grasp that the victory that Jesus would win in Jerusalem 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:25.600 was over sin and Satan and death 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:28.400 and all the enemies of righteousness and joy 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:34.679 and that this victory would be won through his own horrible suffering and death 00:10:34.679 --> 00:10:39.259 and that the kingdom which they thought was going to be established immediately 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:42.220 was going to take thousands of years 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:44.220 to be established 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:50.860 and their misunderstanding of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:55.960 resulted in a misunderstanding of what it meant for them to be disciples of Jesus 00:10:55.960 --> 00:11:02.639 this is why this is so important for us to see 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:07.460 lest we make the same mistake as those disciples 00:11:07.460 --> 00:11:13.060 in Luke chapter 9 verse 51 to 56 00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:17.280 we learn how not to understand Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem 00:11:17.280 --> 00:11:20.320 as the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:23.259 Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:26.700 to resolutely set out is to set his face towards 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:29.180 to doggedly, stubbornly, determinedly 00:11:29.180 --> 00:11:30.560 head for Jerusalem 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:35.159 and it meant something very different for the disciples 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:36.639 than it did for Jesus 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:39.839 you can actually see the visions of greatness 00:11:39.839 --> 00:11:43.519 that danced around in the disciples' minds at this point 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.979 verse 46 00:11:44.979 --> 00:11:47.579 an argument started amongst the disciples 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:50.219 as to which of them would be the greatest 00:11:50.219 --> 00:11:54.159 it's like Jesus, we're almost there 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:56.639 another week and we're going to be there sort of stuff 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:57.679 we're going to be in Jerusalem 00:11:57.679 --> 00:11:58.879 you're going to be king 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:01.339 and let's fight over who's going to be foreign minister 00:12:01.339 --> 00:12:02.379 and deputy prime minister 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:03.079 and you know 00:12:03.079 --> 00:12:05.099 who's going to be the greatest in your kingdom 00:12:05.099 --> 00:12:05.739 Jesus 00:12:05.739 --> 00:12:09.859 because Jerusalem and glory 00:12:09.859 --> 00:12:11.219 were just around the corner 00:12:11.219 --> 00:12:12.539 for the disciples 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:14.959 oh what it would mean for them 00:12:14.959 --> 00:12:17.259 when Jesus took his throne 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:21.399 but Jesus had another vision in his head 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:24.139 and one wonders frankly 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:26.419 how he carried it for so long 00:12:26.419 --> 00:12:27.819 and alone 00:12:27.819 --> 00:12:31.179 here's what Jerusalem meant for Jesus 00:12:31.179 --> 00:12:33.039 Luke chapter 13 verse 33 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:35.139 in any case 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.899 I must keep going today 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:37.819 and tomorrow 00:12:37.819 --> 00:12:39.079 and the next day 00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:41.599 for surely no prophet can die 00:12:41.599 --> 00:12:43.000 outside Jerusalem 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:46.779 Jerusalem meant one thing for Jesus 00:12:46.779 --> 00:12:48.979 certain death 00:12:48.980 --> 00:12:54.399 and he was under no illusions 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:56.440 as to whether it was going to be a quick death 00:12:56.440 --> 00:12:57.800 or a heroic death 00:12:57.800 --> 00:13:01.960 he pointed out in chapter 18 of Luke 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:03.159 verse 31 onwards 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:05.539 we are going up to Jerusalem 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:08.100 and everything that is written by the prophets 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:10.139 about the son of man will be fulfilled 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:13.759 he will be turned over to the Gentiles 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:15.480 they will mock him 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.899 insult him 00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:18.379 spit on him 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:19.700 flog him 00:13:19.700 --> 00:13:21.240 and kill him 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:23.840 when Jesus 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:27.240 set his face to go to Jerusalem 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:30.439 he set his face to die 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:34.799 so he sets out 00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:37.039 and he says in chapter 9 verse 52 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:39.759 he sent messengers on ahead 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:42.179 who went into a Samaritan village 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.740 to get things ready for him 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:46.339 but the people there did not welcome him 00:13:46.339 --> 00:13:48.419 because he was heading for Jerusalem 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:51.299 it doesn't really matter 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:52.360 whether his rejection 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.480 is because Jesus 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:55.179 and his companions were Jews 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:56.799 and the Samaritans hated Jews 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:58.539 or whether the rejection 00:13:58.539 --> 00:14:00.079 is a more personal rejection 00:14:00.079 --> 00:14:01.740 because they didn't want Jesus 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.779 being their Messiah 00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:05.939 that what matters for this story 00:14:05.939 --> 00:14:08.000 is simply that Jesus 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:10.059 is already being rejected 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:13.100 and then what happens is 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.819 this focus shifts from Jesus 00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:15.759 to the disciples 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:18.339 and their response 00:14:18.339 --> 00:14:19.639 and especially the response 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.659 of James and John 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:22.559 you see it there in verse 54 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:24.439 they said to Jesus 00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:24.839 Lord 00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:26.679 do you want us to call down fire 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:28.339 from heaven to destroy them 00:14:28.339 --> 00:14:30.579 you get a glimpse here 00:14:30.579 --> 00:14:32.120 why Jesus called these guys 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.039 the sons of thunder 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:36.220 and you know frankly 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:38.560 I can imagine being there 00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:40.960 I can imagine saying it 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:42.100 you know Jesus 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:43.440 do you want me to whip the guns out 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:45.120 you know come on Jesus 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.759 you know we're on our way to victory 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:48.080 nothing can stop us now 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:50.139 let's let the fire fall Jesus 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:51.840 let the judgment begin 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:54.139 oh Jesus how Jerusalem 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:56.220 is going to tremble 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:57.500 when they see us coming Jesus 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:59.220 let's get on with the business 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:00.000 right now 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:03.600 and Jesus turns to them 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:04.360 and rebukes them 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.399 in verse 55 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:07.220 and they simply went 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:08.059 to another village 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:13.000 those couple of verses 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:14.200 help us to see 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:15.980 that a mistaken view 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.340 of Jesus journey 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:18.220 to Jerusalem 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:20.940 can lead to a mistaken view 00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:22.320 of what it means 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:23.419 to be his disciple 00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:26.799 if Jesus had come 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:28.219 to execute judgment 00:15:28.219 --> 00:15:29.659 and take up 00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:30.799 an earthly rule 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:32.279 then it would make sense 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:34.159 for the sons of thunder 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:35.399 to launch missiles 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.719 at this Samaritan village 00:15:36.719 --> 00:15:39.519 but if Jesus had come 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.399 not to judge 00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:41.379 but to save 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:43.240 then a radically different 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.299 form of discipleship 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:44.979 is required 00:15:44.979 --> 00:15:48.039 and so here is the question 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:49.099 I think that this passage 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:51.340 is asking every believer 00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:54.700 does discipleship mean 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:56.659 deploying God's missiles 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:59.259 against the enemy 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:01.500 in righteous indignation 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:05.379 or does discipleship mean 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.340 following him 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:08.080 on the Calvary road 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:09.120 which leads to suffering 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:09.680 and death 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:13.879 the answer in the whole 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.660 New Testament 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:17.160 is that the surprise 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:18.679 about Jesus the Messiah 00:16:18.679 --> 00:16:20.159 is that he came 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:20.939 to live 00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:22.419 a sacrificial 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.779 dying service 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:25.399 before he comes 00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:26.419 a second time 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:27.740 to reign 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.600 in glory 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:31.419 and the surprise 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.719 about discipleship 00:16:32.719 --> 00:16:34.399 is that it demands 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:35.699 a like of sacrificial 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:36.919 dying service 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:38.579 before we reign 00:16:38.579 --> 00:16:39.559 with him 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.799 in glory 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:44.100 what James and John 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:44.759 had to learn 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:47.720 and what we must learn 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.059 too 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.960 is that Jesus' 00:16:49.319 --> 00:16:50.580 journey to Jerusalem 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:53.899 to die 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:55.939 is our journey 00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:56.600 to Jerusalem 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.539 to die as well 00:16:57.539 --> 00:17:00.620 there are certainly 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.580 those that view it 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.840 as the exact opposite 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:05.259 that since Jesus 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.279 suffered so much 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.420 and died in our place 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:08.599 therefore we are free 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.500 to go straight 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.440 to the head of the class 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.779 we skip all the exams 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:13.019 he suffered 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.859 so that I could have 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.299 comfort 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.740 he died so that 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.279 I could live 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.000 he bore abuse 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.740 so that I could be 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.279 esteemed 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.359 he gave up all the 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.099 treasures in heaven 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.039 so that I could build 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:22.019 up treasures in earth 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:23.500 he brought the kingdom 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.939 and paid for our entrance 00:17:24.939 --> 00:17:26.579 and now we live in it 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.459 with all its earthly 00:17:27.459 --> 00:17:28.139 privileges 00:17:28.139 --> 00:17:31.099 but that goes against 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:32.119 the plain teaching 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:33.159 of the Bible 00:17:33.159 --> 00:17:35.159 even the plain teaching 00:17:35.159 --> 00:17:36.119 the context here 00:17:36.119 --> 00:17:37.079 Luke chapter 9 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:37.939 verse 23 00:17:37.939 --> 00:17:39.379 and 24 00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:40.679 Jesus says 00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:41.419 if anyone 00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:42.559 would come after me 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.980 he must deny himself 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:45.359 take up his cross 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:47.019 daily and follow me 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.799 whoever wants to save 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:50.019 his life will lose it 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:51.200 but whoever loses 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.000 his life for me 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.000 will save it 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:56.159 friends what I'm saying 00:17:56.159 --> 00:17:56.759 here is that 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:58.539 when Jesus 00:17:58.539 --> 00:18:00.899 resolutely set out 00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:01.599 for Jerusalem 00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:02.480 to walk that 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:03.500 Calvary road 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:05.039 he was not merely 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:06.480 just taking our place 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:08.220 he was setting 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:08.879 our pattern 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:10.820 he's not just 00:18:10.820 --> 00:18:11.580 our substitute 00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:12.860 he's actually 00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:13.840 our pace setter 00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:17.120 if we seek 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:17.840 to secure 00:18:17.840 --> 00:18:18.840 our life 00:18:18.840 --> 00:18:20.020 through returning 00:18:20.020 --> 00:18:21.260 evil for evil 00:18:21.260 --> 00:18:22.840 or surrounding 00:18:22.840 --> 00:18:24.140 ourselves with luxury 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:24.880 in the face 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:25.960 of human need 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.520 this passage says 00:18:27.520 --> 00:18:28.760 we will lose 00:18:28.760 --> 00:18:29.820 our life 00:18:29.820 --> 00:18:33.720 we can only 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.800 save our life 00:18:34.800 --> 00:18:35.920 if we follow 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.720 Christ on the 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.579 Calvary road 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:39.339 Jesus 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.380 died 00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:42.059 to save us 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:43.339 from the power 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:44.299 and punishment 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.259 of sin 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:47.200 not from the 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:47.660 suffering 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:49.180 and sacrifices 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.539 of simplicity 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:52.160 for love's sake 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:55.759 Jesus 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:57.759 died to save us 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.460 from the power 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.140 and punishment 00:18:59.140 --> 00:18:59.880 of sin 00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:01.039 not from the 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.480 suffering 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.660 and sacrifices 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.839 of simplicity 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:05.700 for love's sake 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:08.299 and so 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.460 verses 56 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:10.279 to 62 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:11.279 are Jesus 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.400 way of correcting 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.640 the misconception 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:15.120 of discipleship 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.799 the misconception 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.660 of all the 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:18.240 glories of 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:18.860 discipleship 00:19:18.860 --> 00:19:19.319 that James 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:19.700 and John 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.000 had 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.400 three times 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:21.840 here in 00:19:21.840 --> 00:19:22.920 these passages 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:24.019 these verses 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:26.220 we see the 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:27.240 word follow 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.380 to describe 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:29.400 what it means 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:30.220 to be his 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:30.799 disciple 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:32.080 verse 57 00:19:32.080 --> 00:19:33.059 I will follow 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:33.360 you 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:34.059 verse 59 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:35.000 follow me 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.240 and verse 61 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.259 I will follow 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.599 you 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.819 the point is 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.679 that being 00:19:39.679 --> 00:19:40.279 a disciple 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:40.960 of Jesus 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:42.399 is more than 00:19:42.399 --> 00:19:43.059 just learning 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:43.919 about Jesus 00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:44.839 it's actually 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:46.720 following Jesus 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.440 where Jesus 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.119 goes 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:51.200 and as it 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.839 says in Luke 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:52.559 14 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.440 verse 27 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.139 whoever does 00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:54.779 not bear 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:55.240 his own 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:55.720 cross 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.579 and come 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.279 after me 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.259 cannot be 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.019 my disciple 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:01.700 when Jesus 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.319 says these 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:02.700 words 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.599 follow me 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:05.000 he says 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.460 it in the 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.099 context of 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:06.639 having just 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:07.379 been rejected 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:08.160 at Samaria 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:09.500 as he said 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.059 his face 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.559 to go to 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.119 Jerusalem 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.900 and so 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:13.720 just for a 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.019 moment 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:14.579 I want to 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:15.139 dwell on 00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:15.879 those words 00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:16.599 those two 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.639 little words 00:20:17.639 --> 00:20:18.379 follow 00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:19.400 me 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:22.319 and if 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:22.879 you're dozing 00:20:22.879 --> 00:20:23.379 off at all 00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:23.819 right now 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.359 you need to 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:24.799 tune into 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:25.279 this bit 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:27.119 follow 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:28.559 me 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:31.559 follow 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:33.159 me 00:20:33.159 --> 00:20:37.119 what I 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:37.399 want you 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:37.819 to do 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.439 tonight 00:20:38.439 --> 00:20:41.199 after church 00:20:41.199 --> 00:20:41.659 is go 00:20:41.659 --> 00:20:42.119 home 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:43.500 pick up 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.019 your Bible 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.539 turn to 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.000 Luke chapter 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.379 9 00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:45.779 and you 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.239 dwell 00:20:46.239 --> 00:20:47.299 on those 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:47.879 two words 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:48.519 you hover 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.019 over them 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.679 you meditate 00:20:49.679 --> 00:20:50.199 on them 00:20:50.199 --> 00:20:50.799 you read 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:50.959 them 00:20:50.959 --> 00:20:51.419 you think 00:20:51.419 --> 00:20:51.979 about them 00:20:51.979 --> 00:20:52.899 you incline 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.419 your heart 00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:53.679 to them 00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:53.939 you ask 00:20:53.939 --> 00:20:54.239 God to 00:20:54.239 --> 00:20:54.679 pray 00:20:54.679 --> 00:20:55.399 you pray 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:55.779 to God 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.199 ask him 00:20:56.199 --> 00:20:57.099 to bend 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.659 your heart 00:20:57.659 --> 00:20:58.379 to understand 00:20:58.379 --> 00:20:59.059 those words 00:20:59.059 --> 00:20:59.919 follow me 00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:00.879 follow me 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:01.679 follow me 00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:03.359 until they 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:04.119 burn 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:04.879 until they 00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:05.099 burn 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:05.759 deep in 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.439 your heart 00:21:06.439 --> 00:21:06.899 and in 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:07.599 your mind 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.059 and if 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:08.459 they're not 00:21:08.459 --> 00:21:09.059 burning deep 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:09.519 in your heart 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:09.679 and in 00:21:09.679 --> 00:21:10.119 your mind 00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:10.639 you read 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:11.059 them again 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.639 you ponder 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.199 you meditate 00:21:12.199 --> 00:21:12.719 you think 00:21:12.719 --> 00:21:13.299 you pray 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.079 you ponder 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.599 you meditate 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.139 you think 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:15.679 you pray 00:21:15.679 --> 00:21:16.339 again 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:16.939 and again 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:17.459 and again 00:21:17.459 --> 00:21:17.859 until they 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.539 burn 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.299 deep 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:19.819 in your 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:20.379 heart 00:21:20.379 --> 00:21:23.480 because my 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:23.959 guess is 00:21:23.959 --> 00:21:24.639 for most of 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:24.879 us 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:25.919 we read 00:21:25.919 --> 00:21:26.719 those versus 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:28.319 and we skip straight over them. 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:30.460 Follow me, follow me, follow me. 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:32.579 And they are so significant. 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:35.339 They reveal two things. 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:37.740 They reveal a person and they reveal a path. 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:39.980 They reveal Jesus, they reveal his mission. 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:42.980 They reveal a sweetness and they reveal a suffering. 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:47.680 When Jesus responded the way he did 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:51.120 to these three would-be followers, 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:55.440 he was teaching that the Calvary Road through Jerusalem 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:57.279 would be a hard road 00:21:57.279 --> 00:22:00.400 and would require personal sacrifices. 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:06.279 And he was testing, testing, testing 00:22:06.580 --> 00:22:11.380 to see if he, the me in the follow me, 00:22:11.580 --> 00:22:12.900 was their greatest treasure. 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:18.080 There are two things happening here. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:21.120 Firstly, Jesus is offering himself 00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:24.320 for our fellowship and our friendship 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.539 and our partnership. 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.539 Just think about that. 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.299 This is the me bit. 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:32.619 This is the me of the follow me. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:35.240 The creator of the universe, 00:22:35.379 --> 00:22:37.159 the king of kings, the lord of lords, 00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:39.159 the one who upholds everything 00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:40.839 by the power of his word, 00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:43.159 the one who is from everlasting to everlasting, 00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:45.519 that's mind-boggling in of itself, 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:48.279 born of a virgin, the holy one of God, 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:51.439 perfect in obedience, triumphant over sin 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:53.840 and death and hell and demons. 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:56.180 In him are hidden all the treasures 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:57.400 of knowledge and wisdom. 00:22:58.120 --> 00:23:00.039 And this Jesus, this me, 00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:02.000 says follow me. 00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:03.880 Me. 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.720 Me. 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:10.539 Do you get who's saying follow me 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.880 on this Calvary Road? 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:15.040 The significance of those words. 00:23:18.560 --> 00:23:21.080 And the second thing that Jesus is doing here 00:23:21.080 --> 00:23:22.700 is testing us. 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:24.660 Testing us 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:27.260 that if 00:23:27.260 --> 00:23:28.800 this 00:23:28.800 --> 00:23:31.020 is in actual fact 00:23:31.020 --> 00:23:31.980 enough. 00:23:35.060 --> 00:23:36.060 In other words, 00:23:36.120 --> 00:23:37.260 he's testing us. 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:39.619 Do you know 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.579 who's calling you 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.579 to follow him? 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:43.680 Is it enough 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.680 to have Jesus? 00:23:46.359 --> 00:23:47.220 Is it enough 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:48.079 to be satisfied 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:48.599 in him? 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:50.119 Is he your treasure, 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.779 your joy, 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:51.559 your security, 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.200 your hope, 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.839 your friend 00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:54.640 in times of loneliness, 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.359 your home, 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:55.940 your father, 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:56.559 your mother, 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.619 your power 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:59.099 to look straight ahead 00:23:59.099 --> 00:24:00.920 rather than to be turned aside 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.640 in fickleness 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.599 of discipleship? 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.039 When Jesus says 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:05.039 follow me, 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:07.359 he wants us 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:08.159 to be satisfied 00:24:08.159 --> 00:24:08.879 in him 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:13.680 and not to be satisfied 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.799 in our homes, 00:24:16.399 --> 00:24:17.399 our furniture, 00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:19.559 the security system 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.759 which keeps it safe, 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:23.339 the manicured garden, 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.940 the climate controlled atmosphere, 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.619 the cockroach, 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.220 mouse free, 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:28.839 ant free, 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:30.079 fully automated kitchen, 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:33.720 not even the cosy comfort 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.259 of the bedroom 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.259 where we lay down 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.099 our head at night 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.720 and cuddle up 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.379 under a doona 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:39.579 because the son of man 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.339 has no place 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.220 to lay his head. 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:44.660 No place to lay his head. 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.539 He wants to know 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:50.000 are we satisfied 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.400 in him? 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.299 In him. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:58.940 We don't need to make 00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.399 these words 00:24:59.399 --> 00:24:59.879 any harder 00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:00.480 than they are. 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.919 Jesus isn't saying 00:25:02.919 --> 00:25:04.519 there will never be 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.059 a time 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.919 when you will have 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:06.359 a bed 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:06.980 or a pillow 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.819 or a roof. 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.519 Jesus is not saying 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.700 that one of the criteria 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.619 of being his disciple 00:25:11.619 --> 00:25:12.460 is that we must sleep 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.139 standing up 00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:16.579 but it has 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.619 something to say. 00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:19.419 It has something 00:25:19.419 --> 00:25:20.220 to say about 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.500 how many beds 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.399 and how many pillows 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.400 and how many rooms 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.320 and how many doonas 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:25.920 we have. 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:27.980 It has something 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.680 to say 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.940 about how many 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:31.500 places we've invested 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.320 in to lay 00:25:32.320 --> 00:25:33.100 our head, 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.600 how much comfort 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:35.500 and luxury 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.320 that we seek 00:25:36.320 --> 00:25:36.900 to surround 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.840 ourselves with. 00:25:38.320 --> 00:25:39.180 It has got something 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:40.140 to say about that. 00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:43.180 Brothers and sisters, 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:44.860 we're 16,000 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:46.440 people groups 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.540 in this world 00:25:47.540 --> 00:25:48.380 still waiting 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.460 to hear the gospel 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.920 and millions 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.900 of children 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.620 and people 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.240 starving 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.180 through no fault 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:54.940 of their own 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:56.319 and many people 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.380 in our own country 00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:58.299 hard pressed 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:59.340 because of jobliness 00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:00.779 and just emptiness 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.700 of the soul. 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:05.460 It is inconceivable 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.440 that a disciple 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.799 of Jesus Christ 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:09.579 can go right on 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.519 pursuing the great 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.319 Australian dream. 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:16.079 What excites me 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.679 so much 00:26:16.679 --> 00:26:17.419 is when I see 00:26:17.419 --> 00:26:18.039 Christians 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:19.039 who have 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.039 an alternative 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.599 dream, 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.939 a dream 00:26:22.939 --> 00:26:23.439 of breaking 00:26:23.439 --> 00:26:23.879 loose 00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.939 from the shackles 00:26:24.939 --> 00:26:26.139 of this 00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:26.919 self-serving 00:26:26.919 --> 00:26:27.859 consumer 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.879 culture 00:26:28.879 --> 00:26:29.779 in which we live, 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.099 a dream 00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:31.519 of doing 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.399 something radical, 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.339 something 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.799 radically loving 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.779 with your house, 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:38.119 something radically 00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:38.919 loving with your 00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:39.599 portfolio, 00:26:39.899 --> 00:26:40.599 something radically 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:41.459 loving with your 00:26:41.459 --> 00:26:42.059 income, 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.299 something radically 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.199 loving with your 00:26:44.199 --> 00:26:45.519 free evenings 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.299 or mornings 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.299 or afternoons 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.619 or weekends 00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:50.059 or something 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.019 radically loving 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.859 with your job. 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:55.139 Some of us 00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:55.980 have discovered 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.959 such wonderful 00:26:57.959 --> 00:26:58.819 freedom from 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.740 the love of 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.500 things, 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.579 but some of us 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:03.000 are yet to 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.639 discover it. 00:27:05.439 --> 00:27:06.159 Likewise, 00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:07.119 Jesus isn't 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:07.879 saying here, 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.079 it will always 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:09.859 be wrong to go 00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:10.479 to your dad's 00:27:10.479 --> 00:27:10.819 funeral. 00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:13.039 The point is 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.619 that Jesus 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.399 Christ is 00:27:14.399 --> 00:27:14.979 absolute 00:27:14.979 --> 00:27:15.799 and all 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.719 other allegiances 00:27:16.719 --> 00:27:17.859 are relative 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.359 to that. 00:27:19.459 --> 00:27:20.059 That's the point 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.759 Jesus is making 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.079 here. 00:27:22.939 --> 00:27:23.699 Jesus isn't 00:27:23.699 --> 00:27:24.240 trying to 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.059 create a bunch 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.799 of laws 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:27.019 that all 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.879 disciples have 00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:28.439 to keep. 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:29.859 This is where 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.519 we get bogged 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.659 down so much. 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.519 We fight 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.079 over, 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:33.919 thou shalt 00:27:33.919 --> 00:27:34.419 not give 00:27:34.419 --> 00:27:35.799 all your money 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.359 or thou shalt 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.059 not have a bed 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:37.679 or thou shalt 00:27:37.679 --> 00:27:38.460 not go to 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:39.519 your dad's 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:39.899 funeral. 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.220 And we forget 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.700 about the 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.119 me, 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:44.220 who it is 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.879 that's called 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.559 us to follow 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.019 him. 00:27:46.679 --> 00:27:47.259 We get so 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.740 caught up in 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.240 the follow 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.740 bit and we 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.220 forget about 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:49.919 it's me, 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.799 the me that's 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.460 called us 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:52.440 to follow 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:52.919 him. 00:27:55.399 --> 00:27:56.159 The point of 00:27:56.159 --> 00:27:56.519 this whole 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.399 passage is Jesus 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.539 sets out to 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.259 Jerusalem 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:01.220 is that he 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.859 knows our 00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:02.319 idols. 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.240 He knows 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:04.420 it. 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.279 He knows 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.059 perfectly 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.779 what is 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.359 competing 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:09.500 in your 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:10.240 heart 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.220 with 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.680 affection 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.259 for him. 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.559 He knows 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:13.740 it. 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.380 It's why 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.000 he raises 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.599 the question 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.039 in verse 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.920 62 about 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.359 fickle 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:20.779 following. 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:21.660 It's the 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.519 danger of 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.799 indecisive 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.680 discipleship. 00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:25.620 No one 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:26.240 after putting 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:26.720 his hand 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.019 to the 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.380 plough 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.920 and looking 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.700 back is 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.539 fit for 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:29.980 the kingdom 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.680 of God. 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:31.599 In other 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:31.759 words, 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.220 you can't 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:32.759 plough in a 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.279 straight line 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:33.579 if you're 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:34.160 looking behind 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.500 you. 00:28:34.820 --> 00:28:35.300 No, I 00:28:35.300 --> 00:28:35.640 know it. 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:35.900 I come 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.140 from the 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:36.400 country. 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:36.580 I've 00:28:36.580 --> 00:28:37.040 tried it. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.500 You 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:40.800 cannot 00:28:40.800 --> 00:28:41.200 serve 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:41.759 Christ. 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:43.920 You 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:44.240 cannot 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.640 make 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.100 Jesus 00:28:45.100 --> 00:28:45.759 look great 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:46.140 to this 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:47.200 world if 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:47.420 you're 00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:47.860 always 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:48.259 second 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.680 guessing 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:48.980 whether 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.279 or not 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.519 he's 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:49.740 worth 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.100 following 00:28:50.100 --> 00:28:50.259 and 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:50.620 trusting. 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.060 Looking 00:28:56.060 --> 00:28:56.440 back 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:56.800 means 00:28:56.800 --> 00:28:57.180 longing 00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:57.640 back. 00:28:58.040 --> 00:28:58.540 It 00:28:58.540 --> 00:28:59.180 means we 00:28:59.180 --> 00:28:59.640 are not 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.080 really 00:29:00.080 --> 00:29:00.779 sure if 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:00.960 he's 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.220 worth 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.720 following. 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:04.519 It's 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:04.820 having a 00:29:04.820 --> 00:29:05.200 divided 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:05.680 heart 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:07.340 and James 00:29:07.340 --> 00:29:07.940 says that 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.320 the double 00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:09.060 minded person 00:29:09.060 --> 00:29:09.820 is unstable 00:29:09.820 --> 00:29:10.440 in all 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:10.980 they do. 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.240 Friends, 00:29:15.040 --> 00:29:15.800 tonight 00:29:15.800 --> 00:29:16.720 Jesus 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.980 is coming 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.340 to us 00:29:18.340 --> 00:29:18.540 through 00:29:18.540 --> 00:29:19.320 his word 00:29:19.320 --> 00:29:20.519 and he's 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:20.980 looking 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:22.920 in our 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.540 faces 00:29:23.540 --> 00:29:25.480 and he's 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:25.680 looking 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.259 straight to 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:26.940 our hearts 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:30.559 and I 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:30.740 want to 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.220 say please 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.480 let him 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:31.880 do it. 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:33.799 Please 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.320 let him 00:29:34.320 --> 00:29:34.700 do it. 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.080 Let him 00:29:36.080 --> 00:29:36.519 mess with 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:36.960 your heart. 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:38.340 Let him 00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:38.980 mess with 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.480 your heart. 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.820 Let these 00:29:43.820 --> 00:29:44.320 words 00:29:44.320 --> 00:29:45.220 follow me 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.900 burn. 00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.140 Burn 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.539 deep 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.279 within you 00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:49.019 until you 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.019 burn for 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.559 a passion 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.100 for his 00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:51.539 glory. 00:29:52.820 --> 00:29:53.180 Burn 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:53.539 for a 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:53.840 passion 00:29:53.840 --> 00:29:54.299 for his 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:54.700 kingdom. 00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:59.039 Jesus 00:29:59.039 --> 00:29:59.940 is worthy, 00:30:00.100 --> 00:30:00.400 he is 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:00.700 worth 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.200 following 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:02.140 even 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.500 through 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.120 Jerusalem, 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.299 even to 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:04.940 the cross 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.920 and from 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:06.440 there 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:08.400 to all 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:08.880 the nations 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.160 of the 00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:09.500 world. 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:12.480 Yes, 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:13.019 he died 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.799 just outside 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.420 of Jerusalem 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:15.900 but it's 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.460 not bad 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:16.900 news. 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.320 His 00:30:18.320 --> 00:30:18.740 death 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.160 is our 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.740 life 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:21.180 and so 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:21.539 follow 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:21.960 him. 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:23.640 Follow 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:23.960 him. 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:42.160 sh 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:44.519 고� 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.000 him.