WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.440 That's on page 642 of the Red Church Bible. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:10.060 ! Proverbs chapter 9. 00:00:10.060 --> 00:00:10.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.759 It's how God wired the universe. 00:00:34.759 --> 00:00:39.759 It's how everything works best. 00:00:39.759 --> 00:00:44.759 And the first part of the book of Proverbs, that's chapters 1 to 9, 00:00:44.759 --> 00:00:49.079 is like an introduction to the rest of the book. 00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:53.039 If you actually look across at chapter 10 there, 00:00:53.039 --> 00:00:57.379 this is where the short, punchy Proverbs begin, 00:00:57.380 --> 00:01:02.660 that the book is best known for, I suppose. 00:01:02.660 --> 00:01:07.560 So in chapters 1 to 9, the author, King Solomon, 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:12.219 is appealing to his son to embrace the wisdom 00:01:12.219 --> 00:01:15.939 that's contained in the rest of the book. 00:01:15.939 --> 00:01:18.599 And one of his main methods of doing this 00:01:18.599 --> 00:01:27.140 is by personifying wisdom and folly as women. 00:01:27.140 --> 00:01:31.420 And chapter 9 is the climax of his appeal, 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:35.319 right before the Proverbs statements begin. 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:40.319 So as we read this text, here's something to watch out for. 00:01:40.319 --> 00:01:49.519 Notice the contrast between these two women, Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly. 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:54.799 They are each presented as hosts, inviting us to a banquet. 00:01:54.799 --> 00:01:59.699 Notice what happens to those who embrace each of their invitations. 00:01:59.699 --> 00:02:03.239 Before we read, let's pray and ask for God's help. 00:02:03.239 --> 00:02:12.919 Lord, as we come to read your words to us now, 00:02:12.919 --> 00:02:15.679 we don't want to go through the motions. 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:21.839 We want to really hear you speak to us now. 00:02:22.799 --> 00:02:27.239 We ask you to challenge us, convict us, 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:35.000 move us to embrace your wisdom above the folly of this world. 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:40.960 We plead that you'd help us to see Christ today. 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:43.580 For his sake we ask. 00:02:44.580 --> 00:02:44.900 Amen. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:49.199 Chris is going to actually read the text aloud for us. 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:49.560 Thank you. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:57.180 So it's Proverbs chapter 9. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:03:01.260 Wisdom has built her house. 00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:04.319 She has set up its seven pillars. 00:03:05.540 --> 00:03:08.159 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine. 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:10.780 She has also set her table. 00:03:12.659 --> 00:03:17.020 She has sent out her servants and she calls from the highest point of the city. 00:03:17.920 --> 00:03:20.420 Let all who are simple come to my house. 00:03:21.740 --> 00:03:24.219 To those who have no sense, she says, 00:03:24.219 --> 00:03:28.300 Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:32.180 Leave your simple ways and you will live. 00:03:33.139 --> 00:03:34.879 Walk in the way of insight. 00:03:36.539 --> 00:03:39.219 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults. 00:03:40.800 --> 00:03:43.680 Whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. 00:03:45.300 --> 00:03:48.020 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you. 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:51.759 Rebuke the wise and they will love you. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:56.639 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still. 00:03:58.199 --> 00:04:01.579 Teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. 00:04:03.419 --> 00:04:06.019 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 00:04:06.959 --> 00:04:09.539 And knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:13.659 For through wisdom your days will be many. 00:04:14.579 --> 00:04:16.759 And years will be added to your life. 00:04:16.759 --> 00:04:21.399 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you. 00:04:22.420 --> 00:04:25.959 If you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. 00:04:28.279 --> 00:04:30.120 Folly is an unruly woman. 00:04:31.219 --> 00:04:32.959 She is simple and knows nothing. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:35.839 She sits at the door of her house, 00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:38.879 on a seat at the highest point of the city, 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:41.879 calling out to those who pass by, 00:04:42.579 --> 00:04:44.219 who go straight on their way. 00:04:44.220 --> 00:04:48.020 Let all who are simple come to my house. 00:04:49.440 --> 00:04:51.820 To those who have no sense, she says, 00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:54.020 stolen water is sweet. 00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:56.680 Food eaten in secret is delicious. 00:04:58.020 --> 00:05:00.680 But little do they know that the dead are there. 00:05:01.460 --> 00:05:04.660 That her guests are deep in the realm of the dead. 00:05:04.660 --> 00:05:14.880 I wonder, have you ever been invited to a banquet feast? 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:19.560 Two weeks ago, Yelena and I were invited to a wedding 00:05:19.560 --> 00:05:23.760 in this beautiful hotel beneath the Kerry Mountains. 00:05:24.940 --> 00:05:28.420 After the ceremony, we were treated to finger food and drinks 00:05:28.420 --> 00:05:30.560 in this sun-drenched garden. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:35.180 At 5.30, we were called into this grand banquet hall 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:39.259 and found our seat at this beautifully laid table. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:42.319 There was wine for anyone who wanted it. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:44.100 You could order whatever soft drink you wanted. 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:46.240 It would be delivered right to your table. 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:50.300 Now, we were already feeling spoiled at this point. 00:05:50.300 --> 00:05:55.199 But then we saw that the menu had four courses. 00:05:55.720 --> 00:05:58.360 Each one with multiple choices. 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:05.300 And even better, one of the main courses was steak. 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:09.240 With peppercorn sauce and all the trimmings, 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:11.080 my eyes nearly popped out of my head. 00:06:11.079 --> 00:06:18.579 This most generous host had paid for all 120 of his guests 00:06:18.579 --> 00:06:20.419 to eat steak. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:26.839 Well, after four delicious courses, including steak, 00:06:26.919 --> 00:06:28.779 I mean, how could you turn down that? 00:06:29.579 --> 00:06:31.719 I was well and truly stuffed. 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:37.459 Now, a few years ago, we were invited to another wedding feast. 00:06:37.459 --> 00:06:41.359 It was a lovely ceremony. 00:06:41.539 --> 00:06:45.539 And afterwards, we sat down in the banquet hall. 00:06:46.859 --> 00:06:49.299 We waited and waited. 00:06:50.299 --> 00:06:54.979 And eventually, dribs and drabs of food began to arrive 00:06:54.979 --> 00:06:56.779 over the course of about an hour. 00:06:57.539 --> 00:06:58.839 It was really strange. 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:01.939 Probably the strangest meal I've ever had at a wedding. 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:09.219 The only standout memory I have is this bowl of roasted courgettes, 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:11.279 which was plunked down on our table. 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:13.860 There were 10 of us on the table. 00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:15.379 We all just looked at each other. 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:19.959 And we slowly began passing around this bowl of courgettes, 00:07:20.379 --> 00:07:22.819 ladling out a little spoonful put in the middle of our plate, 00:07:23.659 --> 00:07:27.199 making sure that everyone would have enough around the table. 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:32.240 And we were so hungry that we couldn't even wait for something else 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:33.719 to come out to accompany it. 00:07:33.779 --> 00:07:35.199 We all just sat there laughing, 00:07:35.959 --> 00:07:40.199 eating our measly portion of roasted courgettes. 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:44.199 Needless to say, as soon as the speech was finished, 00:07:44.980 --> 00:07:47.060 Yelena and I were down the road to the nearest chipper. 00:07:47.659 --> 00:07:48.719 No joke, we were. 00:07:49.159 --> 00:07:50.300 Back in time for the dancing. 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:54.420 The banquet, which promised so much, 00:07:55.900 --> 00:07:57.879 had left us hungry. 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:01.079 Now, on both those weddings, 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:03.780 the two invitations seemed exactly the same. 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:09.379 But they were really two invitations 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:13.560 to two very different banquets. 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:15.199 And now in this text today, 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:18.500 we have two invitations which seem at first to be the same. 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:21.079 But in reality, 00:08:21.519 --> 00:08:26.019 they're invitations to two polar opposite banquets. 00:08:26.519 --> 00:08:29.579 The question raised in this text for you and for me is this. 00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:34.159 Which invitation will you accept? 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:37.940 There's no third option. 00:08:38.259 --> 00:08:39.019 It's either or. 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:42.940 But our choice is more complex than we initially thought. 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:43.559 And here's why. 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:45.220 Because for the passing observer, 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:48.580 the invitations appear to be identical. 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:49.560 Look at verse 4. 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:52.060 This is wisdom's invitation. 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:52.580 She says, 00:08:53.040 --> 00:08:56.000 Let all who are simple come to my house. 00:08:58.379 --> 00:08:59.800 Look at verse 16 now. 00:09:01.540 --> 00:09:03.340 This is Lady Folly's invitation. 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:07.899 Let all who are simple come to my house. 00:09:09.060 --> 00:09:10.460 Exactly the same thing, right? 00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:11.639 Identical. 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:14.199 Now, King Solomon, I think, is showing us something. 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:19.299 Foolishness often sounds like wisdom. 00:09:20.779 --> 00:09:22.659 It can use all the same words. 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:24.860 It seems to promise us all the same things. 00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:30.819 Sometimes foolishness seems like skill for living well in God's world. 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:33.019 In our world, we hear things like this. 00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:36.019 Just be yourself. 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:38.120 Don't let anyone stop you. 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:42.019 Follow your heart wherever it leads you. 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:45.060 You are the master of your fate. 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:46.580 You're the captain of your soul. 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:50.000 You can be whoever you want to be. 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:53.139 You deserve the best. 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:56.500 Spend your money on getting the things you've always desired. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:58.179 These are the things we hear. 00:09:58.259 --> 00:10:02.299 This is the supposed wisdom of our time. 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:04.220 Inviting us to follow. 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:13.440 How can we discern which invitation is really wisdom? 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:22.820 Well, here's how Solomon brings us behind the scenes to see the culture in each house. 00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:27.660 And when we do that, we begin to see some stark differences. 00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:30.620 Here's the first difference. 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:34.980 There are different preparations for the banquets. 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:40.500 Now, both claim to have prepared a banquet feast, but their preparations couldn't be any more different. 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:43.179 Have a look in verses 1 to 6. 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:44.279 Wisdom is busy. 00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:50.159 She is building a house, setting up its seven pillars. 00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:54.639 That symbolizes spaciousness, wealth, stability. 00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:57.200 She is preparing her meat. 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:59.820 She's mixing her wine. 00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:01.720 She is self-sufficient. 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:04.080 She borrows from no one. 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:10.360 Then we find her setting her table and sending out her servants. 00:11:10.440 --> 00:11:14.580 We've got six action words here describing her diligent preparation. 00:11:15.020 --> 00:11:17.640 Contrast that to Lady Folly. 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:21.540 In verse 14, she sits. 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:25.140 Shanae. 00:11:25.520 --> 00:11:26.160 She sits. 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:27.539 Well, actually, there is one more. 00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:28.919 Because in verse 13, it says, 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:32.899 Folly is an unruly or literally a loud woman. 00:11:34.339 --> 00:11:35.919 She's simple and knows nothing. 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:43.740 So Lady Folly sits and talks loudly about herself at the door of her house. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:46.240 She is too self-obsessed to care for her guests. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:50.120 She prefers to sit around talking about herself. 00:11:51.700 --> 00:11:54.340 In court terms, she's full of hot air. 00:11:55.539 --> 00:12:02.320 While Folly sits and jabbers on about itself, wisdom quietly, diligently prepares. 00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:04.840 That's the difference between wisdom and Folly. 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:10.220 It's humble service versus selfish idleness. 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:14.700 But we also see these hosts present different food. 00:12:15.700 --> 00:12:17.660 Lady Wisdom's house has no junk food. 00:12:18.340 --> 00:12:18.460 Right? 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:24.840 Because of her preparation, she's able to dish up tender meat and tasty wine. 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:30.019 This is homegrown food which satisfies hunger and tastes good. 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:36.780 A substantial meal which symbolizes richness and fullness of life. 00:12:37.160 --> 00:12:45.300 In contrast, Lady Folly can only offer scraps that she has stolen from others. 00:12:45.420 --> 00:12:45.840 Look at verse 17. 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:46.840 She says, 00:12:46.840 --> 00:13:03.920 You see, fake wisdom is always stealing from true wisdom. 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.840 Just be yourself. 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:08.700 Don't let anyone stop you. 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:10.720 That's one of the things we hear today, right? 00:13:11.180 --> 00:13:12.800 There's a truth somewhere in that. 00:13:13.300 --> 00:13:16.200 God created us to be individually unique. 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:21.960 He wants us to be our truest selves, whole and complete in him. 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:25.700 But fake wisdom takes God out of it and says, 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:27.160 You can decide who you want to be. 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:34.140 The stone, water, and bread may temporarily satisfy, but not for long. 00:13:35.640 --> 00:13:38.280 It can compare to the feast that wisdom offers us. 00:13:40.160 --> 00:13:42.420 But these hosts also have different demands. 00:13:44.040 --> 00:13:45.240 Look at verse 5. 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:47.020 Wisdom says, 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:51.480 Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:54.540 Leave your simple ways and you will live. 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:58.960 Walk in the way of insight. 00:13:59.300 --> 00:14:01.980 Wisdom isn't a cushy people pleaser. 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:08.700 Wisdom demands that we leave our simple ways behind us 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:12.259 to join in her wholesome feast. 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:20.200 Folly demands that we leave our straight ways behind us 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:23.320 to join in her stolen feast. 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.400 Can you see that difference? 00:14:24.920 --> 00:14:27.540 Folly doesn't call us onto anything greater. 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:34.020 She just drags us down into the worst version of herself. 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:38.699 She drags us down into selfish greed for more. 00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:43.659 Into navel gazing and obsession with image. 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:46.519 Into secret lust and sexual sin. 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:49.460 Into bending the rules to get ahead. 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:53.100 She promises a feast if we join her. 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:56.620 There's a sense of truth in her statement in verse 17 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.200 because she says, 00:14:57.600 --> 00:15:01.740 Stolen water is sweet. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:04.220 At first. 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:09.720 Food eaten in secret is delicious. 00:15:11.800 --> 00:15:12.400 Initially. 00:15:12.400 --> 00:15:12.500 Initially. 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:17.340 But then it always lets us down. 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:20.620 Then the guilt sets in. 00:15:22.059 --> 00:15:25.559 And the sweet taste turns sickly in our mouths. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:31.740 Folly drags us down into the gutter. 00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:33.899 Wisdom calls us upward. 00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:39.559 She is realistic about our simple-minded situation. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.340 Our wisdom deficit. 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:44.160 Wisdom calls us off the path of folly 00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:46.639 and onto the path of wisdom. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:50.040 Proverbs 4.18 says this. 00:15:50.280 --> 00:15:52.920 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun 00:15:52.920 --> 00:15:57.060 shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 00:15:58.519 --> 00:16:01.940 Wisdom calls us upward to life. 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:05.860 And this leads us to the last difference. 00:16:07.560 --> 00:16:09.440 Different destinies. 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:14.200 Lady folly promises us a sweet taste in our mouths 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.760 if we would walk in her door. 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.560 But look at verse 18. 00:16:19.260 --> 00:16:20.920 But little do they know 00:16:20.920 --> 00:16:23.080 that the dead are in there. 00:16:24.140 --> 00:16:26.140 That her guests are deep 00:16:26.140 --> 00:16:28.560 in the realm of the dead. 00:16:29.920 --> 00:16:30.840 Piled up 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:32.920 in the back of her house 00:16:32.920 --> 00:16:33.820 are the corpses 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:35.560 of her guests. 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.640 Some party that was. 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:39.779 They're dead now. 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.759 This host is venomous. 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:48.240 She seduces the simple 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.519 to come in her door 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:51.240 but they don't know 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.240 her malicious intent. 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:55.019 It's not a laughing matter 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:57.240 this banquet's business. 00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.939 It's not a trivial thing 00:16:58.939 --> 00:17:01.120 which path you follow 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:03.019 wisdom or folly. 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:05.420 Your destiny 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:07.039 is death 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:08.319 and destruction 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.759 if you follow 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:11.359 the path of fools. 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:12.879 That's what the text says. 00:17:16.879 --> 00:17:18.339 But look at the difference 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:19.460 of wisdom in verse 6. 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.740 She says 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:23.680 leave your simple ways 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:25.180 and you 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:26.379 will live. 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:27.900 Verse 11 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:29.480 through wisdom 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.700 your days 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.259 will be many 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:33.040 and years 00:17:33.040 --> 00:17:33.759 will be added 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.700 to your life. 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:35.940 Feast 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:37.240 on the richness 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:38.540 of my table 00:17:38.540 --> 00:17:39.800 wisdom says 00:17:39.800 --> 00:17:41.060 and you will thrive. 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:42.560 You'll know 00:17:42.560 --> 00:17:44.080 true life. 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:46.320 This is the destiny 00:17:46.320 --> 00:17:47.720 of all those 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.440 who accept 00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:49.220 my invitation 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.000 and come into 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.640 my house. 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:54.220 if we step back 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:56.080 and look at 00:17:56.080 --> 00:17:56.960 this wise 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:57.580 host 00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.720 the preparations 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.320 the food 00:18:00.320 --> 00:18:00.900 presented 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:01.560 the demands 00:18:01.560 --> 00:18:01.860 made 00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:02.480 the destiny 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:02.980 offered 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:04.300 we cannot help 00:18:04.300 --> 00:18:04.880 but see 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.560 Jesus 00:18:05.560 --> 00:18:08.400 as the wise 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:10.040 and wealthy 00:18:10.040 --> 00:18:10.600 friend 00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:11.520 who has thought 00:18:11.520 --> 00:18:12.759 of everything 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.740 we needed 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.759 and prepared 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:17.180 it in advance 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:18.380 for us. 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:20.040 Christ 00:18:20.040 --> 00:18:20.560 is the 00:18:20.560 --> 00:18:21.600 true host 00:18:21.600 --> 00:18:23.540 inviting us 00:18:23.540 --> 00:18:24.600 into his house 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.720 to a far 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.760 superior 00:18:26.760 --> 00:18:27.540 feast. 00:18:27.780 --> 00:18:28.320 He lacks 00:18:28.320 --> 00:18:29.220 nothing 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.660 that we 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:31.160 need. 00:18:33.520 --> 00:18:34.580 Colossians 2 00:18:34.580 --> 00:18:35.080 says this 00:18:35.080 --> 00:18:36.120 for in Christ 00:18:36.120 --> 00:18:37.100 all 00:18:37.100 --> 00:18:38.160 the fullness 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.240 of God 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:40.560 lives in bodily 00:18:40.560 --> 00:18:41.040 form 00:18:41.040 --> 00:18:42.380 and in Christ 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:44.180 you 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.100 have been 00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:45.540 brought 00:18:45.540 --> 00:18:46.480 to fullness. 00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:47.300 Jesus 00:18:47.300 --> 00:18:48.020 offers us 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:48.839 no water 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.259 down 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.000 scraps. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.299 He offers 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:52.940 himself 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:55.200 his rich 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:56.700 satisfying 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.599 fullness. 00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:58.799 Jesus 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.339 says in 00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:00.160 John 10 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.420 10 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:00.960 the thief 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.319 comes 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:01.839 only to 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.379 steal 00:19:02.379 --> 00:19:03.460 and kill 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.480 and destroy. 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:05.400 I have 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:05.799 come 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:06.700 that you 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.059 may have 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.779 life 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:09.660 and have 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.460 it to 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.220 the full. 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.359 He says 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:13.279 in John 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:13.660 6 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.139 I am 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:14.559 the bread 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:14.940 of life. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:15.240 Whoever 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:15.980 comes to 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.220 me 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:16.960 will never 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.660 go hungry. 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:19.259 whoever 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.099 believes in 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:20.319 me 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:21.379 will never 00:19:21.379 --> 00:19:22.900 be thirsty. 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.339 How could 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:27.000 we turn 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.680 away 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:29.039 an invitation 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.740 from this 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.339 richest, 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.980 most generous, 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.720 most loving, 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:35.119 most honoring 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:35.980 host? 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:40.319 would we turn 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:40.819 instead to 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.860 the invitation 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:42.180 of this 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:42.539 world 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.960 and all 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:44.680 its glamorous 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.539 promises 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:47.420 which are 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:47.940 hollow 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:48.880 in the 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.180 end? 00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:49.720 Two 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.339 invitations. 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.680 Which one 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.200 will we 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.579 accept? 00:19:59.299 --> 00:19:59.900 Maybe 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:00.059 you're 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:00.519 wondering 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:02.360 how do 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:02.819 I know 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.319 if I've 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:03.819 accepted 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:05.119 wisdom's 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:05.799 invitation? 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.579 It's good 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:08.799 that you 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.179 should ask 00:20:09.179 --> 00:20:09.519 that. 00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:11.960 We need 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.159 to. 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:12.980 And the 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.500 middle part 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:13.759 of this 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:14.379 text today 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:14.700 actually 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:16.000 tells us 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.259 how. 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:18.960 Solomon 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.519 splits 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.019 fools 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.559 into 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:20.939 different 00:20:20.939 --> 00:20:21.460 categories 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:21.859 in the 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.119 book of 00:20:22.119 --> 00:20:22.519 Proverbs. 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.619 So in 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:24.240 this chapter 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:24.559 we have 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:25.039 the simple 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:26.119 or the 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:26.799 uncommitted. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.299 And the 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:28.659 hosts are 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.279 calling out 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:30.000 to the 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.579 simple-minded 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:32.319 and appealing 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:32.639 to them 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:33.119 to join 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:33.500 their 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:33.939 banquets. 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:34.240 But we 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:34.720 also have 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.319 another type 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:35.639 of fool 00:20:35.639 --> 00:20:35.899 in this 00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:36.139 chapter 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:36.519 called 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:36.939 the 00:20:36.939 --> 00:20:37.259 mocker. 00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:39.679 And let's 00:20:39.679 --> 00:20:39.859 see what 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.079 we can 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.519 learn about 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:40.819 them 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.720 now. 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:43.379 Firstly, 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:43.960 mockers 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:46.039 refuse to 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.460 repent. 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.079 And they 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.639 hate 00:20:48.639 --> 00:20:49.619 rebuke. 00:20:49.699 --> 00:20:49.919 Have a 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:50.779 look with 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.579 me from 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:51.859 verse 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:52.439 7. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.559 Whoever 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.439 corrects a 00:20:56.439 --> 00:20:56.779 mocker 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.019 invites 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.819 insults. 00:20:58.819 --> 00:21:00.599 whoever 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.220 rebukes 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.659 the wicked 00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:02.179 incurs 00:21:02.179 --> 00:21:02.879 abuse. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.019 Don't 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.359 rebuke 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:05.779 mockers 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.220 or they 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:06.659 will hate 00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:06.939 you. 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:08.839 Rebuke 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.259 the wise 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:09.500 and they 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:09.899 will love 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:10.119 you. 00:21:11.159 --> 00:21:11.599 Instruct 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:12.019 the wise 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:12.259 and they 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.539 will be 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:12.799 wiser 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.159 still. 00:21:13.439 --> 00:21:13.679 Teach 00:21:13.679 --> 00:21:14.179 the righteous 00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:14.720 and they 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.539 will add 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.139 to their 00:21:16.139 --> 00:21:16.519 learning. 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:19.679 See, 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.240 wisdom says 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.639 to us, 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.519 you are 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.159 foolish 00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:24.099 and on 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.659 the road 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:25.000 to the 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.759 destruction, 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:26.859 leave your 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:27.559 simple ways 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.539 behind and 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:28.920 come into 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.480 my house. 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:32.180 Mockers 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:32.740 are insulted 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.159 by that. 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.200 They're 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:36.720 offended by 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.059 wisdom, 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.399 telling them 00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:38.619 that they 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.339 have an 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:39.839 innate 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.720 wisdom 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.399 deficit. 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.359 Mockers 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.019 hit back, 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:45.399 but they're 00:21:45.399 --> 00:21:45.779 fine. 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:46.200 Yeah, 00:21:46.399 --> 00:21:46.779 might make 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.200 a few 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.779 mistakes here 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.000 and there, 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.519 but how 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:48.940 dare you 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:49.359 say I 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:49.599 am on 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:49.920 the road 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.039 to 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.500 destruction? 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:52.779 I am 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.899 a good 00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:55.059 person. 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:57.940 See in 00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.359 verse 8, 00:21:58.539 --> 00:22:01.480 Mockers 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.539 hate those 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.680 who try 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.599 to instruct 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:05.359 them in 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:05.619 how they 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:05.859 need to 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.180 change. 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:08.980 If you 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.339 point out 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:09.920 some aspect 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.259 of their 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:10.799 foolishness 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.200 to them, 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.059 they get 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.359 angry. 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:14.899 They 00:22:14.899 --> 00:22:15.559 justify their 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.200 own behavior 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.779 or they 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.480 fling back 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:18.879 an angry 00:22:18.879 --> 00:22:19.920 dart of 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.559 your faults 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.139 and failings, 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:21.740 never willing 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.139 to admit 00:22:22.139 --> 00:22:22.599 their own. 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:26.679 that's 00:22:26.679 --> 00:22:26.919 what a 00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.139 mocker 00:22:27.139 --> 00:22:27.519 is. 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:28.659 Doesn't 00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:28.919 it sound 00:22:28.919 --> 00:22:29.299 familiar 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:29.559 in our 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:29.819 lives? 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:32.599 See, 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.980 the tragic 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.399 thing about 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:35.779 all this 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.539 is that 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:38.079 Solomon 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:38.759 questions the 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.119 point in 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:39.699 even trying 00:22:39.699 --> 00:22:40.219 to rebuke 00:22:40.219 --> 00:22:41.199 them or 00:22:41.199 --> 00:22:41.579 instruct 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:41.799 them. 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.279 Solomon 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.799 seems to 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.079 say in 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:43.419 verse 8, 00:22:43.719 --> 00:22:44.379 their heart 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:44.919 is so 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:45.439 hardened 00:22:45.439 --> 00:22:46.039 to wisdom, 00:22:46.159 --> 00:22:46.539 they seem 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.099 beyond the 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:48.139 point of 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.519 repentance. 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:48.720 repentance. 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.119 This is 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:50.740 tragic. 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:53.839 God forbid 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.579 that any 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:55.319 one of us 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:55.980 would be 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.720 found 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:58.299 among 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.720 the 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.420 mockers, 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:01.599 cold, 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:02.879 hardened, 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.839 unwilling 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:06.000 to repent 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:08.059 at wisdom's 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.519 rebuke. 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.039 Ultimately, 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.539 unwilling to 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.160 repent at 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.339 Christ's 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:14.819 rebuke. 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:16.139 How dare 00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:16.900 Jesus tell 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.379 me I have 00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:17.720 a sin 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.099 problem? 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:21.440 How dare 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.059 he say I 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.539 am destined 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.039 for hell? 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:24.839 How dare 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.460 he ask me 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:25.980 to change 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.980 my lifestyle 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.799 or words 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.920 or spending 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:30.000 habits or 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.500 attitudes? 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:31.559 I will 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.339 never accept 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:33.700 his banquet 00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.339 invitation. 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:34.839 It only 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.400 insults me. 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.720 I'd rather 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.119 take the 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.900 other invitation. 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:39.480 That lady 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:39.759 over there, 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.960 she affirms 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:41.660 me in my 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.059 actions. 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.599 She says 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.579 I'm doing 00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:45.519 just fine. 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.799 shudder at 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.279 the thought 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.839 of being 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.900 in that 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.220 number. 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:55.019 Be warned. 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.599 Verse 12. 00:23:59.139 --> 00:23:59.500 If you 00:23:59.500 --> 00:23:59.819 are a 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:00.139 mocker, 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.920 you alone 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:04.240 will suffer. 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.339 Here is the 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:06.879 banquet you 00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:07.339 have chosen. 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:07.399 death. 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:10.559 It ends in 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.519 eternal death. 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:17.579 If that is 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.139 you today, 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:20.879 come on 00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:21.399 your knees 00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:22.259 before God 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:23.359 and ask him 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:23.839 to change 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.339 your heart. 00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:27.539 Because if 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:27.939 Jesus can 00:24:27.939 --> 00:24:28.899 change a 00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:29.279 heart of 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:29.980 stone like 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.619 Saul's on 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.039 the road of 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.519 Damascus, 00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.339 he can change 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:32.759 mine and he 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.240 can change 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.579 yours. 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.599 It's never 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.439 too late 00:24:35.439 --> 00:24:36.159 to cry 00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:37.199 out to 00:24:37.199 --> 00:24:37.679 Jesus. 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.240 And you 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:40.559 know what? 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:40.980 There is 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.879 another response 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:42.379 in this 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:42.740 text. 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:47.000 The wise. 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.460 The wise 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.079 willingly 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:51.599 repent and 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:52.240 they grow 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.399 wiser still. 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:53.919 Look at 00:24:53.919 --> 00:24:54.359 verse 8 and 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:54.859 9 again. 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.159 Don't 00:24:56.159 --> 00:24:56.460 rebuke 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:56.980 mockers that 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.179 they will 00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:57.639 hate you. 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:58.619 Rebuke 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.119 the wise 00:24:59.119 --> 00:24:59.519 and they 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.119 will love 00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:00.439 you. 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:02.579 Instruct 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:03.119 the wise. 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.500 They'll 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:03.979 be wiser 00:25:03.979 --> 00:25:04.599 still. 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:05.699 Teach 00:25:05.699 --> 00:25:06.619 the righteous 00:25:06.619 --> 00:25:07.099 and they 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.699 will add 00:25:07.699 --> 00:25:08.439 to their 00:25:08.439 --> 00:25:08.899 learning. 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.279 That's the 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:11.639 first thing 00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:12.000 we see. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:12.899 The wise 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.979 love those 00:25:13.979 --> 00:25:15.059 who rebuke 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:16.099 and instruct 00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:16.479 them. 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.639 Here's how 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.279 one way, 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:18.859 how you know 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.199 if you've 00:25:19.199 --> 00:25:19.639 accepted 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:21.139 wisdom's 00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:21.939 invitation in 00:25:21.939 --> 00:25:22.139 Christ. 00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:23.159 Do you 00:25:23.159 --> 00:25:23.799 love those 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.659 who rebuke 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.839 you and 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.259 instruct 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.500 you? 00:25:27.899 --> 00:25:28.239 Do you 00:25:28.239 --> 00:25:28.500 welcome 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.159 feedback on 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:29.579 how you 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.739 could be 00:25:30.739 --> 00:25:31.139 a better 00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:31.819 version of 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:32.219 yourself? 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.360 If you're 00:25:33.360 --> 00:25:33.700 married, 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:34.620 do you 00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.120 ever ask 00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:35.259 your 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.660 spouse, 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.039 how can 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:36.380 I love 00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:36.779 you better? 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.160 What 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:39.819 things do 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.120 you see 00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:40.380 in my 00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:40.799 life that 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:41.160 I need 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.799 to change? 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.460 If you're 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.539 with a 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.180 close friend, 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:45.420 do you 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.000 ever ask, 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:46.380 friend, 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.600 in what 00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:47.940 ways have 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.299 I hurt 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:48.640 you in 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:48.759 our 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.220 relationship? 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:51.900 How can 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.220 I be a 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:52.360 better 00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:52.860 friend in 00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:53.279 person? 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:55.000 If you're 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.700 meeting with 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.779 your elders 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:58.140 in church 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:58.539 or those 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:58.940 who watch 00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.360 over your 00:25:59.360 --> 00:26:00.200 spiritual health, 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:00.559 are you 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.059 willing to 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:01.879 accept feedback 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:03.119 from them 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.519 as to how 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:03.819 you can 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.200 grow in 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:04.639 your faith? 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.899 The wise 00:26:07.899 --> 00:26:09.279 love those 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:09.720 who teach 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.000 them, 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:12.899 because they're 00:26:12.899 --> 00:26:13.379 teaching them 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:13.819 how to get 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.500 wiser still. 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:15.480 It's all 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.019 gain. 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.740 Yes, 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.339 it hurts 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:17.839 to hear 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.359 about our 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:18.559 sin. 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.299 That stings. 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.000 It feels 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.539 bad at the 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:20.779 time, 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.279 doesn't it? 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:22.480 But if 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.159 that other 00:26:23.159 --> 00:26:24.019 person truly 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.700 loves you, 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:27.539 it's okay 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:27.779 to be 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.259 broken in 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.519 front of 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:28.680 them. 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.279 We could 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:32.900 just pretend 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.480 that we're 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.559 faultless and 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.240 blameless and 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:36.200 the finished 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:36.779 package, 00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:37.980 but we're 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:38.360 only kidding 00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:38.840 ourselves. 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.299 Embrace 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.160 the opportunity 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:43.299 to grow 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.500 in wisdom. 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:45.240 Are we 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.880 actually doing 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:46.180 that? 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.240 Yes. 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.680 Second thing 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.000 we learn is 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.620 that the wise 00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:53.559 are always 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:55.519 growing in 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:55.879 wisdom. 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.399 Once you 00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:56.980 leave your 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.839 simple ways 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.359 and turn 00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:59.259 into wisdom's 00:26:59.259 --> 00:26:59.839 banquet, 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.379 you begin 00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:00.980 feasting at 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.480 her table. 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.379 Wisdom 00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:03.879 begins to 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:04.359 rub off 00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:04.720 on you 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.879 more and 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:06.259 more. 00:27:07.159 --> 00:27:07.619 Instruct 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.159 the wise 00:27:08.159 --> 00:27:08.659 and they 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:09.059 will be 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.639 wiser 00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:10.679 still. 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:11.480 Teach 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:11.980 the righteous 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.379 and they 00:27:12.379 --> 00:27:12.859 will add 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.159 to their 00:27:13.159 --> 00:27:13.500 learning. 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:14.279 Do you 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.559 see that 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.299 positive 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.200 cause and 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.579 effect 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.019 cycle? 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:18.740 The more 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.200 you listen 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.740 to wisdom, 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:22.059 the wiser 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.519 you get. 00:27:22.639 --> 00:27:23.399 Can we 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.120 say today 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:24.420 that we're 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:25.240 growing in 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.540 wisdom? 00:27:27.540 --> 00:27:28.560 Looking back 00:27:28.560 --> 00:27:29.160 over our 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:29.480 lives, 00:27:29.560 --> 00:27:30.100 even a 00:27:30.100 --> 00:27:30.480 year, 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:31.640 five years, 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.360 ten years, 00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:33.480 can we 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.040 see those 00:27:34.040 --> 00:27:34.720 signs of 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.300 growth in 00:27:35.300 --> 00:27:35.620 wisdom? 00:27:36.580 --> 00:27:37.200 That's another 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.519 sign that 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.140 we've accepted 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:39.660 wisdom's 00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:40.100 invitation. 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.100 But here's 00:27:41.100 --> 00:27:41.600 the last one 00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:41.860 I think 00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:42.540 we're given. 00:27:42.780 --> 00:27:43.160 It's that 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:43.780 the wise 00:27:43.780 --> 00:27:45.080 fear and 00:27:45.080 --> 00:27:46.240 know the 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.620 Lord. 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.220 Have a look 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.519 at verse 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:47.860 10. 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.600 Scholars tell 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:49.960 us this is 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.300 the most 00:27:50.300 --> 00:27:50.960 important verse 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.360 actually in 00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:51.699 the whole 00:27:51.699 --> 00:27:52.279 book of 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:52.679 Proverbs. 00:27:54.219 --> 00:27:54.819 The fear 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.399 of the 00:27:55.399 --> 00:27:56.279 Lord is 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:56.859 the beginning 00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:57.839 of wisdom. 00:27:59.199 --> 00:28:00.000 And knowledge 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.839 of the 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:01.539 Holy One 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:03.459 is understanding. 00:28:03.699 --> 00:28:03.959 You see, 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.419 fearing God 00:28:05.419 --> 00:28:07.299 and knowing 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.879 him are the 00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:10.259 beginning of 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:10.740 wisdom. 00:28:10.939 --> 00:28:11.379 Wisdom is 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.319 ultimately about 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:14.299 knowing God. 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:14.399 God. 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.960 How do we 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.480 know God? 00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:20.039 We know 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.259 him 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.899 ultimately 00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:22.279 through 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.460 Christ. 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:24.740 Jesus 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.599 actually said, 00:28:25.639 --> 00:28:25.980 he said, 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:27.200 if you knew 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.940 me, you 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.579 would know 00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.720 my Father. 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.319 So do you 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.000 love Christ? 00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:36.319 Do you 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:36.919 fear him, 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.500 that sense 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.740 of reverence 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.899 and honor, 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.720 that desire 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.440 to worship 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:42.899 him? 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:44.600 the wise 00:28:44.600 --> 00:28:44.940 are those 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.500 who hear 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.120 his call 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:46.759 to repent 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.700 and freely 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.560 confess to 00:28:48.560 --> 00:28:48.960 him their 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.600 foolishness. 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.320 They desire 00:28:50.320 --> 00:28:50.700 to live 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.100 his way 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:51.480 from now 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:51.720 on. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.000 That doesn't 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.300 mean that 00:28:53.300 --> 00:28:53.780 wise people 00:28:53.780 --> 00:28:54.400 are perfect 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:54.780 people. 00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:56.700 They're still 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.480 learning wisdom, 00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:57.820 right? 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.440 And Christ, 00:29:01.100 --> 00:29:01.700 their most 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.580 generous 00:29:02.580 --> 00:29:04.060 and patient 00:29:04.060 --> 00:29:04.759 host, 00:29:05.800 --> 00:29:06.200 has made 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:07.000 provision on 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:07.560 the cross 00:29:07.560 --> 00:29:08.640 for all 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:09.280 their failures 00:29:09.280 --> 00:29:09.800 past, 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:10.680 present, 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.160 and future. 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:12.940 the wise 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.720 come to 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.040 him 00:29:14.040 --> 00:29:14.880 daily 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:16.920 for forgiveness, 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.680 which he 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.519 freely provides. 00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:21.240 So do you 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.100 honor Jesus 00:29:22.100 --> 00:29:22.640 as your 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:23.100 Lord and 00:29:23.100 --> 00:29:23.360 King? 00:29:23.540 --> 00:29:24.060 That is 00:29:24.060 --> 00:29:24.480 the beginning 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:24.980 of wisdom. 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:26.880 And from 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.140 there, 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.500 we just 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.019 continue to 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.920 grow in 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:29.380 wisdom as 00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:29.940 we walk 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.580 with Jesus 00:29:30.580 --> 00:29:31.200 in whom 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:31.600 are hidden 00:29:31.600 --> 00:29:32.700 all the 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.100 treasures 00:29:33.100 --> 00:29:34.519 of wisdom 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.120 and knowledge. 00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:35.759 So this 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.019 is what 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.360 the wise 00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:36.880 are like. 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:39.940 They love 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:40.380 those who 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:40.860 rebuke and 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.459 instruct them. 00:29:42.679 --> 00:29:43.059 They're 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.679 always growing 00:29:43.679 --> 00:29:44.199 in wisdom. 00:29:45.159 --> 00:29:46.000 They fear 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:46.559 the Lord. 00:29:46.959 --> 00:29:47.500 Does that 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.139 description 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:48.759 match your 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.459 life and 00:29:49.459 --> 00:29:49.759 mine? 00:29:55.699 --> 00:29:56.500 I want to 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.019 finish with a 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.379 story, 00:29:58.479 --> 00:29:59.059 and this is 00:29:59.059 --> 00:29:59.339 one that 00:29:59.339 --> 00:29:59.979 Jesus told. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.379 If you 00:30:01.379 --> 00:30:01.740 could turn 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.179 please to 00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:02.579 Luke, 00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:04.219 chapter 14, 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.439 and verse 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:05.900 15. 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.420 This is on 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:14.600 page 1048 00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.640 in the 00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.019 Red Church 00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.299 Bible. 00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:20.720 Luke, 00:30:20.840 --> 00:30:21.740 chapter 14, 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:23.220 verse 15. 00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:25.840 And Johnny 00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:26.460 was referring 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:26.820 to this 00:30:26.820 --> 00:30:27.299 already this 00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:27.539 morning. 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.340 Jesus says 00:30:29.340 --> 00:30:31.559 that all 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.039 our wedding 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:32.660 banquets are 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.980 shadows of 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.700 the true 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.839 wedding banquet 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.480 to come 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.140 in heaven, 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.799 the greatest 00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.860 feast imaginable, 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.500 when his 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.200 bride, 00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:42.319 the church, 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.059 God's people, 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.360 those who 00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.019 trusted in 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.400 Christ, 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:46.839 will be 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:48.460 united to 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.539 Jesus in 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.200 marriage 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.299 forever. 00:30:52.900 --> 00:30:53.680 That's the 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.940 true marriage. 00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.259 And the 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:57.200 call goes out 00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:57.720 to the world 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:59.059 for all to 00:30:59.059 --> 00:30:59.539 come to 00:30:59.539 --> 00:30:59.980 Christ, 00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.579 to be part 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.319 of this 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:02.799 marriage 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.819 forever. 00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:05.539 And this 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:05.740 is what 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.240 Jesus is 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:07.039 referring to 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:07.639 as he 00:31:07.639 --> 00:31:08.599 tells this 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.159 parable 00:31:09.159 --> 00:31:10.319 in Luke, 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.299 chapter 14, 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.500 verse 15. 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.519 When one 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:13.799 of those 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.039 at the 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:14.399 table 00:31:14.399 --> 00:31:15.480 with him 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.000 heard this, 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.419 he said 00:31:16.419 --> 00:31:16.980 to Jesus, 00:31:17.419 --> 00:31:17.759 blessed 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.119 is the 00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:18.779 one who 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.339 will eat 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.859 at the 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:20.539 feast in 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:20.879 the kingdom 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.419 of God. 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.240 Jesus 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:24.059 replied with 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:24.539 a story. 00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:26.519 A certain 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:26.919 man was 00:31:26.919 --> 00:31:28.039 preparing a 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.819 great banquet 00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:29.359 and invited 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:30.240 many guests. 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:31.759 At the 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.139 time of the 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:32.440 banquet, 00:31:32.560 --> 00:31:33.040 he sent 00:31:33.040 --> 00:31:33.720 his servant 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.180 to tell 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.620 those who 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:34.860 had been 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:35.180 invited, 00:31:35.360 --> 00:31:35.580 come, 00:31:36.540 --> 00:31:37.220 for everything 00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:37.700 is now 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.960 ready. 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.580 But they 00:31:40.580 --> 00:31:41.280 all alike 00:31:41.280 --> 00:31:41.920 began to 00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:42.660 make excuses. 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:44.920 The first 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.120 said, 00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:46.300 I have 00:31:46.300 --> 00:31:46.980 just bought 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.400 a field. 00:31:47.520 --> 00:31:47.940 I must 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.280 go and 00:31:48.280 --> 00:31:48.600 see it. 00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:48.840 Please 00:31:48.840 --> 00:31:49.420 excuse me. 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:51.840 Another 00:31:51.840 --> 00:31:52.120 said, 00:31:53.280 --> 00:31:54.960 I've just 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.600 bought five 00:31:55.600 --> 00:31:56.020 yoke of 00:31:56.020 --> 00:31:56.460 oxen and 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:56.880 I'm on 00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:57.380 my way to 00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:57.820 try them 00:31:57.820 --> 00:31:58.000 out. 00:31:58.300 --> 00:31:58.720 Please 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.400 excuse me. 00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:01.300 still 00:32:01.300 --> 00:32:01.540 another 00:32:01.540 --> 00:32:01.820 said, 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.300 oh, 00:32:02.360 --> 00:32:02.600 I just 00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:02.780 got 00:32:02.780 --> 00:32:03.080 married. 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:03.280 I 00:32:03.280 --> 00:32:03.540 can't 00:32:03.540 --> 00:32:03.860 come. 00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:06.400 The 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:06.680 servant 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.200 came back 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.720 and reported 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.640 this to 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.220 his master. 00:32:10.340 --> 00:32:11.080 Then the 00:32:11.080 --> 00:32:11.480 owner of 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:11.780 the house 00:32:11.780 --> 00:32:12.759 became angry 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:14.340 and ordered 00:32:14.340 --> 00:32:14.940 his servant 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.620 go out 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.300 quickly into 00:32:16.300 --> 00:32:16.980 the streets 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.820 and alleys 00:32:17.820 --> 00:32:18.440 of the town 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.100 and bring 00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:19.540 in the 00:32:19.540 --> 00:32:19.960 poor, 00:32:20.300 --> 00:32:20.960 the crippled, 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:21.740 the blind 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.320 and the 00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.660 lame. 00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:25.620 sir, 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.140 the servant 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:26.440 said, 00:32:26.600 --> 00:32:26.980 what you 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.660 ordered 00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.140 has been 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:28.440 done, 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:29.600 but there 00:32:29.600 --> 00:32:29.980 is still 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.300 room. 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.340 Then the 00:32:32.340 --> 00:32:32.860 master told 00:32:32.860 --> 00:32:33.320 his servants, 00:32:33.560 --> 00:32:34.019 go out to 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.500 the roads 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:35.060 and country 00:32:35.060 --> 00:32:35.900 lanes and 00:32:35.900 --> 00:32:36.660 compel them 00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:37.040 to come 00:32:37.040 --> 00:32:37.620 in so 00:32:37.620 --> 00:32:37.980 that my 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:39.019 house will 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.860 be full. 00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:44.000 I tell 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.279 you, 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:46.279 not one 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.980 of those 00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:47.820 who were 00:32:47.820 --> 00:32:48.259 invited 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:49.700 will get 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.440 a taste 00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:51.660 of my 00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:52.240 banquet. 00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:58.860 The 00:32:58.860 --> 00:32:59.200 people 00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.820 invited to 00:32:59.820 --> 00:33:00.000 the 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.500 feasts 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.660 turned 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:02.160 down the 00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:02.660 invitation, 00:33:02.820 --> 00:33:03.000 right? 00:33:04.600 --> 00:33:05.060 They 00:33:05.060 --> 00:33:06.040 just thought 00:33:06.040 --> 00:33:06.480 they didn't 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:06.940 need it. 00:33:09.540 --> 00:33:10.100 Likewise, 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:10.740 how easy 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.259 is it for 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:11.640 us to 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:12.340 make excuses 00:33:12.340 --> 00:33:12.940 for Jesus? 00:33:14.560 --> 00:33:15.240 I have a 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:15.840 good life. 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.540 I've got 00:33:17.540 --> 00:33:18.019 health. 00:33:18.300 --> 00:33:18.680 I've got a 00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:19.040 family, 00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:20.019 money, 00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:20.900 a career. 00:33:20.900 --> 00:33:24.080 I don't 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:24.519 need Jesus 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.000 forgiveness, 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.019 his wisdom, 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:27.620 his life. 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:32.860 In the 00:33:32.860 --> 00:33:33.240 end, 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:33.680 in the 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.060 story, 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:34.940 who was 00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:35.160 it that 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:35.500 came in? 00:33:35.540 --> 00:33:35.740 It was 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:36.340 the poor, 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:38.019 the bankrupt, 00:33:38.860 --> 00:33:39.600 the sick, 00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:42.599 people who 00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:43.980 know they 00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:45.079 are desperate. 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.339 They 00:33:48.339 --> 00:33:48.980 gleefully 00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:50.439 accepted the 00:33:50.439 --> 00:33:50.980 invitation. 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.219 They 00:33:52.219 --> 00:33:52.459 couldn't 00:33:52.459 --> 00:33:52.959 believe they 00:33:52.959 --> 00:33:53.480 were asked. 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:56.000 They left 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.599 everything and 00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:58.299 ran and 00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:59.899 joined the 00:33:59.899 --> 00:34:00.299 feast. 00:34:01.399 --> 00:34:02.759 Christ is 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.319 the true 00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:03.959 host, 00:34:04.699 --> 00:34:05.419 inviting us 00:34:05.419 --> 00:34:06.259 into his 00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:07.939 house to 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.740 a lavish 00:34:08.740 --> 00:34:09.900 wedding feast 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.599 forever. 00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:12.599 He is a 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.159 wealthy and 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:13.920 wise friend 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.260 who has 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.639 thought of 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.360 everything we 00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:15.740 need in 00:34:15.740 --> 00:34:16.760 advance and 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:17.360 prepared it 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:17.860 for us. 00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.679 He lacks 00:34:19.679 --> 00:34:20.480 nothing that 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:20.980 we need 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:22.360 and it 00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:22.880 comes at 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:23.720 no cost 00:34:23.720 --> 00:34:24.260 to us. 00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:26.079 We don't 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:26.400 have to 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:27.360 pay our 00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:28.280 way in 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:29.220 to the 00:34:29.220 --> 00:34:29.740 feast or 00:34:29.740 --> 00:34:30.240 settle the 00:34:30.240 --> 00:34:30.960 bill afterwards. 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:31.260 No. 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:32.440 We are 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:34.019 bankrupt fools 00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:35.559 with nothing 00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:35.860 in our 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.320 hands to 00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:36.860 offer him. 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:38.900 except to 00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:39.559 simply reach 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.780 out and 00:34:40.780 --> 00:34:41.380 receive his 00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:41.760 mercy. 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:44.420 To bring 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:45.180 glory to 00:34:45.180 --> 00:34:46.720 him as 00:34:46.720 --> 00:34:47.200 the most 00:34:47.200 --> 00:34:47.740 generous, 00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:49.519 most 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:50.200 honoring 00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:51.620 host who 00:34:51.620 --> 00:34:52.579 has loved 00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:54.519 us and 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.539 gave himself 00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:56.700 up for us 00:34:56.700 --> 00:34:57.360 so that we 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:58.039 could be his 00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:58.760 bride, 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:01.380 his people 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:03.000 united in 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:04.200 love to 00:35:04.200 --> 00:35:05.900 him forever. 00:35:06.860 --> 00:35:08.420 which 00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:09.400 invitation 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:10.400 will you 00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:11.280 accept? 00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:15.120 Will you 00:35:15.120 --> 00:35:16.320 choose the 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.760 banquet of 00:35:16.760 --> 00:35:17.360 this world 00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:18.840 with all 00:35:18.840 --> 00:35:19.460 its hollow 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.320 promises that 00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:20.720 end in 00:35:20.720 --> 00:35:21.019 death? 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.820 Or will 00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:25.140 you be 00:35:25.140 --> 00:35:25.579 seated at 00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:25.960 the wedding 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:26.620 supper of 00:35:26.620 --> 00:35:27.059 the Lamb 00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:27.840 in heaven 00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:30.180 in white 00:35:30.180 --> 00:35:30.720 garments 00:35:30.720 --> 00:35:32.300 made clean 00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:33.580 by Jesus? 00:35:35.580 --> 00:35:36.100 Let's 00:35:36.100 --> 00:35:36.340 pray. 00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:36.340 00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:36.360 pray. 00:35:50.780 --> 00:35:51.440 We're just 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:51.660 going to 00:35:51.660 --> 00:35:52.060 pause to 00:35:52.060 --> 00:35:52.680 consider our 00:35:52.680 --> 00:35:54.220 response to 00:35:54.220 --> 00:35:54.539 Jesus' 00:35:54.840 --> 00:35:55.240 invitation. 00:35:55.239 --> 00:35:55.339 salvation. 00:36:00.779 --> 00:36:01.500 If you 00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:01.739 haven't 00:36:01.739 --> 00:36:02.119 accepted 00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:02.419 him, 00:36:02.919 --> 00:36:03.479 what would 00:36:03.479 --> 00:36:04.079 hold you 00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:04.819 back this 00:36:04.819 --> 00:36:05.079 day? 00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:06.919 Your 00:36:06.919 --> 00:36:07.299 pride? 00:36:08.799 --> 00:36:09.619 Your own 00:36:09.619 --> 00:36:10.500 intuitions of 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.319 your own 00:36:11.319 --> 00:36:11.739 goodness? 00:36:18.179 --> 00:36:18.879 If you 00:36:18.879 --> 00:36:19.419 have accepted 00:36:19.419 --> 00:36:20.099 Jesus, are 00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:20.619 you daily 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:22.039 feasting at 00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:22.659 his banquet 00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:24.440 of life, 00:36:25.159 --> 00:36:25.779 of wisdom? 00:36:28.219 --> 00:36:29.019 Speak to 00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.359 him now. 00:36:29.359 --> 00:36:29.420 Amen. 00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:29.799 Amen. 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:29.799 00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:59.019 Lord, forgive 00:36:59.019 --> 00:37:00.139 us for 00:37:00.139 --> 00:37:00.819 when we 00:37:00.819 --> 00:37:03.299 turn to 00:37:03.299 --> 00:37:04.179 the scraps 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:04.759 that this 00:37:04.759 --> 00:37:05.480 world offers 00:37:05.480 --> 00:37:06.879 us, as 00:37:06.879 --> 00:37:07.239 if that's 00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:07.579 the real 00:37:07.579 --> 00:37:07.940 food. 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.359 Forgive us 00:37:11.359 --> 00:37:11.719 for when 00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:13.859 we turn 00:37:13.859 --> 00:37:15.500 down your 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:16.279 rich, 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:18.000 satisfying 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:19.019 feast of 00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:19.319 wisdom. 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:22.800 for 00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:23.260 emptiness. 00:37:27.400 --> 00:37:28.160 Help us 00:37:28.160 --> 00:37:28.559 to daily 00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:29.059 feast at 00:37:29.059 --> 00:37:29.640 your table, 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:30.100 Jesus. 00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:34.280 Filling our 00:37:34.280 --> 00:37:34.880 hearts with 00:37:34.880 --> 00:37:35.480 your words, 00:37:35.620 --> 00:37:36.220 which satisfy 00:37:36.220 --> 00:37:38.080 us and 00:37:38.080 --> 00:37:38.480 bring us 00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:38.960 life. 00:37:42.760 --> 00:37:43.600 Let us 00:37:43.600 --> 00:37:44.220 know the 00:37:44.220 --> 00:37:45.100 overflowing 00:37:45.100 --> 00:37:46.039 life that 00:37:46.039 --> 00:37:46.559 you made 00:37:46.559 --> 00:37:47.320 us to 00:37:47.320 --> 00:37:48.519 live in 00:37:48.519 --> 00:37:49.280 Christ Jesus 00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:49.780 forever. 00:37:54.059 --> 00:37:54.860 We ask 00:37:54.860 --> 00:37:55.179 all these 00:37:55.179 --> 00:37:56.480 things for 00:37:56.480 --> 00:37:57.259 your glory 00:37:57.259 --> 00:37:59.519 and for 00:37:59.519 --> 00:38:00.159 our good. 00:38:01.079 --> 00:38:01.480 Amen.