WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.059
 we're going to use a couple of questions from the Heidelberg Catechism.

00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:23.339
 Now we're going to return to the ideas that we find here as we come to Jesus' teaching later.

00:00:23.339 --> 00:00:35.179
 But as we consider what God's law requires, and as it causes us to reflect on how we have done in terms of our obedience,

00:00:36.259 --> 00:00:39.460
 that then leads us to see the importance of confessing our sin.

00:00:39.960 --> 00:00:43.340
 And we're going to use a section of Daniel 9 to help us in that.

00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:46.179
 So again, this is a couple of questions and answers.

00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:50.039
 If I read the question then, if you're able, you can share the answer with me.

00:00:50.039 --> 00:00:52.640
 What does God's law require of us?

00:00:53.340 --> 00:01:00.320
 Christ teaches us this in summary in Matthew 22, 37 to 40.

00:01:00.980 --> 00:01:08.560
 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:12.659
 This is the greatest and first commandment.

00:01:13.219 --> 00:01:15.140
 And a second is like it.

00:01:15.140 --> 00:01:18.460
 You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

00:01:18.459 --> 00:01:24.139
 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

00:01:25.139 --> 00:01:26.639
 The next question.

00:01:27.339 --> 00:01:30.599
 Can you live up to all this perfectly?

00:01:30.599 --> 00:01:38.939
 No, I have a natural tendency to hate God and my neighbor.

00:01:39.939 --> 00:01:49.379
 And as we recognize that in our own hearts, let me lead us in a prayer of confession drawn from Daniel 9.

00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:54.019
 Lord God, we would confess with the prophet Daniel.

00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:59.759
 We are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.

00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:05.320
 We have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept his laws.

00:02:05.900 --> 00:02:09.020
 We have rebelled and sinned against you.

00:02:09.640 --> 00:02:15.480
 We have broken your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:23.599
 We also confess that you are the Lord who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments.

00:02:24.199 --> 00:02:30.199
 You are the Lord who is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against you.

00:02:30.919 --> 00:02:32.639
 Lord, hear our prayer.

00:02:33.579 --> 00:02:36.000
 Show us favor and forgive us.

00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:38.000
 Amen.

00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:40.000
 Amen.

00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:48.159
 And then we remind ourselves of some of the wonderful promises that we have in the gospel.

00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:58.420
 John chapter 3, verse 16, speaks to us of the certain promise of forgiveness and eternal life.

00:02:58.419 --> 00:03:10.419
 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

00:03:10.779 --> 00:03:13.159
 Or as we have it again in Romans 8, verse 1,

00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:19.939
 And therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

00:03:21.299 --> 00:03:24.159
 And now we're going to hear God's word.

00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:31.539
 And Neil Campbell is going to come and read that for us from Luke chapter 18, beginning at verse 9.

00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:32.199
 Thanks, Neil.

00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:46.979
 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable.

00:03:48.079 --> 00:03:53.359
 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:56.699
 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself.

00:03:57.539 --> 00:04:04.780
 God, I thank you that I am not like other men, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:08.699
 I fast twice a week and I give a tenth of all I get.

00:04:09.879 --> 00:04:12.240
 But the tax collector stood at a distance.

00:04:12.939 --> 00:04:16.639
 He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said,

00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:19.019
 God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

00:04:19.019 --> 00:04:25.079
 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.

00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:31.740
 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

00:04:33.339 --> 00:04:36.399
 People were bringing their babies to Jesus to have him touch them.

00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:39.439
 When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.

00:04:40.039 --> 00:04:42.719
 But Jesus called the children to him and said,

00:04:43.419 --> 00:04:49.079
 Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

00:04:49.899 --> 00:04:50.939
 I tell you the truth.

00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:56.179
 Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

00:04:56.180 --> 00:04:59.199
 A certain ruler asked him,

00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:03.420
 Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:05.660
 Why do you call me good?

00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:06.519
 Jesus answered.

00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:08.780
 No one is good except God alone.

00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:11.300
 You know the commandments.

00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:14.300
 Do not commit adultery.

00:05:14.699 --> 00:05:15.480
 Do not murder.

00:05:15.899 --> 00:05:16.740
 Do not steal.

00:05:17.340 --> 00:05:18.740
 Do not give false testimony.

00:05:19.399 --> 00:05:21.019
 Honor your father and mother.

00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:24.740
 All these I have kept since I was a boy, he said.

00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:27.900
 When Jesus heard this, he said to him,

00:05:28.579 --> 00:05:30.019
 You still lack one thing.

00:05:30.939 --> 00:05:35.460
 Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.

00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:37.759
 Then come, follow me.

00:05:38.680 --> 00:05:43.460
 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.

00:05:44.620 --> 00:05:45.900
 Jesus looked at him and said,

00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:49.340
 How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.

00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:53.780
 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle

00:05:53.779 --> 00:05:56.839
 than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

00:05:58.299 --> 00:05:59.639
 Those who heard this asked,

00:05:59.919 --> 00:06:01.159
 Who then can be saved?

00:06:02.059 --> 00:06:02.959
 Jesus replied,

00:06:03.479 --> 00:06:06.739
 What is impossible with men is possible with God.

00:06:07.539 --> 00:06:08.659
 Peter said to him,

00:06:09.119 --> 00:06:11.519
 We have left all we had to follow you.

00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:13.339
 I tell you the truth,

00:06:13.859 --> 00:06:14.659
 Jesus said to them,

00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:19.719
 No one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children

00:06:19.719 --> 00:06:21.560
 for the sake of the kingdom of God

00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:25.180
 will fail to receive many times as much in this age

00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:26.879
 and in the age to come,

00:06:27.479 --> 00:06:28.279
 eternal life.

00:06:28.279 --> 00:06:40.819
 Let's come and pray to God once again.

00:06:40.959 --> 00:06:41.459
 Let's pray.

00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:49.379
 Lord, we thank you that throughout the pages of the Bible,

00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:50.899
 we hear you,

00:06:52.119 --> 00:06:53.099
 our God and Father,

00:06:53.099 --> 00:06:55.079
 we hear Jesus, the Savior,

00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:57.919
 inviting us to come to you,

00:06:59.059 --> 00:07:00.699
 come when we are weary,

00:07:01.339 --> 00:07:03.559
 come when we are burdened,

00:07:03.559 --> 00:07:04.739
 and to find rest.

00:07:06.039 --> 00:07:09.479
 Thank you for the reminder from this scripture

00:07:09.479 --> 00:07:13.279
 that anyone can come to you and find mercy,

00:07:14.379 --> 00:07:20.179
 that eternal life is not a matter of earning our way into the kingdom,

00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:25.179
 but rather it's humbly and independently receiving,

00:07:25.699 --> 00:07:27.099
 just like a child.

00:07:27.100 --> 00:07:29.860
 Lord, we thank you for your great grace

00:07:29.860 --> 00:07:32.620
 and your mercy that you show to us

00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:35.640
 in and through the Lord Jesus.

00:07:36.640 --> 00:07:37.800
 And so we would ask

00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:39.520
 that you would give us

00:07:39.520 --> 00:07:42.160
 a fresh measure and experience

00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:43.980
 of your grace and your goodness,

00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:46.060
 your kindness and your mercy today.

00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:50.560
 And we pray especially for those who are here today

00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:53.480
 with heavy hearts for different reasons,

00:07:54.420 --> 00:07:57.220
 those who are struggling physically,

00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:01.439
 those who are carrying heavy burdens

00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:05.300
 to do with families and friendships,

00:08:06.019 --> 00:08:10.519
 those who are concerned about health matters

00:08:10.519 --> 00:08:12.519
 and financial matters,

00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:16.919
 those who are burdened down in so many ways.

00:08:18.039 --> 00:08:21.120
 Lord, may each of them and each of us

00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:24.419
 be coming and laying our burdens down

00:08:24.419 --> 00:08:27.199
 and resting in the Lord Jesus

00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:30.019
 and knowing his kindness in a special way.

00:08:30.019 --> 00:08:33.019
 Lord, we pray for anybody who perhaps feels

00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:35.679
 particularly discouraged today,

00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:40.240
 finding that following Jesus is hard.

00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:44.399
 Pray for those who are giving up hope

00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:47.240
 and wondering if things will ever get better.

00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:50.279
 Lord, may the light of your glory

00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:53.740
 shine in a new way today for them,

00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:57.799
 that you would give living hope

00:08:57.799 --> 00:09:02.060
 as you remind us of Jesus, our living Savior.

00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:07.600
 Lord, we pray too for our families and our friends.

00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:10.240
 We think especially of those

00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:13.480
 who as yet are not followers of the Lord Jesus.

00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:16.940
 Lord, one of the things that causes our hearts

00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:18.720
 to feel so sad is often

00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:21.379
 to think about the people we love the most

00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:24.759
 who are far from the kingdom,

00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:27.019
 who seem to have so little concern

00:09:27.019 --> 00:09:28.960
 for their eternal well-being,

00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:32.439
 who don't seem to want to hear

00:09:32.439 --> 00:09:34.220
 the good news of the Lord Jesus.

00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:37.759
 And we recognize that what's impossible with us

00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:39.919
 is eminently possible with you,

00:09:40.460 --> 00:09:42.820
 a God of powerful, saving grace.

00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:47.000
 And so we pray to see transformation

00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:49.039
 by your grace,

00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:51.159
 that you would break down barriers,

00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:52.860
 that you would soften hearts,

00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:55.279
 that men and women, boys and girls,

00:09:55.439 --> 00:09:56.579
 young and old,

00:09:57.439 --> 00:09:59.379
 those who we pray for often,

00:09:59.959 --> 00:10:01.919
 those who we've prayed for for years,

00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:04.419
 that you might be drawing them

00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:06.659
 so that we and they

00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:08.899
 would give glory to you together.

00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:10.959
 Lord, help us to pray

00:10:10.959 --> 00:10:12.539
 and not to give up.

00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:14.799
 Help us to remember

00:10:14.799 --> 00:10:17.639
 that you are the God who loves to save.

00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:21.480
 Lord, we pray too for our city

00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:23.559
 and for our nation today.

00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:26.120
 And we pray for those

00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:28.399
 who are in authority over us

00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:30.059
 locally and nationally,

00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:32.220
 that with the burdens

00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:34.500
 and responsibilities that they carry,

00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:37.600
 Lord, with the wisdom that they need,

00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:39.639
 that you would cause them

00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.980
 to humble themselves

00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:42.259
 and to seek your wisdom,

00:10:42.439 --> 00:10:43.580
 to seek your faith.

00:10:43.580 --> 00:10:45.759
 Help us as your people

00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:48.480
 to support them in our prayers,

00:10:48.920 --> 00:10:50.700
 to honour them in the way

00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:51.820
 that we obey,

00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:53.240
 in the way that we speak

00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:55.660
 of those who rule over us.

00:10:56.520 --> 00:10:58.180
 And Lord, we give you thanks too

00:10:58.180 --> 00:11:01.480
 for our emergency services.

00:11:01.920 --> 00:11:03.160
 And we thank you for those

00:11:03.160 --> 00:11:07.160
 who sacrifice so much for us,

00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:08.759
 between our health service

00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:09.540
 and the police

00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:11.039
 and the fire services,

00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:14.099
 those who give of themselves,

00:11:14.319 --> 00:11:16.199
 those who take great risks

00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:17.059
 for our health

00:11:17.059 --> 00:11:18.399
 and peace and security.

00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:21.199
 Lord, we pray in particular

00:11:21.199 --> 00:11:22.339
 for those we know

00:11:22.339 --> 00:11:23.779
 who are Christians

00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:24.959
 who are serving there,

00:11:25.099 --> 00:11:26.199
 Lord, that you would keep them,

00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:27.120
 encourage them,

00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:28.559
 especially sometimes

00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:29.419
 when it's so hard

00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.939
 to get to church regularly

00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:32.740
 because of responsibilities at work.

00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:35.139
 Lord, give them times of rest,

00:11:35.419 --> 00:11:36.500
 times in your word,

00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:38.219
 times to pray

00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.860
 and to know your presence

00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:42.820
 and the joy of fellowship with you.

00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:44.759
 Lord, we pray

00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:47.399
 for the work of the gospel

00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:48.879
 in our city

00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:50.139
 and in our nation.

00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:53.139
 Lord, we pray that rich and poor

00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:54.759
 and old and young,

00:11:55.300 --> 00:11:57.420
 people who have always called

00:11:57.420 --> 00:11:58.379
 Scotland home,

00:11:58.920 --> 00:11:59.779
 people who have moved

00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:01.080
 from different parts of the world,

00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:01.940
 that together

00:12:01.940 --> 00:12:03.279
 we would discover

00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:05.040
 the joy of knowing Jesus,

00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:07.500
 that you would be at work

00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:09.179
 through your words,

00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:10.100
 you'd be at work

00:12:10.100 --> 00:12:11.360
 through your people,

00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:13.240
 Sunday by Sunday

00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:15.000
 as churches gather,

00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:16.980
 week by week

00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:18.460
 as your people scatter,

00:12:18.980 --> 00:12:19.960
 to be a blessing

00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:21.200
 in our communities.

00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:22.879
 Lord, be pleased

00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:24.539
 to point many

00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:26.860
 to hope in Jesus.

00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:28.820
 And Lord, we pray

00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:31.000
 for our world.

00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:32.480
 We recognize

00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:34.740
 there is so much darkness,

00:12:35.340 --> 00:12:36.639
 there is so much sadness,

00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:38.680
 there is so much warfare

00:12:38.680 --> 00:12:39.960
 and strife.

00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:42.259
 Lord, we pray

00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.080
 for the ministry

00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:44.580
 of the Prince of Peace.

00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:46.240
 And we pray

00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:48.220
 for a day

00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:50.279
 when true peace

00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:51.060
 would reign,

00:12:52.200 --> 00:12:54.300
 peace of the Lord Jesus

00:12:54.300 --> 00:12:55.980
 that passes understanding

00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:57.580
 would be formed

00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.659
 in people's hearts

00:12:58.659 --> 00:12:59.720
 and lives.

00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:01.660
 Lord, we recognize

00:13:01.660 --> 00:13:02.779
 lasting hope

00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:04.240
 and lasting change

00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:06.139
 is found ultimately

00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:06.740
 and only

00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:08.060
 in the Lord Jesus.

00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:09.940
 And we thank you

00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:10.639
 for the promise

00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:11.340
 in your word

00:13:11.340 --> 00:13:12.560
 that there is a day coming

00:13:12.560 --> 00:13:14.019
 when the Lord Jesus

00:13:14.019 --> 00:13:14.940
 will return,

00:13:15.560 --> 00:13:16.360
 when he will make

00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:17.519
 this world new,

00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:19.420
 when he will deal

00:13:19.420 --> 00:13:20.600
 once and for all

00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:22.000
 with all that is evil

00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.080
 and unjust,

00:13:23.540 --> 00:13:24.440
 when his people

00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:25.080
 will live

00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:26.200
 in a world

00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:27.759
 made perfect forever,

00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:29.620
 that we will enjoy

00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:31.019
 perfectly restored

00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:33.419
 bodies and minds,

00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:34.720
 able to worship,

00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.580
 able to truly love.

00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:38.700
 Lord, give us

00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:39.259
 a longing

00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:40.340
 for that day

00:13:40.340 --> 00:13:42.240
 to work,

00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:42.840
 to see

00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:44.019
 your kingdom come

00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:45.039
 and your will be done

00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:45.519
 on earth

00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.379
 as it is in heaven.

00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.019
 Hear our prayers

00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:48.639
 we ask

00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:50.220
 in Jesus' name.

00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:50.960
 Amen.

00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:54.799
 Now, before we turn back

00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:56.159
 to Luke chapter 18,

00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:56.879
 we're going to sing

00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:58.019
 another section

00:13:58.019 --> 00:13:58.620
 of a psalm,

00:13:58.659 --> 00:14:00.679
 this time from Psalm 19,

00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:02.559
 a reflection on the beauty

00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:03.139
 and the value

00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.379
 of the word of God.

00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:07.139
 Psalm 19 from 7 to 11,

00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:08.500
 and we'll stand together

00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.039
 to sing.

00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:18.779
 The perfect love

00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:24.000
 of God revives the soul

00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:26.100
 of man.

00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:28.559
 His statutes,

00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:30.620
 which are sure,

00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:36.639
 make wise the simple one.

00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:41.100
 The precepts of the Lord

00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:42.319
 are right,

00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:54.460
 God's radiant command

00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:58.379
 and shed light

00:14:58.379 --> 00:15:01.780
 on what we see.

00:15:01.780 --> 00:15:05.060
 The fear of God

00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:06.579
 is pure

00:15:06.579 --> 00:15:11.299
 and lasts eternally.

00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:14.479
 The standards

00:15:14.479 --> 00:15:17.139
 of the Lord

00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:18.339
 express

00:15:18.339 --> 00:15:21.339
 His perfect truth

00:15:21.339 --> 00:15:25.259
 and righteousness.

00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:31.139
 of far more worth

00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:33.319
 than gold,

00:15:33.319 --> 00:15:36.539
 than much pure gold

00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:38.720
 they are,

00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.840
 than honey

00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:44.220
 from the comb,

00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:46.360
 than honey

00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:48.759
 sweeter far.

00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:51.759
 they warn

00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:53.220
 the servant

00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:55.759
 of the Lord

00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:57.620
 in keeping

00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:59.179
 them

00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:01.299
 His great

00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:03.039
 reward.

00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:09.699
 Now,

00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.579
 if you have your Bibles,

00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.079
 perhaps,

00:16:11.659 --> 00:16:13.199
 you can have them open

00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:14.860
 so we can consider

00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:16.339
 these words together.

00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:17.459
 Page 1052

00:16:17.459 --> 00:16:18.139
 if you're using

00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:18.919
 the church Bible.

00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.419
 We're thinking today

00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.779
 about how to gain

00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:23.879
 or how to miss

00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:26.059
 eternal life.

00:16:26.439 --> 00:16:27.679
 As we begin,

00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:29.779
 I wonder

00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:31.659
 if you find yourself

00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.120
 this week

00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.019
 sparing a thought

00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.500
 for the man

00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:35.179
 called John Cheeks.

00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.460
 If you are paying

00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.259
 attention to some

00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.299
 of the more obscure

00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:40.320
 items of news

00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:40.940
 this week,

00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:41.519
 you might know

00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.700
 that John Cheeks

00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:44.379
 was the man

00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:46.679
 who is suing

00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.720
 the lottery

00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.259
 in America.

00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.560
 In January

00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:52.080
 of 2023,

00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.600
 the U.S.

00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.360
 lottery was

00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.340
 testing all its

00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.139
 machines to make

00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.620
 sure that they

00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:57.279
 were functioning

00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:57.940
 correctly.

00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.419
 In error,

00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:00.680
 it printed

00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:02.599
 some lottery

00:17:02.599 --> 00:17:04.259
 numbers online.

00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.819
 Guess whose numbers

00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.419
 came up?

00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:08.059
 Mr. John Cheeks.

00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.960
 On that day,

00:17:10.379 --> 00:17:11.220
 he thought he had

00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.679
 gained

00:17:11.679 --> 00:17:14.099
 $340 million

00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:16.559
 until

00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:18.379
 the lottery

00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:19.919
 recognized their error.

00:17:20.919 --> 00:17:21.980
 He missed out

00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:23.179
 on that jackpot.

00:17:24.379 --> 00:17:25.000
 He's suing them

00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.059
 for emotional distress.

00:17:26.639 --> 00:17:27.519
 He wants to get

00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:27.919
 his money.

00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.600
 He thought it

00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:29.180
 was his.

00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:30.860
 Turned out

00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:31.580
 he was wrong.

00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.840
 The story of

00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:34.480
 John Cheeks

00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.240
 helps us

00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.340
 into the story

00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:36.900
 of some of the

00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:37.680
 men we meet

00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.440
 on the road

00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.300
 with Jesus.

00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.340
 There's an

00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:41.759
 individual,

00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:42.600
 a rich ruler,

00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:43.400
 and there's a

00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:44.019
 group of people

00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.900
 who presume,

00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.460
 they presume

00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.039
 they have

00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:48.019
 ultimate gain,

00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.320
 a gain that

00:17:49.320 --> 00:17:49.900
 makes winning

00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:50.460
 the lottery

00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:50.980
 seem like

00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.720
 small change.

00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.080
 They presumed

00:17:53.080 --> 00:17:53.880
 they were

00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:54.720
 in God's

00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.140
 kingdom.

00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:56.759
 Eternal life

00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.240
 with God

00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:57.799
 was theirs

00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.819
 for sure,

00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:01.059
 but it turns

00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.619
 out they

00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:02.920
 were in error.

00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.799
 They thought

00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.140
 they were

00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:06.140
 measuring up

00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:06.980
 perfectly to

00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.900
 God's standards.

00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:10.119
 Jesus is going

00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:10.640
 to tell them

00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:11.339
 they were wrong.

00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.039
 They thought

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.859
 God's kingdom

00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:14.599
 worked on the

00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.599
 basis of merit,

00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:16.379
 and they had

00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:17.400
 merited a place

00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:18.299
 at God's table.

00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.220
 Again,

00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:20.379
 Jesus is going

00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:21.099
 to tell them

00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:22.700
 they're wrong.

00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:25.180
 Jesus provides

00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.620
 a reality

00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:27.500
 check

00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:30.160
 to warn

00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:31.840
 of this

00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:32.299
 error.

00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.220
 He tells

00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:35.940
 a story

00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:37.080
 where the

00:18:37.080 --> 00:18:37.600
 hero of the

00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:37.860
 story,

00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.240
 the one who's

00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.500
 in the

00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:38.720
 kingdom,

00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.180
 is the

00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.660
 tax collector.

00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:42.440
 And against

00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:42.940
 those who are

00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:43.940
 trying to earn

00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.440
 their way into

00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:44.840
 the kingdom,

00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.500
 Jesus says

00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:45.900
 the kingdom

00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:46.880
 belongs to

00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:47.819
 those who are

00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:49.100
 like little

00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:50.299
 children,

00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:51.299
 those who bring

00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:52.419
 nothing to the

00:18:52.419 --> 00:18:52.799
 table,

00:18:52.919 --> 00:18:53.440
 as it were,

00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:55.599
 they are in.

00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:57.980
 It can be a

00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:59.019
 hard lesson to

00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.500
 learn.

00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:02.299
 Let's go back

00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.259
 to our

00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.700
 playground days.

00:19:05.419 --> 00:19:06.180
 Some of us,

00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.159
 they're still here.

00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:07.680
 For some of us,

00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.220
 we have to go a

00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:08.779
 little bit further

00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.279
 back.

00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:10.480
 Remember how teams

00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.659
 were picked in

00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:12.480
 school, how teams

00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.299
 probably have always

00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:13.960
 been picked in

00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.200
 school?

00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:14.700
 You would have

00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.500
 captains,

00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:17.440
 and those captains,

00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.119
 they would decide

00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:19.119
 who got to choose

00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:19.519
 first.

00:19:19.879 --> 00:19:20.500
 And of course,

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.220
 when it comes to

00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:21.960
 team selection,

00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.019
 you choose

00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.420
 whoever you think

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.039
 is the best.

00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:27.079
 And maybe

00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:28.980
 you also choose

00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.640
 those who you're

00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:30.160
 friends with.

00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.799
 So gradually,

00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.819
 it works its way

00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.779
 down until

00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.640
 there's just one

00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:36.180
 or two people

00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:37.859
 left at the end.

00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:39.000
 Well, as we

00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.640
 grow up,

00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.319
 we probably

00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:41.140
 realize the

00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:42.039
 pattern doesn't

00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.940
 always change

00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.660
 so much.

00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.140
 In our

00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:45.960
 workplaces,

00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.119
 typically,

00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:47.920
 it's the skilled

00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.759
 and the successful

00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.839
 who get the

00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:51.019
 special responsibilities,

00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.619
 who get the

00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.099
 promotions.

00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:53.559
 In friendships,

00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.119
 typically,

00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.720
 it's the funny

00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.400
 and the outgoing

00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:56.059
 who get the

00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:57.039
 party invites.

00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.259
 So the problem

00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:58.879
 comes if we

00:19:58.879 --> 00:19:59.819
 apply that way

00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.420
 of thinking

00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:02.259
 to religion.

00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:03.920
 God's kingdom

00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.960
 must work like

00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.480
 the rest of the

00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.359
 world works.

00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:07.319
 God will accept

00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.099
 me because I

00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.420
 am.

00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:10.379
 Well,

00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.099
 here is Jesus,

00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.160
 and He's

00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:13.019
 walking closer

00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.900
 to the cross,

00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.619
 the place where

00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:15.339
 He will die,

00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.779
 and He needs

00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.480
 us to hear

00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.339
 and to understand

00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.379
 that the greatest

00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:20.579
 of all gains,

00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:22.199
 the gain of

00:20:22.199 --> 00:20:22.799
 knowing God

00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:23.199
 and having

00:20:23.199 --> 00:20:23.939
 eternal life,

00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:24.959
 doesn't come

00:20:24.959 --> 00:20:25.839
 because we

00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.500
 earn it.

00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.639
 It comes by

00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.439
 God's gift.

00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.459
 It comes

00:20:29.459 --> 00:20:30.379
 because of

00:20:30.379 --> 00:20:30.759
 grace.

00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:32.459
 So how does

00:20:32.459 --> 00:20:32.980
 He help us

00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.559
 to get there?

00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:34.579
 Three questions

00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.459
 that we can

00:20:35.459 --> 00:20:36.019
 take from our

00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.199
 text.

00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.579
 The first

00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:37.079
 question,

00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:38.240
 ask the question,

00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.919
 how do we

00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:41.179
 measure?

00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:42.740
 This is

00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.679
 verses 9

00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.960
 to 14.

00:20:45.080 --> 00:20:45.380
 Look at

00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:46.019
 verse 9,

00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:46.820
 to some who

00:20:46.820 --> 00:20:47.519
 are confident

00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.299
 of their own

00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:48.820
 righteousness

00:20:48.820 --> 00:20:50.279
 and look down

00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.680
 on everyone

00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.000
 else,

00:20:51.080 --> 00:20:51.720
 Jesus told

00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.500
 this parable.

00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.380
 Last Sunday,

00:20:54.820 --> 00:20:55.420
 I was down

00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:55.980
 in the borders,

00:20:56.080 --> 00:20:56.539
 I was preaching

00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.000
 down in

00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.700
 Galashios,

00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.640
 in the community

00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:00.400
 center there,

00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.019
 we shared

00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:02.320
 space with a

00:21:02.320 --> 00:21:02.880
 group called

00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:03.840
 Rugby Tots.

00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.500
 So little

00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.039
 two,

00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:06.460
 three,

00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:07.299
 four year olds

00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.340
 learning the

00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:08.960
 basics of

00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.240
 rugby,

00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:09.720
 learning how

00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.080
 to catch

00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:10.360
 a ball,

00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:10.880
 learning how

00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.500
 to pass.

00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.259
 Some of

00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.420
 them,

00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:12.960
 they were all

00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.340
 very cute,

00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:13.599
 some of

00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:13.919
 them seemed

00:21:13.919 --> 00:21:14.500
 quite decent,

00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:14.959
 but not

00:21:14.959 --> 00:21:15.459
 any of

00:21:15.459 --> 00:21:16.699
 them were

00:21:16.699 --> 00:21:16.980
 on the

00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.659
 same level

00:21:17.659 --> 00:21:18.419
 as the

00:21:18.419 --> 00:21:19.179
 Six Nations

00:21:19.179 --> 00:21:19.679
 team that

00:21:19.679 --> 00:21:20.459
 played yesterday.

00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:22.159
 The best

00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:23.159
 rugby taught

00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:24.000
 in the

00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.259
 Scottish

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:25.419
 borders was

00:21:25.419 --> 00:21:26.359
 not playing

00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.259
 for the

00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:27.480
 Scottish

00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.139
 national team

00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:28.699
 yesterday.

00:21:29.699 --> 00:21:30.419
 But imagine

00:21:30.419 --> 00:21:31.759
 the three year

00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.339
 old in

00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.199
 Galashios who

00:21:33.199 --> 00:21:33.879
 was feeling

00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:34.839
 particularly good

00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.240
 about their

00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.879
 ball handling

00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:36.240
 skills,

00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:36.519
 thinking,

00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:37.199
 I'm the

00:21:37.199 --> 00:21:38.240
 best rugby

00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.240
 player ever.

00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.920
 if they'd

00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.920
 switched on

00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:42.620
 the TV

00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:43.259
 yesterday

00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.740
 evening,

00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:44.279
 if they'd

00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.720
 watched

00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.980
 Gregor Townsend's

00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.700
 team play,

00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:47.519
 they would

00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.240
 have received

00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.779
 an important

00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.920
 reality check.

00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.120
 How we

00:21:52.120 --> 00:21:53.000
 measure

00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:54.779
 matters.

00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.019
 And so

00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.900
 Jesus uses

00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:57.720
 a parable

00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.940
 to deliver

00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.559
 a reality

00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.019
 check to

00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.500
 a man,

00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.240
 to a group

00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:01.599
 of men

00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:01.960
 who are

00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.620
 measuring

00:22:02.620 --> 00:22:03.299
 themselves

00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.059
 against other

00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:04.460
 people.

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:05.960
 And they're

00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.680
 feeling really

00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.140
 good about

00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:07.519
 themselves,

00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:07.940
 and they're

00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.619
 despising

00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:09.119
 other people,

00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.759
 and they're

00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.920
 really confident

00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.639
 of being

00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:13.400
 in God's

00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.279
 team.

00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:14.720
 And so

00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.339
 Jesus tells

00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:15.940
 a parable.

00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.339
 He paints

00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:17.759
 a picture

00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.379
 of two

00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:20.099
 praying men.

00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:20.519
 Two people

00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.400
 come to

00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:22.059
 the same

00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:23.200
 place of

00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:23.799
 worship.

00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.839
 There's a

00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.220
 number of

00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.240
 different things

00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.879
 that are the

00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:28.319
 same,

00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.180
 one or two

00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:29.720
 that are

00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:31.379
 very different,

00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.059
 and key

00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.799
 is how they

00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.240
 measure.

00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.799
 Listen to

00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.559
 how Jesus

00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:38.240
 describes

00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:38.819
 the religious

00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.579
 man.

00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:41.579
 The Pharisee,

00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:42.879
 he stood

00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.819
 by himself.

00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.240
 He is

00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:45.960
 standing

00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:47.000
 apart

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:49.139
 because of

00:22:49.139 --> 00:22:49.659
 his pride.

00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:50.839
 I don't

00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.220
 want to be

00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:52.059
 associated

00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:52.960
 with these

00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.859
 lesser

00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:54.599
 mortals

00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.579
 over here.

00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.059
 We hear

00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.440
 it in his

00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:57.859
 words,

00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.339
 God,

00:22:58.419 --> 00:22:59.139
 I thank

00:22:59.139 --> 00:22:59.639
 you

00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:01.359
 that I'm

00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:01.819
 not like

00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.379
 other people.

00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.680
 I am

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.480
 so thankful

00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:04.839
 that I'm

00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.079
 in a

00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:05.419
 different

00:23:05.419 --> 00:23:05.879
 moral

00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:06.619
 category.

00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:09.460
 So,

00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:09.859
 interesting,

00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.440
 he's clearly

00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.399
 very sincere

00:23:11.399 --> 00:23:12.319
 and religious.

00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.759
 I fast

00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.599
 twice a

00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:14.879
 week,

00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.279
 I give

00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.839
 a tenth

00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.619
 of all

00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.519
 I get,

00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:18.659
 but his

00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.700
 heart is

00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.879
 not right

00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:21.799
 before

00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.799
 God.

00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.139
 But then,

00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.680
 Jesus introduces

00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.579
 the rebellious

00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.039
 man,

00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.139
 the tax

00:23:29.139 --> 00:23:29.659
 collector

00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:30.839
 who robs

00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.619
 his own

00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.079
 people,

00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:32.899
 who works

00:23:32.899 --> 00:23:33.919
 with the

00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:34.419
 enemy,

00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:35.659
 the tax

00:23:35.659 --> 00:23:36.000
 collector

00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.420
 two.

00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.019
 He stood

00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.240
 at a

00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.700
 distance.

00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.259
 He stands

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.900
 apart,

00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.059
 but he

00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.440
 stands

00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.019
 apart

00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:44.119
 because he

00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:44.539
 feels and

00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.220
 he knows

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.400
 he's

00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:46.960
 unworthy.

00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.700
 He would

00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.140
 not even

00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:52.799
 look up to

00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.099
 heaven.

00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:53.640
 Standard

00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:54.299
 way to

00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:54.759
 pray.

00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:56.819
 He doesn't

00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:58.319
 feel he

00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.059
 deserves it.

00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.779
 He beats

00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.539
 his breast

00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:02.259
 as a sign

00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.700
 of deep

00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:03.599
 grief and

00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.259
 repentance,

00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.740
 because of

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.339
 his sin.

00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.599
 And how

00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:07.879
 does he

00:24:07.879 --> 00:24:08.319
 pray?

00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:09.619
 He

00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:09.920
 prays,

00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.460
 God,

00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.240
 have

00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.119
 mercy on

00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.599
 me,

00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:13.799
 a sinner.

00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:15.519
 Literally,

00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:16.339
 God,

00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.859
 be propitiated

00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.700
 to me,

00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:19.480
 a sinner.

00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.160
 God,

00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:21.339
 turn your

00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.099
 anger

00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:23.599
 away from

00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:23.859
 me.

00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:24.779
 I know

00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.400
 I am a

00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:25.599
 sinner.

00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:26.160
 I know

00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:26.779
 I deserve

00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.299
 your anger,

00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:27.879
 but please

00:24:27.879 --> 00:24:28.579
 have mercy.

00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.539
 Turn the

00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.039
 anger

00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:31.039
 away

00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.420
 from

00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:31.839
 me.

00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:33.420
 As

00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:33.680
 Jesus

00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.019
 tells

00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.619
 the story,

00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:34.879
 he's

00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:35.279
 reminding

00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.639
 us of

00:24:35.639 --> 00:24:36.079
 why he

00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:36.519
 is going

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:36.899
 to the

00:24:36.899 --> 00:24:37.420
 cross.

00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.599
 Jesus

00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:39.200
 is going

00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:39.599
 to the

00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.099
 cross to

00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:40.440
 be a

00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:40.960
 substitute

00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.720
 so the

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.299
 anger of

00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:42.819
 God against

00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.379
 our sin

00:24:43.379 --> 00:24:43.759
 might not

00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.180
 fall on

00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:44.379
 us,

00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:44.639
 but it

00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.500
 might fall

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.519
 on

00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:46.879
 Jesus.

00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.220
 Now,

00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.579
 we get to

00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:50.920
 the sting

00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.139
 in the

00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:51.420
 tail,

00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:51.700
 don't

00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:51.960
 we?

00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.220
 This

00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.639
 would be

00:24:54.639 --> 00:24:55.059
 a total

00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.700
 shock to

00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:55.980
 Jesus'

00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.500
 original

00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.019
 hearers.

00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:57.559
 We

00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.180
 already know,

00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:58.500
 we've

00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:58.899
 decided,

00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.340
 we've

00:24:59.340 --> 00:24:59.820
 heard the

00:24:59.820 --> 00:25:00.340
 gospels

00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:00.800
 probably,

00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:01.620
 so we

00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:01.980
 know who

00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.259
 the good

00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:02.620
 guys and

00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:02.960
 the bad

00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.480
 guys are,

00:25:03.560 --> 00:25:03.880
 but in

00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:04.240
 Jesus'

00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:04.660
 day,

00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.460
 the Pharisees

00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.080
 are the

00:25:06.080 --> 00:25:06.500
 elite.

00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:07.780
 These are

00:25:07.780 --> 00:25:08.160
 God's

00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:08.600
 men.

00:25:10.040 --> 00:25:10.300
 Jesus

00:25:10.300 --> 00:25:10.580
 says,

00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:10.900
 I tell

00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:10.980
 you,

00:25:11.080 --> 00:25:11.300
 this

00:25:11.300 --> 00:25:11.759
 man,

00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.120
 rather

00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:13.480
 than the

00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:13.700
 other,

00:25:13.800 --> 00:25:14.240
 went home

00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.800
 justified

00:25:14.800 --> 00:25:16.200
 before

00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.660
 God.

00:25:18.300 --> 00:25:18.740
 Who

00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.040
 is the

00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:19.320
 one who

00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:19.820
 is declared

00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:20.140
 to be

00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:20.540
 in right

00:25:20.540 --> 00:25:21.019
 standing

00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.740
 with God?

00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:22.340
 Who

00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:22.580
 is the

00:25:22.580 --> 00:25:22.860
 one who

00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:23.160
 is in

00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.340
 the

00:25:23.340 --> 00:25:23.620
 kingdom,

00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:23.860
 who

00:25:23.860 --> 00:25:24.100
 is on

00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:24.220
 his

00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.440
 way

00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:24.620
 to

00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:25.180
 enjoy

00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:25.680
 eternal

00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.060
 life?

00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.220
 It's

00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:27.680
 the bad

00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.100
 guy.

00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.340
 God

00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:30.860
 because he

00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:31.380
 shows true

00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:31.880
 humility.

00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:34.440
 He confesses

00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:34.960
 his sin.

00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.540
 He knows

00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:38.040
 he needs

00:25:38.040 --> 00:25:38.500
 mercy and

00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:38.900
 he seeks

00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.680
 mercy from

00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.240
 God.

00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:42.340
 That would

00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:42.740
 have shocked

00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.180
 the crowd

00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.660
 in Jesus'

00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:44.000
 day.

00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:44.180
 And

00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:44.640
 actually,

00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.980
 this teaching

00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.620
 still shocks

00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.440
 people today.

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:48.559
 sin.

00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.920
 I don't

00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.059
 know if

00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.220
 you've

00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.380
 ever

00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.720
 had

00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.059
 those

00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:52.240
 conversations

00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.860
 where you

00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:53.440
 understand

00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:54.259
 that this

00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.900
 sinner's

00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.519
 prayer can

00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.400
 still cause

00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:57.220
 a great

00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.799
 scandal

00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:59.120
 and offence.

00:25:59.320 --> 00:26:00.000
 As people

00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.900
 understand

00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:02.360
 that Jesus

00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:02.779
 has come

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.200
 to save

00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.180
 anyone,

00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.860
 anyone who

00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:06.900
 confesses sin

00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.460
 and trusts in

00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:07.880
 Jesus will

00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:08.279
 be saved.

00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:09.980
 Maybe I've

00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.299
 conversed,

00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.720
 you mean the

00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.740
 very worst

00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.740
 of criminals?

00:26:14.580 --> 00:26:15.400
 They could be

00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.039
 saved if they

00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.820
 trusted in

00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.200
 Jesus.

00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:19.039
 You mean a

00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.139
 horrible tyrant

00:26:20.139 --> 00:26:20.939
 and dictator

00:26:20.939 --> 00:26:21.599
 could be

00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:24.119
 saved even

00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.679
 if as they

00:26:24.679 --> 00:26:25.139
 were dying

00:26:25.139 --> 00:26:25.559
 they turned

00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:25.980
 to put their

00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.439
 trust in

00:26:26.439 --> 00:26:26.539
 Jesus?

00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:26.759
 And the

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.220
 answer is

00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:27.740
 yes.

00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:30.419
 God is

00:26:30.419 --> 00:26:30.980
 gracious.

00:26:31.939 --> 00:26:32.220
 Jesus'

00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:34.059
 grace is

00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.700
 wonderful and

00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.200
 shocking.

00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.319
 Jesus explains

00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.659
 why the

00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.259
 tax collector

00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.159
 was justified.

00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.139
 It's this

00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:43.879
 principle of

00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:45.359
 reversal that

00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:46.079
 Jesus keeps

00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.599
 introducing

00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.039
 end of

00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.679
 verse 14.

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.119
 All those

00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:48.619
 who exalt

00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:49.119
 themselves

00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:49.419
 will be

00:26:49.419 --> 00:26:49.859
 humbled

00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:51.439
 and those

00:26:51.439 --> 00:26:51.959
 who humble

00:26:51.959 --> 00:26:52.519
 themselves

00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.199
 will be

00:26:53.199 --> 00:26:53.899
 exalted.

00:26:54.199 --> 00:26:54.639
 What goes

00:26:54.639 --> 00:26:55.240
 up must

00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:56.299
 first go

00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:57.339
 down.

00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.219
 Unlike the

00:26:59.219 --> 00:26:59.899
 Pharisee who

00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.839
 compared himself

00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.359
 with others,

00:27:01.459 --> 00:27:01.959
 compared himself

00:27:01.959 --> 00:27:02.599
 with the bad

00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.259
 guys to feel

00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:03.740
 good about

00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.319
 himself and

00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:04.919
 to look down

00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:05.399
 on them,

00:27:05.939 --> 00:27:06.519
 the tax

00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.199
 collector is

00:27:07.199 --> 00:27:08.079
 justified because

00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.679
 he knows how

00:27:08.679 --> 00:27:09.240
 to measure.

00:27:10.459 --> 00:27:10.939
 He has

00:27:10.939 --> 00:27:11.980
 measured himself

00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.859
 against God's

00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.819
 perfect standard

00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.819
 and when we do

00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.539
 that we see

00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.039
 that we need

00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:16.500
 mercy.

00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:18.940
 That's what

00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.500
 Jesus wants

00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.039
 to expose

00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:20.759
 in verse 9,

00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:22.319
 a spirit of

00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.440
 self-righteousness,

00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:24.659
 a mindset that

00:27:24.659 --> 00:27:25.599
 thinks I can

00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:26.559
 win or I have

00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.319
 won God's

00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.980
 favor by my

00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.700
 actions.

00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:31.779
 And so this

00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:32.599
 story reminds us

00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:33.319
 we need to be so

00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.119
 careful with the

00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:34.819
 measures that we

00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:36.720
 use, the

00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.339
 measure that we

00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:38.079
 use towards

00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:39.779
 God to

00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:41.460
 recognize that

00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.220
 God is

00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:42.900
 perfectly

00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.519
 holy.

00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.740
 He cannot

00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.299
 bear to

00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:46.799
 look on

00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.360
 sin, he

00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:47.720
 can have

00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.259
 nothing to

00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.759
 do with

00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.100
 sin.

00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.799
 We also

00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.120
 need to

00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:52.880
 understand that

00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:54.319
 his requirement

00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.539
 is perfect

00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.120
 obedience.

00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.120
 Unlike when

00:27:58.120 --> 00:27:58.700
 we sit an

00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.299
 exam, it's

00:27:59.299 --> 00:27:59.880
 not enough

00:27:59.880 --> 00:28:00.360
 just to

00:28:00.360 --> 00:28:00.880
 scrape a

00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.440
 pass.

00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:02.500
 You know,

00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:04.120
 70% is a

00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.720
 good grade,

00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.700
 but not when

00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.360
 it comes to

00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:07.440
 obedience towards

00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:07.860
 God.

00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:09.539
 100% love

00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.139
 and obedience

00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:11.299
 is the

00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.279
 requirement that

00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.500
 he sets, and

00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.019
 so we need to

00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.559
 know that

00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.200
 measure.

00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:16.500
 The parable

00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.240
 also tells us

00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:17.680
 we need to be

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.279
 careful about

00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.559
 how we apply

00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:21.319
 measures towards

00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:21.940
 others.

00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.000
 First of all,

00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.639
 to understand

00:28:24.639 --> 00:28:26.460
 that we are

00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.220
 truly known

00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:28.000
 by God.

00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.240
 He is the

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:29.819
 one who sees

00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.700
 our hearts,

00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.740
 our minds.

00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:33.879
 That should

00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:34.779
 humble us

00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.579
 before we're so

00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:36.299
 quick to judge

00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.579
 others, but

00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.279
 also to understand

00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:39.159
 we don't ever

00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.019
 truly know

00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.779
 others.

00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.720
 So we need to

00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.500
 be super careful

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.720
 against pride

00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.279
 in a critical

00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.740
 spirit that can

00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.580
 so easily come

00:28:47.580 --> 00:28:47.900
 out.

00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:49.759
 And we also

00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:50.200
 need to be

00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:50.800
 careful with the

00:28:50.800 --> 00:28:51.660
 measure we apply

00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.720
 towards ourselves.

00:28:54.560 --> 00:28:55.340
 Sometimes it's

00:28:55.340 --> 00:28:56.240
 so important for

00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.160
 us to consider

00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:58.259
 what God's law

00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:59.300
 actually teaches,

00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:00.100
 because we know,

00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.700
 I think,

00:29:01.540 --> 00:29:02.200
 whenever we

00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:03.140
 measure by

00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:04.080
 the Ten

00:29:04.080 --> 00:29:05.000
 Commandments,

00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.500
 or we measure

00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.840
 ourselves up

00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:08.779
 against God's

00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.379
 command to

00:29:09.379 --> 00:29:09.819
 love Him

00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.259
 with all our

00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:10.740
 heart, soul,

00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.240
 mind, and

00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:11.599
 strength,

00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.259
 to love our

00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.740
 neighbor as

00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.139
 ourselves.

00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.539
 We've not

00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:15.119
 reached that

00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:15.480
 standard.

00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:16.160
 We cannot

00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:16.879
 reach that

00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:17.420
 standard.

00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.359
 So that

00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:19.180
 basing our

00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:20.220
 hope on

00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.839
 my righteousness,

00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:23.720
 pinning my

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.740
 eternal future

00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.139
 on, well,

00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:25.700
 I think I'm

00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.359
 doing better

00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.379
 than others,

00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:30.660
 that mentality

00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.720
 is to miss

00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.720
 eternal life,

00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.279
 because what we

00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:35.079
 need is the

00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.559
 gospel.

00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:36.660
 Who we need

00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:37.720
 is Jesus.

00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:38.840
 Jesus is the

00:29:38.840 --> 00:29:39.340
 only one who

00:29:39.340 --> 00:29:40.080
 is perfectly

00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:40.900
 measured up.

00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.180
 If you want to

00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:42.860
 see what perfect

00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.779
 obedience looks

00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.440
 like, you see it

00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:44.920
 in Jesus.

00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:45.840
 What does perfect

00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:46.759
 love for God and

00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.560
 neighbor looks like?

00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:49.040
 We see it in

00:29:49.040 --> 00:29:50.200
 Jesus, and we see

00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:51.759
 it in the cross.

00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:53.779
 As we said,

00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.840
 Jesus will die

00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:56.640
 on the cross as

00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.560
 God's answer to

00:29:57.560 --> 00:29:58.400
 the human problem

00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.440
 of sin, to turn

00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.560
 away God's anger

00:30:00.560 --> 00:30:01.860
 against our sin,

00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:02.919
 and it's only as

00:30:02.919 --> 00:30:04.079
 we come to Him

00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:06.399
 that we can be

00:30:06.399 --> 00:30:08.079
 justified, that we

00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:09.699
 can find mercy, that

00:30:09.699 --> 00:30:10.259
 we can enjoy

00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.139
 eternal life.

00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:13.339
 So there's the

00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:14.099
 question of how we

00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:14.599
 measure.

00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.199
 Do we measure

00:30:15.199 --> 00:30:15.959
 against God's

00:30:15.959 --> 00:30:16.279
 standard?

00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.459
 Do we measure

00:30:17.459 --> 00:30:18.259
 against our own

00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.719
 standard?

00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:21.059
 There's another

00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.959
 question to ask

00:30:21.959 --> 00:30:22.599
 ourselves, how do

00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:23.019
 we come?

00:30:23.719 --> 00:30:24.399
 Do we come on the

00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.359
 basis of grace, or

00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:26.079
 do we come on the

00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:28.339
 basis of merit?

00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:31.339
 Again, I'm sure

00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:32.039
 many of us have

00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.059
 been following the

00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:34.480
 postmaster scandal

00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:36.179
 in the news since

00:30:36.179 --> 00:30:36.839
 the turn of the

00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:38.559
 year, an example

00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.419
 of perhaps the

00:30:39.419 --> 00:30:40.819
 greatest miscarriage

00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.779
 of justice in the

00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:43.039
 UK legal system.

00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.519
 There's a Christian

00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.399
 apologist by the

00:30:46.399 --> 00:30:46.919
 name of Glenn

00:30:46.919 --> 00:30:47.439
 Scrivener.

00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:47.919
 He's written a

00:30:47.919 --> 00:30:49.220
 really insightful

00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:51.319
 essay, and one of

00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:52.839
 the key problems

00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:54.240
 that he identified

00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.779
 that the justice

00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.419
 system is now

00:30:56.419 --> 00:30:56.899
 beginning to

00:30:56.899 --> 00:30:57.799
 identify is the

00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.319
 problem of

00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.119
 pretending there

00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.679
 are no errors.

00:31:02.339 --> 00:31:02.839
 You know, the

00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:05.179
 whole refusal of

00:31:05.179 --> 00:31:06.059
 companies and

00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.939
 governments to

00:31:06.939 --> 00:31:08.299
 acknowledge that

00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:09.339
 there could possibly

00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:10.379
 be any system

00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:12.779
 errors led to

00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.539
 tens of thousands

00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.700
 being unfairly

00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.500
 victimized and

00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.220
 prosecuted.

00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:19.839
 That same error,

00:31:20.619 --> 00:31:21.419
 the error of

00:31:21.419 --> 00:31:22.220
 pretending there

00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:23.599
 are no errors,

00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:25.819
 that lies at the

00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.200
 heart of the

00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:26.939
 human condition.

00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:29.519
 we have that

00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:33.500
 inbuilt ability to

00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.759
 persuade ourselves

00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:36.019
 that we are

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.340
 right.

00:31:37.340 --> 00:31:38.180
 We have a

00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:39.140
 pretended goodness.

00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.680
 We manage to

00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:43.120
 whitewash over, you

00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:43.440
 know, the

00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.539
 deadliness of our

00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:44.860
 sin.

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:47.340
 Just like Adam and

00:31:47.340 --> 00:31:48.200
 Eve in the garden,

00:31:48.320 --> 00:31:49.440
 even as they sin and

00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:51.539
 they shame, they fall

00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.620
 into shame because they

00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:53.519
 turn their back on

00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:53.920
 God.

00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:55.920
 We too try and cover

00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:57.220
 our sin with

00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:58.440
 pretended goodness,

00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.960
 just like those fig

00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.920
 leaves that Adam and

00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.799
 Eve used.

00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:03.319
 It just doesn't

00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:05.019
 cut it.

00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:07.279
 We come in verse

00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:09.839
 18 to a man,

00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.579
 again, who is

00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:12.720
 confident that he

00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:14.139
 can, by his own

00:32:14.139 --> 00:32:15.680
 efforts, get eternal

00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:16.059
 life.

00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:16.779
 How do we know

00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.119
 that?

00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:18.539
 Because he says,

00:32:18.639 --> 00:32:19.359
 good teacher, what

00:32:19.359 --> 00:32:21.279
 must I do to

00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:23.480
 inherit eternal

00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.619
 life?

00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:25.599
 It's already a

00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.000
 flaw.

00:32:26.419 --> 00:32:27.000
 It's good to

00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.799
 desire eternal

00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.299
 life.

00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.679
 It's folly to try

00:32:29.679 --> 00:32:30.319
 and get there on

00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:31.299
 our own strength and

00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.539
 merit.

00:32:31.679 --> 00:32:32.399
 And what Jesus

00:32:32.399 --> 00:32:34.259
 does as he talks

00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:35.139
 to this man is he

00:32:35.139 --> 00:32:36.039
 introduces some

00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:37.000
 systems tests.

00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:39.220
 He wants the

00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:42.440
 man to see the

00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:43.200
 error of this way

00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:45.279
 of thinking, to

00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:45.960
 throw up those

00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.779
 errors so that he

00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:47.680
 and we might throw

00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.319
 ourselves on the

00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.120
 mercy of God.

00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:52.220
 The first test he

00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:53.100
 introduces is the

00:32:53.100 --> 00:32:53.860
 test of goodness.

00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:56.080
 Jesus asks him in

00:32:56.080 --> 00:32:56.980
 verse 19, why do

00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:58.019
 you call me good?

00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.480
 No one is good

00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.860
 except God alone.

00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:02.960
 The main point

00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:04.360
 Jesus is wanting

00:33:04.360 --> 00:33:05.960
 to address here is,

00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.100
 does the man

00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:09.360
 understand that

00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:10.059
 God is the

00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.720
 standard of

00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:11.759
 absolute goodness

00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:13.019
 goodness and

00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:13.759
 that compared to

00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:14.500
 that absolute

00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:16.619
 standard of

00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:17.799
 goodness, none

00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.279
 of us can

00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:19.379
 possibly say we

00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:20.839
 are good.

00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:23.140
 Can he, can we

00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:24.240
 possibly hope to

00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.420
 compare with the

00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:26.900
 perfection of

00:33:26.900 --> 00:33:27.680
 God?

00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.460
 He doesn't seem

00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:32.099
 to have reflected

00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:33.759
 very deeply on

00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:35.359
 that because when

00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:36.500
 the second test is

00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.259
 introduced, the

00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:38.319
 test of love for

00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:39.839
 neighbor, Jesus

00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:40.640
 says you know the

00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:41.519
 commandments and

00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:42.160
 there's commandments

00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:43.180
 about neighbor

00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:43.819
 love, you shall

00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.200
 not commit

00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:44.900
 adultery, you

00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:45.559
 shall not murder,

00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.180
 you shall not

00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:46.700
 steal, you

00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.160
 shall not give

00:33:47.160 --> 00:33:47.879
 false testimony

00:33:47.879 --> 00:33:48.660
 on your father

00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.039
 and mother.

00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.220
 He effectively

00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:50.740
 says, yep,

00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.759
 tick that box,

00:33:51.819 --> 00:33:52.440
 all of these I've

00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:53.779
 kept since I was

00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:54.319
 a boy.

00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:54.720
 Really?

00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:58.039
 No anger,

00:33:59.180 --> 00:33:59.819
 no lust,

00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:00.700
 no cheek towards

00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.319
 your parents,

00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:02.539
 no impatience,

00:34:02.639 --> 00:34:03.240
 no pride,

00:34:03.339 --> 00:34:03.859
 ever.

00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:08.119
 This man has

00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:08.980
 failed to understand

00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:09.900
 that the law is

00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:11.179
 to function as

00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:12.539
 a mirror that

00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:14.219
 reveals to us

00:34:14.219 --> 00:34:16.579
 our imperfections.

00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.519
 As we spend

00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.320
 time in front of

00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:21.159
 the perfect law

00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:22.420
 of God, it

00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:22.960
 should show us

00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:23.659
 that God is

00:34:23.659 --> 00:34:24.340
 perfect and we

00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:24.820
 are not.

00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:27.240
 This man, he

00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:27.980
 likes what he

00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:29.000
 sees as he looks

00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.440
 in the mirror.

00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:30.039
 Why is that?

00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:30.519
 Because he only

00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.519
 ever really glances

00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:32.059
 at God.

00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:32.780
 He's so busy

00:34:32.780 --> 00:34:34.380
 gazing at

00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:34.960
 himself.

00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:37.340
 He needs

00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:39.300
 Romans 3.

00:34:39.860 --> 00:34:40.580
 We need

00:34:40.580 --> 00:34:41.360
 Romans 3.

00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.300
 Verse 20,

00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:42.900
 therefore,

00:34:43.540 --> 00:34:44.800
 no one will be

00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:45.720
 declared righteous

00:34:45.720 --> 00:34:46.880
 in God's sight

00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:47.620
 by the works

00:34:47.620 --> 00:34:48.320
 of the law.

00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.560
 Rather,

00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:50.760
 through the law,

00:34:51.660 --> 00:34:52.220
 we become

00:34:52.220 --> 00:34:52.920
 conscious of

00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:53.519
 our sin.

00:34:54.480 --> 00:34:55.400
 Or Romans 3,

00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:55.920
 23,

00:34:56.560 --> 00:34:57.500
 for all have

00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:59.040
 sinned and

00:34:59.040 --> 00:34:59.900
 fall short

00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:00.519
 of the glory

00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.160
 of God.

00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:02.960
 He needs

00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:03.559
 the Heidelberg

00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:04.299
 Catechism.

00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:05.420
 And by that,

00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:05.940
 we're called

00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:06.739
 to love God

00:35:06.739 --> 00:35:07.299
 and love our

00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:07.639
 neighbor,

00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:09.299
 but we confess

00:35:09.299 --> 00:35:09.759
 that we are

00:35:09.759 --> 00:35:11.239
 prone to hate

00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:12.920
 in the way

00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:13.639
 that we live.

00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:15.199
 By now,

00:35:15.259 --> 00:35:15.639
 he should have

00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:16.019
 been running

00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:16.559
 to Jesus

00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:17.159
 for mercy

00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:18.000
 and grace.

00:35:19.279 --> 00:35:20.079
 The third

00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:20.739
 test that

00:35:20.739 --> 00:35:21.799
 Jesus introduces,

00:35:23.399 --> 00:35:24.139
 having introduced

00:35:24.139 --> 00:35:24.779
 the test of

00:35:24.779 --> 00:35:25.299
 goodness and

00:35:25.299 --> 00:35:25.639
 love for

00:35:25.639 --> 00:35:25.899
 neighbor,

00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:26.460
 is the test

00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:27.000
 of love

00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:28.139
 for God.

00:35:28.239 --> 00:35:28.940
 Verse 22,

00:35:29.099 --> 00:35:29.619
 when Jesus

00:35:29.619 --> 00:35:30.359
 heard this,

00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:31.779
 he said to

00:35:31.779 --> 00:35:31.859
 him,

00:35:31.879 --> 00:35:32.199
 you still

00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:32.639
 lack one

00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:32.899
 thing.

00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:34.579
 Sell everything

00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:34.960
 you have

00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:35.219
 and give

00:35:35.219 --> 00:35:35.739
 to the poor

00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:36.059
 and you'll

00:35:36.059 --> 00:35:36.539
 have treasure

00:35:36.539 --> 00:35:36.960
 in heaven.

00:35:37.099 --> 00:35:37.679
 Then come

00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:40.059
 follow me.

00:35:41.399 --> 00:35:41.739
 And it

00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:42.480
 becomes clear

00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:43.519
 that the man

00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:44.099
 hasn't kept

00:35:44.099 --> 00:35:44.699
 these commands.

00:35:44.819 --> 00:35:45.179
 He loves

00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:45.879
 money ahead

00:35:45.879 --> 00:35:46.500
 of God.

00:35:46.879 --> 00:35:47.579
 He is guilty

00:35:47.579 --> 00:35:48.759
 of coveting.

00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:49.539
 Money has

00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:50.599
 become an

00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:51.599
 idol to him.

00:35:52.099 --> 00:35:52.460
 And in

00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:53.139
 verse 23,

00:35:53.139 --> 00:35:53.759
 when he heard

00:35:53.759 --> 00:35:54.279
 this,

00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.619
 he became

00:35:55.619 --> 00:35:57.420
 very sad.

00:35:57.420 --> 00:35:59.680
 Now he's

00:35:59.680 --> 00:36:00.320
 reading the

00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:01.139
 error report.

00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.480
 Now he

00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.139
 sees the

00:36:03.139 --> 00:36:03.599
 problem,

00:36:03.760 --> 00:36:04.180
 the idol,

00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:04.619
 in his

00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:05.059
 heart.

00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:06.019
 But,

00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:08.240
 having asked,

00:36:08.680 --> 00:36:09.099
 how do I

00:36:09.099 --> 00:36:09.980
 inherit eternal

00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:10.220
 life?

00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:10.920
 Jesus says,

00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:11.900
 do that,

00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:12.900
 give it up,

00:36:13.380 --> 00:36:14.159
 to have me,

00:36:14.260 --> 00:36:14.800
 to have treasure

00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:15.220
 in heaven.

00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:17.139
 He won't.

00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:18.840
 He doesn't

00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:20.039
 see Jesus as a

00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.920
 treasure worth

00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:22.340
 sacrificing for.

00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:24.920
 And so he

00:36:24.920 --> 00:36:25.800
 is left sad.

00:36:27.160 --> 00:36:27.900
 Why is he

00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:28.380
 sad?

00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:29.640
 He's sad

00:36:29.640 --> 00:36:30.019
 because his

00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:30.500
 heart is

00:36:30.500 --> 00:36:31.000
 divided.

00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:32.780
 He kind of

00:36:32.780 --> 00:36:33.559
 wants to be

00:36:33.559 --> 00:36:33.960
 religious,

00:36:34.820 --> 00:36:36.000
 but he

00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:36.680
 really wants

00:36:36.680 --> 00:36:37.220
 to love his

00:36:37.220 --> 00:36:37.500
 money.

00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.559
 A divided

00:36:39.559 --> 00:36:40.200
 heart is

00:36:40.200 --> 00:36:41.059
 always going

00:36:41.059 --> 00:36:41.579
 to be a

00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:42.519
 sad heart.

00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:44.920
 If Jesus

00:36:44.920 --> 00:36:45.860
 is not

00:36:45.860 --> 00:36:46.960
 our goal,

00:36:47.980 --> 00:36:48.559
 if he is

00:36:48.559 --> 00:36:49.440
 not our

00:36:49.440 --> 00:36:50.180
 controlling

00:36:50.180 --> 00:36:51.120
 center,

00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:53.380
 as

00:36:53.380 --> 00:36:54.179
 Christians,

00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:56.279
 we will

00:36:56.279 --> 00:36:56.599
 have

00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.159
 sadness.

00:36:59.079 --> 00:36:59.420
 A

00:36:59.420 --> 00:37:00.179
 half-hearted

00:37:00.179 --> 00:37:00.940
 faith is

00:37:00.940 --> 00:37:01.599
 a sad

00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.579
 faith.

00:37:04.719 --> 00:37:05.559
 We need

00:37:05.559 --> 00:37:05.880
 total

00:37:05.880 --> 00:37:06.380
 commitment

00:37:06.380 --> 00:37:07.880
 to our

00:37:07.880 --> 00:37:08.420
 wonderful

00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:09.539
 Savior.

00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:12.019
 Then Jesus

00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:12.719
 goes on

00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:13.440
 to use

00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:13.920
 that

00:37:13.920 --> 00:37:15.159
 ridiculous

00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:16.019
 picture to

00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:16.380
 make a

00:37:16.380 --> 00:37:16.679
 serious

00:37:16.679 --> 00:37:17.199
 point.

00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:17.739
 He says

00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:18.039
 in verse

00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:18.500
 24,

00:37:18.619 --> 00:37:19.079
 how hard

00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:19.519
 it is for

00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:19.880
 the rich

00:37:19.880 --> 00:37:20.219
 to enter

00:37:20.219 --> 00:37:20.639
 the kingdom

00:37:20.639 --> 00:37:21.019
 of God

00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.280
 and indeed

00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:21.460
 it is

00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:21.759
 easier

00:37:21.759 --> 00:37:22.119
 for a

00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:22.579
 camel

00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:24.059
 to go

00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:24.340
 through

00:37:24.340 --> 00:37:24.840
 the eye

00:37:24.840 --> 00:37:25.159
 of a

00:37:25.159 --> 00:37:25.539
 needle

00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:26.900
 than for

00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:27.139
 someone

00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:27.360
 who is

00:37:27.360 --> 00:37:27.659
 rich

00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:27.960
 to enter

00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:28.380
 the kingdom

00:37:28.380 --> 00:37:29.059
 of God.

00:37:30.699 --> 00:37:31.360
 So easy

00:37:31.360 --> 00:37:32.039
 to depend

00:37:32.039 --> 00:37:32.400
 on our

00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:32.659
 money,

00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:33.539
 so easy

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.219
 to live

00:37:34.219 --> 00:37:34.980
 for our

00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:35.340
 money and

00:37:35.340 --> 00:37:35.679
 the things

00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:35.980
 that money

00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:36.519
 buys.

00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:36.800
 Well,

00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:37.179
 the crowd

00:37:37.179 --> 00:37:37.960
 are stunned

00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:39.500
 because remember

00:37:39.500 --> 00:37:40.039
 in their way

00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:40.519
 of thinking,

00:37:40.860 --> 00:37:41.380
 if you want

00:37:41.380 --> 00:37:41.619
 to know

00:37:41.619 --> 00:37:42.139
 who God

00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:42.940
 favors,

00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:44.000
 who God

00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:44.759
 is showing

00:37:44.759 --> 00:37:45.280
 His kindness

00:37:45.280 --> 00:37:45.480
 to,

00:37:45.759 --> 00:37:46.079
 it is to

00:37:46.079 --> 00:37:46.480
 the rich

00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:46.900
 people.

00:37:48.699 --> 00:37:48.960
 I thought

00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:49.280
 they had

00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:49.660
 God's

00:37:49.660 --> 00:37:50.080
 approval,

00:37:50.200 --> 00:37:50.420
 but now

00:37:50.420 --> 00:37:50.800
 Jesus is

00:37:50.800 --> 00:37:50.920
 saying

00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:51.200
 that's not

00:37:51.200 --> 00:37:51.519
 how it

00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:51.980
 works.

00:37:53.080 --> 00:37:53.740
 So if it's

00:37:53.740 --> 00:37:54.160
 not about

00:37:54.160 --> 00:37:55.019
 earning it,

00:37:55.600 --> 00:37:56.180
 if it's not

00:37:56.180 --> 00:37:56.780
 about religious

00:37:56.780 --> 00:37:57.300
 and moral

00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:57.660
 effort,

00:37:57.720 --> 00:37:57.980
 how does

00:37:57.980 --> 00:37:58.519
 anyone gain

00:37:58.519 --> 00:37:59.360
 eternal life?

00:38:02.620 --> 00:38:03.300
 They asked

00:38:03.300 --> 00:38:03.920
 the question,

00:38:04.500 --> 00:38:05.240
 verse 26,

00:38:05.320 --> 00:38:05.880
 who then

00:38:05.880 --> 00:38:06.780
 can be saved?

00:38:07.620 --> 00:38:08.420
 Jesus replied,

00:38:08.540 --> 00:38:08.820
 what is

00:38:08.820 --> 00:38:09.720
 impossible with

00:38:09.720 --> 00:38:10.960
 man is

00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:11.980
 possible with

00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:12.400
 God.

00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:13.140
 Do we hear it?

00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:14.079
 It is

00:38:14.079 --> 00:38:15.219
 impossible

00:38:15.219 --> 00:38:17.579
 by ourselves

00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:19.019
 to enter

00:38:19.019 --> 00:38:20.019
 into eternal

00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:20.440
 life.

00:38:20.960 --> 00:38:21.420
 It is

00:38:21.420 --> 00:38:22.000
 impossible

00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:22.759
 for us

00:38:22.759 --> 00:38:23.179
 to be

00:38:23.179 --> 00:38:23.859
 good enough

00:38:23.859 --> 00:38:24.619
 for God,

00:38:24.719 --> 00:38:25.159
 but what's

00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:25.539
 impossible

00:38:25.539 --> 00:38:26.239
 for us

00:38:26.239 --> 00:38:28.480
 is possible

00:38:28.480 --> 00:38:29.779
 for God.

00:38:30.639 --> 00:38:31.159
 And it's

00:38:31.159 --> 00:38:31.739
 possible

00:38:31.739 --> 00:38:32.759
 because God

00:38:32.759 --> 00:38:33.299
 has sent

00:38:33.299 --> 00:38:33.839
 His Son

00:38:33.839 --> 00:38:34.339
 Jesus,

00:38:34.980 --> 00:38:35.719
 and Jesus

00:38:35.719 --> 00:38:36.179
 has come

00:38:36.179 --> 00:38:36.599
 to make

00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:37.279
 the impossible

00:38:37.279 --> 00:38:37.920
 possible,

00:38:38.359 --> 00:38:39.219
 because Jesus

00:38:39.219 --> 00:38:39.799
 has come

00:38:39.799 --> 00:38:40.259
 as our

00:38:40.259 --> 00:38:40.980
 representative

00:38:40.980 --> 00:38:41.739
 and our

00:38:41.739 --> 00:38:42.279
 substitute,

00:38:42.280 --> 00:38:43.040
 and where

00:38:43.040 --> 00:38:43.519
 we have

00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:44.100
 disobeyed

00:38:44.100 --> 00:38:44.460
 the law,

00:38:44.800 --> 00:38:45.120
 He has

00:38:45.120 --> 00:38:45.660
 perfectly

00:38:45.660 --> 00:38:46.140
 obeyed

00:38:46.140 --> 00:38:46.480
 at all

00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:47.080
 points.

00:38:47.360 --> 00:38:47.820
 Where we

00:38:47.820 --> 00:38:48.460
 have failed

00:38:48.460 --> 00:38:48.900
 to love

00:38:48.900 --> 00:38:49.600
 God and

00:38:49.600 --> 00:38:49.880
 neighbor,

00:38:50.120 --> 00:38:50.460
 He has

00:38:50.460 --> 00:38:51.080
 perfectly

00:38:51.080 --> 00:38:51.660
 loved His

00:38:51.660 --> 00:38:52.540
 Father and

00:38:52.540 --> 00:38:53.140
 loved His

00:38:53.140 --> 00:38:53.380
 neighbor,

00:38:53.500 --> 00:38:53.740
 and He

00:38:53.740 --> 00:38:54.460
 showed us

00:38:54.460 --> 00:38:56.180
 that by

00:38:56.180 --> 00:38:56.640
 giving His

00:38:56.640 --> 00:38:57.740
 life to

00:38:57.740 --> 00:38:58.240
 make enemies

00:38:58.240 --> 00:38:59.120
 into friends.

00:38:59.300 --> 00:39:00.040
 He gave

00:39:00.040 --> 00:39:00.860
 His life as

00:39:00.860 --> 00:39:02.040
 the perfect

00:39:02.040 --> 00:39:02.940
 sacrifice to

00:39:02.940 --> 00:39:03.980
 make atonement

00:39:03.980 --> 00:39:05.300
 for our sin

00:39:05.300 --> 00:39:06.240
 and our guilt,

00:39:06.560 --> 00:39:06.860
 and His

00:39:06.860 --> 00:39:08.400
 perfect record

00:39:08.400 --> 00:39:09.320
 of perfect

00:39:09.320 --> 00:39:09.880
 righteousness

00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:11.740
 is credited

00:39:11.739 --> 00:39:13.519
 to His

00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:14.139
 people,

00:39:14.819 --> 00:39:15.619
 so that we

00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:16.479
 are saved

00:39:16.479 --> 00:39:17.879
 by grace

00:39:17.879 --> 00:39:19.819
 through faith

00:39:19.819 --> 00:39:21.799
 in Jesus.

00:39:24.979 --> 00:39:26.039
 So let's

00:39:26.039 --> 00:39:26.779
 ask our

00:39:26.779 --> 00:39:27.699
 big question,

00:39:27.859 --> 00:39:28.539
 how do we

00:39:28.539 --> 00:39:29.739
 gain or

00:39:29.739 --> 00:39:30.459
 how do we

00:39:30.459 --> 00:39:31.059
 miss

00:39:31.059 --> 00:39:32.559
 eternal life?

00:39:32.619 --> 00:39:33.159
 So far,

00:39:33.259 --> 00:39:33.699
 these two

00:39:33.699 --> 00:39:34.119
 groups,

00:39:34.199 --> 00:39:34.359
 they've

00:39:34.359 --> 00:39:35.039
 experienced a

00:39:35.039 --> 00:39:35.759
 huge shock.

00:39:36.759 --> 00:39:37.319
 They were

00:39:37.319 --> 00:39:38.059
 so confident

00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:38.479
 that God

00:39:38.479 --> 00:39:39.000
 had approved

00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:39.459
 of them,

00:39:39.460 --> 00:39:40.619
 but now

00:39:40.619 --> 00:39:40.800
 they're

00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:41.280
 discovering

00:39:41.280 --> 00:39:41.960
 from Jesus'

00:39:42.159 --> 00:39:42.480
 words that

00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:42.960
 no one is

00:39:42.960 --> 00:39:43.360
 good enough,

00:39:43.440 --> 00:39:43.720
 no one

00:39:43.720 --> 00:39:44.360
 merits life

00:39:44.360 --> 00:39:44.960
 with God.

00:39:45.699 --> 00:39:46.300
 And in

00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:46.460
 that,

00:39:46.539 --> 00:39:46.800
 there's been

00:39:46.800 --> 00:39:47.300
 a call

00:39:47.300 --> 00:39:48.940
 to honesty,

00:39:49.800 --> 00:39:50.960
 to honestly

00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:51.519
 consider,

00:39:51.659 --> 00:39:51.920
 can we

00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:52.880
 really and

00:39:52.880 --> 00:39:53.519
 truly be

00:39:53.519 --> 00:39:54.179
 good and

00:39:54.179 --> 00:39:54.940
 loving enough

00:39:54.940 --> 00:39:55.639
 for God?

00:39:56.099 --> 00:39:56.400
 Do we

00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:56.820
 think we

00:39:56.820 --> 00:39:57.159
 can meet

00:39:57.159 --> 00:39:57.400
 His

00:39:57.400 --> 00:39:57.840
 standards?

00:39:58.920 --> 00:39:59.519
 And with

00:39:59.519 --> 00:39:59.679
 that,

00:39:59.760 --> 00:40:00.039
 there comes

00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:00.420
 that need

00:40:00.420 --> 00:40:01.880
 for humility

00:40:01.880 --> 00:40:03.860
 instead of

00:40:03.860 --> 00:40:04.480
 coming with

00:40:04.480 --> 00:40:05.659
 those lists

00:40:05.659 --> 00:40:06.539
 of credentials.

00:40:06.880 --> 00:40:07.960
 Here's why

00:40:07.960 --> 00:40:08.300
 you should

00:40:08.300 --> 00:40:08.820
 accept me,

00:40:08.920 --> 00:40:09.119
 Jesus,

00:40:09.220 --> 00:40:09.500
 because of

00:40:09.500 --> 00:40:09.920
 all these

00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:10.400
 things that

00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:10.840
 I've done.

00:40:12.099 --> 00:40:13.139
 We come

00:40:13.139 --> 00:40:13.860
 like the

00:40:13.860 --> 00:40:14.699
 tax collector

00:40:14.699 --> 00:40:15.679
 and we

00:40:15.679 --> 00:40:17.220
 plead for

00:40:17.220 --> 00:40:17.740
 mercy.

00:40:20.539 --> 00:40:21.300
 But still

00:40:21.300 --> 00:40:21.880
 wonderfully,

00:40:23.559 --> 00:40:24.119
 we also need

00:40:24.119 --> 00:40:24.619
 to recognize

00:40:24.619 --> 00:40:25.039
 that hope

00:40:25.039 --> 00:40:25.559
 is offered.

00:40:28.679 --> 00:40:29.380
 It's true

00:40:29.380 --> 00:40:29.720
 for us,

00:40:29.740 --> 00:40:30.220
 if we listen

00:40:30.220 --> 00:40:30.639
 and learn,

00:40:30.740 --> 00:40:30.920
 there is

00:40:30.920 --> 00:40:31.699
 hope for us.

00:40:33.340 --> 00:40:34.420
 Last month,

00:40:34.539 --> 00:40:34.720
 rather,

00:40:34.820 --> 00:40:35.699
 we were learning

00:40:35.699 --> 00:40:36.260
 the new hymn,

00:40:36.340 --> 00:40:37.139
 Come unto Jesus.

00:40:38.460 --> 00:40:39.079
 The chorus

00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:39.579
 is wonderful.

00:40:39.699 --> 00:40:40.039
 Come unto

00:40:40.039 --> 00:40:40.539
 Jesus,

00:40:41.059 --> 00:40:41.559
 lay down

00:40:41.559 --> 00:40:42.240
 your burdens,

00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:43.000
 because He

00:40:43.000 --> 00:40:43.420
 is enough.

00:40:43.659 --> 00:40:44.019
 One of the

00:40:44.019 --> 00:40:44.559
 burdens that we

00:40:44.559 --> 00:40:45.099
 carry is the

00:40:45.099 --> 00:40:45.500
 burden of

00:40:45.500 --> 00:40:46.059
 trying to

00:40:46.059 --> 00:40:46.980
 earn our

00:40:46.980 --> 00:40:47.480
 approval.

00:40:48.220 --> 00:40:48.599
 Even as

00:40:48.599 --> 00:40:48.960
 Christians,

00:40:49.059 --> 00:40:49.500
 sometimes we

00:40:49.500 --> 00:40:49.960
 get it wrong

00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:50.159
 and we

00:40:50.159 --> 00:40:50.420
 think we

00:40:50.420 --> 00:40:51.199
 need to

00:40:51.199 --> 00:40:52.599
 earn God's

00:40:52.599 --> 00:40:53.280
 favor rather

00:40:53.280 --> 00:40:53.579
 than knowing

00:40:53.579 --> 00:40:53.820
 that He

00:40:53.820 --> 00:40:54.220
 loves us

00:40:54.220 --> 00:40:54.880
 perfectly in

00:40:54.880 --> 00:40:55.179
 Jesus.

00:40:56.720 --> 00:40:56.960
 We're

00:40:56.960 --> 00:40:57.440
 invited to

00:40:57.440 --> 00:40:57.900
 come unto

00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:58.599
 Jesus and

00:40:58.599 --> 00:40:59.340
 rest in

00:40:59.340 --> 00:41:00.940
 His love.

00:41:01.360 --> 00:41:01.699
 And to

00:41:01.699 --> 00:41:02.119
 help us to

00:41:02.119 --> 00:41:03.000
 understand this,

00:41:03.300 --> 00:41:03.880
 in between

00:41:03.880 --> 00:41:04.639
 this group who

00:41:04.639 --> 00:41:05.380
 are self-righteous

00:41:05.380 --> 00:41:05.619
 and they're

00:41:05.619 --> 00:41:06.220
 looking down on

00:41:06.220 --> 00:41:06.599
 others,

00:41:06.599 --> 00:41:07.819
 in between

00:41:07.819 --> 00:41:08.339
 them and

00:41:08.339 --> 00:41:08.719
 the rich

00:41:08.719 --> 00:41:09.339
 young man

00:41:09.339 --> 00:41:09.679
 who thought

00:41:09.679 --> 00:41:09.920
 He could

00:41:09.920 --> 00:41:10.559
 merit eternal

00:41:10.559 --> 00:41:10.839
 life,

00:41:10.900 --> 00:41:11.299
 there's another

00:41:11.299 --> 00:41:11.639
 group,

00:41:11.719 --> 00:41:12.199
 isn't there?

00:41:12.480 --> 00:41:12.719
 Who does

00:41:12.719 --> 00:41:13.380
 Jesus meet

00:41:13.380 --> 00:41:14.159
 in between?

00:41:15.059 --> 00:41:15.519
 He meets the

00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:16.000
 babies and

00:41:16.000 --> 00:41:16.279
 the little

00:41:16.279 --> 00:41:16.719
 children.

00:41:17.719 --> 00:41:18.119
 And this

00:41:18.119 --> 00:41:18.900
 little encounter

00:41:18.900 --> 00:41:19.679
 shows us

00:41:19.679 --> 00:41:20.159
 here's the

00:41:20.159 --> 00:41:20.579
 way to

00:41:20.579 --> 00:41:21.319
 gain eternal

00:41:21.319 --> 00:41:21.860
 life.

00:41:22.799 --> 00:41:23.159
 It also

00:41:23.159 --> 00:41:23.759
 tells us

00:41:23.759 --> 00:41:24.460
 some of the

00:41:24.460 --> 00:41:24.900
 struggles that

00:41:24.900 --> 00:41:25.360
 we have to

00:41:25.360 --> 00:41:25.860
 accept it.

00:41:25.900 --> 00:41:26.179
 So there's

00:41:26.179 --> 00:41:26.839
 the disciples,

00:41:27.400 --> 00:41:28.039
 verse 15.

00:41:28.519 --> 00:41:28.880
 People are

00:41:28.880 --> 00:41:29.480
 bringing babies

00:41:29.480 --> 00:41:30.199
 to Jesus for

00:41:30.199 --> 00:41:30.599
 Him to place

00:41:30.599 --> 00:41:30.940
 His hands

00:41:30.940 --> 00:41:31.159
 on them.

00:41:31.199 --> 00:41:31.420
 When the

00:41:31.420 --> 00:41:32.039
 disciples saw

00:41:32.039 --> 00:41:32.219
 this,

00:41:32.279 --> 00:41:32.819
 they rebuked

00:41:32.819 --> 00:41:32.980
 Him.

00:41:32.980 --> 00:41:34.860
 Jesus is

00:41:34.860 --> 00:41:35.260
 far too

00:41:35.260 --> 00:41:35.699
 busy doing

00:41:35.699 --> 00:41:36.440
 real ministry.

00:41:37.639 --> 00:41:38.079
 Babies,

00:41:38.179 --> 00:41:38.460
 children,

00:41:38.559 --> 00:41:38.800
 they're just

00:41:38.800 --> 00:41:39.000
 going to be

00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:39.519
 a distraction.

00:41:39.659 --> 00:41:39.900
 They're not

00:41:39.900 --> 00:41:40.440
 important.

00:41:45.000 --> 00:41:45.679
 Disciples are

00:41:45.679 --> 00:41:46.240
 struggling to

00:41:46.240 --> 00:41:47.139
 see that

00:41:47.139 --> 00:41:47.480
 Jesus'

00:41:47.639 --> 00:41:48.139
 kingdom works

00:41:48.139 --> 00:41:48.340
 on the

00:41:48.340 --> 00:41:48.800
 basis of

00:41:48.800 --> 00:41:49.280
 grace.

00:41:50.740 --> 00:41:51.380
 It's not

00:41:51.380 --> 00:41:52.400
 about who

00:41:52.400 --> 00:41:52.860
 earns it,

00:41:52.920 --> 00:41:53.500
 who deserves

00:41:53.500 --> 00:41:53.780
 it,

00:41:54.300 --> 00:41:54.659
 who's the

00:41:54.659 --> 00:41:55.300
 most significant

00:41:55.300 --> 00:41:56.000
 in society.

00:41:56.980 --> 00:41:57.519
 I think even

00:41:57.519 --> 00:41:58.019
 as Christians,

00:41:58.119 --> 00:41:58.679
 we can struggle

00:41:58.679 --> 00:41:59.139
 and fall

00:41:59.139 --> 00:41:59.579
 into the

00:41:59.579 --> 00:42:00.019
 trap.

00:42:00.019 --> 00:42:02.840
 I feel

00:42:02.840 --> 00:42:03.320
 that God

00:42:03.320 --> 00:42:04.159
 loves me

00:42:04.159 --> 00:42:04.719
 more this

00:42:04.719 --> 00:42:05.219
 week because

00:42:05.219 --> 00:42:05.519
 I've been

00:42:05.519 --> 00:42:06.059
 faithful and

00:42:06.059 --> 00:42:06.659
 obedient this

00:42:06.659 --> 00:42:06.900
 week.

00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:08.099
 I feel

00:42:08.099 --> 00:42:08.440
 that I'm

00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:08.940
 better than

00:42:08.940 --> 00:42:10.259
 others because

00:42:10.259 --> 00:42:10.639
 I'm being

00:42:10.639 --> 00:42:11.340
 obedient this

00:42:11.340 --> 00:42:11.639
 week.

00:42:13.920 --> 00:42:14.659
 Jesus is

00:42:14.659 --> 00:42:15.280
 so different.

00:42:16.659 --> 00:42:17.320
 What does

00:42:17.320 --> 00:42:18.139
 Jesus do?

00:42:19.360 --> 00:42:20.059
 The disciples

00:42:20.059 --> 00:42:21.079
 rebuke the

00:42:21.079 --> 00:42:21.659
 parents, but

00:42:21.659 --> 00:42:22.500
 Jesus called

00:42:22.500 --> 00:42:23.000
 the children

00:42:23.000 --> 00:42:23.480
 to Him and

00:42:23.480 --> 00:42:23.619
 said,

00:42:23.820 --> 00:42:24.039
 let the

00:42:24.039 --> 00:42:24.719
 little children

00:42:24.719 --> 00:42:25.360
 come to

00:42:25.360 --> 00:42:25.599
 Me.

00:42:26.780 --> 00:42:27.139
 Do not

00:42:27.139 --> 00:42:27.559
 hinder them,

00:42:27.619 --> 00:42:27.840
 for the

00:42:27.840 --> 00:42:28.239
 kingdom of

00:42:28.239 --> 00:42:28.920
 God belongs

00:42:28.920 --> 00:42:29.860
 to such as

00:42:29.860 --> 00:42:30.400
 these.

00:42:30.700 --> 00:42:31.400
 He called

00:42:31.400 --> 00:42:32.480
 them, He

00:42:32.480 --> 00:42:33.500
 invites them,

00:42:34.460 --> 00:42:34.760
 and they

00:42:34.760 --> 00:42:35.260
 come.

00:42:36.760 --> 00:42:37.340
 Why do they

00:42:37.340 --> 00:42:37.700
 become a

00:42:37.700 --> 00:42:38.120
 picture of

00:42:38.120 --> 00:42:38.480
 those who

00:42:38.480 --> 00:42:39.280
 gain eternal

00:42:39.280 --> 00:42:39.860
 life?

00:42:40.900 --> 00:42:41.480
 Because it

00:42:41.480 --> 00:42:42.000
 reminds us

00:42:42.000 --> 00:42:42.440
 how we are

00:42:42.440 --> 00:42:42.820
 to come.

00:42:42.900 --> 00:42:43.140
 We're to

00:42:43.140 --> 00:42:43.420
 come with

00:42:43.420 --> 00:42:44.039
 a childlike

00:42:44.039 --> 00:42:44.559
 trust.

00:42:45.940 --> 00:42:46.380
 We're to

00:42:46.380 --> 00:42:47.000
 come with

00:42:47.000 --> 00:42:47.900
 dependence.

00:42:49.480 --> 00:42:50.059
 We're to

00:42:50.059 --> 00:42:50.519
 come in

00:42:50.519 --> 00:42:51.460
 response to

00:42:51.460 --> 00:42:52.039
 the free

00:42:52.039 --> 00:42:53.840
 invitation to

00:42:53.840 --> 00:42:54.519
 life that

00:42:54.519 --> 00:42:55.660
 comes from

00:42:55.660 --> 00:42:56.140
 Jesus.

00:42:57.420 --> 00:42:58.240
 Not asking

00:42:58.240 --> 00:42:58.740
 what we need

00:42:58.740 --> 00:42:59.400
 to do, not

00:42:59.400 --> 00:42:59.960
 asking what

00:42:59.960 --> 00:43:00.260
 we need

00:43:00.260 --> 00:43:01.480
 to pay to

00:43:01.480 --> 00:43:02.700
 come like

00:43:02.700 --> 00:43:04.460
 children, to

00:43:04.460 --> 00:43:05.059
 hear the

00:43:05.059 --> 00:43:05.820
 Savior's call

00:43:05.820 --> 00:43:06.360
 and to run

00:43:06.360 --> 00:43:07.880
 to Him for

00:43:07.880 --> 00:43:08.579
 grace.

00:43:10.099 --> 00:43:10.900
 So, Jesus

00:43:10.900 --> 00:43:11.559
 is saying to

00:43:11.559 --> 00:43:11.980
 us today,

00:43:12.079 --> 00:43:12.519
 don't miss

00:43:12.519 --> 00:43:13.380
 eternal life.

00:43:14.039 --> 00:43:14.740
 Don't miss the

00:43:14.740 --> 00:43:15.660
 greatest gain of

00:43:15.660 --> 00:43:17.440
 all by measuring

00:43:17.440 --> 00:43:18.420
 against others and

00:43:18.420 --> 00:43:19.139
 saying, well, I'm

00:43:19.139 --> 00:43:20.079
 better than others

00:43:20.079 --> 00:43:21.160
 rather than

00:43:21.160 --> 00:43:21.920
 measuring against

00:43:21.920 --> 00:43:22.099
 God.

00:43:22.260 --> 00:43:23.119
 Don't miss out

00:43:23.119 --> 00:43:24.440
 either by measuring

00:43:24.440 --> 00:43:25.200
 against others and

00:43:25.200 --> 00:43:25.900
 saying, I'm no

00:43:25.900 --> 00:43:26.700
 good, so God

00:43:26.699 --> 00:43:27.319
 wouldn't want

00:43:27.319 --> 00:43:28.239
 me, because

00:43:28.239 --> 00:43:28.919
 that also is

00:43:28.919 --> 00:43:29.960
 to limit God's

00:43:29.960 --> 00:43:30.939
 grace and

00:43:30.939 --> 00:43:31.719
 God's mercy.

00:43:32.960 --> 00:43:33.839
 Rather, we're

00:43:33.839 --> 00:43:34.839
 invited to trust

00:43:34.839 --> 00:43:35.919
 Jesus, the good

00:43:35.919 --> 00:43:36.939
 and gracious

00:43:36.939 --> 00:43:37.879
 Savior and

00:43:37.879 --> 00:43:39.139
 King, and to

00:43:39.139 --> 00:43:39.919
 come to Him.

00:43:41.139 --> 00:43:41.839
 Remember Jesus

00:43:41.839 --> 00:43:43.779
 said, those who

00:43:43.779 --> 00:43:44.599
 exalt themselves

00:43:44.599 --> 00:43:45.299
 will be humbled

00:43:45.299 --> 00:43:45.919
 and those who

00:43:45.919 --> 00:43:46.759
 humble themselves

00:43:46.759 --> 00:43:47.639
 will be exalted.

00:43:48.299 --> 00:43:49.199
 Jesus has humbled

00:43:49.199 --> 00:43:50.119
 Himself, hasn't

00:43:50.119 --> 00:43:50.339
 He?

00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:51.739
 The eternal

00:43:51.739 --> 00:43:52.539
 Son of God has

00:43:52.539 --> 00:43:53.419
 left the glory of

00:43:53.420 --> 00:43:54.180
 heaven to become

00:43:54.180 --> 00:43:55.420
 one of us.

00:43:56.119 --> 00:43:56.720
 He humbled

00:43:56.720 --> 00:43:57.800
 Himself by living

00:43:57.800 --> 00:43:59.639
 a life marked by

00:43:59.639 --> 00:44:00.579
 suffering and

00:44:00.579 --> 00:44:01.599
 rejection and

00:44:01.599 --> 00:44:02.079
 shame.

00:44:02.500 --> 00:44:03.180
 He humbles

00:44:03.180 --> 00:44:03.980
 Himself by being

00:44:03.980 --> 00:44:05.119
 ready to walk

00:44:05.119 --> 00:44:06.700
 the road to

00:44:06.700 --> 00:44:07.619
 Jerusalem to

00:44:07.619 --> 00:44:09.099
 die on the

00:44:09.099 --> 00:44:11.780
 cross, to

00:44:11.780 --> 00:44:12.820
 take our sin, to

00:44:12.820 --> 00:44:13.860
 take our shame, to

00:44:13.860 --> 00:44:15.079
 pay the price in

00:44:15.079 --> 00:44:15.619
 full.

00:44:17.860 --> 00:44:18.920
 Faith in this

00:44:18.920 --> 00:44:21.360
 Jesus brings us

00:44:21.360 --> 00:44:22.240
 God's mercy.

00:44:22.239 --> 00:44:24.019
 faith in Jesus

00:44:24.019 --> 00:44:24.979
 secures the

00:44:24.979 --> 00:44:25.759
 forgiveness of

00:44:25.759 --> 00:44:26.479
 our sins.

00:44:26.959 --> 00:44:27.839
 Faith in Jesus

00:44:27.839 --> 00:44:28.919
 means we enter

00:44:28.919 --> 00:44:30.359
 life with Him

00:44:30.359 --> 00:44:31.459
 now.

00:44:31.759 --> 00:44:33.119
 With the promise

00:44:33.119 --> 00:44:34.119
 and reality that

00:44:34.119 --> 00:44:35.619
 united to Jesus,

00:44:38.000 --> 00:44:39.019
 humbly coming to

00:44:39.019 --> 00:44:40.619
 Him in faith, we

00:44:40.619 --> 00:44:41.559
 will be exalted.

00:44:42.439 --> 00:44:43.539
 We will have the

00:44:43.539 --> 00:44:45.239
 joy of eternal

00:44:45.239 --> 00:44:47.879
 life now, knowing

00:44:47.879 --> 00:44:48.799
 life with Jesus.

00:44:48.800 --> 00:44:51.260
 us and the

00:44:51.260 --> 00:44:51.860
 promise of

00:44:51.860 --> 00:44:53.039
 eternal life with

00:44:53.039 --> 00:44:53.500
 Him when He

00:44:53.500 --> 00:44:55.180
 returns, when He

00:44:55.180 --> 00:44:55.760
 makes everything

00:44:55.760 --> 00:44:56.900
 new, when He

00:44:56.900 --> 00:44:57.660
 takes His people

00:44:57.660 --> 00:44:58.600
 to be with Him.

00:44:59.019 --> 00:45:00.000
 If we've heard

00:45:00.000 --> 00:45:01.340
 His invitation and

00:45:01.340 --> 00:45:02.140
 His call to

00:45:02.140 --> 00:45:04.280
 grace, then we

00:45:04.280 --> 00:45:05.039
 will be exalted

00:45:05.039 --> 00:45:06.640
 and enjoy

00:45:06.640 --> 00:45:07.560
 eternity with

00:45:07.560 --> 00:45:07.820
 Him.

00:45:07.820 --> 00:45:11.960
 let's not miss

00:45:11.960 --> 00:45:15.500
 eternal life by

00:45:15.500 --> 00:45:16.140
 trying to make

00:45:16.140 --> 00:45:16.580
 it our own

00:45:16.580 --> 00:45:16.860
 way.

00:45:18.300 --> 00:45:19.180
 Let's seek Him

00:45:19.180 --> 00:45:20.940
 for grace, to

00:45:20.940 --> 00:45:22.100
 gain it, to

00:45:22.100 --> 00:45:22.740
 enjoy it.

00:45:22.980 --> 00:45:23.500
 Let's pray

00:45:23.500 --> 00:45:23.920
 together.

00:45:23.920 --> 00:45:26.460
 Lord, our

00:45:26.460 --> 00:45:28.260
 God, we

00:45:28.260 --> 00:45:28.740
 thank You.