WEBVTT

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 It's great to be back with you guys, miss worshiping with you all last week.

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 Please open up your Bibles to Matthew chapter 13.

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 If you don't have a Bible, please raise your hand.

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 We'd love to give you a copy of the Bible that you can take home with you and use while you're here.

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 We're going through this series in the Gospel of Matthew, and we are in chapter 13 today,

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 verses 1 to 23.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word.

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 Father, we thank you because you did not leave us to our own devices.

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 But you gave us instead your Word.

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 The words of life.

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 Word that brought this world into being.

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 Word that now makes the dead, those who are spiritually dead, live again in Christ.

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 Lord, we now humble ourselves before your living Word.

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 We ask that you will give us eyes to see and ears to hear.

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 exalt the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

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 Help us cherish and hold fast to his message of salvation.

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 It's the good news you have given to us in him.

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 Teach us to do that better now as we hear from you in Matthew 13.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Please stand if you're able.

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 Let's honor God as we read from his Word as he addresses us.

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 That same day, Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.

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 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down.

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 And the whole crowd stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables, saying,

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 A sower went out to sow, and as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.

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 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil.

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 And immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil.

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 But when the sun rose, they were scorched.

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 And since they had no root, they withered away.

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 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.

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 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

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 He who has ears, let him hear.

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 Then the disciples came and said to him,

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 Why do you speak to them in parables?

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 And he answered them,

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 To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

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 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance.

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 But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

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 This is why I speak to them in parables.

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 Because seeing, they do not see.

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 And hearing, they do not hear.

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 Nor do they understand.

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 Indeed, in their case, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says,

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 You will indeed hear, but never understand.

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 And you will indeed see, but never perceive.

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 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear,

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 and their eyes they have closed.

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 Lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,

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 and understand with their heart, and turn.

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 And I would heal them.

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 But blessed are your eyes, for they see,

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 and your ears, for they hear.

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 For truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous people long to see what you see,

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 and did not see it.

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 And to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

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 Hear, then, the parable of the sower.

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 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it,

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 the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.

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 This is what was sown along the path.

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 As for what was sown on rocky ground,

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 this is the one who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy.

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 Yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while.

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 And when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word,

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 immediately he falls away.

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 As for what was sown among thorns,

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 this is the one who hears the word,

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 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word,

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 and it proves unfruitful.

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 As for what was sown on good soil,

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 this is the one who hears the word and understands it.

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 He indeed bears fruit and yields,

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 in one case a hundredfold,

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 in another sixty,

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 and in another thirty.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 Please be seated.

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 Thank you.

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 There's an issue that has befuddled pastors

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 and different ministers of the church

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 throughout the generations,

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 and it's that you can tell two people

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 the self-same gospel,

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 and yet one person rejects it outright and scoffs,

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 while the other person receives it eagerly.

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 Even within the church,

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 people can hear the self-same gospel

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 from the same preachers

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 over many months and years,

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 and while some seem to soak it all in

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 and mature steadily,

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 others stagnate

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 or even fall away.

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 What are we to make of all of this?

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 What accounts for the varied outcomes?

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 Jesus answers that question

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 in two primary ways.

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 First is that God only reveals the secret to some.

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 That's his first answer.

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 And the second answer is this,

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 only some people hear and understand.

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 I've mentioned to you before

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 that the Gospel of Matthew

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 is structured around five main discourses,

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 and this is the third discourse,

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 which is on the theme of the kingdom of heaven,

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 kingdom, the word,

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 occurs 12 times in chapter 13 alone.

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 The kingdom of God

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 or the kingdom of heaven

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 refers to the dominion

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 or the rulership of God

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 over his subjects.

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 And this passage,

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 and this third discourse in particular,

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 is concerned with

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 what does it look like

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 when the kingdom of heaven

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 breaks in upon the earth?

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 What does it take?

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 What does it look like

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 for us to become participants

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 or citizens of the kingdom of heaven?

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 That's the important question

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 that this discourse addresses.

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 Jesus begins this teaching

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 by the Sea of Galilee.

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 In our cultural context,

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 preachers like me stand,

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 and people who are listening sit.

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 In the near eastern context,

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 the teachers,

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 in the Jewish context,

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 the teachers sit,

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 and then the disciples gather around.

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 So when Jesus sits down by the sea,

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 the disciples get the cue.

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 They all gather around him

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 to hear what he has to say.

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 But when the crowd gets large,

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 the large crowd gathers around him,

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 he goes onto a boat

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 into the Sea of Galilee

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 and then preaches from there

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 to the people who are sitting on the shore

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 because,

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 I mean,

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 they probably knew this from experience.

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 Sound travels further in water,

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 and so because of that,

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 this would provide natural amplification.

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 And then he says in verse 3,

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 it says in verse 3,

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 Matthew says,

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 Jesus told them many things in parables.

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 This is one of the distinctive features

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 of this third discourse.

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 It is made up almost entirely of parables.

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 Eight parables to be exact

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 about the kingdom of heaven.

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 Of the 17 occurrences of the Greek word

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 for parable in the Gospel of Matthew,

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 12 of them occurs in this chapter.

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 Verse 34 says,

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 in fact,

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 that Jesus said nothing to the crowds

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 without a parable.

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 And this first parable that Jesus tells

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 is one of the most famous ones

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 that we know of in English

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 as the parable of the sower.

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 But since the focus in Matthew

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 is not on the sower per se,

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 but on the seeds

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 sown on four different types of soil,

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 it may be more aptly be called

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 the parable of the four types of ground.

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 The word parable comes from a Greek word

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 that means to literally

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 to place alongside something,

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 to juxtapose something

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 for the sake of comparison.

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 So in verse 24,

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 Jesus introduces a parable by saying,

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 the kingdom of heaven

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 may be compared to

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 a man who sowed good seed in his field.

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 So a parable is an illustration,

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 a comparison,

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 an extended figure of speech

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 whose meaning goes beyond

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 the literal meaning on the surface.

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 So let's look at the parable of the sower.

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 Its meaning is not immediately apparent.

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 We're so familiar with it now

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 because we've been taught this passage,

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 we've seen Jesus' explanation of it many times,

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 that we can assume that this is,

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 you know, self-evident.

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 But that's not the case

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 when you hear just the parable.

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 Why is Jesus talking about

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 seeds that fall along the path

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 that are devoured by birds,

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 and then seeds that fall on rocky ground

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 that sprout up quickly

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 but wither away due to lack of root,

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 and other seeds that are choked by thorns

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 as they grow,

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 and still others that produce much fruit?

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 Is he trying to relate to

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 and commiserate with

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 the plight of the farmers

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 who labor in the arid ground

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 of the ancient Near East?

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 Is he trying to warn farmers

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 about the need to exercise care when sowing?

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 Or is he talking generally

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 about the hardships of life,

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 the difficulties of life,

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 the meaning is not immediately clear.

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 And that raises a question.

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 Isn't the goal of the teacher

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 to communicate concepts clearly

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 so that the students understand?

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 Why then employ parables,

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 which by definition need to be deciphered,

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 explained?

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 Jesus' disciples had this exact question.

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 So they ask him in verse 10,

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 why do you speak to them in parables?

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 And Jesus gives them a plain answer in verse 11.

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 To you, it has been given to know

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 the secrets of the kingdom of heaven,

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 but to them, it has not been given.

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 The secrets of the kingdom of heaven

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 have been given to the disciples of Jesus

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 to know,

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 but it has not been given to the crowds

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 to know.

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 Jesus continues in verses 12 to 13.

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 For to the one who has,

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 more will be given,

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 and he will have an abundance.

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 But from the one who has not,

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 even what he has will be taken away.

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 This is why I speak to them in parables,

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 because seeing,

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 they do not see,

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 and hearing,

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 they do not hear,

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 nor do they understand.

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 This is why I speak to them in parables,

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 Jesus says.

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 Because seeing,

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 they do not see,

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 and hearing,

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 they do not hear.

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 Maybe some of you have seen

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 this optical illusion

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 that I saw years ago

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 when I was a kid.

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 It's a drawing,

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 a black and white drawing,

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 of a young woman

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 with the headscarf

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 with her head turned slightly this way.

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 I think some of you guys

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 have probably seen it.

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 And if you,

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 you know,

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 if you just look at that,

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 that's maybe all you see.

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 Until someone points out

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 the contours of another image,

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 and when they do that,

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 you suddenly see,

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 not a beautiful young woman,

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 but an old wrinkly woman

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 with a huge crooked nose

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 and a protruding chin.

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 And then once you see that,

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 you can't unsee it.

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 Like that's what you see

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 when you see that image.

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 But unless someone points that out

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 or you somehow came to see

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 that second image,

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 you could stare at that

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 all day long

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 and all you see

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 is that first image.

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 A parable is kind of like that.

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 Because seeing,

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 they do not see.

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 You have heard the parable,

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 but have you really heard it,

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 not just with your ears,

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 but with your heart?

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 You understand the surface meaning

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 of the words that Jesus speaks,

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 but do you understand

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 the deeper meaning underneath that?

00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:23.920
 That's the point of the parable

00:13:23.920 --> 00:13:25.700
 that some people see

00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:27.160
 and yet not see.

00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:30.740
 The point of the parable,

00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:32.120
 the parable functions

00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:34.399
 for some people to elucidate.

00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:36.000
 For the disciples,

00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:36.780
 when they explain it,

00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:38.540
 it clarifies,

00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.280
 helps them to understand.

00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:42.060
 But for some others,

00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:44.060
 it obfuscates,

00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:46.220
 it makes opaque,

00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.759
 more difficult to see

00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.060
 and understand.

00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:51.699
 In the parallel version

00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:52.299
 of this parable

00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:53.239
 in the Gospel of Mark,

00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.339
 Mark 4, 11 and 12,

00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:55.279
 Jesus makes this point

00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:56.119
 even more explicit.

00:13:56.599 --> 00:13:56.899
 He says,

00:13:57.319 --> 00:13:58.759
 To you has been given

00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:00.259
 the secret of the kingdom of God,

00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:02.059
 but for those outside,

00:14:02.219 --> 00:14:03.539
 everything is in parables,

00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:07.479
 so that they may indeed see,

00:14:07.579 --> 00:14:08.399
 but not perceive,

00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:10.079
 and may indeed hear,

00:14:10.199 --> 00:14:11.279
 but not understand,

00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:13.099
 lest they should turn

00:14:13.099 --> 00:14:13.859
 and be forgiven.

00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:17.840
 Jesus cites Isaiah 6, 9-10

00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:19.220
 in verses 14 and 15

00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:20.480
 to explain this further.

00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:22.419
 In the original context of Isaiah,

00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.580
 this is in the commissioning

00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:24.379
 of prophet Isaiah,

00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.680
 God tells him to go

00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:26.519
 and prophesy among

00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.379
 the people of Israel,

00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.840
 but as he commissions him,

00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:29.940
 God tells Isaiah

00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:31.539
 that people will not listen to him.

00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.360
 In fact, he tells him

00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.220
 that your prophecy

00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:35.159
 will have the effect

00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:36.899
 of hardening the hearts

00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:37.860
 of the people of Israel.

00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:41.039
 The heat of the sun

00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:42.960
 melts chocolate,

00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:44.780
 but it hardens clay.

00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:47.080
 The word of God

00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:48.420
 functions as an instrument

00:14:48.420 --> 00:14:49.620
 of mercy to some,

00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:50.900
 but as an instrument

00:14:50.900 --> 00:14:52.460
 of judgment to others.

00:14:53.060 --> 00:14:56.060
 It reveals and saves for some.

00:14:56.660 --> 00:15:00.060
 It conceals and hardens for others.

00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:02.920
 As 2 Corinthians 2, 16 says,

00:15:03.040 --> 00:15:04.560
 witnesses of Jesus Christ,

00:15:04.660 --> 00:15:05.120
 that they are,

00:15:05.220 --> 00:15:06.480
 we are as witnesses of Christ,

00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:07.420
 are a fragrance

00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:08.920
 from death to death

00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:11.000
 for those who are perishing,

00:15:11.540 --> 00:15:12.780
 but we are a fragrance

00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.919
 from life to life

00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:15.519
 for those who are being saved.

00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:19.959
 Jesus cites Isaiah 6, 9 to 10

00:15:19.959 --> 00:15:21.679
 to explain why he teaches

00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:22.639
 the crowds in parables,

00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:24.079
 not so that they might hear

00:15:24.079 --> 00:15:24.759
 and understand,

00:15:25.579 --> 00:15:26.600
 but so that they might hear

00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:28.319
 yet not understand.

00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:30.639
 Follow along with me

00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.799
 in verses 14 to 15.

00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:33.439
 You will indeed hear,

00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:34.699
 but never understand,

00:15:34.979 --> 00:15:36.059
 and you will indeed see,

00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:37.339
 but never perceive.

00:15:37.939 --> 00:15:38.939
 For this people's heart

00:15:38.939 --> 00:15:39.719
 has grown dull,

00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:40.719
 and with their ears

00:15:40.719 --> 00:15:41.939
 they can hardly hear,

00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:43.240
 and their eyes

00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:43.879
 they have closed,

00:15:43.979 --> 00:15:44.799
 lest they should see

00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:45.439
 with their eyes

00:15:45.439 --> 00:15:46.419
 and hear with their ears

00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:47.019
 and understand

00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:47.819
 with their heart

00:15:47.819 --> 00:15:48.459
 and turn,

00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:49.779
 and I would heal them.

00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:52.299
 A passage like this

00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:53.139
 makes some of us

00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.839
 feel uncomfortable

00:15:53.839 --> 00:15:54.879
 because it seems

00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.740
 to negate human agency

00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.759
 and will.

00:15:57.759 --> 00:16:00.139
 If we go back

00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:01.200
 to the original quote

00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:01.759
 in Isaiah,

00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:03.019
 it's even more direct

00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:04.059
 and forceful

00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:05.620
 than Matthew's rendering of it,

00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:06.120
 which he quotes

00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.120
 from the Greek translation

00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.679
 of the Hebrew.

00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:09.799
 Isaiah 6, verse 10 says,

00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:10.759
 Make the heart

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.700
 of this people dull

00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:13.319
 and their ears heavy

00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:15.299
 and blind their eyes

00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.379
 lest they see

00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.259
 with their eyes

00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:18.819
 and hear with their ears

00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:19.779
 and understand

00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:20.740
 with their hearts

00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:22.519
 and turn and be healed.

00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:25.279
 God's telling Isaiah

00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.139
 that his prophecies

00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:26.939
 would dull

00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:28.020
 the people's hearts,

00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.600
 harden their hearts

00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.160
 in some sense,

00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.160
 that Jesus is saying

00:16:31.160 --> 00:16:32.360
 that his parables

00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:34.420
 fulfill Isaiah's prophecy

00:16:34.420 --> 00:16:35.900
 by doing the same thing.

00:16:37.920 --> 00:16:39.020
 It's also important

00:16:39.020 --> 00:16:39.620
 to note that

00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:41.340
 it's not the case

00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.480
 that the disciples

00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.660
 of Jesus,

00:16:44.400 --> 00:16:45.700
 they don't have dull hearts,

00:16:46.300 --> 00:16:47.060
 they are humble

00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:47.760
 and receptive

00:16:47.760 --> 00:16:48.200
 and therefore

00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:48.900
 they understand

00:16:48.900 --> 00:16:49.480
 these parables

00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.440
 without Jesus

00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:51.220
 having to explain it

00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:51.480
 to them.

00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.200
 That's not what

00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:53.980
 sets these disciples

00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:54.940
 apart from the crowds.

00:16:55.920 --> 00:16:56.920
 Matthew makes it clear

00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:58.179
 in the course of the gospel

00:16:58.179 --> 00:16:59.120
 that his disciples

00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.639
 also do not understand

00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.199
 the parables

00:17:01.199 --> 00:17:02.519
 without Jesus

00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.479
 explaining it to them.

00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:04.700
 So he says

00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.119
 in Matthew 13, 36,

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.559
 Then Jesus left the crowds

00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.579
 and went into the house

00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:09.720
 and his disciples

00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:10.659
 came to him saying,

00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:12.500
 Explain to us

00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:13.099
 the parable

00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:13.779
 of the weeds

00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.359
 of the field.

00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:15.619
 Again,

00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:16.720
 in Matthew 15, 15,

00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:17.639
 Peter says to Jesus,

00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:19.460
 Explain the parable

00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.039
 to us.

00:17:20.659 --> 00:17:21.619
 They ask Jesus

00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.700
 to explain the parables

00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:24.259
 because they don't understand.

00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.720
 Both the crowds

00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.660
 and the disciples

00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:28.019
 do not understand

00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:28.599
 the parables.

00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.940
 The only difference

00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:31.680
 between them

00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:32.460
 is that Jesus

00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.759
 does not explain

00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.519
 to the crowds,

00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:36.319
 but he does explain

00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:37.279
 to the disciples.

00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:38.920
 Why?

00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:40.839
 Jesus told us

00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:41.460
 in verse 11,

00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:43.240
 To you it has been given

00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:44.240
 to know the secrets

00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.180
 of the kingdom of heaven,

00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:46.379
 but to them

00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.779
 it has not been given.

00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.400
 Or as Jesus

00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:50.279
 puts it differently

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.819
 in Matthew 22, 14,

00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:53.139
 Many are called,

00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:55.700
 but few are chosen.

00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:58.679
 Jesus did not choose

00:17:58.679 --> 00:17:59.259
 the disciples

00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.359
 because they are

00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:01.439
 unlike these crowds

00:18:01.439 --> 00:18:02.439
 and they have hearts

00:18:02.439 --> 00:18:03.000
 that are humble

00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.539
 and supple

00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.799
 and able to understand.

00:18:04.939 --> 00:18:05.099
 No,

00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.859
 their hearts understand

00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:08.799
 because Jesus chose them

00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:10.539
 and explains things to them.

00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.519
 Since this is

00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.359
 a difficult topic,

00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.179
 let me bring in

00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:16.299
 a few other passages

00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:16.619
 of scripture

00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:17.579
 to demonstrate this

00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.079
 to you all.

00:18:18.619 --> 00:18:20.299
 Psalm 139, verse 16.

00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:21.059
 It says,

00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:22.119
 Your eyes saw

00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:23.539
 my unformed substance.

00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.799
 In your book

00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.379
 were written

00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.500
 every one of them

00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.359
 the days that were

00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:28.159
 formed for me,

00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.159
 when as yet

00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:30.500
 there was none of them.

00:18:31.899 --> 00:18:33.240
 Notice it doesn't say

00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:35.500
 that God foresaw

00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:37.359
 what I will do

00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.079
 ahead of time

00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.500
 and then he just

00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.079
 wrote it down

00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.579
 in his book.

00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:43.119
 If that's the case,

00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:43.980
 then what's the point

00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.859
 of telling us

00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:45.659
 that God wrote the book

00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:46.980
 before any of our days

00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.579
 came to be?

00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:50.339
 That priority,

00:18:50.639 --> 00:18:51.939
 that priorness

00:18:51.939 --> 00:18:52.839
 of God writing

00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.379
 our days

00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.119
 in the book

00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:55.240
 is no priority

00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:55.859
 at all

00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:57.079
 if he only wrote

00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.099
 down what he foresaw

00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:58.699
 we will do.

00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:01.319
 In that case,

00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.259
 our choices

00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.859
 and our actions

00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.899
 come logically

00:19:04.899 --> 00:19:06.599
 before God's writing

00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:07.779
 and that's not

00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:09.759
 what Psalm 139, 16 says.

00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:10.980
 It says that

00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.559
 our days

00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.179
 were written

00:19:12.179 --> 00:19:12.980
 in God's book

00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:14.299
 before any of them

00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:15.019
 came to be.

00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:17.339
 We need to take God

00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:17.980
 at his word

00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.920
 when he tells us

00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:20.180
 that he sovereignly

00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:20.779
 ordains

00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:22.319
 every single one of

00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.460
 every single day

00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.099
 of our lives

00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:25.859
 before any of it

00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.379
 came to be

00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:29.240
 which is a source

00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.019
 of great comfort

00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.519
 for me

00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:32.160
 knowing that no matter

00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.619
 how hard my life gets,

00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.420
 no matter what

00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.379
 bad things happen,

00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:35.980
 no matter what

00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:37.039
 tragedy strike,

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.480
 all of it came

00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.139
 from the loving

00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:39.859
 and sovereign hand

00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.440
 of my Father.

00:19:42.379 --> 00:19:43.879
 Ephesians 1, 11 says this,

00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:44.740
 in him we have

00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.920
 obtained an inheritance

00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:48.000
 having been predestined

00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.240
 according to the purpose

00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:50.320
 of him who works

00:19:50.320 --> 00:19:50.980
 all things

00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.660
 according to the

00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.860
 counsel of his will.

00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:55.560
 According to whose purpose

00:19:55.560 --> 00:19:56.720
 did God predestine

00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.740
 some of us

00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.300
 for salvation?

00:19:59.100 --> 00:19:59.400
 He says,

00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.280
 according to the purpose

00:20:00.280 --> 00:20:00.940
 of God

00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:02.080
 who works all things.

00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:03.760
 Well, but doesn't

00:20:03.760 --> 00:20:04.540
 God purpose

00:20:04.540 --> 00:20:05.420
 to uphold

00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.820
 our free will

00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:07.400
 and therefore

00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:08.300
 work things out

00:20:08.300 --> 00:20:08.900
 according to

00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:09.720
 our wills

00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.140
 and choices?

00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.960
 What is the basis

00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.880
 for God's purpose?

00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:14.900
 having been predestined

00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.740
 according to the purpose

00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.780
 of him who works

00:20:16.780 --> 00:20:17.300
 all things

00:20:17.300 --> 00:20:18.080
 according to the

00:20:18.080 --> 00:20:20.140
 counsel of his will.

00:20:21.800 --> 00:20:22.580
 It says that our

00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:23.360
 predestination is

00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:24.060
 according to God's

00:20:24.060 --> 00:20:24.420
 purpose

00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:25.900
 and that God's purpose

00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:26.720
 is not based on

00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.960
 our will and choices

00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.140
 but on the counsel

00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:30.060
 of his will.

00:20:31.820 --> 00:20:32.980
 So why is there

00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:34.140
 such a wide range

00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:35.380
 of differing responses

00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:35.940
 to the gospel

00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.780
 of Jesus Christ?

00:20:37.520 --> 00:20:38.280
 One answer

00:20:38.280 --> 00:20:38.880
 that our passage

00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.920
 gives is this,

00:20:40.260 --> 00:20:41.460
 God only reveals

00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:41.960
 the secret

00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.500
 to some.

00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.799
 But if you walk

00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.660
 away from this passage

00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.380
 way down

00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:48.360
 only by the fate

00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:49.120
 of the non-elect,

00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.059
 those who are not

00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.900
 chosen by God

00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:51.420
 in this sense,

00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.019
 then you're missing

00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.640
 the emphasis

00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.660
 of Jesus' teaching.

00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.620
 All of us

00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:56.140
 were once

00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:57.059
 depraved,

00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:57.819
 hardened sinners.

00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:59.140
 All of us

00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:00.460
 once had dull hearts.

00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:02.480
 What is remarkable

00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.279
 is not that

00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:03.799
 these sinners

00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.600
 are not saved.

00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:05.900
 What is remarkable

00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:06.860
 is that some sinners

00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:07.680
 are saved.

00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:09.960
 what is remarkable

00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:11.039
 is that to some

00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:12.640
 it has been given

00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.880
 to know the secrets

00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.580
 of the kingdom

00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:15.019
 of heaven.

00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.000
 So Jesus says

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.600
 to his disciples

00:21:17.600 --> 00:21:18.860
 in verses 16 to 17,

00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:20.519
 but blessed are your eyes

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.500
 for they see

00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:23.019
 and your ears

00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.180
 for they hear.

00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.700
 For truly I say

00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.120
 to you,

00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:26.900
 many prophets

00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.799
 and righteous people

00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.700
 long to see

00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.380
 what you see

00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:30.500
 and did not see it

00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.279
 and to hear

00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:31.960
 what you hear

00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:33.640
 and did not hear it.

00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:36.500
 I think it's fair

00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.360
 to say that all of us

00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:38.240
 have a fascination

00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.159
 with secrets.

00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:41.319
 We like to be privy

00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.019
 to secrets.

00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.559
 We all wonder

00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.639
 what's in that vault

00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:45.839
 or in that secret archive

00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:47.139
 in the MI6 headquarters

00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:47.659
 in London

00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:49.559
 or what's hidden

00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:51.179
 in that CIA headquarters

00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:52.319
 in Langley, Virginia

00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:54.419
 or what was hidden

00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:55.539
 in the secret

00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.959
 Vatican archives

00:21:56.959 --> 00:21:57.719
 that wasn't open

00:21:57.719 --> 00:21:58.519
 to the historians

00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.779
 until like the 1880s

00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.459
 or something like that.

00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.000
 What's in there?

00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:03.139
 People want to know

00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:03.479
 these secrets

00:22:03.479 --> 00:22:04.379
 want to be in on it.

00:22:05.679 --> 00:22:06.459
 Jesus says

00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.519
 that many prophets

00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.759
 and righteous people

00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.380
 throughout the ages

00:22:09.380 --> 00:22:10.480
 long to see

00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.200
 what you see

00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.380
 and did not see it.

00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:15.340
 Not only the prophets

00:22:15.340 --> 00:22:16.259
 and righteous people,

00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:17.880
 1 Peter 1, 10-12

00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.460
 tells us that

00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.840
 even the angels,

00:22:20.340 --> 00:22:21.380
 angels of heaven

00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:22.600
 long to look

00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:23.360
 and see

00:22:23.360 --> 00:22:24.200
 what it was

00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:25.340
 that God was planning

00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:26.840
 his redemption plan

00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:27.500
 through the suffering

00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.559
 and death of Jesus Christ

00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.279
 and his resurrection.

00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:34.160
 God has invited us

00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:35.599
 to be in on

00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.339
 a secret

00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.539
 that up to the point

00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:37.960
 of Christ

00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:39.259
 that not even his angels

00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:40.299
 were fully privy to.

00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.819
 He has now revealed

00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.599
 that to us.

00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.480
 What exactly

00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.119
 are the secrets

00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:48.119
 of the kingdom of heaven?

00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.799
 The word secret here

00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.500
 is the same word

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.539
 that is usually translated

00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.399
 as mystery

00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.720
 in the New Testament.

00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.180
 Paul speaks

00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:55.940
 of this mystery

00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.799
 that God revealed

00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:58.059
 to him in Ephesians 3,

00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:58.779
 4 to 6.

00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.359
 When you read this,

00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.500
 you can perceive

00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.379
 my insight

00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:03.279
 into the mystery

00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:03.899
 of Christ,

00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:05.619
 which was not made known

00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.480
 to the sons of men

00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.480
 in other generations

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.819
 as it has now

00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.500
 been revealed

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.740
 to his holy apostles

00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.279
 and prophets

00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:11.960
 by the Spirit.

00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:13.839
 This mystery

00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.460
 is that

00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:15.819
 the Gentiles

00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.940
 are fellow heirs,

00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:19.420
 members of the same body

00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:20.539
 and partakers

00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.480
 of the promise

00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:22.359
 in Christ Jesus

00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:23.279
 through the gospel.

00:23:24.139 --> 00:23:24.720
 The secrets

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.819
 of the kingdom of heaven,

00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:27.519
 the mystery

00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.180
 of the ages

00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:28.820
 is this,

00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:29.820
 that Christ Jesus

00:23:29.820 --> 00:23:30.920
 fulfilled the law

00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.299
 of God

00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.259
 by living the life

00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:33.240
 of perfect obedience

00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:34.279
 and then dying

00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:35.460
 as the atoning sacrifice

00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.880
 for sin on the cross

00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:37.980
 in our place,

00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.920
 in the place of sinners,

00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.019
 and then he was raised

00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.539
 from the dead

00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.060
 in victory

00:23:41.060 --> 00:23:42.420
 so that lawbreakers

00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.340
 like you and I

00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:44.519
 who were once enemies

00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.080
 of God

00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:46.000
 can be forgiven,

00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.640
 pardoned,

00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.160
 and become citizens

00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:50.200
 of the kingdom of heaven.

00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:53.440
 but how can

00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:54.340
 the kingdom,

00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.299
 the secrets

00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.900
 of the kingdom

00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.420
 of heaven

00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:57.519
 be mine?

00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.220
 See,

00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.420
 that's the true wonder

00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.500
 of the doctrine

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.039
 of election.

00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.200
 It's meant

00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:05.340
 to make us wonder

00:24:05.340 --> 00:24:07.259
 why would it be

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.900
 that God

00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.920
 would choose me?

00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:16.700
 I wouldn't choose me

00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:18.460
 if I were God.

00:24:23.560 --> 00:24:25.560
 I'm slow to change.

00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:27.019
 I'm like a stubborn mule,

00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:27.900
 right?

00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.220
 Really,

00:24:29.340 --> 00:24:30.340
 really long times.

00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:31.800
 I change slowly

00:24:31.800 --> 00:24:32.420
 and gradually.

00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:36.340
 I'm a Gentile dog,

00:24:37.580 --> 00:24:40.120
 an ethnic mutt

00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:41.279
 in all likelihood,

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.000
 even though I haven't

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.580
 taken one of those

00:24:42.580 --> 00:24:43.240
 DNA tests,

00:24:43.800 --> 00:24:44.500
 but just look at me.

00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.680
 Definitely don't look

00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.400
 100% Korean

00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.000
 if you ask me.

00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:52.340
 I was alienated

00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:53.000
 and hostile

00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.960
 in mind to God,

00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:55.880
 doing evil deeds,

00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.519
 as it says

00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.600
 in Colossians 1.21.

00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:59.660
 My forefathers

00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:00.380
 were engaged

00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:01.380
 in idolatrous,

00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.400
 futile ways.

00:25:03.360 --> 00:25:04.500
 Opposed to the truth

00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:04.940
 of God.

00:25:05.580 --> 00:25:06.340
 If you go far

00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:07.400
 back enough,

00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.440
 my ancestors

00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:09.940
 persecuted the Jews,

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.519
 the chosen people

00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:11.960
 of God.

00:25:13.080 --> 00:25:14.259
 I am the foremost

00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.400
 of sinners.

00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.640
 I was far off,

00:25:18.580 --> 00:25:19.640
 separated from Christ,

00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:20.500
 alienated from

00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.100
 the commonwealth

00:25:21.100 --> 00:25:21.519
 of Israel,

00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:22.140
 and strangers

00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:22.920
 to the covenants

00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.680
 of promise,

00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.920
 having no hope

00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:26.019
 and without God

00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.600
 in the world.

00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.900
 That's me.

00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.240
 So God,

00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:32.599
 I think you've

00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:33.039
 got the wrong

00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.440
 person.

00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.799
 I'm not your

00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.200
 guy.

00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.960
 I'm not supposed

00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.779
 to know the secret.

00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.579
 These precious

00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.480
 secrets are not

00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.900
 for my blind eyes

00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.240
 to see,

00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:47.339
 not for my deaf

00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.099
 ears to hear,

00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.599
 not for my dull

00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.620
 heart to understand.

00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:50.719
 God.

00:25:53.719 --> 00:25:56.500
 But if God

00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.159
 as the king

00:25:57.159 --> 00:25:58.219
 gets to choose,

00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:03.059
 then he can say,

00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.699
 it doesn't matter

00:26:04.699 --> 00:26:05.239
 what you say,

00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:08.500
 I'm choosing you

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.420
 and revealing

00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:10.400
 this secret to you.

00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.460
 Pastor,

00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:20.220
 he's still a pastor,

00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:20.519
 I think,

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.359
 Stephen Um,

00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.579
 who's an acquaintance

00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:22.900
 of mine,

00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.759
 when he used

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.259
 to do

00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.240
 submissions work

00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.500
 in South Korea,

00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:28.079
 he would minister

00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:29.380
 to prostitutes,

00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:31.800
 and no matter

00:26:31.800 --> 00:26:32.520
 how many times

00:26:32.520 --> 00:26:33.120
 he would tell

00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:34.180
 them the gospel

00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.880
 and God's

00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:35.300
 forgiveness

00:26:35.300 --> 00:26:35.860
 and God can

00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.520
 forgive you,

00:26:37.020 --> 00:26:37.580
 you can have

00:26:37.580 --> 00:26:38.120
 a new life

00:26:38.120 --> 00:26:38.640
 in Christ,

00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.380
 they wouldn't

00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:39.720
 listen.

00:26:40.540 --> 00:26:41.260
 They felt so

00:26:41.260 --> 00:26:42.120
 much shame,

00:26:43.020 --> 00:26:44.200
 so much shame

00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:44.780
 from their

00:26:44.780 --> 00:26:45.760
 lifestyle and

00:26:45.760 --> 00:26:46.240
 what they had

00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.520
 done,

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.480
 they said to

00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:47.780
 themselves,

00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.580
 God cannot

00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:50.360
 possibly receive

00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:50.800
 us.

00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:53.419
 But it was

00:26:53.419 --> 00:26:54.159
 when they

00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:54.700
 were taught

00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.180
 the doctrine

00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.799
 of election,

00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:57.919
 when they

00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:58.180
 were taught

00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:58.559
 that God

00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.039
 is the king

00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.879
 who sovereignly

00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:00.500
 chooses and

00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.279
 saves people

00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:01.919
 for himself,

00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.819
 that's when

00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.319
 they said,

00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.359
 oh,

00:27:04.399 --> 00:27:04.919
 if that's

00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:05.399
 the case,

00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:06.079
 then I can

00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:06.700
 believe that.

00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:11.019
 That's the

00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:12.159
 wonder of

00:27:12.159 --> 00:27:12.539
 election.

00:27:13.919 --> 00:27:14.339
 How can

00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.059
 God choose

00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.319
 me?

00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.879
 Because my

00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:22.519
 son died

00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.839
 for your

00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.079
 sins,

00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:23.299
 he has

00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.839
 fulfilled the

00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.240
 law on your

00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.639
 behalf,

00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.579
 you whom I

00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:26.000
 have chosen,

00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:26.480
 you are no

00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.519
 longer strangers

00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.419
 and aliens,

00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:28.819
 but you are

00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.879
 fellow citizens

00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:30.500
 of the kingdom

00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:30.899
 of heaven.

00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.240
 Remember,

00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:34.879
 that's why

00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.500
 Andrew preached

00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:35.779
 on this

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.700
 passage in

00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.500
 the preceding

00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:37.819
 passage,

00:27:37.919 --> 00:27:38.379
 Matthew 12,

00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:39.299
 41 to 42.

00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.399
 What did

00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:41.319
 Jesus use as

00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:41.980
 examples when

00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.740
 he was denouncing

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.419
 the Pharisees?

00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:43.740
 He says,

00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.619
 the men of

00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.779
 Nineveh will

00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.559
 rise up to

00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.159
 condemn you.

00:27:47.159 --> 00:27:48.720
 For Jonah

00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.299
 came to them

00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:49.619
 and preached

00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:50.039
 and they

00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.579
 listened and

00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:50.779
 they

00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.299
 repented,

00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.159
 but something

00:27:52.159 --> 00:27:52.960
 greater than

00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.579
 Jonah is

00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:53.899
 here.

00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:56.259
 The queen

00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.799
 of Sheba,

00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:57.279
 the queen

00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:57.599
 of the

00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:57.940
 south,

00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:59.379
 came to

00:27:59.379 --> 00:27:59.819
 hear the

00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.299
 wisdom of

00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:00.919
 Solomon and

00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:01.639
 she listened

00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:02.980
 and she

00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.579
 will rise up

00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:04.019
 to condemn

00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:04.399
 you in the

00:28:04.399 --> 00:28:04.680
 day of

00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:06.240
 judgment because

00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:07.159
 something greater

00:28:07.159 --> 00:28:07.720
 than Solomon

00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.139
 is here.

00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:08.700
 Both of those

00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.139
 examples,

00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.000
 they're Gentiles,

00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:11.779
 sinners.

00:28:14.399 --> 00:28:15.079
 He's kind of

00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.559
 rubbing it in

00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.019
 the face of

00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:18.240
 these Pharisees,

00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.039
 the Jewish

00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:20.019
 religious elites.

00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:22.480
 you think

00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.019
 you're saved

00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.500
 because you're

00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:23.920
 a Jew.

00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:24.920
 You think

00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:25.339
 you're saved

00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:25.700
 because of

00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:26.000
 your own

00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.460
 righteousness,

00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:27.039
 not a

00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:27.559
 chance.

00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.299
 Those whom

00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.139
 God sovereignly

00:28:30.139 --> 00:28:30.680
 chooses and

00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:31.460
 reveals himself to,

00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.059
 those who

00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.799
 repent and

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.259
 believe in

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.779
 Jesus Christ,

00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:34.480
 only they

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.519
 who recognize

00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:35.859
 that their

00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.400
 own righteousness

00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.259
 is inadequate

00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:39.359
 can be saved.

00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:42.279
 and so with

00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.019
 the religious

00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.599
 elites,

00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.659
 the cream of

00:28:44.659 --> 00:28:45.039
 the crop,

00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:45.479
 the moral

00:28:45.479 --> 00:28:46.339
 exemplars that

00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:47.179
 they thought

00:28:47.179 --> 00:28:47.819
 themselves to

00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.479
 be behind

00:28:48.479 --> 00:28:48.799
 him,

00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:49.759
 Jesus turns

00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:50.119
 to his

00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:50.799
 ragtag

00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.419
 bunch of

00:28:51.419 --> 00:28:51.959
 disciples,

00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:52.939
 the collection

00:28:52.939 --> 00:28:53.500
 of sinners

00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:54.139
 and tax

00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:55.019
 collectors who

00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.399
 have gathered

00:28:55.399 --> 00:28:55.939
 about him

00:28:55.939 --> 00:28:56.639
 and he says,

00:28:56.979 --> 00:28:57.759
 here are my

00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.139
 brothers,

00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.639
 here are my

00:28:59.639 --> 00:28:59.959
 mothers,

00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:00.659
 here are my

00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.059
 sisters.

00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:01.259
 brothers,

00:29:02.139 --> 00:29:04.859
 Jesus turns

00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:05.639
 upside down

00:29:05.639 --> 00:29:06.240
 the conventional

00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.559
 Jewish

00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.279
 understanding of

00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:07.919
 who is in

00:29:07.919 --> 00:29:08.879
 and who is

00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:09.159
 out.

00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.859
 Jesus has

00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:13.399
 made a way

00:29:13.399 --> 00:29:14.019
 for sinners

00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.799
 like us to

00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.279
 be saved.

00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:17.700
 And yes,

00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.599
 God sovereignly

00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:19.720
 chooses some

00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.779
 to be saved,

00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:21.779
 to be his

00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.220
 disciples,

00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.440
 but implicit in

00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.119
 this passage is

00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:24.500
 also an

00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:24.980
 invitation.

00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:26.799
 Yes,

00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:27.539
 the purpose is

00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.159
 to make people

00:29:28.159 --> 00:29:28.619
 hear,

00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.940
 some people

00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.519
 hear yet not

00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:30.919
 understand,

00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.400
 but there's

00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:31.800
 also an

00:29:31.800 --> 00:29:32.519
 invitation to

00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.220
 believe and

00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.860
 follow the

00:29:33.860 --> 00:29:35.480
 only person

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.140
 who can

00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:36.840
 explain the

00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:37.420
 parables and

00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:37.720
 give its

00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.019
 meaning.

00:29:40.160 --> 00:29:40.779
 When I

00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.240
 defined the

00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.740
 word parable

00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.039
 for you

00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.300
 earlier,

00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:42.640
 I didn't

00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:43.180
 mention that

00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.920
 parable is

00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.460
 a Greek

00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:44.960
 word that's

00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.380
 used to

00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:46.039
 translate the

00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.759
 Hebrew word

00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.840
 for proverb

00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:48.860
 in the Old

00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:49.180
 Testament.

00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:51.300
 So when it

00:29:51.300 --> 00:29:51.620
 says in

00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:52.259
 verse 3 that

00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:52.960
 Jesus told

00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.620
 them many

00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:55.000
 things in

00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.560
 parables,

00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.640
 it recalls

00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.440
 1 Kings 4

00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.340
 32 which

00:29:58.340 --> 00:29:58.900
 tells us that

00:29:58.900 --> 00:29:59.720
 King Solomon

00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:00.380
 spoke in

00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:02.120
 many proverbs,

00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:02.800
 more specifically

00:30:02.800 --> 00:30:04.080
 3,000 proverbs.

00:30:05.260 --> 00:30:05.600
 And remember

00:30:05.600 --> 00:30:06.280
 Jesus, we were

00:30:06.280 --> 00:30:07.080
 just told in

00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:07.540
 chapter 12

00:30:07.540 --> 00:30:08.300
 verse 42 that

00:30:08.300 --> 00:30:09.000
 Jesus is

00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.140
 something greater

00:30:10.140 --> 00:30:11.020
 than Solomon.

00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:14.039
 if the queen

00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.660
 of the south

00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:16.019
 traveled 1,500

00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:17.559
 miles to

00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:17.980
 hear the

00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.539
 wisdom that

00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:18.980
 God had

00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.359
 given to

00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:19.639
 Solomon,

00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.059
 then how

00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:20.720
 much more

00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:22.039
 when the

00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:22.700
 wisdom of

00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.359
 God in

00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:24.160
 the flesh,

00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.420
 when the

00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:25.900
 word of

00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.879
 God incarnate

00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.519
 is in our

00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:27.980
 midst, how

00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.420
 much more

00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:28.740
 should we

00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.220
 pay attention

00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.759
 to him

00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.579
 and listen

00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.000
 to him?

00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.099
 Divine

00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:34.700
 sovereignty

00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.359
 and salvation

00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:36.379
 does not

00:30:36.379 --> 00:30:37.319
 abrogate human

00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:38.000
 responsibility.

00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:40.359
 The

00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:40.940
 geologist

00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.880
 Frank Rhodes,

00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:42.559
 who was the

00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.240
 ninth president

00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:43.660
 of Cornell

00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:44.259
 University,

00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.039
 once used

00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.599
 this analogy

00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:46.220
 to explain

00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:47.000
 multiple types

00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.559
 of causes.

00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.160
 He asks,

00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:50.240
 so why is

00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.740
 the kettle

00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.220
 boiling?

00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.279
 Two types

00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:53.920
 of explanations

00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.559
 can be given.

00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.259
 At one level,

00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.500
 the stove top

00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.619
 is applying

00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:58.480
 thermal energy

00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.140
 to the base

00:30:59.140 --> 00:30:59.640
 of the kettle,

00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.859
 which then

00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.660
 generates kinetic

00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.759
 energy and the

00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.339
 molecules are

00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.259
 moving faster

00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.000
 and faster and

00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.980
 that is what

00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.539
 you're measuring

00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.140
 and then when

00:31:07.140 --> 00:31:07.900
 this reaches

00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:08.660
 100 degrees

00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.059
 centigrade,

00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:09.759
 that's boiling.

00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:11.880
 That's one

00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:12.660
 way to explain

00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.319
 why the kettle

00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:13.779
 is boiling.

00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:14.839
 A second

00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.259
 answer that

00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:15.700
 you can give

00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.079
 is this,

00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:16.519
 the kettle

00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:16.980
 is boiling

00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.660
 because someone

00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.180
 put it on

00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:18.620
 to make a

00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:19.120
 cup of tea.

00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.640
 That's the

00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.339
 just as valid

00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:22.620
 of an

00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:23.079
 explanation.

00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.480
 Rhodes writes

00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:24.740
 this,

00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.299
 now these

00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:26.019
 are different

00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.480
 answers,

00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.259
 but both

00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:27.819
 are true.

00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:28.799
 Both are

00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.360
 complementary

00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:29.880
 and not

00:31:29.880 --> 00:31:30.360
 competitive.

00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.579
 One answer

00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.140
 is appropriate

00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:32.599
 within a

00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:33.559
 particular frame

00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.220
 of reference,

00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.019
 the other

00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.799
 within another

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.379
 frame of

00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:36.819
 reference.

00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.599
 We have a

00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.180
 hard time

00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.879
 reconciling

00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:41.639
 divine sovereignty

00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:42.039
 and human

00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:42.559
 responsibility

00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.339
 because we

00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:44.500
 presume that

00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.359
 divine will

00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:46.259
 functions at

00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.740
 the same

00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.419
 level on

00:31:47.419 --> 00:31:48.200
 equal footing

00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:48.859
 as human

00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.220
 will,

00:31:50.139 --> 00:31:50.919
 as if they

00:31:50.919 --> 00:31:51.379
 function on

00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:51.700
 the same

00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.180
 plane,

00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.099
 but it's

00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:53.539
 not like

00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:53.839
 that.

00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.359
 Our will

00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:55.819
 is that of

00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:56.480
 the creature.

00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.799
 God's will

00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:58.180
 is that of

00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:58.740
 the creator.

00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.759
 Our will

00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.220
 is that of

00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.799
 the characters

00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.399
 in a book.

00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:04.019
 God's will

00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.419
 is that of

00:32:04.419 --> 00:32:05.019
 the author

00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:05.559
 of the book.

00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:09.319
 When I was

00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:09.759
 a child,

00:32:09.919 --> 00:32:10.819
 I only knew

00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:11.500
 how to draw

00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.339
 two-dimensional

00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:13.480
 things,

00:32:13.899 --> 00:32:14.059
 right?

00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.460
 Circle,

00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:16.500
 rectangle,

00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:17.639
 it's a human

00:32:17.639 --> 00:32:17.879
 being,

00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.039
 right?

00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:18.519
 It's like a,

00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:20.419
 and then as

00:32:20.419 --> 00:32:21.099
 I got older,

00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.019
 took some art

00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.619
 classes in high

00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:22.799
 school,

00:32:22.879 --> 00:32:22.980
 right,

00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:23.539
 you learn about

00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.119
 perspective,

00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.720
 and you learn

00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:26.419
 about shading,

00:32:26.619 --> 00:32:26.940
 and then you

00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.519
 learn to use

00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:28.720
 the contrast

00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.180
 and color

00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:29.819
 to give depth

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.339
 and volume

00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:30.859
 to drawing.

00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:31.980
 And then when

00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.579
 you jump from

00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.379
 that two-dimensional

00:32:33.379 --> 00:32:34.240
 world to a

00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:34.839
 three-dimensional

00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:35.160
 world,

00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.120
 it revolutionizes

00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:36.539
 art,

00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:36.920
 right?

00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:37.559
 That's what

00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.099
 makes it look

00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:38.460
 good,

00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:38.880
 right?

00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.480
 Being finite

00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:43.380
 creatures is

00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.259
 like living

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:45.220
 in a two-dimensional

00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:45.740
 world.

00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:48.200
 We function on

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.200
 the X-Y

00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.579
 plane.

00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:51.960
 So we can't

00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:52.759
 quite grasp

00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.440
 the third

00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.000
 dimension,

00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.120
 the Z-axis,

00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.000
 right?

00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:57.799
 We know that

00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.200
 the two are

00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:58.640
 connected,

00:32:59.120 --> 00:33:00.059
 but from our

00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:01.160
 limited human

00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:01.599
 perspective,

00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.399
 we cannot

00:33:02.399 --> 00:33:03.240
 search the

00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:03.759
 reaches of

00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.079
 God's

00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:04.399
 infinite

00:33:04.399 --> 00:33:04.740
 mind.

00:33:06.419 --> 00:33:07.159
 It's important

00:33:07.159 --> 00:33:07.599
 to note,

00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:08.399
 however,

00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.379
 that this

00:33:09.379 --> 00:33:10.319
 does not

00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:12.359
 therefore in

00:33:12.359 --> 00:33:13.059
 any way

00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:14.679
 abrogate our

00:33:14.679 --> 00:33:15.339
 responsibility to

00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.019
 respond to the

00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.539
 gospel of Jesus

00:33:16.539 --> 00:33:17.139
 Christ in

00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:17.459
 faith.

00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:19.039
 If we think

00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:19.539
 to ourselves

00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.179
 after believing

00:33:20.179 --> 00:33:20.419
 in the

00:33:20.419 --> 00:33:20.859
 sovereignty of

00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.219
 God and

00:33:21.219 --> 00:33:21.579
 salvation,

00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:21.839
 well,

00:33:21.879 --> 00:33:22.279
 if God

00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:22.939
 chooses whom

00:33:22.939 --> 00:33:23.359
 he will

00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:23.639
 save,

00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:23.839
 well,

00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:24.279
 then it

00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:24.599
 doesn't

00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.179
 matter what

00:33:25.179 --> 00:33:25.639
 we choose

00:33:25.639 --> 00:33:25.939
 in the

00:33:25.939 --> 00:33:26.240
 end.

00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:28.319
 If you're

00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:28.719
 tempted to

00:33:28.719 --> 00:33:29.099
 think that

00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:29.240
 way,

00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:29.619
 I just want

00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:29.839
 you to know

00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.219
 that that's

00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:30.759
 not a

00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:31.039
 biblical

00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:31.620
 idea.

00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:33.279
 That type

00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:33.420
 of,

00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.019
 that kind

00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:34.480
 of thinking,

00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:34.940
 that line

00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:35.380
 of reasoning

00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:35.940
 is completely

00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.539
 foreign to

00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:36.819
 biblical

00:33:36.819 --> 00:33:37.200
 thought.

00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:37.640
 It never

00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.200
 occurs to

00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:38.620
 the writers

00:33:38.620 --> 00:33:39.039
 of Scripture.

00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.420
 The authors

00:33:40.420 --> 00:33:40.819
 of Scripture

00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:41.360
 did not

00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:41.759
 have the

00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.200
 difficulty

00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:42.579
 that we

00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:42.980
 have of

00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.339
 holding

00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:43.720
 divine

00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.180
 sovereignty

00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:44.539
 and human

00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:45.059
 responsibility

00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.720
 together.

00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:47.660
 It says,

00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:48.640
 choose this

00:33:48.640 --> 00:33:49.140
 day whom

00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:49.500
 you will

00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:49.799
 serve,

00:33:49.900 --> 00:33:50.600
 Joshua 24

00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:51.019
 15.

00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:52.380
 That's

00:33:52.380 --> 00:33:52.700
 what Jesus

00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.100
 says in

00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:53.539
 verse 9,

00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:54.000
 he who

00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.799
 has ears,

00:33:55.120 --> 00:33:55.500
 let him

00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:55.920
 hear.

00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:57.000
 That's an

00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:57.500
 invitation.

00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.539
 Only those

00:33:59.539 --> 00:33:59.839
 to whom

00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:00.139
 God has

00:34:00.139 --> 00:34:00.659
 given ears

00:34:00.659 --> 00:34:01.099
 to hear

00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:01.740
 can hear,

00:34:01.919 --> 00:34:02.259
 yes,

00:34:02.639 --> 00:34:02.980
 but it

00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.399
 is not

00:34:03.399 --> 00:34:04.000
 our business

00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.500
 to know

00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:05.539
 whom exactly

00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:06.240
 that is.

00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:06.879
 The only

00:34:06.879 --> 00:34:07.379
 thing we

00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:08.159
 can do

00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.659
 is to

00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:09.380
 take heed

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:10.239
 to hear

00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:11.039
 and understand

00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.599
 the gospel.

00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.480
 Instead of

00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.279
 wondering whether

00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:14.799
 other people

00:34:14.799 --> 00:34:15.219
 are chosen

00:34:15.219 --> 00:34:15.779
 by God

00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:16.219
 or not,

00:34:16.299 --> 00:34:16.920
 we share

00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.420
 the gospel

00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:17.880
 with them

00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:18.159
 all.

00:34:18.719 --> 00:34:19.079
 Isn't that

00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:19.539
 what Jesus

00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:20.019
 does here?

00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.340
 I mean,

00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:21.679
 I don't know

00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:21.940
 if it's

00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:22.279
 exactly,

00:34:22.559 --> 00:34:22.799
 you know,

00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:23.599
 25%,

00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:24.299
 25%,

00:34:24.299 --> 00:34:24.980
 25%,

00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.440
 but if you

00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:25.920
 look at that

00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:26.739
 as 25%,

00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.299
 his success

00:34:27.299 --> 00:34:27.719
 rate's not

00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:28.299
 very good.

00:34:29.559 --> 00:34:30.079
 He sows

00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.980
 seeds everywhere

00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:32.719
 on paths

00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:33.719
 that will be

00:34:33.719 --> 00:34:34.319
 devoured by

00:34:34.319 --> 00:34:34.759
 birds,

00:34:34.859 --> 00:34:35.699
 on shallow

00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:36.219
 ground,

00:34:36.819 --> 00:34:37.480
 on rocky

00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:38.019
 ground,

00:34:38.379 --> 00:34:39.039
 among the

00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.219
 thorns,

00:34:39.279 --> 00:34:39.719
 he sows

00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.179
 everywhere.

00:34:40.339 --> 00:34:40.500
 God,

00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.480
 Jesus sows

00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.079
 liberally

00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:42.699
 everywhere,

00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:44.299
 and so we

00:34:44.299 --> 00:34:44.939
 must do as

00:34:44.939 --> 00:34:45.219
 well.

00:34:45.879 --> 00:34:46.459
 We can't

00:34:46.459 --> 00:34:46.859
 tell who

00:34:46.859 --> 00:34:47.379
 is elect,

00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:48.199
 who belongs

00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:48.699
 to God's

00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:49.319
 chosen people.

00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:50.419
 God has

00:34:50.419 --> 00:34:50.919
 not given

00:34:50.919 --> 00:34:51.259
 us that

00:34:51.259 --> 00:34:51.559
 knowledge,

00:34:51.659 --> 00:34:52.319
 not for us

00:34:52.319 --> 00:34:52.599
 to know.

00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:52.779
 No,

00:34:52.839 --> 00:34:53.299
 it is our

00:34:53.299 --> 00:34:53.839
 responsibility

00:34:53.839 --> 00:34:54.419
 to go and

00:34:54.419 --> 00:34:55.019
 liberally

00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:55.419
 sow the

00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:56.039
 gospel seeds

00:34:56.039 --> 00:34:56.960
 everywhere we

00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:57.240
 go.

00:34:58.820 --> 00:34:59.519
 Instead of

00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.220
 wondering whether

00:35:00.220 --> 00:35:00.940
 you are

00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:01.539
 chosen by

00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:01.880
 God or

00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:02.220
 not,

00:35:03.240 --> 00:35:03.659
 do what

00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.139
 you can

00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.300
 do,

00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:04.599
 which is

00:35:04.599 --> 00:35:05.000
 to put

00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.720
 your faith

00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.180
 in Jesus

00:35:06.180 --> 00:35:06.800
 Christ and

00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:07.500
 follow him

00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:07.760
 as a

00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:08.139
 disciple,

00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.780
 for that's

00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:10.180
 the only

00:35:10.180 --> 00:35:10.680
 way to

00:35:10.680 --> 00:35:11.079
 know whether

00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:11.559
 you belong

00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.019
 to him

00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:12.860
 or not.

00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:14.680
 That's the

00:35:14.680 --> 00:35:15.159
 point of

00:35:15.159 --> 00:35:15.380
 Jesus'

00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:15.980
 explanation

00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.320
 of the

00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.599
 parables

00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:16.980
 in verses

00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:17.820
 17 to

00:35:17.820 --> 00:35:18.579
 23.

00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.220
 The word

00:35:20.220 --> 00:35:21.000
 understand

00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:21.700
 comes up

00:35:21.700 --> 00:35:21.960
 a number

00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:22.440
 of times,

00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:22.720
 and it's

00:35:22.720 --> 00:35:22.980
 a key

00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:23.320
 word.

00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:24.680
 Verse 13,

00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:25.419
 hearing they

00:35:25.419 --> 00:35:25.739
 do not

00:35:25.739 --> 00:35:26.000
 hear,

00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:26.339
 nor do

00:35:26.339 --> 00:35:26.539
 they

00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.579
 understand.

00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:28.579
 Verse 14,

00:35:28.659 --> 00:35:28.819
 you will

00:35:28.819 --> 00:35:29.659
 indeed hear,

00:35:29.839 --> 00:35:30.319
 but never

00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:31.519
 understand.

00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:32.539
 Note this

00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:33.379
 contrast between

00:35:33.379 --> 00:35:33.960
 just mere

00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.919
 hearing of

00:35:34.919 --> 00:35:35.419
 the ear and

00:35:35.419 --> 00:35:36.059
 understanding

00:35:36.059 --> 00:35:36.379
 of the

00:35:36.379 --> 00:35:36.599
 heart.

00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:37.779
 Verse 15,

00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.419
 lest they

00:35:38.419 --> 00:35:39.480
 understand with

00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:40.159
 their heart

00:35:40.159 --> 00:35:40.699
 and turn,

00:35:40.779 --> 00:35:40.980
 and I

00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.500
 would heal

00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:41.739
 them.

00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:43.539
 This theme

00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:44.079
 of understanding

00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:44.659
 is continued

00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:45.539
 in the

00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:46.559
 explanation of

00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:46.819
 the parable

00:35:46.819 --> 00:35:47.139
 in verse

00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:47.539
 19.

00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:47.980
 When anyone

00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:48.460
 hears the

00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:48.699
 word of

00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:49.059
 the kingdom

00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.779
 and does

00:35:49.779 --> 00:35:50.619
 not understand

00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:51.279
 it,

00:35:51.519 --> 00:35:51.960
 the evil

00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:52.500
 one comes

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.199
 and snatches

00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:53.639
 away what

00:35:53.639 --> 00:35:53.919
 has been

00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:54.420
 sown in

00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:54.920
 his heart.

00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:56.480
 This

00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:57.079
 seed sown

00:35:57.079 --> 00:35:57.400
 along the

00:35:57.400 --> 00:35:58.000
 path is

00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:59.019
 contrasted

00:35:59.019 --> 00:35:59.380
 with the

00:35:59.380 --> 00:35:59.720
 seed that

00:35:59.720 --> 00:36:00.000
 is sown

00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.519
 on good

00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.099
 soil.

00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:01.960
 In verse

00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:02.320
 23,

00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:02.820
 this is the

00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:03.139
 one who

00:36:03.139 --> 00:36:03.579
 hears the

00:36:03.579 --> 00:36:03.980
 word and

00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.860
 understands

00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:05.400
 it.

00:36:05.780 --> 00:36:05.900
 He

00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:06.220
 indeed

00:36:06.220 --> 00:36:06.579
 bears

00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:06.960
 fruit.

00:36:07.800 --> 00:36:08.119
 Only

00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:08.780
 the last

00:36:08.780 --> 00:36:09.420
 seed planted

00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:09.740
 on good

00:36:09.740 --> 00:36:10.260
 soil bears

00:36:10.260 --> 00:36:10.860
 fruit because

00:36:10.860 --> 00:36:11.300
 that's the

00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:12.280
 only one

00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:12.639
 that is

00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.240
 described as

00:36:13.240 --> 00:36:13.619
 having

00:36:13.619 --> 00:36:14.720
 understanding.

00:36:15.780 --> 00:36:16.500
 The seed

00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:16.760
 on the

00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:17.380
 path gets

00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:17.780
 eaten by

00:36:17.780 --> 00:36:18.059
 birds.

00:36:18.139 --> 00:36:18.360
 The seed

00:36:18.360 --> 00:36:18.860
 on rocky

00:36:18.860 --> 00:36:19.119
 ground

00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:19.639
 sprouts up

00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:20.000
 quickly but

00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:20.460
 withers in

00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:20.780
 the heat.

00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:21.200
 The seed

00:36:21.200 --> 00:36:21.559
 among the

00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:21.960
 thorns are

00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:22.539
 choked by

00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:22.740
 it.

00:36:22.739 --> 00:36:23.519
 These

00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:24.219
 three kinds

00:36:24.219 --> 00:36:24.679
 of seeds

00:36:24.679 --> 00:36:25.599
 all eventually

00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:26.399
 lose what

00:36:26.399 --> 00:36:27.019
 they had at

00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:27.439
 the beginning.

00:36:28.419 --> 00:36:29.059
 That's what

00:36:29.059 --> 00:36:29.519
 Jesus is

00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:29.919
 talking about

00:36:29.919 --> 00:36:30.219
 in verse

00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:30.679
 12.

00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:31.879
 For to the

00:36:31.879 --> 00:36:32.239
 one who

00:36:32.239 --> 00:36:33.199
 has more

00:36:33.199 --> 00:36:33.699
 will be

00:36:33.699 --> 00:36:34.500
 given and

00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:34.799
 he will

00:36:34.799 --> 00:36:35.159
 have an

00:36:35.159 --> 00:36:36.139
 abundance but

00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:36.459
 from the

00:36:36.459 --> 00:36:36.779
 one who

00:36:36.779 --> 00:36:37.500
 has not

00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:38.359
 even what

00:36:38.359 --> 00:36:38.899
 he has

00:36:38.899 --> 00:36:39.379
 will be

00:36:39.379 --> 00:36:40.039
 taken away.

00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.519
 Only those

00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.599
 who hold

00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:44.539
 fast to the

00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.239
 word in

00:36:45.239 --> 00:36:45.739
 an honest

00:36:45.739 --> 00:36:46.099
 and good

00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:46.419
 heart,

00:36:46.959 --> 00:36:47.339
 those who

00:36:47.339 --> 00:36:47.799
 do not,

00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:48.639
 only those

00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:49.059
 who truly

00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:50.019
 understand the

00:36:50.019 --> 00:36:52.159
 gospel will

00:36:52.159 --> 00:36:52.840
 bear fruit

00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:53.440
 in one

00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:53.860
 case a

00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:54.460
 hundredfold,

00:36:54.579 --> 00:36:54.880
 in another

00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:55.420
 sixty and

00:36:55.420 --> 00:36:56.239
 another thirty

00:36:56.239 --> 00:36:56.780
 but to

00:36:56.780 --> 00:36:57.239
 others who

00:36:57.239 --> 00:36:57.579
 do not

00:36:57.579 --> 00:36:58.199
 hear and

00:36:58.199 --> 00:36:59.079
 understand,

00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:00.519
 even what

00:37:00.519 --> 00:37:01.219
 they had

00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:01.780
 will be

00:37:01.780 --> 00:37:02.280
 taken away

00:37:02.280 --> 00:37:02.759
 from them.

00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:04.840
 So let

00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:05.380
 me ask you

00:37:05.380 --> 00:37:06.099
 this all

00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:06.460
 important

00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:06.960
 question.

00:37:07.960 --> 00:37:08.920
 Do you

00:37:08.920 --> 00:37:09.900
 really

00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:11.719
 understand?

00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:19.959
 to use

00:37:19.959 --> 00:37:21.179
 this parable,

00:37:21.339 --> 00:37:21.859
 what kind

00:37:21.859 --> 00:37:22.319
 of soil

00:37:22.319 --> 00:37:22.779
 are you?

00:37:25.879 --> 00:37:26.619
 Verse 4

00:37:26.619 --> 00:37:27.259
 tells us

00:37:27.259 --> 00:37:27.579
 that some

00:37:27.579 --> 00:37:27.980
 seeds fell

00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:28.279
 along the

00:37:28.279 --> 00:37:28.980
 path and

00:37:28.980 --> 00:37:29.299
 the birds

00:37:29.299 --> 00:37:29.679
 came and

00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:30.000
 devoured

00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:30.219
 them.

00:37:31.899 --> 00:37:32.679
 A seed

00:37:32.679 --> 00:37:33.079
 cannot

00:37:33.079 --> 00:37:33.799
 germinate,

00:37:33.879 --> 00:37:34.299
 it can't

00:37:34.299 --> 00:37:35.019
 lay roots

00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:35.939
 through a

00:37:35.939 --> 00:37:36.319
 path.

00:37:36.959 --> 00:37:37.379
 So it

00:37:37.379 --> 00:37:37.859
 just sits

00:37:37.859 --> 00:37:38.119
 there,

00:37:38.199 --> 00:37:38.619
 lies there

00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:39.159
 until the

00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:39.639
 birds come

00:37:39.639 --> 00:37:40.079
 and devour

00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:40.279
 it.

00:37:40.280 --> 00:37:41.920
 This,

00:37:42.100 --> 00:37:42.220
 Jesus

00:37:42.220 --> 00:37:42.840
 explains in

00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:43.440
 verse 18,

00:37:43.720 --> 00:37:44.019
 is when

00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:44.780
 anyone hears

00:37:44.780 --> 00:37:45.320
 the word,

00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:46.640
 the word of

00:37:46.640 --> 00:37:46.960
 the kingdom,

00:37:47.340 --> 00:37:47.960
 and does not

00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.760
 understand it,

00:37:48.800 --> 00:37:49.280
 the evil one

00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:49.740
 comes and

00:37:49.740 --> 00:37:50.420
 snatches away

00:37:50.420 --> 00:37:51.060
 what has been

00:37:51.060 --> 00:37:51.660
 sown in his

00:37:51.660 --> 00:37:52.000
 heart.

00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:53.100
 The enemy

00:37:53.100 --> 00:37:53.560
 of God,

00:37:53.780 --> 00:37:54.100
 Satan,

00:37:54.240 --> 00:37:54.940
 is always

00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:55.640
 looking to

00:37:55.640 --> 00:37:56.580
 snatch away

00:37:56.580 --> 00:37:57.080
 the gospel

00:37:57.080 --> 00:37:57.620
 seeds that

00:37:57.620 --> 00:37:58.160
 are sown on

00:37:58.160 --> 00:37:58.460
 the hearts

00:37:58.460 --> 00:37:58.900
 of people.

00:38:00.060 --> 00:38:00.720
 Even today

00:38:00.720 --> 00:38:01.220
 there may be

00:38:01.220 --> 00:38:01.680
 people who

00:38:01.680 --> 00:38:03.360
 hear and

00:38:03.360 --> 00:38:03.660
 then will

00:38:03.660 --> 00:38:04.160
 turn around

00:38:04.160 --> 00:38:04.560
 and forget

00:38:04.560 --> 00:38:05.080
 about this

00:38:05.080 --> 00:38:05.420
 gospel.

00:38:07.580 --> 00:38:08.720
 Please don't

00:38:08.720 --> 00:38:09.320
 let that

00:38:09.320 --> 00:38:09.680
 happen.

00:38:10.780 --> 00:38:11.540
 Don't let

00:38:11.540 --> 00:38:12.040
 the good

00:38:12.040 --> 00:38:12.420
 news of

00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:12.980
 Jesus Christ

00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.360
 go in

00:38:13.360 --> 00:38:13.880
 one ear

00:38:13.880 --> 00:38:14.300
 and out

00:38:14.300 --> 00:38:14.680
 the other

00:38:14.680 --> 00:38:15.220
 and slip

00:38:15.220 --> 00:38:15.800
 away from

00:38:15.800 --> 00:38:16.380
 your consciousness,

00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:17.120
 slip away

00:38:17.120 --> 00:38:17.860
 from your

00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:18.280
 life.

00:38:19.460 --> 00:38:20.080
 Hold on

00:38:20.080 --> 00:38:20.360
 to the

00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:20.720
 gospel.

00:38:21.400 --> 00:38:21.740
 Meditate

00:38:21.740 --> 00:38:22.019
 on it,

00:38:22.080 --> 00:38:22.560
 think on it,

00:38:22.640 --> 00:38:23.420
 understand it,

00:38:23.480 --> 00:38:24.140
 ask sincere

00:38:24.140 --> 00:38:24.780
 questions.

00:38:25.100 --> 00:38:25.700
 Don't let

00:38:25.700 --> 00:38:26.120
 the evil

00:38:26.120 --> 00:38:26.840
 one come

00:38:26.840 --> 00:38:27.540
 and snatch

00:38:27.540 --> 00:38:28.760
 away what

00:38:28.760 --> 00:38:29.140
 you hear

00:38:29.140 --> 00:38:29.640
 this morning.

00:38:32.040 --> 00:38:32.880
 Some seeds,

00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:33.400
 Jesus says

00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:34.060
 in verse 5,

00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:35.240
 fall on rocky

00:38:35.240 --> 00:38:36.380
 ground where

00:38:36.380 --> 00:38:37.019
 they did not

00:38:37.019 --> 00:38:37.480
 have much

00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.040
 soil and

00:38:38.040 --> 00:38:38.380
 immediately

00:38:38.380 --> 00:38:39.000
 they sprang

00:38:39.000 --> 00:38:39.280
 up.

00:38:39.280 --> 00:38:48.440
 Sometimes this

00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:49.960
 happens in

00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:50.320
 real life,

00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:50.880
 that seeds

00:38:50.880 --> 00:38:52.040
 sprout faster

00:38:52.040 --> 00:38:53.000
 on shallow

00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:54.600
 soil because

00:38:54.600 --> 00:38:55.720
 it doesn't

00:38:55.720 --> 00:38:56.240
 have long

00:38:56.240 --> 00:38:56.740
 ways to go

00:38:56.740 --> 00:38:57.220
 down in

00:38:57.220 --> 00:38:57.560
 terms of

00:38:57.560 --> 00:38:58.160
 roots and

00:38:58.160 --> 00:38:58.500
 it doesn't

00:38:58.500 --> 00:38:58.980
 have long

00:38:58.980 --> 00:38:59.400
 ways to

00:38:59.400 --> 00:38:59.840
 come up

00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:00.200
 because it's

00:39:00.200 --> 00:39:00.580
 on shallow

00:39:00.580 --> 00:39:00.860
 soil.

00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:01.200
 It doesn't

00:39:01.200 --> 00:39:01.580
 take much

00:39:01.580 --> 00:39:02.240
 energy to

00:39:02.240 --> 00:39:03.160
 sprout its

00:39:03.160 --> 00:39:03.980
 leaf past

00:39:03.980 --> 00:39:04.380
 the soil.

00:39:04.380 --> 00:39:05.460
 and because

00:39:05.460 --> 00:39:05.980
 it receives

00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:06.579
 more warmth

00:39:06.579 --> 00:39:07.000
 because it's

00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:07.360
 closer to

00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:07.740
 the surface,

00:39:07.880 --> 00:39:08.420
 it germinates

00:39:08.420 --> 00:39:09.019
 faster and

00:39:09.019 --> 00:39:09.720
 sprouts up

00:39:09.720 --> 00:39:10.099
 faster.

00:39:10.760 --> 00:39:11.280
 However,

00:39:11.539 --> 00:39:12.280
 such plants

00:39:12.280 --> 00:39:12.760
 are prone

00:39:12.760 --> 00:39:13.260
 to drying

00:39:13.260 --> 00:39:13.740
 out and

00:39:13.740 --> 00:39:14.119
 withering

00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:14.680
 away more

00:39:14.680 --> 00:39:15.460
 quickly because

00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:17.099
 when the

00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:17.559
 heat gets

00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:17.880
 hotter,

00:39:18.039 --> 00:39:18.559
 the root

00:39:18.559 --> 00:39:18.980
 system is

00:39:18.980 --> 00:39:19.519
 too shallow,

00:39:19.599 --> 00:39:19.860
 it doesn't

00:39:19.860 --> 00:39:20.300
 get enough

00:39:20.300 --> 00:39:20.700
 moisture.

00:39:22.099 --> 00:39:22.920
 Jesus explains

00:39:22.920 --> 00:39:23.480
 in verse 20

00:39:23.480 --> 00:39:23.940
 to 21,

00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:37.780
 notice that

00:39:37.780 --> 00:39:38.159
 phrase,

00:39:38.340 --> 00:39:39.000
 he has no

00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:40.900
 root in

00:39:40.900 --> 00:39:41.619
 himself.

00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:45.360
 I've seen

00:39:45.360 --> 00:39:46.200
 many people

00:39:46.200 --> 00:39:48.280
 move here

00:39:48.280 --> 00:39:48.559
 to the

00:39:48.559 --> 00:39:49.099
 northeast,

00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:50.079
 to Massachusetts,

00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:51.159
 from the

00:39:51.159 --> 00:39:51.780
 Bible Belt

00:39:51.780 --> 00:39:52.880
 or from the

00:39:52.880 --> 00:39:53.240
 south,

00:39:53.940 --> 00:39:54.260
 and when

00:39:54.260 --> 00:39:54.440
 they are

00:39:54.440 --> 00:39:54.980
 no longer

00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:55.639
 surrounded

00:39:55.639 --> 00:39:56.700
 by Christian

00:39:56.700 --> 00:39:57.139
 community,

00:39:57.320 --> 00:39:57.980
 when Christianity

00:39:57.980 --> 00:39:58.800
 is no longer

00:39:58.800 --> 00:39:59.519
 a badge of

00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:00.240
 respectability

00:40:00.240 --> 00:40:00.860
 but a badge

00:40:00.860 --> 00:40:01.720
 of disrepute

00:40:01.720 --> 00:40:02.880
 and dishonor,

00:40:03.059 --> 00:40:03.599
 when Christians

00:40:03.599 --> 00:40:04.119
 are viewed

00:40:04.119 --> 00:40:04.820
 as ignorant

00:40:04.820 --> 00:40:05.400
 bigots,

00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:06.400
 they abandon

00:40:06.400 --> 00:40:06.960
 the faith

00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:07.220
 that they

00:40:07.220 --> 00:40:07.740
 once had.

00:40:11.500 --> 00:40:12.300
 I've also

00:40:12.300 --> 00:40:12.880
 seen many

00:40:12.880 --> 00:40:13.539
 young people

00:40:13.539 --> 00:40:14.300
 who were

00:40:14.300 --> 00:40:15.740
 very active

00:40:15.740 --> 00:40:17.420
 and zealous

00:40:17.420 --> 00:40:17.920
 in church

00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:18.619
 youth groups

00:40:18.619 --> 00:40:19.360
 abandon

00:40:19.360 --> 00:40:20.000
 their faith

00:40:20.000 --> 00:40:20.579
 once they

00:40:20.579 --> 00:40:20.880
 go to

00:40:20.880 --> 00:40:21.380
 college

00:40:21.380 --> 00:40:22.220
 when they're

00:40:22.220 --> 00:40:22.619
 no longer

00:40:22.619 --> 00:40:23.119
 under their

00:40:23.119 --> 00:40:23.480
 parents'

00:40:23.639 --> 00:40:23.800
 roof

00:40:23.800 --> 00:40:24.440
 and supervision,

00:40:24.580 --> 00:40:24.800
 when they

00:40:24.800 --> 00:40:25.060
 have the

00:40:25.060 --> 00:40:25.560
 independence

00:40:25.560 --> 00:40:25.920
 that they

00:40:25.920 --> 00:40:26.580
 never had

00:40:26.580 --> 00:40:27.080
 and when

00:40:27.080 --> 00:40:27.660
 they face

00:40:27.660 --> 00:40:28.320
 temptations

00:40:28.320 --> 00:40:28.760
 and peer

00:40:28.760 --> 00:40:29.280
 pressure to

00:40:29.280 --> 00:40:30.220
 sin like

00:40:30.220 --> 00:40:30.720
 they've never

00:40:30.720 --> 00:40:31.420
 had before,

00:40:31.760 --> 00:40:32.460
 they reject

00:40:32.460 --> 00:40:32.980
 God's word

00:40:32.980 --> 00:40:33.580
 and turn away

00:40:33.580 --> 00:40:33.980
 from it.

00:40:35.120 --> 00:40:35.620
 They fall

00:40:35.620 --> 00:40:35.920
 away.

00:40:36.800 --> 00:40:37.320
 Jesus says

00:40:37.320 --> 00:40:37.700
 that this

00:40:37.700 --> 00:40:38.500
 person is

00:40:38.500 --> 00:40:39.120
 someone who

00:40:39.120 --> 00:40:39.700
 has no

00:40:39.700 --> 00:40:40.680
 root in

00:40:40.680 --> 00:40:41.360
 himself.

00:40:42.539 --> 00:40:43.260
 This person

00:40:43.260 --> 00:40:44.160
 is like a

00:40:44.160 --> 00:40:44.600
 moss.

00:40:46.120 --> 00:40:46.640
 Mosses

00:40:46.640 --> 00:40:47.120
 don't have

00:40:47.120 --> 00:40:47.900
 real roots.

00:40:47.900 --> 00:40:48.900
 mosses

00:40:48.900 --> 00:40:50.400
 they absorb

00:40:50.400 --> 00:40:50.680
 their

00:40:50.680 --> 00:40:51.039
 moisture

00:40:51.039 --> 00:40:51.440
 water

00:40:51.440 --> 00:40:51.820
 directly

00:40:51.820 --> 00:40:52.139
 through

00:40:52.139 --> 00:40:52.380
 their

00:40:52.380 --> 00:40:52.860
 leaves

00:40:52.860 --> 00:40:53.079
 and

00:40:53.079 --> 00:40:53.280
 from

00:40:53.280 --> 00:40:53.500
 the

00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:53.820
 air.

00:40:54.619 --> 00:40:54.860
 This

00:40:54.860 --> 00:40:55.180
 is why

00:40:55.180 --> 00:40:55.619
 you find

00:40:55.619 --> 00:40:56.079
 mosses

00:40:56.079 --> 00:40:56.720
 only in

00:40:56.720 --> 00:40:57.280
 shady,

00:40:57.960 --> 00:40:58.200
 moist

00:40:58.200 --> 00:40:58.820
 environments

00:40:58.820 --> 00:41:00.200
 because they

00:41:00.200 --> 00:41:00.619
 have no

00:41:00.619 --> 00:41:01.619
 root and

00:41:01.619 --> 00:41:01.940
 they would

00:41:01.940 --> 00:41:02.539
 dry out

00:41:02.539 --> 00:41:02.920
 and get

00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:03.440
 scorched

00:41:03.440 --> 00:41:03.780
 by the

00:41:03.780 --> 00:41:03.980
 sun

00:41:03.980 --> 00:41:04.360
 easily

00:41:04.360 --> 00:41:04.760
 when it's

00:41:04.760 --> 00:41:05.180
 left out

00:41:05.180 --> 00:41:05.579
 in direct

00:41:05.579 --> 00:41:06.019
 sunlight.

00:41:07.760 --> 00:41:08.559
 They catch

00:41:08.559 --> 00:41:09.180
 some water

00:41:09.180 --> 00:41:09.599
 from their

00:41:09.599 --> 00:41:10.099
 environment

00:41:10.099 --> 00:41:10.579
 here and

00:41:10.579 --> 00:41:10.900
 there and

00:41:10.900 --> 00:41:11.500
 they survive

00:41:11.500 --> 00:41:11.980
 for a little

00:41:11.980 --> 00:41:12.579
 while but

00:41:12.579 --> 00:41:12.900
 they have

00:41:12.900 --> 00:41:13.880
 no roots

00:41:13.880 --> 00:41:14.500
 in

00:41:14.500 --> 00:41:14.980
 themselves.

00:41:14.980 --> 00:41:17.039
 They don't

00:41:17.039 --> 00:41:17.300
 know how

00:41:17.300 --> 00:41:17.880
 to receive

00:41:17.880 --> 00:41:18.460
 spiritual

00:41:18.460 --> 00:41:19.139
 nourishment

00:41:19.139 --> 00:41:20.019
 from Christ

00:41:20.019 --> 00:41:20.639
 directly.

00:41:21.420 --> 00:41:21.719
 They don't

00:41:21.719 --> 00:41:21.980
 know how

00:41:21.980 --> 00:41:22.639
 to abide

00:41:22.639 --> 00:41:23.440
 in Christ

00:41:23.440 --> 00:41:24.059
 divine.

00:41:25.960 --> 00:41:26.679
 It's like

00:41:26.679 --> 00:41:26.980
 when you

00:41:26.980 --> 00:41:27.320
 do

00:41:27.320 --> 00:41:28.440
 barbecue

00:41:28.440 --> 00:41:29.000
 with

00:41:29.000 --> 00:41:29.500
 coals

00:41:29.500 --> 00:41:31.619
 and let's

00:41:31.619 --> 00:41:31.980
 say when

00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:32.360
 you're done

00:41:32.360 --> 00:41:32.900
 barbecuing

00:41:32.900 --> 00:41:33.340
 and you

00:41:33.340 --> 00:41:34.460
 spill the

00:41:34.460 --> 00:41:35.460
 coal on

00:41:35.460 --> 00:41:36.559
 the street

00:41:36.559 --> 00:41:37.460
 to burn

00:41:37.460 --> 00:41:38.659
 out and

00:41:38.659 --> 00:41:40.920
 the coals

00:41:40.920 --> 00:41:41.400
 that really

00:41:41.400 --> 00:41:42.019
 cut fire

00:41:42.019 --> 00:41:42.420
 they're all

00:41:42.420 --> 00:41:42.880
 white.

00:41:44.059 --> 00:41:44.800
 They've all

00:41:44.800 --> 00:41:45.400
 been burning

00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:46.240
 but you

00:41:46.240 --> 00:41:46.360
 will

00:41:46.360 --> 00:41:46.740
 occasionally

00:41:46.740 --> 00:41:47.460
 find some

00:41:47.460 --> 00:41:48.120
 coal that's

00:41:48.120 --> 00:41:48.900
 still black.

00:41:50.019 --> 00:41:50.480
 Maybe it's

00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:51.420
 singed a little

00:41:51.420 --> 00:41:51.960
 bit from the

00:41:51.960 --> 00:41:52.400
 heat of the

00:41:52.400 --> 00:41:52.700
 surrounding

00:41:52.700 --> 00:41:53.260
 coals but it

00:41:53.260 --> 00:41:53.920
 never actually

00:41:53.920 --> 00:41:54.560
 cut fire.

00:41:56.300 --> 00:41:56.920
 When they're

00:41:56.920 --> 00:41:57.420
 all together

00:41:57.420 --> 00:41:57.920
 in the same

00:41:57.920 --> 00:41:58.740
 barbecue pit

00:41:58.740 --> 00:41:59.519
 it looks like

00:41:59.519 --> 00:41:59.920
 they're all

00:41:59.920 --> 00:42:00.720
 flaming hot

00:42:00.720 --> 00:42:01.400
 and they're

00:42:01.400 --> 00:42:02.220
 hot they've

00:42:02.220 --> 00:42:02.680
 all caught

00:42:02.680 --> 00:42:03.580
 fire but it's

00:42:03.580 --> 00:42:04.180
 when they are

00:42:04.180 --> 00:42:04.720
 scattered

00:42:04.720 --> 00:42:05.320
 individually

00:42:05.320 --> 00:42:05.780
 that's when

00:42:05.780 --> 00:42:06.180
 you see

00:42:06.180 --> 00:42:06.800
 oh that one

00:42:06.800 --> 00:42:07.380
 didn't really

00:42:07.380 --> 00:42:08.200
 ever catch.

00:42:10.120 --> 00:42:10.940
 Never had

00:42:10.940 --> 00:42:11.600
 fire in

00:42:11.600 --> 00:42:12.280
 itself.

00:42:14.800 --> 00:42:16.600
 What about

00:42:16.600 --> 00:42:16.860
 you?

00:42:18.460 --> 00:42:19.220
 Have you

00:42:19.220 --> 00:42:20.200
 caught the

00:42:20.200 --> 00:42:20.760
 fire of

00:42:20.760 --> 00:42:21.460
 God's love

00:42:21.460 --> 00:42:21.820
 in your

00:42:21.820 --> 00:42:22.120
 heart?

00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:23.039
 Do you

00:42:23.039 --> 00:42:23.940
 have root

00:42:23.940 --> 00:42:25.120
 in yourself

00:42:25.120 --> 00:42:26.200
 or are you

00:42:26.200 --> 00:42:27.120
 merely deriving

00:42:27.120 --> 00:42:27.740
 semblance of

00:42:27.740 --> 00:42:28.200
 life from your

00:42:28.200 --> 00:42:29.640
 environment by

00:42:29.640 --> 00:42:30.440
 proximity to

00:42:30.440 --> 00:42:31.039
 other Christians?

00:42:33.460 --> 00:42:34.380
 Can you

00:42:34.380 --> 00:42:35.740
 endure when

00:42:35.740 --> 00:42:36.640
 tribulation or

00:42:36.640 --> 00:42:37.680
 persecution arises

00:42:37.680 --> 00:42:38.240
 on account of

00:42:38.240 --> 00:42:38.660
 the word?

00:42:40.760 --> 00:42:41.960
 If you grew up

00:42:41.960 --> 00:42:42.680
 in a Christian

00:42:42.680 --> 00:42:43.440
 household with

00:42:43.440 --> 00:42:44.060
 godly parents

00:42:44.059 --> 00:42:44.639
 like I did

00:42:44.639 --> 00:42:45.179
 that is an

00:42:45.179 --> 00:42:46.500
 amazing blessing

00:42:46.500 --> 00:42:48.440
 but make sure

00:42:48.440 --> 00:42:48.980
 that your

00:42:48.980 --> 00:42:50.159
 faith is your

00:42:50.159 --> 00:42:50.599
 own.

00:42:51.880 --> 00:42:52.079
 That you

00:42:52.079 --> 00:42:52.679
 have root

00:42:52.679 --> 00:42:54.139
 in yourself.

00:42:55.019 --> 00:42:55.480
 Heed the

00:42:55.480 --> 00:42:56.159
 exhortation of

00:42:56.159 --> 00:42:56.960
 2 Timothy 3

00:42:56.960 --> 00:42:57.860
 14-15

00:42:57.860 --> 00:42:58.920
 but as for

00:42:58.920 --> 00:43:00.039
 you continue

00:43:00.039 --> 00:43:01.360
 continue

00:43:01.360 --> 00:43:01.960
 brothers and

00:43:01.960 --> 00:43:02.380
 sisters in

00:43:02.380 --> 00:43:03.099
 what you have

00:43:03.099 --> 00:43:03.820
 learned and

00:43:03.820 --> 00:43:04.420
 have firmly

00:43:04.420 --> 00:43:05.579
 believed knowing

00:43:05.579 --> 00:43:06.299
 from whom you

00:43:06.299 --> 00:43:07.000
 learned and how

00:43:07.000 --> 00:43:07.900
 from childhood you

00:43:07.900 --> 00:43:08.519
 have been acquainted

00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:09.539
 with the sacred

00:43:09.539 --> 00:43:10.279
 writings which are

00:43:10.279 --> 00:43:11.199
 able to make you

00:43:11.199 --> 00:43:12.059
 wise for salvation

00:43:12.059 --> 00:43:12.759
 through faith in

00:43:12.759 --> 00:43:13.360
 Christ Jesus.

00:43:13.360 --> 00:43:14.800
 hold on.

00:43:16.160 --> 00:43:16.920
 Remain there.

00:43:17.140 --> 00:43:17.760
 Stay there.

00:43:20.240 --> 00:43:21.019
 Still other

00:43:21.019 --> 00:43:21.680
 seeds Jesus

00:43:21.680 --> 00:43:22.300
 says in verse

00:43:22.300 --> 00:43:23.059
 7 fell among

00:43:23.059 --> 00:43:23.700
 thorns and the

00:43:23.700 --> 00:43:24.700
 thorns grew up

00:43:24.700 --> 00:43:25.640
 and choked them.

00:43:26.800 --> 00:43:27.700
 Jesus explains in

00:43:27.700 --> 00:43:28.720
 verse 22 that this

00:43:28.720 --> 00:43:29.280
 is the one who

00:43:29.280 --> 00:43:30.500
 hears the word but

00:43:30.500 --> 00:43:31.519
 the cares of the

00:43:31.519 --> 00:43:32.539
 world and the

00:43:32.539 --> 00:43:33.420
 deceitfulness of

00:43:33.420 --> 00:43:34.700
 riches choke the

00:43:34.700 --> 00:43:35.660
 word and it

00:43:35.660 --> 00:43:37.079
 proves unfruitful.

00:43:37.079 --> 00:43:39.039
 what are the

00:43:39.039 --> 00:43:40.460
 cares of this

00:43:40.460 --> 00:43:41.619
 world that are

00:43:41.619 --> 00:43:42.299
 choking the

00:43:42.299 --> 00:43:43.400
 spiritual life

00:43:43.400 --> 00:43:44.039
 out of you

00:43:44.039 --> 00:43:45.460
 and depriving

00:43:45.460 --> 00:43:46.059
 you of the

00:43:46.059 --> 00:43:46.799
 nutrients that

00:43:46.799 --> 00:43:47.279
 you need.

00:43:48.739 --> 00:43:49.880
 Are you weary

00:43:49.880 --> 00:43:51.219
 with care about

00:43:51.219 --> 00:43:51.940
 your job,

00:43:52.940 --> 00:43:54.239
 your prospect,

00:43:54.460 --> 00:43:55.079
 your future,

00:43:56.079 --> 00:43:58.519
 your bank

00:43:58.519 --> 00:43:59.019
 account,

00:44:00.019 --> 00:44:01.340
 the ups and

00:44:01.340 --> 00:44:01.880
 downs of the

00:44:01.880 --> 00:44:02.559
 stock market?

00:44:02.559 --> 00:44:04.299
 are you

00:44:04.299 --> 00:44:04.980
 weighed down

00:44:04.980 --> 00:44:05.619
 with anxiety

00:44:05.619 --> 00:44:06.099
 and cares

00:44:06.099 --> 00:44:06.519
 about your

00:44:06.519 --> 00:44:07.000
 health,

00:44:07.639 --> 00:44:08.420
 your future,

00:44:08.659 --> 00:44:09.299
 your children?

00:44:11.500 --> 00:44:12.320
 Are you

00:44:12.320 --> 00:44:12.920
 weighed down

00:44:12.920 --> 00:44:13.639
 with cares

00:44:13.639 --> 00:44:14.219
 about the

00:44:14.219 --> 00:44:14.699
 world,

00:44:15.960 --> 00:44:16.739
 politics,

00:44:17.799 --> 00:44:18.119
 wars,

00:44:18.119 --> 00:44:18.739
 and rumors

00:44:18.739 --> 00:44:19.339
 of wars,

00:44:19.960 --> 00:44:21.539
 the condition

00:44:21.539 --> 00:44:21.839
 of our

00:44:21.839 --> 00:44:22.299
 country?

00:44:26.659 --> 00:44:27.380
 Are you

00:44:27.380 --> 00:44:28.000
 consumed with

00:44:28.000 --> 00:44:28.799
 cares about

00:44:28.799 --> 00:44:30.359
 what you eat

00:44:30.359 --> 00:44:31.339
 and drink,

00:44:31.639 --> 00:44:32.359
 the clothes you

00:44:32.359 --> 00:44:32.559
 wear,

00:44:32.759 --> 00:44:33.279
 what other

00:44:33.279 --> 00:44:33.839
 people are

00:44:33.839 --> 00:44:34.480
 thinking about

00:44:34.480 --> 00:44:35.059
 you or is

00:44:35.059 --> 00:44:35.719
 saying about

00:44:35.719 --> 00:44:35.960
 you?

00:44:37.779 --> 00:44:38.559
 Don't let

00:44:38.559 --> 00:44:39.159
 these things

00:44:39.159 --> 00:44:40.639
 choke the

00:44:40.639 --> 00:44:41.359
 spiritual life.

00:44:43.639 --> 00:44:44.380
 What about

00:44:44.380 --> 00:44:45.079
 the deceitfulness

00:44:45.079 --> 00:44:45.599
 of riches?

00:44:46.819 --> 00:44:47.579
 Have you been

00:44:47.579 --> 00:44:47.980
 deceived?

00:44:48.119 --> 00:44:48.900
 by the

00:44:48.900 --> 00:44:49.699
 false promise

00:44:49.699 --> 00:44:50.259
 that money,

00:44:51.400 --> 00:44:51.819
 that money

00:44:51.819 --> 00:44:52.480
 can buy you

00:44:52.480 --> 00:44:53.219
 happiness,

00:44:54.480 --> 00:44:54.920
 security?

00:44:55.460 --> 00:44:55.859
 Isn't that a

00:44:55.859 --> 00:44:56.420
 very interesting

00:44:56.420 --> 00:44:57.119
 description?

00:44:57.440 --> 00:44:57.980
 That the

00:44:57.980 --> 00:44:59.139
 deceitfulness

00:44:59.139 --> 00:45:00.079
 of riches.

00:45:00.699 --> 00:45:01.199
 Do you know

00:45:01.199 --> 00:45:02.000
 that money

00:45:02.000 --> 00:45:02.219
 is,

00:45:02.519 --> 00:45:04.139
 riches deceive

00:45:04.139 --> 00:45:04.460
 you?

00:45:05.219 --> 00:45:05.839
 They trick

00:45:05.839 --> 00:45:06.119
 you.

00:45:07.239 --> 00:45:08.179
 They trick

00:45:08.179 --> 00:45:08.519
 you into

00:45:08.519 --> 00:45:09.039
 thinking that

00:45:09.039 --> 00:45:09.420
 yes,

00:45:09.559 --> 00:45:10.599
 if you have

00:45:10.599 --> 00:45:10.859
 me,

00:45:10.980 --> 00:45:11.420
 if you have

00:45:11.420 --> 00:45:11.639
 riches,

00:45:11.719 --> 00:45:12.019
 you will be

00:45:12.019 --> 00:45:12.380
 secure.

00:45:12.619 --> 00:45:13.259
 If you have

00:45:13.259 --> 00:45:13.739
 me and you

00:45:13.739 --> 00:45:14.159
 can spend

00:45:14.159 --> 00:45:14.299
 me,

00:45:14.339 --> 00:45:14.679
 you will be

00:45:14.679 --> 00:45:15.059
 happy.

00:45:15.299 --> 00:45:15.659
 But it

00:45:15.659 --> 00:45:16.500
 deceives.

00:45:16.500 --> 00:45:18.260
 Are you

00:45:18.260 --> 00:45:19.179
 being deceived

00:45:19.179 --> 00:45:21.920
 by the

00:45:21.920 --> 00:45:22.300
 riches?

00:45:23.739 --> 00:45:24.800
 What desires

00:45:24.800 --> 00:45:25.679
 do you have

00:45:25.679 --> 00:45:26.199
 for this

00:45:26.199 --> 00:45:26.840
 sinful world

00:45:26.840 --> 00:45:27.199
 that are

00:45:27.199 --> 00:45:27.900
 choking the

00:45:27.900 --> 00:45:28.199
 word of

00:45:28.199 --> 00:45:28.460
 God in

00:45:28.460 --> 00:45:28.760
 your life

00:45:28.760 --> 00:45:28.980
 so that

00:45:28.980 --> 00:45:29.340
 it doesn't

00:45:29.340 --> 00:45:29.920
 bear fruit?

00:45:30.420 --> 00:45:30.780
 It could be

00:45:30.780 --> 00:45:31.340
 other things,

00:45:31.380 --> 00:45:31.880
 other things

00:45:31.880 --> 00:45:32.179
 that this

00:45:32.179 --> 00:45:32.719
 world offers.

00:45:32.840 --> 00:45:33.280
 Maybe for

00:45:33.280 --> 00:45:33.519
 some of you

00:45:33.519 --> 00:45:34.199
 it's romance

00:45:34.199 --> 00:45:34.960
 and fantasies

00:45:34.960 --> 00:45:35.420
 about romance.

00:45:35.539 --> 00:45:35.900
 Maybe it's

00:45:35.900 --> 00:45:36.199
 sex.

00:45:36.500 --> 00:45:36.780
 Maybe it's

00:45:36.780 --> 00:45:37.320
 fame.

00:45:37.599 --> 00:45:37.860
 Maybe it's

00:45:37.860 --> 00:45:38.300
 renown.

00:45:38.420 --> 00:45:38.860
 Maybe it's

00:45:38.860 --> 00:45:39.940
 your desire

00:45:39.940 --> 00:45:40.760
 for authority

00:45:40.760 --> 00:45:41.340
 and power.

00:45:42.820 --> 00:45:43.360
 Maybe it's

00:45:43.360 --> 00:45:44.000
 nothing so

00:45:44.000 --> 00:45:44.380
 grand.

00:45:44.820 --> 00:45:45.220
 Maybe you're

00:45:45.220 --> 00:45:46.120
 just consumed

00:45:46.120 --> 00:45:47.540
 with entertainment.

00:45:50.340 --> 00:45:51.480
 One diversion

00:45:51.480 --> 00:45:52.260
 after another.

00:45:52.760 --> 00:45:53.540
 One video

00:45:53.540 --> 00:45:54.500
 after another.

00:45:55.200 --> 00:45:55.760
 Are you so

00:45:55.760 --> 00:45:57.080
 preoccupied with

00:45:57.080 --> 00:45:58.220
 these things so

00:45:58.220 --> 00:45:58.560
 that your

00:45:58.560 --> 00:45:59.640
 spiritual appetites

00:45:59.640 --> 00:46:00.020
 are getting

00:46:00.020 --> 00:46:00.780
 duller and

00:46:00.780 --> 00:46:01.340
 duller?

00:46:03.300 --> 00:46:04.000
 Seemingly

00:46:04.000 --> 00:46:05.220
 perfectly harmless

00:46:05.220 --> 00:46:05.940
 things on their

00:46:05.940 --> 00:46:06.680
 own can do

00:46:06.680 --> 00:46:07.960
 a great deal

00:46:07.960 --> 00:46:08.420
 of spiritual

00:46:08.420 --> 00:46:09.440
 harm if

00:46:09.440 --> 00:46:10.400
 they siphon

00:46:10.400 --> 00:46:11.240
 away our

00:46:11.240 --> 00:46:12.200
 time and

00:46:12.200 --> 00:46:13.220
 attention and

00:46:13.220 --> 00:46:14.300
 energy from

00:46:14.300 --> 00:46:15.000
 the things of

00:46:15.000 --> 00:46:15.420
 God and

00:46:15.420 --> 00:46:16.099
 things eternal.

00:46:19.619 --> 00:46:20.480
 In C.S.

00:46:20.519 --> 00:46:21.159
 Lewis' book

00:46:21.159 --> 00:46:21.900
 Screwtape

00:46:21.900 --> 00:46:22.260
 Letters,

00:46:22.840 --> 00:46:23.360
 which is an

00:46:23.360 --> 00:46:23.800
 imagined

00:46:23.800 --> 00:46:24.500
 correspondence

00:46:24.500 --> 00:46:25.639
 between senior

00:46:25.639 --> 00:46:26.619
 devil Screwtape

00:46:26.619 --> 00:46:27.440
 and his

00:46:27.440 --> 00:46:28.539
 junior nephew,

00:46:28.720 --> 00:46:29.280
 junior devil

00:46:29.280 --> 00:46:29.940
 Wormwood,

00:46:30.460 --> 00:46:30.960
 Screwtape

00:46:30.960 --> 00:46:32.139
 advises Wormwood

00:46:32.139 --> 00:46:32.780
 in this manner.

00:46:34.000 --> 00:46:34.940
 You will say

00:46:34.940 --> 00:46:35.780
 that these are

00:46:35.780 --> 00:46:36.400
 very small

00:46:36.400 --> 00:46:38.079
 sins and

00:46:38.079 --> 00:46:38.539
 doubtless,

00:46:38.940 --> 00:46:39.360
 like all

00:46:39.360 --> 00:46:40.059
 young tempters,

00:46:40.220 --> 00:46:40.500
 you are

00:46:40.500 --> 00:46:41.300
 anxious to

00:46:41.300 --> 00:46:41.880
 be able to

00:46:41.880 --> 00:46:42.240
 report

00:46:42.240 --> 00:46:43.140
 spectacular

00:46:43.140 --> 00:46:43.920
 wickedness.

00:46:45.160 --> 00:46:45.640
 But do

00:46:45.640 --> 00:46:46.019
 remember,

00:46:46.640 --> 00:46:47.660
 the only

00:46:47.660 --> 00:46:48.260
 thing that

00:46:48.260 --> 00:46:49.519
 matters is

00:46:49.519 --> 00:46:50.079
 the extent

00:46:50.079 --> 00:46:50.660
 to which you

00:46:50.660 --> 00:46:51.460
 separate the

00:46:51.460 --> 00:46:51.860
 man from

00:46:51.860 --> 00:46:52.320
 the enemy.

00:46:53.640 --> 00:46:54.519
 Does not

00:46:54.519 --> 00:46:55.200
 matter how

00:46:55.200 --> 00:46:55.720
 small the

00:46:55.720 --> 00:46:56.280
 sins are,

00:46:56.660 --> 00:46:57.260
 provided that

00:46:57.260 --> 00:46:58.000
 their cumulative

00:46:58.000 --> 00:46:58.980
 effect is to

00:46:58.980 --> 00:46:59.620
 edge the man

00:46:59.620 --> 00:47:00.300
 away from the

00:47:00.300 --> 00:47:00.980
 light and out

00:47:00.980 --> 00:47:01.340
 into the

00:47:01.340 --> 00:47:01.599
 nothing.

00:47:03.140 --> 00:47:04.260
 Murder is

00:47:04.260 --> 00:47:04.880
 no better

00:47:04.880 --> 00:47:05.720
 than cards

00:47:05.720 --> 00:47:06.860
 if cards

00:47:06.860 --> 00:47:07.440
 can do

00:47:07.440 --> 00:47:08.039
 the trick.

00:47:08.039 --> 00:47:09.699
 indeed,

00:47:10.480 --> 00:47:11.059
 the safest

00:47:11.059 --> 00:47:11.619
 road to

00:47:11.619 --> 00:47:12.559
 hell is

00:47:12.559 --> 00:47:13.019
 the gradual

00:47:13.019 --> 00:47:13.360
 one,

00:47:14.139 --> 00:47:14.659
 the gentle

00:47:14.659 --> 00:47:15.099
 slope,

00:47:15.880 --> 00:47:16.199
 soft

00:47:16.199 --> 00:47:16.800
 underfoot,

00:47:17.599 --> 00:47:17.860
 without

00:47:17.860 --> 00:47:18.239
 sudden

00:47:18.239 --> 00:47:18.900
 turnings,

00:47:19.219 --> 00:47:19.440
 without

00:47:19.440 --> 00:47:20.039
 milestones,

00:47:20.779 --> 00:47:21.019
 without

00:47:21.019 --> 00:47:22.139
 signposts.

00:47:22.139 --> 00:47:26.339
 how many

00:47:26.339 --> 00:47:26.940
 Christians have

00:47:26.940 --> 00:47:27.259
 you known

00:47:27.259 --> 00:47:27.659
 in life

00:47:27.659 --> 00:47:28.259
 were professing

00:47:28.259 --> 00:47:28.739
 Christians who

00:47:28.739 --> 00:47:29.239
 fell away

00:47:29.239 --> 00:47:29.799
 from faith,

00:47:30.500 --> 00:47:30.940
 who fell

00:47:30.940 --> 00:47:31.339
 away in

00:47:31.339 --> 00:47:31.659
 that kind

00:47:31.659 --> 00:47:32.420
 of spectacular

00:47:32.420 --> 00:47:32.940
 fashion,

00:47:33.039 --> 00:47:33.599
 just turned

00:47:33.599 --> 00:47:33.900
 and then

00:47:33.900 --> 00:47:34.379
 going to

00:47:34.379 --> 00:47:34.859
 headlong

00:47:34.859 --> 00:47:35.039
 into

00:47:35.039 --> 00:47:35.579
 wickedness?

00:47:36.679 --> 00:47:37.119
 Probably

00:47:37.119 --> 00:47:37.659
 rare if

00:47:37.659 --> 00:47:37.940
 you've seen

00:47:37.940 --> 00:47:38.179
 any.

00:47:39.460 --> 00:47:39.859
 But how

00:47:39.859 --> 00:47:40.179
 many of

00:47:40.179 --> 00:47:40.599
 you've seen

00:47:40.599 --> 00:47:41.539
 take that

00:47:41.539 --> 00:47:42.039
 gradual

00:47:42.039 --> 00:47:43.279
 turn?

00:47:43.280 --> 00:47:48.400
 murder is

00:47:48.400 --> 00:47:48.780
 no better

00:47:48.780 --> 00:47:48.980
 than

00:47:48.980 --> 00:47:49.400
 cards if

00:47:49.400 --> 00:47:49.800
 cards can

00:47:49.800 --> 00:47:50.060
 do the

00:47:50.060 --> 00:47:50.340
 trick.

00:47:51.360 --> 00:47:51.920
 What are

00:47:51.920 --> 00:47:52.680
 the cards

00:47:52.680 --> 00:47:53.600
 in your

00:47:53.600 --> 00:47:54.540
 life that

00:47:54.540 --> 00:47:55.180
 are edging

00:47:55.180 --> 00:47:56.180
 you gradually

00:47:56.180 --> 00:47:57.260
 away from

00:47:57.260 --> 00:47:57.700
 God?

00:47:59.700 --> 00:48:00.780
 How tragic

00:48:00.780 --> 00:48:01.420
 would it be

00:48:01.420 --> 00:48:02.140
 for us to be

00:48:02.140 --> 00:48:02.700
 turned away

00:48:02.700 --> 00:48:03.120
 from God

00:48:03.120 --> 00:48:03.820
 by cards?

00:48:07.400 --> 00:48:08.040
 Beware of

00:48:08.040 --> 00:48:08.420
 these things.

00:48:08.500 --> 00:48:08.800
 If you do

00:48:08.800 --> 00:48:09.540
 not take care

00:48:09.540 --> 00:48:10.220
 to hear and

00:48:10.220 --> 00:48:11.019
 understand the

00:48:11.019 --> 00:48:11.400
 gospel,

00:48:11.400 --> 00:48:12.200
 if you do

00:48:12.200 --> 00:48:12.639
 not make

00:48:12.639 --> 00:48:13.340
 use of the

00:48:13.340 --> 00:48:14.019
 means of

00:48:14.019 --> 00:48:14.420
 grace that

00:48:14.420 --> 00:48:14.760
 God has

00:48:14.760 --> 00:48:15.480
 provided for

00:48:15.480 --> 00:48:16.000
 us to keep

00:48:16.000 --> 00:48:16.579
 the gospel

00:48:16.579 --> 00:48:17.320
 real in

00:48:17.320 --> 00:48:17.760
 our hearts,

00:48:18.139 --> 00:48:18.920
 the reading

00:48:18.920 --> 00:48:19.400
 and preaching

00:48:19.400 --> 00:48:19.700
 of his

00:48:19.700 --> 00:48:20.039
 word,

00:48:20.280 --> 00:48:20.740
 the worship,

00:48:20.880 --> 00:48:21.579
 corporate worship

00:48:21.579 --> 00:48:22.039
 and singing,

00:48:22.240 --> 00:48:22.940
 Bible reading,

00:48:23.240 --> 00:48:23.660
 the personal

00:48:23.660 --> 00:48:23.980
 time,

00:48:24.079 --> 00:48:24.440
 prayer,

00:48:24.639 --> 00:48:25.360
 corporate worship,

00:48:25.519 --> 00:48:26.200
 the fellowship

00:48:26.200 --> 00:48:26.960
 of believers.

00:48:27.440 --> 00:48:28.019
 If we're not

00:48:28.019 --> 00:48:28.680
 using these

00:48:28.680 --> 00:48:29.019
 things,

00:48:29.160 --> 00:48:29.639
 means of

00:48:29.639 --> 00:48:30.000
 grace that

00:48:30.000 --> 00:48:30.280
 God has

00:48:30.280 --> 00:48:30.619
 given to

00:48:30.619 --> 00:48:31.180
 stoke the

00:48:31.180 --> 00:48:31.860
 flame of

00:48:31.860 --> 00:48:32.300
 our love

00:48:32.300 --> 00:48:32.680
 for God

00:48:32.680 --> 00:48:32.940
 and the

00:48:32.940 --> 00:48:33.260
 love that

00:48:33.260 --> 00:48:33.519
 he has

00:48:33.519 --> 00:48:33.920
 shown us

00:48:33.920 --> 00:48:34.420
 in Christ,

00:48:34.780 --> 00:48:35.099
 then what

00:48:35.099 --> 00:48:35.760
 used to be

00:48:35.760 --> 00:48:36.320
 a raging

00:48:36.320 --> 00:48:37.079
 flame in

00:48:37.079 --> 00:48:37.680
 your heart

00:48:37.680 --> 00:48:38.240
 will soon

00:48:38.240 --> 00:48:38.860
 weaken and

00:48:38.860 --> 00:48:39.099
 then it

00:48:39.099 --> 00:48:39.639
 will begin to

00:48:39.639 --> 00:48:40.220
 smolder.

00:48:41.400 --> 00:48:44.019
 And then

00:48:44.019 --> 00:48:44.400
 soon he

00:48:44.400 --> 00:48:44.740
 will start

00:48:44.740 --> 00:48:46.440
 smoking and

00:48:46.440 --> 00:48:47.119
 snuff out.

00:48:49.539 --> 00:48:50.099
 Jesus,

00:48:50.260 --> 00:48:50.579
 whom you

00:48:50.579 --> 00:48:51.019
 thought you

00:48:51.019 --> 00:48:51.700
 shared loving

00:48:51.700 --> 00:48:52.639
 intimacy with,

00:48:52.700 --> 00:48:53.139
 will soon

00:48:53.139 --> 00:48:54.059
 seem distant

00:48:54.059 --> 00:48:55.720
 and aloof

00:48:55.720 --> 00:48:58.780
 and eventually

00:48:58.780 --> 00:49:00.800
 he will seem

00:49:00.800 --> 00:49:01.380
 unreal.

00:49:01.380 --> 00:49:06.599
 am I

00:49:06.599 --> 00:49:07.059
 suggesting

00:49:07.059 --> 00:49:09.019
 that the

00:49:09.019 --> 00:49:09.420
 elect,

00:49:10.039 --> 00:49:10.140
 the

00:49:10.140 --> 00:49:10.740
 regenerate,

00:49:11.380 --> 00:49:11.900
 those who

00:49:11.900 --> 00:49:12.480
 are chosen

00:49:12.480 --> 00:49:12.880
 by God

00:49:12.880 --> 00:49:13.539
 for salvation

00:49:13.539 --> 00:49:14.220
 can lose

00:49:14.220 --> 00:49:14.440
 their

00:49:14.440 --> 00:49:14.880
 salvation?

00:49:16.260 --> 00:49:16.700
 No,

00:49:16.760 --> 00:49:17.019
 I'm a

00:49:17.019 --> 00:49:17.160
 good

00:49:17.160 --> 00:49:17.579
 reformed

00:49:17.579 --> 00:49:17.820
 pastor,

00:49:17.880 --> 00:49:18.099
 I'm not

00:49:18.099 --> 00:49:18.559
 saying that.

00:49:18.920 --> 00:49:19.039
 Yeah.

00:49:21.619 --> 00:49:22.140
 Nevertheless,

00:49:22.980 --> 00:49:23.880
 a professing

00:49:23.880 --> 00:49:24.320
 Christian

00:49:24.320 --> 00:49:25.420
 who checks

00:49:25.420 --> 00:49:25.920
 all the

00:49:25.920 --> 00:49:26.500
 right boxes

00:49:26.500 --> 00:49:27.200
 and possesses

00:49:27.200 --> 00:49:27.880
 all outward

00:49:27.880 --> 00:49:28.760
 appearances of

00:49:28.760 --> 00:49:29.420
 faith can

00:49:29.420 --> 00:49:30.260
 fall away

00:49:30.260 --> 00:49:30.980
 from Christ.

00:49:31.380 --> 00:49:32.400
 The Bible

00:49:32.400 --> 00:49:33.099
 teaches that.

00:49:35.140 --> 00:49:36.000
 Apostasy is

00:49:36.000 --> 00:49:36.640
 a real sin.

00:49:37.960 --> 00:49:38.400
 For this

00:49:38.400 --> 00:49:38.660
 reason,

00:49:38.760 --> 00:49:39.260
 there is no

00:49:39.260 --> 00:49:39.800
 room in the

00:49:39.800 --> 00:49:40.260
 Christian life

00:49:40.260 --> 00:49:41.200
 for complacency

00:49:41.200 --> 00:49:41.800
 and false

00:49:41.800 --> 00:49:42.260
 assurance.

00:49:43.059 --> 00:49:43.700
 The warnings

00:49:43.700 --> 00:49:44.220
 and threats

00:49:44.220 --> 00:49:44.599
 of the Bible,

00:49:44.720 --> 00:49:45.400
 like what you

00:49:45.400 --> 00:49:45.920
 see even in

00:49:45.920 --> 00:49:46.500
 this parable,

00:49:46.860 --> 00:49:47.360
 are not

00:49:47.360 --> 00:49:47.800
 merely

00:49:47.800 --> 00:49:48.460
 hypothetical.

00:49:50.539 --> 00:49:51.140
 And if

00:49:51.140 --> 00:49:51.800
 some fall

00:49:51.800 --> 00:49:52.200
 away,

00:49:52.640 --> 00:49:53.019
 of course,

00:49:53.079 --> 00:49:53.440
 it wouldn't

00:49:53.440 --> 00:49:53.840
 mean that

00:49:53.840 --> 00:49:54.059
 they were

00:49:54.059 --> 00:49:54.680
 not truly

00:49:54.680 --> 00:49:55.400
 regenerate.

00:49:55.660 --> 00:49:56.059
 How do we

00:49:56.059 --> 00:49:56.539
 know that?

00:49:57.039 --> 00:49:57.760
 Because Hebrews

00:49:57.760 --> 00:49:58.780
 3, 12-14

00:49:58.780 --> 00:49:59.300
 says this,

00:49:59.300 --> 00:49:59.800
 take care

00:49:59.800 --> 00:50:00.180
 brothers,

00:50:00.640 --> 00:50:01.000
 lest there

00:50:01.000 --> 00:50:01.500
 be in any

00:50:01.500 --> 00:50:01.800
 of you

00:50:01.800 --> 00:50:02.680
 an evil,

00:50:02.860 --> 00:50:03.320
 unbelieving

00:50:03.320 --> 00:50:03.680
 heart,

00:50:03.940 --> 00:50:04.420
 leading you

00:50:04.420 --> 00:50:04.800
 to fall

00:50:04.800 --> 00:50:05.260
 away from

00:50:05.260 --> 00:50:05.560
 the living

00:50:05.560 --> 00:50:05.940
 God,

00:50:06.100 --> 00:50:06.700
 but exhort

00:50:06.700 --> 00:50:07.140
 one another

00:50:07.140 --> 00:50:07.720
 every day

00:50:07.720 --> 00:50:08.160
 as long

00:50:08.160 --> 00:50:08.420
 as it

00:50:08.420 --> 00:50:08.820
 is called

00:50:08.820 --> 00:50:09.300
 today,

00:50:09.640 --> 00:50:10.019
 that none

00:50:10.019 --> 00:50:10.240
 of you

00:50:10.240 --> 00:50:10.580
 may be

00:50:10.580 --> 00:50:10.840
 hardened

00:50:10.840 --> 00:50:11.200
 by the

00:50:11.200 --> 00:50:11.660
 deceitfulness

00:50:11.660 --> 00:50:12.200
 of sin.

00:50:13.280 --> 00:50:13.820
 For we

00:50:13.820 --> 00:50:14.780
 have come

00:50:14.780 --> 00:50:15.240
 to share

00:50:15.240 --> 00:50:15.800
 in Christ,

00:50:16.100 --> 00:50:16.840
 if indeed

00:50:16.840 --> 00:50:17.480
 we hold

00:50:17.480 --> 00:50:18.100
 our original

00:50:18.100 --> 00:50:18.720
 confidence

00:50:18.720 --> 00:50:19.180
 firm to

00:50:19.180 --> 00:50:19.539
 the end.

00:50:20.980 --> 00:50:21.400
 Note the

00:50:21.400 --> 00:50:21.960
 tense of

00:50:21.960 --> 00:50:22.380
 that last,

00:50:22.460 --> 00:50:22.880
 that first,

00:50:23.220 --> 00:50:23.760
 the first

00:50:23.760 --> 00:50:24.260
 clause of

00:50:24.260 --> 00:50:24.620
 that last

00:50:24.620 --> 00:50:24.980
 sentence.

00:50:24.980 --> 00:50:26.579
 we have

00:50:26.579 --> 00:50:27.240
 come to

00:50:27.240 --> 00:50:27.639
 share in

00:50:27.639 --> 00:50:27.960
 Christ.

00:50:28.059 --> 00:50:28.380
 Perfect.

00:50:28.599 --> 00:50:29.280
 It's already

00:50:29.280 --> 00:50:29.800
 happened.

00:50:31.240 --> 00:50:31.740
 It does not

00:50:31.740 --> 00:50:32.440
 say that only

00:50:32.440 --> 00:50:32.820
 those who

00:50:32.820 --> 00:50:33.559
 persevere till

00:50:33.559 --> 00:50:34.039
 the end

00:50:34.039 --> 00:50:34.860
 will come

00:50:34.860 --> 00:50:35.240
 to share

00:50:35.240 --> 00:50:35.719
 in Christ.

00:50:36.079 --> 00:50:36.480
 It says

00:50:36.480 --> 00:50:36.860
 that we

00:50:36.860 --> 00:50:37.880
 have already

00:50:37.880 --> 00:50:38.380
 come to

00:50:38.380 --> 00:50:38.820
 share in

00:50:38.820 --> 00:50:39.820
 Christ if

00:50:39.820 --> 00:50:40.840
 we hold

00:50:40.840 --> 00:50:41.400
 our original

00:50:41.400 --> 00:50:41.880
 confidence

00:50:41.880 --> 00:50:42.280
 firm to

00:50:42.280 --> 00:50:42.639
 the end.

00:50:44.199 --> 00:50:44.760
 It's

00:50:44.760 --> 00:50:45.519
 perseverance

00:50:45.519 --> 00:50:46.219
 till the

00:50:46.219 --> 00:50:46.760
 end that

00:50:46.760 --> 00:50:47.800
 proves our

00:50:47.800 --> 00:50:48.420
 participation

00:50:48.420 --> 00:50:49.240
 in Christ,

00:50:50.320 --> 00:50:50.760
 that we

00:50:50.760 --> 00:50:52.320
 have partaken

00:50:52.320 --> 00:50:52.659
 in him,

00:50:52.860 --> 00:50:53.260
 have shared

00:50:53.260 --> 00:50:53.519
 him.

00:50:53.519 --> 00:50:54.820
 1 John 2,

00:50:54.880 --> 00:50:55.320
 19 is

00:50:55.320 --> 00:50:55.579
 similar.

00:50:55.940 --> 00:50:56.300
 They went

00:50:56.300 --> 00:50:56.980
 out from

00:50:56.980 --> 00:50:57.259
 us,

00:50:57.280 --> 00:50:57.500
 but they

00:50:57.500 --> 00:50:57.920
 were not

00:50:57.920 --> 00:50:58.619
 of us.

00:50:58.659 --> 00:50:58.880
 For if

00:50:58.880 --> 00:50:59.300
 they had

00:50:59.300 --> 00:50:59.820
 been of

00:50:59.820 --> 00:51:00.000
 us,

00:51:00.039 --> 00:51:00.360
 they would

00:51:00.360 --> 00:51:00.500
 have

00:51:00.500 --> 00:51:01.079
 continued

00:51:01.079 --> 00:51:01.840
 with us,

00:51:01.880 --> 00:51:02.199
 but they

00:51:02.199 --> 00:51:02.739
 went out

00:51:02.739 --> 00:51:03.300
 that it

00:51:03.300 --> 00:51:03.739
 might become

00:51:03.739 --> 00:51:04.219
 plain that

00:51:04.219 --> 00:51:04.639
 they all

00:51:04.639 --> 00:51:05.300
 are not

00:51:05.300 --> 00:51:06.300
 of us.

00:51:07.019 --> 00:51:07.460
 Referring

00:51:07.460 --> 00:51:07.840
 to those

00:51:07.840 --> 00:51:08.079
 who

00:51:08.079 --> 00:51:09.039
 apostatize

00:51:09.039 --> 00:51:09.500
 and abandon

00:51:09.500 --> 00:51:09.860
 the church

00:51:09.860 --> 00:51:10.239
 of Christ,

00:51:10.360 --> 00:51:10.739
 John says

00:51:10.739 --> 00:51:11.000
 that they

00:51:11.000 --> 00:51:11.539
 were never

00:51:11.539 --> 00:51:12.159
 one of

00:51:12.159 --> 00:51:12.519
 us.

00:51:12.920 --> 00:51:13.340
 For if

00:51:13.340 --> 00:51:13.900
 they had

00:51:13.900 --> 00:51:14.440
 been of

00:51:14.440 --> 00:51:14.659
 us,

00:51:14.699 --> 00:51:14.960
 one of

00:51:14.960 --> 00:51:15.139
 us,

00:51:15.199 --> 00:51:15.699
 then they

00:51:15.699 --> 00:51:15.980
 would have

00:51:15.980 --> 00:51:16.380
 continued

00:51:16.380 --> 00:51:16.980
 with us.

00:51:17.940 --> 00:51:18.400
 Apostasy

00:51:18.400 --> 00:51:19.119
 is proof

00:51:19.119 --> 00:51:19.420
 that they

00:51:19.420 --> 00:51:19.900
 never truly

00:51:19.900 --> 00:51:20.619
 belong to

00:51:20.619 --> 00:51:21.019
 the spiritual

00:51:21.019 --> 00:51:21.559
 family of

00:51:21.559 --> 00:51:21.840
 God.

00:51:23.440 --> 00:51:24.099
 So then,

00:51:24.199 --> 00:51:24.440
 what's the

00:51:24.440 --> 00:51:24.779
 relationship

00:51:24.779 --> 00:51:25.219
 between these

00:51:25.219 --> 00:51:25.599
 two things?

00:51:25.659 --> 00:51:26.059
 The more

00:51:26.059 --> 00:51:27.039
 you persevere

00:51:27.039 --> 00:51:28.059
 in faith

00:51:28.059 --> 00:51:28.779
 and obedience,

00:51:29.059 --> 00:51:29.659
 the more

00:51:29.659 --> 00:51:30.159
 you will be

00:51:30.159 --> 00:51:30.860
 assured of

00:51:30.860 --> 00:51:31.460
 your salvation.

00:51:32.759 --> 00:51:33.219
 And the

00:51:33.219 --> 00:51:33.659
 more you

00:51:33.659 --> 00:51:34.340
 are assured

00:51:34.340 --> 00:51:34.940
 and secure

00:51:34.940 --> 00:51:35.500
 in God's

00:51:35.500 --> 00:51:35.799
 grace,

00:51:35.880 --> 00:51:36.159
 the grace

00:51:36.159 --> 00:51:36.500
 of God

00:51:36.500 --> 00:51:36.840
 given to

00:51:36.840 --> 00:51:37.019
 you in

00:51:37.019 --> 00:51:37.219
 Jesus

00:51:37.219 --> 00:51:37.579
 Christ,

00:51:37.719 --> 00:51:38.340
 the more

00:51:38.340 --> 00:51:38.900
 you will

00:51:38.900 --> 00:51:39.440
 persevere

00:51:39.440 --> 00:51:39.980
 in faith

00:51:39.980 --> 00:51:40.599
 and obedience.

00:51:42.420 --> 00:51:44.279
 2 Peter 1

00:51:44.279 --> 00:51:44.779
 verses 10

00:51:44.779 --> 00:51:45.079
 to 11

00:51:45.079 --> 00:51:45.539
 says this,

00:51:45.599 --> 00:51:45.799
 Therefore,

00:51:45.960 --> 00:51:46.259
 brothers,

00:51:46.360 --> 00:51:46.860
 be all the

00:51:46.860 --> 00:51:47.360
 more diligent

00:51:47.360 --> 00:51:48.480
 to confirm

00:51:48.480 --> 00:51:49.579
 your calling

00:51:49.579 --> 00:51:50.539
 and election.

00:51:50.539 --> 00:51:51.960
 for if you

00:51:51.960 --> 00:51:52.619
 practice these

00:51:52.619 --> 00:51:52.980
 qualities,

00:51:53.079 --> 00:51:53.279
 you will

00:51:53.279 --> 00:51:53.900
 never fall.

00:51:54.539 --> 00:51:54.960
 For in this

00:51:54.960 --> 00:51:55.159
 way,

00:51:55.239 --> 00:51:55.500
 there will

00:51:55.500 --> 00:51:56.059
 be richly

00:51:56.059 --> 00:51:56.599
 provided for

00:51:56.599 --> 00:51:56.940
 you an

00:51:56.940 --> 00:51:57.659
 entrance into

00:51:57.659 --> 00:51:58.400
 the eternal

00:51:58.400 --> 00:51:59.039
 kingdom of

00:51:59.039 --> 00:51:59.519
 our Lord

00:51:59.519 --> 00:52:00.059
 and Savior

00:52:00.059 --> 00:52:00.900
 Jesus Christ.

00:52:01.480 --> 00:52:02.179
 We're meant

00:52:02.179 --> 00:52:03.099
 to confirm

00:52:03.099 --> 00:52:04.019
 our calling

00:52:04.019 --> 00:52:04.599
 and affection

00:52:04.599 --> 00:52:05.980
 by persevering

00:52:05.980 --> 00:52:06.480
 in faith

00:52:06.480 --> 00:52:06.759
 and good

00:52:06.759 --> 00:52:07.099
 works.

00:52:09.079 --> 00:52:09.619
 So,

00:52:09.699 --> 00:52:09.920
 brothers and

00:52:09.920 --> 00:52:10.119
 sisters,

00:52:10.239 --> 00:52:10.519
 are you

00:52:10.519 --> 00:52:11.279
 persevering

00:52:11.279 --> 00:52:12.259
 and holding

00:52:12.259 --> 00:52:12.840
 fast to

00:52:12.840 --> 00:52:13.259
 the gospel?

00:52:15.500 --> 00:52:16.279
 My prayer

00:52:16.279 --> 00:52:16.860
 is that all

00:52:16.860 --> 00:52:17.360
 of us will

00:52:17.360 --> 00:52:17.900
 be like the

00:52:17.900 --> 00:52:18.599
 seeds described

00:52:18.599 --> 00:52:18.960
 in verse

00:52:18.960 --> 00:52:19.239
 8.

00:52:19.239 --> 00:52:20.779
 Other seeds

00:52:20.779 --> 00:52:21.219
 fell on

00:52:21.219 --> 00:52:21.779
 good soil

00:52:21.779 --> 00:52:22.339
 and produced

00:52:22.339 --> 00:52:22.759
 grain,

00:52:23.219 --> 00:52:23.739
 some a

00:52:23.739 --> 00:52:24.339
 hundredfold,

00:52:24.559 --> 00:52:25.339
 some 60,

00:52:25.819 --> 00:52:26.519
 some 30.

00:52:28.279 --> 00:52:29.439
 Jesus explains

00:52:29.439 --> 00:52:30.219
 in verse 23,

00:52:30.379 --> 00:52:30.819
 as for what

00:52:30.819 --> 00:52:31.259
 was sown

00:52:31.259 --> 00:52:32.019
 on good soil,

00:52:32.500 --> 00:52:33.079
 this is the

00:52:33.079 --> 00:52:33.799
 one who hears

00:52:33.799 --> 00:52:34.159
 the word

00:52:34.159 --> 00:52:34.799
 and understands

00:52:34.799 --> 00:52:35.179
 it.

00:52:35.459 --> 00:52:35.939
 He indeed

00:52:35.939 --> 00:52:36.719
 bears fruit

00:52:36.719 --> 00:52:37.279
 and yields,

00:52:37.399 --> 00:52:37.979
 in one case

00:52:37.979 --> 00:52:38.699
 a hundredfold,

00:52:38.799 --> 00:52:39.500
 in another 60,

00:52:39.579 --> 00:52:40.500
 in another 30.

00:52:41.219 --> 00:52:41.819
 This is the

00:52:41.819 --> 00:52:42.639
 only type of

00:52:42.639 --> 00:52:43.419
 seed out of

00:52:43.419 --> 00:52:44.139
 the four that

00:52:44.139 --> 00:52:44.779
 is saved

00:52:44.779 --> 00:52:45.279
 in the end.

00:52:46.359 --> 00:52:46.919
 We know

00:52:46.919 --> 00:52:47.419
 that because

00:52:47.419 --> 00:52:47.879
 it's the only

00:52:47.879 --> 00:52:48.519
 one that bears

00:52:48.519 --> 00:52:48.979
 fruit.

00:52:49.239 --> 00:52:50.099
 And according

00:52:50.099 --> 00:52:50.539
 to scripture,

00:52:50.699 --> 00:52:51.319
 all true

00:52:51.319 --> 00:52:52.259
 believers bear

00:52:52.259 --> 00:52:52.779
 fruit.

00:52:53.659 --> 00:52:53.979
 That's why

00:52:53.979 --> 00:52:54.459
 Jesus says

00:52:54.459 --> 00:52:55.359
 in John 15

00:52:55.359 --> 00:52:55.899
 verse 2,

00:52:56.159 --> 00:52:56.779
 every branch

00:52:56.779 --> 00:52:57.199
 in me that

00:52:57.199 --> 00:52:57.639
 does not

00:52:57.639 --> 00:52:58.259
 bear fruit,

00:52:58.339 --> 00:52:58.839
 he takes

00:52:58.839 --> 00:52:59.379
 away.

00:52:59.959 --> 00:53:00.399
 And every

00:53:00.399 --> 00:53:00.919
 branch that

00:53:00.919 --> 00:53:01.399
 does bear

00:53:01.399 --> 00:53:01.559
 fruit,

00:53:01.619 --> 00:53:02.059
 he prunes

00:53:02.059 --> 00:53:02.279
 that he

00:53:02.279 --> 00:53:02.659
 may bear

00:53:02.659 --> 00:53:03.319
 more fruit.

00:53:04.539 --> 00:53:05.239
 How can

00:53:05.239 --> 00:53:05.739
 we become

00:53:05.739 --> 00:53:06.159
 fruitful?

00:53:07.659 --> 00:53:08.000
 In that

00:53:08.000 --> 00:53:08.219
 passage,

00:53:08.339 --> 00:53:09.059
 how does it

00:53:09.059 --> 00:53:09.419
 tell us

00:53:09.419 --> 00:53:10.099
 to bear

00:53:10.099 --> 00:53:10.459
 fruit?

00:53:10.579 --> 00:53:11.019
 It says

00:53:11.019 --> 00:53:12.279
 that happens

00:53:12.279 --> 00:53:13.439
 by abiding.

00:53:13.639 --> 00:53:14.119
 Jesus says,

00:53:14.219 --> 00:53:14.959
 whoever abides

00:53:14.959 --> 00:53:15.839
 in me and I

00:53:15.839 --> 00:53:16.299
 in him,

00:53:16.759 --> 00:53:17.339
 he it is that

00:53:17.339 --> 00:53:17.899
 bears much

00:53:17.899 --> 00:53:18.179
 fruit.

00:53:18.179 --> 00:53:18.719
 For apart

00:53:18.719 --> 00:53:19.159
 from me,

00:53:19.239 --> 00:53:19.559
 you can

00:53:19.559 --> 00:53:20.399
 do nothing.

00:53:22.839 --> 00:53:23.460
 What does it

00:53:23.460 --> 00:53:24.099
 mean to abide

00:53:24.099 --> 00:53:24.739
 in Jesus?

00:53:25.299 --> 00:53:25.899
 This leads

00:53:25.899 --> 00:53:26.379
 from one

00:53:26.379 --> 00:53:26.919
 question to

00:53:26.919 --> 00:53:27.299
 the next,

00:53:27.379 --> 00:53:27.559
 right?

00:53:28.859 --> 00:53:29.419
 Jesus says

00:53:29.419 --> 00:53:30.099
 in John 15,

00:53:30.099 --> 00:53:30.279
 90,

00:53:30.359 --> 00:53:30.839
 then as the

00:53:30.839 --> 00:53:31.359
 father has

00:53:31.359 --> 00:53:31.819
 loved me,

00:53:31.859 --> 00:53:32.379
 so I have

00:53:32.379 --> 00:53:33.119
 loved you.

00:53:33.759 --> 00:53:34.759
 Abide in

00:53:34.759 --> 00:53:35.759
 my love.

00:53:36.779 --> 00:53:37.539
 We abide

00:53:37.539 --> 00:53:38.379
 in Christ

00:53:38.379 --> 00:53:39.219
 by abiding

00:53:39.219 --> 00:53:40.719
 in his love

00:53:40.719 --> 00:53:41.519
 and living

00:53:41.519 --> 00:53:42.159
 out of that

00:53:42.159 --> 00:53:42.500
 love in

00:53:42.500 --> 00:53:43.299
 obedience to

00:53:43.299 --> 00:53:43.519
 him.

00:53:43.519 --> 00:53:44.599
 it is

00:53:44.599 --> 00:53:45.000
 when we

00:53:45.000 --> 00:53:45.659
 are rooted

00:53:45.659 --> 00:53:47.039
 and grounded

00:53:47.039 --> 00:53:47.719
 in love.

00:53:47.780 --> 00:53:48.000
 It says

00:53:48.000 --> 00:53:48.440
 in Ephesians

00:53:48.440 --> 00:53:48.659
 3,

00:53:48.719 --> 00:53:49.119
 17,

00:53:49.440 --> 00:53:50.099
 when we

00:53:50.099 --> 00:53:50.759
 know the

00:53:50.759 --> 00:53:51.179
 love of

00:53:51.179 --> 00:53:51.659
 Christ that

00:53:51.659 --> 00:53:52.239
 surpasses

00:53:52.239 --> 00:53:52.820
 knowledge,

00:53:53.940 --> 00:53:54.679
 that's when,

00:53:54.800 --> 00:53:55.179
 according to

00:53:55.179 --> 00:53:55.780
 Ephesians 3,

00:53:55.980 --> 00:53:56.860
 we comprehend

00:53:56.860 --> 00:53:57.699
 the breadth

00:53:57.699 --> 00:53:58.259
 and length

00:53:58.259 --> 00:53:58.699
 and height

00:53:58.699 --> 00:53:59.079
 and depth

00:53:59.079 --> 00:53:59.519
 of God

00:53:59.519 --> 00:54:00.179
 and are

00:54:00.179 --> 00:54:00.780
 filled with

00:54:00.780 --> 00:54:01.480
 all the

00:54:01.480 --> 00:54:01.780
 fullness

00:54:01.780 --> 00:54:02.420
 of God.

00:54:03.900 --> 00:54:04.699
 You want

00:54:04.699 --> 00:54:05.139
 more of

00:54:05.139 --> 00:54:05.659
 God and

00:54:05.659 --> 00:54:06.039
 less of

00:54:06.039 --> 00:54:06.280
 me?

00:54:07.019 --> 00:54:07.699
 You want

00:54:07.699 --> 00:54:08.139
 more of

00:54:08.139 --> 00:54:08.440
 the Holy

00:54:08.440 --> 00:54:08.940
 Spirit to

00:54:08.940 --> 00:54:09.519
 fill you,

00:54:09.639 --> 00:54:10.139
 to enable

00:54:10.139 --> 00:54:10.539
 you to

00:54:10.539 --> 00:54:11.059
 bear fruit

00:54:11.059 --> 00:54:11.259
 in your

00:54:11.259 --> 00:54:11.500
 life?

00:54:11.739 --> 00:54:12.480
 Abide in

00:54:12.480 --> 00:54:13.219
 Christ by

00:54:13.219 --> 00:54:13.860
 abiding in

00:54:13.860 --> 00:54:14.539
 his love,

00:54:15.239 --> 00:54:16.079
 knowing and

00:54:16.079 --> 00:54:16.699
 seeing and

00:54:16.699 --> 00:54:17.500
 beholding and

00:54:17.500 --> 00:54:18.259
 believing the

00:54:18.259 --> 00:54:19.360
 great love that

00:54:19.360 --> 00:54:20.440
 Jesus showed

00:54:20.440 --> 00:54:21.039
 you on the

00:54:21.039 --> 00:54:21.820
 cross in

00:54:21.820 --> 00:54:22.400
 his death and

00:54:22.400 --> 00:54:22.840
 resurrection.

00:54:25.519 --> 00:54:25.980
 And by

00:54:25.980 --> 00:54:26.920
 this we know

00:54:26.920 --> 00:54:27.840
 love that he

00:54:27.840 --> 00:54:28.900
 laid down his

00:54:28.900 --> 00:54:30.219
 life for us,

00:54:30.440 --> 00:54:31.000
 1 John 3,

00:54:31.039 --> 00:54:31.440
 16,

00:54:32.900 --> 00:54:34.059
 by beholding

00:54:34.059 --> 00:54:34.639
 and believing

00:54:34.639 --> 00:54:35.239
 the gospel,

00:54:35.519 --> 00:54:36.219
 beholding and

00:54:36.219 --> 00:54:37.119
 believing the

00:54:37.119 --> 00:54:37.679
 glory of the

00:54:37.679 --> 00:54:38.320
 gospel in the

00:54:38.320 --> 00:54:39.019
 face of Jesus

00:54:39.019 --> 00:54:39.880
 Christ, that is

00:54:39.880 --> 00:54:40.360
 how we are

00:54:40.360 --> 00:54:40.920
 transformed.

00:54:41.059 --> 00:54:42.019
 That is how

00:54:42.019 --> 00:54:42.860
 we bear fruit.

00:54:43.079 --> 00:54:43.779
 That is how

00:54:43.779 --> 00:54:44.420
 we grow.

00:54:48.119 --> 00:54:48.799
 And we have

00:54:48.799 --> 00:54:49.679
 every reason to

00:54:49.679 --> 00:54:50.460
 hold that dear,

00:54:51.079 --> 00:54:51.460
 don't we?

00:54:51.519 --> 00:54:52.059
 What is the

00:54:52.059 --> 00:54:52.639
 seed that we're

00:54:52.639 --> 00:54:53.039
 planting?

00:54:53.219 --> 00:54:53.679
 What is the

00:54:53.679 --> 00:54:54.259
 seed that we're

00:54:54.259 --> 00:54:54.799
 holding on to

00:54:54.799 --> 00:54:55.360
 this gospel?

00:54:55.480 --> 00:54:55.840
 It's nothing

00:54:55.840 --> 00:54:56.480
 less than the

00:54:56.480 --> 00:54:57.219
 personal work of

00:54:57.219 --> 00:54:57.779
 Jesus Christ

00:54:57.779 --> 00:54:58.179
 himself.

00:55:00.820 --> 00:55:01.679
 Jesus said in

00:55:01.679 --> 00:55:02.619
 John 12, 24,

00:55:02.799 --> 00:55:03.840
 truly, truly, I

00:55:03.840 --> 00:55:04.559
 say to you,

00:55:05.199 --> 00:55:06.259
 unless a grain of

00:55:06.259 --> 00:55:07.199
 wheat falls into

00:55:07.199 --> 00:55:08.259
 the earth and

00:55:08.259 --> 00:55:09.119
 dies, it

00:55:09.119 --> 00:55:09.820
 remains alone.

00:55:11.059 --> 00:55:12.539
 But if it

00:55:12.539 --> 00:55:13.920
 dies, it

00:55:13.920 --> 00:55:14.539
 bears much

00:55:14.539 --> 00:55:14.960
 fruit.

00:55:16.519 --> 00:55:17.599
 Jesus was

00:55:17.599 --> 00:55:18.159
 speaking of

00:55:18.159 --> 00:55:18.579
 himself.

00:55:21.739 --> 00:55:23.299
 If Jesus did

00:55:23.299 --> 00:55:24.519
 not die on

00:55:24.519 --> 00:55:25.279
 that cross to

00:55:25.279 --> 00:55:25.980
 save us from

00:55:25.980 --> 00:55:26.920
 our sin, there

00:55:26.920 --> 00:55:28.099
 is no seed.

00:55:28.679 --> 00:55:29.340
 There is no

00:55:29.340 --> 00:55:30.340
 seed to be

00:55:30.340 --> 00:55:30.920
 planted in our

00:55:30.920 --> 00:55:31.239
 lives.

00:55:32.639 --> 00:55:33.619
 There is no

00:55:33.619 --> 00:55:34.860
 secrets of the

00:55:34.860 --> 00:55:35.500
 kingdom of heaven

00:55:35.500 --> 00:55:36.079
 to reveal.

00:55:36.079 --> 00:55:40.380
 it all hinged

00:55:40.380 --> 00:55:41.739
 on Jesus, the

00:55:41.739 --> 00:55:42.659
 scion of the

00:55:42.659 --> 00:55:43.779
 kingdom of God,

00:55:44.199 --> 00:55:45.099
 the heir, the

00:55:45.099 --> 00:55:48.559
 prince, to whom

00:55:48.559 --> 00:55:49.599
 belongs all of the

00:55:49.599 --> 00:55:50.099
 riches and

00:55:50.099 --> 00:55:50.779
 inheritance of

00:55:50.779 --> 00:55:51.039
 heaven.

00:55:51.380 --> 00:55:52.539
 Yet he divests

00:55:52.539 --> 00:55:53.259
 himself of the

00:55:53.259 --> 00:55:54.159
 riches of heaven,

00:55:54.380 --> 00:55:55.340
 of the glories of

00:55:55.340 --> 00:55:56.599
 heaven, to come and

00:55:56.599 --> 00:55:57.559
 die a common

00:55:57.559 --> 00:55:59.079
 criminal's death on

00:55:59.079 --> 00:55:59.940
 the cross, to give

00:55:59.940 --> 00:56:00.799
 his life for us so

00:56:00.799 --> 00:56:01.799
 that in his death,

00:56:02.039 --> 00:56:02.920
 we might be

00:56:02.920 --> 00:56:03.319
 fruitful.

00:56:03.320 --> 00:56:05.820
 That's why he

00:56:05.820 --> 00:56:06.680
 gave himself for

00:56:06.680 --> 00:56:06.960
 us.

00:56:08.340 --> 00:56:09.260
 We're not saved by

00:56:09.260 --> 00:56:10.180
 our good work, we're

00:56:10.180 --> 00:56:10.820
 saved by the good

00:56:10.820 --> 00:56:11.480
 news of Jesus

00:56:11.480 --> 00:56:12.820
 Christ, but we are

00:56:12.820 --> 00:56:13.620
 saved for good

00:56:13.620 --> 00:56:14.340
 works, aren't we?

00:56:20.800 --> 00:56:22.360
 God wants us to

00:56:22.360 --> 00:56:22.980
 bear fruit a

00:56:22.980 --> 00:56:24.180
 hundredfold, a

00:56:24.180 --> 00:56:26.440
 sixtyfold, a

00:56:26.440 --> 00:56:29.160
 thirtyfold, and we

00:56:29.160 --> 00:56:30.640
 do that by following

00:56:30.640 --> 00:56:31.440
 in the footsteps of

00:56:31.440 --> 00:56:31.800
 Christ.

00:56:33.320 --> 00:56:34.840
 dying to ourselves,

00:56:35.039 --> 00:56:36.200
 dying to our sins,

00:56:36.360 --> 00:56:37.960
 carrying our cross

00:56:37.960 --> 00:56:39.120
 daily, and following

00:56:39.120 --> 00:56:40.559
 Jesus, and like

00:56:40.559 --> 00:56:41.840
 Jesus who died, the

00:56:41.840 --> 00:56:42.780
 kernel of wheat to

00:56:42.780 --> 00:56:44.200
 bring forth grain and

00:56:44.200 --> 00:56:45.600
 fruit and salvation

00:56:45.600 --> 00:56:46.200
 for all.

00:56:46.519 --> 00:56:47.460
 That's how we bear

00:56:47.460 --> 00:56:49.420
 fruit in this life.

00:56:49.900 --> 00:56:50.780
 Let's pray that we

00:56:50.780 --> 00:56:51.480
 may all do that.

00:56:51.480 --> 00:56:53.360
 Lord, we

00:56:53.360 --> 00:57:07.039
 long to bear fruit for

00:57:07.039 --> 00:57:07.260
 you.

00:57:12.260 --> 00:57:13.780
 We don't want to be a

00:57:13.780 --> 00:57:15.500
 fig tree that you come

00:57:15.500 --> 00:57:17.420
 to and has no fruit,

00:57:17.420 --> 00:57:19.860
 fruit, to be fresh.

00:57:23.220 --> 00:57:24.659
 Lord, we want to be

00:57:24.659 --> 00:57:26.619
 fruitful bows with

00:57:26.619 --> 00:57:29.480
 way down heavy with

00:57:29.480 --> 00:57:32.380
 bounty, with

00:57:32.380 --> 00:57:36.659
 innumerable fruits to

00:57:36.659 --> 00:57:38.920
 please you, to honor

00:57:38.920 --> 00:57:40.380
 you, to glorify you.

00:57:40.380 --> 00:57:47.140
 And Lord, to that end,

00:57:47.180 --> 00:57:48.039
 you have called us to

00:57:48.039 --> 00:57:48.840
 come and die.

00:57:51.920 --> 00:57:53.940
 Die to ourselves, die

00:57:53.940 --> 00:57:55.140
 to our selfishness, die

00:57:55.140 --> 00:57:56.200
 to our sin, and that is

00:57:56.200 --> 00:57:57.140
 what we want, Lord.

00:57:58.619 --> 00:57:59.880
 Let us die like the

00:57:59.880 --> 00:58:03.340
 kernel of wheat and help

00:58:03.340 --> 00:58:06.780
 us to behold Christ who

00:58:06.780 --> 00:58:07.519
 died for us.

00:58:07.519 --> 00:58:12.179
 that we might bear

00:58:12.179 --> 00:58:12.920
 fruit for you.

00:58:21.820 --> 00:58:22.800
 Make us a fruitful

00:58:22.800 --> 00:58:23.320
 church.

00:58:31.119 --> 00:58:32.739
 Preserve every single one

00:58:32.739 --> 00:58:33.400
 of my brothers and

00:58:33.400 --> 00:58:33.980
 sisters here.

00:58:37.519 --> 00:58:38.619
 And for those who do

00:58:38.619 --> 00:58:40.519
 not yet know you, Lord,

00:58:40.579 --> 00:58:41.639
 give them ears to hear.

00:58:46.960 --> 00:58:48.460
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:58:48.960 --> 00:58:49.199
 Amen.