WEBVTT 00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:04.780 Good evening. It's an honour and a pleasure to be speaking here this evening. 00:00:05.759 --> 00:00:11.939 And as Alistair said earlier on, we are concluding our series in the parables of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. 00:00:12.740 --> 00:00:17.000 And this evening we're going to be looking at the parable of the rich fool, as it is known. 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:19.679 This is Luke chapter 12. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:28.800 So we'll see here someone who lives a life of greed rather than a life for God. 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:36.000 And also we will have communion later on and we'll think on Christ's death in order to save us. 00:00:36.740 --> 00:00:41.320 And this parable, I think, serves as a reminder of what God has saved us from. 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:48.679 When I was growing up, I can remember when the gold of the Pharaohs exhibition came to Edinburgh. 00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:54.240 I don't know if any of you can remember that, if any guesses on which year it might have been. 00:00:55.179 --> 00:00:58.760 It was 1988. There was no prizes for that. 00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:07.079 It was 1988. I went there with my school class and I remember seeing all these beautiful gold artefacts that were on show from Egypt. 00:01:07.979 --> 00:01:14.379 The highlight was the gold funeral mask of this Pharaoh, Sussanese I, which some of you might remember. 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:16.840 The mask, not the Pharaoh. We're not that old. 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:20.959 So this was the large golden mask in the shape of his face. 00:01:20.959 --> 00:01:30.819 And the Pharaohs were normally buried with lots of goods, drink, food, occasionally even a chariot complete with horses. 00:01:30.819 --> 00:01:34.879 All this so that he would have a comfortable afterlife. 00:01:35.479 --> 00:01:38.459 And I always wondered what happened to those that weren't so rich. 00:01:39.659 --> 00:01:43.319 Now all these things are in a museum or they've been looted. 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:47.519 They were not what the original owner had planned for them. 00:01:47.519 --> 00:01:53.399 And this evening we'll look at another rich man who had plans for his possessions. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:56.299 A plan that also did not work out. 00:01:57.379 --> 00:01:59.659 Someone who wanted to hoard his items to make money. 00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:02.359 But as we'll see, God had other plans. 00:02:04.280 --> 00:02:07.620 So today, together, we will look at three things from this passage. 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:12.099 We'll look at a fool's fight, which is from verse 13 to 15. 00:02:12.099 --> 00:02:13.099 A fool's fight. 00:02:13.579 --> 00:02:18.460 Then we'll have a look at a fool's mind in verses 16 to 19. 00:02:19.419 --> 00:02:24.759 And then lastly in verses 20 and 21, we will see the fool's future. 00:02:25.799 --> 00:02:28.719 A fool's fight, a fool's mind, and the fool's future. 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:31.400 So what is a fool? 00:02:31.719 --> 00:02:33.659 What do you think of when you hear that word? 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:40.939 Well, according to the dictionary, it's a person who behaves in a silly way without thinking. 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:48.979 Or, in the old times, it was someone who worked in the court of a king or a queen to entertain them by telling jokes. 00:02:50.180 --> 00:02:52.539 But what does God mean here in this passage? 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:53.759 By fool. 00:02:54.939 --> 00:02:57.439 The Bible has much to say on the subject. 00:02:58.300 --> 00:03:01.300 Proverbs alone mentions the fool over 30 times. 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:07.000 A fool can be someone who is ignorant or does not do what is morally right 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:12.139 or has an inflated opinion of themselves whilst ignoring God. 00:03:13.780 --> 00:03:16.340 According to Proverbs 12, verse 15, 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:19.780 the way of a fool is right in his own eyes. 00:03:20.419 --> 00:03:23.099 And I think that is what we will see in this parable. 00:03:25.300 --> 00:03:28.080 So a fool's fight in verses 13 to 15. 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:29.680 So let's set the scene. 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:35.520 Jesus has been speaking to a massive crowd in the thousands, according to verse 1. 00:03:35.980 --> 00:03:39.140 There's so many people that they're trampling and standing over each other. 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:46.140 Jesus has been teaching on hypocrisy, attacking the religious leaders of the time. 00:03:47.300 --> 00:03:52.060 He's spoken about future judgment and also about the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:58.520 And it's this section that also contains the loved verse that we are so important to God 00:03:58.520 --> 00:04:00.340 that even the hairs on our head are numbered. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:04.180 So this huge crowd is pressing in. 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:06.300 People are standing on each other. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:09.379 Not many are able to get close to Jesus. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:11.659 But this man manages to get close. 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:14.199 Jesus pauses for a moment. 00:04:14.939 --> 00:04:16.079 The man sees his opportunity. 00:04:16.779 --> 00:04:17.879 And he asks Jesus something. 00:04:19.079 --> 00:04:19.740 What does he say? 00:04:19.740 --> 00:04:23.180 What does he ask the Son of God, the miracle worker? 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:25.360 Look at verse 13. 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:30.300 Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:34.100 Basically, tell my brother to give me what I'm due. 00:04:35.379 --> 00:04:37.699 Of all the things to ask the Son of God, 00:04:37.980 --> 00:04:40.120 it seems as if he's going to ask Jesus a question. 00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:41.019 He starts, teacher. 00:04:41.840 --> 00:04:42.680 But it's not. 00:04:42.780 --> 00:04:43.639 It's a demand. 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:48.519 He doesn't ask Jesus to weigh up his claim to see if it's right or not. 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:49.919 He just demands. 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:53.919 This is someone who's using Jesus to get what they want. 00:04:55.779 --> 00:04:59.839 This is something completely unrelated to what Jesus has just been talking on, 00:04:59.959 --> 00:05:00.879 these eternal matters. 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:05.439 And this man is focused solely on his own immediate needs. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:09.219 It's also a cold, loveless demand. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:11.480 What do I mean by that? 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:14.839 Well, it would seem this man has just lost his father 00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:18.600 and is squabbling with his brother over dividing up the estate. 00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:23.480 This man, it would seem, is fighting over money. 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:26.800 And his brother is likely there because he says, 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:30.260 tell his brother, he asked Jesus. 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:32.040 What a foolish fight. 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:36.080 If this man is successful in getting what he thinks he is due, 00:05:36.580 --> 00:05:37.920 then he loses his brother. 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:40.480 It's money over family. 00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:44.520 And unfortunately, I'm sure we can all think of families 00:05:44.520 --> 00:05:47.819 who have been torn apart over money or inheritance squabbles. 00:05:49.480 --> 00:05:50.920 So what does Jesus do? 00:05:51.740 --> 00:05:54.200 Well, he doesn't get drawn into the argument. 00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:56.300 Look at verse 14. 00:05:58.200 --> 00:05:59.000 Jesus replied, 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:02.860 Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you? 00:06:02.860 --> 00:06:08.060 The rabbis would often be called to settle disputes. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:10.580 But Jesus refuses to intervene, 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:13.100 not because he is unqualified, 00:06:13.960 --> 00:06:16.319 but because he is not called to do so. 00:06:17.080 --> 00:06:19.740 His mission is to seek and save the lost, 00:06:20.220 --> 00:06:22.360 as Jesus states later on in Luke's gospel. 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:25.120 He is not here to resolve disputes. 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:29.580 And it's interesting that the word arbiter in Greek 00:06:29.580 --> 00:06:31.319 literally means divider. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:35.040 This is a likely outcome of this situation. 00:06:35.779 --> 00:06:36.659 A family divided. 00:06:37.459 --> 00:06:39.420 The brothers would have probably not spoken 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:40.500 after this point again. 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:42.800 So this was truly a fool's fight. 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:48.120 And as a result of this interruption, 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:49.899 Jesus then turns back to the crowd, 00:06:50.539 --> 00:06:51.819 as we see in verse 15. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:54.079 Watch out. 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:56.819 Be on your guard against all kinds of greed. 00:06:57.399 --> 00:07:00.019 Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. 00:07:01.319 --> 00:07:03.139 The New King James Version has, 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:07.540 For one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:13.219 Greed here is the excessive desire to have more, 00:07:13.920 --> 00:07:16.000 especially wealth or possessions. 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:18.399 To have more. 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:22.699 Last century, the American oil magnate, 00:07:22.859 --> 00:07:24.139 John D. Rockefeller, 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:28.620 was worth approximately $400 billion in today's terms. 00:07:28.779 --> 00:07:29.519 $400 billion. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:31.000 And he was once asked, 00:07:31.239 --> 00:07:32.879 How much money is enough money? 00:07:33.679 --> 00:07:34.319 And his answer? 00:07:35.179 --> 00:07:36.579 Just a little bit more. 00:07:36.579 --> 00:07:39.939 It's never been satisfied. 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:42.800 That's why Jesus warns us of this. 00:07:43.479 --> 00:07:44.339 Beware of greed. 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:47.879 It's so easy to be greedy with our money, 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:49.120 with our things, 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:50.099 with our time. 00:07:50.839 --> 00:07:52.599 Wanting to keep them just for us, 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:53.819 and wanting more. 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:56.740 Most likely what we see others having, 00:07:57.419 --> 00:07:59.180 it affects both the rich, 00:07:59.719 --> 00:08:00.360 and the poor. 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:03.639 It is constantly wanting more and more, 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:04.839 but never been satisfied. 00:08:06.719 --> 00:08:08.079 And greed is also a barrier, 00:08:08.339 --> 00:08:09.500 to our relationship with Jesus. 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:11.740 As Christians we know, 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:13.300 that we can only ever be satisfied, 00:08:13.779 --> 00:08:14.699 by a new life, 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:15.699 in Christ. 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:17.439 Not by the things that we own. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:20.439 And only by being generous, 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:22.939 with what God has given us, 00:08:23.539 --> 00:08:24.560 can we overcome greed. 00:08:27.099 --> 00:08:29.419 So Jesus continues in verse 15, 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:31.680 For one's life does not consist, 00:08:31.899 --> 00:08:33.120 in the abundance of the things, 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:34.060 they possess. 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:37.440 This completely flies in the face, 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:39.320 of what most people feel today. 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:42.220 Life is about acquiring things. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:44.139 You are what you have. 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:46.279 The life we see in the films, 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:47.639 in TV shows, 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:48.360 on Instagram, 00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:49.440 in Facebook. 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:51.440 It's the car, 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:52.240 the house, 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:53.480 the holiday. 00:08:54.460 --> 00:08:55.539 That's how many people, 00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:56.500 value themselves, 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:57.779 and unfortunately, 00:08:58.180 --> 00:08:59.399 value those around them. 00:09:00.460 --> 00:09:01.360 Where do they work? 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:03.340 How many rooms do they have? 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:04.519 Where do they go on holiday? 00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:07.220 Where do they lie, 00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:08.320 in relation to us? 00:09:09.100 --> 00:09:09.860 Are they doing better? 00:09:10.580 --> 00:09:11.620 How can I have that? 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:14.480 Do we fall into this trap? 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:16.560 It's easy to do. 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:19.659 Does what they have, 00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:20.539 or don't have, 00:09:20.839 --> 00:09:22.079 because value people more, 00:09:22.199 --> 00:09:22.639 or less? 00:09:23.219 --> 00:09:24.419 Or does it cause tension, 00:09:24.619 --> 00:09:25.259 due to jealousy? 00:09:26.859 --> 00:09:27.659 For one's life, 00:09:27.739 --> 00:09:28.859 does not consist, 00:09:28.979 --> 00:09:29.679 in the abundance, 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:31.279 of the things he possesses. 00:09:33.059 --> 00:09:33.879 We are more, 00:09:33.979 --> 00:09:34.579 than what we have, 00:09:34.739 --> 00:09:35.459 certainly to God. 00:09:37.519 --> 00:09:38.439 So Jesus, 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:40.439 he uses this foolish fight, 00:09:40.859 --> 00:09:42.159 to then teach the crowd, 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:43.139 using the parable. 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:46.360 And we'll see in verses 16 to 19, 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:47.860 a fool's mind. 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:50.019 So remember the definition, 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:51.460 of a fool from earlier on, 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:53.080 someone who has an inflated, 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:54.240 opinion of themselves, 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:55.899 whilst ignoring God. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:57.779 And according to Proverbs, 00:09:57.899 --> 00:09:58.600 the way of a fool, 00:09:58.699 --> 00:10:00.019 is right in his own eyes. 00:10:00.439 --> 00:10:01.179 Keep this in mind, 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:02.539 as we look at this parable. 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:06.299 If we notice in verse 16, 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:07.000 that the man, 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:08.899 most likely a farmer, 00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:10.220 is rich already. 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:10.620 Also, 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:12.620 he has made, 00:10:12.920 --> 00:10:14.139 his fortune honestly. 00:10:14.800 --> 00:10:15.639 There's no mention of, 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:17.060 dishonesty or thievery here. 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:19.879 But we are not talking about, 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:21.160 the average farmer at the time, 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:22.720 who would probably have made, 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:23.519 just about enough, 00:10:23.660 --> 00:10:24.820 to feed himself, 00:10:24.920 --> 00:10:25.420 and his family, 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:26.540 from the land that he had. 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:27.879 This is a man, 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:28.779 who is very rich, 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:29.639 in comparison. 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:31.580 He had barns. 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:33.940 He would have been well known, 00:10:34.220 --> 00:10:35.500 and influential, 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:36.200 in his community. 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:40.400 And where did his riches come from? 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:41.040 Well, 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:42.200 the passage tells us this, 00:10:42.280 --> 00:10:42.980 in verse 16. 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:44.440 The ground, 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:45.900 of a certain rich man. 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:48.160 This was a gift, 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:48.820 from God. 00:10:49.660 --> 00:10:50.379 Without the sun, 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:51.500 the rain, 00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:52.600 and the soil, 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:53.520 nothing would have grown. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:56.640 And then we see, 00:10:56.780 --> 00:10:57.420 in verse 17, 00:10:57.580 --> 00:10:58.320 that he has, 00:10:58.500 --> 00:10:59.060 a problem. 00:11:00.520 --> 00:11:01.600 He thought to himself, 00:11:02.020 --> 00:11:03.080 what shall I do? 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:04.540 I have no place, 00:11:04.540 --> 00:11:05.600 to store my crops. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:08.639 So this is a huge harvest, 00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:09.420 bigger, 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:10.580 than any before. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:12.139 As his barns, 00:11:12.180 --> 00:11:12.780 were not big enough. 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:13.540 God, 00:11:13.680 --> 00:11:14.560 had blessed him, 00:11:14.680 --> 00:11:15.580 with a bumper crop. 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:17.240 So what did he do? 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:18.960 Then, 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:19.720 he says, 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:20.720 this is what I'll do. 00:11:21.800 --> 00:11:22.740 I'll give all this extra, 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:23.200 to the poor? 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:24.879 No. 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:26.379 I'll send it over, 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:26.980 to my friends? 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:28.340 No. 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:29.580 Not this guy. 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:31.900 The thing, 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:32.699 that would have been done, 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.159 at the time, 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.139 in this culture, 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:34.639 would have been, 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:35.439 to go to the elders, 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:36.100 of the village, 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:36.600 or the city, 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:38.480 and discuss the problem, 00:11:38.579 --> 00:11:38.939 with them. 00:11:39.319 --> 00:11:40.000 They would have been found, 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:40.819 at the city gates. 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:42.379 But not the rich fool. 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:44.779 What does the rich fool do? 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:46.259 Well, 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:46.959 let's look at his words, 00:11:47.059 --> 00:11:48.699 in verse 17. 00:11:49.699 --> 00:11:51.039 What shall I do? 00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:52.659 I have no place, 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:53.919 to store my crops. 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:55.159 Then he said, 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:56.860 this is what I will do. 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:58.279 I will tear down, 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.139 my barns, 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:00.100 and build bigger ones. 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:01.440 And there I, 00:12:01.560 --> 00:12:02.820 will store all my grain, 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:03.840 and my goods. 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:07.120 So he has to think about his problem. 00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:08.420 And then look, 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:09.639 at all the number of times, 00:12:09.680 --> 00:12:10.720 he talks about himself. 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:11.420 I, 00:12:11.800 --> 00:12:11.980 me, 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:12.779 mine. 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:13.800 Everything, 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:14.620 is his. 00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:16.300 The problem here, 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:17.720 is not that he is rich, 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:19.759 but that he has no thought, 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:20.340 for God. 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:21.560 No thought, 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:22.620 of thankfulness, 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:23.340 for this blessing. 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:24.540 And no thought, 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.060 for others. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:26.940 So I'll say that again, 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:27.600 just for clarity. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:28.200 The problem here, 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:29.340 is not that he is rich, 00:12:29.540 --> 00:12:30.620 but that he has no thought, 00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:31.100 for God. 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.100 No thought, 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:32.920 of thankfulness, 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:33.960 and no thought, 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:34.960 of others. 00:12:36.180 --> 00:12:36.980 He's got too big, 00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:38.040 for his own barns. 00:12:40.180 --> 00:12:41.420 And we find in verse, 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:43.159 we find in Psalm 14, 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:43.639 the fool, 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:44.960 says in his heart, 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:46.000 there is no God. 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:47.519 And that is exactly, 00:12:47.680 --> 00:12:48.480 what we find here, 00:12:48.560 --> 00:12:49.060 in the mind, 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:49.820 of this fool. 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:51.460 The complete absence, 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:52.200 of God. 00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:54.720 He gives no thought, 00:12:54.800 --> 00:12:55.600 to God's guidance, 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:57.159 or to anyone else's, 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:57.740 for that matter. 00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:00.000 He must be the wisest person, 00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:00.480 he knows. 00:13:01.060 --> 00:13:01.700 So why bother, 00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:02.800 asking anyone else? 00:13:05.060 --> 00:13:05.740 We must, 00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:06.680 also be careful, 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:07.300 not to fall, 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:08.440 into the same trap. 00:13:09.420 --> 00:13:09.920 Do we ask, 00:13:09.920 --> 00:13:10.560 God's guidance, 00:13:10.680 --> 00:13:11.279 for the decisions, 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.040 that we make, 00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:12.879 in our lives, 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:14.200 for the lives, 00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:14.860 of our family, 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.060 and the life, 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:17.000 of our church gathering? 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:18.560 Do we pray, 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.399 and ask what God's will, 00:13:19.580 --> 00:13:19.759 is? 00:13:22.160 --> 00:13:22.740 So here, 00:13:22.800 --> 00:13:23.300 in this section, 00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:23.980 the rich fool, 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:25.379 has mistaken, 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:25.940 stewardship, 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:27.399 with ownership. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:29.519 The problem is not, 00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:30.379 about planning, 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:30.980 for the future. 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:32.560 This is something, 00:13:32.659 --> 00:13:33.159 we should do, 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:34.039 as good stewards. 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:36.159 We should, 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:37.080 prepare for the future, 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:37.960 and take care, 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:38.940 of what God has given us. 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:40.340 The problem here, 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.320 is that the rich fool, 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.000 does not seek, 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.680 God's guidance, 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:43.860 on how to use, 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.620 this harvest. 00:13:45.940 --> 00:13:46.500 Don't fall, 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:47.259 into the same trap. 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:48.019 Be a good steward, 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:49.200 good steward, 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:49.840 of what you have, 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:50.800 but realize, 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:51.720 that everything we have, 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.139 is a gift from God. 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.059 We don't really, 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:54.620 own it. 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:56.019 Don't mistake, 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:56.960 stewardship, 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:57.939 with ownership. 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:00.939 So we see, 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:02.159 in verse 17, 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.379 his first thought, 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:04.379 is not about, 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:04.919 who to share, 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:05.899 his harvest with, 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.259 or even what to do, 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:08.259 with the surplus. 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:09.639 He already knows, 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:10.580 what he's going to do with it. 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:12.000 He's going to store it, 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.399 keep it for himself. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.659 The question, 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:15.220 he has, 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:15.600 and the problem, 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.139 is how, 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.000 to store it. 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:18.419 So as well, 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:19.439 there's no mention of God, 00:14:19.819 --> 00:14:21.080 and there's no consideration, 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:21.679 of family, 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.279 or friends. 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:24.220 Perhaps, 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:24.899 he's alone, 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.579 with no family, 00:14:26.199 --> 00:14:26.519 but, 00:14:26.819 --> 00:14:27.419 a rich man, 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:28.259 with no friends. 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:30.860 He also doesn't think, 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:32.419 of the neighboring farmers either, 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.480 who may have benefited, 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:34.639 for the surplus grain, 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:36.299 or for the workers, 00:14:36.459 --> 00:14:37.059 in his field. 00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:39.139 He's already rich, 00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:40.319 and probably doesn't need the extra, 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.139 but decides, 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:43.139 to keep it all for himself. 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:45.240 So what's he going to do, 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:45.699 with this, 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:46.679 bumper crop? 00:14:48.199 --> 00:14:48.919 He says, 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:50.279 you have plenty of grain, 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:51.539 laid up for many years. 00:14:52.839 --> 00:14:53.719 I'll stop working, 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.339 and use my time, 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:54.919 to help others? 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:56.279 No. 00:14:56.839 --> 00:14:57.579 I'll serve God? 00:14:58.579 --> 00:14:58.979 No. 00:14:59.579 --> 00:15:00.319 Not this guy. 00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:01.879 What will he do with it? 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:02.979 He'll use it, 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:03.419 to have, 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.539 an easy life. 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:05.299 Eat, 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:06.099 drink, 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:06.979 and be merry. 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.079 Basically, 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:09.000 a party attitude. 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:10.539 See, 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:11.019 here, 00:15:11.099 --> 00:15:12.000 he is being greedy, 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:12.839 with his time. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:14.780 It's all about enjoyment, 00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:16.200 all about himself. 00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:17.620 No thought for others. 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:18.379 It's me, 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:19.180 me, 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:19.720 me. 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:25.620 Can you cast your mind back, 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.300 two years, 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:28.200 to images of shopping trolleys, 00:15:28.280 --> 00:15:29.379 packed with toilet rolls, 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:30.300 and cans of beans? 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:31.519 Covid, 00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:33.519 caused some to stock up, 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.000 to help, 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.540 elderly relatives. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.160 Some were panic buying, 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:37.780 for themselves, 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:38.980 and yet others, 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.300 were stocking up, 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:41.519 just to make money. 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:44.040 The Guardian reported, 00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:44.920 back in 2020, 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:46.060 that one UK seller, 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.879 had made a thousand pounds, 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.620 from selling, 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:50.300 toilet roll at fifty pounds. 00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:51.940 He made a thousand pounds. 00:15:52.780 --> 00:15:53.560 So during lockdown, 00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:54.720 some people were hoarding, 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.540 items, 00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:56.340 and selling them, 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:58.019 for hugely inflated prices, 00:15:58.639 --> 00:15:59.340 just to make money. 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:01.080 If you control the stock, 00:16:01.160 --> 00:16:02.200 you can control the price. 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:03.480 And we see, 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.480 the same thinking, 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.379 and actions, 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.000 in the rich fool, 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:06.860 that we have just read. 00:16:07.900 --> 00:16:09.259 He will sell the grain, 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:10.220 a little at a time, 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.800 to keep prices high, 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:13.620 and he will get a good price, 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:14.240 selling it, 00:16:14.479 --> 00:16:15.279 for many years. 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:16.939 Or so he thinks. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:18.939 Today, 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:19.799 he would be credited, 00:16:20.219 --> 00:16:21.599 as being a good businessman, 00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:23.199 making enough money, 00:16:23.319 --> 00:16:24.740 so that he never has to work again. 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:26.759 An impossible dream, 00:16:26.939 --> 00:16:27.399 for those, 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:29.120 the majority of the people, 00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:29.759 back then, 00:16:29.959 --> 00:16:31.120 and still rare, 00:16:31.219 --> 00:16:31.679 even now. 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:34.179 But he has made, 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:34.779 a plan, 00:16:34.939 --> 00:16:36.099 that does not include God. 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:39.060 If you don't put God first, 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:40.879 it will lead to a plan, 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.920 that he can't deliver on. 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:44.139 And this is what we see here, 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:45.420 in the life of this rich fool. 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:47.100 A future plan, 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.620 that the rich fool can't deliver, 00:16:49.420 --> 00:16:50.580 because he has no future. 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:54.740 And this leads us on, 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.680 to verses 20 and 21, 00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:57.659 which show us, 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:59.340 the fool's future. 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:02.240 But God said, 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:02.840 to him, 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:03.480 you fool, 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:04.880 this very night, 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.660 your life will be demanded from you. 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:07.620 Then, 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.279 who will get, 00:17:08.340 --> 00:17:09.039 what you have prepared, 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:09.720 for yourself? 00:17:12.620 --> 00:17:13.640 The next words, 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:14.700 are from God. 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.680 These are very sobering words. 00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.440 The rich fool's life, 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.860 will end that very night, 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.180 and he will stand before God. 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.600 And his great plan, 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.200 for the future, 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.539 he had overlooked two things. 00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:28.360 He was mortal, 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:30.139 and he was accountable. 00:17:31.719 --> 00:17:32.639 He was mortal, 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.819 and tonight his life, 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.519 is over. 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:36.139 There are no second chances. 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:39.240 He will stand before God, 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:41.379 utterly unprepared. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.439 And he's accountable. 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:45.740 It says, 00:17:45.959 --> 00:17:46.459 God says, 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:47.819 your life will be demanded. 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.799 This conveys the idea, 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.959 of a life as a loan, 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.979 of accounts being settled. 00:17:54.199 --> 00:17:55.519 Our life is a gift from God, 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:56.659 and one day, 00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:57.500 we must show, 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.640 how we have spent it. 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:00.740 Here, 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:01.980 Jesus describes, 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:02.720 a tragedy. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:03.839 The rich fool, 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:05.119 has spent his life, 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:06.180 accumulating things. 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.779 And God asks the questions, 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:08.700 who will get, 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.480 what you have prepared, 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.460 for yourself? 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.059 The rich fool, 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:13.839 had been building, 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.779 a little kingdom, 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.559 for himself, 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:16.599 but having no part, 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.480 in the only kingdom, 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:18.240 that really matters. 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.460 God's kingdom. 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:21.900 And we see, 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:22.819 in verse 21, 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:25.139 this is how it will be, 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:25.659 with anyone, 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.539 who stores up things, 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.200 for himself, 00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:28.579 but is not rich, 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.439 towards God. 00:18:32.439 --> 00:18:33.200 As a Christian, 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:34.139 are you kingdom focused? 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.619 Are you using the gifts, 00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:37.759 that God has given you, 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.319 as a steward, 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.179 to further, 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.539 God's kingdom, 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.700 to spread the love, 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:42.460 and the good news, 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.399 of God's forgiven love? 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:45.039 Are you using, 00:18:45.159 --> 00:18:45.799 your time and money? 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:48.439 We do these things though, 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.859 to show God's love, 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.579 to this world, 00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:52.599 not to earn God's favour. 00:18:56.419 --> 00:18:57.720 If this wasn't a parable, 00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:58.799 I would wonder, 00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.319 what happened, 00:18:59.399 --> 00:18:59.899 to the things, 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.460 the rich fool, 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:01.419 had gathered, 00:19:01.679 --> 00:19:02.240 in his lifetime. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.559 Was there someone there, 00:19:04.659 --> 00:19:05.720 to inherit this richness, 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.659 this riches? 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:08.019 Or would there, 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.199 be a dispute over it, 00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:10.279 as we had, 00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:11.579 in the start of the passage, 00:19:12.179 --> 00:19:13.720 with a fight over money? 00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:17.039 Today, 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:18.019 the rich fool, 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:18.779 would have been seen, 00:19:18.879 --> 00:19:19.559 as a success. 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.859 Work hard, 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:21.919 save well, 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:22.859 don't think of others. 00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:24.759 But thankfully, 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.440 how different, 00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:26.319 were God? 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.659 Jesus is the absolute, 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.839 opposite of this, 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.539 of what the world, 00:19:31.679 --> 00:19:32.139 would describe, 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:33.220 as a success story. 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.579 He gave up everything, 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.000 the position of power, 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:36.839 and honour, 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:38.399 to live a life of poverty, 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:39.879 and ultimately die, 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.839 at the hands of those, 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:41.700 he had created. 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.839 He consistently, 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.579 shunned power, 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.579 or attempts, 00:19:45.659 --> 00:19:46.460 to put him in power. 00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:48.419 He avoided fame, 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:49.880 and often told those, 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.460 he had healed, 00:19:50.820 --> 00:19:51.420 not to tell, 00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:52.740 anyone who had done it. 00:19:55.300 --> 00:19:56.200 We read in, 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:57.039 2nd Corinthians, 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:57.840 chapter 8, 00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:58.420 verse 9, 00:19:58.420 --> 00:20:00.519 for you know, 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:02.560 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:04.080 that though he was rich, 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:06.279 yet for your sake became poor, 00:20:06.800 --> 00:20:07.660 so that you, 00:20:07.840 --> 00:20:08.539 through his poverty, 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:09.759 might become rich. 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:12.800 Jesus gave up everything, 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:14.100 and lived a perfect life, 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:15.920 with one plan in mind, 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.620 God's plan, 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:19.220 to do his Father's will. 00:20:20.380 --> 00:20:21.779 The plan that God the Father, 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:23.000 always had in place, 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.380 before the world was made, 00:20:24.380 --> 00:20:26.140 that Jesus would die, 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:27.260 in your place, 00:20:27.800 --> 00:20:28.820 and take the punishment in due, 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.800 for all your sins. 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:32.220 The plan would mean, 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.140 that all of our sins, 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.800 would be punished. 00:20:35.020 --> 00:20:35.800 The payment met, 00:20:36.280 --> 00:20:37.460 the account settled, 00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:39.340 but not on us, 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.980 on Jesus Christ. 00:20:42.260 --> 00:20:42.800 Through this, 00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:44.040 we have become rich, 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:44.800 towards God, 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.440 because of what Christ had done, 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:48.260 not because of anything, 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.540 that we have performed. 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:52.420 And this is what the rich fool, 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.200 lacked, 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.960 he trusted in himself, 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:56.240 and what he had hoarded. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.779 He had no thought, 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.820 of the next life, 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.700 and the judgment to come. 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:01.560 But, 00:21:02.060 --> 00:21:02.860 we need to realise, 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:04.480 that even if the rich fool, 00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:05.320 had given away, 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.580 everything that he had, 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.200 he could not have earned, 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.300 or bought his way, 00:21:09.360 --> 00:21:10.019 into God's kingdom. 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.980 The only way, 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:13.420 is through God's forgiveness, 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:15.080 for all the wrong, 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.080 that we have done in our life, 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:17.220 asking him, 00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:17.980 to forgive us, 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:19.140 and trusting that Jesus, 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:20.180 has paid the price. 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:22.840 That's how much God loves you. 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.700 He has done everything. 00:21:25.060 --> 00:21:25.580 There is nothing, 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.320 that you can do, 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.160 only believe, 00:21:27.620 --> 00:21:28.220 and accept, 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.100 this free gift. 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:33.920 And as I draw to a close, 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:35.299 I wonder what happened, 00:21:35.580 --> 00:21:36.100 to the man, 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.980 who made the demand of Jesus, 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.340 at the start of this passage. 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.500 After Jesus had finished, 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.120 speaking, 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.580 did he slink off, 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:45.299 and continue his foolish fight? 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:46.880 Or did he fix, 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.539 the relationship, 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.420 with his brother? 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:50.420 Today, 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.279 you have an opportunity, 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.060 that the rich fool, 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:52.840 never had. 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.380 Another evening, 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.340 an evening to make a decision. 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.400 You have the opportunity, 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:58.980 to fix, 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.140 a broken relationship, 00:22:00.580 --> 00:22:01.140 with God, 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:01.900 or to continue, 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.279 in a foolish fight, 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:03.880 with the God, 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:04.440 that loves you, 00:22:04.820 --> 00:22:05.380 and sent his son, 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.060 to die for you. 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.080 Which will you choose? 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:10.380 Ultimately, 00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:11.279 we need to stand, 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:12.140 before him one day, 00:22:12.340 --> 00:22:13.140 and give an account, 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:13.980 of ourselves. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.200 We can either, 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.180 do that on our own, 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:17.380 like the rich fool, 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:19.060 and face God's judgment, 00:22:19.780 --> 00:22:20.720 or we can do it, 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:21.820 through Christ, 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.500 who will stand before God, 00:22:23.580 --> 00:22:23.900 and plead, 00:22:24.260 --> 00:22:24.980 our case for us. 00:22:27.260 --> 00:22:28.000 This evening, 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.140 we will end, 00:22:29.260 --> 00:22:30.520 with an empty tomb. 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.340 Jesus is not there, 00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:33.420 he is risen, 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:34.820 there is new life, 00:22:35.340 --> 00:22:36.080 there is hope. 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.280 Don't let this opportunity, 00:22:38.280 --> 00:22:38.980 pass you by, 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:40.080 you may not get another. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:42.020 If you have not already, 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:42.700 please accept, 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.280 this new life, 00:22:43.280 --> 00:22:44.280 that Jesus is offering. 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.660 The only life, 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:46.640 that truly satisfies. 00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:48.340 And may God, 00:22:48.580 --> 00:22:48.980 bless you. 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.400 Father, 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.500 thank you for Jesus, 00:22:54.840 --> 00:22:56.100 that he rose from the dead, 00:22:56.300 --> 00:22:57.280 so that we can have, 00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:57.920 life. 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.700 Thank you for your word, 00:23:00.080 --> 00:23:00.480 the Bible, 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.400 where we can learn, 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.640 about your plan for us, 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:04.080 and where we can read, 00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:05.780 for God so loved the world, 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:07.440 that he gave his only son, 00:23:07.820 --> 00:23:08.940 that whoever believes in him, 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:09.780 shall not perish, 00:23:10.300 --> 00:23:11.700 but have eternal life. 00:23:12.260 --> 00:23:13.380 Thank you for this plan, 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:15.020 and for sending Jesus. 00:23:15.020 --> 00:23:16.360 Amen. 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.120 Amen. 00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:19.020 Amen. 00:23:19.020 --> 00:23:19.120 Amen. 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.560 Amen. 00:23:28.560 --> 00:23:28.600 Amen. 00:23:28.760 --> 00:23:29.340 Amen. 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:29.600 Amen. 00:23:29.600 --> 00:23:30.320 Amen. 00:23:30.780 --> 00:23:30.820 Amen.