WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.259 All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. 00:00:07.660 --> 00:00:09.160 Where's that come from? 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:12.280 Vander? 00:00:13.700 --> 00:00:14.759 Prodigal son? 00:00:15.480 --> 00:00:15.880 Mary? 00:00:16.539 --> 00:00:17.379 Prodigal son? 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:18.600 Luke 15? 00:00:19.400 --> 00:00:23.820 All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. 00:00:23.820 --> 00:00:40.960 The story of the prodigal son, he's the brother that we often neglect, the one at the end of the story, the firstborn, who measures his relationship with his dad by how well he carries out his orders. 00:00:43.219 --> 00:00:46.140 Relationship based on performance. 00:00:46.140 --> 00:01:06.079 He knows all about duty and obligation and shoulds and oughts and outwardly he is the obedient son, he is the submissive man, he obeys his dad, he does his jobs, he does all the externals. 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:14.659 And life for him has become slavery, not sonship. 00:01:16.140 --> 00:01:24.920 He relates to his dad like a slave, he treats his father like a grudging master and so he measures himself. 00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:29.019 And he's got this checklist of what a loving son looks like. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:38.620 And he doesn't even need to ask his dad what he thinks of him, he can self-assess because he knows that he's not a complete failure of a son like his brother. 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:51.120 It's actually not that different from what we do in our church families when we measure our children's worth by their performance. 00:01:51.120 --> 00:02:04.900 Relationship based on performance. 00:02:04.900 --> 00:02:18.340 Relationship based on rule keeping. 00:02:18.340 --> 00:02:19.580 How we measure up. 00:02:20.680 --> 00:02:25.360 His dad offers him freedom and privilege and intimacy. 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:31.160 But the son chooses to live with rules and obligations. 00:02:31.380 --> 00:02:33.380 He chooses to live like a slave. 00:02:36.040 --> 00:02:38.860 He's the opposite of his brother the prodigal. 00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:49.640 The younger brother has lost, he turns around, he comes to his senses, 00:02:49.639 --> 00:02:55.139 He turns back and he pursues his dad with absolutely nothing to offer. 00:02:55.799 --> 00:02:59.879 He's wasted wealth, he's wasted privilege, he's wasted opportunity. 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:05.399 He is brought low and he returns to his father absolutely empty handed, 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:11.159 prepared to face the music, prepared to live as a slave. 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:19.699 He throws himself on his father's mercy and amazingly his father runs to meet him and welcomes him as a son. 00:03:26.199 --> 00:03:30.079 What is relationship with God like for you this morning? 00:03:34.699 --> 00:03:35.300 Distant. 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:37.840 Dutiful. 00:03:39.579 --> 00:03:40.300 Uncertain. 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:43.099 A set of obligations. 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:49.280 You live what you think is a Christian life because you think that's what God wants you to do. 00:03:50.340 --> 00:03:53.840 A master that you fear, one that you dutifully obey. 00:03:54.300 --> 00:03:58.000 You go to church, you attend your community group, you give your cash, 00:03:58.099 --> 00:04:03.000 you serve in kids' church or music ministry or you visit people in need, 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:09.039 you get Bible training, you get ordained, you do all the externals and you still feel barren inside. 00:04:11.159 --> 00:04:15.219 And on the outside, everybody's applauding. 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:18.500 And encouraging. 00:04:18.719 --> 00:04:21.319 And on the inside you feel empty and a fraud. 00:04:21.319 --> 00:04:23.939 All the right actions. 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:38.759 Jesus speaks to our inner emptiness in the Bible passage that I'm preaching this morning. 00:04:38.759 --> 00:04:40.759 Have your Bibles open. 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:42.279 Mark chapter 12. 00:04:42.279 --> 00:04:42.319 Mark chapter 12. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:42.819 Mark chapter 12. 00:04:42.819 --> 00:04:48.740 We've preached this short series of messages over the last three weeks from Mark chapter 11 and Mark chapter 12. 00:04:48.740 --> 00:04:54.360 We've seen that the religious leadership have determined that the easiest way to deal with Jesus, 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:56.079 the Jesus problem, is to kill him. 00:04:57.560 --> 00:05:01.199 And so the religious elite have begun to confront Jesus in public, 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:03.220 something they haven't had the guts to do before. 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:05.500 Some ridicule his ministry. 00:05:05.880 --> 00:05:08.200 They try to discredit him in the eyes of the people. 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:11.460 Others use all their evil intent to trap him in his words. 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:14.020 They are trying to justify his execution. 00:05:17.540 --> 00:05:19.780 And Jesus confounds them with his answers. 00:05:19.900 --> 00:05:22.740 And in 1234 their questions dry up and it says, 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:26.000 From then on no one dared to ask him any more questions. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:31.220 But in Mark chapter 12 verse 28, 00:05:31.519 --> 00:05:34.199 a teacher in the law of the law questions Jesus. 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:39.379 This is a man that doesn't seem to be part of the posse that's looking to trap him. 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:42.279 He's overheard the debate. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:46.240 He has heard Jesus give an amazing answer to the Sadducees 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:48.740 and now he steps forward and he asks his own question. 00:05:50.860 --> 00:05:54.600 Teacher, of all the commandments, which is the most important? 00:05:56.000 --> 00:05:57.779 Now that was a current issue. 00:05:59.199 --> 00:06:03.560 The teachers of the law had discerned that 613 laws in the scriptures, 00:06:03.779 --> 00:06:07.579 they'd taken the Bible apart, they'd found 613 commandments, laws, 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:11.600 and it was pretty common for them to debate which were the light ones, 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:13.620 which were the heavy ones, what were the big ones, 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:16.180 what were the ones that took precedence over others. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:17.680 Sort them out for us, Jesus. 00:06:17.779 --> 00:06:18.839 Which is the most important? 00:06:20.300 --> 00:06:22.100 And I think it's an honest question. 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:25.259 We looked at this in our small group the other night, 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:26.620 the community group the other night, 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:29.879 and I think some of us thought he was a bit condescending of Jesus, 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:31.839 but I actually think it's an honest question. 00:06:32.759 --> 00:06:35.860 I think he is one teacher who is checking out another teacher. 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:39.259 And he asks a really important question to figure out 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:43.039 whether Jesus is a teacher who is worth paying any attention to. 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:46.540 And it's like he addresses him as a peer. 00:06:48.680 --> 00:06:51.740 And Jesus answers his question with scripture. 00:06:51.900 --> 00:06:52.620 Verse 29. 00:06:53.460 --> 00:06:56.439 The most important one answered Jesus is this. 00:06:56.820 --> 00:07:00.080 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 00:07:01.379 --> 00:07:04.900 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul 00:07:04.900 --> 00:07:07.180 and with all your mind and with all your strength. 00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:10.360 And the second is this. 00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:12.740 Love your neighbour as yourself. 00:07:13.340 --> 00:07:15.860 There is no commandment greater than these. 00:07:20.300 --> 00:07:23.759 The first part is a direct quote of Moses' words 00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:26.879 to the people of Israel in Deuteronomy, chapter 6. 00:07:27.960 --> 00:07:28.980 And he adds a command. 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:31.860 The second command is one from Leviticus, chapter 19. 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:34.960 It's God's command from Leviticus, chapter 19, verse 18. 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:40.120 And Jesus pulls the two scriptures together 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:41.959 and he calls them the greatest command. 00:07:42.039 --> 00:07:43.879 There is no command greater than these. 00:07:44.219 --> 00:07:46.639 And he ties the love of God to the love of neighbour. 00:07:47.299 --> 00:07:49.199 He does not let us separate the two. 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:51.259 You cannot say you love God 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:53.219 and hate your brother or sister in Christ. 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:55.919 Absolutely incompatible. 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:03.839 The Deuteronomy quote was never a command of God's. 00:08:04.959 --> 00:08:06.639 It's not a command. 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:12.379 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 00:08:13.659 --> 00:08:15.839 Love the Lord your God with all your heart 00:08:15.839 --> 00:08:17.740 and with all your soul and with all your mind 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:19.359 and with all your strength. 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:24.759 It's the climax of Moses' sermon. 00:08:25.719 --> 00:08:29.159 He's just reminded them of the Ten Commandments in particular 00:08:29.160 --> 00:08:31.840 and he preaches with all the passion of a Billy Graham 00:08:31.840 --> 00:08:33.060 and he says to the Israelites, 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:36.000 Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:38.220 Love him with your entire being, 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:40.920 your heart, your soul, your mind, your strength. 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:50.080 Now the Ten Commandments were given by God 00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:52.840 to his people whom he had already redeemed. 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:55.920 They have a history with God. 00:08:56.019 --> 00:08:58.240 He saved them out of slavery in Egypt. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:02.060 God revealed himself to them with his personal name, Yahweh. 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:05.639 He's constantly provided for them 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:07.240 and he's protected them in the desert 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:10.060 and he's continued to involve himself in their lives 00:09:10.060 --> 00:09:13.139 despite many moments when they have failed to trust him, 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:14.280 disobeyed him. 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:20.519 And so Moses calls, he exhorts people to walk in the relationship 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:22.199 that they already have with God. 00:09:23.579 --> 00:09:24.399 Love him. 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:27.259 Love your neighbours like yourselves. 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:33.459 Now I think love is a really tricky thing to define. 00:09:35.539 --> 00:09:37.179 It's not just a feeling 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:39.419 but it will involve feeling and emotion. 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:43.480 It needs to have content. 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:44.659 It will be seen in action. 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:47.060 It's a great little play that's been acted out for us 00:09:47.060 --> 00:09:48.300 with Kids Church a minute ago. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:52.019 No good having words without delivery 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:54.680 doesn't work in a marriage, does it? 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:57.639 We try. 00:10:01.820 --> 00:10:04.000 But I want to be very careful this morning 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:09.940 not to reduce love to commandment keeping 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:15.180 because as soon as we do that 00:10:15.180 --> 00:10:19.680 it all becomes about measurable performance. 00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:25.799 The New Testament does not hold up the commandments 00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:27.259 as the attainable goal 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:31.159 or the performance chart. 00:10:33.359 --> 00:10:34.779 Romans chapter 10 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:36.639 Romans chapter 7 verse 10 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:41.079 says to us that the commandment 00:10:41.079 --> 00:10:43.199 which was intended to bring life 00:10:43.199 --> 00:10:44.079 brought death 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:48.200 and the commandments themselves 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:50.920 show the depth of sin and evil 00:10:50.920 --> 00:10:52.160 which was within us 00:10:52.160 --> 00:10:53.879 when they are properly understood. 00:10:56.680 --> 00:10:58.520 Sin seized the commandment 00:10:58.520 --> 00:10:59.360 and brought death. 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:05.160 So when you start measuring performance 00:11:05.160 --> 00:11:06.960 it all becomes about externals 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:07.940 and not about the heart. 00:11:07.940 --> 00:11:12.720 I want to define love this morning 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:14.360 by saying that it pursues 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.900 and values a person. 00:11:16.540 --> 00:11:17.620 Love pursues 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:19.380 and values a person. 00:11:19.880 --> 00:11:22.000 It chases after relationship. 00:11:23.660 --> 00:11:24.540 So in a family 00:11:24.540 --> 00:11:25.140 God says 00:11:25.140 --> 00:11:26.280 husbands love your wives 00:11:26.280 --> 00:11:29.900 and the husband says 00:11:29.900 --> 00:11:30.740 I do love you. 00:11:31.940 --> 00:11:32.640 I do. 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:33.380 I love you. 00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:34.580 I bring home the bacon. 00:11:35.540 --> 00:11:36.740 I provide for you. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:39.560 I've set you up in this great house. 00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:41.680 I provide a wonderful standard of living. 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:47.840 And I'm thinking from personal experience 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:49.180 it does not work. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:50.080 That's not enough. 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:51.120 It's not good enough. 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:03.220 See I can tell you 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:04.039 all the boxes 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:06.039 that I have ticked 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:07.059 from my point of view 00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:08.919 in our marriage. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:11.419 But you ask Kerry 00:12:11.419 --> 00:12:13.179 and you're not permitted to 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:14.099 but you ask Kerry 00:12:14.099 --> 00:12:17.099 you get a different story. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.519 And my wonderful wife 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:21.579 said to me once 00:12:21.579 --> 00:12:22.659 not that far back 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:24.019 a small number of years 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:27.319 you do all these things for me 00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:30.340 but I do not feel loved 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:31.000 by you. 00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:39.680 And that led to a process 00:12:39.680 --> 00:12:41.060 of learning to listen 00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:41.900 to her again. 00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:46.379 Learning what mattered for her. 00:12:48.060 --> 00:12:49.800 Learning what she thinks 00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:50.740 and feels. 00:12:51.940 --> 00:12:53.200 And I think I'm standing here 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:53.620 this morning 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:55.000 I've got L plates on still. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:58.320 She was telling me something 00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:59.019 the other day 00:12:59.019 --> 00:12:59.980 and I stopped listening 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:01.259 in the middle of what she was saying 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.759 and I showed that I'd stopped listening 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:04.320 about what she was talking about 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:06.100 because I talked about something 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:06.980 completely different. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:10.399 And I didn't even notice. 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.899 And a few minutes later 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:15.659 she said to me 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:17.539 what had happened 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:19.279 and said that she was hurt 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.139 and rightly so. 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:24.460 And I've been arrogant enough 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:25.600 sometimes to presume 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:26.139 that I know 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:27.500 what goes on inside her 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:29.340 and even not to even care 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:31.480 about what goes on inside her. 00:13:32.199 --> 00:13:33.340 To care about her hurt. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:37.199 Or to feel too threatened 00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:38.480 to be criticised 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:39.600 for how I've treated her. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.080 So to not want to even 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:43.220 open up the conversation 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:44.240 and talk about it. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:48.500 And so her love of me 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.779 and mine of her 00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:50.840 has meant listening 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:51.659 to the hurt 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:53.620 and owning 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:54.940 how I cause it. 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.159 I hope that there's not 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:02.940 one wife 00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:03.960 sitting here in church 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:04.600 this morning 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:07.139 who goes home 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.019 and says to hubby 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:10.139 I hope you were listening. 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:19.000 But I hope husbands 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:19.699 will go home 00:14:19.699 --> 00:14:20.720 and ask their wives 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:22.939 if they feel loved. 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.659 And listen 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:28.659 without defending. 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:33.139 And maybe doing things 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.500 that help to reinvigorate 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.240 relationships. 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.439 I went to a 60th wedding 00:14:41.439 --> 00:14:42.500 anniversary yesterday 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.980 and a wonderful couple 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:45.059 who had a 00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:46.600 what you have to say 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:48.100 an absolutely steadfast 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:50.039 walk and love of Christ 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:51.460 for 50 of their 60 years 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:52.039 of marriage. 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:55.059 And somebody said 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:57.439 they've had 00:14:57.439 --> 00:14:58.679 a perfect marriage. 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:01.080 And the husband 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.960 who's in his late 80s now 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:04.200 mid to late 80s 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:06.319 corrected them 00:15:06.319 --> 00:15:06.759 and said 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:08.220 they haven't had 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.039 a perfect marriage 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:09.639 they've had 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.939 a good marriage. 00:15:12.459 --> 00:15:13.599 They have pursued 00:15:13.599 --> 00:15:14.599 Christ together 00:15:14.599 --> 00:15:15.899 since he first 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:16.860 laid his hands 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.319 on them. 00:15:18.699 --> 00:15:19.919 They have pursued 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:21.159 relationship 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:22.500 with Christ 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:24.199 and they have pursued 00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:25.199 relationship 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:26.759 with one another. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.360 They have walked 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:30.899 through some 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:32.219 excruciating moments 00:15:32.219 --> 00:15:33.039 in their marriage 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:35.740 bankrupted 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:37.079 by a close relative 00:15:37.079 --> 00:15:38.079 late in life 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:40.860 huge health issues 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:43.420 pain with children 00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:44.080 and their own 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:45.100 imperfections 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:47.740 a very good marriage 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.300 which began 00:15:48.300 --> 00:15:49.180 with a blind date 00:15:49.180 --> 00:15:51.920 and the blind date 00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:52.759 grew to further 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.540 time together 00:15:53.540 --> 00:15:54.600 and now they have 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:55.280 a rich history 00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:55.860 together 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.420 which is 00:15:56.420 --> 00:15:57.060 longer 00:15:57.060 --> 00:15:58.700 than 60 years. 00:15:58.700 --> 00:16:02.759 love of God 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:17.379 will be seen 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.360 in pursuing 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:19.800 and valuing 00:16:19.800 --> 00:16:20.220 God 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.780 over all things. 00:16:23.540 --> 00:16:24.560 So even the other day 00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:25.140 there was something 00:16:25.140 --> 00:16:25.620 I thought 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.580 God wanted me 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:26.980 to do 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.660 and I said 00:16:27.660 --> 00:16:27.860 no 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.440 what did I say 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:28.980 in that moment? 00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:30.920 I'm going to do 00:16:30.920 --> 00:16:31.580 what I want to do. 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.259 I don't care 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:33.860 what you want me 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.620 to do in that moment. 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.240 I'm pursuing 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:37.100 my own self 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:38.100 my own objectives 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:39.560 and Moses here 00:16:39.560 --> 00:16:40.139 is practically 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:40.980 screaming at the 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:42.300 people of Israel 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:43.000 when he gives this 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.060 in Deuteronomy 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:44.720 chapter 6 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:46.040 look at who God is. 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.220 Look at how 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:49.300 he has saved you. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.800 He is the only God 00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:52.860 there is no other 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:54.100 love him with all 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:54.759 your heart 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.399 and soul 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.080 and mind 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:57.300 and strength. 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.180 And the teacher 00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:00.720 of the law 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:01.420 gets it 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:01.899 and he says 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:03.200 well said teacher 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:04.380 you are right 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:04.779 in saying 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.180 that God 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:05.579 is one 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:06.440 there is no other 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.000 to love him 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.740 with all your heart 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.440 and all your 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.039 understanding 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.019 and all your strength 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.940 and to love your 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.700 neighbour as yourself 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.579 it's more important 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.339 than all burnt 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:13.660 offerings 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:14.599 and sacrifices. 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.319 He doesn't 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.000 actually quote 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.680 the commandment 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:17.900 back 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:18.360 he quotes 00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:18.880 the intent 00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:19.240 of it. 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:20.700 He understands 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.240 that God 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:21.960 offers real 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.599 relationship 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.319 with himself 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:25.919 and he prizes 00:17:25.919 --> 00:17:26.740 it above all 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.299 the religious 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:27.879 ritual 00:17:27.879 --> 00:17:28.439 that they do 00:17:28.439 --> 00:17:28.980 at the temple 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:30.059 there is something 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.819 greater than 00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:32.460 temple sacrifices 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.579 and he says 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.139 to obey 00:17:34.139 --> 00:17:34.599 is better 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.480 than sacrifices 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:36.220 he remembers 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:36.859 what Samuel 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.819 says to Saul 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:41.559 the whole 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.419 temple ritual 00:17:42.419 --> 00:17:43.079 pointed to 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:43.619 what a holy 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.559 God looked like 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:46.899 but the teacher 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:47.399 of the law 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:48.039 knew that 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.460 to know 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:48.899 and love 00:17:48.899 --> 00:17:49.240 God 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:49.960 was far 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.319 better 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:50.819 than all 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.279 the stuff 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.299 that pointed 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:52.799 to him. 00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:56.679 how absurd 00:17:56.679 --> 00:17:58.299 some of the 00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:58.939 things that we 00:17:58.939 --> 00:17:59.579 argue about 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:00.200 at church 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:02.960 when we argue 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:03.799 about styles 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.359 of worship 00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:05.059 and types 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:05.639 of music 00:18:05.639 --> 00:18:06.240 and looks 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:06.879 of building 00:18:06.879 --> 00:18:08.099 and we argue 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:08.779 about those 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.460 things as if 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.099 those things 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:10.759 in themselves 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.419 were ultimate 00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:12.000 reality 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.679 and don't 00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:13.039 think I'm 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.759 picking oldies 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.259 on this one 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:14.619 I'm picking 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.200 young ones 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:15.539 as well 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:15.839 the whole 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:16.299 lot of us 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:16.879 wherever we 00:18:16.879 --> 00:18:17.119 sit 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:19.139 they are not 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:20.099 ultimate reality 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:20.559 the Lord 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.419 Jesus is 00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:22.879 and we 00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:23.399 fall out 00:18:23.399 --> 00:18:24.019 over these 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:24.519 things at 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:24.859 peril 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.659 because Christ 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:26.200 calls us 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.940 to love 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.299 God 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:27.819 and to 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.319 love one 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:28.639 another 00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:29.379 above all 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:30.299 those things 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:32.059 it's a 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:33.359 call to 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:33.700 pursue 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.359 relationship 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.059 with God 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.619 and to 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.000 pursue 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.720 relationship 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.519 with one 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:37.899 another 00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:44.080 and Jesus 00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:44.600 says something 00:18:44.600 --> 00:18:44.940 which is 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.380 absolutely 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:45.840 wonderful 00:18:45.840 --> 00:18:46.200 he says 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:46.519 you are 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:46.960 not far 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.300 from the 00:18:47.300 --> 00:18:47.519 kingdom 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.060 of God 00:18:48.060 --> 00:18:50.200 what a 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:50.500 wonderful 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:50.900 thing to 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.160 hear from 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.440 the mouth 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:51.700 of the 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:51.860 Lord 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.180 Jesus 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:55.080 and I 00:18:55.080 --> 00:18:55.440 think the 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:56.000 understanding 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:56.300 that he 00:18:56.300 --> 00:18:56.960 still requires 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:57.560 is explained 00:18:57.560 --> 00:18:58.120 in the next 00:18:58.120 --> 00:18:59.060 verses that 00:18:59.060 --> 00:18:59.800 Jesus is 00:18:59.800 --> 00:19:00.400 the Christ 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:02.640 see verse 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.420 35 while 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:03.940 Jesus was 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.460 teaching in 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:04.820 the temple 00:19:04.820 --> 00:19:05.300 courts he 00:19:05.300 --> 00:19:05.680 asked his 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.320 own question 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:07.259 how is it 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:07.579 that the 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:08.140 teachers of 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:08.440 the law 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:08.859 say that 00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:09.279 the Christ 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.059 is the 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:10.359 son of 00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:10.700 David 00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:12.259 and the 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:12.779 teachers in 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.420 Jesus day 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:13.980 they're teaching 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.480 about the 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:15.059 coming king 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:15.640 the messiah 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:16.200 who will be 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:17.039 David's son 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:18.460 David is the 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:19.079 great hero 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:19.799 of the past 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.400 he beat all 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.059 the enemies 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.500 of God 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:21.900 he brought 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:22.660 about peace 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:23.420 and they 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.099 look back to 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.619 him as this 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:25.240 great one 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:25.839 in the past 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:26.200 and they're 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:26.680 viewing the 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:27.039 king as 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.700 somebody who 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:29.039 will be like 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.440 him maybe 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.099 not as great 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.599 as him but 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.740 he will defeat 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.359 their enemies 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.160 he will kick 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:33.680 the Romans 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:34.279 out he will 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.000 restore their 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.460 glory 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:37.200 it's a little 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.640 bit like 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:38.140 Australians 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:38.519 with the 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:38.740 great 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.080 it's not 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:39.360 just 00:19:39.360 --> 00:19:39.799 Australians 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.180 it's the 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.799 world cricket 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.880 community 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.940 when they 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.340 look at 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:44.059 the Australian 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.539 batsman 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:44.860 Donald 00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:45.340 Bradman 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:46.460 every 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.059 cricketer in 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.420 the world 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.059 gets measured 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.480 against 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.220 Bradman's 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:49.779 achievements 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:51.279 it's 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.140 inconceivable 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:52.880 that anybody 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:53.720 could ever be 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.259 as good as 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:54.519 him 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:57.019 and so 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:58.180 Jesus quotes 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.279 this is how 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.759 people thought 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.400 about David 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:00.880 it's almost 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:01.580 inconceivable 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:02.120 that anybody 00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:02.640 could be as 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:02.940 good as 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.340 David 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:04.819 but Jesus 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.519 quotes Psalm 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.539 110 and he 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.240 asks a riddle 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.000 which is designed 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.659 to turn their 00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:09.159 traditional 00:20:09.159 --> 00:20:10.500 understandings on 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:10.919 their head 00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:13.799 he says 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.759 David himself 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.839 speaking by the 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.519 Holy Spirit 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.199 declared the 00:20:17.199 --> 00:20:17.919 Lord said to 00:20:17.919 --> 00:20:18.599 my Lord 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:19.519 sit at my 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.159 right hand 00:20:20.159 --> 00:20:20.819 until I put 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.439 your enemies 00:20:21.439 --> 00:20:22.000 under your 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.399 feet 00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:25.159 David himself 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:25.980 calls him 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.679 Lord 00:20:26.679 --> 00:20:28.159 how then can 00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:28.740 he be his 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.099 son 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:30.579 and the 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:30.839 crowd 00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.379 listened to 00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:31.500 him 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.119 with delight 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:33.199 they loved 00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:33.359 him 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:33.599 ripping 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:33.859 into 00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:34.099 them 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:36.699 he quotes 00:20:36.699 --> 00:20:37.059 David 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.459 the great 00:20:37.459 --> 00:20:37.619 one 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:37.980 himself 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:38.399 David 00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:39.139 recognized 00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:39.619 the son 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:39.919 who would 00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:40.419 be greater 00:20:40.419 --> 00:20:41.059 than him 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:42.519 Bradman 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:42.899 will have 00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:43.519 a descendant 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.159 who smashes 00:20:44.159 --> 00:20:44.919 his records 00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:45.399 and will be 00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.000 greater than 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.319 him 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.059 a king 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:47.599 is coming 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:48.179 who is much 00:20:48.179 --> 00:20:49.039 bigger than 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.419 David 00:20:49.419 --> 00:20:50.000 he is 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.539 David's 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:50.779 Lord 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.079 he will 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.439 sit at 00:20:51.439 --> 00:20:51.839 the right 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.240 hand of 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:52.480 God 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:52.959 in heaven 00:20:52.959 --> 00:20:53.859 and all 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:54.359 of God's 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:54.679 enemies 00:20:54.679 --> 00:20:55.119 will be 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:55.459 subject 00:20:55.459 --> 00:20:56.019 to him 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:57.199 and so 00:20:57.199 --> 00:20:57.839 Jesus is 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.339 not just 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:58.719 a peer 00:20:58.719 --> 00:20:59.079 to this 00:20:59.079 --> 00:20:59.579 teacher of 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.039 the law 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.679 he is 00:21:00.679 --> 00:21:01.179 God's 00:21:01.179 --> 00:21:01.460 king 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:01.899 who will 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:02.740 achieve 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.299 God's 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:03.819 end time 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.379 purposes 00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:06.319 and then 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.119 Jesus rounds 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.599 off this 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.139 body of 00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:08.500 teaching 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.119 by showing 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:09.599 what love 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:09.980 of God 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:10.399 doesn't 00:21:10.399 --> 00:21:10.839 look like 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.099 and then 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:11.399 what it 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:11.639 does 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.240 look like 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:14.259 watch out 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.559 for the 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:14.919 teachers 00:21:14.919 --> 00:21:15.339 of the 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:15.619 law 00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:17.559 they like 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:17.960 to walk 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.439 around in 00:21:18.439 --> 00:21:19.159 flowing robes 00:21:19.159 --> 00:21:19.399 and be 00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:19.980 greeted in 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.419 the market 00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:20.919 places 00:21:20.919 --> 00:21:21.720 they have 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.099 the most 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.599 important 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.119 seats in 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:23.639 the synagogue 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.000 and the 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.619 places of 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.119 honour at 00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:25.720 banquets 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:27.019 they devour 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:27.460 widows 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:27.839 houses 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:28.419 and for a 00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:28.759 show they 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:29.480 make lengthy 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.039 prayers 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:31.180 such men 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:31.539 will be 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:31.940 punished 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.859 most severely 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:38.779 I've been 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.259 in Christian 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.019 ministry long 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.440 enough to 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:40.859 know what it 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.839 feels like to be 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.279 put on a 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.920 pedestal and 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.519 sometimes it 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.079 feels great 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:44.599 because of the 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.279 perks that come 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:45.980 with it and 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.680 sometimes it 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.539 feels absolutely 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.359 lousy because 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:48.920 you've been put 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:49.559 in a place you 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.299 should never be 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:56.579 the religious 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.440 elite have 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:57.960 lost their 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.399 heart for 00:21:58.399 --> 00:21:58.680 God 00:21:58.680 --> 00:22:01.220 they enjoy 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:01.720 the perks 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.379 of office 00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:03.079 they are 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.579 great and 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.339 important men 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:04.720 and women 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.119 in their 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:05.599 community 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.000 they are 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.399 prominent 00:22:06.399 --> 00:22:06.819 they are 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:07.240 privileged 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:07.839 they stand 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.200 head and 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.460 shoulders 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:09.200 over everybody 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:09.960 else and 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.740 they delight 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.139 in it 00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:13.399 and Jesus 00:22:13.399 --> 00:22:13.960 says watch 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.519 out for them 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.279 literally turn 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:15.680 your backs 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.079 on them 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.779 their destiny 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.500 is God's 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.439 severe punishment 00:22:19.439 --> 00:22:19.779 and the 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.679 contrast there 00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:21.579 they've got 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:22.279 all this stuff 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.859 for themselves 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.279 but they 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.720 devour 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.619 widows houses 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:27.299 and then he 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.899 turns and 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.599 tells us a 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.179 story about 00:22:30.179 --> 00:22:30.559 a widow 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:37.220 he's watching 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.019 people outside 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.579 the treasury 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.139 putting in 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:39.899 their donations 00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:40.599 clang clang 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.199 clang go the 00:22:41.199 --> 00:22:41.839 big donors 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:43.980 lots of 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.279 money 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:49.879 and the 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:50.279 poor widow 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:50.920 comes along 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.160 and she 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:51.799 puts two 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.720 small copper 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.660 coins into 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:56.000 the treasury 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.660 chest 00:22:56.660 --> 00:23:00.960 unnoticed 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.539 probably by 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.000 everybody 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.779 except Jesus 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:07.839 and he 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.799 draws attention 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.339 to her 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:09.680 and he 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.180 draws it 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:10.579 out and he 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:10.920 says I 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.480 tell you the 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:11.940 truth that 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.460 this poor 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:12.799 widow 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.240 has put 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.660 more into 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.240 the treasury 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.019 than all 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.599 the others 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:19.079 they all 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.640 gave out of 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.099 their wealth 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.579 but she 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:20.859 out of 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.380 her poverty 00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:22.720 put in 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:23.240 everything 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:23.940 all that 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.359 she had 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.359 to live 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:25.620 on 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:28.380 I've only 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:28.859 ever preached 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:29.339 these words 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:29.859 before in 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.400 isolation 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:30.960 and not in 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.460 context 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:33.000 we can say 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.319 lots of 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:33.819 things about 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.140 them with 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:34.680 regard to 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.140 giving and 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:35.420 money 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.160 and attitude 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:36.579 of heart 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.000 that goes 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.400 with it 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:39.099 we can 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.579 even say 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.180 things like 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:40.519 there could 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:40.759 have been 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.059 another 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.339 widow 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:41.599 there 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:41.940 who put 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.240 in two 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.819 small copper 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.279 coins that 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:43.599 was right 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.079 beside the 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:44.619 first one 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:48.500 and as she 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.039 put them in 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.379 her heart 00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:49.960 just grumbled 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.619 and complained 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:51.099 about what 00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:51.399 she was 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:51.700 doing 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:54.619 that's not 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:54.980 true 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:58.200 but what I'm 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:58.720 trying to draw 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.200 out is the 00:23:59.200 --> 00:23:59.859 notion that 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:01.660 Jesus noticed 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:03.299 her and 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:05.539 Jesus as 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.119 distinct from 00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:06.879 everybody else 00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:07.420 knew something 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:07.980 that was going 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.440 on in her 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:08.819 heart 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:10.799 her heart 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.939 in giving 00:24:11.939 --> 00:24:12.339 was a 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:12.679 heartfelt 00:24:12.679 --> 00:24:13.279 response 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:13.779 to God 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.119 and she 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:15.539 gave 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.319 everything 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:18.240 love the 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.740 Lord your 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.259 God with 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:19.700 all your 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.259 heart and 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.799 soul and 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.460 mind and 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:22.119 strength 00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:24.839 everything 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:28.799 not noticed 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:30.579 but everything 00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:32.279 she gives 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:32.759 all to 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.240 Jesus 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:42.579 and she's 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:42.920 such a 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.640 contrast to 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.079 the religious 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:44.740 leaders whose 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.380 love is all 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:46.220 about themselves 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:48.099 and self 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.839 indulgence 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:50.620 and self 00:24:50.620 --> 00:24:51.000 love 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:52.599 and self 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.319 satisfaction 00:24:53.319 --> 00:25:00.980 God knows 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.579 our heart 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:04.879 even we 00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:05.439 can't judge 00:25:05.439 --> 00:25:06.079 one another's 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:06.439 hearts 00:25:06.439 --> 00:25:08.740 we see a 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.179 brother or 00:25:09.179 --> 00:25:09.700 sister do 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.279 something and 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:10.839 we may well 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.259 be really 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.980 encouraged by 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.379 it and it's 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:12.980 great that we 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.359 are and it's 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.000 great that we 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.899 act in such a 00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:16.519 way that people 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.019 might be 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.599 encouraged 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:19.919 but we really 00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:20.779 do not know 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.480 one another's 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.099 hearts and when 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.839 we judge one 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.559 another's hearts 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:24.179 we may be 00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:24.799 making a 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.000 grave mistake 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:29.439 there are 00:25:29.439 --> 00:25:30.139 certain things 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:30.759 that we see 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.439 and judge that 00:25:31.439 --> 00:25:31.879 we ought to 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:32.419 be warned 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:33.980 about but in 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.419 terms of 00:25:34.419 --> 00:25:36.119 motive God 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:36.720 is the one 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.599 who knows 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.199 the motives 00:25:38.199 --> 00:25:38.679 of our 00:25:38.679 --> 00:25:39.199 hearts 00:25:39.199 --> 00:25:45.480 I love the 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.199 core values 00:25:46.199 --> 00:25:46.559 that have 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:48.099 been that 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:49.019 are the core 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.779 values of our 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.459 church family 00:25:50.459 --> 00:25:51.399 I don't know 00:25:51.399 --> 00:25:51.779 if you know 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.319 them all yet 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.099 we talk about 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.819 them reasonably 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:55.720 often but we 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.220 talk about 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.980 things like 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.700 devotion to 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:59.460 prayer we 00:25:59.460 --> 00:25:59.960 talk about 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.619 Christ-centered 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.720 bible saturation 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:03.559 we talk about 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.480 humble authenticity 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:06.599 treasuring Jesus 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:08.279 together servant 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:10.039 leadership radical 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:12.480 generosity and 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.279 local and global 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:15.859 impact I love 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:16.299 them because 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:17.059 they're relational 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:19.139 and they are 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:20.000 driven by a 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.720 heart which 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:22.399 loves God 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:23.119 through his 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.779 son the 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.240 Lord Jesus 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.859 Christ 00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:30.740 they're about 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.720 pursuing God 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.859 with all our 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.960 heart and soul 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:35.000 and mind and 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:35.639 strength 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:40.259 there's a 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.820 wrong way of 00:26:40.820 --> 00:26:41.400 holding them 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:43.980 the wrong way 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:44.340 of holding 00:26:44.340 --> 00:26:44.740 them is to 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.020 turn them 00:26:45.020 --> 00:26:45.420 into another 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:45.840 set of 00:26:45.840 --> 00:26:46.200 laws 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:48.580 you prayed 00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:49.360 today you 00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:49.680 read your 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.380 bible today 00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:52.180 you've been 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.759 honest in your 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.259 dealings with 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.259 people you've 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.080 been to church 00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:55.620 on Sunday 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:56.060 were at your 00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:56.920 community group 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:59.780 have you done 00:26:59.780 --> 00:27:00.720 your duty with 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.560 kids church or 00:27:01.560 --> 00:27:02.420 music or whatever 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.800 it is how much 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.259 money have you 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.879 given lately 00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:08.019 that's the wrong 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.319 way 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:12.659 but these are 00:27:12.659 --> 00:27:13.220 very good 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.279 principles because 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.859 they can be 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.460 held the right 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:17.759 way they can be 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.599 held by a heart 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.180 that treasures 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:20.000 Jesus and is 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.879 hungry for Jesus 00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:23.059 that loves to 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.859 speak to Jesus 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:25.839 in prayer that 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:27.039 earnestly desires 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.659 to be in the 00:27:27.659 --> 00:27:28.399 word of God so 00:27:28.399 --> 00:27:28.899 that they might 00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:29.579 know more about 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.359 what Jesus and 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:31.119 God is like that 00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:31.740 they might know 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.039 him 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:35.700 a heart that 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.599 is not proud 00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:37.319 and prepared 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:39.059 to humble 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.819 themselves and 00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.500 acknowledge their 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.200 own failures and 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:41.960 their mistakes with 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.599 their brothers and 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:44.980 sisters a heart 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:46.059 that treasures being 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.680 together in a 00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:47.399 gathering like this 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:48.099 when we gather on 00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:48.859 Sunday when we 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:49.519 meet in our small 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.240 groups our community 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:50.819 groups through the 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:53.720 week a heart that 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:55.480 bleeds for those who 00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:56.220 aren't amongst us 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.899 and wonders where 00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:58.779 they are and 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.779 expresses love and 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.579 concern doesn't just 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.539 say I notice they're 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.099 missing but who 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:02.759 goes to them and 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.319 says how are you 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:03.980 brother or sister 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.720 how can I 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.339 encourage you in 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:08.619 Christ a heart 00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:09.759 that leads as a 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.859 servant not about 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:12.139 who I am but how 00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:13.159 can I honour the 00:28:13.159 --> 00:28:13.940 Lord Jesus in the 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.839 way that I relate to 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.940 you and serve this 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:17.579 church family a 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.159 heart that gives 00:28:18.159 --> 00:28:19.399 generously who sees 00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:20.379 what we that the 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.220 earthly possessions 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:21.879 that we have our 00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:22.639 money our possessions 00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:24.000 whatever it is as 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.839 given to us as 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:27.059 entrusted by to us by 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.119 God in the first 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:31.200 place a heart that 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:32.799 cries out to see 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.819 the gospel of the 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.779 Lord Jesus Christ 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:36.660 transform men and 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.799 women and boys and 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.500 girls in this 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.319 community in this 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.559 church family and in 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.740 the world beyond 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:44.740 there is a really 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:46.100 good way to hold 00:28:46.100 --> 00:28:49.039 the core values of 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.920 St Paul's 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:53.680 brothers and 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.559 sisters the Lord 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.400 our God the Lord 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:57.980 is one he has 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:59.019 revealed himself to 00:28:59.019 --> 00:29:01.360 us in the person 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:02.180 of the Lord Jesus 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:05.480 Christ love the 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:07.220 Lord your God with 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:09.319 all your heart and 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:11.539 all your soul with 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:13.299 all your mind with 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:14.099 all your strength 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:17.740 pursue him and love 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.360 your neighbour as 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:21.220 yourself pursue one 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:23.740 another in Christ 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:25.220 Amen 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.339 Amen 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:25.539