WEBVTT 00:00:00.340 --> 00:00:05.860 Good afternoon everyone. I repeat Graham's welcome. Delighted to have everyone here today. 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:10.700 I should perhaps begin with an apology to those who are coming looking forward to hearing Paul Johnson this morning. 00:00:11.060 --> 00:00:16.399 I messed up my diary so Paul and I have swapped. You can look forward now to hearing Paul next Sunday morning. 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:22.760 I wanted to begin as we come to the end of the first major section of Luke's Gospel 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:28.339 by saying how much I've enjoyed reading through Luke over the last few weeks. 00:00:28.339 --> 00:00:31.980 I've enjoyed it of course because it's the greatest story ever told. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:36.920 It's the words and the deeds of the Lord Jesus and how wonderful they are. 00:00:37.420 --> 00:00:40.539 But I've enjoyed it also because it's just so well written. 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:45.939 I might say of course it's well written. It's the Bible. It's God's inspired word. It's bound to be well written. 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:55.159 And yes, that's true. But there's something about the way that Luke writes that I find particularly helpful and particularly attractive. 00:00:55.159 --> 00:00:59.879 And I think it comes down to what's written on the back of this little book. 00:01:00.119 --> 00:01:05.599 This little book is actually just the Gospel of Luke. There are lots of copies on the front table. 00:01:05.719 --> 00:01:10.439 If you've not got a Bible or if you just want to read Luke by itself, then please take it away. 00:01:11.060 --> 00:01:16.159 But on the back of the book it has something that comes right from the beginning of Luke's Gospel where he says, 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:26.979 Since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you. 00:01:27.819 --> 00:01:33.759 And it's that word orderly that I think is really helpful when we come to look at Luke's Gospel. 00:01:34.539 --> 00:01:37.000 Orderly doesn't just mean it was in chronological order. 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:39.699 Jesus did this, then he did that, then he did something else. 00:01:39.700 --> 00:01:45.060 Rather, what Luke has done, he has taken all the evidence he could find about the Lord Jesus. 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:47.420 He's spoken to people who travelled around with Jesus. 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:51.500 He's probably read Mark's Gospel and perhaps other writings about Jesus as well. 00:01:51.859 --> 00:01:58.120 And he's gathered everything together and he's put it down in an orderly, in a structured fashion. 00:01:58.120 --> 00:02:06.859 And there are two particular things about the passage this morning which I think highlight how Luke has put things down in an orderly fashion 00:02:06.859 --> 00:02:11.420 and how it can be helpful to us when we understand that. 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:16.900 The first is right at the beginning of the passage in verse 18 when it says, 00:02:17.300 --> 00:02:20.060 Once when Jesus was praying in private. 00:02:20.219 --> 00:02:23.159 Once when Jesus was praying in private. 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:29.840 Luke tells us more about the prayers of the Lord Jesus than any of the other Gospel writers. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:36.300 Time and again as we read through Luke, we find them presenting to us Jesus at prayer. 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:41.840 And what's significant every time we see Jesus at prayer in Luke, 00:02:42.259 --> 00:02:46.419 is it's a sign that something very important is about to happen. 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:49.379 Luke is almost signposting through his Gospel, 00:02:49.379 --> 00:02:54.740 taking what was undoubtedly the daily habit of the Lord Jesus, of praying to his Father, 00:02:55.159 --> 00:03:00.319 but highlighting at particular times that before something happened, Jesus prayed. 00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:04.639 So at his baptism, Jesus prayed and the Holy Spirit descended on him 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:07.900 and then he went into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 00:03:08.819 --> 00:03:12.819 The night before he chose his twelve disciples, Jesus spent praying. 00:03:13.340 --> 00:03:17.180 He went up a mountain to pray and he was transfigured before his disciples. 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:24.980 He went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night he was betrayed and before his trial and crucifixion. 00:03:25.760 --> 00:03:29.379 If you see Luke recording that Jesus is praying, 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:32.920 I think that is in one sense Luke saying to us, 00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:35.900 pay particular attention to what's about to come. 00:03:36.260 --> 00:03:39.520 It's very important that you understand it. 00:03:39.980 --> 00:03:42.540 And that's certainly true of the passage that we've got today. 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:45.500 This is a core passage in Luke's Gospel. 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:49.919 Jesus is coming to the end of the first major part of his ministry 00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:53.840 when he's been traveling down Galilee from chapter 10 and Luke onwards. 00:03:53.979 --> 00:03:55.800 He'll be in the long journey towards Jerusalem. 00:03:56.219 --> 00:03:59.960 He's coming to the end of the first part of his earthly ministry. 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:05.920 And Luke chapter 9 pulls together a number of things about that climax. 00:04:06.920 --> 00:04:11.199 And in this passage, Jesus is answering three very simple questions. 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:14.439 My version of them is slightly different from what Peter said earlier, 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:16.339 but essentially the same thing. 00:04:17.099 --> 00:04:19.819 Jesus in this passage presents to us three things. 00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:21.620 The first is who he is. 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:24.039 The second is why he came. 00:04:24.699 --> 00:04:27.399 And the third is what he requires of us. 00:04:28.180 --> 00:04:32.839 Who he is, why he came, and what he requires of us. 00:04:33.579 --> 00:04:39.120 And Luke highlights that this is really important by mentioning Jesus' prayer at the beginning. 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:45.560 The second kind of structural thing in Luke that I think is really helpful as we look at this passage 00:04:45.560 --> 00:04:51.120 is to realize that when Luke puts two things together or just a little bit apart, 00:04:51.340 --> 00:04:53.620 there's some significance in that. 00:04:54.300 --> 00:04:58.620 So, for example, in our passage today, if you were here last week, 00:04:58.660 --> 00:05:01.259 you may remember if you read through the chapter by yourself, 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:02.740 you would undoubtedly notice. 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:06.740 Early on, Jesus asked disciples who the crowd say I am, 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:10.740 and they said, well, some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, one of the prophets. 00:05:11.819 --> 00:05:14.579 Now, we've just gone back a few verses in Luke chapter 9. 00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:17.840 Exactly the same thing was said about Jesus then. 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:21.060 In that case, it was Herod as Herod, the same kind of thing. 00:05:21.139 --> 00:05:23.720 John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:27.019 And so the two things close together, 00:05:27.660 --> 00:05:31.240 Luke is emphasizing the importance of this question, 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:33.019 who is Jesus? 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:36.519 And what's important, too, is what's in the middle. 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:38.439 We looked at it last Sunday, 00:05:38.779 --> 00:05:41.779 and what's in between Herod talking about who Jesus is 00:05:41.779 --> 00:05:44.279 and Peter talking about who Jesus is 00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:47.680 is the story of the feeding of the 5,000. 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:50.659 Now, if we went to Matthew or to Mark, 00:05:50.899 --> 00:05:52.500 between the feeding of the 5,000 00:05:52.500 --> 00:05:56.979 and this discussion with the disciples at Caesarea Philippi, 00:05:56.980 --> 00:06:01.860 there's about a chapter and a half of other things that Jesus said and did. 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:03.920 The two aren't close together. 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:08.100 Chronologically, they didn't just follow exactly one after the other. 00:06:08.860 --> 00:06:10.560 But Luke, I think, is saying to us 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:12.500 that the feeding of the 5,000 00:06:12.500 --> 00:06:16.879 is significant in the understanding of the people of whom Jesus is 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:20.860 and also in the understanding of his disciples. 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:25.319 The people think that Jesus is someone special. 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:29.480 They say, well, he looks like one of the great prophets. 00:06:30.519 --> 00:06:31.459 He could be Elijah. 00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:33.759 Elijah, the great prophet from the Old Testament, 00:06:34.439 --> 00:06:36.159 the one who did so many miracles, 00:06:36.599 --> 00:06:38.439 who stood up to Ahab and Jezebel 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:43.480 and to comprehensively prove that their Baal worship was wrong. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:44.439 So people are saying, 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:46.719 this is a wonderful person before us. 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:47.800 Maybe it's Elijah. 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:49.620 Or more recently, 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:52.240 John the Baptist had been beheaded by Herod. 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:53.199 Maybe people are saying, 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:55.159 well, maybe this is John the Baptist come back, 00:06:55.199 --> 00:06:56.719 almost as a judgment for Herod. 00:06:57.019 --> 00:06:59.139 The great things he's doing would be fitting, 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:00.599 not that John did lots of miracles, 00:07:00.939 --> 00:07:04.339 but would be fitting with the kind of message that John brought. 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:07.899 Or perhaps he's another of the great prophets from the Old Testament. 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:10.800 And I'm quite sure that the feeding of the 5,000 00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:13.539 would confirm the people in their understanding 00:07:13.539 --> 00:07:16.539 that Jesus was someone very special. 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:19.480 This wasn't just an ordinary preacher. 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:22.100 It wasn't even just an ordinary prophet. 00:07:22.700 --> 00:07:26.200 He was comparable with the greatest of them. 00:07:27.460 --> 00:07:31.700 And the feeding of 5,000 undoubtedly would fuel them in that thinking. 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:33.720 And if we read other Gospels, 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:34.720 feeding of 5,000, 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:38.280 the people wanted to make Jesus their king at that point. 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:43.379 But Jesus wants to get beyond that with his disciples. 00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:48.579 Yes, the people have realized that Jesus is someone really special. 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:54.040 But have the disciples realized just how special Jesus is? 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:56.500 Now again, the feeding of the 5,000, 00:07:56.600 --> 00:07:59.779 the large part of that is a dialogue between Jesus and the disciples 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:03.939 and their amazement that with five loaves and two fish, 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:06.759 he could feed that great multitude. 00:08:07.779 --> 00:08:09.639 And so Jesus asked Peter the question, 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:11.979 who do you say that I am? 00:08:11.979 --> 00:08:16.120 And Peter on behalf of all the disciples says, 00:08:16.539 --> 00:08:17.479 some say John, 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:19.979 Peter on behalf of all the disciples says, 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:23.339 for us, you are God's Messiah. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:26.339 Or you are God's Christ. 00:08:27.039 --> 00:08:29.819 And that goes well beyond what the people were saying. 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:31.319 The people were saying, 00:08:31.459 --> 00:08:32.799 here's someone pretty special. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:35.240 He's comparable with Elijah, 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:36.360 with John the Baptist, 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:40.539 or with the other great prophets that we know about in the Old Testament. 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:44.080 Peter on behalf of the disciples says, 00:08:44.180 --> 00:08:45.800 you're more than that, Lord. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:50.019 You're more than just one of the greats of history. 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:51.860 You are the Messiah. 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:55.840 You are the Christ who has been promised by God. 00:08:57.180 --> 00:08:57.879 Now in our day, 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:01.159 we tend to use the word Christ almost as a surname for Jesus. 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:03.100 We talk about Jesus Christ, 00:09:03.420 --> 00:09:04.480 sometimes Christ Jesus. 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:06.080 But of course, 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:10.000 if we understand the Jewish history and the Old Testament at all, 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:11.220 then the Christ, 00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:11.920 the Messiah, 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:14.039 was someone who had been promised, 00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:16.399 who would be absolutely unique, 00:09:16.860 --> 00:09:20.139 who would be God's ultimate messenger to the world, 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:25.000 who would be the one ultimately who would bring freedom to God's people. 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:28.180 And in saying that Jesus was the Christ, 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:29.580 or Jesus was the Messiah, 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:33.660 Peter was recognizing just how special, 00:09:33.800 --> 00:09:36.020 how important he was. 00:09:37.040 --> 00:09:38.240 We return a bit in the chapter, 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:39.860 and you look at it next week with Paul, 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:42.480 and we then get Jesus presented as the Son of God, 00:09:42.560 --> 00:09:43.660 takes us a bit further forward. 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:45.420 Again, two instances next to each other, 00:09:45.740 --> 00:09:47.379 one Luke presents Jesus as the Christ, 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:47.940 the Messiah, 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:50.040 and then with the voice from heaven, 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:50.740 the next one, 00:09:51.040 --> 00:09:53.920 he presents him as the Son of God. 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:54.839 But here, 00:09:55.199 --> 00:09:58.740 Peter very clearly realizes Jesus isn't just a good man. 00:09:59.219 --> 00:10:01.279 He's not even just a great prophet. 00:10:01.959 --> 00:10:03.659 He is God's promised Messiah. 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:08.620 He is the one and only whom God has sent into the world. 00:10:10.099 --> 00:10:10.799 I guess for us, 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:12.519 that is the starting point, 00:10:12.599 --> 00:10:13.159 isn't it, 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:16.699 as we come to think about what it means to follow Jesus, 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:20.000 and to be part of his kingdom. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:24.980 We first have to recognize he is absolutely unique. 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:26.820 He's not just a good man. 00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:28.779 He's not just a great teacher. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:31.059 He's not just a miracle worker. 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:33.080 He is God with us. 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:34.039 He is the Messiah, 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:35.720 God's promised one. 00:10:36.159 --> 00:10:39.259 He is absolutely unique in human history, 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:43.559 because he is himself the Son of God, 00:10:44.059 --> 00:10:46.460 who Jesus is. 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:49.539 I've got to move on. 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:52.740 He is the Christ of God. 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:56.039 And then Jesus moves on, 00:10:56.939 --> 00:11:01.199 and having got this affirmation from Peter, 00:11:01.439 --> 00:11:03.759 not just an opinion as the people had given, 00:11:04.099 --> 00:11:06.659 but a conviction that Peter and the disciples had, 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:08.000 that he is the Messiah, 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.579 Jesus moves on, 00:11:09.719 --> 00:11:12.079 and he wants them to understand very clearly 00:11:12.079 --> 00:11:14.539 what it means that he is the Messiah. 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:18.579 It can be quite puzzling as we read through the gospel, 00:11:18.699 --> 00:11:21.939 that sometimes Jesus tells people not to tell other people about him. 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:24.059 So we've got that here in verse 21. 00:11:24.599 --> 00:11:29.799 Jesus strictly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. 00:11:30.819 --> 00:11:31.000 Now, 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:32.099 why would he do that? 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:37.500 The reason I believe he did that is if the disciples had gone out and said to the people, 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.759 Jesus is the Messiah, 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:40.379 he's the promised one of Israel, 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:45.040 the people would have had totally false expectations about what he was going to do. 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:49.279 They were looking for a Messiah as someone who would come along, 00:11:49.420 --> 00:11:51.700 who would expel the Romans from their country, 00:11:51.700 --> 00:11:57.440 who would restore Israel to the independence and the ability to worship God as they wanted, 00:11:57.900 --> 00:12:00.340 that they had enjoyed in the past. 00:12:01.160 --> 00:12:02.660 And so Jesus is saying to the disciples, 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.200 I've given you, 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:06.080 I've shown you this truth, 00:12:06.560 --> 00:12:10.960 but it's not yet one that the people are ready for. 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:12.940 But he said, 00:12:13.900 --> 00:12:17.780 me being the Messiah has some implications, 00:12:17.780 --> 00:12:21.300 and it's not the ones that you may expect. 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:22.300 He said, 00:12:22.460 --> 00:12:28.240 the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:29.920 the chief priests and teachers of the law, 00:12:30.300 --> 00:12:35.280 must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:41.840 The word that really struck me as I was reading this particular verse is the word must. 00:12:42.900 --> 00:12:45.759 The Son of Man must suffer. 00:12:46.040 --> 00:12:49.259 The Son of Man must be killed. 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:51.500 It is Jesus' mission. 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:58.700 It is the purpose for his coming that he suffered and that he was killed and raised again. 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:01.500 It wasn't something that just happened. 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:04.759 It wasn't something that for him was optional. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:07.939 That if things went well, he might not have to go through it. 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:10.939 If things went badly, then he might well suffer. 00:13:10.940 --> 00:13:15.220 No, for Jesus, this was the very reason that he came. 00:13:15.760 --> 00:13:17.580 He came so that he could suffer, 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:21.420 so that he could die our death on the cross at Calvary, 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:22.860 so he could be raised again, 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:25.160 vindicating him on all that he'd done, 00:13:25.260 --> 00:13:26.280 all that he stood for, 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.380 all that he preached, 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:31.280 and presenting him to the world 00:13:31.280 --> 00:13:32.740 as the Messiah, 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:35.120 the Son of God. 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:38.440 It was a compelling mission. 00:13:39.060 --> 00:13:40.440 Jesus must suffer. 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:42.799 He must die. 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:46.759 And again, if we're thinking about what it means to follow Jesus, 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:50.159 that is the second thing that we need to grasp hold of. 00:13:50.560 --> 00:13:52.480 We need to understand who he is, 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.320 that he's the Messiah, 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.519 he's the Son of God, 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:56.659 and we need to understand too 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:58.600 that he came into this world 00:13:58.600 --> 00:14:01.100 specifically so that he could die 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:03.320 for the sins of the world. 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:05.540 He lived a perfect life, 00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:08.420 looking forward always to his death 00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:10.780 on the cross at Calvary. 00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:13.540 It's only at this point in his relationship 00:14:13.540 --> 00:14:15.840 with the disciples that he starts talking about it, 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:18.400 but undoubtedly Jesus knew throughout his life 00:14:18.400 --> 00:14:20.120 what it was he had come for 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:22.760 and what the end would be. 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.960 Jesus must suffer. 00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:27.360 He must die. 00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:30.000 And of course he did that for us. 00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:32.660 He did that so that he could take on himself, 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:33.639 my sins, 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:35.719 that as I put my faith in him, 00:14:35.939 --> 00:14:37.679 as I trust him as Savior, 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:42.299 as I recognize that he is my only hope for eternity, 00:14:43.339 --> 00:14:45.519 then I can look to his cross and say, 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.939 Jesus died for me, 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:49.100 and because he's taken my punishment, 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:50.799 because he's taken my penalty, 00:14:51.459 --> 00:14:52.980 then I can have forgiveness 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:56.399 and I can have a relationship with God. 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:58.399 It was a compelling mission. 00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:03.180 Jesus must suffer, must die. 00:15:04.680 --> 00:15:05.460 And then finally, 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:08.139 in the remaining verses of the passage, 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:12.300 we have what Jesus requires of us. 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:17.139 And it summarized particularly in verse 23. 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:20.740 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:23.720 and take up their cross daily 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:26.460 and follow me. 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.480 Deny themselves, 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.819 take up their cross daily 00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:30.819 and follow me. 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.319 What does that mean? 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.519 I think last Sunday evening, 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:35.600 when Bruce was speaking to us from Luke chapter 3, 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:37.419 we had as good a definition of that 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:39.539 as I've ever heard. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.319 And what Bruce said is that 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:43.259 what it means to be a disciple of Jesus 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.600 is to say yes to God, 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:47.039 to say no to ourselves, 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:49.159 whatever the cost. 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.419 Yes to God, 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:52.039 no to ourselves, 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:53.580 whatever the cost. 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:56.639 And that's exactly what Jesus is saying here. 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.319 He says, 00:15:58.460 --> 00:16:00.620 if having recognized who I am, 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:03.240 if having recognized why I came, 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:05.319 you are interested in following me 00:16:05.319 --> 00:16:06.799 and coming along with me, 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:10.539 then that requires you to say yes to God, 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.980 to say no to yourself, 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:14.820 whatever the cost might be. 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.420 You have to deny yourself. 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.759 What does deny yourself mean? 00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:19.960 Well, it's not just giving up a few things for Lent. 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:21.580 It is saying that 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:25.279 my will is going to be to do God's will. 00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:30.159 My priority in life is to do what God wants me to do, 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:31.980 not to satisfy the things 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:34.000 that I might find superficially attractive 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:36.840 and might want myself to do. 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:39.060 We have to take up our cross. 00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:44.039 This for us is probably not quite as powerful a picture 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:45.959 as it was to those disciples 00:16:45.959 --> 00:16:47.799 as they listened to Jesus. 00:16:48.719 --> 00:16:51.179 They would be very familiar with the scene 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:53.359 of someone who is carrying a cross 00:16:53.359 --> 00:16:56.059 through their town or their village. 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:57.819 And one thing you knew 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:59.579 if someone was carrying their cross, 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:01.459 it was a one-way journey. 00:17:01.599 --> 00:17:02.979 They wouldn't be coming back 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:06.059 and their life was in someone else's hands. 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:09.500 They were about to die in that case. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.559 And Jesus says, 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:13.059 if you're following me, 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:14.599 it's a one-way journey. 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.759 There's no turning back. 00:17:15.860 --> 00:17:18.700 You've got to be prepared to stay with me 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:20.059 and to obey me, 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:21.319 whatever the cost. 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.380 And you've got to treat me 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:26.079 as being even more important than life itself 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:29.839 and to put yourself in my hands. 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.159 And he says then, 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.039 you deny yourself, 00:17:32.139 --> 00:17:33.220 you take up the cross, 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:35.259 and you follow me. 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:36.480 Follow me, 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:38.079 do the things that I did, 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:39.279 look at my life 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:41.500 and see the way that I lived it. 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:44.740 Follow me perhaps even in my death, 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:48.059 in being willing to go to death 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:50.000 for my sake. 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:50.619 For most of us, 00:17:50.639 --> 00:17:51.599 it won't come to that, 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:53.319 but that is the willingness 00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:55.759 that Jesus requires. 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.779 But what does that mean 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:59.299 on a day-to-day basis? 00:17:59.319 --> 00:17:59.720 I was thinking, 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:00.379 what does it mean? 00:18:00.439 --> 00:18:01.759 What are the areas of my life 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:03.220 where I need to deny myself, 00:18:03.679 --> 00:18:04.659 take up my cross, 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:06.439 and follow Jesus? 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:08.179 Let me suggest a few. 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.659 In the choices I make, 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:12.859 we all have decisions to make 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:14.639 in our lives about what we do, 00:18:14.939 --> 00:18:16.980 about the kind of direction we go in, 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:19.679 about what our hopes and ambitions 00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:21.259 for the future are. 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:23.460 If I am denying myself, 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.460 taking up my cross, 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.539 and following Jesus, 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:27.500 I want to make sure 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.920 that my choices 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:32.039 are aligned with His choices. 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:34.279 I'm not doing things independently, 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:34.660 saying, 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.920 here's what I think is right, 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:37.259 what I think I should do. 00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:40.220 I want to be before God in prayer, 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:41.019 and saying, 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:43.079 Lord, what is it that you want me to do? 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:45.359 Help me to make the right choices, 00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:47.339 and help me to be willing 00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:49.460 to carry them out. 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:53.620 It's also about my relationships. 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:56.460 It's about how I interact 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.840 with other people. 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.579 Now, part of that 00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:01.440 is the people I choose 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.620 to have relationships with, 00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:04.200 close relationships with, 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:06.680 and whether that is in God's will. 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.620 It's also in the day-to-day 00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:10.779 relationships that we have with others. 00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:12.220 Someone hurts me, 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:14.519 perhaps they say something nasty about me. 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:17.059 What is my natural response to them? 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:19.119 It is try and get back at them, 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.859 and maybe say worse about them 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:23.259 than they've said about me. 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:24.660 And Jesus says, 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:26.220 no, that's not what it's all about. 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.400 You have to deny yourself. 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:29.460 You and what people think of you 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:31.559 is not what's important. 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:34.000 You need to follow my example. 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:36.480 And when people revile you, 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.519 and you hate you, 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.359 you don't respond, 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.980 you don't react angrily. 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:42.700 Rather, you depend on God, 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.900 and you know that he is just, 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:46.220 and you show them love and concern. 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:47.360 And sometimes that really 00:19:47.360 --> 00:19:48.880 is denying ourselves, 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.160 in a sense, 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:50.920 taking up our cross, 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:51.740 doing the things 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:53.079 that we find really difficult, 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:55.400 but actually which are really important 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:57.900 if we are following Jesus. 00:19:58.640 --> 00:20:00.000 My choices, my relationships, 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.720 my work. 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:03.140 Now, some of you, 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:04.059 it may not be working. 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:04.860 Maybe you're studying, 00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:06.799 or it may be what you do 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.420 during the week, 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.180 voluntary work, 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.460 or interacting with your neighbours, 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:09.759 or whatever. 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:11.039 My day-to-day life. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:13.059 It's not about Sundays, 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:15.259 and I go and do something different 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.220 during the week. 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:16.840 My work, 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:18.240 my daily life, 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:20.180 has to be completely devoted 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.240 to Jesus. 00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.900 It will affect my choice of jobs, 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.420 or it will affect 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.940 whether I go for a promotion or not. 00:20:25.100 --> 00:20:26.620 It will affect what I choose to study. 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.519 I need to be saying, 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:27.900 Lord, 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:30.000 what is it that you want me to be doing? 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:32.079 What is your will for my life? 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:34.720 And I'm willing to follow in it. 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.480 And yes, 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:39.180 even my relaxation. 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:41.240 The things I do 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.980 in my leisure time, 00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:45.600 they too should be focused 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:46.559 on what is it 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:49.140 that is going to bring glory to God. 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:51.180 Not that God doesn't want us to relax 00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:52.360 and to enjoy ourselves 00:20:52.360 --> 00:20:53.460 and have times of leisure. 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.960 But even in that, 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.380 we mustn't forget 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.440 whose we are 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:59.340 and who we serve. 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.779 I think it's great 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.940 that there's a sports grouping 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:02.779 set up in the church 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.559 to talk about 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:05.799 how those who are interested in sports 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.720 can use that 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:08.240 as part of their witness 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.359 for the Lord Jesus 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:10.559 and to pray for one another. 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:12.279 The Ember Collective, 00:21:12.399 --> 00:21:13.639 the musical group in the church, 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:13.980 again, 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:14.819 great people wanting 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.819 to use their gifts 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.700 and to put them 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.680 at God's disposal 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:19.899 and to join together 00:21:19.899 --> 00:21:22.079 in worship for him. 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:24.299 Even in our relaxation, 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.139 we need to think, 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:28.059 does that bring glory to God? 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:29.399 Is that consistent 00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:32.240 with my commitment 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.779 to the Lord Jesus? 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:36.339 So ultimately, 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.279 what we're saying, 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:39.259 it is my will 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:41.519 that has to be totally surrendered. 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.119 Remember we sang 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:42.839 just a few minutes ago, 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.940 take my will 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:45.779 and make it thine. 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:49.899 It shall be no longer mine. 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.960 Now I suspect none of us 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.259 can say that we match up 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.159 to that standard. 00:21:54.679 --> 00:21:55.759 That we have totally 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:57.339 submitted ourselves to Jesus 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:58.799 and in every aspect 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.459 of our life 00:21:59.459 --> 00:22:00.579 we seek to obey him, 00:22:00.699 --> 00:22:01.819 to deny ourselves, 00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:02.939 to take up our cross 00:22:02.939 --> 00:22:05.000 and to follow him. 00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:07.879 But that's what we should be 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:10.119 desiring for ourselves. 00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:12.199 There's one key word 00:22:12.199 --> 00:22:12.859 in the verse, 00:22:12.919 --> 00:22:13.359 I'm not sure why 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.159 you can read that verse 00:22:14.159 --> 00:22:14.639 on the screen, 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.679 there's one key word 00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:16.419 in this, 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.859 in a saying of Jesus 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.980 as Peter several times 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.639 in the gospel 00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:21.459 that is only here. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:24.259 And that is the word daily. 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:25.740 Jesus says, 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:27.139 take up your cross, 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.139 daily, 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:29.759 and follow me. 00:22:31.199 --> 00:22:32.500 Sometimes we associate 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.659 periods of commitment 00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:34.319 with Jesus 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.299 when we first become 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:35.740 a Christian, 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:36.959 we put our trust in him, 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.480 perhaps when we're baptized, 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:40.519 or we go to a meeting 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.139 or a rally 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:42.399 where we're particularly moved 00:22:42.399 --> 00:22:44.000 and we rededicate ourselves 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.919 to the Lord Jesus. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.539 All of these are fantastic 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.240 and there are times 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:48.779 when we particularly feel 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.779 the call of Christ 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:51.119 on our lives. 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.240 But Jesus is saying 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.399 that shouldn't just be 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.160 the exception. 00:22:56.280 --> 00:22:57.259 Every day 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.560 you should be saying, 00:22:58.560 --> 00:22:59.940 how can I today 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.980 serve Jesus 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:03.140 and totally commit myself 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:04.080 to him? 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:05.920 How can I today 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:07.519 crucify myself 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:09.860 and allow Jesus 00:23:09.860 --> 00:23:11.720 to be in total control 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:13.019 of my life? 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.680 How can I please 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:16.600 Jesus today? 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.420 Now perhaps you're 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:20.220 looking at that 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.620 thinking, 00:23:20.800 --> 00:23:20.960 well, 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:22.220 is it worthwhile? 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:24.059 Jesus is asking us 00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:25.819 to do so much for him, 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:27.440 is it worth it? 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.120 Well, 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:28.720 one answer is 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.360 it's worth it 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:29.880 because of all 00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:30.819 that Jesus has done 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.400 for us. 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.880 The fact that he came 00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:33.519 into this world, 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:35.000 gave up all that he had 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:36.620 and went to the cross 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.640 and took our sins, 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.779 nothing should be 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.740 too much for us 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:41.980 if we really love him. 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:44.220 But Jesus recognizes 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:44.920 as he speaks 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.579 to his disciples 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.299 that actually 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:47.079 what he's asking 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:47.880 is hard. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.279 It's not something 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:50.200 that comes easily 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.720 or something 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.819 that comes naturally. 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.019 And so that's 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:53.660 what the following 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:55.700 verses are about. 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:56.980 So he says, 00:23:57.100 --> 00:23:57.900 whoever loses 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.640 his life 00:23:58.640 --> 00:24:00.160 for my sake 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:02.660 will save it. 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.640 Or the converse 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:04.980 of that, 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:05.400 which actually 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:05.900 comes first 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.480 in the passage, 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.640 whoever wants 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:09.000 to save their life 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:10.120 will lose it. 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:10.960 What good is it 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.360 for someone 00:24:11.360 --> 00:24:12.640 to gain the whole world 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.779 and yet lose 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.360 or forfeit 00:24:14.360 --> 00:24:15.120 their own self? 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.940 Whoever is ashamed 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:17.140 of me and my words, 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.240 the Son of Man 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.440 will be ashamed of them 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.460 when he comes 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.059 in his glory 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.600 and the glory 00:24:21.600 --> 00:24:22.220 of the Father 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:24.600 and of the holy angels. 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.240 Let's not get too involved 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.100 in the detail 00:24:27.100 --> 00:24:28.120 of exactly what Jesus 00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:28.660 is saying 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:30.080 at the end there. 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.500 But let's just note 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.440 that Jesus says 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.539 whatever you give 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.480 for him today, 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.720 it's worth it. 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:37.200 We are here 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.840 on this earth 00:24:37.840 --> 00:24:38.920 for a short time. 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:40.480 After that, 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.200 there is eternity 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.600 and God will reward 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:44.160 those who are faithful 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:45.600 to the Lord Jesus. 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:46.960 And perhaps 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:48.100 if we have been ashamed 00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:48.980 of Jesus, 00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:49.700 perhaps we've been 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.880 not wanting others 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.860 to know we are a Christian 00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:52.799 or to really follow 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:54.299 and serve him. 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.700 It doesn't mean 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.440 we're not saved 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.900 if our trust is in the Lord Jesus, 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.819 if we know him 00:24:58.819 --> 00:25:00.360 as our saviour. 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.480 But when we have 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.259 to give account, 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.220 there will be 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.420 an element of shame 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.759 that we haven't used 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.759 our lives more 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:08.160 for the Lord Jesus. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.920 And those who have 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.579 will have been willing 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:12.120 to be totally dedicated 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.559 to him. 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.200 There will be 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.940 appropriate reward 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:16.000 for them. 00:25:16.580 --> 00:25:18.600 It will be worth it. 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:20.000 That's very much 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:21.019 what Jesus says. 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:22.680 It will be worth it 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.779 if you are willing 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:25.700 to do this for me. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.299 And then right there 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.279 and just very briefly, 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.340 he has this 00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:30.400 quite difficult 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.259 verse 27. 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.059 Truly I tell you, 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:33.080 some who are standing here 00:25:33.080 --> 00:25:34.100 will not taste death 00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:35.039 before they see 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:37.519 the kingdom of God. 00:25:37.820 --> 00:25:38.160 Now again, 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.940 this is an encouragement 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:40.019 clearly for the disciples 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:41.100 to keep following him 00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:42.240 and to dedicate 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.480 themselves to him. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:45.120 Not entirely clear 00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:45.779 what he means 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.240 when he says 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.039 they won't see death 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:48.079 before they see 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:49.180 the kingdom of God. 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.099 All the disciples 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.240 clearly are dead now. 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.539 Perhaps it refers 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.059 to his death 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.759 and resurrection. 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.319 Perhaps some people 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:55.880 think it refers 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.799 to the fall of Jerusalem 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.680 when God's judgment 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.279 was seen. 00:25:58.880 --> 00:26:00.160 I think most likely 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:01.220 it actually refers 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.279 to the following verses. 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:04.140 When Jesus is transfigured 00:26:04.140 --> 00:26:05.200 before the disciples, 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:06.140 when heaven in a sense 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.940 comes to earth, 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.539 as Moses and Elijah 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.220 come down 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.380 and are talking 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:10.980 with Jesus, 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.960 and there the disciples 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.579 are seeing 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:15.380 the kingdom of God. 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.279 Don't worry too much 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.099 about it and if you disagree, 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:18.500 feel free to talk 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.099 to me afterwards. 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:20.319 It's not the key thing 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.539 that we're talking about 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.579 this morning. 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:25.160 I want to end 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:26.160 with a quotation 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:26.880 which I'm sure 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:27.940 most people here 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:29.980 will be very familiar with. 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:31.440 When I was young, 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.539 I don't think you'd go 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.380 to a youth rally 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.200 without hearing 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.779 someone quoting it. 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:37.539 It's the words 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.639 taken from a journal 00:26:38.639 --> 00:26:40.539 of a 22-year-old American 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.379 with a Scottish 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.539 brethren heritage 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:44.519 who six years later 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.799 would be martyred 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:47.079 when he was in Ecuador 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:48.759 by the Alca Indians 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.559 he'd gone to 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.639 with the gospel. 00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:52.619 His name is Jim Elliott 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.000 and they say 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.619 most of you 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.660 will be familiar with it 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:56.019 but it's such a powerful 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.099 saying. 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:59.019 There's a 22-year-old man 00:26:59.019 --> 00:26:59.920 writing a saying, 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.279 he is no fool 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:02.139 who gives 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:03.440 what he cannot keep 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.660 to gain 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:07.360 what he cannot lose. 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:08.740 He is no fool 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.580 who gives 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:10.820 what he cannot keep 00:27:10.820 --> 00:27:12.019 to gain 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:13.519 what he cannot 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.580 lose. 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.720 Let's take that away 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.140 today 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:18.700 and think about it 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:20.380 as we think too 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.559 on the words 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:23.080 of Jesus. 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:25.759 Are we willing 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.940 to give up 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.580 for Jesus 00:27:27.580 --> 00:27:28.900 anything, 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.600 everything 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:31.140 in this life 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:32.380 knowing that 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:33.160 he has a much 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.040 greater reward 00:27:34.040 --> 00:27:35.420 anything that we give up 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.920 will be more than 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:38.420 amply rewarded 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:40.680 in eternity? 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.420 Do we see him 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.560 as the Messiah 00:27:43.560 --> 00:27:45.200 as the Son of God? 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.860 Do we recognise 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.960 why he came? 00:27:48.080 --> 00:27:49.000 Have we got our trust 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:50.140 in him as Saviour 00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:51.100 as he said 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:52.160 he must suffer 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:54.320 and he must die? 00:27:55.620 --> 00:27:56.100 Are we, 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:56.580 am I, 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.200 willing 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:59.320 to deny myself, 00:27:59.860 --> 00:28:00.840 take up my cross 00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:01.440 daily 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:03.080 and follow him? 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.539 Let's pray together. 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:09.039 Our Father, 00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:09.519 we thank you 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.420 for your word to us. 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:12.120 We acknowledge 00:28:12.120 --> 00:28:13.019 that these words 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.500 of Jesus 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.299 are really, 00:28:14.580 --> 00:28:15.140 really challenging 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:16.200 for us. 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.759 That they go 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.779 against everything 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:20.180 that our human nature 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.380 would desire. 00:28:22.080 --> 00:28:23.380 That where we want 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.519 to be independent 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.180 and to make 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.140 our own choices, 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:28.460 Jesus is asking us 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.280 to allow him 00:28:29.280 --> 00:28:30.300 to be the one 00:28:30.300 --> 00:28:31.480 who guides our thoughts 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.940 and our actions. 00:28:34.020 --> 00:28:34.540 And yet we want 00:28:34.540 --> 00:28:35.259 to recognise 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:36.820 his greatness, 00:28:37.020 --> 00:28:37.980 we want to recognise 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:39.140 who he is, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.920 we want to recognise 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:41.220 particularly what he has 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.500 done for us. 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:44.620 That he went to the cross, 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.840 that he took on himself 00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:47.040 the punishment 00:28:47.040 --> 00:28:48.700 that I deserved. 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.920 We pray that you will 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:50.920 help us to be 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:51.960 wholly committed 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.539 to him, 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:54.799 to take that step 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.420 daily 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.580 of saying, 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.000 Lord, 00:28:57.100 --> 00:28:58.000 what is it that you 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:59.519 require of me 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.400 today? 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:02.140 How can I today 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:03.680 take up my cross 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:05.180 and follow you? 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.640 And every aspect 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:07.440 of our lives, 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.680 may we be committed 00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:09.440 and dedicated 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:10.660 to him. 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:11.920 We thank you 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.480 for your word, 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:12.980 we thank you 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.880 for the privilege 00:29:13.880 --> 00:29:14.660 we've had this morning 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:14.940 too, 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.819 of sharing fellowship 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.580 with one another 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.980 and of worshipping 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.439 together. 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.639 And we commit 00:29:19.639 --> 00:29:20.359 ourselves to you 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:21.359 now as we give 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:21.899 our thanks 00:29:21.899 --> 00:29:22.720 in Jesus' name. 00:29:23.439 --> 00:29:23.659 Amen.