WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:06.960 Good morning, take a seat. It is great to see how well filled the church is this morning 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:11.820 and I just want to reiterate the welcome that Paul has already given to each one of you. 00:00:12.060 --> 00:00:17.940 I'm Tim, I'm one of the interns here and it's my pleasure to bring the word to you this 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:23.539 morning. We're in Luke chapter 8. If you have a pew Bible somewhere within reach, go and 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:28.920 look for it and grab it and we'll read it in just a couple of seconds. But to begin 00:00:28.920 --> 00:00:37.760 with, I wonder if we could just start by thinking, because it's very easy for us, humans 00:00:37.760 --> 00:00:47.660 with our limited attention spans, it's very easy for us to be in attendance but to not 00:00:47.660 --> 00:00:54.620 pay attention. It's probably most easiest seen in children, isn't it? Where they will be 00:00:54.619 --> 00:01:01.500 unashamedly distracted while their teachers or their parents try to tell them something 00:01:01.500 --> 00:01:09.700 of worth. But at the same time, I very much doubt that any one of us have been here this 00:01:09.700 --> 00:01:18.039 morning and that we have paid full honesty, full attention. Maybe our minds have drifted 00:01:18.040 --> 00:01:24.940 to whether we locked the door or put on the right temperature of oven. Or maybe we have 00:01:24.940 --> 00:01:37.300 some situation mulling in our mind. But whatever it is, I'm sure this morning each one of us 00:01:37.300 --> 00:01:45.180 have not listened to some degree or another. I'm not saying that in any way to shame or to show up 00:01:45.180 --> 00:01:52.780 and maybe in reality I'm only betraying my own lack of attention on some Sundays. But as we come 00:01:52.780 --> 00:02:01.640 to hear the word of God this morning, we're going to hear a resounding call to listen, to pay attention 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:11.420 to the words of Christ. And at this point, just before we come and read his word, let's pray together 00:02:11.419 --> 00:02:20.919 and let's ask that he would help us to hear that none of us would leave this morning saying there was 00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:27.959 nothing for me there. So let's pray together just before we read from Luke chapter 8. 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:42.560 Father, you are so gracious to us in so many ways that you have given us your word at all. It is such an 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:51.680 incredible blessing and that we have it in our language, that we are able to read your word to us, 00:02:51.680 --> 00:03:01.879 that you ever reached out to speak to us. And Father, this morning I pray that you would enliven 00:03:01.879 --> 00:03:09.439 our hearts to listen, that you would help us to hear all the treasures that you have to speak to us, 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:18.200 and that this morning we would be completely sure of what you have said, and that we will take action 00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:26.319 and go and do all that you have told us to do, even this morning. Father, we need your help, we need your spirit 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:36.299 within us, and so we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Luke chapter 8, I'm starting in verse 1. 00:03:37.139 --> 00:03:45.939 After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom 00:03:45.939 --> 00:03:54.699 of God. The twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:04:04.439 Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had come out, Joanna, the wife of Chusa, the manager of 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:12.879 Herod's household, Susanna, and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:20.279 means. While a large crowd was gathering, and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, 00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:30.879 he told this parable. A farmer went out to sow seed, and as he was scattering the seed, some fell along the 00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:40.579 path. It was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, 00:04:40.579 --> 00:04:48.800 the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns which grew up with it, 00:04:49.099 --> 00:04:58.180 and choked the plants. Still others fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop a hundred times 00:04:58.180 --> 00:05:12.019 more than was sown. When he said this, he called out, He who has ears to hear, let him hear. His disciples 00:05:12.019 --> 00:05:21.960 asked him what this parable meant. He said, The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has 00:05:21.959 --> 00:05:29.379 been given to you. But to others I speak in parables, so that though seeing they may not see, 00:05:29.959 --> 00:05:36.560 and though hearing they may not understand. The meaning of the parable, this is the meaning of 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:46.740 the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:56.639 comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the 00:05:56.639 --> 00:06:03.540 rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe 00:06:03.540 --> 00:06:13.480 for a while, but in the time of testing, they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:23.379 who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:33.720 not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, 00:06:34.100 --> 00:06:43.460 retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. No one lights a lamp and hides it in a 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:52.819 jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand so that those who come in can see the light. 00:06:53.500 --> 00:07:03.379 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or 00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:11.779 brought out into the open. Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. 00:07:11.779 --> 00:07:23.039 Whoever has will be given more. Whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him. 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:33.199 Now, Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:39.319 Someone told him, your mother and brothers are standing outside wanting to see you. 00:07:39.319 --> 00:07:47.560 He replied, my mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice. 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:51.459 That's where we'll stop our reading this morning. 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:57.120 And I think as we come to this passage, and it's quite a passage, isn't it? 00:07:57.120 --> 00:08:05.899 I think the theme that runs through the whole section are these words, are you listening to me? 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:10.680 Fellow husbands, I'm new to this. I'm only four months into this. 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:16.560 Fellow husbands, do these words cause fear and trembling when you hear them? 00:08:17.019 --> 00:08:18.579 Are you listening to me? 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:28.339 Perhaps you've been scrolling through something on the web, and the non-committal aha has just come at the wrong time. 00:08:29.219 --> 00:08:34.220 I think recently there was an occasion where the last question was, 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:36.480 you're not even listening to me, are you? 00:08:36.819 --> 00:08:41.419 To which I dumbly said, aha, and the game was up. 00:08:41.419 --> 00:08:51.819 Perhaps our attempts to surprise the other half only succeed to demonstrate the lack of attention we paid 00:08:51.819 --> 00:08:55.759 when some crucial detail was being explained. 00:08:56.899 --> 00:09:01.620 Or perhaps we remember back to childhood when we were asked if we were listening, 00:09:02.459 --> 00:09:06.980 and to be honest, our minds had long since slipped into something else. 00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:10.440 But the new task was given in an urgent manner. 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:19.940 And in none of these cases is the right response to then verbatim say back the conversation. 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:22.940 Are you listening to me? 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:26.980 Yes, the last three things you said were, could you put the laundry out? 00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:28.080 Could you wash the dishes? 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:32.259 That's not what they want to hear. 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:34.759 That's not what they want to experience. 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:45.100 The correct response is to get up from your distraction and to do what is asked of you. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:52.840 The aim of listening to one's spouse or one's parents is almost never meant to be a mere exercise in information. 00:09:54.439 --> 00:10:00.500 Far more often, listening is part of a loving relationship. 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:09.259 And that relationship is then displayed through loving actions based upon what has been heard. 00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:17.100 This morning our passage contains parables that challenge us to listen. 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:21.000 And it also contains people who challenge us to listen. 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:24.019 And that's kind of where we're going from here on out. 00:10:24.019 --> 00:10:28.519 Firstly, the parables that challenge us to listen. 00:10:28.939 --> 00:10:37.039 We come to this incredibly familiar parable, even more familiar to us because we've already had it explained to us by Peter and the children. 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:40.819 The parable of the sore or the parable of the soils. 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:44.740 And this story is incredibly simple, isn't it? 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:51.720 Jesus doesn't have to tell some 400 page masterpiece of literature to make his point. 00:10:53.060 --> 00:10:55.180 A sower goes out to sow some seed. 00:10:55.680 --> 00:11:04.560 And without the modern aids of a tractor or one pass sowing system, he begins to scatter this seed all over his land. 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:13.719 And as he sows, we see four cases, four options of what happens to the seed. 00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:19.439 Jesus explains in verses 14 to 15 how this parable works. 00:11:20.179 --> 00:11:24.719 He tells us that the seed in the parable is the word of God. 00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:30.539 And as we read through, we discover that the different soils are like different people. 00:11:30.539 --> 00:11:36.500 And in each case, how the seed and the soil interacts. 00:11:37.319 --> 00:11:45.679 That is how God's word interacts with different people produces massively differing results. 00:11:46.719 --> 00:11:51.379 This is one of the incredible truths that we can learn from this parable. 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:58.519 Different people prepared in different ways will respond differently to God's word. 00:11:59.099 --> 00:12:00.500 Some will outright reject. 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:03.079 Others will accept it. 00:12:04.719 --> 00:12:08.899 But as many of us know all too well, it's not quite that simple. 00:12:09.719 --> 00:12:11.599 Some will then fall away. 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:17.120 Others will never quite seem to get to the end goal with it. 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:20.959 But thankfully, others will accept it. 00:12:21.319 --> 00:12:22.539 And will believe it. 00:12:22.599 --> 00:12:24.059 And will hold on to it. 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:25.379 And will be fruitful. 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:32.379 On one hand, you could read this parable and question the wisdom of the sower, couldn't you? 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:35.539 Why is he so reckless with the seed? 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:38.980 Why so much is seemingly wasted? 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:41.559 Why is the ground not properly prepared? 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:42.519 Why is it? 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:43.500 Why is the seed? 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.039 Why is he so reckless with the seed? 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:49.099 Why is the seed that finds good soil is incredibly productive? 00:12:50.099 --> 00:12:56.399 If farmers could get a hundred yield from seed, they would give their left arm. 00:12:56.399 --> 00:13:00.179 a hundredfold returns is extraordinary 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:04.679 and the seed must go far and wide 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:06.759 to find these patches of good soil 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:10.559 the plan of God 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:12.259 this plan of God 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:14.659 to raise a harvest 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:17.360 by scattering the word of God globally 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:19.039 is not in vain 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:23.759 as is shown by 2,000 years of church history 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:26.019 the gospel will go forth 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:28.759 and it will go on bearing fruit 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:32.659 even as it has across the face of this earth 00:13:32.659 --> 00:13:35.879 but on the other hand 00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:39.439 many of us perhaps come to this parable 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:40.679 with heavier hearts 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:44.460 and we have real challenging questions 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:47.759 why does my wife 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:50.519 why does my husband not get this 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:53.379 why do my children 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:56.120 never seem to quite make the connections 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:59.700 why do my co-workers 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:01.919 not understand the gospel 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:03.240 why do my classmates 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:06.700 not hear what I'm trying to say to them 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:09.639 and our heavy hearts 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:10.759 they're not wrong 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:14.019 these are hard situations 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:18.019 and there's nothing that I can bring out 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:19.079 from this parable 00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:21.919 which will make those circumstances easier 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:26.600 but this does explain why these situations exist 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:31.199 and it does graciously liberate us 00:14:31.199 --> 00:14:34.659 from the notion that we are in control 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:36.519 to save people 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:40.279 it reminds us that we have one job 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:44.539 we are to be many seed sowers 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:47.439 and after that the sower 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:49.399 has no direct influence 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:51.699 on what happens with that seed 00:14:51.699 --> 00:14:54.899 people respond to the word of God 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:57.439 not based on how well or clever 00:14:57.439 --> 00:14:59.539 we present the gospel 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:04.559 but dependent on the state of their hearts 00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:06.699 towards the word of God 00:15:06.699 --> 00:15:11.139 and maybe we would prefer to have a bigger role 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:16.819 maybe you are desperately struggling with God 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:18.059 because there are loved ones 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:21.319 who have not yet accepted the good news 00:15:21.319 --> 00:15:22.480 about Jesus 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:25.819 don't give up 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:29.840 keep on speaking about Jesus 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:31.000 keep on sowing 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:34.200 keep on praying to God 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:36.360 to soften that heart 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:39.100 to clear away those weeds 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:42.580 to enable the seed of the gospel 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:44.000 to grow powerfully 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:48.320 but do not give yourself the heartache 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.920 of taking upon yourself 00:15:49.920 --> 00:15:51.620 the task of saving a soul 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:56.080 that is a work too great 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:57.899 for any of us to bear 00:15:57.899 --> 00:16:03.360 and these are hard questions 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.379 and they're the questions 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:06.340 that instantly come to us 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:07.779 when we come to this parable 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:10.419 but these aren't primarily 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.980 what Jesus is teaching 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:13.560 through this parable 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:16.840 this is a parable 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:18.360 that turns the lens 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:20.299 not to our unsaved friends 00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:23.339 families and people around us 00:16:23.339 --> 00:16:25.799 but this is a parable 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:28.519 challenging us to listen 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:30.879 notice verse 8 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:33.339 the summons for all who hear 00:16:33.339 --> 00:16:34.759 to pay attention 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:36.599 to what has been said 00:16:36.599 --> 00:16:39.199 it happens again in verse 18 00:16:39.199 --> 00:16:41.319 at the summary of the explanation 00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:44.419 take care then how you hear 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:47.279 the whole point of this passage 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.719 the parable of the soils 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:50.460 as well as the parable of the lamp 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:52.340 is that we would examine 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.620 our own hearts 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:55.060 not just the hearts 00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:56.740 of our neighbours and colleagues 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:59.500 this parable is a tool 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:01.300 for self-diagnosis 00:17:01.300 --> 00:17:04.420 and so we must be very frank 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:06.259 with ourselves this morning 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:09.100 are we listening 00:17:09.100 --> 00:17:12.279 are we hearing 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:14.019 are we paying attention 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:15.240 to the word of God 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:17.039 and putting it to action 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:17.899 in our lives 00:17:17.899 --> 00:17:21.480 perhaps as we think 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.500 about how we currently 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:24.059 interact with God's word 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:25.720 we find that we are 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:27.480 far more like the soil 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:29.039 beset by weeds 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:31.420 rather than the good soil 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.500 which will be fruitful 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:36.299 maybe tension at home 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:38.240 or stress at work 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:40.720 worries about money 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:42.159 maybe all these things 00:17:42.159 --> 00:17:43.159 are crowding in 00:17:43.159 --> 00:17:44.379 and strangling 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:45.980 our devotional lives 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:48.820 maybe some of us 00:17:48.820 --> 00:17:50.180 are young in the faith 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:52.900 new Christians 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:54.260 and we're only now 00:17:54.260 --> 00:17:55.240 starting to feel 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.100 the struggles 00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:57.500 and trials 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:59.180 that are part and parcel 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.580 of the Christian life 00:18:00.580 --> 00:18:02.980 are those trials 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:04.240 going to scorch you 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:07.520 are they going to dry you out 00:18:07.520 --> 00:18:09.120 and leave you weathered 00:18:09.120 --> 00:18:10.420 young Christian 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:13.060 or are your roots 00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:13.980 going deep 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:16.940 have you invested 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:18.440 in your walk 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.060 with God 00:18:19.060 --> 00:18:20.400 so that you are now 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:21.440 able to thrive 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.519 even in the hard times 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:27.500 and perhaps 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.600 there's even some of us 00:18:28.600 --> 00:18:30.060 who have grown hard 00:18:30.060 --> 00:18:32.060 to the word of God 00:18:32.060 --> 00:18:33.740 we read 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.779 and we listen 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:36.279 week by week 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:38.160 and yet nothing 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.200 really impacts us 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:39.660 anymore 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:42.360 and it's very 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:43.240 quickly gone 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.140 from our minds 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:47.480 and it's a sad 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:48.080 reality 00:18:48.080 --> 00:18:49.700 that could be true 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:51.100 for so many of us 00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:52.279 here this morning 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:54.779 and these are realities 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.980 that we must face up 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.259 to 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:58.200 not quietly 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:58.940 excuse 00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:00.380 or politely 00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:01.140 ignore 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:02.500 because regardless 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.319 of how we 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:05.039 evaluate ourselves 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.080 the truth 00:19:06.080 --> 00:19:06.840 will become 00:19:06.840 --> 00:19:08.059 self-evident 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:10.399 maybe not today 00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:10.980 and probably 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.980 not tomorrow 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:13.440 but only one 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.119 of the soils 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:15.119 bore a crop 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:16.339 from the implanted 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:16.839 seed 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.960 and likewise 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:19.220 only one response 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.279 to the word of God 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.419 will bear fruit 00:19:21.419 --> 00:19:23.779 you see it in verse 15 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.799 don't we 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:27.940 the good soil 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:29.159 they hear the word 00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:30.619 just like all of the 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.740 other people 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.700 and situations 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.359 that we've met 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.079 so far 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.199 but they have 00:19:35.199 --> 00:19:35.859 a good 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:37.399 good heart 00:19:37.399 --> 00:19:38.899 what does that 00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:39.579 look like 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.740 is that just 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:42.079 a genetic reality 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:42.779 I mean 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.559 what makes 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.139 their heart 00:19:44.139 --> 00:19:44.599 good 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:46.679 well the answer 00:19:46.679 --> 00:19:47.519 is right there 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:49.099 what makes 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:49.539 their heart 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:49.960 good 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.699 is that 00:19:50.699 --> 00:19:51.460 they hold 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.279 on to the word 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:52.859 firmly 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:54.379 they retain 00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.019 what they have 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.500 heard 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.579 they dwell 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.299 upon that 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:57.779 seed 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:59.119 and fruit 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.220 is born 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.399 through patience 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:04.460 I noticed 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:04.980 and I couldn't 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.580 help noticing 00:20:05.580 --> 00:20:06.259 how one of the 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:06.920 children answered 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.620 the question 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:08.680 what happened 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.980 to the seed 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.460 on the good 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:10.880 ground 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.780 perhaps you 00:20:11.780 --> 00:20:12.480 noticed it as 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:12.780 well 00:20:12.780 --> 00:20:13.800 the seed 00:20:13.800 --> 00:20:14.560 fell 00:20:14.560 --> 00:20:15.420 and it grew 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:16.120 and nothing 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:17.100 bad happened 00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:17.780 to it 00:20:17.780 --> 00:20:20.820 that's how we 00:20:20.820 --> 00:20:21.720 often think of it 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.160 isn't it 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:23.360 we have this 00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:25.360 unrealistic ideal 00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:26.500 I'll become 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.180 a Christian 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:28.200 and everything 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:28.800 will be good 00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:29.800 from then on 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:32.399 but this 00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:32.980 isn't an 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.519 unrealistic 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.200 ideal 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.759 this can 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.599 be a reality 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.319 in our 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:37.919 lives 00:20:37.919 --> 00:20:39.319 to have 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:39.879 hearts 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:40.759 that love 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.379 God's word 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:42.119 and then 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:43.240 that patiently 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:45.099 bear fruit 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:46.399 because of it 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:48.019 the same 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.659 sun will 00:20:48.659 --> 00:20:49.079 come 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:50.079 the same 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:50.740 lack of 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.220 rain will 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.700 come to 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.339 this seed 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.139 as to the 00:20:53.139 --> 00:20:53.539 one in the 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:53.899 rock 00:20:53.899 --> 00:20:54.940 as to all 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:55.579 the others 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:57.419 but this 00:20:57.419 --> 00:20:58.059 one has 00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:58.960 what it 00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.420 needs 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:00.740 to survive 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:02.019 this is the 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:02.500 goal to 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:03.240 strive for 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:05.460 so what are 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.100 we to do 00:21:06.100 --> 00:21:08.440 maybe we 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.720 maybe many 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.079 of us 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:11.200 need to come 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:11.940 to God 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.880 afresh this 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:13.220 morning 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.920 we realise 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.900 that our 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.700 lives are 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.559 not matching 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.259 up to what 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:18.640 we would 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:19.100 want 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:21.500 perhaps we're 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:21.860 in some 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:22.799 dire need 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.819 of weeding 00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.720 and ploughing 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:27.579 without 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:28.460 which we 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.579 cannot be 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.500 fruitful 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.299 Christians 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:33.980 it's 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.500 interesting 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.420 I came 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:36.559 off a 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.059 farm and 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.519 it wasn't 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.039 an arable 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:39.420 farm but 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:39.640 there were 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.059 plenty of 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.720 those around 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.980 and weeding 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:42.559 and ploughing 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.500 are never 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.480 pleasant 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.380 exercises 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:47.519 neither are 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.380 painless at 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:48.980 the time 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:52.079 but both 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:52.920 are for 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.380 the good 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:53.759 of the 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.200 soil 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:55.579 and both 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:56.480 will ultimately 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.620 be for the 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.120 good of the 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:58.720 harvest 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:03.120 so we have 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:03.700 this first 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.200 parable 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.160 challenging us 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.599 to listen 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.099 the parable 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:06.420 of the 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.059 soils 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.160 the other 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.980 little parable 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.900 here is 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.599 perhaps harder 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.339 to understand 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:11.700 and it's 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.259 much less 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.880 dealt with 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:14.319 but if we 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:14.880 see here 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:15.420 that it's a 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:16.120 continuation 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:17.259 of the 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:17.919 explanation 00:22:17.919 --> 00:22:18.399 to the 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:18.799 previous 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:20.059 it becomes 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:20.419 just that 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:20.839 little bit 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.199 easier 00:22:21.199 --> 00:22:22.359 Jesus has 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.399 just explained 00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:24.159 that we 00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:24.679 need to 00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:25.559 take care 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.379 in how we 00:22:26.379 --> 00:22:26.919 listen to 00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.559 God's word 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:29.039 and in this 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.599 case 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:32.699 it's his 00:22:32.699 --> 00:22:33.259 word 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:35.719 and now he 00:22:35.719 --> 00:22:36.379 goes on to 00:22:36.379 --> 00:22:37.419 say that we 00:22:37.419 --> 00:22:38.279 ought to put 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.339 a lamp 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:39.799 in its 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.919 proper place 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:42.619 Jesus loves 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:43.299 to mix 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.399 his metaphors 00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:45.679 but I think 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.720 as we look 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.019 at it 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.660 the seed 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.299 and the 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:48.660 lamp 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.140 are the 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.740 same 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.519 talking about 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.100 the same 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:51.600 thing 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:54.500 so having 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.500 accepted the 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:55.920 word of 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.259 God 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.380 we're not 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:58.000 to cover 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.820 it or to 00:22:58.820 --> 00:22:59.560 conceal it 00:22:59.560 --> 00:23:00.180 or to 00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:01.019 hide it 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:02.460 but instead 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:04.680 we should 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.220 make it 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.980 prominent 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:08.400 so that it 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.200 may reveal 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:09.960 everything 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.820 going on 00:23:10.820 --> 00:23:11.980 around it 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:15.120 this lamp 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.319 of God's 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:16.879 word 00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:20.339 is meant 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.019 to be 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:21.739 in the 00:23:21.739 --> 00:23:22.359 highest 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:22.799 place 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.199 so that 00:23:23.199 --> 00:23:23.639 the light 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:24.259 will shine 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.239 into every 00:23:25.239 --> 00:23:25.599 dark 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.059 corner 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.799 of the 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.079 room 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:29.039 and maybe 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.919 this parable 00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:31.419 is what's 00:23:31.419 --> 00:23:32.039 going to show 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.399 us where 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:32.819 we're going 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.239 wrong 00:23:33.239 --> 00:23:33.939 maybe 00:23:33.939 --> 00:23:34.979 just maybe 00:23:34.979 --> 00:23:36.479 some of 00:23:36.479 --> 00:23:36.759 us are 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.459 being exposed 00:23:37.459 --> 00:23:38.000 to the 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.419 truth 00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:39.139 of the 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:39.579 gospel 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:41.399 but as 00:23:41.399 --> 00:23:41.839 soon as 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.539 that lamp 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.259 is lit 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:45.519 it starts 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.319 to shine 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:46.899 into the 00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:47.279 darkness 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.199 of our 00:23:48.199 --> 00:23:48.859 hearts 00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:50.059 and it 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.720 starts to 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.720 expose 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:53.839 depths of 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:55.319 unpleasantness 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:55.720 that we'd 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.359 never seen 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:56.859 before 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:59.179 it's quite 00:23:59.179 --> 00:23:59.919 possible 00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:00.919 that as we 00:24:00.919 --> 00:24:01.759 begin to 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.259 see the 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.759 truth of 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.419 the gospel 00:24:03.419 --> 00:24:04.259 that light 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:04.939 will shine 00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:05.619 into our 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.279 lives 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.039 and we 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.940 will see 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.779 that there 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.599 is stuff 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.480 there that 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:10.819 we have 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.240 hidden 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:13.099 for years 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:15.740 unexposed 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.359 sin 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.420 and our 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.539 instant response 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.059 to that 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:20.119 is to attempt 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:20.740 to cover 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.079 it 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:22.019 and to 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.799 hide it 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.480 and to 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:24.200 extinguish 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:24.799 the lamp 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:28.319 but Jesus 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.079 reminds us 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.759 that nothing 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.859 will remain 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.220 hidden 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.779 forever 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:33.000 no sin 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.379 will go 00:24:33.379 --> 00:24:33.940 eternally 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:35.119 unexposed 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:36.919 at the 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.379 end of 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:37.819 time 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.299 we will 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.619 stand 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:38.979 before 00:24:38.979 --> 00:24:39.359 God 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.239 and all 00:24:40.239 --> 00:24:40.819 will be 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.159 shown 00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:41.779 clearly 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:43.859 there will 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.279 be no 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:44.819 excuses 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.259 and there 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.659 will be 00:24:45.659 --> 00:24:45.899 no 00:24:45.899 --> 00:24:46.939 cover-ups 00:24:46.939 --> 00:24:48.839 and so 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.059 we're 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.619 called 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:50.439 again 00:24:50.439 --> 00:24:50.739 to 00:24:50.739 --> 00:24:51.399 carefully 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:52.319 consider 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:52.719 how we 00:24:52.719 --> 00:24:53.299 listen 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:54.079 to Jesus 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.579 words 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.539 to pay 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.219 attention 00:24:56.219 --> 00:24:57.479 and to 00:24:57.479 --> 00:24:58.139 remember 00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:59.099 the importance 00:24:59.099 --> 00:24:59.939 these words 00:24:59.939 --> 00:25:00.559 hold 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:02.579 words 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:03.379 that will 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:04.179 never cease 00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:04.500 to be 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:04.959 relevant 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:08.559 the warning 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:10.100 is compounded 00:25:10.100 --> 00:25:10.539 with this 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.160 final statement 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:12.019 in verse 18 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:13.140 read it there 00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:14.100 that those 00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:14.840 who have 00:25:14.840 --> 00:25:15.299 will gain 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:15.860 more 00:25:15.860 --> 00:25:16.819 and that 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.259 those who 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:17.860 do not 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:18.299 have 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.660 will lose 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.680 everything 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.220 that they 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.720 thought 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.680 they had 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:24.220 Jesus 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:25.440 is imploring 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:25.900 us 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.519 not to 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:26.980 waste 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.920 the opportunity 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:29.279 to listen 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.920 to God's 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.380 word 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.600 and to 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:32.240 lose 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.360 everything 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:34.259 because of 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:34.439 our 00:25:34.439 --> 00:25:35.000 carelessness 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.779 but rather 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.199 to pay 00:25:37.199 --> 00:25:37.939 close 00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:39.099 attention 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.379 to the 00:25:40.379 --> 00:25:40.839 truth 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:41.359 of God's 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:41.639 word 00:25:41.639 --> 00:25:42.339 and be 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:42.959 rewarded 00:25:42.959 --> 00:25:43.439 at the 00:25:43.439 --> 00:25:43.779 end 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.019 with 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.479 great 00:25:44.479 --> 00:25:45.019 gain 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:47.659 we have 00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:48.159 these two 00:25:48.159 --> 00:25:48.879 parables 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.979 a clear 00:25:49.979 --> 00:25:50.699 call 00:25:50.699 --> 00:25:53.119 to hear 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.839 the word 00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:54.579 and to 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:54.980 put it 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.000 into 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:57.339 practice 00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:59.799 but very 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.159 quickly 00:26:00.159 --> 00:26:00.619 what about 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.059 the rest 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:01.299 of the 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:01.799 passage 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:03.119 it's full 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.819 of people 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.759 who challenge 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.299 us to 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.779 listen 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.939 at the start 00:26:06.939 --> 00:26:07.480 there you'll 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.199 have noticed 00:26:08.199 --> 00:26:08.879 that Luke 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.740 introduces us 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.399 to those who are 00:26:10.399 --> 00:26:10.879 traveling 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:11.939 with him 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:13.620 and we 00:26:13.620 --> 00:26:14.259 find 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.840 these twelve 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:16.400 disciples 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:16.880 that we've 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.320 met many 00:26:17.320 --> 00:26:18.320 times before 00:26:18.320 --> 00:26:19.000 but we're 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.860 first introduced 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:20.460 to these 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.700 interesting 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.240 group of 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.759 women who 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.100 are with 00:26:23.100 --> 00:26:23.420 Jesus 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:25.039 there's three 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:25.759 mentioned in 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.320 particular 00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:27.360 and we know 00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:28.120 little or 00:26:28.120 --> 00:26:28.880 nothing about 00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:29.539 each one of 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:29.779 them 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:31.440 Mary Magdalene 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.559 goes on to 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.759 become a 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.519 witness to 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.500 the resurrection 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.220 and to the 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:37.140 crucifixion 00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:38.500 and she's 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.160 experienced 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:40.000 incredible 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.580 healing 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:41.519 through Jesus 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.240 ministry 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.720 Joanna 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.680 is this 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.079 lady 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.740 married to 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:45.960 one of 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.400 the top 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:47.200 civil servants 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:47.519 in the 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:47.879 region 00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:49.379 and yet 00:26:49.379 --> 00:26:49.900 here she 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.339 is 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.180 instead of 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.779 enjoying her 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.119 nice 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.700 comfortable 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:54.039 middle class 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.579 home 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.319 she's out 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:55.680 and about 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.119 with this 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:56.539 odd 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.359 bunch of 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:57.879 disciples 00:26:57.879 --> 00:26:58.319 and their 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.920 rabbi 00:26:58.920 --> 00:27:00.759 and then we 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.500 get Susanna 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.200 of whom we 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.500 know 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.460 absolutely 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:03.980 nothing 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:05.240 and a 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.720 group of 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.319 others who 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:06.759 are all 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.319 contributing 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:07.819 to the 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.299 ministry 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:10.019 why on 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.500 earth is 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.180 this here 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.360 why does 00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:13.060 Luke even 00:27:13.060 --> 00:27:13.580 mention 00:27:13.580 --> 00:27:13.940 these 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.259 women 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:16.320 I think 00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:16.820 the most 00:27:16.820 --> 00:27:17.320 logical 00:27:17.320 --> 00:27:18.299 answer 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.320 is that 00:27:19.320 --> 00:27:19.980 these are 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.360 some of 00:27:20.360 --> 00:27:20.779 the people 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.320 Luke has 00:27:21.320 --> 00:27:21.880 interviewed 00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:23.420 remember 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:24.060 that Luke 00:27:24.060 --> 00:27:24.400 when he 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:24.980 was building 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.799 his gospel 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.700 didn't just 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.299 go to one 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:27.860 person 00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:29.000 he did his 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.519 research 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.039 he was a 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.759 historian 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.759 and he 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.259 went and 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.740 interviewed 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.279 people 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.140 and it's 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:34.840 likely that 00:27:34.840 --> 00:27:35.620 these ladies 00:27:35.620 --> 00:27:36.240 are those 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:36.539 who are 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.759 still able 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.519 to verify 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.160 what went 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.019 on 20 or 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.600 30 years 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.000 earlier 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:42.339 these are 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:43.139 the witnesses 00:27:43.139 --> 00:27:43.759 to what 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.639 Jesus taught 00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:45.539 and what 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.500 Jesus did 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:48.500 and why 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:48.740 does he 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.279 mention them 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:49.679 here 00:27:49.679 --> 00:27:51.439 because I 00:27:51.439 --> 00:27:51.899 think they're 00:27:51.899 --> 00:27:52.500 an example 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:52.959 of what 00:27:52.959 --> 00:27:53.559 Jesus is 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.359 just about 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.019 to teach 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.959 what we've 00:27:55.959 --> 00:27:56.519 just heard 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.240 him teach 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:58.339 that these 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.019 three women 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.899 and the 00:27:59.899 --> 00:28:00.399 others 00:28:00.399 --> 00:28:02.000 are people 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.559 who are 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.240 following 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.299 because they've 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.179 been transformed 00:28:05.179 --> 00:28:06.159 by the word 00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:07.059 of God 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.440 in their 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.059 lives 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.639 whether 00:28:08.639 --> 00:28:08.960 from 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.839 demonic 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.619 possession 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.379 or from 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:11.879 a life 00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:12.779 of middle 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.299 class 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:13.919 domestic 00:28:13.919 --> 00:28:14.440 bliss 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.159 or from 00:28:15.159 --> 00:28:15.539 utter 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.539 obscurity 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:18.220 these women 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:19.079 are examples 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.779 of people 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.279 who are 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.139 good soil 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:22.779 who have 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:24.059 put the 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.659 lamp of 00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:25.440 God's word 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.079 in its 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:27.019 most prominent 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.879 place 00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:29.039 in their 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.679 lives 00:28:29.679 --> 00:28:30.440 so that 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:30.819 all who 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.299 come into 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.720 contact 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.679 with them 00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:33.960 will hear 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.599 and see 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.000 the good 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.519 news 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.379 of Jesus 00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:36.959 Christ 00:28:36.959 --> 00:28:40.019 at the 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.399 end of 00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:40.939 the passage 00:28:40.939 --> 00:28:41.559 we have 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.439 this other 00:28:42.439 --> 00:28:43.719 curious story 00:28:43.719 --> 00:28:44.899 about Jesus 00:28:44.899 --> 00:28:45.859 family coming 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.399 to find 00:28:46.399 --> 00:28:46.659 him 00:28:46.659 --> 00:28:47.759 and Jesus 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.659 response 00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:50.279 is sometimes 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.899 read as 00:28:51.899 --> 00:28:52.439 kind of a 00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:53.679 curt dismissal 00:28:53.679 --> 00:28:54.159 of his 00:28:54.159 --> 00:28:54.599 family 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:56.699 but let me 00:28:56.699 --> 00:28:57.559 ask a question 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:57.899 or two 00:28:57.899 --> 00:28:58.219 here 00:28:58.219 --> 00:29:00.159 we've just 00:29:00.159 --> 00:29:00.699 seen all 00:29:00.699 --> 00:29:01.419 these ladies 00:29:01.419 --> 00:29:02.399 who are 00:29:02.399 --> 00:29:03.259 travelling far 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.679 from their 00:29:03.679 --> 00:29:04.299 homes 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.059 to be 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.779 with Jesus 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:07.359 why isn't 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:07.619 Jesus' 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.399 family with 00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:08.579 him 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:11.000 I wonder 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:12.119 why is 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:12.779 this house 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:14.019 packed out 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.859 with people 00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:16.519 but his 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.119 family aren't 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.599 making up 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:18.079 the numbers 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:21.339 I wonder 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:22.319 where they 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.379 land at 00:29:23.379 --> 00:29:24.399 this stage 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:26.879 in the 00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:27.740 soils 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:29.180 that Jesus 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:29.859 has just 00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.539 been talking 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.059 about 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:35.440 and rather 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.179 than thinking 00:29:36.179 --> 00:29:36.700 that Jesus 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.799 is dismissing 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.379 his natural 00:29:38.379 --> 00:29:39.259 family here 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.279 look at 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:40.579 what he's 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.359 actually doing 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:43.039 he's opening 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:43.940 the doors 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:44.419 of his 00:29:44.419 --> 00:29:44.980 family 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:46.019 or opening 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.919 the arms 00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:47.960 of his 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:48.359 family 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:49.480 to everyone 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.039 and to 00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:50.700 anyone 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.839 who would 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.159 heed 00:29:52.159 --> 00:29:52.839 the word 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.339 of God 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:55.099 if we're 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:55.619 Christians 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.139 here this 00:29:56.139 --> 00:29:56.559 morning 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.619 we still 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:58.359 benefit from 00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:58.740 that 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.539 to 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.639 millennia 00:30:00.639 --> 00:30:01.439 later 00:30:01.439 --> 00:30:03.259 that we 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.779 who are 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.279 those 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.099 who hear 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:05.579 and do 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:05.959 God's 00:30:05.959 --> 00:30:06.259 word 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:07.259 are accepted 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:07.899 into his 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:08.379 family 00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:10.139 that's 00:30:10.139 --> 00:30:10.799 incredible 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:13.139 the third 00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:13.599 and final 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:13.980 group 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:16.199 is the 00:30:16.199 --> 00:30:16.879 disciples 00:30:16.879 --> 00:30:18.279 notice what's 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.639 said in 00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:19.299 verses 9 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:19.839 and 10 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.740 they've 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.240 come 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.099 and they've 00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:22.659 heard this 00:30:22.659 --> 00:30:23.139 parable 00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:23.579 and they're 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.179 unsure 00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:25.299 they're 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:26.339 confused 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:28.099 so like 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:28.500 us 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:30.759 but Jesus 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.740 teaches them 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.459 an incredible 00:30:32.459 --> 00:30:33.579 little lesson 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:34.179 right in the 00:30:34.179 --> 00:30:34.459 middle 00:30:34.459 --> 00:30:34.939 here 00:30:34.939 --> 00:30:36.599 to them 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:37.720 these 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.619 ragtag 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.179 bunch 00:30:39.179 --> 00:30:40.220 of fishermen 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:42.000 and outcasts 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:43.259 to them 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.959 the secrets 00:30:44.959 --> 00:30:45.439 of the 00:30:45.439 --> 00:30:45.859 kingdom 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.879 are given 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:48.519 not to the 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.379 social elite 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:50.360 not to the 00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:50.920 academic 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:51.800 theologians 00:30:51.800 --> 00:30:52.620 but to 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.380 these men 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:54.560 who have 00:30:54.560 --> 00:30:55.200 encountered 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:56.200 the word 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:56.860 of God 00:30:56.860 --> 00:30:57.980 and who 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.800 are being 00:30:58.800 --> 00:30:59.600 radically 00:30:59.600 --> 00:31:00.160 transformed 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:00.820 from a 00:31:00.820 --> 00:31:01.240 random 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:01.900 collection 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.440 of men 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.600 into the 00:31:03.600 --> 00:31:04.380 initial team 00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:05.520 through which 00:31:05.520 --> 00:31:06.200 God will bring 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:06.740 his saving 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.180 word to 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.920 every corner 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.800 of the 00:31:08.800 --> 00:31:09.120 world 00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:12.180 as we've 00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:12.940 gathered here 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.980 this morning 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:16.340 we have 00:31:16.340 --> 00:31:17.120 been given 00:31:17.120 --> 00:31:18.260 the secrets 00:31:18.260 --> 00:31:18.720 of the 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.100 kingdom 00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:20.200 of God 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.839 plain as 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.140 day 00:31:22.140 --> 00:31:23.039 written in 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.579 English 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.620 bound in 00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:25.120 a book 00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:27.079 we have 00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:28.140 this incredible 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.420 opportunity 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:31.579 to hear 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.600 how God's 00:31:32.600 --> 00:31:33.000 kingdom 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.920 works and 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.519 operates 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.339 and we've 00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:36.460 heard these 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:36.980 incredible 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.640 truths 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:40.180 and so 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.720 here's the 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.220 challenge of 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:41.839 the disciples 00:31:41.839 --> 00:31:42.559 to us 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:44.039 we've heard 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:44.620 the word 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:46.979 now what 00:31:46.979 --> 00:31:47.199 are we 00:31:47.199 --> 00:31:47.619 going to 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.159 do with 00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:48.459 it 00:31:48.459 --> 00:31:50.179 are we 00:31:50.179 --> 00:31:50.779 too busy 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.159 and too 00:31:51.159 --> 00:31:51.779 distracted 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:55.419 or are we 00:31:55.419 --> 00:31:56.419 going to 00:31:56.419 --> 00:31:57.139 say yes 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.639 I am 00:31:57.639 --> 00:31:58.059 listening 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:59.839 and I am 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.500 going to put 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.000 this in the 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.539 right place 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.239 in my life 00:32:02.239 --> 00:32:03.639 and do 00:32:03.639 --> 00:32:04.459 what it 00:32:04.459 --> 00:32:05.039 says to 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:05.359 me 00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:06.139 today 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:20.160 we