WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.240 God, in Jesus our Savior, and through the Spirit. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:09.599 --> 00:00:15.480 Now, we have a lengthy portion of Luke 11 that we're going to think about together, 00:00:15.480 --> 00:00:21.580 so we're going to break it up into two sections, and Steve Willis is going to come and read for us 00:00:21.580 --> 00:00:26.699 now from verse 14 to verse 28. Thanks, Steve. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.579 Luke 11, verses 14 to 28. 00:00:41.480 --> 00:00:47.859 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, 00:00:48.480 --> 00:00:55.480 and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving 00:00:55.479 --> 00:01:03.279 out demons. Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus knew their thoughts and said to 00:01:03.279 --> 00:01:10.579 them, any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will 00:01:10.579 --> 00:01:18.179 fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that 00:01:18.180 --> 00:01:24.860 I drive out demons by Beelzebul. Now, if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers 00:01:24.860 --> 00:01:31.760 drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:38.960 then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, 00:01:39.460 --> 00:01:45.740 his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor 00:01:45.739 --> 00:01:52.919 in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever 00:01:52.919 --> 00:02:00.619 does not gather with me scatters. When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid 00:02:00.619 --> 00:02:08.060 places, seeking rest, and does not find it. Then it says, I will return to the house I left. When it 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:14.180 arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits, 00:02:14.180 --> 00:02:19.700 more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person 00:02:19.700 --> 00:02:25.740 is worse than the first. As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:32.580 blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you. He replied, blessed rather are those who hear 00:02:32.580 --> 00:02:36.240 the word of God and obey it. This is God's word. 00:02:41.860 --> 00:02:47.420 Thank you, Steve. And we'll pick up our reading there in a few moments. But before that, 00:02:47.760 --> 00:02:55.020 we're going to sing a portion of Psalm 31. We're going to sing together from verse 19 to verse 24. 00:02:55.020 --> 00:02:59.240 And again, we'll stand together so that we can sing this section. 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:20.439 Your goodness, Lord, is very great, prepared for those who fear your name. 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:38.939 To show your goodness openly, to all who your protection claim. 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:57.639 your presence hides and shelters them from those who plot to take their life. 00:03:57.639 --> 00:04:08.919 And in your tent you keep them safe from each other. 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:17.219 evil times that stir up strife. 00:04:17.219 --> 00:04:36.839 The Lord be praised because he showed the wonder of his love to me. 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:55.500 When in a city I was trapped, surrounded by the enemy. 00:04:55.500 --> 00:05:16.959 In my alarm I rashly said that I was hidden from your eyes. 00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:37.959 But when I call to you for help in grace, you listened to my cries. 00:05:37.959 --> 00:05:47.859 O love the Lord, O you his saints. 00:05:47.859 --> 00:05:57.379 The faithful will be kept by God. 00:05:57.379 --> 00:06:04.379 But he will give the proud. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:09.379 There do be strong. 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:18.379 Take heart, hope in the Lord. 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:31.500 So we're going to continue reading in Luke chapter 11 in our church Bibles. 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:32.959 It's page 1043. 00:06:33.659 --> 00:06:37.879 In case anyone's looking for a Bible and you were caught out because we used to have them 00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:38.459 at the front door. 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:39.480 Now they're in the back corner. 00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:41.240 So if you need a copy, you can go and grab one there. 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:49.819 and we're going to read from verse 29 to the end of the chapter. Let's again hear God's word. 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:56.420 When Jesus had finished speaking, sorry verse 29, as the crowds increased, Jesus said, 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:03.139 this is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 00:07:03.840 --> 00:07:09.019 For as Jonah was assigned to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. 00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:14.839 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them. 00:07:15.259 --> 00:07:21.439 For she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here. 00:07:21.979 --> 00:07:25.979 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:30.879 for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. 00:07:31.859 --> 00:07:35.599 No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden or under a bowl. 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:40.200 Instead, they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:46.080 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:49.840 But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:53.280 See to it then that the light within you is not darkness. 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:57.480 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light and no part of it dark, 00:07:57.960 --> 00:08:02.439 it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you. 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:06.540 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him. 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:09.319 So he went in and reclined at the table. 00:08:10.060 --> 00:08:15.259 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. 00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:17.079 Then the Lord said to him, 00:08:17.079 --> 00:08:20.079 Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:24.079 but inside you are full of greed and wickedness, you foolish people. 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:27.500 Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:34.519 But now, as for what is inside you, be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:41.240 Woe to you, Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue, and all other kinds of garden herbs, 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:44.860 but you neglect justice and the love of God. 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:48.379 You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:53.840 Woe to you, Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:56.019 and respectful greetings in the marketplaces. 00:08:56.800 --> 00:08:59.460 Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:01.660 which people walk over without knowing it. 00:09:02.280 --> 00:09:04.180 One of the experts in the law answered him, 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:06.780 Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also. 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:09.860 Jesus replied, and you experts in the law, 00:09:10.340 --> 00:09:11.240 Woe to you, 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:14.720 because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:17.800 and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. 00:09:18.660 --> 00:09:21.060 Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, 00:09:21.160 --> 00:09:22.860 and it was your ancestors who killed them. 00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:26.200 So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did. 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:28.779 They killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. 00:09:29.180 --> 00:09:31.740 Because of this, God in his wisdom said, 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:33.940 I will send them prophets and apostles, 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:36.740 some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute. 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:41.000 Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:42.860 that's been shed since the beginning of the world, 00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:45.360 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, 00:09:45.440 --> 00:09:47.320 who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:48.800 Yes, I tell you, 00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:52.039 this generation will be held responsible for it all. 00:09:52.039 --> 00:09:54.699 Woe to you experts in the law, 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:57.620 because you have taken away the key to knowledge. 00:09:58.299 --> 00:09:59.799 You yourselves have not entered, 00:10:00.679 --> 00:10:02.459 and you have hindered those who were entering. 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:04.659 When Jesus went outside, 00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:06.980 the Pharisees and the teachers of the law 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:09.179 began to oppose him fiercely, 00:10:09.719 --> 00:10:11.639 and to besiege him with questions, 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:13.699 waiting to catch him 00:10:13.699 --> 00:10:15.819 in something he might say. 00:10:15.820 --> 00:10:18.640 This is God's word. 00:10:20.200 --> 00:10:23.080 So this evening we come to this point in the journey of Jesus, 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:27.700 where he is facing different types of opposition. 00:10:29.260 --> 00:10:30.240 And as we begin, 00:10:30.320 --> 00:10:31.640 it's important for us to recognize 00:10:31.640 --> 00:10:35.120 that opposition is a reality for Christians. 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:38.860 Even within our own church, 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:41.539 the different countries and the families that we represent, 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:44.580 opposition comes in very different ways. 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:46.980 In certain places, 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:50.340 it's just simply that views are unwelcomed. 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:52.240 For other people, 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:53.919 their experience is that coming to faith 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:55.679 means their family won't accept them. 00:10:56.820 --> 00:10:58.259 Some people live in countries 00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:59.580 where Christians and churches 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:03.159 come under intense surveillance from the state. 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:05.699 Others live in places 00:11:05.699 --> 00:11:08.039 where churches and the Christian community 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:10.039 can be targeted at particular times 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:11.759 to score political points. 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:15.000 For some of us, 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:17.639 to be a Christian will be to be excluded 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:18.819 from certain groups 00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:21.439 or certain opportunities. 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:24.199 To follow Jesus 00:11:24.199 --> 00:11:26.899 is to share in his experience 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:29.480 is to know opposition. 00:11:30.659 --> 00:11:32.679 This journey that Jesus is taking 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:34.259 is a journey to Jerusalem. 00:11:34.439 --> 00:11:37.039 It's a journey towards the cross. 00:11:39.739 --> 00:11:42.179 Indeed, we could use the language of verse 49 00:11:42.179 --> 00:11:44.979 and recognize Jesus stands in that line 00:11:44.979 --> 00:11:46.559 of God's messengers 00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:50.339 who will be persecuted and killed. 00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:52.819 And as Jesus would say to his disciples, 00:11:52.959 --> 00:11:53.679 if they hated me, 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:55.739 they will hate you also. 00:11:56.459 --> 00:11:58.359 So our purpose this evening 00:11:58.360 --> 00:11:59.580 is to consider 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:02.039 what did the opposition look like 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:03.720 in this section of Luke's gospel 00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:04.919 on this journey? 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:07.840 To listen in as Jesus responds 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:11.259 and to let this confrontation 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:13.860 examine us as well. 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:16.000 Especially as we recognize 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:17.680 that it is nothing more important 00:12:17.680 --> 00:12:20.440 than our own response to Jesus. 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:23.400 So let's look first of all 00:12:23.400 --> 00:12:25.780 at verses 14 to 28 00:12:25.780 --> 00:12:30.480 where we see the first sign of opposition 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:34.860 as the people misrepresent Jesus. 00:12:36.020 --> 00:12:39.120 So to just follow what's going on, 00:12:39.280 --> 00:12:41.300 we read in verse 14 00:12:41.300 --> 00:12:43.820 that Jesus has driven out a demon. 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:47.240 That he has done something incredibly good 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:48.720 and powerful and merciful. 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:50.799 But the accusation comes, 00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:53.320 yeah, Jesus does that 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:55.600 because Jesus is on the devil's side. 00:12:57.820 --> 00:12:59.419 How does Jesus respond? 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:02.899 If Satan is divided against himself, 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.480 how can his kingdom stand? 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:07.200 He challenges their logic. 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:09.019 Of course he is not a part 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.480 of the kingdom of darkness. 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.039 We know this. 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:14.980 If a political party begins infighting, 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:16.940 then that group will be weakened 00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:18.420 and collapse or a sports team 00:13:18.420 --> 00:13:21.200 that begins to turn on one another. 00:13:22.920 --> 00:13:24.140 Jesus also says to them, 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:24.980 listen, your followers 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:26.020 are doing the same thing 00:13:26.020 --> 00:13:27.180 and you don't call them 00:13:27.180 --> 00:13:29.440 part of the kingdom of darkness. 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:31.860 Rather, positively, 00:13:32.040 --> 00:13:33.000 what does Jesus say? 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.020 Verse 20, 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:36.160 if I drive out demons 00:13:36.160 --> 00:13:37.900 by the finger of God, 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.640 then the kingdom of God 00:13:39.640 --> 00:13:40.760 has come upon you. 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:44.460 That's a wonderful image. 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:45.980 Just the finger of God 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:49.400 is sufficient to drive out this demon. 00:13:49.400 --> 00:13:51.300 And it represents, again, 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:55.040 the breaking in of God's kingdom. 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:58.379 Verses 21 and 22, 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:01.139 there is another reality here 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:03.840 as Jesus pits himself 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:04.920 against the devil, 00:14:05.060 --> 00:14:05.920 acknowledging, yes, 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:08.639 the devil is a strong man, 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:12.259 but Jesus is the stronger man. 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:15.240 And he is on a rescue mission. 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:17.120 His work on the cross 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.960 will be the climax 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:19.759 of that rescue mission. 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:20.899 His resurrection 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:24.159 will be that victory accomplished. 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:27.620 Spiritual hostages set free, 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:29.879 transferred from the kingdom of darkness 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:32.659 to the kingdom of God. 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:37.719 He faces misrepresentation, 00:14:37.819 --> 00:14:39.039 but that's how he responds, 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:40.519 by pointing to the reality 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.799 of who he is 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:43.719 and the kingdom that he's bringing. 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.500 And now Jesus will bring 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:47.159 his own challenge 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:49.299 to his opponents. 00:14:49.299 --> 00:14:50.459 In verse 23, 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:52.360 notice what he says, 00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:54.199 whoever is not with me 00:14:54.199 --> 00:14:55.899 is against me, 00:14:56.339 --> 00:14:58.379 and whoever does not gather with me 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.519 scatters. 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:01.059 He asks them the question, 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:04.220 whose side are you on? 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:07.720 There is the fighting imagery 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:09.000 in a battle. 00:15:09.319 --> 00:15:11.259 You're either for or against. 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:13.399 There's no neutral position here. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:15.539 When it comes to the work of farming, 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.579 you're either helping in the harvest 00:15:17.579 --> 00:15:18.559 or you're hindering. 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:19.620 Jesus is saying, 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:20.720 when it comes to me, 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:23.699 there is no neutral position. 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:27.860 And then towards the end of the section, 00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:30.320 and especially in verse 28, 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:33.139 we can hear him asking the question, 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:36.120 how is our hearing spiritually? 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:38.759 So he talks about this situation. 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:41.379 Suppose a person is cleansed from a demon. 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:43.139 So the demon is driven out, 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:45.820 but there's no replacement going on. 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:48.820 Not replaced with God and his word, 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:50.039 not replaced with faith. 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.360 Jesus will say, 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.820 well, the final condition of that person 00:15:52.820 --> 00:15:54.139 is actually going to end up being worse. 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:58.799 And then he responds to someone in the crowd 00:15:58.799 --> 00:15:59.659 crying out, 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:01.919 blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you. 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:05.120 What a blessing to be in Jesus' biological family. 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:05.819 And Jesus says, 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.980 here's what's better, 00:16:07.939 --> 00:16:09.720 hearing and obeying 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:11.960 as Jesus brings the word of God, 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.460 because it's a word that brings life. 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:15.840 It's a word that saves. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:21.800 So as we think about Jesus being misrepresented, 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:24.759 and as he challenges his listeners, 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:27.220 it's important for us to ask ourselves the question, 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:29.379 how is my hearing? 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.740 In 2019, 00:16:34.300 --> 00:16:35.280 in Australia, 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:39.340 the Peaks Observatory Radio Telescope, 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.700 that big thing up there, 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:44.300 the listeners got really excited. 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.700 So they spent all their time 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:48.140 listening to signals from around the galaxy. 00:16:48.280 --> 00:16:49.200 They got really excited 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:50.940 because they were pretty sure 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:53.120 they picked up signs 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:56.060 coming from another planet. 00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:58.440 They thought extraterrestrial life 00:16:58.440 --> 00:16:59.680 was trying to communicate. 00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:01.520 And it went public. 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:03.240 Really exciting news. 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:04.640 And then a few days later, 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:07.080 there was the rather embarrassed retraction. 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:07.720 Actually, 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:08.920 it was just the case 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:10.660 that some signals got crossed, 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:12.920 the signal got mixed up. 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:15.920 They heard the message wrong. 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:18.660 Jesus came 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:22.259 as God's promised king, 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:24.940 bringing the good news 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:27.080 of spiritual rescue, 00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:29.100 transferring people 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:31.120 from death to life, 00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:33.700 calling people into relationship 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.920 with God through faith in him. 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:38.860 All of this profoundly good news, 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:41.139 but as we see here, 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.879 Jesus and his message 00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:44.659 misrepresented. 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:46.839 And it's a truth 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:49.240 throughout Christian history 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:51.339 that the Christian faith 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:52.559 and the Christian message 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:55.139 has often been misrepresented, 00:17:55.139 --> 00:17:57.699 that people have got mixed up 00:17:57.699 --> 00:17:59.419 for a variety of reasons. 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:02.240 So in the first century, 00:18:02.820 --> 00:18:03.860 even as the church 00:18:03.860 --> 00:18:05.180 was growing rapidly 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:07.000 through the Roman Empire, 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:09.460 you will discover as well 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.720 that there was a real hatred 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.420 and hostility 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:14.460 towards the Christian faith, 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.480 in part, 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:17.120 because it was mixed up 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:17.420 and misrepresented. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:21.100 So they heard Christians said, 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:22.300 Jesus is Lord, 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:23.279 not Caesar is Lord. 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:24.720 So they presumed then, 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:25.740 Christians would be 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:27.000 the worst of citizens. 00:18:27.100 --> 00:18:28.019 They're bad news. 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.940 We need to get rid of them. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:31.259 They heard about the Lord's Supper, 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:33.740 about the bread and the wine 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.819 representing the body 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.220 and the blood, 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.160 and they got mixed up 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:36.559 and they thought, 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:37.639 Christians are cannibals. 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.740 They're bad news. 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:39.940 Stay away from them. 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.960 All through church history, 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.539 this kind of thing, 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:46.039 21st century, 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.980 Christianity still gets misrepresented, 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:50.019 the Christian church, 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:52.599 and its message still gets 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:54.039 treated as bad news, 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.480 doesn't it? 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:56.799 Any exclusive truth claim 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:58.059 is bad. 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.940 It's intolerant. 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.880 Religion is the problem 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:02.480 in society. 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.960 Christians are the narrow-minded, 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:04.880 bigoted ones 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.819 who are bad news 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:07.640 in our day and age. 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:09.420 We hear it in different ways, 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:09.920 don't we? 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:13.279 So in the reality 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:15.680 of spiritual opposition, 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:19.380 where Jesus and his church 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:20.579 and his message 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:23.779 are likely to be misrepresented 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:25.519 and opposed, 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.960 will we first of all, 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.279 as Jesus says, 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.819 will we hear and obey 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:32.480 the gospel word? 00:19:33.939 --> 00:19:35.399 Do we recognize 00:19:35.399 --> 00:19:36.639 and do we trust 00:19:36.639 --> 00:19:38.740 that Jesus came from God 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.799 as God 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:41.919 to save lost and dying people? 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:45.160 And if we do, 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:47.519 will we have the courage then 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:50.700 to follow Jesus as king? 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:53.940 Even when that comes with a cost. 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:56.480 Even if the people around us 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:59.160 choose to misrepresent Jesus 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:01.460 and misrepresent us. 00:20:04.560 --> 00:20:06.440 The question always remains, 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:08.279 where do we stand? 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:11.320 Do we take our stand with Jesus 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:14.419 or are we against Jesus? 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:17.119 So we need to be careful 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:19.159 about how our hearing is, 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.579 especially in the context 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:22.200 of spiritual opposition, 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.460 that we would learn 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:25.059 to be dependent on him 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:27.500 and on his word, 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:29.879 that we might stand our ground. 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:33.319 Let's look now 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:37.279 at the second set of opposition 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:39.220 that we find against Jesus, 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.939 verse 29 to 36, 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:43.480 the crowd increases 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:45.740 and Jesus acknowledges 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:47.160 and recognizes 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.400 a fresh challenge. 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:51.600 As the crowds increased, 00:20:51.820 --> 00:20:52.519 Jesus said, 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:55.019 this is a wicked generation. 00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:57.320 It asks for a sign, 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:59.400 but none will be given it 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:01.220 except the sign of Jonah. 00:21:03.320 --> 00:21:04.759 Second up opposition, 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:07.980 rejecting evidence for Jesus. 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:10.200 Maybe you've had this experience 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:12.500 of being in a foreign country 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.380 and finding yourself 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:14.200 at various points 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:15.440 feeling lost. 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:17.120 Perhaps the signs, 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:19.079 road signs or airport signs, 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:21.660 are only in an international language 00:21:21.660 --> 00:21:23.279 and not in English, 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:26.360 and it can be thoroughly confusing. 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:30.799 There are some people in Jesus' day 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:33.419 who never seem satisfied 00:21:33.419 --> 00:21:36.459 with the signs that Jesus gave them. 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:40.639 We already heard it in verse 16. 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:42.740 Others tested Jesus 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:47.019 by asking for a sign from heaven, 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.699 demanding more signs, 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:51.419 demanding more evidence 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.900 that Jesus is 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.900 who he says he is. 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:56.440 By now, 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:58.080 in Luke's gospel, 00:21:58.800 --> 00:22:00.220 what have we come to discover? 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.759 Well, we have just seen him 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:04.880 drive out a demon. 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:09.020 We have seen and heard of him 00:22:09.020 --> 00:22:11.860 healing many, many sick people 00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:13.620 with various kinds of diseases. 00:22:14.520 --> 00:22:17.220 We've seen his power over nature 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:19.580 as he has stopped a storm. 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:22.500 We have seen his power over sickness 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:24.640 and even over death. 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:29.560 We have seen him feed a huge crowd 00:22:29.560 --> 00:22:32.780 with one small boy's lunchbox. 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:37.480 The problem is not a lack of evidence. 00:22:38.879 --> 00:22:40.700 The problem is spiritual blindness 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:42.200 and hard-heartedness. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:45.180 They could not and would not read the signs. 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:47.000 And there is that refusal 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:49.579 to trust and believe. 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:51.240 So what does Jesus say to them? 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.660 Verse 29, 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:54.579 you're asking for a sign. 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.660 None will be given 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.920 except the sign of Jonah. 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:59.059 So Jesus is going to take them back 00:22:59.059 --> 00:23:00.240 to the Old Testament. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:03.019 And it's really interesting. 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:04.440 Jesus points them back 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.200 to the Old Testament 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.460 and says, 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:07.120 look, it points forward to me. 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.799 If we want to know 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:12.039 how to read the Old Testament 00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:12.720 like Jesus, 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:14.559 that's one important thing 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.559 for us to learn. 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.579 As we read the Old Testament, 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.660 we're looking to see 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:20.740 how it is fulfilled 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:22.359 in Jesus. 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.839 But he gives them 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.680 what he calls 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.240 the sign of Jonah. 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:27.960 Jonah. 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.900 What does he mean by that? 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:31.799 Who was Jonah? 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.599 Well, Jonah, of course, 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:34.460 was that Old Testament prophet 00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:38.120 sent on his mission. 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.859 A mission to declare 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:41.259 the judgment of God 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.220 on Nineveh. 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.660 But to declare that judgment 00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:44.680 implicitly was 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.700 to open up 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.940 a window for mercy. 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:49.140 Jonah was reluctant. 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:51.059 He tried to run from God. 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.259 God sent a storm. 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:54.339 Jonah was thrown overboard, 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.779 swallowed by a fish. 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:57.559 Okay, but here's the sign 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.539 of Jonah, I think, 00:23:58.639 --> 00:23:59.740 that just as, 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.759 and Jesus would say this 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:02.379 in Matthew's Gospel, 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.980 just as Jonah spent 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:05.960 three days and nights 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:08.720 in the belly of the fish, 00:24:09.899 --> 00:24:11.440 so Jesus would spend 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.680 those three days and nights 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.940 in the heart of the earth. 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:17.139 And just as Jonah, 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:17.740 as it were, 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:19.960 came back from death 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.639 to life 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:22.160 to preach a message 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:24.399 that demands response, 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.759 the response 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.300 of repentance 00:24:26.300 --> 00:24:27.040 and faith. 00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:29.540 So Jesus would die 00:24:29.540 --> 00:24:30.620 and rise 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:32.040 and calls us all 00:24:32.040 --> 00:24:32.780 to repent 00:24:32.780 --> 00:24:33.900 and to believe. 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:35.080 That's the sign 00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:36.080 that he's going to give 00:24:36.080 --> 00:24:36.580 to them. 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:38.640 In his dying and rising, 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.560 he's going to show 00:24:39.560 --> 00:24:40.380 he's the greater 00:24:40.380 --> 00:24:41.019 than Jonah. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.720 But he doesn't just 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.300 stop there 00:24:44.300 --> 00:24:44.800 as he gives 00:24:44.800 --> 00:24:45.740 Old Testament lessons, 00:24:45.800 --> 00:24:46.040 does he? 00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:47.120 He also talks 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:47.980 in verse 31 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.600 about the Queen 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.240 of the South, 00:24:50.280 --> 00:24:51.180 perhaps more familiarly 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.799 known to us 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.400 as the Queen 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.420 of Sheba. 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:57.299 And it says 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.259 there in verse 31, 00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:59.140 she'll rise 00:24:59.140 --> 00:24:59.740 at the judgment 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.259 with the people 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.200 of this generation 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.200 and condemn them 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:03.120 for she came 00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:03.779 from the ends 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.340 of the earth 00:25:04.340 --> 00:25:04.960 to listen to 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.880 Solomon's wisdom. 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:06.960 And one greater 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.660 than Solomon 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.240 is here. 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.080 So there was 00:25:11.080 --> 00:25:11.680 this queen 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.660 who traveled 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:13.259 hundreds and 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.160 hundreds of miles, 00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:15.400 such was the fame 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.820 of Solomon, 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:18.060 God's king 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:20.359 with God's wisdom. 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.799 And Jesus says, 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:24.599 she was wise, 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.619 you're unwise, 00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:26.099 you're going to be 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.919 condemned because 00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:28.200 Jesus is a greater 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.500 king than Solomon. 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.879 Jesus has greater 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:33.559 wisdom than Solomon. 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.279 Paul talks about 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:35.619 Jesus, 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.639 the wisdom of God, 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.339 our righteousness, 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.220 our holiness, 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.639 our redemption. 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.980 Jesus is all 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:42.019 the wisdom we need, 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:42.960 but his generation 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.079 were rejecting him. 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.019 So she becomes 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.259 a sign that 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.559 will lead them 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.099 to judgment 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:50.039 and condemnation. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.119 And then even 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:52.460 the men of Nineveh, 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.180 verse 32, 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:53.980 will stand up 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.700 at the judgment 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:56.259 with this generation 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.059 and condemn it 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:58.140 for they repented 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:59.460 at the preaching 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.000 of Jonah 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.759 and now something 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.680 greater than Jonah 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.279 is here. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.640 Nineveh was a 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.900 really evil city. 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.119 But when they heard 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:06.740 that message, 00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:08.019 40 days in Nineveh 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.900 will be destroyed, 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.099 there was repentance 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:11.879 from the greatest 00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:12.879 to the least 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.859 and God showed 00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:14.220 mercy. 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:15.740 Jesus, 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:17.640 a greater preacher, 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:19.339 bringing eternal life, 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.099 bringing grace 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:21.000 from God 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.700 as God himself 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:25.359 comes to them 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:27.799 and they reject him 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:29.079 and they demand 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:30.180 more evidence. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:32.599 They say no. 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.620 And then Jesus 00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:38.460 uses this imagery 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.720 in verses 33 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.740 and 36 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.140 by way of 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:43.099 challenging 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:44.959 the opponents. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.859 Asking the question, 00:26:47.179 --> 00:26:48.240 how is 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:49.519 your spiritual 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.459 eyesight? 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:52.019 Look at verse 34, 00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:52.839 your eye 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:54.000 is the lamp 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:54.679 of your body. 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.219 When your eyes 00:26:55.219 --> 00:26:55.899 are healthy, 00:26:56.719 --> 00:26:57.399 your whole body 00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:58.539 also is full of light, 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.480 but when they're unhealthy, 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.839 your body 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:02.179 also is full 00:27:02.179 --> 00:27:02.959 of darkness. 00:27:03.199 --> 00:27:03.819 See to it then 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.359 that the light 00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:04.819 within you 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:06.359 is not darkness. 00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:07.459 Jesus has come 00:27:07.459 --> 00:27:08.959 providing the light 00:27:08.959 --> 00:27:09.839 of God 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.779 and it is being 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.359 rejected 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:12.139 in favor 00:27:12.139 --> 00:27:13.559 of darkness. 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:14.319 And so Jesus 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:14.959 says to them, 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.480 how you see 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:16.980 Jesus, 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:18.500 how we see 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.439 Jesus, 00:27:19.659 --> 00:27:20.419 how we respond 00:27:20.419 --> 00:27:20.720 to him 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.599 is a sign 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.559 of whether we 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.619 have God's 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.919 light or not. 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.399 Do we respond 00:27:27.399 --> 00:27:28.079 to the light 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:29.539 or do we remain 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.159 in spiritual 00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:30.679 darkness 00:27:30.679 --> 00:27:32.359 and blindness? 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:32.759 darkness. 00:27:34.659 --> 00:27:35.599 Jesus is saying 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:36.779 our view of Jesus 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.419 determines 00:27:37.419 --> 00:27:38.240 our spiritual 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:38.939 condition. 00:27:41.679 --> 00:27:42.539 How is my 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.439 eyesight today? 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:45.279 Have you ever 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.799 taken an eye 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.339 test? 00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:48.879 You know the letters 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.959 are there on the chart, 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.779 they're right in front 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.000 of you, 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.899 but you can't 00:27:51.899 --> 00:27:52.740 make them out. 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.899 I guess every glass 00:27:53.899 --> 00:27:54.359 is wearer 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:54.979 has had that 00:27:54.979 --> 00:27:56.159 experience. 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.259 You know, 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.399 when it gets fuzzy 00:27:58.399 --> 00:27:58.939 it's a sign 00:27:58.939 --> 00:27:59.799 that our eyesight 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:01.099 is not great, 00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:01.599 that we need 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:03.319 fresh lenses. 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.079 If you've ever 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:06.179 tried to live 00:28:06.179 --> 00:28:07.699 with fuzzy vision 00:28:07.699 --> 00:28:08.759 it can be 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.219 uncomfortable 00:28:09.219 --> 00:28:09.859 sometimes. 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:12.079 I'm not a huge 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:12.619 fan of wearing 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:12.980 glasses, 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.699 so I often walk 00:28:13.699 --> 00:28:14.219 past people 00:28:14.219 --> 00:28:14.659 in the street 00:28:14.659 --> 00:28:15.319 who I know 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:15.839 but I don't 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.480 realize that I 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:16.799 know them. 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.459 That's uncomfortable. 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.740 They can also 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.419 be dangerous 00:28:19.419 --> 00:28:20.959 if you don't 00:28:20.959 --> 00:28:21.519 know where 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.819 you are going. 00:28:23.619 --> 00:28:23.980 And so it's 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.939 important for us 00:28:24.939 --> 00:28:25.699 to ask 00:28:25.699 --> 00:28:26.599 spiritually, 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:27.879 do I 00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:28.719 see 00:28:28.719 --> 00:28:29.679 Jesus 00:28:29.679 --> 00:28:30.459 clearly? 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:33.599 maybe especially 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.359 when we think 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:35.240 about the 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.980 people around 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:37.000 us who 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:38.279 maybe bring 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:39.099 challenges 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:40.079 and are 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.000 looking to 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.459 know, 00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:42.599 you know, 00:28:42.679 --> 00:28:43.439 I want more 00:28:43.439 --> 00:28:43.859 evidence, 00:28:43.959 --> 00:28:44.339 I want more 00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:44.559 proof, 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:44.839 and they have 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.500 challenge after 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.240 challenge. 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:48.699 Jesus reminds 00:28:48.699 --> 00:28:49.819 us that there's 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.639 the reality of 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:51.579 spiritual blindness. 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:53.839 And so one of 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:54.399 the things that we 00:28:54.399 --> 00:28:55.279 absolutely need to 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.980 be doing 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.319 is to be 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:57.819 praying, 00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.660 and that God 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.539 would allow 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.440 the light of 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.160 the Lord Jesus 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:02.839 to shine in 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.480 that person's 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:03.980 heart and 00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:04.319 life. 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.740 It just as 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.860 Jesus invited 00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:08.579 his opponents 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.740 to read 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.640 their Bibles 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:11.480 in order to 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.259 see Jesus 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.960 clearly, 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:14.720 perhaps one of 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.400 the best things 00:29:15.400 --> 00:29:16.099 that we can do 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.960 with our friends 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.880 or our family 00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:18.480 members who 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.500 have questions 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:21.420 is to take 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:22.099 them to God's 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:22.259 Word, 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:22.980 to invite them 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.019 to read a 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:24.440 Gospel, 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.259 to discover 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:26.240 who Jesus 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.960 really is, 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.839 because often 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:29.460 the version of 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.400 Christianity or 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.200 the Jesus that 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:31.559 people are 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:32.279 rejecting is 00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:33.299 not the same 00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:34.480 as what's 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.539 found in 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.559 God's 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.359 Word. 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.680 It's important 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.299 that we 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:43.079 know and 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:44.519 see that 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.579 Jesus is 00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:46.940 more than, 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:47.940 you know, 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.519 Jesus talks 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:48.940 about I am 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.759 greater than. 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:51.059 He's not just 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:51.639 a good man, 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.099 he's not just 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:52.779 a wise man, 00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.240 he's not just 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.960 a role model, 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:55.980 he is greater 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:57.220 than anyone, 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:57.839 anything, 00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:58.400 he is the 00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:58.960 king we need, 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.220 he's the 00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.940 prophet we need, 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.339 he's the 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:01.200 wisdom we need, 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.680 and he's the 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.019 king, the 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.440 prophet, the 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.039 wisdom that 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.720 the people 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.339 around us 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:06.859 need also. 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.639 So especially 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:09.859 as we recognize 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:10.460 as Jesus 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.660 speaks to us 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:11.980 that the 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.579 judgment we 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:13.220 pass on 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:14.220 Jesus now 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.740 affects the 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.559 judgment Jesus 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:18.200 passes on us 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:19.339 when he returns, 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:20.119 how important 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:20.940 it is 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:22.539 for us to 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.640 pray and 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.420 to seek 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.440 and to 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.080 share 00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:27.700 who Jesus 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.400 truly is, 00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:28.920 what he came 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:29.460 to do 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.440 with people 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:30.799 who are 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.299 struggling 00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:32.740 and wondering 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.680 about the 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.279 evidence. 00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:36.160 The third 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.740 opposition 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.980 that we see 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:39.080 from verse 37 00:30:39.080 --> 00:30:39.660 to the end 00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:40.460 of the chapter 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:42.160 is the 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:42.840 opposition of 00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.240 those who 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:44.039 choose man-made 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:45.320 religion over 00:30:45.320 --> 00:30:46.320 Jesus. 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.339 there are 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:47.779 particular 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.919 opponents in 00:30:48.919 --> 00:30:49.579 view here 00:30:49.579 --> 00:30:50.740 in verse 37, 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:51.919 it's the 00:30:51.919 --> 00:30:52.639 Pharisees, 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:54.759 in verse 45, 00:30:55.399 --> 00:30:55.919 it's the 00:30:55.919 --> 00:30:56.799 experts in 00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:57.079 the law. 00:30:57.159 --> 00:30:57.759 These two 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.559 groups of 00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.279 religious leaders 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:00.379 who of all 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.179 people should 00:31:01.179 --> 00:31:01.579 be hearing 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.079 with faith. 00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.559 They should 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:03.980 be reading 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:04.439 the signs 00:31:04.439 --> 00:31:05.059 and recognizing 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.579 who Jesus 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:06.579 is, and 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:06.980 they should 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.460 in turn 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:07.859 then be 00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:08.639 pointing people 00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:09.179 to trust 00:31:09.179 --> 00:31:09.679 in Jesus 00:31:09.679 --> 00:31:10.579 as God's 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:10.919 promised 00:31:10.919 --> 00:31:11.399 king and 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:11.659 savior. 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.099 But their 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:12.779 problem 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:14.679 is that they're 00:31:14.679 --> 00:31:15.339 choosing their 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:16.259 own superficial 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:17.220 man-made 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:17.940 religion 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:19.160 that's based 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:20.099 on works 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:21.720 rather than 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:23.480 God's salvation 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.019 that comes 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.779 through grace, 00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.220 that comes 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:25.799 through trusting 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.420 in Jesus. 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.460 And so as 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.900 Jesus confronts 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:32.140 this opposition 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:32.879 we discover 00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:34.039 that their 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.879 hearts are 00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:35.559 unchanged, 00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.160 their hearts 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:37.980 are unclean, 00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:39.879 but they feel 00:31:39.879 --> 00:31:40.700 really good about 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.379 themselves because 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:42.680 of the externals. 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:44.060 Jesus 00:31:44.060 --> 00:31:46.420 is 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:47.160 meal time, 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.820 verse 37. 00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:50.380 A Pharisee 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:50.799 has invited 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.500 Jesus to 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:51.860 eat with 00:31:51.860 --> 00:31:52.100 him. 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.900 And notice 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:55.320 the Pharisee's 00:31:55.320 --> 00:31:56.140 surprise. 00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:58.140 Jesus 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:59.259 doesn't wash 00:31:59.259 --> 00:32:00.740 according to 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.380 the rules 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:01.860 that we've 00:32:01.860 --> 00:32:02.259 set. 00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:04.360 He doesn't 00:32:04.360 --> 00:32:05.200 conform to 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.060 our standards 00:32:06.060 --> 00:32:06.500 of what it 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.200 means to be 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.740 clean. 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:10.740 Jesus says 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.079 to him, 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.319 you don't 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.039 conform to 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.559 God's 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:15.160 standard of 00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:16.019 cleanness. 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:18.099 You Pharisees 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:18.519 clean the 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.279 outside of the 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:20.319 cup and dish, 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.319 but inside 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:23.000 you're full of 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:24.339 greed and 00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:25.339 wickedness. 00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:27.959 Jesus wants 00:32:27.959 --> 00:32:28.819 to confront 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.459 the religious 00:32:29.459 --> 00:32:30.279 leaders, 00:32:30.679 --> 00:32:31.299 relying on 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.959 a man-made 00:32:31.959 --> 00:32:32.379 religion. 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.259 It's what's 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:33.539 on the 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.399 inside that 00:32:34.399 --> 00:32:34.980 counts. 00:32:35.859 --> 00:32:36.319 How is 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:37.139 your heart? 00:32:38.619 --> 00:32:39.259 Rather than 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:39.899 being concerned 00:32:39.899 --> 00:32:40.519 simply to 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.500 look good 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.839 at playing 00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.480 at religion. 00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:44.519 It becomes 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:44.879 clear, 00:32:44.959 --> 00:32:45.539 Jesus hates 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:45.720 that, 00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:46.339 God hates 00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:46.519 that, 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:46.879 he wants 00:32:46.879 --> 00:32:47.480 sincerity, 00:32:47.639 --> 00:32:47.959 we see it 00:32:47.959 --> 00:32:48.099 in the 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:48.699 Old Testament, 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.859 and we see 00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:50.559 it here as 00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.019 well. 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.359 And as if 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:52.879 that wasn't 00:32:52.879 --> 00:32:53.240 enough, 00:32:53.379 --> 00:32:53.959 Jesus then 00:32:53.959 --> 00:32:54.759 proceeds to 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.199 pronounce 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:56.160 these six 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:57.380 woes, 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.640 these judgments 00:32:58.640 --> 00:33:00.259 are pronounced. 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:00.799 So look at 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.819 verse 42, 00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:03.160 there is woe 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.680 on these 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.819 Pharisees for 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.740 their hypocrisy. 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.200 So they're 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:07.940 brilliant at 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.640 tithing their 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.319 herbs, 00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.120 you know, 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:10.799 they've got 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:12.080 their garden 00:33:12.080 --> 00:33:13.059 herbs all 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:14.059 tithed neatly, 00:33:14.299 --> 00:33:15.080 but they don't 00:33:15.080 --> 00:33:15.580 love their 00:33:15.580 --> 00:33:16.180 neighbor in 00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:17.059 practice justice, 00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:17.740 and they're 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:18.580 neglecting the 00:33:18.580 --> 00:33:19.460 love of God. 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:21.279 And they think 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:21.580 that they're 00:33:21.580 --> 00:33:22.220 doing well. 00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.740 He confronts 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.740 their pride 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:28.279 in verse 43, 00:33:29.660 --> 00:33:30.200 their love 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:31.000 to be seen 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.819 before other 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.480 people, 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.759 rather than 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.579 being humble 00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:35.900 before their 00:33:35.900 --> 00:33:36.359 God. 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:40.039 He confronts 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:41.380 their uncleanness 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:42.599 in verse 44, 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:43.400 you're like 00:33:43.400 --> 00:33:45.059 unmarked 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.720 graves. 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:47.440 They are 00:33:47.440 --> 00:33:48.140 unclean, 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.720 and people 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.460 are stumbling 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.099 upon them 00:33:51.099 --> 00:33:51.339 in their 00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:51.660 teaching, 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.819 and because of 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.379 their influence, 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:53.819 they're making 00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:55.139 others unclean 00:33:55.139 --> 00:33:55.439 too, 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:56.000 they're dragging 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:57.159 others into 00:33:57.159 --> 00:33:58.159 the same mess 00:33:58.159 --> 00:33:59.119 as them with 00:33:59.119 --> 00:33:59.539 their bad 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:00.179 teaching. 00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:03.039 Verse 45, 00:34:03.159 --> 00:34:03.419 one of the 00:34:03.419 --> 00:34:04.019 experts in the 00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:04.460 law said, 00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:04.779 teacher, 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:05.240 when you say 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:05.839 these things, 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:06.740 you insult 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.639 us also, 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.099 and Jesus 00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:08.699 has some 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:09.619 woes for 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:11.239 them also. 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:13.039 Verse 46, 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.900 because of 00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:15.860 their legalism, 00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:17.960 piling on, 00:34:18.300 --> 00:34:19.519 heaping on, 00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:20.420 a crushing 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:21.480 burden of 00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:22.420 man-made 00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:23.460 religion, 00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:25.960 not helping 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:27.360 by cutting 00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:28.159 through all 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:28.619 that, 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.480 and showing 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.239 Jesus is 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:30.659 Lord and 00:34:30.659 --> 00:34:30.900 the one 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.199 they need 00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:31.980 to trust. 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:34.400 He challenges 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:35.059 them for 00:34:35.059 --> 00:34:36.039 their hypocrisy. 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:38.320 Their 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:39.480 ancestors killed 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.360 God's messengers, 00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:41.059 the prophets. 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:42.799 they build 00:34:42.799 --> 00:34:43.360 tombs, 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:43.779 thinking they're 00:34:43.779 --> 00:34:44.119 doing this 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:44.759 great religious 00:34:44.759 --> 00:34:45.139 thing. 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.079 Jesus says, 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:46.599 you're basically 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.279 saying that 00:34:47.279 --> 00:34:48.360 what your 00:34:48.360 --> 00:34:49.799 forefathers did, 00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:51.000 you approve 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.599 of. 00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:53.159 He will say 00:34:53.159 --> 00:34:53.460 to them, 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.320 you stand 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:55.259 in line 00:34:55.259 --> 00:34:56.860 of those 00:34:56.860 --> 00:34:57.299 who kill 00:34:57.299 --> 00:34:58.099 God's prophets. 00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.000 And of course, 00:34:59.059 --> 00:34:59.619 as the story 00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.320 goes on, 00:35:00.779 --> 00:35:01.259 we know that 00:35:01.259 --> 00:35:01.679 they will do 00:35:01.679 --> 00:35:02.179 the same 00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:02.860 to Jesus. 00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:05.139 And then we 00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:05.500 get to 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:06.500 verse 52, 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.340 that last 00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.000 woe. 00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:10.799 Woe to 00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:11.060 you, 00:35:11.120 --> 00:35:11.640 because you've 00:35:11.640 --> 00:35:12.380 taken away 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:12.860 the key 00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.640 to knowledge. 00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:15.300 You yourselves 00:35:15.300 --> 00:35:15.840 have not 00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:16.420 entered, 00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:17.920 and you have 00:35:17.920 --> 00:35:18.860 hindered those 00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:19.480 who were 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:20.000 entering. 00:35:20.080 --> 00:35:20.620 What a 00:35:20.620 --> 00:35:21.519 dreadful 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.320 situation. 00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:23.080 They've 00:35:23.080 --> 00:35:23.720 locked and 00:35:23.720 --> 00:35:24.500 barricaded 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:25.200 the door 00:35:25.200 --> 00:35:26.280 to know 00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:26.760 God 00:35:26.760 --> 00:35:27.800 through faith 00:35:27.800 --> 00:35:28.320 in Jesus. 00:35:28.440 --> 00:35:28.680 They've 00:35:28.680 --> 00:35:29.260 thrown away 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:29.700 the key. 00:35:29.820 --> 00:35:29.920 They're 00:35:29.920 --> 00:35:30.680 turning people 00:35:30.680 --> 00:35:31.360 back from 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:32.180 trusting in 00:35:32.180 --> 00:35:32.580 Jesus, 00:35:32.720 --> 00:35:33.160 the way, 00:35:33.600 --> 00:35:34.160 the truth, 00:35:34.480 --> 00:35:34.880 and the 00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:35.340 life, 00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:36.380 because they're 00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:37.200 persuaded that 00:35:37.200 --> 00:35:37.900 their way 00:35:37.900 --> 00:35:39.260 is the way 00:35:39.260 --> 00:35:39.980 to God. 00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:42.120 And so 00:35:42.120 --> 00:35:42.700 Jesus, 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:43.800 it challenges 00:35:43.800 --> 00:35:45.519 this man-made 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:46.780 religion by 00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.700 pointing to 00:35:47.700 --> 00:35:48.480 the importance 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:49.740 of the heart. 00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:51.240 Remember God's 00:35:51.240 --> 00:35:51.760 word that came 00:35:51.760 --> 00:35:52.340 to Samuel, 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:52.820 the prophet, 00:35:52.900 --> 00:35:53.200 in the Old 00:35:53.200 --> 00:35:53.500 Testament. 00:35:53.660 --> 00:35:54.240 Man looks at 00:35:54.240 --> 00:35:54.600 the outward 00:35:54.600 --> 00:35:55.100 appearance, 00:35:55.220 --> 00:35:55.700 but God 00:35:55.700 --> 00:35:57.240 looks at 00:35:57.240 --> 00:35:57.820 the heart. 00:35:59.300 --> 00:35:59.880 But we have 00:35:59.880 --> 00:36:01.060 this somber 00:36:01.060 --> 00:36:01.980 reminder 00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:03.940 that Jesus 00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.320 can be 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:05.380 opposed and 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:06.320 resisted 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:07.620 even by 00:36:07.620 --> 00:36:08.640 those claiming 00:36:08.640 --> 00:36:09.180 to be 00:36:09.180 --> 00:36:09.780 religious, 00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:10.980 even by 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:11.840 those who 00:36:11.840 --> 00:36:12.620 are in 00:36:12.620 --> 00:36:13.240 a position 00:36:13.240 --> 00:36:14.740 of religious 00:36:14.740 --> 00:36:16.120 leadership. 00:36:19.220 --> 00:36:20.180 Jesus 00:36:20.180 --> 00:36:20.880 denounces 00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:22.559 them because 00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:23.280 of how far 00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:23.860 short they 00:36:23.860 --> 00:36:25.220 come of 00:36:25.220 --> 00:36:26.120 God's word 00:36:26.120 --> 00:36:26.980 and God's 00:36:26.980 --> 00:36:27.360 way of 00:36:27.360 --> 00:36:27.960 salvation. 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.539 Jesus 00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:30.380 says only 00:36:30.380 --> 00:36:31.420 heart change 00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:32.080 will do. 00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:33.819 But a 00:36:33.819 --> 00:36:34.679 religion based 00:36:34.679 --> 00:36:35.639 on work 00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.880 will aim 00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:37.319 to change 00:36:37.319 --> 00:36:38.159 some habits, 00:36:39.239 --> 00:36:39.799 serving to 00:36:39.799 --> 00:36:40.340 keep Jesus 00:36:40.340 --> 00:36:40.900 at arm's 00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:41.259 length. 00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:44.159 Jesus 00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:45.199 would humble 00:36:45.199 --> 00:36:47.019 us by 00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:47.639 showing us 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.059 our sin, 00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:48.480 by showing 00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:48.819 that we 00:36:48.819 --> 00:36:49.819 cannot keep 00:36:49.819 --> 00:36:50.420 God's law, 00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:51.279 we cannot be 00:36:51.279 --> 00:36:51.819 holy by 00:36:51.819 --> 00:36:52.279 ourselves, 00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:53.440 but man-made 00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:54.039 religion, 00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:55.579 tick these 00:36:55.579 --> 00:36:56.039 boxes, 00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:56.960 encourages 00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:58.299 pride in 00:36:58.299 --> 00:36:59.119 our own 00:36:59.119 --> 00:36:59.659 ability. 00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.399 It ignores 00:37:00.399 --> 00:37:00.960 God's 00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:01.500 perfect 00:37:01.500 --> 00:37:02.019 holiness, 00:37:02.519 --> 00:37:02.960 and it 00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:03.440 ignores 00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:04.179 human 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:05.379 sinfulness. 00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:08.059 The question 00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:08.619 to ask 00:37:08.619 --> 00:37:09.420 ourselves is 00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:10.579 how is 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.299 my heart? 00:37:14.739 --> 00:37:15.859 That image 00:37:15.859 --> 00:37:16.879 that Jesus 00:37:16.879 --> 00:37:17.920 had in 00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:18.579 verse 39, 00:37:18.759 --> 00:37:19.519 you Pharisees 00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:20.039 clean the 00:37:20.039 --> 00:37:20.539 outside of 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:20.920 the cup 00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:21.379 and dish, 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:22.079 but inside 00:37:22.079 --> 00:37:22.859 you are 00:37:22.859 --> 00:37:23.539 full of 00:37:23.539 --> 00:37:25.159 greed and 00:37:25.159 --> 00:37:28.359 wickedness. 00:37:29.659 --> 00:37:29.819 Have you 00:37:29.819 --> 00:37:30.079 ever had 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:30.519 this start 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:30.819 to the 00:37:30.819 --> 00:37:31.079 day? 00:37:32.299 --> 00:37:32.659 You're 00:37:32.659 --> 00:37:33.079 getting ready 00:37:33.079 --> 00:37:33.659 for school 00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:33.920 or you're 00:37:33.920 --> 00:37:34.319 getting ready 00:37:34.319 --> 00:37:34.980 for work 00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:35.940 and you 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.319 get the 00:37:36.319 --> 00:37:37.199 fresh bowl 00:37:37.199 --> 00:37:38.279 out of the 00:37:38.279 --> 00:37:39.179 cupboard or 00:37:39.179 --> 00:37:39.519 out of the 00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:40.019 dishwasher, 00:37:40.579 --> 00:37:41.219 you pour 00:37:41.219 --> 00:37:41.920 your cereal, 00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:43.179 you add 00:37:43.179 --> 00:37:43.799 the milk, 00:37:44.059 --> 00:37:44.599 you get ready 00:37:44.599 --> 00:37:45.199 to tuck in, 00:37:45.259 --> 00:37:45.599 you take 00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:46.379 your first 00:37:46.379 --> 00:37:48.379 spoonful and 00:37:48.379 --> 00:37:48.940 you get that 00:37:48.940 --> 00:37:49.980 disgusting taste 00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:50.279 because you 00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:50.879 realize your 00:37:50.879 --> 00:37:51.339 milk is 00:37:51.339 --> 00:37:51.699 off. 00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:53.399 Not just 00:37:53.399 --> 00:37:53.639 me. 00:37:53.639 --> 00:37:55.319 The glass 00:37:55.319 --> 00:37:55.679 or the 00:37:55.679 --> 00:37:57.179 plate can 00:37:57.179 --> 00:37:58.059 be clean 00:37:58.059 --> 00:37:59.920 but inside 00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:01.460 it's 00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:02.219 disgusting. 00:38:03.859 --> 00:38:04.379 And Jesus 00:38:04.379 --> 00:38:05.079 wants us to 00:38:05.079 --> 00:38:05.980 understand how 00:38:05.980 --> 00:38:07.379 foolish it 00:38:07.379 --> 00:38:08.980 is to 00:38:08.980 --> 00:38:09.379 try and 00:38:09.379 --> 00:38:10.179 merely clean 00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:11.039 up our 00:38:11.039 --> 00:38:11.879 act, 00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:13.920 to try 00:38:13.920 --> 00:38:14.519 harder to 00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:15.319 do better 00:38:15.319 --> 00:38:16.839 when our 00:38:16.839 --> 00:38:17.379 heart is 00:38:17.379 --> 00:38:17.779 still a 00:38:17.779 --> 00:38:18.359 dark mess 00:38:18.359 --> 00:38:18.920 of sin. 00:38:20.279 --> 00:38:20.819 What we 00:38:20.819 --> 00:38:21.159 need is 00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:22.319 not more 00:38:22.319 --> 00:38:23.039 man-made 00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:23.679 religion. 00:38:24.340 --> 00:38:24.699 What we 00:38:24.699 --> 00:38:25.119 need is 00:38:25.119 --> 00:38:25.579 to trust 00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:26.059 and ascend 00:38:26.059 --> 00:38:26.739 from heaven 00:38:26.739 --> 00:38:27.659 redeemer. 00:38:29.139 --> 00:38:29.739 Jesus 00:38:29.739 --> 00:38:31.480 came to 00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:32.980 establish the 00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:33.619 new covenant, 00:38:34.360 --> 00:38:35.139 to establish 00:38:35.139 --> 00:38:35.559 us in 00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:36.179 relationship 00:38:36.179 --> 00:38:37.239 with God 00:38:37.239 --> 00:38:38.259 by his 00:38:38.259 --> 00:38:39.460 death on 00:38:39.460 --> 00:38:40.699 the cross. 00:38:41.119 --> 00:38:41.619 And in 00:38:41.619 --> 00:38:42.239 that new 00:38:42.239 --> 00:38:42.759 covenant, 00:38:42.900 --> 00:38:43.179 as it's 00:38:43.179 --> 00:38:43.659 spoken of 00:38:43.659 --> 00:38:43.860 in the 00:38:43.860 --> 00:38:44.360 Old Testament, 00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:45.119 there is a 00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:45.840 spiritual 00:38:45.840 --> 00:38:46.960 heart transplant 00:38:46.960 --> 00:38:47.539 that takes 00:38:47.539 --> 00:38:47.860 place. 00:38:48.019 --> 00:38:48.719 Ezekiel says 00:38:48.719 --> 00:38:49.420 that God 00:38:49.420 --> 00:38:50.059 will change 00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:50.460 our heart 00:38:50.460 --> 00:38:50.980 of stone 00:38:50.980 --> 00:38:51.719 and give 00:38:51.719 --> 00:38:52.019 us a 00:38:52.019 --> 00:38:52.400 heart of 00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:53.079 flesh. 00:38:53.619 --> 00:38:54.079 So we 00:38:54.079 --> 00:38:54.639 need God's 00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:55.400 grace to 00:38:55.400 --> 00:38:56.200 change us 00:38:56.200 --> 00:38:56.639 from the 00:38:56.639 --> 00:38:58.559 inside out. 00:39:00.200 --> 00:39:00.619 And so we 00:39:00.619 --> 00:39:01.059 must never 00:39:01.059 --> 00:39:01.900 settle for 00:39:01.900 --> 00:39:02.579 man-made 00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:03.119 religion. 00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:06.639 So as we 00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:07.539 follow Jesus 00:39:07.539 --> 00:39:08.700 on this 00:39:08.700 --> 00:39:09.139 journey, 00:39:09.220 --> 00:39:09.579 and as we've 00:39:09.579 --> 00:39:10.039 seen him 00:39:10.039 --> 00:39:10.900 face opposition 00:39:10.900 --> 00:39:11.559 of various 00:39:11.559 --> 00:39:11.880 kinds, 00:39:11.960 --> 00:39:12.599 we're reminded 00:39:12.599 --> 00:39:14.320 opposition is 00:39:14.320 --> 00:39:15.320 real. 00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:17.500 people are 00:39:17.500 --> 00:39:17.980 we willing 00:39:17.980 --> 00:39:18.620 to face 00:39:18.620 --> 00:39:19.039 it for 00:39:19.039 --> 00:39:19.480 Jesus' 00:39:19.700 --> 00:39:20.000 sake. 00:39:22.120 --> 00:39:22.800 Jesus 00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:23.300 will 00:39:23.300 --> 00:39:24.240 suffer it 00:39:24.240 --> 00:39:25.300 for us, 00:39:25.700 --> 00:39:26.580 walking this 00:39:26.580 --> 00:39:27.200 road to 00:39:27.200 --> 00:39:27.680 suffer, 00:39:28.120 --> 00:39:29.019 to die, 00:39:29.539 --> 00:39:30.200 to save 00:39:30.200 --> 00:39:30.780 his people. 00:39:31.880 --> 00:39:32.660 His life is 00:39:32.660 --> 00:39:33.200 one in which 00:39:33.200 --> 00:39:33.860 opposition, 00:39:34.500 --> 00:39:34.900 persecution, 00:39:35.380 --> 00:39:35.680 suffering, 00:39:35.780 --> 00:39:36.300 and ultimately 00:39:36.300 --> 00:39:36.860 death were 00:39:36.860 --> 00:39:37.580 never far 00:39:37.580 --> 00:39:37.900 away. 00:39:39.440 --> 00:39:40.320 The result 00:39:40.320 --> 00:39:40.960 of his 00:39:40.960 --> 00:39:41.760 mission, 00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:42.500 the result 00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:43.039 of his 00:39:43.039 --> 00:39:43.880 sacrifices, 00:39:43.880 --> 00:39:44.599 that we 00:39:44.599 --> 00:39:45.260 receive the 00:39:45.260 --> 00:39:45.659 gift of 00:39:45.659 --> 00:39:46.380 new life, 00:39:46.539 --> 00:39:46.900 an entry 00:39:46.900 --> 00:39:47.519 into God's 00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:47.940 kingdom, 00:39:48.380 --> 00:39:48.619 and the 00:39:48.619 --> 00:39:49.079 guarantee 00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:49.699 of final 00:39:49.699 --> 00:39:50.960 victory and 00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:51.639 glory. 00:39:53.559 --> 00:39:54.480 At the 00:39:54.480 --> 00:39:55.179 same time, 00:39:55.800 --> 00:39:56.699 we identify 00:39:56.699 --> 00:39:58.559 with Jesus, 00:39:59.480 --> 00:40:00.539 being ready 00:40:00.539 --> 00:40:01.880 to suffer. 00:40:03.199 --> 00:40:04.219 For some 00:40:04.219 --> 00:40:04.679 Christians 00:40:04.679 --> 00:40:05.420 today, 00:40:06.380 --> 00:40:06.920 they will 00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:07.300 pay the 00:40:07.300 --> 00:40:07.659 ultimate 00:40:07.659 --> 00:40:08.340 price for 00:40:08.340 --> 00:40:08.780 following 00:40:08.780 --> 00:40:09.280 Jesus, 00:40:10.119 --> 00:40:10.659 but we 00:40:10.659 --> 00:40:10.940 know that 00:40:10.940 --> 00:40:11.619 every follower 00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:12.159 will know 00:40:12.159 --> 00:40:12.819 some 00:40:12.819 --> 00:40:13.639 opposition, 00:40:14.759 --> 00:40:15.619 so will 00:40:15.619 --> 00:40:16.420 we walk 00:40:16.420 --> 00:40:17.259 that road 00:40:17.259 --> 00:40:18.759 day by 00:40:18.759 --> 00:40:19.119 day? 00:40:19.759 --> 00:40:20.199 And how 00:40:20.199 --> 00:40:20.519 do we 00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:20.719 do? 00:40:22.339 --> 00:40:22.779 Or doesn't 00:40:22.779 --> 00:40:23.259 it begin 00:40:23.259 --> 00:40:24.139 by trusting 00:40:24.139 --> 00:40:25.559 in Jesus 00:40:25.559 --> 00:40:27.639 and remembering 00:40:27.639 --> 00:40:28.559 Jesus, 00:40:29.279 --> 00:40:29.980 the one who 00:40:29.980 --> 00:40:30.879 walked this 00:40:30.879 --> 00:40:32.059 road before 00:40:32.059 --> 00:40:32.759 us, 00:40:33.719 --> 00:40:34.579 the one who 00:40:34.579 --> 00:40:35.420 walked this 00:40:35.420 --> 00:40:36.480 road for 00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:37.179 us, 00:40:38.019 --> 00:40:38.440 and the one 00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:38.940 who promises 00:40:38.940 --> 00:40:39.299 that he 00:40:39.299 --> 00:40:40.379 walks that 00:40:40.379 --> 00:40:41.359 road of 00:40:41.359 --> 00:40:41.859 opposition, 00:40:41.860 --> 00:40:42.460 suffering, 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:42.480 and suffering 00:40:42.480 --> 00:40:43.720 with us. 00:40:44.240 --> 00:40:44.800 And so we 00:40:44.800 --> 00:40:45.320 can trust 00:40:45.320 --> 00:40:46.460 him today 00:40:46.460 --> 00:40:47.900 and every 00:40:47.900 --> 00:40:48.180 day. 00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:50.039 Let's pray 00:40:50.039 --> 00:40:50.700 together. 00:40:50.699 --> 00:40:50.799 together.