WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.459 Father, we commend into your hands all who mourn the death, even today and all this week, 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:10.560 all who mourn the death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo. 00:00:11.540 --> 00:00:13.220 We commend them into your hands. 00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:14.960 We commend this city into your hands. 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:16.780 We commend our nation into your hands. 00:00:17.679 --> 00:00:23.400 We ask, Father, that your Holy Spirit would move in the leaders of this nation, 00:00:23.399 --> 00:00:32.119 the leaders of this city, to guide them in seeking the true good of our city and our country in the days ahead. 00:00:32.920 --> 00:00:34.439 And, Father, we ask for us. 00:00:34.939 --> 00:00:35.920 We ask for ourselves. 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:41.899 We ask, Father, that you help us to listen to Jesus, that you help us to listen to what he teaches, 00:00:42.899 --> 00:00:49.399 that you help us, Father, to follow him, make us disciples gripped by the gospel, living for your glory. 00:00:49.399 --> 00:00:53.579 This we ask in Jesus' name, your Son and our Savior. Amen. 00:00:54.079 --> 00:00:55.119 Please be seated. 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:11.379 On Wednesday, a man paying homage at a national shrine died, 00:01:12.819 --> 00:01:17.739 and in a sense, his blood was shed at that national shrine. 00:01:17.739 --> 00:01:23.239 And in a real sense, his blood was mingled with what that shrine honored, 00:01:23.419 --> 00:01:27.739 which was the shed blood of soldiers who had died in our wars. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:35.399 So on Wednesday, in an act that was intended to be political and to strike terror, 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:42.239 a man paying homage died, and his blood was mingled with that place, 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:45.219 which in some ways is a national shrine. 00:01:45.219 --> 00:01:50.480 And many of us would wonder, if we asked Jesus what he thought about it, what would he say? 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:57.000 Believe it or not, in the gospel text, which I just read, 00:01:57.579 --> 00:02:02.060 an almost identical question was put to Jesus 2,000 years ago. 00:02:04.180 --> 00:02:06.019 And that's really funny. 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:08.960 I'm not smart enough to organize these things or even figure it out. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:16.159 I made the decision, in a sense, months ago that we would look at Luke chapter 13 today. 00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:20.819 And in fact, I have to confess, it was only on Thursday that it hit me like a ton of bricks, 00:02:21.080 --> 00:02:23.040 but that's in fact how the text begins. 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:26.700 So it would be a great help to me if you open your Bibles, 00:02:26.980 --> 00:02:32.240 and let's look at what happens when an almost identical question to what I posed 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:35.780 is posed to Jesus about 2,000 years ago. 00:02:36.379 --> 00:02:40.800 So it's Luke chapter 13, and there's always some free Bibles up here at the front. 00:02:40.900 --> 00:02:43.820 If you didn't bring a Bible of your own, or you can just listen to me, I'll read it. 00:02:44.540 --> 00:02:51.460 And let's just see how the questions formed and what it is that Jesus says. 00:02:52.140 --> 00:02:53.340 Luke chapter 13. 00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:57.280 And if you're not that familiar with your Bibles, Luke is sort of around the, 00:02:57.400 --> 00:03:00.460 there you go, you can see where it is in my Bible, that's sort of towards the back. 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:02.500 And here's how it goes. 00:03:03.640 --> 00:03:09.439 There were some present at that very time who told Jesus about the Galileans 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:13.640 whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 00:03:14.480 --> 00:03:15.280 Say it again. 00:03:15.480 --> 00:03:16.480 There were some present. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:18.360 So Jesus is there teaching. 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:22.280 Some people say, Jesus, did you hear what just went on? 00:03:23.340 --> 00:03:29.640 Did you hear about those Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices? 00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:32.159 Now it's said very, very compactly, very shortly. 00:03:32.580 --> 00:03:36.280 You can easily see why at first we don't quite grasp what they've just said. 00:03:36.759 --> 00:03:43.920 But what they've said is that some people had gone from Galilee down to Jerusalem 00:03:43.920 --> 00:03:47.719 to offer sacrifices at a national shrine to pay homage. 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:56.780 And while they were there, Pilate killed them in the holy place, offering their sacrifices. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:08.240 And Pilate did it as an act of terror to quiet the population and bend them to his will. 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:10.199 That's why Pilate did it. 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:11.199 Pilate did it. 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:13.560 So Jesus, did you hear about that? 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:15.319 Just went on in Jerusalem. 00:04:16.939 --> 00:04:27.060 Those Galileans who died paying homage under the hand of a person instilling political terror for political control. 00:04:27.060 --> 00:04:34.139 Now, this is Jesus that we're talking about. 00:04:35.579 --> 00:04:36.579 What did he say? 00:04:37.860 --> 00:04:45.899 And, you know, those of us who are Christ followers, it's one of the things that we have to wrestle with all of the time 00:04:45.899 --> 00:04:55.459 is that when we think, even when there's a really cool question, that Jesus sort of confuses us with his answers 00:04:55.459 --> 00:04:58.839 because he doesn't answer the way we expect him. 00:04:59.159 --> 00:05:04.779 And, you know, we sort of, we've spent the week, you know, maybe you've listened to CFRA, 00:05:04.979 --> 00:05:08.319 maybe you've listened to CBC, you've watched the news, you've read the newspapers, 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:11.899 you've gone to the blogs, you've read the, you know, follow the Twitter feeds, et cetera. 00:05:11.899 --> 00:05:18.659 And so our whole culture and our whole mindset is going in this type of direction as the question is posed. 00:05:19.179 --> 00:05:24.120 And because everything within us is sort of going in this direction as the question is posed, 00:05:24.620 --> 00:05:27.879 we're now waiting to hear what Jesus has said, he's going to say. 00:05:28.099 --> 00:05:30.639 And remember, we're all going in this one direction, right? 00:05:31.739 --> 00:05:35.120 So it's going to puzzle us at first. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:39.419 And in fact, as it starts to sink in what Jesus is saying, it's going to offend some of us. 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:42.439 But it's definitely going to puzzle us and confuse us. 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:43.660 How does Jesus respond? 00:05:44.460 --> 00:05:45.040 Verse 2. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:50.160 And in fact, actually, his response really goes all the way through to verse 21. 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:51.680 Verse 2. 00:05:53.340 --> 00:05:54.259 Jesus answered them, 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:58.520 Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans 00:05:58.520 --> 00:06:00.180 because they suffered in this way? 00:06:02.580 --> 00:06:03.960 We'll talk about that in a moment. 00:06:04.520 --> 00:06:04.840 No. 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:05.860 No. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:07.379 I tell you. 00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:11.680 But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 00:06:13.340 --> 00:06:17.840 Or here Jesus sort of actually ups the ante and talks about another tragedy. 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:22.000 The first one by the hand of a man and soldiers. 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:26.160 The next one, as the insurance agents would say it, is an act of God. 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:29.360 That's how the insurance agents would characterize it. 00:06:29.580 --> 00:06:30.080 Verse 4. 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:34.259 Or those 18 on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:37.719 do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:39.099 No. 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:40.800 I tell you. 00:06:41.419 --> 00:06:46.180 But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 00:06:47.459 --> 00:06:51.599 So what we see, remember, Jesus is different. 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:59.300 Jesus could have talked about national things, political things, cultural things, religious things, 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:02.620 military things, social things, economic things. 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:09.920 We're sort of programmed right now in our culture or deeply influenced our culture to move lockstep with all of these things. 00:07:10.020 --> 00:07:11.060 What do we think about Muslims? 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:12.200 What do we think about ISIL? 00:07:12.340 --> 00:07:13.420 What do we think about security? 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:14.580 What do we think about freedom? 00:07:14.700 --> 00:07:15.600 What do we think about this? 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:16.520 What do we think about that? 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:20.939 The questions asked to Jesus, and Jesus doesn't go any of that way. 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:24.399 By the way, he's not saying necessarily that those are questions that shouldn't be asked. 00:07:24.839 --> 00:07:26.419 It's just not the way he goes. 00:07:27.379 --> 00:07:33.759 Jesus specifically sidesteps, intentionally sidesteps the political, cultural, economic, etc. questions, 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:35.799 and he goes to the heart. 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:39.740 He goes to the center of who we are. 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:45.740 He goes to the assumptions that are deeply embedded in the center of who we are. 00:07:46.519 --> 00:07:48.799 He goes deeply personal. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:51.000 It's interesting. 00:07:51.159 --> 00:07:57.419 One of the, this, you know, I don't know Greek, so what I do in preparation for the sermon 00:07:57.419 --> 00:08:03.819 is part of how I serve you and serve Jesus is by, I spend some time every week in at least one commentary 00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:07.199 that's like an academic level commentary that the Greek is known, 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:10.719 so I can understand what's going on at the Greek level of the text. 00:08:10.779 --> 00:08:12.279 And I also read a couple of other commentaries. 00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:15.219 And one of the commentaries that I've been reading for all of these series is a commentary 00:08:15.219 --> 00:08:19.319 written in around 1870, 1870. 00:08:20.599 --> 00:08:26.899 And the commentator who wrote in 1870, he's quoting a commentary that he thought was very 00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:30.379 wise and insightful that was written like about 150 years earlier. 00:08:30.500 --> 00:08:32.240 That's 150 years earlier. 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:34.000 So that's the early 1700s. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:37.980 And he thought that one of the things which was very insightful about this commentary, 00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:41.759 we're now talking like almost 300 years ago, right? 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:47.980 And he said that human beings are always more willing to talk about the death of others 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:48.860 than their own death. 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:58.600 And the guy writing in 1870 thought that this guy writing in 1710 was very wise and perceptive. 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:01.680 Some things don't change in human nature. 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:06.419 That we're more willing to talk about the death of others than the death of ourself. 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:08.659 So what's going on here? 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:14.779 Well, first of all, and it's not clear whether the hearers specifically thought this about the event, 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:21.299 but nobody here, I'm guessing, thinks that what happened to Corporal Nathan Cirillo 00:09:21.299 --> 00:09:25.500 showed that he had bad karma or was a bad sinner. 00:09:26.339 --> 00:09:30.899 Probably everybody here in this room, like most Canadians today, view him as a hero. 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:39.139 But Jesus isn't so much talking about this particular instance as what goes on in our hearts in general. 00:09:39.139 --> 00:09:43.439 And how many of us in our hearts in general have not, 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:47.740 and maybe you have been very, very blessed and nothing bad has ever happened to you, 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:51.620 but how many of us, when something bad has happened to us, 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:55.980 some tragedy befalls us, some huge setback befalls us, 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:58.819 ask ourselves, what have I done to deserve this? 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:03.299 What have I done to deserve this? 00:10:03.299 --> 00:10:06.059 How many of us worry about the question, 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:09.899 why do bad things happen to good people? 00:10:12.219 --> 00:10:14.699 And Jesus is going at this question, 00:10:15.799 --> 00:10:18.959 that on one hand we have this deep-seated sense, 00:10:19.419 --> 00:10:21.839 oops, can't lose my glasses, that'll make it hard later, 00:10:22.779 --> 00:10:25.419 that we have this deep-seated sense that somehow 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:29.799 there is this connection between tragedy and suffering 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:32.139 and bad actions on our part. 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:34.059 And not only that, 00:10:34.199 --> 00:10:37.559 that Jesus is actually going to do something deeper here with this, 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:41.480 because there's a flip side to this question. 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:44.960 And the flip side is a presumption, 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:46.720 an assumption, 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:49.620 that when things are going well, 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:52.279 when we're blessed beyond belief, 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:56.139 that somehow I deserve it. 00:10:57.419 --> 00:10:58.039 I deserve it. 00:10:58.039 --> 00:10:59.580 Andrew, if you could put up the first point. 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:02.460 Here's what Jesus is saying. 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:04.420 I'll still unpack it a little bit for us. 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:08.920 When Jesus cuts the connection between sin and tragedy, 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:11.940 he also undermines the assumption 00:11:11.940 --> 00:11:15.560 that good things are mine because I deserve them, 00:11:15.780 --> 00:11:17.280 and they are owed to me. 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:21.040 When Jesus cuts the connection between sin and tragedy, 00:11:21.040 --> 00:11:23.040 he also undermines the assumption 00:11:23.040 --> 00:11:26.180 that good things are mine because I deserve them, 00:11:26.179 --> 00:11:27.859 and they are owed to me. 00:11:29.979 --> 00:11:34.279 We Canadians have a deep-seated belief. 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:37.239 It's so deep that we rarely examine it, 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:42.219 that somehow Canada is owed prosperity, 00:11:43.019 --> 00:11:44.419 safety, and security. 00:11:45.219 --> 00:11:47.639 We don't believe in the divine right of kings, 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:51.199 but we do unconsciously believe 00:11:51.199 --> 00:11:53.159 in the divine right of being Canadians. 00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:57.600 And here's the thing. 00:11:57.699 --> 00:11:59.279 There's some immigrants in the room. 00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:03.779 The majority of us were born in this country. 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:06.019 One of the things that struck me, 00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:08.019 a year ago today I was in Nairobi, 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:14.419 and you have unbelievable poverty in Nairobi. 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:17.139 And you know what? 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:20.059 I didn't do anything to organize being born in Canada. 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:23.259 I could have been born in Nairobi. 00:12:24.659 --> 00:12:26.659 I could have been born to that woman 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:28.579 that I saw on the street with a little baby 00:12:28.579 --> 00:12:30.740 that didn't seem to be able to see 00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:31.759 and was missing limbs. 00:12:33.299 --> 00:12:34.919 I could have been that child. 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:37.720 I didn't do anything to deserve being born in Canada. 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:40.639 And we Canadians have a deep-seated, 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:43.100 it's so deep-seated that it's rarely discussed, 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:47.379 a deep-seated complacency and assumption and presumption 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.799 that somehow or another, 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:51.559 it doesn't matter how good or bad politicians are, 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:53.039 how good or bad teachers are, 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:54.659 how good or bad business people are, 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:57.179 that somehow our prosperity is, 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:59.319 it doesn't matter what the union deal is like 00:12:59.319 --> 00:13:00.500 or that the owner is like, 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:03.480 that somehow we are owed prosperity, 00:13:04.059 --> 00:13:05.639 plenty, safety. 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.360 And in a sense, 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:09.679 when bad things happen in other parts of the world, 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:12.220 it's because in some way they deserve it. 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:14.159 They deserve it because of tribalism. 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:16.159 They deserve it because of the way they treat women. 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:17.960 They deserve it because of their corruption. 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:18.819 They deserve it. 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:20.900 And at a very, very deep level, 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:23.300 we, at our hearts, 00:13:23.900 --> 00:13:28.980 believe that there's a connection between tragedy and sin 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:33.460 and those of us who are healthy and prosperous. 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:35.600 It's not just, it's owed us. 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:38.500 We have a divine right to it. 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:45.220 And Jesus, rather than following the national political drift, 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.860 he attacks the heart, 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:50.700 the center of who I am, 00:13:50.920 --> 00:13:53.340 the assumptions underneath how I think. 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:56.680 And it's very, very shocking. 00:13:57.720 --> 00:13:59.160 In fact, it even gets worse. 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:01.660 It gets worse. 00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:04.480 Because what does Jesus say again? 00:14:05.060 --> 00:14:07.200 Do you think that those Galileans were worse sinners 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:09.980 than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:11.580 No, I tell you, but unless you repent, 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:13.019 you will all likewise perish. 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:15.280 And some of us might wonder, 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:17.040 why is Jesus being so mean? 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:20.419 Why is he being so negative and depressing? 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:26.399 I come to church for a moment of quiet and inspiration. 00:14:27.459 --> 00:14:29.719 And frankly, having Jesus tell me 00:14:29.719 --> 00:14:31.719 that I should feel lousy about myself? 00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:35.839 George, no wonder the church in Canada is shrinking. 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:39.899 Well, let's make the matters worse. 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:43.879 Because actually what Jesus is saying is, 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.819 see, the average Canadian, 00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:48.320 if we were to go out after the service 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:50.420 and we were just to start talking to people downtown, 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.900 or maybe you think, 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:53.480 oh, maybe downtown people are different, 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.920 go to Canada, go to Orleans, 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:56.940 and just maybe talk at the coffee shops 00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:59.320 and the soccer fields and other places. 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.900 You might not see too many people out today 00:15:00.900 --> 00:15:03.140 because it's the weather's Ottawa weather 00:15:03.140 --> 00:15:05.840 and therefore in November, October, not very good. 00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:08.920 And the average Canadian, 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:11.280 if you said if you were just to die in 10 minutes, 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:12.960 what's going to happen to you? 00:15:13.020 --> 00:15:14.080 10 minutes, you're going to die. 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.420 What's going to happen to you? 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:18.360 And most Canadians would say one of two things. 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:19.900 I just cease to exist 00:15:19.900 --> 00:15:23.600 or I go to a better place. 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:28.000 That's what most Canadians would say. 00:15:29.900 --> 00:15:34.940 And so at a very, very deeply level of the heart, 00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:37.020 in a sense, we would say 00:15:37.020 --> 00:15:39.560 that if there is some type of God that does exist 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:42.839 and as if there's a final exam that's needed 00:15:42.839 --> 00:15:45.139 to get into heaven, 00:15:47.219 --> 00:15:49.339 some of us, most of us, because we're Canadian, 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:51.039 very few of us, I mean, inwardly, 00:15:51.099 --> 00:15:52.819 we might think we're worth at least an A, 00:15:53.479 --> 00:15:55.099 but we'd probably, because we're Canadians, 00:15:55.099 --> 00:15:56.359 not say that we'd get an A, 00:15:56.419 --> 00:15:58.439 but we'd probably say we got a B or a B minus, 00:15:58.679 --> 00:16:01.019 and maybe a couple of us have been a bit depressed, 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:02.159 and we might say, well, you know, 00:16:02.199 --> 00:16:04.279 right now I think I might be getting a D minus, 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:06.579 but if I could just live another four months, 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:09.000 I'll get my mark up to a B. 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:13.799 But Jesus says that apart from him, 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:15.360 I'm going to sort of get to that, 00:16:15.579 --> 00:16:17.539 but Jesus is saying that in and of ourselves, 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.600 and he's saying this to George, 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:21.620 and he's saying this to each of us, 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:25.919 that we stand before God with an F, 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:30.179 and that if he gives us four more months, 00:16:31.579 --> 00:16:31.899 F, 00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:34.500 gives us 40 years, 00:16:36.599 --> 00:16:36.959 F. 00:16:38.479 --> 00:16:40.459 In fact, if you could put this up, Andrew, 00:16:41.099 --> 00:16:44.419 the Bible later on captures what Jesus is saying here 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:46.719 in Luke 13 and puts it in a very pithy way, 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:49.000 which is this, 00:16:49.219 --> 00:16:51.419 the Bible captures the message of Jesus, 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:55.480 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:16:56.579 --> 00:16:59.299 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:16:59.319 --> 00:17:01.279 That's what Jesus means when he says twice, 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:02.799 no, I tell you, unless you repent, 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.460 you will all likewise perish. 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:10.180 So what on earth is going on here? 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:13.680 What on earth is going on? 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:21.240 Jesus continues to sort of burrow into the heart. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:24.220 He continues to burrow into the heart 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:26.819 by the very, very next story that he tells. 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:29.079 And at first glance, 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.779 he actually makes it worse. 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.599 For us Canadians, 00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:35.640 with our assumption of our mark 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:37.400 and our assumption that our prosperity 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:38.940 is somehow a divine right, 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:42.859 and we come to church listening to all of the commentary 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:45.359 of our neighborhoods and the papers in the media, 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:48.699 and we hope that maybe Jesus starts to qualify this 00:17:48.699 --> 00:17:49.299 in a helpful way. 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.359 He's going to in a moment, 00:17:50.479 --> 00:17:52.279 but first he actually continues 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.979 to burrow deeper into our heart, 00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:56.000 to go even deeper, 00:17:56.179 --> 00:17:58.679 even if we understand this idea of more work, 00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.619 that somehow or another, 00:17:59.719 --> 00:18:00.759 how that relates to God. 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:02.839 And he does it in the very next parable, 00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:04.019 verse six. 00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:06.439 And Jesus told the parable, 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:08.779 a man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:10.519 and he came seeking fruit on it, 00:18:10.619 --> 00:18:11.440 and he found none. 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:14.779 And the owner of the vineyard said to the vine dresser, 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:15.940 look, for three years now, 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:17.740 I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, 00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:19.279 and I find none. 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.059 Cut it down. 00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:21.299 Why should it use up the ground? 00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:24.139 And the vine dresser answered him, 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:26.119 sir, let it alone this year also. 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:27.980 Let it alone until I dig around it, 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.440 loosen the soil, 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.779 put on manure. 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:33.339 Then if it should bear fruit next year, 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:33.879 well and good. 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:35.619 But if not, you can cut it down. 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:40.899 And this actually sounds like a little bit worse. 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:44.819 I was just talking to somebody a week or two ago, 00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:48.299 and they talked about a person who they just discovered 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:50.919 had used to be very deeply involved in Christianity. 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:54.779 And he just read a speech by her, 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.659 a talk by her, 00:18:55.739 --> 00:18:58.659 and she's now become a very anti-Christian. 00:18:59.419 --> 00:19:01.299 And one of the things that she does 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:03.759 is she just documents time and time and time again 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:06.099 how Jesus and the God of the Bible are abusive. 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:09.059 And at first glance, 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:11.319 what Jesus says would be prime evidence 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:13.539 that God is an abusive God. 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.319 Why do I say that? 00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:21.440 If we were to come across a dad or a mom, 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:26.180 and they have kids in grade one through high school, 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:27.299 and the mom and the dad, 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:29.440 if the kids don't get A's, 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:31.799 are mad and angry at them, 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:33.399 we would say that's abusive. 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:39.700 If one of us came and said that we grew up in a family 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:41.159 where unless we got A's, 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:44.220 our moms and dads would be mad at us, 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:46.639 not give us attention, 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.539 we would say, 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:50.119 yeah, you need counseling and therapy 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:51.720 because your parents were abusive. 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:54.779 Is that what Jesus is saying here? 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.619 You know, look at this. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:57.059 You know, the parable is about, 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.299 look at this, this free tree. 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.079 It's not fruitful. 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:00.899 It's not doing particularly well. 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:03.240 You know, I've given it all sorts of attention. 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:05.180 Just cut it down and get rid of it. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:06.220 Just cut it down. 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:07.300 Just cut it down. 00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:12.519 Is this Jesus saying that God is expecting us 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:14.780 that the problem is, 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.540 in my mind, 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:19.660 if I had to die in 10 minutes, 00:20:19.820 --> 00:20:21.120 and I appear before God, 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:23.220 and I've worked out an A in my life 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.800 that I didn't realize that God 00:20:24.800 --> 00:20:27.060 has way higher standards than that, 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:29.619 and so I'm actually got an F, 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:33.019 and, you know, frankly, 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:34.299 many of us would say, 00:20:34.399 --> 00:20:35.879 like, I don't know what his standards are. 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:37.759 Like, that seems a little bit unjust and cruel, 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:39.000 and why doesn't he give me a break? 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:40.519 Like, my teacher gives me a break. 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:42.339 Like, my mom gives me a break. 00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:44.859 Like, why doesn't God give me a break? 00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:46.139 Why doesn't Jesus give me a break? 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:48.059 Isn't that like an abusive type of way 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.859 of relating to us? 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:50.980 Isn't Jesus' teaching abusive? 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:54.660 And that's how we can hear it. 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:58.640 See, what Jesus is doing 00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:06.400 is he's deepening in at our heart 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:08.200 if we just let him listen. 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:10.420 Here's a thing for us to say 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:12.120 before we read the very next thing. 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:15.339 If there's one thing that you get out of the sermon today, 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:17.240 part of it would have to be this. 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:20.019 Jesus says all of these things 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:21.859 on his way to Jerusalem to die. 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:25.680 And every time that Jesus talks about 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:28.120 one of these things on his way to Jerusalem to die, 00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:31.160 one of the people who's listening is Judas, 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.240 who will betray him. 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:37.940 That, in fact, not only does Jesus show 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:41.200 extraordinary patience and compassion to Judas, 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:43.039 who he knows will betray him, 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:46.099 not only does he have, in a sense, a deep hope, 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:48.839 that that will not be Judas' fate, 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:51.799 that Jesus is going to Jerusalem to die. 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:54.039 Here's the thing, if you could put it up, Andrew. 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:58.019 At the deepest, truest level possible, 00:21:59.059 --> 00:22:01.159 Jesus is for you. 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:05.599 His same shock, 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:08.519 they're not what we expect, 00:22:08.959 --> 00:22:10.459 and at first glance, 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:12.439 because they offend our pride, 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:14.680 and for many of us, 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:16.340 my pride is myself. 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:19.420 When he offends my pride, 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.440 he offends me. 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.059 But on one hand, 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:23.200 Jesus is warning us 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.160 of on one hand, 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.880 the dire straits that we're in. 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:27.620 On the other hand, 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:29.759 he's letting us begin to understand 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:32.320 that we are more wildly, 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.440 deeply, 00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:34.880 unbelievably, 00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:36.440 unimaginably loved. 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:42.680 Because Jesus is for you. 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:45.500 And nothing he says 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:47.080 can be understood 00:22:47.080 --> 00:22:48.840 if you don't understand 00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:51.620 that he is for you, 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:55.600 and will die for you, 00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:59.160 and will endure the equivalent of hell 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:01.279 for you, 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:03.000 and for me. 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:05.720 So how does Jesus begin 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.519 to turn the corner? 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:09.480 He does it with a miracle. 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.579 And everything in the miracle 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:12.319 is significant. 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:13.200 Verse 10. 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:15.420 Now Jesus was teaching 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:17.720 in one of the synagogues 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.299 on the Sabbath. 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.440 He's up there teaching. 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.420 Sort of imagine 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.380 this sitting here. 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:23.460 The ruler of the synagogue is, 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.980 I don't want to point 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.740 where anybody's sitting. 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:27.539 The ruler of the synagogue 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.839 is sitting right here. 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.579 This was like an Anglican church. 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.859 The bishop's throne 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.839 is right here. 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.319 Okay? 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:35.680 And the ruler of the synagogue 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.940 is on the bishop's throne. 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.900 Jesus is up here teaching. 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:43.519 And so Jesus was teaching 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.259 one of the synagogues 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:44.720 on the Sabbath. 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.539 And there was a woman 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:47.279 who had a disabling spirit. 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.500 I'm not going to talk 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.299 much about it today, 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.339 but yes, 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:53.200 this text is saying 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.920 that demons 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:55.619 can affect us physically. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.940 That demons exist 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:58.220 and they can affect us physically. 00:23:58.220 --> 00:24:00.720 And what's going to happen 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:02.200 is both an exorcism 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:04.640 and a miracle of healing 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.400 at the same time. 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.160 But I'm not going to actually 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:07.160 talk about this much 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:07.660 because it's, 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.860 we'll talk about some of this stuff 00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:10.600 in a couple of weeks. 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:12.000 So, 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.079 there was a woman 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:14.539 who had a disabling spirit 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.319 for 18 years. 00:24:15.419 --> 00:24:16.179 She was bent over 00:24:16.179 --> 00:24:16.939 and could not fully 00:24:16.939 --> 00:24:17.619 straighten herself. 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.899 When Jesus saw her, 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.179 he called her over 00:24:20.179 --> 00:24:20.919 and said to her, 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.219 woman, 00:24:21.699 --> 00:24:22.299 you are freed 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:23.219 from your disability. 00:24:23.699 --> 00:24:25.139 And Jesus laid his hands 00:24:25.139 --> 00:24:25.480 on her 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.099 and immediately 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.159 she was made straight 00:24:27.159 --> 00:24:28.279 and she glorified God. 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:29.539 but the ruler of the synagogue, 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:31.119 deeply indignant 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:32.500 because Jesus had healed 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.099 on the Sabbath, 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.200 said to the people, 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.099 there are six days 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.279 in which work ought to be done. 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:37.440 Come on those days 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.019 and be healed 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:39.660 and not on the Sabbath day. 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:40.960 So, 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:42.220 just so you understand, 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:44.000 so Jesus is teaching 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:48.440 and in the original language, 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.359 they use a, 00:24:49.639 --> 00:24:49.960 and in fact, 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.879 in some of the academic 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:51.819 and other commentaries, 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:52.399 they talk about 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.379 what the medical condition 00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:53.759 could be. 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.779 But what you can imagine 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:57.039 is that Jesus is up here teaching 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.619 and maybe, 00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:59.180 and a woman comes in 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:01.480 and this is how she is. 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:09.879 And for 18 years, 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.460 this is how she's lived her life. 00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:14.099 She sleeps like this. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.460 She somehow sits like this. 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.359 She walks like this. 00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:20.259 She washes herself like this. 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:22.180 She dresses herself like this. 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.639 She has conversations 00:25:23.639 --> 00:25:24.899 with people like this. 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:26.860 And this has not been 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:27.780 how she was born. 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.880 But for 18 years, 00:25:30.360 --> 00:25:31.759 this is how she lives. 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:37.040 And she would be known 00:25:37.040 --> 00:25:38.740 to the synagogue 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:40.880 because when you live like this 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:41.740 for 18 years, 00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:43.200 you don't go on long trips. 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:46.820 She's a local. 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.600 And Jesus sees her. 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:54.879 He says what he's going to do. 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.679 He puts his hand on her. 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.619 He calls her up. 00:25:58.779 --> 00:26:00.279 So we wouldn't be on a stage. 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.019 It'd be all one level. 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:03.219 And he puts his hand on her back 00:26:03.219 --> 00:26:04.039 or her head. 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:04.659 It doesn't say where, 00:26:04.719 --> 00:26:05.659 but he puts his hand on her. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.219 Makes it very, very clear 00:26:08.219 --> 00:26:09.159 this isn't just going to be 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:09.759 a coincidence. 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.399 And he just says, 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:12.859 you're free, 00:26:12.959 --> 00:26:13.519 which means now 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:15.419 the demon has been cast out. 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:17.619 And whatever physiological problems 00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:18.939 there is in that person's body, 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:20.840 after 18 years of this, 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:23.380 it's an unbelievable miracle 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:24.920 of destruction and creation 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:26.299 and unbelievable health. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:28.580 And she goes from this 00:26:28.580 --> 00:26:30.480 to going like this. 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.799 And the first thing 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.680 that bursts from her mouth 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.640 is praising God. 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.900 The first thing that comes out, 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.700 praise you, God. 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:45.080 The ruler of the synagogue 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:46.539 is sitting in the bishop's chair. 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.360 Sorry, Charlie. 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.519 That's my bishop. 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.360 He wouldn't do it. 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:51.620 Okay. 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:54.140 But George is sitting here 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:54.940 in the bishop's chair. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.960 This is a guest speaker 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.660 who's come in. 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.539 And George gets up. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.759 And this is how it goes 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.299 in the text. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.900 And he'd stand in front of Jesus. 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:04.019 He doesn't talk to Jesus. 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:05.559 He has his back to Jesus. 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.779 He talks to the congregation. 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:08.720 He says, 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.400 okay, folks, 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.480 I want you to understand 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.340 what's just happened. 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.640 What this guest speaker did 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.160 is wrong. 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:17.060 We all know how important 00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:17.900 the Sabbath is. 00:27:18.080 --> 00:27:19.300 We all know how central 00:27:19.300 --> 00:27:20.240 it is to our identity. 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:23.160 And we all know 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:24.080 that on the Sabbath 00:27:24.080 --> 00:27:24.820 you don't work. 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.140 And this guy, 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.480 he just worked 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.779 in front of all of us. 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:30.620 It's an unbelievable offense 00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:32.120 that he would do this. 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:32.940 You know what? 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:34.980 Old Irma, 00:27:35.060 --> 00:27:36.019 or whatever her name is, 00:27:36.360 --> 00:27:37.779 he could have healed her yesterday. 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:39.180 He could heal her tomorrow. 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:40.180 He could have worked 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:41.500 any day of the week. 00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:43.259 He did this on purpose. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.799 It's deeply offensive. 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.720 It's work. 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.920 You've got to understand 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.819 that what he just did 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.420 was wrong. 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.019 That's what happens. 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.680 And the man doesn't say it 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.259 to Jesus. 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.880 He, in a sense, 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.319 puts himself between Jesus 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.140 and the congregation. 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.279 He addresses the people. 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.140 Now, we've already seen 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:01.799 that Jesus is very surprising. 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:04.599 And he obviously hasn't read 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:05.960 the book Getting to Yes. 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:08.440 And he hasn't read 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.279 Dale Carnegie's 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.039 How to Win Friends 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.200 and Influence People. 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.380 And somehow, 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:14.039 he's missed all of that literature. 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:16.220 And how does Jesus respond? 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.819 He says, 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:19.200 verse 15, 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:21.180 You hypocrites, 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:24.240 does not each of you 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.839 on the Sabbath 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.779 untie his ox 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.359 or his donkey 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.039 from the manger 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:27.720 and lead it away 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.400 to water it? 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.819 And ought not this woman, 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.460 a daughter of Abraham, 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.799 whom Satan bound 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.779 for 18 years, 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:34.420 be loosed 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:35.539 from this bond 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:37.480 on the Sabbath day? 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:40.839 On the Sabbath day. 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:45.599 So, 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:49.960 what's going on 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:51.539 here in this particular 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:53.180 story? 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.859 The first thing is, 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:57.400 and this has really 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:57.900 been striking, 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.680 this is the first time 00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.180 I've said anything 00:28:59.180 --> 00:29:00.500 about it this fall, 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.440 but it's really struck me 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:01.880 this fall, 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.799 reading the gospel, 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:04.500 that one of the perceptions 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.519 that people outside 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.339 of churches have 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:07.019 about Christians 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:08.700 is that Christians 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:09.539 spend their time 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:11.440 railing at the ungodly. 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:12.359 Okay? 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.759 And if you're 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:15.299 in a more left-wing church, 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.460 you rail against 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:18.039 the ungodly conservatives, 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.920 the ungodly capitalists, 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:21.819 the ungodly business leaders, 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.960 and you rail against them. 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:26.059 And if you're in a more 00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:28.340 right-wing evangelical church, 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:29.900 you rail against 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:31.160 those homosexuals, 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:32.319 and you rail against 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:32.920 the bars, 00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:34.319 and you rail against 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.319 those businesses 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.319 open on Sunday, 00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:37.960 and you rail against 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:39.440 those people cheating 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.180 on their husbands 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:40.900 and their wives, 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:42.360 and you rail against them. 00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.720 And the perception 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:45.180 outside is that Jesus 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.279 and Christians, 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.519 and therefore must be Jesus, 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.819 are always railing 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.779 at people who are 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.920 outside of the church. 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:51.900 You know the thing 00:29:51.900 --> 00:29:52.880 which is really striking 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:53.940 if you read the Gospels? 00:29:54.060 --> 00:29:54.300 It's really, 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:54.920 it's the first time. 00:29:55.280 --> 00:29:56.240 I've almost said it 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:56.820 every week. 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.980 Jesus virtually never 00:29:58.980 --> 00:30:00.860 talks about those people. 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.780 He spends his time 00:30:04.780 --> 00:30:05.860 going after religious 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:07.200 and spiritual types 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:07.780 primarily. 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.400 Like right now. 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.800 Jesus doesn't get up 00:30:13.800 --> 00:30:14.660 to the synagogue leader 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:14.900 and say, 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.660 let me tell you 00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:17.040 about those homosexuals 00:30:17.040 --> 00:30:18.360 and people who own bars, 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:20.220 or let me tell you 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:21.820 about those Harper conservatives 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:23.059 and their agenda. 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:25.919 Okay? 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.879 I want to get back 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:28.059 in your good books, folks. 00:30:28.179 --> 00:30:29.379 This is a left-wing congregation. 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.740 Those Harperites, 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.960 people from Alberta, 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:35.399 you know, 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.799 or if it's a right-wing 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.700 type of synagogue, 00:30:37.919 --> 00:30:38.299 he says, 00:30:38.399 --> 00:30:38.819 yeah, yeah, 00:30:38.919 --> 00:30:40.139 those gays, 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:40.559 those, 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:41.599 boy, 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:43.059 am I ever angry at them. 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.679 Jesus goes after 00:30:44.679 --> 00:30:46.279 the ruler of the synagogue. 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.859 He goes after the guy 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:49.139 in the bishop's seat. 00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:52.580 And in fact, 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.540 in the gospels, 00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:55.080 Jesus spends vastly 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:56.259 more time critiquing 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.700 the religious 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.380 and the spiritual. 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.160 One of the other things 00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:58.420 he does, 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:58.880 by the way, 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.560 and this is the shocking thing, 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.520 another sermon, 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:03.360 is that we're all religious 00:31:03.360 --> 00:31:04.380 and we're all spiritual 00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:06.560 because we all worship 00:31:06.560 --> 00:31:07.780 and we all follow idols. 00:31:08.540 --> 00:31:09.780 But that's a separate sermon. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.780 Just throw that in. 00:31:12.320 --> 00:31:13.040 Here's the thing. 00:31:13.300 --> 00:31:14.340 Some of us might say, 00:31:14.560 --> 00:31:14.759 okay, 00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:14.940 well, 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.120 you know, 00:31:15.120 --> 00:31:16.380 we would never do that. 00:31:16.380 --> 00:31:17.100 But, 00:31:17.800 --> 00:31:18.140 okay, 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.760 now I'm going to maybe 00:31:18.760 --> 00:31:19.640 offend some people. 00:31:20.120 --> 00:31:20.920 G.K. Chesterton, 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.320 go ahead, 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:21.500 yeah, 00:31:21.820 --> 00:31:22.680 G.K. Chesterton 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:24.520 famously said 00:31:24.520 --> 00:31:26.360 that Christians believe 00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:27.020 in miracles 00:31:27.020 --> 00:31:28.300 because of evidence 00:31:28.300 --> 00:31:31.100 and secularists 00:31:31.100 --> 00:31:32.140 don't believe 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:32.900 in miracles 00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:34.580 because of dogma. 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.580 Chesterton was famous 00:31:37.580 --> 00:31:38.600 for shocking 00:31:38.600 --> 00:31:40.000 inversion statements 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.700 like that. 00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:42.840 Many people will say, 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:43.100 oh, yeah, 00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:43.980 you believe in the Bible 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.600 and the miracles 00:31:44.600 --> 00:31:45.720 and all because of dogma. 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:45.839 Well, 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.700 Chesterton says, 00:31:48.120 --> 00:31:48.779 Christians believe 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.240 in miracles 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.299 because of evidence. 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.579 Seculars don't believe 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:54.059 in miracles 00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:55.039 because of dogma. 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:55.900 So, 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:57.680 how do we extend this beyond? 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.240 On one hand, 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.900 it's a critique 00:31:58.900 --> 00:31:59.660 of the religious guy, 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.339 but you know what, 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:00.799 for a second, 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:02.259 it's a critique of us 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.900 for a second. 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.180 Like, 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:05.740 why are some of us 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.680 bothered by this 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.440 for all have sinned 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:07.920 and fall short 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:09.140 of the glory of God? 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:09.700 Why is it? 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:11.420 Because we want to stand 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.120 in front of Jesus 00:32:12.120 --> 00:32:12.559 and say, 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.720 true religion 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:15.100 tells us we're good. 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:17.460 This guy has just 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.720 done something wrong. 00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:20.759 True religion 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:22.079 tells us that we're good. 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.039 Where we stand in front, 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.100 true religion 00:32:25.100 --> 00:32:26.420 doesn't talk about demons. 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:28.579 Where we step in front 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.120 and we say, 00:32:29.120 --> 00:32:30.000 true religion 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.740 is mystical. 00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:32.940 Where we step in front 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:33.299 and say, 00:32:33.620 --> 00:32:34.259 true religion 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:35.480 doesn't have any miracles 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:35.960 in it. 00:32:36.600 --> 00:32:37.839 Where we step in front 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.420 and we say, 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.140 true religion 00:32:39.140 --> 00:32:40.100 is equally open 00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:41.240 to every human being. 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:43.079 Where we step in front 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:43.559 of Jesus 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.319 and we say, 00:32:44.419 --> 00:32:44.799 whatever. 00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:51.939 We step in front 00:32:51.939 --> 00:32:52.339 of Jesus 00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:53.299 and tell him off. 00:32:57.179 --> 00:32:57.980 He's addressing 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:59.039 a human problem. 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:01.980 He's addressing 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:03.000 the problems 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.799 in our culture 00:33:03.799 --> 00:33:04.460 where we have 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.359 expectations 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:06.519 of what it is 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.720 that Jesus will be like 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.559 and the gospel 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.259 will be like 00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:09.980 and the good news 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.619 will be like. 00:33:10.619 --> 00:33:12.159 And when it doesn't fit 00:33:12.159 --> 00:33:13.939 our criteria, 00:33:14.439 --> 00:33:16.079 our rules, 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:19.439 we tell Jesus 00:33:19.439 --> 00:33:20.019 he's wrong. 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.959 Here's the thing 00:33:27.959 --> 00:33:28.439 that the other, 00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:29.339 that the thing 00:33:29.339 --> 00:33:30.639 is now trying 00:33:30.639 --> 00:33:31.299 to get us to see 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:31.779 if we're now 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.599 willing to listen. 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.699 If you could put it up, 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:33.979 Andrew. 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.579 We know that 00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:37.459 Jesus Christ 00:33:37.459 --> 00:33:38.219 crucified 00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:39.380 is the power 00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:41.140 from God. 00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:42.579 Not that, 00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:44.140 as if it's impersonal, 00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:45.880 but Jesus Christ 00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:46.539 is the power 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:47.120 from God 00:33:47.120 --> 00:33:47.720 who, 00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:49.539 this, 00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:51.480 who frees us, 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.519 heals us, 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.460 makes us stand 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:56.059 upright, 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.539 and releases 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:58.339 praise 00:33:58.339 --> 00:34:00.420 from God. 00:34:01.259 --> 00:34:02.360 Praise for God 00:34:02.360 --> 00:34:03.200 from us. 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:04.079 That's what it should say. 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:05.440 Releases praise 00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:06.440 for God 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:07.579 from us. 00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:09.879 That's, 00:34:10.959 --> 00:34:11.099 okay, 00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:12.199 how did it begin? 00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.439 Unless you also 00:34:14.439 --> 00:34:15.459 likewise repent, 00:34:15.879 --> 00:34:16.579 you will likewise 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.839 perish for all 00:34:17.839 --> 00:34:18.159 of sin 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:18.699 and fall short 00:34:18.699 --> 00:34:19.119 of the glory 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:19.579 of God. 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:20.819 This idea 00:34:20.819 --> 00:34:21.299 that somehow 00:34:21.299 --> 00:34:22.159 our prosperity 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:23.000 is due to us, 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.659 this idea 00:34:23.659 --> 00:34:24.039 somehow 00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:25.000 that our fruitfulness 00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:26.059 and what we accomplish 00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.659 will somehow 00:34:26.659 --> 00:34:27.779 equate with salvation 00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:28.480 or guarantees 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:29.219 our salvation, 00:34:29.739 --> 00:34:30.339 and Jesus 00:34:30.339 --> 00:34:31.079 is wanting to say 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:32.000 that George, 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:32.739 even if you live 00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:33.939 to be 107 00:34:33.939 --> 00:34:34.639 and you're 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:35.359 an unbelievably 00:34:35.359 --> 00:34:35.919 good man 00:34:35.919 --> 00:34:36.379 in the eyes 00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:36.820 of the world, 00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.360 it will still 00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:38.260 add up to enough. 00:34:38.640 --> 00:34:39.400 What the Bible 00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:40.220 is trying to get us 00:34:40.220 --> 00:34:40.860 to understand 00:34:40.860 --> 00:34:41.900 is that we are 00:34:41.900 --> 00:34:43.119 separate, 00:34:43.360 --> 00:34:44.140 apart from God, 00:34:44.180 --> 00:34:44.720 and that we cannot 00:34:44.720 --> 00:34:46.039 fix that ourselves, 00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:47.180 and that what God 00:34:47.180 --> 00:34:48.039 does in the person 00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:48.599 of Jesus 00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:49.840 is that Jesus, 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:50.980 as he dies upon 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.500 the cross, 00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.340 is a power 00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:53.099 of God, 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.200 a power that 00:34:54.200 --> 00:34:55.380 comes from God 00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:56.059 that does 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:57.180 what we cannot 00:34:57.180 --> 00:34:57.780 do, 00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:58.640 and it's offered 00:34:58.640 --> 00:34:59.200 for us. 00:34:59.199 --> 00:35:00.000 And what 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:00.679 does that 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.559 power do? 00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:03.819 It frees me. 00:35:04.359 --> 00:35:05.419 It delivers me 00:35:05.419 --> 00:35:06.179 from demonic 00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:06.899 bondage. 00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:08.139 It delivers me 00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:08.960 into health 00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:10.019 and wholeness. 00:35:10.279 --> 00:35:11.339 It causes me 00:35:11.339 --> 00:35:12.179 to no longer 00:35:12.179 --> 00:35:12.859 be fallen 00:35:12.859 --> 00:35:13.500 and bent, 00:35:13.739 --> 00:35:14.719 but to stand 00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:15.299 upright 00:35:15.299 --> 00:35:16.439 and releases 00:35:16.439 --> 00:35:17.599 from me praise. 00:35:17.939 --> 00:35:18.599 And that's 00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:19.199 what Jesus 00:35:19.199 --> 00:35:19.799 does. 00:35:19.919 --> 00:35:20.899 It's a visible 00:35:20.899 --> 00:35:22.500 enacting 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.339 of what 00:35:23.339 --> 00:35:24.019 it will be, 00:35:24.179 --> 00:35:25.399 what he accomplishes 00:35:25.399 --> 00:35:25.899 for us 00:35:25.899 --> 00:35:26.699 on the cross. 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.699 He's walking 00:35:27.699 --> 00:35:28.460 to Jerusalem, 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:29.380 and what 00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:29.780 he will 00:35:29.780 --> 00:35:30.320 accomplish 00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:31.159 for us 00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:32.019 on the cross 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:33.199 is visibly 00:35:33.199 --> 00:35:33.940 enacted 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:34.659 in front 00:35:34.659 --> 00:35:35.559 of the eyes 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:36.599 of the congregation. 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:37.440 The woman 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:38.159 does nothing. 00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:38.619 The woman 00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:39.220 is helpless. 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:39.659 The woman 00:35:39.659 --> 00:35:40.539 cannot change 00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:40.980 herself. 00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:42.059 Jesus 00:35:42.059 --> 00:35:44.559 grants her 00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:44.960 freedom. 00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:46.139 Jesus 00:35:46.139 --> 00:35:47.940 destroys the 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:48.539 things within 00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:49.500 her that 00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:49.940 would keep 00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:50.380 her bound 00:35:50.380 --> 00:35:50.860 even after 00:35:50.860 --> 00:35:51.300 the demon 00:35:51.300 --> 00:35:51.679 is out. 00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:52.260 Jesus 00:35:52.260 --> 00:35:53.300 creates 00:35:53.300 --> 00:35:54.119 within her 00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:55.280 new bones 00:35:55.280 --> 00:35:55.940 and new 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.500 sinews 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.039 and new 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:57.720 tendons. 00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.000 Jesus 00:35:59.000 --> 00:36:01.199 does all 00:36:01.199 --> 00:36:01.659 of this 00:36:01.659 --> 00:36:02.579 purely by 00:36:02.579 --> 00:36:03.239 his power. 00:36:03.359 --> 00:36:03.799 The woman 00:36:03.799 --> 00:36:04.719 adds nothing 00:36:04.719 --> 00:36:06.199 and that 00:36:06.199 --> 00:36:07.139 power of 00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:07.539 God 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.459 coming upon 00:36:08.459 --> 00:36:08.759 her 00:36:08.759 --> 00:36:09.399 releases 00:36:09.399 --> 00:36:10.699 praise. 00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:13.019 Remember 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:13.599 what I say 00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:14.439 almost every 00:36:14.439 --> 00:36:15.019 week from 00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:15.579 Spurgeon. 00:36:16.419 --> 00:36:16.879 The Christian 00:36:16.879 --> 00:36:17.539 faith is 00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:18.239 one beggar 00:36:18.239 --> 00:36:19.439 telling another 00:36:19.439 --> 00:36:19.899 beggar 00:36:19.899 --> 00:36:20.759 where to 00:36:20.759 --> 00:36:21.279 find free 00:36:21.279 --> 00:36:21.539 bread. 00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:25.460 Jesus 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:25.840 Christ 00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:26.400 crucified 00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:26.940 is the 00:36:26.940 --> 00:36:27.400 power 00:36:27.400 --> 00:36:28.500 from God 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:29.279 who frees 00:36:29.279 --> 00:36:29.639 us, 00:36:30.119 --> 00:36:30.400 heals 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:30.779 us, 00:36:31.239 --> 00:36:31.679 makes us 00:36:31.679 --> 00:36:32.000 stand 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:32.460 upright 00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:33.460 and releases 00:36:33.460 --> 00:36:34.599 praise for 00:36:34.599 --> 00:36:35.239 God from 00:36:35.239 --> 00:36:36.739 us when 00:36:36.739 --> 00:36:37.320 we receive 00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:37.559 it. 00:36:39.880 --> 00:36:40.380 Let's just 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:41.320 sort of wrap 00:36:41.320 --> 00:36:41.759 it up over 00:36:41.759 --> 00:36:42.099 the next 00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:42.500 couple of 00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:42.820 minutes to 00:36:42.820 --> 00:36:43.199 sort of try 00:36:43.199 --> 00:36:43.699 to put some 00:36:43.699 --> 00:36:43.920 of these 00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:44.460 other pieces 00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:44.739 in the 00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:45.059 passage 00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:45.599 together. 00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.360 What's 00:36:46.360 --> 00:36:47.000 going on 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:47.440 about that 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:47.960 fruit tree? 00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:49.119 Here's what's 00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:49.420 going on. 00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:49.619 If you 00:36:49.619 --> 00:36:49.880 could put 00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:50.119 it up 00:36:50.119 --> 00:36:50.440 Andrew, 00:36:52.200 --> 00:36:53.500 fruitfulness 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:54.840 follows 00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:55.880 conversion. 00:36:57.860 --> 00:36:58.539 Fruitfulness 00:36:58.539 --> 00:36:59.700 does not 00:36:59.700 --> 00:37:00.280 create 00:37:00.280 --> 00:37:01.000 conversion 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:02.500 or equate 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:02.820 with 00:37:02.820 --> 00:37:03.440 conversion. 00:37:04.860 --> 00:37:05.559 Faithfulness 00:37:05.559 --> 00:37:06.400 comes from 00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:07.320 receiving the 00:37:07.320 --> 00:37:07.820 gospel, 00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:08.880 first receiving 00:37:08.880 --> 00:37:09.460 the gospel 00:37:09.460 --> 00:37:10.119 and then 00:37:10.119 --> 00:37:11.079 being gripped 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:11.659 by the 00:37:11.659 --> 00:37:12.039 gospel. 00:37:13.260 --> 00:37:13.519 See, 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:14.139 the common 00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:15.000 human problem 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:15.800 is I want 00:37:15.800 --> 00:37:16.440 my good 00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:17.240 acts 00:37:17.240 --> 00:37:18.880 or the 00:37:18.880 --> 00:37:19.320 fact that 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:19.559 I'm 00:37:19.559 --> 00:37:20.039 Canadian 00:37:20.039 --> 00:37:20.500 and therefore 00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:20.740 I don't 00:37:20.740 --> 00:37:21.059 have to 00:37:21.059 --> 00:37:21.300 do as 00:37:21.300 --> 00:37:21.420 many 00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:21.640 good 00:37:21.640 --> 00:37:21.860 acts 00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:22.140 because 00:37:22.140 --> 00:37:22.300 I'm 00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:22.720 Canadian. 00:37:25.160 --> 00:37:25.600 You know, 00:37:25.700 --> 00:37:25.800 I'm 00:37:25.800 --> 00:37:26.019 a, 00:37:26.140 --> 00:37:28.260 you know, 00:37:28.340 --> 00:37:28.559 you can 00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:28.880 fill in 00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:29.240 the blank. 00:37:30.220 --> 00:37:30.860 I'm a 00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.180 gay 00:37:31.180 --> 00:37:31.559 Canadian, 00:37:31.760 --> 00:37:31.980 I don't 00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:32.260 have to 00:37:32.260 --> 00:37:32.360 do 00:37:32.360 --> 00:37:32.480 as 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:32.640 many 00:37:32.640 --> 00:37:32.840 good 00:37:32.840 --> 00:37:33.180 acts. 00:37:33.280 --> 00:37:33.480 I'm 00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:33.580 a 00:37:33.580 --> 00:37:34.160 heterosexual 00:37:34.160 --> 00:37:34.640 Canadian, 00:37:34.720 --> 00:37:34.980 I don't 00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:35.220 have to 00:37:35.220 --> 00:37:35.320 do 00:37:35.320 --> 00:37:35.440 as 00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:35.539 many 00:37:35.539 --> 00:37:35.720 good 00:37:35.720 --> 00:37:35.920 acts. 00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.140 I'm 00:37:36.140 --> 00:37:36.240 a 00:37:36.240 --> 00:37:36.420 rich 00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:36.840 Canadian, 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.160 I don't 00:37:37.160 --> 00:37:37.440 have to 00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:37.539 do 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:37.660 as 00:37:37.660 --> 00:37:37.800 many 00:37:37.800 --> 00:37:38.019 good 00:37:38.059 --> 00:37:38.240 acts. 00:37:38.600 --> 00:37:38.860 I'm 00:37:38.860 --> 00:37:38.980 a 00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:39.539 victimized 00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:39.980 Canadian, 00:37:40.120 --> 00:37:40.300 therefore 00:37:40.300 --> 00:37:40.580 I don't 00:37:40.580 --> 00:37:40.900 have to 00:37:40.900 --> 00:37:41.059 do 00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:46.199 as many good acts. I'm a Canada Canadian. I don't have to do as many good acts. I'm an urban people, 00:37:46.259 --> 00:37:51.079 not one of those suburban people. Therefore, I don't have to do as many good acts. But I do my 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:55.059 good acts. And therefore, somehow or another, that is salvation that creates salvation. 00:37:55.619 --> 00:38:01.539 And it's deeply ingrained in us. The gospel is constantly trying to bang that out of our heart 00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:08.519 to help us to understand that first we receive the gospel and then we are gripped by the gospel. 00:38:08.519 --> 00:38:13.619 And that's what fruitfulness comes from, that fruitfulness follows conversion. Fruitfulness 00:38:13.619 --> 00:38:20.360 does not create conversion or equate with conversion. That's what all of Jesus' teaching is trying 00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:26.900 to get our hearts to the point of realizing what's going on and how we're keeping God distant 00:38:26.900 --> 00:38:34.039 and our pride and our arrogance and our presumption and our need for Jesus to come empty-handed. 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:42.759 And the other thing that the text says, well, we have to read the last few verses. If you go back 00:38:42.759 --> 00:38:48.920 to Luke 13, hopefully you haven't closed it. Verse 17, as Jesus said, these things, all his adversaries 00:38:48.920 --> 00:38:53.099 were put to shame and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. 00:38:53.719 --> 00:38:57.519 Jesus said, therefore, what is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 00:38:57.519 --> 00:39:03.900 See, the kingdom of God is where the king is to rule, to save and to rule. Jesus is the king. 00:39:07.380 --> 00:39:12.460 Verse 19, it is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden and it grew and 00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:16.820 became a tree and the birds of the air made nests in its branches. And again, he said, to what shall I 00:39:16.820 --> 00:39:21.699 compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour until 00:39:21.699 --> 00:39:32.480 it was all leavened. Two quick takeaways from that. First one, Jesus starts small, but he will take 00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:43.000 and shape all. Jesus starts small. That's the parable of the leaven. It seems like a very, 00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:52.739 very small thing. In 1972 in November, for the first real time, I bowed my knees and asked Jesus 00:39:52.739 --> 00:40:01.800 to come into my life, to be my savior and my Lord. November 5th, 1972, probably about two miles from 00:40:01.800 --> 00:40:09.059 here in terms of geography. And I didn't have lightning flashes or mystical experience. It started very small. 00:40:09.059 --> 00:40:15.659 And there's a long way to go in my life. Ask my wife and my kids and those who work for me. I am not 00:40:15.659 --> 00:40:29.219 perfect. But it starts small and Jesus will take all. My sexuality, my money, my body, my mind, my time, 00:40:29.219 --> 00:40:42.319 my plans, my memories, my talents, my fears, my brokenness, my wounds, my strengths, my sins. He will take all. 00:40:46.019 --> 00:40:52.059 And in the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus starts small. 00:40:52.059 --> 00:41:03.079 One guy dying on a cross in an obscure corner of the Roman Empire, attended by a couple of women 00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:07.880 and a young guy named John. And three days later, 00:41:09.159 --> 00:41:16.739 a woman named Mary, he's Jesus for the first time after his death and resurrection. 00:41:16.739 --> 00:41:26.199 And then a handful of people, maybe if he added them all up, about 600 in an obscure corner of the Roman Empire. 00:41:28.199 --> 00:41:32.419 Jesus starts small, but his new covenant will encompass all. 00:41:33.059 --> 00:41:38.879 It encompasses life. It encompasses economics and politics and family structure. 00:41:40.219 --> 00:41:45.279 It encompasses all. It's big. It's not just something private and spiritual. 00:41:45.280 --> 00:41:46.940 It's big. It's big. 00:41:46.940 --> 00:41:48.840 Which leads us to our end. 00:41:50.640 --> 00:41:54.900 See, Jesus dying upon the cross, and this miracle, what it shows us, 00:41:56.080 --> 00:41:59.019 the Christian life begins when we say to Jesus, 00:41:59.240 --> 00:42:01.320 Jesus, what you've just done for that woman. 00:42:01.580 --> 00:42:03.500 I am that woman bent over. 00:42:04.760 --> 00:42:06.280 I am that woman bound. 00:42:09.360 --> 00:42:11.519 And, you know, it's as simple as saying, 00:42:11.600 --> 00:42:12.620 what you did for her. 00:42:13.640 --> 00:42:14.780 Could you do it for me? 00:42:15.280 --> 00:42:16.500 And never let me go. 00:42:18.360 --> 00:42:19.800 That's how the Christian life begins. 00:42:19.940 --> 00:42:22.560 I can tell you more fancy prayers, but it's just as simple as that. 00:42:22.660 --> 00:42:24.180 If you just say to Jesus in your heart, 00:42:25.820 --> 00:42:27.540 Luke 13 right here, 00:42:28.540 --> 00:42:30.620 in my heart. 00:42:32.580 --> 00:42:35.120 I don't have that fancy theological language. 00:42:36.400 --> 00:42:37.560 Luke 13 00:42:37.560 --> 00:42:39.900 in here. 00:42:39.900 --> 00:42:45.900 And for those of us who do that, 00:42:45.960 --> 00:42:48.260 as we think about what Jesus does for us on the cross, 00:42:48.760 --> 00:42:52.220 it pushes us into things that we never thought we'd do. 00:42:52.219 --> 00:42:53.219 I had terrible acne. 00:42:53.219 --> 00:42:56.439 I had terrible acne, 00:42:56.439 --> 00:42:58.139 and I was shy, 00:42:58.500 --> 00:43:01.759 and I started leading Bible studies in my high school. 00:43:05.159 --> 00:43:05.639 Skinny, 00:43:06.039 --> 00:43:07.079 acne-scarred, 00:43:07.719 --> 00:43:08.079 shy, 00:43:08.399 --> 00:43:09.439 leading Bible studies 00:43:09.439 --> 00:43:10.339 in a high school. 00:43:10.340 --> 00:43:11.340 gospel. 00:43:11.340 --> 00:43:14.740 The gospel pushes us into things 00:43:14.740 --> 00:43:17.240 because when Jesus takes us, 00:43:17.280 --> 00:43:18.160 he never lets us go. 00:43:18.240 --> 00:43:19.300 As we think about the cross, 00:43:19.360 --> 00:43:21.740 it pulls us into things that we never thought we'd do. 00:43:22.340 --> 00:43:23.880 As we think about the gospel, 00:43:24.019 --> 00:43:26.800 it shapes us in ways that we never thought we'd be shaped. 00:43:26.800 --> 00:43:29.380 And because he really did die 00:43:29.380 --> 00:43:30.400 and he really did rise, 00:43:30.500 --> 00:43:32.320 it grounds us in doing things 00:43:32.320 --> 00:43:33.740 that we never thought we could do. 00:43:36.019 --> 00:43:36.460 So, 00:43:36.640 --> 00:43:39.000 for those of us who are Christ followers today, 00:43:39.680 --> 00:43:41.440 how do we live after Wednesday? 00:43:42.260 --> 00:43:43.920 I talk a little bit about it in the blog 00:43:43.920 --> 00:43:44.760 that you could look at, 00:43:45.000 --> 00:43:47.539 but here's how Jesus invites us 00:43:47.539 --> 00:43:48.980 to live in Ottawa after Wednesday. 00:43:51.100 --> 00:43:52.039 If you're engaged, 00:43:52.160 --> 00:43:52.600 get married. 00:43:54.120 --> 00:43:54.980 If you're married 00:43:54.980 --> 00:43:56.400 and God grants you this ability, 00:43:56.800 --> 00:43:57.720 have children, 00:43:58.539 --> 00:43:59.380 have a family, 00:44:00.440 --> 00:44:01.260 write songs, 00:44:01.860 --> 00:44:02.700 start businesses, 00:44:03.400 --> 00:44:04.380 do your job well, 00:44:05.180 --> 00:44:06.440 pray for the peace of the city, 00:44:07.420 --> 00:44:09.360 pray for wisdom for our political leaders. 00:44:09.820 --> 00:44:11.180 If you work on Parliament Hill, 00:44:12.420 --> 00:44:13.340 read Romans 1, 00:44:13.680 --> 00:44:15.460 Romans 12, 1 and 2 every day 00:44:15.460 --> 00:44:17.220 and pray that you give godly advice 00:44:17.220 --> 00:44:18.320 to those who you serve. 00:44:19.700 --> 00:44:20.720 Seek the prosperity 00:44:20.720 --> 00:44:22.039 and the blessing of the city. 00:44:22.380 --> 00:44:23.400 Seek to be fruitful. 00:44:24.580 --> 00:44:25.800 Seek to live 00:44:25.800 --> 00:44:27.320 as followers of Jesus 00:44:27.320 --> 00:44:28.220 without fear. 00:44:29.620 --> 00:44:31.039 Knowing that your citizenship 00:44:31.039 --> 00:44:33.039 is ultimately and finally in heaven 00:44:33.039 --> 00:44:35.360 and nothing can shake you from that. 00:44:36.220 --> 00:44:38.620 And tell people about Jesus. 00:44:38.619 --> 00:44:42.039 And if you are here today 00:44:42.039 --> 00:44:43.440 and you've not yet said, 00:44:44.279 --> 00:44:46.039 I am that woman, 00:44:47.779 --> 00:44:49.799 there's no better time than right now 00:44:49.799 --> 00:44:50.460 to do it. 00:44:50.639 --> 00:44:51.219 Please stand. 00:44:51.219 --> 00:45:09.119 You know, for many of us, 00:45:09.679 --> 00:45:11.779 even though we've given our lives to Jesus, 00:45:12.239 --> 00:45:13.899 the devil starts to bend us over 00:45:13.899 --> 00:45:15.039 as we get caught up 00:45:15.039 --> 00:45:16.459 with the assumptions of the world. 00:45:17.459 --> 00:45:18.500 Should we be angry? 00:45:18.500 --> 00:45:20.039 What we should do? 00:45:20.380 --> 00:45:21.900 It just shapes us. 00:45:22.139 --> 00:45:22.980 And so, you know, 00:45:23.599 --> 00:45:24.579 some of us have to say, 00:45:24.659 --> 00:45:26.420 Jesus, you did that for me before 00:45:26.420 --> 00:45:28.480 and I'm starting to get bent over again. 00:45:28.739 --> 00:45:30.039 I know you've never let me go. 00:45:30.179 --> 00:45:31.079 I'm not asking this 00:45:31.079 --> 00:45:32.320 because I need to be your child. 00:45:33.219 --> 00:45:33.860 But boy, 00:45:33.960 --> 00:45:35.000 I really need to be gripped 00:45:35.000 --> 00:45:35.679 with the gospel 00:45:35.679 --> 00:45:36.840 so I stand upright 00:45:36.840 --> 00:45:37.579 like that woman 00:45:37.579 --> 00:45:38.300 and praise you. 00:45:38.820 --> 00:45:39.780 I stand upright 00:45:39.780 --> 00:45:40.519 with my money 00:45:40.519 --> 00:45:41.800 and with my family 00:45:41.800 --> 00:45:42.639 and my job. 00:45:43.519 --> 00:45:44.500 And so for many of us, 00:45:44.539 --> 00:45:45.940 we just have to say to Jesus, 00:45:45.940 --> 00:45:48.139 like the ones here 00:45:48.139 --> 00:45:49.380 who say it for the first time, 00:45:49.480 --> 00:45:50.960 Jesus, this woman is me. 00:45:52.659 --> 00:45:54.400 Be my savior and my Lord 00:45:54.400 --> 00:45:55.440 and do in her 00:45:55.440 --> 00:45:56.700 what you've done with me 00:45:56.700 --> 00:45:58.340 and never let me go. 00:45:58.659 --> 00:46:00.019 Just say it to Jesus. 00:46:01.240 --> 00:46:02.079 And for all of us, 00:46:02.200 --> 00:46:03.059 I'll just close in prayer. 00:46:03.200 --> 00:46:04.500 Father, pour out your Holy Spirit 00:46:04.500 --> 00:46:06.019 gently but deeply upon us. 00:46:06.800 --> 00:46:08.260 Gently but deeply upon us. 00:46:08.320 --> 00:46:09.840 We thank you so much, Father, 00:46:09.920 --> 00:46:11.700 that there's not a single person here, 00:46:12.059 --> 00:46:13.139 even the holiest, 00:46:13.139 --> 00:46:14.420 who was not, 00:46:14.819 --> 00:46:15.239 in a sense, 00:46:15.339 --> 00:46:16.319 by their very nature, 00:46:16.420 --> 00:46:17.639 that woman bent over, 00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:19.920 bound and not free. 00:46:20.039 --> 00:46:21.219 We thank you so much 00:46:21.219 --> 00:46:22.879 that you died upon the cross for us, 00:46:22.980 --> 00:46:23.219 Jesus, 00:46:23.359 --> 00:46:24.619 that your death upon the cross 00:46:24.619 --> 00:46:26.299 is a power of God 00:46:26.299 --> 00:46:27.079 for salvation 00:46:27.079 --> 00:46:28.639 and that, Father, 00:46:28.779 --> 00:46:30.359 when your Son comes 00:46:30.359 --> 00:46:31.179 into our lives 00:46:31.179 --> 00:46:32.359 as Savior and Lord, 00:46:32.699 --> 00:46:33.879 that he causes us 00:46:33.879 --> 00:46:35.119 to stand upright, 00:46:35.379 --> 00:46:36.739 that he causes us to be, 00:46:36.779 --> 00:46:37.960 he brings to us freedom, 00:46:38.139 --> 00:46:39.239 he brings to us health, 00:46:39.239 --> 00:46:41.159 he brings to us wholeness, 00:46:41.440 --> 00:46:42.960 he brings to us praising 00:46:42.960 --> 00:46:43.360 of you. 00:46:43.539 --> 00:46:43.880 Father, 00:46:44.320 --> 00:46:45.420 please help us 00:46:45.420 --> 00:46:46.699 to be disciples 00:46:46.699 --> 00:46:47.800 following Jesus, 00:46:48.039 --> 00:46:49.119 gripped by the gospel, 00:46:49.360 --> 00:46:51.019 living fruitful lives 00:46:51.019 --> 00:46:52.539 as we're gripped by the gospel, 00:46:52.679 --> 00:46:54.179 but all of our fruitful lives, 00:46:54.320 --> 00:46:54.440 Father, 00:46:54.579 --> 00:46:55.320 for your glory, 00:46:55.480 --> 00:46:56.199 for your glory, 00:46:56.360 --> 00:46:57.000 for your glory. 00:46:57.159 --> 00:46:57.400 Father, 00:46:57.500 --> 00:46:58.139 this we pray 00:46:58.139 --> 00:46:59.539 in Jesus' name. 00:47:00.039 --> 00:47:00.360 Amen. 00:47:00.360 --> 00:47:00.519 Amen.