WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.719 And go ahead and take your Bibles this morning, turn over to Mark chapter 12 as we continue 00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:08.080 walking through our series here in the book of Mark. 00:00:08.220 --> 00:00:15.960 And today we're going to be looking at paying attention to truth, you know, keeping an eye 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:17.620 on the right things. 00:00:17.660 --> 00:00:22.280 Because sometimes we can get our eye on the wrong things. 00:00:22.839 --> 00:00:28.820 We can get our eye upon things that people do instead of what Christ has commanded. 00:00:28.820 --> 00:00:34.520 And we're going to look at that a little bit here this morning as Jesus continues here 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:35.179 in the temple. 00:00:35.340 --> 00:00:43.399 And we know that this Tuesday in the temple is the most recorded time frame or period here 00:00:43.399 --> 00:00:44.920 of Jesus' life. 00:00:44.980 --> 00:00:50.719 We have all these details of questions and things that they brought to him that he answered. 00:00:51.179 --> 00:00:58.260 And it reveals to everyone who he is as he walks through this and ultimately brings to 00:00:58.259 --> 00:01:04.099 light that he was not just any man, but that he was the Messiah, Christ. 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:07.439 He was both God and man completely. 00:01:07.679 --> 00:01:14.620 And as he brought that fact forth to them, because even the scribes and the Pharisees, as we saw, 00:01:15.060 --> 00:01:22.159 were, you might say, dumbfounded by his question back to them of understanding the importance 00:01:22.159 --> 00:01:23.159 of this. 00:01:23.159 --> 00:01:30.859 And we see here as Jesus begins to wind down this day, as it's been a long day, he begins, 00:01:30.939 --> 00:01:34.759 we're going to see here, he gives some last instructions to the crowd. 00:01:34.899 --> 00:01:41.259 This is the last time Jesus is speaking to the crowd here, you know, and those around. 00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:44.719 You know, he's going to have some other interactions with his disciples and some others. 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:50.099 But this is last main statement to the crowd, the multitude that was there. 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:54.200 It said a little earlier in the passage here, talk to them about the common people. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:59.140 And there was the everyday person, which would be like you and I, and understand that, hey, 00:01:59.219 --> 00:02:05.560 this is where we need to be with the Lord and to understand those things. 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:08.379 And so he gives some instruction here. 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:11.419 We're going to look here, and this has to do with truth. 00:02:11.419 --> 00:02:12.879 It has to do with authority. 00:02:13.019 --> 00:02:14.179 It has to do with accountability. 00:02:15.019 --> 00:02:21.419 As we're going to begin looking here, as Jesus ties all these things together, because Jesus 00:02:21.419 --> 00:02:26.459 had just revealed, remember last week, as he dealt with the idea of the deity of Christ, 00:02:26.539 --> 00:02:32.859 that Jesus kind of downplayed, in a sense, the scribes and the Pharisees who had promoted 00:02:32.859 --> 00:02:36.019 that they knew and understood all that was going on. 00:02:36.259 --> 00:02:40.839 And Jesus, when he promoted the reality of his deity, kind of pulled that rug out, didn't 00:02:40.839 --> 00:02:41.019 he? 00:02:41.419 --> 00:02:46.759 He kind of put them in a position of, you might say, one of those awkward positions 00:02:46.759 --> 00:02:50.639 of life where you thought you had the answer, and then suddenly you find out you don't. 00:02:52.299 --> 00:02:56.359 And people would begin to question these things. 00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:01.799 And Jesus here is going to deal with a few of these things here about them, because as 00:03:01.799 --> 00:03:08.699 their understanding was not correct about who Christ would be, it would be easy to conclude 00:03:08.699 --> 00:03:14.579 that since the scribes and the Pharisees did not understand everything or even live out 00:03:14.579 --> 00:03:15.539 what they proclaimed. 00:03:15.539 --> 00:03:17.419 You know, that's still a problem today, isn't it? 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:22.239 You know, oftentimes we know what we ought to do, but to do it's a whole different animal, 00:03:22.379 --> 00:03:22.619 isn't it? 00:03:22.620 --> 00:03:29.080 You know, the scribes and Pharisees and the people of the day when Jesus walked here upon 00:03:29.080 --> 00:03:31.400 the earth are no different than you or I in that regard. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:36.599 You know, we're going to look at this here this morning a little bit to understand the 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:42.180 importance, because sometimes we'll look at others and say, well, if they don't know, 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:44.240 then we can ignore everything about them. 00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:45.560 And we see some of that today. 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:51.640 We see some of that today because you have people that have been in authority as pastors 00:03:51.640 --> 00:03:55.120 and teachers, and they've done things contrary to the Word of God. 00:03:55.600 --> 00:04:00.140 And people try to take that as an excuse to say, hey, now I can ignore all what God has 00:04:00.140 --> 00:04:00.580 to say. 00:04:01.900 --> 00:04:04.080 And people use that excuse. 00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:06.080 Well, if they didn't, I don't have to. 00:04:07.300 --> 00:04:10.660 But I want you to understand, Jesus points to something very important today. 00:04:10.700 --> 00:04:12.840 It doesn't matter what somebody else does. 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:18.420 It only matters what you do, because you don't give account for what somebody else does. 00:04:19.860 --> 00:04:23.980 Ultimately, we only give account for one person, ourselves. 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:31.019 To stand before the Lord, and we're going to see Jesus walk through this with them today, 00:04:31.019 --> 00:04:37.060 because sometimes people lose respect towards the Word of God because of wrong choices and 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:40.280 actions of those who are supposed to be an example. 00:04:40.279 --> 00:04:45.479 You know, today we definitely don't have to see or to look far to see this of people being 00:04:45.479 --> 00:04:46.519 self-promoting. 00:04:46.919 --> 00:04:49.199 You know, they have a wrong idea of ministry. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:51.099 They have a wrong idea. 00:04:51.179 --> 00:04:55.079 They become self-seeking, self-righteous in what they do. 00:04:55.599 --> 00:05:01.899 The problem often is because it'll cause others to lose respect for the Lord. 00:05:01.899 --> 00:05:07.359 And as we see, Jesus is going to deal with this, because I think he's walking through this, 00:05:07.419 --> 00:05:12.919 because some people in the crowd would begin to think, well, if Jesus talks down and these 00:05:12.919 --> 00:05:16.799 scribes and Pharisees don't know everything they're supposed to know, and they have this 00:05:16.799 --> 00:05:20.879 self-righteous attitude, why do I have to pay attention to what they say? 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:26.060 Well, what Jesus is going to point out, we're going to see very important this morning, 00:05:26.180 --> 00:05:33.300 is the fact that it's because what they say is from the Word of God, and we ought to pay 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:34.659 attention to the Word of God. 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:41.899 And we ought to pay attention to those things and to keep a right perspective of them. 00:05:41.899 --> 00:05:46.120 And so as we find here this morning, if you found Mark chapter 12 here this morning, we're 00:05:46.120 --> 00:05:51.699 going to pick up here in verse 38 and just read down a couple of verses here. 00:05:51.799 --> 00:05:55.799 But if you found there in verse 38, let's stand together in honor of the reading of the 00:05:55.799 --> 00:05:57.099 Word of God here this morning. 00:05:57.339 --> 00:06:02.399 And we see here in verse 38, notice, and he said, and he said unto them in his doctrine, 00:06:03.739 --> 00:06:10.159 beware of the scribes which love to go in long clothing, in love salutations in the marketplace, 00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:16.380 and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at the feast, which devour 00:06:16.380 --> 00:06:25.100 widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers, these shall receive greater damnation. 00:06:25.640 --> 00:06:26.180 Let's pray. 00:06:26.260 --> 00:06:31.600 Heavenly Fathers, we come before you today, and Lord, we just lift this time to you as 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:32.640 we look into your Word. 00:06:32.740 --> 00:06:38.320 Lord, help us not to lose sight of who you are and what you've done for us. 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:44.019 Lord, help us to not base our trust upon what other people do, but our trust in you upon 00:06:44.019 --> 00:06:45.000 what you have done. 00:06:45.659 --> 00:06:47.019 Lord, of what you've provided. 00:06:47.219 --> 00:06:50.740 Lord, help us keep our eyes upon you, upon your truth. 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:55.879 Even in the day in which we live, Lord, we can be distracted by the choices of others. 00:06:55.959 --> 00:07:01.459 But Lord, help us to draw close to you, to be attention to your truth, what you've revealed 00:07:01.459 --> 00:07:03.879 to us, Lord, that we will give account. 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:07.079 And Lord, we pray just have your hand upon each heart here today. 00:07:07.079 --> 00:07:08.300 Lord, you know each one. 00:07:08.599 --> 00:07:11.859 You know the needs, the challenges, the struggles. 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:14.359 Lord, we know what you've given to us. 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:19.279 Lord, we pray just have your hand upon this time that you might stir hearts and minds towards 00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:20.779 you, that we might love you more. 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:23.159 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:07:23.799 --> 00:07:24.459 You may be seated. 00:07:25.159 --> 00:07:30.519 You know, as we see here, Mark kind of gives us a short little three verses here in Mark 00:07:30.519 --> 00:07:34.659 that reveal some things here as Jesus begins to teach. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:39.639 And we need to understand that Mark kind of gives us the cliff notes of this last course 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:41.459 that Jesus taught here. 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:42.979 It says he taught in his doctrine. 00:07:43.419 --> 00:07:47.060 It means that Jesus taught in how he was instructing them. 00:07:47.859 --> 00:07:49.099 You know, doctrine is just that. 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:49.759 It's teaching. 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:50.579 It's instruction. 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:57.039 And Jesus was instructing the people of something very important that they needed to keep in 00:07:57.039 --> 00:08:00.560 mind as they walk through these final days. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:07.819 You know, to understand that Jesus was going to give these instructions to everyone at this 00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:08.279 point. 00:08:09.219 --> 00:08:15.659 You know, because we know that Jesus' teaching about himself may have caused others to be to 00:08:15.660 --> 00:08:20.420 have a diminished or misunderstanding of the authority that had been placed over them. 00:08:20.520 --> 00:08:24.220 You know, when we realize that God always establishes authorities. 00:08:26.080 --> 00:08:27.980 Authority is part of God's establish. 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:32.519 We have God as the ultimate authority over everything. 00:08:32.980 --> 00:08:35.720 We know that God establishes authority through family. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:40.720 You know, we have moms and dads that give authority and structure into the family. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:45.519 We have the church that we have a structure set. 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:51.340 You know, you have a pastor and you have those that are put in place to guide and to direct. 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:58.060 It doesn't make any of those greater than somebody else, but it is the structure of authority. 00:08:59.300 --> 00:09:01.940 Because God's not the author of confusion. 00:09:03.160 --> 00:09:05.379 And without authority, you have confusion. 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:12.259 Without somebody to guide and direct, somebody that's responsible, you'll always decay into confusion. 00:09:13.439 --> 00:09:15.700 God establishes authority. 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:18.720 From the very beginning, God has done so. 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:25.259 And so we need to understand that God's authority is important because the scribes were the ones 00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:30.419 with the authority as to tell the people about God. 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:31.379 That was their job. 00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:34.580 The scribes were to interpret the law. 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:39.060 They were to give understanding to the people about what God has said. 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:45.820 And we see here the importance of this and how this plays together because Matthew in his account 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:48.840 gives us some insight into this passage. 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:53.340 Because Matthew, we need to understand, remember when we talked about the gospels, 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:57.840 the gospel of Mark is written mainly to a Gentile audience. 00:09:58.900 --> 00:10:02.440 In other words, there's some things left out of the gospel of Mark. 00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:04.420 And you might say, well, why didn't Mark talk about them? 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:07.840 Well, because the Gentiles wouldn't have concerned themselves with it. 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:09.060 Okay? 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:11.280 It was foreign to them. 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:17.620 They wouldn't have understood the pretense or the context of what was being said. 00:10:17.820 --> 00:10:20.620 But Matthew's gospel was written to the Jews. 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:30.259 And so Matthew here gives us more record of what Jesus said here and kind of lays it out for us to understand a little better here in this. 00:10:30.419 --> 00:10:36.179 And so we understand that the scribes were the authority to the Jews. 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:43.100 And they were there and the people looked to them to give what God's word said, how to understand it, what to do. 00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:47.460 They would even might be, you might say, the scribes were the lawyers of the day. 00:10:47.680 --> 00:10:55.820 They were the ones in authority that people would go to to take care of legal matters or to make judgments in legal matters. 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:58.139 You know, how does the law apply? 00:10:58.139 --> 00:11:04.519 Because we need to understand it's not like today where we have a separate legal system from the church. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:07.039 I mean, you have these different structures set up. 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:14.399 In the days of Jesus, the Sanhedrin, the people, the scribes, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, 00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:16.679 all these that we're going to see here talks about it. 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:19.299 They sit at Moses' seat. 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:25.179 Now, that's a seat of authority, a seat of a place of responsibility. 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:32.120 And we're going to see this play together because, as we see here, first, the aim of the leaders. 00:11:32.319 --> 00:11:38.319 Because notice here in verse 38 with me that Jesus talks about what their direction is. 00:11:38.439 --> 00:11:40.799 He says, beware of the scribes. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:43.199 You know, the aim of the leaders is obvious. 00:11:43.339 --> 00:11:44.039 It's beware. 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:50.079 Now, this word beware is a warning, but it's a warning in a little different sense than oftentimes you think of beware. 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:52.759 You know, oftentimes beware is like, whoa. 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:56.419 This is a beware that says, hey, pay attention. 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:03.159 The word used here is one that says to be attentive, to have your eyes open, be observing. 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:11.139 You know, to be knowing what's taking place, to understand the full picture. 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:17.159 Because the leaders here filled the seats in places of authority. 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:21.699 Matthew tells us this in Matthew chapter 23 in verse 2. 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:25.360 It tells us this, saying, the scribes and the Pharisees sit in where? 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:26.460 Moses' seat. 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:31.939 Now, we don't have time this morning to get into this, but this goes clear back into the Old Testament 00:12:31.939 --> 00:12:37.259 when Moses brought the children of Israel out of Egypt. 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:43.279 And when they were in the wilderness, they established 70 men that were brought out from among the people 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:45.600 to sit in judgment and authority. 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:47.799 This is what they're talking about here. 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:50.379 This had continued through this time. 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:54.080 And to understand what they're speaking of, of those that are there. 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.740 And it says this in verse 3. 00:12:55.899 --> 00:13:00.159 All therefore whatsoever they bid, you observe, that observe and do. 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:04.480 But do not ye after their works, for they say and do not. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:08.500 You know, I want you to understand what Jesus is saying. 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:11.379 He says just because somebody can tell you what you need to hear, 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:14.940 and they don't do it, it doesn't discredit the truth. 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:19.960 The truth is the truth no matter what somebody else does. 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:24.279 And he's bringing to light here something very important. 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:26.820 Because notice what happens in verse 4. 00:13:26.920 --> 00:13:27.039 It says, 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:38.339 You know, it's no different today. 00:13:38.439 --> 00:13:42.219 It's true today that those given authority quickly develop an attitude 00:13:42.219 --> 00:13:46.360 that everyone else should be held to a standard but not themselves. 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:50.000 You know, do you see that today with people? 00:13:50.959 --> 00:13:55.439 You know what, it's no different today that we have to guard ourselves from that 00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:59.660 because it's easy when you get some authority to start abusing the authority. 00:14:01.460 --> 00:14:03.000 To use it wrongly. 00:14:04.380 --> 00:14:08.080 You have to always be on guard for those things. 00:14:08.280 --> 00:14:11.780 And we see here that they develop this wrong attitude. 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:14.920 Because notice what Jesus tells them though. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:18.080 He says all, in verse 3 here of Matthew 23, 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:18.400 He says, 00:14:18.520 --> 00:14:22.860 All therefore whatsoever they bid, you observe, that observe and do. 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:23.800 You know what Jesus says? 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:26.379 If they're speaking the truth of the Word of God, 00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:29.039 pay attention to the Word of God and do it. 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:32.719 To follow the commands of God. 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.000 Because he said, 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:37.419 You know what, you're going to have people who tell you the truth 00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:39.859 and then they don't obey the same truth that they told you. 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:40.979 That's a reality. 00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:42.319 That's part of life. 00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:46.959 And we're going to look at why that is a little bit here a little later. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:52.060 But I want you to understand not to lose respect for the Word of God 00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:53.780 or even the place of authority. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.900 Jesus doesn't tell them, 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:58.540 Hey, you can ignore everything the scribes say 00:14:58.540 --> 00:15:02.180 now that you know they don't understand everything. 00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:05.159 Jesus said what? 00:15:05.239 --> 00:15:06.159 To observe and do. 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.359 Let me put it this way. 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:08.279 Jesus said this, 00:15:08.359 --> 00:15:11.459 You do what's right because you're the one that's going to stand to account 00:15:11.459 --> 00:15:13.419 and let God deal with the other. 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:18.559 To deal with things appropriately and to think properly. 00:15:19.239 --> 00:15:22.679 Because today many people have strayed away from God 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:24.139 because of actions of others. 00:15:24.939 --> 00:15:26.659 Because they get the idea that says, 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.559 Well, they didn't do it, then it must not be true. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:30.439 It doesn't change the truth. 00:15:32.699 --> 00:15:35.899 We have to hold to the standard that God has given. 00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:40.339 And it applies to those especially in regard to the Word of God. 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:43.500 You know, we are to observe or to guard what is said 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.619 and then to obey it. 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:49.899 You know, we need to be careful not to let truth and its authority be diminished 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:52.879 because of the actions of somebody else. 00:15:53.459 --> 00:15:56.319 How somebody else uses it or applies it. 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:59.100 Because people do that wrongly all the time. 00:15:59.180 --> 00:16:00.300 They did it in Jesus' day. 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.040 They do it today. 00:16:01.420 --> 00:16:04.240 Our focus ought to be upon the truth of the Word of God. 00:16:05.640 --> 00:16:07.960 You know, Jesus calls them hypocrites. 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:10.379 You know? 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:12.300 And when He calls them hypocrites, 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:15.600 He reveals that very clearly 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:20.480 because notice there in verse 4 of the passage there in Matthew chapter 23, 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:20.980 it says, 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:26.259 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:28.200 and lay them on men's shoulders. 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:28.899 But notice this, 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:31.779 But they themselves will not move with one of their fingers. 00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:33.500 You know, that's being a hypocrite. 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:35.639 Say, hey, this is good for you to do, 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:37.320 but I'm not going to worry about it. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:40.320 That's what Jesus is saying. 00:16:40.420 --> 00:16:40.620 He says, 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:43.300 These guys are going to place burdens upon you 00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:44.700 that they wouldn't put upon themselves. 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:48.340 They'll put expectations that they won't put upon themselves. 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:51.420 They say, and they do not. 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.759 You know, I want you to understand 00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:55.160 that placing burdens through heavy expectation 00:16:55.160 --> 00:16:57.879 is how they used and maintained their authority. 00:16:58.360 --> 00:17:02.060 They began to use this as a tool to control people. 00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:05.880 The same has been in the past here, 00:17:06.340 --> 00:17:08.920 and just even in America in the last generations, 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:11.039 you'll see this same tool being employed. 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:14.440 Heavy burdens placed upon people 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:16.000 that they will not keep themselves. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:19.980 An expectation of using that. 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:22.099 They placed upon men heavy burdens, 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.240 heavy and grievous, 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:27.319 because they were built and maintained on rules 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:28.880 that needed to be followed. 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:31.640 You know, I want you to understand 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:33.500 that Jesus gives us commands. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.240 He gives us direction. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.740 And sometimes people will take that 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:40.920 and use that for manipulation and control 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:43.519 to say, how are you measuring up to the standard? 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:46.359 I want you to understand, there's some things we ought to do, 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:50.400 but we ought not to do them to measure to a standard. 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:52.240 We ought to do them because we love God. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:54.720 Jesus says, if you love me, keep my commandments. 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:59.500 He doesn't say, keep my commandments to be right with me. 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:04.639 He says, if you love me, keep my commandments. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:08.019 It changes the weight of that responsibility, doesn't it? 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:10.559 Because if you're always trying to measure up, 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:12.180 you will never measure up. 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:14.900 You will never measure or reach the standard. 00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:19.560 Take a look over in Matthew chapter 11 for a moment, 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:21.680 because when it comes to God, 00:18:21.820 --> 00:18:25.180 God is totally contrary to how men perceive 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.960 and try to grab a hold of authority. 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:29.460 Notice what Jesus tells us here. 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:33.240 He doesn't say that it's going to be heavy or grievous. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.799 He says this, it says, 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:38.460 for my yoke is easy and my burden is what? 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:43.079 Have you ever asked yourself, how is the yoke easy and the burden light when it comes to Christ? 00:18:44.600 --> 00:18:46.200 There's a lot of heavy things. 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:47.600 Let me ask you a question. 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:50.100 How hard is something to do if you love doing it? 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.940 Does love change the perspective? 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:54.500 Jesus says, if you love me, keep my commandments. 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:58.880 He says, if you love me, my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:03.780 But if you're trying to measure up, it's grievous and heavy. 00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:05.960 We have to do that because we love him. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:10.960 This is because they're carried in love and not duty or obligation. 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:12.660 You know, sometimes people use control. 00:19:12.800 --> 00:19:17.700 The Pharisees and the Sadducees and the scribes use this as a means of control 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:20.860 and to put heavy burden upon the people saying, 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:25.660 if you don't do exactly what we do or how we tell you, you're not going to make it. 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:29.039 I'm glad that I'm not dependent upon what I do to get to heaven. 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:32.740 I want you to understand what you do doesn't get you to heaven. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:35.180 It's only by trusting in what has been done. 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:41.180 Jesus Christ has already accomplished all that's needed to get to heaven. 00:19:42.100 --> 00:19:44.220 You cannot do anything of yourself. 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:50.480 But if you're saved, if you recognize him as your Savior, your love for him, 00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:52.900 we love him because he first loved us, 00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:56.600 it ought to change our spirit and attitude about these things. 00:19:58.539 --> 00:20:01.360 Because we're going to see here, look at the actions of the leaders. 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:05.640 Look back in our text where we started there in Mark chapter 12. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:09.480 As Jesus talks about them, notice what he says. 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:12.319 He says, which love to go in long clothing. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:15.700 Notice, what is their love here? 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:17.819 Their love is not a love for God. 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:23.139 We're going to see here their love is a self-righteous, self-centered, self-focused love. 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:26.379 Because it's a love about them instead of a love about God. 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:31.179 You know, if you love God, it's going to change what you do. 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.919 It's going to change where you go. 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:34.859 It's going to change your perspective of life. 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:39.579 It's going to change everything about your perception of the world 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:43.479 if you're looking at it through the lens of what Christ has done for you 00:20:43.479 --> 00:20:44.919 and all the things surrounding it. 00:20:46.219 --> 00:20:48.459 If you're filtering it through the Word of God. 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:51.279 But notice the actions of the leaders here. 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:55.919 The valuation of these actions of the scribes and the Pharisees and Jesus 00:20:55.919 --> 00:20:59.299 reveals something because we can end up the same way. 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:01.919 Because these are the way to get a heavy burden. 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:07.019 Because you're always trying to measure up to something that God says, 00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:08.839 I'm not measuring you by that. 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:12.700 Now I want you to understand what they were doing wasn't wrong. 00:21:12.919 --> 00:21:15.759 It had some elements of truth attached to it. 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:20.279 But they were twisting the truth to focus instead upon God, 00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:22.299 they were focusing on God's self. 00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:25.279 That's how subtle that shift can be. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:28.559 And I want you to see here as we look through here 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:31.559 because He reveals the nature of their actions. 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:37.339 Their presentation of righteousness was not about loving and serving God and others, 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.680 but it was a love of self. 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:42.220 Remember, Jesus had just answered the question here 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:44.460 just a little bit earlier before this 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:46.379 when one of the scribes come and said, 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.279 what is the greatest commandment? 00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:49.059 What did Jesus tell them? 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:52.319 To love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:53.960 with all thy soul, with all thy mind. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.680 And what's the second? 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:58.259 To love your neighbor is what? 00:21:59.359 --> 00:21:59.799 Yourself. 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:03.920 You know, we sum this up oftentimes in this phrase, 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.059 love God, love others. 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.799 God never said love yourself. 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:11.879 That's a whole other lesson you can do a little study on if you want. 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:15.819 Because we have a promotion today, it's all about loving self. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.779 God never tells you to love yourself. 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:19.779 He tells you to love Him and love others. 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:23.899 But notice the attire that they wore, 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:25.599 the clothing that they wore, 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:30.399 the very choice in clothing was to draw attention to themselves as righteous. 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:34.720 It tells us that they would go through the marketplace, 00:22:35.040 --> 00:22:37.700 they would wear these white, big flowing robes, 00:22:37.800 --> 00:22:40.640 and they'd have a big blue border around the bottom. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:45.620 Now to us, if we saw somebody in a white robe with blue border around the bottom, 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.600 we'd look at them and say, 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:47.420 you're really weird. 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.400 You know, I'll just be honest. 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:52.480 You know, if you saw somebody down here walking downtown like that, 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.080 you'd be going, 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:54.079 Okay. 00:22:55.159 --> 00:22:58.460 But I want you to understand because Numbers chapter 15 00:22:58.460 --> 00:23:00.939 commands them, 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.539 if you go back to Numbers 15, 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.960 in verse 38, 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:04.619 it tells us, 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:06.019 Speak unto the children of Israel, 00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:10.919 and bid them that they make them fringes on the borders of their garments 00:23:10.919 --> 00:23:12.179 throughout their generations, 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:16.039 and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:18.319 that shall be unto you for a fringe, 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:20.059 that ye may look upon it. 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:22.700 Now the problem is, 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.740 that's where they stopped, 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.519 because what their focus was, 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:26.519 Look at what I'm wearing. 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:28.259 I'm wearing my righteousness. 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:31.000 They wanted to draw attention to the scribes, 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.799 and Pharisees were like, 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:34.179 Look at me, how righteous I am. 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.579 But they missed the point, 00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:38.000 because notice what God commanded them in Numbers. 00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.679 He didn't say, 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:41.599 Do this for everybody else. 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:44.359 He didn't say, 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:47.079 Do this to draw attention to yourself. 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.839 Notice what he said here. 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.799 And it said, 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:53.740 And it shall be unto you a fringe, 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:55.599 that ye may look upon it, 00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:58.679 and remember all the commandments of the Lord, 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.480 and do them, 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:02.700 that ye seek not after your own heart, 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.819 and your own eyes, 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:07.500 after which ye use to go a-whoring, 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:10.720 that ye may remember to do all my commandments, 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:12.419 and to be holy unto your God. 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:14.799 The attire that they love to wear, 00:24:14.899 --> 00:24:16.259 that everybody to see them in, 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:18.319 to make themselves look righteous, 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:20.279 God says that wasn't the purpose. 00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:22.019 The purpose is when you put it on, 00:24:22.700 --> 00:24:25.980 to remember who you're representing. 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:27.939 It's for you to remember, 00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:31.579 to understand that if you're saved, 00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.679 if you're a child of God, 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:36.019 you have a responsibility to the Savior. 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:38.519 It wasn't for everybody else to see, 00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:39.960 it was for you to remember. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.460 That's a big difference, isn't it? 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.180 God says, 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.539 I want you to do this, 00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:45.059 not to put on a promotion, 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:49.079 but I want you to do this to remind yourself. 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.240 Now, today, 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:52.779 God might have commanded us to do this a little different. 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.379 He might have said, 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.559 Take out that phone of yours, 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:55.359 and every morning, 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:57.079 put a little reminder on there, 00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:58.700 to say to remember who you represent. 00:24:59.139 --> 00:24:59.299 You know, 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.940 that might not be a bad thing for us to do, 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.700 first thing in the morning, 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:04.559 is to get a little ding that says, 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:06.039 Hey, remember who saved you. 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:07.519 That wouldn't be a bad day to start, 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.720 bad way to start the day, 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.039 would it? 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:12.600 When they got dressed in the morning, 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.840 this was the purpose of this, 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.400 that they might be, 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:16.799 remember what God has done. 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:19.700 Not to draw attention to themselves, 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:22.940 but to the Lord personally. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:25.980 The command that they were following was right, 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:27.960 but notice the purpose got distorted. 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:30.279 It was worn for themselves. 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.839 Remember, 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:34.319 not for others to see or draw attention to themselves. 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:37.759 The attention was to be towards God, 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:39.700 but the scribes and Pharisees, 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.700 they tell us, 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:42.539 would parade through the marketplace 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:44.639 in their elaborate robes 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:46.920 so that everybody could see them. 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.399 You know, 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:49.200 one commentator I read was interesting. 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:52.799 They said the Pharisees would flare out the bottom 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:55.420 and have these big elaborate blue bands 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:57.839 with these strings off them, 00:25:57.980 --> 00:26:00.240 and it says they'd almost look like they were floating. 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:02.220 as they walked along, 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:02.799 you know. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.559 It was a self-promotion. 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:08.559 But that fringe and that attire 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.839 was not for others. 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:11.160 It was supposed to be for them. 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:14.579 To remember who they represented, 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:17.639 to remember all the commands of the Lord 00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:18.740 and to do them. 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:22.240 And to not seek after their own heart 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:23.359 and their own eyes. 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:24.980 Because you know what happens? 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:26.700 When we get our eyes and our heart 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.519 on the wrong thing, 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.799 we go after the wrong things. 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:30.139 Jesus is telling them, 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:32.279 just because the scribes are doing this, 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:34.279 what the scribes were doing 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.759 is what God commanded them, 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:37.200 but they were using it wrongly. 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.639 Let me put it a different way. 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.299 Jesus is, 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.460 as he goes through this, 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.460 he's basically saying, 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:41.660 hey, 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:43.539 don't throw the baby out with the bath water. 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.019 You know, 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:45.160 because the water gets dirty 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:46.079 when you take a bath. 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:47.559 You don't throw all the contents 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.339 of the bath out. 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:48.859 He said, 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:50.240 because they misuse, 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:52.799 don't think that it's not correct. 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:54.240 It's just the way they're using it 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.759 is incorrect. 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:55.879 Notice here, 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.359 the second, 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:58.139 they acclaimed that they craved. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.700 Notice the next thing, 00:26:59.759 --> 00:26:59.919 he says, 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:01.139 the love of long clothing. 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:01.339 Now, 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:01.919 this next one, 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.139 love, 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:03.960 salutations in the marketplace. 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:05.519 You know, 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:07.039 salutations. 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.000 You know, 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:09.799 what's it talking about here? 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:10.460 Well, 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.879 let me give you a little insight 00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:13.480 into what it's dealing with here 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:16.159 because as they walked through the market, 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:17.200 it was expected 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:19.000 when they'd walk through 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:20.139 with their big robes 00:27:20.139 --> 00:27:21.039 and their big fringe 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.700 along the bottom 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.579 floating along, 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:24.720 that everybody would stand up 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:26.379 as they walked by. 00:27:27.919 --> 00:27:30.000 And people were supposed to stand up 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:31.059 and acknowledge them 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.759 and say, 00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:32.200 Rabbi, 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.519 Master, 00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:35.440 my great one, 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.500 as they walked by. 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:38.419 The acclaim that they sought, 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:40.139 they wanted to hold a position 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:42.220 of prominence with people. 00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.659 This is another one. 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:47.259 The respect of those in authority 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.659 is a biblical principle. 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:52.079 But I want you to understand 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:53.159 something very important 00:27:53.159 --> 00:27:54.019 here this morning 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.559 for even us today 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:57.639 because sometimes we can take it, 00:27:57.699 --> 00:27:58.599 but people in authority 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.599 do the wrong things, 00:27:59.659 --> 00:28:01.659 we lose sight of the importance 00:28:01.659 --> 00:28:03.480 that God established that authority. 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:08.119 We have to always honor the authority 00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:09.659 in the place of that authority, 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:11.120 but we need to understand 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:12.200 there are sinful people 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:13.360 who do wrong things 00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:14.620 sometimes in those places. 00:28:15.040 --> 00:28:15.240 You know, 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.480 it's no different today. 00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:16.800 I mean, 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:18.279 it's kind of funny 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:20.200 as I was preparing this 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:21.040 and the different things, 00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:21.320 you know, 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:23.040 we had a little clip 00:28:23.040 --> 00:28:23.759 come on 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:25.060 of some people 00:28:25.060 --> 00:28:25.900 that were going to pray 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:27.920 for a presidential candidate 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.620 and they're like, 00:28:28.860 --> 00:28:28.960 well, 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.640 we have Bishop such and such 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:32.320 and Reverend such and such 00:28:32.320 --> 00:28:32.500 and, 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:32.820 you know, 00:28:32.820 --> 00:28:34.039 all these different individuals 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.660 and I'm thinking, 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:34.900 you know, 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:35.840 most of these guys 00:28:35.840 --> 00:28:37.820 have those titles 00:28:37.820 --> 00:28:38.840 and want to promote it 00:28:38.840 --> 00:28:39.759 for self-promotion. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:43.380 Look how important I am. 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.340 You know? 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:47.880 It's kind of like 00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:50.200 when you're talking to people 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.600 and, you know, 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:52.840 I've even had this happen, 00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:53.060 you know, 00:28:53.080 --> 00:28:53.380 where some, 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:53.800 well, 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:55.359 I'm doctor such and such. 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:57.279 You know? 00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:58.480 I want you to understand 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.720 titles are important 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.700 but those things 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.680 ought to be given 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:03.599 out of respect 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.740 for what they hold 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.879 and not for the person. 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:07.039 And sometimes people 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:08.180 think they merit it. 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:10.279 You know? 00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:11.460 There's nothing wrong 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:13.059 in giving honor appropriately. 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.000 You know? 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.960 Titles do show respect 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:19.480 of position and authority. 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:20.940 You know? 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.539 It's kind of like 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.879 when you hear kids 00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:23.779 call their mom and dad 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:24.920 by their first name. 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.660 That to me 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:27.139 is a disrespectful thing. 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:31.200 Because it's not honoring 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:31.960 the authority 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.680 that's over them. 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.440 Now I understand. 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:35.160 I know my kids 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:35.480 will tell you, 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.160 well, sometimes, 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:36.519 you know, 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:37.940 I've got to call mom 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:39.119 by name to get her attention 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:40.200 because she's not answering. 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:42.079 You know? 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.119 I want you to understand 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:44.139 your primary thing 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:44.879 ought to be referring 00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:46.440 to them in a respectful manner. 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:49.720 Having that right respect 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:51.059 and honor in place. 00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:53.599 Because it's not for them 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.219 as kind of like 00:29:54.219 --> 00:29:55.919 just Mr. and Mrs. 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.079 You know? 00:29:57.639 --> 00:29:58.379 Those are things 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:59.099 that are lost 00:29:59.099 --> 00:30:00.099 sometimes within 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:01.259 because of the, 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:03.000 but we miss the importance. 00:30:03.719 --> 00:30:03.919 You know, 00:30:03.939 --> 00:30:05.119 even in the military 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.339 you address somebody 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:07.319 by their rank. 00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:08.079 You know? 00:30:08.719 --> 00:30:09.539 You think about that. 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:09.779 You know, 00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:10.379 they'll call them 00:30:10.379 --> 00:30:11.539 Sergeant such and such 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.679 or Captain such and such. 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:14.139 I want you to understand 00:30:14.139 --> 00:30:14.740 some people 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:16.240 want to hear that acclaim 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.099 but it's actually 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:18.879 not to acclaim them. 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.799 It's just to give honor 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.559 to the position. 00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:22.700 You know, 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.180 it's kind of like 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:24.659 when we refer to a president 00:30:24.659 --> 00:30:25.859 as president. 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.619 You know what that's doing? 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.819 It's not giving promotion 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:30.220 to them. 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.819 It's giving prominence 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.680 to the authority 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.659 that's been given them. 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.539 And we need to be careful 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:37.799 in our reference 00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.819 to those things 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:41.000 and even things 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:42.259 associated with it. 00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:42.879 We could go into 00:30:42.879 --> 00:30:43.919 a lot of different things 00:30:43.919 --> 00:30:44.579 here on that 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:46.139 but I want you to understand 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:47.380 the same is true 00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:49.060 even within the church. 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:49.400 You know, 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.580 there's individuals, 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:50.920 you know, 00:30:51.020 --> 00:30:52.080 I like to go by 00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:52.900 Pastor Smith 00:30:52.900 --> 00:30:53.960 or, you know, 00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:55.520 because it's appropriate 00:30:55.520 --> 00:30:57.100 for the office and place 00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:58.420 that God has placed me. 00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.980 But the one thing 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.500 you'll notice 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.140 if you're around here 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:01.640 very long, 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.640 I don't demand it. 00:31:02.820 --> 00:31:03.380 I know guys 00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:04.180 who demand that. 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.800 I don't think 00:31:04.800 --> 00:31:05.920 that's right to demand it. 00:31:06.080 --> 00:31:06.780 But it's right. 00:31:08.580 --> 00:31:09.920 It's what we ought to do. 00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:12.759 Not because of who I am 00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:14.080 but because the office 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:15.740 that God has placed me in. 00:31:16.580 --> 00:31:17.620 Because we're going to look here 00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:18.900 when God puts you in authority 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.880 He also gives you 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:21.580 extra responsibility. 00:31:22.300 --> 00:31:23.380 And with that responsibility 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:24.540 you never separate 00:31:24.540 --> 00:31:25.160 responsibility 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:26.080 from accountability. 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:29.340 Those things are always 00:31:29.340 --> 00:31:30.140 tied together. 00:31:31.580 --> 00:31:32.080 The only thing 00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:33.220 I'll ask of you 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:34.500 is do not call me 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.240 Reverend Smith. 00:31:35.560 --> 00:31:36.560 If you want to look it up 00:31:36.560 --> 00:31:37.000 in the Bible 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.200 it's only used one place 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:39.040 and it's only spoken 00:31:39.040 --> 00:31:39.940 towards one person. 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:44.520 That might be a fancy title 00:31:44.520 --> 00:31:45.180 that you have 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:47.039 from a piece of paper 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:48.360 but it doesn't 00:31:48.360 --> 00:31:49.660 something that's not 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:51.039 I don't think 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:52.580 it's a good title 00:31:52.580 --> 00:31:53.140 of myself 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:54.680 because it doesn't 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.640 reflect what we do 00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:56.799 but let's move on. 00:31:58.880 --> 00:32:00.140 Somebody messed with the clock. 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:00.820 Alright, let's go 00:32:00.820 --> 00:32:01.360 to the next one. 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:02.620 Attention they desire. 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:04.519 Attention they desire 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.440 the chief seats 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:06.420 in the synagogues. 00:32:06.820 --> 00:32:07.060 You know, 00:32:07.080 --> 00:32:08.279 they sit in the chief seats 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.259 both in the synagogue 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:10.340 or at the feast. 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:12.160 They sit at Moses' seats 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:12.840 which is a place 00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:13.839 of authority. 00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:15.519 They sought the position. 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.339 They desired to be important. 00:32:17.459 --> 00:32:18.279 It was not a place 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:19.859 of responsibility to them. 00:32:19.919 --> 00:32:21.059 It was a place of attention. 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:21.679 You know, 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:23.159 sometimes people in leadership 00:32:23.159 --> 00:32:24.000 love to sit 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:25.039 in places of attention. 00:32:25.419 --> 00:32:25.919 And sometimes 00:32:25.919 --> 00:32:27.039 the place you sit 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:28.379 is giving honor 00:32:28.379 --> 00:32:29.199 to that person. 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.619 There's times 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:32.759 appropriate for that 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.740 but as an individual 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.559 we ought to seek 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.459 to honor God 00:32:35.459 --> 00:32:36.419 above ourselves. 00:32:37.699 --> 00:32:38.559 To seek Him, 00:32:38.699 --> 00:32:39.099 desire, 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:40.539 we ought not to desire 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:41.459 to be important 00:32:41.459 --> 00:32:43.539 because when you're 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.419 in authority, 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.279 if God puts you 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.319 in a place of authority 00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:47.119 you need to remember 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:48.559 it's a place of responsibility 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:49.379 and accountability. 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:50.619 It's a place 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:51.740 that has great merit. 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.759 Notice what Jesus 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:55.079 told His disciples. 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.219 Mark chapter 10 00:32:56.219 --> 00:32:57.399 verse 43 00:32:57.399 --> 00:32:57.779 it says, 00:32:57.980 --> 00:33:00.819 So shall it not be among you 00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.779 but whosoever 00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.980 will be great among you 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.879 shall be your what? 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:05.000 Minister. 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.399 And whosoever you 00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:07.500 will be the chiefest 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:09.200 shall be servant of all. 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.500 Matthew 23 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.619 Jesus records 00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:12.640 this same statement 00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:14.079 as He's talking about this 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:15.559 in Matthew 23 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:15.880 He says, 00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:17.180 He that is greatest among you 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.059 shall be your servant 00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:20.200 and whosoever shall exalt himself 00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:21.180 shall be abased 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:21.900 and he that humble 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:22.980 shall humble himself 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.900 shall be exalted. 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:24.680 He said, 00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:26.160 don't worry about the scribes 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:27.940 seeking self-seeking desire 00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:29.140 to promote themselves. 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:31.279 Make sure you respect 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:31.940 the position 00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:32.839 that they've been given. 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:34.259 Jesus is reminding us 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.339 something very important. 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:38.779 just because they're hypocrites 00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:40.039 doesn't negate the truth. 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.119 We need to pay attention 00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:41.839 to the truth. 00:33:42.959 --> 00:33:44.179 Notice the appetite 00:33:44.179 --> 00:33:45.659 that they had. 00:33:45.879 --> 00:33:46.220 It says, 00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:48.079 devour widows' houses. 00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:49.179 You know, 00:33:49.679 --> 00:33:51.159 have you ever wondered 00:33:51.159 --> 00:33:52.179 what that's talking about? 00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:55.039 How many times have you read that 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.319 and really, 00:33:55.419 --> 00:33:56.379 have you ever looked into it? 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.819 That phrase is this 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.240 because remember 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.659 the scribes were the lawyers. 00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:02.159 And what would happen 00:34:02.159 --> 00:34:03.619 is widows would come 00:34:03.619 --> 00:34:05.779 and they would need legal help 00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:07.119 or setting things up 00:34:07.119 --> 00:34:07.519 and they would, 00:34:07.919 --> 00:34:10.539 these scribes would do things 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:12.239 to manipulate the law 00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:14.019 to take the possessions 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:15.339 that they were to live on 00:34:15.339 --> 00:34:17.440 and to either take it for themselves 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:19.299 or to give it to the temple. 00:34:19.839 --> 00:34:20.759 And it wasn't the fact 00:34:20.759 --> 00:34:22.039 they were giving it to God. 00:34:22.259 --> 00:34:22.960 It was the fact 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:23.940 that they were using it 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:25.440 to get a kickback to themselves. 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:27.199 Devour widows' houses. 00:34:27.619 --> 00:34:29.059 They were using their opportunity 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:30.679 as a master of the law 00:34:30.679 --> 00:34:32.319 to manipulate 00:34:32.319 --> 00:34:33.940 and funneling it 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.639 through the temple. 00:34:34.759 --> 00:34:35.980 Then we have the announcements 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:37.019 that they declared. 00:34:37.839 --> 00:34:38.059 You know, 00:34:38.359 --> 00:34:39.659 look at what the next phrase says. 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.599 Notice this. 00:34:40.739 --> 00:34:40.940 It says, 00:34:41.319 --> 00:34:42.559 and for pretense, 00:34:42.719 --> 00:34:43.679 make long prayers. 00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:44.940 For pretense, 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:46.000 make long prayers. 00:34:46.399 --> 00:34:46.559 You know, 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.739 Jesus addressed that 00:34:47.739 --> 00:34:48.799 over in Luke 18. 00:34:50.419 --> 00:34:51.799 Remember in Luke 18 00:34:51.799 --> 00:34:53.599 where you find the Pharisee 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:54.839 that Jesus talks about? 00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.199 It says, 00:34:55.419 --> 00:34:56.779 and the Pharisee stood 00:34:56.779 --> 00:34:58.599 and prayed thus with himself. 00:34:58.879 --> 00:34:59.839 That's a whole other message 00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:00.480 to itself. 00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:04.200 Prayed thus to himself, 00:35:04.660 --> 00:35:04.980 God, 00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:05.740 I thank thee 00:35:05.740 --> 00:35:06.400 that I am not 00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.500 as other men are, 00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:09.740 extortioners 00:35:09.740 --> 00:35:10.420 and unjust, 00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:11.120 adulterers 00:35:11.120 --> 00:35:12.380 or even as this publican. 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:14.559 I fast twice a week. 00:35:14.640 --> 00:35:15.420 I give tithes 00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.680 of all that I possess. 00:35:17.680 --> 00:35:18.120 Now remember, 00:35:18.240 --> 00:35:19.640 this was not a private prayer. 00:35:19.740 --> 00:35:20.760 This was a public prayer. 00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:22.420 What would be your response 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:23.640 if I stood up here on Sunday 00:35:23.640 --> 00:35:23.880 and oh, 00:35:24.120 --> 00:35:24.380 Lord, 00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:25.500 thank you for I'm not 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.640 like the dreadful sinners 00:35:26.640 --> 00:35:27.500 I'm preaching to. 00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:33.019 I mean, 00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:34.220 when we put it in that phrase, 00:35:34.320 --> 00:35:34.960 it makes it sound 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:35.720 really ludicrous, 00:35:35.800 --> 00:35:36.260 doesn't it? 00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:37.079 But that's really 00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:37.860 what Jesus said 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:39.059 this Pharisee was praying. 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:40.519 A self-promotion 00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:42.140 and want to draw attention 00:35:42.140 --> 00:35:42.860 to themselves 00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:44.380 by giving long prayers, 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.700 not seeking the Lord, 00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:46.920 but to announce 00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:48.100 their own righteousness 00:35:48.100 --> 00:35:49.019 that they're better 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:50.100 than everybody else. 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:51.680 You know, 00:35:51.700 --> 00:35:52.280 we need to know 00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:53.539 the aim and actions 00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.579 of the scribes 00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:55.340 are the same 00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:57.280 that they'll give account for. 00:35:57.280 --> 00:35:59.500 Because notice 00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:00.480 the last phrase 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:01.600 of verse 40 there. 00:36:03.320 --> 00:36:04.660 These shall receive 00:36:04.660 --> 00:36:05.880 greater damnation. 00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:07.019 The accounting 00:36:07.019 --> 00:36:08.360 that God gives 00:36:08.360 --> 00:36:10.300 to leaders, 00:36:10.840 --> 00:36:12.100 but I want you to understand 00:36:12.100 --> 00:36:13.120 God gives account 00:36:13.120 --> 00:36:14.019 to each one of us. 00:36:14.280 --> 00:36:15.340 We can look at others 00:36:15.340 --> 00:36:16.460 and it's always easier 00:36:16.460 --> 00:36:17.519 to look at somebody else 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:17.840 and say, 00:36:18.240 --> 00:36:18.480 yeah, 00:36:18.580 --> 00:36:19.460 they're messed up. 00:36:21.140 --> 00:36:22.040 Have you ever noticed 00:36:22.040 --> 00:36:22.800 it's always easier 00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:23.320 to point out 00:36:23.320 --> 00:36:24.300 somebody else's problems 00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:24.820 and flaws? 00:36:25.140 --> 00:36:26.080 And the reality is 00:36:26.080 --> 00:36:26.780 we need to be careful 00:36:26.780 --> 00:36:27.300 because we need to be 00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:28.040 looking at our own. 00:36:28.280 --> 00:36:29.160 We need to have that mirror 00:36:29.160 --> 00:36:30.160 of the Word of God 00:36:30.160 --> 00:36:31.860 impacting who we are 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:34.680 instead of worrying 00:36:34.680 --> 00:36:35.480 about what somebody 00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:36.120 else is doing. 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:37.380 Jesus concludes 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:38.680 with a great reminder 00:36:38.680 --> 00:36:39.840 that what others do 00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:40.840 and how they observe 00:36:40.840 --> 00:36:41.400 and do 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:43.180 will not in any way 00:36:43.180 --> 00:36:44.740 diminish the responsibility 00:36:44.740 --> 00:36:46.200 that each of us has 00:36:46.200 --> 00:36:46.960 to give account. 00:36:47.260 --> 00:36:48.580 It says the scribes here, 00:36:48.680 --> 00:36:49.660 Jesus' assessment, 00:36:49.800 --> 00:36:50.880 his accounting of them 00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:51.480 was this, 00:36:52.600 --> 00:36:53.460 they're going to receive 00:36:53.460 --> 00:36:54.620 a greater damnation 00:36:54.620 --> 00:36:55.740 or a greater judgment. 00:36:56.780 --> 00:36:58.019 The word there 00:36:58.019 --> 00:36:58.940 for damnation 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.400 is just that, 00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:00.040 it's an accounting. 00:37:01.940 --> 00:37:03.260 That God's going to make them 00:37:03.260 --> 00:37:04.340 give greater account 00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:05.220 for their choices 00:37:05.220 --> 00:37:06.220 in what they do. 00:37:07.680 --> 00:37:08.700 That judgment, 00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:09.680 that accountability. 00:37:10.080 --> 00:37:11.480 Throw over to Hebrews chapter 13 00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:12.160 for a moment 00:37:12.160 --> 00:37:12.880 because sometimes 00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:14.680 this verse is used wrongly 00:37:14.680 --> 00:37:15.420 and a lot of people 00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:16.700 like the first part of it 00:37:16.700 --> 00:37:19.040 but they forget about 00:37:19.040 --> 00:37:20.120 another part in there 00:37:20.120 --> 00:37:20.660 and sometimes 00:37:20.660 --> 00:37:22.180 even preachers 00:37:22.180 --> 00:37:23.800 will use this wrongly, 00:37:23.880 --> 00:37:24.120 you know, 00:37:24.119 --> 00:37:25.019 and we notice here 00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:25.679 where it says, 00:37:25.859 --> 00:37:27.000 obey them that have rule 00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:27.400 over you 00:37:27.400 --> 00:37:28.480 and submit yourselves 00:37:28.480 --> 00:37:29.599 for they watch 00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:30.579 for your souls. 00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:32.319 Now notice that next phrase, 00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:32.920 that's the part 00:37:32.920 --> 00:37:34.000 you got to keep in mind 00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:35.799 on everybody's part 00:37:35.799 --> 00:37:36.619 to who, 00:37:37.179 --> 00:37:38.699 as they must give what? 00:37:39.859 --> 00:37:40.339 Account. 00:37:40.659 --> 00:37:40.859 You know, 00:37:40.880 --> 00:37:41.480 whenever you see 00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:42.480 that word judgment, 00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:44.960 damnation, 00:37:46.359 --> 00:37:46.920 accounting, 00:37:47.219 --> 00:37:48.039 you've got to pay attention 00:37:48.039 --> 00:37:49.219 because let me tell you this, 00:37:49.259 --> 00:37:50.639 if God gives you 00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:53.159 a place of leadership, 00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:54.400 a place of authority, 00:37:54.500 --> 00:37:55.199 if God gives you 00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:56.519 a place of responsibility, 00:37:56.800 --> 00:37:57.679 that could be any place 00:37:57.679 --> 00:37:58.639 from being a dad 00:37:58.639 --> 00:37:59.239 and a father 00:37:59.239 --> 00:38:00.960 to being a pastor 00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:01.679 or a deacon 00:38:01.679 --> 00:38:03.259 or just serving God 00:38:03.259 --> 00:38:03.679 someplace 00:38:03.679 --> 00:38:05.059 or in a position 00:38:05.059 --> 00:38:05.779 of authority 00:38:05.779 --> 00:38:07.279 within society, 00:38:07.679 --> 00:38:08.659 I want you to understand 00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:09.719 God's going to hold you 00:38:09.719 --> 00:38:10.340 to account 00:38:10.340 --> 00:38:11.320 of the responsibilities 00:38:11.320 --> 00:38:12.119 attached. 00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:14.199 He says, 00:38:14.279 --> 00:38:14.719 guys, 00:38:14.880 --> 00:38:15.900 don't get your eyes 00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:17.019 on the scribes 00:38:17.019 --> 00:38:17.800 and the Pharisees. 00:38:17.920 --> 00:38:18.639 Keep your eyes 00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:19.300 on the truth. 00:38:21.200 --> 00:38:22.039 Pay attention 00:38:22.039 --> 00:38:22.740 to the truth 00:38:22.740 --> 00:38:23.920 because that's to what 00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:24.800 you're going to give account. 00:38:25.200 --> 00:38:25.980 That's why Jesus 00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:27.000 reminds them 00:38:27.000 --> 00:38:29.320 of that authority 00:38:29.320 --> 00:38:30.200 given to them 00:38:30.200 --> 00:38:31.340 to keep an eye 00:38:31.340 --> 00:38:32.059 on the truth 00:38:32.059 --> 00:38:33.180 that's before them 00:38:33.180 --> 00:38:35.760 because the simple fact 00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:36.220 is this, 00:38:36.220 --> 00:38:36.720 one day, 00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:37.820 just as the scribes 00:38:37.820 --> 00:38:38.599 and the Pharisees 00:38:38.599 --> 00:38:39.720 would be held to account, 00:38:40.740 --> 00:38:41.599 the fact is 00:38:41.599 --> 00:38:42.860 that so will you and I, 00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:43.740 everyone will give 00:38:43.740 --> 00:38:44.700 account to the Lord. 00:38:44.699 --> 00:38:45.980 The question is 00:38:45.980 --> 00:38:47.139 when the time comes, 00:38:47.219 --> 00:38:48.000 what kind of accounting 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:49.019 is going to take place 00:38:49.019 --> 00:38:50.039 because everybody 00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:51.539 will stand before the Lord. 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:54.359 The Bible makes it clear 00:38:54.359 --> 00:38:55.639 there's nobody exempt 00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:57.000 but I want you to understand 00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:58.319 when you have Christ 00:38:58.319 --> 00:38:59.159 as your Savior, 00:39:00.139 --> 00:39:02.339 it changes how that happens 00:39:02.339 --> 00:39:03.579 because the reality 00:39:03.579 --> 00:39:04.539 is this, 00:39:05.119 --> 00:39:06.359 Romans 14 says, 00:39:06.559 --> 00:39:07.379 but why dost thou 00:39:07.379 --> 00:39:08.299 judge thy brother 00:39:08.299 --> 00:39:09.039 or why dost thou 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:10.179 set it not thy brother 00:39:10.179 --> 00:39:12.139 for we shall all stand 00:39:12.139 --> 00:39:13.639 before the judgment seat 00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:14.859 of Christ. 00:39:15.420 --> 00:39:16.799 I want you to understand 00:39:16.799 --> 00:39:17.659 the judgment seat 00:39:17.659 --> 00:39:18.139 of Christ 00:39:18.139 --> 00:39:19.440 is not for lost people. 00:39:20.239 --> 00:39:21.199 The judgment seat 00:39:21.199 --> 00:39:21.759 of Christ 00:39:21.759 --> 00:39:22.519 is for people 00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:23.019 who have called 00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:23.699 upon the Lord, 00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:24.699 those who are saved 00:39:24.699 --> 00:39:25.920 who are a child of God. 00:39:27.279 --> 00:39:28.359 And what's different 00:39:28.359 --> 00:39:29.099 about that, 00:39:29.239 --> 00:39:30.099 instead of Jesus 00:39:30.099 --> 00:39:31.179 being your judge, 00:39:31.219 --> 00:39:31.920 he's your advocate. 00:39:32.279 --> 00:39:33.259 He's the one standing 00:39:33.259 --> 00:39:34.079 beside you 00:39:34.079 --> 00:39:35.000 and not in front of you. 00:39:35.199 --> 00:39:35.940 In a courtroom, 00:39:36.059 --> 00:39:36.839 there's a big difference 00:39:36.839 --> 00:39:37.799 between the advocate 00:39:37.799 --> 00:39:38.639 beside you 00:39:38.639 --> 00:39:40.279 and the judge 00:39:40.279 --> 00:39:40.839 before you. 00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:42.160 If you have Christ 00:39:42.160 --> 00:39:42.980 as your Savior, 00:39:43.140 --> 00:39:44.280 he stands beside you. 00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:45.059 The Bible tells us 00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:45.860 he is our advocate 00:39:45.860 --> 00:39:46.559 with the Father. 00:39:46.860 --> 00:39:47.700 You'll have Christ 00:39:47.700 --> 00:39:49.079 standing beside you 00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:49.920 at that time 00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:51.980 and you'll be judged 00:39:51.980 --> 00:39:53.160 differently 00:39:53.160 --> 00:39:54.980 because all your sin 00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:57.300 has been placed 00:39:57.300 --> 00:39:57.960 under the blood 00:39:57.960 --> 00:39:59.000 of Jesus Christ, 00:39:59.079 --> 00:39:59.539 your advocate. 00:39:59.840 --> 00:40:00.760 But the Bible speaks 00:40:00.760 --> 00:40:01.600 of another judgment 00:40:01.600 --> 00:40:02.400 of accountability. 00:40:02.920 --> 00:40:04.220 Revelation chapter 20 00:40:04.220 --> 00:40:05.079 and verse 10, 00:40:05.460 --> 00:40:05.800 or excuse me, 00:40:05.860 --> 00:40:06.519 verse 12 says, 00:40:06.620 --> 00:40:07.400 and I saw the dead, 00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:08.140 small and great, 00:40:08.260 --> 00:40:09.640 stand before God. 00:40:09.639 --> 00:40:10.599 One day you're going 00:40:10.599 --> 00:40:11.199 to give account 00:40:11.199 --> 00:40:12.699 and the Bible makes it clear 00:40:12.699 --> 00:40:13.339 that one day you're going 00:40:13.339 --> 00:40:15.319 to stand before Jesus Christ 00:40:15.319 --> 00:40:15.900 the righteous 00:40:15.900 --> 00:40:17.039 and give account. 00:40:17.339 --> 00:40:18.739 This judgment is too late. 00:40:18.839 --> 00:40:19.980 This is a pronouncement 00:40:19.980 --> 00:40:20.539 of judgment. 00:40:20.980 --> 00:40:21.639 When you stand, 00:40:21.759 --> 00:40:23.239 Revelation 20 speaks 00:40:23.239 --> 00:40:24.039 of the sentencing 00:40:24.039 --> 00:40:25.359 because the Bible says 00:40:25.359 --> 00:40:26.000 that at this point 00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:27.619 you'll stand before him guilty. 00:40:28.039 --> 00:40:29.199 And when you're already guilty, 00:40:29.339 --> 00:40:30.379 there's only one thing 00:40:30.379 --> 00:40:31.059 left to do 00:40:31.059 --> 00:40:32.579 and that's to pass the sentence. 00:40:32.859 --> 00:40:33.519 You're going to stand 00:40:33.519 --> 00:40:34.319 before God, 00:40:34.420 --> 00:40:35.179 you're either going to stand 00:40:35.179 --> 00:40:36.480 there to give to account 00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:37.699 that you're guilty 00:40:37.699 --> 00:40:38.679 before God 00:40:38.679 --> 00:40:40.500 and have a sentence 00:40:40.500 --> 00:40:42.699 or by the grace of God. 00:40:42.799 --> 00:40:44.019 If you've called upon Christ 00:40:44.019 --> 00:40:44.679 as your Savior, 00:40:44.839 --> 00:40:46.199 recognizing you're a sinner 00:40:46.199 --> 00:40:47.559 that needs a Savior 00:40:47.559 --> 00:40:48.859 and called upon him, 00:40:49.079 --> 00:40:49.919 the Bible says 00:40:49.919 --> 00:40:51.099 it will stand before him 00:40:51.099 --> 00:40:52.419 not in condemnation 00:40:52.419 --> 00:40:53.440 but in just 00:40:53.440 --> 00:40:55.219 with the advocate beside us 00:40:55.219 --> 00:40:56.039 judging us 00:40:56.039 --> 00:40:57.159 for reward 00:40:57.159 --> 00:40:58.739 and not for condemnation. 00:40:59.139 --> 00:41:00.059 The reality is 00:41:00.059 --> 00:41:01.239 which one are you going to stand? 00:41:02.599 --> 00:41:03.980 Because you will stand 00:41:03.980 --> 00:41:04.940 before one or the other. 00:41:05.179 --> 00:41:06.359 And there's only one person 00:41:06.359 --> 00:41:06.899 in the room 00:41:06.900 --> 00:41:07.760 that can give an answer 00:41:07.760 --> 00:41:08.500 for where you're going 00:41:08.500 --> 00:41:09.220 to stand today. 00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:10.019 That's you 00:41:10.019 --> 00:41:11.079 with the choice 00:41:11.079 --> 00:41:12.680 that you've made 00:41:12.680 --> 00:41:13.539 with Christ. 00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:15.619 As heads are bowed 00:41:15.619 --> 00:41:16.360 and eyes are closed 00:41:16.360 --> 00:41:16.780 this morning, 00:41:17.059 --> 00:41:18.079 what about you today? 00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:19.599 Are you making decisions 00:41:19.599 --> 00:41:21.400 because of what 00:41:21.400 --> 00:41:22.700 somebody else has done? 00:41:23.700 --> 00:41:25.160 Are you making decisions 00:41:25.160 --> 00:41:26.200 based upon the truth 00:41:26.200 --> 00:41:26.940 of God's Word? 00:41:27.180 --> 00:41:28.860 People may do things wrongly 00:41:28.860 --> 00:41:29.960 but don't get your attention 00:41:29.960 --> 00:41:31.000 on what others do. 00:41:32.639 --> 00:41:33.660 I want to encourage you 00:41:33.660 --> 00:41:34.420 to keep your attention 00:41:34.420 --> 00:41:35.200 on the truth. 00:41:37.119 --> 00:41:38.059 Keep your attention 00:41:38.059 --> 00:41:39.200 on the things of God. 00:41:39.420 --> 00:41:40.420 What about you today? 00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.059 Heavenly Father 00:41:41.059 --> 00:41:42.599 as we come before you 00:41:42.599 --> 00:41:43.380 as we have an opportunity 00:41:43.380 --> 00:41:44.980 to respond here this morning. 00:41:46.180 --> 00:41:47.599 Lord, you know each heart, 00:41:47.720 --> 00:41:48.780 each life here today. 00:41:49.119 --> 00:41:50.119 Lord, you know those 00:41:50.119 --> 00:41:51.860 who have called upon you. 00:41:53.440 --> 00:41:54.440 You know those 00:41:54.440 --> 00:41:55.059 who have not. 00:41:56.740 --> 00:41:57.720 You know those 00:41:57.720 --> 00:41:58.440 who are struggling 00:41:58.440 --> 00:41:59.760 with what others have done. 00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:01.559 That need to let 00:42:01.559 --> 00:42:02.460 those things go 00:42:02.460 --> 00:42:02.920 and to say, 00:42:03.000 --> 00:42:03.960 Lord, I want to make sure 00:42:03.960 --> 00:42:05.800 I am in the right standing 00:42:05.800 --> 00:42:06.400 with you 00:42:06.400 --> 00:42:08.860 according to the truth 00:42:08.860 --> 00:42:09.800 of the Word of God. 00:42:10.099 --> 00:42:11.340 Lord, help us to see clearly 00:42:11.340 --> 00:42:12.639 the need to trust 00:42:12.639 --> 00:42:13.599 and pay attention 00:42:13.599 --> 00:42:15.519 to your truth 00:42:15.519 --> 00:42:16.740 and not what others 00:42:16.740 --> 00:42:17.400 do with it. 00:42:19.380 --> 00:42:19.619 And Lord, 00:42:19.659 --> 00:42:20.659 we just turn this time 00:42:20.659 --> 00:42:21.360 to you, Lord, 00:42:21.420 --> 00:42:21.880 that we might, 00:42:22.360 --> 00:42:23.320 you might work upon 00:42:23.320 --> 00:42:24.300 hearts and lives 00:42:24.300 --> 00:42:25.139 here in a mighty way. 00:42:25.220 --> 00:42:26.599 Your Spirit would convict 00:42:26.599 --> 00:42:27.320 and convince, 00:42:28.079 --> 00:42:29.260 encourage and strengthen. 00:42:29.420 --> 00:42:30.220 Lord, you know the need 00:42:30.220 --> 00:42:31.320 of each one here today. 00:42:32.800 --> 00:42:33.740 Lord, we ask it all 00:42:33.740 --> 00:42:34.820 in Jesus' name. 00:42:36.139 --> 00:42:37.199 As the piano plays, 00:42:37.280 --> 00:42:38.280 what about you today? 00:42:38.280 --> 00:43:08.260 Thank you.