WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:26.440 Mark chapter 4. If you would kindly turn that up. Mark 4 and verse 40. Just over the page. He said to them, Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith? 00:00:27.300 --> 00:00:27.859 ! 00:00:27.859 --> 00:00:39.480 And the Lucas translation of that is, Why are you so dreadfully frightened? Can you still not trust me? Can you still not trust me? 00:00:41.079 --> 00:00:46.579 And how often, sadly, the Lord has to say those words to his people, me included. 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:56.780 Well, as ever, it's so encouraging to be with you on a Sunday evening and to hear news of progress and much besides. 00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:02.399 And it's always an encouragement to consider with you God's powerful word. 00:01:03.820 --> 00:01:09.659 So we turn again to the Gospel of Mark, which is rather the Gospel of Jesus as told by Mark. 00:01:09.659 --> 00:01:31.340 It's a special book for me. I think one or two of you will know. At least 35 years ago, I think it was, our staff at St. Helens started it together and were so encouraged by it that we decided to start a course for all the students who came to us from the various hospitals and student residences around. 00:01:31.340 --> 00:01:37.380 And we found that even then, 35 years ago, they were astonishingly ignorant. 00:01:37.379 --> 00:01:44.079 And so we decided that we would get them to study at least one Gospel before they left us. 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:46.920 And we chose this Gospel of Mark. 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:53.460 And we also thought that in doing that, we would introduce them to the real Jesus Christ. 00:01:53.799 --> 00:01:54.700 So that was our aim. 00:01:55.320 --> 00:01:56.960 And it's gone on ever since. 00:01:57.219 --> 00:01:58.120 It's a very simple aim. 00:01:58.180 --> 00:01:59.560 And I think it's been very effective. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:05.859 And I hope it's led that they would know a great deal more than one Gospel and the person of Christ. 00:02:05.859 --> 00:02:11.300 Actually, I remember very little of that beginning. 00:02:11.639 --> 00:02:13.539 That course is still going strong. 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:18.240 But my stage of life, memory is not one strong suit. 00:02:19.400 --> 00:02:23.379 As that great philosopher of life, Norman Wisdom, once said, 00:02:23.860 --> 00:02:25.900 when you get old, three things happen to you. 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:28.020 Your memory goes first. 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:30.420 And I can't remember the other two. 00:02:30.419 --> 00:02:36.659 So, because I can't really remember very much of that original study, 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:42.439 I've decided for my own nourishment and progress to revise Mark on my own. 00:02:42.519 --> 00:02:44.679 And it's been a slow and delightful journey. 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:48.839 And I've arrived at chapter 4, verse 35. 00:02:50.119 --> 00:02:53.919 And I found ahead of me, and I want to share with you some of the things I've found, 00:02:54.539 --> 00:02:59.179 I found here a typical Mark section on miracles. 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:02.659 Four great miracles, making three sections. 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:06.800 If you like, the chapter division is not really very helpful. 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:12.200 I suppose the people who published ESV didn't have the authority to change the chapter divisions. 00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:15.719 But I suppose, really, it should start. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:20.120 Chapter 4, verse 35 should be the beginning of chapter 5. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:24.159 So, this unified section contains three scenes. 00:03:25.100 --> 00:03:27.200 First, of course, the furious scope. 00:03:27.200 --> 00:03:28.600 Just watch it as I say this. 00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:30.819 First, the furious storm. 00:03:31.060 --> 00:03:32.340 4, verse 35 to 41. 00:03:34.240 --> 00:03:35.219 Then, Legion. 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:39.379 This wretched poor man possessed by the devil. 00:03:39.540 --> 00:03:41.180 5, 1 to 20. 00:03:42.520 --> 00:03:45.280 And then, thirdly, the dead child and the sick woman, 00:03:45.379 --> 00:03:47.340 which stand as one great miracle. 00:03:47.580 --> 00:03:48.260 Or, there are two. 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:50.960 5, 21 to 43. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:55.760 Now, these are, for many of you, I know, familiar stories. 00:03:56.180 --> 00:04:00.920 But they have a unifying theme that runs through that whole section. 00:04:02.060 --> 00:04:15.200 They tell of overwhelming destructive forces before which we human beings, whether in the 1st century or the 21st century, are absolutely helpless. 00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:19.439 So, why does Mark tell us these stories? 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:23.300 And what is their message on the basis of our helplessness? 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:28.339 Well, we can be quite sure that there were many miracles that Jesus did. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:30.199 I should think of hundreds, even not thousands. 00:04:30.339 --> 00:04:31.079 Would you not think? 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:34.240 And he has chosen these with a purpose. 00:04:34.419 --> 00:04:35.279 What is that purpose? 00:04:35.399 --> 00:04:36.319 And what is his message? 00:04:37.899 --> 00:04:41.319 Well, message number one, every Christian can recognize. 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:44.759 Mark has been plugging it from the beginning of his gospel. 00:04:45.959 --> 00:04:48.039 And I'm not going to spend a lot of time on it. 00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:48.860 You know it well. 00:04:48.959 --> 00:04:51.079 It's the foundation of the Christian faith. 00:04:51.079 --> 00:04:59.459 And Mark is recording how the disciples learned it until they came to a firm conviction about it. 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:02.459 And that is that Jesus is Lord. 00:05:03.979 --> 00:05:06.099 He is none other than the God-man. 00:05:07.579 --> 00:05:09.819 That with him nothing is impossible. 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:14.180 And that he possesses all authority in heaven and earth. 00:05:14.339 --> 00:05:14.919 You knew that? 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:16.279 Of course you knew that. 00:05:16.719 --> 00:05:18.500 That's fundamental to the Christian faith. 00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:20.680 You can't be a Christian without believing it. 00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:23.040 That is number one message in Mark. 00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:26.079 No Christianity without Christ as a foundation. 00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:27.860 We won't stay long on that. 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:33.680 But we'll just get the pattern of it quickly together before we go on to matter that is not quite so well known. 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:37.560 First let's look at the destructive forces of nature. 00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:40.399 Chapter 4, 35 to 41. 00:05:40.780 --> 00:05:42.199 I'm not going to look at all the details. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:43.000 You know them well. 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:49.720 Here are elemental forces before which everybody is helpless. 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:50.620 Today as ever. 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:54.800 Just think of tsunamis sweeping away. 00:05:55.280 --> 00:05:57.800 Homes and hundreds of people in Japan recently. 00:05:58.959 --> 00:06:00.100 Think of hurricanes. 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:02.180 They know that better in the Midwest of America. 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:04.480 Think of earthquakes. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:10.819 Perhaps we're more aware of these things in modern times because of communication. 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:18.480 Only this week I saw a picture of people in their cars racing away from a dark typhoon that was approaching. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:20.699 Hoping that it would not overtake them. 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:22.680 Must have been a terrifying feeling. 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:32.060 The control I think of the forces of nature. 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:34.639 Then the restoration of suffering people. 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:41.500 And what we're being told by Mark in this very simple story is that our Lord had complete command over them. 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:42.819 Look at verse 39. 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:43.819 Just a simple word. 00:06:43.819 --> 00:06:45.819 Just a simple word. 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:46.819 Peace be still. 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:51.240 For I suppose in colloquial English she looked down at the storm and said, shut up. 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:56.439 And an unheard of result. 00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:58.560 The wind stopped. 00:06:59.060 --> 00:07:00.220 The waves were calm. 00:07:00.220 --> 00:07:03.200 I wonder how many of you are sailors. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:04.560 I'm sure there are sailors here. 00:07:05.660 --> 00:07:09.220 I was compulsively forced to go in the Navy for three years. 00:07:09.280 --> 00:07:10.120 I quite enjoyed it. 00:07:11.200 --> 00:07:17.240 And one thing you learn there, I was in the Mediterranean for three years, is that the wind can in fact stop suddenly. 00:07:18.780 --> 00:07:23.140 But of course what never happens is that the waves are completely calm immediately. 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:26.620 The waves go on. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:28.580 What is called the swell goes on. 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:33.240 And if you're a sailor and not a very good sailor, you will know that it is that that makes you ill. 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:35.240 It's not the wind. 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:40.060 It's the waves that will take two days to go down after a storm. 00:07:40.919 --> 00:07:48.299 So here is an astonishing demonstration of the power of Christ over the destructive forces of nature. 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:54.439 Next, we look down, what, 20 verses of it again. 00:07:54.519 --> 00:07:55.639 I won't look at the details. 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:59.219 It's the destructive forces of Satan. 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:04.159 Now you know as well as I do that he is a very powerful influence in the world. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:06.939 Jesus tells us he's the God of this world. 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:11.399 So his power is very great under the sovereignty of God. 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:20.540 And Mark goes out of his way in a number of details to tell us what a helpless and hopeless situation the devil is talking about. 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:23.519 Just look at verses 3 and 4. 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:24.839 We won't look at it anymore. 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:28.819 He lived among the tombs. 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:30.759 No one could bind him anymore. 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:32.720 Not even with a chain. 00:08:34.199 --> 00:08:37.100 For he'd often been bound with shackles and chains. 00:08:37.220 --> 00:08:38.699 But he wrenched the chains apart. 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.199 He broke the shackles in pieces. 00:08:41.459 --> 00:08:43.480 No one had strength to subdue him. 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:45.279 Mark alone mentions that. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:48.620 But I think he wants us to know that this was an impossibility. 00:08:49.579 --> 00:08:50.759 People have tried and failed. 00:08:55.339 --> 00:08:58.000 Yes, the devil has people in his group. 00:08:58.819 --> 00:09:03.980 And I think this story is meant to be an example of his power in the world. 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:12.200 I note that the increasingly apostate Church of England is removing any mention of the devil from the baptismal service. 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:15.100 And we're trying to remove any mention of sin. 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:16.960 It's very difficult to know what's left, isn't it? 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:22.420 Well, there's been an outcry about sin, but not about the devil apparently. 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:33.779 I think this episode stands for the reality of the world that Satan is the cause of all the misery. 00:09:33.980 --> 00:09:35.980 That there is. 00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:38.940 I've only got one cross-reference for you. 00:09:39.180 --> 00:09:41.060 So keep a finger, if you will, there. 00:09:42.060 --> 00:09:46.500 If you want to know what the devil is responsible for in the world today, 00:09:46.539 --> 00:09:48.519 and you want it summarized in one sentence, 00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:51.759 you'll find it in John 8, 44. 00:09:53.700 --> 00:09:56.460 Will you turn to that, and will someone sing out to me, 00:09:57.860 --> 00:10:01.800 in a loud voice, because I'm not only shrinking, but I'm getting death, 00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:06.120 what are the two marks of the devil in the world? 00:10:06.939 --> 00:10:09.620 In fact, I will give you a hint by reading the verse. 00:10:10.839 --> 00:10:12.620 Verse 44, John 8. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:17.219 You are of your father, the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. 00:10:17.419 --> 00:10:20.659 He was a murderer from the beginning, and he does not stand in the truth, 00:10:20.959 --> 00:10:22.539 because there is no truth in him. 00:10:22.539 --> 00:10:27.679 When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and father of lies. 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:29.079 What are the two things, please? 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:31.599 Lies. 00:10:31.819 --> 00:10:32.219 Murder. 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:35.839 And murder, violence, death, terrorism. 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:37.079 Right. 00:10:38.719 --> 00:10:44.259 Now, would you not say that those two things are actually right at the root of our modern world? 00:10:45.199 --> 00:10:49.120 If you read the papers, or if you look at your television, you'll see them every day, won't you? 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:53.879 Imagine you could get rid of all the lies in the world. 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:58.679 The lies in your office, the lies in your paper, the lies that politicians tell. 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:04.700 And imagine you could get rid of all the terror, the fighting, the murder, the wars. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:08.120 It would be a totally different world, but it's not going to happen. 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:11.000 Until Christ returns. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:15.679 So, what did Jesus do? 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:21.419 He said, verse 8, come out of them. 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:22.399 That was all. 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:25.720 And the result was lovely, isn't it? 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:29.360 Verse 8, verse 15 must be a very favorite verse for all of us. 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:33.759 When the people came to investigate what had happened to this poor man, 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:37.360 they saw one who had been in the legion sitting there, 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:43.240 clothed, no longer naked, in his right mind, no longer insane, 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:45.539 and they were afraid. 00:11:46.680 --> 00:11:50.639 And sitting peacefully, resting, as we were thinking of the children just now. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:53.680 Almighty power. 00:11:56.480 --> 00:12:01.379 The destructive forces of nature, followed by the destructive forces of Satan, 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:06.980 the devil, the demon, forget it. 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:08.539 The world of demons. 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:14.840 Thirdly, the destructive nature of sickness and death. 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:20.019 Which means that ultimately we all succumb to this great force. 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:25.899 And what is needed for that in the last section, which is verse 21 to the end, 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:30.759 all that is needed is that Jesus gives a gentle word, 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:31.980 get up, little girl. 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:36.819 And with a grasp of her hand, he helps her to her feet. 00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:37.639 Verse 41. 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:42.459 Taking her by the hand, he said to her, 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:44.779 to lead her kumai, which means, little girl, 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:47.059 I say to you, get up. 00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:50.779 And immediately the girl got up and began walking, 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:52.119 because she was 12 years of age, 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:54.979 and they were immediately overcome and astonished. 00:12:55.079 --> 00:12:55.699 Would you know, please? 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:57.319 Impossible. 00:12:57.320 --> 00:13:03.060 Now, in the light of these miracles, 00:13:03.260 --> 00:13:05.160 which are carefully chosen by Mark, 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:09.280 these destructive forces overcome by the power of Christ, 00:13:10.280 --> 00:13:13.400 an honest person is bound to ask the question, 00:13:13.780 --> 00:13:16.800 which is the fundamental question of the early Mark's gospel, 00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:18.080 chapter 4, verse 41. 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:20.040 And they were filled with great fear, 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:21.020 and said to one another, 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:23.040 who then is this? 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:26.379 Well, indeed, who then is this? 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:31.160 And this week I was reading a serious verse. 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:33.660 I often pick him up, 00:13:34.020 --> 00:13:35.600 sometimes late in the evening. 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:38.540 It's lovely to have this very clear mind, 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:41.200 that your mind is feeling muddy and confused. 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:45.520 If you'd gone to Buddha and asked him, 00:13:45.560 --> 00:13:46.680 are you the son of Brahma? 00:13:46.679 --> 00:13:47.319 He would have said, 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:49.559 my son, you're still in the veil of illusion. 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.799 If you'd gone to Socrates and asked, 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:53.779 are you zeaths? 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:55.299 He would have laughed at you. 00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:57.299 Listen to this. 00:13:57.319 --> 00:13:58.759 If you'd gone to Mohammed and asked, 00:13:58.859 --> 00:13:59.399 are you Allah? 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:00.899 He would first rent his clothes, 00:14:01.439 --> 00:14:02.759 and then cut your head off. 00:14:03.739 --> 00:14:06.079 Which is probably why a lot of working class young men 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:08.159 in this country like Islam, 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:10.479 because that's how it deals with its opponents. 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:14.919 If you'd asked Confucius, 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:15.620 are you heaven? 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:17.639 I think he would have probably replied, 00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:20.539 remarks which are not in accordance with nature, 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:21.860 are in bad taste. 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:26.320 The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said, 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.659 or doing what he did, 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.399 is out of the question. 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:31.799 In my opinion, 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:33.879 the only person who can say the sort of things 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.840 is either God or a complete lunatic 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:37.740 suffering from that form of delusion 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:40.519 which undermines the whole mind of man. 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:44.100 He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher. 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:46.819 He did not produce that effect on any of the people who met him. 00:14:47.819 --> 00:14:49.559 He produced only three effects, 00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:51.100 hatred, terror, 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.659 and adoration. 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:54.820 There was no trace of people 00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:56.779 expressing mild approval. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:58.940 When I first read that some years ago, 00:14:59.019 --> 00:14:59.259 I thought, 00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:00.399 no, that's not quite right. 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:01.659 It's apathy, 00:15:02.300 --> 00:15:02.580 terror, 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.440 and adoration. 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:04.879 But now, 00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:06.220 I've come back to the original. 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.040 Hatred. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:07.700 Yes, hatred. 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.920 We're beginning to see that, 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.200 aren't we, 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:09.800 in our culture. 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:11.899 Not apathy, 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:12.659 but hatred. 00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:16.000 Hatred of what he stands for. 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:18.139 Hatred of his moral stand. 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:20.919 Hatred of his claims to be the only way to God. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:25.340 Well, now we come to the crunch 00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:26.439 of what I want to say tonight. 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.960 So, if you've not been paying attention, 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:29.199 please be with me now. 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:31.960 We Christians, 00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:33.279 like everyone else, 00:15:34.199 --> 00:15:35.220 unlike the Lord, 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:36.699 are helpless 00:15:36.699 --> 00:15:38.500 in the face of these great 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:41.179 universal destructive forces. 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.980 Because we believe in Christ, 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:45.879 because we've received and rested 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.879 in Jesus Christ, 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.639 as the children were taught just now. 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.759 And I trust that every one of us here 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.759 has received him 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.899 and rests in him. 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:56.000 We can't opt out of tsunamis. 00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:59.139 We can't opt out of the world of terror 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.500 that is all around us. 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.100 And we're warned 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:03.179 that some of these young men 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:04.460 are coming back to this country 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:06.340 determined to do ill. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.860 And we can't avoid 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:11.539 incurable sickness and death. 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:13.460 Every one of us will die. 00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:18.300 So, how are we believers 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:20.360 more privileged than the unbelievers? 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.360 Well, in a sense, 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.920 sharing a common humanity, 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:25.759 we are not. 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:30.220 We live in this present evil age 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.300 and therefore these great 00:16:31.300 --> 00:16:32.500 destructive forces 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:35.280 are destructive in our lives too. 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:37.639 Nevertheless, 00:16:37.920 --> 00:16:39.780 certain great blessings are ours. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:41.539 And this is where I want to ask you 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:44.279 to recall these, 00:16:44.319 --> 00:16:45.059 if you can, 00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:47.519 in the midst of a very destructive 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:48.659 and evil world. 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:51.100 We've been given 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:52.620 at least three privileges 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:54.659 that the unbeliever 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:55.500 doesn't have 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:57.659 faced with these destructive forces 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:59.019 all around us. 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.699 The first great privilege 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:04.700 that we've been given 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.119 in this fallen world, 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:08.200 full of destruction and evil, 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.319 is we have been given 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.180 understanding. 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:13.500 And this understanding here 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.120 in Mark 00:17:14.120 --> 00:17:15.840 lies actually in chapter 3, 00:17:16.080 --> 00:17:17.460 but I want you to wait a minute 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:18.799 before I tell you what it is. 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:21.819 I want to mention, 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.420 first of all, 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:24.400 a man called Mr. Christopher Mayhew, 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.279 who was the father 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.000 of one of the girls 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.720 who came to us 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:28.120 some years ago 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:29.240 at St. Helens. 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:32.660 He was a very fine man, 00:17:32.840 --> 00:17:33.519 an agnostic, 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:35.080 but thoughtful. 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:35.840 He was actually 00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:36.940 Secretary of the Navy 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:37.580 for a while. 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:40.140 I think you would call him 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:42.420 not an atheist, 00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:45.000 but a questioning atheist, 00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:45.860 agnostic. 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.720 And I recall him 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.680 articulating 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:51.640 the fundamental case 00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:52.819 for agnosticism, 00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:54.019 which is worth, I think, 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.720 getting clear. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:58.819 What the agnostic, 00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.740 with a certain amount 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.380 of goodwill, 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.200 will say to us 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:02.220 is something like this. 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.319 You Christians say 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:06.639 God is all-powerful. 00:18:08.639 --> 00:18:09.720 You Christians say 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.879 that God is all-loving, 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.859 and we say yes, 00:18:11.899 --> 00:18:12.839 yes, we do say that. 00:18:15.159 --> 00:18:16.359 But if this is so, 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.359 Mr. Mayhew said, 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.839 and many follow him, 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:21.539 it is inexplicable 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:22.359 that he does not 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.619 abolish those things 00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:24.539 that destroy 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.599 human happiness. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:28.539 Therefore, he says, 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:29.579 I must conclude, 00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:31.839 since he does not 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.500 do this, 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.420 and these destructive 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.500 forces are still 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.019 in the world, 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:36.019 and God seems to do 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.819 nothing about them, 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:38.240 he is asleep in the boat. 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.039 I conclude, 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:43.039 if he is all-powerful, 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.579 as you say, 00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:44.339 then he is not 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:44.920 all-loving. 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:48.899 And if he is all-loving, 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.559 then he is not 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.359 all-powerful. 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:53.779 And from this dilemma, 00:18:53.959 --> 00:18:54.839 said Mr. Mayhew, 00:18:54.959 --> 00:18:55.819 there is no escape. 00:18:59.919 --> 00:19:01.119 It is quite a powerful 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:02.479 attitude, 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.779 and thousands of people 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.500 in our country 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:07.079 have got stuck there. 00:19:09.459 --> 00:19:10.539 Now, the answer lies 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.299 in chapter 3. 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.579 The fact that all such men, 00:19:13.679 --> 00:19:14.579 however clever, 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:16.859 fail to take into consideration. 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.179 And I am not going to ask you 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:18.680 to look at it, 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.660 because I think everybody 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.440 knows what happens 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.420 in Mark chapter 3. 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:23.200 And that is that the 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.580 people of God 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:25.840 reject their Lord, 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.519 their Messiah, 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.740 their Savior. 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.779 And we now live, 00:19:29.840 --> 00:19:30.200 therefore, 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:32.320 in a Christ-rejecting world. 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.039 It is more than 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:34.140 a Christ-rejecting world, 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:35.480 he has rejected them. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.600 Chapter 3 is taken up 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:39.420 with the fact that 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:40.440 Christ has rejected 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.400 the people who have 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:42.320 rejected him, 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:43.820 and that he is making 00:19:43.820 --> 00:19:45.160 a completely new start 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:45.680 in the world, 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.720 and therefore he appoints 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.500 12 apostles 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.720 on which he is going 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.880 to build his new church 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:50.940 and his new universe. 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.119 And therefore, 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:55.420 from chapter 3 onwards, 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:56.740 we have a remarkable 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:58.599 picture in Mark's gospel 00:19:58.599 --> 00:20:00.519 of how this new universe 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.299 is going to be brought 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.000 into being. 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:04.420 I think Mark is the only 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:05.640 gospel who brings 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.700 the rejection of Christ 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.539 right down to the 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.640 beginning of his story, 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:10.059 rather than at the end. 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:12.980 So, when we get to 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.559 chapter 4, 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:14.539 we ask the question, 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:16.119 as these 12 men 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.059 go into the world, 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:18.019 to start to build 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:18.919 a new church, 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.519 which is going to be 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.460 the new Jerusalem, 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.200 which is going to be 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:22.759 the new heaven 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.599 and the new earth. 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:25.440 What is the weapon, 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.440 what is the equipment 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.500 that God gives them? 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:28.940 And you know 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:29.759 the answer to that. 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.019 In chapter 4, 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:31.859 the three parables 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.440 of the ser, 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:33.379 he gives them 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:34.279 the seed of the word 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:34.639 of God, 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.740 the power of the gospel. 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:36.879 That is all that 00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:37.359 he gives them, 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:38.279 but it is sufficient 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:39.480 for them to begin 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.539 to build a new world. 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.259 But, 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.360 what does he give them 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:48.200 after that, 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.539 in this world 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.740 which is under judgment? 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:52.339 Though it's a restrained judgment, 00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:54.380 our world is under judgment, 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.279 it's a world marked 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:56.120 by frustration, 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:56.940 by turmoil, 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.940 by suffering, 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.740 by all these things 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.819 that we've been thinking about. 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.559 Well, we've been given 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.360 understanding. 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.940 We've been given 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:06.940 understanding that 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:08.140 the reason why 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:09.600 this world is as it is, 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:11.019 is that it is 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:12.259 a world that has 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:13.420 rejected Christ. 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.640 He is here by 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.500 his Holy Spirit 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.180 amongst us, 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:17.960 thank God, 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:18.759 but he, 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:20.600 as we've sung just now, 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.500 is at the right hand 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:21.980 of God. 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:25.460 When we speak of Christ, 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.640 we will never talk 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:27.400 too literally 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:28.680 of Christ being here. 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.740 We talk of Christ 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.500 on the cross, 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.779 we talk of Christ 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.820 at the throne of God, 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.120 we talk of Christ 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:36.600 coming at the last day. 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:38.120 But we mustn't talk 00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:39.059 of the real presence 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:40.320 of Christ here now. 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:42.220 He's here by his Spirit, 00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:43.920 but he himself bodily 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.900 is at the right hand 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.400 of God. 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.940 And because this world 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.799 has said no 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.700 to its Creator, 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.420 and because the people 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.480 of God said no 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.440 to their Messiah, 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:55.059 we must live in a world 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:55.980 which is under 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.920 the judgment 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:58.039 of Almighty God 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.680 because of our attitude 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:01.440 towards his beloved Son. 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.880 We have been given 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.840 that understanding. 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:05.059 therefore, 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.119 when we open 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.779 our daily paper, 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:07.579 but of course we don't 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.399 now because we all 00:22:08.399 --> 00:22:09.079 have these wonderful 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.059 machines that we don't 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.039 have to buy a paper 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.459 any longer. 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.980 But whatever you do, 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.439 whenever you listen 00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:15.139 to what's happening 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:15.559 in the world, 00:22:15.639 --> 00:22:16.539 I don't know how you do it. 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:17.679 It's all very marvelous, 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.220 isn't it? 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.259 The way we can listen 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:19.899 as soon as we should 00:22:19.899 --> 00:22:20.399 be able to listen 00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:20.879 to the news 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.500 on our watches, 00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:22.000 I'm told. 00:22:23.439 --> 00:22:24.119 Whatever you do 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:24.980 to listen to what 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.919 is happening in the world, 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.740 you have a clue 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.480 that other people 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.379 do not have. 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:32.060 that these awful things 00:22:32.060 --> 00:22:33.060 that make you tremble 00:22:33.060 --> 00:22:33.880 and step back 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.340 and say, 00:22:34.760 --> 00:22:36.260 how could it be 00:22:36.260 --> 00:22:37.240 like this in Sudan? 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.200 How could it be 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:39.120 like this in Libya 00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:39.820 at the moment? 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:41.180 Which is a hell hole. 00:22:41.520 --> 00:22:42.280 How could it be 00:22:42.280 --> 00:22:43.300 like this in Iraq? 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.840 I know Christians 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:46.700 working in Iraq, 00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:47.480 I know Christians 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.240 working in Sudan, 00:22:48.340 --> 00:22:49.380 you probably do the same. 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:52.200 They're living in places 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.380 which in many ways 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.740 mark a hell on earth. 00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:57.180 But they have the clue 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:57.940 and you have the clue 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.600 as to why God 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.400 allows these things 00:22:59.400 --> 00:22:59.980 to continue. 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.460 Because it is a mark 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:02.980 of a world 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.259 under the displeasure 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.940 of a God 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:06.059 whose son we have 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.559 rejected. 00:23:07.100 --> 00:23:08.340 And we cannot live 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:09.420 in this world 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.580 without realizing it 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:11.640 and knowing that 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.880 his hand is upon us 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:13.400 for judgment. 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.860 This is the explanation 00:23:14.860 --> 00:23:16.279 of all the destructive 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.380 forces of nature, 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.980 the destructive forces 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:20.180 of the devil in our world, 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.039 lies and murder, 00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:22.980 and the destructive forces 00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:24.180 of incurable sickness 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:24.720 and death. 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.700 They all flow 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:28.440 from our rejection 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:30.180 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.920 And we Christians 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:34.000 first and foremost 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.600 have been given 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:35.380 an understanding. 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.460 It's a wonderful thing 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.340 to have, isn't it? 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.000 A clue. 00:23:38.080 --> 00:23:38.900 We don't know everything, 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.580 of course. 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:41.759 But we do have this clue. 00:23:41.860 --> 00:23:43.200 We do have an understanding 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:45.080 of why God 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:46.160 acts as he does 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:46.720 in judgment 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:48.000 as well as salvation. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:48.700 We do tremble. 00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:50.380 We ought to tremble 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:51.700 because of these facts. 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:53.160 As the world goes by, 00:23:53.800 --> 00:23:54.720 hardly aware 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.980 of this at all 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.860 and yet suffering 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.560 because of it. 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:02.280 Yes, a God 00:24:02.280 --> 00:24:03.000 who is all-loving 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.540 and a God 00:24:03.540 --> 00:24:04.520 who is all-powerful, 00:24:05.060 --> 00:24:05.620 but a God 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.300 who is righteous 00:24:06.300 --> 00:24:07.940 and will not allow 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.840 a world that has 00:24:08.840 --> 00:24:09.860 rejected his son 00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:10.780 and crucified him 00:24:10.780 --> 00:24:12.140 to continue gaily 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:12.760 as though nothing 00:24:12.760 --> 00:24:13.220 had happened. 00:24:16.020 --> 00:24:16.740 We have been 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.580 given understanding. 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:20.019 Secondly, 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.500 we Christians 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.179 have this 00:24:22.179 --> 00:24:23.460 extraordinary privilege 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:25.019 that we've been 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.019 given a task 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.759 to do. 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.059 I'm not thinking 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:29.119 of being a pastor 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:29.740 or a preacher 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.639 or anything of that kind. 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:32.059 You'll find this task 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:33.019 in chapter 5, 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.919 verse 18. 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:40.379 I love this little part 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:41.460 at the end of the story. 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.500 It's a fairly 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:47.439 unsettling thing 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.900 to have Jesus around 00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:49.980 as you may have known 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:50.799 in your own life. 00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:52.559 And the people 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.779 decided to ask him 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:55.120 to leave their region, 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.039 verse 17. 00:24:58.080 --> 00:24:58.799 That's a picture 00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.759 of our world, really. 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.059 And as he was 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:02.920 getting into the boat, 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.740 the man who had been 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.620 possessed with demons 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:05.360 begged him 00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:06.559 that he might be with him. 00:25:07.860 --> 00:25:09.220 And Jesus did not 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:09.779 permit him, 00:25:09.820 --> 00:25:10.660 but said to him, 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.840 Go home to your friends 00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:13.620 and tell them 00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:15.140 how much the Lord 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:16.580 has done for you 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:18.099 and how he said 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:19.039 mercy on you. 00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.299 And he went away 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.240 and proclaimed it. 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.359 This is one of the 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:26.460 very rare cases 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.759 in the early part 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.539 of Mark's gospel 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:30.099 when Jesus is in 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:31.439 heathen territory, 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.699 the cities of the 00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.299 Decapolis. 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:36.039 It's one more of those 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:37.940 signs in early Mark 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:39.120 that the Gentiles 00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:40.019 are one day 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.680 to be reached 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.559 with the truth 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:43.140 from a remarkable 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.880 early sign. 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.640 It represents a world 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:48.720 that rejects Jesus 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.620 and yet, 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:51.539 what happens? 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:53.180 He sends the man 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.039 who's been wonderfully 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:55.340 liberated to be a witness 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:56.019 amongst them. 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:57.080 It's just one of those 00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:58.140 lovely little touches 00:25:58.140 --> 00:26:00.340 that there the world 00:26:00.340 --> 00:26:01.160 rejects him, 00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:02.240 God is continually 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.240 sending those 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.320 who experience 00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:05.240 his mercy 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.620 to go and tell 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:07.740 the heathen, 00:26:07.820 --> 00:26:08.580 the Gentiles, 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.519 what God has done 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:09.960 for them. 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.320 That's your job 00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:12.860 and my job. 00:26:13.860 --> 00:26:14.200 Yes, no, 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.860 pastors aren't 00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:15.800 accepted from this. 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.480 Pastors aren't allowed 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.200 just to go around 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.040 preaching as though 00:26:19.040 --> 00:26:19.540 they didn't have 00:26:19.540 --> 00:26:20.320 any part in it. 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.340 All of us 00:26:21.340 --> 00:26:22.580 are to go back 00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:23.740 to our own people 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:25.040 and tell them 00:26:25.040 --> 00:26:25.840 what God has done 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:26.540 in having mercy 00:26:26.540 --> 00:26:27.180 upon us. 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.779 Isn't that a great 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:30.039 and wonderful ministry? 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.399 That's the task 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:33.480 of every single Christian, 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.839 old or young. 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.079 We've been given 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:40.359 a deep understanding 00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:41.180 of why the world 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:42.180 is as it is 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:43.180 and we've been given 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:44.299 a task of what 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:44.859 we are to do 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:46.339 in this heathen world 00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:48.740 and amongst 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.660 heathen churches. 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.779 Everywhere, 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.700 in the darkness, 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:57.319 God commands 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.900 his lights 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.600 to shine. 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.259 That's what lights 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.200 are for in the darkness. 00:27:02.840 --> 00:27:03.680 And I would say 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:04.180 the darkness 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.620 should not surprise you. 00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:08.340 And the fact 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:09.279 that God lights 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:11.420 people's lives 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.059 so that they can 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.819 go and be a light 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.360 in that world 00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:14.340 shouldn't surprise us 00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:14.580 either. 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.039 God has given 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.840 us understanding. 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:20.620 He's given us 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.100 a task, 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.000 every one of us, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.940 in this heathen, 00:27:23.080 --> 00:27:23.799 godless world. 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:26.019 And thirdly, 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.839 God has given us 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.879 confidence in 00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:28.839 his beloved son. 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.619 What a lovely, 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:31.940 lovely lesson that was. 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.240 We adults need it 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.879 just as much 00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:34.500 as the children. 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.440 What is the first 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.279 work of God 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.200 the Holy Spirit? 00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:39.339 It is to uplift 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.059 Christ so that 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:40.879 we put our trust 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:41.259 in him. 00:27:42.659 --> 00:27:43.720 A saving faith 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:45.460 is a gift of God. 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:47.079 To believe in 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:48.240 Christ as Lord 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.639 in the midst 00:27:49.639 --> 00:27:50.579 of a heathen world 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.279 is because the 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:51.819 Holy Spirit 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.619 is a work in you. 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.279 Do you believe 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.720 in Christ 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.180 with all your 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:54.440 heart? 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.700 Then the Holy Spirit 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.480 is a work in you. 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.059 That is his 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:58.240 particular joy. 00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:02.399 Now that's the 00:28:02.399 --> 00:28:03.180 force, isn't it, 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:04.079 of verse 40 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:05.059 in chapter 4. 00:28:07.139 --> 00:28:07.839 Why are you 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.660 so frightened? 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:09.379 Do you 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:11.200 have no faith? 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:12.099 Have you no faith 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.579 any longer? 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.779 Are you not, 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.460 as we were taught 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:14.859 just now, 00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:15.399 are you not 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.259 resting in faith? 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:16.799 No, they're not 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.500 resting in faith 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:17.819 at all. 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.160 Why? 00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:20.879 Because he's asleep. 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:22.680 And therefore 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.440 they say these 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.060 words that the 00:28:24.060 --> 00:28:24.620 other gospel 00:28:24.620 --> 00:28:25.420 writers don't 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.180 like very much. 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:27.360 Don't you 00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:28.180 care for us? 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.799 Well, that's 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.420 typical of all 00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:32.060 of us, isn't it? 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:33.019 Every one of us 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.880 has said in 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:35.759 moments of despair 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.200 or difficult, 00:28:36.320 --> 00:28:36.940 Lord, don't you 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.279 care? 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.380 And not Jesus 00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:41.600 says, has your 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:42.299 faith run out 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:42.740 already? 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.920 Don't you care 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:44.580 even though I 00:28:44.580 --> 00:28:45.400 seem to be asleep? 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.039 And that's often 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.900 the case, isn't it? 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:48.860 When these crises 00:28:48.860 --> 00:28:49.680 happen in our 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.140 life and we 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:51.120 cry out to God, 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:51.960 it seems as though 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.560 the heavens are 00:28:52.560 --> 00:28:53.200 brass and the 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.380 Jesus is asleep. 00:28:57.040 --> 00:28:57.759 And they don't 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.280 trust him. 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.400 And they're 00:28:59.400 --> 00:28:59.759 frightened. 00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.220 And we're 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.860 frightened too. 00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:04.620 The lesson 00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:05.240 today for the 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.840 children is a 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:06.440 lesson for all 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:06.680 of us. 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.460 It is receiving 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.220 Christ, but it's 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.120 more than that. 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:10.019 It's resting in 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.220 him. 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.740 Well, we mustn't 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.340 be surprised. 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:13.840 These were 00:29:13.840 --> 00:29:14.820 experienced fishermen. 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.299 And they knew 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:16.559 all about storms 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.619 and squalls and 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.700 forced ten winds 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:19.339 and all the rest 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:19.619 of it. 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.619 And they knew 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.039 that they were 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:21.720 dying and 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.200 perishing. 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:22.759 And therefore 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.439 they cry out, 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.139 don't you care? 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.319 And so do we. 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.799 And we receive 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.939 the rebuke. 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:29.639 Why are you 00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:30.079 afraid? 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:32.179 Are you still 00:29:32.179 --> 00:29:33.460 really unbelieving? 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.399 And that's the 00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:37.259 message, isn't it, 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:40.399 of chapter 5, 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:42.439 verse 36. 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.179 Your daughter 00:29:45.179 --> 00:29:45.439 stayed. 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.139 Why trouble the 00:29:46.139 --> 00:29:46.599 teacher any 00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:46.819 further? 00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:47.240 It's quite 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:47.639 useless. 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:49.079 But overhearing 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:49.500 what they 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:51.639 said, Jesus 00:29:51.639 --> 00:29:52.220 said to the 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:52.700 ruler of the 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.559 synagogue, do 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.059 not fear, 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.000 only believe. 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.839 Our precious 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.619 and gracious 00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:00.539 God is saying 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.139 that to us 00:30:01.139 --> 00:30:01.740 daily, isn't 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:01.879 he? 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:02.259 Don't be 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.879 afraid, only 00:30:02.879 --> 00:30:03.279 believe. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:03.599 And we 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:04.259 need that so 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.819 much because 00:30:04.819 --> 00:30:05.279 we're so 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.740 afraid. 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:09.319 So, my 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:09.799 dear Christian 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.339 friends, this 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:10.939 evening, it's a 00:30:10.939 --> 00:30:11.500 very simple 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.579 message we have, 00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:12.960 isn't it? 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.679 The message the 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.519 children received 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:17.279 in the trials 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.259 that we 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:19.100 experience in 00:30:19.100 --> 00:30:19.580 this present 00:30:19.580 --> 00:30:20.019 age. 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.420 We can't opt 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.860 out any more 00:30:23.860 --> 00:30:24.480 than the pagan 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.120 can opt out. 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.779 We're all in it 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.140 together. 00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:29.980 But, as 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:31.039 believers, we 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.860 have understanding, 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.360 we have a 00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:33.160 task to do, 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:36.400 and we have a 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:37.060 faith that should 00:30:37.060 --> 00:30:37.920 sustain us 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:39.720 until the 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.519 Lord returns. 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.039 And then, if 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.539 you know, in the 00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:42.840 book of 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.539 Revelation, there 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.019 will be no 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:44.619 more sea. 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.299 I always love 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.119 that symbolism, 00:30:46.679 --> 00:30:47.500 because sea in 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.119 the Bible is 00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:48.819 the symbol of 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:51.119 primal chaos and 00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:51.959 the trials of 00:30:51.959 --> 00:30:52.439 the righteous. 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:52.899 And there 00:30:52.899 --> 00:30:53.279 will be no 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:53.619 more. 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:55.559 And there 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:55.799 will be no 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:56.339 more Satan 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:56.879 because he 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.399 will be thrown 00:30:57.399 --> 00:30:57.819 into the 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.379 lake of fire 00:30:58.379 --> 00:30:58.679 with the 00:30:58.679 --> 00:30:59.139 beast and 00:30:59.139 --> 00:30:59.439 the false 00:30:59.439 --> 00:31:00.659 prophet. 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:02.539 And best 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:04.259 of all, no 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.799 more sickness 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.359 and death, 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:06.939 no more 00:31:06.939 --> 00:31:07.699 mourning, no 00:31:07.699 --> 00:31:08.220 more crying 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:08.759 or pain. 00:31:09.679 --> 00:31:10.240 The old 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.159 order passed 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:11.500 away. 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.060 What a 00:31:13.060 --> 00:31:13.380 prospect, 00:31:13.580 --> 00:31:13.880 isn't it? 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:15.660 We don't 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.240 have it now, 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:17.680 but we do 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.460 have understanding, 00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:19.100 we do have a 00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:19.740 work to do, 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.240 and we do 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:21.860 have saving 00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.519 faith in which 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.220 we can rest. 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:25.040 Amen. 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.579 God bless you. 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:26.639 Let's pray.