WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.160 Let's go to Matthew chapter 11, 7-19. 00:00:07.240 --> 00:00:11.419 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:17.080 Where have you seen that phrase before? You've seen it haven't you in the parables? 00:00:18.359 --> 00:00:23.920 That's when that phrase comes up normally, isn't it? He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:30.840 And it is a warning, it is a marker that there's a deeper meaning than what's just going on on the surface. 00:00:32.060 --> 00:00:37.939 And it's only those who have ears attuned to spiritual reality will get what Jesus is going on about. 00:00:38.859 --> 00:00:40.600 And that's what we're going to see this morning, three points. 00:00:40.680 --> 00:00:42.939 First of all, number one, John was very great. 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:47.079 John the Baptist was very great. 00:00:47.180 --> 00:00:51.540 Now, do you remember last week, verses 1 to 6, John the Baptist is in the doghouse, so to speak. 00:00:51.539 --> 00:00:56.500 The crowd have been following Jesus. 00:00:57.420 --> 00:01:05.640 And suddenly, John the Baptist sends a message from prison, and he's beginning to have doubts, severe doubts about Jesus. 00:01:06.420 --> 00:01:12.900 If you look at verse 3 of Matthew chapter 11, he's been imprisoned for his outspoken preaching, 00:01:13.420 --> 00:01:15.819 and he sends from his prison to Jesus. 00:01:15.819 --> 00:01:21.699 Are you the one who was to come, or shall we be looking for another? 00:01:22.979 --> 00:01:25.939 In other words, are you really the Messiah? 00:01:26.139 --> 00:01:27.479 And the question is quite understandable. 00:01:28.599 --> 00:01:34.079 We saw last week that the Messiah, when he came, was supposed to bring liberty for the captives, 00:01:34.139 --> 00:01:35.619 and release for the prisoners. 00:01:35.780 --> 00:01:40.339 And yet, here is John on death row, languishing in Herod's prison. 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:45.159 Where is the victorious, glorious, conquering Messiah? 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:47.880 Where is the day of vengeance of our God? 00:01:48.040 --> 00:01:49.020 Where is the day of justice? 00:01:49.740 --> 00:01:51.159 Are you the Messiah, Jesus? 00:01:51.260 --> 00:01:53.740 Because it doesn't look like that, or should we look for another? 00:01:54.960 --> 00:01:58.100 And John is in genuine danger of falling away. 00:01:59.080 --> 00:02:03.219 Not because of what Jesus was doing, but because of what Jesus was failing to do. 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:09.819 Jesus wasn't doing away with Herod, or all the opposition that Israel seemed to be facing. 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:18.079 And so clearly, the fact that John has sent messengers to Jesus, to ask him, 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:21.659 are you really the one, or should we look for another, hasn't done his reputation any good. 00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:24.379 In the eyes of the crowd. 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:29.780 So verse 7, you'll see that as John's disciples are leaving, Jesus answers them. 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:32.199 He begins to speak to the crowd about John. 00:02:34.099 --> 00:02:37.219 And Jesus asks, doesn't he, a series of rhetorical questions. 00:02:37.340 --> 00:02:40.360 He says, in verse 7, what did you go out into the desert to see? 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:47.860 When you went out to see John the Baptist, did you go out to see a reed, a blade of grass swayed by the wind? 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:52.340 In other words, why did you take all that trouble to go and hear him? 00:02:53.060 --> 00:02:58.900 You and your family, to go out into that inhospitable wilderness, in the searing heat, 00:02:58.900 --> 00:03:04.599 was it just to hear a weak and pliable person who's like a reed in the wind? 00:03:05.260 --> 00:03:07.840 Blown about by every popular opinion. 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:10.120 Bending to every passing fashion. 00:03:11.040 --> 00:03:13.540 Because people had begun to say that about John the Baptist, didn't they? 00:03:14.420 --> 00:03:16.060 Because of his doubts about Jesus. 00:03:16.060 --> 00:03:18.039 But the answer is self-evidently no. 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:22.340 Of course, you didn't go and hear a preacher that is like that. 00:03:22.420 --> 00:03:26.539 They were two a penny in Jerusalem, just like they're two a penny in London today. 00:03:26.840 --> 00:03:30.120 You don't have to go into the wilderness to see a preacher that will tell you what you want. 00:03:31.259 --> 00:03:32.360 What then did you go out to see? 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:36.340 Jesus asked, did you go out to see a man dressed in fine clothes? 00:03:36.440 --> 00:03:38.660 Literally, a man wearing soft clothes. 00:03:40.640 --> 00:03:43.200 What was called in school, in my school, a softie. 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:46.280 As somebody who didn't like physical discomfort. 00:03:46.440 --> 00:03:49.260 You know the kid in school, who was permanently off games. 00:03:49.980 --> 00:03:51.240 Who always had an injury. 00:03:52.340 --> 00:03:54.340 Who forgot his sports kid at every opportunity. 00:03:55.780 --> 00:03:59.460 Who in September wore clothes, gloves, a hat, a scarf, a softie. 00:04:00.700 --> 00:04:02.160 Is that the person that you went to see? 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:03.960 Of course not. 00:04:05.080 --> 00:04:07.500 But people were saying John had gone soft in his conviction. 00:04:07.660 --> 00:04:08.500 He couldn't stand the heat. 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:13.380 Of course, they didn't go out into the desert to see a softie. 00:04:14.660 --> 00:04:18.000 They could have popped down the road, couldn't they, to Herod's palace and seen that. 00:04:18.060 --> 00:04:18.879 That's what Jesus says. 00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:21.520 No, it's those who are in the palace. 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:23.740 Who wear fine clothes. 00:04:23.900 --> 00:04:25.040 It's clearly a dig at Herod. 00:04:26.020 --> 00:04:28.860 Well then, what did you go out into the wilderness to see? 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:31.720 And they went out to see verse 9, a prophet. 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:36.500 Since Malachi, there has been 400 years of silence. 00:04:38.060 --> 00:04:40.720 400 years the voice of prophecy has not been heard. 00:04:41.160 --> 00:04:43.020 God's voice had not been heard. 00:04:43.019 --> 00:04:46.919 And so God's people had not heard. 00:04:48.719 --> 00:04:53.199 They had within them an aching hunger for some sort of spiritual reality. 00:04:53.620 --> 00:05:02.379 And then one day they heard that as Isaiah had prophesied, there was a voice calling in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord. 00:05:02.479 --> 00:05:03.000 Make room. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:07.459 Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand, it's coming, it's near. 00:05:07.459 --> 00:05:14.039 And that is why people went into the wilderness, to see a prophet, to see a man speak from God. 00:05:14.919 --> 00:05:16.939 The first prophet for 400 years. 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:22.439 And you can imagine the sense of excitement that God was doing something new out in the wilderness. 00:05:22.919 --> 00:05:24.659 A prophet like Elijah. 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:30.120 And so out the people go, in their hundreds and thousands to see him. 00:05:31.660 --> 00:05:36.760 And so Jesus is saying that despite John's doubts, he really was a true prophet. 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:39.279 He goes further than that. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:41.539 He says, John wasn't just a prophet. 00:05:42.819 --> 00:05:46.560 In a long line of Old Testament prophets, he was far more than a prophet. 00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:52.740 Far more than a prophet because he was the only prophet to be prophesied about. 00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:54.500 They said he'd come before he did. 00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:55.899 So if you look at verse 10. 00:05:57.560 --> 00:06:00.599 Behold, this is the one of whom it is written. 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:05.319 Behold, I will send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:09.860 In other words, John is the messenger prepared by Malachi. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:11.959 Prophesied by Malachi. 00:06:12.599 --> 00:06:14.319 Malachi is the last book of the Bible. 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:17.339 It's the book in your Bible before the Gospel of Matthew. 00:06:18.259 --> 00:06:19.819 And Malachi chapter 2 and verse 1. 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:22.399 This is the prophet who was to come before the Messiah. 00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:26.019 And in verse 14 of that chapter, he is the Elijah. 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:31.539 It's another reference to the prophet Malachi. 00:06:31.540 --> 00:06:38.840 Who said that before the Son of God comes, before the Messiah comes, Elijah would come to prepare the way. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:42.040 But he's also more than a prophet, isn't he? 00:06:42.060 --> 00:06:44.820 Because he's the final Old Testament prophet at the verse 13. 00:06:46.040 --> 00:06:48.920 For all the prophets in the law prophesied until John. 00:06:49.540 --> 00:06:51.280 After John, no more prophets. 00:06:51.279 --> 00:06:56.879 He is more than a prophet because he's prophesied about. 00:06:57.839 --> 00:06:59.419 But he is the last prophet. 00:07:00.719 --> 00:07:04.739 But even more than that, he is more than a prophet because of his message. 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:07.299 What did the Old Testament prophets speak about? 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:10.099 They spoke about the end of the exile. 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:13.079 They spoke about the end of the land of Israel. 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:15.179 They spoke about Babylon. 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:18.420 They spoke about a return to the land. 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:20.259 But John's message is very different. 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:24.600 John didn't just speak about return from exile. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:29.939 He spoke about the very coming of God to his people. 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:34.100 Turn back to Matthew chapter 3 and verse 11. 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:35.879 Let's hear John preach this morning. 00:07:36.960 --> 00:07:39.259 John says, I baptize you with water. 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:40.420 Chapter 3 and verse 11. 00:07:40.519 --> 00:07:41.100 For repentance. 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:44.220 But he who is coming after me is mightier than I. 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:46.980 His sandals I'm not worthy to carry. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:49.580 I'm not even worthy to tie up his shoelaces. 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:52.780 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 00:07:53.220 --> 00:07:54.760 His winnowing fork is in his hand. 00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:57.760 And he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn. 00:07:58.040 --> 00:08:00.240 But the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. 00:08:00.960 --> 00:08:04.880 In other words, John is prophesying about the coming of God to his people. 00:08:06.960 --> 00:08:11.740 And when John saw Jesus walking towards him in Galilee, what did he say? 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:16.579 He said, behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:08:16.960 --> 00:08:18.540 This is the one I've been talking about. 00:08:20.900 --> 00:08:26.660 Now in Matthew chapter 11 at the start, John may have been confused about the way that Jesus was carrying out his ministry. 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:31.860 But be in no doubt, as to John's importance. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:35.000 John the Baptist was the greatest. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:37.320 He wasn't fickle. 00:08:37.419 --> 00:08:38.299 He wasn't a softy. 00:08:38.580 --> 00:08:40.340 He was the greatest prophet ever. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:43.340 And what is Jesus doing here? 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:45.379 Is he simply talking about John? 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:47.879 Is he simply rehabilitating John the Baptist? 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:51.720 Rehabilitating is flagging reputation. 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:57.759 Well, if we have ears to hear, Jesus is saying much more than this. 00:08:59.500 --> 00:09:00.980 Jesus is showing you and I this morning. 00:09:01.060 --> 00:09:02.759 John the Baptist is true significance. 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:07.420 And is important in the whole of history of the salvation of the world. 00:09:08.560 --> 00:09:14.080 Because John's unique role was to point to Jesus who ushers in the kingdom. 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:18.860 John, if you like, is on the hinge of history of the universe. 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:19.879 And that's why he's so important. 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:22.939 Let's try and apply this. 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:25.799 Look at verse 14 of Matthew chapter 11. 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:28.820 He says to the crowd, are you willing to accept? 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:36.200 Are you willing to accept who John is? 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:41.960 That he really is the prophet who prepares the way for the Messiah. 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:42.720 Do you believe that? 00:09:42.919 --> 00:09:44.580 And so it's a question for you this morning. 00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:46.960 Do you believe it? 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:53.360 Do you believe that John really is the final prophet of Judaism? 00:09:53.360 --> 00:10:01.519 And from now on, Jesus is God's final word to his world. 00:10:02.300 --> 00:10:03.919 That's the point Jesus is making here. 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:08.399 The importance of John the Baptist is not for John's own sake. 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:11.779 But because of who Jesus is. 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:15.240 So what about that claim? 00:10:15.459 --> 00:10:20.519 Well, God's grace and God's kindness can come to us from all sorts of world religions. 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:21.439 Do you hear that? 00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:23.519 There's a bit of God in all more. 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:24.559 It's very popular. 00:10:24.659 --> 00:10:26.079 Many people believe that. 00:10:26.139 --> 00:10:28.939 That God operates in all sorts of ways. 00:10:28.940 --> 00:10:37.940 But Jesus' insistence that John is the final prophet shows that God's grace operates only through him and him alone. 00:10:39.780 --> 00:10:42.880 Yes, all the prophets prophesied until John. 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:44.940 But now, well, who comes after John? 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:46.820 The Messiah Jesus. 00:10:48.160 --> 00:10:51.320 And he is God's last word to his world. 00:10:51.320 --> 00:11:00.460 And when people say that we Christians are too exclusive, well, we are being no more exclusive than Jesus is. 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:07.640 The whole of the Old Testament leads up to the coming of God into his world. 00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:14.020 And John the Baptist is the prophet who ushers God incarnate into the world. 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:16.259 He says make way. 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:17.639 He says prepare the place. 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:19.620 Because God is coming. 00:11:21.579 --> 00:11:23.360 And so the question is, do you accept John's greatness? 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:27.319 And that's a very important question. 00:11:27.579 --> 00:11:29.819 Because it really is saying, do you believe who Jesus is? 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:39.819 Because if you believe that John the Baptist was a prophet, ushering a way for God to come to his universe, into the world, 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:41.579 well then you believe who Jesus is. 00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:44.960 But there's a staggering consequence to this. 00:11:45.040 --> 00:11:45.820 And that is the second point. 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:47.120 John the Baptist was great. 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:49.360 But secondly, Christians are even greater. 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:50.220 Remember verse 11. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:55.120 Truly I say to you, among those born of women, 00:11:55.980 --> 00:11:58.500 there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. 00:12:00.280 --> 00:12:03.020 And yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:10.080 And so John the Baptist is languaging in a prison cell in Herod's fortress on the shores of the Dead Sea. 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:13.920 He is, Jesus says, the greatest person to have lived. 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:18.060 But from now on, people who are members of Jesus' kingdom are even greater. 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:21.900 Not because you're bolder, you're not. 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:24.620 Who could be more bold than John? 00:12:25.920 --> 00:12:28.259 Not because you are stronger in your faith. 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:29.820 We've all doubted like he did. 00:12:29.820 --> 00:12:36.920 But because in Jesus, that old order, the Old Testament era has ended. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:41.200 And now the new order has begun. 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:48.300 And that means that members of Jesus' kingdom, no matter how weak and how humble they feel, 00:12:48.780 --> 00:12:51.060 are infinitely more privileged than John the Baptist. 00:12:52.920 --> 00:12:56.160 Because we are sons and daughters of the kingdom. 00:12:58.160 --> 00:13:01.340 Sons and daughters of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:02.720 We are far more privileged. 00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:07.940 Even at the greatest of all the Old Testament prophets. 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:14.879 And so if you are a Christian here this morning, if you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:17.700 a member of his church, do you realise how privileged you are? 00:13:19.580 --> 00:13:23.080 Do you realise that you are more privileged even than John the Baptist? 00:13:24.540 --> 00:13:26.060 Because you are members of his kingdom. 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:30.819 And if you do, well there are all sorts of consequences to that this morning. 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:34.419 If you realise how privileged you are, you will lay everything down. 00:13:36.459 --> 00:13:41.599 You will lay everything down that compromises commitment to Jesus' kingdom. 00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:49.319 And so you will make it your supreme goal to serve this king and this kingdom. 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:54.239 And you will submit everything under his lordship. 00:13:54.479 --> 00:13:55.000 Your ambition. 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:56.919 Your career. 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:58.939 Your money. 00:14:00.299 --> 00:14:01.219 Your possessions. 00:14:02.719 --> 00:14:03.599 Your family. 00:14:04.819 --> 00:14:05.779 Your sexuality. 00:14:07.119 --> 00:14:08.000 Your dreams. 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:14.919 Do you see what it means to acknowledge who John the Baptist is and who Jesus is? 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:18.239 In Jesus' day there was no one greater than John the Baptist. 00:14:18.599 --> 00:14:22.019 But you, weak and feeble though you may feel, are greater. 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:25.399 You are highly privileged. 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:28.399 If you are a member of the kingdom of heaven. 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.479 But be warned. 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:34.299 Because with great privileges comes great opposition. 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:35.299 Christians. 00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:35.539 Christians. 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:37.639 Christians. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.879 Members of the kingdom. 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:44.120 Members of Christ's church will like John the Baptist be opposed. 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:44.620 Look at verse 12. 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:46.360 Look at verse 12. 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:46.399 Verse 12. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:54.220 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence and the violence. 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.960 Violence take it by force. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:15:02.540 This is one of the most disputed verses in the New Testament. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:04.740 Let me make a prophecy. 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:08.419 My prophecy is that PhDs will be written on this verse until the end of time. 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:13.120 And I'm not claiming to give you a definitive interpretation. 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:15.860 But I do think the overall thrust of the verse is very clear. 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:23.419 What Jesus is saying is that from the time of John the Baptist when he lived on earth the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing. 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:26.500 We've seen that in the ministry of Jesus. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.399 It's grown. 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:33.519 But along with that forceful advance comes forceful opposition. 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:39.919 So these forceful men in verse 12 are violent men. 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:42.959 Who have been opposing the kingdom. 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:45.120 And we see that because John the Baptist is now in prison. 00:15:46.459 --> 00:15:51.600 He's about to have his head chopped off on the wing of a dancing girl who asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:55.399 And that sort of opposition is going to be commonplace. 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:55.959 Commonplace. 00:15:56.079 --> 00:15:58.659 It will be normal as the kingdom of heaven advances. 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:02.439 So it will be forcefully opposed. 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:03.919 And it's just the same today. 00:16:06.939 --> 00:16:13.860 As the kingdom advances around the world and in certain places around this world the kingdom of God is advancing in great leaps and bounds. 00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:19.559 So the subjects of the kingdom of God are being greatly opposed. 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:24.480 Let me give you some international examples. 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:26.259 This is from Evangelicals Now this month. 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:28.019 I just circled four things. 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:35.060 First of all in India at least ten pastors were arrested with their family members on the 23rd of September. 00:16:35.420 --> 00:16:40.139 Where they participated in a church service across the state of Uttar Pradesh. 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:43.179 Again in India. 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:50.879 A 16 year old Christian and three others in eastern India have been in jail for more than a month on a baseless rape charge. 00:16:51.799 --> 00:17:00.699 One relative of that church said that village leaders had long persecuted Christians and pressured police to file charges against Peter Ram. 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:11.900 Al-Shabaab Tarahis murdered two Kenyan Christians traveling on a bus on the 14th of September after they refused to recite the Shahada Islamic Creed. 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:23.560 In Pakistan the only Christian family in their area were beaten and saw their house set on fire on the 20th of September and told they would be killed if they returned to it. 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:31.919 And so since the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing on every front. 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:40.519 But in every case being forcefully opposed forceful men laying hold of it. 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:46.920 And so my question to you and to myself is have you discovered this sort of opposition? 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:53.940 Because if you are a true subject of the kingdom of heaven you soon will. 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:59.620 It will be far more subtle and far more British. 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:02.799 But there will be opposition. 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:07.159 Some of you know what that is like in your office. 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:12.559 Some of you will know what that is like in your school and you are afraid of it. 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:18.459 Christians have great privileges but they will also face great opposition. 00:18:20.479 --> 00:18:23.679 And so let me say to you if you are here this morning and you are not yet a Christian. 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:27.659 Can I say to you don't join us. 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:31.019 Unless you are prepared for that sort of opposition. 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:38.360 Opposition from enemies outside and Satan and temptation from within. 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:41.320 And let me warn you. 00:18:42.320 --> 00:18:47.100 There is a form of Christianity in this country. 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:52.699 Christianity that goes by the name of Christianity that is not willing to have opposition. 00:18:54.939 --> 00:18:59.319 And it is not willing to say things that will face opposition. 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:04.419 And I want to say to you that is not Christianity. 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:08.439 And be warned by it. 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:11.600 And don't fall for it. 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:13.680 Because it is so, so alluring. 00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:17.420 Jesus says to the crowd. 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.259 John was great. 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.700 You Christians are even greater. 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:21.240 But the third and most final thing. 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:24.820 The most startling thing to this crowd is that you are unlikely to believe. 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.799 And that is an extraordinary thing. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.059 You are unlikely to believe. 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:33.700 Here he is saying to this crowd. 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:36.759 Just having said how great it is to be part of this kingdom. 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:38.419 And then he says but you will never believe it. 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.079 And so. 00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:45.539 Child comes to your house this afternoon. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.839 Or you see. 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:49.579 You are at a house where there is a group of children. 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:52.159 And one child says to the other. 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:54.159 Do you want to play outside? 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:57.620 And the other child stamps his foot and says. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.740 No I don't want to. 00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.279 Child then says. 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:03.560 Well do you want to play up in my room? 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:06.279 Sulking arms. 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:07.740 Crossed. 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:09.180 And a pouch. 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:12.340 No I don't want to play. 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:16.660 Child says. 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.740 Well do you want to go to the park? 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:20.560 Child stamps his feet. 00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:23.460 Throws down what's in his arms. 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:23.920 And says. 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:25.720 I don't want to play with you. 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:28.360 Makes for a very awkward afternoon. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:28.800 Doesn't it? 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:32.060 Well little changes in 2000 years. 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.500 Look at verse 16. 00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:36.900 Jesus says to them. 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:38.539 What should I compare you to this generation? 00:20:39.320 --> 00:20:40.000 You are like children. 00:20:40.180 --> 00:20:40.980 Sitting in the marketplace. 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:43.039 And calling to your playmates. 00:20:43.840 --> 00:20:45.080 We played the flute for you. 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:46.140 You didn't dance. 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:48.080 We sang a dirge for you. 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:50.480 And you didn't mourn. 00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:53.140 You have to understand. 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:54.900 Instead of playing doctors and nurses. 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:56.580 Instead of playing teachers and pupils. 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:58.759 Instead of playing mums and dads. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:00.060 In Jesus' day. 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:01.759 Children played weddings and funerals. 00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:02.860 That's the point of the verse. 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:05.100 And weddings and funerals. 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.520 Were much much more colourful. 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:08.920 Than they are in 21st century Britain. 00:21:10.020 --> 00:21:10.860 At a wedding. 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:12.300 And it's true of a Jewish wedding today. 00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:13.240 Is that the guests sing. 00:21:13.300 --> 00:21:13.960 And they dance. 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:15.600 They sing in the synagogue. 00:21:15.600 --> 00:21:16.700 As well as the reception. 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:19.500 They are tremendously colourful affairs. 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.619 And on a funeral. 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:22.839 They are equally colourful. 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:25.420 Whales and shrieks. 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:29.680 And if there's not an appropriate level of lamentation. 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:31.240 You hire mourners in. 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:33.880 To come and get the mourning really going. 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.680 We see it don't we. 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:36.720 Sometimes after there's been terrorist attacks. 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.559 And we see people on the TV. 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:41.200 And great noisy lamenting and mourning. 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:44.620 And you can see can't you. 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:46.880 How then weddings and funerals. 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:49.000 Would have become really popular children's games. 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:51.360 And if the game is wedding. 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:53.299 Well the child is playing the flute. 00:21:54.340 --> 00:21:55.779 But the others refuse to dance. 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:57.140 They refuse to join in. 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:59.420 And if the game is funerals. 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:01.340 Well the child begins to grieve. 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.319 And mourn and wail. 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:04.640 And yet the others refuse to join in. 00:22:06.080 --> 00:22:06.799 And Jesus says. 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:08.840 That's just like the generation I'm talking to. 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.620 He says you're just like. 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:14.920 Balshy children that won't join in with the game. 00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:17.980 When it comes to spiritual matters. 00:22:18.080 --> 00:22:19.039 You just won't join in. 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:21.700 Whatever the game is. 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:24.240 Just look at your response to John. 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.940 And your response to John is verse 18. 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:28.259 Well John came neither eating nor drinking. 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:30.100 And they say he's got a demon. 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:32.680 And then you say the son of man came. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.740 That's referring to himself. 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:34.519 Eating and drinking. 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:37.080 And they say look at him a glutton and a drunkard. 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:40.200 A friend of tax collectors and sinners. 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.920 What's the picture? 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.840 John's ministry was a bit more like a funeral. 00:22:46.620 --> 00:22:49.779 And to hear John the Baptist preach was a stern thing. 00:22:50.080 --> 00:22:51.220 A stern man of the wilderness. 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.840 He didn't eat normal food. 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.200 He didn't drink normal drink. 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:56.440 He prepared a diet of locusts and honey. 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:59.799 And he called people to mourn over their sins. 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:03.740 To recognise their spiritual state. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.000 And repent and turn away. 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:07.360 And make room for the kingdom of God. 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.940 And most people wouldn't play. 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:12.100 They wrote him off as demon possessed. 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:14.580 And then Jesus comes. 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.940 And his ministry is really different. 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:17.100 It's more like a game of weddings. 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:19.460 Indeed Jesus describes himself. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:19.840 Doesn't he? 00:23:19.840 --> 00:23:20.600 As the bridegroom. 00:23:22.080 --> 00:23:24.080 And Jesus was often seen at parties. 00:23:24.580 --> 00:23:25.759 And he would eat with anyone. 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.640 Tax collectors. 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.480 State officials. 00:23:28.080 --> 00:23:28.759 Rich and poor. 00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:30.200 The religious and the prostitute. 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:33.259 But the crowds didn't like his ministry any more than they liked John's. 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:37.700 They said that Jesus is a glutton and a drunk. 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.840 But he never got drunk. 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.600 Do you see? 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:45.059 Whatever aspect of the gospel it is. 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:48.940 Whether it is calling sinners to repentance. 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:51.860 To turn around and change like John did. 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:58.080 Or if it is showing God's wide and loving and gracious mercy for humanity like Jesus did. 00:23:58.420 --> 00:24:00.840 Most people will not like it. 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:05.459 And I want to say to you that is incredibly contemporary. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:12.740 If you've been a Christian for any length of time you will have seen exactly that same response. 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:19.059 Some people reject Christianity because it's too grim and it's too judgmental. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:21.439 People are furious aren't they? 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:22.279 When they understand. 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:26.240 Are you saying that if I don't become a Christian that God will send me to hell? 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:28.240 How can you believe in a God like that? 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:33.559 A God who makes people just to consign them to hell. 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.960 That is dangerous. 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:39.860 Of course the answer to that is God is not immoral. 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:41.100 And God is not unjust. 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.340 God is living. 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:48.059 God has provided a way from which you can be rescued from hell if you will repent. 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:51.960 But people don't accept the message of repentance. 00:24:53.639 --> 00:24:55.599 The sort of message represented by John the Baptist. 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:59.460 But others reject Christianity because it's too welcoming of sinners isn't it? 00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.859 It's too arrogant. 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.740 It's too simplistic. 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.659 It's dumb. 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:08.759 To say that God will just forgive people like that. 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:15.159 And they hate the simple message of Jesus' love for sinners and outcasts like ourselves. 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:19.720 And it wouldn't matter who God sent to some people. 00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:20.940 They would still reject him. 00:25:23.340 --> 00:25:26.519 But notice we close Jesus' intriguing riddle. 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.519 Look at verse 19. 00:25:32.600 --> 00:25:34.180 Look, you reject John. 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:36.340 You reject me. 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:39.180 Yet wisdom is justified. 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.560 Is proved right. 00:25:41.040 --> 00:25:42.080 By her actions. 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.940 By her deeds. 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:46.039 What's that mean? 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:47.180 Funny way to end it, isn't it? 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:49.480 Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds. 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:51.440 Wisdom is proved right by her actions. 00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:56.940 You see the fact that most people reject the Lord Jesus. 00:25:58.279 --> 00:26:01.420 And most people reject John the Baptist. 00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:02.640 Doesn't prove anything. 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:05.740 About the truth or importance of the gospel. 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:09.319 And this is so helpful to us. 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:13.160 God's gospel is not proved right or wrong by opinion powers. 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:18.700 God's gospel is not proved right or wrong by focus groups. 00:26:20.620 --> 00:26:21.900 By popular opinion. 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.319 But by her actions. 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.339 Literally by her works. 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:29.859 Well what are the works that prove Jesus to be in the right and unbelievers to be in the wrong? 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.620 Look at verse 4. 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:34.519 When Jesus is on earth. 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:36.399 Go and tell John what you hear and see. 00:26:36.479 --> 00:26:37.419 The blind receive sight. 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.219 The lame walk. 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:39.039 Lepers are cleansed. 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:39.619 The deaf hear. 00:26:39.699 --> 00:26:40.319 The dead are raised. 00:26:40.419 --> 00:26:41.779 And the poor of the good news preach to them. 00:26:43.219 --> 00:26:45.199 And blessed is the one who is not offended because of me. 00:26:47.459 --> 00:26:51.119 And they are the works that prove that Jesus to be the Christ. 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:52.699 And if we refuse to accept them. 00:26:53.659 --> 00:26:56.719 It says far more about our childish stupidity. 00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:59.000 Like the children in the marketplace. 00:27:00.239 --> 00:27:01.419 Than it does about Jesus. 00:27:03.959 --> 00:27:05.159 So let me finish. 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.959 As I began. 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:10.059 Because the message is really summed up in verse 15. 00:27:10.199 --> 00:27:10.519 Isn't it? 00:27:11.699 --> 00:27:13.599 To the world and to you. 00:27:15.479 --> 00:27:17.959 He who has ears to hear. 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:21.299 Let him hear. 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:21.299