WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:14.300 Let's pray. 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:29.420 Jesus, you are glorious, beautiful, and we pause to marvel at that. 00:00:29.420 --> 00:00:38.340 To bow before you and delight in who you are and how you love us. 00:00:40.260 --> 00:00:46.120 In your greatness and glory, you have come to us. 00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:58.100 And we, this weekend even, are remembering, thankfully and with grateful hearts, those who have given their lives. 00:00:59.420 --> 00:01:01.820 For our freedom in this country. 00:01:02.899 --> 00:01:07.579 How much more so do we give you thanks? 00:01:07.579 --> 00:01:18.239 For giving your life for not remaining glorious and beautiful and far away, but being glorious and beautiful and near. 00:01:18.980 --> 00:01:20.879 Coming to us. 00:01:20.879 --> 00:01:29.340 So we ask again for your help this morning in seeing you as you truly are. 00:01:30.679 --> 00:01:32.179 Give us eyes to see. 00:01:32.299 --> 00:01:34.619 Holy Spirit, would you work in our hearts. 00:01:34.759 --> 00:01:43.599 It is hard for us when we encounter a sermon that has no new information for us. 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:47.319 We especially need you to engage our hearts. 00:01:49.439 --> 00:01:50.899 That we would know you more. 00:01:51.119 --> 00:01:52.719 That you would change us. 00:01:53.479 --> 00:01:55.979 As we meet with you and as we look at your word. 00:01:57.019 --> 00:01:59.159 We ask for you to do that, especially this morning. 00:01:59.379 --> 00:02:04.840 For your glory that Jesus would be exalted and we would be helped by him. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:06.459 And we ask in his name. 00:02:06.459 --> 00:02:06.979 Amen. 00:02:07.419 --> 00:02:07.899 Amen. 00:02:12.539 --> 00:02:18.019 As Jeremy said, I am really, really excited about the summer of one another. 00:02:19.599 --> 00:02:22.379 It's going to be a great summer. 00:02:22.579 --> 00:02:29.180 Together we get to experience together how God answers the loneliness of this world. 00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:30.819 With relationships. 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:32.099 With a community. 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:36.120 A community shaped by the gospel. 00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:38.120 By the good news of Jesus. 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:41.120 That's what we're going to be doing together this summer. 00:02:41.340 --> 00:02:45.580 Is learning about that and experiencing and living in that. 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:48.600 But before we jump into that next Sunday. 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:52.400 I wanted to look back at Luke one more time. 00:02:53.080 --> 00:02:58.580 As we've gotten to see the story of that good news unfold. 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:03.840 From the birth of Jesus all the way through his crucifixion and resurrection. 00:03:04.900 --> 00:03:06.080 Call me sentimental. 00:03:06.920 --> 00:03:08.659 It's probably a fair criticism. 00:03:09.760 --> 00:03:14.540 But when you spend the better part of three years and 77 sermons. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:15.300 But who's counting? 00:03:16.040 --> 00:03:17.659 In one book. 00:03:18.400 --> 00:03:23.159 You ought to expect God to be teaching and transforming you through that, right? 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:30.159 I'm the world's worst at finishing something and then just moving on to the next thing. 00:03:30.300 --> 00:03:32.500 I'll read a book and get to the end of it. 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:36.159 And I'll put it down and I'll pick up the next book and say, let's read another one. 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:39.879 And two weeks later, I couldn't tell you what I took away from the first book. 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:43.460 And I don't want us to be that way with God's word. 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:47.480 That we would come to it and just move on and say, well, I've checked Luke off. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:47.820 I don't know. 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:48.700 There was something in there. 00:03:49.800 --> 00:03:54.680 So I'm trying to slow down with you this morning and say, what's God been doing in our hearts? 00:03:55.500 --> 00:04:01.280 A lot has happened in the life of our church during those three years and 77 sermons. 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:04.520 We had one pastor when we started. 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:08.879 Now we have four, which is really, really exciting. 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:11.340 But it's not merely staff. 00:04:11.479 --> 00:04:20.000 About 20% of the members of our congregation today were not here when we started studying the book of Luke together. 00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:22.379 Not to mention like a few dozen babies. 00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:29.219 And that's really, really exciting too, what God is doing in and among this community. 00:04:29.459 --> 00:04:32.879 So hey, if you're new, this is your first week, then congratulations. 00:04:33.659 --> 00:04:34.399 Great planning. 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:37.779 You're going to get three years in one day. 00:04:37.779 --> 00:04:41.419 And that's much more strategic than the rest of us who've been showing up. 00:04:41.659 --> 00:04:45.299 Well, anyways, it's a good day to be here for the first time. 00:04:46.259 --> 00:04:49.939 Think about how much has happened in your life in three years. 00:04:51.619 --> 00:05:00.419 God has met you in the midst of all sorts of joys and sorrows, celebrations and challenges. 00:05:00.420 --> 00:05:08.500 I hope in the midst of all of those things that have been going on in your life, you've also met Jesus. 00:05:09.120 --> 00:05:11.860 And that you know him and love him more. 00:05:11.939 --> 00:05:14.120 Because that's what Luke's all about, right? 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:16.340 That's what he's telling us. 00:05:16.480 --> 00:05:25.800 He tells us he writes an orderly account so that his readers may know the certainty of the things they've been taught about the life and times of Jesus. 00:05:26.759 --> 00:05:29.100 That's what the gospel of Luke is. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:38.800 I've called Luke the historical, paradoxical, upside down, life changing, true story of Jesus. 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:42.280 And we'll see some of those realities as we talk this morning. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:43.840 But it is all about Jesus. 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:47.660 The angels announced that to the shepherds. 00:05:47.820 --> 00:05:52.439 And in Luke 2, there's good news of great joy for all people, right? 00:05:52.439 --> 00:06:00.339 And as the story unfolds, we watch as Luke shows us how that good news of great joy is a person. 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:03.199 Jesus himself. 00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:11.019 I want us to look back and see some highlights of what Luke shows us about Jesus and what that means in our lives. 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:12.680 One last thing as we do that. 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:19.699 I'd encourage you to consider and even ask God as we're here this morning to show you what he's doing in your heart. 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:21.000 What he's teaching you. 00:06:21.079 --> 00:06:23.019 How he's working in your life. 00:06:23.159 --> 00:06:26.659 I'm going to share some personal takeaways for me. 00:06:27.259 --> 00:06:32.539 But Holy Spirit may be doing different things in your heart with the same truths. 00:06:32.540 --> 00:06:37.879 So sometimes God shapes us as we read his word. 00:06:37.960 --> 00:06:41.340 And we don't even realize what he's teaching us and how he's molding our hearts. 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:48.800 But sometimes also he brings particular things to mind that speak into where we are in our lives right then. 00:06:48.860 --> 00:06:51.680 And how our lives must change in light of God's word. 00:06:52.020 --> 00:06:57.080 And I suspect he's been doing some of that with all of us right here in the midst of it. 00:06:57.520 --> 00:07:01.280 As we're learning them, how should our lives be impacted? 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:11.300 Perhaps the place to start this morning is Luke's clear demonstration of Jesus' uniquely focused mission. 00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:22.300 Jesus announces himself from the beginning of this story and of his ministry as the promised Messiah come to redeem God's people. 00:07:23.840 --> 00:07:31.700 And as he begins to make his primary focus in coming to this earth clear, the must language starts. 00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:33.199 He starts saying this must happen. 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:36.219 The Son of Man must suffer many things. 00:07:36.339 --> 00:07:39.159 Be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes. 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:42.659 Be killed and on the third day be raised. 00:07:43.339 --> 00:07:47.420 He says in chapter 12, if we could go back for just a second. 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:52.699 He says in chapter 12, I have a baptism to be baptized with. 00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:54.740 He's got to go to the cross and die. 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:57.159 How great is my distress until it's accomplished? 00:07:57.160 --> 00:08:01.620 He tells his disciples in chapter 18, see we're going up to Jerusalem. 00:08:02.220 --> 00:08:05.640 Everything written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 00:08:06.260 --> 00:08:09.960 He'll be delivered to the Gentiles, mocked, shamefully treated, spit upon. 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:12.460 After flogging him, they will kill him. 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:15.460 And on the third day, he will rise. 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:20.220 Jesus has this laser focus on Jerusalem, right? 00:08:20.460 --> 00:08:21.520 On the cross. 00:08:21.700 --> 00:08:22.860 He's going there. 00:08:22.940 --> 00:08:24.540 He knows what's going to happen. 00:08:24.820 --> 00:08:26.420 Many are going to be redeemed. 00:08:26.420 --> 00:08:28.660 And it's so important to him, isn't it? 00:08:28.900 --> 00:08:30.780 It's where he's driving through the whole gospel. 00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:34.460 It's actually where he picks up after the resurrection with his disciples. 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:38.019 The angels first are telling them, he's not here. 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:38.480 He's risen. 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:39.840 Remember he told you this? 00:08:39.940 --> 00:08:44.019 That the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men. 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:46.800 Be crucified and on the third day rise. 00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:49.300 And Jesus follows up with him. 00:08:49.420 --> 00:08:52.539 He meets with him on the road to Emmaus with a couple of them and says, 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:58.839 How did you miss all the things the prophet said that the Christ would have to suffer and enter his glory? 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:00.899 Then he gets with a bigger group of them. 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:01.860 And what does he say to them? 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:05.319 Y'all, it had to happen this way. 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:06.779 The end of chapter 24. 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:08.699 It's the next verse. 00:09:09.459 --> 00:09:10.639 The Christ should suffer. 00:09:11.799 --> 00:09:14.159 And on the third day rise from the dead. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:16.360 That's what Jesus wants them to know. 00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:19.379 That's what Jesus wants them to take away. 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:20.639 Why he came. 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:22.220 Why am I here? 00:09:22.580 --> 00:09:27.560 Luke spends so much time in his gospel on the events surrounding the death of Jesus. 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:29.820 Just those last couple days of his life. 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:32.419 About a quarter of Luke's gospel. 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:37.180 We must never miss its importance. 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:43.539 When Jesus talks in Luke about why he's come, he talks about the cross. 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:46.899 And he talks about people. 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:56.379 See, it's not merely this just generic salvation that Jesus was going to accomplish some vague, significant action on the cross. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:59.959 But we've seen Jesus is a treasure hunter. 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:06.659 That was the point of all the lost and found parables in chapter 15, right? 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:11.299 A lost sheep, a lost coin, a lost son. 00:10:11.419 --> 00:10:14.199 They all find themselves in Jesus' sights. 00:10:14.419 --> 00:10:17.899 He's coming after them to find them and rescue them. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:21.620 It's what he tells the tax collector Zacchaeus in chapter 19. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:28.179 The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:33.360 He said the same thing to another group of sinners and tax collectors earlier. 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:37.039 Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick. 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:43.320 I've not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:48.159 Jesus didn't come generically for people. 00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:53.820 He came specifically to find lost treasures. 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:57.560 The prophecy used to launch his ministry makes that clear. 00:10:57.559 --> 00:11:10.519 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he's anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of our Lord's favor. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:12.699 And we read that earlier, right? 00:11:13.079 --> 00:11:15.879 We read together that prophecy from Isaiah 61. 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:17.000 And Jesus says what? 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:21.279 Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:23.339 This is what I've come to do. 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:24.179 He says. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:25.779 Who's he come for? 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.019 The poor? 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:29.059 Captives? 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:30.719 The blind? 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:32.139 The oppressed? 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:35.219 These are the people that Jesus comes for. 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:40.699 His mission was to a cross for a people who desperately needed him. 00:11:42.239 --> 00:11:47.839 And it's challenged us to realize how much we need him. 00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:53.319 That reality has continued to hit me as much as anything else. 00:11:53.320 --> 00:12:01.120 How desperately I need Jesus to rescue, to redeem me. 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:03.980 Have you contemplated that recently? 00:12:05.140 --> 00:12:12.180 Jesus comes to earth and insists on going to a cross for you. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:16.540 Because that's what you needed him to do for you. 00:12:16.800 --> 00:12:19.520 We so desperately need him. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:22.819 And yes, once and for all on the cross. 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:25.919 But continually as well we need him. 00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:28.179 That's why I love Luke's emphasis on prayer. 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:31.419 Constantly, Jesus prays all the time. 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:34.179 Daily depending on his father. 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:37.199 And particularly before the big events in his life. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:42.919 But the grace in this is that he meets my desperate need. 00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:46.279 Jesus sees my need. 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:48.360 He prays for me. 00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:51.919 He succeeds where I fail to pray. 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:53.339 He's praying. 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:55.659 And he prays for me. 00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:58.219 He says that to Peter and his disciples. 00:12:58.579 --> 00:13:06.399 And I've got to tell you that reality has comforted me countless days over the last couple of years. 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:10.299 As I've seen myself desperately in need. 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:14.439 And seen Jesus eagerly hunting for me. 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:15.840 To find me. 00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:18.220 To pray for me. 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:21.740 I hope that's a comfort to you too. 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:23.620 It's also a challenge to us, isn't it? 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:30.779 It's challenged me to consider if my life reflects that same mission focus. 00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:33.500 That Jesus has on the lost. 00:13:34.319 --> 00:13:35.079 The least. 00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:39.579 Those most needy of a savior named Jesus. 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:41.299 Do I pray for them? 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:44.740 Do I show them Jesus? 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:52.639 That challenge really connects into the second point that Luke highlights from beginning to end of his book. 00:13:52.839 --> 00:13:57.139 I'll start with my struggle and what God is teaching me here. 00:13:57.139 --> 00:14:00.960 My struggle is Jesus makes me uncomfortable. 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:04.439 Maybe you can relate to that. 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:09.960 But when I genuinely encounter Jesus, it's unsettling. 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:12.519 And it's challenging for me. 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:18.620 Because I've got this comfortable lifestyle and personality that loves my patterns. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:20.939 My people. 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:23.000 My places. 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:25.620 I'm very comfortable with that. 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:29.360 And Jesus constantly turns things upside down. 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:31.899 I just want them right side up so I can keep them under control. 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.980 Control is important to me. 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:37.179 And Jesus likes to unsettle that. 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:41.019 And that's really fine because I know lots of people like that. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:44.320 That I can just ignore and keep going on with my life. 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:46.919 I'm the king of my own life, right? 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:48.440 I'll live the way that I want. 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:50.899 Doesn't matter if you want to unsettle things. 00:14:50.899 --> 00:15:00.879 But with Jesus, what's worse is that he tells me that he is in charge. 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:01.759 Not me. 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:08.159 So I have to start shaping my life around his priorities. 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:12.059 And 36 years in, I've got a long way to go on that. 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:17.519 See, what Luke reveals is that Jesus is king. 00:15:18.079 --> 00:15:24.859 And that he leads and rules over a uniquely upside down kingdom. 00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:27.159 It's not the way we would make it. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:30.919 And again, I'm okay with that. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:34.399 As long as it stays off in heaven waiting for me up there. 00:15:34.479 --> 00:15:35.259 That's cool, right? 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:38.179 Jesus can make his kingdom like what he wants up there. 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:40.720 Except that Jesus actually invades. 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.539 The king invades. 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:43.759 He enters into this world. 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:47.740 And he says eternity and today are tightly connected, doesn't he? 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:51.480 That's kind of the heart of his message over and over in Luke. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:55.439 Jesus says he wants the realities of heaven reflected on earth. 00:15:56.059 --> 00:16:01.700 He says to pray for a kingdom that is not of this world to come in this world. 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.840 That's chapter 11. 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.980 We call it the Lord's Prayer. 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:08.600 Jesus says he wants outsiders to be welcomed. 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:11.720 Not merely at this table off in heaven somewhere. 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:14.120 But at our tables. 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:16.220 Right here on earth. 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:17.519 That's chapter 14. 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:23.220 And he warns of dire, eternal consequences. 00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:26.440 If today doesn't start looking like eternity. 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:29.680 Frankly, that feels a bit scary. 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:33.879 And not entirely Protestant to me. 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:39.560 But Jesus' kingdom persistently holds together word and deed. 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:42.139 Eternal and temporal. 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:44.139 He keeps them together. 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:49.159 As for example, when he forgives sins and heals many diseases. 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:52.939 He speaks of the priority of eternal life. 00:16:52.939 --> 00:16:57.399 And also enters into real life pain of blind men. 00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.399 Lepers. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.399 A grieving widow. 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:00.379 A grieving widow. 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:02.220 A sinful woman. 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:05.319 A demon possessed man. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.859 Many, many others. 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:12.019 And those are just the kind of people he came for, aren't they? 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:15.619 He values people. 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.440 Society doesn't. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:20.720 Kind of turns things upside down on us. 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:24.500 The poor who are blessed. 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.640 He says. 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:31.079 Children whom he welcomes into his arms. 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:36.079 Women who are regularly influential among his followers. 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:41.039 Even Gentiles and religious outsiders like the Good Samaritan. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:43.240 Good Samaritan? 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:44.480 Yeah. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:47.059 Tax collectors? 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:51.500 The prodigal son with the pigs? 00:17:52.199 --> 00:17:53.079 Shepherds? 00:17:53.079 --> 00:18:05.579 Jesus must really believe that he and his kingdom are good news of great joy for all people. 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:08.019 Do we believe that? 00:18:10.939 --> 00:18:11.779 Sure, sure. 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:13.119 Of course, of course we believe that. 00:18:13.419 --> 00:18:14.939 Yet do I share meals? 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.019 Conversations? 00:18:18.899 --> 00:18:19.419 Relationships? 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:24.960 Regularly in the course of my life with people who are least lost or left out? 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:37.300 How do the values, the company, the priorities of King Jesus challenge what's natural, normal, and comfortable to you? 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:39.800 Because, man, they do for me. 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:49.400 And when they do, when the ways that Jesus lives and the things he says are important challenge our values and our priorities, 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:52.600 which ones win in our lives? 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:54.060 Can we be honest about that? 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:58.800 How does it usually go then when you feel that tension? 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:03.400 Whose values practically win out in your life? 00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:11.120 Would you say your life looks like it's defined more by the things you value or the things Jesus values? 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:17.560 Spending time with people you like or people Jesus likes? 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:31.460 Jesus says any of us who claim to follow him must deny ourselves, take up our crosses sacrificially, and follow him. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:39.500 In fact, he says if we prioritize other matters over him, there will be eternal consequences. 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:43.980 Just meditate on this series of verses for a minute. 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:48.039 None of those men invited shall taste my banquet. 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:55.180 Therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. 00:19:55.960 --> 00:20:00.480 The one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:06.420 Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:08.980 Jesus' words. 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:10.720 I'll put it this way. 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:16.300 No one encounters Jesus and leaves unchanged. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:21.640 He's coming to change us, to call our hearts back from what we're chasing after, 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:25.380 to repent at the cost of our own lives if we don't. 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:32.000 But if your life is not being challenged and transformed by King Jesus, 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:36.740 the most likely explanation is that you haven't acknowledged him as king. 00:20:38.020 --> 00:20:42.700 You may have been here and heard most of the 77 sermons in Luke, 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:48.840 but if Jesus is not changing your life, you may not truly know him. 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:58.199 And nothing, nothing at all could be more important than that for you actually to know and trust and love him. 00:20:59.939 --> 00:21:03.879 His kingdom is upside down from ours. 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:14.340 And he calls us to trust and follow his values, his priorities for his glory. 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:25.539 A uniquely focused mission for a king of a uniquely upside down kingdom. 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:29.519 And finally, something you can't miss in Luke. 00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:34.359 Jesus extends a uniquely personal offer. 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:43.599 What Jesus offers as the good news himself is not merely deliverance, although that's wonderful. 00:21:44.399 --> 00:21:48.279 It's not merely transformation, although that's necessary. 00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:51.639 It's not merely an example, although he's a good one. 00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:58.179 Jesus offers a uniquely personal relationship. 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:01.359 He wants us to know him intimately. 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:05.419 Not merely to know all these things about him. 00:22:06.899 --> 00:22:13.699 See, if Luke writes his gospel to make sure his readers get the true story about Jesus, 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:24.139 that true story makes it very clear that Jesus wants his hearers to get Jesus himself. 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:27.659 Throughout the book, that's the call of Jesus. 00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:30.459 To align yourself with the king. 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:32.840 Now and forever. 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:39.620 For example, Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to him, 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:46.559 while Martha does lots of wonderful things and waits for Jesus to praise her for all she's doing. 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.680 And what does Jesus say? 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:52.279 Mary has made the right choice. 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:55.500 She's seen the right value. 00:22:55.500 --> 00:23:00.539 She's commended for choosing the greatest value. 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.160 Jesus. 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:02.640 Jesus. 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.180 Knowing him. 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.420 Loving him. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.839 Treasuring him. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:09.839 Is of first importance. 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:14.220 You may remember several weeks in a row last year. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:16.600 Where one passage after another. 00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:21.600 The real question was, do you actually know and trust Jesus? 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:25.799 Have you really personally trusted him? 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:31.380 Have you completely reoriented things to have him at the center of your life? 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:33.900 Is he your only hope? 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:44.020 That was the focus of several sermons because it was the focus of Jesus over and over and over. 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:47.880 From different angles, he kept driving us there. 00:23:48.260 --> 00:23:53.420 He doesn't want us to learn about him and miss that vital matter. 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:56.320 Because that happens a lot in Luke. 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:57.460 A lot of people miss him. 00:23:57.880 --> 00:24:04.019 It seems to be these really needy people that Jesus loves so much who see this most clearly. 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:05.380 They see who he is. 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:07.100 The Samaritan leper. 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:10.400 The only one who comes back to say thank you. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:15.060 A blind man who recognizes who Jesus is. 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:18.620 A tax collector who sees him clearly. 00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:25.199 But it's the religious leaders and his disciples in the midst of those situations that are missing him, isn't it? 00:24:25.739 --> 00:24:30.519 It reminds us of how easy it is to be really close to Jesus. 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:32.979 And know a lot about Jesus. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:37.439 And not actually know Jesus. 00:24:40.399 --> 00:24:42.419 That's a warning for us. 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:46.259 Because knowing Jesus is what it's all about. 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:49.859 It's not a quiz bowl where it's how much can you tell somebody about him. 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:52.220 How many questions can you get right when you get there. 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:54.839 It's about actually knowing him. 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:59.720 And Luke makes clear that the whole Bible is actually about that. 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:02.500 It's not just Luke that thinks that's important. 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:07.879 From the Old Testament prophecies that we started this service with. 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:12.819 To the post-resurrection sermons that Jesus gives to his followers. 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:17.539 They're about all the scriptures teaching of Jesus. 00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:22.480 He's showing us how important it is for us to know him. 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:26.839 And how passionate Jesus is about that reality. 00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:27.379 Right? 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:33.399 That may be the reality that has most impacted me in this whole book. 00:25:33.399 --> 00:25:39.659 How committed Jesus is to our knowing him. 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:46.240 He comes to earth to reveal God to man. 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:50.900 He bears patiently with his followers, his disciples through the story. 00:25:51.040 --> 00:25:56.519 The followers on the road to Emmaus as they struggle to understand. 00:25:56.880 --> 00:26:00.840 And as he has to reshape them and reorient them. 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:04.720 Because their kingdoms are upside down and need to be flipped over. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:08.759 In fact, he tears the curtain, doesn't he? 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:14.940 So that we can come in prayer into the very presence of our Father. 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.600 And talk with him. 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:18.140 And be with him. 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.700 And know him. 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:21.100 You remember what that's like? 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:24.339 Anytime you want right into that office. 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:26.700 Because he's your Father. 00:26:27.600 --> 00:26:29.019 And Jesus says call him that. 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:30.180 But don't just say the words. 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.720 Know him like that. 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:35.740 You can have this kind of relationship with him. 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:37.140 And then what does he do? 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:39.500 To make sure we have help in knowing him. 00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:43.960 He sets up his church as a group of people who've experienced Jesus. 00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:46.880 Who can share what they have experienced in him. 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:48.680 Who can look at his word together. 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:53.319 And have his spirit empower them to understand who he is better. 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.980 So that they'll really know him. 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:58.559 So encouraging to me. 00:26:58.559 --> 00:27:01.359 The words of Jesus. 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:07.919 The prayers of Jesus especially for us. 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.879 Maybe most especially. 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:13.619 The tears of Jesus. 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.599 Do you remember those? 00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:17.500 More than once. 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:22.419 But tears of Jesus over people not recognizing him. 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:25.800 Not knowing who he really was. 00:27:25.860 --> 00:27:28.120 The good news of great joy that he is. 00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:30.980 Don't you love Jesus' heart? 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.340 Oh Jerusalem. 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:34.800 Jerusalem. 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.960 The city that kills the prophets. 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:39.019 And stones those sent to it. 00:27:39.380 --> 00:27:42.600 How often would I have gathered your children together. 00:27:42.840 --> 00:27:45.740 As a hen gathers her brood under her wings. 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:50.279 That's his heart for the worst of us. 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:52.640 For those who've killed the prophets. 00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:55.819 And run off people who were sent to help. 00:27:56.660 --> 00:28:01.640 Jesus says I want to bring those kinds of people under safety. 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:05.359 He says it as he goes to the cross doesn't he? 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:08.339 Even those who would do the very worst to him. 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.819 And he prays for them. 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:10.440 Father. 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.740 Forgive them. 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:18.319 I don't want them to see this danger that I myself am walking into. 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:20.640 At great cost to himself. 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:23.500 Even his own life he wants to protect. 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:26.019 The worst of us. 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:28.579 The horrible sins we've committed. 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:31.620 The ones that cause him deep agony. 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:33.839 That send him to the cross. 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:35.579 And that's all of our sins. 00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:37.299 And Jesus says Father. 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:39.420 I'm coming to protect them. 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:41.000 To gather them where? 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:43.400 To some safe place off there somewhere else? 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:44.799 No, no, no. 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:47.220 To bring them to me. 00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:49.640 To gather them under my wings. 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:51.980 I want them with me. 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:56.059 Remember Jesus is a treasure hunter. 00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:58.940 And so when we fail. 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:02.180 When we blow it big time. 00:29:02.339 --> 00:29:04.779 When we know that we've denied him. 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:09.819 When we've sinned in ways that we think cause him to mark us off his list. 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:11.419 And be done with us forever. 00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:17.899 That big black X that he's putting on our names marks what? 00:29:19.139 --> 00:29:22.200 The place not of one he trashes. 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:23.799 No, no. 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.799 That's not what he's doing. 00:29:25.419 --> 00:29:28.240 No, he's marking one that he treasures. 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:31.720 That's when he'll be at the end of his search. 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:33.939 Is when he finds that one. 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:35.839 And brings him home. 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.139 Right? 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:41.500 He comes to redeem us so we can know him. 00:29:41.679 --> 00:29:46.339 And help others know how much he loves them too. 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:49.319 He longs to meet us in his word. 00:29:49.879 --> 00:29:51.319 In our daily lives. 00:29:51.419 --> 00:29:52.119 In his people. 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:53.839 So that we know him and love him forever. 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:58.519 That's what Luke longs for us to see in his gospel. 00:29:58.519 --> 00:30:01.440 It's what I long for us to see. 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.859 That Jesus. 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:11.079 He is, after all, good news of great joy for all people. 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.480 And that includes you. 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.619 That includes me. 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:24.519 If that's true, how does that reality, how does he, how does Jesus himself impact your life today? 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.000 Today. 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.680 What's he changing? 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:34.240 Jesus is not merely interested in your knowing more about him. 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:38.299 It's really not as important as we sometimes think. 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:43.400 It's more important to him that as we know more about him that he becomes central. 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.759 To who we are. 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:47.139 To your identity. 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.960 Your purpose. 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:50.220 Your joy. 00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:51.519 Your today. 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.619 Your eternity. 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:55.339 He's got to be at the heart of that. 00:30:58.899 --> 00:31:02.139 All the way back to Sermon 1 in this series. 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.559 I know that was a long time ago. 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:05.299 I brought this football. 00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:07.879 It's come out a few times since then. 00:31:08.419 --> 00:31:09.519 So you wouldn't forget it. 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:14.019 And each time, I've quoted Vince Lombardi. 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:17.259 Who would start every season saying, 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:20.539 Gentlemen, this is a football. 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:28.240 Your success is centered on your focus on this. 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:31.819 You may do a lot of other things really well. 00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:34.259 But it has to start and end here. 00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:37.440 You have to remain focused on the football. 00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:38.779 Or you will lose. 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:40.119 Lose sight of this. 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:42.940 You can run fast, block well, tackle hard. 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:44.740 But lose sight of this and you will lose. 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:49.519 And that's what Luke has been telling us. 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:54.299 As we leave Luke, we will continue to study God's word. 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:59.240 Which, as we've learned, is always about Jesus. 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:00.220 Not football. 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.160 Jesus. 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:05.360 But may we never forget that. 00:32:06.860 --> 00:32:11.140 May we never forget that it's not merely about Jesus. 00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:13.900 But that he is there to meet us. 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:21.440 Because the story of Luke assures us that just as certainly as Jesus was alive then in these historical events. 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:24.720 That he wants us to understand that Jesus is alive today. 00:32:25.360 --> 00:32:26.980 That's where the story goes, right? 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:28.079 That he's reigning. 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:29.079 That he's working. 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.000 That he's forgiving. 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:31.279 That he's praying. 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.319 That he's healing. 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:34.940 Jesus is doing that. 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:36.000 He's living and active. 00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:38.720 So the question is, how will we respond to him? 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:47.079 How much more important a question than with this lifeless football? 00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:54.799 With a living Jesus who's in us and at work in and through us. 00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:58.539 How much more important is it for us to say, how will we respond to him? 00:32:58.659 --> 00:33:00.279 To the living Savior? 00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:02.599 Will we keep our focus on him? 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:10.240 No matter how much distracting chaos is going on around us, will our eyes be fixed on him? 00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:17.960 Will we allow him to be the one that transforms our focus and tells us what's most important? 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:31.960 Will we cling to him in hard times and trust that no matter what storms blow around us, that there's actually one thing that we can count on and hold on to that will anchor us? 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:40.900 Will we actually run to find refuge in him because he said he's the only place where we can find that? 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:46.900 Will we worship him as the one true and reigning king? 00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:55.600 Will we witness to everyone around us of his greatness and glory and grace? 00:33:56.420 --> 00:33:57.720 That's what it's all about. 00:33:57.720 --> 00:34:14.579 Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people today, a Savior, Christ the Lord. 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:15.980 Let's pray. 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:27.320 Jesus, we know these things. 00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:31.579 Most of us have learned them in children's Sunday school. 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:36.240 Most of us have forgotten them. 00:34:38.199 --> 00:34:40.219 We've moved on to more important things. 00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:42.760 We've busied our lives with other pursuits. 00:34:42.760 --> 00:34:50.680 We've, if we're honest, lost sight of Jesus more days than we'd like to admit. 00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:54.340 And Holy Spirit, we ask for your help. 00:34:56.080 --> 00:34:58.920 It's not a magical sermon series on a gospel. 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:04.400 Everything in all your word points us to Jesus. 00:35:04.580 --> 00:35:11.760 It's our hearts that need to be convinced and to see again his greatness, his glory, his grace. 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:18.260 Grace that we might truly have our hearts and our lives focused on him. 00:35:19.660 --> 00:35:21.920 Do that work in our hearts now. 00:35:23.140 --> 00:35:24.300 Keep doing it. 00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:27.760 Don't ever let us lose sight of Jesus. 00:35:29.240 --> 00:35:30.840 We ask it in his name. 00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:32.140 Amen. 00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:40.000 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org. 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:40.039 Thank you.