WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.240 In Matthew chapter 15, it's on page 982, if you're using a church Bible. 00:00:08.900 --> 00:00:14.240 Matthew chapter 15, and we're going to read the whole of this chapter. 00:00:14.679 --> 00:00:16.920 So let's hear God's Word together. 00:00:17.559 --> 00:00:22.719 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:25.600 Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:28.519 They don't wash their hands before they eat. 00:00:28.519 --> 00:00:30.439 Jesus replied, 00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:12.300 Jesus called the crowd and said, 00:01:12.299 --> 00:01:13.819 Listen and understand. 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:21.079 What goes into a man's mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean. 00:01:21.859 --> 00:01:23.579 Then the disciples came to him and asked, 00:01:23.819 --> 00:01:26.359 Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this? 00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:27.299 He replied, 00:01:27.299 --> 00:01:39.500 If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit. 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:40.780 Peter said, 00:01:40.780 --> 00:01:42.579 Explain the parable to us. 00:01:43.219 --> 00:01:44.560 Are you still so dull? 00:01:44.840 --> 00:01:45.659 Jesus asked them. 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:50.459 Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 00:01:50.459 --> 00:01:55.559 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean. 00:01:56.179 --> 00:02:04.159 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 00:02:04.819 --> 00:02:07.159 These are what make a man unclean. 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:10.340 But eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean. 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:15.719 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:19.900 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him crying out, 00:02:20.180 --> 00:02:22.879 Lord, son of David, have mercy on me. 00:02:23.300 --> 00:02:26.539 My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession. 00:02:27.699 --> 00:02:29.400 Jesus did not answer a word. 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:32.520 So his disciples came to him and urged him, 00:02:33.159 --> 00:02:36.139 Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us. 00:02:36.819 --> 00:02:37.419 He answered, 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:40.419 I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:43.000 The woman came and knelt before him. 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:44.800 Lord, help me, she said. 00:02:44.800 --> 00:02:45.980 He replied, 00:02:46.219 --> 00:02:49.740 It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs. 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:51.500 Yes, Lord, she said, 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:55.100 But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table. 00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:56.939 Then Jesus answered, 00:02:57.060 --> 00:02:58.920 Woman, you have great faith. 00:02:59.480 --> 00:03:00.800 Your request is granted. 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:03.860 And her daughter was healed from that very hour. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:07.780 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. 00:03:08.200 --> 00:03:10.660 Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 00:03:10.659 --> 00:03:16.180 Then great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:19.479 and laid them at his feet, and he healed them. 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:22.639 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, 00:03:23.019 --> 00:03:27.219 the crippled made well, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. 00:03:27.780 --> 00:03:29.680 And they praised the God of Israel. 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:33.060 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 00:03:33.540 --> 00:03:35.439 I have compassion for these people. 00:03:35.960 --> 00:03:38.840 They've already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 00:03:39.260 --> 00:03:43.680 I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way. 00:03:44.580 --> 00:03:45.659 His disciples answered, 00:03:46.040 --> 00:03:50.500 Where can we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd? 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:52.759 How many loaves do you have? 00:03:53.080 --> 00:03:53.780 Jesus asked. 00:03:54.259 --> 00:03:57.240 Seven, they replied, and a few small fish. 00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:00.039 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 00:04:00.539 --> 00:04:02.620 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:07.060 and when he'd given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, 00:04:07.500 --> 00:04:09.259 and they in turn to the people. 00:04:09.920 --> 00:04:12.280 They all ate and were satisfied. 00:04:12.979 --> 00:04:18.519 Afterwards, the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 00:04:18.519 --> 00:04:23.539 The number of those who ate was 4,000 besides women and children. 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:26.259 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:31.120 he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan. 00:04:32.039 --> 00:04:32.539 Amen. 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:34.219 But thinking about this, 00:04:34.359 --> 00:04:38.099 so we're continuing to look at grace in the Gospel of Matthew. 00:04:38.759 --> 00:04:42.159 And here is our theme for this morning, 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:48.840 that you and I are invited to the feast to enjoy God's grace. 00:04:50.320 --> 00:04:54.140 In 19th century High Society New York, 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:58.580 there was a group that was simply known as the 400. 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:02.520 They were led by a lady called Mary Astor, 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:05.400 and they were very carefully ranked. 00:05:05.660 --> 00:05:09.640 They were called the 400 because that's how many people she could fit into her ballroom. 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:13.300 That's how many people she would invite to her great banquets. 00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:17.259 And she was very careful about who was in and who was out. 00:05:17.819 --> 00:05:22.879 To be 401 in 19th century New York was to be a nobody, 00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:26.719 to find yourself with no place at the party. 00:05:28.379 --> 00:05:30.399 Different day, different era. 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:34.560 But do we recognize that mindset in our own day? 00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:39.379 Jesus' day had barriers of division based on religion, 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:43.240 based on gender, based on geography. 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:47.000 We also, we have different labels, 00:05:47.220 --> 00:05:50.480 but there are still divisions within society 00:05:50.480 --> 00:05:55.480 based on economics or based on the work that we do, 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:58.379 based on our appearance perhaps. 00:05:58.939 --> 00:06:00.779 There are still this tendency, 00:06:00.779 --> 00:06:05.199 there's still this tendency to divide into insider and outsider. 00:06:05.599 --> 00:06:09.039 It has been said, I think rightly said, 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:14.259 that we are by and large a graceless society. 00:06:15.039 --> 00:06:17.939 We are so busy competing with one another, 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:20.579 we are so busy comparing ourselves, 00:06:21.119 --> 00:06:24.299 sometimes jealous, sometimes proud, 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:28.540 that there is little or no room for mercy, 00:06:29.579 --> 00:06:33.199 for apology, for forgiveness, 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:37.540 or to extend a welcome to somebody outside of our group. 00:06:38.420 --> 00:06:42.500 I think we've seen that even this week in our national politics. 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:46.660 Maybe you come here today and that's your life. 00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:49.300 You are exhausted because you're very aware 00:06:49.300 --> 00:06:51.519 that there is a grade that you want to make. 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:56.620 You're looking for approval and you're finding that to be tiring. 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:59.180 Perhaps you may be in that state of despair. 00:06:59.399 --> 00:07:02.959 I know I'm never going to be in that group. 00:07:03.039 --> 00:07:05.000 I'm never going to be that person. 00:07:05.060 --> 00:07:06.379 I'm never going to make it. 00:07:06.719 --> 00:07:08.799 Or maybe we're just looking around thinking, 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:11.120 does life really have to be this way? 00:07:11.899 --> 00:07:13.779 Or is there a better way? 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:16.299 Is there a way of grace? 00:07:17.299 --> 00:07:18.199 Do you know when we think about 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:22.279 the way people tend to divide and label and judge? 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:24.959 It's really important for us to ask the question, 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:27.659 is this what God is like? 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:30.279 Does God label? 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:32.860 Does God have a 400 club 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:35.620 that we need to earn our way into? 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:37.759 Do we need to measure up 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:40.060 to make the grade? 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:45.500 That's why Matthew chapter 15 is good news for us. 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:47.879 Because in Matthew chapter 15, 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:52.319 we find Jesus once again offering the greatest of all invitations. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:56.379 We're going to see Jesus offering the invitation to life with God, 00:07:56.459 --> 00:07:57.620 to enjoy in God. 00:07:57.720 --> 00:08:02.779 And that comes not on the basis of performance or background. 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:06.419 It comes on the basis of God's grace, 00:08:06.599 --> 00:08:10.579 God's free and undeserved kindness to sinners. 00:08:11.359 --> 00:08:13.019 And that's something that's received, again, 00:08:13.139 --> 00:08:15.239 not by working really hard to receive. 00:08:16.679 --> 00:08:19.579 We get it through faith in Jesus. 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:25.079 So we're going to hear an invitation to God's feast. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:28.000 In some of our readings, some of our singings, 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:32.100 we've heard of this theme that the kingdom of God 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:35.919 is pictured throughout the Bible as a feast. 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:38.019 It's a repeating theme. 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:40.759 We could see it, in fact, from the very beginning. 00:08:41.419 --> 00:08:43.279 When Adam and Eve, the first people were made, 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:44.879 they were placed in the Garden of Eden, 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:47.940 which was this wonderful garden where there was plenty, 00:08:48.580 --> 00:08:49.919 there was generous provision. 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:53.039 Or we could go to the story of the Exodus. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:56.500 We can remember that God set the people free 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:57.980 from being slaves in Egypt. 00:08:58.480 --> 00:08:59.919 They found themselves in the wilderness 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:01.259 and they had nothing to eat. 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:02.379 And what did God do? 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:06.039 God literally rained down food on them 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:07.600 so that they would be satisfied. 00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:10.740 And they were heading towards the promised land, 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:14.120 which was described as a land flowing with milk and honey. 00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:17.899 God's place was a generous place. 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:22.960 God wants to meet with His people to provide for them. 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:25.639 Even when things began to go wrong 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:28.240 in Old Testament Israelite history, 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:30.080 when they turned to other gods, 00:09:30.420 --> 00:09:32.259 when they walked away from God's law, 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:34.379 there was still hope of restoration. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:37.139 So you come to a prophet like Isaiah. 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.780 In Isaiah chapter 25, 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:40.379 he gives this wonderful picture 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:42.580 of life at the end of the age 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:45.180 where there's no more death and pain and crying. 00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:47.780 And God has laid out this great feast 00:09:47.780 --> 00:09:51.019 so that He can provide for His people, 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:52.460 for those who have faith. 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:54.480 And then Jesus comes. 00:09:54.840 --> 00:09:56.960 And if you know anything of the teaching of Jesus 00:09:56.960 --> 00:09:58.360 and the parables of Jesus, 00:09:58.840 --> 00:10:00.759 He spent a lot of time teaching at meals, 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:03.120 using meals and feasts 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:06.340 as a picture of the kingdom of heaven. 00:10:07.799 --> 00:10:09.639 And two of His most famous miracles, 00:10:09.819 --> 00:10:11.059 the feeding of the 5,000, 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:12.000 in this one that we read, 00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:13.319 the feeding of the 4,000, 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:15.319 again, here is Jesus saying, 00:10:15.659 --> 00:10:16.639 I am God. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:18.600 And just like God did in the Old Testament, 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:20.360 I am here to provide a feast 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:23.279 so people can enjoy grace 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:24.799 and to enjoy it freely. 00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:27.460 So that is a big theme 00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:29.639 that you can trace all the way through the Bible. 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:31.000 And we can also see it 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:33.279 working its way through chapter 15. 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:36.439 So we met in the first 20 verses, 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:37.539 the Pharisees, 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:39.559 the religious leaders. 00:10:40.100 --> 00:10:41.319 These were the guys 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:43.919 who considered themselves to be the insiders. 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:45.939 You know, we judge everyone else 00:10:45.939 --> 00:10:46.879 who's not like us. 00:10:46.959 --> 00:10:49.500 We are sure we are in God's team. 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:51.939 But what happens is 00:10:51.939 --> 00:10:54.419 because they don't have faith in Jesus, 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:57.000 because they reject His authority, 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:58.519 because they are hostile to Him, 00:10:59.019 --> 00:11:00.979 they won't sit and eat with Him 00:11:00.979 --> 00:11:02.439 and with His friends. 00:11:03.299 --> 00:11:05.419 That's a picture of being outside of, 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:08.839 receiving God's grace through Jesus. 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:10.659 But then by contrast, 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:13.139 we come to verses 21 to 28. 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:15.319 And we see Jesus in conversation 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:16.340 with a Canaanite woman. 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:19.939 And we see that proverb in verse 27, 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:21.819 from verse 26 rather, 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:23.500 it's not right to take the children's bread 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:24.759 and toss it to their dogs. 00:11:25.439 --> 00:11:26.980 Jesus is using a proverb 00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:28.939 based around the family table. 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:31.919 And what we discover is that this Canaanite, 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:35.720 this enemy by nature of God's people, 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:37.600 she has faith. 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:41.139 And so she gets to enjoy grace. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:43.899 And then it moves, 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:47.639 Jesus moves from there towards the Sea of Galilee 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:52.360 and He feeds 4,000 people in great need 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:56.740 who are also outside of Israel, 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:59.939 outside of sort of the line of the covenant promises, 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:03.279 but they enjoy a feast in the wilderness. 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:07.819 So this is a really significant chapter for Matthew. 00:12:07.959 --> 00:12:08.860 He's saying to us, 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:11.600 Jesus is God. 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:15.319 He is doing exactly what God did in the Old Testament. 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:20.500 He's come by grace to invite people to enjoy life with Him, 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:23.079 which is pictured as a feast. 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:25.039 And Matthew is telling us, 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:27.559 here is the way to enter into that, 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:29.159 and it's by faith. 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:33.919 Not by claiming our own goodness or self-righteousness like the Pharisees, 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:36.039 but coming aware of our need, 00:12:36.219 --> 00:12:37.559 coming with faith. 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:38.779 And for those who do, 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:41.559 there is a feast of God's goodness to enjoy. 00:12:43.339 --> 00:12:44.559 So the feast, 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:46.439 that's our theme for today. 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:48.559 So two questions for us. 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:50.219 First one is this, 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:52.339 who is invited to the feast? 00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:54.240 And we can make that personal, 00:12:54.439 --> 00:12:56.959 am I invited to the feast? 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:59.759 Look with me at verse 21. 00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:02.700 Simple words, 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:04.259 but with great significance. 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:05.720 Verse 21 begins, 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:07.540 leaving that place. 00:13:07.660 --> 00:13:08.860 So where has Jesus been? 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:10.540 He's been in Israel. 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:14.120 He's been with those religious insiders who reject Him, 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:15.500 who are hostile to Him. 00:13:15.660 --> 00:13:17.320 So He's leaving that place. 00:13:18.280 --> 00:13:19.100 Where does He go? 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:21.940 We're told Jesus withdrew 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:25.019 to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:28.439 Now that might not mean too much to us, 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:31.439 but to Matthew's first century readers, 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:34.539 there are alarm bells going off all over the place. 00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:36.699 Because if you hear Tyre and Sidon, 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:39.620 you hear enemies of God. 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:43.559 Tyre and Sidon was one of those groups in the Old Testament 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:48.480 that made a habit of attacking Israel as the people of God. 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:51.100 They robbed the temple. 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:55.440 They took some of Israel away to be slaves. 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:58.420 These are not the good guys. 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:00.220 And yet here is Jesus, 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.879 and He's on a long walk, 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:04.060 50 to 60 miles. 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:05.460 He's walking here, 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:07.879 not to judge enemies, 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:11.420 but to show grace to enemies. 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:16.080 And so we're presented with this almost shocking contrast. 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.800 You've got the insiders, 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:18.479 the Pharisees, 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:19.559 and they reject Jesus. 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:21.539 They want nothing to do with God's Savior. 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:23.000 But by contrast, 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:24.399 this former enemy, 00:14:24.579 --> 00:14:25.620 this Canaanite woman, 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:27.859 she receives the invitation, 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:30.659 and so she enjoys grace. 00:14:32.819 --> 00:14:36.419 Jesus is on this mission of extravagant grace. 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.859 And the guest list, 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.579 just as was the case last week, 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:42.699 the guest list highlights that for us. 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:45.640 So we're told in verse 22 quite explicitly 00:14:45.640 --> 00:14:50.040 that Jesus is dealing with a Canaanite woman. 00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:51.860 And again, 00:14:51.940 --> 00:14:54.080 the label that would have been attached to her 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:56.520 from a religious society would be, 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:57.960 this is a sinner. 00:14:58.100 --> 00:15:00.740 This is somebody to avoid, 00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:02.560 but not Jesus. 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:07.379 And once he's finished ministering, 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.319 helping her, 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:09.959 Jesus then moves on. 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:12.500 And look at verse 30 and 31. 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:13.139 We read, 00:15:13.239 --> 00:15:14.619 Great crowds came to him, 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:15.939 bringing the lame, 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:16.559 the blind, 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:17.099 the crippled, 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:17.559 the mute, 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.339 and many others, 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:19.639 and laid them at his feet. 00:15:20.099 --> 00:15:21.459 And he healed them. 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:23.219 The people were amazed 00:15:23.219 --> 00:15:24.819 when they saw the mute speaking. 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.459 The crippled made well, 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:27.319 the lame walking, 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:28.159 and the blind seeing. 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:30.859 And they praised the God of Israel. 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:32.860 So here are some foreigners 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.680 in desperate situations. 00:15:34.800 --> 00:15:35.700 We know they're foreigners 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.680 because in the end, 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:38.820 they turn and praise the God of Israel. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.200 Implication, 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:43.919 that's not naturally who they belong to. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:48.340 But here are some of the lowest in society. 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:49.419 Those who have, 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:49.779 as it were, 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:51.500 nothing to bring to the table 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:53.779 except their own need. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.120 And what we discover 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.920 is that Jesus feeds them. 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.820 Jesus shows grace. 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.180 To these two, 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:01.859 this woman and this group, 00:16:01.959 --> 00:16:03.279 they know their place. 00:16:04.599 --> 00:16:06.659 They know that they have no claim 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:09.419 on Jesus' love and mercy and kindness. 00:16:10.239 --> 00:16:11.120 The Pharisees thought, 00:16:11.239 --> 00:16:11.679 absolutely, 00:16:11.859 --> 00:16:12.519 they earn it. 00:16:12.579 --> 00:16:13.779 And so they get nothing. 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:17.679 But for those who see themselves 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:19.120 as needy, 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:20.779 with no claim, 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:23.120 Jesus instantly heals 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.279 the woman's daughter. 00:16:25.459 --> 00:16:27.539 Jesus heals this vast crowd. 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:29.480 And then he provides a feast 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.419 in the wilderness, 00:16:30.719 --> 00:16:31.759 just as God had done 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.639 in the Old Testament. 00:16:33.719 --> 00:16:35.079 It's so that we're beginning to see 00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:36.740 that life in God's kingdom 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:39.079 is about enjoying God's grace 00:16:39.079 --> 00:16:41.259 as it comes to us in Jesus. 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:44.000 And we are invited to receive that 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:44.839 as a gift 00:16:44.839 --> 00:16:46.799 with thankfulness, 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:47.579 with humility. 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:52.020 One of the truly unique things 00:16:52.020 --> 00:16:53.060 about Jesus 00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:54.620 and about Christianity 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:56.820 compared with every other religion 00:16:56.820 --> 00:16:57.560 is this. 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.240 Your religion says, 00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:01.460 climb the ladder up to God. 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:03.520 Work really hard. 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:04.500 Make merit. 00:17:05.360 --> 00:17:07.640 Go on great walks 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:09.500 and make great sacrifices 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:11.039 in the hope that 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.920 you can do enough 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.700 that the gods 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:16.740 might be pleased with you. 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:21.620 The Bible reveals to us 00:17:21.620 --> 00:17:22.740 that our God is perfect 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.800 and that He is holy 00:17:23.800 --> 00:17:25.160 and that He is without sin 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.420 and that He hates sin. 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:27.740 And so Christianity 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.740 is very honest 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.240 in saying, 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.380 in the first place, 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.380 well, as sinful people, 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.920 we cannot ever be good enough 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:34.840 for a holy God 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:35.900 if our hope rests 00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:37.320 on making our way up 00:17:37.320 --> 00:17:38.279 to God's standard. 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:40.100 We have no hope. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.160 But then there is 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.259 this wonderful news 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:44.500 that Jesus has come down. 00:17:44.820 --> 00:17:45.840 Not that we go up, 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:47.519 that Jesus has come down 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:49.279 to be Emmanuel, 00:17:49.560 --> 00:17:52.440 to be God with us. 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:55.380 And that He's come to do that 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:57.019 to bring us to God 00:17:57.019 --> 00:18:00.240 as an act of undeserved grace. 00:18:00.840 --> 00:18:02.900 Our King has come near 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:04.560 to save us 00:18:04.560 --> 00:18:06.340 and to provide for us. 00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:09.580 I watched a documentary 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:11.939 from Bhutan. 00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:13.960 The former King of Bhutan 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:15.119 in 2016, 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:17.000 he was celebrating 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.399 his 60th birthday. 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:19.720 So his son, 00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:20.480 who was the new king, 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:22.679 put on this lavish celebration. 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.159 It was a day 00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:24.579 of national holiday. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.759 And then there was, 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.240 I think, 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:28.199 30,000 tickets issued 00:18:28.199 --> 00:18:29.279 so that you could go 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.919 to the national stadium 00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:32.179 and you could watch 00:18:32.179 --> 00:18:33.059 singing and dancing. 00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:34.419 And then at one point, 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.460 the king came 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.480 and he sort of did 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:38.440 a walk around the pitch. 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:40.559 And the person 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.740 who was doing 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.660 the documentary, 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.420 he interviewed 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.960 one excited student 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:46.000 who'd spent two days 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.539 on a bus 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.900 to have the chance 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:48.720 to see the king. 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.019 And he was like, 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:50.059 this is the happiest day 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.579 of my life 00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:51.519 to be able to see 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.460 the king. 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:56.539 He was very glad. 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:58.200 What Christianity offers 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.279 is much, much better 00:18:59.279 --> 00:18:59.860 than that. 00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:01.120 The amazing news 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:01.579 of the Bible 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.700 is that Jesus 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.960 is God's king 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:05.660 who invites us in 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:06.759 and not just to see him 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.720 at a distance 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.720 in a stadium, 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.779 Jesus invites us 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:12.640 to feast with him, 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:16.000 to enjoy grace from him, 00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:17.640 to enjoy God's love 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:19.100 through knowing him, 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:21.079 to find peace and joy 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:22.740 and eternal security 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:24.439 in him. 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:27.019 He is inviting us 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:28.480 to a feast. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.019 It's what makes Jesus 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.819 so different. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.439 Jesus, the one who came 00:19:33.439 --> 00:19:34.819 to break down barriers 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:36.099 in order to show grace 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:37.460 to people that don't earn it 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.980 and deserve it. 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.500 Here is Jesus 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.500 on a long walk 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.740 to Tyre and Sidon, 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.379 but we can think 00:19:43.379 --> 00:19:44.500 of another long walk, 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:45.599 another long journey 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.079 of Jesus. 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:46.980 Think about Jesus 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:48.500 leaving the glory of heaven 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:50.799 to come, 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:54.099 to take on human nature, 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.900 to live among us 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:57.400 and think about the walks 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.440 that Jesus does 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.319 on his mission 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:00.380 to show compassion 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:01.019 and mercy 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:02.220 and love 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.819 to those who are rejected, 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:04.599 despised, 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.839 and hated by others 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:07.319 and then see Jesus' 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.380 long walk 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.259 to the cross. 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.759 Think of Jesus 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.660 there 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:15.460 being regarded 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:17.880 as the ultimate outsider, 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:20.340 rejected by the people, 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.880 feeling forsaken 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:23.600 by his father 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.680 so that you and I, 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:26.480 we might become insiders, 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.759 we might receive 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.960 that grace 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.019 that's promised. 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.400 Jesus has come 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.779 to die on the cross 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.680 to deal with 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.640 the greatest 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:35.900 of all walls 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:36.560 of division, 00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:39.040 the barrier of sin 00:20:39.040 --> 00:20:40.100 that separates us 00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:41.160 from a holy God. 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:42.779 Jesus takes 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.420 the sin 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:44.300 of his people 00:20:44.300 --> 00:20:45.279 on himself, 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.420 dying, 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:48.720 facing the penalty 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:50.220 that sin deserves 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:52.620 so that by faith 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.080 in Jesus 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:54.380 we might know 00:20:54.380 --> 00:20:55.400 and enjoy 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:56.940 life with God. 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.580 This is our 00:20:58.580 --> 00:21:00.259 good news message 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.060 and this is our 00:21:01.060 --> 00:21:02.180 church mission, 00:21:02.300 --> 00:21:03.460 this is the walk 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.400 we are to take 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.480 to tell people 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.759 of a God of grace 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:07.560 and love. 00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:09.320 This explains 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:09.819 the work 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.819 of our global 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.839 mission partners. 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.299 We can think 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.200 of Manuel 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:14.919 and Patty 00:21:14.919 --> 00:21:15.480 Rianno 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.179 in Colombia 00:21:16.179 --> 00:21:17.359 as they work 00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:18.419 with teens 00:21:18.419 --> 00:21:18.980 who live 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.700 on the streets 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.359 in Colombia. 00:21:21.139 --> 00:21:21.779 Or we can think 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.980 of Patrick Jock 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.839 in South Sudan 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.500 who's caring 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.759 for refugees. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.460 We can think 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.439 of Hendro 00:21:27.439 --> 00:21:28.279 from Indonesia 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:29.339 who's training 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.039 evangelists 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:30.839 to go and share 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.500 the gospel 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:33.019 with unreached 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:34.159 Muslim people groups. 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:34.579 Why? 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:36.000 Because our God 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.460 is a God 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.299 of grace 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.340 and a God 00:21:38.340 --> 00:21:38.740 who wants 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.600 to break down 00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:40.740 barriers of division 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:42.039 so that all people 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:43.519 can hear of 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.500 his great love 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.259 for them 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:47.579 seen in Jesus. 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.200 And this is 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:50.840 to motivate 00:21:50.840 --> 00:21:51.579 our mission 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.539 to in our 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.500 day to day 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.559 that we would 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:54.860 pray, 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:56.600 please make me 00:21:56.600 --> 00:21:57.500 an agent 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.920 of grace. 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.860 To ask God 00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:02.940 for help 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.600 for us 00:22:03.600 --> 00:22:04.400 to make 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.920 our long 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.720 walk of grace. 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.620 Perhaps to walk 00:22:07.620 --> 00:22:08.440 across a room 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.779 to talk to 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.720 a student 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.600 who looks lonely 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.299 or looks 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.440 stressed. 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.299 Perhaps it's 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.400 crossing the street 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.320 to spend time 00:22:17.320 --> 00:22:17.960 with a neighbour 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.640 that you know 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:19.620 is going through 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:20.980 hard times. 00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:23.980 Perhaps 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.920 like Jesus 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:26.160 we can share 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:26.860 a meal 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.519 as a way 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.279 to extend 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:29.039 something of the 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.779 grace of God 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.460 to others. 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:32.019 To buy a coffee 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.879 to invite someone 00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:33.740 into a deeper 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.240 friendship. 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.779 To welcome 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.019 someone into 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:38.119 our family 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:38.619 meals. 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.460 For those of us 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.259 who have received 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.759 grace 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.619 it is then 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.839 to motivate us 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.639 in our mission 00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:46.940 to share 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.680 Jesus 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:50.180 with the hope 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:51.619 that anyone 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:53.160 who will trust 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:53.559 in Jesus 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.220 is invited 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:55.440 to this 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:56.119 feast. 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.619 Second question 00:22:58.619 --> 00:22:59.559 to think about 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.440 and this is where 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:00.740 we're going to 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.599 concentrate on the 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.179 faith of the 00:23:02.179 --> 00:23:02.919 Canaanite women 00:23:02.919 --> 00:23:03.199 here. 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:03.959 How does 00:23:03.959 --> 00:23:04.539 someone 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.799 enter this 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.500 feast that 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:06.899 Jesus 00:23:06.899 --> 00:23:08.240 provides? 00:23:09.219 --> 00:23:10.079 How do I 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:11.039 enter the 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.939 feast of 00:23:11.939 --> 00:23:12.719 God's 00:23:12.719 --> 00:23:13.480 grace? 00:23:14.959 --> 00:23:15.199 You know 00:23:15.199 --> 00:23:15.480 so we're 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.039 saying that 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.219 King Jesus 00:23:17.219 --> 00:23:17.859 has come 00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:18.959 to do 00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:19.539 all that 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.279 God had 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:20.719 done in the 00:23:20.719 --> 00:23:21.319 Old Testament 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:22.019 to give us 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:23.259 this wonderful 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:24.399 access into 00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:25.179 his kindness 00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:26.079 into his love 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.899 into his joy. 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.519 That's only 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.500 good news 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:31.319 if we see 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:31.700 that that's 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.140 something that 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:32.740 we need. 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.619 That's only 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:35.140 good news 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:35.619 if we will 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.539 come to him 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.680 in faith. 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.119 And so we're 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.460 going to think 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:38.839 about the 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.759 faith of 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.720 this Canaanite 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:42.000 woman for a 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.859 few moments. 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.460 Let's think 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:46.880 about her 00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:47.579 situation. 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.279 Verse 22, 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.099 a Canaanite 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:51.240 woman from 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:52.039 that vicinity 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:53.619 came to him 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.960 crying out, 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:57.000 Lord, son 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.620 of David, 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.079 have mercy 00:23:59.079 --> 00:23:59.680 on me. 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.279 My daughter 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.039 is suffering 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:04.620 terribly from 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:05.500 demon possession. 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:08.160 Here is a 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.100 desperate parent. 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:10.980 I met a 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.539 friend this 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.120 week whose 00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:13.400 child years 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:14.039 ago now had 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.720 been seriously 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.319 ill and he 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:15.860 was speaking 00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:16.920 about living 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:17.480 with that 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:18.819 trauma still. 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:20.880 And so it's 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:21.579 important for us 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.480 to think how 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.340 is this woman 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.459 feeling as she 00:24:24.459 --> 00:24:25.459 sees day after 00:24:25.459 --> 00:24:26.959 day her 00:24:26.959 --> 00:24:27.699 daughter who 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.179 she loves 00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:29.379 controlled by 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:31.019 the forces of 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.379 evil. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.259 What's she going 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.699 to do in that 00:24:33.699 --> 00:24:35.000 helpless situation? 00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:36.619 She comes to 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:36.959 Jesus. 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:38.699 And as she 00:24:38.699 --> 00:24:39.359 comes to Jesus 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.059 we're presented 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:40.799 with one of the 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:42.199 most, on one 00:24:42.199 --> 00:24:43.079 hand, fascinating 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.759 on the other 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.500 hand, difficult 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.519 conversations that 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.419 Jesus has with 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:47.119 another person. 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.879 It can seem like 00:24:48.879 --> 00:24:49.619 Jesus is being 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:51.500 harsh with his 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.019 silence. 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.819 He can seem 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.379 like he is 00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:55.960 perhaps unwilling 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:57.339 to help if we 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:58.240 read it at a 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:59.139 surface level. 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.220 And so it's 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.500 important for us 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:03.119 to do our 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:04.299 background work 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.059 to think what 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.740 do we know, 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.440 what have we 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:08.400 discovered about 00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:09.359 Jesus? 00:25:10.619 --> 00:25:11.400 So remember 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:11.920 we've already 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:13.160 been told he's 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:14.400 coming to Tyre 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.379 and Sidon, he's 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.019 leaving behind 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.599 those who are 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.859 hostile, he wants 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:19.440 to show grace 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:21.240 and kindness to 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:21.740 outsiders. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.839 So we know 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.519 that, that's why 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.400 he's on the 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:24.859 move and we 00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:25.579 see that because 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.140 he feeds a 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:27.220 great crowd of 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:27.579 people who 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.339 aren't Jew. 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:30.059 And that ties 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:31.039 in with all 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.700 that we know 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.799 of Jesus' 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.380 mission. 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:35.500 Jesus said it's 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.500 not the healthy 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:36.980 that need a 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.000 doctor but it's 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.519 the sick. 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.539 He's not come 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.140 to call the 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:41.279 self-righteous but 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.120 those who know 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.539 that they are 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.380 sinners to repent 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:44.700 and to come to 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.000 him. 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.539 We also saw a 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.059 couple of weeks 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.740 ago in Matthew 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.640 chapter 1 we 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.339 were clued into 00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:51.379 this fact in 00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:52.399 Jesus' family 00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:53.159 tree, family 00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:54.319 history where 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:55.139 you discover here 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:56.019 are women who 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:57.439 are outsiders who 00:25:57.439 --> 00:25:58.359 have surprising 00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:59.240 sometimes shocking 00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.939 stories and they 00:25:59.939 --> 00:26:00.799 are brought into 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.419 the family line 00:26:02.419 --> 00:26:02.939 of Jesus. 00:26:04.399 --> 00:26:05.459 A few chapters 00:26:05.459 --> 00:26:06.699 back we also 00:26:06.699 --> 00:26:07.899 meet another 00:26:07.899 --> 00:26:08.779 person who's said 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.379 to have great 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:09.799 faith. 00:26:09.939 --> 00:26:10.859 Two times Jesus 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:12.000 said in Matthew's 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.039 gospel somebody 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.939 had great faith. 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.859 One was this 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.799 woman from Canaan, 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:17.440 the other was a 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.220 Roman soldier, 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:18.980 an enemy 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.819 centurion who 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:21.180 is also said to 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:22.220 have great faith 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:24.059 and he too 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.059 receives help. 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.680 So we understand 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:28.220 at least in part 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.839 something of the 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:30.619 heart of Jesus 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:31.779 and the mission 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:33.119 of Jesus and the 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:33.919 disciples know that 00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:34.200 as well. 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:34.960 They have never 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.119 seen Jesus turn 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.379 anyone away who 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:38.159 comes to him 00:26:38.159 --> 00:26:39.839 for help. 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.059 So let's think 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.940 about how this 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.200 goes and especially 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.000 let's think how 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:47.480 do we see her 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.360 faith? 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.559 First of all I 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.200 think we can see 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.440 it in the posture 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:54.600 that she adopts. 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.779 Verse 22, what 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.819 does she look for 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.480 from Jesus? 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:00.080 She cries out 00:27:00.080 --> 00:27:01.840 for mercy. 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.819 She wants Jesus 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:06.160 to look on her 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.059 in her helpless 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.340 misery and to 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:09.039 act. 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:10.440 She's not claiming 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:12.440 any right or 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:12.900 merit. 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.420 And then in 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:14.860 verse 25 is she 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:16.219 draws near to 00:27:16.219 --> 00:27:16.559 Jesus. 00:27:16.679 --> 00:27:17.019 What's her 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:18.019 posture there? 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.519 The woman came 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.519 and knelt 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.799 before him. 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.659 She is humble. 00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:25.019 She is begging 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:26.500 for help. 00:27:27.159 --> 00:27:27.979 Faith is humble. 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.359 Faith sees 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.279 our needs 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.259 and recognizes 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:32.019 that by rights 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.979 we have no claim 00:27:32.979 --> 00:27:34.859 on God 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:36.179 and his love. 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.079 But faith 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:37.539 comes. 00:27:37.939 --> 00:27:38.619 We also see 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.219 that faith 00:27:39.219 --> 00:27:40.539 in this woman's 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.899 case is extremely 00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:43.359 persistent. 00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:46.700 So we hear her 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.639 crying out for 00:27:47.639 --> 00:27:48.899 help in verse 22 00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:50.039 but then in verse 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:51.740 23 perhaps 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:53.339 surprisingly Jesus 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:54.420 did not answer a 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:54.720 word. 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.980 She keeps on 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:59.279 going. 00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:01.339 And again Jesus 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:01.940 says to his 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.480 disciples, 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.420 I was sent only 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:05.659 to the lost 00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:06.420 sheep of Israel. 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.519 So he's been 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.659 silent and he said 00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:09.319 I'm only sent to 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:09.939 the lost sheep of 00:28:09.939 --> 00:28:10.200 Israel. 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.059 Then as she 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:12.399 continues to beg 00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:14.379 Jesus then says 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.139 it's not right to 00:28:15.139 --> 00:28:15.960 take the children's 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.960 bread and toss it 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.679 to their dogs. 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.659 Which again sounds 00:28:18.659 --> 00:28:20.179 on a surface level 00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:21.019 like Jesus is being 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.759 harsh or being 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.139 unwilling. 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.119 What's going on 00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:24.519 here? 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.460 Well two things I 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:26.619 think. 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.259 First of all 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.559 Jesus is making 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:30.599 a point that his 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:32.079 first priority is 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:33.859 to the people 00:28:33.859 --> 00:28:34.500 of God to 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.519 Israel because 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.700 he has come to 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.679 fulfill all the 00:28:37.679 --> 00:28:38.939 promises of the 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.539 Old Testament. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.259 He has come to 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.840 be the true king 00:28:42.840 --> 00:28:43.740 in the line of 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.320 David, the one 00:28:44.320 --> 00:28:45.140 who will reign for 00:28:45.140 --> 00:28:45.900 God forever. 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.220 And he's also 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.700 come to be the 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.820 seed of Abraham 00:28:49.820 --> 00:28:50.360 that will bring 00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:51.200 blessing not just 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:51.840 to Israel but to 00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:52.620 the nations and 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:54.100 that's significant. 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.360 So Jesus is 00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:56.279 talking about his 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.420 priority and we 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.299 see Jesus is very 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.759 focused in his 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.059 mission. 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:00.799 He makes 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:02.059 occasional forays 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:03.880 into sort of 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:05.039 outsider or enemy 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:06.000 territory but most 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.799 of his time he is 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:08.240 on this mission to 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:10.019 fulfill the promises 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:11.019 that God had made 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.740 in the Old Testament 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.759 that he had come to 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:13.659 be their saviour. 00:29:14.159 --> 00:29:14.879 But there's one other 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.480 thing I think that 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.559 Jesus is doing and we 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.759 see him do it in other 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.079 places. 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:20.059 He's wanting to see 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.879 this woman's faith, 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:22.519 to exercise faith. 00:29:22.639 --> 00:29:24.059 Will she keep on 00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:24.680 asking? 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:26.139 Will she trust that 00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:27.500 Jesus has grace 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:29.180 sufficient to meet 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.519 her needs? 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.539 And her faith is 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:31.960 amazing. 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:33.940 So even after that 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:35.840 family table proverb 00:29:35.840 --> 00:29:37.900 verse 26 where 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:39.259 Jesus is saying you 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.039 know if you had 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:41.940 children and you 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:43.400 have a dog in the 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.620 family home it is 00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:45.819 natural that you feed 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.980 the children first and 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:48.259 that's what we do if 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:49.740 we have dogs. 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.779 But here her 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.940 persistent faith in 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.860 verse 27. 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:55.620 Yes Lord she said 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:57.600 but even the dogs 00:29:57.600 --> 00:29:59.900 eat the crumbs that 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:00.680 fall from the 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.480 master's table. 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.580 She says yes I 00:30:02.580 --> 00:30:03.519 agree absolutely 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:05.420 that Israel has 00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:07.880 priority but remember 00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:08.680 you've given that 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.820 that family proverb 00:30:09.820 --> 00:30:10.779 and there's a dog in 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:10.920 there. 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.960 I'm happy to be 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:12.980 considered a dog if 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:14.060 you would just give 00:30:14.060 --> 00:30:16.340 me even a scrap so 00:30:16.340 --> 00:30:17.259 that I can get help 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:19.720 for my daughter. 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:22.200 I know this isn't my 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:23.779 time perhaps until 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.960 after Jesus' death and 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.940 resurrection that when 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:27.060 when the gospel goes 00:30:27.060 --> 00:30:28.400 global but she says 00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:30.019 please feed me anyway. 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.720 Please give me grace 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:33.779 and mercy anyway. 00:30:34.080 --> 00:30:34.900 And what we see is 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.980 that her faith is in 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.900 line with the message 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.680 of Matthew and the 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.500 mission of Jesus. 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.700 Very beginning we have 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.759 that genealogy that 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:43.460 reminds us that God's 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.299 people has always just 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.519 been wider than 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:47.500 simply national Israel. 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:49.299 We get to the end of 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:50.420 Matthew 28 and we come 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.340 to the Great Commission 00:30:51.340 --> 00:30:52.980 and we see go and make 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:54.400 disciples of all nations. 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:57.080 And so her faith stands 00:30:57.080 --> 00:30:58.519 in that line that says 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.960 God's kingdom is bigger 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:02.160 and wider than we 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:03.079 imagine and that's good 00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.819 news. 00:31:06.359 --> 00:31:07.500 Does the woman get 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.240 scraps? 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.720 Verse 28. 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:14.160 Woman you have great 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:15.019 faith. 00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:17.400 Your request is granted. 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.099 And her daughter was 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:20.059 healed from that very 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.319 hour. 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:22.240 She don't get scraps. 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:25.079 She gets a feast of God's 00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:25.480 kindness. 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:28.200 She has faith. 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:30.400 She's part of the family 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:31.039 of God. 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:33.279 And so Jesus lovingly 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:35.220 provides for her. 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:37.420 The crucial thing about 00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:39.279 her faith is that it 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:41.640 rests in the person of 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:41.960 Jesus. 00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:43.900 Look at how she talks 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:45.460 about Jesus in verse 22. 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.960 She calls him Lord. 00:31:47.099 --> 00:31:47.859 There's honor. 00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:48.900 There's respect. 00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:51.220 But then she calls him 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:52.660 son of David. 00:31:53.540 --> 00:31:55.019 And son of David is 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:57.140 savior language. 00:31:58.320 --> 00:32:00.080 That she understands that 00:32:00.080 --> 00:32:01.740 this man standing in front 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:03.940 of her is God's promised 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.519 king. 00:32:05.040 --> 00:32:06.720 God's promised savior. 00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:09.560 And so she knows by faith 00:32:09.560 --> 00:32:12.280 to come to him with her 00:32:12.280 --> 00:32:13.259 needs. 00:32:16.060 --> 00:32:17.440 And that's the wonderful 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.820 lesson that we receive 00:32:18.820 --> 00:32:20.080 from her story. 00:32:21.340 --> 00:32:22.220 You and I, 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:24.259 we need to come hungry 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:25.720 to Jesus. 00:32:26.600 --> 00:32:28.680 To see our need 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:30.580 of his grace 00:32:30.580 --> 00:32:31.539 in our lives. 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:33.160 And when we do, 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:35.140 we will discover 00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:36.160 that he can 00:32:36.160 --> 00:32:37.180 and he does 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:38.220 truly satisfy 00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:40.740 our deepest needs. 00:32:40.840 --> 00:32:42.340 Whatever that might be. 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:45.559 So you might be here 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:47.059 and you feel 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:48.099 burdened by 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:48.859 sin 00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:49.659 and guilt 00:32:49.659 --> 00:32:50.119 and you 00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:51.119 want to be 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.159 right with God. 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:52.960 You know that all 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.659 is not well 00:32:53.659 --> 00:32:54.319 between you 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:54.839 and God 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:55.299 and you know 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:56.099 that you can't 00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:56.679 fix it. 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:58.079 So you need to come 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:59.019 to Jesus 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.960 in faith 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:01.159 and recognize 00:33:01.159 --> 00:33:03.119 that his work 00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:03.639 on the cross 00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:04.399 is for you. 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:07.099 That he has died 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:07.879 so that you might 00:33:07.879 --> 00:33:08.559 be forgiven. 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.639 That you might 00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:10.639 be reconciled 00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:10.940 to God. 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.359 That you might 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:11.960 be adopted 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:13.200 into the family 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:13.799 of God. 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:17.099 But perhaps 00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:17.659 we're here today 00:33:17.659 --> 00:33:18.039 and our need 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.639 is different. 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:20.000 Perhaps burdened 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:21.879 by responsibilities. 00:33:23.119 --> 00:33:24.039 Perhaps caring 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:24.859 for family 00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:25.519 and friends. 00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:27.119 Perhaps working 00:33:27.119 --> 00:33:27.680 through some 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:29.139 difficult situations 00:33:29.139 --> 00:33:29.879 and we feel 00:33:29.879 --> 00:33:30.779 empty 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.359 or we feel 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:32.039 tired 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.519 and again 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.480 in faith 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.839 we need to 00:33:34.839 --> 00:33:35.480 invite Jesus 00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:36.480 in there too. 00:33:37.139 --> 00:33:37.980 To invite him 00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:38.539 to be 00:33:38.539 --> 00:33:39.559 our strength 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:40.159 when we feel 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:40.460 weak. 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:41.779 To be our 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.480 wisdom 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:43.079 when we feel 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:43.559 like we don't 00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:44.079 necessarily 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.720 have the 00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:45.160 answers. 00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.039 To be that 00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:46.799 friend that 00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.360 we need 00:33:47.360 --> 00:33:47.860 as we seek 00:33:47.860 --> 00:33:48.259 to be a 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.220 friend to 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.660 others. 00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:50.279 Because grace 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:50.860 doesn't just 00:33:50.860 --> 00:33:51.500 sustain, 00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:52.360 doesn't just 00:33:52.360 --> 00:33:52.860 save us, 00:33:52.900 --> 00:33:53.360 it also 00:33:53.360 --> 00:33:55.240 sustains us. 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:56.380 And so every 00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:57.400 day as Christians 00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:58.120 we also need 00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:58.599 to put our 00:33:58.599 --> 00:33:59.960 faith in God 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.599 to receive 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:02.120 grace from 00:34:02.120 --> 00:34:03.299 him day 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:04.319 by day. 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.519 Truth is 00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:06.160 whoever we 00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:06.940 are today, 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:08.139 whatever our 00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:08.840 story coming 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.780 into this place 00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:10.179 today, 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:11.820 grace is on 00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:12.519 offer to 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:13.019 each one 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:13.500 of us 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.420 and grace 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:14.780 is what 00:34:14.780 --> 00:34:15.340 we need. 00:34:16.600 --> 00:34:17.240 And so all 00:34:17.240 --> 00:34:17.720 of us, 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:18.360 whoever we 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:18.760 are, 00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:20.380 we are called 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:20.780 like this 00:34:20.780 --> 00:34:21.140 woman to 00:34:21.140 --> 00:34:22.100 come to 00:34:22.100 --> 00:34:22.460 Jesus, 00:34:22.780 --> 00:34:23.340 to trust 00:34:23.340 --> 00:34:24.800 in him. 00:34:26.300 --> 00:34:26.920 If we are 00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:27.519 here today 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:27.920 and we're 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.920 tired of 00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.740 the graceless 00:34:29.740 --> 00:34:30.460 culture that 00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:30.900 we see, 00:34:31.080 --> 00:34:31.820 tired of 00:34:31.820 --> 00:34:33.000 division and 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.920 separation and 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.860 competition and 00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.980 rivalry and 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.420 you want a 00:34:36.420 --> 00:34:36.960 new way, 00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:38.640 you find it 00:34:38.640 --> 00:34:39.740 in Jesus. 00:34:39.739 --> 00:34:41.679 If you're 00:34:41.679 --> 00:34:42.579 aware of 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:43.659 guilt and 00:34:43.659 --> 00:34:44.659 wanting rescue, 00:34:44.779 --> 00:34:45.659 you find that 00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:46.639 in Jesus. 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.279 If we're 00:34:48.279 --> 00:34:49.259 spending ourselves 00:34:49.259 --> 00:34:49.859 on others and 00:34:49.859 --> 00:34:50.599 we feel empty, 00:34:50.699 --> 00:34:51.779 we find grace 00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:53.459 through Jesus. 00:34:54.279 --> 00:34:55.359 So the message 00:34:55.359 --> 00:34:56.359 to all of us 00:34:56.359 --> 00:34:57.059 is the same. 00:34:57.739 --> 00:34:58.379 Come to 00:34:58.379 --> 00:34:59.479 Jesus in faith 00:34:59.479 --> 00:35:01.039 and feast on 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:02.359 the grace that 00:35:02.359 --> 00:35:03.079 he longs to 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.959 provide for us.