WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.200 Okay, today's Bible reading is taken from Matthew, the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 8, and from verse 28 to verse 34. 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:14.620 And let's read together how Jesus heals two men with demons. 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:22.519 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the gatherings, two demon-possessed men met him, 00:00:23.260 --> 00:00:27.800 coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 00:00:27.800 --> 00:00:30.620 And behold, they cried out, 00:00:31.320 --> 00:00:37.539 What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time? 00:00:38.740 --> 00:00:42.939 Now a herd of many pigs were feeding at some distance from them, 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:45.519 and the demons begged him, saying, 00:00:46.060 --> 00:00:51.000 If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs. 00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:53.519 And he said to them, Go. 00:00:53.520 --> 00:01:04.920 So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 00:01:05.859 --> 00:01:14.300 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city, they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 00:01:14.299 --> 00:01:19.500 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. 00:01:20.039 --> 00:01:24.399 And when they saw him, they begged him to leave the region. 00:01:25.700 --> 00:01:28.420 Why don't I pray, and we'll get into God's word. 00:01:28.420 --> 00:01:38.780 Yeah, Father, whatever is going on in our minds and hearts, in our lives, 00:01:39.400 --> 00:01:47.960 I just ask that you would strip those things back so that we can see Jesus for who he is, 00:01:47.959 --> 00:01:59.879 and that seeing him, that might just renew us, give us a new joy, a new strength, a new purpose, 00:02:00.259 --> 00:02:06.119 that we would, as Bo prayed earlier, ascribe glory to you. 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:11.079 But Lord, we need to see you for who you are, and we can't do that for ourselves. 00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:17.900 So we ask that you would speak through your word today to each one of us where we are at to see the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:18.580 --> 00:02:20.340 In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 00:02:24.580 --> 00:02:29.660 Well, in Matthew's Gospel, we've been meeting the real Jesus, 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:35.540 and he's not going to fit into any little box that we try and put him in. 00:02:35.920 --> 00:02:37.560 He won't be domesticated. 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:43.680 If we're going to encounter the real Jesus, we must take him as he is, 00:02:44.280 --> 00:02:49.699 as both a compassionate saviour and as a demanding king. 00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:51.640 It's a package deal. 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:54.400 We've got to take him as he is. 00:02:55.120 --> 00:03:00.199 In chapter 8, we've been seeing his great compassion completely restoring, 00:03:00.659 --> 00:03:03.780 not just partially, completely restoring a leper, 00:03:03.780 --> 00:03:07.960 the Roman centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law. 00:03:08.900 --> 00:03:11.960 These groups of people who are considered the lowest in society 00:03:11.960 --> 00:03:16.699 or even outside the people of God, that's who Jesus has compassion for. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:22.860 He kind of turns things around about who God loves and who is in the kingdom. 00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:24.699 He reverses things. 00:03:24.699 --> 00:03:28.599 And he is at the same time a demanding king. 00:03:29.479 --> 00:03:34.599 He won't let other loyalties or obligations be in competition with him, 00:03:34.679 --> 00:03:37.719 even the obligation to family. 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:41.039 He wants total trust in him, 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:44.780 even when the circumstances of life, like a storm, 00:03:45.159 --> 00:03:47.239 are screaming at us that we're going to perish. 00:03:47.519 --> 00:03:49.419 He wants us to trust in his person. 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:52.280 That is a huge demand. 00:03:53.639 --> 00:03:54.819 Compassionate but demanding. 00:03:57.819 --> 00:04:01.879 So it's not as if we need to put up with the demandingness of Jesus 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:05.199 in order to get what we really need, which is his compassion. 00:04:05.459 --> 00:04:07.939 So it's not like we just do a trade-off. 00:04:09.179 --> 00:04:14.639 His demandingness is compassionate and his compassion is demanding. 00:04:15.019 --> 00:04:17.639 And I think we see that in our story today. 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:23.439 The compassion Jesus offers you will be very demanding. 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:30.439 We're going to have to choose whether this Jesus can be trusted 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:34.199 and invite his compassion into our lives. 00:04:34.300 --> 00:04:35.500 It's going to be that demanding. 00:04:35.979 --> 00:04:37.300 Do we actually want it? 00:04:38.019 --> 00:04:41.500 Or will we ask him to leave our lives alone, 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:45.479 keep his compassion far away from us? 00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:51.079 So as we get into the story, 00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:54.779 maybe you've had something to do with the occult 00:04:54.779 --> 00:04:58.800 or with New Age spiritualism in your past 00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:01.500 with tarot cards and crystals and the like. 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:06.500 Others in our church family will have come from cultures 00:05:06.500 --> 00:05:09.240 where honouring the spirits of ancestors is critical 00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:12.259 to living a blessed rather than a cursed life. 00:05:12.259 --> 00:05:16.639 And then there's others in our church family who have grown up 00:05:16.639 --> 00:05:20.379 in a secular, materialistic Western culture. 00:05:21.659 --> 00:05:26.500 And this idea of unseen realities will be hard to fathom, 00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:28.019 hard to accept. 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:33.719 Can I briefly just say, if you're like me growing up in that secular, 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:37.139 materialist culture and the idea of demon possession, 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:39.000 you're kind of quite sceptical. 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:42.220 Can I just ask you to consider whether that's because you're committed 00:05:42.220 --> 00:05:46.800 to what the Bible says or is that because of the secular belief 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:47.899 still lingering in you? 00:05:48.939 --> 00:05:50.480 So go away and think about that one. 00:05:51.980 --> 00:05:55.720 My main point is that the real Jesus in our story today 00:05:55.720 --> 00:06:01.040 will confront each of us, all of us from our different backgrounds. 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:03.480 He is going to confront all of us. 00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:10.200 Because all these backgrounds share in common a lack of awareness 00:06:10.200 --> 00:06:16.259 of the main weapon of the enemy to wreak havoc in our lives. 00:06:19.400 --> 00:06:23.240 To understand what this weapon is, we need to recall the beginning 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:25.520 of humanity with Adam and Eve in Genesis. 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:29.840 God made people to be like him, in his image, 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:33.819 to display God's character as we controlled everything in this world 00:06:33.819 --> 00:06:34.839 under God's authority. 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:39.560 But humanity handed over control. 00:06:39.699 --> 00:06:40.000 How? 00:06:40.899 --> 00:06:44.239 By believing the lies of Satan. 00:06:45.539 --> 00:06:48.679 Does God really want to give you the best in life? 00:06:50.979 --> 00:06:52.159 He's holding out. 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:56.800 If you want control, then be your own God. 00:06:56.900 --> 00:06:57.860 You don't need him. 00:06:58.180 --> 00:06:59.820 Take it for yourself. 00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:06.580 There's no consequences for rejecting God to be God over your life. 00:07:08.340 --> 00:07:13.940 These lies destroyed the character of the image bearers 00:07:13.940 --> 00:07:17.620 and ultimately brought death into the world. 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:20.500 We handed over control to these lies. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:26.759 I think the song Image captures this well with these lyrics. 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:31.879 You spoke to the dust and you breathed life into us. 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:35.000 In your image, we were made to live. 00:07:35.959 --> 00:07:38.360 You gave us the world even more. 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:39.740 You gave us yourself. 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:42.279 In your likeness, we were made to rule. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:46.399 Even in paradise, mankind believed the lie. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:48.279 We were king. 00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:51.379 Perfect, now perishing. 00:07:51.619 --> 00:07:53.139 Goodness unravelling. 00:07:53.739 --> 00:07:54.599 Stained by sin. 00:07:56.799 --> 00:08:00.119 It wasn't demon possession that undid humanity. 00:08:00.279 --> 00:08:00.939 It was lies. 00:08:04.339 --> 00:08:10.739 Let me give something of a cliche example to help us see how lives continue to enslave us, 00:08:11.039 --> 00:08:13.439 destroying the character of God we were meant to be 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:15.300 and bring death into our lives today. 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:22.060 Picture a man who believes that he absolutely needs to be successful in his job 00:08:22.060 --> 00:08:23.860 to be validated as a man. 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:26.740 He absolutely needs it. 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:33.679 What is believing that lie going to do to his character and his life? 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:34.679 It's going to wreak havoc. 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:39.659 Because he absolutely needs it, all other priorities are going to be out of order. 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:44.399 His job will be totally demanding. 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:46.419 He must have success. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:49.179 Even at the cost of his own physical health. 00:08:50.079 --> 00:08:52.639 Even at the expense of the care of his family. 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:55.639 Even his engagement with the church. 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:57.120 And we could go on and on. 00:08:57.120 --> 00:09:02.639 And if anything gets in the road of this goal of him being successful, 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:06.960 because he needs it to feel like a man, look out. 00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:09.279 There will not be patience. 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:11.060 There will be anger. 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:17.220 And the price will be paid in relationships, if not totally, then to some extent. 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:25.620 And the image of God is replaced with a self-centered, career-driven, enslaved, brutal man. 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:29.700 And he isn't ruling his job. 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:31.460 The job will be ruling him. 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:41.940 I'm hoping that just gives a concrete picture of how lies just distort our human nature 00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:43.539 that was meant to be in the image of God. 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:46.980 So career might not be the problem for you. 00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:49.779 What do you absolutely need? 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:53.039 What can you not live without that isn't true, 00:09:53.039 --> 00:09:55.080 that isn't based on what God says you need? 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:58.600 Whatever it is, is enslaving you. 00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:04.299 It will cause you not to display the character of God in your relationships. 00:10:04.460 --> 00:10:07.120 It will cut you off from community with God and others. 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:09.159 It will control you. 00:10:09.320 --> 00:10:10.279 You won't control it. 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:13.720 If you absolutely need it, it will control you. 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:21.660 Satan enslaves and destroys God's image bearers by feeding us lies. 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:27.700 Here's the beautiful news in our passage. 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:34.620 Jesus is in the business of restoring enslaved people into the character and fellowship of God. 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:40.379 So let's pick up the story from verse 28. 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:52.700 After quieting that raging storm with a word, he hops into a boat and they arrive on the other side of Lake Galilee 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:55.940 and they're in this very non-Jewish region. 00:10:56.659 --> 00:10:58.580 So it's surprising that Jesus is even here. 00:10:58.580 --> 00:11:02.840 Two men possessed by demons met Jesus. 00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:08.379 And whatever demon possession is, we've got to distinguish it from mental illness. 00:11:08.520 --> 00:11:14.720 There may be a fuzzy line there, but it's different to mental illness because demons won't respond to medication. 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:24.440 Mark's account of this incident reports only one demon-possessed man, whereas Matthew says there's two. 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:29.019 So the fact that Mark talks about one doesn't mean that there wasn't another one there. 00:11:29.700 --> 00:11:38.460 And maybe Matthew reports two demon-possessed men because Jewish law requires two witnesses to verify something happening. 00:11:38.800 --> 00:11:39.740 I'm not really sure. 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:42.180 That's just my best stab at that. 00:11:42.179 --> 00:11:48.739 Here's what we are told about these three things about these two men. 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:51.000 First is they lived among the tombs. 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:57.059 We're all looking forward to December holidays and things, I imagine. 00:11:57.439 --> 00:11:59.519 Are you planning to go camping in the cemetery? 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:04.299 I suppose they don't have many facilities there. 00:12:05.099 --> 00:12:10.199 But that is the last place I would want to be at night time. 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:12.620 They lived among the tombs. 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:14.040 Why? 00:12:14.160 --> 00:12:16.320 They were cut off from community life. 00:12:17.040 --> 00:12:22.180 Being cut off from community life, they were living a kind of death. 00:12:23.640 --> 00:12:30.020 And just a side point of this, it makes me wonder what today is cutting us off from community life. 00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:36.439 The second thing we're told is they are possessed by demonic power. 00:12:36.679 --> 00:12:43.960 They looked like men on the outside, but far from exercising God's good rule, they had lost self-control. 00:12:46.439 --> 00:12:48.720 Which brings us to the third thing we know about them. 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:51.539 They are so out of control, they are fierce. 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:54.079 People had to avoid them. 00:12:54.079 --> 00:12:59.959 They are doing violence to other people rather than reflecting God's character of serving other people. 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:08.279 Their family, the community, however much they loved these men, they could do nothing to help them. 00:13:09.579 --> 00:13:14.740 They are beyond help and slave to forces beyond their power to control. 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:20.080 Satan's agenda is to destroy God's glory by destroying God's image bearers. 00:13:20.440 --> 00:13:24.500 Stripping men of their God-given authority over the world, their self-control. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:29.000 Changing their character to be violent rather than to serve. 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:33.220 And cutting people off from community as God intended us. 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:40.340 And we see Satan's ultimate goal with what happens to the pigs. 00:13:41.300 --> 00:13:48.899 He would love to see us rush into the water and drown under God's judgment rather than acknowledge God and his grace. 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:59.040 The lies Satan feeds us, far from empty promises, he just wants to destroy. 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:10.339 I think these men are supposed to be a visible example of what all of us are like on the inside when we believe Satan's lies. 00:14:12.439 --> 00:14:18.819 But if you feel trapped by some sin that you just can't shake, or if you feel trapped by something controlling you in your life, 00:14:18.939 --> 00:14:21.039 then there's a lot of hope in this passage. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:25.159 Jesus seems to cross the lake to search out for these two men. 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:32.699 He has all the time in the world for people who are trapped. 00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:39.299 And everything changes when the real Jesus shows up. 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:46.100 So in Jewish thinking, there's three realms of reality. 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:51.299 There's the earthly realm of authority where we exercise authority on earth. 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:56.519 Then there's the top tier of authority, which is God himself, absolute authority over everything. 00:14:56.899 --> 00:15:10.120 But then there's this middle layer of authority where angels and demons, they have, or principalities and rulers, the Bible might call them, unseen forces. 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:16.139 Now the reason we have hope of rescue is because Jesus is not in middle management. 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:18.899 And we see that really clearly. 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:23.379 The demonic cry out, what have you to do with us, O Son of God? 00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:25.939 Have you come here to torment us before the time? 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:29.259 Notice how good their doctrine is. 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:32.279 It is A+. 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:35.539 They recognize Jesus for who he is. 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:37.360 He is in the top authority. 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:39.199 You are the divine Son of God. 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:41.419 They know their days are numbered. 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:47.959 They know there is a judgment day when the tormentors will be tormented. 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:50.240 They know their days are numbered. 00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:51.740 The judgment is coming. 00:15:52.819 --> 00:15:57.319 And they know that it's Jesus who will be doing the judging. 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:02.740 That's a really good doctrine. 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:04.860 Truth. 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:10.139 And despite affirming all this truth, they still want nothing to do with him. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:12.419 It literally says, what have you and us? 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.580 What have we got in common? 00:16:14.319 --> 00:16:15.980 We want nothing to do with you. 00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:19.399 We hate these truths. 00:16:25.199 --> 00:16:31.559 I wonder if we take seriously what Jesus has said just a few paragraphs earlier in chapter 8, verses 11 to 12. 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:34.679 Let me read that out. 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:44.539 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:50.059 While the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. 00:16:50.059 --> 00:16:54.239 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:16:54.240 --> 00:17:06.980 He will throw out those with correct theology but who don't want to trust him and love him and obey him. 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:14.859 Do you have a healthy fear of Jesus' top-tier authority? 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:16.319 He's not in middle management. 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:20.799 The demons know this. 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:21.720 They recognise this. 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:23.559 They've got no choice but to recognise this. 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:27.519 They are not peers in some cosmic tug of war. 00:17:28.179 --> 00:17:34.819 If you see the narrative of the world as good versus evil, then please know it is totally rigged. 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:38.679 It is not an even contest. 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:41.639 It is totally rigged in Jesus' favour. 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:46.060 The demons beg. 00:17:47.060 --> 00:17:47.840 That's all they can do. 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:48.440 They can beg. 00:17:50.340 --> 00:17:52.020 Send us into the pigs. 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:57.500 And hear the utter authority of Jesus at this point. 00:17:57.720 --> 00:18:00.560 We only hear one word from Jesus in this story. 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:03.460 Go. 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:03.559 Go. 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:15.460 And 2,000 pigs, Mark records, immediately rush down a bank and drown. 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:19.940 Go. 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:30.019 If you're not afraid to be in the presence of that kind of power, you should be. 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:37.720 And the two men are totally restored from the inside out. 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:41.480 No need for a follow-up consult. 00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:44.380 It's a glimpse of heaven. 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:53.299 When all of Jesus' people will be fully restored into the likeness of God, free from sin, free from temptation, 00:18:53.299 --> 00:19:03.379 reflecting his character, joining his community again, ruling over creation rather than being ruled, totally renewed. 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:06.700 It's a glimpse of what we're looking forward to. 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:10.779 And we have a taste of this already. 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:19.240 Have you noticed that one of the fruits of the Spirit, I've found this perplexing for many years. 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:22.879 One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self-control. 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:29.099 So to be filled with God's control creates self-control. 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:32.039 I've found that perplexing for a long time. 00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:33.259 Why is that? 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:40.980 Because if we're not ruled by God, we are ruled by created things, whatever we absolutely need. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:47.920 But when we're ruled by God, it gives us our self-control, what we were actually made for. 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:54.859 We have a taste of this freedom already, but the fullness is yet to come. 00:19:54.859 --> 00:20:05.659 Jesus' compassion is to restore people from the inside out back into the image of God. 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:13.519 And he does this today by the degree to which he replaces lies with the truth of who he is in our hearts. 00:20:16.979 --> 00:20:20.159 But there's a question in my mind, it might be in yours. 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:23.339 Why would Jesus allow the demons to go into the pigs? 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:25.119 Why would he allow that? 00:20:25.959 --> 00:20:29.899 It's not that the pigs needed a physical host to dwell in. 00:20:30.159 --> 00:20:36.839 It would be strange if they needed a physical host to dwell in, that they would just kill the host immediately. 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:39.039 That doesn't make sense in my mind. 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:45.500 I don't think we can be sure why the demons even ask this. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:51.319 Maybe they ask it, if we can't destroy the image bearers themselves in their character, 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:54.420 at least let us destroy their livelihoods. 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:57.119 Let us do damage to their property. 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.960 Maybe that's what's going on. 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:03.720 So why did Jesus, like 2,000 pigs? 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:08.319 He's just smashed the pig economy in that region. 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:12.319 This would have an impact on their livelihoods. 00:21:12.939 --> 00:21:16.339 We're not told why Jesus gave his permission. 00:21:18.159 --> 00:21:21.539 I don't think he needed visible proof of the exorcism. 00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:23.700 He didn't need to prove himself. 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:27.659 I don't think it's because Jesus doesn't care about animals. 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:30.419 It was a Christian who started the RSPCA. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:32.079 The Bible's clear. 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:34.240 He loves all his creatures. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:38.480 I don't think it's because pigs were unclean in Jewish thinking, 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:41.000 because since Jesus lived the perfect light, 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:46.460 he declared all food clean, all animals clean. 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:50.099 So my answer is, I don't know. 00:21:51.439 --> 00:21:52.659 I'm really not sure. 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:57.000 I don't think we can be sure why Jesus allowed this destruction. 00:21:58.939 --> 00:22:01.599 Here's what we do know because of it, though. 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:09.720 King Jesus' highest priority is to restore people spiritually 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:11.720 and relationally from the inside out. 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:16.639 He will prioritise restoring people with his truth, with his character, 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:21.879 even if it costs other things, even if it's a high cost of good things. 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.759 It's his highest priority. 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:30.099 He is so compassionate that he prioritises what is top priority, 00:22:30.699 --> 00:22:32.019 the restoration of people. 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:36.679 It could be very costly to do that. 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:43.259 So how will you respond to this kind of costly compassion? 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:50.519 I think it leaves us with a choice of whether we're going to invite this Jesus, 00:22:50.899 --> 00:22:52.939 this kind of compassion into our lives, 00:22:53.159 --> 00:22:55.919 or whether we want him to leave us alone. 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:58.120 This is too costly. 00:22:58.519 --> 00:23:00.380 Please, I don't want your compassion. 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:05.120 And I think we see, as we heard in the kids' talk, 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:07.640 we see this choice with the city of people. 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:10.920 The herzmen, they come, they evangelise, 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:14.039 they report what goes on to the city, 00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:16.620 and notice their emphasis in verse 33. 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.160 They could have said, 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.279 come see, 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:21.500 they were meant to be looking after these pigs. 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.980 Maybe they should have gone, 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:24.080 it wasn't us. 00:23:24.300 --> 00:23:27.420 They didn't defend themselves saying what happened. 00:23:27.540 --> 00:23:28.040 They didn't say, 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:31.640 whoa, check out this strange circumstance. 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:32.820 Their main thing was, 00:23:33.320 --> 00:23:36.180 look at the demon-possessed men. 00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:37.480 That was their main message. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:39.340 Look what happened to these men. 00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:41.899 They're restored. 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:45.039 And so the whole city, we're told, 00:23:45.199 --> 00:23:47.240 come out to meet Jesus. 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.619 And when they saw him, 00:23:49.899 --> 00:23:51.819 what could they have done at that point? 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:57.159 They could have asked Jesus, 00:23:58.299 --> 00:24:00.959 wow, please come. 00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:03.220 We have a hundred other people who need your help. 00:24:04.199 --> 00:24:04.899 Come in. 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:07.899 What do you need to do in my life? 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:09.460 What can you do for me? 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:12.220 Or, who are you? 00:24:13.540 --> 00:24:16.780 You are obviously someone wonderful. 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:19.480 Tell us more about who you are. 00:24:19.620 --> 00:24:20.780 That's not their response. 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:23.780 In the presence of such power 00:24:23.780 --> 00:24:25.540 that they know they can't control. 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:27.460 If we invite him in, 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:31.720 he just took out 2,000 pigs to heal two people. 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:34.460 What else could he do? 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.480 The risk is too great. 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:40.660 They can't control it. 00:24:41.540 --> 00:24:42.759 What else might we lose? 00:24:43.840 --> 00:24:46.180 These people would rather save their bacon, 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.140 so to speak, 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:49.780 to keep the trappings of their livelihoods, 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:52.980 than have Jesus come in 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:55.259 and save them from the inside out. 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:59.420 They would rather keep their bacon 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:01.460 than have other people saved, 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.379 restored. 00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:06.740 Leave our lives alone, please. 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.640 We beg you. 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:11.660 And really sad, 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.099 chapter 9, verse 1, 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:16.079 Jesus got into a boat and left. 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:19.419 That's a really sad verse. 00:25:22.939 --> 00:25:25.220 So how will you respond to this great 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.819 and costly compassion of Jesus? 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.240 Will you invite him in 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:32.779 or would you rather him leave you alone? 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:39.319 When June McMurray, 00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:40.980 Don's late wife, 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:45.879 when she prayed to grow in her gentleness and humility 00:25:45.879 --> 00:25:48.220 to be more like her Lord, 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.019 who she loved, 00:25:49.639 --> 00:25:52.700 soon afterwards she was diagnosed with motor neurons disease. 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:57.940 So after the shock of the diagnosis, 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:01.279 her and Don could accept it 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:04.740 and even thank the Lord for it. 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:11.440 That's a lot of trust in Jesus' goodness. 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:16.080 They trusted the compassion of their Lord, 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:20.100 knowing that the Lord prioritised internal renewal. 00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:22.420 The external will come. 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:24.440 They believed that strongly, 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:29.000 but they knew that the priority was the internal renewal 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:30.460 and they were able to thank the Lord. 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.640 I don't think we need to wait 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:37.460 for these kind of life or death situations 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:39.039 to examine ourselves 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:42.980 about what we want Jesus to have compassion in our lives over. 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:46.100 I think Scripture encourages us 00:26:46.100 --> 00:26:47.740 to look at whatever situation we're in 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:49.220 and look beneath the surface 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:51.360 to see how is the Lord working 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:51.859 working, 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:54.599 to replace lies with truth, 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:56.279 to know him more, 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:58.099 to grow in his character, 00:26:58.219 --> 00:27:00.519 to be set free from what enslaves us. 00:27:00.719 --> 00:27:03.079 Let me give a personal example of just this past week. 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.399 This past week, 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:07.699 many of you might relate to this. 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:12.160 I really wanted, 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.799 I think, 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.920 above all things, 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:15.860 to have harmony in my family. 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:18.519 In case anyone's worried, 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.620 Emma and I are doing fine. 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:21.140 I just want to give that caveat. 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:25.200 But I wanted harmony in my family. 00:27:25.300 --> 00:27:26.360 I just wanted peace. 00:27:27.820 --> 00:27:29.280 I had a choice at that point. 00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:30.259 What do I pray for? 00:27:30.580 --> 00:27:32.940 Do I pray for that surface level peace? 00:27:33.340 --> 00:27:35.120 Or do I invite the Lord in? 00:27:35.560 --> 00:27:35.860 Come. 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:39.660 Do whatever restoring work in me 00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:41.520 and in my family that you need to, 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:43.420 even if it's going to be costly. 00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:45.800 Do you hear the choice? 00:27:47.540 --> 00:27:48.020 Come in. 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:50.720 What's that going to mean to my family? 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:53.400 For you to do that costly work? 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:53.779 Or, 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:54.660 Jesus, 00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:56.099 just give me peace. 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:57.980 Peace and quiet, 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.799 like harmony. 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.339 So, 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.700 what is it for you at the moment? 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:05.240 It's going to be different for all of us. 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:07.039 Whatever circumstance you're in, 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:09.019 what is Jesus doing beneath the surface? 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:11.319 I think coming out of lockdown 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:12.440 is a good time 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:14.059 for us to be reflecting. 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.339 How is the Lord 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.960 trying to set us free? 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:20.779 From the things that we've been clinging to 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.079 as, 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:23.139 I absolutely have to have this. 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:25.619 How has he been exposing those things 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.259 during lockdown 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.680 so that we can be free 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:29.779 in the knowledge of his love for us 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.700 and in serving him? 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:34.160 Lockdown has affected us all in different ways. 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.660 I'm just going to throw out some options 00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:36.519 for us to consider. 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:41.980 Perhaps it's where you find your identity 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.019 and self-worth. 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.299 Like, 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:44.559 during lockdown, 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:46.139 you can't achieve much. 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:48.680 You can't do much. 00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:50.480 You can't be successful 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:52.320 as easily. 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:53.360 So, 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:54.020 maybe 00:28:54.020 --> 00:28:55.420 if you've been 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:57.780 trying to pin your 00:28:57.780 --> 00:28:59.360 identity and worth 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:00.620 in what you can achieve, 00:29:01.300 --> 00:29:03.400 has Jesus been calling you to go, 00:29:03.520 --> 00:29:04.120 no, no, no. 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.320 Come, 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:06.060 follow me. 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.620 Here's my calling for your life. 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:10.860 Here's the purposes I have for you. 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:13.339 This is where you will find identity. 00:29:14.439 --> 00:29:16.179 Maybe it's security and protection. 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:18.559 We all know at this point 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:20.179 we can't protect ourselves. 00:29:20.899 --> 00:29:22.059 Protecting our children. 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.939 We're being called, 00:29:25.199 --> 00:29:27.539 find your security in me, 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:31.240 but not in circumstances. 00:29:31.399 --> 00:29:33.199 In me is the Lord of all things. 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:36.119 Perhaps it's what we do with our leisure 00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:36.859 and recuperation. 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:37.579 Recuperation. 00:29:38.159 --> 00:29:39.500 Are we being controlled 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.379 by our leisure 00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:42.000 rather than controlling 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:43.000 our leisure? 00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:46.740 Could we be longing more 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.559 for the rest, 00:29:47.699 --> 00:29:48.659 the true rest? 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.539 When I had my week off, 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:52.359 I think I thought, 00:29:52.479 --> 00:29:52.699 oh, 00:29:53.419 --> 00:29:54.939 a week off is important. 00:29:55.199 --> 00:29:56.959 My body needed to be refreshed. 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.619 That's fine. 00:29:58.679 --> 00:29:59.559 But something I think 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.659 the Lord was teaching me was, 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.179 you need to look forward 00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:03.839 to that eternal rest. 00:30:03.959 --> 00:30:05.319 That's when you'll have rest. 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:08.619 Are we looking to leisure 00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:10.879 to give us that deep rest 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:12.899 that only the Lord will give us 00:30:12.899 --> 00:30:13.579 when he returns? 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:17.299 So I just invite us 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:18.460 to be reflecting on that. 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:20.079 He wants to set us free. 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:21.179 This is compassion, 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:23.159 but it could be costly compassion. 00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:26.220 And when you pray 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.059 for your loved ones 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:28.819 to come to know the Lord Jesus 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.700 and be saved, 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:32.059 are you praying that, 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:34.200 knowing that it could come 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:35.860 at great cost to their lives? 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:38.600 Are you willing to pray that? 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:42.700 So how will you respond 00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:45.299 to this compassionate saviour 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:47.000 and demanding king? 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:50.600 His highest priority 00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:52.200 is to set us free 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.940 from the inside, 00:30:53.100 --> 00:30:54.319 to set others free 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:55.620 from the inside. 00:30:55.619 --> 00:31:00.339 It might come at great cost 00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:01.199 to other things, 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:03.119 but we can trust him 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:05.899 because he's suffered with us 00:31:05.899 --> 00:31:08.039 and he has borne 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.839 the greatest cost 00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:11.319 for the lies 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.259 that we have believed. 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:14.759 He's taken the greatest cost. 00:31:14.919 --> 00:31:15.719 We can trust him. 00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:17.459 We can follow him. 00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:20.299 And we can trust him 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:22.019 because we have a glimpse 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.979 in his ministry 00:31:22.979 --> 00:31:24.099 of the end result. 00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:25.819 These two restored men, 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:27.919 the cleansing 00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:29.139 that happens 00:31:29.139 --> 00:31:30.139 to all the healing 00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:30.740 that happens, 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:32.199 all the restoring 00:31:32.199 --> 00:31:33.240 of the world, 00:31:33.699 --> 00:31:34.679 we get a glimpse 00:31:34.679 --> 00:31:35.599 of the end result. 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.559 It's going to be worth it. 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.719 The cost now 00:31:40.719 --> 00:31:41.899 is not worth comparing 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:43.039 to the weight of glory 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:43.500 to come. 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:47.259 So will you trust him 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:48.199 and invite him in 00:31:48.199 --> 00:31:50.480 to do that costly 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.859 restoration work 00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.879 into the image of God? 00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:54.400 for you and others? 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:58.320 Or would you rather 00:31:58.320 --> 00:31:58.900 King Jesus 00:31:58.900 --> 00:32:00.020 leave his compassion 00:32:00.020 --> 00:32:01.280 far away from you? 00:32:05.580 --> 00:32:06.440 If you'd rather 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.480 not risk your bacon 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.740 and you ask Jesus 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.360 to leave, 00:32:09.840 --> 00:32:10.500 be warned, 00:32:11.540 --> 00:32:13.000 he might just give you 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:14.000 what you want. 00:32:19.280 --> 00:32:20.420 Will you pray with me? 00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:21.539 Let's finish 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:21.900 by praying. 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:28.759 Father, 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:29.960 if I look 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:31.300 at my own 00:32:31.300 --> 00:32:32.800 heart's desires, 00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:34.740 they're conflicted 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.820 and 00:32:35.820 --> 00:32:37.940 I've got to admit 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:39.240 that I don't 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:39.860 actually know 00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:40.880 what I need, 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:44.160 what will give me life, 00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:46.080 what will give me 00:32:46.080 --> 00:32:46.740 the freedom 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:47.860 and joy 00:32:47.860 --> 00:32:48.560 that my heart 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:49.039 craves. 00:32:49.159 --> 00:32:49.720 I don't 00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.539 actually know 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:53.659 or I can't 00:32:53.659 --> 00:32:54.220 create it 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:54.779 for myself. 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.319 So I pray, 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:56.539 Lord, 00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:57.159 that you'd help 00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:59.220 us to see 00:32:59.220 --> 00:32:59.639 Jesus 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.579 and how 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:02.679 powerful he is, 00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:04.419 how loving 00:33:04.419 --> 00:33:04.940 he is, 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.960 that he puts 00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:06.859 top things 00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.839 first 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:09.879 and help us 00:33:09.879 --> 00:33:10.619 trust that 00:33:10.619 --> 00:33:11.419 he knows 00:33:11.419 --> 00:33:11.839 what's best 00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:12.220 for us. 00:33:13.159 --> 00:33:14.179 Both individually 00:33:14.179 --> 00:33:15.119 as families, 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:16.240 as a church family, 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:18.099 help us to 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:19.720 invite you 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.359 in to do 00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:21.059 that work, 00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:23.279 not only 00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:23.920 for ourselves 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:25.380 but also 00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:27.180 and especially 00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:27.660 for those 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.160 who don't know 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:28.640 you yet. 00:33:29.339 --> 00:33:29.960 Maybe we 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:31.000 be willing 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:32.339 to accept 00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:33.019 that cost 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:34.400 knowing that 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:35.039 you are 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:36.940 trustworthy. 00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:39.460 So I pray 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:39.940 this in Jesus' 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:40.240 name. 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:40.859 Amen.