WEBVTT

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 Go ahead and with me take out your copy of God's Word and turn to the Gospel according to Mark chapter 2.

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!

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 Uncomfortable moments for the Pharisees as Jesus makes great affronts to the religious culture of His day.

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 We started there at the beginning of chapter 2 as He heals a paralytic and establishes authority to forgive sin which flew in the face of their religious culture.

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 It was a blasphemy to them and it was indeed if He wasn't in fact God in flesh.

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 And see that He spent time with sinners.

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 That He reclined with them.

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 That He came to heal those who were sick.

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 Who needed spiritual renewal.

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 And then we come here to verse 18.

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 And we speak today about fasting which struck me just before in the service is rather hilarious considering what this week tends to be all about with Thanksgiving and a great gorging of food.

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 We're going to talk at length today about fasting.

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 But join me in reading Mark chapter 2 beginning in verse 18.

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 Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting.

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 And people came and said to Him,

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 Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?

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 And Jesus said to them,

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 Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?

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 And as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

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 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them and then they will fast in that day.

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 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment.

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 If he does, the patch tears away from it.

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 The new from the old and a worse tear is made.

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 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins.

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 If he does, the wine will burst the skins and the wine is destroyed.

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 And so are the skins.

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 But new wine is for fresh wineskins.

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 Join me in praying.

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 Father God, we thank you for the blessing of the Word and the privilege to come together and to learn from it.

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 And I pray God, for all of us here, by a great work of your Spirit,

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 you will plant the truth of your Word deep in our hearts that we might become more like Christ

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 to the praise of your name and for our good.

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 Father, we recognize this morning in great humility that we have no good thing in and of ourselves,

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 but only those things that you have worked and are working in us by your Spirit.

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 So I pray that he will move and be powerful in us this day.

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 And we pray this in Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 So, as he's confronting this religious culture,

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 we have a very specific group of people that were constantly standing in opposition to the ministry of Jesus.

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 And there was particularly these Pharisees.

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 We see some broadening groups of people.

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 We see the Sadducees.

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 We've got the scribes, which some were Pharisees, some were not.

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 But there's this particular group of about 6,000 people in this day.

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 Their founding happened way back in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah.

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 And it was this particularly pious group of people that practiced an apostate form of Judaism.

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 And they thought they practiced it very well.

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 This is exactly what Jesus is saying at the very end of verse 17.

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 He says,

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 Those who are well have no need of a physician.

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 They were righteous in their own minds.

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 They trusted in themselves.

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 And it's these people that we see once again fasting,

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 but in an improper way.

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 Interestingly, in the beginning of verse 18,

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 we also see them collectively put in with John's disciples,

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 referring to John the Baptist.

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 And just as an aside,

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 note here that they're still being referred to as John's disciples.

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 We see in chapter 1 a great multitude,

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 all Judea is coming out to John to be baptized in the Jordan.

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 But look here how few of them have followed Christ.

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 Have had faith worked in their lives that they might follow Him in obedience.

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 And you still have many who are John's disciples,

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 even though John was saying,

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 not me, but Him.

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 They were missing the point.

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 And here we find them fasting right along with the Pharisees.

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 And a question is asked.

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 And it's a question of accusation.

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 Not so much an honest question,

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 as we might propose,

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 but a question of accusation.

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 There was constantly a case being built against Jesus

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 for the claims that He was making.

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 And here they are, once again,

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 trying to say,

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 look at the pious nature of John's disciples and of the Pharisees.

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 Why are your disciples not this way?

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 Why is it that you're supporting an unholy living

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 while these are so holy?

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 These are righteous and your disciples are not.

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 How dare you make the claims that you're making?

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 That is what is loaded into this question here.

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 You see, the Pharisees,

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 the religious culture of the day,

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 recognized that the teaching of Jesus Christ

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 was completely opposite of their teaching.

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 It was diametrically opposed.

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 It was distinct in every way.

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 And they knew that they had to shut Him down

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 if they were going to continue

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 to serve in the way that they served.

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 This is the case for all world religions today.

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 Apart from Christianity.

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 Apart from those who believe that

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 grace comes by faith in Christ alone.

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 That is the way of salvation.

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 All other religions are merely a creating of law.

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 A work to change the exterior

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 and the morality of that.

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 It's Christianity.

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 It's this message of the Gospel

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 that seeks to change our hearts.

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 Change who we actually are.

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 All world religions recognize

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 that there's a great symptom,

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 a great issue with humanity.

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 This problem of sin.

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 And yet they treat symptoms.

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 It reminds me of Western medicine.

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 Always treating symptoms,

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 but never treating root cause.

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 It's Christianity that comes and treats the heart.

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 And so they had to shut Him down.

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 If they were going to remain right,

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 Jesus had to be wrong.

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 And so they approach Him on this question

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 of fasting and why it was

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 that His disciples were not fasting.

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 Now to really understand

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 the question they're asking,

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 we have to understand first fasting.

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 What it was meant to be

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 and the way in which they

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 were practicing it in this day.

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 And so let's kind of step over

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 just for a moment

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 and let's talk a bit about

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 fasting this morning.

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 And this is the hilarious part

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 coming into this week.

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 First, Matthew 6,

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 the Sermon on the Mount.

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 Fasting there is assumed

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 of Jesus' disciples.

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 He brings about correction.

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 He tells them not to be like the hypocrites

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 who practice fasting in this way,

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 but to rather practice fasting in this way.

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 It's an assumption that is made.

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 And I would ask you then,

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 as a follower of Christ,

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 do you, have you ever fasted?

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 It's an assumption that you will,

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 in fact, fast.

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 And as we look a little bit more

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 about what fasting is meant to be,

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 I think you'll understand

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 why it should be the case

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 that we do fast.

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 Maybe not the way you've seen it done,

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 but that we ought to be fasting.

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 It's an assumption that is made

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 on our part.

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 We find a multitude of examples

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 of fasting in the Scripture.

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 Very little expressed prescription

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 for how it ought to take place.

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 But we see it happening

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 all over the place.

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 More places than I could possibly

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 present to you this morning.

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 We see it in varying amounts.

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 Fasting always being

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 the not eating of food.

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 It's not,

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 I'm going to avoid chocolate for a week.

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 Right?

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 It's the abstinence from food altogether.

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 No eating of any food

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 is what fasting is always referred to

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 in the Scriptures.

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 We see one day fasts.

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 We see three day fasts.

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 We see seven day fasts.

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 Fourteen day fasts.

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 We see forty day fasts.

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 Right?

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 Note,

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 here in our chapter,

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 Jesus has fasted.

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 Right?

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 Mark 1, 12 and 13

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 states that He was

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 sent out into the wilderness,

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 driven out into the wilderness

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 by the Spirit of God,

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 when He was there for forty days.

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 And both the Gospel of Matthew

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 and Luke add that He was fasting.

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 He was there for a forty day fast.

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 And it's important, I think,

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 that we understand here

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 why it is that He was fasting.

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 Right?

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 Why did Jesus go into the wilderness?

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 And why was it while He was in the wilderness

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 He was fasting?

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 Right?

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 I believe,

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 and I think that the scriptural evidence

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 of why fasting took place

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 derives at this,

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 and again,

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 we're going to step into that

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 in a moment here,

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 but that He went as a preparation

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 for the work that He was about to do.

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 Right?

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 He had just begun His ministry.

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 He had just gone down to the Jordan

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 and was baptized.

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 Right?

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 It was continuing this process

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 of completed perfection.

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 He was baptized.

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 He comes up,

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 and then immediately,

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 in verse 12,

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 chapter 1,

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 it says,

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 the Spirit immediately drove Him out

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 into the wilderness.

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 He went out to be alone with God.

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 Right?

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 To set His face before Him

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 and to prepare for the work

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 that He was to do.

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 He knew full well

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 what He was sent to accomplish.

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 What would happen to Him

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 some three years later

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 on the cross

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 and the ministry that was to take place

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 between this time and that.

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 I believe that's why

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 He went out there,

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 taking the example of Elijah

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 in 1 Kings chapter 19,

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 who fasted for 40 days.

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 He was actually given

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 a special meal by the angels.

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 And He fasts for 40 days

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 on Mount Horeb

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 where He gets to preach,

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 I mean speak,

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 with God Himself.

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 So I believe that Jesus goes out

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 to do this very thing.

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 I've often heard it proposed

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 that He did this

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 so that He was very weak in the flesh,

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 that it actually exalted

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 the temptations

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 that were given to Him,

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 made it more difficult

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 for Him to stand up.

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 It was a way in which

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 He showed forth His perfection

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 and that He was very weak

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 and therefore it was harder

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 for Him to resist

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 the temptation

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 that was given to Him.

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 But I think that

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 while He was weak in the flesh,

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 having fasted properly,

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 He was strong in spirit.

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 He was actually more prepared.

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 He had been close with the Father

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 and was ready to stand

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 against the temptation of Satan.

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 So what does it look like?

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 When fasting is done rightly,

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 what should it look like?

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 And this is brief at best,

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 but firstly, done rightly,

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 it is a response to God's providence.

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 It's a response to God's providence,

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 not a means of obtaining God's favor.

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 It's not some sort of equation

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 that we put into play.

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 If I want God to speak to me clearly,

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 I am going to fast.

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 I am going to stop eating food

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 because that's what happens

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 when you stop eating food.

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 God speaks to you.

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 It's not an equation in that way.

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 In fact, it should be a response

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 to God's providence,

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 the fact that He is, in fact,

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 in control.

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 Turn with me to Isaiah chapter 58.

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 Let's look at an example

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 of fasting done improperly

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 and then God's prescription

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 for what fasting should look like.

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 This will just give you some clue

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 as to what I'm trying to say to you here.

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 Isaiah chapter 58.

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 God says to Isaiah,

00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:35.379
 cry aloud, verse 1,

00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:37.120
 cry aloud, do not hold back,

00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:38.860
 lift up your voice like a trumpet,

00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:40.220
 declare to my people

00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:41.519
 their transgression,

00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.659
 their sin,

00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:43.940
 to the house of Jacob,

00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:44.960
 their sins.

00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:46.940
 Yet they seek me daily

00:12:46.940 --> 00:12:48.379
 and delight to know my ways

00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.779
 as if they were a nation

00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:51.120
 that did righteousness

00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.720
 and did not forsake

00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:54.680
 the judgment of their God.

00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:56.819
 They ask of me righteous judgments,

00:12:56.979 --> 00:12:58.379
 they delight to draw near to God.

00:12:58.599 --> 00:13:00.799
 Now, those of you who hate sarcasm,

00:13:01.339 --> 00:13:02.620
 this is sarcasm, right,

00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:03.620
 in the Scriptures, right?

00:13:03.699 --> 00:13:04.819
 God's being very sarcastic.

00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:06.219
 Yet they seek me daily

00:13:06.219 --> 00:13:06.719
 and delight to know my ways

00:13:06.719 --> 00:13:08.459
 as if they were a nation

00:13:08.459 --> 00:13:09.500
 that did righteousness

00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:11.000
 and did not forsake

00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:12.239
 the judgment of their God.

00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:13.379
 Verse 3,

00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:14.739
 the response of the people.

00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:17.479
 Why have we fasted

00:13:17.479 --> 00:13:18.620
 and you see it not?

00:13:19.099 --> 00:13:20.919
 Why have we humbled ourselves

00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:23.439
 and you take no knowledge of it?

00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:25.020
 There's their question.

00:13:25.180 --> 00:13:26.300
 We've been doing this thing.

00:13:26.520 --> 00:13:27.480
 We've been carrying out

00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:28.640
 this equation

00:13:28.640 --> 00:13:29.360
 that we think

00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:30.340
 we've done this thing.

00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:32.220
 We should be receiving God's favor

00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:34.120
 because of our action.

00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:35.980
 Last part of verse 3.

00:13:35.980 --> 00:14:05.259
 He gets at the very heart of the issue.

00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.539
 Without spending all the time

00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.559
 of explaining all these things,

00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:08.679
 what God is saying is

00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:09.580
 you're doing something

00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:10.539
 on the exterior,

00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:11.919
 but yet in the inside

00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:13.600
 you are still wicked.

00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.580
 You are evil.

00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:15.980
 Verse 6,

00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:19.600
 Is not this the fast that I choose?

00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:22.039
 To loose the bonds of wickedness?

00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:24.159
 To undo the straps of the yoke?

00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.600
 To let the oppressed go free

00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:27.180
 and to break every yoke?

00:14:27.680 --> 00:14:29.039
 Is it not to share your bread

00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:29.539
 with the hungry

00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:30.659
 and bring the homeless poor

00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.460
 into your house

00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:32.759
 when you see the naked

00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:33.560
 to cover him

00:14:33.560 --> 00:14:34.700
 and not to hide yourself

00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:35.840
 from your own flesh?

00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:37.560
 Then shall your light

00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:38.700
 break forth like the dawn

00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.620
 and your healing

00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:41.139
 shall spring up speedily.

00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:42.019
 Your righteousness

00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:42.920
 shall go before you.

00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:43.639
 The glory of the Lord

00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:45.059
 shall be your rear guard.

00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:46.360
 Then you shall call

00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.240
 and the Lord will answer.

00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:48.199
 You shall cry

00:14:48.199 --> 00:14:49.099
 and He will say,

00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:51.399
 Here I am.

00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:54.319
 So it's a response here

00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:55.179
 of the goodness of God

00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:55.759
 on their heart.

00:14:55.819 --> 00:14:56.899
 It's their heart

00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:57.819
 that matters

00:14:57.819 --> 00:14:59.719
 in this process.

00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.439
 And so it should be

00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:02.599
 a response in this way,

00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:03.819
 not a prescription,

00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.839
 not a means of obtaining

00:15:05.839 --> 00:15:07.500
 God's favor.

00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:09.399
 Secondly,

00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:11.039
 done rightly,

00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:13.779
 it avoids the praise of men.

00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:15.480
 Turn to Matthew 6,

00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:16.440
 which I referenced

00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:17.620
 just a moment ago.

00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:23.159
 Again, remembering

00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:25.139
 that Jesus assumes

00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:26.039
 that His followers

00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:27.799
 will in fact fast.

00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:29.779
 He assumes some other things

00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:30.179
 as well,

00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:32.220
 that they'll give to the needy,

00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:34.720
 that they'll be philanthropic

00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:35.360
 in that way,

00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:37.059
 that they will pray.

00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:39.259
 And He brings some correction here.

00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.440
 We can see in

00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:42.419
 the final place,

00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.059
 verse 1,

00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.080
 verse 5,

00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:45.820
 and verse 16.

00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:48.580
 Beware of practicing

00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:49.019
 your righteousness

00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:49.559
 for the people

00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.840
 in order to be seen by them,

00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:51.820
 for then you will have

00:15:51.820 --> 00:15:53.419
 no reward from your Father

00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:54.679
 who is in heaven.

00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:55.600
 Verse 5,

00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.159
 And when you pray,

00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.419
 you must not be like the hypocrites,

00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.379
 for they love to stand

00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.279
 and pray in the synagogues

00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.379
 and at the street corners,

00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:02.879
 that they may be seen by others.

00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:04.000
 Truly I say to you,

00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.159
 they have received

00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:06.139
 their reward.

00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.659
 Verse 16,

00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:08.899
 And when you fast,

00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.039
 do not look gloomy

00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:10.980
 like the hypocrites,

00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.559
 for they disguise their faces

00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.419
 that their fasting

00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.679
 may be seen by others.

00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.039
 In fact,

00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:17.639
 they put makeup on

00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.439
 to look sadder

00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:19.220
 than they really were.

00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.179
 Right?

00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:21.539
 They disguise their faces

00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.559
 that their fasting

00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:23.600
 may be seen by others.

00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:24.500
 Truly I say to you,

00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:26.259
 they have received

00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.860
 their reward.

00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.159
 So done rightly,

00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.139
 it avoids,

00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:32.860
 it tries to get around

00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:34.480
 the praise of men.

00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:37.379
 It's intention is not

00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.220
 to show people

00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.779
 how holy and how pious

00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:41.259
 and how set aside you are.

00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:42.179
 Right?

00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:44.460
 It avoids this very thing.

00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.159
 Right?

00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:45.699
 That you might have

00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:47.100
 a reward in heaven.

00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.360
 This is the instruction

00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:49.199
 given to us

00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:50.080
 by our Lord

00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:51.580
 on fasting.

00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:52.659
 Done rightly,

00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.980
 it avoids the praise

00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.019
 of men.

00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.059
 Thirdly,

00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.460
 done rightly,

00:16:58.460 --> 00:17:00.440
 it is the sorrowful,

00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:03.580
 prayerful rejection of food.

00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.680
 It is the sorrowful,

00:17:06.340 --> 00:17:08.240
 prayerful rejection of food.

00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.740
 It's characterized by

00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:12.799
 a hunger for God

00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:14.500
 that drives out

00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:16.519
 a hunger for food.

00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.920
 A desire to see Him

00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:19.059
 move and work

00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.160
 both in your life

00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:21.500
 and in the lives of the people

00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.720
 and in the world.

00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.299
 That it drives out

00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:26.740
 the desire for food.

00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:29.039
 I say to you

00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.920
 that this is often

00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:32.099
 a voluntary

00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:33.539
 type of fasting.

00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:34.140
 Not something

00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:35.400
 that I prescribe to you.

00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.700
 We as a church

00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.420
 are going to go through

00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:38.480
 a time of fasting.

00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.180
 Right?

00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:40.620
 But it's something you do

00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:41.819
 out of a compulsion.

00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.319
 Out of a sorrow

00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:44.299
 for your sin

00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:45.559
 and the sins of others.

00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:46.640
 Out of a desire

00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.559
 to see God

00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:49.339
 repair such things.

00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.700
 To bring reconciliation

00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:52.660
 to such situations.

00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:55.759
 Almost every Sunday

00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.800
 I get up very early

00:17:57.800 --> 00:17:59.000
 to prepare for Sunday morning.

00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.360
 Sometimes that's because

00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:01.420
 I'm just really not prepared

00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.019
 for Sunday morning.

00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:03.259
 I just don't feel like

00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.100
 my notes are together.

00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.600
 They're a scramble.

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.940
 They're just a big mess.

00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.440
 I've got to get them

00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.080
 in the right order

00:18:08.080 --> 00:18:09.040
 so I can speak

00:18:09.040 --> 00:18:10.779
 in some fashion

00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.800
 that you'll be able to follow.

00:18:13.080 --> 00:18:14.460
 Sometimes I'm entirely prepared.

00:18:14.580 --> 00:18:15.019
 Sometimes I've got

00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:16.140
 all my notes ready to go.

00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:16.860
 I can sleep another

00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:17.560
 couple of hours.

00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:18.700
 But I always have this

00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.800
 great desire

00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:20.839
 to get up

00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:22.299
 and to start preparing

00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.639
 my own soul

00:18:23.639 --> 00:18:24.819
 to stand before you

00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.720
 each day.

00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.539
 And I don't do this

00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:28.519
 as an intentional effort.

00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:29.159
 I don't wake up

00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:29.819
 on Sunday mornings

00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.819
 and say,

00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.759
 man, this is a big day.

00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:33.359
 It's important

00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.299
 what we're going to do today.

00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.099
 I'm going to fast

00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:35.899
 so that I can call down

00:18:35.899 --> 00:18:36.779
 the favor of God

00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.659
 on what's going on.

00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:39.059
 But I feel the weight

00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:40.000
 of Sunday morning.

00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.180
 And I feel the weight

00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.819
 of preaching

00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.579
 the Word of God.

00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:45.819
 And I'm so aware

00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:47.379
 of my frailty

00:18:47.379 --> 00:18:49.180
 and my incapability

00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.919
 of doing a good job

00:18:50.919 --> 00:18:51.539
 of it apart from

00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.139
 God working.

00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.279
 And I find that often

00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.059
 I don't eat

00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:55.180
 on Sunday mornings.

00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:56.859
 Not as a choice.

00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:57.519
 I don't go,

00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.519
 I'm not going to eat.

00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:00.259
 I'm not really that hungry.

00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:01.559
 I just don't think about it.

00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.839
 I so want to see

00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:05.180
 God move

00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.899
 and work

00:19:05.899 --> 00:19:06.740
 on our Sunday mornings

00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.480
 that I just

00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.859
 don't think about it.

00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:10.059
 It doesn't cross my mind.

00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:11.579
 I'm not hungry.

00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:12.599
 It's often right

00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.139
 before the service

00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:14.000
 that I start to get hungry.

00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.579
 Like right now,

00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:15.859
 I'm pretty darn hungry

00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:16.460
 right now.

00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.720
 And totally unintentionally,

00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.779
 I love that we do

00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.380
 the Lord's Supper

00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.299
 every Sunday

00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:23.079
 because I get a snack

00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:24.019
 that reminds me

00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:25.759
 that Christ is my nourishment.

00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:26.900
 Isn't that good?

00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:28.279
 That I very often remember

00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:29.920
 as I get that little bit

00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.740
 that hits your stomach

00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.319
 and you go,

00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:32.039
 okay,

00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.059
 I can get through to lunch.

00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:33.839
 Right?

00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:35.539
 But that Christ Himself

00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:38.420
 is my sustenance.

00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:40.039
 So in that way,

00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:42.220
 I fast just about every week

00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.680
 but not as dogma.

00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:46.339
 If I were hungry at 9 a.m.,

00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.120
 I would eat something.

00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:48.079
 I don't think of it

00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.579
 in those terms.

00:19:48.679 --> 00:19:49.559
 I'm just not hungry.

00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:51.359
 So some examples

00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:53.119
 of voluntary fasting

00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:53.740
 in the Scriptures.

00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:56.039
 Esser chapter 4.

00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.539
 Proceeding this

00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.279
 in chapter 3,

00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:00.399
 we have the king of Persia,

00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.240
 Ahasuerus,

00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.519
 has,

00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:05.220
 we've got Mordecai

00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:06.179
 not bowing down

00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:06.919
 or paying homage

00:20:06.919 --> 00:20:07.839
 to Haman

00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:09.039
 who's been put in charge

00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.639
 of a region

00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:10.579
 by the king.

00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:11.259
 So Haman

00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.799
 receives the king's blessing

00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.980
 to have all the Jews destroyed.

00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:14.439
 Right?

00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.599
 In order to destroy Mordecai,

00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.319
 he receives the king's blessing

00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.720
 to have all the Jews destroyed.

00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.799
 And then chapter 4,

00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:20.480
 verse 3,

00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:21.200
 it says,

00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.139
 And in every province,

00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.619
 wherever the king's commands

00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:24.700
 and his decree reached,

00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.000
 there was great mourning

00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.679
 among the Jews

00:20:26.679 --> 00:20:27.639
 with fasting

00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.659
 and weeping

00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.599
 and lamenting

00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.579
 and many of them lay

00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.759
 in sackcloth and ashes.

00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:33.519
 They had this outward expression

00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.980
 of their mourning

00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:36.519
 for what was going to happen.

00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:37.419
 And you know why?

00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.559
 They knew this was

00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.299
 a judgment of God.

00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:40.619
 They knew it was

00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.259
 because of their sin.

00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.139
 They were in captivity

00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:42.980
 to begin with.

00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:43.980
 They knew this was

00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.000
 a judgment of God.

00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.619
 And therefore,

00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:47.799
 wherever the decree reached,

00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.660
 the decree was not

00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.440
 that they should fast.

00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.400
 The decree was that

00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.420
 they would be destroyed

00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.319
 by Haman.

00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:55.140
 They fasted.

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.440
 Joel chapter 1.

00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.440
 Joel brings a word

00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:58.880
 from the Lord

00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:00.519
 calling for a fast

00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.779
 to lament the loss

00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.900
 of grain and wine

00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.819
 at the hands of a plague

00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.640
 of locusts.

00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.079
 Again,

00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.720
 as a judgment from God.

00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.960
 They became aware

00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:10.079
 in this plague

00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:11.259
 that they were sinful

00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:12.319
 and God was bringing

00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:13.680
 a judgment against them.

00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.820
 And so a fast

00:21:14.820 --> 00:21:15.940
 is called for.

00:21:17.060 --> 00:21:17.820
 Daniel 9.

00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.840
 Daniel's outpour

00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:20.380
 of prayer

00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.680
 for his people.

00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.019
 Again,

00:21:22.100 --> 00:21:22.799
 they're in captivity.

00:21:23.320 --> 00:21:24.120
 This outpour of prayer

00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:25.120
 is done

00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:26.600
 while fasting.

00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.340
 Right?

00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.340
 He's mourning.

00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:29.360
 He's sorrowful

00:21:29.360 --> 00:21:30.259
 for the state

00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.200
 of his nation.

00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:32.799
 And so he fasts

00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.400
 and prays

00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:34.000
 the beautiful prayer

00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.740
 of Daniel 9.

00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:35.759
 I'll encourage you to read

00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:37.320
 at a later time.

00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:39.740
 There's only one time

00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:41.480
 in all of the Old Testament.

00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:42.539
 Right?

00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.019
 This would have been

00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.519
 what the Jews

00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.200
 would have had

00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.920
 to help them

00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.059
 guide the practice

00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:47.059
 of their own fasting.

00:21:47.159 --> 00:21:48.480
 There's only one time

00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:50.039
 that it's commanded

00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.579
 for them to fast.

00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:53.460
 There's one time a year

00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.779
 for one day,

00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.579
 the day known as

00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:56.180
 Yom Kippur,

00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.680
 the Day of Atonement.

00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.119
 One day

00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:00.159
 of the entire year

00:22:00.159 --> 00:22:01.399
 that they were commanded

00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:02.619
 as the nation of Israel

00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.539
 to fast.

00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.420
 That was it.

00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:06.180
 Leviticus 16,

00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.519
 29-31

00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.200
 is where you can read

00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.720
 about that

00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.420
 if you'd like to.

00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.379
 This fast

00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.279
 was meant to express

00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:12.200
 their sorrow

00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:12.899
 for their sins

00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:13.779
 on the Day of Atonement

00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.500
 when the High Priest

00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.680
 went into the Holy of Holies

00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.559
 and made atonement

00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.799
 for the sins of Israel

00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.799
 for that year.

00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.220
 Right?

00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:20.700
 It was meant to express

00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.500
 the condition

00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:22.619
 of their hearts.

00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.740
 A real sorrow.

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.940
 A real humility.

00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:25.519
 Right?

00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.839
 Not just some religious

00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:28.079
 rite and practice.

00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.899
 That's what it was meant for.

00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:31.899
 So we see it both

00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:32.440
 being voluntary

00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.559
 and commanded,

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.519
 but just the same,

00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.460
 it was always meant

00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.019
 to be done

00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.960
 in sorrow

00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.819
 and prayer

00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:39.480
 and that's why

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.940
 you reject the food.

00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:43.740
 You're just not hungry.

00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:45.100
 You so desire

00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:45.880
 to see God

00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:46.960
 move and work.

00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:48.579
 That is what you hunger for.

00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.740
 That the desires

00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.559
 of your flesh

00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:52.019
 fade away.

00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.880
 Now the practice

00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.279
 of fasting

00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.880
 in this day

00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:56.960
 was quite different.

00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:57.860
 Right?

00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.640
 This fasting

00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:59.460
 that was being done

00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.480
 by the Pharisees

00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:02.180
 was quite different.

00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.420
 They in fact

00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.420
 had elevated fasting

00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:05.720
 to a really high degree.

00:23:06.060 --> 00:23:06.759
 So much so

00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.940
 that they fasted

00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:09.360
 twice a week

00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:10.539
 on Monday

00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.820
 and Thursday.

00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:13.620
 If you were going

00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:14.000
 to be part of

00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.720
 the in crowd,

00:23:14.840 --> 00:23:15.480
 if you were part of

00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:17.019
 God's crew

00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.940
 in this day,

00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:18.980
 these Pharisees,

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.080
 this is the way

00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:21.060
 in which you fasted.

00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:21.700
 You didn't eat

00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:23.080
 sun up to sun down

00:23:23.080 --> 00:23:23.820
 on Monday

00:23:23.820 --> 00:23:25.840
 and on Thursday.

00:23:26.800 --> 00:23:27.160
 You recall

00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.940
 Jesus' parable

00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.779
 of the Pharisee

00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.980
 and the tax collector

00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.680
 found in Luke

00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.680
 chapter 18.

00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:34.060
 Beginning of verse 9

00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:35.599
 we see recorded,

00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.359
 He also told

00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:36.779
 this parable

00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.559
 to some who trusted

00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.220
 in themselves

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:39.019
 that they were righteous.

00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.500
 Hear the wording there.

00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.179
 Who trusted

00:23:41.179 --> 00:23:41.899
 in themselves

00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:43.099
 that they were righteous

00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:44.220
 and treated others

00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.299
 with contempt.

00:23:45.419 --> 00:23:46.440
 Those who didn't

00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.859
 carry out this

00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:50.220
 new religious fast.

00:23:50.919 --> 00:23:51.419
 Verse 10,

00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.139
 Two men went up

00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:52.460
 to the temple

00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:52.799
 to pray,

00:23:52.919 --> 00:23:53.619
 one a Pharisee

00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.019
 and the other

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.759
 a tax collector.

00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:55.759
 The Pharisee

00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.740
 standing by himself

00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.519
 prayed thus,

00:23:57.919 --> 00:23:58.819
 God, I thank you

00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.299
 that I am not

00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:00.179
 like other men,

00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.220
 extortioners,

00:24:01.399 --> 00:24:01.980
 unjust,

00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:02.919
 adulterers,

00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.679
 or even like

00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.519
 this tax collector.

00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:06.880
 I fast twice a week.

00:24:07.060 --> 00:24:08.000
 I give tithes

00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.700
 of all that I get.

00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.539
 This is the evidence

00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.400
 of his righteousness

00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.180
 before God.

00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:13.180
 I fast twice a week.

00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:15.019
 This man-made law

00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:16.080
 that had been put in place

00:24:16.080 --> 00:24:18.400
 which was merely external.

00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:20.279
 Something they had done

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:22.840
 to look more pious

00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:24.100
 than others.

00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.620
 John MacArthur said

00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.360
 in a sermon

00:24:27.360 --> 00:24:28.080
 on this text,

00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.220
 Empty ritual

00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:30.799
 is the enemy

00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:32.839
 of true godliness.

00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.420
 Empty ritual

00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.259
 is the enemy

00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:37.600
 of true godliness.

00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:39.940
 Joel 2,

00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:42.059
 verses 12 and 13

00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:43.180
 says,

00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:43.940
 Yet even now,

00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.660
 declares the Lord,

00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.500
 return to me

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.779
 with all your heart,

00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:48.039
 with fasting,

00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:49.240
 with weeping,

00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.079
 and with mourning,

00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:51.620
 and rend your hearts

00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:53.920
 and not your garments.

00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.759
 It's an issue

00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:57.660
 of the heart.

00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:59.720
 This is the condition

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:02.099
 that needs to be fixed.

00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.539
 This is the condition

00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:05.000
 that the gospel

00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.980
 of Jesus Christ fixes.

00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:08.680
 It's distinct in that way.

00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:11.579
 No other religious system

00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.720
 accomplishes this.

00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:18.440
 If you practice religion

00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.900
 for that reason,

00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.839
 and if you're here

00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.599
 just because you're going

00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.500
 through those motions,

00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.720
 I would encourage you

00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.519
 to stop.

00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:26.019
 There are better,

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.960
 more fun things to do.

00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.539
 If your end is destruction

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.359
 one day,

00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.700
 you better get it in now.

00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:34.119
 It's a beautiful day.

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.879
 Go hiking.

00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:37.099
 It's a waste of your time

00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:37.799
 to be here.

00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:39.920
 If your heart's not regenerate,

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.720
 if you're not coming

00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:42.119
 and seeking to worship God

00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:43.619
 in spirit and in truth,

00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.700
 and you're merely going

00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:46.639
 through the exterior motions,

00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:48.160
 what a waste

00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:49.160
 of your time.

00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:51.139
 I can think of all kinds

00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:51.759
 of things I could do

00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.319
 with two hours

00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.359
 of my day.

00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.740
 If it's merely exterior.

00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:57.519
 If I'm trusting in this

00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.879
 to put righteousness

00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.379
 on myself,

00:25:59.439 --> 00:26:00.259
 even the preaching

00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.240
 of the Word.

00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.119
 If I say,

00:26:02.179 --> 00:26:03.059
 I'm glad I'm not like

00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.559
 other men.

00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.919
 I preach the Word of God

00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:05.719
 on Sunday mornings.

00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:08.219
 That is not my righteousness.

00:26:08.479 --> 00:26:10.000
 Christ is my righteousness.

00:26:10.459 --> 00:26:12.000
 The Gospel is distinct

00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.519
 in this way.

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.859
 This is what the religions

00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:17.119
 of the world need to hear.

00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:19.459
 This is how Christianity,

00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:21.259
 a devotion to our Lord,

00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:23.440
 is different than all of them.

00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:25.059
 And he gives us two

00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:26.740
 little examples.

00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.480
 These are really kind of

00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.319
 the first parables

00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:29.779
 that we see recorded in Mark.

00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.879
 Little examples that are

00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:32.039
 really fairly simple

00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:33.019
 to make the point.

00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:34.099
 Would have been very

00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:35.700
 familiar to them

00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:37.440
 in their cultural context.

00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.500
 He says to them,

00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.879
 can the wedding guests

00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:41.259
 fast while the bridegroom

00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.900
 is with them?

00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:43.119
 As long as they have

00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:44.019
 the bridegroom with them,

00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.940
 they cannot fast.

00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.099
 The days will come

00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:47.559
 when the bridegroom

00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.359
 is taken away from them,

00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:49.459
 and they will fast

00:26:49.459 --> 00:26:50.699
 in that day.

00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:52.339
 Weddings,

00:26:52.459 --> 00:26:53.119
 we get this,

00:26:53.219 --> 00:26:53.939
 weddings are a time

00:26:53.939 --> 00:26:54.699
 for joy.

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.359
 We come together

00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.039
 to celebrate.

00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:58.319
 It was more so

00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.859
 in this day.

00:26:58.959 --> 00:27:00.219
 Some wedding festivities

00:27:00.219 --> 00:27:01.519
 went on for a week.

00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:05.099
 Much joy was taking place.

00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:07.759
 Big parties were going on.

00:27:08.179 --> 00:27:09.119
 You remember what Jesus did

00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:10.259
 in one of His early miracles?

00:27:10.439 --> 00:27:11.939
 He turned water into wine.

00:27:12.139 --> 00:27:14.039
 Jesus was into big parties

00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:15.740
 and celebrating at weddings.

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:18.019
 That's what it was for.

00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.440
 There's actually an old

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.700
 rabbinic document

00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:22.380
 called the Megalot Ta'anit.

00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:24.000
 You don't have to remember that.

00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.440
 I just wanted to say it out loud.

00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:28.180
 In English,

00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:29.539
 the scroll of fasting

00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.460
 gave rules

00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:31.500
 to the way in which

00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.720
 this should take place.

00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:34.839
 And it forbid fasting

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.799
 at a wedding.

00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.000
 You know why?

00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.859
 Because no one wanted

00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:39.240
 these bummers to show up.

00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:39.940
 Right?

00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.279
 To come in

00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.160
 all self-righteous

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:42.759
 and pious

00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.359
 with their makeup

00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:43.920
 on their face

00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.680
 looking sad

00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:46.340
 and ruining the buzz

00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:47.279
 of a wedding.

00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:48.100
 It was meant

00:27:48.100 --> 00:27:49.380
 for celebration.

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.019
 And that's the point

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.420
 that Jesus is making here now.

00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:55.240
 He predicts His death.

00:27:55.320 --> 00:27:56.039
 There's going to come a day

00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:56.600
 when the bridegroom

00:27:56.600 --> 00:27:57.580
 is going to be removed from them.

00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:58.420
 And in that day,

00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:59.840
 they will fast.

00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:02.039
 They will.

00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:03.120
 It's going to happen

00:28:03.120 --> 00:28:04.200
 that they'll fast

00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:04.740
 in those days.

00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.279
 But now,

00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:06.240
 I am with them.

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.940
 And they have reason

00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:08.000
 for much joy.

00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:08.920
 This is why

00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.080
 my disciples don't fast.

00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:10.759
 Right?

00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.539
 And I love that Jesus

00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:13.420
 is telling you

00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.139
 why, in fact,

00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:15.200
 His disciples aren't fasting.

00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.079
 I wonder if that's really

00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.720
 even the case

00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.720
 for them personally.

00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.480
 Counted amongst that number,

00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:19.879
 I'd go,

00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:21.599
 that's a great reason, Jesus.

00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:22.279
 That is why

00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:22.899
 I'm eating

00:28:22.899 --> 00:28:24.579
 and enjoying this food.

00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:25.000
 Right?

00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:26.240
 But this is what He tells us.

00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:27.259
 This is why they're fasting

00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.319
 because they're experiencing

00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:28.940
 the joy

00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:30.099
 of the bridegroom,

00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.680
 the one

00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:32.519
 Jesus Christ.

00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:35.399
 Two more examples here.

00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.460
 No one sews a piece

00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.779
 of unshrunk cloth

00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.940
 on an old garment.

00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.359
 If he does,

00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:40.480
 the patch tears away from it.

00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.500
 The new from the old.

00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:44.099
 And a worse tear is made.

00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.200
 This is probably

00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:45.940
 a little bit removed

00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.819
 from a lot of your thinking

00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.740
 because most of you

00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.440
 probably don't patch

00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.099
 your own clothing.

00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.779
 Most cloth we buy

00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:53.039
 is probably in some way

00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.140
 fabricated

00:28:54.140 --> 00:28:55.200
 so that it's pre-shrunk

00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.160
 or something like that.

00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:56.519
 But,

00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.339
 any of you ever had a horrible,

00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.319
 I've got some clothes

00:28:59.319 --> 00:28:59.779
 that have just been

00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.880
 shrunk horribly on me.

00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.860
 And it happens still

00:29:02.860 --> 00:29:03.400
 these days

00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:04.059
 that you put something

00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.500
 in the dryer

00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.120
 in the wrong way

00:29:05.120 --> 00:29:05.519
 and it ends up

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.480
 a whole lot smaller

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.839
 than it was intended to be.

00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.980
 And you have to get rid of it

00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.519
 because you can't wear it

00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:09.799
 any longer

00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.160
 because it would be

00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:10.759
 obnoxious.

00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.779
 What's going on here

00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.759
 is when they patched clothing

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:15.460
 they had to pre-shrink

00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:15.940
 the patches

00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:17.000
 before they put it on

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.900
 to the clothing.

00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:19.240
 So that when

00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:21.320
 that patch shrunk

00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:22.300
 in the wash

00:29:22.300 --> 00:29:23.620
 from the fabric

00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:25.140
 that had already been shrunk

00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:26.180
 it didn't cause

00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:27.080
 a greater problem.

00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.880
 You don't do this.

00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:29.300
 This was a very simple

00:29:29.300 --> 00:29:30.080
 analogy for them.

00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:30.480
 They'd all go,

00:29:30.560 --> 00:29:31.000
 of course not.

00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:32.100
 No, you wouldn't do that.

00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:32.940
 Of course you've got to

00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.400
 shrink the patch

00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:33.920
 before you sew

00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:35.200
 the patch on.

00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.580
 It says that no one

00:29:36.580 --> 00:29:37.420
 puts new wine

00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.200
 into old wineskins.

00:29:38.300 --> 00:29:38.640
 If he does,

00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.360
 the wine will burst

00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:39.799
 the skins

00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.859
 and the wine

00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.759
 is destroyed

00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.759
 and so are the skins.

00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.599
 But new wine

00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:45.919
 is for fresh wineskins.

00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.299
 He didn't come

00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:47.799
 with a message

00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:49.639
 to patch the old system.

00:29:51.959 --> 00:29:52.799
 He didn't come

00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.679
 to bring in

00:29:53.679 --> 00:29:54.639
 a little fix

00:29:54.639 --> 00:29:56.379
 to this form

00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:56.899
 of Judaism.

00:29:56.899 --> 00:29:57.439
 And remember,

00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.859
 this is the apostate Judaism.

00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:01.219
 They weren't practicing it

00:30:01.219 --> 00:30:01.719
 the way it had been

00:30:01.719 --> 00:30:02.519
 prescribed to them

00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.519
 in the Old Testament,

00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.960
 which was still

00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:06.559
 a message of faith.

00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.819
 So this is not

00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.720
 Jesus coming

00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:10.299
 and replacing

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:11.099
 the Old Testament.

00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.039
 The Old Testament

00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:13.579
 is still gospel saturated.

00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.259
 But this is the

00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.440
 apostate form of Judaism

00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.339
 that was being practiced today.

00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.579
 It's the modern form

00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:20.139
 of Judaism.

00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.279
 It's apostate

00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:22.259
 in all manner.

00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:23.960
 He didn't come

00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.980
 just to fix that.

00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:25.700
 He came to

00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.859
 replace

00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:28.099
 that.

00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:29.980
 He gave us

00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:30.779
 another parable,

00:30:30.899 --> 00:30:31.599
 Matthew 13,

00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.740
 verses 44-46.

00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.159
 He said,

00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:34.799
 The kingdom of heaven

00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:35.599
 is like treasure

00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.699
 hidden in a field,

00:30:36.899 --> 00:30:37.859
 which a man found

00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.599
 and covered up.

00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:39.599
 Then in his joy

00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.439
 he goes and sells

00:30:40.439 --> 00:30:41.359
 all that he has

00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:42.419
 and buys that field.

00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:43.079
 Again,

00:30:43.139 --> 00:30:43.599
 the kingdom of heaven

00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:44.240
 is like a merchant

00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.279
 in search of fine pearls,

00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:46.139
 who on finding

00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:47.539
 one pearl of great value

00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.240
 went and sold

00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:49.599
 all that he had

00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.480
 and bought it.

00:30:50.699 --> 00:30:51.159
 Put away

00:30:51.159 --> 00:30:53.339
 everything else

00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:54.359
 for the value

00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:55.339
 of this treasure.

00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:57.079
 Jesus came to

00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:58.039
 replace

00:30:58.039 --> 00:31:00.099
 not to patch.

00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.220
 Now in this day,

00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:03.299
 if you don't understand,

00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.759
 I'm going to teach you today

00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.460
 everything I know

00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:05.980
 about wine,

00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.599
 which is going to take

00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:07.399
 just a few moments.

00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.440
 But in this day,

00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.639
 they used goat skins

00:31:10.639 --> 00:31:11.879
 to store wine in

00:31:11.879 --> 00:31:12.659
 in the process

00:31:12.659 --> 00:31:14.000
 of it fermenting

00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.879
 and they simply,

00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.759
 when they skinned the goats,

00:31:15.879 --> 00:31:16.899
 they stitched them back up.

00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:18.240
 They stitched the leg holes

00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.200
 and the neck hole shut

00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:19.980
 and that's how they

00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:21.299
 stored wine.

00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.659
 And the process

00:31:22.659 --> 00:31:23.960
 of wine fermenting,

00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:25.039
 it expands.

00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.680
 It produces carbon dioxide

00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.460
 and it expands

00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:29.799
 and new goat skin

00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:30.600
 does the same.

00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.440
 It also can stretch

00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.019
 because it's still

00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:32.539
 pliable.

00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.279
 Old boots,

00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:35.779
 you've got to

00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.779
 condition the leather

00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.940
 to keep it soft

00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:38.539
 so it doesn't get all

00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:39.559
 dry and brittle.

00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:40.980
 So they would do this

00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:42.559
 and as the wine

00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.140
 fermented,

00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:44.279
 as it was forming,

00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.740
 it would separate.

00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:47.180
 There'd be less

00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:49.160
 beneficial parts of it,

00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.519
 often called dregs.

00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.160
 I don't know why.

00:31:51.640 --> 00:31:52.240
 I didn't take the time

00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:52.779
 to figure it out.

00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.279
 But that would settle

00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.680
 to the bottom

00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.700
 and they would pour off

00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:56.220
 the better portion

00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.680
 of the wine

00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:59.099
 into another new goat skin

00:31:59.099 --> 00:31:59.700
 and they would continue

00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:00.299
 that process

00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.960
 until the wine was

00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:02.460
 where they wanted it to be

00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:03.980
 and then it would be consumed.

00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.079
 So these sediments

00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.539
 would settle

00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:07.859
 and they would do this.

00:32:08.680 --> 00:32:10.180
 Once that portion

00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:11.079
 was poured out,

00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.319
 if the wine skin

00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:12.879
 was just thrown

00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:13.559
 to the side,

00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.759
 it would get dry,

00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.680
 it would get brittle,

00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.160
 it would crack.

00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:18.279
 What he's saying is

00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:19.480
 you can't pour the gospel

00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:21.039
 into old,

00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:21.879
 dry,

00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:23.700
 cracked wineskins

00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.519
 of religion.

00:32:25.379 --> 00:32:26.859
 That's not where it belongs.

00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:28.799
 It'll burst out of it.

00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.539
 That's the point

00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.619
 that he's trying to make here.

00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:32.399
 That you need new,

00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.420
 a new thing.

00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.639
 Throw away the old.

00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:36.740
 This apostate Judaism.

00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:38.480
 You need the gospel

00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.759
 of Jesus Christ.

00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:40.799
 You cannot place

00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:42.079
 the gospel of grace

00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:44.619
 into any system of law.

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.500
 That is not the gospel

00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.259
 that we celebrate.

00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.579
 Now to be clear,

00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:51.359
 a response

00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:52.639
 to the gospel of grace,

00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:54.680
 the changing of our hearts,

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:57.059
 definitely yields fruit.

00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.660
 It has to

00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.859
 to be genuine faith.

00:33:00.379 --> 00:33:01.779
 We will live

00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.639
 a certain way

00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:04.639
 in light of the truth.

00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:07.160
 But we don't earn

00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:08.220
 our salvation

00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:09.440
 because of the work.

00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.339
 We get it

00:33:10.339 --> 00:33:11.299
 caught before the horse

00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:12.940
 all of the time

00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.960
 this happens.

00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:16.519
 The rest of the world's religions

00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:17.359
 seek to find

00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:19.199
 grace with God

00:33:19.199 --> 00:33:19.719
 because

00:33:19.719 --> 00:33:21.539
 of their action

00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:22.599
 and not the other way around.

00:33:22.699 --> 00:33:23.459
 He gives us grace

00:33:23.459 --> 00:33:24.319
 and therefore

00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:26.000
 we act.

00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:27.819
 I love the story

00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.439
 of John Bunyan,

00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.379
 the man who wrote

00:33:29.379 --> 00:33:30.059
 Pilgrim's Progress

00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:31.240
 when he

00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:33.199
 was thrown into prison

00:33:33.199 --> 00:33:33.879
 because he was

00:33:33.879 --> 00:33:34.779
 preaching the gospel

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.599
 without a license

00:33:35.599 --> 00:33:36.479
 from the state.

00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:39.439
 He was in prison.

00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:40.459
 He would actually preach

00:33:40.459 --> 00:33:41.119
 in the courtyard

00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:42.000
 and people would gather

00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.119
 around the prison

00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:43.719
 in the thousands

00:33:43.719 --> 00:33:44.339
 so they threw him

00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:45.119
 into a dark dungeon.

00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:45.739
 That's where he wrote

00:33:45.739 --> 00:33:46.339
 Pilgrim's Progress.

00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:48.399
 So if you read that book,

00:33:48.459 --> 00:33:49.039
 if you haven't read it,

00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.959
 you should read that book.

00:33:50.199 --> 00:33:50.879
 That's where he was at.

00:33:50.919 --> 00:33:51.399
 He had a copy

00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:52.219
 of his scriptures.

00:33:52.399 --> 00:33:52.799
 He had a copy

00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.859
 of Fox's Book of Martyrs

00:33:53.859 --> 00:33:54.459
 and he wrote

00:33:54.459 --> 00:33:55.099
 Pilgrim's Progress

00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:56.679
 there in this

00:33:56.679 --> 00:33:57.979
 dark, dark dungeon.

00:33:58.679 --> 00:33:59.639
 There were another group

00:33:59.639 --> 00:34:00.559
 of men who were also

00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:01.459
 thrown into the darker

00:34:01.459 --> 00:34:02.179
 part of the dungeon

00:34:02.179 --> 00:34:04.699
 to their commendation.

00:34:04.939 --> 00:34:05.479
 They were also

00:34:05.479 --> 00:34:06.059
 preaching the gospel

00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:06.979
 without a license.

00:34:07.479 --> 00:34:08.039
 Good job, men.

00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:08.619
 Right?

00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:09.460
 Also,

00:34:09.799 --> 00:34:11.380
 evangelical believers.

00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:12.460
 But they were

00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.279
 very concerned

00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:14.240
 with his message

00:34:14.240 --> 00:34:14.960
 and they said,

00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:16.519
 you must stop

00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.560
 teaching people

00:34:17.560 --> 00:34:18.840
 how much God

00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.760
 loves them

00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:21.220
 by grace

00:34:21.220 --> 00:34:21.940
 in Christ.

00:34:22.540 --> 00:34:23.720
 If you keep doing that,

00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.200
 they're going to do

00:34:24.200 --> 00:34:25.280
 whatever they want to.

00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:25.980
 Right?

00:34:26.220 --> 00:34:27.240
 They saw he was

00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:28.460
 giving a license to them.

00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:30.500
 God loves you immensely

00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:32.040
 and that will never change

00:34:32.040 --> 00:34:33.380
 and he pours out grace

00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:34.640
 on you in Christ.

00:34:35.200 --> 00:34:36.120
 This was his message.

00:34:36.540 --> 00:34:36.980
 And they said,

00:34:37.080 --> 00:34:37.540
 stop.

00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.460
 They're going to live

00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.260
 however they want to.

00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:39.800
 They're going to take

00:34:39.800 --> 00:34:40.320
 that grace

00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:42.040
 for advantage.

00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:42.860
 They're just going to live

00:34:42.860 --> 00:34:43.940
 in whatever way they want to.

00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.279
 And he said,

00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:44.519
 no,

00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.820
 if I teach God's people

00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:47.440
 about God's love for them,

00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:48.259
 they'll do whatever

00:34:48.259 --> 00:34:49.119
 he wants.

00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:49.719
 Right?

00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:51.139
 So it's a natural response

00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:52.679
 to the gospel of grace

00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:54.400
 that we live rightly,

00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:55.920
 but we don't live rightly

00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:58.960
 that we might receive grace.

00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:01.019
 Now, interestingly,

00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:02.659
 to drive this home,

00:35:03.480 --> 00:35:04.900
 turn to Luke chapter 5.

00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:12.740
 Luke adds a little bit

00:35:12.740 --> 00:35:13.579
 to the story here

00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.720
 under the inspiration

00:35:14.720 --> 00:35:15.260
 of the Spirit.

00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:22.180
 He records after the same phrase

00:35:22.180 --> 00:35:24.539
 we see here in Mark chapter 2.

00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:25.900
 It says,

00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:26.900
 and then Jesus went on to say,

00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:27.240
 so it says,

00:35:27.239 --> 00:35:28.799
 and no one after drinking

00:35:28.799 --> 00:35:29.899
 old wine

00:35:29.899 --> 00:35:31.159
 desires new,

00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:32.719
 for he says,

00:35:33.379 --> 00:35:35.179
 the old is good.

00:35:37.359 --> 00:35:38.979
 And no one after drinking

00:35:38.979 --> 00:35:40.039
 old wine

00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:41.339
 desires new,

00:35:41.419 --> 00:35:42.199
 for he says,

00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:43.939
 the old is good.

00:35:43.959 --> 00:35:45.000
 Does that get your wheels turning?

00:35:45.899 --> 00:35:46.699
 I hope so.

00:35:46.739 --> 00:35:47.519
 I hope on Sunday mornings

00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.239
 you don't just go,

00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:49.519
 explain please,

00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:50.619
 but you actually start thinking.

00:35:50.939 --> 00:35:52.279
 Get your mind engaged

00:35:52.279 --> 00:35:53.500
 in this process

00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:54.019
 this morning.

00:35:54.739 --> 00:35:55.800
 It's an interesting way

00:35:55.800 --> 00:35:57.639
 to end his little parable,

00:35:57.759 --> 00:35:59.940
 this little journey

00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:00.800
 that he's been on,

00:36:00.900 --> 00:36:03.019
 because when you're

00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:04.340
 looking through it,

00:36:04.380 --> 00:36:04.719
 you think,

00:36:04.840 --> 00:36:05.239
 well, wait,

00:36:05.340 --> 00:36:06.380
 isn't the new wine

00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.019
 the thing that we've just

00:36:07.019 --> 00:36:07.900
 understood to be the gospel?

00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:09.300
 Isn't that what we've understood?

00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:10.280
 And yes, it is.

00:36:10.420 --> 00:36:11.199
 When he's talking about

00:36:11.199 --> 00:36:11.940
 new wine,

00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:12.759
 old wineskins,

00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:13.719
 the new wine,

00:36:13.780 --> 00:36:14.800
 he's referring to the gospel.

00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:16.300
 I just drove that point

00:36:16.300 --> 00:36:16.880
 for a little bit.

00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:18.679
 So then it seems to say

00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:20.820
 that old wine

00:36:20.820 --> 00:36:22.000
 is preferable to new wine.

00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:23.019
 What is he talking about?

00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:24.059
 So it's been suggested

00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:24.820
 by some scholars

00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:26.059
 that this phrase,

00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:27.639
 the old is good,

00:36:27.759 --> 00:36:29.940
 is people who are content.

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:32.159
 They like the old

00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:33.199
 apostate Judaism.

00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.039
 Right?

00:36:34.099 --> 00:36:34.639
 And so therefore,

00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:36.079
 it's just the reality,

00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:37.119
 the truth of things

00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:38.360
 that Jesus is saying to them.

00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.619
 And those of you

00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:41.219
 who think you have

00:36:41.219 --> 00:36:41.860
 old wine,

00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:42.300
 who have drunk

00:36:42.300 --> 00:36:42.960
 of the old wine,

00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:43.780
 you're just content

00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:44.699
 and satisfied with that.

00:36:44.759 --> 00:36:46.380
 You don't want new wine.

00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:48.420
 But that's troubling

00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:50.840
 because new wine

00:36:50.840 --> 00:36:51.659
 was not as good

00:36:51.659 --> 00:36:52.359
 as old wine.

00:36:53.299 --> 00:36:54.319
 That's true today.

00:36:54.739 --> 00:36:55.719
 Now that's all the information

00:36:55.719 --> 00:36:56.059
 I have.

00:36:56.219 --> 00:36:57.099
 I don't know anything else

00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:58.379
 about wine.

00:36:59.079 --> 00:37:00.899
 Old wine was less tannic,

00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:02.500
 was less severe

00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:03.099
 in its flavor,

00:37:03.399 --> 00:37:04.159
 more mellow.

00:37:04.699 --> 00:37:06.239
 It was more nourishing

00:37:06.239 --> 00:37:08.179
 than new wine.

00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:10.460
 It was the much preferred,

00:37:11.000 --> 00:37:13.339
 much preferred wine

00:37:13.339 --> 00:37:15.219
 over new wine.

00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:17.899
 So, I think that

00:37:17.899 --> 00:37:18.799
 what Jesus is saying here

00:37:18.799 --> 00:37:19.980
 is that these people

00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:21.299
 who say the old is good

00:37:21.299 --> 00:37:22.819
 are people who have drank

00:37:22.819 --> 00:37:24.059
 of the old wine

00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:25.059
 of the gospel

00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:26.379
 of Jesus Christ.

00:37:26.879 --> 00:37:27.779
 I think what he's doing

00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:28.819
 is he's flipping his analogy

00:37:28.819 --> 00:37:29.619
 back on them

00:37:29.619 --> 00:37:30.679
 as they are coming

00:37:30.679 --> 00:37:32.099
 thinking that they have

00:37:32.099 --> 00:37:33.000
 the old religion.

00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:33.919
 Right?

00:37:33.959 --> 00:37:35.059
 This apostate Judaism.

00:37:35.339 --> 00:37:36.419
 They're coming and saying,

00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:37.299
 whoa, whoa,

00:37:37.379 --> 00:37:38.799
 what is this new teaching?

00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:39.859
 Right?

00:37:39.939 --> 00:37:41.079
 Jesus expresses it

00:37:41.079 --> 00:37:41.879
 as a new thing

00:37:41.879 --> 00:37:42.719
 and then he flips it around

00:37:42.719 --> 00:37:42.959
 to say,

00:37:42.960 --> 00:37:43.500
 actually,

00:37:43.699 --> 00:37:44.940
 it's an ancient thing.

00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:45.760
 Right?

00:37:45.880 --> 00:37:46.840
 That began before

00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:48.320
 the foundation of the world.

00:37:48.780 --> 00:37:50.559
 The gospel of Jesus Christ

00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:52.079
 is old wine.

00:37:52.579 --> 00:37:54.000
 And those who have tasted of it

00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:55.920
 never drink new wine.

00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:58.019
 Never care for this

00:37:58.019 --> 00:37:59.599
 apostate version of Judaism

00:37:59.599 --> 00:38:01.760
 or any other world religion

00:38:01.760 --> 00:38:03.539
 or ours for that matter.

00:38:03.699 --> 00:38:05.019
 The trappings that we tend

00:38:05.019 --> 00:38:07.900
 to stack on our faith as well.

00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:09.280
 It's the old wine.

00:38:09.579 --> 00:38:10.780
 Those who've been saved

00:38:10.780 --> 00:38:12.599
 by faith through grace

00:38:12.599 --> 00:38:13.480
 Noah,

00:38:14.380 --> 00:38:14.920
 Abraham,

00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:16.019
 Moses,

00:38:16.699 --> 00:38:17.319
 Isaiah,

00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:18.500
 to name a few.

00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:19.400
 These were drinkers

00:38:19.400 --> 00:38:21.079
 of the old wine.

00:38:21.360 --> 00:38:22.900
 The wine that the apostles

00:38:22.900 --> 00:38:24.079
 drank of.

00:38:25.219 --> 00:38:26.739
 These that were now

00:38:26.739 --> 00:38:27.679
 not fasting

00:38:27.679 --> 00:38:29.019
 because they understood

00:38:29.019 --> 00:38:30.940
 the gospel of grace.

00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:32.380
 But they were rather rejoicing

00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:33.699
 while the bridegroom

00:38:33.699 --> 00:38:35.219
 was with them.

00:38:36.819 --> 00:38:37.779
 I believe that's what

00:38:37.779 --> 00:38:38.920
 he's saying to these.

00:38:39.199 --> 00:38:40.199
 That have created

00:38:40.199 --> 00:38:41.739
 a religious system

00:38:41.739 --> 00:38:43.019
 and have replaced

00:38:43.019 --> 00:38:45.719
 the old good message

00:38:45.719 --> 00:38:46.839
 of the gospel

00:38:46.839 --> 00:38:48.119
 of Jesus Christ.

00:38:48.119 --> 00:38:49.819
 We see the first proclamation

00:38:49.819 --> 00:38:52.239
 of it in Genesis chapter 3.

00:38:53.159 --> 00:38:54.279
 I hope and pray

00:38:54.279 --> 00:38:56.119
 that Adam drank deeply

00:38:56.119 --> 00:38:56.839
 of that.

00:38:57.359 --> 00:38:59.000
 One day we might rejoice

00:38:59.000 --> 00:39:00.699
 in heaven with him.

00:39:01.819 --> 00:39:02.959
 And so today,

00:39:03.139 --> 00:39:03.979
 you have to ask yourself

00:39:03.979 --> 00:39:04.459
 the question,

00:39:04.599 --> 00:39:05.119
 if you're here,

00:39:05.359 --> 00:39:05.979
 are you here

00:39:05.979 --> 00:39:06.939
 because you have

00:39:06.939 --> 00:39:08.639
 genuine saving faith

00:39:08.639 --> 00:39:09.400
 in Christ?

00:39:09.839 --> 00:39:11.159
 Is it because you believed

00:39:11.159 --> 00:39:13.119
 the gospel of grace?

00:39:13.460 --> 00:39:13.960
 Are you here

00:39:13.960 --> 00:39:14.759
 because you merely

00:39:14.759 --> 00:39:16.920
 find this an external thing

00:39:16.920 --> 00:39:17.920
 in the hopes

00:39:17.920 --> 00:39:18.539
 that you might

00:39:18.539 --> 00:39:19.960
 earn favor?

00:39:20.739 --> 00:39:21.920
 If you have fasted

00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:23.079
 or are considering fasting,

00:39:23.179 --> 00:39:23.879
 is that why

00:39:23.879 --> 00:39:24.839
 you would do that?

00:39:24.839 --> 00:39:25.440
 Because you think

00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:26.299
 in some way

00:39:26.299 --> 00:39:28.579
 you can work your way

00:39:28.579 --> 00:39:29.400
 to God.

00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:30.940
 You can't.

00:39:32.219 --> 00:39:33.059
 Our righteousness

00:39:33.059 --> 00:39:34.719
 is found in Christ.

00:39:34.719 --> 00:39:34.839
 Christ.

00:39:35.439 --> 00:39:37.019
 That is where it's from.

00:39:37.119 --> 00:39:38.579
 When God sees us,

00:39:38.779 --> 00:39:40.759
 He sees Christ

00:39:40.759 --> 00:39:41.699
 because of what Christ

00:39:41.699 --> 00:39:42.599
 has accomplished

00:39:42.599 --> 00:39:44.359
 on our behalf.

00:39:45.639 --> 00:39:46.839
 And if you haven't,

00:39:46.879 --> 00:39:47.759
 I pray this morning

00:39:47.759 --> 00:39:49.119
 that you will drink

00:39:49.119 --> 00:39:50.339
 of the old wine

00:39:50.339 --> 00:39:51.659
 of the gospel of grace.

00:39:51.819 --> 00:39:53.419
 That you will repent

00:39:53.419 --> 00:39:54.699
 and believe,

00:39:54.839 --> 00:39:55.619
 which is the call

00:39:55.619 --> 00:39:57.099
 that Jesus has given to us

00:39:57.099 --> 00:39:58.179
 in chapter 1,

00:39:58.539 --> 00:39:59.859
 verse 15.

00:40:01.299 --> 00:40:01.980
 And those of you

00:40:01.980 --> 00:40:02.619
 who have drank

00:40:02.619 --> 00:40:03.419
 of the old wine,

00:40:03.420 --> 00:40:04.780
 why do we trade

00:40:04.780 --> 00:40:05.860
 what is good

00:40:05.860 --> 00:40:08.220
 for what is of lesser value?

00:40:08.480 --> 00:40:09.860
 We do this so often.

00:40:10.380 --> 00:40:10.460
 Right?

00:40:10.740 --> 00:40:11.820
 Having begun

00:40:11.820 --> 00:40:12.840
 by the Spirit,

00:40:13.740 --> 00:40:15.039
 Paul says in Galatians,

00:40:15.220 --> 00:40:16.300
 are we now being

00:40:16.300 --> 00:40:18.180
 perfected by our flesh?

00:40:18.559 --> 00:40:19.480
 In this rhetorical,

00:40:19.639 --> 00:40:20.119
 again,

00:40:20.659 --> 00:40:21.260
 sarcasm.

00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:21.840
 No,

00:40:21.960 --> 00:40:23.099
 of course we're not.

00:40:23.639 --> 00:40:24.320
 We've begun

00:40:24.320 --> 00:40:24.920
 by the Spirit

00:40:24.920 --> 00:40:25.639
 and we're being

00:40:25.639 --> 00:40:26.720
 perfected

00:40:26.720 --> 00:40:27.940
 by the Spirit.

00:40:29.300 --> 00:40:30.119
 Why do we

00:40:30.119 --> 00:40:31.400
 so often

00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:32.519
 march off

00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:33.159
 on our own

00:40:33.159 --> 00:40:33.879
 thinking that

00:40:33.879 --> 00:40:34.960
 in some way

00:40:34.960 --> 00:40:36.559
 we can get it right?

00:40:36.659 --> 00:40:37.399
 We can't.

00:40:37.920 --> 00:40:38.599
 In our flesh,

00:40:38.719 --> 00:40:39.599
 we get it wrong

00:40:39.599 --> 00:40:40.779
 every time

00:40:40.779 --> 00:40:41.859
 without a doubt.

00:40:43.819 --> 00:40:45.500
 This whole analogy

00:40:45.500 --> 00:40:46.719
 ought to draw us

00:40:46.719 --> 00:40:47.799
 into desperation

00:40:47.799 --> 00:40:48.819
 for God to continue

00:40:48.819 --> 00:40:49.440
 to move

00:40:49.440 --> 00:40:50.299
 and to work

00:40:50.299 --> 00:40:51.099
 in our living.

00:40:51.839 --> 00:40:53.179
 I want to exalt Christ

00:40:53.179 --> 00:40:54.139
 with all of my life.

00:40:54.379 --> 00:40:55.460
 I want to lift Him up.

00:40:55.679 --> 00:40:57.059
 This life is so fleeting

00:40:57.059 --> 00:40:58.539
 and this is the highest aim

00:40:58.539 --> 00:40:59.739
 of any man's life.

00:40:59.819 --> 00:41:00.799
 This is what I want to do.

00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:02.019
 And I know,

00:41:02.360 --> 00:41:03.180
 at least here,

00:41:03.500 --> 00:41:04.320
 day by day,

00:41:04.380 --> 00:41:05.800
 that I cannot accomplish that

00:41:05.800 --> 00:41:07.060
 apart from His work in me.

00:41:07.400 --> 00:41:08.720
 Why do I so often

00:41:08.720 --> 00:41:09.680
 try to do it on my own?

00:41:10.620 --> 00:41:11.700
 And every time

00:41:11.700 --> 00:41:12.500
 I fail,

00:41:13.740 --> 00:41:15.060
 those of us

00:41:15.060 --> 00:41:15.519
 who have drunk

00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:16.260
 of the old wine

00:41:16.260 --> 00:41:17.600
 need to continue

00:41:17.600 --> 00:41:18.440
 to do that

00:41:18.440 --> 00:41:19.680
 and to live

00:41:19.680 --> 00:41:20.760
 by the grace

00:41:20.760 --> 00:41:22.080
 that's been given us.

00:41:23.420 --> 00:41:24.519
 And the Lord's Supper,

00:41:24.800 --> 00:41:25.140
 again,

00:41:25.220 --> 00:41:26.080
 is this display.

00:41:26.400 --> 00:41:27.060
 It's old wine.

00:41:27.100 --> 00:41:27.840
 It's actually grape juice,

00:41:27.840 --> 00:41:29.820
 but it represents that,

00:41:30.539 --> 00:41:31.000
 doesn't it?

00:41:31.039 --> 00:41:31.760
 The symbols

00:41:31.760 --> 00:41:34.079
 of the Gospel of Christ.

00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:35.280
 His body broken

00:41:35.280 --> 00:41:36.240
 and His blood spilt

00:41:36.240 --> 00:41:38.160
 on our behalf.

00:41:39.240 --> 00:41:40.120
 And so as I'm praying,

00:41:40.300 --> 00:41:41.400
 men who have volunteered

00:41:41.400 --> 00:41:41.960
 this morning

00:41:41.960 --> 00:41:43.460
 to hold those elements,

00:41:44.300 --> 00:41:45.360
 I'll ask you to go ahead

00:41:45.360 --> 00:41:46.380
 and make your way back there.

00:41:47.440 --> 00:41:48.900
 Reflect upon this.

00:41:49.160 --> 00:41:50.220
 Have you drunk

00:41:50.220 --> 00:41:51.620
 of the old wine

00:41:51.620 --> 00:41:52.579
 of the Gospel of Christ?

00:41:52.720 --> 00:41:53.160
 Let's pray.

00:41:53.160 --> 00:41:53.220
 Amen.

00:41:53.220 --> 00:41:53.220