WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.080 Well, very good morning to you. Great to be here at Brunsfield and to share fellowship with you, to see some old friends. 00:00:07.219 --> 00:00:20.420 And thank you for your invitation and just for the chance to share a little bit by the video of my work with the fellowship, not Federation Ian, nothing against Star Trek, but the fellowship of independent evangelical churches. 00:00:20.420 --> 00:00:32.120 There is a pile of these kind of magazine brochures at the door. If you want to take those away, then please do. They'll tell you a little bit more about what's going on in Scotland and the work that we're involved in. 00:00:32.179 --> 00:00:36.700 So I'll say no more about that, but there are magazines for you to take away. 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:42.060 If you've got your Bible there, it'd be great to have them open at Luke chapter 11. 00:00:42.060 --> 00:00:48.480 Luke chapter 11 in your series on this great New Testament gospel. 00:00:48.479 --> 00:00:57.780 And we're going to be reading from verse 29 down to verse 36. 00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:03.299 So Luke chapter 11, let's hear the word of God. 00:01:07.979 --> 00:01:11.359 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:13.920 This is a wicked generation. 00:01:14.739 --> 00:01:18.280 It asks for a sign, but none will be given it. 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:19.859 Except the sign of Jonah. 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:27.200 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. 00:01:28.460 --> 00:01:34.359 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them. 00:01:35.180 --> 00:01:39.060 For she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom. 00:01:40.020 --> 00:01:42.520 And now something greater than Solomon is here. 00:01:42.519 --> 00:01:48.219 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it. 00:01:48.899 --> 00:01:51.060 For they repented at the preaching of Jonah. 00:01:51.879 --> 00:01:55.000 And now something greater than Jonah is here. 00:01:55.000 --> 00:02:02.700 No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden or under a bowl. 00:02:03.700 --> 00:02:08.879 Instead, they put it on its stand so that those who come in may see the light. 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:12.039 Your eye is the lamp of your body. 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:17.039 When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:22.379 But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:27.340 See to it then that the light within you is not darkness. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:32.939 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light and no part of it is dark, 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:39.479 it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you. 00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:45.699 May God bless to us the public reading of his precious and inspired words. 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:50.799 Well, you'll know as you've been working through the Gospel of Luke 00:02:50.799 --> 00:02:57.459 that we are in the section of Luke which is often called the Journey to Jerusalem section. 00:02:58.159 --> 00:03:02.519 Jesus is heading to the capital back in chapter 9 verse 51. 00:03:02.520 --> 00:03:09.980 We read that Jesus resolutely turned his face and set out to Jerusalem. 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:15.240 He's heading to the capital because there he will finish his work. 00:03:15.939 --> 00:03:21.960 The time when his public miracles, his street preaching, his open air preaching will cease. 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:30.080 And the people then, as we today, will have to make their final decision about him. 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:39.140 By chapter 11, where we are today, Jesus' ministry and teaching, of course, was becoming well established. 00:03:39.860 --> 00:03:45.220 But as he teaches, as his ministry took place, we see and look as we do in the other Gospels 00:03:45.220 --> 00:03:49.800 that people were starting to divide around him. 00:03:50.480 --> 00:03:52.340 Jesus has that effect. 00:03:53.480 --> 00:03:57.300 It's difficult, it's impossible to be neutral about Jesus. 00:03:57.300 --> 00:03:59.960 People have to make a decision. 00:04:00.160 --> 00:04:04.680 People start to divide around Jesus and his teaching. 00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:12.100 There were some loyal followers, of course, but there were also some increasingly hostile opponents, 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:16.060 particularly among the religious establishment of the day, 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:21.400 who hated the way that Jesus exposed their hypocrisy and their superficiality. 00:04:21.399 --> 00:04:27.579 The latter group even accused Jesus of being in league with the devil. 00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:33.399 Such was their jealousy and annoyance about him in the preceding passage. 00:04:34.659 --> 00:04:40.179 Well, we can imagine the atmosphere that Jesus' ministry was creating at this time. 00:04:40.819 --> 00:04:43.979 Jesus was the ministry phenomena of the day. 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:47.399 Indeed, he was the ministry phenomena of all time. 00:04:47.399 --> 00:04:51.479 Israel was abuzz of what was going on. 00:04:52.299 --> 00:04:59.060 Increasingly large crowds, we read in verse 29, were seeking to see him. 00:04:59.159 --> 00:05:07.139 People drawn by news of Jesus' miraculous powers, excited to see the show for themselves. 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:17.599 Back in verse 16 of Luke chapter 11, Luke records to us that there were those who were testing Jesus by asking for a sign. 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:21.979 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:23.539 Verse 16. 00:05:24.620 --> 00:05:30.120 But this isn't the request of people who are humbly seeking after truth. 00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:33.959 This is the demand of the Britain's Got Talent audience. 00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:38.759 This is the, come on Jesus, show us what you've got. 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:40.159 Impress us. 00:05:40.859 --> 00:05:41.839 Entertain us. 00:05:42.899 --> 00:05:47.240 It's the demand of people who have set themselves up as judges of Jesus. 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:50.199 We'll be the judge of you, Jesus. 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:53.560 So you'd better make this good. 00:05:53.560 --> 00:06:05.660 The trip for many to go and see Jesus as he taught, as he ministered, was sadly little more than a day out to see a dancing bear. 00:06:07.459 --> 00:06:10.860 Could that possibly be a danger for us today? 00:06:12.199 --> 00:06:14.660 Even for Christians today? 00:06:14.660 --> 00:06:34.240 I think it can sometimes be heard in the, well, unless God shows himself to me personally, or makes himself known in some kind of dramatic, not my socks off way, then you can count me out of all your Christian and faith stuff. 00:06:34.900 --> 00:06:38.340 Maybe you've heard people say things along those lines. 00:06:38.339 --> 00:06:42.339 In other words, forget the actual teachings of Jesus. 00:06:43.239 --> 00:06:46.899 Forget the New Testament witness statements to what he did. 00:06:47.579 --> 00:06:55.039 Forget all the good reasons that there are to actually believe in Christianity and to take Jesus seriously. 00:06:55.399 --> 00:07:04.899 Unless God measures up to my personal criteria, unless he fulfills my personal wish list, he can forget it. 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:06.719 Count me out. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:10.640 That's quite a position to take, isn't it? 00:07:11.740 --> 00:07:14.920 Quite a position to set yourself up in. 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:18.880 That God should somehow exist to impress you. 00:07:19.900 --> 00:07:21.860 To fulfill your criteria. 00:07:25.280 --> 00:07:31.460 And actually such attitudes can even slip in to our Christian mindset at times. 00:07:32.440 --> 00:07:35.520 Although we would make them sound much more pious, of course, wouldn't we? 00:07:36.720 --> 00:07:48.880 Eugene Peterson, the author, describes in one of his books that the approach of some Christians to church and to Jesus is the approach of spiritual tourism. 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:55.879 So Jesus and the church becomes just a place that we visit now and again. 00:07:55.879 --> 00:08:01.759 And like tourists who visit Rome or Cairo, we just want the highlights. 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:03.639 We just want the wow stuff. 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:06.779 We don't actually want to live there. 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:07.779 Spend time. 00:08:07.779 --> 00:08:08.779 Spend time. 00:08:08.779 --> 00:08:09.259 Spend time. 00:08:09.259 --> 00:08:12.699 Spend time in the dull bits and get too involved. 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:14.699 Spend time in the dull bits and get too much. 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:22.219 And so if church and following Jesus isn't a bit of a thrill ride to us, we get bored and we look elsewhere. 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:28.180 Maybe the theme park down the road will provide a bit more excitement. 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:31.759 We don't want to be those people, do we? 00:08:32.679 --> 00:08:34.480 Don't be those people. 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:39.679 Don't be the people that turn up to church on a Sunday morning, arms folded. 00:08:40.319 --> 00:08:41.299 This better be good. 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:41.480 But we don't want to be those people. 00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:44.120 Don't be those people. 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:59.879 See, for Jesus, that kind of thinking, the approach of the crowds in his day, was actually, and very bluntly and uncomfortably, symptomatic, verse 29, of an evil generation. 00:09:01.220 --> 00:09:06.960 Because for him it was evidence of people who weren't really interested in truth. 00:09:08.780 --> 00:09:12.240 Years ago, on an alpha course, there was a young guy who came along. 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:15.740 And he was full of objections to Christianity. 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:29.259 And he was always quoting stuff that he said he'd read that disproved this part of the Bible or this claim about Jesus and so on and so forth, quoting websites and books. 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:36.600 And so, as he quoted some of these objections, I would say to him, I've actually got some material of my own. 00:09:36.679 --> 00:09:41.939 I've got some books of some Christian writers that have dealt with that subject, that have responded to it. 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:50.759 And I would give him some books or some articles or pointing to some websites where he could go and get a Christian response to his particular objections. 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:56.700 And then the next week, I would say to him, did you get a chance to look at that article or that website? 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:58.620 No, no, no, too busy, too busy. 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:00.120 Never got round to it, never got round to it. 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:08.500 And then he would have another set of objections and I'd give him another set of books or places to go to next week. 00:10:08.580 --> 00:10:09.539 Did you look at that stuff? 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.539 No, no, no, no. 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:12.319 Never got round to it, never got round to it. 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:12.879 Too busy. 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:19.100 It came clear that this was somebody who just wasn't really that interested in truth. 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:26.139 His questions were really just tools to kind of bat away the claims of Christianity. 00:10:26.939 --> 00:10:33.259 Well, he enjoyed the course, the debate, and if I'm honest, looking a bit superior. 00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:44.159 So Jesus is very clear to the crowd who came and tested them looking for signs that he's not in the business of providing signs to order. 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:51.679 Rather, he points them to the sign, verse 29, of Jonah. 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:57.419 None will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 00:10:57.419 --> 00:11:00.799 Now, Jonah, of course, is the famous Old Testament prophet, 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:04.319 famous for his three days in the belly of the whale. 00:11:05.359 --> 00:11:12.879 But Jonah's ministry had been to go and to preach to the great pagan city of Nineveh. 00:11:13.859 --> 00:11:20.679 And it was a ministry that resulted in the whole city repenting and seeking God's mercy. 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:23.559 Jesus talks about that in verse 32. 00:11:24.439 --> 00:11:26.879 They repented at the preaching of Jonah. 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:26.960 Jonah. 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:37.299 Jesus says to the crowds in his day, and through Luke and the gospel as it comes to us in the 21st century, to us this morning, 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:41.899 he says, if you want a sign, look at Jonah. 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:53.059 Jonah, sent by God, in God's mercy, to warn people about coming judgment. 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:57.439 Jonah's message was pretty blunt. 00:11:58.359 --> 00:12:02.479 We have just a one-line summary of it from the book of Jonah itself. 00:12:03.859 --> 00:12:06.859 And it simply says that Jonah went and he preached, 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:11.139 40 more days and Nineveh will be overturned. 00:12:13.339 --> 00:12:14.599 And guess what? 00:12:15.819 --> 00:12:17.659 The Ninevites took him seriously. 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:21.719 They took God's word seriously. 00:12:23.079 --> 00:12:28.159 And they responded not with cynicism, not with a kind of shrugging of the shoulders, 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:31.839 but with belief, with humility, with repentance. 00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:35.839 They turned away from their wickedness and sought God's mercy. 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:39.620 It was an amazing response. 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:47.679 Most of the Old Testament prophets spent a lifetime preaching against a brick wall. 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:50.600 They were unheeded. 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.500 They were ignored. 00:12:54.899 --> 00:13:00.960 And those other prophets were for the most part preaching to Israel, God's chosen people. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:08.560 So for this pagan people, this city way beyond the borders of Israel itself, 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:13.940 to turn in the way they did, to respond in the way they did, was quite stunning. 00:13:16.280 --> 00:13:25.500 Which, of course, made the cool indifference to Jesus of the crowds in his day all the more inexcusable. 00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:31.320 Think of the contrast between Jonah and Jesus. 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:40.159 Jonah goes to Nineveh, a city that is ignorant of God. 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:43.980 Doesn't have the Old Testament scriptures. 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:49.820 Doesn't have the rich history of God's hand upon them. 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:51.940 Didn't have all the other prophets. 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.519 Didn't have the law. 00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:54.600 Didn't have the covenant. 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:54.720 Didn't have the covenant. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:58.800 A city that was ignorant of God in so many ways. 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:02.560 And Jesus goes to Israel. 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:08.120 A people that is rich and soaked in the knowledge of God. 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:14.040 Jonah goes reluctantly, if you know the story, to Nineveh. 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:18.420 His pool dragging and screaming to go to Nineveh. 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:23.480 Jesus goes willingly to Israel. 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:31.740 Jonah is angry that God doesn't judge the city of Nineveh. 00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:35.300 He's really put out by that at the end of his ministry. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:38.480 That the judgment doesn't just fall on them. 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:44.620 Whereas later on we'll see that Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:52.580 Jonah preached a message of blunt judgment. 00:14:52.580 --> 00:15:00.039 Jesus preached judgment but he preached mercy and the compassion and the grace of God. 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:04.240 Truly one greater than Jonah is here. 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:07.639 And yet what happens? 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:10.179 Jonah is believed. 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:15.000 And Jesus is rejected and crucified. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:24.739 But of course there's another parallel between the sign of Jonah and the sign of Jesus. 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:29.779 It's a parallel that Luke doesn't mention in his gospel in our passage. 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:36.620 But if you go to the account of the same incident in Matthew chapter 12, Matthew does. 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:47.899 And that parallel, that sign that they both share, of course, is the fact that Jonah spent three days, as it were, entombed. 00:15:47.899 --> 00:16:00.379 And although not literally dead, he was as good as dead in the belly of the whale before being miraculously released to go and preach to Nineveh. 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:08.840 And so notice in verse 29 there's a kind of future tense to Jesus' promise here, isn't there? 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:13.220 None will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:22.320 The sense in which Jesus is looking ahead here, he's pointing them ahead to a sign to come, the sign of Jonah. 00:16:23.060 --> 00:16:30.379 But a sign that's going to be fulfilled and amplified in an even more wonderful and dramatic way. 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:38.600 Jesus is pointing to what will be the ultimate and incontrovertible authentication of himself. 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:45.820 The sign above every other sign, the miraculous proof that will dwarf all others. 00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:53.980 It's the event, of course, that the great apostle Paul will hang the entire Christian faith upon. 00:16:54.840 --> 00:17:02.240 Such is the significance and the importance, the centrality of this sign, 00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:07.099 that Paul is prepared to hang the entire Christian faith upon it. 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:12.819 And says, if this doesn't stand up, if this doesn't hold up, if this hook, as it were, 00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:17.639 isn't strong enough to hold the Christian faith, the whole thing will crash. 00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:20.919 The resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:28.199 If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:41.420 Now we're not told if the Ninevites were aware of Jonah's virtual resurrection. 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:46.480 I guess Jonah would have needed to have told them himself. 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:51.319 Maybe that was a factor in their response. 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:57.819 Although we don't get the impression that Jonah particularly went out of his way to persuade the Ninevites. 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.299 We don't know. 00:18:00.379 --> 00:18:01.740 The Bible doesn't tell us. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:06.419 But when it comes to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:13.119 it's not just one man's private testimony about a life-changing experience. 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:21.879 It was an event that was testified to, by scores of witnesses, by ultimately hundreds of witnesses. 00:18:22.479 --> 00:18:23.939 It was public knowledge. 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:27.619 The tomb was empty for all to see. 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:31.179 It was proclaimed openly. 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:39.179 It confounded Christianity's opponents and it transformed its followers. 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:48.740 But like all Jesus' miracles, all the wonders and signs that surrounded Jesus, 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:55.960 this greatest, definitive, authenticating sign, the resurrection, 00:18:56.620 --> 00:19:01.259 was given not for its own sake, but to point us to truth. 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:04.820 Truth about Jesus himself. 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.819 Truth about Jesus. 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:10.579 The truth that Jesus is the Son of God. 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:15.799 That he is the one who alone can reconcile you to God. 00:19:16.679 --> 00:19:23.359 That he is the one who alone can deal with the deepest and greatest problem that every single one of us face. 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:25.980 Our alienation from God. 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:26.839 Our sin. 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:32.720 Our failure to honour God and to live for him in so many ways and at so many levels 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:38.400 that will ultimately, if unchecked and undealt with, will bring upon us the judgment of God. 00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:44.259 That this is the one in whom alone you can find life. 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.839 Eternal life. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:47.079 The life of God himself. 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:52.299 That this is the one that you were made for. 00:19:53.620 --> 00:20:01.400 And in whom alone you can find the purpose and be the person that God created you to be. 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:07.759 This is the one whose words lead to life. 00:20:09.580 --> 00:20:12.560 The one whose words lead to transformation. 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:20.320 The one whose words can lead you to have a living, real relationship with God this morning. 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:28.359 You notice that Jesus then introduces another Old Testament character. 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.559 Verse 31. 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.740 The Queen of the South. 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:35.839 Or I think the old version used to say the Queen of Sheba. 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:43.639 And again, Jesus introduces this character, the Queen of the South, 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:47.859 because he wants to make a contrast between this woman 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:52.959 and the fickle indifference of the crowds around Jesus. 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:56.960 Jesus notes verse 31. 00:20:58.340 --> 00:21:03.059 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:08.259 and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom. 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:11.759 And now something greater than Solomon is here. 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:16.680 Notice how this pagan queen, again a pagan, 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:22.079 travelled a huge distance to hear Solomon. 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:27.960 Solomon, of course, is famed in the Bible and indeed beyond the Bible for his great wisdom. 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:36.220 And this woman recognised that here was somebody who was worth seeking out. 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:38.799 Somebody to seek and to listen to. 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:42.579 And she expended huge time and effort to do so. 00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:49.119 Now Jesus' point here seems to be that these crowds, 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:53.000 for all their superficial hustle and bustle and interest, 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:57.759 don't seem to have any real appetite to actually listen to him. 00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:02.019 They perhaps travelled a few miles, 00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:05.539 you know, with their camera phones to get some Facebook filler. 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:10.599 These are the people, they're the guests, 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:14.099 you know, who go to the wedding for the buffet and the dancing. 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:18.440 And during the service, you know, the actually important bit, 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:22.740 where the significance and the meaning of the whole day is being explained, 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:26.759 they're sitting staring out the window or tapping their phones, 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.440 not interested. 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:30.799 When's the food coming? 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:34.580 It's a real danger, 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:36.779 even for us as Christians. 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:42.640 Crowds around Jesus were the Jewish people. 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:45.840 These were the synagogue attenders. 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:51.699 These were the people who should have recognised God's word 00:22:51.699 --> 00:22:53.759 and been eager to hear it. 00:22:55.939 --> 00:22:58.099 But instead, Jesus says, 00:22:58.399 --> 00:23:05.139 it's a pagan outsider who actually valued and sought God's word 00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:07.619 in the days of Solomon. 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.959 Now Solomon was good. 00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:15.619 Book of Proverbs is brilliant stuff. 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:19.879 Ecclesiastes blow you away. 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:25.419 But it is not to be compared to the teachings of Jesus Christ 00:23:25.419 --> 00:23:28.859 in the Gospels. 00:23:32.899 --> 00:23:34.479 They went away, didn't they, 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:37.419 with their tail between their legs. 00:23:38.939 --> 00:23:40.559 Thought they could catch him out. 00:23:40.699 --> 00:23:42.000 Thought they could get one over him. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:45.680 They came away. 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:48.200 No one ever spoke the way this man did. 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:53.940 After all their questions and their trick questions, 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:55.839 silence, 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:58.880 nobody dared ask him any more questions. 00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:03.000 Imagine it, can't you? 00:24:04.040 --> 00:24:05.820 We're in the election season, aren't we? 00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:08.060 And we're just seeing interviews coming out of our ears 00:24:08.060 --> 00:24:10.820 and they're all queuing up to interview 00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:12.740 and to interrogate the politicians. 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.640 Imagine it. 00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:17.120 Jeremy Paxman, 00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:18.660 Andrew Neal, 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.740 David Dimbleby, 00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:22.640 silenced. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:24.640 Nothing else to say. 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:26.380 Nothing else to ask. 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:34.100 This was an uncontaminated intellect. 00:24:36.300 --> 00:24:39.460 I don't want to sound chiding or legalistic, 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:42.540 but I personally was so challenged by this. 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:46.139 Think of the time that I fritter away 00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:48.599 reading rubbish on Facebook. 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:52.299 The hours that I can spend watching TV 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:55.859 in contrast to the time that I spend in the Bible. 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.839 Listening and thinking 00:24:58.839 --> 00:25:00.859 and considering the words of Jesus. 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:05.399 Perhaps it's the temptation for some of us 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:06.500 to miss church 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:08.920 in order to watch the sports final. 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:13.800 One greater than Solomon is here. 00:25:15.080 --> 00:25:17.920 Think of the previous generations of Christians 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:19.200 and our brothers and sisters 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:21.060 in the developing world 00:25:21.060 --> 00:25:23.019 who walked miles 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:25.380 to get to church on a Sunday. 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:28.100 Set off at dawn. 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:32.060 That huge appetite 00:25:32.060 --> 00:25:34.120 and effort 00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:35.640 to be under the teaching 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.840 of the Word of God 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:38.160 to learn about Jesus. 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:40.519 And for so many of us, 00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:42.120 can't speak for anybody else 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:43.019 but for myself, 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:45.539 Jesus is on the doorstep. 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.080 He's on the bookshelf. 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.660 He's on the phone. 00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:52.800 And even that can seem like an effort at times. 00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:56.340 No wonder, Jesus says, 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.080 the Ninevites 00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:58.140 and the Queen of the South 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:59.600 will rise up in judgment 00:25:59.600 --> 00:26:00.660 in a day to come. 00:26:01.800 --> 00:26:03.039 They'll be aghast 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:04.900 at the half-heartedness 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.980 and the complacency 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.539 of those 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.579 who never mind 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:08.839 Jonah and Solomon 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:10.139 were presented 00:26:10.139 --> 00:26:11.240 with the sign 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:12.039 and teaching 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.759 of the eternal Son of God. 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.599 The Lord of Lords, 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.899 the King of Kings, 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:17.960 the Alpha 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.819 and the Omega, 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:20.279 the one before 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.039 whose face 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.579 one day 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:22.759 heaven and earth itself 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.759 will flee away. 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:29.799 One greater than Jonah, 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:31.139 one greater than Solomon, 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.899 one greater than all the rest 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:34.540 is here. 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.259 You see, 00:26:37.340 --> 00:26:38.500 the primary problem 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.700 that people have 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.980 when they come to Jesus 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:43.680 is not lack of evidence. 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:46.200 It's not that they've not seen 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:47.120 enough miracles. 00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:50.600 And the problem isn't either 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:52.240 that Jesus isn't interesting 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:54.800 or that he's not relevant 00:26:54.800 --> 00:26:55.880 or he's not impressive. 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:58.680 The problem is a spiritual one. 00:26:58.680 --> 00:27:00.539 The problem is that 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:02.019 our spiritual eyesight, 00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:04.160 our spiritual perception 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:06.519 is too often obscured 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.440 and distorted 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:08.680 and darkened. 00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:11.779 Which is why Jesus 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:13.080 moves on immediately 00:27:13.080 --> 00:27:14.480 to the subject 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.380 of eyesight. 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.740 Now, 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:19.180 first, 00:27:19.320 --> 00:27:20.220 the reading we had, 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.980 and we'll just finish 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:22.340 with this in verse 33 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:23.420 to 36, 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.100 can seem a little bit 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:25.840 obscure. 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:27.379 You think, 00:27:27.459 --> 00:27:28.740 what's the connection here? 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.259 You can even feel 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:31.500 a little bit convoluted 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.099 when we read it 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:33.039 for the first time. 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:34.879 But actually, 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:35.740 it's very relevant 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.439 to what Jesus 00:27:36.439 --> 00:27:37.639 has been talking about 00:27:37.639 --> 00:27:38.899 and the big point 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:39.579 that he is making 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:41.139 is really quite straightforward. 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.240 Remember, 00:27:43.379 --> 00:27:43.679 of course, 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.299 and we've been singing 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:45.119 about it this morning, 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.339 Jesus has come 00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:48.000 to give light, 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.659 spiritual light 00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:50.740 and understanding 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:52.000 to men and women. 00:27:53.199 --> 00:27:54.079 He is the light 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:54.720 of the world. 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:57.059 He is the one 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.720 who has come 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.720 into the darkness 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.659 of this fallen, 00:27:59.959 --> 00:28:00.839 sin-sick world 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:02.539 to make God known. 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.579 He is pushing back 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.259 the darkness 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.779 and in doing so, 00:28:06.879 --> 00:28:08.980 he is both exposing sin 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:11.259 but also calling men 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:11.740 and women 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:14.099 into God's own presence. 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.099 And verse 33, 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.259 he's not hidden 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.039 that light. 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.419 He's not come 00:28:19.419 --> 00:28:19.919 with a light 00:28:19.919 --> 00:28:20.419 that he's tried 00:28:20.419 --> 00:28:21.179 to obscure 00:28:21.179 --> 00:28:22.240 or hide away. 00:28:22.959 --> 00:28:23.579 It's not what you do 00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:23.980 with light. 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.720 That's his point. 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.740 You put it somewhere 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:27.720 that it can be seen. 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.600 He has publicly 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:34.980 declared God's word. 00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:36.339 He's made himself known. 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.100 He's gone out 00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:37.740 to the people, 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:38.500 to the highways 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.420 and the byways. 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.640 He has held up 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:41.319 the light 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.559 to maximum 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.740 effect. 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.339 But of course, 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.220 that's only half 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.779 the story, 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.380 isn't it? 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.000 Because of course, 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:49.640 for the light 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.660 to be effective 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.759 and to be useful, 00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:53.620 it needs to be received. 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:58.159 And we receive light 00:28:58.159 --> 00:29:00.059 through the eye. 00:29:00.159 --> 00:29:01.000 That's how we see 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:01.459 physically, 00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.059 isn't it? 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:04.859 Light comes into our eye. 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.699 It is the lamp 00:29:05.699 --> 00:29:06.279 of the body 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:07.159 in that regard. 00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:09.319 And if our eyes 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.019 are healthy, 00:29:10.219 --> 00:29:11.099 physically healthy, 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:12.319 our whole body 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:13.199 gets the benefit. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:15.460 that's why blindness 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.539 is so hugely 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.460 debilitating. 00:29:18.580 --> 00:29:19.000 It affects 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:21.759 our bodily functions 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.720 in so many 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:24.140 different ways. 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.940 It impairs 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.680 our ability 00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:27.480 to handle, 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.259 to walk, 00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:28.980 to communicate, 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.900 to participate. 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.480 And if that's 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.080 the case 00:29:33.080 --> 00:29:33.720 physically, 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.279 then Jesus 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:36.019 wants us to know 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.880 there's a spiritual 00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:38.860 parallel to that. 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:41.179 if our spiritual 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:42.579 eyesight is impaired, 00:29:42.939 --> 00:29:43.619 if we're not 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:44.699 receiving Jesus' 00:29:44.939 --> 00:29:45.259 light, 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.240 then our whole 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:47.359 spiritual condition 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:48.539 is going to be 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.639 affected and 00:29:49.639 --> 00:29:50.119 diminished. 00:29:50.639 --> 00:29:51.579 Verse 34, 00:29:52.379 --> 00:29:53.219 your eye is the 00:29:53.219 --> 00:29:54.139 lamp of your body. 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:54.839 When your eyes 00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:55.379 are healthy, 00:29:55.479 --> 00:29:56.179 your whole body 00:29:56.179 --> 00:29:57.119 also is full of 00:29:57.119 --> 00:29:57.419 light. 00:29:57.679 --> 00:29:58.419 But when they are 00:29:58.419 --> 00:29:59.059 unhealthy, 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:00.399 your body also 00:30:00.399 --> 00:30:01.339 is full of 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:01.819 darkness. 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:06.899 That is, 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.679 the less light 00:30:07.679 --> 00:30:08.480 that we receive 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.220 from Jesus, 00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:10.700 the more likely 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.599 we are to stumble, 00:30:12.159 --> 00:30:13.559 to get lost, 00:30:13.679 --> 00:30:14.460 to misunderstand, 00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:15.579 to use things 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.399 inappropriately, 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:17.279 to be ignorant. 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:19.659 The more light 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:20.500 we receive from 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.879 Jesus, 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:21.879 the better our 00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:22.200 walk, 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:22.799 the greater 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.839 our understanding, 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.960 the more you're 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.619 going to get out 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.200 of life. 00:30:28.679 --> 00:30:29.720 So verse 35, 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.619 make sure 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.379 that Jesus' 00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:33.179 light is 00:30:33.179 --> 00:30:33.959 getting in. 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.619 See to it then 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.219 that the light 00:30:38.219 --> 00:30:38.739 within you 00:30:38.739 --> 00:30:39.679 is not darkness. 00:30:40.479 --> 00:30:41.179 Make sure that 00:30:41.179 --> 00:30:41.919 your spiritual 00:30:41.919 --> 00:30:42.819 eyes are in 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.419 good order, 00:30:43.939 --> 00:30:44.599 so that your 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.419 inner self, 00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.359 your heart and 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:47.359 soul are in 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:48.759 light and not 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.479 in darkness. 00:30:52.479 --> 00:30:53.299 How do you 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:53.759 keep your 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.679 spiritual eyes 00:30:54.679 --> 00:30:55.199 healthy? 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:56.839 How do you 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.519 keep yourself 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.239 in the light? 00:30:59.719 --> 00:31:00.159 It's very 00:31:00.159 --> 00:31:00.659 simple. 00:31:01.619 --> 00:31:02.839 listen to 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.399 Jesus. 00:31:04.599 --> 00:31:05.599 Pay attention 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.879 to Jesus. 00:31:08.219 --> 00:31:09.339 Verse 28, 00:31:10.959 --> 00:31:12.459 believe and 00:31:12.459 --> 00:31:13.579 obey. 00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:15.159 Blessed 00:31:15.159 --> 00:31:15.819 rather are 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.219 those who 00:31:16.219 --> 00:31:16.699 hear the 00:31:16.699 --> 00:31:17.079 word of 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:18.139 God and 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:18.699 obey it. 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:20.039 God and 00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:20.920 God and 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.960 do you 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.460 see Jesus 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:22.900 is very 00:31:22.900 --> 00:31:23.380 clear. 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.640 The extent 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:25.180 to which 00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:25.580 you and 00:31:25.580 --> 00:31:26.019 I this 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:27.140 morning are 00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:27.620 in the 00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:28.140 light or 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:28.660 in the 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.120 darkness, 00:31:29.340 --> 00:31:29.700 spiritually 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.340 speaking, 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.600 is simply 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:32.460 the extent 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.160 to which 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:33.880 you and 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:34.500 I are 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.240 heeding the 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.720 words of 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.400 Jesus or 00:31:36.400 --> 00:31:36.680 we are 00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.019 ignoring 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.360 them. 00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:39.660 So, 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.759 and we 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.039 need to 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.480 finish, 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:42.960 don't be 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.360 fickle, 00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:44.900 don't be 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.620 half-hearted 00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.000 when it 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.479 comes to 00:31:46.479 --> 00:31:46.839 Jesus, 00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:48.479 but be 00:31:48.479 --> 00:31:48.859 like the 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.500 Ninevites 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.599 who heard 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.359 God's word 00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:52.339 and repented 00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:53.299 and believed 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:54.379 with humility. 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:56.519 Don't be 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:57.679 like the 00:31:57.679 --> 00:31:58.059 Queen of 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.619 the South 00:31:58.619 --> 00:32:00.279 who hungered 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:00.879 for wisdom 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:01.359 and went 00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:02.079 after it. 00:32:03.239 --> 00:32:04.179 For someone 00:32:04.179 --> 00:32:04.919 greater than 00:32:04.919 --> 00:32:05.399 Solomon, 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:06.759 Jonah, 00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:08.199 and all 00:32:08.199 --> 00:32:08.799 others is 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.099 here. 00:32:10.219 --> 00:32:10.559 Jesus 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:12.239 is here. 00:32:12.979 --> 00:32:13.339 And may 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:13.819 God bless 00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:14.279 to us. 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:16.639 poco 00:32:16.639 --> 00:32:17.279 to us. 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:17.700 Say 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:17.980 little 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.500 about 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:23.539 David 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.220 funny 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:24.980 the 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.119 Bee 00:32:25.119 --> 00:32:29.059 that 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:38.799 you 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:40.240 who 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:40.839 called