WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Thank you. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:29.980 Thank you. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:37.659 When Jesus had called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. 00:01:38.480 --> 00:01:42.000 And he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 00:01:42.140 --> 00:02:11.979 He told them, 00:02:11.979 --> 00:02:41.979 00:02:41.979 --> 00:03:11.979 00:03:11.979 --> 00:03:41.959 And he said, 00:03:41.960 --> 00:04:11.960 00:04:11.960 --> 00:04:41.960 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:48.219 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 00:04:48.959 --> 00:04:58.299 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 00:04:58.300 --> 00:05:05.879 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God. 00:05:19.960 --> 00:05:20.840 Thank you. 00:05:21.840 --> 00:05:25.400 Well, we're going to look at that section together. 00:05:25.399 --> 00:05:30.679 We're not going to cover every verse or every aspect of it. 00:05:30.739 --> 00:05:39.759 Rather, I'm going to try and trace a theme that we see throughout these first 27 verses of chapter 9. 00:05:40.339 --> 00:05:44.839 So if there's anything that you want to come back on afterwards, please do talk to me. 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:48.879 Ask questions if it weren't covered or you're not sure. 00:05:49.979 --> 00:05:52.560 But we're going to pray now and ask for God's help. 00:05:55.399 --> 00:06:11.459 Father, we need your help not only to understand these words written to us, 00:06:11.459 --> 00:06:24.740 but we need your Holy Spirit to give us understanding in such a way that it changes our lives. 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:33.120 And we become people that love you, worship you. 00:06:34.420 --> 00:06:38.400 People who can say Christ is enough. 00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:49.060 People who are willing to give their life, willing to die for Christ. 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:53.560 That's a hard thing to be able to do. 00:06:54.839 --> 00:06:59.040 And so we ask that your word would equip us and shape us 00:06:59.040 --> 00:07:03.819 and lead us in the way that you would have us to be. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:06.560 We ask it in Jesus' name. 00:07:07.340 --> 00:07:07.680 Amen. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:14.040 I want to start by telling a story. 00:07:14.900 --> 00:07:21.740 It's a little parable kind of story called The King and His Kingdom by somebody called Kel Richards. 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:33.000 Once upon a time, long ago and far away, there was a happy kingdom that was to be found in a happy valley. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:39.500 It had a stream that burbled and bubbled with fresh mountain water from the melting snow. 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:42.160 It had lush green grass. 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:47.019 It had cows that gave lots of milk and sheep that grew lots of wool. 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:50.839 The fruit trees were always packed with the most delicious fruit. 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:55.040 And the vegetable gardens were always bursting with fresh vegetables. 00:07:55.040 --> 00:08:00.080 But there was a murmuring and unhappiness in this valley. 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:04.020 And one day, the people sent a delegation to see the king. 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:07.240 What on earth are you unhappy about? 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:08.800 Asked the king. 00:08:09.320 --> 00:08:13.420 Aren't you comfortable, well-housed, well-closed and well-fed? 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:16.700 Isn't the climate constantly delightful? 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:19.980 They all agreed that this was true. 00:08:20.400 --> 00:08:21.879 And yet they had one complaint. 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:26.459 Namely, that in this whole kingdom, there was only one king. 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:37.299 There was only one person who could issue royal decrees, make laws, give orders to the royal constabulary, and write checks on the royal bank account. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:47.419 Is it right, they asked, that all this should be the sole prerogative of one man, and his only by right of royal birth? 00:08:47.419 --> 00:08:52.639 Well, a little more than royal birth, the king reminded them. 00:08:52.979 --> 00:08:58.860 I have designed and laid out this valley and paid for all the buildings and facilities that you enjoy. 00:09:00.319 --> 00:09:02.939 They sheepishly agreed that this was true. 00:09:03.319 --> 00:09:05.159 And yet they were unhappy. 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:09.120 Well, asked the king, what do you want? 00:09:09.699 --> 00:09:12.939 We all, they answered, want to be kings. 00:09:13.839 --> 00:09:16.199 And queens, added the women. 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:19.639 And princes and princesses, added the children. 00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:23.759 The king stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:26.319 This is most irregular. 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:30.939 The normal quota is one king to a kingdom. 00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:33.340 Go anywhere and count them. 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:35.879 One kingdom, one king. 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:38.240 That's how it goes. 00:09:39.319 --> 00:09:40.960 Still, the people insisted. 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:43.500 At length, the king agreed. 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:46.819 But he warned them that it would end in tears. 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:51.000 Every man in the kingdom was, from that moment on, a king. 00:09:51.320 --> 00:09:52.460 Every woman a queen. 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:54.140 Every boy a prince. 00:09:54.300 --> 00:09:55.620 And every girl a princess. 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:59.879 At first they were deliriously happy and went around calling each other, 00:10:00.180 --> 00:10:02.140 Your Royal Majesty, all the time. 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:06.379 But very soon the difficulties began to arise. 00:10:07.280 --> 00:10:13.260 When King Fred issued a royal decree that it was Queen Ethel's turn to do the washing up, 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:16.399 She issued a counter decree saying that it was his. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:19.059 It often led to raised voices. 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:25.059 When King Fred ordered the royal constabulary to arrest King Frank next door 00:10:25.059 --> 00:10:27.939 because he annoyed them with his saxophone practice, 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:34.319 Well, King Frank issued a counter decree ordering the king that King Fred be arrested 00:10:34.319 --> 00:10:38.019 instead on the grounds that he was a general nuisance. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:40.639 It came to blows. 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:43.559 In fact, it all ended in tears. 00:10:44.179 --> 00:10:48.379 Just as the king, the real king, had said it would. 00:10:49.699 --> 00:10:55.139 If only we could go back to the way things were before, they lamented. 00:10:56.679 --> 00:11:02.259 Now that story reflects the history of the world. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:08.080 And that history is recorded for us in the true story of the Bible. 00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:15.100 We know how the story of the Bible opens with this good and beautiful world. 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:20.460 God is the one true king and we are his subjects. 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:22.900 Everything we need is provided. 00:11:23.180 --> 00:11:24.879 It is satisfying and fulfilling. 00:11:25.920 --> 00:11:30.720 But instead of God being king, we want to be the king. 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:34.800 We want to decide what is right and what is best for us. 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:41.800 And when we turned against God, everything was cursed. 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:46.279 It all ended in tears. 00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:49.159 Just as the king said it would. 00:11:50.019 --> 00:11:53.219 And the world that we live in today is very different. 00:11:53.359 --> 00:11:54.339 It's a broken world. 00:11:54.439 --> 00:11:56.679 We saw that, do you remember, back in chapter 8? 00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:59.099 The destructive storm. 00:11:59.699 --> 00:12:01.319 The demon-possessed man. 00:12:01.699 --> 00:12:02.699 The sick woman. 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:04.539 And the dead girl. 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:08.879 Rather than peace and harmony, there's chaos and disorder. 00:12:09.459 --> 00:12:13.779 If only we could go back to the way things were before. 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:21.099 Well, that's the message of Jesus as he begins his ministry. 00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:25.139 Have a look back at chapter 4, verse 43. 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:32.599 Chapter 4, verse 43. 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:38.080 It's a little summary of what Jesus came to do. 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:43.899 Chapter 4, verse 43. 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:49.019 But Jesus said, I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God 00:12:49.019 --> 00:12:53.659 to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent. 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:56.600 The good news, the good news of the kingdom 00:12:56.600 --> 00:13:01.240 is that there is a way for things to be put right. 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:08.080 That God is coming and God can and he will establish his kingdom. 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:14.279 So Jesus made it his priority to tell people what God would do. 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:17.120 Have a look at chapter 8, verse 1. 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:23.980 Again, we get another little summary statement of Jesus' mission and purpose. 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:26.039 Chapter 8, verse 1. 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:31.100 After this, Jesus travelled from one town and village to another, 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:37.080 proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:44.720 So three things we're going to look at this morning about the kingdom of God, 00:13:44.800 --> 00:13:48.460 about God's plan to put things right. 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:53.280 First, the beauty of the kingdom. 00:13:53.280 --> 00:13:59.160 God's kingdom is all about God coming to establish his rule, 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:04.160 a rule that is beautiful and good for his people. 00:14:04.280 --> 00:14:06.120 And it's seen in two ways. 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:08.300 First, in reversing the curse. 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:11.820 Let's have a look at chapter 9, verse 1. 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:15.620 When Jesus had called the twelve together, 00:14:16.660 --> 00:14:20.280 he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons, 00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:21.840 to cure diseases, 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:26.700 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God 00:14:26.700 --> 00:14:28.940 and to heal the sick. 00:14:30.020 --> 00:14:31.400 Down at verse 6. 00:14:32.140 --> 00:14:35.320 So they set out and he went from village to village, 00:14:35.920 --> 00:14:40.100 preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:43.960 Now, preaching the kingdom, 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:46.159 we get that phrase in verse 2. 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:48.659 And then if you notice in verse 6, 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:50.300 we get a different phrase that says, 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.399 preaching the gospel. 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:56.060 Now, preaching the kingdom and preaching the gospel 00:14:56.060 --> 00:14:58.620 are not two different things. 00:14:59.180 --> 00:15:01.100 They are the same message. 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:05.960 It's the good news that God has not ignored this world, 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:08.639 that he's not given up on its people. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:11.279 In fact, his heart breaks for the people 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:13.080 and he longs to put it right. 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:15.819 But at this stage, 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:16.960 we've got to remember 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:19.559 where we are in the order of things. 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:22.840 Jesus has not yet died on the cross. 00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:24.659 We're going to get to that in a minute. 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:28.639 So when the disciples go out to preach the kingdom 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:30.759 or preach the good news, 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:33.519 it's a partial message. 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:36.360 It's not the full message about 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:38.059 turn to Jesus and repent 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:39.500 because he died for you on the cross. 00:15:39.579 --> 00:15:40.740 That hasn't happened yet. 00:15:41.579 --> 00:15:44.259 So they're preaching the good news of the kingdom, 00:15:45.059 --> 00:15:47.100 a message that God is coming 00:15:47.100 --> 00:15:49.379 to put the world right. 00:15:50.319 --> 00:15:53.139 And God is going to establish his rule. 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:56.079 This was a promise that God had made 00:15:56.079 --> 00:15:57.779 throughout the story of the Bible. 00:15:57.779 --> 00:16:02.980 The prophet Isaiah spoke about what God would do. 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:05.259 On this mountain, 00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:06.980 this comes from Isaiah 25, 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.559 on this mountain, 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.860 he will destroy the shroud 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:13.299 that enfolds all people. 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:13.720 Literally, 00:16:14.079 --> 00:16:15.839 he will destroy the curse 00:16:15.839 --> 00:16:18.179 upon all peoples. 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:19.419 The sheet, 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:21.959 the curse that covers all nations. 00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:24.939 He will swallow up death forever. 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:27.760 The sovereign Lord will wipe away 00:16:27.760 --> 00:16:29.820 the tears from all faces. 00:16:30.640 --> 00:16:32.400 It's a beautiful picture 00:16:32.400 --> 00:16:35.100 of the curse being reversed, 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:39.360 of establishing a kingdom of beauty. 00:16:40.520 --> 00:16:42.880 So as Jesus sends his disciples, 00:16:43.260 --> 00:16:45.240 they are proclaiming the kingdom, 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:47.560 they are preaching the good news 00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:51.080 that God is coming to put things right 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:53.000 and to demonstrate, 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:55.700 to prove that God will do 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:56.879 what he had promised. 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:59.879 They drive out the demons, 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.960 they heal the sick, 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:04.000 and they cure diseases. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:06.480 And as they do this, 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:08.400 in some ways it's a picture 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:10.619 of the curse being broken, 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:13.119 of the curse being reversed. 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:17.000 God coming to establish his kingdom, 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.680 a kingdom where there will be 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.720 no more evil, 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:21.600 no more sickness, 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:25.240 a kingdom of beauty. 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:29.680 But not only is he going to remove the curse, 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:35.720 but they will enjoy God's blessing. 00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:40.019 As the crowds began to follow Jesus 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.960 and the disciples, 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:42.700 have a look at verse 11, 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:45.799 halfway down into verse 11. 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:48.379 We're told that, 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:50.440 as the crowds came and followed him, 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:52.019 he welcomed them 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:53.919 and spoke to them 00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:55.539 about the kingdom of God 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:58.339 and healed those who needed healing. 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:01.099 But there's another problem. 00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:02.480 Something else arises, 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:03.259 verse 12. 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:04.899 Late in the afternoon, 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:07.519 so after Jesus had finished his speaking, 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:09.579 the twelve came to him and said, 00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:11.079 send the crowd away 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:13.339 so that they can go to the surrounding villages 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.119 and countryside 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:16.179 and find food and lodging 00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:18.720 because we're in a remote place here. 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:21.699 There's no Lidl's or Aldi's out here. 00:18:21.959 --> 00:18:23.159 We can't buy anything. 00:18:23.699 --> 00:18:26.319 Go away and find some food somewhere else. 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.959 Lots of people 00:18:28.959 --> 00:18:31.039 and no food. 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:33.399 Verse 14 tells us 00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:35.399 that there were about 5,000 men, 00:18:35.959 --> 00:18:38.019 not counting women and children. 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:40.980 So there's a huge number of people gathered. 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:43.980 But for Jesus, 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.860 this becomes an opportunity 00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:48.460 to teach the crowd 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:50.940 about what the kingdom of God is like. 00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:53.240 The miracle that follows 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:57.140 points to what God's kingdom is like. 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.799 Verse 16. 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:02.839 Taking the five loaves and the two fish 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:04.440 and looking up to heaven, 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:06.140 he gave thanks and broke them. 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:08.519 Then he gave them to his disciples 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.920 to set before the people. 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:12.700 They all ate and were satisfied 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:14.220 and the disciples picked up 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:16.440 twelve basketfuls of broken pieces 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.860 that were left over. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:22.259 There is an abundance of food here. 00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:24.920 Verse 17 tells us 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:27.720 that everyone is satisfied. 00:19:28.860 --> 00:19:30.019 They're all sitting down, 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:31.360 lying down on the grass, 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:33.019 holding their big bellies. 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:34.340 They've had enough, 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.580 more than enough, 00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:37.300 seconds and thirds. 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.079 In fact, 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:39.659 there's so much food, 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:42.940 there are twelve basketfuls left over. 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:48.579 Now, food and feasting 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:50.740 are used throughout the Bible 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:52.599 to describe the blessing 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:54.359 of God's kingdom. 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.539 A kingdom where people 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:58.240 are truly fulfilled 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.619 and satisfied, 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:01.440 not just in the physical sense, 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:03.019 but spiritually. 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:06.299 God had promised through Isaiah, 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:09.220 the same chapter in Isaiah, 00:20:09.379 --> 00:20:10.160 God said this, 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.299 on this mountain, 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:12.960 the Lord Almighty 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.440 will prepare a feast 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.519 of rich food 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.740 for all peoples, 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:19.259 a banquet of aged wine, 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.980 the best of meats 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.639 and the finest of wines. 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:26.060 And here we have Jesus 00:20:26.060 --> 00:20:28.040 welcoming the crowds, 00:20:28.520 --> 00:20:29.640 calling the people 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.620 to himself. 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:32.880 Okay, they don't have 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:33.740 meat and wine, 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:36.180 they've got bread and fish, 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.940 but I still think 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.759 we get the point, 00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:40.280 don't we? 00:20:40.560 --> 00:20:42.780 They're all feasting together. 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:45.520 There is an abundance of food. 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.480 It's overflowing. 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:50.640 And as they eat, 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.759 they are satisfied 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:54.720 because in the kingdom of God, 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:57.079 we are truly filled 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:58.720 and satisfied. 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:01.000 In God's kingdom, 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:03.000 we are blessed. 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:05.220 This is the beauty 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.839 of the kingdom. 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:09.700 So God has come 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:12.980 to put all things right. 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:15.099 He has come to establish 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.059 his kingdom, 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:17.639 to bring his rule, 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:19.379 a kingdom where the curse 00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:21.440 is going to be removed 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:24.000 and in place of that, 00:21:24.159 --> 00:21:24.960 the blessings 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.839 are going to flow. 00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:29.759 So, 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:32.480 the kingdom of beauty. 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.460 Second, 00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:35.339 the suffering 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:37.119 of the king. 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:40.839 As God had promised 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:42.879 to establish his kingdom, 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.899 he had also promised 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:46.840 a king who would rule 00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:47.720 over that kingdom. 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:49.960 We see this 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:52.140 in verses 18 to 20. 00:21:53.340 --> 00:21:54.820 Let's read verse 18. 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.320 Once when Jesus 00:21:56.320 --> 00:21:57.759 was praying in private 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.460 and his disciples 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.100 were with him, 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.800 he asked them, 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:02.519 who do the crowds 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.759 say I am? 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.759 You remember that 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:08.080 back in verses 00:22:08.080 --> 00:22:09.500 seven and eight, 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:11.640 Herod was also asking 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.600 the same question 00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:14.140 as news was filtering back. 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:15.259 And verse 9, 00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:16.000 he's asking, 00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:17.660 who is this 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:19.240 that I hear 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.300 such things about? 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.580 And so Jesus 00:22:22.580 --> 00:22:24.080 is asking the crowd, 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:24.340 well, 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.440 who do people 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.180 say I am? 00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:26.980 Verse 19, 00:22:27.060 --> 00:22:27.560 they replied, 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:28.020 well, 00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:29.300 some say John the Baptist, 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.440 others say Elijah. 00:22:31.280 --> 00:22:31.960 Still others, 00:22:32.080 --> 00:22:33.000 that one of the prophets 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.759 of long ago 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.920 has come back to life. 00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:36.520 These were the rumours 00:22:36.520 --> 00:22:37.420 that were spreading 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:38.200 about Jesus. 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:41.460 But he's not interested 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.720 in what other people think. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.360 he wants to know, 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.839 what do you think? 00:22:46.120 --> 00:22:47.400 What about you? 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:48.440 He asked. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:51.339 Who do you say I am? 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:54.019 Peter answered, 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:57.220 the Christ of God. 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:01.299 Jesus is the Christ, 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:03.579 or some of your translations 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:05.000 might have the Messiah. 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:07.039 Christ and Messiah 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.140 mean the same thing. 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:10.180 It means the anointed one. 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:12.720 So in the Old Testament, 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.520 kings were anointed 00:23:14.520 --> 00:23:16.440 as a means of setting them apart 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.860 for a particular task 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:18.920 of ruling. 00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:21.740 But God had always promised 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:23.120 that he was going to send 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:25.340 his anointed one. 00:23:25.540 --> 00:23:27.340 He would send the Christ, 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.560 the Messiah, 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:30.460 the true and ultimate king. 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:33.980 So when the birth of Jesus 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.660 was announced, 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:36.319 remember what the angel said? 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.440 You can have a look back. 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:40.240 Chapter 1, verse 32. 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:44.079 Chapter 1, verse 32. 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:47.360 This is what the angel said 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:50.259 as Jesus was being announced 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.700 that he would be born. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:54.940 He will be great 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.779 and we be called 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:57.660 the Son of the Most High, 00:23:57.740 --> 00:24:00.299 a title reserved for God alone. 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.680 The Lord God will give him 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:03.519 the throne of his father David 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:05.019 and he will reign 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:07.140 over the house of Jacob forever. 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:10.180 His kingdom will never end. 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:14.120 Jesus is God's king. 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:17.519 And Jesus has proved 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.580 to be God's king 00:24:18.580 --> 00:24:20.059 by what he has been doing. 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:22.679 If we go back to chapter 9, verse 1, 00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:25.019 we read that when Jesus 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.639 called the twelve together, 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:28.940 he gave them power 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.960 and authority 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.379 to drive out the demons 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:32.720 and to cure diseases. 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:34.359 Not only did Jesus 00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:35.639 calm the storms, 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.879 destroy demons, 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:37.899 heal the sick 00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:38.819 and raise the dead, 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:40.740 but now he gives power 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.539 and authority 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:43.419 to his chosen disciples, 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.480 his apostles, 00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:45.839 to go and do the same. 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:51.899 Now, it's not every day 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:53.099 that we meet someone 00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:55.079 who claims to be God's king. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:58.019 But Jesus does. 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:00.500 And when Peter announces 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.940 that Jesus, 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.940 well, you are the Christ, 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:06.519 Jesus doesn't back off 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.440 and reject the title 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:07.700 and go, 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.440 oh, no, no, no, 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:09.359 that's not for me. 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:12.119 He welcomes the title. 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:15.479 Now, some people 00:25:15.479 --> 00:25:16.439 don't like to think 00:25:16.439 --> 00:25:17.679 of Jesus in this way. 00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:20.239 They like to think 00:25:20.239 --> 00:25:20.959 of him rather 00:25:20.959 --> 00:25:22.259 as just a good man 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:24.079 or a great teacher. 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:26.559 It's easier to handle. 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:30.559 But if we are unconvinced 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:32.459 as to who Jesus is, 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.459 listen to this comment 00:25:34.459 --> 00:25:36.219 from the author 00:25:36.219 --> 00:25:37.119 C.S. Lewis. 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:39.299 It's a well-known quote. 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:40.960 You may have heard it before. 00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:44.579 A man who was merely a man 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:46.000 and said the sort of things 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.940 Jesus said 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:48.980 would not be a great 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.940 moral teacher. 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:53.079 He would either be a lunatic 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.579 on a level with the man 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:56.139 who says he is a poached egg 00:25:56.139 --> 00:25:58.240 or else he would be 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.259 the devil of hell. 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:02.019 You must make your choice. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.299 Either this man was 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:06.059 and is the son of God 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:07.980 or else a madman 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:09.079 or something worse. 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.839 You can shut him up 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.440 for a fool. 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.680 You can spit at him 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.839 and kill him as a demon 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:16.359 or you can fall at his feet 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:18.399 and call him Lord and God. 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:21.039 But let us not come 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:22.919 with any patronising nonsense 00:26:22.919 --> 00:26:24.059 about his being 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.359 a great human teacher. 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:28.799 He has not left that open to us. 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:31.460 He did not intend to. 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:34.940 Jesus is king 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:37.940 and we need to worship him 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:39.579 as king. 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:45.500 Sorry, I missed out part of the quote there for you. 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:49.579 Well, if Peter got Jesus' identity right, 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:54.180 then why did Jesus want to keep a lid on it? 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.620 If you look at verse 21. 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:58.019 So Peter has got Jesus right. 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:59.200 Yes, you're the Christ. 00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:01.720 And then Jesus responds, 00:27:01.840 --> 00:27:02.640 verse 21, 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.940 Jesus strictly warned them 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.759 not to tell this to anyone. 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.560 Why does he, 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:10.340 if he's wanting people 00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:11.360 to know who he is, 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:12.840 why is he on the other hand 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:13.400 telling people, 00:27:13.580 --> 00:27:14.519 don't tell everybody 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.500 that I'm the Christ. 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:16.920 Keep it quiet. 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:20.980 Well, you see, 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:22.340 as far as the disciples 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:23.240 were concerned, 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:26.200 the Christ was going to come 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:27.480 in military might. 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:29.800 Jesus was coming 00:27:29.800 --> 00:27:31.620 to fight off the enemies, 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.600 kick the Romans out 00:27:33.600 --> 00:27:34.840 and set up a kingdom 00:27:34.840 --> 00:27:36.600 for God's people 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:38.460 and just for the Jews. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:41.779 But Jesus was not coming 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:44.080 to start a military revolution. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:46.559 He was coming 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:48.319 to bring about redemption, 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:52.500 to welcome all kinds of people 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.879 because for Jesus, 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.740 the real enemy 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:57.179 was not Rome and the authorities, 00:27:58.039 --> 00:28:00.439 but sin and Satan. 00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:04.439 But perhaps even more shocking 00:28:04.439 --> 00:28:07.139 was the way in which Jesus 00:28:07.139 --> 00:28:08.480 would bring redemption, 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.460 verse 22. 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.740 Then he said, 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:13.859 the Son of Man. 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:14.420 Now, 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.220 Son of Man, 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.160 there is again 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:17.039 another title. 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.839 It comes from Daniel 7 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:19.599 and it's one 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.880 who comes with 00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:22.120 absolute power 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:23.880 and supreme authority. 00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:26.380 So Jesus is saying, 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:28.660 me with all power 00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:29.759 and all authority 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:33.220 must suffer many things 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:35.240 and be rejected 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:36.339 by the elders, 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.380 chief priests, 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.519 teachers of the law 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:41.380 and he must be killed. 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:43.660 And on the third day 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:45.759 be raised to life. 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:49.720 Now, there's a conflict there, 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.200 isn't there? 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:52.620 Kings don't get defeated. 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.880 They are victorious. 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:57.259 If you're in power, 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:59.000 you don't suffer and die. 00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:00.759 You fight with power 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:02.140 and you kill your enemies. 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.799 So what's going on? 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:08.380 Well, Jesus is pointing us 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:10.279 ultimately towards his death. 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.879 You see, 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:14.039 it's through the death of Jesus 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:16.319 that we get to enter 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.599 God's kingdom. 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:21.220 As Jesus would die on the cross, 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:23.579 as he is hanging there on the cross, 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:26.339 he is taking the curse for us 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:29.879 so that we might receive the blessings. 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:32.839 Because people like you and I 00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:34.539 have rejected God as king, 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:36.759 we deserve the curse of God. 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:39.420 We deserve to be kept out of his kingdom. 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:41.240 We deserve to die. 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.519 But in love, 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.599 Jesus comes 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:46.599 and he takes the curse 00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.740 for us. 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:50.059 And in its place, 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:53.379 the blessings will flow to us. 00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.359 You see, 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:57.379 if Jesus does not die, 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:59.940 then we are left under the curse. 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:01.180 We are without blessing. 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:04.340 If Jesus does not suffer for us, 00:30:05.140 --> 00:30:06.460 then we can never know 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:08.580 and experience the kingdom of God. 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:10.900 There is no other way. 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:12.880 Jesus must suffer. 00:30:13.360 --> 00:30:15.299 Jesus must die. 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:18.960 But the disciples haven't grasped it. 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:21.160 They can't get their head around it. 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:22.120 So he tells them, 00:30:22.580 --> 00:30:23.600 don't tell anyone. 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:26.900 They must first understand 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:28.840 that Jesus must die. 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:32.399 That's why he says in verse 27, 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.839 I tell you the truth, 00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:37.519 some who are standing here 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:39.579 will not taste death 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:41.720 before they see the kingdom of God. 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:45.220 As the crowds were listening, 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.879 as the disciples were listening, 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:48.939 Jesus was saying, 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.220 look, 00:30:50.159 --> 00:30:51.220 when I die 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:53.919 and as I rise from the dead, 00:30:54.399 --> 00:30:56.059 the way will be opened 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:57.819 into the kingdom of God 00:30:57.819 --> 00:31:00.279 and all who come to me 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:01.539 will experience, 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:02.879 they will taste 00:31:02.879 --> 00:31:04.480 and they will see 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.579 and know 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:07.779 the kingdom of God. 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:12.339 So first, 00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:14.879 we have the beauty of the kingdom. 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.359 Second, 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:17.700 the suffering of the king. 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:20.460 And then third, 00:31:21.159 --> 00:31:23.299 the people of the king. 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:26.079 Look, 00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:28.579 if God has given to us 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:30.759 the beauty of his kingdom, 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:34.059 if he has given to us 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.619 a king 00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:37.779 who gives his life for us 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:39.759 so that we can experience 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.519 this kingdom, 00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:43.720 then there is only one way 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:45.680 that we are to live 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.879 in God's kingdom. 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:49.260 first, 00:31:49.800 --> 00:31:51.880 we must put self 00:31:51.880 --> 00:31:53.380 to death. 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:55.540 Look at verse 23. 00:31:59.340 --> 00:32:01.560 Then Jesus said to them all, 00:32:02.820 --> 00:32:05.280 if anyone would come after me, 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:08.300 he must deny himself. 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:11.660 He must deny himself. 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:14.779 To deny ourself 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.620 does not mean 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.880 we must give up 00:32:16.880 --> 00:32:17.820 nice food, 00:32:19.040 --> 00:32:20.060 downgrade the house 00:32:20.060 --> 00:32:20.900 that we live in, 00:32:21.100 --> 00:32:21.880 stop enjoying 00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:23.040 the pleasures of life. 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:24.519 No, 00:32:24.580 --> 00:32:25.540 it's not about 00:32:25.540 --> 00:32:27.320 abstaining from luxuries. 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.900 It's much deeper 00:32:28.900 --> 00:32:30.120 and more radical 00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:30.759 than that. 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:33.259 Here's a quote 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:33.880 on the screen. 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.620 I think it's all 00:32:34.620 --> 00:32:36.259 on one page here. 00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:37.300 You can follow along. 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:38.120 John Stott 00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:40.279 put it like this. 00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:43.059 To deny ourselves 00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:44.939 is to behave 00:32:44.939 --> 00:32:46.179 towards ourselves 00:32:46.179 --> 00:32:47.239 as Peter did 00:32:47.239 --> 00:32:48.279 towards Jesus 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.839 when he denied him 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:50.779 three times. 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:54.159 Peter disowned 00:32:54.159 --> 00:32:55.039 Jesus, 00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:58.079 repudiated Jesus, 00:32:58.959 --> 00:32:59.939 turned his back 00:32:59.939 --> 00:33:00.839 on Jesus. 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:03.359 So self-denial 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:05.259 is actually denying 00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:06.559 or disowning 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.299 ourselves, 00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:08.500 renouncing 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:09.539 our supposed 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.099 right 00:33:10.099 --> 00:33:11.599 to go 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.419 our own 00:33:12.419 --> 00:33:12.980 way. 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.579 You see, 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.680 I want to go 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:18.399 my own way. 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.720 I don't like 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.500 to do things 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.399 that get in the way 00:33:22.399 --> 00:33:23.460 of my plans, 00:33:23.659 --> 00:33:24.519 my desires, 00:33:25.159 --> 00:33:26.039 my ambitions. 00:33:27.359 --> 00:33:28.419 But there's no 00:33:28.419 --> 00:33:29.519 place for this 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.319 kind of living 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:31.539 in the kingdom 00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.159 of God. 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:33.980 We need to put 00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:34.799 that attitude 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.859 to death. 00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:37.079 Look at verse 00:33:37.079 --> 00:33:38.039 23 again. 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.240 Jesus said to 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:39.699 all of them, 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.279 if anyone 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:41.000 must come 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:41.879 after me, 00:33:42.619 --> 00:33:43.319 he must 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:44.679 deny himself 00:33:44.679 --> 00:33:46.159 and 00:33:46.159 --> 00:33:47.439 take up 00:33:47.439 --> 00:33:47.960 his cross 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.460 daily 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.759 and follow 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.119 me. 00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:53.159 To take up 00:33:53.159 --> 00:33:53.759 the cross 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:54.559 is that picture 00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:55.139 of literally 00:33:55.139 --> 00:33:55.879 taking on 00:33:55.879 --> 00:33:56.579 your back 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.559 that wooden 00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:58.099 beam 00:33:58.099 --> 00:34:00.139 that Jesus 00:34:00.139 --> 00:34:01.079 carried as he 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:01.619 walked through 00:34:01.619 --> 00:34:02.240 the streets. 00:34:02.639 --> 00:34:03.199 The cross 00:34:03.199 --> 00:34:03.639 is where 00:34:03.639 --> 00:34:04.639 executions 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:05.560 take place. 00:34:06.100 --> 00:34:06.660 It's where 00:34:06.660 --> 00:34:07.300 people are 00:34:07.300 --> 00:34:08.240 put to death. 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.260 It's bloody 00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:09.800 and it's 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.240 violent. 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:12.160 And Jesus 00:34:12.160 --> 00:34:12.700 is saying 00:34:12.700 --> 00:34:13.340 this is what 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.300 we must do 00:34:14.300 --> 00:34:15.039 on a daily 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:15.559 basis. 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.840 We must put 00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:17.980 self to 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.640 death 00:34:18.640 --> 00:34:20.800 just as 00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:21.720 Christ must 00:34:21.720 --> 00:34:22.280 be killed. 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.880 So we 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:25.300 must crucify 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:26.420 our me 00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:27.579 centredness. 00:34:28.200 --> 00:34:28.559 Nail 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:29.160 ourselves 00:34:29.160 --> 00:34:29.820 to that 00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:30.300 cross. 00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:34.880 when I'm 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:35.440 asked to 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:35.980 serve or 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.560 to help 00:34:36.560 --> 00:34:39.500 there's no 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.160 problem in 00:34:40.160 --> 00:34:40.900 giving reasons 00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:41.480 as to why 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.140 I can't. 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:44.380 My favourite 00:34:44.380 --> 00:34:45.260 TV programme 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:45.840 is on 00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:46.400 tonight. 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:48.940 Well, 00:34:49.100 --> 00:34:49.560 I've just 00:34:49.560 --> 00:34:50.039 had a very 00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:50.700 busy day 00:34:50.700 --> 00:34:51.220 and I just 00:34:51.220 --> 00:34:51.640 want to 00:34:51.640 --> 00:34:52.360 sit down. 00:34:54.220 --> 00:34:54.960 I've got 00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:55.700 things to 00:34:55.700 --> 00:34:56.280 sort out 00:34:56.280 --> 00:34:56.780 at home. 00:34:58.640 --> 00:34:59.080 Well, 00:34:59.120 --> 00:34:59.400 if you 00:34:59.400 --> 00:34:59.860 really knew 00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:00.200 what my 00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:00.660 life is 00:35:00.660 --> 00:35:00.920 like, 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.260 it is 00:35:01.260 --> 00:35:01.440 just 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:01.920 full of 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:02.280 serving. 00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:03.539 I deserve 00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:04.099 a break. 00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:07.260 But the 00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:07.880 problem is 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:08.700 it's all 00:35:08.700 --> 00:35:10.220 me and 00:35:10.220 --> 00:35:10.500 I. 00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:11.720 It's all 00:35:11.720 --> 00:35:12.420 about my 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:13.300 comfort and 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:14.099 what I 00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:14.900 want. 00:35:16.240 --> 00:35:16.800 Well, 00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:17.360 in the 00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:18.220 kingdom of 00:35:18.220 --> 00:35:18.640 God, 00:35:18.700 --> 00:35:19.120 we need 00:35:19.120 --> 00:35:20.000 to continually 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:20.800 repent 00:35:20.800 --> 00:35:22.480 and put 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.019 ourselves 00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:23.880 to death. 00:35:26.700 --> 00:35:27.240 Dietrich 00:35:27.240 --> 00:35:28.019 Bonhoeffer 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:29.260 wrote a 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:29.780 book called 00:35:29.780 --> 00:35:30.220 The Cost 00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:30.380 of 00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:31.140 Discipleship. 00:35:31.240 --> 00:35:31.620 He was 00:35:31.620 --> 00:35:32.400 a German 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:32.980 pastor, 00:35:33.700 --> 00:35:34.180 ended up 00:35:34.180 --> 00:35:34.440 in the 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:34.940 concentration 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.780 camps where 00:35:35.780 --> 00:35:36.320 he died. 00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:38.060 And his 00:35:38.060 --> 00:35:38.400 book, 00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:39.460 The Cost 00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:40.440 of Discipleship, 00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:41.880 says this. 00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.300 It really 00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:44.160 sums up the 00:35:44.160 --> 00:35:44.760 whole theme 00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:45.300 of the book. 00:35:46.080 --> 00:35:46.620 He says, 00:35:46.700 --> 00:35:47.280 the cross 00:35:47.280 --> 00:35:48.080 is laid 00:35:48.080 --> 00:35:48.940 on every 00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:49.460 Christian. 00:35:50.740 --> 00:35:51.500 As we 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:52.400 embark upon 00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:53.420 discipleship, 00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:55.019 we surrender 00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:55.920 ourselves to 00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:57.280 Christ in 00:35:57.280 --> 00:35:58.160 union with 00:35:58.160 --> 00:35:58.940 his death. 00:36:00.060 --> 00:36:01.180 We give 00:36:01.180 --> 00:36:01.820 over our 00:36:01.820 --> 00:36:02.780 lives to 00:36:02.780 --> 00:36:03.260 death. 00:36:04.700 --> 00:36:05.760 When Christ 00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:06.519 calls a 00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:08.019 man, he 00:36:08.019 --> 00:36:08.740 bids him 00:36:08.740 --> 00:36:10.600 come and 00:36:10.600 --> 00:36:10.880 die. 00:36:12.560 --> 00:36:13.880 When Christ 00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:14.600 calls a 00:36:14.600 --> 00:36:16.260 man, he 00:36:16.260 --> 00:36:16.880 bids him 00:36:16.880 --> 00:36:18.620 come and 00:36:18.620 --> 00:36:18.940 die. 00:36:21.380 --> 00:36:22.800 Second, not 00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:23.320 only to 00:36:23.320 --> 00:36:24.060 put ourselves 00:36:24.060 --> 00:36:24.800 to death. 00:36:26.600 --> 00:36:27.460 If we do 00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:28.060 that, we 00:36:28.060 --> 00:36:28.680 are then to 00:36:28.680 --> 00:36:29.720 live for 00:36:29.720 --> 00:36:30.539 Christ. 00:36:31.200 --> 00:36:31.700 Look at 00:36:31.700 --> 00:36:32.680 verse 26. 00:36:34.740 --> 00:36:35.260 Jesus 00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:35.640 says, 00:36:35.720 --> 00:36:36.420 if anyone is 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:37.120 ashamed of 00:36:37.120 --> 00:36:38.460 me and 00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:39.440 my words, 00:36:40.640 --> 00:36:41.160 the Son 00:36:41.160 --> 00:36:41.560 of Man 00:36:41.560 --> 00:36:41.920 will be 00:36:41.920 --> 00:36:42.620 ashamed of 00:36:42.620 --> 00:36:43.140 him when 00:36:43.140 --> 00:36:43.840 he comes in 00:36:43.840 --> 00:36:44.720 his glory 00:36:44.720 --> 00:36:46.080 and in the 00:36:46.080 --> 00:36:46.780 glory of the 00:36:46.780 --> 00:36:47.360 Father and 00:36:47.360 --> 00:36:47.740 of the 00:36:47.740 --> 00:36:48.560 holy angels. 00:36:48.559 --> 00:36:50.840 it's a 00:36:50.840 --> 00:36:51.440 call to 00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:51.880 live for 00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.480 the glory 00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:53.159 of Christ. 00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:54.920 You see, 00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:55.519 most of the 00:36:55.519 --> 00:36:56.440 time, I 00:36:56.440 --> 00:36:56.860 want to 00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:57.179 live for 00:36:57.179 --> 00:36:57.639 the glory 00:36:57.639 --> 00:36:58.239 of Johnny. 00:36:59.179 --> 00:37:00.000 I decide 00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:00.380 what I 00:37:00.380 --> 00:37:00.719 want to 00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:00.920 do on 00:37:00.920 --> 00:37:01.320 the basis 00:37:01.320 --> 00:37:02.059 of, well, 00:37:02.119 --> 00:37:02.460 does it 00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:03.460 promote me? 00:37:05.340 --> 00:37:06.320 Will how I 00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:07.219 spend my 00:37:07.219 --> 00:37:07.900 time and 00:37:07.900 --> 00:37:08.519 use my 00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:09.360 money, will 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:10.320 it benefit 00:37:10.320 --> 00:37:10.960 me? 00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:12.840 Is it 00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:13.179 going to 00:37:13.179 --> 00:37:13.860 bring more 00:37:13.860 --> 00:37:14.699 happiness and 00:37:14.699 --> 00:37:15.539 bring more 00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:16.460 comfort to 00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:17.279 my life? 00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:20.900 But if 00:37:20.900 --> 00:37:21.619 self has 00:37:21.619 --> 00:37:22.139 been put 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:22.779 to death, 00:37:23.179 --> 00:37:24.559 if Johnny 00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:25.159 has been 00:37:25.159 --> 00:37:25.779 nailed to 00:37:25.779 --> 00:37:26.440 the cross, 00:37:27.519 --> 00:37:28.019 then there 00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:28.440 is no 00:37:28.440 --> 00:37:29.860 longer any 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:30.980 I or 00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:31.920 me, all 00:37:31.920 --> 00:37:32.259 that is 00:37:32.259 --> 00:37:32.739 left is 00:37:32.739 --> 00:37:33.239 Christ. 00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:36.179 You see, 00:37:36.259 --> 00:37:36.659 to follow 00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:37.380 Christ as 00:37:37.380 --> 00:37:38.259 king means 00:37:38.259 --> 00:37:39.219 I want to 00:37:39.219 --> 00:37:39.759 seek his 00:37:39.759 --> 00:37:40.659 desires and 00:37:40.659 --> 00:37:41.759 serve his 00:37:41.759 --> 00:37:42.519 priorities. 00:37:43.799 --> 00:37:44.079 In 00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:44.799 summary, it's 00:37:44.799 --> 00:37:45.500 living for 00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:46.400 his kingdom, 00:37:47.139 --> 00:37:48.500 not Johnny's 00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:48.800 kingdom. 00:37:51.800 --> 00:37:53.000 Three things, 00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:54.800 very simply, 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.619 that will help 00:37:55.619 --> 00:37:56.780 us to 00:37:56.780 --> 00:37:57.619 live for the 00:37:57.619 --> 00:37:58.300 glory of 00:37:58.300 --> 00:37:58.760 Christ. 00:37:59.780 --> 00:38:00.380 Here's the 00:38:00.380 --> 00:38:00.940 first one. 00:38:02.119 --> 00:38:02.840 Pray for the 00:38:02.840 --> 00:38:04.659 expansion of 00:38:04.659 --> 00:38:05.360 God's kingdom. 00:38:06.820 --> 00:38:07.840 Pray that 00:38:07.840 --> 00:38:08.780 the good news 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:09.480 of God's 00:38:09.480 --> 00:38:09.920 kingdom, 00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:11.699 that his 00:38:11.699 --> 00:38:12.460 kingdom will 00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:13.199 be proclaimed 00:38:13.199 --> 00:38:14.599 to all 00:38:14.599 --> 00:38:16.000 people in 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:17.280 all places, 00:38:17.699 --> 00:38:19.579 starting with 00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:20.059 those you 00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:20.619 live with 00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:21.559 and work 00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:21.900 with. 00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:23.579 That they 00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:24.659 may hear the 00:38:24.659 --> 00:38:25.480 good news 00:38:25.480 --> 00:38:26.119 that God 00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:26.699 has not 00:38:26.699 --> 00:38:27.280 given up, 00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:28.320 he will put 00:38:28.320 --> 00:38:29.079 things right, 00:38:29.300 --> 00:38:30.019 and he has 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:30.559 put his 00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:31.099 king in 00:38:31.099 --> 00:38:31.519 place, 00:38:31.800 --> 00:38:32.820 a king who 00:38:32.820 --> 00:38:33.579 has died 00:38:33.579 --> 00:38:34.380 for us, 00:38:34.380 --> 00:38:36.159 so that we 00:38:36.159 --> 00:38:37.159 might experience 00:38:37.159 --> 00:38:37.800 his kingdom. 00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:39.880 Pray for the 00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:40.840 expansion of 00:38:40.840 --> 00:38:41.619 God's kingdom 00:38:41.619 --> 00:38:42.940 across this 00:38:42.940 --> 00:38:43.980 land and 00:38:43.980 --> 00:38:44.820 across this 00:38:44.820 --> 00:38:45.179 world. 00:38:48.800 --> 00:38:49.599 Here's the 00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:49.920 second. 00:38:51.639 --> 00:38:52.639 Give of 00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:53.619 your financial 00:38:53.619 --> 00:38:55.440 and material 00:38:55.440 --> 00:38:57.340 resources to 00:38:57.340 --> 00:38:58.280 God's kingdom. 00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:01.539 Give not 00:39:01.539 --> 00:39:02.380 what is left 00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:03.320 after you 00:39:03.320 --> 00:39:03.880 have taken 00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:04.460 what you 00:39:04.460 --> 00:39:05.019 want and 00:39:05.019 --> 00:39:05.420 what you 00:39:05.420 --> 00:39:05.860 want to 00:39:05.860 --> 00:39:06.199 do with 00:39:06.199 --> 00:39:06.440 it, 00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:08.079 but give 00:39:08.079 --> 00:39:09.260 sacrificially 00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:09.860 at cost 00:39:09.860 --> 00:39:10.619 to self. 00:39:10.619 --> 00:39:13.759 A little 00:39:13.759 --> 00:39:14.519 person just 00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.119 asked me 00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:15.920 just now, 00:39:16.799 --> 00:39:17.420 they said, 00:39:17.699 --> 00:39:18.359 why does 00:39:18.359 --> 00:39:19.000 Jesus get 00:39:19.000 --> 00:39:19.319 all the 00:39:19.319 --> 00:39:19.599 money? 00:39:20.019 --> 00:39:20.599 He's referring 00:39:20.599 --> 00:39:21.139 to the 00:39:21.139 --> 00:39:21.819 collection. 00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:22.920 Great 00:39:22.920 --> 00:39:23.400 question. 00:39:24.679 --> 00:39:25.019 And I 00:39:25.019 --> 00:39:25.539 just simply 00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:25.859 said, 00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:26.199 well, 00:39:26.279 --> 00:39:26.839 it's to 00:39:26.839 --> 00:39:28.339 help people 00:39:28.339 --> 00:39:29.559 hear about 00:39:29.559 --> 00:39:29.960 Jesus, 00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:31.279 to support 00:39:31.279 --> 00:39:32.000 people who 00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:32.799 are telling 00:39:32.799 --> 00:39:34.019 others about 00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:34.480 Jesus, 00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:36.019 to see the 00:39:36.019 --> 00:39:36.559 kingdom of 00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:37.940 God grow. 00:39:37.940 --> 00:39:40.480 God has 00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:41.360 blessed you 00:39:41.360 --> 00:39:42.159 if you are 00:39:42.159 --> 00:39:43.880 working with 00:39:43.880 --> 00:39:44.500 the resources 00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:45.000 that you 00:39:45.000 --> 00:39:45.440 have. 00:39:46.340 --> 00:39:47.119 But if you 00:39:47.119 --> 00:39:47.800 are in God's 00:39:47.800 --> 00:39:48.099 kingdom, 00:39:48.240 --> 00:39:48.700 they are a 00:39:48.700 --> 00:39:50.240 gift to be 00:39:50.240 --> 00:39:50.940 good stewards, 00:39:51.119 --> 00:39:52.500 to use for 00:39:52.500 --> 00:39:53.559 his purposes. 00:39:55.519 --> 00:39:56.420 And third, 00:39:56.559 --> 00:39:57.360 let's live our 00:39:57.360 --> 00:39:58.840 life for God's 00:39:58.840 --> 00:39:59.139 kingdom. 00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:00.840 You know, 00:40:00.860 --> 00:40:01.519 everything that 00:40:01.519 --> 00:40:02.240 we have, 00:40:03.019 --> 00:40:03.679 everything that 00:40:03.679 --> 00:40:04.300 we hold dear, 00:40:04.360 --> 00:40:05.099 the things that 00:40:05.099 --> 00:40:06.240 are most precious 00:40:06.240 --> 00:40:06.920 to us, 00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:07.840 even the 00:40:07.840 --> 00:40:08.639 people that 00:40:08.639 --> 00:40:09.460 are dear to 00:40:09.460 --> 00:40:09.659 us, 00:40:09.880 --> 00:40:10.460 our loved 00:40:10.460 --> 00:40:10.720 ones, 00:40:10.800 --> 00:40:11.159 those that 00:40:11.159 --> 00:40:11.460 we are 00:40:11.460 --> 00:40:12.639 sitting beside 00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:13.280 this morning, 00:40:13.700 --> 00:40:14.480 it's all 00:40:14.480 --> 00:40:15.119 temporary. 00:40:16.960 --> 00:40:17.740 Nothing is 00:40:17.740 --> 00:40:18.300 going to 00:40:18.300 --> 00:40:18.800 last. 00:40:19.680 --> 00:40:20.400 The homes 00:40:20.400 --> 00:40:21.059 we live in, 00:40:21.320 --> 00:40:21.880 the cars 00:40:21.880 --> 00:40:22.519 we drive, 00:40:22.840 --> 00:40:23.380 the people 00:40:23.380 --> 00:40:23.960 we love, 00:40:25.480 --> 00:40:25.980 it'll all 00:40:25.980 --> 00:40:26.159 go. 00:40:28.159 --> 00:40:28.800 But the 00:40:28.800 --> 00:40:29.340 kingdom of 00:40:29.340 --> 00:40:29.760 God is 00:40:29.760 --> 00:40:30.180 eternal. 00:40:32.059 --> 00:40:32.619 The 00:40:32.619 --> 00:40:33.180 kingdom of 00:40:33.180 --> 00:40:33.599 God is 00:40:33.599 --> 00:40:34.019 eternal. 00:40:34.019 --> 00:40:36.019 God is 00:40:36.019 --> 00:40:36.519 so dedicate 00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:37.920 our life, 00:40:38.360 --> 00:40:39.340 commit your 00:40:39.340 --> 00:40:39.679 life, 00:40:40.119 --> 00:40:41.599 invest all 00:40:41.599 --> 00:40:42.159 that you 00:40:42.159 --> 00:40:44.059 are to 00:40:44.059 --> 00:40:44.480 what will 00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:45.099 last. 00:40:46.380 --> 00:40:47.159 Pray, 00:40:48.599 --> 00:40:49.300 give, 00:40:50.300 --> 00:40:51.519 and live. 00:40:53.119 --> 00:40:53.719 Why? 00:40:55.000 --> 00:40:55.639 Well, look at 00:40:55.639 --> 00:40:56.440 verse 24. 00:40:56.440 --> 00:41:00.700 For whoever 00:41:00.700 --> 00:41:01.679 wants to 00:41:01.679 --> 00:41:03.280 save their 00:41:03.280 --> 00:41:05.139 life will 00:41:05.139 --> 00:41:05.920 lose it. 00:41:07.539 --> 00:41:08.260 Whoever 00:41:08.260 --> 00:41:08.920 wants to 00:41:08.920 --> 00:41:09.720 save their 00:41:09.720 --> 00:41:10.360 life will 00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:11.039 lose it. 00:41:11.880 --> 00:41:12.700 But whoever 00:41:12.700 --> 00:41:13.840 loses his 00:41:13.840 --> 00:41:14.940 life for me 00:41:14.940 --> 00:41:16.200 will save 00:41:16.200 --> 00:41:16.500 it. 00:41:17.200 --> 00:41:17.900 What good 00:41:17.900 --> 00:41:18.440 is it 00:41:18.440 --> 00:41:20.619 for a man 00:41:20.619 --> 00:41:21.079 or woman 00:41:21.079 --> 00:41:21.820 to gain the 00:41:21.820 --> 00:41:22.559 whole world 00:41:22.559 --> 00:41:24.559 and yet lose 00:41:24.559 --> 00:41:25.360 or forfeit 00:41:25.360 --> 00:41:25.940 his very 00:41:25.940 --> 00:41:26.400 self. 00:41:28.599 --> 00:41:29.579 The beauty 00:41:29.579 --> 00:41:30.000 of the 00:41:30.000 --> 00:41:30.320 kingdom, 00:41:31.760 --> 00:41:32.840 the curse 00:41:32.840 --> 00:41:33.960 removed, 00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:35.539 the blessings 00:41:35.539 --> 00:41:36.380 flow, 00:41:37.660 --> 00:41:38.760 the suffering 00:41:38.760 --> 00:41:40.440 king who 00:41:40.440 --> 00:41:41.460 dies for you 00:41:41.460 --> 00:41:42.059 and for me 00:41:42.059 --> 00:41:42.599 and gives 00:41:42.599 --> 00:41:43.380 his life so 00:41:43.380 --> 00:41:43.720 that we 00:41:43.720 --> 00:41:44.480 might enter 00:41:44.480 --> 00:41:45.400 into his 00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:45.800 kingdom. 00:41:47.160 --> 00:41:47.940 He has 00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:48.420 given us 00:41:48.420 --> 00:41:49.059 all that we 00:41:49.059 --> 00:41:49.559 need so 00:41:49.559 --> 00:41:49.860 that we 00:41:49.860 --> 00:41:50.240 will be 00:41:50.240 --> 00:41:50.800 fulfilled 00:41:50.800 --> 00:41:51.720 and satisfied 00:41:51.720 --> 00:41:52.280 for an 00:41:52.280 --> 00:41:52.780 eternity. 00:41:55.360 --> 00:41:55.760 Our 00:41:55.760 --> 00:41:56.440 response, 00:41:58.120 --> 00:41:58.500 give your 00:41:58.500 --> 00:41:58.920 life, 00:41:59.360 --> 00:41:59.940 lose your 00:41:59.940 --> 00:42:01.720 life for 00:42:01.720 --> 00:42:02.320 that which 00:42:02.320 --> 00:42:02.940 will never 00:42:02.940 --> 00:42:03.900 be lost, 00:42:04.599 --> 00:42:05.039 the kingdom 00:42:05.039 --> 00:42:05.599 of God. 00:42:06.240 --> 00:42:06.940 Let's pray. 00:42:06.940 --> 00:42:15.980 as we 00:42:15.980 --> 00:42:16.280 pray, 00:42:16.420 --> 00:42:16.740 you might 00:42:16.740 --> 00:42:17.440 just look 00:42:17.440 --> 00:42:17.720 at the 00:42:17.720 --> 00:42:18.159 screen, 00:42:19.360 --> 00:42:19.960 those three 00:42:19.960 --> 00:42:20.460 statements 00:42:20.460 --> 00:42:21.000 that we 00:42:21.000 --> 00:42:21.760 finished with, 00:42:21.940 --> 00:42:22.260 pray, 00:42:23.780 --> 00:42:24.480 give, 00:42:25.480 --> 00:42:26.420 and live. 00:42:26.500 --> 00:42:27.019 Let's just 00:42:27.019 --> 00:42:27.460 have a 00:42:27.460 --> 00:42:28.400 moment's 00:42:28.400 --> 00:42:29.159 quietness 00:42:29.159 --> 00:42:31.840 to reflect 00:42:31.840 --> 00:42:32.720 and ask 00:42:32.720 --> 00:42:33.280 God that 00:42:33.280 --> 00:42:33.619 he would 00:42:33.619 --> 00:42:34.460 help us 00:42:34.460 --> 00:42:37.039 to live 00:42:37.039 --> 00:42:37.659 these things 00:42:37.659 --> 00:42:38.440 out in 00:42:38.440 --> 00:42:39.099 our lives 00:42:39.099 --> 00:42:40.279 if we're 00:42:40.279 --> 00:42:40.699 on our 00:42:40.699 --> 00:42:41.119 own, 00:42:42.719 --> 00:42:43.259 or if 00:42:43.259 --> 00:42:43.480 we're 00:42:43.480 --> 00:42:44.239 married here 00:42:44.239 --> 00:42:44.759 today, 00:42:45.819 --> 00:42:46.259 how we 00:42:46.259 --> 00:42:46.599 can do 00:42:46.599 --> 00:42:47.179 it together. 00:42:47.179 --> 00:42:47.599 Amen. 00:43:03.619 --> 00:43:21.880 the kingdom of God is the very best place to live 00:43:21.880 --> 00:43:25.500 because it is with the King, the Lord Jesus 00:43:25.500 --> 00:43:29.719 from whom all blessings flow 00:43:29.719 --> 00:43:34.599 thank you that through Christ 00:43:34.599 --> 00:43:40.679 we may enter your kingdom and experience life with you 00:43:40.679 --> 00:43:45.679 and look forward to the fullness of that kingdom when you return 00:43:45.679 --> 00:43:49.379 and as we wait 00:43:49.379 --> 00:43:54.459 Father we pray for the building and extending of your kingdom 00:43:54.459 --> 00:43:57.959 that the people you have placed around us 00:43:57.960 --> 00:44:00.840 will become part of that kingdom 00:44:00.840 --> 00:44:05.500 as they hear the good news of Christ 00:44:05.500 --> 00:44:12.340 Father, thank you for blessing us materially and financially 00:44:12.340 --> 00:44:17.980 may we have a light grip 00:44:17.980 --> 00:44:21.539 of the resources that you have given to us 00:44:21.539 --> 00:44:23.920 may we give 00:44:23.920 --> 00:44:26.659 and may you continue to give to us 00:44:26.659 --> 00:44:28.820 so that we can give even more 00:44:28.820 --> 00:44:31.079 to the kingdom of God 00:44:31.079 --> 00:44:34.960 and Father would you help us 00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:37.119 to live our lives 00:44:37.119 --> 00:44:39.340 for that which is eternal 00:44:39.340 --> 00:44:41.340 to invest 00:44:41.340 --> 00:44:43.639 in the kingdom of God 00:44:43.639 --> 00:44:47.139 which will last for all eternity 00:44:47.139 --> 00:44:50.039 help us we pray 00:44:50.039 --> 00:44:51.839 in Jesus name 00:44:51.839 --> 00:44:53.119 Amen 00:44:53.119 --> 00:44:57.940 we're going to sing 00:44:57.940 --> 00:45:03.440 from heaven you came 00:45:03.440 --> 00:45:04.619 which talks about 00:45:04.619 --> 00:45:06.359 the King 00:45:06.359 --> 00:45:07.559 the servant King 00:45:07.559 --> 00:45:08.480 the Lord Jesus 00:45:08.480 --> 00:45:11.019 but the chorus 00:45:11.019 --> 00:45:11.920 this is our God 00:45:11.920 --> 00:45:12.679 the servant King