WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.100 Good evening, church. 00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:13.060 Let's turn in our Bibles to Mark 11, 27, which is page 848 in your pew Bibles. 00:00:14.200 --> 00:00:20.179 We're going to read through to chapter 12, verse 12, as we'll be focusing most of our 00:00:20.179 --> 00:00:23.339 time on that parable of the wicked farmers. 00:00:23.339 --> 00:00:33.039 Page 848, Mark 11, verse 27. 00:00:41.480 --> 00:00:45.039 Verse 27, and they came again to Jerusalem. 00:00:45.659 --> 00:00:50.840 And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:51.179 to him. 00:00:51.179 --> 00:00:55.340 And they said to him, by what authority are you doing these things? 00:00:55.679 --> 00:00:58.019 Or who gave you this authority to do them? 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:02.140 Jesus said to them, I will ask you one question. 00:01:02.700 --> 00:01:03.240 Answer me. 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:06.260 And I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:10.260 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? 00:01:11.140 --> 00:01:11.659 Answer me. 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:19.140 And they discussed it with one another, saying, if we say from heaven, he will say, why then 00:01:19.140 --> 00:01:20.099 did you not believe him? 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:22.919 But shall we say from man? 00:01:23.219 --> 00:01:27.239 They were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:30.819 So they answered Jesus, we do not know. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:37.079 And Jesus said to them, neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:40.799 And he began to speak to them in parables. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:47.539 A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the wine press and built 00:01:47.539 --> 00:01:52.379 a tower and leased it to tenants and went into another country. 00:01:53.319 --> 00:01:57.759 When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit 00:01:57.759 --> 00:01:58.379 of the vineyard. 00:01:58.379 --> 00:02:02.299 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty handed. 00:02:03.159 --> 00:02:05.179 Again, he sent to them another servant. 00:02:05.679 --> 00:02:08.859 And they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. 00:02:09.579 --> 00:02:12.419 And he sent another and him they killed. 00:02:12.419 --> 00:02:17.459 And so with many others, some they beat and some they killed. 00:02:18.259 --> 00:02:21.899 He had still one other, a beloved son. 00:02:23.019 --> 00:02:27.179 Finally, he sent him to them saying, they will respect my son. 00:02:27.180 --> 00:02:31.740 But those tenants said to one another, this is the heir. 00:02:32.480 --> 00:02:36.319 Come, let us kill him and the inheritance will be ours. 00:02:37.040 --> 00:02:41.219 And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:44.300 What will the owner of the vineyard do? 00:02:45.200 --> 00:02:49.879 He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. 00:02:50.800 --> 00:02:52.080 Have you not read this scripture? 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:56.300 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 00:02:56.300 --> 00:03:01.120 This was the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:05.160 And they were seeking to arrest him, but feared the people. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:08.680 For they perceived that he had told the parable against them. 00:03:09.780 --> 00:03:12.600 So they left him and went away. 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:14.500 The word of the Lord. 00:03:15.740 --> 00:03:16.439 Let's pray. 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:28.340 Heavenly Father, we thank you for the opportunity we have this evening to gather and worship. 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:34.759 Father, we praise you this evening for your lordship, your sovereignty, and your authority. 00:03:34.759 --> 00:03:45.639 As we marinate in your word this evening, continue to soften hearts and turn us to you in love, humility, and obedience. 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:51.840 Let us know and praise you truly as you reveal yourself in the scriptures. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:52.840 Amen. 00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:53.840 Amen. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:57.080 In the name of your son and by the power of your Holy Spirit, I pray. 00:03:58.340 --> 00:03:58.740 Amen. 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:09.900 Mom, I don't want to clean my room. 00:04:10.980 --> 00:04:13.159 Dad, I don't want to mow the lawn. 00:04:13.159 --> 00:04:17.360 That's a really annoying sound. 00:04:18.420 --> 00:04:22.540 And any parent here probably recognizes it, though. 00:04:23.300 --> 00:04:26.319 It is universally known as whining. 00:04:27.579 --> 00:04:32.339 My parents tell me that for the first few years of my life, I was the perfect fat little baby. 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:36.339 Who just laid around and didn't want to move or make any noise. 00:04:37.279 --> 00:04:40.379 But when I got older, I began to whine. 00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:50.279 Whenever I was given orders that seemed unreasonable, unpleasant, or inconvenient, I did the thing that we as sinful human beings do. 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:51.579 Whine. 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:55.240 And do we understand what creates this impulse? 00:04:56.379 --> 00:05:00.620 Do we understand the heart that produces such an annoying high-pitched sound? 00:05:01.800 --> 00:05:04.259 It is a heart of rebellion. 00:05:05.379 --> 00:05:07.620 It is a heart that wants authority for itself. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:12.160 It is a heart that is confined to a body that is too weak to fight. 00:05:12.840 --> 00:05:14.840 So it feebly struggles through whining. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:19.879 But as we get older and feel like we have got a little more power, 00:05:20.819 --> 00:05:24.060 that whining blossoms into full-fledged rebellion. 00:05:25.340 --> 00:05:26.540 Rejection of authority. 00:05:28.060 --> 00:05:31.660 It is this rejection that Christ is warning us against in this passage. 00:05:31.660 --> 00:05:36.280 In the end of Mark 11, he faces a question from the religious authorities. 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:37.920 Verse 28. 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:40.800 By what authority are you doing these things? 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:43.160 Or who gave you this authority to do them? 00:05:44.220 --> 00:05:49.879 Jesus has just been cleansing the temple and healing on the Sabbath and people are really thrown off by that. 00:05:50.780 --> 00:05:53.140 And so Jesus doesn't directly answer this question. 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:55.140 Because he knows the heart behind it. 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:58.260 This is why he deflects to the question about John. 00:05:58.259 --> 00:06:01.819 If the Pharisees are waffling on the identity of John the Baptist, 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:04.300 how will they deal with the Son of God? 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:07.719 If middle ground doesn't make sense with John, 00:06:08.339 --> 00:06:10.159 it sure doesn't make sense with Jesus. 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:14.899 Jesus' response, as foreshadowing of Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men, 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:16.539 you can't handle the truth. 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:22.019 But, of course, Jesus actually does give them the truth, 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:23.379 though indirectly. 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:26.439 He does it through the parable of the tenants. 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:29.060 So we're going to see a few things. 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:31.259 What authority Christ has, 00:06:31.959 --> 00:06:35.180 how we and the corrupt Jewish leaders approach that authority, 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:37.920 and how we should approach that authority. 00:06:39.459 --> 00:06:42.399 Let's take a look at verse 1 of chapter 12. 00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:46.879 Christ begins with the story of a man who plants a vineyard 00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:48.779 and puts a fence around it 00:06:48.779 --> 00:06:50.920 and digs a pit for the wine press 00:06:50.920 --> 00:06:52.240 and builds a tower 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:53.879 and leases it to tenants 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:55.240 and goes to another country. 00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:58.740 What Jesus is doing here is he's quoting Isaiah 5, 00:06:58.840 --> 00:07:00.900 which begins almost exactly like this. 00:07:01.340 --> 00:07:02.199 But in this case, 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:04.780 the tenants are the corrupt Jewish authorities 00:07:04.780 --> 00:07:05.740 that he's speaking to. 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:08.139 And so the parable continues. 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:10.019 When the season came, 00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:11.500 he sent a servant to the tenants 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:13.759 to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 00:07:13.840 --> 00:07:14.360 This is verse 2. 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:16.400 And they took him and beat him 00:07:16.400 --> 00:07:17.680 and sent him away empty-handed. 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:20.160 Again he sent to them another servant, 00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:21.259 and they struck him on the head 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.519 and treated him shamefully. 00:07:22.519 --> 00:07:23.979 And he sent another, 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:24.859 and him they killed. 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:26.539 And so with many others, 00:07:26.639 --> 00:07:28.339 some they beat and some they killed. 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:29.919 He had still one other, 00:07:30.039 --> 00:07:30.879 a beloved son. 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:32.680 Finally he sent him to them, 00:07:32.779 --> 00:07:33.039 saying, 00:07:33.180 --> 00:07:34.439 They will respect my son. 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:36.560 But those tenants said to one another, 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:37.519 This is the heir. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:38.959 Come let us kill him, 00:07:39.359 --> 00:07:40.719 and the inheritance will be ours. 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:43.120 And they took him and killed him 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:45.139 and threw him out of the vineyard. 00:07:45.139 --> 00:07:47.819 This is, at first glance, 00:07:48.479 --> 00:07:49.699 the story of the Old Testament. 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:52.259 The Pharisees would have suspected that 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:52.899 from the beginning, 00:07:53.039 --> 00:07:55.419 since Jesus is starting with a quote of Isaiah. 00:07:56.300 --> 00:07:58.180 This is beginning with God's creation 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:59.919 and claim of his people. 00:08:00.599 --> 00:08:02.259 It is God who plants the vineyard, 00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:03.620 which we are told in Isaiah 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:04.680 is the people of Israel. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:07.019 It is God who protects them 00:08:07.019 --> 00:08:09.800 with the fence and the watchtower in the parable. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:12.539 And through numerous historical events in Scripture, 00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:15.019 whether it's the miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea, 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:17.379 or the Lord's many military victories. 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:19.860 But the bad news comes 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:22.139 in the tenants' response 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:23.639 to the Lord's provision. 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:27.120 They methodically, consistently, 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:30.439 and violently reject the Lord himself. 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:32.340 He sends servants, 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:33.480 specifically the prophets, 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:35.199 and they treat them horribly. 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:37.139 They chased Elijah. 00:08:37.439 --> 00:08:38.699 They beat Jeremiah. 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:40.679 They sawed Isaiah in two. 00:08:40.819 --> 00:08:42.960 They had John the Baptist beheaded. 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:45.720 Yet another recurring theme 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:46.800 that we see in Scripture. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:47.960 God provides, 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:50.480 and yet we continually, 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:51.840 faithlessly reject him. 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:56.060 But then the sending of the Son. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:58.360 The heir. 00:09:00.060 --> 00:09:01.920 While the tenants should have seen this 00:09:01.920 --> 00:09:04.100 as an extension of grace from the owner, 00:09:04.580 --> 00:09:05.720 who could have given up 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:07.620 at any time along the way. 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:10.659 Instead, they seize this as an opportunity. 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:11.720 They think, 00:09:11.779 --> 00:09:12.940 Oh, it's the Son. 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:14.179 We can take this guy out, 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:15.240 and the vineyard is ours. 00:09:16.580 --> 00:09:17.560 So they kill him 00:09:17.560 --> 00:09:19.419 and throw him out. 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:22.720 Friends, Jesus is on the offensive. 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:24.799 With this parable, 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:26.240 he utters his indictment. 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:28.799 In the last week of his life, 00:09:29.019 --> 00:09:29.820 which is where we are 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:31.240 in the Gospel of Mark right now, 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:34.320 he faces those who will soon have him killed, 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:35.940 looks them in the face, 00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:37.800 tells them what they're about to do to him, 00:09:37.900 --> 00:09:38.560 and he tells them 00:09:38.560 --> 00:09:40.280 what the result of their action will be. 00:09:41.280 --> 00:09:42.500 What will the owner do? 00:09:43.140 --> 00:09:45.660 He will come and destroy the tenants 00:09:45.660 --> 00:09:47.320 and give the vineyard to others. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:50.420 The result of rejection of the Son, 00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:53.960 both for the corrupt Jewish leadership 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:55.040 and for us, 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:56.980 is destruction. 00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:59.759 In fact, to make it even more explicit, 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:01.460 it is conscious eternal suffering. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:05.460 The verdict ends 00:10:05.460 --> 00:10:08.080 with an assertion of Christ's identity 00:10:08.080 --> 00:10:10.680 as he quotes Psalm 118, 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:12.740 a well-known psalm about the Messiah, 00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:15.779 verses 10 and 11 of chapter 12. 00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:18.440 The stone that the builders rejected 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:19.980 has become the cornerstone. 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:22.259 This was the Lord's doing, 00:10:22.779 --> 00:10:25.259 and it is marvelous in our eyes. 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:25.740 Wait. 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:29.179 Marvelous in our eyes. 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:31.279 We've just been talking about destruction. 00:10:31.460 --> 00:10:32.759 How is this marvelous? 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:35.319 Well, for the Pharisees, 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:36.279 it surely isn't. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:37.379 But for us, 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:40.000 it's the greatest news of all. 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:41.740 Why? 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:44.080 Well, let's back this up 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:45.159 to the beginning. 00:10:45.980 --> 00:10:46.819 Let's say the very beginning. 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:49.000 The first verse of this parable 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:51.600 is not just about God's calling of Israel. 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:54.200 It's about God's creation of you 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:56.520 and his provision for you. 00:10:57.320 --> 00:10:59.180 The continuing stories of the tenant's 00:10:59.180 --> 00:11:00.680 rejection of God's authority 00:11:00.680 --> 00:11:01.879 and righteous desires 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:03.900 are the story of you and I 00:11:03.900 --> 00:11:05.580 and our consistent rejection 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:06.720 of his authority. 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:09.180 It's the story of the time 00:11:09.180 --> 00:11:10.640 when we're tempted by lust, 00:11:10.780 --> 00:11:12.360 when the desire boils up 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:14.100 and the word comes in telling us 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:16.480 that everyone who lusts after a woman or man 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:18.020 has already committed adultery 00:11:18.020 --> 00:11:19.460 with them in their heart, 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:20.820 but we ignore it 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:22.280 and push it out 00:11:22.280 --> 00:11:24.280 and continue to dwell in our sin. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:26.240 When we in pride 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:27.720 exalt ourselves over others 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:28.879 and the word comes in 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:30.440 reminding us that God says, 00:11:30.440 --> 00:11:32.780 I will punish the world for its evil 00:11:32.780 --> 00:11:34.820 and the wicked for their iniquity. 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:35.940 I will put an end 00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:37.240 to the pomp of the arrogant 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:39.220 and lay low the pompous pride 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:39.920 of the ruthless. 00:11:41.400 --> 00:11:42.620 But we push it out 00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:45.139 and continue to dwell in our sin. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:47.240 When we are consumed 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:48.740 with a desire for wealth, 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:49.699 for power, 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:50.439 for position, 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:51.379 for status 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:52.500 and the word comes in 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:53.259 reminding us 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:54.860 all that is in the world, 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:56.580 the desires of the flesh, 00:11:56.699 --> 00:11:57.939 the desires of the eyes 00:11:57.939 --> 00:11:59.259 and the pride of possessions 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:01.100 is not from the Father 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:02.580 but is from the world 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:04.600 and the world is passing away 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:05.899 along with its desires, 00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:08.980 we ignore it. 00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:10.960 Pushing it away, 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:13.080 thinking that we know best. 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:15.080 You see, 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:16.440 we are not innocent creatures. 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:18.560 We are rebels 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:21.160 against the sovereign authority 00:12:21.160 --> 00:12:22.600 of the almighty God. 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:24.680 We want that authority 00:12:24.680 --> 00:12:25.420 for ourselves. 00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:27.480 We want to be gods 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:28.620 in our own lives. 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.639 And as a result of that, 00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:32.580 we deserve the destruction 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:34.240 that the Pharisees are promised. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:37.520 But this fate hinges 00:12:37.520 --> 00:12:39.080 on how we treat 00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:40.240 the authority of the Son, 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:42.200 the last hope. 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:44.660 The tenants thought, 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:46.040 this is our chance. 00:12:46.400 --> 00:12:47.440 We take this guy out, 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:48.500 the vineyard's ours, 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.780 no more pesky owner 00:12:49.780 --> 00:12:50.480 getting in the way 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:51.780 of my plans for my life. 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:55.620 Are we going to respond 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.220 the same way? 00:12:58.060 --> 00:12:59.060 Or will we agree 00:12:59.060 --> 00:12:59.800 with the psalm? 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.320 Will we see the authority 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:04.060 of Christ as marvelous? 00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:06.680 Will we see the authority 00:13:06.680 --> 00:13:08.460 of Christ as the authority 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:09.140 of God, 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:10.660 who disciplines us 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:11.819 not to break us down, 00:13:12.339 --> 00:13:13.360 but so that we can bear 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:14.199 the peaceful fruit 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:14.779 of righteousness? 00:13:16.219 --> 00:13:17.059 Instead of seeking 00:13:17.059 --> 00:13:18.459 to exalt ourselves, 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.360 will we yield 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:21.100 to the authority 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:21.919 of our creator 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:23.779 as revealed in Christ? 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:26.419 This is the command 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:27.259 that Christ gives 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.079 in the beginning 00:13:28.079 --> 00:13:29.199 of the Gospel of Mark 00:13:29.199 --> 00:13:30.240 in chapter 1, 00:13:30.319 --> 00:13:30.959 verse 15. 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:33.279 The time is fulfilled 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:34.539 and the kingdom of God 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.319 is at hand. 00:13:35.939 --> 00:13:36.419 Repent 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.919 and believe 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:38.579 in the Gospel. 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:40.480 Repent. 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:43.000 Recognize that you are 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.500 a rebel. 00:13:45.439 --> 00:13:46.919 Not just that you rebel, 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:49.059 but that you are 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:49.720 a rebel. 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:52.419 And that we are in need 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.279 of a full overhaul 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:54.339 of being. 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:55.839 A new birth. 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:57.920 And believe 00:13:57.920 --> 00:13:59.120 in the good news 00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:00.420 of the authority 00:14:00.420 --> 00:14:01.040 of Christ. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:02.680 That he deserves 00:14:02.680 --> 00:14:03.259 that authority 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:04.040 as heir 00:14:04.040 --> 00:14:05.399 and that he wields it 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.259 with wisdom, 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.000 strength, 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.120 and perfect love. 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:10.160 That instead of attempting 00:14:10.160 --> 00:14:11.160 to take that authority 00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:12.340 for ourselves, 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:14.040 a task that is guaranteed 00:14:14.040 --> 00:14:14.759 to fail, 00:14:15.660 --> 00:14:16.920 we seize the opportunity 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:18.500 to be co-heirs 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.300 with Christ 00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:21.220 as fellow children 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:21.900 of God. 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:24.420 Believe that in his sacrifice 00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.319 of his life, 00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:27.240 he took the righteous 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.099 wrath of God 00:14:28.099 --> 00:14:29.459 upon himself for you. 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.219 And that by faith 00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:31.500 in him 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.819 and his substitutionary 00:14:32.819 --> 00:14:33.939 death and glorious 00:14:33.939 --> 00:14:34.479 resurrection, 00:14:35.319 --> 00:14:36.399 you can be brought 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:37.279 back to life. 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:38.919 To live a life 00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:40.019 that's pleasing to him 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:41.559 and worthy of him. 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:43.899 We're not just people 00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:45.259 who occasionally rebel, 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:46.339 who just need to stop 00:14:46.339 --> 00:14:47.019 rebelling and then 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:47.839 everything will be fine. 00:14:48.839 --> 00:14:49.740 Our identity 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.819 apart from Christ 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:52.120 is marked 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:53.779 by our foolish rebellion. 00:14:55.219 --> 00:14:56.059 The Greek word 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:56.519 for sin 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:57.219 means to miss 00:14:57.219 --> 00:14:57.719 the mark. 00:14:58.599 --> 00:14:59.399 But it's not that 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:00.360 we're firing an arrow 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.059 at a bullseye 00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:01.699 and we just miss 00:15:01.699 --> 00:15:02.539 by a few inches. 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:05.439 If the bullseye 00:15:05.439 --> 00:15:06.059 is over there, 00:15:06.319 --> 00:15:07.819 I'm firing my arrow 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.379 over here. 00:15:10.459 --> 00:15:11.599 That's the foolishness 00:15:11.599 --> 00:15:12.419 of our rebellion. 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:15.179 Through faith in Christ, 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:16.899 he turns us around, 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.659 gives us a new heart, 00:15:19.099 --> 00:15:20.399 and a new desire for 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:21.219 and closeness 00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:22.159 with himself. 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:24.839 But a huge part of that 00:15:24.839 --> 00:15:26.000 is submission 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:27.120 to his authority. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:29.579 So let's boil this 00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:30.419 authority thing down. 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.579 We've got three 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:32.620 loci of authority 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.699 that this text 00:15:33.699 --> 00:15:34.379 is telling us 00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:35.159 to submit to. 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:38.459 The entire Gospel of Mark 00:15:38.459 --> 00:15:40.699 is all about Jesus. 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:42.299 Who he is 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:43.659 and what that requires 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.120 of us. 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.100 Such a task revolves 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:47.399 around how we view 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:48.159 his authority. 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:50.059 Now the Pharisees 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:50.719 came to Jesus 00:15:50.719 --> 00:15:51.519 with that question, 00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:53.480 however insincere it was. 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.259 And Jesus' answer was, 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.159 well, if you're not 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:57.000 willing to take a stand 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:57.539 when it comes to 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.559 John the Baptist's authority, 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.879 you sure can't handle me. 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:02.439 So, I won't tell you plainly. 00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:03.620 But I will tell you 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.159 in this parable. 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:05.919 So the first 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:06.899 and greatest authority 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:08.079 that we are to submit to 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:08.860 is the authority 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.799 of Christ. 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:10.919 Which is, 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:12.179 as he notes in verse 11, 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.259 the authority 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:14.339 of the Lord. 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:16.039 Instead of seeking 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.339 to save ourselves, 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.459 he tells us 00:16:18.459 --> 00:16:19.199 to put ourselves 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:20.579 under his lordship. 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.839 He is our Lord 00:16:22.839 --> 00:16:24.360 and our Savior. 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.659 In our thoughts, 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:28.059 in our words, 00:16:28.219 --> 00:16:29.299 and in our actions. 00:16:30.579 --> 00:16:31.500 And this isn't just 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.179 a lofty, 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.159 God's out there 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:33.740 and I've just got to 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:34.279 do what he says, 00:16:34.339 --> 00:16:35.019 I can ignore the people 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:35.639 around me. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.459 It is our submission 00:16:37.459 --> 00:16:38.299 to his authority 00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:39.579 that informs 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:40.599 and necessitates 00:16:40.599 --> 00:16:41.219 our submission 00:16:41.219 --> 00:16:42.879 to earthly authorities. 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.620 It's because Christ 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:45.399 is our Lord 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.200 that we submit 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:46.919 to our parents. 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:48.360 It's because Christ 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:49.000 is our Lord 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:49.639 that we submit 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.279 to our bosses. 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.799 It's because Christ 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:52.399 is our Lord 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.220 that we submit 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:54.159 to the police officer 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.200 who pulls us over 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:56.019 for driving 20, 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.379 15, 10, 5, 00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:58.100 or 1 mile 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:59.060 past the speed limit. 00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:01.519 Christ is to have 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.039 authority 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:04.140 over every aspect 00:17:04.140 --> 00:17:04.920 of our life. 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:06.380 And he wields 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:07.019 that authority 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:08.059 completely, 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:09.460 lovingly, 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:10.819 and wondrously. 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:14.200 Now the second 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.779 tier of authority 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:16.200 is the word. 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.159 We view the scripture 00:17:18.159 --> 00:17:19.379 as fully authoritative 00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:20.039 and fully true 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:21.019 because of Christ. 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:23.439 This whole parable 00:17:23.439 --> 00:17:24.179 is soaked 00:17:24.179 --> 00:17:24.939 in scripture. 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.299 Isaiah 5, 00:17:26.419 --> 00:17:27.319 Psalm 118, 00:17:27.679 --> 00:17:28.379 callbacks to 00:17:28.379 --> 00:17:29.639 2 Chronicles 36, 00:17:29.919 --> 00:17:30.859 15 to 16, 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:31.639 which says this, 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:32.639 The Lord, 00:17:32.879 --> 00:17:33.939 the God of their fathers, 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:35.439 sent persistently 00:17:35.439 --> 00:17:35.839 to them 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:36.679 by his messengers 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:37.740 because he had 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.899 compassion on his people 00:17:38.899 --> 00:17:40.439 and on his dwelling place. 00:17:40.819 --> 00:17:41.700 But they kept 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.759 mocking the messengers 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.379 of God, 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:45.159 despising his words, 00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:46.179 and scoffing 00:17:46.179 --> 00:17:46.939 at his prophets 00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:47.980 until the wrath 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.559 of the Lord 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.740 rose against his people 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.740 until there was 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.259 no remedy. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:54.139 Christ is showing us 00:17:54.139 --> 00:17:55.179 that God is truly 00:17:55.179 --> 00:17:56.379 revealed in the scriptures 00:17:56.379 --> 00:17:58.220 and we are to submit 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.379 to its view 00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:00.079 of the world, 00:18:00.399 --> 00:18:02.159 to its view of us, 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.700 and to its view 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:04.200 of God. 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:07.079 Lastly, however, 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:08.960 and this may be surprising 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.559 to some of you, 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:11.679 this authority 00:18:11.679 --> 00:18:12.399 is applied 00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:14.059 to the elders 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.919 of the church. 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:17.000 Let's take another look 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.220 at verses 9 and 10. 00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:20.980 What will the owner 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.200 of the vineyard do? 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:23.599 He will come 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.639 and destroy the tenants 00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:25.480 and give the vineyard 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.039 to others. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.480 Have you not read 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:27.980 this scripture? 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:29.419 The stone 00:18:29.419 --> 00:18:30.119 that the builders 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:30.619 rejected 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.440 has become 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.399 the cornerstone. 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.799 Who are these others 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.399 that the owner 00:18:35.399 --> 00:18:36.399 is giving the vineyard to? 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:38.120 Immediately, 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.120 it's a reference 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:39.740 to the gospel 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:41.060 going out to Gentiles. 00:18:42.080 --> 00:18:42.519 Ultimately, 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:44.200 it's the gospel 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:45.440 going out from the church. 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.500 In redemptive history, 00:18:47.620 --> 00:18:48.420 Christ is signaling 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.180 that the call 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.080 that was initially 00:18:50.080 --> 00:18:51.140 confined to Israel 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:52.360 was always meant 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:53.660 to extend beyond them 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:54.140 as well. 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:56.280 What does it mean 00:18:56.280 --> 00:18:56.759 for Christ 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.680 to be the cornerstone? 00:18:58.800 --> 00:18:59.600 Not only is he 00:18:59.600 --> 00:19:00.420 the Jewish Messiah, 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.780 but Paul, 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.600 in Ephesians, 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:03.640 understands this 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:04.540 to be a reference 00:19:04.540 --> 00:19:05.320 to the church. 00:19:06.300 --> 00:19:07.120 When he says, 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.240 speaking to the Ephesians, 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:10.480 you are fellow citizens 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.540 with the saints 00:19:11.540 --> 00:19:12.259 and members 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.580 of the household of God, 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.480 built on the foundation 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.280 of the apostles 00:19:16.280 --> 00:19:17.000 and prophets, 00:19:17.300 --> 00:19:18.400 Christ Jesus himself 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:19.540 being the cornerstone, 00:19:20.040 --> 00:19:21.600 in whom the whole structure 00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:23.060 being joined together 00:19:23.060 --> 00:19:25.660 grows into a holy temple 00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:26.280 in the Lord. 00:19:28.040 --> 00:19:29.140 The church draws 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:30.080 from all nations. 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.759 And there are men 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.380 who have been called 00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:32.980 to authority 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.500 in the church, 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:34.740 namely the elders. 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:37.299 Hebrews 13, 17. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.259 Obey your leaders 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.420 and submit to them, 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:41.759 for they are keeping 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:43.000 watch over your souls 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.660 as those who will have 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.480 to give an account. 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.220 Let them do this 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.940 with joy 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:49.279 and not with groaning, 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.599 for that would be 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:51.819 of no advantage to you. 00:19:53.360 --> 00:19:54.740 Let us also submit 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.980 with joy 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.480 and not with groaning. 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.079 First, 00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:01.180 to the all-encompassing 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:02.220 authority of the Son. 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.860 also, 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.819 to the all-penetrating 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:07.400 authority of his word, 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.680 and then to the loving, 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:11.039 wise leadership 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:12.519 of the elders 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.420 in the church 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:15.099 of which he is 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:15.839 the cornerstone. 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.360 Let's pray. 00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:18.460 Amen. 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:32.000 Heavenly Father, 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.960 we are sobered 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.340 by your word. 00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:36.980 The plight of these tenants 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:37.360 who, 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:38.880 like us, 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.120 Lord, 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:40.220 have rejected 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.840 your word. 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.700 Lord, 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.500 I pray that you continue 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.579 to soften our hearts, 00:20:44.579 --> 00:20:46.119 that you continue 00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:47.759 to draw us 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.539 toward yourself, 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:50.299 that we seek you 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.039 in your word 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.819 and through prayer. 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:53.399 And Lord, 00:20:53.439 --> 00:20:54.199 that when we fall, 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:54.919 that when we fall 00:20:54.919 --> 00:20:55.519 into sin, 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.439 that we heed, 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.779 that we heed your warnings, 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.699 that we heed your instruction, 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:01.079 that we submit 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.819 to your authority. 00:21:03.199 --> 00:21:03.559 Lord, 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.259 I pray that we, 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.359 I pray that we trust you, 00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:07.439 knowing that you, 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:08.819 because you created us 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:10.099 and you gave us 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:10.700 our purpose, 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.019 Lord, 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:12.639 that you will, 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:14.779 that you will fulfill 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.659 that purpose. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.339 Lord, 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:20.139 anyone here, 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:20.519 Lord, 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.159 who has not 00:21:21.159 --> 00:21:23.480 taken you by faith, 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:25.259 I pray that you 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.659 soften their hearts 00:21:26.659 --> 00:21:29.740 and draw them 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.539 towards yourself. 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.939 And for those of us, 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.139 Lord, 00:21:33.179 --> 00:21:33.740 who have, 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.419 I pray that you 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:37.179 kindle our love for you 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:38.740 and our love 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.380 for one another. 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.660 I pray these things 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:42.480 in the name of your Son, 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.160 Jesus Christ, 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.440 and by the power 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.279 of your Holy Spirit. 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:46.740 Amen.