WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.839 Now, for those of you who perhaps weren't with us on Friday or last night, let me just 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:16.359 ! explain very briefly that we're going through a theme that's called In the Garden. On Friday 00:00:16.359 --> 00:00:22.719 ! night, I introduced that theme by reading Genesis chapter 2 and by exploring some of 00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:30.359 the areas of interest that arise out of the creation of humanity, i.e. Adam and Eve. 00:00:30.899 --> 00:00:36.519 And we looked at some of the features of that chapter, which are the features of our identity 00:00:36.519 --> 00:00:44.620 as human beings. Last night, we spoke about how the perfect equilibrium that existed between 00:00:44.619 --> 00:00:55.259 God and Adam and Eve was ruined by the fall. We looked at the process in which Eve and Adam 00:00:55.259 --> 00:01:02.219 fell by disobeying God, by rejecting the command, the prohibition that he had given to them, 00:01:02.819 --> 00:01:08.680 and we saw some of the consequences of that. We didn't have time to look at how God evicted 00:01:08.680 --> 00:01:15.900 them from the garden and how he set the cherubim with a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree 00:01:15.900 --> 00:01:24.580 of life. But we looked at how God had promised that in difficulty there would be the work that 00:01:24.580 --> 00:01:31.219 man would try to do. There would be the difficulty in childbearing. There would be the loss of that 00:01:31.219 --> 00:01:36.660 perfect balance in the relationship between husband and wife. And of course, that applies to 00:01:36.659 --> 00:01:40.979 all different relationships in the world in which the balance that would have been there 00:01:40.979 --> 00:01:51.000 was upset by the fall. And then we looked, of course, lastly, at how God promised the serpent 00:01:51.000 --> 00:02:01.859 that he would one day be destroyed. And that is what I want to follow up on today. Because here in this 00:02:01.859 --> 00:02:12.000 chapter, there is a confrontation between the Son of God, who was made man, who came into the world in 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:20.280 our nature as one of us, and who confronted the same serpent at the very beginning of his ministry. 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:28.199 This was only the very beginning of several confrontations that there were with the evil 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:36.199 one, the serpent, as he made his way and as he prepared for the cross. And it's in that context 00:02:36.199 --> 00:02:43.899 that I think we ought to understand Matthew chapter 4, the temptation. I'm sure you've often heard sermons 00:02:43.899 --> 00:02:50.079 on it. I've preached on it a number of times. And I've often taken the line that you'll hear from many 00:02:50.079 --> 00:02:54.899 preachers. I'm not saying it's a bad line. I'm not saying it's a bad interpretation. But you've often 00:02:54.900 --> 00:03:00.439 heard people saying, well, here is the way that the devil tempted Jesus. And here is how Jesus resisted 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:05.159 that temptation. This is how we are to resist temptation. You've heard that before. I've preached 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:11.420 it before. What I want to suggest to you this morning is that although that's true, it's not the point 00:03:11.420 --> 00:03:22.659 of the passage. The primary point of the passage is to recognize Jesus re-enacting the Garden of Eden. 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:31.519 And there are certain continuities about this re-enactment as well as certain discontinuities 00:03:31.519 --> 00:03:40.000 in it. And that's what I want to explore with you this morning. But particularly in relation to Jesus' 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:49.099 preparation for the cross. Because we always remember that the ministry of Jesus and the death of Jesus 00:03:49.099 --> 00:03:55.699 are inextricably related. The ministry of Jesus, or rather the life of Jesus, we don't know much about 00:03:55.699 --> 00:04:00.900 his young days, but we do know a lot about his ministry, his parables, his miracles, his conversations, 00:04:00.900 --> 00:04:10.340 his teaching. All of that was in preparation for the cross. So was the temptation. And I believe it is 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:18.340 impossible to understand the temptation fully without seeing it in relation to the cross. Which of course 00:04:18.340 --> 00:04:26.280 relates to the reason why we're here today to remember Jesus' death on the cross. So I hope you'll 00:04:26.280 --> 00:04:34.000 see this passage as it is connected with Jesus. And I hope that comes out as we look at it together. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:44.439 Here is the second Adam. He is placed into this world. He's at the beginning of his ministry, the baptism of 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:52.639 Jesus marked the beginning of his public ministry. And the first thing that happens is that he's led out 00:04:52.639 --> 00:05:01.120 into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Now it would be someone who is pretty inastute, who would 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:11.079 not recognize how that matches the very first events in Genesis chapter 2 and chapter 3. Except this time, 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:18.740 instead of a garden where there are trees and an abundance of fruit and provision for him, there is 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:26.660 nothing. And that nothingness is the consequence of the fall. Here is what Adam has done. Here's what 00:05:26.660 --> 00:05:34.120 humanity has done. They've changed the world from being a garden in which there is plenty and perfection 00:05:34.120 --> 00:05:43.560 into a world in which there is misery and aloneness and isolation and hunger. And of course, all the 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:49.260 sin and the misery. Remember what the catechism said. The catechism says this, 00:05:49.259 --> 00:06:02.360 the fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. That kind of just sums it up, doesn't it? It 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:10.339 brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. And we all recognize that. So did Jesus. That's what 00:06:10.339 --> 00:06:16.159 he was confronted with. And now he is going to be, at the very beginning of his ministry, he's going to be 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:27.320 confronted with the same serpent that confronted Eve in the garden. I'm not sure how much the serpent knew 00:06:27.320 --> 00:06:32.700 either about what it meant for Jesus to be the son. I know he uses the language of, if you are the son of God. 00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:38.900 I'm not sure how much he knew. I'm not sure how much he knew. Again, I'll leave that with you. The devil 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:47.359 doesn't know everything. He's not omniscient. He doesn't know everything. So it's just a question 00:06:47.359 --> 00:06:56.919 that intrigues me. Neither am I sure of whether he knew exactly the way that God was going to secure 00:06:56.919 --> 00:07:05.699 our... His purpose was to destroy Jesus. But little did he know that in trying to destroy Jesus, 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:14.399 he was actually carrying out the plan of God for our salvation. When Jesus died on the cross, 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:25.159 it appeared that Satan had the complete victory. That was his design. And yet we read, Paul tells us 00:07:25.159 --> 00:07:31.039 in 1 Corinthians, we impart a secret wisdom from God, which God decreed before the ages of our glory. 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:39.379 Here's what it says. None of the rulers of this age understood it. Rulers of this age? Satan, the serpent. 00:07:40.220 --> 00:07:47.480 If they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. So that's my proof for saying, 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:54.920 I'm not quite sure how much the devil understood what God was actually doing in the death of Jesus. 00:07:54.920 --> 00:08:01.860 Jesus. Otherwise, he would have had a different plan. That's what Paul says. Not my words, but Paul. 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:09.700 And that's, of course, because our redemption necessitated death. Without death, without the shedding of blood, 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:17.340 God says there is no forgiveness. It's his ultimate purpose in securing our forgiveness was the death of his son, 00:08:17.339 --> 00:08:26.639 that ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. So with these things in mind, let's just explore 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:34.419 the three temptations that we read about in Matthew chapter 4. And let's try and understand what the devil 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:41.959 is doing, not just in what he says, but in what lies behind what he says. Remember what we saw that, 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:47.379 how subtle he was in the conversation with Eve. Remember how I said to you yesterday that at no time does 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:54.460 Satan ever say to Eve, I want you to eat that fruit. But what he does is he creates the conditions, 00:08:55.540 --> 00:09:03.440 opens up the possibility of another alternative. And while in this case, he is most definitely telling 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:12.720 Jesus what to do. He's also behind the scenes, he's opening up other possibilities for Jesus. And I want 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:24.720 us to see that how as we go along. The first of these temptations, as you know, was the temptation to 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:33.260 command these stones to turn into bread. And I think we can understand the tactic here, where he comes and 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:38.559 he says, if you're the son of God, how is this possible? You are the son of God, whatever that means. 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:44.039 You're the son of God. And yet you've been 40 days without eating. You're starving. You're in the 00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:49.779 wilderness. You're alone. You're the creator of the universe. You've come from heaven. How is this 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:57.720 possible for someone in your position to not be able to eat? It's incongruous. It doesn't make sense. 00:09:57.720 --> 00:10:05.139 It just defies all logic. You can see his point, can't you? And there's something in us that says, 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:10.420 well, why didn't Jesus just command the stones to become bread? It's something maybe he should have 00:10:10.420 --> 00:10:20.000 thought of beforehand himself. I mean, why did he have to allow himself to descend into such a level 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:29.399 of poverty and starvation, where he didn't eat for 40 days? But there was a reason for Jesus fasting. 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:34.779 I'm not quite sure if I understand fasting. You find it all the way through the Bible. You find it in our 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:42.480 history books. Fasting was a feature of even this island at one point in time, particularly roundabout 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:47.860 communion times. An interesting subject, isn't it? I'm not quite sure how it connects. But one thing I do 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:55.480 know is that it's connected with prayer. It's very, very clear in the Bible that fasting has no merit in 00:10:55.480 --> 00:11:04.279 itself. It's not some kind of way of earning God's favor. But it seems to be some way of clearing away 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:14.480 every other distraction so that I can focus my mind entirely on God. And I believe that's the only way 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:18.539 of making sense of it here in this passage. So this was at the very beginning of his ministry. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:26.620 Jesus was sent out into the wilderness, specifically to be tempted by the devil, and he needs 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:33.420 the company of God the Father. Well, of course, he would have the company of God the Father anyway. But 00:11:33.420 --> 00:11:38.580 there are times, aren't there? There's a passage in, I think it's Mark chapter 2, where he gets up early 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:49.639 in the morning, goes up a mountain to pray. There are specific times where he needs that communion 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:58.639 with the Father that he perhaps doesn't have the same time for when he's doing other things. 00:11:58.639 --> 00:12:07.480 There are specific times of prayer in the life of Jesus, specific times when he's. And Jesus, 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:18.279 this is one of those times at the very beginning of his ministry, where for him, fasting was absolutely 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:24.939 essential in the fulfillment of the ministry that Jesus gave him to do, which of course would culminate 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:31.780 in his death. We're not told what transpired between Jesus and the Father and how this period 00:12:31.780 --> 00:12:39.920 fitted into his overall mission. But it did fit. It had to happen. And he needed this intense communion 00:12:39.920 --> 00:12:46.420 with the Father in order to confront the devil. That's maybe a lesson for us as well, that perhaps 00:12:46.420 --> 00:12:52.520 the reason we are so easily tempted is because we need to work on our communion with the Father. Maybe 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:56.860 it's because we don't have enough time for prayer. I'm talking to myself, by the way. Maybe it's 00:12:56.860 --> 00:13:02.340 because we don't have enough time for prayer that we're so easily tempted. And Jesus' example is 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:09.379 opposite here in terms of our temptation. But there's another thing I want us to think about this 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:20.399 morning, and that is this was one of those moments when the horror of his death was becoming more and 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:32.100 more clear to him. There's a verse in Hebrews. I want to spend a few moments on it. Verse in Hebrews, 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:40.039 chapter 5, verse 7. And here's what it says. In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:48.220 supplications with loud cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death. 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:59.200 And he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:05.200 suffered. Now, I remember reading that recently, and I need to look up the commentaries to find out 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:10.480 what people say about this verse, because it's a peculiar one, isn't it? What do the commentaries say? 00:14:10.540 --> 00:14:15.300 So I looked up some of the good commentaries on it, and they all say the same thing. They all say, 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:25.240 well, we're not quite 100% sure about any one episode or one instance where this can be a description of it, 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:29.959 but we believe that it refers to the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:14:32.459 --> 00:14:37.719 I'm okay with that. I think that it does refer to the Garden of Gethsemane. But 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:47.120 it says in the days of his flesh. I'm not persuaded that it was only the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:52.920 offered up loud cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death. I believe, I tended to believe, 00:14:53.220 --> 00:15:02.139 that there were several occasions when this happened. And this is one of them. At the very beginning of his 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:11.179 ministry, as he was becoming more and more aware, and as he was coming to terms increasingly with the 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:17.059 horror of his death. Now, you might respond by saying, well, was he not always aware of his mission? No, he 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:24.559 can't have been. Was he aware as a six-month-old baby? No, he wasn't. He was a human being as well as being God. 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:31.439 And as a human being, as a six-month-old baby, he wasn't aware of the horror of what lay in front of 00:15:31.439 --> 00:15:35.619 him as a 33-year-old man. It had to be a growing awareness. 00:15:39.059 --> 00:15:44.539 And I believe at the very beginning of his ministry, remember that his ministry is not just some random 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:50.979 series of events like conversations and miracles and all the rest of it. It was his preparation 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:59.779 for what lay ahead. And here is not only a growing awareness, but a growing willingness. 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:08.920 Now, be careful. I'm not saying he was ever unwilling. But this is what the verse says. He says, 00:16:08.920 --> 00:16:17.340 he learned obedience through what he suffered. It doesn't say that there was ever a time when he wasn't. 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:28.500 But his suffering, including his time in the wilderness, was the means whereby his obedience was learned. 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:38.420 Willingness and awareness were a growing process in the mind and in the consciousness of Jesus. 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:47.360 Now, with that in mind, if I'm right, then for the devil to come and say to him, 00:16:47.699 --> 00:16:50.439 why don't you change these stones into bread? 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:54.459 What he's trying to do is he's trying to derail 00:16:54.459 --> 00:17:03.939 the process by which Jesus is being made aware and willing to face what is coming to him. 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:10.320 And if he derails it, then we've lost it. 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:13.259 The plan is derailed. 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:19.100 So I hope you can see that it's not just a question of, well, he's hungry. 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:21.660 It's logical. He's got the power to do it. 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.700 Why doesn't he do it? 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:24.860 It's because if he does it, 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:31.259 he takes his eyes off the work that the Father has given him to do. 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:34.799 And the devil has won. 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:40.740 We remember that the command of God to Adam was 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:45.000 that he make use of the fruit, the provision that he gave to him. 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.199 It's quite strange, isn't it? 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:49.039 That here we have eating again. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:54.960 And Adam was invited to eat any of the fruit of the garden 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:58.399 except the knowledge of good and evil. 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:05.440 Here's Jesus obeying the command of the Father to go into the world 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:08.799 and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:11.220 And here is the same serpent. 00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:16.180 And he's trying to derail him from obeying the command of the Father 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:22.160 by presenting him with another alternative. 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.600 So that's the first thing. 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:28.620 And I hope we'll see all of the three of these temptations 00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:30.220 in relation to the cross. 00:18:30.320 --> 00:18:35.920 Next thing is that he takes him up to the very top of the temple. 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:37.500 I don't know how this happens, by the way. 00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:39.120 It's not important how it happens. 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:39.779 We're not told. 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:42.200 But he takes him right up to the top of the temple 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:45.019 where there's a great height. 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:49.220 And he then preaches a sermon to him. 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:52.700 The devil preaches a sermon to Jesus. 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:54.460 And it looks as if he doesn't need a Bible. 00:18:54.560 --> 00:18:55.620 He's got it off by heart. 00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:59.299 He knows the words that he's want to quote to Jesus. 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:02.580 And the text of his sermon is Psalm 91. 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:04.220 That's why we sang it earlier on. 00:19:05.320 --> 00:19:06.620 And here's what it says. 00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:08.199 It says, 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:10.359 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place, 00:19:10.459 --> 00:19:11.859 the Most High who is my refuge, 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:14.619 no evil shall be allowed to befall you. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:16.699 No plague shall come near your tent, 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:19.019 for he will command his angels concerning you 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:21.139 to guard you in all your ways. 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:23.339 On their hands they will bear you up, 00:19:23.399 --> 00:19:25.839 lest you strike your foot against a stone. 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:28.839 Now, not only does the devil know his Bible, 00:19:29.199 --> 00:19:30.639 but he knows his hermeneutic. 00:19:30.699 --> 00:19:31.699 He knows how to preach it. 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.479 And he's actually bang on. 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:35.460 He knows what this psalm is about. 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:38.599 It's a prophecy about Jesus. 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:42.480 There's a lot the devil does know, 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.599 even though there's a lot he doesn't know. 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.519 He's right. 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:49.220 It's about the promised Messiah. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.039 So he says, 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:51.400 Well, here's the thing, Jesus. 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.960 Let's look at it this way. 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:59.640 If this is God's word about you, 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:03.460 then God's promise is that you will be protected. 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:05.559 And so let's tell you what. 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:08.779 Let's put this to the test right now. 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:11.480 Let's see whether God will actually produce the goods. 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:14.140 Let's see if he will come good on his word. 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.319 I know you believe it. 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:17.559 So it should be easy to prove 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:19.500 if you're the son of God. 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.339 Throw yourself down. 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:21.920 We both know, by the way, 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.819 you're not going to do it. 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.420 You're not going to do it. 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.000 I know that. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:27.500 But if you refuse, 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:33.019 is that because you actually are trusting God, 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:35.500 or is it because you're afraid you're going to fall to your death? 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:39.880 How do you know 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:44.380 that God is going to make good his promise in the future? 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.519 What did I say last night 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:48.500 about the serpent chipping away 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:52.839 at the trustworthiness of the Father? 00:20:52.839 --> 00:20:59.579 Now here's where the temptation came in for Jesus. 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:05.000 The entirety of Jesus' mission 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:09.799 rested on the Father's trustworthiness. 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:14.319 The Father's trustworthiness 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:18.740 requires a test 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:21.299 to make sure. 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:25.659 And the test would ultimately come 00:21:25.659 --> 00:21:30.460 when Jesus laid down his life on the cross. 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:32.500 Because in so doing, 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:36.460 he was going to give himself entirely 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:39.079 into the hands of the Father. 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:40.599 That's what he meant when he was on the cross 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.159 and he said, 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:43.559 Father, into your hands 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:46.139 I commit my spirit. 00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:49.599 What he's doing is 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:52.299 he's taking God at his word. 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:58.399 Entirely and only at his word. 00:21:58.399 --> 00:22:00.439 For example, in Psalm 16, 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:04.559 you will not abandon my soul to shale 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:07.659 or let your Holy One see corruption. 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.779 But in so doing, 00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:12.460 on the cross, 00:22:12.639 --> 00:22:13.980 Jesus himself 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:17.579 isn't protected by the Father 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.599 in his death 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:20.799 because Psalm 91 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:23.720 doesn't come to fulfillment 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:25.539 because he has to suffer alone. 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.659 There are no angels 00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:28.579 to bear him up 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:30.599 lest he strike his foot against a stone. 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:33.240 There is no rescue. 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.960 He has to come 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:37.399 to the point of death alone. 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.620 He has to give himself. 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:40.180 But in so doing, 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:43.400 he believes and he trusts 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:45.140 that the Father will raise him up 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.740 on the third day. 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:49.300 And here is the serpent 00:22:49.300 --> 00:22:50.480 coming and saying to him, 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:52.280 are you sure? 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:56.019 Are you absolutely sure 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:59.019 that this is what God is saying? 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.720 What did I say yesterday 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:03.160 about the serpent and Eve? 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:04.279 He said, 00:23:04.360 --> 00:23:05.880 did God really say that? 00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:07.940 Did God really say, 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.120 tell me again, 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.700 what did he say? 00:23:09.800 --> 00:23:11.519 Do you really believe that? 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:13.500 He's doing the same thing to Jesus. 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.060 He's saying, 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.340 well, 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.380 let's think about these words. 00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:17.960 Are you really sure 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:18.880 that God is going to? 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.620 He's testing 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:21.380 the trustworthiness 00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:22.500 of God. 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.180 And Jesus 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:28.160 says, 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:30.440 I 100% trust 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:32.000 the word 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.860 of my Father. 00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.300 But then, 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.860 the third one 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:39.940 is 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:41.460 one we all know. 00:23:41.540 --> 00:23:42.100 The whole story 00:23:42.100 --> 00:23:42.940 is one we all know 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.080 where the devil takes him 00:23:44.080 --> 00:23:44.960 to a certain point 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.400 in the world. 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.220 I don't know which point 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.640 that was. 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.940 A high mountain somewhere. 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:48.920 There are no mountains 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.500 where you can see 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.600 the whole of the world. 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.400 But that doesn't matter. 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:53.240 He saw the whole world. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.360 And he says 00:23:55.360 --> 00:23:56.480 to him, 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.299 he says, 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:59.019 if you 00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.420 will worship me, 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.700 then 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:03.480 I will give you 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.779 all the kingdoms 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.420 of the world 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:06.259 and their glory. 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.779 Now, 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:10.440 I'm sure we've read this often 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.059 and we've thought 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:12.960 on two counts 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.980 this can't be. 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.279 Number one, 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.500 we've said, 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.519 well, 00:24:17.620 --> 00:24:18.440 the world doesn't belong 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:18.960 to the devil. 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.380 And secondly, 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.200 it's so outrageous 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.240 the suggestion 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.980 of Jesus, 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:25.839 the Son of God, 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:27.519 worshipping 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.819 or serving Satan 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.379 in any way 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:30.480 is just so outrageous 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.819 that we say, 00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:32.019 well, 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.659 that must have been 00:24:32.659 --> 00:24:33.419 an easy one 00:24:33.419 --> 00:24:34.759 to resist. 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:37.079 We're actually wrong 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:38.220 on both counts. 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:41.099 Whilst the world 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:41.639 and the universe 00:24:41.639 --> 00:24:42.879 does belong to God, 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.799 ultimately, 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.679 the devil 00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:46.199 does not have 00:24:46.199 --> 00:24:47.500 sovereign control 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.220 over all things. 00:24:48.459 --> 00:24:49.699 There is another sense 00:24:49.699 --> 00:24:51.139 in which he does. 00:24:51.199 --> 00:24:51.559 You remember 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:53.099 what Ephesians chapter 2 00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:54.159 and verse 2 says, 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.720 where Paul calls him 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.940 the prince of the power 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.600 of the air, 00:24:58.100 --> 00:24:59.160 the spirit that now 00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:00.120 works in the sons 00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:01.500 of disobedience. 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:04.180 And there are many places 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.779 in the Bible 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.820 where we're told 00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:07.380 that Satan does 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.279 have a hold. 00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:09.360 We only have to look 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:09.840 around you 00:25:09.840 --> 00:25:10.500 to know that. 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:12.700 The eyes of the blind, 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.660 Paul tells us 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.220 in Corinthians 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:17.019 that he has blinded, 00:25:17.080 --> 00:25:18.140 the God of this world 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:19.720 has blinded the eyes 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:21.559 of unbelievers. 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.700 It's a frightening prospect. 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.500 There is a sense 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.819 in which Satan 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.839 does have 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:29.539 a huge amount 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.240 of control 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:31.539 over the world 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.200 in particular 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.920 humanity. 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.620 So, in what case, 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.000 secondly, 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.200 in what sense 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:40.120 is this temptation 00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:41.420 a real temptation 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.140 to Jesus? 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:45.020 because it is 00:25:45.020 --> 00:25:46.460 another attempt 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:48.480 at presenting him 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:50.080 with an alternative 00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:51.960 to his mission 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:53.759 which was to involve 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:55.420 suffering and death. 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:57.080 It's an attempt 00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:57.860 to present him 00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:59.020 with a plan B, 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.180 another alternative. 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.020 And there were 00:26:02.020 --> 00:26:03.220 several times 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.480 in the ministry 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:04.980 of Jesus 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:06.100 when this happened. 00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:07.360 I want to suggest 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:07.920 to you three 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.620 in particular. 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:11.619 number one 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.959 was in Matthew 16. 00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:13.479 You remember 00:26:13.479 --> 00:26:14.019 when Jesus 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.579 is having this 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.059 conversation 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.799 with the disciples 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:17.639 and he's announcing 00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:18.179 to them 00:26:18.179 --> 00:26:18.679 that he's going 00:26:18.679 --> 00:26:19.199 to Jerusalem 00:26:19.199 --> 00:26:19.759 and there he's 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.039 going to be 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.500 handed over 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.279 to the Gentiles 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.199 and Peter says, 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.759 far be it from you, 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:25.179 this shall never be so. 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.599 Remember what Jesus 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.099 said to him 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:28.779 as a response to that. 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.079 He said, 00:26:29.399 --> 00:26:30.299 get behind me, 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:30.619 Satan. 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.699 You are a hindrance 00:26:32.699 --> 00:26:33.139 to me. 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:34.599 Why did he say that? 00:26:34.679 --> 00:26:35.899 That was quite harsh, 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.279 wasn't it? 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.859 Poor Peter. 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:38.479 He's always 00:26:38.479 --> 00:26:39.039 getting himself 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.639 into trouble 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:41.219 because of what he says. 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.279 Peter's well-meaning. 00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:43.099 He just doesn't want 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:43.859 Jesus to die. 00:26:43.939 --> 00:26:44.359 He doesn't want 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.399 Jesus to be handed over. 00:26:45.479 --> 00:26:46.459 He wants him to be king. 00:26:47.219 --> 00:26:48.519 And Jesus says, 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.919 get behind me, 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:50.259 Satan. 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:51.079 And the reason he said 00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.759 that was because 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:53.299 he saw that behind 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.359 Peter's words 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:56.259 stood the devil. 00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:57.439 The devil was 00:26:57.439 --> 00:26:58.799 somehow tempting 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.339 Jesus 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:01.179 by suggesting 00:27:01.179 --> 00:27:02.599 that there was 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.819 another alternative 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.719 to be ruler 00:27:04.719 --> 00:27:05.959 in this world. 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:07.839 rather than 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.759 go to the cross. 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:11.019 Here's another one. 00:27:11.399 --> 00:27:11.899 And you may not 00:27:11.899 --> 00:27:12.419 agree with me 00:27:12.419 --> 00:27:13.139 in my interpretation 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:13.879 but this is something 00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:14.559 for your discussion 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.179 later on. 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:18.740 Matthew chapter 14, 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:19.319 I believe, 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.379 when Jesus 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:21.679 somehow withdrew 00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:23.359 away from the region 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.699 of Judea 00:27:24.699 --> 00:27:25.439 to the district 00:27:25.439 --> 00:27:26.519 of Tyre and Sidon. 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.319 And there he comes 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.139 across this 00:27:28.139 --> 00:27:29.919 Syrophoenician woman. 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.579 Remember that story? 00:27:31.679 --> 00:27:32.439 She comes to him, 00:27:32.899 --> 00:27:33.939 finds out where she is 00:27:33.939 --> 00:27:34.919 and she's got a daughter 00:27:34.919 --> 00:27:35.519 who's possessed 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.160 by a demon. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.299 So she comes to him 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:38.740 and she begs him, 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:40.139 Lord, please help my daughter. 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.819 And he doesn't say 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.619 anything to her. 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:45.259 He responds 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:47.279 in silence. 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.980 And you read the story 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:52.639 and you feel more awkward 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:53.139 all the time. 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.379 You say, 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.420 this is not like Jesus. 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.339 This is harsh. 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:56.940 It looks as if he doesn't 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.619 want to be kind 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.079 to this woman. 00:27:58.619 --> 00:27:59.559 He's been kind 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.259 to everyone else 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.000 and yet this woman 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.500 comes to him 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.700 and he's treating her. 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.940 This is not like him at all. 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:05.100 And what's more, 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.500 when his disciples 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:08.340 tell him to send her away, 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:09.880 he says this, 00:28:10.080 --> 00:28:10.799 it's not right 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:12.860 to take the children's bread 00:28:12.860 --> 00:28:14.259 and cast it to the dogs. 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:16.420 You think, 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:16.960 whoa, 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:19.279 what's come over him? 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.120 Well, 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.440 here's what I believe 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:22.960 was happening. 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:27.660 This is one of these moments 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.860 where Jesus is outside 00:28:28.860 --> 00:28:29.759 of his own people, 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:32.119 is outside of Judea 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:35.680 and he is receiving 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.960 humility 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.099 and reverence 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:39.099 and respect 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:40.339 and worship 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.619 from someone 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.759 who is not Jewish. 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:47.879 And he is suddenly struck 00:28:47.879 --> 00:28:49.079 by the prospect 00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:49.559 that 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:51.500 there are people 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.220 in this world 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.920 who would make me king 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:56.539 and who would honor me 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.720 and who would respect me. 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.720 My own people 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.600 want to kill me 00:28:59.600 --> 00:29:00.700 because they hate me. 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.759 There are people 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.960 in this world, 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.400 perhaps loads of them, 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:07.700 who would honor me 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:09.279 as I deserve. 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:12.799 I think that's probably 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.799 the best explanation 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.660 I've ever heard 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:16.019 why Jesus was silent. 00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:16.380 Of course, 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.140 you know the end 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:17.579 of the story, 00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:18.500 he did eventually 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.720 cleanse the daughter 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.420 and all was well. 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:23.320 but 00:29:23.320 --> 00:29:24.740 nonetheless, 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.539 you have this 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.940 dramatic moment. 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.240 It seems to be 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:29.460 a crisis moment 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.580 in the heart of Jesus 00:29:30.580 --> 00:29:31.960 where I believe 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.940 this was a temptation 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.420 to him 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:35.820 that there may be 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.620 another route. 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.220 And of course, 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.660 the best known 00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:40.340 is Gethsemane itself. 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.460 That 11th hour 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.960 just before he's arrested 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:44.940 where he goes 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.640 on his own 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.580 and he 00:29:46.580 --> 00:29:47.840 confronts the father 00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:48.380 and he says, 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:48.720 Father, 00:29:48.800 --> 00:29:49.680 if it be possible, 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:52.039 take this cup 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.460 from me. 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:52.660 Now, 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.759 here's the temptation 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:55.460 in Matthew chapter 4. 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:59.380 The serpent 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.680 is presenting him 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.539 with the option. 00:30:02.820 --> 00:30:03.360 There is 00:30:03.360 --> 00:30:04.220 a possible 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.060 other way 00:30:05.060 --> 00:30:05.980 that does not 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.539 involve 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.539 your suffering. 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.180 And remember, 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.519 he's becoming 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.460 more aware 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.259 of the horror 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:12.220 of the cross 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.779 in his own 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.480 consciousness. 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:17.480 And at the same time, 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.100 Satan 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:20.159 is saying to him, 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:20.899 it doesn't have 00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:21.759 to be like this. 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:24.240 Let's make a deal. 00:30:25.699 --> 00:30:26.539 Let's come to 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.199 an arrangement 00:30:27.199 --> 00:30:27.959 where we can 00:30:27.959 --> 00:30:28.879 work together. 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.639 I'm not an 00:30:29.639 --> 00:30:30.980 unreasonable person. 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:33.059 Let's work together 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:34.240 in order for you 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:35.279 to receive 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.179 the honour 00:30:36.179 --> 00:30:37.299 that you deserve. 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.099 And Jesus' 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.059 answer is 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.699 absolutely 00:30:41.699 --> 00:30:42.599 no. 00:30:42.699 --> 00:30:42.959 Do you know 00:30:42.959 --> 00:30:43.279 why? 00:30:44.139 --> 00:30:44.839 Two reasons. 00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:47.359 one, 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:48.079 because 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:49.220 he is 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:50.279 resolute 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:51.459 in his 00:30:51.459 --> 00:30:52.399 determination 00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:54.139 to obey 00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:54.980 God 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.939 in every 00:30:55.939 --> 00:30:56.740 detail. 00:30:58.199 --> 00:30:59.599 To do 00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.939 your will, 00:31:01.439 --> 00:31:02.559 I take 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.079 delight. 00:31:03.959 --> 00:31:04.480 That's 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.039 his aim. 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.159 That's 00:31:07.159 --> 00:31:07.959 his purpose. 00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:09.439 Second 00:31:09.439 --> 00:31:09.859 reason, 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.179 because of 00:31:11.179 --> 00:31:11.379 the 00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:12.699 extraordinary 00:31:12.699 --> 00:31:13.980 intensity 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:15.779 of his 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.360 love 00:31:16.360 --> 00:31:19.200 for you. 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.319 I don't 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:29.599 know about 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:29.740 you, 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:29.960 but 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:32.519 I find 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:32.860 that 00:31:32.860 --> 00:31:33.299 one of 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.599 the most 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:33.940 difficult 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.740 things to 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.220 accept. 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:40.059 Adam 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.880 deserved 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:43.020 the gift 00:31:43.020 --> 00:31:43.460 of God. 00:31:43.540 --> 00:31:43.740 He was 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.260 perfect. 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:47.380 I didn't. 00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.180 I can 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:51.620 understand 00:31:51.620 --> 00:31:52.040 why God 00:31:52.040 --> 00:31:53.000 would want 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.500 to give 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:53.840 Adam 00:31:53.840 --> 00:31:54.460 eternal 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:54.920 life. 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.000 But here 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.240 is the 00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.820 second Adam 00:31:59.820 --> 00:32:00.400 and he's 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:01.300 now going 00:32:01.300 --> 00:32:02.020 to pay 00:32:02.020 --> 00:32:03.200 the ultimate 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.060 price in 00:32:04.060 --> 00:32:04.640 order for 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:05.200 me to 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.140 have that 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.700 same gift 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.320 of everlasting 00:32:07.320 --> 00:32:07.780 life. 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:10.000 and I've 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.480 got it 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.839 because God 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.319 has given 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:12.720 it to 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:14.180 me in 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:14.519 the Lord 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.180 Jesus Christ 00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:16.039 because the 00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:16.859 last Adam 00:32:16.859 --> 00:32:19.500 has undid 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.639 undone 00:32:20.639 --> 00:32:22.660 what the 00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:23.240 first Adam 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:23.519 did. 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:26.160 Where he 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:29.019 disobeyed 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.460 God 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:31.500 and died, 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.359 the last 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:33.799 Adam 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.839 obeyed 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:35.279 God 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:37.299 and tasted 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.899 death 00:32:37.899 --> 00:32:39.459 for all 00:32:39.459 --> 00:32:39.959 of us 00:32:39.959 --> 00:32:41.619 so that 00:32:41.619 --> 00:32:43.399 we 00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:44.599 could be 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.059 made the 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.599 righteousness 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:47.220 of God 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:48.720 in him. 00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:50.859 So I 00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:51.240 hope you 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:52.599 appreciate 00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:54.720 how all 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.179 of this 00:32:55.179 --> 00:32:56.439 ties in 00:32:56.439 --> 00:32:56.899 with 00:32:56.899 --> 00:32:58.220 the 00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:58.819 forthcoming 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.279 death of 00:32:59.279 --> 00:32:59.500 Jesus, 00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:00.059 the death 00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:00.740 that wasn't 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:01.240 going to be 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:01.699 experienced 00:33:01.699 --> 00:33:02.199 for the next 00:33:02.199 --> 00:33:02.759 three years 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.359 and yet 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:04.000 it's on 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:04.659 the horizon. 00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:06.439 it's in 00:33:06.439 --> 00:33:07.319 his mind 00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:08.359 with growing 00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:08.899 awareness 00:33:08.899 --> 00:33:10.079 and he 00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:10.500 is going 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.079 to head 00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:11.959 towards it 00:33:11.959 --> 00:33:13.279 every day 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:13.699 that he 00:33:13.699 --> 00:33:14.159 lives is 00:33:14.159 --> 00:33:14.339 going to 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:14.559 be a 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.019 reminder 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.819 of what 00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:16.659 lies in 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:17.139 front of 00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:17.319 him. 00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:18.679 Every day 00:33:18.679 --> 00:33:19.639 is a 00:33:19.639 --> 00:33:20.000 day of 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:20.679 resolute 00:33:20.679 --> 00:33:21.480 determination 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.779 to complete 00:33:22.779 --> 00:33:23.759 the work 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.220 and not 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:24.899 until that 00:33:24.899 --> 00:33:25.839 final moment 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.559 when it 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:27.919 was finished 00:33:27.919 --> 00:33:29.399 did he 00:33:29.399 --> 00:33:29.939 stop 00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:31.660 because 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:33.400 God so 00:33:33.400 --> 00:33:33.880 loved 00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:34.940 his people 00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:36.100 that he 00:33:36.100 --> 00:33:36.640 gave himself 00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:37.360 for us. 00:33:38.860 --> 00:33:39.480 Let's 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.039 pray together. 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:45.759 Our 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:46.240 Father in 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:46.660 heaven we 00:33:46.660 --> 00:33:47.279 ask that 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:47.660 you will 00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:48.160 remind us 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:48.940 afresh of 00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:50.140 Jesus' 00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:51.059 determination. 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:52.500 We have 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.080 thanks Lord 00:33:53.080 --> 00:33:53.600 that at 00:33:53.600 --> 00:33:54.279 every turn 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:54.720 no matter 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.200 what 00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:56.620 was 00:33:56.620 --> 00:33:58.700 offered to 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:59.180 him by 00:33:59.180 --> 00:33:59.460 way of 00:33:59.460 --> 00:33:59.580 an 00:33:59.580 --> 00:34:00.180 alternative 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:01.779 that he 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.519 chose the 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:02.900 way of 00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:03.240 suffering 00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:03.860 because of 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:04.799 how 00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:05.319 necessary 00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.180 it was 00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:07.480 for our 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:08.039 salvation. 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:09.599 If he 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:09.980 had taken 00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:10.320 another 00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:11.059 path none 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.320 of us 00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:11.619 would be 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:11.880 here. 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:12.400 The world 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:12.699 would be 00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:13.240 destroyed. 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:13.760 We would 00:34:13.760 --> 00:34:14.320 be in a 00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:14.619 lost 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.179 eternity 00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:16.619 and yet 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.860 because he 00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:18.559 chose the 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:19.119 path of 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:19.619 obedience 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:21.639 we are 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.400 set free 00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:23.019 from sin 00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:24.380 and we 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.000 get to 00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:25.760 enjoy 00:34:25.760 --> 00:34:27.300 the 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:30.239 insurpassable 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:30.699 benefit 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:32.039 of being 00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:32.719 in Christ. 00:34:33.679 --> 00:34:34.159 So 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:34.639 Father in 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:35.039 heaven we 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.559 pray that 00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:36.139 you will 00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:36.539 remind us 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:36.880 again of 00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:37.380 the privilege 00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:37.780 which is 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:38.480 ours this 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.440 day. 00:34:40.340 --> 00:34:40.699 And Lord 00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:41.599 enable us 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:41.960 we pray 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:42.340 in the 00:34:42.340 --> 00:34:42.800 elements 00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:43.199 as we 00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:43.579 take 00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:43.900 as we 00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:44.280 feel 00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:44.659 as we 00:34:44.659 --> 00:34:45.159 taste 00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:46.059 the 00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:46.460 symbols 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:46.739 that 00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:47.199 represent 00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:47.480 the 00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:47.719 broken 00:34:47.719 --> 00:34:48.079 body 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:48.360 and the 00:34:48.360 --> 00:34:48.639 shed 00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:48.880 blood 00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:49.059 of 00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:49.400 Jesus. 00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:50.679 We 00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:50.960 pray 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.340 that we 00:34:51.340 --> 00:34:51.539 will 00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.019 not only 00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:52.539 remember 00:34:52.539 --> 00:34:52.940 but that 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.059 we 00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.239 would 00:34:53.239 --> 00:34:53.400 be 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.179 nourished 00:34:54.179 --> 00:34:56.539 by the 00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.000 gospel 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:57.539 by what 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:57.839 he has 00:34:57.839 --> 00:34:58.079 done 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:58.699 for us 00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.419 by him 00:34:59.419 --> 00:35:00.460 as he 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:00.719 meets 00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:01.179 with us 00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:01.440 this is 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:01.559 the 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.000 Lord's 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:02.319 table 00:35:02.319 --> 00:35:02.739 we thank 00:35:02.739 --> 00:35:03.019 you that 00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:03.199 you're 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:03.359 not 00:35:03.359 --> 00:35:03.980 far off 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.199 you're 00:35:04.199 --> 00:35:04.500 here 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.000 right in 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.179 this 00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:05.500 place 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:06.099 feeding 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:06.719 us 00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:07.859 feeding 00:35:07.859 --> 00:35:08.399 us 00:35:08.399 --> 00:35:08.799 with 00:35:08.799 --> 00:35:09.039 your 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:09.440 word 00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:10.720 take 00:35:10.720 --> 00:35:10.720 00:35:10.720 --> 00:35:10.920 away 00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:11.099 our 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:11.260 sin 00:35:11.260 --> 00:35:11.420 we 00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:11.659 pray 00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:11.820 in 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:12.059 Jesus 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:12.460 name 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:13.320 amen 00:35:13.320 --> 00:35:18.340 we're 00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:18.820 going to 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:21.079 sing 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:21.460 now 00:35:21.460 --> 00:35:22.159 and 00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:22.980 we're 00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:23.519 going to 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:23.700 sing 00:35:23.700 --> 00:35:23.860 in 00:35:23.860 --> 00:35:24.059 Psalm 00:35:24.059 --> 00:35:24.500 40 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:24.780 it's 00:35:24.780 --> 00:35:24.880 the 00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:25.260 traditional 00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:25.800 version 00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:26.740 we're 00:35:26.740 --> 00:35:26.880 going to 00:35:26.880 --> 00:35:27.099 sing 00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:27.420 from 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:27.760 verse 00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:28.380 5 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:28.780 to 00:35:28.780 --> 00:35:29.380 verse 00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:30.300 8 00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:32.079 Psalm 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:32.300 number 00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:32.579 40 00:35:32.579 --> 00:35:33.000 on page 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.940 259 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:35.519 Psalm 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:36.039 40 00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:39.980 from 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:40.320 verse 00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:40.840 5 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:43.480 O 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:43.719 Lord 00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:43.940 my 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:44.219 God 00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:44.519 full 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:44.840 many 00:35:44.840 --> 00:35:45.179 are 00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:45.840 the 00:35:45.840 --> 00:35:46.360 wonders 00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:46.639 thou 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:46.860 hast 00:35:46.860 --> 00:35:47.139 done 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:47.380 thy 00:35:47.380 --> 00:35:47.779 gracious 00:35:47.779 --> 00:35:48.239 thoughts 00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:48.639 to us 00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:48.800 were 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.139 far 00:35:49.139 --> 00:35:49.420 above 00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:49.699 all 00:35:49.699 --> 00:35:50.139 thoughts 00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:51.000 are 00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:51.380 gone 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:51.920 and so 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:52.139 on 00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:52.259 to 00:35:52.259 --> 00:35:52.519 verse 00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:52.800 8 00:35:52.800 --> 00:35:53.019 where 00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:53.179 we 00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:53.360 read 00:35:53.360 --> 00:35:53.579 these 00:35:53.579 --> 00:35:53.900 words 00:35:53.900 --> 00:35:54.039 that 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.159 we 00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:54.579 believe 00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:55.579 are 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:55.739 the 00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:56.000 words 00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:56.179 of 00:35:56.179 --> 00:35:56.559 Jesus 00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:56.940 to 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:57.139 do 00:35:57.139 --> 00:35:57.519 thy 00:35:57.519 --> 00:35:57.960 will 00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:59.019 I 00:35:59.019 --> 00:35:59.500 take 00:35:59.500 --> 00:35:59.940 delight 00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:00.199 O 00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:00.519 thou 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:00.860 my 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:01.320 God 00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:02.099 that 00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:02.380 art 00:36:02.380 --> 00:36:02.679 yea 00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:03.019 that 00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:03.400 most 00:36:03.400 --> 00:36:03.860 holy 00:36:03.860 --> 00:36:04.259 law 00:36:04.259 --> 00:36:04.460 of 00:36:04.460 --> 00:36:04.759 thine 00:36:04.759 --> 00:36:04.980 I 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:05.460 have 00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:06.420 within 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:07.079 my 00:36:07.079 --> 00:36:07.619 heart 00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:08.300 Psalm 00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:08.840 40 00:36:08.840 --> 00:36:09.579 and 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:09.880 verse 00:36:09.880 --> 00:36:10.480 5 00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:11.059 to 00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:11.460 verse 00:36:11.460 --> 00:36:11.920 8 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.420 and 00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:12.659 we'll 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:12.960 stand 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.159 to 00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:13.340 sing 00:36:13.340 --> 00:36:13.720 together 00:36:13.719 --> 00:36:15.719 ! 00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:15.719 00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:15.719 00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:19.679 us 00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:21.679 ! 00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:22.219 O 00:36:22.219 --> 00:36:22.219 00:36:22.219 --> 00:36:22.219 00:36:22.219 --> 00:36:23.980 Maria 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:26.599 the 00:36:26.599 --> 00:36:29.139 wonders 00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:29.139 00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:29.659 of 00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:31.799 us 00:36:31.799 --> 00:36:31.799 00:36:31.799 --> 00:36:33.299 love 00:36:33.299 --> 00:36:33.299 00:36:33.299 --> 00:36:34.799 thy 00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:35.960 miracle 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:35.960 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:50.900 Jesus told to us for love, above all those are all. 00:36:50.900 --> 00:37:08.280 In order not, not bread on them, to lead them to bread. 00:37:08.280 --> 00:37:26.280 I seek for them, my new day, Lord, are now in number of love. 00:37:26.280 --> 00:37:41.280 God, if I saw all the day, this time was all beside. 00:37:41.280 --> 00:37:59.280 My ears, my Lord, sin all in love, I've learned his fault in fire. 00:37:59.280 --> 00:38:17.280 To the Lord, he swear my words, I come, the hope of sea. 00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:35.280 Within the home, you know the blue and red spirits on me. 00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:52.280 To thine will I take delight, O thou, my God, the light. 00:38:52.280 --> 00:39:10.280 Yea, at most holy of thine, I am within my heart. 00:39:10.280 --> 00:39:21.480 Let me just say a brief word, as we often do at a time like this, 00:39:22.019 --> 00:39:27.660 that explains the qualifications or the right that God's people have 00:39:27.660 --> 00:39:31.320 to sit at his table and to remember his death. 00:39:31.320 --> 00:39:34.860 And the passage I want to take is Romans chapter 8, 00:39:34.860 --> 00:39:40.740 where Paul makes a distinction between two groups of people. 00:39:42.400 --> 00:39:46.099 Those who, first of all, live according to the flesh 00:39:46.099 --> 00:39:49.840 and those who live according to the spirit. 00:39:49.960 --> 00:39:51.220 Let me just read what he says. 00:39:51.280 --> 00:39:53.240 I think these words are self-explanatory. 00:39:54.099 --> 00:39:55.660 Those who live according to the flesh 00:39:55.660 --> 00:40:01.019 have no reason to sit at the Lord's table. 00:40:01.760 --> 00:40:04.059 They're not guided by God. 00:40:04.860 --> 00:40:08.780 God has not opened their hearts, their eyes, their minds, 00:40:09.140 --> 00:40:14.160 and they simply live from day to day in their own way. 00:40:15.360 --> 00:40:18.340 Those who live according to the spirit, on the other hand, 00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:20.900 are those whose hearts have been opened by the spirit 00:40:20.900 --> 00:40:25.579 and in whom God dwells. 00:40:25.640 --> 00:40:26.740 Now, just let me read it. 00:40:27.860 --> 00:40:30.000 For those who live according to the flesh 00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:33.680 set their minds on the things of the flesh. 00:40:34.860 --> 00:40:37.820 But those who live according to the spirit 00:40:37.820 --> 00:40:40.640 set their minds on the things of the spirit. 00:40:42.260 --> 00:40:44.900 To set the mind on the flesh is death, 00:40:45.579 --> 00:40:47.260 but to set the mind on the spirit 00:40:47.260 --> 00:40:50.460 is life and peace. 00:40:51.500 --> 00:40:53.320 For the mind that is set on the flesh 00:40:53.320 --> 00:40:54.960 is hostile to God. 00:40:55.700 --> 00:40:57.800 For it does not submit to God's law. 00:40:58.500 --> 00:40:59.320 Indeed, it cannot. 00:40:59.320 --> 00:41:04.140 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 00:41:05.680 --> 00:41:09.080 So I guess that's the question that we ask ourselves. 00:41:09.700 --> 00:41:10.740 Where is our mind? 00:41:11.680 --> 00:41:13.039 On what does our mind say? 00:41:13.100 --> 00:41:14.780 Now, I'm not asking if we're being distracted. 00:41:14.900 --> 00:41:15.680 We're all distracted. 00:41:15.960 --> 00:41:18.160 And, you know, even when we come to worship, 00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:20.860 one of the biggest obstacles to worship is distraction. 00:41:20.980 --> 00:41:21.980 I'm not asking that. 00:41:21.980 --> 00:41:25.219 God knows the struggles that we have. 00:41:25.360 --> 00:41:27.840 But ultimately, ultimately, 00:41:28.019 --> 00:41:29.480 at the root of who you are, 00:41:29.639 --> 00:41:30.460 where is your mind? 00:41:30.559 --> 00:41:31.119 What's your mind? 00:41:31.199 --> 00:41:34.059 Is your mind on the flesh? 00:41:34.760 --> 00:41:36.000 Do you just want to please yourself? 00:41:37.039 --> 00:41:38.480 Or do you want to please God? 00:41:39.380 --> 00:41:41.719 I'm not asking if you please God perfectly. 00:41:41.900 --> 00:41:42.679 None of us do. 00:41:42.820 --> 00:41:44.099 But I'm asking, do you want to? 00:41:45.059 --> 00:41:47.519 Do you love God because he first loved you? 00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:51.079 And is your desire, is your longing to please him, 00:41:51.159 --> 00:41:52.320 to become more like him, 00:41:53.119 --> 00:41:56.559 to live in the light of his word and his commands? 00:41:56.820 --> 00:41:58.340 Do you want to be led by him? 00:41:59.259 --> 00:42:01.840 If Jesus, if you were living at the time of Jesus, 00:42:01.940 --> 00:42:03.440 would you be one of these people like Mary? 00:42:03.559 --> 00:42:05.480 And even Martha, Lazarus, 00:42:05.539 --> 00:42:07.519 who just wanted to spend time with him, 00:42:07.599 --> 00:42:09.280 listening to him, drinking in his word, 00:42:09.400 --> 00:42:10.119 serving him? 00:42:11.099 --> 00:42:12.300 Or like the disciples? 00:42:13.119 --> 00:42:14.400 Is that where you would be? 00:42:14.400 --> 00:42:18.800 If so, then that's where we are today, 00:42:19.300 --> 00:42:20.619 at the Lord's table. 00:42:21.220 --> 00:42:23.000 It doesn't really matter what century we're in. 00:42:23.139 --> 00:42:24.780 It's the same Jesus. 00:42:24.940 --> 00:42:25.519 He's alive. 00:42:25.639 --> 00:42:26.200 He's with us. 00:42:26.559 --> 00:42:28.119 He's present with us. 00:42:29.220 --> 00:42:31.180 And just like the disciples wanted to be with him 00:42:31.180 --> 00:42:31.780 at the Last Supper, 00:42:31.860 --> 00:42:33.579 we want to be with him here today. 00:42:34.940 --> 00:42:37.139 And that contrasts vastly 00:42:37.139 --> 00:42:40.059 with the other category of people. 00:42:40.579 --> 00:42:43.059 We can all remember when we belonged to that category, 00:42:43.059 --> 00:42:45.079 when we had no interest in God, 00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:46.440 at least most of us can, 00:42:47.019 --> 00:42:48.400 until God changed that. 00:42:50.039 --> 00:42:53.219 And until God gave us a real love 00:42:53.219 --> 00:42:54.739 and a real longing and a desire 00:42:54.739 --> 00:42:56.960 to obey him, 00:42:57.179 --> 00:42:58.259 to listen to his word, 00:42:59.019 --> 00:43:02.119 and to be forgiven from all our sins. 00:43:02.860 --> 00:43:03.739 And so that's who should be. 00:43:04.400 --> 00:43:06.799 You know, this part of the service 00:43:06.799 --> 00:43:08.239 is traditionally called fencing. 00:43:09.019 --> 00:43:10.340 I've never liked that term. 00:43:10.420 --> 00:43:11.840 I have to say I've never liked it 00:43:11.840 --> 00:43:12.780 because it gives the impression 00:43:12.780 --> 00:43:13.960 that we're trying to keep people out. 00:43:14.059 --> 00:43:14.480 We're not. 00:43:15.400 --> 00:43:16.519 God's word is an invitation. 00:43:16.720 --> 00:43:17.900 We'll see this tonight. 00:43:18.960 --> 00:43:20.380 God's word is an invitation. 00:43:20.519 --> 00:43:22.440 The gospel is an invitation to come. 00:43:23.700 --> 00:43:27.660 And yet, if your mind is not set on God, 00:43:28.440 --> 00:43:30.320 then you won't want to come. 00:43:30.860 --> 00:43:31.920 Because coming to the table 00:43:31.920 --> 00:43:33.980 is not going to save anybody by itself. 00:43:33.980 --> 00:43:36.719 But if coming to the table 00:43:36.719 --> 00:43:40.240 is a mark of your confession 00:43:40.240 --> 00:43:43.619 that I love the Lord 00:43:43.619 --> 00:43:44.840 because he heard my voice, 00:43:45.840 --> 00:43:49.539 then this is the right place for us, 00:43:49.679 --> 00:43:50.740 along with God's people. 00:43:52.000 --> 00:43:53.440 Now, we're going to sing together, 00:43:53.579 --> 00:43:56.960 and we're going to sing in Psalm number 118. 00:43:57.119 --> 00:43:58.559 It's the Sing Psalms version, 00:43:58.559 --> 00:44:00.400 and I think I may have given the presenter 00:44:00.400 --> 00:44:01.259 the wrong verse. 00:44:02.299 --> 00:44:04.900 And if I have, then my apologies. 00:44:05.259 --> 00:44:06.900 But it's verse 19. 00:44:08.840 --> 00:44:10.420 I think I've written down nine. 00:44:10.619 --> 00:44:11.239 It's not nine. 00:44:11.360 --> 00:44:12.099 It's 19. 00:44:13.099 --> 00:44:14.199 And we'll sing three verses 00:44:14.199 --> 00:44:18.579 because I don't want to take up too much time. 00:44:19.579 --> 00:44:20.559 Sing Psalm 119. 00:44:21.380 --> 00:44:22.259 Sing Psalm's version, 00:44:22.460 --> 00:44:23.820 and it's on page 156, 00:44:23.820 --> 00:44:25.740 and it's verse 19. 00:44:26.039 --> 00:44:29.400 Throw wide the gates of righteousness. 00:44:29.740 --> 00:44:31.820 I'll enter and give thanks to God. 00:44:32.460 --> 00:44:33.820 This is the gate of God 00:44:33.820 --> 00:44:35.600 through which the righteous came, 00:44:36.220 --> 00:44:37.620 come before the Lord. 00:44:37.820 --> 00:44:38.860 So we'll sing three verses 00:44:38.860 --> 00:44:40.260 from 19 to 24 00:44:40.260 --> 00:44:45.300 as we prepare to dispense the elements. 00:44:45.720 --> 00:44:48.800 So Psalm 118 and verse 19 00:44:48.800 --> 00:44:50.039 on page 156, 00:44:50.460 --> 00:44:51.480 and we'll stand to sing. 00:44:53.820 --> 00:45:23.800 Psalm 119. 00:45:23.800 --> 00:45:29.160 Come before the Lord. 00:45:29.880 --> 00:45:37.900 You answer me, I will give thanks. 00:45:38.380 --> 00:45:46.600 Salvation comes from you alone. 00:45:46.599 --> 00:45:55.440 The stone the builders have refuted 00:45:55.440 --> 00:46:04.599 Has now become the cornerstone. 00:46:05.880 --> 00:46:13.339 Lord himself has done all this. 00:46:13.340 --> 00:46:22.240 It is upon the letter's light. 00:46:22.740 --> 00:46:31.220 This is the day the Lord has made. 00:46:31.500 --> 00:46:38.840 In it let us take great delight.