WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.000 ... 00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:04.000 ... 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:06.000 ... 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:08.000 ... 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:10.000 ... 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:12.000 ... 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:14.000 ... 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:16.000 ... 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:17.559 As we come to God's word together, let's pray. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:23.900 Father, we ask that you would 00:00:23.900 --> 00:00:25.580 help us this morning 00:00:25.580 --> 00:00:27.179 to 00:00:27.179 --> 00:00:29.900 not just gather information, 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.640 about 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:33.780 the Bible, or even just 00:00:33.780 --> 00:00:35.140 information about you, 00:00:35.539 --> 00:00:37.880 but as we come now before 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:39.980 your word, we pray that we would come to know you 00:00:39.980 --> 00:00:40.799 truly and better. 00:00:42.299 --> 00:00:43.899 That your Holy Spirit would be 00:00:43.899 --> 00:00:45.640 poured out this morning so that we might 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:47.799 see you in the face of Jesus Christ 00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:50.299 and that 00:00:50.299 --> 00:00:52.219 we might know how deep 00:00:52.219 --> 00:00:54.200 and how 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:55.480 certain 00:00:55.480 --> 00:00:57.840 and how transformative 00:00:57.840 --> 00:00:59.120 is your love for us. 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:01.159 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:01:01.339 --> 00:01:01.539 Amen. 00:01:04.039 --> 00:01:05.000 Luke chapter 4, 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:06.939 verses 31 through 44. 00:01:08.399 --> 00:01:09.679 And he, that is Jesus, 00:01:09.819 --> 00:01:10.840 went down to Capernaum, 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:12.099 a city of Galilee. 00:01:13.319 --> 00:01:14.900 And he was teaching them on the Sabbath 00:01:14.900 --> 00:01:17.299 and they were astonished at his teaching 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:18.900 for his word 00:01:18.900 --> 00:01:20.739 possessed authority. 00:01:20.739 --> 00:01:23.280 And in the synagogue, 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:24.420 there was a man who had the spirit 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:25.280 of an unclean demon 00:01:25.280 --> 00:01:27.000 and he cried out with a loud voice, 00:01:27.459 --> 00:01:27.699 Ha! 00:01:28.179 --> 00:01:29.959 What have you to do with us, 00:01:30.199 --> 00:01:31.280 Jesus of Nazareth? 00:01:31.719 --> 00:01:33.479 Have you come to destroy us? 00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:35.219 I know who you are, 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:36.719 the Holy One of God. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:39.319 But Jesus rebuked him, 00:01:39.399 --> 00:01:39.659 saying, 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:40.439 Be silent 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:41.560 and come out of him. 00:01:42.319 --> 00:01:43.919 And when the demon had thrown him down 00:01:43.919 --> 00:01:44.539 in their midst, 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:45.919 he came out of him, 00:01:46.640 --> 00:01:47.819 having done him no harm. 00:01:47.819 --> 00:01:50.539 And they were all amazed 00:01:50.539 --> 00:01:51.559 and said to one another, 00:01:51.779 --> 00:01:53.319 What is this word? 00:01:54.019 --> 00:01:55.599 For with authority and power 00:01:55.599 --> 00:01:57.539 he commands the unclean spirits 00:01:57.539 --> 00:01:58.759 and they come out. 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:00.959 And reports about him 00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:02.119 went out into every place 00:02:02.119 --> 00:02:03.079 in the surrounding region. 00:02:04.019 --> 00:02:04.639 And he arose 00:02:04.639 --> 00:02:05.359 and left the synagogue 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:06.539 and entered Simon's house. 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:08.240 Now Simon's mother-in-law 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:09.919 was ill with a high fever 00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:10.979 and they appealed to him 00:02:10.979 --> 00:02:11.659 on her behalf. 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:13.379 And he stood over her 00:02:13.379 --> 00:02:14.439 and rebuked the fever 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:15.740 and it left her 00:02:15.740 --> 00:02:16.900 and immediately 00:02:16.900 --> 00:02:18.180 she rose 00:02:18.180 --> 00:02:19.680 and began to serve them. 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:21.439 Now when the sun 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:22.180 was setting, 00:02:22.300 --> 00:02:23.140 all those who had any 00:02:23.140 --> 00:02:23.599 who were sick 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:24.480 with various diseases 00:02:24.480 --> 00:02:25.340 brought them to him 00:02:25.340 --> 00:02:26.520 and he laid his hands 00:02:26.520 --> 00:02:27.540 on every one of them 00:02:27.540 --> 00:02:28.319 and healed them. 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:29.879 And demons also came out 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:30.540 of many crying, 00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:31.599 You are the Son of God. 00:02:31.879 --> 00:02:32.800 But he rebuked them 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:33.759 and would not allow them 00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:34.200 to speak 00:02:34.200 --> 00:02:34.900 because they knew 00:02:34.900 --> 00:02:35.800 that he was the Christ. 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:37.780 And when it was day, 00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:38.300 he departed 00:02:38.300 --> 00:02:39.800 and went into a desolate place. 00:02:40.620 --> 00:02:41.560 And the people sought him 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:42.280 and came to him 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:43.040 and would have kept him 00:02:43.040 --> 00:02:43.680 from leaving them 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:44.420 but he said to them, 00:02:44.419 --> 00:02:46.019 I must preach 00:02:46.019 --> 00:02:46.839 the good news 00:02:46.839 --> 00:02:47.839 of the kingdom of God 00:02:47.839 --> 00:02:49.219 to other towns as well 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:50.819 for I was sent 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:51.599 for this purpose. 00:02:52.779 --> 00:02:53.439 And he was preaching 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:54.199 in the synagogues 00:02:54.199 --> 00:02:54.739 of Judea. 00:02:57.919 --> 00:02:59.279 So this winter 00:02:59.279 --> 00:03:00.259 and spring, 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:01.399 we are studying 00:03:01.399 --> 00:03:02.099 the first part 00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:03.019 of the Gospel of Luke, 00:03:03.159 --> 00:03:03.959 Jesus' ministry 00:03:03.959 --> 00:03:04.639 in Galilee. 00:03:05.399 --> 00:03:06.739 And we're doing that 00:03:06.739 --> 00:03:08.119 because it's good, 00:03:08.179 --> 00:03:08.500 you know, 00:03:08.839 --> 00:03:09.560 in our life 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:10.199 as a church 00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:11.459 to come back 00:03:11.459 --> 00:03:12.039 continually 00:03:12.039 --> 00:03:13.539 to the center 00:03:13.539 --> 00:03:15.039 of what it's all about. 00:03:16.379 --> 00:03:16.819 Because 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:17.939 what Christianity 00:03:17.939 --> 00:03:18.719 is all about 00:03:18.719 --> 00:03:20.379 is not ultimately, 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:21.319 what the church 00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:21.819 is all about 00:03:21.819 --> 00:03:22.739 is not ultimately 00:03:22.739 --> 00:03:24.239 a set of ideas 00:03:24.239 --> 00:03:25.819 or a code of ethics 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:26.639 though it certainly 00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:28.879 implies those things. 00:03:29.019 --> 00:03:29.519 Ultimately, 00:03:30.639 --> 00:03:30.959 Christianity 00:03:30.959 --> 00:03:32.000 is about a person. 00:03:33.339 --> 00:03:33.759 It's about 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:34.500 the historical 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:35.539 person 00:03:35.539 --> 00:03:36.780 of Jesus Christ. 00:03:36.780 --> 00:03:39.560 So if you're 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:40.400 not a Christian, 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:41.219 we hope this series 00:03:41.219 --> 00:03:42.140 in some ways 00:03:42.140 --> 00:03:43.080 gives you a front row seat 00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:43.800 to the main event. 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:44.920 Here we go. 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:46.580 Here is what it's all about. 00:03:47.060 --> 00:03:47.680 What do you make 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:48.460 of Jesus Christ? 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:50.960 And if you're here 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:51.939 and you are a Christian, 00:03:52.920 --> 00:03:53.340 honestly, 00:03:53.479 --> 00:03:54.759 we hope that this series 00:03:54.759 --> 00:03:56.159 sparks a season 00:03:56.159 --> 00:03:56.840 of renewal 00:03:56.840 --> 00:03:57.620 for you. 00:03:59.800 --> 00:04:00.460 Because you see, 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:01.659 spiritually in the Christian life, 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:03.219 spirituality in the Christian life 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:04.340 really boils down 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:06.159 to beholding Christ. 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:08.099 To adoring him, 00:04:08.219 --> 00:04:09.140 to worshiping him, 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:10.020 to having our hearts 00:04:10.020 --> 00:04:11.180 drawn to intimacy 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:12.080 with him together. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:14.080 And through that work 00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:15.020 of the Holy Spirit, 00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:16.660 we're changed 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:17.240 more and more 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:17.959 to be like him. 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:21.139 So that's why 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:21.720 we're in Luke 00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:22.959 in this season. 00:04:23.899 --> 00:04:24.959 And our text this morning 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:26.000 we see right away 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:27.500 is about Jesus' 00:04:27.779 --> 00:04:28.600 authority. 00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:31.420 Verse 32, 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:32.899 they were astonished 00:04:32.899 --> 00:04:33.680 at his teaching 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:34.660 because his word 00:04:34.660 --> 00:04:35.720 possessed what? 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:36.500 Authority. 00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:38.439 And then in verse 36, 00:04:38.559 --> 00:04:39.599 what is this word 00:04:39.599 --> 00:04:40.619 for with authority 00:04:40.619 --> 00:04:41.659 and power 00:04:41.659 --> 00:04:42.539 he commands 00:04:42.539 --> 00:04:43.319 the unclean spirits 00:04:43.319 --> 00:04:44.159 and they come out? 00:04:45.419 --> 00:04:46.639 We see the same theme 00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:47.439 repeated when Luke 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:48.219 repeats that word 00:04:48.219 --> 00:04:48.879 rebuke 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:49.979 in this passage. 00:04:50.099 --> 00:04:50.739 Did you catch that? 00:04:51.879 --> 00:04:52.799 In verse 35, 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:53.779 Jesus does what? 00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:54.479 He rebukes 00:04:54.479 --> 00:04:55.399 the unclean spirit. 00:04:55.619 --> 00:04:56.699 And then in verse 39, 00:04:56.899 --> 00:04:57.719 he rebukes 00:04:57.719 --> 00:04:58.479 the high fever 00:04:58.479 --> 00:04:59.459 of Simon's mother-in-law. 00:04:59.699 --> 00:05:00.819 Then in verse 41, 00:05:00.979 --> 00:05:01.679 he rebukes 00:05:01.679 --> 00:05:02.199 even more 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:03.259 oppressive evil forces. 00:05:03.259 --> 00:05:05.719 the rebuke here 00:05:05.719 --> 00:05:06.300 is Jesus' 00:05:06.539 --> 00:05:07.420 authoritative 00:05:07.420 --> 00:05:09.259 commanding word. 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:11.980 So in our passage, 00:05:12.099 --> 00:05:12.699 Luke wants us 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:13.920 to come face-to-face 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:15.120 with Jesus' 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:16.099 authority. 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:20.399 Which maybe starts 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:20.860 to challenge 00:05:20.860 --> 00:05:21.360 what we think 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:22.240 we know about Jesus. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:23.920 And honestly, 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:26.039 what we're comfortable with. 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:28.680 I think most of us 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:29.540 are probably comfortable 00:05:29.540 --> 00:05:30.720 with the idea of 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:31.360 Jesus, 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:32.860 the great moral example. 00:05:33.780 --> 00:05:34.740 He lived a good life 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:35.720 and so should you. 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:38.700 Or we're comfortable 00:05:38.700 --> 00:05:39.300 with Jesus, 00:05:39.460 --> 00:05:40.140 the encourager, 00:05:40.340 --> 00:05:40.920 the motivator, 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:42.259 the one who gets behind me 00:05:42.259 --> 00:05:43.600 and helps me along the way, 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:44.680 whatever I happen to choose 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:45.640 my life path to be. 00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:49.180 Those ideas about Jesus, 00:05:49.320 --> 00:05:50.020 we're okay with them 00:05:50.020 --> 00:05:50.740 and there's some truth 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:51.300 in each of them. 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:51.640 But you know, 00:05:51.720 --> 00:05:52.580 according to the earliest 00:05:52.580 --> 00:05:53.560 witnesses to the life 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:54.560 of Jesus that we have 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:55.300 and the gospel of Luke 00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:55.980 is one of those, 00:05:56.040 --> 00:05:57.040 that's not primarily 00:05:57.040 --> 00:05:58.180 the picture that we get 00:05:58.180 --> 00:05:58.720 of Jesus. 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:00.480 It's not Jesus 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:01.340 the moral example. 00:06:01.580 --> 00:06:02.240 It's not Jesus 00:06:02.240 --> 00:06:03.540 the great motivator. 00:06:03.640 --> 00:06:04.040 But Jesus, 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:06.020 the utterly authoritative one. 00:06:10.580 --> 00:06:11.420 And I think we see 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:12.200 at least three things 00:06:12.200 --> 00:06:13.340 about Jesus' authority 00:06:13.340 --> 00:06:14.580 in our text this morning 00:06:14.580 --> 00:06:15.420 that we're going to walk through. 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:17.780 The first thing is 00:06:17.780 --> 00:06:19.680 we see the threat 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:21.160 of Jesus' authority. 00:06:21.980 --> 00:06:23.000 Jesus' authority 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:24.500 threatens us. 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:27.540 I think if we're honest, 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:29.300 we don't really like 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:31.040 the idea of authority. 00:06:31.480 --> 00:06:32.400 I've used the word authority 00:06:32.400 --> 00:06:33.100 about a hundred times 00:06:33.100 --> 00:06:33.740 already in this sermon 00:06:33.740 --> 00:06:34.600 and we're all sort of feeling 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:35.319 a little uncomfortable, 00:06:35.520 --> 00:06:35.819 aren't we? 00:06:37.460 --> 00:06:38.060 Come on, 00:06:38.100 --> 00:06:38.540 we're all children 00:06:38.540 --> 00:06:39.180 of the enlightenment, 00:06:39.580 --> 00:06:40.580 children of the modern era, 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:41.540 and for us, 00:06:41.680 --> 00:06:42.540 authority is nearly 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:44.500 always viewed suspiciously. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:46.660 And you know, 00:06:46.780 --> 00:06:47.700 perhaps there's some 00:06:47.700 --> 00:06:48.439 or maybe a lot 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:49.660 of justification for that. 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:51.860 When people in positions 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:52.939 of power abuse 00:06:52.939 --> 00:06:53.580 their authority, 00:06:53.740 --> 00:06:54.660 it's only natural 00:06:54.660 --> 00:06:55.460 to start to think 00:06:55.460 --> 00:06:55.980 that authority 00:06:55.980 --> 00:06:56.840 is a bad thing 00:06:56.840 --> 00:06:57.500 or at least 00:06:57.500 --> 00:06:58.400 a dangerous thing, 00:06:58.640 --> 00:06:59.360 a thing that needs 00:06:59.360 --> 00:06:59.840 to be sort of 00:06:59.840 --> 00:07:00.780 carefully contained 00:07:00.780 --> 00:07:02.060 like a hazardous substance. 00:07:05.340 --> 00:07:06.200 At best, 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:07.300 we only want someone 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:08.060 to have authority 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:08.860 in our lives 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:11.379 if we grant it to them 00:07:11.379 --> 00:07:13.360 and if it has 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:14.740 very defined boundaries. 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:17.280 I join a sports team 00:07:17.280 --> 00:07:18.540 or I join a theater group 00:07:18.540 --> 00:07:19.699 or I take a new job 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:21.100 and I implicitly 00:07:21.100 --> 00:07:21.780 sort of grant 00:07:21.780 --> 00:07:22.420 that coach 00:07:22.420 --> 00:07:23.060 or that director 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:23.699 or that boss 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:24.860 some degree of authority 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:25.460 in my life. 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:26.579 They get to call the plays, 00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:27.680 they get to make 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:28.980 the artistic decisions, 00:07:29.220 --> 00:07:30.540 they get to lead the company, 00:07:30.600 --> 00:07:31.759 but it's all very defined, 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:33.600 all very compartmentalized. 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:34.439 At the end of the day, 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:37.019 I still keep my autonomy 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:38.180 and I still have authority 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:39.199 over my life. 00:07:40.540 --> 00:07:42.079 And so when Jesus arrives 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:43.699 before us in this text 00:07:43.699 --> 00:07:45.539 as one with authority, 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:47.120 with utter authority, 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:48.560 with complete authority, 00:07:49.079 --> 00:07:51.259 such that what he says goes, 00:07:52.699 --> 00:07:53.279 I mean, come on, 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:54.039 if we're honest, 00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:57.019 we don't really like it. 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:00.639 Deep down, I think, 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:02.620 we might even hate it. 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:06.240 We can handle a moral example 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:08.360 and we can handle a motivator, 00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:11.639 but not an authority. 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:15.300 Have you thought about 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:15.899 why that is? 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:19.779 Why is the prospect 00:08:19.779 --> 00:08:21.620 of Jesus' complete authority 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:22.979 such a threat to us? 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:26.039 Why does it repel us so often? 00:08:29.039 --> 00:08:30.000 Well, deep down, 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:31.039 I think it's because 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:34.960 we think it will destroy us. 00:08:37.080 --> 00:08:38.480 What have you to do with us, 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:39.559 Jesus of Nazareth? 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:41.740 Have you come to destroy us? 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:45.840 How many of us, 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:46.840 maybe not in the same language, 00:08:46.940 --> 00:08:47.840 have thought the same thing? 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:51.080 If I were to let Jesus' authority 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:52.320 shape my entire life, 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:53.080 if I were to let him 00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:54.460 have complete sway over me, 00:08:54.539 --> 00:08:55.799 if I made him my Lord, 00:08:56.680 --> 00:08:57.980 then the only possible outcome 00:08:57.980 --> 00:08:58.879 that I can envision 00:08:58.879 --> 00:08:59.860 in that scenario 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:01.379 is that it would destroy me. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:02.460 My happiness, 00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:03.039 my joy, 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:03.580 my freedom. 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:06.740 And you know, 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:07.899 this threat of his authority 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:08.440 goes deeper 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:09.480 than just having some 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:11.019 new inconvenient things 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:12.059 that I'd have to start doing 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:13.659 or some sort of old 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:15.600 things I like, 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:16.759 I'd have to stop doing those. 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:17.059 You know, 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:17.639 it's not like, 00:09:17.720 --> 00:09:17.879 well, 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:18.539 now I'd have to start 00:09:18.539 --> 00:09:19.259 going to church 00:09:19.259 --> 00:09:20.539 and I'd have to stop 00:09:20.539 --> 00:09:21.720 posting snarky comments 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:22.299 on Facebook. 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:25.919 It goes deeper than that, 00:09:25.939 --> 00:09:26.299 doesn't it? 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:30.240 It gets down to our identity. 00:09:32.819 --> 00:09:33.579 You sense, 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:34.299 you and I sense 00:09:34.299 --> 00:09:35.319 that there's something 00:09:35.319 --> 00:09:37.679 you have to let go of 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:39.099 at a deep 00:09:39.099 --> 00:09:40.779 sort of subterranean level 00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:42.839 if Jesus is going to have 00:09:42.839 --> 00:09:43.739 this sort of authority 00:09:43.739 --> 00:09:44.399 in your life. 00:09:46.339 --> 00:09:47.379 And that's scary 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:50.179 because up till now, 00:09:50.319 --> 00:09:52.079 there's a particular way 00:09:52.079 --> 00:09:53.579 that you've defined yourself. 00:09:54.099 --> 00:09:55.579 This is who I really am 00:09:55.579 --> 00:09:57.000 or this 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:58.099 or this, 00:09:58.239 --> 00:09:59.139 whatever it is. 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:01.219 But now, 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:04.579 you have to belong to him. 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:07.379 He has to be 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:08.180 the Lord of your life. 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:10.700 He's the defining thing now. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:17.259 I wonder how many 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:19.160 of our intellectual objections 00:10:19.160 --> 00:10:20.680 to Christianity 00:10:20.680 --> 00:10:22.700 really at bottom 00:10:22.700 --> 00:10:24.879 are about this. 00:10:26.900 --> 00:10:27.320 Now, 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:27.940 there's nothing wrong 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:28.500 with questions 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:29.400 and there's nothing wrong 00:10:29.400 --> 00:10:30.240 with honest doubts. 00:10:30.800 --> 00:10:31.600 If Christianity, 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:32.040 after all, 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:32.940 claims to be true, 00:10:33.040 --> 00:10:33.600 then we have to 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:34.320 at some level 00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:35.060 ask questions 00:10:35.060 --> 00:10:35.820 and raise our doubts 00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:36.639 and wrestle with them. 00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:37.220 And here at Trinity, 00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:38.240 we want to be the kind of place 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:39.240 where we ask those questions 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:41.000 and wrestle with those doubts together. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.200 We want to welcome 00:10:42.200 --> 00:10:43.240 that sort of exploration. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.580 But at some point, 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:48.420 there comes a moment 00:10:48.420 --> 00:10:49.940 when the questions before us 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:51.100 as we consider Christianity 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:52.440 stop being intellectual 00:10:52.440 --> 00:10:53.860 and they start being personal. 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:57.440 Am I willing to stop 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:58.899 being the Lord of my own life 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:01.040 and let Jesus be Lord? 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:06.320 And we have to ask ourselves, 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:07.200 am I willing 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:09.159 to be brutally honest 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:10.159 with my own doubts 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:11.259 to the point 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:13.060 where I can admit 00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:16.820 that some of my intellectual questions 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:18.019 might be a smokescreen, 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:20.040 a way of avoiding 00:11:20.040 --> 00:11:20.920 the real question 00:11:20.920 --> 00:11:22.019 of whether or not 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:23.080 I can embrace 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:24.800 Jesus' authority over me? 00:11:27.680 --> 00:11:28.560 In other words, 00:11:28.660 --> 00:11:28.820 friends, 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:29.759 can you be honest enough 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:30.160 with yourself 00:11:30.160 --> 00:11:30.700 to acknowledge 00:11:30.700 --> 00:11:31.279 when deep down 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:31.940 what's keeping you 00:11:31.940 --> 00:11:32.600 from Christianity 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:34.160 is that you're afraid, 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:35.980 afraid that submitting 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:36.620 to his authority 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:37.840 will simply destroy you. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:43.820 But you know, 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:44.560 this isn't just an issue 00:11:44.560 --> 00:11:45.080 for those of us 00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:46.660 who are considering Christianity. 00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:47.700 It's an issue 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:48.280 for those of us 00:11:48.280 --> 00:11:49.380 who are already Christians too. 00:11:51.060 --> 00:11:51.980 Because there will always 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:52.640 be remaining sin 00:11:52.640 --> 00:11:53.060 in our lives. 00:11:53.140 --> 00:11:53.860 We will constantly 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:54.700 encounter times 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:55.900 when we don't want 00:11:55.900 --> 00:11:56.780 to live our lives 00:11:56.780 --> 00:11:57.980 under Jesus' authority. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:00.540 We'll come up against 00:12:00.540 --> 00:12:01.300 some clear word 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:01.679 in Scripture 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:02.359 and it will run 00:12:02.359 --> 00:12:03.679 counter to our desires 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:04.620 or our plans 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.559 or it will run 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:06.279 against the grain 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:06.859 of our culture 00:12:06.859 --> 00:12:07.459 and strike us 00:12:07.459 --> 00:12:08.019 as awkward 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:09.539 or impossible even 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:10.379 and we'll be tempted 00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:11.159 in that moment 00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:12.399 to sort of explain 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:13.019 those passages 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:13.919 of Scripture away 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:14.819 or we'll come up 00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:15.500 with a whole list 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.039 of reasons 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:17.000 why my circumstances 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:18.039 just make it too hard 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:18.759 or too demanding 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:19.519 or too costly 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:20.539 to follow what he says 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:21.219 and obey him. 00:12:23.559 --> 00:12:24.299 And the pattern 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:24.919 is the same. 00:12:25.579 --> 00:12:26.179 Don't you see? 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:27.519 Even in our hearts. 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:30.439 Even in the hearts 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:30.860 of believers 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:31.840 there's still the voice 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:32.439 that says 00:12:32.439 --> 00:12:34.299 have you come 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:35.100 to destroy us? 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:40.519 Which is why 00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:41.340 we all need to see 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.860 the rest 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:43.519 of what Luke 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:44.159 shows us here. 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:46.819 The second point 00:12:46.819 --> 00:12:47.120 we see 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:47.600 and what Luke 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:48.559 wants us ultimately 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:49.220 to see about 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:50.279 Jesus' authority here 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:51.199 is that it doesn't 00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:52.399 just threaten us. 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:53.939 Ultimately 00:12:53.939 --> 00:12:55.759 it liberates us. 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:58.399 Jesus' authority 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:00.419 sets us free. 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:03.399 You see this evil spirit 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.240 in verse 34 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.399 he sort of throws down 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:06.399 a challenge to Jesus 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:06.819 doesn't he? 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:07.100 He says 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:07.659 have you come 00:13:07.659 --> 00:13:08.720 to destroy us? 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:11.299 Now 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:12.399 perhaps the word 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:12.899 us there 00:13:12.899 --> 00:13:13.539 is referring to 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:13.980 just sort of 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:15.179 evil spirits 00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:15.679 in general. 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:17.259 But the us 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:18.120 could also be referring 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:18.899 to the evil spirit 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:19.740 and the man 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.460 who is afflicted 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:21.439 both of them together. 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.220 In other words 00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:22.799 this evil spirit 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:23.439 is saying to Jesus 00:13:23.439 --> 00:13:24.799 you take me down 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:25.819 he goes with me 00:13:25.819 --> 00:13:26.719 what are you going 00:13:26.719 --> 00:13:27.559 to do to us 00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:27.859 Jesus? 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:28.459 Have you come 00:13:28.459 --> 00:13:29.539 to destroy us? 00:13:32.099 --> 00:13:33.099 But what happens? 00:13:34.579 --> 00:13:35.500 At the word 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:35.979 of Jesus' 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:36.899 authoritative 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:37.899 rebuke 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.959 the evil spirit 00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:39.519 comes out 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:40.099 of the man 00:13:40.099 --> 00:13:40.919 and as Luke 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:41.359 says at the end 00:13:41.359 --> 00:13:42.219 of verse 35 00:13:42.219 --> 00:13:43.559 having done him 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:45.299 no harm. 00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:48.679 you see 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:49.439 the exercise 00:13:49.439 --> 00:13:51.019 of this 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:52.139 total authority 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:52.939 that Jesus has 00:13:52.939 --> 00:13:54.179 doesn't spell 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:55.059 this man's 00:13:55.059 --> 00:13:55.659 destruction 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:57.379 it ushers in 00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:57.939 this man's 00:13:57.939 --> 00:13:58.479 liberation 00:13:58.479 --> 00:13:59.839 it's his release. 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:02.279 The same is true 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:02.699 of Simon's 00:14:02.699 --> 00:14:03.219 mother-in-law 00:14:03.219 --> 00:14:04.319 but this time 00:14:04.319 --> 00:14:04.759 the destructive 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:05.279 force isn't 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:05.599 spiritual 00:14:05.599 --> 00:14:06.139 it's physical 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.339 and with a word 00:14:07.339 --> 00:14:08.159 Jesus frees 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:08.519 this woman 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.079 from a life 00:14:09.079 --> 00:14:09.799 threatening illness 00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:11.079 she's unbound 00:14:11.079 --> 00:14:11.919 and immediately 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:12.500 Luke says 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.259 she can rise 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.200 and minister. 00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.120 Do you see 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.580 the picture 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:18.539 that's emerging 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:18.960 here? 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:21.460 As humans 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.100 we're threatened 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:23.299 on every side 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:23.919 by forces 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:24.639 greater than us 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:25.179 by forces 00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:25.659 that threaten 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:26.539 to undo us 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:27.399 do we not 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:27.980 feel that? 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.340 Their interior 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:31.519 and their exterior 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:32.639 their spiritual 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.639 and their physical 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.340 but here 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:34.840 now 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.480 at last 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.480 a greater 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.100 authority 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:37.759 has arrived 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:38.740 and this 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:39.319 authority 00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:40.500 Jesus himself 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.840 sets us free. 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:47.360 Now you have 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:47.620 to see 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:47.939 that the 00:14:47.939 --> 00:14:48.460 liberation 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.200 this passage 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:49.639 depicts 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.259 challenges 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:51.460 both the 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:51.759 skeptical 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.200 mindset 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:53.120 and the 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:53.439 traditional 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:53.860 mindset. 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:55.740 What do I 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:55.960 mean? 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:57.980 Well it's 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:58.439 easy to see 00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:58.879 how this 00:14:58.879 --> 00:14:59.620 passage is a 00:14:59.620 --> 00:14:59.860 bit of a 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.379 challenge to 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:00.819 the skeptic 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:01.159 isn't it? 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:02.299 I mean there's 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:02.679 a whole lot 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.139 of talk about 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:03.899 demons here. 00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:06.200 Demons 00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:06.799 really? 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:07.319 Maybe some 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:07.580 of you are 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:07.860 thinking 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:08.939 isn't this 00:15:08.939 --> 00:15:09.439 the 21st 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:09.759 century? 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:10.799 Can we 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.299 really believe 00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:11.559 in evil 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:11.879 spirits 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:12.179 anymore? 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:13.740 Wasn't that 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.080 just sort of 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:14.620 a pre-modern 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.019 way of 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:15.419 talking about 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:15.679 mental 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:16.120 illness? 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:19.960 I get it. 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:20.679 To many 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:20.919 of us 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:21.100 in the 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:21.399 west 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.039 belief 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:22.360 in evil 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:22.679 spirits 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:23.100 seems 00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:23.500 completely 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:23.960 irrational 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:24.759 and maybe 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:25.019 even a 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:25.120 little 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:25.480 primitive. 00:15:28.319 --> 00:15:29.059 But actually 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:29.299 you know 00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:29.559 I would 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:29.899 submit to 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:30.120 you that 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:30.220 it 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:30.480 needn't 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:30.620 be 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.000 either. 00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:32.439 And it 00:15:32.439 --> 00:15:32.679 actually 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:33.019 isn't 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:33.340 either. 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:34.960 On the 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:35.240 one hand 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:35.679 it's not 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.240 necessarily 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:36.980 irrational 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.439 if there's 00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:38.200 such a 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:38.419 thing as 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:38.939 a God 00:15:38.939 --> 00:15:39.620 after all. 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:40.580 If God 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.220 exists 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:41.899 some 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:42.519 personal 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.000 spiritual 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.660 good 00:15:43.660 --> 00:15:44.160 then it's 00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:44.279 not 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:44.759 irrational 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.060 to think 00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:45.279 that there 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:45.620 just might 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:45.779 be 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:46.139 personal 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:46.519 spiritual 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:46.940 evil 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:47.259 in the 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:47.560 world. 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:49.860 And on 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.060 the other 00:15:50.060 --> 00:15:50.320 hand it's 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:50.820 not necessarily 00:15:50.820 --> 00:15:51.420 a primitive 00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:51.899 belief 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.440 either. 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:54.320 Take a look 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:55.000 very closely 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.340 at this 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:55.700 passage. 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.100 Luke 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:56.460 in this 00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:56.920 text is 00:15:56.920 --> 00:15:57.639 distinguishing 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.000 quite 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:58.440 carefully 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.180 and quite 00:15:59.180 --> 00:15:59.720 deliberately 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:00.420 between 00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:00.920 physical 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:01.360 illness 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:01.620 and 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:01.920 demonic 00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:02.399 affliction. 00:16:03.800 --> 00:16:04.120 He's 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.399 not 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:04.860 conflating 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.259 the two. 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:06.540 And the 00:16:06.540 --> 00:16:06.960 New Testament 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.860 never does. 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:10.440 In fact 00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:10.860 the Bible 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.519 as a whole 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:11.980 would lead 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:12.259 us to 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:12.379 have 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:12.680 not a 00:16:12.680 --> 00:16:12.940 primitive 00:16:12.940 --> 00:16:13.159 but 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.740 actually 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.039 quite 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.700 robust 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:15.200 and 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:15.680 sophisticated 00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:16.080 view 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:16.300 of the 00:16:16.300 --> 00:16:16.460 world 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:16.580 and 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.000 ourselves. 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:19.100 Because it 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.759 acknowledges 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.080 that we're 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.519 physical 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.460 and emotional 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:22.259 and social 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.060 and psychological 00:16:23.060 --> 00:16:23.820 and also 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:24.340 spiritual 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:24.919 beings. 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:26.659 That all 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.060 of these 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:27.940 things form 00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:28.300 a very 00:16:28.300 --> 00:16:29.039 complex 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.500 view 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.220 a very 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:30.700 robust 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:30.960 view 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.220 of what 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:31.700 reality 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.200 is 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:32.680 and the 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:32.840 Bible 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:33.120 doesn't 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:33.740 allow us 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:33.980 to sort 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:34.420 of limit 00:16:34.420 --> 00:16:35.039 or narrow 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:36.220 or oversimplify 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:38.019 the reality 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:38.279 in which 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:38.740 we live. 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:42.080 So yes 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:42.700 this passage 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:43.220 challenges 00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:44.080 our 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:44.440 skeptical 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:44.879 mindset 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.160 but you 00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:45.220 know 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:45.519 it also 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:46.000 challenges 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.240 our 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.779 traditional 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:47.040 our 00:16:47.040 --> 00:16:47.560 conservative 00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:48.040 mindset. 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:50.320 How so? 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:52.560 Well 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:54.279 it's showing 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:54.639 us here 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:54.940 that the 00:16:54.940 --> 00:16:55.379 redemption 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.040 that Christ 00:16:56.040 --> 00:16:56.680 brings 00:16:56.680 --> 00:16:58.040 isn't 00:16:58.040 --> 00:16:58.240 just 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.720 spiritual 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:00.220 but it's 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:00.580 physical 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:01.180 as well. 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.319 Christ 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:04.779 hasn't 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.400 just come 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:05.900 to save 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.540 our souls 00:17:06.540 --> 00:17:06.980 and whisk 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.560 us away. 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.100 He's 00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:08.519 come to 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:08.940 heal 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.460 the 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:09.840 material 00:17:09.840 --> 00:17:10.280 world 00:17:10.280 --> 00:17:10.880 as well. 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.000 So if 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.140 we're 00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:14.519 followers 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.019 of Jesus 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.640 we can't 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:16.140 retreat 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:17.140 from caring 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:17.460 about 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:17.860 physical 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:18.360 needs. 00:17:19.580 --> 00:17:20.240 Whether 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:20.460 it's 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:20.759 illness 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.640 and disease 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:22.840 or 00:17:22.840 --> 00:17:23.340 poverty 00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:24.860 or racial 00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:25.380 injustice 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:26.400 or the 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:26.740 well-being 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.000 of the 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.519 environment 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:29.380 Christ 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:29.940 has come 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.300 to set 00:17:30.300 --> 00:17:30.880 all 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:31.360 creation 00:17:31.360 --> 00:17:31.640 free 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.140 one day 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:32.860 from 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.019 its 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.480 bondage 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:33.680 to 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.360 decay 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:34.980 and disease 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:35.580 and death 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.039 and those 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.539 who 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:36.859 follow 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.139 him 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:37.419 will 00:17:37.419 --> 00:17:37.779 care 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.199 about 00:17:38.199 --> 00:17:38.480 seeking 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:38.799 peace 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.240 and justice 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:39.899 and healing 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:40.259 here and 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:40.519 now. 00:17:44.419 --> 00:17:44.899 Challenges 00:17:44.899 --> 00:17:45.519 both 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.500 sides. 00:17:49.139 --> 00:17:49.699 You see 00:17:49.699 --> 00:17:50.019 what's going 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.399 on in this 00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:50.899 passage is 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:51.179 that in 00:17:51.179 --> 00:17:51.759 these mighty 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.379 works of 00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:52.599 Jesus' 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.139 authority 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:53.599 we see 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.240 signs 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:54.839 of what 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.240 he will 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:55.539 do 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:56.220 over all 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:56.399 the 00:17:56.399 --> 00:17:56.639 earth 00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:57.099 one day. 00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:58.399 In the 00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:58.799 Old Testament 00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.559 God promised 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.039 to put an 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:00.439 end to 00:18:00.439 --> 00:18:00.879 evil and 00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:01.119 death 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:01.559 and sickness 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.139 and suffering. 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:04.040 And here 00:18:04.040 --> 00:18:04.480 in Jesus' 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.080 ministry 00:18:05.080 --> 00:18:05.500 in the 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:05.740 first 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.060 century 00:18:06.060 --> 00:18:06.320 that 00:18:06.320 --> 00:18:06.880 promise 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.440 came 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.120 forward 00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:09.020 breaking 00:18:09.020 --> 00:18:09.880 into 00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:10.540 history. 00:18:11.820 --> 00:18:12.340 It's as if 00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:13.120 God's future 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:13.580 for a moment 00:18:13.580 --> 00:18:14.820 came flashing 00:18:14.820 --> 00:18:15.480 forward like 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.060 a streak 00:18:16.060 --> 00:18:16.540 of lightning 00:18:16.540 --> 00:18:17.340 ripping 00:18:17.340 --> 00:18:18.520 open the 00:18:18.520 --> 00:18:19.000 old world 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.400 so that we 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:19.759 could see 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:19.980 what it 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.180 would be 00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:20.580 like when 00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:20.800 God 00:18:20.800 --> 00:18:21.160 one day 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:21.620 finally 00:18:21.620 --> 00:18:22.060 liberates 00:18:22.060 --> 00:18:22.340 the whole 00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:22.759 creation 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.259 from 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.720 everything 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.220 that threatens 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:24.680 to undo 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:24.940 us. 00:18:25.520 --> 00:18:26.080 Here's a 00:18:26.080 --> 00:18:26.480 glimpse of 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:26.620 it. 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.080 In other 00:18:28.080 --> 00:18:28.300 words, 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:28.940 in Jesus, 00:18:29.080 --> 00:18:29.520 the kingdom 00:18:29.520 --> 00:18:30.160 of God, 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:30.759 God's 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.460 coming reign 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.040 of peace 00:18:32.040 --> 00:18:32.620 and justice 00:18:32.620 --> 00:18:33.180 was showing 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:34.300 up ahead 00:18:34.300 --> 00:18:34.779 of time. 00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:38.300 It was 00:18:38.300 --> 00:18:38.660 showing up 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:38.960 ahead of 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:39.440 time because 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:39.920 Jesus, 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:41.320 the authoritative 00:18:41.320 --> 00:18:41.580 one, 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:42.040 the king 00:18:42.040 --> 00:18:42.360 of the 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:42.620 kingdom, 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.340 had landed 00:18:43.340 --> 00:18:44.380 in enemy 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:44.940 territory 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.279 to demonstrate 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:46.940 his authority 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:48.340 and to begin 00:18:48.340 --> 00:18:49.100 an insurgency 00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:49.680 of freedom. 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.500 It was 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.040 showing up 00:18:53.040 --> 00:18:53.480 ahead of 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:53.840 time 00:18:53.840 --> 00:18:55.779 so that 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:56.100 we could 00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:56.820 know the 00:18:56.820 --> 00:18:57.880 one who 00:18:57.880 --> 00:18:58.360 would one 00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:58.759 day make 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.100 everything 00:18:59.100 --> 00:18:59.500 right. 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.560 And end 00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:01.080 every evil 00:19:01.080 --> 00:19:02.180 power and 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:02.680 drive every 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.220 disease and 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.759 decay from 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.120 his good 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:04.640 creation. 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:08.600 So you 00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:08.740 see, 00:19:08.840 --> 00:19:08.980 friends, 00:19:09.060 --> 00:19:09.700 coming under 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.000 Jesus' 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:11.240 authority won't 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.940 destroy you. 00:19:13.040 --> 00:19:13.880 It heals 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.259 us. 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.380 It frees 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:15.720 us. 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.160 It gives 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.740 us back 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.340 our true 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:19.680 selves. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.000 It's like 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.560 we're fish 00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:21.279 sometimes, 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:21.740 I think. 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.640 It's like 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:24.580 we're fish 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:25.220 sometimes just 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.980 sort of flopping 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:27.060 on the sand, 00:19:28.080 --> 00:19:28.660 wondering why 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.220 it's so hard 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:29.680 to breathe. 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:31.540 even though 00:19:31.540 --> 00:19:32.040 we're free 00:19:32.040 --> 00:19:32.960 and in 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:33.360 control of 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:33.940 our lives 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:34.460 and here 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:34.779 by our 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:34.960 own 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.380 decisions, 00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:36.840 even though 00:19:36.840 --> 00:19:37.300 all the 00:19:37.300 --> 00:19:37.900 cultural forces 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:38.560 around me 00:19:38.560 --> 00:19:39.279 are telling 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:39.900 me that 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.440 this is how 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:40.820 I should 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:41.980 find joy 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.660 and freedom, 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.680 and yet 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:44.980 there we 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.279 are, 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:46.720 and it's 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.060 so hard 00:19:47.060 --> 00:19:47.519 to breathe. 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.140 And then 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:51.840 Christ comes, 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.640 and his 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:54.080 authority 00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:54.620 rises 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:56.139 before us 00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:57.079 like a 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:57.439 wave, 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.659 and it's 00:19:58.659 --> 00:19:59.239 terrifying 00:19:59.239 --> 00:19:59.639 in its 00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:00.000 height 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.719 and in 00:20:00.719 --> 00:20:00.879 its 00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:01.339 speed, 00:20:01.679 --> 00:20:02.319 and as 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:02.739 it starts 00:20:02.739 --> 00:20:03.279 to turn 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:03.659 and come 00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:03.939 down, 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.399 we think 00:20:04.399 --> 00:20:04.759 it's going 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:05.219 to crush 00:20:05.219 --> 00:20:05.599 us. 00:20:06.719 --> 00:20:07.339 But when 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:07.679 it does 00:20:07.679 --> 00:20:08.259 come down, 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.059 it carries 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.479 us, 00:20:11.479 --> 00:20:12.559 not down 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.259 into destruction, 00:20:14.219 --> 00:20:14.959 but it 00:20:14.959 --> 00:20:15.299 takes us 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.179 back into 00:20:16.179 --> 00:20:16.759 the rich 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.919 ocean depths 00:20:17.919 --> 00:20:18.359 for which 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:18.639 we were 00:20:18.639 --> 00:20:18.939 made. 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:24.860 So friends, 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.240 where's the 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:25.880 sticking point 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:26.340 for you? 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.160 Christian, 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:29.420 is there 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.120 some area 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.799 of obedience 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:32.000 that you 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.640 just can't 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:33.140 trust is 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.440 for your 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:33.740 good? 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.420 Look at 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:36.720 Jesus' 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:37.480 authority 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.120 here, 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.539 and know 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:39.860 that it 00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:40.259 has come 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.880 to liberate 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:41.259 you and 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:41.600 set you 00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:41.900 free. 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.259 Following 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.759 whatever 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.279 internal 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:46.000 desires or 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.440 feelings you 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:46.940 might have, 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.220 no matter 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:47.920 how loudly 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.460 they speak, 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:48.940 can't 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.299 guarantee 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:49.680 you the 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.059 freedom you 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.400 want, 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:52.500 the freedom 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:52.819 for which 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.019 you were 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.420 created, 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.480 but his 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:57.960 voice does. 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.400 The same 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:00.900 voice that 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.620 thunders over 00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:02.200 the waters 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.019 and shatters 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:04.059 the cedars, 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:04.740 as Psalm 29 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.079 says, 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.700 is the same 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.180 voice that 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:06.920 silences the 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.460 evil powers 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.180 here, 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.059 heals the 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:09.519 multitudes, 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:10.259 and that same 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.460 voice speaks 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.100 his word to 00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:12.640 us for our 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.120 instruction, 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:13.860 for our 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.120 liberty, 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.600 and for our 00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:14.900 freedom. 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.140 And as you 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:17.620 follow his 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:17.940 word in 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.319 obedience, 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:18.599 you're 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.159 following the 00:21:19.159 --> 00:21:19.500 word of 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:19.619 your 00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.200 liberator. 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.519 But we 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:25.939 also need to 00:21:25.939 --> 00:21:26.339 be reminded, 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:26.759 and this is 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.359 especially true 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:27.720 if you've been 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.299 following Jesus 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:28.759 for some 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:29.179 time, 00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:31.220 that the 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:31.439 ultimate 00:21:31.439 --> 00:21:31.919 freedom is 00:21:31.919 --> 00:21:32.179 yet to 00:21:32.179 --> 00:21:32.439 come. 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:34.579 As we 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:34.779 said, 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.279 these miracles 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.579 in the 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.059 gospels are 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:37.279 previews of 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.240 God's plan for 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:38.720 his redeemed 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.200 world. 00:21:40.659 --> 00:21:41.220 And following 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.000 Jesus long 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.399 enough, 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.039 if you follow 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.359 him long 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:43.539 enough, 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:43.879 you will 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.240 encounter 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.879 hardships and 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.639 disappointments and 00:21:45.639 --> 00:21:46.240 setbacks and 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.720 frustrations, 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.200 there is no 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.460 doubt. 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.559 And they 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:48.860 will be 00:21:48.860 --> 00:21:49.360 painful 00:21:49.360 --> 00:21:50.059 reminders that 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.559 the kingdom, 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:51.819 although already 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.519 present and at 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:52.940 work in our 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.180 midst, 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:53.920 is not yet 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:54.340 complete. 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:57.700 And yet 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.480 passages like 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.039 this are here 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.940 to remind you, 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.980 to remind us, 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:02.980 to keep 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.539 trusting in his 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.559 liberating authority. 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:05.659 glory. 00:22:07.659 --> 00:22:08.720 If his first 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.519 coming was in 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:09.940 humility, 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:11.319 and with a 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:12.159 simple word he 00:22:12.159 --> 00:22:13.000 made disease and 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.480 evil flee, 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:13.740 friends, 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.319 what will be 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:14.759 true of his 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.339 second coming 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:15.819 in glory? 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.859 What liberty and 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:19.559 healing and 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.240 wholeness will we 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.659 experience then? 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:25.159 Psalm 96 puts it 00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:25.519 this way, 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:26.599 let the heavens be 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:28.019 glad and let the 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.720 earth rejoice. 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.559 Let the sea roar and 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.319 all that fills it. 00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:32.659 Let the field exult and 00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:33.460 everything in it. 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.460 Let all the trees of 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:36.019 the forest shall sing 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:37.840 for joy before the 00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:39.720 Lord, for he comes, 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.200 for he comes to 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.160 judge the earth. 00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:43.940 You see what the 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.640 psalmist is saying 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:44.840 there? 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:46.360 When the Lord's 00:22:46.360 --> 00:22:47.680 authority is unveiled 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:49.840 on that day, the 00:22:49.840 --> 00:22:51.000 whole created order 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.600 will erupt in praise. 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.340 It will be set free 00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:56.120 in a way that we 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:56.980 can only imagine. 00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:59.500 And as we look back 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.380 to these events in 00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:01.100 the gospel, we can 00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:02.100 look forward with 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.200 confidence to an even 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.319 greater future that 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.700 awaits. 00:23:07.580 --> 00:23:08.539 And that will keep 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:09.480 you from despair when 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.180 things are hard. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.559 And that will keep 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.539 you from complacency 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.500 when things are easy. 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.180 But there's one last 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:19.700 thing about Jesus' 00:23:19.840 --> 00:23:20.480 authority that we need 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.340 to see in this passage. 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:23.019 And it's actually just 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:24.539 a small hint here, 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.120 but it will grow as 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:27.700 Luke's gospel unfolds. 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:29.160 And this third point is 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.680 what I'll call the 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.480 secret of Jesus' 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.059 authority. 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.099 authority. 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.799 You know, it's one 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.500 thing to be shown that 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.440 Jesus' authority is a 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.700 liberating authority, and 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.399 it's one thing to sort of 00:23:36.399 --> 00:23:37.460 know that with our heads. 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.559 It's another thing to 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.440 actually get that in our 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:39.799 hearts. 00:23:42.659 --> 00:23:43.940 What could make it real in 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.619 such a way that it 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.440 actually moves us to 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:46.440 really trust his authority 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.279 and to know that it 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.879 sets us free? 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:51.400 We have to see that there's 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:52.080 a bit of an unfolding 00:23:52.080 --> 00:23:53.400 secret of Jesus' 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.280 authority in the 00:23:54.280 --> 00:23:54.740 gospels. 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:56.820 At the end of our 00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:57.940 passage, Jesus tells the 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.880 crowds who want him to 00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:00.220 stay that he's got to 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:00.700 keep moving. 00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:02.140 He's got to keep preaching 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:02.800 the good news of the 00:24:02.800 --> 00:24:03.040 kingdom. 00:24:03.300 --> 00:24:04.100 He's got to keep going. 00:24:04.800 --> 00:24:05.700 He's been sent with a 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.500 mission, and that mission 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.920 isn't just to stay in 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:09.180 Capernaum and build a 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.000 following of people who 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.640 are amazed that his 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.280 mighty works. 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.300 But why not? 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:14.240 Why not stay? 00:24:14.360 --> 00:24:15.180 Why not build a bigger 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.560 following? 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.900 What's the urgency? 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:22.080 And on top of that, why 00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:23.240 is Jesus so adamant in 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.060 this passage that the 00:24:24.060 --> 00:24:24.940 evil spirits remain 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.540 silent? 00:24:27.080 --> 00:24:28.200 They know who he is. 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:30.360 They get his identity 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:30.880 right. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:33.000 Yet he doesn't allow them 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.480 to speak. 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:35.240 Why? 00:24:38.780 --> 00:24:39.540 Well, of course, on the 00:24:39.540 --> 00:24:40.280 one hand, demons aren't 00:24:40.280 --> 00:24:41.620 exactly the best PR for a 00:24:41.620 --> 00:24:42.560 new ministry, are they? 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:45.180 Imagine that conversation 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:46.120 in first century Galilee. 00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:46.939 Hey, I heard that Jesus 00:24:46.939 --> 00:24:48.299 of Nazareth might be the 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.299 Messiah we've waited for. 00:24:49.699 --> 00:24:50.099 Oh, yeah? 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:50.759 Who told you that? 00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:51.500 A demon. 00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:55.019 It's not really the sort 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.659 of press you want. 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.319 But, you know, there's a 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:02.179 deeper reason why he 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:03.199 commands their silence. 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:05.299 You know, everyone in 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:05.979 that day had their own 00:25:05.979 --> 00:25:06.919 idea of what the Messiah 00:25:06.919 --> 00:25:07.759 was supposed to come and 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:10.719 do, how he was supposed 00:25:10.719 --> 00:25:12.399 to exercise his authority, 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:14.600 and most of those ideas 00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:15.880 involved military authority 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:16.940 and political authority. 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:19.160 But that wasn't Jesus' 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:19.680 mission. 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.259 That wasn't what he'd 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.759 come to do. 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.759 His authority wasn't going 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:25.080 to be exercised that way. 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:29.240 And so for now, he told the 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:31.500 demons to be quiet because 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.660 he was going to show people 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:34.000 in his own time what he'd 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.500 come to do, what was 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:37.100 driving his mission, what 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:38.480 purpose sent him to other 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:39.960 towns with such urgency to 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:41.180 proclaim the kingdom of God. 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:44.400 You see, most of Jesus' 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.559 Jewish contemporaries thought 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.240 that they were the good 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:48.019 guys, and the pagans, the 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.160 Gentiles, the Romans, they 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:49.920 were the bad guys. 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:52.420 So in that scenario, ending 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.680 evil was very easy. 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:55.140 The Messiah should take his 00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:56.559 authority and crush the evil 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.380 people out there. 00:25:58.340 --> 00:25:59.420 But here's the problem. 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:03.079 What if evil isn't just out 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:03.340 there? 00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:05.579 What if it's in here as well? 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:09.059 What if we need to be free 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.579 not from merely external 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.899 enemies, but from internal 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:13.059 enemies of our own making? 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.299 How then would the Messiah 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:17.779 use his authority to destroy 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:19.259 evil without destroying us? 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:23.720 How could he cleanse us of 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.119 evil and yet somehow make it 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:26.240 so that we too, like the man 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:27.559 in verse 35, can come away 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.319 without any harm? 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:33.319 As Luke's gospel unfolds and 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:35.099 then races to its climax, we 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:36.419 see exactly how Jesus does 00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:36.659 that. 00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:39.080 The secret of Jesus' 00:26:39.300 --> 00:26:40.300 authority is that its 00:26:40.300 --> 00:26:42.580 ultimate act comes not in a 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.640 display of power but of 00:26:43.640 --> 00:26:44.120 weakness. 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:47.140 On the cross, Jesus would use 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:50.320 all of his authority to hang 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:52.740 naked and weak to pay the 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.860 penalty for our sins. 00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:58.080 So that three days later, having 00:26:58.080 --> 00:27:00.180 risen from the grave, he could 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:02.759 have all the authority to speak 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:04.200 the liberating word, the most 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:07.059 liberating word of all, the word 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.960 of forgiveness and the word of 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:11.779 peace and the word that makes us 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:13.920 right with God, the word of our 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.420 justification. 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:18.620 You see, Jesus took up this 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:20.740 ultimate authority and laid it 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.600 aside for you. 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:26.360 He was destroyed so that you never 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:26.880 have to be. 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:30.820 And if that's what he's done for 00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:32.560 you, if that's how he's already 00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:34.620 exercised his authority for 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:37.640 you, then friend, how could you 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:38.520 not trust him? 00:27:39.060 --> 00:27:40.520 How could you not trust one who 00:27:40.520 --> 00:27:42.100 does that for you? 00:27:44.780 --> 00:27:46.340 How could his authority not 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:48.940 ultimately be your true freedom? 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:55.080 In the last battle, the final book 00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:56.740 of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:59.120 Narnia, the whole story revolves 00:27:59.120 --> 00:28:01.980 around this little shed, this 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:03.720 little sort of tiny stable. 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.980 And from the outside, it looks 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:07.320 pretty beat up and raggedy and 00:28:07.320 --> 00:28:09.299 small and confining and sort of 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.640 barely big enough for a person to 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:11.220 fit inside. 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:14.180 But once the characters sort of 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:16.720 step in and enter through, they 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:19.839 realize that inside it contains 00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:20.380 worlds. 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:23.079 That the inside is bigger than 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:23.640 the outside. 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:28.019 The authority of Jesus is like 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:28.259 that. 00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:30.720 From the outside, it looks like 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:32.259 every other authority that we 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.559 know. 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.720 Constricting, confining, an enemy 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.400 to our happiness. 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:37.819 But when you step inside, you find 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.600 just the opposite. 00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:41.440 That it's an authority unlike any 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:41.759 other. 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.360 It's freedom. 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:44.380 And it contains worlds within 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:44.900 worlds. 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:48.059 Some of you have tasted that 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.339 freedom. 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.539 And his authority really has set 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:50.880 you free. 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:52.019 So keep going, friends. 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:54.299 Further up and further in, as 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:55.160 they say at the end of that 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.380 book. 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:59.100 And some of you have been 00:28:59.100 --> 00:29:00.799 looking at it from the outside, 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:03.380 maybe for months, maybe for 00:29:03.380 --> 00:29:03.779 years. 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:07.019 If so, then this is your moment 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:08.880 right now to step inside. 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:11.920 To accept Jesus' liberating 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:13.600 authority over your life, to 00:29:13.600 --> 00:29:14.900 rest in what he's done for you, 00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:16.700 and to live in his freedom. 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.700 And as the characters at the 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:22.240 end of that story say in wonder, 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:24.400 at the end of Lewis' story, they 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:25.800 say, you know, the further up and 00:29:25.800 --> 00:29:27.980 further in you go, the bigger 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.860 everything is. 00:29:31.300 --> 00:29:31.880 Let's pray. 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:41.440 Father, we confess that we need your 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:46.080 help to trust the authority of 00:29:46.080 --> 00:29:47.100 Jesus, the rightful king. 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:51.820 Help us to see it and to see how 00:29:51.820 --> 00:29:54.000 much you love us and how much Christ 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:56.280 has done for us so that we might 00:29:56.280 --> 00:29:59.660 take a step through that door and 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.840 come to know the ultimate freedom 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.480 that you bring. 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.959 And Father, what ought our 00:30:04.959 --> 00:30:06.399 response to these things be? 00:30:07.679 --> 00:30:08.779 But to rejoice. 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:12.159 To be glad and joyful that, Jesus, 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:14.299 you have come and you've taken up 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:16.500 your rightful reign. 00:30:17.179 --> 00:30:19.899 And you've set us free from all 00:30:19.899 --> 00:30:21.899 that oppresses us and all that 00:30:21.899 --> 00:30:24.720 destroys us and all that holds us 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.119 bound. 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:28.439 Jesus, how could we not rejoice this 00:30:28.439 --> 00:30:31.000 morning that you have come and 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:32.439 through laying down your authority, 00:30:32.639 --> 00:30:34.279 you have freed us from guilt and 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:36.259 sin and death. 00:30:37.939 --> 00:30:39.619 And Jesus, having taken up your 00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:41.019 authority again in the resurrection, 00:30:41.719 --> 00:30:43.000 you now reign forevermore. 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:46.039 Give us glad hearts this week, Lord 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:49.719 Jesus, that rejoice in you and find 00:30:49.719 --> 00:30:51.599 your authority to be a sweet thing, we 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:51.919 pray. 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.839 Amen.