WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.860 Our passage for this evening, as we've just read, is Matthew 4, 23, chapter 5 to verse 2. 00:00:08.320 --> 00:00:12.300 The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is proclaiming the kingdom. 00:00:12.839 --> 00:00:17.260 He's going throughout Galilee and teaching in the people's synagogues and he's healing people. 00:00:18.839 --> 00:00:25.699 And through the rest of the sermon, he's saying how his disciples, how people will know they're his disciples. 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:31.339 And when I read this passage and the rest of the sermon, I was thinking about how when you walk down the street, 00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:37.740 you can tell certain people and what they do and what they're going to do that day by what they're wearing. 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:43.719 Various examples of this, the emergency services. 00:00:44.239 --> 00:00:48.759 So you walk down the street and you see a man with police written across the back of his shoulders. 00:00:49.500 --> 00:00:55.019 You've got a fair idea who he is, what he's doing and what he's working as. 00:00:55.700 --> 00:01:03.780 Have a pretty good guess at tourists in Edinburgh, armed with selfie sticks, cameras, maps, big bags, 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:07.420 and walking around the city centre and they might ask you for directions. 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:15.760 People working in building sites, wearing high-vis, hard hats, carrying tools maybe, driving vans, 00:01:16.659 --> 00:01:20.620 and various other examples that we can maybe think of as well. 00:01:20.620 --> 00:01:28.980 But as you walk down the street, what I was thinking is it's hard to tell who a Christian is. 00:01:29.880 --> 00:01:31.320 We don't wear a uniform. 00:01:32.120 --> 00:01:34.700 We don't carry any specific equipment. 00:01:35.480 --> 00:01:39.320 We don't drive vans that say on the side, I am a Christian. 00:01:39.880 --> 00:01:44.000 Here's the company phone number to phone us up to get us out to do that job. 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:50.280 So we don't have any really identifiable marks usually when we're walking down the street. 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:56.120 But as I said, in this passage and going forward, Jesus is saying, 00:01:56.840 --> 00:02:00.099 this is how you'll know who my disciples are. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:04.159 This is how the world will be able to tell that you are one of my disciples. 00:02:04.159 --> 00:02:10.359 And what he's saying is he's the king and he's proclaiming God's kingdom. 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:19.780 And he's telling the people who hear him, coming to mankind and telling us not how to live, 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:25.319 but he tells us how to live and demonstrates why we should live this way and why we should listen to him. 00:02:25.939 --> 00:02:31.019 And why this message from this king should affect us and the other people that we share it with as well. 00:02:31.020 --> 00:02:36.780 So by verse 23 of chapter 4, as the passage starts, 00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:42.100 a lot's happened already in the life and ministry of Jesus. 00:02:43.480 --> 00:02:46.160 Most immediately he's been baptized by John the Baptist. 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:52.140 He's been anointed by the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, like I'd said, 00:02:52.320 --> 00:02:54.400 and tested by Satan. 00:02:54.400 --> 00:03:04.379 And in that passage we see a lot of sort of similarities between Jesus being tested by Satan and Adam and Eve in the garden. 00:03:05.200 --> 00:03:12.460 But unlike Adam, crucially, Jesus emerges from the wilderness, having overcome these trials and temptations. 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:19.900 And that is a further proof of who he is, is this king, is this person that we should listen to. 00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:28.020 And then from coming out of the wilderness where he's had all these trials and testing and tribulation and difficulty, 00:03:28.620 --> 00:03:34.400 to put it mildly, he comes out and in verse 17, just previously in the chapter, if you look there, 00:03:34.759 --> 00:03:39.939 it says and it tells us what Jesus is proclaiming in a sentence. 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:43.840 It says, repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near. 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:51.759 So this is what Jesus is preaching and teaching in Galilee, as it says in this verse, in verse 23. 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:59.120 Repent, meaning to turn from sin, and by doing that and in doing that, turning to God. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:05.920 It's not just a case of stopping to do certain things, but it's a case of stopping doing certain things 00:04:05.920 --> 00:04:08.640 and starting to do other things, starting to see things differently, 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:14.599 and starting to follow a different person, rather than ourselves, starting to follow God. 00:04:15.979 --> 00:04:19.759 And repent, meaning to ask forgiveness for our sins from God. 00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:28.599 And by doing that, coming into his kingdom and under the rule of King Jesus, as we read about here. 00:04:29.159 --> 00:04:33.419 So Matthew tells us Jesus proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of heaven in three ways. 00:04:33.420 --> 00:04:39.600 In verse 23, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, 00:04:40.220 --> 00:04:42.100 and by healing sickness and disease. 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:45.900 And I'm just going to look up the three of these just now. 00:04:46.660 --> 00:04:53.759 And then at the end of the passage, towards the end, we're going to look at the response of the people then, 00:04:54.200 --> 00:04:59.319 and how this should impact and inform our response now to the king. 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:04.959 So as Jesus taught in the synagogues, he was going into the Old Testament background to who he is, 00:05:05.740 --> 00:05:08.819 and why he was telling the people to repent, and why he came. 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:14.560 In the Old Testament, God had given the Jews, the Old Testament people of God, 00:05:15.159 --> 00:05:19.279 commandments and laws to live by, to show that they were his people. 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:22.420 He gave them certain parameters and ways to live. 00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:27.100 And as we read through the Old Testament, we see time and time again, 00:05:27.580 --> 00:05:29.360 that they couldn't keep these laws and commandments, 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:32.620 and couldn't live up to the responsibility that they brought. 00:05:33.860 --> 00:05:38.040 They were sinners, and broke God's laws and commandments and laws. 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:44.420 And we, like them, are sinners, and break God's commandments and laws that he's laid down for us as well. 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:51.580 But in light of this, God always had a plan to send someone, a perfect person, 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:54.920 who would keep all his commandments and laws perfectly, 00:05:55.460 --> 00:06:02.000 and would rule his people Israel, and he would represent them in front of God. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:04.439 And this person is Jesus. 00:06:04.700 --> 00:06:09.259 This person that the Jews are waiting on in this passage, or should be waiting on, 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:14.099 is Jesus, and he's finally coming to bring in the perfect rule of God. 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:19.339 And this is good news for the Jews then, as the people of God, 00:06:19.420 --> 00:06:23.099 waiting on this promised king, and the non-Jewish people there, 00:06:23.500 --> 00:06:25.360 and also for us. 00:06:26.599 --> 00:06:29.560 When we trust in Jesus, and when they trust in Jesus, 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:33.599 when we repent of our sins, and believe what Jesus says, 00:06:34.159 --> 00:06:35.079 and what he has done, 00:06:35.079 --> 00:06:39.620 and coming, dying, rising again, and ascending to heaven, 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:42.419 then our problem with sin is dealt with, 00:06:42.899 --> 00:06:45.219 just like it was dealt with when people back then believed. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:50.060 And because Jesus is God's perfect promised king, 00:06:50.599 --> 00:06:51.659 who lived perfectly, 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:53.719 I'm repeating myself, 00:06:55.560 --> 00:06:58.240 then with that, 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:00.240 we are brought into this new life, 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:03.459 where we can properly and fully glorify God, 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:05.379 by entering his kingdom, 00:07:05.519 --> 00:07:06.620 and living in this new way, 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:08.019 and living for him. 00:07:09.099 --> 00:07:09.680 And then, 00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:11.560 Matthew tells us in the next verse, 00:07:11.919 --> 00:07:13.180 the next part of verse 23, 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:14.199 rather, 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:17.159 that Jesus went out proclaiming the good news of the kingdom. 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:20.099 So the last part was in synagogues, 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:22.000 where he's speaking to the people, 00:07:22.099 --> 00:07:22.859 and arguing with them, 00:07:22.979 --> 00:07:25.639 and showing them from the Old Testament, 00:07:25.919 --> 00:07:26.839 the first part of the Bible, 00:07:27.679 --> 00:07:29.419 the proof of who he is, 00:07:29.419 --> 00:07:30.319 and why he's come. 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:32.819 And then he was going out, 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:34.920 round the various towns and villages, 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:36.180 and the open countryside, 00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:37.779 and speaking to people, 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:39.139 and teaching them as well, 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:40.120 who he is. 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:43.079 For this, 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:44.319 it's important to know, 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:45.500 a bit of the geography, 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:47.639 of the passage, 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:48.740 and what we're reading. 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:50.360 So Galilee, 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:52.480 is in the north of Israel, 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:54.319 it's a fairly small, 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:56.740 but densely packed region, 00:07:56.839 --> 00:07:57.399 at that time, 00:07:57.399 --> 00:07:59.159 with about three million people in it. 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:01.819 And Jerusalem, 00:08:02.759 --> 00:08:03.419 importantly, 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:06.019 is in the south of Israel. 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:07.459 Jerusalem was where 00:08:07.459 --> 00:08:09.959 the leaders of Judaism, 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:10.959 the Pharisees, 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:11.939 and the teachers of the law, 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:14.099 which we read about in other parts of Matthew's Gospel, 00:08:14.679 --> 00:08:15.859 and other parts of the Gospels, 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:18.959 teach and live. 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:20.859 And that is the center of Judaism, 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:23.279 that's where the important people live, 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:24.419 the trendy people live, 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:26.000 the cosmopolitan people live. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:29.560 And they didn't think, 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:30.500 very highly, 00:08:31.019 --> 00:08:32.279 of Galilee, 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:33.080 up in the north. 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:34.580 They sort of thought of, 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:35.460 the Galileans, 00:08:35.879 --> 00:08:36.519 both the Jews, 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:37.399 and the Gentiles, 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:38.440 as like country bumpkins. 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:39.460 They're like, 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:40.379 less educated, 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:41.440 less trendy, 00:08:42.259 --> 00:08:43.720 cousins up there, 00:08:43.940 --> 00:08:45.759 who just don't know as much as we do, 00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:46.919 down here in Jerusalem. 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:47.779 They don't know as much, 00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:48.899 they're not as well educated, 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:51.000 they don't know as much of their Torah, 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:53.840 as they don't know as much as us, 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:54.899 about the Old Testament, 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:56.620 and all these sorts of things. 00:08:57.620 --> 00:08:57.980 So, 00:08:58.460 --> 00:08:59.279 the people in Jerusalem, 00:09:00.279 --> 00:09:01.379 aren't really thinking, 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:02.360 that this promised king, 00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:03.419 who they've been waiting on, 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:05.539 is going to be going up to Galilee, 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:06.179 of all places. 00:09:06.539 --> 00:09:07.120 They're thinking, 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:08.480 he's going to come to us. 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:09.200 Like, 00:09:09.259 --> 00:09:10.840 we are the people he really wants to speak to. 00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:12.500 We are the people that know the most, 00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:13.200 do the most. 00:09:13.559 --> 00:09:14.279 We are the best. 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:15.519 So, 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:16.779 when these people, 00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:18.000 encounter Jesus in Galilee, 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:18.399 they're like, 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:19.659 this can't be him, 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:20.939 because he's not going to come to Galilee, 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:22.000 to these people, 00:09:22.079 --> 00:09:23.019 who don't know as much as us, 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:23.959 who aren't as good as us. 00:09:25.339 --> 00:09:25.620 But, 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:27.579 and this is sort of like, 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:28.279 Edinburgh and Glasgow, 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:28.740 I thought. 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:29.459 Like, 00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:30.199 this difference, 00:09:30.699 --> 00:09:31.339 this like, 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:32.000 rivalry, 00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:33.159 that they've got going on. 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:34.059 Some people think, 00:09:34.139 --> 00:09:35.220 Edinburgh is better than Glasgow, 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:36.339 when actually, 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:37.079 you know. 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:41.139 So, 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:42.120 there's that rivalry there. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:44.500 But, 00:09:44.820 --> 00:09:46.639 this is where Jesus did come. 00:09:47.200 --> 00:09:48.539 And I was thinking about this. 00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:49.600 And this, 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:51.120 view of theirs, 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:52.440 that Galilee wasn't as good. 00:09:53.060 --> 00:09:53.639 That Galilee, 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:54.720 was where, 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:56.179 the uneducated, 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:57.620 sort of country bumpkins lived. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:09:59.060 That should encourage us, 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:00.899 and shows us part of the, 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:02.019 point of the passage, 00:10:02.179 --> 00:10:03.019 that Jesus came, 00:10:03.560 --> 00:10:03.860 to like, 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:04.480 an ordinary, 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:05.759 normal area, 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:07.940 and spoke to everyone he encountered, 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:09.620 of all kinds of walks of life, 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:10.240 and backgrounds. 00:10:11.180 --> 00:10:11.759 And was, 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:12.919 speaking to Jews, 00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:13.960 who knew the background, 00:10:14.080 --> 00:10:14.799 of what he was saying, 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:15.980 and knew, 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:16.840 the Old Testament, 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:17.720 and to Gentiles, 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:18.879 who had no idea, 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:20.179 who had no background. 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:21.860 And he was saying, 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:22.720 the same thing, 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:23.360 to all of them, 00:10:23.659 --> 00:10:24.379 and explaining it, 00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:24.899 the same way, 00:10:24.940 --> 00:10:25.360 to all of them. 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:27.100 And he's saying, 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:28.220 repent, 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:29.500 for the kingdom of heaven, 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:30.139 has come near. 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:31.500 And he's coming to save, 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:32.240 all sorts of people. 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:33.220 And that, 00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:34.980 carries forward to today. 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:35.560 Like, 00:10:35.560 --> 00:10:36.519 he's not come to save, 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:38.139 the people who know the most, 00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:39.620 who live in the trendiest areas, 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:40.919 or anything like that. 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:41.659 He's come to save, 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:42.220 normal, 00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:43.200 average, 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:44.019 everyday sinners, 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:44.639 like me, 00:10:45.179 --> 00:10:45.919 and like you. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:48.320 And the person who's writing the book, 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:48.960 as well, 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:49.759 sort of shows that. 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:52.440 Matthew is one of the disciples. 00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:54.000 He's written this gospel. 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:55.740 And for those who don't know, 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:57.419 he's a tax collector at the time, 00:10:58.460 --> 00:10:59.240 for the Romans. 00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:00.620 So he's essentially, 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:00.899 like, 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:01.919 a bit of a collaborator, 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:02.500 with the enemy. 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:04.240 And he's understandably, 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:05.700 not a popular person, 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:07.639 not a popular kind of person, 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:08.419 at the time, 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:10.419 when this is being written. 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:14.139 And that reinforces this point, 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:15.379 that Jesus came to save, 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:16.279 all kinds of people. 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:21.559 And that, 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:23.080 shows us that Jesus has come, 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:24.200 and thrown the kingdom open, 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:25.360 to both Jews, 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:26.379 and to Gentiles. 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:27.679 Whereas before, 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:28.539 in the Old Testament, 00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:31.200 the kingdom was really for Jews, 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:32.160 and they would, 00:11:32.660 --> 00:11:33.620 the Gentiles would come, 00:11:33.920 --> 00:11:34.400 but actually, 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:35.160 God's king, 00:11:35.680 --> 00:11:36.320 God's promised, 00:11:36.640 --> 00:11:37.840 perfect king has come, 00:11:38.400 --> 00:11:39.780 and he's come close to Jews, 00:11:39.920 --> 00:11:40.640 and Gentiles, 00:11:40.780 --> 00:11:41.800 and come to where they are, 00:11:41.900 --> 00:11:42.600 to find them. 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:43.800 And likewise, 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:44.920 he's come close, 00:11:45.280 --> 00:11:46.240 and this has been written, 00:11:46.640 --> 00:11:47.259 in this way, 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:48.320 so that, 00:11:49.020 --> 00:11:49.860 we can see, 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:51.040 this picture of the perfect king, 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:52.120 who's come to find us, 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:52.720 as well. 00:11:55.700 --> 00:11:56.600 So the gospel, 00:11:56.920 --> 00:11:57.400 can now, 00:11:57.940 --> 00:11:58.780 with Jesus coming, 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:00.000 and being proclaimed like this, 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.000 can go out to every kind of people, 00:12:02.160 --> 00:12:02.360 and, 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:04.160 and King Jesus can save them, 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:05.280 and they can come into the kingdom, 00:12:05.400 --> 00:12:06.000 as well now. 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:07.660 And that's why, 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:08.500 we're here this evening, 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.660 and that's why, 00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:10.800 every other church in Edinburgh, 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:11.360 exists, 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:13.440 and preaches this message today, 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.360 that does preach this. 00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:17.620 It's not through, 00:12:18.540 --> 00:12:19.520 anything in ourselves, 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:20.840 but it's through this message, 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:22.360 in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.660 and through the gospel, 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:25.759 and how it's gone out, 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:26.320 from there, 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:27.600 to save all kinds of people. 00:12:27.660 --> 00:12:28.140 Amen. 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:32.740 And with that, 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.800 these people who are hearing Jesus, 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:36.400 these people who are gathering to him, 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:37.280 to hear his message, 00:12:37.640 --> 00:12:38.480 and be healed by him, 00:12:38.780 --> 00:12:40.180 I've heard all sorts of things, 00:12:40.780 --> 00:12:41.080 and, 00:12:41.580 --> 00:12:42.900 they're hearing from the Jewish leaders, 00:12:43.140 --> 00:12:43.980 how they're supposed to live, 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.860 and what they're supposed to do, 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:46.060 and they're also, 00:12:46.060 --> 00:12:48.039 hearing from like, 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:48.840 pagan philosophers, 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:49.940 and that, 00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:51.300 Galilee, 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:52.360 again with that, 00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:52.940 is like, 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:54.600 Edinburgh in the 21st century, 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:54.899 like, 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:55.779 we're hearing all sorts, 00:12:55.820 --> 00:12:56.639 from all sorts of people, 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:58.300 about what we should believe, 00:12:58.879 --> 00:12:59.940 why we should believe it, 00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:01.100 and what we should do, 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:03.039 but Jesus is coming, 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:05.100 and telling them something totally different, 00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:06.220 but he, 00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:07.639 has real power, 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:09.240 and real power, 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:09.920 to impact, 00:13:10.060 --> 00:13:10.960 and influence lives, 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:11.840 and change lives, 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:13.800 because he is, 00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:14.879 God's son, 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:15.879 this perfect king, 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:16.800 who's come, 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:19.720 and with that as well, 00:13:20.680 --> 00:13:21.840 this isn't self-help, 00:13:22.160 --> 00:13:22.960 and this isn't like, 00:13:23.040 --> 00:13:23.519 go away, 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:24.759 change yourself, 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:26.460 pull yourself up by the bootstraps, 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:27.379 and then come back, 00:13:27.660 --> 00:13:28.399 when you're worthy, 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:29.519 of this kingdom, 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:29.940 because, 00:13:30.420 --> 00:13:31.720 we can't ever really be, 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.680 worthy in our own right, 00:13:33.780 --> 00:13:34.540 of this kingdom, 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:35.519 and of its king, 00:13:36.920 --> 00:13:37.960 Jesus is saying, 00:13:38.780 --> 00:13:39.000 this, 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:39.639 these things, 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:40.780 but he embodies it, 00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:41.620 and he's done it, 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:43.340 and he has completed it, 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:49.000 and so, 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:50.200 this has been done for us, 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.240 by him, 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:52.780 but importantly, 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:53.540 that's not to give us, 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:53.700 like, 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:54.280 license, 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.220 or like, 00:13:55.300 --> 00:13:55.540 freedom, 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:56.800 just to do whatever we like, 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:57.820 once we believe, 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:59.180 once we've repented, 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:00.740 and things like this, 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:04.080 this is, 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:06.200 still comes with a responsibility, 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:08.139 and it still comes, 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.200 with a duty, 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:10.360 to this new king, 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:12.000 because, 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:13.120 Jesus does want our lives, 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:13.860 to be conformed, 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:14.560 to this message, 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:15.659 and conformed, 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:16.500 to what he says here, 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.940 but that, 00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:19.279 change, 00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:20.720 and that new molding, 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:21.659 and that new, 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:22.460 worldview, 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.340 that new outlook, 00:14:23.800 --> 00:14:25.240 is done, 00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:26.519 through the Holy Spirit, 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:27.480 so, 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:28.740 when we believe, 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:29.560 when we repent, 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:31.379 we receive the Holy Spirit, 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.620 and then, 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.639 through the Holy Spirit, 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:34.379 indwelling us, 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.360 working in us, 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:37.200 and reshaping our hearts, 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:38.019 and our minds, 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:38.939 and our lives, 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:39.559 themselves, 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:42.620 that grace-driven effort, 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.519 that is required, 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:45.779 to do these things, 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:46.879 that Jesus is saying, 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:47.600 because otherwise, 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:48.340 it's impossible, 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:50.039 it's through grace, 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:51.100 through the grace of God, 00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:52.580 that Jesus has come, 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:53.879 and that the Holy Spirit, 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.360 is sent, 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.620 to dwell in us, 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:57.600 and then, 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:58.399 in the last part, 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.100 of verse 23, 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.539 we see that Jesus, 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:02.120 was also healing the sick, 00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:03.659 and the ill, 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:04.720 who came to him, 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:08.700 so this is a further sign, 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:09.399 of Jesus power, 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.840 like he's speaking to them, 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:11.899 he's sitting down, 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.299 and he's preaching to them, 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:14.899 and he's arguing with them, 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:15.799 in their synagogues, 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.159 through the Old Testament, 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:18.000 about who he is, 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:18.820 why he's come, 00:15:19.560 --> 00:15:20.799 and what he's come to do, 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.259 ultimately, 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:23.720 he's also healing them, 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.500 and taking care, 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:25.080 of their bodies, 00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:26.000 he's not just, 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:27.400 interested purely, 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:28.120 in their minds, 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:28.920 and their hearts, 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.520 and their souls, 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.060 and these things, 00:15:31.180 --> 00:15:32.240 but he's also interested, 00:15:32.420 --> 00:15:33.000 very much, 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:33.900 deeply, 00:15:34.160 --> 00:15:35.460 in the individual people, 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:36.900 who come to hear him, 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:39.320 he cares about the whole person, 00:15:39.400 --> 00:15:39.800 holistically, 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:42.280 he cares for their souls, 00:15:42.800 --> 00:15:43.620 and their bodies, 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:45.200 and this healing, 00:15:45.400 --> 00:15:46.960 is a show of God's power, 00:15:47.280 --> 00:15:48.440 and a show of who, 00:15:48.900 --> 00:15:49.500 Jesus is, 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.640 that he is God's son, 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.440 it's a confirmation, 00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.200 of all that, 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:53.180 but also, 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:54.840 it's an important foretaste, 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:55.900 of what, 00:15:56.440 --> 00:15:57.320 it's going to be like, 00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:58.940 when the full reality, 00:15:59.000 --> 00:15:59.600 of God's kingdom, 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.100 has come, 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:02.000 so the king has come, 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:02.900 and he's bringing, 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:03.980 the kingdom with him, 00:16:04.160 --> 00:16:04.420 but, 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.420 as we look outside, 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.600 as we read our newspapers, 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.980 as we turn on the news, 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:09.639 and the TV, 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:10.780 we see the world, 00:16:10.900 --> 00:16:11.660 is not perfect, 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:13.000 so although we talk, 00:16:13.060 --> 00:16:13.800 about God's kingdom, 00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:15.560 just now, 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.120 in this sermon, 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.259 and the following sermons, 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.259 and how Jesus, 00:16:18.400 --> 00:16:19.060 is God's king, 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:20.259 we can see, 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.199 that God's kingdom, 00:16:21.319 --> 00:16:22.459 has not been fully established, 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.619 because the world, 00:16:23.719 --> 00:16:24.639 is still imperfect, 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:26.319 but this is a foretaste, 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:26.959 this is a, 00:16:26.959 --> 00:16:27.779 a show, 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:28.279 a hint, 00:16:28.359 --> 00:16:28.859 a glimpse, 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:29.819 of the glory, 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.199 and the perfection, 00:16:31.339 --> 00:16:31.839 that's to come, 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.559 when the Lord Jesus, 00:16:33.699 --> 00:16:34.079 returns, 00:16:34.199 --> 00:16:35.419 and fully brings about, 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.239 God's kingdom, 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:37.000 with him, 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:39.480 all the sickness, 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.379 disease, 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.059 suffering, 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:41.659 and hardship, 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.279 that we suffer now, 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:43.980 in this life, 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.620 it's going to be wiped away, 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.179 it's going to be gone, 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:48.340 and it's going to be, 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.240 because of this king, 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.740 fully bringing about, 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:51.759 God's kingdom, 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:52.399 properly, 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:55.299 where we won't grow old, 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.080 and all these things, 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.460 will be an unpleasant memory, 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:01.120 so as part of our response, 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:01.759 to this king, 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:02.879 and his kingdom, 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.319 as we live out our lives, 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:04.859 as believers, 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:06.420 and as the disciples of Jesus, 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.300 as well as, 00:17:07.800 --> 00:17:08.500 preaching the gospel, 00:17:08.600 --> 00:17:09.320 and proclaiming it, 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.320 and the various, 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.160 and many ways, 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:12.880 we can do that, 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.820 around the dinner table, 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.740 and over coffee, 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.440 with friends, 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:17.840 and at the bus stop, 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.600 and wherever else, 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:19.620 we're speaking to people, 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:20.779 and we're sharing our lives, 00:17:20.820 --> 00:17:21.140 with people, 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.720 we also need to care, 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:24.240 for their physical needs, 00:17:24.560 --> 00:17:25.200 their bodies, 00:17:25.840 --> 00:17:27.180 and the other parts, 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.779 of their lives, 00:17:28.800 --> 00:17:29.560 because that's how, 00:17:29.560 --> 00:17:30.460 Jesus cared for people, 00:17:30.560 --> 00:17:31.340 that's how Jesus, 00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:32.500 ministered, 00:17:32.560 --> 00:17:33.259 and served people, 00:17:33.820 --> 00:17:36.300 and there's various ways, 00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:36.860 I was thinking, 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:37.660 we can do this, 00:17:37.820 --> 00:17:39.019 there's a lot of things, 00:17:39.080 --> 00:17:39.620 that go on here, 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.200 at the church, 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.980 individually, 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:42.840 we can get involved, 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:43.480 in other things, 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:44.340 other projects, 00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:45.539 like Basics Bank, 00:17:45.600 --> 00:17:46.259 here at church, 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.360 and that can be, 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.240 by coming, 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:48.920 and volunteering, 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:49.920 or that can be, 00:17:50.300 --> 00:17:51.340 by donating, 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:52.480 both in terms of, 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:52.820 finance, 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.360 and money, 00:17:53.800 --> 00:17:54.900 and in terms of food, 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:56.740 because that is a really, 00:17:57.400 --> 00:17:58.320 worthwhile ministry, 00:17:58.660 --> 00:17:59.400 that the church, 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.279 is involved in, 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.580 that care for people's bodies, 00:18:02.399 --> 00:18:03.199 where we also get, 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.240 to look after their souls, 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:04.899 by sharing, 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.359 and proclaiming the kingdom, 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:06.939 with them, 00:18:08.439 --> 00:18:09.339 and as well, 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.199 a while ago, 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.000 I remember that Graham, 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:11.759 was speaking about, 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:13.659 social isolation work, 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:14.779 that's being done, 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.399 round about, 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.039 and in the community, 00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:16.799 in Edinburgh, 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:17.859 it's a big problem, 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.079 a lot of people, 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.879 are cut off from society, 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.500 and cut off, 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:22.740 from their local community, 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.199 and that's something, 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:24.939 I was thinking of, 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.579 that people can look into, 00:18:26.659 --> 00:18:27.439 and maybe the church, 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.399 at large, 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.159 not just Brunsfield, 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:30.779 can make an impact on, 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:32.300 and that would be, 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:33.279 a very worthwhile, 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:35.120 way to look after people, 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:36.800 both their souls, 00:18:37.300 --> 00:18:38.720 and the other aspects, 00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:39.779 of them, 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:42.259 so, 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.840 and my second point, 00:18:44.300 --> 00:18:44.620 tonight, 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:45.519 is, 00:18:46.620 --> 00:18:47.920 this is the message of Jesus, 00:18:48.060 --> 00:18:48.759 this is what he said, 00:18:48.820 --> 00:18:49.420 this is what he did, 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.220 and this is, 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.240 who he did it to, 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.620 and then, 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:53.860 with that, 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:55.300 we see a response, 00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:55.940 from the crowds, 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:56.880 and also, 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:57.700 Jesus, 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:59.080 in this, 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.559 is asking for a response, 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.059 from us, 00:19:01.340 --> 00:19:02.360 and he's asking, 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.900 are you going to listen to me, 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:05.319 listen to my message, 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:07.299 are you going to try and do it, 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.220 and are you going to take me, 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:08.779 as your king, 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.759 and he's not looking for like, 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:12.759 a maybe, 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:13.700 or a question mark, 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.660 he's looking for a yes, 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:15.860 or no, 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.740 so as we look further, 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.539 through the passage, 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.319 down, 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:24.900 down in verse, 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:26.600 24, 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.360 it says, 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.280 news about him spread, 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.220 all over Syria, 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:30.620 and people brought to him, 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.420 all who were ill, 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.420 with various diseases, 00:19:33.060 --> 00:19:34.560 those suffering severe pain, 00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:35.700 the demon possessed, 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.160 those having seizures, 00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:38.240 and the paralyzed, 00:19:38.580 --> 00:19:39.200 and he healed them, 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:41.140 large crowds, 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.940 from Galilee, 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.220 the Decapolis, 00:19:43.560 --> 00:19:44.000 Jerusalem, 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.100 Judea, 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:46.780 and the region across the Jordan, 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:47.400 followed him, 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:47.440 and the region, 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:47.500 and the region, 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:47.720 and the region, 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:47.780 and the region, 00:19:47.780 --> 00:19:47.840 and the region, 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:47.920 and the region, 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.000 and the region, 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.740 and the region, 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:49.860 and the region, 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:50.440 and the region, 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:51.779 so at the beginning, 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.700 I had said, 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:54.440 how we can walk down the street, 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.160 and recognize certain people, 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.039 by what they're wearing, 00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:58.740 we know who they are, 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:00.180 what they're going to be doing, 00:20:01.100 --> 00:20:01.980 from what they wear, 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:04.360 such as the emergency services, 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.500 but I had said, 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:07.860 we can't usually, 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.299 identify a Christian, 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.299 just by looking at them, 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.700 but the proof, 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.500 like they say, 00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:14.380 is in the pudding, 00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:16.160 the pudding being, 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:17.380 how we live, 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:18.539 as disciples, 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:19.820 how we live, 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.500 as Christians, 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.200 out in the world, 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.720 do we really live, 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:25.419 the way the rest of the sermon, 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.519 on the mount, 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:27.480 is going to call us to, 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.679 do we live, 00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:30.059 the way the Lord Jesus, 00:20:30.179 --> 00:20:30.799 is calling to, 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:31.939 and do we live, 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:32.339 the way, 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.480 the Lord Jesus, 00:20:33.659 --> 00:20:34.240 calls us to, 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.299 in this short, 00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:36.259 and brief passage, 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.740 John Wesley once said, 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:39.980 which is quite helpful, 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.039 the gospel, 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.639 is not only something, 00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:43.460 that you believe, 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:44.700 it is something, 00:20:44.939 --> 00:20:45.659 that you behave, 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.519 which is a helpful summary, 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.639 again I want to, 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:50.280 just reiterate, 00:20:50.600 --> 00:20:51.620 and reinforce, 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:53.040 it's not about, 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.120 self help, 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.820 it's not about, 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:55.620 improve yourself, 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.280 it's not about, 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.280 get up earlier, 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.259 go a run, 00:20:58.840 --> 00:20:59.200 swim, 00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:00.060 you know, 00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:00.720 get fit, 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:02.120 read the whole Bible, 00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:03.360 in the original languages, 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:05.040 and do all these things, 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.759 it's about, 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:08.000 coming to the king, 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.280 sitting at his feet, 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.860 taking him as your king, 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:12.280 and obeying him, 00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:14.140 but not through, 00:21:14.520 --> 00:21:15.300 our own efforts, 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.620 but through the Holy Spirit, 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:18.279 in this grace driven effort, 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:21.299 so Jesus has been saying, 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:21.919 to these people, 00:21:22.219 --> 00:21:22.619 Jews, 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.939 and Gentiles alike, 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.779 throughout Galilee, 00:21:25.239 --> 00:21:25.879 and anyone who, 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:26.839 is coming to him, 00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:27.299 to hear him, 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:28.439 and whoever he's encountering, 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.299 repent, 00:21:29.939 --> 00:21:31.079 for the kingdom of heaven, 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.819 has come near, 00:21:32.739 --> 00:21:33.839 he's appealing to them, 00:21:34.199 --> 00:21:35.359 to believe his message, 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.899 and to act on it, 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.819 he's speaking to heart, 00:21:38.979 --> 00:21:39.500 and mind, 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:40.899 body and soul, 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.500 and wants this holistic, 00:21:42.979 --> 00:21:44.399 whole person life change, 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:46.560 on entry to this kingdom, 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.360 and as I said, 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:49.880 in verses 24 and 25, 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:51.000 we see, 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.500 the response of the people, 00:21:54.040 --> 00:21:54.900 Matthew tells us, 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.980 the news spread quickly, 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.200 about Jesus, 00:21:57.340 --> 00:21:58.080 in every direction, 00:21:58.380 --> 00:21:58.759 north, 00:21:59.100 --> 00:21:59.400 south, 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.240 east, 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:00.960 and west, 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:03.060 and all sorts of people, 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.700 were coming to him, 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.420 from all over, 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.000 people were coming to him, 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.580 and he healed them, 00:22:07.580 --> 00:22:08.740 from all their diseases, 00:22:09.040 --> 00:22:09.980 and then at the end, 00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:10.800 of verse 25, 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:11.880 it tells us, 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.900 that crowds followed him, 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:14.720 again, 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.500 from all over, 00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:16.660 not just Jews, 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.200 or people, 00:22:18.280 --> 00:22:19.660 from Galilee, 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.220 but all over, 00:22:20.320 --> 00:22:20.600 Syria, 00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:21.700 the Decapolis, 00:22:22.300 --> 00:22:22.660 Peria, 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:24.019 which was on the other side, 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:24.519 of the Jordan, 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.560 these were sort of, 00:22:25.600 --> 00:22:26.320 pagan places, 00:22:26.320 --> 00:22:27.060 that didn't have, 00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:28.000 any sort of knowledge, 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.680 of the Bible, 00:22:29.860 --> 00:22:31.000 or the God of the Bible, 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.300 so clearly, 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:34.200 this shows us, 00:22:34.300 --> 00:22:34.680 that Jesus, 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.940 then and now, 00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:37.040 as our living king, 00:22:37.560 --> 00:22:38.560 as the son of God, 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.180 is different, 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.300 from the other teachers, 00:22:40.300 --> 00:22:41.019 that were around, 00:22:41.340 --> 00:22:42.100 at that time, 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:43.299 and around about, 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:43.719 now, 00:22:44.899 --> 00:22:46.299 he has real power, 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.619 he has real, 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:49.279 power to impact, 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.279 change lives, 00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:52.879 so an interesting thing, 00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:53.279 about this, 00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:54.219 is that we see, 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.339 the crowds come, 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.939 Jesus sits down, 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.799 in chapter 5, 00:22:57.839 --> 00:22:58.279 verse 2, 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.619 they listen to him, 00:23:00.639 --> 00:23:01.139 and they're healed, 00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:01.879 by him, 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:03.419 but later, 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.199 these crowds, 00:23:04.439 --> 00:23:05.279 some of them anyway, 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.480 will be in Jerusalem, 00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:07.359 during the week, 00:23:07.379 --> 00:23:07.939 of his passion, 00:23:08.199 --> 00:23:09.379 and will have a hand, 00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:10.779 in his execution, 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:12.000 the crowds, 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.599 abandon him, 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.039 including, 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.539 his closest disciples, 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:17.180 four of whom, 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.000 are here, 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.359 as we read it, 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.519 in Matthew, 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:21.859 to hear the Sermon, 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.299 on the Mount, 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.879 so this shows us, 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:26.000 that this message, 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.440 that Jesus is proclaiming, 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.680 and what it leads to, 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.259 is not easy, 00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:31.619 it's not something, 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:33.019 to be taken up lightly, 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.220 and this, 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.819 proclamation, 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.639 of the kingdom, 00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:37.539 by the king, 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:39.240 is not to be taken on, 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.240 or listen to lightly, 00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:41.740 and is going to call, 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:43.079 for real, 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:44.099 radical living, 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:45.779 real radical change, 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.680 and real, 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:48.000 radical discipleship, 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.460 that is totally, 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:49.980 like, 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:52.019 against our own nature, 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.120 against our own thinking, 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:53.859 and our, 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:55.039 against our own view, 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:56.099 of everything, 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.460 the very world around us, 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:57.980 ourselves, 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.220 who we are, 00:23:59.339 --> 00:24:00.220 and who God is, 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:02.039 this king, 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:02.680 Jesus, 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.380 is not saying, 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:04.859 these things, 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.720 to impress people, 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:07.079 or sell anything, 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.380 or for his own gain, 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.339 he's here to call people, 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.039 out of rebellion, 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.360 out of sin, 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:15.240 to follow him, 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.279 into new life, 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:16.900 in his kingdom, 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:19.160 and if we say, 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.140 we accept this, 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.559 out of anything, 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.759 other than faith, 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:26.000 and to truly worship, 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:26.920 and follow God, 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.839 with our whole lives, 00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:29.339 then we haven't, 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:30.880 taken on the full responsibility, 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.660 of this kingdom, 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:33.000 and its king, 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:35.299 Jesus has done, 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.240 these things for us, 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.140 but again, 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.000 this doesn't mean, 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.480 we can just come, 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.480 for the many benefits, 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.660 like some of the crowd did, 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.720 some of the crowd, 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.619 came for the benefits, 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.259 they got the main one, 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:46.660 of healing, 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.500 and then, 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:49.200 we can assume, 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.220 that after they heard, 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:50.859 this message, 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.759 after chapter 5, 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.160 verse 2, 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.359 that they left, 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.380 because they didn't like, 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:55.980 what they heard, 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.380 they didn't like, 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.119 this king, 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.859 they didn't like, 00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.339 this kingdom, 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.680 because it was too hard, 00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:01.140 to follow, 00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:02.960 too hard to listen to, 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.720 and too hard, 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.460 to do later, 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:08.720 but we mustn't, 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.640 make the same mistake, 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.339 as these people, 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.059 as these crowds, 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.839 we're seeing, 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.539 a clear picture, 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.099 of the king, 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.200 and his kingdom, 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.900 and we mustn't, 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.759 mock this king, 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.160 and his kingdom, 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.279 by listening to this lightly, 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.519 and not fully, 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:21.180 taking it on, 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.720 and fully understanding, 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:24.400 the full ramifications, 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.299 of what we're hearing, 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.059 and who, 00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:27.160 is saying it to us, 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.819 Jesus doesn't say, 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:30.940 like other kings might, 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.420 again, 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.140 here's the deal, 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.060 here's what I'm offering, 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.500 but here's what you need to do, 00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:37.860 he's not saying, 00:25:38.320 --> 00:25:38.860 go away, 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.840 sort yourself out, 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:41.200 fix yourself up, 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.519 wash yourself off, 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:43.500 and then come back to me, 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.100 when you're worthy, 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.380 of me and my kingdom, 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.560 he says, 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.180 here I am, 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.180 here's my kingdom, 00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.440 come into it, 00:25:49.820 --> 00:25:50.440 receive me, 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:51.240 as your good king, 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:52.240 who's done all these things, 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:52.680 for you, 00:25:53.080 --> 00:25:53.920 who's given himself, 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.519 for you, 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:56.420 and take on, 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.299 the responsibilities, 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.680 of my kingdom, 00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:00.740 which will be difficult now, 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:02.639 but will pay great dividends, 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:03.299 in the future, 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:03.920 for all, 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.680 the people, 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:05.559 us, 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:06.799 those people back then, 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.359 and all the people, 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.259 throughout history, 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.480 and in the future, 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.400 who will take on, 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:10.920 this king, 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:12.240 who will repent, 00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:12.980 and believe, 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:14.460 and take this king on, 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.379 as their king, 00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:17.440 so, 00:26:18.620 --> 00:26:20.360 another couple of minutes, 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.640 we'll close, 00:26:22.060 --> 00:26:22.400 and then, 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.700 there'll be a coffee break, 00:26:24.060 --> 00:26:25.060 and then some discussion, 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.000 and prayer time, 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.640 so this sermon series, 00:26:27.780 --> 00:26:28.360 like we thought about, 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.040 is going to be tough, 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:30.480 to listen to, 00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:31.400 because the message, 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.860 of the sermon on the mount, 00:26:33.300 --> 00:26:35.200 is completely counter cultural, 00:26:35.820 --> 00:26:37.000 here in Britain, 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.020 and abroad, 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:39.720 everywhere, 00:26:40.020 --> 00:26:40.820 it's been shared, 00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:41.580 everywhere, 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.380 it's been proclaimed, 00:26:43.560 --> 00:26:44.400 but through it, 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.220 we are going to get to know, 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.839 King Jesus, 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:47.059 and his kingdom better, 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:48.660 this passage, 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:49.819 is the beginning, 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:51.480 of this revolutionary king, 00:26:51.600 --> 00:26:52.200 and his kingdom, 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.779 this is his first proclamation, 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:55.779 as the king, 00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:57.480 he's taught the people, 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.220 and shown them, 00:26:58.660 --> 00:27:00.180 how he is this promised king, 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.059 from the old testament, 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:02.819 sent to live God's way, 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.160 and rule God's people, 00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:06.000 through his preaching, 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.559 we've seen, 00:27:07.100 --> 00:27:08.279 that he came to save people, 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.180 from all backgrounds, 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.600 and the door to the kingdom, 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.160 of heaven, 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.220 is being thrown wide, 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.819 to include everyone, 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:14.720 Jews, 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.759 non-Jews, 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:17.100 people who have a background, 00:27:17.100 --> 00:27:17.460 in it, 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.259 and people who don't, 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.660 alike, 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:20.360 and we saw, 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.200 a mixed response, 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.839 from the crowds, 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.759 from loyalty, 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.140 to disinterest, 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.720 and apathy, 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.400 as some, 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.200 came, 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:27.720 listened, 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.660 and stayed, 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:29.960 and then, 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.539 others, 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.160 departed, 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:32.140 once they'd enjoyed, 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.740 the benefits of it, 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:35.980 so, 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.599 going forward, 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.420 we're going to hear, 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:38.880 the demands of living, 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.500 as a Christian, 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.079 and we're going to see, 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.779 what it will mean, 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:43.319 to be identifiable, 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.160 as one, 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.680 of the subjects, 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.299 of this kingdom, 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:47.400 and the subjects, 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:48.240 of King Jesus, 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.400 this, 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:49.620 so, 00:27:49.620 --> 00:27:51.200 these are the questions, 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:53.839 I'd like you to discuss, 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.279 just now, 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:54.880 in your tables, 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:57.000 what worldviews, 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.759 are people hearing, 00:27:58.120 --> 00:27:59.120 and believing today, 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.299 so, 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:00.900 thinking about, 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.500 the things people here, 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:03.400 in Edinburgh, 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:03.940 and elsewhere, 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.640 are hearing about, 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.059 that are different, 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:07.740 from what we're going to be hearing about, 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.519 later in the sermon, 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.519 on the mount, 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.120 and what are the differences, 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.440 between these worldviews, 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.460 and the worldview, 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.220 of this king, 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.460 in this kingdom.