WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.120 And let's read God's Word together from Matthew 6, verses 1-4. 00:00:07.719 --> 00:00:12.339 In the New Testament, the first Gospel, Matthew 6, verses 1-4. 00:00:14.740 --> 00:00:16.219 This is the Word of the Lord. 00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:24.019 Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them. 00:00:24.760 --> 00:00:28.480 For then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:39.200 Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:42.859 Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 00:00:43.420 --> 00:00:49.780 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. 00:00:50.480 --> 00:00:53.939 And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:55.799 This is God's Holy Word. 00:00:55.799 --> 00:01:01.399 Well, I want to say a huge thank you to Corey for the opportunity to be with you tonight. 00:01:01.599 --> 00:01:05.359 And thank you all so much for your warm welcome this evening. 00:01:05.479 --> 00:01:10.439 It is always just a massive joy to be with you here in Sincise. 00:01:10.579 --> 00:01:11.859 And it's a joy for two reasons. 00:01:12.199 --> 00:01:17.859 One, because, as Corey said, so many of you are such dear friends to me and my family. 00:01:17.859 --> 00:01:23.180 And I love the opportunity to come and see people who we love so much. 00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:34.239 But it's also a joy because we live in a very small community in an area where our churches are small and struggling. 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:46.319 And I love coming to the very middle of our capital city and seeing a full church with many new faces, with Jesus' name being praised and honoured right at the heart of Edinburgh. 00:01:46.500 --> 00:01:47.979 So it's a joy for me to be here. 00:01:48.119 --> 00:01:53.019 And thank you so, so much for the opportunity and for the warm, warm welcome. 00:01:53.819 --> 00:01:57.859 We're going to look together at the words that Corey read from Matthew chapter 6. 00:01:57.859 --> 00:02:02.340 And you've been going through the Sermon on the Mount, which is such a wonderful passage of Scripture. 00:02:03.019 --> 00:02:07.980 And it's a section of the Bible that's so important for us as disciples. 00:02:07.980 --> 00:02:13.879 Because here, Jesus is teaching what God's kingdom, what life in God's kingdom should look like. 00:02:13.979 --> 00:02:16.379 And I think you've just gone through chapter 5. 00:02:16.500 --> 00:02:20.300 It's teaching you so much about what our character should be like as Christians. 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:26.780 It's guiding us about how we are to bear witness and be a light to the world that's around us. 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:35.060 It's teaching us about how we should understand God's law, how the Old Testament fits into the new, how we should see our response to that in our lives. 00:02:35.420 --> 00:02:42.300 And it teaches us about how we should react to situations, especially when other people teach us badly. 00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:52.039 And as I'm sure you've heard this many times, it is vital to remember that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is not teaching you how to become a disciple. 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:56.099 He is teaching you how to live as a disciple. 00:02:56.099 --> 00:03:05.259 In other words, this sermon is unpacking what being a disciple of Jesus should look like. 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:09.900 And these opening verses of chapter 6 are teaching us some more crucial lessons. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:17.319 And I want to think about them under the heading Discipleship Unmasked, which I hope will make sense as we go through. 00:03:18.060 --> 00:03:21.259 The great theme of this sermon is that disciples are to be different. 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:27.179 Disciples of Jesus are to be different. 00:03:28.319 --> 00:03:44.319 And so at work, at school, in our communities, we are to stand out from the brokenness and the selfishness and the hostility and the cruelty that we see in the world around us. 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:50.659 As we follow Jesus, we are to be different in a beautiful way. 00:03:52.979 --> 00:03:55.180 But being different can be hard. 00:03:55.180 --> 00:04:10.800 And one of the reasons why being different is so hard is because if you're anything like me, you are constantly plagued with pressure and anxiety about what other people think of you. 00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:14.340 I want to share a story with you. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:18.639 I may have told this story before, so some of you might have heard it before. 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:25.660 Back in Carloway, where I live, the house where we live in is close to the football pitch. 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:28.240 And there's a local football team that we love to go and watch. 00:04:28.420 --> 00:04:30.560 So a few years ago, I went to watch the football team. 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:37.480 And I took a football with us because Tom was wee then and the other, John and Annie were also small. 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:40.180 So we took a football so they could play at the side while we watched the game. 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:40.980 That was all fine. 00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:42.280 They went home early. 00:04:42.980 --> 00:04:45.040 And so I stayed on to watch the rest of the football match. 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:46.379 And I still had the football. 00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:51.920 So I was taking the football home as I walked home like a quarter of a mile down the road. 00:04:52.319 --> 00:04:53.939 And I was walking home carrying the football. 00:04:54.040 --> 00:04:57.620 I thought, well, actually, I'll just maybe just kind of dribble the ball along. 00:04:57.620 --> 00:05:00.259 I was kind of once played football a little bit. 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:04.839 And so I walked along and I had the ball on the pavement, just going along like this with the ball. 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:10.600 And at some point, I don't actually know what happened. 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:16.500 But I put my foot on top of the ball and in a second, I was on the ground. 00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:20.199 I'm so convinced somebody shot me with something from somewhere. 00:05:20.420 --> 00:05:22.480 But anyway, I fell flat on the ground. 00:05:22.620 --> 00:05:23.360 I hurt my shoulder. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:24.980 My shoulder has never been right since. 00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:26.379 This is about eight years ago. 00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:28.860 And so I fell on the ground. 00:05:29.180 --> 00:05:30.540 And so like that, I was in pain. 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:32.079 Confused as to what had happened. 00:05:32.280 --> 00:05:37.420 But I immediately stood up, not thinking anything about my pain or about what had happened. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:42.360 The only thought in my mind was, did anybody see me? 00:05:45.639 --> 00:05:48.279 Thankfully, I don't think they did because not many people live in Carlyway. 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:52.659 But that was the immediate thought that came to my mind. 00:05:52.739 --> 00:05:53.939 And we're often plagued by that. 00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:55.339 You know, what do other people think? 00:05:55.699 --> 00:05:59.719 To give you another example, imagine you were wearing your pajamas right now. 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:00.399 Would you feel comfortable? 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:05.579 There's nothing uncomfortable about pajamas. 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:06.719 They're actually very comfortable. 00:06:07.719 --> 00:06:08.679 So you could be sitting here. 00:06:08.759 --> 00:06:10.000 It would all be super comfortable. 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:11.459 Would you feel comfortable in your pajamas? 00:06:11.459 --> 00:06:19.879 Well, I would not feel comfortable in my pajamas entirely because of what other people would be thinking. 00:06:20.099 --> 00:06:21.879 In so many ways, this plagues us. 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:24.079 We worry about what people see and think. 00:06:24.159 --> 00:06:29.620 It applies in every area of life, in work, in school, in our community, in social media. 00:06:29.620 --> 00:06:36.160 And as Jesus highlights in these verses, that can have a huge influence on us as disciples. 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:38.699 And Jesus wants us to think about this. 00:06:39.740 --> 00:06:41.420 And so we're going to look at these verses together. 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:44.439 And we're just going to go through three headings. 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:51.879 We're going to think about contrasts, constants, and a question. 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:54.639 And I'm delighted because all my headings begin with C. 00:06:54.639 --> 00:07:01.639 So, first of all, contrasts. 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:03.919 Question I'd like to ask you. 00:07:04.419 --> 00:07:05.959 What's the opposite of a disciple? 00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:09.519 And you might immediately think, well, an unbeliever. 00:07:09.919 --> 00:07:11.879 And in so many ways, that is true. 00:07:12.539 --> 00:07:20.500 And in many ways, that's the key and ultimate and only distinction that will matter on the day of judgment. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:25.000 Whether you're united to Jesus by faith or not. 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:28.480 Whether you are with him or against him. 00:07:28.899 --> 00:07:32.899 Whether you're on the path to eternal life or to eternal death. 00:07:33.540 --> 00:07:37.420 And so, at one level, you're absolutely right if you thought opposite of a disciple is an unbeliever. 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:43.480 But for us as Christians, and so for those of you who are Christians or if you become a Christian, 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:44.600 if you start following Jesus, 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:47.519 in terms of how we live as disciples, 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:49.620 the focus is a little bit more narrow. 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:51.259 In this passage. 00:07:51.780 --> 00:07:54.899 And I want to suggest that according to these verses, 00:07:55.660 --> 00:07:59.379 the opposite of being a disciple is being a hypocrite. 00:08:01.220 --> 00:08:06.060 And that's the key contrast that Jesus is drawing before us in these verses. 00:08:06.780 --> 00:08:08.439 And so, in verse 1, he's got that great warning. 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:14.699 Beware of practicing your righteousness in front of other people in order to be seen by them. 00:08:15.280 --> 00:08:19.259 And then he goes on to give three examples in this little section and the first following. 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:20.300 He talks about giving. 00:08:20.620 --> 00:08:21.819 He talks about prayer. 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:23.279 He talks about fasting. 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:27.120 And in each of them, if you were to look down beyond verse 4, 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:30.920 you'll see that Jesus says the same thing. 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:34.120 Don't be like the hypocrites. 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:42.080 Now, you'll maybe know that the word for hypocrite in Greek, it is the word hypocrite. 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:42.700 It's a Greek word. 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:44.879 And it's the word for an actor. 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:50.220 And that's starting to help us to see and understand what we mean by this term. 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:53.080 Because an actor is somebody who's pretending to be somebody else. 00:08:54.120 --> 00:09:01.019 And in the Greco-Roman world, stage acting actually very often involved putting on a stage mask. 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:05.779 And you can Google Greco-Roman stage masks and you'll see them for yourself. 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:09.299 And that's just a very vivid image of what hypocrisy is. 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:17.539 You're kind of putting on an outward appearance, an outward mask that's hiding who you really are. 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:20.620 And it's giving the impression that you're something else. 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:28.539 And so in terms of our relationship with God, and in terms of our life as disciples, 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:37.340 to be a hypocrite is to put on a mask of righteousness or anything else 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:44.720 that is trying to give a good outward impression that will impress people. 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:53.580 And Jesus describes here, sounding a trumpet whilst you give money to those who are in need. 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:59.500 In the next verses he'll talk about standing in the synagogue or on a street corner, 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:03.860 making a really eloquent prayer in front of everyone. 00:10:04.460 --> 00:10:07.139 And then he talks about disfiguring your face while you're fasting 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:08.700 so that everyone can see that that's what you're doing. 00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:13.440 All of these are just drawing attention to yourself so that other people will be impressed. 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:19.420 And Jesus makes it absolutely clear that is not the kind of discipleship that he's looking for. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:26.800 And for the hearers of the Sermon on the Mount, this would have been astonishing for them. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:36.020 Because the people that Jesus is being critical of were the people who everybody would have thought 00:10:36.020 --> 00:10:39.220 they are the most religiously devoted people. 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:43.320 They are the experts in what it means to be spiritual. 00:10:43.940 --> 00:10:48.279 And they are at the level that the rest of us is trying desperately to match. 00:10:49.420 --> 00:10:51.800 And Jesus says, they're hypocrites. 00:10:53.720 --> 00:10:54.700 Don't be like them. 00:10:54.700 --> 00:11:04.759 That kind of outward show is not what Jesus wants us to live out in our discipleship. 00:11:04.780 --> 00:11:07.680 And I think there are many people here who can probably think of examples of this. 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:09.120 You've maybe seen it. 00:11:09.180 --> 00:11:12.320 And people who have grown up in the church, I'm sure, will have seen it. 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:15.700 Where you'll have seen somebody in one context, and then you'll have seen them in another context. 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:18.400 And you're thinking, these don't match up. 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:25.379 And it's something that people can find very off-putting and very disappointing when they see it in others in the church. 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:26.539 But that's true. 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:27.899 We will have seen it in others. 00:11:28.199 --> 00:11:33.600 But I've got to acknowledge that it's a trap that I've fallen into as well. 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:41.959 It's an incredibly easy trap to slip into because we're worried about what other people think. 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:46.600 All of this is coming back to some of the stuff that chapter 5 highlights. 00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:50.800 That as disciples, Jesus wants us to be men and women of integrity. 00:11:51.040 --> 00:11:58.420 That idea that our whole lives are integrated together, all of which are under the lordship of Christ. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:05.440 All of it is shaped by the gospel so that what we are in private, what we are in public, 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:09.140 what we are to one person, we are to everybody. 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:15.280 Jesus wants our discipleship, in other words, to be unmasked. 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:25.020 And Jesus brings that out very clearly by drawing another contrast between the secret place and the public place. 00:12:25.660 --> 00:12:26.580 He does it in these verses. 00:12:26.940 --> 00:12:28.880 He does it in the verses that follow. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:33.800 Jesus is saying that these acts of righteousness, whether it's giving here, praying, fasting, 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:36.299 they're actually things that should be done in secret. 00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:39.079 Here he's saying, look, don't broadcast what you're giving. 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:41.759 Instead, just keep it secret. 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:47.019 Now in these words, Jesus is touching on two things that we care about a lot. 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:52.879 He's touching on our money and our reputation. 00:12:52.879 --> 00:13:02.879 And these are massively influential on us, both in the public place, among colleagues, friends, 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:05.539 and also in the secret place of our hearts. 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:11.220 I am quite sure that this week we won't even be able to help it. 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:15.720 We will think and worry about our money and our reputation. 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:17.879 In fact, these two things are very closely connected. 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:25.279 Today, our reputation is massively influenced by how much money we have and by what we do with it. 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:29.700 So it's money that's going to give you the clothes or the phone or the car or the address or the watch 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:35.100 that will make people think, wow, wow, they've made it. 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.379 They've done well. 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:41.399 And our culture cannot break that connection between money and reputation. 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:43.779 So if you're minted, then you're admired. 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:49.759 Now, often in instances, you get some very, very cultured movie references. 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:51.500 Now this was two years ago. 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:52.399 It continues today. 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:59.039 So you get great references to things like Lord of the Rings and all these kind of epic films. 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:03.139 So my film taste operates at a different level to that. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:12.039 So this, what I'm describing here, is illustrated magnificently in that outstanding epic movie, 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.600 Dumb and Dumber. 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:16.639 And that's my level of movie. 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:18.120 Forget Tolkien. 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:19.419 Dumb and Dumber. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:20.159 Awesome. 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.720 Remember Dumb and Dumber? 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:25.960 Two guys not that smart, hilarious, 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:30.460 but they are taking this briefcase back to this girl that the guy likes. 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:35.680 And they have no idea until the briefcase gets opened by mistake that it's full of money. 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:38.080 And so these guys who are kind of mocked and ridiculed, 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:40.139 and everybody thinks they're just idiots, 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:42.000 all of a sudden they're loaded. 00:14:42.540 --> 00:14:44.340 And everyone thinks they're great. 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:48.860 Because there's always just this massive connection between money and reputation. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:52.879 It's interesting that in biblical times, 00:14:52.879 --> 00:15:01.500 there is a fascinating kind of connection and a fascinating contrast, 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:04.779 because money and reputation are connected in biblical times, 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:05.799 but in a different way. 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:12.879 So today money and reputation are very much connected in terms of how much you have. 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:14.840 In biblical times, 00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:18.419 it was more the case that your reputation was shaped by how much you gave. 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:21.219 And so you can think back to the Old Testament, 00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:24.459 where a king that was just massively powerful and wealthy, 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:29.419 they would demonstrate that wealth by giving lavishly to those who visited them. 00:15:30.099 --> 00:15:32.860 And so people who could give a lot, 00:15:32.979 --> 00:15:35.360 you know, were gaining a huge amount of reputation. 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:37.839 There was the whole idea in that kind of culture 00:15:37.839 --> 00:15:41.879 of being like a benefactor and a sponsor of things in your community 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:42.740 and things like that. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:44.620 And here, in this example, 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:46.820 the religious leaders are kind of doing a similar thing, 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:49.620 making a big public spectacle of what they're giving. 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:55.639 But whether it's the kind of flamboyant generosity of biblical times 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:58.159 or the extravagant spending of today, 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:01.620 the dynamic behind all this is actually the same. 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:04.179 It's all driven by the question, 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:06.480 what do other people think of me? 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.860 And as disciples, 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:12.340 we want to swap that question for another one. 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:14.060 Instead of asking, 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:15.960 what does everyone else think? 00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:16.920 We need to ask, 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:19.139 what does God think? 00:16:21.300 --> 00:16:24.320 And as we contrast those two questions, 00:16:25.180 --> 00:16:27.800 which one matters more? 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:32.340 And so for all of us here, 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:35.399 especially for those of you who are studying, 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:37.740 especially those who are stepping into the workplace, 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:41.460 and especially those who in a few years are going to be loaded, 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:46.299 just let that question of what does God think? 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:47.820 What does God want me to do? 00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:50.779 Let that always be the one that shapes you. 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:53.620 So lots of contrasts for us to think about. 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:56.600 There's also some constants 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:58.980 that we want to draw out of this passage. 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.279 Jesus, as we said, 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:01.980 is exposing the hypocrisy 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:04.160 of the religious leaders around him. 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:06.099 He's got no interest in this kind of lifestyle 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:07.419 where we're kind of one thing here, 00:17:07.699 --> 00:17:08.639 another thing there. 00:17:09.199 --> 00:17:10.059 In certain situations, 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:10.859 we'll act one way. 00:17:10.939 --> 00:17:12.419 In others, we'll act differently. 00:17:12.659 --> 00:17:14.539 And all just for this outward show 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.259 to impress people. 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:16.879 Jesus has just got no interest in that. 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:18.279 And I love the fact 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:20.740 that Jesus has no interest in that. 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:23.079 And I think one of the big reasons 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.539 why Jesus has no interest in that 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:26.179 is because that kind of hypocrisy 00:17:26.179 --> 00:17:28.980 is in total contrast 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:32.339 to the constantness of God. 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:35.819 And that's the crucial point 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.759 I want us to draw out here, 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:38.539 that hypocrisy 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:41.799 and that kind of inconsistency 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:44.980 is the absolute opposite 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:47.799 of all that God is. 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:50.559 If you ask the question, 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:52.819 how do we define God? 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:53.759 You're probably asking 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:55.059 the most profound question 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:56.980 that anyone could ever consider. 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.480 Defining God is just like 00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.799 a mind-blowing topic. 00:17:59.939 --> 00:18:01.299 How would you define God? 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.619 But the amazing thing is that 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:03.460 even though that's possibly 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.579 the most complicated question 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:05.720 that we could ever ask, 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:07.819 the Bible's answer to that question 00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:08.639 is incredibly 00:18:08.639 --> 00:18:12.119 and beautifully simple. 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.720 Because the Bible sums up 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.559 the definition of God 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.859 with two of the smallest words 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.740 in the English language. 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:20.559 The Bible defines God 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.240 with the phrase, 00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:23.460 I am. 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:28.419 And that is actually 00:18:28.419 --> 00:18:30.319 the foundation of all our theology, 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:32.039 all our understanding of God, 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:34.700 that He is who He is. 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:39.299 And that speaks of the fact 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.500 that God is there, 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:42.799 that He's eternal, 00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:44.419 that He's true, 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:48.859 and that He is absolutely consistent. 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:53.179 So He is unchanging. 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:57.119 At every moment in eternity, 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:58.759 at every moment in history, 00:18:58.979 --> 00:19:00.539 at every moment in dealing with humanity, 00:19:00.699 --> 00:19:01.839 God is who He is. 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:03.559 He's utterly consistent, 00:19:03.979 --> 00:19:04.539 unchanging, 00:19:04.679 --> 00:19:05.500 the same yesterday, 00:19:05.679 --> 00:19:05.939 today, 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.439 and forever. 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.679 Never lies, 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.259 never deceives, 00:19:09.459 --> 00:19:10.559 never says one thing 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.259 and does another, 00:19:11.379 --> 00:19:12.299 never pretends, 00:19:12.679 --> 00:19:13.839 is never inconsistent. 00:19:13.939 --> 00:19:14.419 In other words, 00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:15.840 God is never, 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:18.080 ever a hypocrite. 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:21.060 Instead, 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:21.759 in God, 00:19:21.860 --> 00:19:22.940 there is magnificent, 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:25.300 majestic constancy. 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:26.980 Now, 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.980 there are several big theological categories 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:30.300 that lie behind this. 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:32.320 Divine simplicity, 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:35.100 the fact that in God, 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:37.080 there is just thorough, 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:38.720 undismantleable, 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.199 unrearrangeable, 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.839 eternal simplicity. 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:42.960 He is God, 00:19:43.159 --> 00:19:44.659 forever constant. 00:19:44.939 --> 00:19:46.199 Divine immutability, 00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:47.720 God does not change. 00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:49.339 He's utterly stable, 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:50.559 utterly consistent, 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.799 utterly reliable. 00:19:52.159 --> 00:19:53.299 Divine omniscience, 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:55.379 the fact that God knows all things, 00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:56.899 sees all things, 00:19:57.159 --> 00:19:58.480 understands all things. 00:19:58.839 --> 00:19:59.939 Divine righteousness, 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:01.559 the fact that God conforms 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:03.559 to an impeccable standard, 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:05.960 an impeccable moral standard, 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:07.860 always maintaining 00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:09.180 what is right 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:09.920 and true 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:11.059 and good. 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:12.279 All of these massive 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.340 theological categories 00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:14.100 are pressing home 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:16.059 the magnificent stability 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:17.660 and constancy 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.660 of the God 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.620 who is 00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.380 who He is. 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.740 No wonder Jesus says, 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.960 don't be a hypocrite. 00:20:24.840 --> 00:20:26.259 Because to be that 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.160 is to be the opposite 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:29.039 of what God 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:30.700 is like. 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:34.000 And a key part 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.779 of all of this 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:36.899 is that 00:20:36.899 --> 00:20:38.879 our growth 00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.759 in discipleship 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:41.240 is the desire 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.799 to become 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:42.819 more like Jesus, 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:45.000 to bear the image 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.819 of our Creator 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:47.039 more and more. 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.379 And as part of that, 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:48.920 we want there to be 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:50.819 a constant correspondence 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:53.059 between our inward lives 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:54.440 and our outward lives. 00:20:55.160 --> 00:20:56.139 That's what chapter 5 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:57.099 has been speaking about. 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.119 That's what's been highlighted 00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:59.119 and emphasized 00:20:59.119 --> 00:20:59.960 again here. 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.519 And interestingly, 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:00.859 again, 00:21:00.899 --> 00:21:01.819 that applies to God. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:03.339 when you see God, 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.799 there is a beautiful 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.539 correspondence 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.779 between the inward 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:09.960 and in some ways 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:11.599 secret life of God 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:13.179 that is bigger 00:21:13.179 --> 00:21:14.519 and more mind-blowing 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.460 than we can take in. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.939 There is a 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:19.599 perfect correspondence 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.579 and integration 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:22.619 between the inward life 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.679 and being of God 00:21:23.679 --> 00:21:25.359 and His outward acts. 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:28.379 Now, 00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:28.879 this is why 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.619 it's so important 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.979 that our theology, 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.979 these big categories 00:21:31.979 --> 00:21:32.539 of theology, 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.659 need to become 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:34.539 the lens 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.419 through which we look 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:36.079 at our lives 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:37.240 and we look at the lives 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.659 of everything 00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:39.339 around us 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.039 as disciples. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.059 So, 00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:41.939 the constant 00:21:41.939 --> 00:21:43.479 unchanging truth 00:21:43.479 --> 00:21:45.179 about God 00:21:45.179 --> 00:21:46.339 needs to be 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.899 the constant lens 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:48.839 through which we, 00:21:48.959 --> 00:21:49.939 as followers of Jesus, 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.299 look at everything 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.359 in our lives. 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:53.399 because if our theology 00:21:53.399 --> 00:21:54.519 is buried in the back 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.199 of our minds, 00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:58.240 then we could easily 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.000 fall into the trap 00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.279 of thinking, 00:21:59.399 --> 00:21:59.439 well, 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.099 I can kind of be 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:01.259 one thing at church 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.659 and I can be 00:22:02.659 --> 00:22:03.740 another thing at work 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:05.099 and I can be 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:06.139 another thing at home 00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:07.379 and I don't really 00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:08.299 need to think too much 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:09.379 about how the Sermon 00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:09.740 on the Mount 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.679 and the other ethical 00:22:10.679 --> 00:22:11.719 instructions of the New Testament 00:22:11.719 --> 00:22:12.219 affect me 00:22:12.219 --> 00:22:12.500 because, 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.439 well, 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.539 you've just got to kind of, 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:14.899 you know, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.359 got to do what's best 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:16.839 for me 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:17.839 and I've got to do 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:18.279 what works. 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:18.940 And so, 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.460 when theology is in the back 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.160 of your mind, 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.379 you can fall into these traps. 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:23.940 When your theology 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:24.819 becomes the lens 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:26.000 through which you look at life, 00:22:26.899 --> 00:22:28.519 the minute that you pull 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:31.119 these great theological truths 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:32.420 about the constantness 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.039 of God 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.059 into your thinking, 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.899 our hypocrisy 00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:37.440 becomes exposed 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:39.980 and the gospel does 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.819 what it always does. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:42.579 It blows up our nonsense, 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:45.319 transforms our perspective 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:48.179 and places us 00:22:48.179 --> 00:22:49.000 on a much, 00:22:49.139 --> 00:22:49.639 much better 00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.639 intellectual 00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:52.639 and ethical foundation. 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:53.799 In other words, 00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:54.899 what am I saying? 00:22:55.659 --> 00:22:55.859 Well, 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.539 it's just basically 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.279 the fact that 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.619 your theology tells you 00:22:58.619 --> 00:22:59.759 that God sees everything 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.119 and cares about everything, 00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:04.799 whether it is in secret 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:06.359 or in public, 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:07.919 at church, 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:08.839 at work, 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:10.000 at home. 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.139 As we said, 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.159 God is omniscient. 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:13.399 He sees 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:14.759 and knows everything 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:17.000 and what we do, 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:17.839 whether it's in public 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:18.319 or in secret, 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.299 it makes no difference 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.879 to God. 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.980 He's always watching us. 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.799 And it's a great reminder 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.839 that in terms of being 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:27.839 disciples of Jesus, 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:28.720 it's reminding us 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.240 that actually 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.480 who we are 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.640 when no one's watching 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:35.039 is who we really are. 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.119 And that's why, 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.660 you know, 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.819 that's why 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:45.319 it's complete theological nonsense 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.139 and it's like, 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:48.240 I don't know if it's a good phrase 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:48.399 to use, 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:51.299 it's like evangelistic 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.679 self-destruction 00:23:52.679 --> 00:23:54.299 when Christians live out 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:54.700 their lives 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.779 where we kind of come to church 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.559 and we're one thing 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.639 and then we go to work 00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:58.839 and we're horrible 00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.639 and difficult 00:23:59.639 --> 00:24:00.439 and selfish 00:24:00.439 --> 00:24:01.099 and arrogant 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:01.720 and whatever. 00:24:02.139 --> 00:24:02.919 It's so, 00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:03.700 so damaging 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.179 because 00:24:04.179 --> 00:24:05.980 that masked 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:07.139 discipleship 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:08.240 that maybe you have 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:08.799 encountered 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:10.599 in your lives, 00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:12.720 that masked 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.539 discipleship 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:15.019 is theologically absurd 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:17.120 and it's really, 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:17.839 really damaging 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:20.160 because people 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.319 can see through it 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:23.160 so easily. 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.039 And so, 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:25.380 you know, 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.160 it's again like 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:26.539 Jesus, 00:24:26.900 --> 00:24:27.160 you know, 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.400 he's so wise 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:28.740 because 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:31.319 I've seen so many times 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:31.740 people 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:33.460 who have been put off 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:33.799 because, 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.500 they've been put off 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:34.779 the gospel 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.559 because they've seen that. 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.440 They've been hurt, 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.220 treated badly. 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:38.460 They've seen Christians 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.140 behave in a way 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:39.700 that they're like, 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:40.680 I can't, 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.759 I don't understand that. 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:43.440 And it's so damaging 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.000 and then you go to 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.480 the New Testament 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:45.160 and Jesus is like, 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:47.079 don't be a hypocrite 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:50.759 because he knows 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.360 the damage 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:52.339 it can cause. 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:54.720 There's two warnings 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.620 here that arise. 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.299 The first is that 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.980 we need to be very careful 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:00.539 about financial showing off 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:02.400 and so that's kind of 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:03.900 part of what this is touching 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:05.200 and that's just a, 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.299 that's just a wise 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.379 and important lesson. 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.200 Some of you may, 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.419 may well, 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:11.500 already or may go on 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.220 to be blessed 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:13.180 to do very, 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.759 very well 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.859 in your lives, 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:15.299 you know, 00:25:15.419 --> 00:25:16.759 and praise God 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.159 if you do, 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.139 that gives you opportunities 00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:19.379 to do wonderful things 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.539 for the gospel 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.319 but, 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:21.940 you know, 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.639 we don't want to, 00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:24.799 you don't want to sort of 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:25.500 show that off. 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.399 Yeah, 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.119 you just don't, 00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:31.919 you don't want to do that. 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:34.320 but even more importantly, 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.019 what this is really 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.980 pressing home to us 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.940 is that we have to be on guard 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:41.580 against religious showing off 00:25:41.580 --> 00:25:44.460 and that can happen 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.880 so easily. 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:48.700 It can happen in church, 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:51.340 it can happen online, 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:53.340 it can happen in books, 00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:56.080 it can happen in Bible studies, 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.599 it's so easy 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:59.559 in a kind of church setting 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:02.199 to want to say 00:26:02.199 --> 00:26:03.240 and do things 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:03.779 that you think 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.720 are going to impress 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.460 other people. 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.779 And there's a massive 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:08.220 social media world 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:09.039 of 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.839 Christian, 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:11.799 religious, 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:14.199 desperately trying 00:26:14.199 --> 00:26:15.539 to impress people, 00:26:15.659 --> 00:26:16.079 ism. 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:20.079 the one person 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:21.079 who is never impressed 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:21.579 is Jesus. 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.179 And, 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:26.500 I mean, 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.299 I guess I feel a bit 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:28.000 embarrassed saying this 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.220 but, 00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:29.039 you know, 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:29.519 I'm sitting 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:31.679 this week 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.460 writing this sermon 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:32.740 thinking, 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.879 I really hope 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.619 it's a good sermon 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.299 in St. C's. 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.679 And then I read, 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:39.980 Beware of practicing 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.579 your righteousness 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.220 before others 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.240 in order to be seen by them. 00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:43.879 So we're all 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.599 battling this, 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.899 we're all battling this 00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.400 because, 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.320 you know, 00:26:48.100 --> 00:26:48.700 Jesus gives us 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.360 such wise 00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:50.220 and helpful warnings 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.300 and I want my prayer 00:26:51.300 --> 00:26:51.740 and your prayer 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.500 to be that our biggest 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:52.980 concern 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.340 is always be, 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.820 what does God 00:26:55.820 --> 00:26:56.940 constantly see? 00:26:58.100 --> 00:26:59.220 We spend a lot of time 00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.560 thinking, 00:26:59.840 --> 00:27:00.800 who's watching us? 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.200 You're not wrong, 00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:04.280 you're not wrong 00:27:04.280 --> 00:27:05.880 to think about the fact 00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:06.340 that someone 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:07.140 is watching you. 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.860 The problem is 00:27:09.860 --> 00:27:10.460 that we pick 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.540 the wrong someone 00:27:11.540 --> 00:27:13.140 to worry about. 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.240 So, 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.000 this passage 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.779 exposes contrasts, 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.779 it teaches us 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.839 about some constants, 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.200 final C, 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.059 question. 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.200 So, 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:24.859 the Sermon on the Mount 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:26.500 presents us 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.759 with a lot of 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.160 direct, 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:28.660 challenging, 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.500 practical instructions. 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:30.059 That's one of the things 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.839 that's beautiful about it, 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:31.160 it's just, 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:31.579 it's quite, 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:32.839 Jesus is quite 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.660 hard-hitting in it, 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:35.000 which is actually 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:35.480 helpful. 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.460 And because of that, 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:38.120 we can often think 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.799 that the Sermon on the Mount 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.420 is hitting us 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.079 with the question, 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.900 will you do this? 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:43.420 So, 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:44.220 will you turn 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.920 the other cheek? 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.560 Will you guard 00:27:46.560 --> 00:27:46.940 your hearts 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.780 against lust 00:27:47.780 --> 00:27:48.720 and anger? 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.560 Will you pray 00:27:50.560 --> 00:27:50.980 for those 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.880 who persecute you? 00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:52.980 Will you go 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.040 the extra mile? 00:27:54.100 --> 00:27:54.400 And those 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.700 will you do this 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.820 questions are good, 00:27:57.060 --> 00:27:57.880 they are helpful, 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.920 they're important, 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.540 ask them. 00:28:01.280 --> 00:28:01.960 But as we come 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.900 into chapter 6, 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.600 Jesus is not so much 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.180 asking you the 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:06.000 will you do this 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.519 question, 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:07.680 in fact, 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.720 he just assumes 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.259 that you'll do 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:09.640 these things, 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.080 because he says, 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.839 when you give, 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:11.720 and he'll go on 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:11.879 to say, 00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:12.439 when you pray, 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:13.379 and when you fast, 00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:13.819 he's not even, 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.659 he's just assuming 00:28:14.659 --> 00:28:15.339 that we do it, 00:28:15.439 --> 00:28:16.039 because these are 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.819 core things 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.799 that we should 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.359 be doing. 00:28:18.419 --> 00:28:19.199 So he's not really 00:28:19.199 --> 00:28:19.899 asking the 00:28:19.899 --> 00:28:20.559 will you do 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.139 this question, 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.480 he's asking the 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.659 why are you 00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:24.419 doing this 00:28:24.419 --> 00:28:25.039 question. 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.039 And so if we 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.699 ask the question, 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.599 why were these 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:31.519 people putting 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:33.419 on this outward 00:28:33.419 --> 00:28:34.619 show of 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.619 religious devotion, 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.199 why were they 00:28:36.199 --> 00:28:36.720 doing that? 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.000 And so we might 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.179 say, 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.379 well, 00:28:38.419 --> 00:28:39.079 they were arrogant, 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:40.980 they were show 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.240 offs, 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:42.099 they were proud, 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:42.899 they loved their 00:28:42.899 --> 00:28:43.539 own status, 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.919 they were selfish. 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:46.939 And that's 00:28:46.939 --> 00:28:47.619 probably true, 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:49.740 to a greater or 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.279 lesser degree. 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.579 But I think that 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:53.039 the biggest reason 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.059 why they were 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.659 doing all these 00:28:54.659 --> 00:28:56.519 things is because 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.419 they were insecure. 00:28:59.659 --> 00:29:00.799 And exactly the 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.500 same is true in 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.439 all areas of life. 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.740 People show off, 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.480 people try to put 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.119 on a good impression, 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.000 people make a huge 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.799 effort for their 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.579 outward appearance 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.480 to look good, 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.139 whether that's by 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:10.720 talking about your 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:11.599 salary or your 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:12.399 job or your 00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:13.259 grades or making 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:13.539 sure you've got 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.240 the right clothes, 00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:15.500 car, watch, 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:15.899 whatever, 00:29:16.179 --> 00:29:16.659 whether it's your 00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:17.899 social media page, 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:18.699 it has to look all 00:29:18.699 --> 00:29:19.980 picture perfect, 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:20.759 or whatever it is. 00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.240 Why do we do 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:21.879 these things? 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.699 Is it because we're 00:29:23.699 --> 00:29:25.279 confident and strong 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.500 and self-assured? 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.919 No, I think it is 00:29:28.919 --> 00:29:30.319 almost always because 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:31.779 we are insecure 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:34.159 and scared. 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:36.940 And that's where we 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.680 discover that you can 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.759 actually get two kinds 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.560 of hypocrisy. 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:41.740 You can get arrogant 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.740 hypocrisy. 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:44.240 So somebody who just, 00:29:44.600 --> 00:29:46.360 you know, somebody who 00:29:46.360 --> 00:29:47.420 does not care about 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.920 integrity, quite happy 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:50.640 with inconsistency in 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:51.680 their lives, and is 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:52.640 only interested in 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.360 serving themselves. 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.300 And you do get that 00:29:54.300 --> 00:29:55.180 from time to time, and 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:56.580 maybe there's occasions 00:29:56.580 --> 00:29:57.180 in life when we've 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:58.000 slipped into that trap. 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:59.100 You get that kind of 00:29:59.100 --> 00:30:00.600 arrogant hypocrisy 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:02.059 sometimes. 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:03.740 I think far more 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:05.119 common is the second 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.099 kind of hypocrisy, 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.819 anxious hypocrisy. 00:30:11.399 --> 00:30:12.439 And that's the trap 00:30:12.439 --> 00:30:14.119 that I fall into, 00:30:15.219 --> 00:30:16.119 and that I have to 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:16.859 battle against. 00:30:16.959 --> 00:30:17.699 Because when I've been 00:30:17.699 --> 00:30:19.579 a hypocrite, it's not 00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:20.899 usually because I'm 00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:22.119 just a kind of 00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:24.480 uncontrollable, arrogant 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.039 idiot. 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.859 More often than not, 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:29.079 it's because I'm 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:30.240 nervous. 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:32.799 Or scared. 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.959 And that's why I'll 00:30:36.959 --> 00:30:38.359 do one thing in one 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:39.599 context, and another 00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.159 thing in another 00:30:40.159 --> 00:30:40.719 context. 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.599 And that's why I'll 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:43.679 maybe hide. 00:30:44.439 --> 00:30:45.019 So when I was an 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.959 engineer, you may be 00:30:45.959 --> 00:30:46.659 like, oh, you're 00:30:46.659 --> 00:30:47.659 reluctant to talk about 00:30:47.659 --> 00:30:48.259 the fact that you were 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.000 at church, or at 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.419 school. 00:30:49.959 --> 00:30:50.819 At times I was 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:51.599 reluctant to tell 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.579 people and speak about 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.299 the fact that I was a 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:53.579 Christian. 00:30:53.699 --> 00:30:54.279 Why did I do that? 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.679 I didn't do that 00:30:54.679 --> 00:30:55.480 because I was arrogant. 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:56.859 I was arrogant in 00:30:56.859 --> 00:30:57.439 different ways. 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:59.339 But that wasn't, I 00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:00.119 did that because I was 00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:00.579 scared. 00:31:02.979 --> 00:31:04.259 And so being anxious 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.959 can make you a 00:31:04.959 --> 00:31:05.500 hypocrite. 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.159 And it's a great 00:31:08.159 --> 00:31:09.279 reminder that the 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:11.379 mask of hypocrisy is 00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:13.299 not actually a public 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:13.959 display. 00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.719 It's a public 00:31:17.719 --> 00:31:18.379 hiding. 00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:18.480 thing. 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.380 And of course, the 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:24.220 Bible explains why 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:24.840 that's the case. 00:31:25.060 --> 00:31:25.420 It's one of the 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.340 massive consequences 00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:27.100 of the fall. 00:31:27.800 --> 00:31:29.620 Sin makes us want to 00:31:29.620 --> 00:31:32.140 hide because it makes 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:33.040 us feel ashamed. 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.900 You see that in Adam 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:35.280 and Eve? 00:31:35.780 --> 00:31:36.680 I see it in my own 00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.080 heart. 00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:38.860 And so many of us 00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:41.180 today, as you go into 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:42.920 tomorrow, this new week, 00:31:43.020 --> 00:31:44.120 you're in this pressure. 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:44.199 pressure. 00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:46.099 Pressure to put on a 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.299 public face to make a 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:47.979 good impression. 00:31:48.379 --> 00:31:49.159 And the result is that 00:31:49.159 --> 00:31:49.799 you can live a double 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.199 life. 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.359 And so you can have the 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:54.939 double life of, you 00:31:54.939 --> 00:31:56.179 know, who we are at 00:31:56.179 --> 00:31:57.439 work compared to who we 00:31:57.439 --> 00:31:58.059 really are. 00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:00.399 The double life of who 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:01.319 we are on social media 00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:02.039 compared to who we 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.519 really are. 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.259 And we can have the 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:04.139 double life of who we 00:32:04.139 --> 00:32:05.739 are at church compared 00:32:05.739 --> 00:32:06.759 with who we really are. 00:32:07.179 --> 00:32:08.119 This weekend, I had the 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:09.219 amazing privilege of being 00:32:09.219 --> 00:32:10.139 at the youth conference, 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:11.339 the pre-church youth 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:11.639 conference. 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:12.540 There was 200 people 00:32:12.540 --> 00:32:13.040 there on Saturday. 00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:14.060 It was amazing. 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:15.300 So good to see. 00:32:15.380 --> 00:32:17.259 But I know that for 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:18.360 some of the people who 00:32:18.360 --> 00:32:19.360 are at that conference, 00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:22.200 they are struggling with 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:23.060 a double life. 00:32:24.800 --> 00:32:26.380 Because there's pressure 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:28.740 on them to conform to 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.759 what their friends are 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:31.080 doing and everything. 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:32.320 They are being pulled 00:32:32.320 --> 00:32:33.340 in two directions. 00:32:34.620 --> 00:32:35.660 And we do that because 00:32:35.660 --> 00:32:36.280 we're scared. 00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:37.680 We put massive pressure 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.380 on ourselves to put on 00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:40.300 this outward mask in 00:32:40.300 --> 00:32:41.020 order to make it look 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.619 like we're okay. 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.660 The whole thing is 00:32:42.660 --> 00:32:43.720 utterly exhausting. 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.839 And the last thing I want 00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:45.700 to press home to you is 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.839 that the whole thing is 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:48.839 utterly unnecessary. 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:53.440 We struggle with hypocrisy 00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.940 because we struggle with 00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.519 insecurity. 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:57.420 And the magnificent thing 00:32:57.420 --> 00:32:59.000 about the gospel is that 00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:02.039 grace addresses both. 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:04.980 So there's been times 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:06.139 when I've been a hypocrite 00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:09.120 because I'm almost always 00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:11.020 anxious and insecure 00:33:11.020 --> 00:33:14.880 and grace deals with both. 00:33:15.280 --> 00:33:18.660 So grace deals with your hypocrisy. 00:33:18.780 --> 00:33:19.860 So if you can sit here right now 00:33:19.860 --> 00:33:21.420 and if I have guilt-tipped you 00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:22.759 for the last 34 minutes 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.840 where you're thinking, 00:33:24.040 --> 00:33:24.960 as a Christian, 00:33:25.060 --> 00:33:26.280 I have been living a double life 00:33:26.280 --> 00:33:27.540 and I have failed to kind of 00:33:27.540 --> 00:33:29.120 be who I really am 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:30.040 in front of my friends 00:33:30.040 --> 00:33:31.140 or my colleagues 00:33:31.140 --> 00:33:33.440 and I have not lived out 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:34.220 the Sermon on the Mount 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:36.000 and I can see that sin 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:37.059 and I feel so guilty 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.720 about that sin 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:39.920 and I am so annoyed 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:40.460 with myself. 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.120 Do you know what grace 00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:41.700 is saying to you? 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.160 Grace is saying 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:43.220 that is forgiven. 00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:48.339 Your hypocrisy 00:33:48.339 --> 00:33:51.240 is washed away 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:52.720 with all your other sins 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:54.900 by the blood of Jesus. 00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:57.980 Grace deals without hypocrisy 00:33:57.980 --> 00:34:01.140 but grace also deals 00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:03.019 without insecurity. 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:07.720 Because God in the gospel 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:10.340 wants to pour reassurance 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:12.260 into your heart 00:34:12.260 --> 00:34:13.480 that you are His. 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:17.079 So we are talking about 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:18.619 discipleship unmasked. 00:34:18.720 --> 00:34:19.740 So I'm sure all of us here 00:34:19.740 --> 00:34:21.039 feel like we kind of have 00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:22.159 a little bit of a mask 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:23.880 on us as disciples. 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.679 And you know, 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:27.340 we can say that 00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:27.860 because we're like, 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.159 well, 00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:29.800 we don't really want anybody 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:31.360 to see what's really in us 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:33.340 and what we're really like. 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:36.500 So if you imagine 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.940 that you really were 00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:39.460 unmasked 00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:42.280 before us tonight 00:34:42.280 --> 00:34:43.440 as a disciple, 00:34:43.620 --> 00:34:44.599 you're a follower of Jesus 00:34:44.599 --> 00:34:46.320 and you are absolutely 00:34:46.320 --> 00:34:47.800 unmasked, 00:34:47.800 --> 00:34:51.400 what would we see? 00:34:54.140 --> 00:34:54.960 And you might be thinking 00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:55.440 you'd be seeing 00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:57.600 the biggest failure 00:34:57.600 --> 00:34:58.300 out there. 00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:01.200 And you'd be seeing 00:35:01.200 --> 00:35:02.120 somebody who doesn't have 00:35:02.120 --> 00:35:03.720 anything like the Bible 00:35:03.720 --> 00:35:04.640 knowledge they should have. 00:35:05.840 --> 00:35:06.580 And who was like, 00:35:06.640 --> 00:35:07.680 actually barely even 00:35:07.680 --> 00:35:08.640 made it out of church tonight 00:35:08.640 --> 00:35:09.340 because I was feeling 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:09.960 too tired. 00:35:10.180 --> 00:35:10.780 And you think, 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:11.680 oh, you'll see all these. 00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:12.699 So you think, 00:35:12.839 --> 00:35:13.599 that's what's getting exposed. 00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:17.139 If you are unmasked tonight, 00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:19.299 what would you actually see? 00:35:20.299 --> 00:35:22.159 What would you actually find? 00:35:22.279 --> 00:35:23.219 You would find 00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:25.339 the beloved child of God. 00:35:31.199 --> 00:35:33.759 You'd find the bride of Christ. 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:40.000 You'd find the eternally redeemed. 00:35:41.679 --> 00:35:43.599 Bought with the blood of Christ. 00:35:46.099 --> 00:35:47.500 You'd find someone 00:35:47.500 --> 00:35:51.839 whom God has loved forever. 00:35:55.239 --> 00:35:56.500 Do you need a mask? 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:01.139 Of course you don't. 00:36:03.279 --> 00:36:04.339 And that's why 00:36:04.339 --> 00:36:05.440 as we follow Jesus, 00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:08.460 we want to just live out 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:10.279 the life that he has blessed us with. 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:12.280 And for this beautiful gospel 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:13.060 to shape 00:36:13.060 --> 00:36:14.660 all that we do. 00:36:15.700 --> 00:36:16.980 And the result is 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:17.960 an amazing reward. 00:36:18.180 --> 00:36:18.820 And I didn't have time 00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:19.320 to talk about this. 00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:20.000 And I've already gone on 00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:20.519 for too long. 00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:21.400 And those of you 00:36:21.400 --> 00:36:21.920 who were here 00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:22.960 when I was here 00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:23.480 will have thought, 00:36:23.560 --> 00:36:24.420 well, that's just normal. 00:36:25.660 --> 00:36:26.540 But there is just 00:36:26.540 --> 00:36:27.660 this talk of a reward. 00:36:28.060 --> 00:36:29.220 And the beautiful thing 00:36:29.220 --> 00:36:30.519 is that in our hypocrisy 00:36:30.519 --> 00:36:31.100 we're looking for 00:36:31.100 --> 00:36:32.480 that kind of instant reward 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:34.019 of people approving of us 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:35.060 and being impressed with us. 00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:36.680 And it fades so quickly. 00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:39.119 And God is saying, 00:36:39.399 --> 00:36:39.960 and Jesus is saying 00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:40.440 in these words, 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:40.679 Luke, 00:36:40.799 --> 00:36:42.559 that the gospel 00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:43.179 is giving us 00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:44.960 an eternal reward. 00:36:45.099 --> 00:36:45.919 And that's asking you 00:36:45.919 --> 00:36:46.500 the question, 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:49.559 can you be content 00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:51.500 with an eternal reward? 00:36:51.500 --> 00:36:57.019 And you know, 00:36:57.300 --> 00:36:58.820 my hypocrisy 00:36:58.820 --> 00:37:00.239 isn't content with that. 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.719 Because I want 00:37:02.719 --> 00:37:03.639 the instant reward. 00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:06.579 But if I 00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:08.920 focus on that 00:37:08.920 --> 00:37:10.639 and on what all 00:37:10.639 --> 00:37:12.099 that God has promised us, 00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:14.239 my need for a mask 00:37:14.239 --> 00:37:15.380 of hypocrisy disappears. 00:37:16.420 --> 00:37:18.139 And as an unmasked disciple, 00:37:18.739 --> 00:37:19.900 I can bask 00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.699 in the beauty 00:37:20.699 --> 00:37:21.859 and the fullness 00:37:21.859 --> 00:37:23.419 of everything 00:37:23.419 --> 00:37:24.179 that Jesus 00:37:24.179 --> 00:37:26.119 wants to give me 00:37:26.119 --> 00:37:27.299 and that he wants 00:37:27.299 --> 00:37:27.839 to give you. 00:37:28.919 --> 00:37:30.119 So as we go on together, 00:37:30.859 --> 00:37:32.079 let's go on as disciples 00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:33.539 unmasked. 00:37:34.159 --> 00:37:34.500 Amen. 00:37:34.699 --> 00:37:35.059 Let's pray. 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:38.299 Lord Jesus, 00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:39.439 we thank you 00:37:39.439 --> 00:37:40.659 so, so much 00:37:40.659 --> 00:37:43.439 for your amazing wisdom 00:37:43.439 --> 00:37:44.659 in seeing through 00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:46.719 the reality of hypocrisy. 00:37:46.719 --> 00:37:48.879 but as we 00:37:48.879 --> 00:37:51.959 also see in these words, 00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:52.559 we thank you 00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:53.000 for the way 00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:53.939 in which the gospel 00:37:53.939 --> 00:37:55.359 deals with our hypocrisy. 00:37:55.559 --> 00:37:56.139 And we're sorry 00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:56.759 for the times 00:37:56.759 --> 00:37:57.299 when we have 00:37:57.299 --> 00:37:58.759 felt the need 00:37:58.759 --> 00:37:59.659 to put on a mask 00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.419 and try to put on 00:38:00.419 --> 00:38:01.419 an impression to others. 00:38:01.879 --> 00:38:02.539 Thank you 00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:03.899 that the gospel 00:38:03.899 --> 00:38:05.219 deals with all of that. 00:38:05.699 --> 00:38:06.959 And so for everyone here, 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:08.459 may they know 00:38:08.459 --> 00:38:08.959 anew 00:38:08.959 --> 00:38:10.299 just the cleansing, 00:38:10.819 --> 00:38:11.099 healing, 00:38:11.359 --> 00:38:11.980 renewing, 00:38:12.459 --> 00:38:13.339 wonderful power 00:38:13.340 --> 00:38:14.300 of the gospel 00:38:14.300 --> 00:38:15.000 in their lives 00:38:15.000 --> 00:38:15.840 and may their hearts 00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:16.680 be filled 00:38:16.680 --> 00:38:17.980 with the security 00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:21.220 and the peace 00:38:21.220 --> 00:38:22.980 and the hope 00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:24.660 of knowing 00:38:24.660 --> 00:38:25.700 that we have 00:38:25.700 --> 00:38:26.780 been loved by you 00:38:26.780 --> 00:38:27.900 and will be loved 00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:28.559 by you forever. 00:38:29.720 --> 00:38:31.059 We pray that everybody 00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:32.760 here would see 00:38:32.760 --> 00:38:33.700 and understand that 00:38:33.700 --> 00:38:34.420 more and more. 00:38:35.420 --> 00:38:35.800 Amen.