WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.759 Well, let's pray together, will we, as we come to God's holy word this morning. 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:13.019 Lord God, we would thank you so much for the time that we've spent together already this morning. 00:00:13.900 --> 00:00:23.600 And we thank you for the enormous privilege that we have now to hear and to study and to apply your life-giving word to our lives. 00:00:24.400 --> 00:00:27.320 So, dear Father, we ask that you would come and be with us this morning. 00:00:27.320 --> 00:00:30.240 Would your spirit be our teacher and our guide? 00:00:30.699 --> 00:00:37.000 Father, would you cleanse us and would you change us from the inside out, we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:39.520 Great, are we well this morning? 00:00:40.280 --> 00:00:41.560 We're nice and warm in here. 00:00:42.140 --> 00:00:43.879 It has dropped, hasn't it, this week? 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:46.000 It's cold, I think we should all go into hibernation. 00:00:46.760 --> 00:00:47.719 Get away from the cold. 00:00:48.179 --> 00:00:51.380 Good, well, if you've got a Bible, then please turn to Luke chapter 18. 00:00:51.579 --> 00:00:53.039 It's where we're going to be this morning. 00:00:53.039 --> 00:00:59.700 And to warm us up, I want to begin by asking you a question, getting you thinking. 00:00:59.820 --> 00:01:00.519 Here's the question. 00:01:01.539 --> 00:01:02.460 Are you good at waiting? 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:04.900 Are you good at waiting? 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:10.259 My confession this morning is that I am turning not very good at waiting. 00:01:10.579 --> 00:01:13.280 And I want to blame wholeheartedly this morning. 00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:19.239 This offer that I was made a few months ago to join, it was a free offer, to join Amazon Prime. 00:01:19.239 --> 00:01:25.739 So, A, I joined it because, A, I love Amazon, and B, I'm Scottish and I love free stuff. 00:01:25.839 --> 00:01:29.479 So, Amazon offered me this three-month free trial and I'm there. 00:01:30.119 --> 00:01:33.379 But it's turned me into this really impatient person. 00:01:34.179 --> 00:01:35.119 So, I'll give you an example. 00:01:35.239 --> 00:01:41.219 I ordered a book a few Sunday nights ago and it didn't come first thing on Monday morning. 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:44.619 And they made me a promise that I got free next day delivery. 00:01:44.620 --> 00:01:49.240 So, I'm there and I'm going to my emails and just double-checking the confirmation. 00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:54.600 I'm going to my emails and I'm looking up the Amazon website, looking for the customer service number. 00:01:54.680 --> 00:01:58.500 And I'm out there looking at the letterbox every ten minutes to see if it came. 00:01:59.420 --> 00:02:01.140 Because Amazon made me this promise. 00:02:01.939 --> 00:02:03.180 And it did come on Monday. 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:09.259 And the irony is I opened the box with joy, looked at it and thought, yeah, I'll read that later. 00:02:09.700 --> 00:02:10.900 There it goes on the bookshelf. 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:15.920 It's turned me into this really bad person at waiting. 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:18.460 Now, I'm not very good at waiting. 00:02:19.540 --> 00:02:23.759 And so, here is why I found what Jesus said to us last week and looked difficult. 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:31.819 Because he told his disciples that they were going to have to get good at waiting. 00:02:31.819 --> 00:02:42.719 Last week, Luke 17, Jesus told his disciples that there was imminently coming a day when he was no longer going to be present physically with them. 00:02:43.639 --> 00:02:46.719 His journey, he was telling them, was going to go via the cross. 00:02:47.239 --> 00:02:49.400 Now, we know how the story ended. 00:02:49.500 --> 00:02:50.780 We know that Jesus would die. 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:52.340 He would later rise. 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:53.340 He would later ascend. 00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:55.400 And he would go to be with his Father in heaven. 00:02:56.200 --> 00:03:03.140 But, this is what Jesus was telling his disciples last week, that they can base their lives, the whole of their lives on the truth. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:08.960 That one day, on a day that they don't know, but a day that they won't miss, he's going to return. 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:14.640 So, they will find themselves waiting in this in-between time. 00:03:14.639 --> 00:03:24.779 The time between Jesus ascending, going to be with his Father in heaven, and Jesus returning to be the victorious and the triumphant King. 00:03:26.079 --> 00:03:29.099 And I guess that is where we need to click. 00:03:29.619 --> 00:03:31.079 That that's where we are living this morning. 00:03:31.699 --> 00:03:37.219 We, too, find ourselves, don't we, in this in-between time between Jesus ascending, going to be with the Father and his return. 00:03:38.259 --> 00:03:41.479 We, too, are in this thing that we call the great weight. 00:03:41.479 --> 00:03:45.719 And here's the big question I want us to think about this morning, as we think about waiting. 00:03:46.619 --> 00:03:50.139 Is, what does it look like to wait well? 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:57.199 And the answer that Jesus is going to give, and what Luke's going to tell us this morning, by way of two parables, 00:03:57.799 --> 00:04:03.459 is going to show us that to be a disciple that waits well means that you should be marked by an all-out trust in God. 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:08.339 Because waiting time is trusting time. 00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:14.080 Now, as we go through this together, we're going to try and put some flesh in the bones of that idea this morning. 00:04:14.140 --> 00:04:19.259 But the big challenge that I want us to feel is not the alarm. 00:04:20.360 --> 00:04:24.620 The big challenge, we're going to try and help us feel this challenge that Jesus presents to his disciples this morning. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:26.180 We're trying to ask us two questions. 00:04:26.899 --> 00:04:27.699 Here's the first one. 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:28.500 You ready for the first one? 00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:29.840 Who are you trusting? 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:31.600 Who are you trusting? 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:39.080 So the first parable that Jesus tells, in verses 1 to 8, features a persevering woman. 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:41.540 Now, let's read this together, picking it up at verse 1. 00:04:42.520 --> 00:04:43.700 Chapter 18. 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:52.860 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 00:04:53.699 --> 00:04:54.560 He said, 00:04:54.620 --> 00:04:59.339 In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:03.959 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:06.659 Grant me justice against my adversary. 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:11.500 For some time he refused, but finally he said to himself, 00:05:12.140 --> 00:05:14.860 Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, 00:05:15.260 --> 00:05:17.680 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, 00:05:18.160 --> 00:05:23.480 I will see that she gets justice so that she won't eventually come and attack me. 00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:25.820 And the Lord said, 00:05:25.940 --> 00:05:28.640 Listen to what the unjust judge says. 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:36.839 Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:39.219 Will they keep putting them off? 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:44.319 I tell you, he will see that they get justice and quickly. 00:05:45.579 --> 00:05:49.800 However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? 00:05:51.339 --> 00:05:55.459 There's a few things that we need to see before we meet this widow. 00:05:56.139 --> 00:05:57.659 Who is Jesus speaking to? 00:05:57.660 --> 00:06:02.400 Well, verse 22 of chapter 17 gives us that. 00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:03.960 Do you see? 00:06:04.040 --> 00:06:06.600 He's speaking to his disciples. 00:06:08.380 --> 00:06:09.240 And the question is, 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:12.280 Why is he speaking to his disciples here at 18.1? 00:06:13.120 --> 00:06:14.980 Well, do you notice how, as we read it through, 00:06:15.100 --> 00:06:19.020 Luke doesn't want us to be in any doubt as to why Jesus is addressing his disciples here. 00:06:19.300 --> 00:06:24.680 Luke wants to rule out any speculation that we might have as to why Jesus is speaking like this. 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:25.980 He tells us at verse 1. 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:31.820 Short answer, because Jesus knows his disciples. 00:06:33.320 --> 00:06:35.680 And he knows that he's just dropped a bombshell on them. 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:41.240 And he knows that in their hearts they're probably confused and they're probably scared. 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:51.759 And so he tells them this parable so that they'll keep praying and so that they won't give up. 00:06:52.800 --> 00:06:56.660 If you've got an ESV there, so that they won't lose heart. 00:06:56.660 --> 00:07:01.840 Now here is the heart of Jesus, the great pastor. 00:07:02.820 --> 00:07:07.200 Here are the words of Jesus, the great shepherd of souls. 00:07:07.880 --> 00:07:11.300 Do you see how much Jesus loves his disciples in these verses? 00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:12.620 Do you see the love coming through? 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:20.759 He wants his disciples not to despair, but rather to keep trusting and keep praying. 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:26.000 And maybe that's where you are in your Christian life this morning. 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:29.860 Maybe you're ready just to throw in the towel. 00:07:29.980 --> 00:07:35.300 Well, it's been my prayer this week that as we hear the words of Jesus in Luke chapter 18, 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:44.060 that by God's Spirit, that they would come as a balm to many a weary soul this morning. 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:53.740 Jesus is speaking to his disciples, telling them this so that they will keep praying and not lose heart. 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:57.360 So let's meet this widow, shall we? 00:07:57.459 --> 00:07:59.759 The action takes place, you see, in the parable in a city. 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:03.600 And Jesus tells us about two people who live in the city. 00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:04.660 First of all, there's a widow. 00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:09.340 And immediately we see that she's not had it easy in life. 00:08:10.579 --> 00:08:12.000 She clearly lost her husband. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:15.220 And from the text, she's clearly got a problem. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:16.180 Do you see it, verse 3? 00:08:17.399 --> 00:08:18.660 She's got an adversary. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:22.860 So she's got somebody who's clearly wronged her. 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:27.939 You read the commentators, they'll tell you it's most likely that it was financially she was wronged. 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:33.340 And she's desperate and she's needy and she's trying to live her life in a big, bad world. 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:38.000 And so you can picture, remember the disciples are hearing this. 00:08:39.259 --> 00:08:40.519 And they're thinking about their lives. 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:42.720 So you're thinking how it is tough to follow Jesus. 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:46.159 How it is costly to carry the cross. 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:52.220 Especially in a world that stands against everything that Jesus stands for and teaches. 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:57.179 And you begin to understand how as they hear Jesus talk about this widow. 00:08:57.179 --> 00:09:00.620 That they begin to click with this widow. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:12.219 Actually, she represents Jesus' followers who are feeling the tough nature of life trying to follow him in this world. 00:09:12.659 --> 00:09:14.219 And Jesus tells us about this widow. 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:16.479 He also tells us about this judge that's in the city. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:18.959 Do you notice he tells us two things about this judge? 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:21.940 One, he doesn't care for people. 00:09:22.780 --> 00:09:24.480 Two, he doesn't care for God. 00:09:25.680 --> 00:09:27.820 And he hears this widow's case. 00:09:28.540 --> 00:09:30.240 And time after time, what does he do? 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:32.379 The text tells us he throws out her case. 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:39.620 But time after time, she gets on his case. 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:41.120 Do you see it? 00:09:41.160 --> 00:09:45.080 Verse 3, she kept on coming to him. 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:46.020 Now I love this. 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:49.960 Now I've got a bit of an imagination when I try and get into a text. 00:09:50.040 --> 00:09:52.440 I was trying to picture the judge this week in this story. 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:54.240 Just imagine him, okay? 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:57.180 He wakes up in the morning, big stretch, puts on the dressing gown. 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:57.800 Down he goes. 00:09:57.879 --> 00:09:58.340 What does he do? 00:09:58.420 --> 00:09:59.240 Opens the curtains. 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:00.300 There she is. 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:02.200 Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap. 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:03.740 When am I getting justice? 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:06.440 So he pulls the curtains closed again. 00:10:06.560 --> 00:10:07.820 He runs back to his dressing room. 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:08.540 He gets ready for work. 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:10.820 He tries to sneak out the back door through the garden. 00:10:10.920 --> 00:10:12.100 There she is with a placard. 00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:13.379 At the gate. 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:14.440 When am I getting justice? 00:10:15.800 --> 00:10:16.840 He gets to his office. 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:18.379 This is probably fast forwarding a little bit. 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:19.360 But he checks his emails. 00:10:20.180 --> 00:10:21.379 There's an email from this widow. 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:23.540 Header, justice, body of text. 00:10:23.660 --> 00:10:24.500 When am I getting it? 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:26.980 Goes on Twitter. 00:10:27.180 --> 00:10:27.759 There she is. 00:10:27.800 --> 00:10:30.540 She's created a hashtag, justice for widow. 00:10:30.660 --> 00:10:31.860 Do you see what he's telling us? 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:34.400 She's on his case all the time. 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:36.220 All the time. 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:41.560 Love how the judge describes her at verse 5. 00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:44.819 She keeps bothering me. 00:10:44.819 --> 00:10:47.179 Do you hear the exasperation in his voice? 00:10:47.539 --> 00:10:54.579 I'll give her justice simply because, and simply with the aim that she will not beat me down. 00:10:55.400 --> 00:10:57.560 Now I love, you'll maybe miss this in the English. 00:10:57.660 --> 00:11:00.540 The Greek word there is suggestive of giving somebody a black eye. 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:06.520 How vexed is this judge by what this widow keeps on doing? 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:07.580 Now why is she doing it? 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:11.420 Because he's the only one who can do something about her situation. 00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:16.899 And so she goes back time and time and time and time again. 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:18.799 Now what is Jesus' point here? 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:22.959 Verse 7. 00:11:24.579 --> 00:11:33.179 If this judge, if this unbelieving and unsympathetic man, if he will do right by this woman, 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:38.480 if this judge who has no relationship with this widow, who has no love for this widow, 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:43.060 who has no concern for this widow, if he will give this widow justice, 00:11:43.940 --> 00:11:47.340 then how much more will God? 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:49.460 That's the argument here. 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:53.240 How much more will God? 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:55.680 And who will he give justice to? 00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:58.379 His chosen ones. 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:01.279 If you've got an ESV there, his elect. 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:04.639 I was trying to think on this this week. 00:12:04.740 --> 00:12:05.279 That word. 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:07.220 Powerful. 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:11.840 And one of my favorite places, some of you will know me long enough to know this, 00:12:11.920 --> 00:12:13.460 that I love to meet people, is Starbucks. 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:16.700 Suddenly occurred to me that I love Amazon, I love Starbucks. 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:18.560 I've totally sold out to the man, haven't I? 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:21.159 But I love to meet people in Starbucks. 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:24.899 You get to the front, if you've been there, they ask you two questions. 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:27.440 The first question, well there's three questions really. 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:28.860 First question, how was your day? 00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:30.779 Second question, what is your drink? 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:33.560 Third question, what's your name? 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:34.860 And what do they do? 00:12:36.259 --> 00:12:37.960 Scribble it down on the side of the cup, don't they? 00:12:37.960 --> 00:12:38.960 Scribble it down on the side of the cup. 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:39.220 Scribble it down on the side of the cup. 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:39.800 Scribble it down on the side of the cup. 00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:47.019 This word is telling us that God hasn't just scribbled our names down on the side of a cup. 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:53.180 Actually, God has graven our names, the names of his people, on the palm of his hands. 00:12:53.179 --> 00:13:00.099 This word is speaking of this intimate relationship that God has with his people. 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:02.419 They are his chosen ones. 00:13:02.819 --> 00:13:04.500 They are his called out ones. 00:13:04.839 --> 00:13:09.000 They are people on whom he has placed his hand and who he has lifted out of the pit. 00:13:09.099 --> 00:13:11.759 He's called out of the darkness and into his marvelous light. 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.759 These are God's people. 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:25.319 It was English Puritan John Owen who famously said that the greatest hindrance that we have in the Christian life is not our lack of effort. 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:30.439 It's the lack of acquaintedness that we have with our privileges. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:32.780 Now, what is he saying? 00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:35.060 Let me try and put that in modern English. 00:13:35.760 --> 00:13:40.400 What he's saying is that how often do we never stop to think about the gospel? 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:49.640 How often do we never stop like a good red to savor it and take it in and to allow the taste, every aroma to fill our lives, 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:53.100 every truth quarry down to permeate our lives? 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:54.360 This is what he's saying. 00:13:56.019 --> 00:14:00.480 That every truth of the gospel should fill our lives. 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:03.300 We are his people. 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:08.360 Not by cheap grace, but by costly blood and sacrifices. 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.159 We'll see in a minute. 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.759 We are God's people. 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:13.540 Now, do some of us need to reflect on that truth this morning? 00:14:14.680 --> 00:14:18.560 That we are not our old selves, but now we just do a few more realistic things. 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:20.019 No, that's not what Jesus is saying. 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:25.039 That actually we are people who God has called out of darkness, placed into light, and has completely transformed us. 00:14:25.299 --> 00:14:26.679 And what is our identity now? 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:31.639 We are ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven. 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:34.100 We are the adopted children of the Lord. 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:38.740 And what does Jesus say such children do? 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:45.139 Cry out to him day and night, saying, do right by his God. 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.759 Dear God, we need you. 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:48.559 Dear God, we are clinging to you. 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:52.439 We are trusting you, and all of our hope is in every single truth of your words. 00:14:54.099 --> 00:14:56.219 And probably in the most immediate context. 00:14:57.319 --> 00:14:58.079 Come, Lord Jesus. 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:00.599 Come, Lord Jesus. 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:06.239 And as this father, as he hears the call of his children, 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:09.339 whether it's in this life or in the next, 00:15:09.459 --> 00:15:11.399 will he not, in his own perfect way, 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:13.959 according to his own perfect timing, 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:14.939 will he not do right? 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:18.180 Of course he'll do right. 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:20.040 He sees. 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:21.720 He knows. 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.340 He cares. 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:26.700 Our God is no casual sympathizer. 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:28.760 Our God is no distant empathizer. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:32.060 Our God is a loving father. 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:34.480 What is it we sing? 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.620 I have a maker. 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:39.960 He formed my heart. 00:15:40.700 --> 00:15:42.580 Before even time began, 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:44.320 my life was in his hands. 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:46.560 He knows my name. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:50.220 He knows my every thought. 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:52.919 He sees each tear that falls, 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:55.600 and he hears me when I call. 00:15:57.080 --> 00:15:59.759 So do you see what Jesus is saying here to his disciples? 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:00.759 Be like that widow. 00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:03.039 Be like that widow. 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:05.840 Keep on calling out to God in prayer. 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:06.720 What a privilege. 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.440 What a privilege. 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.340 And what an invitation. 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:16.960 And what a reason not to give up. 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:21.840 And that little challenge there at the end of that first section, 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:22.460 Jesus says, 00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:23.180 when I return, 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.340 will I find faith, 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.420 such faith, 00:16:27.160 --> 00:16:27.860 in my people? 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:31.320 Will I find this heart in my people? 00:16:31.400 --> 00:16:32.280 Will I come and return? 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:34.820 And will I find a people who are longing for me to return, 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:35.740 who are like this widow, 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:38.360 persistently calling out to God in prayer? 00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:40.340 You say, 00:16:40.400 --> 00:16:42.640 what are disciples that are waiting well marked by? 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:42.860 Well, 00:16:42.900 --> 00:16:44.000 here's the first thing to see. 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.860 They're marked by an all-out persistence. 00:16:48.780 --> 00:16:48.980 Now, 00:16:49.040 --> 00:16:51.060 I've been a bit obsessed with my step count recently. 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:54.080 I've got one of these phones that tells me how many steps I've done in a day. 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:55.420 I get a bit obsessed with it. 00:16:55.420 --> 00:16:57.080 What is it doctors tell us we're supposed to do? 00:16:57.140 --> 00:16:58.420 10,000 steps in a day? 00:16:58.900 --> 00:16:59.100 Yeah, 00:16:59.120 --> 00:16:59.360 right. 00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:02.360 A bit obsessed with my step count in a minute. 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.659 I was trying to imagine this week, 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.420 if my phone, 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:07.880 instead of recording how many steps I'd done in a day, 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:10.799 see if my phone recorded how much I actually prayed in a day, 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.099 what would it reveal about me? 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.180 Actually, 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:18.920 it would probably reveal that my prayer life is a lot more sporadic than it is persistent. 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:21.440 Let me ask you, 00:17:21.560 --> 00:17:22.480 some of us this morning, 00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:23.420 have we stopped calling? 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:29.539 Have we stopped crying out to our loving Heavenly Father in prayer? 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:35.220 Here's my thought for us as we try and grip this with both hands this morning, 00:17:35.300 --> 00:17:39.200 as we've seen Jesus lay out both the invitation and the privilege that is before us. 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:41.500 How are we going to do this? 00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:44.180 How are we going to go from a, 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:46.080 out of obedience to the Lord, 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:50.000 how are we going to move from being sporadic in prayer to being persistent in prayer? 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:51.699 You know, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.179 one of the things I find so helpful, 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:53.659 and again, 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:55.740 I do this sporadically rather than persistently, 00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:57.679 prayer journaling. 00:17:58.339 --> 00:18:01.740 I find this so helpful to write down my prayers, 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:03.039 to write down my thoughts, 00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:05.939 particularly to write down my cries to God. 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:09.699 And it is incredible to look back actually over the months, 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:10.359 over the weeks, 00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:10.759 over the months, 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.259 over the years, 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:12.539 and see how God has answered. 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:14.759 And actually to see how, 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:16.259 not only has he answered my prayers, 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.920 but actually my heart has changed in this. 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.599 Maybe some of us, 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:22.599 we want to start writing down how we cry out to God. 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:23.559 Again, 00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:24.299 you'll get it on Amazon, 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:24.640 okay? 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.759 But here's another thing, 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.539 a week and Wednesday, 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.200 not just individually praying. 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:32.099 How can we corporately be better at this? 00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:34.140 Next Wednesday evening, 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:36.440 such a joy to meet together, 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:38.420 together as God's people and pray. 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.299 Praying as a church, 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:41.019 so important for what we do here. 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:42.299 Next, 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.339 it is a week and Wednesday, 00:18:43.400 --> 00:18:43.660 isn't it? 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.940 It is a week and Wednesday. 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:45.720 Come along, 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.519 745. 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.019 It's just a wonderful time. 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:49.879 I'm so encouraged every time that I leave, 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:53.379 that we've met together as Brunsford Evangelical Church, 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.119 to pray together. 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.079 Get that in the diary. 00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:57.740 How can we move from being sporadic in our prayer lives, 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.720 to being persistent? 00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:02.039 What are disciples that are waiting well marked by? 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:02.559 Firstly, 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.740 they'll be marked by an all-out persistence. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:08.200 So as we leave this first section, 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.819 let me ask you, 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.400 who are you trusting? 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.819 Who are you trusting? 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.480 Here's the second question. 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.759 What are you trusting? 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:19.400 Second parable that Jesus tells, 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.839 and let's get back into the text here, 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:22.039 verses 9 to 14. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:25.579 We've moved from a persevering woman, 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:27.359 and now we're considering a broken man. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:30.180 So let's pick it up again at verse 9. 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:33.779 Jesus, 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:35.240 or Luke rather, 00:19:35.320 --> 00:19:35.799 goes on, 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:38.660 to some who were confident of their own righteousness, 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:41.039 and looked down on everyone else, 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:42.700 Jesus told this parable. 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:46.259 Two men went up to the temple to pray, 00:19:47.320 --> 00:19:48.340 one a Pharisee, 00:19:49.100 --> 00:19:50.560 and the other a tax collector. 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:53.860 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, 00:19:54.060 --> 00:19:54.279 God, 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:56.640 I thank you that I am not like other people, 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:57.980 robbers, 00:19:58.560 --> 00:19:59.299 evildoers, 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.160 adulterers, 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:02.860 or even like this tax collector. 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:05.080 I fast twice a week, 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.840 and give a tenth of all I get. 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.640 But the tax collector, 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.660 stood at a distance. 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:14.380 He would not even look up to heaven, 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.600 but beat his breast and said, 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:16.960 God, 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:18.340 have mercy on me, 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:18.920 a sinner. 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:22.320 I tell you that this man, 00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:24.420 rather than the other, 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.340 went home justified, 00:20:27.080 --> 00:20:27.920 before God. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:31.420 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:35.740 and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:37.960 Again, 00:20:38.080 --> 00:20:38.500 verse 9, 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:40.080 look who Jesus is speaking to. 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:42.820 I love how Luke tells us this. 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:47.860 Jesus is speaking to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:53.159 and who also treated others with contempt. 00:20:53.639 --> 00:20:56.240 And you see how it's a parable about two men, 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:57.979 and as we'll see, 00:20:58.059 --> 00:21:01.219 it's a parable about two men who've got very different chests. 00:21:01.979 --> 00:21:02.159 Okay? 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:02.959 Stay with me. 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.659 It makes sense. 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:03.979 Okay? 00:21:04.939 --> 00:21:05.799 And these two men, 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.199 do you notice, 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:07.419 are heading to one place. 00:21:07.479 --> 00:21:08.139 Where are they heading? 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:09.659 Beginning of verse 10. 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.519 They're heading to the temple. 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:13.540 What are they doing at the temple? 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:16.120 They're heading there to pray. 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:16.860 Now, 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:18.420 the first man is a Pharisee, 00:21:18.560 --> 00:21:21.360 and he's a man who puffs his chest. 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:24.420 Look how Jesus describes what he does. 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.860 He stands by himself, 00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:28.440 probably so others can see him, 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:30.960 and so he can stay away from the riffraff, 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:32.060 like this tax collector. 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.220 And he prays. 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:34.380 Now, 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:36.340 look at the words of this praying peacock. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.620 What does he pray? 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:40.199 I thank you that I am not like other men. 00:21:41.459 --> 00:21:41.779 Now, 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.659 what does he mean by that? 00:21:43.699 --> 00:21:44.539 Does he get different hair? 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.139 No. 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:45.859 What does he do? 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:46.399 He goes on. 00:21:46.699 --> 00:21:47.659 I am not like the men who, 00:21:47.719 --> 00:21:47.859 what, 00:21:47.919 --> 00:21:48.259 cheat. 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:50.599 I'm not like the men who are unjust. 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:52.579 I'm not like the men who are unfaithful. 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:54.939 I am not even like this tax collector. 00:21:55.919 --> 00:21:56.039 Now, 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:57.799 you can be sure that he said that one really, 00:21:58.159 --> 00:21:59.000 really loud, 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:00.239 so everybody could hear. 00:22:01.239 --> 00:22:03.939 And do you see how he doesn't just give thanks for what he doesn't do? 00:22:05.439 --> 00:22:05.759 Actually, 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:07.199 he goes on to declare to God, 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:10.880 as if somehow God needed reminded of what he does do. 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:13.259 He fasts twice a week. 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:17.019 The Old Testament law required that you only fast once a year. 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:19.640 So do you see how this Pharisee has gone well above and beyond? 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.840 And he tithes, 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:25.220 and gives away the legally required amount of stuff. 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.539 Here is this Pharisee. 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:29.500 As my grandpa used to say, 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:31.480 if this man were chocolate, 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:33.180 he would eat himself. 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:36.200 But here's the second man. 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.299 Here's the tax collector. 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.259 Where does he stand? 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.119 Notice in the text, 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:41.519 he stands far off. 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:42.759 Now, 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.720 remember where he is. 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.660 He's in the temple. 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.799 So he's in the temple, 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:48.460 and remember what he's faced with. 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:51.940 The holiness of God. 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:54.319 There it is for all to see, 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:56.539 the holiness of God right in front of him. 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.279 And in his shame, 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:01.059 most likely for who he is, 00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:02.779 and most likely for what he's done, 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:03.659 he cannot, 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.319 do you see it in the text, 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:06.000 he cannot even lift his eyes to heaven. 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:07.779 Instead, 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:09.019 his face is to the floor, 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:12.379 and he beats his chest. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.819 And his prayer, 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:16.420 God, 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:19.460 be merciful to me, 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.700 a sinner. 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:25.759 Mercy is what he's throwing himself upon. 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.460 Now, 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.080 in the Greek there, 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:30.259 the word mercy carries with it, 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:32.160 it kind of means propitiate. 00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:35.240 He's praying, 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:35.740 Lord, 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:38.059 would you somehow make a way for 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:40.580 your holy anger against my sin? 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:42.980 Would you make a way for it to be turned away? 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:45.259 Would you make a way for your holy, 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:48.000 righteous anger against my sin to be satisfied? 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:50.740 And of course, 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:51.640 he's looking at the temple 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:53.500 as he's thinking about the temple sacrifices. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:56.380 He's thinking about the real blood 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:58.539 of the real bulls and goats 00:23:58.539 --> 00:24:01.359 being really shed to cover his real sin. 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:05.259 And he throws himself upon the mercy of God. 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:08.460 Pharisee puffs his chest, 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:10.839 this tax collector beats his chest. 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.500 Now, 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.059 here's the thing. 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:16.299 If you ask these men at the time, 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:19.480 what basis should they get to heaven? 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:22.599 What card are you going to play 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.799 to get into God's presence? 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.940 Here's how they would have answered. 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:27.659 The Pharisee is confidently playing the me card. 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.779 My achievements, 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.319 my life's efforts, 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.220 my good works. 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.500 He goes into his closet, 00:24:33.639 --> 00:24:35.740 or I like to call it his wardrobe of works, 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.960 and he pulls out good deed 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.919 after good deed 00:24:38.919 --> 00:24:39.919 after good deed. 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.579 Kind of like a game of chop trumps, 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:42.659 if you remember playing that? 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.639 When you were young, 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.619 maybe you used to play it with my brothers 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.279 all the time. 00:24:45.979 --> 00:24:47.019 He plays his cards, 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:48.279 tithing, nine. 00:24:49.219 --> 00:24:50.159 Fasting, nine. 00:24:50.659 --> 00:24:51.339 High score. 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:54.459 Whereas the tax collector, 00:24:54.619 --> 00:24:56.179 well, he opens the door of his closet 00:24:56.179 --> 00:24:57.219 and he knows 00:24:57.219 --> 00:24:59.039 that there is nothing in there 00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.659 but skeletons. 00:25:01.959 --> 00:25:03.859 He looks at his top trumps cards, 00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:04.899 works, one. 00:25:05.479 --> 00:25:06.839 Honesty, minus 16. 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:08.759 There's no question 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:10.019 who should win here. 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.759 But do you see how 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:15.439 the Pharisee plays the me card? 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:16.679 Do you see how the tax collector 00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:18.000 also plays the me card? 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:21.359 Except with tears in his eyes, 00:25:22.419 --> 00:25:24.059 he scribbles down three letters 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:25.159 after the me. 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.039 Not MBE, 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.500 not VIP, 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:29.740 not CEO. 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:31.099 He scribbles down 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:33.259 R-C-Y. 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:36.619 Does the tax collector 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.500 play the me card? 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:37.799 No. 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:40.099 He plays the mercy card. 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:43.359 What right do I have to stand 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.720 before a holy God? 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.900 What merit of mine 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:48.119 do I bring to him? 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:50.059 Why should he 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:52.099 look favorably upon me? 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.779 I throw myself 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.339 wholly, 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.079 completely, 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.859 and fully 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:57.500 on your mercy, God. 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.500 Now here's the question, 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.079 who wins? 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:03.000 Who wins? 00:26:04.679 --> 00:26:05.740 Now it's Christmas time, 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.099 isn't it? 00:26:06.919 --> 00:26:07.659 Yes it is. 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:08.980 Christmas time for me 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.539 when I was young 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.500 always reminded of 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.339 pantomime season. 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.919 It's pantomime season, 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.299 isn't it? 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.819 Oh no it's not. 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.019 I was waiting for it. 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:18.919 One of you got it. 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.139 Come on, 00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:19.740 we need to get back 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.619 in the game here, okay? 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:22.339 It's pantomime season. 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:23.699 So I was trying to imagine, 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.460 again my imagination, 00:26:25.619 --> 00:26:26.039 trying to 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:27.679 tell this story 00:26:27.679 --> 00:26:28.759 and the crowd responding 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:30.059 in a pantomime fashion, 00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:30.399 okay? 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.199 Try and get us to see 00:26:32.199 --> 00:26:33.299 what Jesus is going to hear. 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:35.039 Jesus speaks of the Pharisee 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.059 every good work, 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:36.579 way. 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.259 He tithes, 00:26:38.419 --> 00:26:38.879 way. 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.159 He fasts, 00:26:40.199 --> 00:26:40.659 way. 00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:42.039 The tax collector, 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.220 even that name, 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:43.759 boo. 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:47.220 He stands far off, 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:48.199 too right he did. 00:26:48.919 --> 00:26:49.879 He prayed, 00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:51.399 how dare he pray? 00:26:52.879 --> 00:26:54.000 Because there's no doubt 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:54.859 who this audience, 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.720 as they hear Jesus 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.439 tell this parable, 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.439 there is no doubt 00:26:57.439 --> 00:26:57.980 who they see 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.480 as the villain. 00:26:58.480 --> 00:27:00.799 Well, 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.160 Jesus, 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.259 feel the explosion 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:03.299 of the bombshell 00:27:03.299 --> 00:27:03.819 that he drops 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.700 at verse 14. 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.380 Jesus says, 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.140 it was this man, 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.799 the tax collector, 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.660 who went home 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.339 justified, 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.380 that means he went home 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:14.420 declared right 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.599 with God, 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:17.160 not the Pharisee. 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:20.039 Now, 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.480 I'm thinking, 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:20.860 Jesus, 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.720 show you're working. 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.720 Show you're working. 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.799 How have you got there? 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:27.500 We've got the privilege 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.759 of looking on this, 00:27:29.379 --> 00:27:30.480 standing where we do 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.519 in God's grand story 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.119 of redemption, 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:34.299 because we can put a face 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.299 to that mercy card, 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:35.740 can't we? 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:38.180 How is God's wrath 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:39.059 against our sins 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.779 satisfied? 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.279 How is our sin 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.279 going to be dealt with? 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.599 How is it that we, 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.619 unrighteous, 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.299 can be declared 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.960 justified in God's sight? 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:51.180 Simply because of Jesus. 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:54.920 simply because of Jesus. 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.380 Remember, 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.060 he's the one 00:27:56.060 --> 00:27:57.120 in the context of Luke 00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:57.940 we saw last week 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:58.759 who is on his way 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.440 to the cross 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:01.759 to offer his life 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.759 as a sacrifice, 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.799 to offer his life 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.500 as an atonement, 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.700 to offer his life 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:07.480 as a propitiation 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.500 for our sins 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:10.920 so that we can be made 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:12.519 right with God. 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.259 You see, 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:15.840 the cry of the heart 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:16.720 of the disciple 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.620 is that I've got 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:19.039 nothing else to plead 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.980 before you, Lord, 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:21.160 but mercy alone. 00:28:21.560 --> 00:28:22.539 And nothing else 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.460 to plead before you, 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.400 no one else to plead 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:24.840 before you, 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.779 but Christ alone. 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.779 Those words that 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:31.039 Mr. Top Lady penned 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.860 all those years ago, 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.460 the great hymn, 00:28:32.560 --> 00:28:33.220 Rock of Ages. 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:36.180 Nothing in my hand 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:36.740 I bring, 00:28:37.340 --> 00:28:38.860 simply to the cross 00:28:38.860 --> 00:28:39.519 I cling. 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:42.000 Naked come to thee 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.820 for dress, 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.660 helpless, 00:28:44.320 --> 00:28:45.120 look to thee 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:45.840 for grace. 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:47.000 Foul, 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.140 aye, 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.820 to the fountain fly, 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:50.820 wash me, 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.200 be Savior, 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:53.819 or I die. 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.659 Friends, 00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:57.659 what are you trusting in? 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.679 Are you trusting in me? 00:29:00.679 --> 00:29:03.339 Are you trusting in mercy? 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:05.740 Have you experienced, 00:29:05.879 --> 00:29:07.079 have you come to the cross 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:08.039 and experienced 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:09.579 the mercy of God? 00:29:10.179 --> 00:29:11.500 Because as we have, 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.460 there's no way 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.599 that we can remain the same. 00:29:14.639 --> 00:29:15.879 What is it that Paul says 00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:16.819 in Romans 12, 00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:17.399 if you want to look 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:18.080 at it afterwards? 00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:19.720 Having unpacked 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.960 all this wonderful theology 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:21.960 about what God has done 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.560 in the gospel, 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.440 what does he write 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:25.040 to this church? 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:26.540 Therefore, 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.500 I urge you, 00:29:27.580 --> 00:29:28.340 brothers and sisters, 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:31.420 in view of God's mercy, 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:33.540 to do what? 00:29:33.620 --> 00:29:35.140 To offer your bodies 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:36.540 as a living sacrifice, 00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:39.440 holy and pleasing to God. 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:41.320 this is your true 00:29:41.320 --> 00:29:43.600 and proper worship. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.160 What are disciples 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:47.880 that are waiting 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:48.740 well marked by? 00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:49.140 Firstly, 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.539 they're marked 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.500 by an all-out persistence 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.240 and secondly, 00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:51.700 they're marked 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.940 by an all-out dependence. 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:56.440 You know, 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.320 just as we close, 00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:58.900 our little girl, 00:29:59.080 --> 00:29:59.420 Chloe, 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.279 is so excited 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:00.799 at the minute 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:02.680 because every morning 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.180 as she plays 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.820 in the living room, 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:04.860 she can see her 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:06.719 her advent calendar. 00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:08.859 There it is. 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.819 It doesn't look like that, 00:30:09.939 --> 00:30:10.119 okay? 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.879 It's a chocolate one, 00:30:11.979 --> 00:30:13.259 but this one's good. 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.579 Advent calendar, 00:30:15.699 --> 00:30:16.299 the grandma center 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:17.039 a few weeks ago. 00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:18.959 Everybody got 00:30:18.959 --> 00:30:19.859 their advent calendar ready? 00:30:20.959 --> 00:30:21.359 Yeah? 00:30:21.679 --> 00:30:22.279 For next Friday? 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:23.519 Do you know 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.799 what advent means? 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:26.659 Do you know 00:30:26.659 --> 00:30:28.079 what advent means? 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:30.139 It means coming. 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:31.659 Coming. 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.439 This is what we're doing. 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.079 Every time we're 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:35.460 opening our advent calendar, 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.519 preparing our hearts, 00:30:36.679 --> 00:30:37.859 remembering the birth of Jesus, 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:39.179 remembering his first coming. 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.759 I was challenged this week 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.839 in light of these verses. 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:43.179 See, 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:44.379 each time as a family, 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:44.759 well, 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.579 she'll get the chocolate, 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.460 but each time we do this 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:46.960 as a family, 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.980 we open those doors 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:49.199 as we remember 00:30:49.199 --> 00:30:49.980 his first coming 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:53.399 and celebrate it. 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.980 Let's anticipate 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.819 his second coming. 00:30:57.139 --> 00:30:58.019 Let's anticipate 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.659 his return. 00:30:59.939 --> 00:31:00.480 What we do, 00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.119 where we stand 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:02.759 in God's grand story 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.440 of redemption, 00:31:03.619 --> 00:31:03.740 you know, 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:04.240 one of my favorite 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.240 Christmas hymns is, 00:31:05.619 --> 00:31:06.339 O Come, O Come, 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:06.879 Emmanuel, 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.879 the song that's meant 00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:10.140 to capture the prayers 00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:11.200 of so many faithful 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:12.480 Israelites at the time 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.000 who were awaiting 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.700 the first coming 00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:14.400 of the Messiah. 00:31:15.879 --> 00:31:16.680 O come, O come, 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.160 Emmanuel, 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:19.160 and ransom captive Israel 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:20.460 that mourns 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:22.160 in lonely exile here 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:23.400 until the Son of God 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:23.819 appear. 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.019 Rejoice, 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:26.000 rejoice, 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:26.799 Emmanuel, 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.619 shall come to thee, 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.779 O Israel. 00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:31.779 And when we sing it, 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:32.500 we're not simply 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.420 just reenacting 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.359 the hearts 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:35.440 of those first Israelites. 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:35.859 Actually, 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:36.680 when we sing it, 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.399 we're standing 00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:38.180 where we do. 00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:40.079 There's something 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:41.019 in our hearts as well 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:42.000 that should be praying, 00:31:42.139 --> 00:31:42.639 Emmanuel, 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.700 God with us, 00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:44.139 Jesus, 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.339 would you return? 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.519 And would you make right 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.859 all that is wrong 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:51.119 with the world? 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.879 Because waiting time 00:31:53.879 --> 00:31:55.759 is trusting time. 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:57.720 And what are disciples 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.740 that are waiting well? 00:31:58.819 --> 00:31:59.700 What are they marked by? 00:31:59.879 --> 00:32:00.279 Firstly, 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:00.940 they're marked by 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:02.019 an all-out persistence 00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:02.680 in prayer. 00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:04.359 And secondly, 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.079 they're marked by 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:06.200 an all-out dependence 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.680 on Christ. 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.599 Let's pray together, 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:09.980 shall we, 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.500 as we close. 00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:17.000 So, dear Father, 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.660 we thank you 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.519 for our time together 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.160 this morning. 00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:21.579 Father, 00:32:21.619 --> 00:32:22.200 we're so aware 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:22.920 of our weakness. 00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:24.980 And so, Lord, 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.660 would you, 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:27.140 the all-gracious 00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:28.860 and all-merciful God, 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.799 would you help us 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:32.180 as your people 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:34.599 to walk this week 00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:35.519 by faith 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:37.220 and not by sight? 00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:39.000 Would you help us 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.680 to be those 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:40.759 who are persistent 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:42.460 in calling out 00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:43.339 to you in prayer? 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:45.240 And would you help us 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:45.740 to be those 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.559 who are dependent 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:48.339 on no one else 00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:50.140 but Christ alone? 00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:52.839 So, gracious Father, 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.539 we ask 00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:54.700 in Jesus' 00:32:54.899 --> 00:32:56.180 precious and worthy name. 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:57.299 Amen.