WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.700 You know, one of my favorite features of the Gospel of Matthew is how it starts and how it finishes. 00:00:06.900 --> 00:00:07.839 It's got bookends. 00:00:08.500 --> 00:00:16.300 And Matthew chapter 1 starts with Jesus being identified as Emmanuel, God with us. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:20.559 And then at the end of Matthew chapter 28 in the Great Commission, 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:25.839 Jesus is commissioning all of His disciples of all time to go make disciples of the nations. 00:00:26.400 --> 00:00:29.780 He says, go baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:00:30.100 --> 00:00:31.879 Teach them to observe all that I commanded you. 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:34.460 And then He drops this promise on us. 00:00:35.320 --> 00:00:38.159 And lo, I am with you always. 00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:45.039 So the Gospel of Matthew starts with God with us and ends with God with us. 00:00:47.640 --> 00:00:49.120 God is with you, Christian. 00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:54.340 He is forever with you. 00:00:54.480 --> 00:00:59.600 He's with you today, and He's with you tomorrow, and He's with you on Inauguration Day, 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:01.440 and He's with you all the way through. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:09.099 So there's never been a point throughout your day in which Jesus has not been with you. 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:14.539 Now, if you're not a Christian, you haven't bound the knee to Jesus, 00:01:14.699 --> 00:01:16.959 you haven't responded to Him in repentance and faith, 00:01:17.759 --> 00:01:20.859 Jesus' promise to be with you doesn't mean much, does it? 00:01:24.239 --> 00:01:26.819 You need to realize that He does promise you one thing, 00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:29.319 and that is to one day be your judge. 00:01:29.319 --> 00:01:36.159 And so please listen as you learn something of Jesus today. 00:01:36.699 --> 00:01:41.099 Now, if you are a Christian and either you're young or you've been away from the Lord 00:01:41.099 --> 00:01:44.979 and you're coming back and you have a diminished view of Jesus, 00:01:45.099 --> 00:01:48.919 you have a little view of Jesus, an atrophied view of Jesus, 00:01:49.239 --> 00:01:51.159 this promise that Jesus is with you, 00:01:51.619 --> 00:01:54.019 that might not mean much to you either. 00:01:54.019 --> 00:02:00.439 And so what you need is a big dose of the real Jesus. 00:02:02.479 --> 00:02:04.219 Now, if you're a Christian in the room, 00:02:04.619 --> 00:02:08.340 and you have a growing realization of all of who Jesus is 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:10.099 in all of His authority, 00:02:10.460 --> 00:02:13.680 you've come to the point of realizing that this promise, 00:02:14.019 --> 00:02:15.359 that I am with you always, 00:02:15.519 --> 00:02:18.139 it makes all the difference in how you go about your day. 00:02:18.139 --> 00:02:21.359 He's with you. 00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:22.299 He's with me. 00:02:22.579 --> 00:02:25.539 Emmanuel, in all His unrivaled authority, 00:02:25.839 --> 00:02:28.059 goes with you, Christian. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:30.339 He's with you. 00:02:31.879 --> 00:02:34.259 So you're not walking into school alone tomorrow. 00:02:36.139 --> 00:02:39.739 You're not stepping into your place of employment by yourself tomorrow. 00:02:40.539 --> 00:02:41.500 Emmanuel's with you. 00:02:43.639 --> 00:02:45.479 If you're going to go to your doctor's office 00:02:45.479 --> 00:02:47.219 and you realize there's bad news waiting, 00:02:47.319 --> 00:02:48.639 you're not going in by yourself. 00:02:50.799 --> 00:02:53.019 If you're a parent who's struggling with parenting 00:02:53.019 --> 00:02:54.699 and things can go crazy, 00:02:54.819 --> 00:02:55.579 you're not alone. 00:02:57.959 --> 00:03:00.159 If you're a mom and you're entering the laundry room 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:01.899 with a 20th load of laundry, 00:03:02.899 --> 00:03:04.060 you're not alone. 00:03:05.939 --> 00:03:06.819 You're not alone. 00:03:09.259 --> 00:03:10.979 And it's not just us personally. 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:13.379 Whatever we encounter as a church, 00:03:13.379 --> 00:03:16.259 who knows what 2017 holds for us? 00:03:16.859 --> 00:03:17.859 The Lord knows. 00:03:18.759 --> 00:03:20.259 And whatever we encounter, 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:23.259 He is with us. 00:03:25.539 --> 00:03:27.439 He is the storm pacifier. 00:03:27.699 --> 00:03:28.979 He's the demon defeater. 00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:30.219 And He promises 00:03:30.219 --> 00:03:33.180 to be with us. 00:03:34.539 --> 00:03:37.039 If you would open up your Bibles to Matthew 8, 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:40.979 we're going to be looking at verses 23-34, 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:42.300 which is a little bit of an adjustment. 00:03:42.300 --> 00:03:43.540 I was going to try to tackle 00:03:43.540 --> 00:03:45.300 all the way through 9-8 this morning, 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:46.780 but yesterday in writing, 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:48.460 I realized there's no way. 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:51.560 And so this morning, 00:03:51.640 --> 00:03:52.700 the passage we're looking at 00:03:52.700 --> 00:03:54.480 contains two distinct episodes 00:03:54.480 --> 00:03:55.820 from the life of Jesus, 00:03:55.939 --> 00:03:57.560 and we're traveling with Jesus. 00:03:59.380 --> 00:04:02.060 Matthew has us getting in a boat with Him 00:04:02.060 --> 00:04:02.780 in Capernaum, 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:04.920 and we're going to cross the Sea of Galilee. 00:04:05.060 --> 00:04:06.900 And while we're crossing the Sea of Galilee, 00:04:07.040 --> 00:04:08.200 Jesus does something marvelous. 00:04:09.540 --> 00:04:10.920 He's the storm pacifier. 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:14.819 And then when we land on the other side, 00:04:14.919 --> 00:04:16.759 the east side of the Sea of Galilee, 00:04:18.139 --> 00:04:20.560 He does something amazing as well. 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:24.379 Two demon-possessed men come out to Him, 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:26.139 and He does something extraordinary. 00:04:26.839 --> 00:04:27.919 He's a demon defeater. 00:04:29.919 --> 00:04:31.060 So, and then next week, 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:32.079 what we're going to do is 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:33.839 we're going to get back in the boat with Jesus. 00:04:33.959 --> 00:04:35.180 We're going to come back to Capernaum, 00:04:35.219 --> 00:04:36.860 and we're going to end up in this crowded house 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:39.660 where these people bring this paralytic to Jesus, 00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:41.720 and once again, He does something phenomenal. 00:04:42.960 --> 00:04:44.100 He's the sin forgiver. 00:04:45.520 --> 00:04:46.680 So the next two weeks, 00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:48.040 we're going to be traveling with Jesus, 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:50.319 and in each episode that we see Him, 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:53.600 He is going to exercise His authority 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:56.080 in a frankly amazing way. 00:04:56.079 --> 00:04:59.000 This morning, 00:04:59.620 --> 00:05:03.019 as we look at Him calming a storm 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:05.000 and casting out demons, 00:05:05.219 --> 00:05:06.039 I want you to remember 00:05:06.039 --> 00:05:07.620 that this same Jesus 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:10.060 that we're looking back on 2,000 years ago 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:12.959 is the same Jesus that is with you today. 00:05:15.860 --> 00:05:17.419 We're going to travel with Him, 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:19.719 but He's traveling with us. 00:05:19.720 --> 00:05:24.240 Jesus has unrivaled authority 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:25.960 over nature and demons, 00:05:26.280 --> 00:05:28.920 and He leverages that authority for you 00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:33.360 as He expands His kingdom of disciples 00:05:33.360 --> 00:05:35.100 on this planet. 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:39.600 He's all authoritative. 00:05:40.280 --> 00:05:42.200 He's all authoritative over nature. 00:05:42.380 --> 00:05:45.000 He's all authoritative over the demonic world. 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:47.400 And He's with you always. 00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:50.620 So let's look at episode one. 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:53.120 On the sea with Jesus, 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:55.959 the storm pacifier. 00:05:56.839 --> 00:05:58.859 Read with me verses 23 through 27. 00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:03.939 Could just imagine being on this 27-foot 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:05.839 Galilean fishing boat with Him. 00:06:07.659 --> 00:06:08.919 And when He got into the boat, 00:06:09.019 --> 00:06:10.319 His disciples followed Him. 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:15.599 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:18.200 so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. 00:06:19.400 --> 00:06:20.780 But He was asleep. 00:06:22.660 --> 00:06:24.700 And they went and woke Him, saying, 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:26.420 Save us, Lord, we're perishing! 00:06:27.260 --> 00:06:28.300 And He said to them, 00:06:28.820 --> 00:06:31.920 Why are you afraid, O you of little faith? 00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:35.160 Then He rose and rebuked the winds in the sea, 00:06:35.340 --> 00:06:37.040 and there was a great calm. 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:39.060 And the men marveled, saying, 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:41.960 What sort of man is this 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:45.099 that even winds and sea obey Him? 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:49.979 In verse 23, 00:06:50.239 --> 00:06:52.579 Jesus gets into the boat, 00:06:53.159 --> 00:06:54.659 and His disciples follow Him. 00:06:54.740 --> 00:06:55.599 In verse 18, 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:58.459 we read that He has just told His disciples, 00:06:58.659 --> 00:06:59.459 Get a boat ready. 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:01.719 And then there's a couple guys that come up to Him. 00:07:01.779 --> 00:07:02.659 They want to follow Jesus. 00:07:02.799 --> 00:07:04.079 This is what Billy preached on last week. 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:04.519 And he's like, 00:07:04.779 --> 00:07:06.439 Okay, there's a cost to following Me. 00:07:07.100 --> 00:07:08.219 And then in verse 23, 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:09.240 He gets in the boat, 00:07:09.339 --> 00:07:11.040 and He's followed by His disciples. 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:15.000 And what lay before them 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:16.980 was the crossing of the Sea of Galilee. 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:18.339 And where they were going, 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:19.920 it would have taken about two hours 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:21.220 to make the crossing. 00:07:21.720 --> 00:07:22.819 And like I just mentioned, 00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:25.420 they're most likely in a 27-foot 00:07:25.420 --> 00:07:27.000 Galilean fishing boat 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:29.100 that had one main sail to it. 00:07:29.100 --> 00:07:30.879 So it wasn't row, row, row your boat. 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:33.800 It was set your sails. 00:07:33.800 --> 00:07:36.699 And just by way of reference, 00:07:36.900 --> 00:07:39.139 the Sea of Galilee is 13 miles long, 00:07:39.280 --> 00:07:40.340 8 miles wide, 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:42.340 roughly 64 square miles. 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:44.079 Just as a point of reference, 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:45.660 Geneva Lake and Lake Geneva, 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:47.980 that's about 8 square miles. 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:50.400 And so the Sea of Galilee is 8 times larger. 00:07:53.080 --> 00:07:54.460 Now, in verse 24, 00:07:54.620 --> 00:07:55.680 you read these two words, 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:56.660 And behold. 00:07:57.759 --> 00:07:58.819 And behold. 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:01.500 These two words are 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:03.620 some of Matthew's favorite words 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:05.519 to signal something vivid 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:06.399 is about to happen. 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:09.259 And in the three episodes 00:08:09.259 --> 00:08:09.899 we're going to look at 00:08:09.899 --> 00:08:11.060 over the next two weeks, 00:08:11.980 --> 00:08:13.840 Matthew uses this introduction 00:08:13.840 --> 00:08:15.840 to And Behold five times. 00:08:15.899 --> 00:08:16.959 There's a lot to behold. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:20.280 It's a way that Matthew 00:08:20.280 --> 00:08:21.459 keeps the narrative moving, 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:23.519 and he keeps the emphasis going. 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:24.540 And in verse 24, 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:25.300 Matthew writes, 00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:26.379 And behold. 00:08:27.660 --> 00:08:29.699 There arose a great storm on the sea 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:31.220 so that the boat was swamped 00:08:31.220 --> 00:08:31.860 by the waves. 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:32.700 Another thing you need to know 00:08:32.700 --> 00:08:33.600 about the Sea of Galilee. 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:35.740 The Sea of Galilee 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:38.480 is 600 feet below sea level. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:39.800 And so, in one sense, 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.519 it's like a big pothole 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:43.019 with water in it 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:44.680 in the middle of the ancient Near East. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:46.940 And so what would happen is, 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:49.620 as the hot air would rise 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:50.940 over the Sea of Galilee, 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:52.279 what would take place 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:53.560 is the desert air 00:08:53.560 --> 00:08:55.320 would be pulled in 00:08:55.320 --> 00:08:56.680 and drawn down. 00:08:56.679 --> 00:08:59.179 And so when that air 00:08:59.179 --> 00:09:00.139 was drawn down, 00:09:00.219 --> 00:09:01.399 it creates winds, 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:02.279 and those winds 00:09:02.279 --> 00:09:03.199 would come upon 00:09:03.199 --> 00:09:04.620 the Sea of Galilee 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:06.459 and churn that baby up. 00:09:08.319 --> 00:09:09.399 And so when we read, 00:09:09.459 --> 00:09:09.819 And behold, 00:09:10.079 --> 00:09:11.359 there arose a great storm 00:09:11.359 --> 00:09:11.919 on the sea. 00:09:12.599 --> 00:09:14.000 Storms weren't that surprising 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:15.159 on the Sea of Galilee. 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:17.439 It was the intensity 00:09:17.439 --> 00:09:18.379 of this storm 00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:19.259 that was unusual. 00:09:19.259 --> 00:09:21.319 And Matthew uses 00:09:21.319 --> 00:09:23.220 a very interesting Greek word 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:24.939 to describe the intensity 00:09:24.939 --> 00:09:26.799 of this particular storm. 00:09:27.439 --> 00:09:27.740 He says, 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:28.299 And behold, 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:31.120 there arose a great storm. 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:33.340 Now that word, 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:36.120 it's the word seismos in Greek. 00:09:36.319 --> 00:09:38.159 Do you hear the word seismic? 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:41.580 It's a word that generally 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:42.759 you describe earthquakes. 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:48.100 The waves of an earthquake 00:09:48.100 --> 00:09:49.060 that happened 00:09:49.060 --> 00:09:50.620 when there's a move 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:51.700 and play tectonics 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:52.879 and waves of earth 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:53.519 are sent out 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:55.480 and a seismograph machine 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:56.800 registers the waves. 00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:59.240 There are waves. 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:01.600 Big waves 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:02.940 on the Sea of Galilee. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:06.100 The swamping of this 27 boat 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:07.379 means that there were 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:09.659 high crests and low troughs. 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:11.779 They were rising up 00:10:11.779 --> 00:10:14.820 and dropping down low. 00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:16.420 Now I used to own a sea kayak 00:10:16.420 --> 00:10:17.800 and I would bring that mama out 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:20.559 onto the Lake Michigan. 00:10:21.439 --> 00:10:22.139 And I brought it out 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:22.719 a couple times 00:10:22.719 --> 00:10:24.039 when it was windy and wavy. 00:10:24.939 --> 00:10:25.439 And man, 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:26.719 was it scary. 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:28.740 You'd be going up and down 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:30.959 on these five to seven foot waves. 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:32.139 You'd go down, 00:10:32.199 --> 00:10:33.079 you couldn't see anything 00:10:33.079 --> 00:10:34.179 and then you'd come back up. 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:36.000 Waves would come in behind you 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:37.299 or you'd paddling out 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:38.479 and it comes right at you. 00:10:39.819 --> 00:10:41.039 When you drop down, 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:43.059 your whole inner being 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:44.199 drops with you. 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:47.080 Or maybe 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:49.080 you've been up 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:50.320 to the Wisconsin Dells 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:52.220 and you've been 00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:53.200 in one of the wave pools. 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:56.180 I know when my family 00:10:56.180 --> 00:10:56.700 and I would go 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:57.540 to the wave pools, 00:10:57.660 --> 00:10:58.600 we would get as close 00:10:58.600 --> 00:10:59.420 to the wave maker 00:10:59.420 --> 00:11:00.080 as possible 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:01.820 to experience 00:11:01.820 --> 00:11:04.200 the greatest sized waves 00:11:04.200 --> 00:11:04.879 possible. 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:06.600 And there was always 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:08.120 this sense of happiness 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:09.740 and fear 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:10.920 because I'm kind of 00:11:10.920 --> 00:11:12.060 holding on to my babies 00:11:12.059 --> 00:11:13.059 and we're all squealing 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:13.679 with delight 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:15.000 but we're very aware 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:15.799 of these lifeguards 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:16.619 looking to jump in 00:11:16.619 --> 00:11:17.519 and stop the wave maker 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:18.500 whenever someone goes under. 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:19.319 You know what I'm talking about? 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:22.759 What the disciples 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:23.659 were experiencing 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:25.599 on the Sea of Galilee 00:11:25.599 --> 00:11:28.879 was a far greater intensity 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:30.000 than any wave pool 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:31.099 you've ever experienced. 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:34.899 How do you know? 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:36.779 Well, if you look 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:37.519 at verse 25, 00:11:37.719 --> 00:11:38.279 you read that 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:39.119 they eventually 00:11:39.119 --> 00:11:39.839 seek Jesus. 00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:40.799 They wake Him up 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:41.059 and say, 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:42.159 we are perishing, 00:11:42.339 --> 00:11:42.859 do something. 00:11:43.959 --> 00:11:44.539 But what you've got 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:45.459 to realize is 00:11:45.459 --> 00:11:47.519 we don't have land blubbers 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:47.979 in the boat. 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:50.659 At least four 00:11:50.659 --> 00:11:51.819 of the men on the boat 00:11:51.819 --> 00:11:53.059 who were disciples 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:53.240 of Jesus, 00:11:53.479 --> 00:11:54.620 they were fishermen. 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:55.659 Simon, 00:11:56.179 --> 00:11:56.659 Andrew, 00:11:57.019 --> 00:11:57.459 James, 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.099 John, 00:11:58.439 --> 00:11:59.620 they grew up 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:01.099 on the Sea of Galilee 00:12:01.099 --> 00:12:02.759 fishing its waters. 00:12:03.059 --> 00:12:04.279 They knew 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:05.740 this body 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:06.299 of water 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:07.259 and they're 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:08.219 freaking out! 00:12:08.220 --> 00:12:11.080 So if you were 00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:11.600 on that boat 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:12.040 and you have 00:12:12.040 --> 00:12:12.920 these weathered fishermen 00:12:12.920 --> 00:12:13.879 freaking out, 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:14.279 what do you think 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:14.680 it's going to have 00:12:14.680 --> 00:12:15.360 an effect on you? 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.340 Fear can be contagious, 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:19.800 can't it? 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:23.720 You don't have to be 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:24.500 on a fishing boat 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:25.379 in a crazy storm 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:26.240 in the Sea of Galilee 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:27.460 2,000 years ago 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:28.519 to know what 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:29.399 overwhelming, 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:31.220 disorienting fear is. 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:35.000 many of you 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:35.440 this morning 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:36.460 came into this building 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:37.879 and you're exercising 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:40.180 seismic circumstances 00:12:40.180 --> 00:12:41.100 of life 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:43.120 that are 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:44.200 stirring up 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:45.220 fears in you. 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:48.920 But look 00:12:48.920 --> 00:12:49.600 who's asleep 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.279 on the boat. 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:51.920 Verse 24, 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:53.860 and behold, 00:12:55.160 --> 00:12:56.399 there arose 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.060 a great storm 00:12:57.060 --> 00:12:57.540 on the sea 00:12:57.540 --> 00:12:58.279 so that the boat 00:12:58.279 --> 00:12:59.180 was being swamped 00:12:59.180 --> 00:12:59.820 by the waves, 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:01.420 but he 00:13:01.420 --> 00:13:02.300 was 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:03.680 asleep. 00:13:07.160 --> 00:13:07.840 Mark's gospel 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.440 tells us 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:09.040 that Jesus 00:13:09.040 --> 00:13:09.680 was asleep 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:10.200 in the stern, 00:13:10.300 --> 00:13:11.060 the back of the boat 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:11.580 on a cushion. 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:11.820 Now, 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:13.140 why was Jesus 00:13:13.140 --> 00:13:13.560 sleeping? 00:13:13.680 --> 00:13:14.180 How could someone 00:13:14.180 --> 00:13:14.720 be sleeping 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.200 through this? 00:13:15.300 --> 00:13:15.400 Well, 00:13:16.300 --> 00:13:16.960 to be the son 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:17.360 of man 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.379 and to be teaching 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:19.220 and preaching 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:20.320 and healing daily 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:21.200 will take something 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:21.660 out of you 00:13:21.660 --> 00:13:22.340 it turns out. 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:24.620 But, 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:26.660 is that all 00:13:26.660 --> 00:13:27.280 that explains 00:13:27.280 --> 00:13:27.820 his ability 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:28.300 to sleep 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:29.320 in these seismic waves? 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:32.080 Yes, 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:32.700 he's physically 00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:34.140 exhausted, 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.580 but there's more. 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:37.020 The simple answer 00:13:37.020 --> 00:13:39.000 to how this man 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.720 can sleep 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.780 so soundly 00:13:40.780 --> 00:13:41.260 in the midst 00:13:41.260 --> 00:13:42.000 of this 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.680 seismic storm 00:13:43.680 --> 00:13:45.160 is that he knew 00:13:45.160 --> 00:13:45.900 who he was. 00:13:47.660 --> 00:13:48.540 And he knew 00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:49.340 the work 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:50.160 that God had 00:13:50.160 --> 00:13:50.480 for him 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.580 wasn't complete yet. 00:13:53.760 --> 00:13:54.760 He's not threatened 00:13:54.760 --> 00:13:55.600 by this storm. 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.200 He's not afraid 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:57.660 that the boat 00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:58.880 is about to disintegrate. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:00.580 He's not concerned 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:01.179 that the lives 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:01.820 of the disciples 00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:02.720 were in jeopardy. 00:14:02.939 --> 00:14:03.799 He's fully aware 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.439 that he is in 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:05.100 appointment with 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:05.919 two demon-possessed 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:06.600 men on the other 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:08.240 side of the lake. 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:10.720 He's asleep, 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.299 fully knowing 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:12.980 who he is 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.439 and the work 00:14:13.439 --> 00:14:14.200 yet to be done. 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:16.460 But evidently, 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:17.840 his disciples 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:19.539 aren't as clear 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.419 on who he is 00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:21.939 as he himself is. 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:23.340 They're freaking out. 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:25.759 Verse 25, 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:27.139 they wake him up. 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:28.480 They say, 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:29.259 save us, 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.159 we're perishing. 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:30.759 In Greek, 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.799 it's only three words. 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:32.580 Lord, 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:33.240 save, 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:33.899 perishing. 00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:37.840 It's a stark contrast 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:39.000 between two states 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:39.620 of being. 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:41.000 Jesus is asleep 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:42.960 and his disciples 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:44.340 are frantic. 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:47.259 So they wake him up 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.620 apparently to make him 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:49.299 aware that they are 00:14:49.299 --> 00:14:49.759 perishing. 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:52.740 And Jesus responds 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:54.460 with two rebukes. 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:57.000 The first is to the disciples. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:58.879 Look at verse 26. 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.000 He says, 00:15:00.460 --> 00:15:02.039 why are you afraid, 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:04.139 O you of little faith? 00:15:05.180 --> 00:15:06.340 That word afraid 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:07.560 that Jesus uses there, 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:09.440 it carries some sense 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:10.539 of cowardice, 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.279 of timidity, 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:13.519 of a fearful shrinking back. 00:15:13.680 --> 00:15:14.159 He's like, 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:15.279 why are you so timid? 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.840 And then Jesus puts 00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:17.820 his finger on 00:15:17.820 --> 00:15:19.399 the source of their timidity. 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:22.539 You of little faith. 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:28.060 D.A. Carson 00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:29.039 in his commentary 00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:29.980 sums up 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:32.100 it very well 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:32.799 by saying, 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.000 either fear 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.740 will drive out 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.500 your faith 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.419 or faith 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:37.240 will drive out 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:37.840 your fear. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.500 And since these disciples 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.580 had such a little faith, 00:15:40.680 --> 00:15:41.639 they were being ruled 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.379 by fear 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.220 in their hearts. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:45.039 Very aware 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.139 of the seismic 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:46.779 circumstances 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.659 they're in the middle of. 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:50.180 But Jesus says, 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:52.120 O you of little faith. 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.399 Faith in what? 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.320 Faith in Jesus. 00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:59.240 Jesus is essentially 00:15:59.240 --> 00:15:59.980 rebuking them 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:01.299 for not trusting in Him. 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:02.620 He's like saying, 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:03.600 why are you freaking out? 00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.799 Do you know who I am? 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.399 Apparently not. 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:10.620 And after that 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.820 comes the second rebuke. 00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:12.740 Jesus gets up 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.840 and verbally rebukes 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.639 the winds and the sea, 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.159 the waves. 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:20.159 He commands creation. 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.639 And creation 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:26.279 immediately 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:28.079 and completely 00:16:28.079 --> 00:16:30.079 obeys. 00:16:33.079 --> 00:16:34.100 Then He arose 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:35.219 and rebuked the winds 00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:35.719 and the sea 00:16:35.719 --> 00:16:36.259 and there was 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:37.259 a great 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:39.139 calm. 00:16:40.839 --> 00:16:42.100 In the Gospel of Mark, 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:43.919 Mark actually records 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.179 the words Jesus said, 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:45.779 Peace, 00:16:45.959 --> 00:16:46.740 be still. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.639 And instantaneously, 00:16:49.979 --> 00:16:52.120 there was a great peace. 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:54.319 A great calm. 00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:56.659 You had just heard 00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:57.799 the dripping of the water 00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:58.659 off the disciples 00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:59.279 in the boat. 00:16:59.279 --> 00:17:03.379 Jesus exercised 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:03.919 His authority 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:05.160 to accomplish His will 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.139 and it happened 00:17:06.139 --> 00:17:07.000 like that. 00:17:09.139 --> 00:17:10.139 This whole episode 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:11.299 moves from a great 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.440 storm 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:14.740 to a great peace 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:16.059 because of 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:17.240 the great authority 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:18.619 of this great man. 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.399 And in verse 27, 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.859 we see the great effect. 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.200 The men on the boat, 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.779 they marvel. 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:28.639 It's the same word 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.399 used of Jesus' 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:31.039 response to the centurion 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.700 in Matthew 8, 10 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.279 when Jesus was amazed 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:35.859 at the centurion's faith. 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:40.119 These disciples 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.119 are astonished 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:41.940 at the authority 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.859 that Jesus has 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:43.700 over creation 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:44.839 that has just been 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:45.839 demonstrated right 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:46.680 before their eyes. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.980 What sort of man 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.920 is this 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:51.059 that even the winds 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.700 and the sea 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.299 obey Him? 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:55.940 When the disciples 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.700 got in the boat 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.079 with Him 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:58.419 in Capernaum, 00:17:58.819 --> 00:18:00.259 they didn't realize 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:01.139 fully 00:18:01.139 --> 00:18:02.000 who they're getting 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:02.539 in the boat with. 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:05.059 But this episode 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:06.339 demonstrates to them 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.579 the scale 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:08.799 of His authority 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.740 and it shows us 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.359 to us 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:11.399 as well. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.759 When many of us 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:14.359 first start following 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:14.740 Jesus, 00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:16.019 we're just happy 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:17.339 to have our sins 00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:17.779 forgiven. 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:18.960 We know that He died 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:19.659 and He was raised, 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.220 that He's God 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.799 in the flesh, 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.379 but we don't 00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:23.259 fully realize 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.480 the scale 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.619 of His authority. 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.500 These men 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.559 put words 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.240 on the awe 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.460 that they are experiencing. 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.000 So when you encounter 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.559 the storm pacifier, 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.579 it makes sense 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.159 that you would 00:18:36.159 --> 00:18:36.960 marvel at Him. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.859 That you would have 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:41.740 this sense of awe. 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.079 They're left asking, 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.460 who is this guy? 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:47.019 That He can do that? 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.980 The key word here 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.039 is in verse 27. 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:52.000 It's the word obey. 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.460 Even the winds 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:55.019 and sea obey Him. 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.440 Obedience implies 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:56.980 authority. 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:59.039 Who is this guy? 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.380 This is the guy 00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:01.099 who has authority 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:01.680 over the winds 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.140 and the sea. 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:05.319 He has authority 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:06.279 over all creation. 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.339 This past December 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:09.480 in getting ready 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.019 for Christmas, 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.440 we preached through 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.299 John 1, 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.299 Colossians 1, 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.200 Hebrews 1. 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:14.920 It all points 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:16.400 to this huge, 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.559 great Savior 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.599 we have in Jesus. 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.619 And one of the things 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.379 that got repeated 00:19:20.379 --> 00:19:21.019 through it is 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:22.539 Jesus is the agent 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.339 of creation. 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.559 He created it all 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:26.419 and He sustains it all. 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.759 And on account of that, 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.839 He is able to, 00:19:29.919 --> 00:19:30.759 with just words, 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:33.619 bring peace 00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:34.759 to a crazy storm. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:37.939 He is authority 00:19:37.939 --> 00:19:38.939 over all creation. 00:19:40.179 --> 00:19:41.339 And it doesn't stop here. 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:41.759 You see, 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.779 what happens here 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.740 in the Sea of Galilee, 00:19:44.459 --> 00:19:45.599 it's like a little appetizer. 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:47.599 It's a little preview 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:49.559 of what Jesus is going to do 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.579 when He comes back. 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:53.099 When He comes back, 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:55.319 He is going to set free 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.339 all creation 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:57.559 from its bondage 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.599 to decay, 00:19:59.459 --> 00:20:00.019 to corruption. 00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:02.079 In 2 Peter 3.10, 00:20:02.159 --> 00:20:02.959 we learn that 00:20:02.959 --> 00:20:04.000 when Jesus returns, 00:20:04.399 --> 00:20:05.399 He's going to recreate 00:20:05.399 --> 00:20:06.579 the heavens and the earth. 00:20:07.959 --> 00:20:09.099 When He comes back, 00:20:09.159 --> 00:20:10.339 imagine Him coming back 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:11.199 and saying, 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:12.759 peace be still 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.799 to the whole cosmos 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:15.579 and everything is made right. 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.319 No more cancer. 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:18.819 No more flooding. 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.480 No more wildfires. 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.960 No more earthquakes. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:28.180 What we see Jesus 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:30.000 doing on this boat 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.680 in the middle of 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.819 the Sea of Galilee 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:33.319 is Him exercising 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.200 His authority 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.259 over creation. 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:41.200 What does that do in you? 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:45.940 It should cause your heart 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.519 to rise. 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:50.400 It could cause your heart 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:51.359 to rise with hope. 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.220 Here we are 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:55.119 looking at something 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:56.879 Jesus did way back then 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:58.059 and it's having 00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:59.500 an effect on our hearts 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:01.220 to rise in hope now 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.960 for something 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.960 that's going to happen 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:05.220 when Jesus comes back 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.779 in the future. 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:09.579 Jesus has presently 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:11.019 authority over all 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:12.980 all of creation. 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.839 He is 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:18.299 the storm pacifier 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:19.940 and He is awesome. 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:22.940 Now, 00:21:23.139 --> 00:21:24.339 you may have come in here 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.720 and you could have fallen 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.539 into that OU 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.759 of little faith category. 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:29.480 Maybe, 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:31.559 maybe the seas, 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:33.180 the storms of your life 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:34.420 have driven out faith. 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:37.160 This morning, 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:38.220 I just want to remind you 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:40.200 that the storm pacifier 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.319 is with you. 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:44.160 Who He was back then 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:45.839 is who He is right now 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:47.019 and He has promised 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:48.839 to be with you 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:50.420 in your circumstances. 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.660 There's nothing 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:52.759 that you're experiencing 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.360 right now 00:21:53.360 --> 00:21:54.319 that is overwhelming 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.779 your Lord and Savior, 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:56.360 Jesus. 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.380 Nothing. 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.980 There's nothing in your life 00:21:58.980 --> 00:22:00.019 that is not under 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.620 His authority. 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.799 All things have been 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.920 put under His feet. 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:06.420 Jesus is the storm pacifier. 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.220 He has authority 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.100 over it all 00:22:08.100 --> 00:22:10.600 and He should inspire 00:22:10.600 --> 00:22:12.160 awe in your heart. 00:22:13.080 --> 00:22:14.120 That's who's with you. 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:20.460 Let's move to episode two. 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.480 To the other side 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:25.019 with the demon defeater. 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:28.420 Verses 28-34. 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:30.000 And when He came 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.800 to the other side 00:22:30.800 --> 00:22:31.380 to the country 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:32.220 of the Gadarenes, 00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:33.680 two demon-possessed men 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.140 met Him 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:35.620 coming out of the tombs 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:37.340 so fierce 00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:37.900 that no one 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.960 could pass that way. 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.180 And behold, 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.980 they cried out, 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:43.300 What have you to do 00:22:43.300 --> 00:22:43.600 with us, 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:44.320 O Son of God? 00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:45.539 Have you come here 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.279 to torment us 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.060 before the time? 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.779 Now a herd of many pigs 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.160 were feeding 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:49.880 at some distance 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:50.420 from them 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:51.220 and the demons 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:52.039 begged Him saying, 00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:53.259 If you cast us out, 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:54.060 send us away 00:22:54.060 --> 00:22:54.960 into the herd of pigs. 00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:56.300 And He said to them, 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:56.880 Go. 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:58.160 So they came out 00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:59.320 and went into the pigs 00:22:59.320 --> 00:22:59.840 and behold, 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.520 the whole herd 00:23:00.520 --> 00:23:01.900 rushed down the steep bank 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.640 into the sea 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.720 and drowned in the waters. 00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:04.960 The herdsmen fled 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.200 and going into the city 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:07.120 they told everything 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:08.140 especially what happened 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.280 to the demon-possessed men 00:23:09.280 --> 00:23:10.380 and behold, 00:23:10.600 --> 00:23:11.320 all the city 00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:12.480 came out to meet Jesus 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.800 and when they saw Him, 00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:15.180 they begged Him 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:16.120 to leave 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:18.520 their country, 00:23:19.300 --> 00:23:19.760 their region. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.860 A little surprising 00:23:21.860 --> 00:23:22.720 turn of events there, 00:23:22.780 --> 00:23:23.220 don't you think? 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:27.800 Now, 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:29.080 in verse 28, 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.660 Matthew just brings us 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.920 quickly to the shores 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:33.080 of the east side 00:23:33.080 --> 00:23:34.220 of the Sea of Galilee 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.840 to the country 00:23:34.840 --> 00:23:35.840 of the Gadarenes 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:37.240 which is Gentile country. 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.980 We're not told 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.900 of anything that happens 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.320 in the boat 00:23:40.320 --> 00:23:40.860 in between 00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:42.760 after Jesus calms the sea 00:23:42.760 --> 00:23:43.740 and when they arrive 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:45.160 and so just imagine with me 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:47.380 a possible scenario. 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:48.900 And by the way, 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.460 before I share this with you, 00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:51.880 this is hypothetical 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:53.580 and I know 00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:54.260 that telescopes 00:23:54.260 --> 00:23:55.000 were invented 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.000 in the 1600s 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:57.040 just to let you know that. 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:01.900 The disciples 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.760 are still in awe 00:24:02.760 --> 00:24:03.260 at what Jesus 00:24:03.260 --> 00:24:04.380 has just done on the sea. 00:24:06.040 --> 00:24:06.900 And from thinking 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.820 that they were about to die, 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.840 they now realize 00:24:08.840 --> 00:24:09.800 they need to come 00:24:09.800 --> 00:24:10.400 ashore somewhere. 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:11.500 So Peter 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:13.600 pulls out his telescope 00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:15.940 in order to 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:17.220 start scanning 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.000 the shore 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.520 of the country 00:24:19.520 --> 00:24:21.560 of the Gadarenes. 00:24:22.820 --> 00:24:23.840 Jesus asks Peter, 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.420 Peter, what do you see? 00:24:25.760 --> 00:24:26.920 Peter responds by saying, 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.580 well, hey, 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.300 I'm looking up 00:24:28.300 --> 00:24:28.960 from the shoreline 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.860 and I see a bunch 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:31.120 of tombstones. 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:31.900 It looks like 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.940 there's a cemetery there, 00:24:33.040 --> 00:24:33.260 Jesus. 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:34.860 Should I veer left 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:35.920 or should I veer right 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.200 of that? 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:37.180 Because we're not going 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.740 to land anywhere 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.640 near that, right? 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.220 Jesus says, 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:44.260 you make a beeline 00:24:44.260 --> 00:24:45.980 right to those tombstones. 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.540 Peter's still looking 00:24:49.540 --> 00:24:50.320 through his telescope. 00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:51.600 He still looks through 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:52.659 Jesus. 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:55.819 I see a large herd 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.559 of pigs 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.939 relatively close 00:24:57.939 --> 00:24:58.500 to where we're 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.319 supposed to land 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.139 and we all know 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:01.159 that pigs are unclean 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:01.939 animals and we shouldn't 00:25:01.939 --> 00:25:02.679 be close to them. 00:25:04.219 --> 00:25:05.859 Keep on target, 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:06.539 Peter. 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.759 Jesus, you know 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.240 that the 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.079 Gerardines, 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.319 it's Gentile country. 00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:14.980 There's Gentiles. 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.459 Come on, 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:15.799 Jesus. 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.399 Stay on target. 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:21.420 Jesus, 00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:22.200 I'm just kind of 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:23.240 focusing in on the 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.960 tombs right now 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:25.540 and I see two naked 00:25:25.540 --> 00:25:26.460 crazy men running 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:26.860 around. 00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.640 They're probably 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.420 Gentiles too. 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.680 They're all cut up. 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.700 Oh, 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.200 and Jesus, 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:40.200 they have seen us 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:41.240 and Jesus, 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:42.340 they are starting 00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:43.360 to make our way down 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:43.940 to where we're going 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.660 to come ashore. 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.100 Peter, 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.580 my father, 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.259 has an appointment 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.059 for us today 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:52.559 with these two men. 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.880 Jesus heads straight 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:57.680 for the demonic 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.600 den of death. 00:25:58.599 --> 00:26:02.740 that's our Savior. 00:26:05.919 --> 00:26:06.980 The country of the 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.719 Gadarenes 00:26:07.719 --> 00:26:09.959 is a part of the 00:26:09.959 --> 00:26:10.599 Decapolis, 00:26:10.719 --> 00:26:11.299 a ten-city 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:13.699 Gentile region 00:26:13.699 --> 00:26:15.299 and Jesus has already 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:16.639 encountered a Gentile 00:26:16.639 --> 00:26:17.399 in the centurion 00:26:17.399 --> 00:26:18.500 earlier in Matthew 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.240 chapter 8, 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.139 but now he goes 00:26:20.139 --> 00:26:21.279 to Gentile country. 00:26:23.679 --> 00:26:24.659 And in verse 28, 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:26.039 these two demon-possessed 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.379 men, 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:28.580 they come to meet 00:26:28.580 --> 00:26:28.840 him. 00:26:30.100 --> 00:26:30.760 And when he came 00:26:30.760 --> 00:26:31.460 to the other side 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.020 to the country, 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:33.220 the Gadarenes, 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.860 two demon-possessed 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:36.240 men met him 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:37.360 coming out of the 00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:38.280 tomb so fierce 00:26:38.280 --> 00:26:39.240 that no one could 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.160 pass that way. 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.980 They were coming 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.880 to meet him. 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.580 Now, 00:26:47.060 --> 00:26:47.980 Matthew doesn't go 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.980 much into demon 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.460 possession, 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.900 but we do know 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:52.240 that there are 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.020 fallen angels 00:26:53.020 --> 00:26:54.320 who will control 00:26:54.320 --> 00:26:55.580 men and women 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.399 in a destructive 00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:57.399 manner. 00:26:57.899 --> 00:26:58.980 Demons are set 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:00.159 against the purposes 00:27:00.159 --> 00:27:00.839 of God. 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.740 And we read that 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.879 there are two men 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:05.000 here in Matthew's 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.279 account, 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:05.679 and if you're 00:27:05.679 --> 00:27:06.419 familiar with Mark 00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:06.839 and Luke, 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.639 they only speak 00:27:07.639 --> 00:27:08.559 of one man. 00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:09.359 And so the way 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.240 to explain that 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:11.279 discrepancy is just 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:11.859 by saying there's 00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:13.019 most likely two men 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.359 there, 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:14.799 just one was more 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.599 prominent than the 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:15.799 other. 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.399 And we also read 00:27:17.399 --> 00:27:17.960 that they came 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.919 from the tombs. 00:27:20.159 --> 00:27:21.220 These guys lived 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:21.980 among the dead. 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:25.660 And to be among 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.319 the tombs, 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.079 a Jew would be 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:28.180 repulsed by that. 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:31.740 The demons who 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.440 were possessing 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.220 these men were 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:34.599 seeking to defile, 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.819 distort, 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.759 destroy these men. 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:38.960 This is modus 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:40.360 operandi of demonic 00:27:40.360 --> 00:27:41.039 activity. 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:43.140 Demons seek to 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:44.920 distort and destroy 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:46.420 the image of God. 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:46.539 Now, 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:51.120 they must have 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:51.440 been, 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.940 this cemetery 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.460 must have been 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.320 by a path, 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.860 because apparently 00:27:55.860 --> 00:27:57.180 they would not 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:58.039 let anybody go 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.660 on this path. 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.759 We learn from Mark 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.240 that they had 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.180 superhuman strength, 00:28:01.320 --> 00:28:02.440 that several attempts 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.060 had been made to 00:28:03.060 --> 00:28:03.800 bind and shackle 00:28:03.800 --> 00:28:04.140 these men, 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.580 but they were 00:28:04.580 --> 00:28:05.700 unable to subdue 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.000 them. 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:08.940 And here they are 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.620 making a beeline 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.080 to Jesus. 00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:13.400 Verse 29, 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.039 and behold, 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.400 the people 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.519 they cried out, 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:18.200 what have you to 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.660 do with us, 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.640 O Son of God? 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.400 It's very ironic. 00:28:22.300 --> 00:28:22.980 These disciples 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.800 know who Jesus is. 00:28:26.360 --> 00:28:27.320 Coming right off 00:28:27.320 --> 00:28:27.880 of being in the 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.259 waters, 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:29.860 and his disciples 00:28:29.860 --> 00:28:30.920 not being too 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.759 clear on who 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.320 he is. 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:36.120 The Son of God. 00:28:38.600 --> 00:28:39.480 What have you to 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:39.980 do with us, 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:40.720 O Son of God? 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.380 Have you come here 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.019 to torment us 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.779 before the time? 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:43.759 The time is a 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.300 reference to 00:28:44.300 --> 00:28:44.620 judgment. 00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:44.679 judgment. 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:47.099 These demons 00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:48.299 are aware of the 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:48.879 one who's just 00:28:48.879 --> 00:28:50.099 come ashore is the 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:50.779 one who will 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:52.019 eventually judge 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:53.279 them and cast 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:54.000 them into the 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.619 lake of fire. 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.479 That's what they 00:28:55.479 --> 00:28:55.819 know. 00:28:59.399 --> 00:29:00.359 They know quite a 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.139 bit about Jesus, 00:29:01.479 --> 00:29:02.319 and they're wondering 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.459 why he has come. 00:29:03.659 --> 00:29:04.339 Has he come to make 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:05.339 them suffer before the 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:06.000 time of judgment? 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:07.839 And in verse 30, 00:29:07.919 --> 00:29:08.639 if you just notice, 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.679 Matthew just kind of 00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:10.659 puts a little narrative 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:11.579 piece of information 00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.219 in our minds. 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.519 He lets us know 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:13.940 that there's a 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:14.740 herd of pigs 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.660 within eyeshot. 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.819 And Mark again 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.600 tells us it's a 00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:19.059 herd of 2,000 pigs. 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:21.100 It's a large herd 00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:21.920 of pigs. 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.860 They're considered 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:24.120 an unclean animal. 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:25.279 And so what you 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:25.819 need to understand 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.500 in this episode 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.579 is that we have 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.779 got a major pileup 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:30.140 of unclean stuff. 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.059 Demons, 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:33.920 Gentiles, 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.440 tombs, 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:36.519 pigs! 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.740 Are you kidding me? 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:41.099 And Jesus goes 00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:42.259 straight at it. 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:47.400 Jesus is definitely 00:29:47.400 --> 00:29:48.880 on the other side. 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:51.799 But the other side 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:53.599 is not outside. 00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:56.660 His saving purpose. 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.460 He must be there. 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:01.220 He meant to be there. 00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.380 In verse 31, 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:04.759 the demons beg Jesus 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.440 to send them 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:06.500 into the herd of pigs. 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:09.019 It appears as though 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.380 they knew they were 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:10.079 going to get cast out. 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.779 And so they're saying, 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:12.960 hey, send us over 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.579 to the pigs. 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.660 And why they would 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.440 prefer pigs, 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.420 we're not told. 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.539 But evidently, 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.500 demons can possess 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:19.680 an animal. 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:20.960 And at this point, 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.779 I would just like 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.900 to make a pastoral note 00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:23.980 that this explains 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:25.440 a lot about cats. 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.799 Back to the text. 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:32.859 Back to the text. 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:39.880 Notice that the demons 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:41.359 begged Jesus. 00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:44.079 Jesus isn't begging 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:44.740 the demons. 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:47.259 The demons are begging 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:47.980 Jesus. 00:30:48.660 --> 00:30:49.420 And this begging 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.579 is a clear demonstration 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.420 that the demons 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.420 are actually under 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:53.880 the authority of Jesus, 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:54.980 the Son of God, 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:57.160 who just pulled up on shore. 00:30:57.160 --> 00:31:00.900 Jesus is all authority 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:02.040 over every demon. 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.860 Every demon, 00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.840 including Satan. 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:04.560 Do you know why? 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.860 He's God, 00:31:06.040 --> 00:31:07.360 and He created them. 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.440 So in verse 32, 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.560 with one word, 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.360 go, 00:31:12.800 --> 00:31:14.320 Jesus exercises authority, 00:31:14.540 --> 00:31:15.740 casts out these demons, 00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:16.660 and allows them 00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.500 to enter the pigs. 00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:21.960 So He accomplishes His will 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:23.099 by His authority 00:31:23.099 --> 00:31:24.420 immediately. 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:26.859 The demons come out. 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:27.980 They occupy the pigs 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:30.480 with devastating results. 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.880 They destroy 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:35.079 this herd of 2,000. 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:37.079 They rush headlong 00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:38.640 into the Sea of Galilee 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.319 and drown. 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.660 And there's no question 00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:41.680 that this would have been 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:43.539 a huge financial loss 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.920 for whoever owned 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.759 these pigs. 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:48.140 2,000 pigs. 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:51.440 In verse 33, 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.379 having seen everything, 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.039 the herdsmen 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:55.720 who are riding herd 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.460 over these pigs, 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.579 they bolt. 00:31:57.839 --> 00:31:59.240 They run into the town 00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:00.920 and they tell everything 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.500 that happened. 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.220 Guys, 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:04.079 you wouldn't believe it. 00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:05.559 Our 2,000 swine are dead. 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:06.920 The crazy guys, 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.759 they came down. 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:09.339 This guy came up on a boat. 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:10.839 He cast out the demons 00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:11.379 from them. 00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:12.759 They showed up in the pigs. 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.960 They ran down the hill. 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:15.200 They drowned to death. 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:16.880 They were out 2,000 pigs. 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.980 What are we going to do? 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.100 And everybody's like, 00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:22.259 let's go check this guy out. 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.480 It would have been 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.740 a mix of shock, 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.340 outrage, 00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:27.940 amazement, 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:28.420 fear. 00:32:28.580 --> 00:32:30.100 Nobody has been able 00:32:30.100 --> 00:32:31.059 to subdue 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:32.480 these demon-possessed men. 00:32:33.580 --> 00:32:34.620 In verse 34, 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:37.220 like the demon-possessed men 00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:38.319 in verse 28, 00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:40.159 there is this coming out 00:32:40.159 --> 00:32:41.179 to meet Jesus. 00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.539 And behold, 00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:47.460 they come out 00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:49.279 to meet Jesus. 00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:50.639 They're seeking Jesus. 00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:52.679 But unlike the demons, 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.819 they don't know who He is. 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:54.700 All they know is that 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.740 He's cast out these demons 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.939 and now their pigs 00:32:56.939 --> 00:32:57.859 are floating 00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:59.079 in the Sea of Galilee, 00:32:59.319 --> 00:32:59.619 dead. 00:32:59.619 --> 00:32:59.700 Dead. 00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:03.960 But they beg Jesus. 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:08.980 Please leave us alone. 00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:12.700 You turned our world 00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:13.279 upside down. 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:16.100 Please get out. 00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:19.120 We don't want you here. 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:20.920 Please leave. 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.400 You've cost us too much. 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.200 Please leave. 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:28.240 The key word 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:29.299 in verse 30 and 34 00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:30.160 is the word beg. 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:32.279 Begging reveals authority. 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.960 The demons beg Jesus 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:35.900 because He's authority 00:33:35.900 --> 00:33:36.340 over them. 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.559 And in verse 34, 00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:39.860 the Gentiles beg Jesus. 00:33:40.080 --> 00:33:41.220 They have this sense 00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:41.779 that this man 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.799 is unlike anyone else 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:44.019 that they've ever encountered. 00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:47.200 He's brought peace 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:48.039 to craziness. 00:33:50.120 --> 00:33:50.920 They don't know 00:33:50.920 --> 00:33:51.779 that He's the Messiah, 00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:52.640 but they do know 00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:54.420 that He has now upended 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:56.000 their financial world. 00:33:59.340 --> 00:34:00.380 Instead of being seen 00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:01.460 as the peacemaker He is, 00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:02.380 He's probably seen 00:34:02.380 --> 00:34:03.380 more like a troublemaker. 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:04.360 So fearing Him, 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:06.340 they beg Him to leave 00:34:06.340 --> 00:34:07.060 and they do. 00:34:07.360 --> 00:34:08.480 One would think 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.400 that such a display 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:09.860 of authority 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.900 over the demonic world 00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:12.400 would result in joyous, 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:12.760 welcome, 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:13.579 and humble submission. 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:15.059 Oh Lord, boy, 00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:17.000 man, these guys were crazy 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:18.420 and you cast them out. 00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.340 You are unlike 00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:20.420 anybody else we know. 00:34:20.700 --> 00:34:21.139 We come, 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.780 tell us everything you know. 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:23.519 We will follow you 00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:24.240 wherever you go. 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:29.619 No, the townsfolk 00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:30.920 don't want His authority. 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:34.639 It's costing them too much. 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:39.639 Jesus is the demon defeater. 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:42.340 What we see Him doing here 00:34:42.340 --> 00:34:43.460 is just a foretaste 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.440 of that final 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:46.059 and forever victory 00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:47.500 that He will bring about 00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:48.680 when He casts 00:34:48.680 --> 00:34:50.260 the whole demonic world 00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:51.340 into the lake of fire 00:34:51.340 --> 00:34:52.159 when He comes back. 00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:55.480 and He's with you. 00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:58.460 The storm pacifier 00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:59.639 is the demon defeater 00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:01.039 and He's with you. 00:35:04.399 --> 00:35:05.819 But we can't miss the fact 00:35:05.819 --> 00:35:06.679 that He has a tendency 00:35:06.679 --> 00:35:08.159 to turn worlds upside down, 00:35:08.239 --> 00:35:08.659 doesn't He? 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:12.859 There are collateral costs 00:35:12.859 --> 00:35:14.039 to following Jesus. 00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:16.519 The Gentiles 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:18.359 in the Gadarenes, 00:35:18.739 --> 00:35:19.559 Garadines, 00:35:19.659 --> 00:35:20.960 got experience of that. 00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:24.259 The deliverance of these two men 00:35:24.259 --> 00:35:26.359 cost them 2,000 swine. 00:35:26.359 --> 00:35:29.199 That was the collateral cost. 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:31.359 For those Jesus delivered, 00:35:32.179 --> 00:35:33.679 it cost the community 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:34.599 2,000 pigs. 00:35:36.339 --> 00:35:37.299 And they didn't want 00:35:37.299 --> 00:35:37.960 any more of it. 00:35:38.879 --> 00:35:40.059 It makes you have 00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:40.919 to ask the question, 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:41.759 okay, 00:35:41.919 --> 00:35:42.899 were these townsfolk, 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:43.639 were they happy 00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:44.599 that these men were delivered? 00:35:44.699 --> 00:35:45.639 I'm guessing that they were. 00:35:46.319 --> 00:35:47.179 Do they think 00:35:47.179 --> 00:35:48.079 that it was worth 00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:49.379 2,000 pigs 00:35:49.379 --> 00:35:49.980 that they lost? 00:35:50.739 --> 00:35:52.139 It doesn't seem like it. 00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:53.879 It cost too much. 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.919 Get out, Jesus. 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.079 Jesus, 00:35:56.079 --> 00:36:00.780 what would happen? 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.539 What would happen 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:05.019 in 2017 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:06.380 in our city 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.400 if there was 00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:08.059 a clear, 00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:09.579 sustained outpouring 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:10.700 of God's Spirit 00:36:10.700 --> 00:36:12.360 on the city of Kenosha? 00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:15.240 People from all walks of life 00:36:15.240 --> 00:36:16.420 coming into, 00:36:16.740 --> 00:36:18.639 encountering the living Christ, 00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:19.720 repenting, 00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:20.559 believing, 00:36:21.099 --> 00:36:21.840 meeting with Him, 00:36:22.180 --> 00:36:22.920 following Him, 00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:24.360 lives would be changed. 00:36:25.880 --> 00:36:27.659 Worlds would be upended. 00:36:29.119 --> 00:36:30.119 And there would be 00:36:30.119 --> 00:36:31.280 collateral costs. 00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:35.000 People who have found 00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:36.099 life in Christ 00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:37.940 coming out of a variety 00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:39.780 of destructive lifestyles. 00:36:41.220 --> 00:36:42.900 Would we make room for them? 00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:46.420 Would we make space 00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:46.980 for them here? 00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:50.159 Would we incorporate them 00:36:50.159 --> 00:36:51.240 into our body, 00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:52.300 into our life groups, 00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:53.220 into our youth groups, 00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:54.559 into our children's ministry? 00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:56.360 Would we find 00:36:56.360 --> 00:36:57.280 meaningful ways 00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:58.079 to come alongside 00:36:58.079 --> 00:36:59.000 of these people 00:36:59.000 --> 00:37:02.159 to help them find shelter, 00:37:02.360 --> 00:37:03.300 help them find work, 00:37:03.480 --> 00:37:04.000 transportation, 00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:05.019 food and clothing? 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:06.059 Would we do that? 00:37:06.059 --> 00:37:09.880 when the risen Christ 00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:12.000 moves to dismantle 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:13.480 a demonic stronghold 00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:14.199 and there are 00:37:14.199 --> 00:37:15.500 demonic strongholds 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:16.440 in Kenosha, 00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.960 when He moves, 00:37:18.199 --> 00:37:18.719 there will be 00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:19.719 collateral costs. 00:37:20.259 --> 00:37:21.679 It will affect us. 00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:27.039 Would we do something like 00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:29.639 these townsfolk did? 00:37:29.759 --> 00:37:30.239 Jesus, 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:31.820 this is too much for us. 00:37:32.779 --> 00:37:33.820 It's too much for us. 00:37:33.820 --> 00:37:34.740 We're glad you're 00:37:34.740 --> 00:37:35.260 delivering people, 00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:35.940 but it's too much 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.620 of an inconvenience 00:37:36.620 --> 00:37:37.000 for us. 00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:37.480 It's too much 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:38.100 of a cost. 00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:41.620 Stop delivering people, 00:37:41.760 --> 00:37:41.960 Jesus. 00:37:42.039 --> 00:37:42.800 It's too messy. 00:37:49.380 --> 00:37:50.000 No way. 00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:52.039 No way. 00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:54.200 If Jesus would move 00:37:54.200 --> 00:37:54.720 in such a way, 00:37:54.760 --> 00:37:55.880 and we pray that He does, 00:37:56.660 --> 00:37:57.920 we would make space. 00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:59.500 we would bring in. 00:38:00.039 --> 00:38:01.200 We would learn how to 00:38:01.200 --> 00:38:02.300 come alongside. 00:38:04.099 --> 00:38:05.260 It's about His work. 00:38:06.139 --> 00:38:07.320 It's about His glory. 00:38:07.920 --> 00:38:08.539 It's about Him 00:38:08.539 --> 00:38:09.320 delivering people. 00:38:11.380 --> 00:38:12.579 The point of this story 00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:13.940 is that Jesus has authority 00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:14.860 over all things. 00:38:16.900 --> 00:38:18.380 And He's shown that authority 00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:18.960 over nature. 00:38:19.099 --> 00:38:20.119 He's the storm pacifier. 00:38:20.260 --> 00:38:21.220 He's shown that authority 00:38:21.220 --> 00:38:21.740 over demons. 00:38:21.840 --> 00:38:22.820 He's the demon defeater. 00:38:23.720 --> 00:38:25.120 He was that then, 00:38:25.380 --> 00:38:27.960 and He is that now. 00:38:31.280 --> 00:38:33.220 Jesus isn't a hard tyrant 00:38:33.220 --> 00:38:35.320 who uses His authority 00:38:35.320 --> 00:38:36.460 for personal gain. 00:38:37.180 --> 00:38:38.519 He is the Son of Man. 00:38:39.019 --> 00:38:40.480 He is the suffering servant 00:38:40.480 --> 00:38:41.460 and the King of kings 00:38:41.460 --> 00:38:42.280 and the Lord of lords. 00:38:42.280 --> 00:38:44.460 And He exercises His authority 00:38:44.460 --> 00:38:46.920 with a servant's heart. 00:38:46.920 --> 00:38:50.760 And nowhere is this more clear 00:38:50.760 --> 00:38:51.740 than when the Son of Man 00:38:51.740 --> 00:38:53.059 humbly went to the cross. 00:38:53.840 --> 00:38:55.300 For sinners like you and me, 00:38:56.480 --> 00:38:58.000 He exercises authority 00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:59.460 to forgive sins. 00:39:01.900 --> 00:39:03.000 What I want to point out 00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:04.039 to you right now is this. 00:39:05.099 --> 00:39:06.260 That the blood He shed 00:39:06.260 --> 00:39:06.880 on the cross 00:39:06.880 --> 00:39:09.180 not only forgives sin, 00:39:09.280 --> 00:39:10.559 it sealed our pardon, 00:39:11.559 --> 00:39:14.019 it also seals the promise 00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:16.300 that He is with us always. 00:39:17.700 --> 00:39:18.659 So yes, 00:39:18.760 --> 00:39:20.700 He is the storm pacifier. 00:39:21.180 --> 00:39:21.619 Yes, 00:39:21.740 --> 00:39:23.280 He is the demon defeater. 00:39:23.700 --> 00:39:23.900 Yes, 00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.500 He's awesome. 00:39:24.720 --> 00:39:24.940 Yes, 00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:26.159 He upends worlds. 00:39:27.079 --> 00:39:27.840 And yes, 00:39:27.880 --> 00:39:28.940 He is with you. 00:39:30.760 --> 00:39:32.300 He has bound Himself 00:39:32.300 --> 00:39:33.740 to us 00:39:33.740 --> 00:39:35.159 and sealed it 00:39:35.159 --> 00:39:35.880 with the blood 00:39:35.880 --> 00:39:36.659 of the cross. 00:39:37.659 --> 00:39:38.900 He is with us 00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:40.360 always. 00:39:43.019 --> 00:39:43.500 Now, 00:39:43.559 --> 00:39:44.599 if He is all that 00:39:44.599 --> 00:39:45.599 and He is all that 00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:46.300 with us, 00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:46.800 do you know what that 00:39:46.800 --> 00:39:47.420 means for us? 00:39:49.100 --> 00:39:50.140 We've got nothing to fear. 00:39:52.220 --> 00:39:53.380 Even when our worlds 00:39:53.380 --> 00:39:54.260 get upended, 00:39:54.960 --> 00:39:55.980 even if He should move 00:39:55.980 --> 00:39:57.160 in profound ways, 00:39:58.580 --> 00:39:59.800 we fear not. 00:40:00.640 --> 00:40:01.420 He's with us. 00:40:02.300 --> 00:40:02.720 Christian, 00:40:02.820 --> 00:40:03.340 there will never be 00:40:03.340 --> 00:40:04.180 a point in time 00:40:04.180 --> 00:40:04.960 when Jesus 00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:06.340 is not 00:40:06.340 --> 00:40:07.580 with you. 00:40:09.280 --> 00:40:10.180 Jesus says 00:40:10.180 --> 00:40:11.120 at the end of Matthew, 00:40:11.119 --> 00:40:15.039 I am with you 00:40:15.039 --> 00:40:15.559 always. 00:40:16.920 --> 00:40:17.980 Even to the end 00:40:17.980 --> 00:40:18.679 of the age. 00:40:20.199 --> 00:40:20.839 Let's pray. 00:40:20.840 --> 00:40:34.579 Lord Jesus, 00:40:34.700 --> 00:40:35.360 we have gotten 00:40:35.360 --> 00:40:36.079 a glimpse of you 00:40:36.079 --> 00:40:36.559 this morning. 00:40:36.660 --> 00:40:37.519 You are the glorious 00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:38.100 Christ. 00:40:42.680 --> 00:40:43.420 We've seen you 00:40:43.420 --> 00:40:44.059 calm the storm. 00:40:44.200 --> 00:40:44.680 We've seen you 00:40:44.680 --> 00:40:45.480 cast out demons. 00:40:47.220 --> 00:40:47.980 You're marvelous. 00:40:47.980 --> 00:40:50.940 You turn worlds 00:40:50.940 --> 00:40:51.659 upside down. 00:40:53.260 --> 00:40:54.219 And we love it. 00:40:56.260 --> 00:40:57.079 You're awesome. 00:40:59.300 --> 00:41:00.019 Lord Jesus, 00:41:00.179 --> 00:41:01.300 would you press this 00:41:01.300 --> 00:41:02.000 into our hearts 00:41:02.000 --> 00:41:02.659 today that 00:41:02.659 --> 00:41:05.320 that you are this 00:41:05.320 --> 00:41:06.260 and that you are 00:41:06.260 --> 00:41:07.619 with us this way. 00:41:08.820 --> 00:41:09.280 God, 00:41:09.320 --> 00:41:09.860 would you help us 00:41:09.860 --> 00:41:10.619 to leave this building 00:41:10.619 --> 00:41:12.099 today in the confidence 00:41:12.099 --> 00:41:13.280 that you'll never 00:41:13.280 --> 00:41:13.659 leave us 00:41:13.659 --> 00:41:14.480 nor forsake us. 00:41:14.480 --> 00:41:16.780 we would ask 00:41:16.780 --> 00:41:17.579 that Lord Jesus 00:41:17.579 --> 00:41:19.679 that you would 00:41:19.679 --> 00:41:20.940 pour out your spirit 00:41:20.940 --> 00:41:22.639 and that God, 00:41:22.740 --> 00:41:23.500 you would assault 00:41:23.500 --> 00:41:25.079 the demonic strongholds 00:41:25.079 --> 00:41:25.579 in our city. 00:41:26.760 --> 00:41:27.219 God, 00:41:27.320 --> 00:41:28.360 set the prisoners free 00:41:28.360 --> 00:41:30.500 and would you 00:41:30.500 --> 00:41:32.039 add them to our number. 00:41:33.019 --> 00:41:33.880 In Jesus' name, 00:41:34.559 --> 00:41:34.800 Amen.