WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.879 Please turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 10, verses 34 to 42. 00:00:09.800 --> 00:00:12.019 For those of you who don't know me, my name is Sean. 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:13.800 ! I'm one of the pastors of Trinity Cambridge Church. 00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:20.000 And it's my great joy and privilege to preach God's word to you this morning. 00:00:27.859 --> 00:00:29.620 If you don't have a Bible, please raise your hand. 00:00:29.620 --> 00:00:31.920 We'd love to give you a copy you can have and use. 00:00:33.500 --> 00:00:34.859 Looks like everybody has one. 00:00:36.200 --> 00:00:39.480 We're in Matthew chapter 10, verse 34 to 42. 00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:44.780 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word. 00:00:44.780 --> 00:01:00.480 Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us as your children. 00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:07.679 And for giving us the privilege of following Jesus Christ, your son. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:20.100 And we ask that as we open up your word together, that you would speak to us and impress deeply upon our minds and hearts the worthiness of Jesus Christ, the King. 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:33.500 That we might submit to him, pledge allegiance to him, and follow him at all costs. 00:01:33.500 --> 00:01:55.340 Fill our hearts with thanksgiving and praise as we remember how you have used us to proclaim your gospel and to build up this local church, your body of Christ, the body of Christ. 00:01:55.340 --> 00:02:00.859 Thank you, Father, for that privilege. 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:03.320 Be glorified in our midst. 00:02:03.380 --> 00:02:04.700 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:05.359 Amen. 00:02:06.939 --> 00:02:10.099 Please stand if you are able to honor God as we read from his word. 00:02:10.099 --> 00:02:10.199 Amen. 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:19.839 Matthew chapter 10, verses 34 to 42. 00:02:21.179 --> 00:02:24.679 Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:28.319 I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 00:02:29.239 --> 00:02:36.839 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:40.780 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:46.420 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:51.379 And whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:56.680 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 00:02:57.539 --> 00:03:00.180 Whoever finds his life will lose it. 00:03:00.620 --> 00:03:04.039 And whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 00:03:04.039 --> 00:03:08.259 Whoever receives you receives me. 00:03:09.019 --> 00:03:12.439 And whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 00:03:13.419 --> 00:03:18.060 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. 00:03:18.579 --> 00:03:24.840 And the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:32.539 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple. 00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:38.439 Truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. 00:03:39.140 --> 00:03:41.099 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:41.800 Please be seated. 00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:53.340 There are several places in the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus expressly states his purpose. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:55.920 The purpose for which he came to earth. 00:03:56.800 --> 00:04:00.080 We've seen two of those so far already in this series in Matthew. 00:04:00.220 --> 00:04:01.960 In Matthew 5.17 Jesus said, 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:06.060 I have not come to abolish the law but to fulfill them. 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:09.000 We saw it again in chapter 9 verse 13. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:12.460 I came not to call the righteous but sinners. 00:04:13.460 --> 00:04:18.199 And probably the most famous purpose statement that Jesus gives is in Matthew 20 verse 28. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:25.620 The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:29.579 So to recap why Jesus came to earth. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:30.959 He came to fulfill the law. 00:04:31.100 --> 00:04:35.879 To call sinners to himself and to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:04:35.959 --> 00:04:37.500 To redeem a people for himself. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:38.439 For God. 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:40.899 But there is one more. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:45.579 I have come to fill in the blank statement in the Gospel of Matthew. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:47.459 And that's the one we see here in our passage. 00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:50.620 And this is probably the most surprising and shocking one. 00:04:51.620 --> 00:04:54.620 Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. 00:04:54.620 --> 00:04:58.879 I have not come to bring peace but a sword. 00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:03.420 Jesus came to earth to bring a sword. 00:05:03.959 --> 00:05:06.480 Not a literal sword of violence. 00:05:06.939 --> 00:05:13.319 But a figurative sword that slices apart even the most basic building blocks of society and family. 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:17.439 But wait isn't Jesus pro-family? 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:20.280 And aren't Christians supposed to be pro-family? 00:05:20.860 --> 00:05:21.759 Yes we are. 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:26.139 But not at the expense of following Jesus. 00:05:27.339 --> 00:05:32.279 The main point of this passage is that to follow Christ we must carry our cross. 00:05:32.579 --> 00:05:35.339 Even the cross of losing our loved ones. 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:39.839 First let's talk about the cross of following Jesus. 00:05:40.459 --> 00:05:43.319 And then lastly I'll talk about the reward of following Jesus. 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:51.399 Jesus' statement in verse 34 is shocking because it appears to contradict what we already know. 00:05:51.719 --> 00:05:55.620 Scripture says elsewhere about Jesus' coming and his purpose. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:06:08.660 For example later in Matthew 21 verse 5 Matthew cites an excerpt from a prophecy in Zechariah 9.9-10 to show that Jesus riding on a donkey into the city of Jerusalem is a fulfillment of the messianic prophecy. 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:14.400 And that passage in Zechariah says that the Messiah would speak peace to the nations. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:23.740 Isaiah 9.6-7 another famous messianic prophecy foretold that Jesus the Messiah would be the prince of peace. 00:06:23.740 --> 00:06:30.199 And that of the increase of his government, his rule, there will be no end. 00:06:31.460 --> 00:06:42.939 This is why when Jesus is born the angels proclaim him in Luke chapter 2 verse 14 saying glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. 00:06:42.939 --> 00:06:48.699 So how can Jesus say that he did not come to bring peace? 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:52.120 That he came to bring a sword? 00:06:53.120 --> 00:07:00.800 The answer lies in this that Jesus did bring peace but that that peace is not for everyone. 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:09.259 The angels' announcement in Luke 2 verse 14 was on earth peace among those with whom God is pleased. 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:17.980 Remember earlier in Matthew chapter 10 verse 13 as he was commissioning, Jesus was commissioning his 12 apostles to go and proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God. 00:07:17.980 --> 00:07:23.399 He told them to as they go from house to house, neighborhood to neighborhood, to proclaim his peace. 00:07:23.980 --> 00:07:25.819 And that their peace would come upon them. 00:07:26.219 --> 00:07:35.420 But if those people would, if should they refuse them, refuse to receive them, show them hospitality and refuse and reject their message of the gospel, 00:07:35.420 --> 00:07:41.000 then Jesus said that their peace would return to them and not rest on those people. 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:50.220 In other words, the peace that Jesus offers is for those who receive him as the messianic king and submit to him as subjects of his kingdom. 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:55.939 Those who reject Christ as their king do not get to enter into the kingdom of God. 00:07:57.319 --> 00:07:59.879 That's the realm over which Christ reigns as king. 00:08:00.420 --> 00:08:04.460 And if you're not in the kingdom of God, then you don't benefit from his reign. 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:10.939 You miss out on true peace for there can only be peace where the rightful king reigns from his throne. 00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:17.479 Peace in biblical terms goes far beyond the mere absence of conflict. 00:08:18.019 --> 00:08:23.579 It has in its background the Old Testament idea of shalom, which is the Hebrew word for peace. 00:08:24.299 --> 00:08:27.439 It represents being in right relationship with God. 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:30.740 God says in Isaiah 54 verse 10, 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:46.220 When we are the objects of God's steadfast love and a recipient of his covenant of peace, 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:48.360 that's when we are whole. 00:08:48.680 --> 00:08:50.899 That's when our lives are rightly ordered. 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:53.659 That's when we have true peace. 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:57.620 And that's why it is impossible to have peace apart from Christ. 00:08:58.819 --> 00:09:03.620 As long as rebels exist who defy Christ the king, 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:07.439 Jesus does not bring peace to the earth, but a sword. 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:15.420 Jesus is not speaking here of his judgment and of waging war against his enemies. 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:18.140 Jesus will not do that. 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:20.960 He will not bring his final judgment until his second coming, 00:09:21.300 --> 00:09:24.520 when he will subdue all the rebels and bring universal peace. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:29.620 But until then, it's the time for his followers, his disciples, 00:09:29.920 --> 00:09:33.940 to bear witness to Jesus, their king, and to take a stand for Jesus. 00:09:33.940 --> 00:09:39.360 To tell people about Jesus and to give them an opportunity to repent. 00:09:39.800 --> 00:09:43.000 To repent of their sins and follow Jesus themselves. 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:47.400 This necessarily means planting a flag on the ground. 00:09:49.160 --> 00:09:52.300 It necessarily means drawing a line on the sand. 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:54.900 Saying, I belong to the kingdom of God. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:58.340 I am with Christ, my king. 00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:01.440 I have drawn the line on the sand. 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:05.440 And no matter what you do and no matter what people say, 00:10:05.520 --> 00:10:07.620 I will not cross over to the other side. 00:10:08.180 --> 00:10:12.480 You may join me here, but I am not going over again. 00:10:14.380 --> 00:10:16.800 This is the reality that Jesus speaks of when he says, 00:10:17.040 --> 00:10:19.240 I have come to bring a sword. 00:10:20.420 --> 00:10:26.900 I've mentioned to some of you before that I was part of the largest naturalization ceremony in U.S. history, 00:10:27.060 --> 00:10:30.160 which took place at Fenway Park here in Boston. 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:32.600 On September 14, 2010. 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:35.620 And when I took the oath of U.S. citizenship, 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:38.659 this is what I had to say with my right hand raised. 00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:43.159 I hereby declare on oath that I absolutely and entirely 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:49.240 renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, 00:10:49.579 --> 00:10:51.959 patented state, or sovereignty, 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:55.899 of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen. 00:10:55.899 --> 00:11:00.799 That I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:02.939 against all enemies, foreign and domestic. 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:06.399 That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:10.559 It seems kind of extreme at first, 00:11:11.079 --> 00:11:12.759 very categorical language, 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:14.120 but if you think about it, 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:15.259 it's not extreme at all. 00:11:16.319 --> 00:11:18.960 How can I be a citizen of the United States 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:22.679 while pledging allegiance to a foreign state or power? 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:26.399 That would make me a spy or an imposter. 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:30.220 The same principle applies in the spiritual realm. 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:34.220 How can we be citizens of the kingdom of God 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:37.500 and claim to serve Christ the King 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:40.379 if our loyalties are divided, 00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:43.459 if we have multiple allegiances? 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:48.100 Jesus explains in verses 35 to 37, 00:11:48.220 --> 00:11:50.579 for I have come to set a man against his father 00:11:50.579 --> 00:11:51.819 and a daughter against her mother 00:11:51.819 --> 00:11:54.000 and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:56.820 and a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:59.820 Whoever loves father or mother more than me 00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:00.980 is not worthy of me 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:03.379 and whoever loves son or daughter more than me 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:04.740 is not worthy of me. 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:07.840 This is an allusion to Micah 7, 6, 00:12:07.940 --> 00:12:09.940 which prophesied of family divisions, 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:12.139 not only during the time of Micah, 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:14.360 but also especially in the Messianic age. 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:17.639 It's important to note here 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:19.480 that Jesus is not commanding us 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:22.820 to reject or neglect our family members. 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:25.300 In fact, one of the Ten Commandments 00:12:25.300 --> 00:12:27.000 is to honor your father and mother. 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:29.780 And 1 Timothy 5, 8 teaches us 00:12:29.780 --> 00:12:32.060 that if anyone does not provide for his relatives 00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:34.180 and especially for members of his household, 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:35.400 he has denied the faith 00:12:35.400 --> 00:12:37.320 and is worse than an unbeliever. 00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:41.340 As Christians, we ought to love our families 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:43.260 and take care of our families. 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:45.800 But nevertheless, Jesus says, 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:50.280 you must not love them more than you love Jesus. 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:54.019 If we are more loyal to our families 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:54.839 than we are to Jesus, 00:12:54.959 --> 00:12:57.199 then we are not worthy of Jesus. 00:12:57.839 --> 00:12:59.839 If our loyalty to our families 00:12:59.839 --> 00:13:01.879 subverts our allegiance to Christ 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:04.339 and damages our witness for Christ, 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:08.600 then we are not worthy to follow him. 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:10.659 This is what, 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:13.339 this is the choice that my parents had to make 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:15.960 when they refused to participate 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:18.080 in ancestor worship in Korea 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:21.420 and were consequently shunned by their family members 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:23.800 and branded as those who bring dishonor to the family. 00:13:25.060 --> 00:13:27.019 This is what Pastor Emmanuel, 00:13:27.160 --> 00:13:28.620 that we had as a guest preacher 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:30.220 some months ago in this year, 00:13:31.180 --> 00:13:32.180 experienced himself 00:13:32.180 --> 00:13:36.620 when he converted to follow Christ in Nigeria 00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:40.879 and then was subsequently disowned by his own father 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:42.080 and put in jail 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:45.620 because his father was an imam of a Muslim mosque. 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:51.980 The sword divided their families 00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:55.899 because of people's refusal to acknowledge Christ as king. 00:13:57.580 --> 00:14:00.340 It's fine to want to please your parents, 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.940 but you want to please them even more 00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:04.100 than you want to please God. 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:08.980 When they oppose your decision to follow Christ 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:09.680 and serve him, 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:12.580 do you take a stand for Christ? 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:18.700 Are you open to marrying a non-Christian 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:22.220 even though that goes against the counsel of scripture 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:23.720 in 1 Corinthians 7.39? 00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:25.960 Even though you're aware 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:28.379 that drawing nearer to that person 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:32.060 will necessarily mean drawing further away from God 00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:33.060 and vice versa 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:34.579 because they do not share 00:14:34.579 --> 00:14:37.099 your fundamental allegiance to the Lord. 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.859 What about children? 00:14:42.859 --> 00:14:45.579 Do you love your children more than you love Jesus? 00:14:47.119 --> 00:14:49.419 Are you more concerned about their health 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:51.459 and wealth and success in the world 00:14:51.459 --> 00:14:53.819 than for their faith and obedience in Christ? 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:58.899 Is participation in a sports league 00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:00.879 more important than their faithful attendance 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.679 and Sunday worship? 00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:05.759 Are you willing to let your children risk 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:07.620 being mocked or bullied in school 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:10.399 for boldly sharing the gospel of Jesus with others? 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:12.580 Or would you rather them be silent? 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:17.360 Are you so preoccupied and consumed 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.439 with their well-being 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:20.059 that you give hardly any time 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:21.559 to your own relationship with God? 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:25.579 Do your life choices and priorities 00:15:25.579 --> 00:15:28.139 revolve ultimately around Jesus, 00:15:28.619 --> 00:15:29.219 the King, 00:15:29.839 --> 00:15:31.479 or around your kids? 00:15:34.579 --> 00:15:36.239 When our church planting team 00:15:36.239 --> 00:15:38.679 was initially sent out by King of Grace Church 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.500 10 years ago, 00:15:39.599 --> 00:15:41.719 we only had five adults in our church. 00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:45.539 Steve and Lauren Miller, right there. 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:47.579 John Buckley. 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:48.299 Where's John? 00:15:48.599 --> 00:15:48.699 Yeah. 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:51.459 And Hannah, 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.679 Hannah, my wife. 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:57.659 I think we did have one kid at the time, right? 00:15:59.059 --> 00:16:00.139 Ine, the oldest. 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:03.599 Why did John and the Millers 00:16:03.599 --> 00:16:05.339 leave their home church 00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:06.699 and their houses 00:16:06.699 --> 00:16:08.319 to join an unproven 00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:10.659 recent seminary grad 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:12.799 still in his 20s? 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:19.459 It's probably not the smartest decision 00:16:19.459 --> 00:16:19.879 they've made. 00:16:21.079 --> 00:16:23.079 Not because I was special, 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:25.519 but because they were following Christ. 00:16:26.899 --> 00:16:28.600 Because they wanted to establish 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:30.459 a gospel outpost in East Cambridge 00:16:30.459 --> 00:16:31.439 where there wasn't one. 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:35.959 They have Christian parents, 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:38.079 so no sword had to divide their families, 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.299 but it was nonetheless 00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:40.339 a real sacrifice 00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:41.299 to move down here 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:42.620 to an expensive neighborhood 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:44.139 where they've never lived, 00:16:44.199 --> 00:16:45.699 away from homes that they grew up 00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:46.719 and taking on jobs 00:16:46.719 --> 00:16:47.679 that they've never done 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.879 to support the work 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.579 of building Trinity Cambridge Church. 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:53.919 Are you willing 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:55.139 to make the same sacrifice? 00:16:57.799 --> 00:17:00.099 Jesus himself endured this sword. 00:17:00.839 --> 00:17:01.879 In Mark 3.21, 00:17:01.979 --> 00:17:02.899 it says that even some 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:04.419 of his own family members 00:17:04.419 --> 00:17:05.099 said of him, 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.700 he is out of his mind. 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:10.140 And later in that passage, 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.559 while his family members 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.319 are calling for him, 00:17:12.360 --> 00:17:13.100 Jesus asks, 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.380 who are my mother 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:15.759 and my brothers? 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.580 And looking about 00:17:17.580 --> 00:17:18.940 at the disciples 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:20.220 who sat around him, 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:21.259 Jesus said, 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:23.160 here are my mother 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.000 and my brothers. 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.620 For whoever does 00:17:25.620 --> 00:17:26.680 the will of God, 00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:28.039 he is my brother 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:28.920 and sister 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:29.740 and mother. 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:32.580 Jesus is here speaking 00:17:32.580 --> 00:17:33.440 of the reality 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:34.799 of the spiritual family. 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:37.339 bought by the blood of Christ 00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:38.480 and bonded together 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.819 by the spirit of God 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:41.419 which will outlast 00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:43.519 any earthly family. 00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:46.279 When we partake 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:47.000 in the life 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:47.879 of the local church, 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.500 when we work 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.240 to build up 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:49.960 a local church, 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:51.200 we do so as members 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.919 of the very family of God. 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.779 Note how starkly 00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:57.579 Jesus puts this 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.379 in verse 37. 00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:00.139 Whoever loves father 00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:00.680 or mother 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:01.919 more than me 00:18:01.919 --> 00:18:03.659 is not worthy of me. 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.900 When whoever loves son 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:05.560 or daughter 00:18:05.560 --> 00:18:06.620 more than me 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:08.500 is not worthy of me. 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.940 There are no in-between 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:12.779 halfway options here. 00:18:13.380 --> 00:18:15.120 There is no option C 00:18:15.120 --> 00:18:17.800 for loving your biological family 00:18:17.800 --> 00:18:18.620 and Jesus equally. 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:23.220 You must make a choice. 00:18:24.300 --> 00:18:25.860 Unless we submit to Christ 00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:26.740 as our king, 00:18:26.840 --> 00:18:28.100 as the supreme ruler 00:18:28.100 --> 00:18:28.840 of our lives, 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:30.259 we are not worthy of him. 00:18:30.580 --> 00:18:31.019 Why? 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:32.799 Why does Jesus 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.779 have to be so demanding? 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.119 Why? 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.299 Because Jesus 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.180 is worthy 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.259 of that kind of worship 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:37.799 and obedience. 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.440 Because Jesus 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.799 is the king of kings 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:43.059 and lord of lords. 00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:43.700 Because Jesus 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:45.079 is the son of God 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:46.259 and son of man. 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.000 And because Jesus 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:48.039 is the savior 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:49.039 and redeemer 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.599 of the world 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.339 who laid down 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:51.420 his own life 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:53.160 to save us 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:55.200 from sin and death. 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:56.920 Only those 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.480 who therefore 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.180 acknowledge 00:18:58.180 --> 00:19:00.279 Jesus' true worth 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:02.220 and follow him 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:04.100 are worthy 00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:04.680 to be called 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:05.360 one of his own. 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.920 In medieval 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:10.140 dubbing ceremonies 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:12.240 when a king 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:14.320 confers knighthood 00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:15.820 on a loyal subject, 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:17.220 he lightly taps 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.160 the flat part 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.720 of his sword 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.560 upon the subject's 00:19:19.560 --> 00:19:20.460 head or shoulder 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.200 to indicate 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.940 that that person 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.860 is now a knight 00:19:22.860 --> 00:19:24.160 that carries out 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:25.380 the king's purposes 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.180 and priorities. 00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:28.240 That is what Christ 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:28.680 has done 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:30.980 for every single Christian. 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:33.640 And that allegiance 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:35.140 necessarily brings 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:35.840 division 00:19:35.840 --> 00:19:37.180 in this sinful world 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.020 that is in rebellion 00:19:38.020 --> 00:19:38.700 against God. 00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:42.160 And the sword 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:43.200 that King Jesus 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:43.820 confers 00:19:43.820 --> 00:19:45.300 on his loyal knights 00:19:45.300 --> 00:19:47.060 is a cross. 00:19:49.020 --> 00:19:49.980 Jesus says 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:51.420 in verses 38 to 39, 00:19:52.020 --> 00:19:52.800 whoever does not 00:19:52.800 --> 00:19:53.640 take his cross 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:54.300 and follow me 00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:55.080 is not worthy 00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:55.440 of me. 00:19:56.040 --> 00:19:56.800 Whoever finds 00:19:56.800 --> 00:19:57.220 his life 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:57.880 will lose it 00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:58.640 and whoever 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.520 loses his life 00:19:59.520 --> 00:20:00.100 for my sake 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:00.920 will find it. 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:03.580 In the western world 00:20:03.580 --> 00:20:04.580 we're so familiar 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:05.460 with crosses 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.360 and crucifixes 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:07.520 that this verse 00:20:07.520 --> 00:20:09.060 loses its shock factor. 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.320 But we have to remember 00:20:10.320 --> 00:20:11.100 that for the Greeks 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:11.759 and Romans 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.640 crucifixion 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:13.259 was a form 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:13.759 of cruel 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:15.100 and unusual punishment. 00:20:16.540 --> 00:20:17.180 It was a form 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:17.980 of torture 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.920 and execution 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:19.560 wrapped up 00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:20.000 in one. 00:20:21.060 --> 00:20:21.480 The Romans 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:22.860 had several other 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:24.500 far more efficient 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.720 means of killing people 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:27.900 but crucifixion 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.740 is what they reserved 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.900 for special cases 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:31.779 for the low life 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.220 criminals 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:33.019 and enemies 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.640 of the state. 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:35.039 In fact, 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:35.559 Cicero, 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.559 the famous Roman 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.120 politician 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.779 and philosopher 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.880 himself denounced 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.440 the practice 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.240 of crucifixion. 00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:41.079 He called it 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.039 a most cruel 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.500 and disgusting punishment. 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.759 He says, 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:45.039 quote, 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.980 the very mention 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.700 of the cross 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.779 should be far removed 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.660 not only from 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:50.019 a Roman citizen's body 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:51.440 but from his mind, 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.259 his eyes, 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.279 his ears. 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:55.039 The cross 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:56.279 was a stigmatized 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:57.599 shameful symbol 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:59.759 of humiliating defeat. 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.480 But this 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.960 public disgrace 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:05.779 did not begin 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:07.879 at the crucifixion. 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.400 It began 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.279 long before that 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.500 when the condemned 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:11.879 criminal 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.579 was forced 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.160 to carry 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.859 that heavy 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.859 cross beam 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:16.599 that he will 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.319 be nailed 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:18.359 to himself 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.240 to the place, 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:19.819 the location 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:20.879 of the execution 00:21:20.879 --> 00:21:22.419 while bearing 00:21:22.419 --> 00:21:23.059 the jeers 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:24.459 and the insults 00:21:24.459 --> 00:21:24.979 of the crowd. 00:21:27.179 --> 00:21:28.779 This is exactly 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.839 what Jesus endures 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:31.299 in Matthew 27 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.740 and this 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:34.079 is the glorious 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.839 prospect 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.939 that Jesus 00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:36.799 lays out 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:37.359 in front of 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:38.019 all of his 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:39.139 potential followers. 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.819 Do you want 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.459 to be found 00:21:42.459 --> 00:21:42.899 worthy 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.879 of Jesus? 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:44.740 Then you must 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.699 take up 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.600 your cross 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:47.740 and follow 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.160 Jesus 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:48.840 in his 00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:49.539 footsteps, 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.319 meaning 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.000 into 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.880 betrayal, 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.019 rejection, 00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:54.319 suffering, 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.500 persecution, 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.500 possibly even 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:57.880 death, 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:58.819 martyrdom. 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.740 This is 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.440 what Jesus 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.420 confers 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.440 on us, 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.720 not a mighty 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.660 sword with which 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:07.440 to slay all 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:07.880 of the wicked, 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:11.180 but a cross 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:12.279 by which 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.759 we are 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.960 to be slain 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.900 by the wicked 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:16.579 as sheep 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.380 in the midst 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:17.980 of wolves. 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.319 When following 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.039 Christ means 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.819 being shunned 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.500 by the world, 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:25.740 will you 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.740 follow Christ 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.120 still? 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.559 When following 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.340 Christ means 00:22:30.340 --> 00:22:31.400 losing your job, 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.340 when following 00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:33.039 Christ means 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.079 loss of security, 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:34.900 when following 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.600 Christ means 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:36.480 disrepute and 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.500 disrespect among 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.299 your peers and 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:38.720 colleagues, 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.819 will you still 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:40.759 follow Christ? 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:43.700 if out of 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.200 the desire 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:44.900 to preserve 00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:45.440 our own 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:45.819 lives, 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.460 our wealth, 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.160 our reputation, 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:47.759 our career, 00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:48.700 we refuse to 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.559 acknowledge Christ 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.359 before men 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:51.440 and bear witness 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:51.799 to him, 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:52.220 as we saw 00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:52.720 in the previous 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.160 passage, 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.000 you might 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.700 succeed in 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.259 preserving your 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:55.859 life for a 00:22:55.859 --> 00:22:56.140 time, 00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:57.299 but you will 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:57.879 lose something 00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:58.579 much bigger, 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.079 your eternal 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.440 life. 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:02.859 This is what 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:03.440 Jesus means 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:03.879 when he says 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:04.640 in verse 38, 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.680 whoever finds 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.420 his life will 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:06.940 lose it, 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:07.700 and whoever 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.779 loses his life 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.400 for my sake 00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:10.460 will find it. 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.640 If you try 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:13.440 to gain your 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.500 life in the 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.000 kingdom of 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.660 this world, 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:17.160 you will lose 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:17.799 it in the 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.180 kingdom of 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:18.440 God. 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.740 Jesus adds 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.059 in Matthew 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.619 16, 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.259 26, 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:22.819 for what 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.279 will it 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:23.900 profit a 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.460 man if 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.000 he gains 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.480 the whole 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.160 world and 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.000 forfeits his 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.359 soul? 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:28.519 Or what 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:28.819 shall a 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.319 man give 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:29.839 in return 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.400 for his 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:30.660 soul? 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.140 It is 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:32.920 folly to 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.539 forsake 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.339 your eternal 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:34.960 soul to 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:35.960 gain this 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.980 temporary 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.619 world that 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:38.019 is just 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.779 passing away. 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:42.339 following 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.119 Christ is 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:43.940 not merely 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.460 a matter 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:44.940 of life 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.379 and death. 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:46.839 It is 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.619 much more 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:48.379 important than 00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:48.660 that. 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:54.300 But this 00:23:54.300 --> 00:23:54.840 cross of 00:23:54.840 --> 00:23:55.140 following 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:55.800 Jesus also 00:23:55.800 --> 00:23:56.279 comes with 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.740 a great 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.200 reward. 00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:58.880 Jesus says 00:23:58.880 --> 00:23:59.200 in verses 00:23:59.200 --> 00:23:59.640 40 to 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:00.019 41, 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:00.340 whoever 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:00.940 receives 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.259 you 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.759 receives 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.120 me, 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.460 and whoever 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:02.900 receives 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.540 me receives 00:24:03.540 --> 00:24:03.900 him who 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.580 sent me. 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:05.600 The one 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:06.240 who receives 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:06.700 a prophet 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.160 because he 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:07.440 is a 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:08.019 prophet will 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.500 receive a 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:08.940 prophet's 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.300 reward, 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.000 and the 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.279 one who 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:10.820 receives a 00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:11.080 righteous 00:24:11.080 --> 00:24:11.540 person 00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:12.060 because he 00:24:12.060 --> 00:24:12.279 is a 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:12.519 righteous 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.019 person 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.460 will 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.180 receive a 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.440 righteous 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.080 person's 00:24:15.080 --> 00:24:15.460 reward. 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.819 When we 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.319 go out 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:17.819 in Jesus' 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.519 name to 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.059 proclaim the 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:19.380 good news 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:19.600 of the 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:20.000 kingdom of 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.259 God, 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:21.019 those who 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.840 receive us 00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:22.340 and receive 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.079 our message 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.559 receive Christ 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.220 himself. 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.319 Why is 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:27.579 that? 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:28.960 Because we 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.880 are representatives 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:30.640 of Christ, 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.920 ambassadors of 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.299 Christ. 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.180 Envoys are 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.079 extensions of 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:37.720 the king's 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.579 will and 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.019 authority, 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.539 and for that 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:40.980 reason, 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.059 the envoys 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:42.579 are to be 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.480 received with 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.140 honor the 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.559 way you'd 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.279 receive a 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:45.519 king. 00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:48.639 For this 00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:48.960 reason, 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:49.919 in 2 Samuel 00:24:49.919 --> 00:24:50.679 chapter 10, 00:24:51.159 --> 00:24:51.559 when the 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:52.259 Ammonites 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.919 shame King 00:24:53.919 --> 00:24:54.539 David's 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.740 envoys by 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.480 shading off 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.019 half their 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.659 beards and 00:24:57.659 --> 00:24:58.679 cutting off 00:24:58.679 --> 00:24:59.220 half their 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.359 garments and 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:00.740 make them 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.299 walk back 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.940 in shame, 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.399 it leads 00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:07.679 to an 00:25:07.679 --> 00:25:08.500 all-out war 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.179 between King 00:25:09.179 --> 00:25:09.720 David and 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.259 the Ammonites 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:12.779 because to 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.539 insult and 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.419 mistreat the 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:15.279 envoys of 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:15.880 the king is 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:16.640 to insult and 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.160 mistreat the 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:17.779 king himself. 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.120 1 Corinthians 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:21.880 12, 27 00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:22.779 teaches us that 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.560 all Christians 00:25:23.560 --> 00:25:24.519 are individually 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.720 members of the 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.500 body of Christ. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.600 We are united 00:25:27.600 --> 00:25:28.360 to Christ our 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:29.360 Lord by faith, 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:29.900 and therefore, 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:31.300 to receive or 00:25:31.300 --> 00:25:33.039 reject us is 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.779 to receive or 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.720 reject Christ 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.320 himself. 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.220 Later in 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.060 Matthew 25, 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:40.060 Jesus speaks of 00:25:40.060 --> 00:25:40.720 what the final 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.420 judgment will 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.700 look like in the 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.319 end of days. 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.400 And King 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:45.380 Jesus will be 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.019 sitting on his 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.900 glorious throne, 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.759 and he will say 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.500 to the righteous, 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.900 come you who are 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.660 blessed by my 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:52.080 father, inherit the 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:52.940 kingdom prepared for 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.460 you from the 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.400 foundation of the 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:54.700 world. 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:56.240 For I was hungry 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.160 and you gave me 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:57.660 food. 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:59.000 I was thirsty and 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:00.220 you gave me drink. 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.840 I was a stranger 00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:02.920 and you welcomed me. 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:04.400 I was naked and 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:05.200 you clothed me. 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.160 I was sick and you 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:06.740 visited me. 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.779 I was in prison and 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.539 you came to me. 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:10.859 Then the righteous 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.599 will answer him 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:13.960 saying, Lord, when 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.899 did we see you 00:26:14.899 --> 00:26:15.940 hungry and feed you 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.039 or thirsty and give 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.599 you something to 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:17.839 drink? 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.339 And when did we 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:19.200 see you a stranger 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.059 and welcome you or 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:21.159 naked and clothe you? 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:22.359 When did we ever 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:23.339 see you sick or in 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:24.200 prison and visit you? 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.139 And the king will 00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:27.819 answer them, truly I 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:30.359 say to you, as you 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:32.039 did to one of the 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:34.279 least of these my 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:37.500 brothers, you did it 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:37.900 to me. 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.799 This world will be 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:44.180 judged according to 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.460 the way they treated 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.359 the disciples of 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:46.759 Christ. 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.559 Whether they receive 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.279 them and their 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:50.440 message or not, 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:52.059 because to reject 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.339 the envoys of the 00:26:53.339 --> 00:26:54.519 king, to reject 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.940 their gospel message 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.839 is to reject 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:58.420 Christ himself. 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.819 But that's not all. 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.839 Jesus also says, 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:04.059 and whoever receives 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:06.819 me receives him who 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.740 sent me. 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.960 The chain of 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.159 representation goes up 00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:11.819 even further. 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:14.279 Those who receive the 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.279 disciples of Christ 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.599 receive Christ himself. 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:18.099 And those who receive 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:19.619 Christ receive God the 00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:20.559 Father himself. 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.460 Brothers and sisters, 00:27:22.659 --> 00:27:23.960 that's the kind of 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:26.659 backing we have when 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.819 we go out as witnesses 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.759 of Jesus Christ and 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.439 share the gospel. 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.539 That's the kind of 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:32.079 authorization we have. 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.019 Jesus continues in verse 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.279 42, and whoever gives 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.039 one of these little 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:38.019 ones even a cup of 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:39.220 cold water because he 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:40.859 is a disciple, truly I 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:42.160 say to you, he will by 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:43.279 no means lose his 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.660 reward. 00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:46.440 Jesus calls all of his 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.879 disciples little ones. 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.339 It's very affectionate, 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:49.680 isn't it? 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:52.680 I love how our children's 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.779 ministry volunteers refer 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.680 to the kids sometimes 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.180 at littles. 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:59.339 Jesus is speaking of the 00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:00.579 spiritual reality that 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.839 all of his followers are 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:03.259 adopted children of God. 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.299 God. 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:06.440 This is why Jesus taught 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:08.339 us to pray in Matthew 00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:10.460 6, 9, to cry out to our 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:12.119 Father in heaven. 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:15.359 We are God's little ones. 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:19.400 And God the Father, like 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:20.700 any good father, takes 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:22.980 very seriously how his 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.819 children are treated. 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:27.200 I've mentioned this to 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.279 some of you before that 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:30.019 when my family, we travel 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.400 to Seattle to visit my 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:32.900 parents, we get treated 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:34.280 like royalty out there. 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:39.080 These people from the 00:28:39.080 --> 00:28:39.780 church that my dad 00:28:39.780 --> 00:28:42.580 pastors, you know, take 00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:43.840 us out to restaurants to 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:45.519 eat, they buy and 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:47.220 slaughter an entire black 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:49.320 goat, which is like a 00:28:49.320 --> 00:28:50.400 delicacy, and they prepare 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:51.320 it for us to eat. 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.980 They buy expensive 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:55.580 Dungeness crabs, which is 00:28:55.580 --> 00:28:56.440 unique to the Pacific 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:57.860 Coast, straight off the 00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:59.180 boat and steam them and 00:28:59.180 --> 00:29:00.720 feed us, even though I 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.620 don't really like crabs. 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:07.180 They even give allowances 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.960 to my kids. 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:09.220 I'm like, who are these 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:10.100 people, you know? 00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:12.000 Like, why are you doing 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.240 this? 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:13.039 Why do they do this? 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.559 Not because they think 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.460 we're so great. 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:18.319 They barely know us. 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.740 They see us, we see them 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.259 once a year. 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.960 They do it because they 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:25.279 love my parents. 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:27.940 they feel indebted to 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.259 them. 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.279 This is their way of 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:31.200 loving them and serving 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:31.480 them. 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:36.180 It's the same with God, 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:36.639 our Father. 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:39.299 He says, if you give one 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:42.359 of my little ones, even a 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:46.399 cup of cold water, a cup 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:47.619 of cold water is the very 00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:49.160 least thing, the smallest 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:50.139 thing you can do for 00:29:50.139 --> 00:29:52.619 someone in this, as an 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:53.639 expression of hospitality. 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:59.200 Even if all you can do in 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:00.600 receiving one of my little 00:30:00.600 --> 00:30:02.660 ones, my disciples, my 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:04.460 emissaries of Christ, is to 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.540 give them a cup of cold 00:30:05.540 --> 00:30:06.920 water, God says, you know, 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:09.200 that's not much, but it's 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:09.560 enough. 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:12.759 You receive them, you 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:14.259 receive the message of the 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:16.100 gospel, and I will reward 00:30:16.100 --> 00:30:16.380 you. 00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:18.740 God promises heavenly 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:20.020 rewards to all those who 00:30:20.020 --> 00:30:21.180 receive the followers of 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.300 Christ because to receive 00:30:22.300 --> 00:30:23.620 them is to receive Christ's 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.139 Christ himself. 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:27.019 And to receive Christ, God's 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:28.199 son, is to receive God the 00:30:28.199 --> 00:30:29.000 Father himself. 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:34.939 I want to remind all those 00:30:34.939 --> 00:30:38.639 who are part of our original 00:30:38.639 --> 00:30:42.539 team, Hannah, as well as all 00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:43.819 those who left their homes and 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.799 were sent out by their local 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:46.399 churches early on in our ears 00:30:46.399 --> 00:30:47.779 to build this church. 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.719 If you're listening, you might 00:30:49.719 --> 00:30:50.579 not be here, but you're 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.259 listening to the message. 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:52.539 This is what Jesus says in 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.859 Matthew 19, 29. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.559 And everyone who has left 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:57.559 houses or brothers or sisters 00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:59.640 or father or mother or 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:01.079 children or lands for my 00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:03.240 name's sake will receive a 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.720 hundredfold and will inherit 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.539 eternal life. 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:11.200 And I also want to thank all of you 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:12.879 who are here now as members, but 00:31:12.879 --> 00:31:15.180 also all those who have been 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:16.379 church members over their years 00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:18.299 because without your work of 00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:20.619 faith and labor of love and 00:31:20.619 --> 00:31:22.059 steadfastness of hope in our 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:23.779 Lord Jesus Christ, this local 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:25.059 church would not be the local 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:26.099 church that it is today. 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:31.819 All those times you've greeted 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:34.000 our guests, all those times 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:35.319 you've shared the gospel with 00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:36.899 unbelievers, all those times 00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:39.599 you've played music, watched the 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.679 children and taught them in 00:31:40.679 --> 00:31:42.139 children's ministry, all those 00:31:42.139 --> 00:31:43.519 times you've hosted community 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:45.480 groups in your homes or invited 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.740 believers, other believers in 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:48.259 the church out for coffee or 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:50.159 lunch, all those times you pray 00:31:50.159 --> 00:31:51.719 for one another, all those times 00:31:51.719 --> 00:31:53.859 you have worked quietly in the 00:31:53.859 --> 00:31:55.439 background to set up the sound and 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:57.380 to move the slides and set up the 00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:58.700 chairs and the projection, all 00:31:58.700 --> 00:32:00.279 those times you've updated the 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:01.559 church website or sent out 00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:03.580 announcements on posts on Slack 00:32:03.580 --> 00:32:06.160 or social media, everything you 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:08.900 have ever done for Christ matters 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:09.460 forever. 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:14.720 Because Jesus promised us whoever 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:16.240 gives one of these little ones 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:18.500 even a cup of cold water because 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:21.000 he is a disciple, truly I say to 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:24.019 you, he will by no means lose his 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.480 reward. 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:32.039 Jesus is such a kind Lord and King. 00:32:32.100 --> 00:32:34.460 He says in Hebrews 6, 10, for God 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:37.259 is not unjust so as to overlook your 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:39.320 work and the love that you have 00:32:39.320 --> 00:32:41.039 shown for his name in serving the 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:43.000 saints as you still do. 00:32:44.840 --> 00:32:47.360 What do you expect to hear when God 00:32:47.360 --> 00:32:49.940 says, when this Bible says, for God 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:52.200 is not unjust so as to overlook, 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:53.200 overlook your sins. 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:55.740 Maybe in our guilty consciences we 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.980 think of our sins. 00:32:58.420 --> 00:33:00.799 God is not unjust so he will not 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.920 overlook your sins. 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:04.559 That's not what it says. 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:11.799 God is not unjust so as to overlook 00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:14.940 your work and the love that you have 00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:16.600 shown for his name in serving the 00:33:16.600 --> 00:33:18.180 saints as you still do. 00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:22.519 You know what God does overlook? 00:33:23.840 --> 00:33:24.960 Our sins. 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:30.920 Romans 4, 7 to 8, blessed are those 00:33:30.920 --> 00:33:33.259 whose lawless deeds are forgiven, 00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:35.779 whose sins are covered. 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:40.039 Blessed is the man against whom the 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:43.319 Lord will not count his sin. 00:33:45.379 --> 00:33:49.539 How can it be that our Lord will not 00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:52.660 overlook a single smallest thing we do 00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:55.399 in his service and he will overlook 00:33:55.400 --> 00:33:59.580 every sin and every offense and every 00:33:59.580 --> 00:34:00.900 failing and shortcoming? 00:34:06.300 --> 00:34:08.160 That's the kind of Lord we serve 00:34:08.160 --> 00:34:11.660 because Jesus gave his own life 00:34:11.660 --> 00:34:14.780 and died on the cross for our sins 00:34:14.780 --> 00:34:19.559 so that he can not count our sins 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:23.680 against us and yet count everything 00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:26.259 we do in faith for his namesake. 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.559 He will count them all 00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:30.839 and reward us all richly. 00:34:38.839 --> 00:34:40.940 It's the greatest honor to serve him. 00:34:42.399 --> 00:34:43.339 Let's pray together. 00:34:43.339 --> 00:34:43.339 00:34:43.339 --> 00:34:43.339 00:34:53.679 --> 00:34:59.379 Lord God, there is no one like you. 00:35:05.259 --> 00:35:07.699 No one saves like you do. 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:13.940 And no God is merciful, gracious like you. 00:35:15.419 --> 00:35:18.259 Oh Lord Jesus, there is no king like you. 00:35:18.260 --> 00:35:20.260 Lord Jesus, there is no king like you. 00:35:20.260 --> 00:35:21.260 And we want to follow you. 00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:23.080 And we want to follow you to the ends of the earth. 00:35:24.620 --> 00:35:26.920 We want to follow you to our dying breath. 00:35:28.060 --> 00:35:30.200 We want to pick up our crosses 00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:34.180 and walk and run after you. 00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:36.420 So Lord, fill us with your spirit. 00:35:36.940 --> 00:35:38.280 Empower us to do it. 00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:41.800 Because you are worthy. 00:35:41.800 --> 00:35:46.500 You are worthy. 00:35:51.700 --> 00:35:53.140 Be glorified. 00:35:53.660 --> 00:35:55.640 Continue to be glorified in our midst. 00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:57.780 In and through our church. 00:35:59.560 --> 00:36:01.480 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:02.560 Amen.