WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.820 --> 00:00:10.500 ! Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:12.419 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.960 This summer's series that we're starting this morning, I want to share one thing from our time in Ireland the past few days. 00:00:37.700 --> 00:00:43.320 So many beautiful places and people there, like our mission partners, the Lewis family. 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:45.980 So wonderful to be with them. 00:00:47.620 --> 00:00:54.600 But this one particular piece of papyrus, which doesn't look all that impressive perhaps, 00:00:54.600 --> 00:01:01.399 in a museum that we went to there, is dated to the year 200. 00:01:02.880 --> 00:01:09.719 It's an 1800-year-old copy discovered in Egypt of the book of Hebrews. 00:01:10.460 --> 00:01:16.799 This particular piece that happened to be on display when we visited of the very end of Hebrews, 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:22.819 the last passage that I had preached before getting on a plane to fly over to Ireland. 00:01:22.819 --> 00:01:25.779 And there it is, 1800 years old. 00:01:25.959 --> 00:01:29.559 And we had just finished this series through Hebrews. 00:01:29.839 --> 00:01:36.059 And I was just reminded, and I wanted to encourage you, just the gift of God's Word, right? 00:01:36.739 --> 00:01:42.859 To have that, to be able to look back to how long God has preserved it for us. 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:46.819 To our commitment to God's Word, our need for it. 00:01:46.819 --> 00:01:56.359 The hundreds and thousands of years now that the Bible has been showing us how to have relationship with the God who made us. 00:01:56.780 --> 00:02:01.179 He's revealed Himself to us, especially in His Word. 00:02:01.259 --> 00:02:03.019 What a great gift. 00:02:03.419 --> 00:02:06.799 It just reminded me of that this past week. 00:02:06.799 --> 00:02:13.819 And that is why we almost always preach through books of the Bible here at Southwood. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:17.000 This summer will be a little bit different. 00:02:17.359 --> 00:02:19.419 Still the Bible, not changing that. 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:26.460 But instead of going through one book, we're going to be bouncing around the Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, a little bit. 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:37.000 As we seek to explore eight questions that people often ask about God, about faith in our lives. 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:48.120 And so I want to say up front that whether it is you or a neighbor, perhaps, who is presently wrestling with any of these questions, 00:02:48.120 --> 00:02:55.640 please know this, I am not hoping to give exhaustive answers to each one of these questions, 00:02:55.640 --> 00:03:01.800 as though in 30 minutes I could dispense with what people have wrestled with for centuries. 00:03:02.580 --> 00:03:04.540 That's not the goal. 00:03:05.460 --> 00:03:14.920 My heart, rather, is that we would look to the Bible together to see some of the ways that God speaks, 00:03:14.919 --> 00:03:18.159 that His Word addresses these matters. 00:03:18.719 --> 00:03:26.500 And then also for us after this time, each week, to have time to address your perspective, 00:03:26.739 --> 00:03:32.279 to hear your comments and discuss with you how these impact you, 00:03:32.459 --> 00:03:35.839 how it impacts your life and your faith and relationships. 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:44.239 So please invite your friends, your neighbors with whom you have conversations like this, 00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:49.960 to join us as we are discussing issues of eternal importance. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:59.500 Or consider these sermons as ways to further those important conversations that you're having on your own when you leave here. 00:03:59.920 --> 00:04:03.460 That's my heart in looking at these things together. 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:07.680 But remember, we go back to the Bible. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:14.500 One week we'll actually talk about why and about trusting the Bible specifically. 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:20.319 But each week we'll go back to the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:23.079 where we find what we need to know. 00:04:23.180 --> 00:04:25.960 He tells us what we need to know. 00:04:26.040 --> 00:04:29.879 Even if it's not the full answer, exactly what we thought we were seeking, 00:04:30.100 --> 00:04:32.160 He gives us what we need. 00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:37.300 But if you're here this morning and that's not how you see the Bible, 00:04:37.820 --> 00:04:44.560 you don't know for sure if God is speaking when the Bible is open, 00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:50.000 don't let that stop you from listening and from engaging with us. 00:04:50.140 --> 00:04:53.260 Even if you're not sure that it's God's Word, 00:04:53.340 --> 00:04:56.760 it is at least, isn't it, the essence of Christianity. 00:04:56.759 --> 00:05:01.959 It is what this historical figure of great importance named Jesus 00:05:01.959 --> 00:05:04.219 and the people associated with Him, 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:09.060 it's what they would have to say about these questions that we're pondering. 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:15.159 So join us in that, even if you're not sure what it is that we're reading. 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:18.539 These questions can be difficult, okay? 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:20.099 They are for me. 00:05:22.079 --> 00:05:24.180 This is outside of my comfort zone. 00:05:24.899 --> 00:05:26.120 Appreciate your prayers. 00:05:26.759 --> 00:05:33.939 They also can be emotional for different ones of us for various different reasons. 00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:39.839 So I want to pray for our hearts before we start this conversation today 00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:45.860 about how can I follow a Jesus whose followers do so much evil? 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:47.939 Will you pray with me? 00:05:47.939 --> 00:05:54.759 Father, for any of the questions that are on our hearts, 00:05:55.540 --> 00:05:59.339 you are the one that we need to hear from. 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:05.339 We want to hear your voice speaking to us. 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:09.240 We want to know your heart more than anything else. 00:06:09.400 --> 00:06:14.720 We want to be shaped more by you, not just by ourselves. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:18.220 So would you speak to us? 00:06:18.300 --> 00:06:19.280 Would you teach us? 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:21.759 Would you even reform us? 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:24.259 Even this morning. 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:26.100 In Jesus' name. 00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:26.900 Amen. 00:06:26.899 --> 00:06:38.239 I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. 00:06:39.739 --> 00:06:50.039 The famous words of Mahatma Gandhi. Novelist Walker Percy has one of his characters in a book, Quip, 00:06:50.040 --> 00:06:56.319 or one might even become a Christian if there were few, if any, Christians around. 00:06:58.580 --> 00:07:06.439 I'm not sure, honestly, that there is a complaint that I've heard more often, more consistently from 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:13.439 friends and neighbors not following Jesus than this idea we're talking about this morning of 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:22.379 how can I follow a Jesus whose followers do so much evil? And we're not going to be able to cover 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:28.339 all the reasons people feel that, but people feel this way for a wide range of different reasons. 00:07:28.339 --> 00:07:37.899 For some, that perspective or concern is historical, like violent atrocities committed by Christians 00:07:37.899 --> 00:07:46.779 during the Crusades centuries ago, or the support of so many American Christians and theologians and 00:07:46.779 --> 00:07:52.399 churches for the institution of slavery in the early days of our country. 00:07:53.859 --> 00:08:00.719 For others, it's not so much in the past, it's more a present issue, like the moral failures of 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:08.740 pastors and religious leaders they've watched, or the things done and said by political leaders 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:19.500 appearing to represent or be supported by Christians. Current issues. And then I've heard from many others 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:29.680 for whom this is profoundly personal. Like in their own lives, they've had friends or parents who are 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:39.000 one way at church and another way with them. Or they've experienced what they'll call church hurt 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:46.960 from an interaction with a Christian leader or leaders where they felt unloved, specifically unwelcome 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:53.940 due to their sexual orientation, their lifestyle choices, or their struggles with faith. They ask 00:08:53.940 --> 00:08:59.180 questions and these questions or views, they're just not welcome, they've been told. 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:08.659 If you're here this morning and I'm not articulating your particular concern along these lines, 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:14.739 please come share it with us if you'd be so willing in the discussion afterwards. We would love 00:09:14.739 --> 00:09:22.319 to hear from you, even if it's hard to hear. But the concern that so many have is, 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:31.600 Jesus seems like such a good guy. I like so much of what Jesus seems to be about. But you people who 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:38.320 represent him claim to be so loving, so moral, so good, but you're not better than anybody else. 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:49.000 You just so often do things that don't match up with this. I want us to start by looking at Romans 3 today. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:55.960 This is one of the letters from the Apostle Paul, this one to the church in Rome, 00:09:56.360 --> 00:10:04.519 where he's telling them about God's judgment against the wickedness of mankind. That's where he started. 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:12.159 And then he turns to discuss God's very people, the Jews, and their standing in light of this. 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:18.159 Romans 3 at verse 9, listen now to God's word. 00:10:42.159 --> 00:11:11.679 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:17.979 so that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 00:11:18.219 --> 00:11:22.199 For by works of the law, no human being will be justified in his sight, 00:11:22.419 --> 00:11:24.719 since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 00:11:26.199 --> 00:11:31.579 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law. 00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:34.279 Although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:39.539 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. 00:11:39.539 --> 00:11:44.639 For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:53.019 and are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:54.240 Amen. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:12:03.279 Some of you still remind me of this local news spot. 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:10.919 It was here about 15 years ago when local ordinances were being passed to outlaw texting while driving. 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:15.379 Just down here at the corner of the airport in Whitesburg, 00:12:15.819 --> 00:12:18.759 there were signs reminding us of the new ban, 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:25.219 and the news cameras panned to cars at the intersection right down here with distracted drivers, 00:12:25.479 --> 00:12:27.659 and then one of them was this pastor 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:35.860 that some of you recognized way more quickly than one would have wished. 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:44.600 Now, certainly not my greatest failure. 00:12:45.560 --> 00:12:45.840 Okay? 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:46.840 Don't hear me wrong. 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:51.600 But most of them are not broadcast on live TV. 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:58.320 And even then, even in that moment, I remember thinking, 00:12:58.539 --> 00:12:59.879 Ah, great. 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:02.100 I've blown it. 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:05.100 I need to own this. 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:08.800 There's so many excuses or clarifications that could be made, 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:13.740 but the pastor caught breaking the law on camera. 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.860 I'm sorry. 00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:23.399 That's where I want to start in answering this question this morning. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:25.940 I'm sorry. 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:31.560 I may not know your personal story yet. 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:34.259 Some of you have shared some of them with me. 00:13:36.459 --> 00:13:37.839 But I'm sorry. 00:13:38.319 --> 00:13:41.239 I don't deny the ugly truth. 00:13:42.239 --> 00:13:44.119 And neither does the Bible. 00:13:45.219 --> 00:13:48.899 God actually agrees with your premise. 00:13:49.979 --> 00:13:55.119 The people of God are, like others, guilty of evil. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:14:05.500 That's actually what's being explained here in Romans 3 with this lengthy quotation from the Psalms, 00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:07.480 from the prophet Isaiah. 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:14.940 Many of these hard words originally describing the wicked. 00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:21.080 Only some of them kind of including the people of God on the side. 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:30.240 But now they're applied directly to God's people to make clear that all are guilty. 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:34.640 No one is entirely good. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:37.819 Their words are used to deceive. 00:14:37.819 --> 00:14:41.559 Their feet have run toward violence. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:47.879 And they have caused much harm in God's world by not living in His ways. 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:57.860 And when you've been impacted by that, when you've been hurt or discouraged by Christians acting unlike Christ, 00:14:58.820 --> 00:15:00.799 I don't want to defend us. 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:04.659 I want to repent for us. 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:06.620 I'm sorry. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.240 It's not okay. 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:12.139 Please hear me. 00:15:12.219 --> 00:15:13.379 We have blown it. 00:15:14.339 --> 00:15:14.899 Historically. 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:16.779 Blown it. 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:20.659 No matter what may be said about the context on the other side, 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:26.039 many in the Crusades lost sight of the words of Jesus. 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:35.360 And in the name of Jesus did ungodly harm to Muslims, to Jews, to women, to children, among others. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:45.539 Our African-American neighbors, our homosexual neighbors, and our children 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:50.860 are among those churches have sinned against. 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:57.800 Some of you have grown up being dragged to church by fathers 00:15:57.800 --> 00:16:01.519 and told to listen and learn how to love 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:08.320 only to return home and find them not loving your mother when they got there. 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:15.399 Many of you have listened to pastors talking about sexual ethics 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:19.039 or how to live for Christ at work 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:24.559 only to watch them be unfaithful to their wives 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:28.759 or abuse their power in ways that have hurt you 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:30.559 in spite of what they said. 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:36.879 Most of you have seen powerful people claim the name of Jesus 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:38.799 when it benefited them politically 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:42.379 and mock everything that Jesus is about 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.779 when out of the spotlight. 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:46.399 I'm sorry. 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:53.919 Sadly, we have proven quite well the Bible's assertion 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:57.399 that all are under sin. 00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:59.240 None is righteous. 00:16:59.459 --> 00:17:02.620 There's no fear of God before their eyes. 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:07.160 We don't live as those in relationship with God ought to live. 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:09.700 The Bible doesn't hide from that. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:14.140 Now, it's also important to say, 00:17:14.840 --> 00:17:16.000 lest I be confusing, 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:18.559 I don't want to dismiss any of that, 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:23.740 but it's also true Christians are often wonderful people. 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.340 Many are so loving, 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.480 so gracious, 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:27.640 so generous. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:31.039 Christians have led the way in building hospitals 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:33.580 and developing health care for centuries, 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:35.440 especially with the care of children 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:36.880 in ways no one else was doing. 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:40.460 They've transformed science and math 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:43.320 and blessed many with their art and music. 00:17:43.620 --> 00:17:46.320 They have fought to outlaw slavery, 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.740 human trafficking, 00:17:48.100 --> 00:17:51.500 defend the rights of all people made in God's image. 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.700 So grateful. 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:56.820 In fact, New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof, 00:17:56.940 --> 00:18:01.180 who himself is not claiming at all to follow Jesus, 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:05.720 wrote in defense of Jesus' followers in our day. 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:11.120 Some self-appointed evangelical leaders 00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:12.539 seem homophobic, 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:15.180 and many who claim to be pro-life 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:18.560 seem little concerned with human life post-uterus. 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:22.680 Those are the preachers who won headlines and disdain. 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:27.720 But, in reporting on poverty, disease, and depression, 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.880 I've seen so many others. 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:33.460 Evangelicals are disproportionately likely 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:36.380 to donate 10% of their incomes to charities. 00:18:37.100 --> 00:18:40.299 More important, go to the front lines at home or abroad 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:42.360 in the battles against hunger, malaria, 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:44.640 prison rape, obstetric fistula, 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:46.500 human trafficking, or genocide, 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:48.779 and some of the bravest people you meet 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.599 are evangelical Christians 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:52.900 who truly live their faith. 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:54.559 He writes, 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:56.720 I'm not particularly religious myself, 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:59.079 but I stand in awe of those I've seen 00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:00.759 risking their lives in this way, 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:03.140 and it sickens me to see that faith 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:05.359 mocked at New York cocktail parties. 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:08.720 That's true too, okay? 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:10.220 And I'm thankful for it. 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:13.079 There are many good examples 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:15.779 of Christians living like Christ. 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:20.500 But the Bible says that the point, 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:23.980 it's not a contest of the moral performance 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:27.740 of Jesus' followers versus that of others. 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:29.920 That's not the game. 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:34.359 The truth of Jesus does not rise and fall 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:37.640 on the rise and fall of your pastor's life 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:39.440 and his moral performance. 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.559 Thank goodness for that. 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:44.619 Because the biblical message 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:47.279 is that we are all guilty 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:49.859 to all of us. 00:19:52.459 --> 00:19:53.639 Importantly, though, 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.779 Jesus addresses 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:59.139 the evil of his followers. 00:20:00.239 --> 00:20:01.319 Listen to verse 19. 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.859 Now we know that whatever the law says, 00:20:03.919 --> 00:20:06.139 it speaks to those who are under the law 00:20:06.139 --> 00:20:09.679 so that every mouth may be stopped 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:14.759 and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:17.799 Accountability for every person, 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:19.340 for every word, 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.460 every action, 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.539 every thought. 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:24.779 That's why Jesus says from the earliest days 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.440 of his ministry, 00:20:25.820 --> 00:20:27.840 I have not come to call the righteous, 00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:31.460 but sinners to repentance. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.320 Repent, he said. 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:35.539 Turn from your wicked ways. 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:38.159 It's the call of the prophets over the centuries 00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:40.899 now echoed by the greatest prophet, 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:42.920 Christ himself. 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:44.119 Repent. 00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:46.819 That's why even the apostle Paul 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:48.079 can write later in Romans 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:50.319 that he, as a follower of Jesus, 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.920 as a leader in the church, 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:54.359 writing a book of the Bible, 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:57.539 battles to do the right things 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.940 that he wants to do. 00:20:59.139 --> 00:21:01.740 He often loses and he doesn't do them. 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:06.059 As a result of this struggle 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:07.700 that Christians have, 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:10.220 every single New Testament letter, 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:12.500 including seven specific ones 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.519 in the book of Revelation, 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:17.400 addresses sin among God's people 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:20.559 and calls us back to Jesus. 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:25.460 This is really important, y'all. 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:28.640 Our struggles, our failures, 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:31.500 are not unexpected to God. 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:33.579 They don't catch him by surprise. 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.799 And when I say that, 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:39.299 I'm not glorifying or excusing our failures. 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.420 No, far from it. 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:41.619 Jesus doesn't do that. 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:44.700 But I am reminding us 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:48.259 that our sin is a part of the Bible's story. 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:50.519 It's not something that God doesn't see coming, 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:52.920 that God can't account for. 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:55.440 He calls us to account for it. 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.759 In fact, 00:21:59.059 --> 00:22:00.279 I'm gonna get tough here, 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:03.899 where Jesus specifically addresses our hypocrisy. 00:22:06.899 --> 00:22:08.720 Not denying it, notice, 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:11.519 but calling it to account. 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:13.200 Verse 20 here says, 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.660 for by works of the law, 00:22:14.899 --> 00:22:17.500 no human being will be justified in his sight, 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:21.319 since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:22.639 In other words, 00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:25.079 no one gets an award from God 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:26.660 for coloring in the lines. 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:28.800 He's not impressed. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:32.420 Christians sometimes come across as saying, 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:35.019 we are holier than thou. 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:37.680 Jesus says, 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:42.019 no one gets holier through performing better than the next guy. 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.080 Remember, 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:45.040 no one is righteous. 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:49.740 religious leaders in Jesus' day, 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:54.559 they seem to think they could perform well enough in light of God's law 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:56.319 to be acceptable to God 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:57.980 while others were not. 00:22:58.099 --> 00:23:01.420 To be closer to him while others were further away. 00:23:01.659 --> 00:23:05.299 They thought they could pretend to be holy outwardly, 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:10.500 even when they weren't any different at their core. 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:13.859 I should have listened to just some of Jesus' 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:20.279 just excoriating words to the Pharisees. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:23.299 For they preach, 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:25.180 but do not practice. 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:27.579 They tie up heavy burdens hard to bear 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:29.119 and lay them on people's shoulders, 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:32.240 but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:34.960 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.940 Now he addresses them directly, 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.099 woe to you, 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:39.720 scribes and Pharisees, 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.619 hypocrites. 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:42.240 These are the religious leaders. 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:45.000 For you tithe mint and dill and cumin 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:47.799 and have neglected the weightier matters of the law. 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.399 Justice, 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.359 mercy, 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.639 and faithfulness. 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:53.879 These you ought to have done without neglecting the others. 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.519 You blind guides, 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:58.259 straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel. 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.119 Woe to you, 00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:01.299 scribes and Pharisees, 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.139 hypocrites. 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:04.879 For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:08.639 but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 00:24:08.899 --> 00:24:10.440 You blind Pharisee, 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:13.139 first clean the inside of the cup and the plate, 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:15.700 that the outside also may be clean. 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.220 Woe to you, 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.539 scribes and Pharisees, 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.299 hypocrites. 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:21.840 For you are like whitewashed tombs, 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:23.900 which outwardly appear beautiful, 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:29.240 but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:33.259 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:38.100 but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:44.900 How does Jesus feel about hypocrisy? 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:52.279 He hates it as much as you do if you've been hurt by it. 00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:55.420 He cuts right to the heart, 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:58.680 and He calls us to consistent living, 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.860 to wholehearted loving. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.200 See, 00:25:02.360 --> 00:25:05.539 maybe I could follow this Jesus. 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:11.440 Maybe you could follow this Jesus who hates hypocrisy as much as you do. 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:16.899 Who doesn't come to tell you that He's drafting the best performers onto His team, 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:19.279 and so you're probably going to be left out and unwelcome. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:25.240 Who holds the leaders of His people along with the rest of them to higher standards, 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:26.440 just like you want. 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:28.240 Who calls them to account. 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:35.440 Maybe, maybe He's someone you could follow, 00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:39.359 but I'd like to tell you there's something even better than that. 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:44.900 As important as it is that Jesus calls out the evil in His people, 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:49.240 there's something even more hopeful that I don't want us to miss, 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:56.539 because Romans 3 doesn't leave us unrighteous before a holy, righteous God. 00:25:57.000 --> 00:26:02.420 It doesn't leave us accountable to God, unjustified, out of relationship with Him. 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.880 That's not where it stops. 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:06.539 Listen to the hope that He gives. 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:09.759 Something entirely different enters the story. 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:12.339 But now, verse 21, 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:18.720 the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:21.200 although the law and the prophets bear witness to it. 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:26.859 The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe, 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:28.900 for there is no distinction, 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:33.039 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:37.079 and are justified by His grace as a gift 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:41.500 through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:48.699 Jesus actually offers unique hope for all those guilty of evil. 00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:50.399 That's what we've got to see. 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.559 What's that hope? 00:26:51.679 --> 00:26:54.599 It's not that one day they're going to get it together 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:58.559 and finally perform well enough for God to accept them. 00:26:58.619 --> 00:27:00.039 That's not the hope here, is it? 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:03.139 No, it's that there's a righteousness, 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:08.860 a moral perfection before a perfect God 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:11.540 that comes not through your performance, 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:15.060 but through a replacement. 00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:19.960 It's what Martin Luther called alien righteousness 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:23.800 because it comes from outside of you. 00:27:24.800 --> 00:27:26.340 Alien righteousness. 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:28.780 It's actually, Romans says, 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:31.259 God's righteousness. 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:33.799 Ah, perfect righteousness. 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.680 That's what we need. 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:39.099 Through faith in Jesus' performance. 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:43.379 Not your own, because, verse 23, 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:47.119 all religious and irreligious 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:51.700 have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:55.859 None of us can work our way all the way to God, 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:57.779 but we can be made right with Him. 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.420 How does it say? 00:27:58.420 --> 00:28:02.039 By grace, as a gift, 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:05.019 receiving something we don't deserve 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:07.660 through the redemption of Christ Jesus. 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:10.320 What happens is Jesus lives the perfect life 00:28:10.320 --> 00:28:12.500 with no hypocrisy at all, right? 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:15.720 And then He dies the death that we deserve 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:18.880 so that we who were not righteous 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:22.940 could be made righteous forever. 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:27.740 See, the Bible is honest about our sin, 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:29.000 about evil. 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:33.160 Not to glorify sin, 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:35.960 but to glorify Jesus, 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:39.039 the one who knows what to do with it, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:41.720 the one who knows how to handle it. 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:42.980 That's Jesus. 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.180 Jesus. 00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:47.200 Would you imagine with me for just a minute 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:51.620 every single thought, 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:57.039 everything you've ever done or said or texted 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:59.579 being put on the local news 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:02.339 for everyone to watch. 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.860 Not just one thing. 00:29:04.860 --> 00:29:05.720 All of them. 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:10.620 That's scary, isn't it? 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:13.059 Just for other people to see. 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:17.759 Think about God seeing all of it. 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:21.700 Then I want you to imagine 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:25.140 the next segment of this local news episode. 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:27.799 It's the story of Jesus' life 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:30.299 being played out. 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:33.980 When He's tempted to live for Himself, 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:38.039 He quotes Scripture and obeys His Father. 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:42.259 When appealed to exercise His power over the people, 00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:44.599 He slips away and finds the lonely 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:48.000 and left out woman that everyone else has overlooked. 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.359 When told He's too important, 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:52.179 He welcomes the little children. 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:55.259 When tortured and falsely accused, 00:29:55.399 --> 00:29:57.859 He refuses to speak ill of others 00:29:57.859 --> 00:30:01.240 and instead humbly suffers for others. 00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:05.159 The good news of Jesus 00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:09.679 is not first that you can be more like Him. 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:12.299 Although we can, we will one day. 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:16.079 The good news is that precisely 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:18.839 because we couldn't be like Him, 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:21.379 He takes our news clip 00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:23.319 of all of the things that we've thought 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.940 and done and said 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:27.240 and He puts His name beneath it 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.980 rather than ours. 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:31.039 And He goes to the cross 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:32.240 to pay the penalty 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:36.799 for our cosmic crimes. 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:40.819 even when we knock off our microphones 00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.680 in excitement. 00:30:42.919 --> 00:30:44.359 Jesus does two things 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.339 and that's just the first. 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.659 He takes our clip 00:30:46.659 --> 00:30:48.240 and puts His name on the bottom of it. 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:50.339 He goes to the cross 00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:51.399 to pay for those things 00:30:51.399 --> 00:30:54.440 and then He takes His clip, 00:30:54.919 --> 00:30:56.659 that perfect life, 00:30:57.659 --> 00:30:58.879 and He throws our names 00:30:58.879 --> 00:31:00.259 at the bottom of it 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:03.379 so that we go to heaven, 00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:05.600 the home of the righteous 00:31:05.600 --> 00:31:08.480 where He alone deserved to be. 00:31:09.020 --> 00:31:09.740 And friends, 00:31:09.820 --> 00:31:11.640 that gives you unique hope 00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:13.660 because it's not like other religions 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:15.200 where you have to keep 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:16.540 performing well enough 00:31:16.540 --> 00:31:18.120 to be accepted by God. 00:31:18.320 --> 00:31:19.280 No, it's the other way around. 00:31:19.540 --> 00:31:20.940 You're accepted by God. 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:22.500 You're with God 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.860 because of Jesus 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:26.100 which eventually, by the way, 00:31:26.260 --> 00:31:27.400 will be the thing 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.900 that makes you like Him. 00:31:29.020 --> 00:31:30.060 Being with Him 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:31.899 is what's going to make you like Him. 00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:35.179 But it's eternally secure 00:31:35.179 --> 00:31:36.859 because it's not hanging 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:38.599 on how you do this afternoon. 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:40.940 Jesus is eternally perfect 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:41.980 in your place 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:43.419 and that won't change 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:45.440 even if you blow it again tomorrow. 00:31:45.679 --> 00:31:45.879 Amen? 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.440 So listen, 00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:52.559 if you're here today 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.399 and you're wondering 00:31:53.399 --> 00:31:55.379 about following Jesus 00:31:55.379 --> 00:31:56.659 and you're asking, 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:59.740 how can I follow a Jesus 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:02.980 whose followers do so much evil? 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:06.720 One answer is 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:10.500 you can follow Him 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.660 if you admit 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:13.720 that you're as desperately 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:15.559 in need of saving 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:17.420 as His failing, 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.539 struggling, 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:20.460 hypocritical followers. 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:24.740 Friend, you may even think 00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:26.099 that you're better 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:27.940 than most of the Christians 00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:28.759 that you know 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:31.480 in many areas of life. 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:33.640 You may be right. 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:37.180 But are you good enough? 00:32:39.340 --> 00:32:40.940 Do you want to stand 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:42.820 before God on your own 00:32:42.820 --> 00:32:44.640 with your own newsreel, 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:46.460 with your own record? 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:48.220 Or do you, like me, 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:50.840 need the perfect righteousness 00:32:50.840 --> 00:32:53.120 of Jesus in your place? 00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:54.740 That's what He offers to you. 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:58.960 If you're a follower of Jesus 00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.839 like me, 00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:01.680 let me remind us 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:03.279 that we often think 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:06.200 that we need to win debates 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:08.339 about our goodness 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:10.319 and rightness 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:11.799 when the good news 00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:13.579 is not our goodness, 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:13.799 goodness. 00:33:14.399 --> 00:33:16.839 But Jesus' goodness. 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:19.179 We ought to become 00:33:19.179 --> 00:33:20.199 more like Him 00:33:20.199 --> 00:33:21.539 over time, yes. 00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:23.399 And we ought to rejoice 00:33:23.399 --> 00:33:24.559 when we see Christians 00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:26.240 reflecting more of His image 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.199 in this world, 00:33:27.299 --> 00:33:27.980 for sure. 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:30.419 But that's not our hope. 00:33:30.679 --> 00:33:32.019 So don't be like me 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.659 and sometimes think 00:33:33.659 --> 00:33:35.399 that Jesus' kingdom, 00:33:35.899 --> 00:33:37.419 the only way forward 00:33:37.419 --> 00:33:38.679 for the kingdom of Jesus 00:33:38.679 --> 00:33:40.460 is when the Christian athlete 00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:41.640 wins the Olympics 00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:43.579 and thanks God on TV, 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.620 now we're winning. 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:48.299 When the Christian politician 00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:49.319 wins the election 00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:50.779 and fixes everything, 00:33:50.940 --> 00:33:52.140 that's how it always works. 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:55.180 Even when the Christian kid 00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:56.680 is nicer to his classmates 00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:57.960 than the bully, 00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:58.660 listen, 00:33:58.779 --> 00:34:00.539 those may be good things. 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.259 They may even be evidences 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:03.460 of God's kingdom coming, 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:06.440 but the hope of the kingdom 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:09.659 is that Jesus is the Christ, 00:34:10.280 --> 00:34:12.360 the Son of the living God. 00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:13.579 Not you or me. 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:15.000 We're not the ones 00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:16.420 that need the good record. 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:18.619 Matthew 16 is very clear on that. 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:19.800 Our mission, 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:21.619 as we know Him, 00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:24.220 is to declare His excellencies, 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.260 not our own, 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.240 1 Peter 2. 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:31.099 One last thought 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:32.599 as we close. 00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:34.639 As I was wrestling with this, 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:35.019 I thought, 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:35.639 man, 00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:37.239 I would really understand 00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:40.099 people hearing this message 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:40.579 and thinking, 00:34:40.839 --> 00:34:42.699 that's a really nice thought. 00:34:45.379 --> 00:34:46.299 But honestly, 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:46.659 Pastor, 00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:48.139 it doesn't fix my hurt. 00:34:49.839 --> 00:34:51.139 My relationship, 00:34:51.619 --> 00:34:52.579 my offense, 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:54.279 what I've lived through. 00:34:56.239 --> 00:34:57.179 Jesus' followers 00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:58.219 have broken so much 00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:58.839 in my life, 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.480 my family, 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:01.000 my world over the years. 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:04.820 If that's true, 00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:06.699 and it often is, 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:09.800 I think it's really important 00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:12.539 to ask if Jesus can fix 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:14.599 what His followers have broken. 00:35:16.119 --> 00:35:17.960 Can Jesus fix 00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:20.500 what His followers have broken? 00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:21.900 And I've pondered that 00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:22.820 and I've wrestled with that 00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:23.920 because I don't want to minimize 00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:25.880 the things people are feeling. 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:28.019 But I keep coming back to Jesus 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:29.539 in the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:31.599 He's been betrayed. 00:35:32.579 --> 00:35:33.739 He's being arrested 00:35:33.739 --> 00:35:35.139 by a group coming 00:35:35.139 --> 00:35:36.460 with swords and clubs. 00:35:37.300 --> 00:35:39.300 And one of His very best followers, 00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:40.659 one of the key leaders 00:35:40.659 --> 00:35:41.599 in His church, 00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:43.940 one of His 12 closest disciples 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:44.840 named Peter, 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:47.639 lashes out in violence 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:50.159 against the will of Jesus. 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:54.880 The story is in Luke 22. 00:35:54.880 --> 00:36:01.599 And when those who were around Him, 00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:02.700 Jesus, 00:36:03.400 --> 00:36:05.320 saw what would follow, 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.200 they said, 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:07.539 Lord, 00:36:07.900 --> 00:36:09.760 shall we strike with the sword? 00:36:11.660 --> 00:36:13.039 Without waiting for an answer 00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.740 to that question, 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.900 Peter acts. 00:36:16.660 --> 00:36:17.539 One of them, 00:36:17.660 --> 00:36:18.519 we find out elsewhere, 00:36:18.660 --> 00:36:19.099 it's Peter, 00:36:19.700 --> 00:36:20.599 struck the servant 00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:21.760 of the high priest 00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:24.120 and cut off his right ear. 00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:25.460 He might have been swinging 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.540 for his head. 00:36:27.640 --> 00:36:29.280 But he cuts off his ear. 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:31.760 That's a big deal personally. 00:36:32.720 --> 00:36:33.880 It could have become 00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:36.220 a big deal publicly 00:36:36.220 --> 00:36:37.640 if these two groups 00:36:37.640 --> 00:36:39.120 had turned arms on one another 00:36:39.120 --> 00:36:41.060 into great bloodshed. 00:36:41.059 --> 00:36:45.380 But Jesus said, 00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:47.659 no more of this. 00:36:50.139 --> 00:36:51.820 And He touched His ear 00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:53.900 and healed him. 00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:57.380 Jesus touched His ear 00:36:57.380 --> 00:37:00.059 and healed him. 00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:02.840 Listen, 00:37:03.480 --> 00:37:04.820 Jesus heals 00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:07.299 what His followers break. 00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:09.519 Jesus fixes 00:37:09.519 --> 00:37:12.820 what His followers fracture. 00:37:13.160 --> 00:37:14.780 Jesus redeems 00:37:14.780 --> 00:37:16.640 His followers' mistakes 00:37:16.640 --> 00:37:18.660 and promises to right 00:37:18.660 --> 00:37:20.500 all of the wrongs 00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:21.980 that we perpetrate, 00:37:22.060 --> 00:37:23.440 not just this one. 00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:25.760 Misguided Peter fights 00:37:25.760 --> 00:37:27.360 to save the kingdom. 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:30.720 But Jesus understands 00:37:30.720 --> 00:37:32.220 the better way. 00:37:33.740 --> 00:37:35.080 Jesus goes to the cross 00:37:35.080 --> 00:37:36.820 for all of us 00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:38.340 where Jesus will purchase 00:37:38.340 --> 00:37:40.039 forgiveness for Peter. 00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:42.740 Where Jesus will plead forgiveness 00:37:42.740 --> 00:37:44.260 even for the soldiers 00:37:44.260 --> 00:37:46.519 nailing Him to the cross. 00:37:46.700 --> 00:37:48.460 So you can come to Jesus 00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:49.860 and find out 00:37:49.860 --> 00:37:51.300 that there is no evil 00:37:51.300 --> 00:37:51.920 too great 00:37:51.920 --> 00:37:53.680 committed by His followers 00:37:53.680 --> 00:37:55.340 or you 00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:56.980 or anyone else 00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:58.340 that He can't 00:37:58.340 --> 00:38:00.300 and won't make whole 00:38:00.300 --> 00:38:02.420 today in His world 00:38:02.420 --> 00:38:03.720 or in your life 00:38:03.720 --> 00:38:06.600 and forever with Him. 00:38:06.599 --> 00:38:08.559 there is your hope. 00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:09.119 Let's pray. 00:38:13.759 --> 00:38:14.239 Jesus, 00:38:14.360 --> 00:38:15.400 would you forgive us? 00:38:18.279 --> 00:38:19.639 Especially those of us, 00:38:19.799 --> 00:38:20.339 your people, 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:21.460 who should know better 00:38:21.460 --> 00:38:25.199 for making life 00:38:25.199 --> 00:38:25.980 about ourselves 00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:26.900 rather than you, 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:28.420 for living in our own ways 00:38:28.420 --> 00:38:29.299 rather than yours, 00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:31.099 for preferring our own wisdom 00:38:31.099 --> 00:38:31.900 to yours. 00:38:32.619 --> 00:38:33.440 Forgive us. 00:38:33.440 --> 00:38:35.139 forgive us for the hurt 00:38:35.139 --> 00:38:35.940 we've caused 00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:37.099 and the havoc 00:38:37.099 --> 00:38:38.599 we've wreaked at times. 00:38:41.599 --> 00:38:43.240 And turn our hearts, 00:38:43.420 --> 00:38:44.300 all of ours, 00:38:44.679 --> 00:38:45.420 to you again 00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:46.039 that we might 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:47.400 that we might see 00:38:47.400 --> 00:38:48.400 the glory of God 00:38:48.400 --> 00:38:50.159 in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:51.039 That we might have 00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:51.559 our hope 00:38:51.559 --> 00:38:52.840 firmly fixed 00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:53.340 on the one 00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:54.940 who will never let us down. 00:38:56.400 --> 00:38:58.360 Help that to be our hope 00:38:58.360 --> 00:38:59.820 that you are coming 00:38:59.820 --> 00:39:00.720 indeed, Jesus, 00:39:00.719 --> 00:39:03.119 to make all things new. 00:39:04.019 --> 00:39:05.359 And we long for that. 00:39:07.019 --> 00:39:08.739 We look forward to it. 00:39:09.399 --> 00:39:10.179 We place our hope 00:39:10.179 --> 00:39:11.219 in your great name. 00:39:11.899 --> 00:39:12.199 Amen. 00:39:12.719 --> 00:39:14.819 For more information, 00:39:15.219 --> 00:39:16.079 visit us online 00:39:16.079 --> 00:39:17.159 at southwood.org.