WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:19.140 Father, sometimes your word is really hard to understand, and sometimes your word, it's just hard to understand, it frightens us, sometimes it delights us, but sometimes it frightens us. 00:00:19.140 --> 00:00:33.179 Father, we ask that you grow in us a great trust in you. We confess before you, Father, that your word is always a clear word, that it's our minds and hearts that need to be changed. 00:00:33.619 --> 00:00:57.200 So, Father, we ask that your Holy Spirit would fall upon our minds and our hearts and our wills and our souls, so that we might hear your word and receive your word and receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, and so with him as our Savior, that as your word enters into our life, that our lives, our day-to-day lives, will bear much fruit that brings you great glory. 00:00:57.200 --> 00:01:03.320 Father, this is our prayer, and we ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son and our Savior. Amen. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:04.799 Please be seated. 00:01:08.460 --> 00:01:19.280 So, one of the things that you can do for me is, in fact, if you start to drift off today because it's dark and you're tired because you're still trying to get over Christmas, 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:27.540 let me turn this, one of the things you could do is pray for me today and also pray for me for next coming Sunday. 00:01:27.900 --> 00:01:35.240 Throughout the entire Christmas holidays, I was aware of the fact that I was going to come back in my first Sunday back to teaching on the book of Luke. 00:01:35.659 --> 00:01:38.599 I was going to have two very hard texts to deal with. 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:42.819 The first one, which we're going to look at in a moment, Luke 16. 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:45.679 You might want to sort of get that in your Bibles because we're going to read it in a moment. 00:01:45.780 --> 00:01:50.699 And if you don't have Bibles, there's always some Bibles up at the front that you can take, and you're welcome to use them. 00:01:51.060 --> 00:01:54.539 Keep them as a gift from us or return them afterwards. 00:01:55.199 --> 00:02:03.019 This week, we're going to deal with what all commentators agree is the hardest parable of all of Jesus' parables to understand. 00:02:03.019 --> 00:02:09.960 And in fact, most commentators will say it's actually the hardest text to understand in all of the Gospel of Luke. 00:02:11.039 --> 00:02:13.740 And next week, I get to talk about divorce. 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:18.379 So I have two hard texts. 00:02:18.840 --> 00:02:23.740 And so if you could pray for me an extra amount this week, I would really appreciate it. 00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:28.859 And so today, we're going to look at, those of you who know your Bibles, 00:02:28.859 --> 00:02:32.819 we're going to look at the text of the dishonest steward. 00:02:33.580 --> 00:02:34.780 The dishonest manager. 00:02:35.880 --> 00:02:39.760 And in some ways, this is a nightmare text for people. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:44.540 I bet if you were to read this text to the condo dwellers all around us, 00:02:44.600 --> 00:02:47.580 or to many of the people in your work, maybe even your own family members, 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:52.800 it would just bring up many of the fears that people have about religion. 00:02:53.660 --> 00:02:57.760 Because it seems as if in this parable that Jesus praises a fellow 00:02:57.759 --> 00:03:02.679 for, first of all, being a lazy, ineffective worker, 00:03:03.239 --> 00:03:05.280 and then ripping off his boss. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:11.959 And it seems as if, in first reading, it looks as if Jesus is praising this behavior. 00:03:11.960 --> 00:03:16.400 And as I said, it touches a nerve, because for many people in our culture, 00:03:16.820 --> 00:03:20.520 when they see the Christian faith or any type of religion or spirituality, 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:24.379 they think that it's just a cover for immoral behavior. 00:03:24.379 --> 00:03:29.180 I mean, over the past year, we've seen people in ISIS, 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:33.359 in between their five times of daily prayer, 00:03:33.979 --> 00:03:36.840 playing soccer with the heads of people they've beheaded. 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:42.360 Popular fiction and movie, and maybe even our own experience, 00:03:42.700 --> 00:03:47.340 is familiar with people who are deacons and elders in church on Sunday morning, 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:50.480 and the rest of the week they have their slum landlords, 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:52.219 they oppress their workers. 00:03:52.980 --> 00:03:56.039 And this is the deep fear that many in our culture have, 00:03:56.159 --> 00:03:57.960 is that religion and spirituality, 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:01.180 and therefore Christianity, the Christian faith, 00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:02.759 is just a cover for evil. 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:05.199 And so when they see a text like this, 00:04:05.639 --> 00:04:12.179 that appears to have Jesus promoting dishonest business dealings, 00:04:12.459 --> 00:04:13.439 it's very difficult. 00:04:14.079 --> 00:04:16.199 And for those of us who are followers of Jesus, 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:18.819 not even affected by the world in that particular way, 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:20.480 it's just a very troubling text. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:23.699 Surely Jesus can't be promoting 00:04:23.699 --> 00:04:27.420 what in other places he would say is evil. 00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:30.579 So, Luke 16, 1 to 15, 00:04:30.579 --> 00:04:31.899 I'm going to read the text. 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:36.259 And you'll see what I'm talking about very, very quickly. 00:04:36.599 --> 00:04:38.300 If you're unfamiliar with the text, 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:39.420 some of you will say, 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:41.259 oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, I remember that Bible text. 00:04:41.399 --> 00:04:43.079 Others, maybe you're hearing it for the first time. 00:04:43.659 --> 00:04:45.099 But here at Church of the Messiah, 00:04:45.099 --> 00:04:46.800 we try to preach through books of the Bible, 00:04:47.180 --> 00:04:48.339 and we're going through Luke. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:50.500 So this is the text that we're going to look at today. 00:04:50.659 --> 00:04:51.659 And here's how it goes. 00:04:52.779 --> 00:04:55.180 Jesus also said to the disciples, 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:58.659 there was a rich man who had a manager, 00:04:58.660 --> 00:05:01.600 and charges were brought to the rich man 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:05.220 that the manager was wasting his possessions. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:08.439 And the rich man called the manager 00:05:08.439 --> 00:05:09.720 and said to the manager, 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:11.980 what is this that I hear about you? 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:14.840 Turn in the account of your management, 00:05:15.320 --> 00:05:17.180 for you can no longer be manager. 00:05:17.440 --> 00:05:18.060 In other words, 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:20.780 the rich man's announced that the guy's being fired, 00:05:21.320 --> 00:05:22.160 and he's giving him whatever, 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:24.420 a week, a month, or whatever it is. 00:05:24.420 --> 00:05:25.960 He's giving him notice, but he's fired. 00:05:27.960 --> 00:05:29.879 Inside, that's what the manager was doing. 00:05:30.160 --> 00:05:32.000 He was screaming, as we'll see in a moment. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:32.640 Verse 3, 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:34.860 And the manager said to himself, 00:05:35.080 --> 00:05:35.939 what shall I do? 00:05:36.280 --> 00:05:39.420 Since my master has taken the management away from me, 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:41.520 I am not strong enough to dig, 00:05:41.860 --> 00:05:43.259 and I am ashamed to beg. 00:05:44.960 --> 00:05:47.379 Ah, I have decided what to do, 00:05:47.840 --> 00:05:50.520 so that even when I am removed from management, 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:53.420 people may receive me into their houses. 00:05:54.420 --> 00:05:57.900 So summoning his master's debtors one by one, 00:05:58.520 --> 00:06:00.259 the manager said to the first debtor, 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:02.300 how much do you owe my master? 00:06:03.100 --> 00:06:04.680 And the debtor said, 00:06:05.140 --> 00:06:06.660 a hundred measures of oil. 00:06:07.720 --> 00:06:09.480 And the manager said to him, 00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:13.319 take your bill and sit down quickly and write 50. 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:16.040 Now just sort of pause there for a second. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:16.939 Two things. 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:19.040 In the ancient world, 00:06:19.280 --> 00:06:21.080 the way that these types of debts 00:06:21.080 --> 00:06:22.700 would have often been recorded 00:06:22.699 --> 00:06:26.899 is that the person who was in debt, 00:06:27.539 --> 00:06:28.979 they would write out, 00:06:29.060 --> 00:06:30.000 if they could write, 00:06:30.099 --> 00:06:31.800 they would write out in their own hand 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:33.300 that they owed so much money. 00:06:34.219 --> 00:06:35.920 And so what the manager has done 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:36.939 is he's come, 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:39.259 and he's brought the copy 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:41.319 because he would keep the copy of what's owed, 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:43.879 and probably what he's done 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:45.319 is he's ripped it up or burned it, 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:45.759 and he said, 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:47.540 now write 50 instead. 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:50.920 And the fellow goes along with it. 00:06:51.159 --> 00:06:53.040 And just to have a bit of a sense 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:54.019 of how much this is, 00:06:54.060 --> 00:06:55.079 like a hundred measures of oil, 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:56.040 is it like a hundred bucks? 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:57.680 Is it like a hundred pennies? 00:06:57.740 --> 00:06:58.300 Like what is it? 00:06:58.300 --> 00:07:01.460 That was approximately the average, 00:07:01.579 --> 00:07:04.300 it was approximately four years wages 00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:06.340 for an average working guy or gal. 00:07:07.340 --> 00:07:08.160 So that's how much it was. 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:09.639 Four years wages. 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:11.400 A lot of money. 00:07:12.819 --> 00:07:14.580 Especially in a culture like that 00:07:14.580 --> 00:07:15.560 where there was, in a sense, 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:17.199 virtually no middle class. 00:07:17.340 --> 00:07:19.319 Basically, you had fairly well-off people. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:22.439 A very, very tiny sort of middle class. 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:23.379 And then the rest of the people 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:25.300 were basically lucky 00:07:25.300 --> 00:07:27.840 lucky if they could live paycheck to paycheck. 00:07:28.300 --> 00:07:29.939 Just basically getting by. 00:07:30.840 --> 00:07:32.259 And so four years wages, 00:07:32.400 --> 00:07:33.139 that's a lot of money. 00:07:33.699 --> 00:07:35.439 Okay, so back to verse 7. 00:07:37.460 --> 00:07:40.240 Then the manager said to another debtor, 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:41.900 and how much do you owe? 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:43.460 And the man said, 00:07:43.660 --> 00:07:45.900 I owe a hundred measures of wheat. 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:48.379 And the manager said to him, 00:07:48.540 --> 00:07:50.780 take your bill and write 80. 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:53.040 And just sort of pause here for a second. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:55.060 How much money is this worth? 00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:57.300 It's worth somewhere between 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:59.780 10 to 12 years wages 00:07:59.780 --> 00:08:02.520 for an average working guy or gal. 00:08:03.460 --> 00:08:06.220 10 to 12 years wages 00:08:06.220 --> 00:08:09.020 of an average guy or gal. 00:08:09.540 --> 00:08:11.620 Almost enough for an average working person 00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:13.100 to retire for the rest of their life. 00:08:13.160 --> 00:08:13.660 Maybe it is enough. 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:15.699 Those of you who know about money 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:16.319 might say, 00:08:16.420 --> 00:08:17.780 George, actually, if you have 10 times, 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:18.400 that's enough. 00:08:18.420 --> 00:08:18.920 I don't know. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:19.660 But it's close, right? 00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:20.199 It's a lot of money. 00:08:20.300 --> 00:08:21.100 A lot of money. 00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:22.420 10 to 12 years wages 00:08:22.420 --> 00:08:24.180 for an average working person. 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:26.519 So verse 8, 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:28.100 the first half of verse 8 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:29.680 is going to be the end of the parable. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:30.759 And then after this, 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:32.639 Jesus is going to comment on the parable. 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:35.740 And so what happens next? 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:37.820 Well, we find in verse 8, 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:39.500 the master finding out 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:41.019 what the manager, 00:08:41.180 --> 00:08:42.320 his manager has done. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:43.820 Verse 8, 00:08:43.820 --> 00:08:51.900 End of parable. 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:54.000 Wow. 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:56.480 What a parable. 00:08:58.560 --> 00:08:59.080 And then, 00:08:59.760 --> 00:09:02.000 because the verses were written, 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:04.340 added like a thousand years 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:05.120 or something like that, 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:07.260 more after the writing of the New Testament, 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:09.720 some monks added it. 00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:12.500 Most scholars would say 00:09:12.500 --> 00:09:14.179 that the parable ends with 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:15.500 the master commended 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.519 the dishonest manager 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:17.460 for his shrewdness. 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:18.840 And now we start to have 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:20.799 Jesus' comments on it. 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:23.919 For the sons of this world 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:25.860 are more shrewd 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:27.600 in dealing with their own generation 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:28.960 than the sons of light. 00:09:29.639 --> 00:09:30.639 And I tell you, 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:32.960 make friends for yourselves 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:35.660 by means of unrighteous wealth 00:09:35.660 --> 00:09:37.580 so that when it fails, 00:09:37.980 --> 00:09:39.040 they may receive you 00:09:39.040 --> 00:09:40.440 into the eternal dwellings. 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:43.360 One who is faithful in a very little 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:44.840 is also faithful in much, 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:47.320 and one who is dishonest in a very little 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:49.320 is also dishonest in much. 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:52.280 If then you have not been faithful 00:09:52.280 --> 00:09:55.660 in the unrighteous wealth, 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:57.639 who will entrust to you 00:09:57.639 --> 00:09:58.639 the true riches? 00:09:59.420 --> 00:10:00.860 And if you have not been faithful 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:02.120 in that which is in others, 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:03.560 who will give you 00:10:03.560 --> 00:10:04.659 that which is your own? 00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:07.560 No servant can serve two masters, 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:09.100 for either he will hate the one 00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:09.799 and love the other, 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:11.919 or he will be devoted to the one 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:13.779 and despise the other. 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:16.299 You cannot serve God and money. 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:18.620 The Pharisees, 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:19.700 who were lovers of money, 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:20.899 heard all these things, 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:22.659 and they ridiculed Jesus. 00:10:22.919 --> 00:10:23.139 In fact, 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:25.399 ridicule is a good word, 00:10:25.500 --> 00:10:26.080 but it's just, 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:27.460 they sneered at him, 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:28.700 they despised him, 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:30.279 they had contempt for him, 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:32.500 and their contempt for Jesus 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:34.679 comes out in a contemptuous, 00:10:35.339 --> 00:10:35.980 deriding, 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:36.779 sneering, 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:38.059 abusive language. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:40.459 And Jesus said to them, 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:42.019 you are those 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:42.720 who justify yourselves 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:44.039 before men, 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:46.139 but God knows your hearts, 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:48.699 for what is exalted among men 00:10:48.699 --> 00:10:50.759 is an abomination 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:52.220 in the sight of God. 00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:54.860 So, 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:57.720 what's going on in this text? 00:10:58.920 --> 00:10:59.200 You know, 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:00.519 some of the lessons 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:01.779 that Jesus says 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:03.019 all sound pretty good. 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:03.300 I mean, 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:04.139 some of us will have 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:05.740 real concerns about this. 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:07.500 I've become very conscious 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:08.800 over the last year or two 00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:12.220 that whenever we talk about money, 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:13.940 that for Quebecois, 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:15.040 I hope I'm pointing 00:11:15.040 --> 00:11:15.800 in the right direction, 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:17.720 for our Quebecois friends, 00:11:17.720 --> 00:11:19.200 there's this long memory 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:20.320 of how the church 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:20.899 kept, 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:22.460 used Christian teaching 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:23.460 to keep them poor. 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:25.639 And so, 00:11:25.820 --> 00:11:27.000 there's hackles raised 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:28.040 about any time money 00:11:28.040 --> 00:11:28.840 is raised. 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:30.600 And there's some complexities 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:31.899 there to Jesus' teaching, 00:11:32.040 --> 00:11:32.580 but is Jesus 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:34.240 contradicting himself? 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:34.500 Like, 00:11:34.540 --> 00:11:35.000 at the end, 00:11:35.060 --> 00:11:35.759 he seems to say 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:37.040 that dishonesty isn't good, 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:38.379 but in the early part, 00:11:38.420 --> 00:11:38.980 he seems to be 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:40.000 commending the guy 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:40.980 for, 00:11:41.660 --> 00:11:42.500 not, 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.700 he seems to be 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:44.759 commending the guy 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:46.220 for being lazy 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:46.879 and ineffective, 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:48.379 dealing with his laziness 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:49.000 and ineffective 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:50.480 by ripping off his boss 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:53.059 and actually conspiring 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:53.860 with other people 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:55.000 to rip off the boss 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.779 so that when he's fired, 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:58.179 he'll be able to live 00:11:58.179 --> 00:11:58.779 with the guys 00:11:58.779 --> 00:12:00.259 who have conspired 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.500 to rip off the owner. 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:04.460 And that's a very odd parable. 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:05.820 So, 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:06.600 what's going on? 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:10.220 Is this justifying? 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:12.639 Is this, 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:13.320 is the Bible, 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:13.860 in a sense, 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:14.379 saying, 00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:15.399 go thou 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:16.340 and do likewise? 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:18.240 Well, 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:19.100 here's the first thing 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:19.679 I'm going to say, 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:20.320 and it's going to be 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:22.100 a little bit of a surprising direction 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.139 to maybe talk about, 00:12:23.220 --> 00:12:23.720 but it's actually 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:24.500 a very good point 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:25.259 to mention here, 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:26.279 and it's a good point 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:26.899 to remember 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:28.320 all of the time 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:29.279 that we read the Bible. 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:31.379 And here's the first point. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.700 Unlike you and me, 00:12:34.059 --> 00:12:35.019 the living God 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:36.279 is not insecure. 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:39.399 Unlike you and me, 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:40.799 the living God 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:42.899 is not insecure. 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:44.840 Now, 00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:47.259 why do I say this? 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:49.120 You know, 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:50.600 there's a figure 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:51.240 by the name of 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.279 Feuerbach, 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:53.100 whose name I probably 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:54.139 haven't pronounced correctly, 00:12:54.459 --> 00:12:56.059 and he influenced 00:12:56.059 --> 00:12:57.340 a guy by the name of Marx, 00:12:57.459 --> 00:12:58.179 and they all 00:12:58.179 --> 00:12:59.159 influenced people 00:12:59.159 --> 00:12:59.779 like Freud. 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:02.039 And they sort of 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:02.860 are just capturing 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:03.500 some things 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.459 that some early Greeks 00:13:04.459 --> 00:13:04.840 said, 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:05.220 because, 00:13:05.439 --> 00:13:05.740 you know, 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:07.159 everything's sort of 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.340 just footnotes 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.040 to Aristotle. 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:12.120 And one of the things 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:12.800 that they developed 00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:13.759 was this idea 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:15.360 that human beings, 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:17.040 like Marx and Feuerbach 00:13:17.040 --> 00:13:17.300 said, 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:17.960 and Freud said 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:18.860 that God doesn't exist, 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:19.600 that what happens 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:21.600 is that we project 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:24.160 desires that we want 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:25.860 or that our tribe wants, 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:27.420 and we project this 00:13:27.420 --> 00:13:28.019 to create 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:29.860 some imaginary being 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:31.519 called God. 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:33.460 And, 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.540 now, 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.860 Christians should accept 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:36.820 that this is true, 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:37.740 by the way. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:40.100 Christians should accept 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:41.100 that this is true, 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:42.860 that Feuerbach 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:43.860 and Marx 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:44.440 and Freud 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:46.080 and early ancient Greeks 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:46.980 and modern people 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:47.500 who say that, 00:13:47.560 --> 00:13:48.220 that they're actually 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:48.899 saying something 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:49.600 which is true 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.560 about human nature. 00:13:51.320 --> 00:13:52.620 We do project 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.600 onto God 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:55.560 and create a God 00:13:55.560 --> 00:13:56.519 in our own image 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.139 and likeness 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:57.800 that reflects 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:58.960 our insecurities, 00:13:59.160 --> 00:13:59.660 our fears, 00:13:59.800 --> 00:14:00.480 our longings, 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:01.040 our yearnings, 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:01.940 and stuff like that. 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:04.280 The place we disagree 00:14:04.280 --> 00:14:07.400 with Freud and all 00:14:07.400 --> 00:14:08.120 is that 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:08.539 well, 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:09.519 that's actually 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:10.060 sort of begging 00:14:10.060 --> 00:14:10.659 the question 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:11.419 as to whether or not 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:11.879 there actually 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:12.759 is such a being 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.399 called God 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:14.240 who does exist. 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:15.899 And what if there 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:16.960 is a God 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:17.679 that does exist 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:18.679 and we Christians 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:19.679 aren't saying anything 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:20.379 other than the fact 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.120 that we're beggars 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:22.120 telling one other beggar 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:23.060 where to find bread 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:23.980 and we believe 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:25.460 not that our philosophy 00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:26.259 is wiser, 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:26.820 not that, 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:27.980 because we have, 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:28.899 we're not saying 00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:30.120 that we have smarter philosophers, 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.179 smarter mystics, 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.100 smarter poets, 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:34.000 smarter thinkers 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:34.860 than anybody else, 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:35.399 we're not claiming 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.139 anything special, 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.000 all we're saying 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:37.620 is that God 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:38.220 has spoken 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:39.220 and revealed himself 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:40.500 and we've received it. 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:43.759 But the fundamental insight 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.799 that we project 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:45.639 ourselves 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:47.700 is very true. 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:49.559 And so you see, 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.240 the fact of the matter 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.679 is that every human being 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:52.659 is insecure. 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:53.580 Some of us 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:54.340 are massively, 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:55.980 unbelievably, 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:57.940 wildly, 00:14:57.940 --> 00:14:59.340 you know, 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:01.180 you know, 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:02.620 bridezilla type 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:04.240 of insecure. 00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:06.100 And others, 00:15:06.280 --> 00:15:07.900 it's maybe deeply buried, 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:08.560 but all of us 00:15:08.560 --> 00:15:09.820 have divided hearts. 00:15:10.760 --> 00:15:11.540 All of us, 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.060 in fact, 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:13.440 have very, 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.060 very different 00:15:14.060 --> 00:15:15.100 types of desires. 00:15:15.260 --> 00:15:15.400 Like, 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:16.280 it's not unusual, 00:15:16.280 --> 00:15:16.940 if you're honest 00:15:16.940 --> 00:15:17.480 with yourself, 00:15:17.540 --> 00:15:18.260 it's not unusual 00:15:18.260 --> 00:15:19.120 that over the course 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:19.720 of the day, 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.380 that part of the day 00:15:21.380 --> 00:15:22.240 you might sort of wish 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:23.420 that you were as gentle 00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:23.940 and wise 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:25.240 as St. Francis of Assisi 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.220 and other times 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:26.780 you might wish 00:15:26.780 --> 00:15:27.360 that you were like 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:27.920 Hugh Heffler, 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:30.160 at the Playboy Mansion. 00:15:30.300 --> 00:15:31.440 In other points in time 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:32.680 you might believe 00:15:32.680 --> 00:15:34.140 that you might sort of 00:15:34.140 --> 00:15:35.400 have as a virtue 00:15:35.400 --> 00:15:37.060 that you're just 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:37.920 caring for other people 00:15:37.920 --> 00:15:38.720 the way Mother Teresa 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:39.520 cared for people. 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.380 And then another point 00:15:40.380 --> 00:15:41.000 in time in the day 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:41.720 you wish that you were 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:43.620 like Arnold Schwarzenegger 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.260 or Bruce Willis, 00:15:44.280 --> 00:15:45.180 I'm talking like as a guy, 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:45.480 okay? 00:15:45.900 --> 00:15:46.640 And that you could 00:15:46.640 --> 00:15:47.720 sort of blast people 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:49.000 and on. 00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:49.960 And other times 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.460 you sort of wish 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:50.860 that you were 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:52.020 as evangelistic 00:15:52.020 --> 00:15:52.760 as Billy Graham 00:15:52.760 --> 00:15:53.480 and the other day, 00:15:53.640 --> 00:15:54.400 parts of the time 00:15:54.400 --> 00:15:55.060 you wish that you were 00:15:55.060 --> 00:15:56.460 maybe just able 00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:57.540 to talk and curse 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.579 and do all sorts of things 00:15:58.579 --> 00:16:00.139 and this can all happen 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:00.939 in the course of a day, 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.459 it can happen 00:16:01.459 --> 00:16:02.319 in the course of an hour, 00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:03.159 but it can definitely 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:03.719 happen in the course 00:16:03.719 --> 00:16:04.199 of a week. 00:16:04.200 --> 00:16:06.360 that we have all these 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.300 different personas 00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:08.180 and desires 00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:09.520 all going on within us 00:16:09.520 --> 00:16:12.620 and we're unstable 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:14.740 because we're multiple selves 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:16.960 and that always creates 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.400 within us 00:16:17.400 --> 00:16:18.840 a fundamental insecurity. 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:21.860 And because we're insecure 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.820 it means that we have 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:23.740 great problems 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.700 with doctrines 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:25.780 like God's grace, 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.360 doctrines like 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.340 of judgment, 00:16:28.560 --> 00:16:29.060 of hell, 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.280 of human freedom, 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.160 of providence, 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:31.960 all of these things 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:33.240 we have problems 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:34.160 not just when we come 00:16:34.160 --> 00:16:34.900 to this parable 00:16:34.900 --> 00:16:35.560 which I'm still going 00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:36.280 to get to in a moment, 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:37.259 I haven't forgotten it, 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.180 but we have problems 00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:38.940 with it all the time 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:39.860 because as part of our 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.620 insecurity 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.720 and our multiple selves 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.600 we're very aware 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.400 of the fact that 00:16:43.400 --> 00:16:46.340 whether it's ourselves 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:47.120 or somebody else 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.940 or maybe we grew up 00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:48.460 in a family 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.820 where the dad 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:51.440 wasn't able to express 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:53.060 being unhappy 00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:53.780 with his wife 00:16:53.780 --> 00:16:54.480 so he took it out 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.019 on the kids 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:55.600 or the dad 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:57.320 wasn't able to deal 00:16:57.320 --> 00:16:57.820 with the fact 00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.480 that he couldn't get 00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.840 along with his boss 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:01.519 and so he takes it 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.399 out on the wife 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:04.340 or maybe we had a boss 00:17:04.340 --> 00:17:05.660 and we can see 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:06.640 that she wasn't able 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:08.779 to deal with her anger 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.240 or discipline 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.319 and her employees 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.600 so she took it out 00:17:11.600 --> 00:17:12.539 maybe on waiters 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.120 or waitresses 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:14.539 or on her own family 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:16.160 and we're just used 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:17.220 to people 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:19.019 and we can see 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:20.039 it in our own selves 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:20.940 we're inconsistent 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:21.819 and sometimes 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.579 we're too aggressive 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.140 and sometimes 00:17:23.140 --> 00:17:23.920 we're too weak 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:25.220 and passive 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:27.039 and so when we see 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.240 doctrines in the Bible 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.339 of God's grace 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:30.460 and of judgment 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.279 and of hell 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.579 and of God speaking 00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:34.299 without realizing it 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:35.339 we project 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:37.839 our insecurities 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:41.620 and our multiple selves 00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:43.000 onto the text 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.140 and we worry 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:47.200 that that's what God's like 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:49.660 but the Bible wants us 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.059 to know 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.639 that God 00:17:51.639 --> 00:17:52.940 is never 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:54.299 ever 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:56.000 and never has been 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.599 insecure 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:58.539 and he's never had 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.619 multiple selves 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:00.899 or multiple desires 00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:02.200 God is always 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.339 unchangeably 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:04.240 himself 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:06.059 and that the 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:07.099 whole doctrine 00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:07.720 of God's 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.720 unchangeableness 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.019 is designed 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.819 to protect 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.599 this idea 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:13.179 that we don't have 00:18:13.179 --> 00:18:14.119 to wake up tomorrow 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:14.799 to discover 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.839 that God now says 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:16.779 that murder is good 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.960 we don't have to worry 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.539 that tomorrow 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.279 we will wake up 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.240 and God has changed 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.839 his mind 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:21.539 on anything 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:23.220 nothing can change 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.839 God's mind 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:24.779 nothing can stop 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.899 God from being God 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:27.200 God is always 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:28.180 himself 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:29.619 he's always good 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.819 he's always true 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:32.619 he's always wise 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.859 he's always strong 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:35.359 he's always present 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.480 he's always active 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.420 he always knows 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.200 all things 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:40.940 he is unchangeably 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:41.599 himself 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:43.660 and because 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.879 he's so secure 00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:47.539 he and his word 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:49.000 allows images 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.720 to be used 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.299 of the Christian 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.379 life and of himself 00:18:51.379 --> 00:18:53.399 which are shocking 00:18:53.399 --> 00:18:54.079 to us 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:55.460 you see 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.279 we don't want to use 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:57.019 we don't want to refer 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:57.720 to ourselves 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.399 in ways 00:18:58.399 --> 00:18:58.980 I mean we might 00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.799 sort of play around 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.940 and refer to ourselves 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.859 in shocking types 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:02.180 of ways 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:02.879 in areas where 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:03.599 we're secure 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:05.700 but in an area 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.539 where we're not 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.359 secure about 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:07.920 ourselves 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:08.879 and somebody 00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:09.920 uses an analogy 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:10.680 about us 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:12.099 that touches on us 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:12.680 we get very 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:13.420 very uncomfortable 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:14.079 with it 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:15.519 but God 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.519 is always secure 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.199 and that's why 00:19:17.199 --> 00:19:17.859 in the Bible 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.599 like you know 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:20.299 if we went to the 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:20.799 condos 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:21.299 or the University 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:21.699 of Ottawa 00:19:21.699 --> 00:19:22.439 and we were to say 00:19:22.439 --> 00:19:22.839 that one of the 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.339 main images 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:24.099 that God uses 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.599 of himself 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:25.619 is the Lord of hosts 00:19:25.619 --> 00:19:26.079 which means 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:26.539 that he's the 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.500 commander in chief 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:29.279 of angel armies 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.299 that would make 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:30.859 people very 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.579 uncomfortable 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:33.500 that might not 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.480 make us uncomfortable 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.679 some of us 00:19:35.679 --> 00:19:36.059 it might 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.019 but others 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.519 it would make 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:38.359 them very uncomfortable 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:39.119 but God 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:40.000 compares himself 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.519 in the Bible 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.339 sometimes to a 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:42.159 drunken soldier 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:44.600 to an unjust 00:19:44.600 --> 00:19:46.680 uncaring judge 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:49.740 the whole means 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.680 by which Jesus 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:52.580 died for us 00:19:52.580 --> 00:19:53.740 has become 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.820 just a common 00:19:54.820 --> 00:19:55.240 place 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.220 and people 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:56.660 wear it as 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.040 jewelry 00:19:57.040 --> 00:19:57.560 but it was 00:19:57.560 --> 00:19:58.340 unbelievably 00:19:58.340 --> 00:19:59.100 shocking 00:19:59.100 --> 00:19:59.740 and offensive 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.480 to the first 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.019 generations 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.580 of people 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:02.460 who knew 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:04.040 crucifixion 00:20:04.040 --> 00:20:04.740 as something 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.360 that they would 00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:06.440 if not witness 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.060 in their lifetime 00:20:07.060 --> 00:20:07.720 at least have 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.240 heard about 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:08.680 or know 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.360 that it happens 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:10.019 in parts of the 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.300 empire 00:20:10.300 --> 00:20:10.860 and many of them 00:20:10.860 --> 00:20:11.160 it would have 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:11.920 been a living 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:12.580 experience 00:20:12.580 --> 00:20:13.000 for them 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:13.240 that they 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.460 would have 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:13.860 witnessed 00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:16.039 and so 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.460 the first 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:16.960 thing is 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.920 okay 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:18.560 we're shocked 00:20:18.560 --> 00:20:18.920 here 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:20.120 Jesus is 00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:20.600 using an 00:20:20.600 --> 00:20:21.060 analogy 00:20:21.060 --> 00:20:21.580 of a whole 00:20:21.580 --> 00:20:21.900 pile 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:22.400 of corrupt 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:22.900 people 00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:26.480 well we 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:26.840 probably 00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.380 wouldn't do 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:27.700 that 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:29.560 but God's 00:20:29.560 --> 00:20:30.279 not insecure 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:31.420 Jesus isn't 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:31.800 insecure 00:20:31.800 --> 00:20:32.259 he knows 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:32.860 who he is 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:35.120 and because 00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:35.500 he knows 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.120 who he is 00:20:36.120 --> 00:20:37.100 he's able 00:20:37.100 --> 00:20:37.519 to use 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.100 things which 00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:38.740 are shocking 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:40.320 shocking 00:20:40.320 --> 00:20:40.820 to good 00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:41.400 people like 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:41.900 you and me 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:43.660 who 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.560 even if we 00:20:44.560 --> 00:20:44.920 cheat on 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.519 our taxes 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.640 even if 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.120 sometimes 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:48.420 the person 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:48.720 at the 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:49.060 cash 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:49.500 gives us 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:49.920 too much 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:50.560 change 00:20:50.560 --> 00:20:51.019 and we 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.200 don't 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.680 return 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.300 the 00:20:52.300 --> 00:20:52.680 difference 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:52.880 because 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:53.180 they gave 00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:53.320 us 00:20:53.320 --> 00:20:53.900 ten dollars 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.220 or twenty 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:54.519 dollars 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.140 too much 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:58.240 we know 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.259 we know 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:58.500 that we 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:58.860 shouldn't 00:20:58.860 --> 00:20:59.180 do it 00:20:59.180 --> 00:20:59.900 and we'd 00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:00.200 like to 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:00.360 think 00:21:00.360 --> 00:21:01.220 that we 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.580 would be 00:21:01.580 --> 00:21:01.940 the type 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:02.280 of people 00:21:02.280 --> 00:21:02.700 who wouldn't 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.080 do those 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:03.480 things 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:05.140 but this 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.759 parable might 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.259 speak very 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:06.880 powerfully to 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:07.440 other people 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.280 and God is 00:21:08.280 --> 00:21:08.840 not insecure 00:21:08.840 --> 00:21:09.600 so he uses 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:10.759 sometimes shocking 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.640 things to catch 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.220 our attention 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:13.920 and throughout 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.700 these last two 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.100 weeks over 00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:15.779 Christmas when I 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.339 would mention to 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:17.059 different people I 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.360 was going to 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.000 preach on this 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.920 they say Luke 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.640 16 what the 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:20.539 answer the story 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:20.860 about the 00:21:20.860 --> 00:21:21.620 dishonest manager 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:22.480 they go whoa 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.759 that parable 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:25.480 like people who 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:25.880 read through the 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:26.640 gospels that's one 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:27.380 of the parables that 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:27.980 sticks in their 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.620 mind because it 00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:29.140 sticks in their 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:29.980 craw it sticks in 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.500 our craw 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.819 so that's the 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:32.400 first it's just a 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.100 general thing about 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:33.960 it all the time is 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:34.740 that we realize that 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.259 we're reading the 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.860 text it's not that 00:21:36.860 --> 00:21:37.940 the Bible is ever 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:39.120 unbalanced it's we're 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:40.859 unbalanced and we 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.819 fear that our 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:43.539 unbalancedness and 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:45.119 insecurity and 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:47.379 multiple selves that 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:48.399 that's somehow an 00:21:48.399 --> 00:21:49.500 evidence in the text 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.619 and God is never 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.699 insecure he's always 00:21:51.699 --> 00:21:52.759 himself he's always 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:54.219 God praise be to 00:21:54.219 --> 00:21:57.099 God we never have 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:58.259 to worry that God 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.299 will stop being 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:01.039 loving never 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.539 nothing can stop him 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.139 being loving 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:04.859 nothing can stop him 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:06.099 being love itself 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:08.879 so somebody said okay 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:09.500 George well that's 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.920 okay okay well 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:13.480 okay so God uses 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:15.680 shocking images 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:17.840 but George George 00:22:17.840 --> 00:22:18.800 George George 00:22:18.800 --> 00:22:21.680 this is a this is a 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.860 parable about 00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:24.420 conspiracy successful 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.780 apparently successful 00:22:25.780 --> 00:22:26.820 conspiracy to 00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:28.640 defraud and 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:30.040 Jesus does seem to 00:22:30.040 --> 00:22:31.040 commend the person 00:22:31.040 --> 00:22:33.280 for it and so 00:22:33.280 --> 00:22:33.840 what on earth is 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:35.440 going on okay 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:37.380 well here's I'm 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:37.900 going to put up the 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:39.140 point and I'm 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:39.519 going to try to 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.540 explain the point 00:22:40.540 --> 00:22:41.759 and if you could 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.400 put up the second 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:44.320 point here's what I 00:22:44.320 --> 00:22:44.960 think is going on in 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:46.920 the text the Bible 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:48.340 presents only two 00:22:48.340 --> 00:22:51.420 ways two ways for 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.200 human beings to 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.080 follow or to live 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:55.180 one way is to 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.620 strive for self 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:58.660 justification the 00:22:58.660 --> 00:23:00.280 other way is by 00:23:00.280 --> 00:23:01.380 humble faith in 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:03.360 Jesus receive God's 00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:04.740 free gift of 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:06.120 justification I'll 00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:07.619 say the game I 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:08.799 think the Bible has 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.459 lots of different 00:23:09.459 --> 00:23:10.059 ways that it 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.159 phrases this but the 00:23:11.159 --> 00:23:12.179 Bible is constantly 00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:12.979 trying to get us to 00:23:12.979 --> 00:23:13.819 see that there's two 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:16.099 ways to live and in 00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:17.479 this particular case and 00:23:17.479 --> 00:23:18.059 it's going to sort of 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.359 have a sort of an echo 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:22.059 in the text one way to 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:25.479 live is to strive for 00:23:25.479 --> 00:23:28.119 self justification to 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:29.759 justify ourselves and 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:31.059 justify ourselves before 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:32.059 ourselves and before 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:33.959 other people the other 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:35.680 way to live is to live 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:37.160 by humble faith in 00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:39.220 Jesus and receive in 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.880 receiving and receive 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:42.319 God's free gift of 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:44.559 just of justification in 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.340 other words that through 00:23:45.340 --> 00:23:47.559 Jesus God justifies us 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:49.460 God completely and 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:51.400 utterly justifies us he 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:53.380 does it by grace as a 00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:56.039 gift through Jesus and 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:57.360 we can add nothing to 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:59.360 that justification it's 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:03.740 all comes from God so 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.460 some of you might say 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:06.640 well George I like that 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.680 message but I sure 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.660 don't see it here in 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:10.220 the text well here's 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:11.299 where just sort of 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:12.200 bear with me we have to 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:13.319 do a little tiny bit of 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:16.079 sort of inquiry to see 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:18.140 why I say this so 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:18.680 remember how the 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:20.799 parable goes right and 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.819 we all remember how it 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.700 goes and we remember 00:24:22.700 --> 00:24:23.779 about the master 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:25.180 commending the fellow 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:27.220 excuse me the first 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:29.779 thing is that the 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:32.220 commending actually sort of 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:35.319 funny type of thing now 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:36.220 you all know that I I 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.579 like if you come here to 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.440 the church at all you 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.299 know that I like movies 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:41.299 that have like murders in 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:42.140 them I like books that 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:43.279 have murders or bank 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:45.259 robberies and and all of 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.519 that type like really bad 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.779 people and all of that 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.660 in fact the book that I 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:51.839 just finished reading one 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.720 of the things in the book 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:54.000 was that there's a guy who 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:55.640 sort of had his finger in 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.480 all of the criminal 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.579 activities that were going 00:24:57.579 --> 00:25:00.000 on in this large area and 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.939 of course in that case 00:25:01.939 --> 00:25:02.960 there's lots of other 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:04.119 criminals who sometimes 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:06.639 try to encroach and take 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.839 over part of the business 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:09.579 and there's several times 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:11.379 in the book where the guy 00:25:11.379 --> 00:25:13.659 says he's a criminal by 00:25:13.659 --> 00:25:14.579 the way he's also a deacon 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.659 in the local church but 00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:18.480 that's a separate matter he 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.619 gets himself elected the 00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:21.119 deacon on the deacon's 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:22.039 board of his of his 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.980 Baptist church first 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.659 Baptist of the of the area 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.740 but he's he's running 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:28.160 he's running prostitutes 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.540 he has a strip club he's 00:25:29.540 --> 00:25:31.480 running drugs he's running 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:33.920 illegal weapons and does 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:35.500 money laundering and he you 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.680 know you get the idea this 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:38.080 is a really really bad guy 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:42.180 and but several times when 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:44.660 people try to muscle in or 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:46.900 do something else he says to 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:48.360 himself something like these 00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:52.300 words he says my aren't you 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:53.900 an industrious and clever 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:57.180 fellow that's what he says 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:59.940 my aren't you a clever and 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:03.120 industrious fellow and then 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:04.080 of course he goes and has the 00:26:04.080 --> 00:26:07.840 guy killed okay but but that's 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.759 what he says he sort of 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:10.300 admires the fact that the 00:26:10.300 --> 00:26:11.420 person who's trying to rip 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:12.460 him off is trying to be as 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:14.680 good a criminal as he is and 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:16.140 so you know I would say that 00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:17.420 this commending of the of the 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:19.100 guy at the end by the rich guy 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:20.940 isn't necessarily something if 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:22.080 you sort of look at it from 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:23.019 that point of view it's not 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.579 necessarily something 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.599 especially when you then see 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:27.159 what Jesus says but here's 00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:28.159 why it's all about self 00:26:28.159 --> 00:26:29.519 justification the first thing 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.659 is if you go back and look at 00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:33.319 verse 15 and you have 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:36.019 actually yeah verse 15 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:38.699 actually we're going to go back 00:26:38.699 --> 00:26:40.179 to a context thing we'll start 00:26:40.179 --> 00:26:42.099 at verse 1 look what it says 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:43.379 here he also said to the 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:47.019 disciples also said in other 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:49.019 words this parable is linked to 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:50.980 the parable before it in fact what 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:53.380 you can imagine doing is that the 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:54.759 first parable if you go back and 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:56.539 look at chapter 15 there's three 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.860 parables and the one immediately 00:26:57.860 --> 00:26:59.460 before this is the parable of the 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:02.079 prodigal son and so what you can 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:03.519 imagine is that there's this 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:05.059 conflict and there's all these 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:07.839 Pharisees over here sorry I'm not 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.660 picking on this side of the 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:10.519 congregation okay the Pharisees are 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:13.680 over here and and Jesus has his 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:16.839 disciples behind him okay and in 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:19.500 chapter 15 it's as if Jesus says 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:21.000 these three parables his 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:23.460 disciples can hear him says these 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:25.660 three parables concluding with the 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:27.079 parable of the prodigal son and he 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:29.440 says it to the Pharisees the 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:31.680 religious people the spiritual people 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:35.460 the elite people of the culture and 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.900 then after he said these three 00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:39.519 parables he turns to the disciples 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:42.140 the Pharisees are all still now behind 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:44.579 Jesus they can hear what Jesus says to 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:46.960 the disciples and Jesus tells them this 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:49.740 disciple of the dishonest manager and 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:51.319 then after he tells them the parable 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:53.900 of the dishonest manager he goes on and 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:55.840 tells them about which we'll look at in 00:27:55.840 --> 00:27:58.460 a moment about you know people you know 00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:59.819 if you're if you're dishonest and little 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:01.460 you'll be dishonest and much if you're 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.759 faithful and little you'll be faithful 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:04.319 and much you can't serve God and mammon 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:07.500 and as he finishes that what he hears 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:11.680 behind him is the Pharisees the 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:14.000 religious and the spiritual the elite 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:16.380 the cultural elite the well-educated the 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:20.700 powerful they sneer at Jesus they 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:23.440 ridicule him they deride him for 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:29.160 everything he said and Jesus turns now 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:32.400 with his back to his disciples and looks 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:35.359 at the Pharisees and says in verse 15 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:39.460 you are those who justify yourselves 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:43.660 before men but God knows your hearts for 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:46.539 what is exalted among men is an 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:49.039 abomination in the sight of God 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:55.220 why were these people ridiculing Jesus 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:57.440 for the prodigal son and the dishonest 00:28:57.440 --> 00:29:00.819 manager Jesus says that what led them to 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:04.100 ridicule was because they believed in 00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:07.619 self-justification and the worship of 00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:11.980 money and he said anything all self 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:14.539 justification is an attempt to exalt 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:18.659 yourself and God finds it an abomination 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:25.759 so the two parables are linked and 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.899 actually if you think about it I don't 00:29:26.899 --> 00:29:28.399 know how well you know you folks know 00:29:28.399 --> 00:29:30.179 the parable of the prodigal son when you 00:29:30.179 --> 00:29:32.019 go home today maybe you can read it again 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:33.920 and if you read the prodigal son and you 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:35.619 read the story of the dishonest manager 00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:37.579 and you go from one parable to another 00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:39.319 you'll be surprised at the number of 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:45.220 similarities in both cases there's a man 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:47.920 who's using somebody else's wealth and 00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:51.139 desires somebody else's wealth in both 00:29:51.139 --> 00:29:54.460 cases there's waste of the wealth in both 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:56.480 cases there's sort of not only the desire 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.980 for the wealth but the wasting of the 00:29:57.980 --> 00:30:00.539 wealth and in both cases after the wealth 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:03.759 has been wasted there is either the threat 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:06.339 or the reality of being reduced to a 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:09.599 lower working class status and in both 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:12.359 cases there is the worry that once the 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:14.500 wealth is gone you're going to be 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:16.960 friendless in both cases in both stories 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:19.899 that's the same thing and in both stories 00:30:19.899 --> 00:30:23.480 the characters have a brain wave they go 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:27.680 oh I got it oh I got it in both stories 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:29.900 the prodigal son when he's feeding the 00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:32.500 the corn husks to the the not the corn husks 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:34.900 he's just feeding the pods to the pigs and 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:38.460 he says oh I got it the dishonest manager 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:40.259 when he knows he's about to be fired going 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:42.640 to be reduced to even lower than dicking 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:47.880 ditches and begging he goes oh I got it and 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:52.060 in both cases there I got it they have a 00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:55.099 strategy to move forward in both stories 00:30:55.099 --> 00:31:01.419 both stories very similar structure and 00:31:01.419 --> 00:31:05.259 but you see in the first story those of 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.559 you if you go back and listen to my 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:09.019 sermon on I think was the second Sunday 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:11.460 in December you'll see that in the first 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:13.579 story the prodigal God it's really a 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:16.119 prodigal son it's really a story about God 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:21.099 and and it's a story that God sees the 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:23.599 son long before the son sees so this the 00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:27.939 son in humility decides his exit strategy 00:31:27.939 --> 00:31:31.459 is you know what I'm never gonna have any 00:31:31.459 --> 00:31:33.039 money anymore but what I really need is 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:37.079 to be with my father I'd rather be home 00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:42.119 with my father and poor than anything else 00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:45.339 and so remember he prepares a speech he 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:47.559 says you know I've been very bad I've 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:49.699 wasted your money I'm no longer worthy 00:31:49.699 --> 00:31:51.720 to be called your son would you at least 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:53.399 let me live at your house and work as a 00:31:53.399 --> 00:31:57.159 servant and that's his strategy and the 00:31:57.159 --> 00:32:00.179 story is that as he goes that the story 00:32:00.179 --> 00:32:02.319 is not fundamentally about his strategy 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:04.359 although the strategy is fun very very 00:32:04.359 --> 00:32:07.720 important but the father who sees the 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:09.939 son long before the son sees the father 00:32:09.939 --> 00:32:12.259 that the father crosses the distance 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:15.159 between himself and the son and goes 00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:18.480 and embraces the son and welcomes the son 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:20.700 and the son only says part of his little 00:32:20.700 --> 00:32:22.600 prepared speech before the father saying 00:32:22.600 --> 00:32:24.800 bring my bring the best robe which is his 00:32:24.800 --> 00:32:26.900 own robe and cover this guy and let's have 00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:29.580 a party because my son who is dead is alive 00:32:29.580 --> 00:32:29.920 again 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:34.880 and in the second story of the dishonest 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:40.700 manager he says you know what how can 00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:44.019 there be an existence apart from money and how 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:47.259 can I possibly have an existence apart from 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:50.960 being seen as really being important how can 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:54.480 there be any life worth living if I don't have 00:32:54.480 --> 00:33:02.240 money and I'm not important so I'm going to find some 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:04.600 criminals and I'm going to hope that the 00:33:04.600 --> 00:33:08.380 parable by the way is incomplete the parable 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:10.660 doesn't say whether at the end of this in the 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:14.680 next step that the rich man says hmm aren't you a 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:17.140 clever fellow okay kill him 00:33:17.140 --> 00:33:23.020 okay my servants go out whack him you know kneecap 00:33:23.020 --> 00:33:26.640 him you have no idea whether the the criminals are going to 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:29.140 actually accept the guy that the parable is incomplete 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:31.360 because it's not a moralistic thing it's not about 00:33:31.360 --> 00:33:35.180 moralism and principles it's about the fact that God looks at our 00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:39.360 heart and these two parables reveal radically different 00:33:39.360 --> 00:33:43.920 understandings of the human heart in the context of the living God 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:51.380 in the prodigal son he humbly sets aside any type of self-justification 00:33:51.380 --> 00:33:56.580 and to his huge surprise and to our surprise we discover that God 00:33:56.580 --> 00:34:03.180 justifies and accepts the son in the last story the manager only desires 00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:08.099 desires to continue to have money be the center of his life and seek his own 00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:15.440 self-justification two radically different approaches and stories to life 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:21.000 in the first story part of what is going on is all we see is that the father 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:25.000 justifies the son and we don't realize that the parable is preparedness 00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:26.960 remember those of you who've been here other weeks 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:31.720 that from chapter 9 on every single thing that happens in the gospel of Luke is 00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:35.599 Jesus regularly every chapter and a half or two chapters says to his disciples 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:39.759 we're going to Jerusalem I'm going to Jerusalem to die 00:34:39.759 --> 00:34:45.059 I'm going to Jerusalem to die I'm going to Jerusalem to die keeps reminding people 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:49.739 and when we read the gospel we have to remember that everything that's said is all in the context 00:34:49.739 --> 00:34:54.959 of Jesus going to Jerusalem to die and so at the time of the prodigal son we don't understand 00:34:54.960 --> 00:35:03.159 that how the son will be justified is is not merely by some degree of declaration by the father but that the 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:10.099 that the this that ultimately my justification in yours comes by Jesus's finished work upon the cross 00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:17.960 that it will be the death of Jesus upon the cross that ultimately justifies you and me 00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:22.699 me accepting his finished work is what justifies me 00:35:22.699 --> 00:35:30.480 we don't know that I mean we know it because we know the story but when you're reading the story it's just preparing you for this 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:36.519 so the Bible is setting before us two different ways 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:41.159 the one way is to strive for self-justification 00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:47.659 or by humble faith in Jesus receive God's free gift of justification 00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:53.000 well some of you are saying well what about the money aspect 00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:57.360 and what about how does it all end with verse 9 and all of that other stuff 00:35:57.360 --> 00:36:01.880 and and is is the Bible now is Jesus saying that money is like dirty 00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:06.500 like George isn't that sort of what those priests said to the Quebecois 00:36:06.500 --> 00:36:10.460 for many many generations or at least I mean whether it's true or not I don't know 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:14.940 just in in in for many people when they think about it that's what they believe happened 00:36:14.940 --> 00:36:17.579 I'm not saying it did I just it's what they believe happened 00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:21.099 that um I'm not saying that they're wrong either 00:36:21.099 --> 00:36:25.099 I I don't know enough about Quebecois history to know whether it's a fair depiction 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:31.640 but are is this just is this why that the the priests in the in the church 00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:35.659 in Quebec they would tell people that money is dirty 00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:41.339 and so they shouldn't seek to make money and they shouldn't seek promotions and ambitions 00:36:41.339 --> 00:36:46.299 and that allowed all these Anglican and Baptist and United Church Anglophones 00:36:46.299 --> 00:36:48.420 to get all the rich positions 00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:54.299 is that I George is still a bit confused 00:36:54.299 --> 00:36:59.279 well we're going to look at it but the first thing we have to understand is 00:36:59.280 --> 00:37:02.320 is something about what it means to be justified by Jesus 00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:05.360 when we put our when in repentance we turn to Jesus 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:11.019 and we say father I'm I'm no longer worthy to be called your son or your daughter 00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:12.760 I cannot justify myself 00:37:12.760 --> 00:37:15.300 I I cannot exalt myself 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:17.620 that whole project comes to an end 00:37:17.620 --> 00:37:23.220 all I can do is just hope and trust that what your son has done for us on the cross 00:37:23.219 --> 00:37:24.879 that you will justify me in him 00:37:24.879 --> 00:37:26.619 that you will do this by grace 00:37:26.619 --> 00:37:28.699 out of love and mercy for me 00:37:28.699 --> 00:37:31.179 you know father how divided my heart is 00:37:31.179 --> 00:37:33.579 you know that one moment I think I want to be like Billy Graham 00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:35.539 the next minute I want to be like Bruce Willis 00:37:35.539 --> 00:37:39.019 you know that on one on one moment I want to be faithful 00:37:39.019 --> 00:37:40.699 the next moment I want to be like Hugh Hefner 00:37:40.699 --> 00:37:42.779 you know that you know all those you know these terrible 00:37:42.779 --> 00:37:46.139 you know how father you know everything going on inside of me 00:37:46.139 --> 00:37:47.579 I cannot justify myself 00:37:47.579 --> 00:37:49.880 I all I can do is come to you for mercy 00:37:49.880 --> 00:37:53.539 and trust that you will justify me 00:37:53.539 --> 00:37:55.340 and have justified me 00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:57.880 through what Jesus has done for me on the cross 00:37:57.880 --> 00:38:00.239 that you will not weigh my merits 00:38:00.239 --> 00:38:01.719 you will only pardon my offenses 00:38:01.719 --> 00:38:02.619 and I come to you 00:38:02.619 --> 00:38:03.759 I come to you 00:38:03.759 --> 00:38:06.699 and what happens after we're justified 00:38:06.699 --> 00:38:09.380 well that's what we have to understand 00:38:09.380 --> 00:38:11.519 that's what Jesus is talking about in the text 00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:14.920 it's what happens in verses 9 and 10 and 11 and 12 and 13 00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:17.340 it's I put it this way 00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:20.380 when I am justified by God 00:38:20.380 --> 00:38:23.900 my life begins to bear fruit for his glory 00:38:23.900 --> 00:38:26.900 when we really have been justified by God 00:38:26.900 --> 00:38:30.860 our lives start to bear fruit for his glory 00:38:30.860 --> 00:38:33.400 let's look at the text 00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:36.320 and see how it how it works itself out a little bit 00:38:36.320 --> 00:38:38.000 and then we'll talk just in closing a little bit 00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:38.720 how's my time 00:38:38.720 --> 00:38:41.440 we'll talk in closing just a tiny little bit about money 00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:42.680 I've gone on a long time 00:38:42.680 --> 00:38:44.600 hopefully I haven't lost you 00:38:44.600 --> 00:38:45.180 look at verse 00:38:45.180 --> 00:38:46.980 so verse 8 00:38:46.980 --> 00:38:50.019 the master commended the dishonest manager 00:38:50.019 --> 00:38:51.059 for his shrewdness 00:38:51.059 --> 00:38:52.760 it's the end of the parable 00:38:52.760 --> 00:38:54.559 now Jesus begins to comment 00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:56.039 for the sons of this world 00:38:56.039 --> 00:38:57.119 are more shrewd 00:38:57.119 --> 00:38:58.619 in dealing with their own generation 00:38:58.619 --> 00:39:00.380 than the sons of light 00:39:00.380 --> 00:39:03.900 and the word shrewd there 00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:06.099 in the Old Testament 00:39:06.099 --> 00:39:08.199 the Hebrew Old Testament 00:39:08.199 --> 00:39:09.559 was early on 00:39:09.559 --> 00:39:10.900 before Jesus' time 00:39:10.900 --> 00:39:12.119 translated into Greek 00:39:12.119 --> 00:39:16.619 and so often in fact 00:39:16.619 --> 00:39:17.659 many people believe 00:39:17.659 --> 00:39:18.480 that most of the time 00:39:18.480 --> 00:39:20.659 when the apostles were reading the Bible 00:39:20.659 --> 00:39:22.339 they were reading the Greek version of the Bible 00:39:22.339 --> 00:39:23.159 most of the time 00:39:23.159 --> 00:39:27.599 and the word in Genesis chapter 3 00:39:27.599 --> 00:39:29.139 if you know that story about the serpent 00:39:29.139 --> 00:39:32.639 and the word in Greek 00:39:32.639 --> 00:39:35.299 that they use to translate how the serpent is 00:39:35.299 --> 00:39:37.259 is the same word that's used here 00:39:37.259 --> 00:39:38.940 in other words 00:39:38.940 --> 00:39:40.319 remember when it says about the serpent 00:39:40.320 --> 00:39:41.920 that the serpent was more subtle 00:39:41.920 --> 00:39:43.100 than other creatures 00:39:43.100 --> 00:39:45.059 more shrewd than other creatures 00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:47.180 that's the word that's used here 00:39:47.180 --> 00:39:49.940 it's not a compliment 00:39:49.940 --> 00:39:51.960 to be said that you're like 00:39:51.960 --> 00:39:54.200 the serpent in the Garden of Eden 00:39:54.200 --> 00:39:57.880 that's not something 00:39:57.880 --> 00:39:58.880 that you should say 00:39:58.880 --> 00:39:59.260 whoa 00:39:59.260 --> 00:40:00.680 boy that's off my bucket list 00:40:00.680 --> 00:40:02.100 I've always desired to be compared 00:40:02.100 --> 00:40:03.640 to the serpent in the Garden of Eden 00:40:03.640 --> 00:40:05.980 who leads all of mankind astray 00:40:05.980 --> 00:40:09.400 Jesus is commenting upon the fact 00:40:09.400 --> 00:40:11.099 that you're dealing with a story here 00:40:11.099 --> 00:40:12.219 that's all about people 00:40:12.219 --> 00:40:13.840 who are all consumed with money 00:40:13.840 --> 00:40:16.280 the rich man and the manager 00:40:16.280 --> 00:40:17.360 and the creditors 00:40:17.360 --> 00:40:18.780 they're all consumed with money 00:40:18.780 --> 00:40:19.760 money is their God 00:40:19.760 --> 00:40:22.099 but he's going to make a shocking thing 00:40:22.099 --> 00:40:23.159 he's going to say the fact 00:40:23.159 --> 00:40:24.559 that the fact of the matter is 00:40:24.559 --> 00:40:26.340 is that even though these people 00:40:26.340 --> 00:40:28.539 are all consumed with money 00:40:28.539 --> 00:40:31.039 that's all that consumes them 00:40:31.039 --> 00:40:32.659 yet you know what 00:40:32.659 --> 00:40:34.839 at least they pursue this 00:40:34.839 --> 00:40:35.779 with diligence 00:40:35.779 --> 00:40:38.940 so how should we then live 00:40:38.940 --> 00:40:41.719 if even thieves and criminals 00:40:41.719 --> 00:40:43.799 pursue their end 00:40:43.799 --> 00:40:45.299 with diligence 00:40:45.299 --> 00:40:47.139 does it mean 00:40:47.139 --> 00:40:49.379 that when you have received 00:40:49.379 --> 00:40:50.279 the justification 00:40:50.279 --> 00:40:52.019 that comes from me 00:40:52.019 --> 00:40:55.119 that you don't have to pursue anything 00:40:55.119 --> 00:40:58.359 if thieves understand 00:40:58.359 --> 00:41:00.960 that they should pursue money 00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:04.139 now that I have justified you 00:41:04.139 --> 00:41:06.720 shouldn't you pursue something 00:41:06.720 --> 00:41:07.820 what should you pursue 00:41:07.820 --> 00:41:09.019 verse 9 00:41:09.019 --> 00:41:10.440 he begins to talk about it 00:41:10.440 --> 00:41:11.579 and I tell you 00:41:11.579 --> 00:41:13.240 make friends for yourselves 00:41:13.240 --> 00:41:14.920 by means of unrighteous wealth 00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:16.099 I'll talk about that in a moment 00:41:16.099 --> 00:41:17.360 so that when it fails 00:41:17.360 --> 00:41:19.659 they may receive you 00:41:19.659 --> 00:41:21.039 into the eternal dwellings 00:41:21.039 --> 00:41:22.559 and the word fails 00:41:22.559 --> 00:41:23.340 there is actually 00:41:23.340 --> 00:41:24.179 it's an interesting word 00:41:24.179 --> 00:41:24.860 it's a good word 00:41:24.860 --> 00:41:27.039 but the original word 00:41:27.039 --> 00:41:27.840 in the original language 00:41:27.840 --> 00:41:28.820 is the word that we get 00:41:28.820 --> 00:41:30.280 the word eclipse from 00:41:30.280 --> 00:41:32.519 in other words 00:41:32.519 --> 00:41:34.940 when money is eclipsed 00:41:34.940 --> 00:41:36.180 for you 00:41:36.180 --> 00:41:36.940 remember he's talking 00:41:36.940 --> 00:41:37.680 to the disciples 00:41:37.680 --> 00:41:39.700 money 00:41:39.700 --> 00:41:40.560 you live in a world 00:41:40.560 --> 00:41:41.920 where money exists 00:41:41.920 --> 00:41:42.880 but you know what 00:41:42.880 --> 00:41:43.760 one day 00:41:43.760 --> 00:41:44.580 money 00:41:44.580 --> 00:41:46.140 will be eclipsed 00:41:46.140 --> 00:41:46.820 for you 00:41:46.820 --> 00:41:48.780 so he said 00:41:48.780 --> 00:41:49.280 you know 00:41:49.280 --> 00:41:49.900 using the thing 00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:50.860 as the guy 00:41:50.860 --> 00:41:51.820 in the parable 00:41:51.820 --> 00:41:52.340 was hoping 00:41:52.340 --> 00:41:53.780 that by his criminal activity 00:41:53.780 --> 00:41:54.780 he would make friends 00:41:54.780 --> 00:41:56.220 and so what Jesus 00:41:56.220 --> 00:41:56.760 is saying 00:41:56.760 --> 00:41:58.400 is eternal dwellings 00:41:58.400 --> 00:42:00.340 the word for dwelling 00:42:00.340 --> 00:42:00.539 there 00:42:00.539 --> 00:42:01.200 which is a good word 00:42:01.200 --> 00:42:01.960 it's the same word 00:42:01.960 --> 00:42:02.980 used for tabernacle 00:42:02.980 --> 00:42:04.960 and it's a place 00:42:04.960 --> 00:42:06.119 where God meets with you 00:42:06.119 --> 00:42:07.240 and he said 00:42:07.240 --> 00:42:07.420 you know 00:42:07.420 --> 00:42:08.099 when you're justified 00:42:08.099 --> 00:42:10.360 by what I've done 00:42:10.360 --> 00:42:11.300 for you on the cross 00:42:11.300 --> 00:42:12.980 where's your destination 00:42:12.980 --> 00:42:13.579 now? 00:42:14.260 --> 00:42:15.360 you're going home 00:42:15.360 --> 00:42:17.260 and home 00:42:17.260 --> 00:42:18.639 is to be with God 00:42:18.639 --> 00:42:20.680 to live in the new heaven 00:42:20.680 --> 00:42:21.300 and the new earth 00:42:21.300 --> 00:42:22.740 that's what my justification 00:42:22.740 --> 00:42:23.760 does for you 00:42:23.760 --> 00:42:25.860 that's your new destination 00:42:25.860 --> 00:42:27.519 you know 00:42:27.519 --> 00:42:28.760 you sojourn in Canada 00:42:28.760 --> 00:42:29.780 but your true home 00:42:29.780 --> 00:42:30.780 is heaven 00:42:30.780 --> 00:42:34.039 and that's where you're going 00:42:34.039 --> 00:42:36.400 and if that's where you're going 00:42:36.400 --> 00:42:38.079 use 00:42:38.079 --> 00:42:39.840 and here Jesus takes 00:42:39.840 --> 00:42:40.840 the argument 00:42:40.840 --> 00:42:41.480 from other people 00:42:41.480 --> 00:42:41.620 you know 00:42:41.620 --> 00:42:42.400 like a lot of times 00:42:42.400 --> 00:42:43.660 religious and spiritual people 00:42:43.660 --> 00:42:43.900 will say 00:42:43.900 --> 00:42:44.740 we don't want to talk about money 00:42:44.740 --> 00:42:45.680 money is unclean 00:42:45.680 --> 00:42:46.240 it's dirty 00:42:46.240 --> 00:42:46.519 you know 00:42:46.519 --> 00:42:47.720 it's worldly 00:42:47.720 --> 00:42:48.640 it's carnal 00:42:48.640 --> 00:42:49.820 it's unimportant 00:42:49.820 --> 00:42:51.280 you can't take it with you 00:42:51.280 --> 00:42:52.900 and there's all this talk 00:42:52.900 --> 00:42:54.360 of sort of despising money 00:42:54.360 --> 00:42:55.160 but inwardly 00:42:55.159 --> 00:42:56.839 we still like it 00:42:56.839 --> 00:42:59.079 and we like to have more of it 00:42:59.079 --> 00:43:00.500 and we get upset 00:43:00.500 --> 00:43:01.899 and we go back to the cashier 00:43:01.899 --> 00:43:03.480 if she didn't give us enough change 00:43:03.480 --> 00:43:04.759 or he didn't give us enough change 00:43:04.759 --> 00:43:06.039 because you know 00:43:06.039 --> 00:43:07.039 we can talk about money 00:43:07.039 --> 00:43:07.899 being unclean 00:43:07.899 --> 00:43:09.159 and carnal 00:43:09.159 --> 00:43:10.119 and unspiritual 00:43:10.119 --> 00:43:10.879 and unworthy 00:43:10.879 --> 00:43:11.739 and non-eternal 00:43:11.739 --> 00:43:12.099 and all that 00:43:12.099 --> 00:43:13.259 but we live in a world with money 00:43:13.259 --> 00:43:14.879 still has a hold on us 00:43:14.879 --> 00:43:16.699 and Jesus is saying 00:43:16.699 --> 00:43:18.099 okay folks 00:43:18.099 --> 00:43:19.359 you're going to be justified 00:43:19.359 --> 00:43:20.239 by what I've done for you 00:43:20.239 --> 00:43:20.500 on the cross 00:43:20.500 --> 00:43:21.500 you're going to receive that 00:43:21.500 --> 00:43:23.839 but once you're justified by me 00:43:23.839 --> 00:43:24.779 you're going to bear fruit 00:43:24.780 --> 00:43:26.460 and part of how you're going to bear fruit 00:43:26.460 --> 00:43:28.140 is you're now going to start to understand 00:43:28.140 --> 00:43:30.140 that you're going 00:43:30.140 --> 00:43:31.580 to this future 00:43:31.580 --> 00:43:33.440 and this future is guaranteed 00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:36.560 so use your worldly resources 00:43:36.560 --> 00:43:37.560 in such a way 00:43:37.560 --> 00:43:38.400 that fits 00:43:38.400 --> 00:43:39.800 with your destination 00:43:39.800 --> 00:43:41.960 the dishonest manager 00:43:41.960 --> 00:43:43.160 he had no destination 00:43:43.160 --> 00:43:44.060 other than money 00:43:44.060 --> 00:43:47.300 he had no destination 00:43:47.300 --> 00:43:48.500 other than being important 00:43:48.500 --> 00:43:51.300 he didn't really care ultimately 00:43:51.300 --> 00:43:52.700 about any particular person 00:43:52.699 --> 00:43:53.339 he didn't care 00:43:53.339 --> 00:43:54.759 which one of these creditors 00:43:54.759 --> 00:43:55.299 took him in 00:43:55.299 --> 00:43:56.299 because he ultimately 00:43:56.299 --> 00:43:57.419 didn't care about people 00:43:57.419 --> 00:43:58.460 all he cared about 00:43:58.460 --> 00:43:59.119 was himself 00:43:59.119 --> 00:44:00.439 and he cared about money 00:44:00.439 --> 00:44:01.679 that's what he cared about 00:44:01.679 --> 00:44:02.839 and that was his destination 00:44:02.839 --> 00:44:04.939 and he pursued that diligently 00:44:04.939 --> 00:44:06.480 and Jesus said 00:44:06.480 --> 00:44:07.079 if these guys 00:44:07.079 --> 00:44:08.839 can pursue these things diligently 00:44:08.839 --> 00:44:11.079 you're going to be justified 00:44:11.079 --> 00:44:11.699 by me 00:44:11.699 --> 00:44:12.579 when you put your faith 00:44:12.579 --> 00:44:13.319 and trust in me 00:44:13.319 --> 00:44:13.919 now 00:44:13.919 --> 00:44:14.899 you're going 00:44:14.899 --> 00:44:16.759 to live with God 00:44:16.760 --> 00:44:20.420 and if that's your destination 00:44:20.420 --> 00:44:22.560 use the resources 00:44:22.560 --> 00:44:23.220 that you have 00:44:23.220 --> 00:44:23.960 in such a way 00:44:23.960 --> 00:44:24.580 that fits 00:44:24.580 --> 00:44:25.560 with where you're going 00:44:25.560 --> 00:44:30.000 and then he goes on 00:44:30.000 --> 00:44:30.940 and he talks about it 00:44:30.940 --> 00:44:32.120 one who is faithful 00:44:32.120 --> 00:44:32.420 you know 00:44:32.420 --> 00:44:32.780 now that 00:44:32.780 --> 00:44:33.180 okay 00:44:33.180 --> 00:44:34.020 well 00:44:34.020 --> 00:44:34.580 okay Jesus 00:44:34.580 --> 00:44:35.840 how do I do that 00:44:35.840 --> 00:44:37.100 like what do I do 00:44:37.100 --> 00:44:38.120 if that's my destination 00:44:38.120 --> 00:44:40.080 like what do I have to understand 00:44:40.080 --> 00:44:41.440 you know 00:44:41.440 --> 00:44:43.060 and Jesus says 00:44:43.060 --> 00:44:44.000 well one who is faithful 00:44:44.000 --> 00:44:44.500 verse 10 00:44:44.500 --> 00:44:45.539 in a very little 00:44:45.539 --> 00:44:46.980 is also faithful in much 00:44:46.980 --> 00:44:48.619 you know 00:44:48.619 --> 00:44:49.360 money is in a sense 00:44:49.360 --> 00:44:50.099 a very little thing 00:44:50.099 --> 00:44:51.460 it's going to be eclipsed 00:44:51.460 --> 00:44:52.420 but you know 00:44:52.420 --> 00:44:53.280 if you're not faithful 00:44:53.280 --> 00:44:53.780 in these little 00:44:53.780 --> 00:44:54.760 tiny little things 00:44:54.760 --> 00:44:55.539 how are you going to be faithful 00:44:55.539 --> 00:44:56.340 in big things 00:44:56.340 --> 00:44:57.659 like who's going to believe you 00:44:57.659 --> 00:44:59.360 like part of the fruit 00:44:59.360 --> 00:44:59.960 that's going to come 00:44:59.960 --> 00:45:00.679 from justification 00:45:00.679 --> 00:45:02.340 is you're going to have 00:45:02.340 --> 00:45:04.179 a desire built up within you 00:45:04.179 --> 00:45:05.280 that you need to develop 00:45:05.280 --> 00:45:06.260 habits around 00:45:06.260 --> 00:45:08.039 to desire to be faithful 00:45:08.039 --> 00:45:09.440 even in little things 00:45:09.440 --> 00:45:12.159 why 00:45:12.159 --> 00:45:12.679 because 00:45:12.679 --> 00:45:13.159 one 00:45:13.159 --> 00:45:14.280 and one who is dishonest 00:45:14.280 --> 00:45:14.880 and very little 00:45:14.880 --> 00:45:15.820 is also dishonest 00:45:15.820 --> 00:45:16.260 and much 00:45:16.260 --> 00:45:16.900 and what else 00:45:16.900 --> 00:45:17.640 does Jesus say 00:45:17.640 --> 00:45:19.120 if then you have not 00:45:19.120 --> 00:45:19.720 been faithful 00:45:19.720 --> 00:45:20.960 in the unrighteous wealth 00:45:20.960 --> 00:45:22.140 he's taking their language 00:45:22.140 --> 00:45:22.820 from them 00:45:22.820 --> 00:45:24.620 who will entrust you 00:45:24.620 --> 00:45:25.560 to the true riches 00:45:25.560 --> 00:45:26.019 the riches 00:45:26.019 --> 00:45:26.740 that eclipse 00:45:26.740 --> 00:45:27.860 money 00:45:27.860 --> 00:45:29.300 and if you have not 00:45:29.300 --> 00:45:29.880 been faithful 00:45:29.880 --> 00:45:31.280 in that which is another's 00:45:31.280 --> 00:45:32.500 because 00:45:32.500 --> 00:45:32.960 you know 00:45:32.960 --> 00:45:33.780 at the end of the day 00:45:33.780 --> 00:45:34.960 the Bible is going to teach 00:45:34.960 --> 00:45:35.660 that we're all just 00:45:35.660 --> 00:45:36.880 managers of resources 00:45:36.880 --> 00:45:38.340 we don't really own anything 00:45:38.340 --> 00:45:39.200 God puts things 00:45:39.200 --> 00:45:40.000 under our care 00:45:40.000 --> 00:45:41.060 but you know 00:45:41.060 --> 00:45:41.580 when we die 00:45:41.580 --> 00:45:42.200 it all goes back 00:45:42.200 --> 00:45:42.660 in the box 00:45:42.660 --> 00:45:43.500 goes to somebody else 00:45:43.500 --> 00:45:44.059 and ultimately 00:45:44.059 --> 00:45:44.880 it's God's 00:45:44.880 --> 00:45:47.300 and you have to understand 00:45:47.300 --> 00:45:48.239 I have to understand 00:45:48.239 --> 00:45:49.320 that the money's ultimately 00:45:49.320 --> 00:45:50.139 not my money 00:45:50.139 --> 00:45:50.880 it's God's money 00:45:50.880 --> 00:45:51.900 it's not my resources 00:45:51.900 --> 00:45:52.880 it's God's resources 00:45:52.880 --> 00:45:53.860 I didn't do anything 00:45:53.860 --> 00:45:54.900 to create my DNA 00:45:54.900 --> 00:45:56.360 and if my DNA 00:45:56.360 --> 00:45:57.260 means I have a certain 00:45:57.260 --> 00:45:57.940 type of IQ 00:45:57.940 --> 00:45:59.139 and a certain type of health 00:45:59.139 --> 00:46:00.820 and God has blessed me 00:46:00.820 --> 00:46:01.199 with you know 00:46:01.199 --> 00:46:02.019 a wife and kids 00:46:02.019 --> 00:46:02.860 and living in Ottawa 00:46:02.860 --> 00:46:03.739 and he's given me 00:46:03.739 --> 00:46:04.420 these resources 00:46:04.420 --> 00:46:05.179 gosh 00:46:05.179 --> 00:46:06.559 I was born in this country 00:46:06.559 --> 00:46:07.679 I don't know why 00:46:07.679 --> 00:46:08.800 God had me born here 00:46:08.800 --> 00:46:09.599 rather than in 00:46:09.599 --> 00:46:09.840 you know 00:46:09.840 --> 00:46:10.500 Sri Lanka 00:46:10.500 --> 00:46:11.860 or in this 00:46:11.860 --> 00:46:12.180 you know 00:46:12.180 --> 00:46:13.400 in slums of Shanghai 00:46:13.400 --> 00:46:14.400 I didn't do anything 00:46:14.400 --> 00:46:15.380 to accomplish that 00:46:15.380 --> 00:46:16.620 and God has given me 00:46:16.620 --> 00:46:17.220 some resources 00:46:17.220 --> 00:46:17.880 he's given you 00:46:17.880 --> 00:46:18.900 maybe lesser resources 00:46:18.900 --> 00:46:19.340 some of you 00:46:19.340 --> 00:46:20.400 is giving more resources 00:46:20.400 --> 00:46:21.900 but whatever resources 00:46:21.900 --> 00:46:22.740 that God has put 00:46:22.740 --> 00:46:24.120 put in your control 00:46:24.120 --> 00:46:25.600 he's given them to you 00:46:25.600 --> 00:46:27.220 to manage them 00:46:27.220 --> 00:46:28.140 for him 00:46:28.140 --> 00:46:31.300 he's given you 00:46:31.300 --> 00:46:31.720 to them 00:46:31.720 --> 00:46:32.380 to manage 00:46:32.380 --> 00:46:33.260 for him 00:46:33.260 --> 00:46:35.400 and if you have not 00:46:35.400 --> 00:46:35.880 been faithful 00:46:35.880 --> 00:46:36.740 in that which is in others 00:46:36.740 --> 00:46:37.559 who will give you 00:46:37.559 --> 00:46:38.500 that which is your own 00:46:38.500 --> 00:46:40.099 no servant can serve 00:46:40.099 --> 00:46:40.679 two masters 00:46:40.679 --> 00:46:41.460 for either he will 00:46:41.460 --> 00:46:42.019 hate the one 00:46:42.019 --> 00:46:42.659 and love the other 00:46:42.659 --> 00:46:43.460 or he will be devoted 00:46:43.460 --> 00:46:43.860 to the one 00:46:43.860 --> 00:46:44.679 and despise the other 00:46:44.679 --> 00:46:45.820 you cannot serve 00:46:45.820 --> 00:46:46.619 God and money 00:46:46.619 --> 00:46:48.579 the Pharisees 00:46:48.579 --> 00:46:49.480 who are lovers of money 00:46:49.480 --> 00:46:50.360 heard all these things 00:46:50.360 --> 00:46:51.599 and they ridiculed Jesus 00:46:51.599 --> 00:46:52.639 they sneered at him 00:46:52.639 --> 00:46:54.260 they despised him 00:46:54.260 --> 00:46:55.280 why? 00:46:56.119 --> 00:46:57.179 you are those 00:46:57.179 --> 00:46:58.559 who justify yourselves 00:46:58.559 --> 00:46:59.480 before men 00:46:59.480 --> 00:47:01.760 but God knows your hearts 00:47:01.760 --> 00:47:03.320 for what is exalted 00:47:03.320 --> 00:47:04.280 among men 00:47:04.280 --> 00:47:05.400 is an abomination 00:47:05.400 --> 00:47:06.340 in the sight of God 00:47:06.340 --> 00:47:08.260 two final points 00:47:08.260 --> 00:47:09.380 just to try to bring it home 00:47:09.380 --> 00:47:11.180 the first one is this 00:47:11.180 --> 00:47:12.200 verse 4 00:47:12.200 --> 00:47:13.740 Jesus asks me 00:47:13.740 --> 00:47:15.300 will I manage money 00:47:15.300 --> 00:47:17.660 in service of money 00:47:17.660 --> 00:47:20.200 or will I manage money 00:47:20.200 --> 00:47:21.920 in service of the living God? 00:47:23.400 --> 00:47:24.820 will I manage money 00:47:24.820 --> 00:47:25.840 in service of money 00:47:25.840 --> 00:47:27.360 or will I manage money 00:47:27.360 --> 00:47:28.680 in service of the living God? 00:47:29.580 --> 00:47:30.540 see the issue is 00:47:30.540 --> 00:47:31.620 we all live in a world 00:47:31.620 --> 00:47:32.880 where money exists 00:47:32.880 --> 00:47:34.360 right? 00:47:35.820 --> 00:47:37.200 we all live in a world 00:47:37.200 --> 00:47:37.780 like that 00:47:37.780 --> 00:47:39.660 and we can't just pretend 00:47:39.660 --> 00:47:40.700 that it's unspiritual 00:47:40.700 --> 00:47:41.780 so we don't have to bother 00:47:41.780 --> 00:47:42.120 with it 00:47:42.120 --> 00:47:43.060 because all that does 00:47:43.060 --> 00:47:44.320 is it just allows greed 00:47:44.320 --> 00:47:45.019 and envy 00:47:45.019 --> 00:47:47.340 and to fester within us 00:47:47.340 --> 00:47:48.040 and it allows us 00:47:48.040 --> 00:47:49.200 to be ungenerous 00:47:49.200 --> 00:47:52.320 and hoarding types of spirits 00:47:52.320 --> 00:47:53.600 just to grow within us 00:47:53.600 --> 00:47:55.540 to start to think 00:47:55.540 --> 00:47:56.280 when we think of it 00:47:56.280 --> 00:47:57.260 it's just underneath us 00:47:57.260 --> 00:47:57.840 and beneath us 00:47:57.840 --> 00:47:58.600 it just allows us 00:47:58.600 --> 00:47:59.720 to exalt ourselves 00:47:59.720 --> 00:48:01.580 and Jesus says 00:48:01.580 --> 00:48:02.900 listen the issue is 00:48:02.900 --> 00:48:04.040 in the throne of your heart 00:48:04.040 --> 00:48:04.800 who's on the throne 00:48:04.800 --> 00:48:05.539 of your heart 00:48:05.539 --> 00:48:07.820 and on the throne 00:48:07.820 --> 00:48:08.300 of your heart 00:48:08.300 --> 00:48:09.500 the center of who you are 00:48:09.500 --> 00:48:10.539 for many of us 00:48:10.539 --> 00:48:11.240 it's myself 00:48:11.240 --> 00:48:11.900 and money 00:48:11.900 --> 00:48:13.360 and other idols as well 00:48:13.360 --> 00:48:14.300 it might be the idols 00:48:14.300 --> 00:48:14.960 of tribe 00:48:14.960 --> 00:48:15.560 or of nation 00:48:15.560 --> 00:48:16.180 or of job 00:48:16.180 --> 00:48:16.700 or career 00:48:16.700 --> 00:48:17.420 or whatever it is 00:48:17.420 --> 00:48:18.160 but there's a host 00:48:18.160 --> 00:48:18.960 of idols 00:48:18.960 --> 00:48:19.800 sitting on the throne 00:48:19.800 --> 00:48:20.260 of our heart 00:48:20.260 --> 00:48:20.680 and the throne 00:48:20.680 --> 00:48:21.060 of our heart 00:48:21.060 --> 00:48:21.500 should only have 00:48:21.500 --> 00:48:22.100 one person 00:48:22.100 --> 00:48:22.539 sitting on it 00:48:22.539 --> 00:48:22.960 and that should be 00:48:22.960 --> 00:48:23.580 the living God 00:48:23.580 --> 00:48:24.360 it should be Jesus 00:48:24.360 --> 00:48:26.400 who's died to redeem us 00:48:26.400 --> 00:48:27.340 and to restore us 00:48:27.340 --> 00:48:28.519 to that which we were 00:48:28.519 --> 00:48:29.240 created for 00:48:29.240 --> 00:48:30.519 because we were created 00:48:30.519 --> 00:48:31.360 to have God 00:48:31.360 --> 00:48:32.560 at the throne of our hearts 00:48:32.559 --> 00:48:33.820 our hearts are restless 00:48:33.820 --> 00:48:35.259 till they rest in him 00:48:35.259 --> 00:48:37.139 and Jesus says 00:48:37.139 --> 00:48:37.940 you can end up 00:48:37.940 --> 00:48:38.880 serving money 00:48:38.880 --> 00:48:40.159 managing money 00:48:40.159 --> 00:48:41.500 but really what you're doing 00:48:41.500 --> 00:48:42.460 you're managing money 00:48:42.460 --> 00:48:43.920 because you worship money 00:48:43.920 --> 00:48:45.079 which means that 00:48:45.079 --> 00:48:46.219 money manages you 00:48:46.219 --> 00:48:49.079 and money will fail 00:48:49.079 --> 00:48:52.799 one second after death 00:48:52.799 --> 00:48:53.460 Bill Gates 00:48:53.460 --> 00:48:54.460 and the poorest person 00:48:54.460 --> 00:48:54.900 in Ottawa 00:48:54.900 --> 00:48:55.900 one second after 00:48:55.900 --> 00:48:56.440 they both die 00:48:56.440 --> 00:48:57.279 if they die at the same time 00:48:57.279 --> 00:48:58.239 one second after death 00:48:58.239 --> 00:48:58.900 they have the same 00:48:58.900 --> 00:49:00.019 financial resources 00:49:00.019 --> 00:49:06.079 so the issue isn't 00:49:06.079 --> 00:49:07.159 do you manage money 00:49:07.159 --> 00:49:08.840 the issue is 00:49:08.840 --> 00:49:09.840 who are you managing 00:49:09.840 --> 00:49:10.500 money for 00:49:10.500 --> 00:49:11.900 money 00:49:11.900 --> 00:49:12.880 himself 00:49:12.880 --> 00:49:14.239 or the living God 00:49:14.239 --> 00:49:15.559 one final thing 00:49:15.559 --> 00:49:20.840 Jesus calls me 00:49:20.840 --> 00:49:22.159 to manage the resources 00:49:22.159 --> 00:49:23.320 under my care 00:49:23.320 --> 00:49:24.259 for the glory 00:49:24.259 --> 00:49:25.119 of the living God 00:49:25.119 --> 00:49:26.960 Jesus calls me 00:49:26.960 --> 00:49:28.199 to manage the resources 00:49:28.199 --> 00:49:29.340 under my care 00:49:29.340 --> 00:49:31.059 for the glory 00:49:31.059 --> 00:49:32.539 of the living God 00:49:32.539 --> 00:49:34.220 you see that's why 00:49:34.220 --> 00:49:35.480 there's nothing wrong 00:49:35.480 --> 00:49:36.800 if God has granted you 00:49:36.800 --> 00:49:37.920 the ability to start a business 00:49:37.920 --> 00:49:38.720 start a business 00:49:38.720 --> 00:49:40.079 bless the city 00:49:40.079 --> 00:49:40.680 you know one of the ways 00:49:40.680 --> 00:49:41.539 that we bless the city 00:49:41.539 --> 00:49:42.420 that we help the poor 00:49:42.420 --> 00:49:44.380 is by starting businesses 00:49:44.380 --> 00:49:45.360 that create employment 00:49:45.360 --> 00:49:46.000 for people 00:49:46.000 --> 00:49:48.019 and you know 00:49:48.019 --> 00:49:49.340 and you know 00:49:49.340 --> 00:49:50.220 and you know 00:49:50.220 --> 00:49:51.200 if he's giving you 00:49:51.200 --> 00:49:52.079 some type of a vision 00:49:52.079 --> 00:49:53.320 to start a dance troupe 00:49:53.320 --> 00:49:54.000 or something like that 00:49:54.000 --> 00:49:54.740 those are some you know 00:49:54.740 --> 00:49:55.720 resources that you have 00:49:55.720 --> 00:49:57.460 or to paint beautiful pictures 00:49:57.460 --> 00:49:58.800 or to make films 00:49:58.800 --> 00:49:59.920 or just you know 00:49:59.920 --> 00:50:01.519 God calls you into marriage 00:50:01.519 --> 00:50:02.720 and maybe you end up 00:50:02.720 --> 00:50:03.480 deciding that you're going 00:50:03.480 --> 00:50:04.099 to have a little bit 00:50:04.099 --> 00:50:04.599 less money 00:50:04.599 --> 00:50:05.159 so one of you 00:50:05.159 --> 00:50:05.699 can stay home 00:50:05.699 --> 00:50:06.599 to care for the kids 00:50:06.599 --> 00:50:07.440 that hopefully God 00:50:07.440 --> 00:50:08.559 will bless you with 00:50:08.559 --> 00:50:10.019 and you know 00:50:10.019 --> 00:50:10.639 the thing is 00:50:10.639 --> 00:50:11.220 is that these are all 00:50:11.220 --> 00:50:12.260 resources that God 00:50:12.260 --> 00:50:13.240 has put under your care 00:50:13.240 --> 00:50:14.280 and you're to manage them 00:50:14.280 --> 00:50:15.320 not thinking about 00:50:15.320 --> 00:50:17.079 how can I maximize money 00:50:17.079 --> 00:50:18.079 in service of money 00:50:18.079 --> 00:50:19.240 but you be wise 00:50:19.240 --> 00:50:20.659 and work hard 00:50:20.659 --> 00:50:21.940 and seek promotions 00:50:21.940 --> 00:50:23.139 if God has granted you 00:50:23.139 --> 00:50:23.780 that ability 00:50:23.780 --> 00:50:24.700 to seek promotions 00:50:24.700 --> 00:50:27.800 and manage those resources 00:50:27.800 --> 00:50:29.080 but you manage them 00:50:29.080 --> 00:50:30.400 not to enthrone yourself 00:50:30.400 --> 00:50:31.860 and not to enthrone money 00:50:31.860 --> 00:50:33.200 but you manage them 00:50:33.200 --> 00:50:34.280 for the glory of God 00:50:34.280 --> 00:50:35.160 and that's why 00:50:35.160 --> 00:50:35.600 you see 00:50:35.600 --> 00:50:36.800 that it's part of that 00:50:36.800 --> 00:50:37.580 that just as well 00:50:37.580 --> 00:50:38.760 as you manage 00:50:38.760 --> 00:50:39.340 the resources 00:50:39.340 --> 00:50:40.140 and maybe cause 00:50:40.140 --> 00:50:40.660 the resources 00:50:40.660 --> 00:50:41.620 to thrive 00:50:41.620 --> 00:50:42.720 and grow 00:50:42.720 --> 00:50:43.900 but at the same time 00:50:43.900 --> 00:50:44.800 because 00:50:44.800 --> 00:50:46.660 you're not worshipping money 00:50:46.660 --> 00:50:47.900 that's why you give money 00:50:47.900 --> 00:50:48.380 to the poor 00:50:48.380 --> 00:50:49.040 and why you give money 00:50:49.040 --> 00:50:49.519 to the church 00:50:49.519 --> 00:50:50.019 it's why 00:50:50.019 --> 00:50:51.560 the spiritual discipline 00:50:51.560 --> 00:50:52.360 of tithing 00:50:52.360 --> 00:50:53.300 is so important 00:50:53.300 --> 00:50:54.019 for a Christian 00:50:54.019 --> 00:50:56.780 that there's at least 00:50:56.780 --> 00:50:57.680 a bit of a benchmark 00:50:57.680 --> 00:50:58.420 in the Bible 00:50:58.420 --> 00:50:59.420 put about 00:50:59.420 --> 00:50:59.940 okay well 00:50:59.940 --> 00:51:01.260 how is it 00:51:01.260 --> 00:51:01.680 that I show 00:51:01.680 --> 00:51:02.200 that I'm going to 00:51:02.200 --> 00:51:03.140 dethrone money 00:51:03.140 --> 00:51:04.500 as the thing 00:51:04.500 --> 00:51:05.160 which drives 00:51:05.160 --> 00:51:06.320 my managing of money 00:51:06.320 --> 00:51:07.820 well one of the ways 00:51:07.820 --> 00:51:08.079 you do it 00:51:08.079 --> 00:51:08.820 is you give money away 00:51:08.820 --> 00:51:10.340 oh no 00:51:10.340 --> 00:51:11.099 I'd rather have 00:51:11.099 --> 00:51:12.079 a spiritual thing 00:51:12.079 --> 00:51:13.480 like I'd rather have 00:51:13.480 --> 00:51:14.620 a spiritual experience 00:51:14.620 --> 00:51:15.079 in church 00:51:15.079 --> 00:51:15.500 and God says 00:51:15.500 --> 00:51:15.880 no no no 00:51:15.880 --> 00:51:17.019 you can't dethrone money 00:51:17.019 --> 00:51:17.460 in your life 00:51:17.460 --> 00:51:18.480 unless you give money away 00:51:18.480 --> 00:51:21.760 and you know 00:51:21.760 --> 00:51:23.000 you can trust me 00:51:23.000 --> 00:51:24.180 I'm going to provide for you 00:51:24.180 --> 00:51:25.300 but you've got to 00:51:25.300 --> 00:51:25.960 give money away 00:51:25.960 --> 00:51:27.940 and we're suggesting 00:51:27.940 --> 00:51:28.700 some people 00:51:28.700 --> 00:51:29.620 like Mother Teresa 00:51:29.620 --> 00:51:30.320 she had to give away 00:51:30.320 --> 00:51:30.720 everything 00:51:30.720 --> 00:51:31.420 some of us 00:51:31.420 --> 00:51:32.160 maybe God's going to 00:51:32.160 --> 00:51:32.620 call us that 00:51:32.620 --> 00:51:34.080 that we have to 00:51:34.080 --> 00:51:34.860 give away everything 00:51:34.860 --> 00:51:36.420 maybe it's more than 00:51:36.420 --> 00:51:36.920 10% 00:51:36.920 --> 00:51:37.920 but that's how we 00:51:37.920 --> 00:51:38.640 dethrone money 00:51:38.640 --> 00:51:39.160 in our lives 00:51:39.160 --> 00:51:40.280 that's how we 00:51:40.280 --> 00:51:41.000 manage money 00:51:41.000 --> 00:51:41.680 in such a way 00:51:41.680 --> 00:51:42.160 that we show 00:51:42.160 --> 00:51:42.680 that we're living 00:51:42.680 --> 00:51:43.620 to the glory of God 00:51:43.620 --> 00:51:44.600 tithing is such 00:51:44.600 --> 00:51:45.120 an important 00:51:45.120 --> 00:51:46.300 spiritual discipline 00:51:46.300 --> 00:51:48.100 connected to this text 00:51:48.100 --> 00:51:48.620 to help us 00:51:48.620 --> 00:51:49.140 to understand 00:51:49.140 --> 00:51:49.800 how to live 00:51:49.800 --> 00:51:52.580 but build your business 00:51:52.580 --> 00:51:53.560 get the promotions 00:51:53.560 --> 00:51:56.000 look out for interest rates 00:51:56.000 --> 00:51:56.260 you know 00:51:56.260 --> 00:51:56.660 if you have 00:51:56.660 --> 00:51:57.500 credit card debt 00:51:57.500 --> 00:51:58.240 you know 00:51:58.240 --> 00:52:00.140 talk to somebody 00:52:00.140 --> 00:52:00.800 who can help you 00:52:00.800 --> 00:52:01.539 put all that 00:52:01.539 --> 00:52:02.760 under a line of credit 00:52:02.760 --> 00:52:03.720 with a lower interest 00:52:03.720 --> 00:52:04.019 you know 00:52:04.019 --> 00:52:04.360 because 00:52:04.360 --> 00:52:06.080 it's not a particular sign 00:52:06.080 --> 00:52:07.220 of being very spiritual 00:52:07.220 --> 00:52:08.240 to give lots of money 00:52:08.240 --> 00:52:09.360 to credit card companies 00:52:09.360 --> 00:52:09.920 when you can 00:52:09.920 --> 00:52:10.620 you know 00:52:10.620 --> 00:52:11.720 that money can be kept 00:52:11.720 --> 00:52:12.019 for yourself 00:52:12.019 --> 00:52:12.980 you can give it to the poor 00:52:12.980 --> 00:52:14.600 you can give it to the church 00:52:14.600 --> 00:52:15.980 like there's lots of better uses 00:52:15.980 --> 00:52:16.680 for that money 00:52:16.680 --> 00:52:17.720 but manage your money 00:52:17.720 --> 00:52:18.780 manage your resources 00:52:18.780 --> 00:52:20.019 use your energy 00:52:20.019 --> 00:52:21.180 use your mind 00:52:21.180 --> 00:52:22.040 get the degrees 00:52:22.040 --> 00:52:23.140 get the promotion 00:52:23.140 --> 00:52:24.560 manage your resources 00:52:24.560 --> 00:52:25.400 but don't do it 00:52:25.400 --> 00:52:26.800 for the exaltation of yourself 00:52:26.800 --> 00:52:27.700 don't do it 00:52:27.700 --> 00:52:28.820 to justify yourself 00:52:28.820 --> 00:52:29.640 in the eyes of men 00:52:29.640 --> 00:52:30.440 don't do it 00:52:30.440 --> 00:52:31.180 to prove 00:52:31.180 --> 00:52:32.240 to your parents 00:52:32.240 --> 00:52:33.180 or your teacher 00:52:33.180 --> 00:52:34.060 or your coach 00:52:34.060 --> 00:52:35.480 that they were wrong for you 00:52:35.480 --> 00:52:37.760 you have the opportunity 00:52:37.760 --> 00:52:39.200 I have the opportunity 00:52:39.200 --> 00:52:40.140 to be justified 00:52:40.140 --> 00:52:41.760 by the finished work 00:52:41.760 --> 00:52:43.280 of Jesus upon the cross 00:52:43.280 --> 00:52:44.519 so that at the end 00:52:44.519 --> 00:52:45.040 of our life 00:52:45.040 --> 00:52:45.660 when we die 00:52:45.660 --> 00:52:46.500 that which we can 00:52:46.500 --> 00:52:47.480 begin to know now 00:52:47.480 --> 00:52:48.699 we will hear 00:52:48.699 --> 00:52:49.460 at the end 00:52:49.460 --> 00:52:50.380 where God 00:52:50.380 --> 00:52:51.039 the creator 00:52:51.039 --> 00:52:51.880 the living God 00:52:51.880 --> 00:52:52.519 says to me 00:52:52.519 --> 00:52:53.240 George 00:52:53.240 --> 00:52:54.519 fill in your own name 00:52:54.519 --> 00:52:55.559 I am so glad 00:52:55.559 --> 00:52:56.400 you've come to see me 00:52:56.400 --> 00:52:56.960 and be with me 00:52:56.960 --> 00:52:57.679 face to face 00:52:57.679 --> 00:52:59.539 I've been looking 00:52:59.539 --> 00:53:00.559 forward to this 00:53:00.559 --> 00:53:01.740 come 00:53:01.740 --> 00:53:02.579 I welcome you 00:53:02.579 --> 00:53:03.219 into my kingdom 00:53:03.219 --> 00:53:05.840 there's no greater 00:53:05.840 --> 00:53:06.440 justification 00:53:06.440 --> 00:53:07.500 than that which 00:53:07.500 --> 00:53:08.380 comes from God 00:53:08.380 --> 00:53:10.460 so live for his glory 00:53:10.460 --> 00:53:11.820 receive that 00:53:11.820 --> 00:53:12.500 which he gives 00:53:12.500 --> 00:53:13.559 he'll give you 00:53:13.559 --> 00:53:14.539 it in such a way 00:53:14.539 --> 00:53:15.679 that you start to bear fruit 00:53:15.679 --> 00:53:16.699 live for his glory 00:53:16.699 --> 00:53:18.239 please stand 00:53:18.239 --> 00:53:30.419 bow our heads 00:53:30.419 --> 00:53:30.879 in prayer 00:53:30.879 --> 00:53:32.579 dear God 00:53:32.579 --> 00:53:34.279 please deliver me 00:53:34.279 --> 00:53:35.759 from self-justification 00:53:35.759 --> 00:53:37.779 please deliver our church 00:53:37.779 --> 00:53:39.019 from self-justification 00:53:39.019 --> 00:53:40.519 please deliver every person 00:53:40.519 --> 00:53:41.139 who is here 00:53:41.139 --> 00:53:42.839 from striving 00:53:42.839 --> 00:53:44.379 for self-justification 00:53:44.380 --> 00:53:45.920 deliver us 00:53:45.920 --> 00:53:46.260 father 00:53:46.260 --> 00:53:47.140 from all of our 00:53:47.140 --> 00:53:47.680 striving 00:53:47.680 --> 00:53:49.019 to exalt ourselves 00:53:49.019 --> 00:53:50.599 father 00:53:50.599 --> 00:53:52.119 thank you for Jesus 00:53:52.119 --> 00:53:53.539 thank you for what he did 00:53:53.539 --> 00:53:54.519 for us on the cross 00:53:54.519 --> 00:53:56.220 thank you that 00:53:56.220 --> 00:53:56.980 you know 00:53:56.980 --> 00:53:57.800 that he knew 00:53:57.800 --> 00:53:59.260 how imperfect 00:53:59.260 --> 00:54:00.280 and how fickle 00:54:00.280 --> 00:54:00.900 and insecure 00:54:00.900 --> 00:54:01.500 we are 00:54:01.500 --> 00:54:02.860 and still you loved us 00:54:02.860 --> 00:54:03.780 still you love us 00:54:03.780 --> 00:54:04.740 still Jesus died 00:54:04.740 --> 00:54:05.680 on the cross for us 00:54:05.680 --> 00:54:06.780 thank you father 00:54:06.780 --> 00:54:07.619 that he knows us 00:54:07.619 --> 00:54:08.380 so perfectly 00:54:08.380 --> 00:54:09.579 and yet he died 00:54:09.579 --> 00:54:10.180 for us 00:54:10.180 --> 00:54:11.420 thank you father 00:54:11.420 --> 00:54:12.380 that in him 00:54:12.380 --> 00:54:13.519 when we receive him 00:54:13.519 --> 00:54:14.539 that we are justified 00:54:14.539 --> 00:54:15.260 in him 00:54:15.260 --> 00:54:16.940 that he justifies us 00:54:16.940 --> 00:54:18.160 that you justifies us 00:54:18.160 --> 00:54:18.559 father 00:54:18.559 --> 00:54:20.599 help us to be gripped 00:54:20.599 --> 00:54:22.180 with this message 00:54:22.180 --> 00:54:22.900 of the gospel 00:54:22.900 --> 00:54:23.880 and what Jesus does 00:54:23.880 --> 00:54:24.700 for us on the cross 00:54:24.700 --> 00:54:25.640 help us father 00:54:25.640 --> 00:54:26.519 to be gripped 00:54:26.519 --> 00:54:28.260 by the justification 00:54:28.260 --> 00:54:29.460 that comes from you 00:54:29.460 --> 00:54:31.039 and help us father 00:54:31.039 --> 00:54:32.059 to so live 00:54:32.059 --> 00:54:34.160 with our home in heaven 00:54:34.160 --> 00:54:35.420 bearing fruit 00:54:35.420 --> 00:54:36.059 for your glory 00:54:36.059 --> 00:54:37.599 help us to manage 00:54:37.599 --> 00:54:38.720 our resources well 00:54:38.719 --> 00:54:39.980 in a way 00:54:39.980 --> 00:54:41.739 that we can contribute 00:54:41.739 --> 00:54:42.659 to the furtherance 00:54:42.659 --> 00:54:43.239 of your kingdom 00:54:43.239 --> 00:54:44.099 and bring you glory 00:54:44.099 --> 00:54:45.919 it's your resources 00:54:45.919 --> 00:54:46.980 it's your money 00:54:46.980 --> 00:54:48.779 I surrender all 00:54:48.779 --> 00:54:50.859 in Jesus' name we pray 00:54:50.859 --> 00:54:51.759 Amen