WEBVTT

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 This week we will continue the study of the theme of following Jesus in everyday life.

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 And today we will focus on Matthew chapter 17.

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 You can follow along in your bulletin or on the screen.

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 Starting in verse 14 we read,

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 And when it came to the crowd, a man came up to him, and kneeling before him said,

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 Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic, and he suffers terribly.

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 For often he falls into the fire and often into the water.

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 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.

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 And Jesus answered, O faceless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you?

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 How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.

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 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.

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 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said,

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 Why could we not cast it out?

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 He said to them, Because of your little faith.

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 For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed,

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 you will see to this mountain.

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 Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.

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 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them,

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 The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of man,

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 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.

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 And they were greatly distressed.

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 When it came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two drachma texts went to Peter and said,

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 Does your teacher not pay the tax?

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 He said, Yes.

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 And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying,

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 What do you think, Simon, from whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax,

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 from their sons or from others?

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 And when he said, From others, Jesus said to him,

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 Then the sons are free.

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 However, not to give offense to them,

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 Go to the sea and cast a hook,

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 and take the first fish that comes up.

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 And when you open his mouth, you'll find the shekel.

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 Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.

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 This is the word of God.

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 Thank you, Echo.

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 Let's pray together as we ask God to speak to us from his word.

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 Lord Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit,

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 as we come to your word this morning,

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 God, we ask that you will make clear to us what is in your word.

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 Father, we are not interested in rabbit trails or human philosophy.

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 We want to know what you have to say to us.

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 And so speak to us.

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 We are listening.

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 Come and speak to each one of our hearts.

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 You know where we're at.

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 Lord, for those of us that are weary and need rest,

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 come and invite us to rest.

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 For those of us, God, that are going our own way,

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 bring us back to the fold.

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 Jesus, come and speak to us from your word, we pray.

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 In your wonderful and gracious name, amen.

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 Amen.

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 Well, as Echo reminded us,

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 we are continuing to work through the book of Matthew.

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 And Matthew is such an amazing book of the Bible

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 because in it we see both Jesus' gentleness and his challenge.

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 You know, the amazing thing about Jesus,

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 he's both encouraging and challenging.

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 He's challenging because he says,

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 if you're going to follow me,

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 you're going to have to lay down your life,

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 pick up your cross,

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 don't live for yourself, live for me.

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 And to me, Jesus is very challenging,

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 but at the same time, he's so encouraging.

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 He's so gracious.

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 He's so patient.

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 He's so gentle with our failings and our mistakes and our foibles.

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 And we see that again throughout Matthew's gospel.

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 Jesus, even with our mistakes,

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 he's in our corner.

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 He's on our side.

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 And we've seen that the last few weeks.

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 And we see it again in our passage today.

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 Today there are two stories,

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 and we're going to see two things.

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 We're going to see what real faith in the real Jesus looks like.

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 Real faith in the real Jesus.

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 And so look at the first encounter,

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 the first story with me from verses 14 to 21.

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 In this passage,

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 Jesus wants to show us what real faith looks like.

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 A man comes to Jesus and he has a real problem, right?

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 It's not a first world problem,

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 like his internet is slow or his Instagram isn't working.

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 This is a real problem.

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 He has a son who suffers terribly.

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 He suffers from seizures,

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 life-threatening seizures.

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 And like any parent,

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 he's worried about his son.

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 And this instance,

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 we're told that these seizures are caused by an evil spirit.

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 Obviously, not every medical condition is caused by that.

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 But in this instance,

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 that's what Matthew tells us.

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 And he has heard about the miracles of Jesus,

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 and so he brings his son to Jesus for Jesus to heal him.

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 But the problem is,

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 Jesus is not there.

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 Where's Jesus?

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 He's up on the mountain.

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 Remember last week,

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 Neil taught us about the transfiguration.

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 Jesus is up on the mountain with Peter and James and John.

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 And so he comes to the other nine disciples,

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 and he asks them to heal his son,

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 but they aren't able to do anything.

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 And so he's desperate.

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 He wants his son to be healed.

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 And fortunately for him,

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 just at that moment,

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 Jesus comes down and walks into their midst,

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 and he encounters this man,

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 and he casts out the demon,

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 and the man's son is healed.

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 Well, what does Matthew want us to see in this passage?

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 Why has Matthew included this in his gospel?

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 Well, what Matthew wants us to see

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 is not what Jesus does to the boy,

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 but what Jesus says to his disciples.

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 In fact, in both of these instances,

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 Jesus has a private conversation with his disciples afterwards.

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 There's something that happens,

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 and then Matthew says,

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 but afterwards Jesus went and spoke to his disciples.

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 And that's what Matthew wants us to see.

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 The focus of this passage is not the boy,

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 it's the disciples,

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 because Jesus wants us to see

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 what real faith looks like.

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 Firstly, look at how many times

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 the word faith appears in our passage.

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 In verse 17, he says,

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 O faithless and twisted generation.

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 And then when the disciples come to Jesus and say,

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 Hang on, we couldn't cast out the demon.

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 What's going on here?

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 What does Jesus say?

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 Verse 20,

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 Because of your little faith.

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 For truly, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed,

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 you'll say to this mountain,

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 Be uprooted, move from here to there,

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 and nothing will be impossible for you.

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 Now, just by the way,

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 in biblical language,

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 to move a mountain

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 is kind of proverbial or colloquial

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 for overcoming difficulties.

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 You may feel like,

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 I've never heard of somebody

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 that just moved the peak

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 from here onto Lanta or Lama, right?

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 What's up with that?

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 It's proverbial for

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 nothing will be impossible.

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 You'll be able to overcome great obstacles.

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 But three times,

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 Jesus talks about faith.

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 O faithless generation,

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 you of little faith.

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 O faith as small as a mustard seed.

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 But the disciples are confused here

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 because back in chapter 10,

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 you might remember from when we looked at it,

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 Jesus sends his disciples out on his mission.

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 He says,

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 Go and heal the sick,

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 cast out demons,

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 restore those that are unwell,

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 and they go and they do it.

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 Amazingly.

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 And now,

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 it appears that they can't do it.

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 Maybe they lost their mojo.

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 They lost their power somehow.

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 What's going on?

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 Well,

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 Jesus says something really unusual

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 because look at what he says here.

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 He says,

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 Oh,

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 it's because of your little faith.

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 Okay,

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 well,

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 that makes sense.

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 But then Jesus says something really unusual afterwards

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 because look at what he says.

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 He says,

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 Truly I say to you,

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 if you have faith,

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 like a grain of a mustard seed,

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 nothing will be impossible for you.

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 Well,

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 if there's one thing that you know about a mustard seed,

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 it's really small,

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 right?

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 If you like Dijon mustard

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 or whole grain mustard,

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 you know it's really small,

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 right?

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 And so,

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 what's going on here?

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 These days,

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 we might say a grain of sand.

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 And so,

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 this doesn't make sense

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 because on one hand,

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 Jesus says,

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 Oh,

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 the problem here is your little faith.

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 But then he says,

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 What you need is this like teeny tiny little faith here.

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 So,

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 that doesn't seem to make much sense,

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 right?

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 Well,

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 what's going on here?

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 The issue isn't the quantity of faith

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 or the size of your faith.

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 Jesus is not saying,

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 Listen,

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 if you've got a small amount of faith,

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 you're in trouble.

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 But if you've got a mountain of faith,

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 yeah,

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 okay,

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 you're right.

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 These are the good guys.

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 And oh,

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 sorry for these suckers over here.

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 The issue is not the quantity

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 or the amount of faith.

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 It's the object of your faith.

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 In other words,

00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:26.879
 in other words,

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 saying that,

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 the issue is not how much faith you have.

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 It's who your faith is in.

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 What ultimately are you trusting in?

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 You see,

00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:40.780
 the disciples come to Jesus and they say,

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 Jesus,

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 we don't understand.

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 We did all the right things.

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 We did now what you told us to do last time.

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 We stood in the right position.

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 We stretched our hands just right.

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 We said,

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 one,

00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:52.560
 abracadabra,

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 two,

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 rumba-shumbas,

00:09:54.660 --> 00:09:55.100
 three,

00:09:55.280 --> 00:09:56.000
 hail Marys,

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 and we couldn't cast out the demon.

00:09:58.940 --> 00:09:59.720
 What's wrong?

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 Well,

00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:02.080
 we did everything we did last time.

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 We tried this.

00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:04.100
 We tried that.

00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:06.379
 Why couldn't we cast out the demon?

00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:07.179
 Look what they say,

00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:08.299
 verse 19.

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 Why couldn't we cast out the demon?

00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:12.659
 What are we missing?

00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:15.399
 What are we doing wrong?

00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:18.480
 But who's their faith in really?

00:10:20.039 --> 00:10:20.519
 Sure,

00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:21.100
 on the surface,

00:10:21.220 --> 00:10:22.720
 it looks like their faith is in God.

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 But where's the locus of their faith?

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 Where's the object of the faith?

00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:30.500
 Where is their confidence really lying?

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 It's not in Christ.

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 It's actually in themselves.

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 In Mark's version of this,

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 there's a line at the end where Jesus says,

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 but this only happens through prayer.

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 Some versions will say,

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 and fasting.

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 That's not in the original version.

00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:49.899
 The monks added that in the Middle Ages

00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:50.940
 because they loved fasting.

00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:52.600
 So they thought everyone should fast like them.

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 The Bible doesn't actually say it.

00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:55.720
 But Jesus says,

00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:57.139
 this only happens through prayer.

00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:58.399
 But if you look at this passage,

00:10:58.660 --> 00:11:00.460
 nowhere do we see the disciples praying.

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 They don't seem to pray at all.

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 They seem to just come out and say,

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 okay,

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 we've done this before.

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 Step back,

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 everybody.

00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:08.000
 Let me show you.

00:11:08.840 --> 00:11:09.120
 Shamba,

00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:09.379
 ramba,

00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:09.980
 abracadabra,

00:11:10.160 --> 00:11:10.460
 go!

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 And nothing happens.

00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:15.360
 When I was a teenager,

00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:17.440
 I grew up in Johannesburg in South Africa.

00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:19.700
 And I was part of a really great church there.

00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:26.700
 And there was a season where our church was very focused on miracles and healings.

00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:30.600
 And so we used to have prayer and worship and healing nights quite regularly.

00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:32.620
 And I remember as a teenager,

00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:35.320
 one day I was at one of these evenings.

00:11:35.560 --> 00:11:36.900
 We were praying for people.

00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:40.240
 And there were many people that were being prayed for.

00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:40.759
 And actually,

00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.480
 if I'm honest,

00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:44.860
 there were many people in that season who really said that God healed them.

00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:46.940
 I don't really know how to verify it.

00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:48.280
 Nobody got out of wheelchairs.

00:11:48.420 --> 00:11:49.640
 But there were people who said,

00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:50.200
 hey,

00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:50.560
 you know,

00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:51.700
 my ankles really sore.

00:11:51.780 --> 00:11:52.759
 And at the end of the evening,

00:11:53.140 --> 00:11:53.860
 God had healed them.

00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:54.320
 Amazing.

00:11:55.180 --> 00:11:56.140
 I remember there was one night.

00:11:56.200 --> 00:11:57.620
 I can still picture it so clearly.

00:11:58.220 --> 00:12:00.080
 There was someone who said they had a really bad back.

00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:01.620
 A lot of back pain.

00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:04.360
 And so a bunch of us gathered around this person.

00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:08.720
 And I was 17 and bold and arrogant and thought I had all the answers.

00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:12.140
 And I remember praying this really bold prayer.

00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:14.220
 Satan,

00:12:14.520 --> 00:12:16.360
 we cast you out of this thing.

00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:17.680
 In Jesus' name,

00:12:17.780 --> 00:12:19.360
 this back will be healed.

00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:20.480
 Rawr!

00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:21.140
 Rawr!

00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:22.179
 You know,

00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:24.139
 boldness with all my confidence.

00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:27.279
 This back will be healed in Jesus' name.

00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:30.919
 And I spent about 10 minutes praying for this person.

00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:32.620
 And nothing was happening.

00:12:33.319 --> 00:12:35.120
 And so I moved on to the next person.

00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:40.720
 And I remember someone coming to me later that evening.

00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:41.460
 The person I was with.

00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.659
 There was an older gentleman.

00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:43.279
 And he said,

00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:43.659
 Wow,

00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:44.000
 Kevin,

00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:45.419
 you pray with such faith,

00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:46.159
 such conviction,

00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:47.340
 such boldness.

00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.059
 That was wonderful.

00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:50.840
 And I remember feeling quite weird inside.

00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:51.800
 Because if I was honest,

00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:52.580
 I didn't tell him this.

00:12:52.660 --> 00:12:53.360
 But if I was honest,

00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:55.080
 I didn't feel much faith at all.

00:12:56.280 --> 00:12:56.660
 Actually,

00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:59.280
 I had more faith in my own boldness,

00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:00.000
 my words,

00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:00.759
 my confidence.

00:13:01.560 --> 00:13:02.019
 In a way,

00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:03.180
 I kind of feel,

00:13:03.280 --> 00:13:03.960
 or felt like,

00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:06.560
 if I was bold and strong and said the right things,

00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:09.139
 God was obligated to heal.

00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:10.960
 Because that's what God does,

00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:11.240
 right?

00:13:12.040 --> 00:13:12.500
 He has,

00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:15.680
 he answers the prayers of those that pray with bold faith.

00:13:16.540 --> 00:13:17.940
 But you see what is happening there?

00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:20.019
 My faith wasn't in Christ.

00:13:20.160 --> 00:13:21.420
 My faith was in myself.

00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:24.259
 And that's what's happening here with the disciples.

00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:25.259
 Jesus says here,

00:13:25.400 --> 00:13:26.980
 the problem with these disciples,

00:13:27.160 --> 00:13:27.420
 in fact,

00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:28.620
 the problem with many of us,

00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:30.919
 is actually their faith is in their methods.

00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.580
 It's in their lack of prayer.

00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:33.620
 It's in their techniques.

00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:35.399
 Which means in a twisted way,

00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.720
 their faith is in themselves.

00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:39.860
 If you're familiar with the Old Testament,

00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:42.620
 there's this great story in 1 Kings chapter 18,

00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:47.100
 where Elijah has a showdown with the prophets of Baal.

00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:49.120
 And what's happening in Israel is,

00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:50.799
 Israel is meant to worship Yahweh,

00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:51.580
 the one true God,

00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:53.820
 but there are all these pagan worshipers,

00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:55.299
 these Baal worshiping prophets,

00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:57.419
 that are kind of infiltrating Israel.

00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:58.879
 And so Elijah says,

00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.360
 let's have a showdown.

00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:01.639
 You build an altar,

00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:02.639
 you pray to Baal,

00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:03.759
 I'll build an altar,

00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:04.860
 I'll pray to Yahweh,

00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:06.740
 and let's see which God answers.

00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:08.000
 And so they say,

00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:08.320
 deal.

00:14:09.060 --> 00:14:10.379
 And so they build these altars,

00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.639
 and the prophets of Baal

00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:13.659
 go and they're crying out to God

00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.299
 to Baal,

00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:15.639
 answer our prayer,

00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.240
 you know,

00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:17.759
 receive the sacrifice,

00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:19.740
 and nothing happens.

00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.419
 And so they think,

00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.799
 maybe we need to pray louder.

00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:24.360
 And so they chant louder.

00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:25.720
 Maybe we need to dance higher.

00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:28.199
 And so they go through all the motions,

00:14:28.319 --> 00:14:29.100
 and nothing happens.

00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:30.639
 And then eventually,

00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:31.919
 they bring out swords and knives,

00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:33.019
 and start cutting themselves.

00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:34.559
 Maybe we need to suffer,

00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.919
 then God will hear us.

00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:38.059
 So there's blood all over the place,

00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:40.799
 but still nothing happens.

00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:43.159
 You see where their confidence is?

00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:43.980
 It's in themselves.

00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:45.919
 If we dance louder,

00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.919
 if we shout louder,

00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:48.860
 if we cut ourselves and suffer,

00:14:49.080 --> 00:14:51.179
 then God will hear our prayers.

00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:54.860
 And we may think that that's primitive and archaic,

00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:55.439
 but friends,

00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:56.399
 even as Christians,

00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:59.399
 sometimes we can have a similar approach.

00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:02.000
 Our faith more closely resembles

00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:03.439
 the prophets of Baal.

00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.220
 As we fight and we think,

00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:06.399
 if we shout,

00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.419
 if we demand,

00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.319
 if we bold,

00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.900
 God will hear us.

00:15:10.560 --> 00:15:11.020
 But actually,

00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:12.200
 our faith is in ourselves.

00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:14.160
 But in that story,

00:15:14.260 --> 00:15:14.760
 Elijah,

00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:15.780
 after a while,

00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:16.060
 he says,

00:15:16.140 --> 00:15:16.320
 okay,

00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:17.120
 that's not working.

00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:18.220
 Let's try this.

00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.740
 And he builds this altar,

00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:21.060
 and he prays this amazing prayer.

00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:21.340
 He says,

00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:21.700
 Oh,

00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.480
 Lord God,

00:15:22.560 --> 00:15:24.040
 let it be known this day

00:15:24.040 --> 00:15:25.940
 that you are God in Israel.

00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.220
 Answer me,

00:15:27.280 --> 00:15:27.560
 O Lord,

00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:29.000
 that these people may know

00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:30.020
 that you,

00:15:30.160 --> 00:15:30.640
 O Lord,

00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:32.120
 are the one true God.

00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:34.680
 Fire comes down,

00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:36.519
 and the altar is consumed.

00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:37.059
 Friends,

00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:38.000
 that's faith.

00:15:38.739 --> 00:15:39.599
 That's faith.

00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:42.120
 Not our faith in my faith

00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:43.319
 or in my prayers,

00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.839
 but in who Christ is.

00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:46.359
 You know,

00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:46.779
 as a pastor,

00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:47.979
 I sometimes get this,

00:15:49.079 --> 00:15:50.779
 not in this church,

00:15:50.859 --> 00:15:52.059
 in the church down the road,

00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:52.779
 where,

00:15:53.359 --> 00:15:54.219
 that was tongue in cheek,

00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:56.019
 where people come and say,

00:15:56.099 --> 00:15:56.279
 you know,

00:15:56.279 --> 00:16:00.079
 my niece has got a big job interview,

00:16:00.599 --> 00:16:01.919
 and can you please pray for her?

00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:03.479
 Because your prayers are special,

00:16:03.599 --> 00:16:03.859
 right?

00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.279
 Actually,

00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:05.459
 no,

00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:05.599
 no,

00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:05.739
 no,

00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:07.679
 you don't need your pastor to pray for you.

00:16:07.719 --> 00:16:08.559
 You just need Jesus.

00:16:09.239 --> 00:16:10.339
 You go to Jesus,

00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:10.759
 right?

00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:12.620
 Look what happens here

00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.899
 in verse 18,

00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:15.539
 when the disciples have tried

00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.519
 and they can't do anything.

00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:17.359
 Jesus says,

00:16:17.579 --> 00:16:18.699
 bring him to me.

00:16:19.219 --> 00:16:19.459
 Friends,

00:16:19.479 --> 00:16:20.159
 that's what we need.

00:16:20.219 --> 00:16:21.839
 We need to come to Jesus.

00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:23.139
 Don't go to the pastor.

00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:24.799
 His prayers aren't special.

00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.679
 Don't go to Mother Mary.

00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:27.919
 She can't answer your prayers.

00:16:28.479 --> 00:16:29.479
 She can't do anything for you.

00:16:29.859 --> 00:16:29.979
 No,

00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:30.759
 come to Jesus.

00:16:30.979 --> 00:16:32.799
 Jesus is the one that we need.

00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:34.039
 And the disciples,

00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:35.259
 they try their techniques

00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.079
 and their methods

00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:37.000
 and nothing.

00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:39.019
 But look at the boy's father.

00:16:39.099 --> 00:16:40.480
 Look at verse 14.

00:16:40.699 --> 00:16:41.079
 He says,

00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:45.279
 when they came to the crowd,

00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.539
 a man came to him

00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:48.139
 and kneeling before him,

00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:48.500
 he said,

00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:48.899
 Lord,

00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.579
 have mercy on my son.

00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.279
 That's what we need.

00:16:52.719 --> 00:16:53.639
 Come to Jesus.

00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:54.740
 Lord,

00:16:54.819 --> 00:16:55.360
 have mercy.

00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.579
 I need your grace.

00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:59.280
 And look at verse 17 with me.

00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:00.660
 Something unusual happens here.

00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.700
 Jesus says,

00:17:02.020 --> 00:17:02.120
 oh,

00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:03.980
 faithless and perverse generation,

00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.860
 how long am I to be with you?

00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.519
 How long must I put up with you?

00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.380
 You think,

00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:08.519
 oh,

00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:09.880
 Jesus is having a bad day.

00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:10.220
 I mean,

00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:10.680
 you know,

00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:12.200
 maybe he's losing it a little bit.

00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:13.240
 No,

00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:13.380
 no,

00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:13.559
 well,

00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.759
 Jesus is actually quoting

00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:16.120
 Numbers 14 here,

00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.819
 where God says to Moses,

00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:19.079
 how long must I put up

00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:19.680
 with these people?

00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:21.000
 How long must I,

00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.380
 after all I've done,

00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.799
 are they still not going to trust me?

00:17:24.379 --> 00:17:25.139
 But if you remember

00:17:25.139 --> 00:17:26.539
 what happens in Numbers 14,

00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.720
 the context is,

00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.139
 just before God had,

00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.899
 or Moses had sent the spies

00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:32.440
 into the promised land,

00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.779
 and they come back and say,

00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:34.659
 God is with us,

00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:35.200
 let's go.

00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:36.399
 We can go and take the land.

00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.359
 And they don't trust God.

00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:38.519
 They say,

00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:38.720
 no,

00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.599
 we can't do it.

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:41.119
 And they're lacking faith,

00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:42.339
 and they think we can't do it.

00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.799
 And then eventually they say,

00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:44.059
 okay,

00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:44.359
 fine,

00:17:44.419 --> 00:17:44.919
 we'll do it.

00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:46.659
 We will take on the giants.

00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.539
 We will overcome the enemy.

00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:49.980
 We will conquer.

00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.259
 And God says,

00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:52.639
 how long must I put up

00:17:52.639 --> 00:17:53.220
 with these people

00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:54.460
 who trust themselves

00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:55.400
 rather than me?

00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:57.360
 You see what Jesus is saying here?

00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.460
 Jesus is saying,

00:17:58.539 --> 00:18:00.200
 the disciples are acting

00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.980
 just like the Israelites did

00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.240
 in the wilderness.

00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:05.559
 Friends,

00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:07.579
 what does genuine faith look like?

00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:09.039
 What does saving,

00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.420
 healing faith look like?

00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:12.120
 It looks like the Father.

00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:14.620
 He comes to Jesus on His knees.

00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:16.640
 No confidence in Himself.

00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:18.100
 No confidence in His prayers.

00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:20.079
 No confidence even in His faith.

00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.120
 All His hope is in Jesus.

00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:22.639
 Lord,

00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.399
 have mercy.

00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:25.359
 Have mercy on my Son.

00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.639
 Now that's true

00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.839
 for the way that you become

00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:29.479
 a Christian.

00:18:29.979 --> 00:18:30.939
 If you become a Christian,

00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.000
 it's only through Jesus.

00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:33.479
 Don't put your faith in yourself.

00:18:34.179 --> 00:18:35.039
 It's all Jesus.

00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.479
 But it's also true

00:18:36.479 --> 00:18:37.799
 for the way you grow

00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.539
 as a Christian.

00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:39.819
 In other words,

00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:42.379
 the context here

00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:43.479
 is not this Father

00:18:43.479 --> 00:18:44.559
 coming to faith.

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.859
 It's actually,

00:18:45.979 --> 00:18:47.359
 His Son is in difficulty.

00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:50.079
 His Son needs redemption.

00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.299
 His Son needs healing,

00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:51.659
 right?

00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:52.659
 Friends,

00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:53.240
 some of us here,

00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.500
 we carry great wounds

00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.419
 from our past.

00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.500
 Some of us here

00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:58.240
 are greatly scarred.

00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:59.139
 And how are we going

00:18:59.139 --> 00:18:59.819
 to find healing?

00:19:00.379 --> 00:19:01.139
 How are we going to deal

00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:01.619
 with the wounds

00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.440
 from our past?

00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.659
 How are we going to deal

00:19:03.659 --> 00:19:04.259
 with the issues

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.000
 in our life?

00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:05.899
 Oh,

00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.460
 the story is the same.

00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.299
 It's the same way.

00:19:08.379 --> 00:19:09.000
 The solution

00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.099
 for both

00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.740
 is the same.

00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:11.899
 We don't trust

00:19:11.899 --> 00:19:12.700
 in our techniques.

00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:13.960
 We don't put faith

00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.720
 in our faith.

00:19:15.159 --> 00:19:15.379
 Oh,

00:19:15.419 --> 00:19:16.440
 we come to Jesus.

00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:17.019
 Do you remember

00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:18.440
 the words of that old hymn?

00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:20.220
 Nothing in my hands

00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:20.720
 I bring.

00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.880
 Simply to your cross

00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:23.600
 I claim.

00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:25.120
 Exposed,

00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:26.340
 I come to thee

00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:26.920
 for dress.

00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:27.880
 Helpless,

00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:29.000
 I come to thee

00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.700
 for grace.

00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:30.720
 Friends,

00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.620
 this is the point

00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:32.240
 of the story.

00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:33.140
 It's not necessary

00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:34.320
 to have a great amount

00:19:34.320 --> 00:19:34.820
 of faith.

00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:36.320
 Even a small amount

00:19:36.320 --> 00:19:37.059
 of faith will do.

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.620
 As long as your faith

00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:39.820
 is in a great God,

00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.360
 come to Jesus.

00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:42.740
 And so,

00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:43.360
 this week,

00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:43.700
 friends,

00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:45.519
 put your full weight

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:45.920
 in Jesus.

00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.779
 Some of you may have

00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.740
 challenges at work

00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.180
 this week.

00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.359
 And I know

00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.160
 when I have challenges

00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:50.720
 at work,

00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:51.799
 my temptation

00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:53.379
 is to dabble down

00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:54.059
 to I'm going to work

00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:54.940
 twice as hard.

00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:55.759
 Okay,

00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.160
 fine.

00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.019
 Everyone's going to,

00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.099
 if that happens,

00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.500
 I will sort it out.

00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.400
 I will say,

00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.079
 Watermark.

00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:01.599
 No,

00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:01.740
 no,

00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:01.879
 no,

00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:03.119
 Watermark doesn't need me.

00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:04.559
 Watermark needs Jesus,

00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:04.879
 right?

00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.220
 Come to Jesus.

00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:07.200
 Friends,

00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.539
 some of us,

00:20:07.639 --> 00:20:08.139
 maybe this week,

00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:08.440
 we're going to have

00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:09.319
 challenges at home.

00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.859
 Maybe our kids

00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:12.240
 going through

00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.039
 a difficult time.

00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:14.339
 Friends,

00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.059
 come to Jesus.

00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.180
 Okay,

00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.960
 come get on your knees.

00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:17.160
 Say,

00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.379
 Lord,

00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:18.240
 I need your mercy.

00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.259
 Friends,

00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.839
 maybe some of us

00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:21.019
 are parents or elderly

00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:23.379
 or maybe there's a relationship

00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:24.180
 that's difficult

00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:25.680
 and you feel like

00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.960
 I can solve it.

00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:27.539
 No,

00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:27.720
 friends,

00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.379
 come on your knees.

00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.099
 Come to Jesus.

00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:29.460
 Lord,

00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:30.319
 I need your mercy.

00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:31.420
 Friends,

00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.139
 maybe I feel

00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:33.279
 great guilt

00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.920
 or shame

00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:34.660
 for the past.

00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.059
 Maybe some of us

00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.740
 have done something

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.420
 really stupid

00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:37.920
 and feel like,

00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:39.420
 how can I ever

00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:40.139
 get redemption

00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:41.059
 from what I've done?

00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:42.059
 Friends,

00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.859
 come to Jesus.

00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:43.920
 Come,

00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.139
 Lord,

00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:44.920
 I need your mercy.

00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:47.019
 He loves to save.

00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:48.900
 Well,

00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.160
 the first thing,

00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.160
 real faith.

00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:52.879
 But look at what happens

00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:53.639
 in the second story.

00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.680
 Here we see not only

00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.960
 what real faith looks like,

00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.480
 but the real Jesus.

00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:59.379
 Because here in the second passage,

00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.299
 a tax collector

00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.099
 comes to Peter

00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:02.559
 and he asks him

00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.740
 whether Jesus pays

00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.740
 the temple tax.

00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:05.579
 Now,

00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.619
 the temple tax

00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:07.259
 was a tax

00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:08.299
 that every male

00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.700
 over the age of 20

00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.339
 in Israel

00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:11.039
 had to pay

00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:12.500
 for the upkeep

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.240
 of the temple

00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.759
 to make sure

00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.779
 it all looked fine

00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.980
 and to supply

00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.639
 the goods

00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:17.700
 and the services

00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:19.480
 for the sacrifices,

00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.299
 enough goats

00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:20.819
 and sheep

00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.740
 and to make sure

00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.480
 that the temple

00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.599
 ran smoothly.

00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.460
 And so,

00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:25.259
 this tax collector

00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.059
 comes to Peter

00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.599
 and he says,

00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.980
 does your rabbi

00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:29.180
 pay the tax?

00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.339
 And Peter says,

00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:30.659
 yes,

00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:31.240
 he does.

00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:31.720
 Okay?

00:21:31.899 --> 00:21:32.619
 All good.

00:21:33.159 --> 00:21:33.740
 But then,

00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.359
 later on,

00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:35.460
 Jesus comes to Peter

00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:36.200
 and he asks

00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:37.839
 a really fascinating question.

00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.659
 Look what he says

00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:42.419
 in verse 25.

00:21:42.959 --> 00:21:43.240
 Peter,

00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.480
 from whom

00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.259
 do the kings

00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.039
 and the emperors

00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.919
 exact tax?

00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:48.379
 From their families

00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:49.919
 or from their subjects?

00:21:50.679 --> 00:21:51.659
 And the answer

00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:52.559
 is very obvious,

00:21:52.659 --> 00:21:52.859
 right?

00:21:52.939 --> 00:21:53.720
 Every emperor,

00:21:53.859 --> 00:21:54.559
 every king

00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:56.759
 exacts taxes

00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.959
 not from their family

00:21:57.959 --> 00:21:59.099
 but from their subjects.

00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.059
 In fact,

00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.039
 the reason you tax

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.480
 the subject

00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.599
 is to support

00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:03.419
 the royal family

00:22:03.419 --> 00:22:03.859
 often,

00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.279
 okay?

00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.240
 Unless,

00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:05.619
 of course,

00:22:05.699 --> 00:22:06.599
 you don't like

00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:07.079
 your family.

00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:08.199
 Maybe you'll send

00:22:08.199 --> 00:22:08.839
 the tax man

00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.740
 off to your mother-in-law

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.679
 or something like that.

00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:12.220
 But most royal families

00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.139
 are exempt.

00:22:13.919 --> 00:22:14.740
 Their privilege

00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.339
 is they don't need

00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:16.099
 to pay tax.

00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:17.859
 And Peter's a sharp guy.

00:22:17.939 --> 00:22:18.899
 He gets this conclusion.

00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.759
 Verse 26,

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.799
 the sons are free.

00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:24.439
 What's Jesus' point here?

00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.879
 His point is,

00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.579
 as heaven and earth's

00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.279
 true king,

00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:31.559
 did Jesus really need

00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:33.059
 to pay the temple tax?

00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.419
 No.

00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:36.059
 Certainly not.

00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:37.960
 And just think about it,

00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.119
 in a month's time,

00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.099
 Jesus knows what's

00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:40.579
 going to happen.

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.899
 He's going to die

00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.480
 on the cross

00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:44.259
 and the temple

00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.319
 is going to become obsolete.

00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:46.099
 In fact,

00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.379
 the royal curtain

00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:48.139
 that separates

00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.700
 the holy

00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.759
 and the most holy place

00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.259
 is going to be

00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.179
 torn in two,

00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:52.179
 destroyed,

00:22:52.419 --> 00:22:53.500
 when Jesus dies

00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.079
 on the cross.

00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.179
 What's the point

00:22:55.179 --> 00:22:55.980
 in paying the tax

00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:57.319
 for the dry cleaning

00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:58.419
 and to wash it

00:22:58.419 --> 00:22:58.799
 and make sure

00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.539
 it all looks pretty?

00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.700
 In a month's time,

00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.700
 it's going to be destroyed.

00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.079
 In a month's time,

00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:04.379
 the whole temple system

00:23:04.379 --> 00:23:05.319
 is going to come to an end.

00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.980
 In a month's time,

00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.179
 they're not going to need

00:23:08.179 --> 00:23:09.319
 to offer sacrifices

00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:10.279
 of bulls and goats

00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:11.159
 and sheep and stuff

00:23:11.159 --> 00:23:12.199
 because Jesus,

00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.159
 the Lamb of God,

00:23:13.199 --> 00:23:14.199
 is going to die on the cross,

00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:15.079
 take upon Himself

00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:16.059
 the sins of the world.

00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:18.039
 Jesus knows what's coming.

00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:20.220
 Why pay the temple tax?

00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:21.139
 I mean,

00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.159
 as the Son,

00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.139
 not just of the King

00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:23.639
 of the earth,

00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.919
 but the Son of God,

00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.919
 the one true King,

00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.099
 the true and better

00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:28.559
 fulfillment of everything

00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.859
 the temple points to,

00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:31.719
 does Jesus really need

00:23:31.719 --> 00:23:32.799
 to pay the temple tax?

00:23:33.479 --> 00:23:34.119
 In fact,

00:23:34.179 --> 00:23:34.659
 in those days,

00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.839
 rabbis were exempt.

00:23:36.399 --> 00:23:38.899
 So even on a very horizontal level,

00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.679
 Jesus doesn't need

00:23:39.679 --> 00:23:40.439
 to pay the tax.

00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:41.859
 And yet,

00:23:42.439 --> 00:23:43.559
 He does.

00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:45.919
 Why?

00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:49.219
 The answer is,

00:23:49.899 --> 00:23:52.019
 because He's perfect.

00:23:53.219 --> 00:23:55.119
 Because He's perfectly gracious.

00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.699
 And He's perfectly humble.

00:23:57.700 --> 00:24:00.259
 And He's perfectly gentle.

00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:02.539
 Because Jesus Christ

00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.480
 pays the debts

00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.980
 that He doesn't owe

00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:06.440
 so that those

00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.660
 who do owe a debt

00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.819
 that they cannot pay

00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:10.759
 get to go free.

00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.680
 You see, friends,

00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.440
 Jesus Christ

00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.380
 is the one King

00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:16.019
 who came not to be served,

00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.519
 but to serve.

00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:18.799
 Jesus Christ

00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.480
 is the one King

00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:21.080
 who came not to demand

00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:21.640
 His rights,

00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:23.259
 but to give up His rights.

00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:25.039
 Jesus is the one King

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:26.240
 who came not to protect

00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:26.740
 His life

00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.799
 or preserve His life,

00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:29.539
 but to give up His life

00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.700
 on the cross,

00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.400
 having no obligation

00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.099
 to do so.

00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.740
 And yet,

00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.500
 He did so

00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:36.400
 to rescue all those

00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:37.339
 who will come to Him

00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.460
 with simple faith

00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.839
 and trust Him.

00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:41.940
 Doesn't the story

00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.620
 remind you

00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:43.779
 of what Trish

00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.500
 read to us

00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:46.000
 in Philippians chapter 2?

00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.960
 That though Jesus Christ

00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.700
 is God,

00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.960
 and He counted,

00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.740
 though Jesus Christ,

00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.420
 though He is God,

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.279
 did not count

00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.359
 equality with God

00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:55.659
 something to be grasped,

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.979
 something to be demanded,

00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.939
 something He was entitled to,

00:24:59.379 --> 00:25:00.859
 but He emptied Himself,

00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:01.979
 taking the form

00:25:01.979 --> 00:25:02.759
 of a servant

00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.719
 being born

00:25:03.719 --> 00:25:04.679
 in human likeness.

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.259
 And taking the form

00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.199
 of a man,

00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.619
 He humbled Himself,

00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.699
 becoming obedient

00:25:09.699 --> 00:25:10.859
 to the point of death,

00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:12.339
 even death

00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.219
 on a cross.

00:25:13.979 --> 00:25:14.899
 And that's the point

00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:16.500
 of verse 22 and 23.

00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.059
 Look at it

00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:17.819
 in your bulletins

00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.119
 with me.

00:25:18.219 --> 00:25:19.599
 We skipped over it earlier,

00:25:19.699 --> 00:25:20.500
 but this is the point.

00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.240
 Verse 22,

00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:23.339
 as they come into Galilee,

00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.539
 Jesus says to them,

00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.799
 the Son of Man

00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:27.000
 is about to be delivered

00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:28.660
 into the hands of men,

00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:30.380
 and they will kill Him,

00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:32.079
 but He will be raised

00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:33.120
 on the third day.

00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.120
 Friends,

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.599
 Jesus Christ is the Son

00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:37.359
 who acted like a subject,

00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.460
 a slave,

00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.660
 so that those of us

00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.839
 who really are slaves

00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:42.539
 can become sons and daughters

00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:44.000
 of the true King.

00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:47.319
 But there's another reason

00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.500
 that Jesus gives

00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:50.500
 why He pays the tax.

00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.720
 Look at verse 27.

00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.359
 He says,

00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.279
 however,

00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:55.420
 not to cause them offense,

00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:56.720
 and then He goes

00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.359
 and tells Peter

00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:58.359
 to pay the tax.

00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.200
 What does Jesus mean

00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.660
 when He says,

00:26:01.880 --> 00:26:02.859
 don't cause them offense?

00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.619
 The word the offense

00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.859
 means a stumbling stone.

00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.220
 He says,

00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:07.619
 don't cause them to stumble.

00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:09.400
 Don't cause an issue here,

00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:09.640
 right?

00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.579
 Someone's walking along

00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.619
 and they stumble.

00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.299
 He says,

00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.900
 let's not cause an issue.

00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.480
 If Jesus said,

00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.000
 forget it.

00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:18.059
 I'm a rabbi.

00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.420
 I'm heaven and earth's true king.

00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:20.740
 I'm not going to pay the tax.

00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:22.100
 You go tell your guys

00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:23.320
 to sort themselves out,

00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:23.620
 right?

00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:26.060
 By causing an uproar,

00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:27.580
 what's Jesus going to do?

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.500
 He's going to distract

00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.940
 from His real mission

00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.880
 why He came,

00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:33.660
 which is not to save money,

00:26:34.060 --> 00:26:35.759
 but to save lives.

00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:38.000
 One commentator said it like this.

00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.480
 Jesus knew that

00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.480
 He didn't need to die

00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.220
 on this hill

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.940
 because there's another hill

00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.539
 that's coming

00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.600
 just around the corner

00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:46.480
 that He is going to die on,

00:26:46.820 --> 00:26:48.279
 the hill of Calvary.

00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:50.000
 Now,

00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.960
 what does this mean for us

00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.119
 as we come to close?

00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.119
 Well,

00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.579
 one of the things it means

00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.160
 is that

00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.819
 Christian freedom

00:26:57.819 --> 00:27:00.279
 doesn't mean freedom

00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.599
 to do whatever you want.

00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:03.139
 It means freedom

00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:04.259
 to love and serve

00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.980
 without needing

00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.099
 to be loved in return.

00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:08.420
 Do you see what Jesus says here?

00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:08.779
 He says,

00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:10.200
 the sons of the kings

00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:10.720
 are free

00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.859
 and daughters are free.

00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.559
 Friends,

00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.619
 if you're a Christian this morning,

00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.879
 you're a son or a daughter

00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:16.359
 of the great God,

00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:17.440
 the king of all the universe.

00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.920
 And that means you're free.

00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:21.299
 Remember how Galatians chapter 5,

00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.100
 Paul writes and says,

00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.340
 it is for freedom

00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:24.700
 that Christ has set you free.

00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:25.600
 Friends,

00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.580
 if you're a Christian this morning,

00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.320
 you're free.

00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:29.640
 But Christian freedom

00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:31.059
 doesn't mean freedom

00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:32.279
 to do whatever I want.

00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.320
 It means freedom

00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:33.980
 to love

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.580
 without needing

00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:35.700
 to be loved in return.

00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.519
 Some Christians think,

00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:39.039
 Jesus paid the penalty.

00:27:39.320 --> 00:27:39.799
 I'm free.

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:41.140
 I can do whatever I want.

00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:41.880
 No,

00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.019
 no,

00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.299
 no.

00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.919
 Jesus says,

00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:45.039
 I'm the freest person

00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.759
 who ever lived.

00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:47.639
 But I'll use my freedom

00:27:47.639 --> 00:27:49.460
 to love and serve those

00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:51.000
 and to set them free.

00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:54.240
 In Galatians 5,

00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:54.980
 Paul goes on

00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.659
 and he says this,

00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.740
 you are called to freedom,

00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:57.680
 brothers and sisters,

00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:59.379
 but don't use your freedom

00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.139
 for yourself.

00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.180
 Rather,

00:28:01.379 --> 00:28:02.019
 through love,

00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.180
 serve one another.

00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.119
 Martin Luther,

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.220
 500 years ago,

00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:06.919
 said this,

00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.220
 a Christian

00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.839
 is a perfectly free

00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.939
 Lord of all,

00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:12.059
 subject to none.

00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.159
 Glory.

00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.259
 Ah,

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.299
 but look at the second line.

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.299
 A Christian

00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:17.119
 is a perfectly

00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:18.819
 dutiful subject of all,

00:28:19.459 --> 00:28:20.579
 servant of everyone.

00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.419
 And that's what Paul writes.

00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.139
 And that's what Jesus is.

00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:25.119
 You son of the king,

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.179
 you're free.

00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.059
 Ah,

00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.639
 but don't go

00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:28.439
 and cause offense.

00:28:28.699 --> 00:28:29.539
 Use your freedom

00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.579
 to love and serve

00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.439
 those around us.

00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.359
 Friends,

00:28:32.399 --> 00:28:33.419
 we live in a time

00:28:33.419 --> 00:28:34.279
 and an age

00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:35.339
 which is riddled

00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:36.379
 with entitlement,

00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:36.879
 right?

00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:38.599
 We all feel entitled

00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.720
 to a comfortable life

00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:41.059
 a convenient life,

00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:42.779
 a problem-free life,

00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.480
 a criticism-free life.

00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.819
 But you know what?

00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.860
 The more we live entitled,

00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.180
 the more enslaved

00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:50.039
 we become

00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:51.299
 and the more miserable

00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.000
 we are.

00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.700
 And the more we demand

00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.240
 our rights

00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.480
 and demand our privileges,

00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.860
 the more miserable

00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.579
 we will become.

00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.319
 Jesus comes

00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:00.779
 and he turns

00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.960
 all of that on his head

00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.440
 and he says,

00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.579
 if you know me,

00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:04.900
 if you come to me

00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:05.620
 in real faith

00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.440
 and real repentance,

00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.160
 nothing in your hands

00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:08.799
 you bring

00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:10.039
 simply to my grace

00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:10.519
 you cling,

00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:12.319
 I'll set you free.

00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:13.460
 I'll bring you

00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.200
 into God's family.

00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.399
 I'll show you

00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:16.359
 what real freedom

00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:16.960
 looks like

00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:19.019
 because I'll set you free

00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.980
 to love others

00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.559
 without needing

00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:21.539
 to be loved in return.

00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.079
 I'll set you free

00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:23.960
 to serve others

00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:24.460
 without needing

00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:25.500
 to be served in return.

00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:26.879
 I'll set you free

00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:27.779
 to honor others

00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.259
 without needing

00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.379
 to be honored in return

00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:30.539
 because you'll be

00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.399
 completely loved,

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.579
 completely secure,

00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.279
 completely free in me.

00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.379
 Friends,

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.599
 that's the real Jesus,

00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.220
 the king

00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.620
 who acted like a servant

00:29:38.620 --> 00:29:39.779
 so that those

00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.440
 who are servants

00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.100
 and slaves

00:29:41.100 --> 00:29:42.339
 could be free

00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:43.860
 and become sons

00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:45.039
 and daughters of God.

00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:46.319
 As a friend,

00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.019
 this week,

00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.700
 every morning,

00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:49.940
 why don't you

00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.579
 come to Jesus?

00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.160
 Don't come

00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:54.059
 trusting your confidence.

00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:54.960
 Don't come

00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.819
 trusting yourself.

00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.600
 Don't come to Jesus

00:29:57.600 --> 00:29:58.220
 and use him

00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:59.059
 to build your empire,

00:29:59.180 --> 00:29:59.600
 your kingdom.

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.279
 Come to Jesus

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.420
 with your little faith.

00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:04.000
 Come with your simple faith.

00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.259
 But come trusting

00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.500
 in the great God.

00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.460
 Come to him

00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:07.920
 like the man

00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.660
 in verse 14.

00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:09.480
 Come on your knees.

00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.900
 Come and surrender.

00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:11.980
 Come say,

00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.359
 Jesus,

00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.279
 I need your mercy.

00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:15.160
 Come and have your way

00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:15.900
 in my life.

00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.480
 Let's pray together

00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.940
 as we come to him now.

00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.900
 Lord Jesus Christ,

00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.759
 thank you that,

00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:24.440
 as we said earlier,

00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:27.279
 you are the glorious king,

00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:29.019
 the awesome one.

00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.259
 Lord,

00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:30.339
 you are both challenging

00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:31.440
 and encouraging.

00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:33.480
 You're so glorious, God.

00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.920
 You invite us to come

00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:36.360
 and find our rest in you.

00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.759
 You invite us to come

00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.819
 and find our freedom

00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:40.059
 in you.

00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:41.940
 God,

00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.400
 I pray,

00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.460
 won't you help us

00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:45.559
 to have simple faith in you?

00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:47.120
 Faith may be as small

00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:48.059
 as a mustard seed,

00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:50.079
 but faith in a great God.

00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:51.480
 Father,

00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:52.500
 won't you deliver us

00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:54.700
 from sensing the need

00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.660
 to trust ourselves?

00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:56.960
 God,

00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:57.940
 won't you deliver us

00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:59.059
 from putting our trust

00:30:59.059 --> 00:31:00.700
 in our own faithfulness,

00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.779
 our own religiosity,

00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:03.319
 our own devotion,

00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.359
 our own boldness.

00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:05.220
 Jesus,

00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:07.119
 help us to be like the Father

00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:08.039
 in verse 14.

00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.379
 This simple man,

00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:10.299
 we don't know his name.

00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:12.079
 We don't know anything about him.

00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:14.539
 Nothing commendable about him

00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.240
 other than the fact

00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.420
 that he came on his knees

00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:17.059
 to you.

00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.660
 Jesus,

00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.039
 I pray,

00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:19.660
 help us.

00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.899
 Won't you give us faith,

00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.279
 God,

00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:24.119
 to come on our knees

00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:26.240
 and to trust in you?

00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:28.099
 Father,

00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:28.779
 for those of us

00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.539
 that are not Christians

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.079
 this morning,

00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:31.859
 won't you open the eyes

00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:32.399
 of our heart

00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:33.299
 to see you,

00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:35.460
 that we will turn to you

00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.240
 and trust you,

00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:36.619
 Jesus.

00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.019
 God,

00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:38.619
 for those of us

00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:39.240
 that are Christians

00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:40.279
 but maybe are hurting,

00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.460
 those of us

00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.279
 that have got wounds,

00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:44.599
 those of us

00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:46.399
 that are struggling

00:31:46.399 --> 00:31:47.039
 this morning,

00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:48.680
 those of us,

00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:48.859
 God,

00:31:48.879 --> 00:31:49.720
 that feel weak

00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.220
 and empty,

00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.460
 Jesus,

00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:52.399
 help us to come

00:31:52.399 --> 00:31:53.139
 to you

00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:54.920
 and to trust you.

00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:57.460
 Jesus,

00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:57.840
 thank you

00:31:57.840 --> 00:31:58.380
 that you are

00:31:58.380 --> 00:31:59.960
 infinitely gracious,

00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.259
 perfectly humble,

00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:03.160
 perfectly tender.

00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.019
 Thank you

00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.600
 for your mercy.

00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.840
 We trust you.

00:32:10.840 --> 00:32:10.860
 We trust you.