WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:04.060 Well, please do have a seat and turn to your Bibles. 00:00:04.520 --> 00:00:10.259 And we're in the book of Luke as we continue our journeying with Jesus around Galilee, 00:00:10.359 --> 00:00:15.679 looking at the first nine chapters of this great gospel. 00:00:15.820 --> 00:00:18.379 Before we dig in, let's pray together. 00:00:21.140 --> 00:00:27.219 Father God, we pray this morning you would take what is familiar and sear its truth on our hearts. 00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:33.820 Father, you would take what we think we know and that you would apply it to our lives. 00:00:34.519 --> 00:00:38.060 Father, be with us. Send your spirit to make this word alive. 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:43.259 Convict and challenge, encourage, exhort and admonish. 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:47.000 Father, have your way in our lives in this time we pray. 00:00:47.420 --> 00:00:49.359 In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:54.159 Prosopagnosia. 00:00:57.219 --> 00:00:57.939 Prosopagnosia. 00:00:58.340 --> 00:01:02.859 It is a very disturbing condition, if you have it. 00:01:03.140 --> 00:01:05.680 It renders the familiar unfamiliar. 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:09.719 It takes things that you've known all your lives 00:01:09.719 --> 00:01:15.000 and turns them into strange and foreign experiences. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:20.920 It turns relatives into strangers, friends into bystanders, 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:24.299 and even your own face into a mystery, 00:01:24.519 --> 00:01:26.340 which for people like me would be a blessing. 00:01:28.920 --> 00:01:32.539 Prosopagnosia is commonly called face blindness. 00:01:34.740 --> 00:01:39.740 It renders sufferers unable to recognize people by their appearance. 00:01:39.739 --> 00:01:47.359 Even their own reflection becomes unfamiliar and unrecognizable to them. 00:01:47.679 --> 00:01:49.539 It is a very rare condition, 00:01:49.979 --> 00:01:55.640 although modern research says that it could affect about two people out of every thousand. 00:01:56.639 --> 00:01:59.459 It is incredibly debilitating. 00:01:59.459 --> 00:02:07.000 And James, in his letter, warns about a spiritual prosopagnosia. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:11.959 A spiritual way that we see ourselves in God's law 00:02:11.959 --> 00:02:16.500 and don't recognize or remember what we look like. 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:18.400 He writes this in chapter one. 00:02:18.799 --> 00:02:22.699 Humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 00:02:23.019 --> 00:02:26.840 Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:29.360 Do what it says. 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:33.539 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says 00:02:33.539 --> 00:02:37.500 is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:41.000 and, after looking at himself, 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:45.439 goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:48.819 The danger of spiritual prosopagnosia, 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:51.719 of hearing without doing, 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:54.020 of seeing but not remembering, 00:02:54.020 --> 00:02:59.320 of learning but failing to apply. 00:03:00.140 --> 00:03:02.439 And Jesus, as he comes into land, 00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:05.180 at the end of the sermon on the plain, 00:03:05.520 --> 00:03:10.180 is warning about exactly the same thing that James warns about. 00:03:12.020 --> 00:03:18.439 He's asking us to build our lives on him through obedience. 00:03:18.439 --> 00:03:25.840 Building our lives on Jesus through obedience. 00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:26.900 So if you've got your Bible, 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:31.000 turn with me to Luke chapter 6 and verse 46. 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:35.819 He says this. 00:03:35.819 --> 00:03:40.359 Why do you call me Lord, Lord, 00:03:40.459 --> 00:03:42.680 and do not do what I say? 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:47.359 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words 00:03:47.359 --> 00:03:48.900 and puts them into practice, 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:50.739 I will show you what they are like. 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:53.000 They are like a man building a house 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:56.919 who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. 00:03:58.199 --> 00:03:59.719 When the flood came, 00:03:59.819 --> 00:04:01.719 the torrent struck that house 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:03.479 but could not shake it 00:04:03.479 --> 00:04:05.719 because it was well built. 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:08.879 But the one who hears my words 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:11.439 and does not put them into practice 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:14.199 is like a man who built a house on the ground 00:04:14.199 --> 00:04:15.520 without a foundation. 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:20.459 The moment the torrent struck that house, 00:04:21.019 --> 00:04:22.100 it collapsed 00:04:22.100 --> 00:04:26.060 and its destruction was total. 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:29.000 It's a very familiar story. 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:30.620 It's a very common story. 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:32.899 It's not understanding it that's difficult. 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:34.759 It's about doing what it says 00:04:34.759 --> 00:04:37.740 that causes us real difficulty. 00:04:38.540 --> 00:04:41.439 Jesus is at the end of the Sermon on the Plain. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:44.899 He started it in chapter 6, verse 17. 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:45.860 We've looked at it. 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:48.699 And it comes on the back of Jesus 00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:51.339 launching out into his ministry. 00:04:52.199 --> 00:04:54.519 And we saw at the beginning of chapter 4, 00:04:54.860 --> 00:04:57.060 when he starts public ministry, 00:04:57.060 --> 00:04:57.639 he says, 00:04:57.720 --> 00:04:59.579 my ministry is going to be one 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:01.980 centered on preaching the good news 00:05:01.980 --> 00:05:03.720 of the kingdom. 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:06.060 Chapter 5, 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:07.699 that is met with objection. 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:11.120 That Jesus' ministry, 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:13.939 one that welcomes and forgives sinners, 00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:16.759 is unpalatable to the religious elites. 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:18.740 He's always being asked, 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:19.540 why? 00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:22.519 Why do you eat with sinners and tax collectors? 00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:24.699 Why do you have time for them? 00:05:24.699 --> 00:05:27.219 Then he moves on, 00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:28.579 and there's real opposition. 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:31.939 As Jesus collides with what they think 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:33.740 is what God's will is. 00:05:34.579 --> 00:05:37.120 He collides with them about fasting and healing, 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:38.060 about the Sabbath, 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:40.019 and all sorts of things. 00:05:40.139 --> 00:05:40.759 And Jesus says, 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:42.699 my revolutionary message 00:05:42.699 --> 00:05:46.680 needs new wineskins receptive to this message. 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:51.060 because the religious elites have rejected it 00:05:51.060 --> 00:05:53.459 and cast him aside. 00:05:54.400 --> 00:05:54.920 In fact, 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:56.780 by the end of that section, 00:05:57.160 --> 00:06:00.240 we hear that they were filled with fury and disgust, 00:06:00.960 --> 00:06:03.240 and disgust with one another 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:05.220 what they might do to Jesus. 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:06.100 Early on, 00:06:06.460 --> 00:06:07.960 they're looking to silence him 00:06:07.960 --> 00:06:09.120 and kill him. 00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:11.939 And then where we've been the last four weeks 00:06:11.939 --> 00:06:14.339 is we've seen Jesus telling people 00:06:14.339 --> 00:06:17.480 how they're to live as citizens of this new kingdom. 00:06:18.019 --> 00:06:19.740 They are to mirror what God is like, 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:20.620 be merciful, 00:06:21.420 --> 00:06:25.120 even as your heavenly Father is merciful. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:26.699 His first public sermon, 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:28.779 and he's teaching his people 00:06:28.779 --> 00:06:30.639 how to stick out like healthy thumbs 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:33.279 in an upside down world. 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:36.600 And this sermon has been very well applied. 00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:37.100 In fact, 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:40.339 there's been 18 points of application, 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:41.759 and here they all are. 00:06:46.419 --> 00:06:47.879 Loads and loads, 00:06:48.579 --> 00:06:49.899 simple instructions 00:06:49.899 --> 00:06:51.299 that he's been giving us 00:06:51.299 --> 00:06:53.620 throughout the course of this sermon. 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:56.219 People have hung on his every word. 00:06:56.620 --> 00:06:58.879 This is revolutionary attitude 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:00.599 that he is telling his people. 00:07:01.579 --> 00:07:02.939 This is, again, 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:04.659 simple to understand, 00:07:04.799 --> 00:07:07.719 but very difficult to apply. 00:07:07.720 --> 00:07:09.380 And we have heard this 00:07:09.380 --> 00:07:12.540 over the last four weeks. 00:07:13.160 --> 00:07:15.380 18 simple points of application 00:07:15.380 --> 00:07:16.600 that Jesus says, 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:18.220 I want you to obey 00:07:18.220 --> 00:07:19.540 to prove your citizenship 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:22.040 in my new kingdom. 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:24.720 And he's nearly come to the end, 00:07:24.780 --> 00:07:25.380 and all the people 00:07:25.380 --> 00:07:26.400 are grabbing their coats 00:07:26.400 --> 00:07:27.060 and getting ready 00:07:27.060 --> 00:07:27.820 to shake his hand 00:07:27.820 --> 00:07:29.120 warmly by the door 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:30.360 of the plane 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:31.120 and say, 00:07:31.200 --> 00:07:32.060 wonderful sermon, 00:07:32.200 --> 00:07:32.440 Jesus, 00:07:32.520 --> 00:07:33.820 we can't wait for next week. 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:37.579 Jesus, though, 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:38.839 won't let them off the hook, 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:40.819 because this sermon 00:07:40.819 --> 00:07:41.800 has a sting 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:43.339 in the tail. 00:07:45.420 --> 00:07:45.980 Suddenly, 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:48.240 Jesus finishes his sermon, 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:50.600 and he turns the spotlight 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:52.879 onto his hearers, 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:54.699 and he confronts them 00:07:54.699 --> 00:07:55.959 with their duplicity. 00:07:56.339 --> 00:07:57.699 He diagnoses in them 00:07:57.699 --> 00:07:58.420 their tendency 00:07:58.420 --> 00:07:59.500 to have spiritual 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:01.000 prosopagnosia. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:03.339 Jesus is going to 00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:04.079 hammer home 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:04.639 the follower 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:05.379 of their hearing 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:06.100 without doing. 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:07.399 Their Teflon 00:08:07.399 --> 00:08:08.379 non-stick hearing, 00:08:08.459 --> 00:08:09.259 it just washes 00:08:09.259 --> 00:08:11.259 over their ears. 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:12.899 And he does this 00:08:12.899 --> 00:08:13.600 by asking 00:08:13.600 --> 00:08:14.800 a question 00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:15.939 in verse 46. 00:08:17.319 --> 00:08:18.699 A very searching 00:08:18.699 --> 00:08:19.939 question. 00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:22.560 He says, 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:23.740 why 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:25.720 do you call me 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:26.459 Lord, Lord, 00:08:27.100 --> 00:08:27.980 and do not 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:29.060 do what I say? 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:31.060 Why do you call me 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:31.819 Lord, Lord, 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:32.460 and do not 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:33.320 do what I say? 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.700 Why do you call me 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:36.440 Master, Master, 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:37.600 and do not obey 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:38.679 what I command? 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.159 A penetrating question, 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:42.220 and one just as searching 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:43.480 for us here this morning 00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:44.659 as it was 00:08:44.659 --> 00:08:45.539 for those people 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:46.759 listening on the plane 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:47.779 that day 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:49.919 2,000 years ago. 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:51.720 It's a question 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:52.299 that's caused 00:08:52.299 --> 00:08:53.539 radical discomfort 00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:54.259 as I've thought 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:55.379 about it this week. 00:08:55.720 --> 00:08:56.899 Why do you call me 00:08:56.899 --> 00:08:57.580 Lord, Lord, 00:08:57.580 --> 00:09:00.440 and do not 00:09:00.440 --> 00:09:00.840 do 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:02.320 what I 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:03.400 say? 00:09:04.580 --> 00:09:05.360 Now in the 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:06.060 Near East, 00:09:06.300 --> 00:09:07.240 the idea of having 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:07.940 a Master, 00:09:08.180 --> 00:09:09.080 the idea of having 00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:09.639 a Lord 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:10.580 was very common. 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:14.320 People were 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:15.320 very familiar 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:16.080 with what it was 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:16.720 like to have 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:17.460 a Kyrios, 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:18.660 a Master, 00:09:18.820 --> 00:09:19.720 a Lord 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:20.400 in charge 00:09:20.400 --> 00:09:21.360 of their lives. 00:09:21.640 --> 00:09:22.400 Your entire 00:09:22.400 --> 00:09:23.740 life as a slave 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:24.520 was tied 00:09:24.520 --> 00:09:25.720 to your Master. 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:27.300 your whole existence 00:09:27.300 --> 00:09:27.920 was one 00:09:27.920 --> 00:09:28.420 where you had 00:09:28.420 --> 00:09:29.139 to obey 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:30.340 everything 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:31.879 that your Master 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:32.820 said. 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:34.120 You had to obey 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:35.019 unthinkingly 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:36.440 and unquestioningly 00:09:36.440 --> 00:09:37.420 and uncritically. 00:09:37.960 --> 00:09:39.379 You had one job, 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:40.980 just one job, 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:42.660 and your one job 00:09:42.660 --> 00:09:44.139 was obedience. 00:09:45.879 --> 00:09:47.080 You couldn't go 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:47.759 and strike, 00:09:48.519 --> 00:09:49.700 you couldn't ignore, 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:51.060 you couldn't have 00:09:51.060 --> 00:09:52.019 a lazy morning, 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:53.180 you couldn't 00:09:53.179 --> 00:09:54.479 swerve the instruction, 00:09:54.979 --> 00:09:56.139 your whole life 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:58.339 had to be one 00:09:58.339 --> 00:10:00.179 of faithful 00:10:00.179 --> 00:10:01.379 obedience 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:02.419 to everything 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:03.159 your Master 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:04.199 demanded. 00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:07.179 Jesus here says 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:07.939 you understand 00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:08.679 that in your 00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:09.839 normal lives, 00:10:10.359 --> 00:10:11.199 why do you not 00:10:11.199 --> 00:10:11.759 do it in your 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:12.879 spiritual lives? 00:10:13.719 --> 00:10:14.500 Why do you 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:15.199 call me Lord, 00:10:15.319 --> 00:10:15.620 Lord, 00:10:16.099 --> 00:10:17.919 and do not 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:18.839 do what I say? 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:19.919 He even repeats 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:20.839 the word Lord 00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:22.840 to emphasize 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:23.940 their duplicity, 00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:26.139 their two-facedness. 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:27.440 He says you have 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:29.019 a real tendency 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:30.160 to be unreal 00:10:30.160 --> 00:10:30.940 in your servant 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:31.600 hurts. 00:10:32.680 --> 00:10:33.860 There's a disconnection 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:34.879 in your discipleship. 00:10:35.180 --> 00:10:35.740 You'll say you'll 00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:36.320 follow me, 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:37.639 but only when I 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:38.860 say nice things. 00:10:40.560 --> 00:10:41.420 A contradiction 00:10:41.420 --> 00:10:42.420 in their confession. 00:10:42.560 --> 00:10:43.240 You call me Lord, 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:43.660 Lord, 00:10:43.660 --> 00:10:45.740 but you don't 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:47.460 do what I say? 00:10:47.560 --> 00:10:48.580 Your lips 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:49.280 are betrayed 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:50.319 by your life. 00:10:50.699 --> 00:10:51.439 You are all 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:52.059 prattle 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:53.220 and no practice. 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:54.639 Your words 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:55.419 are cheap 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:56.559 and they have 00:10:56.559 --> 00:10:57.620 no cash value. 00:10:58.579 --> 00:10:59.299 Trusting Jesus 00:10:59.299 --> 00:11:00.159 like an insurance 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:00.639 policy, 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:01.220 we want him 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:02.240 as a saviour, 00:11:03.079 --> 00:11:03.559 but we're not 00:11:03.559 --> 00:11:04.039 that keen 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:04.720 on him being 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:05.899 our Lord. 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:07.339 We'll meet him 00:11:07.339 --> 00:11:07.860 at the end 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:08.480 of life, 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.339 but we're not 00:11:09.339 --> 00:11:10.620 too concerned 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:11.159 about him 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:12.019 interfering with 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:12.480 the life 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.299 that we have 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:14.539 on this earth. 00:11:14.819 --> 00:11:15.500 Listen to what 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.559 David Platt says 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:17.779 about this tendency 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.360 in Western 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:19.080 Christianity. 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:20.700 We Western 00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:21.399 Christians have 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:21.800 a way of 00:11:21.800 --> 00:11:22.300 taking the 00:11:22.300 --> 00:11:23.039 Jesus of the 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:24.039 Bible and 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:24.860 twisting him 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:25.560 into a version 00:11:25.560 --> 00:11:26.039 of Jesus 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:26.539 that we are 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:27.220 more comfortable 00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:27.740 with. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:28.720 A nice 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:29.680 middle class 00:11:29.680 --> 00:11:30.100 Jesus. 00:11:30.560 --> 00:11:31.159 A Jesus 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:31.680 who doesn't 00:11:31.680 --> 00:11:32.740 mind materialism 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.379 and would 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:34.139 never call us 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:34.700 to give away 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:35.399 everything we 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:35.759 have. 00:11:36.060 --> 00:11:36.680 A Jesus 00:11:36.680 --> 00:11:37.419 who is fine 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:38.039 with nominal 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:38.820 devotion that 00:11:38.820 --> 00:11:39.300 does not 00:11:39.300 --> 00:11:39.919 infringe on 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:40.800 our comforts. 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:41.700 A Jesus 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:42.240 who wants us 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:43.120 to be balanced, 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.080 who wants us 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:44.680 to avoid 00:11:44.680 --> 00:11:45.800 dangerous extremes, 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:46.759 and who for 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.180 that matter 00:11:47.179 --> 00:11:47.759 wants us to 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.539 avoid danger 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:49.120 altogether. 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:50.079 A Jesus 00:11:50.079 --> 00:11:50.599 who brings 00:11:50.599 --> 00:11:51.259 comfort and 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:52.459 prosperity to 00:11:52.459 --> 00:11:53.599 us as we 00:11:53.599 --> 00:11:54.359 live out our 00:11:54.359 --> 00:11:55.559 Christian spin 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:56.279 on the 00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:57.099 American dream. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.379 And that 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.339 exact same 00:11:59.339 --> 00:12:00.459 nuance is in 00:12:00.459 --> 00:12:01.159 Jesus' question 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:01.819 to us this 00:12:01.819 --> 00:12:02.039 morning. 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:02.559 Why do you 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:03.120 call me Lord 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:03.379 Lord? 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:05.719 And do not 00:12:05.719 --> 00:12:07.579 do what I 00:12:07.579 --> 00:12:07.839 say. 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:08.539 Are we guilty 00:12:08.539 --> 00:12:09.279 of that same 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:10.019 remodelling? 00:12:11.359 --> 00:12:12.039 As Mark Twain 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:12.979 famously said, 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:13.879 it isn't those 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:14.539 parts of the 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:15.240 Bible that I 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:16.019 can't understand 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:16.480 that bother 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:16.779 me. 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:17.460 It's the 00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:17.919 parts that 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:18.480 I do. 00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:20.039 And over 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:20.819 the last 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:22.620 four weeks, 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:23.600 we've had 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:24.500 18 points 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:25.019 that anyone 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:25.980 could understand, 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:26.939 and Jesus 00:12:26.939 --> 00:12:27.539 stands and 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:27.919 asks us, 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:28.480 why do you 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:28.799 call me 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:29.059 Lord, 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:29.439 Lord, 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:30.259 and do 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:30.639 not do 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.000 what I 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:31.360 say? 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.240 Searching. 00:12:35.419 --> 00:12:36.279 Jesus calls 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:37.299 us to radical, 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.559 countercultural 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:39.659 living in 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:40.579 contrast to the 00:12:40.579 --> 00:12:41.059 way of the 00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:41.480 world, 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:42.419 and once we 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:42.919 leave here, 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:43.759 we just tend 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:44.279 to blend 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:44.620 in, 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:46.259 and slip 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:46.740 to being 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:47.259 normal. 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:49.480 Just imagine 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:49.879 if we'd 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:50.559 really lived 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:50.939 out these 00:12:50.939 --> 00:12:51.679 18 points 00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:52.080 over the 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:52.559 last four 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:52.960 weeks, 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:53.799 people would 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:54.259 have asked 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:54.700 us about 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:55.679 our weirdness. 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.120 Why do 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:57.960 you do 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.319 that? 00:12:59.240 --> 00:12:59.879 Why do 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:00.819 you give 00:13:00.819 --> 00:13:01.120 without 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.220 wanting back? 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:04.100 Why is it 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:04.419 that you're 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:04.799 not as 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:05.939 judgmental 00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:07.620 and condemning 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.000 as other 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.559 people in 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:09.000 the office? 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:10.580 Why is it 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:10.860 that when 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:11.500 people hurt 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:11.659 you, 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:12.019 you don't 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:12.799 respond? 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.439 You turn 00:13:14.439 --> 00:13:14.819 the other 00:13:14.819 --> 00:13:15.379 cheek? 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:16.840 If we 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:17.600 really did 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.000 that, 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:19.460 if we 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:19.980 really did 00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:20.379 say, 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:21.039 Jesus, 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:21.379 you're 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:21.679 Lord, 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:21.960 Lord, 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:22.240 and I 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:22.480 want to 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:22.779 obey 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:23.240 everything 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:23.480 you 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:23.779 command, 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:24.019 how 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:24.659 different 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:25.460 would 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:25.659 we 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:26.000 look? 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:26.399 But we 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.080 just sink 00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:27.639 below the 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.200 surface 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:29.720 and wait 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:30.179 for next 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:30.639 Sunday. 00:13:31.319 --> 00:13:31.980 That's my 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:32.419 fear for 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:32.939 myself. 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:35.539 Jesus 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:36.019 calls us 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.580 to radical 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:37.559 difference. 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:38.059 He calls 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:38.779 us to live 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:39.419 like he is 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:40.500 Lord of 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.200 our lives. 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.519 He calls 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:44.819 us to 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:45.139 monitor 00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:45.879 our language, 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:46.460 curb our 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:47.080 materialism, 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:47.819 be blameless 00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:48.179 in our 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:48.919 internet use, 00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:49.840 careful in 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:50.559 our relationships, 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:51.600 worshipful in 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:52.059 our work, 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:53.120 chaste in 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:54.159 our intimacy, 00:13:54.439 --> 00:13:55.299 dependent upon 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:55.740 him in 00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:56.460 everything in 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:56.779 prayer, 00:13:57.179 --> 00:13:57.759 to name but 00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.200 a few. 00:13:58.559 --> 00:13:59.159 But all too 00:13:59.159 --> 00:13:59.799 regularly we 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:00.279 carry on 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:00.779 regardless. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:01.480 Why do you 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:02.039 call me Lord 00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:02.319 Lord? 00:14:03.179 --> 00:14:03.879 And do 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.559 not do 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:05.519 what I 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:05.899 say. 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.240 There's a 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:07.939 disconnection in 00:14:07.939 --> 00:14:08.679 our hearing and 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:09.000 doing. 00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:10.319 And I fear 00:14:10.319 --> 00:14:11.039 we're all guilty 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:11.759 of spiritual 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:12.259 proso 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:12.919 Pagnosio. 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:14.799 And this 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:15.299 has been the 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:15.819 problem of 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:16.519 humanity all 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:16.939 along. 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:18.659 In Eden they 00:14:18.659 --> 00:14:19.139 had one 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.839 rule, one 00:14:20.839 --> 00:14:21.379 choice to 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:21.939 obey or 00:14:21.939 --> 00:14:22.620 disobey and 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.139 they chose 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:23.819 to disobey. 00:14:24.599 --> 00:14:25.599 On Sinai as 00:14:25.599 --> 00:14:26.159 we just heard 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:26.699 with Peter, 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.579 Moses is up 00:14:27.579 --> 00:14:27.980 the mountain 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:28.439 getting the 00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:29.159 Ten Commandments 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:29.740 the first of 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.240 which is, 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.159 do not have 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:32.679 any gods 00:14:32.679 --> 00:14:33.459 before me. 00:14:34.199 --> 00:14:34.519 And the 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:34.980 very next 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:35.459 thing they do 00:14:35.459 --> 00:14:35.699 in the 00:14:35.699 --> 00:14:36.039 narrative, 00:14:36.319 --> 00:14:36.659 let's all 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.059 melt down 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:37.599 our jewellery 00:14:37.599 --> 00:14:38.039 and make a 00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:38.799 golden calf 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:39.759 to worship. 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.939 That's what 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:41.460 happens to 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.259 the prophets. 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:44.019 Ezekiel 33, 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.080 come and hear 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:45.679 the message 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.179 that has come 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:46.559 from the 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:46.919 Lord. 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:48.419 My people 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.080 come to you 00:14:49.080 --> 00:14:49.360 as they 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:50.039 usually do 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:50.480 and sit 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:50.980 before you 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:51.319 to hear 00:14:51.319 --> 00:14:51.819 your words, 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.500 but they 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.000 do not 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:53.379 put them 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.319 into practice. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:55.200 Their mouths 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:55.639 speak of 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:56.439 love, but 00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:57.019 their hearts 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:57.480 are greedy 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.159 for unjust 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:58.519 gain. 00:14:58.919 --> 00:14:59.259 Indeed, 00:14:59.360 --> 00:14:59.679 to them 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:00.000 you are 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.779 nothing more 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:01.580 than one 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:02.120 who sings 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:02.939 love songs 00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:03.580 with a 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.439 beautiful voice 00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:04.919 and plays 00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:05.519 an instrument 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.019 well. 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:06.700 For they 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.360 hear your 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:08.080 words, 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.019 but they 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:09.480 do not 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:10.019 do them, 00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:11.159 but they 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:11.539 do not 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:11.879 put them 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:12.639 into practice. 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:13.680 It's how 00:15:13.680 --> 00:15:14.379 the Old 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:14.800 Testament 00:15:14.800 --> 00:15:15.480 finishes, 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.000 Malachi 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.720 chapter 1. 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:17.759 A son 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:19.039 honours his 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:20.200 father and 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:21.019 a slave his 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.480 master. 00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:22.680 If I am a 00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:22.980 father, 00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:23.620 where is the 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:24.060 honour due 00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:24.420 to me? 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:25.539 If I am a 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:26.000 master, 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.220 where is the 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:28.539 respect due 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:29.060 to me? 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.240 And right 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:31.420 here we 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:31.720 have, 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.279 why do you 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:32.639 call me 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:32.879 Lord, 00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:33.340 Lord, 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.500 and do not 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.039 do what I 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:35.340 say? 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:38.019 obedience is 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:38.720 critical. 00:15:39.920 --> 00:15:40.540 This is not 00:15:40.540 --> 00:15:41.180 an easy 00:15:41.180 --> 00:15:42.019 believism. 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:43.540 This is 00:15:43.540 --> 00:15:45.019 Jesus coming 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:45.560 into your 00:15:45.560 --> 00:15:46.120 life to be 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:46.720 Lord of 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.180 your life, 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:47.759 to turn it 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.420 upside down 00:15:48.420 --> 00:15:48.800 from the 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:49.480 inside out 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:49.940 and to make 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:50.320 you stick 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:50.840 out like a 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.540 healthy thumb 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:52.460 in a 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:53.980 fallen world. 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.040 Jesus doesn't 00:15:55.040 --> 00:15:55.340 want your 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.200 endorsement, 00:15:56.440 --> 00:15:56.940 he doesn't 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:57.240 want your 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:57.720 vote, 00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:58.320 he's not 00:15:58.320 --> 00:15:58.780 after a 00:15:58.780 --> 00:15:59.259 subscription 00:15:59.259 --> 00:15:59.720 fee, 00:15:59.900 --> 00:16:00.580 he is not 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.060 looking for 00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:01.940 more fans. 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:03.780 Jesus wants 00:16:03.780 --> 00:16:04.860 your obedience, 00:16:06.280 --> 00:16:06.800 he wants 00:16:06.800 --> 00:16:07.220 you to be 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:07.960 so mastered 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:08.500 by his 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:08.880 grace, 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.060 so responsive 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:10.560 to his 00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:10.800 words, 00:16:10.900 --> 00:16:11.660 so sensitive 00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.260 to his 00:16:12.260 --> 00:16:12.580 spirit, 00:16:13.040 --> 00:16:13.580 that your 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.300 obedience 00:16:14.300 --> 00:16:15.260 becomes your 00:16:15.260 --> 00:16:16.100 overarching 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:17.040 desire and 00:16:17.040 --> 00:16:17.680 your purest 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:18.020 delight. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:20.840 One 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.360 Lord, 00:16:21.760 --> 00:16:23.580 do what 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:24.180 he says. 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:25.920 And Jesus 00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:26.660 is the very 00:16:26.660 --> 00:16:27.380 personification 00:16:27.380 --> 00:16:28.000 of what 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.660 obedience 00:16:28.660 --> 00:16:29.740 looks like. 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:30.580 He says 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:31.040 things like 00:16:31.040 --> 00:16:31.320 this, 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:32.680 my food 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.540 is to do 00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:34.100 the will 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:34.600 of him 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:35.060 who sent 00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:35.360 me and 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:35.780 to finish 00:16:35.780 --> 00:16:36.620 his work. 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:39.020 By myself 00:16:39.020 --> 00:16:39.660 I can do 00:16:39.660 --> 00:16:40.200 nothing. 00:16:41.160 --> 00:16:41.820 I judge 00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:42.620 only as I 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.140 hear and 00:16:43.140 --> 00:16:43.700 my judgment 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.280 is just, 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.120 for I seek 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:45.540 not to 00:16:45.540 --> 00:16:46.700 please myself 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:48.080 but him 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:48.560 who sent 00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:48.820 me. 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:51.600 I will 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.260 not say 00:16:52.260 --> 00:16:52.860 much more 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.280 to you 00:16:53.280 --> 00:16:53.680 now, 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:54.580 for the 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:54.960 prince of 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:55.400 this world 00:16:55.400 --> 00:16:55.800 is coming, 00:16:55.900 --> 00:16:56.160 he has 00:16:56.160 --> 00:16:57.040 no hold 00:16:57.040 --> 00:16:57.480 over me, 00:16:57.560 --> 00:16:57.920 but he 00:16:57.920 --> 00:16:58.480 comes so 00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:58.820 that the 00:16:58.820 --> 00:16:59.320 world may 00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:00.100 learn that 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:00.540 I love 00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:01.140 the father 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.340 and do 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.199 exactly 00:17:03.199 --> 00:17:04.180 what my 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:04.779 father has 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.240 commanded 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.259 me. 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.000 The 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.639 greatest 00:17:08.639 --> 00:17:09.980 phrase to 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.299 do with 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.139 obedience in 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:11.420 Jesus' 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.019 life. 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.440 Going a 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.319 little further, 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.420 he fell with 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:17.240 his face to 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:17.660 the ground 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.240 and prayed, 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.519 my father, 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.460 if it is 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.200 possible, 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.539 may this 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:22.960 cup be 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.639 taken from 00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:23.819 me, 00:17:23.879 --> 00:17:24.400 yet not 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:25.220 as I 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:25.559 will, 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:26.720 but as 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.059 you 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:27.900 will. 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:28.640 Jesus 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:29.519 perfectly 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.420 obeys 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.060 so that 00:17:31.060 --> 00:17:31.420 he can 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:31.860 be our 00:17:31.860 --> 00:17:32.360 Lord 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.240 and our 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.780 saviour. 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:34.540 And now 00:17:34.540 --> 00:17:35.080 in loving 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:35.900 response to 00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:36.259 all that 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:36.800 he's done 00:17:36.800 --> 00:17:37.560 for us, 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.519 he says, 00:17:38.820 --> 00:17:39.180 call me 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:39.460 Lord, 00:17:39.540 --> 00:17:39.800 Lord, 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.400 but live 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:40.680 it out 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.000 in your 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:41.660 lives. 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:42.960 Or else 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.280 there's a 00:17:43.280 --> 00:17:43.920 real problem. 00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:45.519 There's a 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.480 real duplicity 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.200 if you say, 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:48.000 Lord, 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:48.440 Lord, 00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:49.980 and do 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.580 not do 00:17:50.580 --> 00:17:51.600 what I 00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:51.960 say. 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:53.380 He then 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:53.960 moves on to 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.700 illustrate with 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.259 probably the 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:55.839 most famous 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:57.200 illustration he 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:57.680 uses. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:58.259 It's so 00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:58.839 famous we 00:17:58.839 --> 00:17:59.140 have a 00:17:59.140 --> 00:17:59.359 Sunday 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:00.000 school song 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.359 with 00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:01.279 actions. 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:04.460 And the 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.079 key is not 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:05.440 just the 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.160 difference between 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:06.559 the two 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:06.819 men, 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:07.900 it is also 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:08.740 the similarities. 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:11.879 Similarities 00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:12.539 are this. 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:14.759 They both 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.359 hear the 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.299 same word. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.279 They both 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:17.680 do. 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.599 One is not 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:19.319 more privileged 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.000 than the other. 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:20.680 One is not 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.299 turned up and 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:21.579 the other 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:21.960 hasn't. 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.660 They both 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:24.119 hear the 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:25.220 same word. 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:25.640 they have 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.400 access to 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:27.019 the same 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:28.140 message. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:29.960 And seemingly 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.740 they both 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.420 build the 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:32.619 same house 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.700 from street 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.099 level. 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:34.640 It looks 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.259 identical, 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:35.879 a standard 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.480 two up, 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.200 two down. 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.259 Retailing 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:39.680 for about 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:41.059 £220,000 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.799 in Edinburgh. 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:46.019 It may 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.660 even be 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.079 neighbours 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:47.940 occupying the 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.359 same 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:49.539 cul-de-sac. 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.579 And they 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.279 both face 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:52.799 the same 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:53.539 storms. 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:53.700 Jesus. 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.139 Jesus is 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:55.619 not saying 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:55.920 if you 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.680 obey me 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:56.960 it will 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:57.619 be happy 00:18:57.619 --> 00:18:58.359 and healthy 00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:59.000 and wealthy 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.379 for the 00:18:59.379 --> 00:18:59.700 rest of 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.319 your life. 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:03.180 You both 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:03.759 face the 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.240 same 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:04.920 storms. 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:05.379 Building 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:06.500 your life 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.500 on Jesus 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.279 and obedience 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.759 to him 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.220 does not 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.920 inoculate you 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:10.700 against storms. 00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:12.980 The Bible 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.899 never promises 00:19:13.899 --> 00:19:14.579 a get out of 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.019 difficulty 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:15.720 free card 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.200 on becoming 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:16.740 a Christian. 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:17.599 It is 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:18.099 clear from 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:18.740 the illustration 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.319 that they 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.420 both suffer 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:20.940 the same 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.420 storm. 00:19:22.600 --> 00:19:23.000 Though the 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.620 result of 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.060 the storm 00:19:24.060 --> 00:19:24.759 is radically 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.720 different. 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.580 And here 00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:27.820 are the 00:19:27.820 --> 00:19:28.259 differences. 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.000 They may 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.580 look small 00:19:31.580 --> 00:19:31.900 but they 00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:33.060 make a 00:19:33.060 --> 00:19:33.800 cataclysmic 00:19:33.800 --> 00:19:34.200 difference 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:34.560 at the 00:19:34.560 --> 00:19:35.100 end. 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:36.660 One, 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:38.100 he hears 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:39.060 and he 00:19:39.060 --> 00:19:39.700 obeys. 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.380 He hears 00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:40.680 and he 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.039 puts them 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.680 into practice. 00:19:43.060 --> 00:19:43.720 And the 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.480 other merely 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:45.320 hears. 00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:46.680 And then 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.019 has a 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:47.480 bout of 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.240 spiritual 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.700 prosopagnosia. 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:53.720 one hears 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.539 and his 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.080 determination 00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:56.060 is to do 00:19:56.060 --> 00:19:56.900 what he 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.240 hears 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:57.840 and then 00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:58.480 just carries 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:58.940 on 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.880 regardless. 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:04.640 And this 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.240 plays out 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:05.500 in the 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.039 first man 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:06.380 digging 00:20:06.380 --> 00:20:07.720 painstaking 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.600 foundations, 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.680 digging down 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.019 deep, 00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:10.720 getting right 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.080 to the 00:20:11.080 --> 00:20:11.820 bedrock, 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.539 building his 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.480 life on 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.700 obedience to 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.019 Jesus' 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.820 words. 00:20:18.320 --> 00:20:18.980 And the 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:19.519 second man 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:19.840 hardly 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:20.659 disturbs the 00:20:20.659 --> 00:20:21.339 topsoil. 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:22.699 And you 00:20:22.699 --> 00:20:23.259 can imagine 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:23.539 his 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.099 neighbors, 00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:25.159 every time 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:26.000 somebody goes 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.419 past the 00:20:26.419 --> 00:20:26.879 second man 00:20:26.879 --> 00:20:27.339 there's all 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.000 high-fiving 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.699 going on. 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.459 Look how 00:20:29.459 --> 00:20:30.199 quickly you're 00:20:30.199 --> 00:20:30.740 building your 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.019 house, 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:31.839 it's amazing. 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.000 That idiot 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.619 next door, 00:20:33.679 --> 00:20:34.079 he spends 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.679 all of his 00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:35.319 time deep 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:35.980 down dark 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.279 in a 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.839 hole which 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.279 is wet 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.799 and damp. 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.819 Will he 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.559 ever finish? 00:20:42.439 --> 00:20:42.980 And yet we 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:43.379 all know, 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:43.759 don't we, 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:44.319 the importance 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.199 of foundations. 00:20:46.179 --> 00:20:46.759 We all know 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.459 in all of our 00:20:47.459 --> 00:20:47.980 lives the 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:48.679 importance of 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:49.060 building, 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:49.720 not just in 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.220 the immediate 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.820 but in the 00:20:50.820 --> 00:20:51.240 future. 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:53.340 We all know 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:53.900 what it is 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:55.360 to see houses 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:56.060 all washed 00:20:56.060 --> 00:20:57.539 away because 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.200 they weren't 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.700 built properly. 00:21:00.360 --> 00:21:00.960 We all know 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.640 what it is for 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.840 financial forecasting 00:21:02.840 --> 00:21:04.120 to invest now 00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:05.279 so you can reap 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:05.779 a dividend 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.960 then. 00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:09.039 We all know 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.580 the importance 00:21:09.580 --> 00:21:10.799 of foundations 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.539 if we ever go 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.340 to Italy and 00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:12.940 see the Tower 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.500 of Pisa 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.700 that sits 57 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.720 meters high but 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.460 only has 3 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.500 meter foundations 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.519 and that's 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:18.839 why it's 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.359 famous for 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:19.660 leaning. 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:20.720 I think if 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.140 somebody had 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:21.480 built it 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.039 properly no 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.319 one would 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:22.759 ever visit 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.119 the town 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:23.640 of Pisa. 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.400 In stark 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.119 contrast the 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:27.640 Shard right 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.059 in the middle 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.660 of London 00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:31.079 310 meters 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.539 high the 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.220 tourist building 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:32.799 in the UK 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.819 and its 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.579 foundations 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:36.000 driven down 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:37.759 63 meters. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:41.559 this man 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.579 the first 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:43.000 man 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:44.000 the hearing 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.700 and obeying 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.200 man 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:47.240 he hears 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:48.759 and with 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.259 great 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.339 efforts 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:51.920 he digs 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.799 down deep 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:54.379 and lays 00:21:54.379 --> 00:21:55.039 foundation 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:56.660 on the rock. 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.599 They also 00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.359 have a radically 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.240 different view 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.000 of the future. 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.700 The second 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.359 man thinks 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:04.099 oh the bright 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.980 sky 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:05.900 the sunny 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.480 days 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.220 the birds 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.920 singing 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:08.380 that will 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:08.920 continue. 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.660 He obviously 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.380 never lived 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:11.940 in Scotland. 00:22:13.620 --> 00:22:13.980 That will 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.400 continue. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:14.799 What's the 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.160 point in 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:15.779 weatherproofing 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.220 my house 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.620 and building 00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:17.240 foundations? 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.180 It's just 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.519 going to be 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:18.980 plain 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.839 sailing. 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.460 The second 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.059 man on the 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:23.819 other hand 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:26.599 he beamed a 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:27.220 storm away. 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.599 He knew 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.000 that the 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.339 storms may 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:31.920 not be seen 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.620 on the horizon 00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:33.220 but they would 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.759 build in a 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.120 moment. 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:35.379 and flash 00:22:35.379 --> 00:22:35.859 flooding 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.859 would 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:37.979 ensue. 00:22:39.959 --> 00:22:41.000 And finally 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.500 the effect 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:41.839 of the 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.239 storm. 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.419 Dipolar 00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:45.259 opposites. 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:46.839 The storm 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.739 rages, 00:22:47.899 --> 00:22:48.899 the torrent 00:22:48.899 --> 00:22:49.699 comes, 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:50.659 one house 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:51.519 is battered 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.079 but stands 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.479 firm, 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.599 one house 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.500 is battered 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.119 and is 00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:55.899 absolutely 00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:56.500 ruined 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.739 and completely 00:22:57.739 --> 00:22:58.339 destroyed. 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.419 The first 00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:00.959 man calls 00:23:00.959 --> 00:23:01.379 Jesus 00:23:01.379 --> 00:23:01.819 Lord, 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:02.199 Lord 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:04.140 Lord and 00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:04.720 struggles 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.299 hard to 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:05.799 do what 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.299 he says 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.600 and the 00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:06.860 second 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.420 man calls 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:07.580 him 00:23:07.580 --> 00:23:07.840 Lord, 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:09.400 Lord and 00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:10.160 does not 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.580 do what 00:23:11.580 --> 00:23:12.240 he says. 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.059 Now the 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.680 imagery of 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.220 flooding and 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:15.720 storms can 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.480 definitely refer 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.180 to bumps 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:18.220 in the road 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:18.580 of this 00:23:18.580 --> 00:23:19.180 life. 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:20.920 Tragic 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.559 death, 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.120 terrifying 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:24.000 diagnosis, 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:24.860 the unexpected 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:25.660 P45 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.880 slid across 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:27.539 the desk. 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.940 there is 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.519 definite 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.519 advantage in 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.159 building our 00:23:31.159 --> 00:23:32.180 lives obedient 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:32.659 to the 00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:33.339 Lord Jesus 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:35.399 in this 00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:36.680 life alone. 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.500 Obedience 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:38.940 to Jesus 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.420 doesn't mean 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:39.799 it doesn't 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.839 hurt or 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:41.159 that there 00:23:41.159 --> 00:23:41.740 isn't fear 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.099 but it 00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:42.559 does mean 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.440 that through 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.279 our obedience 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:46.159 to his 00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:46.859 call on our 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.299 lives there 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:47.819 is eternal 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:49.240 security and 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.940 impenetrable 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:51.379 safety in 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:51.980 being a true 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.659 disciple of 00:23:52.659 --> 00:23:52.960 Jesus. 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.379 I've lost 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.019 count of how 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.579 many times 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:55.960 during the 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.460 last seven 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:56.879 years of 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:57.340 this church 00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:57.780 when one 00:23:57.780 --> 00:23:58.100 thing or 00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:58.600 another has 00:23:58.600 --> 00:23:59.580 happened and 00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:00.260 somebody hasn't 00:24:00.260 --> 00:24:01.020 said I 00:24:01.020 --> 00:24:01.500 don't know 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:01.960 how I would 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.220 have gotten 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:02.660 through it 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.120 without the 00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:03.400 Lord. 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.220 However the 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.300 imagery of 00:24:07.300 --> 00:24:07.900 flooding in 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.540 the Bible is 00:24:08.540 --> 00:24:09.420 also consistent 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.680 in being about 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:11.540 coming judgment 00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:13.620 at the 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.300 end. 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:15.900 It's 00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:16.760 regularly about 00:24:16.760 --> 00:24:17.300 the day of 00:24:17.300 --> 00:24:17.820 the Lord and 00:24:17.820 --> 00:24:18.320 the judgment 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:18.980 he will bring 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.600 to bear on 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:20.220 each of our 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.900 lives. 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:22.800 The truth 00:24:22.800 --> 00:24:23.500 then contained 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:23.880 in this 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:25.000 illustration is 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.560 therefore of 00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:26.160 uttermost 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:27.440 importance for 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:27.940 all of us. 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.380 There is a 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:29.540 real warning 00:24:29.540 --> 00:24:30.360 about coming 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:31.180 and impending 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.740 judgment and 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.420 the only way 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:34.620 to stand firm 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:35.759 on that day 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:37.240 will be to 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.759 have not only 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.300 claimed that 00:24:38.300 --> 00:24:38.820 Jesus is 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:39.120 Lord, 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:39.480 Lord, 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.519 but to have 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.220 struggled hard 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:41.920 to obey 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.180 his words. 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:44.320 It will be a 00:24:44.320 --> 00:24:45.540 terrifying day 00:24:45.540 --> 00:24:46.860 to have spent 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:47.620 all your life 00:24:47.620 --> 00:24:48.259 saying Lord, 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:48.600 Lord, 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:50.160 and never 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:51.060 caring one 00:24:51.060 --> 00:24:52.900 jot about 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.560 obeying what 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:54.559 Jesus calls. 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.940 The only 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.559 reason we 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.039 will stand 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.879 before God 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.899 and not be 00:24:58.899 --> 00:25:00.539 judged is 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.019 whether we've 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.399 not only 00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:02.299 confessed Jesus 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:03.079 to be Lord, 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:03.799 but have 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.279 worked with 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:04.559 all the 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.299 energy God 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:05.919 is able to 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:06.500 provide to 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.599 obey what 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.379 he says. 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.899 Jesus says, 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.500 I'm not an 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.559 insurance policy, 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:14.019 I'm not just a 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.019 savior, I also 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:16.220 want to be Lord 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.460 of your life. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.259 This is not 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:19.700 easy believism. 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:21.720 And therefore, 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.759 the uncomfortable 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.660 question he 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.240 asks these 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:24.900 people is the 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.380 uncomfortable 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.120 question he 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:27.100 asks us. 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.559 Not to 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.120 condemn, 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:29.960 but to 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:31.220 challenge and 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:32.039 to change. 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:33.980 He says, 00:25:34.080 --> 00:25:34.700 be very 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:37.400 careful if 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:37.900 you're calling 00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:38.400 me Lord, 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:38.740 Lord, 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:40.600 and not 00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:41.240 seeking to 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.799 bring every 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.420 area of your 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:42.860 life in 00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:44.440 obedience to 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.640 my command. 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.700 A man fell 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.460 off a 50 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.720 story building 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.799 and was 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.240 heard by 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.720 people on 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.319 the 20th 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:53.759 floor to 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.000 say, 00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:54.519 so far, 00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:55.059 so good. 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:57.900 The truth 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:58.160 is, 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:58.620 many of 00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.940 us think 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:00.319 we're getting 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:01.100 away with 00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:01.500 it. 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.519 So far, 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.819 so good. 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:05.519 I can put 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.080 my Sunday 00:26:06.080 --> 00:26:06.720 face on, 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.340 my Sunday 00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:07.960 smile, 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.539 I can sing 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.220 with vigor. 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.299 Jesus says, 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:13.960 be very 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.420 careful. 00:26:15.620 --> 00:26:16.279 You won't 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.680 get away 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:17.080 with it. 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.819 I need 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.080 to be 00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:20.759 Lord and 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.400 Savior of 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:21.960 your life. 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:23.700 Build your 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.360 life, not 00:26:24.360 --> 00:26:24.720 just in 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.759 confession upon 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.240 me, but 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:26.980 in obedience 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:28.220 to me. 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:29.860 And if 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.319 you do 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.000 but try, 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.259 I will 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.880 help, I 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.220 will be 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.980 honored, and 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.279 you will 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.059 know eternal 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.799 security and 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.640 impenetrable 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.880 safety for 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:42.380 all eternity. 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.080 It's a real 00:26:43.080 --> 00:26:43.799 wake-up call. 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:45.259 And so we 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:45.680 finish with 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.080 this. 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:47.319 what Peter 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.859 says in 00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:48.339 his first 00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:48.819 letter in 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.500 chapter 2, 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.240 behold, I 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.939 am laying 00:26:51.939 --> 00:26:52.879 in Zion a 00:26:52.879 --> 00:26:54.059 stone, a 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:54.919 cornerstone 00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:56.000 chosen and 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.419 precious. 00:26:57.679 --> 00:26:58.699 And whoever 00:26:58.699 --> 00:26:59.819 builds his 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:00.460 life upon 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.699 him will 00:27:01.699 --> 00:27:03.199 not be 00:27:03.199 --> 00:27:03.619 put to 00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:03.939 shame. 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:05.659 Let's just 00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:06.159 take a 00:27:06.159 --> 00:27:07.059 moment together 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.000 of silence 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:10.039 and let's 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:10.699 each of us 00:27:10.699 --> 00:27:11.460 consider this 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:11.899 question, 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:12.519 why do you 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:12.879 call me 00:27:12.879 --> 00:27:13.139 Lord, 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:13.460 Lord, 00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:15.759 and ask 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.280 ourselves, 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.400 are we 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:18.980 doing what 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:20.520 Jesus asks? 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:21.759 Let's take a 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.200 moment of 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.500 quiet. 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:31.640 Jesus says 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:31.960 to us, 00:27:32.040 --> 00:27:32.540 why do you 00:27:32.540 --> 00:27:32.960 call me 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.300 Lord, 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:33.759 Lord, 00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:35.160 and do 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:35.740 not do 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.820 what I 00:27:36.820 --> 00:27:37.120 say? 00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:39.280 Father God, 00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:39.680 we want 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.400 Jesus to be 00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:41.100 Lord of our 00:27:41.100 --> 00:27:41.640 lives. 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:43.720 Father, 00:27:43.800 --> 00:27:44.220 we want 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.580 to be 00:27:44.580 --> 00:27:45.200 faithful, 00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:46.180 robust, 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.040 and confident 00:27:47.040 --> 00:27:47.640 servants. 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:50.240 So we 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:50.840 ask you to 00:27:50.840 --> 00:27:52.259 confront us 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.840 with our 00:27:52.840 --> 00:27:53.560 hypocrisy, 00:27:54.560 --> 00:27:55.280 to peel 00:27:55.280 --> 00:27:55.759 back the 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.320 mask of 00:27:56.320 --> 00:27:57.080 duplicity, 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:57.800 to shine 00:27:57.800 --> 00:27:58.320 the light 00:27:58.320 --> 00:27:58.700 of the 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.920 gospel on 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.440 the areas 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:00.820 of our 00:28:00.820 --> 00:28:01.280 lives that 00:28:01.280 --> 00:28:01.640 are not 00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:02.120 completely 00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:02.820 surrendered to 00:28:02.820 --> 00:28:03.100 you. 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.440 And we 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:04.740 ask that 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.020 you would 00:28:05.020 --> 00:28:05.840 transform our 00:28:05.840 --> 00:28:06.440 desires to 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:06.960 align them 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.580 to yours. 00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:09.340 Father God, 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:09.980 help us be 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.840 obedient, we 00:28:10.840 --> 00:28:11.180 pray. 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:12.420 For we 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:12.840 know you 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:13.300 do not 00:28:13.300 --> 00:28:13.960 delight in 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.220 burnt 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.560 offerings of 00:28:15.560 --> 00:28:16.740 external ritual 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.840 or sacrifices, 00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:19.360 you delight 00:28:19.360 --> 00:28:20.100 much more 00:28:20.100 --> 00:28:21.280 in our 00:28:21.280 --> 00:28:21.880 obedience. 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.720 In your 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:23.980 sight, 00:28:24.080 --> 00:28:24.960 obedience is 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.480 better than 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.280 sacrifice, 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.620 and hearing 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.280 and doing 00:28:28.280 --> 00:28:28.840 better than 00:28:28.840 --> 00:28:29.500 the fat of 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:29.900 rams. 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:31.220 Father, 00:28:31.340 --> 00:28:31.720 help us 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.320 build our 00:28:32.320 --> 00:28:32.820 lives on 00:28:32.820 --> 00:28:33.680 Jesus Christ 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:35.320 by hearing 00:28:35.320 --> 00:28:36.880 and doing 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.880 his word, 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.440 we pray. 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:39.480 Amen. 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:39.580 Amen.