WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080
 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church.

00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:09.519
 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication,

00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.419
 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church.

00:00:15.419 --> 00:00:22.640
 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org.

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.700
 Reading from the Gospel according to Mark.

00:00:33.740 --> 00:00:38.460
 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,

00:00:38.780 --> 00:00:42.640
 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:47.620
 I will send my messenger ahead of you who will prepare your way,

00:00:48.379 --> 00:00:52.179
 a voice of one calling in the wilderness,

00:00:52.539 --> 00:00:56.280
 prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.

00:00:56.280 --> 00:00:59.439
 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness,

00:00:59.780 --> 00:01:04.159
 preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

00:01:04.599 --> 00:01:14.040
 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him,

00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:16.560
 confessing their sins.

00:01:16.700 --> 00:01:19.079
 They were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

00:01:19.620 --> 00:01:24.319
 John wore clothing made of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist,

00:01:24.319 --> 00:01:27.000
 and he ate locusts and wild honey.

00:01:28.379 --> 00:01:30.339
 And this was his message.

00:01:31.239 --> 00:01:34.539
 After me comes the one more powerful than I,

00:01:35.019 --> 00:01:40.259
 the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.

00:01:40.259 --> 00:01:45.019
 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

00:01:45.799 --> 00:01:49.399
 At that time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee

00:01:49.399 --> 00:01:52.019
 and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

00:01:52.019 --> 00:01:55.299
 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water,

00:01:55.439 --> 00:02:00.379
 he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

00:02:00.679 --> 00:02:02.299
 And a voice came from heaven,

00:02:02.739 --> 00:02:07.239
 You are my Son, whom I love, and you and I will be pleased.

00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:10.840
 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness,

00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:15.099
 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan.

00:02:15.500 --> 00:02:18.879
 He was with wild animals, and angels attended him.

00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:22.919
 After John was put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee,

00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:25.460
 proclaiming the good news of God.

00:02:25.639 --> 00:02:27.500
 The time has come, he said.

00:02:27.620 --> 00:02:29.719
 The kingdom of God will come near.

00:02:30.079 --> 00:02:32.019
 Repent and believe the good news.

00:02:32.379 --> 00:02:34.799
 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee,

00:02:34.939 --> 00:02:39.199
 he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake,

00:02:39.460 --> 00:02:40.539
 for they were fishermen.

00:02:40.919 --> 00:02:42.620
 Come follow me, Jesus said,

00:02:42.620 --> 00:02:45.039
 and I will send you out to fish for people.

00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:49.460
 At once they left their nets and followed him.

00:02:49.819 --> 00:02:51.180
 When he had gone a little further,

00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:53.300
 he saw James, son of Zebedee,

00:02:53.520 --> 00:02:55.560
 and his brother John in a boat,

00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:57.120
 preparing their nets.

00:02:57.460 --> 00:02:59.620
 Without delay, he called them,

00:02:59.900 --> 00:03:02.659
 and they left their father Zebedee in the boat

00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:04.719
 with the hired men and followed him.

00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:09.180
 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,

00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:10.840
 Jesus got up, left the house,

00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:14.120
 and went off to a solitary place where he prayed.

00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:16.280
 This is the gospel of the Lord.

00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:18.780
 Praise to you, O Christ.

00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:26.560
 Thank you, Gail, for that reading.

00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:27.759
 Good morning, everyone.

00:03:27.860 --> 00:03:28.620
 My name is Andrew.

00:03:28.900 --> 00:03:30.280
 I'm one of the pastors here.

00:03:30.639 --> 00:03:31.159
 Merry Christmas.

00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:35.340
 I want to give a shout-out to the Thomases.

00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:39.439
 I believe this is Samuel Thomas' first Sunday at Christ Church.

00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:40.620
 So welcome, little one.

00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:41.919
 What's that, seven weeks?

00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:43.039
 Eight?

00:03:43.740 --> 00:03:44.599
 Eight weeks.

00:03:45.079 --> 00:03:45.859
 That's pretty good.

00:03:45.900 --> 00:03:46.560
 That's pretty good.

00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:50.159
 And I also want to give a shout-out to Amy,

00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:52.340
 no longer Amy Howe,

00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:54.379
 but Amy Ng and Jesse Ng,

00:03:54.460 --> 00:03:55.780
 who got married this past Friday.

00:03:56.099 --> 00:03:57.560
 They're not here right now.

00:03:57.979 --> 00:04:00.000
 They're enjoying their time away.

00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:03.360
 But yeah, a lot of exciting things going on in our church.

00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:07.400
 We, between Christmas and Easter,

00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:09.280
 open up one of the four Gospels,

00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:11.280
 and today we are in the Gospel of Mark,

00:04:11.580 --> 00:04:12.919
 so we'll open that up together.

00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:15.599
 But before we do that, will you pray with me?

00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:23.279
 Father, we ask that you would speak to us,

00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:25.839
 that your Spirit would be so present

00:04:25.839 --> 00:04:29.299
 and so palpable amongst us,

00:04:29.839 --> 00:04:31.199
 that we would hear from you

00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:32.659
 and that we'd be changed,

00:04:33.219 --> 00:04:34.799
 that your word would go forth

00:04:34.799 --> 00:04:37.619
 as the authoritative, powerful, compelling,

00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:40.239
 gentle word that it is,

00:04:40.479 --> 00:04:42.739
 and that we would behold your Son,

00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:45.219
 who is not just our King,

00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:46.819
 but our servant King,

00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:49.680
 who doesn't just wear a crown,

00:04:49.899 --> 00:04:52.339
 but a crown of thorns for us.

00:04:53.379 --> 00:04:55.159
 And would that change the way we live

00:04:55.159 --> 00:04:56.540
 as children of God?

00:04:56.740 --> 00:04:59.159
 And if there are those here today

00:04:59.159 --> 00:05:00.939
 who are not children of God,

00:05:01.019 --> 00:05:03.839
 we ask that you would make your Son

00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:05.439
 so compelling to them

00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:08.360
 and the way of life that he's presented to us

00:05:08.360 --> 00:05:09.500
 as this servant King.

00:05:09.500 --> 00:05:13.759
 And we pray that because of our existence here

00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:14.339
 as a church,

00:05:14.459 --> 00:05:15.399
 that people would be led

00:05:15.399 --> 00:05:17.779
 into deeper relationships with Christ,

00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:20.319
 who we believe is the glorious one.

00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:21.519
 In his name we pray.

00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:22.720
 Amen.

00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:25.180
 So like I said,

00:05:25.259 --> 00:05:27.540
 every year we get into the Gospels

00:05:27.540 --> 00:05:28.699
 between Christmas and Easter,

00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:30.379
 and this year we are in what

00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:32.839
 pretty much everyone in the early church believed

00:05:32.839 --> 00:05:35.519
 was the Gospel according to Mark.

00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:37.339
 Mark was someone who they believed

00:05:37.339 --> 00:05:39.099
 to actually sit at the feet of Peter

00:05:39.099 --> 00:05:41.759
 to hear his firsthand eyewitness account

00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:42.639
 and record it.

00:05:42.719 --> 00:05:44.139
 We believe that this is probably the shortest

00:05:44.139 --> 00:05:46.719
 and the earliest account.

00:05:47.139 --> 00:05:48.039
 So if you ever wondered

00:05:48.039 --> 00:05:49.579
 what Peter thought about Jesus,

00:05:50.039 --> 00:05:50.879
 this is probably it,

00:05:50.979 --> 00:05:52.739
 here in the Gospel of Mark.

00:05:53.339 --> 00:05:54.659
 Now the thing about the Gospels

00:05:54.659 --> 00:05:56.059
 is that they all tell the same story

00:05:56.059 --> 00:05:57.439
 about the same person,

00:05:57.699 --> 00:05:59.759
 but each of them has a distinct focus.

00:06:00.139 --> 00:06:00.819
 So for example,

00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:03.979
 in Matthew you have a lot of Jewish references,

00:06:04.239 --> 00:06:07.019
 you have a lot of prophecies fulfilled,

00:06:07.339 --> 00:06:09.539
 you have a genealogy that goes to Abraham

00:06:09.539 --> 00:06:10.839
 because Matthew's trying to show

00:06:10.839 --> 00:06:13.819
 that Jesus is the promised Messiah to Israel.

00:06:14.479 --> 00:06:16.519
 And then in Luke you have a genealogy

00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:18.299
 that goes all the way back to Adam,

00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:20.459
 and you have a very human Jesus.

00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:21.959
 You have a Jesus who's very dependent

00:06:21.959 --> 00:06:22.859
 on the Holy Spirit,

00:06:23.179 --> 00:06:24.419
 and this is because Luke is trying

00:06:24.419 --> 00:06:26.859
 to portray Jesus as a human,

00:06:27.299 --> 00:06:28.599
 truly the Son of Man.

00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:30.579
 Then in the Gospel of John,

00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:30.959
 what do you have?

00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:31.959
 Do you have a genealogy at all?

00:06:32.019 --> 00:06:32.579
 No, you don't.

00:06:32.859 --> 00:06:33.139
 You don't.

00:06:33.219 --> 00:06:33.479
 You have,

00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:34.659
 in the beginning was the Word,

00:06:34.699 --> 00:06:35.519
 and the Word was with God,

00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:36.639
 and the Word was God.

00:06:36.719 --> 00:06:38.139
 The Word created everything,

00:06:38.359 --> 00:06:40.479
 and in Him was life and light for the world.

00:06:41.599 --> 00:06:44.579
 John is trying to show that Jesus is God.

00:06:44.659 --> 00:06:45.599
 He's divine.

00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:46.919
 But now Mark,

00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:47.699
 what's Mark about?

00:06:48.399 --> 00:06:48.879
 Mark again,

00:06:48.919 --> 00:06:49.680
 it's the shortest Gospel,

00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:50.959
 probably the earliest one.

00:06:51.939 --> 00:06:53.399
 And what I love about Mark,

00:06:53.459 --> 00:06:54.479
 and why it's probably shorter

00:06:54.479 --> 00:06:55.599
 than many of the others,

00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:57.759
 is that this is kind of like raw

00:06:57.759 --> 00:06:58.759
 and unfiltered,

00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:00.879
 less interpreted Jesus.

00:07:01.479 --> 00:07:02.159
 Less the teacher,

00:07:02.659 --> 00:07:03.299
 more the doer.

00:07:03.300 --> 00:07:04.560
 Shorter dialogues,

00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:05.780
 more action,

00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:06.060
 you know,

00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:07.759
 going from this to that to that scene.

00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:09.139
 No sermon on the mount,

00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:11.480
 no great high priestly prayer,

00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:13.520
 less theological explanation

00:07:13.520 --> 00:07:14.259
 and interpretation

00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:16.259
 of His teaching and ministry.

00:07:16.960 --> 00:07:17.660
 And just look at,

00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:17.819
 like,

00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:18.680
 all the ground we covered

00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:20.220
 right here in the first 20 verses

00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:21.939
 of Mark chapter 1, right?

00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:22.960
 It's boom, boom, boom, boom, boom,

00:07:23.080 --> 00:07:24.240
 just keeps moving along.

00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:25.660
 And so Mark,

00:07:25.720 --> 00:07:26.699
 it points us not so much

00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:27.920
 to the messianic,

00:07:28.259 --> 00:07:28.600
 divine,

00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:30.460
 or human identities of Jesus,

00:07:31.280 --> 00:07:32.460
 but to the way He lived.

00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:34.699
 The way He lived,

00:07:34.900 --> 00:07:37.220
 particularly as a servant.

00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:39.560
 The way He lived as a servant.

00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:41.840
 Now this idea of Jesus as the way,

00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:42.040
 you know,

00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:42.879
 I grew up in the church,

00:07:43.400 --> 00:07:43.980
 I grew up,

00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:45.560
 there was never a time in my life

00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:47.080
 where I didn't know about Jesus,

00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:48.660
 because my parents taught me

00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:50.800
 about this Messiah God

00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:51.480
 who's the way,

00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:51.780
 the truth,

00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:52.080
 and the life.

00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:53.080
 I probably memorized that,

00:07:53.139 --> 00:07:53.780
 John 14,

00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:55.600
 as a kid in elementary school.

00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:56.019
 The way,

00:07:56.100 --> 00:07:56.400
 the truth,

00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:56.800
 and the life.

00:07:56.860 --> 00:07:58.100
 And it always made sense to me

00:07:58.100 --> 00:07:59.980
 how He's the truth, right?

00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:00.340
 Like,

00:08:00.400 --> 00:08:01.460
 Jesus teaches the truth,

00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:02.379
 He's God,

00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:03.439
 He teaches the truth about

00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:04.460
 who God is,

00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:06.220
 and how to live the right way,

00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:07.379
 and He's the life,

00:08:07.460 --> 00:08:07.700
 of course.

00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:09.020
 He's the author of life,

00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:10.000
 and He came to give,

00:08:10.200 --> 00:08:10.420
 you know,

00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:10.980
 resurrection,

00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:12.020
 eternal life.

00:08:12.900 --> 00:08:14.420
 But I always thought of the way,

00:08:14.540 --> 00:08:15.220
 Him as the way,

00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:16.780
 as He's kind of like the way

00:08:16.780 --> 00:08:17.480
 to the truth,

00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:19.500
 the way to the life.

00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:20.819
 And I never really gave much thought

00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:21.340
 to what it meant

00:08:21.340 --> 00:08:22.680
 that He was the way,

00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:24.120
 which is actually what

00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:25.379
 the early church called Christians

00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:26.480
 before they called Christians,

00:08:26.840 --> 00:08:27.540
 Christians, right?

00:08:28.540 --> 00:08:29.819
 But only these last couple years

00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:31.100
 have I come to realize

00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:32.279
 that He's not just the way

00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:33.120
 to the truth,

00:08:33.180 --> 00:08:33.980
 He's not just the way

00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:34.960
 to the life,

00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:37.580
 but He is a distinct way of truth.

00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:39.820
 He is a distinct way of life.

00:08:40.560 --> 00:08:40.720
 Like,

00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:41.659
 He's not just a door

00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:43.000
 that you walk through

00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:43.740
 to get to truth,

00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:44.500
 He's not just a door

00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:45.220
 you walk through

00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:46.240
 to get to life,

00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:47.240
 but He's a pattern.

00:08:47.820 --> 00:08:48.539
 He's a pattern.

00:08:49.180 --> 00:08:50.200
 Not just some example

00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:51.440
 of how to be good and moral,

00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:52.500
 but He's the very pattern

00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:54.539
 of how life was meant to be

00:08:54.539 --> 00:08:56.300
 for the children of God.

00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:58.019
 And I wonder

00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:59.000
 how many of us

00:08:59.000 --> 00:08:59.779
 also need to come

00:08:59.779 --> 00:09:01.219
 to that realization today

00:09:01.219 --> 00:09:02.240
 that Jesus isn't just

00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:03.299
 a truth to be accepted

00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:04.259
 in our heads

00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:05.159
 or an eternal life

00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:06.979
 to hope in with our hearts,

00:09:07.079 --> 00:09:08.079
 but a way of life

00:09:08.079 --> 00:09:09.479
 to be lived out

00:09:09.479 --> 00:09:10.539
 and worked out

00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:11.519
 with our hands.

00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:13.419
 This reminds me

00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:14.059
 of a conversation

00:09:14.059 --> 00:09:15.319
 I had a couple months ago.

00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:15.979
 It was during our

00:09:15.979 --> 00:09:17.079
 Explore God series.

00:09:17.439 --> 00:09:18.559
 We had a Q&A afterwards

00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:19.699
 and I was chatting

00:09:19.699 --> 00:09:20.139
 with someone

00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:21.000
 who's been here

00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:21.359
 in our church

00:09:21.359 --> 00:09:22.199
 for a few years now

00:09:22.199 --> 00:09:23.079
 exploring Jesus,

00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:24.620
 trying to understand

00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:26.159
 and decide whether

00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:27.419
 or not he wants

00:09:27.419 --> 00:09:28.600
 to trust in Jesus

00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:29.419
 and go all the way

00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:30.200
 and become a member

00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:31.340
 of the church.

00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:31.960
 And he said,

00:09:32.019 --> 00:09:32.179
 you know,

00:09:32.299 --> 00:09:34.240
 I really am drawn

00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:35.560
 to Jesus and His teachings.

00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:37.000
 I admire Him

00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:37.899
 and His values

00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:38.919
 and the way He lived

00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:40.340
 and I don't have

00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:41.460
 a plausible alternative

00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:43.480
 account for the empty tomb

00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:44.200
 and how such

00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:45.899
 an international movement

00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:46.639
 could have come about

00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:47.539
 from this mere

00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:49.659
 first century Jewish teacher

00:09:49.659 --> 00:09:51.240
 under Roman occupation.

00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:53.840
 But what do I do

00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:54.419
 if I still feel

00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:55.820
 like I still can't believe?

00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:58.120
 And so what I said

00:09:58.120 --> 00:09:58.620
 to Him was,

00:09:58.700 --> 00:09:58.799
 you know,

00:09:58.860 --> 00:09:59.680
 it sounds pretty much

00:09:59.680 --> 00:10:00.519
 like your head is there

00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:01.460
 and it even sounds

00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:02.159
 like your heart is there.

00:10:02.200 --> 00:10:02.740
 It seems like you

00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:04.120
 want to believe

00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:05.580
 but I also get it

00:10:05.580 --> 00:10:07.019
 that you're not there yet.

00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:08.039
 I totally get that.

00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:09.720
 But what if we tried

00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:10.560
 to not just engage

00:10:10.560 --> 00:10:11.019
 your head,

00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:12.419
 not just even your heart

00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:13.960
 but also your hands?

00:10:14.799 --> 00:10:15.519
 And I encouraged Him

00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:16.299
 not just to wrestle

00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:17.519
 with Jesus

00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:18.220
 and His claims

00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:18.960
 intellectually

00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:21.620
 or just to admire Him

00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.320
 in His heart

00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:22.820
 but to try,

00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:24.280
 actually try Jesus'

00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:25.820
 way of life on.

00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:27.519
 Like try living

00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:28.960
 Jesus' way,

00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:30.139
 doing what He did,

00:10:30.280 --> 00:10:31.019
 spending time

00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:32.080
 seeking nearness

00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:33.120
 with the Father,

00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:33.840
 spending time

00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:34.500
 in the Scriptures

00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:35.480
 meditating upon

00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:36.160
 the Word of God,

00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:36.860
 spending time

00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:37.840
 in prayer

00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:38.700
 and in solitude,

00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:39.440
 spending time

00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:40.360
 serving others

00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:42.100
 and sticking close

00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:43.060
 to a family

00:10:43.060 --> 00:10:43.600
 of believers,

00:10:43.940 --> 00:10:44.980
 a family of fellow

00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:46.519
 followers of Jesus.

00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:48.060
 You know,

00:10:48.059 --> 00:10:49.000
 see for many of us

00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:49.959
 like Western,

00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:50.939
 rationalistic,

00:10:51.339 --> 00:10:52.419
 enlightened people,

00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.039
 we have a tendency

00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:54.219
 to think that we need

00:10:54.219 --> 00:10:55.599
 to know that Christianity

00:10:55.599 --> 00:10:57.079
 is true in our heads

00:10:57.079 --> 00:10:58.779
 with certainty

00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:00.279
 before we let it come

00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:01.379
 into our embodied

00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:02.439
 way of life

00:11:02.439 --> 00:11:03.959
 or for maybe

00:11:03.959 --> 00:11:05.239
 we're more post-enlightened,

00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:06.399
 we're more romantic

00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:07.319
 Westerners,

00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:08.299
 we think we need

00:11:08.299 --> 00:11:09.319
 to feel it's true

00:11:09.319 --> 00:11:10.179
 in our hearts

00:11:10.179 --> 00:11:10.959
 before we let it

00:11:10.959 --> 00:11:12.319
 affect how we live.

00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.179
 But what if head,

00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:14.739
 heart,

00:11:15.099 --> 00:11:15.579
 and hands

00:11:15.580 --> 00:11:16.780
 are more integrally

00:11:16.780 --> 00:11:17.580
 related

00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:18.960
 than we think?

00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:21.120
 And what if we believe

00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:22.379
 and devote our lives to,

00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:23.560
 what if what we believe

00:11:23.560 --> 00:11:24.460
 and devote our lives to

00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:25.960
 isn't simply about cognition

00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:27.520
 or about feeling,

00:11:27.700 --> 00:11:28.840
 but actually it's informed

00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:29.860
 by the way

00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:31.060
 we live our lives?

00:11:31.160 --> 00:11:32.139
 What if our habits

00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.120
 and our patterns

00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:33.879
 of life

00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:34.720
 are not as neutral

00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:35.600
 as we think?

00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:36.220
 There's a reason

00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:37.320
 why we do the same thing

00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:38.000
 here every Sunday.

00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.720
 We have a pattern,

00:11:38.820 --> 00:11:39.620
 we have a liturgy,

00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:40.100
 a habit,

00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:41.300
 a way of worshiping

00:11:41.300 --> 00:11:42.680
 to form who we are

00:11:42.680 --> 00:11:43.440
 before God.

00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:46.220
 Our pattern of life

00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:47.660
 is just as important

00:11:47.660 --> 00:11:48.800
 as our thoughts

00:11:48.800 --> 00:11:49.700
 and emotions

00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:50.900
 maybe even more.

00:11:51.820 --> 00:11:52.580
 And I think we all

00:11:52.580 --> 00:11:54.140
 intuitively know this.

00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:55.060
 We're all looking

00:11:55.060 --> 00:11:56.000
 for a way of life

00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:56.820
 just as much as we're

00:11:56.820 --> 00:11:57.600
 looking for a truth

00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.100
 to believe in

00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:58.660
 with our heads

00:11:58.660 --> 00:11:59.900
 and an abundant life

00:11:59.900 --> 00:12:00.400
 to hope for

00:12:00.400 --> 00:12:01.000
 with our hearts.

00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:01.560
 Think about your

00:12:01.560 --> 00:12:02.340
 Instagram feed,

00:12:02.540 --> 00:12:02.880
 those of you

00:12:02.880 --> 00:12:03.480
 who use Instagram.

00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:05.440
 You don't just follow

00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:07.080
 mind and heart influencers,

00:12:07.300 --> 00:12:09.720
 you follow lifestyle influencers,

00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.160
 right?

00:12:10.760 --> 00:12:12.120
 How to be a better mom,

00:12:12.280 --> 00:12:13.060
 a better entrepreneur,

00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.899
 CEO, investor, athlete.

00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:15.899
 We're all looking

00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:16.939
 for ways to live

00:12:16.939 --> 00:12:17.519
 in this world

00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:19.279
 as our ideal selves.

00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:20.319
 That's why P90X

00:12:20.319 --> 00:12:21.279
 was such a hit, right?

00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:22.359
 P90X.

00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:23.699
 Anyone remember P90X?

00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:24.279
 All right,

00:12:24.339 --> 00:12:24.919
 thank you, Lori.

00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:28.239
 If I exercise

00:12:28.239 --> 00:12:29.739
 in this program

00:12:29.739 --> 00:12:30.619
 for 90 days,

00:12:30.719 --> 00:12:31.359
 I'll get ripped,

00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:31.819
 all right?

00:12:31.859 --> 00:12:32.819
 That's what P90X is.

00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:33.619
 90 days,

00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.839
 or if I follow Sean T,

00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:35.219
 right?

00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:36.299
 25 minutes a day,

00:12:36.439 --> 00:12:37.619
 I'll burn all my body fat,

00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:38.000
 right?

00:12:38.359 --> 00:12:39.219
 Or maybe for the ladies

00:12:39.219 --> 00:12:39.879
 in this room,

00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:41.419
 the bar method,

00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:42.059
 all right?

00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:42.919
 It's literally called

00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:43.799
 a method.

00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:44.759
 It's a way.

00:12:45.479 --> 00:12:45.799
 It's a way.

00:12:45.839 --> 00:12:46.619
 We're all looking

00:12:46.619 --> 00:12:47.559
 for a way,

00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.479
 a way to live

00:12:48.479 --> 00:12:49.979
 our best lives.

00:12:50.859 --> 00:12:52.339
 So here in Mark's gospel,

00:12:52.479 --> 00:12:52.979
 we are presented

00:12:52.979 --> 00:12:54.559
 not just with a Jesus

00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:55.119
 to believe in

00:12:55.119 --> 00:12:55.699
 with our heads,

00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:56.979
 or even a Jesus

00:12:56.979 --> 00:12:58.299
 to love with our hearts,

00:12:58.359 --> 00:12:59.359
 but a Jesus to follow

00:12:59.359 --> 00:13:00.879
 with our hands.

00:13:01.619 --> 00:13:02.699
 And not just as

00:13:02.699 --> 00:13:03.439
 some glorious

00:13:03.439 --> 00:13:04.679
 God-man king,

00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:06.319
 but as a suffering

00:13:06.319 --> 00:13:07.359
 servant.

00:13:07.939 --> 00:13:08.639
 A suffering servant.

00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:09.319
 That's why we're calling

00:13:09.319 --> 00:13:09.860
 the series

00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:11.120
 in Mark's gospel,

00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.659
 Deny Yourself

00:13:12.659 --> 00:13:13.960
 and Follow Me.

00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:14.759
 Deny Yourself

00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:15.460
 and Follow Me.

00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:16.439
 We're going after

00:13:16.439 --> 00:13:18.340
 discipleship this year,

00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:18.860
 2024.

00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:19.799
 Deny Yourself

00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:20.740
 and Follow Me

00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:21.699
 is what Jesus says.

00:13:22.199 --> 00:13:23.199
 It's our New Year's

00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:24.220
 challenge as a church.

00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:25.179
 Will we follow

00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:26.360
 the way of Jesus

00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.620
 even and especially

00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.480
 when it requires

00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:29.960
 that we deny

00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:30.699
 ourselves?

00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:32.259
 Now I know

00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:32.980
 that can sound

00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:33.700
 pretty dogmatic,

00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:35.819
 maybe fanatical,

00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:36.659
 fundamentalist,

00:13:36.659 --> 00:13:38.039
 just super religious,

00:13:38.519 --> 00:13:38.699
 right?

00:13:38.839 --> 00:13:39.659
 Deny Yourself.

00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:41.039
 Follow Jesus.

00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:42.939
 Like of course,

00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.159
 of course a preacher

00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:44.839
 is going to be up here

00:13:44.839 --> 00:13:45.899
 saying that, right?

00:13:46.299 --> 00:13:47.100
 Deny Myself.

00:13:47.219 --> 00:13:47.819
 Follow whatever

00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:48.879
 this preacher claims

00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.839
 to be divine.

00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:50.579
 It's the oldest trick

00:13:50.579 --> 00:13:51.059
 in the book.

00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:53.339
 But this is why

00:13:53.339 --> 00:13:54.100
 it's so important.

00:13:54.719 --> 00:13:55.839
 This is why it's so important

00:13:55.839 --> 00:13:57.719
 to remember Mark's emphasis

00:13:57.719 --> 00:14:00.219
 on Jesus the servant.

00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:02.000
 Jesus the servant.

00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:03.120
 You see,

00:14:03.199 --> 00:14:04.259
 because this idea

00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:04.980
 of denying ourselves

00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.639
 and following Jesus,

00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:06.580
 this isn't some kind

00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:08.319
 of religious power play.

00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:09.220
 See,

00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:10.199
 with a lot of other

00:14:10.199 --> 00:14:11.080
 religions,

00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:11.919
 deny yourself

00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:12.860
 and follow me

00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:13.539
 is kind of like

00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.480
 a two-step process

00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:16.159
 of lowering yourself

00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:17.360
 in order to honor

00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.159
 and venerate

00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:18.740
 like whatever

00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:20.600
 your divine deity is,

00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:21.600
 whatever is supreme

00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:22.480
 or superior.

00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:24.039
 But you see,

00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:24.580
 with Jesus,

00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.139
 even though he is

00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:26.779
 the ultimately

00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:28.019
 superior one,

00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:28.960
 he is God himself,

00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:29.679
 when he says

00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:30.559
 deny yourself

00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:31.559
 and follow me,

00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:32.960
 he's saying the same thing

00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.299
 with both those statements.

00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:35.039
 The two commands

00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.599
 are intimately connected

00:14:36.599 --> 00:14:37.979
 in an extremely unique way.

00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:38.179
 Like,

00:14:38.219 --> 00:14:38.879
 he's not saying

00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.519
 simply deny yourself

00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.819
 so you can follow me

00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:43.039
 as your supreme God.

00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:44.059
 But he's saying

00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:45.259
 to follow me

00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:47.159
 is to deny yourself

00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:49.899
 just as I denied myself

00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:51.799
 and took up a cross

00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:53.079
 for you.

00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:54.479
 See,

00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:55.159
 this is the utter

00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:56.579
 uniqueness of Jesus.

00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.719
 He's both God

00:14:57.719 --> 00:14:59.159
 and a servant,

00:14:59.819 --> 00:15:00.799
 both crowned

00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:01.919
 and crucified.

00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:03.099
 no other God

00:15:03.099 --> 00:15:04.120
 is like Jesus.

00:15:04.959 --> 00:15:06.000
 Every other God

00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.240
 who exists to serve

00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:08.659
 is nothing more

00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.439
 than a genie, really.

00:15:10.219 --> 00:15:11.219
 If your God exists

00:15:11.219 --> 00:15:11.879
 to serve you,

00:15:11.979 --> 00:15:12.759
 that's just a genie.

00:15:12.979 --> 00:15:13.599
 You're the God

00:15:13.599 --> 00:15:14.479
 in that story.

00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:15.979
 And every other God

00:15:15.979 --> 00:15:17.019
 who supposedly reigns

00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.719
 as most high

00:15:17.719 --> 00:15:18.639
 and supreme

00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:20.799
 just over all

00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:21.559
 the universe,

00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:23.159
 every one of those

00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:23.759
 kinds of God

00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:26.299
 has only ever existed

00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:27.719
 to be served

00:15:27.719 --> 00:15:29.519
 and not to serve.

00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:31.860
 But Jesus is different.

00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.000
 He's a servant king.

00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:35.579
 That was his way,

00:15:35.699 --> 00:15:36.500
 the way he chose

00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:38.299
 to be God with us

00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.120
 and the way he chose

00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:39.960
 to be a human

00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:41.319
 amongst us.

00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:43.399
 And Mark shows

00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.319
 this to us

00:15:44.319 --> 00:15:45.019
 in a wonderfully

00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:46.179
 unique way

00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:47.299
 right from the start.

00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.220
 Now let's look

00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:48.939
 at our text today,

00:15:49.199 --> 00:15:49.980
 Mark chapter one.

00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.279
 Now before Mark

00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:53.179
 demonstrates Jesus'

00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.299
 servanthood,

00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:55.299
 he makes very clear

00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:55.899
 from the beginning

00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.980
 that Jesus is the supreme.

00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:58.060
 He's the anointed

00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:59.820
 Messiah king of Israel.

00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:01.580
 Now he's even God.

00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.659
 Mark chapter one,

00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.139
 verse one,

00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:04.399
 the beginning of the good news

00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:04.960
 about Jesus,

00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:05.700
 the Messiah,

00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:06.800
 the son of God.

00:16:07.820 --> 00:16:08.200
 And again,

00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.200
 not just some generic

00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.220
 God and king

00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:11.100
 but the God and king

00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:12.379
 that the Hebrew prophets

00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.379
 of Yahweh

00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.300
 had foretold.

00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:14.899
 Verse two,

00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.320
 as it is written

00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:17.519
 in Isaiah the prophet,

00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.139
 I will send

00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:18.960
 my messenger

00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:19.899
 ahead of you

00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.860
 who will prepare

00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:21.620
 your way.

00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.379
 The way for who?

00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.580
 If you look that verse up

00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:24.700
 in the prophets,

00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:25.539
 it's the way

00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.399
 for Yahweh.

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.039
 Verse three,

00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:29.159
 a voice of one

00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.159
 calling in the wilderness,

00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:31.379
 prepare the way

00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.399
 for the Lord.

00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.460
 The Lord is the one

00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:34.580
 he's preparing a way for.

00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.180
 Mark is saying

00:16:35.180 --> 00:16:36.159
 the prophets foretold

00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.060
 that a messenger,

00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:37.960
 a final prophet

00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:38.580
 would come

00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.899
 to prepare the way

00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:40.759
 for not just

00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.279
 the coming

00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.460
 of Messiah king

00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.180
 but the coming

00:16:43.180 --> 00:16:44.680
 of God himself.

00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.940
 The coming of God himself.

00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.320
 He's saying

00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:48.899
 this coming one

00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:50.279
 is God himself.

00:16:50.920 --> 00:16:51.899
 And the prophet here,

00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:52.360
 boom,

00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.500
 is in verse four,

00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:54.259
 John the Baptist.

00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.960
 John the Baptist

00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:56.740
 who came to prepare

00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.960
 the way for Jesus.

00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.480
 Look at verse four

00:16:59.480 --> 00:16:59.840
 with me.

00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:01.519
 And so John the Baptist

00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.620
 appeared in the wilderness

00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:04.119
 preaching a baptism

00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:05.099
 of repentance

00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:06.220
 for the forgiveness

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.079
 of sins.

00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:07.579
 And there are a couple

00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.200
 details here

00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.879
 that I want you

00:17:08.879 --> 00:17:09.500
 to notice.

00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:09.920
 First,

00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.980
 where is this happening?

00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.680
 In the wilderness.

00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:14.900
 Now in the history

00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.420
 of Israel,

00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.460
 what has often happened

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.319
 in the wilderness?

00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:19.299
 What was the wilderness?

00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:19.819
 The wilderness

00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:20.420
 was kind of like

00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.220
 an anti-Eden,

00:17:21.320 --> 00:17:21.940
 the place where

00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:23.580
 thorns and thistles grow.

00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.100
 It's a place

00:17:24.100 --> 00:17:25.019
 of water scarcity

00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.120
 and little vegetation.

00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:27.779
 Hard to live there.

00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.779
 It's also a place though

00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.620
 where what?

00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.580
 People encountered God.

00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.680
 Where people

00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.820
 were transformed by God.

00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:35.380
 It was part of

00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:36.900
 Abram's pilgrim journey.

00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.820
 It's the site

00:17:38.820 --> 00:17:39.500
 of Moses

00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.500
 and the burning bush.

00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:41.539
 It's where Israel

00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:42.500
 was led by God

00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:43.140
 in their wandering

00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:44.100
 for 40 years.

00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:45.580
 The wilderness

00:17:45.580 --> 00:17:46.279
 is where people

00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:47.480
 had to depend on God

00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.759
 for their daily bread

00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.960
 and even water

00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:51.000
 from rocks.

00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:52.579
 The place

00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:54.220
 where it was unmistakable

00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:54.960
 that their lives

00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:56.880
 absolutely depended

00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.039
 on Yahweh.

00:17:59.339 --> 00:18:00.380
 Now also look with me

00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.740
 at who is coming

00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.120
 to John

00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:02.579
 in the wilderness.

00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.240
 Verse 5.

00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:04.900
 The whole Judean

00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:05.360
 countryside

00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:06.360
 and all the people

00:18:06.360 --> 00:18:06.839
 of Jerusalem

00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:08.000
 went out to him

00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.339
 confessing their sins.

00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.299
 They were baptized

00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:11.039
 by him

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:12.299
 in the Jordan River.

00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:13.279
 Alright,

00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.059
 so here's the picture.

00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.039
 Remember,

00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:16.440
 Judea and Jerusalem,

00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:17.660
 they were in the south.

00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.580
 These were the most

00:18:18.580 --> 00:18:20.360
 faithfully religious

00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:21.180
 Jewish people

00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:22.480
 and yet

00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:24.500
 they're still occupied.

00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.100
 They're occupied

00:18:25.100 --> 00:18:26.019
 by the Romans.

00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.940
 Jerusalem is far

00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:28.420
 from its former glory

00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:29.880
 under a son of David.

00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:31.400
 And so what's their

00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:32.640
 strategy at this point

00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:33.779
 to restore the kingdom

00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.640
 of Israel?

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.200
 Their strategy

00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:35.759
 is to follow

00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.500
 the Pharisees'

00:18:36.860 --> 00:18:37.559
 moralistic,

00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:38.580
 legalistic,

00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:40.019
 self-salvation project

00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:41.640
 to obey enough

00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:42.380
 for God

00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:44.000
 to finally listen to them

00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.600
 and give them

00:18:44.600 --> 00:18:45.420
 their kingdom back.

00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.320
 And they're all

00:18:46.320 --> 00:18:46.980
 trying to do this.

00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:47.420
 They're wearing

00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:48.279
 their make Israel

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.180
 great again hats

00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:49.840
 longing for the

00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:50.920
 old kingdom of David

00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.960
 and Solomon.

00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:52.720
 The old kingdom.

00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:54.940
 But what John is saying,

00:18:55.580 --> 00:18:56.420
 what John is saying

00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.279
 is that you were never

00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:58.460
 the great kingdom

00:18:58.460 --> 00:19:00.019
 that you thought you were.

00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:02.180
 This entire nation

00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:03.460
 needs to be born again.

00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.400
 This entire nation

00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:05.600
 needs to be cleansed.

00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.360
 Come back out

00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:07.000
 into the wilderness.

00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.100
 Go back through

00:19:08.100 --> 00:19:08.820
 the baptism

00:19:08.820 --> 00:19:10.200
 of the Jordan River

00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.039
 again

00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:12.740
 to prepare yourself

00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.259
 for the new

00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.859
 and better kingdom

00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.279
 to come.

00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.220
 And John is preaching

00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.240
 a baptism therefore

00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.960
 of repentance

00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:19.220
 and the forgiveness

00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.279
 of sins.

00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.799
 And notice it's not,

00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.059
 it's a baptism,

00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:23.420
 okay?

00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:23.920
 It's a baptism.

00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.859
 It's not a self-bathing

00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.740
 to cleanse themselves.

00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:27.599
 He's preaching

00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:28.319
 a baptism.

00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:29.819
 Like think about

00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.400
 that word.

00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.180
 We don't baptize

00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:32.740
 ourselves,

00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:33.640
 right?

00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:35.480
 We get baptized.

00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.240
 Baptized,

00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.879
 baptism is a passive

00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:38.720
 activity.

00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.019
 You know,

00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.519
 if you studied

00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.619
 the Old Testament law,

00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.119
 you'd know

00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:43.440
 that up to this point,

00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.879
 virtually every

00:19:44.879 --> 00:19:46.799
 Jewish cleansing ritual

00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:48.200
 for the forgiveness

00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.839
 of sins

00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:50.339
 was a self-cleansing

00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:50.799
 ritual.

00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:51.500
 You were to go

00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.859
 and bathe yourself.

00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:54.660
 But here,

00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.319
 John was saying,

00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:56.200
 no, you can't.

00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.740
 You can't cleanse yourself.

00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.500
 You're that filthy.

00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.519
 That's why I'm baptizing you

00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.059
 as a sign

00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:03.160
 that you actually need

00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.799
 a divine baptism,

00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.339
 verse eight,

00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:07.119
 a baptism in the Holy Spirit

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:08.759
 from God Himself

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:10.119
 to really get clean,

00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:10.979
 to really get right

00:20:10.979 --> 00:20:11.619
 before God.

00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:12.259
 John is saying,

00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.359
 you need God

00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:15.759
 to come to you,

00:20:16.479 --> 00:20:17.279
 to clean you,

00:20:17.739 --> 00:20:18.879
 to forgive you,

00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:20.559
 and what you need

00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.539
 to do in the meantime

00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.399
 is to turn to Him,

00:20:22.479 --> 00:20:22.979
 to repent,

00:20:23.699 --> 00:20:24.939
 to turn your whole self,

00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.659
 your whole life

00:20:25.659 --> 00:20:26.500
 toward Him

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.379
 and His way.

00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.579
 So from verses one

00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.099
 to eight,

00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:31.539
 Mark is making very clear

00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.699
 that Jesus is God

00:20:32.699 --> 00:20:33.199
 and King.

00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:33.899
 He's the Messiah.

00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:34.839
 He's the coming Lord

00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.479
 that the prophets

00:20:35.479 --> 00:20:36.819
 had foretold.

00:20:36.919 --> 00:20:37.619
 He is the God

00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:38.479
 who needs to come

00:20:38.479 --> 00:20:39.539
 and cleanse Israel

00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.680
 once and for all

00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.700
 with His Holy Spirit.

00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:43.460
 And even as great

00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.180
 of a prophet

00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.460
 as John the Baptist is,

00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.299
 he says in verse seven

00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.139
 that he is unworthy

00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:48.319
 to even stoop down

00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:48.980
 and untie

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:51.059
 this coming Lord's sandals.

00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.759
 The most menial,

00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:54.759
 most dishonorable task,

00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:55.500
 John the Baptist

00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:57.099
 is pleading with the people

00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:59.220
 to prepare for God Himself,

00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:02.139
 to make straight His paths.

00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.460
 And by the way,

00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.440
 this idea of making

00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.200
 straight paths,

00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:05.440
 right,

00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:05.899
 where are they?

00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:07.420
 They're in the ancient

00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.960
 Roman Empire, right?

00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:10.440
 Known for its Roman roads,

00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:10.660
 right?

00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.720
 But for the most part,

00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:13.420
 the roads were unpaved,

00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.960
 often not very well maintained,

00:21:16.100 --> 00:21:17.380
 and definitely not straight.

00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:17.960
 In fact,

00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.319
 in many ancient

00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:20.220
 Near Eastern records,

00:21:20.340 --> 00:21:20.940
 you have kings

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.860
 complaining about

00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:23.420
 just the roundabout routes

00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:24.220
 that they had to take

00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:25.440
 to get to places.

00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:27.200
 And even some of them

00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.680
 feeling so self-important

00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:30.240
 that they demanded

00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.120
 that their slaves

00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:32.559
 and that their subjects

00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.680
 who served them

00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:35.380
 make straight paths

00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:36.140
 for them.

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.440
 Make it easy for me

00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.759
 to get to where I need to go.

00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.360
 So John is saying,

00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:40.660
 hey,

00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.480
 there's an even greater king

00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.140
 coming,

00:21:43.580 --> 00:21:44.279
 more worthy

00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:45.220
 than any other

00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:46.240
 of a straight

00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:47.759
 and direct path,

00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:49.200
 because he is none other

00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.500
 than Yahweh Himself.

00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.600
 That's who he's saying

00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.980
 that Jesus is.

00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:54.200
 This is John's message.

00:21:54.320 --> 00:21:55.539
 God is coming.

00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:56.700
 God is coming,

00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.940
 and Mark doesn't want us

00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.759
 to miss that.

00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:01.240
 But now he's kind of

00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:03.059
 identified Jesus as God,

00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.340
 but then what happens

00:22:04.340 --> 00:22:05.299
 when God does come

00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:05.840
 into the picture

00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.439
 in verse 9,

00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.839
 in the person of Jesus.

00:22:07.959 --> 00:22:08.459
 Verse 9.

00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:09.939
 At that time,

00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.939
 Jesus came from Nazareth

00:22:11.939 --> 00:22:12.679
 in Galilee

00:22:12.679 --> 00:22:13.559
 and was baptized

00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:15.079
 by John in the Jordan.

00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:16.359
 So try to picture this.

00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.980
 John is baptizing

00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.399
 hundreds,

00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.579
 maybe thousands

00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:21.059
 of Jewish people.

00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.480
 Many probably

00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.740
 are named Jesus.

00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:25.319
 Yeshua is probably

00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:26.519
 a very common name,

00:22:26.699 --> 00:22:26.939
 right?

00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:29.519
 And then his cousin comes,

00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:30.619
 and in the eyes

00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:31.500
 of many onlookers,

00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:32.379
 he's just another guy

00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.039
 named Jesus

00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.359
 in this long line,

00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:35.599
 hoping to get baptized

00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.500
 in the Jordan River.

00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:38.459
 And what's worse

00:22:38.459 --> 00:22:39.359
 is he's from this hopeless

00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.359
 little town called

00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.159
 Nazareth,

00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:41.639
 all right?

00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.819
 So he comes to be baptized,

00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:45.799
 but then what happens

00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:48.979
 after this Jesus' baptism?

00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.639
 Something utterly unique

00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.459
 happens, right?

00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:55.000
 Of all the Yeshua's

00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:56.240
 that John baptizes

00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:58.059
 after this specific one,

00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:58.579
 verse 10,

00:22:58.919 --> 00:23:00.500
 heaven tears open.

00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:03.319
 The Spirit descends

00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:04.900
 upon him like a dove.

00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:06.059
 A voice from heaven

00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.440
 says,

00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.599
 You are my Son,

00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:09.119
 whom I love.

00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:11.299
 With you I am well.

00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:11.960
 Please,

00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:12.960
 what's going on here?

00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.140
 Well, this is no

00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:16.619
 ordinary baptism.

00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:17.960
 This is no

00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:19.480
 ordinary Yeshua.

00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:22.000
 Whereas every other

00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.140
 baptism was a baptism

00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:23.880
 of repentance

00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:24.920
 for the forgiveness

00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:26.500
 of sins,

00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.660
 a reminder of God's

00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:29.080
 divine displeasure

00:23:29.080 --> 00:23:31.440
 toward each individual's sin,

00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.279
 this baptism

00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:34.920
 of the sinless

00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:36.080
 Son of God

00:23:36.080 --> 00:23:38.100
 was the first baptism

00:23:38.100 --> 00:23:39.480
 of the Holy Spirit.

00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:41.240
 It was a divine

00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:42.340
 affirmation

00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:43.320
 of the Father's

00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:44.840
 unbridled pleasure

00:23:44.840 --> 00:23:46.340
 toward His beloved Son.

00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:46.840
 The heavens

00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:48.620
 literally tore open

00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:50.259
 as if the love

00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:50.900
 of the Father

00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:52.600
 could not be contained.

00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.100
 Burst out of heaven

00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:55.120
 onto earth,

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:55.779
 the Holy Spirit

00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:57.540
 descending upon the Son.

00:23:58.540 --> 00:23:59.080
 But then look at

00:23:59.080 --> 00:23:59.560
 verse 11.

00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.580
 Look at what the Father

00:24:02.580 --> 00:24:03.420
 says to the Son again.

00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.580
 You are my Son,

00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.420
 whom I love.

00:24:06.080 --> 00:24:07.580
 With you I am well pleased.

00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.519
 Now if you are familiar

00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.540
 with the Old Testament,

00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.140
 actually take out

00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:10.759
 your blue Bibles

00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.880
 in your pews right now.

00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:13.100
 If you're familiar

00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:13.860
 with the Old Testament,

00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.240
 turn to Psalm chapter 2.

00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.220
 You'd know

00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.900
 that this word

00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:19.279
 spoken from the heavens

00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:19.860
 was actually

00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:20.279
 a combination

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:22.400
 of two prophetic words

00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.400
 spoken by the psalmist

00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:24.360
 and then spoken

00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:25.360
 by Isaiah.

00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.540
 Look at Psalm chapter 2.

00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.759
 It's on page 431

00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.740
 in your pew Bibles.

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.039
 Psalm chapter 2,

00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:30.700
 verse 7.

00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:33.000
 The Lord's decree

00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:34.359
 says,

00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.539
 You are my Son.

00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.619
 Today I have become

00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.180
 your Father.

00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:40.899
 Ask me

00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:42.180
 and I will make

00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.000
 the nations

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:44.059
 your inheritance.

00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.399
 If you heard these words

00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:46.379
 spoken from the heavens,

00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.019
 you would know

00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:48.319
 that this comes

00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.440
 from Psalm chapter 2.

00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:51.139
 You are my Son,

00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.839
 God is saying.

00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.240
 Ask me anything

00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:54.940
 and it's yours.

00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.099
 That's what he's saying

00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.900
 to Jesus

00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:58.019
 in this moment.

00:24:59.059 --> 00:24:59.859
 But also turn

00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:00.579
 to now

00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.880
 page 588,

00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:04.120
 Isaiah chapter 42.

00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:06.259
 Isaiah chapter 42,

00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:06.839
 verse 1,

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.740
 page 588.

00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.339
 And here

00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.599
 you have the prophet

00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.059
 saying,

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.819
 Here is my

00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.240
 servant

00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:16.779
 whom I uphold,

00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:18.799
 my chosen one

00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.799
 in whom I delight.

00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:21.000
 I will put my spirit

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.720
 on him.

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.759
 Now do you hear that?

00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:24.759
 This combination

00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.960
 of prophecies here

00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.920
 spoken from the heavens

00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:27.740
 upon Jesus,

00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.339
 what does it mean?

00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:30.900
 His identity

00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:31.700
 is that of

00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.559
 a beloved son

00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:34.460
 and a spirit

00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.940
 empowered servant.

00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.460
 He's not just a son

00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.039
 but he's also

00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:38.920
 at the same time

00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.700
 a servant.

00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.839
 But a special servant.

00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.759
 He's not some slave

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:43.059
 but he's a chosen

00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:44.279
 servant in whom

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.120
 God delights

00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:46.500
 and puts his spirit.

00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:47.700
 And see again,

00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.500
 this is a super

00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.220
 defining moment

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.880
 in the life

00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:50.279
 and ministry

00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:50.819
 of Jesus.

00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:51.960
 He is given

00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:53.480
 an utterly unique

00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.679
 identity and role.

00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.159
 This is,

00:25:56.419 --> 00:25:56.980
 though he is

00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:58.200
 in very nature God,

00:25:58.679 --> 00:25:59.319
 though this is

00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.359
 the coming of Yahweh,

00:26:00.679 --> 00:26:01.359
 the answer to

00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:02.359
 Israel's prayers

00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.339
 that God would

00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.079
 tear the heavens

00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.980
 and come down

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.539
 to save them,

00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.799
 he is at the same time

00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.960
 a son beloved

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.700
 by his father

00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:10.879
 and a servant

00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:11.480
 empowered

00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.659
 by his spirit.

00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.399
 And this is

00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:15.359
 just as profound

00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:16.539
 as the reality

00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.700
 that he is both

00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.960
 God and servant.

00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.059
 servant.

00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.100
 You know why?

00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:21.180
 Because it portrays

00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:22.019
 for us what a

00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.960
 perfect life

00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.900
 in relationship

00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.860
 with God

00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:25.840
 looks like.

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.640
 Yes,

00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:27.920
 a life of submission

00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:29.420
 as servants

00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.600
 but always

00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:32.360
 at the same time

00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:33.480
 as sons

00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.579
 and as daughters,

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.759
 as children

00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.840
 of the king.

00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:38.440
 It's not like

00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.000
 we have to be

00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.900
 faithful servants

00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.819
 first

00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:42.160
 to earn our place

00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:42.920
 in his house

00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:43.740
 and in his family.

00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:43.980
 No,

00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:45.579
 we serve as sons

00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:46.319
 and as sons

00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:46.819
 we serve.

00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.559
 This is the way

00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.200
 of Jesus.

00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:49.259
 Jesus served

00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.879
 as a beloved son.

00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:52.899
 No inferiority,

00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.500
 no shame,

00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:54.240
 all joy,

00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.879
 all pleasure,

00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.740
 all delight,

00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:56.759
 simply living

00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.779
 into his identity

00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.559
 as a son

00:26:58.559 --> 00:27:00.419
 and as a servant.

00:27:01.919 --> 00:27:03.379
 And at the same time,

00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.480
 Jesus was a son

00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.500
 with a mission, right?

00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.119
 He was a son

00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:06.599
 with a mission

00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:07.139
 and a purpose,

00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:08.419
 a distinct servant

00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:09.159
 calling something

00:27:09.159 --> 00:27:09.839
 to accomplish,

00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.899
 something to do,

00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.839
 not some spoiled,

00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.099
 you know,

00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:13.379
 silver spoon brat

00:27:13.379 --> 00:27:14.200
 solely existing

00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.879
 to consume

00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:16.259
 his father's inheritance.

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.559
 He was constantly

00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.759
 serving people.

00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.379
 Even having been

00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:21.460
 proclaimed as God's

00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.240
 beloved son

00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.839
 with whom God

00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.480
 was already

00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.319
 well pleased,

00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.640
 he still lived

00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.640
 to serve.

00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:27.900
 You know,

00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.379
 I was finishing

00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:29.559
 my McShane Bible

00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.160
 reading plan

00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:30.839
 this year

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.819
 in the Gospel of John

00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.579
 and I was struck.

00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.619
 I was struck

00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:34.579
 by how at the end

00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.059
 of his life,

00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.379
 Jesus is dead.

00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.140
 And even when

00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:39.000
 his disciples saw

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.640
 their supposed

00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:41.160
 Messiah crucified,

00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.259
 like I would have

00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:44.819
 been pretty upset.

00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:46.559
 and I wouldn't have

00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.079
 really cared

00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:47.799
 about his body

00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:49.299
 or about his burial

00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.859
 or visiting his tomb.

00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.439
 Like the dude said

00:27:52.439 --> 00:27:53.099
 he was Messiah

00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:54.019
 and now he's dead.

00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.679
 So he's no use

00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:56.419
 to me anymore.

00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.419
 He actually lied.

00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.419
 He lied to us.

00:27:58.980 --> 00:28:00.279
 Forget that, right?

00:28:01.659 --> 00:28:02.619
 But what did so many

00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:03.740
 of his followers do

00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:05.019
 when it didn't make

00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:06.019
 any sense to them,

00:28:06.639 --> 00:28:07.579
 when they had no reason

00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.200
 to believe that he

00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:09.200
 was the Messiah anymore?

00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.579
 They risked their lives

00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:13.240
 to take care of his body.

00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.380
 They offered up

00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:16.039
 their own personal tombs.

00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:17.220
 They spent the time

00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.099
 to wrap his body

00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:19.400
 and apply the spices

00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:19.900
 and the oils.

00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.960
 Why would they do that?

00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:23.079
 Because even though

00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:23.940
 they didn't expect

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.740
 the resurrection

00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.740
 and even though

00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.220
 they had little

00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:26.839
 to no reason

00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.319
 to still believe

00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:27.980
 he was the Messiah,

00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:29.880
 they could not

00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:31.279
 get away from the reality

00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.700
 that there was

00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.480
 something special.

00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.039
 There was something

00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:35.500
 absolutely lovely

00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.779
 and wonderful

00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.940
 about this man.

00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:41.160
 Something absolutely

00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:41.740
 compassionate

00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.859
 about his character,

00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:43.539
 right?

00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:45.299
 This sacrificial servant

00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.019
 that he was,

00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:47.140
 always putting others

00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:47.779
 before himself,

00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:49.140
 healing and liberating

00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:50.200
 left and right

00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.539
 no matter how deserving

00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.500
 or undeserving people

00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:52.740
 were,

00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.640
 exposing himself

00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:54.539
 to Gentiles

00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.599
 and unclean lepers

00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:57.480
 and even to death itself.

00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.539
 This is the kind

00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:00.579
 of child of God

00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:02.120
 he was.

00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:04.000
 He was a servant

00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:05.339
 and a son.

00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.380
 And when this clicks

00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:07.980
 for us,

00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:10.000
 this servant-son dynamic,

00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:12.140
 it changes everything.

00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.480
 It changes everything

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.359
 about how we live.

00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:14.859
 Look what happens

00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:15.220
 to Jesus

00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.460
 as soon as he's declared

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.500
 as beloved son

00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.980
 and spirit-filled servant.

00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:19.599
 Verse 12.

00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.559
 At once the Spirit

00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.380
 sent him out

00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:23.400
 into the wilderness

00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:25.240
 and he was in the wilderness

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.220
 forty days

00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:27.759
 being tempted by Satan.

00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:30.200
 He was with the wild animals

00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:32.000
 and angels attended him.

00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.660
 He's going out,

00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.480
 he's being baptized,

00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.480
 this is a defining moment

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:35.880
 of his life.

00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.420
 His Father says,

00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:36.920
 I love you.

00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.359
 He gives him

00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:38.420
 the most powerful thing

00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:38.740
 in the world,

00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.539
 the Holy Spirit

00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.779
 and then he's sent out

00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.500
 into the wilderness.

00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.640
 What's up with that?

00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:44.460
 How could a loving father

00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.640
 let his beloved son

00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:47.079
 and how could a Holy Spirit

00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:48.259
 lead his empowered servant

00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:49.259
 to be subjected

00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.180
 to Satan

00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:51.880
 and the wild animals

00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:52.759
 in the wilderness?

00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.759
 Well, it's precisely

00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:57.299
 as a beloved son

00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:58.680
 and spirit-filled servant,

00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.539
 no one else

00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.440
 could endure

00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.339
 the wilderness

00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:04.000
 but a spirit-filled servant

00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:05.740
 and a beloved son of God.

00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.200
 In fact,

00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.740
 it's only a beloved son

00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.539
 and spirit-filled servant

00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:10.220
 who could survive

00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.759
 such a wilderness experience.

00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:12.440
 Only someone

00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.420
 so assured

00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:14.779
 of the love

00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.500
 and provision

00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.299
 of his Father.

00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.519
 Only someone

00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.460
 so in tune

00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:19.559
 with God's Spirit

00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:21.080
 who could endure

00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:22.680
 those forty days,

00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:24.400
 depend on nothing

00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:25.799
 but God

00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.480
 and his angels

00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:28.180
 and overcome temptation

00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:29.100
 and show us

00:30:29.100 --> 00:30:30.400
 our fullest potential

00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:31.200
 as humans

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.500
 depending on God

00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.400
 in our wilderness

00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:34.539
 circumstances.

00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:36.000
 Jesus did not live

00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.720
 by bread alone

00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:38.500
 but by every word

00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.119
 that proceeded

00:30:39.119 --> 00:30:40.279
 from the mouth of God

00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.339
 and those words were,

00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.879
 you are my son

00:30:42.879 --> 00:30:44.460
 whom I love.

00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:46.099
 With you I am well pleased

00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:46.940
 and he lived

00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:48.159
 by those words.

00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:50.519
 He lived by those words.

00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.559
 Those were the words

00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:52.379
 that sustained him

00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:52.819
 and gave him

00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.379
 what he needed

00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:54.440
 through all the most

00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:55.500
 intense moments

00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:57.019
 of his life.

00:30:57.019 --> 00:31:00.359
 And my question for us

00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.799
 going into 2024

00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.579
 Christ Church

00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:02.960
 is

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:04.920
 has this word

00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:06.079
 become our

00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:07.379
 daily bread as well?

00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.819
 That we are

00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:11.139
 beloved sons

00:31:11.139 --> 00:31:11.779
 and daughters

00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.379
 that we are

00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:13.039
 spirit-filled

00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.740
 servants

00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:14.779
 of the King.

00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.539
 Does that give us

00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:17.400
 everything we need

00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.980
 to live for tomorrow?

00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:20.639
 You know,

00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.339
 whenever I read

00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.079
 about these words

00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.740
 spoken to Jesus

00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.539
 at his baptism

00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.240
 about his

00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.859
 beloved sonship,

00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:27.359
 I can't help

00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:28.119
 but think of

00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:29.279
 a story

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.139
 Walter Isaacson

00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:31.299
 shares in his

00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:33.099
 biography of Steve Jobs.

00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.919
 In case you didn't know,

00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:34.839
 Steve Jobs was

00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:35.639
 adopted

00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:36.899
 and from an early age

00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:38.000
 his parents would often

00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:39.240
 be very intentional

00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:40.319
 about explaining to him

00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:41.579
 that he was adopted

00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.740
 and that that was

00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:43.639
 part of his story.

00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:44.819
 But one day

00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:46.000
 he was like six or seven

00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.699
 and he was sitting

00:31:46.699 --> 00:31:47.219
 on his lawn

00:31:47.219 --> 00:31:47.899
 and he was explaining

00:31:47.899 --> 00:31:49.139
 to the girl next door

00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:50.259
 that he was adopted

00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:50.919
 and you know,

00:31:50.979 --> 00:31:51.500
 she was younger,

00:31:51.659 --> 00:31:52.479
 she was just kind of curious

00:31:52.479 --> 00:31:53.059
 and she said,

00:31:53.199 --> 00:31:53.279
 oh,

00:31:53.679 --> 00:31:54.519
 so does that mean

00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.599
 that your parents

00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.959
 your real parents

00:31:56.959 --> 00:31:58.279
 didn't want you?

00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.679
 And Jobs said

00:32:00.679 --> 00:32:01.379
 that these words

00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:02.079
 struck him

00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:03.339
 like a lightning bolt

00:32:03.339 --> 00:32:05.459
 and he ran into the house

00:32:05.459 --> 00:32:06.480
 weeping and weeping,

00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.019
 crying,

00:32:07.159 --> 00:32:07.859
 and his loving parents

00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:08.679
 tried to console him

00:32:08.679 --> 00:32:08.839
 saying,

00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.279
 no, no,

00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:10.159
 but we,

00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:10.959
 you have to understand

00:32:10.959 --> 00:32:12.459
 we specifically chose

00:32:12.459 --> 00:32:13.039
 you,

00:32:13.159 --> 00:32:14.459
 we love you.

00:32:15.939 --> 00:32:17.500
 But these genuinely

00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:18.419
 loving parents,

00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.339
 these words from

00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.959
 his genuinely loving parents,

00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:21.539
 they never seem

00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:22.139
 to be enough.

00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:23.980
 And though Jobs

00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:25.039
 would deny it,

00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:26.539
 his closest friends

00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:27.139
 and colleagues

00:32:27.139 --> 00:32:27.980
 according to Isaacson

00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:29.859
 believe that this open wound

00:32:29.859 --> 00:32:31.059
 never really healed

00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:33.079
 and afflicted him

00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:34.159
 like all his life,

00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:35.220
 contributing to his

00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.980
 maniacal personality,

00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:39.059
 his reflexive cruelty,

00:32:39.319 --> 00:32:40.619
 his fierce independence,

00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.740
 his lust for control,

00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:43.359
 and even the abandonment

00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:44.180
 of his own child

00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:44.879
 because he just

00:32:44.879 --> 00:32:45.720
 couldn't be bothered

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.299
 or distracted

00:32:46.299 --> 00:32:48.220
 from his apple empire

00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:49.339
 which was pretty much

00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.980
 an extension of himself,

00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.279
 right?

00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:53.960
 And I wonder

00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:54.779
 how many of us

00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.839
 can relate to Steve Jobs,

00:32:55.899 --> 00:32:57.200
 maybe feeling like

00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.440
 servants but not sons.

00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:00.319
 Always like we have to

00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.420
 try to prove ourselves,

00:33:01.639 --> 00:33:02.539
 earn our identity,

00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:04.099
 earn our place

00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:05.299
 in this or that family

00:33:05.299 --> 00:33:06.000
 or community.

00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:08.279
 And maybe we find

00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.180
 our servant selves

00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:10.119
 trying to treat others

00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:11.200
 as servants and slaves

00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:12.279
 just like Steve Jobs

00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:13.899
 treated his employees.

00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:16.099
 Less so out of a desire

00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:16.940
 to lead them

00:33:16.940 --> 00:33:18.099
 and honor God

00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:19.220
 and honor our neighbors

00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:20.220
 and be a blessing

00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:20.720
 to the world

00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.380
 and more so

00:33:21.380 --> 00:33:23.039
 just out of our insecurity.

00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:26.620
 But what if we believed

00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:28.579
 that we could be both

00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:30.579
 servants and sons

00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:32.339
 of the loving God

00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:34.440
 by uniting ourselves

00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:35.759
 to our big brother Jesus?

00:33:37.100 --> 00:33:38.579
 How might that change us?

00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.579
 How might that change

00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:40.500
 the world we live in

00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.480
 if we believed

00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:42.620
 that we were God's

00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:43.860
 beloved children

00:33:43.860 --> 00:33:45.299
 and filled with his delight,

00:33:45.360 --> 00:33:47.039
 the very spirit of his power

00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:48.200
 and his presence?

00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:49.519
 What kinds of wildernesses

00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:50.319
 might we enter

00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:51.779
 for the kingdom of God?

00:33:51.819 --> 00:33:52.980
 What kinds of wild animals

00:33:52.980 --> 00:33:55.200
 might we be willing to face?

00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:56.779
 You know,

00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:58.340
 if Mark was really writing this,

00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.160
 sitting at the feet

00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:00.120
 of Peter's teaching,

00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:01.100
 this was during

00:34:01.100 --> 00:34:02.100
 a very intense time

00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:03.000
 of Christian persecution

00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:03.920
 in Rome

00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.779
 with Christians being

00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.580
 literally thrown

00:34:05.580 --> 00:34:06.920
 to the wild animals.

00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.740
 Mark is reminding

00:34:08.740 --> 00:34:09.880
 his fellow brothers

00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.440
 and sisters

00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:12.460
 that Jesus gets it

00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:14.220
 just as they are being thrown

00:34:14.220 --> 00:34:15.039
 to the animals

00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:15.760
 in the Colosseum

00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.240
 for sport.

00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:16.640
 Jesus,

00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.900
 he was also

00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:19.080
 with the wild animals

00:34:19.080 --> 00:34:19.660
 and alone.

00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:21.380
 Following Jesus is hard

00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:22.660
 and it's dangerous

00:34:22.660 --> 00:34:23.840
 and it's costly.

00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:26.540
 But if we are beloved children

00:34:26.540 --> 00:34:28.080
 and empowered servants

00:34:28.080 --> 00:34:28.960
 of God in Christ,

00:34:29.040 --> 00:34:30.080
 we have what we need

00:34:30.080 --> 00:34:31.400
 to face what we face.

00:34:32.280 --> 00:34:32.920
 And not just

00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:34.020
 to face hardship,

00:34:34.140 --> 00:34:35.020
 but to thrive

00:34:35.020 --> 00:34:35.800
 in hardship

00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.820
 and to bear witness

00:34:36.820 --> 00:34:38.140
 to a better way

00:34:38.140 --> 00:34:38.980
 of life.

00:34:40.080 --> 00:34:40.420
 Like,

00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:41.380
 what kind of workplaces,

00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:42.579
 what kind of world

00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:43.400
 would we live in

00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:45.000
 if people walked

00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:45.920
 in the way of Jesus

00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:47.700
 as sons and servants

00:34:47.700 --> 00:34:48.640
 of an all-loving

00:34:48.640 --> 00:34:49.840
 and all-powerful God?

00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:51.380
 If we laid down

00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:51.980
 our rights

00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:53.380
 and submitted to God,

00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:54.500
 put others first,

00:34:54.880 --> 00:34:55.800
 led as servants

00:34:55.800 --> 00:34:57.019
 rather than lords?

00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:58.800
 And all the while

00:34:58.800 --> 00:34:59.519
 with confidence

00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.280
 that we had

00:35:00.280 --> 00:35:01.160
 a Heavenly Father

00:35:01.160 --> 00:35:02.059
 who loved us,

00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:04.440
 an unshakable inheritance

00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:05.480
 waiting for us

00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:06.820
 and the Holy Spirit's power

00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:07.559
 to do everything

00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:08.640
 that God had ordained

00:35:08.640 --> 00:35:09.740
 for us to do.

00:35:09.739 --> 00:35:11.079
 That's what it's like

00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:12.839
 to walk in the way

00:35:12.839 --> 00:35:13.539
 of Jesus.

00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:15.339
 It's to live

00:35:15.339 --> 00:35:16.659
 with the incredible confidence

00:35:16.659 --> 00:35:18.199
 of being loved by God

00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:19.219
 as His own child

00:35:19.219 --> 00:35:20.639
 and empowered

00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:21.519
 by His Spirit

00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.399
 to do everything

00:35:22.399 --> 00:35:23.739
 that God wants us to do.

00:35:23.799 --> 00:35:25.179
 It's taking the initiative

00:35:25.179 --> 00:35:27.159
 to exercise His authority

00:35:27.159 --> 00:35:28.059
 in the world,

00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:28.819
 in our workplaces,

00:35:28.959 --> 00:35:29.699
 in our relationships,

00:35:29.959 --> 00:35:30.799
 in our families

00:35:30.799 --> 00:35:31.299
 and neighborhoods,

00:35:31.479 --> 00:35:32.099
 inviting people

00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:33.179
 to follow us

00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:35.619
 in Jesus' life-giving ways.

00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:37.239
 You know,

00:35:37.299 --> 00:35:38.959
 after His wilderness experience,

00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:40.860
 having experienced God

00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:41.740
 see Him through,

00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:43.079
 Jesus then takes,

00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:44.199
 He picks up the mantle

00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:45.260
 from John the Baptist, right?

00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:45.800
 It says,

00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:46.599
 Jesus starts preaching

00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:47.139
 in verse 15,

00:35:47.220 --> 00:35:48.320
 the time has come,

00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:49.159
 the kingdom of God

00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:49.780
 has come near,

00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:50.720
 repent and believe

00:35:50.720 --> 00:35:51.240
 the good news.

00:35:51.300 --> 00:35:52.159
 And not only does He preach,

00:35:52.220 --> 00:35:53.079
 but He takes initiative

00:35:53.079 --> 00:35:54.179
 in His relationships.

00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:55.579
 You know,

00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:56.420
 in the Jewish tradition,

00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:58.220
 how it typically worked

00:35:58.220 --> 00:35:59.139
 was students would go

00:35:59.139 --> 00:36:00.039
 and they would pick

00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:00.720
 the rabbi

00:36:00.720 --> 00:36:01.679
 that they wanted to

00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:02.400
 sit under

00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:03.119
 and learn from.

00:36:03.659 --> 00:36:04.500
 The disciples would

00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:05.480
 pursue that rabbi,

00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:05.800
 ask,

00:36:05.880 --> 00:36:07.199
 can I join your school?

00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:09.199
 And then once admitted,

00:36:09.439 --> 00:36:10.879
 they would serve that rabbi

00:36:10.879 --> 00:36:11.599
 hand and foot

00:36:11.599 --> 00:36:13.619
 so that He could devote

00:36:13.619 --> 00:36:14.159
 His whole life

00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:14.799
 to teaching them

00:36:14.799 --> 00:36:16.000
 and they could receive

00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:16.739
 His instruction

00:36:16.739 --> 00:36:18.239
 and they could try

00:36:18.239 --> 00:36:19.659
 to live the way He did

00:36:19.659 --> 00:36:20.980
 to the best of their abilities.

00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:23.059
 But this is different, right?

00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:24.000
 Here,

00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:24.799
 we see Jesus

00:36:24.799 --> 00:36:25.719
 taking the initiative,

00:36:26.339 --> 00:36:27.139
 Jesus pursuing,

00:36:27.579 --> 00:36:28.519
 Jesus inviting

00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:29.460
 these disciples

00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:31.039
 to come and follow Him.

00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:33.000
 And I think what Jesus

00:36:33.000 --> 00:36:33.439
 is doing

00:36:33.439 --> 00:36:34.119
 is He's modeling

00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:35.980
 His alternative way

00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:37.179
 of relating to people.

00:36:37.820 --> 00:36:39.019
 Not pursuing people

00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:40.000
 to colonize them

00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:41.400
 and to oppress them

00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:42.579
 and to proselytize them,

00:36:42.659 --> 00:36:43.699
 but pursuing people

00:36:43.699 --> 00:36:44.980
 with love.

00:36:45.780 --> 00:36:46.440
 Pursuing people

00:36:46.440 --> 00:36:46.920
 as a servant.

00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:47.639
 Just as the Father

00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:49.139
 tore the heavens open

00:36:49.139 --> 00:36:49.900
 to speak a word

00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.840
 of affirmation

00:36:50.840 --> 00:36:51.679
 and welcome to Jesus,

00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:53.000
 so is Jesus speaking forth

00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.820
 His own words

00:36:53.820 --> 00:36:55.300
 of loving invitation

00:36:55.300 --> 00:36:56.960
 to these disciples,

00:36:57.119 --> 00:36:57.840
 to invite them,

00:36:57.940 --> 00:36:58.639
 to adopt them

00:36:58.639 --> 00:37:00.440
 into His own family.

00:37:00.800 --> 00:37:02.599
 He's generously drawing them

00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:03.099
 into something

00:37:03.099 --> 00:37:04.259
 far more wonderful

00:37:04.259 --> 00:37:06.319
 than they can imagine.

00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:07.719
 And sure,

00:37:07.779 --> 00:37:08.839
 they'll probably treat Him

00:37:08.839 --> 00:37:09.779
 much like a rabbi

00:37:09.779 --> 00:37:10.599
 and serve Him

00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:11.679
 so that they can focus

00:37:11.679 --> 00:37:12.420
 on His teachings,

00:37:12.699 --> 00:37:13.639
 but they're about to get

00:37:13.639 --> 00:37:14.699
 something far greater

00:37:14.699 --> 00:37:16.400
 than what they give

00:37:16.400 --> 00:37:17.319
 to their rabbi.

00:37:18.980 --> 00:37:19.219
 Now,

00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.519
 you might have found

00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:21.259
 this kind of strange

00:37:21.259 --> 00:37:22.159
 that these fishermen

00:37:22.159 --> 00:37:23.619
 at the end of this account

00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:25.279
 in verses like 18 to 20,

00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:27.299
 they left so much, right?

00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:28.880
 Just because Jesus called them.

00:37:29.019 --> 00:37:29.799
 They left their nets,

00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:30.839
 they left their boats,

00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:31.519
 their businesses,

00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:32.460
 their hired men.

00:37:32.579 --> 00:37:33.039
 James and John

00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:34.840
 were probably pretty successful

00:37:34.840 --> 00:37:35.860
 in their fishing business.

00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.800
 They left their father.

00:37:38.179 --> 00:37:39.380
 And Mark really doesn't

00:37:39.380 --> 00:37:40.800
 give any reason at all.

00:37:40.880 --> 00:37:41.460
 It's just like there's

00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:43.280
 this inherent power

00:37:43.280 --> 00:37:43.960
 and authority

00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:45.000
 to Jesus' words,

00:37:45.119 --> 00:37:46.239
 come, follow me,

00:37:46.300 --> 00:37:47.219
 and I will send you out

00:37:47.219 --> 00:37:48.259
 to fish for people.

00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:49.699
 Because honestly,

00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:51.219
 they clearly had no idea

00:37:51.219 --> 00:37:51.759
 what they were

00:37:51.759 --> 00:37:52.940
 getting themselves into

00:37:52.940 --> 00:37:53.840
 by following Jesus

00:37:53.840 --> 00:37:55.000
 and leaving their nets

00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:55.780
 behind, right?

00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:58.559
 But what we do know

00:37:58.559 --> 00:38:00.440
 is that at the end

00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:01.059
 of their lives,

00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:02.699
 all four of them,

00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:03.800
 Simon, Andrew,

00:38:04.099 --> 00:38:05.039
 James, and John,

00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:07.320
 they were totally glad

00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:08.460
 that they did.

00:38:09.440 --> 00:38:10.199
 And they counted it

00:38:10.199 --> 00:38:11.119
 the greatest honor

00:38:11.119 --> 00:38:11.980
 of their lives

00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:13.079
 to walk in the way

00:38:13.079 --> 00:38:13.480
 of Jesus.

00:38:13.980 --> 00:38:14.920
 And they even died

00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:15.780
 following Jesus

00:38:15.780 --> 00:38:17.579
 and walking in his way

00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:18.440
 as servants

00:38:18.440 --> 00:38:20.019
 and sons of God.

00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:21.199
 Because you know

00:38:21.199 --> 00:38:21.780
 what they discovered

00:38:21.780 --> 00:38:22.259
 in Jesus?

00:38:23.239 --> 00:38:24.460
 This coming God

00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:25.039
 and king

00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:25.699
 for whom they were

00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:26.420
 supposed to make

00:38:26.420 --> 00:38:27.139
 straight paths

00:38:27.139 --> 00:38:28.039
 for his arrival?

00:38:28.039 --> 00:38:30.340
 they found a king

00:38:30.340 --> 00:38:31.840
 who charted

00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:32.900
 his own path,

00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:33.820
 who charted

00:38:33.820 --> 00:38:34.840
 his own way.

00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:35.980
 Without conscribing,

00:38:36.119 --> 00:38:36.259
 you know,

00:38:36.380 --> 00:38:37.380
 forced laborers

00:38:37.380 --> 00:38:37.940
 or slaves

00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:38.820
 to make his arrival

00:38:38.820 --> 00:38:40.119
 smooth and easy,

00:38:40.500 --> 00:38:41.139
 Jesus took

00:38:41.139 --> 00:38:42.539
 a different way.

00:38:43.539 --> 00:38:45.099
 Born as a helpless baby,

00:38:45.800 --> 00:38:46.659
 lying in a manger

00:38:46.659 --> 00:38:47.779
 to a poor family

00:38:47.779 --> 00:38:48.779
 from Nazareth,

00:38:49.320 --> 00:38:50.719
 and the only straight road

00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:51.619
 that he walked

00:38:51.619 --> 00:38:53.099
 was from the cradle

00:38:53.099 --> 00:38:54.639
 to the cross.

00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:56.819
 The mighty Messiah,

00:38:56.960 --> 00:38:57.739
 the sovereign son,

00:38:57.819 --> 00:38:58.960
 did not turn to the left

00:38:58.960 --> 00:38:59.679
 or to the right,

00:38:59.739 --> 00:39:00.699
 but willingly went

00:39:00.699 --> 00:39:02.599
 directly to the cross

00:39:02.599 --> 00:39:04.539
 as our crucified king

00:39:04.539 --> 00:39:06.019
 and suffering servant,

00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:07.900
 sure of who he was

00:39:07.900 --> 00:39:09.319
 and what he was called

00:39:09.319 --> 00:39:10.000
 to do,

00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:11.139
 what he was meant to do.

00:39:12.239 --> 00:39:12.940
 And the world

00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:13.639
 we live in

00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:14.400
 has simultaneously

00:39:14.400 --> 00:39:15.279
 looked upon

00:39:15.279 --> 00:39:16.119
 this way of Jesus

00:39:16.119 --> 00:39:17.960
 both with tender admiration

00:39:17.960 --> 00:39:20.739
 and defiant disgust.

00:39:21.759 --> 00:39:22.779
 Having never seen

00:39:22.779 --> 00:39:24.079
 such a beautiful sacrifice,

00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:25.699
 and yet,

00:39:25.859 --> 00:39:26.799
 in our own sinful,

00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:28.139
 self-interested natures,

00:39:28.339 --> 00:39:29.099
 choosing more often

00:39:29.099 --> 00:39:29.619
 than not,

00:39:29.859 --> 00:39:30.599
 again and again,

00:39:31.099 --> 00:39:32.000
 not to serve,

00:39:32.699 --> 00:39:33.779
 but to be served.

00:39:35.039 --> 00:39:35.920
 But that's not

00:39:35.920 --> 00:39:36.759
 the way of Jesus.

00:39:38.019 --> 00:39:38.279
 Christchurch,

00:39:38.400 --> 00:39:39.960
 Jesus invites us.

00:39:41.059 --> 00:39:41.659
 He invites us

00:39:41.659 --> 00:39:42.579
 to deny ourselves

00:39:42.579 --> 00:39:44.139
 and to follow him,

00:39:44.839 --> 00:39:46.039
 to take up our crosses

00:39:46.039 --> 00:39:47.359
 into the wilderness

00:39:47.359 --> 00:39:48.659
 amongst the wild animals

00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:49.460
 and to fellowship

00:39:49.460 --> 00:39:50.059
 with him

00:39:50.059 --> 00:39:51.199
 as the servant,

00:39:51.619 --> 00:39:51.940
 son,

00:39:52.219 --> 00:39:52.819
 and savior

00:39:52.819 --> 00:39:53.879
 he chose to be

00:39:53.880 --> 00:39:55.619
 out of his own self

00:39:55.619 --> 00:39:57.240
 denying love for us.

00:39:57.280 --> 00:39:57.900
 He invites us

00:39:57.900 --> 00:39:59.220
 to enter into his

00:39:59.220 --> 00:40:00.240
 belovedness

00:40:00.240 --> 00:40:01.900
 as servants and sons

00:40:01.900 --> 00:40:02.599
 ourselves

00:40:02.599 --> 00:40:04.800
 for the good of our world

00:40:04.800 --> 00:40:06.579
 and for the glory of God.

00:40:07.300 --> 00:40:08.019
 Will you pray with me?

00:40:08.019 --> 00:40:17.460
 Lord, we ask that you would

00:40:17.460 --> 00:40:18.420
 give us what we need

00:40:18.420 --> 00:40:20.539
 to walk in your way,

00:40:21.539 --> 00:40:22.739
 to walk in the way

00:40:22.739 --> 00:40:23.259
 of the servant,

00:40:23.380 --> 00:40:23.579
 son,

00:40:23.699 --> 00:40:23.980
 Jesus,

00:40:24.559 --> 00:40:26.239
 to be his disciples

00:40:26.239 --> 00:40:27.460
 and to make disciples

00:40:27.460 --> 00:40:29.940
 of this servant king,

00:40:30.940 --> 00:40:31.880
 savior of the world.

00:40:33.059 --> 00:40:34.239
 Would we do so

00:40:34.239 --> 00:40:36.459
 to the glory of your name

00:40:36.459 --> 00:40:37.819
 and for the good

00:40:37.819 --> 00:40:38.359
 of our neighbors?

00:40:39.379 --> 00:40:40.659
 Would you heighten

00:40:40.659 --> 00:40:41.519
 our imagination,

00:40:41.739 --> 00:40:42.259
 our vision

00:40:42.259 --> 00:40:44.159
 of what this could look like

00:40:44.159 --> 00:40:46.059
 here in the Bay Area,

00:40:47.219 --> 00:40:48.559
 living the way Jesus lived

00:40:48.559 --> 00:40:51.039
 and bearing fruit

00:40:51.039 --> 00:40:52.819
 because of what you're doing

00:40:52.819 --> 00:40:53.379
 in us?

00:40:54.179 --> 00:40:55.079
 Would you do that here

00:40:55.079 --> 00:40:55.719
 in our church,

00:40:55.779 --> 00:40:57.000
 not because we deserve it,

00:40:57.799 --> 00:40:59.219
 but because you deserve it,

00:40:59.319 --> 00:40:59.479
 Lord.

00:41:00.179 --> 00:41:01.299
 In Jesus' name,

00:41:01.300 --> 00:41:02.039
 Amen.