WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.220 Now the smallest sermon is very, very simple. 00:00:03.459 --> 00:00:06.620 And even the smallest child can get the main point. 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:13.640 ! And the main point of these three passages that we read from Luke 20 verses 1 to 26 is this. 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:14.820 ! God owns you. 00:00:15.839 --> 00:00:18.080 God owns you. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:21.019 And we are his tenants. 00:00:22.300 --> 00:00:23.120 We are his tenants. 00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:27.100 Now I've done some research this week on tenants. 00:00:27.460 --> 00:00:29.379 Tenants, people say, tenants from hell. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.820 And I've come across some great stories, isn't it? 00:00:31.879 --> 00:00:35.659 People have turned a rented lounge into a wildlife sanctuary in London. 00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:42.200 One tenant ran a motorcycle mechanic store from a basement in rental accommodation. 00:00:42.880 --> 00:00:45.159 In fact, a couple of friends of mine, two friends of mine, 00:00:45.519 --> 00:00:52.200 the tenants in the place where they lived before were growing marijuana plants all through the flat. 00:00:52.560 --> 00:00:53.439 And in the end they got evicted. 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:58.439 And I should say that my two friends after they moved in for the first six months were completely different people. 00:00:58.439 --> 00:01:01.239 They were very, very chilled out indeed. 00:01:02.059 --> 00:01:04.480 And we know, don't we, about terrible tenants. 00:01:04.700 --> 00:01:06.500 We've all got tales about them. 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:11.859 Well the parable that Jesus tells in the middle of this story is the story of the world. 00:01:13.019 --> 00:01:15.099 It's the story of the whole creation. 00:01:16.259 --> 00:01:17.920 That God makes a garden. 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:21.219 And God places us in a garden. 00:01:21.219 --> 00:01:24.700 And he is the owner and we are his creatures. 00:01:26.140 --> 00:01:33.879 And we have this irrational, inbuilt hostility to the fact that God is our owner. 00:01:34.740 --> 00:01:37.520 It's something that is bizarre about us as human beings. 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:41.479 And so we treat God shabbily and shamefully. 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:43.959 And we pretend you're not the owner. 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:45.640 I am the owner. 00:01:46.099 --> 00:01:47.459 I'm the owner of myself. 00:01:47.599 --> 00:01:50.199 And I refuse God to let you be the owner. 00:01:51.239 --> 00:01:52.219 And that is why Jesus came. 00:01:53.459 --> 00:01:56.799 That was at the heart of what we're looking at in Luke's gospel. 00:01:57.519 --> 00:01:57.959 Do you remember? 00:01:58.359 --> 00:01:59.560 Jesus is on this journey. 00:01:59.699 --> 00:02:01.099 This is a travel narrative. 00:02:02.039 --> 00:02:05.000 Luke is telling us Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:09.080 And we found out last week if you were here that Jesus rode in. 00:02:09.539 --> 00:02:11.300 And the crowds hailed him as God's king. 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:12.319 Here is God's Messiah. 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:15.159 And Jesus goes straight to the temple. 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:18.560 And he kicks out the flea market with the bric-a-brac. 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:21.280 And then he starts to preach the gospel in this chapter. 00:02:21.960 --> 00:02:23.340 Here is the king of God. 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:24.620 The son of God. 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:26.900 The one who can raise the dead. 00:02:27.639 --> 00:02:29.060 The one who touches lepers. 00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:30.460 The one who forgives sins. 00:02:30.979 --> 00:02:32.659 The one who preaches about heaven. 00:02:32.939 --> 00:02:34.819 Who invites us into his kingdom. 00:02:34.819 --> 00:02:35.879 And so here he is. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:39.500 Here he is reclaiming the house of God. 00:02:39.819 --> 00:02:41.400 For what its purpose was. 00:02:42.199 --> 00:02:45.620 That salvation will flow from the house of God. 00:02:45.739 --> 00:02:46.739 To all nations. 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:48.199 To all people. 00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:49.199 To the Gentiles. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:49.780 It is wonderful. 00:02:51.180 --> 00:02:52.199 And yet at that same time. 00:02:52.299 --> 00:02:53.919 He is deeply hated. 00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:55.900 By the religious authorities. 00:02:57.099 --> 00:02:58.959 Here he is offering forgiveness. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:02:59.960 And freedom. 00:02:59.960 --> 00:03:03.000 And invites to the feast of God. 00:03:03.500 --> 00:03:04.320 As it ought to be. 00:03:04.540 --> 00:03:06.460 And what do they do in verses 47. 00:03:06.659 --> 00:03:07.439 Of chapter 19. 00:03:07.960 --> 00:03:09.159 They seek to destroy. 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:11.580 They want to tear him apart. 00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:14.219 Here is a group of men. 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:15.340 Whose whole identity. 00:03:15.819 --> 00:03:16.780 And status. 00:03:17.460 --> 00:03:18.400 Is caught up. 00:03:18.540 --> 00:03:19.400 By maintaining. 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:21.260 A religious system. 00:03:22.140 --> 00:03:24.360 Their whole view of themselves. 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:26.319 Where they were. 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:27.700 In this hierarchical. 00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:29.700 Institutional. 00:03:29.939 --> 00:03:30.879 Religious system. 00:03:32.200 --> 00:03:32.740 And yes. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:34.040 The system had to do with God. 00:03:34.520 --> 00:03:35.000 It did. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:37.120 But gradually. 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:37.980 The mechanisms. 00:03:38.200 --> 00:03:39.540 Of that system. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:40.939 The visible. 00:03:40.939 --> 00:03:41.739 The outside. 00:03:42.219 --> 00:03:42.699 Mechanisms. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:43.639 Of the system. 00:03:44.239 --> 00:03:45.139 Have become far. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:46.299 Far more important to them. 00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:46.979 Than God. 00:03:47.959 --> 00:03:49.500 And when God comes to his temple. 00:03:50.099 --> 00:03:51.180 They want to kill him. 00:03:52.259 --> 00:03:53.259 They don't like the fact. 00:03:53.340 --> 00:03:54.139 That he is the owner. 00:03:56.039 --> 00:03:56.919 And I think even that. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:03:58.000 Is a lesson to us. 00:03:58.879 --> 00:03:59.680 Because churches. 00:03:59.819 --> 00:04:00.620 Are prone to this. 00:04:01.959 --> 00:04:03.039 And Presbyterian churches. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:04.120 Are prone to this. 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:06.479 And we as Christians. 00:04:06.620 --> 00:04:07.539 Are prone to this. 00:04:07.539 --> 00:04:10.159 So we join a church. 00:04:10.259 --> 00:04:11.819 We sense the reality of God. 00:04:12.699 --> 00:04:13.739 And we want to grow. 00:04:14.239 --> 00:04:14.799 We want to grow. 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:15.639 To know the Lord Jesus. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:18.439 And gradually. 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:19.539 We come to see. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:20.819 That the scriptures teach. 00:04:20.899 --> 00:04:21.860 A form of church government. 00:04:22.939 --> 00:04:24.240 And we become invested. 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:25.139 In those structures. 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:27.039 And programs. 00:04:28.519 --> 00:04:29.560 And those visible. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:30.680 External mechanisms. 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:31.879 Which are good. 00:04:33.519 --> 00:04:34.379 But slowly. 00:04:34.539 --> 00:04:35.800 Begin to displace God. 00:04:37.540 --> 00:04:38.520 And as time goes on. 00:04:38.580 --> 00:04:39.640 We worship those. 00:04:40.640 --> 00:04:41.460 Those structures. 00:04:42.520 --> 00:04:43.140 Particularly those. 00:04:43.200 --> 00:04:43.700 In church leadership. 00:04:44.020 --> 00:04:45.060 Because they are the things. 00:04:45.080 --> 00:04:46.180 Which give us our justification. 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:48.340 And they give us our sense of status. 00:04:49.180 --> 00:04:50.580 And our sense of importance. 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:53.100 And when God reasserts. 00:04:53.100 --> 00:04:53.820 His ownership. 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:55.400 That he is the owner. 00:04:55.840 --> 00:04:56.740 Our first reaction. 00:04:56.879 --> 00:04:57.759 Is often hostility. 00:04:59.340 --> 00:05:00.740 And I think you just look at churches. 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:01.580 All around the world. 00:05:01.820 --> 00:05:02.340 And through history. 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:02.920 And you see that. 00:05:03.820 --> 00:05:04.500 A few sections. 00:05:04.600 --> 00:05:05.040 1 to 8. 00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:06.620 9 to 19. 00:05:06.720 --> 00:05:07.180 The parable. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:08.540 And then the Caesar passage. 00:05:09.020 --> 00:05:09.200 So. 00:05:09.340 --> 00:05:10.439 And all the three sections. 00:05:10.540 --> 00:05:11.379 Have got to do with ownership. 00:05:12.460 --> 00:05:13.460 So verses 1 to 8. 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:14.860 See false ownership. 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:15.580 Chapter 20. 00:05:15.700 --> 00:05:16.939 Look down at verse 2. 00:05:18.300 --> 00:05:18.939 They come to him. 00:05:18.960 --> 00:05:19.600 The chief priests. 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:20.939 And the scribes. 00:05:20.980 --> 00:05:21.800 And the elders. 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:23.540 And verse 2. 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:23.860 And they say. 00:05:23.920 --> 00:05:24.879 Tell us by what authority. 00:05:24.960 --> 00:05:25.560 You do these things. 00:05:26.920 --> 00:05:27.560 And who is it. 00:05:27.600 --> 00:05:28.640 That gave you his authority. 00:05:29.700 --> 00:05:30.500 The scribes. 00:05:30.500 --> 00:05:31.080 And the chief priests. 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:31.460 And the elders. 00:05:31.580 --> 00:05:32.520 They barge right into. 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:33.520 A middle of Jesus sermon. 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:35.120 And they interrupt him. 00:05:35.139 --> 00:05:35.479 And they say. 00:05:35.539 --> 00:05:36.479 Who gave you the authority. 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:38.159 Who do you think you are Jesus. 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:40.079 To say the things that you say. 00:05:40.379 --> 00:05:41.740 And to do the things that you do. 00:05:42.419 --> 00:05:44.079 Show us your license. 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:47.199 Where's your ordination certificate Jesus. 00:05:48.479 --> 00:05:49.799 This is our jurisdiction. 00:05:51.099 --> 00:05:51.719 And of course. 00:05:51.859 --> 00:05:52.899 They are acting out there. 00:05:53.159 --> 00:05:54.859 As if they are the owners of Israel. 00:05:56.159 --> 00:05:57.560 They are the owners of the temple. 00:05:57.560 --> 00:06:00.199 And the first question of anyone. 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:00.899 Who takes. 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:02.220 Their meaning. 00:06:02.660 --> 00:06:03.439 And their identity. 00:06:03.720 --> 00:06:04.899 From a religious institution. 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:05.920 Is this. 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:07.139 It's what is your jurisdiction. 00:06:08.259 --> 00:06:08.899 Where's your license. 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:11.600 They don't come up to Jesus. 00:06:12.280 --> 00:06:12.740 And say. 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:14.779 Could it be that what you are doing. 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:15.399 Is from God. 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:16.680 Is it true. 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:19.240 Does it fit with the rest. 00:06:19.300 --> 00:06:20.100 Of what God says. 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:20.860 You know they say. 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:22.040 Where is your official permit. 00:06:23.480 --> 00:06:24.720 And how does Jesus deal with it. 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:25.240 In verse 3. 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:26.100 Well very wonderfully. 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:26.540 Doesn't he. 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:27.720 He says. 00:06:27.740 --> 00:06:28.819 Let me ask you a question. 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:30.800 He says. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:32.580 You are talking about authority. 00:06:32.740 --> 00:06:33.120 Aren't you. 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:35.860 And you can't even recognize. 00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:36.879 The authority of God. 00:06:36.939 --> 00:06:37.580 In the flesh. 00:06:38.540 --> 00:06:39.580 Staring you in the flesh. 00:06:39.780 --> 00:06:40.700 So what about John the Baptist. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:42.800 What about John the Baptist. 00:06:42.900 --> 00:06:43.720 The last prophet. 00:06:43.820 --> 00:06:44.580 Whom God sent. 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:45.680 Can you look at verse 4. 00:06:46.140 --> 00:06:47.120 Was the baptism of John. 00:06:47.200 --> 00:06:47.500 From heaven. 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:48.100 Or from man. 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:51.020 Was he speaking the words of God. 00:06:51.020 --> 00:06:52.900 Did he have an official permit. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:54.560 Or was he a self made man. 00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:56.520 And verse 5. 00:06:56.680 --> 00:06:57.400 They writhe. 00:06:57.520 --> 00:06:59.319 And they squirm like snakes. 00:06:59.760 --> 00:07:01.460 And we are allowed to hear. 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:02.480 Their deliberator. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:04.160 They say. 00:07:04.260 --> 00:07:04.439 Don't they. 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:05.360 If we say. 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:06.460 John the Baptist is from heaven. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:07.540 Jesus is going to know. 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:08.260 That we're liars. 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:08.680 Liars. 00:07:08.820 --> 00:07:09.260 Liars. 00:07:09.420 --> 00:07:10.700 Because we didn't get his baptism. 00:07:11.580 --> 00:07:12.260 But if we say. 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:13.580 John the Baptist came from men. 00:07:13.900 --> 00:07:14.800 Well that is going to make us. 00:07:14.960 --> 00:07:16.120 Massively unpopular. 00:07:16.640 --> 00:07:17.240 So instead. 00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:18.340 The religious leaders. 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:20.560 Opt to look like fools. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:23.060 And they say. 00:07:23.160 --> 00:07:23.899 We don't know. 00:07:28.280 --> 00:07:29.620 We are challenging you. 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:30.620 On your authority. 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:32.339 But actually. 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:33.139 We're not competent. 00:07:33.139 --> 00:07:34.139 To judge John the Baptist. 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:36.019 And we'll have to set up. 00:07:36.100 --> 00:07:36.560 Another committee. 00:07:38.459 --> 00:07:39.439 And it is wonderful. 00:07:39.540 --> 00:07:39.899 Isn't it. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:40.600 And I think. 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:41.920 I've only begun to really see this. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:42.379 This week. 00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:43.319 That Jesus. 00:07:43.500 --> 00:07:44.040 Through Luke. 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:44.879 Exposes. 00:07:45.080 --> 00:07:46.360 That their real fear. 00:07:46.520 --> 00:07:47.379 Is disapproval. 00:07:49.400 --> 00:07:49.980 You see. 00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:51.600 Every single one of you here. 00:07:51.700 --> 00:07:52.680 Every single one of us. 00:07:52.760 --> 00:07:53.220 In this world. 00:07:53.340 --> 00:07:54.220 Knows that we are not. 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:55.480 The real owner of ourselves. 00:07:57.160 --> 00:07:57.920 And I think. 00:07:58.020 --> 00:07:59.460 When we are exposed. 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:01.060 By the word of God. 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:01.720 That we are not. 00:08:01.820 --> 00:08:02.939 The real owner. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:04.120 By the person. 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:05.080 Of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:06.580 We become pretty insecure. 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:08.939 And so what happens. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:09.939 Is we have a choice. 00:08:11.080 --> 00:08:12.700 That either our religion. 00:08:13.140 --> 00:08:13.980 Becomes the way. 00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:15.200 That we impress others. 00:08:16.020 --> 00:08:16.879 Or we give it up. 00:08:18.280 --> 00:08:19.020 Either we let. 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:19.800 Christ Jesus. 00:08:20.280 --> 00:08:21.240 Justify us. 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:22.800 Or we. 00:08:23.020 --> 00:08:23.600 Busily get. 00:08:23.840 --> 00:08:24.540 Justifying ourselves. 00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:27.180 And so. 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:28.640 I become very frightened. 00:08:28.760 --> 00:08:29.740 Of your opinion of me. 00:08:31.080 --> 00:08:31.939 And you become. 00:08:32.060 --> 00:08:32.580 Very frightened. 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:33.659 About my opinion of you. 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:36.240 And we become slaves. 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:37.039 And fearful. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:38.080 And frightened. 00:08:38.860 --> 00:08:39.779 And if you look at. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:41.139 Anyone on the treadmill. 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:41.659 Of respectability. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:43.340 And religious. 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:44.540 Is institutionalism. 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:45.980 Deep down. 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:47.540 There is fear. 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:48.240 And insecurity. 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:51.080 So that is false ownership. 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:52.240 Verses 9 to 19. 00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:52.660 Let's see. 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:53.440 True ownership. 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:57.040 Now the lovely thing. 00:08:57.040 --> 00:08:57.740 About this passage. 00:08:57.880 --> 00:08:58.600 I know about you. 00:08:58.840 --> 00:08:59.840 I often find. 00:08:59.920 --> 00:09:00.940 The Lord Jesus parables. 00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:02.180 Very very puzzling. 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:03.920 I can study them. 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:04.420 For a week. 00:09:05.140 --> 00:09:06.060 And I can preach them. 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:06.540 And then somebody. 00:09:06.660 --> 00:09:07.140 Will come up to me. 00:09:07.180 --> 00:09:07.400 And say. 00:09:07.460 --> 00:09:08.340 Have you thought about this? 00:09:08.820 --> 00:09:09.680 At the end of the service. 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:10.940 And I realise. 00:09:11.640 --> 00:09:11.980 Yeah. 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:12.660 I haven't really understood. 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:13.500 This parable at all. 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:15.600 And there are always. 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:16.019 These elements. 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:16.960 Of Jesus parable. 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:17.940 That. 00:09:18.519 --> 00:09:19.519 That you're not sure. 00:09:19.580 --> 00:09:20.100 What they mean. 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:20.920 And that is deliberate. 00:09:21.540 --> 00:09:22.300 They are there. 00:09:22.300 --> 00:09:23.320 To draw you in. 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:25.360 But I love this one. 00:09:25.420 --> 00:09:26.100 Because it's so obvious. 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:28.620 Because at the end of it. 00:09:28.680 --> 00:09:29.680 Even those who are hostile. 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:30.519 Look at verse 19. 00:09:30.680 --> 00:09:31.759 Even his enemies. 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:32.500 Can you see them? 00:09:32.920 --> 00:09:33.620 Look at verse 19. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:34.779 They're not the brightest people. 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:35.340 In the bunch. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:38.120 They want to lay hands on him. 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:39.560 For they perceived. 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:41.100 That he told this parable. 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:42.060 Against them. 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:44.599 They felt that he told. 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:45.559 This parable against them. 00:09:46.659 --> 00:09:47.839 And this is probably. 00:09:47.959 --> 00:09:48.539 The clearest. 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:49.799 Of all Jesus' parables. 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:52.679 And it is Jesus. 00:09:53.339 --> 00:09:54.159 Interpreting Jesus. 00:09:55.500 --> 00:09:56.199 And in this parable. 00:09:56.279 --> 00:09:57.259 He tells us who God is. 00:09:58.179 --> 00:09:59.219 He tells us who we are. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:00.939 He tells us why he's come. 00:10:01.779 --> 00:10:02.839 And the way he does that. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:03.500 Is by going back. 00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:04.219 To the Old Testament. 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:05.799 And he takes us. 00:10:05.819 --> 00:10:06.500 To a little story. 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:07.899 From Isaiah chapter 5. 00:10:09.619 --> 00:10:10.799 It's a lovely chapter. 00:10:10.919 --> 00:10:12.000 Isaiah chapter 5. 00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:13.579 Where God pictures himself. 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:15.179 As the owner of a vineyard. 00:10:15.619 --> 00:10:17.159 Who develops a vineyard. 00:10:17.339 --> 00:10:18.159 And he digs it. 00:10:18.219 --> 00:10:18.959 And he cares for it. 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:19.739 And he cares for it. 00:10:19.779 --> 00:10:20.479 And he cares for it. 00:10:20.619 --> 00:10:21.859 And God wants fruit. 00:10:21.959 --> 00:10:22.859 From the vineyard. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:23.979 But there's nothing. 00:10:25.159 --> 00:10:26.139 And in Isaiah 5. 00:10:26.239 --> 00:10:26.779 God says. 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:28.179 What more. 00:10:28.579 --> 00:10:29.479 Was there to do. 00:10:29.559 --> 00:10:30.519 For my vineyard. 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:32.159 Than I have not done. 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:34.579 It's an amazing thing. 00:10:35.579 --> 00:10:36.379 I want to say to you. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:37.619 If you have got rebellious children. 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:39.379 If you have got children. 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:40.479 That have gone away. 00:10:40.479 --> 00:10:41.339 From the Lord. 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:41.339 From the Lord. 00:10:42.200 --> 00:10:43.280 God understands that. 00:10:44.580 --> 00:10:45.600 Isaiah chapter 5. 00:10:45.680 --> 00:10:46.840 Is a remarkable chapter. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:47.700 Because Isaiah 5. 00:10:47.780 --> 00:10:48.220 God says. 00:10:48.440 --> 00:10:49.200 What more could I have done. 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:49.680 For my children. 00:10:50.800 --> 00:10:51.160 God. 00:10:52.160 --> 00:10:52.560 Says. 00:10:53.160 --> 00:10:54.060 What more could I have done. 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:54.580 For my children. 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:55.300 Isn't that remarkable. 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:56.580 And they rebelled. 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:57.680 God doesn't know. 00:10:57.740 --> 00:10:58.080 About his children. 00:10:59.240 --> 00:10:59.740 Isaiah 5. 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:00.120 tells us. 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:01.159 He looked for justice. 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:01.659 And behold. 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:02.240 Bloodshed. 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:03.299 For righteousness. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.000 But behold. 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:04.680 And I'll cry. 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:06.519 And what Jesus does. 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:08.139 What Jesus so often does. 00:11:08.180 --> 00:11:09.000 He takes Isaiah 5. 00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:10.159 And he just twists him a little bit. 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:12.840 He makes it a little bit more pointed. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:13.320 And he says. 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:15.899 The relationship between those who belong to God. 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:18.840 And God is the owner. 00:11:19.419 --> 00:11:20.480 And we are the tenants. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:23.800 And we are meant to have good fruit. 00:11:25.060 --> 00:11:26.560 And as soon as I say that. 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:27.379 That God is the owner. 00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:28.120 And we are the tenants. 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:29.340 And we are to produce fruit. 00:11:29.420 --> 00:11:31.420 I think hostility in our hearts kicks in. 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:35.320 From beginning to the end of the Bible. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.920 The Bible assumes. 00:11:36.920 --> 00:11:38.700 We are not our own. 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:41.399 We did not make ourselves. 00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:44.360 We did not make our world. 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:46.600 It is God who made us. 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:48.779 It is God's vineyard. 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:51.600 Your life is God's life. 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:54.320 Your body is God's body. 00:11:54.940 --> 00:11:56.840 The mind that you use it is God's mind. 00:11:58.080 --> 00:11:58.740 Your life. 00:11:58.860 --> 00:11:59.419 Your abilities. 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:01.279 Are a gift from God. 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:02.240 And you are. 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:03.680 You and I are tenants. 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:05.220 And we owe to God everything. 00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:06.519 It's the same for every human being. 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:08.960 That has huge implications. 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:13.240 It means that you are accountable to God. 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:15.360 For everything that he gives you. 00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:16.120 Think about this. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:19.360 Every time you use your mind creatively. 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:21.539 You are using the resources of God. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:24.600 Whatever you do with your body. 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:26.519 You are actually using something. 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:28.139 That belongs to God. 00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:31.240 It belongs to us in a way. 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:32.060 It belongs to me in a way. 00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:33.060 It is on loan isn't it? 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:33.759 Perhaps. 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:36.419 But everything that I have. 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:37.480 My real estate. 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:39.220 My money. 00:12:39.820 --> 00:12:40.620 It is all from God. 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.120 My time. 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:41.740 My finances. 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:42.419 My sexuality. 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:45.840 Is fundamentally God's. 00:12:47.180 --> 00:12:48.379 You are not your own. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:51.240 And what God does. 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:52.840 Is God doesn't just start the show. 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:54.340 And say it's all over to you. 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:55.180 Crack on. 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:57.379 No what does God do? 00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:58.360 God sends messenger. 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:00.100 After messenger. 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:01.680 After messenger. 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:02.440 To remind you. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:03.500 You are his tenants. 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:05.980 So in the parable. 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:06.960 He sends a servant. 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:07.779 To collect fruit. 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:09.060 And what do the tenants do? 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:11.480 Well they beat him. 00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.279 And they send him away. 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:14.399 They resent. 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:15.159 The implication. 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:17.699 That they are not. 00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:18.339 Completely. 00:13:18.699 --> 00:13:19.459 In control. 00:13:20.339 --> 00:13:21.039 And the story. 00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:22.019 Should have finished there. 00:13:22.079 --> 00:13:22.500 Shouldn't it? 00:13:22.839 --> 00:13:23.459 When they reject. 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:24.299 The messengers. 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:25.459 What should God have done? 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:26.480 He don't have moved in. 00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:27.779 And kicked the tenants out. 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:29.779 But he doesn't. 00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:32.059 God sends a second servant. 00:13:32.059 --> 00:13:33.659 And this one. 00:13:33.739 --> 00:13:34.839 They treat even worse. 00:13:35.199 --> 00:13:36.119 What does the owner do? 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:37.279 He sends a third. 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:38.639 And they treat him shamefully. 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.339 These are the tenants from hell. 00:13:42.759 --> 00:13:44.839 And then we come to this amazing moment. 00:13:44.979 --> 00:13:45.859 In verse 13. 00:13:46.119 --> 00:13:47.039 I don't know whether you noticed it. 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:47.639 When it was read. 00:13:48.819 --> 00:13:50.119 It is a solid moment. 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:53.279 Because the owner. 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:53.279 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:55.060 Deliberates with himself. 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.480 It's got echoes. 00:13:58.620 --> 00:13:58.720 Isn't it? 00:13:58.759 --> 00:13:59.740 Genesis 1 and 2. 00:14:01.080 --> 00:14:02.560 It's like the creation account. 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:03.879 Where God stops. 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:06.000 And he deliberates with himself. 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.600 Let us. 00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:09.060 Verse 13. 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:09.759 Can you see it? 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:15.039 Then the owner of the vineyard said. 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:17.039 What shall I do? 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.399 I will send my beloved son. 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.720 Perhaps they will respect him. 00:14:25.939 --> 00:14:27.919 Any real owner would be fed up to the back chief. 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:28.500 Wouldn't he with this? 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.279 Any owner. 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:30.039 Any real owner. 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:30.939 Would march in. 00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:33.559 With every right to have these guys arrested. 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.259 And kicked out. 00:14:34.319 --> 00:14:35.439 But this owner is different. 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:39.519 This owner goes beyond what is humanly reasonable. 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:44.720 He stretches our understanding of mercy and compassion and grace. 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.379 And when you step back. 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.259 A moment. 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.379 This is the story of the Bible. 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:48.720 Isn't it? 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:51.539 Isn't it the story of the Bible? 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:52.740 That God sent his people. 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:54.919 Prophet after prophet after prophet. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:55.939 And what do his people do? 00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:57.039 They beat them. 00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:58.500 They imprison them. 00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.840 They kill them. 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:00.819 They hate them. 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.360 And then they build their tombs. 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:02.700 And say. 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.960 Oh these are the prophets. 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:07.639 And there's great longing out here. 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:09.819 Just hear the words of the father. 00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:11.819 He says. 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:13.460 I will send my beloved son. 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.360 Where have you heard that before? 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.799 Where have you heard that before? 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:18.980 Anybody? 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:20.539 Yes. 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.379 At the baptism of Jesus. 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.559 This is my beloved son. 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:26.019 He longs that they realize. 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.080 That he. 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:28.620 The son represents me. 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:30.539 And when the son comes in the parable. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:32.720 He meets vicious and deadly opposition. 00:15:33.660 --> 00:15:35.540 Precisely because he does represent God. 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:39.820 And in a display of completely irrational logic. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:42.120 The tenants hash this stupid plan. 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:42.340 They say. 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.460 Let's kill the son. 00:15:43.540 --> 00:15:45.360 And then somehow it'll all be ours. 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:48.399 Then we'll get the vineyard. 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:51.019 So Jesus takes the parable. 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:52.440 And he asks two questions in application. 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.220 Verse 15. 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:53.899 What would you do? 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.100 What would you do? 00:15:57.100 --> 00:16:02.920 What should the owner do? 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:05.620 And then he puts a twist on it. 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:05.960 Doesn't he? 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.720 He says he'll get rid of the tenants. 00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:10.040 And the vineyard will be given to others. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:12.460 And suddenly he gets them to the skin of the religious leaders. 00:16:12.560 --> 00:16:14.080 And they call out in verse 16. 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:14.500 Don't they? 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.860 No way. 00:16:16.420 --> 00:16:17.259 No way. 00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:18.740 No way Jesus. 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:20.519 Surely not. 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:22.460 You cannot say that. 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:26.740 They do not care one little iota. 00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:29.519 When Jesus says they have violated God's ownership. 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:35.820 They don't care that Jesus knows and exposes their plotting to kill him at this very minute. 00:16:37.060 --> 00:16:40.120 They don't care that Jesus knows their hearts. 00:16:41.300 --> 00:16:43.540 Jesus knows their dirty little secrets. 00:16:43.780 --> 00:16:44.680 They don't care about that. 00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:48.060 What really gets them is that Jesus is saying their religious system. 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:49.060 Which they have built. 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:51.940 Which has given them their status and their security. 00:16:51.940 --> 00:16:54.860 Is going to be taken away from them and given to others. 00:16:56.900 --> 00:17:01.160 The whole position of the leaders of the religious system is going to be lost. 00:17:01.640 --> 00:17:03.020 And that is the horror to them. 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:08.759 The thing in which they have built their superiority and their identity. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:12.080 It is intolerable to them that God should take it away. 00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:16.039 And that salvation should be given to others instead. 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:16.519 And that. 00:17:18.080 --> 00:17:19.860 And how glad we are this morning, aren't we? 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:24.819 The story of Acts is that God takes what was theirs and gives it to the ends of the earth. 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:26.139 Are we glad of that? 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.819 That we Gentiles might believe? 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:32.459 That's the first question. 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.319 They are reeling from it. 00:17:33.399 --> 00:17:35.500 And then God comes in and asks them the second question. 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:36.199 Verse 17. 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:43.360 And he takes them back to Psalm 118. 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:45.979 And he says. 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.479 This verse. 00:17:48.439 --> 00:17:50.059 About this kind of great stone. 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:50.899 This rock. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:54.299 The builders look at the rock and they reject it. 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:56.799 But God takes that rock. 00:17:58.019 --> 00:18:00.359 And even though the builders have rejected it. 00:18:00.699 --> 00:18:02.419 And they've started to build over there. 00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:03.919 God takes this rock. 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:06.939 And everything that God builds is centered on that rock. 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:09.920 On the rejected rock. 00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:11.660 That's the cornerstone. 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:13.740 And God puts it at the head of the corner. 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:15.840 And everything is now built on that. 00:18:17.080 --> 00:18:19.820 And all their busy building over there comes to nothing. 00:18:22.620 --> 00:18:26.380 The building Jesus is speaking about, of course, is his death and his resurrection. 00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:31.080 In his death, they actually reject him. 00:18:32.080 --> 00:18:33.180 They throw that rock away. 00:18:33.260 --> 00:18:36.180 And they think that by killing him, they'll get their building back. 00:18:36.360 --> 00:18:37.780 And their institution back. 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:40.140 But God will raise Jesus from the dead. 00:18:41.020 --> 00:18:43.580 And God will exalt Jesus to the highest place. 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:47.240 And now God, all that God does through the world. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:51.300 And for eternity is built on Jesus Christ. 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:52.020 It's the cornerstone. 00:18:54.100 --> 00:18:55.540 You see, what it's saying to you is this. 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:59.720 The most catastrophic decision that you can ever make is to reject the Lord Jesus. 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:03.099 There's a little bit more here. 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:08.240 There's something very remarkable in the use of this text. 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:10.019 And I want us to stand back a little bit from it. 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:15.920 Because when the early church started preaching the gospel in the book of Acts. 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:20.059 This was the text that they preached on again and again and again and again. 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:23.000 Here's the amazing thing about it. 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.960 Yes, they are going to kill Jesus. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:29.420 But the very wickedness that they are planning to do. 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:31.660 The very wickedness that they are planning to do. 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:36.319 Is the very thing through which God's glory and grace and forgiveness is won. 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:39.240 Do you see the sovereignty of God in that? 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:44.859 In other words, all our hostility to God and its greatest wickedness. 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:48.839 Our very attempt to throw God off his throne. 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:55.399 And having put Jesus to death is the means by which God opens the door to salvation. 00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.879 And forgiveness to each other. 00:19:57.919 --> 00:19:58.459 Isn't that amazing? 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.619 We'll see it again tonight. 00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:04.079 That in the death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:10.939 Our hostility to God meets the grace and the glory and the power of the eternal God. 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:15.000 And what that means to you is this. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:18.640 That in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:20.980 God owns us not once. 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.859 But twice. 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:26.579 He owned us once as creator. 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:29.519 But he owns us again. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:31.279 Now as redeemer. 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:35.699 And even though we resent the fact that God owns us. 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:39.639 We gradually get used to it. 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:43.259 And even though we replace God with ourselves. 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.759 And say I own myself. 00:20:45.020 --> 00:20:46.000 I'll do what I want. 00:20:46.280 --> 00:20:49.360 And even though that leads to the death and the murder of Jesus Christ. 00:20:49.600 --> 00:20:51.780 In his death and resurrection God buys us back. 00:20:53.040 --> 00:20:54.780 And we come back to him a second time. 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.140 And that is true ownership. 00:20:58.620 --> 00:20:59.820 Have you come back to him? 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.600 Are you twice owned? 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:05.140 And let me look at the third episode. 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:07.460 Which is 19 to 26. 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:08.440 And that is double ownership. 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:12.040 And it is the very famous story of the text Caesar. 00:21:14.800 --> 00:21:16.100 Now verse 19. 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.060 What should they have done? 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:19.400 They should have bowed and asked for forgiveness. 00:21:19.540 --> 00:21:19.860 Shouldn't they? 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:21.440 But in verse 20 what do they do? 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:24.780 They mount a covert surveillance operation. 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.280 It is very interesting isn't it? 00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:29.680 In verse 20. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.220 These guys. 00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:30.920 These spies. 00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:32.960 Who pretend to be in verse sincere. 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:34.240 In verse 21. 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.320 They come up to Jesus. 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:36.700 And they flatter him. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.520 And they butter him up. 00:21:37.520 --> 00:21:38.700 And then they ask. 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.620 Verse 22. 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:46.100 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or not? 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:47.720 Is it lawful for us to pay our taxes? 00:21:48.060 --> 00:21:49.800 And they are very very pleased for themselves. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.600 About that question. 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:54.120 It's a very clever question. 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.880 It puts Jesus on the horns of a dilemma. 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:59.300 You see that tax to Caesar. 00:21:59.300 --> 00:22:00.560 Was very very unpopular. 00:22:02.040 --> 00:22:03.140 It was just a small amount. 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.259 But everybody had to pay it. 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:08.400 And incidentally it went through the hands of the Sanhedrin. 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:12.059 The very guys that handled the money and took their cut from it. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:15.680 But even having to pay that little coin. 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:18.900 It irked the residents of Jerusalem. 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:20.259 Because it said to them. 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.799 We are still under Roman occupation. 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.559 We're not our own. 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.940 And everybody hated it. 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:27.920 And the popular answer for Jesus would have been. 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:29.279 Don't pay your tax to Caesar. 00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:32.680 But if Jesus said. 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:33.860 Don't pay your tax to Caesar. 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:35.220 They would have got him. 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.120 And they would have arrested him. 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:38.320 And they would have sent him to the authorities. 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:40.000 And if he says. 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:40.860 Pay it to Caesar. 00:22:41.320 --> 00:22:43.539 Jesus will lose his popular support with the people. 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.740 And to be honest. 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.580 They'll arrest him anyway. 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:49.039 So Jesus gives this brilliant answer. 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.139 He takes a coin. 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:51.579 Doesn't he? 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:52.379 In verse 24. 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.039 He says. 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:53.899 Show me a denarius. 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.859 He hasn't got one himself. 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:57.740 And he says. 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.500 Show me a denarius. 00:22:58.599 --> 00:23:00.399 Whose likeness and inscription does it have? 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.839 And they say. 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.559 Caesar's. 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.279 He says. 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.319 It's all a matter of ownership. 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:12.339 The coin really belongs to Caesar. 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.919 He minted the coin. 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:16.600 He approved the coin. 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.800 And the proof it is. 00:23:17.820 --> 00:23:18.960 Is he's got his image on it. 00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:21.779 So when Caesar asks for one coin back. 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.580 Give it to him back. 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:25.279 And the word render in verse 25. 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.259 Means give back. 00:23:26.340 --> 00:23:27.460 It does not mean give. 00:23:27.560 --> 00:23:28.680 It means give back. 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:32.060 It was something that was his. 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:32.980 In the first place. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.300 And then Jesus goes back. 00:23:35.300 --> 00:23:35.660 And says. 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:37.340 There's actually a much more important point here. 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:37.700 Isn't there? 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:40.920 Because God is the owner of every person. 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:41.820 Caesar included. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.279 God owns you. 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:47.039 God owns you. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.360 He made you. 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:51.800 And the proof of it is. 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:54.039 That you bear his image. 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:57.500 That you and I were created. 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.920 In the image of God. 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:02.100 And Jesus is saying to you and me. 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:02.680 And to them. 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:04.800 You can't compartmentalise your life. 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:06.700 You can't have money over here. 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.779 And housing over there. 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:09.120 And fashion over there. 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.580 And God over here. 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.300 He owns it all. 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:14.960 You can't divide your life into two spheres. 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:17.339 You can't have a religious sphere. 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.940 And church. 00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:18.799 And prayer. 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.319 And singing. 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:21.019 And the worship over here. 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:22.119 And then the rest of life. 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.919 I'm going to decide. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.000 How do I do with my money. 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.599 And my time. 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.259 And my job. 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.700 The whole thing belongs to God. 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.259 The whole lot. 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:31.099 It's all on loan from him. 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:33.319 And if you have to give coins back. 00:24:33.419 --> 00:24:34.459 Occasionally to Caesar. 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:36.159 Jesus says. 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.480 You have to give it all back to God. 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:39.719 You. 00:24:40.699 --> 00:24:42.459 Needs to give you. 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.980 Back to God. 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:45.819 You. 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:47.719 Needs to give you. 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.219 Back to God. 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.679 And I think that's just remarkable. 00:24:51.939 --> 00:24:52.419 Remarkable. 00:24:55.419 --> 00:24:56.299 Let me finish. 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:59.619 I think the image of hands. 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.940 It's very helpful. 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:02.740 Here. 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.899 If God is my owner. 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:10.639 It means that underneath my life. 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:12.539 Is the hand of God. 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:16.000 Underneath my life is the hand of God. 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.859 Which I can rest on. 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:21.500 And if I rest on his hand. 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:24.359 I can hold everything in life. 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.079 With an open hand. 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:30.700 But if I pretend that the hand of God is not there. 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:34.059 I'm going to grip everything very very tightly. 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:35.819 Very very tightly. 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:39.200 The three idols. 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.859 In this passage. 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:43.539 Are the three idols of Luke's gospel. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.359 Which I've only really figured out this week. 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.119 Religion. 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:48.799 Money. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:51.200 And the approval of others. 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:56.839 And if I don't believe that God's hand is underneath me. 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.240 As owner. 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:01.000 I'm going to grab hold of my money. 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:04.160 And I'm going to hold it very tightly. 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:07.319 And if God's hand. 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.839 Is not underneath me. 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:11.599 I'm going to grab hold of your approval. 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:15.180 And I'm going to hold myself as the owner. 00:26:15.180 --> 00:26:16.140 Very tightly. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:19.819 But if God's hand is underneath mine. 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:22.439 It's a great relief isn't it. 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:26.720 And the only way that I can hold things loosely. 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:30.339 Is not just to know that God owns me. 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:34.240 But the hand that is underneath me. 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:36.000 Is good. 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.199 Good. 00:26:37.919 --> 00:26:38.439 Good. 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.859 He's the one. 00:26:43.159 --> 00:26:46.439 Who even though I have treated him shabbily as a tenant. 00:26:47.439 --> 00:26:50.119 Even though I have tried to act as God. 00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:52.879 He sends me messenger after messenger after messenger. 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:54.960 And I treat that messenger terribly. 00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:56.800 And then he sends me his son. 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:59.840 And even after we crucify him. 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:01.780 God raises him from the dead. 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.520 Undoing this wickedness. 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:06.800 Buying us back for the second time through the resurrection. 00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:11.360 And it puts Jesus as the head of all things. 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.680 And it says build on him. 00:27:13.780 --> 00:27:14.640 Build on him. 00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:17.840 And be built into this spiritual house. 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:20.459 Not just in this life. 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.500 But in the life to come. 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:26.019 And let me say to you. 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:30.379 That is a very very different gospel. 00:27:31.179 --> 00:27:32.959 From the gospel of self esteem. 00:27:34.679 --> 00:27:36.379 That is a different gospel. 00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:38.579 From the gospel of Oprah Winfrey. 00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:41.639 That is a different gospel. 00:27:42.419 --> 00:27:43.959 From the gospel of Joe Losty. 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:46.840 That is a different gospel. 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:49.140 From what you hear from Joyce Mayer. 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:51.660 That is a different gospel. 00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:54.079 From the gospel that you hear on the God channel. 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.480 You. 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.620 Are not your owner. 00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.400 God is your owner. 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:04.400 And God calls you. 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.799 To give yourself back to him. 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:10.380 And I think that. 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:13.380 Is very very good news indeed. 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:15.940 Let's pray. 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.279 Father God. 00:28:25.340 --> 00:28:26.600 We come before you this morning. 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:29.140 And we need. 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:30.640 And we want to acknowledge. 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:32.019 That we are yours. 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.440 And so Lord. 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.420 Forgive us for the times. 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:38.140 When we get caught up in structures. 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.960 And programs. 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:41.120 And our own agendas. 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:42.360 And they displace you. 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.940 Help us Father God. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.079 To know that Jesus Christ. 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:48.299 Is our saviour. 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:50.079 And our Lord. 00:28:51.120 --> 00:28:51.980 And we acknowledge. 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.559 That you are our true owner. 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.380 Our creator. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.319 And our redeemer. 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.000 And we acknowledge. 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.660 That we belong to you. 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:01.539 Help us to build our lives. 00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:02.600 Knowing that Jesus Christ. 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:04.140 Is the chief cornerstone. 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:06.340 Help us Lord. 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:08.879 For those issues. 00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:09.500 Of religion. 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.220 And money. 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:11.559 And the approval of others. 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.240 To know. 00:29:12.959 --> 00:29:14.359 That underneath us. 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:16.619 Is the everlasting arms of God. 00:29:16.679 --> 00:29:18.859 And so we don't have to grip things tightly. 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:20.839 But Lord. 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:23.220 That is a great wonderful reassurance. 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.459 And so Lord. 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:26.980 We want to commit our lives to you. 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:29.679 We want to give you our praise. 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:32.840 And glory. 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:34.539 For you are worthy of all glory. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.740 And all praise. 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.600 And all majesty. 00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:40.680 And honour. 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.640 And Father. 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.460 We want to thank you. 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.580 That we belong to you. 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.539 In Jesus name. 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.060 Amen. 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.700 That's right there. 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:50.720 Amen. 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:50.779 Amen. 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:50.779 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:50.779 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:50.779