WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.860 Also lovely to see you all here this morning. 00:00:01.960 --> 00:00:02.379 My name's John. 00:00:02.600 --> 00:00:03.960 I have the privilege of being the pastor. 00:00:04.099 --> 00:00:07.120 Please could you put your hand up if you are a new student. 00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:11.419 Nothing like embarrassing you your first arrival. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:15.040 So we have a book for you called Beyond Beans on Toast. 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:19.320 If you collect it on the way out, just put your hands up again. 00:00:21.039 --> 00:00:22.199 Okay, I can probably reach there. 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:23.019 So there's one. 00:00:25.580 --> 00:00:28.719 And you can be in a video next week with skills like that. 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:33.060 And you can get one in the foyer on your way out. 00:00:33.119 --> 00:00:37.640 Just two more bits of housekeeping before we tuck into Matthew 13. 00:00:38.320 --> 00:00:41.420 Me and my wife only ever argue once in the week. 00:00:41.840 --> 00:00:46.759 And that is before we leave the house on our way to church on Sunday morning. 00:00:47.739 --> 00:00:54.219 And the reason we argue is because I'm obsessed with punctuality. 00:00:54.219 --> 00:00:59.719 Like if it was down to me, I would be here 40 minutes early. 00:00:59.979 --> 00:01:00.979 So we have this kind of... 00:01:00.979 --> 00:01:02.739 And if it was up to her, we'd be 40 minutes late. 00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:04.840 So we have this kind of negotiation every Sunday. 00:01:05.260 --> 00:01:09.819 And the reason that I am so obsessed with time is because my dad, 00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:12.099 every time we were doing anything as a family, 00:01:12.180 --> 00:01:16.840 would call a family meeting on Sunday night, on the night before. 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:18.219 One sec, I just need to... 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:19.060 To... 00:01:19.060 --> 00:01:20.439 Please can I get the controller? 00:01:21.379 --> 00:01:23.359 I had my iPad working, but it stopped. 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:26.120 Or there's one on the desk in my office, if that's a better thing. 00:01:26.200 --> 00:01:26.400 Sorry. 00:01:26.900 --> 00:01:28.219 I saw panic in the ranks. 00:01:29.719 --> 00:01:30.739 But that was just me. 00:01:32.859 --> 00:01:33.219 Yes. 00:01:33.379 --> 00:01:35.659 So before we went out on the day, 00:01:35.719 --> 00:01:37.340 we'd have a family meeting on the night before. 00:01:37.420 --> 00:01:38.039 And he would say, 00:01:38.379 --> 00:01:39.659 You must have breakfast now. 00:01:39.859 --> 00:01:41.019 You must be ready now. 00:01:41.019 --> 00:01:43.640 And the reason was not because he's a control freak, 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:47.599 but because he would want everybody to travel together 00:01:47.599 --> 00:01:50.519 and be together in what we were doing as a family. 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:51.899 He wanted no one left behind. 00:01:52.939 --> 00:01:55.140 So that's kind of a really long way around of telling you, 00:01:55.179 --> 00:01:57.179 tonight at 6.30, we have a vision evening. 00:01:58.039 --> 00:02:00.879 And that's like our family meeting, 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:05.000 where we meet together to make sure that we're all ready 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:07.719 and traveling together into all that God has for us. 00:02:08.159 --> 00:02:09.300 So please come tonight. 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:12.140 We've got some really exciting things to launch. 00:02:12.660 --> 00:02:13.640 And Graham have written a book 00:02:13.640 --> 00:02:17.800 that you'll be able to look at and criticize ferociously. 00:02:18.439 --> 00:02:21.460 So please do come 6.30 in the upstairs hall. 00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:24.320 Last thing, and then I'll do what I'm paid to do. 00:02:26.160 --> 00:02:27.880 This week has been our week of prayer. 00:02:28.380 --> 00:02:31.300 And it has been the most amazing week in the life of our church. 00:02:31.380 --> 00:02:33.280 We have seen some brilliant answers to prayer. 00:02:33.939 --> 00:02:35.160 For those that were praying for me, 00:02:35.160 --> 00:02:37.480 I slept like a dream last night. 00:02:37.479 --> 00:02:41.159 Although I went to bed in tears because the England rugby team let me down. 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:44.359 John Jolly's from Wales. 00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:45.539 He's never been happier. 00:02:48.339 --> 00:02:53.919 And so what I want you to do is to pick up your weekly devotions. 00:02:54.419 --> 00:02:55.319 We slimline them. 00:02:55.399 --> 00:02:58.919 You know when the independent went to the eye and its numbers went through the roof? 00:02:59.319 --> 00:03:00.819 We're hoping this will do the same. 00:03:00.819 --> 00:03:04.979 That the slimline weekly devotions, we'll all be tucking into God's word together. 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:09.719 But on the back, we're going to pick a country every week and pray for it. 00:03:10.239 --> 00:03:11.900 And we're going to go in reverse order. 00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:17.500 We're going to go from the least evangelized country in the whole world. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:19.019 And we're going to pray for it this week, 00:03:19.079 --> 00:03:21.759 knowing that in the hands of a sovereign God, it will make a real difference. 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:24.139 So we're going to pray for Afghanistan. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:29.340 And in Afghanistan, one in 10,000 people are a Christian. 00:03:30.419 --> 00:03:36.459 And that, according to missiologists, is an unengaged country where the local population is so small 00:03:36.459 --> 00:03:40.939 that there's not the critical mass in and of themselves to make a difference in their country. 00:03:40.939 --> 00:03:47.859 And so, what would happen if the 150 of us gathered here all prayed for Afghanistan this week? 00:03:49.340 --> 00:03:52.359 Could it just be that Afghans would turn to the Lord Jesus? 00:03:53.240 --> 00:03:55.099 So please, pick that up. 00:03:56.300 --> 00:03:57.460 And now let me pray. 00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:01.079 And then we'll do some farming. 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:08.020 Father God, we need you. 00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:11.159 We love you. 00:04:12.760 --> 00:04:14.880 We're wholly dependent upon you. 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:20.460 So Lord, in this time, may it not just be words hanging in the air, 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:24.259 but may it be your words penetrating our hearts. 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:29.740 So Lord, I pray for my friends in this room as I pray for myself. 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:35.400 Lord, come and do your work to your glory alone, I pray. 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:37.160 Amen. 00:04:38.019 --> 00:04:40.259 Just put it up here, Fraser. 00:04:40.399 --> 00:04:41.000 I'll do it on my... 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:41.979 Just put, like, the whole thing. 00:04:44.799 --> 00:04:46.719 Please could you turn back to Matthew 13. 00:04:46.719 --> 00:04:46.799 Amen. 00:04:46.799 --> 00:04:46.839 Amen. 00:04:46.839 --> 00:04:46.879 Amen. 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:46.919 Amen. 00:04:46.919 --> 00:04:46.939 Amen. 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:46.959 Amen. 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:47.039 Amen. 00:04:47.039 --> 00:04:47.060 Amen. 00:04:47.060 --> 00:04:47.120 Amen. 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:47.180 Amen. 00:04:47.180 --> 00:04:47.339 Amen. 00:04:47.339 --> 00:04:47.899 Amen. 00:04:47.899 --> 00:04:47.939 Amen. 00:05:08.019 --> 00:05:17.879 amen. 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:18.799 Amen. 00:05:18.799 --> 00:05:19.799 Amen. 00:05:19.799 --> 00:05:20.859 Amen. 00:05:20.859 --> 00:05:22.620 Amen. 00:05:22.799 --> 00:05:24.680 Amen. 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:25.600 To wipe it. 00:05:27.180 --> 00:05:29.620 I'm not talking about sentimental tears. 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:33.100 I'm not talking about when Mustafa is trampled by the wildebeest. 00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:34.780 As you watch the Lion King in the cinema. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:38.639 I'm not asking about X Factor last night. 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:39.960 Where it got a little bit emotional. 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:43.100 As someone told them about their uncle that wasn't there anymore. 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:46.379 I'm not even talking about the most tragic film. 00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:47.540 Lussie come home. 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:49.240 When Lussie comes bounding through the gate. 00:05:49.280 --> 00:05:50.340 I'm not talking about that. 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:54.579 I'm talking about when was the last time you cried. 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:55.360 And what was it? 00:05:55.379 --> 00:05:57.560 What was the thing that made you cry? 00:05:58.259 --> 00:06:01.100 When you saw something and you thought that is not right. 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:04.600 That is inherently wrong. 00:06:06.780 --> 00:06:08.540 Perhaps it was the Ebola crisis. 00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:11.019 As you saw families torn apart. 00:06:11.100 --> 00:06:13.199 As some were taken away to be quarantined. 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:14.399 And some were left. 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:16.620 And they did not know whether they'd see each other again. 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:21.000 Maybe it was as you read reports. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:22.439 That the richest country in the world. 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:23.060 Qatar. 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:25.079 Was employing migrant workers. 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:26.939 Without any health and safety. 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:28.439 And that they were dying. 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:29.560 And no one was caring. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:34.860 Perhaps it was you saw these horrific pictures. 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:36.759 Of ISIS rounding up 21. 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:39.040 Christian brothers and sisters. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:41.199 Before beheading them. 00:06:41.740 --> 00:06:42.800 On the beach. 00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:43.800 In Libya. 00:06:43.959 --> 00:06:45.899 What was the last thing that made you cry? 00:06:45.899 --> 00:06:49.159 I'll tell you what makes me cry. 00:06:49.899 --> 00:06:51.459 Things to do with children. 00:06:52.739 --> 00:06:54.399 I can't cope with it. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:58.839 So two years ago when this was in the headlines. 00:06:59.019 --> 00:06:59.659 Baby P. 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:01.479 We remember Peter Connolly. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:04.179 18 months old. 00:07:04.519 --> 00:07:07.759 Subjected to eight months of the cruelest abuse. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:09.979 From his mother. 00:07:10.239 --> 00:07:11.259 And her boyfriend. 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:14.120 And his brother. 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:19.180 Or perhaps it was this. 00:07:19.280 --> 00:07:20.060 In Peshawar. 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:25.160 Where the army school was infiltrated by Taliban soldiers. 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:29.860 And 132 children and 13 adults were killed. 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:31.540 Did you cry at that? 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:34.759 We get so immune to these things don't we? 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:37.800 Just see them all the time and become numb. 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:41.340 But these are real people really being actually killed. 00:07:41.339 --> 00:07:44.819 And 132 of them were children. 00:07:46.299 --> 00:07:48.159 And I'm sure we all cried at this. 00:07:49.299 --> 00:07:52.579 What seems to have changed an utterly despairing situation. 00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:54.939 To one that has mobilised so many people to say. 00:07:55.159 --> 00:07:57.939 I want to help these people who are fleeing a country. 00:07:58.399 --> 00:08:00.099 For their lives. 00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:07.060 As the bodies of Aylan and Gallup Curdie washed up on Bodrum Beach. 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:12.640 I wonder what was the last thing that made you cry. 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:13.560 But let's be clear. 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:15.460 It's not just the things we see in the news is it? 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:19.260 That lovely Christian couple that we grew up with. 00:08:19.260 --> 00:08:21.420 Have decided that they don't want to be together anymore. 00:08:21.420 --> 00:08:22.920 Because the husband had an affair. 00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:24.660 And they're going to break up. 00:08:24.820 --> 00:08:25.939 And that breaks our heart. 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:27.860 Because you remember when they got together. 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:28.939 And they were so happy. 00:08:29.020 --> 00:08:30.800 And everyone said you were made for each other. 00:08:32.800 --> 00:08:33.980 But it didn't work out. 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:36.519 Or your young cousin who goes to the sick kids hospital. 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:38.960 For an appointment that they thought was routine. 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:40.980 But I called back and said it's not good news. 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:46.480 Or what about your relatives who go Christmas shopping in Glasgow. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:50.039 And just as they're walking down a street. 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:51.899 They've walked down a hundred times before. 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:54.100 A bin lorry is out of control. 00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:56.899 And it doesn't work. 00:08:57.740 --> 00:09:00.639 Or perhaps it's the friend who's utterly crippled by depression. 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:02.639 That they cannot function properly. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:06.220 And as we think on these things. 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:06.740 We think. 00:09:08.220 --> 00:09:09.740 We can but cry. 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:15.039 What was the last thing that made you cry? 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:17.779 Let's be honest. 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:19.240 In 21st century Britain. 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:21.080 There is much to shed a tear about. 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:24.820 Pain. 00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:25.820 Suffering. 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:26.259 Sorrow. 00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:26.980 Brutality. 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:27.480 Evil. 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:28.019 Corruption. 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:28.500 Chaos. 00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:29.080 Starvation. 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:29.680 Disease. 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:30.860 Inhumanity. 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:31.500 Bloodshed. 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:32.019 Abuse. 00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:32.639 Tragedy. 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:34.000 And unfairness of the world. 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:35.500 Have left. 00:09:36.220 --> 00:09:37.560 Millions of people. 00:09:37.559 --> 00:09:42.119 Despairingly convinced that God cannot be real. 00:09:42.479 --> 00:09:45.379 Because of the amount of suffering that we see in our lives. 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:46.779 He cannot be real. 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:54.639 People like Elie Wiesel. 00:09:55.339 --> 00:09:56.719 A Romanian Jew. 00:09:56.959 --> 00:09:59.619 Who with his whole family was shipped to Auschwitz one night. 00:09:59.679 --> 00:10:00.699 And this is what he writes. 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:05.059 In his Nobel literature prized book. 00:10:05.319 --> 00:10:05.679 Night. 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:06.679 He says. 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:08.219 Never shall I forget that night. 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:09.699 The first night in camp. 00:10:09.899 --> 00:10:12.579 Which has turned my life into one long night. 00:10:12.979 --> 00:10:14.039 Seven times cursed. 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:15.199 And seven times sealed. 00:10:15.579 --> 00:10:17.179 Never shall I forget that smoke. 00:10:17.599 --> 00:10:19.899 Never shall I forget the little faces of the children. 00:10:19.979 --> 00:10:21.339 Whose bodies I saw burned. 00:10:21.599 --> 00:10:24.539 And turned into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky. 00:10:24.979 --> 00:10:26.579 Never shall I forget those flames. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:29.000 Which consumed my faith forever. 00:10:29.679 --> 00:10:31.959 Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence. 00:10:31.959 --> 00:10:34.500 Which deprived me of the desire to live. 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:36.519 Never shall I forget those moments. 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:38.019 Which murdered my God. 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:39.200 And my soul. 00:10:39.299 --> 00:10:40.600 And turned my dreams to dust. 00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:42.399 Never shall I forget these things. 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:43.539 If I am condemned. 00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:45.279 To live as long as God himself. 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:49.179 Or the national treasure. 00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:50.039 Stephen Fry. 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:52.139 In an interview with RTE. 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:53.059 Who's asked. 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:54.759 If God really exists. 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:55.360 And you met him. 00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:56.159 What would you say? 00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:58.039 And Stephen Fry said. 00:10:58.120 --> 00:10:58.860 I would say to God. 00:10:58.899 --> 00:10:59.659 If he did exist. 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:00.539 How dare you? 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:02.919 How dare you create a world. 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:04.439 To which there is so much misery. 00:11:04.679 --> 00:11:05.919 That is not our fault. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:07.000 It's not right. 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:08.439 It's utterly evil. 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:10.639 Why should I respect a capricious. 00:11:10.819 --> 00:11:11.480 Mean minded. 00:11:11.719 --> 00:11:12.579 Stupid God. 00:11:12.699 --> 00:11:13.799 Who creates a world. 00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:15.439 So full of injustice and pain. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:16.819 That's what I would say. 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:20.259 Perhaps there's many here. 00:11:20.579 --> 00:11:22.059 In exactly that place. 00:11:22.059 --> 00:11:24.539 I'd love to believe in God. 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:26.899 But I look at the world out there. 00:11:26.939 --> 00:11:27.319 And I say. 00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:28.539 That cannot be true. 00:11:32.819 --> 00:11:34.119 I think they've got a point. 00:11:36.979 --> 00:11:37.939 Life hurts. 00:11:39.219 --> 00:11:40.439 And it doesn't seem. 00:11:40.439 --> 00:11:41.479 That anybody is there. 00:11:41.579 --> 00:11:42.519 With the first aid kit. 00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:44.579 The world is out of control. 00:11:44.699 --> 00:11:46.399 And no one is at the steering wheel. 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:47.979 From what I see. 00:11:49.099 --> 00:11:50.219 Man hurting man. 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:51.539 And no one is blowing the whistle. 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:51.979 And saying. 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:52.759 You're in detention. 00:11:55.059 --> 00:11:56.419 And so we're tempted to ask. 00:11:56.439 --> 00:11:57.179 As many have. 00:11:57.239 --> 00:11:58.599 Has God gone AWOL? 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:04.179 How can God explain this world. 00:12:04.459 --> 00:12:05.199 That we live in. 00:12:05.239 --> 00:12:06.219 How does God account. 00:12:06.219 --> 00:12:06.939 For the misery. 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:07.479 And evil. 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:08.039 And injustice. 00:12:08.459 --> 00:12:09.559 What does it all mean? 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:10.759 Where is it all heading? 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:12.959 And what is God doing about it? 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:16.439 Epicurus. 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.319 The Greek philosopher. 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:18.259 Said this. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:20.759 That's so small. 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:21.459 I can't read it. 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:24.759 Is God willing to prevent evil. 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:25.519 But not able. 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:28.080 Then he is not omnipotent. 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:30.060 Is he able. 00:12:30.180 --> 00:12:30.780 But not willing. 00:12:30.900 --> 00:12:33.340 Then he is malevolent. 00:12:34.800 --> 00:12:36.360 If he is both able. 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:37.000 And willing. 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:39.160 Then whence cometh evil. 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:42.860 If he neither able nor willing. 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:44.060 Then why call him God? 00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:47.439 Is God just out of the office. 00:12:51.959 --> 00:12:53.279 Does he even care? 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:54.279 That's what we're all asking. 00:12:56.939 --> 00:12:58.839 And well in response to the misery. 00:12:59.039 --> 00:12:59.759 Seeming absence. 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:01.239 And apparent impotence of God. 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:02.219 Jesus. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:03.279 God himself. 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.219 Come to earth. 00:13:04.439 --> 00:13:06.339 To enter the misery of our world. 00:13:07.339 --> 00:13:08.419 Says I'll tell you. 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:09.659 What this is all about. 00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:12.879 And I'll do it by telling you a story about farming. 00:13:14.819 --> 00:13:18.679 Why did 717 people die in Saudi Arabia this week? 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:23.079 Well Jesus tells us in a story about a field with two types of seed. 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:30.300 And so please could you turn back in your Bibles to Matthew 13. 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:32.860 And just flip over the page where we have the wheat. 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:35.040 The parable of the wheat and the wheat explained. 00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:36.460 So I'll read from verse 36. 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:43.500 And just to get those up to speed who went here. 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:46.060 Last week we started this series with the parable of the soul. 00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:47.600 We went and learned four big things. 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:51.000 These parables reveal and conceal truth. 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:52.820 To those who love Jesus they get more. 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:55.280 And to those that are hard hearted. 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:56.860 They get nothing. 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:03.139 Whether you're good seed producing a crop depends on how you hear. 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:05.520 And whether you assimilate this word into your lives. 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:09.900 The kingdom grows gradually like seed. 00:14:09.900 --> 00:14:13.560 It's not a smash bang wallop. 00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:16.620 And Jesus' work is done through his word. 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:19.960 And so we come to Matthew 13 verse 36. 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.980 Then he left the crowd. 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:24.180 And went into the house. 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:26.279 His disciples came to him and said. 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:29.060 Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field. 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.399 He answered. 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:33.320 The one who sowed the good seed is the son of man. 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:34.740 The field is the world. 00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:37.080 And the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:39.920 The weeds are the people of the evil one. 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:42.400 And the enemy who sows them is the devil. 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:45.160 The harvest is the end of the age. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:46.520 And the harvesters are angels. 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:49.960 As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire. 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:51.139 So will it be. 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:53.600 So it will be at the end of the age. 00:14:53.699 --> 00:14:55.740 The son of man will send out his angels. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:58.159 And they will weed out of his kingdom. 00:14:58.299 --> 00:15:00.799 Everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:03.419 They will throw them into the blazing furnace. 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:05.759 Where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:09.620 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.379 Whoever has ears. 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.639 Let them hear. 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:16.039 So the first question we're forced to ask is. 00:15:16.299 --> 00:15:18.759 Why are there weeds in the world? 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:21.600 Why are there weeds in the world? 00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:25.639 It's very clear isn't it in the parable. 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:28.720 Verse 24b. 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:35.000 The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.980 The seed was good. 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:38.320 The creation was good. 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:40.879 Genesis 1 is good and very good. 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:42.019 Seven times. 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:45.700 God looked at all that he had made and it was. 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:49.600 Don't sound that excited about it. 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:54.059 And they live in this perpetual bliss. 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:56.059 In communion with God. 00:15:56.059 --> 00:15:59.700 Just imagine when it says they were walking in the call of the day with the Lord. 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:03.139 And then don't we know Genesis 3. 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:05.639 The story starts to unravel and the fall happens. 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.319 And the serpent comes. 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:09.379 And what does he do? 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:11.299 Well he sows doubt into their lives. 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:13.039 Doubt about the goodness of God. 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:16.299 Doubt about the way that he set up the world to run. 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:20.980 Doubt whether he's worthy of worship at all. 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:27.360 This perfect weedless paradise is changed to a place of weeds. 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:28.960 That's even in the curse isn't it? 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:32.780 Thorns and thistles grow up from the ground. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:36.400 And that's what Jesus is retelling here. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.680 That there was a good creation. 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:41.820 But the serpent, the enemy, the devil comes. 00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:42.840 And what does he do? 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:45.000 He sows weeds amongst the wheat. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:48.740 It's very clear from the very start. 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:52.659 As it's very clear in this story that there is a real enemy. 00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:56.259 A real enemy who loves chaos. 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:59.700 Who looks at all those things that we saw at the start. 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:02.120 And is utterly delighted with his work. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:07.539 As the weeds grow and chaos reigns and brutality is seen. 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.519 He is delighted. 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:16.799 And so we read that he is like a roaring lion walking around for someone to devour. 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:25.779 Or he's like an enemy throwing flaming darts again and again at us. 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:31.900 That are only able to be repelled with a shield of faith. 00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:38.380 Or he's told as the father of lies who's always deceiving people. 00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.700 Or in John 10. 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:42.560 We have these two put side to side. 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:46.759 The thief, the evil one, the devil comes to steal and kill and destroy. 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:48.220 They're his three specialities. 00:17:49.300 --> 00:17:50.620 It's what he wants in your life. 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.620 To steal it. 00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:53.080 To kill you. 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:55.280 And to destroy everything good in your life. 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:57.779 And then in contrast. 00:17:58.619 --> 00:18:02.599 Jesus says I've come that they may have life and have it to the full. 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:07.399 The enemy comes and sows weeds. 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:09.359 And he does it at night. 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:12.000 He does it at night. 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:15.000 Very vigilant farmers. 00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:17.440 Don Carson says in this parable. 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:20.559 Sleeping does not imply the servants were neglectful. 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:28.119 But that the enemy is stealthy, malicious and will not stop at anything to see good things ruined. 00:18:31.659 --> 00:18:34.099 I think he's doing his work quite well in the West. 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:40.559 Only 17% of Scottish people this day think that there's a real devil. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.859 Who's really running amok. 00:18:44.139 --> 00:18:46.839 He stands there as like an invisible puppet master. 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:50.299 Ruining lives and no one's even giving him the credit. 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.460 Which I'm sure annoys him. 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.960 But it's brilliant for his work. 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:56.919 As it says in The Usual Suspects. 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:59.159 Kevin Spacey speaking his verbal key. 00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:05.379 The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing people that he didn't exist. 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:09.480 No one even knows what he's up to. 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:13.139 But doesn't that explain what you see as you look out? 00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:17.119 That the world is a mess. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.659 And getting messier seemingly. 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:24.339 That if we really did believe in evolution. 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:27.039 In that kind of Darwinian evolution. 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:29.159 That we're getting better. 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:32.899 As we choose selective traits that are really useful in life. 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:35.659 You'd think that we'd be a lot further on than we are. 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:39.320 I'm not really getting better. 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:41.660 I don't see the world getting much better. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:44.040 In fact I see it quite the opposite getting worse. 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:48.580 It doesn't seem that that kind of evolutionary ethic thing seems to really weigh out. 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:50.980 When I look at children being murdered in a school. 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:54.519 As they try to learn to get out of the place that they're in. 00:19:54.519 --> 00:20:03.480 And so the servants come back to the field. 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:05.200 And they ask the master the question. 00:20:05.859 --> 00:20:07.400 Didn't you sow good seed? 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:10.559 Didn't you sow good seed? 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:13.919 And what does the master say? 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:14.859 Jesus himself. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:16.079 An enemy did this. 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:18.220 An enemy did this. 00:20:19.419 --> 00:20:20.740 This wasn't the plan. 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:25.680 It's been sabotaged. 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:30.779 Doesn't that also explain your life? 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:34.039 That in this world there's many good things. 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:37.599 I had a wonderful almond croissant for breakfast. 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.620 It was good. 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.700 There's many good things. 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:45.460 But there's many terrible things. 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.359 And so is this field. 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.380 It's a mixed field. 00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:51.240 There's some really good things. 00:20:51.300 --> 00:20:52.400 But there's some terrible things. 00:20:52.540 --> 00:20:53.340 Because there's weeds. 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.200 And there's weeds. 00:20:55.040 --> 00:20:56.400 It's probably true in your life. 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:58.200 It's probably true in the week that you've just lived. 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.940 Doesn't it make sense of the world? 00:21:05.060 --> 00:21:06.320 Why are there weeds in the world? 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:08.740 Because an enemy did this. 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:13.200 There's a real enemy who hates us. 00:21:14.080 --> 00:21:14.920 He hates God. 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.720 He hates good. 00:21:15.800 --> 00:21:16.600 He loves darkness. 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:18.679 He plots your destruction. 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:24.719 And he futilely thinks that he can evoke regime change. 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.419 Weeds were sown. 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:34.179 They germinated as sin. 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.980 They sprouted in pain. 00:21:36.459 --> 00:21:38.240 They ripened all the way up to rebellion. 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:41.460 And ever since Genesis 3 that we looked at. 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.539 It's not gone well. 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.519 It's not gone well. 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:48.400 So my second question. 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.660 And it is my last question. 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:53.680 What can be done about the weeds in the world? 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:54.720 What can be done? 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:57.779 God, when you do something. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:00.599 Why don't you intervene? 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:03.279 If you really do know everything. 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:08.099 Why can't you work out which ships in the Mediterranean are seaworthy and which ones aren't? 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:12.279 Are you neglecting us? 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:14.420 What can be done about the weeds? 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:17.359 And this is Jesus' perplexing answer. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:20.319 Because he says nothing now. 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.519 Nothing now. 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:24.759 Verse 28b. 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.960 The servants asked. 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.980 Do you want us to go and pull them up? 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:32.139 Do you want us to go and pull them up? 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:34.000 Seems like a logical thing. 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:36.700 That's what Ian Wilson does in his garden at the weekend. 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:40.139 Verse 29. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.339 No. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.879 He answered. 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.700 Because while you are pulling up the weeds. 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:48.099 You may uproot the wheat with them. 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:52.139 That seems ridiculous, doesn't it? 00:22:52.439 --> 00:22:54.419 I mean, we are really advanced these days. 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:57.659 We have pinpoint laser missile technology. 00:22:58.399 --> 00:23:00.319 We don't even have to go to war anymore. 00:23:00.439 --> 00:23:03.319 Someone can sit somewhere down south in an office with a joystick. 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:04.579 Fly it over. 00:23:04.699 --> 00:23:05.359 Drop some missiles. 00:23:05.699 --> 00:23:07.259 And can hit just a small building. 00:23:09.159 --> 00:23:10.319 And so if we can do that. 00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:13.059 Surely God could go, well, weed, weed, weed, weed. 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:13.699 Right? 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:22.360 Or we do keyhole surgery where we do amazing operations by making the tiniest cuts in people's lack. 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:27.240 Surely we could do some kind of surgical strike when it comes to the weeds. 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:30.620 I think all of us together could probably sort something out. 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.279 So why can't God? 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:38.620 God says it can't be done. 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.580 Verse 30a. 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:40.880 Can't be done. 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:45.580 Let both grow together until the harvest. 00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:53.560 It'll be easy at harvest to differentiate between that which is wheat and that which is weed. 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.960 But right now you can't. 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:59.520 It helps us to know that the weed in question was one called Darnell. 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:02.320 And they look identical. 00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:04.800 They grow identically. 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:06.020 They grow at the same pace. 00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:06.900 They're the same color. 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:08.040 They have the same ears. 00:24:08.040 --> 00:24:09.620 You cannot differentiate. 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:18.220 But when it comes to harvest, Darnell, the ears turn purple. 00:24:19.540 --> 00:24:20.700 And they're poisonous. 00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:24.940 And the wheat just looks like good old wheat. 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:28.520 You can't tell the difference until they've ripened. 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:31.280 And once they've ripened, it's clear as day. 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:37.200 Their identity is finally revealed at the end, not before. 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:43.220 And so God says this is profound wisdom that we wait. 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:45.620 And we're not rash and we're not harsh. 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.860 There's somebody at the door. 00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:54.160 Because we're not harsh and we're not rash because we need to wait because it's only a harvest we'll see. 00:24:54.160 --> 00:25:00.100 So babies at Brunsfield are like the fashion accessory of the year. 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:01.360 Like everyone's getting them. 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:05.660 And many people will have gone and got their baby injected. 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:09.800 Now if you ask young Chloe, do you want this injection? 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:11.620 She'll say, no mummy, I don't. 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.560 It hurts. 00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:19.279 But why does Alex and Graham make them, make Chloe have an injection? 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:21.820 Because they know it's for their best. 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:25.800 They're wiser than Chloe because Chloe's only six months. 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:29.339 Give it another three months and she'll maybe be on a par with Graham. 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.720 So God is saying, I'm wise. 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:40.720 And we get a lot of confidence trusting that he is wise. 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:45.299 Trusting him even when it seems it's not working. 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:47.200 So we see this in the Bible all the time. 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:50.879 Joseph and his 11 rat bag brothers. 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.980 If I was in charge, I'd have pulled them all up. 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:55.419 A long time ago, Issachar, you're gone. 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:58.099 Naphtali, you're gone. 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.099 Leave Joseph alone. 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:02.339 That's what we'd have done, wouldn't we? 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:08.319 And yet, in God's wisdom, they all grow together. 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:13.200 And at the end of the story, you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. 00:26:13.659 --> 00:26:16.879 To accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 00:26:17.419 --> 00:26:18.980 Nobody would have done it like that. 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.899 God did. 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:23.000 What about the disciples? 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.059 There's 12 of them. 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:27.339 And one of them is called Judas Iscariot. 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:32.679 If I was in charge, I probably wouldn't have chosen her in the first place. 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:37.700 If ever there was a weed in the world, it seems to, at harvest time, have been here. 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:40.580 And yet, what does God do? 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:44.059 The Lord Jesus, he eats meals with him. 00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:45.000 He lets them grow together. 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:45.360 Why? 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:50.360 Because in the wisdom of God, through Judas' betrayal, Jesus would be put to death. 00:26:50.359 --> 00:27:02.299 Meaning that there would be the best herbicide ever imagined that all sin and death, all mourning and crying and all evil would be put away. 00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:04.259 No one's doing it like that. 00:27:05.179 --> 00:27:06.240 Because God is wise. 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:10.859 Saul of Tarsus, in his early life, he'd have been the first one in the fire, right? 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:13.179 As he stands there and says, Stephen, you die. 00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:16.859 I'll even collect the coats and I'll smile as you do it. 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.819 Oh, what about John Gemmel? 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:23.000 John Gemmel, until the age of 16, was not a nice person, really. 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.799 I was at boarding school. 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:29.059 I've always sounded a little bit funny, which makes you the real target of bullying and abuse. 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:33.359 And so you develop this mentality that I really want to hurt you before you hurt me. 00:27:33.419 --> 00:27:34.879 So you turn into not a nice person. 00:27:36.139 --> 00:27:43.399 And yet then, in the wisdom of God, you become so lonely, so empty and so lost in life, 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:46.960 that when somebody comes along and says, actually, God loves you. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:50.019 And he's ordained for you to be like that. 00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:56.579 And I think he even has plans that it'll be you so you could tell other people about Jesus. 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.679 You'll go, well, that's great. 00:27:57.680 --> 00:28:02.700 But if you'd seen me at 14 elbowing a guy in the face before a corner on the football field, 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:04.660 you'd have gone, you need to go. 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:08.060 You're a real weed. 00:28:09.880 --> 00:28:12.060 God's purposes are perfect. 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.920 He says nothing now. 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.860 Let them grow together. 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:24.660 And I'm so thankful because there's space for grace, right? 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:27.840 We've all got people in our lives that are not trusting Jesus. 00:28:28.340 --> 00:28:33.019 If harvest comes now, my brother Ed is not going to go well. 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:35.440 He'll be one of those bundled and burned. 00:28:37.540 --> 00:28:41.019 And so I'm so thankful that the two are allowed to grow up together for a little while. 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:46.820 Meaning that there's reason to pray and hope that life and grace will be poured out. 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:49.939 What could be done about the wheat in the world? 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.579 Nothing now. 00:28:50.679 --> 00:28:52.480 But this is the good news and we're nearly finished. 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.200 Everything then. 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.539 Everything then. 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:58.859 It is a deferred judgment and a delayed harvest. 00:28:59.019 --> 00:28:59.819 They grow up together. 00:28:59.939 --> 00:29:02.659 But in the end, they'll be divided. 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:08.240 The clock is ticking, but at the moment, there's space for grace. 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:10.240 I got up early this morning. 00:29:11.060 --> 00:29:14.120 Quarter past seven, parked my car and it was beautiful. 00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:17.340 On the meadows, there was even a little mist. 00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:21.660 This morning, God told the sun to shine and it's shining. 00:29:22.040 --> 00:29:25.019 He doesn't do it often in Scotland, but today he was good to us. 00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:28.640 One day he'll say the sun will not shine. 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.660 And then the end will come. 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:33.779 The clock is ticking. 00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:36.740 One day, harvest time will be here. 00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:38.360 Everything will have been ripened. 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:44.019 And there'll be a real division between the wheat and the weeds. 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:47.740 If you're here on Tuesday morning for the prayer breakfast, 00:29:47.860 --> 00:29:49.860 and I was so encouraged by how many were here. 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:52.779 Or else I would have had a lot of almond croissants. 00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:55.840 Paul was telling us about the sheep and the goats, 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:58.340 that at the end there'll be a real division between those that are sheep, 00:29:58.339 --> 00:30:00.240 who have trusted and loved Jesus, 00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:03.119 and those that are goats who will be, 00:30:03.439 --> 00:30:06.279 the sheep will be gathered and the goats will be scattered. 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:09.679 And I mean, verse 42 is horrendous. 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.519 Let me read it slowly. 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:20.339 The son of man will send out his angels and they will weed out of his kingdom 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:22.920 everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:28.819 They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:30.680 and gnashing of teeth. 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.519 That's not just an event. 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:35.900 That is a perpetual state. 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:39.600 That is horrendous. 00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:44.040 So there is sin and wickedness in the world. 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:48.540 But one day, harvest will come. 00:30:48.580 --> 00:30:49.600 It's very sobering. 00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:52.480 We're not playing at this. 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:58.660 That if everything that God says about his son in the Bible is true and why he came, 00:30:59.340 --> 00:31:04.000 then it is the most important, important thing we can ever think about. 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:07.940 Because real life is an offer. 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:15.660 I was so grateful to Pete, who was praying on Monday night. 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:18.180 He prayed brilliantly this morning, but he prayed on Monday night as well. 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:20.640 As I was just starting to wrestle with this. 00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:22.759 And we were praying for the world. 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:25.000 And in fact, the 15 worst war zones in the world. 00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:26.400 It's been a very jolly week. 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:30.960 And Pete came out with this brilliant line. 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:35.980 And it stuck with me and resonated with me all week and has been so helpful. 00:31:37.580 --> 00:31:40.360 As we look out on our world, we cry. 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:44.780 God, how much more are you crying as you look at your world? 00:31:45.420 --> 00:31:47.500 And then he quoted 2 Peter 3 verse 9. 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:50.839 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises. 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:53.140 As some understand slowness. 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:54.740 Instead, he is patient with you. 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.720 Why is he patient? 00:31:56.720 --> 00:32:01.579 Not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to eternal life. 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:05.019 When it's lights out, it's all out. 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.960 And the dividing line is drawn. 00:32:07.059 --> 00:32:08.000 But there is time. 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:09.480 There's time this afternoon. 00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:10.679 There's time this week. 00:32:12.619 --> 00:32:13.759 There will be a harvest. 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:15.740 And with harvest, judgment will come. 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:18.579 But at the moment, there's space for grace. 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:21.539 And so five quick things. 00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:22.779 And I mean, they are super quick. 00:32:22.879 --> 00:32:24.559 They're a sentence each, so don't despair. 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:27.359 First one is this. 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:28.980 Respond. 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:35.039 If you do not know Jesus this morning, then really do think about whether this is true. 00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:41.220 Because there's nothing more important than that. 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:46.440 There is nothing more important than that. 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:48.160 Respond. 00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:54.640 Secondly, we can trust God. 00:32:54.640 --> 00:33:01.720 It makes us so angry as we see the injustice and brutality in the world. 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:05.340 It makes us so angry that it's spoiled. 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:08.900 But what we learn is that nobody in the end will get away with it. 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:09.600 Nobody. 00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:13.800 Nobody will get away with it. 00:33:14.860 --> 00:33:19.180 Those people who cut the swords across the heads of our 21 Christian brothers, 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:20.720 they will not get away with it. 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:24.200 No matter how long they evade the authorities. 00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:28.539 No sin will remain unaccounted for. 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:31.080 No injustice will not be righted. 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:35.980 And that's really comforting if we know Jesus today. 00:33:36.679 --> 00:33:39.240 It's really discomforting if we don't know Jesus today. 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:42.500 But it's very comforting that we can trust him. 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:45.980 That in the end, all sin will be paid for. 00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:49.759 And it will either be paid for by Jesus on our behalf or by ourselves. 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:54.180 Time is short. 00:33:54.539 --> 00:34:00.740 It's closer now than when I started speaking 31 minutes and 6 seconds ago. 00:34:03.359 --> 00:34:04.519 We can risk. 00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:06.500 We can risk. 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:09.519 We can be risk takers if we know Jesus. 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.980 The weed and the weeds are together. 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:13.920 We don't need to isolate ourselves from the world. 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:16.820 We don't need to move to hermetically sealed trenches 00:34:16.820 --> 00:34:18.840 and just wait till harvest time. 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:21.559 Because the beautiful thing is the wheat and the weeds are together. 00:34:21.680 --> 00:34:22.580 They're intermingled. 00:34:23.820 --> 00:34:25.880 And so we can shine for Jesus. 00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:29.460 That many people on that harvest day, 00:34:29.740 --> 00:34:31.940 it may turn out that they weren't weeds. 00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:35.680 Because Jesus was gracious to them and they were actually wheat. 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:39.100 So we can take great risks in our lives. 00:34:39.600 --> 00:34:41.180 But oh, we've got great hope. 00:34:42.720 --> 00:34:43.820 We've got great hope. 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:46.120 As Graham read at the beginning in Revelation 21, 00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:49.239 it is not always going to be like this. 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:55.480 There'll be a day where there'll be no more tears or crying or mourning. 00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:58.960 There'll be a day when it's all right. 00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:02.279 It's all perfect. 00:35:04.339 --> 00:35:06.179 It's all going well. 00:35:07.639 --> 00:35:11.380 And we don't just know God is at the steering wheel of the universe 00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:15.860 because we'll see him face to face right at the center of the universe 00:35:15.860 --> 00:35:20.400 and be mesmerized by his glory forever. 00:35:23.780 --> 00:35:26.460 Last thing, because we know that is like that then, 00:35:26.640 --> 00:35:28.180 it means we can cry now. 00:35:28.179 --> 00:35:31.719 We can cry tears for people. 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:37.500 John Knox, it was said, in Scotland, would go up to the castle 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:41.019 and he would cry over Edinburgh every day 00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:41.639 and he would say, 00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:44.480 God, give us Scotland or I'll die. 00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:46.739 With tears down his face. 00:35:46.739 --> 00:35:50.679 The beautiful thing is that tears are temporary. 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:54.479 Your ability to cry is for this life only. 00:35:55.959 --> 00:35:57.199 Because in the end, 00:35:57.739 --> 00:36:03.859 there'll be no more tears or pain or mourning or crying. 00:36:04.319 --> 00:36:05.079 Jesus cried. 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:07.059 None of those were wasted. 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:09.279 He cried over a city 00:36:09.279 --> 00:36:13.079 and those tears were not meaningless. 00:36:15.139 --> 00:36:16.420 Because as he cries, he says, 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:18.799 I want to gather them as hen gathers a chick. 00:36:19.940 --> 00:36:23.779 I want to gather you as hen gathers a chick. 00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:26.440 And then he dies on a cross 00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:29.880 so that with such gentleness that he comes to us in the gospel, 00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:32.199 he gathers us to himself. 00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:35.059 Respond to Jesus. 00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:36.380 Trust God's wisdom. 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:39.240 Risk your whole life to make much of him. 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:41.500 Hope because it won't always be this way. 00:36:41.599 --> 00:36:42.119 And cry. 00:36:42.900 --> 00:36:45.180 Let's not be stiffed, upper-lipped Scots 00:36:45.180 --> 00:36:47.140 and are just toughing it out. 00:36:49.180 --> 00:36:51.640 So I want to finish with my favourite quote of all time 00:36:51.640 --> 00:36:52.740 and it's from Lord of the Rings. 00:36:54.380 --> 00:36:56.360 It's from The Two Towers, the middle book, 00:36:56.420 --> 00:36:58.640 and it's absolutely the bleakest moment 00:36:58.640 --> 00:37:00.920 in the unfolding trilogy. 00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:03.079 And Frodo says to Sam, 00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:04.680 I can't do this, Sam. 00:37:04.740 --> 00:37:05.680 I can't go on. 00:37:06.380 --> 00:37:08.039 And Sam replies, 00:37:08.840 --> 00:37:11.000 I know it's all wrong. 00:37:11.220 --> 00:37:14.180 By rights, we shouldn't even be here, but we are. 00:37:14.740 --> 00:37:17.300 It's like all the great stories, Mr. Frodo. 00:37:17.840 --> 00:37:19.740 The ones that really mattered. 00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:22.640 Full of darkness and danger they were. 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:25.679 And sometimes you didn't want to know the end 00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:27.480 because how could it be happy? 00:37:27.799 --> 00:37:30.079 How could the world go back to the way it was 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:31.679 when so much bad had happened? 00:37:33.000 --> 00:37:34.239 But in the end, 00:37:34.460 --> 00:37:35.960 it's only a passing thing, 00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:36.539 the shadow. 00:37:36.539 --> 00:37:38.199 Even darkness must pass. 00:37:38.199 --> 00:37:40.559 A new day will come. 00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:42.579 And when the sun shines, 00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:45.360 it will shine out all the clearer and brighter. 00:37:46.360 --> 00:37:47.139 Let's pray. 00:37:47.139 --> 00:37:55.379 Father God, we rejoice that you're wise. 00:37:56.179 --> 00:37:57.739 We thank you that you're good. 00:37:59.319 --> 00:38:01.279 And so, Lord, I pray that your word 00:38:01.279 --> 00:38:03.839 would resonate in our hearts 00:38:03.839 --> 00:38:05.579 long after we leave this place. 00:38:06.719 --> 00:38:09.219 Father, I pray that you would have given us ears to hear, 00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:11.739 minds to understand, 00:38:12.839 --> 00:38:13.759 hearts to absorb, 00:38:13.760 --> 00:38:15.740 and wills to obey. 00:38:16.740 --> 00:38:18.300 So bless us in Jesus' name. 00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.220 Amen.