WEBVTT

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 Okay, please go ahead and have a seat and join me in the gospel of Mark chapter 4.

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! It's hard to believe it's already 2014.

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 If you've had your first denial experience yet, I've written the date 2014 and it just felt so weird to do it already.

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 And you know this time of year, many people, maybe you, make New Year's resolutions.

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 It's a common thing that happens and these resolutions are typically aimed at making us better versions of ourselves.

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 And I was reminded this past week that people have come and gone from our church

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 and one of their complaints was that the preaching here didn't make them feel good about themselves.

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 And I was reminded that that's not really the point of why we preach.

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 And the point of why we preach is to make much of Christ.

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 And the gospel properly presented will make you feel rather little about yourself.

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 Those things that you can do and accomplish on your own.

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 If you really understand the measure of sin, you will see that your image-bearing ability has destroyed by it.

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 That you were dead in that.

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 And those of us who have now placed our faith in Christ have been made alive again,

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 but we still are sick with sin.

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 It's still something we carry around.

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 It's a baggage.

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 It drags us down at times.

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 And so many New Year's resolutions are aimed at changing that part of us.

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 What we really ought to be devoting ourselves to is becoming more like Christ.

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 Depending more on the regenerative power of the Spirit to conform us into His image this year.

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 And so I hope with me, that's your plan for 2014.

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 That at the end of 2014, as we come to the first Sunday of 2015,

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 you can look back and say, my life better reflects the gospel.

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 I look more like Christ in 2015 than I did at the beginning of 2014.

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 And that is the aim of Mark's gospel.

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 He's trying to make much of Christ.

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 In fact, he doesn't even mention that he's the one that wrote the gospel of Mark

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 in an attempt to relegate who he is and exalt who Christ is.

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 It's history and tradition that holds that Mark was the one that in fact wrote this gospel.

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 And he's been driving us all along at this point to see who Jesus is.

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 That He is in fact the Son of God.

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 The Christ.

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 The one who came to bring redemption to the church.

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 To make us disciples of Jesus Christ.

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 To make much of Him.

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 And so as we look here at chapter 4, I'm going to do kind of an odd thing with it.

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 I'm going to read to you verse 1-34 to set the context.

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 And we're going to focus this morning on verses 10-12 to talk about why it was that Jesus spoke in parable.

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 Before we read together, let me just remind you that last week,

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 the stage that's set for us as he goes into this next set of teaching

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 is that he has returned more than likely to Capernaum,

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 which was kind of his home base in Galilee as he was ministering.

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 And he encountered, sort of all at the same time, a crowd and his family and the scribes.

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 And we talked a bit about this idea that C.S. Lewis put into play,

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 which is more than likely taken from this text,

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 that you cannot think of Christ as simply a good moral teacher

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 because he doesn't leave that option open for you.

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 But you either have to think of him as a liar, a lunatic,

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 or as Lord, who he actually says that he is.

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 And there's kind of a two-category system set up here by Mark

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 that you're either going to be one who does not believe that Jesus is the Christ

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 or one who does believe that he is the Christ.

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 Jesus says in verse 35 of chapter 34,

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 Here are my mothers and my brothers,

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 for whoever does the will of God,

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 he is my brother and sister and mother.

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 Those who do the will of God are part of the family of God.

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 And we saw that the will of God, the primary will of God,

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 the place in which all other wills for your life are rooted

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 is that we believe that Jesus is in fact the Christ, the Son of God.

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 So that continues here for us as he steps away from Capernaum

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 and goes back to the seashore as Capernaum was located

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 along the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee.

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 And so we'll begin reading in verse 1, chapter 4.

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 Again he began to teach beside the sea.

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 And a very large crowd gathered about him so that he got into a boat

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 and sat in it on the sea.

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 And the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.

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 And he was teaching them many things and parables.

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 And in his teaching he said to them,

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 Listen.

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 A sower went out to sow.

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 And as he sowed, some seeds fell among the path.

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 And the birds came and devoured it.

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 Other seed fell on rocky ground where it did not have much soil.

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 And immediately it sprang up since it had no depth of soil.

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 And when the sun rose, it was scorched.

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 And since it had no root, it withered away.

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 Other seed fell among thorns.

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 And the thorns grew up and choked it.

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 And it yielded no grain.

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 And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain,

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 growing up and increasing and yielding

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 thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.

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 And he said,

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 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

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 And when he was alone,

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 those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

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 And he said to them,

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 To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God.

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 But for those outside, everything is in parables.

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 So that they may indeed see but not perceive.

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 And may indeed hear but not understand.

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 Lest they should turn and be forgiven.

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 And he said to them,

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 Do you not understand this parable?

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 How then will you understand all the parables?

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 The sower sows the word.

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 And these are the ones along the path where the word is sown.

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 When they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.

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 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground.

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 The ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy.

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 And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while.

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 Then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word,

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 immediately they fall away.

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 And others are the ones sown among thorns.

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 They are those who hear the word,

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 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches

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 and the desires for other things

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 enter in and choke the word,

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 and it proves unfruitful.

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 But those that were sown on the good soil

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 are the ones who hear the word

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 and accept it and bear fruit

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 thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.

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 And he said to them,

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 Is the lamp brought in to be put under a basket

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 or under a bed and not on a stand?

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 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest,

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 nor is anything secret except to come to light.

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 If anyone has ears to hear,

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 let him hear.

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 And he said to them,

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 Pay attention to what you hear.

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 With the measure you use,

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 it will be measured to you,

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 and still more will be added to you.

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 For to the one who has,

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 more will be given,

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 and from the one who has not,

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 even what he has will be taken away.

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 And he said,

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 The kingdom of God is as if a man

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 should scatter seed on the ground.

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 He sleeps and rises night and day,

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 and the seed sprouts and grows.

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 He knows not how.

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 The earth produces by itself,

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 first the blade,

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 then the ear,

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 then the full grain in the ear.

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 But when the grain is ripe,

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 at once he puts in the sickle,

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 because the harvest has come.

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 And he said,

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 With what can we compare the kingdom of God,

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 or what parable shall we use for it?

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 It is like a grain of mustard seed,

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 which, when sown on the ground,

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 is the smallest of all the seeds on earth.

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 Yet when it is sown,

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 it grows up and becomes larger

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 than all the garden plants,

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 and puts out large branches

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 so that the birds of the air

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 can make nests in its shade.

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 With many such parables,

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 he spoke the word to them

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 as they were able to hear it.

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 He did not speak to them

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 without a parable,

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 but privately to his own disciples.

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 He explained everything.

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 Please join me in prayer.

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 Father, we do thank you this morning

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 for your word to us

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 by your scriptures.

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 And I pray, Father,

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 by your spirit,

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 as we boldly approach your throne,

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 clothed in the righteousness of Christ,

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 that you will have your way with us,

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 that you will shape our hearts,

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 that you will use our frailty

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 in speaking and hearing

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 and understanding

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 to conform us to the image of your Son.

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 Make us more like Him this morning.

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 And we pray this in His name.

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 Amen.

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 Our religion is a religion of words.

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 It is the way in which

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 the power of God is communicated to us

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 that the gospel itself,

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 this gospel message,

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 is the power of God

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 unto salvation.

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 Words give meaning and power

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 and give birth to ideas.

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 And it is this beautiful idea

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 of the kingdom of God coming

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 that Jesus has been presenting to us.

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 You remember back in chapter 1,

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 verse 15,

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 He says,

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 the time is fulfilled

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 and the kingdom of God is at hand.

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 Repent and believe in the gospel.

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 And He does that so often

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 in a very common way

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 in the speaking of parables,

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 which are short stories,

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 allegorical in nature,

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 and they're meant to teach

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 a much greater truth.

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 That's why Jesus spoke in this way

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 was to teach something greater.

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 So to draw your attention

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 to Mark 4, 10-12,

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 let's read it one more time.

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 And when He was alone,

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 those around Him with the twelve

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 asked Him about the parables.

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 And He said to them,

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 To you has been given

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 the secret of the kingdom of God,

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 but for those outside,

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 everything is in parables,

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 so that they may indeed see

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 but not perceive,

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 and may indeed hear

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 but not understand,

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 lest they should turn

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 and be forgiven.

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 So they asked the question,

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 Jesus,

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 why is it

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 that you speak

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 in parables?

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 We can see that

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 in the parallel version

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 of this story

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 in Matthew 13.

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 They say,

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 why is it

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 that you speak to them

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 in parables?

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 And the answer to that

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 in the case

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 that I'll build to you

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 is that it was

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 to veil the truth

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 and to unveil

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 or to reveal the truth.

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 To make the truth

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 very apparent to some

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 and not to others.

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 Now you recall,

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 as you ponder that,

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 you might think,

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 well how narrow.

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 Wouldn't Jesus have wanted

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 everyone to respond?

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 Wasn't that the point

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 of Him coming?

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 And preaching the gospel?

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 We've said over and over again

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 that the signs

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 that He was doing

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 was simply designed

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 to validate the message.

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 Isn't the message

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 incredibly important?

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 And yes,

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 it certainly is.

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 But recall

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 that we've also talked

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 about how very narrow

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 Jesus was.

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 He had an intended point

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 and a purpose

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 and a people

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 that He was coming

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 to redeem.

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 This is why

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 He spoke

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 in parables.

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 We've seen great crowds

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 follow Him.

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 And I have said to you

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 repeatedly,

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 that these people

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 were not

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 by and large

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 regenerate.

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 These people

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 did not believe

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 that He was

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 who He says

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 He is.

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 We see in Acts 1,

00:11:20.660 --> 00:11:22.020
 we see 120 gathered

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 after His death.

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 120 that were faithful

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 to the cause of Christ

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 that saw

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 who He was,

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 that He was

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 the King

00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:31.660
 of this coming

00:11:31.660 --> 00:11:32.280
 Kingdom.

00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:34.299
 So Jesus

00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:34.819
 is constantly

00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:35.500
 narrowing

00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.360
 and narrowing

00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:37.240
 and narrowing

00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:38.179
 as He speaks.

00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:38.860
 And so He uses

00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:39.279
 the veil

00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:40.319
 and His response

00:11:40.319 --> 00:11:40.539
 to them,

00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:41.759
 He quotes Isaiah

00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:42.639
 chapter 6,

00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:43.839
 verses 8-10.

00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:45.519
 Isaiah 6,

00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:46.779
 classic text.

00:11:47.079 --> 00:11:48.259
 We all love

00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:49.240
 to hear about

00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:50.539
 the calling of Isaiah,

00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:51.620
 His response

00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:52.480
 to go.

00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:53.860
 Verse 8,

00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:54.519
 And I heard the voice

00:11:54.519 --> 00:11:55.100
 of the Lord saying,

00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:56.459
 Whom shall I send?

00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:57.720
 And who will go

00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:58.439
 for us?

00:11:58.940 --> 00:12:00.260
 And then Isaiah responds,

00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:01.500
 Here am I,

00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:02.680
 send me.

00:12:03.640 --> 00:12:04.620
 And then in verse 9,

00:12:04.880 --> 00:12:05.700
 God says,

00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.860
 Go and say to this people,

00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:09.320
 Keep on hearing,

00:12:09.640 --> 00:12:10.640
 but do not understand.

00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:12.140
 Keep on seeing,

00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:13.140
 but do not perceive.

00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:14.800
 Make the heart

00:12:14.800 --> 00:12:15.940
 of this people dull

00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:17.060
 and their ears heavy

00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:18.780
 and blind their eyes,

00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:19.780
 lest they see

00:12:19.780 --> 00:12:20.460
 with their eyes

00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:21.520
 and hear with their ears

00:12:21.520 --> 00:12:22.140
 and understand

00:12:22.140 --> 00:12:22.940
 with their hearts

00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:23.600
 and turn

00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:25.260
 and be healed.

00:12:25.520 --> 00:12:26.920
 Part of Isaiah's

00:12:26.920 --> 00:12:28.160
 very ministry

00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:30.299
 was to preach

00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:31.719
 the coming of the kingdom

00:12:31.719 --> 00:12:32.319
 of God

00:12:32.319 --> 00:12:33.100
 to a people

00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:35.500
 who would not hear it.

00:12:35.579 --> 00:12:36.740
 It's prophesied right here

00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:38.759
 that this would be the case.

00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:39.620
 And in fact,

00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:40.459
 in the parallel version

00:12:40.459 --> 00:12:41.759
 of the story we have before us

00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:43.000
 in Mark chapter 4,

00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:44.819
 in verse 14

00:12:44.819 --> 00:12:46.179
 of chapter 13 of Matthew,

00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:49.139
 right before Matthew records

00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:50.819
 his quotation of Isaiah,

00:12:51.079 --> 00:12:51.959
 chapter 6,

00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:53.500
 it's recorded,

00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:54.120
 indeed,

00:12:54.339 --> 00:12:55.500
 in their case,

00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:57.539
 those who are outside

00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.439
 of this understanding,

00:12:58.839 --> 00:13:00.159
 the prophecy of Isaiah

00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:01.860
 is fulfilled.

00:13:02.599 --> 00:13:03.519
 That it is,

00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.079
 in fact,

00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:05.500
 fulfilled in this day

00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.360
 of Jesus

00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:07.860
 that says,

00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:08.679
 and then he quotes

00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:10.679
 from Isaiah chapter 6.

00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:13.480
 This is a prophecy

00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.099
 that people,

00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:15.379
 some would understand,

00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:17.379
 and that some would not,

00:13:17.459 --> 00:13:18.959
 which is why he spoke

00:13:18.959 --> 00:13:20.179
 in parables,

00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:22.240
 to veil the truth.

00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:23.799
 Paul gives us

00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:24.480
 a little bit of insight

00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:24.879
 into this

00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:26.439
 in 1 Corinthians chapter 2.

00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.419
 In verse 8,

00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:29.700
 he writes,

00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:30.460
 none of the rulers

00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:31.220
 of this age

00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:32.320
 understood this.

00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.159
 He's talking about

00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:34.919
 the secret,

00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:36.080
 hidden wisdom of God

00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:36.799
 in verse 7.

00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:37.639
 None of the rulers

00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.039
 of this age

00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:38.740
 understood this,

00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:39.679
 for if they had,

00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:40.639
 they would not have

00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.419
 crucified the Lord of glory.

00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:43.779
 If they had understood

00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:45.340
 who Jesus was,

00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:45.960
 they wouldn't have

00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:46.720
 put him to death.

00:13:46.939 --> 00:13:48.320
 And it was necessary

00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:49.519
 that he be put to death

00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:50.620
 so that the remission

00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:52.100
 of sins might extend

00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:53.240
 and expand to all

00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.360
 of mankind.

00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.720
 And then he quotes

00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:57.700
 also from Isaiah

00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:58.879
 chapter 64,

00:13:59.040 --> 00:13:59.519
 verse 4,

00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:00.399
 but as it is written,

00:14:00.820 --> 00:14:01.980
 what no eye has seen,

00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.220
 nor ear heard,

00:14:03.540 --> 00:14:04.500
 nor the heart of man

00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:05.060
 imagined,

00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.700
 what God has prepared

00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:07.759
 for those

00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:09.340
 who love Him.

00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.700
 Paul goes on to write

00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:12.540
 in verse 10

00:14:12.540 --> 00:14:13.639
 of chapter 2,

00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:15.139
 that these are things

00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:16.080
 that have been revealed

00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.680
 to those who are in Christ

00:14:17.680 --> 00:14:19.759
 by the Spirit of God.

00:14:20.180 --> 00:14:20.740
 Verse 11,

00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.500
 for who knows

00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.500
 a person's thoughts

00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:23.919
 except the Spirit

00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:24.879
 of that person

00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:25.560
 which is in him.

00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:26.899
 So also no one

00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:28.080
 comprehends the thoughts

00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:28.620
 of God

00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:30.480
 except the Spirit

00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:31.620
 of God.

00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:33.159
 And so Paul for us

00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:33.940
 kind of brings

00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:35.659
 these two ideas together

00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:36.500
 that this was something

00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:37.539
 that must happen,

00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:39.340
 that some would not believe

00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:40.399
 in order that

00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.620
 the redemptive purposes

00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.299
 of Christ

00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.419
 might be completed

00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:45.539
 so that we can believe

00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.580
 by the power

00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:47.799
 of His Spirit.

00:14:48.940 --> 00:14:49.759
 Now it's interesting

00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:51.039
 as Jesus is talking

00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:52.439
 to this group of people,

00:14:53.179 --> 00:14:54.299
 because it's those

00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:55.019
 around Him

00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.899
 with the twelve

00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:56.439
 if you'll notice

00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:57.200
 in chapter 4,

00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:57.960
 verse 10.

00:14:58.039 --> 00:14:59.460
 So not just the apostles

00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.399
 but some others

00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:00.939
 that were gathered

00:15:00.939 --> 00:15:01.460
 with Him

00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:02.460
 who have been given

00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:03.059
 the secret

00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:04.000
 of the kingdom

00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:05.019
 of God.

00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.019
 It's important

00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:06.700
 that we note

00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.480
 that they didn't

00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:08.220
 still seem

00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:10.000
 to quite get it.

00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:11.720
 There was some

00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:12.620
 understanding

00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:14.200
 bearing in their hearts,

00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:15.039
 but yet,

00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:15.819
 if you look

00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.920
 in verse 33

00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:18.240
 of chapter 4,

00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:20.600
 with many such parables

00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.220
 He spoke the word

00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:21.500
 to them

00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:22.320
 as they were able

00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:22.879
 to hear it.

00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:23.940
 He did not speak

00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:24.800
 to them without a parable,

00:15:24.900 --> 00:15:25.640
 but privately

00:15:25.640 --> 00:15:26.960
 to His own disciples

00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:29.200
 He explained everything.

00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:31.040
 Explanation was necessary

00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:31.720
 for them.

00:15:32.040 --> 00:15:32.800
 And look later

00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:34.020
 in chapter 4,

00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:35.160
 verse 40 and 41.

00:15:35.520 --> 00:15:36.680
 After Jesus calms

00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:37.260
 the storm,

00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:38.400
 He says to them,

00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:39.820
 Why are you afraid?

00:15:40.140 --> 00:15:41.100
 Have you still

00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:42.460
 no faith?

00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:44.259
 And they were filled

00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:45.259
 with great fear

00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:46.480
 and said to one another,

00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:48.700
 Who then is this

00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:50.220
 that even the wind

00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:51.460
 and the sea

00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.820
 obey Him?

00:15:53.420 --> 00:15:54.800
 They still

00:15:54.800 --> 00:15:56.639
 didn't quite grasp

00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:59.519
 who Jesus was.

00:16:00.280 --> 00:16:01.680
 The light was coming

00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:02.720
 to bear in their hearts,

00:16:02.780 --> 00:16:03.600
 but they still had yet

00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:05.080
 to entirely wrap

00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:06.540
 their mind around it.

00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.360
 And let that be

00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.180
 an encouragement

00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:09.480
 to us this morning

00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.759
 as we are about

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.840
 to launch into a study

00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.840
 of a number of parables

00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:14.280
 which can be confounding

00:16:14.280 --> 00:16:15.379
 at times.

00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:16.820
 We'll take a break

00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:17.180
 from that,

00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.220
 go back to some narrative,

00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:18.700
 and we're going to

00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.460
 pick right back up

00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.700
 into many more parables

00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:22.639
 in the Gospel of Mark.

00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.759
 And they're difficult

00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:25.300
 to understand at times.

00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.280
 By the Spirit

00:16:26.280 --> 00:16:26.960
 and the Scriptures,

00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:28.480
 we come to understand

00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:30.139
 what it is they mean

00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:31.940
 as we have a greater degree

00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:32.600
 of revelation

00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.899
 than these disciples

00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:35.019
 would have had.

00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:36.220
 But let it encourage you

00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:37.480
 that you don't have

00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:39.200
 to quite get it all

00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:40.519
 to have the Spirit of God

00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.340
 working in you

00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.500
 and bringing to bear

00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.700
 the truth.

00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:45.379
 So he taught him parables

00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:47.420
 to veil the truth.

00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:49.080
 But he also taught him

00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:51.220
 parables to reveal the truth.

00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.560
 Here in chapter 4,

00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.720
 this is not the first account

00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:55.000
 we see of him speaking

00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.480
 in parables.

00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:55.840
 In fact,

00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.660
 his response

00:16:56.660 --> 00:16:58.580
 to the Pharisees,

00:16:58.660 --> 00:16:59.420
 the scribes

00:16:59.420 --> 00:17:00.680
 that challenged him

00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.500
 back at the end

00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.360
 of chapter 3

00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.720
 were parables.

00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:06.519
 This idea of a strong man

00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.400
 being in his house

00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.440
 and to plunder his house.

00:17:08.600 --> 00:17:09.519
 You must come in

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.839
 and bind the strong man.

00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:11.839
 He was speaking of

00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:12.900
 who he is,

00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.859
 that he is in fact God

00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.660
 and he has the power

00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.619
 to bind Satan

00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:16.839
 and therefore come

00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:18.579
 and take from the kingdom

00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.059
 of Satan

00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.900
 those who are his.

00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:24.819
 It's also not the first time

00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:26.079
 that parables are used generally.

00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.259
 Jesus isn't the first

00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:28.200
 to use parables

00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:29.960
 to teach truth in this way.

00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:31.940
 Back in 2 Samuel,

00:17:32.139 --> 00:17:32.839
 chapter 12

00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.579
 in the Old Testament,

00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:35.899
 God brings David

00:17:35.899 --> 00:17:36.919
 to conviction

00:17:36.919 --> 00:17:37.980
 of his sin

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:39.500
 with Bathsheba

00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.859
 and Uriah

00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:42.740
 through the prophet Nathan

00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:44.460
 through a parable.

00:17:44.679 --> 00:17:45.639
 Listen to this.

00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:46.720
 2 Samuel 12

00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:47.980
 beginning in verse 1.

00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:50.079
 And the Lord sent Nathan

00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:50.720
 to David.

00:17:51.439 --> 00:17:52.059
 He came to him

00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:52.699
 and said to him,

00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:53.819
 there were two men

00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:54.480
 in a certain city,

00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.199
 the one rich

00:17:55.199 --> 00:17:56.079
 and the other poor.

00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.159
 The rich man

00:17:57.159 --> 00:17:58.339
 had very many flocks

00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:58.879
 and herds,

00:17:58.919 --> 00:17:59.659
 but the poor man

00:17:59.659 --> 00:18:00.299
 had nothing

00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:01.679
 but one little ewe lamb

00:18:01.679 --> 00:18:02.899
 which he had bought.

00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:04.220
 And he brought it up

00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.420
 and it grew up with him

00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.220
 and with his children.

00:18:06.800 --> 00:18:08.160
 He used to eat of his morsel

00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:09.360
 and drink from his cup

00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.580
 and lie in his arms

00:18:10.580 --> 00:18:12.000
 and it was like a daughter to him.

00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:13.400
 Now there came a traveler

00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.100
 to the rich man

00:18:14.100 --> 00:18:14.759
 and he was unwilling

00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.720
 to take one of his own

00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.440
 flock or herd

00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:17.860
 to prepare for the guest

00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:18.660
 who had come to him,

00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:20.500
 but he took the poor man's lamb

00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.620
 and prepared it for the man

00:18:21.620 --> 00:18:22.900
 who had come to him.

00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.780
 Then David's anger

00:18:24.780 --> 00:18:25.880
 was greatly kindled

00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:26.620
 against the man

00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:27.200
 in the story.

00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.380
 And he said to Nathan,

00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.840
 as the Lord lives,

00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:31.000
 the man who has done this

00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.240
 deserves to die

00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:33.440
 and he shall restore

00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.319
 the lamb for full

00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:35.480
 because he did this thing

00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.960
 and because he had no pity.

00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:40.019
 Nathan said to David,

00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:43.079
 you are the man.

00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:45.099
 This was how God,

00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:46.759
 by the prophet Nathan

00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.740
 and the enlightening

00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.519
 of the Spirit,

00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:50.220
 convicted David

00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.620
 of his great sin.

00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.140
 And then we see

00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:53.079
 so many laments

00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.779
 in the Psalms

00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.380
 and repentance

00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:56.940
 for what he had done.

00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:59.259
 So, Jesus spoke in parables.

00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:01.379
 God had used parables before.

00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.339
 Jesus speaks in parables

00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.180
 both to veil

00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:06.539
 and to reveal the truth.

00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.879
 And he sets up for us

00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:09.420
 again another dichotomy,

00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:12.000
 two groups of people

00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.819
 that everyone in this world

00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:14.400
 falls into.

00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.619
 You fall into one of these

00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:17.160
 two categories.

00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.160
 And here it's stated

00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:20.059
 in verse 11,

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.039
 to you,

00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:21.940
 this is one group,

00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:23.420
 to you has been given

00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.900
 the secret of the kingdom of God.

00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:26.599
 And another group

00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:28.200
 are those who are outside.

00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:30.799
 This morning,

00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:31.600
 you're in one of those

00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:32.140
 two places.

00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.039
 Everyone in this earth

00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:34.140
 is in one of those two places.

00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:35.120
 Has been given the secret

00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:35.860
 of the kingdom of God

00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.500
 or is outside.

00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.960
 And so we have to ask

00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.539
 the question,

00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:42.380
 what then is the secret

00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:43.680
 of the kingdom of God?

00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.279
 We should know this.

00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.400
 If we want to find

00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:47.279
 where we are,

00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.700
 categorically speaking,

00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.860
 in one of these two groups,

00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.759
 are we those

00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.500
 who have been given

00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.580
 the secret of the kingdom of God

00:19:52.580 --> 00:19:54.580
 or those who are outside?

00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.299
 Do we have the key

00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.660
 that unlocks the parables?

00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:59.220
 Or should they be

00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.960
 confounding to us?

00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.600
 Should we never understand

00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:02.600
 what is meant

00:20:02.600 --> 00:20:03.940
 by all of these parables

00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:05.279
 about the coming kingdom?

00:20:06.120 --> 00:20:06.960
 The secret

00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:08.600
 of the kingdom of God

00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:10.299
 is the person,

00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.580
 Jesus Christ.

00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:15.160
 Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1,

00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:15.860
 verse 30,

00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.680
 And because of God,

00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:20.059
 you are in Christ Jesus,

00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:22.059
 who became to us

00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:24.140
 wisdom from God,

00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.140
 righteousness,

00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:25.220
 righteousness,

00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:26.980
 and sanctification,

00:20:27.860 --> 00:20:28.780
 and redemption.

00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:33.300
 So those who have been given

00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:34.540
 the secret of the kingdom of God

00:20:34.540 --> 00:20:35.640
 are those who believe

00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:38.400
 that Jesus is who He says

00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:39.660
 that He is,

00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.660
 that He is the Christ.

00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.360
 And the others,

00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.460
 those who are outside,

00:20:43.580 --> 00:20:45.680
 are those who do not.

00:20:46.280 --> 00:20:47.980
 Turn with me to the parallel version

00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.740
 of this text.

00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.000
 Matthew chapter 13.

00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.039
 Matthew chapter 13.

00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:12.000
 We see a more expanded version

00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.559
 of the account beginning in verse 10.

00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:15.039
 Then the disciples came

00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.019
 and said to Him,

00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.460
 Why do you speak to them

00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:17.940
 in parables?

00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.679
 There's the question.

00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:19.980
 Why do you speak to them

00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.460
 in parables?

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.279
 And He answered them,

00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.659
 To you it has been given

00:21:22.659 --> 00:21:23.240
 to know the secrets

00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:24.000
 of the kingdom of heaven,

00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:26.359
 but to them it has not been given.

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.700
 There's our two categories.

00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.700
 Then verse 12.

00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:31.740
 For to the one who has,

00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.039
 more will be given,

00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:34.940
 and he will have an abundance.

00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:37.220
 But from the one who has not,

00:21:37.419 --> 00:21:38.639
 even what he has

00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:40.220
 will be taken away.

00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.639
 This is why I speak to them

00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.079
 in parables.

00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:43.919
 Because seeing they do not see,

00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:45.159
 and hearing they do not hear,

00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.799
 nor do they understand.

00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:49.339
 Now verse 12 is interesting

00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:51.779
 because in Mark chapter 4,

00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:54.220
 it's recorded in a different spot.

00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:55.439
 In Mark chapter 4,

00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:57.399
 it's in verse 25.

00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.279
 As he concludes

00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:02.079
 the lamp under a basket parable

00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.299
 as it's headed

00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:05.779
 in probably most of our Bibles.

00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:08.079
 It's recorded in a different place

00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.899
 and we'll look more

00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:10.159
 at why that is

00:22:10.159 --> 00:22:11.299
 in the coming weeks.

00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:12.639
 But here we see it's added

00:22:12.639 --> 00:22:13.460
 to this account.

00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.819
 For to the one who has,

00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:15.819
 more will be given,

00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.339
 and he who will have an abundance.

00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.579
 But from the one who has not,

00:22:18.879 --> 00:22:19.919
 even what he has

00:22:19.919 --> 00:22:21.119
 will be taken away.

00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:23.319
 What is he talking about?

00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:25.539
 Has what?

00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:27.759
 What is it that we are to have

00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:29.180
 in order to receive more?

00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:30.619
 An abundance of more.

00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:33.079
 And what is it that someone

00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:34.319
 doesn't have,

00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.519
 and even what they have

00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.659
 is taken away?

00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:38.940
 And what I would say to you

00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:40.440
 is that thing that Jesus

00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.600
 is referring to here

00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:42.580
 is faith.

00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:46.400
 For the one who has faith,

00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:48.240
 the one who believes

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:51.019
 that Jesus is the Christ,

00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:53.220
 will be given more faith,

00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.680
 an abundance of faith,

00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.920
 saving faith

00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:58.060
 that will persevere to the end

00:22:58.060 --> 00:22:59.400
 when all the things

00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:00.040
 that we hope in

00:23:00.040 --> 00:23:01.040
 will become a reality.

00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:03.859
 The ability to see

00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:04.819
 the kingdom of God

00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.659
 coming to bear,

00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.819
 to experience it

00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.359
 to be true

00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.579
 in our own hearts.

00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.379
 But for the one

00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:11.759
 who does not have faith,

00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.359
 even what he has.

00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:15.119
 Now, remember who he's

00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:17.099
 speaking to primarily

00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:18.359
 in these settings.

00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.519
 These would have been Jews.

00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.980
 Those who had

00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:24.099
 the promises of God,

00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:25.659
 who had what is called

00:23:25.659 --> 00:23:27.480
 now our modern Old Testament.

00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:29.500
 They had all of this teaching.

00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:31.000
 They had Moses.

00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.980
 And the prophets

00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:33.639
 who spoke of the Christ.

00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:35.119
 And yet, even this,

00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.259
 this understanding

00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.980
 that they have

00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:38.519
 is taken away.

00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.399
 I can remind you

00:23:40.399 --> 00:23:41.500
 in Ephesians 2,

00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:44.059
 verse 8, it says,

00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:45.619
 For by grace you have been saved

00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.460
 through faith.

00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:48.819
 And that this is not your own doing,

00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:50.139
 it is the gift of God.

00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:52.940
 We need the Spirit of God

00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:54.119
 to work in our hearts

00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:57.079
 to bring about faith in God.

00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:58.539
 And these are the people

00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.980
 who believe,

00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:02.460
 who can understand,

00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:03.740
 who are given

00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.779
 the secrets

00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.299
 of the kingdom.

00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:09.180
 Now, the rest of the text

00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.480
 in Matthew chapter 13,

00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:12.860
 we see a longer quotation

00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:15.319
 of Isaiah chapter 6.

00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:16.539
 Indeed, in their case,

00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.299
 the promise of Isaiah

00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:17.880
 is fulfilled

00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:19.120
 that says,

00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.899
 you will indeed hear

00:24:19.899 --> 00:24:20.579
 but never understand.

00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.439
 You will indeed see

00:24:21.439 --> 00:24:22.099
 but never perceive.

00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:23.619
 For this people's heart

00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:24.319
 has grown dull

00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.079
 and with their ears

00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.939
 they can barely hear

00:24:25.939 --> 00:24:26.799
 and their eyes

00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:28.159
 have closed.

00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.259
 Lest they should see

00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:29.839
 with their eyes

00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.599
 and hear with their ears

00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.559
 and understand with their heart

00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.059
 and turn

00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:33.439
 and I would heal them.

00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.779
 And then verse 16,

00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:36.619
 but blessed are your eyes

00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:37.319
 for they see

00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:38.920
 and your ears

00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.599
 for they hear

00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:41.079
 for truly I say to you

00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.420
 many prophets

00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:43.500
 and righteous people

00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.799
 long to see what you see

00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:46.339
 and did not see it

00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.559
 and to hear what you hear

00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:49.960
 and did not hear it.

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.559
 They longed to see

00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.559
 the Christ.

00:24:54.139 --> 00:24:56.059
 They knew that in some way

00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:57.059
 the promises of God

00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:57.720
 would be fulfilled.

00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.799
 They had some hint

00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:01.139
 of this Messiah

00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:02.319
 and what he was going

00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.000
 to look like

00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:04.079
 as they prophesied

00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.960
 about him

00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:06.359
 but they did not

00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:07.700
 get to behold him.

00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:10.240
 They longed to hear

00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:12.079
 this coming message

00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:13.460
 of the kingdom of God.

00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:15.019
 The gospel preached

00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:16.379
 in its entirety

00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:18.179
 in the personal work

00:25:18.179 --> 00:25:18.879
 of Christ

00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.899
 and yet they did

00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:21.740
 not hear it.

00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.399
 How blessed are we

00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:25.139
 to be ones

00:25:25.139 --> 00:25:25.960
 who have received

00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.759
 the secrets

00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.759
 of the kingdom.

00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.599
 We have received Christ.

00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:31.019
 We have seen

00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.240
 and heard

00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:34.059
 this great truth.

00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:37.559
 There are many Jews

00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:38.099
 today

00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:39.819
 strict adherents

00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.299
 to

00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:42.680
 Old Testament

00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:44.140
 apostate Judaism

00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:46.140
 that are still longing

00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.940
 and looking

00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:48.319
 for the Messiah.

00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.220
 And they do so

00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.740
 with an unclear understanding

00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:54.339
 of who the Messiah is.

00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:55.940
 I found an article

00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.819
 by a rabbi

00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.819
 I'm sure I should quote

00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.720
 but I forgot to write down

00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.059
 his name

00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.880
 and I lost the article.

00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.660
 And he gave four reasons

00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.440
 why Jesus Christ

00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.339
 is not the Messiah.

00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.339
 It is predicted

00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.819
 in Ezekiel chapter 37

00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.539
 that he would

00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.759
 build the third temple.

00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.480
 This is yet to happen.

00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:15.299
 Isaiah chapter 43

00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:16.859
 that he would gather

00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.579
 all Jews

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.420
 back to the land

00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:19.500
 of Israel.

00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.200
 Isaiah chapter 2

00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.819
 verse 4

00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.579
 that he would usher

00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.120
 in an era

00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:25.279
 of world peace

00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.460
 and end all hatred,

00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:27.019
 oppression,

00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.000
 suffering,

00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.019
 and disease.

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:32.079
 Zechariah 14.9

00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:33.240
 that he would spread

00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.160
 universal knowledge

00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:35.079
 of the God of Israel

00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:36.680
 which will unite humanity

00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.900
 as one.

00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:39.319
 And this is the Messiah

00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:41.400
 that they are waiting for.

00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.099
 They're waiting for

00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:44.339
 a Messiah to come

00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:46.059
 that will accomplish this

00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:47.339
 in the here and now.

00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:48.279
 And until they can see

00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:48.839
 that happen

00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.759
 they are not willing

00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.380
 to believe

00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:51.759
 that Jesus was the Christ.

00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:52.640
 But yet,

00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:54.079
 Jesus is in fact

00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.740
 accomplishing

00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.880
 all these things.

00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:57.060
 And they will finally

00:26:57.060 --> 00:26:57.780
 and fully

00:26:57.780 --> 00:26:59.340
 be accomplished.

00:27:00.280 --> 00:27:01.980
 The kingdom of God

00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:03.140
 is at hand.

00:27:03.780 --> 00:27:05.680
 He reigns even now

00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:07.620
 doing this very work.

00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:10.600
 But in this way,

00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.480
 in the fulfillment

00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.800
 of these prophecies,

00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:15.420
 Jesus has veiled truth

00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:17.540
 and revealed truth.

00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:19.160
 Just think of the way

00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:20.200
 that Jesus came

00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.020
 into this world.

00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:22.180
 He fulfilled prophecy

00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:23.540
 in the way He came.

00:27:23.820 --> 00:27:24.620
 But He came not

00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.979
 as the king they expected.

00:27:26.939 --> 00:27:28.179
 As they focused in

00:27:28.179 --> 00:27:29.139
 on these particular

00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:30.799
 prophecies of the Messiah.

00:27:30.919 --> 00:27:31.539
 Not as the one

00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.419
 who would ride in

00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:33.339
 on a horse,

00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:34.439
 a valiant steed

00:27:34.439 --> 00:27:35.439
 that would be like Saul,

00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.119
 a head taller

00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:36.879
 than everyone else

00:27:36.879 --> 00:27:37.319
 and would come

00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.179
 and conquer Rome

00:27:38.179 --> 00:27:39.099
 and restore things.

00:27:40.179 --> 00:27:41.079
 But He came instead

00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.899
 as a humble baby.

00:27:42.939 --> 00:27:43.419
 Veiled.

00:27:44.219 --> 00:27:45.599
 Born to a humble,

00:27:45.979 --> 00:27:46.559
 young,

00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:47.679
 teenage girl

00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:48.779
 in a stable,

00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:50.559
 in a very obscure

00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:52.279
 part of the world.

00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:54.480
 This Jesus

00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.220
 that is said

00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:57.000
 to be from Nazareth

00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.079
 and we have to qualify

00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:58.940
 that it's Nazareth

00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.819
 of Galilee

00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.779
 because no one knew

00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:02.000
 where Nazareth was.

00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:04.039
 Talk about the county

00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.980
 that it was located in

00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.599
 so you could get

00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:06.279
 where it was

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.460
 on a map.

00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:09.339
 He came in obscure,

00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:10.299
 humble,

00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.519
 the son of a carpenter

00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:13.119
 and He served the world

00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:14.259
 in humility.

00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:16.319
 They missed this

00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:17.859
 because Jesus

00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:20.160
 veiled that truth

00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:22.100
 in order to reveal

00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:23.140
 that truth

00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:24.860
 to some of us

00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:26.160
 lowly,

00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.960
 lowly people.

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.220
 Last night I was playing

00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:30.700
 with the boys

00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.240
 on the floor

00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:34.440
 and they got a bunch

00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.140
 of Hot Wheels

00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:36.019
 monster trucks

00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:36.820
 for Christmas

00:28:36.820 --> 00:28:38.779
 which is a very cool thing

00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.840
 that Hot Wheels

00:28:39.840 --> 00:28:40.300
 has done

00:28:40.300 --> 00:28:41.779
 for boys everywhere.

00:28:43.540 --> 00:28:44.440
 And Judah,

00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:46.160
 there's eight of them

00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:47.860
 and Judah had carefully

00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:48.700
 lined them up,

00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.440
 neat little rows

00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.720
 all facing the same direction

00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.720
 and didn't want

00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.740
 that game messed with.

00:28:52.860 --> 00:28:54.019
 He had his little trucks

00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.460
 lined up

00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.039
 and he was just laying

00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.880
 on the floor like this

00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:57.059
 looking at them.

00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.360
 And so I was laying

00:28:58.360 --> 00:28:59.059
 on the floor with him

00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.720
 and we were talking

00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.460
 about their color

00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.420
 and counting them

00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.660
 trying to redeem

00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:03.960
 whatever the game was

00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:05.799
 for some future knowledge

00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.940
 and I counted them

00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.680
 to eight

00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:10.820
 and Caveman said,

00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.259
 he was sitting

00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.340
 cross-legged next to us

00:29:12.340 --> 00:29:12.900
 and said,

00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:13.580
 no daddy,

00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.180
 there are seven.

00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:15.799
 I said,

00:29:15.860 --> 00:29:16.160
 Caveman,

00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.519
 your dad's a good counter,

00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:18.080
 there are eight.

00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:19.480
 And he said,

00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:19.939
 no,

00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.099
 there are seven.

00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:21.819
 And I went,

00:29:21.879 --> 00:29:22.000
 okay,

00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:22.359
 watch.

00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:23.139
 And I counted them again.

00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.839
 I put my finger

00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.419
 on each one,

00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:24.960
 counted them,

00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:25.679
 eight.

00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:26.939
 Here's the evidence,

00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:27.279
 look,

00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:27.539
 one,

00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:27.699
 two,

00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:27.859
 three,

00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:28.019
 four,

00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.199
 five,

00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.379
 six,

00:29:28.419 --> 00:29:28.679
 seven,

00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.639
 eight.

00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.339
 And he kind of gave me

00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:31.359
 this look when I got to eight

00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:31.619
 like,

00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.699
 I think he's got me.

00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:34.419
 But he refused to believe

00:29:34.419 --> 00:29:34.939
 that there were eight.

00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:36.139
 I took his finger,

00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:36.839
 made him,

00:29:36.939 --> 00:29:37.599
 I held his finger

00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:38.639
 and I touched each one

00:29:38.639 --> 00:29:40.480
 to convince him

00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:42.199
 that there were eight

00:29:42.199 --> 00:29:43.559
 and he got sad

00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.679
 that he was wrong

00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:46.140
 that there were eight

00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.299
 and not seven.

00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:49.500
 And so what he wanted to do

00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.380
 was take one away

00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:51.160
 so there would be seven

00:29:51.160 --> 00:29:53.480
 in the pile.

00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:55.680
 And so I had to distract Judah

00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:56.480
 so he wouldn't get mad

00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.720
 that we messed up his line of trucks

00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.660
 and took one.

00:29:58.660 --> 00:30:00.740
 So we had seven left

00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.560
 in the pile.

00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.980
 And is this not,

00:30:03.060 --> 00:30:03.799
 this made me think,

00:30:03.840 --> 00:30:04.500
 is this not

00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:05.920
 what the world does

00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:07.240
 with Jesus Christ?

00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:09.660
 There's so much evidence

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:11.100
 on the table.

00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:13.019
 It would seem

00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.879
 that we should

00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:16.199
 by human terms

00:30:16.199 --> 00:30:17.619
 be able to convince somebody

00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:18.699
 that Jesus is the Christ.

00:30:18.939 --> 00:30:20.399
 Particularly the Jews.

00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.019
 Right?

00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:21.899
 Those who were actually

00:30:21.899 --> 00:30:23.099
 waiting for the Messiah

00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:24.419
 just want to show them

00:30:24.419 --> 00:30:25.199
 the Scriptures

00:30:25.199 --> 00:30:26.899
 and point to the One,

00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.639
 to Jesus Christ,

00:30:27.719 --> 00:30:28.599
 to magnify Him

00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:30.419
 and that they would get that.

00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.699
 But they can't

00:30:33.699 --> 00:30:34.759
 until the Spirit works

00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.939
 a work in their life.

00:30:36.679 --> 00:30:37.379
 They can't.

00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.519
 It's impossible.

00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:40.059
 These are things

00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:42.079
 that are revealed to us

00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:43.659
 by the Spirit.

00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.899
 Now I know that sometimes

00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:46.740
 that causes a little bit

00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.299
 of an anxiety

00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.519
 because we really,

00:30:48.659 --> 00:30:49.539
 really, really want to believe

00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.619
 that our God is this

00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:52.519
 great, big, benevolent God

00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:53.899
 and loves the world.

00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:54.940
 And you know what?

00:30:55.179 --> 00:30:56.059
 He does.

00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.779
 He does.

00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.599
 The fact that He has redeemed

00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.720
 even one of us

00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.460
 is a great expression

00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.039
 of His love.

00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.500
 Not to mention

00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:05.579
 untold millions.

00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:07.220
 Millions.

00:31:07.379 --> 00:31:07.700
 Billions.

00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.519
 I don't know.

00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.900
 An unmeasurable number.

00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.759
 A multitude,

00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:12.079
 the Scriptures say,

00:31:12.139 --> 00:31:12.799
 will be in heaven

00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:14.019
 praising our God.

00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:14.879
 Right?

00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.740
 None of us

00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.839
 deserve this.

00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:20.319
 When you begin to feel

00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.339
 in some way

00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.480
 that as God

00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.700
 is calling people

00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:24.420
 to Himself,

00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:26.099
 that He's being unfair,

00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:27.900
 that it's not right,

00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:29.160
 how could a loving God

00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.980
 exclude people

00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:30.599
 from the kingdom?

00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.940
 How could He veil truth

00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.400
 to some

00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:33.420
 and reveal it to others?

00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.839
 This makes no sense to me.

00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:36.240
 Stop making

00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:37.240
 so much

00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.859
 of man.

00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:40.539
 We are a created thing.

00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:41.279
 Right?

00:31:41.380 --> 00:31:42.099
 Humble yourself

00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:43.200
 under the Creator

00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:44.279
 who is working out

00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:45.120
 His redemptive purposes

00:31:45.120 --> 00:31:45.700
 in this way.

00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:46.720
 Who is expressing

00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:48.319
 His very being to us

00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:49.839
 in this manner.

00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.720
 What should this kind

00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.900
 of truth do for us?

00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:52.640
 Those of us

00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:54.000
 who are part of this,

00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:54.579
 who have been given

00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.120
 the secret

00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:56.259
 of the kingdom of God,

00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.059
 it should cause us

00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:58.079
 to praise Him.

00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.380
 Because we did

00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.620
 nothing of our own

00:32:01.620 --> 00:32:02.720
 to know this thing.

00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:03.680
 Right?

00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:05.360
 I cannot boast

00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:06.480
 in any way

00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.799
 that I have deciphered

00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:09.279
 magically the parables.

00:32:10.060 --> 00:32:10.160
 Right?

00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:10.960
 We say to you,

00:32:11.060 --> 00:32:12.039
 I have found the key.

00:32:12.320 --> 00:32:13.259
 I have deciphered it.

00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.279
 I know now

00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:15.140
 what the kingdom of God

00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.660
 is all about.

00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.220
 I can't.

00:32:16.580 --> 00:32:17.620
 It has been revealed to me

00:32:17.620 --> 00:32:19.320
 by the Spirit of God.

00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:21.620
 I was dead.

00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:23.180
 I was cut off

00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:24.200
 because of my sinfulness.

00:32:25.820 --> 00:32:27.259
 God made me alive

00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:29.220
 together with Him.

00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.160
 Right?

00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.880
 This should be the joy

00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:32.600
 of our hearts.

00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:34.019
 That He has accomplished

00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:36.419
 this for us.

00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.759
 And I will tell you

00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.599
 that there are many

00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:40.619
 harsh reactions

00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.899
 to the doctrines

00:32:41.899 --> 00:32:42.659
 that we teach,

00:32:42.959 --> 00:32:44.259
 but there are harsh reactions

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:45.599
 to things that should not

00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.559
 be a reality.

00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:48.759
 That those of us

00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.419
 who believe that God

00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:50.579
 is sovereign in all things,

00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:52.339
 that calls those

00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:53.299
 whom He intends to call

00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:54.059
 and doesn't those

00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.659
 whom He doesn't,

00:32:54.939 --> 00:32:56.039
 would make us cold

00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:57.099
 and callous

00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:58.079
 to the Gospel.

00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.119
 This should not be true

00:32:59.119 --> 00:32:59.579
 of us.

00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:01.039
 This truth

00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.419
 is the great motivation

00:33:02.419 --> 00:33:03.359
 to share your faith.

00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:04.460
 That God is working

00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.679
 in people's lives.

00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:07.339
 That He is going into them

00:33:07.339 --> 00:33:08.720
 and changing their hearts.

00:33:09.399 --> 00:33:10.759
 No amount of logic.

00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.439
 I consider myself

00:33:11.439 --> 00:33:12.819
 a fairly logical person.

00:33:12.919 --> 00:33:13.960
 No degree of logic

00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.419
 on my part

00:33:14.419 --> 00:33:15.299
 can convince somebody

00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:16.279
 to come to Christ.

00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:17.460
 But the Spirit

00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:17.939
 can do it

00:33:17.939 --> 00:33:19.199
 with the simple words

00:33:19.199 --> 00:33:20.079
 of a fool.

00:33:20.919 --> 00:33:21.960
 That is an incredible

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:23.079
 reality.

00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:24.879
 This should be true of us.

00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:25.899
 Let me show you

00:33:25.899 --> 00:33:26.619
 this context.

00:33:26.619 --> 00:33:27.579
 Let me just broaden

00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.859
 your eyes

00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:29.479
 and your mind

00:33:29.479 --> 00:33:30.079
 a little bit.

00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:31.899
 We see this insertion

00:33:31.899 --> 00:33:35.339
 in Mark 4.

00:33:36.719 --> 00:33:37.500
 Talking about

00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.259
 those who have been

00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:38.719
 given the secret

00:33:38.719 --> 00:33:39.119
 of the kingdom

00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:39.899
 were found in one

00:33:39.899 --> 00:33:40.799
 of these two categories.

00:33:40.919 --> 00:33:41.659
 We believe that Jesus

00:33:41.659 --> 00:33:42.339
 is the Christ

00:33:42.339 --> 00:33:43.759
 or we do not.

00:33:44.099 --> 00:33:45.259
 But what is He saying

00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:46.959
 in this context here

00:33:46.959 --> 00:33:47.459
 at the beginning

00:33:47.459 --> 00:33:49.339
 of chapter 4?

00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:52.119
 There should be

00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:54.339
 some outworking

00:33:54.339 --> 00:33:56.259
 of our faith.

00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:58.339
 We can't just be

00:33:58.339 --> 00:33:59.639
 counted in the crowd

00:33:59.639 --> 00:34:01.479
 that follows Jesus around.

00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:02.959
 But that we must

00:34:02.959 --> 00:34:04.579
 actually be devoted

00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:05.179
 to Him.

00:34:05.459 --> 00:34:06.039
 There must be

00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:07.679
 some degree

00:34:07.679 --> 00:34:09.159
 of sacrifice

00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:10.519
 and pursuit

00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.639
 of who He is.

00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.519
 Let me just show you.

00:34:12.739 --> 00:34:13.279
 He talks about

00:34:13.279 --> 00:34:13.699
 the parable

00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.719
 of the sower.

00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:16.880
 The good soil.

00:34:17.759 --> 00:34:18.500
 Verse 8.

00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:20.039
 The good soil

00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:22.000
 produced grain

00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:23.500
 growing up

00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:24.780
 and increasing

00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:26.679
 and yielding

00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.500
 thirtyfold

00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:28.579
 and sixtyfold

00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:29.920
 and a hundredfold.

00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:31.780
 Later in His explanation

00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:32.400
 of that

00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:33.119
 in verse 20

00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:34.739
 He uses the term

00:34:34.739 --> 00:34:35.420
 fruit.

00:34:36.840 --> 00:34:38.039
 This good soil

00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:38.860
 bears

00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:40.099
 fruit.

00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.920
 He talks about

00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.440
 lamps

00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.219
 not being intended

00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:43.760
 to be hidden

00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:44.559
 but to shine.

00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:46.199
 He's speaking

00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:46.699
 in the negative

00:34:46.699 --> 00:34:47.400
 but in the positive.

00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:49.079
 Lamps shine.

00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:50.599
 Lamps give

00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:51.519
 light.

00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:53.420
 I think some of our

00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:54.619
 lamps are turned down

00:34:54.619 --> 00:34:55.340
 so low

00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:56.039
 that they barely

00:34:56.039 --> 00:34:56.940
 flicker.

00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:58.139
 There's a little flame

00:34:58.139 --> 00:34:59.139
 which gives little

00:34:59.139 --> 00:34:59.960
 to no light

00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:00.659
 in this world

00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:01.300
 but lamps

00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:02.320
 are meant

00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:03.320
 to light

00:35:03.320 --> 00:35:04.860
 a room.

00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:07.099
 We see the parable

00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:08.199
 of the seed growing.

00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:09.619
 It does in fact

00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:10.259
 sprout

00:35:10.259 --> 00:35:11.739
 and grow.

00:35:13.360 --> 00:35:14.259
 And the parable

00:35:14.259 --> 00:35:15.119
 of the mustard seed

00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:16.400
 grows up

00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:17.360
 and becomes

00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:17.980
 larger

00:35:17.980 --> 00:35:18.619
 than all

00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:19.599
 the garden plants.

00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:21.719
 You see

00:35:21.719 --> 00:35:22.259
 that there must

00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:22.860
 be some

00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:23.739
 outworking

00:35:23.739 --> 00:35:25.360
 of our faith

00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:25.880
 and here is

00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:26.500
 what we see

00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:28.259
 Jesus teaching

00:35:28.259 --> 00:35:28.759
 to us

00:35:28.759 --> 00:35:29.380
 in the parables

00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:29.739
 that we're going

00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:30.219
 to cover

00:35:30.219 --> 00:35:31.199
 in the coming

00:35:31.199 --> 00:35:32.019
 weeks.

00:35:33.159 --> 00:35:34.079
 You want to know

00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:34.920
 which category

00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:36.179
 you lie in

00:35:36.179 --> 00:35:37.360
 as one who's been

00:35:37.360 --> 00:35:38.159
 given the secrets

00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:38.480
 of the kingdom

00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:38.799
 of God?

00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:39.299
 One who has

00:35:39.299 --> 00:35:40.460
 actually recognized

00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:41.440
 believed in your

00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.259
 heart that Jesus

00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:42.920
 is the Christ?

00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:43.599
 There will be

00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.559
 evidence in your

00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:45.259
 life of that

00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:45.699
 reality.

00:35:45.699 --> 00:35:47.819
 You will

00:35:47.819 --> 00:35:48.619
 knowing

00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:49.239
 that Jesus

00:35:49.239 --> 00:35:49.739
 brought this

00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:50.339
 truth to bear

00:35:50.339 --> 00:35:50.639
 in you

00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:51.059
 desire

00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:52.159
 to share

00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:52.839
 that truth

00:35:52.839 --> 00:35:53.719
 and see it

00:35:53.719 --> 00:35:54.399
 come to bear

00:35:54.399 --> 00:35:55.699
 in others.

00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:58.419
 We as a church

00:35:58.419 --> 00:36:00.259
 must be

00:36:00.259 --> 00:36:01.019
 theological.

00:36:01.339 --> 00:36:02.199
 We are really

00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:03.059
 wasting our time

00:36:03.059 --> 00:36:03.759
 if we're not.

00:36:04.119 --> 00:36:04.559
 If we don't

00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:05.279
 come together

00:36:05.279 --> 00:36:06.839
 and root

00:36:06.839 --> 00:36:07.279
 through

00:36:07.279 --> 00:36:08.439
 and parse

00:36:08.439 --> 00:36:08.919
 out

00:36:08.919 --> 00:36:09.960
 and figure out

00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:10.639
 all of the

00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:11.099
 deep things

00:36:11.099 --> 00:36:11.419
 of God

00:36:11.419 --> 00:36:11.759
 that he has

00:36:11.759 --> 00:36:12.219
 to say to us

00:36:12.219 --> 00:36:12.719
 in our scriptures

00:36:12.719 --> 00:36:13.460
 why are we

00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:14.000
 getting together?

00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:16.000
 But we also

00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:16.800
 must be

00:36:16.800 --> 00:36:17.260
 missional.

00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:19.099
 This should be

00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:20.239
 a great motivation

00:36:20.239 --> 00:36:21.320
 to us getting

00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:22.559
 out and going

00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:23.460
 and sharing

00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:24.260
 and moving

00:36:24.260 --> 00:36:25.139
 and healing.

00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:27.039
 Bringing redemption

00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:27.920
 to this world

00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:28.800
 as we come to

00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:29.639
 better understand

00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:31.119
 our own redemption.

00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:32.019
 These two things

00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:33.099
 must carry

00:36:33.099 --> 00:36:33.880
 together.

00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:35.659
 If Christ Family

00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:36.440
 Church errs

00:36:36.440 --> 00:36:37.300
 in 2013

00:36:37.300 --> 00:36:38.059
 we err

00:36:38.059 --> 00:36:38.900
 to being theological.

00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:41.119
 We err

00:36:41.119 --> 00:36:41.780
 to being theological.

00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:42.519
 And that does not

00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.039
 mean that we should

00:36:43.039 --> 00:36:43.980
 stop being theological.

00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:45.079
 and start being

00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:45.699
 more missional.

00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:46.440
 That just means

00:36:46.440 --> 00:36:46.960
 that we should

00:36:46.960 --> 00:36:47.780
 continue to be theological.

00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:49.300
 Find better ways

00:36:49.300 --> 00:36:49.920
 to be theological.

00:36:50.619 --> 00:36:51.260
 Press deeper

00:36:51.260 --> 00:36:51.719
 into the things

00:36:51.719 --> 00:36:52.000
 of God

00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:52.719
 so that we'll

00:36:52.719 --> 00:36:54.000
 be more missional.

00:36:55.360 --> 00:36:55.820
 So that's my

00:36:55.820 --> 00:36:56.360
 challenge to you

00:36:56.360 --> 00:36:56.740
 this morning.

00:36:57.340 --> 00:36:58.039
 Which category

00:36:58.039 --> 00:36:59.260
 do you lie in?

00:37:01.320 --> 00:37:02.000
 If you don't

00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.579
 think that you've

00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:03.800
 ever come

00:37:03.800 --> 00:37:04.860
 to really understand

00:37:04.860 --> 00:37:05.400
 that Jesus

00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:06.139
 is the Christ

00:37:06.139 --> 00:37:06.960
 that can change

00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:07.480
 this morning.

00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:09.119
 Ask that God

00:37:09.119 --> 00:37:09.639
 would do a work

00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:10.139
 in your heart.

00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.559
 Respond in faith

00:37:11.559 --> 00:37:12.679
 to the gospel

00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:13.599
 call to repent

00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:14.739
 and believe.

00:37:15.859 --> 00:37:16.519
 If you find

00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:17.079
 yourself in this

00:37:17.079 --> 00:37:17.460
 category

00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:18.419
 I can guarantee

00:37:18.419 --> 00:37:20.940
 that all of us

00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.980
 need to work

00:37:21.980 --> 00:37:22.719
 out our faith

00:37:22.719 --> 00:37:23.579
 in a greater degree

00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:24.259
 as we drag

00:37:24.259 --> 00:37:24.960
 along the baggage

00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:25.579
 of the sickness

00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:26.139
 of sin.

00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:27.579
 We're all being

00:37:27.579 --> 00:37:28.819
 made more

00:37:28.819 --> 00:37:29.579
 perfect.

00:37:29.779 --> 00:37:30.339
 We're all being

00:37:30.339 --> 00:37:31.500
 moved in a

00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:32.940
 further Christward

00:37:32.940 --> 00:37:34.179
 direction.

00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:35.299
 I've been accused

00:37:35.299 --> 00:37:36.339
 of being an idealist

00:37:36.339 --> 00:37:36.919
 and I think that

00:37:36.919 --> 00:37:37.779
 anybody who's a Christian

00:37:37.779 --> 00:37:38.839
 who's not an idealist

00:37:38.840 --> 00:37:40.160
 is pitiful.

00:37:40.519 --> 00:37:41.460
 It's shameful.

00:37:41.620 --> 00:37:41.940
 We're supposed

00:37:41.940 --> 00:37:43.240
 to be like Christ

00:37:43.240 --> 00:37:44.440
 who is ideal.

00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:46.360
 Keep pressing

00:37:46.360 --> 00:37:47.980
 to that high goal

00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:49.440
 of being like

00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:50.280
 Him

00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:51.519
 in 2014.

00:37:52.079 --> 00:37:52.900
 Let's pray together.

00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:53.480
 Let's pray together.

00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:53.480


00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:53.480


00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:53.480


00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:53.480


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00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:53.480