WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 Today's reading is from Matthew chapter 26. 00:00:05.960 --> 00:00:08.500 Starting in verse 57, we read, 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:13.120 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, 00:00:13.500 --> 00:00:15.800 where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:18.679 And Peter was following him at a distance, 00:00:18.940 --> 00:00:21.519 as far as the courtyard of the high priest. 00:00:21.940 --> 00:00:24.960 And going inside, he sat with the guards to see the end. 00:00:25.580 --> 00:00:29.900 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus, 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:31.859 that they might put him to death. 00:00:32.119 --> 00:00:35.799 But they found none, though many false witnesses had came forward. 00:00:36.619 --> 00:00:38.859 At last, two came forward and said, 00:00:39.299 --> 00:00:43.980 This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:46.320 And the high priest stood up and said, 00:00:46.859 --> 00:00:48.200 Have you no answer to make? 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:51.179 What is it that these men testify against you? 00:00:51.500 --> 00:00:53.260 But Jesus remained silent. 00:00:54.400 --> 00:00:55.679 And the high priest said to him, 00:00:56.120 --> 00:00:57.780 I adjure you by the living God. 00:00:57.780 --> 00:01:00.280 Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. 00:01:00.800 --> 00:01:01.939 Jesus said to him, 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:03.200 You have said so. 00:01:03.780 --> 00:01:04.780 But I tell you, 00:01:05.019 --> 00:01:08.799 From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:10.480 and coming on the clouds of heaven. 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:14.159 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:15.819 He has uttered blasphemy. 00:01:16.060 --> 00:01:17.740 What further witnesses do we need? 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:19.740 You have now heard his blasphemy. 00:01:20.020 --> 00:01:20.879 What is your judgment? 00:01:20.879 --> 00:01:22.439 They answered, 00:01:22.899 --> 00:01:23.899 He deserves death. 00:01:24.219 --> 00:01:26.839 Then they spit in his face and struck him. 00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:28.920 And some slapped him, saying, 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:30.859 Prophesy to us, you Christ. 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:32.199 Who is it that struck you? 00:01:33.319 --> 00:01:35.819 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. 00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:38.620 And a servant girl came up to him and said, 00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:41.599 You were also with Jesus the Galilean. 00:01:41.879 --> 00:01:44.079 But he denied it before them all, saying, 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:45.840 I do not know what you mean. 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:48.560 And when he went out to the entrance, 00:01:48.780 --> 00:01:50.280 another servant girl saw him, 00:01:50.520 --> 00:01:52.200 and she said to the bystanders, 00:01:52.380 --> 00:01:54.460 This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:56.859 And again he denied it with an oath, 00:01:57.340 --> 00:01:58.620 I do not know the man. 00:01:59.260 --> 00:02:00.359 After a little while, 00:02:00.540 --> 00:02:02.680 the bystanders came up and said to Peter, 00:02:03.180 --> 00:02:05.300 Certainly you two are one of them, 00:02:05.460 --> 00:02:07.080 for your accent betrays you. 00:02:07.580 --> 00:02:10.860 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:12.900 I do not know the man. 00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:15.099 And immediately the rooster crowed. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:17.860 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, 00:02:18.439 --> 00:02:19.620 Before the rooster crows, 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:21.219 you will deny me three times. 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:23.599 And he went out and wept bitterly. 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:25.159 This is the word of God. 00:02:29.620 --> 00:02:30.240 Thanks, Ha. 00:02:30.520 --> 00:02:32.060 Let's keep that passage open. 00:02:32.699 --> 00:02:33.759 I'm going to look at it closely. 00:02:35.740 --> 00:02:39.159 But first, why don't we pray and ask God to speak to us. 00:02:41.480 --> 00:02:43.580 Our Father, thank you for your grace. 00:02:43.580 --> 00:02:44.719 You are up in heaven. 00:02:44.860 --> 00:02:45.840 We are down here on earth. 00:02:46.700 --> 00:02:49.800 And yet you condescend to speak to us in your word, 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:50.460 by your spirit. 00:02:50.580 --> 00:02:54.320 Please help us to see you, see Jesus, see your glory, 00:02:55.020 --> 00:02:58.240 and to realize more what it means for our lives. 00:02:58.320 --> 00:02:59.880 Please speak to each one of us personally. 00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:04.060 Help us in our weakness to know you more. 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:05.360 In Jesus' name. 00:03:05.760 --> 00:03:06.160 Amen. 00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:07.159 Great. 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:08.159 Thank you. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:08.280 Great. 00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:12.079 Well, I don't know what kind of TV shows you like. 00:03:12.419 --> 00:03:17.039 I don't know if you ever watched things like Britain's Got Talent or The X Factor. 00:03:17.539 --> 00:03:19.840 Those kind of shows, they were very popular in the past. 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:23.180 Now, in some sense, of course, people are looking for talent, 00:03:23.419 --> 00:03:26.139 and they have these kind of sometimes amazing people, right? 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:29.159 They look like just an ordinary person, 00:03:29.159 --> 00:03:31.800 and they can sing wonderfully, and everyone is surprised. 00:03:32.700 --> 00:03:35.180 But then again, they also have these other parts of the show, 00:03:35.820 --> 00:03:36.920 which are so cringy, 00:03:36.980 --> 00:03:39.620 where they just get someone who has absolutely no talent, 00:03:39.860 --> 00:03:41.760 but think they are really wonderful. 00:03:42.300 --> 00:03:45.439 And so they get them to perform, and everyone cringes, 00:03:45.640 --> 00:03:48.040 and all the judges, they hit the buzzer, 00:03:48.140 --> 00:03:51.439 and they get just so humiliated. 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:53.820 And I don't know what we're supposed to do. 00:03:53.820 --> 00:03:58.200 We're supposed to be laughing at these persons who just are such failures, 00:03:58.660 --> 00:04:00.120 and we all laugh at them. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:02.080 I don't know what you think. 00:04:02.300 --> 00:04:04.560 I think it's a rather weird thing, right, in some way. 00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:07.159 It certainly won't be helping those people. 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:09.659 I guess they would go home and be ashamed. 00:04:11.020 --> 00:04:12.480 And, well, we just laugh at them. 00:04:13.180 --> 00:04:15.219 At the same time, that's often what the world is like, right? 00:04:15.379 --> 00:04:17.259 Often we just need to perform. 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:19.399 And if we admit that actually we're not good at something, 00:04:19.540 --> 00:04:22.000 that we're a failure, what happens? 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:23.459 Well, people will judge you. 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:25.199 You will feel ashamed. 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:29.459 And that's why often in the world we put our best feet forward. 00:04:29.659 --> 00:04:32.219 And if we do something wrong, well, it wasn't my fault. 00:04:33.659 --> 00:04:37.500 This is why making excuses, defending ourselves. 00:04:38.339 --> 00:04:41.719 Because, of course, we don't want to admit that actually we're a failure. 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:44.919 Of course, some places, they go the other way, right? 00:04:45.259 --> 00:04:46.879 Maybe Hong Kong local schools, 00:04:46.919 --> 00:04:50.379 that's where you get condemned for not doing everything right. 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:52.959 Other schools, they are much more affirming. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:54.879 And every child gets an award. 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:57.779 And everyone gets a prize. 00:04:58.259 --> 00:04:59.480 And we're just so positive. 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:02.040 Because you don't want to hurt anyone's self-esteem, right? 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:05.219 When we give feedback, you never say, 00:05:05.300 --> 00:05:06.879 well, this was good and that was bad. 00:05:07.219 --> 00:05:08.560 You always say, well, this was good. 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:10.620 And this could be even better next time. 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:14.139 Which is maybe sometimes just a lie, right? 00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:14.939 Because it was awful. 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:19.480 Or what do you say? 00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:21.879 I'm not a sinner. 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:24.480 I'm morally challenged or something, right? 00:05:26.020 --> 00:05:27.040 No, this is you from me. 00:05:27.080 --> 00:05:28.560 But, again, does that help people? 00:05:29.900 --> 00:05:32.680 What do people think who've been told their whole life 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:33.759 that actually they're great? 00:05:34.660 --> 00:05:36.620 Well, either they become very snowflakey, 00:05:36.720 --> 00:05:38.080 who always need affirmation. 00:05:39.080 --> 00:05:41.379 Or maybe they become very insecure, right? 00:05:41.900 --> 00:05:44.540 Children find it very hard sometimes to try new things 00:05:44.540 --> 00:05:46.480 because they've always been told how great they are. 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:47.520 They've always got a prize. 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:49.639 And now they feel that they can't do this. 00:05:50.419 --> 00:05:51.879 And they don't want to admit it. 00:05:52.579 --> 00:05:54.579 And so they're insecure, right? 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:59.620 Now, affirming or judging, both of them actually don't help people. 00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:03.259 Now, if we want to grow in the Christian life, 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:04.359 if we want to live as Christians, 00:06:04.479 --> 00:06:06.319 if we want to, what do we need? 00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:08.339 Well, in this passage, we see a third way. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:10.359 We see the way of Jesus. 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:13.879 And that is something that completely changes our lives. 00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:14.879 That's what we're going to look at. 00:06:15.400 --> 00:06:19.199 We're looking at Matthew's gospel, one of the biographies of Jesus. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:22.300 Jesus, of course, he lived 2,000 years ago, 00:06:22.400 --> 00:06:24.060 but we're worshiping him still today. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:25.580 Why is he so amazing? 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:28.780 Well, you read that here in these gospels. 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:31.699 And we've been going very slowly these past few weeks, 00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:34.819 going through the last 24 hours of Jesus' life. 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:38.939 Because that's when we can really so closely see who he is 00:06:38.939 --> 00:06:41.779 and why he came and why we need him. 00:06:41.899 --> 00:06:44.300 And that's where we're going to go today. 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:47.120 And as we see this passage in two parts, 00:06:47.839 --> 00:06:48.480 well, what do we see? 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:50.759 Well, we notice two big things, right? 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:55.600 First of all, well, we notice Jesus' faithfulness. 00:06:56.279 --> 00:06:59.100 As we journey to the cross, Jesus' faithfulness. 00:06:59.159 --> 00:07:02.019 I mean, we saw that already beginning last week, right? 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:04.500 He was in the garden on God's mission. 00:07:04.819 --> 00:07:09.120 And then he got arrested, betrayed by one of his closest friends, 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:11.519 arrested, and he let himself be taken. 00:07:11.599 --> 00:07:14.480 And now he's on trial before the high priest, 00:07:14.579 --> 00:07:15.680 before the religious leaders. 00:07:16.219 --> 00:07:17.740 Quite a huge crowd, right? 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:21.259 Verse 57, then those who had seized Jesus 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:23.699 led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, 00:07:23.779 --> 00:07:25.379 where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:29.500 Verse 59, now the chief priests and the whole council were there, right? 00:07:30.159 --> 00:07:34.399 All the officials, all the leaders conspiring against Jesus. 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:39.180 Against this one lonely rabbi standing there, right? 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:43.500 And Jesus shines because, as you've heard, this trial is just a sham. 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:46.620 Now, the religious leaders, if you've read through Matthew, 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:50.879 they really hate Jesus because he keeps on drawing all these followers 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:54.800 and he keeps on showing their, pointing out their hypocrisy. 00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:56.379 So they want to get rid of him. 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:59.699 And so this trial, it's completely biased, right? 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:00.759 I'm sure you've heard that. 00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:05.840 Verse 59, now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony 00:08:05.840 --> 00:08:08.600 against Jesus that they might put him to death. 00:08:09.540 --> 00:08:11.139 The outcome is predetermined. 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:12.699 They want to condemn him to death. 00:08:13.459 --> 00:08:15.120 And so let's get some false witnesses. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:18.120 Let's get some people to lie and get this done. 00:08:18.839 --> 00:08:20.060 Why all the charade? 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:22.240 I mean, if they want to get rid of him, why not just kill him? 00:08:22.659 --> 00:08:25.279 But no, no, it needs to appear legal, right? 00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:28.379 They want to give the impression that it's all proper and legal, 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:30.579 but it's not, right? 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:36.259 Apparently, there's like 14 different rules of a fair trial that the Jews had 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:38.919 and all 14 get broken or something like that. 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:40.620 So it's at night. 00:08:41.319 --> 00:08:44.740 It's in a private residence, kind of behind closed doors, 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:46.720 no defense for the accused. 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:48.100 It's just a sham. 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:51.340 And even then, they can't make it work, right? 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:53.659 They can't get two liars to tell the same lie. 00:08:54.460 --> 00:08:57.299 And in the midst of that, Jesus is just standing there. 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:00.319 And he's standing there and he is silent. 00:09:01.540 --> 00:09:02.940 And he knows what they want. 00:09:03.020 --> 00:09:04.200 He knows what they will do. 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:06.000 He knows what's going to happen. 00:09:06.900 --> 00:09:08.639 And yet, he just stands and he's quiet. 00:09:09.940 --> 00:09:12.340 I mean, partly because these guys just don't deserve an answer. 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:15.200 But also, he just lets it happen, right? 00:09:15.420 --> 00:09:16.700 He goes along with it. 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:17.700 He is faithful. 00:09:18.700 --> 00:09:21.960 I mean, it reminds us of Isaiah 53, right? 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:24.440 Here is Jesus on his mission. 00:09:25.060 --> 00:09:27.100 Like a lamb, he was led to the slaughter. 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:30.639 Like a sheep that before its shearers is silent. 00:09:30.920 --> 00:09:32.360 So he opened not his mouth. 00:09:33.019 --> 00:09:35.259 By oppression and judgment, he was taken away. 00:09:35.800 --> 00:09:39.340 Here is Jesus, yeah, going along with this. 00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:43.279 Because after all, yeah, that's what he came to do. 00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:46.079 And while the high priest, he's getting frustrated. 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:47.500 He can't get him condemned. 00:09:47.720 --> 00:09:50.199 So getting nowhere, he puts Jesus on the spot. 00:09:50.339 --> 00:09:51.079 Verse 63. 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:53.600 But Jesus remained silent. 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:57.079 And the high priest said to him, I adjure you by the living God. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:59.620 Tell us if you are the Christ, the son of God. 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:01.379 Tell us. 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:02.579 Are you the Christ? 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:03.899 Are you God's chosen king? 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:06.059 And this is the moment, right? 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:10.240 Here is Jesus' moment in which he could just get out of it and say, no, I'm not. 00:10:10.319 --> 00:10:11.179 And it's all over. 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:13.500 And he won't have to go through the cross. 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:15.840 But no, he doesn't, right? 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:16.879 He doesn't save his skin. 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:19.939 Jesus said to him, you've said so. 00:10:20.459 --> 00:10:21.259 You're right. 00:10:22.319 --> 00:10:22.720 Absolutely. 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:25.679 Though you don't really know who I am. 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:26.579 I mean, you say it. 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:29.100 But actually, I'm more than that. 00:10:29.139 --> 00:10:30.039 Because he goes on. 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:31.840 And it doesn't make them very happy, right? 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:39.820 But from now on, you will see the son of man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven. 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:42.060 You think I'm just some pretender. 00:10:42.180 --> 00:10:46.000 You think I'm just some human king, some political leader. 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:50.000 Actually, from now on, you're going to see the son of man seated. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:52.680 And the religious leaders know exactly what he's talking about, right? 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:53.560 They know the Old Testament. 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:54.580 They know what he's claiming. 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:56.900 The son of man from Daniel. 00:10:57.540 --> 00:11:00.980 You know, behold, with the clouds of heaven, there was one like a son of man. 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:04.440 And he came to the ancient of days and was presented before him. 00:11:04.659 --> 00:11:09.519 And he was given glory and authority and a kingdom that all nations to serve him. 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:11.680 He's going to be the king of the whole world. 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:14.159 Or seated at the right hand. 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:14.379 Right? 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:15.060 Psalm 110. 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:21.800 The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool. 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:22.820 Right? 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:24.820 Seated at God's right hand. 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.000 I'm far more than that. 00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:28.379 I'm going to be the judge of the world. 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:29.820 And actually, you're going to make that happen. 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:30.820 You're going to reject me. 00:11:30.900 --> 00:11:31.700 You're going to kill me. 00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:35.100 But from then, well, I'm going to be at God's right hand. 00:11:35.180 --> 00:11:36.879 And I'm going to come back and judge you. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:38.860 That's what he's saying. 00:11:39.940 --> 00:11:41.120 And that's who he is. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:44.879 Although, it's not going to make anyone happy, right? 00:11:44.920 --> 00:11:46.520 He's not going to make any friends with that. 00:11:47.540 --> 00:11:49.000 Just by admitting that. 00:11:49.260 --> 00:11:50.600 And yeah, you've heard it, right? 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:52.980 The high priest, he tears his ropes. 00:11:53.320 --> 00:11:54.580 You've heard his blasphemy. 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:56.920 He deserves death. 00:11:57.020 --> 00:11:58.120 And they all condemn him. 00:11:58.220 --> 00:12:02.340 And they start spitting on him and slapping him and striking him. 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:04.000 Such, yeah. 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:05.980 Such a sad injustice, right? 00:12:06.940 --> 00:12:08.639 But I hope you're in awe of Jesus. 00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:13.960 Last week in the garden, if there's any other way, let it be so. 00:12:14.180 --> 00:12:15.300 Let his cup prosper me. 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:17.060 But there was no other way. 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:18.459 And so he goes along. 00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:20.659 He submits to this sham trial. 00:12:21.199 --> 00:12:22.239 He speaks the truth. 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:27.099 He declares who he is, even if it leads to his death, leads to his condemnation. 00:12:27.479 --> 00:12:28.539 I mean, he's the son of man. 00:12:28.619 --> 00:12:31.019 He could judge them and destroy them there and then. 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:32.639 And yet he doesn't. 00:12:33.339 --> 00:12:35.119 He is faithful to his mission. 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:35.819 He's obedient. 00:12:36.599 --> 00:12:37.739 And it's so beautiful. 00:12:37.739 --> 00:12:41.419 And such a contrast to, well, the next story, right? 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:43.099 Because then we get to Peter. 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:49.139 If you don't know who Peter is, Peter is Jesus' closest disciple, his best friend. 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:51.460 And in a way, he's a great guy, right? 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.639 Because he is still there. 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:55.379 All the other disciples, they fled away. 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:58.279 But Peter, he wanted to follow Jesus. 00:12:58.379 --> 00:12:59.259 And he's still there, right? 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.340 He's still there. 00:13:00.420 --> 00:13:01.840 He's now in the courtyard. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:02.700 Verse 69. 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:06.300 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, right? 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:06.960 He's still there. 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:08.860 But what happened? 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:11.720 Well, a servant girl came up to him and said, 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:14.100 you also were with Jesus the Galilean. 00:13:15.540 --> 00:13:16.300 What now? 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:17.879 What will Peter do? 00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:20.840 Well, Peter goes the other way, right? 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.139 He tries to save his skin. 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:25.300 But he denied it before them all, saying, 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:27.279 I do not know what you mean. 00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:30.259 Now was he just called off guard? 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:31.600 Well, he gets another chance. 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:34.980 So a little bit later, he went out to the entrance. 00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:38.340 Another girl saw him and she said to the bystanders, 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:40.639 this man was with Jesus of Nazareth. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:43.799 And again, he denied it with an oath. 00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:45.460 I do not know the man. 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.620 No, right? 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:47.879 Denies it. 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:52.519 And then a third time, three times he denies Jesus. 00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:56.939 Three times he gets a chance to say the truth and he fails. 00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:57.980 He denies it. 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.720 It should have been no surprise, of course, right? 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.919 Because then the rooster crows. 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:04.879 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:08.539 before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:11.439 He knew what Jesus said. 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.039 He remembered. 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:14.200 And he sees it's exactly true. 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:17.759 And so he went out and broke down and wept bitterly. 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:20.840 But what is so interesting, right? 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:22.519 I mean, of course, here's the great hero. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.460 He's now broken. 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:27.440 But I hope you see some similarities here, right? 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:29.460 What's interesting is the way that this is written. 00:14:30.280 --> 00:14:32.139 I mean, we've seen Peter a lot already. 00:14:32.540 --> 00:14:34.860 But even into the start of today's passage, right? 00:14:34.920 --> 00:14:38.100 Because verse 57, Jesus had, 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:40.060 and those who had seized Jesus, 00:14:40.180 --> 00:14:41.680 led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:43.780 where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:46.879 And Peter was following him at a distance. 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:51.080 So we get kind of Peter already introduced earlier. 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:54.240 We get Jesus and then Peter and then Jesus and then Peter. 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:57.320 It's kind of they are happening at the same time, right? 00:14:57.320 --> 00:15:01.720 In a movie sometimes where you see kind of two scenes happening exactly side by side. 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:04.759 And that's not just the only similarity, right? 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:07.799 In a way, they're both on trial, right? 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:09.759 Both are asked, who are you? 00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:11.200 Is this who you are? 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.059 It's a trial. 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:15.000 And both of them on their oath, right? 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:17.379 The high priest, Jesus, I put you under oath. 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:18.139 Say who you are. 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.720 And here's Peter. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:21.980 And he puts himself under oath. 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:23.659 No, I swear I do not know the man. 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:27.600 So basically, it's two parallel trials. 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.500 One with Jesus, one with Peter. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:33.720 Except, of course, that's what's the same, but it's so different, right? 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.980 Peter, he fails. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:39.120 Jesus is faithful, but Peter, he fails. 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.039 He denies Jesus. 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:42.519 And what a failure, right? 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:51.699 Here is Jesus, and he stands before, I don't know, 30, 40 people, all the religious leaders, all the elite, the chief priests and the elders. 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:53.899 And he's standing there. 00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:55.279 And who does Jesus stand him for? 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:58.899 Well, a servant girl came up to him. 00:15:58.899 --> 00:16:01.980 In Greek, one servant girl, right? 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:03.379 Maybe 13-year-old girl. 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:05.519 And that is his trial. 00:16:06.319 --> 00:16:07.220 And he fails. 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:09.480 I don't know what you are like. 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:15.279 I find that I'm being more or less bold with different people, right? 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:21.000 I used to work in an office, and I had one co-worker, and he scared me. 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:22.480 He was like this tall, right? 00:16:22.579 --> 00:16:23.620 You know, you think I'm tall? 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:24.419 Well, he was this tall. 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.860 And he spent half his life in a gym. 00:16:26.939 --> 00:16:28.019 He had these huge muscles. 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:30.099 And he never smiled. 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:33.139 And every sentence he said had an F word in it. 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:34.379 He was just intimidating. 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:37.099 So I never said anything to him. 00:16:38.459 --> 00:16:41.219 And then the administrator of the team was this little woman. 00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:44.759 She was this, I had no problem being bold and talking about Jesus to her, right? 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:48.980 Well, here is Peter, the experienced fisherman. 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:51.360 And then this 13-year-old girl. 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:53.759 Hey, aren't you with Jesus? 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:55.620 And he denies it, right? 00:16:56.620 --> 00:17:00.039 Such a failure and such an explicit contrast with Jesus, right? 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:04.819 And this is such basic discipleship, just saying that you belong to Jesus, right? 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.079 Baptism, what do you say? 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:06.960 You belong to Jesus. 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:08.880 And he fails. 00:17:09.120 --> 00:17:10.779 He, yeah, so deeply. 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:13.500 But what should we do with that? 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:16.279 What should we do with Peter's deep failure? 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:18.839 I mean, I guess it's easy to do an X factor, right? 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.440 And to laugh at Peter. 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.240 What a failure. 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:23.200 You know, I wouldn't have done that. 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:26.119 I mean, it is humiliating, right, for Peter. 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:31.460 I mean, if you're here, and I don't know what you think of the Bible and the New Testament, 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:35.759 I think it's quite extraordinary that it actually says this about Peter. 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:39.440 I mean, Peter was, he was the great leader of the church at that time, right? 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:43.059 He was almost like, you know, some churches call him the Pope, right? 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:46.079 Like the chief leader. 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:50.799 And then it has, in the holy book, it says how awfully he failed. 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.980 You never say that, right? 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:56.039 Some people, they think, you know, the New Testament was just made up by the disciples. 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:58.240 Why would they make this up? 00:17:59.159 --> 00:18:03.980 Any religion that's made up, it's kind of, it's always, it exalts how great the leaders are, right? 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:07.980 If you take a tour to North Korea, I mean, what are you going to hear? 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:11.900 Or you're going to hear how Kim Jong-un, I guess when he was in kindergarten, he fought 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:14.240 off an American invasion on his own, right? 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:18.539 And when he was 12, he got his fourth PhD from Kim Il-sung University, right? 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:21.579 How great he is, not how he failed. 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:26.200 And yet here is Peter, the great leader, and we read how he failed. 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:30.799 So maybe, you know, these books are reliable. 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:35.019 If they're willing to say this about Peter, maybe this is really eyewitness accounts, and 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.879 you should read it. 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:38.839 But that's not the point here. 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.900 It's not about the authenticity. 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:42.900 They didn't include Peter because he was so great. 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:48.400 Now, Peter, I mean, he's just a chief disciple, right? 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:52.720 The 12 followers, they were disciples, and we as Christians are disciples. 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:58.279 And so when we see Peter in the other disciples, they're just our role models, right? 00:18:58.339 --> 00:19:00.819 You read this book, you want to know what it's like to be a disciple? 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:02.359 Look at these guys. 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.539 Look at Peter. 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:05.460 Peter, he's the number one disciple. 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.599 He's our number one role model. 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:13.259 And so we see Peter, and now you think, well, okay, so this is what it's like to be a disciple. 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.659 And what is that then like? 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.299 Well, you're a failure. 00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:18.279 Not just Peter's failure. 00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:21.259 Actually, we should see here our failure. 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:26.159 How we, you know, contrasted with Jesus, well, how we fail. 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:29.500 Maybe not in the same way as Peter, but we are failures. 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:32.619 And the thing is, we need to see that. 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:35.740 I mean, the thing here is that Peter finally sees it. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:39.240 I mean, it's not that Peter has been this hero the whole gospel, right? 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:43.279 He was in a boat and in a storm, and he didn't trust Jesus. 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:46.180 And, you know, he tried to walk on water, but he sank. 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:49.420 And he didn't trust Jesus to provide bread. 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:51.400 And he tried to keep Jesus away from the cross. 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:54.240 And he fell asleep when he should be praying and all those things. 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:57.880 But Peter never saw it himself. 00:19:58.400 --> 00:20:02.180 He always thought that he was so great and he was so confident. 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:05.200 But now he finally admits it. 00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:07.160 Finally, he sees who he really is. 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.700 And he's broken. 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.700 And he wept bitterly. 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:14.720 And Matthew says, you know, you want to follow Jesus? 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:17.000 This is part of it. 00:20:17.060 --> 00:20:19.080 You need to see your failure. 00:20:19.340 --> 00:20:21.560 You need to admit that you're broken. 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.299 You need to admit that you need Jesus. 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:25.779 That is what it's like to be a Christian. 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:29.059 And a failure that sounds quite neutral. 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:33.920 You know, if I'm going to run a marathon, I'm probably going to fail. 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.619 But it's not something moral, right? 00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:36.839 This is moral. 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:39.420 Failure is almost sin, right? 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.899 Basically, Peter, he's a sinner. 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:45.279 And he needs to see that he's a sinner. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.519 That he's done wrong. 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:49.440 That there's a gap between him and God's holiness. 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:52.680 And I know that that's a difficult message, right? 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:53.960 Maybe you're here as a visitor. 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:59.980 And, yeah, this passage, the writer wants to say that we are all failures. 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.880 Many of us don't look like it, right? 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:03.340 We seem successful. 00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:06.120 I guess it's that seeing, right? 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:07.180 It's that internal thing. 00:21:08.080 --> 00:21:09.740 You know, maybe you look okay. 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:15.140 But if you're honest in your head, are you really the person that you think you should be? 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:17.000 That you ought to be? 00:21:18.100 --> 00:21:20.560 I guess many of us, deep down we know, right? 00:21:20.600 --> 00:21:21.180 We're not. 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:27.400 And if we're talking about deep down, I guess it's easy to pretend and hide what we're really like. 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:32.580 What if everyone could see every thought that's ever in your head and what you think about other people? 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:36.440 My guess is you would lose a lot of respect very soon, right? 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:37.860 No. 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:42.500 Actually, if we are honest, we fall short. 00:21:42.560 --> 00:21:45.420 And especially, well, how does this start compared to Jesus? 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:49.640 You know, what is really a life that is good? 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:54.080 Really, you know, a life that is good enough for God? 00:21:54.820 --> 00:21:57.259 Well, Jesus, at the start of his ministry, right? 00:21:57.300 --> 00:22:02.420 He was baptized and the heavens opened and God said, this is my beloved son. 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:04.000 With him I'm well pleased. 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:07.580 Well, that is what's well pleasing to God. 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:10.819 But you read the gospel and here is Jesus. 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:12.460 And what a perfect life, right? 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:14.859 100% love. 00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:18.339 100% selflessness. 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:25.919 100% care for the women and children and the outcasts and lepers and sinners. 00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:27.560 For everyone. 00:22:28.120 --> 00:22:34.140 Bringing healing, forgiveness, freedom, justice to all who need it. 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:38.800 Total integrity and yet such humility. 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:41.940 You know, Jesus is really the most beautiful life. 00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:44.880 But that is a life that's pleasing to God. 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:50.759 And if I see that and I compare that with me, well, God is not well pleased with me, right? 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:52.080 Or with you. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:55.480 And it's not just that that's true. 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:57.199 That is, it's objectively true. 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:59.460 But yeah, we need to admit that. 00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:00.179 Accept it. 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.159 Be convicted of it. 00:23:01.179 --> 00:23:01.919 That we're failures. 00:23:02.439 --> 00:23:04.460 Being a Christian is admitting your need. 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:07.240 You know, these people getting baptized. 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.819 In a way, that's what they're doing. 00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:09.960 It's funny, right? 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:11.679 They come up here and we applaud them. 00:23:11.939 --> 00:23:14.500 And we congratulate them on their baptism. 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:16.599 As if it's like a great achievement. 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:18.559 They're doing something great. 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:21.539 You know, why do people get baptized? 00:23:22.679 --> 00:23:24.220 Because it's an admission of failure. 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:26.399 It's an admission of need. 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:28.079 How much they need Jesus. 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.159 Right? 00:23:29.199 --> 00:23:31.819 That's what we've heard over the past few weeks in their testimonies. 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.079 Right? 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:35.439 Muir, how, you know, I was so self-reliant. 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:37.220 I tried to do it himself and I couldn't. 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:37.939 I was a failure. 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:39.139 I need Jesus. 00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:42.079 Alona, I was trying to be a good person, but I couldn't. 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:43.179 I need Jesus. 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:47.139 Grace, I tried to find my happiness in all this here and there and I couldn't. 00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:48.159 I need Jesus. 00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:48.879 Right? 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:50.240 Being baptized. 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:50.720 Yeah. 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:52.600 Why do you need water? 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.460 Because you're dirty. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.240 It's an admission of need. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:57.900 And not just at the start of the Christian life. 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.620 Ongoing. 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:58.860 Right? 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.940 There's always a gap. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.960 Of course, there's change. 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:04.240 You know, we've been reading through Acts in our Bible reading plan. 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.960 And yeah, Peter has changed. 00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:09.539 And you know, in Acts, then he's no longer in front of a servant girl. 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:12.200 He's in front of the same council where Jesus stood now. 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:14.120 And he boldly proclaims the gospel. 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:17.059 Yeah, the Holy Spirit really changed him. 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.279 Right? 00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:23.460 But then again, in another chapter, he, well, he excludes Gentiles by his eating habits because he's afraid. 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.419 He's still not perfect. 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:30.019 Compared to Jesus, none of us are still perfect. 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.139 Perfect. 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.619 So, yeah. 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:36.099 Jesus, he doesn't affirm us. 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:36.379 Right? 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.940 This book doesn't say we're doing great. 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:40.519 He doesn't give us any award for trying. 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:42.259 Now, he says we're failures. 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:45.339 But the thing is, we can admit it. 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:48.639 In the world, I guess, at work, you'd never admit you're a failure. 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:48.920 Right? 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:50.339 You'd never admit what you've done wrong. 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:52.379 Because you'd get X-factored. 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.619 Right? 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.299 You'd get the buzz. 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.740 But not here. 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.519 And why not? 00:24:56.519 --> 00:25:02.559 Well, because we should see Jesus' faithfulness for our failure. 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:04.879 How can Jesus just love us? 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:06.879 I mean, how can Jesus love Peter? 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:09.139 You know, Jesus knew this. 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:09.359 Right? 00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:12.139 He predicted beforehand, you're going to deny me three times. 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:13.519 You're going to betray me. 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:16.579 How could Jesus do that and still love Peter? 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:21.839 And later restore him and make him who he was? 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:28.019 Well, there is a reason that Jesus and Peter here are so closely tied together. 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:31.679 Why are they in the same kind of trial? 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:35.939 Well, because Jesus came to stand in Peter's place. 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:38.259 Peter failed his trial. 00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:41.859 And so Jesus came to stand in the trial for him. 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:43.719 And in so many ways, right? 00:25:44.179 --> 00:25:45.319 Peter disobeyed. 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.679 Jesus obeyed in his place. 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:48.819 Peter didn't live the life he should. 00:25:49.159 --> 00:25:53.199 But Jesus came to live the life that we should for us. 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:56.159 And not just for Peter, for all of us. 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:58.279 Maybe you've been impatient this week. 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:58.959 I know I've been. 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:01.279 Well, Jesus was perfectly patient. 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:03.699 And he gives that to us. 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:06.579 Maybe you failed in the Bible reading plan. 00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:10.299 Jesus knew the scriptures inside out for us. 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:13.399 And, you know, that's the gospel. 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.680 He came to be our substitute. 00:26:15.419 --> 00:26:18.759 He takes all the things that we've done wrong. 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:20.819 And he paid for them on the cross. 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:23.839 And he says, let me give you my perfect life. 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.480 Come to me. 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.720 Come to me with your failures. 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.599 Come to me with your sin. 00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:30.220 And I will take care of that. 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.799 And here is my perfect life. 00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:34.740 And that is how God sees you. 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:36.839 And isn't that wonderful, right? 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:40.819 Isn't that, you know, what we need? 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:44.579 Because if everything is taken care of, then we're free, right? 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:47.159 Normally we're worried about our failings. 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:50.579 We're worried about everything we do wrong. 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:56.199 But if it's taken care of, if all the consequences are done, then we're free. 00:26:56.439 --> 00:26:57.179 Then we're secure. 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:57.980 Then we're safe. 00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.720 Then we can just open up. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:02.279 And actually, that's when we can find help. 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:09.279 I mean, if God would just affirm us in our life, affirm us in our failings, there was no need to change, right? 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:15.519 And we could never become the persons we want to be, the people we would love to be if we're honest. 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:19.240 But if we get judged, then we also don't want to open up. 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:25.539 But the wonderful thing is because Jesus shows grace and Jesus has taken care of it, we can be honest to him. 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:32.960 We can come to him with our failure, with our needs, with our disobedience, and find help. 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:34.079 Help to change. 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:36.420 Help to be reassured. 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:38.440 Help to live as a Christian. 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:39.740 Help to follow Jesus. 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:42.740 And it's just what we need, right? 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:46.160 And that's what we want to do as a church. 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:49.480 You know, as a church, we don't want to beat you about you should do this. 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.740 We don't think that works. 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:53.640 No, Jesus tries to change us by his grace. 00:27:54.140 --> 00:27:55.800 That's why we want to do this. 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:56.040 Why not? 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:58.080 We want to be renewed by the gospel. 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.519 That's the kind of church we want to be. 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.920 And not just from the front, right? 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:04.320 Isn't that what we should be as a community? 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:10.300 Isn't it, you know, if we all know we're failures and we all know how much we need Jesus, 00:28:11.580 --> 00:28:13.900 the wonderful thing is that we can admit that to each other. 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:21.240 Because maybe, you know, it's sometimes you come here and, you know, you bring the attitude from work, right? 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:24.300 At work you always pretend that everything's good and that you're successful. 00:28:24.580 --> 00:28:26.820 And then you come here and, hey, how's your week? 00:28:27.300 --> 00:28:28.860 And you're tempted to say, oh, it's great. 00:28:30.300 --> 00:28:31.360 Actually, it's not, right? 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:33.060 You've had a difficult week. 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:38.700 But if you say that you've struggled and you've sinned, will you get the X factor? 00:28:38.840 --> 00:28:39.820 Will you get buzzed out? 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:43.759 But, no, if we know we're all sinners, then that won't happen, right? 00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:44.879 We can admit our struggles. 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:47.099 And maybe there's sin. 00:28:47.419 --> 00:28:50.460 And, you know, okay, there's some sins we all struggle with, right? 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:53.119 We've all struggled to pray as much as we should. 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.919 But maybe this is a different kind of sin. 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:57.539 And you feel, I can't admit that. 00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:01.939 I hope we're a church where you feel you can do that, where you feel safe. 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:04.000 Because, hey, Jesus knows about your sin. 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:05.960 And he still died for you and he still loves you. 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.599 Well, we can do the same. 00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:11.199 And then you can actually get help. 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:16.980 I still feel so sorry when, you know, some married couple come to us. 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:18.439 And they have marriage problems. 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:20.939 And, okay, they want to get a divorce. 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:23.139 And then, well, how long have you had problems? 00:29:23.179 --> 00:29:24.199 Well, 15 years. 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:26.199 Why didn't you tell us earlier? 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:28.500 And, well, they're just ashamed to admit it, right? 00:29:28.719 --> 00:29:30.619 They're trying to pretend that everything's okay. 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:32.299 And so they don't get any help. 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:35.500 And it doesn't end how we should, right? 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:44.759 If we want to grow, if we want to get out of our problems, the first thing we need to do is admit it and talk to each other, right? 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.980 And isn't that what we need? 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:51.619 If you're a visitor here, you know, I hope that's what you see in Jesus. 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:55.579 You know, maybe you know that you're not the person you ought to be. 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:58.379 Well, Jesus, he knows that. 00:29:58.500 --> 00:30:00.639 But he extends his love and grace to you. 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.779 Please come to him. 00:30:02.879 --> 00:30:06.480 Ask any of the people getting baptized how wonderful it is. 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:13.839 Or any of the other people here who've already done that and who are still every day, you know, coming to Jesus because they need his grace. 00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:16.879 And let's tell this to each other, right? 00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:20.639 If we want to, you know, what do we do with someone? 00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:22.040 They admit they're a failure. 00:30:22.300 --> 00:30:23.320 They admit they struggle. 00:30:24.120 --> 00:30:26.300 Let's point them to this wonderful Jesus, right? 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:32.040 Can we help each other see his grace and point each other to him where they find the help they need? 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:35.820 And what a wonderful gospel, wonderful Savior. 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.240 Let's pray. 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.340 Amen. 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:48.560 Lord Jesus, we are so thankful for your grace. 00:30:48.559 --> 00:31:18.539 Lord, would we be a church of love and grace that points people to us? 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:25.720 And, Father, as we go on in this Easter time, would you keep driving this home in our hearts, Lord? 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:28.279 Please renew us by the gospel. 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.919 In Jesus' name. 00:31:30.399 --> 00:31:30.839 Amen.