WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:20.379 So our contentment in life, our contentment in life is directly linked to our response to Jesus Christ. 00:00:21.160 --> 00:00:29.780 ! I don't mean by that, if you're a Christian you're going to be happy all the time, skipping along the street, without a worry in the world with a cheesy grin on your face, no. 00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:46.079 But because of what the Lord Jesus has done, and because of who the Lord Jesus is, and because of our relationship with him, above all things, above all other things, that will give us a peace and a purpose. 00:00:46.820 --> 00:00:52.780 And I suppose this morning I'm primarily speaking to our church family, it's great if you're here and you wouldn't call yourself a Christian. 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:58.359 We believe that Jesus is the best news that the world has ever had, or ever will have. 00:00:59.160 --> 00:01:02.799 And there's lots of you this morning to think about, about how wonderful the Lord Jesus is. 00:01:03.340 --> 00:01:04.500 I hope you will see it. 00:01:04.500 --> 00:01:15.060 But I think the primary problem that afflicts most of us who are Christians, all of us who are Christians, is that we undervalue the Lord Jesus. 00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:17.019 We undervalue Jesus. 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:21.599 We actually fail to engage with who he is. 00:01:22.479 --> 00:01:24.699 We don't live as though he is king. 00:01:25.299 --> 00:01:28.619 And we fail to see the importance of what he's done. 00:01:28.939 --> 00:01:36.859 We don't live as though salvation through Christ is the most important issue facing us and every other person you will ever meet. 00:01:36.859 --> 00:01:42.780 And so first of all, as we come to chapter 19, and in preparation for the Lord's table, let us rejoice. 00:01:43.659 --> 00:01:46.039 Let us rejoice because the king comes. 00:01:47.219 --> 00:01:49.920 Let us rejoice because the king comes. 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:50.840 Verse 28. 00:01:52.159 --> 00:01:57.039 And when he said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 00:01:57.719 --> 00:02:03.420 This is after the parables we looked at two weeks ago, about the ten miners, about serving God. 00:02:03.420 --> 00:02:06.239 Jesus has been journeying to Jerusalem. 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:09.500 You see, Luke is a story, a travel story. 00:02:10.020 --> 00:02:11.439 Luke 9 chapter 51. 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:13.920 Jesus has been travelling to Jerusalem. 00:02:14.039 --> 00:02:14.780 That's where he's going. 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:18.300 And we know that is where his enemies are. 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:23.699 So Luke says in chapter 9, 51, he resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:25.420 He determined to go there. 00:02:25.979 --> 00:02:31.580 And in Luke 19, 11 to 28, he told them a parable about waiting for a king. 00:02:31.580 --> 00:02:35.640 About waiting for a king finally to be crowned. 00:02:36.100 --> 00:02:41.340 And he told them that parable because they'd not fully understood what Jesus was going to do at Jerusalem. 00:02:41.480 --> 00:02:42.860 So look at 19 verse 11. 00:02:45.720 --> 00:02:51.040 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem. 00:02:51.460 --> 00:02:54.620 And because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 00:02:54.620 --> 00:02:59.099 So the people think that Jesus is going to ride into the city. 00:02:59.460 --> 00:03:02.420 He's going to defeat the occupying Roman forces. 00:03:02.900 --> 00:03:05.140 And bring in God's kingdom there and then. 00:03:06.700 --> 00:03:08.000 His rule forever. 00:03:08.640 --> 00:03:09.500 His perfect rule. 00:03:11.700 --> 00:03:12.819 And they should have known better. 00:03:13.980 --> 00:03:16.620 Because as recently as Luke 18 chapter 32. 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:20.219 Jesus has told them, look at it, Luke 18 verse 32. 00:03:20.219 --> 00:03:23.599 Jesus has told them, he'll be delivered over the Gentiles. 00:03:23.699 --> 00:03:26.580 He'll be mocked, shamefully treated, spat upon, flogged. 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:27.860 And they will kill him. 00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:32.079 And then he'll rise again. 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:36.819 And so these people are following Jesus as king. 00:03:38.020 --> 00:03:40.979 But they don't see him as the king who's going to die and rise again. 00:03:40.979 --> 00:03:46.659 I wonder whether you saw this word repeated in Luke chapter 19. 00:03:47.340 --> 00:03:50.620 It comes up four times between verse 30 and 35. 00:03:50.899 --> 00:03:52.159 Just have a look down at those verses. 00:03:53.479 --> 00:03:57.179 It's an incidental word that you might not have thought about when it was read. 00:03:57.459 --> 00:03:58.719 So verse 30. 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:02.979 It says, you will find a coat tied. 00:04:03.459 --> 00:04:04.419 Verse 33. 00:04:04.799 --> 00:04:07.639 And as they were untying the coat, its owner said to them, 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:10.159 Why are you untying the coat? 00:04:10.979 --> 00:04:12.139 And in verse 35. 00:04:12.899 --> 00:04:14.399 They brought it into Jesus. 00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:19.000 And throwing their coats on the coat, they set Jesus on it. 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:23.039 Now why does Luke care what Jesus is riding? 00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:26.740 Why does Luke care about the mode of transport? 00:04:27.740 --> 00:04:30.539 Well it's because Jewish kings rode donkeys. 00:04:30.839 --> 00:04:31.699 So they're coronations. 00:04:32.860 --> 00:04:36.839 And when the king, the Messiah, God's king comes to rescue God's people. 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:38.759 He told them, you will know him. 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:40.939 You will know him by his mode of transport. 00:04:41.840 --> 00:04:42.980 You will know him. 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:44.800 You will recognize him by how he comes. 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:47.520 So that reading from Zechariah chapter 9. 00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:49.800 It says, O daughter of Zion. 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:51.720 Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. 00:04:52.180 --> 00:04:53.879 Behold, your king is coming to you. 00:04:54.180 --> 00:04:56.220 Righteous and having salvation is he. 00:04:56.780 --> 00:04:58.840 Humble and mounted on a donkey. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:04:59.879 What kind of donkey? 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:00.700 On a coat. 00:05:01.840 --> 00:05:02.980 The foal of a donkey. 00:05:02.980 --> 00:05:08.640 This king was a king to rejoice over. 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:11.200 He is righteous. 00:05:11.980 --> 00:05:14.200 That means he is perfect in his goodness. 00:05:14.640 --> 00:05:17.879 Having salvation that he has come to rescue his people. 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:23.000 And that is why Jesus made sure that it is a coat that he rides into town. 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:23.659 Do you see that? 00:05:24.019 --> 00:05:26.620 At the end of chapter of Luke 19 verse 31. 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:29.120 Why are you untying it? 00:05:29.159 --> 00:05:29.980 You shall say this. 00:05:30.159 --> 00:05:31.120 The Lord needs it. 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:34.719 Tell the people the Lord needs it. 00:05:35.019 --> 00:05:37.219 You see, Jesus is in total control. 00:05:37.220 --> 00:05:41.000 Yes, there is this idea of humility. 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:44.100 That he rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. 00:05:44.760 --> 00:05:46.920 But the main message here is sovereignty. 00:05:47.700 --> 00:05:48.640 And majesty. 00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:50.080 And rule. 00:05:50.380 --> 00:05:52.440 Here is God's rescuing king. 00:05:53.900 --> 00:05:57.040 And so verse 36, as he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 00:05:57.340 --> 00:05:59.740 The red carpet is laid out for his arrival. 00:05:59.740 --> 00:06:02.300 And then the singing begins, verse 37. 00:06:03.400 --> 00:06:06.260 As he was drawing near, already on the way down from the Mount of Olives. 00:06:06.259 --> 00:06:08.819 The whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice. 00:06:08.980 --> 00:06:10.719 And praise God with a loud voice. 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:13.240 For all the mighty works that they had seen. 00:06:13.719 --> 00:06:15.240 They had seen the king in action. 00:06:18.139 --> 00:06:20.279 And so if you are someone who is exploring the Christian faith. 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:21.240 There is nothing better, is there? 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:24.039 There is nothing better than to look at one of the accounts of Jesus' life. 00:06:25.899 --> 00:06:28.860 Because in it you see, you read what Jesus has been doing. 00:06:30.180 --> 00:06:32.079 And like these disciples singing. 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:33.959 As Jesus rides into Jerusalem. 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:36.079 You will see the miracles that he performed. 00:06:36.259 --> 00:06:40.219 They had seen him touch a dead body. 00:06:40.599 --> 00:06:42.180 And they watched the boys shut up. 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:44.980 They had seen him command demons. 00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:48.060 And they watched them shut up. 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:51.420 They had seen him take handfuls of food. 00:06:51.539 --> 00:06:53.620 And watched 5,000 people eat up. 00:06:54.659 --> 00:06:56.800 And they had seen him speak to a storm. 00:06:57.599 --> 00:06:59.019 And watched it quieten down. 00:06:59.019 --> 00:07:02.779 And so when this king rides into town. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:03.699 Verse 38. 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:06.680 They sing, blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:07:07.039 --> 00:07:07.879 Peace in heaven. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:09.620 And glory in the highest. 00:07:09.859 --> 00:07:13.439 They actually choose their words very, very carefully. 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:15.779 This isn't. 00:07:16.860 --> 00:07:18.060 Ole, ole, ole, ole. 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:19.160 You know that couple chanting. 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:19.939 It's not that. 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:21.540 Jesus, Jesus. 00:07:21.660 --> 00:07:22.860 They're not chanting that. 00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:26.240 They are not making it up as they go along. 00:07:26.300 --> 00:07:29.540 There's not one part of the crowd that starts shouting and chanting. 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:31.699 Listen to how they choose their words. 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:33.379 From Psalm 118. 00:07:33.379 --> 00:07:36.180 That's why we had it as the call to worship. 00:07:36.719 --> 00:07:37.600 Psalm 118. 00:07:37.699 --> 00:07:38.579 Let me read it to you. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:47.439 Oh, good thanks to the Lord for he is good. 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:50.639 For his steadfast love endued us forever. 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:54.500 Let Israel say, his steadfast love endued us forever. 00:07:54.719 --> 00:07:58.019 Let the house of Aaron say, his steadfast love endued us forever. 00:07:58.240 --> 00:08:02.120 Let those who fear the Lord say, his steadfast love endued us forever. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:04.699 Out of my distress, I called on the Lord. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:06.959 The Lord answered me and set me free. 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:09.379 The Lord is on my side, I will not fear. 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:10.920 What can man do to me? 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:13.199 The Lord is on my side as my helper. 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:16.579 I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:18.860 Wouldn't it be great to feel that way about God this morning? 00:08:20.660 --> 00:08:21.699 There's no God like that. 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:24.340 It's the sound of salvation. 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:27.720 In which God comes to rescue his people. 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:31.360 And the Jews say it as a great celebration of God's promises. 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:33.700 But they are finally being answered. 00:08:36.320 --> 00:08:38.940 And the answer that they end with is these words. 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:41.639 Peace in heaven and glory in the highest. 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:46.120 God comes and gives peace to his people. 00:08:47.700 --> 00:08:49.580 Peace between God and his people. 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:54.980 He comes to restore the relationship that they've broken by rebelling against him. 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:57.700 By their refusal to live under his rule. 00:08:58.080 --> 00:08:59.039 And acknowledge his love. 00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:00.860 And now that is going to be restored. 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:02.060 And so they sing of the king. 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:05.739 Now we know, don't we? 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:06.199 We know. 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:08.059 In Luke's gospel. 00:09:08.219 --> 00:09:11.379 That the disciples, they are surprised when Jesus is arrested. 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:15.899 They are surprised when Jesus dies on the cross. 00:09:16.859 --> 00:09:21.779 And it shows that they haven't really understood what bringing peace is going to mean. 00:09:22.119 --> 00:09:22.859 For the Lord Jesus. 00:09:22.959 --> 00:09:23.759 What it will cost him. 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:29.259 That he is going to have to die to take the punishment that they deserve as God's enemies. 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.939 So that they can be forgiven and become God's friends. 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:36.100 But the disciples do see this one thing. 00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:40.980 They look at Jesus and they say, this is God's king. 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:45.860 This is God's king who has come to rescue them. 00:09:48.320 --> 00:09:49.180 I like the film. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:51.460 The film of the king's speech. 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:52.040 Do you know it? 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:56.200 There's not many films about speech therapy out there. 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:57.440 That you can watch. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:58.480 But this is one of them, isn't it? 00:09:58.480 --> 00:09:59.120 It's a good film. 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:00.980 And King George VI. 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:03.240 He had posted his speech. 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:03.860 He had stammered. 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:05.440 And Queen Elizabeth. 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:08.700 We would know as the Queen Mother. 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:11.879 They turn up to the house of the speech therapist. 00:10:12.060 --> 00:10:13.440 To ask for his continued help. 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:17.320 And the speech therapist has not really told his wife. 00:10:17.460 --> 00:10:18.779 Who his new clients are. 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:20.240 She's out. 00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:22.159 And she returns to the house. 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:25.860 And there's one of these glorious moments of recognition. 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:30.379 She comes into a rather small shabby kitchen. 00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:33.840 And she finds the Queen pouring tea for herself. 00:10:34.759 --> 00:10:38.039 And then the king walks in with her husband from the next door room. 00:10:38.300 --> 00:10:40.100 And of course the jaw hits the floor. 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:42.379 And there are curtsies and bows. 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:44.440 There's recognition. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:49.759 And here the disciples recognise that Jesus is King of Kings. 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:51.440 And Lord of Lords. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:54.240 And they curtsy and they bow. 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:59.299 And throughout his life he demonstrate that there is nothing on earth. 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:02.519 There is no power that can match him. 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:06.679 And yet not everybody is singing. 00:11:08.079 --> 00:11:09.699 And not everyone will acknowledge. 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:11.079 So he rides into Jerusalem. 00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:13.480 Look at verse 39 of Luke 19. 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:20.980 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him. 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:22.560 Teach and rebuke your disciples. 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:24.820 I don't know how they said that. 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:27.540 It's terribly embarrassing Lord. 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:28.440 I don't know if you've noticed. 00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:30.340 But they are implying that you are the Messiah. 00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:33.400 I don't know whether you've noticed Lord. 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:34.840 But they are really saying. 00:11:34.900 --> 00:11:36.240 I don't know whether they've understood the Old Testament. 00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:37.240 Or whether you get it Jesus. 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:39.580 But they are saying that you are God on earth. 00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:41.379 Come to rescue his people. 00:11:41.780 --> 00:11:43.680 Lord would you mind awfully. 00:11:44.140 --> 00:11:45.160 Getting them to shut up. 00:11:46.780 --> 00:11:47.879 So it doesn't come out strong. 00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:49.060 Well it does come out strong doesn't it. 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:49.740 Verse 39. 00:11:49.940 --> 00:11:50.379 Rebuke. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:51.820 Rebuke your disciples. 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:53.320 You go through Luke's gospel. 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:56.299 And you see all the times that word comes up. 00:11:57.580 --> 00:11:59.440 And it is an urgent imperative. 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:00.820 Rebuke them Jesus. 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:02.240 As you rebuke the demons. 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:05.919 This is totally inappropriate Jesus. 00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:07.680 And how does Jesus reply verse 40. 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:08.419 Don't you love it? 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:11.580 I tell you if these were silent. 00:12:11.680 --> 00:12:13.019 The very stones would cry out. 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:17.580 You see when the creator of the world rides into town. 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:19.720 Creation sings the father's song. 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:24.279 And this is the greatest donkey ride ever known of humanity. 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:26.659 Because the donkey is bringing the city. 00:12:26.940 --> 00:12:29.000 Into the city the saviour of the world. 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:32.580 And we know that he will be crucified and rise to new life. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.539 Are you a little bit embarrassed about Jesus? 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:41.759 I was sitting in the hairdresser on Monday morning. 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:44.560 And I don't know. 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:46.240 It came up that I worked for a church. 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:47.440 The usual stuff. 00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:49.220 I asked him. 00:12:49.280 --> 00:12:49.820 Are you a Muslim? 00:12:50.020 --> 00:12:50.180 No. 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:50.680 Are you active? 00:12:50.820 --> 00:12:50.980 No. 00:12:51.040 --> 00:12:51.560 I never go. 00:12:51.880 --> 00:12:52.300 But he said. 00:12:52.320 --> 00:12:53.320 I've never hurt anyone. 00:12:54.020 --> 00:12:54.840 Never hurt anyone. 00:12:56.140 --> 00:12:57.040 And at that point of course. 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:58.540 All the other hairdressers chip in. 00:12:58.600 --> 00:12:59.880 What about that girl last Friday? 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:00.720 All this sort of thing. 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:02.700 And then we got to Jesus. 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:08.259 I just don't know whether I can be bothered. 00:13:08.920 --> 00:13:09.860 I just don't know whether I can be bothered. 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:13.400 Have you been embarrassed about Jesus? 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.180 Imagine I said to you. 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.320 We're going to leave this building now. 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:17.360 And we'll sing hymns. 00:13:17.420 --> 00:13:18.740 All the way down the Xbridge Road. 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:19.600 Dreaming Broadway. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:23.100 I wonder whether he would quietly kind of hive off into one of the side seats. 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:26.080 Or do you think of that day this morning? 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:31.240 When you first realised and you first recognised the Lord Jesus as God. 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:34.580 And he entered your life with joy by his spirit. 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:36.300 And you wanted to sing it out to anyone and everyone. 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:40.599 Because our reaction to the Lord Jesus this morning. 00:13:40.719 --> 00:13:42.719 Will depend entirely on how we view him. 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:46.139 And if like these disciples. 00:13:46.359 --> 00:13:47.959 We see him as the greatest king ever. 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:50.159 Then we will be amazed. 00:13:50.439 --> 00:13:52.179 That he wants to call us his friends. 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:56.979 And if we see him as the focal point of God's plan. 00:13:57.319 --> 00:13:59.699 Then we will wonder that he came for us. 00:14:01.719 --> 00:14:02.659 And most of all. 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:04.259 If we see our need of him. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:06.580 Then we will rejoice at his coming. 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.539 Can I suggest to you this morning. 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:10.879 If you've lost your joy. 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:13.220 And if you've lost your excitement. 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.439 Well what do you need to do? 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:16.039 You need to think more about King Jesus. 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:20.240 And it may be that you're here this morning. 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:20.700 And you're thinking. 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:22.480 I just don't feel like rejoicing. 00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:25.179 Jesus says think about it more. 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.700 In fact he says come to the table. 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:30.319 Come expectantly to the word. 00:14:30.319 --> 00:14:32.299 Come expectantly to the word. 00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:33.159 To be fed. 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:34.419 To drink. 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:38.620 Come expectantly to do business with the Lord Jesus. 00:14:40.339 --> 00:14:41.919 Open up your Bible every day. 00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:43.219 And thank him for it. 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:44.699 And take time over it. 00:14:44.939 --> 00:14:46.799 And recognize three years in what he's done for you. 00:14:46.839 --> 00:14:48.480 That God reveals himself. 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:50.219 In his holy scriptures. 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.919 And so you exalt in him. 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:52.839 And exalt his word. 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:58.680 And our joy comes from rescuing Jesus as God's King. 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:01.019 The one who gives us peace. 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:04.480 And if you're following him. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.519 The Lord Jesus. 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:09.220 There should be the same emotional reaction in you. 00:15:10.079 --> 00:15:12.159 As to if you're in the middle of the life. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:13.399 If you're in the middle of the sea. 00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:17.759 And you see a lifeboat coming over the horizon. 00:15:18.579 --> 00:15:19.779 Towards your inflatable. 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:21.659 That's the same reaction. 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:22.799 We've got Americans here. 00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:25.019 If you're there. 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.959 And you're trapped by the Indians. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:33.339 And you see the cavalry coming over the side. 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:33.740 Isn't it? 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.959 Or if you're in that battle. 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:37.839 Young people are meanest to it. 00:15:37.959 --> 00:15:38.459 Isn't it? 00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:41.179 And he says look at the dawn. 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:43.699 Look for the white horse rider. 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:45.200 And you see him come. 00:15:45.300 --> 00:15:47.780 And suddenly you slash an ox head off. 00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:50.759 That's the picture of the joy. 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:52.040 Because salvation has come. 00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:55.720 Here is God's King come to rescue. 00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:58.800 And I guess our problem is. 00:15:58.900 --> 00:16:02.280 We don't actually realise how serious our situation is. 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.400 Without the Lord Jesus to wait. 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:07.420 And so come to the table this morning. 00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:11.000 And come and rejoice in God's King. 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.580 Secondly. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.320 Rejected. 00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:18.280 The King cries. 00:16:19.420 --> 00:16:21.120 First rejoiced the King comes. 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:21.780 Secondly. 00:16:22.900 --> 00:16:24.500 Rejected the King cries. 00:16:26.140 --> 00:16:28.440 Because what the Pharisees say in verse 39. 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:31.080 Is actually symptomatic of the whole city of Jerusalem. 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:31.440 Isn't it? 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.840 Look at verse 41. 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.500 And when he drew near. 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.440 He saw the city. 00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:37.680 And he wept over it. 00:16:42.140 --> 00:16:42.580 Saying. 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:43.780 Would that you. 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:45.180 Even you had known. 00:16:45.280 --> 00:16:45.879 On this day. 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:46.400 The things. 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:48.020 That make for peace. 00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:50.900 But now they are hidden from your eyes. 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:53.400 Now I don't know about you. 00:16:54.520 --> 00:16:55.940 But when I'm rejected. 00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:58.820 I feel sorry for myself. 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.900 When I'm rejected. 00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:02.080 I feel sorry for myself. 00:17:02.180 --> 00:17:03.900 Because I think that is just not fair. 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:05.980 But when Jesus is rejected. 00:17:06.600 --> 00:17:08.840 He feels sorry for those who reject him. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:12.440 Do you see what they're losing the chance of having? 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:14.539 They're losing the chance of having peace. 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.480 And it is a dreadful thing. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:18.480 To not accept God's peace. 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:21.059 Because he does not leave the door open forever. 00:17:22.439 --> 00:17:23.659 What God does. 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:25.059 Is he gives these Jews. 00:17:25.379 --> 00:17:27.359 Over to their evil desires. 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:32.019 If you don't want Jesus as king. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.500 You will not have Jesus as your king. 00:17:35.699 --> 00:17:37.079 And the results will be terrible. 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:38.199 Look at verse 43. 00:17:38.919 --> 00:17:40.399 For the days will come upon you. 00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:42.279 When your enemies will set a barricade around you. 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:42.879 And surround you. 00:17:42.919 --> 00:17:44.419 And hem you in on every side. 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:46.759 And tear you down to the ground. 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.919 And your children within you. 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:50.139 And they will not leave one stone. 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:52.059 Upon another in you. 00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:56.679 God's judgment is total. 00:17:57.379 --> 00:17:58.419 And it is real. 00:18:00.379 --> 00:18:02.119 This isn't just a word picture. 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.259 About a city and a sea. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:03.899 This happened. 00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:04.799 70 AD. 00:18:05.679 --> 00:18:06.440 40 years later. 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.679 The Roman army. 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:10.220 Arries to put down a Jewish revolt. 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:14.079 And Jerusalem is razed to the ground. 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.039 To such an extent. 00:18:15.159 --> 00:18:16.240 That Jewish historians. 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:16.899 Say. 00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:18.659 You couldn't even tell where it had been. 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:21.740 The temple at the heart of Jerusalem. 00:18:22.040 --> 00:18:23.160 The centre of their worship. 00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:24.120 Was destroyed. 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:27.040 And it's not been rebuilt to this day. 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:27.580 You see. 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:30.120 Jesus does not speak an idle word. 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.920 Everything that he has said. 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.360 Would happen. 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:33.800 Has happened. 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:36.680 It's why when he talks to you. 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.820 About returning one day. 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:39.200 As the judge of the living and the dead. 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.880 You've got to take it very seriously indeed. 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.340 And he warns people. 00:18:43.340 --> 00:18:44.180 Who will reject him. 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.480 That they will face a punishment. 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.540 That is worse. 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.640 Than befell the people of Jerusalem. 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:50.820 At the hands of the Romans. 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.740 That they will experience. 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:54.360 Eternal hell. 00:18:54.600 --> 00:18:55.980 At the hands of God. 00:18:57.920 --> 00:18:59.580 And so it is no wonder is it. 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:00.700 That Jesus weeps. 00:19:00.820 --> 00:19:01.640 In verse 41. 00:19:04.560 --> 00:19:05.420 I'm not going to scholar. 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:07.620 But the word literally means sobs. 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:12.060 This isn't a sympathetic tear. 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:13.080 In the corner of your eye. 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:14.800 That you surreptitiously wipe away. 00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:16.400 And you hope no one notices. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:18.180 It is deep distress. 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:21.880 It is crying out in sorrow. 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:23.700 It is hot tears. 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:25.980 And who is he crying for? 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.820 He is crying for the people. 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:30.340 Who in just a few days. 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:30.980 Will cry out. 00:19:31.080 --> 00:19:31.740 Crucify him. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.660 Crucify him. 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.140 Crucify him. 00:19:35.840 --> 00:19:37.580 Jesus came offering peace. 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.820 And they chose destruction instead. 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:41.880 Do you see verse 44? 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.880 They did not know. 00:19:43.540 --> 00:19:44.660 They did not know. 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:46.080 The time of your visitation. 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:47.220 God came. 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.880 God came in the person of his son. 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:52.340 But they didn't recognise him. 00:19:53.540 --> 00:19:54.860 God came in the person of his son. 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.940 To rescue his people. 00:19:56.040 --> 00:19:57.080 And they rejected his love. 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:57.880 And just. 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:59.080 I want you to note this morning. 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:00.900 How very personal it is. 00:20:02.300 --> 00:20:03.480 The word you. 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:05.960 The word you. 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:08.360 The word you is repeated ten times in these verses. 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:11.839 Our rejection of God is always very personal. 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:14.059 It is not something out there. 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:17.460 It is not some kind of philosophy of life. 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:19.779 Some kind of distant teaching. 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:22.079 Something that will improve your morality. 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:22.980 No. 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:24.599 Our rejection of God. 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:26.440 Is very personal. 00:20:28.139 --> 00:20:29.619 Because he is personal. 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:33.359 And the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.339 In the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:36.779 God has demonstrated his love beyond doubt. 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.000 You see. 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:39.500 Peace is not possible. 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:41.099 For those who reject the Lord Jesus. 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:44.980 And if you reject God's King Jesus. 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:47.899 Bearing God's punishment on the cross in your place. 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:49.240 Then you will bear yourself. 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.079 The Bible says. 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.920 And if that is what you want to do. 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.579 You will do it. 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:01.019 And so you and I need to see the seriousness. 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.720 Of rejecting the Lord Jesus. 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:04.039 Because without it. 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:04.500 You are. 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:07.640 You are at war with God. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.720 With the living God. 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:11.180 And that is a very dangerous place to be. 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:16.200 And for those of us who do follow King Jesus. 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.240 We have got to remember. 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:18.180 We have got to remember. 00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:20.299 How terrible the punishment our sin deserves. 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:27.019 Not just so that our King who came. 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:29.799 We can rejoice that he came to save us. 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:33.299 But so that we have a right response. 00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:34.619 To those who reject him. 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.899 Jesus wept for Jerusalem. 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.480 And so we should weep. 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:43.980 We should weep over our families. 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.660 Over our colleagues. 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.720 Over our friends. 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.339 Over our city. 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:53.880 Over all those who don't know the Lord Jesus Christ today. 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:56.420 The word used in verse 42 is violent sobs. 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.660 Wept. 00:21:57.660 --> 00:22:01.400 That if we really do believe that there is a heaven. 00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:02.560 And there is a hell. 00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:05.540 And Jesus is the difference. 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:09.220 That is the way that we should feel about those who reject him. 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:14.079 But can I say to you I don't. 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:16.380 I don't know about that. 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:17.319 I don't know about you. 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.720 But I don't. 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:22.920 And I think that I still love myself. 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:25.420 More than I love those who are unsaved. 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:32.259 And I think that is because I am rather too like the religious life of Jerusalem. 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.819 In my relationship to the Lord Jesus. 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.960 And I wonder if you are as well. 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.680 So let's look. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:40.140 End by looking at the religious life of Jerusalem. 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:44.680 Religion the King confronts. 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.440 Religion the King confronts. 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.339 Look at verse 45. 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:52.000 When Jesus rides into Jerusalem. 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:54.200 He does not actually bring political freedom. 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:58.880 He comes to reform the church. 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:02.839 He doesn't go to the Romans. 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.960 He comes to the religious. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.059 He comes to his people. 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.900 Look at verse 45. 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.980 And he entered the temple. 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:12.400 And began to drive out those who sold. 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.039 Saying to them. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.100 It is written. 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:18.500 My house shall be a house of prayer. 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:22.140 But you have made it into a den of robbers. 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:28.819 Commercialism and Christian worship should never go together. 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:34.079 The problem in the temple though is primarily not the traders. 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:34.799 Alright. 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:35.659 It's not. 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:41.200 No it was the fact that the Jewish people had turned it into a self-serving place of worship. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:45.319 It's like when people ring me up. 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.100 Some of you ring me up and say. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:48.799 There's a skip on this road with a load of wood in it. 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.600 Because I've got a wood burning stove. 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.240 Come and get it. 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.240 And I come. 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.660 And it's MDF. 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:54.920 It's not wood. 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.779 You know what MDF is? 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:59.380 MDF is really cardboard with a kind of plastic cover on top. 00:23:59.580 --> 00:23:59.700 You know. 00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.759 It looks like wood. 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:03.519 You think it's wood when you're driving past in your car. 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.039 At 20 miles per hour. 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:06.680 But actually when you look at it. 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.839 MDF is not wood. 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:09.160 It's fake. 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:11.859 It's just chip wood or whatever it is. 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:14.400 MDF has got all the outward appearance. 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.119 Of wood. 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.660 But none of the reality. 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:24.240 And that's what Jesus says the Jewish religious leaders. 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:26.019 Their worship was all about. 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:31.060 It was all about the appearance and not the reality. 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:34.040 They've got a fantastic temple. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.060 It was huge. 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:36.380 I don't know if you've seen a picture of it. 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.580 It was enormous. 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.840 Absolutely massive. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.180 It dominated the city. 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:42.740 And you can see it from miles around. 00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:43.820 And it was Passover time. 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.940 The place is banged. 00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.660 When Jesus walks. 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.860 They'd be buzzing with people. 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:49.379 Thousands and thousands of people. 00:24:49.699 --> 00:24:50.919 But it was all worthless. 00:24:51.439 --> 00:24:51.839 False. 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:52.659 Religion. 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.899 Because it was to do with show. 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:56.240 Rather than substance. 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:58.139 Do you see what Jesus says in verse 46? 00:24:58.819 --> 00:25:00.299 My house shall be a house of prayer. 00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:02.299 But you've made it into a den of robbers. 00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:04.539 And if you look at the footnotes in your Bible. 00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:06.559 That tells you that it's Isaiah 56. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:09.979 Which is a chapter all about God's salvation. 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:11.139 And rescue. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:13.119 For being for non-Jewish people. 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.399 For Gentiles. 00:25:14.659 --> 00:25:16.059 My house will be a prayer. 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:17.839 House of prayer for the nations. 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.839 For the Gentiles. 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:21.819 The temple was supposed to be a place. 00:25:22.439 --> 00:25:25.000 That was like a God magnet. 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.379 For the nations. 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:29.639 It was supposed to say to people. 00:25:29.699 --> 00:25:30.219 You're not a Jew. 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.759 We don't care. 00:25:32.159 --> 00:25:33.659 We want you to come to know our God. 00:25:33.699 --> 00:25:34.379 He's really loving. 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:35.899 We'd love you to come. 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:36.279 Come. 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.139 Come to the temple. 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.839 Come and worship. 00:25:37.979 --> 00:25:38.819 Come and join us. 00:25:39.679 --> 00:25:42.719 But the Jews had made it into a self-centered place of worship. 00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:46.220 They'd fill the court of the Gentiles with bric-a-brac. 00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:48.259 You could buy tea towels. 00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:49.880 And trinkets. 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:51.319 Cathedral postcards. 00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:53.740 You could get love spoons with the temple on it. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:56.059 And then you see the second half of the verse. 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:57.019 A den of robbers. 00:25:58.299 --> 00:26:00.559 And the den of robbers is a quote from Jeremiah 7. 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:05.200 And what it was saying to the people is you've made this mistake in the past. 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:07.559 In Jeremiah 7. 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:10.359 They turned the temple of God into a lucky charm. 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.639 God said to them. 00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:14.259 I'm going to bring judgment on my people. 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:14.960 And they said. 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.720 No you won't Lord. 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.579 We've got the temple. 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:18.480 We've got a rabbit's foot. 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:20.659 We've got an upside down horseshoe. 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.659 Hello Mr. Magpie. 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:24.240 We've got a four leaf clover in the back of the car. 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.039 We're okay. 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.619 We don't walk under ladders. 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.919 And we've got the temple. 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:31.119 We're okay. 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.899 We've signed up to religion Lord. 00:26:33.979 --> 00:26:34.639 We're with you. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.779 They trusted in themselves. 00:26:36.939 --> 00:26:37.679 And their importance. 00:26:37.919 --> 00:26:38.799 And not their God. 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.699 And I think it's frightening isn't it. 00:26:42.699 --> 00:26:46.319 Isn't it terrifying how Christians can go from being broken about our sin. 00:26:47.219 --> 00:26:49.199 And thankful about Christ our Saviour. 00:26:49.199 --> 00:26:50.839 And unbelievably excited. 00:26:51.179 --> 00:26:52.500 Because we know this King. 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:55.039 To looking down on sinners. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:27:01.379 And thinking that God is there primarily to answer my prayers about my children's school. 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.339 Or my job application. 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:06.920 Or other worldly desires. 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:11.159 And when he doesn't answer those prayers in exactly the way we want. 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.559 We get slightly irritated with it. 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:19.339 And it's so easy isn't it to serve the church into a self-serving club instead of a rescue mission. 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:23.500 To think that we are pleasing God because we are IPC. 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:26.019 And we are a Bible believing church. 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:30.200 And we are a doctrinal Westminster Confession Bible believing church. 00:27:30.639 --> 00:27:32.240 And we are resolutely rigid. 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:36.759 But actually we go through the motions of having good doctrine. 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:42.480 And not using the whole of our lives to serve him. 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:49.360 And if you are in danger of being afflicted by false religion. 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:51.279 Let me ask you a question. 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:54.640 What did you ask when you came to church this morning? 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.620 Will it excite me? 00:27:59.059 --> 00:28:00.160 Will it be interesting? 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.819 Will I like the songs that I like? 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:03.380 Will there be the songs that I like? 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:05.059 Will my friends be there? 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:08.240 Or am I thinking I'm meeting my King Jesus. 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.980 And I want to hear him speak to me. 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:13.259 And I want to feel his love for me. 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:17.799 And I want it to be as easy as possible for everyone to have that experience as well. 00:28:18.179 --> 00:28:19.359 Whether they know him or not. 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:22.659 False religion always, always has me. 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:25.559 And my needs is number one priority. 00:28:26.919 --> 00:28:29.500 And what I want and what I need and what I like. 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:32.460 And it's priority is self-preservation. 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:36.240 And when religion is self-serving. 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:38.160 God's agenda is very, very inconvenient. 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:39.440 Because look at verse 47. 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:45.840 The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him. 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:47.840 But they did not find anything they could do. 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:49.500 For all the people were hanging on his words. 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:53.840 The son of God is speaking God's truth in their front garden. 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:55.000 And they want to kill him. 00:28:56.480 --> 00:29:01.500 The very people that want, should want to teach God's words. 00:29:03.120 --> 00:29:05.680 Well it's only fear of popularity that holds them back, isn't it? 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.279 Verse 48. 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:10.000 They could find no way to do it because the people were hanging on his words. 00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:10.860 So sad, isn't it? 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:13.779 They are more interested in public opinion than the truth. 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:18.160 They are more afraid of the crowd than the king. 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:21.559 And it is tragedy, isn't it? 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:25.039 The greatest tragedy in this country that there are many people who claim to be Christian. 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:27.640 But they will not accept what Jesus says in his words. 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:31.300 And it's another sign of false religion. 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:34.720 Smiles and conformity on a Sunday. 00:29:34.820 --> 00:29:36.860 But leading a life that isn't shaped by the Bible. 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.780 Day by day. 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:40.360 It's so easy to do. 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:45.779 It's so easy for our hearts not to be transfixed by our king. 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:50.699 And throughout his life Jesus will not tolerate those people. 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:54.039 Who actually claim to serve God. 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:55.199 But actually serve themselves. 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:58.519 Who turn God into a lucky charm. 00:29:58.659 --> 00:30:00.639 He's there to ensure their plans go well. 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:02.659 So can I ask you to do something with me? 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:07.519 As we come to the Lord's table now. 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:12.240 Will you join me in repentance. 00:30:13.860 --> 00:30:15.720 That we don't rejoice over the king. 00:30:17.320 --> 00:30:19.180 And will you come gladly. 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:21.000 To the table of the Lord. 00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:22.620 This feast that is spread for you. 00:30:24.560 --> 00:30:26.019 And will you join me in repentance. 00:30:26.300 --> 00:30:29.120 That we don't weep over the lost. 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:32.380 Who Jesus Christ can receive. 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:37.220 And will you repent with me. 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:39.080 Of my outward show. 00:30:40.100 --> 00:30:41.259 My false religion. 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.720 And then we will have. 00:30:45.100 --> 00:30:47.240 True religion that moves our hearts. 00:30:48.820 --> 00:30:50.620 And not comfortable conformity. 00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:53.600 And we will change lives. 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.460 That will bring in glory. 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:54.560 Glory.