WEBVTT 00:00:00.620 --> 00:00:03.980 We have been going through the Gospel of Mark. 00:00:05.400 --> 00:00:11.880 We have seen that the Gospel of Mark opens up with the baptism of Jesus, 00:00:12.780 --> 00:00:17.219 and he is driven into the wilderness, and then Jesus comes back on the scene, 00:00:17.300 --> 00:00:21.440 and in verse 14 and 15 of chapter 1, it says this, 00:00:21.780 --> 00:00:24.900 Now that after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, 00:00:25.060 --> 00:00:27.480 proclaiming the Gospel of God and saying, 00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:30.600 the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. 00:00:30.740 --> 00:00:32.899 Repent and believe in the Gospel. 00:00:33.659 --> 00:00:38.020 That repent and believe in the Gospel, the Gospel of God, 00:00:38.240 --> 00:00:42.480 we saw, I think it would be week 1 or week 2, 00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:47.500 that the Gospel isn't just a get-out-of-jail-free card. 00:00:47.659 --> 00:00:50.320 It's not just a means by which we avoid hell. 00:00:51.340 --> 00:00:54.880 The Gospel, the good news of God, is actually Jesus himself. 00:00:54.880 --> 00:01:00.179 That Jesus, the person and work of Jesus Christ, 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:03.760 his life, his death, and his resurrection, that is good news. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:10.120 And what Mark is doing throughout the Gospel is he is leading us on the way to the cross, 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:17.180 and we get to see, progressively, just little bits more of who this Jesus really is. 00:01:17.180 --> 00:01:19.280 What he has come to do. 00:01:19.900 --> 00:01:22.280 Who he truly is. 00:01:22.400 --> 00:01:23.760 Where his authority lies. 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:25.260 What his identity is. 00:01:26.840 --> 00:01:32.860 Last week we saw that a part of this good news and this identity of who Jesus is, 00:01:32.920 --> 00:01:35.719 is there's this forgiveness of sins. 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:39.180 This deep authority to forgive sins. 00:01:39.180 --> 00:01:43.260 Jesus, he forgives this man's sins, who is a paralytic, 00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:46.400 and just to validate his authority, 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:51.240 he tells the paralytic to get up, to take his mat, and go home. 00:01:51.900 --> 00:01:53.740 But Jesus has authority to heal. 00:01:53.820 --> 00:01:56.880 That same authority is also to forgive sins. 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:02.000 And that he also cleanses a leper, a leprous man, completely. 00:02:02.580 --> 00:02:03.900 The leprosy is gone. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:08.860 We start to see that this Messiah figure is a cleanser. 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:10.420 He is a forgiver of sins. 00:02:10.419 --> 00:02:13.939 And we're starting to see bits and pieces that, hold on a second, 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:17.459 Jesus does the things that only God can do. 00:02:18.500 --> 00:02:23.179 This morning, this afternoon, we continue on, 00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:27.579 and we're going to see another aspect of who this Messiah is, who Jesus is. 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:29.719 The good news of God. 00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:34.519 We're going to take a look at Mark chapter 2, starting in verse 18. 00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:40.420 And we're going to see that what Jesus does, what the gospel is, 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:44.960 is it's complete freedom from self-justification. 00:02:45.600 --> 00:02:48.800 From trying to right our own wrongs. 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:54.580 That in fact, what Jesus does on the cross is he justifies us. 00:02:55.340 --> 00:02:57.240 He makes us right with God. 00:02:57.240 --> 00:03:05.100 No longer do we have to strive for any kind of work that would put us in right standing with God. 00:03:06.060 --> 00:03:08.540 And we're going to look at two interactions that Jesus has. 00:03:09.300 --> 00:03:12.920 With very religiously pious people. 00:03:13.820 --> 00:03:16.020 Really stand-up people in their day. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:24.340 And in both of these accounts, Jesus, what he does is he deconstructs their false understanding of piety. 00:03:24.340 --> 00:03:31.340 And I use that specifically because that is a buzzword in the past year, year and a half, two years. 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:38.640 That is a thing that seems to come up, whether it be in the church or whether it be in just regular society. 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:43.580 Jesus, what he does is he deconstructs, but the right kind of deconstructing. 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:48.439 And he does it from, he deconstructs a false understanding of piety. 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:52.159 Showing the true way to salvation. 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:55.620 So if you have a Bible, join with me. 00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:57.219 Mark chapter 2, starting in verse 18. 00:03:57.359 --> 00:03:59.439 Again, if you don't have a Bible at any time, you can get up. 00:03:59.879 --> 00:04:03.900 Grab a Bible by the glass doors at the back and follow along. 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:06.000 So here's the first scene. 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:08.719 Jesus has disciples now. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:16.819 And the Pharisees and John the Baptist, he has disciples as well. 00:04:16.819 --> 00:04:19.500 They come to Jesus and they say, hey, what's going on? 00:04:20.839 --> 00:04:25.839 We pious folk, we are the ones who are showing our piety. 00:04:26.219 --> 00:04:26.819 How are we doing that? 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:27.519 By fasting. 00:04:28.500 --> 00:04:32.519 I thought, Jesus, I thought you are this righteous man. 00:04:32.579 --> 00:04:33.339 Why aren't you fasting? 00:04:33.459 --> 00:04:34.639 Why aren't your disciples fasting? 00:04:34.740 --> 00:04:36.039 Take a look with me in verse 18. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:38.819 Halfway down. 00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:42.399 Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast? 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:45.240 But your disciples do not fast. 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:52.100 Jesus responds to them and says, can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:53.939 And we'll pause right there. 00:04:54.839 --> 00:05:00.899 Both John's disciples and the Pharisees, like I mentioned, are actually very pious people. 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:05.240 We talk about the Pharisees as if they are the scum of the earth. 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:09.460 If you have been at church for a while, they get this bad rap. 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:18.139 And to be honest, they fail to see Jesus and they are the antagonists in the story, for sure. 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:23.860 But one thing about the Pharisees is that they genuinely had a desire to please God. 00:05:24.360 --> 00:05:24.800 They did. 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:30.019 An improper understanding of how to do that, but they had this desire to please God. 00:05:30.019 --> 00:05:35.759 And the disciples of John likewise, they were following the ministry of John the Baptist. 00:05:36.659 --> 00:05:37.699 They were righteous people. 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:38.699 They were held in esteem. 00:05:39.479 --> 00:05:44.459 Remember, John the Baptist, he is the forerunner of Jesus right in the beginning of Mark. 00:05:44.979 --> 00:05:47.620 The prophecy says in verse 3, 00:05:47.719 --> 00:05:52.259 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight. 00:05:53.099 --> 00:05:59.560 John and his disciples, by extension, they are all about seeing the Messiah come. 00:06:00.859 --> 00:06:03.959 They all want to see this Messiah come. 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:11.639 The Pharisees, on the other hand, are just so smitten by the law as if the law, the Torah, the books of Moses, 00:06:11.899 --> 00:06:14.479 Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, 00:06:14.579 --> 00:06:18.240 that is precise adherence to the law. 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:20.259 That's what's going to get us saved. 00:06:20.259 --> 00:06:22.659 That's what's going to make us right with God. 00:06:23.919 --> 00:06:28.500 See, both of them recognize the need for God and to be made right with him. 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:32.120 But both of them are going about things a bit of the wrong way. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:33.800 How do we know this? 00:06:33.860 --> 00:06:36.660 Because of what they asked Jesus about his disciples. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:43.000 Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? 00:06:43.480 --> 00:06:45.079 Why aren't you doing the religious things? 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:53.060 Why aren't you doing the very things that we know will make us righteous and pious people? 00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:54.699 Why aren't you practicing piety? 00:06:55.359 --> 00:06:58.699 And the thing about Jesus is that he doesn't somehow say, 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:00.479 listen, you got piety all wrong. 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:03.240 Fasting, or you have fasting all wrong. 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:05.339 You're not allowed to fast. 00:07:05.459 --> 00:07:07.620 Why would you cease from fasting? 00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:08.959 Jesus doesn't say that at all. 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:13.979 He says, can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 00:07:14.459 --> 00:07:15.319 And here's the little bit. 00:07:15.399 --> 00:07:18.079 As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 00:07:18.479 --> 00:07:20.519 What's implied is one day they'll be able to fast. 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:23.779 One day they'll be able to engage in a form of piety. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:25.620 But not right now. 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:32.780 Now, the disciples of John, they are so concerned with religious acts, same too with the Pharisees, 00:07:33.259 --> 00:07:40.079 that they're failing to see the whole purpose of being righteous, of piety rather. 00:07:41.340 --> 00:07:44.500 They're failing to understand that for John's disciples, 00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:50.259 everything that they are doing is for the purpose of the coming of the Messiah. 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:51.319 And he's come. 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:56.920 And the Pharisees are looking intently into the law and into the books of Moses, 00:07:57.079 --> 00:08:00.740 finding ways to just please God with every last inch of their life. 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:02.920 And yet God is right before them. 00:08:05.339 --> 00:08:10.959 Sometimes we can be so preoccupied, and I say this to us, to me, 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:14.279 with doing right things, with being a pious person, 00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:18.659 that we fail to see the end of why we're doing that. 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:22.320 It's like we're being pious for the sake of being pious. 00:08:22.460 --> 00:08:24.320 We're being righteous for the sake of being righteous. 00:08:24.520 --> 00:08:31.420 We're doing the religious acts for the sake of just doing the religious acts. 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:36.759 And the danger here is that, like the Pharisees and John's disciples, 00:08:38.019 --> 00:08:43.820 our gaze so quickly turns from God to ourselves. 00:08:43.820 --> 00:08:44.220 Jesus. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:46.660 Jesus. 00:08:47.300 --> 00:08:50.100 I mean, if you take a second, take a step back, 00:08:50.540 --> 00:08:53.840 how outrageous of a question is this? 00:08:54.540 --> 00:08:55.300 Hey, Jesus. 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:56.920 Messiah. 00:08:57.820 --> 00:08:59.960 And of course they didn't quite understand who he was, 00:09:00.040 --> 00:09:01.000 but to ask Jesus, 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:08.940 why do your disciples not practice religious life the way we do? 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:10.720 We are the religious ones. 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:16.800 You see, what Jesus is doing here is he is deconstructing what true religion is about. 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:25.340 Because true religion, we'll see, is not about doing the outward signs for the sake of doing them in and of themselves, 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:27.120 but it's to draw closer to the Lord. 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:34.379 The end of religion, and I don't mean like the end of it, like it's going to die, 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:40.559 but like the very end, the telos, or the purpose of religious life, 00:09:40.820 --> 00:09:43.799 is to know God and to be known by him. 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:46.559 Not to just do religious things. 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:53.200 You know, we have this problem in a more of a liturgical church, like an Anglican church, 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:59.259 where we do things like read the Bible in the midst of the congregation, 00:10:00.259 --> 00:10:02.060 or light candles. 00:10:02.160 --> 00:10:03.620 We actually don't really like candles, 00:10:03.800 --> 00:10:06.680 but if that's a caricature, that helps in your mind. 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:10.140 Lighting candles, or certain rituals, so to speak, 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:15.780 that have a place that, at their best, can communicate truths to us, 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:21.360 but we can do them in such a way that makes us feel really good about ourselves. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:26.179 Or if they're not done, it's not a real church service. 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:28.899 It is not a real church service unless there's candles, 00:10:29.199 --> 00:10:32.519 or unless I'm wearing a collar, or something to that effect. 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:37.319 But you know, it works the same in just regular, evangelical, 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:41.120 non-denominational churches as well. 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:47.639 Well, we have this tendency as people to do religious things, 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:51.179 to gain God's approval, and then be really smug about it. 00:10:52.039 --> 00:10:56.240 To do things to please Jesus, and really we're doing it to please ourselves. 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:58.779 And we see this in the text. 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:02.879 These folks are questioning Jesus, 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:07.120 the very person that all of their piety is supposed to lead them to, 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:09.159 and they're asking him, 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:09.919 Hey, what gives? 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:14.159 Why aren't you telling your people to be like us? 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:17.979 Their gaze is not to God, it's to the self. 00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:22.679 Friends, where is our confidence? 00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:26.899 Is our confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:11:27.599 --> 00:11:29.819 Or is it in doing the religious things? 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:32.579 Or maybe, or maybe, 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:35.219 you're just not good at doing religious things, 00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:39.860 and you're constantly in a bout of guilt 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:43.420 for not doing the things that you think you ought to do. 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:47.580 And by the way, doing religious things, it's important. 00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:49.860 Coming to church is important. 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:51.720 Partaking in communion is important. 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:53.040 Praying is important. 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:54.720 Reading your Bible is important. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:56.560 But those things, 00:11:56.820 --> 00:11:57.680 those things, 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:00.519 can so easily become idols in and of themselves. 00:12:00.800 --> 00:12:04.180 Things that take the place of Jesus. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:06.080 The very things that we put our hope in, 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:07.399 our eternal hope. 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:12.100 It's very, very easy to take our eyes off Jesus. 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:16.159 It's very easy to scoff at the Pharisees 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:18.459 as a Pharisee yourself. 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:25.139 In both cases here, 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:30.300 a religious observance 00:12:30.300 --> 00:12:33.100 that seeks to make one self-righteous 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:34.960 is the very cause of spiritual blindness. 00:12:38.160 --> 00:12:39.400 Jesus, like I mentioned, 00:12:39.460 --> 00:12:40.900 has no quarrels with the fasting. 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:43.320 And he says, 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:43.700 listen, 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:45.139 essentially, 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:47.759 the bridegroom is here. 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:49.379 And you can't, 00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:51.120 you can't fast. 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:51.920 You can't do a, 00:12:51.920 --> 00:12:53.060 kind of a penitential, 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:55.900 downcast thing 00:12:55.900 --> 00:12:57.759 when it's a time of celebration. 00:12:58.660 --> 00:13:00.000 Jesus, this is what he says. 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:02.560 As long as they have the bridegroom with them, 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.460 they cannot fast. 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.420 The days will come 00:13:04.420 --> 00:13:06.560 when the bridegroom is taken away from them 00:13:06.560 --> 00:13:08.759 and then they will fast in that day. 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:10.340 I'll pause there. 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:12.720 All of the Bible, 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:14.000 all of prophecy, 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:16.600 all of history is pointing to Jesus coming. 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:18.080 To the Messiah coming. 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:20.759 That God would come 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:22.700 and dwell amongst his people 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:24.000 and save them from sin 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:25.280 and evil and death. 00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:29.100 And to fast during that time, 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:30.860 to be downcast 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:34.340 or to withhold something 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:36.740 from our lives, 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:37.879 rather than celebrate 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:39.440 the fact that God 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:41.360 has fulfilled his promises 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:43.200 and all the wrongs 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:44.080 would be made right. 00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:45.139 I try to find 00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:47.940 an illustration of this 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:50.040 and it really is apples and oranges 00:13:50.040 --> 00:13:51.820 because there is no better news than this. 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:54.160 But imagine it's Christmas time. 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.700 Maybe you're the kid 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:56.480 or maybe you're thinking 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:57.500 about your own children. 00:13:58.340 --> 00:13:59.660 And there's just hype 00:13:59.660 --> 00:14:00.639 around Christmas time. 00:14:00.680 --> 00:14:01.480 Or maybe it's a birthday 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:01.920 or something. 00:14:02.040 --> 00:14:02.840 But something where 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:05.000 it's months out. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:06.019 this child 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:07.500 is just so excited 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:08.659 and so pumped up 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:09.960 for Christmas time. 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:11.320 The excitement 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:12.539 is just building, 00:14:12.700 --> 00:14:13.179 it's building, 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:14.720 it's building anticipation. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.240 The night before, 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:17.600 okay, 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:18.659 it's the day of, 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:19.379 and 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:20.960 the parent says, 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:21.840 no, 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:22.620 it's chore time. 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:23.679 You have to do your chores. 00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.820 There is no opening gifts, 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.779 there's no celebration, 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.899 there's no Santa Claus, 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:30.220 there's no nothing. 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.519 You have to do chores. 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.120 By the way, 00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:33.460 you also have to clean the bathroom. 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:34.759 Scrub the toilet. 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:36.519 Imagine, 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:37.699 no, 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.159 it's Christmas time. 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:40.399 It's not the time for chores 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.439 or cleaning the toilet. 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:43.460 It's time to celebrate. 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.059 There's nothing wrong with chores. 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:47.019 There's nothing wrong, 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:47.399 obviously, 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.600 with cleaning the bathroom. 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:50.460 But it's just not the time. 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:51.679 It's not the place for it. 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:53.360 And Jesus is saying, 00:14:53.819 --> 00:14:55.579 this is not the time to fast. 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.819 This is the time to celebrate. 00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:59.120 All of creation, 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:01.179 all of the scriptures, 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.720 they have been waiting 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:04.439 for this moment, 00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:05.199 and it's here. 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.139 It's here. 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:08.279 The good news is here. 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:09.159 Remember, 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:10.600 the good news isn't just 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:12.860 Jesus getting us out of hell. 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:14.360 It is himself. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.439 And he is here. 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.879 It's not the time to fast. 00:15:20.199 --> 00:15:21.419 The Messiah has come. 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:23.480 Everything has changed. 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:25.579 Nothing will be the same again. 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.879 How do we know this? 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.139 Turn with me again 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:31.799 in verse 21. 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.620 Jesus says this, 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:35.980 No one sews a piece of untrunk cloth 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.879 on an old garment. 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:38.240 If he does, 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:39.820 the patch tears away from it. 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:40.879 The new from the old 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.960 and a worse tear is made. 00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:44.519 And no one puts new wine 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.960 into old wineskins. 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:47.139 If he does, 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.820 the wine will burst the skins 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:50.159 and the wine is destroyed. 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:52.179 And so are the skins. 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:56.459 But new wine is for fresh wineskins. 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.799 Something has changed. 00:16:01.339 --> 00:16:02.259 Jesus has arrived. 00:16:03.319 --> 00:16:04.759 All of the scriptures 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:06.879 are pointing to this time 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.779 and he's here. 00:16:08.699 --> 00:16:09.899 And it's going to be better, 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:10.419 actually, 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:12.299 than anyone could have ever thought. 00:16:13.299 --> 00:16:14.500 The Messiah hasn't come 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:16.000 just for the Jewish people, 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.659 the nation of Israel. 00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:19.419 He's come for all mankind. 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:22.659 You don't have to convert 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:23.779 to Judaism. 00:16:23.959 --> 00:16:24.399 You don't have to be 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:25.599 of a specific ethnicity. 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:28.360 He has come for all people 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:30.139 from all ethnicities. 00:16:31.819 --> 00:16:33.740 The good news has arrived 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:35.659 and we are not going back 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:37.639 to an adherence to the law 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.779 in the same type of way. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.740 The law is good. 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:42.039 It is, in many ways, 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:43.740 it leads to human flourishing. 00:16:44.699 --> 00:16:46.360 King David in the Psalms 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.919 constantly is talking about 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:49.179 how good the law is. 00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:50.219 The law is a beautiful thing. 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:52.039 But the law can't save. 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:52.959 It can't. 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:56.279 Only God himself can save. 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:59.339 We can't do enough pious acts 00:16:59.339 --> 00:17:01.659 to somehow make God look down 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.000 and say, 00:17:02.099 --> 00:17:02.679 you know what? 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.500 Sin, pious acts. 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:05.359 Okay, I'll let him in. 00:17:05.679 --> 00:17:06.200 I'll let him in. 00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:07.960 We can't do enough. 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:09.940 He wants perfection. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.319 So the law is good, 00:17:12.419 --> 00:17:13.259 but it can't save. 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.419 Only God can save. 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:16.100 Only he can expunge, 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.360 cleanse, 00:17:18.560 --> 00:17:18.880 forgive. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.259 We saw that last week. 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:22.160 Only he can do that. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:25.620 Nothing is the same again. 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:27.580 You can't just say, 00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:29.700 and this actually plays out 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:32.039 in the Acts of the Apostles. 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.800 You can't just say to 00:17:33.800 --> 00:17:35.180 the non-Jewish people, 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:35.620 hey, listen, 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.620 you've got to keep the law. 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:38.140 You need to get circumcised. 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:40.840 You need to go to temple 00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.460 all the time. 00:17:41.520 --> 00:17:42.500 Keep the fasts. 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.180 You have to do all that. 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.900 Oh, by the way, 00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:47.160 only then can you have faith in Jesus. 00:17:47.860 --> 00:17:48.800 It doesn't work that way. 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:50.180 That would be like 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:52.660 sewing a new piece of cloth 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:55.880 onto an old, shrunken garment. 00:17:56.540 --> 00:17:57.520 It just doesn't work. 00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:58.940 It's incompatible. 00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:00.940 It's like pouring wine 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:02.340 into a wineskin 00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:03.900 that is old. 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:06.060 The wine is going to ferment. 00:18:06.360 --> 00:18:07.920 The wineskin is going to burst. 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:09.220 It's not compatible. 00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:12.020 Something new has come. 00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:13.640 It's beautiful. 00:18:13.780 --> 00:18:14.380 It's wonderful. 00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:15.860 And Jesus here, 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.880 he uses the imagery 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:18.000 of a bridegroom. 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:20.780 And what's kind of interesting 00:18:20.780 --> 00:18:21.400 in all of this 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:24.100 is that in verse 19, 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.040 Jesus says, 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.160 can the wedding guests fast 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:27.200 while the bridegroom is with them? 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.420 As long as they have 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:29.460 the bridegroom with them, 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.480 they cannot fast. 00:18:30.540 --> 00:18:31.000 In verse 20, 00:18:31.300 --> 00:18:32.080 the days will come 00:18:32.080 --> 00:18:32.780 when the bridegroom 00:18:32.780 --> 00:18:33.860 is taken away from them. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.840 Then they will fast in that day. 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.580 At a wedding, 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:39.099 even in a wedding 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:40.179 in Bible times, 00:18:40.659 --> 00:18:41.419 the bridegroom 00:18:41.419 --> 00:18:42.539 isn't taken away. 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:45.799 The bridegroom shows up, 00:18:46.439 --> 00:18:47.819 a wedding happens, 00:18:48.419 --> 00:18:49.240 festivities happen, 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.460 and then all the other people 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.059 go away. 00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:53.359 The bridegroom isn't taken away. 00:18:53.439 --> 00:18:54.299 It seems bizarre. 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:57.000 But Jesus here 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:58.240 is alluding to the fact 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:59.379 that he will be taken away. 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:01.579 That he will die on the cross. 00:19:01.679 --> 00:19:03.019 That he will be killed, 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:05.400 not for his own sins, 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.000 but for the sins 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.139 of everyone else, 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:10.200 so that if we put our faith 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.539 and hope in Christ, 00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:12.599 we actually become 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:14.299 the bride of Christ. 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.480 Scriptures continue on 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.180 to talk about how 00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:18.460 Jesus goes away, 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.599 he ascends into heaven, 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.859 and he is making a place 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:22.500 for us in his father's house. 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.379 He will come back 00:19:23.379 --> 00:19:24.299 for his bride. 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:27.119 And then the culmination 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:29.019 of all of history, 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:30.940 all of history, 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.119 will be, 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.039 and we looked at this 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:35.059 in Revelations 19 last week, 00:19:35.639 --> 00:19:36.659 will be the marriage 00:19:36.659 --> 00:19:37.559 supper of the Lamb. 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:39.440 Where the bridegroom 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.019 will come back 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:40.759 for his bride, 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.440 and we will be 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.379 with him forever. 00:19:44.159 --> 00:19:44.859 It's a beautiful, 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.619 beautiful picture. 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.940 And like a bride 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.200 and a bridegroom, 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:52.720 infidelity isn't an option. 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:55.319 The mistresses have to go. 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.819 You can't be married 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:59.720 and have someone 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.120 on the side. 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.720 You can't sew 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.839 a new piece of cloth 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:09.059 onto an already 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.720 shrunk garment. 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:12.000 And this isn't just to do 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:14.500 with religious Jewish people 00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:15.640 that come to faith in Jesus 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:17.120 and still try to balance 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:17.920 this keeping the law 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:18.600 and keeping Jesus. 00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:21.019 It affects us today. 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:23.379 What are the things 00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:24.000 in your life 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.879 that you are 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:27.619 adding Jesus to? 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:29.000 Jesus plus 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.759 whatever. 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.559 Are you trusting in things 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:34.279 apart from Jesus 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:35.079 for salvation? 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:38.139 For righteousness? 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.059 For purity? 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:41.240 Are you trusting in 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:43.480 the work and labor 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:45.220 of your own piety? 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.920 The good deeds 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.559 you might do? 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:49.099 The charity work? 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:50.679 All really good things 00:20:50.679 --> 00:20:51.299 but you're putting 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:52.319 your hope in that? 00:20:52.419 --> 00:20:53.159 That somehow that 00:20:53.159 --> 00:20:54.159 will justify you? 00:20:54.379 --> 00:20:55.099 Are you doing that? 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.419 Are you putting 00:20:57.419 --> 00:20:59.039 new wine 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.879 into an old wineskin? 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.000 It doesn't work. 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:03.139 It's incompatible. 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:06.099 Christ is calling us 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:06.919 to fidelity. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:09.359 Complete abandonment 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:09.899 for Him. 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.099 And it is hard. 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:13.159 And in many ways 00:21:13.159 --> 00:21:15.139 it is impossible 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:16.000 to do it perfectly 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.679 in this life. 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:19.060 But Jesus says this 00:21:19.060 --> 00:21:20.660 and I read it already 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.920 but I'm going to come back 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:22.420 to it throughout 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.259 our time in Mark. 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.460 In verse 15 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.340 the time has come 00:21:25.340 --> 00:21:26.539 and the kingdom of God 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.060 is at hand 00:21:27.060 --> 00:21:28.039 and this is what He says 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.000 repent and believe 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.580 in the gospel. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.360 And that repenting 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:32.140 and that believing 00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:34.019 is a continual repenting 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:35.060 and a continual believing. 00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:36.519 Continue to repent. 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.480 Continue to believe. 00:21:38.340 --> 00:21:38.840 In who? 00:21:39.580 --> 00:21:40.640 In this thing 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:41.440 that's going to get you 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.080 out of jail? 00:21:43.820 --> 00:21:45.120 No, in a person. 00:21:45.320 --> 00:21:46.220 In Jesus Christ. 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.319 In Jesus Christ. 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:49.759 We will mess up. 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.980 The history of Israel 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.680 is full of infidelity 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.819 to God. 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:55.940 And it's interesting 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:57.000 that Jesus calls Himself 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:57.779 the bridegroom 00:21:57.779 --> 00:22:00.420 when the only person 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:02.019 in the Old Testament 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.960 in all the imagery 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.799 of the Old Testament 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.700 when it talks about 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.839 the bridegroom 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.700 is God Himself. 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.819 That God Himself 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:11.180 is the husband 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:12.660 to Israel. 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:13.799 That Jesus 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:15.700 is God. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.680 And we will mess up 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:19.539 because we are fallen people 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.500 and we are growing 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.339 and growing 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:21.920 and growing 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:23.160 but we stumble. 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:25.500 So the Christian life 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.600 is repenting and believing. 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:29.059 And that's not like 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:29.759 repenting 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.839 and believing 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:32.279 to get re-saved. 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.920 It's not like that at all. 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:37.740 It is saying 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:40.400 I throw myself 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:41.079 at your mercy 00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.660 once again. 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.779 I need your help. 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:47.359 Jesus, I believe. 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.339 Help my unbelief. 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:52.180 But that's not the only 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:53.839 parable Jesus uses. 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:59.000 He also talks about 00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.460 the Sabbath. 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:01.180 Or this isn't the only instance 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:01.759 rather, 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:02.359 not parable. 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.599 But He also talks about 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.019 the Sabbath. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:05.039 He's also questioned 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.559 about the Sabbath. 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.579 If you look with me 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.559 in Mark chapter 2 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.859 starting verse 23 00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:09.799 it says this, 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:10.419 one Sabbath 00:23:10.419 --> 00:23:11.799 Jesus was going 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.720 through the grain fields 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.960 and as Him 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.559 and His disciples 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.980 as they made their way 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.099 His disciples 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:17.779 began to pluck 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.440 heads of grain. 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.899 And the Pharisees 00:23:19.899 --> 00:23:20.460 were saying to Him 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:20.740 look, 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.879 why are they doing 00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:23.139 what is not lawful 00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:23.859 on the Sabbath? 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.179 It begins 00:23:28.179 --> 00:23:29.379 almost the exact same way. 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.899 Jesus is questioned, 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.139 His disciples are questioned 00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:33.200 for what they are doing. 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.340 And I just, 00:23:34.580 --> 00:23:35.900 it's a bit of an aside 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.559 but I think it is 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.360 a wonderful aside. 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:39.039 In both cases, 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.519 Jesus defends His disciples. 00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:43.380 He doesn't say, 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:43.900 hey listen, 00:23:44.080 --> 00:23:45.120 these guys are kind of right. 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.799 You should probably 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.759 answer for yourself. 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:48.299 Jesus is the one 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:50.720 who defends His own. 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.299 He's the one 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:54.940 who answers 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.880 on their behalf. 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.340 And this is what 00:23:58.340 --> 00:23:59.500 Jesus does for us. 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.460 He defends us. 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:04.019 when the enemy comes, 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:06.720 when our own hearts come, 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.900 when the world comes 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:09.180 and condemns us, 00:24:10.340 --> 00:24:11.740 says you are not, 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:13.980 you are not truly His. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.220 You are a sinner. 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.500 You are full of, 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.600 you are hopeless. 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:20.120 He defends us. 00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:24.880 It really is wonderful 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:26.759 that we don't have to 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.840 defend ourselves anymore. 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.539 And we, 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:30.159 and He defends us 00:24:30.159 --> 00:24:30.819 not as somebody 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.599 who is weak 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.819 or somebody 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.619 who is somehow 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.659 equal to 00:24:34.659 --> 00:24:35.859 the ones, 00:24:36.199 --> 00:24:36.879 the powers 00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:38.159 that are accusing us. 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:38.759 No. 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.279 We saw 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:42.199 in chapter 1 00:24:42.199 --> 00:24:43.259 Jesus casting out 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.679 a demon 00:24:43.679 --> 00:24:45.439 and it's all 00:24:45.439 --> 00:24:46.439 the power of hell 00:24:46.439 --> 00:24:47.720 is cast aside 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:49.019 by just the word 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.659 of His tongue. 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.500 There's no power 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:52.899 greater 00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:54.319 than Jesus 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.740 and we can have 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.200 confidence 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:56.899 that if He will 00:24:56.899 --> 00:24:57.720 defend us, 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.639 He will do it 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.099 perfectly. 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:00.919 This is a beautiful 00:25:00.919 --> 00:25:01.359 picture. 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.819 When even your heart 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.500 condemns you, 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.779 He does not condemn you 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.559 if you are in Him. 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.339 These are promises, 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.099 I'm telling you, 00:25:09.179 --> 00:25:10.179 maybe this isn't an aside, 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:10.960 maybe this is like 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:12.019 the real gusto bit, 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:13.579 but hold on to those 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.099 promises, 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:14.859 white knuckled. 00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:17.539 Even when your own 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.700 heart condemns you, 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.339 hold on to the promises 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.679 that if you are Christ, 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.779 He will defend you 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.299 to the end. 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.500 It's a beautiful truth. 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.859 So it continues on. 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.099 Jesus talking, 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:32.279 defending His disciples. 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.819 In verse 25, 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:36.639 excuse me, 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:38.379 Jesus said to them, 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.399 Have you never read 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:40.319 what David did 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:41.660 when he was in need 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.319 and was hungry, 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:43.700 he and those with him? 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.059 How he entered 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.839 the house of God 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:47.240 in the time of Abiathar, 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.000 the high priest, 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.700 and he ate the bread 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.319 of the presence 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:52.160 which is not lawful 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:53.640 for any but the priest 00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:54.060 to eat, 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:54.860 and also gave it 00:25:54.860 --> 00:25:56.400 to those who were with him. 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:59.540 Jesus here is, 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:02.680 He is quoting 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:04.440 from 1 Samuel, 00:26:05.820 --> 00:26:06.800 where King Saul 00:26:06.800 --> 00:26:07.900 is on the run from Saul. 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.320 King, sorry, 00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:09.860 King David 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:11.019 is on the run from Saul. 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:12.420 And, 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:14.040 and King David 00:26:14.040 --> 00:26:14.880 is this picture 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:16.700 of Israel's greatest king, 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:18.080 and how the Messiah 00:26:18.080 --> 00:26:18.620 would be, 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:21.120 he would, 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:21.860 he would be 00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:22.620 in the line 00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:23.460 of King David, 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.539 the Messiah would. 00:26:26.080 --> 00:26:26.700 And Jesus, 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.500 what He is doing 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.200 is He is drawing 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.799 their attention 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.779 to the fact that 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:31.019 the law 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.960 isn't meant 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:33.660 to bind us 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.519 and put us 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.620 in a straitjacket 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:36.920 so that we 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.840 can't move, 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.500 we can't go 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.259 left or right, 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:40.180 we can't 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.519 do life, 00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:42.440 we're constantly 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:43.259 fearful that we're 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.000 going to mess up. 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:45.779 The Pharisees, 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:47.019 like I mentioned, 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:47.980 they had a great love 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.099 of God 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.579 and the law, 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.519 but the problem is 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.420 their desire to keep 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:51.799 the law, 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.380 because that's how 00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:52.960 they thought they'd be 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:54.059 made right with God, 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:55.240 it calcified. 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.680 It ceased being 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:59.940 a way to show 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.779 their love for God, 00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.400 and instead, 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:02.200 He said, 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:04.180 there's a prohibition 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.119 not to boil 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:06.920 a kid in its mother's milk. 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.259 So let's build 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.240 a fence around that, 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.319 so people will never 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:11.299 ever do that. 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.339 So how are we 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.779 going to do that? 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:14.059 You can't eat milk 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:15.079 with meat. 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:16.059 You can't do it. 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.339 Nowhere in the Bible 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.899 does it say 00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:18.799 don't mix milk 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.259 and meat, 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.680 but the Pharisees, 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:22.039 what they've done 00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:23.259 is they built 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.119 a fence 00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:25.619 around the commandment, 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.139 and they called 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:26.660 the fence 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.319 the commandment 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:27.740 itself, 00:27:28.139 --> 00:27:28.879 the same authority. 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:30.779 So by the time 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.480 Jesus comes, 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.139 and especially 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.940 afterwards, 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.099 there's this 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:35.000 intense 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:40.119 built-up structure 00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:41.079 of what you can 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.839 and could 00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:42.359 and couldn't do 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:42.859 on the Sabbath. 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:44.679 Like down 00:27:44.679 --> 00:27:45.480 to the minutiae, 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.199 and even today, 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:48.079 for Orthodox, 00:27:48.399 --> 00:27:49.500 religious Jewish people, 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.599 the Sabbath 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:53.859 is a day 00:27:53.859 --> 00:27:55.199 full of keeping rules. 00:27:56.139 --> 00:27:56.480 And sure, 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.039 you can keep 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.500 the rules. 00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:58.459 I have family, 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.279 some of you may know 00:27:59.279 --> 00:27:59.740 I come from 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.899 a Jewish background, 00:28:01.379 --> 00:28:02.359 and I have family members 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.799 that are deeply religious, 00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:06.299 and it is exhausting 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:08.039 on the Sabbath 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.940 to be with them. 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.139 You cross the street, 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.539 you press the crosswalk button, 00:28:13.159 --> 00:28:13.680 all of a sudden 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.559 you've broken the Sabbath. 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:16.940 If it rained the night before 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:17.500 and you walk through 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.259 the field, 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:20.159 it's like plowing, 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.799 and that's breaking the Sabbath. 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:22.440 You can't plow. 00:28:22.899 --> 00:28:24.059 I'm not trying to be mean 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:26.519 or just ripping 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:28.819 on our religious Jewish friends, 00:28:28.919 --> 00:28:29.940 but just to say that 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:31.579 if our goal 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:32.879 is to keep the law, 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:34.520 then what we'll end up doing 00:28:34.520 --> 00:28:36.340 is we will either 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:38.480 give up completely 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:40.320 or we'll live a life 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:41.580 that does not look 00:28:41.580 --> 00:28:43.160 to God himself, 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:43.800 but it will look 00:28:43.800 --> 00:28:44.880 to our own ingenuity. 00:28:46.020 --> 00:28:46.940 And this is what's 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.540 happening here. 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.220 See, what the disciples 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:49.640 are doing, 00:28:49.760 --> 00:28:50.740 they're just plucking grain 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:51.520 on a Sabbath day. 00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:52.000 They're going out 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.580 for a walk. 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.660 Maybe, 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:54.800 to the Pharisees, 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:56.220 they're breaking 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.100 the prohibition 00:28:57.100 --> 00:28:57.920 to not travel 00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:58.640 on the Sabbath 00:28:58.640 --> 00:29:00.300 or to not reap 00:29:00.300 --> 00:29:00.900 on the Sabbath, 00:29:01.020 --> 00:29:01.600 but they're going 00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:02.140 for a walk. 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:04.120 They're picking grain 00:29:04.120 --> 00:29:07.200 from a piece of wheat 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:08.320 growing in the field. 00:29:09.540 --> 00:29:10.060 Interestingly, 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:11.200 the only other bits 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.980 that talk about 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.920 plucking wheat 00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:13.660 from the field, 00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:15.160 it has to do 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.880 with hospitality 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.720 and charity 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.780 towards widows, 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.380 orphans, 00:29:18.520 --> 00:29:19.340 and foreigners. 00:29:20.280 --> 00:29:20.820 It talks about 00:29:20.820 --> 00:29:21.840 at harvest time, 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:24.140 don't plow the whole field. 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:24.660 Don't harvest 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.480 the whole field. 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.900 Leave the edges 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:29.520 so that the poor people 00:29:29.520 --> 00:29:30.600 can glean for themselves. 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:31.360 It's a picture 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:32.100 of hospitality. 00:29:32.560 --> 00:29:33.100 It's interesting 00:29:33.100 --> 00:29:33.980 how the law 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:35.240 has built into it 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.080 these beautiful 00:29:36.080 --> 00:29:37.600 aspects of charity 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:38.280 and love 00:29:38.280 --> 00:29:39.620 to the down and out. 00:29:40.280 --> 00:29:41.080 And the Pharisees, 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:41.759 trying to keep 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.300 the Sabbath, 00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:44.259 totally miss 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.940 an opportunity 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:46.600 to show charity 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.680 and hospitality. 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.840 They are missing it. 00:29:53.080 --> 00:29:54.100 Instead of turning 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:55.520 their gaze to God, 00:29:55.800 --> 00:29:56.200 they are turning 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:56.960 their gaze 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.960 on themselves, 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:59.079 and they are 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:01.259 a stumbling block. 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:03.940 In Matthew 23, 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.900 Jesus has this whole 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:06.860 series of woes 00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:07.600 to the Pharisees 00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:08.420 and the scribes. 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.319 If you get a chance 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:09.819 tonight, 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:10.920 give it a read. 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:12.200 It is scathing. 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.920 But this is what he says 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.759 in verse 23 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:17.420 of Matthew 23. 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:19.259 So Matthew 23, 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:19.779 23. 00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:21.119 Woe to you, 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.299 scribes and Pharisees, 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.460 hypocrites, 00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.940 for you tithe 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.019 mint and dill 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.519 and cumin 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.680 and have neglected 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:28.680 the weightier matters 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.259 of the law, 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:30.420 justice, 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:31.480 mercy, 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.480 and faithfulness. 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:34.079 These you ought 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.700 to have done 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.860 without neglecting 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:36.319 the others. 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.920 Instead you, 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.940 this says, 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.140 sorry, 00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:41.240 you blind guides 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.120 straining out 00:30:42.120 --> 00:30:43.000 a gnat 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.880 and swallowing 00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:44.420 a camel. 00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:46.980 They fail to see 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.799 that the end 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.400 of the law, 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.140 the purpose 00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:49.680 of the law, 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.339 the telos 00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:50.900 of the law 00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:52.079 is God himself, 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:54.039 is the Messiah, 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:54.819 is that God 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.519 will once again 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:56.799 dwell with his people 00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:57.900 and they will dwell 00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:58.420 with him. 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.019 Their sins 00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.920 will be no more. 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:03.200 So much so 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:05.480 in this picture, 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.580 so I talked about 00:31:06.580 --> 00:31:07.240 the bridegroom 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.880 and the end 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.440 of history 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:09.720 being this beautiful 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:11.580 picture of Jesus, 00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:13.080 the bridegroom, 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:14.340 with the bride 00:31:14.340 --> 00:31:14.800 forever. 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:15.800 But there's another 00:31:15.800 --> 00:31:17.080 picture in scripture 00:31:17.080 --> 00:31:18.039 that talks of 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:20.000 heaven and eternity 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.560 with God 00:31:20.560 --> 00:31:21.400 being the Sabbath 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.180 rest of God. 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:25.100 That the Sabbath 00:31:25.100 --> 00:31:26.019 was instituted 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.660 by God 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.680 not to be this 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:28.680 intense, 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.720 onerous day, 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.339 but a day 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:31.400 that is a gift, 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.660 a day of rest, 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:34.319 a day where 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:35.539 we don't have 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.720 to strive anymore 00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.559 and we can recognize 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:38.299 that really 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:39.339 we can work hard 00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:40.500 but in the end 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.279 God gives us 00:31:41.279 --> 00:31:41.799 our bread. 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.980 And that sweetness 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.799 of that connection 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.279 with God 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.140 and rest in him, 00:31:47.380 --> 00:31:48.000 that is another 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.920 picture of eternity. 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:50.000 And Jesus, 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:50.819 what does he say? 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.940 How does he finish 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:54.680 off chapter 2? 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.339 Look with me again 00:31:56.339 --> 00:31:57.140 in verse 27. 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.360 The Sabbath 00:31:58.360 --> 00:31:59.420 was made for man, 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:01.100 not man for the Sabbath. 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.780 So the Son of Man 00:32:02.780 --> 00:32:04.700 is Lord 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.900 even of the Sabbath. 00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:08.940 Jesus Christ 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:10.520 is Lord 00:32:10.520 --> 00:32:11.259 of the Sabbath. 00:32:12.080 --> 00:32:13.200 The only Lord 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:13.820 of the Sabbath 00:32:13.820 --> 00:32:14.500 in the Bible 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.560 is God himself 00:32:15.560 --> 00:32:16.660 because he was the one 00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.780 who instituted it 00:32:17.780 --> 00:32:18.759 and created it. 00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:20.220 And Jesus here 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:21.100 is saying that he, 00:32:21.300 --> 00:32:21.680 in fact, 00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:22.280 is the Lord 00:32:22.280 --> 00:32:22.780 of the Sabbath. 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:23.800 Again, 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:24.620 another declaration 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:25.939 that Jesus is God 00:32:25.939 --> 00:32:27.019 and we start to see 00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:28.500 an even bigger picture 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:30.519 of who this Messiah 00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:31.379 really is. 00:32:32.219 --> 00:32:32.479 That he, 00:32:32.839 --> 00:32:33.299 yes, 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:34.199 he forgives sin 00:32:34.199 --> 00:32:36.099 and he cleanses 00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:38.019 the leprous man. 00:32:38.159 --> 00:32:38.419 Yes, 00:32:38.479 --> 00:32:39.539 he casts out demons 00:32:39.539 --> 00:32:40.759 and he heals the sick. 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:42.819 But what does he, 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.299 what else does he do? 00:32:44.459 --> 00:32:45.579 He saves us 00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.179 from our own 00:32:46.179 --> 00:32:47.099 self-righteousness. 00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:48.859 He, 00:32:48.899 --> 00:32:50.719 he brings us 00:32:50.719 --> 00:32:52.639 into complete union 00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:53.240 with him 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.500 and helps us 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.740 to enter his rest. 00:32:57.280 --> 00:32:58.580 And these two things, 00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:01.060 whatever you might think, 00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:02.620 I would put to you 00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:03.080 that this is 00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:04.280 the deepest longing 00:33:04.280 --> 00:33:05.600 of the human heart. 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.640 That all of our strivings, 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.340 all the people 00:33:08.340 --> 00:33:08.960 in Canada 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:10.320 and in Stittsville 00:33:10.320 --> 00:33:11.080 and in Ottawa, 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.380 wherever it may be 00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:12.980 in Canada, 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.520 we are striving 00:33:14.520 --> 00:33:15.220 for rest. 00:33:16.800 --> 00:33:18.320 Not for a vacation, 00:33:19.060 --> 00:33:19.840 but for rest. 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:22.539 That the striving 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:24.259 after money, 00:33:24.679 --> 00:33:25.579 after fame, 00:33:25.679 --> 00:33:26.439 after belonging, 00:33:26.679 --> 00:33:27.579 it's exhausting. 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:30.079 And we want rest. 00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:31.539 And we want it. 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.119 We still want these things. 00:33:33.179 --> 00:33:34.039 We still want belonging. 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:34.859 We still want 00:33:34.859 --> 00:33:36.480 a connection 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:37.359 and friendships. 00:33:37.939 --> 00:33:39.139 But we can't do it 00:33:39.139 --> 00:33:39.639 ourselves. 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:42.279 We can't. 00:33:43.399 --> 00:33:44.399 And if you're honest 00:33:44.399 --> 00:33:45.139 with yourself, 00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:46.539 if I'm honest 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:47.220 with myself, 00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:49.539 I'm tired of it. 00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:51.400 I'm tired of it. 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.519 I'm tired of 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:53.740 trying to make 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:55.620 things look right 00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:57.100 and feel right. 00:33:57.860 --> 00:33:58.660 And instead, 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:01.680 gaze off of me 00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:02.759 and look to Christ. 00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:05.940 Friends, 00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:09.179 the great, 00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:09.880 great truth 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:11.019 of our section 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:11.920 in Scripture today 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:13.400 is that we don't 00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:14.340 have to strive 00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:16.440 for God's 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.139 affection 00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:19.559 and his approval 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:21.519 that in Christ Jesus 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:22.220 we have it. 00:34:24.280 --> 00:34:25.460 We repent 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.079 and believe. 00:34:26.180 --> 00:34:26.460 We say, 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.240 I can't 00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:28.220 keep living 00:34:28.220 --> 00:34:28.820 this way. 00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:29.599 And maybe 00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:30.700 you pray that prayer 00:34:30.700 --> 00:34:32.119 until your dying breath. 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:33.700 You say it 00:34:33.700 --> 00:34:34.480 and then you 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.700 thrust yourself 00:34:35.700 --> 00:34:36.639 at the foot 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.360 of the cross. 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.860 I believe 00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:39.680 helped my unbelief. 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:41.859 Let's stand 00:34:41.859 --> 00:34:42.339 and pray. 00:34:48.399 --> 00:34:49.259 Heavenly Father, 00:34:49.419 --> 00:34:49.879 we thank you 00:34:49.879 --> 00:34:50.460 so much 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.399 for your goodness, 00:34:52.359 --> 00:34:53.599 your great love 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:54.039 for us 00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.179 that we do not 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:56.219 have to 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:58.000 somehow reach 00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:59.159 a level of piety 00:34:59.159 --> 00:35:00.460 and righteousness 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:01.659 in and of ourselves 00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:03.079 to be loved 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.639 by you, 00:35:03.839 --> 00:35:04.480 to be called 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.199 your bride, 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:06.000 to enter 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.699 your rest. 00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:07.759 Instead, 00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:08.639 we just 00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:10.059 cast our gaze 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:11.099 upon your Son 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:12.379 and trust in 00:35:12.379 --> 00:35:13.599 the finished work 00:35:13.599 --> 00:35:14.420 that he has done 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:15.480 on the cross 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:16.579 of Calvary already. 00:35:17.299 --> 00:35:18.199 That if we are 00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:19.299 found in him, 00:35:20.179 --> 00:35:20.920 that we will 00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:21.619 be assured 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:22.400 to have a seat 00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:23.659 at the marriage 00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.159 supper 00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:25.699 of the bridegroom 00:35:25.699 --> 00:35:26.960 when he 00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:28.539 has got 00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:29.239 his bride 00:35:29.239 --> 00:35:30.279 and that we 00:35:30.279 --> 00:35:31.379 will enter 00:35:31.379 --> 00:35:32.199 his rest 00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:32.599 forever 00:35:32.599 --> 00:35:33.379 and ever 00:35:33.379 --> 00:35:34.099 and ever 00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:35.819 where strivings 00:35:35.819 --> 00:35:36.400 cease, 00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:37.539 where we can 00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.279 exhale, 00:35:38.639 --> 00:35:39.779 and know 00:35:39.779 --> 00:35:40.440 sweet, 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.440 sweet forgiveness 00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.259 and connection 00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:43.659 and union 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.420 with him. 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:45.879 Lord, 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:46.619 open our eyes 00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:47.259 to the areas 00:35:47.259 --> 00:35:48.099 in our lives 00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:48.519 where we are 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.079 striving, 00:35:50.339 --> 00:35:50.719 where we 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:52.440 are more like 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:53.119 Pharisees 00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:53.719 than we'd 00:35:53.719 --> 00:35:54.480 like to admit. 00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:55.980 Lord, 00:35:56.059 --> 00:35:56.599 help us 00:35:56.599 --> 00:35:57.900 to repent 00:35:57.900 --> 00:35:58.599 and believe. 00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:00.500 We pray all of this 00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:01.819 in Christ's mighty name. 00:36:02.339 --> 00:36:02.659 Amen.