WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:04.879 Well, good morning, everyone. Good morning. How lovely to see you. Thank you so much for coming out this morning. 00:00:04.960 --> 00:00:12.419 Please, if you've got a Bible, grab it and turn to Luke chapter 20, those verses that Paul helpfully read for us earlier. 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:19.839 And this is where we're going to camp out this morning, Luke chapter 20, as we journey with Jesus as he heads towards Jerusalem. 00:00:19.980 --> 00:00:23.260 Thank you so much, Fiona and the band, for leading us this far. 00:00:23.480 --> 00:00:29.420 And let's bow our heads and still ourselves as we come to God's inspired word this morning. And let's pray. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.759 Father, thank you so much for this morning. 00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:41.899 Thank you for the truth that your mercies to us are new each and every day. 00:00:42.579 --> 00:00:57.140 And we ask as we turn to your words now that you would refresh us and you would restore us and you would remind us and you would realign us all for your glory and for the upbuilding of this church. 00:00:57.140 --> 00:00:59.320 We ask in Jesus name. Amen. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:06.920 Well, before we, Alex and I, we moved to Edinburgh in 2012, we spent a bit of time working and traveling in Malawi. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:11.960 And I remember meeting this man one day in the marketplace. 00:01:12.099 --> 00:01:14.819 Now, back in 2012, I used to think I had a really good camera. 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:19.760 And when I dug out this photo, I realized actually technology has come on a long way since 2012. 00:01:19.760 --> 00:01:21.359 So bear with me. I met this guy. 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:21.660 Okay. 00:01:23.380 --> 00:01:27.080 And immediately his T-shirt drew me to him. 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:38.799 And I went to him expecting to find a wonderful story about how somebody had gone from believing that there was no God to believing that there was a God. 00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:40.340 So I ran up to him. 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:42.459 They call white people in Africa Mzungus. 00:01:42.459 --> 00:01:46.500 So this Mzungu ran up to him and I said, my friend, I love your T-shirt. 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:48.299 I love your T-shirt. 00:01:48.339 --> 00:01:49.479 Even let me have a photo of it. 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:49.939 Can you believe? 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:51.059 I love your T-shirt. 00:01:51.060 --> 00:01:53.980 And he looked at me puzzled. 00:01:54.820 --> 00:01:59.579 And he shouted to his friend over here in Checewa, which is the local language, shouted in Checewa. 00:02:00.140 --> 00:02:03.859 And his friend looked at me and translated what he had said into English. 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:11.539 And he said, he likes wearing the T-shirt, simply because he got a laugh and he got some people like me coming up to him. 00:02:11.580 --> 00:02:14.460 He loves wearing the T-shirt, but he doesn't believe what it means. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:19.420 He loves wearing the T-shirt, but he doesn't believe what it means. 00:02:19.419 --> 00:02:28.879 You see, what I thought was true about this man from looking at the outside was not true about this man on the inside. 00:02:30.060 --> 00:02:41.899 And this morning we're going to see Jesus challenge a people that their outsides and their insides are just not matching up. 00:02:42.839 --> 00:02:45.759 Now, as we've journeyed through Luke's gospel over the last recent weeks, 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:51.399 we've seen Jesus being put through what you can only describe as an intense examination. 00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:52.259 Okay. 00:02:52.439 --> 00:03:01.079 The religious leaders are trying to get him to make a mistake so that they can get the excuse that they need to kill him. 00:03:01.899 --> 00:03:08.159 Now, as we've journeyed through this over the last few weeks, I wonder if you've noticed the pattern that I've noticed. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:10.079 What's the pattern? 00:03:11.219 --> 00:03:12.359 Well, something like this. 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:15.800 They get together and they come up with their questions. 00:03:16.300 --> 00:03:18.939 The questions that they're going to ask Jesus. 00:03:19.519 --> 00:03:20.539 Pharisees have had a shot. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:21.979 Sadducees have had a shot. 00:03:22.579 --> 00:03:27.259 They get together and they think about their questions that they think are going to put Jesus in checkmate. 00:03:28.439 --> 00:03:31.199 And every time you can almost hear them thinking to themselves, 00:03:31.199 --> 00:03:32.619 we've got them this time. 00:03:33.459 --> 00:03:34.839 I mean, we have got them this time. 00:03:35.379 --> 00:03:36.119 Fist pump here. 00:03:36.339 --> 00:03:37.060 Fist pump here. 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:37.939 We have got them. 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:41.039 Every time what happens? 00:03:42.179 --> 00:03:42.859 Jesus wins. 00:03:44.139 --> 00:03:45.719 Jesus wins. 00:03:47.019 --> 00:03:49.879 Every time Jesus wins, you can almost picture them. 00:03:49.959 --> 00:03:50.500 Can you not? 00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:54.179 Coming together, whispering to one another, elbows in the ribs, 00:03:54.179 --> 00:03:56.280 please stop asking them questions. 00:03:57.079 --> 00:03:58.419 Because Jesus keeps winning. 00:03:58.419 --> 00:04:00.299 He keeps winning. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:09.719 Because so wise is Jesus that not only are his answers leaving his opponents absolutely dumbfounded, 00:04:10.679 --> 00:04:14.500 his answers are causing his listeners to marvel. 00:04:16.599 --> 00:04:24.419 Because his words have been speaking into the very souls of the people who are listening to him. 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:27.779 Now, if you've got a Bible there, follow with me as we see this pattern, okay? 00:04:28.420 --> 00:04:29.420 1948. 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:31.980 1948. 00:04:35.400 --> 00:04:39.120 Yet they could not find any way to do it. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:40.400 1948. 00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:41.660 That is arrest him. 00:04:42.540 --> 00:04:46.020 Because all the people hung on his words. 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:49.280 2026. 00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:49.579 2026. 00:04:51.979 --> 00:04:56.779 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what they said. 00:04:57.719 --> 00:05:02.279 But marveling at his answer, they became silent. 00:05:04.179 --> 00:05:04.459 Okay? 00:05:04.679 --> 00:05:05.319 One more. 00:05:06.359 --> 00:05:07.679 2040. 00:05:09.159 --> 00:05:10.979 Okay, we're going rapid speed this morning, okay? 00:05:11.259 --> 00:05:11.779 2040. 00:05:11.779 --> 00:05:11.899 2040. 00:05:11.899 --> 00:05:11.919 2040. 00:05:11.919 --> 00:05:11.939 2040. 00:05:11.939 --> 00:05:11.979 2040. 00:05:11.979 --> 00:05:12.000 2040. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:12.039 2040. 00:05:12.039 --> 00:05:12.500 2040. 00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:12.599 2040. 00:05:12.599 --> 00:05:13.379 2040. 00:05:13.379 --> 00:05:13.399 2040. 00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:13.439 2040. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:13.479 2040. 00:05:13.479 --> 00:05:13.519 2040. 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:13.559 2040. 00:05:13.559 --> 00:05:13.599 2040. 00:05:13.599 --> 00:05:13.639 2040. 00:05:13.639 --> 00:05:13.719 2040. 00:05:13.719 --> 00:05:13.759 2040. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:13.799 2040. 00:05:13.799 --> 00:05:14.279 2040. 00:05:14.279 --> 00:05:14.319 2040. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:15.319 2040. 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:15.359 2040. 00:05:15.359 --> 00:05:16.359 2040. 00:05:16.359 --> 00:05:17.359 2040. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:17.879 2140. 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:21.220 And no one dared ask him any more questions. 00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:22.600 Do you see the pattern? 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:25.199 They think they've got him in checkmate. 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:26.379 Jesus wins. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:35.780 Something about what Jesus was saying was striking a chord with every single person present. 00:05:35.960 --> 00:05:43.879 The world which Jesus was explaining was so refreshingly resonating deep inside human hearts. 00:05:44.840 --> 00:05:45.980 Do you see what's going on? 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:51.560 Here is Jesus, the one who has existed from all eternity. 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:55.080 Here is Jesus, the one through whom the world was created. 00:05:55.960 --> 00:06:00.220 Here is Jesus, the one who sustains the stars and planets. 00:06:00.220 --> 00:06:04.420 Here is Jesus, the one who holds our lives in his hands. 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:07.639 And here is Jesus' wisdom personified. 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:08.560 And what is he doing? 00:06:08.840 --> 00:06:10.040 Speaking to his creation. 00:06:11.639 --> 00:06:12.900 Speaking to his creatures. 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:16.819 Friends, if you are looking for words of life, 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:20.160 if you are looking for words of hope, 00:06:20.900 --> 00:06:23.800 if you are looking for words of truth, 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:27.400 if you are looking for words of wisdom to help you make sense of yourself 00:06:27.639 --> 00:06:31.800 and help you make sense of the world in which you and I live, 00:06:32.580 --> 00:06:34.100 then come and listen to Jesus. 00:06:35.160 --> 00:06:37.319 Come to God's words. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:39.680 Do you see here as we see Jesus in action, 00:06:39.780 --> 00:06:41.960 it tells us that our God, this God, 00:06:42.400 --> 00:06:45.840 is not standing on the top of a hill somewhere waiting to be discovered. 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:48.399 He's come to us. 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:52.199 And the invitation from Jesus is come to me. 00:06:52.479 --> 00:06:54.239 Come and listen to me. 00:06:55.799 --> 00:06:57.239 As C.S. Lewis once said, 00:06:57.619 --> 00:07:01.299 I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. 00:07:01.799 --> 00:07:03.819 Not only because I see it, 00:07:04.359 --> 00:07:05.799 but because by it, 00:07:06.059 --> 00:07:08.000 I see everything else. 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:12.639 Jesus' words are capturing souls. 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:18.660 But that can't be said of the religious leaders who are challenging him. 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:21.279 And so in our verses this morning, 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:23.980 beginning at verse 41 of chapter 20, 00:07:24.540 --> 00:07:28.879 what we're going to see is Jesus critique this generation's hypocrisy. 00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:33.899 Because when it comes to their religious lives, 00:07:34.519 --> 00:07:42.360 what Jesus is observing is outsides and insides that are not matching up. 00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:44.180 Here's critique number one, 00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:46.139 verses 41 to 44. 00:07:47.579 --> 00:07:48.399 Jesus says, 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:49.299 on the outside, 00:07:50.079 --> 00:07:50.859 you see knowledge, 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:52.939 but on the inside, 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:53.759 I see pride. 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:58.019 So if Jesus has been on the defensive over the past few weeks, 00:07:58.099 --> 00:07:59.859 here he is about to go on the offensive. 00:08:01.219 --> 00:08:03.079 And he's going to ask some questions of his own. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:05.579 And the question he asks to the listening crowd 00:08:05.579 --> 00:08:08.179 is a question that concerns his identity. 00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:12.219 Because he wants them to think through, 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:14.219 to take time to consider 00:08:14.219 --> 00:08:16.459 who he really is. 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:17.680 Now can I just say, 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:18.459 pause at this point, 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:19.799 if that is you this morning, 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:23.759 if you are taking time to consider who Jesus is, 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:25.399 maybe you've been here over the last few weeks, 00:08:25.479 --> 00:08:26.819 but you wouldn't call yourself a Christian. 00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:27.859 If that is you this morning, 00:08:28.419 --> 00:08:30.599 then can I encourage you that what you are doing 00:08:30.599 --> 00:08:33.120 is the most important thing in life. 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:39.059 To consider who this man Jesus really is. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:40.840 In our verses, 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:42.220 do you see Jesus ask a question? 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:44.360 In fact, 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:47.240 Jesus asked two questions to the crowd. 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:48.980 Interestingly, 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:50.200 none of which he answers. 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:52.700 And even more tellingly, 00:08:52.800 --> 00:08:53.920 none of which they answer. 00:08:55.080 --> 00:08:56.560 Now to understand his questions, 00:08:56.700 --> 00:08:59.040 remember that he's speaking to a generation of people 00:08:59.040 --> 00:09:00.899 who are steeped in religious history. 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:04.120 And not only are they steeped in religious history, 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:07.639 but they are steeped in religious expectation 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:10.320 about a promised Messiah, 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:12.600 about a promised King, 00:09:13.060 --> 00:09:14.480 about a promised Saviour 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:16.779 who God would send to rescue his people 00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:18.320 from their enemies. 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:21.320 And when this Messiah would come, 00:09:21.399 --> 00:09:22.940 he wasn't going to come from left field. 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:26.560 He was going to come from the line 00:09:26.560 --> 00:09:29.379 of Israel's greatest and most celebrated king, 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:30.060 King David. 00:09:30.059 --> 00:09:32.299 And this king, 00:09:32.539 --> 00:09:33.319 this Messiah, 00:09:33.439 --> 00:09:34.139 when he comes, 00:09:34.239 --> 00:09:36.139 is not going to be inferior to David. 00:09:36.719 --> 00:09:38.579 He's going to be superior to David. 00:09:39.719 --> 00:09:40.079 In fact, 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:41.779 David himself even says so. 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:43.119 Jesus quotes there, 00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:44.319 Psalm 110. 00:09:45.959 --> 00:09:47.559 This great Psalm of David 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:49.819 which speaks about God's mighty king. 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:50.019 I mean, 00:09:50.079 --> 00:09:52.779 this Psalm is a big deal in the psalmity. 00:09:53.479 --> 00:09:54.279 It's a big deal. 00:09:55.500 --> 00:09:56.419 Now these men 00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:59.039 knew their Bibles from cover to cover. 00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:00.699 They would have known this Psalm. 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:03.039 And they would have known that David, 00:10:03.139 --> 00:10:05.819 as he thinks about God's mighty king, 00:10:06.219 --> 00:10:07.439 the one to come, 00:10:08.339 --> 00:10:10.219 refers to him as Lord, 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:11.759 Adonai, 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:12.819 Master. 00:10:12.939 --> 00:10:14.799 That's how David sees this king to come. 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:16.419 And they know 00:10:16.419 --> 00:10:19.559 that David bows the knee to this king 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:21.279 even though he is one of his descendants. 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:24.219 Now we've seen this over the past 00:10:24.219 --> 00:10:25.779 few months or so 00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:26.720 that people have begun 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:27.779 to join the dots 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:29.360 as to who Jesus is. 00:10:30.579 --> 00:10:31.699 If you remember the blind man 00:10:31.699 --> 00:10:32.939 back in chapter 18, 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:33.600 verse 38, 00:10:33.699 --> 00:10:34.639 as he hears that Jesus 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:35.659 is about to pass by, 00:10:35.779 --> 00:10:37.299 he seizes his opportunity 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:38.199 and what does he shout? 00:10:38.819 --> 00:10:39.279 Jesus, 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:41.480 son of David. 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:46.100 He recognizes who Jesus is. 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:48.699 Now what is Jesus' point? 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:52.759 that if David saw God's king rightly 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:56.460 and the blind man saw God's king rightly, 00:10:57.040 --> 00:10:59.540 then why will you religious leaders, 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:02.560 why will you not see God's king rightly? 00:11:05.140 --> 00:11:06.660 And they will not give an answer. 00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:10.720 And it's not because they can't think of an answer, 00:11:11.680 --> 00:11:13.020 like the cat's got the tongue 00:11:13.020 --> 00:11:13.720 or something like that. 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:15.800 They just don't want to give the answer. 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:19.700 I read a fascinating quote recently 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:20.759 from Winston Churchill 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:23.660 as he reflected on his own life 00:11:23.660 --> 00:11:26.139 and as he reflected on human nature. 00:11:26.680 --> 00:11:28.420 He said this about what we tend to do 00:11:28.420 --> 00:11:29.100 with the truth. 00:11:30.540 --> 00:11:33.180 We occasionally stumble over the truth, 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:36.040 but most of us pick ourselves up 00:11:36.040 --> 00:11:37.540 and hurry off 00:11:37.540 --> 00:11:39.240 as if nothing has ever happened. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:42.779 Well, that is these religious leaders. 00:11:44.300 --> 00:11:46.560 They will not see Jesus for who he is. 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:50.120 I wonder if that's some of us here this morning. 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:53.560 Maybe you've never considered Jesus for yourself. 00:11:53.660 --> 00:11:55.139 Maybe you have not bowed the knee to him 00:11:55.139 --> 00:11:56.180 as your lord and your king. 00:11:56.300 --> 00:11:57.399 Well, if that's you this morning, 00:11:57.460 --> 00:11:58.600 I'd love to chat to you. 00:11:59.040 --> 00:12:00.519 Anybody you've seen up the front this morning, 00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:01.440 maybe you came with a friend, 00:12:01.540 --> 00:12:04.000 chat to them about who this Jesus really is. 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:07.500 But I also wonder for some of us here this morning 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:11.500 whether what is in our heads 00:12:11.500 --> 00:12:14.279 needs to make it down to our hearts. 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:16.679 You know, I had a friend, 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:18.259 one of my best friends actually, 00:12:18.340 --> 00:12:19.779 he lives in Vancouver in Canada. 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:21.360 I remember Alex and I, 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:23.259 we went to visit him and his wife 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:24.940 three or four years ago 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:26.259 and I went to see his study. 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:28.100 So he used to be a pastor 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:29.580 and he had a brilliant study 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:31.559 full of many, many leather-bound books. 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:34.139 But at the top of his study 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:35.599 was this old, 00:12:36.359 --> 00:12:37.539 I want to say the word fusty, 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.479 that's a Scottish word, 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:38.959 you know what I mean? 00:12:39.839 --> 00:12:41.419 Bible at the top of his shelf. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:42.699 And I said to him, 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:44.059 why on earth have you got that Bible 00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:44.879 at the top of your shelf 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:46.599 when you've got so many modern ones down here? 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:47.339 What is going on? 00:12:47.359 --> 00:12:47.759 And he said, 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:49.679 well, that Bible is a family heirloom 00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:51.979 and it's been passed down 00:12:51.979 --> 00:12:54.239 from generation to generation of Smith. 00:12:54.339 --> 00:12:56.619 So I inherited it from my grandpa. 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:59.419 But the thing about my family line 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:01.360 is that not everyone in my family line 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:01.939 is a Christian. 00:13:03.059 --> 00:13:04.360 And so when I look at that Bible, 00:13:04.459 --> 00:13:06.740 it reminds me how easy it is 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:09.059 to have a Bible in your hands 00:13:09.059 --> 00:13:10.879 but not a saviour in your heart. 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:14.759 It's exactly what Jesus is saying here. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:17.000 Jesus says, 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:22.079 you see knowledge on the outside, 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.699 but on the inside, 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.240 I see pride. 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:27.740 Here's critique number two, 00:13:27.839 --> 00:13:29.319 verses 45 to 47. 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.179 Jesus says, 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:32.659 on the outside you see genuine, 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:34.639 but on the inside, 00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:36.199 I see fake. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.539 So with all the people listening, 00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:40.439 Jesus turns to address his disciples 00:13:40.439 --> 00:13:41.539 at verse 45. 00:13:43.319 --> 00:13:45.860 He's been surveying these teachers of the law. 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:48.620 He's been watching how they behave. 00:13:49.199 --> 00:13:50.899 He's been seeing how they tick. 00:13:50.979 --> 00:13:52.599 He's been seeing what they love. 00:13:53.839 --> 00:13:54.879 How are they acting? 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:56.559 That's a great description here 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:58.039 that Luke gives us. 00:13:58.039 --> 00:13:59.419 What are they doing? 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:01.120 They're wearing religious clothes. 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:03.699 They're receiving religious greetings. 00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:06.039 They're attending religious events. 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.959 They're speaking religious language. 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:10.299 All of this is supposed to add up 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:11.799 to give us the rounded impression 00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:14.579 of total devotion and absolute piety. 00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:17.259 And you have to say, 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:17.680 do you know, 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:19.340 as you read this description here, 00:14:19.400 --> 00:14:20.940 that this is a religious life 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:22.520 that looks extremely impressive. 00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:25.520 Now put yourself 00:14:25.520 --> 00:14:27.940 in the position of the disciples 00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:28.740 at this point. 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.900 Now remember who's in Jesus' 00:14:31.040 --> 00:14:31.879 little band of followers 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.580 at this point. 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:33.560 It's the sinful, 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:34.759 the hated, 00:14:35.040 --> 00:14:35.660 the broken, 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:36.639 the nebodies. 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:39.519 And so as they look 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.659 at these religious leaders 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.159 in action, 00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:42.480 what must they be thinking? 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:45.340 Well as I was thinking 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.240 of that this week, 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:47.879 it reminded me 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:49.740 of the days 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.960 when I used to go to the gym. 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:52.939 Days which I'm sure 00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:53.519 you can tell 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.379 are long behind me. 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:56.039 And I used to go 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:57.039 to the weights area 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:57.659 of the gym. 00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:58.159 Again, 00:14:58.840 --> 00:14:59.779 days which you can tell 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:00.259 are probably 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:01.759 well behind me. 00:15:02.819 --> 00:15:03.639 And there was always, 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:04.720 and if you've gone to the gym, 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:05.460 if you go to the gym, 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.420 you'll know what I'm talking about here. 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.780 There was always that one person. 00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:09.879 I used to go in, 00:15:09.920 --> 00:15:10.660 I used to see him. 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:12.500 Sweatbands on. 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.580 Protein shaking hand. 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.340 Really tight t-shirt 00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:16.820 that said 00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.220 no pain, 00:15:17.280 --> 00:15:17.879 no game on it. 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:18.780 Do you know that kind of person? 00:15:19.540 --> 00:15:21.400 Making really exaggerated noises 00:15:21.400 --> 00:15:22.220 as I used to go up 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:22.680 to the weights. 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:27.220 And I used to watch him 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:27.960 do this. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.200 And then I used to look back 00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:31.780 at me 00:15:31.780 --> 00:15:34.180 and how did I feel? 00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:36.500 Intimidated, 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:37.860 inferior, 00:15:38.900 --> 00:15:39.280 useless, 00:15:40.060 --> 00:15:40.820 out of place. 00:15:41.780 --> 00:15:43.100 I'm sure that's how 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:44.360 these disciples felt 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.379 as they watched 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:47.120 these religious showmen 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:48.340 in action. 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:49.720 I mean, 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:50.280 who are we 00:15:50.280 --> 00:15:50.940 in comparison 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:51.820 to them? 00:15:53.920 --> 00:15:54.180 Well, 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:55.080 Jesus steps in 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:57.180 and says, 00:15:57.280 --> 00:15:57.759 let me tell you 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.700 what's really going on there. 00:15:58.700 --> 00:16:00.820 these men, 00:16:00.900 --> 00:16:02.300 they live for the praise 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:02.820 of men 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:04.940 rather than the praise 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:05.460 of God. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.480 These men live 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.940 to serve themselves, 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:10.940 not interested in others, 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.300 and they will even 00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:13.980 exploit the most vulnerable 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:15.560 in society 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:17.360 for their gain. 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:18.920 Disciples, 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:21.040 don't let them fool you. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.900 Don't let them fool you. 00:16:24.660 --> 00:16:25.280 It's true, 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:25.540 isn't it? 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.259 As a society, 00:16:26.459 --> 00:16:28.199 we hate hypocrisy. 00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:30.219 Hate hypocrisy. 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:31.759 When people's lives 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.500 and people's lips 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.459 when they don't match up. 00:16:34.839 --> 00:16:36.299 When following the news 00:16:36.299 --> 00:16:37.240 over the last few weeks, 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.179 you'll see the outcry 00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:39.139 that's come in response 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:40.779 to some of the findings 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.839 that went on at Oxfam. 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.620 As a society, 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:44.299 we hate hypocrisy. 00:16:46.099 --> 00:16:47.019 But isn't it comforting 00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:48.339 to know that as we read 00:16:48.339 --> 00:16:49.099 these verses here 00:16:49.099 --> 00:16:50.599 that God hates hypocrisy too? 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:54.139 God hates hypocrisy too? 00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:57.399 And like we see here 00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.240 in Jesus' words, 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:59.200 not only does God 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:00.639 hate hypocrisy, 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.220 not only does God 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.240 see hypocrisy, 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.620 but God will one day 00:17:05.620 --> 00:17:07.740 do something about hypocrisy 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:09.700 and everything will be exposed 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.440 and everything will be dealt with. 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:12.519 That's these men here. 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:15.620 That's these men here. 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:18.900 The consistent truth 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:20.340 of scripture 00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:22.519 that man looks 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.880 on the outside, 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:26.019 but God looks 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:27.440 on the heart. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:30.340 Let me ask you this morning, 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.259 what is the state, 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:32.160 the true state 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:33.240 of your heart this morning? 00:17:35.100 --> 00:17:36.080 What is the true state 00:17:36.080 --> 00:17:37.080 of your heart this morning? 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.680 So easy, 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:41.519 so, so easy 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:44.240 to slip into spiritual showmanship 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.240 just like these people. 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.340 Now I must say, 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:48.320 it's one of the biggest battles 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:49.519 for me doing this job. 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.500 One of the biggest battles 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:51.960 for me, 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.779 that I have to constantly 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.779 be on my guard 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.720 and make sure 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:57.119 that I'm reading 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.519 the Bible devotionally 00:17:58.519 --> 00:18:00.000 well before I'm reading 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.859 it professionally. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:03.960 That my public prayer life 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:05.500 is being fueled 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:08.899 by a private prayer life. 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.639 And we have to say, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:10.939 do we not, 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.059 we know it to be true 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:12.859 as Christians, 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.519 it's so easy 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.379 to pull it off. 00:18:15.439 --> 00:18:16.700 If you've been in Christian circles 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.259 long enough, 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:17.519 I mean, 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.640 you know this to be true. 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.279 You say amen 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.380 at the right moments. 00:18:22.120 --> 00:18:23.380 Depending what church you're on, 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:24.319 you lift your hands 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:25.519 at the appropriate times 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.279 during songs. 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.980 You know the lingo 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.120 of an impressive prayer. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.580 You attend the right meetings. 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.880 You keep the right circles. 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:33.880 But all the while, 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:36.880 your outside 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:38.480 is different from your inside. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:41.000 Let me ask you, 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.980 when today is over 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.880 and when you go home 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:44.500 to your room 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.740 and when no one else 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.319 is watching, 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:49.039 who are you really? 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:51.700 You know, 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.519 Scottish minister 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.680 Robert Murray McShane 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.299 used to say 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.039 to his congregation 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:56.120 that what a person 00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:57.319 is on their knees 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:58.900 alone before God, 00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:00.240 that is what they are 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.920 and nothing more. 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:03.779 Jesus says 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.640 to this generation, 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.620 on the outside, 00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:07.059 you see genuine. 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:09.119 But let me tell you, 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:09.759 on the inside, 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:10.779 I see fake. 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.619 Here's critique number three, 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:15.559 verses one to four 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:16.559 of chapter 21. 00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:18.759 Jesus says, 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.399 on the outside, 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.399 you see cost, 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:22.039 but on the inside, 00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:22.899 I see cheap. 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:25.019 Now, where is he? 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:26.039 He's sitting in the vicinity 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.819 of the temple 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:28.759 and he's continuing 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.879 his people watching. 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:30.639 I love to know 00:19:30.639 --> 00:19:31.639 that Jesus isn't the only one 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:32.559 that loves the people watch. 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.679 Doing his people watching 00:19:34.679 --> 00:19:35.599 and he sees 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:37.219 that people are offering 00:19:37.219 --> 00:19:37.759 their gifts 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:39.199 at the temple treasury. 00:19:40.179 --> 00:19:41.459 Now, in the temple treasury, 00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.859 there were 13 boxes 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:43.779 in which you could put 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.219 your money 00:19:44.219 --> 00:19:46.139 and each box 00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:48.119 has a brass trumpet-shaped 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:48.559 opening 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.319 which was narrow 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:49.980 at the top 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:51.299 and wide at the bottom. 00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:52.879 Now, in this day, 00:19:52.939 --> 00:19:53.899 remember that we're not 00:19:53.899 --> 00:19:55.299 talking about banknotes. 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.500 We're not talking about 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.740 contactless technology. 00:19:57.899 --> 00:19:59.439 People would give coins. 00:20:01.439 --> 00:20:02.119 Have you sat there 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:03.579 for long enough 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.819 as people put their coins 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.599 in these boxes? 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:07.119 Not only would you hear 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:08.199 the sound of the coins 00:20:08.199 --> 00:20:08.739 going in, 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.579 but it wouldn't take you long 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:12.059 to distinguish the sound 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:13.799 that the different coins made 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.779 as they went into 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.399 these boxes. 00:20:16.739 --> 00:20:17.479 So you can imagine, 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:17.819 can't you, 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.599 these rich people 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:19.519 that Jesus observes, 00:20:19.699 --> 00:20:20.859 they walk up 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.779 to make their offerings 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.419 at the boxes. 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.239 They look around 00:20:24.239 --> 00:20:25.219 to see if they are 00:20:25.219 --> 00:20:25.919 being watched 00:20:25.919 --> 00:20:26.619 before dumping 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:28.119 a full bag of coins 00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:29.679 into the box. 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.279 Now, imagine 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:31.599 that satisfying noise 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.200 that it would make 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:33.339 as they hit the bottom 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:33.940 of the box. 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.579 Clink, clink, clink, clink, 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.319 clink, clink, clink, clink, 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:36.899 clink, clink, clink, clink. 00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:39.359 Clink, clink, clink, clink, 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.000 clink, clink, clink, clink, 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.319 clink, clink. 00:20:40.379 --> 00:20:41.440 People would love you. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.680 People would love you. 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.819 You'd walk away 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.940 thinking to yourself, 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.960 isn't God lucky 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:49.299 to have me 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:50.559 or she 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.660 on his team? 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.759 Isn't God not lucky? 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.160 But Jesus looks 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:57.759 at these people 00:20:57.759 --> 00:21:00.160 and he says, 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.720 their hearts 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.359 are all wrong. 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.139 All wrong. 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:07.240 It was Valentine's Day 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.759 and Wednesday. 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.720 For some of us, 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:10.220 I'm sure that was 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.119 an expensive day. 00:21:12.879 --> 00:21:13.480 I looked up 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.519 some stats this week 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.319 on Valentine's Day. 00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:15.980 Did you know 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:17.539 that it was estimated 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.240 that Americans 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:20.799 spent $19.6 billion 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:22.599 on the 14th? 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.079 I mean, 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.940 that is a lot of flowers, 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.399 is it not? 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:27.859 $19.6 billion. 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:31.039 It's an expensive day. 00:21:31.979 --> 00:21:32.399 But, 00:21:32.719 --> 00:21:34.039 if you were to walk 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.179 into any kind of shop 00:21:35.179 --> 00:21:37.179 post-Valentine's Day, 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:38.779 you'll notice 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.559 that stuff is 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.879 heavily discounted. 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.679 Roses are going 00:21:42.679 --> 00:21:43.479 for 50p, 00:21:43.939 --> 00:21:44.979 chocolates are reduced 00:21:44.979 --> 00:21:45.459 to clear. 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:46.599 Remember one year 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:47.339 for a joke, 00:21:47.679 --> 00:21:48.279 I popped out 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.199 for a pint of milk 00:21:49.199 --> 00:21:50.359 and what did I see? 00:21:50.439 --> 00:21:51.759 I saw a cuddly toy lobster 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.519 for 50p 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:52.959 that said, 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:53.400 pinch me, 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.160 I love you on it. 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.900 So I bought it 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:56.400 for Alex. 00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:58.420 She wasn't too impressed. 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.279 But men, 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.380 imagine if 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:02.559 to our loved ones 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.460 what we said 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.360 is that because 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.160 we were so, 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:06.779 so busy on Valentine's Day, 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:07.860 actually what we prefer 00:22:07.860 --> 00:22:08.759 to do is give 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.319 our loved ones 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:09.940 our presents 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:11.299 on the 15th, 00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:12.779 the day after 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.759 Valentine's Day. 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.400 All the while knowing 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.160 that your plan 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.860 in your head 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:18.100 was to go 00:22:18.100 --> 00:22:18.880 to these shops 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.259 and just, 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:19.880 I mean, 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:21.259 take the whole lot 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.660 that were just 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.380 to clear items. 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.519 Discount I.O. 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.519 was getting hit hard 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.440 before returning 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.259 to your loved one 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:27.740 and saying, 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:29.279 Happy Valentine's Day. 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.400 What kind of gift 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:31.940 would that be? 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.160 It would be one 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:35.259 that wants all the credit 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:37.079 but wants none 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:37.700 of the cost. 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.660 All the credit 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.779 but none 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:42.440 of the cost. 00:22:42.860 --> 00:22:43.640 That would be cheap. 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.720 That would be cheap. 00:22:46.600 --> 00:22:47.279 And as Jesus 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.299 observes what's going on 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:49.420 here with these rich people, 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.980 what he says, 00:22:51.340 --> 00:22:52.200 that gift 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:54.059 is something 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:54.680 where they're wanting 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.519 all the credit 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.920 but it's something 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.539 where they're paying 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.380 none of the cost. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.200 And he's not even 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.259 making a dent 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.299 on their bank balance, 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:02.880 that gift. 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.680 It's cheap worship. 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.120 But, 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:09.160 someone else comes up 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:10.080 to the temple treasury 00:23:10.080 --> 00:23:12.420 and whereas before 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.000 the coins 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.640 and the offering 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.779 went clink, clink, clink, 00:23:14.840 --> 00:23:15.400 clink, clink, clink, clink, 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.019 clink, clink, clink, clink, 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.080 clink, clink, 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:18.000 now all you hear 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.399 is just the faintest, 00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:20.539 faintest little 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.319 tin tin, 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.399 tin tin, 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.500 tin tin. 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:25.639 It's a poor widow. 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:27.679 Love this poor widow. 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:28.579 Isn't it amazing 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.359 how often we've seen 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:30.319 widows in this gospel? 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.019 She offers 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.919 two small copper coins. 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:35.879 And to put that 00:23:35.879 --> 00:23:36.579 into context, 00:23:36.679 --> 00:23:37.319 a copper coin 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.019 in this day 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:39.059 is worth 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:40.299 one one hundred 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.179 and twenty-eighth 00:23:41.179 --> 00:23:41.960 of a denarii. 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.199 Now if a denarii 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:43.720 is roughly 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.720 a day's wage, 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:46.640 her coins 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.220 are worth 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:48.319 one one hundred 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.140 and twenty-eighth 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.940 of a day's wage. 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:51.100 Okay? 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:51.880 And she's put in 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:52.440 two of them. 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.400 So, 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.539 in monetary terms 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.600 what she's put in there 00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:57.440 is barely anything. 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.640 It is barely anything. 00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:01.880 And Jesus sees her 00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:03.420 and he says 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.080 to his disciples, 00:24:04.360 --> 00:24:04.940 look at her. 00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:06.640 You can imagine 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.140 the disciples 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:07.640 at this point, 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:07.980 can't you? 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:08.680 What do you mean? 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:09.779 Do you mean her? 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:10.900 Do you mean 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:11.759 two coin Carla 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.299 over there? 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.180 Totally agreed 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.480 Jesus. 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.060 We were hoping 00:24:14.060 --> 00:24:14.840 you'd point that out. 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.039 I mean, 00:24:15.080 --> 00:24:15.740 she is absolutely 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.259 pathetic, 00:24:16.360 --> 00:24:16.840 is she not? 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:17.860 Will we go 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:18.420 and have a word? 00:24:20.380 --> 00:24:21.000 Jesus says, 00:24:21.060 --> 00:24:21.279 no, 00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:23.060 don't lynch her. 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:24.980 Learn from her. 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.460 Learn from her. 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.140 Learn from her. 00:24:28.860 --> 00:24:29.660 Look at what he says 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.320 at verse four. 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.259 The rich may have 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:33.920 put in more, 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.980 but let me tell you 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.820 it cost them nothing. 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:39.019 But this widow, 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.500 she might have 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.480 put in less, 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:43.539 but let me tell you, 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.160 it cost her 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.940 everything. 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:47.779 Now that's what 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.839 I call a sacrifice. 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:50.900 Do you know what 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.480 I'd never noticed 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:53.140 before reading this 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:53.680 this week? 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:55.099 This widow gave 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:55.960 two coins. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.900 Now it's not like 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.700 when you go to a 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.339 restaurant and you 00:24:59.339 --> 00:24:59.960 leave a tip 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.299 and you go into 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.880 your pocket and you 00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:02.559 pull out a two pound 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.220 coin and you think 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:03.559 to yourself, 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:04.200 I would only normally 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.779 give one because I 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.180 can't be bothered 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:06.940 asking for change 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.500 of this two pound 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:07.700 coin, 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.440 I'll just give two. 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:10.039 It's not like that. 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:13.100 This woman has got 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:14.360 two coins. 00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:16.759 She has legitimately 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.860 got the option 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:18.840 of holding one 00:25:18.840 --> 00:25:19.420 of them back. 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.180 And we have to say 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.000 if there was anybody 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.580 who we've met in 00:25:22.580 --> 00:25:23.600 this gospel so far 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:25.120 that we would think 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:26.460 is legitimately 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.880 being able to 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.539 hold one back, 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.240 surely it's this 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:29.480 woman. 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.740 Just in case. 00:25:32.320 --> 00:25:33.420 Just in case the 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.600 unfortunate happens. 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.559 Just in case I need 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.139 it, maybe I'll just 00:25:36.139 --> 00:25:36.859 hold one of them 00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.319 back. 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.339 But you can imagine, 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:39.799 can't you, 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.579 she walks, 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.319 maybe she's leaving 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:41.980 the house that day, 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.720 going to the temple 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.419 treasury and she's 00:25:43.419 --> 00:25:44.139 got her two coins 00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:44.639 in her hand. 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.579 And she looks at 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.200 the first one and 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:47.659 she thinks, 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:48.960 yep, I'll give 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.440 that coin. 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.299 And she looks at 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:52.000 the second one 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:53.980 and she thinks, 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.619 but I really need 00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:54.799 it. 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.740 I really need it. 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.500 I could really do 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.139 with it just in case 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:59.099 something happens. 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.859 But do you know 00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:01.159 what? 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.279 God, I love you. 00:26:03.139 --> 00:26:04.000 God, I trust that 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.419 you'll provide 00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:05.319 everything that I need. 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.419 I'm going to give 00:26:06.419 --> 00:26:07.079 that one as well. 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.799 That is a 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.980 sacrificial heart 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.619 of faith. 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.759 She walks away 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.460 from that temple 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.139 treasury probably 00:26:14.139 --> 00:26:15.379 thinking to herself, 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.200 God, I've got 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:16.919 nothing else 00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:18.500 other than you 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:20.279 and so I'm fully 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.200 reliant on you 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:21.720 to provide 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.500 everything that I 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:22.740 need. 00:26:24.679 --> 00:26:25.319 So friends, 00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:26.000 we have to ask 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.519 ourselves in 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.079 application, 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:28.480 as Jesus contrasts 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:29.139 the hearts of 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:29.960 these rich people 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.659 with that of this 00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:30.919 woman, 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.619 is are we being 00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.359 sacrificial? 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:33.479 sacrificial? 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.939 As God's people, 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.359 are we being 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:37.000 sacrificial? 00:26:37.479 --> 00:26:38.339 Not just with our 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.959 money, but with our 00:26:39.959 --> 00:26:41.379 time and with our 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.740 energy and with our 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.839 diaries and with our 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:45.000 resources and with 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:45.619 ourselves. 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:46.439 Are we being 00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:47.639 sacrificial as God's 00:26:47.639 --> 00:26:47.919 people? 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:50.980 Are we playing it 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.380 safe? 00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:53.500 Are we holding it 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:53.880 back? 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.660 Are we storing up 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.720 treasures on earth 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.580 for ourselves? 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.680 Are we treasuring 00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:59.220 comfort? 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.880 Jesus says, 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.460 on the outside 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:04.060 you see cost, 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.860 but on the inside 00:27:05.860 --> 00:27:07.440 I see cheap. 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.560 And just as we 00:27:09.560 --> 00:27:10.320 work towards a 00:27:10.320 --> 00:27:11.200 close this morning, 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:13.820 remember that the 00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:14.500 one who is in 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.000 Jerusalem, 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:17.099 commenting on 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:18.140 sacrificial giving, 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:20.259 has travelled to 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.299 Jerusalem to offer 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:23.400 his own sacrifice. 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.759 And his sacrifice 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.960 is not two 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:28.019 copper coins. 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.880 He has not gone to 00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:31.220 Jerusalem to show 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:32.099 us what sacrifice 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:32.740 looks like. 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.380 He's not gone there 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:34.160 to demonstrate 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:35.099 sacrificial giving. 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:36.099 He's gone there to 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:37.940 be the sacrifice. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.200 This is the gospel. 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:42.079 This is this king 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:43.140 who we are following. 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:44.920 He's not giving 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:46.220 two copper coins. 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:47.560 Jesus is in this city 00:27:47.560 --> 00:27:48.420 set on offering 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.580 his very life 00:27:49.580 --> 00:27:51.360 as a sacrifice. 00:27:52.580 --> 00:27:53.780 As he pays 00:27:53.780 --> 00:27:54.960 the price of my 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:56.800 sin on the cross. 00:27:57.580 --> 00:27:58.540 As he pays the 00:27:58.540 --> 00:27:59.259 price of your 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.940 sin on the cross 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:02.200 so that you 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.280 and I could be 00:28:03.280 --> 00:28:04.600 forgiven of our 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:04.940 sin. 00:28:06.060 --> 00:28:06.840 And through Jesus 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.420 come to have 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:08.180 life with God. 00:28:09.020 --> 00:28:09.740 What amazing 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:11.640 grace is right 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:12.320 at the heart of 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:13.000 this sacrifice 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.599 that Jesus 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:14.379 is about to 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:14.839 make for you 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.159 and I. 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.859 You see right 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.419 at the heart 00:28:17.419 --> 00:28:18.159 of the gospel 00:28:18.159 --> 00:28:19.759 is a saviour 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:21.019 who epitomises 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:22.379 sacrificial giving. 00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:25.379 Meanwhile Jesus 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:26.220 exposes this 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:26.919 generation of 00:28:26.919 --> 00:28:27.579 worshippers and 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:27.960 says, 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.480 On the outside 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.460 you see knowledge 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.960 but on the inside 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.819 I see pride. 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.299 On the outside 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.279 you see genuine 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.339 but on the inside 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:37.299 I see fake. 00:28:37.939 --> 00:28:38.700 And on the outside 00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:39.799 you see cost 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:41.039 but on the inside 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:42.019 I see cheap. 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:43.980 What does he say? 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.539 He says your 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.220 outsides 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:46.920 don't match up 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.139 with your 00:28:47.139 --> 00:28:47.659 insides. 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:49.980 Let me close 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.460 just by telling 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:50.960 you a story 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.339 I was reading 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:51.720 this week 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.200 of a man 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:52.539 for whom 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.099 the opposite 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:53.500 of that 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:54.139 was absolutely 00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:54.559 true. 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:55.980 Many of you 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.359 have heard 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:57.559 of William Booth 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:59.059 the founder 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.420 of the 00:28:59.420 --> 00:29:00.440 Salvation Army. 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.920 Salvation Army 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.460 which started 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:04.019 out in 1865 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:06.159 as one man's 00:29:06.159 --> 00:29:07.180 vision for 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.680 the people 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.139 of the East 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:08.820 End of London 00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:10.220 and that 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:11.440 now vision 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:12.480 has turned 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.320 into a thriving 00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:13.820 charity 00:29:13.820 --> 00:29:14.620 the Salvation Army 00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:14.980 that's doing 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.460 great work 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:15.860 the world 00:29:15.860 --> 00:29:16.240 over. 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.200 And William 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.720 Booth was 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.680 once asked 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.480 what the 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.160 key was 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.500 to the 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:20.960 success 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:21.320 of the 00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:22.160 Salvation Army 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.600 and here's 00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:23.180 what he said. 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:25.460 I'll tell you 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.000 the secret 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:28.160 God has had 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:29.240 all of me. 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:30.880 Now there have 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:31.280 been men 00:29:31.280 --> 00:29:31.820 with greater 00:29:31.820 --> 00:29:32.740 brains than I 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:34.100 men with 00:29:34.100 --> 00:29:35.100 greater opportunities 00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:35.700 than I 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:37.160 but from 00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:37.600 the day 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:38.039 I got 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:38.480 the poor 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:38.980 of London 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.460 on my 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:39.920 heart 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:41.259 and caught 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.740 a vision 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.220 of all 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.660 that Jesus 00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:43.380 Christ could 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.140 do for 00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:44.620 them 00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:46.080 on that 00:29:46.080 --> 00:29:46.460 day I 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:46.799 made up 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:47.259 my mind 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:47.799 that God 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:48.299 would have 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:48.920 all of 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.519 William Booth 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:49.779 that there 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.220 was. 00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.559 And if there 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.080 is anything 00:29:53.080 --> 00:29:54.120 of power 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:54.539 in the 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:55.279 Salvation Army 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:55.799 today 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:57.880 it is because 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.580 God has 00:29:58.580 --> 00:29:59.680 had all 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.340 the adoration 00:30:00.340 --> 00:30:01.140 of my heart 00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:02.940 and all 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.380 the power 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:04.059 of my will 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:05.539 and all 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.119 the influence 00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:06.480 of my 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:06.919 life. 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.460 William Booth 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:11.240 So let 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:11.379 us 00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:11.919 let me 00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:12.319 challenge 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:12.940 us 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:13.200 in fact 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:13.480 let me 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.079 let God's 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:14.299 word 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:14.700 challenge 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.019 us 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.500 this morning 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:15.819 as a 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.220 church. 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.099 Does he 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:19.220 have all 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.879 the adoration 00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:20.259 of our 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.679 hearts? 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.500 And does 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.200 he have 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:24.119 all the 00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:24.639 power of 00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:25.379 our wills? 00:30:26.179 --> 00:30:26.759 And does 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.279 he have 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.339 all the 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:28.879 influence 00:30:28.879 --> 00:30:29.519 of our 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:29.940 life? 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:32.619 Does he 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.019 have our 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.740 outsides? 00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:35.659 as well 00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:35.919 as our 00:30:35.919 --> 00:30:36.500 insights? 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.259 Let me 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:38.519 pray. 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:43.599 And maybe 00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:44.039 just in 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:44.639 the silence 00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:44.980 now, 00:30:46.419 --> 00:30:46.819 maybe it's 00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:47.279 just a time 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:47.619 to offer 00:30:47.619 --> 00:30:48.139 your own 00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:49.000 prayer to 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:50.259 God off 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:50.539 the back 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:50.940 of everything 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:51.299 that we've 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:51.779 seen and 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.179 sung this 00:30:52.179 --> 00:30:52.480 morning. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:31:04.019 take my 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.579 life and 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.120 let it 00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:05.460 be 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:07.779 consecrated 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.339 Lord 00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:09.380 to thee. 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.099 Take my 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:11.920 moments and 00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.680 my days, 00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:13.839 let them 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.980 flow in 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.640 endless 00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:16.220 praise. 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.019 Take my 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.759 will and 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.440 make it 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.140 thine. 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:21.600 it shall 00:31:21.600 --> 00:31:22.200 be no 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.780 longer 00:31:22.780 --> 00:31:23.440 mine. 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.280 Take my 00:31:25.280 --> 00:31:25.720 heart, 00:31:25.860 --> 00:31:26.360 it is 00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:27.060 thine 00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:27.460 own, 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.560 it shall 00:31:28.560 --> 00:31:29.680 be thy 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:30.280 royal 00:31:30.280 --> 00:31:31.160 throne. 00:31:32.100 --> 00:31:32.520 Father, 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.220 thank you 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:33.960 so much 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:34.500 for your 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.540 precious and 00:31:35.540 --> 00:31:36.259 life-giving 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:36.680 words. 00:31:37.780 --> 00:31:38.380 Help us 00:31:38.380 --> 00:31:39.120 this week 00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:39.420 to be 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:40.000 people, 00:31:40.800 --> 00:31:41.460 to be a 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:41.940 church 00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:43.540 who strives 00:31:43.540 --> 00:31:44.280 for your 00:31:44.280 --> 00:31:45.160 glory and 00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:45.520 renown, 00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:46.120 we ask 00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:46.940 in Jesus' 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.360 name. 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.120 Amen. 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:48.259 Amen.