WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.020 Well, good morning, friends. 00:00:03.820 --> 00:00:04.700 It's good to see you this morning. 00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:09.220 Our sermon text this morning is from the Gospel of Mark, 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:12.780 chapter 9, verses 2 through 8. 00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:17.179 Let me invite you to turn there with me. 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:20.320 That's page 844 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:26.699 The time after Christmas in the church calendar is sometimes 00:00:26.699 --> 00:00:27.740 called Epiphany. 00:00:27.739 --> 00:00:32.759 Traditionally, January 6th is the date when the visit of the 00:00:32.759 --> 00:00:34.060 wise men is remembered. 00:00:35.739 --> 00:00:40.939 That's the 12th day of Christmas, which is what that song is all 00:00:40.939 --> 00:00:43.299 about with all those trees and birds and lords leaping and 00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:44.019 things like that. 00:00:44.939 --> 00:00:46.939 Matthew chapter 2 actually tells that story. 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:50.299 There are no lords leaping, but there are wise men from the east. 00:00:51.719 --> 00:00:54.060 If you're part of the New Haven schools, you get what's called 00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:56.399 Three Kings Day Off as a holiday. 00:00:57.740 --> 00:00:58.280 Not bad. 00:01:00.840 --> 00:01:06.240 But Epiphany has actually historically been a good time of year for the 00:01:06.240 --> 00:01:11.900 church to focus in its time of gathered worship directly on the person and work 00:01:11.900 --> 00:01:12.960 of Jesus himself. 00:01:14.240 --> 00:01:19.740 As the days are short and as the nights are long and as a new year begins, 00:01:19.739 --> 00:01:24.619 it's a good time to focus on the one who came into our darkness and said, 00:01:25.159 --> 00:01:30.119 I'm the light of the world and revealed himself to us and to all people. 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:34.939 That's the significance of the Magi coming after all is that even to the nations, 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:40.799 even to the Gentiles, even to those who seem to be far off, even to those Christ has come. 00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:45.579 So we're going to take a few weeks here as the year turns. 00:01:45.579 --> 00:01:49.359 Before diving back into 1 Corinthians, we're going to take a few weeks and focus directly 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:52.920 on the person and work of Jesus. 00:01:53.259 --> 00:01:59.959 And we're going to do that by taking three weeks to unpack what's called Jesus' threefold office. 00:02:00.500 --> 00:02:04.879 As we think about why Jesus came and what he came to be and do for us, 00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:13.780 we can think about it through the lens of three Old Testament offices or roles that Jesus perfectly fulfilled. 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:18.159 That of the prophet, the priest, and the king. 00:02:19.340 --> 00:02:27.719 What Christians profess is that in Jesus, the true and ultimate prophet, priest, and king has arrived. 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:32.340 That they all come together in him, in this one. 00:02:32.340 --> 00:02:40.439 So our hope over the next three weeks as we dive into Christ's work as prophet, as priest, as king, 00:02:40.980 --> 00:02:46.560 is simply that our understanding and our love of Jesus as a church will deepen and grow. 00:02:48.259 --> 00:02:51.460 And if you're here and you're not a Christian and you're exploring spiritual things, 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:54.280 this is actually a great series for you to be a part of. 00:02:54.640 --> 00:02:58.900 Because hopefully you'll get a first-hand encounter with what Christianity is all about. 00:02:58.900 --> 00:03:02.920 Because Christianity at the end of the day is all about Jesus Christ. 00:03:03.420 --> 00:03:05.460 About who he is and what he's come to do. 00:03:07.300 --> 00:03:11.620 So this morning we're going to be considering Jesus as prophet. 00:03:13.040 --> 00:03:18.159 And with that in mind, let's read the Gospel of Mark, chapter 9, verses 2 through 9. 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:23.099 Mark writes this, 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:29.659 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 00:03:30.859 --> 00:03:33.180 And he was transfigured before them. 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:39.460 And his clothes became radiant, intensely white as no one on earth could bleach them. 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:43.340 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses. 00:03:43.719 --> 00:03:45.099 And they were talking with Jesus. 00:03:46.320 --> 00:03:49.620 And Peter said to Jesus, Rabbi, it's good that we're here. 00:03:50.360 --> 00:03:54.260 Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah. 00:03:55.379 --> 00:03:58.860 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 00:04:00.460 --> 00:04:02.159 And a cloud overshadowed them. 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:04.500 And a voice came out of the cloud. 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:07.139 God, this is my beloved son. 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:09.740 Listen to him. 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:15.780 Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:17.500 But Jesus only. 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:19.360 Let's pray together. 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:24.079 Lord, that is our longing that we would listen to you this morning. 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:31.199 So by your Holy Spirit, we pray that you would come and you'd speak to us through this text and through the word proclaimed. 00:04:32.300 --> 00:04:34.100 God, we thank you that you're speaking, God. 00:04:34.500 --> 00:04:36.399 We ask that you would do so this morning. 00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:38.360 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:41.699 Okay. 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:47.560 So in our text here, we have this famous scene from the Gospels, the transfiguration. 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:54.579 Where for a moment, Jesus' heavenly glory and beauty is revealed to Peter and James and John. 00:04:54.579 --> 00:05:01.099 And in this scene, we actually get a powerful statement about Jesus as our true prophet. 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:05.419 As the true prophet that God had promised and the prophet that we need. 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:09.659 So real basically, I just want to look at three things this morning from this text. 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:14.560 First, biblically speaking, what's a prophet and why do we need one? 00:05:15.079 --> 00:05:15.599 That's number one. 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:18.060 Second, how does Jesus fulfill that need? 00:05:18.640 --> 00:05:21.140 And then third, what does that mean for us today? 00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:25.200 So first, what's a prophet and why do we need one? 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:29.280 Here Mark tells us that Jesus takes Peter and James and John up on a mountain. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:30.439 And what happens? 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:39.219 Well, they have what we would probably call today a profound spiritual experience. 00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:45.660 Spiritual not in the sense that it's not true or that it's merely personal or psychological, 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:51.159 but spiritual in the sense that they have a very real experience of divine glory. 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:55.240 Jesus is transfigured before them. 00:05:55.240 --> 00:06:00.540 His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:07.040 There's good evidence actually to think that Mark, the author of this account of Jesus' life, 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:09.199 was a close associate of the apostle Peter. 00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:13.920 And that many of the details that Mark includes in his account here are primarily from Peter's 00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:14.819 own eyewitness testimony. 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:21.819 And here in this phrase, you can almost hear the verbal retelling as perhaps Peter would have 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:22.240 given it. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:26.100 He's practically grasping for language to describe what happened. 00:06:26.420 --> 00:06:27.259 It was radiant. 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:28.600 It was intensely white. 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:31.960 It was like no one on earth could actually bleach them. 00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:37.699 These three disciples have an experience of divine glory that they can barely put into words. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:42.340 And when Moses and Elijah show up and Peter does start speaking and putting into words, 00:06:42.420 --> 00:06:48.680 he sort of just bumbles something out, probably realizing even in the moment that he wasn't quite 00:06:48.680 --> 00:06:52.439 getting the point. 00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:55.060 He didn't know what to say for they were terrified. 00:06:58.060 --> 00:07:00.879 And their spiritual experience here continues in verse 7. 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:08.399 God's presence suddenly is manifested to them and around them in the form of a cloud that 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:11.480 overshadowed them like God's presence in the tabernacle in the Old Testament. 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:13.620 God's presence sort of makes itself manifest. 00:07:13.620 --> 00:07:18.259 And if you go and read Luke's account of the transfiguration, he says that when this cloud 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:20.439 came again, they were terrified. 00:07:21.100 --> 00:07:24.980 A sense of holy fear and holy trembling came upon them. 00:07:28.180 --> 00:07:36.300 Now, I'm guessing that you probably haven't had an experience of divine glory this direct 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:37.800 and this powerful. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:46.259 And yet, and yet, one of the things that the Bible tells us is that God reveals himself, 00:07:46.400 --> 00:07:51.740 his glory, in a general way through the things that he's made. 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:59.660 Psalm 19 says that the heavens are declaring the glory of God, and those with ears to hear 00:07:59.660 --> 00:08:01.439 everywhere can hear it. 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:11.079 The grandeur of a mountain range, the intricacy of a spider spinning a web, the constancy of 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:17.500 gravity, the stunning beauty of the stars on a winter night, and the sunrise that chases 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:18.060 them away. 00:08:18.159 --> 00:08:23.159 All of this is a declaration of the glory of God. 00:08:23.160 --> 00:08:28.800 Paul says much the same thing in Romans 1, that God's eternal power and divine nature 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:32.620 have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world and the things that have 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:33.160 been made. 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:40.700 Now, perhaps, even though you doubt at times, even though maybe you doubt quite a bit, perhaps 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:49.259 you've had moments where the profundity of the world that is and the givenness and the 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:58.539 majesty of things has been for you a declaration of God's glory, or a declaration of at least 00:08:58.539 --> 00:09:01.659 something that transcends the material order. 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:08.500 And even more, maybe you've had spiritual experiences that are a little bit closer to 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:10.559 what Peter and James and John have had here. 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:13.700 Maybe you've had your own mountaintop experience. 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:17.980 More than just an awareness of God's existence and power from the things that have been made, 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:23.520 perhaps you've had a very personal sense that God is real and that the Holy God is impinging 00:09:23.520 --> 00:09:25.480 on your present moment. 00:09:26.300 --> 00:09:32.140 Maybe it's something that happened upon you unawares when you were least expecting it, riding 00:09:32.140 --> 00:09:33.640 a motorcycle to the zoo. 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:39.300 Or maybe it happened to you when you were in a worship gathering like this one. 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:39.879 I don't know. 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:42.200 Not everyone has things like that. 00:09:43.700 --> 00:09:52.460 But you know, what we learn from this moment in the Gospels is that even the most undeniable 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:57.980 encounter with God's general revelation in creation, or even in that sense of moral obligation 00:09:57.980 --> 00:10:05.000 that we have, and even the most profound spiritual experience, whether in a moment of quiet solitude 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:14.340 or in a loud moment of gathered worship, even the most profound experience is actually insufficient. 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:23.100 We can be dumbstruck by the radiance. 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:24.160 We can be terrified by the cloud. 00:10:25.160 --> 00:10:30.720 But like Peter and James and John, we can still be missing the point. 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:36.580 And we still need God to speak. 00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:43.680 You see, in order to have the kind of relationship with God that we were meant to have, in order 00:10:43.680 --> 00:10:49.100 to really know God, we need more than an experience. 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:52.860 We need God to speak to us. 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:55.300 And we have to listen. 00:10:57.060 --> 00:11:01.060 Think about getting to know another person, another human being. 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:03.960 You can study their appearance. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:05.740 That is what they look like. 00:11:05.800 --> 00:11:08.560 You can pay attention to the things that they do, their actions. 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:11.120 You can even spend time in their presence. 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:19.060 But, you know, if you really want to know someone, they need to speak to you, don't they? 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:21.299 And you need to listen. 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:26.399 Imagine you're interested in dating someone. 00:11:27.659 --> 00:11:29.500 You've known them for quite some time. 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:31.659 And you're quite smitten by them. 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:36.399 And at home, your parents start to realize that something is up. 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:37.320 You're acting sort of funny. 00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:39.399 And they start asking you questions. 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:42.519 Well, tell us about so-and-so. 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:44.120 What's she like? 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:44.759 What's he like? 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:48.980 And you say, well, he's tall and he's got a great sense of style. 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:52.840 Or he's short and wears sandals and socks or whatever. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:55.360 Okay, well, what's he do? 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.039 What's he into? 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:57.840 Oh, he's a great athlete. 00:11:57.959 --> 00:11:59.720 He's a really talented musician. 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:01.059 I've seen him play a bunch. 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:05.460 Okay, well, what's he think about you? 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:06.960 I mean, what do you guys talk about? 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:07.779 What do you have in common? 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:10.779 Oh, I have no idea. 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:12.419 We've never exchanged a single word. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:18.120 Now, of course, if that were the case, your parents, in their better moments, might gently 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:22.620 tell you that, well, dear, you don't really know this person at all. 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:29.779 And friends, if that's true of our relationship with other people, how much more so is it true 00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:37.500 of our relationship with God, the one who is infinitely above us in being and in wisdom 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:39.360 and in grandeur? 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:48.960 How much more so would we need that gap to be crossed by the self-exposure and revelation 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:52.399 and the speaking and unfolding of God? 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:57.600 And God's general revelation is not enough, you see. 00:12:57.960 --> 00:13:00.039 We need his special revelation. 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:01.980 We need his personal communication. 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:03.580 We need him to speak. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:10.139 And that's exactly why we need a prophet. 00:13:11.680 --> 00:13:17.820 In the Old Testament, a prophet wasn't some spooky weirdo who tried to predict the future 00:13:17.820 --> 00:13:19.600 and bamboozle you out of your money. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:25.100 No, a prophet was simply God's spokesman. 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:29.399 They spoke forth the words God had entrusted to them. 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:34.759 That's what the word prophet means, someone who speaks forth a message that they've been given. 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:40.519 Imagine a king sending an important message to his subjects, a message of peace or a message 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.220 of warning. 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:46.899 He would entrust this message to one of his authorized messengers, and that messenger on 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:51.399 behalf of the king would go out, stand in the midst of the people, and say, 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:56.259 Thus declares your king, your lord. 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:58.879 Hear what he has to say to you. 00:14:00.699 --> 00:14:03.399 And that's exactly what the prophets of the Old Testament did. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:06.379 God gave them a message, and they declared it to the people. 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:12.120 A reading a little earlier from Hebrews that Caitlin read for us captured it well. 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:14.960 The writer to Hebrews begins his letter by saying, 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:21.060 Long ago at many times, and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:24.400 God himself spoke. 00:14:24.560 --> 00:14:24.879 How? 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:28.519 By means of his spokesman, by means of the prophets. 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:38.800 Now let's pause for a second here and meditate on what truly good news that is. 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:43.000 First, that God speaks. 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:47.579 That we aren't left in silence. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:52.959 When God made Adam and Eve and put them in the garden, the picture we get of Adam and Eve's 00:14:52.959 --> 00:14:58.659 relationship with God is one of a fellowship, of communication, of speaking and listening, 00:14:58.779 --> 00:14:59.939 of knowing and being known. 00:15:00.479 --> 00:15:02.459 But then the fall changes all of that. 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:06.860 And after the fall, there's a silence. 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.139 There's a distance. 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:15.280 And instead of God's words filling our ears and filling our hearts and filling our minds, 00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:19.680 after the fall, there's this cacophony of voices. 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:28.559 And most persistent was the lie spoken by the serpent and repeated again and again in our own hearts. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:31.159 Did God really say? 00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:35.899 Does God really care about you? 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:38.679 Does God actually know what's best? 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:41.899 Did God actually say? 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:55.059 And yet into that silence filled with so many voices, what the Bible says is that God actually speaks. 00:15:56.679 --> 00:16:00.259 And he speaks in a way that we can understand. 00:16:02.199 --> 00:16:07.740 You know, it's no embarrassment that God spoke through human agents. 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:12.919 I mean, how else would God have done it? 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:25.220 Why not take one of the most brilliant capacities that humans possess, our ability to speak, our capacity to use language, 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:32.519 why not take that thing that's so brilliantly capable of communicating ideas and thoughts and emotions and warnings and promises, 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:36.519 why not take that thing and use it to reveal himself to us? 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:43.139 And why not then put those words in the hearts and mouths of humans so they can declare it publicly and make a written record of it 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:45.960 and preserve it for as many people as possible? 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:54.199 What a wonderful thing that God speaks and that he does so through human agents in a way we can understand. 00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:59.279 Sometimes we think, well, I wish God would just make himself really clear. 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:01.480 I wish he would write something across the sky. 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:05.519 Well, friends, one weather pattern would go through and remove it. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:07.000 It's not a good idea. 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:10.900 What if he dropped an enormous rock down on my front yard? 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:15.259 Well, I mean, things fall out of the sky all the time. 00:17:15.879 --> 00:17:22.680 Why not use the thing, one of the things that makes you you as a human being and actually speak to you? 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:28.920 Isn't it a beautiful thing that God speaks to us through human agents? 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:34.820 And he does it in a way that we can understand. 00:17:36.140 --> 00:17:40.300 You know, after all, when I want my children to know that I love them, 00:17:40.820 --> 00:17:45.080 and when I want to communicate with them, what do I do? 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:49.180 Well, I literally get down on their level, 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:54.920 and then I use the best of what I know they understand, 00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:57.640 and I speak to them. 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:03.500 Long ago, at many times, and in many ways, 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:06.019 God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.100 That's good news. 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:14.339 But, you know, we see in this passage not just that we need a prophet, 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:20.939 but second, we see that Jesus fulfills that need like no one else. 00:18:22.419 --> 00:18:23.659 So, back in Mark chapter 9, 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:29.259 who turns up in the middle of this experience of divine glory on the Mount of Transfiguration 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:31.700 but Moses and Elijah, 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:37.879 arguably the two greatest prophets in Israel's history, 00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:43.059 and the two figures who represented the major portions of the Hebrew Bible. 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:46.619 Here's Moses, the one through whom God gave the law, 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.200 the first five books of the Old Testament. 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:52.599 And here's Elijah, the representative figure of the prophetic books, 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:55.400 which in Jesus' day would have included all those history books too, 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:58.579 Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings. 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:02.379 So, here are Moses and Elijah, themselves great prophets, 00:19:02.619 --> 00:19:06.539 and in themselves representing the long history of God speaking to His people 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:10.619 and making Himself known and breaking through the silence and the noise 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:13.500 so that we can listen to His words and so that we can know Him. 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.740 Here they are. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:18.460 And Peter's response, 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:22.319 although he's not quite sure what to say, 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:24.460 being a bit terrified, 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.680 which is understandable, by the way. 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.700 I mean, think about it. 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:30.640 If you and I were hanging out on East Rock 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:35.220 and suddenly your clothes exploded into the brightness of a thousand stars, 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.960 I'd probably be a little freaked out. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:40.000 And I'd probably start saying things that I didn't quite understand. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:42.240 You're on fire. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:42.860 No, you're not. 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.640 What is going on? 00:19:46.100 --> 00:19:48.860 But Peter's response at first glance is fairly rational, isn't it? 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.840 Let's build three tents. 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:52.759 One for you, 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.440 one for Moses, 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.160 one for Elijah. 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:54.560 Now, 00:19:54.560 --> 00:20:00.380 why Peter wanted to actually build tents for them is a bit unclear. 00:20:01.100 --> 00:20:03.360 Perhaps he wanted to set up shrines for each one of them. 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:04.220 We don't really know. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:06.580 But more importantly and more clearly, 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:10.880 notice that Peter is putting all of them on the same level. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:12.240 One for Jesus, 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.779 one for Moses, 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.220 one for Elijah. 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:19.500 It's sort of like going to the basketball hall of fame and saying, 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.160 look, 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:21.900 let's have one room for magic, 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:23.420 one room for bird, 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:25.019 and one room for Jordan. 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:26.440 Okay, 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.799 and one room for LeBron, 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:28.220 all right? 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.240 We'll put him in there too. 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:33.500 And at first, 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:35.900 Peter seems to be doing Jesus a big favor, 00:20:36.360 --> 00:20:36.779 doesn't he? 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.559 I mean, 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:41.599 Jesus on the same level as Elijah, 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:44.220 even as Moses himself. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:47.160 For a first century Jew, 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:48.000 in fact, 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:49.579 for an any century Jew, 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:51.819 that's incredibly high praise. 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:54.660 And you know, 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.660 many today are very, 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:57.819 very comfortable doing the same thing as Peter. 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.299 After all, 00:20:59.359 --> 00:20:59.619 at first, 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:01.399 it seems like a pretty rational thing to do, 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:06.039 to consider Jesus at the same height as Moses and Elijah, 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:09.279 to think that he was a great religious teacher, 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.519 just like them, 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:13.059 just like the other great religious teachers. 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:14.639 And of course, 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:18.519 many other religions are very comfortable calling Jesus a prophet, 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:21.039 putting him alongside other prophets. 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:27.740 If you study Islam or Baha'i or certain streams of Hinduism or Buddhism, 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:32.279 you'll find that Jesus is revered as a prophet alongside other prophets. 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.740 One for you, 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.319 one for Moses. 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.980 One for Elijah. 00:21:40.659 --> 00:21:42.240 But there's actually a problem 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:47.200 with Peter's spur-of-the-moment construction plans 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:49.480 for the Mountaintop Prophet Hall of Fame. 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.559 And the problem 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:57.059 was Jesus himself. 00:21:57.059 --> 00:22:00.480 You see, 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.700 at first in Jesus' ministry, 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:04.179 people were amazed at his teaching 00:22:04.179 --> 00:22:06.779 because he taught with authority, 00:22:07.179 --> 00:22:08.740 not like the scribes. 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:09.980 You see, 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.740 the customary teaching method of the day 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:14.079 was to quote not just Scripture, 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:16.200 but other biblical scholars. 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:20.139 You made your case by citing authorities 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:24.000 and relying on the voices of others to make your point. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:27.980 But when Jesus taught in the synagogues, 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:30.480 he wouldn't do that. 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:37.920 He would teach like his word was authority enough and let it stand. 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:42.519 Sometimes he would even preface his teaching by saying, 00:22:42.860 --> 00:22:44.800 truly, truly, I say to you. 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:48.720 Literally, amen, amen, I say to you. 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:52.519 A double affirmation that what he's saying is totally true, 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:54.279 completely trustworthy, 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:58.079 and in need of no scholarly or human support. 00:22:58.079 --> 00:23:02.639 But then, 00:23:03.159 --> 00:23:07.119 Jesus' teaching was even more, 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:08.159 what's the right word? 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.279 Strange, 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:10.759 bold, 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.399 audacious. 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:17.699 Think about the famous Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:21.839 Jesus would say things like, 00:23:21.939 --> 00:23:22.699 you've heard it said, 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.939 you shall not murder, 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.740 but I say to you, 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:28.000 everyone who is angry will be liable 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.539 to judgment. 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.440 You've heard it said, 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.960 quote God's law, 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.599 but I say to you. 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:38.559 Do you see what Jesus is saying and doing there? 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:42.920 He's putting himself in the position of one 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:44.920 who can speak authoritatively, 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:47.440 not just from God's word, 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:49.160 but about God's word. 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:53.759 Jesus gave his own teaching, 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:55.240 his own words, 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:59.779 the same weight as God's own word in the Mosaic law. 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:04.519 And this is something he does again and again, 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:06.200 over and over. 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.559 It's all over. 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:09.819 The historical records that we have about Jesus, 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.059 you can't escape it. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:16.640 Jesus did not teach like any other prophet. 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:19.880 Every other Old Testament prophet says, 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.500 thus says the Lord. 00:24:21.780 --> 00:24:22.500 But Jesus says, 00:24:22.600 --> 00:24:22.780 truly, 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.080 truly, 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.940 I say to you, 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:25.180 you've heard it said, 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:26.400 but I say to you. 00:24:26.580 --> 00:24:27.640 And then he says things like, 00:24:27.800 --> 00:24:29.420 I'm the way and the truth and the life. 00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:30.160 And then he says, 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.680 heaven and earth shall pass away, 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:34.700 but my words will never pass away. 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:36.940 Who talks like that? 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:42.019 No ordinary prophet. 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.420 One for you, 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.220 one for Moses, 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:49.019 one for Elijah. 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:54.519 Jesus did not leave that option open. 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:58.619 Instead, 00:24:58.740 --> 00:25:01.940 he came to do something much more glorious. 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:07.279 Why could Jesus speak like no other prophet spoke? 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:12.740 Because he was a person like no other person. 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:17.779 He had not come to continue the work of the prophets, 00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:19.519 but to fulfill it. 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:22.420 You see, 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:27.039 the prophets throughout the Old Testament spoke God's words on behalf of God. 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.180 True words, 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:28.639 yes. 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.440 Living words, 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:29.980 yes. 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.420 But when Jesus came, 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:34.099 it was no longer speech on behalf of God, 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:39.940 but God himself in human flesh speaking human words. 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:49.339 God himself face to face with the world he made and loved and had come to rescue. 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:53.240 You see, 00:25:53.359 --> 00:26:01.579 it's kind of like the lover who sends letter after letter and messenger after messenger to his beloved 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:04.259 until finally, 00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:06.859 when the time is right, 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:09.099 when the fullness of time had come, 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.799 the lover gets on the plane, 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.299 crosses the ocean, 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.619 rings the door, 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:16.460 and then at long last, 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.779 they're face to face. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:24.799 And now all those previous letters and the messages that have been saved and stored and read and re-read, 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.160 they aren't worthless. 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.420 Just the opposite. 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:33.299 They become even more dignified because the love that they spoke of has been confirmed. 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:35.000 He's arrived. 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:36.259 He's done it. 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:38.980 He's made good on his promise. 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:42.480 But friends, 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:45.319 neither would it make any sense to try to stick that person, 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.099 flesh and blood, 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:48.140 into the box with the rest of the letters, 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:52.299 to try to stuff him down into the drawer of the desk where all those letters live 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.400 and put him on the same level. 00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:55.980 Of course not. 00:26:55.980 --> 00:27:00.559 He's the fulfillment of all that had come before, 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:02.339 and he's worthy of something far greater, 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:05.299 to be known and loved and cherished and embraced. 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.220 And friends, 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.279 the same is true of Jesus. 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:13.599 Long ago at many times and in many ways, 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:15.539 God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.900 but in these last days, 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:19.220 he's spoken to us by his Son. 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:23.740 And all of this was according to plan. 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.839 God had promised in the Old Testament, 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.740 in Deuteronomy 18, 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:30.759 that he would raise up another prophet like Moses with the implication 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:33.559 that this new prophet would be something even greater. 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.539 And oh, 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:37.460 how much greater he is. 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:41.700 Hebrews says he's the radiance of the glory of God 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:44.740 and the exact imprint of his nature. 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:47.759 To behold the Son 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:50.680 is to behold the glory of God himself. 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:53.920 That's what Peter and James and John 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:55.200 were getting a taste of 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:56.879 in the transfiguration. 00:27:58.980 --> 00:28:01.059 The Gospel of John begins in the same way. 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:02.680 In the beginning was the Word, 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.859 and the Word was with God, 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:05.160 and the Word was God, 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:07.059 and the Word became flesh 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:08.200 and dwelt among us, 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.460 and we've seen his glory. 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.940 Glory is of the only Son from the Father, 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:13.319 full of grace and truth. 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:15.359 For the law was given through Moses, 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:18.099 grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:20.899 And then John concludes by saying, 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:22.259 no one has ever seen God, 00:28:22.979 --> 00:28:25.419 but the only God who's at the Father's side, 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:27.399 He has made Him known. 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:33.599 Friends, Jesus at last has made God fully known, 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:36.879 and in the midst of our fear and confusion, 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:39.079 like those disciples in Mark 9, 00:28:39.179 --> 00:28:41.859 the voice of the Father speaks out of the cloud 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.439 and says, 00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:44.599 this is my beloved Son. 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:47.159 Listen to Him. 00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:52.939 Because Jesus is who He is, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.219 the only Son of the Father, 00:28:54.639 --> 00:28:56.839 God Himself come to dwell among us. 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:59.339 He's the true and greatest prophet. 00:29:00.699 --> 00:29:03.000 He's the one who can dispel our ignorance, 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.619 cut through the noise, 00:29:05.179 --> 00:29:07.059 and truly reveal God to us. 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.939 But you know, there's even more. 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.579 The prophets in the Old Testament 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:16.679 often walked a hard road. 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:20.139 It wasn't a glamorous job description. 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:21.740 In fact, God told Isaiah, 00:29:22.159 --> 00:29:24.480 one of the sort of most well-known prophets 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.199 in the Old Testament, 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.440 here's your job, Isaiah. 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:28.720 Preach, preach, preach, and preach, 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.819 and no one's going to listen. 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.299 Have fun. 00:29:35.840 --> 00:29:37.559 The prophets often walked a hard road. 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:39.279 People often rejected their message. 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:41.299 They were more often not misunderstood. 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:43.700 They were quite frequently persecuted, 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:46.100 and at times, they were even put to death. 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:49.480 And at first glance, 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.960 it seems like Jesus' own life 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:52.440 kind of fits that pattern to a T. 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:54.100 At first, everyone thinks He's great, 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:56.639 and then at the end of His life, 00:29:56.719 --> 00:29:59.139 He's betrayed and arrested and executed. 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:04.159 But when you look a little closer, 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.519 you see that Jesus' death 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:08.480 was actually unlike any of the prophets. 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.740 Because all of the prophets, 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:14.679 even if they were rejected by the people, 00:30:15.219 --> 00:30:17.299 knew that they continued 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:19.399 to enjoy the acceptance of God. 00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:22.920 And that gave them strength 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:23.920 to continue their ministry, 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:25.180 even in the face of opposition. 00:30:27.040 --> 00:30:27.600 But you know, 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:29.600 when Jesus faced His final hour, 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:32.320 when Jesus knew 00:30:32.320 --> 00:30:34.400 His death was to come, 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:37.360 He knew that He wasn't merely 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:38.800 going to face the rejection 00:30:38.800 --> 00:30:39.759 of the people, 00:30:40.320 --> 00:30:41.980 but that He was actually going to face 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:44.620 the rejection of His heavenly Father as well. 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:47.619 On the Mount of Transfiguration, 00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.779 the Father speaks audibly 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.579 for all to hear, 00:30:50.719 --> 00:30:52.099 this is my beloved Son. 00:30:53.239 --> 00:30:55.019 But then on the Mount of Crucifixion, 00:30:55.719 --> 00:30:58.199 the Father is dead silent. 00:31:01.199 --> 00:31:03.059 And the crowds taunt Him 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:04.679 and say, 00:31:05.199 --> 00:31:07.419 you called yourself God's Son. 00:31:08.139 --> 00:31:09.399 Where is your Father now? 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:12.900 And instead, 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.280 the only voice that would be heard 00:31:14.280 --> 00:31:15.780 is the voice of Jesus crying out, 00:31:15.860 --> 00:31:16.740 my God, my God, 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:18.400 why have you forsaken me? 00:31:21.060 --> 00:31:21.840 You see, friends, 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.900 Jesus came 00:31:22.900 --> 00:31:25.860 not just to break our silence, 00:31:26.780 --> 00:31:28.980 but to take our silence. 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:33.320 Because of our sins, 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:35.680 we deserve to have God turn away 00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:37.779 and remain far off 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.880 and unknown. 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:42.420 We deserve God's silence. 00:31:44.560 --> 00:31:46.000 But as our substitute, 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:48.460 Jesus goes into that silence for us. 00:31:49.340 --> 00:31:51.060 He goes there on our behalf, 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:53.580 bearing it for us 00:31:53.580 --> 00:31:56.940 so that we can hear 00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:58.340 the Father's voice again, 00:31:58.880 --> 00:31:59.980 so that we can hear 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:01.500 the Father say over us 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:03.400 the same words 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.480 that He spoke over Jesus. 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:08.180 You are my beloved child, 00:32:08.820 --> 00:32:09.440 my son, 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.519 my daughter. 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:15.340 And unlike any prophet, 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:17.680 on the third day, 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:20.340 God raised Jesus from the dead. 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:22.860 That Jesus actually broke 00:32:22.860 --> 00:32:24.980 the power of sin and death 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.720 in His resurrection, 00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:26.940 and now He lives 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.740 and reigns forever. 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.320 And so, friends, 00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:30.880 His words are the words 00:32:30.880 --> 00:32:31.779 that will never fade 00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:32.960 and never grow old 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:34.680 and never lose their relevance. 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:37.720 I mean, just think, 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:39.759 every time that a sort of 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:41.940 new, neat discovery is made, 00:32:42.140 --> 00:32:43.840 don't we sort of hang on the words 00:32:43.840 --> 00:32:45.320 of the one who made the breakthrough? 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:48.360 A new diet that really seems to work. 00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:50.100 Remember the Atkins diet? 00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.720 Man, we couldn't get enough of that. 00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:56.640 Or some parenting technique 00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:57.660 that really seems like 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.620 it's the great breakthrough. 00:32:58.619 --> 00:33:00.639 One, two, three magic. 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:03.319 Yes, we will eat up your words. 00:33:03.439 --> 00:33:04.039 Teach us. 00:33:05.579 --> 00:33:07.419 Or some great medical discovery. 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:10.899 Or some breakthrough in physics. 00:33:11.419 --> 00:33:13.759 Some wonderful feat 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:15.519 of human intelligence 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.459 and imagination. 00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:18.179 Whatever it is, 00:33:18.219 --> 00:33:19.739 we listen intently 00:33:19.739 --> 00:33:21.139 to what they have to say. 00:33:21.239 --> 00:33:22.599 We gobble up their words. 00:33:22.719 --> 00:33:24.259 We invite them to our TED Talks. 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:25.240 We do whatever we can 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:27.039 until sooner or later 00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:29.460 something else comes along. 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:32.119 Then we're on to the next thing, 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:34.720 listening and gobbling. 00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.519 But friends, 00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:39.299 here is one 00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:41.319 who has solved 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.940 the problem of problems, 00:33:43.879 --> 00:33:45.740 the problem of death itself. 00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:49.539 Here is one who reigns forevermore, 00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:50.500 the one who has the power 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.400 to give life 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:52.440 and take it away, 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:54.080 the one who has begun 00:33:54.080 --> 00:33:55.500 God's new creation 00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:56.580 in the midst of the old, 00:33:56.660 --> 00:33:57.400 the one through whom 00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:57.900 and in whom 00:33:57.900 --> 00:33:58.860 that new creation 00:33:58.860 --> 00:34:00.120 is breaking through. 00:34:02.280 --> 00:34:03.580 How could the words 00:34:03.580 --> 00:34:04.960 of that one 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:06.380 ever grow old? 00:34:07.840 --> 00:34:10.240 Who else has conquered death, 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:12.360 been raised to incorruptible life, 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.039 and says, 00:34:13.200 --> 00:34:14.139 come follow me 00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:16.660 and join 00:34:16.660 --> 00:34:18.099 the new creation? 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.880 Jesus is the prophet 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:24.220 who fulfills 00:34:24.220 --> 00:34:25.460 for all time 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.599 and for all people 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:28.320 exactly what we need. 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:33.420 Let's end by considering 00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:34.099 what all this means 00:34:34.099 --> 00:34:34.760 for us today. 00:34:35.740 --> 00:34:36.680 And I think the application 00:34:36.680 --> 00:34:37.220 is right there 00:34:37.220 --> 00:34:37.780 in verse 7. 00:34:38.119 --> 00:34:39.240 This is my beloved son. 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:40.760 Listen to him. 00:34:42.860 --> 00:34:43.700 Listen to him. 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.260 Listen to him 00:34:46.260 --> 00:34:46.960 when he says, 00:34:47.260 --> 00:34:48.300 follow me. 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:50.880 When he says, 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:52.440 repent and believe, 00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:53.500 listen to him. 00:34:54.740 --> 00:34:55.380 When he says, 00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:56.940 I'm standing at the door 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:58.340 and I'm knocking. 00:34:59.120 --> 00:35:01.180 You who once knew me so well, 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.680 I'm standing at the door 00:35:02.680 --> 00:35:03.580 and I'm knocking 00:35:03.580 --> 00:35:05.640 and I want you to open up 00:35:05.640 --> 00:35:07.500 so I can come and dine with you 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.360 and sit with you 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.180 and we can enjoy 00:35:09.180 --> 00:35:10.260 that festival, 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:11.400 peace, 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:12.360 and love together. 00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:14.200 Listen to him. 00:35:14.199 --> 00:35:18.119 Well, you might ask, 00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:18.859 what counts 00:35:18.859 --> 00:35:20.339 as the words of Jesus? 00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:21.419 Where do I actually go 00:35:21.419 --> 00:35:22.339 to hear him? 00:35:23.759 --> 00:35:24.559 Well, the four gospels 00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:24.980 are obviously 00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:26.219 a pretty good place to start. 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:28.679 If you're new to the Bible, 00:35:29.379 --> 00:35:30.199 I would encourage you 00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:31.159 to read the rest 00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:32.019 of Mark's gospel 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:33.000 with a Christian friend. 00:35:34.319 --> 00:35:35.539 Ask lots of questions, 00:35:36.299 --> 00:35:37.460 drink lots of coffee 00:35:37.460 --> 00:35:38.719 or whatever you like to drink, 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:40.539 and really consider 00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:41.960 who Jesus is 00:35:41.960 --> 00:35:43.240 and why he came 00:35:43.240 --> 00:35:44.619 and what it would mean 00:35:44.619 --> 00:35:45.720 for me to actually 00:35:45.720 --> 00:35:47.099 listen to him. 00:35:49.320 --> 00:35:49.860 In fact, 00:35:49.900 --> 00:35:50.340 I think it would do 00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:51.800 most of us Christians good 00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:53.059 to be constantly 00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:53.960 coming back 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:55.179 to the gospels 00:35:55.179 --> 00:35:56.460 in our own Bible reading. 00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:58.340 Last year, 00:35:58.440 --> 00:35:59.380 I experimented 00:35:59.380 --> 00:35:59.940 with reading 00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:01.179 one of the gospels 00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:01.900 every three months. 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.579 So in January, 00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:03.280 I read Matthew, 00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.019 and then in April, 00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:04.960 I read Mark, 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:05.539 and then in July, 00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:05.840 Luke, 00:36:05.860 --> 00:36:06.460 and then in October, 00:36:06.599 --> 00:36:06.860 John. 00:36:08.059 --> 00:36:09.579 And it totally revolutionized 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:10.500 my spiritual life. 00:36:10.900 --> 00:36:11.720 I promise you. 00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:12.119 I'm kidding. 00:36:12.339 --> 00:36:13.379 It was really good, though. 00:36:13.819 --> 00:36:14.879 You should do it. 00:36:14.959 --> 00:36:16.199 Come up with your own way 00:36:16.199 --> 00:36:17.279 to be constantly 00:36:17.279 --> 00:36:18.099 coming back 00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:18.959 to the gospels 00:36:18.959 --> 00:36:19.819 in your own reading 00:36:19.819 --> 00:36:20.739 and prayer. 00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:22.099 This time of year 00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:23.019 is a great time of year 00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:24.199 to make some good resolutions 00:36:24.199 --> 00:36:25.019 about diving 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:26.199 into Scripture afresh. 00:36:26.699 --> 00:36:27.980 Why not this year, 00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:28.679 instead of trying 00:36:28.679 --> 00:36:29.500 to read through the Bible 00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:30.519 800 times, 00:36:31.599 --> 00:36:32.259 why not just say, 00:36:32.319 --> 00:36:32.599 you know what, 00:36:32.639 --> 00:36:33.079 this year, 00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:33.799 I'm just going to read 00:36:33.799 --> 00:36:34.480 through the gospels. 00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:35.759 I'm going to set a goal 00:36:35.759 --> 00:36:36.719 I can actually meet 00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:38.739 and read through 00:36:38.739 --> 00:36:40.859 the four gospel accounts 00:36:40.859 --> 00:36:41.699 of Jesus' life. 00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:43.799 It would do us 00:36:43.799 --> 00:36:44.859 great spiritual good 00:36:44.859 --> 00:36:45.639 to be constantly 00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:46.819 listening to the words 00:36:46.819 --> 00:36:47.259 of Jesus 00:36:47.259 --> 00:36:48.219 in the accounts 00:36:48.219 --> 00:36:49.079 of Jesus' life. 00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:51.679 But you know, 00:36:51.739 --> 00:36:52.500 this command 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:54.059 to listen to Him 00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:55.459 actually extends 00:36:55.459 --> 00:36:56.719 beyond the four gospels. 00:36:56.839 --> 00:36:57.759 And you actually get 00:36:57.759 --> 00:36:58.639 a sense of it here 00:36:58.639 --> 00:36:59.379 in Mark 9, 00:36:59.459 --> 00:36:59.859 don't you? 00:37:00.300 --> 00:37:01.539 That Jesus Himself 00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:03.120 stands at the center 00:37:03.120 --> 00:37:04.079 of all of Scripture. 00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.360 On the one hand, 00:37:05.440 --> 00:37:07.340 you have Moses and Elijah 00:37:07.340 --> 00:37:09.079 and the rest 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:09.780 of the Old Testament 00:37:09.780 --> 00:37:10.640 Scriptures 00:37:10.640 --> 00:37:11.340 that they represent. 00:37:12.059 --> 00:37:12.579 And what we see 00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:13.260 in Jesus' ministry 00:37:13.260 --> 00:37:14.880 is that again and again 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:16.700 He verifies and confirms 00:37:16.700 --> 00:37:18.180 that the Old Testament 00:37:18.180 --> 00:37:19.700 was indeed God's own Word, 00:37:19.760 --> 00:37:21.180 His own Word to us. 00:37:22.200 --> 00:37:23.280 And then here in Mark 9, 00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:23.840 on the other hand, 00:37:23.900 --> 00:37:25.280 you have Peter and James 00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:25.780 and John 00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:27.380 representing the rest 00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:28.059 of the apostles. 00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:30.079 And friends, 00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:30.380 you see, 00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:31.799 their message, 00:37:32.199 --> 00:37:33.500 the apostolic message, 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:34.440 what we have recorded 00:37:34.440 --> 00:37:35.039 in the rest 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:35.779 of the New Testament, 00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:36.799 is the message 00:37:36.799 --> 00:37:38.219 that Jesus Himself 00:37:38.219 --> 00:37:39.940 authorized them to teach. 00:37:41.299 --> 00:37:42.199 In Matthew 28, 00:37:42.539 --> 00:37:43.579 Jesus commissions them 00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:44.139 for the task. 00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:46.219 We know those verses well. 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:47.539 Go and make disciples, 00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:48.259 the risen Lord Jesus 00:37:48.259 --> 00:37:48.860 told the apostles, 00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:50.759 and teach them everything 00:37:50.759 --> 00:37:52.000 that I taught you. 00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:53.579 And you think, 00:37:53.699 --> 00:37:53.880 well, 00:37:54.639 --> 00:37:55.340 look at Peter 00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:56.099 and James and John 00:37:56.099 --> 00:37:56.659 in this passage. 00:37:56.779 --> 00:37:57.360 These are the guys 00:37:57.360 --> 00:37:57.920 we're trusting 00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:58.880 to give us the words 00:37:58.880 --> 00:37:59.240 of Jesus. 00:37:59.619 --> 00:38:00.019 Come on. 00:38:00.260 --> 00:38:00.740 That doesn't seem 00:38:00.740 --> 00:38:01.360 like a good plan. 00:38:02.619 --> 00:38:02.940 Well, 00:38:03.680 --> 00:38:04.440 at Pentecost, 00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:05.840 Jesus pours out His Spirit. 00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:07.099 In the power 00:38:07.099 --> 00:38:07.760 of the resurrection, 00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:09.360 these men are totally changed. 00:38:09.980 --> 00:38:10.720 They're equipped 00:38:10.720 --> 00:38:11.720 for their task 00:38:11.720 --> 00:38:12.180 with Jesus' 00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:12.960 own presence 00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:13.579 of the Spirit, 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:15.360 and He empowers them 00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:16.440 and inspires them 00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:17.599 to do just that, 00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:19.500 to give us 00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:20.639 the authorized 00:38:20.639 --> 00:38:21.960 instruction 00:38:21.960 --> 00:38:22.720 and message 00:38:22.720 --> 00:38:23.740 of Jesus Himself 00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:25.079 for all the church. 00:38:25.079 --> 00:38:28.179 So, 00:38:28.179 --> 00:38:28.539 what I'm saying, 00:38:28.639 --> 00:38:28.759 friends, 00:38:28.819 --> 00:38:29.579 is that we should read 00:38:29.579 --> 00:38:30.480 both the Old Testament 00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:31.860 and the New Testament 00:38:31.860 --> 00:38:33.119 as the words 00:38:33.119 --> 00:38:34.139 that Jesus wants us 00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:34.579 to hear. 00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:36.000 Now, 00:38:36.059 --> 00:38:36.840 that doesn't mean 00:38:36.840 --> 00:38:37.779 that we skip 00:38:37.779 --> 00:38:39.340 the sometimes hard work 00:38:39.340 --> 00:38:40.279 of interpretation. 00:38:40.860 --> 00:38:42.079 We have to grapple 00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:43.159 with the many times 00:38:43.159 --> 00:38:44.179 and the many ways 00:38:44.179 --> 00:38:44.960 in which God 00:38:44.960 --> 00:38:45.860 revealed Himself. 00:38:46.719 --> 00:38:47.340 And yet, 00:38:47.719 --> 00:38:48.559 it does mean 00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:49.639 that the whole Bible, 00:38:49.779 --> 00:38:50.380 with Jesus 00:38:50.380 --> 00:38:51.119 at the center, 00:38:51.619 --> 00:38:52.599 is reliable 00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:54.599 and is profitable. 00:38:58.440 --> 00:38:58.839 So, 00:38:58.920 --> 00:38:59.639 maybe you should read 00:38:59.639 --> 00:39:00.380 through the whole Bible 00:39:00.380 --> 00:39:01.440 in the coming year 00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:02.579 while you're reading 00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:03.339 through the Gospels. 00:39:04.400 --> 00:39:05.199 Give it a try. 00:39:08.440 --> 00:39:08.839 Well, 00:39:08.860 --> 00:39:09.400 with that being said, 00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:10.339 how do we listen to Him? 00:39:10.339 --> 00:39:11.139 What does it look like 00:39:11.139 --> 00:39:12.860 to actually do this? 00:39:12.920 --> 00:39:13.059 Well, 00:39:13.119 --> 00:39:13.400 first, 00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:13.639 friends, 00:39:13.679 --> 00:39:14.440 we've put ourselves 00:39:14.440 --> 00:39:15.139 in the place 00:39:15.139 --> 00:39:16.900 where these canonical, 00:39:17.119 --> 00:39:17.819 scriptural words 00:39:17.819 --> 00:39:18.259 of Jesus, 00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:19.559 we put ourselves 00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:20.199 in the place 00:39:20.199 --> 00:39:21.360 where these words 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:22.460 are being read 00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:23.960 and being taught 00:39:23.960 --> 00:39:25.620 and being pondered 00:39:25.620 --> 00:39:27.120 and being applied 00:39:27.120 --> 00:39:28.940 and being grappled with 00:39:28.940 --> 00:39:30.120 and being trusted 00:39:30.120 --> 00:39:31.720 and being cherished 00:39:31.720 --> 00:39:33.160 and being lived. 00:39:35.539 --> 00:39:36.559 Put yourself 00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:37.940 in those places. 00:39:38.120 --> 00:39:38.880 This is something 00:39:38.880 --> 00:39:40.120 that the church 00:39:40.120 --> 00:39:41.820 does together. 00:39:42.980 --> 00:39:43.980 It's what we do 00:39:43.980 --> 00:39:44.400 when we gather 00:39:44.400 --> 00:39:44.960 on Sunday. 00:39:45.440 --> 00:39:46.059 It's what we do 00:39:46.059 --> 00:39:46.740 in small groups 00:39:46.740 --> 00:39:47.320 midweek. 00:39:47.700 --> 00:39:48.500 It's what we do 00:39:48.500 --> 00:39:49.320 in lunch 00:39:49.320 --> 00:39:50.000 or coffee 00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:50.760 with one another 00:39:50.760 --> 00:39:51.579 throughout the week 00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:53.619 and we do it 00:39:53.619 --> 00:39:53.980 in times 00:39:53.980 --> 00:39:54.380 of our own 00:39:54.380 --> 00:39:55.059 personal study 00:39:55.059 --> 00:39:55.420 and prayer. 00:39:55.559 --> 00:39:56.179 Every time 00:39:56.179 --> 00:39:56.920 we get together 00:39:56.920 --> 00:39:57.460 we want to be 00:39:57.460 --> 00:39:59.260 listening to Him 00:39:59.260 --> 00:40:00.639 in the Scriptures 00:40:00.639 --> 00:40:01.960 in the Bible 00:40:01.960 --> 00:40:04.340 and then we want 00:40:04.340 --> 00:40:04.900 to be ready 00:40:04.900 --> 00:40:05.980 to respond 00:40:05.980 --> 00:40:07.440 as the Holy Spirit 00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:08.280 does His work. 00:40:12.679 --> 00:40:13.539 What would it look like 00:40:13.539 --> 00:40:14.260 to do that kind 00:40:14.260 --> 00:40:14.739 of listening? 00:40:16.059 --> 00:40:16.719 I like how 00:40:16.719 --> 00:40:17.719 one catechism puts it. 00:40:17.739 --> 00:40:18.500 The question is, 00:40:18.500 --> 00:40:19.519 how is the Word 00:40:19.519 --> 00:40:19.880 of God 00:40:19.880 --> 00:40:20.659 to be read 00:40:20.659 --> 00:40:21.780 and heard? 00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:23.679 And the answer 00:40:23.679 --> 00:40:24.500 they give is this, 00:40:25.199 --> 00:40:26.119 with diligence, 00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:28.059 preparation, 00:40:29.179 --> 00:40:29.840 and prayer 00:40:29.840 --> 00:40:31.780 so that we may 00:40:31.780 --> 00:40:32.940 accept it with faith, 00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:35.320 store it in our hearts, 00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:36.920 and practice it 00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:37.579 in our lives. 00:40:39.280 --> 00:40:40.119 That's a pretty 00:40:40.119 --> 00:40:41.059 good description 00:40:41.059 --> 00:40:42.539 of a kind 00:40:42.539 --> 00:40:43.559 of heart posture 00:40:43.559 --> 00:40:45.320 that we need 00:40:45.320 --> 00:40:45.980 to listen 00:40:45.980 --> 00:40:46.659 to Him 00:40:46.659 --> 00:40:49.059 with diligence, 00:40:49.440 --> 00:40:49.759 preparation, 00:40:50.099 --> 00:40:50.579 and prayer 00:40:50.579 --> 00:40:51.659 so that we may 00:40:51.659 --> 00:40:52.559 accept it with faith, 00:40:52.699 --> 00:40:53.699 store it in our hearts, 00:40:53.860 --> 00:40:54.699 and practice it 00:40:54.699 --> 00:40:55.360 in our lives. 00:40:57.219 --> 00:40:58.659 This is my beloved son. 00:40:59.239 --> 00:40:59.579 Listen 00:40:59.579 --> 00:41:00.719 to Him. 00:41:02.019 --> 00:41:02.420 Friends, 00:41:02.440 --> 00:41:02.940 who are you listening 00:41:02.940 --> 00:41:03.679 to this morning? 00:41:03.679 --> 00:41:09.799 I just got the new 00:41:09.799 --> 00:41:10.960 Coldplay album yesterday. 00:41:11.980 --> 00:41:12.779 It's a pretty good listen. 00:41:14.719 --> 00:41:15.619 But amidst all 00:41:15.619 --> 00:41:16.519 the competing voices, 00:41:16.739 --> 00:41:17.919 amidst all the noise, 00:41:19.119 --> 00:41:19.879 who are you listening 00:41:19.879 --> 00:41:20.139 to? 00:41:22.480 --> 00:41:23.399 Listen to Him. 00:41:26.199 --> 00:41:27.199 Listen to Jesus. 00:41:27.199 --> 00:41:30.659 He is the only prophet 00:41:30.659 --> 00:41:32.699 who can truly speak 00:41:32.699 --> 00:41:33.460 for God 00:41:33.460 --> 00:41:35.179 because He is God 00:41:35.179 --> 00:41:36.419 in the flesh. 00:41:37.719 --> 00:41:37.980 And friends, 00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:39.099 He is the only one 00:41:39.099 --> 00:41:41.219 who took our silence, 00:41:41.859 --> 00:41:42.980 defeated our death, 00:41:43.699 --> 00:41:45.719 and reigns forevermore. 00:41:47.739 --> 00:41:49.059 So may we accept 00:41:49.059 --> 00:41:49.960 His words with faith, 00:41:50.739 --> 00:41:51.739 store them in our hearts, 00:41:52.259 --> 00:41:53.519 and practice them 00:41:53.519 --> 00:41:54.199 in our lives. 00:41:55.219 --> 00:41:55.980 Let's pray. 00:41:57.199 --> 00:42:00.199 Lord Jesus, 00:42:00.319 --> 00:42:01.419 we worship You this morning 00:42:01.419 --> 00:42:02.859 as the true prophet 00:42:02.859 --> 00:42:03.439 that we need. 00:42:05.699 --> 00:42:06.099 Lord, 00:42:06.139 --> 00:42:06.579 we confess 00:42:06.579 --> 00:42:07.619 that it's often hard 00:42:07.619 --> 00:42:09.899 to listen to Your words. 00:42:11.579 --> 00:42:11.960 God, 00:42:12.000 --> 00:42:12.899 we have so many doubts. 00:42:13.539 --> 00:42:14.659 We have so many questions. 00:42:15.619 --> 00:42:16.179 There are so many 00:42:16.179 --> 00:42:17.119 competing concerns 00:42:17.119 --> 00:42:17.960 in our lives. 00:42:19.819 --> 00:42:20.339 And yet, 00:42:20.399 --> 00:42:20.579 Jesus, 00:42:20.859 --> 00:42:21.579 You are such 00:42:21.579 --> 00:42:23.299 a sympathetic prophet 00:42:23.299 --> 00:42:25.899 that You know 00:42:25.899 --> 00:42:26.339 what it's like 00:42:26.339 --> 00:42:26.939 to wrestle 00:42:26.940 --> 00:42:28.139 and to struggle 00:42:28.139 --> 00:42:29.380 because You've come 00:42:29.380 --> 00:42:30.200 and lived among us. 00:42:31.200 --> 00:42:31.599 So, Lord, 00:42:31.639 --> 00:42:32.920 we pray that in Your kindness, 00:42:34.019 --> 00:42:35.179 You would soften 00:42:35.179 --> 00:42:36.200 and open our hearts 00:42:36.200 --> 00:42:37.200 to listen to You. 00:42:38.960 --> 00:42:39.400 God, 00:42:39.440 --> 00:42:40.019 I pray for those 00:42:40.019 --> 00:42:40.800 who might be struggling 00:42:40.800 --> 00:42:41.900 and wrestling this morning 00:42:41.900 --> 00:42:42.920 that You would 00:42:42.920 --> 00:42:44.460 remind 00:42:44.460 --> 00:42:47.119 and confirm 00:42:47.119 --> 00:42:48.220 and open their ears 00:42:48.220 --> 00:42:48.679 and hearts 00:42:48.679 --> 00:42:49.320 and minds 00:42:49.320 --> 00:42:51.079 to really hear You 00:42:51.079 --> 00:42:51.920 and to listen. 00:42:51.920 --> 00:42:53.800 God, 00:42:53.840 --> 00:42:54.800 make us a church 00:42:54.800 --> 00:42:56.420 that listens well. 00:42:57.960 --> 00:42:58.380 God, 00:42:58.420 --> 00:42:59.119 we often feel like 00:42:59.119 --> 00:42:59.920 there's so much 00:42:59.920 --> 00:43:00.900 we need to say 00:43:00.900 --> 00:43:04.099 and yet our first task 00:43:04.099 --> 00:43:04.800 is to listen. 00:43:07.000 --> 00:43:07.440 So, 00:43:07.500 --> 00:43:08.559 make us a listening church, 00:43:08.680 --> 00:43:08.840 God, 00:43:08.880 --> 00:43:09.280 we pray. 00:43:10.500 --> 00:43:11.619 In Jesus' name, 00:43:11.739 --> 00:43:12.380 Amen. 00:43:13.039 --> 00:43:14.039 Amen. 00:43:14.059 --> 00:43:14.299 Amen. 00:43:14.799 --> 00:43:15.319 Amen. 00:43:15.319 --> 00:43:15.380 Amen. 00:43:15.380 --> 00:43:15.779 Amen. 00:43:15.779 --> 00:43:15.900 Amen. 00:43:15.900 --> 00:43:16.079 Amen. 00:43:16.099 --> 00:43:19.980 Amen. 00:43:28.319 --> 00:43:28.699 Amen. 00:43:28.699 --> 00:43:32.759 Amen.