WEBVTT 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:08.000 Okay, well, great to see everybody. If you don't know me, my name is Kevin, one of the leaders here, and we're going to spend some time praying together. 00:00:08.540 --> 00:00:15.560 One of the things Jeremy just mentioned is as a church, we love to pray, and prayer is such an important part of everything that we do. 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:24.240 And when you come to church on Sunday, we don't just come to run through a program. We come to encounter the living God, and one of the ways we do that is through prayer. 00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:34.039 And so will you join me as we pray together? And I know I say this often, but I want to encourage you to really listen and to agree and to join in in this time of prayer. 00:00:34.140 --> 00:00:39.780 This isn't just me praying, this is us as a church coming before our Father. And so let's pray together. 00:00:39.780 --> 00:00:54.719 Gracious Father, it really is such a joy and a privilege to gather together to praise you and to adore you, to hear from you and to encounter you again this morning. 00:00:55.740 --> 00:01:05.980 Gracious Father, you are liberating truth. You who are sovereign and all-powerful, you who are forgiving and welcoming, we love you and we need you. 00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:13.340 Father, we pray that we will continue to grow in our knowledge and our understanding of who you are and your truth. 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:23.760 Lord, may we never rest on a system of doctrine or just have head knowledge, a system of religion that does not bring us closer to you and your ways, 00:01:23.859 --> 00:01:31.780 that does not help us to turn from our self-centeredness and sin, and God rejoice all the more in your goodness and grace. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:41.219 Father, we confess how easy it is to come to you when we are in need or in trouble or distress or when we are worried about things. 00:01:41.320 --> 00:01:49.920 We find it very easy to run to you, but Father, we pray that you will help us to not only come to you in those times and then go our own way, 00:01:50.460 --> 00:01:57.599 but to walk in your way day in and day out when life is good and when it's tough. 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:04.699 Father, forgive us this sin, we pray, and help us to never fail to come to you who are full of grace, 00:02:05.479 --> 00:02:09.359 you who are the friend of sinners, you who love at all times, 00:02:09.959 --> 00:02:14.620 you who are so familiar with each and every temptation and weakness, and yet God without sin. 00:02:15.459 --> 00:02:20.979 Father, help us to never limit our devotions to particular seasons or days of the week, 00:02:20.979 --> 00:02:23.119 but to love you each and every day. 00:02:23.959 --> 00:02:29.599 Help us to never simply look the part or act Christianly on Sundays or certain occasions, 00:02:29.739 --> 00:02:33.500 but to follow you and walk with you in each and every season of life. 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:37.359 I really pray for your grace and to help us in this regard, Lord. 00:02:39.339 --> 00:02:44.479 Father, this morning we confess that our hearts are heavy when we consider the state of the world, 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:51.179 whether it's political fighting across nations that has real consequences for so many ordinary citizens, 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:55.939 whether it's civil wars that are raging, often forgotten, unreported, 00:02:56.799 --> 00:03:03.159 God, whether it's immigrants fleeing to countries looking for a safe place to call home and yet seldom welcomed anywhere. 00:03:03.979 --> 00:03:09.419 Father, we think of many homes even here in Hong Kong and around the world in which there is so little joy, 00:03:09.419 --> 00:03:15.059 little love, there is pain, there is bitterness, there is unforgiveness, there is hurt. 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:22.139 Father, we're brokenhearted when we think and hear of attacks that bring terror and fear, 00:03:22.599 --> 00:03:27.119 when we hear of floods and monsoons and storms that ravage homes and take lives. 00:03:28.219 --> 00:03:33.500 Father, this morning we mourn with a heavy heart the presence of sin in our lives and in our world, 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:34.599 and we long for heaven. 00:03:35.579 --> 00:03:38.699 Jesus, you were so right when you said that the life apart from you, 00:03:38.699 --> 00:03:43.879 while it looks appealing and self-fulfilling, it really does end in heartache and destruction. 00:03:45.659 --> 00:03:49.879 And so God, while we are grateful for progress in society, for increased freedoms, 00:03:51.019 --> 00:03:54.619 and the acknowledgement of people's liberties and rights, 00:03:54.839 --> 00:03:58.819 Father, we acknowledge that we are not more happier or content society. 00:03:59.019 --> 00:04:00.280 We acknowledge our need for you. 00:04:00.899 --> 00:04:01.739 Humble our proud. 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:06.079 Help us, God, not to walk our own path, but to follow you. 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:08.500 Jesus, come and have your way, we pray. 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:10.400 Come, Lord Jesus, come. 00:04:10.960 --> 00:04:12.440 Come soon, we pray, God. 00:04:12.540 --> 00:04:15.880 Come and bring your kingdom to our city and to our hearts, Lord. 00:04:16.520 --> 00:04:17.879 Lord, we need you, Jesus. 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:20.360 Come and have your way in our lives, we pray. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:23.759 In your patient and long-suffering name, amen. 00:04:24.580 --> 00:04:24.939 Amen. 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:27.960 Let's listen to the reading of God's word. 00:04:28.040 --> 00:04:28.620 Thanks, Victoria. 00:04:28.620 --> 00:04:37.879 The scripture reading comes from Matthew chapter 7. 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:41.459 Please follow along in your bulletins or on the screen. 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:45.939 Enter by the narrow gate. 00:04:46.299 --> 00:04:50.519 For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:53.439 and those who enter by it are many. 00:04:54.099 --> 00:04:58.079 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:00.339 and those who find it are few. 00:05:01.500 --> 00:05:05.599 Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, 00:05:06.099 --> 00:05:08.519 but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 00:05:08.519 --> 00:05:11.379 You will recognize them by their fruits. 00:05:12.539 --> 00:05:16.339 Are grapes gathered from farm bushes or fixed from thistles? 00:05:17.180 --> 00:05:20.159 So every healthy tree bears good fruit, 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:23.199 but the deceased tree bears bad fruit. 00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:26.939 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, 00:05:27.359 --> 00:05:30.500 nor can a deceased tree bear good fruit. 00:05:31.359 --> 00:05:33.879 Every tree that does not bear good fruit 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:36.259 is cut down and thrown into the fire. 00:05:36.259 --> 00:05:39.779 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:43.279 Not everyone who says to me, 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:46.939 Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, 00:05:47.240 --> 00:05:50.719 but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 00:05:51.719 --> 00:05:54.379 On that day, many will say to me, 00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:58.159 Lord, Lord, do we not prophesy in your name 00:05:58.159 --> 00:06:00.719 and cast out demons in your name 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:03.640 and do many mighty works in your name? 00:06:04.200 --> 00:06:06.320 And then will I declare to them, 00:06:06.740 --> 00:06:08.120 I never knew you. 00:06:08.620 --> 00:06:11.300 Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. 00:06:13.140 --> 00:06:15.960 Everyone then who hears these words of mine 00:06:15.960 --> 00:06:18.280 and thus them will be like a wise man 00:06:18.280 --> 00:06:20.140 who built his house on the rock. 00:06:20.139 --> 00:06:22.000 And the rain fell, 00:06:22.339 --> 00:06:23.479 and the floods came, 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:26.319 and the winds blew and beat on that house, 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:28.039 but it did not fall, 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:30.740 because it had been founded on the rock. 00:06:31.339 --> 00:06:33.939 And everyone who hears these words of mine 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:35.479 and does not do them 00:06:35.479 --> 00:06:37.099 will be like a foolish man 00:06:37.099 --> 00:06:39.839 who built his house on the sand. 00:06:40.839 --> 00:06:42.180 And the rain fell, 00:06:42.579 --> 00:06:43.539 and the floods came, 00:06:43.719 --> 00:06:46.139 and the winds blew and beat against that house, 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:47.539 and it fell, 00:06:47.979 --> 00:06:50.060 and great was the fall of it. 00:06:51.099 --> 00:06:53.819 And when Jesus finished these sayings, 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:57.000 the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 00:06:57.419 --> 00:06:58.719 for he was teaching them 00:06:58.719 --> 00:07:00.399 as one who had authority 00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:02.779 and not at the scribes. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:05.939 This is the word of God. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:09.159 Thank you, Victoria. 00:07:10.459 --> 00:07:11.060 Okay. 00:07:11.599 --> 00:07:15.339 Well, if you have been coming to Watermark for a while, 00:07:15.339 --> 00:07:17.099 you will recognize this picture. 00:07:17.459 --> 00:07:18.060 Not that one. 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:18.539 The next one. 00:07:18.919 --> 00:07:19.979 The Upside Down Kingdom. 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:23.359 And we have been doing this preaching series 00:07:23.359 --> 00:07:24.679 for the last six months. 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:28.179 We started on the 9th of December last year 00:07:28.179 --> 00:07:30.899 when we looked at the beginning of Matthew's Gospel, 00:07:31.459 --> 00:07:33.799 and we looked at how the arrival of Jesus 00:07:33.799 --> 00:07:34.859 led up to Christmas, 00:07:35.239 --> 00:07:36.419 and then after Christmas, 00:07:36.539 --> 00:07:37.599 we just kept on going, 00:07:37.739 --> 00:07:39.919 and we met John the Baptist in chapter 3, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:42.439 and then Jesus eventually in chapter 4. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:44.579 And Jesus comes on the scene, 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:45.219 and he says, 00:07:45.379 --> 00:07:45.819 Repent, 00:07:46.279 --> 00:07:47.939 for the kingdom of heaven is here, 00:07:48.359 --> 00:07:49.579 therefore follow me. 00:07:50.019 --> 00:07:52.579 And he calls these people to follow him, 00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:55.099 and then we went into the Sermon on the Mount, 00:07:55.199 --> 00:07:56.379 and we just kept on going. 00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:57.599 And so for six months, 00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:59.939 we've been looking at Matthew's Gospel, 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:02.000 and today is the final episode. 00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:03.979 Today it comes to a conclusion. 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:06.259 Now, just so you know, 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:07.419 sidebar, 00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:08.459 next week, 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:09.159 Tobin Miller, 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:11.120 who is the founding pastor of Watermark, 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:12.560 is going to be preaching here, 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:14.040 and so we're looking forward to having him. 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:14.920 Yes. 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:18.160 And I have never met Tobin. 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:19.740 I'm looking forward to meeting him this week. 00:08:21.160 --> 00:08:22.720 And then after that, 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:24.699 we are going to preach through the book of Habakkuk 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:25.740 for three weeks, 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:27.560 and then Haggai for four weeks, 00:08:27.899 --> 00:08:29.300 and then after the summer, 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:30.579 we're going to do Revelation 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:32.179 from September to December. 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.620 So that's our preaching schedule 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:34.960 for the rest of the year. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.440 Okay. 00:08:36.280 --> 00:08:38.580 Now, before we dive into our passage today, 00:08:38.680 --> 00:08:39.860 I want us to step back 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:41.120 and just to consider 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:42.600 the structure 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:44.000 and the flow of thought 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:45.120 through Matthew's Gospel, 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:47.460 because it's going to help us feel 00:08:47.460 --> 00:08:49.280 the force of the passage 00:08:49.280 --> 00:08:51.360 that we're looking at today. 00:08:52.160 --> 00:08:52.460 And so, 00:08:52.900 --> 00:08:54.320 Matthew's Gospel 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:55.240 is structured 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:56.759 very deliberately. 00:08:57.019 --> 00:08:57.240 In fact, 00:08:57.280 --> 00:08:58.420 all the biblical writers 00:08:58.420 --> 00:09:00.080 wrote their books 00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:00.720 or their literature 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:01.660 very deliberately. 00:09:02.420 --> 00:09:02.560 And 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:04.559 the way that Matthew 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:05.519 has written it 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:07.339 is in order to convey something 00:09:07.339 --> 00:09:08.299 or to let us know 00:09:08.299 --> 00:09:09.379 something about Jesus. 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:11.139 If you're new to the Bible, 00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:12.139 you may sometimes 00:09:12.139 --> 00:09:13.119 read the Gospels 00:09:13.119 --> 00:09:13.519 and think, 00:09:13.839 --> 00:09:15.500 why does it in the one Gospel 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:17.479 it seems like Jesus says this 00:09:17.479 --> 00:09:18.839 and then does that? 00:09:19.319 --> 00:09:20.679 But if you read another Gospel 00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:22.339 like Luke or John or Mark, 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:23.000 it seems like 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:24.000 he first does that 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.199 and then afterwards 00:09:25.199 --> 00:09:25.919 he says this. 00:09:25.979 --> 00:09:26.339 In other words, 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:27.419 sometimes the order 00:09:27.419 --> 00:09:28.879 seems the wrong way around, 00:09:28.939 --> 00:09:29.919 and that can be confusing. 00:09:30.659 --> 00:09:31.539 And the reason is 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:32.539 because the biblical writers 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:34.299 weren't writing 00:09:34.299 --> 00:09:36.459 a purely chronological history, 00:09:36.959 --> 00:09:37.219 A, 00:09:37.339 --> 00:09:37.939 then B, 00:09:38.079 --> 00:09:38.659 then C. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:39.939 They've structured 00:09:39.939 --> 00:09:40.639 their writing 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:41.479 in such a way 00:09:41.479 --> 00:09:42.379 as to communicate 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:43.019 a message 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:43.859 and to tell us 00:09:43.859 --> 00:09:44.959 something about Jesus, 00:09:45.219 --> 00:09:46.719 not just what happened, 00:09:46.839 --> 00:09:48.319 but why it happened as well. 00:09:48.859 --> 00:09:49.559 So in English, 00:09:49.619 --> 00:09:50.579 we've got this phrase 00:09:50.579 --> 00:09:51.159 where we say 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:53.079 the medium is the message. 00:09:53.559 --> 00:09:54.119 In other words, 00:09:54.239 --> 00:09:55.699 if you're communicating something, 00:09:55.839 --> 00:09:57.339 the way that you communicated 00:09:57.339 --> 00:09:58.939 actually communicates 00:09:58.939 --> 00:09:59.439 the message 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:00.779 as much as the words 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:01.299 themselves. 00:10:01.299 --> 00:10:02.459 I'll give you 00:10:02.459 --> 00:10:03.359 a silly example. 00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:04.179 Let's say I 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:05.679 write a love letter 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:06.399 to my wife 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:07.679 and I find some 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:09.079 tissue on the floor 00:10:09.079 --> 00:10:10.039 and I unravel it 00:10:10.039 --> 00:10:11.019 and I scribble on there 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:11.740 I love you 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:13.120 and I give that to her. 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:15.259 Or if I take the time 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:17.359 to make a beautiful card 00:10:17.359 --> 00:10:18.459 and then write 00:10:18.459 --> 00:10:19.500 the same words, 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:20.679 one of those 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:21.539 is going to communicate 00:10:21.539 --> 00:10:22.659 something a whole lot 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:23.839 differently than the other. 00:10:24.359 --> 00:10:25.539 Because the medium 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:26.399 is the message. 00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:27.659 The way that something 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:28.439 is communicated 00:10:28.439 --> 00:10:29.819 communicates as much 00:10:29.820 --> 00:10:30.600 as the actual words 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:31.040 themselves. 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:32.980 Now this is what's happening 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:34.220 in the Gospels. 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:35.580 And so Matthew, 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:36.640 the way that he structured 00:10:36.640 --> 00:10:37.340 his Gospels, 00:10:37.440 --> 00:10:38.860 there's seven parts to it, 00:10:38.940 --> 00:10:40.520 kind of like seven episodes 00:10:40.520 --> 00:10:41.200 in a series. 00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:42.520 There's an introduction, 00:10:42.980 --> 00:10:44.000 chapters one to three, 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.460 in which he tells us 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:46.060 that Jesus 00:10:46.060 --> 00:10:47.760 is the true and better 00:10:47.760 --> 00:10:48.300 Abraham, 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:49.600 Moses and David. 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:50.340 When you read 00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:51.200 the opening chapters 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:51.700 of Matthew, 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:52.520 it's all about 00:10:52.520 --> 00:10:52.920 Abraham, 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:54.060 Moses and David. 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:55.360 And he's communicating, 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:56.280 he's telling us something, 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:57.500 that all three of these 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:59.080 constantly point to Jesus. 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:00.259 Jesus is the fulfillment 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:01.019 of all of that. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.100 And then there's 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:03.679 a concluding 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:04.860 kind of section 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:05.659 or paragraph 00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:06.340 at the bottom, 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:07.059 and that's how 00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:08.259 Jesus is the true 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:08.980 and better Passover. 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:10.600 He's the lamb that died 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:11.500 for the sins of the world, 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:12.500 but he didn't stay dead, 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:13.460 he came alive again. 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:14.639 And in between, 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:16.019 these opening and closing 00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:17.379 paragraphs or sections 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:20.360 are five unique sections. 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:22.299 And they resemble 00:11:22.299 --> 00:11:23.460 the five books of Moses 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:24.340 in the Old Testament. 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:26.399 And each one of these sections 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:28.980 has a similar structure 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:29.740 and feel to it. 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:30.660 It starts off 00:11:30.660 --> 00:11:31.379 with some narrative. 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:32.740 Jesus went here, 00:11:32.920 --> 00:11:33.800 he did this miracle, 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:36.360 he encountered these people, 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:36.820 et cetera. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:38.139 And then it ends off 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.160 with the body of teaching. 00:11:39.660 --> 00:11:40.820 And the last sentence 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.680 in each one of these 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:42.840 five sections 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:44.139 is the same sentence. 00:11:44.280 --> 00:11:45.019 It's kind of like Matthew's, 00:11:45.280 --> 00:11:45.759 he's carefully 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.680 constructing something. 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.080 In other words, 00:11:47.100 --> 00:11:47.440 he's saying, 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:49.340 let's think about this section 00:11:49.340 --> 00:11:50.600 for a moment. 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:52.040 And he does a whole thing there. 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:52.740 And then he moves on, 00:11:52.780 --> 00:11:52.940 says, 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:54.180 now I want you to consider 00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:55.500 this part about Jesus' life. 00:11:55.700 --> 00:11:56.260 And now I want you 00:11:56.260 --> 00:11:57.300 to consider this part. 00:11:58.620 --> 00:11:59.660 The reason I'm telling you this 00:11:59.660 --> 00:12:00.900 is for the last six months 00:12:00.900 --> 00:12:01.640 we've focused on 00:12:01.640 --> 00:12:02.280 the introduction 00:12:02.280 --> 00:12:03.940 and the first section. 00:12:04.800 --> 00:12:05.080 And so, 00:12:05.260 --> 00:12:06.100 for six months 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:07.400 we've been going through 00:12:07.400 --> 00:12:09.040 Matthew's Gospel 00:12:09.040 --> 00:12:10.200 and we've seen, 00:12:10.520 --> 00:12:11.160 we've met Jesus 00:12:11.160 --> 00:12:11.800 in the wilderness, 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:14.040 we've met him 00:12:14.040 --> 00:12:15.060 being tempted 00:12:15.060 --> 00:12:16.120 by the devil, 00:12:16.300 --> 00:12:17.140 his baptism, 00:12:17.640 --> 00:12:18.420 et cetera, et cetera. 00:12:18.540 --> 00:12:19.660 He arrives in Galilee, 00:12:19.780 --> 00:12:20.080 he says, 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:20.760 follow me, 00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:21.660 the kingdom of heaven 00:12:21.660 --> 00:12:22.300 is at hand. 00:12:22.599 --> 00:12:23.500 That's all the narrative. 00:12:23.979 --> 00:12:24.679 Then he goes into 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:25.679 this body of teaching 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:26.579 which is called 00:12:26.579 --> 00:12:28.139 the Sermon on the Mount. 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:28.679 That's right. 00:12:28.939 --> 00:12:29.819 And we've been there 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:31.240 for about four or five months 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.179 and we've paused 00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:33.079 in a couple of places 00:12:33.079 --> 00:12:34.279 and we've looked at 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.479 how Jesus speaks 00:12:35.479 --> 00:12:36.740 about a mission 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:38.019 and evangelism. 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:38.659 He talks about 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:39.459 the Beatitudes. 00:12:39.959 --> 00:12:40.979 He talks about prayer. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:41.919 He talks about money. 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:42.779 He talks about 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:43.599 all these things. 00:12:44.079 --> 00:12:46.079 And in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:12:46.459 --> 00:12:47.759 he's now unpacking 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.500 and explaining 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.319 what he said 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:49.939 in the wilderness 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:50.520 which is, 00:12:50.880 --> 00:12:51.260 follow me 00:12:51.260 --> 00:12:52.220 for the kingdom 00:12:52.220 --> 00:12:53.180 of heaven is at hand. 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:54.300 He's showing 00:12:54.300 --> 00:12:55.440 what life in the kingdom 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:56.220 looks like. 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:56.940 He's showing 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:57.700 what does it mean 00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.480 when you follow him 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:58.820 and say, 00:12:59.020 --> 00:12:59.480 yes, okay, 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:00.760 I'll follow you. 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.120 And the Sermon on the Mount 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:03.320 is his unpacking 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:04.440 of what this kingdom, 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.280 this new kingdom, 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:06.640 looks like. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.840 And it turns out 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.740 it's an upside down 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.300 kind of kingdom. 00:13:09.780 --> 00:13:10.360 It's a kingdom 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:11.140 in which blessed 00:13:11.140 --> 00:13:12.400 are the poor in spirit 00:13:12.400 --> 00:13:14.060 for they inherit the earth. 00:13:14.540 --> 00:13:15.120 Blessed are those 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:15.820 that mourn 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:16.320 more so 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:16.940 than those 00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:18.000 that don't. 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:20.100 And so from chapter 4 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:20.440 onwards, 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:21.980 we've been following Jesus 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:23.340 and he's been 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:24.500 following his narrative, 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:25.700 following his teaching. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.000 And now, 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.399 we get to the end. 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:30.019 And we get to the very 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.019 final passage. 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:32.080 And the passage of Scripture 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:33.060 we're looking at today 00:13:33.060 --> 00:13:34.779 is kind of the conclusion 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:36.899 to this first section. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:37.500 And Matthew 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.500 has deliberately 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.620 structured his gospel 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:42.480 to come to this passage today 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:44.460 and like a great trial lawyer 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:45.639 before the jury 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:46.519 is saying, 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:47.039 okay, 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.259 you've heard all the evidence. 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:49.379 You've met Jesus 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:49.879 in the wilderness. 00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:51.519 You heard what he had to say. 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.600 You've listened to his teaching 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:54.200 about prayer. 00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:55.240 You've listened to his teaching 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:55.720 about money. 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:56.840 You've listened to everything 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:57.659 he has to say. 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.220 And like a trial lawyer, 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:00.320 he's coming with 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:01.279 this closing argument. 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:03.060 And this is what he's saying. 00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:04.240 Now, 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:06.139 how are you going to respond? 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:07.899 You've heard about 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:08.720 everything I've seen, 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:10.000 I've said. 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.480 You've seen how 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:12.460 I handle temptation. 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:13.680 You've seen how 00:14:13.680 --> 00:14:14.259 I'm the fulfillment 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:15.120 of the Old Testament. 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.100 You see how 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:17.120 all the law and the prophets 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:18.220 come to me. 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:19.060 Now, 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:19.779 how are you going to respond? 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:21.340 What are you going to do 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:22.420 with everything you've heard 00:14:22.420 --> 00:14:23.340 and seen 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:24.639 for the last six months? 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:25.560 And so, 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.120 let's see 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:27.539 how Jesus says this. 00:14:27.680 --> 00:14:27.840 Okay? 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:29.100 Let's see Jesus 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:30.259 closing argument 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.519 to the jury, 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:32.759 which is you and I. 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:33.800 Look at verse 13. 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:35.300 He says, 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.920 Enter by the narrow gate, 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:40.240 for the gate is wide 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.360 and the way is easy 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:42.460 that leads to destruction. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:44.100 And those who enter 00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:45.200 by it are many. 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:47.000 But the gate is narrow 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:48.200 and the way is hard 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:49.279 that leads to life. 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:51.060 And those who find it 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:52.159 are few. 00:14:52.800 --> 00:14:53.800 You see what Jesus is saying? 00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:54.980 In light of everything 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:55.600 you've heard, 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:57.920 in light of all that you've seen, 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.759 how I fulfilled 00:14:58.759 --> 00:14:59.560 all of the law 00:14:59.560 --> 00:15:00.279 and the prophets, 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:01.740 you've seen my baptism, 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:02.899 you've heard my invitation 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:04.460 to come and follow me, 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:05.940 you've heard my explaining 00:15:05.940 --> 00:15:06.879 what life in the kingdom 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.480 is like, 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:09.060 what are you going to do? 00:15:09.659 --> 00:15:09.960 He says, 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.860 there's two options 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.440 before you. 00:15:11.800 --> 00:15:13.399 You can receive my invitation, 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:14.980 you can follow me, 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.039 and by the way, 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:16.639 it's hard 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:17.740 and we'll talk about that, 00:15:17.920 --> 00:15:19.240 or you can reject 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:19.899 my invitation 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:21.060 and go your own way. 00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:23.860 And Jesus' challenge, 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:25.659 his summons for a response 00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:27.340 is as relevant today 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:29.340 as it was 2,000 years ago. 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:31.620 Now in some ways, 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:33.259 Jesus' invitation here 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.060 to respond 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:37.100 is his black and white invitation 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:39.040 is challenging for us 00:15:39.040 --> 00:15:39.899 in this day and age. 00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:41.259 And it rubs against 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.280 our modern sentiment. 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.300 And the reason is 00:15:43.300 --> 00:15:44.580 because we live in a world 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:47.180 that today really values choices, 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.019 don't we? 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.480 You go to the supermarket 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:51.180 and there are 17 varieties 00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:52.180 of bottled water 00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:53.519 and you can choose 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.400 anyone you want 00:15:54.400 --> 00:15:56.340 in any flavor or color. 00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:57.639 We live in a world 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.920 that we value choice. 00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:00.300 But in addition to that, 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.540 we also like to keep 00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:02.500 our options open, 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.000 don't we? 00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:04.639 We do this with relationships. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.160 We get into a relationship 00:16:06.160 --> 00:16:07.800 but we don't want to commit too much 00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:09.280 in case there's somebody else 00:16:09.280 --> 00:16:10.519 that's waiting up there. 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:11.920 We do this with jobs. 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:14.120 We do this with careers. 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.420 We do this with our calendars. 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.660 How many of us get invited 00:16:16.660 --> 00:16:17.300 to something 00:16:17.300 --> 00:16:18.519 and we wait until 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:20.000 the very last minute 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.940 before we decide 00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:21.800 whether we're going to go 00:16:21.800 --> 00:16:23.600 in case something else comes up? 00:16:24.280 --> 00:16:25.420 We live in an age 00:16:25.420 --> 00:16:26.680 in which we value choice 00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:27.980 and we like to keep 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:28.800 our options open. 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:30.160 But in this way, 00:16:30.300 --> 00:16:32.240 Jesus really challenges us 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.100 and he makes life 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:33.820 a lot easier 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:35.680 because his invitation 00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:36.840 to come and follow him 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:38.160 is a binary choice. 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:38.920 He says, 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.080 you've got two options here. 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:42.440 You can either join me 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:43.680 in my upside down kingdom 00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:45.399 or you can choose 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.100 to reject me 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:47.680 and go your own way. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:49.160 But Jesus doesn't allow us 00:16:49.160 --> 00:16:50.580 to sit on the fence. 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:52.240 And one of the reasons 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.480 is because Jesus 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.220 is never meant 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:54.980 to be admired. 00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:56.980 He's meant to be obeyed. 00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.940 And so his invitation 00:16:58.940 --> 00:16:59.740 is not just come 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:01.019 and admire my teachings. 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.560 It's come and obey me. 00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:03.740 Come and follow me. 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.240 Jesus is calling 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.220 for a response. 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.519 Later on in Matthew's gospel, 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:10.279 he says in chapter 12, 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:10.640 he says, 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.920 whoever is not for me 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:13.299 is against me. 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:13.880 Again, 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:14.400 he gives us 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:16.160 these two binary choices. 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.640 And one author, 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:18.819 Matthew Green, 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:19.660 said it like this. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.059 He says, 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.480 there is no comfortable 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.700 middle ground here 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:24.159 embracing most of us, 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:25.339 kind of like the bell curve, 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:25.639 right? 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.539 Leaving on either side 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.579 either the very good 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.700 or the very bad. 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:31.319 How comfortable it would be 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:32.240 if that were the case. 00:17:32.679 --> 00:17:32.859 No, 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.579 Christianity is not about 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.659 being very good 00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:36.779 or very bad 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:37.819 or very comfortable. 00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:39.200 It's about being 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:39.960 in God's kingdom 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:41.279 or staying out. 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.740 It is about allegiance 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.500 to God 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.799 or it is about rebellion. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:46.759 It is an awesome choice 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.980 that we face. 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.700 And paradoxically, 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.819 the Sermon on the Mount, 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.140 this is probably 00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:52.960 the one section 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.000 that often gets 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.840 most neglected. 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.539 Jesus' Sermon on the Mount 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.799 is very well admired 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.720 by both Christians 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.000 and non-Christians alike 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.400 with his gracious words 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:02.100 and his teachings 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:03.519 about turning the other cheek. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.160 But all that teaching, 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:06.400 Jesus then comes to us 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:06.759 and says, 00:18:07.100 --> 00:18:07.279 okay, 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:08.360 you've heard my teaching. 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:09.220 What are you going 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.819 to do with it? 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:10.759 How are you going 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.259 to respond? 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:12.900 And yet we tend 00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:13.860 to neglect this part 00:18:13.860 --> 00:18:14.640 of the Sermon on the Mount. 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:15.840 Now, 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.799 look at how he frames 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.960 these two choices here. 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:20.440 He says his way, 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.740 the way of following Jesus, 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.140 he's got three words 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:23.880 to describe it. 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:24.920 What does he say it is? 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.319 It is, 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:26.920 it's hard, 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:29.039 it's narrow, 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:30.539 and it's unpopular. 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:31.640 He says the way 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:32.440 of choosing him 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:33.620 is the hardest thing 00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:34.319 you'll ever do. 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.340 It's the most 00:18:35.340 --> 00:18:36.640 life-consuming choice 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:37.700 that you can ever make. 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:38.860 It's not something 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:40.279 that you can just do casually. 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:42.059 It'll demand all of you. 00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:43.660 But then conversely, 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.079 he says, 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.460 the way of rejecting him, 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:47.099 he describes as wide 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:48.019 and open, 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.399 it's easy, 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.259 and he says, 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:51.139 there are many 00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:52.179 that find themselves 00:18:52.179 --> 00:18:53.059 on that path. 00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.019 Now, 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.759 the question is, 00:18:54.919 --> 00:18:55.279 why? 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.839 Why is it 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:57.339 that the way 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:58.359 of rejecting Jesus 00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:59.599 is an easy way 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.419 to do it? 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:02.019 Why is that so much easier? 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.399 Well, 00:19:02.439 --> 00:19:02.879 I want to give us 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:04.139 a couple of things 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:04.699 to think about, 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.299 and my friend, 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.179 Andrew Haslam 00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:06.659 in London, 00:19:07.199 --> 00:19:08.559 helped me think about this. 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:09.819 First reason, 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.199 maybe, 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.039 why the way 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.900 of rejecting Jesus 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.980 is so much easier 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:14.039 is because 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:15.640 the chances are 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:16.380 we are possibly 00:19:16.380 --> 00:19:17.319 already on it. 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:18.360 We're already 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:19.080 on that path. 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:20.519 In other words, 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.480 if you haven't 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.920 already chosen Jesus, 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.920 there's a good chance 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.559 that you're already 00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:26.500 on the path 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.460 which is wide 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.279 and easy 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:29.759 and in which 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.299 everyone else 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:30.940 finds themselves 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.640 on that path. 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:33.220 Jesus doesn't hide 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.039 the fact that he is 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:35.340 the dividing line 00:19:35.340 --> 00:19:36.100 in all of history. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:36.500 He says, 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.140 either you are 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:38.000 on my side 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.319 or you're not 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:39.940 on my side. 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.779 And if you haven't 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.940 deliberately chosen 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.819 to live for him, 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:45.140 he says that actually 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.340 the way you find yourself 00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:47.460 is that you're against him. 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.840 And this applies 00:19:48.840 --> 00:19:49.460 if you are 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:51.319 a strong atheist 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:52.319 against Jesus, 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.120 whether you are 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:54.620 a devoted Buddhist, 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:55.759 whether you are 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:57.440 just an average agnostic, 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:59.080 or maybe even 00:19:59.080 --> 00:20:00.220 if you are a nominal 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.660 or a cultural Christian, 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:02.980 someone who maybe 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.539 just grew up 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.640 in a Christian culture 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.220 or family 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:05.900 and you think that 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:06.480 by birth 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.500 that makes you a Christian. 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:08.720 But friends, 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.759 Christianity is not 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.400 something that you 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:11.379 just fall into 00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:12.619 by way of your race 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:13.279 or your culture 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.299 or where you were born 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.359 or what family 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:15.879 you come into. 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.440 It's a deliberate choice 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.299 to follow Jesus. 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.839 And so Jesus says, 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.759 if you haven't made 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.859 that deliberate choice, 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.039 chances are you're 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.740 on the path 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.400 that is wide 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:25.000 and easy 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.640 and doesn't know him. 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.059 Conversely, 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:28.779 Jesus says, 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:30.160 his way is hard 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.180 because it requires 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:32.799 a deliberate decision, 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.160 a choice to follow him. 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:36.120 And it's a weighing up 00:20:36.120 --> 00:20:36.800 of the options 00:20:36.800 --> 00:20:37.640 and it's a choice 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.480 to walk away 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.259 from a whole lot 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:39.980 of other things 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.100 that might be attractive. 00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:42.740 But Jesus says, 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:44.519 he calls us 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.259 to choose him. 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.100 Here's another reason 00:20:47.100 --> 00:20:47.960 why it's easy. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.240 Because the way 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.740 that is wide 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.480 and easy, 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.540 it's easy 00:20:52.540 --> 00:20:53.360 because it simply 00:20:53.360 --> 00:20:54.279 feels good. 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.560 And what I mean 00:20:55.560 --> 00:20:56.240 by that is that 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.320 it's compatible 00:20:57.320 --> 00:20:58.320 and confirms 00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:59.640 our natural desires, 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.759 which are generally 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.519 self-seeking. 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.779 I don't know 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.440 how many of you 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.400 have read 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.980 that commencement address 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:07.519 by David Foster Wallace 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:09.240 that he gave in 2004 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.480 at Kenyon College. 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.200 Anyone familiar 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:13.079 with David Foster Wallace's 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:13.700 commencement address? 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.319 So David Foster Wallace 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:17.099 was a very famous 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:19.099 American author 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:20.139 and academic 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:21.639 and he gave 00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:22.940 this very famous speech 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.879 at Kenyon College 00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:24.819 in 2004, 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:26.220 which kind of went viral 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.440 across the internet. 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:29.420 And he was a humanist, 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.299 he wasn't a believer, 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.200 he didn't believe 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:31.940 in God at all, 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.100 but he gave a very 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:34.220 honest assessment 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.000 of humanity 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.759 and he actually 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.700 took his own life 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.539 four years later 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.680 in 2008. 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.000 But listen to what 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.759 he says here 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:42.019 and I agree 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.799 with his assessment. 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.779 I don't agree 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:45.019 with his solution, 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.200 but listen to his assessment. 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.340 He says, 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:48.380 everything in my own 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:49.640 immediate experience 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:51.420 supports my deep belief 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.799 that I'm the absolute 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:54.019 center of the universe. 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.480 I'm the realist, 00:21:55.580 --> 00:21:56.319 the most vivid, 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.880 the most important person 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.480 in existence. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:00.400 We really think about 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.360 this sort of natural, 00:22:01.560 --> 00:22:02.800 basic self-centeredness 00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:03.759 because it's so 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:05.500 socially repulsive. 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.960 But it's pretty much 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:08.140 the same for all of us. 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.680 It's our default setting. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.940 It's hardwired 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.920 into our boards 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:12.960 at birth. 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.220 You see what he's saying? 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.640 He's saying the natural 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:17.160 orientation of the human heart, 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.100 no matter what culture 00:22:18.100 --> 00:22:18.840 you come from, 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:20.040 is that we are 00:22:20.040 --> 00:22:20.860 self-centered. 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.400 I am the most real, 00:22:22.540 --> 00:22:23.100 most vivid, 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:24.420 most important person 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.400 in existence. 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:27.160 And that's why Jesus 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.200 says that the root 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:30.319 which rejects his call 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:31.539 to be the absolute center 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.600 of all that you are 00:22:32.600 --> 00:22:33.860 is so much easier 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:35.340 because it's compatible 00:22:35.340 --> 00:22:36.720 with our natural desires, 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:38.059 the way we find ourselves, 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.279 the way that we are brought up. 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:41.380 It feels so naturally. 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.440 It completely fits 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:43.640 with the default position 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:44.319 of our hearts. 00:22:45.620 --> 00:22:46.480 But Jesus says 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.299 that conversely, 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:48.440 the way you're following him 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.180 is demanding. 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:51.860 It asks us to day by day 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:53.160 to lay down our lives. 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.660 It asks us to every day 00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:55.500 to surrender 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:57.040 our self-centeredness 00:22:57.040 --> 00:22:57.320 and say, 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:57.779 Christ, 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.580 you be number one 00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:59.040 in my heart. 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.540 You take the stage. 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:02.420 You be center in my life. 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.100 Here's another reason why 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:06.660 the way of rejecting Jesus 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:07.460 is so easy. 00:23:08.060 --> 00:23:09.519 Because everybody else 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.759 seems to be on it. 00:23:12.060 --> 00:23:13.000 As human beings, 00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:15.200 we are naturally social beings, 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:15.759 right? 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.340 We love community 00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:18.680 and to be around people, 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:20.440 loneliness and isolation 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.220 and independence 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:23.200 is not good for us. 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.380 We are naturally social beings. 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.620 And the Bible says 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:26.620 that the reason why 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:27.700 we are social beings 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.880 is actually because 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.960 we are made in the image 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.580 of the God 00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:32.060 that is himself communal. 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:33.100 He is Trinitarian. 00:23:33.540 --> 00:23:34.420 He is triune. 00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:35.279 And therefore, 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:36.880 because we're made in his image, 00:23:37.300 --> 00:23:38.360 something of God's nature 00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:39.180 is reflected in us 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:40.019 and we are by nature 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:41.220 social beings. 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.540 And what that means 00:23:42.540 --> 00:23:43.840 is that we love to be part 00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:45.300 of some kind of crowd, 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.800 some group of people. 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:48.360 Even if it's not the crowd, 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:50.240 we must be part of some crowd, 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.060 right? 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.759 Is that not right? 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.700 I was chatting 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.920 to somebody recently 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.400 who, 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:58.299 a high school student, 00:23:58.859 --> 00:23:59.299 who was saying 00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:00.180 that her friends 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:01.680 will go shopping 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.740 and buy clothes 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.019 based on, 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:04.960 and choose an item 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.460 of clothing 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:07.119 based on what response 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:08.019 they'll think they'll get 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.180 on their Instagram account. 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.619 And so as they're looking 00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:11.160 through the shops, 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.519 they'll think, 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.779 how will this look on me 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.400 on Instagram? 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.740 And how many likes 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.440 or dislikes 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.799 or responses 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.980 will I get? 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:20.279 We love to be part 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.960 of the group. 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.960 We are social beings. 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.019 I don't know 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:23.839 if you've ever tried 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:25.259 to swim upstream 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:27.180 of a fast-flowing river 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:28.180 or maybe you've been 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.779 in the sea 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.799 and the current 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.700 has pulled you 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.500 in one direction. 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.259 You've tried to swim 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.120 against the current. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.860 And it's an exhausting 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:36.480 and a scary experience. 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.180 When I was a little boy, 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.900 I think I was six years old, 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:41.360 it was on Christmas Day 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.500 and our family went 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.000 to the beach 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:44.019 and there was no one else 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.440 on the beach 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.299 because it was raining 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.159 and miserable 00:24:46.159 --> 00:24:48.059 and there was 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:49.539 this strong current 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.480 pulling out 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.200 and I was swimming 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.559 in the sea on my own 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:54.579 and before I knew it, 00:24:54.619 --> 00:24:55.259 the current was 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.559 taking me out to sea 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.859 and luckily, 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.799 there were lifeguards 00:24:58.799 --> 00:25:00.819 that my dad ran 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.519 and called them 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.839 and the only time 00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:03.180 in my life, 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.819 a lifeguard had to save me 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:05.919 and pull me out of the water. 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.079 But if you've ever 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.859 had to try and swim 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:08.879 against the current 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:10.099 or swim upstream 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:10.919 of a river 00:25:10.919 --> 00:25:11.759 that's fast-flowing, 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.700 it's exhausting. 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.720 Even the strongest swimmers 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.660 find it a tiring exercise 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:18.779 and that's what it's like 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.920 when Jesus says 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.819 it's so much easier 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.960 just to go with the culture, 00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:22.799 go with the crowd, 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:24.220 go with what's popular 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:25.539 and conversely, 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:25.940 he says, 00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:27.500 following me is difficult 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.559 because it's a call 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.539 to go against 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.460 what may be popular. 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:32.059 Today, more than ever, 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:33.039 it's socially awkward 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.039 to talk about Jesus 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:35.400 or to claim to follow him 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:36.519 or to adhere 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.200 to what he says 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:37.799 about life 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.360 and sexuality 00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:39.220 and money 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:39.940 and community. 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.360 Maybe you're a Christian 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.079 here this morning 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:43.200 and you've come 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.900 to know Christ 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:44.620 but your family 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:45.240 doesn't want you 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:45.820 to get baptized. 00:25:46.600 --> 00:25:47.640 It's hard to make 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:48.140 the decision 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.820 that is hard 00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:50.420 that is not popular 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.420 with either your family 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:52.080 or culture. 00:25:53.320 --> 00:25:54.140 Here's another reason 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:55.420 why it may be so much easier. 00:25:55.540 --> 00:25:56.840 There are spiritual forces 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:58.640 involved keeping you 00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.019 on the way 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.660 that is easy. 00:26:00.340 --> 00:26:01.280 I know this may be 00:26:01.280 --> 00:26:02.360 a little bit esoteric 00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:03.040 for some of us 00:26:03.040 --> 00:26:05.500 in a very intellectual city, 00:26:05.560 --> 00:26:06.240 in a modern city 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:06.960 like Hong Kong, 00:26:07.540 --> 00:26:08.280 but Jesus says 00:26:08.280 --> 00:26:10.180 that there are spiritual forces 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.620 at work 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:11.519 that are trying to 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.600 do everything 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.159 in their power 00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:13.939 to keep you 00:26:13.939 --> 00:26:14.439 on the path 00:26:14.439 --> 00:26:15.159 that is easy 00:26:15.159 --> 00:26:15.779 and wired 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.939 and divorced 00:26:16.939 --> 00:26:17.500 from him. 00:26:18.899 --> 00:26:19.419 C.S. Lewis 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.559 in his brilliant book 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:22.859 Screwtape Letters, 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:24.339 he makes this point 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:26.319 that there are evil forces 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:26.859 involved 00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:28.659 but one of their key strategies 00:26:28.659 --> 00:26:30.299 is to keep you blinded 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:30.879 to the reality 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.919 that they are actually there 00:26:31.919 --> 00:26:33.639 dedicated to your destruction 00:26:33.639 --> 00:26:34.919 and your downfall. 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.439 And he says 00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:37.619 that they are at work 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:39.079 trying to destroy our lives 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:41.460 but they are helping us 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.259 to not realize 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.980 they are active 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:44.919 dedicated to our downfall. 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:45.939 And so there is a real 00:26:45.939 --> 00:26:46.759 spiritual battle 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.480 that is involved 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.559 and Jesus says 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.559 for all these reasons 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.799 this is easy. 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.119 And so for these 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:53.079 and many other reasons 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:54.460 Jesus cuts against 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.740 the grain of populism 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.659 and soft appeal 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:57.519 and he summons 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.699 he even commands us 00:26:58.699 --> 00:26:59.559 he says 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.960 you have got this choice 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.579 before you 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:03.019 which way are you going 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.720 to live your life? 00:27:04.199 --> 00:27:04.720 There is a way 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.460 that is easy 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.199 and it is wide 00:27:06.199 --> 00:27:07.019 and it is popular 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.659 and it is not going 00:27:07.659 --> 00:27:08.879 to demand much from you. 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:10.079 But I am warning you 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:11.179 it is a dead end 00:27:11.179 --> 00:27:12.039 it leads to a way 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:12.879 that is destructive. 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:13.879 He says 00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:14.599 follow me 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:16.039 follow my kingdom. 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.319 It is narrow 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:18.500 it is hard 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.599 it is demanding 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:20.720 but it is the way 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:22.379 that leads to life. 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.139 And this is something 00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:24.939 that we sometimes 00:27:24.939 --> 00:27:25.720 struggle with 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.539 because today 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:28.019 more than in Jesus' day 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:30.179 we struggle with the idea 00:27:30.179 --> 00:27:30.679 that there are 00:27:30.679 --> 00:27:32.059 two binary choices. 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:33.759 One of the supreme values 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.460 of our age 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.179 is tolerance 00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:36.539 and open mindedness. 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:37.639 And so we struggle 00:27:37.639 --> 00:27:38.259 with the idea 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:39.039 that Jesus says 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.940 I am truth 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:41.139 my way is right 00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:42.359 all other ways 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:43.559 are not true. 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.559 And sometimes 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.519 when Jesus says 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.519 this is truth 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.240 follow me 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.960 I am truth 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.599 it feels like 00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:50.659 a punch to the stomach 00:27:50.659 --> 00:27:51.099 right? 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.559 But Jesus doesn't 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.379 hold any punches 00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:54.779 he doesn't hold back 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.480 he says 00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:56.259 to follow him 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.259 is to walk in truth 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.539 to reject him 00:27:58.539 --> 00:28:00.240 is to reject the truth. 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.339 Jesus says 00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:03.960 that he gives us 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.859 these two choices. 00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:06.839 Now for some of us 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.219 we think 00:28:07.219 --> 00:28:07.939 that feels 00:28:07.939 --> 00:28:09.079 way too binary. 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.619 It doesn't feel 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.779 open minded enough. 00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:12.779 How can Jesus say 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.759 there is only one truth? 00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:14.799 Don't all religions 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.619 end up pointing 00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:16.500 to the same God 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:16.799 anyway? 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.500 I was having a conversation 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.439 with a friend of mine 00:28:19.439 --> 00:28:20.240 a few weeks ago 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.000 and we were talking 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:22.240 and this was his 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.179 exact argument. 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:23.659 He was saying 00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:25.159 all religions look 00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:26.719 different on the surface 00:28:26.719 --> 00:28:27.659 right? 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.839 Jesus says this 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:30.679 and Muhammad says this 00:28:30.679 --> 00:28:31.859 and Guatama Buddha 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.500 said that. 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.519 They all look different 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.079 on the surface 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:35.059 but underlining 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:36.319 they're all the same thing. 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:36.900 They all lead 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:37.779 to the same God 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.680 anyway. 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.660 And so the idea is 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.400 shouldn't we be 00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:42.400 more open minded? 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.740 Some people say 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.319 I don't believe 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:45.180 any one religion 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:45.660 is true 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.240 to the exclusion 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.700 of others. 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.220 They're all just 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.019 different paths 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.920 that lead to the same 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.579 destination. 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.299 But friends 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.599 if we think about that 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:56.119 that belief statement 00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:57.400 is as much 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.259 a belief statement 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:59.539 as much a statement 00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:00.359 of what's true 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:00.839 in the world 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.759 and what's not true 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.859 as Jesus' 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.839 exclusive claim 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.940 to say I am the way 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.480 the truth 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.559 and the life. 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.200 To say all religions 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:09.339 are just different paths 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.519 that end up in the same way 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.799 is an equally strong 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:13.400 statement of belief 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.240 of what's true 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:16.319 as anything else. 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:17.579 To say it doesn't matter 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.160 what you believe 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:18.660 all beliefs 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.700 just end up the same 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:21.319 is as strong a statement 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:22.879 as Jesus' statement 00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:24.299 to the exclusivity 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:25.059 of Christ 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:26.180 and the gospel. 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:27.940 There's a scientist 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:29.900 Neil deGrasse Tyson 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:31.740 he famously said 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.220 recently 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.160 said the great thing 00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:33.860 about science 00:29:33.860 --> 00:29:34.920 is that it's true 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:35.700 whether you believe 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.600 in it or not. 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:38.519 But the thing is 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.440 that's not only true 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.100 for science 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:40.840 that's true 00:29:40.840 --> 00:29:41.420 for anything 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:42.100 that's truth. 00:29:42.580 --> 00:29:42.759 Right? 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:44.000 That's the case 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.700 for all truth. 00:29:45.080 --> 00:29:45.780 Whether you believe 00:29:45.780 --> 00:29:46.340 in it or not 00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:47.620 it's simply true. 00:29:48.320 --> 00:29:48.980 And so Jesus 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.759 is as honest 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.440 as you can get 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.600 he says follow me 00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:52.940 enter by the narrow gate 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.680 follow the way 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.360 that is hard 00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:54.900 the path 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.920 that few have trodden 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:57.480 because it's true. 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.519 And because 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.440 what does he say here? 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:00.660 Because it ends 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:01.500 in life. 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.759 It ends 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.680 in life. 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:05.980 Jesus says 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.680 I've got the 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.799 I've put these two choices 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.480 before you. 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:09.579 Now 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:11.299 at the end of the chapter 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:13.880 Jesus changes analogies 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:14.860 but he actually says 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:15.720 the same thing. 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:17.799 He's calling for a response 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:18.720 except this time 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.839 he calls us to consider 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.920 not so much 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.539 the ease 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.380 or the difficulty 00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:23.079 of the choice 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:24.319 but the outcome. 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.500 What is the result 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.000 of the choice 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.700 that you're going to make? 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:28.080 And so look at what he says 00:30:28.080 --> 00:30:28.980 here in verse 24. 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:30.480 He says you've got two choices. 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.840 Everyone then 00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:33.400 who hears these words of mine 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:34.100 and does them 00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:35.920 will be like a wise man 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:37.220 who built his house 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:37.819 on the rocks. 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:38.600 Now 00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:39.900 admittedly 00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:41.299 this wisdom 00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:43.160 looks like foolishness. 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:43.840 Okay 00:30:43.840 --> 00:30:44.279 that's why 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:45.340 it's an upside down 00:30:45.340 --> 00:30:45.900 kind of wisdom. 00:30:46.340 --> 00:30:46.920 It's a wisdom 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:48.220 that doesn't look like wisdom 00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:49.259 on first appearances. 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.480 It's a wisdom 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:50.900 that says 00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.640 it's more blessed 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.460 to give away 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:53.200 than to hoard. 00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:54.279 It's a wisdom 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.759 that says 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.700 it's more blessed 00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.580 to mourn 00:30:56.580 --> 00:30:57.940 than to just be jovial. 00:30:58.360 --> 00:30:59.100 It's a wisdom 00:30:59.100 --> 00:30:59.519 that says 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.240 it's more blessed 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:01.580 to be poor in spirit 00:31:01.580 --> 00:31:02.740 than not so. 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.819 So it's an upside down 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.620 kind of wisdom 00:31:04.620 --> 00:31:06.080 but it's a wisdom 00:31:06.080 --> 00:31:07.500 in which Jesus says 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.720 it's harder 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.620 it's more difficult 00:31:09.620 --> 00:31:11.480 but it leads to life. 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:13.080 Conversely 00:31:13.080 --> 00:31:13.600 he says 00:31:13.600 --> 00:31:15.120 though the storms come 00:31:15.120 --> 00:31:16.100 and the rains fall 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:18.039 the typhoons ravage it 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:19.680 those who have heard 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.539 and not just heard 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.220 but accepted 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:22.340 and received my words 00:31:22.340 --> 00:31:23.120 they will stand. 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:24.199 their lives will be 00:31:24.199 --> 00:31:25.839 like a rock solid house 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:27.599 on a rock solid foundation 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:28.639 that will not 00:31:28.639 --> 00:31:30.000 that will withstand 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.979 the storms of life. 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.959 And contrary to this 00:31:32.959 --> 00:31:33.539 Jesus says 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.539 there's another option 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:36.479 and that's to dismiss 00:31:36.479 --> 00:31:37.559 my words 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:39.179 and to dismiss it 00:31:39.179 --> 00:31:40.539 as a version of truth 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.539 as what's true 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.359 for those people 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:42.879 but mainly 00:31:42.879 --> 00:31:43.939 not true for me. 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:45.379 And he says 00:31:45.379 --> 00:31:46.500 that when we do that 00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:47.319 look at what happens 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:48.299 it's both foolish 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:49.279 and it's dangerous 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.459 because in the end 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:52.160 a life which is built 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:53.299 on that kind of reasoning 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:54.240 that kind of approach 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.240 that kind of decision 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:57.200 leads to great heartache 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.640 great pain 00:31:58.640 --> 00:32:00.120 great agony 00:32:00.120 --> 00:32:01.519 and in the end 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:03.120 it leads to destruction. 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.380 Now friends 00:32:05.380 --> 00:32:06.259 the obvious question 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.799 is this 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:08.480 why on earth 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.299 would anybody 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:10.420 that is engaging 00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:11.600 on a building project 00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:13.100 why on earth 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:13.720 would you build 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.779 on a shallow foundation? 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.259 Why on earth 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:16.759 would you build 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.380 on sand 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:18.000 when you could build 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.480 on rock? 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:19.660 Why would you make 00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:20.240 the decision 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:21.279 especially if you're 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:21.940 building a house 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:22.380 that you're going 00:32:22.380 --> 00:32:22.839 to live in 00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:23.500 or your children 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.180 are going to live in 00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:25.400 or imagine someone's 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.140 building a school 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:27.240 and your children 00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:27.700 are going to go 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.240 to the school 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.579 right? 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.980 Why would anybody 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:31.740 choose on a shallow 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:33.099 superficial foundation? 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.240 I mean that's just 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:34.720 ridiculous. 00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:36.860 Well the reason 00:32:36.860 --> 00:32:37.500 is obvious 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:39.019 because it's cheaper 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:40.740 because it's easier 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:42.640 and because at the time 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:43.579 you think 00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.500 that it's good enough. 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.900 You think the foundation 00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:46.640 is going to stand. 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:48.259 Nobody builds a house 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:48.680 and says 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.619 listen I know 00:32:49.619 --> 00:32:50.200 this is probably 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:50.900 going to fall 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:52.099 in the first storm 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:52.559 that comes 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.299 but let me just 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:53.879 do it anyway. 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.319 At the time 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:56.019 it feels like 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.660 the safe thing 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.140 to do 00:32:57.140 --> 00:32:58.859 but one change 00:32:58.859 --> 00:32:59.420 of season 00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:01.099 one freak storm 00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:02.339 one accident 00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:02.819 comes 00:33:02.819 --> 00:33:03.980 and everything 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:05.099 is in ruins 00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:06.960 and the consequences 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:07.920 is not just 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:09.240 a loss of money 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:11.039 it's loss of life 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:12.879 and that's 00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.799 Jesus' point here. 00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:14.480 He says 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:15.079 the choices 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:15.759 that we make 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.140 in life 00:33:16.140 --> 00:33:17.000 whether consciously 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.539 or not 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.440 the choice 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:19.019 that you make 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.660 and especially 00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.319 your response 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:21.579 to who Jesus is 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:22.559 and his claim 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:23.279 to be the way 00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:23.839 and the truth 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:24.319 and the life 00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:25.500 has radical 00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.220 implications 00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:28.039 for our lives. 00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:29.759 And so Jesus says 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:31.440 I give you this choice 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.720 you can't sit 00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.319 on the fence 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.799 you can't try 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.519 and have one foot 00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:36.180 in each camp 00:33:36.180 --> 00:33:37.319 which way 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:37.960 are you going to go? 00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:39.000 the way 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:39.840 that is wide 00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:40.880 and easy 00:33:40.880 --> 00:33:42.120 and popular 00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:43.420 or the way 00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:44.180 that is narrow 00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:45.700 and hard 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.940 and demanding 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:48.039 but it's the way 00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:48.539 that leads 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.680 to life. 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:52.180 Now as we 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:54.840 come towards 00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:55.480 a close 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.100 maybe I shouldn't 00:33:56.100 --> 00:33:56.920 say that too soon 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:59.740 if you look 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:00.180 at your Bible 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:00.799 you'll see 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:01.480 that we skipped 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:02.819 over two paragraphs 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:03.640 okay 00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.079 look at your 00:34:04.079 --> 00:34:05.340 bulletin 00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:07.799 in verse 13 00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.699 Jesus talks about 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:09.759 this narrow gate 00:34:09.759 --> 00:34:10.559 and this narrow way 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:12.019 and then in verse 24 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.579 he talks about 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.360 these houses 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:14.219 these two houses 00:34:14.219 --> 00:34:16.019 and in between that 00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:18.199 Jesus gives two warnings 00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:18.960 for those of us 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.880 that are Christ followers 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:20.900 or consider ourselves 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.519 Christ followers 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:23.619 to test the sincerity 00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:24.340 of our faith 00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:25.139 and to see whether 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:25.940 in fact we are 00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:26.920 walking with Jesus 00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:28.199 whether in fact 00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:28.900 we are part of 00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:29.900 this upside down kingdom 00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:31.360 remember Jesus 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:32.699 is constantly challenging 00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:33.619 the religious people 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:34.239 in this day 00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:35.419 and he's constantly 00:34:35.419 --> 00:34:36.119 calling them 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:37.179 to a sincere faith 00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:38.059 to see whether 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:38.879 they are really 00:34:38.879 --> 00:34:39.879 walking with him 00:34:39.879 --> 00:34:40.539 or whether they are 00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:41.419 just being religious 00:34:41.419 --> 00:34:43.279 and so Jesus here 00:34:43.279 --> 00:34:44.819 calls us to examine 00:34:44.819 --> 00:34:45.319 our faith 00:34:45.319 --> 00:34:45.939 and to test 00:34:45.939 --> 00:34:47.119 the genuineness of it 00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:47.699 and he gives us 00:34:47.699 --> 00:34:48.319 two warnings 00:34:48.319 --> 00:34:49.659 of imitation faith 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:51.079 look at the first one 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:52.319 in verse 15 00:34:52.319 --> 00:34:53.539 he warns against 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.639 false teaching 00:34:54.639 --> 00:34:56.099 and false teachers 00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:57.639 he says in verse 15 00:34:57.639 --> 00:35:00.039 beware of false prophets 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:01.519 those who come to you 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.339 in chief clothing 00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:03.180 but inwardly 00:35:03.180 --> 00:35:04.059 are ravenous 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:04.720 wills 00:35:04.720 --> 00:35:06.180 they may look the part 00:35:06.180 --> 00:35:07.980 they may say 00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:08.640 the right things 00:35:08.640 --> 00:35:09.400 they may bleat 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:10.820 like sheep 00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:12.019 but actually 00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:13.340 they are sinister 00:35:13.340 --> 00:35:15.480 and Jesus warns 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:16.360 against false teachings 00:35:16.360 --> 00:35:17.000 and in the new 00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:17.380 testament 00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:18.140 there are two 00:35:18.140 --> 00:35:19.079 indicators 00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:20.140 of false teachings 00:35:20.140 --> 00:35:21.440 the first one 00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:22.840 is that a false teacher 00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:24.280 generally likes to tell you 00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:25.460 exactly what you want 00:35:25.460 --> 00:35:25.880 to hear 00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:27.539 so in the book 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.420 of 2 Timothy 00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:29.220 the apostle Paul 00:35:29.220 --> 00:35:30.320 writes this young leader 00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:31.100 and he says 00:35:31.100 --> 00:35:32.120 Timothy beware 00:35:32.120 --> 00:35:33.200 of the false teachers 00:35:33.200 --> 00:35:34.200 and he says 00:35:34.200 --> 00:35:35.100 these false teachers 00:35:35.100 --> 00:35:35.539 will come 00:35:35.539 --> 00:35:36.820 and they will tell people 00:35:36.820 --> 00:35:38.519 what their itching ears 00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:39.320 want to hear 00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:40.360 in other words 00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:41.180 these teachers 00:35:41.180 --> 00:35:41.980 will go to people 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.800 and they will very 00:35:42.800 --> 00:35:43.660 cleverly work out 00:35:43.660 --> 00:35:44.260 what is it 00:35:44.260 --> 00:35:45.140 that you want to hear 00:35:45.140 --> 00:35:46.440 what is a message 00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:47.620 that will appeal 00:35:47.620 --> 00:35:48.340 to your ears 00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:48.760 and that will 00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.800 draw a crowd 00:35:49.800 --> 00:35:50.780 and then they will 00:35:50.780 --> 00:35:52.460 tailor that message 00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:53.460 to exactly 00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:54.420 what you want to hear 00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:55.860 and Timothy 00:35:55.860 --> 00:35:56.940 Paul says to Timothy 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:58.360 the problem with this 00:35:58.360 --> 00:35:59.260 is that it will lead 00:35:59.260 --> 00:36:01.160 to a shipwrecked faith 00:36:01.160 --> 00:36:03.380 that's an amazing image 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:03.840 isn't it 00:36:03.840 --> 00:36:05.380 imagine a ship 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:06.960 and it smashes 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:07.960 against the rocks 00:36:07.960 --> 00:36:09.980 or drives into an iceberg 00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:11.020 and it still looks 00:36:11.020 --> 00:36:11.940 all fine on top 00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:12.480 but underneath 00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:13.680 there is a gauging hole 00:36:13.680 --> 00:36:14.740 and it is taking in water 00:36:14.740 --> 00:36:16.380 and it is just a few hours 00:36:16.380 --> 00:36:17.240 before the ship 00:36:17.240 --> 00:36:18.180 lifts up 00:36:18.180 --> 00:36:18.960 and sinks 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:20.080 to the bottom of the ocean 00:36:20.080 --> 00:36:21.720 and Paul writes 00:36:21.720 --> 00:36:22.020 and he says 00:36:22.020 --> 00:36:23.040 that's what happens 00:36:23.040 --> 00:36:23.560 when we listen 00:36:23.560 --> 00:36:24.480 to false teaching 00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:25.460 to teachers 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.360 that will just tell us 00:36:26.360 --> 00:36:27.280 whatever our ears 00:36:27.280 --> 00:36:28.440 want to hear 00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:30.320 now friends 00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:31.480 when we think of 00:36:31.480 --> 00:36:32.240 false teaching 00:36:32.240 --> 00:36:33.240 what do we generally 00:36:33.240 --> 00:36:34.340 think of 00:36:34.340 --> 00:36:35.940 we think of 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:37.440 prosperity gospel 00:36:37.440 --> 00:36:37.820 right 00:36:37.820 --> 00:36:39.179 people who say 00:36:39.179 --> 00:36:39.500 okay 00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:41.139 you give a thousand dollars 00:36:41.139 --> 00:36:42.059 and God will give you 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:44.019 ten thousand dollars back 00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:44.500 right 00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:45.720 that's true 00:36:45.720 --> 00:36:47.320 but these days 00:36:47.320 --> 00:36:48.139 there is a far 00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:49.059 softer 00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:50.019 and more subtle 00:36:50.019 --> 00:36:51.139 version of the same 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:51.880 kind of teaching 00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:53.159 it's a teaching 00:36:53.159 --> 00:36:53.659 that says 00:36:53.659 --> 00:36:55.119 God exists 00:36:55.119 --> 00:36:56.280 to make you happy 00:36:56.280 --> 00:36:57.580 and comfortable 00:36:57.580 --> 00:36:58.780 God exists 00:36:58.780 --> 00:36:59.400 to cater 00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:00.880 to your felt needs 00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:02.220 God's existence 00:37:02.220 --> 00:37:03.000 in the world 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.960 is around 00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:04.840 how to make you 00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:05.940 happy and comfortable 00:37:05.940 --> 00:37:06.940 and 00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:08.580 your convenience 00:37:08.580 --> 00:37:09.860 and the result 00:37:09.860 --> 00:37:11.080 of this kind of invitation 00:37:11.080 --> 00:37:12.340 to walk the wide 00:37:12.340 --> 00:37:13.800 and the easy path 00:37:13.800 --> 00:37:14.820 to tell us 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:15.880 exactly what we want 00:37:15.880 --> 00:37:16.180 to hear 00:37:16.180 --> 00:37:17.200 to build our lives 00:37:17.200 --> 00:37:18.340 on a faulty foundation 00:37:18.340 --> 00:37:19.780 is that when things 00:37:19.780 --> 00:37:20.560 don't pan out 00:37:20.560 --> 00:37:21.700 the way that we expect 00:37:21.700 --> 00:37:22.860 the end 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.740 is destruction 00:37:23.740 --> 00:37:25.160 and a shipwrecked faith 00:37:25.160 --> 00:37:26.760 and that's why 00:37:26.760 --> 00:37:27.840 friends at Watermark 00:37:27.840 --> 00:37:29.519 I know it may not be 00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:30.460 the most sexy thing 00:37:30.460 --> 00:37:30.960 in the world 00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:32.460 but we are committed 00:37:32.460 --> 00:37:33.180 to preaching 00:37:33.180 --> 00:37:34.460 week in and week out 00:37:34.460 --> 00:37:35.140 the Bible 00:37:35.140 --> 00:37:36.500 because we want 00:37:36.500 --> 00:37:37.059 to be a church 00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:37.960 that is not grounded 00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:38.940 on my opinions 00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:39.920 or Chris's opinions 00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:41.180 or anyone else's opinions 00:37:41.180 --> 00:37:42.300 or on what anyone 00:37:42.300 --> 00:37:43.120 wants to hear 00:37:43.120 --> 00:37:44.340 we want to know 00:37:44.340 --> 00:37:45.160 who is God 00:37:45.160 --> 00:37:46.140 and what has he said 00:37:46.140 --> 00:37:47.200 so that when the 00:37:47.200 --> 00:37:48.400 storms of life come 00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:50.000 and the challenges come 00:37:50.000 --> 00:37:51.079 our faith doesn't 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:51.980 get shipwrecked 00:37:51.980 --> 00:37:53.199 it stands firm 00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:53.599 in the midst 00:37:53.599 --> 00:37:54.599 of the storms of life 00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:56.539 and so can I just ask you 00:37:56.539 --> 00:37:57.460 there will no doubt 00:37:57.460 --> 00:37:58.099 be a time 00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:58.980 when many of us 00:37:58.980 --> 00:37:59.639 move away 00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:00.940 out of Hong Kong 00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:01.800 to another city 00:38:01.800 --> 00:38:03.059 or maybe even 00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:03.740 in Hong Kong 00:38:03.740 --> 00:38:04.840 you move to another church 00:38:04.840 --> 00:38:06.059 when you move 00:38:06.059 --> 00:38:06.780 to another church 00:38:06.780 --> 00:38:07.800 will you ask yourself 00:38:07.800 --> 00:38:08.420 this question 00:38:08.420 --> 00:38:09.179 not just 00:38:09.179 --> 00:38:10.900 is the parking lot 00:38:10.900 --> 00:38:12.019 comfortable and convenient 00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:13.820 is the kids ministry 00:38:13.820 --> 00:38:14.500 entertaining 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:15.860 how good looking 00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:16.719 is the worship leader 00:38:16.719 --> 00:38:18.159 will you ask yourself 00:38:18.159 --> 00:38:18.800 this question 00:38:18.800 --> 00:38:20.179 are they teaching 00:38:20.179 --> 00:38:20.920 God's word 00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:22.099 is this church 00:38:22.099 --> 00:38:23.360 rooted and founded 00:38:23.360 --> 00:38:24.220 in God's word 00:38:24.220 --> 00:38:24.960 or are they just 00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.480 telling me 00:38:25.480 --> 00:38:26.340 what I want to hear 00:38:26.340 --> 00:38:26.960 okay 00:38:26.960 --> 00:38:27.960 that's the first 00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.740 indication of false 00:38:28.740 --> 00:38:29.000 teaching 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:30.280 the second indication 00:38:30.280 --> 00:38:31.659 is this 00:38:31.659 --> 00:38:33.360 false teaching 00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:34.220 focuses on the 00:38:34.220 --> 00:38:35.240 Christian lifestyle 00:38:35.240 --> 00:38:36.559 or Christian behavior 00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:38.000 or Christian conduct 00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:39.340 but it's disconnected 00:38:39.340 --> 00:38:40.720 from who Jesus is 00:38:40.720 --> 00:38:42.039 and his death on the cross 00:38:42.039 --> 00:38:43.059 what he did on the cross 00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:44.380 and so there may be 00:38:44.380 --> 00:38:45.659 a whole bunch of teaching 00:38:45.659 --> 00:38:47.139 which is practical wisdom 00:38:47.139 --> 00:38:48.980 how to get by in life 00:38:48.980 --> 00:38:50.219 how to make your life 00:38:50.219 --> 00:38:51.099 really work 00:38:51.099 --> 00:38:51.699 and count 00:38:51.699 --> 00:38:52.800 and how to be 00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:54.420 a successful businessman 00:38:54.420 --> 00:38:54.940 or whatever 00:38:54.940 --> 00:38:55.860 whatever else 00:38:55.860 --> 00:38:57.300 but the problem is 00:38:57.300 --> 00:38:58.159 it's not connected 00:38:58.159 --> 00:38:59.360 to who Jesus is 00:38:59.360 --> 00:39:00.659 the problem of sin 00:39:00.659 --> 00:39:02.099 why Jesus died 00:39:02.099 --> 00:39:02.719 on the cross 00:39:02.719 --> 00:39:03.699 what's wrong 00:39:03.699 --> 00:39:04.219 with the world 00:39:04.219 --> 00:39:04.960 and how Christ 00:39:04.960 --> 00:39:05.780 has come to heal 00:39:05.780 --> 00:39:06.500 and save it 00:39:06.500 --> 00:39:07.440 by his death 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:08.000 on the cross 00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:09.519 and so all it is 00:39:09.519 --> 00:39:10.240 is that teaching 00:39:10.240 --> 00:39:11.119 is practical 00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:12.500 secular humanism 00:39:12.500 --> 00:39:13.699 in a Christian 00:39:13.699 --> 00:39:14.659 religious coat 00:39:14.659 --> 00:39:15.159 of paint 00:39:15.159 --> 00:39:16.380 and friends 00:39:16.380 --> 00:39:16.900 is that ever 00:39:16.900 --> 00:39:17.599 going to call you 00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:18.759 down the difficult path 00:39:18.759 --> 00:39:19.839 is that ever 00:39:19.839 --> 00:39:20.380 going to tell you 00:39:20.380 --> 00:39:21.360 to deny yourself 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:22.299 and to follow Jesus 00:39:22.299 --> 00:39:23.099 of course not 00:39:23.099 --> 00:39:24.380 it's going to invite you 00:39:24.380 --> 00:39:25.139 down a wide 00:39:25.139 --> 00:39:26.940 and an easy path 00:39:26.940 --> 00:39:28.319 but it's a path 00:39:28.319 --> 00:39:29.400 that leads to destruction 00:39:29.400 --> 00:39:31.099 and so Jesus says 00:39:31.099 --> 00:39:32.480 beware of false prophets 00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:34.019 those who come to you 00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:34.860 in sheep's clothing 00:39:34.860 --> 00:39:36.659 the second warning 00:39:36.659 --> 00:39:36.980 is this 00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:37.460 and we're not going to 00:39:37.460 --> 00:39:38.259 spend much time in it 00:39:38.259 --> 00:39:38.980 verse 21 00:39:38.980 --> 00:39:39.920 he says 00:39:39.920 --> 00:39:40.579 not everyone 00:39:40.579 --> 00:39:41.319 who says to me 00:39:41.319 --> 00:39:41.940 Lord Lord 00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:42.719 will enter the kingdom 00:39:42.719 --> 00:39:43.199 of heaven 00:39:43.199 --> 00:39:44.039 but the one 00:39:44.039 --> 00:39:44.739 who does the will 00:39:44.739 --> 00:39:45.339 of my father 00:39:45.339 --> 00:39:45.920 who's in heaven 00:39:45.920 --> 00:39:46.920 and Jesus warns us 00:39:46.920 --> 00:39:47.579 against not just 00:39:47.579 --> 00:39:48.280 false teaching 00:39:48.280 --> 00:39:49.159 but against 00:39:49.159 --> 00:39:50.059 false assurance 00:39:50.059 --> 00:39:51.139 in other words 00:39:51.139 --> 00:39:51.960 a superstitious 00:39:51.960 --> 00:39:52.579 kind of faith 00:39:52.579 --> 00:39:53.099 that just says 00:39:53.099 --> 00:39:54.139 if I say the right 00:39:54.139 --> 00:39:54.519 things 00:39:54.519 --> 00:39:55.519 if I do the right 00:39:55.519 --> 00:39:55.940 actions 00:39:55.940 --> 00:39:57.400 if I prophesy 00:39:57.400 --> 00:39:58.480 or go to CG 00:39:58.480 --> 00:39:59.800 or say the right 00:39:59.800 --> 00:40:00.220 things 00:40:00.220 --> 00:40:01.200 that makes me 00:40:01.200 --> 00:40:01.680 a Christian 00:40:01.680 --> 00:40:02.960 and Jesus says 00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:03.659 it all comes down 00:40:03.659 --> 00:40:04.680 to do you know him 00:40:04.680 --> 00:40:05.619 do you have 00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:06.619 relationship with him 00:40:06.619 --> 00:40:08.159 do you love him 00:40:08.159 --> 00:40:09.400 now 00:40:09.400 --> 00:40:10.700 as we come to close 00:40:10.700 --> 00:40:11.579 both the sermon 00:40:11.579 --> 00:40:12.500 and the series 00:40:12.500 --> 00:40:13.860 I want us to come back 00:40:13.860 --> 00:40:14.340 to the beginning 00:40:14.340 --> 00:40:15.180 and to ask ourselves 00:40:15.180 --> 00:40:16.480 this one final question 00:40:16.480 --> 00:40:18.139 what is the purpose 00:40:18.139 --> 00:40:18.900 of the sermon 00:40:18.900 --> 00:40:19.420 on the mount 00:40:19.420 --> 00:40:21.079 what is Jesus 00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:22.460 actually trying to do 00:40:22.460 --> 00:40:23.579 in all this kind of stuff 00:40:23.579 --> 00:40:25.420 is it just practical 00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:26.280 idealism 00:40:26.280 --> 00:40:28.559 is it as Leo Tolstoy 00:40:28.559 --> 00:40:29.559 once said 00:40:29.559 --> 00:40:30.380 it's a blueprint 00:40:30.380 --> 00:40:31.320 for utopia 00:40:31.320 --> 00:40:32.199 it's kind of this 00:40:32.199 --> 00:40:32.820 practical 00:40:32.820 --> 00:40:34.420 pragmatism 00:40:34.420 --> 00:40:35.179 of how to really 00:40:35.179 --> 00:40:35.800 make life 00:40:35.800 --> 00:40:36.480 most comfortable 00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:37.000 and convenient 00:40:37.000 --> 00:40:39.280 is it as others 00:40:39.280 --> 00:40:39.920 have suggested 00:40:39.920 --> 00:40:41.500 a temporary moral system 00:40:41.500 --> 00:40:42.679 until we get to heaven 00:40:42.679 --> 00:40:44.159 friends 00:40:44.159 --> 00:40:45.099 Jesus in the sermon 00:40:45.099 --> 00:40:45.480 on the mount 00:40:45.480 --> 00:40:46.219 shows us 00:40:46.219 --> 00:40:46.699 what life 00:40:46.699 --> 00:40:47.159 in the kingdom 00:40:47.159 --> 00:40:47.819 looks like 00:40:47.819 --> 00:40:48.960 he shows us 00:40:48.960 --> 00:40:49.879 what life is like 00:40:49.879 --> 00:40:50.699 when he is king 00:40:50.699 --> 00:40:51.819 and we've come to know him 00:40:51.819 --> 00:40:52.500 and follow him 00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:53.960 remember right in the beginning 00:40:53.960 --> 00:40:54.619 Jesus says 00:40:54.619 --> 00:40:55.519 follow me 00:40:55.519 --> 00:40:57.019 for I bring you 00:40:57.019 --> 00:40:58.019 the kingdom of heaven 00:40:58.019 --> 00:40:58.879 and he's showing us 00:40:58.879 --> 00:40:59.819 what life in the kingdom 00:40:59.819 --> 00:41:00.460 looks like 00:41:00.460 --> 00:41:01.059 what it looks like 00:41:01.059 --> 00:41:01.759 to follow him 00:41:01.759 --> 00:41:03.399 but the problem is 00:41:03.399 --> 00:41:04.559 none of us 00:41:04.559 --> 00:41:05.539 can even begin 00:41:05.539 --> 00:41:06.319 to live out 00:41:06.319 --> 00:41:07.619 this kingdom ethic 00:41:07.619 --> 00:41:08.839 unless we've entered 00:41:08.839 --> 00:41:09.339 the kingdom 00:41:09.339 --> 00:41:10.940 and the problem is 00:41:10.940 --> 00:41:11.579 that none of us 00:41:11.579 --> 00:41:12.440 can enter the kingdom 00:41:12.440 --> 00:41:13.700 on our own 00:41:13.700 --> 00:41:15.639 right here 00:41:15.639 --> 00:41:16.260 at the beginning 00:41:16.260 --> 00:41:17.539 Jesus gives us a clue 00:41:17.539 --> 00:41:18.700 how to find our way 00:41:18.700 --> 00:41:19.539 into the kingdom 00:41:19.539 --> 00:41:20.360 and to live 00:41:20.360 --> 00:41:21.280 his kingdom 00:41:21.280 --> 00:41:22.659 and the clue is this 00:41:22.659 --> 00:41:23.820 the way 00:41:23.820 --> 00:41:25.019 into the kingdom 00:41:25.019 --> 00:41:26.820 is the exact same way 00:41:26.820 --> 00:41:27.740 as the way 00:41:27.740 --> 00:41:28.619 of the kingdom 00:41:28.619 --> 00:41:29.840 and what I mean 00:41:29.840 --> 00:41:30.639 by that is this 00:41:30.639 --> 00:41:32.360 the way of the kingdom 00:41:32.360 --> 00:41:32.800 of God 00:41:32.800 --> 00:41:33.860 the way of Jesus 00:41:33.860 --> 00:41:34.280 kingdom 00:41:34.280 --> 00:41:35.200 is narrow 00:41:35.200 --> 00:41:36.460 and it's exclusive 00:41:36.460 --> 00:41:37.559 he says 00:41:37.559 --> 00:41:38.280 it's my way 00:41:38.280 --> 00:41:39.380 and it's my way only 00:41:39.380 --> 00:41:40.760 but that is 00:41:40.760 --> 00:41:41.700 the same as the way 00:41:41.700 --> 00:41:42.560 into the kingdom 00:41:42.560 --> 00:41:43.720 is equally narrow 00:41:43.720 --> 00:41:45.160 and it's equally exclusive 00:41:45.160 --> 00:41:46.720 Jesus is 00:41:46.720 --> 00:41:48.380 me and me alone 00:41:48.380 --> 00:41:49.900 I am alone 00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:50.800 the way to truth 00:41:50.800 --> 00:41:51.700 I alone 00:41:51.700 --> 00:41:52.740 am the way to life 00:41:52.740 --> 00:41:53.720 I am alone 00:41:53.720 --> 00:41:54.320 and the way 00:41:54.320 --> 00:41:55.360 to the father 00:41:55.360 --> 00:41:57.160 Jesus is radically 00:41:57.160 --> 00:41:57.800 exclusive 00:41:57.800 --> 00:41:58.940 in his invitation 00:41:58.940 --> 00:41:59.920 to follow him 00:41:59.920 --> 00:42:01.120 but also his invitation 00:42:01.120 --> 00:42:01.840 into the kingdom 00:42:01.840 --> 00:42:03.440 Jesus didn't come 00:42:03.440 --> 00:42:04.340 to bring a religion 00:42:04.340 --> 00:42:05.480 or to conduct 00:42:05.480 --> 00:42:06.660 a system of morality 00:42:06.660 --> 00:42:07.440 and ethics 00:42:07.440 --> 00:42:08.320 he didn't come 00:42:08.320 --> 00:42:09.060 to bring a religion 00:42:09.059 --> 00:42:10.019 he came to bring 00:42:10.019 --> 00:42:10.799 a revelation 00:42:10.799 --> 00:42:12.179 he came to say 00:42:12.179 --> 00:42:13.039 this is what 00:42:13.039 --> 00:42:13.940 the kingdom of heaven 00:42:13.940 --> 00:42:14.440 is like 00:42:14.440 --> 00:42:15.340 this is what 00:42:15.340 --> 00:42:16.239 God is like 00:42:16.239 --> 00:42:16.900 this is what 00:42:16.900 --> 00:42:18.079 my way is like 00:42:18.079 --> 00:42:18.880 this is what 00:42:18.880 --> 00:42:19.420 it looks like 00:42:19.420 --> 00:42:20.139 to follow me 00:42:20.139 --> 00:42:21.500 Jesus came to bring 00:42:21.500 --> 00:42:22.099 a revelation 00:42:22.099 --> 00:42:22.940 to show us 00:42:22.940 --> 00:42:23.500 what the kingdom 00:42:23.500 --> 00:42:24.219 of God is like 00:42:24.219 --> 00:42:24.960 to show us 00:42:24.960 --> 00:42:25.900 what God is like 00:42:25.900 --> 00:42:26.779 and to show us 00:42:26.779 --> 00:42:27.519 what it looks like 00:42:27.519 --> 00:42:28.259 as we turn from 00:42:28.259 --> 00:42:28.679 ourselves 00:42:28.679 --> 00:42:29.920 and turn to him 00:42:29.920 --> 00:42:30.980 Christianity 00:42:30.980 --> 00:42:31.840 at its heart 00:42:31.840 --> 00:42:32.799 is a revelation 00:42:32.799 --> 00:42:34.059 of who God is 00:42:34.059 --> 00:42:35.299 and how we can 00:42:35.299 --> 00:42:35.779 know him 00:42:35.779 --> 00:42:37.239 it's not a religion 00:42:37.239 --> 00:42:38.879 Jesus came to bring 00:42:38.879 --> 00:42:39.479 a revelation 00:42:39.479 --> 00:42:40.299 but he also came 00:42:40.299 --> 00:42:41.299 to bring relationship 00:42:41.299 --> 00:42:42.639 he came to say 00:42:42.639 --> 00:42:43.599 follow me 00:42:43.599 --> 00:42:44.879 on this narrow path 00:42:44.879 --> 00:42:46.139 but he didn't just say 00:42:46.139 --> 00:42:47.419 walk the narrow path 00:42:47.419 --> 00:42:48.039 and I'll see you 00:42:48.039 --> 00:42:48.539 at the end 00:42:48.539 --> 00:42:49.179 he said 00:42:49.179 --> 00:42:50.379 I'll walk this path 00:42:50.379 --> 00:42:50.979 with you 00:42:50.979 --> 00:42:53.179 in the book of Isaiah 00:42:53.179 --> 00:42:54.119 at the end 00:42:54.119 --> 00:42:55.799 in Isaiah chapter 43 00:42:55.799 --> 00:42:57.419 there's this amazing invitation 00:42:57.419 --> 00:42:59.079 where God says 00:42:59.079 --> 00:42:59.739 to his people 00:42:59.739 --> 00:43:00.599 he says 00:43:00.599 --> 00:43:01.579 if you follow me 00:43:01.579 --> 00:43:02.879 and if you walk 00:43:02.879 --> 00:43:03.699 in my ways 00:43:03.699 --> 00:43:05.479 it'll be hard 00:43:05.479 --> 00:43:06.299 it'll be difficult 00:43:06.300 --> 00:43:07.240 it'll be demanding 00:43:07.240 --> 00:43:08.820 and then he says this 00:43:08.820 --> 00:43:09.200 he says 00:43:09.200 --> 00:43:10.000 fear not 00:43:10.000 --> 00:43:12.000 I've called you by name 00:43:12.000 --> 00:43:13.440 I'll walk this road 00:43:13.440 --> 00:43:13.980 with you 00:43:13.980 --> 00:43:14.860 he says 00:43:14.860 --> 00:43:15.500 when you pass 00:43:15.500 --> 00:43:16.320 through the waters 00:43:16.320 --> 00:43:17.860 I will be with you 00:43:17.860 --> 00:43:19.660 when the rivers rise up 00:43:19.660 --> 00:43:20.080 and they seem 00:43:20.080 --> 00:43:21.080 to overwhelm you 00:43:21.080 --> 00:43:21.800 and it feels like 00:43:21.800 --> 00:43:23.019 this way is too hard 00:43:23.019 --> 00:43:25.039 they will not overwhelm you 00:43:25.039 --> 00:43:26.740 I will be with you 00:43:26.740 --> 00:43:27.460 he says 00:43:27.460 --> 00:43:28.100 there'll be times 00:43:28.100 --> 00:43:28.760 when it feels like 00:43:28.760 --> 00:43:29.160 you're walking 00:43:29.160 --> 00:43:29.900 through the fire 00:43:29.900 --> 00:43:31.240 you'll feel all alone 00:43:31.240 --> 00:43:31.800 you'll feel like 00:43:31.800 --> 00:43:32.620 it's too demanding 00:43:32.620 --> 00:43:34.440 God I can't do this anymore 00:43:34.440 --> 00:43:35.280 he says 00:43:35.280 --> 00:43:35.860 when you walk 00:43:35.860 --> 00:43:36.519 through the fire 00:43:36.519 --> 00:43:38.160 you will not be burnt 00:43:38.160 --> 00:43:39.200 the flames 00:43:39.200 --> 00:43:40.320 will not consume you 00:43:40.320 --> 00:43:41.980 for I am the Lord 00:43:41.980 --> 00:43:42.840 your God 00:43:42.840 --> 00:43:44.320 the Holy One of Israel 00:43:44.320 --> 00:43:47.540 I am with you 00:43:47.540 --> 00:43:48.900 friends 00:43:48.900 --> 00:43:49.920 Jesus asks us 00:43:49.920 --> 00:43:51.380 to walk this narrow path 00:43:51.380 --> 00:43:52.780 it's demanding 00:43:52.780 --> 00:43:54.320 it's difficult 00:43:54.320 --> 00:43:56.260 he'll demand all of you 00:43:56.260 --> 00:43:57.400 but he says 00:43:57.400 --> 00:43:58.200 I'll walk this path 00:43:58.200 --> 00:43:58.740 with you 00:43:58.740 --> 00:44:00.680 you will not walk it alone 00:44:00.680 --> 00:44:03.200 and the ironic thing 00:44:03.199 --> 00:44:04.359 is that the other path 00:44:04.359 --> 00:44:05.119 that is wide 00:44:05.119 --> 00:44:05.879 and inviting 00:44:05.879 --> 00:44:07.139 it's popular 00:44:07.139 --> 00:44:08.039 and it feels like 00:44:08.039 --> 00:44:09.379 we won't walk it alone 00:44:09.379 --> 00:44:10.739 but in the end 00:44:10.739 --> 00:44:11.599 we find it's the most 00:44:11.599 --> 00:44:12.739 lonely place to be 00:44:12.739 --> 00:44:14.379 because we get to the end 00:44:14.379 --> 00:44:14.819 of the road 00:44:14.819 --> 00:44:15.539 and all we've got 00:44:15.539 --> 00:44:16.379 at us is ourselves 00:44:16.379 --> 00:44:17.500 and the God 00:44:17.500 --> 00:44:18.579 who made us for himself 00:44:18.579 --> 00:44:19.039 and the God 00:44:19.039 --> 00:44:19.599 who made us 00:44:19.599 --> 00:44:20.159 for relationship 00:44:20.159 --> 00:44:20.639 with him 00:44:20.639 --> 00:44:21.939 is not there 00:44:21.939 --> 00:44:23.419 Jesus says 00:44:23.419 --> 00:44:24.379 I came to bring 00:44:24.379 --> 00:44:25.579 a revelation 00:44:25.579 --> 00:44:26.379 of who God is 00:44:26.379 --> 00:44:27.119 but I came to 00:44:27.119 --> 00:44:28.439 bring a relationship 00:44:28.440 --> 00:44:29.980 I came that you 00:44:29.980 --> 00:44:30.820 may do it with me 00:44:30.820 --> 00:44:32.480 but finally he says 00:44:32.480 --> 00:44:33.900 that all this starts 00:44:33.900 --> 00:44:35.700 it starts with a rescue 00:44:35.700 --> 00:44:37.880 Christianity at its heart 00:44:37.880 --> 00:44:38.700 is about a rescue 00:44:38.700 --> 00:44:40.079 it's about God 00:44:40.079 --> 00:44:40.700 doing for us 00:44:40.700 --> 00:44:41.579 what we could not do 00:44:41.579 --> 00:44:42.280 for ourselves 00:44:42.280 --> 00:44:43.900 how so you ask 00:44:43.900 --> 00:44:45.539 by Jesus walking 00:44:45.539 --> 00:44:46.179 the narrow 00:44:46.179 --> 00:44:47.200 and the difficult path 00:44:47.200 --> 00:44:48.159 which no one else 00:44:48.159 --> 00:44:49.200 in the history of the world 00:44:49.200 --> 00:44:49.960 ever walked 00:44:49.960 --> 00:44:50.980 and no one will ever 00:44:50.980 --> 00:44:51.559 walk again 00:44:51.559 --> 00:44:53.639 Jesus walked this narrow 00:44:53.639 --> 00:44:54.700 road to Calvary 00:44:54.700 --> 00:44:56.400 not just with a cross 00:44:56.400 --> 00:44:56.900 on his back 00:44:56.900 --> 00:44:57.400 there were many 00:44:57.400 --> 00:44:58.059 that did that 00:44:58.059 --> 00:44:59.460 he walked this narrow 00:44:59.460 --> 00:45:00.320 road to Calvary 00:45:00.320 --> 00:45:01.320 with all the sins 00:45:01.320 --> 00:45:01.940 of the world 00:45:01.940 --> 00:45:02.820 on his shoulders 00:45:02.820 --> 00:45:04.340 he walked this road 00:45:04.340 --> 00:45:05.380 that nobody else 00:45:05.380 --> 00:45:06.960 will ever walk again 00:45:06.960 --> 00:45:08.019 friends 00:45:08.019 --> 00:45:09.139 Jesus walked the narrow 00:45:09.139 --> 00:45:10.599 road his whole life 00:45:10.599 --> 00:45:11.519 never one step 00:45:11.519 --> 00:45:12.340 to one side 00:45:12.340 --> 00:45:13.460 or the other 00:45:13.460 --> 00:45:14.739 and in the end 00:45:14.739 --> 00:45:15.719 he went to the cross 00:45:15.719 --> 00:45:17.679 as if all he had ever done 00:45:17.679 --> 00:45:19.039 is walk the road 00:45:19.039 --> 00:45:19.699 to destruction 00:45:19.699 --> 00:45:21.380 in the end 00:45:21.380 --> 00:45:22.139 he died as if 00:45:22.139 --> 00:45:22.639 he had chosen 00:45:22.639 --> 00:45:23.480 the other path 00:45:23.480 --> 00:45:24.900 and he did it 00:45:24.900 --> 00:45:25.840 to open up the way 00:45:25.840 --> 00:45:26.139 for us 00:45:26.139 --> 00:45:26.779 that you and I 00:45:26.779 --> 00:45:27.360 don't have to 00:45:27.360 --> 00:45:29.059 Jesus walked the narrow 00:45:29.059 --> 00:45:30.579 road to Calvary 00:45:30.579 --> 00:45:31.180 so that you and I 00:45:31.180 --> 00:45:32.240 don't have to end up there 00:45:32.240 --> 00:45:33.059 friends 00:45:33.059 --> 00:45:34.019 Jesus walked the narrow 00:45:34.019 --> 00:45:34.900 road to destruction 00:45:34.900 --> 00:45:35.680 so that you and I 00:45:35.680 --> 00:45:36.420 can walk the narrow 00:45:36.420 --> 00:45:37.740 road that leads to life 00:45:37.740 --> 00:45:38.760 and friends 00:45:38.760 --> 00:45:39.740 Jesus didn't just 00:45:39.740 --> 00:45:40.620 endure the winds 00:45:40.620 --> 00:45:41.460 and the storms 00:45:41.460 --> 00:45:42.620 and the hail of life 00:45:42.620 --> 00:45:44.360 he endured the full wrath 00:45:44.360 --> 00:45:45.180 of God's judgment 00:45:45.180 --> 00:45:46.920 of sin poured out 00:45:46.920 --> 00:45:47.579 on his shoulders 00:45:47.579 --> 00:45:48.780 so that you and I 00:45:48.780 --> 00:45:50.120 can take refuge in him 00:45:50.120 --> 00:45:51.700 and find our home 00:45:51.700 --> 00:45:52.059 in him 00:45:52.059 --> 00:45:53.579 and in many ways 00:45:53.579 --> 00:45:54.059 it's true 00:45:54.059 --> 00:45:55.320 Jesus' invitation 00:45:55.320 --> 00:45:56.000 and his command 00:45:56.000 --> 00:45:56.760 to follow him 00:45:56.760 --> 00:45:58.100 is radically exclusive 00:45:58.100 --> 00:45:58.700 it's true 00:45:58.700 --> 00:45:59.500 he says 00:45:59.500 --> 00:46:00.539 I'm the only way 00:46:00.539 --> 00:46:01.600 the only truth 00:46:01.600 --> 00:46:02.600 the only life 00:46:02.600 --> 00:46:03.960 there is no other way 00:46:03.960 --> 00:46:04.580 to the father 00:46:04.580 --> 00:46:05.720 there's no other way 00:46:05.720 --> 00:46:06.700 to everlasting life 00:46:06.700 --> 00:46:07.480 except through me 00:46:07.480 --> 00:46:08.380 it's true 00:46:08.380 --> 00:46:09.220 that it's radically 00:46:09.220 --> 00:46:10.660 exclusive in some ways 00:46:10.660 --> 00:46:12.160 but in the other ways 00:46:12.160 --> 00:46:13.000 Jesus' invitation 00:46:13.000 --> 00:46:14.700 is radically inclusive 00:46:14.700 --> 00:46:15.980 because he says 00:46:15.980 --> 00:46:16.680 there's nothing 00:46:16.680 --> 00:46:17.660 you need to do 00:46:17.660 --> 00:46:18.760 there's nothing 00:46:18.760 --> 00:46:19.480 you need to bring 00:46:19.480 --> 00:46:20.200 to the table 00:46:20.200 --> 00:46:21.140 except 00:46:21.140 --> 00:46:22.260 simple 00:46:22.260 --> 00:46:23.280 trust 00:46:23.280 --> 00:46:24.320 in me 00:46:24.320 --> 00:46:25.600 Jesus says 00:46:25.600 --> 00:46:27.020 whoever comes to me 00:46:27.020 --> 00:46:28.960 I will never 00:46:28.960 --> 00:46:29.880 ever 00:46:29.880 --> 00:46:30.620 ever 00:46:30.620 --> 00:46:31.420 reject 00:46:31.420 --> 00:46:32.900 Jesus' invitation 00:46:32.900 --> 00:46:34.100 is radically inclusive 00:46:34.100 --> 00:46:35.000 because it's open 00:46:35.000 --> 00:46:35.820 to anyone 00:46:35.820 --> 00:46:37.340 you can be the richest 00:46:37.340 --> 00:46:38.280 person in the world 00:46:38.280 --> 00:46:39.520 you can be the poorest 00:46:39.520 --> 00:46:40.320 person in the world 00:46:40.320 --> 00:46:41.400 you can have 00:46:41.400 --> 00:46:42.760 multiple degrees 00:46:42.760 --> 00:46:44.360 you can have no education 00:46:44.360 --> 00:46:45.440 you can be 00:46:45.440 --> 00:46:46.400 up high 00:46:46.400 --> 00:46:48.040 esteemed by society 00:46:48.040 --> 00:46:49.000 you can be on the 00:46:49.000 --> 00:46:49.780 bottom rungs 00:46:49.780 --> 00:46:50.640 of society 00:46:50.639 --> 00:46:52.119 you can be loved 00:46:52.119 --> 00:46:52.599 and esteemed 00:46:52.599 --> 00:46:53.119 by many 00:46:53.119 --> 00:46:54.579 you can be despised 00:46:54.579 --> 00:46:55.119 and rejected 00:46:55.119 --> 00:46:55.719 by all 00:46:55.719 --> 00:46:56.879 Jesus says 00:46:56.879 --> 00:46:57.559 his invitation 00:46:57.559 --> 00:46:58.159 is open 00:46:58.159 --> 00:46:59.599 to everyone 00:46:59.599 --> 00:47:01.500 whoever comes 00:47:01.500 --> 00:47:01.779 to me 00:47:01.779 --> 00:47:02.159 he says 00:47:02.159 --> 00:47:03.179 I will never 00:47:03.179 --> 00:47:04.079 ever 00:47:04.079 --> 00:47:05.319 cast out 00:47:05.319 --> 00:47:06.219 friends 00:47:06.219 --> 00:47:07.119 if the Sermon on the Mount 00:47:07.119 --> 00:47:07.839 was just another 00:47:07.839 --> 00:47:08.719 ethical teaching 00:47:08.719 --> 00:47:09.900 like every other 00:47:09.900 --> 00:47:10.400 religion 00:47:10.400 --> 00:47:11.839 then the irreligious 00:47:11.839 --> 00:47:13.039 the weak 00:47:13.039 --> 00:47:14.599 those with doubts 00:47:14.599 --> 00:47:15.839 those who don't have 00:47:15.839 --> 00:47:16.879 all their stuff together 00:47:16.879 --> 00:47:18.319 and can't behave morally 00:47:18.319 --> 00:47:19.539 are excluded 00:47:19.539 --> 00:47:21.199 but Jesus says 00:47:21.199 --> 00:47:21.860 this invitation 00:47:21.860 --> 00:47:22.779 is open to everyone 00:47:22.779 --> 00:47:23.860 it's anyone 00:47:23.860 --> 00:47:24.599 who will simply 00:47:24.599 --> 00:47:26.360 ask me to lead them 00:47:26.360 --> 00:47:27.500 anyone who will 00:47:27.500 --> 00:47:28.420 simply come and say 00:47:28.420 --> 00:47:29.139 have your way 00:47:29.139 --> 00:47:30.139 in my life 00:47:30.139 --> 00:47:31.539 Jesus throws open 00:47:31.539 --> 00:47:32.159 the invitation 00:47:32.159 --> 00:47:32.739 and he says 00:47:32.739 --> 00:47:34.300 come and follow me 00:47:34.300 --> 00:47:35.519 I am the way 00:47:35.519 --> 00:47:36.639 to life 00:47:36.639 --> 00:47:37.960 let's come to him 00:47:37.960 --> 00:47:38.300 now 00:47:38.300 --> 00:47:39.380 let's pray 00:47:39.380 --> 00:47:41.860 I want to invite 00:47:41.860 --> 00:47:42.900 the prayer stewards 00:47:42.900 --> 00:47:43.460 to come up 00:47:43.460 --> 00:47:44.119 to the front 00:47:44.119 --> 00:47:46.839 and we are going 00:47:46.839 --> 00:47:47.440 to sing 00:47:47.440 --> 00:47:49.380 one or two songs 00:47:49.380 --> 00:47:50.039 in response 00:47:50.039 --> 00:47:50.519 and if you would 00:47:50.519 --> 00:47:51.400 like prayer for anything 00:47:51.400 --> 00:47:51.759 there will be 00:47:51.759 --> 00:47:52.359 prayer stewards 00:47:52.359 --> 00:47:52.960 at the front 00:47:52.960 --> 00:47:54.239 and I would love 00:47:54.239 --> 00:47:54.779 to invite you 00:47:54.779 --> 00:47:55.380 to come and get 00:47:55.380 --> 00:47:55.900 some prayer 00:47:55.900 --> 00:47:57.079 you can pray 00:47:57.079 --> 00:47:57.519 for anything 00:47:57.519 --> 00:47:58.000 in the world 00:47:58.000 --> 00:47:58.739 you can pray 00:47:58.739 --> 00:47:59.059 because you are 00:47:59.059 --> 00:47:59.839 having a rough week 00:47:59.839 --> 00:48:01.059 you can pray 00:48:01.059 --> 00:48:01.659 because you want 00:48:01.659 --> 00:48:02.559 to freshly surrender 00:48:02.559 --> 00:48:03.400 your life to Jesus 00:48:03.400 --> 00:48:04.599 you can come 00:48:04.599 --> 00:48:05.019 and pray 00:48:05.019 --> 00:48:06.599 because maybe 00:48:06.599 --> 00:48:07.659 for the very first time 00:48:07.659 --> 00:48:08.579 you want Jesus 00:48:08.579 --> 00:48:09.199 to be Lord 00:48:09.199 --> 00:48:10.380 maybe you want 00:48:10.380 --> 00:48:10.679 to pray 00:48:10.679 --> 00:48:12.139 because for weeks 00:48:12.139 --> 00:48:12.699 or months 00:48:12.699 --> 00:48:13.279 or years 00:48:13.279 --> 00:48:13.639 or maybe 00:48:13.639 --> 00:48:14.699 your entire life 00:48:14.699 --> 00:48:15.419 you have chosen 00:48:15.419 --> 00:48:16.219 a wide 00:48:16.219 --> 00:48:17.259 and easy path 00:48:17.259 --> 00:48:18.279 apart from Christ 00:48:18.279 --> 00:48:19.439 and today 00:48:19.439 --> 00:48:20.779 Jesus is summoning you 00:48:20.779 --> 00:48:21.759 and he is saying 00:48:21.759 --> 00:48:23.059 enter by the narrow gate 00:48:23.059 --> 00:48:24.500 choose life 00:48:24.500 --> 00:48:25.559 this day 00:48:25.559 --> 00:48:26.639 I present before you 00:48:26.639 --> 00:48:27.299 two choices 00:48:27.299 --> 00:48:28.259 life and death 00:48:28.259 --> 00:48:28.739 this day 00:48:28.739 --> 00:48:29.679 I am asking you 00:48:29.679 --> 00:48:30.139 says Jesus 00:48:30.139 --> 00:48:31.000 choose life 00:48:31.000 --> 00:48:31.879 friends 00:48:31.879 --> 00:48:32.219 if you want 00:48:32.219 --> 00:48:32.799 to choose life 00:48:32.799 --> 00:48:33.839 come and pray to Jesus 00:48:33.839 --> 00:48:34.399 come there will be 00:48:34.399 --> 00:48:34.899 prayer stewards 00:48:34.899 --> 00:48:35.519 that would love 00:48:35.519 --> 00:48:36.359 to lead you in prayer 00:48:36.359 --> 00:48:37.319 I would love 00:48:37.319 --> 00:48:38.019 to lead you in prayer 00:48:38.019 --> 00:48:38.899 this day 00:48:38.899 --> 00:48:40.159 don't leave this place 00:48:40.159 --> 00:48:41.279 on the same way 00:48:41.279 --> 00:48:41.919 you came in 00:48:41.920 --> 00:48:43.700 come and leave this place 00:48:43.700 --> 00:48:44.760 a different road today 00:48:44.760 --> 00:48:46.840 come and let's ask Jesus 00:48:46.840 --> 00:48:47.300 to do that 00:48:47.300 --> 00:48:48.099 let's pray together 00:48:48.099 --> 00:48:49.940 heavenly father 00:48:49.940 --> 00:48:51.659 God thank you 00:48:51.659 --> 00:48:52.880 for your upside down kingdom 00:48:52.880 --> 00:48:54.880 thank you Jesus 00:48:54.880 --> 00:48:57.159 for your amazing invitation 00:48:57.159 --> 00:48:58.579 to come and find life 00:48:58.579 --> 00:49:00.079 Jesus thank you 00:49:00.079 --> 00:49:01.099 that you invite us 00:49:01.099 --> 00:49:02.079 in Isaiah 55 00:49:02.079 --> 00:49:03.400 to come and buy 00:49:03.400 --> 00:49:04.320 living waters 00:49:04.320 --> 00:49:05.619 and to come and eat bread 00:49:05.619 --> 00:49:06.420 that gives life 00:49:06.420 --> 00:49:07.300 and to come and feast 00:49:07.300 --> 00:49:07.960 our souls 00:49:07.960 --> 00:49:09.420 on true food 00:49:09.420 --> 00:49:09.760 God 00:49:09.760 --> 00:49:11.340 where our souls 00:49:11.340 --> 00:49:11.960 and our hearts 00:49:11.960 --> 00:49:12.480 are hungry 00:49:12.480 --> 00:49:13.640 for living bread 00:49:13.640 --> 00:49:14.460 and living water 00:49:14.460 --> 00:49:15.640 you invite us 00:49:15.640 --> 00:49:16.960 you say come and buy 00:49:16.960 --> 00:49:18.020 in one sense 00:49:18.020 --> 00:49:19.060 it will cost you everything 00:49:19.060 --> 00:49:20.000 in the other sense 00:49:20.000 --> 00:49:20.700 Jesus you say 00:49:20.700 --> 00:49:21.820 it will cost us nothing 00:49:21.820 --> 00:49:23.600 Jesus this morning 00:49:23.600 --> 00:49:24.540 we want to come to you 00:49:24.540 --> 00:49:26.140 this morning Jesus 00:49:26.140 --> 00:49:27.080 we want to take up 00:49:27.080 --> 00:49:27.780 your invitation 00:49:27.780 --> 00:49:28.400 we want to 00:49:28.400 --> 00:49:29.560 we want to respond to you 00:49:29.560 --> 00:49:30.380 and say yes Lord 00:49:30.380 --> 00:49:31.140 count us in 00:49:31.140 --> 00:49:33.040 Father this morning 00:49:33.040 --> 00:49:33.880 give us faith 00:49:33.880 --> 00:49:36.080 God it's so hard 00:49:36.080 --> 00:49:37.780 to walk away 00:49:37.780 --> 00:49:39.060 from that which is popular 00:49:39.060 --> 00:49:39.960 and easy 00:49:39.960 --> 00:49:40.740 and comfortable 00:49:40.740 --> 00:49:42.800 and to make the choice 00:49:42.800 --> 00:49:43.820 to follow you God 00:49:43.820 --> 00:49:45.360 that way which will demand 00:49:45.360 --> 00:49:45.880 our all 00:49:45.880 --> 00:49:47.380 that way which will 00:49:47.380 --> 00:49:48.860 which will be difficult 00:49:48.860 --> 00:49:49.640 at times 00:49:49.640 --> 00:49:50.820 oh God 00:49:50.820 --> 00:49:51.540 give us faith 00:49:51.540 --> 00:49:52.280 where we doubt 00:49:52.280 --> 00:49:54.160 God help us God 00:49:54.160 --> 00:49:54.519 where we 00:49:54.519 --> 00:49:55.620 where we don't want 00:49:55.620 --> 00:49:56.740 to make that choice God 00:49:56.740 --> 00:49:58.880 Father where we are 00:49:58.880 --> 00:49:59.700 facing decisions 00:49:59.700 --> 00:50:00.960 that even this week 00:50:00.960 --> 00:50:01.980 we know God 00:50:01.980 --> 00:50:02.760 leads 00:50:02.760 --> 00:50:03.940 to life 00:50:03.940 --> 00:50:04.880 or away from life 00:50:04.880 --> 00:50:06.060 God help us 00:50:06.059 --> 00:50:06.659 we pray 00:50:06.659 --> 00:50:08.960 help us to choose you 00:50:08.960 --> 00:50:13.079 Father pray for some of us 00:50:13.079 --> 00:50:13.719 God that are 00:50:13.719 --> 00:50:15.079 we feel like we're 00:50:15.079 --> 00:50:16.179 straddling the fence 00:50:16.179 --> 00:50:17.539 we feel like we've got 00:50:17.539 --> 00:50:18.799 one foot on either side 00:50:18.799 --> 00:50:19.559 we try to 00:50:19.559 --> 00:50:20.559 on one sense 00:50:20.559 --> 00:50:21.179 follow you 00:50:21.179 --> 00:50:22.079 but in another sense 00:50:22.079 --> 00:50:22.799 there's this pull 00:50:22.799 --> 00:50:24.079 we want to follow ourselves 00:50:24.079 --> 00:50:25.579 oh Jesus 00:50:25.579 --> 00:50:26.400 come and help us 00:50:26.400 --> 00:50:26.779 I pray 00:50:26.779 --> 00:50:28.380 help us God 00:50:28.380 --> 00:50:29.159 to be decisive 00:50:29.159 --> 00:50:30.799 to make a decision 00:50:30.799 --> 00:50:32.559 and to choose life 00:50:32.559 --> 00:50:34.539 God open our eyes 00:50:34.539 --> 00:50:35.420 help us to see that 00:50:35.420 --> 00:50:36.719 the foundation 00:50:36.719 --> 00:50:37.360 that our life 00:50:37.360 --> 00:50:38.119 is built upon 00:50:38.119 --> 00:50:39.900 help us to see that 00:50:39.900 --> 00:50:40.679 all other 00:50:40.679 --> 00:50:43.539 choices are sinking sand 00:50:43.539 --> 00:50:44.719 that you alone 00:50:44.719 --> 00:50:45.139 Christ 00:50:45.139 --> 00:50:45.759 are the rock 00:50:45.759 --> 00:50:47.019 upon which we can stand 00:50:47.019 --> 00:50:48.519 oh God 00:50:48.519 --> 00:50:48.960 help us 00:50:48.960 --> 00:50:49.440 I pray 00:50:49.440 --> 00:50:51.759 come and call us 00:50:51.759 --> 00:50:52.420 to yourself 00:50:52.420 --> 00:50:58.279 come and have your way 00:50:58.279 --> 00:50:58.860 we pray 00:50:58.860 --> 00:51:01.039 in your powerful 00:51:01.039 --> 00:51:02.739 in your gracious 00:51:02.739 --> 00:51:04.759 in your inviting 00:51:04.759 --> 00:51:06.559 in your majestic name 00:51:06.559 --> 00:51:22.779 help us 00:51:22.779 --> 00:51:23.739 goodbye