WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.180 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:03.520 --> 00:00:07.700 The scripture reading this morning comes from Matthew chapter 12. 00:00:08.859 --> 00:00:12.200 You can follow along in the bulletin or in your Bible. 00:00:14.780 --> 00:00:16.980 Starting in verse 38, we read, 00:00:18.179 --> 00:00:21.320 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:24.920 Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you. 00:00:24.920 --> 00:00:31.800 But he answered them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, 00:00:32.520 --> 00:00:37.540 but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:44.680 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:51.560 so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 00:00:51.560 --> 00:00:59.280 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, 00:00:59.620 --> 00:01:02.579 for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, 00:01:02.780 --> 00:01:07.219 and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 00:01:08.420 --> 00:01:13.939 The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:19.039 for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, 00:01:19.039 --> 00:01:24.239 and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 00:01:26.539 --> 00:01:29.879 When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, 00:01:30.180 --> 00:01:36.060 it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:41.739 Then it says, I will return to my house from which I came. 00:01:41.739 --> 00:01:49.159 And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept and put in order. 00:01:50.379 --> 00:01:56.140 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, 00:01:56.519 --> 00:01:58.799 and they enter and dwell there. 00:01:59.799 --> 00:02:04.979 And the last state of that person is worse than the first. 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:10.780 So also will it be with this evil generation. 00:02:11.740 --> 00:02:16.120 While he was still speaking to the people, 00:02:16.260 --> 00:02:22.040 behold, his mother and his brother stood outside asking to speak to him. 00:02:23.320 --> 00:02:25.879 But he replied to the man who told him, 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:30.620 Who is my mother and who are my brothers? 00:02:30.620 --> 00:02:35.420 And stretching out his hand towards his disciples, 00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:36.180 he said, 00:02:36.659 --> 00:02:38.939 Here are my mother and my brothers, 00:02:39.580 --> 00:02:43.180 for whoever does the will of my Father in heaven 00:02:43.180 --> 00:02:47.680 is my brother and sister and mother. 00:02:49.020 --> 00:02:51.120 This is the word of God. 00:02:51.120 --> 00:02:55.680 Great. Thank you, Angie. 00:02:56.060 --> 00:02:57.200 Well, good morning, everybody. 00:02:57.580 --> 00:02:59.840 If you are new to Watermark and you don't know me, 00:02:59.879 --> 00:03:00.460 my name is Kevin, 00:03:00.759 --> 00:03:03.099 and it's great to be with you this morning. 00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:06.580 Let's pray together as we just reflect on God's word 00:03:06.580 --> 00:03:08.560 and ask God to speak to us. 00:03:08.640 --> 00:03:11.159 Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, 00:03:11.240 --> 00:03:12.520 we come before you this morning. 00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:16.000 We come to your word because we want to hear from you. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:19.680 God, even a passage of scripture like this, 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:22.000 which is quite challenging, quite provocative. 00:03:22.960 --> 00:03:25.819 God, we sense your tenderness and your love, 00:03:25.920 --> 00:03:27.040 your kindness, God. 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:31.520 You bring us these words because you want to reach deep into our hearts 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:33.300 and help us see who you are 00:03:33.300 --> 00:03:35.620 to encounter your life-transforming grace. 00:03:37.700 --> 00:03:42.040 God, I pray this morning that your word won't just wash over us, 00:03:42.140 --> 00:03:44.120 won't just go in and out, 00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:47.180 won't just be something interesting we hear 00:03:47.180 --> 00:03:48.500 and think about for a few minutes, 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:50.620 but God, you will deeply penetrate our hearts. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:54.719 God, I pray whether we are on the journey towards faith 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:56.840 or whether we've been Christians for many years 00:03:56.840 --> 00:03:59.879 that you, God, will come and meet with us 00:03:59.879 --> 00:04:00.960 through your word this morning. 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:06.159 Father, some of us this morning are weary and anxious, 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:08.400 exhausted and heavy laden. 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:11.680 But some of us have had such a big week, Lord. 00:04:11.680 --> 00:04:14.200 God, we come to you this morning 00:04:14.200 --> 00:04:17.720 because we want to hear you speaking to us 00:04:17.720 --> 00:04:19.000 and speaking to our hearts. 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:22.160 God, some of us come empty-handed. 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:25.699 We don't have a whole lot that we bring to the table, 00:04:25.840 --> 00:04:27.720 but that's just how you want us to come, 00:04:28.819 --> 00:04:29.840 to meet with you. 00:04:31.019 --> 00:04:33.019 And so, God, this morning, almost in our hearts, 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:36.220 we want to leave at the door our resumes and our CVs, 00:04:36.220 --> 00:04:38.980 all the things that we think credit us to your account. 00:04:39.660 --> 00:04:40.900 And we come empty and say, 00:04:40.980 --> 00:04:42.240 God, give us your grace, please. 00:04:42.300 --> 00:04:42.820 We need you. 00:04:44.020 --> 00:04:45.500 Holy Spirit, come and have your way. 00:04:46.880 --> 00:04:49.460 We pray this in your wonderful and your gracious name. 00:04:50.080 --> 00:04:50.360 Amen. 00:04:50.360 --> 00:04:50.520 Amen. 00:04:53.080 --> 00:04:57.000 We, as a church, are continuing to work through Matthew's Gospel. 00:04:57.139 --> 00:04:58.340 We're in Matthew chapter 12. 00:04:58.939 --> 00:05:03.580 And a few weeks ago, Chris reminded us that Matthew 11 and 12, 00:05:03.699 --> 00:05:06.379 kind of the big theme of this section of Matthew's Gospel 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:08.379 is the response to Jesus. 00:05:09.400 --> 00:05:11.220 Jesus has been saying a bunch of things, 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:12.220 doing a bunch of things. 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:15.340 What is the response going to be like? 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:18.160 Do you remember in chapter 11, Jesus says, 00:05:18.160 --> 00:05:20.240 this generation is like a bunch of children. 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:24.780 They sing a dirge, and they're upset that I'm not mourning. 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:27.780 They sing a dance song, and they're upset that I'm not dancing. 00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:30.240 They want to control me with their responses. 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:32.980 But he says, but I'm not like you. 00:05:33.020 --> 00:05:34.180 You can't put me in a box. 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:36.360 John the Baptist comes to Jesus, and he says, 00:05:36.439 --> 00:05:38.639 Jesus, I don't know what's going on with you. 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:41.000 I mean, I went telling everyone that you were the Messiah, 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:43.220 and now you don't fulfill my expectations. 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:44.160 What's up with you? 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:47.920 And Matthew 11 and 12 are all about how Jesus, 00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:52.140 who Jesus is, doesn't fit neatly into any box. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:54.080 But what is our response to him going to be like? 00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:55.120 Are we going to write him off? 00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:57.100 Are we going to bow down and surrender? 00:05:57.300 --> 00:06:02.400 And that theme continues in the passage that we're looking at today. 00:06:02.520 --> 00:06:04.200 What is the response to Jesus? 00:06:04.900 --> 00:06:08.740 And today, the passage is focusing in on the religious leaders. 00:06:09.180 --> 00:06:10.840 Jesus has been saying and doing some things. 00:06:10.839 --> 00:06:13.679 What are the religious leaders' response to him going to be like? 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:16.879 And in the passage that Angie read to us, 00:06:17.159 --> 00:06:22.099 we're going to see three almost counterfeit responses to Jesus. 00:06:22.339 --> 00:06:23.859 Or you could say it this way. 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:27.000 Martin Lloyd-Jones, a famous man from many years ago, said, 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:34.240 to almost be a Christian is like being almost saved from drowning in the river. 00:06:35.220 --> 00:06:37.439 It's like almost passing your exams. 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:41.019 You might get pretty close, but it doesn't help you at the end of the day. 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:43.300 In the passage that we're going to look at today, 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:47.000 we're going to see what does it look like to almost be a Christian, right? 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:51.779 To get pretty close, but no cigar, as somebody famously said once upon a time. 00:06:51.779 --> 00:06:52.339 Okay? 00:06:53.699 --> 00:06:57.019 Three ways of coming close to Jesus, 00:06:57.179 --> 00:06:59.659 but not encountering his life-transforming grace. 00:07:00.579 --> 00:07:05.379 And we're going to look at the negotiator, the renovator, and the tiger mom. 00:07:05.559 --> 00:07:05.759 Okay? 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:09.899 So, let's look at the first one, the negotiator. 00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:10.139 Okay? 00:07:10.199 --> 00:07:14.339 Look at Matthew 12, verse 38 to 42 with me. 00:07:14.899 --> 00:07:19.139 Some religious people come to Jesus, and they ask him for a sign, 00:07:19.139 --> 00:07:23.139 some proof, some evidence that Jesus is who he said he is. 00:07:23.779 --> 00:07:28.360 Now, remember, Jesus has been making some pretty remarkable claims up until this point. 00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:30.740 Jesus has been doing some amazing miracles, 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:33.139 but Jesus is constantly saying, 00:07:33.339 --> 00:07:35.259 I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:07:35.599 --> 00:07:39.479 The whole point of the Bible is to point to me, says Jesus. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:42.860 Jesus is not like Buddha, who said, 00:07:43.339 --> 00:07:45.039 Don't look to me, look to my teachings. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:47.759 Remember Buddha on his deathbed, he says to his disciples, 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:52.019 Don't worship me, follow my teachings, follow the Dharma, follow my dogma. 00:07:52.599 --> 00:07:54.500 Jesus is not like Muhammad, who said, 00:07:54.719 --> 00:07:57.779 I am a prophet, one who will give you the words of Allah. 00:07:58.240 --> 00:07:59.779 No, Jesus is constantly saying, 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:01.740 I am God, I am the Son of God. 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:03.779 I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:05.480 I am the living water. 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:06.860 I am the bread of heaven. 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:09.240 If you want to know God, you've got to come to me. 00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:11.500 And so the Pharisees come to Jesus, 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:11.899 and they say, 00:08:11.980 --> 00:08:14.740 Give us some proof for these things that you are saying. 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:15.759 Give us some evidence. 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:18.279 And so they are asking for a sign. 00:08:18.920 --> 00:08:21.099 But they are asking for more than just a miracle. 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:24.180 Jesus has done lots of miracles up until this point already. 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:28.120 There were many people in the first century that came to be magicians, 00:08:28.219 --> 00:08:29.579 and be able to do fancy tricks. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:34.620 No, they want a clear sign that Jesus comes from heaven. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:37.139 They want him to bring a legion of angels, 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:39.480 or a pillar of fire from heaven, 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:41.679 or something irrefutable. 00:08:41.679 --> 00:08:44.659 They are asking for a sign. 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:47.019 But look at what Jesus says, verse 39. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:51.019 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:54.059 and I tell you, no sign will be given to it. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:56.259 What's Jesus saying here? 00:08:57.419 --> 00:09:01.439 Is Jesus saying that Christianity is anti-intellectual? 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:02.479 We shouldn't think about it. 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:04.059 We shouldn't want evidence or proof. 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:06.199 When we read the Bible, when we come to church, 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:07.439 just switch off your brains, 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:10.020 and just blindly follow whatever the preacher tells you to follow. 00:09:10.880 --> 00:09:12.320 Now that's not what Jesus is saying. 00:09:13.340 --> 00:09:15.220 What the religious leaders are doing here, 00:09:15.760 --> 00:09:18.000 they're not coming so much with a request, 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:20.180 they're coming with an excuse. 00:09:21.760 --> 00:09:24.700 They're looking not for evidence, 00:09:25.060 --> 00:09:27.580 they're looking for a reason not to believe Jesus. 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:31.080 They're coming not with genuine faith, 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:32.080 seeking the truth, 00:09:32.640 --> 00:09:35.080 they're seeking an excuse that will allow them 00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:36.680 to retain their independence, 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:40.000 and allow them to keep Jesus at arm's length. 00:09:40.700 --> 00:09:42.920 They come to Jesus with an excuse 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:45.080 that will allow them to convince themselves 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:47.620 that Jesus is not really who he said he is, 00:09:47.700 --> 00:09:48.940 he's not really trustworthy, 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:50.740 he's not really dependable. 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:53.960 And therefore, they can admire him from the distance, 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:56.040 but they don't need to hand over their lives to him. 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:57.820 It's kind of like this. 00:09:57.900 --> 00:10:01.560 Imagine you are negotiating a deal with someone, 00:10:01.680 --> 00:10:01.920 okay? 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:04.319 And you're around the boardroom table, 00:10:04.439 --> 00:10:05.740 and you're negotiating this deal, 00:10:05.959 --> 00:10:07.279 and the client says, 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:08.779 listen, I need this and this and this. 00:10:08.860 --> 00:10:10.939 And you're like, oh, okay, that's okay, 00:10:11.099 --> 00:10:12.199 we'll see if we can do that. 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:13.599 And you come back and you say, 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:14.399 okay, we've got it. 00:10:14.959 --> 00:10:16.399 And they say, okay, thanks, 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:17.459 we're almost there, 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.979 we just need a few more things, 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:20.099 just X, Y, Z. 00:10:21.099 --> 00:10:21.740 I think, okay. 00:10:21.959 --> 00:10:23.959 And you go in your range and you come back, 00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:25.559 and they say, okay, look, 00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:26.819 we're almost there, 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:28.120 just one last thing we need. 00:10:28.299 --> 00:10:30.339 We just need the Queen of England 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:31.360 to sign off on this deal, 00:10:31.399 --> 00:10:32.580 and then we're good to go, right? 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:34.580 And suddenly you realize 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:36.540 they're not negotiating good faith. 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:38.320 They don't really want the deal. 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:40.060 They're playing games with you, right? 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:43.100 That's something of what the Pharisees are doing here. 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:44.080 They're coming to Jesus, 00:10:44.160 --> 00:10:44.759 and they say, Jesus, 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:46.639 we're open to being convinced. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:48.220 We're ready to follow you. 00:10:48.560 --> 00:10:51.160 We just need one more sign. 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:53.340 We know that you've cast out the demons, 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:54.320 you've healed the sick, 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:55.600 you've raised the dead to life. 00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:57.980 We just need one more thing from you. 00:10:58.960 --> 00:11:00.240 And what they need 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:02.000 is they're looking for an excuse. 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:05.139 Friends, don't we sometimes do the same? 00:11:05.920 --> 00:11:07.060 We come to Jesus and say, 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:09.639 Jesus, I'm willing to follow you all in. 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:11.620 I just need you to give me that job. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:13.420 Just save my marriage. 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:14.580 Just give me a husband. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:16.860 And then I'm willing to follow you. 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:20.160 Jesus, give me a sign. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:20.820 Prove yourself. 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:22.360 But look at what Jesus says here. 00:11:23.160 --> 00:11:23.379 He says, 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:25.519 An evil and adulterous generation 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.340 looks for a sign. 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:27.899 And in the Bible, 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:29.059 the word adultery 00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:31.120 is always connected with idolatry. 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:32.700 God is often saying that 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:34.620 his people are adulterous 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:37.259 because something's more important to them than God. 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:40.439 God has been relegated to second place in their lives. 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:41.379 And Jesus says here, 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:44.480 An evil and adulterous people seek for a sign, 00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:46.519 and no sign will be given to it 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:49.019 except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:51.259 You think, what's Jonah got to do with that? 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:53.139 That was an interesting story. 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:55.319 But what's Jonah got to do with Jesus, right? 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:57.340 There's actually a whole bunch of things 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:58.220 in the story of Jonah 00:11:58.220 --> 00:11:59.620 that relate to the gospel. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:02.759 Think about how Jonah left his home country 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:04.439 to go to a foreign people 00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:06.159 to bring them the good news of the gospel. 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:08.220 Just as Jesus left heaven 00:12:08.220 --> 00:12:09.319 to come to us 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:10.939 to bring us the good news of the gospel. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.080 Think about how, 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.220 in the story of Jonah, 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:14.600 the people of Nineveh 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:16.120 repent and are spared. 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:18.220 God, they encounter God's grace 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:20.379 as they respond to the message. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.519 And just like us, 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:23.059 we will encounter God's grace 00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:24.320 as we respond to the message. 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:27.439 But that's actually not what Jesus is talking about. 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:30.080 Because look at what Jesus says in verse 40. 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:31.139 He says, 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:34.480 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:35.960 in the belly of the great fish, 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.879 so will the Son of Man, 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:38.580 that's himself, 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:41.399 be three days and three nights 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:43.100 in the heart of the earth. 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:45.680 Jesus is saying that 00:12:45.680 --> 00:12:46.759 if you want a sign, 00:12:46.860 --> 00:12:47.700 I'll give you a sign. 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:49.100 I'll give you the greatest sign 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:49.899 you can ever imagine. 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:51.279 I will die, 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.620 I'll be buried in the tomb, 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:54.480 and I will rise again from the dead. 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:55.840 Jesus says, 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:56.720 If you want a sign, 00:12:56.800 --> 00:12:58.159 there's only one sign 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:59.420 that you really need. 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:01.300 One thing you need to understand 00:13:01.300 --> 00:13:02.379 to really be a Christian, 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.580 to encounter my grace. 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:04.980 And that is the fact that 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:07.060 I am going to die on the cross 00:13:07.060 --> 00:13:08.920 and be buried in the grave 00:13:08.920 --> 00:13:10.259 for the sins of the world, 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:11.560 and I will rise again 00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.980 on the third day. 00:13:13.420 --> 00:13:14.519 I will conquer sin, 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.480 I will conquer death, 00:13:15.560 --> 00:13:16.480 I will conquer Satan, 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:19.100 I will die for your sins 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:19.759 and rise again. 00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:20.519 You need a sign? 00:13:20.920 --> 00:13:22.360 There's only one sign you need. 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:25.100 Trust in what I'm going to do on the cross. 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:26.220 Look to Calvary. 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:27.779 Look to Golgotha. 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:29.240 Look to the empty tomb 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:31.639 and see there who I am. 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:32.720 Jesus says, 00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:34.040 If you take hold of Calvary, 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:35.279 if you wrestle with that, 00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:37.639 if you wrestle with what I'm going to do on the cross, 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:39.379 grapple with what that means, 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.620 you'll see who I am, 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.420 and you'll understand 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:43.399 what the Bible is all about. 00:13:45.939 --> 00:13:47.099 Jesus says that, 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:48.979 or let me put it this way. 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:50.599 Do you remember John chapter 12? 00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:52.479 Jesus says this remarkable thing. 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:54.839 Jesus talks about Calvary 00:13:54.839 --> 00:13:56.639 as his moment of glory. 00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:57.959 You think, 00:13:58.079 --> 00:13:58.240 what? 00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:59.279 His moment of glory? 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:02.039 Surely Calvary was the moment of shame, 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:02.219 right? 00:14:02.219 --> 00:14:04.379 That's like the worst day in Jesus' life. 00:14:04.959 --> 00:14:06.279 Jesus had a bad day in the office 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:07.220 on Good Friday, 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:07.620 right? 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:10.539 That's the lowest point in human history, 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:11.740 but Jesus talks about it 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:13.079 as his moment of glory. 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:15.139 You know what Jesus is saying? 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:16.000 He's saying, 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:17.419 If you look at Calvary 00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:19.419 and you understand what I'm doing there, 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:21.379 that I went to the cross 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.659 for the sins of the world, 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:24.919 you'll see who I really am. 00:14:24.959 --> 00:14:25.860 You'll see my glory. 00:14:25.959 --> 00:14:27.059 You'll see my majesty. 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:28.139 Look, 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:28.759 miss that, 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:30.600 and you miss everything about Christianity. 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:32.000 You may see the signs. 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:32.799 You see the miracles. 00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:34.559 You see the dead rising from the grave. 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:35.819 You see the healings. 00:14:36.119 --> 00:14:37.239 You see my wise teachings, 00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:38.299 but miss Calvary, 00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:39.539 you miss it all. 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:42.799 Jesus says that if you miss Calvary, 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.919 you could almost be a Christian, 00:14:45.459 --> 00:14:46.959 but you'll be like a drowning man 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:47.879 that is almost saved. 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:49.959 You might know everything there is 00:14:49.959 --> 00:14:50.699 to know about the Bible, 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:52.279 but you won't know who Jesus is. 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:53.099 You won't encounter 00:14:53.099 --> 00:14:54.699 his life-transforming power. 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:57.059 Sometimes I talk to people 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:57.619 and I ask them, 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:57.759 Hey, 00:14:57.819 --> 00:14:58.899 how did you become a Christian? 00:14:59.039 --> 00:14:59.459 They'll say, 00:14:59.519 --> 00:14:59.639 Oh, 00:14:59.699 --> 00:14:59.899 well, 00:15:00.239 --> 00:15:01.839 my mom was diagnosed with cancer 00:15:01.839 --> 00:15:03.079 and I prayed and said, 00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:03.339 God, 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.319 if you'll save my mom, 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:05.180 I'll become a Christian. 00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:07.500 Or I needed a job. 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:08.340 I was out of work. 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:09.360 Money was tight. 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:09.640 I said, 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:09.900 God, 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:10.720 if you give me a job, 00:15:10.780 --> 00:15:12.260 I'll follow you for the rest of my life. 00:15:12.800 --> 00:15:13.140 Friends, 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.020 that's not a Christian. 00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:15.800 That's a negotiator, 00:15:15.900 --> 00:15:16.120 right? 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:17.640 That's a business person. 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:21.220 But God says that what we need 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:23.200 is not to negotiate with Jesus. 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:25.720 We need to see what Jesus did on the cross. 00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:28.400 We need to see that we were dead in our sins 00:15:28.400 --> 00:15:29.300 and Jesus came 00:15:29.300 --> 00:15:29.800 and he died 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:31.320 and he rose again to save us. 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.380 John 3, 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:33.080 16 says, 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:34.620 God so loved the world 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:36.759 that he sent his very best negotiator. 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:37.700 No, 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:37.879 no, 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:38.320 he didn't. 00:15:38.400 --> 00:15:39.520 He sent his son 00:15:39.520 --> 00:15:41.700 that whoever will believe in him, 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:43.820 that means whoever will hand over their life to him, 00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:46.200 whoever will see what Jesus did on the cross 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:47.800 will be saved. 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.280 Now, 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:49.980 here's the question. 00:15:50.520 --> 00:15:51.940 Why this sign? 00:15:51.940 --> 00:15:52.260 I mean, 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:54.260 Jesus did many amazing things, 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:54.560 right? 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:56.580 Why this sign? 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:58.560 Why not, 00:15:59.620 --> 00:15:59.880 you know, 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:00.240 Jesus, 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.960 if you want to establish heaven on earth, 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:03.760 why not destroy the Romans? 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:04.920 Send a legion of, 00:16:05.180 --> 00:16:05.660 an angel, 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:06.960 an army of angels. 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:07.960 Jesus, 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:09.300 send a pillar of fire 00:16:09.300 --> 00:16:10.840 and destroy all those idol workers, 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:11.920 idol worshipers. 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:12.300 That'll, 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.500 that'll get people's attention. 00:16:14.060 --> 00:16:15.420 That'll get people to worship you. 00:16:16.380 --> 00:16:17.660 We may think the same things. 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:17.840 You know, 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.700 sometimes I think, 00:16:19.160 --> 00:16:19.420 listen, 00:16:19.540 --> 00:16:19.780 Jesus, 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:21.220 if you want to establish your kingdom, 00:16:21.660 --> 00:16:23.120 just wipe out COVID, 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.420 right? 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:23.700 Or, 00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:26.020 or end world poverty, 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:28.759 or just annihilate all those child abusers. 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:30.840 Then we'll know that you really are the king. 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.720 But Jesus says, 00:16:32.780 --> 00:16:34.759 those signs are not sufficient. 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.480 They're not good enough. 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.980 Why this sign? 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:38.860 Why Calvary? 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:43.180 Jesus is saying here, 00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:46.060 that all those other things are not sufficient 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:48.540 because the human heart is so twisted, 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:53.640 we'll find a way of using those things for ourselves 00:16:53.640 --> 00:16:55.920 rather than surrendering it to him. 00:16:56.640 --> 00:16:57.200 In other words, 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:57.860 you need a job. 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:58.140 You say, 00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:58.420 God, 00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.480 if you give me a job, 00:16:59.520 --> 00:17:00.759 I'll worship you all my days. 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:02.040 He gives you a job. 00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:02.960 Well, 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.480 who's still on the throne of your life? 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:05.740 I am, 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:05.980 right? 00:17:06.580 --> 00:17:07.380 I'll come to church. 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:07.680 I'll say, 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.039 Jesus, 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:08.940 thank you so much. 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:09.680 I'll, 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:11.340 I'll give him my token worship, 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.240 my token offering, 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:14.759 but I'm still on the throne of my life. 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.559 I'm still king. 00:17:16.419 --> 00:17:17.139 Jesus says, 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:19.980 if you grapple with the cross and what that means, 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:22.319 it'll pierce your pride. 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:24.359 It'll crucify your pride. 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:28.539 There's no ways you can really see the majesty of Jesus on the cross 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:31.159 and still be king of your life on the throne. 00:17:31.860 --> 00:17:34.380 If you grapple with what Jesus was doing on the cross, 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:36.420 that he was dying for you and for your sin, 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.240 for your rebellion, 00:17:37.820 --> 00:17:39.740 your pride will have to be pierced. 00:17:39.800 --> 00:17:40.960 It'll have to be dismantled. 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:43.380 And that will lead to true life. 00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:45.480 I don't know if you remember, 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.820 in Luke chapter 16, 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.900 Jesus tells this fascinating parable. 00:17:49.560 --> 00:17:49.960 He says, 00:17:50.620 --> 00:17:52.820 there was this really rich man one day, 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:56.080 and there was a poor beggar that used to live outside his house. 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:56.920 And the poor beggar, 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:57.980 his name was Lazarus. 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.960 And one day, 00:17:59.059 --> 00:18:00.299 both of these guys die. 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.720 And the rich man, 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:02.240 unfortunately, 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:03.299 he ends up in hell, 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:05.579 and the beggar is enjoying the luxury of heaven. 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.559 And so this rich man, 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.620 he looks up into heaven, 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.559 and he sees Lazarus in heaven. 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:12.339 And he says to Abraham, 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:12.779 Abraham, 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:14.640 I'm dying here in hell. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:14.880 Look, 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.620 it's really hot. 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:18.099 Send Lazarus to give me a glass of water. 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:19.799 And Abraham says, 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:19.980 no, 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.160 no, 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:20.920 I can't do that. 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.599 It's too late. 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.240 And so the rich man says, 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.980 listen, 00:18:25.219 --> 00:18:26.879 if you can't do anything for me, 00:18:26.959 --> 00:18:28.119 the one thing you can do, 00:18:28.699 --> 00:18:32.639 send somebody from heaven to go and warn my father and my brothers. 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.419 Tell them that I'm in hell, 00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.939 and they don't want to end up here. 00:18:36.379 --> 00:18:38.159 Give them a warning to repent, 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.319 to change their ways, 00:18:39.419 --> 00:18:40.359 to go to heaven. 00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:41.980 And Abraham says, 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:42.259 no, 00:18:42.339 --> 00:18:42.480 no, 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:43.039 you know, 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:44.240 they've got Moses, 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.039 they've got the prophets. 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.879 They must listen to them. 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.619 And the rich man says, 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.339 listen, 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:51.000 they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:54.000 but if somebody rises from the dead and tells them, 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:55.000 then they'll listen. 00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:59.599 But listen to what Jesus says in verse 31. 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:00.799 He says, 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:03.519 if they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:08.099 neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.200 What's Jesus saying? 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:12.640 Friends, 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:13.500 sometimes people say, 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:15.759 I'd believe in Jesus if ABC would happen. 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:18.000 I'll follow Jesus if X, 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:18.180 Y, 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:18.339 Z. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:20.980 If someone were to rise from the dead and come and die, 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:22.120 tell me what heaven is like, 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:22.779 then I'll believe. 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:23.019 No, 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:23.559 you wouldn't. 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:24.559 No, 00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:25.099 you wouldn't. 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:29.799 Jesus saying that if our hearts are too hard to believe the resurrection, 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.339 that Jesus conquered the grave, 00:19:31.860 --> 00:19:33.019 they'll be too hard to believe, 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:36.400 even if someone that was dead were to walk in this door this morning. 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:38.259 Jesus says, 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.980 the problem is not the evidence. 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.980 It's not the sign. 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:42.379 It's a hard and unbelieving heart. 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.940 It's the issue of pride in our lives. 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:46.279 It's a heart that doesn't want to surrender. 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.940 The Pharisees come and say, 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.359 give us a sign and we'll believe. 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.059 And Jesus says, 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:52.599 even if I were to move this mountain from here to there, 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.559 you still wouldn't believe. 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.379 Your hearts are hard. 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:57.200 The sign is sufficient, 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.339 says Douglas O'Donnell. 00:19:58.339 --> 00:20:00.939 The death and the resurrection are more than enough, 00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:04.319 but it's not enough to those who will not believe. 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:08.419 And so look at what Jesus says in verse 42 and 43. 00:20:09.679 --> 00:20:12.939 Jesus quotes two well-known instances from the Old Testament. 00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:15.159 The story of Jonah going to Ninevites 00:20:15.159 --> 00:20:17.240 and the queen of Sheba coming to Solomon. 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.220 And he says, 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.379 these two people, 00:20:19.959 --> 00:20:22.159 who very offensively were Gentiles, 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:22.539 okay, 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:25.359 it's like the most offensive thing Jesus can say to the Pharisees. 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:28.899 These two Gentiles are better off than you guys 00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:31.779 because they responded to the message. 00:20:32.219 --> 00:20:33.379 They saw the sign. 00:20:33.959 --> 00:20:35.099 They responded to the message. 00:20:35.219 --> 00:20:37.139 And you're going to see me rising from the dead 00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:38.359 and you still won't believe. 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.119 Friends, 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:42.279 are you almost a Christian this morning? 00:20:43.139 --> 00:20:44.219 Have you come close, 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:47.099 but you haven't quite handed over your life to Jesus? 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:50.219 What's stopping you from surrendering this morning? 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.339 Friends, 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:53.679 what's stopping you from handing over your life to Jesus? 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:53.840 Jesus. 00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:55.500 You're not so sure about the resurrection? 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:55.960 Okay, 00:20:56.080 --> 00:20:57.039 go and do the research. 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:58.279 Go read the books. 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.799 Go examine the evidence. 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:02.940 You'll find that Jesus Christ died and he rose again. 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.299 He was in the tomb, 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.500 but he rose from the grave. 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:07.640 You'll be confronted by the facts. 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:09.100 But more than that, 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:12.420 you'll be confronted with the fact that Jesus died for you. 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.320 He died for your sin. 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:17.120 He died because your sin has cut you off from God. 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:19.080 Jesus Christ left heaven. 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:21.460 Like Jonah left Jerusalem to go to Nineveh, 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:23.860 Jesus left heaven to go to the cross for you. 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:24.960 Friends, 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.660 what's stopping you from handing over your life? 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:28.480 Don't almost be a Christian. 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:30.180 Don't almost be saved. 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:34.120 Come and encounter the life-transforming power of the living God. 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.920 Come to Jesus with a humble heart this morning. 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:37.880 Okay? 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:40.420 That's what true and saving faith looks like. 00:21:40.600 --> 00:21:41.960 To see who Jesus is, 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:43.180 to grapple with the cross, 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:45.500 to be confronted by the problem of sin, 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:48.200 and to turn to Jesus in faith and repentance. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.180 Okay, 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:49.839 you still with me? 00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:51.799 Okay, 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.400 thank you. 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.000 Okay, 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:53.940 that's the longest one. 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.180 Okay, 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.319 the next two are a bit shorter. 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:55.859 So firstly, 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:56.940 the negotiator. 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.440 Secondly, 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:58.779 the renovator. 00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.079 Well, 00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:02.079 look at what Jesus says in verse 43 and 45. 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.480 He says, 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:33.460 What's Jesus saying? 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.000 saying here. 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.039 What's going on? 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:39.160 Jesus is saying that one way to almost be a Christian, 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.460 to think that you're a Christian, 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:42.319 to be fooled into thinking you're a Christian, 00:22:42.860 --> 00:22:47.819 is to see Jesus and Christianity as a self-improvement project. 00:22:48.620 --> 00:22:50.599 I don't know if you've ever said this, 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.900 or maybe you've got a friend that said it. 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.279 You say, 00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:52.599 Listen, 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.160 my life's out of control. 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.380 I've got to clean up my life, 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:55.539 right? 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:56.839 All these late nights, 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.079 all these parties, 00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:00.460 these one-night stands. 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:00.740 Listen, 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.860 it's not any good for me. 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:03.259 I've got to clean up my life. 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.539 Okay? 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:05.259 And so we think, 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.400 I'm going to stop the potting, 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.180 stop the drinking. 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:09.819 I'm going to get spiritual, 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.700 do a bit of yoga, 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.599 a bit of Jesus. 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.920 I'm going to come back to church, 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.700 and I'm going to clean up my life. 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.359 Okay? 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:18.079 But look at what Jesus says here. 00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:19.119 Jesus says, 00:23:19.199 --> 00:23:20.500 you can clean up shop, 00:23:21.219 --> 00:23:23.339 you can clean up some of the external behavior, 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:24.619 sweep out the junk, 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:25.740 quit the smoking, 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:26.479 quit the drinking, 00:23:26.679 --> 00:23:27.740 quit the one-night stands, 00:23:28.379 --> 00:23:29.059 and yet, 00:23:29.399 --> 00:23:31.339 unless you fill that void, 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:33.579 with something more powerful, 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.419 more beautiful, 00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:35.959 actually, 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:37.379 you're just dealing with the symptoms. 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:39.419 You're not dealing with the heart issues. 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:41.560 Jesus says, 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:43.340 you've got to replace the void, 00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:44.820 with something more wonderful. 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:46.180 You've got to fall more in love, 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.980 with something else. 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:47.759 Otherwise, 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.120 you're just going to fill that void, 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.440 with some other vice. 00:23:51.080 --> 00:23:51.960 I've told the story, 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:53.120 many times before, 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.480 so you'll know this. 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.420 I should just say, 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:55.660 you know, 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.380 it's that story, 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:56.620 right? 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.700 Then you all know the story. 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.539 But, 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:00.279 a friend of ours in Cape Town, 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:03.740 really struggled with drinking a lot, 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:04.899 would, 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.220 you know, 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:06.379 go get a bottle of wine, 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:07.139 just for herself, 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:08.960 and finish it within a couple of hours, 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.920 all on her own. 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:11.180 And one day she says, 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.420 listen, 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.420 this is getting out of hand, 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.779 I've got to stop the drinking, 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.079 right? 00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:14.579 And so she, 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:16.139 she stops the drinking. 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:18.240 But then she can't stop, 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:20.019 weird relationships, 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.000 toxic relationships. 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.879 And there's one-night stands here, 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.980 one-night stands there, 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:24.799 and that's unhelpful. 00:24:24.899 --> 00:24:25.039 And so, 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:25.839 she soon says, 00:24:25.899 --> 00:24:26.019 oh, 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.659 that's not good. 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.139 I've got to stop these relationships. 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:30.240 It's not good for my work, 00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:30.560 and my, 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:31.600 all these things. 00:24:32.340 --> 00:24:33.900 But then she can't stop spending money. 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.400 And she gets into debt, 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.400 buying this handbag, 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.360 and that pair of shoes. 00:24:37.860 --> 00:24:38.620 What's happening? 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.920 She's cleaning up the life, 00:24:41.060 --> 00:24:42.580 but rather than filling the void, 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:45.040 with something more real and substantial, 00:24:45.560 --> 00:24:47.140 it's just jumping from one symptom, 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:47.840 to the next. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.820 Thomas Chalmers, 00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:53.960 was a Scottish economist, 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.980 and a preacher, 00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:56.759 from 200 years ago. 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:59.180 And he preached this amazing sermon, 00:24:59.400 --> 00:24:59.640 called, 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:02.720 The Expulsive Power of a New Affection. 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.319 Okay? 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.960 And what he says is, 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:07.359 if you try and clean up your life, 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:09.539 by just dealing with the surface things, 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:10.799 unless, 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.859 something more attractive, 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.140 something more beautiful, 00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:15.279 fills the void, 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:18.420 you're not going to really deal with the substance. 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:19.680 He says, 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:21.860 in order to change your life, 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.779 you've got to, 00:25:23.080 --> 00:25:24.160 fall more in love, 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.799 with something, 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:26.519 with something new. 00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:26.779 Okay? 00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:28.620 Maybe a simple example of this is, 00:25:28.820 --> 00:25:29.820 you want to get healthy, 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:31.700 you've got to be more in love, 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.960 with the idea of a healthy body, 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.960 than the bar of chocolate. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.500 Okay? 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.500 You can't just say, 00:25:35.580 --> 00:25:36.420 I won't eat chocolate, 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.220 I won't eat chocolate, 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.400 and then, 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:41.799 Kathy Tom's chocolate cookies come along, 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:42.799 and you think, 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:43.759 I'm not eating chocolate, 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:44.600 but I'm eating this. 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:44.799 Right? 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.700 You've got to be more in love, 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.299 with something else. 00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:46.500 So, 00:25:46.879 --> 00:25:49.039 let's listen to how Thomas Chalmers says it. 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:49.960 He says it better than me. 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.039 He says, 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:53.299 a person's sinful desires, 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:55.299 are not gotten rid of, 00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:56.960 simply by destroying them. 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:59.059 They must be gotten rid of, 00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:00.460 by substituting them, 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:02.240 with another desire in its place. 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:04.159 The most effective way, 00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:05.500 of withdrawing the mind, 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:07.059 from one object of desire, 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:09.460 is not by turning it to nothingness, 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:11.359 but by presenting to it, 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:12.319 another object, 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.879 which is even more attractive. 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:16.760 The heart is so designed, 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:18.820 the only way to dispossess it, 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:20.160 of one old affection, 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:22.980 is by the expulsive power, 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:24.460 of a new one. 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.200 Okay? 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.200 Do you see what he's saying there? 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:28.560 That's what Jesus is saying here. 00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:28.840 He's saying, 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:30.080 you want to clean up your life? 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.260 You can't just say, 00:26:31.300 --> 00:26:31.400 oh, 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:32.340 I've got to clean up shop, 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.220 I've got to stop the drinking, 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:34.060 stop the smoking, 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.280 I'm going to be a better person. 00:26:35.800 --> 00:26:37.460 You've got to fall more in love with Jesus. 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.420 Jesus is saying, 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.440 if you come to him and say, 00:26:40.520 --> 00:26:40.700 oh, 00:26:40.760 --> 00:26:40.940 Jesus, 00:26:41.020 --> 00:26:41.920 my life's a bit of a mess, 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.720 I've got to clean up, 00:26:42.780 --> 00:26:43.860 will you help me clean up? 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:46.420 But you don't get off the throne of your life, 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:49.360 if you still hold on to the keys of your heart, 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:52.880 you're just going to replace one vice with another. 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.920 What you've got to do is, 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:57.260 you've got to hand over the keys of your heart to Jesus, 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:57.540 and say, 00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:58.180 here they are, 00:26:58.260 --> 00:26:59.020 you have your way. 00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:03.519 You've got to hand over the combination to the vault of your heart to Jesus, 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:03.839 and say, 00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:04.180 Jesus, 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:05.059 here's the combination. 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:07.619 You've got to get off the throne and say, 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.440 Jesus Christ, 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.799 you're on the throne, 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:11.000 have your way in my life. 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.379 It's like, 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.639 I don't know if you've seen on Netflix, 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:15.259 those home renovation projects, 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:15.519 right? 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.859 Someone buys an old house, 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.960 and they want to clean it up, 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:20.500 and there's damp on the wall, 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:20.819 and they say, 00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:22.400 I'll just paint over it. 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:24.160 If you just paint over it, 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.200 it's just going to reemerge. 00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:26.879 You've got to get to the root issue. 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:28.079 You've got to get right to the heart. 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:30.000 Jesus says here, 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:31.220 that if you clean up your life, 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:32.240 you can stop the drinking, 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:33.699 you can put a filter on your phone, 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.619 so you don't look at porn. 00:27:35.159 --> 00:27:37.000 You can ask Jesus to clean up your heart, 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:39.579 but if you just clean up the external behavior, 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.619 you'll be worse off, 00:27:40.679 --> 00:27:42.539 because your heart will still be full of pride. 00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:44.720 It'll still be full of self-sufficiency. 00:27:45.419 --> 00:27:47.299 It'll still be full of self-worship. 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:49.519 Unless you come to Jesus and say, 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:49.859 Jesus, 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:51.939 you have your place in my life. 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:54.279 Something else will fill the void, 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:56.199 and you'll be left worse off, 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.679 because you'll think you're a Christian, 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:59.799 but you're still worshiping yourself. 00:28:00.659 --> 00:28:01.839 You'll never be transformed, 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.859 never be changed. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:05.339 The idols of your heart won't be removed. 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:07.279 They'll just have a new facade on. 00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.740 Jesus says, 00:28:08.939 --> 00:28:10.399 don't come to him just as a renovator. 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:12.279 Don't come and ask him to clean up your life. 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.740 Come to him and worship. 00:28:13.939 --> 00:28:14.819 Come to him and surrender. 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.960 Come and put him on the throne of your life. 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.419 Come and say, 00:28:17.419 --> 00:28:18.799 you have your way in my life. 00:28:19.159 --> 00:28:20.039 Everything I am, 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:21.619 mind, body, soul, strength, 00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:23.579 money, sexuality, finances, 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.639 all of it, it's yours. 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.519 Jesus, come and have your way. 00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:29.180 That way you'll encounter the living God. 00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:30.059 Okay, 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:32.920 don't come to Jesus as a negotiator. 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.119 Don't come as a renovator. 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:36.119 Don't come as a tiger mom. 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:38.519 Okay, look at what he says in verse 46. 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.940 While still speaking to the people, 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:41.539 behold, 00:28:41.639 --> 00:28:43.920 his mother and his brothers stood outside, 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:45.299 asking to speak to him. 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:47.660 But he replied to the man who told them, 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.799 who is my mother? 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:50.200 Who are my brothers? 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:52.859 Stretching out his hand towards his disciples, 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:53.799 he says, 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:55.559 here are my mother and my brothers. 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:58.720 Whoever does the will of my father in heaven 00:28:58.720 --> 00:29:00.000 is my brother, 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.779 my sister, 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:01.919 and my mother. 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:04.299 In this final story, 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:06.879 Jesus' family members come to him 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.440 and they say, 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:07.839 Jesus, 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:10.039 this stuff is getting out of hand now. 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:11.339 Come and do your homework. 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:11.639 Okay, 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:11.980 Jesus, 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.740 come back home. 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.700 This ministry thing, 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:16.279 there's people everywhere. 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.960 You're not getting some rest. 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.059 Come, 00:29:19.139 --> 00:29:19.980 you need an early night. 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:21.880 And they're trying to tell Jesus what to do. 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:25.339 But Jesus' family members 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:27.519 think that they've got a claim on his life 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:30.279 because of their proximity to him 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:33.099 or because of some past experiences. 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:35.920 Because of Jesus growing up in their home, 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:38.099 they think they've got a claim on him, 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:38.620 right? 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:40.779 But Jesus doesn't buy that. 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:43.259 Jesus says something remarkably offensive. 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:44.460 He says, 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:46.319 you think that because you're my family, 00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:48.019 you've got an inside track. 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:49.360 You've got a backstage pass 00:29:49.360 --> 00:29:50.279 to tell me what to do 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:51.279 and how to live my life. 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:54.720 You think that because of your connection with me, 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:56.400 you get to manage me. 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.500 But Jesus says that actually, 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:00.180 the relationship has changed. 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.779 No one gets to manage me 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:03.740 because I'm the son of God, 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:05.079 not just the son of man. 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.319 Sometimes, 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:06.640 you know, 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.680 we hear people saying, 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.240 you know, 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:09.600 back in the 1990s, 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:11.779 I went on this amazing mission trip 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:14.019 and I smuggled Bibles into Pakistan 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:16.379 and I faced the firing squad 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:17.839 and then their guns didn't work 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:19.859 and then I preached to the leader 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:21.220 and then they all fell down their knees 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:22.099 and it was amazing, 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.440 right? 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:24.299 And we're still living on 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.960 what happened in the 1990s. 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.160 Or someone might say, 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:27.500 you know, 00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:28.599 back in 2000, 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:29.839 John Piper came 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:30.980 and he laid his hands on me 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.859 and he commissioned me 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:32.680 and he told me 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:34.019 I was going to be a great person 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:36.420 and I feel so good about myself. 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:38.420 Or maybe you hear people say, 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:39.480 I know I'm a Christian 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:41.339 because I was christened 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:42.779 or baptized by the bishop. 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:44.399 Or I was confirmed 00:30:44.399 --> 00:30:46.240 in confirmation class 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:47.399 back when I was a teenager. 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.180 And we look back 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:51.819 to some historical connection, 00:30:52.139 --> 00:30:53.420 some past event 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:55.039 to give us confidence 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:57.160 about our relationship with Jesus. 00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.539 But Jesus says, 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.660 this is the one 00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:02.139 that has relationship with me. 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:04.899 The one who's walking in obedience 00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:07.240 to my father today. 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:09.200 It's not about what happened 00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:10.079 back in 1990 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.720 or what happened in 2005. 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:13.880 What's our life like today? 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.339 What's our relationship 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:16.519 with Jesus like today? 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.700 You know, 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.700 one of the remarkable things 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.339 about Watermark 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:20.980 is the number of people here 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:22.480 whose parents 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.740 are in Christian ministry 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:25.019 or were in Christian ministry 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.660 or pastors. 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.500 It's actually unbelievable 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.960 how many people in our church 00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:30.640 grew up in homes 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.240 where their parents 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.860 were in ministry. 00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.339 But friends, 00:31:33.620 --> 00:31:34.700 your parents, 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.640 being a pastor, 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:37.620 doesn't give you access 00:31:37.620 --> 00:31:38.180 to Jesus. 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:39.759 You being confirmed 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:41.019 by the great bishop 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:42.360 or in St. John's Cathedral 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:43.580 doesn't give you access 00:31:43.580 --> 00:31:44.100 to Jesus. 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:46.140 You doing some great exploit 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:47.560 for Jesus back in the day 00:31:47.560 --> 00:31:48.779 doesn't mean 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.900 you're walking with him. 00:31:50.120 --> 00:31:51.960 As wonderful as those things are, 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.039 they don't put us 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.019 in Jesus' good books. 00:31:54.100 --> 00:31:55.240 They don't make you a Christian. 00:31:56.080 --> 00:31:57.060 The world may look 00:31:57.060 --> 00:31:57.560 at those things 00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:57.880 and say, 00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:59.100 oh, look at your great CV, 00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.720 your resume. 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:01.039 Jesus says, 00:32:01.120 --> 00:32:01.820 who is my mother? 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:02.700 Who are my brothers? 00:32:03.320 --> 00:32:04.180 It's the one who does 00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:05.080 the will of my Father 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.480 in heaven. 00:32:06.379 --> 00:32:07.480 Jesus says the same thing 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.559 in Matthew chapter 7. 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:08.859 He says, 00:32:09.159 --> 00:32:09.960 some people are going 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.480 to come to him 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:10.759 and say, 00:32:11.199 --> 00:32:11.819 Lord, Lord, 00:32:11.879 --> 00:32:12.899 didn't we prophesy 00:32:12.899 --> 00:32:13.419 in your name? 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.659 Didn't we cast out demons? 00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:16.759 Didn't we do many mighty works 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.399 in your name? 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.359 Jesus, 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.679 look at all the boards 00:32:19.679 --> 00:32:20.439 that I've sat on. 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.699 Look at how I've funded 00:32:21.699 --> 00:32:22.740 all these ministries. 00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:24.539 And Jesus says, 00:32:24.659 --> 00:32:25.559 I will say to you, 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:27.019 I never knew you 00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:29.599 because you did not do 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.699 the will of my Father 00:32:30.699 --> 00:32:31.659 in heaven. 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.679 Friends, 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:34.620 it's not proximity 00:32:34.620 --> 00:32:36.100 to Christian stuff. 00:32:36.580 --> 00:32:37.740 It's not proximity 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:39.380 to Christian relationships. 00:32:39.900 --> 00:32:41.160 It's not an impressive 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:43.080 Christian resume or CV. 00:32:43.860 --> 00:32:45.220 Those things don't guarantee 00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:46.080 genuine faith. 00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:47.740 Those things don't make 00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:48.279 you a Christian. 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.580 Those things don't allow us 00:32:50.580 --> 00:32:52.140 to encounter the life-transforming 00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:53.080 power of Jesus. 00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:55.320 It's a surrendered heart. 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:56.660 Friends, 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:59.060 you serve in the kids' ministry team? 00:32:59.140 --> 00:32:59.779 That's wonderful. 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:01.200 But what are you like 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:02.180 on a Thursday afternoon 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:02.880 in the boardroom? 00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:03.700 Is your heart surrendered 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.200 to Jesus? 00:33:05.080 --> 00:33:06.360 You sing in the worship team 00:33:06.360 --> 00:33:07.080 on a Sunday morning? 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:07.660 That's wonderful. 00:33:07.780 --> 00:33:08.380 But what are you like 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:09.140 on a Tuesday night 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:10.260 in the university hall? 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.680 Is your heart surrendered 00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:12.200 to Jesus? 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:14.540 Is Christ first in your life? 00:33:16.840 --> 00:33:17.240 Friends, 00:33:17.320 --> 00:33:18.260 maybe you give 00:33:18.260 --> 00:33:19.300 a wonderful check 00:33:19.300 --> 00:33:19.840 to the church. 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:20.880 You serve at ICM. 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.720 That's fantastic. 00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.260 But how do you love 00:33:23.260 --> 00:33:23.800 your wife? 00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.620 Do you welcome people 00:33:25.620 --> 00:33:26.760 as Christ has welcomed you? 00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:28.800 Or is our life filled 00:33:28.800 --> 00:33:29.300 with bitterness 00:33:29.300 --> 00:33:29.940 and anger, 00:33:30.060 --> 00:33:30.460 resentment? 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:32.000 Or is it filled 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.700 with the sweetness 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:33.279 of Jesus? 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:34.539 Friends, 00:33:34.620 --> 00:33:35.539 don't come to Jesus 00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:36.799 as a negotiator. 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.680 Don't come looking 00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:38.200 for a sign 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:40.759 to try and wangle your way. 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.220 Come to Him as Lord. 00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.059 Come to Him 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:43.700 like the Ninevites. 00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.440 Come in repentance 00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:44.840 and say, 00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:45.160 Jesus, 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:45.720 have your way. 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.259 Don't come to Jesus 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:49.140 as a home-proven project, 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.920 as a renovator, 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.160 saying, 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.460 Jesus, 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.259 I need you to fix up 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:51.980 this area of my life, 00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:52.840 clean up the junk 00:33:52.840 --> 00:33:53.819 so I can get back 00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:54.240 on my way. 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:55.160 No, no, friends, 00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:55.880 come to Jesus 00:33:55.880 --> 00:33:56.640 as a worshiper. 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:57.539 Come and hand over 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:57.859 your life. 00:33:57.940 --> 00:33:58.639 Come and surrender. 00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:58.920 Say, 00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.299 Jesus, 00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.359 have your way. 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:02.399 Heart, soul, body, mind, strength. 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.240 Have all of it. 00:34:03.639 --> 00:34:03.899 Jesus, 00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:04.940 come and sit on the throne. 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.359 Hand over the keys 00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:07.420 of your heart to Him. 00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:08.460 Friends, 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.480 don't come to Jesus 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:10.320 thinking that you can 00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:11.239 tell Him what to do 00:34:11.239 --> 00:34:12.400 or how He can fit 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.119 into your life. 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.659 Come to Him as Lord. 00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:15.539 Come to Him as King. 00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:16.519 Come in humility. 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:18.139 Come and obey Him. 00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.400 Come and say, 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:19.719 Jesus, 00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:20.400 have your way. 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:21.539 Friends, 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.840 the one way to come to Jesus, 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:24.239 Jesus says at the end 00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:25.380 of the previous chapter, 00:34:25.380 --> 00:34:26.760 He says, 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.039 come to me, 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:29.099 all you who are weary 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:30.660 and heavy laden. 00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:31.960 You who have been 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.820 trying to control me, 00:34:32.980 --> 00:34:33.720 you who have been 00:34:33.720 --> 00:34:34.320 trying to control 00:34:34.320 --> 00:34:35.039 your own life, 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.400 come to me 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:38.140 and I will give you rest. 00:34:38.280 --> 00:34:39.380 Come and hand over 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:39.740 your life. 00:34:39.820 --> 00:34:41.000 Come and take my yoke 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:41.440 upon you. 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.599 Come and take my authority 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.119 upon you. 00:34:43.680 --> 00:34:44.460 Come and step off 00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:45.380 the throne of your life 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:45.680 and say, 00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:46.059 Jesus, 00:34:46.180 --> 00:34:46.720 have your way. 00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:48.000 Do that 00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:48.920 and you'll find life. 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:49.980 Do that 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:50.539 and you'll encounter 00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.420 the life-transforming 00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:52.280 power of the gospel. 00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:53.680 Do that 00:34:53.680 --> 00:34:54.519 and you'll find 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.140 Jesus. 00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:56.800 Do that 00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:58.320 and you'll find life. 00:34:59.160 --> 00:35:00.019 Let's pray together. 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.760 Lord Jesus Christ, 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.700 we come to you 00:35:07.700 --> 00:35:08.180 this morning 00:35:08.180 --> 00:35:09.720 because you are God 00:35:09.720 --> 00:35:11.059 and we are not. 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:12.920 Father, 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:14.340 we come and acknowledge, 00:35:14.619 --> 00:35:15.000 confess, 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.420 that Lord, 00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:16.340 so often 00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:17.960 in our lives, 00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:18.220 Lord, 00:35:18.280 --> 00:35:19.900 we try to fit you in. 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:22.640 We try to give you 00:35:22.640 --> 00:35:24.440 a share of our lives. 00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:25.960 a minority share. 00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:27.760 But Jesus, 00:35:27.820 --> 00:35:28.220 this morning, 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:28.880 you're telling us 00:35:28.880 --> 00:35:30.079 that you won't take 00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:31.200 a minority shareholding. 00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:33.559 You won't be accommodated. 00:35:33.700 --> 00:35:34.340 You'll either be 00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:35.119 Lord of all 00:35:35.119 --> 00:35:36.300 or you will not be 00:35:36.300 --> 00:35:37.000 Lord at all. 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:39.599 And so Jesus, 00:35:39.700 --> 00:35:40.400 we come before you 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:40.860 this morning. 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:42.460 Help us not to be 00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:43.840 like the religious leaders. 00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:44.760 Help us to not be 00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:45.700 like the Pharisees. 00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:47.900 Help us, 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:48.099 God, 00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:49.000 to rather be like 00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:49.699 the Ninevites 00:35:49.699 --> 00:35:51.880 who heard the message 00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:52.900 and responded. 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:54.519 Help us, 00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:54.960 Lord Jesus, 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:56.039 to get on our knees 00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:56.739 and to say, 00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.599 you are God 00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:58.300 and have your way 00:35:58.300 --> 00:35:58.860 in our life. 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:00.300 Jesus, 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.139 we pray, 00:36:01.380 --> 00:36:02.559 won't you take 00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:04.260 hold of the keys 00:36:04.260 --> 00:36:05.079 of our heart. 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:07.539 God, 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:08.039 this morning, 00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:08.920 we want to give you 00:36:08.920 --> 00:36:10.539 the access codes 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:12.519 to our hearts, 00:36:12.619 --> 00:36:13.380 to the very center, 00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:14.159 the very throne room 00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:14.859 of our lives. 00:36:19.179 --> 00:36:19.539 Jesus, 00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:20.319 the things that we 00:36:20.319 --> 00:36:21.139 struggle with, 00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:21.779 the things that we 00:36:21.779 --> 00:36:22.500 are fearful of, 00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:23.779 the things we want 00:36:23.779 --> 00:36:24.399 to control, 00:36:25.839 --> 00:36:26.279 Christ, 00:36:26.359 --> 00:36:27.179 come and have your way. 00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:34.960 Friends, 00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:35.960 maybe some of us 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:36.579 here this morning 00:36:36.579 --> 00:36:37.659 are not followers 00:36:37.659 --> 00:36:38.159 of Jesus. 00:36:38.299 --> 00:36:39.019 Maybe you've been 00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:41.119 religious your entire life. 00:36:41.699 --> 00:36:42.319 You got baptized 00:36:42.319 --> 00:36:43.139 as an infant. 00:36:43.139 --> 00:36:44.739 You were confirmed 00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:45.599 as a teenager. 00:36:46.139 --> 00:36:46.879 You've been going 00:36:46.879 --> 00:36:48.199 to church your whole life, 00:36:48.379 --> 00:36:49.379 but your whole life 00:36:49.379 --> 00:36:50.440 you've held onto 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.500 the reins of your life. 00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:52.980 You've maybe 00:36:52.980 --> 00:36:53.799 tried to negotiate 00:36:53.799 --> 00:36:54.379 with Jesus. 00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:55.259 You've tried to give him 00:36:55.259 --> 00:36:57.119 a share of your life. 00:36:58.420 --> 00:36:58.980 This morning, 00:36:59.079 --> 00:36:59.799 Jesus looks you 00:36:59.799 --> 00:37:00.179 in the eye 00:37:00.179 --> 00:37:00.599 and he says, 00:37:00.699 --> 00:37:02.039 you want to be saved? 00:37:02.940 --> 00:37:03.940 You want to encounter 00:37:03.940 --> 00:37:04.460 the gospel? 00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.359 You want to encounter 00:37:05.359 --> 00:37:06.779 my life transforming power? 00:37:07.659 --> 00:37:08.539 Hand over the keys. 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:10.980 Friends, 00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:11.460 this morning, 00:37:11.559 --> 00:37:12.099 will you hand over 00:37:12.099 --> 00:37:12.920 the keys of your life 00:37:12.920 --> 00:37:13.360 to Jesus? 00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:15.260 This morning, 00:37:15.320 --> 00:37:16.760 will you confess 00:37:16.760 --> 00:37:17.440 your sin? 00:37:18.400 --> 00:37:19.139 Will you come 00:37:19.139 --> 00:37:19.740 face to face 00:37:19.740 --> 00:37:20.340 with the cross 00:37:20.340 --> 00:37:21.260 that Jesus went 00:37:21.260 --> 00:37:22.139 to the cross for you 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:23.659 because your sin 00:37:23.659 --> 00:37:24.500 has separated him 00:37:24.500 --> 00:37:24.940 from him? 00:37:26.460 --> 00:37:27.200 Will you come 00:37:27.200 --> 00:37:27.820 and hand over 00:37:27.820 --> 00:37:28.740 all your excuses? 00:37:29.019 --> 00:37:30.039 Hand over your resume? 00:37:31.260 --> 00:37:32.340 Come empty-handed 00:37:32.340 --> 00:37:34.740 and come let Jesus 00:37:34.740 --> 00:37:35.599 flood you 00:37:35.599 --> 00:37:36.480 and change you. 00:37:37.240 --> 00:37:38.180 Come and let Jesus 00:37:38.180 --> 00:37:39.579 be King and Lord. 00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:39.659 Lord. 00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:39.740 Lord. 00:37:39.740 --> 00:37:39.760 Lord. 00:37:39.760 --> 00:37:39.800 Lord. 00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:39.860 Lord. 00:37:39.860 --> 00:37:39.880 Lord. 00:37:39.880 --> 00:37:41.639 Lord. 00:37:41.639 --> 00:37:43.359 This morning, 00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:43.980 come and do that. 00:37:44.039 --> 00:37:44.519 Why don't you 00:37:44.519 --> 00:37:45.480 in your own heart 00:37:45.480 --> 00:37:46.819 just pray a simple prayer 00:37:46.819 --> 00:37:47.079 and say, 00:37:47.179 --> 00:37:47.679 Lord Jesus, 00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:49.859 I believe that you are real. 00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:51.879 I believe that you want 00:37:51.879 --> 00:37:52.900 to forgive me of my sin. 00:37:53.940 --> 00:37:55.119 I let you be Lord 00:37:55.119 --> 00:37:55.719 of my life. 00:37:55.960 --> 00:37:56.799 Come and have your way. 00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:58.319 Can you pray that? 00:38:00.579 --> 00:38:01.940 Ask Jesus to be King. 00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:04.420 He'll change you. 00:38:05.379 --> 00:38:06.239 He won't just change 00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:07.500 the superficial facade. 00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:07.559 God. 00:38:08.139 --> 00:38:08.980 He'll change you 00:38:08.980 --> 00:38:09.980 from the inside out. 00:38:10.619 --> 00:38:11.340 He'll make you 00:38:11.340 --> 00:38:12.300 a brand new person. 00:38:13.280 --> 00:38:14.260 He'll change your life 00:38:14.260 --> 00:38:14.780 altogether. 00:38:19.000 --> 00:38:19.559 Lord Jesus, 00:38:19.619 --> 00:38:20.980 we pray for our church 00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:21.679 and Watermark Church 00:38:21.679 --> 00:38:22.280 that you will come 00:38:22.280 --> 00:38:22.960 and have your way. 00:38:23.699 --> 00:38:24.280 That you will come 00:38:24.280 --> 00:38:25.320 and not just 00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:26.699 as a facade, 00:38:26.820 --> 00:38:28.039 not just on the surface level. 00:38:28.639 --> 00:38:28.940 Christ, 00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:29.579 won't you come 00:38:29.579 --> 00:38:30.320 and be central? 00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:31.000 Won't you have 00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:32.860 the keys of the church 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:33.159 in a way? 00:38:33.219 --> 00:38:33.380 Lord, 00:38:33.380 --> 00:38:34.440 won't you come 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:35.639 and be Lord of our lives 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.719 and Lord of Watermark Church? 00:38:36.719 --> 00:38:37.679 In every area, 00:38:37.799 --> 00:38:38.399 in every way, 00:38:38.519 --> 00:38:38.799 Jesus, 00:38:38.959 --> 00:38:40.459 come and be Lord. 00:38:40.959 --> 00:38:41.839 We pray this 00:38:41.839 --> 00:38:42.480 in your great 00:38:42.480 --> 00:38:44.219 and your awesome name. 00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:45.399 Amen. 00:38:46.459 --> 00:38:46.939 Amen.