WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.800 So we're going to read two parts of chapter 13 from verse 24 to verse 30 and then verse 36 to 43. 00:00:15.220 --> 00:00:17.740 He put another parable before them saying, 00:00:18.480 --> 00:00:22.660 The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 00:00:23.320 --> 00:00:28.359 But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 00:00:28.359 --> 00:00:33.159 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 00:00:33.899 --> 00:00:36.980 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:42.920 Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds? 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:46.060 He said to them, An enemy has done this. 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:50.760 So the servants said to him, Then do you want us to go and gather them? 00:00:51.659 --> 00:00:56.359 But he said, No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat amongst them. 00:00:56.359 --> 00:01:02.500 Let both grow together until the harvest and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, 00:01:03.219 --> 00:01:06.539 Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned. 00:01:07.299 --> 00:01:09.260 But gather the wheat into my barn. 00:01:10.519 --> 00:01:11.319 Verse 36. 00:01:11.319 --> 00:01:17.539 Then he left the crowds and went into the house, and his disciples came to him saying, 00:01:18.479 --> 00:01:21.099 Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field. 00:01:21.979 --> 00:01:25.819 He answered, The one who sows the good seed is the son of man. 00:01:26.379 --> 00:01:30.019 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. 00:01:31.019 --> 00:01:35.199 The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. 00:01:36.199 --> 00:01:39.459 The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 00:01:39.459 --> 00:01:44.979 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 00:01:45.759 --> 00:01:50.619 The son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin 00:01:50.619 --> 00:01:54.280 and all lawbreakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. 00:01:55.299 --> 00:01:57.959 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:01:58.699 --> 00:02:01.839 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. 00:02:02.519 --> 00:02:04.339 He who has ears, let him hear. 00:02:04.339 --> 00:02:04.399 Amen. 00:02:04.399 --> 00:02:04.459 Amen. 00:02:09.460 --> 00:02:11.480 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:17.740 It really is a privilege to be up here and open the word with you all this morning. 00:02:18.340 --> 00:02:23.480 This is week two of our five-week series where we have some of the lay members of the congregation 00:02:23.480 --> 00:02:28.580 preaching through the various parables that Jesus was teaching us in Matthew. 00:02:28.580 --> 00:02:34.140 And we do enjoy a lot of really good teaching here, don't we? 00:02:34.180 --> 00:02:37.740 Good times in the word, and we have many capable teachers across our congregation. 00:02:38.980 --> 00:02:44.780 And it's really a blessing to spend time each week opening God's word together and considering it. 00:02:45.820 --> 00:02:49.480 A series like this is really quite helpful to have five different preachers, 00:02:49.479 --> 00:02:54.739 because we're looking at five distinct and different aspects of the one kingdom. 00:02:54.739 --> 00:03:00.000 As Jesus has told different parables to kind of turn the diamond in our hands 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:06.479 and shine the light in a different way and highlight a different aspect of this glorious kingdom that's coming to be. 00:03:08.819 --> 00:03:10.339 And these are key aspects. 00:03:10.739 --> 00:03:16.259 That's why Jesus gave us these parables and why Matthew so faithfully recorded them for us. 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:21.879 We enjoy that privilege position of being able to gather and look back, 00:03:22.959 --> 00:03:26.500 learn from our great Lord and just marvel at our God and creator. 00:03:30.079 --> 00:03:31.840 But life is still hard, isn't it? 00:03:33.500 --> 00:03:38.039 It seems we find ourselves having to struggle to hold to biblical values 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:42.419 against the current of society that's trying to get further and further away. 00:03:42.419 --> 00:03:49.439 Autonomy is now such a part of our society and an individual's rights 00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:54.699 that even the concept that we might live our lives by an external moral standard 00:03:54.699 --> 00:03:57.439 has become deeply offensive to people. 00:03:58.819 --> 00:04:00.899 And it's hard to see that changing any time soon. 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:06.359 If Jesus' resurrection really did triumphantly usher in a new kingdom, 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:11.960 how do we orient ourselves in a society turning away from his teachings? 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:16.220 Why do we feel the pain of friendship strained? 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:21.879 At the least the weight of those awkward silences, judgmental silences. 00:04:23.080 --> 00:04:26.720 And at the more extreme end, close family ties broken 00:04:26.720 --> 00:04:33.160 just for trying to negotiate with integrity, living who we are now in Christ. 00:04:33.160 --> 00:04:40.700 Well, this morning, we're going to see just how much our God cares for us, 00:04:41.100 --> 00:04:44.400 even as we await the perfection of his kingdom to be realised in full. 00:04:45.320 --> 00:04:46.920 We're now residents of that kingdom, 00:04:47.720 --> 00:04:50.580 living in aliens amongst the brokenness we see in this world, 00:04:51.960 --> 00:04:53.700 from morning to evening, day in, day out. 00:04:55.040 --> 00:04:58.340 So this week we're following on from Matt last week. 00:04:58.339 --> 00:05:03.179 It's important to remember, though, that this is a distinct parable. 00:05:04.060 --> 00:05:07.779 We're again using a farming story, a farming metaphor, 00:05:08.299 --> 00:05:10.419 to help us understand the kingdom in a tangible sense. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:13.299 But we need to be really careful this morning 00:05:13.299 --> 00:05:16.139 not to bring the four soils into the wheat paddy. 00:05:17.239 --> 00:05:19.419 Rather, this is a separate story 00:05:19.419 --> 00:05:22.399 with a separate aspect of the kingdom that we need to learn. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:25.879 It's going to be a particular challenge for us this week 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:30.899 because this parable of the wheat is only in the Gospel of Matthew, 00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:32.639 so it's a lot less familiar to us 00:05:32.639 --> 00:05:35.000 than some of the other parables that pop up 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:37.239 in multiple Gospels and different accounts. 00:05:39.339 --> 00:05:40.879 But like with the four soils, 00:05:41.599 --> 00:05:43.399 as we're looking at this aspect of the kingdom 00:05:43.399 --> 00:05:44.859 through a farming analogy, 00:05:45.639 --> 00:05:48.839 we're fortunate that when Jesus' fishermen and disciples 00:05:48.839 --> 00:05:52.319 confused came and sought him out in private later, 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:54.319 he explained it all again. 00:05:54.419 --> 00:05:56.079 So we've got not just the parable, 00:05:56.699 --> 00:05:59.799 but this detailed explanation to fishermen 00:05:59.799 --> 00:06:03.019 of what was going on with this agricultural parable. 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:04.979 And we're going to benefit immensely 00:06:04.979 --> 00:06:08.519 from having it spelt out in the second telling as well. 00:06:13.159 --> 00:06:16.019 So although there are dangers in misunderstanding parables, 00:06:16.019 --> 00:06:19.159 at their core parables are stories, 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:23.500 and stories are a very powerful way of communicating to us. 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:27.439 They teach us an understanding at a different level 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:28.579 to just a list of facts. 00:06:30.019 --> 00:06:31.359 If I were to ask you, 00:06:31.659 --> 00:06:33.079 what does it mean to be an Australian? 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:37.620 I doubt that you would proceed to rattle off the Constitution 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:40.719 or sing me a rousing rendition of the National Anthem. 00:06:41.740 --> 00:06:44.560 It's far more likely you would tell me the story of the Anzacs 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:46.319 or waltzing Matilda 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:50.139 or the latest exploits of one of our many national sporting teams. 00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:54.280 These stories just resonate in a different way 00:06:54.280 --> 00:06:56.100 to a list of facts. 00:06:56.959 --> 00:06:58.220 And so it is with parables. 00:06:59.840 --> 00:07:02.360 But as Matt helpfully highlighted for us last week, 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:03.759 we need to do the legwork 00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:06.879 to make sure we're understanding what Jesus intended for us. 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:09.019 And we're going to do that together this morning. 00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:13.039 So if you'd like to open up your Bible to Matthew 13, verse 24, 00:07:13.359 --> 00:07:18.839 you can follow along in the text as we walk through it. 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:21.379 And we'll start here with a clear identification 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:22.419 that it is a parable, 00:07:23.139 --> 00:07:26.120 and specifically it's a parable about the kingdom of heaven. 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:31.319 A man, who will later be identified to represent Jesus himself, 00:07:32.299 --> 00:07:33.719 sows good seed in the field. 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:38.160 Then an enemy deceptively sows weeds amongst the wheat that was planted. 00:07:40.520 --> 00:07:43.060 And already we've come across one of the traps of parables. 00:07:43.960 --> 00:07:47.160 There are lots of details included in a parable. 00:07:47.880 --> 00:07:49.620 Some of those are there to teach us, 00:07:50.260 --> 00:07:53.200 and some of the other details are just there to facilitate the story. 00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:56.260 I like to think of the movie The Lion King. 00:07:56.259 --> 00:08:00.719 It's the story of young Simba growing up in a pride of lions. 00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:04.519 He has an evil uncle, Scar, and a good father, Mufasa. 00:08:06.099 --> 00:08:07.560 Now if we think about the lionesses, 00:08:07.779 --> 00:08:13.000 there's his mum, his friend, Nala, and his friend's mum, 00:08:14.659 --> 00:08:18.500 and then, well, a lot of other ones. 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:20.560 They're integral to the story. 00:08:20.659 --> 00:08:22.579 You can't be a lion and have a pride of lions 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:23.819 without there being a lot of lionesses. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:27.959 But while they're in the key events of the story, 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.399 we don't even know their names. 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:35.419 They really don't add, and they kind of blur into the background. 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:41.679 Here, in this parable, the men being asleep 00:08:41.679 --> 00:08:47.519 while the devil sows the weeds is like the lionesses. 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:49.700 It's a key part of the story. 00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:50.939 It's important for it to function, 00:08:51.679 --> 00:08:53.179 but it's not the key teaching point. 00:08:53.820 --> 00:08:57.900 We can be confident that it's not the key teaching point 00:08:57.900 --> 00:09:01.000 because Jesus runs through the disciples explicitly, 00:09:01.520 --> 00:09:02.960 and this isn't what the parable is about. 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:08.480 What does unfold, though, seems to us really weird, doesn't it? 00:09:09.260 --> 00:09:12.900 Sowing a weed amongst the wheat just seems like a very odd thing to do. 00:09:13.640 --> 00:09:17.280 But it actually would have been quite identifiable and relatable 00:09:17.280 --> 00:09:18.900 for the audience at the time. 00:09:18.899 --> 00:09:22.019 In fact, under Roman law, 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:25.039 to sow a weed, this particular weed called Darnell, 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:29.039 among wheat of someone as an act of revenge, 00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:32.220 is actually a specific criminal crime 00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:33.879 with a code and punishment assigned. 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:39.179 Darnell itself is a plant that's related to wheat, 00:09:39.559 --> 00:09:43.079 and as it grows, it looks just like wheat 00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:47.200 until the head of the grain starts to form. 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:50.139 And if you look at verse 26, 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:52.379 when it's talking about produced grain, 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.820 that's really what it's talking about. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:55.900 It's when the head of the grain starts to form, 00:09:55.940 --> 00:09:58.780 you can tell that the wheat is different to the weeds. 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:02.259 The young wheat looks pretty much the same. 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:04.940 But now we can distinguish between the two, 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:07.060 and it becomes obvious to the helpers 00:10:07.060 --> 00:10:08.580 that there are weeds in this paddock 00:10:08.580 --> 00:10:10.520 that up to that point it just look like wheat. 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:15.460 Again, it's not a major thing. 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:18.040 It's just another detail that we need to understand 00:10:18.040 --> 00:10:20.100 to get the story to progress 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:22.100 without it being the point of the story. 00:10:24.780 --> 00:10:27.320 So the servants, who are identified as angels, 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:29.200 and when Jesus explains it in full, 00:10:30.160 --> 00:10:31.340 now see what's going on. 00:10:31.400 --> 00:10:33.200 There's wheat and weeds in this paddock. 00:10:34.060 --> 00:10:35.900 And they go to their master confused. 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:38.819 What are the weeds doing here? 00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:41.639 Surely this isn't looking like the kingdom 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:43.019 that Jesus has been talking about. 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:46.539 This isn't the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:50.259 as he taught his disciples to pray in chapter 6. 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:54.419 Weeds surely are contrary to God's good character. 00:10:56.319 --> 00:10:57.759 But once they raise the issue, 00:10:58.559 --> 00:11:01.000 you see, the situation is not a surprise to Jesus. 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:02.620 He's across it. 00:11:03.579 --> 00:11:04.659 He knows that the weeds are there 00:11:04.659 --> 00:11:05.559 and where they've come from. 00:11:06.439 --> 00:11:08.579 And he can answer all of their questions 00:11:08.579 --> 00:11:12.439 while affirming that indeed they're not true to his character, 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:13.259 they're not from him. 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:17.840 An enemy has planted the weeds amongst the good seed. 00:11:19.419 --> 00:11:21.919 Naturally, the angels want to sort it out right now. 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:22.899 Let's pull out the weeds. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:26.939 But no, Jesus is across it. 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:28.819 If that's what he wanted, 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.199 he would have had it done already. 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:33.360 He is in complete control of the situation. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:36.620 Notice the care for his church, 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:39.720 as he's not willing to risk uprooting the wheat 00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:41.539 in the process of removing the weeds. 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:45.100 Let both grow together, he declares in verse 30. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:48.000 Let both grow together until the harvest. 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:52.120 Jesus isn't going to let this abomination stand. 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:54.120 It will be addressed. 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:57.279 But not yet. 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:59.420 He's going to address it in such a way 00:11:59.420 --> 00:12:01.000 that is of no risk to his people. 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:04.559 To feel the full weight of the significance of these statements, 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:07.379 we need to consider where Jesus is in time 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:09.440 as he describes these events. 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:13.019 Jesus is teaching these parables 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:15.000 on the cusp of his kingdom being realised. 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:18.679 The book of Matthew is rapidly approaching 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:20.340 Jesus' death and resurrection. 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:22.700 But this is before. 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:24.019 This is a parable of prophecy. 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:26.860 It's describing the people, 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:28.720 and most particularly to his disciples, 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:31.559 how things are going to be. 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:35.019 And it's quite confronting for a Jewish audience 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:36.919 who are looking for a Messiah to come 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:38.419 and overturn the Romans, 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:40.539 restore the natural order of things 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:41.960 with the kingdom of Israel 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:43.759 being a kingdom here on earth 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:44.819 right then and there. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.559 Like the angels, 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:52.980 we're also confused by this description. 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:55.799 If Jesus' triumph is at the cross, 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:57.179 if his victory is displayed 00:12:57.179 --> 00:12:58.419 and sealed at the resurrection, 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:01.980 then surely we should be looking forward 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:03.379 to a world without tears 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.779 where every eye has been dried. 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.840 A world of peace 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:10.659 where man is free to serve God faithfully. 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:16.079 We're sitting the other side 00:13:16.079 --> 00:13:17.319 of the death and resurrection, aren't we? 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.179 Looking back, 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:21.399 we know that's not the world the disciples will see. 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.000 Indeed, 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.120 indeed, 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:24.959 under Jesus' kingship, 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:26.340 most of them will be executed 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:27.120 for following him, 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:29.259 following the risen king 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:31.879 in a world that is still in open rebellion. 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.840 And it's that same period of time 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:36.860 we find ourselves in. 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:39.019 Looking back, 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:40.360 our hope is secured 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:42.600 in the victory of the resurrection. 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:46.820 But the world is still not one of peace. 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:51.080 This is not all that we've been promised in Christ, 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:51.440 is it? 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:54.860 If we're honest, 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:57.060 the last few years have rattled 00:13:57.060 --> 00:14:00.000 much of our sense of security and prosperity, 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:03.000 even in a relatively sheltered 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:03.920 and protected Australia. 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:07.259 We don't even need to consider 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:08.299 world-scale events 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:10.019 like pandemics and wars 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:10.699 that have ravaged 00:14:10.699 --> 00:14:12.299 this perceived security 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:13.360 in the past couple of years. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:15.539 We feel the consequence 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:17.059 of living amongst the weeds 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:18.199 every day. 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:23.199 Weeds tend to grow really well. 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:23.979 That's one of the things 00:14:23.979 --> 00:14:24.719 that makes them weeds. 00:14:25.719 --> 00:14:27.240 And they grow particularly well 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.120 even when the plants 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:29.059 are finding it difficult. 00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:31.980 Perhaps lockdowns and uncertainty 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:33.300 have peeled back the veneer 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:34.940 that we paint over our life. 00:14:35.779 --> 00:14:37.340 And reality is jarring 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:38.320 once it's gone. 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:43.700 The effects of the corruption of sin 00:14:43.700 --> 00:14:45.779 mar each of our relationships. 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:49.440 The ultimate expression of this, 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.539 where we see it most clearly, 00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:51.879 is in death. 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:54.720 We've all felt 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:56.200 the deep unnaturalness 00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:57.759 of that permanent separation 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:59.600 that's an inherent part 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.519 of our lives, isn't it? 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:03.000 Indeed, it's the ultimate fate 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:03.620 of each of our 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:04.639 worldly relationships. 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:07.079 We're familiar 00:15:07.079 --> 00:15:08.039 with the pain of things 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:08.879 that we wish we said 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:09.980 while they were still here. 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:12.240 Or other things 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.000 that we did say 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.919 that we can now 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:14.659 never take back. 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:18.740 It hurts terribly. 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.419 This is not 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:22.919 a peaceful kingdom. 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.639 Our lives are not 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.579 a place of rest 00:15:26.579 --> 00:15:28.120 but of weariness. 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:33.179 Is this really 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:34.440 the kingdom to come 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:36.000 that Jesus was teaching 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.620 his disciples 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.240 and the crowds 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:38.120 to look forward to, 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.039 to aspire for? 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:42.759 No. 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:44.060 The story doesn't end 00:15:44.060 --> 00:15:44.480 with the wheat 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.240 and the weeds 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:46.379 intermingled in the field 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:46.860 indefinitely. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.919 Look at verse 30. 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.519 At harvest time, 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.539 I'll tell the reapers, 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:53.680 gather the weeds first 00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:55.080 and tie them in bundles 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:55.700 to burn them 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:57.120 but collect the wheat 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:57.759 in my barn. 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.140 That's the toned down 00:16:01.140 --> 00:16:02.020 version that the crowd got. 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:03.180 Let's look at verse 41 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:04.440 which is the detailed 00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:05.720 explanation for the disciples. 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.240 The Son of Man 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.440 will send out his angels 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:10.420 and they will gather 00:16:10.420 --> 00:16:11.080 from his kingdom 00:16:11.080 --> 00:16:12.259 all who cause sin 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.300 and those guilty 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:13.920 of lawlessness. 00:16:14.800 --> 00:16:15.460 That's the weeds. 00:16:16.520 --> 00:16:17.300 They will throw them 00:16:17.300 --> 00:16:18.480 into the blazing furnace 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:19.060 where there will be 00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:19.900 weeping and gnashing 00:16:19.900 --> 00:16:20.400 of teeth. 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:21.960 Then, 00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:23.500 the righteous 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.680 will shine like the sun 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.659 in their father's kingdom. 00:16:26.819 --> 00:16:28.139 Let anyone who has ears 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:28.839 listen. 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.459 It's a remarkably 00:16:32.459 --> 00:16:33.439 similar description 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:34.359 to that later used 00:16:34.359 --> 00:16:34.819 by Matthew 00:16:34.819 --> 00:16:36.099 of Jesus himself 00:16:36.099 --> 00:16:37.339 in the transfiguration. 00:16:38.239 --> 00:16:39.039 Chapter 17, 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:39.599 verse 2. 00:16:40.359 --> 00:16:41.279 He was transfigured 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:41.839 before them 00:16:41.839 --> 00:16:43.419 and his face 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.779 shone like the sun 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:46.259 and his clothes 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:47.279 became white as light. 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.859 It's an appearance 00:16:49.859 --> 00:16:50.659 that bears witness 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.679 to his status 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:53.319 and the father's approval. 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:55.320 verse 5. 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:57.340 This is my beloved son 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.200 with whom 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.340 I am well pleased. 00:17:00.040 --> 00:17:00.780 Listen to him. 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.140 In Christ, 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:03.840 we now share 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:05.080 this status as co-heirs. 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.920 In Christ, 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.059 we are 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.940 and will be 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.340 righteous. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:13.000 That is the punch 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.620 of this parable. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.820 There is more 00:17:15.820 --> 00:17:16.299 to come. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.720 It is a lofty reward 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.680 and we're to look forward 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.080 to it 00:17:20.080 --> 00:17:21.700 while we're in the field. 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:24.259 What is to come 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.680 is our frame of reference, 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.120 if you will. 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:28.080 We can endure 00:17:28.080 --> 00:17:29.140 the impact of the weeds 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.680 for now, 00:17:30.600 --> 00:17:31.860 safe in the confidence 00:17:31.860 --> 00:17:32.539 that their time 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:32.920 is limited. 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:34.420 They will answer 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:35.120 for their actions. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.059 More importantly, 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:39.180 we will be recognised 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:40.559 as who we now are, 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:43.000 righteous in Christ 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:45.460 and we'll enjoy 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.100 that righteousness 00:17:46.100 --> 00:17:46.700 with him. 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:50.920 We know 00:17:50.920 --> 00:17:51.620 that the weeds 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:52.140 endure now 00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:53.700 only for our own safety, 00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:55.380 that we would be damaged 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:56.519 if they were to be removed. 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.620 Behind the harshness 00:17:58.620 --> 00:17:59.279 that we endure 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:00.400 in this kingdom 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.299 that has come now 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.819 but is still not yet, 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:04.400 we know 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:05.460 that a deeper love 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.319 is being expressed 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:06.980 by a God 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.539 who is 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:09.620 absolutely righteous 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:11.319 and even more offended 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:11.880 than we are, 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:13.559 but his hand 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.120 is stayed 00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:15.680 for our ultimate good. 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:18.100 We will make it 00:18:18.100 --> 00:18:18.640 to the harvest 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.840 if we endure it in him. 00:18:22.080 --> 00:18:23.640 Once a crop is planted, 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.700 it's on a trajectory 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.799 to yield a harvest. 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:29.440 It's not a perennial plant 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:29.980 that will enjoy 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.700 the beauty of 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:32.000 year after year 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.620 after year. 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.640 It's not a fruit tree 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.420 that will return to 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:35.960 for nourishment 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.759 again and again. 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.279 A crop 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.799 is on a single track. 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.440 It will grow 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:42.460 for a short season. 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:44.420 It will produce a yield. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.799 It is not pretty 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:47.779 it is purposeful. 00:18:48.919 --> 00:18:49.879 It is terminal. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.700 And so we are called 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:53.359 to live a life 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:54.700 in face of this reality. 00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:56.779 To live in the kingdom now 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:58.639 but in anticipation 00:18:58.639 --> 00:19:00.319 of the fulfilment 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:00.819 of this kingdom 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:01.700 which is still to come. 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.079 We're not called 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:04.919 to believe in this 00:19:04.919 --> 00:19:05.899 with a blind faith 00:19:05.899 --> 00:19:07.639 but we are called 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.440 to have faith 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.619 in this truth 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:10.419 of the reality 00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:11.059 that we live in. 00:19:12.659 --> 00:19:13.759 Others cannot see it 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:15.599 but that doesn't 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:16.400 make it less true. 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.680 And some here this morning 00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:21.980 are not going to find 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.720 much comfort here. 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.599 Jesus taught 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:26.559 on hell frequently 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.400 and in this parable 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.319 we again 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.140 see no apology 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:30.000 for its reality. 00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:32.359 The matter of fact 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:32.819 fire 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.859 in the initial rendition 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:35.599 is further expanded 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.599 as being thrown 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:38.079 into a blazing furnace 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:39.200 where there will be 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.579 weeping 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.839 and gnashing of teeth. 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:44.119 These images 00:19:44.119 --> 00:19:45.599 piled upon images 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:47.379 to describe the horror 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:49.079 of the consequence 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:51.159 while at the same time 00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:52.339 assure of the reality 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.299 and the sufficiency 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.019 of justice. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:57.039 It will be realised 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:59.139 and it will 00:19:59.139 --> 00:20:00.779 fit the crime 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.379 absolutely. 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.339 There's no room left 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:05.839 for the audience 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:07.339 to take this current world 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.480 in our current situation 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:10.579 where the weeds 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.220 grow in the field 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:12.180 alongside the wheat 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.620 as in any way 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:14.180 an approval 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:15.640 or a dilution 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.720 of God's holy character. 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:18.759 In fact 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.339 the description 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:19.839 of the weeds 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:20.779 in verse 41 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:23.099 as a causer of sin 00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:24.360 or a lawbreaker 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:26.339 puts an emphasis 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:27.819 not just on the consequences 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:28.579 of failing 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.360 to accept Jesus 00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:30.360 as the Lord 00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:31.720 and King of this world 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.660 and indeed ourselves 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:35.059 but 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:36.380 the judgement 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:37.120 that's stored up 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.660 as they cause 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.440 others to sin 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:40.019 and tempt the wheat 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:41.040 away from their Lord 00:20:41.040 --> 00:20:41.519 in the field. 00:20:43.320 --> 00:20:44.420 John Piper once quipped 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:45.240 that in this world 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.060 only people 00:20:46.060 --> 00:20:46.720 will last forever. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.860 The importance 00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:49.400 of people 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.860 and the significance 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:51.840 of harming others 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:52.980 by tempting them 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.519 into sin 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.900 is met with this 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:55.880 really sombre 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:56.680 warning. 00:20:58.580 --> 00:20:59.620 The severity 00:20:59.620 --> 00:21:00.900 shows up 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.500 in the severity 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.080 of the judgement 00:21:02.080 --> 00:21:02.779 that fits with it. 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:06.500 but the severity 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.240 of this judgement 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:09.220 at the same time 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.200 amplifies love 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.099 showing to his people 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:13.139 not just their 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:14.019 hardships of the world 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.619 will be corrected 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:16.539 but he died 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:17.359 in their place 00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:18.599 so that they are 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.059 righteous 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:20.259 and spared 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:21.980 from this fate 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.599 in his name. 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:26.219 If you are here 00:21:26.219 --> 00:21:26.699 this morning 00:21:26.699 --> 00:21:27.500 and you're hearing 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:27.899 about this 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:28.459 without having 00:21:28.459 --> 00:21:29.199 accepted Jesus 00:21:29.199 --> 00:21:29.919 as your Lord 00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:30.480 and Saviour 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:32.139 you really do need 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:33.059 to consider why 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:35.339 the stakes 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:36.879 couldn't be higher 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:38.000 in a story 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.599 about wheat 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.519 and weeds 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.759 the division 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:42.179 couldn't be greater 00:21:42.179 --> 00:21:44.799 what grounds 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.459 do you have 00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:45.959 to disagree 00:21:45.959 --> 00:21:46.679 with this truth 00:21:46.679 --> 00:21:48.159 to turn away 00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:48.740 from life 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.219 while it is 00:21:49.219 --> 00:21:49.839 freely offered 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.259 to you. 00:21:53.179 --> 00:21:53.699 Many 00:21:53.699 --> 00:21:54.699 have wrestled 00:21:54.699 --> 00:21:55.459 and earnestly 00:21:55.459 --> 00:21:55.919 wrestled 00:21:55.919 --> 00:21:56.759 with how a good 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.659 God could be 00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.119 comfortable 00:21:58.119 --> 00:21:59.439 with this messed 00:21:59.439 --> 00:21:59.839 up world 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.439 that we live in. 00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:02.980 Many have stumbled 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.599 here convinced 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:04.279 that the nature 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.779 of this world 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.819 means that either 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:08.019 God isn't good 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.659 or he isn't 00:22:09.659 --> 00:22:10.319 powerful enough 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:10.799 to do anything 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.459 about it 00:22:11.459 --> 00:22:12.559 so it's not 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.059 worth following. 00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:16.639 Here we can see 00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:17.099 that Jesus 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:18.179 saw this problem 00:22:18.179 --> 00:22:18.579 coming 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:20.399 this parable 00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:21.019 is a loving 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.740 explanation 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.359 that God 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.799 is very concerned 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.220 with the mess 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.799 of his world 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:26.539 and he's very much 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.379 capable of sorting 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:28.119 out that mess 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:30.339 but there is a bigger 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.539 concern in play 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:33.859 his love 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:35.019 for his people 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:38.299 so he puts us 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:38.960 above his own 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.779 righteous prerogative 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.460 for justice 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.819 that all 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.519 who trust in him 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.439 will not be damaged 00:22:43.439 --> 00:22:44.659 when those 00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:45.659 who have rejected him 00:22:45.659 --> 00:22:46.379 and led others 00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:47.339 away from his ways 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:48.299 are thrown into 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:48.759 the fire. 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.519 The harvest 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.799 is coming. 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.079 Repent 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:55.859 and believe 00:22:55.859 --> 00:22:56.439 the good news 00:22:56.439 --> 00:22:57.179 while the door 00:22:57.179 --> 00:22:57.980 remains open 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.459 to you. 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.339 Of course 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:04.159 many of us 00:23:04.159 --> 00:23:04.939 here have put 00:23:04.939 --> 00:23:05.299 our faith 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:05.799 in Christ 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:07.139 and for us 00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:07.839 there is great 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.319 comfort 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.859 here and now 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:11.399 if only we 00:23:11.399 --> 00:23:11.939 would take it. 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:14.059 there is great 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.420 hope 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:15.120 and security 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:15.700 for the weak 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.980 loved 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.620 tended by Christ 00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:19.360 intended 00:23:19.360 --> 00:23:20.299 for his barn 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:23.380 but if we're honest 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.840 often what we really want 00:23:24.840 --> 00:23:26.440 is a more immediate 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.100 satisfaction. 00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:32.960 It is a relatively 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.960 easy choice 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.759 between the barn 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.640 and the fire. 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.640 We clearly want to be 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.140 in the barn 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:38.620 at the end 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:39.200 of all things. 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:41.180 we accept 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:41.779 Jesus as our 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.220 Lord 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:45.720 day to day. 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.600 If I were to ask you 00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:50.039 for three aspirations 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.799 for your future 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:52.779 we'd probably all 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.400 have fairly 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:54.440 similar answers 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.519 depending on our 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.200 stage of life. 00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:57.819 It might be 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:58.620 to finish school 00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:59.059 and move out 00:23:59.059 --> 00:23:59.559 from home. 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.900 It might be 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.660 to find a wife 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.140 or a husband 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.720 to have kids 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.460 to buy a comfortable 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:06.000 house 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:07.200 for our kids 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.779 to finish school 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.160 and move out 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.579 from home. 00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:09.839 We might want 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.379 to have a secure 00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:10.859 job 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.599 to achieve 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.019 recognition 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:12.720 in our profession 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.180 in one way 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.500 or another. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.819 We might want 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.180 to travel 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.799 to a particular 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.379 place 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:17.599 or experience 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.059 a particular 00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:18.519 event. 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.460 All are good 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:23.960 things 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:25.480 blessings from 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:25.779 our Lord 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.279 to be enjoyed 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.000 and even relished 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.539 in our freedom 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.119 in Christ. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.940 All are expressions 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.539 of who he has 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.139 made each one 00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:31.519 of us. 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.879 But if I asked 00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:34.319 that simple 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:34.759 question 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:36.160 how many 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.420 of us 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:36.900 would list 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:37.640 to be with 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:37.960 Jesus 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.579 in heaven? 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:40.940 If I'm honest 00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:41.379 I don't think 00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:41.799 that answer 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.099 would come 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.599 to mind 00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:43.460 in time 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:43.779 to make 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.319 my list 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:44.660 of three 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.359 life ambitions. 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.420 I believe 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:47.619 it. 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.299 I hope 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:49.720 for it. 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:51.900 But it 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.799 doesn't define 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:54.019 the way I see 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.440 the world 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:54.779 and the way 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.279 it ought to. 00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:57.779 We miss 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.240 the hope 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:59.000 that is ours 00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.579 in this fallen 00:24:59.579 --> 00:24:59.980 world 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:01.099 when we look 00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:01.640 to the world 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.440 to deliver us 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.140 the satisfaction 00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:03.800 and peace 00:25:03.800 --> 00:25:05.140 that will only 00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:05.840 come to us 00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:06.640 when we are 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.320 reunited in 00:25:07.320 --> 00:25:07.660 Christ. 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.200 Our problem 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.520 is our 00:25:11.520 --> 00:25:11.980 perspective. 00:25:13.300 --> 00:25:13.920 Our reality 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.680 is that in 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:15.160 our earthly 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:15.560 futures 00:25:15.560 --> 00:25:16.300 every good 00:25:16.300 --> 00:25:16.660 thing we 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:17.120 enjoy 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:17.720 and will 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.120 enjoy 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.780 and that 00:25:18.780 --> 00:25:19.040 we have 00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:19.300 to look 00:25:19.300 --> 00:25:19.880 forward to 00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:21.000 pale 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:22.280 when compared 00:25:22.280 --> 00:25:22.600 to our 00:25:22.600 --> 00:25:23.200 future home 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.920 in the 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.320 kingdom of 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:24.500 our 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:24.820 Father. 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:27.880 But we 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.580 tend to 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:28.860 look to 00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:29.340 bring every 00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:29.580 little 00:25:29.580 --> 00:25:29.980 pleasure 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.560 out of 00:25:30.560 --> 00:25:30.980 every little 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.360 thing 00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:32.780 far more 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.019 than we 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.460 look forward 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:33.619 in 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.259 anticipation 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.220 of reaching 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:35.700 our true 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.160 and intended 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:36.539 home. 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:38.899 And in 00:25:38.899 --> 00:25:39.299 doing so 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:39.539 every 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.039 disappointment 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.440 in this 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:40.759 life 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.859 is felt 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:43.099 way more 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.440 heavily 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.379 than it 00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:44.680 is on 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.039 the scale 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.539 of reality. 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.039 Living 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.799 our days 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.480 amongst 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:49.960 the weeds 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.519 is going 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:50.859 to be 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.200 difficult. 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:52.819 We should 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.319 expect 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:53.799 constant 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.359 disappointment. 00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:56.019 If this 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.359 is where 00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:56.839 our hope 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.139 is, 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.180 this life, 00:25:59.059 --> 00:25:59.579 we're always 00:25:59.579 --> 00:25:59.899 going to be 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:00.319 let down. 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:02.339 you can 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:02.740 see the 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.019 angels 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.439 immediate 00:26:03.439 --> 00:26:03.980 and almost 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.399 reflex 00:26:04.399 --> 00:26:04.939 reaction. 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.339 It's quite 00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:05.659 telling. 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:06.659 They just 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:06.980 want to get 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.379 rid of the 00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:07.679 weeds 00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:08.339 straight away 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.639 to fix 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.019 the problem 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.419 now. 00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:12.799 But Jesus 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.419 is explaining 00:26:13.419 --> 00:26:13.819 to his 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.259 disciples 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:14.619 and to 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:14.939 us. 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.279 He has 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.619 a better 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:17.179 plan, 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:18.500 a bigger 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:18.859 plan. 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:20.519 He uses 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.079 a parable. 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:21.939 We're not 00:26:21.939 --> 00:26:22.460 privy to all 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:22.960 the details, 00:26:23.679 --> 00:26:24.679 but we do 00:26:24.679 --> 00:26:25.099 know that he 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:25.579 is acting 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.359 here in 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:26.740 love for 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.079 us. 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.139 The 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:29.519 darnel 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.000 plants we 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.420 talked about 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.519 earlier grow 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.400 so closely to 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:32.940 the wheat that 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.720 their roots 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.319 intermingle. 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.000 To pull one 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.579 out is to 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.059 pull out the 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.259 wheat. 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.660 To remove 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.019 the weeds 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:44.039 now is too 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.779 high a price. 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.420 Living with 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:46.920 the weeds is 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.220 the better 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:47.740 option than 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.139 having them 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:48.579 torn out, 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.619 which would 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:50.720 inevitably hurt 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.200 many of his 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.519 people. 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.279 But there is 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:54.839 never a moment 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.519 of uncertainty 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:55.900 here. 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:57.900 The harvest 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.700 is coming. 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:01.559 Why do 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.059 we find it 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.639 so hard to 00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.000 live as 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.980 if this 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.379 were true? 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.519 Why do 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:06.879 we find 00:27:06.879 --> 00:27:07.519 ourselves 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.319 forgetting 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:08.879 this ultimate 00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:09.400 good so 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:09.900 quickly in 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:10.400 our day-to-day 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:10.859 lives? 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:13.920 Jesus 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.420 ends the 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.019 explanation to 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.500 the disciples 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:15.799 with a 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.160 familiar 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:16.599 refrain, 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.039 let anyone 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.400 who has 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.079 ears listen. 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.000 Ultimately, 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.259 our singular 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.859 main hope, 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:23.859 our central 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:24.420 joy in 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:24.680 life, 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.059 ought to 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.420 stem from 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.000 our status 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.700 that is 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:26.880 now 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.420 redefined 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:27.579 in 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:27.940 Christ. 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.380 We are 00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:30.319 wheat and 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:30.539 not 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:30.900 weeds. 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:32.299 Let 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:32.720 anyone who 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.059 has ears 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:33.480 listen. 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.059 But we're 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:37.519 really good 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:37.900 at forgetting 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:38.160 that. 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.660 We stop 00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.059 listening. 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:42.980 Or rather, 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.480 we allow 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.000 ourselves to 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.319 listen to 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:45.880 something else. 00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:48.359 Every day, 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.259 there's ads 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.839 splashed across 00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.559 our phones and 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:50.839 TV. 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.319 They lie to 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:52.599 us, 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.380 selling that 00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:53.980 true meaning, 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:54.880 deep 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.420 satisfaction, 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:56.580 is to be 00:27:56.580 --> 00:27:56.940 found in 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.160 a better 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:57.540 holiday, 00:27:58.360 --> 00:27:58.640 a new 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:58.960 gadget, 00:27:59.300 --> 00:27:59.640 or looking 00:27:59.640 --> 00:27:59.980 a certain 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.300 way. 00:28:02.040 --> 00:28:02.260 Our 00:28:02.260 --> 00:28:02.780 non-Christian, 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.440 and indeed 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:04.840 often our 00:28:04.840 --> 00:28:05.620 Christian friends 00:28:05.620 --> 00:28:06.160 and family, 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.320 sell their 00:28:07.320 --> 00:28:07.800 pursuit of 00:28:07.800 --> 00:28:08.360 happiness in 00:28:08.360 --> 00:28:08.920 these things. 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.100 They slash 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:10.440 it across 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.200 Instagram and 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:12.040 Facebook and 00:28:12.040 --> 00:28:12.540 discuss it 00:28:12.540 --> 00:28:12.860 around the 00:28:12.860 --> 00:28:13.300 lunch table 00:28:13.300 --> 00:28:13.820 at work. 00:28:15.320 --> 00:28:15.680 And over 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.020 time, we 00:28:16.020 --> 00:28:16.280 let our 00:28:16.280 --> 00:28:16.760 guard down. 00:28:17.560 --> 00:28:17.900 We buy 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.340 into it. 00:28:19.320 --> 00:28:19.960 Not all at 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.240 once. 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.340 Just a little 00:28:21.340 --> 00:28:21.720 bit here, 00:28:21.800 --> 00:28:22.180 a little bit 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:22.640 of that there. 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:26.340 Brothers and 00:28:26.340 --> 00:28:26.560 sisters, 00:28:26.560 --> 00:28:27.040 let's be 00:28:27.040 --> 00:28:27.720 true friends 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.060 to each 00:28:28.060 --> 00:28:28.260 other. 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.180 Constantly 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.640 reminding 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:31.120 each other, 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.340 praying for 00:28:32.340 --> 00:28:32.700 each other, 00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:33.800 pushing each 00:28:33.800 --> 00:28:34.160 other into 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.640 the word, 00:28:35.260 --> 00:28:35.900 to listen to 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.960 Christ and 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.480 remember the 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:37.840 truth. 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:40.360 This is not 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:40.960 our home. 00:28:42.280 --> 00:28:42.940 We have 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.540 something so 00:28:43.540 --> 00:28:44.020 much greater 00:28:44.020 --> 00:28:44.620 to look forward 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:44.860 to. 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.480 Moss and 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.180 rust cannot 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:47.980 hurt anything 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.360 that offers 00:28:48.360 --> 00:28:48.840 actual 00:28:48.840 --> 00:28:49.460 satisfaction. 00:28:51.020 --> 00:28:51.640 More than 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:52.000 this, our 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.640 loving Saviour 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:53.440 knows what is 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:54.640 our experience. 00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:56.380 He allows 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:56.960 it only 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:57.720 because it 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.120 is taking 00:28:58.120 --> 00:28:58.740 us directly 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.120 down the 00:28:59.120 --> 00:28:59.519 path to 00:28:59.519 --> 00:28:59.820 something 00:28:59.820 --> 00:29:00.220 greater. 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.180 Don't let 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.480 each other 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:03.100 forget where 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:03.400 we are 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:03.640 headed. 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.100 Don't 00:29:06.100 --> 00:29:07.840 replace that 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:08.900 ambition with 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.519 the desire for 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.180 lesser things. 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:13.019 Our hope is 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:13.559 our place in 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.759 the barn, and 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.200 our place in 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.600 the barn is 00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:16.120 locked in, 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:17.680 held secure 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.380 by Christ. 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:20.620 It is there 00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.019 that we will 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.680 enjoy peace and 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.100 righteousness, 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.160 forever. 00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:24.279 Thank you. 00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:24.320 Thank you. 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:24.340 Thank you.