WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.700 Go ahead and take a seat. 00:00:03.580 --> 00:00:09.839 Well, friends, our Bible passage tonight is Luke, chapter 13, verses 1 through 21. 00:00:10.339 --> 00:00:14.280 That's page 872 in the Pew Bible, if you want to follow along there. 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:20.219 Luke, chapter 13, verses 1 through 21, page 872. 00:00:25.600 --> 00:00:26.879 Let me read this for us. 00:00:30.899 --> 00:00:35.859 There were some present at that very time who told Jesus about the Galileans, 00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:39.280 whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 00:00:40.539 --> 00:00:41.700 And he answered them, 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:47.379 Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans 00:00:47.379 --> 00:00:48.840 because they suffered in this way? 00:00:49.780 --> 00:00:51.420 No, I tell you. 00:00:52.019 --> 00:00:56.079 But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 00:00:56.079 --> 00:01:01.759 Or those 18 on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them. 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:06.620 Do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:08.819 No, I tell you. 00:01:09.480 --> 00:01:13.500 But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:16.459 And he told this parable. 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:20.340 A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:24.379 and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:26.780 And he said to the vinedresser, 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:30.400 Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, 00:01:30.539 --> 00:01:31.359 and I find none. 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:32.920 Cut it down. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:35.159 Why should it use up the ground? 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:37.700 And he answered him, 00:01:38.700 --> 00:01:41.560 Sir, let it alone this year also, 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:44.899 until I dig around it and put manure on it. 00:01:45.819 --> 00:01:48.959 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good. 00:01:49.899 --> 00:01:52.560 But if not, you can cut it down. 00:01:54.879 --> 00:01:58.039 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:03.340 And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for 18 years. 00:02:03.340 --> 00:02:06.640 She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 00:02:07.659 --> 00:02:10.099 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, 00:02:10.140 --> 00:02:12.659 Woman, you are freed from your disability. 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:16.599 And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:17.939 She glorified God. 00:02:19.340 --> 00:02:24.099 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, 00:02:24.340 --> 00:02:25.159 said to the people, 00:02:25.920 --> 00:02:28.300 There are six days in which work ought to be done. 00:02:29.020 --> 00:02:31.020 Come on those days and be healed, 00:02:31.480 --> 00:02:32.960 and not on the Sabbath day. 00:02:34.340 --> 00:02:35.740 Then the Lord answered him, 00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:38.020 You hypocrites! 00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:41.000 Does not each of you on the Sabbath 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:43.759 untie his ox or his donkey from the manger 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:45.840 and lead it away to water it? 00:02:46.740 --> 00:02:48.420 And ought not this woman, 00:02:48.780 --> 00:02:50.060 a daughter of Abraham, 00:02:50.319 --> 00:02:52.480 whom Satan bound for 18 years, 00:02:52.640 --> 00:02:56.120 be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? 00:02:56.120 --> 00:02:59.520 As he said these things, 00:02:59.819 --> 00:03:02.439 all his adversaries were put to shame, 00:03:02.780 --> 00:03:08.020 and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:10.500 He said, 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:11.000 He said, 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:13.479 What is the kingdom of God like? 00:03:14.599 --> 00:03:16.479 And to what shall I compare it? 00:03:17.479 --> 00:03:23.520 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:26.319 and it grew and became a tree, 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:29.819 and the birds of the air made nests in its branches. 00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:32.560 And again he said, 00:03:32.919 --> 00:03:35.000 To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 00:03:36.139 --> 00:03:40.680 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:43.719 until it was all leavened. 00:03:43.719 --> 00:03:45.960 Let's pray together. 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:52.699 Oh Lord, as we have sung just now, 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:55.079 here is our heart. 00:03:56.460 --> 00:03:57.400 Speak what is true. 00:03:59.620 --> 00:04:01.099 Lord, that's what we ask tonight, 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:02.300 that you would indeed speak, 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:04.659 and that our hearts would be open 00:04:04.659 --> 00:04:07.419 to hear what you're saying, 00:04:07.479 --> 00:04:09.479 and that we would be able to say in response, 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:11.500 Take my life. 00:04:11.500 --> 00:04:14.539 Father, we ask this in Jesus' name. 00:04:14.919 --> 00:04:15.180 Amen. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:19.660 So in our time together tonight, 00:04:19.860 --> 00:04:21.879 I want us to consider 00:04:21.879 --> 00:04:25.399 Jesus' call to repentance. 00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:29.540 We see it there in verse 3 and verse 5, right? 00:04:30.379 --> 00:04:31.379 But it's actually, 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:32.519 this call to repentance, 00:04:32.660 --> 00:04:34.879 it's actually a constant theme throughout 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:36.519 Jesus' ministry. 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:38.639 In fact, according to Matthew and Mark, 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:40.000 the other two synoptic gospels, 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:42.199 this is how Jesus sums up his preaching and teaching. 00:04:42.339 --> 00:04:43.079 This is his message. 00:04:43.180 --> 00:04:44.019 In Mark, Jesus says, 00:04:44.360 --> 00:04:45.120 the time is fulfilled, 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:46.720 the kingdom of God is at hand, 00:04:47.180 --> 00:04:48.939 repent and believe the gospel. 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:49.980 That's Mark 1 15. 00:04:50.839 --> 00:04:51.560 And in Matthew, 00:04:51.879 --> 00:04:53.259 it's even more concise, 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:54.139 even more to the point. 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:55.660 Repent, Jesus says, 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:57.339 for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:04:57.899 --> 00:04:59.160 That's Matthew 4 17. 00:05:00.680 --> 00:05:02.500 And even here in Luke's gospel too, 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:03.459 we see that repentance 00:05:03.459 --> 00:05:06.259 is a part of the core of Jesus' message. 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:07.659 If you go to the end of the gospel, 00:05:07.899 --> 00:05:09.199 after his resurrection, 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:11.060 Jesus commissions his disciples 00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:12.659 to spread the good news 00:05:12.659 --> 00:05:13.860 of his saving death and resurrection. 00:05:14.439 --> 00:05:16.899 And that good news entails, 00:05:17.259 --> 00:05:17.920 Jesus says, 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:20.680 repentance and the forgiveness of sins. 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:22.060 That's Luke 24 47. 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:23.560 So clearly, 00:05:23.779 --> 00:05:26.819 if we're going to understand Jesus, 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:29.019 and if we're going to understand 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:30.159 what it means to follow Jesus, 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:32.379 we have to understand this thing 00:05:32.379 --> 00:05:34.659 called repentance. 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:38.100 So I want to spend some time tonight 00:05:38.100 --> 00:05:40.139 zeroing in on this core aspect 00:05:40.139 --> 00:05:41.259 of Jesus's message. 00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:43.459 We'll think about what repentance is, 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:45.019 and then we'll look at 00:05:45.019 --> 00:05:46.579 some motivations for repentance, 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:47.740 why we should repent 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:48.959 that we find here in Luke 13. 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:50.019 And then finally, 00:05:50.019 --> 00:05:52.300 we'll talk about how we can actually do it, 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:53.480 how we can actually repent. 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:55.040 So that's sort of where we're going tonight. 00:05:56.560 --> 00:05:57.519 First, let's think about 00:05:57.519 --> 00:05:59.540 what repentance is. 00:06:00.019 --> 00:06:01.159 What does Jesus mean 00:06:01.160 --> 00:06:02.800 when he says that we must repent? 00:06:05.220 --> 00:06:08.120 You know, it's not all that obvious today 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:10.060 what Jesus means, I think. 00:06:10.840 --> 00:06:12.580 In fact, I think a lot of people, 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:14.740 when they hear the word repent or repentance, 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:19.000 basically think that what Jesus is calling for 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:22.460 is for us to just clean up our act morally. 00:06:23.460 --> 00:06:23.860 Right? 00:06:25.200 --> 00:06:26.420 You're doing wrong things. 00:06:26.480 --> 00:06:28.040 You need to start doing right things. 00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:29.540 You're living an irreligious life. 00:06:29.540 --> 00:06:31.720 You need to start living a religious life. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:34.900 That's what we think repentance means. 00:06:36.760 --> 00:06:38.640 But, you see, 00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:40.520 just cleaning up your act morally 00:06:40.520 --> 00:06:44.460 is not actually what Jesus or the Bible means 00:06:44.460 --> 00:06:46.240 by this word repentance. 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:50.960 Repentance, the kind of repentance 00:06:50.960 --> 00:06:51.800 that Jesus is talking about here 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:54.920 is not primarily about your external actions. 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:58.759 biblical repentance has more to do 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:00.640 with our hearts, you see. 00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:04.040 It's a change of heart 00:07:04.040 --> 00:07:06.740 that then leads to a change of life. 00:07:06.960 --> 00:07:08.439 Yes, but first and foremost, 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:10.660 it's about a reorientation 00:07:10.660 --> 00:07:12.020 of the heart. 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:13.560 You know, when the Old Testament prophets 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:14.560 spoke of repentance, 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:18.220 they used a very simple and common Hebrew word, 00:07:18.220 --> 00:07:20.660 a word that just meant turn 00:07:20.660 --> 00:07:23.280 or even return. 00:07:25.280 --> 00:07:27.600 The people had been chasing false gods. 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:29.700 They had been loving things 00:07:29.700 --> 00:07:31.240 that weren't gods at all. 00:07:31.960 --> 00:07:34.840 They had replaced the one true God in their life. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:39.199 And God, through the prophets, 00:07:39.619 --> 00:07:41.479 called his people to come home, 00:07:41.779 --> 00:07:44.179 to return to him with all their heart. 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:46.959 That was repentance for the prophets, 00:07:47.159 --> 00:07:48.739 to turn, to return. 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:51.000 And in the New Testament, 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:53.079 the word for repentance means something like 00:07:53.079 --> 00:07:54.639 a change of mind 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:56.339 or a change of heart. 00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:58.759 It's this inner redirection, 00:07:58.859 --> 00:08:00.739 a re-centering almost. 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:04.840 And that's why Jesus, 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:07.259 in verse 1 through 5 of our text tonight, 00:08:07.400 --> 00:08:12.019 says that everyone needs to repent. 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:17.040 Now, that message would have shocked 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:18.600 Jesus' original audience 00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:20.660 as much as it shocks you and me today. 00:08:22.420 --> 00:08:23.340 Here in our text, 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:24.960 people come to Jesus telling him 00:08:24.960 --> 00:08:26.560 about a tragedy that's happened. 00:08:27.100 --> 00:08:29.340 Pilate, the Roman ruler in Judea, 00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:31.299 has had some Jews from Galilee 00:08:31.299 --> 00:08:32.299 killed, apparently, 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:33.879 in the temple in Jerusalem 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:35.620 while they were offering sacrifices. 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:36.240 That's what it means 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:37.759 that he mingled their blood 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:38.740 with their sacrifices. 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:39.620 They were worshiping. 00:08:39.839 --> 00:08:40.939 He had them cut down 00:08:40.939 --> 00:08:42.459 in the middle of the act of worship. 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:48.199 And the people come to Jesus wondering, 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:51.439 Jesus, did God allow that to happen to them 00:08:51.439 --> 00:08:53.799 because they were especially bad sinners? 00:08:55.079 --> 00:08:56.659 Was that some sort of form 00:08:56.659 --> 00:08:58.679 of divine retribution against them? 00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:01.840 And what does Jesus say? 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:03.300 No. 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:06.820 You cannot draw a straight line 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:09.360 between tragedy and personal sin like that. 00:09:09.420 --> 00:09:11.000 That's not how the world works. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:12.480 In fact, he says, 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:14.639 they weren't any worse than anyone else. 00:09:16.920 --> 00:09:17.879 But then, 00:09:18.420 --> 00:09:22.340 Jesus draws almost the opposite lesson from this 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:23.340 than we would expect. 00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:26.019 Instead of saying, 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:27.480 that was a tragedy, 00:09:28.280 --> 00:09:29.480 it's sad, 00:09:29.540 --> 00:09:30.160 it's something to mourn, 00:09:30.220 --> 00:09:30.639 but you know, 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:33.220 sometimes bad things happen to good people 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:35.220 and we just have to soldier on. 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:39.280 Isn't that how you and I often respond to tragedy? 00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:42.899 How does Jesus respond? 00:09:43.560 --> 00:09:46.360 What lesson does he pull out of this? 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:48.620 Jesus says, 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:49.259 no, you see, 00:09:49.820 --> 00:09:50.899 we're all bad 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:52.919 and we all need to repent. 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:56.820 Now note, 00:09:57.940 --> 00:09:59.700 Jesus is saying this 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:03.000 not in a room full of tax collectors 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:04.120 and sinners. 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:05.799 He's not saying this 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:06.379 in a crowd 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:07.480 of sort of what we would think 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:08.860 is obviously bad people. 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:11.639 He's talking to a group of 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:12.379 good, 00:10:12.580 --> 00:10:14.200 Bible-believing Jews. 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:16.399 In today's term, 00:10:16.460 --> 00:10:17.259 he's talking to a bunch of 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:18.000 church-attending, 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:19.019 basically good, 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:19.840 moral people. 00:10:22.060 --> 00:10:22.700 And he says, 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:23.500 you need to repent. 00:10:27.220 --> 00:10:28.419 And doesn't that tell us 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:29.080 that repentance 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:31.139 is about something deeper 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:33.340 than our external actions? 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:36.000 Even good people, 00:10:36.560 --> 00:10:37.340 according to Jesus, 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:38.659 need to repent. 00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:41.840 Why? 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:47.860 Because even good people 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:50.320 can have their hearts, 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:51.440 their lives, 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:53.279 centered on something 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:55.019 other than God, 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:55.399 you see. 00:10:56.919 --> 00:10:59.000 It's entirely possible 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:01.100 to live a self-centered life 00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:02.000 and be very moral, 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:02.419 good, 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:03.340 and even religious 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:04.180 on the outside. 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:07.399 Imagine two buildings. 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:09.280 One building 00:11:09.280 --> 00:11:11.180 is very poorly constructed. 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.100 It's just sticks 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:12.720 and rocks 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:13.940 kind of just patched together. 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:14.740 The whole thing 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:15.480 looks really shaky 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.360 and about to fall down. 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:19.100 And here's this other building 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:20.920 that's beautiful. 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:22.040 It's made of brick 00:11:22.040 --> 00:11:22.980 and columns 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:23.820 and it's solid 00:11:23.820 --> 00:11:25.060 and it's not going anywhere. 00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:27.379 Very different buildings 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:28.100 on the outside. 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:30.500 But then look down 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.159 at the foundation 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:32.120 of those two buildings 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:34.000 and you notice 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.279 that both are built 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:36.379 on nothing 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:37.840 but a pile of sand. 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:40.240 The pile of sticks 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:42.180 and the stately brick 00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:43.120 colonial home. 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:46.040 Both resting on something 00:11:46.040 --> 00:11:47.720 that's just going 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:48.600 to wash away. 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:52.440 And you see, 00:11:52.660 --> 00:11:52.840 friends, 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:53.759 it's the same 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:55.379 with our lives. 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:57.120 someone can have 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.419 a really good looking life 00:11:58.419 --> 00:11:59.080 on the surface 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:01.500 but if the foundation, 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:02.539 if the center 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.799 of that life, 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:04.740 what drives it, 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:05.799 what motivates it 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:07.000 is still just 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:07.960 self 00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:09.740 or anything 00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:10.720 other than God, 00:12:11.720 --> 00:12:14.120 then it's not really 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:14.779 any better 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:16.019 in the long run 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:18.360 than that pile of sticks, 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:18.980 is it? 00:12:18.980 --> 00:12:21.200 It's all going 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:22.560 to come crashing down 00:12:22.560 --> 00:12:23.820 and wash away. 00:12:26.300 --> 00:12:28.039 And so this call 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:28.820 to repentance 00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:30.320 that Jesus issues 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:32.360 is not, you see, 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:34.200 necessarily a call 00:12:34.200 --> 00:12:35.220 to start doing 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:36.379 more good works 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:39.039 but to put your life 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:41.460 on a whole new foundation. 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:44.620 To center your life 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:46.300 no longer on yourself, 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:48.560 no longer on your own reputation 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:50.019 or your own good works 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:51.619 but to center your life 00:12:51.619 --> 00:12:52.859 solely on God 00:12:52.859 --> 00:12:54.379 and on His Son, 00:12:54.479 --> 00:12:55.199 Jesus Christ. 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:57.939 In other words, 00:12:57.959 --> 00:12:58.339 it's a call 00:12:58.339 --> 00:12:59.179 to stop trying 00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:00.179 to run your life 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:01.239 your own way, 00:13:01.739 --> 00:13:02.879 to turn around 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:04.039 and to entrust 00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:04.839 your life to God, 00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:05.559 to surrender 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:06.259 to Him 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:07.699 and to His Word. 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.719 That's what repentance is, 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:12.779 a change of heart, 00:13:12.839 --> 00:13:13.719 a change of allegiance, 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:15.319 no longer being 00:13:15.319 --> 00:13:15.839 your own king 00:13:15.839 --> 00:13:16.519 but letting God 00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:17.500 be the king of your life. 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:21.000 And now why? 00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:22.239 Why ought we do this? 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:23.939 Well, here's where we get 00:13:23.939 --> 00:13:24.779 into our text tonight. 00:13:25.219 --> 00:13:26.359 We see two reasons. 00:13:26.459 --> 00:13:27.899 The passage before us tonight 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:28.679 has two halves, 00:13:29.079 --> 00:13:29.959 verses 1-9 00:13:29.959 --> 00:13:31.319 and then verses 10-21. 00:13:32.059 --> 00:13:33.379 And this first half 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:34.419 clearly teaches us 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:35.739 that we ought to repent, 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:36.899 we ought to hand our lives 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:38.039 over to God 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:41.099 because danger is coming. 00:13:43.959 --> 00:13:46.219 Repent because danger is coming. 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:47.820 Jesus says it quite clearly. 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:50.180 Unless you repent, 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:53.019 you will all likewise perish. 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:55.899 Jesus is saying 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.720 that one day 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.740 God will judge the world 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:01.160 with perfect justice, 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:01.580 you see. 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:04.820 And on the one hand, 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:05.660 deep in our hearts, 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.800 part of us thinks 00:14:06.800 --> 00:14:08.360 that that's really good news, 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:08.800 right? 00:14:09.800 --> 00:14:10.500 After all, 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.240 there's so much evil 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:11.779 and suffering 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.899 and wrong in the world 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:15.399 and God's coming judgment 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:16.159 tells us that God 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:17.259 is not going to let 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.459 those things continue forever. 00:14:18.579 --> 00:14:19.279 He's not going to let 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.319 evil and wrong 00:14:20.319 --> 00:14:21.419 and oppression 00:14:21.419 --> 00:14:22.059 and injustice 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:22.639 and murder 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:23.240 and hatred 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:24.539 and sex trafficking 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:25.319 and all the things 00:14:25.319 --> 00:14:26.159 that aren't right in the world. 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.259 He's not going to let 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:27.899 that continue. 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:29.759 He's going to put it to an end. 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.980 He's going to judge the world 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:32.779 in perfect justice 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:33.939 and restore things 00:14:33.939 --> 00:14:35.240 the way they were supposed to be. 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:38.820 And yet, 00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:40.360 that perfect justice 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:41.860 that God is going to bring 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:43.000 will be cast over 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:45.320 every part of God's creation, 00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:45.759 you see. 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:49.659 Nothing will be left unturned. 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.840 And that means 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:55.360 every human heart as well. 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:57.460 You and me 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:58.799 and everyone. 00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:00.580 We will all stand 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:01.240 before the God 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:02.139 who created us 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:04.340 and we will all give an account 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:05.660 for the life that we've lived. 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:11.540 And then Jesus gives us a picture 00:15:11.540 --> 00:15:13.240 to help us grasp 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:15.040 the reality of what he's saying. 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.580 Imagine, Jesus says, 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.860 a man who owns a vineyard 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:20.259 and in the vineyard 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:20.980 is a fig tree 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.879 and he rightfully comes 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.680 looking for fruit. 00:15:24.680 --> 00:15:25.980 Which is to say, of course, 00:15:26.040 --> 00:15:27.280 God has the right to come 00:15:27.280 --> 00:15:29.019 and require something of us 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:29.940 and call for an account. 00:15:30.060 --> 00:15:30.560 After all, 00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:32.639 everything has been created by him. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.900 Every breath we take 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:34.559 is given by him. 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.559 Every talent we have, 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.480 every moment we have 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.319 is a gift from him. 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:38.039 It's all his. 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:39.819 We're totally dependent on him. 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.539 And yet, 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:44.720 when the owner comes 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.639 and looks at the tree, 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:48.480 he finds no fruit. 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:51.579 He finds nothing 00:15:51.579 --> 00:15:52.819 that bears the mark 00:15:52.819 --> 00:15:54.759 of loving submission to him 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:56.659 as ruler, as king. 00:15:56.659 --> 00:16:00.719 And immediately, 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.719 what do our hearts say 00:16:01.719 --> 00:16:02.620 when we're confronted 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:03.500 with this reality 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:05.000 of giving an account to God? 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:06.459 But wait, 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:08.519 I've tried my best 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.620 to be a really good person. 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.339 I'm actually not that bad. 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:11.899 Trust me. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:13.839 Immediately, 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.679 our hearts want to 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:15.799 justify ourselves, right? 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:17.439 We come up with 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:19.079 all the reasons why 00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:20.939 we weren't perhaps 00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:21.879 as loving or faithful 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.339 or true 00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:23.039 as we know 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:24.139 we maybe should have been. 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:25.039 But you know, Lord, 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:25.919 there were all these 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.299 extenuating circumstances. 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:28.720 I was having a really bad day 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.539 or a really bad month 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:30.419 or a really bad year. 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:34.819 We recoil at the fact 00:16:34.819 --> 00:16:36.559 and try to justify ourselves. 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:37.100 And yet, 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:40.620 doesn't the fact 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:42.220 that we so quickly 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.600 and so instinctively 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:45.340 try to justify ourselves, 00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:48.539 doesn't that in itself 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:50.220 tell us that we know 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:51.240 we're not the way 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.059 we should be? 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.159 We know we haven't 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:57.080 let God be God 00:16:57.080 --> 00:16:57.480 and put Him 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:58.659 at the center of our lives. 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.580 We know that we've tried 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.399 to be our own king 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.419 and try to run our lives 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:04.099 our own way. 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.299 And you know, 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.000 some of us trying 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.660 to run our lives 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:07.039 our own way 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:07.500 have made a wreck 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.139 of our lives. 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:09.139 And other people 00:17:09.139 --> 00:17:09.920 trying to run their lives 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:10.220 their own way 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:10.819 have actually made 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.900 something of their lives. 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:13.440 But Jesus is saying here 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.139 at the end of the day, 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:15.000 it's a house built 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.799 on the sands 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.859 that will fall. 00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:17.879 At the end of the day, 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.920 it's a barren tree 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.960 with no fruit. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.240 Cut it down, 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:21.879 says the owner. 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:24.160 Cut it down. 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:27.180 Why should it use up 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:28.040 the ground? 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:34.840 Then another character 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:36.520 enters the story. 00:17:37.800 --> 00:17:38.980 A vine dresser. 00:17:40.320 --> 00:17:41.240 A gardener. 00:17:41.520 --> 00:17:41.920 A worker. 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:44.860 Let's give it one more year, 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.360 he says. 00:17:46.100 --> 00:17:47.440 Let's loosen the soil 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.160 around the roots 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:48.800 so the water 00:17:48.800 --> 00:17:49.740 can get down into it. 00:17:49.760 --> 00:17:50.700 Let's put some fertilizer 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.279 down there. 00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:53.440 Let's give it one more year. 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.940 Jesus is saying 00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:58.940 to his fellow Israelites 00:17:58.940 --> 00:18:00.200 here in this moment 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:00.600 in history, 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.259 this is it. 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.039 God's sending you 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.240 one more chance 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.039 to repent. 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.140 And friends, 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:08.920 he's saying the same thing 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:09.400 to us. 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:11.200 Here it is. 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:12.420 God's extending you 00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:13.880 a season of mercy 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:18.019 so that you can stop 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.279 seeking your own agenda 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.440 and your own kingdom 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:22.700 and you can hand yourself 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.519 over to God's own agenda 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:25.339 and his lordship 00:18:25.339 --> 00:18:26.039 and his kingdom. 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:30.339 But we will not have forever, 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:30.839 you see. 00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:34.859 God's perfect justice 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.519 will come 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:37.779 and we will give an account 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.339 to God. 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.220 And friends, 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.139 if we have refused 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:43.480 to surrender our lives 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.019 to God, 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.660 then that day of reckoning 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:47.539 will mean danger for us. 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.039 God's purpose, 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:49.200 cut it down. 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:51.899 Why should it use up the ground? 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.759 And brothers and sisters, 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.159 friends, 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:58.480 obviously this is a warning 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.319 for all of us. 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.539 Is it not? 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:03.180 In love, 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:05.220 Jesus is saying to us 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:05.879 through this passage, 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.899 unless you repent, 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.519 you will all likewise perish. 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.799 It doesn't matter 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:12.299 how long you've attended church. 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.319 It doesn't matter 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.539 how kind or moral 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.279 or compassionate 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:16.200 you try to be. 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:17.080 It doesn't matter 00:19:17.080 --> 00:19:18.059 how much intellectually 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:19.860 you know about Christianity 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:20.680 or theology. 00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:21.860 What is the condition? 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.380 Jesus says, 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.380 unless you repent, 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:24.680 you will perish. 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.279 Unless you admit 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:29.059 that your heart 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:29.640 and your life 00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:30.279 has been centered 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.819 on something other than God 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:33.440 and you turn 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:34.460 and entrust yourself 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:35.519 to him and to his son. 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:42.480 that's the first reason. 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:44.039 Repent because 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.500 danger is coming 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.740 for those who do not. 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.240 But there's another reason 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.180 in our passage tonight 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.139 why we ought to repent. 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:55.279 Not only because danger is coming, 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.420 but 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:59.180 because deliverance 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.519 is here. 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:03.460 in verses 10 through 17 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.839 we read 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:06.200 of another healing 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:07.420 that Jesus performs 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:08.000 on the Sabbath. 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.599 We've seen a few of these 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.660 in the Gospel of Luke. 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.339 Here is a woman 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.139 bent over, 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:14.680 unable to stand up straight 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.559 and it's been that way 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.779 for 18 years 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:18.660 afflicted by a disabling spirit. 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:22.599 But with a single word 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.220 from Jesus 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:23.980 immediately 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:25.079 she's made straight. 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.940 Do you see the power 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:28.579 of Jesus here? 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:30.799 There's no struggle. 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.699 There's no back and forth. 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:35.099 What's held this woman bound 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:37.119 for 18 years of her life, 00:20:37.179 --> 00:20:38.619 almost two decades, 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:39.779 is done away with 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.679 in a moment 00:20:40.679 --> 00:20:41.299 because Jesus 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:42.919 is that powerful 00:20:42.919 --> 00:20:43.639 because he has 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:44.879 that kind of command 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:45.619 and control 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.599 over the world, 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:46.899 friends, 00:20:46.919 --> 00:20:47.539 that he made. 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:52.220 And like so many 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:53.279 of Jesus' other miracles 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.859 on the Sabbath, 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.419 this one too 00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:57.539 ignites in controversy. 00:20:58.579 --> 00:21:00.279 Now, of course, 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:01.599 there's no law 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.740 in the Old Testament 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.819 forbidding someone 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:05.199 to heal on the Sabbath. 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.399 But what happened was 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:08.379 is that some later 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:09.299 Jewish traditions 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:11.059 started gathering up 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.859 and they started 00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:12.899 to view healing 00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:14.279 as a form of work. 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:15.519 And so, 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.919 unless it was something 00:21:16.919 --> 00:21:17.480 really, really 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.279 life-threatening, 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.819 healing was prohibited 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:20.480 on the Sabbath. 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:22.559 Come back another day. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:27.119 And how does Jesus respond? 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:29.000 Comes right out 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.519 and says, 00:21:30.159 --> 00:21:31.639 you hypocrites. 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:34.079 And then he does 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:35.099 this little play on words. 00:21:35.179 --> 00:21:35.539 He says, 00:21:35.899 --> 00:21:36.740 you'll loose 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.839 your ox or your donkey 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.419 and give it water 00:21:38.419 --> 00:21:38.919 on the Sabbath, 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:40.240 but you won't loose 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.919 this woman 00:21:40.919 --> 00:21:41.980 from Satan's affliction 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:42.559 on the Sabbath? 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:44.139 You see, 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.039 loose and untie 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:45.980 are the same word 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.919 in these verses. 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.359 You'll release an animal, 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.240 but you won't release 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:51.339 a daughter of Abraham, 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.740 one of God's chosen 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.440 and beloved children. 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.640 You're out of your minds. 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:58.779 What's the Sabbath for, 00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.740 after all? 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.740 If you look back 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.620 at Deuteronomy 20, 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.339 or excuse me, 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:03.920 Exodus 20 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:04.900 and Deuteronomy 5, 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.839 what was the Sabbath 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:07.279 all about? 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:08.259 It was about rest 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.599 and deliverance. 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.079 The Sabbath 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:12.559 was a means 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.339 of trusting, 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.940 not in our own works, 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:16.039 but in God 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.900 as our creator 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:17.440 and redeemer. 00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:19.980 And the Sabbath 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:21.180 was this picture too, 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.519 you see. 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:21.900 The Sabbath 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.720 was this picture, 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.420 a sign 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:24.599 of a great day 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.440 that was coming. 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.420 A great day 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.019 that was coming 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.940 of true rest 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.480 and true deliverance 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.900 from all that afflicted us 00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:33.799 as human beings. 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.900 The day that Jesus says, 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:38.579 I'm bringing right now. 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.519 Jesus has come 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:44.319 and deliverance is here 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.019 and what the Sabbath 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.180 was always all about 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:47.360 is breaking forth 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:48.539 right before 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:50.240 their very eyes. 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:52.039 Freedom from sin 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:53.000 and guilt and shame. 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:53.459 You see friends, 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:55.479 this woman's physical condition 00:22:55.479 --> 00:22:56.259 is a mirror 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.379 of all of our 00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:58.219 spiritual condition. 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:01.000 Aren't all of us 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:02.079 bent over 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:04.099 by sin 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:05.579 and by guilt? 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:08.439 And doesn't Satan, 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.679 the accuser of our soul, 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.259 want to come 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:11.319 and just rub it in 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:13.779 and keep us bound. 00:23:16.399 --> 00:23:17.579 But Jesus has come 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.659 to conquer sin 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:20.179 and to conquer death 00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:22.019 and to conquer condemnation 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:24.539 and to utterly overwhelm 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.559 the evil one. 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.639 To put an end 00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.319 to our sin 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:29.339 and to silence 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:30.079 his accusations 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:31.179 and to allow us 00:23:31.179 --> 00:23:31.919 at last 00:23:31.919 --> 00:23:33.139 to be loosed 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:34.139 from our burden 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:35.019 and to be released 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.579 from our sin 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.939 and to be untied 00:23:36.939 --> 00:23:37.519 from our guilt 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.179 and to allow us 00:23:38.179 --> 00:23:38.500 at last 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.480 to stand up straight 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:40.839 in the presence of God. 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.400 Friends, 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.059 we need to repent. 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:46.319 We need to turn to Christ 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.279 because deliverance 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.140 is here. 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.700 Don't be like 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.160 the ruler 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.240 of the synagogue here. 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.980 Jesus upsets 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.660 his comfortable 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:56.779 little Sabbath service, 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.279 doesn't he? 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.860 We're going to read 00:23:58.860 --> 00:23:59.339 a little scripture. 00:23:59.620 --> 00:23:59.960 We're going to have 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.500 a little talk. 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:00.960 We're going to sing 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:01.680 a few songs. 00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:02.700 It's all quaint. 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.420 It's all comfortable. 00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.420 It's all controlled. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.720 And we all go home. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.460 The ruler of the synagogue, 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.120 the synagogue was 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:11.400 most often 00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:12.180 just a layman 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:12.759 who presided 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.400 over the affairs 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:13.940 of the synagogue. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.680 He would organize 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.740 and often teach 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.380 in the services. 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.220 Sort of the guy 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:19.779 who kind of called 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.319 the shots. 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.880 And then Jesus comes in. 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.799 And suddenly, 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.460 instead of the ruler 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.019 of the synagogue 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.880 having his quaint 00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:29.920 little Sabbath service, 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:32.140 all eyes are on Jesus. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.480 All eyes are on him. 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.940 The one with the power 00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:39.259 to actually redeem. 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:43.620 And just like this ruler 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.099 of the synagogue, 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:44.420 friends, 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:45.460 aren't we just like him 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.759 that we don't really like 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.579 to have Jesus 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.680 at the center sometimes? 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.720 We'd much rather 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.759 have all eyes on us. 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:53.259 We want to be at the center. 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.759 We like to stay in control. 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.240 But we can't release 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.660 any of our burdens. 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:03.059 And we can't untie 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:03.559 the guilt 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:05.680 that comes with our sin. 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.660 Only Jesus can. 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:11.380 And if we let go 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:13.259 of running our lives 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.240 our own way 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.259 and we give ourselves 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.900 over to him 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.840 if we repent, 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:19.120 then he'll bring 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:19.900 that deliverance 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:21.100 into our lives too, 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.580 you see. 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:26.160 And like a mustard seed, 00:25:26.800 --> 00:25:29.660 it will seem so small 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.460 at first. 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:35.259 And so much 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.799 of the world 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.579 will seem to be 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.740 unchanged. 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.660 And yet Jesus 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.600 says it will grow 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:45.360 until it last. 00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:47.500 God's kingdom 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.440 will be all in all. 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.620 You know, 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.079 we can look out 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:52.480 at the world, 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:52.920 can't we? 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.740 And we can doubt 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:55.000 that deliverance 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.480 has really come 00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.100 in Jesus. 00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:57.259 Jesus. 00:25:58.919 --> 00:25:59.500 But you have 00:25:59.500 --> 00:25:59.899 to understand 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:00.319 what the kingdom 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:01.159 of God is like, 00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:01.959 Jesus says. 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.359 It's like a seed. 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.719 If I were to hold 00:26:05.719 --> 00:26:06.319 a mustard seed 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:07.019 here in my hand, 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.679 none of you 00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:08.059 would be able 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.500 to see it. 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.740 I would drop it 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.419 and we would never 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:12.339 find it on our 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:13.039 brown carpet. 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.359 It would be gone. 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.339 If I had a little 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.019 yeast in my hand 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.559 and I blew it, 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.439 it would disappear. 00:26:20.179 --> 00:26:20.779 Jesus is saying 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:22.240 the kingdom begins 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:23.480 in an almost 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:25.179 insignificant way. 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:30.740 And isn't that true? 00:26:30.820 --> 00:26:32.140 Jesus' first coming 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:34.320 was not what anyone 00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:35.000 was expecting 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:35.640 of the Messiah. 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:36.880 This was not 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.720 what they were expecting 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.600 of God's 00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:40.539 in-breaking rule. 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.340 This is not 00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:41.940 what they were expecting 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.900 of God's kingdom. 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.380 Jesus was not 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:46.279 a military hero. 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.380 He did not end 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:48.900 all of their 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.980 national troubles. 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:51.779 He preached, 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:52.720 he healed, 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.519 he had a couple 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.019 followers, 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:55.080 he offended the 00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:56.019 religious establishment 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.199 and he was crucified. 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.240 But, 00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:07.019 unlike all the 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.539 other would-be 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.699 messiahs whose lives 00:27:08.699 --> 00:27:09.919 ended in the same way, 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.980 Jesus' claims 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.919 were actually true. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.000 Jesus was 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.939 God's son. 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:19.419 Jesus was 00:27:19.419 --> 00:27:20.119 God's king. 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.199 Jesus was 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:22.179 bringing in the kingdom. 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:25.360 And to demonstrate 00:27:25.360 --> 00:27:25.820 that, 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.900 to demonstrate 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.500 that Jesus 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.480 truly was 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.220 God's king, 00:27:31.560 --> 00:27:32.240 three days 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:33.400 after his crucifixion 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:33.820 and burial, 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.779 God raised him 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.380 from the dead. 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.400 And now, 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:39.880 friends, 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:42.460 what do we see 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:42.820 of that 00:27:42.820 --> 00:27:43.860 insignificant 00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:45.060 beginning of the kingdom? 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.159 kingdom. 00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:47.419 Now, 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.279 Jesus' kingdom 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:48.960 extends 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.519 across the world. 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.200 A few 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:53.179 ragtag 00:27:53.179 --> 00:27:53.759 disciples, 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:54.799 a bunch of 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.159 fishermen 00:27:55.159 --> 00:27:56.200 and tax collectors, 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:57.339 one woman 00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:57.779 healed 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:58.960 on one 00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:00.279 Sabbath day. 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:02.200 A bunch 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:02.859 of tiny 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:03.599 seeds. 00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:05.200 And now, 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.759 in every 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.639 corner of this 00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:08.619 world that we live in, 00:28:08.679 --> 00:28:09.139 you will find 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:10.059 people who profess 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.819 the name of Jesus 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.299 as Lord. 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:11.819 The kingdom, 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.259 friends, 00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:13.099 is growing. 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.159 It starts 00:28:15.159 --> 00:28:15.619 small, 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.899 it grows. 00:28:17.399 --> 00:28:18.319 And one day, 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:19.659 Jesus will return 00:28:19.659 --> 00:28:20.240 and his kingdom 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.119 will be all in all. 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.200 And that 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.000 deliverance that we 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.679 long for, 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:26.179 that we wait 00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:26.500 for, 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.279 that we're so 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.240 struggling to see 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.899 because it's not here, 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.679 one day it will be 00:28:29.679 --> 00:28:30.639 complete and like 00:28:30.639 --> 00:28:31.039 leaven, 00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:31.779 it will work 00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:32.720 its way out 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.519 through every 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.500 aspect of life. 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.779 And all sickness 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.339 and sin 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:36.740 and death 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.159 and disease 00:28:37.159 --> 00:28:37.659 and shame 00:28:37.659 --> 00:28:38.159 and jealousy 00:28:38.159 --> 00:28:38.579 and lust 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.220 and all of that's 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.079 going to be done. 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.740 And in its place 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.639 will be God's 00:28:42.639 --> 00:28:43.259 own glorious 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.139 rule. 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:47.019 So friends, 00:28:47.919 --> 00:28:48.199 repent 00:28:48.199 --> 00:28:50.159 and turn 00:28:50.159 --> 00:28:52.000 because deliverance 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.539 has come. 00:28:54.939 --> 00:28:55.980 The kingdom of God 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.579 has arrived 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.019 and one day 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.419 it's going to be 00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:57.960 all in all 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.619 and you are all 00:28:58.619 --> 00:29:00.039 called to be a part. 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.599 Finally then, 00:29:05.639 --> 00:29:06.460 how can we repent? 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.779 We've seen what it is 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.919 and why we should do it. 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:10.919 But you know, 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.500 what's actually 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.579 going to dislodge 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.179 us from our 00:29:13.179 --> 00:29:14.099 self-centeredness 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:15.119 and turn us 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:15.579 to God? 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.039 How do we get 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.960 unstuck 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:21.339 from ourselves 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:23.480 and come 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.179 to embrace 00:29:24.179 --> 00:29:26.339 God 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:26.679 as all 00:29:26.679 --> 00:29:27.019 in all? 00:29:29.659 --> 00:29:30.039 Well, 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:30.240 friends, 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.699 we've actually 00:29:30.699 --> 00:29:31.480 been talking about it 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.139 this whole time. 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.359 One way to see it 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:35.059 is to see that 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.539 Jesus here 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:37.059 tells two stories 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:38.539 about two trees, 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:42.139 one utterly fruitless 00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:44.539 and another 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.279 full of life 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:45.759 and growing 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.599 to be big enough 00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.419 to provide rest 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:48.179 for all who come. 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.539 What's going to 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.039 pull you out 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.299 of that 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.379 self-centered 00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:55.419 agenda 00:29:55.419 --> 00:29:56.399 that you live on? 00:29:59.299 --> 00:29:59.839 Seeing what 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.440 Jesus Christ 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.159 has done for you, 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:01.460 you see. 00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:03.720 See, 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.319 at this point 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:05.139 in Luke's story, 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.619 at this point 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:06.419 in Jesus' life, 00:30:06.479 --> 00:30:07.239 he's on his way 00:30:07.239 --> 00:30:08.159 to Jerusalem. 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.559 Jesus is on his way 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:11.799 to his own tree. 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:14.099 He's on his way 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:14.739 to the cross. 00:30:16.479 --> 00:30:17.519 And on the cross, 00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:18.179 Jesus is going 00:30:18.179 --> 00:30:18.979 to be willingly 00:30:18.979 --> 00:30:20.819 cut down 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:22.339 like a fruitless 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:23.339 fig tree. 00:30:23.439 --> 00:30:24.399 He's going to die 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.259 the death 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:25.919 that you and I 00:30:25.919 --> 00:30:26.739 deserve 00:30:26.739 --> 00:30:27.959 because of our 00:30:27.959 --> 00:30:28.759 self-centered 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:29.839 lives. 00:30:31.879 --> 00:30:32.659 And he's going to 00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:33.579 satisfy God's 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:34.500 justice for us. 00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:36.799 And he's going 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.719 to unleash 00:30:37.719 --> 00:30:38.799 God's deliverance. 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.919 And because Christ 00:30:40.919 --> 00:30:41.619 rose again, 00:30:41.679 --> 00:30:42.559 because he lives, 00:30:42.659 --> 00:30:43.179 because Jesus 00:30:43.179 --> 00:30:43.819 right now 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.459 stands at God's 00:30:44.459 --> 00:30:45.079 right hand 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:45.619 as king, 00:30:45.979 --> 00:30:48.279 right now 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.219 by his spirit 00:30:49.219 --> 00:30:49.919 and in the 00:30:49.919 --> 00:30:50.419 proclamation 00:30:50.419 --> 00:30:50.979 of his word, 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:51.899 Jesus himself, 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.739 the risen king, 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.599 is calling us 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.639 to come, 00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:55.639 to turn, 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:56.659 to repent. 00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:58.639 To see what 00:30:58.639 --> 00:30:59.219 he's done 00:30:59.219 --> 00:31:00.159 through the cross 00:31:00.159 --> 00:31:01.819 for you 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:02.579 and for me 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.299 and to come. 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:06.539 the living 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.539 Christ even 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.659 now is summoning 00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:09.440 you to come 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:11.180 and to escape 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:12.019 from the danger 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:13.799 and to know 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.700 his deliverance. 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:19.799 Jesus would say 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.339 to John 00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:21.819 many years later, 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:23.139 I stand at the 00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:23.720 door and I 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.200 knock 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:25.839 and if anyone 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.619 hears my voice 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:27.200 and opens the 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:27.399 door, 00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:28.019 I'll come into 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:29.079 him and eat 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:29.579 with him 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:30.559 and he with 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:30.919 me. 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:31.860 Friends, 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.860 Jesus freely 00:31:32.860 --> 00:31:34.019 grants 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:34.940 repentance. 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:36.500 Open 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.779 the door 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.160 of your 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:38.560 heart to 00:31:38.560 --> 00:31:38.800 him. 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.380 And friends, 00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:42.740 if you've 00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:43.320 done that, 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:44.279 if you're here 00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:44.860 tonight and you 00:31:44.860 --> 00:31:45.900 are a Christian, 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:47.600 what is this 00:31:47.600 --> 00:31:48.660 passage teaching 00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:49.060 us? 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:50.840 In many ways, 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:51.240 it's teaching 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:51.920 us to keep 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:53.440 on doing 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.900 just that. 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.800 Jesus is going 00:31:56.800 --> 00:31:57.680 to keep on 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:58.560 knocking on 00:31:58.560 --> 00:31:59.180 the doors of 00:31:59.180 --> 00:31:59.779 our life 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.400 and like a 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:00.799 seed, 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:01.539 repentance 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:03.860 is the 00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:04.900 continual act 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.259 of handing 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:05.759 over our 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.120 life to 00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:06.240 him. 00:32:06.320 --> 00:32:06.539 Whenever 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.500 he knocks 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.000 on another 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.500 area of 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.060 our life, 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.259 we open 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:10.720 to him 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:11.680 and let 00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:12.000 him have 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.440 his way. 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:13.720 We turn 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.160 from those 00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:15.180 self-centered 00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:15.920 pursuits 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.640 and we embrace 00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:17.019 him as 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.380 king. 00:32:18.660 --> 00:32:19.279 And that 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:19.940 constant 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:21.000 turning over 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.380 of our 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:21.920 lives to 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:22.240 him, 00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:24.200 that is 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:25.779 the continual 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.380 life of a 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:26.680 Christian. 00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:26.759 Christian. 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.820 That's how 00:32:28.820 --> 00:32:29.080 we get 00:32:29.080 --> 00:32:29.420 into the 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:29.740 kingdom and 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.060 that's how 00:32:30.060 --> 00:32:30.940 we grow as 00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:31.900 his kingdom 00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:33.600 people, by 00:32:33.600 --> 00:32:34.440 letting him be 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:35.460 king more and 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.340 more and more 00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:37.100 in our lives 00:32:37.100 --> 00:32:38.799 and trusting that 00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:39.640 his grace covers 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:40.660 all of our 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:41.039 sins. 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:44.000 In just a 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.519 second, as we 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:45.420 come to the 00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:46.019 Lord's Supper, 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.420 friends, this is an 00:32:47.420 --> 00:32:48.620 opportunity for all 00:32:48.620 --> 00:32:50.380 of us to do 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:51.299 what this passage 00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:52.019 is telling us to 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.680 do, to repent. 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.259 If you're here 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:55.740 tonight and you 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.480 have not 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.380 trusted Christ, 00:32:58.620 --> 00:32:59.440 then here is 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:00.019 your chance to 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:01.180 do so for the 00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:01.759 first time. 00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.519 To step over 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.299 the line and to 00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:04.920 take him as 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.500 Savior and to 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.120 trust him as 00:33:06.120 --> 00:33:06.460 Lord. 00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:10.120 And for those 00:33:10.120 --> 00:33:10.759 of us who have 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.579 trusted him, this 00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:12.200 is our chance 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:12.460 through the 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.059 Lord's Supper to 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:13.720 surrender to him 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.539 more and more. 00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:16.120 To hand over to 00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:16.779 him all those 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.420 areas of our 00:33:17.420 --> 00:33:17.859 hearts that we 00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:18.759 want to withhold 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:21.279 and to let him 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:22.980 reign there as 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.279 well. 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:27.359 So friends, 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:29.380 tonight, repent. 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:30.980 Give your life 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.319 to him. 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.259 Let's pray. 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.480 Lord Jesus, we 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:37.259 confess that often 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:38.259 it is so hard for 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:39.680 us to do what you 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.460 tell us to do in 00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:41.120 this passage. 00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:43.220 And so we need 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.859 your spirit to 00:33:43.859 --> 00:33:46.000 come and to 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.620 pull us and to 00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:47.359 change us and to 00:33:47.359 --> 00:33:48.460 get us to see all 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.000 of you in your 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:49.620 beauty and your 00:33:49.620 --> 00:33:51.240 glory, to see what 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:51.900 you've done for us 00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:52.539 on the cross. 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:54.019 Lord, would you 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:54.680 come and would you 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:55.740 make yourself real 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.440 to our hearts 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:58.460 tonight and help 00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:58.879 us, Lord. 00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.539 Give us the 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:01.319 strength to repent. 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.500 Oh, Lord, help us 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:04.599 to see how it is 00:34:04.599 --> 00:34:07.139 freedom itself to 00:34:07.139 --> 00:34:07.940 stop trying to live 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.719 for ourselves and 00:34:08.719 --> 00:34:09.440 to live for you, 00:34:10.259 --> 00:34:11.039 the one who made 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.739 us and who loves 00:34:11.739 --> 00:34:12.420 us and will never 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.199 lead us astray. 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.599 And so, Lord, as 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.179 we come to your 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:16.920 table, would you 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:19.599 feed and fuel the 00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:20.739 faith of those whom 00:34:20.739 --> 00:34:21.300 you have called to 00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:22.320 yourself, those whom 00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:23.220 have trusted in you. 00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.500 Lord, would we be 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:26.140 strengthened to live 00:34:26.140 --> 00:34:27.200 our lives for you as 00:34:27.200 --> 00:34:28.700 we remember your 00:34:28.700 --> 00:34:29.440 death and resurrection 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.260 for us. 00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:32.800 And, Lord Jesus, for 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:33.620 those who are here 00:34:33.620 --> 00:34:34.940 and don't know you, 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.600 who are still 00:34:35.600 --> 00:34:37.100 considering you, Lord, 00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:38.820 would you draw them 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:39.559 close to yourself? 00:34:39.680 --> 00:34:41.300 Help them, Lord, to 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:42.059 come to faith in you, 00:34:42.100 --> 00:34:42.460 we pray. 00:34:43.580 --> 00:34:44.760 In your name, amen. 00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:44.900 Amen.