WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.640 So let's read God's word from Mark's gospel, chapter 4, verses 35 to 41. 00:00:10.019 --> 00:00:12.640 There are some Bibles around the church on some tables. 00:00:13.140 --> 00:00:16.679 If you don't have a Bible and you come here today without one, 00:00:17.420 --> 00:00:19.420 please feel free to take a Bible away from here. 00:00:19.500 --> 00:00:21.019 We'd be very happy for you to do that. 00:00:22.140 --> 00:00:23.519 The text will also be on the screen. 00:00:23.640 --> 00:00:24.519 It's printed in the bulletin. 00:00:24.580 --> 00:00:28.039 So lots of ways to access it as it's preached this morning. 00:00:28.039 --> 00:00:30.739 So let's read God's word together. 00:00:31.019 --> 00:00:34.019 Mark, chapter 4, verses 35 to 41. 00:00:58.039 --> 00:01:00.579 And they woke him and said to him, 00:01:00.780 --> 00:01:03.939 Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? 00:01:03.939 --> 00:01:08.299 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 00:01:08.679 --> 00:01:10.539 Peace, be still. 00:01:11.239 --> 00:01:13.640 And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:16.959 He said to them, Why are you so afraid? 00:01:17.859 --> 00:01:19.019 Have you still no faith? 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:22.620 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, 00:01:24.099 --> 00:01:28.340 Who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey him? 00:01:28.340 --> 00:01:30.880 This is God's holy word. 00:01:31.320 --> 00:01:40.280 You'll have a Bible to turn back to the passage that's been read from the fourth chapter of Mark's gospel. 00:01:40.960 --> 00:01:46.020 I remember when I was a teenager reading a book on ministry saying you should never, 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:49.939 if you can possibly avoid it, never preach on well-known passages. 00:01:49.939 --> 00:02:04.259 But I'm old enough to take the risk now and to direct us this morning to this extremely well-known passage of our Lord Jesus stilling the storm. 00:02:04.260 --> 00:02:08.860 Because I think it helps us answer the question, 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:11.379 Who really is Jesus? 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:16.340 And the question that the older I've got has kind of haunted me. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:21.140 What was and is Jesus really like? 00:02:22.020 --> 00:02:27.680 I don't mean in terms of categories that theologians use, 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:36.400 but in terms of the words that Corey gave to us earlier on from the prophecy of Isaiah, 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:44.580 he was like someone who didn't break bruised reeds or snuff out dimly burning wicks. 00:02:44.580 --> 00:02:48.860 And it's a question that I think in some ways, 00:02:50.020 --> 00:02:56.520 really, if we can get near to some really clear biblical answers, 00:02:57.380 --> 00:03:02.660 has the power to transform the atmosphere of our Christian lives. 00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:06.600 To use a human illustration, 00:03:06.820 --> 00:03:11.800 the way getting to know someone else that we know, admire, and love 00:03:11.800 --> 00:03:15.700 can actually transform the atmosphere of our own lives. 00:03:16.400 --> 00:03:22.380 That what the Holy Spirit does through the records of the life and ministry of Jesus 00:03:22.380 --> 00:03:27.020 is to bring Him close to us and us close to Him 00:03:27.020 --> 00:03:30.180 so that we sense what He is really like. 00:03:30.920 --> 00:03:32.220 And that can change everything. 00:03:33.180 --> 00:03:37.760 And certainly this was an instance in the lives of the disciples 00:03:37.760 --> 00:03:40.700 that had the potential to change everything. 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:43.639 It began, in a sense, with a storm. 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:46.699 And I don't know how many sermons I've heard 00:03:46.699 --> 00:03:49.879 on how Jesus can still the storm in your heart, 00:03:49.959 --> 00:03:54.139 but actually what He did here was create a storm in their hearts 00:03:54.139 --> 00:04:00.699 in order to loosen their inadequate view of who He really was 00:04:00.699 --> 00:04:04.280 and lead them into a much more adequate view 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:07.780 that would transform their lives wonderfully. 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:12.400 And we love passages like this for different reasons. 00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:16.779 Some of us may have loved this passage all our lives. 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:19.939 We maybe even can remember the Sunday school teacher 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:24.819 when we were in primary school who first told us this story. 00:04:25.579 --> 00:04:30.420 And the power of it has kind of resided ever since in our imagination. 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:36.600 And then those of you who are of a more aesthetic tendency 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:41.540 and who love art may love Rembrandt's great painting 00:04:41.540 --> 00:04:44.460 of the storm on Galilee. 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:48.580 It's a magnificent painting into which he painted himself 00:04:48.580 --> 00:04:50.040 just at the back of the ship 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:52.580 where he seems to be looking out at the viewer 00:04:52.580 --> 00:04:53.480 and saying, 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:55.819 well, how would you feel if you were in my position? 00:04:57.620 --> 00:04:59.180 I've always wanted to meet somebody 00:04:59.180 --> 00:05:00.840 who's actually seen that painting 00:05:00.840 --> 00:05:04.900 because it was stolen several decades ago 00:05:04.900 --> 00:05:07.240 and it's never been seen since. 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:09.840 So, if you have seen that painting, 00:05:10.100 --> 00:05:13.360 we need to go to the local police station 00:05:13.360 --> 00:05:16.240 where there may be a reward for you. 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:18.939 And then some few of us 00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:22.780 who have kind of nerdy theological interests 00:05:22.780 --> 00:05:25.620 may be interested in this passage 00:05:25.620 --> 00:05:30.660 because it was the passage that brought a man 00:05:30.660 --> 00:05:35.500 who some people regard as the greatest ever English theologian 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:39.360 to a real assurance that he was actually a Christian. 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:42.240 He was in his mid-twenties at the time 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:45.560 and very unsure of where he stood spiritually 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:48.780 and this was the passage. 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:53.439 This simple passage to this great intellect 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:56.620 brought a real knowledge of Christ 00:05:56.620 --> 00:05:58.560 and a real assurance of him. 00:05:59.399 --> 00:06:02.000 So, I want to try and unpack for us 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:05.399 a number of things that we find in this passage. 00:06:08.100 --> 00:06:11.319 Probably, you know that this passage 00:06:11.319 --> 00:06:14.379 is really in all three of the Gospels, 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:15.439 Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:17.620 But it's told in different ways. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:20.180 And the church has believed 00:06:20.180 --> 00:06:22.780 for most of the church's existence 00:06:22.780 --> 00:06:24.240 that Mark's gospel 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:27.660 is actually Peter's gospel. 00:06:28.959 --> 00:06:31.779 And one of the very early comments 00:06:31.779 --> 00:06:33.040 about Mark's gospel 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:35.699 by a man called Papias 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:38.100 indicates that Mark 00:06:38.100 --> 00:06:40.879 served really as the secretary 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:42.540 of Simon Peter. 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:45.540 And that's why of all the Gospels, 00:06:45.540 --> 00:06:47.480 Mark's gospel is the easiest gospel 00:06:47.480 --> 00:06:49.720 to turn into the first person singular. 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:53.400 And it's a lovely way to read it, actually. 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:55.080 And if you do that, 00:06:55.140 --> 00:06:56.740 you will catch a sense that, 00:06:57.400 --> 00:07:00.620 yeah, maybe it is true that Peter wrote this 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:03.939 because there's this sense of vitality. 00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:04.680 There's a kind of, 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:06.180 everything happens immediately, 00:07:06.340 --> 00:07:07.820 which is very Peter-like. 00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:11.719 But there's also this strong sense 00:07:11.719 --> 00:07:15.819 that this was the story of an eyewitness. 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:19.319 And there are little indications of that 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:20.779 that you don't find in the other Gospels. 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:21.500 For example, 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:23.579 Mark alone tells us 00:07:23.579 --> 00:07:25.039 the time of day this happened. 00:07:26.039 --> 00:07:27.079 It was in the evening. 00:07:27.539 --> 00:07:28.939 None of the other gospel writers 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:30.199 noticed that. 00:07:30.519 --> 00:07:32.420 This was an evening cruise 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:35.920 over the calm sea of Galilee. 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:38.780 Another thing Mark tells us 00:07:38.780 --> 00:07:41.920 that indicates there's an eyewitness behind this 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:44.240 is he says there were other boats. 00:07:46.580 --> 00:07:48.040 My guess is 00:07:48.040 --> 00:07:50.879 that unless you kind of focus down on that, 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:52.540 you would assume 00:07:52.540 --> 00:07:54.340 that what's described here 00:07:54.340 --> 00:07:56.040 is what happened to a single boat. 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:58.180 But what happened here 00:07:58.180 --> 00:08:01.139 apparently happened to a little flotilla of boats. 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:05.819 And there's another rather sweet indication 00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:08.939 that this is the story told by an eyewitness 00:08:08.939 --> 00:08:10.680 because this is the only gospel 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:13.139 that tells us there was a pillow for Jesus 00:08:13.139 --> 00:08:14.399 to put his head on. 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:18.680 And I think all of us recognize 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:20.339 that when we have 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:23.959 kind of dramatic emotional experiences, 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:28.339 it is amazing what details we remember 00:08:28.339 --> 00:08:31.399 that nobody else would notice 00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:32.819 unless they'd been there. 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:36.779 And so, I think it's really helpful for us 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:38.699 to see the shadow of Simon Peter 00:08:38.699 --> 00:08:40.100 in the background here. 00:08:40.179 --> 00:08:42.120 And if I can remember to do it, 00:08:42.179 --> 00:08:43.279 I will come back to that 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:44.959 towards the end of the sermon. 00:08:45.959 --> 00:08:49.959 But the other little eyewitness detail 00:08:49.959 --> 00:08:52.379 that I think is really important 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:56.600 to notice is the way Mark's gospel 00:08:56.600 --> 00:08:59.120 describes the atmosphere 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:02.220 in which this event began. 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:06.539 And you'll see this right in verse 35. 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:08.519 When evening had come, 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:10.320 Jesus said to them, 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:11.919 let us go across 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:13.899 to the other side. 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:17.200 And lest I also forget to say this, 00:09:17.559 --> 00:09:18.600 the great thing is 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:20.379 that they did get to the other side. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:24.139 But then, Mark says, 00:09:24.680 --> 00:09:26.480 leaving the crowd, 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:29.659 they took him with them 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:30.980 in the boat. 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:32.420 And it's the next phrase 00:09:32.420 --> 00:09:34.279 I want you to focus attention on 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:36.259 because I think this conveys 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:38.560 the atmosphere of the evening. 00:09:39.540 --> 00:09:40.580 They took him 00:09:40.580 --> 00:09:42.980 just as he was. 00:09:44.040 --> 00:09:45.340 Just as he was. 00:09:45.340 --> 00:09:46.740 I heard somebody 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:48.720 in the Westminster Seminary group, 00:09:48.820 --> 00:09:49.660 which is the reason 00:09:49.660 --> 00:09:52.000 I'm imposed on you this morning, 00:09:52.340 --> 00:09:54.120 because I'd rather Corey were preaching, 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:55.519 say, 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:56.480 so, 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:58.580 what's the dress code? 00:09:59.680 --> 00:10:01.220 I didn't say anything. 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:06.980 But what I thought was, 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:09.340 just come as you are. 00:10:10.680 --> 00:10:11.280 Right? 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:13.160 Just come as you are. 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:14.480 And so, 00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:15.059 there's something, 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:16.819 there's something almost magical 00:10:16.819 --> 00:10:18.439 about that little phrase. 00:10:19.339 --> 00:10:20.419 They took him 00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:21.839 just as he was. 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:25.000 They had no reason, 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:26.459 they had no reason 00:10:26.459 --> 00:10:27.079 to 00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:30.339 deny his 00:10:30.339 --> 00:10:31.219 encouragement, 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:32.059 let's go over 00:10:32.059 --> 00:10:33.059 to the other side. 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:35.179 Because they would 00:10:35.179 --> 00:10:36.079 take him there. 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:37.679 I mean, 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:38.779 some of them at least 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:39.579 were masters 00:10:39.579 --> 00:10:40.799 of this little stretch 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:41.319 of water. 00:10:41.419 --> 00:10:41.860 And those of you 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:42.480 who have seen it, 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:43.700 it's sea, 00:10:43.800 --> 00:10:44.639 it is not, 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:45.659 it's a loch. 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:48.220 And they must have known 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:49.240 it's every inch, 00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:51.360 almost it's every fish. 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:54.220 And so, 00:10:54.300 --> 00:10:55.680 nothing special about this. 00:10:56.460 --> 00:10:57.580 They probably had done this 00:10:57.580 --> 00:10:58.320 often enough. 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:00.060 Let's just go out 00:11:00.060 --> 00:11:00.600 on the boat 00:11:00.600 --> 00:11:01.580 for a wee while 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.519 tonight. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.820 But it's the dramatic 00:11:04.820 --> 00:11:05.580 contrast 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:07.360 between that little phrase 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.220 and the question 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:08.220 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:09.120 at the end 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:11.500 that bookends 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.639 this extraordinary 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:13.860 experience they had. 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:15.139 They took him 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:16.340 just as he was. 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:17.820 But by the end 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:18.899 of the story, 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:20.659 they're really saying, 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:21.519 we didn't really know 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.720 who he was at all. 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:24.659 We thought we knew 00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:25.560 who he was. 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:26.899 And we thought we knew 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:28.480 what we were capable of. 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:29.980 But we didn't really 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:30.940 understand either. 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:33.260 And what Jesus 00:11:33.260 --> 00:11:34.300 is doing here 00:11:34.300 --> 00:11:35.320 is bringing 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:36.300 these disciples 00:11:36.300 --> 00:11:37.600 who have really 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:38.640 come to know him, 00:11:38.700 --> 00:11:40.100 obviously come to love him, 00:11:40.140 --> 00:11:40.960 and in a sense 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:42.540 come to trust him, 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:44.360 he's taking them 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:45.840 a stage further 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:47.180 into helping them 00:11:47.180 --> 00:11:48.040 to understand 00:11:48.040 --> 00:11:49.660 what he is actually 00:11:49.660 --> 00:11:50.840 really like. 00:11:51.700 --> 00:11:52.700 And the great thing here, 00:11:52.780 --> 00:11:53.020 I think, 00:11:53.060 --> 00:11:53.820 is to remember, 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:55.100 which I remind myself 00:11:55.100 --> 00:11:56.200 of very often, 00:11:56.300 --> 00:11:57.880 what Hebrews 13 says, 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:59.659 he is the same today 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:01.059 as he was yesterday. 00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:03.299 I often say, 00:12:03.439 --> 00:12:04.460 when Hebrews says 00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:05.460 he's the same yesterday, 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:06.419 today, and forever, 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:08.439 it's not a long-winded way 00:12:08.439 --> 00:12:09.620 of saying he's eternal, 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:11.379 although that's true. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:13.939 What it's saying is 00:12:13.939 --> 00:12:15.320 the Jesus of today, 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:16.419 of our time, 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:18.200 readers of my letter, 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:20.000 is exactly the same 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:22.659 as the Jesus of yesterday, 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:24.960 the Jesus of whom 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:26.279 you read in the Gospels. 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:30.580 So, there are three stages, 00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:31.259 I think, 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:33.439 that you find in this story, 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:35.419 which isn't a joke 00:12:35.419 --> 00:12:36.860 because most stories 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.639 have three stages to them. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:40.799 And the first stage, 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:41.700 I think, is this. 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:43.720 And it's kind of stunning 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:44.639 to notice it. 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:46.759 It is that Jesus 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:49.159 led them into difficulty 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:50.960 in the storm. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:53.899 Jesus led them into difficulty 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:55.200 in the storm. 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:56.960 Yes, the text says 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:58.040 they took him, 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:00.259 but they only took him 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:01.200 because he said, 00:13:01.300 --> 00:13:02.259 I want to take you. 00:13:03.060 --> 00:13:04.540 Let's go across 00:13:04.540 --> 00:13:07.080 to the other side. 00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:10.240 So, if you think about 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:11.420 this experience 00:13:11.420 --> 00:13:12.640 in this context 00:13:12.640 --> 00:13:13.800 and ask the question, 00:13:14.540 --> 00:13:16.259 why were they in the storm 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:17.360 in the first place? 00:13:18.540 --> 00:13:20.100 Why were they in the storm 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:21.060 in the first place? 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:23.119 The answer is 00:13:23.119 --> 00:13:24.239 because Jesus took them 00:13:24.239 --> 00:13:26.039 into the storm. 00:13:27.119 --> 00:13:28.639 It's a staggeringly 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:31.559 illuminating illustration 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:33.979 of Jesus' confidence 00:13:33.979 --> 00:13:35.519 in Himself 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:37.399 to get these disciples 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:39.319 over to the other side 00:13:39.319 --> 00:13:41.159 no matter what happens. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:44.259 But Peter is making clear 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:45.779 through Mark's Gospel 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:47.959 this was Jesus' idea. 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:50.280 It was Jesus' idea 00:13:50.280 --> 00:13:51.920 to sail into the storm 00:13:51.920 --> 00:13:53.100 on the Sea of Galilee. 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:55.780 And you can almost hear 00:13:55.780 --> 00:13:56.639 Simon Peter 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:57.900 using this 00:13:57.900 --> 00:13:58.920 as an illustration 00:13:58.920 --> 00:14:00.400 when, for example, 00:14:00.540 --> 00:14:01.139 later on 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:01.680 he's writing 00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:03.420 in 1 Peter 4, 12 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:04.060 and saying, 00:14:04.280 --> 00:14:05.240 don't be surprised 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:06.620 by the fiery trials 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:08.180 that are coming to you 00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:09.900 as though this was strange. 00:14:12.180 --> 00:14:13.080 And that's what 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.519 this passage teaches us. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.820 But the Lord Jesus, 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:17.980 as He draws us 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:18.600 to Himself 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:19.500 and as we begin 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:21.520 to trust Him, 00:14:22.540 --> 00:14:23.780 finds occasions 00:14:23.780 --> 00:14:25.060 to lead us 00:14:25.060 --> 00:14:27.760 into difficulties. 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.520 And the reason 00:14:30.520 --> 00:14:31.340 He does so 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.800 is because 00:14:32.800 --> 00:14:34.600 as long as we live 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:36.300 a life without difficulties, 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:38.800 we never actually grow. 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:41.520 And what is so interesting, 00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:42.020 I think, 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.000 in this context 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:44.460 is 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:47.159 that many Christians 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:48.679 don't seem 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:49.460 to think that way. 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:53.299 I had a very dear friend, 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.419 a man I respected 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:55.659 enormously, 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:58.320 who knew me 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.100 very well. 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:00.440 And whenever I made 00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:02.019 a major life decision, 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:02.899 of which I've made 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.440 a few, 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:07.620 and it was as though 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:08.860 the sea opened up 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:10.159 and things went smoothly, 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:11.959 he used to say to me, 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:14.399 isn't it just like 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:14.899 the Lord 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.959 to do that? 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:17.899 Isn't it just like 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.279 the Lord 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:19.000 to do that? 00:15:19.319 --> 00:15:20.339 And I dearly 00:15:20.339 --> 00:15:21.120 loved this man, 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:22.179 but I actually found 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:23.159 that marginally 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:23.759 irritating. 00:15:26.819 --> 00:15:27.919 Because the truth is, 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:28.600 it is just like 00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:28.939 the Lord 00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:29.879 to do that, 00:15:30.699 --> 00:15:32.039 but it's also 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.159 just like the Lord 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:35.679 to do this. 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:37.620 And I think 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.139 this story 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:38.919 is a wonderful 00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:39.500 illustration 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.719 of the principle 00:15:40.719 --> 00:15:42.699 that we should 00:15:42.699 --> 00:15:43.399 never think 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.319 that our simple 00:15:44.319 --> 00:15:45.379 trust and obedience 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.079 to the Lord 00:15:46.079 --> 00:15:46.579 Jesus 00:15:46.579 --> 00:15:49.759 is a reality 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:50.759 from which 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:52.239 we can extrapolate 00:15:52.239 --> 00:15:53.279 how the future 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:54.139 is going to be. 00:15:55.099 --> 00:15:55.979 And not to 00:15:55.979 --> 00:15:56.699 discourage 00:15:56.699 --> 00:15:57.299 those of you 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.120 who are young, 00:15:58.919 --> 00:15:59.500 but as I, 00:15:59.819 --> 00:16:00.339 because I've been 00:16:00.339 --> 00:16:01.039 thinking about this 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:01.779 passage the last 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:02.339 couple of days, 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:03.139 as I look back 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.840 on my own life, 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.779 I'm kind of, 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:06.460 I'm really struck 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:07.600 by the fact 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:09.480 that having made 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.559 major decisions 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:12.000 and assuming, 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.120 and everyone else 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:13.460 I knew, 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.279 assuming where 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:15.220 that would lead, 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.580 in almost every 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.240 single case, 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:17.819 that's not where 00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:18.340 they've led. 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.019 And you see 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:21.539 what Jesus 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.879 is teaching us 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:24.299 as He does this 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:24.819 in our lives, 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.580 what He was teaching 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.139 them, 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:28.419 that we need 00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:29.240 to understand 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:30.139 that there will 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:30.740 be times 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.620 when He will 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:33.059 open up the sea 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:33.619 and we will 00:16:33.619 --> 00:16:34.199 walk across 00:16:34.199 --> 00:16:35.139 on dry land, 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:36.939 but because He 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:37.579 wants us to 00:16:37.579 --> 00:16:38.699 grow strong, 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:40.219 and we grow 00:16:40.219 --> 00:16:41.339 strong by the 00:16:41.339 --> 00:16:42.479 exercise of our 00:16:42.479 --> 00:16:42.859 muscles, 00:16:43.079 --> 00:16:43.819 and sometimes 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:44.899 that kind of 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:46.359 exercise hurts, 00:16:47.439 --> 00:16:47.959 there will be 00:16:47.959 --> 00:16:48.759 times when 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.559 trusting Him 00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:50.579 and following Him 00:16:50.579 --> 00:16:51.739 will also 00:16:51.739 --> 00:16:52.739 lead us 00:16:52.739 --> 00:16:54.699 into difficulties, 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.559 into storms, 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.779 which is why, 00:16:59.159 --> 00:16:59.439 you know, 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.000 every, 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.139 every Christian 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.439 minister I know 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.600 would be able 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:04.900 to tell us 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:06.080 the numbers 00:17:06.080 --> 00:17:06.740 of people 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.480 who have said 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:07.980 to them, 00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:08.779 why is it 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:10.299 now I become 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:10.960 a Christian 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:12.799 that many things 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.559 seem to be more 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.320 difficult than 00:17:14.320 --> 00:17:15.299 they used to be? 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.180 It's because 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.519 that's the way 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:20.019 He teaches us 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.600 to trust Him. 00:17:22.600 --> 00:17:23.720 That's the way 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.920 we grow 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:26.360 in trust 00:17:26.360 --> 00:17:27.580 for Him. 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:30.559 the only thing 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.139 I watch 00:17:31.139 --> 00:17:31.759 in the Olympics 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:33.240 is the 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.199 weightlifting, 00:17:35.199 --> 00:17:36.599 and I love 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:37.460 to see these 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:39.079 giants come on 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.899 to stages like 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:40.679 this and lift 00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:42.139 up these 00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:44.039 barbells, 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.059 like amounting 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:46.000 to you lifting 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:46.939 up the three 00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:47.679 heaviest people 00:17:47.679 --> 00:17:48.299 you know, 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:49.799 and their legs 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.399 are quivering, 00:17:50.659 --> 00:17:50.819 and they, 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:51.119 you know, 00:17:51.179 --> 00:17:51.819 and then they get 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:52.220 it up, 00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:54.099 whatever it is, 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:55.879 and I sit 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:56.379 on the couch 00:17:56.379 --> 00:17:56.559 saying, 00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:57.379 I could do that. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.259 Why can't I 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:01.859 do that? 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:04.980 It's because 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.879 I haven't endured 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:06.419 any of the 00:18:06.419 --> 00:18:06.899 hardship, 00:18:07.939 --> 00:18:08.619 any of the 00:18:08.619 --> 00:18:09.319 stress, 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:10.779 any of the 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.019 exercise that 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.779 has slowly 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.599 built these 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.559 men and women 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.359 up to be able 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.039 to do that 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.819 kind of thing. 00:18:18.139 --> 00:18:18.959 And it's the 00:18:18.959 --> 00:18:19.459 same in the 00:18:19.459 --> 00:18:20.099 Christian life. 00:18:20.179 --> 00:18:20.959 That's why 00:18:20.959 --> 00:18:23.279 training is 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.059 used as 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:24.539 a metaphor 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.139 for the 00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:26.019 Christian life. 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:28.359 And I think 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:28.879 what is so 00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:29.399 fascinating 00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:31.259 here is 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.519 that I 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.399 know this 00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:33.960 is slight 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.519 speculation, 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.339 but I think 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:35.799 the text 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:36.220 gives us 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.039 every reason 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:38.019 to believe 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:39.500 that these 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.139 disciples 00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:41.419 followed 00:18:41.419 --> 00:18:41.899 Jesus 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:43.220 because they 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:43.940 thought they 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.539 were masters 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:44.980 of the 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.619 situation. 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.500 And what 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.139 Jesus wanted 00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:48.740 to do was 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.319 to teach 00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:50.000 them that 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.179 there is no 00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:52.240 situation of 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:52.779 which we are 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.220 master. 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.700 But He 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.259 is master 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:55.720 of every 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.440 situation. 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:57.859 And that 00:18:57.859 --> 00:18:58.500 speaks to us, 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:58.899 doesn't it? 00:18:58.960 --> 00:18:59.179 I mean, 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.240 there are so 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.059 many things 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.799 that we know 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:02.460 better than 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.539 Jesus about. 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:06.200 And what He's 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:06.879 teaching these 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.899 disciples is 00:19:07.899 --> 00:19:09.519 sometimes it's 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.399 in the areas 00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:11.659 where we think 00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:12.779 we know best 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.859 that He needs 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.700 to teach us 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.500 that He 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.220 actually knows 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:16.779 best. 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.639 So that's the 00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:19.539 first stage 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.259 in this story 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.720 that it was 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.440 Jesus who 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:22.180 actually led 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:23.000 them into 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.920 these difficulties 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:24.860 in the storm. 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.900 The second 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.740 thing to notice, 00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:28.660 and this emerges 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.799 in their 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.559 response to 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:30.920 Him and 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.860 His response 00:19:31.860 --> 00:19:32.960 to them, 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:33.940 is that at 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:34.620 the core of 00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:35.259 this story, 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.140 Jesus is 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:36.940 testing the 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:37.680 reality of 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.500 their faith 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.779 in the storm. 00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:40.799 And it's 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.400 interesting how 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:41.819 the different 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:42.860 gospel writers 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:45.059 record this. 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:47.500 Mark records 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.000 it in the 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.759 harshest of 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.119 ways. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.579 The other 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.500 gospel writers, 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.400 their language 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:52.299 is not quite 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.420 so harsh. 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.420 Here you'll 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:55.119 notice what 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:56.319 Mark records 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:56.839 is, and 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:58.019 presumably Jesus 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.480 asked several 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.339 questions, but 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.160 the ones that 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:02.079 Mark records 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:02.660 are, why are 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.420 you so afraid? 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.440 Have you still 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.220 no faith? 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.420 And you'll 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.000 remember how 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.640 Matthew, for 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.420 example, puts 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.759 that as, oh, 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.460 you of little 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.019 faith. 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:11.460 Why are you 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.039 afraid, oh, 00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:12.740 you of little 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.279 faith? 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.740 So this 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.420 question, have 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.539 you no faith, 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:17.619 faith? 00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:19.440 It's not so 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.539 much doubting 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.379 that they have 00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:23.720 any faith, but 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.480 do they have 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.460 faith for this 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.079 situation? 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:26.980 Do they trust 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:28.039 Him in this 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.220 situation? 00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:31.839 And if you 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.240 use your 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.099 imagination, you 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:33.619 can't help 00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:34.139 thinking that 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:35.779 when Jesus put 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:36.539 His head down 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.720 on the pillow, 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.960 He was thinking 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.500 to Himself, 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.220 how long will 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:42.119 it be before 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.799 they are shaking 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.119 me? 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:45.079 and these 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:46.459 strong, proud 00:20:46.459 --> 00:20:48.099 fishermen asking 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:49.599 me, carpenter of 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.839 Nazareth, to 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.799 save them in 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.959 the situation. 00:20:53.919 --> 00:20:55.079 And what is in 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:55.579 a way so 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.500 marvelous about 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:58.359 Mark's account is 00:20:58.359 --> 00:20:59.039 that this very 00:20:59.039 --> 00:20:59.619 straightforward 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:01.219 language continues, 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:02.000 and you'll see it 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:03.639 in verse 38, 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.819 they woke him and 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:05.719 said to him, 00:21:06.699 --> 00:21:07.439 maybe the 00:21:07.439 --> 00:21:08.519 cruelest words they 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.139 ever said to 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:11.200 him, don't you 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:13.180 care if we 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.640 perish? 00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:15.520 So you hear 00:21:15.520 --> 00:21:16.880 Mark again, 00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:17.440 but you know, 00:21:17.560 --> 00:21:18.920 Peter, if this is 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.840 Peter's voice, 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:21.100 this is absolutely 00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:22.280 straightforward. 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:24.840 There is no 00:21:24.840 --> 00:21:25.700 concern that 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.320 people might 00:21:26.320 --> 00:21:27.620 misunderstand what 00:21:27.620 --> 00:21:28.420 they are saying. 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.720 Maybe in 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.440 Matthew's gospel 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:31.400 there's a concern 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:32.440 that I do not 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:33.680 want people to 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.759 misunderstand what's 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.540 actually happening 00:21:35.540 --> 00:21:36.680 here, but here it 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.460 is absolutely 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.120 brutal. 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:40.019 It is the kind 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.439 of thing you 00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:43.239 do not say to 00:21:43.239 --> 00:21:44.479 the person sitting 00:21:44.479 --> 00:21:46.259 beside you on a 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:47.879 Sunday morning in 00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:48.039 St. 00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:51.159 Columbus when 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:52.339 you're asked the 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:54.099 question, how are 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.459 things? 00:21:55.239 --> 00:21:56.379 You don't say to 00:21:56.379 --> 00:21:57.919 them, the Lord 00:21:57.919 --> 00:22:01.239 doesn't care if I'm 00:22:01.239 --> 00:22:01.739 perishing. 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.799 But nevertheless, 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.579 many of us will 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:07.659 have said that and 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.019 have been in 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.960 situations where 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.980 that is exactly 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:10.519 what we have 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:10.980 felt. 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.840 Everything has 00:22:13.840 --> 00:22:15.000 gone against us. 00:22:15.540 --> 00:22:16.640 We see no way 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:17.740 through our 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.320 difficulties. 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:20.700 It seems that 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.560 God has abandoned 00:22:21.560 --> 00:22:21.920 us. 00:22:22.080 --> 00:22:23.640 Don't you care if 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:24.940 we are perishing? 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:26.980 Now, the truth of 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:29.019 the matter was that 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.580 he wouldn't have 00:22:29.580 --> 00:22:30.519 been in the boat 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.800 in the first place 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.799 of the world. 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:35.119 He wouldn't have 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:36.839 called them if he 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.599 didn't care. 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.119 But, you know, the 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:42.519 supreme demonstration 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:44.200 that he cared was, of 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:44.879 course, he was going to 00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:45.819 die for them on the 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:46.359 cross. 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.440 God so loved the 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.119 world he gave his 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:50.019 only Son that whoever 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.159 believes in him should 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:53.000 not perish, but of 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.859 everlasting life. 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:55.419 God did not send his 00:22:55.419 --> 00:22:56.339 Son into the world to 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:57.500 condemn the world, but 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.339 that the world through 00:22:58.339 --> 00:23:00.519 him might be saved. 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:01.980 They couldn't see 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.859 that, even although 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:03.659 he had given little 00:23:03.659 --> 00:23:04.980 indications earlier on 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.799 that something was 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:07.119 going to happen, even 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:08.939 although they should 00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:10.279 have known what 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:11.539 Isaiah was talking 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:13.720 about when he spoke 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.519 about the coming 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.000 Savior. 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:19.139 But they couldn't 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:20.459 see who Jesus really 00:23:20.459 --> 00:23:21.099 was. 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.099 And, of course, 00:23:23.199 --> 00:23:25.199 that's my problem, 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:25.919 isn't it? 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:28.400 when I feel deserted, 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.480 when I feel he doesn't 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:31.660 care, I've lost sight 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.840 of who he really is. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:35.039 Remember how Paul puts 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.200 it in Romans 8.32? 00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:38.740 He says, listen, if God 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.960 didn't spare his own 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:41.519 Son but gave him up for 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:43.259 us all, we can be 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:45.080 absolutely sure that he 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:45.860 will give us everything 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:47.400 we need to get us from 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:49.019 here into his glorious 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.660 presence. 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:52.560 But we take our eye off 00:23:52.560 --> 00:23:53.800 the ball, or more 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.240 accurately. 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:56.819 We take our eye off 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.659 the Savior. 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.019 And that's what they 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.619 were doing. 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:03.059 And so their hearts 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:06.099 spoke through their lips 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:09.659 about what they were 00:24:09.659 --> 00:24:11.659 saying was, you are cruel 00:24:11.659 --> 00:24:12.559 to us, Jesus. 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.460 Don't you care that we 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.119 are perishing? 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:18.240 And in a congregation 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.559 like this, it wouldn't be 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:22.339 surprising if some of us 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:25.879 felt that way today as 00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.279 well. 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:29.679 My friend Derek Thomas, 00:24:30.159 --> 00:24:31.139 Corey's friend Derek 00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:33.059 Thomas, tells the story 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:35.359 of a Welsh minister who 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.639 had a lady come to him 00:24:36.639 --> 00:24:37.819 and she said, I'm 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.519 struggling in my 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.179 Christian life. 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.879 He said, what's the 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:40.159 problem? 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:42.319 He said, I've become 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.119 very impatient. 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.799 And he said, well, we can 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.419 fix that. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.720 Let's pray. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:51.700 And he prayed briefly, dear 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:54.220 Lord, send some trials 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.839 into my sister's life. 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:57.440 Amen. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:05.259 And she began to express 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.380 a little impatience. 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:09.420 But you see, then he sat 00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:10.819 her down and explained to 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:13.620 her that you don't develop 00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:17.480 patience except in situations 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:20.220 that would evoke from you 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:23.579 a spirit of impatience. 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:27.980 And you will only learn 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:30.099 that patience when you 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:31.920 begin to look not within 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:33.839 yourself to your own 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:35.339 response to the situation, 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:38.519 but to who Jesus has become 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:40.599 in your life, to what you 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:42.920 know of Jesus, and to the 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:44.200 way in which he is able to 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:45.700 see you through situations 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:47.559 that previously evoked 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:50.100 impatience, to have his 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:51.319 patience. 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.700 And that's what Jesus is 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:53.980 doing. 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:58.279 He is always testing our 00:25:58.279 --> 00:26:00.059 faith in him. 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:02.380 And in a sense, the only way 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:03.900 he can do that is by 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:06.840 dismantling our easy 00:26:06.840 --> 00:26:09.220 assumptions that having 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.920 confessed that we trust him 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:13.120 fully, we do actually trust 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:13.679 him fully. 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:17.259 And you know, those of you 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.159 who are parents, you know 00:26:18.159 --> 00:26:19.500 that when your son or 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.699 daughter has something 00:26:20.699 --> 00:26:21.839 they're gripping onto in 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:24.059 their hands, and you say, 00:26:24.219 --> 00:26:25.639 please give that to me. 00:26:27.719 --> 00:26:29.299 And he says, please give it 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:29.759 to me. 00:26:30.219 --> 00:26:31.659 And then you drop the please, 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:33.719 and it's give it to me. 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.779 And then you drop the give it 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.939 to me, and you give it to 00:26:36.939 --> 00:26:37.199 them. 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:41.400 And you have this battle to 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:43.380 open their hands so that 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:44.720 whatever it is they are 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:46.539 holding onto lies open in 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.779 their hands so that you can 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:49.180 take it out. 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:52.860 And we foolishly forget that 00:26:52.860 --> 00:26:53.860 we are all guilty of 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:55.740 infantile regression in the 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.580 Christian life. 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:59.120 And there are many things that 00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:01.700 we hold on to tightly, our own 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:03.299 capacities, our own abilities. 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.620 I have no doubt that's what 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:05.380 Jesus was doing. 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:06.920 That's why this took place 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:08.820 on the sea, because these 00:27:08.820 --> 00:27:09.920 men were fishermen. 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.900 This was their area of 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:12.560 mastery. 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.700 And you see in Scripture, 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:17.020 that is often the problem, 00:27:17.080 --> 00:27:17.660 isn't it? 00:27:18.020 --> 00:27:19.280 Think about Isaiah. 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:22.660 What does Isaiah cry out 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:25.480 about when he sees the 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.420 glory of the Lord? 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:28.020 He cries out about his 00:27:28.020 --> 00:27:29.000 sinful lips. 00:27:29.860 --> 00:27:31.540 I imagine him going down 00:27:31.540 --> 00:27:32.880 after that experience to 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:34.140 his best friend and his 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:35.320 best friend seeing that 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:37.019 he is in distress and saying, 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:38.460 what's the problem, Isaiah? 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:41.119 And Isaiah says, my sinful 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:41.859 lips. 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.379 And his friend saying, you 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:45.679 and Mrs. Isaiah and the 00:27:45.679 --> 00:27:46.960 boys need to go on holiday. 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:47.859 You're overwrought. 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:50.179 You are the finest preacher we 00:27:50.179 --> 00:27:51.519 have had in this city in 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.019 decades. 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:55.240 And I like to think of 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:56.559 Isaiah, this is my 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:58.000 Scottish imagination, 00:27:58.220 --> 00:28:00.319 lifting him up by his robes 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.500 and saying, you're not 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:03.139 listening to what I'm saying. 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:06.919 My problem is, it's right 00:28:06.919 --> 00:28:09.299 into the strengths of my life, 00:28:09.439 --> 00:28:11.899 my best gifts in life, 00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:16.379 that my sinfulness and 00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:19.179 mistrust has been woven. 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:24.259 And I felt in that place that God 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:27.100 was beginning to dismantle and 00:28:27.100 --> 00:28:30.220 deconstruct me in order that he 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:32.600 might reconstruct me again. 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:35.080 And that's surely what the Lord 00:28:35.080 --> 00:28:36.539 Jesus was doing here. 00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:40.560 He was exposing the frailty of 00:28:40.560 --> 00:28:43.019 their faith in order that he might 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:44.960 strengthen that faith. 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:47.120 And he does this, of course. 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:49.840 And this is how the story ends. 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:51.340 He leads them into difficulty. 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:54.240 He tests their faith's reality. 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:57.319 And then in the Sea of Galilee, 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:59.220 he shows them his glory. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:03.160 And we were singing about that. 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:07.840 This passage is like a 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:11.340 fulfillment echo of Psalm 107. 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:16.240 Men going down into the sea 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:18.720 who were used to plying their 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:20.539 trade on the waters and suddenly 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:22.459 finding themselves in a storm and 00:29:22.459 --> 00:29:24.240 crying out to the Lord and the 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:25.659 Lord saving them and the Lord 00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:27.259 bringing them to a safe haven. 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:29.879 It's like the fulfillment of a 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:33.259 shadowy prophecy from the Old 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.799 Testament. 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.980 But it's also, I think, not just a 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:39.099 fulfillment of a shadowy prophecy. 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:43.519 It is itself a kind of reworking 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:47.339 of the shadow of an earlier prophecy 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:50.439 that is still a kind of shadow of 00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:51.679 something that is to come. 00:29:53.159 --> 00:29:55.779 Because it's interesting that the 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:59.679 psalm that is most used with 00:29:59.679 --> 00:30:02.740 reference to the passion and death of 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:06.199 the Lord Jesus Christ is not one of 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:07.220 the better known psalms. 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.960 It's actually Psalm 69. 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:14.319 And it's the psalm that the apostles 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:18.140 picked out little details from and 00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:20.740 saw that they were fulfilled in the 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.380 crucifixion. 00:30:21.380 --> 00:30:23.140 And it's a psalm actually about a 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:24.100 water ordeal. 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:26.880 The waters have gone over my head. 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:31.000 And you can see how then Jesus, 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:34.400 I should say in this church, 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:36.740 by whatever means Jesus was baptized, 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:38.640 the waters went over his head in the 00:30:38.640 --> 00:30:39.259 river Jordan. 00:30:40.280 --> 00:30:43.840 And he saw that as a kind of miniature 00:30:43.840 --> 00:30:47.519 water ordeal that pointed to the 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:51.180 greater ordeal described in Psalm 69, 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:54.940 his ordeal that he described later on 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:57.300 as the baptism with which he was still 00:30:57.300 --> 00:30:58.420 to be baptized. 00:30:58.420 --> 00:31:02.560 And whereas in the river Jordan, 00:31:02.560 --> 00:31:03.680 if you think about it, 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:05.360 you can understand John the Baptist's 00:31:05.360 --> 00:31:07.820 reluctance because this river Jordan 00:31:07.820 --> 00:31:10.779 is now symbolically full of the 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:14.519 pollution of confessed sins of perhaps 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:16.320 tens of thousands of people. 00:31:16.820 --> 00:31:19.019 And this is the water he's going to 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:20.519 baptize Jesus with? 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.420 But you see, 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.080 that's the point, 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:23.740 isn't it? 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:28.259 It's water polluted by the sins of others 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:32.079 in which Jesus will be baptized symbolically 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:36.599 in Jordan and actually on the cross of Calvary, 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:38.920 and the waters will go over his head 00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:40.039 and engulf him. 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:43.539 And so it's not just the disciples 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.900 who are in the storm here. 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:47.519 It's Jesus who is in the storm here. 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:50.619 That may be the reason for the use of this 00:31:50.619 --> 00:31:55.099 very surprising verb that Mark records, 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:56.720 that when Jesus got up, 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.900 you notice, 00:31:58.799 --> 00:32:02.379 he rebuked the wind and the sea. 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:05.339 That's the verb that's going to be used 00:32:05.339 --> 00:32:08.519 later on when Jesus rebukes the powers of 00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:11.200 darkness and death and hell. 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:14.639 So there's something happening, 00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:16.420 not just to the disciples here, 00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:19.620 but there's something happening to Jesus here. 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:23.279 There's something about his sense 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:26.800 that he too is going to be engulfed 00:32:26.800 --> 00:32:30.860 that makes him rise from sleep 00:32:30.860 --> 00:32:33.380 and rebuke the wind and the waves 00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:34.560 and say, 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:37.060 peace be still. 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:40.519 Because that's what he's going to do in Calvary. 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:42.800 Even the use of the word peace is interesting, 00:32:42.800 --> 00:32:43.360 isn't it? 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:49.160 It's actually the first word that Jesus used 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:52.800 to the disciples hiding away there 00:32:52.800 --> 00:32:53.680 in their upper room 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:57.440 when he appeared on the evening of the resurrection. 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.800 First word, 00:32:59.560 --> 00:33:00.000 peace. 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.539 Be still. 00:33:04.300 --> 00:33:05.019 It's like, 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:06.980 it's like what we've got here 00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:09.720 is a trailer for what is going to happen 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.680 in the future. 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:13.380 And here in the midst of the storm, 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:15.680 Jesus is showing them his glory 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:19.080 that he's able to overcome and still the storm 00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:22.960 because ultimately he's going to experience the storm. 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:26.680 And through his death for their sins and his resurrection, 00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:30.380 he is going to bring them peace. 00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:33.120 And maybe that's the reason why 00:33:33.120 --> 00:33:35.540 in Revelation 21, 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:38.660 we're told that in the future world, 00:33:38.860 --> 00:33:40.120 there will be no more sea. 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:41.980 Well, that's a pity. 00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:46.060 There'll be no more sea. 00:33:47.380 --> 00:33:48.420 What does that mean? 00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:52.920 Well, the book of Revelation is full of picture language, 00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:53.520 isn't it? 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:56.720 I don't think it's saying 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:58.519 in the new heavens and the new earth, 00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:00.339 there'll be no more mountains 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:01.639 and no more sea. 00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:04.879 I think it's saying in that world, 00:34:06.139 --> 00:34:08.159 there will be no more of that kind of sea 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:12.519 because Jesus' peace and Jesus' glory 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:15.599 will be absolutely everywhere. 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:19.500 Get back to Simon Peter for a moment. 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:24.880 I've always thought reading this passage, 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:28.099 especially in Mark's gospel, 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:30.900 if indeed it's Peter's gospel, 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:33.519 Peter, you're not telling us something here. 00:34:35.340 --> 00:34:38.179 You're not telling us what was going on in your head 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:39.119 when Jesus said, 00:34:39.239 --> 00:34:42.619 okay, boys, we're going over to the other side tonight. 00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:46.579 You're not telling us how for once in your life 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:48.019 you kept your mouth shut. 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:51.579 And you didn't say to the others, 00:34:52.099 --> 00:34:53.079 he's a carpenter. 00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:54.980 We're the fishermen. 00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:57.699 There might be a storm tonight. 00:34:58.900 --> 00:35:01.800 And I've sometimes extrapolated from that in my imagination. 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:04.519 So, what would have been like for Simon Peter 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.780 to have dug his heels in 00:35:05.780 --> 00:35:08.219 and watched the other friends sail over, 00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:10.019 the storm come in? 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:13.039 And of course it would have broken his heart, 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:14.820 but part of that man would have been saying, 00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.780 I told you so. 00:35:16.360 --> 00:35:17.920 You should have listened to me. 00:35:17.920 --> 00:35:20.340 I knew best. 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:23.800 But what would actually have happened to Peter 00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:25.059 if that had been true? 00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:28.480 Well, Peter would never have seen the glory. 00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:32.139 He'd never have seen who Jesus really is, 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:33.880 what Jesus can really do. 00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:36.300 And the wonderful thing is, 00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:38.880 as you fast forward from Mark's gospel 00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:40.280 into the Acts of the Apostles 00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:43.079 and see the way the Lord dealt with Peter, 00:35:43.180 --> 00:35:45.200 you remember how by Acts chapter 12, 00:35:45.280 --> 00:35:46.260 Peter is in prison. 00:35:46.880 --> 00:35:48.200 And Luke tells us, 00:35:48.660 --> 00:35:51.619 the night before he was about to be taken out, 00:35:52.740 --> 00:35:54.460 and that sounds a bit Glaswegian, 00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:55.780 and that's what it means. 00:35:56.240 --> 00:35:58.640 He was really about to be taken out, 00:35:59.380 --> 00:36:01.400 presumably tried and executed. 00:36:01.400 --> 00:36:05.240 And the Lord sent an angel to rescue him. 00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:07.880 And the thing that I find so fascinating 00:36:07.880 --> 00:36:09.780 is what Peter was doing that night. 00:36:11.360 --> 00:36:13.099 He was lying fast asleep, 00:36:13.660 --> 00:36:16.139 and the angel had to shake him 00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:18.539 and wake him 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:21.960 so that he would be rescued. 00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:26.260 His life had been wonderfully transformed. 00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:31.820 And that's what Jesus is like. 00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:37.699 I mentioned that those of you 00:36:37.699 --> 00:36:39.300 who are theological nerdy 00:36:39.300 --> 00:36:41.000 might love this passage 00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:43.119 because you know the story 00:36:43.119 --> 00:36:46.380 of either the conversion 00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:48.980 or the real assurance 00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:50.200 that he was a Christian 00:36:50.200 --> 00:36:53.300 of perhaps the greatest English theologian. 00:36:53.360 --> 00:36:54.380 His name was John Owen. 00:36:55.619 --> 00:36:57.599 He went with a friend to a church in London 00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:59.260 when he was in his mid-twenties. 00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:01.900 I think he wasn't really sure 00:37:01.900 --> 00:37:03.640 whether he was really a Christian or not, 00:37:03.680 --> 00:37:05.619 although he had the whole Christian baggage 00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.880 behind him in his life. 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:08.140 He was a minister's son. 00:37:10.119 --> 00:37:11.720 He was an Oxford graduate. 00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:12.879 He was brilliant. 00:37:13.699 --> 00:37:15.399 But he wasn't sure he was a believer. 00:37:16.359 --> 00:37:17.480 And they went to hear 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:19.480 a famous preacher. 00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:23.279 And a substitute came in to the pulpit. 00:37:23.379 --> 00:37:24.419 And his friend said to him, 00:37:24.459 --> 00:37:25.299 let's go around the corner 00:37:25.299 --> 00:37:27.000 and hear somebody else. 00:37:27.079 --> 00:37:28.579 You can do that in Edinburgh, apparently. 00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:31.839 And Owen was so melancholic. 00:37:31.959 --> 00:37:33.219 He said, now I'm just going to stay. 00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:35.039 And the man preached 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:38.579 from this passage. 00:37:38.579 --> 00:37:41.920 And John Owen was brought into 00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:46.239 an amazingly new experience 00:37:46.239 --> 00:37:47.659 that Christ was his 00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:49.860 and he was Christ's. 00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:51.799 And the wonderful thing is 00:37:51.799 --> 00:37:53.440 he was never able to discover 00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:54.880 the name of the man 00:37:54.880 --> 00:37:56.420 who had preached the sermon. 00:37:57.860 --> 00:37:59.219 And I can't help thinking 00:37:59.219 --> 00:38:00.900 that if you did actually come here 00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:02.539 because somebody said to you, 00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:03.440 you need to go and hear 00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:04.719 Cory Brock 00:38:04.719 --> 00:38:06.500 in St. Columbus 00:38:06.500 --> 00:38:08.420 in Edinburgh. 00:38:09.880 --> 00:38:10.380 And 00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:12.860 you kind of groaned inwardly 00:38:12.860 --> 00:38:13.719 when he said, 00:38:13.840 --> 00:38:14.980 it's an old Scotsman 00:38:14.980 --> 00:38:16.059 who's going to be here. 00:38:16.860 --> 00:38:17.219 And 00:38:17.219 --> 00:38:19.199 if that's the case, 00:38:19.320 --> 00:38:19.900 please God, 00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:21.079 you forget his name. 00:38:22.460 --> 00:38:23.659 But if this 00:38:23.659 --> 00:38:26.159 was Owen's story, 00:38:26.840 --> 00:38:28.800 it can be your story 00:38:28.800 --> 00:38:29.719 too. 00:38:30.519 --> 00:38:32.219 Because this is what Jesus 00:38:32.219 --> 00:38:33.579 is like. 00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:36.079 And this is what he wants 00:38:36.079 --> 00:38:37.619 to be like 00:38:37.619 --> 00:38:39.539 for you. 00:38:41.539 --> 00:38:42.759 And he did get them 00:38:42.759 --> 00:38:43.719 to the other side. 00:38:44.679 --> 00:38:45.919 And he'll get you 00:38:45.919 --> 00:38:46.419 too 00:38:46.419 --> 00:38:47.899 if you trust him 00:38:47.899 --> 00:38:49.659 to the other side. 00:38:50.199 --> 00:38:51.199 Let's pray together. 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:54.000 Lord, we thank you for 00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:55.480 these 00:38:55.480 --> 00:38:57.219 wonderfully simple 00:38:57.219 --> 00:38:58.539 stories 00:38:58.539 --> 00:39:00.300 that these 00:39:00.300 --> 00:39:01.279 four men 00:39:01.279 --> 00:39:03.840 under the guidance 00:39:03.840 --> 00:39:04.539 of your 00:39:04.539 --> 00:39:06.579 loving Holy Spirit 00:39:06.579 --> 00:39:08.000 penned 00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:10.079 for people 00:39:10.079 --> 00:39:10.619 they knew 00:39:10.619 --> 00:39:11.259 and loved, 00:39:12.259 --> 00:39:13.239 but also 00:39:13.239 --> 00:39:13.840 for people 00:39:13.840 --> 00:39:15.099 that 00:39:15.099 --> 00:39:16.119 they loved 00:39:16.119 --> 00:39:16.980 but never knew, 00:39:18.119 --> 00:39:18.500 including 00:39:18.500 --> 00:39:19.139 ourselves. 00:39:20.079 --> 00:39:21.139 And we pray, 00:39:21.820 --> 00:39:22.119 Lord, 00:39:22.219 --> 00:39:22.880 as we 00:39:22.880 --> 00:39:24.539 think about 00:39:24.539 --> 00:39:25.699 the Lord Jesus, 00:39:25.699 --> 00:39:27.399 see him 00:39:27.399 --> 00:39:28.599 as someone 00:39:28.599 --> 00:39:29.460 who does not 00:39:29.460 --> 00:39:31.379 break 00:39:31.379 --> 00:39:32.679 bruised reeds 00:39:32.679 --> 00:39:35.519 or snuff out 00:39:35.519 --> 00:39:36.179 dimly burning 00:39:36.179 --> 00:39:36.699 wicks, 00:39:37.539 --> 00:39:39.639 but comes to us 00:39:39.639 --> 00:39:40.299 in our need 00:39:40.299 --> 00:39:41.539 and our distress, 00:39:42.219 --> 00:39:42.779 that in his 00:39:42.779 --> 00:39:43.379 providence 00:39:43.379 --> 00:39:43.939 he has 00:39:43.939 --> 00:39:45.480 unpacked 00:39:45.480 --> 00:39:46.199 for us. 00:39:47.359 --> 00:39:48.279 And when we 00:39:48.279 --> 00:39:49.239 sometimes cry, 00:39:49.359 --> 00:39:49.539 Lord, 00:39:49.599 --> 00:39:50.179 do you not really 00:39:50.179 --> 00:39:51.559 care about me? 00:39:52.559 --> 00:39:53.359 We pray that we 00:39:53.359 --> 00:39:54.279 may see who 00:39:54.279 --> 00:39:55.179 he really is 00:39:55.179 --> 00:39:56.739 find him 00:39:56.739 --> 00:39:57.139 in his 00:39:57.139 --> 00:39:57.619 grace 00:39:57.619 --> 00:39:58.739 and glory 00:39:58.739 --> 00:40:01.019 and trust 00:40:01.019 --> 00:40:01.339 him 00:40:01.339 --> 00:40:02.339 not only 00:40:02.339 --> 00:40:03.079 in the areas 00:40:03.079 --> 00:40:04.000 where we feel 00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:05.460 inadequate 00:40:05.460 --> 00:40:06.839 and incapacitated, 00:40:07.619 --> 00:40:08.619 but in those 00:40:08.619 --> 00:40:09.539 areas where we 00:40:09.539 --> 00:40:10.399 foolishly think 00:40:10.399 --> 00:40:10.940 that we 00:40:10.940 --> 00:40:11.919 know best. 00:40:12.839 --> 00:40:13.119 So, 00:40:13.259 --> 00:40:13.480 we 00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:15.079 give ourselves 00:40:15.079 --> 00:40:15.799 to you 00:40:15.799 --> 00:40:16.779 with 00:40:16.779 --> 00:40:18.079 faith 00:40:18.079 --> 00:40:18.659 and 00:40:18.659 --> 00:40:19.679 joy 00:40:19.679 --> 00:40:20.779 and 00:40:20.779 --> 00:40:21.679 the assurance 00:40:21.679 --> 00:40:23.940 that you 00:40:23.940 --> 00:40:24.539 will see 00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:24.879 us 00:40:24.879 --> 00:40:25.839 home 00:40:25.839 --> 00:40:26.199 to the 00:40:26.199 --> 00:40:26.379 other 00:40:26.379 --> 00:40:26.980 side. 00:40:27.639 --> 00:40:28.019 So, 00:40:28.059 --> 00:40:28.699 impress this 00:40:28.699 --> 00:40:29.139 on us 00:40:29.139 --> 00:40:30.079 we pray 00:40:30.079 --> 00:40:31.019 as we 00:40:31.019 --> 00:40:31.379 thank you 00:40:31.379 --> 00:40:31.699 for your 00:40:31.699 --> 00:40:31.980 word 00:40:31.980 --> 00:40:32.500 in Jesus 00:40:32.500 --> 00:40:32.879 name. 00:40:33.079 --> 00:40:33.399 Amen. 00:40:33.400 --> 00:41:03.380 Thank you.