WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.000 I want us to kind of start this year, this and-depth year by looking at the kind of church we want to be really. 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:16.000 ! And looking at what does it mean to be ministry-minded, to remind me and to remind you about who we are. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:22.000 I suppose how we do church. And so very often, normally we go through books of the Bible, that's what I prefer to do. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:28.000 But we're probably going to look at a number of small passages. And I want to start with one verse in Mark 10. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:36.000 It's Jesus' mission statement in Mark 10 verse 45. Mark 10 verse 45, a very famous verse. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:44.000 It says, For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:52.000 I'm always a little bit cynical when it comes to mission statements. Churches have a mission statement particularly. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:01:00.000 At Kitty Islands, she wrote an article on the plague of mission statements. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.000 And she said, I wanted to write a funny piece on mission statements. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:12.000 But what I quickly realised was that nearly all mission statements are laughable. Most of them are not funny. They are really funny. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:18.000 And I don't know, you might have a mission statement for your life, some people do that today. I'd rather. 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:20.000 But I do think Jesus did. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:22.000 I think Jesus had a mission statement. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:26.000 And here it is, it is the verse I just read. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:36.000 For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:42.000 If you are going to have a mission statement, it is going to capture your values. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:46.000 It is going to capture your goals. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:50.000 It is going to capture how you want to achieve them. 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:52.000 It is going to capture your identity. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:56.000 Now just look at that verse I read to you. 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:58.000 And first of all I want to see this. 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:02.000 Jesus' mission statement identifies who he is. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:04.000 It identifies who he is. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:06.000 Who is he? 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:08.000 Who is he from verse 45? 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:10.000 How does he describe himself? 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:12.000 Can you look down? 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:14.000 The Son of Man. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:16.000 It captures his values, doesn't it? 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:18.000 Can you see that? 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:20.000 What are his values? 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:22.000 He has come not to be served, but to serve. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:24.000 And it spells out his goal. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:26.000 What is he aiming at? 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:28.000 His goal is to lay down his life as a ransom for many. 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:30.000 So let's think about those three things. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:32.000 First of all, it identifies for us who Jesus is. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:34.000 And do you notice how he describes himself? 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:38.000 It is his favourite self designation. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:44.000 If you read the gospels, you will know this is how Jesus is always referring to himself. 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:48.000 He refers to himself as the Son of Man. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:50.000 And that doesn't just mean, oh, he's another human being. 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:52.000 It could mean that. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:54.000 And in one sense, it does mean that. 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:58.000 That he's become just another human being like that. 00:02:58.000 --> 00:03:00.000 Splashing bones. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:02.000 Except without sin, the Bible says. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:04.000 He's entered into the human race. 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:08.000 He's got an authentic human existence. 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:10.000 In every respect. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:12.000 Psychologically and emotionally and socially. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:14.000 He's one of us. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:18.000 But can you notice it doesn't say for even a Son of Man. 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:20.000 It doesn't say that to the left. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:24.000 It says the Son of Man. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:26.000 He is the Son of Man. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:30.000 And there's a number of allusions where he refers to himself in this way. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:34.000 And it's all pointing back to Daniel Chapel 7. 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:36.000 Let me read to you from Daniel Chapel 7. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:38.000 Try and imagine the scene. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:40.000 It's a picture of a court. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:42.000 The court of heaven. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:44.000 The court is in session. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:50.000 And the Ancient of Days, God Almighty, is surrounded by thousands upon thousands. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:54.000 10,000 times 10,000 of angels. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:58.000 There's angels as far as you can see. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:00.000 And the books are opened. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:02.000 And then you read this. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:06.000 I saw in the light visions. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:12.000 And behold, with the clouds of heaven, there came like one, a Son of Man. 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:16.000 And he came to the Ancient of Days. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:18.000 And he was presented before him. 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:22.000 And to him, the Son of Man was given dominion and glory and kingdoms. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:26.000 That all peoples and nations and languages should serve him. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:30.000 And this guy's dominion is an everlasting dominion. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:32.000 Which shall not pass away. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:34.000 And his kingdom shall not be destroyed. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:36.000 You see what it's telling you? 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:40.000 It's saying that the greatest human being who's ever lived. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:46.000 The greatest human being that you can imagine, he's like the Son of Man. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:50.000 The greatest person who's ever walked. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:05:00.000 There has never been, nor will there ever be, anyone worthy of glory or of, or adulation or praise. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:02.000 He is truly awesome. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:10.000 And so even someone with the ultimate authority that Jesus has. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:14.000 Even the Son of Man, look at him out at 1045. 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:20.000 He came not to be served, but to serve. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:26.000 It's the US Open and the tennis at the moment, isn't it? 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:28.000 I don't know if you've seen the club, Serena Williams has retired. 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:32.000 And it's an amazing thing, isn't it? 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:34.000 What he says, probably better at home alone. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:38.000 But you know when they sit down at the end of their games. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:40.000 And they go sit by the uplier's chair. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:48.000 And they sit in the sun, and if it's too hot, the ball boy or the ball girl runs to them as quickly as they can with an umbrella. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:50.000 They stand upright with an umbrella. 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:54.000 And there's a drink that's handed to them. 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:58.000 And there's a towel given to them instantly. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:02.000 They're the great ones, aren't they? 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:04.000 They are served. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:10.000 They nod, or they give an eyebrow and a ball right in their hand. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:16.000 Now I know it's probably a bad little speech because I don't tend to be a soothe, but forget about that for a minute. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:20.000 But the point of the solution is that the tennis players, they're the great ones, aren't they? 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:26.000 When Serena Williams sits down, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, they're the great ones, and they are served. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:34.000 So can you imagine a leak sprints in Flushing Meadow where the US Open is? 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:37.000 And an announcement comes over the tannoy. 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:41.000 It says, one of the toilets is blocked, can Serena come and unlock it? 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:47.000 Can Nadal, can he come off court and fix the gathering? 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:49.000 You can never do it with you. 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:51.000 It would never happen. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:55.000 Because they are the great ones, and they're the ones in the limelight. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:07:01.000 So in the workplace, there's always someone in charge, isn't there? 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:04.000 In the workplace, there's always a boss. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:09.000 I remember in the office that I used to work in, there was a woman in charge of the stationary cupboard. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:11.000 And didn't you know it? 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:15.000 She had the keys to the stationary cupboard. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:22.000 And without her permission, you couldn't get your stationary, you couldn't have a pen, you couldn't do a piece of paper. 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:26.000 Now I know I'm down here on the stationary cupboard, so I think of the past. 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:34.000 But if you wanted to function in that office, if you wanted your paper clips, and your pieces of paper, and your pens, 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:37.000 she was in charge. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:41.000 Well, Jesus is not in charge of the stationary cupboard. 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:49.000 In Daniel 7, what he's telling us is that Jesus, the one who we worship in the morning, is in charge of absolutely everything. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:53.000 That's what this term, the Son of Man, means. 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:55.000 He's God's universal ruler. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:08:02.000 He is the one to whom all authority belongs in heaven and on earth. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:09.000 Sometimes you see on people's desks, on their computers, the boss is coming, look, isn't it? 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:12.000 Well, the boss is coming. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:15.000 That's what this is saying. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:18.000 This is who Jesus is, according to Daniel 7. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:21.000 He's given all authority and glory and sovereign power and all peoples. 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:28.000 It doesn't matter where you're from, whether you're from Iran or Afghanistan or Argentina or England or America. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:35.000 All nations, men, women, boys and girls, in every language, they're going to worship him. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:41.000 And his dominion is everlasting and his kingdom will never pass away. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:46.000 I do say, yeah. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:49.000 Yeah, I'm sure it was alright. 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:54.000 But it is actually happening. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:59.000 Until you look at the history of the last 2,000 years, and it is happening. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:01.000 His kingdom is a universal kingdom. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:03.000 It is coming and it is growing. 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:08.000 It is estimated that 35,000 people will become Christians today. 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:13.000 I find that stat just mind-blowing. 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:15.000 I thought it was 3,500, but no. 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:17.000 You've got to be Googled. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:22.000 It's 35,000 people will become Christians all around the world. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:24.000 It is a growing kingdom. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:26.000 It is a universal kingdom. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:31.000 And the epicentre of the kingdom is no longer in Europe or America. 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:37.000 The great growth is in places like Africa, South America and China. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:48.000 And what Daniel saw all those hundreds of years before is actually happening before our very eyes if we look for it. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:55.000 And this God, this God is coming to the house. 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:58.000 The house of this world. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:00.000 If I can put it like this without being blasphemous. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:05.000 If God is in the house, He is the one in Mark 10 to 45 who's got the candle on. 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:10.000 God is the one to make of the tea. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:16.000 Because even the son of man who comes, not to be served, but to serve. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:18.000 And that's astonishing, isn't it? 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:25.000 Do you remember what they said when, what Jesus said to Peter when they came to arrest little Jesus? 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:32.000 They came to arrest Jesus in the garden and Peter pulls out a sword to protect Jesus. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:35.000 And what did Jesus say to him? 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:37.000 Jesus says to him, doesn't he? 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:39.000 Put away your sword. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:42.000 Put away your sword, Peter. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:52.000 Don't you realise, Peter, that I can appeal to my Father in heaven and you will at once send me all the twelve legions of angels. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:57.000 But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so? 00:10:57.000 --> 00:11:07.000 What does it mean to be served? 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:09.000 What does it mean to be served? 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:14.000 To be served is to have other people doing things to you. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:17.000 It's how people work for you. 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:19.000 It's how people assisting you. 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:22.000 It's how people carrying your bags. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:25.000 It's how people that will get things done. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:31.000 It is how people that will make life just a little bit easier for you and better for you. 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:37.000 But the son of man, he did not come for that purpose. 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:40.000 The son of man did not come to be served. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:45.000 Jesus said, I did not come into this world to get you to do things for me. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:49.000 And that might come as a massive surprise to you. 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:55.000 You might have thought that Christianity was all about us doing things for God. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:57.000 Doing things for Jesus. 00:11:57.000 --> 00:12:00.000 It's about us carrying favour with Jesus. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:02.000 About getting on his right side by doing things. 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:07.000 And no, Jesus said, if that's what you think this morning, you've completely misunderstood. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:17.000 The gospel is not about what you do for me. 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:21.000 It's about what life comes to do for you. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:23.000 Jesus is served by angels. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:26.000 He is served by myriads of angels. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:31.000 In the garden, when they came to arrest him, he could have flipped his fingers. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:34.000 And hundreds of thousands of angels turned up. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:36.000 He didn't need Peter with his little sword. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:39.000 But he says to Peter, put away your sword. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:41.000 Because that isn't the reason I can. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:43.000 I didn't come to be served. 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:47.000 But I come to be served by giving my wife as a ransom. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:52.000 And you notice, if you look at verse 32 of chapter 10. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:57.000 And they are amazed, astonished into what was there. 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:59.000 And those who followed were afraid. 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:02.000 There's something about the look in his eye as he walks to Jerusalem. 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:05.000 There's something about his determination. 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:09.000 There's something about his whole demeanour which astonishes them. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:11.000 He's striding towards his death. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:16.000 He's deliberately, in a very focused way, going to Jerusalem for the last time. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:22.000 And do you remember Thomas, one of the disciples, said, listen, we may as well go with him and die. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:25.000 Because if he goes to Jerusalem, they will, okay. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:32.000 And three times in Mark 8, 9 and 10, Jesus has warned them, each time I'm going to die. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:35.000 I'm going to be delivered. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:37.000 I'm going to be crucified. 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:40.000 I'm going to be handed over and nailed to a cross. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:44.000 He's gone three times in three chapters. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:48.000 And now he's on his way and he's staring into the face of his own death. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:50.000 Even the Son of Man. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:55.000 The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:58.000 And to give his life to the rights of the man. 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:01.000 And so that's the first thing. He's identifying who he is. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:05.000 He is the one who is born into the human race. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:09.000 But he's more than that. He is the ultimate human. 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:13.000 He is God's universal ruler. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:15.000 The one to all authority in heaven and earth is being given. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:16.000 That's who he is. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.000 But why then is he can? 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:19.000 What's his purpose? 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:21.000 Why does he go to the cross? 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:24.000 Why does he strive towards Jerusalem? 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:28.000 That leaves us for the second of this mission statement. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:33.000 Not only does it explain to us who Jesus is, but it captures his values. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:35.000 Three things I want to say about that. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:37.000 His values. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:39.000 His values. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:45.000 That he came to serve instead of being served. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.000 The first thing is this. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:49.000 That's contrary to human nature. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:52.000 It's against how we naturally are to that means. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:15:00.000 Edith lived in a little world bound by north, south, east and west by Edith. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:05.000 We are incurably self-centred, aren't we? 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:08.000 We're self-absorbed, self-protected. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:11.000 If you want evidence of that, go on your own social media. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:15.000 And you see it here in the disciples of the university file. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:20.000 James and John, the sons of seven, came back to him and they said to Jesus, 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:23.000 Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we are for you. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:24.000 That is shocking. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:32.000 In the previous verses, Jesus said, I'm going to be handed over the Gentiles. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:34.000 I'll be mocked. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.000 I'll be spat on. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.000 I will be flogged. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.000 It'll kill me. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:39.000 And then James and John come and say, 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:42.000 And we want you to do whatever we ask. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:45.000 It's a shockingly selfish prayer. 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:48.000 It's a genial kind of prayer. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:50.000 It's the sort of thing that kids say to their parents. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:52.000 But we know better than to fall for it. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:55.000 Will you give me whatever I ask? 00:15:57.000 --> 00:16:00.000 It's incredibly insensitive too, in the light of what Jesus has been saying. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:02.000 He's just described as suffering. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.000 He's about to endure. 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:07.000 He's already walking in a purposeful way to a kind of death. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:14.000 John Stott describes this prayer request as the worst, most blatantly self-centered prayer ever prayed. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:17.000 Can you imagine the prayer meeting on Wednesday? 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:21.000 I say, is there anything anyone else would like prayer for? 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:25.000 I really don't pray that God would do whatever I ask Him. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.000 Can you imagine it? 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:27.000 Listen to me in verse 35. 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:28.000 Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask for. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.000 And He said, what do you want me to do for you? 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:33.000 And He said, you grant us the sixth one on your right hand and the one on your left in your glory. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.000 Jesus said, you know what you're talking about. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.000 You know what you're asking for. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:36.000 You've got no understanding. 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:37.000 I didn't come. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.000 I didn't come. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:39.000 I didn't come to be served. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.620 And he said, then what do you want me to do for you? 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:43.220 And he said, your grand test has said, 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:46.059 one on your right hand and one on your left in your glory. 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.899 Jesus said, you know what you're talking about. 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.539 You know what you're asking for. 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.820 You've got no understanding. 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:57.279 I didn't come to be served. 00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:59.860 But I came to be served to give my life as a rancid man. 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:03.080 It doesn't mean he came to be servile. 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.599 It doesn't mean that Jesus didn't give you what you want. 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:11.079 It doesn't mean that Jesus kind of panned at your selfishness. 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:14.679 What if Jesus had given them what they wanted? 00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:17.079 What if he could answer their prayers in the way that they liked? 00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:21.619 Do you know what would have happened to them? 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:24.799 Look over to Mark 15. 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:25.719 You'll see it. 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:28.399 Mark 15, verse 25. 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:30.659 27. 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:35.559 Jesus said to them, actually, you will all fall away. 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.399 For it is written by the Lord, 00:17:36.399 --> 00:17:38.379 like the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered. 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.440 They're all left. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.220 They all fell away. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.879 Jesus was not enthroned 00:17:51.879 --> 00:17:55.339 in some gorgeous cathedral 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:57.200 between two campbells. 00:17:57.200 --> 00:18:00.299 But the Lord Jesus was enthroned 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:02.619 on a cross between two thieves. 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:05.859 One on his right and one on his left. 00:18:08.199 --> 00:18:11.059 One day, they will take Prince Charles, 00:18:11.959 --> 00:18:13.979 and they will not take him to Pentadal Prison, 00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:15.939 and hang him. 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:17.599 They will take him to Westminster Avenue, 00:18:18.439 --> 00:18:19.319 and they will crown him. 00:18:21.199 --> 00:18:23.379 And he will become King Charles of the Lord. 00:18:24.959 --> 00:18:25.739 King of England. 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:29.620 Just imagine Charles being cracked for his coronation. 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.559 And they say, 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:33.579 Charles, as you process into the Abbey, 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.740 into Westminster Abbey, 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.779 and as you walk down the aisle, 00:18:35.900 --> 00:18:37.319 everyone is going to turn their back on you. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.559 And as you get up to the front, 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:42.359 there will be peers of the round 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:43.700 in all their finery, 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.859 with their ermine collars, 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:47.480 and their red robes. 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:49.960 The moderator of the Church of Stockholm 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:50.839 will be there with the Bible. 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:52.799 And when you make your way to the transept 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:53.700 at the front of the church, 00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:55.319 they will spit in your face. 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:59.480 And when the Archbishop lifts the crown, 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:02.440 and as he's about to crown you, 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.220 a sniper, 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.700 somewhere in the eaves, 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.980 is going to fire a bullet, 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:08.620 and it will shoot you through the head. 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:10.960 Shocking, isn't it? 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.839 That's how it was for Jesus. 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:17.079 That's how his kingdom came. 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:20.079 His crucifixion was his coronation. 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.839 It is gory, 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:24.939 and yet there is glory there as well. 00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:28.159 And that's what the disciples have understood. 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:30.279 The kind of kingdom that Jesus is bringing 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:32.279 to this world is totally different 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.019 from any other kingdom. 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:36.240 It's clearly not what the disciples 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.099 had in mind at all. 00:19:37.199 --> 00:19:38.599 It's culturally genuine nature. 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.980 We are essentially self-centered, 00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:42.079 and self-protecting, 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:43.319 and self-absorbed, 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:44.200 and self-advancing. 00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:46.740 Even in church, 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:48.359 we are in our lives for ourselves. 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:52.299 What did that do for me? 00:19:53.639 --> 00:19:54.619 What is it for me? 00:19:54.639 --> 00:19:56.179 I didn't get much out of that. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:59.879 Rather than what can I do to serve others? 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:02.159 So his value is a contrast with human nature, 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:04.179 but it's also really counter-cultural. 00:20:05.419 --> 00:20:07.039 It's so different from our culture. 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:10.019 It runs contrary, doesn't it, 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.519 to the Catholic word of politics. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.740 And not just politics, 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.599 sports slam. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:16.799 That people out for themselves, 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:18.039 to make a name for themselves, 00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:18.819 whatever the cost. 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:23.039 Look what Jesus says in verses 42 to 44. 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:23.900 Jesus said, 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:26.380 you know that those who are regarded as rulers 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:30.259 of the Gentiles, 00:20:30.340 --> 00:20:31.180 lordly no with them, 00:20:31.300 --> 00:20:33.740 and their great ones exercise authority over them, 00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:36.720 but it shall not be so among you. 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:38.600 Not so with you. 00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:44.160 Not so with you. 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:48.779 Those four words characterise Christian leadership. 00:20:50.620 --> 00:20:52.640 And so the values that Jesus brings 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:54.100 are contrary to human nature. 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:58.880 So whether it's in the world of sports, 00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.700 or the world of politics, 00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:00.759 or the world of big business, 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:01.860 you know how it is, 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:03.600 people are playing the greasy power. 00:21:05.040 --> 00:21:06.800 They'll step on others to get there. 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:12.299 Somebody has said, 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:15.859 in the paradoxical topography of heaven, 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.980 the way up is the way down. 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.839 That's what he's saying, 00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:23.299 is that the way to become great 00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:25.740 in the kingdom of God 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.619 must become a servant. 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.799 And whoever wants to be first 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.960 must be a slave of all. 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:34.880 He's redefining greatness. 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:38.059 True greatness is to serve 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:39.400 the needs of others. 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.620 You see, Christian leadership 00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:45.600 is servanthood. 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:50.079 We pay lip service a lot, 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:51.840 so we call our political leaders, 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.160 don't we, 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:52.860 those who are in government, 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:54.680 we call them ministers of state, 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.680 servants of state. 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.480 That's the effect the gospel 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.519 has had in this country. 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:02.480 I don't know if you realise that. 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:04.980 Certainly don't think 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:06.100 our leaders realise that. 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:09.079 That they are there to serve. 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.759 Where did that idea come from? 00:22:12.840 --> 00:22:13.559 It came from Jesus. 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:15.759 And the trouble is, 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.640 without Jesus, 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.380 it doesn't happen. 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.720 It's a great idea. 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:23.100 But without Jesus, 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.000 what do we see if we see 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.799 self-serving, 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.940 hungry for power, 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.940 greedy for praise, 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.079 desperate to be wanted, 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:29.279 desperate to be recognised, 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:31.480 desperate to make a name for ourselves, 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.240 desperate to be learned. 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.960 And so what Jesus says, 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.539 it's not only 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:38.660 contrary to our human nature, 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.420 it's counter-cultural. 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:41.139 It's not really the way things operate, 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.039 the way things operate 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.839 in our world. 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:43.680 And the third thing 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.599 is counterintuitive. 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:48.920 Some of you desperately need to hear 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.579 this this morning. 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.839 You beat yourself up, 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:54.200 believing that you've not done enough. 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:56.240 for Jesus. 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.700 Isn't that right? 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.600 You said to yourself, 00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:59.039 I'm not good enough 00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.640 to be a Christian. 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.799 I don't pray. 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:03.400 I don't read my Bible enough. 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:05.180 I don't evangelise enough. 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:06.640 I don't serve enough. 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.220 And the more worried 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.160 you become about that, 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.580 the more tight you become. 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:12.759 And Jesus says, 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:13.900 that's not why I came. 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:14.920 Isn't that amazing? 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:18.440 Jesus did not come 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:20.080 to get you to do things for him. 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:22.419 I didn't get you 00:23:22.419 --> 00:23:23.319 to come to try harder. 00:23:24.439 --> 00:23:25.279 I didn't get you 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.019 to be better, 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.099 come to be better. 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:29.619 I came to do things 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.299 for you. 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.659 Not to get you 00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:35.500 to do something for me. 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:38.539 And that's counterintuitive, 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:38.839 isn't it, 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.619 for all of us. 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:42.419 But until you get that, 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.259 until you understand that, 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:44.159 you have not understood 00:23:44.159 --> 00:23:44.579 the gospel. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.879 But once you understand that, 00:23:47.939 --> 00:23:48.519 once you understand 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.319 it's not about me, 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:52.119 it's not about me 00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:53.179 serving him. 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.079 It's about him 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.899 coming to serve me. 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:57.119 And so it frees you. 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.099 It frees you. 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.819 It frees you to do what? 00:24:00.879 --> 00:24:01.759 It frees you to serve others, 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:02.359 paradoxically. 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.639 So let me ask you 00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:06.079 this question. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:08.240 Will you let yourself 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.139 be served? 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.619 Will you allow yourself 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:14.799 to be served by Jesus? 00:24:17.199 --> 00:24:18.259 And pride is the problem, 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:18.619 isn't it? 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.480 It's my problem. 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.659 And we're reading 00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:22.319 about a man 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.179 who came home drunk 00:24:23.179 --> 00:24:23.839 every night. 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.359 And every night 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:26.519 his wife had to help him 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:26.980 to bed. 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:29.359 And every night 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:30.199 she'd take him upstairs, 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:31.059 she'd go to dress him, 00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:31.919 she'd put him to bed. 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.559 And one night 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.159 when she took him 00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:33.740 to bed, 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.500 she said, 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:34.759 John, 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.799 let me pray for you. 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:38.379 And he grumbled 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:38.879 and he grumbled okay. 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.639 And so she started 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.059 to pray 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:42.399 and she said, 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:42.659 Lord, 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.819 I pray for my husband 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.960 who lies here drunk. 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.240 And a little voice 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:47.759 came out from 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.379 under the covers, 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.980 don't tell him I'm drunk, 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.700 tell him I'm asleep. 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:54.660 And that's our problem, 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.019 isn't it? 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.279 We're too proud 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:58.960 to admit a story. 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:02.840 We won't climb down, 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.240 we won't humble ourselves. 00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:06.580 We won't admit 00:25:06.580 --> 00:25:07.240 we've got a problem. 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.140 We won't admit 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:10.599 that we need Jesus. 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.279 Early on in the chapter 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.099 there's a really important 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.680 little section 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:17.460 where the parents 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:17.880 of believers 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.920 bring little children 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.559 to Jesus 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.319 and the disciples 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.059 lash them away. 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:21.799 It's too important 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.120 for that. 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:24.299 They're bringing 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:24.759 their children 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.460 so that Jesus 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.420 might bless them 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:27.299 and the disciples 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.079 send them away. 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.180 It's far too important. 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.220 And Jesus says, 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.859 no, no, no, 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.920 unless you receive 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.319 the kingdom 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:34.099 like one of these, 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:36.019 you cannot 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.620 answer the kingdom. 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:39.700 You've got to become 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.500 like a start 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:40.839 you owe us 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:41.339 a little child. 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.000 It doesn't mean 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.380 you've got to become 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:44.740 childish, 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.599 but it does mean 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:46.980 that you've got to 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.779 become a child of life. 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.259 A little child 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.359 is tumultingly dependent. 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.059 They are brought 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.900 to the Lord Jesus. 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.920 They rely on others 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:56.819 to supply their needs 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.319 and that's how 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.099 people become Christians. 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.519 And that's how 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.440 you get to the kingdom of God. 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.039 And so how is this possible? 00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:04.759 Here's my third point. 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.660 I'm running out of time. 00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:07.220 Here's my third point. 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:10.180 We are incurably 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.799 self-centered. 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.519 And we live in a culture 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.360 where self-promotion 00:26:14.360 --> 00:26:15.360 is the order of the day. 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:17.400 And so we're like 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:17.980 little birds, 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:18.259 you know, 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:18.720 the little birds 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:20.039 caught in an oil spillage 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.120 and they are trapped 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:21.940 and they're trying 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:22.360 to get away 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:23.640 with the covenant stuff. 00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:25.799 And we're contaminated 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:27.819 by sin in our culture. 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.200 Selfishness 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.140 and self-absorption. 00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:32.420 We can't shake it. 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:34.980 And yet Jesus 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.380 has come 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.500 to do something about it. 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:38.840 And so here's the way 00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:39.300 that he's coming 00:26:39.300 --> 00:26:40.620 to deal with it. 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.820 Not by giving his life 00:26:41.820 --> 00:26:42.400 as an example. 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.640 Jesus is not Gandhi. 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:48.480 Inspirational figure 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.060 that he was. 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:51.679 And we can be challenged 00:26:51.679 --> 00:26:52.579 and we can be inspired 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:53.220 by the example 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.940 but the problem is 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.559 he can't live 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.119 like Jesus. 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.859 Jesus did not 00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.599 come into this world 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.139 to give himself 00:27:00.139 --> 00:27:00.859 as an example. 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.159 An example of 00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:04.059 sacrificial love. 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:05.079 He came to give himself 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.759 as a ransom. 00:27:07.399 --> 00:27:08.079 And the only time 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.919 we use the word ransom 00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:09.899 is when there's been 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.279 a kidnapping. 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:13.059 In the ancient world 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:14.039 they did a prisoner 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.740 of war camps. 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.240 People were taken 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:17.579 prisoner in the ancient world. 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.099 An army would take prisoners 00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:19.960 and they were either killed 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.879 or they were made slaves. 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:23.559 And the only way 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.259 you could get them 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.839 free is by paying 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.279 a ransom. 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.359 And that's the picture 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.019 of the Angus book. 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:31.200 And that's what Jesus 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:31.680 is saying about 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.440 his mission statement. 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.879 He's explaining to us 00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:35.359 why he's coming 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:35.920 to this world. 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:39.039 He didn't just come 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.859 to give you an example 00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:40.379 of life. 00:27:41.679 --> 00:27:42.299 Because quite frankly 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.019 it would crush us. 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.519 And we'd say, 00:27:45.639 --> 00:27:45.879 wouldn't we, 00:27:45.939 --> 00:27:46.679 well that is wonderful 00:27:46.679 --> 00:27:47.879 but I cannot live like that. 00:27:47.959 --> 00:27:48.279 That's not maybe 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:49.159 something you were saying today. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.959 Because an example 00:27:51.959 --> 00:27:52.839 of sacrificial love 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.699 just condemns you. 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.799 It doesn't help you. 00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:55.939 Jesus says, 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.859 no, I actually came 00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:58.240 to pay the ransom price. 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.500 To set you free. 00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:03.319 There's a famous 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:03.759 illustration, 00:28:03.939 --> 00:28:04.199 isn't that? 00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:06.500 Of the two people 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.399 that, let's say me and you 00:28:07.399 --> 00:28:08.579 were walking across a bridge. 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:11.059 And I want to show you 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:11.839 how much I love you. 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.459 And so, 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.479 I run across 00:28:14.479 --> 00:28:15.319 to the side of the bridge 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:16.379 and jump over the bridge 00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:17.059 into the water 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.979 shouting, 00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:18.619 I love you. 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:21.099 What are you going to say? 00:28:21.959 --> 00:28:22.319 Oh, 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:23.979 he loves me. 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.259 So you're going to say 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.179 that he needs his mates. 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:30.799 It's a really poor example. 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:33.599 It's pointless. 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:34.960 And yet, 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:36.240 if you've fallen off the bridge 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.419 and are in the water 00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:38.399 and I jump up 00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:39.500 over the side of the bridge 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.319 and rescue you, 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.399 that's very different, 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:42.740 isn't it? 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:43.839 That shows my love for you. 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:45.159 That's the meaning of the cross. 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.480 Even the Son of Man, 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.960 he came to give his life. 00:28:50.139 --> 00:28:51.019 No one takes his life 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.700 away from him. 00:28:52.879 --> 00:28:54.279 He gives his life away. 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.399 As a substitute, 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:56.899 let me finish 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:57.539 with an illustration. 00:28:57.539 --> 00:29:00.039 There's a bridge 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:01.299 on the Potomac River. 00:29:02.659 --> 00:29:03.819 The 14th bridge, 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.799 but it's now called 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:06.339 that Arlan D. Williams Bridge. 00:29:07.379 --> 00:29:07.799 We have something 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:09.000 that happened in 1982. 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:11.920 On the 13th of January 1982, 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.899 during an extraordinary period 00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.799 of freezing weather, 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:16.539 Air Florida Flight 90 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.039 churned off 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:17.619 from the EI 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.879 of Washington Airport. 00:29:19.899 --> 00:29:21.819 It failed to gain altitude. 00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:23.759 It crashed into the 14th street bridge. 00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:24.899 It hit six cars 00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.859 out of a truck 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:26.779 killing four motores. 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:29.180 After the crash 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.240 into the bridge, 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:32.700 the plane continued forward 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.359 and it plunged 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:34.259 into the freezing river. 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.779 Soon after, 00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:37.960 only the tail section 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.819 remained afloat. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:42.039 And only six of the airliners, 00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:43.379 79 passengers, 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:45.079 survived the initial crash. 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:46.879 And they were even 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:48.059 escaped the sinking plane. 00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:50.460 According to the other 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.159 five passengers, 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:52.579 one passenger continued 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.759 to help all the others 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:55.379 reach the rescue groups 00:29:55.379 --> 00:29:56.480 dropped by the helicopter. 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:58.779 Repeatedly, 00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:59.599 he passed the line 00:29:59.599 --> 00:30:00.039 to others 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:01.200 instead of using it himself. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.740 His name 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:03.319 was Arlathan D. Williams. 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:06.200 While the other five 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:07.539 were being taken ashore 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:08.559 by the helicopter, 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.599 the tail section 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:11.180 of the Boeing 737 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:12.360 shifted and sank 00:30:12.360 --> 00:30:12.880 into the water 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:13.480 and dragged 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.480 Arlathan D. Williams 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.299 into the water. 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.420 The next day, 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.160 the Washington Post 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:19.319 described his heroism. 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:20.079 It said he was about 00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:20.940 50 years old 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:22.440 and one of half 00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:23.320 a dozen survivors 00:30:23.320 --> 00:30:24.680 clinging to twisted wreckage 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.299 bobbing about 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.660 at the night 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.440 in Petonga River. 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.559 When the first helicopter 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.080 arrived 00:30:29.080 --> 00:30:32.500 to the cockpit 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.400 of the police crew, 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:33.820 he seemed 00:30:33.820 --> 00:30:34.559 the most alert. 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:37.059 Life vests were dropped 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:38.039 and then a flotation board. 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.180 The man passed 00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:40.940 then to the others 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:42.080 on two occasions. 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:45.220 The crew recalled 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:46.779 that he handed away 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.439 a lifeline 00:30:47.439 --> 00:30:48.659 from the hovering machine 00:30:48.659 --> 00:30:49.279 that could have 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.079 dragged him to safety. 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.899 The helicopter crew 00:30:52.899 --> 00:30:53.919 who rescued five people 00:30:53.919 --> 00:30:54.480 lifted a woman 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.139 to the riverbank. 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.419 They dragged three more persons 00:30:56.419 --> 00:30:57.039 across the ice 00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:57.559 to safety 00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:59.779 and then the lifeline 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.460 sent a woman 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.259 who was trying to swim 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.539 away from the second wreckage. 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.460 The helicopter 00:31:04.460 --> 00:31:06.119 returned to the scene 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:07.359 but Arlathan D. Williams 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:07.859 was gone. 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:10.039 And every time 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:11.059 they lowered the lifeline 00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:11.980 he passed it somehow. 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:14.220 Again and again 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:15.339 they pulled it up 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:16.480 and there was 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.379 someone else in the room. 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.779 And every time 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.639 he gave away 00:31:20.639 --> 00:31:21.779 his place of salvation 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.480 to someone else. 00:31:23.919 --> 00:31:24.799 And the last time 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:25.259 they got back 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.659 he'd gone. 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.399 He died. 00:31:27.339 --> 00:31:28.759 He died to what? 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.779 Saving others. 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:33.199 Substituting himself 00:31:33.199 --> 00:31:33.639 for others. 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.919 Giving them 00:31:35.919 --> 00:31:37.279 his place of deliverance. 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:40.059 He took the destruction 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.480 that was coming upon them 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:42.860 and four or five people 00:31:42.860 --> 00:31:44.240 owed their lives to him. 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:46.860 And that's what Jesus 00:31:46.860 --> 00:31:47.360 is saying 00:31:47.360 --> 00:31:49.660 his mission is. 00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.380 That's why he came 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:51.059 to the human race. 00:31:52.660 --> 00:31:53.620 And that's why he came 00:31:53.620 --> 00:31:54.559 one of us 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:55.339 to go to the cross. 00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:57.860 He's not dragged there 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.539 against his will. 00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:59.400 It's not some terrible 00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:00.120 little tragedy. 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.980 He deliberately 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.819 set his face 00:32:01.819 --> 00:32:02.519 towards Jerusalem 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.980 and he goes 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.980 for this very purpose. 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.660 And not just for four 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:08.240 or five people. 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:08.779 Can you see our 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.839 course for many? 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:13.859 For many? 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.960 And that warns you 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.379 doesn't it? 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.019 That warns you 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.740 as we close 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:21.019 that it's not everyone. 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.680 He's warning us 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:24.500 that not everyone 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.359 is going to be rescued. 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:28.859 And so the question 00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.919 as we finish this morning 00:32:29.919 --> 00:32:30.339 is this. 00:32:30.399 --> 00:32:31.279 Are you one of the men? 00:32:33.139 --> 00:32:34.139 There is no reason 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:35.139 why any should perish. 00:32:37.919 --> 00:32:38.719 It's really interesting 00:32:38.719 --> 00:32:39.459 how the chapter ends 00:32:39.459 --> 00:32:39.779 is to do with 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.500 plan part in the way. 00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:41.519 Jesus is on his way 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:42.059 to choose them. 00:32:42.939 --> 00:32:43.759 And he won't stop 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:44.419 for the disciples 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:45.600 but in verse 49 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:46.460 he does stop 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:46.980 on his tracks. 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:50.759 All the grandiose schemes 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.580 of Jesus and John 00:32:51.580 --> 00:32:52.300 he won't stop 00:32:52.300 --> 00:32:53.420 but there is one man 00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:54.519 who cries out for mercy 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.740 who recognises he is 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.700 and Jesus stops. 00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:58.960 And he cries out 00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.460 Son of David 00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:00.940 have mercy on me. 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.320 And a blind man 00:33:03.320 --> 00:33:03.900 has made you see. 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.640 They are not physically 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.320 blind and seen. 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:07.259 But there are none 00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:08.460 so blind as will not see. 00:33:12.080 --> 00:33:12.980 And his disciples 00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:14.500 they wouldn't see 00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.640 what Jesus was telling them. 00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:16.819 They didn't want 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.319 to hear it. 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:18.940 They didn't want 00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:19.400 to see it. 00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:22.000 But Jesus stops 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:22.700 to show mercy. 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:25.579 The Bible says this. 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:27.620 It says this to you 00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:28.200 this morning 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:28.920 so that everyone 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:29.599 who calls 00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:30.240 on the name 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:30.900 of the Lord 00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:33.000 will be saved. 00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:37.059 So will you call 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:38.059 to him this morning? 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.519 And if you call him 00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.099 you will stop. 00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:43.659 and he will have mercy 00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:45.639 and he will say 00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:46.059 God's name. 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.500 00:33:46.500 --> 00:34:16.480 Thank you.