WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.880 So Juju last week challenged us. Jesus was faced with the temptation to prove himself, to prove that I can provide for myself here. 00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:19.100 And we asked that question of ourselves. Are we trying to prove something all the time? And then Wes asked, what are you pursuing? What are you worshipping? 00:00:19.760 --> 00:00:26.179 Jesus was taken up to the top and hey, this could be all yours. What are we pursuing? What are we actually worshipping? What is the thing that we're valuing? 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:32.259 And then J challenges and said, what about popularity? Are we actually chasing popularity? Because he could have just jumped off the cliff. 00:00:32.380 --> 00:00:41.880 And as per Psalm 91, the angels would have caught him and there would have been a big show. He would have been the man and everyone would be just shocked and surprised and just in awe of him. 00:00:41.880 --> 00:00:49.739 But he refused that. He refused the temptation and then he left. And all of this was because of the Holy Spirit taking him on this journey. 00:00:49.739 --> 00:00:55.859 And I love just what the Lord's been speaking to us as a community. I was talking to Francis yesterday and I was like, and he's been going through something. 00:00:55.859 --> 00:01:02.619 This is just exactly, this is the word for me at this time. Because when you are filled with the Spirit, you will be tested. 00:01:02.880 --> 00:01:08.500 That's the whole point. You will be tested because you are going to be refined. And then after that, you will come and you will have the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:13.359 So what happens here is as he finishes in the wilderness, he goes off. If we just rewind a little bit. 00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:18.219 I didn't ask Trevor to read this. Chapter 4, Luke chapter 4, in case you're joining us for the first time. 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:26.159 Verse 13, and when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:31.840 So he had resisted all these temptations and the devil was like, okay, I'm going to let you go, but I will be back. 00:01:32.680 --> 00:01:38.180 I will be back and he's going to come back. But then, verse 14, and Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee. 00:01:38.739 --> 00:01:41.280 And the report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:46.719 So he returns. He was led. He was filled by the Spirit. He was led into the wilderness by the Spirit. 00:01:46.820 --> 00:01:50.040 And then he comes back filled with the power of the Spirit. And he goes back to his hometown. 00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:53.400 And the hype is building. People are hearing about what he's doing. 00:01:53.960 --> 00:01:56.480 And so from here, we move in. He goes back to his hometown. 00:01:56.659 --> 00:02:02.560 And just when you think it's going to take off, the next chapter, the next part is titled Jesus Rejected and Nazareth. 00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:05.939 And so we see here, it's after the testing, he comes back with the power. 00:02:05.939 --> 00:02:14.079 And so whatever tests you're going through, whatever trials you're going through, the temptations that you've faced, they will keep coming because it says until an opportune time. 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:19.960 So it's just not a one and done. You may beat your temptation today, but it will come back again tomorrow. 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:27.000 But continue and you will grow in strength and continue and you will continue to show and be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:02:27.079 --> 00:02:29.719 And he came to Nazareth. So verse 16, and we're just going to go through. 00:02:29.719 --> 00:02:37.520 And actually, I'll tell you this, as I was going through this, when I'm going through this, I'm looking at what are some three clever points that maybe we can bring out of this, like a Tim Keller. 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:41.079 It's like, you know, he talks about the problem and he talks about the solution, like those things. 00:02:41.159 --> 00:02:45.139 I was like, you know what? This has just been blowing my mind time and time again, just verse by verse. 00:02:45.159 --> 00:02:47.579 So I'm going to just go through it and we're going to keep it super simple. 00:02:47.780 --> 00:02:50.539 And I truly believe the Lord has a word for all of us. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:53.319 And he came to Nazareth, his hometown, where he had been brought up. 00:02:53.319 --> 00:02:54.219 So he goes home. 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:59.699 And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day and he stood up to read. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:03.819 So this is a famous passage because Jesus announces his arrival. 00:03:03.960 --> 00:03:07.120 He says, I am here and I'm about to kickstart what I'm going to do. 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:07.819 But I love it. 00:03:07.860 --> 00:03:12.280 Just even as was his, he goes home and as was his custom, he goes to church on Sunday. 00:03:13.400 --> 00:03:15.199 Which means he'd grown up doing it. 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:20.379 Then it made me think, what would the son of God felt about turning up at a synagogue week in, week out? 00:03:20.900 --> 00:03:22.079 Do you remember going to church as a teenager? 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:23.180 What am I here for? 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:24.340 Oh, that sermon. 00:03:24.920 --> 00:03:27.700 Now it's being translated in his bilingual service and trilingual service. 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:28.400 This is painful. 00:03:28.580 --> 00:03:29.800 Come Lord Jesus, please now. 00:03:31.060 --> 00:03:33.640 Can you imagine Jesus going to church? 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:41.760 It just, I just, it just dawned on me that he would have sat through service after service as a teenager, as a young man. 00:03:41.760 --> 00:03:44.500 A couple of weeks ago, I asked him on how old he was in 25. 00:03:44.640 --> 00:03:46.060 Imagine meeting Jesus at 25. 00:03:46.420 --> 00:03:46.820 What's up? 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:47.520 What are you doing, Jesus? 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:51.060 Oh, chilling, just working for dad, nothing else. 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:52.759 And going to church. 00:03:53.640 --> 00:03:58.879 There was a, there was a custom that he, as was his custom, this was something that he was used to doing. 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:01.020 Maybe just a side note on that. 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:06.280 I was having a conversation with someone this week and they were talking about just going to church and all these kind of things. 00:04:06.520 --> 00:04:11.900 And I was like, there's something about the routine and rhythm of committing and going to church. 00:04:12.120 --> 00:04:14.039 That is just built into your muscle memory. 00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:18.980 That Joe and I grew up in a church that, let's say, was hot, was not entertaining. 00:04:19.039 --> 00:04:20.039 It was the opposite of entertaining. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:23.680 But we, we, we build muscle memory. 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:25.959 And you, time and time again, you watch people. 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:30.599 And sometimes I challenge families, especially in Hong Kong, whose kids have a million things. 00:04:30.600 --> 00:04:32.740 They have tennis, they have sailing, they have all these things. 00:04:32.840 --> 00:04:34.879 I'm like, oh yeah, but we couldn't make it this Sunday. 00:04:35.020 --> 00:04:36.840 Listen, I'm like, there's some Sundays that you can't make it. 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:44.920 But actually what you're depriving your children of is actually building that muscle memory of actually just committing to a place and going there week in, week out. 00:04:45.140 --> 00:04:47.540 And then we wonder why when they go to college, they disappear. 00:04:48.140 --> 00:04:49.100 Because there's no muscle memory. 00:04:49.939 --> 00:04:52.020 And so you see, as was the custom, he did this. 00:04:52.460 --> 00:04:56.140 And of course, we also sometimes go to church and go, ah, that sermon wasn't that great. 00:04:56.139 --> 00:05:01.919 Like, Jesus, the son of God, who knew everything there was to know about creation, showed up to church every week. 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:09.839 So we can just be quiet and just humble ourselves and listen and go, God, what do you have for me at this time? 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:15.159 And maybe, I know we've had several different service leaders announce over the last few weeks. 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:16.860 I feel as though I maybe should say something too. 00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:22.379 We put a sign there to say, hey, 1115, we're going to, we're going to close the door. 00:05:22.379 --> 00:05:26.420 And we're going to, after the worship, if there are still a few spaces, then you can come in. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:27.939 Let me just share the heart behind that. 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:31.740 Because I know that sometimes some of you may have been turned away. 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:33.180 And I am so sorry about that. 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:34.500 And then, of course, that may have hurt you. 00:05:34.719 --> 00:05:38.060 And I want to assure you that is not the heart and intention of this. 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:47.180 The heart and intention is, well, actually, can we honor God for who he truly is and show up on time like we would show up on time to a cinema to watch a movie? 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:52.500 And, of course, if you are part of this gathering, I invite you to come early. 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:54.699 10.30 is when I think the service starts. 00:05:54.780 --> 00:06:01.480 And if you're a guest here and you stumbled in early, I think I saw a few of you, you'll see that there's just this wonderful time where we as a community just get together and prepare ourselves. 00:06:01.579 --> 00:06:03.860 And so hearing from me, it is not meant to be punitive. 00:06:03.960 --> 00:06:04.980 It's not meant to make you feel bad. 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:07.939 So you have to go down the lift and you're not, you didn't make it to church because you were rejected. 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:10.360 I pray that you understand the heart of this. 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:16.300 It's what we're trying to do is we're trying to say, God, you are the most important thing in our lives. 00:06:16.300 --> 00:06:19.860 And look, and I'm going to wake up and I'm going to make sure I'm there on time. 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:22.079 And honestly, 11 a.m. is not really that early. 00:06:23.840 --> 00:06:26.220 And, of course, I'm not saying don't ever be late. 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:29.600 Like we are late sometimes as well. 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:31.360 I'm just asking, can it not be the default? 00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:34.620 Can it not be a strolling in with a coffee? 00:06:35.080 --> 00:06:37.439 Kind of, hey, yes, creator of heaven and earth, I'm here. 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:38.199 What you got? 00:06:39.060 --> 00:06:42.540 Can we have come with a heart of worship that's just like, God, I'm just I'm just here for you. 00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:44.639 And I treat this so seriously. 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:46.120 So I hope you hear the heart in that. 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:51.180 Of course, if you have any questions, if you have any complaints, feel free to just come and talk to me. 00:06:51.659 --> 00:06:52.740 But that's what we're trying to do. 00:06:52.779 --> 00:06:55.719 And, of course, we're trying to keep people safe here as well as it gets more and more busy. 00:06:56.339 --> 00:07:01.979 Jesus, son of God, prince of heaven, showed up to church week in, week out, as was his custom. 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:03.219 And this time it's his turn. 00:07:03.300 --> 00:07:04.399 So he stands up and he reads. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:08.719 And he stands up and he, and verse 17, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:11.560 He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:16.220 The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:24.439 He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:26.100 Now, he would have read this in Hebrew. 00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:30.860 But actually, he would then have to translate it into Aramaic. 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:32.819 So someone would have had, it was a bilingual service. 00:07:32.899 --> 00:07:36.600 So someone would have had to explain what he was just saying, what he just read. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:37.740 Now, it's funny here. 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:41.760 And I think if we've grown up, put your hand up if you've heard of this passage, if you've seen this before. 00:07:41.820 --> 00:07:43.800 If you've heard it, there's probably been songs written about it. 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:46.320 So you know that this is Jesus announcing his arrival. 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:47.460 And he reads this. 00:07:47.580 --> 00:07:49.540 And I found it fascinating as I was reading it again. 00:07:49.780 --> 00:07:52.720 He said he unrolls a scroll, which is why, I mean, we don't have the scroll. 00:07:52.780 --> 00:07:53.520 I would love to have a scroll. 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:54.740 But let's say it's just the Bible here. 00:07:54.740 --> 00:08:00.460 And again, just to reiterate, the apps for me are nothing compared to this. 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:09.379 And I think, and I truly believe that the people who are really growing in their hunger and thirst for the Lord is because you're starting to realize, wow, there is power in this. 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:11.460 And something that just an app cannot contain. 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:14.060 And so what happens here is he reads it. 00:08:14.780 --> 00:08:16.300 He stands up and he reads it. 00:08:16.579 --> 00:08:20.120 And then he sits down and essentially drops the mic. 00:08:20.960 --> 00:08:22.079 And this is what happens. 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:25.539 And he rolled up the scroll and he gave it back to the attendant and sat down. 00:08:25.979 --> 00:08:29.339 And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:33.600 They sensed the atmosphere in the room had changed. 00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:37.960 They'd heard this passage before because it was about the year of jubilee. 00:08:38.819 --> 00:08:46.679 It was about the Israelites, the prophet Isaiah prophesying that actually the reign of the Babylonians will be finished soon. 00:08:46.819 --> 00:08:49.939 And that there will be a year of jubilee that they will all be freed. 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:51.679 So they knew this. 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:52.600 Now, it's funny. 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:53.420 They were freed. 00:08:53.520 --> 00:08:55.040 They have been since freed from the Babylonians. 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:58.580 But yet here they are again, finding themselves under Roman oppression. 00:08:59.040 --> 00:09:00.620 So he reads this passage. 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:02.480 Now, bear in mind, these are his hometown folks. 00:09:02.560 --> 00:09:03.500 These are uncles and aunties. 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:06.200 And they've heard about the hype that's going. 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:09.040 So they heard, oh, did you hear about Joseph's son? 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:10.800 He's doing some crazy stuff. 00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:14.480 And Capernaum, I'm hearing stories about miracles. 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:15.720 Where is that guy? 00:09:15.820 --> 00:09:16.660 Oh, he's back. 00:09:17.160 --> 00:09:17.540 Everyone. 00:09:18.180 --> 00:09:19.080 Jesus is a church. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:20.460 Come check it out. 00:09:20.460 --> 00:09:21.920 I saw him last night. 00:09:22.560 --> 00:09:23.320 Come check out. 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:23.920 Come Sunday morning. 00:09:24.019 --> 00:09:24.620 Come check it out. 00:09:25.080 --> 00:09:26.400 And so they come and he reads. 00:09:27.040 --> 00:09:28.580 And everyone knows something's different. 00:09:28.800 --> 00:09:30.060 All eyes are on him. 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:31.519 And then he gives a sermon. 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:35.700 A one-line sermon, which I know that many of you would love to have. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:37.340 You know, this is biblical. 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:38.019 This is one line. 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:41.919 And he began to say to them, today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. 00:09:42.460 --> 00:09:44.299 And then he just stopped. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:50.519 Today, what I just read, what you've heard all these years, the freedom that you're looking for. 00:09:52.059 --> 00:09:52.819 I am him. 00:09:53.579 --> 00:09:54.379 Is what he's saying. 00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:55.460 I am him. 00:09:56.319 --> 00:09:57.139 Stop what you're doing. 00:09:58.759 --> 00:09:59.559 Shut the front door. 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:02.259 I'm here. 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:05.419 Is what he's saying. 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:08.859 And everyone's eyes are just looking at him. 00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:10.879 And they're just marveling at him. 00:10:13.339 --> 00:10:14.319 And they whisper. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:15.479 They're like, oh, isn't that? 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:16.979 Well, we know him. 00:10:20.119 --> 00:10:20.559 How's he? 00:10:20.599 --> 00:10:20.939 How's he? 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:21.759 How's he? 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:22.059 How's he him? 00:10:22.459 --> 00:10:23.459 That doesn't make sense. 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:25.439 That's what they're saying. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:27.339 And then he knows this. 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:31.700 And then he gives them a quote where he's basically saying, hey, I know you want to see something. 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:35.160 I know you want more because you've heard about these things. 00:10:35.280 --> 00:10:37.860 I know you want me to heal. 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:39.960 And you want me to show you the power. 00:10:40.300 --> 00:10:42.759 And so then he jumps into, he expands on the sermon. 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:44.139 And it's interesting. 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:46.100 I'm going to just quickly skip that and go to the end. 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:51.879 So verse 22, if you're following, and all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming out of his mouth. 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:53.360 So they loved this sermon. 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:56.680 But they loved the sermon because they actually didn't understand the sermon. 00:10:57.340 --> 00:11:00.740 They thought they understood the sermon, which is why they were so happy. 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:01.920 Because they were like, this is it. 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:04.100 This guy is going to come and bring freedom. 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:05.120 It's done. 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:07.200 Romans, you guys are going down. 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:08.180 So they were marveling. 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:08.720 They were happy. 00:11:09.160 --> 00:11:10.519 But then he explains himself. 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:15.680 And if you go to the end, verse 28, and when they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:23.139 Can you imagine a sermon that started with marvel and ended with wrath? 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:30.059 What did he say in the middle that caused them to eventually want to throw him off a cliff? 00:11:31.199 --> 00:11:33.939 And I think that was lost on me growing up reading this. 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:42.840 I was like, he said something that was so offensive to them that it caused just them to completely turn on 180. 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:47.720 But just a couple of things about the passage in Isaiah that he quotes there. 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:48.960 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. 00:11:49.060 --> 00:11:49.800 It says one thing. 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:51.840 Jesus is doing nothing without the Holy Spirit. 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:55.820 He's not saying, hey, I'm going to come and help the poor, the captives, and the blind, and the oppressed. 00:11:56.160 --> 00:11:58.100 No, he said, the Spirit of the Lord is on me. 00:11:58.180 --> 00:11:59.060 And I'm going to do this. 00:11:59.180 --> 00:12:01.220 Everything that we do is because of the Holy Spirit. 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:08.040 Everything that Jesus did is because of the Spirit filling him with the power of God to be able to do these things. 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:11.740 So he's saying, I am anointed by the Holy Spirit to do these things. 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:13.759 And it reminds me, actually, everything that we do. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.580 It's not even by our own gifts. 00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:17.620 It's not even by the things that are in interest. 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:19.720 The Holy Spirit is the one that's guiding us. 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:22.660 Even as I'm speaking, I'm saying, Holy Spirit, would you speak? 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:28.860 And my wife will tell you, I can stand up and I can talk for quite a long time about anything and just keep going. 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:31.860 And you can't get in a word if I'm talking about something. 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:37.019 But I'm saying, God, I'm just going to stop because this has got to be, this is only meaningful. 00:12:37.419 --> 00:12:42.320 This is only effective if it's the Holy Spirit speaking through me. 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:48.060 And even when we lead songs, when we lead a Bible study, when we go and have lunch, when we can do anything, 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:50.039 it's the Holy Spirit that is the one that's going to guide. 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:53.399 So that's number one, that he's talking about being anointed with the Holy Spirit. 00:12:53.680 --> 00:12:55.820 Second is the Holy Spirit is here to proclaim good news. 00:12:55.820 --> 00:12:59.920 There is good news, everyone, especially for those who are in need. 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:02.400 The people who are poor, oppressed, blind, captive. 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.879 There is good news for you. 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:05.160 There is good news coming. 00:13:05.400 --> 00:13:08.060 And then the third thing that Holy Spirit does is not just proclaim the good news. 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:09.280 It is then bring release. 00:13:09.300 --> 00:13:12.980 Because if you look at that passage in Isaiah and recovering of sight to the blind, 00:13:13.300 --> 00:13:15.240 to set at liberty those who are oppressed. 00:13:16.920 --> 00:13:18.980 Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is actually freedom. 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:22.500 And Jesus is saying, today is the day. 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:26.100 And I'm the one who's going to usher in this new kingdom. 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:27.940 And it is all only the Holy Spirit. 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:34.480 But they're so familiar with this passage, they love it, but for all the wrong reasons. 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:38.060 Because they're looking at this guy, yeah, yeah. 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:40.279 Those guys are going down. 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:46.519 And then Jesus expands and says, actually, it's not quite like that. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:49.120 See, the Jews were a very prideful group of people. 00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:52.019 They were prideful, but they've also been oppressed. 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:54.480 So they're saying, it's our time now. 00:13:55.519 --> 00:14:03.139 But what Jesus then says is, actually, this good news, this freedom, isn't going to be just for you guys. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:06.899 Actually, it's consistent with what John the Baptist was saying earlier. 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:09.620 When he says, bear fruits in keeping with repentance. 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:13.500 You Jews, you say you have Abraham as your dad, but you're not doing anything. 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:14.759 You're not living your life properly. 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:22.319 So he's saying, fix up because other people are going to get this good news. 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:25.159 And Jesus is basically saying the same message here. 00:14:25.779 --> 00:14:30.779 He's saying, actually, this good news, with all due respect, you're sat here thinking that you are in a good place. 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:33.259 Actually, you're just spiritually prideful. 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:35.819 And spiritual pride is a dangerous, dangerous thing. 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:38.879 Spiritual pride is saying, actually, I'm good. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:40.980 Have you ever heard that term? 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.019 I'm a good Christian. 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:43.240 I want to be a good. 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:45.279 There's no such thing as a good Christian. 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:49.399 It's a Christian who recognizes that they are in deep need of a savior. 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:54.019 And even any good work that you do is because of the Holy Spirit working in you. 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:56.500 It's Christ working in you that allows you to do these good things. 00:14:56.500 --> 00:15:00.500 The whole definition of a Christian is that you are bad and that you need saving. 00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:05.120 And so you've got a group of people sat there going, but we're the Jews. 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:08.679 God said it will come through us that we will be the ones that are saved. 00:15:09.319 --> 00:15:12.980 And then Jesus starts to unpack it and says, hey, do you know those two famous guys that you guys talk about? 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:16.360 Elijah and his story there. 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.159 Can I tell you? 00:15:18.179 --> 00:15:19.159 And this is verse 25. 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:21.839 But in truth, I tell you, there were the many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah. 00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:24.139 But actually, God didn't help any of those. 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:28.919 Elijah was sent none of them, but only to Zarephath in the land of Sidon to a woman who was a widow. 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:33.579 So God didn't even come to help the widows of Israel. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:36.740 He went to enemy ground and helped the widow there. 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:38.360 None of you got saved. 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:39.240 It was the one over there. 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.740 And then he talks about Elijah. 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:46.539 He said, do you remember Naaman, the military leader that was leading the fight against the Israelites? 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:48.939 He was the one who was saved. 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:53.299 And so at this point, they're like, oh, can you imagine just sitting in the sermon? 00:15:53.459 --> 00:15:55.599 Oh, Joseph's son. 00:15:55.699 --> 00:15:56.939 I'm so proud of him. 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.439 Our kids played together. 00:15:59.019 --> 00:15:59.719 Oh, look at him. 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.339 He's finally going to. 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.259 He's the king. 00:16:01.339 --> 00:16:01.980 I knew it. 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:02.980 I knew it. 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:04.000 There was a glow about him. 00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:04.439 I knew it. 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:04.740 I knew it. 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:05.539 Jesus, keep talking. 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.659 Like, tell us that this is the time for us. 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:09.339 And then slowly he's talking. 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:11.419 He's like, they're like, oh. 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:14.459 You're not talking about what I thought you'd be talking about. 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:21.699 They had become so familiar with the story there in Isaiah that they thought they knew what he was coming here to do. 00:16:22.939 --> 00:16:24.539 They thought that they were the good people. 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:31.459 They thought that the Romans were the blind ones, that the evil ones, that they will be destroyed. 00:16:31.459 --> 00:16:34.299 And Jesus is saying, no, actually, you're blind. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.539 You're a Jew. 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.319 You're poor. 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:43.420 You're not under oppression from the Romans. 00:16:43.540 --> 00:16:44.980 You're oppression because of your own sin. 00:16:46.260 --> 00:16:47.000 Can you imagine that? 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:49.400 I mean, I can't quite think of a modern-day equivalent. 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:51.060 But imagine you sat here going, well done, guys. 00:16:51.660 --> 00:16:52.540 You guys came to church. 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.680 You used your Sunday morning. 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:56.040 It's good because you could have been outside. 00:16:56.160 --> 00:16:57.620 You could have been doing a whole bunch of fun things. 00:16:57.800 --> 00:16:58.360 But you're here. 00:16:58.440 --> 00:17:00.340 You're giving up your time to sit in this crowded room. 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.040 Well done. 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.960 And you're a good person. 00:17:02.260 --> 00:17:03.340 You've not done anything wrong. 00:17:03.400 --> 00:17:04.700 You've not stabbed your colleagues in the back. 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:05.759 You're good. 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:09.440 You're a good Christian because you've been studying at BSF. 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:11.619 Because you have been going to Bible study. 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:14.400 And your attendance is well into double digits percentage-wise. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:16.680 10%. 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:21.539 So, yeah, you come to church two weeks out of four. 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:21.900 Well done. 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.440 You're a good person. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:28.080 And then the preacher starts to turn on you and go, actually, you know what? 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:31.620 Gabs, you're not as good as you think you are. 00:17:33.120 --> 00:17:36.480 Like, you standing there with all that muscle and, like, working in that. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:42.180 Like, and Nick with just that head full of hair and just that waviness and looking cool. 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.759 Like, you're not it. 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.340 You two are sinners. 00:17:47.340 --> 00:17:48.019 Do you get it? 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:50.599 Like, you need a savior. 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:53.539 It's looking and going. 00:17:55.139 --> 00:17:59.839 It's the salvation isn't coming through you because you've turned away. 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:04.359 Darren, you've been showing up to church all these years. 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:06.500 But it's empty. 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:08.859 Can you imagine? 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:10.720 That's how the atmosphere is turning. 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.379 That's literally what's happening. 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:15.000 And so he's going, and the server was like, wait. 00:18:16.100 --> 00:18:16.720 Don't pick on me. 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.940 Oh, why are you talking about that? 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.600 We're good people. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.700 Do you know how much I give to the authoring bank? 00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:24.340 Do you know how much I tithe? 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:27.960 It's nearly 10% after tax. 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:31.840 After my trip. 00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:38.800 And then he's saying, hey, it's not what you're giving. 00:18:39.340 --> 00:18:40.540 It's what you're still holding back. 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:42.579 And so it starts to turn. 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:45.680 And people are like, oh, I'm not going to allow this. 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:49.440 Do you know I have been a standing member of this community for 30 years? 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.659 I served on the deacons board. 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:53.460 I helped rent this premises. 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:55.559 I helped renovate this building. 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:57.119 How dare you speak to me? 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:59.019 Do you know how devoted I am to God? 00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:04.159 I've been reading scripture since you've been in nappies. 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.019 And then they turn. 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:10.759 And I wonder whether we have that kind of spiritual pride. 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:17.139 Whether we're so familiar, like, James, come and tickle my ears. 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:19.299 Tell me that I'm a loved child of God. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.400 That I'm okay. 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:22.240 That I can keep on sinning and it will still be okay. 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:24.599 Come tell me a few jokes. 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:26.019 I love jokes. 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.839 Especially in a British accent. 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.759 It's just piercing. 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.920 Especially when you're joking at juju. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.559 That's just the best. 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.259 Just do that. 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:32.859 That's fun. 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:37.279 And then I start to turn on you. 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:38.720 I'm saying, we're all sinners here. 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.279 And the atmosphere changes. 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:52.879 And I wonder whether we've become so familiar with some Bible stories that we don't realize that we are the problem. 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:59.160 See, the group marvels at Jesus at the beginning. 00:19:59.580 --> 00:20:02.320 And do you know there's two times that Jesus himself is amazed. 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.580 Do you know when there's two times up? 00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:04.060 Does anyone know? 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:05.220 Can you think in scripture? 00:20:06.020 --> 00:20:09.940 There's two times where Jesus is amazed by someone or something. 00:20:10.320 --> 00:20:10.720 Does anyone know? 00:20:14.040 --> 00:20:14.400 Faith. 00:20:14.520 --> 00:20:15.020 Where do we say that? 00:20:15.020 --> 00:20:15.160 Who? 00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:18.500 He marvels at the faith of someone. 00:20:18.600 --> 00:20:19.460 Who is that person? 00:20:20.260 --> 00:20:21.060 The centurion. 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:25.200 That's the only time he marvels at someone in a positive way. 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.379 He's like, that Roman centurion. 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:30.679 That person who doesn't even, who didn't even grow up in Sunday school. 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:32.359 That person has faith. 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:34.700 Just imagine that. 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:37.940 And he marvels at the faith of this Roman centurion. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.059 There's another time that he marvels. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.619 Does anyone know where? 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:43.460 He marvels at the lack of faith in the Israelites. 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.159 He looks at the Israelites. 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:48.599 So Mark 6 talks about the centurion. 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:50.799 Sorry, Luke 7. 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:54.460 Actually, you can just note these down. 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:58.720 So you've got the centurion where he's like, I haven't even seen this kind of faith in Israel. 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:02.000 And then in Mark 6, he's like, in Israel, there is no faith. 00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:09.659 And I look around as Christians and I'm going, oh, I wonder whether Jesus, how Jesus would marvel at us. 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.920 Is it because of our lack of faith? 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:13.519 Because we've made church into something completely different? 00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:17.440 Would he recognize himself if he walked in here? 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:19.460 That's something I always ask myself. 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:29.540 I ask myself, someone from this book in the early days, in the early church, if they walked in to this church or into one of our small groups, would they be amazed? 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:33.879 Would they be like, these are my fellow brothers and sisters who believe and follow the Lord? 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:35.059 Would they be like, what is this? 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.579 Is this a social club? 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:40.000 And they walk into church. 00:21:40.179 --> 00:21:41.740 Or forget the early church. 00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:44.539 What about someone who is a Christian who lives in a persecuted country? 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:49.199 Who actually hides from authorities to study the word? 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:53.420 If they walked into our church, would they be like, ah, these are my fellow brothers and sisters. 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.860 Would they be like, you guys have no idea. 00:21:56.580 --> 00:21:58.420 You guys have no idea what you're doing. 00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:02.180 You are sleepwalking, coming to church late with your Starbucks coffee. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:06.039 And you are not even paying attention to the word of God. 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:13.559 And I'd be like, Lord, would we be a church that actually bears your image? 00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:17.080 And actually where your spirit is actually moving. 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:21.879 And where we're actually just hungry and thirsty for your words. 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.919 May we not be self-righteous. 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.980 And so we get to the point. 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.199 And so they're like, that's it. 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.579 We're done. 00:22:28.679 --> 00:22:29.899 Uncle Bob has had enough. 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:31.359 And he's like, that's it. 00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:32.740 Send him out. 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:35.259 I am not listening to this sermon anymore. 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:37.879 Because he clearly does not know who we are. 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:39.319 We are the chosen people. 00:22:39.419 --> 00:22:40.379 And so they send him out. 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:42.399 And then they actually try and throw him off a cliff. 00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:44.240 Which I think is interesting. 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:46.980 That's a really bad place for a preacher to be in. 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:49.960 So you go from everyone loving you to suddenly throwing you out. 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:52.439 I mean, I'm praying that that doesn't end up like me. 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.199 But for me. 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.619 But it's funny. 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.319 Because this is actually. 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:57.019 And Jesus, this is nothing new. 00:22:57.079 --> 00:23:00.619 Because this is actually the second time in two chapters that he's been asked to be thrown off a cliff. 00:23:02.199 --> 00:23:02.519 Right? 00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:05.119 The first time, the devil says, hey, you throw yourself off. 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:06.019 God will catch you. 00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:07.639 And everyone's going to see how great you are. 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:09.159 And then they'll know that you are God. 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:11.019 And so he's like, no, I'm not going to do that. 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.900 I'm going to do it the hard way. 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.940 I'm not going to do it the easy way. 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:19.120 And then just literally a little bit long after, it happens again. 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.300 And can you imagine? 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:22.460 Actually, at that point, they're starting to hate him. 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:24.460 And he must have been like, oh, my goodness. 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:26.759 If only they knew who I really was. 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:32.339 And when they are just about to throw him off the cliff, it would have been a perfect chance for him to show them who he truly was. 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.379 Can you imagine? 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:35.680 Maybe he will let them throw him off a cliff. 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:38.519 And then he would just like Aladdin with the magic carpet, just rise up. 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:39.779 Okay. 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.220 See? 00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:41.339 I told you. 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.299 But he doesn't. 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:45.460 He resists it again for the second time. 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:49.980 And even more fascinating is passing away through their mitts, he went away. 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:51.480 It wasn't his time yet. 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:56.279 And you see in other parts when people are chasing after him, they just can't grab him. 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.460 Because God's in control. 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.359 So he just slips away. 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:05.920 That is just so, so interesting that once again, he resists that show of power. 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:08.379 He could have, but he didn't. 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.879 Why was he so angry? 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.180 So why were they so angry? 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:17.779 It's because he did the reading of Isaiah, which is famous. 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:22.200 Maybe some of them even had a poster of it in their home because they're like, the day of the Lord is coming. 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:24.240 The day of Jubilee is coming where we will all be free. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:30.400 Interestingly, when he was reading that passage from Isaiah, he actually finished mid-sentence. 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:32.039 He didn't actually finish the whole quote. 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:35.460 And those of them, those days would have known this whole passage. 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:37.700 They would have found that incredibly weird. 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:41.660 Because if I, let's go to Isaiah 61, because that's where he was actually reading from. 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:44.460 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me. 00:24:45.340 --> 00:24:48.340 Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. 00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:50.820 He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted. 00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:53.279 To proclaim liberty to the captives. 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:55.920 And the opening of the prison to those who are bound. 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:58.900 To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.019 Comma. 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.800 And then he stops. 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:06.200 They would have been like, hey, hey, hey, hey. 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.440 Joseph's son. 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:09.220 You haven't finished reading yet. 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.599 Read that last line. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.440 The last line is where it's at. 00:25:13.419 --> 00:25:14.200 But he doesn't. 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:18.039 And the day of vengeance of our God. 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.539 They were so angry. 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:27.180 Because they thought he would be the one that brings vengeance on the Romans. 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:30.859 That he would be their avenger. 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.920 But he stops. 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:36.519 He just does a mic drop and he just leaves them all hanging. 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:38.359 That's kind of also maybe why they were amazed. 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:41.940 Because the truth is, he knows this, but they don't know it yet. 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:45.240 He doesn't come to fight with a sword. 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:49.799 He doesn't come and take the world back the hard way. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.720 He takes the world. 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.759 He wins the world by dying. 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.920 He doesn't come with a sword, but he comes with nails. 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:56.960 And they don't realize that yet. 00:25:57.000 --> 00:26:02.319 But this time when Jesus comes, that time, it wasn't to bring vengeance. 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.259 It was to save. 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:06.079 It wasn't to condemn. 00:26:07.399 --> 00:26:08.440 It was to rescue. 00:26:10.639 --> 00:26:11.759 And that's why they're mad. 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:18.359 And I wonder whether for us, we have some preconceptions of what we think really we want Jesus to do here. 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:25.899 We're so familiar with the overall Bible story, though, even though we start looking at the scriptures, we actually don't know where they're from. 00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:28.479 But we're actually going, God is for me. 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:29.459 It's all about me. 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.679 It's all about my deliverance. 00:26:30.719 --> 00:26:32.639 It's all about my comfort. 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:34.299 It's all about my luxury. 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:36.299 When you look at scripture, it's not about that at all. 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:40.940 And you look at this and you think, oh, what kind of church is this? 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:45.659 That's such a weird church that they were so hellbent on political victory. 00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:51.900 And then you look at the church in the world right now that is divided because of politics. 00:26:52.800 --> 00:26:55.800 And you're like, these guys were consumed by the wrong thing. 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.480 Ellie prayed this earlier. 00:26:58.640 --> 00:27:00.640 Would we keep the main thing the main thing? 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:04.400 And I don't know why you walked into church today. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:06.060 Maybe it's just because you've got friends here. 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.820 Maybe this is just. 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:13.539 But do we come with the same welcoming heart that we should have? 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.819 Jesus, you do whatever you want. 00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:16.299 You're the king. 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:18.919 Or do we actually come with our own agenda? 00:27:19.659 --> 00:27:20.899 Do we come with our own baggage? 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.919 Do we come with our own bitterness? 00:27:26.399 --> 00:27:27.679 Jesus doesn't come with a sword. 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.779 He doesn't come to bring vengeance. 00:27:28.879 --> 00:27:30.019 He comes with nails in his hands. 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:32.779 And he comes to defeat death once and for all. 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:35.119 The path that we chose ourselves to head down. 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:38.359 And he defeats death by dying on the cross himself. 00:27:39.399 --> 00:27:40.500 And so he really is him. 00:27:41.239 --> 00:27:43.319 But in a very, very different way. 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:46.079 The question for us is, how do we respond to him? 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:49.259 Do we respond just like his uncles and aunties in his hometown did? 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.799 Where you've threatened our comfort. 00:27:51.939 --> 00:27:53.079 You've threatened our future. 00:27:53.179 --> 00:27:54.779 You've threatened our familiarity with scripture. 00:27:54.919 --> 00:27:56.159 You have offended us. 00:27:56.439 --> 00:27:57.039 I'll tell you this. 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:59.039 I hope I have offended you somehow, someway today. 00:28:00.979 --> 00:28:02.519 Not with my jokes, I hope. 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:05.639 But with the truth of the gospel. 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:11.359 That is, you are in deep, deep need of good news. 00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:12.240 Why? 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:15.299 Because you are stuck in a lot of bad news. 00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:16.079 It's Ephesians 2. 00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.660 That you are dead in your sins. 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:21.000 That you have followed the course of this world. 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:25.200 That you have given in to your own passions and your own flesh. 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:28.000 And you are dying in the path that you are on. 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:30.180 You have set your mind on the things of the flesh. 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:32.660 And that will lead to death. 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.819 But God. 00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:37.720 But God. 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.940 But God, rich in mercy. 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:42.539 Because of the great love that he has for us, has come to save us. 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:47.120 And Jesus is basically telling them what actually Paul talks about a few years later in Ephesians. 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:48.459 In chapter 2 he says this. 00:28:48.679 --> 00:28:49.959 Hey, remember at one time. 00:28:50.919 --> 00:28:55.000 You Gentiles in the first call the uncircumcision. 00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:57.559 He goes, remember you were at that time separated from Christ. 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:59.239 Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel. 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:01.039 And strangers to the covenants of promise. 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:02.779 Having no hope and without God in the world. 00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:03.679 But now. 00:29:03.739 --> 00:29:04.979 But now in Christ Jesus. 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:06.799 You who were once far off have been brought near. 00:29:07.459 --> 00:29:08.439 I'm here to tell you. 00:29:08.679 --> 00:29:10.379 That hey, you cannot save yourself. 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:12.259 You think you are a good person. 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.199 Good on you. 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.479 It still isn't enough. 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:18.299 But just before you go, well that sucks then. 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:21.480 The good news is that Jesus came to save. 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.940 Whether you were far off or were you near. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.720 It really doesn't matter. 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:25.539 Because all of us fall short of the glory of God. 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.660 And we all need him. 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:28.039 And that's why we are here. 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:30.180 And I pray that that offends you some way. 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:32.640 Especially for those of you who are trying to be good people. 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:36.000 And may we continue to try to be good people. 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:38.940 But may we rely on the grace of God. 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:42.259 May we surrender any spiritual pride that we have. 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:48.359 May we surrender any familiarity we think we have with what being a Christian even is. 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:51.059 Because I think Jesus is here to turn things upside down. 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:53.240 Instead of the sword he's coming with the nails. 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:57.059 In order to bring life he's going about it through death. 00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:59.140 And do we understand that? 00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:00.619 Do we appreciate that? 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:03.240 And do we understand that that is where the freedom comes from? 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:05.619 Jesus says come if you are spiritually poor. 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:09.339 Come if you can't see. 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:11.980 Blessed are those who are pure in heart. 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:14.519 If you single-mindedly devote yourself to me. 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.359 You will see me. 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:19.519 Come those of you who are oppressed. 00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:23.259 That actually you can't get out of that cage yourself. 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:25.939 But I'm here to open that cage for you. 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:26.740 Would you come out? 00:30:27.679 --> 00:30:29.619 Would you recognize your deep need of a savior? 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:33.379 And would you recognize that I am that savior for you? 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:36.500 That's a hard message. 00:30:36.560 --> 00:30:40.920 And I pray that every day, every week that we maybe not get offended. 00:30:41.020 --> 00:30:43.680 Because at some point you're like, yeah, I know. 00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:46.180 And I am so grateful. 00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:48.620 What a wretched man or wretched woman I am. 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:52.120 But praise to God for giving us Jesus. 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:55.739 What I know I shouldn't do, I'm still doing. 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:58.399 What I know I should do, I'm not doing. 00:30:59.479 --> 00:31:01.959 Oh, thank God that I have Jesus. 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.519 Thank God that I have Jesus. 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:07.179 May we not respond to him in wrath. 00:31:08.239 --> 00:31:11.239 Or even worse, just familiarity and lukewarmness. 00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:17.159 But may we come to him and go, Lord, I need you. 00:31:17.840 --> 00:31:20.800 So I just want to ask a simple question of all of us as we finish here is, 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:23.920 what's the heart that you have when it comes to responding to Jesus? 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:31.400 Knowing what you know now, even just this picture of this scene of his first kind of announcement of his ministry, 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:34.840 what thoughts would be going through your mind? 00:31:37.340 --> 00:31:38.180 Would you be offended? 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.860 Would you be apathetic? 00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:45.080 Let us not be like his hometown. 00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:50.059 Let us not have the heart of Nazareth that rejects the Savior of the world. 00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:54.199 And I'm just going to ask her to spend a moment now just to reflect on that. 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.819 And allow the Holy Spirit to work. 00:31:55.899 --> 00:31:57.039 I've done enough talking. 00:31:59.399 --> 00:32:03.439 And think back to the temptations that the guys shared with us last week. 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:05.619 What's the temptation that you have? 00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:07.579 To prove? 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.819 To provide? 00:32:09.919 --> 00:32:10.799 What are you pursuing? 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:14.579 Are you still craving approval and popularity? 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:20.819 And let's take that to the cross. 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:38.799 Lord, we're reminded of the prophecy that Mary and Joseph got when they took you to the temple as a baby. 00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:45.480 That you would be the cause of the rise and fall of many. 00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:59.799 That sooner or later, all of us have to choose whether to marvel at you or be completely offended by you. 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:01.799 To follow you. 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:06.240 To follow you. 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.480 Or to ignore you. 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:09.480 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:24.059 For those of us who maybe struggle with just reflection. 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:27.240 And maybe you don't even know where to start. 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:31.319 I just want to encourage you that you're not on your own. 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:37.599 And maybe you start with the words of the psalmist. 00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:40.919 It says to the Lord, search my heart. 00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:46.779 Test my anxious thoughts. 00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:52.619 If there is anything offensive. 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:58.680 Would you lead me in the way everlasting? 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:07.660 If there are anxious thoughts that we have, may we ask why? 00:34:07.660 --> 00:34:16.960 Is there an idol that is uncovered from that anxiety? 00:34:19.740 --> 00:34:23.680 When we are afraid of something or someone? 00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:33.519 Is that because we're not afraid enough or fearful enough of you, God? 00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:47.880 Lord, we're not here to be entertained. 00:34:52.639 --> 00:34:57.219 We're not a people that are just here to just belong and be comforted. 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:06.860 We're here because we know we need to be saved. 00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:09.280 Over and over again. 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:11.099 From ourselves. 00:35:12.780 --> 00:35:13.980 From the darkness that surrounds. 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:32.800 The Holy Spirit, you are the one that convicts us of sin and righteousness. 00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:39.980 So would you cut us to the heart? 00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:47.059 Not as a soldier would, but as a surgeon would. 00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:52.679 You would pierce, using your words, the very depths of our soul. 00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:54.900 And remove the tumours that exist within. 00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:58.619 The cancerous thoughts that we have. 00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:02.300 The pride that we have. 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:04.519 The pride that we have. 00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:14.519 I don't know about you, but I think there's... 00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:16.440 ...still so, so much pride. 00:36:16.880 --> 00:36:17.840 Spiritual pride. 00:36:19.259 --> 00:36:19.960 In me. 00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:27.780 It stops me from truly understanding who Jesus is. 00:36:27.780 --> 00:36:53.640 We've become so used to our situation, our routines, 00:36:53.639 --> 00:36:56.779 that we completely lose sight. 00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:59.599 Lose reverence, lose awe, lose worship. 00:37:03.299 --> 00:37:07.460 And we're stuck between marvelling and feeling offended. 00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:08.500 We're just somewhere in between. 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:13.860 Because we start relying on our own names. 00:37:13.860 --> 00:37:26.740 I just want to spend the final few moments. 00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:27.539 If that's you. 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:30.320 If there is spiritual pride in you. 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:38.940 And of course, I'd be deeply concerned if it was just me. 00:37:39.420 --> 00:37:40.039 For your sake. 00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:44.559 But could you join me in just an act of confession? 00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:46.420 I don't know what that looks like for you. 00:37:46.579 --> 00:37:47.880 I'm personally going to be kneeling. 00:37:50.699 --> 00:37:53.460 I think when scripture says that every knee will one time bow. 00:37:53.460 --> 00:38:02.420 There's just something that my heart just changes when I use my body to do it. 00:38:02.500 --> 00:38:03.179 And I'm going to be kneeling. 00:38:03.699 --> 00:38:05.000 Just as a moment of confession. 00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:06.220 I don't know whether that's the same for you. 00:38:06.260 --> 00:38:07.740 If it is, then I invite you to do the same. 00:38:09.400 --> 00:38:13.199 But if it's just opening out your hands and that's as far as you're able to go today. 00:38:13.280 --> 00:38:16.380 Or if it's still just standing in whatever posture you deem. 00:38:16.380 --> 00:38:22.760 I just want to give us a little bit more space to bring that spiritual pride up to the surface. 00:38:24.680 --> 00:38:25.640 To repent of it. 00:38:25.860 --> 00:38:26.640 To confess. 00:38:26.740 --> 00:38:27.980 And when we confess, we are healed. 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:33.760 So, why don't we do that now? 00:38:39.640 --> 00:38:43.280 And so, Lord, we wrap up this service now and humble ourselves before you. 00:38:43.280 --> 00:38:47.160 We're sorry that we got it all wrong. 00:38:50.740 --> 00:38:52.900 That we made ourselves the center of worship. 00:38:57.080 --> 00:38:59.500 But whilst our mouths say, look at you. 00:39:00.360 --> 00:39:02.160 Our actions, our thoughts say, look at me. 00:39:08.820 --> 00:39:11.019 We've thought more of what you could do for us. 00:39:13.280 --> 00:39:18.120 Instead of being grateful for what you have already done for us. 00:39:25.080 --> 00:39:27.460 We've looked at others and deemed them enemies. 00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:31.060 People that we need to be freed from. 00:39:31.059 --> 00:39:40.980 So, Spirit of the living God, would you fill us anew. 00:39:44.440 --> 00:39:46.719 With a passion for your name and your name alone. 00:39:46.719 --> 00:39:59.719 That we would be people that not only bear your name, but walk like you. 00:40:00.119 --> 00:40:00.779 Talk like you. 00:40:01.779 --> 00:40:02.639 Love like you. 00:40:02.639 --> 00:40:11.879 Oh, God. 00:40:14.839 --> 00:40:17.299 We repent of any spiritual pride in us. 00:40:17.480 --> 00:40:18.359 Any pride at all. 00:40:18.360 --> 00:40:28.000 Lord we're grateful for the mercy 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:31.000 and grace that welcomes us 00:40:31.000 --> 00:40:31.760 at your throne 00:40:31.760 --> 00:40:33.680 at the feet of the cross 00:40:33.680 --> 00:40:43.940 thank you God 00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:49.400 we are here for you 00:40:49.400 --> 00:40:52.460 it is the one thing we ask 00:40:52.460 --> 00:40:53.640 one thing that we seek 00:40:53.640 --> 00:41:04.480 it's only by your grace 00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:05.320 by your spirit 00:41:05.320 --> 00:41:13.300 thank you 00:41:13.300 --> 00:41:15.380 thank you 00:41:15.380 --> 00:41:18.700 and it's in your precious 00:41:18.700 --> 00:41:20.280 powerful name we pray 00:41:20.280 --> 00:41:22.440 Amen 00:41:22.440 --> 00:41:22.559 Amen 00:41:22.559 --> 00:41:23.619 Amen 00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:23.619 00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:23.619 00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:23.619 00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:23.619 00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:23.619 00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:23.619