WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.540 The kids are going to go out to Kids Church now, and the rest of us are going to pick up Bibles. 00:00:08.679 --> 00:00:17.620 If you haven't got your Bibles open, grab a Bible, turn to Luke 14, and I'm going to pray. 00:00:18.580 --> 00:00:21.839 Gracious God, we thank you for the privilege of joining together as your people. 00:00:22.859 --> 00:00:27.000 Lord, as we look at your Word now, I pray that we might have ears to hear. 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:31.980 We pray also for our young people departing from us now to their program. 00:00:32.619 --> 00:00:39.060 Lord, I pray for them too that you might pour your Spirit out amongst them and upon their hearts and their minds 00:00:39.060 --> 00:00:42.719 so that they might have ears to hear and willing hearts to obey. 00:00:42.939 --> 00:00:45.539 I pray that for ourselves too, Lord, and we ask for your sake. Amen. 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:52.340 The radio station Today FM used to have what was called the annual celebrity party. 00:00:52.340 --> 00:00:56.900 I don't know if they still do. I haven't listened to Today FM for a while, but it was an annual celebrity party. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:07.519 It was a little misleading though because although there was a couple of famous people, you know, 15-minute fame kind of people there, 00:01:08.040 --> 00:01:11.620 the bulk of the party goers were average Joe blows like me. 00:01:12.760 --> 00:01:14.260 Not the rich, not the famous. 00:01:15.159 --> 00:01:18.599 Those who never really get a chance to mix it with a high life of the famous people. 00:01:18.599 --> 00:01:27.939 Apparently it was a great party, an enormous party, a lot of people there, heaps of drink and fun and food and average people like me were there. 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:34.319 It was advertised as the party to beat all parties, the party that everyone wanted to be at. 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:42.199 And one year in their promotion for this celebrity party, they had a guy ring up pretending to be Kerry Packer 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:47.200 to the radio station wanting to buy tickets for this party. 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:52.280 He was promptly told that no amount of money could buy him a ticket to the party. 00:01:52.460 --> 00:01:55.680 It was invitation only and he wasn't invited. 00:01:57.040 --> 00:02:01.000 Luke 14, Jesus tells the story of the greatest party of all times. 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:06.579 It's a party that we've been all invited to, a party that we have to RSVP for. 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:11.039 It's also a party that no amount of money can purchase a ticket for. 00:02:11.539 --> 00:02:14.039 This party is invitation only. 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:19.439 I think it's a surprise to most people to discover that Jesus liked to party as much as anyone else. 00:02:19.939 --> 00:02:23.639 He often saw Jesus attending weddings and dinner parties. 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:32.199 But what is really surprising is that he actually describes heaven as a party, as a great banquet, 00:02:32.199 --> 00:02:37.060 which is a little bit different from the popular notion of hymns and harps and halos. 00:02:37.839 --> 00:02:39.879 It is a big banquet. 00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:43.039 And so Jesus is at this dinner party. 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:49.280 He's at a dinner party with some of his disciples and he leans across to the host of the party 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:52.919 and tells him who he should invite to his parties. 00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:54.179 It's there in verse 12. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:56.359 So have a look at Luke 14, verse 12. 00:02:56.360 --> 00:03:02.920 When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives or your rich neighbours. 00:03:03.320 --> 00:03:07.340 If you do, they may invite you back and so you'll be repaid. 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:13.900 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed. 00:03:15.060 --> 00:03:16.220 It's an amazing thing. 00:03:16.920 --> 00:03:21.020 He leans across to the host of the party and says, 00:03:21.460 --> 00:03:25.200 don't invite people to your party who you want to be there. 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:27.560 Invite everyone else. 00:03:28.300 --> 00:03:30.200 Don't invite your friends, your neighbours, your rich. 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:32.080 In other words, what he's saying is, 00:03:32.480 --> 00:03:33.780 I want you to live a life. 00:03:33.860 --> 00:03:36.040 Remember Jesus talking about discipleship here. 00:03:36.140 --> 00:03:42.480 I want you to live a life where you do things and don't expect to be repaid for it. 00:03:44.480 --> 00:03:46.040 But he's so different than us, isn't it? 00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:50.180 I mean, isn't it good to be able to do things and get some sort of recognition for it? 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:55.360 It's so much easier to pick up your cross and follow Jesus when there's a crowd clapping, 00:03:56.000 --> 00:03:58.400 acknowledging you picking up your cross. 00:03:58.599 --> 00:04:02.819 It's so much easier being humble when you can tell people that you've been humble 00:04:02.819 --> 00:04:04.620 so they can pat you on the back for being humble. 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:11.560 And Jesus says, don't invite the people who are going to pay you back. 00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:16.040 Invite, in fact, he says, the poor, the sick, the crippled, the outcast, 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:19.040 the people who were the outcast in first century Palestine. 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:21.800 Invite those people, the ones who can't pay you back. 00:04:22.639 --> 00:04:23.959 Why does he tell us to do that? 00:04:24.899 --> 00:04:27.040 Well, that's how God treats us. 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:29.180 It's how God treats us. 00:04:29.180 --> 00:04:32.100 This is God's attitude. 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:36.540 The invitation that God gives us to have a relationship with him 00:04:36.540 --> 00:04:40.660 and to spend eternity at his banquet table in heaven 00:04:40.660 --> 00:04:45.000 is to everyone who doesn't deserve it, everyone who can't pay him back. 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:48.540 God invites the sinful people of this world. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:51.579 He invites those who live life as if he doesn't exist, 00:04:51.699 --> 00:04:53.980 those who go about their daily routine of life 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:58.060 and give no acknowledgement to God whatsoever. 00:04:58.060 --> 00:04:59.500 Don't give him a second thought. 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:05.579 Reality is what he's saying is that everyone who dines for eternity 00:05:05.579 --> 00:05:10.780 at God's table in heaven will not deserve to be there. 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:16.040 There won't be a single person there who will deserve it, 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:18.720 who would have earned it, who would have bought their way there 00:05:18.720 --> 00:05:21.420 simply just because they're there, 00:05:21.459 --> 00:05:23.139 because they have accepted the invitation 00:05:23.139 --> 00:05:26.539 to join with God for eternity 00:05:26.539 --> 00:05:29.740 through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:05:31.599 --> 00:05:33.399 Well, that must have been a party clangor. 00:05:35.620 --> 00:05:37.599 But Jesus didn't stop there. 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:39.419 He reclined back in his chair, 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:41.879 started to tell a story about a particular party. 00:05:42.419 --> 00:05:43.500 It went something like this. 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:45.379 There was a rich man who organised a party 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:47.379 and he invited heaps of people. 00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:49.719 And then when it came time for the party, 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:52.860 he sent his servant out to get them to come on in. 00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:56.019 What we've got to realise, 00:05:56.199 --> 00:05:58.480 this is a party in first century Palestine. 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:01.939 Parties took a lot longer to organise back in those days. 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:04.019 Nowadays, quick text message, 00:06:04.420 --> 00:06:06.079 and you've got, you know, put on food, 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:09.759 and you've got a bunch of teenagers home in no time at all. 00:06:10.579 --> 00:06:13.439 But it was different back in those days. 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:14.579 Significantly different. 00:06:14.659 --> 00:06:16.060 Kid comes home, wants to have a party. 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:18.639 You know, yes, certainly, 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:20.920 the food's out there in the paddock. 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:22.539 You've got to go and chase it down 00:06:22.539 --> 00:06:24.379 and kill it and slaughter it 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:25.480 and do all that sort of stuff. 00:06:25.539 --> 00:06:26.240 It takes a while. 00:06:26.599 --> 00:06:27.539 So what they used to do 00:06:27.539 --> 00:06:29.639 was they put out the first invitation first. 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:31.959 So out you go, invitation to everyone. 00:06:32.039 --> 00:06:33.259 We're going to have this great party, 00:06:33.300 --> 00:06:33.920 a big banquet. 00:06:34.339 --> 00:06:37.139 This is not necessarily just two hours' worth of, 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:38.659 you know, dinner time. 00:06:38.660 --> 00:06:41.600 This could go on for days and weeks. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:43.560 Out goes the first invitation. 00:06:44.740 --> 00:06:46.140 People go, yeah, I'll be there. 00:06:46.200 --> 00:06:47.280 Sounds like a great idea. 00:06:47.780 --> 00:06:50.080 Then the servant gets and does all the preparation. 00:06:50.320 --> 00:06:51.180 He slaughters the cows, 00:06:51.300 --> 00:06:52.140 picks the carrots, 00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:53.620 barbecues the meat, 00:06:53.720 --> 00:06:55.760 puts the drinks with the sterly straws in them, 00:06:55.900 --> 00:06:56.820 all set aside. 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:58.580 Desserts are cooling in the fridge. 00:06:58.860 --> 00:06:59.760 It's ready to go. 00:07:00.840 --> 00:07:03.000 Goes around, brings in the party goers, 00:07:03.100 --> 00:07:04.180 and what he discovers is 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:06.240 those who said yes to start with 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:07.920 are now saying no. 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:10.740 And what he gets faced with 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:12.520 is a bunch of excuses. 00:07:12.840 --> 00:07:14.360 Verse 18, 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:16.720 I have just bought a field 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:18.340 and I must go and see it. 00:07:19.880 --> 00:07:20.540 What an idiot. 00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:22.700 He's just bought a field 00:07:22.700 --> 00:07:23.760 and now he must go and see it. 00:07:23.880 --> 00:07:25.600 He's just bought himself a farm, right? 00:07:25.980 --> 00:07:27.340 He's just bought himself a business, 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:28.900 hasn't looked over the books, 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:29.820 hasn't seen whether or not 00:07:29.820 --> 00:07:32.040 the paddock actually exists or not, 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:34.500 but I've got to go and see it now. 00:07:34.580 --> 00:07:35.700 I can't come to your party. 00:07:35.780 --> 00:07:37.080 I can't wait, you know, 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:38.520 a couple of days or anything. 00:07:38.640 --> 00:07:39.879 I've got to go and see it now 00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:42.120 because I might not be there in the morning. 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:44.280 Verse 19, 00:07:44.379 --> 00:07:46.100 I've just bought five yoke of oxen 00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:47.439 and I'm on my way to try them out. 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:50.259 This guy has just bought a secondhand tractor, 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:51.820 hasn't even seen it, 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:53.640 doesn't even know if it's got all of its wheels 00:07:53.640 --> 00:07:54.439 attached to it, 00:07:54.500 --> 00:07:55.540 whether there's a motor there, 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:55.980 a transmitter, 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:57.379 got no idea whatsoever. 00:07:57.379 --> 00:07:58.279 He's bought it 00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:01.399 and he's got to go and try them out now 00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:02.500 when the party's on. 00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:04.120 He can't wait a couple of days 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:07.019 because they might get lonely tonight. 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:09.279 Number three, 00:08:09.579 --> 00:08:10.139 verse 20, 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:11.860 I've just got married so I can't come. 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:13.759 Well, that's pretty self-explanatory. 00:08:14.779 --> 00:08:15.379 You know, 00:08:15.659 --> 00:08:17.319 you get married, 00:08:17.459 --> 00:08:18.939 you don't go to parties anymore, 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:20.100 you know, 00:08:20.159 --> 00:08:21.519 got other things on your mind, 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:22.600 don't go and worry about that. 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:23.459 You see, 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:25.019 what it's saying here is 00:08:25.019 --> 00:08:27.100 all these people who were initially invited 00:08:27.100 --> 00:08:28.720 have changed their mind. 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:30.740 They signed up to it, 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:32.300 they thought it was a good idea 00:08:32.300 --> 00:08:34.379 and then when push comes to shove, 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:36.340 don't want to be part of the banquet. 00:08:37.300 --> 00:08:39.000 And what Jesus is faced with here, 00:08:39.040 --> 00:08:39.879 what he says is, 00:08:40.139 --> 00:08:42.180 is that they are just excuses. 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:45.100 And in actual fact, 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:48.220 Jesus is saying these excuses 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:50.200 are both laughable and pathetic. 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:53.420 They are laughable and pathetic, 00:08:53.700 --> 00:08:56.460 even good things like buying a field 00:08:56.460 --> 00:08:57.660 and buying a bunch of cows 00:08:57.660 --> 00:08:58.400 and getting married, 00:08:58.400 --> 00:08:59.680 even good things. 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:01.540 When it comes up against 00:09:01.540 --> 00:09:03.080 the greatest thing of all, 00:09:03.780 --> 00:09:05.320 they can be but distractions 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:08.639 from the greatest and the best thing, 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:13.540 an invitation to party with God for eternity. 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:16.679 So he wants to make it clear 00:09:16.679 --> 00:09:19.939 that every excuse that we make 00:09:19.939 --> 00:09:22.240 to put off an invitation 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:23.919 of a relationship with the God of this universe 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:24.599 is pathetic, 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:25.919 it's laughable. 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:29.439 There is nothing more important 00:09:29.439 --> 00:09:30.319 for yesterday, 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:31.419 today and always 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:33.319 than to know the one who gives us life, 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:35.259 who has control of eternity 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:36.519 in the palm of his hand. 00:09:36.959 --> 00:09:39.259 Anything that puts that relationship 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:40.459 to one side 00:09:40.460 --> 00:09:42.560 and makes it less important, 00:09:42.660 --> 00:09:43.860 the number one priority 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:45.519 is a pathetic excuse. 00:09:47.340 --> 00:09:48.600 And I think we've been challenged 00:09:48.600 --> 00:09:49.800 about this as we've journeyed 00:09:49.800 --> 00:09:50.900 with Jesus to Jerusalem, 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:51.340 haven't we, 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:52.460 over the last few weeks? 00:09:54.300 --> 00:09:56.040 When Jesus describes 00:09:56.040 --> 00:09:56.900 about what it means 00:09:56.900 --> 00:09:57.960 to be his disciple, 00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:59.080 what does it mean 00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:00.379 to walk with Jesus 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:03.800 along this road to Jerusalem, 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:04.980 into Jerusalem, 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:06.300 to pick up our cross, 00:10:06.560 --> 00:10:08.259 to walk outside of Jerusalem, 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:09.700 to die with Jesus 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:11.360 out there on the place 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:12.000 of the skull? 00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:16.059 And how often 00:10:16.059 --> 00:10:17.059 do we make excuses? 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:22.379 What this passage is saying 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:22.960 and the next one, 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:24.399 this whole collective passage 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:25.100 is saying here, 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:27.700 which is the whole point 00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:29.019 of this travel narrative, 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:31.100 do we actually trust Jesus 00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:31.960 with our life? 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:35.299 Do we really trust Jesus 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:36.179 with our life? 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:39.019 Jesus is not asking us here, 00:10:39.199 --> 00:10:40.179 do we go to church, 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:41.919 we part of a Bible study group, 00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:43.439 do I arrange the flowers 00:10:43.439 --> 00:10:44.139 at church, 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:44.979 do I, 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:45.919 he's asking, 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:48.159 do I actually trust him 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:49.919 with my life? 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:52.979 Or am I still making excuses? 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:55.759 I've come up with all sorts 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:57.519 of excuses over the years, 00:10:57.559 --> 00:10:58.139 so I've been faced 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:58.919 with all sorts of excuses, 00:10:58.979 --> 00:11:00.240 I've made excuses myself. 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:02.359 One of the classic ones 00:11:02.359 --> 00:11:03.059 is I'm too smart 00:11:03.059 --> 00:11:03.740 to be a Christian. 00:11:04.299 --> 00:11:05.539 A Christian is just made up 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:06.120 for dumb people 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:07.339 who need some form of crutch, 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:08.480 but I'm too smart. 00:11:08.819 --> 00:11:09.579 I've heard that one, 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:09.899 I've heard it, 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:13.039 the most clearest excuse 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:13.740 in that regard 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:14.179 that I heard 00:11:14.179 --> 00:11:15.519 came from a 16 year old 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:19.159 and it was in the middle 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:19.879 of a scripture class, 00:11:19.939 --> 00:11:20.599 this kid said to me, 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:22.399 the Bible's full of mistakes 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:23.519 and Christianity's all flawed. 00:11:24.199 --> 00:11:25.559 And, you know, 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:26.879 very authoritatively said that 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:27.159 and I said, 00:11:27.199 --> 00:11:27.719 so tell me where? 00:11:28.419 --> 00:11:29.059 He goes, 00:11:29.719 --> 00:11:29.980 well, 00:11:30.079 --> 00:11:30.740 you haven't got a Bible. 00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:31.240 Unfortunately, 00:11:31.319 --> 00:11:32.740 I had my big Bible bashing Bible 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.220 at the time 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:36.100 and I threw my Bible, 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:37.879 which just landed perfectly 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:39.220 on his desk 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:40.639 and slid into his lap 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:43.320 and it was just, 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:43.720 you know, 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:44.919 just a great effect. 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:45.560 And I said, 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:46.840 so show us where the, 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:47.200 you know, 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:49.279 show us where the mistakes 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:49.840 all are. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:50.500 And he goes, 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:50.700 well, 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:51.940 I don't know exactly 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:52.360 where they are, 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:52.919 I've just heard 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:53.799 it's full of mistakes. 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:54.500 Well, 00:11:54.519 --> 00:11:55.100 who told you? 00:11:55.180 --> 00:11:55.299 Well, 00:11:55.299 --> 00:11:55.799 I don't know where 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.519 I heard it from. 00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:58.019 I've heard it from someone. 00:11:58.200 --> 00:11:58.440 I said, 00:11:58.460 --> 00:11:59.259 is the person reliable? 00:11:59.379 --> 00:11:59.840 I don't know, 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.700 I don't know who it was. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:02.320 And I said, 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:03.360 so in other words, 00:12:03.400 --> 00:12:04.580 you don't really know, 00:12:04.660 --> 00:12:05.020 do you? 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:05.840 And he goes, 00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:06.160 no, 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:06.480 you're right, 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:07.160 I don't really know. 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.860 Or the other one I've heard is, 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.920 I'm too good looking 00:12:10.920 --> 00:12:12.320 and too cool to be Christian. 00:12:14.420 --> 00:12:15.460 Like being a Christian 00:12:15.460 --> 00:12:16.700 is going to spoil my image 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:18.420 because clearly Christians 00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:19.060 are the people 00:12:19.060 --> 00:12:20.160 who tuck their ciglet 00:12:20.160 --> 00:12:21.120 inside their undies 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:23.879 and we're the guys 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:25.680 who wear the sandals 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:27.020 on outside of our socks 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:31.299 and dagginess 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:32.179 has nothing to do 00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:32.799 with Christianity. 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:33.879 It's in your jeans, 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:35.779 not in the type you wear 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:36.720 but in your mum and dad 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:37.740 so blame them for that. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:40.059 Or I'm too involved, 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:40.799 I'm too involved 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:41.779 in the opposite sex 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:42.500 or with family 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:43.279 or friends, 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:43.799 you know, 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:45.079 what would those people think? 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:46.120 I'm too involved 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.639 with all these other relationships 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:50.439 to actually give 00:12:50.439 --> 00:12:51.360 great consideration 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:52.500 to the best relationship 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.000 at all, 00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:53.980 a relationship 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:54.319 with a guy 00:12:54.319 --> 00:12:54.860 in this universe 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:56.080 or I'm just too busy. 00:12:56.440 --> 00:12:57.759 I'm too busy with my work, 00:12:57.820 --> 00:12:59.379 I'm too busy with my hobbies, 00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:00.580 I'm too busy with my clubs, 00:13:00.680 --> 00:13:02.279 I'm too busy with my study, 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.019 I'm just too busy 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:03.980 with life itself 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:05.419 to give a thought 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:05.899 for the one 00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:08.340 who gives me life itself. 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:12.019 How do your excuses stack up? 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:14.139 In Jesus' story, 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:14.519 and this is, 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:15.700 you've got to read this one here, 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.419 not one of those 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:18.460 who are invited to the banquet 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:19.460 got a taste of the banquet. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.360 Verse 24, 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:20.980 I tell you, 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:22.019 not one of those men 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:22.700 who are invited 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:24.300 will get a taste 00:13:24.300 --> 00:13:25.379 of my banquet. 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:26.620 Not one. 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:28.940 What Jesus is saying 00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:30.220 is if we continue 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:31.540 to reject the invitation 00:13:31.540 --> 00:13:32.160 of our relationship 00:13:32.160 --> 00:13:32.680 with him, 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:33.720 if we continue 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:34.940 to make our excuses, 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:35.660 if we continue 00:13:35.660 --> 00:13:37.140 not to trust in Jesus, 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:38.920 then he will end up 00:13:38.920 --> 00:13:39.640 treating us 00:13:39.640 --> 00:13:40.560 for eternity 00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:41.160 the way 00:13:41.160 --> 00:13:42.620 that we have treated him 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:43.840 in the short span 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:44.660 of our lifetime. 00:13:45.020 --> 00:13:45.759 Away from me, 00:13:45.940 --> 00:13:46.920 I never knew you. 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:49.020 Away from me. 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:52.960 What Jesus wants 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:54.159 to make very clear 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:54.740 for us here 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:56.559 is that it is 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:57.679 the most important decision. 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.679 It's what we do with Jesus. 00:13:58.779 --> 00:13:59.899 It's the most important decision 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:00.699 in our life 00:14:00.699 --> 00:14:01.759 and that is why 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:03.259 Jesus wants us 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:03.980 to be so, 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:04.840 so clear 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.860 about what we are doing. 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.279 So clear 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:08.079 about what we are doing 00:14:08.079 --> 00:14:08.899 when we sign on 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:10.240 to follow Jesus. 00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.000 I want to say 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.720 that as well 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:13.939 by way of encouragement, 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:15.659 I have been amazed 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:17.279 recently, 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:19.039 the last two weeks 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:19.639 have been the most 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:21.279 difficult ministry years 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:21.600 of my, 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:22.459 ministry weeks 00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:23.199 of my life 00:14:23.199 --> 00:14:24.379 and yet 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.759 in amongst that difficulty 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:28.139 I have been rejoicing 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:28.939 consistently 00:14:28.939 --> 00:14:29.480 of those 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.039 who have been coming 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:30.500 to Christ 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:31.179 in our midst. 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:33.199 God has been good. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:35.039 God has been good. 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.659 The evil one 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:36.720 would want to distract us 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:37.600 from the main game 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:39.079 and Jesus keeps 00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:39.959 encouraging us 00:14:39.959 --> 00:14:40.839 with those 00:14:40.839 --> 00:14:41.379 who have come 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.000 to Christ. 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:44.039 Praise God. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:45.039 God has been good. 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:46.959 But he wants to make 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:47.279 us very, 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:47.899 very clear 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:49.199 what we are signing 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:49.939 on for here 00:14:49.939 --> 00:14:50.639 as his people. 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:52.379 Jesus says 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:53.279 if you want to follow him 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:54.139 it's going to be tough. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.559 It's going to be tough 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:56.879 because you die to yourself 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.679 and you rise to me. 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.319 It's going to be tough 00:14:58.319 --> 00:14:59.079 because you take up 00:14:59.079 --> 00:14:59.579 your cross 00:14:59.579 --> 00:15:00.740 and you follow me. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:02.000 It's going to be tough 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:04.079 following me 00:15:04.079 --> 00:15:04.759 on this road 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.399 to Jerusalem 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.419 and outside of Jerusalem 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:06.980 to the place 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:07.539 of the skull 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:08.360 so you better get ready 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:08.759 for it. 00:15:09.579 --> 00:15:10.519 You better get ready 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.039 for it. 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:11.799 He says 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.919 you've got to realise 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:14.219 that you are sheep 00:15:14.219 --> 00:15:15.500 amongst ravenous wolves. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.579 You've got to be ready 00:15:16.579 --> 00:15:16.979 for it 00:15:16.979 --> 00:15:17.599 because I'm getting you 00:15:17.599 --> 00:15:18.519 to carry your cross 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:18.919 as well 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:20.259 as much as I'm carrying mine 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:21.639 and you need to count 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.219 the cost. 00:15:22.839 --> 00:15:23.759 It's no good 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:25.500 RSVPing for heaven 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.659 signing up 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.599 for a gentle Jesus 00:15:27.599 --> 00:15:28.519 meek and mild 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:31.759 and then realising 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.339 that Jesus 00:15:32.339 --> 00:15:33.039 is more than meek 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:33.539 and mild. 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:36.059 Jesus is a king 00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:36.539 who demands 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.279 my allegiance 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:39.679 and then realising 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.539 you've signed up 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:41.519 and you've made a mistake. 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:42.500 And so Jesus 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.639 uses two illustrations 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:44.459 to make the point. 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:45.259 He says 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:45.719 you don't go 00:15:45.719 --> 00:15:46.579 building a building 00:15:46.579 --> 00:15:47.939 if you haven't got 00:15:47.939 --> 00:15:48.199 the money 00:15:48.199 --> 00:15:48.979 to finish the job. 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.179 You look like an idiot. 00:15:52.339 --> 00:15:52.959 You don't just 00:15:52.959 --> 00:15:53.779 get the foundations 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:54.120 and you go 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:54.679 okay well 00:15:54.679 --> 00:15:55.299 where's the rest 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:55.639 of it going 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.639 to come from now? 00:15:57.459 --> 00:15:57.979 And he says 00:15:57.979 --> 00:15:58.659 you don't go 00:15:58.659 --> 00:15:59.439 picking a fight 00:15:59.439 --> 00:15:59.879 with a guy 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:00.639 who's bigger than you 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:00.959 if you're going 00:16:00.959 --> 00:16:01.459 to lose. 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.379 You know 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:03.799 I don't go 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:04.500 walking around 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.339 picking fights 00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:06.559 with you know 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:07.479 two foot tall 00:16:07.479 --> 00:16:07.959 sorry 00:16:07.959 --> 00:16:09.500 two meter tall 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.719 two foot tall guys 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.440 I'll pick fights 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:11.879 with those guys 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.379 two 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.899 you know 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:14.600 two meter tall 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:15.259 bodybuilders 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:15.660 you don't pick 00:16:15.660 --> 00:16:16.620 fights with those guys. 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.860 In other words 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.620 he says 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.740 think about 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.379 what you're committing 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:22.720 to 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:24.540 and this is 00:16:24.540 --> 00:16:25.060 a significant 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:25.779 warning for us 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.420 I've said this 00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:27.000 before 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:27.800 from the pulpit 00:16:27.800 --> 00:16:29.840 that it's easier 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.680 for us to be part 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:31.399 of the Anglican Church 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:31.879 of Australia 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.720 than it is to be part 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:33.500 of the kingdom 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.139 of God. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.460 That what Jesus 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.519 demands in terms 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:37.500 of discipleship 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.319 is not what 00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:38.899 is demanded 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:39.480 in terms of 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.179 the Anglican Church 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:40.779 of Australia. 00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:42.699 It is much 00:16:42.699 --> 00:16:43.240 harder 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:44.600 to be part 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:44.939 of the kingdom 00:16:44.939 --> 00:16:45.419 of God 00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:46.139 than it is to be part 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:46.639 of Sir Paul's 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.100 Chatswood. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.120 And let's be 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.879 frank about this 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.600 even the rich 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.139 young ruler 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:52.079 would be welcomed 00:16:52.079 --> 00:16:53.139 amongst us. 00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:54.379 He would be 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:54.879 included 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.679 given a position 00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:56.259 of leadership 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.460 and frankly 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:57.879 right now 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.240 the Sydney 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.620 Diocese 00:16:58.620 --> 00:16:58.879 could do 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.379 with his money. 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:03.939 And he even 00:17:03.939 --> 00:17:04.460 came running 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.119 up to Jesus 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:06.099 with the all-important 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:06.659 question 00:17:06.659 --> 00:17:07.699 what must I do 00:17:07.699 --> 00:17:08.159 to inherit 00:17:08.159 --> 00:17:09.159 eternal life? 00:17:09.979 --> 00:17:11.019 If he came up 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.479 to me 00:17:11.479 --> 00:17:12.879 and said that 00:17:12.879 --> 00:17:13.779 it would be 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.639 vastly different 00:17:14.639 --> 00:17:15.239 than what happened 00:17:15.239 --> 00:17:15.979 when he said 00:17:15.979 --> 00:17:16.559 it to Jesus. 00:17:16.919 --> 00:17:18.139 He walked away 00:17:18.139 --> 00:17:18.859 sad 00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:19.899 because he wasn't 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:20.359 prepared 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:21.419 to trust 00:17:21.419 --> 00:17:22.039 Jesus. 00:17:22.459 --> 00:17:23.000 He wasn't 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.679 prepared for 00:17:23.679 --> 00:17:24.359 Jesus to be 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:24.959 number one 00:17:24.959 --> 00:17:25.659 he trusted 00:17:25.659 --> 00:17:26.119 his money 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:26.539 more. 00:17:26.939 --> 00:17:27.419 If he ran 00:17:27.419 --> 00:17:28.059 up to me 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:29.119 I would have 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:29.439 had him 00:17:29.439 --> 00:17:29.899 praying the 00:17:29.899 --> 00:17:30.439 sinner's prayer 00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:30.919 before he 00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:31.699 caught his breath 00:17:31.699 --> 00:17:32.479 and I would have 00:17:32.479 --> 00:17:33.259 had him baptised 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.019 before he filled 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:35.079 out a follow-up 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:35.480 card. 00:17:36.699 --> 00:17:37.500 Jesus was a 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.079 magnet to 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.720 people like 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.039 him 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:40.839 people who 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:41.519 want Jesus 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.099 for all that 00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:42.579 they could get 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.179 out of him 00:17:43.179 --> 00:17:44.659 but not prepared 00:17:44.659 --> 00:17:45.339 to give Jesus 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.059 everything. 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:49.000 Verse 25 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.899 tells us 00:17:49.899 --> 00:17:50.480 that there 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:50.839 are a great 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.240 number of 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:51.619 people who 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:52.019 were travelling 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.359 along the 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:52.779 road with 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.159 Jesus 00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:53.960 but he was 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.480 never fooled 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:54.819 by the 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:55.179 crowds. 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.740 Jesus always 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.480 made a distinction 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:57.960 between the 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:58.399 crowds and 00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:59.059 his disciples. 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:00.899 He was never 00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:01.519 fooled by the 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:01.899 crowds. 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:02.579 Just because 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.159 they were there 00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:03.740 he didn't think 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:04.159 for a moment 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:04.440 that they 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:04.740 were his 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:04.920 true 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:05.380 disciples 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:06.279 and so 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:06.860 he told 00:18:06.860 --> 00:18:07.500 them what 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:07.900 it meant 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:08.420 to be 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:08.620 his 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.080 disciple. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:09.880 And so 00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:10.380 here's the 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:10.940 question for 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.140 you. 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:12.460 Do you 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.180 want to be 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:13.779 a disciple 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.380 of Jesus? 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.300 Do you 00:18:17.300 --> 00:18:17.660 want to be 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.000 a true 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.600 disciple of 00:18:18.600 --> 00:18:18.880 Jesus? 00:18:19.560 --> 00:18:20.000 Do you 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.840 want to be 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:21.279 at his 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.259 banquet table 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.620 whatever that 00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:24.980 is for all 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.800 eternity in 00:18:25.800 --> 00:18:26.060 heaven? 00:18:26.800 --> 00:18:27.040 Do you 00:18:27.040 --> 00:18:27.380 want to be 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:27.960 there in 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.460 the end? 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:28.519 Jesus? 00:18:31.100 --> 00:18:31.680 Well then 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:33.480 you need to 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.019 do this. 00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:34.579 You need to 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:34.799 put your 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.100 hands up 00:18:35.100 --> 00:18:35.620 like this. 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:37.380 Both of 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:37.640 your hands. 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.059 Come on. 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:38.480 I'm not 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:38.680 going to be 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:38.880 the only 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:39.340 idiot here. 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:40.519 Everyone's 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:40.900 got to do 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.259 this. 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:42.620 And you 00:18:42.620 --> 00:18:42.960 need to 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.620 get behind 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.120 your ears 00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:44.340 and you 00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:44.600 need to 00:18:44.600 --> 00:18:45.120 do this. 00:18:45.840 --> 00:18:46.100 Because 00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:46.779 Jesus says 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.160 this in 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:47.940 verse 35 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.440 he who has 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:48.980 ears to 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:49.980 hear let 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:50.340 him hear. 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:51.660 You want 00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:52.000 to be my 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.440 disciple? 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.500 Listen up. 00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:54.400 Okay? 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:55.759 You don't 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.160 need to keep 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:56.620 doing that. 00:18:57.800 --> 00:18:58.519 Listen up. 00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.360 Jesus says 00:18:59.360 --> 00:18:59.980 three things 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.259 in this 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.820 passage. 00:19:01.540 --> 00:19:01.840 What it 00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:02.120 means to 00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:02.380 be his 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:02.580 true 00:19:02.580 --> 00:19:03.040 disciple. 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.180 Jesus said 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:04.560 first of 00:19:04.560 --> 00:19:04.840 all you 00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.300 cannot be 00:19:05.300 --> 00:19:05.500 my 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:05.920 disciple 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.340 if you 00:19:06.340 --> 00:19:06.600 love 00:19:06.600 --> 00:19:06.880 other 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:07.259 people 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:07.600 more 00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:07.740 than 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:07.860 you 00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:08.140 love 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:08.640 Jesus. 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:09.400 Have 00:19:09.400 --> 00:19:09.580 a look 00:19:09.580 --> 00:19:09.840 at verse 00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:10.259 26. 00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:10.600 If anyone 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:11.140 comes to 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:11.740 me and 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.060 does not 00:19:12.060 --> 00:19:12.460 hate his 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:12.880 father and 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.080 mother, 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:13.720 his wife 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:13.960 and 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.340 children, 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.120 his brothers 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:15.820 and sisters, 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:16.560 even his 00:19:16.560 --> 00:19:17.759 own life, 00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:18.460 he cannot 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:19.019 be my 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.759 disciple. 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:20.519 Now if 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:20.820 you had 00:19:20.820 --> 00:19:21.560 an argument 00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:21.920 as a 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:22.380 family on 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:22.600 the way 00:19:22.600 --> 00:19:23.000 here today 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.180 you'd 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:23.480 think these 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:23.800 are great 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:25.099 words but 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.399 that's not 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:25.779 quite what 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.180 Jesus is 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.419 saying. 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.359 The point 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:29.159 is that 00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:29.639 the relationship 00:19:29.639 --> 00:19:30.059 that Jesus 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.599 calls us 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.119 to is an 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:31.599 exclusive 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.319 relationship. 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.039 Jesus says 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.539 the first 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.319 thing that 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:35.779 has to 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.740 happen if 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.019 you're going 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.220 to be 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:37.940 his disciple 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.680 there is 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.659 no more 00:19:39.659 --> 00:19:40.180 important 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.819 relationship 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.220 than your 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.599 relationship 00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.139 with Jesus 00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:44.220 and as 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.500 C.S. 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.119 Lewis says 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:45.460 when you 00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:45.759 put the 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.220 first things 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:46.960 first everything 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.419 else doesn't 00:19:47.419 --> 00:19:48.079 become second 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.000 it actually 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.480 becomes 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.220 first. 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:54.240 when God 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.039 is first 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.019 you will 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.400 love your 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:56.779 wife, 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:57.539 your husband, 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.160 your children, 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:58.759 your friends, 00:19:58.839 --> 00:19:59.279 your neighbour 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:00.700 like you 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.079 will not 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.440 love them 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:01.720 now. 00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:07.620 What Jesus 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:08.019 is saying 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.460 is that there 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:08.740 is no 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:09.240 competitors 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:09.700 for this 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:10.259 relationship. 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:11.640 He says 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:11.940 it won't 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.259 be our 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.700 parents, 00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:13.039 it won't 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.319 be our 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:13.640 wives, 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.120 our husbands, 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.579 our brothers, 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.079 our sister, 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:15.579 our children, 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.079 our boyfriend, 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:16.600 our girlfriend, 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.019 our best 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.279 friend, 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:19.019 our work 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.620 colleagues, 00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:20.519 it won't 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.019 even be 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.699 ourselves. 00:20:21.879 --> 00:20:22.219 He says 00:20:22.219 --> 00:20:22.399 there, 00:20:22.439 --> 00:20:22.619 I won't 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:23.159 even love 00:20:23.159 --> 00:20:23.759 myself. 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:25.419 I won't 00:20:25.419 --> 00:20:25.799 live for 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.439 my security, 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.099 for my ease, 00:20:27.159 --> 00:20:27.679 for my comfort, 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.339 my pleasure. 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:29.459 Nobody 00:20:29.459 --> 00:20:30.179 will be 00:20:30.179 --> 00:20:31.319 competing 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:32.059 with Jesus 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:32.939 for our 00:20:32.939 --> 00:20:33.299 love, 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:33.839 our affection, 00:20:33.959 --> 00:20:34.519 our allegiance. 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:35.579 Jesus 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.459 will be the 00:20:36.459 --> 00:20:36.919 one who 00:20:36.919 --> 00:20:37.319 sets the 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:37.859 agenda for 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.459 my life. 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:38.719 He'll be 00:20:38.719 --> 00:20:39.119 the one 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:39.419 who I 00:20:39.419 --> 00:20:39.919 love, 00:20:40.219 --> 00:20:40.439 who I 00:20:40.439 --> 00:20:41.159 will serve 00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:41.879 like no 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.179 other. 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.339 We will 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:46.719 do what 00:20:46.719 --> 00:20:47.479 Jesus wants 00:20:47.479 --> 00:20:48.579 us to do 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:49.139 before what 00:20:49.139 --> 00:20:49.559 our friends 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:49.879 want us 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:50.319 to do, 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.379 even before 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:52.720 what my 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:53.159 boss wants 00:20:53.159 --> 00:20:53.419 me to 00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:53.679 do. 00:20:54.679 --> 00:20:55.480 It means 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.079 when Jesus 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.759 speaks to 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.119 us through 00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:57.819 his word, 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.039 as our 00:20:59.039 --> 00:20:59.659 dearly loved 00:20:59.659 --> 00:21:00.119 friend, 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:00.799 as our 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.220 king, 00:21:01.679 --> 00:21:02.619 we will 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:04.279 listen and 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:04.519 we will 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:04.859 obey. 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:06.659 We will 00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:07.839 listen and 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.099 we will 00:21:08.099 --> 00:21:08.440 obey. 00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:11.339 Do you 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:12.019 trust Jesus 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:12.539 enough to 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:12.899 do that? 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.819 Do you 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.299 trust him 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.720 enough to 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.059 do that? 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:19.839 Jesus 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.619 also said 00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:20.819 that you 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.240 cannot be 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:21.399 his 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:21.899 disciples. 00:21:22.179 --> 00:21:22.279 Number 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:22.659 two, 00:21:23.139 --> 00:21:23.500 if we 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:23.639 are 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:23.940 people 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:24.139 who 00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:24.319 love 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:24.779 safety 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.059 more 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:25.319 than we 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.500 love 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:25.940 Jesus. 00:21:26.879 --> 00:21:27.299 Verse 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:27.859 27, 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:28.460 anyone 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.019 who does 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.419 not carry 00:21:29.419 --> 00:21:29.879 his cross 00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:30.259 and follow 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.559 me 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.419 cannot be 00:21:31.419 --> 00:21:31.639 my 00:21:31.639 --> 00:21:32.139 disciple. 00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:34.679 Amazing 00:21:34.679 --> 00:21:35.159 verse. 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.940 Jesus 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.720 calls us 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.220 into a 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.840 relationship 00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.960 that is 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.460 actually 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.000 worth 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.800 dying 00:21:41.800 --> 00:21:42.100 for. 00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:44.540 He 00:21:44.540 --> 00:21:45.140 calls us 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:45.700 into a 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.220 relationship 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.680 that is 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.100 actually 00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:47.420 worth 00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:47.779 dying 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.240 for 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.940 and 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:49.160 that 00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.540 means 00:21:49.540 --> 00:21:49.800 it's 00:21:49.800 --> 00:21:50.140 everything 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:50.580 to live 00:21:50.580 --> 00:21:50.820 for. 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.120 When 00:21:52.120 --> 00:21:52.440 something 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:52.860 is worth 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.160 dying 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:53.620 for, 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:54.940 it is 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.340 everything 00:21:55.340 --> 00:21:55.740 to live 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.000 for. 00:21:58.100 --> 00:21:58.720 You 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:58.880 see, 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.400 the decision 00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:00.759 is now, 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:01.779 tomorrow, 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.560 the day 00:22:02.560 --> 00:22:02.820 after, 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.179 the next 00:22:03.179 --> 00:22:03.480 day, 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:04.679 take up 00:22:04.679 --> 00:22:05.279 my cross 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.639 and follow 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:07.220 Christ. 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.359 Even if it 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:08.859 costs me 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:09.939 my friends, 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:10.259 it costs 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:10.679 me money, 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.799 people think 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:12.159 I'm an 00:22:12.159 --> 00:22:12.500 idiot, 00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:13.960 even if it 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.519 costs me 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.500 my life, 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:16.759 no matter 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.139 what, 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.000 I'm going 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.299 to follow 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:18.720 Jesus. 00:22:19.919 --> 00:22:20.419 Do you 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:20.879 trust 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.539 Jesus 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.339 enough 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.319 to do 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:23.539 that? 00:22:27.939 --> 00:22:28.519 Third 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:28.799 thing, 00:22:30.439 --> 00:22:30.799 Jesus 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.439 also said 00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:31.599 that you 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.019 cannot be 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.679 my 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.080 disciple 00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:33.460 if you're 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:33.779 a person 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.259 who loves 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.200 things 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:35.759 more than 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.120 you love 00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:36.640 Jesus. 00:22:37.320 --> 00:22:37.720 Have a 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:37.840 look, 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:38.560 verse 33, 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.000 in the 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.500 same way, 00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:39.920 any of 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.140 you who 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:40.460 does not 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:40.759 give up 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.060 everything 00:22:41.060 --> 00:22:41.500 he has 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:41.900 cannot be 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.100 my 00:22:42.100 --> 00:22:42.500 disciple. 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.320 And 00:22:44.320 --> 00:22:44.700 I've 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:44.980 spoken 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.320 on this 00:22:45.320 --> 00:22:45.600 one a 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:45.799 number 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.240 of times 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.539 lately, 00:22:46.620 --> 00:22:46.880 and I'm 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.080 going to 00:22:47.080 --> 00:22:47.519 consistently 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.180 do it, 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:49.580 because 00:22:49.580 --> 00:22:50.340 the world 00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:50.560 in which 00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:51.120 we live 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:51.779 wants us 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.160 to love 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:52.680 things. 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:53.900 You 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.320 turn on 00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:54.779 the TV 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.259 and every 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:55.660 ad is 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:55.960 telling 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.299 you that 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:56.720 your life 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:56.880 is 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.220 meaningless 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:57.759 unless 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.259 you buy 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.600 this, 00:22:59.440 --> 00:22:59.759 fill in 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.060 the blank, 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:00.420 whatever the 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.060 product is. 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:01.880 You know, 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.259 a bowling 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:02.580 ball, 00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:03.279 a backing 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:03.740 clinic can 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:03.960 lift a 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.200 bowling 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.480 ball, 00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:04.700 I mean, 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.080 that's the 00:23:05.080 --> 00:23:06.160 meaning of 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:06.519 life. 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:07.380 You know, 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.100 everything. 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.080 And what 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:09.560 Jesus is 00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:10.060 saying here 00:23:10.060 --> 00:23:10.820 is that 00:23:10.820 --> 00:23:11.320 he is the 00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:11.700 one who 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.140 determines 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:12.820 our future, 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:14.120 our goals, 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:15.100 our plans, 00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:16.080 our security, 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.480 and even 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.039 our spending. 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.400 Do you 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:20.940 trust 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:21.800 Jesus 00:23:21.800 --> 00:23:23.220 enough to 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.580 do that? 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:25.939 do you 00:23:25.939 --> 00:23:26.199 love 00:23:26.199 --> 00:23:26.539 Jesus 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:26.980 more than 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.319 anything 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.799 or anyone 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.299 else? 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:29.319 I'm not 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.119 asking you 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:31.079 are you 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:31.599 a member 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:31.819 of the 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.159 Anglican 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:32.639 Church? 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.639 I'm not 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:34.460 asking you 00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:34.859 whether you 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.119 go to 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:35.379 Bible 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:35.779 study. 00:23:36.179 --> 00:23:36.519 I'm not 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.199 asking you 00:23:37.199 --> 00:23:37.500 whether or 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:37.720 not you 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.659 arrange the 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:39.279 flowers at 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:39.699 church. 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.639 I'm asking 00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:41.059 you, 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.399 do you 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:42.960 trust 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:43.960 Jesus 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:45.399 more than 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:45.740 anything? 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.159 Maybe you 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:50.539 know the 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.139 Christian message 00:23:51.139 --> 00:23:51.559 well. 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.439 You pray 00:23:52.439 --> 00:23:52.819 regularly, 00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:53.099 you can 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.459 memorize 00:23:53.459 --> 00:23:54.119 important 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:54.459 Bible 00:23:54.459 --> 00:23:54.859 verses 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.139 and it 00:23:55.139 --> 00:23:55.399 hasn't 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:55.699 changed 00:23:55.699 --> 00:23:55.839 your 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.299 priorities. 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.139 It has 00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:57.679 an impact 00:23:57.679 --> 00:23:57.919 on the 00:23:57.919 --> 00:23:58.259 way you 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.699 treat 00:23:58.699 --> 00:23:59.980 people, 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.039 even the 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.339 way that 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:01.799 you treat 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:02.279 God. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.399 Or even 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:05.799 the way 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.099 that you 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.559 day by 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:07.039 day go 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.439 about your 00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:07.959 business and 00:24:07.959 --> 00:24:08.559 even plan 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.359 your life. 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.439 How many 00:24:12.439 --> 00:24:12.740 of us 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.099 here 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:13.779 prayerfully 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.459 considered 00:24:14.459 --> 00:24:15.099 our last 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:15.699 purchase? 00:24:21.699 --> 00:24:22.139 Okay, 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:22.500 that might 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:22.859 be a bit 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.200 harsh. 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.099 How many 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.359 of us 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:24.539 here 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.059 prayerfully 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.819 considered 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.900 our last 00:24:26.900 --> 00:24:27.279 holiday? 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.119 How many 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:32.500 prayerfully 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.119 considered a 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:33.920 career change? 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.480 Because 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:41.019 all of 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.359 those 00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:42.039 decisions, 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:42.920 I 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.539 significantly 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.259 consider 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:45.799 and take 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:45.980 into 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:46.720 consideration 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.400 the thoughts 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:47.920 of and the 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.339 words and 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:49.180 wisdom of my 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:49.440 lovely, 00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:49.799 dearest 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:50.160 wife, 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.539 Natalie, 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:53.420 but if I 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:54.799 considered 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.580 Jesus to 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:55.840 be the 00:24:55.840 --> 00:24:56.100 most 00:24:56.100 --> 00:24:56.660 important, 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.440 wouldn't I 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.000 be prayerfully 00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.779 considering those 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.440 decisions with 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:00.960 him as well? 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.100 Wouldn't he 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:04.580 have something 00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:05.600 to say about 00:25:05.600 --> 00:25:06.600 my spending, 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.299 my leisure, 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.039 my time? 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:13.200 how many 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:13.559 people have 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:13.879 got an 00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:14.279 ache in 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.740 their gut 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.339 right now? 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.019 When you 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.759 realise what 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.279 Jesus is 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.720 calling us 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:24.159 to as we 00:25:24.159 --> 00:25:24.639 walk along 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.180 that road of 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.099 discipleship to 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.819 Jerusalem with 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.059 him. 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:31.119 Jesus 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:31.500 wasn't 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.079 fooled by the 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:33.259 crowd who 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.779 followed him 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.259 around, 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:37.619 who only 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.099 followed him 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:38.539 because of 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:38.799 what they 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.119 could get 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:39.400 out of 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:39.619 him. 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.240 He wasn't 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.740 fooled then 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.019 and he 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:42.519 certainly isn't 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.099 fooled now. 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:45.039 What I'm 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:46.299 calling us 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.000 to do here 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:48.379 is the 00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:48.819 very thing 00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:49.240 that Jesus 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.740 called his 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.440 disciples to 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.680 do 2,000 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.599 years ago in 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:53.119 clearing up 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.879 their misconceptions 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:54.359 of what it 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:54.700 meant to be 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.339 his disciple. 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.819 He called 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.200 them to a 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.879 life of 00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:58.359 radical 00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:59.160 discipleship. 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:00.779 Actually, 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.119 let me 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:01.759 retract that. 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.000 No, 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:02.599 he didn't. 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:04.119 He called 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:04.679 them to a 00:26:04.679 --> 00:26:05.299 life of 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.119 following him, 00:26:06.219 --> 00:26:06.639 the radical 00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:07.059 king. 00:26:08.459 --> 00:26:09.159 That's the 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:09.419 key. 00:26:10.239 --> 00:26:11.019 The key 00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:12.099 is not 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.859 our life, 00:26:12.959 --> 00:26:13.239 but the 00:26:13.239 --> 00:26:13.659 king who 00:26:13.659 --> 00:26:14.179 we follow, 00:26:14.939 --> 00:26:15.559 the radical 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.000 king. 00:26:16.479 --> 00:26:16.779 And what 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.299 the radical 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:18.079 king offers 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:18.579 us, 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.239 what the 00:26:19.239 --> 00:26:19.819 radical king 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.559 offers us 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.000 is an 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.599 eternal 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.559 banquet with 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:22.959 him, 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:23.959 the greatest 00:26:23.959 --> 00:26:24.419 thing you 00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.059 could ever 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:26.219 possibly have 00:26:26.219 --> 00:26:27.039 or imagine, 00:26:28.179 --> 00:26:28.519 and he 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:28.759 says, 00:26:28.979 --> 00:26:29.479 follow me. 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:31.179 Follow me 00:26:31.179 --> 00:26:31.799 all the way 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.339 there, 00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:33.299 me the 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:33.619 radical 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.099 king. 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:36.019 And when 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.559 you stuff 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:36.959 it up, 00:26:37.479 --> 00:26:38.079 as you 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.579 will, 00:26:39.239 --> 00:26:39.719 keep looking 00:26:39.719 --> 00:26:40.139 to me, 00:26:40.219 --> 00:26:40.819 the radical 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.799 substitute 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:43.619 king who 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:44.479 sacrificed in 00:26:44.479 --> 00:26:45.119 your behalf 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:46.379 because you 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:47.519 failed to 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:47.919 follow me, 00:26:47.979 --> 00:26:48.319 the pace 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:48.579 setter. 00:26:49.979 --> 00:26:50.839 So let us 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.479 be a people 00:26:51.479 --> 00:26:52.719 who in 00:26:52.719 --> 00:26:54.039 the power 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.479 and the 00:26:54.479 --> 00:26:54.919 comfort of 00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:55.439 the gospel, 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.459 in the 00:26:56.459 --> 00:26:57.059 power of 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.539 the indwelling 00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.119 spirit, 00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.259 with the 00:26:59.259 --> 00:26:59.779 great king 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:00.719 Jesus before 00:27:00.719 --> 00:27:01.279 us, 00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:02.819 decide today, 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.960 tomorrow, 00:27:04.679 --> 00:27:05.259 the next 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.720 day, 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:06.779 10 years 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.240 time, 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.379 30 years 00:27:08.379 --> 00:27:08.879 time, 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.359 to get on 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:10.899 that road, 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.619 to stay on 00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:12.259 that road to 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.799 Jerusalem, 00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:14.259 to get to 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.779 Jerusalem, 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.439 to pick up 00:27:15.439 --> 00:27:16.099 our cross, 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.179 and to walk 00:27:17.179 --> 00:27:17.659 with him to 00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:18.240 the place of 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:18.879 the skull, 00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:19.819 and there with 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:21.279 him die to 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.179 the old life, 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.240 and with him 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:24.559 rise to a 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.099 new life. 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:26.339 Amen.