WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning, everyone. My name is Alistair.

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 I have the privilege of being the assistant pastor here at Brunsfield

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 and the privilege of opening up that passage for us in Matthew.

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 But before we get to that, let's just quickly pray together. Let's pray.

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 Father, in the words of Psalm 19, we pray that my words would be a blessing to you

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 and that you would help the meditations of our heart be glorifying to you.

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 In Jesus' name, amen.

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 I wonder this morning how many of you remember reading the Mr. Men or Little Miss books.

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 I'm seeing a few hands, a few nods.

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 Or maybe you remember reading them as a child or reading them to a child.

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 So these books are in nearly every doctor's surgery or dentist surgery waiting room up and down the UK.

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 There's one particular character I'd like to draw your attention to this morning.

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 Do any of you remember Mr. Topsy-Turvy?

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 I'm getting nods. Okay, that's good. That's good.

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 So Mr. Topsy-Turvy is a bit of a funny character, isn't he?

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 So everything about him is either upside down, inside out, or back to front.

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 He wears his socks on his hands.

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 He sits down when he's told to stand up.

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 He stands up when he's told to sit down.

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 His left is his right and his right is his left.

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 Even speaks in a topsy-turvy way.

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 So when he's selling his house, he doesn't say house for sale.

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 He says sale for house.

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 Everything about this man is topsy-turvy.

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 Even his house, his doors, his curtains, his windows, everything is upside down.

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 Mr. Topsy-Turvy lives in a topsy-turvy world.

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 And children love to read his stories because his whole life is just so bizarre that it's funny.

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 But I wonder if when you listen to the reading of Matthew 19 this morning,

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 you notice something that was upside down.

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 I wonder if you realize that Jesus was speaking about something which seems a little bit topsy-turvy.

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 In this section, we see Jesus having two conversations.

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 And in both cases, he is teaching people about an upside-down kingdom.

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 In verse 30, Jesus says that many who are first will be last,

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 and many who are last will be first.

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 So in this whole conversation, Jesus is teaching about an upside-down kingdom.

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 And he's telling his people, his disciples, that they are to be Mr. Topsy-Turvies in the world.

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 So as followers of Jesus this morning, we are to be distinct,

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 radically different from those around us,

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 because as Christians, we are living for an upside-down kingdom.

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 So we get to listen in to this conversation that would change a life forever,

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 and a conversation that will change our outlook on life,

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 both in the here and now, and in the yet to come.

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 So it's about an upside-down kingdom.

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 Jesus tells the rich man to sell, give, and follow.

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 And he tells his disciples to leave and receive.

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 So the first thing that Jesus says about this upside-down kingdom to the rich young man

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 is sell, give, and follow.

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 In verses 16 to 22, sell, give, and follow.

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 So a rich young man comes to Jesus and asks him in verse 16,

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 Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?

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 So this man is acknowledging Jesus as a good teacher,

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 and the question that he asks is a question that many people are asking today.

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 What must I do to get eternal life?

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 But he isn't asking how he can live forever.

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 He isn't on the search for the fountain of youth so that he'll never grow old or die.

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 But the eternal life that he is speaking about

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 is the eternal life that is promised to those who are the people of God.

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 An eternity, a life that continues after death in the presence of God,

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 as opposed to eternal damnation and separation from God.

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 So this man knows about the truth about the existence of heaven and hell,

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 and the seriousness of it,

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 because he comes and asks Jesus this very important question.

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 But do you see the problem with his question?

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 This rich young man thinks that his deeds,

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 or that his religious acts,

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 are enough to get him into heaven.

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 He thinks that religious performance will make him right in God's eyes.

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 And Jesus responds in verse 17, look with me.

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 He says, there is only one who is good.

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 Now this does not mean that Jesus isn't good,

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 or that he has no authority to say what is good or not,

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 but Jesus is challenging this young man's superficial assumption

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 that he is good enough,

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 or that he can never work enough to get into heaven.

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 And Jesus continues and says that only God is good.

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 If you want to enter life,

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 keep the commandments.

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 So Jesus says that God has already revealed and defined to the world

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 what good is when he gave the Ten Commandments,

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 when he gave the Old Testament law.

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 But Jesus isn't saying that following the Ten Commandments

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 will make a person right with God.

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 Living by a set of rules won't save you,

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 but having faith and trust in Jesus Christ will.

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 So this young man asks which commandments he needs to follow,

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 and Jesus lists some of them in verse 18.

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 You shall not murder,

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 you shall not commit adultery,

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 you shall not steal,

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 you shall not give false testimony,

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 honour your father and mother,

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 and love your neighbour as yourself.

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 And what does the young man say in verse 20?

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 Oh, I've kept all of these,

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 so what else do I lack?

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 Now this reveals two things about this young man.

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 The first is that he is very, very proud.

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 He thinks that he's perfect,

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 that he's got it all sorted.

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 And the second is that he has a superficial and shallow view

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 of what God is asking of someone in the Ten Commandments.

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 See, the Old Testament law wasn't given as a way to work your way up to God.

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 And that's how this man was living.

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 That's the way of religion.

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 That leads to doubting and a lack of assurance.

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 But the law was given so that people could see

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 how far short of God's perfect standard we all fall,

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 which then leads to faith and dependence on him,

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 which then in the Old Testament results in following the law.

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 We cannot work our way to God because he is perfect, we are not.

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 He is holy and we are not.

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 A person is saved by faith in Jesus, not by works.

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 This man is like one of Madame Toussaint's wax figures.

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 So if you go to one of these museums,

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 you'll see figures made out of wax that look exactly like the person.

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 I've been told they're almost identical,

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 but the truth is that they are fake.

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 They're just figures, nothing more.

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 They have no brain.

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 They have no life.

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 They have no heart.

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 They are wax.

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 They look the part, but they're fake.

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 And this young man is the same.

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 He looks the part on the outside.

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 He has all the right trimmings.

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 He can say and do the right things.

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 But on the inside, his heart is in the wrong place.

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 He isn't trusting in God for eternal life,

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 but he is trusting in his own religious performance.

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 And then Jesus delivers a truth that will flaw this man.

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 Something that will make his whole idea of self-perfection crumble before his eyes as he lays bare,

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 as he realizes his sinful state before a holy God.

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 Jesus says,

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 if you want to be perfect,

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 meaning that you want to be made right with God,

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 if you want to live the life that you were created for and be truly obedient to God,

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 then you need to go sell, give and follow.

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 Now at this point, you can imagine the gasp from Lord Sugar's office.

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 And many other businessmen and people for that matter,

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 people who build their life around money,

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 will realize that this whole conversation will make their world crumble.

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 Jesus is telling a very rich man to sell, give and follow,

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 which will lead to him having treasure in heaven.

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 What an upside down kingdom this is.

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 This young man focused so much on his performance and on his prosperity

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 that he had no desire to submit to Jesus.

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 Performance and prosperity will not get you into heaven.

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 Keeping religious rules and being a good person will not get you into heaven.

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 What will?

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 Acknowledging your sinfulness and wrongdoing against a good and holy God.

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 Repenting of them, turning from them, believing in, submitting to and following Jesus Christ.

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 That is the only way to heaven.

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 This young man is focusing on his performance

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 and he's not willing to give up his wealth to follow Jesus.

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 He was trying to find his satisfaction in religious performance.

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 And so he walks away sad.

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 How devastating is it that this man,

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 that his money,

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 that his material wealth was more important to him

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 than his eternal state before a good and holy and just God.

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 He saw the cost.

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 He didn't like it.

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 And he walked away.

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 Does this mean that Jesus is telling us to go and sell and give everything that we own?

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 No.

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 You can breathe.

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 It's fine.

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 Jesus is not telling this young man that his wealth is wrong.

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 But Jesus is warning him that his money and his possessions are his idols.

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 If he doesn't let go of the thing that is stopping him from coming to God,

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 then he will never have eternal life.

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 Jesus calls people to come and follow him.

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 And once we do that,

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 our desire should be to serve him and to live obediently

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 and out of a devotion to him

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 in every area of our life,

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 including our money.

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 So whether you're rich or whether you're poor,

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 whether you came to church this morning in a Bentley or on a bike,

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 God is asking for your heart.

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 That is what this young man in Matthew chapter 19 wasn't giving to God.

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 He wasn't giving his heart.

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 Are you here this morning

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 and you're trying to work your way into God's good books?

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 Trying to look the part on the outside,

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 but you know deep down that your heart is being pulled away

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 by wealth or other distractions.

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 That is wrong, Jesus says.

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 You will never be good enough.

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 You can never work enough.

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 You can never have enough money for God to be pleased with you.

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 In this upside down kingdom,

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 the only way to be made right with God,

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 to have eternal life,

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 is to surrender to and follow Jesus.

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 Will you do that this morning?

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 Or maybe you are a Christian,

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 but you're so focused and caught up in money.

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 You can have money as an idol,

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 whether you're rich or whether you're poor.

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 Where your heart is,

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 there also your treasure will be.

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 What is more important to you?

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 The comfort in this world for the few years that we have here?

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 Or eternal peace and communion with the God who created

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 and who loves you?

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 Practically speaking,

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 do our bank balances and our possessions

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 reflect the things that we worship?

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 Now this doesn't mean that we shouldn't have nice things,

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 but if we're working overtime to get that second home,

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 or if we're working overtime to get that second car,

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 or that bigger TV,

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 or that new phone upgrade that's just come out,

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 we need to ask ourselves,

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 what and who is our money serving?

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 What and who are we doing?

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 God's kingdom,

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 or are we worshipping ourselves?

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 Now some of us might need to search our hearts

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 and motives and see where we stand,

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 and it could mean that we need to go sell, give, and follow.

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 Is Jesus telling you this morning to do that?

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 If he is, let me encourage you that the reward

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 is far greater than the sacrifice.

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 The reward makes the sacrifice non-existent.

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 And that is the second thing that we see in this passage

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 that Jesus says about this upside-down kingdom

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 to his disciples,

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 he says,

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 leave and receive in verses 23 to 30.

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 Leave and receive.

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 So in the culture of first century Israel,

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 people often believed that if someone was rich,

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 that that was an obvious sign that God was blessing them,

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 and that they were almost automatically into heaven,

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 that that was their get into heaven card.

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 And so what Jesus says in verse 23

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 shocks his disciples,

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 and is counter-cultural.

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 He says in verse 23,

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 truly I tell you,

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 it is hard for someone who is rich

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 to enter the kingdom of heaven.

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 And then he gives an illustration

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 to drive the point home,

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 because no camel can fit

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 through the eye of a needle.

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 Jesus is turning their whole worldview upside down,

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 and letting them see that God's eternal perspective

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 is far, far different from our earthly perspective.

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 The disciples are astonished

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 and ask in verse 25,

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 well, who can be saved?

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 Surely this man's wealth

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 is an indication that God is pleased with him.

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 If the rich,

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 those who seem to be under God's blessings,

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 aren't saved,

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 then who can be?

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 In verse 26,

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 Jesus brings light to this whole situation

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 and says,

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 with man this is impossible,

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 but with God all things are possible.

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 salvation,

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 eternal life,

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 perfection,

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 all of these words in the passage

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 are pointing to the same thing,

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 and eternity spent in the presence of God,

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 being forgiven of our rebellion,

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 and rejection of him,

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 and having a right relationship with God.

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 Jesus says,

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 with man this is impossible.

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 Salvation,

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 both for the rich and for the poor,

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 cannot be achieved by human efforts.

00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:13.919
 We cannot save ourselves.

00:16:14.079 --> 00:16:15.699
 We cannot work our way to God.

00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:17.000
 We can never do enough

00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.279
 or give enough

00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:19.879
 to be made right with God.

00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:23.359
 People cannot save themselves.

00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:26.139
 Salvation is only possible with God.

00:16:27.619 --> 00:16:29.539
 Now, do you see how different

00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:30.819
 this makes Christianity

00:16:30.819 --> 00:16:31.919
 from all other beliefs?

00:16:33.619 --> 00:16:36.579
 Other religions are built on works

00:16:36.579 --> 00:16:38.359
 and deeds and good actions.

00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:40.860
 Other beliefs tell you

00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.820
 that the way

00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:43.759
 that you have to work your way up

00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:45.539
 to some kind of God.

00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:46.620
 But Christianity

00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:48.480
 is an absolutely different message

00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:50.419
 because God came down.

00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:55.019
 Salvation is an act of God.

00:16:55.800 --> 00:16:57.419
 God opens people's hearts.

00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:59.340
 God draws people to himself.

00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.659
 We are solely saved

00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:01.600
 because of him

00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:03.200
 and by his grace.

00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:06.019
 And the great news is

00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.000
 that God is the God

00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.920
 who specializes

00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.700
 in the impossible.

00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:12.180
 God set the plan

00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:12.940
 into motion

00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:14.180
 to rescue humanity

00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:15.059
 from our sin

00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.220
 and rebellion

00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:17.420
 against him

00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.580
 from the beginning of time

00:17:18.580 --> 00:17:19.559
 by sending his son,

00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:20.420
 Jesus Christ,

00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.860
 to pay the punishment

00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:22.640
 that we deserve

00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:23.299
 on the cross

00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:25.819
 and to be raised to life

00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:27.180
 so that we know

00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:28.220
 it is true.

00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.440
 Salvation,

00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:31.759
 being made right with God,

00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.799
 is only possible

00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.359
 through Jesus.

00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.599
 There is no other way.

00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:38.700
 And Peter speaks up

00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.539
 in verse 27

00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:40.339
 and wants to know

00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.359
 what this teaching means

00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:42.559
 for him and the disciples.

00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.160
 He says,

00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.579
 we have left everything

00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.539
 to follow you.

00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:48.700
 What then

00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:50.220
 will there be for us?

00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.680
 So the disciples

00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:53.900
 weren't just sitting around

00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:55.039
 one day doing nothing

00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.579
 and Jesus

00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:56.839
 comes up to them

00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:57.180
 and says,

00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:57.900
 hey, do you want to come

00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:58.519
 hang out with me

00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.240
 for a little while?

00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:02.319
 No, in Matthew chapter 4,

00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:03.359
 you can look this up later,

00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.420
 Jesus was walking

00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.599
 by the Sea of Galilee

00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:06.920
 when he saw two fishermen,

00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:09.380
 Peter and his brother Andrew.

00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.700
 And Jesus didn't walk up

00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.599
 to them and give them

00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:14.599
 five reasons to follow him.

00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:17.079
 He didn't sit them down

00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:18.500
 and ask them about their strengths

00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.299
 and their weaknesses.

00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:19.920
 He didn't.

00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:22.279
 He just simply said,

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.620
 come and follow me

00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:24.960
 and I will make you

00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.740
 fishers of men.

00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:27.980
 These men left

00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.299
 absolutely everything

00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.259
 to follow Jesus.

00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.920
 They left behind family,

00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:34.059
 jobs,

00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:36.200
 the comfort of their own home.

00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:39.200
 They sacrificed so much

00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.839
 and Peter wants to know

00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:42.359
 what their reward will be.

00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:45.259
 And Jesus tells them

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.559
 some marvelous truths

00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:48.400
 in verses 28 to 30.

00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.460
 Jesus says,

00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.480
 truly I tell you,

00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.240
 at the renewal of all things,

00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.519
 when the Son of Man

00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:56.259
 sits on his glorious throne,

00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:58.079
 you who have followed me

00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:59.880
 will also sit on 12 thrones,

00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:02.120
 judging the 12 tribes of Israel.

00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.599
 And everyone who has left houses

00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:05.980
 or brothers or sisters

00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.440
 or father or mother

00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:08.819
 or wife or children

00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:11.359
 or fields for my sake

00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:15.920
 will receive a hundred times as much

00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:18.099
 and will inherit eternal life.

00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.799
 But many who are first

00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.180
 will be last

00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:23.940
 and many who are last

00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:25.039
 will be first.

00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:27.819
 So Jesus says,

00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.960
 in the new creation,

00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:31.519
 when he returns to judge

00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:32.899
 and rule the world

00:19:32.899 --> 00:19:34.319
 and be with his people

00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.039
 forever,

00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:37.119
 that's when the reward

00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:37.599
 will come.

00:19:39.899 --> 00:19:41.099
 Jesus here is talking

00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:42.339
 about a future time,

00:19:42.399 --> 00:19:43.639
 a time when every eye

00:19:43.639 --> 00:19:44.759
 will see him coming

00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:46.579
 and every knee will bow

00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.779
 and he will reign.

00:19:48.419 --> 00:19:49.500
 That's when his followers

00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.279
 will be rewarded.

00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:53.819
 But look at verse 29 again.

00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:58.220
 Is this a fair reward

00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:59.059
 for their sacrifice,

00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:00.000
 that they will receive

00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:01.259
 a hundred times?

00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.240
 Absolutely not.

00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:08.619
 The reward far outweighs

00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:09.399
 the sacrifice.

00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:12.919
 Jesus is saying,

00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:14.519
 Peter, you have missed the point.

00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:16.460
 The reward that you will get

00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.119
 for following me

00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:18.480
 is not to be found in this world.

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:20.220
 It is not in the here and now.

00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:22.839
 But the reward is far beyond

00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.819
 your imagination,

00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:25.980
 far beyond what you can ever grasp.

00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:27.740
 And you will have an eternity

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:29.519
 to enjoy it in my presence.

00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:32.880
 Mind-blowing.

00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:35.900
 And in the first century,

00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:37.840
 when people left the traditions

00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:38.660
 of their families

00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:40.800
 and the teaching of Jewish religious leaders

00:20:40.800 --> 00:20:41.700
 to follow Jesus,

00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:43.960
 it often meant a radical break

00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.800
 from their families.

00:20:45.300 --> 00:20:46.680
 And that was very difficult for them.

00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:48.300
 And the same still happens today

00:20:48.300 --> 00:20:49.560
 in many cultures,

00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.400
 in many religions,

00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:52.280
 and in many countries.

00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:55.080
 But Jesus isn't saying

00:20:55.080 --> 00:20:58.320
 that we need to leave our families

00:20:58.320 --> 00:21:00.580
 and forget about our responsibilities.

00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:03.000
 What Jesus is saying

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.860
 is that his followers,

00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:08.200
 that we should have a radical change

00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:10.080
 of priorities in our lives.

00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:13.899
 The world tells you

00:21:13.899 --> 00:21:14.960
 to look out for yourself,

00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.500
 strive to be number one.

00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.519
 But Jesus says in verse 30,

00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:21.159
 many who are first will be last,

00:21:21.699 --> 00:21:23.419
 and many who are last will be first.

00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:28.619
 Jesus says that as the world sees it,

00:21:29.419 --> 00:21:31.199
 those who exalt themselves now

00:21:31.199 --> 00:21:34.099
 will be brought low

00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:35.059
 in the life to come.

00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:38.639
 And those who humble themselves now

00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:39.500
 and follow Jesus

00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:42.000
 will be exalted in the life to come.

00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:48.299
 You could be on the Forbes richest list

00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.859
 in 2019,

00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:51.399
 but if you're not right with God

00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:54.299
 and you do not believe in Jesus,

00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:55.740
 then you will be humbled in the end

00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:57.319
 and you will not have eternal life.

00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:01.240
 Do you see how upside down

00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.240
 this kingdom is?

00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:04.900
 This whole section

00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.839
 is an illustration

00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:07.400
 of what Jesus is teaching.

00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.359
 This young man

00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:11.480
 was rich during his life,

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:13.720
 but when the end would come,

00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:15.079
 he would receive no blessings,

00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.660
 no reward,

00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:18.019
 because he would not sell,

00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:18.980
 give,

00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:20.259
 and follow Jesus.

00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.819
 But the disciples

00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:24.279
 who were willing to sacrifice

00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.599
 and leave everything,

00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:27.579
 they would receive

00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.799
 the greatest reward

00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:30.140
 that they could ever imagine

00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:31.200
 in the kingdom of God.

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:34.500
 So let me ask you a question.

00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:36.339
 Let me ask all of us a question.

00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:40.120
 How upside down

00:22:40.120 --> 00:22:41.019
 is your life?

00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:46.380
 This passage is first and foremost

00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:48.220
 about our response to Jesus

00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.180
 and whether we're willing

00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.980
 to follow him.

00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:51.220
 It is about salvation,

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.740
 eternal life,

00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.559
 and our priorities.

00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.880
 Are you following Jesus?

00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.880
 Are you following Jesus?

00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:57.740
 not the same

00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.020
 or not?

00:22:58.020 --> 00:22:59.460
 But this passage

00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:01.280
 also has big implications

00:23:01.280 --> 00:23:03.180
 on all areas of our life

00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:04.180
 and not least

00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.700
 our money.

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:07.420
 Our money is a gift

00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:09.080
 given to us by God

00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:09.940
 and as Christians,

00:23:10.260 --> 00:23:11.840
 we should want to use it

00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:12.500
 for him.

00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.920
 Are we living the same

00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.900
 sacrificial life

00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:18.040
 that the disciples were?

00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:22.279
 Are we living

00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.700
 as if we are last?

00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:26.220
 Now this challenge

00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:27.519
 challenges us

00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.500
 how we use our money

00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.460
 and it is a big challenge

00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.759
 for every single one of us

00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.440
 in this room.

00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.420
 It has been a big challenge

00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.299
 to me this week.

00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:35.599
 What is the first thing

00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:36.559
 we do with our paycheck?

00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.720
 Do we go on

00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.619
 that shopping spree

00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:42.240
 that we've been

00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:43.339
 looking forward to

00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:43.859
 for ages

00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:45.779
 or do we use

00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.659
 our funds for God

00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:47.819
 and do we plan

00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.599
 how we give?

00:23:51.719 --> 00:23:52.399
 When we give

00:23:52.399 --> 00:23:53.039
 to the church

00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.619
 do we think

00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.379
 okay I'm going to

00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.099
 pray about this

00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:55.919
 I'm going to plan

00:23:55.919 --> 00:23:56.699
 how to give

00:23:56.699 --> 00:23:57.579
 or do we just give

00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.519
 what we have left

00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.500
 at the end of the month

00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.879
 when everything else

00:24:00.879 --> 00:24:01.299
 is gone?

00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:04.359
 This is all about

00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.000
 identifying

00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:06.479
 where your heart is.

00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:09.179
 And we can tell ourselves

00:24:09.179 --> 00:24:09.919
 that money isn't

00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.740
 an idol for us

00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:12.000
 but practically living

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.659
 but are we practically

00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.580
 living like we are

00:24:14.580 --> 00:24:15.940
 last and God is first.

00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.880
 Our bank balances

00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:21.420
 and our lives

00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.660
 don't lie about

00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:23.720
 the state of our heart.

00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.460
 This week alone

00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.540
 I've seen three

00:24:28.540 --> 00:24:29.519
 different churches

00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:31.240
 all in need

00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:33.340
 of financial support.

00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:35.640
 Money to keep

00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.360
 their building up

00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:36.940
 to scratch.

00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:38.420
 Money to buy

00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:38.880
 a building.

00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.720
 Money to hire

00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.519
 someone to do

00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.300
 gospel work

00:24:41.300 --> 00:24:42.140
 in a scheme.

00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:44.120
 so that people

00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:44.920
 can hear the good

00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.780
 news of Jesus Christ

00:24:45.780 --> 00:24:46.820
 and get this eternal

00:24:46.820 --> 00:24:47.460
 life that we're

00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.080
 thinking about.

00:24:50.020 --> 00:24:51.240
 Investing in eternity

00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.700
 investing in this

00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.800
 upside down kingdom

00:24:53.800 --> 00:24:54.860
 is far greater

00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:55.680
 than storing up

00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.660
 treasures here on earth

00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:57.660
 that will fail

00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:59.280
 and that will be gone.

00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:02.480
 The radical lifestyle

00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.680
 that Jesus is calling

00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.780
 us to in this passage

00:25:04.780 --> 00:25:06.100
 affects every area

00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:06.680
 of our life.

00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.620
 we cannot serve

00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.220
 both God

00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:08.980
 and money.

00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:12.220
 But we do need money

00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:13.140
 because we do

00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.920
 have needs

00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:15.180
 but so often

00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:16.000
 our money serves

00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.960
 our own desires

00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.580
 and wishes

00:25:17.580 --> 00:25:18.500
 rather than just

00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.200
 our needs.

00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:21.200
 But our money

00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:21.660
 isn't there

00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.440
 to serve us

00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:25.160
 but all of our money

00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:26.420
 should be serving God.

00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:29.279
 So how are you

00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.440
 using your finances?

00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.420
 How are we using

00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.180
 our finances

00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:33.100
 to serve God?

00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:37.120
 Jesus doesn't tell us

00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:38.080
 to move out of our homes

00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:38.920
 to sell our cars

00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.660
 and give it all away

00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.220
 but I wonder

00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.460
 if we need the reminder

00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.600
 that our money

00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:43.140
 is ultimately

00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.880
 not our own.

00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:47.019
 That we should invest

00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.680
 it in eternity

00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.700
 that we should use it

00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.779
 for God's glory.

00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.539
 But we need to check

00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.140
 our hearts

00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:55.680
 because Jesus

00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.539
 isn't preaching

00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.700
 a prosperity gospel

00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.400
 here whereby

00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:59.460
 you give in order

00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.039
 to get

00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:02.119
 or you sow a seed

00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:03.000
 in order to reap

00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.379
 financial gain.

00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.599
 If we walk away

00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.240
 from this passage

00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.019
 with that in mind

00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.720
 then we've completely

00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.339
 missed the point.

00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.720
 Jesus says

00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.599
 that if we sell,

00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.639
 give and follow him

00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:15.259
 our reward

00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:15.980
 will be in heaven.

00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.819
 But our financial

00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.319
 sacrifice here and now

00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.539
 will bless God's people

00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:22.779
 will bless God's church

00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:24.539
 and it will mean

00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.279
 that we have Jesus

00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.259
 as a priority

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.200
 in our lives

00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.799
 and we will be living

00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.659
 obediently

00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.680
 and sacrificially

00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.240
 for him.

00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.779
 This has worked out

00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.420
 very well

00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.600
 in my own life

00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.180
 when I studied

00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.840
 at the Faith Mission

00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:38.580
 Bible Colleges

00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:39.400
 a few years ago.

00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.800
 Sabina and I

00:26:40.800 --> 00:26:41.900
 were newly married

00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:43.220
 both studying full time.

00:26:43.340 --> 00:26:44.080
 We had no money

00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:44.720
 coming in

00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:46.279
 and I had no idea

00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.000
 how I would pay

00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.880
 my tuition fees.

00:26:50.300 --> 00:26:50.980
 Started out

00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.700
 Bible College

00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.320
 not knowing

00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:52.880
 if I was going

00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:53.240
 to make it

00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.680
 to the end

00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.400
 but thankfully

00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:55.400
 God put it

00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.200
 on someone's heart

00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.080
 to put an anonymous

00:26:57.080 --> 00:26:57.620
 donation

00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:58.880
 into college for me

00:26:58.880 --> 00:26:59.740
 that paid

00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.500
 all of my fees.

00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.360
 Through someone

00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:04.300
 else's sacrifice

00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:07.120
 I was able

00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:07.620
 to complete

00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:08.320
 my studies.

00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.840
 That person

00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:11.140
 sacrificially gave

00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:11.960
 to God's kingdom

00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:13.820
 and we were blessed

00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:14.520
 as a result.

00:27:16.520 --> 00:27:17.500
 That changed

00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.120
 my life.

00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.459
 God

00:27:19.459 --> 00:27:22.459
 this is an upside

00:27:22.459 --> 00:27:23.199
 down kingdom.

00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:24.139
 Jesus flips

00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:25.299
 our whole world

00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.199
 upside down

00:27:26.199 --> 00:27:26.899
 and tells us

00:27:26.899 --> 00:27:27.779
 that our priorities

00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.839
 need to be eternity

00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.539
 in God

00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:31.019
 not earth

00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.539
 and ourselves.

00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:34.619
 So if you're living

00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:35.519
 for the here and now

00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.659
 building your own kingdom

00:27:36.659 --> 00:27:37.859
 focusing entirely

00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.459
 on yourself

00:27:38.459 --> 00:27:39.339
 and giving no thought

00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:39.719
 to God

00:27:39.719 --> 00:27:40.399
 in his kingdom

00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:41.299
 then Jesus

00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.119
 is telling you

00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:43.479
 go sell

00:27:43.479 --> 00:27:44.079
 give

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.659
 and follow.

00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:48.160
 But if you're

00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.560
 a Christian

00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:49.640
 who is sacrificially

00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:50.120
 serving

00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:51.540
 and giving

00:27:51.540 --> 00:27:52.740
 someone who

00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.440
 has God

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.160
 and his kingdom

00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:54.759
 at heart

00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:56.540
 someone who

00:27:56.540 --> 00:27:57.340
 has been

00:27:57.340 --> 00:27:57.860
 giving up

00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:58.519
 and continues

00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.100
 to give up

00:27:59.100 --> 00:27:59.940
 for God's kingdom

00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.480
 then Jesus

00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:00.980
 says

00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:02.080
 you will be

00:28:02.080 --> 00:28:02.580
 rewarded

00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.340
 far beyond

00:28:03.340 --> 00:28:03.980
 your imagination

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:05.100
 when he returns.

00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:08.819
 As we draw

00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.359
 to a close

00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:09.740
 I want us

00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.379
 to walk away

00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:10.959
 this morning

00:28:10.959 --> 00:28:12.019
 knowing

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.740
 that it is

00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.419
 far better

00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:13.980
 far

00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:15.059
 far better

00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:16.240
 to live

00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.000
 for eternity

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:18.619
 to live

00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:18.959
 for this

00:28:18.959 --> 00:28:19.859
 upside down

00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.279
 kingdom

00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.619
 than it is

00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:22.019
 to live

00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.779
 for a world

00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.679
 that will not

00:28:23.679 --> 00:28:24.519
 satisfy us

00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:26.240
 and that in the end

00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:27.079
 will leave us

00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:27.619
 cut off

00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.339
 and separated

00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:28.959
 from God.

00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.719
 This is the

00:28:31.719 --> 00:28:32.359
 upside down

00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:32.679
 kingdom

00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:33.379
 that we live

00:28:33.379 --> 00:28:33.679
 for.

00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:35.480
 Many who are

00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.279
 first in this

00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:36.680
 life

00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.519
 will be

00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.180
 last in the

00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:38.560
 life to

00:28:38.560 --> 00:28:38.820
 come

00:28:38.820 --> 00:28:40.380
 and many

00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:40.880
 who are

00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:41.480
 last in

00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.120
 this life

00:28:42.120 --> 00:28:43.060
 will be

00:28:43.060 --> 00:28:44.100
 first in

00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:44.420
 the life

00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:44.820
 to come.

00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.779
 Let's pray

00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.120
 together.

00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:56.279
 Loving God

00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:56.720
 and Heavenly

00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:57.120
 Father

00:28:57.120 --> 00:29:01.820
 would you

00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:03.599
 reveal to

00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.059
 us

00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:05.460
 where our

00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:05.960
 heart is

00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.220
 not in

00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.519
 the right

00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.000
 place?

00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.819
 Would you

00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:11.559
 challenge us

00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.039
 this morning

00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.879
 if we need

00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:13.460
 to sell

00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:13.899
 give and

00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.259
 follow?

00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.500
 Would you

00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.339
 encourage us

00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.879
 because we

00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.659
 have left

00:29:20.659 --> 00:29:21.919
 and we

00:29:21.919 --> 00:29:22.700
 will receive?

00:29:23.899 --> 00:29:24.159
 But Lord

00:29:24.159 --> 00:29:24.659
 we ask all

00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:24.919
 of this

00:29:24.919 --> 00:29:25.500
 not for our

00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:26.079
 own fame

00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:26.480
 for our

00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.200
 own glory.

00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:28.740
 We ask

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.379
 this for your

00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:30.720
 fame and your

00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.480
 glory only.

00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:32.799
 Would you

00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.440
 help us

00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.500
 in the name

00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:34.819
 of your

00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.680
 Son Jesus

00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.240
 Christ.

00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.299
 Amen.