WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.080 Well, please have a seat and let's pray together. 00:00:03.280 --> 00:00:04.839 Father God, thank you for this day. 00:00:04.960 --> 00:00:07.000 Thank you that we can be together. 00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:10.740 Thank you that you accept our praise and our worship in and through your son, Jesus. 00:00:12.060 --> 00:00:16.080 And so, Lord, we ask that you would send your spirit now to teach us by your words. 00:00:16.780 --> 00:00:20.219 Father, glorify yourself in this time and warm our hearts. 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:22.019 Kindle them with affection for you. 00:00:22.559 --> 00:00:25.000 We pray this in Jesus' name and for his sake. 00:00:25.580 --> 00:00:25.940 Amen. 00:00:25.940 --> 00:00:30.480 Can I extend my welcome to you to add to phrases. 00:00:30.620 --> 00:00:34.520 You joined us in week three of our journey with Jesus around Galilee. 00:00:34.859 --> 00:00:39.000 These chapters at the beginning of Luke's gospel. 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:42.939 So far, week one, we saw John the Baptist as the great preparer. 00:00:44.280 --> 00:00:47.820 Kind of Jesus' entourage, getting everything ready for him to appear. 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:51.640 And then last week, we saw Jesus' messianic credentials. 00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:59.420 Jesus being fully God and fully man and one who obeyed God and resisted temptation. 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:05.519 Today, we see Jesus launching his messianic manifesto. 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:09.460 Jesus launching his messianic manifesto. 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:16.260 Now, a manifesto, if you don't know, is the beliefs and aims and policies and promises 00:01:16.260 --> 00:01:21.280 of an organization or an individual taking up office. 00:01:21.480 --> 00:01:25.359 It is about what they will do, what will happen when they do, 00:01:25.560 --> 00:01:29.340 and what they'll do for you if you vote for them to do what they're going to do. 00:01:30.640 --> 00:01:32.580 So I thought we'd have a little game this morning. 00:01:33.240 --> 00:01:35.680 If you've got your sermon outline, that'll be helpful. 00:01:35.800 --> 00:01:37.060 That's where you're going to write your answers. 00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:41.439 The game is imaginatively called, Whose Manifesto Is It Anyway? 00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:45.620 And you're going to write down your answers, and we'll see who got what. 00:01:45.939 --> 00:01:47.920 Right, I'm going to read five manifesto promises, 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:52.340 and I want you to try and tell me whose manifesto it is. 00:01:52.939 --> 00:01:53.959 Here's number one. 00:01:54.459 --> 00:01:56.379 Eyes down, look in. 00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:00.039 Five manifesto promises. 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:03.259 Heavily tax goods imported from China and Mexico. 00:02:04.219 --> 00:02:06.519 Repeal every aspect of Obamacare. 00:02:07.079 --> 00:02:08.939 Bomb and take oil from ISIS. 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:11.419 Ban all Muslims from entering the country. 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:15.139 Build a wall to the south and make Mexico pay for it. 00:02:15.819 --> 00:02:18.300 Whose manifesto is it anyway? 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:24.379 The Trump, the Donalds. 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:26.639 Question two. 00:02:26.740 --> 00:02:27.759 Eyes down, look in. 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:29.740 Whose manifesto is it anyway? 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:33.300 The repeal of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:37.060 Only a member of the true German race can be a citizen. 00:02:37.060 --> 00:02:43.099 Excess land for the colonization and sustenance of our people to be given and taken. 00:02:43.640 --> 00:02:47.599 The abolition of all mercenary forces and the formation of a national army. 00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:51.159 The formation of a strong central power in the Reich. 00:02:52.920 --> 00:02:54.780 Whose manifesto is it anyway? 00:02:55.740 --> 00:02:57.180 It's not Hillary's. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:03:02.740 It is, of course, the National Socialist Party in 1933. 00:03:04.599 --> 00:03:06.020 Question three and then we're done. 00:03:06.340 --> 00:03:08.280 See if anyone can get 100%. 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:12.420 We will report the Welsh Dragon to the Monopolies Commission. 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:17.340 We will make Swansea Airport the hub for the Welsh space program. 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:23.500 We will set up huge factories in the valleys of South Wales producing noodles and fortune cookies. 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:28.259 And then flood the Chinese markets with them to take revenge for what they did to us steal. 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:31.960 We will give the letter K a sound of its own. 00:03:33.360 --> 00:03:37.280 Anyone over five years old who can hold a crayon will be eligible to vote. 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:42.599 Whose manifesto is it anyway? 00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:44.280 The Monster Raving Loony Party. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:49.379 Their 2014 manifesto for the Welsh Assembly. 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:56.280 In our passage in Luke this morning we see Jesus launch his Messianic manifesto. 00:03:56.680 --> 00:03:59.520 And we'll see it is radically different from all those that are listed. 00:04:00.039 --> 00:04:00.659 Thank goodness. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:05.379 So please turn with me to Luke chapter 4 and verse 14. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:08.740 Luke writes this. 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:13.979 Jesus returned to Galilee and the power of the Spirit and news about him spread throughout the whole countryside. 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:17.860 He was teaching in their synagogues and everyone praised him. 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:21.480 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:25.779 And on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:30.120 He stood up to read and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. 00:04:30.620 --> 00:04:32.939 Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written. 00:04:33.579 --> 00:04:35.800 The Spirit of the Lord is on me. 00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:39.720 Because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor, 00:04:40.259 --> 00:04:43.160 he has sent me to proclaim freedom from the prisoners 00:04:43.160 --> 00:04:47.120 and recovery of sight for the blind to set the oppressed free, 00:04:47.340 --> 00:04:51.340 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord's favour. 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:55.439 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:04:58.840 The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:00.840 He began by saying to them, 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:04.919 Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. 00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:10.680 All spoke well of him and they wondered at his gracious words that came from his lips. 00:05:11.080 --> 00:05:12.480 Isn't this Joseph's son? 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:13.100 They asked. 00:05:13.860 --> 00:05:14.800 Jesus said to them, 00:05:14.900 --> 00:05:16.780 Surely you will quote this proverb to me, 00:05:17.080 --> 00:05:18.480 Physician, heal yourself. 00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:20.220 And you will tell me, 00:05:20.300 --> 00:05:23.720 Do here in your hometown what we have heard you did in Capernaum. 00:05:24.600 --> 00:05:26.240 Truly I tell you, he continued, 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:28.580 No prophet is accepted in his hometown. 00:05:28.579 --> 00:05:33.300 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:35.680 when the sky was shut for three and a half years 00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:38.300 and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 00:05:38.719 --> 00:05:42.019 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, 00:05:42.120 --> 00:05:44.860 but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:49.680 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet. 00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:52.039 Yet not one of them was cleansed, 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:54.240 only Naaman the Syrian. 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:58.560 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard him. 00:05:59.319 --> 00:06:02.079 They got up, drove him out of the town, 00:06:02.259 --> 00:06:06.400 and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built 00:06:06.400 --> 00:06:09.280 in order to throw him off the cliff. 00:06:09.900 --> 00:06:14.680 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way. 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:19.199 Between the tempting at the beginning of chapter 4 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:21.040 and this episode here in Nazareth, 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:25.060 there is perhaps a whole year that has gone by. 00:06:25.220 --> 00:06:28.760 In this time, we learn from John that Jesus did his first miracle, 00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:32.300 the water into wine at the wedding in Cana. 00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:34.439 He's called some of his disciples, 00:06:35.060 --> 00:06:38.740 and he's been based roughly around the town of Capernaum. 00:06:40.580 --> 00:06:43.780 If the temptation in the wilderness was Jesus declaring everything 00:06:43.780 --> 00:06:45.220 that he hasn't come to do, 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:47.220 he hasn't come to perform tricks, 00:06:47.540 --> 00:06:50.020 he hasn't come to gain authority without the cross, 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:52.219 he hasn't come to defy God. 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:57.259 If the temptation was everything Jesus hasn't come to do, 00:06:58.259 --> 00:07:03.180 then what we're looking at today is everything that he has come to do. 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:06.659 His teaching was well received in Capernaum. 00:07:07.039 --> 00:07:09.759 4.15, everybody spoke well of him, 00:07:10.039 --> 00:07:13.419 and the news was rippling out all around Galilee. 00:07:13.420 --> 00:07:17.319 Now, 4.16, Jesus rolls into his hometown, 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:21.220 the local celebrity coming back to his neighborhood, 00:07:21.680 --> 00:07:24.580 and he goes to the synagogue on the Sabbath. 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:29.100 This is Jesus' first public recorded sermon, 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:34.720 and he is going to use the occasion to launch his manifesto. 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:38.880 Now, synagogue worship followed a standard form. 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:41.700 There would be two sets of prayers at the start, 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:44.120 a reading from the Torah next, 00:07:44.440 --> 00:07:45.940 then a reading from the prophets, 00:07:46.380 --> 00:07:48.260 and following those four elements, 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:50.280 somebody would stand up and give a sermon. 00:07:50.820 --> 00:07:52.940 They would explain what has been read. 00:07:53.260 --> 00:07:55.800 Now, we're not quite sure why Jesus is chosen 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:58.740 to read from the prophets and give the sermon. 00:07:58.740 --> 00:08:03.220 We don't know if the Nazareth rabbi is at his holiday home down near Judea. 00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:07.980 We don't know if it's just because the famous preacher has come to town 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:11.460 and they thought, well, he's better than the guy we usually have. 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:12.980 Let's give him a shot. 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:19.860 But what definitely happens is that Jesus opens the enormous scroll of Isaiah, 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:22.879 and there isn't chapters and verses, 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:26.960 but he finds his way to Isaiah chapter 61, verse 1. 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:29.639 And he reads, 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:32.899 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, 00:08:33.259 --> 00:08:36.799 because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:39.840 He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.579 and recovery of sight for the blind, 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:43.319 to set the oppressed free, 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:47.399 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord's favor. 00:08:47.819 --> 00:08:52.720 These words are written 700 years before Jesus stands up. 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:57.320 Isaiah pens them in some of the darkest days of Israel's history. 00:08:58.500 --> 00:09:00.360 And those words kind of are left hanging. 00:09:01.399 --> 00:09:04.220 Left hanging for seven centuries. 00:09:05.960 --> 00:09:08.840 And after Jesus hands back the scroll to the attendant 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:13.560 to go back in the cabinet where all the scriptures are housed, 00:09:14.420 --> 00:09:16.740 he assumes the preaching position of the day, 00:09:17.060 --> 00:09:18.279 which was to sit down. 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:20.360 Now I've torn my calf muscle, 00:09:20.459 --> 00:09:23.439 so I kind of wish that we were in the first century in Near East. 00:09:25.059 --> 00:09:26.259 You'd also all be standing. 00:09:28.919 --> 00:09:29.939 Having done that, 00:09:30.019 --> 00:09:33.740 Jesus preaches perhaps the shortest sermon ever. 00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:36.639 Eight words. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:38.860 Today, 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:43.519 this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. 00:09:44.179 --> 00:09:47.960 The anointed one that Isaiah foreshadowed 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:51.679 now assumes the role that he's been given from eternity past 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:52.419 and said, 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:53.059 these words, 00:09:53.159 --> 00:09:53.919 they're my words, 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:55.980 and I'm telling them to you today for real. 00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:57.699 Jesus says, 00:09:58.000 --> 00:09:59.580 I am this anointed one. 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:02.419 I am this spirit-empowered, 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:03.600 anointed preacher, 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:06.759 and I come bringing the ultimate good news, 00:10:07.060 --> 00:10:07.580 release, 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:07.960 healing, 00:10:08.040 --> 00:10:08.620 and freedom. 00:10:09.820 --> 00:10:14.279 The one who's ushering in the acceptable year of the Lord's favor. 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:17.399 Now when we read a manifesto, 00:10:17.460 --> 00:10:19.220 the first thing we automatically do 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:21.440 is to work out what's in it for me. 00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:26.420 So we read of tax break for families, 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:27.980 and immediately families think, 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:28.240 oh, 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:28.980 vote for them. 00:10:29.820 --> 00:10:32.440 We read of help for retired people. 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:35.480 And anybody that's more seasoned goes, 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:38.480 they seem like a good choice for me. 00:10:39.660 --> 00:10:42.260 Tuition fees spark interest from the students, 00:10:42.400 --> 00:10:43.980 but most particularly their parents. 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:48.220 So I wonder what these people, 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:49.300 when they heard this, 00:10:49.440 --> 00:10:52.260 thought about Jesus' manifesto. 00:10:53.220 --> 00:10:56.000 I'm sure if you were there as a blind person, 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:56.480 you'd have gone, 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:56.780 oh. 00:10:56.779 --> 00:11:00.439 If you were a prisoner, 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:02.559 you probably wouldn't have been at the synagogue on the Sabbath, 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:03.639 because you would have been in prison. 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:09.019 People have interpreted this passage in merely economic terms, 00:11:09.100 --> 00:11:12.240 that Jesus brings actual good news for actually poor people. 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:16.600 People have done it in purely political terms, 00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:20.600 that oppressed people suffering under the heel of occupying Rome, 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:23.019 would have the hope of being freed. 00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:25.500 In actual physical terms, 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:27.759 the blind people would receive sight, 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:28.700 which would be unfortunate, 00:11:28.820 --> 00:11:30.580 because the Paralympics would be over. 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:32.779 However, 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:37.600 this is clearly referenced to humanity's spiritual condition. 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:42.019 We are spiritually poor, 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:45.279 because of our sinful rebellion against God. 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:47.399 We are spiritually captive, 00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:52.720 enslaved by sin and Satan and death and fear. 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:55.379 We are spiritually blind. 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:57.620 We cannot see God as he is, 00:11:57.659 --> 00:12:00.019 or respond to him as we should. 00:12:00.800 --> 00:12:05.519 We are oppressed by being fallen people in a fallen world. 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:09.299 This is what Jesus is saying. 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:13.659 And his message is appealing to all of us, 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:16.279 because all of us find ourselves in this position. 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:21.100 Notice as well that all these conditions are hopeless. 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:23.319 If you're blind, 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:25.199 you can't make yourself see, 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:27.079 doesn't matter how many carrots you eat. 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:29.340 If you're in prison, 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:31.539 you can't go for a nice walk out in the garden, 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:32.740 because you're in prison. 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:36.940 All these conditions are hopeless. 00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:42.240 All of these require somebody else stepping into our situation 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:44.519 to bring healing hope, 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:45.680 freedom, 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:47.220 and acceptance. 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:51.480 And into this spiritual hopelessness, 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:54.720 into our spiritual hopelessness, 00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:56.360 Jesus says, 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:57.200 I'm here. 00:12:57.200 --> 00:13:00.200 I am here. 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:02.379 And I'm here to help, 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:05.200 and to get you out of your hopelessness. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.680 See though, 00:13:07.780 --> 00:13:10.460 if you know Isaiah 61 well, 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:14.379 that the quotation is cut short. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:18.759 Jesus doesn't keep on reading to the end of the verse, 00:13:18.800 --> 00:13:19.520 because it finishes, 00:13:19.520 --> 00:13:21.920 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:26.379 and the day of vengeance of our God. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:28.559 That Isaiah said, 00:13:28.700 --> 00:13:29.919 with the coming of Messiah, 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:31.139 there will be two things. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:33.080 There will be favor proclaimed, 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:34.919 but also vengeance brought. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:40.179 And this is where Jesus is so appealing, 00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:43.179 because he comes the first time 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:45.659 to make us acceptable to God, 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:47.139 but he will come again 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:50.299 to rain down God's wrath 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.779 on account of our sin. 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:53.659 He gives us a chance, 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:54.679 a space for grace, 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:56.699 to respond to this good news, 00:13:56.699 --> 00:13:59.559 to say yes to this manifesto, 00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:02.959 because a day will come when it's too late. 00:14:04.719 --> 00:14:07.919 I was on a plane yesterday 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:11.319 to a wedding in Northern Ireland, 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:14.180 and the plane back was delayed. 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:16.540 And we got on the plane, 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:18.120 and we were on the runway for a long time, 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:19.879 and the captain comes on and says, 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:21.420 sorry for the delay, 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:23.500 we had a technical failure, 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:25.740 we think we fixed it. 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:29.140 I'll tell you, 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:32.280 everybody's listening to the safety briefing, 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:32.860 everybody. 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.060 Everybody. 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:38.919 Jesus here is saying, 00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:43.419 we all have a technical failure, 00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:45.619 our sin. 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:49.099 Will you listen to me 00:14:49.099 --> 00:14:51.299 as the only hope 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:52.879 and the only help 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:55.319 to get you through it? 00:14:55.320 --> 00:15:01.140 The passage is explicit today. 00:15:02.280 --> 00:15:04.120 Today this is fulfilled in your hearing. 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:06.720 Now is the time to respond. 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.900 Will you respond? 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:12.300 Because the time will come 00:15:12.300 --> 00:15:15.080 when the vengeance will be here 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:16.320 and the grace will be over. 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:20.680 Failure to respond 00:15:20.680 --> 00:15:24.220 will mean that time will decide for you. 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:27.780 Yesterday my plane was supposed to leave at 8. 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.660 If I wasn't sure 00:15:29.660 --> 00:15:31.400 whether I was going to get back on that plane 00:15:31.400 --> 00:15:33.420 because Northern Ireland was so brilliant, 00:15:34.540 --> 00:15:36.640 if I was weighing up that decision 00:15:36.640 --> 00:15:37.840 once the plane's left, 00:15:37.920 --> 00:15:39.460 the decision's made for me. 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:41.000 Failure to decide 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:43.060 means that time will decide for you, 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.140 and Jesus says, 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:46.840 today is the opportunity to respond. 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:51.360 Now is the opportunity to respond. 00:15:51.539 --> 00:15:54.100 So from manifesto launched, 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.980 we move to candidate questioned. 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:57.620 Initially, 00:15:57.860 --> 00:16:00.720 Jesus seems to be favorably received. 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:02.419 All spoke well of him. 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:04.539 They wondered at his gracious words. 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:06.199 Then they start to look 00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:08.259 at his background. 00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:10.620 They start to want evidence 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:12.319 to back up his claim. 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.799 And see what they say. 00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:19.199 Isn't this Joseph's son, 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:19.939 verse 22? 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:23.240 Didn't he used to kick around 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.899 in the playground with our children? 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:28.340 Isn't he just so normal? 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.480 Wasn't he the guy 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.899 who fitted those shelves in our house 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.879 or fixed the coffee table? 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:38.100 Is he not having ideas 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:39.799 above his station? 00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:42.379 You're saying today 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.479 this has been fulfilled, 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:46.000 but you look remarkably normal to us. 00:16:47.319 --> 00:16:49.179 So Jesus responds with a proverb, 00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:51.240 Physician, heal yourself, 00:16:51.359 --> 00:16:52.000 verse 23. 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:54.620 It's not particularly familiar to us, 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:57.000 but it basically says, 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.199 prove it. 00:16:59.079 --> 00:17:00.199 Show us. 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:02.019 You claim to be this person, 00:17:02.219 --> 00:17:03.039 show us. 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.480 Do something. 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:06.799 Show us your messianic credentials 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:09.339 to back up your messianic manifesto. 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:11.519 Do what you did in Capernaum. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.539 Perhaps a little healing. 00:17:14.659 --> 00:17:16.059 Perhaps an exorcism. 00:17:16.139 --> 00:17:17.200 We could go and find someone 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.319 who was toment it. 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.200 Do you know what? 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.740 Perhaps some water into wine. 00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:22.000 We're all a little bit thirsty. 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.379 That would be great. 00:17:25.419 --> 00:17:25.799 Go on, 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:27.099 turn this water into wine 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:29.200 and we can toast your Messiahship. 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:30.039 Come on, Jesus. 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.220 Do it, 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:31.559 do it, 00:17:31.639 --> 00:17:32.019 do it. 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:34.180 However, 00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:36.460 Jesus wouldn't perform 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:38.059 for the devil when he said, 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:39.740 and he won't perform 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:41.900 for the baying crowd in Nazareth. 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:47.139 People say, 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.339 I want evidence. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:50.180 But their evidence, 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.039 ask, 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.180 is only to cover, 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.160 it's a smokescreen 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:54.639 for their hard-heartedness. 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.920 They have absolutely everything 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:58.039 they need to respond 00:17:58.039 --> 00:18:00.180 to Jesus' manifesto. 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:01.160 They've heard the rumors 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:01.880 of Capernaum. 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:03.220 He stood up 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.120 and amazed them 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:04.840 with his words. 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:06.680 He's spoken with authority. 00:18:06.840 --> 00:18:07.580 They have everything 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:08.480 they need to come 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.400 to the right decision. 00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:12.420 And so many of us 00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:13.440 will put off 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.259 making a decision 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.620 on account of evidence 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.700 when really 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.500 we don't want to 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.440 bow the knee to Jesus 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.240 and get on board 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:20.299 with his manifesto. 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:22.400 I wonder if that's you 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.440 this morning 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:24.759 putting off making a decision 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:26.019 when you have 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:27.440 all the evidence you need. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:30.180 Then Jesus defines 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:31.259 his constituency. 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:33.500 Jesus goes on the offensive. 00:18:33.840 --> 00:18:34.539 Verse 24. 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:37.500 No prophet is accepted 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:38.580 in his hometown. 00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:41.400 The history of Israel 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:42.400 is one where prophets 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.539 don't do very well. 00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:45.180 It's not a popular career choice. 00:18:45.320 --> 00:18:46.340 Jeremiah is a prophet 00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:48.140 and nobody listened to him. 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.200 Jesus is saying, 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.120 you're just like them. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:52.400 I'm here declaring 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:53.920 God's word as God's king, 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.480 but you have no time for me. 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:57.660 You're just like 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.440 your ancestors. 00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:00.059 They didn't believe 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:01.279 God's word then 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.360 and they won't listen 00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:04.819 to God's word made flesh now. 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:06.779 Their unreceptive attitude 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.480 to Jesus 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:09.299 is not due to lack of evidence, 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:10.039 it's due to their 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.400 hard-heartedness. 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.099 They will not 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:14.180 humble themselves. 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:15.799 They don't think 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.759 that they're poor 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:18.079 and blind 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:19.120 and captive. 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:20.620 And therefore 00:19:20.620 --> 00:19:21.720 they don't realize 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.880 their absolute need 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:24.120 of Jesus Christ. 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:27.459 Jesus goes on 00:19:27.459 --> 00:19:28.219 to explain 00:19:28.219 --> 00:19:29.199 that their rejection 00:19:29.199 --> 00:19:29.879 of him 00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:31.699 will lead 00:19:31.699 --> 00:19:32.939 and overflow 00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:34.619 to grace for others. 00:19:36.699 --> 00:19:37.439 And so he talks 00:19:37.439 --> 00:19:38.299 about the two great 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.079 prophets of old, 00:19:39.239 --> 00:19:40.379 Elijah and Elisha, 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.779 the poster boys 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:43.239 of the Israelite 00:19:43.239 --> 00:19:44.079 prophet 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.579 history. 00:19:46.979 --> 00:19:47.779 And he talks 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.659 about Elijah 00:19:48.659 --> 00:19:50.079 during the time 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.719 of Ahab 00:19:50.719 --> 00:19:51.339 when there's three 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:52.000 and a half years 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.659 without rain 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.779 and everybody's struggling. 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.680 Widows struggling 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.360 the most. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:59.160 And yet it's not 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:00.920 to the Israelite widows 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.880 that Elijah has sent 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.640 but to the widow 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:03.600 of Zarephath 00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:05.380 who receives blessing. 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.720 Similarly, 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.779 Elisha, 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:09.860 in his time 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.580 there's leprosy 00:20:10.580 --> 00:20:11.100 everywhere. 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:13.279 And yet it's not 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.180 an Israelite leper 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:15.279 who's cleansed, 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:17.019 it's a Syrian 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.960 general. 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:21.460 Jesus says to them, 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.100 don't think 00:20:22.100 --> 00:20:22.819 that my kingdom 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:24.259 is just confined 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.900 to the borders 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.620 of Israel. 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.500 My kingdom 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.720 is for the whole world. 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:30.500 Good news 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.600 will go to the poor 00:20:31.600 --> 00:20:32.539 on this continent 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.660 and every continent. 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.079 Captives 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:35.840 will be released 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:36.880 here but also 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:38.200 everywhere in my name. 00:20:39.840 --> 00:20:40.579 The year of 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:41.539 acceptability 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.420 to the Lord 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:44.660 is an offer 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.380 to you 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:47.260 but it's an offer 00:20:47.260 --> 00:20:47.940 to them 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:49.060 as well. 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:49.820 This good news 00:20:49.820 --> 00:20:50.660 will go global. 00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:53.400 People will be restored 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.380 because of me 00:20:54.380 --> 00:20:55.620 and responding 00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:56.040 to me. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.140 If you shut 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:57.540 the door 00:20:57.540 --> 00:20:58.460 in my face 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.060 it will result 00:20:59.060 --> 00:21:00.400 in your eternal loss 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:01.220 but there'll be 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.940 many others 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:03.000 in many other places 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.760 that will open 00:21:03.760 --> 00:21:04.540 the door to me. 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:05.980 This offer 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:07.240 is open to anyone. 00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:10.400 This good news 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.560 is not a pep talk 00:21:11.560 --> 00:21:12.780 for a nation state 00:21:12.780 --> 00:21:14.620 but it is good news 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:16.500 to the entire world. 00:21:18.239 --> 00:21:19.439 Jesus is the Messiah 00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:20.279 he's been installed 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:20.839 by God 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.559 he will rule 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:22.439 and reign forever 00:21:22.439 --> 00:21:24.679 and the biggest decision 00:21:24.679 --> 00:21:25.599 we will ever make 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.639 in any of our lives 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:28.399 is to respond to him 00:21:28.399 --> 00:21:30.559 and join his team 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:32.479 or suffer the vengeance 00:21:32.479 --> 00:21:33.319 of the Lord 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.679 in the end. 00:21:35.479 --> 00:21:35.959 Now 00:21:35.959 --> 00:21:37.039 is the time 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.459 to vote 00:21:37.459 --> 00:21:38.099 says Jesus. 00:21:38.459 --> 00:21:39.519 He says it to them 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.139 in Nazareth 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:41.439 and he says it to us 00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:42.259 this morning 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.479 it's decision time. 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:45.559 It is time 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.380 to decide 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:48.099 whether you're 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.519 poor 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.599 who needs good news 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.059 whether you're 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.559 a prisoner 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.500 who needs it free 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.039 whether you're 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:53.339 blind requiring sight 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:53.940 oppressed 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:55.160 needing freedom 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:56.700 and alienated 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.240 from God 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.480 and need to be restored. 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:00.680 And Jesus says 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.299 if that's you 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.319 respond to me. 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.779 And so the final thing 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.759 we see is votes 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:07.019 are submitted. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:11.019 Well it's not gone great 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.819 you have to say 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.619 verse 28 00:22:12.619 --> 00:22:16.960 because a manifesto 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:18.079 launch turns into 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:18.740 an assassination 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:20.099 attempt. 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.019 They 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.200 the crowd 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.379 the congregation 00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:25.539 turn into a mob 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:27.500 and the mob 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.139 frog marks 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:29.179 Jesus to the 00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:30.119 brow of a hill 00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:31.720 the hometown 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.619 crowd turn 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:33.119 hostile 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.539 the ones who 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.159 were amazed 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:35.799 at his words 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.740 in verse 22 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:38.319 are furious 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:39.599 and ready to 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.099 throw him off 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:40.459 the cliff 00:22:40.459 --> 00:22:41.240 in verse 29. 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.299 It's amazing. 00:22:48.719 --> 00:22:49.740 Just like that. 00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:51.419 When Jesus 00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:52.399 starts to uncover 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.259 what they're really 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.000 like and their 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.719 need of him 00:22:54.719 --> 00:22:56.119 people turn 00:22:56.119 --> 00:22:57.099 in utter fury. 00:22:57.199 --> 00:22:57.899 We see it today. 00:22:59.179 --> 00:22:59.740 Have you ever 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.599 seen anything 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.439 provoke such 00:23:01.439 --> 00:23:02.299 hostility 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.659 than the Lord 00:23:03.659 --> 00:23:04.019 Jesus? 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:05.899 People just 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:07.059 go crazy 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.959 irrationably 00:23:08.959 --> 00:23:09.619 crazy 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.659 because if 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.399 Jesus is 00:23:11.399 --> 00:23:11.739 who he 00:23:11.739 --> 00:23:12.139 says he 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:12.419 is 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:12.979 then we 00:23:12.979 --> 00:23:13.339 cannot 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:13.779 escape 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.059 our 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.519 absolute 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.059 need 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:15.959 of him. 00:23:16.959 --> 00:23:17.879 But Jesus 00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:18.579 is in total 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.039 control. 00:23:19.159 --> 00:23:19.619 See how it 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.099 ends. 00:23:20.979 --> 00:23:21.279 But he 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.039 walked right 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.459 through the 00:23:22.459 --> 00:23:22.859 crowd 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:24.599 and went 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.459 on his 00:23:25.459 --> 00:23:25.799 way. 00:23:25.959 --> 00:23:26.519 Just as 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.500 Moses parted 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:27.919 the sea 00:23:27.919 --> 00:23:28.699 so Jesus 00:23:28.699 --> 00:23:29.259 parts the 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:29.599 crowd 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.419 and he 00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:30.759 walks 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.039 through 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.159 unscathed. 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.339 And I 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:33.639 think the 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:34.299 scariest bit 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:34.819 is the last 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:35.399 four words 00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:36.039 he went 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:36.899 on his 00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:37.319 way. 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:38.899 The 00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:39.480 sadness is 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:39.980 Jesus will 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.579 do two 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.240 more years 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.819 of public 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.579 ministry in 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.159 this region 00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:44.180 and as far 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:44.659 as we know 00:23:44.659 --> 00:23:45.259 he never 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.859 returned to 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:46.440 Nazareth. 00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:48.279 Their 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.019 rejection of 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.539 him led 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.099 to his 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:50.839 rejection of 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:52.099 them and 00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:52.480 he never 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.220 went back. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:54.779 You know 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.319 we all may 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:55.839 think that we 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.339 can put off 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.799 making a 00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.500 decision for 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.099 as long as 00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:58.579 we like. 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:01.019 The truth 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.519 is today 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.159 you've got an 00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:03.559 opportunity to 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.039 respond. 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.259 Tomorrow 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.180 nobody knows. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:07.940 The Puritans 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.559 like to say 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:08.920 that the 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.480 sun that 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:09.940 melts the 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:10.659 wax also 00:24:10.659 --> 00:24:11.279 hardens the 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:11.659 clay. 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.460 That as we 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:12.859 hear the 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.259 good news 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:13.819 of Jesus 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:14.119 it will 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:14.920 either melt 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.500 our hearts 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:15.980 humble us 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.460 under grace 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:16.899 and get us 00:24:16.899 --> 00:24:17.379 to proclaim 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:17.799 him our 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:19.159 king or 00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:19.440 it will 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.180 harden our 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:21.899 hearts and 00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:22.440 will become 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.000 ever more 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.539 impenetrable to 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.279 his grace. 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.399 Jesus launches 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:28.359 his manifesto 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:28.980 which is good 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.379 news to 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:30.299 hopeless humanity. 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:30.759 It's good 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.259 news to me 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:31.639 it's good 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.299 news to you. 00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:33.899 Jesus is 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.820 questioned but 00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:35.540 reveals the 00:24:35.540 --> 00:24:36.140 hard-hearted 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:36.840 pride of the 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:37.780 Nazareth people. 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.240 Jesus defines 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.980 his constituency 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.800 and says this is 00:24:40.800 --> 00:24:41.280 good news for 00:24:41.280 --> 00:24:42.060 anyone and 00:24:42.060 --> 00:24:42.580 everyone. 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.400 Jesus is 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.240 rejected in 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:46.720 Nazareth as 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.900 people vote 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.259 with their 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.620 feet and 00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.220 try to throw 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:50.620 him off a 00:24:50.620 --> 00:24:51.000 cliff. 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.380 What about 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:52.780 you? 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.680 Will you 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.740 respond today? 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.560 Will you 00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:57.280 subscribe to 00:24:57.280 --> 00:24:57.740 Jesus' 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.460 manifesto, 00:24:58.540 --> 00:24:59.140 receive his 00:24:59.140 --> 00:24:59.780 good news, 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.080 acknowledge him 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:01.620 as God's 00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:02.280 promised king, 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:03.480 come to lead 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:03.940 you out of 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:05.740 hopelessness and 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.200 to give you 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:07.140 eternal life? 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.059 Will you 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:09.680 respond to 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.259 this Jesus? 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.559 But what if 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:12.980 you know 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.819 Jesus as 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.400 your king? 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:16.799 Well don't 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.680 be obstinate, 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.420 don't just 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:19.579 sit around, 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:20.720 get on the 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.759 canvassing trail 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:23.720 because this 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.279 good news is 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:24.819 for anyone 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.460 and everyone 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.759 and Jesus 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.460 invites you 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:27.880 to be on 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.660 his campaign 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.140 team to 00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:29.539 make him 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:29.940 known on 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.579 campus, 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.819 at work, 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:32.419 amongst 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:33.319 your friends 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:33.980 and your 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.559 family? 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:36.980 Will you 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.659 be on the 00:25:37.659 --> 00:25:38.539 campaign trail 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.299 with Jesus? 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.259 To do this 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.619 you need to 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:40.980 do three 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.500 things and 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:41.759 they all 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.139 begin with 00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:42.339 P. 00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:42.639 You need 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:43.059 prayer, 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:43.740 you need 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.879 people and 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.139 you need 00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:45.639 a plan. 00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:46.539 You need 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:46.939 to pray 00:25:46.939 --> 00:25:47.799 for opportunity. 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:48.960 You need 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.799 people to 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.500 pray for in 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:50.859 order that 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.159 you might 00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:51.599 take that 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:52.960 opportunity and 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.359 you need a 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:53.679 plan. 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.619 How can I 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.139 make this 00:25:56.139 --> 00:25:57.179 good news 00:25:57.179 --> 00:25:58.720 so attractive 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.659 and accessible 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.820 to these 00:26:00.820 --> 00:26:01.300 people? 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.460 How can I 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.360 have confidence 00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:04.740 in the 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.360 gospel and 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:06.060 share it 00:26:06.060 --> 00:26:07.240 with clarity? 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.060 Pray, 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.120 pray for 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:11.519 people, 00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:11.940 pray for 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.480 opportunity, 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.000 pray for 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.420 boldness, 00:26:13.540 --> 00:26:13.800 pray for 00:26:13.800 --> 00:26:14.820 clarity, 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:16.960 which was 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.360 incredibly 00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:17.820 unclear. 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.380 People, 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.040 invest in 00:26:21.040 --> 00:26:21.380 people, 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.019 spend time 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.480 with people, 00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:23.080 get to know 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.560 people, 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:24.500 have 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.160 conversations 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.980 with people 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:27.340 and have 00:26:27.340 --> 00:26:27.900 a plan. 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:29.140 what 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:29.840 windows of 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.400 opportunity 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:30.900 do I 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.320 have to 00:26:31.320 --> 00:26:31.920 present this 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.780 manifesto 00:26:32.780 --> 00:26:33.600 in a 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:34.019 clear and 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.380 compelling 00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:34.780 way? 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.420 So, 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.100 final round 00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:38.480 of whose 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.140 manifesto 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:39.400 is it 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:39.740 anyway? 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.000 Five 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.680 manifesto 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:42.100 promises, 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:43.820 good news 00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:44.120 to the 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:44.460 poor, 00:26:45.580 --> 00:26:45.920 freedom 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.200 for 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.960 captives, 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.140 sight for 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:48.660 the blind, 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.560 emancipation 00:26:50.560 --> 00:26:50.900 for the 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:51.440 oppressed, 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.160 welcomed 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.720 by God 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:56.280 now and 00:26:56.280 --> 00:26:56.680 forever. 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.820 whose 00:26:57.820 --> 00:26:58.440 manifesto 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:58.779 promises 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.480 are those 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.600 that Jesus 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.200 Christ to 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.360 us and 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:02.840 to you. 00:27:03.560 --> 00:27:04.240 Question is, 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.539 how will 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:04.980 you vote? 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:05.860 Let me 00:27:05.860 --> 00:27:06.140 pray. 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:13.840 Father God, 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:14.220 we thank 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.519 you for 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:14.880 Jesus. 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.480 We thank 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:17.779 you for 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:18.380 who he 00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:18.860 is. 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:20.100 We thank 00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:20.360 you for 00:27:20.360 --> 00:27:20.940 his perfect 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.539 life. 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.420 Father, 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:23.880 we thank 00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.180 you that 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:25.039 he obeyed 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.380 you and 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:26.060 did everything 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.379 that you 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:26.779 called him 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.179 to do. 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:28.839 And that 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.379 now this 00:27:29.379 --> 00:27:30.019 Jesus has 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.559 become our 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.039 hope, 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.519 our rescue, 00:27:33.179 --> 00:27:33.879 our freedom. 00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:35.079 He is 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:35.720 good news, 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.379 he is our 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:37.039 life. 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:39.319 He is the 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.379 only one in 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.139 all the world 00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:42.000 who can help 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.379 us out of 00:27:43.379 --> 00:27:44.119 the death 00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:44.759 and sin 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.700 that we 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.480 naturally live 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:46.659 in. 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.079 So, 00:27:48.179 --> 00:27:48.339 Lord, 00:27:48.399 --> 00:27:48.899 may we be 00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:49.399 on board 00:27:49.399 --> 00:27:49.839 with him. 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.519 May we be 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.339 on team, 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:53.079 Jesus. 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:54.419 And may 00:27:54.419 --> 00:27:54.939 we love 00:27:54.939 --> 00:27:55.399 him and 00:27:55.399 --> 00:27:55.959 serve him 00:27:55.959 --> 00:27:56.480 and share 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.579 him through 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.220 all of our 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.699 lives, 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.779 for all of 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.399 our lives, 00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.419 until we 00:28:01.419 --> 00:28:01.919 see him. 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:02.859 Father, 00:28:02.919 --> 00:28:03.279 we thank 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:03.699 you so 00:28:03.699 --> 00:28:04.139 much for 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:04.779 your grace 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.639 and your 00:28:05.639 --> 00:28:06.240 goodness to 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.639 us in 00:28:06.639 --> 00:28:07.159 sending your 00:28:07.159 --> 00:28:07.339 son, 00:28:07.439 --> 00:28:07.679 Jesus. 00:28:08.639 --> 00:28:08.899 So, 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.099 Lord, 00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:09.699 help us to 00:28:09.699 --> 00:28:10.240 respond to 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.079 him appropriately. 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.240 We pray 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:12.839 this in his 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.839 name and 00:28:13.839 --> 00:28:14.319 for his 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:14.740 glory. 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:15.559 Amen.