WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.919 welcome if you're new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're 00:00:04.919 --> 00:00:10.240 here not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:15.860 community, and as we follow Jesus together, we've become convinced there's no one so good they don't 00:00:15.860 --> 00:00:21.580 need God's grace, and no one so bad they can't have it, which is why we come back week after week to 00:00:21.580 --> 00:00:28.060 hear what God has to say to us in his word. We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark. You'll 00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:33.500 remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus and his life and his death and his resurrection, 00:00:33.500 --> 00:00:39.839 and we are in what I said last week was the most difficult chapter in the Gospel of Mark, at least 00:00:39.839 --> 00:00:45.719 the most difficult to understand. That's Mark 13, which talks about both the fall of Jerusalem, 00:00:46.219 --> 00:00:52.239 the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, and also the end of the world, and it was those two things that 00:00:52.239 --> 00:00:57.899 we discussed last week. Remember, we discussed the destruction of the temple. We saw God's faithfulness 00:00:57.899 --> 00:01:04.060 to his people in the first century, which reminds and reassures us of God's faithfulness to his 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:11.739 people in the 21st century. We also saw the end of the world, which reminds us that Jesus is coming 00:01:11.739 --> 00:01:17.239 back. He is separated from us, but he has not abandoned us. So that's what we looked at in the 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:22.519 middle of the chapter, of chapter 13 last week, and you'll remember I told you that it's easy to get 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:28.840 lost in a passage like this. We need to have a due north clear in our minds, and for that, the heart 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:33.899 of the passage is this. How do we make it between Jesus' first coming and his second coming? That's 00:01:33.899 --> 00:01:40.000 what the entire chapter of Mark 13 is attempting to answer. Now, in the past few weeks, we have had 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:46.379 encouragement and comfort, God's provision towards us as we make that journey. This week, we turn towards 00:01:46.379 --> 00:01:53.140 challenge and action, because Jesus is going to remind his disciples of the importance of doing 00:01:53.140 --> 00:02:00.879 what he calls staying awake. It's with that that I invite you to turn with me to God's word. We're in 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:07.019 Mark chapter 13, starting at verse 32. You can turn with me in your worship guide. You can turn in your 00:02:07.019 --> 00:02:13.500 Bible. You can turn on your phone. No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word, and God tells 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:20.620 us that his word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold, and it's sweeter than honey, even 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:27.219 honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. And so, that's why we read now Mark chapter 13, starting at 00:02:27.219 --> 00:02:36.060 verse 32. But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven nor the sun, 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:43.539 but only the father. Be on guard, keep awake, for you do not know when the time will come. 00:02:44.420 --> 00:02:49.680 It is like a man going on a journey when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:58.120 each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not 00:02:58.120 --> 00:03:04.280 know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:13.060 or in the morning, lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you, I say to all, 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:19.560 stay awake. I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:28.520 Our Father in heaven, we thank you once again that you have not left us without instruction, but instead 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:36.360 you come to us and you speak to us clearly in your word. We ask that you would do that again this 00:03:36.360 --> 00:03:43.020 morning, that we'd understand the hope of Jesus' return. We'd also know the challenge and the 00:03:43.020 --> 00:03:49.300 preparation that you've given us, that we would be encouraged and empowered by your grace and 00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:54.760 challenged by your commands. We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 00:03:54.759 --> 00:04:04.579 Amen. If you are a homeowner and you're anything like me, you know that there is sort of an endless 00:04:04.579 --> 00:04:13.799 list of things that need to get done. Let's see if I can stop that. Endless list of things that need 00:04:13.799 --> 00:04:18.620 to get done. And so you sort of have to prioritize what is the most important or the most urgent thing, 00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:24.680 because it's impossible to do everything at once. So one of the things that's been on my list for 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:30.780 a while is I really wanted to get my fence gate replaced because the gate just drives me nuts. 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:38.519 It does not close really all the way, swirling apart, not really. And it's just a thorn in my side. 00:04:39.280 --> 00:04:43.920 So at the end of last year, I decided this is the time I'm going to get the gate replaced. 00:04:44.379 --> 00:04:50.240 Here's the thing though. The gate didn't have to be replaced. It didn't need to be replaced. It just 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:56.000 annoyed me. And I wanted to know that in my life, whenever I dealt with the gate, it would just work 00:04:56.000 --> 00:05:02.280 exactly the way I wanted it to work. And the reason I did that is because I expect to be in my house for 00:05:02.280 --> 00:05:09.560 a long time. And so it's worth it to me to make that investment for my own enjoyment. If I were planning 00:05:09.560 --> 00:05:16.220 to put my house on the market in six months or 12 months, the gate would be a complete waste of money 00:05:16.220 --> 00:05:20.820 because no one cares when they're trying to buy my house, whether the gate is perfect or not, right? 00:05:20.900 --> 00:05:24.800 They're not going to add several thousand dollars to have the house with the new gate. 00:05:25.520 --> 00:05:27.600 No, it'd just be complete throwing it away. 00:05:28.900 --> 00:05:35.300 Which I bring up to remind you all of just a simple principle, which is that what we believe 00:05:35.300 --> 00:05:41.480 about the future, what we think the future holds for us determines how we live and operate in the 00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:47.020 present. Because I believe, because I hope that I'm going to enjoy this gate for many years, it's worth 00:05:47.020 --> 00:05:52.120 it to me to replace it. If I were shopping around for a new house, there would be other things that 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:56.500 would be more important to fix, other things that might help it actually gain value on the market. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:02.660 There's been talk recently about how my generation is supposedly going to live longer than other 00:06:02.660 --> 00:06:08.700 generations. And so we should think more seriously about saving for retirement because our age is just 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:15.139 going to go on and on and on. Now, whether that's true is a different discussion, but it again 00:06:15.139 --> 00:06:24.240 highlights this fact, what we believe the future holds determines how we live now. This passage asks us, 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:33.099 do you really believe that Jesus is coming back? Do you really believe that Jesus is coming back? 00:06:33.100 --> 00:06:42.640 Will you live as if that's true? When I bought a new gate to my fence, I was living out my belief that I'm 00:06:42.640 --> 00:06:51.860 going to be in my house for a while. Do we live out the belief that Jesus is actually coming back? 00:06:53.200 --> 00:06:58.080 Now, remember I told you in chapter 13 of Mark, we're talking about two things. We're talking about the 00:06:58.079 --> 00:07:04.500 destruction of the temple in 70 AD, and we're talking about Jesus' return. In this section, we are turning 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:09.859 back. Remember, last week we were talking primarily about the destruction of the temple, at least at the 00:07:09.859 --> 00:07:15.579 end, first. And so now the question is, why do we know that in this talk that Jesus is giving, we're 00:07:15.579 --> 00:07:20.579 talking about his return, not the destruction of the temple? Because we're talking about both, right? 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:26.419 So why do we know that this parable of the man who's returning to his servants, how do we know this is 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:33.600 about Jesus coming back, not about Jerusalem? Well, there's a few things. First of all, verses 34 and 35 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:40.580 give us an example of an individual who leaves and then returns. The destruction of the temple, 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:46.000 the fall of Jerusalem, is not about one person leaving and coming back, right? That doesn't make sense. 00:07:46.520 --> 00:07:53.560 So Jesus' illustration here makes most sense in talking about his return. Second, it stands in sharp 00:07:53.560 --> 00:08:00.819 contrast to verses 28 through 31, which we just looked at. Those verses are about watching the signs, knowing 00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:08.139 when the fall of Jerusalem is going to come. Here, there are no signs to know, verse 32, but concerning that 00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:16.600 day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. And so the 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:23.860 uncertainty of the return also points to the fact that we're talking about Jesus coming back. There's 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:29.540 many reasons. I'm just going to point you to two more. In verse 32, we're told, but concerning that day 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:36.820 or that hour. If Jesus was continuing his discussion of the fall of Jerusalem, he would not say, but 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:43.680 concerning that day or that hour. He would say, and concerning that day or that hour. So, but there tells us 00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:50.319 we're changing topics. And finally, that day or that hour in verse 32 is a technical term that appears 00:08:50.319 --> 00:09:00.239 throughout the New Testament to refer to the day when Jesus is coming back. With all of that being said, 00:09:01.219 --> 00:09:10.179 this passage is not complicated. In fact, it's incredibly simple. It is set up to be idiot proof. 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:17.519 And the main point is clear. The main point is this, stay awake. We know that's the main point 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:24.239 because it's repeated not once, not twice, not thrice. It's repeated four times in verses 33 through 36. 00:09:24.579 --> 00:09:30.519 And even before the passage is finished, we're given the summary, the whole point, right in verse 33. 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:37.079 Be on guard, keep awake, for you do not know when the time will come. 00:09:37.080 --> 00:09:43.400 And so the point of this passage is very, very simple. Live your life 00:09:43.400 --> 00:09:48.759 in light of the fact that Jesus is coming back. 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:55.960 Live your life in light of the fact that Jesus is coming back. 00:09:57.080 --> 00:09:58.160 Verse 34, 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:02.519 We have this man going on a journey. What does he do? 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:04.959 He gives each of his servants their work. 00:10:05.179 --> 00:10:08.959 He leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with their work. 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:11.199 So there's something these servants are supposed to be doing. 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:15.639 And he commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:20.480 What does it mean then to live in light of the fact that Jesus is coming back? 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:26.139 It means we're doing the work that the master has given us, and we don't want to be found asleep. 00:10:26.420 --> 00:10:32.600 We don't want to be found distracted, doing something else, going off on side quests, 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:38.159 being found lulled into a false sense of security or complacency. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:41.800 Now I could leave it there. 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:44.039 We could pray, and we could sing our final hymn. 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:47.180 Live your life as if Jesus is coming back. 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:55.259 But I want to call your attention to two different ways in which we live our lives in light of Christ's return. 00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:58.259 First, the priority of Christ's return. 00:10:58.579 --> 00:11:02.039 And second, the urgency of Christ's return. 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:04.759 First, the priority of Christ's return. 00:11:04.979 --> 00:11:08.379 And second, the urgency of Christ's return. 00:11:08.579 --> 00:11:11.979 And so first, we'll talk about the priority of his return. 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:15.819 There's a man named Richard Sibbes, who is a Puritan, 00:11:15.820 --> 00:11:18.940 and he lived during the 1500s and the 1600s. 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:24.879 And he provides this example of the Christian life where he talks about it as if it's a stream. 00:11:25.300 --> 00:11:27.280 And he says, imagine you have this stream, 00:11:27.400 --> 00:11:32.160 and this stream is split into all these smaller, tinier streams. 00:11:32.940 --> 00:11:35.760 What's going to happen to the power and the force of that stream 00:11:35.760 --> 00:11:37.740 if you split it in a bunch of different directions? 00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:40.380 It's not going to have any power. 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:42.240 It's not going to have any force. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:43.620 It's just going to be diluted. 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:47.279 And so it's not going to be able to accomplish anything. 00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:51.220 On the other hand, imagine that the reverse is true. 00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:53.460 You have all these small, little streams, 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:56.539 and they flow into this one large, great stream. 00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:58.560 Well, what's that stream going to be able to do? 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:01.080 It's going to be able to bear in on something 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:04.480 with all the force and power of that water. 00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:09.680 You're going to be able to focus everything in one direction. 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:13.019 Now, coincidentally, it turns out that you have this illustration 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:16.419 on the back of your worship guide from Richard Sivs. 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:20.859 And he tells us what the main direction is that our stream is supposed to be headed. 00:12:20.979 --> 00:12:22.019 This is the last sentence. 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:25.359 The main desire must be to be saved 00:12:25.359 --> 00:12:30.379 and by grace to have communion and fellowship with God in Christ Jesus. 00:12:31.359 --> 00:12:33.779 Unless this be the main care, 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:38.240 the soul can produce nothing good. 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:41.279 To stay awake, 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:44.899 to live in light of Jesus' return, 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:48.620 is to say all of our streams, 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:51.240 every piece and point of our life, 00:12:51.820 --> 00:12:54.519 converges in this one direction. 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:57.500 It goes back to the first catechism question. 00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:59.000 What is man's purpose? 00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:01.340 To glorify God and enjoy him forever. 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:03.299 Whatever you do, 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:05.539 it's meant to be driven in that direction. 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:09.139 And so that's the priority of Christ's return. 00:13:09.319 --> 00:13:10.879 Whatever we do, 00:13:10.959 --> 00:13:13.139 we want the first question to be, 00:13:13.579 --> 00:13:19.319 how does this contribute to being prepared for Jesus to return? 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:24.219 And so it means that as we are raising our children, 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:26.899 we are keeping first things first. 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:33.419 We are more concerned about preparing them for Jesus coming back 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:37.819 than we're concerned about preparing them for college admissions. 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:42.360 Because the kingdom of God, 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:43.079 heaven, 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:46.059 is more important than Harvard 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:48.159 or USAPHA 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:49.659 or UCCS. 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:53.859 It means that as we are training our bodies 00:13:53.859 --> 00:13:55.419 and staying strong 00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:57.119 as fitness is important for us, 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:59.379 we are not doing it for vanity. 00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:02.039 We are not doing it out of anxiety or fear, 00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:05.599 but so that we can do productive work for the Lord. 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:10.039 That Ephesians 5, 16 would be true of us, 00:14:10.099 --> 00:14:12.719 that we would be making the best use of the time 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:14.899 because the days are evil. 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:20.960 It means that when the church gathers to worship, 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:23.139 you are here. 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:27.300 Because this is part of how you stay awake. 00:14:27.300 --> 00:14:31.139 This is how you're reminded of what is most important in life. 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:34.639 This is how your stream is constantly redirected 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:36.600 in the right direction. 00:14:38.040 --> 00:14:42.240 Being in worship pushes out other things in your life 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:45.279 not the other way around. 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:50.919 If Jesus is coming back and he is, 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:54.980 this is how we stay awake together. 00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:59.440 It means as we arrange and think about our lives, 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:05.639 success is not as important as character 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:08.100 and godliness and holiness. 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:13.500 Better to love God 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:17.060 and no one to know our name 00:15:17.060 --> 00:15:20.500 than to be famous 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:22.940 and be separated from him. 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:26.019 For what does it profit a man 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:28.540 to gain the world and lose his soul? 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:32.920 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:37.259 It's Mark 8, 36 and 37. 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:43.419 Every yes is a no. 00:15:45.839 --> 00:15:47.620 Everything that you say yes to, 00:15:47.699 --> 00:15:49.500 you are saying no to something else 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:52.319 because you have seven days and 24 hours 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:53.399 in each of those days. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:55.439 Your resources are limited. 00:15:56.199 --> 00:15:57.719 Staying awake means 00:15:57.720 --> 00:16:00.980 when you make difficult decisions in your life, 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:07.139 you always say yes to the kingdom of God 00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:11.019 and no to other things. 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:14.980 Stay awake. 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:23.379 And so I'm pleading with you all this morning 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:24.960 on behalf of Jesus Christ. 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:28.240 If you are not awake, 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.800 wake up. 00:16:32.300 --> 00:16:35.680 Make first things first. 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:40.259 Every yes is a no. 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:43.679 If you are awake, 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.340 keep awake. 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:47.960 Stay awake. 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.439 Now, 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:53.919 I do want to say 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:55.240 in relation to that, 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.539 there are some 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:59.179 who take teachings like this 00:16:59.179 --> 00:17:02.120 and they make the Christian life 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:02.939 as a result of it 00:17:02.939 --> 00:17:04.700 a life of unusual 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:07.140 and constant sort of austerity 00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:07.879 and intensity. 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.039 You know, 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.980 I preach this passage 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.859 and suddenly 00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:12.460 it's mandatory 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:13.899 for everyone to be in church 00:17:13.899 --> 00:17:15.240 six times a week. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:17.180 There's a famous preacher 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:17.839 who at one point 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.339 told people 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:18.720 they were, 00:17:19.139 --> 00:17:19.480 they were, 00:17:19.659 --> 00:17:21.059 had their priorities off 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:22.700 if they were collecting seashells. 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.700 Somehow that was a sin. 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:24.980 Okay. 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.559 That's more a reflection 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.779 of someone's personality 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.700 and their anxiety 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:30.079 than it is a biblical teaching. 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:31.500 And so I want to just say 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.559 on the one hand, 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.460 it's good to enjoy 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.859 all sorts of things 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:36.839 in the right perspective. 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:39.279 God created this world. 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.519 He's glorified 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.359 when we enjoy it, 00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:41.579 right? 00:17:42.919 --> 00:17:44.339 On the other hand, 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:46.119 pleasure here and now 00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:48.240 is not our ultimate goal. 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:49.819 Okay. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:53.039 So we do all sorts of things 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.879 to the glory of God. 00:17:53.939 --> 00:17:55.119 There's all sorts of things 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:56.639 we can point into that stream. 00:17:57.379 --> 00:17:58.019 Do them 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:59.659 to the glory of God. 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:02.159 Do them in light 00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:03.159 of eternity, 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.179 whether it's your work 00:18:04.179 --> 00:18:05.059 or your play. 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:06.599 It doesn't mean 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:07.980 we don't enjoy this world. 00:18:08.419 --> 00:18:09.659 There is a way 00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:11.119 to ski 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:12.819 in light of Jesus' return, 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.899 but do it 00:18:14.899 --> 00:18:15.919 in light of Jesus' return. 00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:18.759 Keep it in the right place 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.500 and perspective 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.579 in the right season. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.299 We take all things, 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.480 everything in our lives 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.519 and we assess them. 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.899 We direct them 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:27.240 towards the fact 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:27.819 that Jesus 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:29.399 is coming back. 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.179 We want 00:18:30.179 --> 00:18:31.779 all our small streams 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.879 to be part 00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:34.799 of one large stream. 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:36.619 And so I'm saying 00:18:36.619 --> 00:18:37.099 two things. 00:18:37.139 --> 00:18:37.539 On the one hand, 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:38.200 it doesn't mean 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:39.139 we stop enjoying 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:40.179 any of God's gifts 00:18:40.179 --> 00:18:40.919 and we live sort of 00:18:40.919 --> 00:18:42.019 this monk lifestyle. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:43.639 On the other hand, 00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:44.139 it doesn't mean 00:18:44.139 --> 00:18:45.679 there aren't real sacrifices 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:47.039 and trade-offs. 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.519 We do say no 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:51.059 to good things sometimes 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:52.460 so we can say yes 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:53.460 to God 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.559 and his kingdom. 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:59.440 We've talked about 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.099 the urgency 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:01.619 that we are putting 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.399 first things, 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:02.879 excuse me, 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.839 the priority 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:05.039 that we're putting 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.119 first things first. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.980 There is also 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:09.039 an urgency. 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:10.839 We're not just doing 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:11.759 first things first, 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.359 we are doing 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:14.159 first things now. 00:19:15.919 --> 00:19:17.059 There are some things 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:17.779 that are simply 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:19.079 daily actions, right? 00:19:19.159 --> 00:19:19.399 They're just, 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.700 you're just being faithful 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:22.299 day after day 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:24.379 as you live life 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:25.519 in light of Jesus' return. 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.599 There are some things 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:27.000 that you're just going 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.819 to do every morning 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:29.539 because Jesus is coming back. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.759 There are other things 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.619 that are tasks 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:32.619 that we are tempted 00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.859 to put off 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.799 and so that takes us 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:35.299 to the urgency 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:38.000 of Christ's return. 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.259 Imagine for a second 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.180 that you're a student, 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.259 maybe you're in college, 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:44.200 and you show up to class 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:45.279 and the professor announces 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:47.559 there's a major research paper 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.079 that's going to be 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.919 a large portion 00:19:48.919 --> 00:19:49.639 of your grade 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:50.440 for this class. 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:51.680 And at the beginning 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.299 he says, 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.360 you'll notice 00:19:53.360 --> 00:19:54.100 on your syllabus 00:19:54.100 --> 00:19:55.200 there's no deadline 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.039 for this paper. 00:19:57.580 --> 00:19:58.660 And the reason is 00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.380 I'm just going to roll 00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:00.220 into class one day 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.740 and ask for you 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.320 to hand it in. 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.820 But you don't know 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:05.559 which class 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.080 that's going to be. 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:09.259 What are you going to do? 00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:11.740 Well, hopefully 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.620 when that class is over 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:12.980 you're headed 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.880 to the library, right? 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.160 You are going 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:17.880 to get to work. 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:19.160 That's the only chance 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:19.740 to hand it in. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:21.019 There's no late assignments. 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:22.140 You can't run back 00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:22.700 to your dorm 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.380 and get the paper. 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.920 No, you need to be ready. 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:26.099 If you come to that class 00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:27.240 you want to know 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.039 that if he asks 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.559 for the paper 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.559 you have it 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.900 to hand in. 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:32.160 You're going to get to work. 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.140 You're going to write. 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.460 Procrastination 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.680 is deadly 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:39.620 if the deadline 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:41.099 is unknown. 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.579 Procrastination 00:20:44.579 --> 00:20:45.620 is deadly 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:47.180 if the deadline 00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:48.720 is unknown. 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:51.180 We're told here 00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:52.259 remember verse 32 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.319 concerning that day 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:54.220 or that hour 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:55.559 no one knows 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.900 not even the angels 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.339 in heaven 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:58.339 nor the son 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:59.200 but only 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:00.299 the father. 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.079 Live life 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:04.099 in light of Jesus' return 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:05.160 and you don't know 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.140 when he's coming back 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:07.180 so there's an urgency. 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.140 There are things 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.859 that need to be 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:10.019 taken care of 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.680 now. 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.980 There are certain things 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.640 that are on 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:14.940 a limited time offer. 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:17.120 here's a few of them. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.660 Addressing 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.700 broken 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:21.000 and strained 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.220 relationships. 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.500 Living 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.220 in light 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.259 of Jesus' return 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.320 means that we are 00:21:27.320 --> 00:21:28.160 tenderhearted 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:29.279 and quick 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.519 to reconcile. 00:21:32.360 --> 00:21:34.200 We do not want 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.720 Jesus to return 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.700 and to find us 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.759 nurturing 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.519 and coddling 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.200 bitterness 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:42.240 and grudges 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.039 and lists 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:44.180 of complaints. 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:46.980 Reconcile 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.920 now 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.600 before 00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:49.799 it is too 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:50.640 late. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.380 Do you want 00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:53.259 Jesus to come 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:53.640 back 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.480 and find 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.460 that you're 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.299 in the middle 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.240 of an intense 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:57.759 conflict 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.519 with someone else 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.140 in the church? 00:22:00.600 --> 00:22:01.140 No. 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.000 Can you imagine 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.880 what that would be like? 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.880 Jesus is coming back 00:22:03.880 --> 00:22:04.480 in his glory 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.400 and what are you doing? 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:06.559 You're like spitting 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.480 it out with someone. 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.579 No. 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:11.279 Stay awake. 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:13.480 Live in light 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.779 of Jesus' returns. 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:15.980 Be quick 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:17.039 to forgive 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.440 and repent. 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.660 Don't delay 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:24.259 in healing 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.920 your marriage 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:27.759 because Jesus 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.380 is coming 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:28.920 back. 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.220 Stay 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.480 awake. 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.620 Do you want 00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:35.640 Jesus to return 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:36.500 in this picture 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.519 that he's given 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.500 for us 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.160 on earth 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:39.660 of what his 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.200 relationship 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:40.880 with the church 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.900 is going to be like? 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.059 You're in the midst 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.640 of destroying 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:44.259 that picture. 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:46.940 No. 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.599 Jesus is coming 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:50.079 back. 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:50.920 Stay 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.799 awake. 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.519 Don't delay. 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:59.000 Your money 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:00.079 here on earth 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:02.559 will be worth 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.160 nothing 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.819 when Jesus 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:04.339 returns. 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:07.879 do you want 00:23:07.879 --> 00:23:08.240 Jesus 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:08.939 to return 00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:09.939 and find 00:23:09.939 --> 00:23:10.579 that you 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.159 have stored 00:23:11.159 --> 00:23:11.679 up no 00:23:11.679 --> 00:23:12.159 treasure 00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:12.720 in heaven? 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.919 Stay 00:23:15.919 --> 00:23:17.019 awake. 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:18.859 We don't 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:19.299 want Jesus 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:20.079 to return 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:20.959 and find 00:23:20.959 --> 00:23:22.000 that all 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:22.379 of our 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:22.740 treasure 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.699 is here 00:23:23.699 --> 00:23:24.759 on earth. 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.000 There 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.559 is an 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.199 urgency. 00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:28.959 There is 00:23:28.959 --> 00:23:29.559 a limited 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.539 time 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.339 offer. 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:33.059 the story 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.659 is told 00:23:33.659 --> 00:23:34.579 of a man 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:34.859 who had 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.179 millions 00:23:35.179 --> 00:23:35.579 and millions 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.139 of dollars 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:37.720 and at 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.299 one point 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.839 he had 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.240 to declare 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.759 bankruptcy 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:41.659 and someone 00:23:41.659 --> 00:23:42.279 asked him 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:42.980 in light 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.399 of the fact 00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:43.720 that you 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.059 ended up 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.500 having no 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:44.740 money, 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.119 do you 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:45.579 regret 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.639 any of 00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:47.000 the money 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.359 that you 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:47.919 gave away? 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.220 Because you 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.500 could have 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:48.859 that money 00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:49.139 that could 00:23:49.139 --> 00:23:49.419 have helped 00:23:49.419 --> 00:23:49.740 you in this 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.119 bankruptcy 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:50.459 suit. 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.759 and he 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.079 said, 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:52.759 the only 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.720 money I 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.200 kept 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.579 was the 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:56.259 money I 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:56.740 gave 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.440 away. 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.460 Brothers 00:23:59.460 --> 00:23:59.960 and sisters, 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:01.100 when Jesus 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:02.100 returns, 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.120 the only 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:04.860 money you 00:24:04.860 --> 00:24:05.559 will have 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.079 kept 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:06.840 is the 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.600 money you 00:24:07.600 --> 00:24:08.039 gave 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.660 away. 00:24:09.100 --> 00:24:09.680 Stay 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.720 awake. 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.120 Live 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:13.700 in light 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.500 of Jesus' 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.480 return. 00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:17.200 Don't 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:17.660 miss 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.799 the chance 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.539 to give, 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:19.980 not just 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.420 financially, 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:20.900 but in 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.839 other ways. 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:22.700 Don't 00:24:22.700 --> 00:24:23.079 miss the 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.559 chance to 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.000 do good. 00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:24.620 You may 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.259 not have 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.079 it tomorrow. 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.279 People 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:27.519 who are 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.200 experts in 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:28.539 leadership 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.240 talk about 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.559 the fact 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:29.960 that good 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.539 leaders have 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.339 a bias 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:31.779 towards 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.339 action. 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:32.819 They get 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.500 things done. 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.539 I'm going 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:34.980 to suggest 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.279 to you 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.660 this morning 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.200 Christians 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.059 have a 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:37.480 bias 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:37.920 towards 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.400 doing 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.180 good. 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.120 Do 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:41.940 as much 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.339 good 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.099 as you 00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:43.500 can 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.220 in light 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.039 of and 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.440 because 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.299 of Jesus' 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.360 return. 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.059 Making 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.559 the best 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.039 use of 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.539 the time 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:49.960 because 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.000 the days 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.859 are evil. 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.680 Finally, 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.440 there is 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.940 an urgency 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:59.420 to repenting 00:24:59.420 --> 00:24:59.940 of our 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.639 sins and 00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:01.259 following 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.039 Jesus. 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:04.159 No one 00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:04.980 knows 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.879 the day 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.639 or the 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.079 hour. 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:08.599 Do not 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.480 be like 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.359 Herod in 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.139 Mark 6. 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:11.960 Do you 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.379 remember what 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:12.940 Herod loved 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.420 to do? 00:25:15.159 --> 00:25:15.920 Herod 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:16.980 loved 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.860 to listen 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:17.940 to listen. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.500 But 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.000 he would 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.380 not 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:21.900 act. 00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:24.079 He 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.740 loved 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.220 other 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:25.940 things 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.680 more. 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.880 I say 00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.259 this with 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.759 love for 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.039 you. 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.599 Some of 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:35.160 you are 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:35.759 nibbling 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.640 around the 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.480 edges of 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.099 our church 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:39.000 and nibbling 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.759 around the 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.339 edges of 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:40.920 Christianity. 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:43.340 Jesus is 00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:44.120 coming back 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:45.640 and no 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.240 one knows 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.779 the day 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.180 or the 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:47.480 hour. 00:25:48.560 --> 00:25:49.180 The time 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:49.600 to repent 00:25:49.600 --> 00:25:50.100 is not 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.560 tomorrow, 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.000 it is 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.500 now. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.180 Procrastination 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.440 is deadly 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:55.460 if the 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.039 deadline 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:57.519 is unknown. 00:25:59.320 --> 00:26:00.019 Stay 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.500 awake. 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:05.960 Now, 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:07.799 I gave 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.160 you an 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:08.640 illustration 00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:09.019 a little 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.500 bit ago. 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.740 That was a 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.099 terrible 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:11.660 illustration. 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.119 I told 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:14.460 you about 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:14.880 a college 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.420 professor 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.779 who was 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:16.960 going to 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.400 come in 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:17.680 and just 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.240 announce a 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.640 deadline. 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.660 And I 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.119 compared that 00:26:20.119 --> 00:26:20.400 to this 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:20.920 passage to 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.519 highlight the 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:21.900 urgency. 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.180 And there 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:23.440 is a 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:23.799 point, 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.099 except 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:24.440 excuse me, 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:24.839 did not 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.200 announce a 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.519 deadline, 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:25.980 announce an 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.339 assignment. 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:26.980 You didn't 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.240 know when 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.420 it was 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:27.599 due. 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.539 There's a 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:28.859 point in 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.299 which that's 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:29.599 true, 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:30.339 and the 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:30.819 point is 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.220 the point of 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.640 comparison 00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:32.000 that's 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.400 true is 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:32.579 that we 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:32.860 don't know 00:26:32.860 --> 00:26:33.140 the day 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.360 or the 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:33.600 hour. 00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:34.519 Here, 00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:34.759 though, 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.100 is why 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:35.279 that 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:35.660 illustration 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:35.980 was 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.339 terrible. 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:37.860 Jesus 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:38.759 is not 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.500 an absent 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.039 college 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.559 professor. 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.720 And your 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.360 work for 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:43.759 him, 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.600 your staying 00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.079 awake, 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:45.779 is not 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.640 a stressful 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:47.740 deadline. 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:49.519 Remember 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:49.920 what we've 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:50.279 looked at 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:50.600 in this 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:50.980 passage. 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.559 Jesus 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:53.400 is the 00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:54.240 one who 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.980 loves us 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.640 and cares 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.160 for us. 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.400 He is 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.319 returning 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:59.339 to us, 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.400 not having 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:00.799 abandoned 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.100 us, 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.639 but returning 00:27:01.639 --> 00:27:02.119 to us 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.579 after a 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:03.059 separation. 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:04.139 He's 00:27:04.139 --> 00:27:04.339 made 00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:04.980 promises 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.839 to us. 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.259 Remember, 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:07.959 he's faithful 00:27:07.959 --> 00:27:08.399 to the 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:08.779 church in 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.139 the first 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:09.579 century. 00:27:09.919 --> 00:27:10.259 He'll be 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:10.879 faithful to 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.219 you in 00:27:11.219 --> 00:27:11.939 the 21st 00:27:11.939 --> 00:27:12.299 century. 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.339 He made 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.179 a promise 00:27:14.179 --> 00:27:15.079 in verse 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.719 11 that 00:27:15.719 --> 00:27:16.159 if you're 00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:16.859 in persecution, 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:17.639 he's even 00:27:17.639 --> 00:27:18.319 going to give 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.959 you words 00:27:18.959 --> 00:27:19.819 to speak. 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.500 And then he 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.019 gave us this 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.599 promise two 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.119 sermons ago 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:22.480 in verse 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.059 13, 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:23.879 but the 00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:24.980 one who 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:26.019 endures to 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.919 the end 00:27:26.919 --> 00:27:27.639 will be 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:28.079 saved. 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:29.919 Jesus 00:27:29.919 --> 00:27:30.480 is not 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:30.839 some 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.419 absent 00:27:31.419 --> 00:27:32.139 and 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:33.179 irrational 00:27:33.179 --> 00:27:33.859 college 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:34.539 professor. 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.159 No, 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:37.980 he is 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.539 the one 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:38.879 who is 00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.559 coming back 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.099 for his 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.480 people, 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:40.919 has made 00:27:40.919 --> 00:27:41.419 promises 00:27:41.419 --> 00:27:42.759 to his 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.379 people. 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:44.819 And so 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:45.579 staying awake, 00:27:45.699 --> 00:27:46.500 being prepared 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.139 for his 00:27:47.139 --> 00:27:47.759 return, 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.679 is not 00:27:48.679 --> 00:27:49.059 us 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.679 trembling 00:27:49.679 --> 00:27:50.720 in fear 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.319 at an 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:52.199 administrator 00:27:52.199 --> 00:27:52.899 who's coming 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.519 to evaluate 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.180 our lives. 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:54.680 No, 00:27:54.820 --> 00:27:55.340 we are 00:27:55.340 --> 00:27:55.900 making 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.640 things 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:57.140 ready 00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:58.019 for our 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.500 heavenly 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.120 father 00:27:59.120 --> 00:27:59.460 to 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.080 come 00:28:00.080 --> 00:28:00.980 back 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:02.940 and 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.340 he 00:28:03.340 --> 00:28:04.080 will 00:28:04.080 --> 00:28:05.540 stay 00:28:05.540 --> 00:28:06.560 awake. 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.240 The story 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:09.720 is told 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.019 of an 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.460 air force 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.180 pilot who 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.880 returned 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:13.920 from the 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:14.480 first war 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:14.960 in Iraq. 00:28:15.300 --> 00:28:16.019 He had 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.640 finished his 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:17.360 300th 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:17.759 mission 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.920 and so he 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.540 was immediately 00:28:19.540 --> 00:28:20.500 sit home 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.140 without any 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:21.580 notice. 00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:22.420 He and his 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:22.779 team were 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.200 put on a 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.580 plane. 00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:24.600 They flew 00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:24.960 in that 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.440 plane to 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:25.940 Massachusetts 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.300 and then 00:28:26.300 --> 00:28:26.940 they immediately 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.640 got in a 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:28.300 car and 00:28:28.300 --> 00:28:28.820 drove to 00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:29.160 their home 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.920 places in 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.620 western 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.080 Pennsylvania. 00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:31.539 So they 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.160 drove all 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:32.560 the way 00:28:32.560 --> 00:28:32.920 through the 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:33.240 night to 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:33.660 get home. 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:34.800 His family 00:28:34.800 --> 00:28:35.259 had no 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.980 idea that 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.240 he was 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:36.620 returning. 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:38.120 He gets 00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:38.880 dropped off 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:39.180 in the 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:40.100 driveway of 00:28:40.100 --> 00:28:40.759 his home 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.460 just as 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.039 the sun 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.940 is rising 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.460 and as 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.080 he arrived 00:28:44.080 --> 00:28:44.620 he was 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.259 surprised to 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.980 find a 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.880 banner across 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.500 the garage 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.019 door that 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.240 said, 00:28:48.560 --> 00:28:48.580 welcome 00:28:48.580 --> 00:28:49.300 home 00:28:49.300 --> 00:28:49.800 dad. 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:51.220 And he 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:51.779 was surprised 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.220 because he 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:52.700 told no 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:52.980 one that 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.200 he was 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:53.559 returning. 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.379 He says 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:55.619 this, 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:55.879 when I 00:28:55.879 --> 00:28:56.579 walked into 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.079 the house 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.720 the kids 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.740 about half 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.160 dressed for 00:28:59.160 --> 00:28:59.759 school screamed 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.180 daddy. 00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.180 His daughter 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.759 Susan came 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.200 running down 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:03.639 the hall. 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.079 She looked 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:04.500 terrific, 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:05.200 hair fixed, 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.819 makeup on, 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:06.039 and a 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.980 crisp yellow 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.440 dress. 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:08.940 How did you 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:09.379 know? 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.099 He asked. 00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:11.680 I didn't, 00:29:11.899 --> 00:29:12.339 she answered 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:12.819 through tears 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:13.279 of joy. 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:14.359 Once we 00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:14.920 knew the 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.500 war was 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:15.940 over, 00:29:16.139 --> 00:29:16.759 we knew 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.200 you'd be 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.779 home one 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.160 of these 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:18.619 days. 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:19.419 we knew 00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:19.739 you'd 00:29:19.739 --> 00:29:20.059 try to 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.479 surprise 00:29:20.479 --> 00:29:20.859 us, 00:29:20.959 --> 00:29:21.619 so we 00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.259 were ready 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.819 every day. 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:27.639 Stay awake 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:29.159 for no one 00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:29.779 knows when 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.359 the time 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:31.159 will come. 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.319 Let's pray. 00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:35.979 Our Father in 00:29:35.979 --> 00:29:36.559 heaven, we 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.719 praise you 00:29:37.719 --> 00:29:38.679 and thank you 00:29:38.679 --> 00:29:39.179 that you are 00:29:39.179 --> 00:29:40.319 not a 00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:41.319 cold and 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:41.879 calculating 00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:42.719 administrator 00:29:42.719 --> 00:29:44.219 coming to 00:29:44.219 --> 00:29:45.699 see if we've 00:29:45.699 --> 00:29:46.099 dotted our 00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.459 I's and 00:29:46.459 --> 00:29:46.939 crossed our 00:29:46.939 --> 00:29:47.279 T's. 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:48.220 you're not 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:48.759 an absent 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.359 and arbitrary 00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:49.859 college 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.319 professor, 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:51.460 but you're 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:51.720 the one 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.099 who loves 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:52.399 us and 00:29:52.399 --> 00:29:52.940 cares for 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.180 us. 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.079 You've 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:54.720 made promises 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.220 that you'll 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:56.000 protect us 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.839 and you'll 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.420 provide for 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:57.740 us, and 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.119 most of 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:58.440 all, that 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:58.859 you will 00:29:58.859 --> 00:29:59.839 come back 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.420 to be 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.200 with us. 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:02.460 We ask 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:02.680 that you 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.099 would drive 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:03.680 that reality 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.359 home to 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:04.899 our hearts, 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.200 that we 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.720 would live 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.139 more and 00:30:06.139 --> 00:30:06.480 more in 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:06.879 light of 00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:07.420 your return. 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.119 We ask 00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:08.839 all of 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.299 these things 00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:09.700 in Jesus' 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.099 name. 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:10.779 Amen.