WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.600 Just a second. 00:00:01.700 --> 00:00:05.799 If you want, you can open up your Bibles to Mark chapter 3. 00:00:05.940 --> 00:00:10.120 We're going to be looking at Mark chapter 3, verses 31 to 35. 00:00:10.460 --> 00:00:12.780 It's on page 997 of your pew Bible. 00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:16.899 Let me open up my own Bible. 00:00:21.240 --> 00:00:25.339 While you're opening up your Bible, have you ever noticed certain families have definitive 00:00:25.339 --> 00:00:26.060 characteristics? 00:00:28.219 --> 00:00:28.699 Interests? 00:00:29.219 --> 00:00:29.539 Rhythms? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.799 Like, some families have similar physical characteristics. 00:00:34.119 --> 00:00:36.960 Does anybody know a family with the family unibrow? 00:00:40.380 --> 00:00:44.840 Some families share an interest in politics. 00:00:45.980 --> 00:00:51.760 And so in one family, you can have people on, like, total opposite sides of the spectrum, 00:00:52.019 --> 00:00:54.719 and yet they're all passionate about politics. 00:00:54.920 --> 00:00:57.620 Some families share rhythms together. 00:00:57.619 --> 00:01:04.879 They gather once a month for a meal, or they're regularly getting together to celebrate birthdays 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:05.700 and holidays. 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:12.439 I don't think anybody would argue that families are not important. 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:13.560 They are important. 00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:21.240 Your family, your biological family is where you should be experiencing deep, meaningful love, right? 00:01:22.980 --> 00:01:24.760 Accepted, protected, provided. 00:01:25.420 --> 00:01:26.340 You're trained. 00:01:26.659 --> 00:01:27.700 Sometimes you're corrected. 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:29.120 You're comforted. 00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:34.579 Well, this morning we're going to see Jesus do something radical. 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:43.260 He's going to redefine His family from biological ties to theological ties. 00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:46.940 And we're going to see that in Mark 3, 31 through 35. 00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:59.100 We're going to see a new family gathered around Jesus in His house. 00:01:59.099 --> 00:02:10.759 This morning I want you to behold your king with His family, His new family, His theological family around Him. 00:02:11.180 --> 00:02:12.539 Let me get you up to speed. 00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:20.240 At the beginning of Mark 3, verses 1 through 6, Jesus heals the man with a withered hand on the Sabbath day. 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:26.539 Jesus is going to keep poking the Jewish religious establishment because He is the Lord of the Sabbath, 00:02:26.539 --> 00:02:28.419 and He will do what He wants on the Sabbath. 00:02:29.819 --> 00:02:37.139 And then in Mark 3, 7 through 12, what we start seeing is this massive crowd following Jesus. 00:02:37.459 --> 00:02:39.579 And it starts in verse 8, branching. 00:02:39.699 --> 00:02:45.719 People are coming from Tyre and Sidon, which means now Gentiles are coming to follow Jesus. 00:02:46.259 --> 00:02:47.959 To hear of them, to see what He's doing. 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:53.859 In verses 13 through 21, Jesus appoints His 12 apostles. 00:02:53.860 --> 00:03:00.060 But in verse 21, we see that not everybody is enthusiastic about Jesus. 00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:06.840 His family thinks that He's out of His mind, and they go to collect Him. 00:03:09.440 --> 00:03:14.320 In verses 22 through 36, we have these scribes, the religious professionals, 00:03:14.720 --> 00:03:18.780 but they come from Jerusalem, which is kind of like Washington, D.C., 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:21.520 to send the feds to check out what's going on in your hometown. 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:25.640 And so they send these scribes to see what's going on. 00:03:25.719 --> 00:03:32.900 And these scribes from Jerusalem, they accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the prince of demons, by Satan. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:36.460 And Jesus says, you are blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:41.560 You are attributing to Satan what the Holy Spirit's doing. 00:03:41.640 --> 00:03:42.540 That is terribly wrong. 00:03:42.600 --> 00:03:43.200 It's unforgivable. 00:03:43.199 --> 00:03:48.819 What we do know is that the Holy Spirit gives people new life. 00:03:49.579 --> 00:03:51.159 Causes them to be born again. 00:03:52.759 --> 00:03:56.759 So what happened is that Jesus, in chapter 3, 00:03:57.500 --> 00:03:59.500 Jesus is gathering a following. 00:04:00.039 --> 00:04:03.280 And it's becoming kind of more visible. 00:04:03.839 --> 00:04:05.239 It's taking on leadership. 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:11.719 But in addition to a following, He's also causing a stirring of opposition. 00:04:13.080 --> 00:04:15.460 In fact, some people don't believe who He is. 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:27.360 In Mark 3, 31 through 35, Jesus will need to decide between His theological family and His biological family. 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:31.259 Have you ever been in that position before? 00:04:33.379 --> 00:04:39.560 Where you feel like you need to decide between the unbelieving blood relatives in your family 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:43.639 and then the believing non-relatives of your church? 00:04:43.780 --> 00:04:45.280 Have you ever felt like you've been in that position? 00:04:45.400 --> 00:04:45.819 I have. 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:50.259 Not an easy place to be. 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:57.000 So let me read Mark 3, 31 through 35. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:04.279 And His mother, Jesus' mother, and His brothers, 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:05.740 He had brothers, 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:10.879 came and standing outside, they sent to Him and called Him. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:12.920 They were standing outside and calling for Jesus. 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:15.959 And a crowd was sitting around Him. 00:05:16.620 --> 00:05:17.379 And they said to Him, 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:19.680 Your mother and your brothers are outside seeking you. 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:21.980 And Jesus answered them, 00:05:22.579 --> 00:05:23.980 Who are my mother and my brothers? 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:28.319 And looking about at those who sat around Him, 00:05:28.620 --> 00:05:29.060 He said, 00:05:30.039 --> 00:05:35.519 Here, here are my mother and my brothers. 00:05:36.339 --> 00:05:38.159 For whoever does the will of God, 00:05:38.259 --> 00:05:40.560 he is my brother and sister and mother. 00:05:40.680 --> 00:05:42.819 May God bless the hearing of His word. 00:05:42.819 --> 00:05:48.240 I want you to behold three groups of people in this passage. 00:05:50.719 --> 00:05:52.480 Group number one, verse 31. 00:05:52.980 --> 00:05:54.420 Behold the people standing outside. 00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:56.180 Notice who they are. 00:05:57.459 --> 00:05:58.560 Verse 31, His mother. 00:05:59.560 --> 00:05:59.899 Mary. 00:06:00.860 --> 00:06:06.039 This is the woman that miraculously conceived Jesus in her womb by the Holy Spirit. 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:07.720 Mary gave birth to Him. 00:06:07.760 --> 00:06:08.720 And raised Him. 00:06:08.960 --> 00:06:11.080 She would see Him crucified. 00:06:11.660 --> 00:06:14.240 And she would be one of the first eyewitnesses of His resurrection. 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:15.680 That Mary. 00:06:18.020 --> 00:06:19.520 And His brothers are there too. 00:06:20.640 --> 00:06:21.200 And you might be like, 00:06:21.260 --> 00:06:21.340 What? 00:06:21.400 --> 00:06:22.080 Jesus had brothers? 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:23.080 He had brothers. 00:06:23.820 --> 00:06:24.460 And sisters. 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:26.200 Flip in your Bible in Mark, 00:06:26.259 --> 00:06:27.400 to Mark chapter 6, 00:06:27.700 --> 00:06:28.420 verse 3, 00:06:28.900 --> 00:06:29.439 2 and 3. 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:31.680 Jesus is back in His hometown, Nazareth. 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:34.100 And a prophet is not welcome in His hometown. 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:36.399 And so He's in the synagogue, 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:37.759 preaching on a Sabbath. 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:40.279 And the people who heard Him are astonished. 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:40.740 And they're saying, 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:41.660 What did this... 00:06:41.660 --> 00:06:43.759 Wait, where did this man get these things? 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:45.779 What is the wisdom given to Him? 00:06:45.779 --> 00:06:47.839 How are such mighty works done by His hand? 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:50.220 Is this not the carpenter, 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:52.500 the son of Mary, 00:06:53.500 --> 00:06:55.139 and brother of James, 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:55.639 and Joseph, 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:56.300 and Judas, 00:06:56.459 --> 00:06:56.819 and Simon, 00:06:56.980 --> 00:06:57.480 four brothers, 00:06:57.980 --> 00:06:59.360 and are not His sisters? 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:00.519 Here with us. 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:01.579 At least two sisters. 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:02.100 It's plural. 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:04.319 And they took offense at Him. 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:05.120 Yeah, Jesus. 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:07.639 Jesus had brothers and sisters. 00:07:07.779 --> 00:07:08.339 Now you may be like, 00:07:08.439 --> 00:07:08.779 Whoa! 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:09.980 What does that mean? 00:07:11.379 --> 00:07:13.339 Well, they're half brothers and sisters. 00:07:14.660 --> 00:07:16.659 So Mary gave birth to Jesus. 00:07:18.600 --> 00:07:19.379 And then, 00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:22.220 Mary and Joseph had more children. 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:24.680 And if you were raised in the Catholic faith, 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.500 what this is pushing against 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:28.500 is the perpetual virginity of Mary. 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:29.579 It's not so. 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:32.199 Not according to the Gospel of Mark. 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:35.100 Jesus had brothers and sisters. 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:37.339 Half brothers and sisters. 00:07:37.899 --> 00:07:40.360 Which brings about humanity to Jesus. 00:07:40.519 --> 00:07:40.959 It's kind of like, 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:41.199 Whoa! 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:42.879 Could you imagine being raised in a household 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:43.959 with Jesus as your brother? 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:46.399 Like, trying to get on His nerves 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:47.120 would be impossible. 00:07:49.660 --> 00:07:50.899 But that's not the point. 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:51.740 Here's the point. 00:07:51.740 --> 00:07:55.460 These people standing outside 00:07:55.460 --> 00:07:57.639 of Jesus' house, 00:07:57.780 --> 00:08:00.220 because this is Jesus' house that He's at, 00:08:01.220 --> 00:08:02.920 they're His blood relatives. 00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:05.680 And typically, 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:09.180 your blood relatives are in your house with you. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:12.220 But they're outside. 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:12.620 I mean, 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:14.740 these are the people that He's shared a lot of life with, 00:08:14.780 --> 00:08:15.860 a lot of history with, 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:17.500 but they are outside. 00:08:18.140 --> 00:08:19.520 That's where they are. 00:08:20.400 --> 00:08:21.900 Not inside with Jesus. 00:08:23.200 --> 00:08:23.639 Outside, 00:08:23.840 --> 00:08:24.879 apart from Jesus. 00:08:25.340 --> 00:08:25.800 So who? 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:26.700 Blood relatives. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:27.360 Where? 00:08:27.580 --> 00:08:27.900 Outside. 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:29.960 Notice what they're doing. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:30.639 They're standing. 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:32.559 You might be like, 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:32.779 Okay, 00:08:32.939 --> 00:08:34.199 that's fine. 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:34.899 They're standing. 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:40.120 But what's going on here in this passage 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:40.879 is a contrast. 00:08:42.079 --> 00:08:45.460 And this is going to be contrasted to sitting. 00:08:45.939 --> 00:08:48.519 The opposite of standing is sitting. 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:49.960 And what we're about to see in a minute 00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:53.600 is that sitting is the humble posture of a disciple. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.199 So, 00:08:54.579 --> 00:08:57.539 we have blood relatives on the outside 00:08:57.539 --> 00:08:59.519 standing apart from Jesus. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:01.480 And why are they there? 00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:07.580 Why has His mother and His brothers come? 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:08.320 Well, 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:09.519 would you look up to chapter 3, 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:10.820 verse 20 and 21. 00:09:11.300 --> 00:09:14.060 And Jesus went home to His house in Capernaum. 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:15.540 This is where He healed the paralytic. 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:17.580 And the crowd gathered again 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:19.040 so that they could not even eat. 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:20.720 And when His family heard it, 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:22.780 they went out to seize Him, 00:09:22.780 --> 00:09:23.580 for they were saying, 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:24.700 He's out of His mind. 00:09:25.660 --> 00:09:27.400 His mother and His brothers aren't there 00:09:27.400 --> 00:09:28.420 to follow Him 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:29.579 and to sit at His feet. 00:09:30.659 --> 00:09:33.079 His mother and His brothers are there 00:09:33.079 --> 00:09:35.099 to bring Him home. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:37.219 Hey, Jesus. 00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:39.360 You've gone a little too far. 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:41.939 It's time to come home. 00:09:43.699 --> 00:09:44.819 They're not there 00:09:44.819 --> 00:09:46.159 to do God's will. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:49.719 Now, 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:50.399 you may be thinking, 00:09:50.579 --> 00:09:50.879 whoa, 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:51.819 hold on a second. 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:53.519 Mary's there? 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:55.339 Doing that? 00:09:56.459 --> 00:09:57.819 How do you explain that? 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:00.379 Well, 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:01.120 it would be the same way 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:01.740 I would explain 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:02.419 John the Baptist 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:03.959 sending some of his disciples 00:10:03.959 --> 00:10:04.699 to Jesus 00:10:04.699 --> 00:10:06.120 and asking Jesus, 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:07.360 are you the Christ? 00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:10.319 I think this is a moment 00:10:10.319 --> 00:10:11.299 of wavering 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:12.419 in Mary. 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:14.899 And we can all relate 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:15.419 with that. 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:18.360 So, 00:10:18.579 --> 00:10:18.860 who? 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:20.679 Blood relatives of Jesus. 00:10:21.099 --> 00:10:21.519 Where? 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:22.120 Outside? 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:23.139 What are they doing? 00:10:23.219 --> 00:10:23.759 They're standing. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:24.639 Why are they there? 00:10:24.719 --> 00:10:26.279 They're there to take Jesus away, 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:27.159 not to follow Him. 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:29.860 Does anyone in the room 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:31.939 have non-Christian 00:10:31.939 --> 00:10:33.240 family members 00:10:33.240 --> 00:10:35.379 who think that you 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:37.039 are out of your mind 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:38.599 because you believe 00:10:38.599 --> 00:10:39.699 that Jesus is alive 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:40.660 and you're following Him? 00:10:41.800 --> 00:10:42.540 I do. 00:10:43.680 --> 00:10:44.720 I have relatives 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:45.920 who think I'm really crazy. 00:10:48.160 --> 00:10:49.280 You're in good company. 00:10:51.140 --> 00:10:52.340 Your King 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:54.000 knows exactly 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:55.580 how you feel. 00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:58.740 He knows the heartache. 00:11:00.280 --> 00:11:00.400 So, 00:11:00.520 --> 00:11:01.060 behold the people 00:11:01.060 --> 00:11:01.940 standing outside. 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:04.200 Jesus' 00:11:04.780 --> 00:11:05.900 biological family. 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:06.640 Now, 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:07.820 let's behold the people 00:11:07.820 --> 00:11:10.360 sitting inside. 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:10.980 32. 00:11:11.320 --> 00:11:12.240 And a crowd was sitting 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:12.820 around Him 00:11:12.820 --> 00:11:13.940 and they said, 00:11:14.020 --> 00:11:15.200 your mother and your brothers 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:16.320 are outside seeking you. 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:17.379 So, 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:18.500 here's another group of people 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.420 in this passage 00:11:19.420 --> 00:11:20.720 and it's in contrast 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:21.960 to the people, 00:11:22.520 --> 00:11:23.660 the biological family 00:11:23.660 --> 00:11:24.160 of Jesus. 00:11:24.300 --> 00:11:24.840 Who are they? 00:11:24.920 --> 00:11:25.060 Well, 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:25.720 it's a crowd. 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:26.780 It's unnamed. 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:28.720 It's unnumbered. 00:11:29.420 --> 00:11:31.220 But they're in Jesus' house. 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:32.800 They're inside 00:11:32.800 --> 00:11:33.660 with Jesus. 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:33.860 Jesus. 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:35.980 Now, 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:37.620 I kind of want to know 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:38.439 who these people are. 00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:40.139 But I think 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:41.139 it's safe to say 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:42.379 we do some hypothesizing. 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:45.539 Jesus has just 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:46.939 appointed His 12 apostles. 00:11:47.219 --> 00:11:47.379 So, 00:11:47.439 --> 00:11:48.279 I think it's pretty safe 00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:49.459 to say that the 12 apostles 00:11:49.459 --> 00:11:50.639 are in the house 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:51.219 with Him. 00:11:52.199 --> 00:11:53.259 And if you actually 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:53.919 look back 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:55.600 at Mark chapter 3, 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:57.039 starting in 00:11:57.039 --> 00:11:57.579 verses 00:11:57.579 --> 00:11:59.699 16 through 19, 00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:00.699 you have the naming 00:12:00.699 --> 00:12:02.000 of the 12 apostles. 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:03.399 There are two names. 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:04.179 I just want to draw 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:04.899 your attention to. 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:05.699 First, 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:07.019 is the name 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:07.840 in verse 18, 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:08.360 Matthew. 00:12:09.079 --> 00:12:09.980 Do you know who Matthew was? 00:12:10.100 --> 00:12:10.959 A.K.A. Levi? 00:12:11.459 --> 00:12:12.360 Chapter 2, verse 14, 00:12:12.459 --> 00:12:12.959 Jesus calls him 00:12:12.959 --> 00:12:13.439 to follow Him. 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:14.159 Do you know what He did 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:14.519 for a living? 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:16.899 He was a tax collector. 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:18.220 You might think, 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:19.079 well, that's kind of like IRS. 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:19.899 It's worse. 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:25.199 What He did was this. 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:27.360 Matthew was Jewish 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:29.539 and he was hired 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:31.259 by the Roman occupiers 00:12:31.259 --> 00:12:32.620 to collect a tax 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.919 from His fellow Jews 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:34.919 in order to pay 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:35.500 the Romans. 00:12:36.819 --> 00:12:38.019 And He would make 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:39.620 He would make 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:40.980 a lot of jingle 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:41.659 off that. 00:12:42.939 --> 00:12:43.319 And so, 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:44.039 He would have been 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:44.439 perceived 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:46.419 by His fellow Jews 00:12:46.419 --> 00:12:47.240 as a traitor. 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:49.439 Here's what makes 00:12:49.439 --> 00:12:50.000 this interesting. 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:52.419 It's the last name 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:53.580 in verse 18. 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:54.639 Simon the Zealot. 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:56.519 Do you know 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:57.700 what Zealots did? 00:12:57.700 --> 00:13:02.040 Zealots passionately 00:13:02.040 --> 00:13:04.879 hated the Roman occupiers. 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:06.340 So do you know 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.020 what this means? 00:13:07.660 --> 00:13:09.420 In Jesus' 12 apostles, 00:13:09.820 --> 00:13:10.800 we have a guy 00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:11.300 that's seen 00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:12.400 as a Jewish traitor 00:13:12.400 --> 00:13:13.620 and we have a guy 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:15.580 who hated Roman occupiers. 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.580 How about that? 00:13:16.640 --> 00:13:17.060 Having dinner 00:13:17.060 --> 00:13:18.100 with those guys together. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:22.060 Two ends 00:13:22.060 --> 00:13:23.040 of the political spectrum. 00:13:24.800 --> 00:13:26.120 This was a diverse crowd. 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:28.500 Who else? 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:29.320 I'm guessing 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:29.860 there were women, 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:30.660 Mary Magdalene, 00:13:30.780 --> 00:13:31.140 Salome, 00:13:31.640 --> 00:13:32.300 maybe people from 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:33.100 Tyre and Sidon, 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:34.160 some Gentiles there. 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:35.560 We had country folk there. 00:13:35.680 --> 00:13:36.700 We had city folk there. 00:13:37.560 --> 00:13:38.420 It's a diverse crowd. 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.860 I think this is 00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:43.940 the sample congregation 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:45.900 of Daniel chapter 7 00:13:45.900 --> 00:13:47.140 verses 13 and 14 00:13:47.140 --> 00:13:48.640 where the Ancient of Days 00:13:48.640 --> 00:13:49.800 gives the Son of Man 00:13:49.800 --> 00:13:51.560 an everlasting 00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:53.120 and indestructible kingdom 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:53.800 of people 00:13:53.800 --> 00:13:54.820 from every nation, 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:56.520 every tongue. 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.879 I think this is 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:58.699 a sample of that. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.899 It's an unusual 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:02.259 assembly of people 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.480 and you can believe it. 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:04.279 They had a variety 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:05.159 of different backgrounds 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:06.159 and you can bet 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:07.659 a variety of different baggage. 00:14:10.460 --> 00:14:10.860 Did you notice 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:11.439 where they are? 00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:12.980 Not outside 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.779 apart from Jesus. 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:14.819 They are inside 00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:15.500 with Jesus. 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:16.220 At one point 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:16.840 they would have been 00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:17.699 outside from Jesus 00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:18.399 but now they're 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:19.659 inside with Jesus. 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.019 Did you notice 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:21.679 what they're doing? 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:22.720 They're sitting. 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:25.000 They're sitting 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:26.040 around Jesus. 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:29.139 They are interacting 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:29.820 with Jesus. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:30.660 Hey Jesus, 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.440 do you know your mom 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:32.480 and your brothers 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:32.920 are outside? 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.580 There's relationship 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:36.100 there. 00:14:36.700 --> 00:14:38.139 There's this contrast 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:39.779 between the outside people 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:41.100 and the inside people. 00:14:42.540 --> 00:14:43.759 Why are they there? 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:47.019 Why is this crowd 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:48.620 sitting at Jesus' feet? 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:49.700 It's the same reason 00:14:49.700 --> 00:14:52.200 Mary in Luke 10.37 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:54.139 sat at Jesus' feet. 00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.939 She chose the better way. 00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.620 She was learning 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:00.980 from Jesus. 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:01.819 I mean, 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.919 he was the greatest 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.700 teacher, 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.039 rabbi ever. 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:09.219 So they're sitting 00:15:09.219 --> 00:15:10.439 at his feet 00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:11.139 which is this 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:12.539 humble posture 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:13.500 of a disciple, 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.199 a learner. 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.399 He's the rabbi. 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.480 They're the learners. 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.240 They're saying 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.259 give us more. 00:15:18.459 --> 00:15:19.279 Teach us. 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:22.259 So behold the crowd. 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:25.000 Unrelated to Jesus 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.959 but inside his house 00:15:26.959 --> 00:15:28.439 sitting around him 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:30.079 and at his feet 00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:31.199 learning from him. 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.299 So do you all 00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:33.079 see the contrast? 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:34.639 Verse 31, 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:36.279 Jesus' blood family 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.000 outside. 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:38.240 Verse 32, 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:39.539 this crowd 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:40.759 sitting inside 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.319 at his feet. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:45.279 Who will Jesus choose? 00:15:47.319 --> 00:15:48.399 His family's there, 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.199 biological families. 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:49.740 Hey, Jesus, 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.559 come with us. 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.019 Who's he going to choose? 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.899 The third group of people 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:57.799 I want you to see, 00:15:58.799 --> 00:15:59.039 well, 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:00.580 it's not a group. 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:02.939 It's your king. 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:05.320 Behold your king. 00:16:06.880 --> 00:16:08.660 In verses 30 through 35, 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.340 who will he decide 00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:13.480 between his biological family 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.580 or this crowd 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:16.120 sitting around him? 00:16:18.520 --> 00:16:19.480 Let's not forget 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:20.160 who this is. 00:16:23.280 --> 00:16:24.340 In chapter 1, 00:16:24.400 --> 00:16:25.060 we learn that 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:26.900 Jesus is the son of God. 00:16:28.020 --> 00:16:29.000 That God the Father 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:30.580 himself said so. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.840 Remember at the baptism 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:32.340 of Jesus, 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.019 the heavens open up, 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:35.060 the spirit descends, 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.560 and then there's this voice. 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:38.180 This is my beloved son 00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:39.080 with whom I'm well pleased. 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.080 That's God the Father, 00:16:40.180 --> 00:16:40.899 the ancient of days, 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.160 saying of Jesus, 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.879 you're my son 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:45.740 and I delight in you. 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:48.120 What that means 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:48.940 is that Jesus, 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.220 the son of God, 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:51.940 is totally God 00:16:51.940 --> 00:16:53.000 and totally man. 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:56.080 That's who is 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:59.220 in the house here. 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:01.060 but it's not just 00:17:01.060 --> 00:17:01.820 the son of God. 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:02.440 Chapter 2, 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.320 we learn that he's 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:04.440 the son of man. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.640 A king 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:07.539 with whom the ancient of days, 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:08.500 God the Father, 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.839 would give an eternal 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:11.740 and indestructible kingdom 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:14.279 made up of peoples 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.900 and nations 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.539 and languages. 00:17:16.600 --> 00:17:18.279 A diverse crowd, 00:17:18.600 --> 00:17:19.120 if you will. 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:22.959 It's this Jesus, 00:17:23.459 --> 00:17:24.139 the son of God 00:17:24.139 --> 00:17:24.979 and the son of man 00:17:24.979 --> 00:17:26.419 who has been put 00:17:26.419 --> 00:17:27.239 into a position 00:17:27.239 --> 00:17:28.339 of having to decide 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:30.079 between those outside 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:31.599 and those inside. 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.719 And so what do you think 00:17:32.719 --> 00:17:33.339 he's going to do? 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.759 He's going to teach. 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:39.919 Jesus, remember, 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:40.799 is a rabbi. 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:42.439 He's a teacher. 00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:43.919 And he sees 00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:45.299 the teaching moment 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:47.019 and takes it. 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.639 And so what we're 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.539 about to see him do 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:51.400 is classic rabbinical 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.740 teaching technique. 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:53.960 He's going to ask 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.519 a question 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.519 then answer it. 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:57.960 So the question 00:17:57.960 --> 00:18:00.559 is in verse 33. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.500 Remember what's happened. 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.019 His blood, 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:04.119 his biological family 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:04.720 is outside. 00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:05.859 Hey, where's Jesus? 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:08.339 His crowd on the inside 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:08.859 and around him 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:09.059 saying, 00:18:09.139 --> 00:18:09.660 Jesus, hey, 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.339 your mother 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:10.839 and your brothers, 00:18:11.139 --> 00:18:12.240 they're outside. 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.299 They want you to come. 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.379 And then to which 00:18:14.379 --> 00:18:15.099 Jesus says, 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:17.879 to the people inside, 00:18:18.719 --> 00:18:20.279 who are my mother 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:20.879 and my brothers? 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:25.439 Now, if you were there, 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.719 you would know, 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.879 you would know instinctively 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:31.959 that Jesus is getting 00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:33.099 at something bigger 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:33.939 than genetics. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.599 You would know that. 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:39.459 What Jesus is doing 00:18:39.459 --> 00:18:40.519 is challenging 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:42.319 the common idea 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.559 about family. 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:45.119 The common idea 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:46.059 of being bound 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:47.519 by biological blood 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.259 and birth. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:50.200 He's challenging that. 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.919 Anybody hear the expression 00:18:52.919 --> 00:18:54.019 blood is thicker than water? 00:18:54.679 --> 00:18:56.019 That means family first. 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:00.579 We put an emphasis 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:02.379 on who our birth parents are. 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.779 And what Jesus is doing 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.460 is he's raising 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.200 the possibility 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:06.659 of a different kind of family 00:19:06.659 --> 00:19:09.000 with different kinds of bonds 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:11.660 that prioritize it 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:13.079 over a biological family. 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:14.400 That's what Jesus is doing. 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:20.180 So there's the question. 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:22.059 Who are my mothers 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:22.640 and my brothers? 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.759 And then in verse 34 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.299 and 35, 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.140 he gives an answer. 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:27.640 But I think that there's 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:29.160 this like dramatic moment. 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:31.019 In verse 34. 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:33.259 So he asks the question, 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.500 who are my mother 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.059 and my brothers? 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.420 And he says, 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.500 and looking about 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.720 at those who sat around him, 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.359 this is what I think 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.059 he's doing right there. 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:42.180 I think he's making eye contact 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.500 with everyone 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.980 in the house. 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:48.660 Who are my mother 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:49.200 and my brothers? 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:50.619 Pause. 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.740 Looking into the eyes 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.799 of everybody around him. 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.380 And then he says, 00:19:57.960 --> 00:20:00.079 with hand motions, 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.500 here, 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:04.299 here are my mother, 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:04.880 my brothers, 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:06.880 while making eye contact 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:08.380 with everyone in the house. 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.660 Here is my family. 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:13.140 Here are my people. 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:23.800 What he's doing here is, 00:20:24.800 --> 00:20:25.700 he's saying, 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:28.200 we're united by a different blood, 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.800 a different birth, 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:34.500 for a different purpose. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:35.879 The different blood, 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.319 of course, 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:38.759 is not biological. 00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:40.359 It's the blood of Jesus. 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:42.240 A different birth, 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:42.720 of course, 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:45.779 is the birth of the Spirit of God. 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.720 Born again. 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:49.779 And the purpose is, 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.779 verse 35, 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:54.579 for whoever does the will of God, 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.680 he is my brother 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.859 and sister and mother. 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:59.959 He's just redefined 00:20:59.959 --> 00:21:01.439 who his family is. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:02.819 Radical. 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:06.000 Not those folks outside. 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:07.500 Not the lady that gave me birth. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.279 Not my brothers. 00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:10.599 Y'all. 00:21:13.179 --> 00:21:13.979 Blood-bought. 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.819 Spirit-born. 00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:19.619 Doers of God the Father's will. 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.599 You're my family. 00:21:23.139 --> 00:21:25.599 The definitive family trait 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.919 of the family of God. 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:30.959 Is to do our Father's will. 00:21:31.719 --> 00:21:33.399 To do the will of God. 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:35.000 That's the definitive trait 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.819 of who we are. 00:21:36.719 --> 00:21:37.699 We're blood-bought. 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:38.619 Born of the Spirit. 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:41.599 And our aim is to do the will 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.919 of God our Father. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.879 Jesus is saying, 00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:46.639 those in my family, 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.579 obey my Father. 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:52.639 Because Jesus' Father 00:21:52.639 --> 00:21:55.059 is our Father. 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:59.720 Behold your King. 00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:01.599 He has just spoken 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.919 a definitive word 00:22:02.919 --> 00:22:04.200 on what characterizes 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.440 his family. 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:08.240 Obedience to the will 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.379 of the Father. 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.579 Now, I started this sermon 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.339 by talking about 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:12.200 different families 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.319 sharing different 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:15.200 kind of characteristics. 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:15.500 You know, 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.179 the unibrow 00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:19.159 and politics. 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:21.720 Some families 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.720 are foodie families. 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.540 Other families 00:22:23.540 --> 00:22:24.700 are musician families. 00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:26.080 Some families 00:22:26.080 --> 00:22:27.000 are packer families. 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:27.480 Some families 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.540 are bear families. 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.940 According to Jesus, 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:31.940 the definitive, 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:34.040 non-negotiable 00:22:34.040 --> 00:22:34.740 characteristic 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.980 of His family 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:38.240 is doing the will 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.480 of our Heavenly Father. 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:41.080 Does this sound familiar? 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:43.440 Our Father who art in Heaven. 00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:45.460 Hallowed be your name. 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:48.079 Your kingdom come. 00:22:49.860 --> 00:22:51.019 Your will be done. 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.240 On earth, 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.360 in our lives, 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.259 as it is in Heaven. 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:56.559 You see, 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:58.600 Jesus has already 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.460 decided 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:01.460 who His people are. 00:23:03.840 --> 00:23:05.180 Not those outside, 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.279 standing. 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:08.360 Those inside, 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.539 sitting around Him. 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:11.579 Now, could you imagine 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:13.439 if you were there 00:23:13.439 --> 00:23:15.179 and you heard 00:23:15.179 --> 00:23:16.119 Jesus say this 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:17.599 and He made eye contact 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:18.139 with you? 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:20.039 You heard Him say that? 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.419 Here are my mother 00:23:22.419 --> 00:23:22.919 and my brothers 00:23:22.919 --> 00:23:24.099 and He's looking at you. 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:28.199 That's exactly the point. 00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:31.079 You mean, 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.740 you're more committed to me 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.599 than your own mom 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:34.799 and brothers? 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:36.220 That's exactly the point. 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:39.779 This is the new family of God. 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:43.220 So this morning, Christian, 00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:46.059 as a blood-bought, 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.480 spirit-born, 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:49.339 doer of God's Word, 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.039 you need to hear 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.519 what Jesus is saying to you. 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.440 Here are my mother 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.639 and my brothers 00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:58.899 and my sisters. 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:00.859 You all. 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.079 By His grace, 00:24:04.379 --> 00:24:05.019 you are part 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:06.579 of His kingdom. 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:08.000 You are part 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:09.919 of His family. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.659 You're beloved. 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.419 You're a member. 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:15.579 You have a new father. 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:16.839 God the Father 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:18.339 who loves you dearly. 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.740 And you have a new family, 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:20.939 the church. 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:24.259 So now let's bring this to bear. 00:24:25.939 --> 00:24:28.359 Just as our King 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:30.539 prioritized 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:32.480 His new family 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:34.519 over His old family, 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:38.279 so must we. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:42.019 We must prioritize 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:44.059 our church, 00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:48.259 our new family in Christ, 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.200 blood-bought, 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:50.099 spirit-born, 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:52.379 doers of the Father's will. 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:56.119 Just as He prioritized us, 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:58.879 we prioritize us. 00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:04.980 We have 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:07.080 been united 00:25:07.080 --> 00:25:08.520 by His blood. 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.260 We've been united 00:25:09.260 --> 00:25:10.740 by the Spirit's birth. 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:11.500 We've been united 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.500 now in a purpose 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.720 to do the will 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.960 of God our Father. 00:25:15.080 --> 00:25:15.680 So the question 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.600 now becomes, right, 00:25:18.020 --> 00:25:19.540 what does that look like? 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.120 How do you go about 00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:23.820 prioritizing 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:25.320 the new family of God? 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:28.759 Let me try to apply this 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.659 in a couple different ways. 00:25:29.899 --> 00:25:31.339 The first way 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:34.139 is to think differently 00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:35.339 about one another. 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:38.339 The classic thing 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.139 that we do 00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:40.619 is when we see each other, 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:42.619 we focus on our 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:44.059 external appearance. 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.839 We need to think 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:47.480 biblically about one another. 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:49.500 We need to see each other 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.839 fully for who we are 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:51.819 in light of God's Word. 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:54.339 Now let me ask you a question. 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.539 Do you think Jesus, 00:25:57.179 --> 00:25:58.000 do you think He thought 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:59.139 less of His mother 00:25:59.139 --> 00:25:59.980 and His brothers 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:01.500 standing outside? 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.959 I don't think so. 00:26:08.699 --> 00:26:09.480 He just knew 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.059 they weren't inside. 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:13.819 I don't think He thought 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.859 less of them, 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.019 but He definitely 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.799 thought differently 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.939 of those inside 00:26:17.939 --> 00:26:18.779 sitting around Him. 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.619 So this morning, 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:21.000 I want you to hear this. 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:23.339 I'm not calling you 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:24.379 based on God's Word. 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.159 I'm not calling you 00:26:25.159 --> 00:26:25.859 to think less 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:27.339 of your non-Christian parents, 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.699 to think less 00:26:28.699 --> 00:26:30.059 of your non-Christian siblings, 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:31.039 to think less 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:33.179 of your non-Christian children. 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:36.379 That's not how we apply this. 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:39.379 To be honest with you, 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.359 if you have 00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:41.720 non-Christian parents, 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:44.259 there's heartache there. 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:47.539 If you have 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.619 non-Christian siblings, 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:50.799 there's heartache there. 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:52.000 If you have 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.220 non-Christian children, 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.400 there's heartache there. 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:59.420 You spend a lot of time 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.420 praying for your 00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.379 non-Christian children. 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.440 It's one of the biggest 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.440 burdens you carry. 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:09.180 So we're not to think 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:11.079 less of the non-Christians 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.819 of our lives, 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:13.140 or love them less. 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:14.200 That's not the application 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.780 of this. 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:17.200 What we do need to do 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.060 is prioritize 00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:19.660 the family of faith more. 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:20.960 That's the application. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.040 And it begins 00:27:23.040 --> 00:27:24.640 with thinking differently 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:25.680 about one another. 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:26.880 And I've already 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.840 given you some categories 00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:28.400 to be thinking 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:29.040 about each other. 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:30.180 Just imagine this. 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.060 Let's say you walk 00:27:31.060 --> 00:27:31.940 into the sanctuary 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:33.520 and you bump into 00:27:33.520 --> 00:27:34.620 a brother in the Lord 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:36.200 and three things 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:37.100 come through your head. 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.620 Oh, blood-bought, 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.759 spirit-born, 00:27:40.320 --> 00:27:41.400 doer of the will of God. 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.380 Whoa, hey! 00:27:44.580 --> 00:27:45.440 That'd be cool. 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:49.180 You bump into a sister 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.960 at festival. 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:52.019 The categories that 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:52.759 come through your mind 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:54.160 is, man, she is my 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:55.240 blood-bought sister, 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:57.140 spirit-born sister, 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:59.120 and she too is doing 00:27:59.120 --> 00:28:00.280 the will of our Father. 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.320 You know what's 00:28:02.320 --> 00:28:02.759 going to happen? 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:06.440 We will esteem 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:07.480 each other more highly. 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:10.480 We will consider 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.779 others better 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.519 than ourselves. 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.460 We will hold 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:14.900 each other 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:15.960 in higher regard 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.519 because we're 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.500 seeing each other 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:19.720 as God sees 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:21.539 one another. 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:22.980 We share 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.180 the greatest thing 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:25.359 in common. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:27.119 Any image 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:27.940 bearer 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.500 can. 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.400 We have been 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:31.480 united by the 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.500 triune God 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:32.960 and brought 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:34.039 into His family. 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.180 Blood-bought, 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.140 spirit-born, 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.200 doers of the will 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:37.819 of our Father. 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.299 So the first 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.920 application is 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:43.420 let's not 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.500 focus on 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.319 externals 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.019 as much 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.960 as remembering 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:49.120 who our 00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:49.579 brothers and 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.059 sisters are 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.480 in Christ. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.319 Another way 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.120 to prioritize 00:28:54.120 --> 00:28:55.200 one anothering 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:58.259 the family 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.740 of God, 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:58.779 God, 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.960 well, 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:02.720 the picture 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:03.339 is right here 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:04.200 in the passage. 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:09.259 We gather 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:09.620 together. 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.140 We come 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:12.480 together. 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:14.259 We see it 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.599 right there 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.299 in verse 32. 00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:17.140 And a crowd 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:17.559 was sitting 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.120 around Him. 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.200 A diverse 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:19.579 crowd 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:21.660 united together 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.440 around Jesus. 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:24.400 Every Sunday 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:25.759 at 10 a.m., 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.480 we're living 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:28.339 out Mark 3.32. 00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:30.120 A crowd 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:31.360 gathered around 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:31.759 Jesus. 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:33.360 That's this. 00:29:33.620 --> 00:29:34.420 That's who we are. 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.039 That's what we're 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.420 doing. 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.880 It's happening 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:40.680 almost 2,000 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.259 years later 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.860 when this was 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.160 written. 00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:43.880 In a very 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:44.680 different place. 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.180 But it's 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:46.539 happening. 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.519 A crowd 00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:51.200 of diverse 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.819 people 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.279 gathered 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:52.720 together 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.519 around Jesus. 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:54.880 Brothers and 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.120 sisters, 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:56.059 we gather 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.699 together 00:29:56.699 --> 00:29:57.579 on a Sunday 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.000 morning 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:59.000 because of 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.259 Jesus. 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.000 Because of 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.439 His blood. 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.219 Because we've 00:30:02.219 --> 00:30:02.659 been born of 00:30:02.659 --> 00:30:03.059 the Spirit 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.539 to do 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.099 God's will. 00:30:04.639 --> 00:30:05.679 We gather 00:30:05.679 --> 00:30:06.719 to behold 00:30:06.719 --> 00:30:07.299 Jesus. 00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.419 We gather 00:30:08.419 --> 00:30:09.039 in order 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.899 to live 00:30:09.899 --> 00:30:10.919 for Jesus. 00:30:11.199 --> 00:30:11.659 The reason 00:30:11.659 --> 00:30:12.179 for our 00:30:12.179 --> 00:30:12.579 gathering 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:13.339 is Jesus. 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:13.819 Together 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.639 following Jesus. 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.379 That's who we are. 00:30:15.459 --> 00:30:16.199 That's what we do. 00:30:17.899 --> 00:30:18.779 And in 3.32, 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:19.679 we see God's 00:30:19.679 --> 00:30:20.259 new family 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.219 gather together 00:30:21.219 --> 00:30:22.159 around Jesus 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:22.500 too. 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:25.279 That becomes 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:26.059 something that 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:26.640 we can now 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.279 say, okay, 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.119 that's what God 00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:28.960 wants for us. 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.539 This is His 00:30:30.539 --> 00:30:31.440 will for us. 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:34.319 Good things 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:36.059 happen when 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:36.599 God's family 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:37.160 gets together. 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:39.099 God things 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:40.500 happen when 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.079 God's family 00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:41.700 gets together. 00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:43.099 So, 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.519 here's how I 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:44.880 want you to 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.240 think about 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:45.559 our Sunday 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:45.799 morning 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:46.240 gatherings. 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:49.200 Think of 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:49.819 them as 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.559 a family 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.120 reunion 00:30:51.120 --> 00:30:52.620 once a 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:52.859 week. 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.059 Sunday 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:54.680 at 10 a.m. 00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.259 A family 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.839 reunion of 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.299 brothers and 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:57.720 sisters in 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.339 Christ coming 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:59.759 together around 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.960 Jesus to hear 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:01.700 Him speak, 00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:02.599 to worship 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:03.640 Him, to sit 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:04.380 at His feet, 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.440 to wait for 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.980 what comes 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.620 next. 00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:09.460 You know 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:09.640 what the 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.620 question becomes? 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.700 The question 00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:14.400 becomes this. 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.900 how many 00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:18.680 Sundays is 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:19.519 enough? 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:21.960 How many 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.700 Sundays is 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:24.240 enough to 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.859 gather together? 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:27.019 I mean, is 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:28.700 one Sunday a 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:29.279 month enough? 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:30.720 Is two 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:32.299 Sundays enough 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.160 for us to 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:33.460 gather? 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:35.000 Would that be 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.740 God's will for 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.099 us? 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.000 I think the 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.539 real question 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:40.039 is this. 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.120 How important 00:31:41.120 --> 00:31:42.440 is it for 00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:43.460 God's family 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.039 to gather? 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:44.819 That's the 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.200 question. 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.160 And what we 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:46.600 see throughout 00:31:46.600 --> 00:31:47.019 the Bible 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:47.640 is it's 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:48.240 extremely 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.820 important. 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.100 This is 00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:50.920 gathering around 00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:51.940 our King, 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:52.920 our Lord, 00:31:53.360 --> 00:31:53.800 together. 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.440 Let me try 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:56.759 to spell 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.100 this out 00:31:57.100 --> 00:31:57.400 for you. 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.220 I actually 00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.759 did this 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.279 at a wedding 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:00.800 recently 00:32:00.800 --> 00:32:02.980 and thought, 00:32:03.120 --> 00:32:03.519 man, I want 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.019 to do that 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.540 on a Sunday 00:32:04.540 --> 00:32:04.900 morning. 00:32:08.840 --> 00:32:09.740 If you meet 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.500 once a month, 00:32:10.800 --> 00:32:11.340 gather with 00:32:11.340 --> 00:32:12.120 God's family 00:32:12.120 --> 00:32:12.740 once a month, 00:32:12.800 --> 00:32:13.580 if you prioritize 00:32:13.580 --> 00:32:14.700 it at once a 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:14.920 month, 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.539 do you know 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:15.800 how many 00:32:15.800 --> 00:32:16.320 times a year 00:32:16.320 --> 00:32:16.640 you gather 00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:17.100 with God's 00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:17.320 people? 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.320 Twelve. 00:32:19.840 --> 00:32:20.460 Do you know 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:20.980 how many times 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.300 you gather 00:32:21.300 --> 00:32:21.740 with God's 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.360 people over 00:32:22.360 --> 00:32:23.060 50 years? 00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:24.620 600. 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.240 Now that 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.920 might sound 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.500 like a lot, 00:32:28.340 --> 00:32:28.759 but over 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:29.519 50 years, 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:30.400 there's a lot 00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:31.180 more things 00:32:31.180 --> 00:32:31.580 that are going 00:32:31.580 --> 00:32:32.180 to be formative 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:32.779 in your life 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:33.140 than the 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:33.740 gathering with 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.200 your church. 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.279 How about 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:36.840 two times a 00:32:36.840 --> 00:32:36.980 month? 00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:38.220 24 times a 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:38.380 year? 00:32:38.900 --> 00:32:39.620 Over 50 00:32:39.620 --> 00:32:40.039 years, 00:32:40.320 --> 00:32:41.300 that's 1,200 00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:43.099 gatherings over 00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:43.799 that span. 00:32:44.419 --> 00:32:45.159 Better than 00:32:45.159 --> 00:32:45.579 600. 00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:48.079 But how 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:49.279 about if 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.619 you're aiming 00:32:49.619 --> 00:32:50.519 at every 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:50.960 Sunday? 00:32:51.339 --> 00:32:51.639 Let's just 00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:52.740 say 50 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:54.419 Sundays a 00:32:54.419 --> 00:32:54.700 year. 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.539 Over 50 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:56.799 years, 00:32:56.899 --> 00:32:57.759 that's 2,500 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.759 gatherings with 00:32:58.759 --> 00:32:59.759 your family 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.180 of faith. 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:03.839 Now let me 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.440 ask you this 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:04.859 question. 00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:06.779 what will 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.159 be more 00:33:07.159 --> 00:33:07.719 formative? 00:33:09.159 --> 00:33:09.839 What will 00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:10.199 be more 00:33:10.199 --> 00:33:10.599 spiritual 00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:11.299 healthy for 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:11.699 you, 00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:13.939 for your 00:33:13.939 --> 00:33:15.099 biological 00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:15.719 family, 00:33:16.139 --> 00:33:16.859 and for 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.079 your 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:17.719 theologically 00:33:17.719 --> 00:33:18.159 family? 00:33:18.479 --> 00:33:19.139 What would 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:19.719 be healthier 00:33:19.719 --> 00:33:20.959 over that 00:33:20.959 --> 00:33:21.339 span? 00:33:23.179 --> 00:33:24.099 Of course, 00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:25.559 the more 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:26.119 frequent the 00:33:26.119 --> 00:33:26.359 better. 00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:28.319 Good things 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:28.559 happen. 00:33:28.719 --> 00:33:29.240 God things 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:29.859 happen when 00:33:29.859 --> 00:33:30.439 God's people 00:33:30.439 --> 00:33:31.079 get together. 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:32.299 So here's 00:33:32.299 --> 00:33:32.539 what I'm 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:32.679 going to 00:33:32.679 --> 00:33:33.240 urge you. 00:33:34.859 --> 00:33:35.379 Don't 00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:37.259 settle for 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:37.679 minimal. 00:33:39.219 --> 00:33:40.659 Aim at 00:33:40.659 --> 00:33:41.159 maximum. 00:33:43.139 --> 00:33:44.019 Let's aim 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:45.500 high, not 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.679 settle for 00:33:46.679 --> 00:33:47.119 low. 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.759 Let's seek 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.339 to gather 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:50.259 together because 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:51.359 we have been 00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:52.119 united by the 00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:52.759 greatest thing 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:54.119 possible, the 00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:54.779 triune God. 00:33:54.939 --> 00:33:55.659 We're blood 00:33:55.659 --> 00:33:56.879 bought, spirit 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:57.759 born, seeking 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.279 to do God's 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:58.819 will together. 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:01.539 Let's aim for 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:02.359 every Sunday 00:34:02.359 --> 00:34:03.699 because we're 00:34:03.699 --> 00:34:04.299 a family. 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:06.599 want to be 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:06.919 together. 00:34:07.179 --> 00:34:07.659 There's a 00:34:07.659 --> 00:34:08.579 classic mistake 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.139 that Christians 00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:09.519 make. 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.679 It's thinking 00:34:10.679 --> 00:34:11.299 that church is 00:34:11.299 --> 00:34:11.759 for me. 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.299 I go to 00:34:13.299 --> 00:34:13.719 church for 00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.000 me. 00:34:14.759 --> 00:34:15.400 And yes, 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.119 in one level 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.579 you do. 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.359 But do you 00:34:17.359 --> 00:34:18.019 also know that 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:18.559 you go to 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:19.039 church for 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.659 your family? 00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:21.400 For us? 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:24.019 Here's some 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:24.500 obstacles. 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:27.219 Children's 00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:27.739 sports have 00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:28.139 encroached 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:28.739 upon Sunday 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:29.039 morning. 00:34:29.139 --> 00:34:29.480 We all 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:29.880 know it. 00:34:30.719 --> 00:34:31.139 Parents, 00:34:31.259 --> 00:34:31.599 it's an 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:32.960 opportunity to 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:33.460 train your 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:33.940 kids. 00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.480 To help 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:36.300 them understand 00:34:36.300 --> 00:34:37.500 priorities and 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.599 important things. 00:34:39.140 --> 00:34:39.620 What's more 00:34:39.620 --> 00:34:40.260 important? 00:34:41.220 --> 00:34:41.720 Getting to 00:34:41.720 --> 00:34:42.640 your kids 00:34:42.640 --> 00:34:43.539 games or 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:44.039 getting to 00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:44.340 church? 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:44.820 What will 00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:45.539 form them 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.320 over time? 00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:47.079 It's not 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:48.559 if you're 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.120 forming your 00:34:49.120 --> 00:34:50.280 kids, it's 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:51.200 how you're 00:34:51.200 --> 00:34:51.680 forming your 00:34:51.680 --> 00:34:51.960 kids. 00:34:53.240 --> 00:34:53.900 Maybe you 00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.360 have a work 00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:54.840 issue. 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.860 You can't 00:34:56.860 --> 00:34:57.800 get to our 00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:58.320 Sunday morning 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:59.220 gathering regularly 00:34:59.220 --> 00:35:00.000 because of a 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:00.700 work commitment. 00:35:01.140 --> 00:35:01.840 Well, maybe you 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:02.539 need to ask your 00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:03.420 manager, hey, can I 00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:04.200 take Sundays 00:35:04.200 --> 00:35:04.820 off so I can 00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:05.220 be at church 00:35:05.220 --> 00:35:05.500 with my 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:06.480 family of 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:06.740 faith? 00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:09.039 And if it's 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:09.780 like, no, maybe 00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:10.139 you should be 00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:11.340 saying, maybe I 00:35:11.340 --> 00:35:11.740 should be looking 00:35:11.740 --> 00:35:12.099 for another 00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:12.420 job. 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:13.240 It's that 00:35:13.240 --> 00:35:13.680 important. 00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:17.639 Maybe you're 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.039 kind of like, 00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:18.860 well, I'll 00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:19.260 tell you what, 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.860 I've got a 00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:21.400 house full of 00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:22.400 kids and trying 00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:22.940 to get them in 00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:24.000 the minivan and 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:24.579 they get to the 00:35:24.579 --> 00:35:25.519 church building and 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.119 then get them 00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:27.440 into places and 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:27.900 then they get 00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.300 off their 00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:29.280 schedule, they 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:29.800 miss their 00:35:29.800 --> 00:35:31.039 naps, it is 00:35:31.039 --> 00:35:32.639 so inconvenient. 00:35:34.239 --> 00:35:35.179 It is. 00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:37.099 The question 00:35:37.099 --> 00:35:37.480 is, is it 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:39.079 worth it to 00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:40.079 gather together 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:40.759 as a family 00:35:40.759 --> 00:35:41.139 of faith? 00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:42.400 Yes, it is. 00:35:43.279 --> 00:35:44.199 And form them 00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:44.900 over time. 00:35:45.219 --> 00:35:45.880 How about just 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:46.440 a classic 00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:47.300 selfishness? 00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:48.800 Sunday morning 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.420 is me time. 00:35:50.679 --> 00:35:51.179 It's my 00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:51.800 opportunity to 00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:52.219 sleep in. 00:35:52.259 --> 00:35:52.699 I only get 00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:53.599 one morning a 00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:54.279 week to sleep 00:35:54.279 --> 00:35:54.519 in. 00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:55.059 Sunday morning 00:35:55.059 --> 00:35:55.320 is it. 00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:58.460 It's the one 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:58.920 time I can 00:35:58.920 --> 00:35:59.800 catch up on 00:35:59.800 --> 00:36:00.279 doing some 00:36:00.280 --> 00:36:00.800 things around 00:36:00.800 --> 00:36:01.140 the house. 00:36:03.300 --> 00:36:04.040 How about you 00:36:04.040 --> 00:36:05.680 move me time 00:36:05.680 --> 00:36:07.580 to we time? 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:10.080 We the 00:36:10.080 --> 00:36:10.519 church. 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:13.300 Your family's 00:36:13.300 --> 00:36:13.580 gathering. 00:36:13.700 --> 00:36:14.200 Come gather 00:36:14.200 --> 00:36:14.800 with us. 00:36:16.080 --> 00:36:16.760 If you would 00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:17.260 open up your 00:36:17.260 --> 00:36:18.100 Bible to 00:36:18.100 --> 00:36:19.240 Hebrews chapter 00:36:19.240 --> 00:36:21.300 10 verse 24 00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:21.980 and 25. 00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:22.700 It's on page 00:36:22.700 --> 00:36:23.740 1194 of your 00:36:23.740 --> 00:36:24.280 pew Bible. 00:36:27.960 --> 00:36:28.660 We read 00:36:28.660 --> 00:36:28.920 this. 00:36:30.280 --> 00:36:32.240 And let us 00:36:32.240 --> 00:36:32.900 consider how 00:36:32.900 --> 00:36:33.500 to stir up 00:36:33.500 --> 00:36:33.940 one another 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:34.400 to love 00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:34.700 and good 00:36:34.700 --> 00:36:35.019 works. 00:36:35.100 --> 00:36:35.380 Well, how 00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:35.760 do you do 00:36:35.760 --> 00:36:36.160 that? 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:37.840 Well, we're 00:36:37.840 --> 00:36:38.519 told how not 00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:39.019 to do that. 00:36:40.580 --> 00:36:41.180 What gets 00:36:41.180 --> 00:36:41.600 in the way 00:36:41.600 --> 00:36:41.980 of that? 00:36:42.700 --> 00:36:43.080 25. 00:36:43.640 --> 00:36:44.400 Not neglecting 00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:44.680 to meet 00:36:44.680 --> 00:36:45.320 together as 00:36:45.320 --> 00:36:45.740 the habit 00:36:45.740 --> 00:36:46.100 of son. 00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:46.720 You see, 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:47.920 not gathering 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:49.120 frequently gets 00:36:49.120 --> 00:36:49.740 in the way of 00:36:49.740 --> 00:36:50.220 stirring one 00:36:50.220 --> 00:36:50.980 another up to 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:51.400 love and good 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:51.700 deeds. 00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:53.560 But encouraging 00:36:53.560 --> 00:36:54.240 one another 00:36:54.240 --> 00:36:55.340 by gathering 00:36:55.340 --> 00:36:55.960 together. 00:36:55.960 --> 00:36:56.079 together. 00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:57.960 And all 00:36:57.960 --> 00:36:58.280 the more 00:36:58.280 --> 00:36:58.880 as you see 00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.320 the day 00:36:59.320 --> 00:37:00.000 drawing near. 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:02.599 We 00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:03.340 prioritize 00:37:03.340 --> 00:37:04.340 one another 00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:05.880 as God's 00:37:05.880 --> 00:37:07.300 family by 00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:07.980 gathering 00:37:07.980 --> 00:37:09.420 together as 00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:10.920 often as 00:37:10.920 --> 00:37:11.760 we can. 00:37:12.619 --> 00:37:13.159 Good things 00:37:13.159 --> 00:37:13.639 happen when 00:37:13.639 --> 00:37:14.099 God's people 00:37:14.099 --> 00:37:14.619 come together. 00:37:15.579 --> 00:37:15.980 Good things 00:37:15.980 --> 00:37:16.199 happen. 00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:17.159 He forms 00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:17.619 us. 00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.740 Maybe you 00:37:22.740 --> 00:37:23.460 are not in 00:37:23.460 --> 00:37:24.139 God's family 00:37:24.139 --> 00:37:24.440 yet. 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:24.720 But 00:37:25.960 --> 00:37:28.159 the first 00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:28.420 thing you 00:37:28.420 --> 00:37:28.780 need to do 00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:29.159 is come 00:37:29.159 --> 00:37:29.699 to Jesus. 00:37:30.900 --> 00:37:31.300 Repent 00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:31.720 and believe 00:37:31.720 --> 00:37:32.280 the gospel. 00:37:32.920 --> 00:37:33.099 Claim 00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:33.519 him as 00:37:33.519 --> 00:37:34.260 your Lord 00:37:34.260 --> 00:37:34.800 and Savior. 00:37:35.360 --> 00:37:35.800 And then 00:37:35.800 --> 00:37:36.320 you get 00:37:36.320 --> 00:37:36.639 to be 00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:36.980 welcomed 00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:38.740 into the 00:37:38.740 --> 00:37:39.340 family of 00:37:39.340 --> 00:37:39.659 the blood 00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:39.940 bought. 00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:40.480 The family 00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:40.800 of the 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:41.420 spirit born. 00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:41.920 The family 00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:42.300 of those 00:37:42.300 --> 00:37:42.699 doing the 00:37:42.699 --> 00:37:43.119 Father's 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:43.360 will. 00:37:43.639 --> 00:37:44.420 Who love 00:37:44.420 --> 00:37:45.300 to gather 00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:46.619 together as 00:37:46.619 --> 00:37:48.000 often as 00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:48.920 we can. 00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:52.199 In 00:37:52.199 --> 00:37:52.619 conclusion, 00:37:52.940 --> 00:37:54.240 Mark 3, 00:37:54.360 --> 00:37:55.340 31-35. 00:37:55.960 --> 00:37:57.079 we 00:37:57.079 --> 00:37:57.699 behold our 00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:58.039 king. 00:37:59.599 --> 00:38:00.360 And he 00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:00.900 is standing 00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.240 in the 00:38:01.240 --> 00:38:01.840 middle of 00:38:01.840 --> 00:38:02.440 his new 00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:03.000 family. 00:38:04.300 --> 00:38:04.820 Jesus has 00:38:04.820 --> 00:38:05.400 radically, 00:38:06.099 --> 00:38:07.059 radically 00:38:07.059 --> 00:38:08.240 redefined his 00:38:08.240 --> 00:38:08.599 family. 00:38:09.240 --> 00:38:09.920 He doesn't 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:11.039 think of his 00:38:11.039 --> 00:38:12.019 family primarily 00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:12.720 as a 00:38:12.720 --> 00:38:13.300 biological 00:38:13.300 --> 00:38:14.380 family. 00:38:15.240 --> 00:38:16.179 He's thinking 00:38:16.179 --> 00:38:17.059 more about 00:38:17.059 --> 00:38:17.679 this group 00:38:17.679 --> 00:38:18.280 as his 00:38:18.280 --> 00:38:18.900 theological 00:38:18.900 --> 00:38:19.480 family. 00:38:19.659 --> 00:38:20.059 United 00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:21.420 by his 00:38:21.420 --> 00:38:21.740 blood. 00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:22.800 United by 00:38:22.800 --> 00:38:23.260 the birthing 00:38:23.260 --> 00:38:23.840 of the spirit. 00:38:24.039 --> 00:38:24.599 United by 00:38:24.599 --> 00:38:25.500 doing God's 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:25.739 will. 00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:30.159 Here 00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:32.139 are my 00:38:32.139 --> 00:38:32.659 mother 00:38:32.659 --> 00:38:34.659 and 00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:35.199 brothers 00:38:35.199 --> 00:38:37.059 and 00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.619 sisters. 00:38:39.279 --> 00:38:39.980 Amen. 00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:42.920 Lord Jesus, 00:38:43.039 --> 00:38:43.500 would you 00:38:43.500 --> 00:38:44.139 do a 00:38:44.139 --> 00:38:44.539 work in 00:38:44.539 --> 00:38:45.400 us where 00:38:45.400 --> 00:38:47.559 your will 00:38:47.559 --> 00:38:48.079 be done. 00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:49.960 Would you 00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:50.699 add to our 00:38:50.699 --> 00:38:51.579 number like 00:38:51.579 --> 00:38:52.340 minded brothers 00:38:52.340 --> 00:38:53.039 and sisters 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:55.519 who want 00:38:55.519 --> 00:38:56.079 to gather 00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:57.219 and who 00:38:57.219 --> 00:38:57.719 want to 00:38:57.719 --> 00:38:58.440 live for 00:38:58.440 --> 00:38:58.820 you. 00:39:00.820 --> 00:39:01.539 Father, 00:39:02.500 --> 00:39:03.039 hallowed be 00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:03.579 your name, 00:39:04.659 --> 00:39:05.219 your kingdom 00:39:05.219 --> 00:39:05.679 come, 00:39:06.980 --> 00:39:07.500 your will 00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:08.000 be done 00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:09.840 on earth 00:39:09.840 --> 00:39:10.300 as it is 00:39:10.300 --> 00:39:10.719 in heaven. 00:39:11.619 --> 00:39:11.940 Amen. 00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:12.079 Amen.