WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.359 --> 00:00:15.300 Amen. Thank you all. Beautiful song. 00:00:17.260 --> 00:00:23.800 When we moved to Huntsville about nine years ago, we noticed something really quickly. 00:00:23.800 --> 00:00:30.320 We noticed that there were regularly and at all times of day these loud explosions. 00:00:31.320 --> 00:00:34.620 We called them booms because we had little kids. 00:00:35.579 --> 00:00:39.740 We didn't know at first that living near the arsenal would be so noticeable. 00:00:40.100 --> 00:00:47.560 And so there would be times where we'd be walking around and all of a sudden just jump or scream because the explosion startled us. 00:00:47.560 --> 00:00:53.940 But if you've lived here in Huntsville for a while, you may have had the same experience that we did. 00:00:54.320 --> 00:00:57.980 Pretty quickly, the regular explosions became a part of life. 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:01.760 It was something that even at times faded into the background. 00:01:02.100 --> 00:01:04.420 We didn't even realize they were happening anymore. 00:01:04.540 --> 00:01:08.540 The kids stopped being woken up from naps and slept straight through them. 00:01:08.540 --> 00:01:13.520 We carried on with our day and we'd have guests come in town to stay with us. 00:01:13.740 --> 00:01:16.939 And in the middle of a conversation, they would, what was that? 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:18.900 And we would say, what was what? 00:01:19.040 --> 00:01:20.519 We didn't notice anything. 00:01:20.820 --> 00:01:22.079 Oh, oh yeah. 00:01:22.500 --> 00:01:23.299 It's the arsenal. 00:01:23.820 --> 00:01:24.680 We didn't even hear it. 00:01:25.600 --> 00:01:34.159 Things that used to startle us and shake our lives and change things about our days faded into the background. 00:01:34.359 --> 00:01:36.560 Stopped impacting our lives. 00:01:36.640 --> 00:01:37.859 We got so used to them. 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:47.099 And I tell you that today because here we are singing songs about Jesus and the cross again. 00:01:48.480 --> 00:01:57.240 In the passage we're going to read, Jesus is going to talk again about the importance of his going to the cross. 00:01:57.980 --> 00:02:05.200 And since it's the same thing we've heard before, we have a tendency in our hearts to get used to it and disregard it. 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:09.719 Say, oh, pastor didn't tell me anything I didn't know this morning. 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:12.479 Nothing really new. 00:02:14.139 --> 00:02:23.560 But Jesus keeps talking about the cross and it keeps coming up for us not because he thinks we need new information. 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:29.439 But because our hearts and our lives need transformation. 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:36.199 And the cross of Christ is not simply some preacher's hobby horse that he loves to talk about. 00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:38.180 It is the message of salvation. 00:02:38.599 --> 00:02:40.539 The good news of grace. 00:02:41.020 --> 00:02:42.699 The hope of the world. 00:02:43.460 --> 00:02:45.060 And so we talk about it. 00:02:45.060 --> 00:02:54.120 The wonderful cross bids me come and die and find that I may truly live. 00:02:54.240 --> 00:02:57.080 Maybe you don't realize what an outrageous claim that is. 00:02:57.080 --> 00:03:01.219 But that's the claim that Jesus makes. 00:03:02.260 --> 00:03:04.020 About himself and his cross. 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:12.080 So we dare not allow the gospel of the cross of Jesus Christ to become background noise in our lives. 00:03:13.200 --> 00:03:16.960 It's my encouragement to us as we turn to God's word this morning. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:22.980 Let's pray together and ask God to help us hear and heed his word again this morning. 00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:23.979 Pray with me. 00:03:28.259 --> 00:03:30.959 Father your word is truth. 00:03:32.259 --> 00:03:36.859 It is sweeter than honey from the comb. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:41.339 It is exactly what we need. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:48.159 So we ask that you would speak to us through it clearly. 00:03:48.159 --> 00:03:54.460 That we might love and follow Jesus more. 00:03:55.479 --> 00:03:56.919 We ask in his name. 00:03:58.079 --> 00:03:58.419 Amen. 00:04:00.859 --> 00:04:04.639 Luke chapter 9 at verse 51. 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:07.900 This is God's holy word. 00:04:08.300 --> 00:04:14.300 The God of heaven and earth speaking to you this morning. 00:04:14.579 --> 00:04:15.419 Hear his voice. 00:04:15.419 --> 00:04:20.439 When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up. 00:04:20.599 --> 00:04:22.979 He set his face to go to Jerusalem. 00:04:23.979 --> 00:04:30.479 And he sent messengers ahead of him who went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for him. 00:04:31.259 --> 00:04:33.439 But the people did not receive him. 00:04:33.860 --> 00:04:37.240 Because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 00:04:37.240 --> 00:04:40.879 And when his disciples James and John saw it. 00:04:41.160 --> 00:04:45.360 They said Lord do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them? 00:04:46.860 --> 00:04:48.540 But he turned and rebuked them. 00:04:49.400 --> 00:04:51.160 And they went on to another village. 00:04:52.740 --> 00:04:55.240 As they were going along the road someone said to him. 00:04:55.460 --> 00:04:57.199 I will follow you wherever you go. 00:04:58.180 --> 00:04:59.300 And Jesus said to him. 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:02.300 Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests. 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:05.560 But the son of man has nowhere to lay his head. 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:09.220 To another he said follow me. 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:13.399 But he said Lord let me first go and bury my father. 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:18.199 And Jesus said to him leave the dead to bury their own dead. 00:05:18.540 --> 00:05:21.639 But as for you go and proclaim the kingdom of God. 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:25.740 Yet another said I will follow you Lord. 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:29.560 But let me first say farewell to those at my home. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:31.860 Jesus said to him. 00:05:32.280 --> 00:05:38.839 No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:42.240 Grass withers the flowers fade. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:45.819 These words of our God will stand forever. 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:51.360 I mentioned the booms from the arsenal today. 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:57.420 Because it's in this passage that Jesus here sets out on a journey to Jerusalem. 00:05:57.980 --> 00:06:03.719 It's going to take up the next 10 plus chapters of the Gospel of Luke. 00:06:03.779 --> 00:06:08.879 In other words the next 25 to 30 years of your life in our sermon series. 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:10.019 Not quite that long. 00:06:10.019 --> 00:06:13.639 But Jesus is headed to Jerusalem. 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:19.659 And that's exactly what begins to shape the stories as we follow. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:21.859 He will teach a lot along the way. 00:06:22.219 --> 00:06:25.879 He will do a lot of amazing things along the way. 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:27.299 And those are important. 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:33.839 But the whole time the story is framed by his journey to Jerusalem. 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:36.899 For the most important thing. 00:06:36.899 --> 00:06:40.919 As his days on earth draw near to their conclusion. 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:42.939 He's going to keep sounding that note. 00:06:43.099 --> 00:06:45.479 That primary focus that comes up. 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:48.639 He set his face to go to Jerusalem. 00:06:49.679 --> 00:06:52.079 He's so committed to doing that. 00:06:52.199 --> 00:06:55.099 That is so much a part of a priority for him. 00:06:55.259 --> 00:06:57.179 That everyone around him begins to notice. 00:06:57.579 --> 00:06:58.739 Verse 53. 00:07:00.419 --> 00:07:04.039 The Samaritans notice his face was set toward Jerusalem. 00:07:04.419 --> 00:07:05.579 This is where he's headed. 00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:09.959 Jesus and his disciples along with him. 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:12.120 They're Jerusalem or bust. 00:07:12.919 --> 00:07:14.120 This is the priority. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:15.219 It's where we're going. 00:07:15.579 --> 00:07:18.819 It's like you write that in shoe polish on the back of your minivan. 00:07:19.959 --> 00:07:21.439 Disney or bust. 00:07:21.859 --> 00:07:23.139 This is where we're going. 00:07:23.299 --> 00:07:24.379 We will get there. 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:27.039 This is where our hearts are set on being. 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:35.020 I picture Jesus and his disciples all in a car much smaller than a minivan. 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:38.180 Thirteen grown men in one accord. 00:07:38.520 --> 00:07:39.820 The Bible says. 00:07:41.400 --> 00:07:42.100 Thank you. 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:43.960 That was really tolerant actually. 00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:49.200 I couldn't resist the oldest and worst preacher joke that there is. 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:50.200 It was just too close. 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:56.459 But Jesus and his disciples are going Jerusalem or bust. 00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:57.719 That is where they're headed. 00:07:57.839 --> 00:07:59.159 It's where their hearts are set. 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:01.099 They're going there. 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:01.759 Why? 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:04.219 Why is Jesus so set on Jerusalem? 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:06.000 What's the big deal? 00:08:07.019 --> 00:08:08.800 It's not a vacation, is it? 00:08:09.659 --> 00:08:11.620 They're not going there because it's a great place to be. 00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:18.699 Jesus' face being set toward Jerusalem echoes the words of prophets like Isaiah. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:25.819 Who says the Messiah sets his face like a flint to walk into suffering. 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:28.439 Isaiah 50 verse 6. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:30.439 This is just part of the context. 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:32.639 I gave my back to those who strike. 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:35.120 My cheeks to those who pull out the beard. 00:08:35.320 --> 00:08:38.419 I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:40.700 But the Lord God helps me. 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:42.800 Therefore I have not been disgraced. 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:45.780 Therefore I have set my face like a flint. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:48.580 And know that I shall not be put to shame. 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:51.140 I'm going toward this suffering. 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:54.500 My face is set on it, Jesus says. 00:08:54.540 --> 00:08:57.300 It's what he's been saying already in Luke chapter 9, isn't it? 00:08:57.980 --> 00:09:01.220 As we've studied here through the past few weeks, verse 22. 00:09:01.400 --> 00:09:04.860 Jesus said the Son of Man must suffer many things. 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:09.460 And be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes. 00:09:09.460 --> 00:09:10.940 And where's he going to do that? 00:09:10.980 --> 00:09:13.100 Where do you find the elders and the chief priests and the scribes? 00:09:13.340 --> 00:09:14.440 That's in Jerusalem. 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:15.960 And be killed. 00:09:18.160 --> 00:09:19.100 Verse 44. 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:20.980 He says to his disciples, 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:22.800 Let these words seek into your ears. 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:26.620 The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men. 00:09:27.040 --> 00:09:28.360 We're going somewhere. 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:30.560 And we're going there to suffer. 00:09:31.920 --> 00:09:32.960 And to die. 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:37.440 That's why Jesus is set on going to Jerusalem. 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:43.280 And he demonstrates here for us again his single-minded commitment to his redemptive mission. 00:09:43.660 --> 00:09:44.860 This is what he's about, right? 00:09:45.060 --> 00:09:45.980 It hasn't changed. 00:09:47.160 --> 00:09:49.900 He sets his face to endure the cross. 00:09:50.280 --> 00:09:52.300 To pay for the sins of his people. 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:57.200 To restore every inch of his creation to the way he created it to be. 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:02.379 To establish his kingdom as a refuge for all who are in need of rescue. 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:03.860 That's what he's about. 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:08.620 The journey to Jerusalem is not a vacation at all. 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:16.340 And yet, Jesus is calling us to join him in that journey. 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:23.259 He's called us already to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him. 00:10:23.800 --> 00:10:32.180 And here in this passage, as he calls again, we're going to see some different responses to that call on our lives. 00:10:33.280 --> 00:10:36.800 First, we see the response of the Samaritans. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:41.000 Their flat-out, principled rejection of Jesus. 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:42.220 Verse 52. 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:49.639 He sent messengers ahead of him who went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for him. 00:10:50.680 --> 00:10:55.879 But the people there did not receive him because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 00:10:57.779 --> 00:11:00.259 The Samaritans didn't receive him. 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:01.519 Why is that? 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:04.200 Why did Jesus going to Jerusalem bother them? 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:06.540 Why didn't they want him to stop and stay along the way? 00:11:06.539 --> 00:11:12.639 You may or may not know that the Samaritans and Jews weren't the best of friends. 00:11:13.599 --> 00:11:18.120 The Samaritans had at least some Jewish blood, some Jewish heritage in them. 00:11:18.219 --> 00:11:27.879 But they had rejected the Jewish people, religiously believing they had the true understanding of God. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:34.259 They believed Yahweh wanted to be worshipped on Mount Gerizim in their territory. 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:39.460 Not on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, the way we read about in the Old Testament. 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:47.360 The Samaritans have adopted their own holy books and as such have their own set of messianic expectations. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:52.620 What they're looking for in a king and a rescuer, a deliverer for them. 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:55.019 And this is not it. 00:11:55.019 --> 00:12:04.079 Any supposed religious leader, Messiah, who thinks he needs to get to Jerusalem is a fraud by their account. 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:09.299 They won't join Jesus' journey even as hospitable hosts. 00:12:09.939 --> 00:12:14.419 They want nothing to do with him on religious principle. 00:12:14.939 --> 00:12:17.980 They simply reject him and his message. 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:26.159 Now maybe that's where you've been with Jesus or where you are this morning with him. 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:29.600 You just don't believe he is the hope of the world. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:32.600 The only savior of sinners. 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:37.000 The way for you to be restored to God. 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:43.940 If that's the case, if that's where you are and you just say, listen, I've heard it before but I don't believe it. 00:12:43.940 --> 00:12:47.100 If that's you, I'd love to talk with you. 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:49.580 I'd love to be able to have that conversation. 00:12:49.780 --> 00:12:59.900 Maybe you, like the Samaritans, probably would have believed that whether or not Jesus was God himself was of utmost importance. 00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:05.000 Maybe you'd acknowledge that and say, yeah, who Jesus is really does matter. 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:15.200 Matter, I'd love to have the conversation with you to talk about your questions and your personal concerns and what makes you wrestle with Jesus. 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:25.720 But before we leave this principled, upfront rejection of Jesus rather than talking to me, I want you to see Jesus' response. 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:30.840 It's in verse 54 after his disciples have a suggestion. 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:33.360 His disciples James and John saw it. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:41.500 They saw that Jesus was rejected by the Samaritans and they said, Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them? 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:47.779 But Jesus turned and rebuked James and John. 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:52.620 Jesus said, by no means. 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:56.560 James and John want to call down fire from heaven like Elijah. 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:57.559 Jesus said, by no means. 00:13:57.559 --> 00:13:58.559 Jesus said, by no means. 00:13:58.559 --> 00:13:59.359 Jesus said, by no means. 00:13:59.359 --> 00:14:00.179 He says, by no means. 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:00.879 Jesus said, by no means. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:02.119 That He really is God. 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:05.319 And by exercising judgment upon them. 00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:13.399 Jesus rebukes His disciples in a way that demonstrates they don't really understand the point of His journey. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:16.899 The mission that Jesus is on. 00:14:17.479 --> 00:14:19.759 He's on a mission to redeem. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:24.700 He bears patiently with those who reject Him 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:28.620 and He heads to the cross to suffer and die 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:31.500 quite possibly for some of them, 00:14:31.819 --> 00:14:34.240 some of those Samaritans who would yet come 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:36.879 to believe in Him. 00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:41.919 Yes, the Bible speaks of judgment for sure. 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:45.059 But Jesus' single-minded commitment 00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:48.120 to head to Jerusalem is to redeem. 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:50.159 That's what's on His heart. 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:53.820 It's the stance that He calls those who follow Him 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:57.320 to have toward those who do not yet believe in Him. 00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:59.460 If you're a follower of Christ, 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:02.299 this is how He calls you to treat others 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:03.960 who don't follow Him. 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:06.360 Not to be eager to see their judgment, 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:09.259 but to be anxious for their redemption. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:15.480 A friend who rejects Jesus offhand, 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:17.940 who says, no, no, no, Christianity, 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:19.899 I've seen it and it's not for me. 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:23.639 Jesus persists in loving you 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:25.759 even in your unbelief. 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:30.360 Maybe you feel like you've settled that years ago 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.659 in your mind. 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:33.740 It just wasn't true. 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:36.399 He just wasn't worth it. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:39.699 He's been patient. 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:43.860 He's brought you back here again this morning 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:45.860 to hear His Word 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:47.600 and to see His heart 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:50.360 to rescue and to redeem. 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:55.019 Jesus is the Savior who comes and calls to you 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:57.179 and says there's no other way. 00:15:57.699 --> 00:15:59.259 Come and trust Me. 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:02.899 Oh, I'd urge you to investigate that, 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:03.840 to listen to Him, 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:05.860 to hear His Word again. 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:10.379 But many of us here this morning 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:13.319 aren't publicly and on principle 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:15.279 rejecting Jesus. 00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:17.340 We're in church after all, right? 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.259 Now that's why we're here. 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:20.319 I've publicly said, 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:22.000 I'll follow Jesus. 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.659 Many of us have. 00:16:24.219 --> 00:16:27.600 We'd say we're on that journey with Jesus. 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:30.059 But what does that really mean? 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:32.779 Jesus is about to raise that issue 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:34.740 in the rest of our passage 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:37.079 so it gets a little bit harder for us. 00:16:38.079 --> 00:16:40.100 You may know that Skeet Simonis, 00:16:40.219 --> 00:16:41.100 one of our elders, 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:44.539 and I are preparing to go on a trip 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:46.399 to India this October. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:49.240 We're partnering with one of our mission partners 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.559 there in India. 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:53.360 Going to India is not a cheap, 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:54.100 trip. 00:16:55.439 --> 00:16:58.519 So when you think about taking a trip, 00:16:58.959 --> 00:17:01.120 there are always costs associated, 00:17:01.199 --> 00:17:02.159 not just mission trips, 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:04.480 but business trips and personal trips. 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.279 They have costs. 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.299 And if you're like me, 00:17:07.399 --> 00:17:09.079 you consider them up front 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:10.839 before you make the decision 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:12.359 to go on the trip. 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:14.720 Perhaps the most obvious costs are financial. 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:17.740 There's travel and lodging and food 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:19.799 to be taken into account. 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:22.099 To be on the trip will call me 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:23.619 to financial commitment. 00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:26.300 But there are a lot of other costs 00:17:26.300 --> 00:17:28.440 of taking a trip. 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.920 The people you will be gone from. 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:34.820 I'll miss my family for two weeks. 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:36.519 That's no small thing. 00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:40.279 The comforts of life you will miss. 00:17:41.120 --> 00:17:42.920 Being able to sleep in your own bed, 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.680 drink water from a tap, 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:46.100 and so forth. 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:50.119 Going on the trip will cost missing other events 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:52.759 and activities that you would have been a part of back home. 00:17:53.719 --> 00:17:54.480 For me, 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:57.799 heyday falls in the midst of the India trip. 00:17:58.119 --> 00:18:00.799 So I don't even get to be in a dunking booth all fall. 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:03.579 It's a huge cost for me. 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:06.000 I really do miss being with you all. 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:10.559 Whatever the costs are to a journey, 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:11.659 to a trip you're taking, 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:13.759 you have to evaluate them up front 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:15.159 and then decide, 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:17.559 so given all these costs, 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:19.519 is the trip worth it? 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:23.420 Is it worth it for you to take that trip, 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:25.799 to make the journey that you're considering? 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:29.700 And that's what Jesus challenges us to do 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:32.039 with the journey of following Him. 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:35.440 He's calling us to follow Him to the cross, 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:39.500 to suffering on a redemptive mission, 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:41.980 no matter what the cost. 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:44.079 And He's not unclear on this. 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.559 It's not hard to understand. 00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:47.819 In fact, He's already told us a few weeks ago 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:49.700 that it could cost us everything. 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:52.220 What He does this morning 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.799 is just get more specific 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:56.519 on what those costs might be. 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:00.360 He and His disciples encounter on their journey 00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:01.099 three people 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:04.759 who, unlike the Samaritans who reject Him offhand, 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:08.440 say they're interested in joining Jesus on the journey. 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:10.740 They've shown up at church, perhaps. 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:12.960 They've talked about Jesus. 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:15.440 And yet, practically speaking, 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:17.359 when it comes to their lives, 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:20.839 the cost may be too high for them. 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:23.559 First one is in verse 57. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.480 As they were going along the road, 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:27.559 someone said to Him, 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:29.359 I will follow you wherever you go. 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:31.980 And Jesus said to him, 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:35.059 foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:39.400 but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:40.940 This man says, 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.620 I'll follow you anywhere, Jesus. 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.640 And Jesus says, 00:19:44.780 --> 00:19:46.200 well, hold on a second. 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:48.860 Let me make sure you know what you mean by that. 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:52.000 It may not be where you think you'll be following me. 00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:53.380 It's not glamorous. 00:19:55.040 --> 00:19:57.560 Truly following me means being uncomfortable 00:19:57.560 --> 00:20:01.180 and unwelcome in this world. 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:03.900 I don't even have the homes the animals do, 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.299 Jesus says. 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:10.680 Jesus has experienced this no room at the inn response 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:13.019 from the world all the way back to His birth 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:17.980 and all the way up to the verses we just read from the Samaritans. 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:22.460 Part of the cost of following Jesus 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:28.259 is being uncomfortable and unwelcome in this world, 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:31.960 facing hardship and rejection. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:35.140 Part of the cost of following Jesus 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:40.000 is being uncomfortable and unwelcome in this world, 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:43.559 facing hardship and rejection. 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:43.759 Rejection. 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:46.519 It doesn't sound like a sales pitch, does it? 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:52.419 Jesus is trying to be honest about the cost. 00:20:52.679 --> 00:20:54.079 And sometimes we sit there 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:55.359 and those words go right over our head 00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:56.500 and we think I've heard that before. 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.700 Hardship and rejection. 00:20:57.960 --> 00:21:00.159 And hardship and rejection. 00:21:00.659 --> 00:21:01.059 Uncomfortable. 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:01.720 Unwelcome. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:03.440 These aren't the things you usually wake up 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.599 searching out every morning. 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:08.700 What does that cost look like for us? 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:13.200 It could mean you don't live in the neighborhood you'd prefer 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:15.819 because the world doesn't give you that option 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:19.500 or you choose not to take that option 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.920 for the sake of the kingdom. 00:21:22.120 --> 00:21:23.759 It could mean you make less money 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:26.279 because you're pursuing Jesus more. 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:28.740 It could mean you get left out of a group 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:30.940 because of your commitment not to get drunk 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:33.279 or your passion for the Lord's Day. 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.980 Whatever it is, 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:38.400 if you're not willing to be uncomfortable, 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:41.440 and unwelcome in this world, 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:44.960 you aren't really journeying with Jesus. 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:50.480 There's a second interaction in verses 59 and 60. 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:54.120 Another man comes up and Jesus says to him, 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.819 follow me. 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.220 But the man said, 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:59.059 Lord, let me first go and bury my father. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.580 Jesus said to him, 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:03.240 leave the dead to bury their own dead, 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:04.160 but as for you, 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:06.580 go and proclaim the kingdom of God. 00:22:07.419 --> 00:22:09.119 This guy's got interest in Jesus. 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.379 He likes him. 00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:11.619 He calls him Lord. 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:14.299 And he's got important things to do. 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:17.079 This was a high social priority in these days. 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:19.259 It could have taken up to a year or more 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:22.419 to complete the appropriate burial process 00:22:22.419 --> 00:22:24.379 for a family member. 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:28.000 And this was so important in this society 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:31.419 that it actually took priority over circumcision, 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:34.259 over the Passover sacrifice, 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:36.900 over other important religious obligations 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:38.220 you had to fulfill. 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.740 All of those were put off 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:41.640 while you handled the burial. 00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:44.660 That's how high a priority this was. 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:46.740 And Jesus says, 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:49.360 there's something else of higher priority 00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:51.600 that cannot be delayed. 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:54.039 Following me. 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:57.180 Proclaiming the kingdom of God. 00:22:57.300 --> 00:22:58.300 Offering life. 00:22:58.299 --> 00:23:00.720 Not dealing with death. 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:03.720 And Jesus is not saying 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:06.379 that social customs and family values 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:07.639 and honored traditions 00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:09.940 are necessarily bad things. 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:12.480 He is saying 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:14.899 they should never be chosen 00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:17.680 over him and his kingdom. 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:22.299 Jesus may call you to the mission field 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:24.960 instead of the four years of college 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:27.379 that you've been looking forward to 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:29.040 and everyone expects you to enjoy. 00:23:30.820 --> 00:23:32.320 He may call you to invest 00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:33.680 in a kingdom opportunity 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.860 with a needy friend 00:23:34.860 --> 00:23:36.840 instead of becoming an elder at your church 00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:38.840 like people have been expecting you to 00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:40.080 and you've been hoping for. 00:23:41.320 --> 00:23:43.580 He may call you to a new area of ministry 00:23:43.580 --> 00:23:45.280 that wrecks your retirement plans 00:23:45.280 --> 00:23:47.240 everybody's been hearing about for years. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.980 If you're unwilling to prioritize 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:53.980 the mission of his kingdom 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:56.180 over social norms 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.599 and honored traditions 00:23:57.599 --> 00:24:00.360 you aren't really journeying 00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:01.740 with Jesus. 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:06.599 Finally Jesus pushes on those 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:08.759 family relationships one more time. 00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:09.559 He knows our hearts 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:11.779 are deeply committed there. 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.360 So verse 61 00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:15.440 another man comes and says 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.960 I will follow you Lord 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:18.440 but let me first say farewell 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:19.620 to those at my home. 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:21.299 And Jesus said to him 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:23.679 no one who puts his hand to the plow 00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:24.539 and looks back 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.659 is fit 00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:27.559 for the kingdom of God. 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:29.179 Seems like a good idea right? 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.479 I'm going to be gone for a while. 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:33.500 Let me go say goodbye first. 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:36.919 Listen Jesus is not against 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:38.339 loving your family. 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.599 But just like with 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:42.359 the guy and his father 00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:44.519 Jesus says 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:46.039 the primacy of the kingdom 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:48.180 must be clear. 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:50.059 We need to face 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:51.240 straight on this morning 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.000 some of our 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:53.500 idolatries 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.559 here. 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.639 For some 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:58.440 the cost of this 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.299 with our families 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.720 is so painful 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:02.240 it means being shunned. 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.700 Never getting to 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:05.480 speak to our families 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.079 again 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.619 when you convert 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:08.379 to Christianity 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:09.980 from another religion. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.220 For others 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.879 it's different. 00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:14.019 It may mean 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.960 clinging to Jesus 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.720 when your children 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.600 disdain you 00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:17.539 for how you're 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.740 raising them. 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:20.559 For others 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.500 the cost may be 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.420 the family you've 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.319 dreamed of 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:25.240 not marrying 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:26.299 the guy 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.680 you really like 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.340 because he doesn't 00:25:28.340 --> 00:25:29.299 share your heart 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:31.220 for following Christ. 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.140 Or it may be 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:35.240 the cost of the stage 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.799 of life 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:37.500 you thought you were in 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.299 as God leads you 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.900 to foster 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.579 or adopt 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:41.220 someone into your family 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:42.180 and it's going to disrupt 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.440 where you thought 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.420 you'd finally gotten. 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:47.960 But if you're 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:49.259 unwilling to sacrifice 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.180 your ideal 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.559 family relationships 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.460 for the sake 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.960 of kingdom priorities 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.559 you're not 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:55.259 really 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:56.299 journeying 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.539 with Jesus. 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.360 That's what Jesus 00:26:00.360 --> 00:26:01.400 is calling us to do 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:01.799 isn't it? 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.819 It's not unclear here. 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.259 He says 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.559 follow me 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:07.220 proclaim the kingdom 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.600 now 00:26:08.600 --> 00:26:10.420 don't let the 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:11.400 practical realities 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:11.960 of life 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.680 keep you from 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.980 actually following me 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.819 as you say you want 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.160 to do 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:16.920 don't say you'll 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.480 follow me 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.740 but reject me 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.640 in your life 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:22.259 he says that 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.279 to all of us 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:25.420 kids 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:27.240 don't say 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:28.039 I'm too young 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:29.980 I'll follow Jesus 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.779 when I'm an adult 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:34.079 college students 00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:34.860 young adults 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:36.500 don't say 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.000 oh I'm going to 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.660 follow Jesus 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.400 after just a 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:39.460 few years 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.299 of pursuing 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:40.799 my own 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.180 pleasures 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:41.740 and my own 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.220 dreams 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.799 I'll follow 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.180 him 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:44.120 later 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:46.299 young 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:46.700 couples 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.700 don't say 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.500 I'll come to 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:48.980 church again 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.539 once I have 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.059 kids 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.440 I'll give 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:52.039 to the kingdom 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.559 again 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.559 once we make 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.079 more money 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:56.880 young 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:57.600 families 00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:58.860 don't say 00:26:58.860 --> 00:26:59.500 I'll look for 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.480 others to love 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.120 and share 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:01.600 the kingdom 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:01.860 with 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.519 once my 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:02.900 kids are 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:03.079 grown 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.279 and I 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.500 actually 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:03.799 have the 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.160 time to 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.500 think about 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:04.799 anything 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.359 else 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:07.980 empty 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.539 nesters 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.920 don't say 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.319 I'm checking 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:10.720 out of 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.099 church 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:11.519 now that 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:11.920 the kids 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.700 are gone 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:14.019 or I'll 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.420 re-engage 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:14.799 with my 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.140 neighbors 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:15.680 once I 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.299 retire 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:16.799 and have 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.039 the 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.660 margin 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:18.279 for them 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:21.059 retirees 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:23.279 don't say 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.819 I've journeyed 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.299 with Jesus 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.579 so long 00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:26.980 so many 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.420 years 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:28.079 now I 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.579 can live 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.839 for myself 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:31.259 no 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:33.380 the call 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:33.819 is to 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.339 follow 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:35.059 Jesus 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:36.199 now 00:27:36.199 --> 00:27:37.079 today 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:38.419 for all 00:27:38.419 --> 00:27:39.099 of us 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:40.339 it's a 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:41.199 clear call 00:27:41.199 --> 00:27:42.139 to sacrifice 00:27:42.139 --> 00:27:43.079 comforts 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.959 and successes 00:27:43.959 --> 00:27:44.619 and other 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.240 priorities 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:46.179 now 00:27:46.179 --> 00:27:47.119 to have 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:48.199 the glory 00:27:48.199 --> 00:27:48.599 of the 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.019 gospel 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:50.099 the redemptive 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:50.459 mission 00:27:50.459 --> 00:27:51.079 of Jesus 00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:52.139 so shake 00:27:52.139 --> 00:27:52.740 your heart 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:54.299 and startle 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:54.679 you 00:27:54.679 --> 00:27:55.299 that you 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.559 would give 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.099 up anything 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:57.039 to follow 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.399 him 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:57.799 that it 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.379 would transform 00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:59.199 your life 00:27:59.199 --> 00:28:00.139 it would 00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:00.699 grab the 00:28:00.699 --> 00:28:01.220 attention 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.799 the affection 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.139 of your 00:28:02.139 --> 00:28:02.459 hearts 00:28:02.459 --> 00:28:02.699 and that 00:28:02.699 --> 00:28:03.419 every decision 00:28:03.419 --> 00:28:04.079 would be 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.460 made in 00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:04.839 light of 00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.079 it 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:05.939 now 00:28:05.939 --> 00:28:07.379 you follow 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:07.799 Jesus 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.259 no matter 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.059 the cost 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:11.240 his call 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:12.059 is really 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.579 clear 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:15.939 what's not 00:28:15.939 --> 00:28:16.279 clear 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:16.960 interestingly 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.879 is the 00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.720 response 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:20.059 to that 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:20.419 call 00:28:20.419 --> 00:28:22.299 and if you 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:22.579 noticed 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:22.939 it's an 00:28:22.939 --> 00:28:23.359 interesting 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:24.039 literary 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.720 device 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.159 that we 00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:25.619 don't know 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.480 how any 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:26.879 of these 00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.460 three men 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.159 responds 00:28:28.159 --> 00:28:28.699 to Jesus 00:28:28.699 --> 00:28:29.119 do we 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:30.979 Jesus 00:28:30.979 --> 00:28:31.519 responds 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:31.919 to them 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:32.119 but 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:33.279 we don't 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:33.819 know 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.219 do they 00:28:34.219 --> 00:28:34.779 join him 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.079 on the 00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:35.339 journey 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:35.859 or turn 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.179 to their 00:28:36.179 --> 00:28:36.500 other 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:37.579 priorities 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.899 when they 00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:39.419 count the 00:28:39.419 --> 00:28:39.859 cost 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.479 is Jesus 00:28:40.479 --> 00:28:41.319 worth it 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:44.539 it's a way 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.079 that Luke 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:45.939 can put the 00:28:45.939 --> 00:28:46.599 question to 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.379 each of us 00:28:47.379 --> 00:28:49.899 you don't know 00:28:49.899 --> 00:28:50.639 how they respond 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:51.199 how will 00:28:51.199 --> 00:28:51.959 we 00:28:51.959 --> 00:28:53.259 respond 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:55.099 are the 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:55.660 practical 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.319 priorities 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:56.799 of your 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.240 life 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.000 revealing 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:59.339 a rejection 00:28:59.339 --> 00:29:00.519 of Jesus 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:03.960 it's 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.559 unsettling 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.559 isn't it 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:08.039 that's 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.400 good 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:10.799 otherwise 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.140 I don't 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:11.500 think I've 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.079 been faithful 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:12.680 to this 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:13.339 part of 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:13.900 God's 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.220 word 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:14.980 I've got 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.259 to tell 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:15.799 you honestly 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.220 if our 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.940 studies in 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:17.200 Luke 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.819 just this 00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:18.160 summer 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:18.940 haven't 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.700 created 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.039 some 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.619 challenging 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.480 conversations 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.180 for you 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.799 at home 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:25.240 we probably 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.099 missed Jesus 00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:27.019 message 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:28.859 we don't 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.440 naturally 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:29.839 get it 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.059 and it 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.339 doesn't 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:31.119 naturally 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:31.559 fit 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:32.359 what we 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:32.859 expect 00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:34.359 I hope 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:34.919 the gospel 00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:35.879 is exploding 00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:36.419 again 00:29:36.419 --> 00:29:37.059 in your 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.379 ears 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:37.639 and that 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:37.879 it's 00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.480 shaking 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.119 your hearts 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:39.700 and lives 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.119 in ways 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:40.440 that you 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:40.859 can't 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.339 ignore 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:42.899 I certainly 00:29:42.899 --> 00:29:43.399 haven't given 00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:43.960 every answer 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.339 to every 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.059 situation 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:46.259 but Jesus 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.940 has shown 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.599 us a clear 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.099 priority 00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:48.659 for himself 00:29:48.659 --> 00:29:49.500 he's told 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:49.839 us where 00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:50.299 he's headed 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:51.220 and a clear 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.720 call to 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.519 follow him 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.220 there 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:55.819 it doesn't 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.220 matter what 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:56.400 it will 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:56.940 cost 00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:57.879 he's telling 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.319 us that 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:58.799 he's worth 00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.299 it 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:02.019 last week 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.500 many of us 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.039 got to hear 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.579 from one of 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:03.859 our 00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.940 long time 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.539 mission 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:05.940 partners 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:08.599 he was 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:09.359 back in 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:09.759 town 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.879 and telling 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:11.200 us that 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.440 he just 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:11.779 had a 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:12.519 grandchild 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:13.019 who's 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.859 eight months 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:14.180 old 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:14.720 his first 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.500 grandchild 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.839 he and his 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.500 wife left 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.740 their kids 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:20.139 and grandchild 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:20.820 just 00:30:20.820 --> 00:30:21.220 Wednesday 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:22.340 to go 00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:22.720 back to 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:22.960 the Middle 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.340 East 00:30:23.340 --> 00:30:24.600 to pastor 00:30:24.600 --> 00:30:25.300 an international 00:30:25.300 --> 00:30:25.860 church 00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.160 in a 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:26.680 dangerous 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:27.960 war-torn 00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:29.259 part of 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:29.640 the world 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:31.740 and he 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.340 shared with 00:30:32.340 --> 00:30:32.840 us about 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:33.800 his heart 00:30:33.800 --> 00:30:34.300 for that 00:30:34.300 --> 00:30:34.800 his report 00:30:34.800 --> 00:30:35.280 was so 00:30:35.280 --> 00:30:35.720 interesting 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.160 and so 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.700 challenging 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.840 but I 00:30:37.840 --> 00:30:38.180 think my 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:38.880 favorite part 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:39.500 was something 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.320 his son 00:30:40.320 --> 00:30:40.759 said 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:42.120 the father 00:30:42.120 --> 00:30:42.740 of the new 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.280 grandchild 00:30:43.280 --> 00:30:43.759 was here 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.480 with his 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.340 missionary 00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:46.000 dad 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:47.119 a 27 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:47.899 year old 00:30:47.899 --> 00:30:48.779 who'd grown 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.579 up on 00:30:49.579 --> 00:30:50.000 the mission 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.439 field 00:30:50.439 --> 00:30:52.740 and we 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.379 asked him 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:54.619 how do you 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.339 feel about 00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:57.099 granddad 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:59.579 heading over 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:01.199 to the 00:31:01.199 --> 00:31:01.579 Middle East 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:01.899 again 00:31:01.899 --> 00:31:03.859 and he 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.179 said this 00:31:04.179 --> 00:31:04.439 he said 00:31:04.439 --> 00:31:04.720 I grew 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.599 up in 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.000 a Christian 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.299 home 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:06.539 but I 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:06.859 wasn't a 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.159 Christian 00:31:07.159 --> 00:31:07.859 until high 00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:08.099 school 00:31:08.099 --> 00:31:09.720 and part 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.059 of my 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.619 conversion 00:31:10.619 --> 00:31:11.359 experience 00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:12.779 was reading 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.519 1 Corinthians 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.119 15 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:15.379 and it 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:15.699 said 00:31:15.699 --> 00:31:16.259 I passed 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.859 along to 00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:17.079 you 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.759 the things 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.099 that are 00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:18.619 of first 00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:19.319 importance 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:21.159 and there 00:31:21.159 --> 00:31:21.679 that Christ 00:31:21.679 --> 00:31:22.279 died for 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.759 our sins 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.419 according to 00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:24.019 the scriptures 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:25.099 that he was 00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:25.459 buried 00:31:25.459 --> 00:31:26.059 and he was 00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:26.579 raised from 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.000 the dead 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.500 on the 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.059 third day 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:28.459 and he 00:31:28.459 --> 00:31:28.699 said I 00:31:28.699 --> 00:31:29.379 read that 00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:29.939 and I 00:31:29.939 --> 00:31:30.339 thought to 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:30.799 myself 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.959 my mom 00:31:31.959 --> 00:31:32.379 and dad 00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:32.919 actually 00:31:32.919 --> 00:31:33.579 believe 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:34.739 that those 00:31:34.739 --> 00:31:34.939 are the 00:31:34.939 --> 00:31:35.539 most important 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.079 things 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.899 I looked 00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:37.099 at my 00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:37.439 parents 00:31:37.439 --> 00:31:37.799 lives 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.039 and I 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:38.339 said those 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:38.599 are the 00:31:38.599 --> 00:31:39.239 most important 00:31:39.239 --> 00:31:39.779 things to 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.039 them 00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:42.119 and he 00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:42.299 said that 00:31:42.299 --> 00:31:42.539 was a 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:42.899 significant 00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:43.439 part of 00:31:43.439 --> 00:31:43.859 me 00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.479 coming to 00:31:44.479 --> 00:31:44.959 trust in 00:31:44.959 --> 00:31:45.240 Jesus 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:46.279 myself 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.199 so I'm 00:31:47.199 --> 00:31:47.719 sad 00:31:47.719 --> 00:31:49.939 that they'll 00:31:49.939 --> 00:31:50.379 be gone 00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:50.819 and that my 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.479 child won't 00:31:51.479 --> 00:31:52.099 have his 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:52.579 grandparents 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.119 nearby 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:53.919 in the next 00:31:53.919 --> 00:31:54.559 few years 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:55.359 but how 00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:55.639 could I 00:31:55.639 --> 00:31:56.099 not be 00:31:56.099 --> 00:31:56.539 glad 00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:57.199 to see 00:31:57.199 --> 00:31:57.699 them live 00:31:57.699 --> 00:31:57.979 that 00:31:57.979 --> 00:31:58.500 commitment 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.039 out 00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:00.019 before many 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.399 others 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:00.819 who need 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.099 to know 00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:01.479 the hope 00:32:01.479 --> 00:32:01.959 of Jesus 00:32:01.959 --> 00:32:02.919 as I 00:32:02.919 --> 00:32:03.199 did 00:32:03.199 --> 00:32:06.859 kids 00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:08.599 and adults 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:10.139 this is 00:32:10.139 --> 00:32:10.519 what is 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:10.859 of 00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:11.839 first 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:13.139 importance 00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:14.599 kids 00:32:14.599 --> 00:32:15.819 this is 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:16.220 why your 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.679 parents 00:32:16.679 --> 00:32:17.559 are here 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.720 this morning 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.899 they could 00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:20.220 be out 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:20.759 making more 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.039 money 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:21.480 somewhere 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.559 they could 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:22.939 be out 00:32:22.939 --> 00:32:23.480 having more 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:23.959 fun 00:32:23.959 --> 00:32:24.579 somewhere 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:26.339 but they're 00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:27.199 here because 00:32:27.199 --> 00:32:27.779 what is of 00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:28.839 first importance 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.779 is the 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.419 cross 00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:31.199 of Jesus 00:32:31.199 --> 00:32:31.759 Christ 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.279 and his 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:32.799 love for 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.079 them 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:34.839 Jesus 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:35.740 gathers us 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.299 around this 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:36.639 table 00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.319 regularly 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:38.059 so that 00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:38.599 we don't 00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:39.079 forget 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.319 what is 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:41.119 of first 00:32:41.119 --> 00:32:42.299 importance 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:43.240 that he 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:43.700 came 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.619 to the 00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.220 cross 00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:46.480 to die 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.919 for us 00:32:47.919 --> 00:32:49.200 to redeem 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.939 us 00:32:49.939 --> 00:32:52.000 remember 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:53.679 how Paul 00:32:53.679 --> 00:32:54.099 said 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:55.139 I received 00:32:55.139 --> 00:32:55.519 from the 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:55.899 Lord what 00:32:55.899 --> 00:32:56.319 I also 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:56.740 delivered 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.240 to you 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.599 that the 00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:58.159 Lord Jesus 00:32:58.159 --> 00:32:58.619 on the 00:32:58.619 --> 00:32:58.980 night he 00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.559 was betrayed 00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.480 took bread 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:01.919 and when he 00:33:01.919 --> 00:33:02.159 had given 00:33:02.159 --> 00:33:02.759 thanks he 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.279 broke it 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.740 and said 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.379 this is my 00:33:04.379 --> 00:33:05.000 body which 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.819 is for you 00:33:05.819 --> 00:33:06.740 do this 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.339 in remembrance 00:33:07.339 --> 00:33:07.980 of me 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:09.859 in the same 00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:10.500 way also he 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:10.859 took the 00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:11.439 cup after 00:33:11.439 --> 00:33:12.240 supper saying 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:13.319 this cup is 00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:13.659 the new 00:33:13.659 --> 00:33:14.259 covenant in 00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:14.779 my blood 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.720 do this as 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.339 often as you 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:17.000 drink it in 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.839 remembrance of 00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:18.779 me for as 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.579 often as you 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.500 eat this bread 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:21.500 and drink the 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.200 cup you 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:23.039 proclaim the 00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:23.740 Lord's death 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.339 until he 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:25.379 comes and 00:33:25.379 --> 00:33:26.019 that's what 00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:26.399 you've been 00:33:26.399 --> 00:33:27.240 called to do 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:28.139 is to 00:33:28.139 --> 00:33:29.480 proclaim his 00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.159 kingdom 00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:31.559 to follow 00:33:31.559 --> 00:33:32.519 him 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:34.659 and so if 00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:34.980 you're a 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.559 follower of 00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:36.419 Jesus Christ 00:33:36.419 --> 00:33:37.460 come 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.119 this is 00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:38.619 this is 00:33:38.619 --> 00:33:39.240 food for 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:39.819 the journey 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:41.279 to strengthen 00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:42.379 you as you 00:33:42.379 --> 00:33:43.119 follow him in 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:44.079 difficult places 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.819 even to 00:33:44.819 --> 00:33:45.339 death 00:33:45.339 --> 00:33:47.980 come and 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:48.700 rejoice and 00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:49.559 celebrate 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:51.700 if you're 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.119 here and 00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:52.419 you're a 00:33:52.419 --> 00:33:52.859 follower of 00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:53.339 Christ but 00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:53.639 not a 00:33:53.639 --> 00:33:54.000 member of 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.379 this church 00:33:54.379 --> 00:33:54.679 this is 00:33:54.679 --> 00:33:55.019 not our 00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:55.599 table it's 00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.019 his 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:57.299 it's his 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:57.759 table he 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.619 calls all 00:33:58.619 --> 00:33:59.079 of us to 00:33:59.079 --> 00:33:59.700 come and 00:33:59.700 --> 00:34:00.200 celebrate 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.220 together who 00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:01.960 would turn 00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.480 from our 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.359 sin and 00:34:03.359 --> 00:34:04.159 embrace him 00:34:04.159 --> 00:34:05.019 again who 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.480 have joined 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:07.160 any church 00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:07.839 that preaches 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:08.860 the gospel of 00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:09.820 Jesus Christ 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.900 alone for 00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.980 salvation come 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:13.079 and celebrate 00:34:13.079 --> 00:34:14.860 if you don't 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.759 know him if 00:34:15.759 --> 00:34:16.599 you've rejected 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.559 him on 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:19.179 principle if 00:34:19.179 --> 00:34:19.619 you've said 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:19.900 you know 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:21.199 what it's 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:22.119 good to know 00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:22.780 Jesus but 00:34:22.780 --> 00:34:23.300 there's some 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:23.880 other things 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:24.360 that you have 00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:24.960 to do too 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.739 or I'm 00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:26.199 hedging my 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.679 bets I 00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.340 don't know 00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:27.639 if he's 00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:27.820 going to 00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:28.300 come through 00:34:28.300 --> 00:34:28.800 I'd really 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:30.340 rather something 00:34:30.340 --> 00:34:31.440 else don't 00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:31.960 don't come to 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.639 this table 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:35.199 rather consider 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:35.940 coming to 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.539 Jesus 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:38.320 Jesus says 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:38.860 don't come 00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:39.260 and do 00:34:39.260 --> 00:34:40.000 something that 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:40.699 would profess 00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:41.639 outwardly what's 00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:42.420 not true of 00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:43.159 you inwardly 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:43.860 and when you 00:34:43.860 --> 00:34:44.400 come to this 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.440 table you say 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.240 the death of 00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:47.220 Jesus in my 00:34:47.220 --> 00:34:48.340 place is the 00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:49.199 only thing that 00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:49.820 brings me to 00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:50.460 sit down with 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:50.940 my heavenly 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:52.220 father in 00:34:52.220 --> 00:34:52.940 fellowship with 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:54.099 him if that's 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:54.699 your heart come 00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:56.519 and feast if 00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:58.559 it's not he 00:34:58.559 --> 00:35:01.739 patiently comes 00:35:01.739 --> 00:35:02.440 to you to 00:35:02.440 --> 00:35:03.519 redeem he 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.199 goes to the 00:35:04.199 --> 00:35:05.599 cross because 00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:07.119 he loves the 00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:08.299 world won't 00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:09.960 you trust Jesus 00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:10.659 and come to 00:35:10.659 --> 00:35:11.679 him let me 00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:12.159 pray and then 00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:12.519 we'll come to 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:12.980 this table 00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:14.799 father thank 00:35:14.799 --> 00:35:17.039 you for a 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.420 table that 00:35:17.420 --> 00:35:18.039 reminds us 00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.440 what's of 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:19.460 first importance 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:21.259 gave us this 00:35:21.259 --> 00:35:21.739 to do 00:35:21.739 --> 00:35:22.420 repeatedly 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:24.000 because you 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:24.539 wanted us to 00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.340 remember and 00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:26.019 to proclaim 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:26.679 your death 00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:27.159 until you 00:35:27.159 --> 00:35:27.679 come and we 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:28.239 do it this 00:35:28.239 --> 00:35:29.039 morning we 00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:29.779 proclaim there's 00:35:29.779 --> 00:35:30.599 nothing in us 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.339 good enough to 00:35:31.339 --> 00:35:32.179 commend it to 00:35:32.179 --> 00:35:33.639 you but there 00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:35.939 is plenty in 00:35:35.939 --> 00:35:36.819 the life and 00:35:36.819 --> 00:35:38.039 death and 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:38.879 resurrection of 00:35:38.879 --> 00:35:39.679 Jesus and we 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.779 hold on to him 00:35:40.779 --> 00:35:42.699 this morning to 00:35:42.699 --> 00:35:44.979 encourage us in 00:35:44.979 --> 00:35:45.819 our faith through 00:35:45.819 --> 00:35:47.099 these elements in 00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:49.219 Jesus name amen 00:35:49.219 --> 00:35:53.759 for more 00:35:53.759 --> 00:35:54.859 information visit 00:35:54.859 --> 00:35:55.979 us online at 00:35:55.979 --> 00:35:56.879 southwood.org 00:35:58.239 --> 00:35:59.599 lake 00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:01.239 content 00:36:01.239 --> 00:36:01.739 out of 00:36:01.739 --> 00:36:01.919 near 00:36:01.919 --> 00:36:02.199 you 00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:06.439 land 00:36:06.439 --> 00:36:06.779 on 00:36:06.779 --> 00:36:07.339 do 00:36:07.339 --> 00:36:07.439 here 00:36:07.439 --> 00:36:07.859 when 00:36:07.979 --> 00:36:08.079 from