WEBVTT

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 We're going to do a sermon series today in the Gospel of Luke.

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 So if you'll turn with me to Luke chapter 19, that's where we're going to get it.

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 That's page 825 in the few miles.

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 Luke chapter 19, page 825.

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 This time of year, the time between Christmas and Easter, is this hard time when the church

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 has focused its attention on the person of Jesus.

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 We're always focusing on Christ because we've just sung.

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 What we want is to see Christ more clearly, but it's good to regularly return to the Gospels

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 themselves and get a firsthand encounter there with the one that we worship, the one that

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 is at the center of our worship, Jesus.

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 Now, as we start into the Gospel of Luke this season, just a quick orientation to this book.

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 The Gospel of Luke falls roughly into three parts.

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 The first, chapters 1 through 9, deal with Jesus' birth and his ministry in Galilee.

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 And the big question that Luke deals with there is, who is this Jesus?

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 And the picture that emerges in Luke 1 through 9 is that Jesus is, in fact, Israel's Messiah,

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 the Lord, the liberator that we've been waiting for.

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 And then begins the second section of the Gospel of Luke, in chapters 9 through 19.

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 And there Luke recounts Jesus' long journey from Galilee to Jerusalem.

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 And here we join the disciples on the road with Jesus.

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 And Luke is dealing with the question here of, what does it mean to follow Jesus?

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 What does it mean to follow him?

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 And the picture that emerges in 9 through 19 is that following Jesus means complete allegiance

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 to him as our Lord.

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 And if you were here last winter and spring, we preached through that section of Luke.

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 You can find those sorts on the website if you want to go back and listen to some of those.

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 But now, we come to the third and final section of Luke's Gospel, chapters 19 through 24.

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 And these chapters deal with the climax of Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem.

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 And the big question here that Luke takes up is, what has Jesus come to do?

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 This liberator who calls for our utmost allegiance, what is the work he's come to accomplish?

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 How will he set us free?

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 And the shocking answer to that question, the answer that will turn everything upside down,

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 the answer that will make Jesus and Christianity completely different than every other religion,

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 the answer to that question is, the cross.

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 Now why is Luke right on this?

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 In the opening chapter of Luke, chapter 1, the opening verses,

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 he says there that he's taking time to research and gather all these first-hand accounts of Jesus.

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 Luke's writing in the 60s, 70s, the first century, 60s, 70s, 80s.

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 He says he's gathered all these first-hand accounts of Jesus,

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 put them into an orderly account, so that his young friend named Theophilus

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 might know the certainty of the things he did.

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 He wants the faith of his friend not to rest on wishful thinking or on vague notions,

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 but on the certainty of who Jesus is and what he's done.

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 So it's our prayer that as we launch into the gospel, Luke again,

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 that that same sort of assurance, that same sort of assuring certainty will increasingly be ours.

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 And out of that assurance, we can be the kind of people who are people of love and hope and even joy

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 in the midst of our city that so desperately needs all of us.

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 So why don't we pray?

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 And then we'll dive into those things.

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 Let's pray.

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 Father, we are grateful that we get a chance on Sunday mornings to gather together as your people

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 in this new covenant that you want for us, where there's grace and forgiveness in life.

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 Amen.

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 God, thank you that through your word you speak to us.

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 Thank you that we have these documents that have been written and preserved and inspired by your spirit

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 so that we can hear afresh the truth of who you are and what you've done, Jesus,

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 and what you continue to do through your spirit in your church and in our own lives.

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 God, do your work this morning, we pray as we attend to your word.

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 We ask this humbly in the name of Jesus.

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 Amen.

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 So we're getting up to Luke 19, verses 11 through 28.

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 This is the passage that ends the second section of Luke's gospel and begins the third and final section

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 of Luke's gospel, Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem.

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 So Luke 19, verse 11.

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 As they heard these things, he, that is Jesus, proceeded to tell Pharaoh, because he was here to Jerusalem,

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 and because they supposed that the kingdom of God to appear, he is.

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 He said, therefore, a nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.

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 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten meetings and said to them,

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 Engage in business until I come.

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 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying,

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 We do not want this man to reign over us.

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 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to move me and give him the money to be called to him,

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 that he might know what they would gain by doing business.

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 The first came forward and saying,

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 Lord, your mena has made ten meetings.

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 And he said to him,

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 Well done, good servant, because you have been faithful and very little,

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 you shall have a foreign meeting.

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 And the second came, saying,

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 Lord, your mena has made five meetings.

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 And he said to him,

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 You are to be over five meetings.

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 Then another came, saying,

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 Lord, here is your being,

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 which I kept laying away in the hand of chief.

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 For I was afraid,

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 because you are a severe man,

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 you take what you did not deposit,

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 reap what you did not sow.

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 And he said to him,

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 I will condemn you with your own words,

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 you wicked servant.

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 You knew that I was a severe man,

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 taking what I did not deposit,

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 reap what I did not sow.

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 Why then did you not put my money in the bank?

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 And am I coming?

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 I might have collected it with interest.

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 He said to those who stood by,

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 Take the need of him,

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 give it to the one who has ten meetings.

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 And he said to him,

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 Lord, he has ten meetings.

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 I tell you,

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 that to everyone who has,

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 more will be given.

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 But to the one who has not,

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 even what he has,

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 will be taken away.

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 But as for these enemies of mine,

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 who did not want me to reign over them,

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 break from the air,

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 it's a lot of them for me.

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 When he said these things,

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 he went on ahead.

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 I'll go back to Jerusalem.

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 Well,

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 our passage today

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 is about expectations.

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 Expectations, of course,

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 can be a very powerful thing.

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 Imagine the school child waking up,

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 seeing snow on the ground,

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 one expecting for a snow day.

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 And yet being told,

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 let go,

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 despite their expectations,

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 they still have to go to school.

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 That's going to be a rough morning

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 for the fall.

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 Or imagine a newly married couple

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 settling into their new home,

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 and one expecting that the other

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 will gladly do the bills,

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 or take care of the shopping,

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 because, well,

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 that's how it was growing up for them.

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 Think about getting a new job.

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 Finally, this is the place

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 where I can make my mark,

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 get ahead,

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 earn respect.

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 It's not hard to see

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 that these kinds of

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 almost unconscious expectations

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 can be the source

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 of all sorts of

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 misunderstanding,

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 disappointment,

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 but have you ever considered

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 that that's also true spiritually?

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 Many expect

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 religion to always say

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 basically the same thing.

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 And then are very surprised

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 when they find out

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 that they're actually quite old.

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 Many expect Jesus

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 to be just another

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 good moral teacher,

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 and then are surprised

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 or even taken aback

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 when they find out

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 that he's claiming

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 a whole lot more than that.

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 Many expect

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 that following Jesus

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 will always make our life easier,

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 and then are surprised,

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 even upset,

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 or discouraged,

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 when the road gets rough

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 and trials come.

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 in verse 11 of our passage,

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 we see that Jesus

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 tells this parable

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 because he's about

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 to arrive in Jerusalem,

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 and the people around him

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 expect the kingdom of God

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 to appear immediately.

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 The kingdom of God,

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 that is,

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 the world healing,

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 justice-bringing,

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 evil,

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 and the in-taking

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 reign

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 of the creator God

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 on the earth,

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 where the world's last

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 would be put

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 right next to the kingdom

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 of God.

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 And had God

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 Jesus himself said

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 that that kingdom

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 was at hand,

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 and that the kingdom

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 was even in their midst,

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 so they're expecting

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 the kingdom of God

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 now to remain

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 under Jerusalem

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 to appear

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 in the earth.

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 But although Jesus

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 had indeed

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 launched God's kingdom

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 in his own person

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 at work,

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 the kingdom of God

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 in its complete fullness

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 was not going to appear.

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 in other words,

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 in Jesus,

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 the kingdom of God

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 was inaugurated,

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 but its consummation

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 was not going to happen

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 right away,

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 as the disciples expected.

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 And so our expectations

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 can cause us

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 such problems

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 relationally,

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 vocationally,

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 and so the spiritual.

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 And so this parable

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 is the just for the first

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 disciples following

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 Jesus' own Jerusalem.

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 It's for us,

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 today,

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 as well.

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 So what should we expect

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 as followers of Jesus?

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 Well, the first thing

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 that this parable shows us

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 is that we should expect

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 not immediate victory,

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 but ongoing responsibility.

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 We should not expect

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 immediate victory,

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 but ongoing responsibility.

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 Look at it,

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 verses 12 through 14.

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 Jesus said,

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 therefore,

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 a nobleman

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 went into a far country

00:10:39.439 --> 00:10:40.500
 to receive for himself

00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:40.939
 a kingdom

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 and then returned,

00:10:42.579 --> 00:10:43.659
 calling ten of his servants

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 to give them ten units

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 and said to them,

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 engage in business

00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:47.419
 until I come.

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 But his citizens

00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:49.199
 hated him

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 and sent a delegation

00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:50.699
 after him,

00:10:50.699 --> 00:10:50.919
 saying,

00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:51.620
 we do not want

00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:52.659
 this man to bring our kids.

00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:54.360
 Now,

00:10:54.439 --> 00:10:55.019
 this idea

00:10:55.019 --> 00:10:56.199
 of a nobleman

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 going away

00:10:57.019 --> 00:10:58.100
 to receive a kingdom

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 or to receive

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 the authority

00:10:59.719 --> 00:11:00.679
 to be king

00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:02.000
 would have been familiar

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 to Jesus' contemporary.

00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:03.719
 In fact,

00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:05.139
 when Herod the Great died,

00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.159
 his son,

00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:06.819
 Barbeleus,

00:11:06.860 --> 00:11:07.939
 actually went to Rome

00:11:07.939 --> 00:11:09.299
 to try to convince Caesar

00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:10.199
 to make him king

00:11:10.199 --> 00:11:11.039
 over Judea

00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:12.039
 in the place of his father.

00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:13.579
 And the Jewish citizens

00:11:13.579 --> 00:11:14.860
 disliked Barbeleus

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 so much

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 that they sent

00:11:15.759 --> 00:11:16.659
 an embassy probe

00:11:16.659 --> 00:11:17.539
 to tell the emperor

00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:18.360
 that they didn't want

00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:18.899
 to be a king.

00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:20.559
 So I think the emperor

00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:22.039
 ended up making him

00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:23.100
 sort of a sort of

00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:24.079
 semi-classic war

00:11:24.079 --> 00:11:24.319
 and said,

00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:24.480
 well,

00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:25.319
 if you move into our menu

00:11:25.319 --> 00:11:25.679
 and you can use him.

00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:28.740
 So this idea

00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:30.500
 that one would go away

00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.639
 in order to receive

00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:32.179
 the authority

00:11:32.179 --> 00:11:32.980
 to be a king

00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:33.740
 was a true man.

00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:34.379
 I don't know if I could

00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:34.840
 get him to the

00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:35.740
 volume to the sword

00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.519
 together here.

00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:37.120
 And Jesus,

00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:38.000
 is your client

00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:39.079
 to his co-signition?

00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:43.159
 Is it going to result

00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:44.039
 in an evening king?

00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:44.519
 Would you say

00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:44.799
 was that?

00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:45.120
 Rather,

00:11:45.319 --> 00:11:45.960
 he's going to be

00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:46.360
 a king

00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:47.480
 for some time

00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:48.779
 and then return

00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:49.759
 in the future

00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.620
 and fold forward

00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.299
 into the future.

00:11:52.339 --> 00:11:53.000
 And as the story

00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:53.639
 of Luke's gospel

00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:54.860
 unfolds

00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:55.439
 and as the story

00:11:55.439 --> 00:11:56.019
 continues

00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:56.839
 into the past,

00:11:57.319 --> 00:11:57.899
 that's exactly

00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.500
 what we see.

00:11:59.079 --> 00:12:00.360
 Jesus accomplishes

00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:01.159
 his glory personal

00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:02.120
 and then ascends

00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:02.899
 to the Father

00:12:02.899 --> 00:12:04.500
 promising that

00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:05.419
 he will one day

00:12:05.419 --> 00:12:06.519
 return in glory

00:12:06.519 --> 00:12:06.980
 to the Lord.

00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:09.059
 This is what Jesus

00:12:09.059 --> 00:12:09.519
 himself

00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:10.139
 and the rest

00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.759
 of the New Testament

00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:11.199
 teaches

00:12:11.199 --> 00:12:12.259
 and is what the

00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:13.179
 church has professed

00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:14.259
 from the very beginning

00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:16.039
 that we live

00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:17.120
 in between

00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:18.700
 Christ's first

00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:19.679
 and second coming.

00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:21.980
 His first coming

00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:22.820
 in grace

00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:23.940
 to purchase

00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:24.580
 our redemption

00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.539
 and to ignorate

00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:25.980
 the kingdom

00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:27.519
 and his second coming

00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:28.120
 in glory

00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:28.679
 to judge

00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:29.379
 and to cause

00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:29.620
 them.

00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.460
 And so,

00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:34.399
 like those first

00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:35.060
 disciples,

00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:36.639
 we should not

00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:38.019
 expect immediate

00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:39.200
 victory in this

00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:40.500
 in-between time.

00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:43.720
 We still wrestle

00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:45.259
 and we will still

00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:46.720
 wrestle with sin

00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:47.360
 and temptation.

00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:49.259
 We will still

00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:50.139
 battle sickness

00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:50.840
 and death.

00:12:51.660 --> 00:12:52.440
 Our relationships

00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:53.120
 will be hard

00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:53.620
 at times.

00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:54.840
 Our emotional life

00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:55.480
 will not always

00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:56.019
 be easy.

00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:58.779
 Being a follower

00:12:58.779 --> 00:12:59.220
 of Jesus,

00:12:59.340 --> 00:12:59.980
 being filled

00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:00.779
 with his spirit

00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:02.000
 does not maybe

00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:03.259
 guarantee health,

00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:03.980
 wealth,

00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:04.860
 or sinless

00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:05.360
 temptation.

00:13:07.300 --> 00:13:07.879
 And if we

00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:08.879
 expect those things,

00:13:09.660 --> 00:13:10.960
 we will be

00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:11.899
 sorely disappointed.

00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:14.319
 And we can even

00:13:14.319 --> 00:13:14.879
 end up shaking

00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.799
 our fist to God

00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:17.179
 when he tells

00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:17.919
 that he hasn't

00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:19.159
 accomplished those things.

00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:23.220
 Rather than

00:13:23.220 --> 00:13:24.039
 immediate victory,

00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:25.659
 Jesus is telling

00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:26.399
 us to expect

00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:28.159
 ongoing responsibility.

00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:30.220
 In the parable

00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:30.980
 10, servants

00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:31.720
 are each given

00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:32.860
 one beating,

00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:33.639
 which is a unit

00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.419
 of money

00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:34.959
 that's about

00:13:34.959 --> 00:13:35.519
 three to four

00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:36.199
 months' wages

00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:37.139
 for a day worker.

00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:39.100
 And they're told

00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:39.899
 to engage

00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:40.699
 in business

00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:42.320
 until he comes.

00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.660
 Engage in business.

00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:46.480
 Now have you

00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.160
 ever thought about

00:13:47.160 --> 00:13:48.780
 engaging in business

00:13:48.780 --> 00:13:49.800
 as a benefit

00:13:49.800 --> 00:13:51.220
 for discipleship?

00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:53.720
 That's what Jesus

00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:54.340
 is doing here.

00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:56.600
 Had Jesus said

00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:57.400
 that there were

00:13:57.400 --> 00:13:58.140
 12 servants

00:13:58.140 --> 00:13:58.920
 entrusted with money,

00:13:58.980 --> 00:13:59.560
 we might have thought

00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:00.020
 he was talking

00:14:00.020 --> 00:14:01.040
 about the 12 apostles

00:14:01.040 --> 00:14:01.400
 maybe.

00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:02.460
 But no,

00:14:02.540 --> 00:14:03.320
 there's 10 servants

00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:03.860
 and that might

00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:04.040
 have been

00:14:04.040 --> 00:14:04.800
 talking about

00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.500
 all of us.

00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:08.480
 Engage in business.

00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:10.639
 Use what the

00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:11.639
 master has given

00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:11.960
 you.

00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.379
 Your time,

00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:14.899
 your talents,

00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:16.019
 your treasure,

00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:17.120
 all of it is a

00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.860
 gift for him

00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:19.580
 to be used

00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:20.539
 in the engagement

00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:21.700
 of his business.

00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:24.240
 Now I'm not

00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:24.920
 a business person,

00:14:25.920 --> 00:14:27.039
 but I do know

00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:28.060
 that if you want

00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:28.779
 to be a successful

00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:29.500
 business person,

00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:31.120
 you need a plan.

00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:33.860
 Have you ever

00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.420
 stepped back

00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:34.980
 and thought

00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:36.700
 how your time,

00:14:36.700 --> 00:14:37.140
 your talents,

00:14:37.320 --> 00:14:37.800
 your resources

00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:38.520
 can be used

00:14:38.520 --> 00:14:39.080
 for God's

00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:39.280
 kingdom?

00:14:40.180 --> 00:14:40.980
 As you engage

00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:41.580
 in your location,

00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.200
 as you engage

00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:43.060
 in your family life,

00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:43.520
 as you engage

00:14:43.520 --> 00:14:44.100
 in your community

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.480
 life,

00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:45.580
 have you ever

00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.060
 thought,

00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.460
 and made,

00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:47.920
 yes,

00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:48.420
 a plan,

00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:49.300
 about how

00:14:49.300 --> 00:14:50.020
 I might be

00:14:50.020 --> 00:14:50.540
 engaged in

00:14:50.540 --> 00:14:51.100
 the business

00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.759
 of God's

00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:53.000
 kingdom?

00:14:55.780 --> 00:14:56.460
 But a business,

00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:56.920
 you don't just

00:14:56.920 --> 00:14:57.500
 need a plan,

00:14:58.740 --> 00:14:59.860
 you also need

00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.280
 to be willing

00:15:00.280 --> 00:15:01.040
 to take risks,

00:15:01.400 --> 00:15:02.140
 don't you?

00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:04.620
 Following Jesus

00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.379
 is like that.

00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:06.620
 There will be

00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.259
 times when you

00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:07.899
 need to step

00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:09.299
 out and do

00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:10.240
 something risky,

00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:12.059
 but no great

00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:13.019
 business venture

00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:14.659
 ever really was

00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:15.439
 a success without

00:15:15.439 --> 00:15:16.019
 a little bit,

00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:16.879
 or maybe a lot

00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:17.419
 of risk,

00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:17.820
 right?

00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:19.980
 You have to do

00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:20.960
 something outside

00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:21.679
 of your comfort

00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:22.039
 zone,

00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.500
 like striking up

00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.200
 a conversation

00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:24.939
 with your neighbor,

00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:27.460
 or maybe volunteering

00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.419
 with a classroom

00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:29.120
 full of first

00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:29.559
 graders.

00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:30.679
 Could there be

00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:30.940
 anything

00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:31.620
 you want to do

00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:31.899
 that?

00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:36.279
 But in

00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:36.639
 business,

00:15:36.959 --> 00:15:37.360
 I've heard

00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:37.620
 you don't

00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:37.879
 just need

00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:38.259
 a plan,

00:15:38.439 --> 00:15:38.620
 and you

00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:38.919
 don't just

00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:39.120
 need a

00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:39.360
 willingness

00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:39.860
 to take

00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.100
 risks,

00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:40.419
 you need

00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:40.779
 planners.

00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.019
 You can't

00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.559
 move along.

00:15:44.579 --> 00:15:45.340
 And discipleship

00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:45.939
 is the same,

00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:46.600
 we need

00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.399
 each other.

00:15:47.959 --> 00:15:48.519
 The business

00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:48.959
 of God

00:15:48.959 --> 00:15:49.740
 isn't a

00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.240
 one-person

00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:50.819
 operation.

00:15:51.539 --> 00:15:52.079
 We need

00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:52.539
 various

00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.120
 things and

00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:53.699
 talents and

00:15:53.699 --> 00:15:54.059
 resources

00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:55.779
 working together

00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:56.759
 in this

00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.439
 business of

00:15:57.439 --> 00:15:57.799
 the kingdom.

00:15:57.799 --> 00:16:01.679
 But let me

00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.479
 mention just

00:16:02.479 --> 00:16:03.299
 one last

00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:03.599
 thing.

00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:05.679
 In business,

00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:06.299
 it seems to

00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:06.559
 be,

00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:08.539
 you need

00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.199
 confidence.

00:16:11.719 --> 00:16:12.539
 Because it's

00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:12.919
 not easy.

00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:15.199
 Look at

00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:15.779
 verse 14.

00:16:16.479 --> 00:16:17.039
 Jesus tells

00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:17.719
 us to expect

00:16:17.719 --> 00:16:18.139
 that many

00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:19.279
 people will

00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:19.659
 not let

00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:20.259
 complain to

00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:20.519
 business.

00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.339
 Some will

00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:22.799
 passively

00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.479
 reject Jesus

00:16:23.479 --> 00:16:23.859
 as their

00:16:23.859 --> 00:16:24.159
 king.

00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:25.000
 Some will

00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:25.379
 actively

00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:26.139
 reject Jesus

00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:26.539
 as their

00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:26.799
 king.

00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:28.279
 So as we

00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:28.719
 engage in

00:16:28.719 --> 00:16:29.039
 business,

00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:29.539
 things are

00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:29.919
 going to

00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.299
 be easy.

00:16:31.719 --> 00:16:32.240
 Discipleship

00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:32.639
 is going to

00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.079
 be hard.

00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.759
 We will

00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.699
 face setbacks

00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:36.319
 physically,

00:16:36.699 --> 00:16:37.379
 emotionally,

00:16:37.859 --> 00:16:38.679
 relationally.

00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.299
 What

00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:40.979
 confidence

00:16:40.979 --> 00:16:41.379
 can we

00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.379
 have in

00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:42.839
 the midst

00:16:42.839 --> 00:16:43.159
 of the

00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:43.579
 trials?

00:16:46.359 --> 00:16:46.879
 Well,

00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:47.199
 the glimmer

00:16:47.199 --> 00:16:47.559
 of good

00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:48.079
 news here

00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:48.339
 in this

00:16:48.339 --> 00:16:48.879
 first part

00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:49.099
 of the

00:16:49.099 --> 00:16:49.319
 Bible

00:16:49.319 --> 00:16:49.839
 is this,

00:16:50.959 --> 00:16:51.759
 that our

00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.979
 king has

00:16:52.979 --> 00:16:53.679
 looked upon

00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:54.299
 us,

00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:55.699
 servants,

00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:57.159
 and he's

00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:57.740
 made us

00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.299
 partners.

00:17:01.060 --> 00:17:01.620
 The

00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.139
 gospel,

00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.000
 the news

00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:04.380
 that God

00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.059
 accepts us

00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:05.900
 by grace

00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.380
 and not

00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:07.059
 works through

00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:07.480
 Jesus,

00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:09.140
 elevates us

00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:09.759
 and gives

00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.240
 us a

00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:10.740
 statement

00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.299
 that we

00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:11.660
 want to

00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:12.019
 be not.

00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.720
 No longer

00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.380
 just serving,

00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.279
 but partners

00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:15.960
 in this

00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:17.059
 business of

00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:17.460
 the kingdom.

00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.339
 What

00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:20.000
 wonderful news

00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.319
 is that?

00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.359
 That even

00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:22.339
 if setbacks

00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:22.900
 and trials

00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.180
 come,

00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:23.960
 we are

00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.799
 partners with

00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.240
 the king

00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.200
 representing

00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:26.740
 his interests

00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.000
 in the

00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.319
 world,

00:17:27.639 --> 00:17:28.339
 awaiting his

00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:28.759
 glorious

00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:29.079
 review.

00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:31.919
 What

00:17:31.919 --> 00:17:32.159
 better

00:17:32.159 --> 00:17:32.619
 business

00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:33.519
 to give

00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:33.700
 our

00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:33.940
 help?

00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:35.960
 What

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:36.180
 other

00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:36.519
 business

00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:36.940
 venture

00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:37.299
 could be

00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:37.500
 more

00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.000
 adventurous

00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.859
 than to be

00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:39.419
 engaged in

00:17:39.419 --> 00:17:39.819
 the business

00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.319
 of the king

00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:40.879
 of the universe?

00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:41.040
 believers.

00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.020
 This is the

00:17:43.020 --> 00:17:43.420
 life of

00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.100
 discipleship.

00:17:44.260 --> 00:17:45.180
 This is what

00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:45.500
 we should

00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:45.920
 expect.

00:17:46.020 --> 00:17:46.680
 Not a

00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.020
 beginning

00:17:47.020 --> 00:17:47.340
 degree,

00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:47.700
 but an

00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.220
 ongoing,

00:17:48.560 --> 00:17:49.140
 glorious,

00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:49.920
 hard

00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:50.980
 responsibility.

00:17:54.340 --> 00:17:55.020
 But there's

00:17:55.020 --> 00:17:55.320
 more.

00:17:56.520 --> 00:17:57.300
 The rest of

00:17:57.300 --> 00:17:57.620
 the parable

00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:58.460
 is just as

00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.060
 important when

00:17:59.060 --> 00:17:59.520
 it comes to

00:17:59.520 --> 00:18:00.000
 our spiritual

00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.680
 expectations.

00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:03.340
 Because you

00:18:03.340 --> 00:18:03.660
 see, many

00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.620
 of us expect

00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:05.540
 that this

00:18:05.540 --> 00:18:06.720
 life is

00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:06.880
 all

00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.300
 there is.

00:18:09.040 --> 00:18:09.660
 Or if

00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.040
 there is

00:18:10.040 --> 00:18:10.300
 something

00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:10.659
 more to

00:18:10.659 --> 00:18:11.019
 come,

00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:11.940
 it's not

00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:12.680
 very connected

00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.279
 to what

00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:13.960
 happens here

00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.419
 and now,

00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.000
 or maybe

00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:15.919
 only marginally

00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.279
 so.

00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:17.960
 It sort

00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.440
 of reminds

00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:18.839
 me of

00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.240
 J.J.

00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:19.639
 Abrams'

00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.220
 TV show

00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.720
 Lost.

00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:23.299
 If you

00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:23.859
 were a

00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:24.779
 Lost fan,

00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.759
 you'll know

00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.159
 that it was

00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:27.940
 six seasons

00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:28.519
 of high

00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:28.960
 drama,

00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:29.980
 plot twists

00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.559
 and turns,

00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:31.259
 character

00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:31.839
 development,

00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:32.879
 and then

00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:33.700
 in the

00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.680
 final episode,

00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:35.940
 rather than

00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.659
 drawing all

00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:37.259
 those threads

00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:37.919
 together and

00:18:37.919 --> 00:18:38.359
 making a

00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:38.740
 meaningful

00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.359
 whole out of

00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:39.980
 the series,

00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.539
 the final

00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.279
 episode simply

00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:42.619
 had the

00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:42.960
 characters

00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.639
 reunite,

00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.819
 realize that

00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:45.079
 much of

00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:45.440
 their story

00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.019
 didn't matter,

00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:46.839
 and they

00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.399
 simply walk

00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:47.759
 into the

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.019
 light of

00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:48.740
 the afterlife.

00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:50.700
 You can

00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:50.980
 tell I

00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.139
 have to

00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:51.500
 the light

00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:51.779
 on the

00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.059
 process.

00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.680
 They

00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.200
 simply move

00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:56.379
 on.

00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.119
 Is that

00:18:59.119 --> 00:18:59.519
 what we

00:18:59.519 --> 00:18:59.680
 should

00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.240
 expect?

00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.139
 Mere

00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:02.940
 reunion?

00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.160
 reunion?

00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:07.620
 According to

00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:08.160
 Jesus in

00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:08.759
 verses 15

00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.600
 through 27,

00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.480
 we should

00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.340
 expect not

00:19:12.340 --> 00:19:13.660
 a mere

00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:13.980
 moving

00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.200
 on

00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.380
 of

00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:14.559
 your

00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.000
 reunion,

00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.320
 but a

00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:16.820
 thorough

00:19:16.820 --> 00:19:17.400
 coming

00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:18.299
 reckoning.

00:19:21.580 --> 00:19:22.220
 In the

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.539
 parable,

00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.019
 the noble

00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.740
 returns

00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.220
 under being

00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:24.860
 granted a

00:19:24.860 --> 00:19:25.080
 kingdom,

00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.360
 and he

00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:26.840
 calls to

00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:27.360
 him above

00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:28.120
 his servants

00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:28.559
 to whom

00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.100
 he entrusted

00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:29.680
 his money

00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.900
 and the

00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:31.299
 citizens

00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:31.940
 who rejected

00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.360
 him.

00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:34.820
 Now,

00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:35.200
 it's this

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.060
 final group

00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:36.640
 that probably

00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.140
 causes us

00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:37.460
 the most

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:37.880
 concern.

00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:38.900
 That

00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.320
 description

00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:39.900
 of judgment

00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.259
 in verse

00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.320
 27 strikes

00:19:41.320 --> 00:19:41.640
 us as

00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:42.019
 incredibly

00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.560
 harsh,

00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.759
 offensive.

00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:46.960
 But think

00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.620
 for a

00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:48.080
 moment of

00:19:48.080 --> 00:19:49.120
 all great

00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.980
 parts.

00:19:51.560 --> 00:19:52.200
 Sometimes

00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.920
 we need

00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.259
 something

00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.100
 shocking,

00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:55.320
 something

00:19:55.320 --> 00:19:56.100
 in your

00:19:56.100 --> 00:19:56.960
 face to

00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.240
 wake

00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:57.480
 this

00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:57.700
 whole

00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.240
 reality.

00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.480
 Is it

00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:00.720
 much

00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:00.920
 good

00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.220
 art

00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:01.519
 like

00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:01.840
 this?

00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:03.120
 Whether

00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:03.460
 it's a

00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.019
 modernist

00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.620
 painting,

00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:05.519
 or a

00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:05.799
 punk

00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:05.980
 from

00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.539
 an album,

00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.500
 it's

00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:07.960
 raw,

00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:08.620
 it's

00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:08.860
 in your

00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:09.360
 face,

00:20:09.560 --> 00:20:09.900
 so that

00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:10.460
 the viewers

00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:10.779
 of the

00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.100
 minister

00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:11.380
 will

00:20:11.380 --> 00:20:11.680
 actually

00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.180
 wake

00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:12.519
 up

00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.140
 to the

00:20:13.140 --> 00:20:13.600
 reality

00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:13.940
 of the

00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.400
 problems

00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:14.680
 that are

00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.100
 trying to

00:20:15.100 --> 00:20:15.259
 be

00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.820
 exposed.

00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:19.640
 So what

00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:19.900
 is the

00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.340
 reality

00:20:20.340 --> 00:20:20.700
 in which

00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:20.980
 Jesus

00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.539
 is trying

00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:21.880
 to wake

00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:22.180
 up?

00:20:24.600 --> 00:20:25.080
 Well,

00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:25.360
 it's to

00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:25.920
 the reality

00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.299
 of the

00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:26.820
 choices

00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:27.320
 that we

00:20:27.320 --> 00:20:27.700
 make

00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.200
 in this

00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:28.640
 life.

00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.480
 have

00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.380
 eternal

00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:31.120
 meaning.

00:20:33.040 --> 00:20:33.759
 Life

00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.400
 is not

00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:34.900
 meaning.

00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:36.820
 That

00:20:36.820 --> 00:20:37.600
 thing that

00:20:37.600 --> 00:20:38.300
 we feel

00:20:38.300 --> 00:20:38.920
 deep in

00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:39.160
 our

00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:39.640
 bones,

00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.380
 that this

00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:40.880
 life

00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:41.780
 matters,

00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:42.480
 that our

00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.259
 choices have

00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.840
 dignity,

00:20:44.320 --> 00:20:44.680
 that we

00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:44.980
 aren't

00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:46.140
 simply dust

00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:47.140
 specks on

00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:47.920
 a turntable

00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.820
 of oblivion.

00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.040
 No,

00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:50.940
 this

00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:52.060
 throttable

00:20:52.060 --> 00:20:52.800
 reckoning

00:20:52.800 --> 00:20:53.380
 by the

00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:53.720
 King

00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.480
 brings

00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:54.880
 the good

00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.520
 news that

00:20:55.520 --> 00:20:56.259
 our choices

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.020
 matter,

00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:57.500
 that life

00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.240
 does not

00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.480
 be

00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.859
 used.

00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.640
 But the

00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.359
 harsh reality

00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:02.759
 is that

00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.579
 one day

00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:05.000
 some

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.960
 will be

00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.460
 granted

00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.859
 exactly

00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:09.180
 what they

00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:09.640
 have asked

00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.000
 for.

00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.019
 Those who

00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.539
 happen to be

00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.000
 rejected,

00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.180
 who want

00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:15.819
 nothing to

00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.180
 do with

00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.460
 one,

00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.039
 who want

00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.319
 to be

00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:17.680
 ridden

00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.259
 once and

00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:18.759
 for all,

00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.420
 they will

00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:20.940
 be granted

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.859
 just that.

00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:24.039
 In God's

00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.420
 justice,

00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:24.840
 they will

00:21:24.840 --> 00:21:25.519
 be excluded

00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:25.980
 from his

00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.480
 presence,

00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.680
 eternally

00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.000
 separated.

00:21:30.820 --> 00:21:31.500
 And if

00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.160
 God is

00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.440
 the eternal

00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.240
 source of

00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.140
 all life,

00:21:36.340 --> 00:21:37.200
 what can

00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:37.779
 separation

00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.240
 from him

00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:38.860
 be like

00:21:38.860 --> 00:21:40.220
 but eternal

00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.620
 death?

00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:45.340
 Some

00:21:45.340 --> 00:21:45.800
 modern art

00:21:45.800 --> 00:21:46.279
 can make us

00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:46.700
 unworthy

00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:47.060
 whole,

00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:47.640
 who will

00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.100
 walk through

00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:48.539
 the LR

00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:48.920
 and tolerate

00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:49.500
 finds a

00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:49.800
 freedom

00:21:49.800 --> 00:21:50.220
 in people

00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:50.560
 pieces,

00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:51.900
 but that

00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.539
 doesn't make

00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.400
 it any less

00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:53.740
 true.

00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:57.820
 The question

00:21:57.820 --> 00:21:58.279
 this part of

00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:58.700
 the parable

00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.160
 puts to

00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.740
 us is,

00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.140
 are we

00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.900
 in line

00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:03.080
 rejected

00:22:03.080 --> 00:22:03.720
 the world

00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.220
 to right

00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:04.759
 the king?

00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.680
 But lest

00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.120
 we think

00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:10.560
 that Jesus'

00:22:10.800 --> 00:22:11.180
 parable

00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:11.980
 is unfair,

00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:13.440
 notice that

00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.180
 thoroughgoing

00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.700
 reckoning

00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.500
 also comes

00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:15.820
 to the

00:22:15.820 --> 00:22:16.240
 nobleman

00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.600
 servants.

00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:18.960
 In

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.360
 particular,

00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:19.940
 notice that

00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.440
 the bulk

00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.720
 of the

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:20.960
 parable

00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.560
 deals with

00:22:21.560 --> 00:22:22.019
 the last

00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.400
 servant,

00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:22.940
 the servant

00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:23.820
 who merely

00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.399
 returns

00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:24.599
 and

00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:24.960
 ultimately

00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.419
 be that

00:22:25.419 --> 00:22:25.700
 having

00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:25.899
 hidden

00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:26.220
 away

00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.419
 in

00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:26.519
 the

00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:26.599
 king

00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:26.759
 of

00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:26.899
 king.

00:22:28.419 --> 00:22:28.899
 Now,

00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.359
 outwardly,

00:22:29.419 --> 00:22:29.799
 this servant

00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.159
 would have

00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:30.279
 been

00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:30.799
 identified

00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.639
 with

00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:32.000
 becoming

00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.359
 king.

00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:33.119
 He would

00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.399
 have been

00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:33.799
 named

00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.319
 among

00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:34.759
 the business

00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.299
 partners,

00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:35.939
 and yet,

00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:37.099
 the reckoning

00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.919
 proved that

00:22:37.919 --> 00:22:38.740
 he had no

00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:40.039
 lasting place

00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.740
 in the

00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.019
 kingdom.

00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.799
 The warning

00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:46.419
 here is

00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:47.200
 to nominal

00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:48.439
 Christians,

00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:48.899
 that is,

00:22:48.919 --> 00:22:49.259
 those who

00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.939
 identify outwardly

00:22:50.939 --> 00:22:51.980
 with Christ

00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.799
 in name.

00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:54.200
 but for

00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:54.539
 whom there

00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:54.940
 is no

00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.440
 inward

00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:56.419
 reality,

00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:57.339
 no real

00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.619
 relationship

00:22:58.619 --> 00:23:00.059
 into Jesus.

00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:03.000
 You see,

00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.460
 it's not

00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:03.919
 out of my

00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:04.819
 hearts that

00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.279
 Jesus is

00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:05.879
 looking for,

00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:06.700
 but inward

00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.220
 reality,

00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:07.700
 inward

00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.359
 sincerity,

00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.240
 things like

00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:09.659
 baptism,

00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:10.440
 or church

00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:10.839
 attendance,

00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:11.419
 or being

00:23:11.419 --> 00:23:11.720
 able to

00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.279
 recite a

00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:12.480
 read,

00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.079
 those are

00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.579
 all good

00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:14.440
 things that

00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.079
 can be

00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:15.819
 fruits of

00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.319
 genuine

00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:16.839
 faith,

00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.680
 but in

00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:17.919
 and of

00:23:17.919 --> 00:23:18.299
 themselves

00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.680
 they are

00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.019
 not

00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.539
 sufficient.

00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:23.619
 Now,

00:23:23.659 --> 00:23:24.079
 this doesn't

00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.440
 mean that

00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:24.659
 we are

00:23:24.659 --> 00:23:25.139
 ultimately

00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:26.079
 saved by

00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.399
 our

00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:26.859
 works.

00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.619
 The good

00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.079
 fruit of

00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:29.680
 our life

00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.480
 does not

00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:30.940
 put us

00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.200
 in a

00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.440
 saving

00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:31.960
 relationship

00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.319
 with God.

00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:32.740
 We could

00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.700
 never be

00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.079
 with it.

00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.619
 We are

00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.359
 saved by

00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:37.420
 faith in

00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:37.960
 Christ's

00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:38.440
 righteousness

00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.000
 alone.

00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.059
 But as

00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.799
 the reformers

00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.339
 would say

00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.119
 again and

00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:43.500
 again,

00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.420
 we are

00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:45.079
 saved by

00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:46.119
 faith alone,

00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.579
 but saving

00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:48.759
 faith is

00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.240
 natural.

00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:51.799
 A living

00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.980
 tree produces

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.419
 fruit,

00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.019
 an active

00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.659
 bank account

00:23:55.659 --> 00:23:56.279
 produces

00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.699
 fruit.

00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.500
 Faith without

00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.740
 works is

00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.299
 dead faith.

00:24:01.639 --> 00:24:02.079
 No real

00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:02.639
 faith at all.

00:24:04.419 --> 00:24:05.240
 And this

00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:05.859
 last serpent

00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:07.159
 has nothing

00:24:07.159 --> 00:24:07.659
 to show

00:24:07.659 --> 00:24:08.439
 when the

00:24:08.439 --> 00:24:09.220
 master returns.

00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.679
 He did

00:24:10.679 --> 00:24:11.960
 nothing with

00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.359
 his meaning.

00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:14.500
 Is this

00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:14.740
 meaning?

00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.819
 Is this

00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.079
 meaning?

00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:20.339
 having

00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:20.879
 grown up

00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:21.119
 in a

00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:21.599
 time and

00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.839
 place where

00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.039
 the

00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.539
 gospel is

00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.000
 clearly

00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.599
 proclaimed,

00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:27.220
 when

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.859
 scripture is

00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:29.159
 printed and

00:24:29.159 --> 00:24:29.899
 available in

00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.319
 our own

00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:30.899
 language,

00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:31.819
 if we just

00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.679
 click away

00:24:32.679 --> 00:24:33.119
 on our

00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:33.699
 smartphone,

00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:34.179
 we can

00:24:34.179 --> 00:24:34.720
 read the

00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:34.919
 very

00:24:34.919 --> 00:24:35.379
 word of

00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:35.559
 God,

00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.519
 whatever

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:36.859
 and

00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:37.059
 whatever

00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:37.679
 we want.

00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:39.500
 When

00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.039
 scholarship

00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:40.919
 again and

00:24:40.919 --> 00:24:41.799
 again continues

00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.519
 to affirm

00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.619
 the gospel's

00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.359
 reliability,

00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.659
 when friends

00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.040
 and family

00:24:47.040 --> 00:24:47.519
 around us

00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.000
 are trusting

00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.560
 and following

00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:49.160
 Christ,

00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:51.279
 will we

00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:51.960
 have nothing

00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.660
 to show

00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.100
 for this

00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:53.560
 theme that

00:24:53.560 --> 00:24:53.980
 God has

00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.460
 given to

00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:54.800
 us?

00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.700
 Will we

00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.680
 not entrust

00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.380
 ourselves

00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:01.000
 wholeheartedly

00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:01.880
 to the

00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:02.120
 King?

00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:03.119
 God has

00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:04.119
 done it.

00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:04.479
 Amen.

00:25:06.479 --> 00:25:07.279
 And notice

00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.599
 something

00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.479
 important here.

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:10.879
 This servant

00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:12.399
 disobeys his

00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:13.119
 master's wishes

00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:13.679
 and does no

00:25:13.679 --> 00:25:14.179
 business with

00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:14.599
 the man.

00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.079
 And then to

00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.079
 justify his

00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.839
 inactivity,

00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.339
 his rejection of

00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:19.879
 the nobleman's

00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.119
 wishes,

00:25:20.459 --> 00:25:21.239
 he creates a

00:25:21.239 --> 00:25:22.279
 defined picture

00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:23.559
 of the nobleman.

00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:24.940
 And what is

00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:25.379
 that creating

00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:25.720
 a picture

00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.299
 like?

00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:26.779
 Well,

00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:27.740
 this nobleman

00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.500
 in his mind

00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.119
 is harsh

00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:30.379
 and demanding

00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:31.259
 and he takes

00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:31.759
 when he didn't

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.299
 have a cross

00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:32.839
 and he grieves

00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.279
 when he didn't

00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:33.839
 have a soul.

00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:35.339
 And of course

00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:35.899
 the nobleman's

00:25:35.899 --> 00:25:36.779
 generosity to

00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.279
 the previous

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.579
 servants

00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:37.899
 for his

00:25:37.899 --> 00:25:38.099
 own.

00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.480
 And yet,

00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.079
 in this

00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.500
 servant's

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:40.859
 mind,

00:25:41.419 --> 00:25:41.940
 this is the

00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.480
 picture he's

00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:42.859
 creating.

00:25:43.419 --> 00:25:44.119
 And this

00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:44.619
 picture of

00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.139
 the nobleman

00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:45.399
 that he

00:25:45.399 --> 00:25:45.859
 creates,

00:25:45.899 --> 00:25:46.480
 as severe

00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:46.819
 as the

00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.220
 bandit,

00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.399
 then allows

00:25:48.399 --> 00:25:49.579
 this servant

00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.480
 to blame

00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:52.259
 for his

00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:52.740
 exoesies.

00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.839
 Well,

00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.220
 he blames

00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.799
 the nobleman.

00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.480
 I was afraid

00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:57.819
 of you,

00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:58.500
 so I did

00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:58.779
 nothing.

00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.679
 Because you're

00:26:00.679 --> 00:26:01.099
 so hard.

00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.859
 Do you

00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.259
 notice the

00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:07.039
 hard dynamic

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.019
 of sin

00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.960
 that Jesus

00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.519
 is laying

00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:10.240
 for us?

00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.859
 We

00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:12.339
 disobey.

00:26:14.139 --> 00:26:14.980
 We create

00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.440
 a false

00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:15.879
 image of

00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:16.319
 God that

00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:17.019
 justifies

00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.200
 our

00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:18.000
 disobedience.

00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:19.700
 And then

00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.279
 we use

00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:20.839
 that false

00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:21.399
 image to

00:26:21.399 --> 00:26:23.019
 turn and

00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.359
 put the

00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:23.979
 way back

00:26:23.979 --> 00:26:24.219
 on the

00:26:24.219 --> 00:26:24.439
 thought

00:26:24.439 --> 00:26:24.819
 of sin.

00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.119
 Do you

00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:29.500
 see that

00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.719
 dynamic in

00:26:30.719 --> 00:26:31.079
 your own

00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:31.339
 heart?

00:26:31.479 --> 00:26:34.359
 I know

00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:34.779
 I've seen

00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.339
 you mine

00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:37.740
 and it

00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.199
 should make

00:26:38.199 --> 00:26:38.599
 us

00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:39.139
 trouble.

00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:43.719
 And so

00:26:43.719 --> 00:26:44.159
 the lesson

00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:44.539
 we're going

00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:44.879
 to take

00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:45.439
 away from

00:26:45.439 --> 00:26:46.419
 this last

00:26:46.419 --> 00:26:46.819
 circle

00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:50.019
 is that

00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.559
 we must

00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.479
 make use

00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:52.380
 of

00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:52.420
 the

00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:52.759
 meaning

00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.240
 that

00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.799
 God

00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:53.980
 has

00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.559
 given us.

00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.880
 We must

00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:56.660
 not allow

00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.220
 the false

00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:57.819
 images of

00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.200
 God in

00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:58.660
 our minds

00:26:58.660 --> 00:26:59.360
 to us

00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:00.860
 from taking

00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:02.259
 advantage of

00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:02.680
 that gift

00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.099
 that God

00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:03.440
 has given.

00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.799
 It's not

00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:06.160
 enough to be a

00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.759
 Christian in

00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.579
 name only.

00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:08.980
 As verse 20

00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.819
 shows us,

00:27:09.860 --> 00:27:10.200
 if you look

00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:10.500
 there,

00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.720
 if we are a

00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.299
 Christian in

00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:12.980
 name only,

00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:13.599
 even that

00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.339
 name will be

00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:14.860
 taken away

00:27:14.860 --> 00:27:15.259
 from us.

00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:19.180
 not our

00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.920
 identity,

00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:21.140
 but in

00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.319
 living

00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.339
 relationship

00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:24.200
 with Jesus,

00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.240
 that's what

00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.819
 happens.

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.279
 And how

00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.500
 do you

00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:28.960
 do that?

00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.039
 First,

00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.819
 something called

00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.319
 an evidence,

00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.379
 which is

00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:36.400
 admitting to

00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:36.819
 God

00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:38.660
 that you're

00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:38.960
 saying,

00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.019
 and then

00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.359
 saying,

00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:44.619
 trusting in

00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:44.979
 the Lord

00:27:44.979 --> 00:27:45.299
 Jesus'

00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:45.939
 life,

00:27:46.379 --> 00:27:46.839
 death,

00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:47.039
 and

00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.479
 resurrection

00:27:47.479 --> 00:27:47.839
 of the

00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.079
 world,

00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.819
 that you

00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.039
 are

00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.579
 not

00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.359
 in

00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.019
 trusting

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.519
 yourself

00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:51.979
 to him

00:27:51.979 --> 00:27:52.259
 as your

00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.500
 business.

00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.399
 And for

00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:57.759
 those who

00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.759
 make that

00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.639
 step,

00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.240
 there is

00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.719
 also

00:28:01.719 --> 00:28:02.779
 a

00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:02.979
 right.

00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.259
 In

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.019
 verses 16

00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.679
 through 19,

00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.439
 the servants

00:28:08.439 --> 00:28:09.299
 who had

00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.659
 occasion

00:28:09.659 --> 00:28:10.059
 visits

00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.480
 with the

00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:10.759
 masters

00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.139
 being in,

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.059
 we find

00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.419
 them there.

00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:13.679
 They've

00:28:13.679 --> 00:28:13.940
 taken

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.159
 their

00:28:14.159 --> 00:28:14.399
 message.

00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.099
 They've

00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.339
 stepped

00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:15.700
 out of

00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:15.919
 faith.

00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:16.879
 They've

00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:17.220
 come,

00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.200
 and they

00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.679
 come with

00:28:18.679 --> 00:28:19.099
 what they've

00:28:19.099 --> 00:28:19.359
 gained.

00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.559
 Some,

00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.099
 no doubt,

00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:23.599
 have been

00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.480
 hit through

00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.500
 hardship and

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:25.839
 trial.

00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.240
 Some have

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.099
 probably spent

00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.879
 sleepless nights

00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.259
 wandering

00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:30.980
 out when all

00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.500
 turnouts.

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.079
 Some,

00:28:33.159 --> 00:28:33.440
 they have

00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.159
 lost friends

00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:34.599
 or family

00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.319
 members along

00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:35.819
 the way.

00:28:36.899 --> 00:28:37.679
 Some probably

00:28:37.679 --> 00:28:38.220
 made deep

00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:38.919
 sacrifices.

00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:42.940
 But at

00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.259
 last,

00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:43.639
 this day

00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.099
 of reckoning

00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.579
 comes.

00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:46.940
 And what we

00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.539
 have to see

00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:47.759
 in the

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.079
 airport

00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:50.299
 is the

00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:50.960
 radical

00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:52.480
 generosity

00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.399
 of the

00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:53.599
 king.

00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:55.740
 I think

00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:55.960
 that it

00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.279
 was no

00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:56.619
 more than

00:28:56.619 --> 00:28:56.980
 three or

00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.619
 four months

00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:58.240
 of a

00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:58.440
 day

00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:58.899
 was

00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.159
 a

00:28:59.159 --> 00:28:59.639
 generation.

00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:01.859
 You know,

00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:02.379
 history tells

00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:02.519
 us,

00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.099
 I think it was

00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:03.599
 Mark Anthony,

00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.359
 history tells

00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:04.759
 us that when

00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.240
 Mark Anthony

00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.679
 tried to

00:29:05.679 --> 00:29:06.259
 reward his

00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:06.740
 soldier's

00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.119
 service,

00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:08.140
 he gave

00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:08.400
 them a

00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:09.019
 mina as

00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.379
 a gift.

00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:10.480
 And they

00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:10.960
 basically

00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.519
 mocked him

00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:11.920
 because he

00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.079
 was such

00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:12.460
 a small

00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:12.740
 man.

00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.160
 So he

00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.480
 had to

00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:15.019
 up his

00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.259
 gifts

00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:15.619
 over the

00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:15.819
 Lord.

00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.119
 Which goes

00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:18.400
 to show

00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:18.779
 that mina

00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.599
 was something

00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.160
 of that

00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.480
 much.

00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.039
 And yet

00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.440
 when these

00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:22.839
 servants

00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.900
 come before

00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:24.539
 their king,

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:26.220
 some having

00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:26.799
 been ten

00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.180
 minas,

00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:27.720
 which was

00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:27.980
 not a

00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.319
 number of

00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:28.740
 return in

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.019
 the first

00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:29.359
 century,

00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.180
 and some

00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.559
 having been

00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.259
 five minas,

00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:32.720
 what's the

00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.119
 reward?

00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:36.359
 In

00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:37.359
 return for

00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:38.079
 a minas,

00:29:38.199 --> 00:29:38.419
 run,

00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:40.799
 the servants

00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.599
 are rewarded

00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.599
 with the

00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.879
 rule over

00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:45.159
 whole cities.

00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:47.959
 The reward

00:29:47.959 --> 00:29:49.500
 is lavishly

00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.459
 disproportionate.

00:29:51.479 --> 00:29:51.979
 For the

00:29:51.979 --> 00:29:52.739
 small amount

00:29:52.739 --> 00:29:53.379
 they return,

00:29:53.699 --> 00:29:54.000
 they are

00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.359
 granted

00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:55.239
 unprecedented

00:29:55.239 --> 00:29:55.839
 dignity,

00:29:56.239 --> 00:29:56.659
 position,

00:29:56.959 --> 00:29:57.500
 importance,

00:29:57.679 --> 00:29:58.219
 and honor

00:29:58.219 --> 00:29:58.479
 in the

00:29:58.479 --> 00:29:58.899
 kingdom of

00:29:58.899 --> 00:29:59.099
 God.

00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.019
 I mean,

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.719
 imagine,

00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.579
 if I gave

00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:01.759
 you,

00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:02.179
 let's say

00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:02.419
 I gave

00:30:02.419 --> 00:30:02.959
 you 3,000,

00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:03.839
 to invest.

00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:04.759
 No,

00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.239
 small amount

00:30:05.239 --> 00:30:05.939
 had a huge

00:30:05.939 --> 00:30:06.239
 amount of

00:30:06.239 --> 00:30:06.399
 money.

00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.099
 And you

00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:08.799
 came back

00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:08.979
 to me and

00:30:08.979 --> 00:30:09.219
 you said,

00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:09.419
 hey,

00:30:09.479 --> 00:30:10.279
 I actually

00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:10.639
 turned you

00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.139
 $3,000

00:30:11.139 --> 00:30:12.139
 into $10,000.

00:30:13.459 --> 00:30:13.839
 How do you

00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.659
 think about that?

00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:16.359
 What you

00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:17.039
 wouldn't expect

00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.459
 me to say,

00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:18.259
 great job,

00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:18.979
 you beat

00:30:18.979 --> 00:30:19.259
 the whole

00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:19.579
 city of

00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:19.879
 New England.

00:30:23.479 --> 00:30:24.199
 Just have

00:30:24.199 --> 00:30:24.599
 progress.

00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:28.179
 And that

00:30:28.179 --> 00:30:29.299
 is the

00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.219
 graciousness

00:30:30.219 --> 00:30:30.799
 of our

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.119
 duty.

00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:33.179
 we are

00:30:33.179 --> 00:30:33.919
 saved by

00:30:33.919 --> 00:30:34.379
 grace,

00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.399
 and we

00:30:35.399 --> 00:30:35.679
 are

00:30:35.679 --> 00:30:36.439
 rewarded

00:30:36.439 --> 00:30:37.279
 in

00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.659
 grace.

00:30:39.239 --> 00:30:39.939
 You see,

00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.419
 what Jesus

00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:41.079
 wants us

00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:41.759
 to see

00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.779
 is that

00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.419
 the business

00:30:43.419 --> 00:30:44.339
 of discipleship,

00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:45.479
 the plans,

00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.579
 the risk,

00:30:46.979 --> 00:30:47.619
 the trials,

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.500
 the hardship,

00:30:48.959 --> 00:30:50.199
 it will all

00:30:50.199 --> 00:30:51.279
 be worth it

00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.019
 for the king

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.799
 of the

00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.399
 situation.

00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:54.039
 Amen.

00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:55.680
 even if you

00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.720
 feel as if

00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.559
 your demon

00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:58.440
 has gained

00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.299
 so little,

00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.480
 it is not

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.759
 little in the

00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.379
 eyes of our

00:31:03.379 --> 00:31:03.659
 king.

00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:04.960
 If done in

00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:05.819
 love for him,

00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:06.639
 then it is

00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:07.399
 held in

00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:08.159
 greatest need.

00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:09.000
 It is worth

00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:10.220
 cities upon

00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.259
 cities in his

00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:11.859
 eyes.

00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:11.919
 grace.

00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.679
 So don't

00:31:15.679 --> 00:31:16.939
 hesitate to

00:31:16.939 --> 00:31:17.459
 give this

00:31:17.459 --> 00:31:18.419
 king your

00:31:18.419 --> 00:31:18.939
 all.

00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.879
 To live

00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.539
 your life

00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:21.979
 for him.

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.219
 To plan,

00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:23.919
 to risk,

00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:24.699
 to suffer,

00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.759
 even to die

00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.199
 for him.

00:31:26.899 --> 00:31:27.559
 This is no

00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:28.079
 harsh,

00:31:28.439 --> 00:31:28.939
 severe,

00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:29.459
 tired,

00:31:29.699 --> 00:31:30.959
 despite what

00:31:30.959 --> 00:31:31.579
 that final

00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.179
 servant might

00:31:32.179 --> 00:31:32.479
 say,

00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.219
 or despite

00:31:33.219 --> 00:31:33.559
 what the

00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:33.979
 voice in

00:31:33.979 --> 00:31:34.299
 your head

00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:34.899
 might sometimes

00:31:34.899 --> 00:31:35.399
 want you to

00:31:35.399 --> 00:31:35.659
 hear,

00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.879
 this king's

00:31:36.879 --> 00:31:37.359
 heart is

00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.419
 abounding in

00:31:38.419 --> 00:31:38.979
 grace.

00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:43.740
 after all,

00:31:43.920 --> 00:31:44.180
 what gives

00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:44.700
 this king

00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.039
 the right

00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.220
 of the

00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.519
 church?

00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:50.819
 What is,

00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:51.680
 what is it

00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:52.460
 that Jesus

00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.039
 has done

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.180
 that put

00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.880
 him to such

00:31:54.880 --> 00:31:55.259
 a place?

00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.279
 Look again

00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:59.000
 at verse 12,

00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.360
 the beginning

00:32:00.360 --> 00:32:00.799
 of Jesus'

00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:01.400
 paradigm.

00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:04.500
 The noble

00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:04.940
 that went

00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.620
 into a far

00:32:05.620 --> 00:32:08.400
 country to

00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:08.960
 receive her

00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:09.440
 himself.

00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.720
 A far

00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.160
 country.

00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.340
 Let's take

00:32:16.340 --> 00:32:17.000
 phrases used

00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.779
 in Luke 15

00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.220
 to Jesus'

00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:18.880
 parable of

00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:19.140
 the product

00:32:19.140 --> 00:32:19.319
 of the

00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:19.500
 son.

00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.039
 When the

00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:21.500
 elder son

00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:22.000
 leaves his

00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.319
 father,

00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:22.920
 he goes to

00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.360
 a far

00:32:23.360 --> 00:32:24.480
 country to

00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.200
 squander his

00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:25.480
 wealth.

00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:27.000
 And you

00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.140
 see,

00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:27.920
 Jesus too

00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:28.960
 would go

00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:29.200
 to the

00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:29.400
 far

00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:29.700
 country.

00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:31.579
 He would

00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:32.180
 go out

00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:32.720
 into the

00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.000
 far

00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.380
 country

00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:34.440
 where we

00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:34.660
 could

00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:35.319
 squander

00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:35.799
 them all

00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.400
 down into

00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:37.019
 our sin

00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.819
 and our

00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.380
 explosive

00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:38.640
 world.

00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.720
 And he

00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.020
 would go

00:32:40.020 --> 00:32:40.360
 out to

00:32:40.360 --> 00:32:40.820
 the far

00:32:40.820 --> 00:32:41.240
 country

00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:41.640
 of our

00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:41.920
 top

00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:42.260
 country

00:32:42.260 --> 00:32:43.000
 and our

00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:43.500
 rebellion.

00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:44.740
 And to the

00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.660
 far country

00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:46.380
 he would go

00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:46.760
 and it would

00:32:46.760 --> 00:32:47.860
 lead to

00:32:47.860 --> 00:32:48.540
 the cross.

00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:51.140
 And in that

00:32:51.140 --> 00:32:52.220
 far country

00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:53.660
 there, he

00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.080
 would lead

00:32:54.080 --> 00:32:54.680
 for himself

00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:55.140
 a kingdom.

00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:57.560
 no other

00:32:57.560 --> 00:32:58.500
 king, no

00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.259
 other religious

00:32:59.259 --> 00:32:59.820
 leader, no

00:32:59.820 --> 00:33:00.600
 other moral

00:33:00.600 --> 00:33:01.220
 teacher has

00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:01.720
 done what

00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.259
 Jesus did.

00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.440
 He alone

00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:04.920
 has gone

00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.280
 into the

00:33:05.280 --> 00:33:05.820
 far country

00:33:05.820 --> 00:33:06.220
 and found

00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.460
 him for

00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:06.920
 our sins.

00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:07.700
 He alone

00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:08.100
 has risen

00:33:08.100 --> 00:33:08.940
 again and

00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:09.480
 ascended to

00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:09.960
 the Father

00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.600
 and now

00:33:10.600 --> 00:33:10.980
 into a

00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.200
 seed

00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.460
 of

00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:11.759
 the

00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.060
 man.

00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.140
 This is

00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:14.680
 what gives

00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:15.300
 Jesus the

00:33:15.300 --> 00:33:16.440
 water to be

00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:16.620
 our

00:33:16.620 --> 00:33:17.980
 and to be

00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:18.140
 our

00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:18.720
 judge.

00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:20.240
 And to be

00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:20.400
 our

00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:20.700
 Lord.

00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:23.059
 Jesus did

00:33:23.059 --> 00:33:23.759
 what no

00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.580
 one expected

00:33:24.580 --> 00:33:25.720
 the Messiah

00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:26.200
 would do.

00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:28.720
 He died

00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:28.940
 on the

00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.319
 cross.

00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:31.519
 So that

00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.019
 we could

00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:32.620
 receive what

00:33:32.620 --> 00:33:33.039
 no one

00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:33.539
 expected

00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.240
 sinners

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:34.779
 to receive.

00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:36.279
 What the

00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:36.539
 life

00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:36.740
 is

00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.200
 the

00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:37.519
 kingdom

00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:37.920
 of

00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:38.360
 the

00:33:38.360 --> 00:33:38.920
 world.

00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:42.559
 Let's

00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:42.759
 pray.

00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:50.920
 Lord Jesus

00:33:50.920 --> 00:33:51.539
 we pray

00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:53.980
 that you

00:33:53.980 --> 00:33:54.319
 would take

00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:54.879
 our life

00:33:54.879 --> 00:33:57.259
 and let

00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:57.460
 your

00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.339
 consecrated

00:33:58.339 --> 00:34:00.220
 soul

00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:01.740
 today.

00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:03.940
 Take our

00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:04.440
 moments,

00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:06.000
 take our

00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:06.500
 days,

00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:09.519
 Lord,

00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:09.980
 invite the

00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:10.579
 Holy Spirit

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.159
 to let them

00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:11.539
 grow.

00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:13.440
 pray.

00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.200
 And when

00:34:16.200 --> 00:34:16.740
 we look

00:34:16.740 --> 00:34:18.980
 ahead to

00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.180
 your

00:34:19.180 --> 00:34:19.640
 return,

00:34:20.580 --> 00:34:20.960
 with the

00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.160
 right

00:34:21.160 --> 00:34:21.660
 expectation,

00:34:23.240 --> 00:34:23.820
 and so

00:34:23.820 --> 00:34:24.220
 we're ready

00:34:24.220 --> 00:34:24.560
 for that

00:34:24.560 --> 00:34:24.800
 great

00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.080
 thing.

00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.120
 We ask

00:34:28.120 --> 00:34:28.400
 this in

00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:28.860
 Christ's

00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:29.140
 love.