WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.660 Lord, thank you so much for a wonderful time to come together. 00:00:04.540 --> 00:00:10.000 Wonderful that the weather is, although hot, it's nice, we're snow-free. 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:14.720 Thank you for this place that we're gathering in. 00:00:15.300 --> 00:00:22.160 Thank you for the friendships and the family that exist here in this congregation. 00:00:23.059 --> 00:00:26.620 Thank you for your word. Thank you for this time together, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:28.359 You may be seated. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.700 I have a really, really good friend I grew up with, and he, it's really funny, 00:00:37.820 --> 00:00:40.740 our lives have really gone down the same track. 00:00:41.079 --> 00:00:43.500 Got married a month apart, he's a minister. 00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:49.159 We both grew up in the same town, the same church. 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:54.579 Anyways, we play a ton of practical jokes on each other, have some good laughs. 00:00:54.579 --> 00:01:01.479 Anyways, a couple years ago, he signed me up for a mailing list for an American faith healer. 00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:08.879 And periodically, every month, I would get these letters with like a gold plastic wallet that said, 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:16.739 if I put in $100 in this wallet and mail it back to him, I will have all the blessings in the world. 00:01:16.959 --> 00:01:29.219 If I would only take that $100 and put it in this envelope, he would send me back a handkerchief that would increase my faith and my life would be better. 00:01:29.219 --> 00:01:33.819 And it was, oh, there's this, a bit of a scam, and I thought it was kind of funny, we had a laugh about it. 00:01:34.019 --> 00:01:36.420 I couldn't get off the mailing list for well over a year. 00:01:37.019 --> 00:01:38.879 I don't even know how it worked. 00:01:38.939 --> 00:01:44.039 I think I threatened, like, if you keep this up, I'm going to talk to my MP, there's legislation about it. 00:01:44.079 --> 00:01:46.620 Anyways, it was like, it was the hardest thing ever. 00:01:46.620 --> 00:01:56.380 But this faith healer, the big push, I mean, apart from the kind of cronyism, was if you only had a little more faith. 00:01:57.060 --> 00:02:00.160 If you only had a bit more faith, life would go okay. 00:02:00.340 --> 00:02:03.659 If you only had a little bit more faith, the problems would be fine. 00:02:03.780 --> 00:02:10.740 If only you had a little bit more faith and slipped me 100, financial issues would be no more. 00:02:10.740 --> 00:02:16.260 It was always the onus on me to have a little bit more faith. 00:02:18.200 --> 00:02:27.660 I'll confess to you that that stuff drives me crazy, and I knee-jerk reaction to it, so much so that anybody or any time that I hear, 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:30.120 hey, listen, Dana, you just have to have a little more faith. 00:02:30.200 --> 00:02:34.080 Or whenever there's some issue, just, you know, brother, sister, have a bit more faith. 00:02:34.600 --> 00:02:38.180 I mean, at best, I kind of cringe. 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:42.280 At worst, it frustrates me so much. 00:02:42.980 --> 00:02:44.960 And I think it frustrates me for a couple reasons. 00:02:45.180 --> 00:02:50.439 The first reason is that life, I mean, listen, I am not of riper years, 00:02:50.760 --> 00:02:54.980 but I've lived long enough to know that life isn't easy. 00:02:56.480 --> 00:02:59.680 Life isn't, it's not a walk in the park. 00:02:59.760 --> 00:03:00.439 Life is tough. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:01.439 Life is tough. 00:03:01.439 --> 00:03:11.020 And even if you have a lot of blessing, even if you are in a season of, I mean, you just feel like you are, nothing could go wrong, 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:13.079 eventually something goes wrong. 00:03:14.359 --> 00:03:19.060 Eventually, some kind of depressed feelings hit you. 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:22.079 A loved one suffers. 00:03:22.919 --> 00:03:23.659 You suffer. 00:03:23.659 --> 00:03:30.079 Your ideals get crushed under the weight of reality. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:31.819 Life is pretty tough. 00:03:32.620 --> 00:03:37.479 So when you then offer somebody a little kind of trivial, have faith, 00:03:37.639 --> 00:03:41.319 it trivializes the difficulty of life and the reality of life. 00:03:41.359 --> 00:03:42.180 And it bothers me. 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:43.900 It really does. 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:47.699 I mean, how does one even muster up more faith? 00:03:47.699 --> 00:03:51.219 Do you pray and squint your eyes that much harder? 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:54.299 Do you clench your fists when you're talking to God? 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:56.319 God, I believe, I believe. 00:03:57.299 --> 00:04:06.120 At what point do you put enough faith in kind of like a tank in your spirit to hit critical mass 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:12.399 so that when God sees you, oh, he has enough faith, my ear is attentive to him, my ear is attentive to her. 00:04:13.359 --> 00:04:17.099 I mean, what does it mean to have enough faith? 00:04:17.100 --> 00:04:21.240 If it's to pray more, I mean, basically any parent with a young kid is doomed. 00:04:22.040 --> 00:04:23.260 We don't have time for anything. 00:04:25.140 --> 00:04:27.280 So how do we increase in faith? 00:04:28.420 --> 00:04:37.660 How do we increase in faith in the face of uncertainty from every facet of our life, 00:04:38.020 --> 00:04:41.280 potentially every facet of our life, throughout our life? 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:44.579 What is it? 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:46.179 What does it mean to have more faith? 00:04:46.299 --> 00:04:47.159 What is faith? 00:04:47.219 --> 00:04:51.159 And we're continuing our summer series on the real Jesus, real miracles. 00:04:51.659 --> 00:04:56.219 I read earlier Mark 4, 35 to 41. 00:04:56.220 --> 00:05:01.360 And this is a miracle, a nature miracle that Jesus does. 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:06.780 And Mark writes it not as an allegory, not as a myth, but he writes it as history. 00:05:07.040 --> 00:05:09.680 And we'll get into maybe some of the objections to that. 00:05:10.760 --> 00:05:16.000 But as much as it is a nature miracle, it's actually also about faith. 00:05:16.780 --> 00:05:18.420 This is a passage about faith. 00:05:18.420 --> 00:05:21.220 See, the disciples clearly are lacking it. 00:05:21.960 --> 00:05:25.759 Jesus scolds them at the end of his miracle. 00:05:26.520 --> 00:05:29.240 But this touches on faith. 00:05:29.660 --> 00:05:32.420 What it is, who it's in, how to have it. 00:05:33.160 --> 00:05:34.000 What does it mean? 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:44.740 And in this passage, we'll see that faith is hand in glove with understanding who Jesus is. 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:48.839 Faith is tied to a proper understanding of who Jesus is. 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:53.339 So it is important that we get Jesus right. 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:57.040 And this passage helps us understand Jesus in three ways. 00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:01.819 We understand that Jesus is fully man and fully God. 00:06:01.819 --> 00:06:06.300 We understand that Jesus is the strong man. 00:06:06.839 --> 00:06:07.659 We say the strong man. 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:08.800 We'll get to what that means. 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:12.500 And that Jesus cannot be approached with indifference. 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:14.079 So those three things. 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:16.139 That Jesus is fully man, fully God. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:18.240 That Jesus is the strong man. 00:06:18.659 --> 00:06:21.879 That Jesus cannot be approached with indifference. 00:06:22.399 --> 00:06:23.279 So the first one. 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:25.319 Jesus is being fully man, fully God. 00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:27.079 Up to this point in the narrative, 00:06:28.459 --> 00:06:31.779 Jesus has excellent success in his ministry. 00:06:32.459 --> 00:06:35.159 He is in the Galilee region. 00:06:35.459 --> 00:06:36.519 And he is healing people. 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:37.819 And he is casting out demons. 00:06:38.540 --> 00:06:42.379 He is teaching very, very authoritatively. 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:46.019 He has a big following around him. 00:06:47.379 --> 00:06:52.560 And he is causing the religious elites and the political elites to hold court with one another. 00:06:53.159 --> 00:06:54.659 Figure out how to kill him. 00:06:55.560 --> 00:06:56.779 He's causing a stir. 00:06:58.139 --> 00:06:59.699 Some people think it's a great stir. 00:07:00.219 --> 00:07:01.560 Other people, a terrible stir. 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:03.240 But he is causing a stir. 00:07:03.300 --> 00:07:04.240 He is being successful. 00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:06.079 He is finding success in his ministry. 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:09.639 Now I'm not sure whether Jesus is an introvert or an extrovert. 00:07:09.740 --> 00:07:10.980 Or if he is like the majority of us. 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:11.839 He is a bit of both. 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:12.240 Who knows? 00:07:12.280 --> 00:07:12.780 I'm not sure. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:17.480 But the point is that he is surrounded by throngs of people. 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:19.220 And he is exhausted. 00:07:19.220 --> 00:07:22.200 He gets in the boat. 00:07:22.840 --> 00:07:27.020 Look with me in verse 35 of chapter 4. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:28.540 And he says to his disciples, 00:07:28.540 --> 00:07:31.480 let us go across to the other side. 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:36.420 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. 00:07:37.180 --> 00:07:38.300 And other boats were with him. 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:40.939 If we go down to verse 38. 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:46.420 But he was in the stern during this big storm, asleep on the cushion. 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:49.480 This is a giant storm. 00:07:49.580 --> 00:07:52.840 So much of a giant storm that the disciples are fearing for their lives. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:54.319 And Jesus is passed out asleep. 00:07:55.319 --> 00:08:00.080 Either Jesus has excellent, excellent supernatural sleeping ability. 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:02.379 Or he is exhausted. 00:08:03.459 --> 00:08:06.800 If you think, how can you fall asleep in a small boat? 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:08.759 I mean, this is not a cruise ship. 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:11.500 Where there's a nice suite that he's in. 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:16.120 Where 15 foot waves feel like, I don't know, a tiny rumble. 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:18.539 No, he's in a small fishing vessel. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:20.599 That maybe holds a dozen people. 00:08:20.719 --> 00:08:22.079 Maybe a dozen and a half people. 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:24.039 And there's a huge storm. 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:26.079 I mean, there must be spray all over him. 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:27.500 And he's sleeping through it. 00:08:27.719 --> 00:08:28.779 I've been so tired. 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:31.739 And, I mean, people that know me laugh at me. 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:32.919 But I can sleep through a lot. 00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:35.079 I mean, I'll sleep. 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:38.879 I've slept through World Cup matches and NBA final matches. 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:41.299 I've slept behind the wheel. 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:45.120 Like, when you get tired enough, it doesn't really matter where you are. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:46.860 You can just sleep wherever. 00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:54.019 So it doesn't surprise me that Jesus has passed out in a ship during a storm. 00:08:54.019 --> 00:08:55.779 And he's remained asleep. 00:08:55.779 --> 00:09:00.220 This tells me that Jesus is indeed fully man. 00:09:01.159 --> 00:09:05.860 We, as Christians, we can, we figure that Jesus is actually full. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:06.539 Like, he is God. 00:09:06.579 --> 00:09:07.179 We're cool with that. 00:09:07.220 --> 00:09:10.259 We can talk about Jesus is God in the flesh. 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:14.620 But we get a bit uncomfortable when we talk about Jesus being fully man. 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:21.379 But the Christian faith and the Bible teaches that Jesus isn't 50% man and 50% God. 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:25.419 He's not 40 or 60 or, you know, whatever that ratio is. 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:28.000 He's 100% man and 100% God. 00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:35.600 That means as 100% man, he goes through the ups and downs of life as you or I do. 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:39.659 That he experiences fatigue as you or I do. 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:44.179 I can relate to him of being exhausted from being around people. 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:46.459 He fell asleep. 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:47.319 He was tired. 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:53.439 And this is an important point for us because it means that he can relate to us. 00:09:54.579 --> 00:09:58.459 He can fully and completely relate to us. 00:09:58.460 --> 00:10:09.840 That means he can relate to our emotions, to our physical limitations, to our inability to push through sometimes. 00:10:10.680 --> 00:10:15.200 There's only so much energy and strength you can muster. 00:10:15.300 --> 00:10:17.540 And then it's like, all right, I'm tapping out. 00:10:17.660 --> 00:10:17.960 I'm done. 00:10:18.700 --> 00:10:19.620 Give me an hour. 00:10:20.060 --> 00:10:20.720 Give me a day. 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:21.340 Give me a week. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:22.139 I'm done. 00:10:23.280 --> 00:10:24.840 And he can relate to this. 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:27.800 He is fully man. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:39.420 And this is wonderful because this means that Jesus isn't sitting in a snooty ivory tower looking down on us. 00:10:40.780 --> 00:10:43.000 That he is somehow other than us. 00:10:43.220 --> 00:10:44.820 But he can relate to us. 00:10:45.580 --> 00:10:47.980 He knows what it's like to be betrayed. 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:50.920 He knows what it's like in this situation to be tired. 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:54.820 He knows what it's like to feel grief and to feel pain. 00:10:54.820 --> 00:10:56.760 Also to feel joy. 00:10:57.260 --> 00:10:58.800 The good parts of life as well. 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:02.720 But he is completely a man. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:05.260 And he knows what I am going through. 00:11:05.700 --> 00:11:07.080 What I have gone through. 00:11:08.040 --> 00:11:09.680 What you are going through. 00:11:09.760 --> 00:11:10.860 What you have gone through. 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:17.300 What a wonderful thing that he can relate. 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:21.859 But like I said, he's not just 100% man. 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:23.039 He's 100% God. 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:30.399 The waves here are absolutely overcoming this small shipping vessel. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:36.199 At least four of the disciples are seasoned fishermen. 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:42.759 Maybe they've encountered a type of storm like this in the past or not. 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:43.419 We have no idea. 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.299 It would be speculation. 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:52.039 But seasoned pilots, I mean, they don't get scared easily. 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:56.000 But these disciples are stricken with fear. 00:11:57.159 --> 00:12:00.699 There is a serious storm afflicting this ship. 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.480 And Jesus wakes up. 00:12:03.839 --> 00:12:07.159 And he simply says, peace, be still. 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:09.639 And the sea is calm. 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:15.480 Jesus doesn't say some sort of incantation. 00:12:15.599 --> 00:12:18.099 He doesn't make a sacrifice to Poseidon. 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:25.840 He doesn't pray to the sea God or appease some kind of sea monster. 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.460 As if those things existed. 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:28.800 He spoke. 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:39.060 And what we have here is this vivid illustration of Jesus doing something that only God himself could do. 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:46.300 Him speaking and commanding nature is exactly what we see in the opening chapter of Genesis. 00:12:46.560 --> 00:12:47.879 When God creates. 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:49.100 He speaks. 00:12:50.420 --> 00:12:51.960 And that the heavens are formed. 00:12:52.040 --> 00:12:53.300 The earth is formed. 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:54.659 He speaks. 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:57.820 Also, throughout the scriptures. 00:12:58.680 --> 00:13:02.279 Only God himself can control the seas. 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.240 The waters. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:06.180 In Psalm 33 verse 7. 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:07.340 It says, 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:11.800 He, God, he gathers the waters of the sea as a heap. 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:13.860 He puts the deeps in storehouses. 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:16.740 Psalm 65 verse 7 says, 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:22.259 He who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of the waves, the tumult of the peoples. 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.279 And in Psalm 104. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:25.259 And these are just a couple. 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:30.340 There's many more instances where God is the one who is controlling the seas. 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:31.820 Psalm 104 says, 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:33.520 You covered it. 00:13:34.140 --> 00:13:35.240 Talking about the earth. 00:13:35.300 --> 00:13:36.240 He's talking about the flood here. 00:13:36.640 --> 00:13:39.300 You covered it with the deep as with a garment. 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:41.060 The waters stood above the mountains. 00:13:41.420 --> 00:13:43.100 At your rebuke they fled. 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:45.820 At the sound of your thunder they took flight. 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:46.300 Flight. 00:13:47.520 --> 00:13:49.920 Jesus isn't doing a simple miracle. 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:53.940 He is declaring to his disciples that he himself is God. 00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:58.020 That he himself is God. 00:13:58.940 --> 00:14:01.220 So not only is he fully man. 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:04.840 He can relate to us in the most intimate way. 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:06.040 In the most personal way. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:08.560 But he is God the creator. 00:14:09.180 --> 00:14:10.960 Capable of stilling any storm. 00:14:12.380 --> 00:14:15.680 Capable of overcoming any obstacle. 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:19.060 The creator of the heavens and earth. 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:27.240 The second thing is besides Jesus being fully man, fully God. 00:14:27.400 --> 00:14:29.540 Is that he is the strong man. 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:33.300 So this links to the whole issue of the sea. 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:34.440 In the ancient world. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:35.620 The sea. 00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:37.760 I mean Greeks and Jews alike. 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:41.240 The sea was the place where chaos exists. 00:14:42.440 --> 00:14:44.620 Where it was a picture of evil. 00:14:44.900 --> 00:14:45.700 Of the unknown. 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:46.220 The deep. 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:46.900 The dark. 00:14:47.400 --> 00:14:47.800 Chaotic. 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:50.620 Nobody can withstand a chaotic storm. 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:54.400 So the sea became this picture of evil. 00:14:57.000 --> 00:15:01.720 Earlier in just the chapter before chapter 4. 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:02.720 In verse 27. 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:05.780 Jesus is accused of being demon possessed himself. 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:08.100 By the scribes and the Pharisees. 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.440 Or just the scribes rather. 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:13.140 And he responds to them. 00:15:13.140 --> 00:15:15.160 And this is what he says. 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:18.120 In verse 27. 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:21.800 But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:24.340 Unless he first binds the strong man. 00:15:24.520 --> 00:15:26.300 Then indeed he may plunder his house. 00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:29.279 We don't have the time to deep dive into this section. 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:30.000 Chapter 3. 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:31.500 But just take it from me. 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:32.799 I mean we can talk about it after. 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:36.519 But take it from me that when Jesus is talking about the strong man. 00:15:36.579 --> 00:15:37.459 And binding the strong man. 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:42.079 He is saying that no demonic force. 00:15:42.199 --> 00:15:44.079 No evil force can overcome him. 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:47.199 That he is the ultimate strong man. 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:54.160 It's interesting that Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves. 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:57.759 And the word that Mark uses for rebuke. 00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:01.060 Is the same word that he uses in chapter 1 and chapter 3. 00:16:02.160 --> 00:16:06.120 To describe what Jesus does when he rebukes demons out of possessed people. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:09.900 So it's not just that God is declaring that. 00:16:10.140 --> 00:16:14.080 Or Jesus is God declaring his deity by controlling nature. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:20.740 But he is also declaring that he is the ultimate force in the entire universe. 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:25.220 And not the greatest of demonic forces can overcome him. 00:16:27.180 --> 00:16:28.860 Immediately after this story. 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:31.460 George will preach on this I think at the end of August. 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:32.360 I don't know which Sunday. 00:16:32.520 --> 00:16:33.860 But near the end of August. 00:16:34.420 --> 00:16:36.900 Chapter 5 of Mark verses 1 to 20. 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:41.060 Immediately after Jesus calms this storm. 00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:43.300 As he declares that he is God. 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:46.859 And that he declares that he is the most powerful in the universe. 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:52.079 He encounters a demonic man. 00:16:52.339 --> 00:16:54.639 The Gerizim demoniac. 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:59.039 He calms a storm that is chaotic. 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.939 Brings it to peace. 00:17:01.359 --> 00:17:02.479 And the very next scene. 00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:05.940 He encounters a man that's so strong. 00:17:06.659 --> 00:17:10.379 That it says that the shackles that they tried to shackle him with. 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:12.059 Wouldn't hold him. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:14.539 And that Jesus simply spoke. 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:17.119 And the people were astonished. 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:20.980 It says because he was clothed. 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:22.759 Sitting and in his right mind. 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.980 That he takes this chaotic man. 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:26.899 And brings him to peace. 00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:30.460 So it's this wonderful picture of who Jesus is. 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:34.759 We're starting to see who this real Jesus is unraveling. 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:37.420 For us. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:40.279 But just a quick pause. 00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:40.799 Because. 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:46.379 I just said that there's demonic forces at work. 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:48.920 And I'm not talking as if they're allegorical. 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:51.220 I'm putting forward to you that they're real. 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:54.960 And if you're like me. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.359 And I truly mean this. 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:57.379 You struggle with that. 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:59.099 Sure it says it in the Bible. 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:02.639 But is there really demonic forces. 00:18:02.939 --> 00:18:04.019 If you're new here. 00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:04.719 And you're just like. 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:06.059 This is where I check out. 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:08.240 Sit in your seat. 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:10.899 Entertain me. 00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:11.859 We're going to. 00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:13.619 I'm going to talk a bit about this. 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:14.879 But if you're a Christian. 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.639 Consider this. 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:17.920 The Bible says we have three enemies. 00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:19.640 The world. 00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:20.280 The flesh. 00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:20.800 And the devil. 00:18:23.280 --> 00:18:23.980 But more. 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.060 I mean. 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:25.480 I'm saying. 00:18:25.800 --> 00:18:26.320 I would guess. 00:18:26.540 --> 00:18:27.940 More of you are like me. 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:30.000 That you're okay with talking about the world. 00:18:30.620 --> 00:18:32.280 And you're okay to talk about the flesh. 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:33.600 But to talk about the devil. 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.600 But yet the scriptures never tell us to ignore. 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.700 The devil. 00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:41.660 Or demons. 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.520 Or demonic influences. 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:44.600 It says actually. 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.140 Not to. 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:47.100 To ignore them. 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:48.100 But to acknowledge them. 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:49.120 But to stand firm. 00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:51.060 To trust in God. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.640 When they are. 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:53.980 Around. 00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:55.220 When we encounter them. 00:18:55.280 --> 00:18:57.160 In whatever way we might encounter them. 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:59.580 But going back to the whole apologetics. 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.220 Piece about. 00:19:01.580 --> 00:19:02.620 The demons really exist. 00:19:03.080 --> 00:19:03.420 I would just. 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:04.360 I would just. 00:19:04.820 --> 00:19:05.759 Tell you right off the bat. 00:19:05.820 --> 00:19:08.040 I cannot prove to you that demons exist. 00:19:08.560 --> 00:19:09.220 I can't say. 00:19:09.320 --> 00:19:10.100 Exhibit A. 00:19:10.780 --> 00:19:11.560 Here is a demon. 00:19:12.020 --> 00:19:12.880 Notice his wings. 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.259 His pitchfork. 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.020 It's not red. 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.000 It's actually black. 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:16.680 You know. 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:16.900 Like. 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:17.779 No tail. 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:18.879 It's. 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.519 I can't. 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:21.480 It's not like going to the zoo. 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:23.539 I can't prove to you that demons exist. 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:24.639 Or that Satan exists. 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:27.740 But the vast majority of the world. 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.319 The Middle East. 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.420 Asia. 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:31.920 Africa. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.000 Latin America. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.680 First Nations. 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.420 First Nations here in Canada. 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:37.579 The majority of the people. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.079 In the world. 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:41.160 Believe that there is a spiritual realm. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.940 That there are good forces. 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:45.380 And that there are evil forces. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:47.440 I'm not saying they share the same religion. 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.359 But that there is. 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.759 This spiritual reality. 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:51.480 That's just as real as a physical reality. 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.779 We just don't see it. 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.339 But us Westerners. 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.319 We're smarter than them. 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.740 We are moderns. 00:19:57.740 --> 00:20:00.559 And we say prove it. 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:06.259 And the criteria of proof that we say is legitimate. 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:09.779 Could never possibly prove that there is a spiritual world. 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:16.859 So the illiterate superstitious in the world. 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:19.299 I mean at best we you know. 00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:20.980 We treat them like a kid brother. 00:20:21.139 --> 00:20:21.659 That's okay. 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:22.000 You know. 00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:23.539 It's nice that you believe that. 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:24.839 But at worst. 00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:25.599 You know. 00:20:25.639 --> 00:20:26.440 We call them names. 00:20:26.879 --> 00:20:27.919 They're superstitious. 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.379 They don't believe. 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.779 How can you believe in this? 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:31.919 Like don't you know that science is a thing? 00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:32.240 Like. 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.779 There's no supernatural. 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:36.279 What we see is what we get. 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.039 We're empiricists. 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.119 You know. 00:20:40.159 --> 00:20:41.180 The funny thing about that. 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.200 Is that us Westerners. 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:44.379 Just spend almost three billion dollars. 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:47.039 Going to the theaters to watch Avengers Endgame. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:52.279 We have spent tons of money and time. 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:54.339 Trying to get to Middle Earth. 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.899 Engaging in Middle Earth. 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.879 And enjoying Hogwarts. 00:20:58.859 --> 00:20:59.839 Almost too much. 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:01.659 Carlton has a Quidditch. 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:03.920 I don't know. 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.279 League. 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.319 Not just like a team. 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:06.159 Like a whole league. 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.359 Bizarre. 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:07.639 I mean. 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:09.500 We love the supernatural. 00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:10.139 Except that. 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:12.019 We've relegated it. 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.440 To fiction. 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:15.839 But we don't treat it just as fiction. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.379 Because we are. 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:18.180 We embrace it with our time. 00:21:18.340 --> 00:21:18.760 And our money. 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:19.340 And our energy. 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.380 And I've just put to you. 00:21:22.300 --> 00:21:22.700 That. 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:24.200 Us moderns. 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:25.120 That don't believe. 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:26.740 In the supernatural world. 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.780 I would say that. 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:30.400 I'm not as convinced. 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:34.220 I think we have this eternal itch. 00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:35.880 This. 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.160 This. 00:21:36.280 --> 00:21:36.460 This. 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:38.380 Underlying belief. 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:39.540 Subconscious. 00:21:39.760 --> 00:21:40.240 I don't know. 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:42.140 That there is something. 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:42.980 Out there. 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:45.260 That is more than just this physical world. 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:47.099 And I would just put it to you. 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:48.619 That you need to consider that. 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.259 That it's not just. 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.160 For entertainment's sake. 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.720 There is something obsessive. 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.779 About our desire. 00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:55.779 For fantasy. 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:57.379 And for sci-fi. 00:21:58.180 --> 00:21:59.740 For other worldliness. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.279 By the way. 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.000 I'm not somehow. 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.079 Saying that. 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:03.859 There are. 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.579 Mutants. 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:05.779 Among us. 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.339 Or wizards. 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:07.059 And witches. 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.099 From Hogwarts. 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.079 I'm not saying that. 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.660 But my goodness. 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.060 We. 00:22:11.060 --> 00:22:13.300 We think it would be pretty cool. 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.180 If there was. 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:18.160 Jesus shows himself. 00:22:18.560 --> 00:22:19.800 To be truly man. 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:22.100 To be truly God. 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:23.000 To be fully man. 00:22:23.080 --> 00:22:23.900 To be fully God. 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:25.120 And the ultimate power. 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.100 In the universe. 00:22:27.340 --> 00:22:28.320 Prevailing over. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.360 True. 00:22:29.820 --> 00:22:30.680 Spiritual forces. 00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:31.380 Both evil. 00:22:32.060 --> 00:22:32.680 And good. 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.019 And he. 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.920 Shows his strength. 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:39.460 In front of his disciples. 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:41.539 Mark writes. 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.120 In such a way. 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:42.960 That whenever Jesus. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.819 Does a miracle. 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:45.299 He does it. 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:45.940 In a way. 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:47.819 That forces his disciples. 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.579 To react. 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.620 The disciples. 00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:52.779 Can never remain neutral. 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.079 When they're around Jesus. 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:55.039 And what Jesus does. 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.680 They're already. 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:57.920 They're always forced. 00:22:57.920 --> 00:22:59.039 To make a decision. 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.480 Towards belief. 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.539 Towards faith. 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:05.319 To change their worldview. 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.519 To change their thinking. 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.180 And this is exactly. 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:09.560 What we see here. 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.960 And this is exactly. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.900 As we read this. 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:14.880 What the text is forcing us. 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:15.820 To do. 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.680 So. 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.519 Jesus. 00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:19.820 This text shows us. 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:21.039 That Jesus is fully God. 00:23:21.080 --> 00:23:21.680 And fully man. 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:23.259 This text shows us. 00:23:23.340 --> 00:23:25.200 That Jesus is the true strong man. 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:28.200 And this text shows us. 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:30.259 That Jesus cannot be approached. 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.320 With indifference. 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:33.960 So at the beginning of the sermon. 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.839 I talked about how. 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.579 I'm not a big fan of pat answers. 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:38.319 To just have a little faith. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:41.339 When difficult situations arrive. 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.119 But as it turns out. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:46.019 This is kind of what Jesus is saying. 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.179 Look with me. 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.539 In chapter four. 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:51.759 In verse 40. 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:53.539 After Jesus calms the wind. 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.220 And the waves. 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.639 He says to his disciples. 00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:56.280 Sorry. 00:23:57.560 --> 00:23:58.080 Verse 40. 00:23:58.560 --> 00:23:59.360 He said to his disciples. 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:01.080 Why are you so afraid? 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:03.580 Have you still no faith? 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:06.020 You know. 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:07.240 The disciples reaction. 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:07.980 Is very. 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.960 Is a very natural reaction. 00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:12.020 Pushed. 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:12.860 To. 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:14.700 The brink of death. 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.380 Whether it's. 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.540 Real or imagined. 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:17.600 If you think you're dying. 00:24:18.300 --> 00:24:19.460 You react in a very. 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:23.319 In not necessarily. 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.220 A rational way. 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.440 Kind of freak out. 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.840 I think that's a completely. 00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.579 Okay. 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:30.259 Reaction. 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.559 The disciples here. 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.500 Are. 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:34.900 Freaking out. 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.299 Because they think. 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:37.039 They're going to die. 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.600 And instead of saying. 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:39.640 To Jesus. 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.720 In a calmed. 00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:41.600 Rational way. 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:42.480 Jesus. 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:44.220 There is a storm. 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.660 We know you're strong. 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.340 Please. 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.400 Help us out. 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.079 Rather. 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:49.559 They're. 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:49.919 They're. 00:24:49.919 --> 00:24:49.960 They're. 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:50.899 Freaking out. 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:52.359 Don't you care. 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:54.220 Do you not give a rip? 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:54.839 We're dying. 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.759 Wake up. 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.439 They're. 00:24:59.099 --> 00:24:59.679 They're. 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.859 They are treating Jesus. 00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:01.579 With. 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:02.480 With almost. 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.339 Contempt. 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.939 A very natural reaction. 00:25:07.159 --> 00:25:08.519 And Jesus responds. 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.679 That they need to have. 00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:10.480 Faith. 00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:13.299 And here's a bit of the. 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.619 The. 00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:14.159 The. 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.759 The issue. 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:17.179 Is that if you are like me. 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.919 To a certain degree. 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:18.619 You expect. 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:20.639 That following Jesus. 00:25:20.639 --> 00:25:22.039 Comes with its perks. 00:25:22.719 --> 00:25:22.799 And. 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.719 And it does. 00:25:23.879 --> 00:25:24.699 It really does. 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.659 But the perks. 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.179 As if. 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.839 I'm following Jesus. 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.659 I'm living. 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.679 A godly. 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.439 Upright life. 00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:32.379 I will have more prosperity. 00:25:33.239 --> 00:25:34.819 I will probably have more health. 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.379 I won't speak in these terms. 00:25:36.479 --> 00:25:37.539 But that will be my sentiment. 00:25:39.959 --> 00:25:41.339 I will have more bounty. 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:43.000 There will be more goodness in my life. 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.599 There will be more. 00:25:43.719 --> 00:25:44.259 There will be more. 00:25:44.399 --> 00:25:44.899 There will be more. 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.579 There will be more. 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:45.659 More. 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.539 And that. 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:49.039 Although I might say. 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:50.339 That my hope is in heaven. 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:53.299 Really my hope is here on earth. 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:56.059 But Jesus here. 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:57.759 Is. 00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:59.019 Is saying the opposite. 00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:01.500 The real lasting hope. 00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.139 Is for heaven. 00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:03.899 When all the wrongs. 00:26:03.899 --> 00:26:04.559 Will be made right. 00:26:04.679 --> 00:26:05.179 And the pain. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.699 And the sorrow. 00:26:05.699 --> 00:26:06.759 Will be no more. 00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:08.559 See the thing is. 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:09.659 We as Christians. 00:26:09.659 --> 00:26:10.819 Have this wonderful prayer. 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:12.220 That Jesus taught us to pray. 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.119 And in it. 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:13.659 It says. 00:26:15.439 --> 00:26:16.799 Lord may your kingdom come. 00:26:16.939 --> 00:26:18.039 May your will be done. 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.099 On earth. 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.319 As it is. 00:26:20.639 --> 00:26:21.339 In heaven. 00:26:23.399 --> 00:26:24.500 But we act. 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:26.079 Like earth is heaven. 00:26:26.179 --> 00:26:27.419 We want earth to be heaven. 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.240 And earth. 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.240 Is not heaven. 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:32.460 It can't. 00:26:33.179 --> 00:26:33.539 Hold. 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.159 The weight. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.879 Of our hope. 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.279 The peoples. 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:37.480 And the places. 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.480 And the things. 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.319 In our lives. 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.819 That we put our hope in. 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:42.200 Could never. 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:42.680 Never. 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:44.099 Withstand the weight. 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:45.460 Of. 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:45.819 Of. 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.500 Of our. 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.940 Eternal hope. 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.680 Because things decay. 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.720 Things rust. 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.500 Bodies break down. 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.140 Friendships. 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:56.880 Disintegrate. 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:59.339 Money dries up. 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:01.640 Bad things happen. 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.019 I mean. 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.180 You go on. 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.740 And you go on. 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.220 And you go on. 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.740 And you go on. 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.680 So Jesus here. 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:11.120 He doesn't. 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.400 He doesn't. 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.960 Hear me out. 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:14.559 He doesn't. 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:17.059 He doesn't calm the storm. 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:17.700 For his disciples. 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:19.059 He leads them into one. 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:22.339 Make no mistake. 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:22.980 Jesus. 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.380 Calms the storms. 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.120 In our lives. 00:27:25.120 --> 00:27:25.660 He does. 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.420 But Jesus. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.839 Isn't a rabbit's foot. 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:32.000 He isn't a good luck charm. 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.359 He isn't a genie. 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.960 That you rub. 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:37.259 The lamp. 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.000 And he pops out. 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.960 And he gives you three wishes. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:43.000 He's not that at all. 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:45.900 But he is the one that leads. 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:47.440 You into the storm. 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:49.039 In verse 35. 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:51.180 It's Jesus leading the disciples into the storm. 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:54.880 But notice that he's in the boat with them. 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:58.400 He doesn't lead us into the storm. 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:00.799 And then abandon us. 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:01.720 And then say. 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:03.779 Where is your faith? 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.500 Stupid people. 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.740 Idiot people. 00:28:06.879 --> 00:28:08.139 I have no patience for you. 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.339 He's in the boat. 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:12.379 His life is at risk as well. 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:18.720 The disciples are fearing for their lives. 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:21.119 And then the storm is subdued. 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:22.700 And you think that they'd be happy. 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:25.599 But the text says the opposite. 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.359 In verse 41. 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.099 It says this. 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:32.679 After Jesus calms the wind and the waves. 00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:33.619 After he asks them. 00:28:33.659 --> 00:28:34.639 Why are you so afraid? 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.980 Have you still no faith? 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:36.859 Verse 41. 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:42.500 And they the disciples were filled with great fear. 00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:43.500 And said to one another. 00:28:44.199 --> 00:28:48.219 Who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey him? 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:50.100 If they had fear before. 00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:54.039 The emphasis in the text is that they have fear squared. 00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:54.720 It's like. 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.079 It's double the fear. 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:57.740 But it's fear to the exponent of fear. 00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.019 They're. 00:28:58.880 --> 00:28:59.360 They're. 00:28:59.500 --> 00:28:59.920 They're. 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:02.039 Almost infinitely more afraid. 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:04.539 After Jesus subdues the storm. 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:04.779 Than. 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:06.600 When the storm was raging. 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:09.219 And this is a good thing. 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.879 Hold on a second. 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:13.399 I thought fear is a bad thing. 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:16.519 Fear leads to all sorts of different racism. 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.719 Fear leads to. 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:19.299 Bad behavior. 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.379 Fear can lead to. 00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:22.679 To squashing people in wars. 00:29:22.939 --> 00:29:23.000 And. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.179 And. 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.399 And. 00:29:23.719 --> 00:29:24.099 Abuse. 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:25.639 Fear can lead to all sorts of bad things. 00:29:25.699 --> 00:29:27.179 And doesn't the bible say that. 00:29:27.719 --> 00:29:29.279 Perfect love casts out. 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:31.119 All fear. 00:29:31.959 --> 00:29:34.379 So why is fear in here a good thing? 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.359 The fear. 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.259 In. 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.519 The scripture here. 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:43.639 Is this recognition of who Jesus truly is. 00:29:44.439 --> 00:29:45.559 That he is. 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.599 Fully man. 00:29:46.679 --> 00:29:47.659 But fully God. 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:50.439 That he is the creator. 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:52.159 But also that he's the strong man. 00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:53.799 That he is. 00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:55.719 Completely other than us. 00:29:56.219 --> 00:29:57.879 Infinitely more powerful than us. 00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:59.659 Infinitely greater than us. 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:00.500 That he. 00:30:00.719 --> 00:30:01.519 If he wanted to. 00:30:01.919 --> 00:30:02.939 Could squash us. 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:05.699 That it is a fearful thing. 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:06.940 To be in the presence. 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.100 Of God. 00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:11.240 It's good to recognize who he is. 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:12.519 But it's important also. 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:14.039 To recognize that he is. 00:30:14.380 --> 00:30:15.720 And to remember that he is fully. 00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:16.440 Man. 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.700 That he. 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.360 Relates to us. 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:22.140 That he has love for us. 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.819 That he gives us grace. 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:27.140 So if you're not a Christian. 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.519 I would love to. 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.819 To talk to you about. 00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:31.660 Becoming a Christian. 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.420 But understand. 00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:34.039 That there is. 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:35.279 A relationship. 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.580 That you will enter into. 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:37.700 With. 00:30:38.860 --> 00:30:40.000 The fearful. 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.380 The awesome. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.759 The terrifying. 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:43.400 God. 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.259 Of the universe. 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:47.300 But the God of the universe. 00:30:47.300 --> 00:30:48.980 That is so intimate. 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.759 And loving. 00:30:50.620 --> 00:30:52.060 That will be with you. 00:30:52.120 --> 00:30:52.720 In the boat. 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:55.259 That asks you. 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:56.440 To trust in him. 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:58.700 So Jesus leads the disciples. 00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.660 And leads us. 00:30:59.840 --> 00:31:01.120 Into all sorts of storms. 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.480 And why? 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.160 It's because. 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:04.880 He wants our hearts. 00:31:05.580 --> 00:31:06.740 He wants our faith. 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.340 To grow. 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.240 Often. 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.480 Our faith doesn't grow. 00:31:09.620 --> 00:31:10.620 When things are going. 00:31:10.900 --> 00:31:11.460 Swimmingly. 00:31:12.840 --> 00:31:14.160 Our faith grows. 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:15.799 When we are desperate. 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.559 And realizing. 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:19.059 That we don't have it. 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:19.660 In us. 00:31:20.080 --> 00:31:21.019 We can't buy it. 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.640 From a store. 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:22.380 The. 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:22.759 The. 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:24.120 Some kind of problem. 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:24.980 Solving ability. 00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:26.059 To get through. 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.099 The difficult times. 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:29.559 So he puts us. 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:30.400 In situations. 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:31.640 Lovingly. 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:32.839 While being. 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.759 In the situation. 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.360 With us. 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:35.599 To expand. 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.420 Our faith. 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.620 And he gives us. 00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:39.120 The ability. 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.680 And strength. 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.720 To expand it. 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.819 But if you are here. 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.539 And you are like. 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.099 The disciples. 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:46.920 Who say. 00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:47.980 Do you not care. 00:31:48.120 --> 00:31:49.360 That we are perishing. 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:50.680 But maybe you're saying. 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.200 To Jesus. 00:31:51.620 --> 00:31:52.579 Do you not care. 00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:52.920 That. 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.440 The stress of work. 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:54.960 Is crushing. 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.259 Me. 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.440 Do you not care. 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.559 That I. 00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:58.819 Am struggling. 00:31:59.059 --> 00:31:59.779 Through my marriage. 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:00.340 Do you. 00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:01.200 Not care. 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:01.880 That I am. 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:02.940 Unhappy. 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:03.579 In life. 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.440 Do you not care. 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.380 That all. 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.799 Is about to be lost. 00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:13.279 The same. 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:13.740 Jesus. 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:14.980 Is saying. 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:15.840 To you. 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.400 That he can. 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:17.039 Take care. 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.840 Of the situation. 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.360 That you are to have. 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.180 Trust in him. 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.980 Because he is able. 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:22.980 Precisely. 00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:24.400 Because he is God. 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:25.380 Incarnate. 00:32:26.060 --> 00:32:26.500 Precisely. 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.460 Because he is the creator. 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:27.840 Of heaven. 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.960 The heavens and earth. 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:29.820 Precisely. 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:30.280 Because. 00:32:30.840 --> 00:32:32.660 He is who he says he is. 00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:34.540 Therefore. 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.980 We can't get Jesus wrong. 00:32:37.040 --> 00:32:38.360 A proper understanding. 00:32:38.360 --> 00:32:39.519 Of who Jesus is. 00:32:39.580 --> 00:32:41.100 Will lead us to proper faith. 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:41.640 In him. 00:32:42.820 --> 00:32:43.900 And I'm not necessarily. 00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:45.380 Talking about a saving faith. 00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:46.660 Because ultimately. 00:32:46.860 --> 00:32:47.180 God. 00:32:47.280 --> 00:32:48.140 He saves us. 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:49.240 And it's not the degree. 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.039 Of our faith. 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:50.759 That saves us. 00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:51.660 It's the object. 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.140 Christ. 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.339 That saves us. 00:32:53.640 --> 00:32:54.279 But the faith. 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.200 As we are. 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:56.559 Are refined. 00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.339 By him. 00:32:57.359 --> 00:32:58.180 As we grow. 00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:58.759 In him. 00:32:59.140 --> 00:33:00.400 The bible calls this term. 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.259 Sanctification. 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:01.539 But. 00:33:01.859 --> 00:33:02.720 Just think of it like. 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:04.460 You are this wonderful. 00:33:05.299 --> 00:33:06.279 Kind of mix. 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:06.740 Of. 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.079 Silver. 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:08.680 But. 00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:10.079 A bunch of other. 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:10.740 Impure. 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.680 Metals. 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.460 And it's all kind of. 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:13.140 Fused together. 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.160 And God. 00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:15.660 Wants to purify you. 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.340 And the only way. 00:33:16.360 --> 00:33:17.279 To purify you. 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:19.120 Is to put you through. 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.440 The furnace. 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:22.519 Furnaces are hot. 00:33:24.120 --> 00:33:25.340 He will burn. 00:33:25.580 --> 00:33:26.640 Parts off of you. 00:33:27.300 --> 00:33:28.660 But what will be the result? 00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:30.840 You will be more. 00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:31.640 And more like him. 00:33:32.080 --> 00:33:32.960 Walking in more. 00:33:33.060 --> 00:33:33.660 And more freedom. 00:33:34.600 --> 00:33:35.420 Precisely because. 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:35.920 You. 00:33:36.580 --> 00:33:36.980 Are. 00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:38.240 Made for eternity. 00:33:38.580 --> 00:33:39.100 You're not made. 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:40.080 For this temporal life. 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:41.860 So when we. 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:43.000 Start living. 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.100 In an ordered way. 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:44.740 The way God. 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.720 Ordered us to live. 00:33:46.080 --> 00:33:46.759 We will live. 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:47.400 In freedom. 00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:49.019 Not necessarily. 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:49.779 Bounty. 00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:51.320 Not necessarily. 00:33:51.640 --> 00:33:52.040 Physical. 00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:53.700 Health. 00:33:54.320 --> 00:33:55.180 Not necessarily. 00:33:56.060 --> 00:33:56.519 With. 00:33:56.880 --> 00:33:58.180 The best relationships. 00:33:58.840 --> 00:33:59.240 Ever. 00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:00.800 But as. 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:02.080 A child of God. 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:02.680 As. 00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:04.240 An eternal being. 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.279 I'm not saying. 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.340 Hear me when I say this. 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:10.139 I'm not saying that this world doesn't matter. 00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:11.180 It matters a lot. 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:13.340 But let us not. 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:15.000 Get things mixed up. 00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:16.860 And treat the temporal world. 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:19.160 As if it was. 00:34:19.700 --> 00:34:19.980 Eternal. 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:22.480 And treat the eternal God. 00:34:22.620 --> 00:34:22.900 As if. 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:23.940 He is just. 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:25.000 A way to. 00:34:25.760 --> 00:34:27.240 Solve our temporal problems. 00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:28.239 God gives us. 00:34:28.239 --> 00:34:33.439 God gives us more grace. 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:35.379 He gives us grace. 00:34:35.379 --> 00:34:36.819 Because he truly loves us. 00:34:36.819 --> 00:34:38.599 And he made a way for us to know him. 00:34:39.339 --> 00:34:40.639 Jesus dies in our place. 00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:41.639 And rises again. 00:34:42.359 --> 00:34:43.839 He draws us to himself. 00:34:43.839 --> 00:34:44.779 By the Holy Spirit. 00:34:44.779 --> 00:34:45.359 So that we. 00:34:45.819 --> 00:34:47.059 May be in full communion. 00:34:47.059 --> 00:34:47.899 With God. 00:34:47.939 --> 00:34:48.619 The Father. 00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:49.359 God. 00:34:49.399 --> 00:34:49.779 The Son. 00:34:49.879 --> 00:34:50.059 God. 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:50.819 The Holy Spirit. 00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:51.420 God. 00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:54.940 But again. 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:55.820 I will say to you. 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:59.539 Do you have a proper understanding of Jesus? 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:03.300 Turn with me one last time to. 00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:04.120 Verse. 00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:05.500 26. 00:35:05.680 --> 00:35:06.320 Or sorry. 00:35:06.420 --> 00:35:07.220 Verse 36. 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:08.760 It says this. 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:10.400 After Jesus says. 00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:11.460 Let's go to the other side. 00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:13.080 And leaving the crowd. 00:35:13.280 --> 00:35:14.900 The disciples took him with them. 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:15.600 In the boat. 00:35:15.680 --> 00:35:17.300 Just as he was. 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:21.340 You need to take Jesus. 00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:22.500 Just as he is. 00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:25.960 And that might be frustrating. 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:26.440 Because. 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.600 The very idea. 00:35:28.600 --> 00:35:30.220 Of believing in something supernatural. 00:35:30.580 --> 00:35:31.320 Is incongruent. 00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:32.080 With the way you think. 00:35:33.160 --> 00:35:34.280 But I would say. 00:35:34.700 --> 00:35:35.120 Labor. 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.960 To figure out. 00:35:37.080 --> 00:35:38.360 Who this Jesus really is. 00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:39.080 Through the scriptures. 00:35:40.220 --> 00:35:40.620 Labor. 00:35:40.780 --> 00:35:41.760 By asking questions. 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:43.060 And seeking truth. 00:35:43.700 --> 00:35:44.500 Biblical truth. 00:35:45.100 --> 00:35:45.420 Labor. 00:35:45.580 --> 00:35:46.480 To have your mind. 00:35:46.600 --> 00:35:47.160 Conformed. 00:35:47.300 --> 00:35:48.260 To the biblical worldview. 00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:48.560 Not. 00:35:49.160 --> 00:35:49.780 The western. 00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:50.820 Modern worldview. 00:35:52.120 --> 00:35:52.620 Labor. 00:35:53.100 --> 00:35:53.680 To figure out. 00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:55.300 Who this Jesus really is. 00:35:55.620 --> 00:35:56.740 And just like the disciples. 00:35:56.740 --> 00:35:58.340 When he reveals himself. 00:35:58.720 --> 00:35:59.560 To you. 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:01.740 You can't remain indifferent. 00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:06.300 I'll close with this. 00:36:07.320 --> 00:36:08.460 It is likely. 00:36:08.840 --> 00:36:09.100 That. 00:36:09.880 --> 00:36:11.640 The eyewitness account. 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:12.960 For. 00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:14.820 Mark's gospel. 00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:15.560 In this story. 00:36:15.600 --> 00:36:16.100 In particular. 00:36:16.099 --> 00:36:17.299 Is. 00:36:17.299 --> 00:36:18.039 The apostle. 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:18.380 Peter. 00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:20.239 And Peter. 00:36:20.239 --> 00:36:20.259 Peter. 00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:20.920 Writes about. 00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:22.079 What we've talked about. 00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:23.739 In the opening. 00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:24.719 Few verses. 00:36:24.719 --> 00:36:25.599 Of his. 00:36:25.699 --> 00:36:26.579 First epistle. 00:36:27.219 --> 00:36:27.659 So. 00:36:27.739 --> 00:36:28.360 If you have a bible. 00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:28.740 I'm. 00:36:28.740 --> 00:36:29.740 I'm. 00:36:29.740 --> 00:36:29.820 I'm. 00:36:29.820 --> 00:36:30.740 I'm. 00:36:30.740 --> 00:36:30.900 I'm. 00:36:30.900 --> 00:36:31.539 Going to turn to. 00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:31.820 First. 00:36:31.900 --> 00:36:32.120 Peter. 00:36:32.120 --> 00:36:32.420 Three. 00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:32.800 Verses. 00:36:32.800 --> 00:36:33.059 Nine. 00:36:33.059 --> 00:36:34.260 And this is what we'll close with. 00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.420 First. 00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:35.800 Peter. 00:36:36.300 --> 00:36:36.740 One. 00:36:36.980 --> 00:36:37.280 Verses. 00:36:37.400 --> 00:36:38.079 Three to nine. 00:36:39.360 --> 00:36:42.039 Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:43.539 According to his great mercy. 00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:47.320 He has caused us to be born again to a living hope. 00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:50.079 Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:54.500 To an inheritance that is imperishable. 00:36:55.279 --> 00:36:55.920 Undefiled. 00:36:56.239 --> 00:36:56.880 Unfading. 00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:59.519 Kept in heaven for you. 00:37:00.059 --> 00:37:06.279 Who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:08.300 In this you rejoice. 00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:10.280 Though now for a little while. 00:37:10.900 --> 00:37:14.000 If necessary you have been grieved by various trials. 00:37:14.580 --> 00:37:17.120 So that the tested genuineness of your faith. 00:37:17.660 --> 00:37:21.860 More precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire. 00:37:22.720 --> 00:37:28.340 May be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:37:29.100 --> 00:37:29.660 Verse eight. 00:37:29.820 --> 00:37:31.480 Though you have not seen him. 00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:32.820 You love him. 00:37:32.820 --> 00:37:33.780 Though you do. 00:37:33.880 --> 00:37:35.920 Though you do not now see him. 00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.780 You believe in him. 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:39.860 And rejoice with joy that is inexpressible. 00:37:40.200 --> 00:37:41.559 And filled with glory. 00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:44.180 Obtaining the outcome of your faith. 00:37:44.720 --> 00:37:46.360 The salvation of your souls. 00:37:46.559 --> 00:37:47.480 Please stand with me. 00:37:54.800 --> 00:37:59.420 Heavenly Father I thank you so much that you sent your son on earth. 00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:00.380 Fully man. 00:38:00.480 --> 00:38:01.059 Fully God. 00:38:02.180 --> 00:38:05.260 To live this life. 00:38:05.260 --> 00:38:06.680 The ups and the downs. 00:38:06.680 --> 00:38:07.880 The highs and the lows. 00:38:08.260 --> 00:38:11.400 The emotional difficulties. 00:38:11.800 --> 00:38:13.040 The physical difficulties. 00:38:13.180 --> 00:38:16.100 The spiritual struggles as well. 00:38:16.320 --> 00:38:18.180 To be tempted in every way. 00:38:18.280 --> 00:38:19.120 But be without sin. 00:38:19.320 --> 00:38:21.940 But to know us intimately. 00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:26.260 And I thank you that you are wooing us. 00:38:26.360 --> 00:38:27.280 You are drawing us. 00:38:27.380 --> 00:38:30.660 You are gathering us to a proper understanding of who your son is. 00:38:30.659 --> 00:38:36.679 And that proper understanding cannot leave us neutral. 00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:42.679 Lord I pray today for Christians and non-Christians. 00:38:42.899 --> 00:38:45.339 For people that have been church goers their whole life. 00:38:45.399 --> 00:38:47.359 For people that are super new to the faith. 00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:48.399 Or just still exploring. 00:38:48.859 --> 00:38:50.039 Or completely indifferent. 00:38:50.440 --> 00:38:53.759 That we would consider who Jesus truly is. 00:38:54.460 --> 00:38:55.779 That this miracle story. 00:38:55.780 --> 00:39:04.240 Is a window into the nature and character of the incarnate God. 00:39:04.340 --> 00:39:04.820 Fully man. 00:39:04.920 --> 00:39:05.460 Fully God. 00:39:05.560 --> 00:39:07.019 Creator of heavens and earth. 00:39:07.400 --> 00:39:09.000 The strong man indeed. 00:39:09.580 --> 00:39:12.680 I pray that you will help us to encounter him. 00:39:13.260 --> 00:39:14.320 That you will draw us. 00:39:14.400 --> 00:39:19.240 That you will help us have our eyes open to the spiritual realities. 00:39:19.400 --> 00:39:22.860 Conform our minds to the biblical truth. 00:39:22.860 --> 00:39:27.860 Help us to withstand and to resist the world. 00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:29.380 The flesh and the devil. 00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:32.260 Lord we ask this in Jesus mighty name. 00:39:32.340 --> 00:39:35.340 And Lord for anybody here that doesn't know you through Jesus. 00:39:35.460 --> 00:39:37.180 Your son by the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:39:37.660 --> 00:39:39.380 Will you please do a work in their heart. 00:39:40.700 --> 00:39:42.000 Pray these things in Jesus name.