WEBVTT 00:00:00.920 --> 00:00:08.259 Our scripture reading tonight comes from Luke chapter 11 verses 14 to 28. 00:00:09.500 --> 00:00:11.000 ! And Luke writes for us, 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:15.599 Now Jesus was casting out a demon that was mute. 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:21.320 ! When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:23.120 But some of them said, 00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:26.960 He cast out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:31.940 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 00:00:32.780 --> 00:00:35.200 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, 00:00:35.740 --> 00:00:41.260 Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 00:00:42.260 --> 00:00:46.480 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? 00:00:47.380 --> 00:00:51.579 For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul, 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:56.420 and if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? 00:00:57.579 --> 00:00:59.660 Therefore, they will be your judges. 00:01:01.120 --> 00:01:04.079 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, 00:01:04.620 --> 00:01:06.379 then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:12.659 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe. 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:16.900 But when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:20.500 he takes away his armor, in which he trusted, and divides his spoil. 00:01:20.500 --> 00:01:24.120 Whoever is not with me is against me, 00:01:24.879 --> 00:01:27.319 and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:31.159 When the unclean spirit had gone out of a person, 00:01:31.299 --> 00:01:34.920 it passes through waterless places, seeking rest and finding none. 00:01:35.379 --> 00:01:35.920 It says, 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:37.560 I will return to my house from which I came. 00:01:38.600 --> 00:01:41.320 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 00:01:42.040 --> 00:01:45.480 Then it goes and it brings seven other spirits, more evil than itself. 00:01:45.740 --> 00:01:47.460 And they enter and they dwell there. 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:50.799 And the last state of that person is worse than the first. 00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:52.939 As he said these things, 00:01:52.939 --> 00:01:55.099 a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, 00:01:55.599 --> 00:01:57.219 Blessed is the womb that bore you, 00:01:57.340 --> 00:01:59.579 and the breast at which you nursed. 00:02:00.679 --> 00:02:01.259 But he said, 00:02:02.259 --> 00:02:06.099 Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it. 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:09.020 This is God's holy word. 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:11.199 As Corey mentioned, 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:14.280 we've been doing a series on discipleship on Sunday nights. 00:02:14.780 --> 00:02:19.879 And leave it up to David and Corey to leave me a passage about casting out demons. 00:02:19.879 --> 00:02:23.620 I typically think of that as maybe year two of discipleship. 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:27.840 But we won't be talking as much about exorcisms tonight. 00:02:28.060 --> 00:02:30.680 But as I was thinking about this passage, 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:34.159 I was thinking about there was a period of time not so long ago 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:40.960 where there was just a pressure on churches and ministries to come out 00:02:40.960 --> 00:02:45.379 and make a public statement about everything that was going on in the culture. 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:48.639 And so churches and ministries were scrambling around trying to say, 00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:50.979 Oh, do we say something about this? 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:52.559 Do we need to put this on our social media? 00:02:52.799 --> 00:02:54.799 Or make some kind of public statement? 00:02:54.919 --> 00:02:55.779 What do we say? 00:02:56.259 --> 00:02:59.359 Because there was this idea that if you weren't doing that, 00:02:59.459 --> 00:03:01.579 it was basically silence means consent. 00:03:01.799 --> 00:03:03.479 Did you guys have that here? 00:03:03.559 --> 00:03:05.699 Or was that just in the States where that was going on? 00:03:07.039 --> 00:03:11.359 But it was one of those things where if you're not for me, 00:03:11.519 --> 00:03:12.639 you are against me. 00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:16.060 If you're not actively saying how much you're against this, 00:03:16.060 --> 00:03:18.560 that must mean that you are for this. 00:03:19.180 --> 00:03:23.699 Now, whether or not that's true in political issues and things like that, 00:03:24.060 --> 00:03:27.199 it's certainly true when it comes to following Jesus. 00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:30.240 And that's what this passage does talk to us about. 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:38.420 Now, this is one of those hard passages where if you try to get into explaining exactly what Jesus is talking about 00:03:38.420 --> 00:03:42.740 with the demon possession and what it means when a demon leaves and comes back, 00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:46.080 it can be one of those hard, even kind of weird passages. 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:52.780 And many of us really maybe have only heard this passage when someone famous has quoted it. 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:55.539 Like in history, Abraham Lincoln quoted the, you know, 00:03:55.580 --> 00:03:59.120 how can a house against itself cannot stand kind of thing. 00:03:59.920 --> 00:04:04.620 But it is one of those passages that tells us a lot about discipleship. 00:04:04.920 --> 00:04:09.039 And essentially it tells us that with Jesus, there is no neutrality. 00:04:09.460 --> 00:04:11.319 There is no middle ground. 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:16.060 So let's look at this passage and see what it tells us about discipleship. 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:21.600 But Jesus up until this point, as what we've been looking at in discipleship in the book of Luke, 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:25.160 Jesus has been teaching us about discipleship. 00:04:25.280 --> 00:04:28.420 Started out where he sent his followers out to do ministry. 00:04:29.340 --> 00:04:30.899 They sent them out in twos. 00:04:30.980 --> 00:04:31.939 He sent the 72. 00:04:33.220 --> 00:04:37.500 That idea, when Jesus called his disciples, he said things like, 00:04:38.100 --> 00:04:40.899 follow me and I will make you what? 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:43.139 Fishers of men, right? 00:04:43.139 --> 00:04:46.319 There's this active ministry that I'm calling you to do. 00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:49.579 And he shows us that in Luke chapter 10. 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:52.259 He also then, we had a Sunday night, 00:04:52.339 --> 00:04:55.039 we talked about Jesus telling us about loving our neighbor. 00:04:55.159 --> 00:04:56.000 And who is our neighbor? 00:04:56.399 --> 00:04:58.519 That includes even our enemies. 00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:01.979 And Jesus shows us that we are the ones in need of help. 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:04.939 And we view people like that as well, 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:07.419 so that we can actually even help our enemies. 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:10.379 Because that's what Jesus did for us. 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:17.839 We talked about those that sat at the feet of Jesus versus over-anxious working and serving. 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:23.540 And how Mary chose the better part instead of having an anxious heart of serving. 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:25.899 And then we also talked about prayer. 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:29.079 So all these things, we're talking about discipleship. 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:32.300 So when we come to the passage tonight, 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:35.379 the religious leaders have been challenging Jesus. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:41.620 So I wanted us to first look at the different points of view that are given here in this passage. 00:05:41.860 --> 00:05:46.639 Starting with Jesus, we see that he was casting out a demon. 00:05:47.100 --> 00:05:52.279 Now, this shows that Jesus has power over the supernatural. 00:05:53.040 --> 00:05:53.199 Okay? 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:58.680 Even the demons, the supernatural beings are obedient to him. 00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:04.920 Then we see, as Corey read, that Jesus knew the thoughts of the people 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:08.759 and the questions that they were asking and how they were trying to test him. 00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:15.019 Jesus has the power over the natural, over our minds, knowing what our thoughts are. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:18.000 And in that, Jesus didn't give in to their demands. 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:20.800 They were asking for a sign from heaven. 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:23.720 And he did not give in to their demands. 00:06:23.840 --> 00:06:28.800 But instead, he actually patiently dealt with them in their questions. 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:32.780 This would be one of those times where you might want to turn over the tables and say, 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:33.879 I know what you're thinking. 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:35.540 You can't hide it from me. 00:06:35.800 --> 00:06:36.240 Stop. 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:39.660 But instead, he patiently answers their questions 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:42.180 and deals with them in a way that they didn't deserve. 00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:45.199 And then also, what we see in this passage, 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:49.680 that Jesus makes references to him being the Messiah. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:52.100 We'll talk about that more in just a minute. 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:55.240 All this points to the fact, 00:06:55.660 --> 00:06:58.680 with Jesus having power of the supernatural over the natural, 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:01.860 knowing their thoughts, commanding the demons, 00:07:02.280 --> 00:07:06.840 all these things point to the fact that Jesus is the Lord of all creation. 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:08.560 He is the Messiah. 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:12.540 And he treats people with undeserved kindness. 00:07:13.139 --> 00:07:13.319 Okay? 00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:17.840 So how do you properly respond to someone like that? 00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:19.979 We'll answer that in just a minute. 00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:24.060 Let's look now at the point of view of the people here in the story. 00:07:24.899 --> 00:07:28.639 It says in verse 14 that the people that observed what were going on, 00:07:28.739 --> 00:07:29.759 they marveled. 00:07:30.219 --> 00:07:32.739 There was something unique about Jesus. 00:07:32.899 --> 00:07:36.639 We see in verse 19 that there were some other people who were casting out demons. 00:07:36.819 --> 00:07:41.519 So there was something absolutely unique about what Jesus was doing. 00:07:42.039 --> 00:07:43.019 What was different? 00:07:43.019 --> 00:07:46.799 In this account, the same account in Matthew chapter 12, 00:07:46.979 --> 00:07:48.599 it says they were amazed. 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:49.379 What was different? 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:53.139 Well, one of the things that we see, especially in the gospel of Mark, 00:07:53.219 --> 00:07:55.180 when Jesus is performing these miracles, 00:07:55.399 --> 00:07:57.399 casting out demons, and even his teaching, 00:07:57.779 --> 00:08:02.259 the thing that made him stand apart from all others was his authority. 00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:05.159 He had authority over the demons. 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:06.759 He had authority in his teaching. 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:09.000 And they marveled at this. 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:12.319 They marveled at his authority so that even in Matthew chapter 12, 00:08:12.779 --> 00:08:14.560 those that were marveling even said, 00:08:14.779 --> 00:08:16.099 could this be the son of David? 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:19.800 Is this the Messiah who we have been waiting for? 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:25.180 But others accused Jesus of being evil. 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:28.199 Matthew tells us that this is the Pharisees. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:30.420 Mark mentions the scribes. 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:34.379 So basically, it was the religious leaders that were questioning Jesus, 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:37.139 in a sense, calling him evil, 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:42.080 that you cast out these demons through the power of the prince of demons, Beelzebul. 00:08:42.580 --> 00:08:45.820 So some were suggesting that Jesus was the Messiah, 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:47.439 but yet some were even the opposite, 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:51.100 saying that he was working the works of the devil. 00:08:52.700 --> 00:08:55.879 Beelzebul can translate into something like master of the house. 00:08:56.820 --> 00:09:00.299 And so the prince of demons is what it mentions here. 00:09:00.299 --> 00:09:04.080 They are saying that you are, in fact, evil. 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:04.659 Okay? 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:08.480 And then there are others who were skeptical. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:11.439 And it says they kept seeking a sign. 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:15.019 So after Jesus has performed many miracles, 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:19.240 this one here, casting out the demon of a mute man, 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:20.580 he speaks. 00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:23.259 They recognize that there's something unique about him. 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:26.460 But yet others are saying, show us another sign. 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:28.600 Show us a sign from heaven. 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:31.460 They are testing Jesus, it says. 00:09:31.460 --> 00:09:32.940 And so when they say a sign from heaven, 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:35.639 maybe it's something like the story of Elijah, 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:37.600 when he's battling the prophets of Beel, 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:40.000 and he calls down lightning from heaven. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:41.920 Maybe that's what they're talking about. 00:09:42.180 --> 00:09:45.379 But essentially, they're saying, we need to see more proof. 00:09:45.900 --> 00:09:46.940 We need to see more. 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:50.500 And the imperfect tense here, 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:53.500 that translate into they kept seeking a sign, 00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:56.620 many scholars are saying that that's referencing the fact 00:09:56.620 --> 00:10:00.759 that there's really nothing Jesus can do that could ever convince them. 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:04.960 There's no proof that will ever be enough for them. 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:08.519 But instead, they keep testing him. 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:12.539 They want to sit on the fence and wait for something more. 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:16.679 We see similar responses to Jesus today. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:20.740 There are actually people that will marvel at Jesus. 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:22.120 They're fascinated by him. 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.940 Maybe it's his message of love. 00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:26.740 Maybe it's all of his talk about forgiveness. 00:10:27.320 --> 00:10:29.679 Maybe it's his lifting up the poor and marginalized, 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:31.600 like had never been done before. 00:10:31.720 --> 00:10:35.320 Or turning leadership upside down on its head. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:37.440 Maybe it's the way he treated women. 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:40.759 Or how he talked about loving his enemies, 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:41.720 loving your enemies. 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:45.259 Maybe it's the way that he critiqued hypocrites, 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:46.440 hypocrisy, 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:48.259 his emphasis on forgiveness. 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:49.319 Whatever it is, 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:52.259 people today will marvel at Jesus. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:54.419 You're familiar with the show, 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:55.059 The Chosen? 00:10:55.419 --> 00:11:00.220 It is now in 175 countries as of 2025. 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:02.600 The numbers are incredible. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:06.960 And they found that one third of viewers are non-Christians. 00:11:07.939 --> 00:11:10.960 There's something that is just fascinating about Jesus. 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:14.019 People marvel at who was this person, 00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:15.639 this good teacher, 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:17.019 whoever he was, 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:17.960 who is he? 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:19.620 People will marvel at him. 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:22.819 But yet there are others that would accuse him of being evil. 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:24.559 He's intolerant. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:25.980 He's exclusive. 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:29.860 He teaches on this thing of eternal punishment and hell. 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:33.600 He has this outdated sexual ethic. 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:39.659 And he didn't disrupt the Romans in their love for slavery. 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:43.240 They will accuse him of things that are even evil. 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:44.539 We see that today. 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:49.899 And then there are some people who are skeptical and keep wanting a sign. 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:50.779 Show us more. 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:53.439 They don't want to commit because they want more proof. 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:54.199 Give us proof. 00:11:54.339 --> 00:11:55.399 Evidence is not enough. 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:56.980 We need you to prove it. 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:58.219 Even at, 00:11:58.459 --> 00:11:59.599 like the people in this passage, 00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:00.759 ignoring reason. 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:03.419 They've seen what Jesus has done, 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:04.079 yet they say, 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:05.199 give us another sign. 00:12:05.579 --> 00:12:06.360 Show us more. 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:08.820 They've seen him feed 5,000. 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:10.220 But yet, 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:11.200 show us more. 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:14.879 And that's the way many people are today. 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:19.120 And then you've got at the end of this passage, 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:21.879 this woman who blesses Jesus. 00:12:22.419 --> 00:12:25.379 Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breast at which you nursed. 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.379 And Jesus said, 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:29.100 blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it. 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:31.919 There are many that would bless Jesus by saying, 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:32.279 oh, 00:12:32.460 --> 00:12:34.240 he's a great teacher. 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:36.259 Even a prophet. 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:38.320 They will say these things, 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:42.840 but they do not recognize that he can't just be a good teacher. 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:46.120 He's either a liar, 00:12:47.020 --> 00:12:47.600 a lunatic, 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:50.080 or he is the Lord as he claimed. 00:12:50.820 --> 00:12:54.520 So we have people today who will give us a similar response to Jesus 00:12:54.520 --> 00:12:57.740 as we see back 2,000 years ago. 00:12:57.900 --> 00:13:00.180 They responded to Jesus in the same way. 00:13:01.160 --> 00:13:03.120 So we've seen the point of view of Jesus. 00:13:03.520 --> 00:13:04.960 We've seen the point of view of the people. 00:13:05.380 --> 00:13:06.300 Real quickly, 00:13:06.299 --> 00:13:08.939 just to kind of not address much, 00:13:09.059 --> 00:13:10.919 but just here we see the enemy. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:17.479 We see that the enemy has forces and he is active. 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:20.199 That is a reality in our world today. 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:25.139 But we also see that he is vulnerable and that God is greater. 00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:31.359 So what God is doing is actually tearing down Satan's strongholds, 00:13:31.359 --> 00:13:33.120 sacking his fortifications, 00:13:33.659 --> 00:13:35.979 bringing in his kingdom. 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:37.979 His kingdom is coming, 00:13:37.979 --> 00:13:40.659 and the kingdom of Satan is crumbling. 00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:42.719 The reality is, 00:13:43.359 --> 00:13:46.740 discipleship is engaging in spiritual war. 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:47.319 In fact, 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:50.839 I started to let that be the title of the sermon tonight, 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:54.639 discipleship engaging in the battle or engaging in war, 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:58.039 because this true discipleship, 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:00.319 if you are following Jesus, 00:14:00.319 --> 00:14:03.120 we are pushing back the forces of darkness. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:06.299 We are actually battling against the enemy. 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:07.419 And through discipleship, 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:10.060 God is taking back his kingdom. 00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:12.019 What is rightfully his. 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:13.519 So again, 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:18.779 I think the big question in discipleship that this passage forces us to ask is, 00:14:19.299 --> 00:14:22.139 how do you properly respond to Jesus? 00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:26.860 How do you properly respond to someone like this, 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:28.960 that the demons even obey, 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:29.860 that they believe, 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:30.939 as we heard this morning, 00:14:30.939 --> 00:14:33.460 they know all these truths about Jesus, 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:34.620 and they shudder. 00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:38.120 So how do we properly respond to Jesus? 00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:40.179 It's not just intellectual assent, 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.600 like Corey talked about this morning. 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:42.879 Because, 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:43.740 again, 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:47.100 even the demons know who he is and recognize his divinity, 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.620 recognize who he is. 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:52.039 So what is the proper response to Jesus? 00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:53.379 Before we answer that, 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:58.279 a couple more things just to point out that I think are pretty important for us to understand in this passage. 00:14:59.639 --> 00:14:59.919 So, 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:06.500 Jesus is demonstrating that the kingdom of God is coming upon them because the king has come. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.039 Why do I say that? 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:08.439 Well, 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.719 when you look at verse 20, 00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:14.379 Jesus explains what happened as the finger of God. 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:16.059 If the finger of God has done this, 00:15:16.319 --> 00:15:18.459 you know that the kingdom has come, 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:19.839 or the kingdom is coming. 00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:20.199 Okay? 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:21.559 That phrase, 00:15:21.719 --> 00:15:22.759 the finger of God, 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:25.919 is a phrase that's used a couple of times in the Old Testament. 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:27.539 One time, 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.120 first, 00:15:28.219 --> 00:15:34.419 it was used when the magicians of Egypt couldn't reproduce the plagues that God was doing, 00:15:35.079 --> 00:15:35.639 and they said, 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:37.459 this must be the finger of God, 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:39.420 because they couldn't do what he was doing. 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:46.300 The second time was when God was being credited with writing the law on the two stone tablets. 00:15:46.680 --> 00:15:48.680 It was by the finger of God. 00:15:49.160 --> 00:15:54.040 So when Jesus is using that phrase that is by the finger of God that this has happened, 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:57.400 that's a sign that the king has come, 00:15:58.259 --> 00:16:01.120 and that God himself is doing this work. 00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:01.700 Okay? 00:16:02.160 --> 00:16:03.400 So that's one thing. 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:08.939 How do you properly respond to the one who is doing the very works of God? 00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:10.579 Well, 00:16:10.699 --> 00:16:12.399 Jesus tells us in verse 23, 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.759 when he says, 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:17.019 whoever is not with me is against me, 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:20.399 and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:24.439 Whoever is not with me is against me. 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.600 In discipleship, 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:27.320 there is no middle ground. 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.900 There's no neutrality. 00:16:29.400 --> 00:16:31.320 How do you properly respond to Jesus? 00:16:32.300 --> 00:16:35.400 It's with wholehearted devotion, 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:36.440 commitment. 00:16:37.040 --> 00:16:39.600 It's following him with all of our heart, 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:41.220 with loving him with all our heart, 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:41.460 soul, 00:16:41.560 --> 00:16:41.760 mind, 00:16:41.780 --> 00:16:42.400 and strength. 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:46.240 And if you don't do this, 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:48.500 if you're not following him in this way, 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:49.519 Jesus says, 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.500 you're against me. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:54.740 That's how to properly respond to Jesus. 00:16:55.199 --> 00:16:57.819 Discipleship is about following Jesus, 00:16:58.299 --> 00:16:59.959 learning to love what he loves, 00:17:00.079 --> 00:17:01.039 hate what he hates, 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:04.099 obeying his commands out of love, 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:06.400 because we know he first loved us. 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:10.940 When you think about a wholehearted obedience and what that means, 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:13.000 you can think about Peter and Andrew, 00:17:13.100 --> 00:17:13.559 his brother, 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:15.000 when they were called by Jesus, 00:17:15.080 --> 00:17:16.080 we mentioned this earlier, 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:16.940 he said, 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:20.380 follow me and I will make you fishers of men. 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:21.820 What did they do? 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:24.380 They dropped their nets. 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:26.759 They left their livelihood. 00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:30.500 They left it all to follow him. 00:17:31.340 --> 00:17:32.759 And then right after that, 00:17:32.820 --> 00:17:35.559 you have the call of James and John. 00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:38.340 It says they left their boat and their father. 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:40.539 What do they mean by that? 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:42.519 They left the family business. 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:45.019 They left their future career. 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:49.340 They left their livelihood in order to follow Jesus. 00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:53.400 There's no middle ground when it comes to Jesus. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:56.880 Discipleship is learning how to follow Jesus with all my heart, 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:59.120 how to love him with all my heart, 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.420 soul, 00:17:59.539 --> 00:17:59.720 mind, 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.140 and strength, 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:01.740 and to love my neighbor as myself. 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.900 Out of obedience, 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:05.620 out of love. 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:10.219 Is Jesus calling you to leave your career? 00:18:10.719 --> 00:18:11.479 Probably not. 00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:15.699 But would you be willing to if he did call you to leave your career? 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:19.899 Would you leave your family, 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:23.059 move your immediate family overseas, 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:25.859 or to, 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:27.319 well, 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.259 sorry to say, 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:29.000 that wouldn't have been funny. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.079 I'm going to scratch what I just, 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.079 another city, 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:32.299 a different place, 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:34.740 that maybe is your Nineveh, 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.380 right? 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:37.319 That maybe is the place, 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:37.720 please, 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:37.980 Lord, 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.519 don't take me to that place. 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:41.519 Would you be willing to go there? 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:46.480 There's no middle ground when it comes to following Jesus. 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:47.880 You're either for him, 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:49.799 or you're against him. 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:52.299 And then, 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:54.919 Jesus says something really interesting, 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.639 when he continues that. 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:59.740 Whoever is not with me is against me, 00:19:00.919 --> 00:19:04.839 and whoever does not gather with me, 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:06.079 scatters. 00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:06.919 Why this language? 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.819 Why did he use that? 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:11.019 Whoever does not gather with me, 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:11.839 scatters. 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:12.740 Well, 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.799 scholars tell us, 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:17.539 that he's referring to the gathering of sheep, 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.940 God's people. 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:21.599 It is a shepherding image, 00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:24.279 that was used in places like Ezekiel chapter 34, 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:28.379 using covenant and messianic language here. 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.299 In this passage, 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.680 Ezekiel 34, 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:33.759 the leaders of Israel are rebuked, 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:35.779 because they've taken advantage of the sheep, 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:37.299 and even prayed on the sheep, 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:39.079 instead of taking care of them. 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:41.779 I'll just read a few verses in that passage. 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.879 Ezekiel 34, 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.700 4 and 5. 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.399 He's rebuking them, 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:45.720 saying, 00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:47.259 the weak you've not strengthened, 00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:48.819 the sick you have not healed, 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:50.779 the injured you have not bound up, 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:53.039 the strayed you have not brought back, 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.720 the lost you have not sought, 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:57.539 and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:59.039 So they were scattered, 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.599 because there was no shepherd, 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:03.399 and they became food for all the wild beasts. 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:05.220 My sheep were scattered. 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:07.879 And then we drop down to verses 23 and 24. 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:08.939 Then God says, 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:11.440 I will set up over them one shepherd, 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.360 my servant David, 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:15.380 which that would mean the Messiah, 00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:17.720 and he shall feed them. 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:20.620 He shall feed them and be their shepherd, 00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:23.779 and I, the Lord, will be their God. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:26.880 And my servant David shall be prince among them. 00:20:27.320 --> 00:20:28.660 I am the Lord. 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:30.340 I have spoken. 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:33.139 Jesus is saying, 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:37.059 if you aren't with me in gathering the lost sheep, 00:20:37.679 --> 00:20:39.059 you're scattering. 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:43.699 If we aren't on mission with God, 00:20:44.399 --> 00:20:47.019 with Jesus in this mission, 00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:48.339 we're scattering. 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:51.039 There's no neutral ground here. 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:55.399 We might think we're kind of taking a sideline view, 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:58.000 but Jesus says it's not that way. 00:20:58.080 --> 00:20:58.980 In discipleship, 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:01.480 you're either on mission gathering with me, 00:21:01.540 --> 00:21:03.940 or you are actively scattering. 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:06.040 This is significant to understand. 00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:08.700 And the consistent witness of the New Testament 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:12.000 is that when you become a follower of Christ, 00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:13.720 you're now called to be on mission with him. 00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:17.060 Now, this doesn't mean that we're all going to be evangelists 00:21:17.060 --> 00:21:20.519 or full-time ministry or missionaries 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.840 or anything like that. 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.660 Some of you might. 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:25.420 Are you open for that? 00:21:27.340 --> 00:21:28.519 Corey just talked about, 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:30.420 we're starting to pray and think about 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.860 the next church plant. 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:34.040 Would you be willing to say, 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.960 here am I, send me? 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:37.500 I look at some people out here who are here tonight 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:39.200 who are a part of those that said, 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:41.700 we'll go and plant other churches. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.960 In fact, there are a lot of people here tonight 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.920 that have done that. 00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:46.120 Would you be willing? 00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:49.279 Ephesians 2.10 says, 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.720 for we are his workmanship, 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:53.640 created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:56.640 which he prepared beforehand for us to do. 00:21:56.840 --> 00:21:59.980 There have been good works that we are supposed to do 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:01.960 as his workmanship, 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:04.360 as his created, 00:22:05.060 --> 00:22:06.600 some would say the poema, 00:22:06.840 --> 00:22:09.019 the masterpiece of God, 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:12.720 that we have been given good works to do. 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:15.279 2 Corinthians 5.20 tells us 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:17.640 that we are ambassadors for Christ. 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:21.460 We're his representatives out into the world 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:24.100 who have been given the ministry of reconciliation, 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:26.220 the message of reconciliation, 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:28.280 saying, be reconciled to God. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:30.500 So as a follower of Christ, 00:22:30.620 --> 00:22:31.480 in discipleship, 00:22:31.540 --> 00:22:32.400 the question is not, 00:22:32.520 --> 00:22:33.580 are you an ambassador? 00:22:33.820 --> 00:22:35.740 If you are a follower of Christ, 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:37.259 you are an ambassador. 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:38.060 The question is, 00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:38.940 are you a good one? 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:41.520 Are you an obedient one or not? 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:44.000 If you're not gathering with him, 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.720 you are scattering. 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:45.480 I mean, 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:47.579 so we even have Acts 1.8 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:49.279 that talks about 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:51.139 that you will receive power 00:22:51.139 --> 00:22:52.799 when the Holy Spirit comes on you 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:54.180 and you will be my witnesses. 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:57.740 And he's not just talking to the 11 apostles. 00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:00.240 He's talking to the church. 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:02.700 You will be my witnesses. 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:05.359 There is no neutrality here. 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.379 No middle ground. 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:08.920 All the things that Corey said this morning, 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:10.120 I hope if you weren't here, 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:11.519 go back and listen to it. 00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:13.160 At one point I was like, 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.300 hey, we're preaching the same sermon. 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.660 This is taking the pressure off me. 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.380 So that was good. 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:18.800 But he talked about how faith 00:23:18.800 --> 00:23:20.620 demonstrates itself in good works. 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:22.320 And that's a wide range of things 00:23:22.320 --> 00:23:23.620 from like Abraham, 00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:25.700 who was willing to sacrifice 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:28.460 his one and only son that he loved 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:33.580 to the person that just simply meeting a need 00:23:33.580 --> 00:23:34.560 that's put before them. 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:37.140 Rahab, hiding the spies. 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:40.740 So when it comes to Jesus's mission 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:42.259 of gathering sheep, 00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:44.300 we all have a part to play. 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:47.460 You might ask someone, 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.480 what are you doing? 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:50.660 Are you just setting out teas and coffees? 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:51.940 It's like, no, 00:23:52.780 --> 00:23:53.980 I'm preparing the space 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:55.600 for God's people to fellowship. 00:23:56.560 --> 00:23:57.960 That's no small thing. 00:23:59.120 --> 00:24:01.480 I mean, like we've got these bookmarks. 00:24:01.820 --> 00:24:03.400 Like if all that you did, 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:03.960 you say, well, 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:07.559 at least maybe I can write 10 names and pray. 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:11.319 You think that's a small thing? 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:14.460 We just read Psalm 127, 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:17.819 one, the whole motto for the city of Edinburgh, 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.480 unless the Lord builds the house, 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.920 we labor in vain. 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:24.400 Laboring in prayer is no small thing. 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:27.000 And anyone can do that. 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.279 Start there. 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:31.319 Start with writing 10 names down 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:33.980 and start praying every day for those 10 names. 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:37.799 It doesn't have to be this massive thing 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:40.359 like willing to move your family overseas. 00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:44.740 It could be just walking across the hall 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:46.099 and talking to your coworker, 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.500 inviting your neighbor to church, 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:51.319 helping somebody in need. 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:54.379 Jesus said, 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:57.439 if you give a cup of cold water 00:24:57.439 --> 00:24:59.259 to one of his, 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:02.859 you're ministering to him in his name. 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.559 A cup of cold water. 00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:07.279 We can do that. 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:12.019 If you are not actively gathering the sheep, 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.899 you're scattering. 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:16.460 And we all have a part to play. 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.819 And there's so many ways 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:19.460 that we can be a part of that. 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:22.039 And Jesus just wants our heart in it. 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:24.940 And that is the call of discipleship. 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.779 There's no middle ground. 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:30.579 Being a disciple of Jesus changes everything. 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:32.420 It changes how I spend my time, 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.900 how I spend my money. 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:36.960 Paul even says this in 1 Corinthians, 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:38.019 you're not your own 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:39.340 for you're bought with a price. 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.920 So glorify God in your body. 00:25:41.340 --> 00:25:43.539 That's the way we think as disciples of Jesus. 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:44.799 I'm not my own. 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.860 I've been bought with a price 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:46.940 and I'm going to honor him. 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:49.400 I'm going to glorify him with my body. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:52.100 When you think about the implications 00:25:52.100 --> 00:25:53.360 of being a disciple, however, 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:55.299 you do understand what Jesus was saying 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:56.440 when he says count the cost. 00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:57.620 You don't go to war. 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.500 A king doesn't go to war 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.600 without counting the cost. 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.620 So it is when you're following Jesus, 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:03.380 we do count the cost. 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.940 And we find that it's worth it. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:08.420 Jesus is worth it. 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.600 There's no middle ground. 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:12.700 There's no neutrality. 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:16.720 I started not to share this 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:18.880 so that I don't show my age. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:23.720 But some of you may remember a book. 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:25.440 Okay, so it came out in the 50s, 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:27.140 a little booklet that I wasn't around then. 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:29.640 But it was big with like InterVarsity, 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:31.759 which is UCCF and the CU's 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:34.200 little booklet called My Heart, Christ's Homes. 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:35.299 Anybody remember that one? 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:36.700 No? 00:26:36.840 --> 00:26:37.000 Good. 00:26:37.080 --> 00:26:37.279 Okay. 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:37.640 All right. 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.380 There's a couple of headdots. 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:40.700 So I didn't even have to preface that 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.800 and I would have sounded a lot cooler. 00:26:42.080 --> 00:26:45.800 But so in this little booklet, 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.920 My Heart, Christ's Home, 00:26:47.060 --> 00:26:50.960 it gives a story of imagine that your heart 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:53.220 is like rooms in the house 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.500 that Jesus is coming in. 00:26:54.580 --> 00:26:56.140 You've invited him into your life. 00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:57.860 He is now your Lord. 00:26:58.300 --> 00:27:00.260 And it's this imagery of Jesus 00:27:00.260 --> 00:27:01.420 walking through the house. 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:03.560 And he finds first the study, 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.820 which is your thought life 00:27:04.820 --> 00:27:06.860 and what occupies your mind 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:09.619 and how he wants to replace that with the word 00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:11.000 so that everything you do 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:13.799 is from the word of God, 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:16.099 informed by the word of God. 00:27:16.199 --> 00:27:17.399 Then he goes to the dining room, 00:27:17.439 --> 00:27:19.039 which is your appetites and desires. 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.819 And he's wanting to know 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:22.559 what are you really longing for? 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:24.699 What do you think really satisfies you? 00:27:24.719 --> 00:27:25.919 And he wants to replace that 00:27:25.919 --> 00:27:26.899 with the will of God. 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:28.599 And then there's the living room, 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:30.500 which is where your fellowship happens, 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.099 relationships, 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:33.879 and Jesus is sitting there waiting 00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:35.059 and no one shows up. 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:36.339 And the question is, you know, 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.819 where's your prayer life? 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:40.000 Are you trying to meet with the Lord? 00:27:40.659 --> 00:27:41.819 And then he goes to the workshop 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:43.899 and all the tools and things 00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:45.419 and asks, what are you making? 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.419 And it's like, oh, well, 00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:48.759 I'm making toys and things for fun. 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:50.859 And he wants to fix that 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:51.940 so that you're doing things 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:53.440 that have eternal value. 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:55.679 And then as he's walking through, 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:57.200 there's a terrible stench 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:58.359 that's coming from somewhere. 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.539 And he, Jesus says, 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.879 I want to go to that room. 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.860 And he says, you know, 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:05.000 no, I've given you all the other rooms. 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:06.660 Let's keep this one private. 00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:09.860 I just want to keep that one to myself. 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.920 But when Jesus comes in, 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:13.780 he demands the deeds to the house. 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:16.460 And so he goes to this hall closet 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:18.900 where there's a smell of something dead. 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:20.600 And that's where we have hidden sins 00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:22.420 or things that you want to control 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:24.300 and say, not this one. 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:25.880 Let me just have this one. 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:29.740 And Jesus says, 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:31.000 I can't make this my home 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.020 until I clean it all 00:28:32.020 --> 00:28:33.360 because it's all mine. 00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:35.320 And it's this vivid imagery 00:28:35.320 --> 00:28:38.220 of Jesus coming into our life 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.880 and taking control 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:42.000 of every corner of our lives, 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:44.140 every corner submitted to him 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:46.380 where we're gladly offering our lives, 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:47.520 saying, nevertheless, 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.820 not my will, 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:50.520 but your will be done. 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:52.700 And it just forces us 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.600 to ask the question, 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:55.980 is there an area of your life 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.299 that we're wanting to keep 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:58.579 locked away from Jesus? 00:28:58.919 --> 00:29:00.000 Is there a dream? 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:01.179 Maybe an ambition. 00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:02.719 Is there a relationship 00:29:02.719 --> 00:29:04.279 or bank account? 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:06.740 Like what would be in our life 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:08.919 that we're trying to say, 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:10.319 I want to keep this one, 00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:11.119 not this one, Lord. 00:29:11.219 --> 00:29:12.639 Just let me keep this 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:14.000 and you can have all the others. 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.959 But in discipleship, 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:18.199 there is no middle ground. 00:29:18.679 --> 00:29:19.719 There's no neutrality. 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:21.639 If you're not for me, 00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:22.379 you're against me. 00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:23.840 If you're not gathering with me, 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:24.900 you are scattering, 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:25.860 Jesus says. 00:29:26.520 --> 00:29:27.780 And the reality is, 00:29:27.800 --> 00:29:28.360 as we mentioned, 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:30.260 we're engaging in war. 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:34.680 There's a spiritual battle going on. 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:38.660 And discipleship is actively engaging the war, 00:29:39.280 --> 00:29:40.740 pushing back the darkness. 00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:42.360 A guy named Robert Coleman 00:29:42.360 --> 00:29:43.000 wrote a book called 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.680 The Master Plan of Evangelism. 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:46.680 And The Master Plan of Evangelism 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:48.480 was really a lot about discipleship. 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:51.799 And I don't memorize quotes 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.460 like from books. 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.380 I memorize movie quotes. 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.620 But I don't really memorize 00:29:54.620 --> 00:29:55.460 many book quotes. 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.339 But this is one 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:57.660 that has stayed with me 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:59.360 for over 25 years now. 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:02.180 And Robert Coleman says in that book, 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:04.360 we are engaged in warfare, 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:06.160 the issues of which 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:07.380 are life and death. 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:09.759 And every day that we are indifferent 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.920 to our responsibilities 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:12.099 is a day lost 00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:13.140 for the cause of Christ. 00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:15.200 And the idea is, 00:30:15.360 --> 00:30:17.620 we play a part in this battle. 00:30:18.080 --> 00:30:19.220 And that's what we're called to 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:20.100 in discipleship. 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:21.840 To push back the darkness 00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:24.700 and to be with Jesus 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.900 on mission with Him, 00:30:26.120 --> 00:30:27.540 gathering the sheep. 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:30.680 And the question is, 00:30:30.780 --> 00:30:31.800 when Jesus says, 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.420 blessed rather of those 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.720 who hear the Word of God 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.460 and keep it, 00:30:36.100 --> 00:30:37.720 are we obeying the Word of God? 00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:39.580 Are we treasuring it up 00:30:39.580 --> 00:30:40.300 in our hearts 00:30:40.300 --> 00:30:42.120 so that it changes our lives? 00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:43.659 So that we're trying to say, 00:30:43.899 --> 00:30:44.699 whatever it is, 00:30:44.719 --> 00:30:45.479 I will obey, 00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.099 I will do, 00:30:46.179 --> 00:30:47.039 because I love you. 00:30:47.679 --> 00:30:49.039 Are we looking for ways 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.739 to participate 00:30:49.739 --> 00:30:51.619 in Jesus' mission? 00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:52.859 And luckily, 00:30:52.959 --> 00:30:54.099 we've just given you one tonight. 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:55.739 And there are many others. 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:58.339 And to just understand again 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:59.819 that it's not just 00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:00.839 setting out chairs. 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.599 It's preparing a space 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:04.059 for the worship of God. 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:06.079 It's not just greeting people 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.639 at the door. 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.099 I think, 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:08.319 I don't know if it was David, 00:31:08.419 --> 00:31:09.279 but one of the psalmist said, 00:31:09.399 --> 00:31:11.399 it's better to stand 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.039 at the doorway 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:14.099 of the house of God 00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:15.539 than to be in a thousand 00:31:15.539 --> 00:31:16.819 places elsewhere, right? 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.519 A thousand days elsewhere. 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.680 Totally botched that one. 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:21.920 But you know what I'm talking about. 00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:24.119 Where there's just no small thing 00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:26.379 in God's kingdom. 00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:29.119 You might feel like 00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:30.619 this is being a part of, 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:31.599 you hear God's mission, 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:33.299 and it brings some things to mind 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.759 that you're like, 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:35.259 there's no way that could be me. 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.420 And Jesus is saying, 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:39.000 yes, it can. 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:40.799 And if you're following me, 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.319 it will. 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.859 Whoever is not with me 00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.519 is against me. 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:47.220 Whoever does not gather with me 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:48.299 scatters. 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:51.259 And so one of the big takeaways tonight 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:53.220 is for us to be with the psalmist 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:53.660 that says, 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:56.220 give me an undivided heart 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:58.619 that I may fear your name. 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.920 Another translation says, 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:02.440 unite my heart 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:04.460 that I may fear your name. 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:06.340 Following Jesus, 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.440 there's no middle ground 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:09.920 but about wholehearted obedience. 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:11.880 Let's pray. 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:18.460 God, we thank you 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:20.279 that you have called us 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:21.200 to follow you. 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:24.259 That you have given us your spirit, 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:25.579 you've given us your word, 00:32:26.100 --> 00:32:27.440 and it tells us 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:28.660 that we have all that we need 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.539 for life and godliness. 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:30.980 So you've equipped us 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:32.079 in every way 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:32.880 to do the work 00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:33.960 that you've called us to do. 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:35.240 May we trust you. 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:37.380 I pray that 00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:38.840 you would help us 00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:40.180 to be actively, 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:42.299 daily examining our lives 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:43.700 to see if there's anything 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.740 that we're trying 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:46.940 to not give over to you. 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:47.740 Not saying, 00:32:48.100 --> 00:32:48.600 not my will, 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.579 but your will be done. 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:52.259 May we have daily repentance 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:54.039 over our sin. 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:57.779 May we step into 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:59.120 what you're calling us to 00:32:59.120 --> 00:33:00.319 as a way to 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:03.140 gather the sheep 00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:04.540 as a way 00:33:04.540 --> 00:33:05.320 to be on mission 00:33:05.320 --> 00:33:05.640 with you. 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.380 May we take that 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:07.259 seriously, Lord. 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.640 Help us to 00:33:09.640 --> 00:33:11.100 love what you love 00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:12.200 and hate what you hate. 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.240 For that is the call 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:15.020 of discipleship. 00:33:15.020 --> 00:33:16.660 And may we 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.940 obey your word. 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:19.940 And as Jesus said, 00:33:20.060 --> 00:33:21.320 blessed are those 00:33:21.320 --> 00:33:23.480 who hear the word 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:24.000 of God 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.860 and keep it. 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:26.920 Let us be not hearers, 00:33:27.060 --> 00:33:27.900 but doers. 00:33:29.060 --> 00:33:29.700 We pray all this 00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.460 in Jesus' name. 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.340 Amen. 00:33:31.340 --> 00:33:31.440 Amen.