WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.500 I was thinking today, what shall I start off with? 00:00:04.099 --> 00:00:07.500 And I thought I would treat, maybe particularly for the ladies, 00:00:08.179 --> 00:00:09.200 a bit of Michael Buble. 00:00:09.200 --> 00:00:15.080 And when I'm returning from so far away 00:00:15.080 --> 00:00:20.559 She give me some sweet loving, brightening up my day 00:00:20.559 --> 00:00:27.359 Yes, it makes me righteous, it makes me feel whole 00:00:27.359 --> 00:00:33.340 And it makes me mellow, down to my soul 00:00:33.579 --> 00:00:39.539 She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love 00:00:39.539 --> 00:00:46.019 She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love 00:00:46.019 --> 00:00:52.079 She gives me love, love, love, crazy love 00:00:52.079 --> 00:00:57.219 I need love, love, love, love for me 00:00:57.219 --> 00:01:02.640 Crazy love, crazy love 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:05.079 You're okay. 00:01:07.819 --> 00:01:11.480 Michael Blueberry sings about crazy love. 00:01:12.539 --> 00:01:16.579 And you came and maybe good friends brought you today 00:01:16.579 --> 00:01:20.620 and you thought, well, you're expecting me to talk about farmers. 00:01:20.620 --> 00:01:25.400 You're expecting me to talk about fruit and maybe talk about tractors. 00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:27.880 Well, I'm certainly going to talk about farmers. 00:01:28.180 --> 00:01:29.680 I'm certainly going to talk about fruit. 00:01:29.939 --> 00:01:31.800 Probably not so much the tractors. 00:01:32.340 --> 00:01:38.540 But this, this morning, is very much about, as we've heard, a story about love. 00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:44.380 This, this morning, we've heard in our reading, is a story about love. 00:01:45.320 --> 00:01:49.760 You see, if you were living in one of the villages down on the Somerset Levels, 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:51.980 you would be going to a harvest home. 00:01:52.740 --> 00:01:55.080 Now, I don't know whether you've ever been to a harvest home. 00:01:55.820 --> 00:01:57.359 They're quite boozy affairs. 00:01:58.100 --> 00:01:59.700 But people celebrate. 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:05.120 And do they celebrate this idea of bringing the harvest home? 00:02:05.660 --> 00:02:06.960 It's bringing it in. 00:02:07.180 --> 00:02:08.920 It's the fruit of their labors 00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:12.859 and the fruit of what they have seen God doing, bringing it in. 00:02:12.979 --> 00:02:14.839 And they celebrate. 00:02:16.280 --> 00:02:19.039 And maybe that is what we need to do more and more. 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:23.839 They, we just couldn't think today about tractors 00:02:23.839 --> 00:02:25.879 because it's far more than that. 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:30.339 Today, we often skirt around the real reason why we're here. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:33.639 And the core reason is about this sowing, reaping, 00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:38.119 but also harvesting and keeping, which is so important. 00:02:38.919 --> 00:02:44.419 And in our Bible story this morning, it is about love 00:02:44.419 --> 00:02:47.339 because there's something to celebrate. 00:02:48.659 --> 00:02:50.259 It's a crazy love. 00:02:51.139 --> 00:02:52.799 A real crazy love. 00:02:52.859 --> 00:02:54.699 Because love is crazy. 00:02:55.019 --> 00:02:55.899 It often is. 00:02:56.060 --> 00:02:58.719 And it's crazy in the way in which God gives it. 00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:02.819 Let's put this into the context of the narrative. 00:03:03.319 --> 00:03:08.340 But first of all, I have a little surprise for you. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:12.900 Michelle, would you like to dip your hand in the bag 00:03:12.900 --> 00:03:16.159 and bring out a heart? 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:17.560 And would you, your mic's on. 00:03:17.860 --> 00:03:20.659 Maybe you'd like to read what's in the car for people. 00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:23.039 For God so loved the world 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:26.060 that he gave his only one and only son 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:28.319 that whoever believes in him 00:03:28.319 --> 00:03:31.199 shall not perish but have eternal life. 00:03:31.920 --> 00:03:32.400 Okay. 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:34.460 That's the word. 00:03:34.699 --> 00:03:35.199 Thank you. 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:38.300 Just going to leave that there so everybody can see it, 00:03:38.500 --> 00:03:39.960 which is great. 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:42.379 God so loved the world. 00:03:43.140 --> 00:03:44.680 And it's crazy, isn't it? 00:03:44.680 --> 00:03:47.280 Because if we look at the backstory to what happened here, 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:50.099 Jesus has already come into Jerusalem. 00:03:51.020 --> 00:03:52.420 Everybody has lined the streets. 00:03:52.620 --> 00:03:54.379 Everybody's been excited to see him. 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:58.019 They've been impassioned by what he's going to come and bring. 00:03:58.340 --> 00:04:01.340 Yet Jesus knows that in a few days' time, 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:03.219 the people are going to turn against him. 00:04:03.299 --> 00:04:09.039 It is not going to be a happy story of love of them for him. 00:04:09.479 --> 00:04:15.300 But he came to bring love and hope for a whole people and for us. 00:04:16.139 --> 00:04:18.319 This crazy love that we're going to see. 00:04:18.459 --> 00:04:20.540 And so we get this story. 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:25.480 And so the law keepers and the Pharisees and everybody else that had gathered, 00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:26.939 they're all plotting against him 00:04:26.939 --> 00:04:28.920 because this message that he's bringing 00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:31.900 isn't the message that they've been handing out to people. 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:33.340 It's all about the law. 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:34.960 It's all about keeping in order. 00:04:35.260 --> 00:04:37.879 It's all about self-sufficiency and their preference. 00:04:38.140 --> 00:04:39.620 And that's what it's all been about. 00:04:39.700 --> 00:04:42.500 It hasn't been about crazy love. 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:48.439 And so this crazy love that we see in this story, 00:04:48.759 --> 00:04:52.300 and Jesus tells this story within their hearing 00:04:52.300 --> 00:04:55.019 because he needs to tell them, 00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:57.959 because about this crazy love. 00:04:57.959 --> 00:05:03.659 There was once a wealthy farmer. 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:05.139 He owned a lot of land. 00:05:05.419 --> 00:05:06.539 He had this vineyard. 00:05:06.819 --> 00:05:11.159 He was specialising in growing the most perfect and most beautiful grapes. 00:05:11.419 --> 00:05:12.539 It was high-end. 00:05:12.939 --> 00:05:15.939 He'd invested everything in this thing. 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:21.740 And the farmyard had invested heavily because it was for sharing. 00:05:22.219 --> 00:05:23.859 It wasn't just for a few. 00:05:24.339 --> 00:05:25.519 It was for so many. 00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:28.439 And he was determined, the farmer, 00:05:28.699 --> 00:05:31.479 that this wasn't going to be to just keep for themselves. 00:05:31.819 --> 00:05:33.099 This was to share. 00:05:34.019 --> 00:05:36.079 And after many years of hard work and investing, 00:05:36.299 --> 00:05:38.439 he took a huge risk. 00:05:39.079 --> 00:05:43.219 And he put in place some hired hands 00:05:43.219 --> 00:05:47.019 to invest and to look after the vineyard for him. 00:05:48.419 --> 00:05:49.699 When it was harvest time, 00:05:49.939 --> 00:05:52.399 he sent a few of his harvesters to come along 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:53.719 and help harvest it 00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:56.320 because he knew that it was going to be a huge harvest. 00:05:56.760 --> 00:05:58.960 He knew there was going to be so much for everybody. 00:06:00.140 --> 00:06:01.860 But things had turned sour. 00:06:03.280 --> 00:06:06.180 You see, the farmhands suddenly got illusions of grandeur. 00:06:06.380 --> 00:06:09.780 And suddenly, they believed that they should be the farmer, 00:06:10.780 --> 00:06:12.440 that they should own the vineyard, 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:14.840 that it was somehow theirs. 00:06:14.839 --> 00:06:18.379 And when the servants arrived, 00:06:18.459 --> 00:06:21.259 the farmhands grabbed the first servant 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:22.939 and they beat him up. 00:06:24.459 --> 00:06:26.119 The second one came along, 00:06:26.179 --> 00:06:27.099 they murdered that one. 00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:28.799 And the third one, 00:06:29.219 --> 00:06:30.779 I think he had a bit of sense. 00:06:31.099 --> 00:06:32.879 He went back and he told the father, 00:06:33.620 --> 00:06:34.099 the farmer, 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:35.439 exactly what was happening. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:44.339 The farmer then sends more servants towards, 00:06:44.920 --> 00:06:46.980 and they still have the same violence, 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:48.579 they still have the same contempt. 00:06:48.980 --> 00:06:54.079 The farmhands showed pure, pure contempt for the farmer. 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:57.519 I guess if you were like me, 00:06:57.819 --> 00:06:59.479 the farmer is at the end of his tether. 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:00.599 What shall I do? 00:07:01.219 --> 00:07:04.399 What would you and I do in that situation? 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:05.719 But here it is. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:08.279 He loves the vineyard so much, 00:07:08.579 --> 00:07:09.000 the farmer, 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:11.860 but he also still loves the farmhands. 00:07:12.539 --> 00:07:14.459 He wants things to change. 00:07:14.839 --> 00:07:15.659 So he thinks, 00:07:15.919 --> 00:07:16.279 surely, 00:07:16.279 --> 00:07:19.899 what I'll do is I'll send my son, 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:22.519 because they'll listen to my son, 00:07:23.139 --> 00:07:23.599 surely. 00:07:24.099 --> 00:07:25.239 Because in those days, 00:07:25.599 --> 00:07:26.839 if you sent your son, 00:07:27.179 --> 00:07:29.399 your son had the same authority as you did. 00:07:29.819 --> 00:07:31.479 So that's exactly what he did. 00:07:31.659 --> 00:07:33.219 He sent the son. 00:07:35.079 --> 00:07:37.739 When the farmhands saw the son arriving, 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:40.500 they rubbed their hands together. 00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:42.259 They plotted, 00:07:42.919 --> 00:07:43.819 they schemed, 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:45.000 and they said, 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:48.500 this is the farmer's one and only son. 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:51.500 If we kill him, 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:53.379 the vineyard will be ours, 00:07:54.220 --> 00:07:55.899 and it'll be all of ours, 00:07:56.199 --> 00:07:57.600 and we will inherit it. 00:07:58.899 --> 00:07:59.480 Do you know what? 00:07:59.639 --> 00:08:02.399 That is so bizarre. 00:08:03.459 --> 00:08:06.980 How would you think that you could destroy this love? 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:09.740 But that's exactly what they did. 00:08:10.660 --> 00:08:11.759 They killed the son. 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:14.959 And they just wouldn't listen. 00:08:15.819 --> 00:08:17.500 It was just bizarre. 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:22.959 At the end of this story, 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:26.879 we're confronted with a picture of God. 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:31.459 A God who has crazy love. 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:34.120 Crazy love. 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:35.620 Because this story, 00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:38.080 depending on how we answer. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.799 Because Jesus said, 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:41.000 Jesus answers, 00:08:41.679 --> 00:08:43.720 what will the farmer do? 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:45.919 That's what he asks the people that are listening. 00:08:46.259 --> 00:08:47.279 That's what he listens to. 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:49.000 That's what he speaks to the Pharisees. 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:51.360 What will the father do? 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:54.539 And that for each of us is a big question, 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:56.320 because I don't know what you would do. 00:08:56.860 --> 00:08:59.360 Because there would be something bubbling up in me 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:02.060 about anger and retribution. 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:04.500 wanting to get that back, 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:05.719 maybe by force. 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:09.059 But this is crazy love. 00:09:09.719 --> 00:09:12.079 This is crazy love of the father. 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:15.460 And this is what the crazy love is all about. 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:19.000 And this straightforward story today is an allegory, 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:22.460 because we know that the farmer is this, 00:09:22.920 --> 00:09:23.680 is our God. 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:26.259 And the farm hands, 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:27.579 the human race, 00:09:27.819 --> 00:09:28.639 God's people. 00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:32.639 And the people sent on the farmer's behalf, 00:09:32.739 --> 00:09:33.259 the servants, 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:34.139 are the prophets. 00:09:34.359 --> 00:09:35.539 Did they listen to them? 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:37.059 No, they didn't. 00:09:38.439 --> 00:09:39.000 And then, 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:40.219 the farmer's son, 00:09:40.319 --> 00:09:41.079 you've guessed it, 00:09:41.319 --> 00:09:42.299 it's all about Jesus. 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:45.339 Jesus is the son that was sent. 00:09:45.739 --> 00:09:47.959 Jesus is telling them this story, 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:49.419 prophetically, 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:51.219 of what actually was going to happen. 00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:54.879 And they were plotting and scheming already. 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:57.660 So let's begin with the farm hands. 00:09:57.779 --> 00:09:58.360 Let's look at this. 00:09:58.600 --> 00:09:59.259 It's crazy. 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:00.019 Think about it. 00:10:00.259 --> 00:10:03.879 Why on earth do the farm hands think 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:06.080 that they're going to inherit the vineyard? 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:07.879 You know, 00:10:07.940 --> 00:10:09.740 they haven't made a very good job of it. 00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:12.560 It's only the father that makes a really good job of it. 00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:15.180 Maybe you're thinking as well, 00:10:15.300 --> 00:10:15.480 you know, 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:17.800 if we think that the vineyard is ours, 00:10:18.180 --> 00:10:18.860 this world, 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:21.460 we think about global warming, 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:22.860 we think about hunger, 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:24.480 we think about starvation, 00:10:24.800 --> 00:10:27.320 we think how we haven't shared the fruits of the earth. 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:30.220 We haven't made a really good job of it. 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.860 It's no wonder 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:34.720 that the father wants to come back 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:37.500 and actually help and advise and guide. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:41.220 Then, of course, 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:45.480 there is the people in there, 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:46.700 the farm hands. 00:10:46.700 --> 00:10:48.220 You know, 00:10:49.520 --> 00:10:50.940 maybe it's legally possible 00:10:50.940 --> 00:10:52.240 that they could own the vineyard. 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:53.300 No, not at all. 00:10:54.140 --> 00:10:54.680 Not at all. 00:10:54.800 --> 00:10:56.220 This is the father's vineyard. 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:57.320 It is beautiful. 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:59.340 He wants to produce more and more and more 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:00.460 to share, 00:11:00.900 --> 00:11:01.800 not just for us, 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:02.879 but to share with people. 00:11:03.300 --> 00:11:04.800 So why keep it to ourselves? 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:06.860 Why are they so stuck? 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:08.200 And so often we feel, 00:11:08.300 --> 00:11:08.520 don't we, 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:10.080 oh, this is for us. 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:11.540 No, it's not for us. 00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:13.340 This is for everybody. 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:15.980 So we need to be open. 00:11:17.420 --> 00:11:20.320 Then there's the servants that came, 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:21.139 the servants, 00:11:21.300 --> 00:11:21.780 the prophets, 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:23.320 and they were quite a few 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:24.600 who tried to tell people 00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:26.780 about this crazy love of God. 00:11:27.420 --> 00:11:28.660 And it is crazy. 00:11:29.180 --> 00:11:30.500 And maybe we feel that 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.780 out in the world today, 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.519 that people just don't understand 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.480 where we come from. 00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:37.019 Because we're talking about a love 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:38.820 that people just don't experience 00:11:38.820 --> 00:11:40.680 because they want this for themselves. 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:42.940 And then, 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:43.660 finally, 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:45.220 is the son. 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:49.000 That God loved the world so much 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:51.379 that he sent his only son. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:53.379 Because he knew 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.920 that that was the answer. 00:11:55.100 --> 00:11:57.080 That is crazy love. 00:11:58.400 --> 00:11:59.340 Crazy love. 00:12:00.160 --> 00:12:01.440 But we need to get it. 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:03.460 You see, 00:12:04.900 --> 00:12:05.700 the farmer 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:07.780 wanted everyone 00:12:07.780 --> 00:12:09.080 to taste and see 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:10.320 that he is good. 00:12:11.640 --> 00:12:12.620 And without that, 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:13.800 there would have just been a few. 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:15.200 Just a few 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:16.280 who wanted to keep it 00:12:16.280 --> 00:12:16.860 to themselves. 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:18.900 And it's no surprise 00:12:18.900 --> 00:12:19.860 that we handed out fruit 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:21.260 because that's what we need 00:12:21.260 --> 00:12:22.220 to be doing more and more. 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:23.420 Handing it away. 00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:24.160 Handing it away. 00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:25.540 That's what the father wanted. 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:26.400 Give it away. 00:12:26.540 --> 00:12:26.980 Give it away. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:27.560 Give it away. 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:28.640 Share it. 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.860 Because the good thing 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:30.720 that we have to share 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.860 is so good. 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:34.779 No wonder he was so crazy, 00:12:35.059 --> 00:12:35.580 the farmer 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:36.759 and the father, 00:12:37.199 --> 00:12:38.139 for making sure 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:40.360 that this came about, 00:12:40.460 --> 00:12:41.220 that the vineyard 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:42.899 produced enough for everybody. 00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:44.240 And it does 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:45.340 if we allow it. 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:47.120 But think about it. 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.659 He sends the servants, 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:49.139 they're beaten, 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:49.939 stoned and killed. 00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:51.360 But the crazy thing is 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:52.399 then he sends more. 00:12:53.439 --> 00:12:54.319 He sends more, 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:56.000 then he sends 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.379 the son. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:00.460 And the beautiful thing 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:01.220 is for the hope 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:01.779 for today 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:04.259 is that actually 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:08.539 God puts all things 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:09.720 together for good. 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:13.100 And I was thinking 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:13.659 really about 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.439 we're sowing 00:13:14.439 --> 00:13:15.539 and reaping 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:17.100 and keeping. 00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:18.439 Let's just pour this 00:13:18.439 --> 00:13:19.179 back in the bag. 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:20.819 Just a little bit 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:21.639 that will go in there. 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:24.340 And shake it all up. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:26.899 Because God's goodness 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:28.419 in this story 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:30.139 is just so crazy 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:31.480 that actually 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:32.199 what he does 00:13:32.199 --> 00:13:33.600 is he actually says, 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:34.620 no, 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.539 I am in charge. 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.459 I love you so much. 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:39.720 It is so crazy 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.899 that I really want you 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:41.539 to get the message. 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:42.699 You can kill my son, 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:43.639 but of course 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:44.639 we have the resurrection. 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.500 And Jesus rose 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:47.579 and died again. 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:50.940 so we can have 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:52.420 this crazy love. 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:54.820 Because 00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:58.060 for God so loved 00:13:58.060 --> 00:13:58.600 the world 00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:59.780 that he gave 00:13:59.780 --> 00:14:01.300 his one and only son 00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:02.340 that whoever 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:03.300 believes in him 00:14:03.300 --> 00:14:04.420 shall not perish 00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:06.440 but have eternal life. 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:09.040 Now, 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:11.080 it's crazy love. 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:12.480 You see, 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:14.259 this crazy farmer 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:17.439 maybe isn't so crazy. 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:19.799 Because 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:20.899 if you 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:22.019 love people, 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.360 you will know 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:24.259 what ends 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:24.980 you go to. 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.279 To share 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:28.419 and to save. 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:29.779 Sacrificially. 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:31.059 And that's what 00:14:31.059 --> 00:14:31.939 we're called to do 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:32.659 in this story. 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:33.360 The farmer 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.319 acts more like 00:14:34.319 --> 00:14:35.200 a desperate parent. 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:36.419 More and more 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:37.480 to reach out 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.620 to the lost children 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:39.639 that he wants 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:40.139 to gather. 00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:41.120 It's crazy, 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.419 the kind of crazy love 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.120 that comes, 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.299 as Michael Buble says, 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.219 of being in love. 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:47.319 Because it's a love story. 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:49.319 This isn't just 00:14:49.319 --> 00:14:50.120 about harvest 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:50.699 and service. 00:14:50.979 --> 00:14:52.259 This is a pure 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:53.159 love story 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:54.219 like most of the Bible. 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:56.059 And if you're opening 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:56.439 the Bible 00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:57.240 for the first time, 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:57.819 if you're looking, 00:14:57.939 --> 00:14:58.439 if you're dipping 00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:59.159 your toe in, 00:14:59.479 --> 00:15:01.079 this is about love. 00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:01.979 What will the farmer 00:15:01.979 --> 00:15:03.860 do when he comes back? 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:05.759 All the listening Pharisees 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:07.120 are asked that question. 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:09.059 Jesus turns it around 00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:09.759 and says to them, 00:15:10.099 --> 00:15:11.679 what will the farmer 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:14.039 do when he comes back? 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:17.759 And all the listening Pharisees, 00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:18.519 all they can do 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:19.620 is they can imagine 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.379 violence, 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:21.739 retribution, 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:22.899 guilt, 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:24.500 punishment, 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.659 and sin. 00:15:25.939 --> 00:15:26.359 No. 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:29.019 This is crazy love. 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.739 So Jesus asked them 00:15:30.739 --> 00:15:31.519 this question. 00:15:33.579 --> 00:15:34.979 And the farmhands, 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:36.500 the Pharisees say, 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.740 they say to him, 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:41.159 he will put those wretches 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:42.379 to a miserable death. 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:42.720 You see, 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.580 the Pharisees 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:45.080 condemn themselves. 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:46.440 That's part of 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:47.460 Matthew's narrative. 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:49.580 They condemn themselves 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:51.560 when in Christ's 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.419 loving character, 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.580 if we love, 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.240 there is no condemnation. 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:57.080 If in Christ 00:15:57.080 --> 00:15:58.500 we know 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.500 the farmer, 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:00.620 there is 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.899 no condemnation. 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:05.459 so easily, 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:07.159 like you, 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:07.779 I could become 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.500 a farmhand. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.419 It's so easy 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.340 to accumulate 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:12.720 and to think 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.439 this is ours. 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.579 But I pray this morning 00:16:15.579 --> 00:16:17.120 that we look outside 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:17.519 of that 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.939 because love 00:16:18.939 --> 00:16:20.279 is a matter, 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.879 is never a matter 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.879 of meeting halfway. 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:24.419 it's going 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:25.200 the extra mile. 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:26.980 And the crazy 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:28.000 love of this farmer, 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.259 the crazy love 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:29.620 of God 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.059 that we see 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:30.600 this morning 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:32.179 goes the extra mile. 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.120 And when love 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:34.720 is truly the motivator, 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.159 the extra mile 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.200 is well worth it. 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.299 And he goes, 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.480 he doesn't give up. 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:42.200 So, 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:43.379 God like the farmer, 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.220 it says, 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:45.759 your love 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.559 is the anchor. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.399 We've sung that. 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:49.019 So, 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.940 most of us 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:50.519 would agree 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:53.559 that we need 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:54.319 more of that 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:55.899 crazy love 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.879 in our world. 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.480 And how are we 00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.039 going to do that? 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:00.620 This story 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:02.019 introduces us 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.399 to be like God 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.900 because God 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.359 is love. 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:06.839 God's love 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.960 is crazy 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.859 in reaching those 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:09.599 who we know 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.559 who needs this love. 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:11.639 We've heard about 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.579 the food bank today. 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.599 We've heard about 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:14.200 Andrew House. 00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:15.079 We've heard about 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:15.420 the people. 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:16.339 We know the people. 00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:17.379 Maybe some of you 00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:18.039 are gathered here 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.779 who need 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:20.160 God's crazy love. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.000 And it's there 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.900 in all abundance. 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:24.339 God will never 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:25.539 give up 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.519 on seeking 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.420 to reach you. 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:29.200 Seeking to reach 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.660 those he longs 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:31.259 to reach. 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.599 And that is 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:33.160 the mission 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:34.200 of his church. 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:35.839 The mission 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:36.579 of his church. 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:37.819 Jesus came, 00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:39.059 rose again, 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.680 the mission changed. 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.400 We are called 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.579 to reach a people 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:44.500 with God's 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.240 crazy love. 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.359 And that's why 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:48.720 we say 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.460 that the kingdom 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.259 is near 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:52.380 because love 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.220 so amazing, 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.180 so divine, 00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:56.240 demands my all, 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.500 my life, 00:17:57.840 --> 00:17:58.500 my soul, 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.559 and everything. 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:03.039 How do you feel 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:04.200 about the crazy love? 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.400 Because it's there 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:08.079 for each and every 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:08.559 one of us. 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.740 And that's why 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.620 we welcome Jesus. 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:13.400 One question, 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.620 if God's love 00:18:14.620 --> 00:18:15.880 is crazy 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:16.460 enough, 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:20.000 then how can we 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.519 say no 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:22.000 to somebody 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.940 who's so crazy 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:24.060 who keeps saying 00:18:24.060 --> 00:18:24.500 yes? 00:18:25.780 --> 00:18:26.940 How can we say 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:28.440 no to somebody 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:29.540 who is so crazy 00:18:29.540 --> 00:18:30.420 in love with us 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:31.360 that keeps 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:32.400 saying yes? 00:18:35.060 --> 00:18:36.040 Harvest is about 00:18:36.040 --> 00:18:36.480 welcoming. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:38.500 And the question 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:39.120 is today, 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.059 do we welcome 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:41.440 Jesus? 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.740 Do we welcome 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:43.980 him? 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.839 Do we see them 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:46.519 when he comes 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.299 from far off 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:48.559 coming to help 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:49.140 us share 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:50.160 what we have? 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.680 Do we welcome 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:53.759 or do we say 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:55.420 it's just for us? 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.500 I pray that we 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.200 would be really 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.319 open with the 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:00.140 harvest that we've 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:00.559 been given. 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.500 The harvest that 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.079 we've been given, 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:03.799 all that we've 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.220 been given, 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.299 all the great 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:05.940 things that we've 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:07.039 been given to 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.340 share.