WEBVTT

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 Heavenly Father, we come before you this morning in wonder and worship.

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 We've come to praise your name and to center our hearts on you,

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 to recalibrate our lives with that which is true,

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 and to acknowledge, God, that you are the one true God, the one true King.

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 God, you are great and you are glorious, and so help us to do that, God.

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 Help us to center our hearts and to center our lives with what is true,

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 according to your will and your way.

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 Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that the truth is we're blinded by our pride.

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 We often think we know best or that our ways are better than yours.

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 We're blinded by our own opinions.

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 Father, this morning we confess this and we ask you to forgive us and to help us.

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 You, O Lord, are all our good in times of peace.

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 You, O God, are our only support in days of trouble.

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 You are our one sufficiency when this life ends.

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 God, help us to see how good your will is in all situations.

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 Even when your will crosses over our own, teach us to be pleased with your will and to trust you,

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 even when we don't understand it.

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 God, for some of us right now, we're facing things we don't understand.

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 Help us to trust you, we pray.

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 Lord Jesus, this morning we thank you for your tenderness and your grace.

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 How greatly and gently and tenderly you treat us.

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 How you handle our sin.

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 God, thank you for your warmth and your compassion.

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 Jesus, thank you that when we do come to you in sincerity and truth,

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 there is no fear of your disapproval or your harsh treatment.

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 O sovereign God, this morning we pray for the churches in Hong Kong and the churches in China.

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 We ask for your strengthening grace to rest upon us.

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 We ask you, O God, to baptize us in your Holy Spirit.

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 Flood us in your power, O God.

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 We want to meet the living God.

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 Come and do that, we pray, God.

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 Father, we pray for ministers who are discouraged or facing a difficult time.

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 Those that are under-resourced or encountering opposition.

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 Strengthen them by your grace, God.

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 God, we pray for every church family in Hong Kong this morning.

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 Unify us, sanctify us, strengthen us, empower us to live lives of mission and witness,

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 taking the wonderful news of Jesus to our city.

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 God, we long to see many, many people come to know you

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 and have their lives changed by your gospel.

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 Empower us, we pray, God.

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 Father, this morning we bring before you the many, many areas of conflict and fighting in our world.

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 God, we confess at times we wonder if it's even worth praying.

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 Our world always seems to be at conflict.

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 And yet we come before you, sovereign God, the ruler of all the world,

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 and we ask for peace in our time.

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 We ask, God, that world leaders will swallow their pride and pursue peace.

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 We pray, God, that nations and ethnicities and tribes and people groups

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 will no longer despise and hate one another,

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 but will find ways to work together, to live peacefully, to honor one another.

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 God, we pray that every man, woman, and child

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 will be afforded the dignity that is fitting one made in your image,

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 irrespective of their language, their culture, or their race.

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 Jesus, we long for your return.

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 When you wipe away every tear, put right all that is wrong with the world.

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 When you vanquish your enemies and you rid the world of evil,

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 and you restore justice and righteousness to the earth.

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 Jesus, come soon.

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 Come, Lord Jesus, come.

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 Come take away the pain of our world, God.

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 We long to be restored to you.

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 We pray these things in your majestic, sovereign, and yet tender name.

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 Amen.

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 Let's listen to God's word this morning.

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 The scripture reading comes from Matthew 3.

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 Please follow along in your bulletins or on the screen.

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 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him.

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 John would have prevented him, saying,

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 I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?

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 But Jesus answered him,

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 Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.

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 Then he consented.

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 And when Jesus was baptized,

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 immediately he went up from the water,

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 and behold, the heavens were opened to him.

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 And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove

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 and coming to rest on him.

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 And behold, a voice from heaven said,

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 This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.

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 This is the word of God.

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 Thank you, Betty.

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 Okay.

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 Now, if you weren't here last week,

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 just to let you know where we're going as a church,

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 we are working our way through Matthew's Gospel

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 for the next couple of months.

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 And Matthew's Gospel is all about Jesus and his kingdom.

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 And yet, as we're going to see again and again,

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 Jesus' kingdom is so very different from the kingdoms of this world

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 and the kingdoms of our lives that we often try and build.

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 He often does things counterintuitively.

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 And yet, as we're going to see,

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 that Jesus' kingdom,

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 though often different to the way we would do things,

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 is the way that leads to life.

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 And so, over the next few weeks and months,

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 we're going to be looking at this.

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 And we'll see this predominantly in two weeks' time

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 as we start looking at the Sermon on the Mount.

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 But today, we look at this passage,

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 which is about Jesus' baptism.

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 Now, what's going on here?

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 Remember last week's passage?

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 John, the baptizer, is baptizing people in the wilderness,

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 and crowds are going out to him.

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 And John starts off his message like this.

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 He says, repent.

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 Turn from your sin.

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 Turn from your ways.

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 And why does he say that?

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 Because the king and the kingdom are coming.

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 The kingdom of heaven is at hand

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 because the Messiah, King Jesus, is on his way.

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 And many people heeded John's message,

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 and they turn from their sin,

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 and they get baptized.

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 But the question is,

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 John's message and Jesus' message,

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 which is still true and valid for us today,

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 turn from your sin, repent, confess your sin,

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 and turn to him.

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 The question is,

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 is it safe to do so?

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 Is Jesus trustworthy?

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 In other words,

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 when we confess our sin,

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 when we look into the depths of our hearts,

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 that's a very vulnerable thing to do.

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 Sometimes you may feel like

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 that the safest option

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 is to just stay silent,

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 like anything you say can

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 and will be held against you

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 in the courts of heaven, right?

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 It's like God comes and puts his finger

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 and just plead innocence

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 until you've got a solicitor at your side.

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 But Jesus comes and he says,

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 I want you to be vulnerable.

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 I want you to look into the deepest,

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 most vulnerable parts of your life,

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 and I want you to open them up to me.

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 And is Jesus safe?

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 Can we trust him

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 with our most vulnerable parts of our lives?

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 In today's passage,

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 we see who is this Jesus

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 that calls us to repentance?

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 And what's he going to do with our sin

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 when we bring it to him?

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 So let's see what's happening.

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 So in verse 13,

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 it says this,

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 Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan

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 to John to be baptized by him.

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 John would have prevented him saying,

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 I need to be baptized by you.

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 Why do you come to me?

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 So Jesus comes from Galilee,

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 the home, the town

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 where he's kind of grown up,

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 that area.

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 And he comes to John

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 for a very specific reason.

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 Now remember,

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 Jesus is not like the religious leaders

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 from last week

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 who are coming to John

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 to check things out.

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 Last week we saw the leaders come

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 and they're not so sure

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 about this guy, John.

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 They're not so sure about his message.

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 But all the crowds are going

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 and they don't want to be left out

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 or look like fools.

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 And so they come to John

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 to see what's happening.

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 But Jesus doesn't come

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 for that reason.

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 He comes for a specific purpose.

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 What does it say?

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 He came to the Jordan

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 in order to be baptized by John.

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 Jesus is not just coming

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 to see whether he should join the crowds.

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 He comes in order to be baptized.

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 But to John,

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 this doesn't make sense

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 because John is Jesus' second cousin.

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 He knows Jesus somewhat.

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 They might not have been very close,

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 but he would have had

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 some connection with him.

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 And John says,

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 if there's anybody here

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 that needs to be baptized

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 by the other,

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 I need to be baptized by you.

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 Remember,

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 John's baptism

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 is one of repentance,

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 of turning from your sin,

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 of changing your ways.

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 Remember,

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 he said to the religious leaders

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 in the passage

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 we saw last week,

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 he says,

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 don't think that I can baptize you

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 unless there's some kind of change

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 that takes place in your life,

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 unless you've repented

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 and confessed your sin.

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 And here is Jesus coming to John

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 and John says,

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 this shouldn't be like this.

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 Ah,

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 if anyone needs to be baptizing someone else,

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 you should be baptizing me.

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 Except Jesus insists.

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 He says,

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 John,

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 this must be the way it is.

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 Why?

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 Why does Jesus insist on this?

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 Why does Jesus need to be baptized?

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 Well,

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 look at verse 15.

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 Jesus knows something

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 and he knows what he's doing.

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 And so he says to John,

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 John,

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 let it be so,

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 for this is fitting

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 for us to fulfill

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 all righteousness.

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 Now,

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 I don't know about you,

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 but I didn't have a clue

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 what that sentence meant.

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 That's like

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 one of those things

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 where you're like,

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 sorry,

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 what?

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 I read a whole bunch

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 of commentaries this week

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 to try and understand it.

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 It's one of those difficult passages.

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 What is Jesus saying?

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 Well,

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 there's two clues here.

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 When Matthew uses

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 the word righteousness,

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 he's not using it

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 in the same way

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 that the Apostle Paul uses it.

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 Talking about justification

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 or salvation.

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 He's not saying

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 that you must be baptized

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 or you must be baptized

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 in order to become a Christian.

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 When Matthew uses

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 the word righteousness,

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 he's talking about

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 something which is

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 in conformity

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 with God's will.

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 Something which is

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 in alignment

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 with how God

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 wills things

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 to work out

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 or to be.

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 Remember,

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 in chapter 5,

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 he's going to say,

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 Jesus is going to say,

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 unless your righteousness

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 exceeds that of the Pharisees,

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 you cannot even

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 enter the kingdom

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 of God.

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 So,

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 Jesus is saying,

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 John,

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 let me be baptized

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 for this fulfills

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 God's will.

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 This is in conformity

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 with what God wills.

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 But then there's another clue

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 because Matthew uses

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 this word fulfill

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 always to talk about

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 the accomplishment

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 or the fulfillment

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 of something

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 that God spoke about

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 in times gone past.

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 Something in the Old Testament,

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 part of God's will,

00:10:43.819 --> 00:10:44.980
 his revealed will,

00:10:45.439 --> 00:10:46.439
 God gives a hint

00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:47.439
 about in the Old Testament

00:10:47.439 --> 00:10:49.319
 and now in the New Testament,

00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:50.399
 he's going to fulfill it.

00:10:50.939 --> 00:10:52.079
 And so Jesus comes

00:10:52.079 --> 00:10:52.899
 and he says,

00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:55.579
 John, baptize me

00:10:55.579 --> 00:10:57.000
 for this fulfills,

00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.299
 what I've spoken about

00:10:58.299 --> 00:10:58.919
 long ago,

00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:00.159
 God's will,

00:11:00.299 --> 00:11:01.019
 God's righteousness.

00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:02.319
 This is in conformity

00:11:02.319 --> 00:11:03.399
 with what God wants

00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:04.299
 to happen.

00:11:04.719 --> 00:11:06.059
 So this is what Jesus is saying.

00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:06.699
 I know this is a little

00:11:06.699 --> 00:11:07.599
 technical in the beginning,

00:11:07.819 --> 00:11:08.759
 so just bear with me

00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:09.480
 for a few minutes.

00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:11.100
 Jesus is saying this,

00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:12.639
 John, let me get baptized.

00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:14.659
 It's right for me to do so

00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:16.539
 for this will bring about

00:11:16.539 --> 00:11:18.080
 the fulfillment of God's will.

00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:20.039
 This is what he has spoken.

00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:21.300
 This is what he has planned.

00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:22.300
 This is what he has spoken

00:11:22.300 --> 00:11:23.100
 about long ago

00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:24.519
 and in doing so,

00:11:24.620 --> 00:11:26.300
 we will fulfill God's will

00:11:26.300 --> 00:11:27.759
 that he has spoken about

00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:29.060
 in years gone past.

00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:30.659
 Does that make any sense?

00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:32.159
 Okay.

00:11:32.560 --> 00:11:33.080
 Thank you,

00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:34.100
 one or two of us.

00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:34.759
 Okay.

00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.779
 So Jesus is saying,

00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:37.100
 John,

00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:38.899
 I know this doesn't make sense to you,

00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:39.919
 but trust me,

00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:41.720
 this is in line with God's will.

00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:42.919
 He's spoken about it

00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:44.439
 and we're going to fulfill God's will.

00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:46.620
 And now,

00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:48.500
 just before we look at

00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:49.399
 what is that will,

00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:51.100
 look at something on the side here,

00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:52.019
 just a side note.

00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:52.840
 Friends,

00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:54.360
 sometimes God's will

00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:57.000
 doesn't make complete sense to us.

00:11:57.840 --> 00:11:59.340
 Sometimes God says something

00:11:59.340 --> 00:12:01.199
 or he asks us to do something

00:12:01.199 --> 00:12:02.579
 and at the time,

00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:04.279
 it isn't perfectly clear

00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:05.620
 why he's asking us to do that.

00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:08.039
 It doesn't make perfect sense to us.

00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:09.379
 Think of John the Baptist,

00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:10.759
 one of the greatest leaders

00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:11.639
 in the New Testament.

00:12:12.199 --> 00:12:14.199
 Here's John who was filled

00:12:14.199 --> 00:12:15.039
 with the Holy Spirit

00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:16.120
 in his mother's womb.

00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:17.899
 Here is John who has received

00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:19.079
 divine revelation.

00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:21.439
 Here is John who is far more godly

00:12:21.439 --> 00:12:22.319
 than you or I

00:12:22.319 --> 00:12:23.519
 will probably ever be.

00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:24.360
 And yet,

00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:25.480
 John doesn't understand.

00:12:25.699 --> 00:12:27.019
 It doesn't make sense to him.

00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:27.980
 And friends,

00:12:28.079 --> 00:12:29.439
 sometimes God's will,

00:12:29.699 --> 00:12:31.219
 even revealed in his word,

00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:33.000
 at first glance will be like,

00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:33.339
 God,

00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:33.860
 are you sure?

00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.759
 That doesn't make complete sense to me.

00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:36.819
 But his will is trustworthy.

00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:38.340
 We can't trust him.

00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:40.039
 But notice something else here.

00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:42.039
 Even more than that,

00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:43.319
 sometimes God's will

00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:45.360
 may look silly.

00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:47.259
 It may be humbling.

00:12:47.939 --> 00:12:48.319
 Remember,

00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:49.159
 John's baptism

00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:50.480
 is a call to repentance,

00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:52.179
 to turn from your sin.

00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:53.080
 And yet,

00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:53.620
 Jesus,

00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:54.899
 the one person

00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:55.919
 that has never sinned,

00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:56.740
 the one person

00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:57.980
 that doesn't need to repent,

00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:00.539
 he knows that God's will

00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:01.059
 is for him

00:13:01.059 --> 00:13:01.819
 to go through

00:13:01.819 --> 00:13:02.779
 the waters of baptism.

00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:03.720
 That's going to be

00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:04.860
 a deeply humbling thing.

00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.259
 Everyone's going to look at him

00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:06.480
 and say,

00:13:06.540 --> 00:13:06.639
 oh,

00:13:06.680 --> 00:13:07.840
 I wonder what he needs to confess.

00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:09.340
 I wonder what area of life

00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:10.139
 he's turning from.

00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:11.940
 Sometimes God's will

00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:12.920
 will humble us

00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:13.560
 and ask us

00:13:13.560 --> 00:13:15.379
 to swallow our pride.

00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:16.519
 And yet,

00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:17.899
 Jesus does so

00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:19.320
 because it's the Father's will.

00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:20.440
 Now,

00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:22.240
 Jesus is saying to John,

00:13:22.560 --> 00:13:22.740
 John,

00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:23.920
 I know this doesn't make sense

00:13:23.920 --> 00:13:24.700
 to you right now,

00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:25.600
 but trust me,

00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.980
 this is God's will.

00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:27.879
 Baptize me

00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:29.240
 because this is going to reveal

00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:29.759
 something

00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:31.740
 about what's on God's heart.

00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:32.899
 It's going to make known

00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:34.059
 that which God has spoken

00:13:34.059 --> 00:13:35.439
 many years ago.

00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.840
 But what is that thing?

00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:38.279
 What is on God's heart?

00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:39.759
 What is Jesus' baptism

00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:41.240
 going to reveal to us?

00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:42.600
 What's it going to make us

00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.500
 understand

00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:44.959
 or know about who God is

00:13:44.959 --> 00:13:46.559
 that's going to draw us in?

00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:47.159
 Well,

00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:47.819
 three things.

00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:48.720
 Firstly,

00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:50.419
 Jesus' baptism

00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:51.740
 is going to show us

00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:53.240
 how Jesus identifies

00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.579
 or finds solidarity

00:13:54.579 --> 00:13:55.919
 with the broken

00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:57.059
 and the marginalized

00:13:57.059 --> 00:13:58.000
 and with sinners

00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:58.840
 like you and I.

00:13:59.319 --> 00:13:59.659
 Secondly,

00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:00.620
 Jesus' baptism

00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:01.819
 is going to show us

00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:03.400
 that Jesus is the chosen king

00:14:03.400 --> 00:14:04.560
 and thirdly,

00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:05.600
 it's going to reveal to us

00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:07.379
 that he's the tender savior.

00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.180
 Okay,

00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:08.900
 does that make sense?

00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:10.060
 So,

00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:11.080
 let's dive in.

00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:11.540
 Firstly,

00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:13.120
 Jesus' solidarity

00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:14.820
 with broken sinners

00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:15.460
 like us.

00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:16.980
 Look at what Jesus

00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.480
 is doing here.

00:14:17.760 --> 00:14:18.900
 He's not getting baptized

00:14:18.900 --> 00:14:20.240
 because he's sinful

00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:22.040
 or because he needs forgiveness,

00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:24.280
 but because he's identifying

00:14:24.280 --> 00:14:25.340
 with the very people

00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:25.800
 that do.

00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:27.100
 He's identifying

00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:28.120
 with the crowds,

00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:28.460
 right?

00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:30.200
 In John's gospel,

00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:30.879
 now,

00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:31.740
 just by the way,

00:14:32.900 --> 00:14:33.180
 Matthew,

00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:33.500
 Mark,

00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:33.720
 Luke,

00:14:33.780 --> 00:14:34.139
 and John,

00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.519
 John wrote the fourth gospel.

00:14:35.660 --> 00:14:36.320
 That's different

00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:37.460
 to John the baptizer.

00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:38.820
 These are two different Johns.

00:14:38.940 --> 00:14:40.040
 They just have the same name.

00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:40.540
 Okay,

00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:41.840
 so in John's gospel,

00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:43.480
 we see John the Baptist,

00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.560
 other John,

00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:45.980
 and this is what he says

00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.820
 talking about Jesus.

00:14:47.040 --> 00:14:47.420
 He says,

00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:48.860
 I baptize you with water,

00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:51.040
 but there stands amongst you

00:14:51.040 --> 00:14:53.139
 one who you do not yet know

00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:55.060
 whose straps of the sandals

00:14:55.060 --> 00:14:56.639
 are not worthy to untie.

00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.439
 When he comes,

00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.299
 he'll baptize you

00:14:58.299 --> 00:14:59.039
 with the Holy Spirit

00:14:59.039 --> 00:14:59.659
 and with fire,

00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:01.059
 but the point is this.

00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:01.740
 He says,

00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.419
 this Messiah that's coming,

00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.580
 where is he?

00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:06.299
 Is he in the synagogues?

00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:07.740
 Is he in the seminaries?

00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:08.279
 No,

00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.480
 he stands amongst you.

00:15:09.659 --> 00:15:10.679
 He's right amongst you

00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.220
 in the crowds.

00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:13.159
 There is one amongst you

00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:14.019
 who is coming,

00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:15.960
 who is the Savior of the world,

00:15:16.319 --> 00:15:17.659
 right there with them

00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.659
 in their moment

00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:20.279
 of greatest vulnerability

00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:21.419
 and exposure

00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:22.720
 when all these people

00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:23.580
 are coming to John

00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:23.860
 and saying,

00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:24.200
 John,

00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:25.639
 this is what I've done.

00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:28.139
 This is how I've sinned.

00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:29.720
 As these people are coming

00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:30.439
 and exposing

00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:31.519
 some of the darkest,

00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:33.000
 most vulnerable areas

00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:33.699
 of their life,

00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:34.879
 where is Jesus?

00:15:35.939 --> 00:15:36.740
 He's amongst them.

00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:38.439
 Jesus is not standing

00:15:38.439 --> 00:15:39.600
 on the hillside saying,

00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:40.340
 oh yeah,

00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.240
 I know about that sin.

00:15:41.819 --> 00:15:42.220
 Oh yes,

00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:43.299
 I know about that one too.

00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:45.460
 And if someone ever came to John

00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:45.840
 and said,

00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:46.600
 John,

00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:46.879
 well,

00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:48.000
 I kind of sinned

00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:48.639
 this happened

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:50.039
 and sort of painted it

00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:50.819
 in a good light

00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:51.860
 like we tend to do.

00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.399
 Am I the only one

00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:53.939
 that does that?

00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:55.280
 Kind of trying to talk

00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:55.820
 about my sin

00:15:55.820 --> 00:15:57.160
 like the best possible way.

00:15:57.780 --> 00:15:58.640
 Jesus didn't say,

00:15:59.200 --> 00:15:59.360
 hey,

00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:00.620
 tell them the real story.

00:16:00.880 --> 00:16:01.940
 Tell them what really happened,

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.220
 right?

00:16:02.920 --> 00:16:03.580
 Where's Jesus

00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.300
 in this moment

00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:05.400
 of greatest vulnerability?

00:16:06.540 --> 00:16:07.720
 He's right there with them.

00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.280
 He's amongst them.

00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:11.220
 But he's not only amongst them

00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:12.300
 on the banks of the river.

00:16:12.800 --> 00:16:13.680
 What does he do?

00:16:14.180 --> 00:16:15.720
 He climbs in with them

00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:17.620
 and he gets baptized with them.

00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:19.500
 Jesus is identifying

00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:21.000
 with the very people

00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.179
 who are broken,

00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.419
 who are marginalized,

00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.659
 who are hurting,

00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:25.759
 who are sinners.

00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:27.159
 And Jesus is saying,

00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:28.220
 the people that I made

00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:29.379
 and the people that I love,

00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:30.960
 I've come for them.

00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.600
 I've come to be with them.

00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.720
 I haven't come to point my finger

00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.460
 and accuse them

00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:35.980
 and tell them

00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:36.519
 how dirty,

00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.679
 rotten scoundrels they are.

00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:39.519
 I've come to be with them.

00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:40.480
 And so,

00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:42.000
 coming back to our text,

00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.100
 Jesus says,

00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:43.440
 John,

00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.600
 let me get baptized.

00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:46.059
 It's right for me to do so.

00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:47.819
 This fulfills God's will.

00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:49.099
 What God has spoken

00:16:49.099 --> 00:16:49.839
 and revealed

00:16:49.839 --> 00:16:51.000
 in the Old Testament,

00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:52.519
 that I would come

00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:53.839
 and be amongst my people,

00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:55.539
 I would be one of them.

00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.319
 And so,

00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.019
 John agrees.

00:16:57.459 --> 00:16:57.719
 And so,

00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:59.219
 John baptizes Jesus.

00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:01.559
 And as Jesus comes out of the water,

00:17:01.959 --> 00:17:02.779
 what happens?

00:17:03.719 --> 00:17:04.500
 Two things happen,

00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:04.799
 right?

00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:06.539
 Look at verse 16 and 17

00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.500
 with me.

00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:09.059
 The first thing that happens

00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:10.299
 is the Holy Spirit

00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:12.019
 comes and rests upon Jesus.

00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:12.859
 Now,

00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:13.379
 it doesn't say

00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:14.619
 a dove rests upon him.

00:17:14.679 --> 00:17:14.859
 It says,

00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:15.639
 the Holy Spirit

00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:17.179
 came and rested upon Jesus

00:17:17.179 --> 00:17:18.019
 like a dove.

00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:18.519
 In other words,

00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:20.459
 it's a physical manifestation.

00:17:20.659 --> 00:17:21.099
 The Holy Spirit

00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:22.199
 comes upon Jesus

00:17:22.199 --> 00:17:23.359
 and empowers him

00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:24.479
 for his ministry.

00:17:24.919 --> 00:17:25.719
 But the second thing

00:17:25.719 --> 00:17:26.279
 that happens

00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:27.819
 is that there's a voice.

00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.219
 A voice from heaven.

00:17:29.899 --> 00:17:30.779
 Whose voice is it?

00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.379
 It's God's voice,

00:17:32.439 --> 00:17:32.659
 right?

00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:34.179
 And what does God say?

00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.039
 Well,

00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:36.659
 God quotes,

00:17:36.919 --> 00:17:37.439
 God the Father

00:17:37.439 --> 00:17:39.459
 quotes two Old Testament passages.

00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:41.419
 One is Psalm chapter 2

00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:42.379
 and the other one

00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.459
 is Isaiah 42.

00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:45.620
 And both of these passages

00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:47.039
 reveal something

00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.920
 about the nature

00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:48.819
 and the character

00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.500
 of Jesus

00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:50.779
 and his mission

00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.299
 on earth.

00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:52.319
 Look at what he says.

00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:53.079
 Firstly,

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.240
 he quotes Psalm 2.

00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:55.059
 He says,

00:17:55.420 --> 00:17:57.500
 this is my beloved son.

00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:59.059
 And then he quotes

00:17:59.059 --> 00:18:00.019
 Isaiah 42,

00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:02.039
 which is a messianic passage

00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.460
 about the coming Messiah.

00:18:03.860 --> 00:18:04.640
 And what does he say?

00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:05.980
 This is my son

00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:07.840
 with whom I am well pleased

00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:10.279
 or in whom my soul delights.

00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.420
 So,

00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:12.839
 let's look at those two things.

00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.079
 Okay?

00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:13.740
 So,

00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.500
 we've got three points.

00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.160
 The first one,

00:18:15.700 --> 00:18:16.579
 Jesus' baptism

00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:18.720
 reveals that he identifies

00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:20.579
 with people like you and I.

00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:22.059
 Second thing is this,

00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.379
 Jesus' baptism

00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:24.359
 reveals that he's

00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.379
 the chosen king.

00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:28.139
 Let's look at Psalm 2 together.

00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:29.980
 Psalm 2

00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:31.460
 is a wonderful psalm.

00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.899
 It's a coronation psalm.

00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.019
 It's a psalm

00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:34.720
 that's written

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:36.859
 around the time of David

00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.979
 and it's written

00:18:37.979 --> 00:18:38.779
 when the king

00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.639
 is established

00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:40.699
 on the throne.

00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:42.359
 And it's a psalm

00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:42.839
 that's written

00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:44.500
 about God's chosen king.

00:18:45.439 --> 00:18:46.839
 And in this psalm,

00:18:46.919 --> 00:18:47.299
 God says,

00:18:47.439 --> 00:18:48.240
 I will establish

00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:49.539
 my king on the throne.

00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:51.000
 But what's happening

00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.939
 is that the nations

00:18:51.939 --> 00:18:53.019
 around Israel

00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:54.399
 don't like the king.

00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:55.579
 And the reason

00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:56.679
 they don't like the king

00:18:56.679 --> 00:18:57.719
 is because Israel

00:18:57.719 --> 00:18:58.659
 is a small nation.

00:18:58.959 --> 00:19:00.019
 It's a vulnerable nation.

00:19:00.419 --> 00:19:02.019
 It's often being attacked.

00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:03.019
 If you know the history

00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.899
 of the world,

00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.979
 Israel is forever

00:19:04.979 --> 00:19:05.659
 being attacked

00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:06.360
 by everyone

00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:07.200
 from every side.

00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.660
 And so the nations

00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.540
 around Israel

00:19:09.540 --> 00:19:10.580
 don't like that

00:19:10.580 --> 00:19:11.820
 God has established

00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:13.120
 a king on the throne.

00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:14.300
 And they want to

00:19:14.300 --> 00:19:15.160
 overthrow the king.

00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.700
 They want to overthrow Israel.

00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:18.060
 And so the kings

00:19:18.060 --> 00:19:18.620
 of the nations

00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.400
 surrounding it

00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.880
 conspire together.

00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.600
 They plot

00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:22.500
 and they scheme

00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.519
 and they take counsel

00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:23.900
 together

00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:25.500
 how they can overthrow

00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.120
 this king

00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:27.240
 that God has established

00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.380
 in Israel.

00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:30.240
 But what is God's

00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.000
 response

00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.840
 to their efforts?

00:19:32.840 --> 00:19:34.000
 He laughs at them.

00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:35.140
 Look at what it says

00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:36.040
 in verse 4.

00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:36.420
 He says,

00:19:36.800 --> 00:19:37.460
 He who sits

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.040
 in the heavens

00:19:38.040 --> 00:19:39.280
 he laughs.

00:19:39.840 --> 00:19:40.880
 The Lord holds

00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:41.480
 their plans

00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.360
 in derision.

00:19:42.800 --> 00:19:43.180
 He says,

00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.140
 As for me,

00:19:44.340 --> 00:19:45.440
 I have set

00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.220
 my king

00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:47.240
 on the throne.

00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.700
 And then he describes

00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.240
 this king.

00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.520
 Who is this king?

00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.540
 He says,

00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:53.240
 You are my beloved son.

00:19:54.540 --> 00:19:56.060
 Today I have begotten you.

00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:57.020
 Ask of me

00:19:57.020 --> 00:19:57.840
 and I will then

00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:58.680
 make the nations

00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.400
 your inheritance.

00:19:59.800 --> 00:20:00.940
 The ends of the earth

00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:02.120
 will be your possession.

00:20:02.600 --> 00:20:03.180
 So God says,

00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.320
 I've established this king.

00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.000
 On one hand

00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.539
 it's David

00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.339
 but actually

00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.339
 that's just a picture

00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.240
 of the true king.

00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.639
 God has established

00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:10.619
 his king on the throne

00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.679
 and this king

00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:12.659
 will be the lord

00:20:12.659 --> 00:20:13.720
 of all the world.

00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:15.039
 All the nations

00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.939
 will be your inheritance.

00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:16.919
 One day

00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:17.839
 all the nations

00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:19.000
 will come and bow down

00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.559
 before you.

00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:20.980
 The one true king.

00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:22.619
 And who is this king?

00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:23.839
 Well he says,

00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:25.859
 He is God's anointed one.

00:20:26.419 --> 00:20:27.359
 God's chosen one.

00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:27.899
 In other words,

00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:28.359
 in Hebrew

00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.379
 God's Messiah.

00:20:29.899 --> 00:20:30.639
 Or in Greek

00:20:30.639 --> 00:20:31.679
 God's Christos.

00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.500
 The Christ.

00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:34.460
 He is the chosen king

00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.640
 to end all kingdoms.

00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.859
 He is the king

00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:38.019
 to whom all kings

00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.599
 will one day

00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.619
 eventually bow.

00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:40.880
 Why?

00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.940
 Because he's God's son.

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.759
 You are my chosen son.

00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.339
 And at the end of the psalm

00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:48.140
 God says that

00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:48.980
 this king

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.859
 will become

00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.880
 the majestic ruler

00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.740
 of all creation.

00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.000
 All the world

00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.559
 will one day

00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.759
 bow down before him.

00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.059
 And he will destroy

00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:57.200
 those who oppose him.

00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.500
 Those who conspired

00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.799
 against him

00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.720
 will find themselves

00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.460
 facing the full wrath

00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.200
 of the fury

00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.180
 of God.

00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.100
 And so he warns him.

00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:05.440
 He says,

00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:06.039
 You kings

00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:07.160
 that are conspiring

00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:08.240
 against this king,

00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.440
 this chosen king,

00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.319
 be warned.

00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.740
 Kiss the son.

00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.279
 Come and draw near to him

00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.360
 in faith and repentance

00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:15.759
 lest you perish

00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.539
 in your ways.

00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:18.319
 But if you take refuge

00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:18.940
 under him

00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:20.900
 you will be blessed.

00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.140
 You see,

00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.759
 this king

00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.900
 in Psalm chapter 2

00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:25.059
 on one hand

00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.420
 he's a roaring lion.

00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:28.140
 He's a majestic king

00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:29.220
 that overthrows

00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.559
 all those who oppose him.

00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:32.299
 But at the same time

00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.460
 he's a gracious

00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.860
 and gentle lamb

00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:36.620
 to those who come to him

00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.740
 and find refuge

00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.980
 under his wings.

00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.180
 This is

00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.180
 this king.

00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.620
 And so Psalm 2

00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:43.740
 speaks about this king

00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:45.559
 and this majestic king.

00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.860
 And as Jesus

00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:48.240
 comes out of the waters

00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.380
 of baptism,

00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:50.620
 John baptizes him

00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:51.680
 and as he comes out

00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:52.640
 there's a voice

00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:53.319
 that thunders

00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:53.940
 in the heavens

00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:55.420
 and this is what it is.

00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:58.220
 This is my beloved son.

00:21:58.220 --> 00:22:00.140
 This is the chosen

00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:00.980
 ruler king.

00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.420
 This is the king

00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.240
 who will one day

00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.559
 inherit the earth.

00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:06.240
 The one before whom

00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:07.200
 all nations

00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:08.000
 will bow down.

00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.519
 This is the king

00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.100
 before whom

00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:11.480
 every monk

00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.779
 and every

00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:14.039
 imam

00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:15.779
 and every priest

00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:17.539
 and every Hindu guru

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:19.140
 and every pastor

00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:20.759
 and every premier

00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:22.360
 and every president

00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:24.200
 and every governor

00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:25.819
 and every man,

00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.319
 woman and child

00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.359
 will one day

00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:29.079
 bow down.

00:22:30.179 --> 00:22:31.220
 And some will bow down

00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:32.200
 gladly because they've

00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:33.259
 come to love the king

00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:33.700
 and they've found

00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.740
 refuge under him.

00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.579
 Some will bow down

00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.299
 because they've been

00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.200
 conquered by him.

00:22:38.879 --> 00:22:39.899
 But before this king

00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:40.559
 all the nations

00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:40.980
 will bow.

00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:43.079
 He is the chosen ruler,

00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.500
 the anointed king

00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:46.399
 because he's my beloved son.

00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.000
 And so as Jesus

00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.939
 comes out of the waters

00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:49.500
 of baptism,

00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:50.579
 this is what God says.

00:22:50.899 --> 00:22:52.279
 This is my son,

00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:54.159
 the ruling king.

00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:54.980
 Okay,

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.659
 does that make sense?

00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:58.100
 But that's not all

00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:59.620
 God says to Jesus.

00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:01.540
 He then says something else.

00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.160
 And this is the climax.

00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:03.779
 He says,

00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.120
 this is my beloved son

00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:07.180
 with whom I am well pleased

00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:09.040
 or in whom my soul delights.

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.440
 Now that's a quote

00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.660
 from Isaiah 42.

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:12.779
 Now,

00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.320
 in the book of Isaiah,

00:23:14.540 --> 00:23:15.680
 there are four passages

00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.240
 of scripture,

00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.880
 four poems

00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.640
 or songs

00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:19.180
 which are called

00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.279
 the servant songs.

00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:21.660
 Isaiah 42,

00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.840
 Isaiah 49,

00:23:23.300 --> 00:23:24.040
 Isaiah 50,

00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:25.220
 and Isaiah 53.

00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.480
 And all four

00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.559
 of these passages,

00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.559
 these poems,

00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.200
 are passages

00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:32.200
 about a certain servant

00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.859
 of the Lord.

00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:33.420
 Okay,

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.039
 that's why they're called

00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:35.119
 the servant songs.

00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.700
 And this servant

00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:38.399
 will rule the nations.

00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:39.420
 God calls him

00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:40.879
 to rule over

00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:41.819
 all the world.

00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.680
 It's kind of like

00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:43.680
 Psalm chapter 2.

00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.299
 But at the same time,

00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:46.539
 the servant is unique

00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:48.119
 because he is hated

00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:49.039
 and despised

00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.879
 by the nations.

00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:50.920
 The servant

00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:52.000
 is horribly abused

00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:53.000
 by the very nations

00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.920
 he's called to lead

00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.519
 in righteousness

00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.359
 and justice,

00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.299
 which is why

00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:56.619
 he's called

00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:57.619
 the suffering servant.

00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.480
 He is rejected,

00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.819
 he is ridiculed,

00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:01.819
 he is beaten,

00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.740
 he is mocked,

00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.000
 he is despised,

00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.660
 and he's hated.

00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.160
 But in the end,

00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.880
 he is rewarded.

00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.200
 In the end,

00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:09.960
 he rules supreme.

00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.640
 And Isaiah 42

00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:12.559
 is the first

00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.740
 of these four passages.

00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.940
 And it's a passage

00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.819
 which God quotes

00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:18.099
 in Matthew chapter 3.

00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.279
 And look at

00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.960
 what Isaiah 42 says.

00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:21.940
 He says this,

00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.559
 Behold my servant,

00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.600
 my chosen one,

00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.559
 my anointed one,

00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:27.000
 the one in whom

00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.680
 my soul delights.

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.559
 In other words,

00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:33.100
 what does Jesus say?

00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.660
 My son with whom

00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.460
 I'm well pleased,

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.539
 the one in whom

00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.480
 my soul delights.

00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.299
 Isn't that what Jesus,

00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.200
 what God said

00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.000
 at Jesus' baptism?

00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.140
 You, Jesus,

00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:41.799
 are the one

00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:43.160
 in whom my soul delights.

00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.380
 And then he says,

00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:46.279
 I have put my spirit

00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:46.819
 upon him.

00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:47.799
 Well, isn't that

00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.200
 what happened

00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.420
 when Jesus got baptized?

00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:49.980
 The Holy Spirit

00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.060
 rests upon him

00:24:51.060 --> 00:24:51.980
 and empowers him.

00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.720
 But if we just

00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.259
 left it there,

00:24:54.320 --> 00:24:55.000
 we'd miss the main

00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:56.019
 point of the passage.

00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:57.000
 Because Isaiah

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.680
 then goes on

00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.140
 and he says,

00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.480
 This king,

00:24:59.820 --> 00:25:00.720
 this servant,

00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:02.480
 this suffering servant,

00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:04.440
 he will not cry aloud

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.539
 or lift up his voice.

00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.340
 In other words,

00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.039
 when the servant

00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:08.380
 comes to rule the nations,

00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.600
 he will not come

00:25:09.600 --> 00:25:10.460
 with ceremony

00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.180
 or pomp.

00:25:11.560 --> 00:25:12.160
 He will not come

00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:13.000
 full of swagger

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.080
 and self-promotion.

00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:15.100
 He will come

00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:16.320
 quietly on the scene.

00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:17.740
 He will not be born

00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.460
 in a palace

00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.180
 or in royalty.

00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.960
 He will not hold office

00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.620
 with leaders of society.

00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:24.440
 Here will be the anointed,

00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.620
 ruling king,

00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:27.340
 but he'll come humbly.

00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.860
 He'll come quietly.

00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:31.420
 He might even be born

00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.759
 in a stable.

00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:34.799
 Rather than having kings

00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:36.319
 and royalty watching him,

00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.360
 he'll have shepherds

00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:38.860
 and the lowly.

00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.759
 But this will not diminish

00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.360
 his purpose

00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.039
 or his status.

00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.319
 His purpose

00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:44.319
 is to bring justice

00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.000
 to the nations.

00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.960
 And then it says this

00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.980
 about the servant king.

00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.960
 A bruised reed

00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:51.480
 he will not break.

00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:54.600
 A faintly smoldering wick

00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:56.319
 he will not snuff out.

00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:57.440
 Now think of that imagery.

00:25:57.620 --> 00:25:58.259
 I think we've got a,

00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.680
 oh, we don't have an image.

00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:00.559
 Sorry.

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.360
 Has that been gone

00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:01.799
 for a while?

00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:03.420
 Sorry,

00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:03.940
 I thought I had

00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.819
 all the scriptures up there.

00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.019
 Oh, there we go.

00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:06.259
 Okay.

00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.259
 Isaiah says this,

00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:11.079
 when the suffering servant comes,

00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.660
 he'll come as the king,

00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.319
 but he'll also come

00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.099
 with gentleness.

00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.879
 A bruised reed

00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.879
 he will not break.

00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.200
 I don't know about you,

00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.700
 but when I go hiking,

00:26:22.379 --> 00:26:25.220
 if I see a broken branch

00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.259
 or a stem

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.599
 or a reed,

00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:29.960
 I just can't leave it.

00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.480
 I've just got to put it

00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.640
 out of its misery, right?

00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.220
 I snap it off

00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.039
 and throw it away.

00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:36.460
 There's just something about it

00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.200
 that's asking

00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.740
 just to be broken off, right?

00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.359
 Or maybe think of this.

00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.339
 Again,

00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:41.920
 I don't know about you.

00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:43.240
 If I go walking somewhere,

00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:44.980
 I always try and find a stick.

00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.579
 The first few minutes,

00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.839
 I've got to find a walking stick

00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:49.200
 and there's just something therapeutic

00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:51.359
 about having a walking stick, right?

00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:53.359
 But what invariably happens

00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.299
 is I find a stick

00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.660
 and I think,

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.660
 oh, this is a good size,

00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.259
 good shape.

00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.740
 And as I put it down,

00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.859
 I see that it's broken

00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.880
 halfway along

00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:00.779
 and there's just bark

00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.640
 holding it together.

00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.180
 Does that ring a bell?

00:27:03.620 --> 00:27:04.839
 And as you put it down,

00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.960
 it can't carry the weight.

00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:06.680
 Now,

00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.200
 what do you do

00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:08.319
 with such a walking stick?

00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:10.140
 You throw it, right?

00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.539
 You toss it aside.

00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:12.120
 Say,

00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.579
 what a useless stick.

00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.259
 Somebody find me

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.620
 a proper walking stick, right?

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.200
 Or think of the picture

00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:17.819
 of a candle,

00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:19.420
 a candle that's outside

00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:19.960
 in the rain.

00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.900
 It's in the elements

00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:22.480
 and it's struggling

00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.759
 to stay alive.

00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:24.900
 It's fighting

00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:27.120
 to still be burning, right?

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:29.059
 In the times of the Bible,

00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.819
 they didn't have wax candles.

00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.700
 They'd have a candle,

00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.680
 a wick

00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.519
 that was in oil

00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.639
 and if the oil

00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:35.940
 is almost finished

00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:37.420
 or it's not burning properly,

00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:39.019
 you'd snuff out the candle

00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.200
 and then go fill up the oil

00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.180
 and relight it again.

00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.539
 But here,

00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.519
 Isaiah talks about

00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:45.039
 there's the Messiah coming

00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:46.119
 and he's going to be

00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:47.460
 the ruler of the whole world

00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:49.079
 and yet he's going to come

00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:50.400
 so tenderly,

00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.500
 so gently.

00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.539
 This king,

00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:53.160
 who is sovereign

00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:53.980
 over everyone,

00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.960
 who is majestic,

00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.680
 is so gracious

00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:57.400
 and tender

00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.519
 that when he comes

00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.299
 and he finds us

00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.759
 like a broken stick

00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.879
 or like a candle

00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:03.299
 that's not doing so well,

00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.539
 he doesn't throw it away

00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:04.859
 and say,

00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.379
 find me a proper Christian

00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:07.779
 or snuff it out.

00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.859
 What does he do?

00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.140
 He comes

00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.559
 and he binds us up.

00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.500
 He comes

00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.160
 and he heals

00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:14.539
 and he restores.

00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:16.579
 Here is a king

00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:18.720
 that is so strong

00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:20.000
 and yet so gentle

00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:21.099
 that he comes

00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:22.160
 and he binds up

00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:23.059
 those that are hurting

00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.500
 and those that are broken.

00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.480
 Friends,

00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.420
 in our world

00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.680
 and in our city,

00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.240
 how do we treat

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.019
 those that are broken?

00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.539
 How do we treat

00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.500
 those that are struggling

00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:34.299
 or those that are hurting

00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.940
 or those that are damaged

00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.759
 or fall behind?

00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:38.799
 Our city is not

00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.619
 very sympathetic

00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:41.119
 to those that are hurting,

00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:41.519
 are we?

00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:43.339
 I think the ethos

00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:43.980
 of Hong Kong

00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.879
 is the survival

00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:45.779
 of the fittest.

00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.420
 Our city is one

00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:48.099
 in which you've got

00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:48.740
 to be brave,

00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:49.640
 you've got to be strong,

00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.859
 you've got to be hardworking

00:28:50.859 --> 00:28:52.519
 in order to survive.

00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.339
 But friends,

00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.740
 here is a king

00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.900
 who comes to the broken,

00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.859
 he comes to the damaged,

00:28:59.099 --> 00:28:59.819
 he comes to those

00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.460
 who have failed.

00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:01.859
 He comes to those

00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.559
 who have sinned.

00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.039
 He comes to those

00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.900
 who have messed up.

00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.579
 He comes to those

00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:07.700
 with a checkered past.

00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:09.460
 He comes to those

00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.099
 who feel like,

00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:10.980
 God, could you ever

00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.720
 love me again?

00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:12.900
 And he says,

00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.680
 I've come for you.

00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.500
 I've come to heal you.

00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:17.299
 I've come to restore you.

00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:19.660
 Just think of Peter,

00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:21.700
 one of Jesus' disciples.

00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.379
 In Mark's gospel,

00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:25.480
 Jesus says to his disciples,

00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:27.200
 the Son of Man

00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.360
 is going to be arrested

00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:30.019
 and put to death.

00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:31.460
 And then he quotes

00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:32.160
 the Old Testament

00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:32.839
 where he says,

00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:34.799
 they will strike the shepherd

00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:36.140
 and the sheep will scatter.

00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.620
 In other words,

00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.039
 he's saying,

00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:38.220
 I will be alone

00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:39.559
 and when they arrest me,

00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.720
 all my disciples

00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.400
 will leave me.

00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:43.019
 And what does Peter say?

00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:43.960
 Peter says,

00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.799
 not me, God.

00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.920
 Maybe the others,

00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:48.000
 but not me.

00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:49.339
 I will be with you

00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:49.980
 to the end.

00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:51.059
 You can count on me.

00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.480
 And Jesus says,

00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:52.860
 Peter,

00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:55.079
 before the crow

00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.500
 or cock crows twice,

00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.339
 you'll deny me three times.

00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.660
 And Peter says,

00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.900
 forget it, Lord.

00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:01.819
 All the others

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.620
 will abandon you,

00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.319
 but not me.

00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:05.079
 You can count on me.

00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:07.599
 Well, 12 hours later,

00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:10.000
 Peter is warming his hands

00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.740
 outside the fire

00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.279
 and he's watching

00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:11.920
 through the gap.

00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:13.380
 Jesus has been arrested.

00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.000
 And a young girl

00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.759
 comes to him and says,

00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.519
 hey, weren't you

00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:17.700
 with that Jesus guy?

00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.079
 And he says,

00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:19.299
 no, not me.

00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.140
 Someone else comes

00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:21.620
 and says,

00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:22.980
 I'm sure you were

00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.539
 with Jesus

00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.500
 when we arrested him.

00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:24.920
 Peter says,

00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.160
 I don't know

00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:26.000
 what you're talking about.

00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.940
 And then a third person

00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.620
 comes and says,

00:30:28.860 --> 00:30:29.500
 but you've got

00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.680
 the same accent as him.

00:30:30.860 --> 00:30:31.599
 You know where he's from.

00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.579
 I'm sure you were

00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.759
 with Jesus, right?

00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.799
 You're one of his disciples.

00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:35.700
 He says,

00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:37.259
 I swear I've never met the man.

00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.880
 What does Jesus do

00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:40.680
 with Peter's denial?

00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.620
 What does he do?

00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.299
 After he dies

00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.180
 and he's crucified

00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:47.240
 and he's risen again,

00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.380
 he comes

00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:49.599
 and he finds his disciples

00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.139
 and he says,

00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:50.519
 Peter,

00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.919
 you love me,

00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.399
 don't you?

00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:53.879
 And Peter says,

00:30:53.939 --> 00:30:54.319
 yes, Lord,

00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:55.119
 I do love you.

00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:55.939
 He says,

00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:56.159
 Peter,

00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:57.019
 I've got a job for you.

00:30:57.459 --> 00:30:59.099
 I want you to feed my sheep.

00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:00.679
 It's not the end,

00:31:00.819 --> 00:31:00.980
 Peter.

00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:01.919
 I've still got a job

00:31:01.919 --> 00:31:02.399
 for you to do.

00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:04.059
 I want you to be my disciple.

00:31:04.179 --> 00:31:05.019
 Go and feed my sheep.

00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:05.859
 And he says,

00:31:05.939 --> 00:31:06.179
 Peter,

00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:07.319
 you do still love me,

00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:07.759
 don't you?

00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.159
 He says,

00:31:08.199 --> 00:31:08.599
 yes, Lord,

00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.019
 I love you.

00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.199
 He says,

00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:09.379
 Peter,

00:31:09.419 --> 00:31:10.199
 I've got a job for you.

00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:11.659
 Feed my lambs.

00:31:12.419 --> 00:31:13.079
 And then he asks him

00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.519
 a third time,

00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:13.799
 Peter,

00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:15.059
 I'm just asking

00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:15.859
 because I want you

00:31:15.859 --> 00:31:16.759
 to know that you love me.

00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:17.019
 Peter,

00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:18.019
 you do still love me,

00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.419
 don't you?

00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.500
 Yes,

00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:19.740
 Lord,

00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.299
 I love you.

00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.200
 Peter,

00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.440
 go and fulfill

00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:24.220
 the mandate I gave you.

00:31:24.659 --> 00:31:25.659
 Go and be my disciple.

00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:27.240
 Go and lead my people.

00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.220
 Friends,

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.299
 how does Jesus deal

00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:30.200
 with Peter's

00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:32.059
 most spectacular

00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.099
 fall from grace?

00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.659
 Does he throw him away

00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:34.879
 and say,

00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.919
 get me a proper Christian?

00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.019
 No,

00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.460
 he doesn't.

00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.859
 He comes and he restores him.

00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:40.279
 He comes and heals him.

00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:41.259
 He comes and binds him up.

00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.720
 He comes and recommissions him

00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:44.740
 and sends him on his task.

00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:45.759
 Friends,

00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.460
 our city,

00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:47.839
 there are many gods

00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:48.299
 and idols

00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:49.400
 that we love to serve.

00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:50.640
 But the problem

00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:51.400
 with these idols

00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.039
 and these gods

00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:53.360
 is that when we fail them,

00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:54.460
 they will accuse us

00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.220
 and they will point

00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.100
 the finger in your face

00:31:56.100 --> 00:31:56.700
 and they'll tell you

00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.360
 all the times

00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:58.180
 that you failed them.

00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:58.960
 Friends,

00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:00.059
 if your children's success

00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:01.680
 is your highest goal in life,

00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:03.460
 when your children get sick

00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.819
 or they don't succeed

00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.660
 or they don't fulfill

00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:07.220
 your plans or ambitions for them,

00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.920
 you will feel like

00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:10.079
 your whole life is on edge.

00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.079
 Friends,

00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:11.819
 if your promotion

00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:13.220
 or your career advancement

00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:13.939
 is the goal,

00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:15.200
 the thing that makes you whole,

00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.939
 when you pass over for promotion

00:32:16.939 --> 00:32:18.539
 or you don't succeed

00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:19.279
 in your career,

00:32:19.639 --> 00:32:20.619
 you'll feel useless.

00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.720
 You'll feel like a failure

00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.539
 and that the whole world

00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:23.319
 is against you.

00:32:23.859 --> 00:32:24.139
 Friends,

00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:25.079
 when the prospect

00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.899
 of being loved

00:32:25.899 --> 00:32:26.759
 or being with someone

00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:28.000
 is the most important thing

00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.519
 in your life,

00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.980
 when you go on a date

00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:31.220
 and they don't call you back

00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:32.220
 or you're not,

00:32:32.899 --> 00:32:34.539
 a relationship doesn't work out

00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.679
 the way that you hope it will,

00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:37.159
 you'll feel unloved.

00:32:37.879 --> 00:32:38.679
 You'll feel ugly.

00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:40.619
 You'll be filled with self-hate.

00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:42.059
 Tim Keller

00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.979
 was saying

00:32:42.979 --> 00:32:44.199
 a few years ago

00:32:44.199 --> 00:32:44.799
 in New York,

00:32:44.879 --> 00:32:45.459
 he spoke about

00:32:45.459 --> 00:32:46.579
 these young New Yorkers

00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:47.439
 that gave everything

00:32:47.439 --> 00:32:48.419
 to make their career

00:32:48.419 --> 00:32:49.039
 a success

00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.799
 and he says this,

00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:51.699
 these men and women

00:32:51.699 --> 00:32:52.739
 had sacrificed

00:32:52.739 --> 00:32:53.979
 everything to the God

00:32:53.979 --> 00:32:54.519
 of success

00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.579
 but it wasn't enough.

00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.239
 In ancient times,

00:32:57.339 --> 00:32:57.939
 the deities

00:32:57.939 --> 00:32:59.019
 were bloodthirsty

00:32:59.019 --> 00:33:00.639
 and hard to appease.

00:33:01.439 --> 00:33:02.319
 Even still,

00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.000
 today,

00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.139
 they are.

00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.319
 Friends,

00:33:05.399 --> 00:33:05.859
 the gods

00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:06.679
 and the idols

00:33:06.679 --> 00:33:07.339
 and the things

00:33:07.339 --> 00:33:08.119
 we try and serve

00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:09.199
 are bloodthirsty.

00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:10.000
 They'll demand

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.440
 your blood.

00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:10.940
 They'll demand

00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.980
 everything from you

00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:13.400
 and if you fail them,

00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.539
 they'll spit you out

00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.980
 and move on.

00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.240
 But friends,

00:33:17.340 --> 00:33:18.240
 here in the gospel,

00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:19.160
 we have a king.

00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.720
 Here we have a king

00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.940
 who at once claimed

00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:22.600
 nothing less

00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.880
 than being the promised Messiah,

00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:25.160
 the chosen king

00:33:25.160 --> 00:33:26.100
 above all kings,

00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:26.960
 who is king

00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:27.480
 who will one day

00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.559
 rule the nations

00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.200
 and before whom

00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:30.380
 every knee will bow

00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:31.900
 and yet here is a king

00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:32.799
 who is so gracious,

00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:34.200
 so tender

00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:35.400
 with those who fail him,

00:33:35.900 --> 00:33:37.200
 who is so gentle

00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.440
 with the broken

00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.360
 and those who fall

00:33:39.360 --> 00:33:40.559
 and those who sin,

00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:42.039
 that those who come to him

00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:43.319
 and feel like damaged goods,

00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:44.700
 he gently restores you

00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:46.580
 and he recommissions you.

00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:47.720
 Friends,

00:33:47.779 --> 00:33:48.680
 some of us feel broken

00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.180
 this morning.

00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:50.880
 Some of us feel

00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:51.660
 like damaged goods.

00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.160
 Some of us

00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:53.380
 because it's of our own sin.

00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:54.480
 There are things

00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:55.100
 that we've done

00:33:55.100 --> 00:33:55.740
 and we feel like,

00:33:55.840 --> 00:33:57.000
 I cannot believe I did that.

00:33:57.080 --> 00:33:58.200
 You may feel so ashamed.

00:33:59.220 --> 00:33:59.700
 Some of us,

00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.299
 maybe it's because

00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:01.319
 you've been sinned against.

00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:02.059
 Maybe somebody

00:34:02.059 --> 00:34:03.100
 did something to you.

00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:04.539
 You feel used.

00:34:04.620 --> 00:34:05.460
 You feel abused.

00:34:06.340 --> 00:34:07.340
 Maybe for some of us

00:34:07.340 --> 00:34:08.340
 it's just the harshness

00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:10.300
 of life in a fallen world.

00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:12.000
 Friends,

00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:12.579
 here is a king

00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.260
 who comes with such

00:34:13.260 --> 00:34:14.519
 gentleness and tenderness.

00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:16.320
 He restores and heals

00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:17.440
 the brokenhearted.

00:34:18.280 --> 00:34:19.579
 I want to read a quote

00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:20.539
 by Sam Albury.

00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:21.599
 It's quite a long quote

00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.280
 so you're going to need

00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:23.199
 to pay attention

00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:25.099
 but listen to how

00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:26.199
 Pastor Sam Albury

00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:27.880
 writes about this.

00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:29.059
 He says,

00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:30.280
 The wonder of Jesus

00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:31.340
 is that he's able

00:34:31.340 --> 00:34:32.000
 to combine

00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:33.519
 what we so easily separate.

00:34:34.300 --> 00:34:35.179
 In our experience,

00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:37.059
 those who are gentlest

00:34:37.059 --> 00:34:38.259
 tend to lack strength

00:34:38.259 --> 00:34:38.779
 and force

00:34:38.779 --> 00:34:39.639
 when it's called for

00:34:39.639 --> 00:34:41.299
 while those who are strongest

00:34:41.299 --> 00:34:42.699
 tend to lack the capacity

00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:43.440
 for gentleness

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.139
 and restraint.

00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:46.399
 But Jesus exemplifies

00:34:46.399 --> 00:34:47.460
 perfect gentleness

00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:48.779
 and awesome strength.

00:34:49.279 --> 00:34:49.899
 This combination

00:34:49.899 --> 00:34:51.000
 is why he's such

00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.579
 a good savior.

00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:52.919
 He is strong

00:34:52.919 --> 00:34:54.239
 and he's mighty to save

00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:55.379
 and yet he is

00:34:55.379 --> 00:34:56.719
 unspeakably delicate

00:34:56.719 --> 00:34:57.940
 and careful with us.

00:34:58.519 --> 00:34:59.460
 There is no wound,

00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:00.299
 no vulnerability

00:35:00.299 --> 00:35:01.919
 he does not understand

00:35:01.919 --> 00:35:02.839
 or handle

00:35:02.839 --> 00:35:03.839
 with the utmost care.

00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:05.120
 He is someone

00:35:05.120 --> 00:35:06.380
 who we can trust

00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.260
 with our most tender

00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:08.400
 bruises and fragility.

00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:10.120
 He will not be clumsy

00:35:10.120 --> 00:35:10.680
 with us.

00:35:11.260 --> 00:35:12.140
 He can apply

00:35:12.140 --> 00:35:13.559
 his unimaginable strength

00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:13.920
 to us

00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:14.860
 with affection

00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:15.700
 and sensitivity.

00:35:16.640 --> 00:35:17.660
 In a fallen world

00:35:17.660 --> 00:35:19.300
 like this,

00:35:19.660 --> 00:35:20.280
 all of us

00:35:20.280 --> 00:35:20.760
 are people

00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:21.800
 who have both sinned

00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:23.240
 and been sinned against.

00:35:23.860 --> 00:35:24.539
 Some of this

00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:26.140
 will have left us

00:35:26.140 --> 00:35:26.920
 with deep wounds

00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:28.240
 that seem unfathomable

00:35:28.240 --> 00:35:29.180
 even to us.

00:35:29.620 --> 00:35:30.980
 But Jesus knows us fully.

00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:32.860
 He understands us entirely.

00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:34.360
 He loves us more

00:35:34.360 --> 00:35:35.260
 than we love ourselves.

00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:36.639
 He has the power

00:35:36.639 --> 00:35:37.400
 and the capacity

00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:38.260
 to help us

00:35:38.260 --> 00:35:39.360
 and the tenderness

00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:40.059
 and the care

00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:41.360
 to want to help us.

00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.740
 We can trust him

00:35:42.740 --> 00:35:43.780
 with our deepest pains

00:35:43.780 --> 00:35:44.480
 and our bruises.

00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.740
 There is none

00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:46.780
 more fearsome,

00:35:47.300 --> 00:35:47.740
 none

00:35:47.740 --> 00:35:49.000
 more gentle.

00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:50.300
 Now,

00:35:50.760 --> 00:35:51.960
 coming into a close,

00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:53.179
 let's go back

00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:54.320
 to Matthew chapter 3,

00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:56.019
 Jesus' baptism.

00:35:57.219 --> 00:35:58.260
 What's just happened

00:35:58.260 --> 00:35:58.900
 before this?

00:35:59.600 --> 00:36:01.420
 John has called people

00:36:01.420 --> 00:36:02.140
 to,

00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:03.220
 he's been proclaiming

00:36:03.220 --> 00:36:03.600
 the gospel

00:36:03.600 --> 00:36:04.480
 by calling people

00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:05.080
 to repent,

00:36:05.720 --> 00:36:06.640
 to repent in light

00:36:06.640 --> 00:36:07.460
 of the coming king.

00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:09.180
 And friends,

00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:10.080
 what is this king

00:36:10.080 --> 00:36:10.700
 going to do

00:36:10.700 --> 00:36:11.480
 with your sin

00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:12.220
 and my sin

00:36:12.220 --> 00:36:13.680
 when we come to him

00:36:13.680 --> 00:36:14.180
 in repentance?

00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:15.760
 When we come to him

00:36:15.760 --> 00:36:17.680
 with our most vulnerable spots,

00:36:17.760 --> 00:36:18.320
 when we come to him

00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:19.000
 with our bruises

00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:19.780
 and our brokenness,

00:36:19.840 --> 00:36:20.440
 when we come to him

00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:21.280
 with our failings,

00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:22.420
 when we come to him

00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:23.620
 with our messes

00:36:23.620 --> 00:36:24.380
 and our mistakes,

00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:25.820
 what's he going to do?

00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:26.840
 Is he going to,

00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:27.760
 like a walking stick,

00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:28.760
 toss you on the heap

00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:29.500
 and say,

00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:30.680
 go sort yourself out,

00:36:31.140 --> 00:36:31.840
 come back to me

00:36:31.840 --> 00:36:32.620
 when you've got your,

00:36:33.660 --> 00:36:34.180
 you know,

00:36:34.320 --> 00:36:35.059
 stuff in order?

00:36:35.740 --> 00:36:36.579
 What's he going to do?

00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:38.140
 Is he going to rebuke you

00:36:38.140 --> 00:36:39.539
 for being such a lousy Christian?

00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:40.519
 Is he going to point

00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:41.600
 his finger in your face

00:36:41.600 --> 00:36:42.180
 and say,

00:36:42.240 --> 00:36:42.300
 oh,

00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:43.559
 you haven't properly confessed.

00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:44.920
 What about that area

00:36:44.920 --> 00:36:45.400
 of your life?

00:36:45.460 --> 00:36:46.039
 What about that?

00:36:46.800 --> 00:36:47.039
 No,

00:36:47.160 --> 00:36:47.519
 friends.

00:36:48.620 --> 00:36:49.620
 When we come to him

00:36:49.620 --> 00:36:50.860
 in humility and contrition,

00:36:51.640 --> 00:36:52.760
 we come to a king.

00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:54.900
 We don't come to a schoolmaster

00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:56.059
 or a tiger parent.

00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:57.880
 We come to Jesus.

00:36:58.639 --> 00:36:59.500
 We come to the lover

00:36:59.500 --> 00:37:00.139
 of our souls.

00:37:00.779 --> 00:37:01.739
 We come to the one

00:37:01.739 --> 00:37:02.840
 who brings tenderness

00:37:02.840 --> 00:37:03.940
 and healing in his wings.

00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:05.619
 We come to the chosen

00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.340
 ruling king,

00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.299
 but we come to the one

00:37:07.299 --> 00:37:08.699
 who is unspeakably delicate

00:37:08.699 --> 00:37:09.699
 and careful with us.

00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.900
 We come to the one

00:37:10.900 --> 00:37:11.699
 who we can trust

00:37:11.699 --> 00:37:13.099
 with our most tender bruises

00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:14.320
 and failures.

00:37:14.779 --> 00:37:15.599
 We come to the one

00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:16.239
 who will apply

00:37:16.239 --> 00:37:18.719
 his unimaginable affection

00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:19.539
 and strength

00:37:19.539 --> 00:37:21.119
 to our sensitivities.

00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:22.619
 Charles Spurgeon

00:37:22.619 --> 00:37:23.599
 said it like this,

00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:25.019
 when I regarded God

00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:25.779
 as a tyrant,

00:37:26.219 --> 00:37:26.940
 I thought sin

00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:27.659
 was unimportant.

00:37:28.179 --> 00:37:28.980
 But when I knew him

00:37:28.980 --> 00:37:29.819
 to be my father,

00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:30.860
 I mourned that I could

00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:32.239
 ever have kicked against him.

00:37:32.679 --> 00:37:33.500
 When I thought God

00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:34.099
 was hard,

00:37:34.279 --> 00:37:35.420
 I found it easy to sin.

00:37:35.819 --> 00:37:36.799
 But when I found God

00:37:36.799 --> 00:37:37.699
 was so kind,

00:37:37.860 --> 00:37:38.440
 so good,

00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:39.539
 so overflowing

00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:40.819
 with compassion,

00:37:40.819 --> 00:37:42.000
 I beat my breast

00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:42.779
 to think that I could

00:37:42.779 --> 00:37:43.739
 ever have rebelled

00:37:43.739 --> 00:37:44.400
 against one

00:37:44.400 --> 00:37:45.739
 who loved me so

00:37:45.739 --> 00:37:47.159
 and sought my good.

00:37:47.799 --> 00:37:48.239
 And friends,

00:37:48.380 --> 00:37:48.960
 this is what

00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:49.799
 Jesus' baptism

00:37:49.799 --> 00:37:50.500
 shows us.

00:37:50.900 --> 00:37:51.519
 This is why

00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:52.679
 Jesus gets baptized.

00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:54.019
 Because he comes

00:37:54.019 --> 00:37:54.679
 to show us

00:37:54.679 --> 00:37:55.559
 that he identifies

00:37:55.559 --> 00:37:56.599
 with the failings

00:37:56.599 --> 00:37:57.619
 and the sin

00:37:57.619 --> 00:37:58.559
 and the mess of the world.

00:37:59.199 --> 00:37:59.739
 But he comes

00:37:59.739 --> 00:38:00.260
 to show us

00:38:00.260 --> 00:38:01.639
 that he's the chosen king

00:38:01.639 --> 00:38:02.219
 but he's also

00:38:02.219 --> 00:38:03.119
 the suffering servant.

00:38:03.719 --> 00:38:04.500
 Now to be clear,

00:38:04.960 --> 00:38:06.039
 he won't be the suffering servant

00:38:06.039 --> 00:38:06.400
 forever.

00:38:07.159 --> 00:38:08.059
 There's a time coming

00:38:08.059 --> 00:38:08.920
 when he will come

00:38:08.920 --> 00:38:10.460
 in all the full might

00:38:10.460 --> 00:38:11.000
 of his strength

00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:11.840
 and he will vanquish

00:38:11.840 --> 00:38:12.300
 his enemies

00:38:12.300 --> 00:38:13.780
 and he will destroy

00:38:13.780 --> 00:38:14.920
 those that have opposed him.

00:38:14.940 --> 00:38:15.579
 That is true.

00:38:16.159 --> 00:38:16.719
 But for now,

00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:18.300
 as John calls sinners

00:38:18.300 --> 00:38:19.019
 to come to him

00:38:19.019 --> 00:38:20.320
 to humble ourselves

00:38:20.320 --> 00:38:20.920
 and to repent,

00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:22.400
 Jesus stands amongst us

00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:23.079
 so good,

00:38:23.559 --> 00:38:24.340
 so gentle,

00:38:24.800 --> 00:38:25.759
 so overflowing

00:38:25.759 --> 00:38:26.900
 with compassion,

00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:28.440
 identifying with

00:38:28.440 --> 00:38:29.079
 the shortcomings

00:38:29.079 --> 00:38:29.900
 and the failings

00:38:29.900 --> 00:38:31.219
 of our lives.

00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:32.539
 And yet,

00:38:33.280 --> 00:38:34.480
 all this was just

00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:35.219
 a foretaste

00:38:35.219 --> 00:38:36.579
 because in three

00:38:36.579 --> 00:38:37.480
 short years' time,

00:38:37.679 --> 00:38:38.460
 Jesus is going to be

00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:40.099
 baptized with another baptism.

00:38:40.280 --> 00:38:40.739
 He's going to be

00:38:40.739 --> 00:38:41.739
 plunged deep,

00:38:41.880 --> 00:38:42.539
 immersed,

00:38:43.079 --> 00:38:44.079
 drowned in a baptism

00:38:44.079 --> 00:38:44.980
 of utter turmoil.

00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:46.059
 He's going to be

00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:47.300
 nailed to the cross

00:38:47.300 --> 00:38:48.440
 so that those

00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:49.260
 who trust him,

00:38:49.720 --> 00:38:50.780
 those who come to him

00:38:50.780 --> 00:38:51.660
 in faith and repentance

00:38:51.660 --> 00:38:52.560
 will have their sins

00:38:52.560 --> 00:38:53.880
 taken on the cross

00:38:53.880 --> 00:38:54.880
 by him.

00:38:55.380 --> 00:38:55.820
 Friends,

00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:57.080
 because this magnificent,

00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:57.920
 wonderful,

00:38:58.160 --> 00:38:58.519
 savior,

00:38:58.840 --> 00:38:59.240
 sovereign,

00:38:59.680 --> 00:39:00.080
 gracious,

00:39:00.620 --> 00:39:01.360
 gentle king

00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:02.440
 came and died

00:39:02.440 --> 00:39:02.980
 on the cross,

00:39:03.320 --> 00:39:05.160
 those who do trust him,

00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:06.560
 we hear the words

00:39:06.560 --> 00:39:07.060
 of the Father

00:39:07.060 --> 00:39:08.160
 speaking over us.

00:39:08.660 --> 00:39:09.780
 My beloved son,

00:39:10.519 --> 00:39:11.620
 my beloved daughter,

00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:12.780
 with you,

00:39:12.860 --> 00:39:13.780
 I am well pleased.

00:39:14.240 --> 00:39:15.019
 Because Jesus

00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:15.960
 took all our failings

00:39:15.960 --> 00:39:17.019
 and our sin upon the cross,

00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:18.220
 now the Father speaks

00:39:18.220 --> 00:39:19.220
 words of affirmation

00:39:19.220 --> 00:39:19.740
 over us.

00:39:20.119 --> 00:39:20.780
 My son,

00:39:21.240 --> 00:39:21.820
 my daughter,

00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:23.039
 with you,

00:39:23.460 --> 00:39:24.400
 I am well pleased.

00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:25.260
 Friends,

00:39:25.300 --> 00:39:25.820
 if you're a Christian

00:39:25.820 --> 00:39:26.340
 this morning,

00:39:27.099 --> 00:39:27.639
 God the Father

00:39:27.639 --> 00:39:28.420
 does not just

00:39:28.420 --> 00:39:29.220
 tolerate you,

00:39:29.880 --> 00:39:30.440
 he doesn't just

00:39:30.440 --> 00:39:31.240
 put up with you,

00:39:31.800 --> 00:39:32.960
 he is pleased with you,

00:39:33.280 --> 00:39:34.500
 he loves you,

00:39:34.980 --> 00:39:36.260
 he pours out

00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:36.980
 his love on you,

00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:38.639
 he is extravagantly

00:39:38.639 --> 00:39:39.980
 delighted in you

00:39:39.980 --> 00:39:41.039
 because Jesus

00:39:41.039 --> 00:39:42.519
 covered your sins,

00:39:42.720 --> 00:39:43.679
 because he took it

00:39:43.679 --> 00:39:44.280
 to the cross,

00:39:44.280 --> 00:39:45.380
 because he makes

00:39:45.380 --> 00:39:46.180
 all things new,

00:39:46.420 --> 00:39:47.640
 because he brings you

00:39:47.640 --> 00:39:49.000
 into his family.

00:39:49.720 --> 00:39:50.560
 This is Jesus,

00:39:50.740 --> 00:39:51.940
 the chosen sovereign king,

00:39:52.260 --> 00:39:53.460
 but this is Jesus,

00:39:54.100 --> 00:39:55.780
 the suffering servant.

00:39:56.340 --> 00:39:57.519
 Let's pray together.

00:40:02.920 --> 00:40:04.680
 Oh, wonderful God,

00:40:04.680 --> 00:40:08.180
 we do come and worship you,

00:40:08.300 --> 00:40:08.500
 God.

00:40:09.780 --> 00:40:10.880
 We worship you

00:40:10.880 --> 00:40:11.980
 not just with song,

00:40:11.980 --> 00:40:13.280
 but to worship you

00:40:13.280 --> 00:40:14.559
 by giving you our lives,

00:40:14.659 --> 00:40:14.840
 God.

00:40:14.900 --> 00:40:16.099
 Our greatest act of worship,

00:40:16.260 --> 00:40:16.400
 God,

00:40:16.420 --> 00:40:17.920
 is to say we so trust you

00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:19.300
 that we bring our lives

00:40:19.300 --> 00:40:19.900
 before you.

00:40:20.800 --> 00:40:21.260
 Thank you,

00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:21.659
 Jesus,

00:40:21.800 --> 00:40:22.599
 that you are both

00:40:22.599 --> 00:40:24.280
 majestic and gracious.

00:40:25.500 --> 00:40:26.480
 You are sovereign

00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:27.480
 and yet tender,

00:40:27.659 --> 00:40:27.940
 God.

00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:29.280
 And God,

00:40:29.340 --> 00:40:29.960
 it is safe

00:40:29.960 --> 00:40:30.880
 to bring our lives

00:40:30.880 --> 00:40:31.920
 and to leave them

00:40:31.920 --> 00:40:33.420
 at the foot of the cross.

00:40:33.500 --> 00:40:34.019
 It is safe

00:40:34.019 --> 00:40:35.139
 to bring our lives

00:40:35.139 --> 00:40:36.340
 and hand them over to you.

00:40:37.840 --> 00:40:38.240
 Jesus,

00:40:38.320 --> 00:40:38.980
 thank you for being

00:40:38.980 --> 00:40:39.760
 such a wonderful

00:40:39.760 --> 00:40:40.580
 and glorious king.

00:40:41.740 --> 00:40:42.140
 And Father,

00:40:42.180 --> 00:40:42.560
 this morning,

00:40:42.620 --> 00:40:44.100
 we do ask for more

00:40:44.100 --> 00:40:45.280
 of your will in our lives.

00:40:45.340 --> 00:40:45.860
 We do say,

00:40:45.940 --> 00:40:46.120
 God,

00:40:46.200 --> 00:40:47.120
 come and have your way.

00:40:48.440 --> 00:40:48.760
 We say,

00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:49.160
 Jesus,

00:40:49.300 --> 00:40:51.060
 come and be king

00:40:51.060 --> 00:40:51.720
 in our lives.

00:40:52.460 --> 00:40:53.760
 Don't just be a friend.

00:40:53.940 --> 00:40:55.680
 Don't just be

00:40:55.680 --> 00:40:58.540
 a gentle savior.

00:40:58.700 --> 00:40:59.460
 Come and be king.

00:41:00.300 --> 00:41:01.400
 Come and have your way,

00:41:01.500 --> 00:41:02.000
 we pray.

00:41:03.600 --> 00:41:03.980
 Amen.

00:41:03.980 --> 00:41:04.140
 Amen.

00:41:04.920 --> 00:41:05.400
 Amen.