WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.660 You may be seated. 00:00:02.500 --> 00:00:03.359 Good morning. 00:00:04.660 --> 00:00:09.019 My name's Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:09.019 --> 00:00:12.240 and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:12.740 --> 00:00:15.580 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:15.620 --> 00:00:20.440 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:23.940 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:24.100 --> 00:00:28.660 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced there's no one so good. 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:29.940 They don't need God's grace. 00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:35.340 And no one's so bad that they can't have it, which is why we come back week after week 00:00:35.340 --> 00:00:41.359 to hear what God has to say to us in His Word, because we believe He has something to say to everyone. 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:45.539 We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark. 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:52.200 You'll remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus in His life and His death and His resurrection. 00:00:52.820 --> 00:00:56.620 And over the last few weeks, we've been looking at this theme or topic of faith, 00:00:56.619 --> 00:01:00.179 what it looks like to have faith versus unbelief. 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:05.579 And this morning, in a sense, we're continuing that theme as this passage presents to us the question 00:01:05.579 --> 00:01:11.859 of how God changes us to make us look more and more like Jesus. 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:16.920 Maybe you're frustrated with growth in your life. 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:20.439 You feel like you should know more and do more and be more, 00:01:20.579 --> 00:01:24.219 and you wonder why it's so slow and hard. 00:01:24.219 --> 00:01:32.019 Maybe you're satisfied, and you don't think there's much that needs to be changed. 00:01:32.079 --> 00:01:34.500 Maybe there's a little bit of polishing that needs to happen, 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:39.459 but for the most part, you consider yourself to be a finished product, 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:42.180 even though you might not say it out loud. 00:01:42.180 --> 00:01:49.640 Either way, this passage speaks to our desire and confusion and frustration with change 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:52.000 as Jesus performs another healing. 00:01:52.580 --> 00:01:57.240 And so I'm going to invite you to turn with me now to Mark 8, starting at verse 22. 00:01:57.980 --> 00:02:00.340 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:01.480 You can turn on your phone. 00:02:02.200 --> 00:02:04.520 You can turn in your Bible. 00:02:05.160 --> 00:02:07.920 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's Word. 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:12.719 And God tells us that His Word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold, 00:02:13.020 --> 00:02:17.759 and it's sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:22.400 And so that's why we read now Mark 8, starting at verse 22. 00:02:23.520 --> 00:02:29.500 And they came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:33.780 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. 00:02:33.780 --> 00:02:38.740 And when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, 00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:41.080 Do you see anything? 00:02:42.379 --> 00:02:43.259 Verse 24. 00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:48.300 And he looked up and said, I see people, but they look like trees walking. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:53.939 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again, and he opened his eyes. 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:58.379 His sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 00:02:58.379 --> 00:03:04.079 And he sent him to his home, saying, Do not even enter the village. 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:09.039 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:03:11.400 --> 00:03:19.439 Our Father in Heaven, we thank you again that you are the ultimate example of a good father. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:25.199 Father, you're the reason we know what a good father looks like, 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:29.900 and you're the reason we hurt when we see some fall short. 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:34.039 We thank you that like a good father, you speak to us. 00:03:34.240 --> 00:03:35.579 You explain things to us. 00:03:35.639 --> 00:03:36.500 You help us understand. 00:03:37.159 --> 00:03:40.020 You coach us and direct us and guide us and correct us. 00:03:40.099 --> 00:03:42.479 We ask that you would do that this morning by your Word, 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:45.060 that you would open it up to us. 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:47.099 You would clear our minds. 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:53.539 You'd soften our hearts, that you would speak to us in words that are simple enough for us to understand, 00:03:54.079 --> 00:03:58.859 that we would see and believe everything that's written about you and your Word. 00:03:59.479 --> 00:04:01.879 Most of all, we ask that you would help us to see Jesus, 00:04:02.419 --> 00:04:04.299 and as we see him, you would change us. 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:07.819 We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:08.599 Amen. 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:08.780 Amen. 00:04:12.419 --> 00:04:18.579 So, right about now, I'm hitting my three-year anniversary of being a homeowner. 00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:23.300 Technically, that happened in May, but I didn't move in until the very end of June, 00:04:23.300 --> 00:04:28.319 so I'm coming up on that point, and it's actually going to be a record for me 00:04:28.319 --> 00:04:34.139 because I've never lived anywhere longer than three years in specific residence as an adult, 00:04:34.139 --> 00:04:38.800 so I'm looking to break that next month, coming up very quickly. 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:43.180 And as you may know, if you're a homeowner, I've become very familiar with Home Depot. 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:51.459 And there's one aisle on Home Depot that I'm pretty convinced I've spent more time on than any other aisle, 00:04:51.779 --> 00:04:53.479 and that's where all the light bulbs are. 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:58.040 Because, of course, I have the challenge over three years. 00:04:58.140 --> 00:05:03.480 Many lights go out, and so I have to show up to Home Depot taking with me the old, burnt-out light, 00:05:03.900 --> 00:05:07.420 trying to read the labels on whatever it is that I'm replacing, 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:10.180 figuring out what's the highest wattage that I can go to. 00:05:10.280 --> 00:05:12.640 Do I want soft white or daylight? 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:17.100 Which I don't even know what that means, so I just guess. 00:05:18.300 --> 00:05:22.180 But there's also the different types of light bulbs that I have to choose between. 00:05:22.759 --> 00:05:25.500 There's various lights in my house that are three-way lights, 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:28.600 so I have to make sure I have the right type or things will go wrong. 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:32.199 There's other lights where it doesn't matter. It's either on or off. 00:05:32.300 --> 00:05:36.040 And then I have the—I haven't had many of these. I think I've had one, the dimmer light. 00:05:37.240 --> 00:05:39.780 And it turns out you have to spy a special bulb for that. 00:05:39.840 --> 00:05:41.120 You can't just throw anything in. 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:44.759 If you do, I believe you'll hear kind of a staticky sound. 00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:46.860 Don't ask me how I know that. 00:05:46.860 --> 00:05:54.020 There are two kinds of lights in a sense. 00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:55.819 There's the on-off. 00:05:56.139 --> 00:05:57.879 Once, they're either one way or the other. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:05:59.759 And there's the dimmer. They exist in degrees. 00:05:59.840 --> 00:06:02.900 And that's actually true for many things in our lives. 00:06:02.960 --> 00:06:05.080 There are things that are only on and off. 00:06:05.160 --> 00:06:07.900 So you are either an American citizen or you're not. 00:06:08.920 --> 00:06:11.000 You are either married or you're not. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:13.399 You are either a legal adult or a minor. 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:15.480 Either you have a degree or you don't. 00:06:15.579 --> 00:06:17.439 Either you graduated or you didn't. 00:06:18.100 --> 00:06:19.819 Either you're a Christian or you're not. 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:22.680 Either you're baptized or you are unbaptized. 00:06:23.300 --> 00:06:25.519 These are things that don't exist in degrees. 00:06:25.720 --> 00:06:27.379 You cannot be half married. 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:30.560 You cannot be sort of an American citizen. 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:35.480 There are other things in this life that exist in degrees. 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:41.580 So once you're married, you can grow in understanding and knowing and loving your spouse. 00:06:41.680 --> 00:06:43.520 That's something that can change over time. 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:46.080 Maybe you can be half retired. 00:06:46.580 --> 00:06:49.439 You've given up full-time work, but you have a part-time job now. 00:06:49.700 --> 00:06:55.060 I've learned since being in a military community that you can have percentages assigned to your disability. 00:06:55.780 --> 00:06:57.660 Maybe you're only 30% disabled. 00:06:58.220 --> 00:07:00.420 Maybe you're 80% disabled. 00:07:01.319 --> 00:07:03.040 Same thing can happen with ethnicity. 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:07.760 I have an Italian name, which I'm sure you could guess by my dark complexion. 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:12.900 But I'm actually only an eighth Italian. 00:07:13.980 --> 00:07:19.040 And unless I do what my uncle did and marry an Italian, that's only going to get diluted over time. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:23.220 In other words, there are stages to growth and understanding. 00:07:24.320 --> 00:07:29.720 That's going to help us understand the problem that we come up against the challenge in this passage, 00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:33.460 which is, why does Jesus' healing not work the first time? 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:38.700 Jesus has two stages as he addresses this man. 00:07:38.820 --> 00:07:42.380 Stage 1, verses 23 and 24. 00:07:45.080 --> 00:07:48.720 Jesus takes this blind man aside and he asks him, 00:07:48.760 --> 00:07:49.400 Do you see anything? 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:53.180 And it turns out the healing sort of worked. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:59.240 Verse 24, I see people, but they look like trees, walking. 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:05.079 So Jesus has to come back a second time because the first treatment apparently wasn't effective enough 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:07.259 and touch this man's eyes again. 00:08:08.840 --> 00:08:15.399 Why is it that Jesus does not heal this man's eyes fully once and for all in one stage with one touch? 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:18.359 Is it because Jesus lacks power? 00:08:20.239 --> 00:08:23.959 Is it because Jesus is new to this kind of treatment? 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:26.479 You know, he's experienced with casting out demons. 00:08:26.799 --> 00:08:29.359 He's just not experienced with the spittle thing. 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:33.340 You notice in the second time he does it, he doesn't spit. 00:08:33.439 --> 00:08:35.360 So maybe it was the spittle that got in the way. 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:37.539 Do you think that's the problem with what Jesus is doing here? 00:08:38.319 --> 00:08:40.519 Maybe it's lack of experience, lack of power. 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:41.159 No. 00:08:41.159 --> 00:08:41.519 No. 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:47.259 In Mark chapter 5, Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead. 00:08:48.379 --> 00:08:54.799 This is so much easier and simpler than bringing someone who is dead and making them alive again. 00:08:54.919 --> 00:09:00.100 The problem is not that Jesus is not powerful enough or experienced enough. 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:08.000 Jesus in this passage is using a physical healing to teach us a spiritual lesson. 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:14.580 Jesus is using a physical healing to teach a spiritual lesson. 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:20.440 Now, you might wonder if I'm just spiritualizing this passage because that makes it easy to preach. 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:22.039 And the answer is no. 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:26.259 We know based on the broader context of this section that this is what Jesus is doing. 00:09:26.559 --> 00:09:30.279 Remember, we've seen this theme of seeing over and over again. 00:09:30.539 --> 00:09:37.059 Jesus himself spiritualizes the idea of seeing in chapter 8, verse 18. 00:09:37.059 --> 00:09:38.500 This was last week. 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:39.259 He said, 00:09:39.819 --> 00:09:44.319 Having eyes do you not see and having ears do you not hear? 00:09:45.579 --> 00:09:50.819 Jesus was not asking the disciples if they needed to get glasses. 00:09:52.979 --> 00:09:57.539 He was asking them about their spiritual understanding. 00:09:57.539 --> 00:10:00.939 And remember, they were blinded in a sense. 00:10:01.019 --> 00:10:03.379 They had seen Jesus feed the 5,000. 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:05.639 They had seen him feed the 4,000. 00:10:05.860 --> 00:10:09.919 And they were still worried about whether they would have enough to eat. 00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:11.059 Jesus is saying, 00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:16.519 Can't you see metaphorically the things that are right in front of you? 00:10:17.579 --> 00:10:21.199 And now he gives us this healing to help us understand 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:24.340 what it looks like for God to change us, 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:26.360 to give us sight in this life. 00:10:26.420 --> 00:10:30.420 It is not a coincidence that this passage comes immediately after 00:10:30.420 --> 00:10:33.440 the story where Jesus asks about their sight. 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:36.100 What he is telling them, 00:10:36.160 --> 00:10:38.320 what he is doing is giving them a lesson 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:41.280 that when it comes to spiritual sight, 00:10:41.680 --> 00:10:44.720 when it comes to understanding God and his character, 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:49.820 when it comes to growing in our trust and love and affection for him, 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:53.440 it is a dimmer switch, 00:10:53.840 --> 00:10:55.759 not an on and off switch. 00:10:57.460 --> 00:10:59.060 It's a dimmer switch, 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:01.399 not an on and off switch. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:05.420 We're going to have another example next week of this same problem. 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:09.420 Peter is going to confess Christ as the Messiah. 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:13.879 And then he's going to rebuke Jesus for talking about suffering. 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:17.340 It's a dimmer switch, 00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:19.879 not an on and off switch. 00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:24.100 Then Jesus comes as this model of humility, right? 00:11:24.180 --> 00:11:25.420 And in chapter nine, 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:27.899 Jesus has been serving them this whole time 00:11:27.899 --> 00:11:29.820 and they start having an argument about 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:31.720 who is going to be the greatest. 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:35.980 They see and they don't see. 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:39.420 Jesus tells them, chapter nine, 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:40.920 if anyone would be first, 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:43.120 he must be last of all and servant of all. 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:46.240 And then because they took that lesson to heart 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:47.560 and internalized it, 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:48.759 in chapter 10, 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:51.399 James and John request to sit at Jesus' left 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:52.940 and his right hand in the kingdom. 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:55.580 That was a joke. 00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:58.919 They don't internalize it. 00:11:58.980 --> 00:11:59.980 They don't understand it. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:00.679 They don't get it. 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:02.360 Jesus has told them about humility 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:03.560 and in the next chapter, 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:05.379 they're showing off their pride. 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:08.500 The disciples see Jesus and they don't see Jesus. 00:12:08.680 --> 00:12:10.899 They know Jesus and they don't know him. 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:14.740 They sort of get it and they also sort of do not get it. 00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:16.740 Their vision is distorted. 00:12:17.199 --> 00:12:19.840 We might say they see people, 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:23.480 but they look like trees walking. 00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:30.340 They are growing slowly in their understanding. 00:12:30.459 --> 00:12:33.139 The lesson is that true sight of Jesus 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:36.819 comes slowly and progressively. 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:42.980 True sight of Jesus comes slowly and progressively. 00:12:43.780 --> 00:12:44.700 Chapter eight, 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:48.320 they don't understand that Jesus has come to suffer. 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:50.640 That appears to be a surprise for them. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:52.780 Chapter 10, 00:12:53.680 --> 00:12:54.940 Jesus has to help them understand 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:57.020 that he has come not to be served, 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:57.720 but to serve. 00:12:58.640 --> 00:13:00.860 They don't understand that Jesus has not come 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:02.540 with an earthly political vision. 00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:04.620 They don't understand that he hasn't come 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:07.099 for power and influence right now. 00:13:08.459 --> 00:13:09.879 Seeing Jesus, 00:13:12.079 --> 00:13:13.419 spiritual understanding, 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:18.399 knowing God comes gradually, 00:13:18.959 --> 00:13:19.980 incompletely. 00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:23.159 We're often confused. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:28.500 We are like this man who experiences this healing. 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:30.240 We see in part, 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:31.220 but not in full. 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:32.679 We see outlines, 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:34.159 but not details. 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:36.740 Our vision and our sight 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:39.100 is not what we want. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:42.480 The same thing is true for us. 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:43.960 We see Jesus, 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.059 but we don't see him. 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:49.220 Maybe you see Jesus as king, 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:53.379 but it's all about politics in the here and now. 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:57.600 Maybe it's not about primarily worshiping 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:59.100 and obeying and loving God, 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:00.419 but instead it's been shrunk 00:14:00.419 --> 00:14:04.059 to these very specific public policy agendas 00:14:04.059 --> 00:14:05.159 and political candidates. 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:07.439 That for you is the sum total 00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:09.279 of what it means for Jesus to be king. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:12.179 Maybe Jesus as provider, 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.539 and he is, 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:18.299 but you've forgotten that he blesses 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:19.620 for us to be a blessing, 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:21.860 that what he told Abraham is still true, 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:24.240 that we're meant to spread God's love 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.779 and goodness throughout the world. 00:14:27.180 --> 00:14:31.620 Maybe you know that Jesus calls you, 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:36.139 but deep down you think that Jesus has called you 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:39.060 to more and greater power and influence. 00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:42.220 But Jesus tells us 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:44.200 that he's called us to deny ourselves, 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:46.060 take up our cross, 00:14:46.560 --> 00:14:47.940 and follow him. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:50.600 We see him, 00:14:51.160 --> 00:14:52.540 but we don't see him. 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:56.960 Without God's intervention, 00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:58.940 we do not naturally understand 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.740 the upside down, 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:03.500 counterintuitive nature of Jesus 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.840 and his purposes 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:05.840 and his mission 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:06.840 and his kingdom. 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.400 We know the right words, 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:13.900 but we sing the wrong tune. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:17.439 We know the right words, 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:19.779 but we sing the right tune, 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:20.959 sing the wrong tune. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:23.179 Many people think 00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:24.199 that Christianity 00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:25.000 is sort of like 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.539 going under LASIK surgery. 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:27.939 You go, 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:29.579 you find an eye doctor, 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:32.279 they perform this operation on you, 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:34.379 maybe there's a little bit of waiting time, 00:15:34.459 --> 00:15:36.000 but then you need no glasses. 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:39.220 Everything is as if 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.679 your vision was perfect. 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:42.899 And so you become a Christian 00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:44.199 and some people teach this. 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:46.079 You expect to have this 00:15:46.079 --> 00:15:47.639 just radical transformation 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:50.000 in every area of your life. 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:52.319 You no longer struggle with sin. 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:54.459 Things that were addictions for you 00:15:54.459 --> 00:15:56.079 and habits that pulled you down 00:15:56.079 --> 00:15:58.719 suddenly lose all power in your life. 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:01.699 Now don't hear what I'm not saying. 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:04.959 There are times when God does bring 00:16:04.959 --> 00:16:06.779 true, radical, deep transformation 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.000 into people's lives. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:11.600 And that is not 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:13.139 the normative expectation 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:14.799 of the Christian life. 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.259 Sanctification, 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:18.639 growing in holiness, 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:19.919 is a slow, 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:21.279 long-term, 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:23.240 lifelong process. 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:27.940 It is not LASIK surgery. 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:31.240 Becoming a Christian, 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.419 following Jesus, 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:35.299 is a long and slow 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:37.600 recovery and rehabilitation. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:41.600 It is growing in our vision 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.379 and our sight 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.679 year by year, 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.759 day by day, 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:45.940 month by month. 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:48.700 It is understanding 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:50.440 more and more 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:53.519 over a long period of time. 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.840 Now there's a couple ways 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.720 to take this passage. 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.740 Some people take this 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:01.720 as a rebuke 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:03.460 from Jesus to the disciples. 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:06.299 He asked them in verse 18, 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.960 can't you see yet? 00:17:08.419 --> 00:17:09.819 And now he gives them this picture 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:11.059 of someone who sees 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:11.799 but doesn't see. 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.899 Now we could take it in that way. 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.559 That's legitimate. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.139 I don't know if I'd put it 00:17:16.139 --> 00:17:16.779 as a rebuke 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:18.099 as much as a description 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:18.919 and an explanation. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.339 You don't know 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:23.000 as much as you think you do. 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:26.180 You see people, 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:28.180 but they look like trees. 00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:30.919 You have still 00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:31.960 so far 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.799 to go. 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:34.819 There's also another way 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.339 to take this 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:36.419 which is as a word 00:17:36.419 --> 00:17:37.919 of encouragement. 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:39.460 The disciples 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:41.639 are stumbling along. 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:44.480 They don't see 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:45.879 as much as they should. 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.559 They don't understand 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:49.659 as much as they need to. 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:52.319 Like us, 00:17:52.399 --> 00:17:53.940 they're still figuring it out. 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:56.799 Like us, 00:17:56.899 --> 00:17:57.919 they're still going 00:17:57.919 --> 00:17:58.720 through a process. 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:00.559 Like us, 00:18:00.639 --> 00:18:01.319 there are things 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:02.059 that they wish 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:02.740 that they knew 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.419 and understand 00:18:03.419 --> 00:18:04.500 and believed 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.460 and practiced 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.480 more and more. 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:09.799 Jesus does not 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.799 give up on them. 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.559 Jesus has not 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.439 given up on us. 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.639 Our sight 00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:18.839 is imperfect. 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.339 Our hope 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.720 is not in that 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:22.359 but the one 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.399 who heals it. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.740 Our sight 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.480 is imperfect. 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:27.460 Our hope 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.439 is not in that 00:18:28.439 --> 00:18:29.200 but in the one 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:30.339 who heals it. 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:32.539 there's a realistic 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.859 expectation here 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.859 for discipleship. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.679 There's an encouragement 00:18:36.679 --> 00:18:38.079 that even if 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.859 your understanding 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:41.199 is foggy, 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:42.539 Jesus 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:44.359 still pursues 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:44.980 and knows 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.579 and loves 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.699 and transforms you. 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.759 Jesus 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.679 is still 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.899 at work. 00:18:52.199 --> 00:18:52.899 I've told you 00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:53.500 many times 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.119 throughout Mark 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:55.459 the words 00:18:55.459 --> 00:18:56.559 of one of my professors 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.379 which is this, 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:58.220 the disciples 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.280 got almost 00:18:59.280 --> 00:19:00.800 everything wrong 00:19:00.800 --> 00:19:04.460 and they got 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.340 one thing 00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:05.820 right. 00:19:06.540 --> 00:19:07.360 They kept 00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:08.140 following 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:08.960 Jesus. 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.640 The disciples' 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.580 sight is foggy 00:19:13.580 --> 00:19:14.400 and unclear 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:15.500 and mistaken 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:17.800 and they're 00:19:17.800 --> 00:19:18.220 with 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:19.320 Jesus. 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:23.299 that reminds 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:23.519 us 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.200 that the news 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:25.059 of a slow 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.960 and long 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.599 recovery 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:28.119 is discouraging 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:29.500 unless there's 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.439 hope for healing. 00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:34.700 The news 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:35.519 of a slow 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.299 and long 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:36.879 recovery 00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:38.079 is discouraging 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:38.819 unless there's 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.240 a hope 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.359 for healing. 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:41.779 Thankfully 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.399 this passage 00:19:42.399 --> 00:19:43.179 points out 00:19:43.179 --> 00:19:43.899 not only 00:19:43.899 --> 00:19:44.359 the fact 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:44.740 that our 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.240 vision is 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.819 incomplete 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.859 that we don't 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.299 understand 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:47.919 what we need 00:19:47.919 --> 00:19:48.379 to but it 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.320 also shows 00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:49.560 us 00:19:49.560 --> 00:19:49.960 Jesus 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.520 here 00:19:50.520 --> 00:19:51.220 as the 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.660 great 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.480 healer. 00:19:52.800 --> 00:19:53.080 Look with 00:19:53.080 --> 00:19:53.240 me 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:54.140 verse 23. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:54.780 This man 00:19:54.780 --> 00:19:55.120 has been 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:55.540 brought 00:19:55.540 --> 00:19:56.100 by his 00:19:56.100 --> 00:19:56.520 friends 00:19:56.520 --> 00:19:56.920 and what 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.100 does 00:19:57.100 --> 00:19:57.420 Jesus 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:57.840 do? 00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:58.500 Similar 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:58.920 to the 00:19:58.920 --> 00:19:59.280 previous 00:19:59.280 --> 00:19:59.660 healing 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.120 he 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:00.660 takes 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.020 this 00:20:01.020 --> 00:20:01.620 man 00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.560 by the 00:20:02.560 --> 00:20:03.060 hand. 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.140 It's a 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:06.360 Bible 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:07.120 trivia for 00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:07.340 you. 00:20:07.780 --> 00:20:07.920 When 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.200 is the 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:08.420 one 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:08.700 time 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:08.900 when 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:09.180 Jesus 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:09.560 starts 00:20:09.560 --> 00:20:09.900 holding 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:10.320 hands 00:20:10.320 --> 00:20:10.460 with 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:10.720 another 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.080 man? 00:20:11.320 --> 00:20:11.540 This 00:20:11.540 --> 00:20:11.900 is it. 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:13.240 Jesus 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.740 takes 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:13.900 him 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.240 by the 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.520 hand 00:20:14.520 --> 00:20:14.800 by the 00:20:14.800 --> 00:20:14.920 way 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.180 this is 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:15.440 common 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:15.800 practice 00:20:15.800 --> 00:20:16.060 in the 00:20:16.060 --> 00:20:16.200 Middle 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:16.480 East 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.760 and leads 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.500 him away 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.640 tenderly, 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:20.160 gently, 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.099 personally. 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.339 Just like 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:23.619 in the 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:23.920 previous 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.420 healing, 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:24.900 Jesus 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.379 takes 00:20:25.379 --> 00:20:25.660 him to 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:25.839 a 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.180 private 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:26.700 place. 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.539 He's 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:27.879 not 00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:28.200 putting 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:28.579 on a 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:28.900 show 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.220 for 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:29.579 other 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.000 people 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.660 to see 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.140 how 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.599 great 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.220 and how 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.779 powerful 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.759 he is. 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.039 He has 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.339 this 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:35.819 spitting 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.700 and touching 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.480 ritual 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:39.400 which is 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:40.019 similar to 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:40.299 what we 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:40.740 saw with 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.160 the man 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:41.519 who is 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:41.920 mute 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.819 and deaf. 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:43.460 He is 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:43.980 speaking 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.620 to this 00:20:44.620 --> 00:20:45.180 man in 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.620 a way 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:45.900 that he 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.059 can 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.500 understand. 00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:47.480 He's 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:47.960 communicating 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.559 in this 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.220 cultural 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:49.839 form 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:50.480 that will 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:51.059 help this 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.660 man know 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.180 what it 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:52.599 is that 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:52.880 Jesus 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:53.400 is doing. 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:54.380 He meets 00:20:54.380 --> 00:20:55.019 this man 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.720 as an 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.259 individual 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:56.759 in real 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.099 time, 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:57.500 in real 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:57.900 space, 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.539 touching 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:58.799 him, 00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.220 caring 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.620 about 00:20:59.620 --> 00:20:59.819 him, 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:00.299 and meeting 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.880 him there 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:01.779 to bring 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.559 him healing 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.279 in his 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:03.640 sight. 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:08.680 Brothers 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.220 and sisters, 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.559 we need 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.559 miraculous 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:12.200 healing 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.559 and 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.340 intervention 00:21:13.340 --> 00:21:13.920 to be 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.600 able to 00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:15.460 understand 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:16.299 anything 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.720 of 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.279 spiritual 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.819 value 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.259 in this 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:18.660 life. 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:20.900 And 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.259 Jesus 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.860 comes 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:22.900 personally 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:23.680 and 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.420 specifically 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:25.259 and 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.840 individually 00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:28.019 just like 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:28.580 he did 00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:29.340 before. 00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:31.960 Jesus 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.720 comes to 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:33.180 you 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:34.420 specifically, 00:21:35.100 --> 00:21:35.759 individually, 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:36.620 clearly, 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:37.500 personally. 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.580 You 00:21:41.580 --> 00:21:41.840 may have 00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:42.180 noticed 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:42.880 on page 00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:43.340 six, 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.519 excuse 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:44.779 me, 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.279 page 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:46.640 seven 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.180 of your 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.440 worship 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:47.779 guide. 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.560 I have 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:49.960 this quote 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.440 for you 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:50.920 on the 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.240 left. 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:52.360 Because 00:21:52.360 --> 00:21:52.960 situations 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.580 and persons 00:21:53.580 --> 00:21:54.519 come unscripted, 00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:54.860 fluid, 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:55.660 and unpredictable, 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.880 Jesus engages 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:57.840 each person 00:21:57.840 --> 00:21:58.660 and situation 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.680 in a 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.160 personalized 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.900 way. 00:22:01.820 --> 00:22:02.180 It is 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.039 no truism 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.480 to say 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:03.980 that Jesus 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.920 really does 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:05.580 meet you 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:06.120 where you 00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:06.560 are, 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:07.560 always. 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.180 Scripture 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:09.720 does the 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.060 same. 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.000 No 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.860 boilerplate, 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:13.039 the Holy 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.519 Spirit 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:13.959 makes 00:22:13.959 --> 00:22:14.619 words 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.679 personal. 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:20.879 Jesus 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.399 comes 00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:22.019 and meets 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.219 you 00:22:22.219 --> 00:22:23.019 one-on-one 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.759 and gives 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.519 you sight 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:24.919 in the 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:25.759 same way 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.079 that he 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.519 did for 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.019 this man. 00:22:28.439 --> 00:22:28.779 Jesus 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.299 has not 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.039 given up 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.459 on you 00:22:30.459 --> 00:22:30.879 in the 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.199 midst 00:22:31.199 --> 00:22:31.679 of your 00:22:31.679 --> 00:22:32.519 confusion 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.479 and mistakes 00:22:33.479 --> 00:22:34.199 and stumbling 00:22:34.199 --> 00:22:34.619 around. 00:22:35.919 --> 00:22:36.240 Jesus 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:36.639 has not 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.119 abandoned 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.639 you because 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.319 you can't 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:39.279 see everything 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.799 as 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.440 correctly 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.039 as you 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.379 should. 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.220 Instead, 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:43.799 Jesus 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.799 comes as 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.180 he did 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:45.460 as a 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:45.759 man on 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:45.960 this 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.139 earth 00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:46.539 and he 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.000 meets 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.200 you 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:47.559 in the 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:47.839 midst 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.160 of your 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:48.579 sin 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.720 and confusion 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.639 and despair 00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:51.279 and he 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.700 touches 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.559 you like 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.000 he touched 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.480 this man. 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:54.700 Romans 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.359 chapter 5 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:55.799 verse 8 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.299 tells us 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:56.639 that while 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:56.960 we were 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.220 still 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:57.779 sinners, 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:58.519 Christ 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:58.980 died for 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.240 us. 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:00.460 He 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:00.660 didn't 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:01.039 wait 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.619 until we 00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:01.799 had 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.180 figured 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:02.599 everything 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:02.879 out 00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:03.399 and fixed 00:23:03.399 --> 00:23:03.920 ourselves 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.539 before he 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.200 showed up 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.960 on this 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.259 earth. 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:06.619 He 00:23:06.619 --> 00:23:06.819 didn't 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.119 wait 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:07.799 until you 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:07.980 had 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.200 figured 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:08.579 everything 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:08.839 out 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.339 and fixed 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:09.759 yourself 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.240 before he 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.660 showed up 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:10.900 in your 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:11.200 life. 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.619 How is 00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:15.099 it that we 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:15.619 change? 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.480 God 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.359 changes us 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:18.960 slowly, 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:19.720 gradually, 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.519 progressively 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:23.559 and he 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.619 changes us 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:25.660 by Jesus' 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.940 personal touch 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:27.779 in our 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.180 lives. 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.379 Change 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:34.099 is a 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.940 result of 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.680 a personal 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.340 relationship 00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:36.940 with Jesus. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.120 Change 00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:39.600 is a 00:23:39.600 --> 00:23:40.480 result of 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.160 God's 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:41.539 intimate 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.299 and personal 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.240 work in 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.900 your life. 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:44.980 As you 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:45.440 live your 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:45.779 life, 00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:48.440 Jesus is 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:48.860 touching 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.980 your eyes 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:51.640 with 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.519 circumstances, 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:53.500 with 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.440 disappointments, 00:23:54.860 --> 00:23:55.340 with 00:23:55.340 --> 00:23:55.960 joys, 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:56.720 with 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.360 sufferings. 00:23:59.320 --> 00:23:59.920 That's 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.440 one question 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:00.759 you can 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.299 ask as 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:01.940 you encounter 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:02.840 everything that 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:03.460 God presents 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.019 in your way 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.640 this week. 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.820 how is 00:24:05.820 --> 00:24:06.480 this helping 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.080 my sight? 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:09.160 How is 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:09.900 God using 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:10.500 this to 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.100 help me 00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:12.280 see clearly 00:24:12.280 --> 00:24:12.920 little by 00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:13.220 little, 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:14.759 step by 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.120 step? 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.840 Jesus 00:24:18.840 --> 00:24:19.320 asks, 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:19.540 and we'll 00:24:19.540 --> 00:24:19.920 close with 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.120 this, 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:20.660 this important 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.300 question in 00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:22.080 verse 23, 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.460 the very 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:23.920 end, 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.640 do you 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.820 see anything? 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:28.939 do you 00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:29.599 see anything? 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.359 That's the 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:33.000 question for 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.500 us from 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.039 this passage 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.579 this morning. 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.279 Do you 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.359 see anything? 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:38.819 The answer 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:39.439 is yes 00:24:39.439 --> 00:24:41.039 and no. 00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:42.619 We see, 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.220 but we don't 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.399 see. 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:43.839 We know, 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:44.399 but we don't 00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:44.559 know. 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:44.939 Like the 00:24:44.939 --> 00:24:45.339 disciples, 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.079 incomplete, 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.059 flawed, 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:47.980 confused. 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.679 Jesus, 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.480 healing, 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.099 restoring, 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.319 growing us 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.179 throughout our 00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:54.519 lives. 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:58.819 we have 00:24:58.819 --> 00:25:00.139 hope because 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:00.839 Jesus heals. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.259 That's how we 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:02.799 respond to 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.000 him. 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:03.879 Who is 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:04.200 Jesus? 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.240 He is the 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:06.599 one who 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.299 comes and 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.039 changes little 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.500 by little 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.720 over time. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.240 And so we 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:12.940 keep following 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.279 him. 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.200 Let's pray. 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.299 Our 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.779 Father in 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.000 heaven, 00:25:18.379 --> 00:25:19.119 we thank 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:19.720 you for 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.879 the encouragement 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:21.379 of this 00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:21.879 passage. 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:23.920 That no 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.299 matter our 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:24.720 mistakes, 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:24.899 our 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:25.460 failures, 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:26.559 our 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.500 misunderstandings, 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.460 you come 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:28.720 and you 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.299 meet us 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.500 where we 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:30.839 are in 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:31.379 our lives. 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:31.559 You 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.119 arrange 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:33.539 events and 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.220 circumstances 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.000 and people 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.859 to give us 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.500 the sight and 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.059 understanding 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.399 that we 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:37.619 need. 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.119 We ask 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:38.359 that you 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:38.680 would do 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.139 that this 00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:39.460 week, 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.259 that you 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.720 would grow 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.379 our knowledge 00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:41.859 of you, 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.220 that we 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.859 would see 00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:43.339 Jesus 00:25:43.339 --> 00:25:44.339 clearly more 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:44.759 and more. 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.079 We would 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:46.659 live in 00:25:46.659 --> 00:25:47.480 light of 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.200 you and 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:48.579 your love 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.059 for us. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.599 We ask 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.099 these things 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.500 in Jesus' 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:50.879 name. 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:51.559 Amen. 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:51.720 Amen.