WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.940 If you have a Bible before you then please turn to Luke chapter 16. 00:00:05.940 --> 00:00:13.480 As you do so let me say for a moment what a delight it's been for me to be with you this weekend. 00:00:14.280 --> 00:00:20.559 Paul and Claire have welcomed me so warmly and open heartedly into their home and that's been a delight. 00:00:20.559 --> 00:00:37.560 And it's been a joy for me to be here and to be part of a congregation that is God focused, Christ honoring and seeking in all that it does to live its life out of the word of God. 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:59.880 And I do trust that the Lord will continue to prosper your life, keep you united in heart, in mind, in soul and spirit and make you beyond all your asking a beacon of hope and light not only in healing but far beyond. 00:00:59.880 --> 00:01:08.600 This is one of the most striking of Jesus' parables. 00:01:09.540 --> 00:01:10.820 He says, 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:20.000 The sons of this world or this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:27.820 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, 00:01:27.819 --> 00:01:35.500 so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:41.419 Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon. 00:01:43.139 --> 00:01:53.479 It's a remarkable fact and probably I think to most people a surprising fact to notice that Luke devotes so much space 00:01:53.480 --> 00:02:02.040 in his gospel account of the Lord Jesus Christ to the subject of money and possessions. 00:02:03.240 --> 00:02:13.759 You hardly need to read far into the gospel of Luke to find yourself confronted by repeated teaching from the mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:17.379 concerning money and wealth. 00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:23.960 It's as if the Lord is saying to those who are beginning to follow him, 00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:32.859 how you use the resources God has given you in this life is a test run for eternity. 00:02:34.219 --> 00:02:40.199 Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 00:02:40.199 --> 00:02:49.199 The Lord Jesus speaks very practically about the nature of the Christian life. 00:02:49.879 --> 00:02:53.780 The Christian life, the life that is lived in union with him, 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:58.620 the life that is lived out of union with Jesus Christ, 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:08.319 is a life, said Jesus, that will use the resources given to it by God wisely and well. 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:15.900 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:19.159 It's a very striking parable. 00:03:20.419 --> 00:03:22.680 The ESV begins there, 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:27.620 Jesus said to his disciples there was a rich man who had a manager. 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:30.099 And that's a very prosaic translation. 00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:31.900 Really it's the word steward. 00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:38.180 Not someone who simply managed the property of his master, 00:03:38.260 --> 00:03:41.759 but someone who had oversight over his house. 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:44.740 He had tremendous responsibilities. 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:51.379 He was someone who had been entrusted with great responsibilities. 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:58.140 And Jesus speaks about this man who is unmasked. 00:03:58.139 --> 00:04:02.319 We are not told how he is unmasked, but he was unmasked. 00:04:02.799 --> 00:04:04.319 And his master said to him, 00:04:04.779 --> 00:04:07.639 You have been wasting my possessions. 00:04:09.519 --> 00:04:14.979 And it's interesting that Jesus tells this parable immediately after 00:04:14.979 --> 00:04:20.620 the parable, the very well-known parable of the prodigal son. 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:23.680 Or of the prodigal son and the elder brother. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:27.639 If you look down to chapter 15 verse 13, 00:04:28.780 --> 00:04:34.079 you will see the Lord saying that this younger son had gathered all he had, 00:04:34.420 --> 00:04:36.500 took it on a journey into a far country, 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:40.000 and there he squandered his property. 00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:43.360 The property given to him by his father. 00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:46.000 He squandered it, he wasted it. 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:48.740 Now the same verb is used. 00:04:48.740 --> 00:04:58.420 The prodigal son squanders and wastes the resources given to him by his father publicly and flagrantly. 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:06.280 But here is someone else who has squandered, wasted the possessions of his master. 00:05:06.540 --> 00:05:10.180 But he has not done it publicly, flagrantly. 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:13.300 He's done it quietly, or so he thought. 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:16.699 He did it surreptitiously. 00:05:17.900 --> 00:05:24.560 And I've little doubt that Jesus is expecting, or I should say Luke is expecting us as he juxtaposes 00:05:24.560 --> 00:05:29.259 these two units of teaching to be confronted by this, 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:37.500 that we can be people who squander the privileges given to us by God publicly, openly, flagrantly, 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:45.860 or we can be people who squander what God has given to us in a hidden way, less obvious. 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:53.660 Maybe no one knows that we are misusing, ill-treating, wasting, squandering 00:05:53.660 --> 00:05:57.779 the good things that God has given to us. 00:05:57.779 --> 00:06:11.779 And Jesus is expecting us, I'm in no doubt, to grasp this, that God sees and God knows. 00:06:12.739 --> 00:06:22.959 If we are someone squandering, wasting, abusing the privileges and the resources that he has entrusted to us. 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:27.180 And this man is exposed, and his master says to him, 00:06:27.479 --> 00:06:29.759 you need to give an account, your time is up. 00:06:30.719 --> 00:06:32.180 I'm going to dismiss you. 00:06:33.659 --> 00:06:37.699 And this steward is deeply and profoundly upset. 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:45.019 What shall I do, he says, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? 00:06:45.399 --> 00:06:49.039 I'm not strong enough to dig, I'm ashamed to beg. 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:50.899 What am I going to do? 00:06:50.899 --> 00:06:55.959 And the Greek text almost has it like a light bulb moment. 00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:58.879 Ah, ah, I know what I'll do. 00:06:59.620 --> 00:07:02.219 I've got it, he says, I've got it. 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:05.819 When I'm removed from my stewardship, 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:10.039 so that people will receive me into their houses. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:14.279 Notice that phrase, who will receive me into their houses. 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:20.859 Because later on in verse 9, Jesus will speak about being received into the eternal dwellings. 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:24.779 I know what I'll do, so that I won't be a pariah. 00:07:25.739 --> 00:07:27.739 I'll be received into their houses. 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:31.179 And so he calls his master's debtors. 00:07:31.979 --> 00:07:33.219 What do you owe my master? 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:34.939 Oh, a hundred measures of oil. 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:36.459 Quickly, write fifty. 00:07:37.259 --> 00:07:39.619 Oh, fine, yes. 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:42.259 To someone else, what do you owe? 00:07:42.540 --> 00:07:43.399 I owe eighteen. 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:46.579 Cut it down. 00:07:47.459 --> 00:07:48.060 Remove it. 00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:49.600 Cut it by a quarter. 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:50.639 Great. 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:53.899 He's continuing to defraud his master. 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:56.519 He is a dishonest steward. 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:58.459 He is squandering, 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:00.740 continuing to squander 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:03.360 the resources of his master. 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:10.480 But what does the master do 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:12.280 when he hears about this? 00:08:14.020 --> 00:08:14.960 Verse 6 00:08:14.960 --> 00:08:17.840 The master commended 00:08:17.840 --> 00:08:20.160 the dishonest steward. 00:08:21.740 --> 00:08:22.900 Good for you. 00:08:24.340 --> 00:08:25.400 Good for you. 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:26.879 You think, 00:08:27.520 --> 00:08:27.819 Lord, 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:31.520 are you commending his dishonesty? 00:08:31.520 --> 00:08:32.940 Don't be stupid. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:34.419 Jesus would have said, 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:36.220 commending his dishonesty? 00:08:36.960 --> 00:08:38.960 I'm the one who is the truth. 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:42.120 Well, 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:43.620 what are you saying? 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:47.399 The master doesn't commend 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:49.659 the man's dishonesty, 00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:52.320 but he commends him 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:53.519 for his shrewdness, 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:54.580 his sagacity, 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:56.460 his farsightedness. 00:08:56.779 --> 00:08:58.879 He's speaking after the manner of men. 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:02.320 And here is the point 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:03.419 Jesus is making 00:09:03.419 --> 00:09:04.659 and building up to. 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:05.500 For, 00:09:05.939 --> 00:09:06.620 for, 00:09:07.659 --> 00:09:09.399 the sons of this age, 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:11.259 the unbelievers 00:09:11.259 --> 00:09:13.179 of this passing world, 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:16.779 are more shrewd, 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:17.879 more farsighted, 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:20.139 more sagacious 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:21.919 in dealing with 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:22.879 their own generation 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:25.559 than the sons of light. 00:09:25.559 --> 00:09:27.899 He is, 00:09:27.959 --> 00:09:28.379 in a sense, 00:09:28.459 --> 00:09:29.879 rebuking his own disciples. 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:31.879 He's using this 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:33.179 dishonest steward 00:09:33.179 --> 00:09:34.679 as an illustration, 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:36.119 not of the 00:09:36.119 --> 00:09:38.219 wisdom of dishonesty, 00:09:39.359 --> 00:09:40.839 but of saying to his disciples, 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:42.319 even in his 00:09:42.319 --> 00:09:43.779 unrighteousness 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:44.799 and wickedness, 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:46.319 this man 00:09:46.319 --> 00:09:48.039 looked ahead. 00:09:48.839 --> 00:09:49.699 That's the thing. 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:51.679 He looked ahead. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:53.339 He made preparations 00:09:53.339 --> 00:09:54.379 for the future. 00:09:55.959 --> 00:09:57.139 He was wicked. 00:09:57.919 --> 00:09:59.439 He was unrighteous. 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:00.579 He was a defrauder. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:01.539 He was a thief. 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:02.539 He was a deceiver. 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:04.199 But in all of that, 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:06.599 there was a shrewdness, 00:10:06.959 --> 00:10:08.239 an ungodly shrewdness, 00:10:08.339 --> 00:10:09.179 but a shrewdness. 00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:10.679 He looked ahead 00:10:11.339 --> 00:10:12.759 and he prepared 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:14.839 for the future. 00:10:17.959 --> 00:10:19.279 And so Jesus says 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:20.439 to his disciples, 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:23.240 I tell you, 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:25.340 and that's always 00:10:25.340 --> 00:10:27.440 a note 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:28.860 for us to sit up 00:10:28.860 --> 00:10:30.280 and take something 00:10:30.280 --> 00:10:32.120 very significant 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:32.880 to heart. 00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:34.240 I tell you, 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:36.300 make friends 00:10:36.300 --> 00:10:37.300 for yourselves 00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:38.280 by means 00:10:38.280 --> 00:10:40.240 of unrighteous 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:41.080 wealth. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.180 Now the word wealth, 00:10:42.340 --> 00:10:42.620 again, 00:10:43.040 --> 00:10:43.620 mammon is 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:44.520 an Aramaic word. 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:45.860 It's broader than wealth. 00:10:46.020 --> 00:10:46.740 Your possessions, 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:47.660 your resources. 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:48.960 Make friends 00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:49.680 for yourself 00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:50.579 by means of 00:10:50.579 --> 00:10:52.319 unrighteous 00:10:52.319 --> 00:10:53.919 money and resources 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:56.099 so that when 00:10:56.099 --> 00:10:57.039 it fails, 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:58.359 when it runs out, 00:11:00.099 --> 00:11:00.539 they, 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.939 we'll come to the day 00:11:01.939 --> 00:11:02.519 in a moment, 00:11:03.299 --> 00:11:04.819 they may receive you 00:11:04.819 --> 00:11:06.620 into the eternal dwellings. 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:33.320 first of all, 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:34.200 what does Jesus mean 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:35.040 by make friends 00:11:35.040 --> 00:11:36.340 of unrighteous wealth? 00:11:36.420 --> 00:11:36.540 Well, 00:11:36.540 --> 00:11:37.240 I think the Lord 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:38.440 is not saying 00:11:38.440 --> 00:11:39.200 that possessions 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:40.540 in and of themselves 00:11:40.540 --> 00:11:41.960 are unrighteous. 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:44.040 Nowhere in the Bible 00:11:44.040 --> 00:11:45.000 do you find that. 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:46.360 It's not money 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:47.620 that is the root 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.379 of all evil, 00:11:48.660 --> 00:11:49.600 1 Timothy 6. 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:50.760 It is the love 00:11:50.760 --> 00:11:51.580 of money. 00:11:52.280 --> 00:11:52.660 And Jesus 00:11:52.660 --> 00:11:53.460 is highlighting, 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:53.940 I think, 00:11:54.020 --> 00:11:55.280 here the propensity 00:11:55.280 --> 00:11:56.800 of wealth 00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:57.800 in whatever form 00:11:57.800 --> 00:11:58.720 we possess it 00:11:58.720 --> 00:11:59.800 and possessions 00:11:59.800 --> 00:12:00.800 in whatever form 00:12:00.800 --> 00:12:01.460 we have them, 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:03.620 the propensity 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:05.279 for it to be used 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:06.680 in an unrighteous way 00:12:06.680 --> 00:12:07.860 and to come to us 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:09.440 from unrighteous sources. 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:10.820 There's nothing 00:12:10.820 --> 00:12:11.860 untainted 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:13.620 in a fallen world. 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:16.620 And it's our calling 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:19.779 to use the taintedness 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:21.899 of a fallen world 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:22.940 to the praise 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:24.120 and glory of God 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:25.600 as God enables us 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:26.580 by his grace. 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:28.360 And so Jesus 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:28.980 is saying, 00:12:30.419 --> 00:12:31.080 make use, 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:32.240 make friends, 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:34.759 use this unrighteous 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:35.659 wealth, 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:36.460 possessions, 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.080 use it wisely 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:38.820 and well. 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:41.419 Use it not 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.539 for your own 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:44.319 indulgence, 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.539 but use it 00:12:45.539 --> 00:12:46.679 to spread 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:47.539 the kingdom 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.319 of God. 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.620 And that's why 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:51.259 he says, 00:12:51.439 --> 00:12:52.279 so that when it 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:52.860 fails, 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:55.459 they, 00:12:55.699 --> 00:12:56.519 they, 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.379 may receive you 00:12:58.379 --> 00:12:59.139 into the eternal 00:12:59.139 --> 00:12:59.740 dwellings. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:00.000 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:01.360 who are the they? 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.199 Well, 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:03.539 there are some 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:04.639 fine commentators 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.139 who say, 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:05.379 well, 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:05.939 it's really a 00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:06.879 circumlocution 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:07.639 for God. 00:13:09.099 --> 00:13:10.159 Those disciples 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:11.399 who use it 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:11.699 to use the 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.559 resources that 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:13.159 God has given 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.159 to them wisely 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:14.860 and well, 00:13:15.079 --> 00:13:15.959 not first for 00:13:15.959 --> 00:13:16.439 their own 00:13:16.439 --> 00:13:17.459 pleasure and 00:13:17.459 --> 00:13:18.279 indulgence, 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:19.720 not that we 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:21.600 are to be 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:22.699 monastic in the 00:13:22.699 --> 00:13:23.299 way we live, 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:23.980 God has given 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:24.620 us all good 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.340 things richly 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:25.939 to enjoy, 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:26.799 but for those 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:27.559 who use the 00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:28.419 resources God 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:29.000 has given them 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:29.959 wisely and well 00:13:29.959 --> 00:13:31.019 for the extension 00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:31.819 of his kingdom, 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:37.639 that good use, 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.039 that wise use 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:39.759 of money and 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:40.319 resources, 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:41.720 will be the 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:43.460 means God 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:44.800 will use of 00:13:44.800 --> 00:13:45.560 bringing others 00:13:45.560 --> 00:13:46.120 into his 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:46.500 kingdom, 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:50.160 of gathering 00:13:50.160 --> 00:13:51.640 others out 00:13:51.640 --> 00:13:52.320 of the dominion 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:52.980 of darkness 00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:53.640 and bringing 00:13:53.640 --> 00:13:54.240 them into the 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:54.720 kingdom of 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:54.900 light, 00:13:55.020 --> 00:13:55.680 unbeknown to 00:13:55.680 --> 00:13:56.360 you perhaps, 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:57.540 as you give 00:13:57.540 --> 00:13:58.440 your offerings 00:13:58.440 --> 00:13:59.160 here morning 00:13:59.160 --> 00:13:59.640 and evening, 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:01.860 as you give 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:02.520 generously, 00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:03.260 I would hope, 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:04.240 and sacrificially, 00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:05.400 you just don't 00:14:05.400 --> 00:14:06.300 know what God 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:07.039 might do, 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:09.000 you just don't 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.859 know what God 00:14:09.859 --> 00:14:10.579 might do, 00:14:12.099 --> 00:14:12.759 and I've little 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.399 doubt that it's 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:14.299 not so much God 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:15.519 as a circumlocution 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:17.019 that the Lord 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:17.759 is highlighting 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.519 by the word 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:18.799 they, 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:19.839 he is saying 00:14:19.839 --> 00:14:20.319 there will be 00:14:20.319 --> 00:14:21.079 people in the 00:14:21.079 --> 00:14:22.079 glory waiting 00:14:22.079 --> 00:14:23.359 to welcome you, 00:14:24.359 --> 00:14:26.719 waiting to 00:14:26.719 --> 00:14:27.579 welcome you, 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:29.580 because your 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:31.540 self-sacrificial 00:14:31.540 --> 00:14:34.360 giving of the 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.360 resources God 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.160 has entrusted 00:14:36.160 --> 00:14:37.040 to you as a 00:14:37.040 --> 00:14:37.700 steward, 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:39.560 God used that 00:14:39.560 --> 00:14:40.560 to bring them 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.400 into contact 00:14:41.400 --> 00:14:41.960 with the word 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:42.580 of God, 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:44.379 with a gospel 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:44.800 tract, 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.320 with a book, 00:14:45.400 --> 00:14:45.660 with an 00:14:45.660 --> 00:14:46.200 individual, 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.040 with someone 00:14:48.040 --> 00:14:48.900 who was sent 00:14:48.900 --> 00:14:50.000 partly through 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:51.080 your givings 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:52.240 to the ends 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:52.900 of the earth, 00:14:53.020 --> 00:14:53.700 to Kazakhstan, 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:54.759 Uzbekistan, 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.440 or dark as 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:55.960 Glasgow, 00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:58.519 and you 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:59.259 will not know 00:14:59.259 --> 00:14:59.800 until you go 00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:00.480 to the glory 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:00.940 and someone 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:01.340 will say, 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:02.060 I'm here, 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:02.440 brother, 00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:03.220 sister, 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:04.360 because you 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.360 selflessly 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:06.920 denied yourself 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:08.460 and shared 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:09.440 your resources 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:10.519 so generously 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.460 and God 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.440 used that 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:13.680 in his 00:15:13.680 --> 00:15:14.139 mercy 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.200 to bring me 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.100 to himself. 00:15:20.160 --> 00:15:20.940 What a 00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:21.519 remarkable 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:22.300 thing that 00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:22.800 would be, 00:15:23.180 --> 00:15:23.879 would it not, 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:25.200 if you breathe 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:25.720 your last 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:26.240 breath in 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:26.820 this life 00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:27.899 and the 00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:28.519 Lord brings 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.139 you how 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:29.440 it will 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:29.920 please him 00:15:29.920 --> 00:15:30.320 to bring 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:30.620 you into 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.060 his nearer 00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:31.420 presence 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:32.080 and you 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:32.560 find there 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:33.120 people you've 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:33.620 never met 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.040 before, 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.160 you've never 00:15:36.160 --> 00:15:36.600 heard their 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:37.019 name, 00:15:39.060 --> 00:15:39.860 you just 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.600 have no idea 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.320 who they are 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:41.920 and they're 00:15:41.920 --> 00:15:42.379 there as it 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:42.800 were to 00:15:42.800 --> 00:15:43.620 welcome you 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.340 and you 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:44.519 say, 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:44.899 Lord, 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:45.960 who are 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:46.500 these people? 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:47.480 Oh, 00:15:48.540 --> 00:15:49.160 they are the 00:15:49.160 --> 00:15:51.779 people that 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.460 I brought 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:53.279 to myself 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:55.339 through you. 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.199 Lord, 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:57.039 I didn't 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:57.620 know that. 00:15:58.539 --> 00:15:59.039 I didn't 00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.579 know that. 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:01.860 That doesn't 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.179 matter. 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:05.679 You see, 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:06.819 Jesus' 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:07.759 parable here 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.539 is sandwiched 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.120 between the 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:09.740 parable of 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.240 the prodigal 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.159 son who 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:11.879 squanders 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.799 his resources 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:14.019 flagrantly, 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:15.100 publicly, 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:17.319 openly. 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:20.740 and the 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.080 chapter 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:21.900 concludes 00:16:21.900 --> 00:16:22.860 with Jesus 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:24.220 speaking about 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:24.920 the parable 00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:25.500 of the rich 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.000 man and 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.700 Lazarus. 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:28.320 And you 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:28.660 know the 00:16:28.660 --> 00:16:29.360 story well. 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.160 Lazarus is 00:16:31.160 --> 00:16:31.640 the poor 00:16:31.640 --> 00:16:32.340 beggar who 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:32.780 sits at 00:16:32.780 --> 00:16:33.120 the rich 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:33.560 man's 00:16:33.560 --> 00:16:33.920 gate. 00:16:35.140 --> 00:16:35.700 He's so 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:36.420 poor and 00:16:36.420 --> 00:16:37.200 so benight 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:37.720 that even 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.760 the dogs 00:16:38.760 --> 00:16:39.580 lick his 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.120 sores. 00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:42.400 And they 00:16:42.400 --> 00:16:43.080 both die. 00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:45.520 Lazarus 00:16:45.520 --> 00:16:45.980 goes to 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.220 heaven, 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:46.620 goes to 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.139 Abram's 00:16:47.139 --> 00:16:47.539 bosom, 00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:49.360 a picturesque 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:50.100 Hebraic way 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:50.620 of speaking 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:50.899 of the 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:51.220 nearer 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:51.779 presence of 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:52.100 God. 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:53.740 And the 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.179 rich man 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:54.639 goes to 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:54.940 hell. 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:56.899 And a 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:57.419 little doubt 00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:57.740 as you 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.379 stand far 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:58.899 enough back 00:16:58.899 --> 00:16:59.440 in Luke's 00:16:59.440 --> 00:16:59.820 gospel, 00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:01.019 the Lord 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.580 is saying 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.159 what an 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:02.820 opportunity 00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:03.519 this rich 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:04.319 man had 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.180 to use 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:05.960 his resources 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:07.240 to minister 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:07.799 to this 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.279 poor, 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.299 benighted 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:09.960 beggar at 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.559 his gate. 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:11.319 It doesn't 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:11.700 need to be 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.279 as dramatic 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.880 as that. 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.279 But I 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.619 think the 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.079 Lord is 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:16.000 saying as 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.759 we read 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.160 through the 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:17.619 sweep of 00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:17.960 Luke's 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.440 gospel and 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:18.799 as Luke 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.700 juxtaposes 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.500 under the 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.259 inspiration of 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:21.559 the Holy 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.339 Spirit these 00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:23.180 various 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.859 encounters. 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:25.460 He was a 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:25.839 man who 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:26.160 had the 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:26.880 opportunity 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:27.799 to be 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.819 welcomed by 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.480 Lazarus. 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:29.920 I've been 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.619 waiting to 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:31.480 welcome you. 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.720 How kindly 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.400 you dealt 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:33.900 with me. 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:35.160 How generously 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:35.859 you cared 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:36.359 for me. 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:37.720 With what 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.980 godly concern 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.059 you lavished 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:40.779 upon me. 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:42.519 You opened 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.420 wide not only 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.160 your arms but 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:44.920 your heart to 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.779 me and 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.580 god brought 00:17:46.580 --> 00:17:47.019 me into 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.580 his kingdom 00:17:47.580 --> 00:17:48.240 through you 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:48.759 and I'm 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.220 here to 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.140 welcome you. 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:54.019 But the 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.740 rich man with 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.160 all the 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:56.019 privileges given 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.680 to him 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:58.039 hoarded 00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:58.420 them. 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:01.620 I've little 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:02.140 doubt that 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:02.460 the Lord 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:04.000 Jesus is 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.519 highlighting a 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.240 very significant 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:06.900 thing about 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:07.539 authentic 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.060 Christian 00:18:08.060 --> 00:18:09.000 discipleship. 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.800 Authentic 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:12.919 Christian 00:18:12.919 --> 00:18:13.859 discipleship 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:16.480 is marked 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:18.220 significantly 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:20.139 by 00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:22.539 self-sacrificial 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.279 giving. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.720 Think of the 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.180 Lord Jesus 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:27.759 Christ. 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:29.180 Though he 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.079 was rich yet 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:30.519 for our 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:31.039 sakes he 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:32.019 became poor 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.319 so that by 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.259 his poverty 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:34.779 we may 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.639 become rich. 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:39.740 And so 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.080 the Lord 00:18:40.080 --> 00:18:40.580 goes on 00:18:40.580 --> 00:18:41.540 in verses 00:18:41.540 --> 00:18:42.860 10 following 00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:43.280 to say 00:18:43.280 --> 00:18:43.740 one who 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.300 is faithful 00:18:44.300 --> 00:18:44.780 in a very 00:18:44.780 --> 00:18:45.340 little is 00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:46.100 also faithful 00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:46.680 in much 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:48.120 and one 00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:48.720 who is 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:50.220 dishonest in a 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:50.880 very little is 00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:51.640 dishonest in 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:51.960 much. 00:18:52.320 --> 00:18:52.960 If then you 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:53.460 have not been 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.700 faithful in the 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.280 unrighteous 00:18:55.280 --> 00:18:56.240 wealth, if you 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.140 have not dealt 00:18:57.140 --> 00:18:59.160 wisely and well 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.100 and generously 00:19:00.100 --> 00:19:01.320 and selflessly 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:02.039 with the 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:02.939 resources God 00:19:02.939 --> 00:19:03.399 has given 00:19:03.399 --> 00:19:05.500 you, who 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.139 will entrust 00:19:06.139 --> 00:19:06.419 to you 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:07.159 true riches? 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.019 Now it's 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.000 not I think 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.339 easy precisely 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:11.019 to know what 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.799 our Lord means 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:13.419 here but most 00:19:13.419 --> 00:19:14.079 likely he's 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:15.460 saying do you 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.240 think the true 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:17.259 riches of God 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.200 and of glory 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:20.939 will ever be 00:19:20.939 --> 00:19:23.159 yours if you 00:19:23.159 --> 00:19:24.200 have not used 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:25.619 wisely and 00:19:25.619 --> 00:19:26.319 well to his 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.439 glory while in 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:28.879 this life the 00:19:28.879 --> 00:19:30.159 little thing he 00:19:30.159 --> 00:19:30.939 has given you? 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:33.019 Money and 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.899 possessions are 00:19:33.899 --> 00:19:34.939 little things. 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.419 They are little 00:19:37.419 --> 00:19:37.980 things. 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:38.700 The moment you 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.819 have them, the 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:40.319 moment they 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:41.099 began they were 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:41.879 subject to the 00:19:41.879 --> 00:19:42.619 law of entropy, 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.279 the second law 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.039 of thermodynamics, 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:44.579 they were on 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.639 the road to 00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:46.799 destruction. 00:19:47.919 --> 00:19:48.480 You can't take 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.079 anything with 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:49.279 you. 00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:52.079 If you have 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:52.879 not been faithful 00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:53.519 in that which 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.220 is another's, 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:54.980 who will give 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.639 you that which 00:19:55.639 --> 00:19:56.299 is your own? 00:19:57.159 --> 00:19:57.980 No servant 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:58.939 can serve two 00:19:58.939 --> 00:19:59.460 masters. 00:19:59.599 --> 00:19:59.980 Do you see the 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.720 point Jesus was 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.019 making? 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:01.919 Who is the 00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:02.619 master of your 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.059 life? 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:04.759 Who do you 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:05.619 live to please? 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.480 Is it yourself? 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.259 Or is it the 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:08.839 God who has 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:10.059 redeemed you and 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.700 made you his 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.000 own? 00:20:14.939 --> 00:20:15.659 You cannot 00:20:15.659 --> 00:20:16.419 serve two 00:20:16.419 --> 00:20:16.859 masters. 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:17.519 You will either 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.319 hate the one and 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:18.919 love the other 00:20:18.919 --> 00:20:20.720 or be devoted to 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.139 the one and 00:20:21.139 --> 00:20:22.059 despise the other. 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.859 You cannot 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:24.539 serve God and 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.619 money. 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.619 do you 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:28.219 love the other 00:20:28.219 --> 00:20:28.619 things? 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.159 What does all 00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:30.000 that mean for 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.279 us? 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:32.399 That's brief 00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:33.279 exposition. 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:34.939 What does that 00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:35.500 mean for us? 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.659 Three things I 00:20:36.659 --> 00:20:37.439 want to say this 00:20:37.439 --> 00:20:37.739 evening. 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.139 Number one, 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.019 very obviously, 00:20:41.219 --> 00:20:41.799 Jesus is 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:42.479 counselling, 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.219 encouraging and 00:20:44.219 --> 00:20:45.199 pressing on his 00:20:45.199 --> 00:20:46.539 disciples to live 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.659 their lives in the 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.099 light of 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:48.699 eternity. 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:51.720 You see, 00:20:52.340 --> 00:20:53.519 this unrighteous 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:55.840 steward had the 00:20:55.840 --> 00:20:57.059 news, the 00:20:57.059 --> 00:20:58.059 foresight to 00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:59.700 look ahead, to 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:01.200 prepare for what 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:01.759 was coming. 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.620 And Jesus said, 00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.039 you know, the 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.039 sons of this age 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:07.500 are wise or 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.240 more shrewd than 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.220 the sons of 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:09.600 life. 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.860 And I find 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.480 that a huge 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:12.960 challenge. 00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:14.900 How honestly, 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:15.860 how realistically 00:21:15.860 --> 00:21:17.860 do I live my 00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:18.680 life in the 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.120 light of 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:19.700 eternity? 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:20.940 It's so easy 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:22.400 to live as if 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:24.279 this life would 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.640 simply go on and 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.299 on and on. 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.200 Yesterday, 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.299 yesterday, it 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.060 seems to me, 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:30.200 yesterday I was 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:30.880 37. 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:31.940 I know I was 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.279 67. 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:33.860 I look in the 00:21:33.860 --> 00:21:34.360 mirror and I 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:34.920 think, who are 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:35.200 you? 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.519 Do I know you? 00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.060 Are you my 00:21:37.060 --> 00:21:37.500 dad? 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.160 What's happened 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:39.539 to you? 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.420 Why do you look 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:40.900 like that? 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:42.000 I don't feel as 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.560 though I should 00:21:42.560 --> 00:21:43.440 look like that. 00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:44.600 But I do. 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:46.080 Life is 00:21:46.080 --> 00:21:47.320 swifter than a 00:21:47.320 --> 00:21:47.980 weaver's shuttle. 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:50.700 And soon 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.120 and very 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:53.120 soon, we 00:21:53.120 --> 00:21:53.440 will meet 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:53.940 the Lord. 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.380 About 30 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:58.519 years ago, in 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.060 New Mills, I was 00:21:59.060 --> 00:21:59.779 a parish minister 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.340 in Ayrshire for 00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:00.920 20 years. 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.279 The lovely 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:02.820 couple we 00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:03.539 supported and 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.380 still support in 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:05.120 different ways, 00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:06.960 church planting in 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.299 France. 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:07.640 They've been 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.200 church planting 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.880 for over 50 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:09.440 years with 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:09.720 WEC. 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:12.079 and they 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.339 have no 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:13.160 great education. 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.539 They're two 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.140 of the godliest 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:15.640 people I've 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:16.160 ever met. 00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:17.000 And they 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.339 came and 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:17.839 spoke at our 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:18.339 prayer meeting. 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.200 And I'll 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:19.779 never forget 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.360 something he 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:20.759 said. 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:22.019 He quoted 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.180 two lines of 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:23.920 a little poem. 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:24.860 It's almost 00:22:24.860 --> 00:22:25.400 doggerel. 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.519 The poetry's 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.960 not very good, 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:29.680 but the 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.259 theology's 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:30.740 wonderful. 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.259 Only one 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.779 life, soon 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.640 it must 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:35.380 pass. 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:39.400 last. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.240 I've 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.400 never 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:41.820 forgotten 00:22:41.820 --> 00:22:42.220 that. 00:22:43.320 --> 00:22:43.540 It 00:22:43.540 --> 00:22:44.040 pricks my 00:22:44.040 --> 00:22:44.540 conscience 00:22:44.540 --> 00:22:44.980 then. 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:45.660 It 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.140 pricks my 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.600 conscience 00:22:46.600 --> 00:22:47.120 tonight. 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:48.220 Only one 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.460 life, soon 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.180 it must 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:50.760 last. 00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:52.880 Only what's 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:53.380 done for 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.180 Jesus will 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:54.720 last. 00:22:55.540 --> 00:22:55.900 Now, Jesus 00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:56.780 isn't encouraging 00:22:56.780 --> 00:22:58.380 us to opt 00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:59.720 out of life. 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.840 Far from it. 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.540 We have to 00:23:02.540 --> 00:23:03.420 live in the 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.080 midst of this 00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:04.660 world, the 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.240 salt and 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:05.640 light. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.480 But at the 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.200 same time, we 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.660 have to live 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.960 pilgrim lives. 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.539 This world 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.460 is not our 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:12.900 home. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:14.660 And one 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.079 day we 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:15.839 shall stand 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.500 before the 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.200 Lord and 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.500 give an 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.180 account of 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:18.620 our lives. 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.059 We must 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:19.980 all appear 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.980 before the 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.660 judgment seat 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:22.220 of Christ, 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:22.759 2 Corinthians 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:24.539 5.10, and 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:24.779 give an 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.259 account of 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.620 the deeds 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:25.980 done in 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.400 the body. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.720 And Jesus 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.359 is saying, 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.579 look ahead. 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:33.680 Look 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.140 ahead. 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.700 who's 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.480 well done 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:39.460 are you 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.319 aiming for 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:41.220 in life? 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:43.120 Are you 00:23:43.120 --> 00:23:43.539 living in 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:43.880 the light 00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:44.599 of eternity? 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.980 Because life 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:49.539 is very 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.000 swift. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.120 You're in the 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.779 fullness of 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.759 it, and 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.279 before you 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.759 know it, in 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.299 the blink of 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.980 an eye, it's 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.940 just disappearing 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.440 through your 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:58.960 fingers. 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.900 Live in the 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:01.299 light of 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.259 eternity, Jesus 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.720 is saying, be 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.799 shrewd like 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:05.779 this dishonest 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.400 steward. 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.480 Have 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.379 foresight. 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.579 But then 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.680 secondly, remember 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.740 that we are 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.039 all stewards 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:16.059 of everything 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:16.680 we possess. 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.599 You do not 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.759 possess one 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.599 iota. 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.180 Hands up if 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:21.619 you own a 00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:21.980 house. 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.200 I do. 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.420 Hands up. 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.160 No, you 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:25.640 don't. 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.640 It's God's. 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.480 You say, well, 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.319 I pay the 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:30.599 mortgage. 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.179 You may pay 00:24:31.179 --> 00:24:31.839 the mortgage. 00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:33.559 Every penny 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.259 you pay is 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.819 given to you 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.240 by the 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:35.919 sovereign Lord 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:36.379 in his good 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:36.899 pleasure and 00:24:36.899 --> 00:24:37.299 kindness. 00:24:37.719 --> 00:24:38.319 You say, I've 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:39.119 got no mortgage. 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.119 That's because 00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:40.579 of the good 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.119 pleasure of 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:41.419 God. 00:24:43.199 --> 00:24:44.059 The clothes 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.240 you wear, the 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.939 food you eat, 00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:47.539 the children 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:49.799 you have, they 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:50.339 are all the 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:50.819 lords. 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.259 But you have 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.679 them as 00:24:52.679 --> 00:24:53.279 stewards. 00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:54.519 He has 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.299 given them to 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:55.959 you as a 00:24:55.959 --> 00:24:56.439 trust. 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.219 They are 00:24:57.219 --> 00:24:58.119 entrusted to 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:58.379 you. 00:24:58.699 --> 00:24:59.179 And one day 00:24:59.179 --> 00:24:59.599 the Lord is 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:00.019 going to say, 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:00.579 what did you 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.379 do with 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.059 those precious 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:02.879 little lies 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.500 that I gave 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:03.939 to you? 00:25:04.439 --> 00:25:04.879 What did 00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:05.519 you do with 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.319 that home 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.179 that I 00:25:07.179 --> 00:25:07.980 entrusted to 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.480 you in my 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:08.939 bounty? 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:10.799 What did 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.480 you do with 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.119 this, that 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:12.419 or the 00:25:12.419 --> 00:25:12.720 other? 00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:13.519 Whether we 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.000 have little 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.480 or much 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.019 is of little 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.679 consequence, 00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.379 but what did 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:16.939 you do? 00:25:17.199 --> 00:25:18.079 Because nothing 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:19.579 we have is 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.159 our own. 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.579 What do we 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.199 have that we 00:25:23.199 --> 00:25:23.919 did not first 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:24.299 receive? 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:29.839 we would be 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:31.000 penniless beggars 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.039 with nothing, 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.200 not an 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.779 iota, 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.599 not an 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.539 iota of 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:38.200 clothing, 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.259 if it were 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.919 not for the 00:25:40.919 --> 00:25:41.619 good pleasure, 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.579 kindness and 00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:43.200 goodness of 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.460 God. 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:43.819 We are 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:45.180 stewards and 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.539 we have an 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.259 account to 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.440 give. 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:50.519 I don't 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:50.980 think that 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.860 means that 00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:54.160 we are 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:54.480 to say, 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.160 oh well, 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.640 I shouldn't 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.279 go holidays, 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:56.840 I shouldn't 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.220 do this, 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:57.620 I shouldn't 00:25:57.620 --> 00:25:58.120 do that. 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:58.880 We each 00:25:58.880 --> 00:25:59.440 live before 00:25:59.440 --> 00:25:59.740 God, 00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:00.059 we are to 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.279 live 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.920 before the 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.340 face of 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:02.640 God. 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:03.600 We are 00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:03.880 not to 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.420 judge other 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:04.820 people, 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.680 not to 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.200 stand in 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:06.500 judgment 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:06.920 saying, 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.259 ah, 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:07.820 you are 00:26:07.820 --> 00:26:08.299 not using 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:08.460 the 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:08.840 resources 00:26:08.840 --> 00:26:09.160 God 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.299 has 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:09.519 given 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:09.840 you. 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.660 It's 00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:12.200 enough for 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.620 us to 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.100 be asking 00:26:13.100 --> 00:26:13.700 ourselves 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.200 every day, 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.519 am I 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.000 using the 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.440 resources 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:16.140 well and 00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:16.740 wisely that 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.120 God has 00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:17.520 given to 00:26:17.520 --> 00:26:17.840 me? 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.880 I'm a 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:20.320 steward. 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:22.880 Are you 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.300 being a 00:26:23.300 --> 00:26:23.840 wise, 00:26:24.520 --> 00:26:24.920 godly 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.400 steward? 00:26:25.780 --> 00:26:26.060 And then 00:26:26.060 --> 00:26:26.520 thirdly, 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:29.180 I think we 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.520 need to 00:26:29.520 --> 00:26:30.340 understand that 00:26:30.340 --> 00:26:31.200 Christian giving 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.900 and Christian 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.940 serving in 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.280 the new 00:26:33.280 --> 00:26:33.980 covenant is 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:35.220 sacrificial and 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:36.220 not proportional. 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.259 You may not 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.900 agree with me, 00:26:39.040 --> 00:26:39.380 and that's 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.300 fine, I 00:26:40.300 --> 00:26:40.620 don't get 00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:40.940 everything 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.340 right. 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:43.700 I think we 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.080 can take 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:44.680 comfort in 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:44.880 saying, 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:45.220 well I 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.780 tithe. 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:48.200 But if 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.520 the Lord 00:26:48.520 --> 00:26:48.800 Jesus 00:26:48.800 --> 00:26:50.320 Christ is 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:51.020 our 00:26:51.020 --> 00:26:51.940 exemplar in 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.340 everything, 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:53.660 he gave 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.720 everything for 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.080 us. 00:26:56.520 --> 00:26:57.200 He didn't 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.220 tithe himself, 00:26:59.180 --> 00:26:59.640 for you 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.020 know the 00:27:00.020 --> 00:27:00.600 grace of 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.040 our Lord 00:27:01.040 --> 00:27:01.280 Jesus 00:27:01.280 --> 00:27:01.720 Christ, 00:27:01.800 --> 00:27:02.140 and this 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:02.640 theology 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.220 comes in 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.600 the midst 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:04.000 of this 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.500 lengthy 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.220 exposition 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.200 on Christian 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:06.720 giving in 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.180 2 Corinthians 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:07.640 8 and 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:07.960 9. 00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:09.700 You know 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.140 the grace 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:10.460 of our 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:10.900 Lord Jesus 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.280 Christ, 00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:11.580 that though 00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:11.920 he was 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.200 rich, 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.580 yet for 00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:13.140 your sakes 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:13.700 he became 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.160 poor, 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:14.880 so that 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:15.279 you by 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.440 his 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:15.819 poverty 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.120 might 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:16.440 become 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:16.860 rich. 00:27:21.080 --> 00:27:21.720 Christian 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.340 giving and 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:22.720 Christian 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.980 serving is 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.380 not 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.360 proportional, 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:25.920 it's 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.539 sacrificial. 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:28.980 It should 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:30.019 cost us 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:31.819 not 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.700 not 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:34.519 but 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:34.859 that can 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.379 be taken 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:36.139 wrongly, 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:36.720 I know, 00:27:37.639 --> 00:27:38.200 but I don't 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.579 want to 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.039 qualify, 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.400 I could 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:40.240 qualify it, 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:40.839 hopefully 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.299 helpfully, 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:41.579 but I'm 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:41.980 not going 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.279 to. 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:43.960 Christian 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.539 giving and 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:44.940 Christian 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.960 serving should 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.859 cost us, 00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:47.900 not 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.680 9 to 5, 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.799 not saying, 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:51.119 given my 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.559 tithe, 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:54.180 maybe 1% 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.279 is sacrificial 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:55.720 for some 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.039 people, 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.619 I absolutely 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.059 mean that, 00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:58.519 I believe 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:58.799 that, 00:27:58.799 --> 00:28:00.919 maybe 99% 00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:01.419 for other 00:28:01.419 --> 00:28:02.720 people who 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.240 live before 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:03.659 God, 00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:04.940 that's why 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.579 read 2 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.139 Corinthians 8 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:06.579 and 9, 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:11.419 Christian 00:28:11.419 --> 00:28:12.879 giving and 00:28:12.879 --> 00:28:13.240 Christian 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:15.059 serving is 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.359 to be 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:16.019 sacrificial, 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:22.039 the church 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.460 of Jesus 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.980 Christ is 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:25.180 worthy of 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:25.859 our highest 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.919 and our 00:28:26.919 --> 00:28:27.299 best, 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:31.200 to use 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:31.639 the well 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.019 worn 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.659 old 00:28:32.659 --> 00:28:33.180 phrase, 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:33.579 we're to 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:34.359 lay all 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:35.079 on the 00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:35.539 altar 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.680 for the 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.059 Saviour, 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.579 we're to 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.059 be living 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:41.059 sacrifices, 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:44.079 we're to 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.399 be daily 00:28:45.399 --> 00:28:46.319 oblations, 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:49.359 giving all 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:49.680 that we 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:51.440 are to 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:51.940 him who 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:52.339 gave 00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:53.119 everything 00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:54.339 and beyond 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:55.419 for us. 00:28:58.379 --> 00:28:58.779 I remember 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.639 some years 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.539 ago reading 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.259 the biography 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.339 of William 00:29:02.339 --> 00:29:02.799 Borden, 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.339 it's called 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:05.019 William Borden 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:05.579 of Yale, 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:06.939 he was a 00:29:06.939 --> 00:29:07.319 young man, 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:07.539 a very 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:07.980 wealthy 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:08.579 young man 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.859 who was 00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:10.059 at the 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.419 University 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:10.899 of Yale, 00:29:12.199 --> 00:29:13.319 the third 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.099 best 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:14.759 university 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.639 in the 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:15.939 world, 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.659 two ahead 00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:18.159 of Oxford 00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:18.899 and two 00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:19.179 behind 00:29:19.179 --> 00:29:19.720 Cambridge, 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.119 you can 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:21.459 work that 00:29:21.459 --> 00:29:21.699 out, 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:23.140 and he 00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:24.240 was converted, 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:24.880 he came to 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.319 faith in 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.000 Jesus Christ 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.440 and for 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:26.900 some reason 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:27.319 he set 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.759 his heart 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.240 on going 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:28.660 to the 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.059 land of 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.400 Burma, 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.039 Myanmar, 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.880 and he 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.420 prepared to 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:32.720 go to 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.019 Burma, 00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:33.819 he graduated 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.519 but he 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.240 was persuaded 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.860 to spend 00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:37.680 some time 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.180 travelling 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.620 throughout 00:29:38.620 --> 00:29:39.180 America 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:39.980 encouraging 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.640 young men 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.360 in particular 00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:41.819 to give 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.180 up their 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:42.559 small 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.059 ambitions 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:44.559 and to 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.000 go out 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.559 east and 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.019 preach the 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.360 gospel 00:29:46.360 --> 00:29:46.779 and he 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.200 did that 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:47.700 for some 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.640 two years 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:48.940 or three 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.240 years, 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:49.539 I can't 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:49.860 remember 00:29:49.860 --> 00:29:50.819 and then 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.159 the day 00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:51.599 came 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.259 when 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:52.579 William 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:52.939 Borden 00:29:52.939 --> 00:29:53.740 set sail 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.019 from 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.259 New 00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:54.679 York 00:29:54.679 --> 00:29:55.500 heading 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:55.819 for 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:55.939 the 00:29:55.939 --> 00:29:56.200 land 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:56.379 of 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:56.679 Burma 00:29:56.679 --> 00:29:58.179 and in 00:29:58.179 --> 00:29:58.379 those 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:58.619 days 00:29:58.619 --> 00:29:58.819 the 00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:59.059 first 00:29:59.059 --> 00:29:59.399 great 00:29:59.399 --> 00:29:59.740 port 00:29:59.740 --> 00:29:59.919 of 00:29:59.919 --> 00:30:00.220 call 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.439 was 00:30:00.439 --> 00:30:01.299 Alexandria 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.639 in 00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:02.039 Egypt 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:04.779 and when 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.019 he got 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.200 to 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.879 Alexandria 00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:06.319 William 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:06.759 Borden 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.480 was struck 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:07.899 down 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:08.159 with 00:30:08.159 --> 00:30:08.700 cerebral 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.579 encephalitis 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:11.139 he was 00:30:11.139 --> 00:30:11.500 going to 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:11.939 die in 00:30:11.939 --> 00:30:12.500 Alexandria 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:14.159 he would 00:30:14.159 --> 00:30:14.679 never see 00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:15.099 Burma 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:17.259 he had 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:17.679 lived to 00:30:17.679 --> 00:30:18.019 go to 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.319 Burma 00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:18.720 since he 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:18.859 was 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.319 converted 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.659 but he 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:19.759 would 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.179 never see 00:30:20.179 --> 00:30:20.500 Burma 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.839 he would 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.220 die 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:22.079 and be 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.299 buried 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:22.480 in 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:22.980 Alexandria 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.720 as he 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:23.900 lay 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:24.400 dying 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:25.480 three 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:25.940 medical 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.359 men 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:26.980 gathered 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.420 round the 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:27.660 bottom 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:27.960 of his 00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:28.299 bed 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:30.359 and one 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:30.660 of them 00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:31.160 said 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:33.039 what a 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.460 waste 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:34.240 they knew 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:34.680 about his 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.359 life and 00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:36.180 his promise 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:37.160 wealthy young 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:37.519 man 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.380 what a waste 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.559 and you 00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:40.359 understand that 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:41.200 humanly speaking 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:41.960 what a waste 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:44.740 and with the 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.559 little strength 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:46.460 he had left 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:48.420 William 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:48.420 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:48.880 Borden 00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:49.420 raised 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:49.980 himself 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.640 and simply 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.180 said 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:52.860 no retreat 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:55.160 no reserve 00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:57.340 no regrets 00:30:57.340 --> 00:31:00.059 no retreat 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:02.059 no reserve 00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:03.380 no regrets 00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:05.160 that's a life 00:31:05.160 --> 00:31:07.059 that understood 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:09.759 that he had to 00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.640 give everything 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:12.800 and even 00:31:12.800 --> 00:31:13.200 though the 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.800 Lord would 00:31:13.800 --> 00:31:14.560 take him 00:31:14.560 --> 00:31:15.720 to glory 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:16.400 before he 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:16.860 ever saw 00:31:16.860 --> 00:31:17.240 Burma 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:17.940 that was 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:18.220 for the 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.600 Lord 00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:23.180 that's what 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:23.900 Jesus I think 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.380 is teaching 00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:25.120 his disciples 00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:26.860 be sons of 00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:27.759 light who live 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.340 in the light 00:31:28.340 --> 00:31:29.160 of eternity 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:32.779 recognize 00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:34.080 you are stewards 00:31:34.080 --> 00:31:34.680 with an 00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:35.340 account 00:31:35.340 --> 00:31:36.560 one day 00:31:36.560 --> 00:31:37.040 to give 00:31:37.040 --> 00:31:40.180 and understand 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:41.060 that belonging 00:31:41.060 --> 00:31:41.880 to me is 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:43.040 not proportional 00:31:43.040 --> 00:31:44.580 but sacrificial 00:31:44.580 --> 00:31:48.759 you see in the 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.279 light of the 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.019 Lord's 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:51.380 giving of 00:31:51.380 --> 00:31:52.140 himself for 00:31:52.140 --> 00:31:52.540 us 00:31:52.540 --> 00:31:55.320 how can we 00:31:55.320 --> 00:31:56.300 dare not 00:31:56.300 --> 00:31:57.279 give everything 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:57.960 we are to 00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.220 him 00:31:58.220 --> 00:32:00.160 I did 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:00.740 this 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:02.000 for you 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:03.120 and eternity 00:32:03.120 --> 00:32:03.900 will be an 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:04.740 exploration 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.460 of what that 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:05.860 meant 00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:08.019 in 10,000 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:09.120 times 10,000 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:09.559 years 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.519 we will be 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:11.480 no nearer 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.000 plumbing 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:13.779 the immensities 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.339 and the 00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:15.039 infinities 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:15.700 of what it 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:16.220 meant for 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.620 the Son 00:32:16.620 --> 00:32:17.079 of God 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.660 to become 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.140 flesh 00:32:18.140 --> 00:32:18.640 and become 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:19.100 a curse 00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:19.819 on Calvary's 00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.200 cross 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:21.720 I did all 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.180 that for 00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:22.559 you 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:26.259 what did 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:26.779 you do 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.319 for me 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:30.259 wouldn't 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.740 you want 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.279 to be able 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:31.720 to say 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:32.179 Lord 00:32:32.179 --> 00:32:35.299 I didn't 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:35.960 do much 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:38.460 but by 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.399 your grace 00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:41.000 and by 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.599 the enabling 00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:42.059 of your 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.539 spirit 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:44.839 I sought 00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:46.059 to give 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:46.639 my own 00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:49.040 tis the 00:32:49.040 --> 00:32:49.460 least 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:51.880 I could 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:52.220 do 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:55.800 as we 00:32:55.800 --> 00:32:56.580 come to 00:32:56.580 --> 00:32:57.240 the Lord's 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.660 table 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.240 we're going 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.620 to sing 00:32:58.619 --> 00:32:58.619 00:33:10.679 --> 00:33:11.259 !