WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.639 Okay, let's begin our worship this morning by singing to God's praise. We're singing in Psalm 47, 00:00:05.639 --> 00:00:11.820 the Sing Psalms version, Psalm 47, page 62. We can sing the whole of this psalm together, 00:00:12.140 --> 00:00:18.240 verse 1 to 9. On nations clap your hands and shout. Let joyful cries to God ring out. How 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:24.179 awesome is the Lord most high, great King who rules the earth throughout. We'll stand to sing 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:26.600 the whole of this psalm to God's praise. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Let joyful cries to God ring out. How awesome is the Lord most high, great King who rules the earth throughout. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:07.000 He has sung to believe and read. The nations who have been a foe. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:09.000 The nations who have been a foe. In blessing, Jacob, whom he loved, our heritage. 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:11.000 The nations who have been a foe. In blessing, Jacob, whom he loved, our heritage. 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:13.000 of the nations who have been a foe. In blessing, Jacob, whom he loved, our heritage. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:20.000 of the nations who have been a foe. In blessing, Jacob, whom he loved, our heritage. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:22.000 in blessing, Jacob. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:27.000 of the nations who have been a foe. In blessing, Jacob, whom he loved, our heritage. 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:33.000 of the nations who have been a foe. In blessing, Jacob, whom he loved, our heritage. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:42.159 A heritage for us, he chose. 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:51.780 One dance on earth with shouts of joy, 00:01:51.780 --> 00:02:00.780 the Lord now in the trampled sight. 00:02:00.780 --> 00:02:09.900 Sing praise, sing praise to God most high, 00:02:10.300 --> 00:02:18.539 to God our King let praise abide. 00:02:20.819 --> 00:02:28.699 For God is King of all the earth, 00:02:28.699 --> 00:02:37.819 sing sounds of praise to Him alone. 00:02:38.139 --> 00:02:45.699 For crucifixions from on high, 00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:55.699 He sets upon His holy throne. 00:02:55.699 --> 00:03:05.139 The victor's call, the nations come, 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:13.819 To yield themselves to England's court. 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:22.219 To Him belong the shields of air, 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:31.039 Exalted with me is the Lord. 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:37.479 Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer. 00:03:37.639 --> 00:03:38.400 Now let us pray. 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:42.400 Our gracious Father in heaven, 00:03:42.520 --> 00:03:45.219 we come before you with much thanksgiving today 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:47.680 for your goodness to us and you, 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:50.120 for every blessing that is ours in Christ, 00:03:50.759 --> 00:03:53.140 for the blessing of your word as we open it up 00:03:53.140 --> 00:03:54.659 and as we sing your praise, 00:03:55.379 --> 00:03:58.259 and the blessing that there is in learning from your word 00:03:58.259 --> 00:03:59.659 and even learning your word, 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:02.939 as we have already mentioned about the memory verse 00:04:02.939 --> 00:04:04.840 that the young ones are learning. 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:08.039 We thank you that together we can learn these words 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:10.659 and seek to understand them, 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:13.460 the wonder of the Lord who is our shepherd 00:04:13.460 --> 00:04:15.919 and the way He shows us His goodness 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:18.939 in bringing our wandering steps back to His way 00:04:18.939 --> 00:04:21.980 and leading us in the straight paths of righteousness 00:04:21.980 --> 00:04:26.180 and all that is to reveal and to display His great name. 00:04:26.180 --> 00:04:30.579 We thank you that there is so much to encourage us in these words, 00:04:30.840 --> 00:04:34.160 that we have in Jesus one who is over us 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:35.560 and one who is with us. 00:04:36.220 --> 00:04:38.900 He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:43.199 and yet He is also one who the Bible describes as a friend 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:45.399 who stays closer than any brother. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:48.780 And we thank you for all of these truths 00:04:48.780 --> 00:04:50.519 that we find in your word, 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:52.139 and we pray to know it together, 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:56.379 that as the young ones go through to the Twinnies, 00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:58.139 the Sunday school, the Bible class, 00:04:58.259 --> 00:05:00.800 that together as they learn around your word there, 00:05:00.899 --> 00:05:02.959 that they will be built up by it. 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:04.419 Encourage us through it. 00:05:05.099 --> 00:05:06.539 Encourage those who are teaching, 00:05:06.719 --> 00:05:08.139 Lord, be with them and help them. 00:05:08.819 --> 00:05:12.019 And help us all together to be a prayerful people 00:05:12.019 --> 00:05:14.279 for all of us as a family together, 00:05:14.279 --> 00:05:16.019 from the youngest to the oldest, 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:18.779 that you would remember us in all our different needs. 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:21.379 And we do thank you that you know us by name, 00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:23.839 and we pray that we will know you by name, 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:27.360 that we will come and praise the name of Jesus and you today, 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:30.019 and give all praise and glory to you, 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:32.339 as we thank you for all you do for us. 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:35.040 And we ask all the forgiveness of our sins, 00:05:35.300 --> 00:05:36.259 in Jesus' name. 00:05:36.839 --> 00:05:37.240 Amen. 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:41.420 Just a word to the young ones, 00:05:41.459 --> 00:05:44.060 before you go out through next door to the hall. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:46.939 What a beautiful day it is today, 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:48.500 and has been the last few days. 00:05:48.500 --> 00:05:51.180 It's so good to see the sun shining. 00:05:52.180 --> 00:05:55.139 I'm just thinking today about our names. 00:05:55.959 --> 00:05:57.720 We all have a name. 00:05:57.839 --> 00:05:59.800 I'm sure, hands up if you have a name. 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:02.439 Everybody's here. 00:06:02.660 --> 00:06:04.540 All your hands should go up. 00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:05.920 Everyone here has a name. 00:06:06.660 --> 00:06:07.639 And we've all got a name, 00:06:07.699 --> 00:06:11.500 and the amazing thing is that Jesus knows us all by name. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:13.439 He knows our names as well. 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:16.279 I often forget people's names. 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:17.319 I've mentioned it before. 00:06:17.459 --> 00:06:19.959 I'm hopeless at trying to remember people's names. 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:23.279 But Jesus, he doesn't forget anybody's name. 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:25.079 He remembers every one of us, 00:06:25.100 --> 00:06:26.959 and he knows us all by name. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:29.759 And our names are very important. 00:06:30.600 --> 00:06:31.500 They're our identity. 00:06:31.699 --> 00:06:33.920 They mark us out as to who we are. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:36.699 And we need our names for different things. 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:41.659 For example, this week I was phoning a company about a bill, 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:43.899 and they had to ask me questions 00:06:43.899 --> 00:06:46.699 so that my identity would be confirmed by them. 00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:48.000 So they asked, what's your name? 00:06:48.459 --> 00:06:49.939 And I had to give them my name. 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:52.560 And then they asked, what's your account number? 00:06:53.019 --> 00:06:54.500 I had to give them my account number. 00:06:54.579 --> 00:06:57.399 What's the first line of your address and your postcode? 00:06:57.459 --> 00:06:59.279 You had to go through all this process 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:03.519 of them finding out and confirming who I am. 00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:05.599 And very often we have to do that. 00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:08.580 And there's other places we might have to do it as well. 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:11.260 For example, you might need one of these. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:12.939 A passport. 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:15.939 If you're flying away, maybe even going abroad, 00:07:16.420 --> 00:07:17.280 you need a passport. 00:07:17.460 --> 00:07:18.900 There are people at the desk. 00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:20.140 They need to know who you are. 00:07:20.200 --> 00:07:21.540 So you have to give them your passport, 00:07:21.680 --> 00:07:22.600 and you present it. 00:07:22.960 --> 00:07:24.980 And your passport has a picture of you. 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:27.080 Thankfully, you can't see my picture. 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:28.060 It's too far away. 00:07:28.580 --> 00:07:29.580 But they'll look at it, 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:31.500 and they'll confirm that it's you. 00:07:32.020 --> 00:07:33.680 And they often say to me, that can't be you. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:36.780 You look far too young to be that person in the picture. 00:07:37.340 --> 00:07:39.759 But we have to identify ourselves. 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:42.439 Or maybe if the police pull you over, 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:43.939 and they stop you, 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:45.519 they ask for your driver's license 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:48.180 so they can identify who you are. 00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:51.120 So there's all kinds of different ways 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:52.879 we have to be identified, 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:55.500 to tell people who we are. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:58.000 But when we come to Jesus, 00:07:58.839 --> 00:08:01.120 he already knows who we are. 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:03.420 So what do you think is more important? 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:07.420 It's more important that we know who he is. 00:08:07.839 --> 00:08:08.519 And this morning, 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:11.300 as we're looking in the Gospel of Mark together in the service, 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:14.459 we're going to be thinking about the identity of Jesus, 00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:16.040 who he is, 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:18.740 and why that's important to us. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:21.540 He knows us by name, 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:22.759 every one of us. 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:24.420 But when the day comes, 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:26.920 a day will come when he will come back to this world, 00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:29.079 and we all have to come before him. 00:08:29.899 --> 00:08:31.259 And he'll call us by name. 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:33.179 But he'll ask us, 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:35.159 well, who am I to you? 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:38.139 There's a passage in Mark chapter 8. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:42.779 It mentions a question that Jesus asks of the disciples. 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:43.179 He says, 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:45.399 all these people are talking about who I am. 00:08:46.259 --> 00:08:46.799 They're saying, 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:47.799 I could be Elijah, 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:49.019 I could be one of the prophets. 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:51.159 But he turns to the disciples and says, 00:08:51.379 --> 00:08:52.620 but what about you? 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:54.960 Who do you say that I am? 00:08:55.579 --> 00:08:56.980 And it's Peter who replied, 00:08:57.139 --> 00:08:58.159 you are the Christ. 00:08:58.939 --> 00:08:59.919 You are the Christ. 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:01.879 You are Jesus Christ. 00:09:02.199 --> 00:09:03.740 He recognized who he was. 00:09:04.139 --> 00:09:05.500 He identified with him. 00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:08.699 And that's the key for ourselves today as well. 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:10.319 Jesus knows us. 00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:13.139 And as we have to come to him, 00:09:13.340 --> 00:09:15.100 we have to know who he is. 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:17.840 And he speaks to us through his word. 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:19.580 And we learn about who he is. 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:21.420 And not just a name. 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:23.899 He is Jesus Christ, 00:09:24.040 --> 00:09:25.779 the Son of God. 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:29.360 He is the one who came to save us from our sins. 00:09:29.560 --> 00:09:32.920 He is the one who came because God loves us so much 00:09:32.920 --> 00:09:37.259 that he sent Jesus into this world to be our Savior. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:39.800 That's who Jesus is. 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:42.320 And may he be that to us all, 00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:44.660 that we would see that he is the Christ, 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:46.379 that he is Jesus, 00:09:46.560 --> 00:09:48.260 the Son of God. 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:50.900 And that by putting our trust in him, 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:53.280 we are identifying with him. 00:09:53.900 --> 00:09:56.700 And he loves us in that special way. 00:09:56.740 --> 00:10:00.460 And that we would love him with all our hearts. 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:02.740 So let's find our identity 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:05.140 and know who Jesus is 00:10:05.140 --> 00:10:08.700 and be part of his great family. 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:11.840 Well, we're going to say the Lord's Prayer together now. 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:12.980 Let's pray. 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:15.420 Our Father, which art in heaven, 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:17.440 hallowed be thy name. 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:19.240 Thy kingdom come. 00:10:19.879 --> 00:10:22.759 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:25.560 Give us this day our daily bread. 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:29.519 And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:31.899 And lead us not into temptation, 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:33.899 but deliver us from evil. 00:10:34.420 --> 00:10:35.680 For thine is the kingdom, 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:37.860 the power and the glory forever. 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:39.019 Amen. 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:40.460 Amen. 00:10:40.460 --> 00:10:43.740 Well, we're going to sing again. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:46.139 Our second singing is in Psalm 130 00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:47.900 in the Scottish Psalter. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:50.720 Find this on page 421. 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:54.720 And we're going to sing the whole of this psalm. 00:10:54.800 --> 00:10:57.139 Psalm 130, page 421. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:01.740 A great psalm of crying out to God 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:03.720 and finding that assurance 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:06.980 of his presence with us 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:09.379 and his great redemption towards us 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:10.340 as it's describing. 00:11:11.040 --> 00:11:13.019 Lord, from the depths to thee I cried. 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:15.420 My voice, Lord, do thou hear. 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:17.920 And to my supplications' voice 00:11:17.920 --> 00:11:20.240 give an attentive ear. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:22.620 So we'll stand to sing the whole of this psalm 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.940 to God's praise. 00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:38.680 Lord, from the depths to thee I cried. 00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:45.120 My voice, Lord, do thou hear. 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:50.699 And to my soul, 00:11:50.699 --> 00:11:55.219 the nations' voice 00:11:55.219 --> 00:12:02.059 give an attentive ear. 00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:12.919 Lord, who shall sound his love, O Lord, 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:20.279 to smile at me with thee? 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:29.980 For you, O Lord, the nations' voice 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:36.679 Give anật and saved. 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:41.139 start is the Prince'sال 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:41.699 guarantee. 00:12:41.699 --> 00:12:42.539 Or информatee sounds 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:43.519 give an lumière of this psalm 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:43.899 and Wizard, 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:45.559 and to hear to the膘 of touch on针elle. 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:47.179 For Him, O Lord, above the âIL, 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:47.919 S going into eÄld EÁ here 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:48.480 but ye lanes in theinden, 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:49.240 b방 lens thesamiel and chi�� the cl pertaining 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:50.240 to succession, 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:52.460 is in 00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:54.980 his word 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:56.399 for 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:58.779 God may 00:12:58.779 --> 00:12:59.879 God 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:02.539 for glory 00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:04.580 was 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:05.820 my 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:08.320 courage 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:10.740 for the 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:12.860 Lord 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:14.399 I 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:16.180 sing 00:13:16.180 --> 00:13:17.000 or 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:18.399 God 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:20.679 may path 00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:22.840 to watch 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:24.000 the 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:25.259 glory 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:27.500 might 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:30.199 to see 00:13:30.199 --> 00:13:31.679 that 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:33.199 Jesus 00:13:33.199 --> 00:13:35.079 I am 00:13:35.079 --> 00:13:36.579 open 00:13:36.579 --> 00:13:38.759 in the 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.879 heart 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:41.319 are 00:13:41.319 --> 00:13:42.819 within 00:13:42.819 --> 00:13:44.840 there 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:46.399 to see 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:48.439 he 00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:49.559 and 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:51.100 when 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:52.959 Jesus' 00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:55.039 redemption 00:13:56.860 --> 00:14:00.919 is 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:01.199 event 00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:03.840 within 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:06.360 and 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.939 all 00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:21.060 All His chariotes, in His church of reading. 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:31.340 We can turn together now to read God's word in the Gospel of Mark. 00:14:32.780 --> 00:14:36.500 Mark chapter 1, taking up our reading at verse 40. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:39.360 And we're reading into chapter 2. 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:45.139 Mark chapter 1, taking up our reading at verse 40. 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:49.759 You'll find this around page 1009 of the church Bibles. 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.960 Like I say, we're reading into chapter 2. 00:14:53.100 --> 00:15:02.759 And chapter 2 in particular is where our focus is going to be as we see these friends bringing a paralytic friend to Jesus that he might make him well. 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:11.740 And the wonderful blessing was that not just was he healed physically, but he was reminded of the greatest gift of all, the forgiveness of sin. 00:15:12.840 --> 00:15:15.299 We take our reading in chapter 1 at verse 40. 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:19.419 And a leper came to him, imploring him and kneeling, said to him, 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:22.599 If you will, you can make me clean. 00:15:23.459 --> 00:15:27.419 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.719 I will be clean. 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:34.059 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:39.119 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once and said to him, 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:50.739 See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded for a proof to them. 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:56.480 But he went out and began to talk freely about it and to spread the news, 00:15:56.940 --> 00:16:05.680 so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but he was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter. 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:12.039 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:17.639 And many were gathered together so that there was no more room, not even at the door. 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:20.779 And he was preaching the word to them. 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:25.759 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 00:16:26.459 --> 00:16:32.000 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him. 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:37.399 And when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:42.100 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:45.480 My son, your sins are forgiven. 00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:49.840 Now some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in their hearts, 00:16:50.079 --> 00:16:52.500 Why does this man speak like that? 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:54.199 He is blaspheming. 00:16:54.699 --> 00:16:57.240 Who can forgive sins but God alone? 00:16:58.299 --> 00:17:04.119 And immediately Jesus perceived in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, 00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:05.399 said to them, 00:17:05.399 --> 00:17:09.139 Why do you question these things in your hearts? 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:12.079 Which is easier to say to the paralytic, 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:13.859 Your sins are forgiven, 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.359 or to say, 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:18.039 Rise, take up your bed, and walk? 00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:23.439 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.079 he said to the paralytic, 00:17:25.699 --> 00:17:26.659 I say to you, 00:17:26.899 --> 00:17:29.799 Rise, pick up your bed, and go home. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:33.279 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed, 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:35.359 and went out before them all. 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:37.519 So they were all amazed, 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.259 and glorified God, 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:39.779 saying, 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:43.659 We never saw anything like this. 00:17:44.399 --> 00:17:45.180 And so on. 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:48.139 And may God bless that reading from his word. 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:50.259 Well, we'll again engage in a word of prayer. 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.079 Let us pray. 00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:55.799 Lord, our gracious God, 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:58.359 as we come reading your word together, 00:17:58.460 --> 00:18:02.019 we thank you for the very power that there is in your word. 00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:04.980 We thank you that as we read there, 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:08.960 we see Jesus gathered together with a large crowd, 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:11.859 and he was preaching the word to them, 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:14.879 a reminder to us of the importance 00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:18.339 of being gathered around the word of truth, 00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:22.759 and to hear what you as Lord and God are saying to us, 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:25.819 to recognize that this is no ordinary word, 00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.000 no ordinary book, 00:18:27.419 --> 00:18:29.439 but this is a book that gives life, 00:18:29.939 --> 00:18:32.319 that reminds us of where life is found, 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:35.220 and the hope that there is in Jesus Christ, 00:18:35.679 --> 00:18:38.599 hope that is there for all who will call upon him. 00:18:39.399 --> 00:18:42.139 And we thank you for the great example that we have read of, 00:18:42.679 --> 00:18:45.159 of the longing that there was to be with Jesus, 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:48.700 of the longing that there was there to be near him. 00:18:49.580 --> 00:18:52.240 And yet, as we will see as we read into this passage, 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:56.140 that there are those who are so loving towards him, 00:18:56.600 --> 00:18:59.500 and yet there are others who question him and doubt him, 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:01.180 and seek to condemn him. 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:04.500 And that is the world in which we live today as well. 00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:07.259 We thank you that your word is still powerful, 00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:08.580 and it is active, 00:19:08.840 --> 00:19:10.019 it is mighty to save. 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:13.040 And we thank you for every way that is bearing fruit 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.420 to all ends of the earth. 00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:17.680 We thank you that that is a promise in your word, 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:19.460 that as it goes out, 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:21.740 it never returns empty or void, 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:25.599 but accomplishes every purpose for which you send it forth. 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:29.759 And so we ask that blessing on your word here today, 00:19:30.399 --> 00:19:32.379 that it would go out with that same power, 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:34.859 and that today it would return to you, 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.180 accomplishing much, 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:38.559 accompanying your word. 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:40.200 May your spirit be with us. 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.659 May your spirit, 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.599 Holy Spirit, 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:44.839 open our hearts to receive your word, 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.619 and to rejoice in it. 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:48.220 And that even today, 00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:50.359 there would be rejoicing in heaven, 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:52.940 over one sinner who repents. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.419 And we ask, 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:54.659 Lord, 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:56.539 that that would be true for us here, 00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.899 as it might be true for many, 00:19:58.319 --> 00:20:00.279 who gather around your word this day, 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:01.879 throughout our town, 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.159 throughout our communities, 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:03.839 our islands, 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.519 our nation, 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:05.139 and the world. 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:09.480 We thank you that your word goes out to all ends of the earth. 00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:10.740 And we pray, 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.040 Lord, 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:13.800 that your kingdom will come in power. 00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:16.000 And so hear our prayers, 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:16.420 O Lord, 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:19.900 as we offer them up through the name of our Lord and Savior, 00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:21.100 Jesus Christ, 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:25.000 that one who is the Son of God. 00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:30.220 We thank you for what we read of our Lord Jesus in this passage, 00:20:30.320 --> 00:20:32.280 and throughout your gospel of Mark, 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:35.460 and also throughout your whole word of truth. 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:41.779 We thank you that it points us constantly towards our greatest need of all, 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.899 that forgiveness of sin. 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:46.259 And so we confess our sin anew to you today, 00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:48.519 asking forgiveness for them all, 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:50.339 for our sins that we, 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.359 in our thoughts, 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:51.980 in our words, 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.899 and in our actions, 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.759 and even in our inaction, 00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:56.779 the things that we omit and do not do. 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:57.599 Lord, 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.259 pardon us, 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:58.799 we pray. 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.279 And hear us, 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:00.500 Lord, 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.740 as we cry out to you. 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:02.920 May we come, 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:05.799 even as the beggar at the side of the road, 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:07.299 who cried out to Jesus, 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.000 Jesus, 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:08.839 Son of David, 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:10.180 have mercy on me. 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:12.299 May that be our cry today, 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:13.940 that you would have mercy upon us. 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:16.099 Have mercy upon us as a people. 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.259 Remember us, 00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:17.500 Lord, 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.680 in all our different needs. 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:21.779 We especially remember those who are mourning today, 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:24.819 as we hear of bereavement in our own midst, 00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.579 as a congregation, 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:29.079 and in our communities around us as well. 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.339 Lord, 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:30.980 we do pray for your comfort, 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.919 thankful for the Holy Spirit, 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:34.179 who is the comforter. 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:38.259 And may that spirit surround those who are mourning today, 00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:38.519 Lord, 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:41.279 that they would know in their grief and in their sorrow, 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:43.679 they would know the love of Jesus, 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.799 the one who is there for them, 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.960 the one who is with them. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.039 Lord, 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:51.179 we do pray for those who are unwell in hospital, 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.639 or confined to their homes, 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:56.099 those who are going through different trials at this time, 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:59.719 as we hear and see so many things going on around us. 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:02.899 We think of work circumstances around us, 00:22:02.919 --> 00:22:08.259 and we see people struggling financially because of lack of employment, 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:10.279 or uncertainty of employment. 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.619 We do pray, 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:11.899 Lord, 00:22:11.959 --> 00:22:15.019 for a blessing upon us as a community here, 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:17.000 to see you provide for us, 00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:17.259 Lord, 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:18.240 to provide work, 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:20.699 to provide for our homes and our families, 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:24.480 to provide us with wisdom and instruction from you, 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:27.340 to provide for those who are leaders over us, 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:27.600 Lord, 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.460 to give them wisdom, 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.840 to give them help, 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.380 to give them your spirit, 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:32.559 to lead and to guide, 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.019 to rule wisely, 00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:36.380 to rule our people as a nation, 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:36.819 O Lord, 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:39.700 with the wisdom of your word and your truth. 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:40.819 We do pray, 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.160 Lord, 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:45.400 that there will be a turning to you in the midst of the avenues of power in 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.720 Westminster and Holyrood, 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:49.140 and a royal family as well, 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.380 Lord, 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:51.620 we pray and commit them to you as well, 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:57.500 asking for your blessing over our king and the queen and the family as well, 00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:57.780 Lord, 00:22:57.800 --> 00:23:00.540 that they would know your blessing upon them, 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:04.360 and that they would know what it is to rule wisely as well. 00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:06.560 We pray that for our world too, 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:08.440 when we see the turmoil around us, 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:11.640 the uncertainty that surrounds us day by day, 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:14.720 the tragedies that are so often before our eyes, 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:17.160 there are so many things going on, 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:21.660 when we think of the Middle East and the Ukraine and the Far East, 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:24.279 and so much that we see in our screens, 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:26.580 but there's so much that's hidden from us as well. 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:29.180 The persecution of your people, 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:31.800 the suffering of people far and wide, 00:23:32.360 --> 00:23:34.519 and yet nothing is hidden from you. 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:35.720 You know us by name, 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:37.160 you know each one, 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.519 and Lord, 00:23:37.580 --> 00:23:37.980 we pray, 00:23:38.080 --> 00:23:39.320 have mercy upon us, 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:41.480 draw us close to yourself, 00:23:41.600 --> 00:23:42.900 have pity on us, 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:44.900 and make your face to shine upon us, 00:23:45.360 --> 00:23:48.740 that we would see your blessing on us as nations of this world. 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.380 Hear our prayers, 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:50.660 Lord, 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.759 continue with us, 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:53.420 be with us in the week ahead, 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.620 and all that it entails, 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.880 as we seek to honour you, 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.700 and serve you, 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:57.800 in our homes, 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.540 in our families, 00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.480 in our workplaces, 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:01.519 and as a congregation of your people, 00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:03.920 and as a wider church as well. 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.640 May you lead us, 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.360 and guide us, 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.560 in these days, 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:08.039 we remember our young people, 00:24:08.159 --> 00:24:10.980 as they will meet this coming Saturday, 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:11.579 and in Renes, 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.720 for the big free rally. 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:15.059 We thank you for all the work of the camps, 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:15.859 over the summer, 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:18.000 and we pray for your blessing, 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:20.079 to continue to come upon the young ones, 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:20.700 who attended, 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.960 and for a blessing on their day together, 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:23.940 God willing, 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.899 this week ahead. 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:26.139 Watch over us, 00:24:26.179 --> 00:24:26.839 and we pray, 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.639 guide us by your spirit, 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:30.559 and hear us in all our prayers, 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.460 as we ask all, 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:33.339 in the name of our Lord and Saviour, 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.399 Jesus Christ, 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.819 and for his glory. 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.500 Amen. 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:41.179 Before we turn back, 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.559 to look at our passage in Mark, 00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:43.399 we'll sing again, 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:45.859 this time in Psalm 103, 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:48.500 the Scottish Psalter version, 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:52.899 page 370, 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.939 Psalm 103, 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.200 verse 13. 00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:02.639 We'll sing down to verse 18. 00:25:03.439 --> 00:25:05.299 Such pity as our father hath, 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.779 and to his children dear, 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:08.319 like pity shows, 00:25:08.419 --> 00:25:09.399 the Lord to such, 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:11.059 as worship him in fear, 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:13.299 for he remembers we are dust, 00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:14.879 and he our frame well knows, 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:15.980 frail man, 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:17.579 his days are like the grass, 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.859 as flower in field, 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:20.019 he grows. 00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:22.099 We'll sing from verse 13, 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:23.379 down to verse 18, 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:24.600 and we stand to sing, 00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:25.640 and we stand to sing to God's praise. 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:26.420 Amen. 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:26.940 Amen. 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:56.920 Thank you. 00:25:56.940 --> 00:26:26.920 Thank you. 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:56.920 Thank you. 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.940 Thank you. 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:28.940 Thank you. 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:58.940 Thank you. 00:27:58.940 --> 00:28:00.940 Thank you. 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:02.940 Thank you. 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.940 Amen. 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.940 Amen. 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.440 Amen. 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:08.100 Amen, O praise. 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:16.900 Well, we can turn back to our reading in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2. 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:21.299 We're looking at this section from verse 1 down to verse 12, 00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:25.779 where Jesus heals this man who was brought to him on a stretcher, 00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:28.799 a paralytic man brought to him by his friends. 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:34.720 But when we see what Jesus says to them in verse 5, 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:39.660 it kind of leaves the people astonished, I think, in many different ways. 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:43.299 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:46.860 My son, your sins are forgiven. 00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:51.660 Who is Jesus? 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:54.880 That's the question that we start with today. 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:56.400 Who is Jesus? 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:58.960 How do you answer that question? 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:02.920 Do you answer it from a personal point of view 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:04.860 when you're able to say who he is to you? 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:09.500 Do you answer it in a general kind of way when maybe you've heard about Jesus 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:15.679 and you try to explain who he is from history or from what you've heard over the years? 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:20.079 Well, we're thankful that God has given us his word 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:24.619 because it is his word that answers that question for us. 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:27.639 And in the Gospel of Mark, 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:34.739 who is Jesus is the kind of question that you see being answered from the very beginning to the very end. 00:29:35.699 --> 00:29:41.339 And Mark's Gospel in the first verse gives us a great answer of who Jesus is. 00:29:41.919 --> 00:29:43.079 It says there in verse 1, 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:52.439 There is an answer of who Jesus is. 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:55.000 He is the Son of God. 00:29:55.939 --> 00:29:57.259 Is that how we know him? 00:29:57.919 --> 00:30:01.679 Is that how the people in Mark's day knew him? 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.680 Some did. 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.039 Some did. 00:30:03.560 --> 00:30:05.500 But as we see, others didn't. 00:30:05.560 --> 00:30:08.560 And others wouldn't accept Jesus for who he is. 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:12.580 But who is Jesus to you today? 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:16.279 Well, as you go through the Gospel of Mark, 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:18.900 you find, as Mark is writing, 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:22.920 he's revealing to us the identity of Jesus in amazing ways. 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:26.440 As from the very outset in chapter 1, 00:30:26.560 --> 00:30:30.140 you see Jesus starting to perform miracles. 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:35.519 You see him teaching in ways that leave people astonished, 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:38.720 astounded as to the kind of teaching that they're hearing, 00:30:38.840 --> 00:30:41.220 teaching like they've never heard before. 00:30:41.840 --> 00:30:43.700 So there's this sense of astonishment, 00:30:43.840 --> 00:30:46.440 this sense of bewilderment about who Jesus is. 00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:51.620 You see at the end of chapter 1 that Jesus had to go out into the open places 00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:54.459 because even towns couldn't receive him 00:30:54.459 --> 00:30:56.259 because such numbers were coming. 00:30:56.679 --> 00:30:59.359 It says they were coming from every quarter. 00:30:59.979 --> 00:31:02.819 They were hearing about the things that Jesus was doing 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:05.239 and the miracles that he was performing 00:31:05.239 --> 00:31:06.739 and the teaching that he was giving. 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:08.599 And they were astonished. 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:13.879 And they wanted to know who is this Jesus. 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:17.159 But it was more than just his miracles, 00:31:17.419 --> 00:31:18.719 more than just his teaching. 00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:20.919 As you go through the Gospel of Mark, 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:23.680 you see Jesus begin to say he came to suffer. 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:27.220 He came to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:31.240 The Son of God came to give his life on the cross. 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:33.480 And as you come to the end of the Gospel, 00:31:33.620 --> 00:31:36.320 that's what you see, the death of Jesus. 00:31:37.560 --> 00:31:41.200 But then on the third day, he rose again. 00:31:42.060 --> 00:31:45.740 So this is the Jesus that Mark is showing us in his Gospel. 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:49.720 But who is Jesus to us today? 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:53.180 Do you see his identity? 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:54.900 Do you see who he is? 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:58.500 And do you identify with him? 00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:00.960 Do you identify with him? 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:05.039 So Mark's Gospel moves so quickly. 00:32:05.340 --> 00:32:09.100 There's a sense of just moving from one place to another so quickly. 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:10.319 There's a lot going on. 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:13.440 And in chapter 2, as we come to this section, 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:15.380 you see that after being out and about, 00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:17.220 large crowds following him, 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:18.819 he's returned to Capernaum, 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:21.160 the place that's called home. 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:24.540 And as he's gathered here in a home, 00:32:25.060 --> 00:32:28.220 there's a large crowd that's already started to gather. 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:32.519 And they're coming probably to see 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:35.640 the kind of things that Jesus has already been doing. 00:32:36.580 --> 00:32:37.840 See more miracles. 00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:39.820 Hear more teaching. 00:32:40.360 --> 00:32:42.620 He's there teaching the Word to them. 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:46.519 But now he's going to reveal his identity 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:48.740 and who he is in terms of another reason 00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:50.680 that he came into this world. 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:53.920 For the forgiveness of sin. 00:32:55.060 --> 00:32:58.259 He came because he has so much more to offer 00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:59.960 than just miracles and healing. 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:02.240 He has salvation. 00:33:03.100 --> 00:33:06.220 He has the offer of eternal life. 00:33:07.300 --> 00:33:10.200 He is the Son of God. 00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:15.300 So what does Christianity have to offer to us today? 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:19.220 What does Christ have to offer to us today? 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:22.259 It's more than just coming to hear words. 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:26.319 It's more than just gathering in a fellowship together, 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:29.180 enjoying the friendship of one another. 00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:31.200 What would you offer to someone 00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:33.900 who you're inviting to come to church? 00:33:34.860 --> 00:33:35.440 Would you say, 00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:38.819 come and find a friendly group of people? 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:43.539 Come and find a nice fellowship where we can have a cup of tea 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:45.099 or a cup of coffee together. 00:33:45.919 --> 00:33:48.419 Come and find a break for yourself in the day, 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.919 a place to come. 00:33:50.339 --> 00:33:52.559 Is that all that we would have to offer? 00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:55.179 Well, you see, 00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:58.980 what Jesus shows here is the priority of his ministry. 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:02.240 And he shows his priority as these group of men 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:04.539 bring a friend who is a paralytic. 00:34:04.619 --> 00:34:05.619 He's unable to walk. 00:34:06.179 --> 00:34:08.559 He'd have been shunned by society in this day, 00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:10.239 but he had friends around him. 00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:15.179 And what they wanted was to bring their friend to Jesus. 00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:18.759 And that's the greatest thing that we have to offer 00:34:18.759 --> 00:34:20.819 here today to our people. 00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:22.279 As we gather together, 00:34:22.379 --> 00:34:23.879 as we invite others to come in, 00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:27.079 we have an invitation to come to Jesus. 00:34:28.379 --> 00:34:29.299 To Jesus. 00:34:30.159 --> 00:34:32.759 And to be friends in the same way 00:34:32.759 --> 00:34:36.559 as these ones who carried this paralytic to Jesus were. 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:38.379 Doing anything and everything 00:34:38.379 --> 00:34:40.899 to bring our people to see Jesus. 00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:43.920 and to hear the message of the great message 00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:47.039 of forgiveness of sin that is on offer. 00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:50.780 Is that the kind of friends and friendship 00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:53.800 that we are showing to those around us today? 00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:57.880 Are we friends in that true sense of the word 00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:59.760 where our longing is for others to come 00:34:59.760 --> 00:35:02.880 and see the friend who is Jesus 00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:07.039 and to know him as Lord and Savior? 00:35:08.220 --> 00:35:10.880 There was an article a number of years ago 00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:12.200 that offered a prize 00:35:12.200 --> 00:35:15.480 for the best definition of a friend. 00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:18.519 Best definition of what a friend is. 00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:20.180 And a number of people, 00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:22.860 thousands of people sent in their answers 00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:24.740 as to what this would look like, 00:35:24.780 --> 00:35:25.680 what this was. 00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:27.780 And the winning answer was this, 00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:29.940 a friend is the one who comes in 00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:33.420 when the whole world has gone out. 00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:35.920 A friend is one who comes in 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:38.940 when the whole world has gone out. 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:41.659 It's someone who is there. 00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:43.880 And that's the kind of friends 00:35:43.880 --> 00:35:45.460 that this man had. 00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:46.760 When the rest of society 00:35:46.760 --> 00:35:48.960 would so easily abandon anyone 00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:49.860 who was a burden, 00:35:50.440 --> 00:35:51.860 anyone who was a burden on them 00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:53.360 as a family or as a community, 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:55.539 you think of the blind beggar 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:57.260 later on in the Gospel of Mark 00:35:57.260 --> 00:35:59.320 who was outside the town 00:35:59.320 --> 00:36:01.260 begging at the side of the street. 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.579 He was shunned. 00:36:03.360 --> 00:36:04.260 And so were many 00:36:04.260 --> 00:36:05.740 who had problems, 00:36:05.739 --> 00:36:07.159 physical, mental, 00:36:07.239 --> 00:36:08.459 all these kinds of problems. 00:36:08.559 --> 00:36:09.399 They were shunned. 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:11.239 But here you see 00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:14.039 the true beauty of friendship. 00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:16.179 Friendship and the longing 00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:17.239 to help 00:36:17.239 --> 00:36:20.739 and to bring their friend to Jesus. 00:36:22.339 --> 00:36:26.159 And so are we these kinds of friends. 00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:29.500 And how do we see Jesus today? 00:36:29.919 --> 00:36:32.000 How do we identify Jesus today? 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:34.539 And how do we identify with him? 00:36:35.139 --> 00:36:36.119 So there's three things 00:36:36.119 --> 00:36:38.300 I want us to see in this passage. 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:40.880 The first thing is the faithful friends, 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:43.340 those who bring the paralytic in. 00:36:43.699 --> 00:36:45.980 Then we see the faithless crowd. 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:47.599 How many of the crowd 00:36:47.599 --> 00:36:49.420 were just lacking faith 00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:50.559 and even just rejecting 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.800 and shunning Jesus. 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.699 But then we see the wonder 00:36:53.699 --> 00:36:55.699 of the forgiving Savior. 00:36:55.699 --> 00:36:58.199 So the first thing is 00:36:58.199 --> 00:37:00.139 the faithful friends. 00:37:01.359 --> 00:37:03.039 Jesus has just returned 00:37:03.039 --> 00:37:05.419 from the desolate places 00:37:05.419 --> 00:37:06.519 that we see at the end 00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:07.819 of chapter one 00:37:07.819 --> 00:37:09.339 where many were coming 00:37:09.339 --> 00:37:10.339 from every quarter 00:37:10.339 --> 00:37:11.079 to hear him 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:11.759 and to see him 00:37:11.759 --> 00:37:13.099 doing many miracles 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:14.259 and different things. 00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:16.259 But now he's returned 00:37:16.259 --> 00:37:17.339 to Capernaum. 00:37:18.339 --> 00:37:19.739 And as he has returned, 00:37:20.319 --> 00:37:21.359 we see in verse two, 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:22.719 many were gathered together 00:37:22.719 --> 00:37:23.299 so that there was 00:37:23.299 --> 00:37:25.919 no more room in the home. 00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:28.239 And he was there 00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:31.059 preaching the word to them. 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:34.119 So you can just picture this. 00:37:34.739 --> 00:37:36.059 A large crowd 00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:37.319 is gathered in this home 00:37:37.319 --> 00:37:39.179 and the house is full 00:37:39.179 --> 00:37:40.199 so that even at the door 00:37:40.199 --> 00:37:42.219 there's no room to get in. 00:37:42.279 --> 00:37:44.119 It's impossible to get in. 00:37:44.199 --> 00:37:46.019 There's just people everywhere. 00:37:47.099 --> 00:37:48.259 And into this setting 00:37:48.259 --> 00:37:49.639 come these four men 00:37:49.639 --> 00:37:51.779 carrying a paralysed friend. 00:37:51.780 --> 00:37:53.180 And they're determined 00:37:53.180 --> 00:37:54.820 to get him to Jesus. 00:37:55.680 --> 00:37:57.060 And they're looking for any way 00:37:57.060 --> 00:37:58.480 to get him to Jesus. 00:37:58.620 --> 00:37:59.760 And they're not going to give up. 00:38:00.260 --> 00:38:01.460 They're not going to stop 00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:03.580 until they can bring him to Jesus. 00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:06.280 They have this faith. 00:38:06.360 --> 00:38:07.519 They have this faith 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:10.160 that they know that Jesus can help. 00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:12.400 Jesus can help their friend. 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:15.120 And so they're determined 00:38:15.120 --> 00:38:17.400 to come to Jesus. 00:38:18.440 --> 00:38:19.960 And so they look for every opportunity 00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:22.059 to find a way in. 00:38:22.900 --> 00:38:24.179 And they're bringing him to Jesus 00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:25.539 that they might heal him. 00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:30.039 Believing that he is able to help. 00:38:31.780 --> 00:38:33.019 And is that the belief 00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:34.659 that we have today? 00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:35.659 You know, when you know 00:38:35.659 --> 00:38:37.920 the Lord Jesus in your own heart 00:38:37.920 --> 00:38:39.440 and you're talking to someone else, 00:38:39.960 --> 00:38:41.059 inviting them to come 00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:42.840 and hear about Jesus, 00:38:42.980 --> 00:38:43.860 do you believe it? 00:38:44.280 --> 00:38:45.599 Do you believe what you're saying? 00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:48.000 Do you believe with all your heart 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:49.619 while you're presenting Jesus 00:38:49.619 --> 00:38:51.440 as to who he is? 00:38:52.219 --> 00:38:54.639 As to the power that he has? 00:38:55.159 --> 00:38:56.099 Still today, 00:38:56.280 --> 00:38:57.699 he has this power 00:38:57.699 --> 00:38:59.739 to forgive sins. 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.380 And you notice that 00:39:01.380 --> 00:39:03.460 as these men bring their friend, 00:39:03.559 --> 00:39:04.619 the paralytic, to Jesus, 00:39:04.760 --> 00:39:06.679 and when they manage 00:39:06.679 --> 00:39:08.599 to dig down through the roof 00:39:08.599 --> 00:39:10.139 and they manage to lower him down, 00:39:10.519 --> 00:39:13.280 and Jesus sees their faith, 00:39:13.280 --> 00:39:15.680 what does he say 00:39:15.680 --> 00:39:16.880 to the paralytic? 00:39:17.960 --> 00:39:19.340 He says in verse 5, 00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:20.960 My son, your sins 00:39:20.960 --> 00:39:22.260 are forgiven. 00:39:24.180 --> 00:39:25.340 And you might think to yourself, 00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:25.600 well, 00:39:26.280 --> 00:39:28.200 surely they're going to be disappointed. 00:39:29.640 --> 00:39:30.660 They've brought him 00:39:30.660 --> 00:39:32.400 because he's not able to walk. 00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:33.200 And yet, 00:39:33.300 --> 00:39:34.360 this is the response 00:39:34.360 --> 00:39:34.800 that he gives. 00:39:34.900 --> 00:39:36.019 My son, your sins 00:39:36.019 --> 00:39:37.180 are forgiven. 00:39:37.740 --> 00:39:38.860 You get no hint 00:39:38.860 --> 00:39:40.740 of disappointment here. 00:39:41.459 --> 00:39:42.919 It's like this wonder 00:39:42.919 --> 00:39:43.879 of his teaching 00:39:43.879 --> 00:39:45.500 is just awestruck. 00:39:46.119 --> 00:39:47.059 Your sins 00:39:47.059 --> 00:39:48.699 are forgiven. 00:39:50.259 --> 00:39:51.479 And this resonates 00:39:51.479 --> 00:39:52.159 in the room 00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:53.319 in different ways. 00:39:54.439 --> 00:39:55.319 There are those 00:39:55.319 --> 00:39:57.539 who are friends of Jesus 00:39:57.539 --> 00:39:58.699 who hear this 00:39:58.699 --> 00:40:00.179 and are amazed 00:40:00.179 --> 00:40:00.759 at the offer 00:40:00.759 --> 00:40:01.899 of forgiveness of sins. 00:40:02.199 --> 00:40:03.079 But there are others, 00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:04.199 as we'll see in a moment, 00:40:04.659 --> 00:40:06.359 who just see this 00:40:06.359 --> 00:40:07.659 as an abomination. 00:40:07.899 --> 00:40:08.319 They see this 00:40:08.319 --> 00:40:10.119 as just so wrong 00:40:10.119 --> 00:40:11.239 in what he's saying. 00:40:11.319 --> 00:40:13.019 How dare he say this 00:40:13.019 --> 00:40:14.440 that he might forgive 00:40:14.440 --> 00:40:15.239 the sins 00:40:15.239 --> 00:40:16.460 of someone. 00:40:18.460 --> 00:40:19.779 But as we're inviting 00:40:19.779 --> 00:40:20.500 people 00:40:20.500 --> 00:40:21.559 to Jesus, 00:40:21.759 --> 00:40:22.779 surely that's the most 00:40:22.779 --> 00:40:23.819 important thing 00:40:23.819 --> 00:40:24.819 for us. 00:40:26.219 --> 00:40:27.059 That they would know 00:40:27.059 --> 00:40:28.440 Jesus saying, 00:40:28.980 --> 00:40:29.819 your sins 00:40:29.819 --> 00:40:31.119 are forgiven. 00:40:32.359 --> 00:40:33.380 Because there is 00:40:33.380 --> 00:40:34.579 the greatest peace. 00:40:35.539 --> 00:40:36.420 There is the greatest 00:40:36.420 --> 00:40:37.059 blessing 00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:38.460 that anyone 00:40:38.460 --> 00:40:39.380 can receive. 00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:41.500 It may not be 00:40:41.500 --> 00:40:42.740 that healing comes. 00:40:42.880 --> 00:40:44.240 We see here it does. 00:40:44.760 --> 00:40:45.519 But even as we're 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:46.460 inviting people 00:40:46.460 --> 00:40:47.000 to Jesus, 00:40:47.179 --> 00:40:47.820 there may not be 00:40:47.820 --> 00:40:49.480 a physical healing. 00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:51.619 But the greatest 00:40:51.619 --> 00:40:52.679 thing they can receive 00:40:52.679 --> 00:40:53.539 is the forgiveness 00:40:53.539 --> 00:40:54.820 of sin. 00:40:55.740 --> 00:40:57.240 That is what matters. 00:40:58.000 --> 00:40:59.099 Because that is what 00:40:59.099 --> 00:40:59.840 counts 00:40:59.840 --> 00:41:01.179 for eternity. 00:41:01.179 --> 00:41:04.519 So we are to be 00:41:04.519 --> 00:41:06.039 faithful friends 00:41:06.039 --> 00:41:07.859 inviting people 00:41:07.859 --> 00:41:08.739 to Jesus, 00:41:08.859 --> 00:41:09.259 to invite 00:41:09.259 --> 00:41:09.980 all 00:41:09.980 --> 00:41:11.219 to Jesus. 00:41:12.480 --> 00:41:13.299 These faithful 00:41:13.299 --> 00:41:13.819 friends, 00:41:14.019 --> 00:41:15.059 Jesus sees them. 00:41:15.079 --> 00:41:15.799 And what does he see 00:41:15.799 --> 00:41:16.199 in them? 00:41:17.159 --> 00:41:18.039 He sees 00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:19.239 their faith. 00:41:20.299 --> 00:41:21.440 He sees 00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:22.559 their faith 00:41:22.559 --> 00:41:23.159 in verse 5. 00:41:23.239 --> 00:41:24.339 When Jesus saw 00:41:24.339 --> 00:41:25.799 their faith, 00:41:27.099 --> 00:41:27.559 he saw 00:41:27.559 --> 00:41:28.299 their faith, 00:41:28.379 --> 00:41:28.779 he saw their 00:41:28.780 --> 00:41:29.600 determination 00:41:29.600 --> 00:41:30.640 to come 00:41:30.640 --> 00:41:31.160 to him. 00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:32.700 How does 00:41:32.700 --> 00:41:33.200 Jesus 00:41:33.200 --> 00:41:34.480 see you? 00:41:35.800 --> 00:41:36.320 How does he 00:41:36.320 --> 00:41:37.300 see your faith? 00:41:38.120 --> 00:41:38.760 Do you have 00:41:38.760 --> 00:41:40.019 that faith 00:41:40.019 --> 00:41:40.480 today? 00:41:41.060 --> 00:41:41.780 How does he 00:41:41.780 --> 00:41:42.519 see others 00:41:42.519 --> 00:41:43.760 around us 00:41:43.760 --> 00:41:44.140 today? 00:41:44.840 --> 00:41:45.700 The wonder 00:41:45.700 --> 00:41:46.500 of how Jesus, 00:41:46.500 --> 00:41:47.840 he doesn't condemn 00:41:47.840 --> 00:41:48.580 them for bringing 00:41:48.580 --> 00:41:49.500 this paralytic. 00:41:50.000 --> 00:41:50.900 He doesn't condemn 00:41:50.900 --> 00:41:51.840 them later on 00:41:51.840 --> 00:41:52.260 for bringing 00:41:52.260 --> 00:41:53.360 children as many 00:41:53.360 --> 00:41:53.700 do. 00:41:54.140 --> 00:41:54.500 You see, 00:41:54.640 --> 00:41:55.200 it's so often 00:41:55.200 --> 00:41:55.780 that Jesus, 00:41:56.240 --> 00:41:57.040 he doesn't matter 00:41:57.039 --> 00:41:58.059 who comes. 00:41:58.860 --> 00:41:59.159 It doesn't 00:41:59.159 --> 00:41:59.759 matter who 00:41:59.759 --> 00:42:00.239 they are. 00:42:01.179 --> 00:42:01.739 They all need 00:42:01.739 --> 00:42:02.320 to hear 00:42:02.320 --> 00:42:03.159 the same 00:42:03.159 --> 00:42:03.539 message. 00:42:03.659 --> 00:42:04.099 They are all 00:42:04.099 --> 00:42:05.480 precious to 00:42:05.480 --> 00:42:05.840 him. 00:42:06.679 --> 00:42:07.340 A couple of 00:42:07.340 --> 00:42:07.920 years ago, 00:42:08.000 --> 00:42:08.739 there was a 00:42:08.739 --> 00:42:09.420 very moving 00:42:09.420 --> 00:42:10.739 series of 00:42:10.739 --> 00:42:11.460 adverts put 00:42:11.460 --> 00:42:11.779 on the 00:42:11.779 --> 00:42:12.500 television about 00:42:12.500 --> 00:42:13.079 the NHS. 00:42:14.079 --> 00:42:14.519 And they were 00:42:14.519 --> 00:42:15.239 trying to 00:42:15.239 --> 00:42:16.400 highlight the 00:42:16.400 --> 00:42:17.239 stigma of 00:42:17.239 --> 00:42:18.400 addiction and 00:42:18.400 --> 00:42:18.840 trying to 00:42:18.840 --> 00:42:19.659 break the 00:42:19.659 --> 00:42:20.119 stigma. 00:42:20.300 --> 00:42:20.559 And the 00:42:20.559 --> 00:42:21.099 adverts were 00:42:21.099 --> 00:42:21.779 powerful. 00:42:22.259 --> 00:42:22.599 They were 00:42:22.599 --> 00:42:23.059 moving. 00:42:24.119 --> 00:42:24.659 And in one 00:42:24.659 --> 00:42:25.019 of the 00:42:25.019 --> 00:42:25.500 adverts, 00:42:25.500 --> 00:42:26.340 there was 00:42:26.340 --> 00:42:26.780 a woman 00:42:26.780 --> 00:42:27.500 sitting in 00:42:27.500 --> 00:42:27.880 her room 00:42:27.880 --> 00:42:28.360 at home. 00:42:28.460 --> 00:42:28.659 Obviously 00:42:28.659 --> 00:42:28.980 she was an 00:42:28.980 --> 00:42:29.300 actor, 00:42:29.440 --> 00:42:30.079 but you 00:42:30.079 --> 00:42:30.440 can just 00:42:30.440 --> 00:42:31.179 picture this 00:42:31.179 --> 00:42:31.500 in so 00:42:31.500 --> 00:42:32.340 many people's 00:42:32.340 --> 00:42:32.840 lives. 00:42:33.179 --> 00:42:33.619 Broken 00:42:33.619 --> 00:42:34.739 by drug 00:42:34.739 --> 00:42:35.199 addiction. 00:42:36.579 --> 00:42:37.219 And the 00:42:37.219 --> 00:42:37.639 woman was 00:42:37.639 --> 00:42:38.320 just speaking 00:42:38.320 --> 00:42:39.000 about her 00:42:39.000 --> 00:42:39.360 issues. 00:42:40.659 --> 00:42:40.960 And it 00:42:40.960 --> 00:42:41.260 was the 00:42:41.260 --> 00:42:42.340 last words 00:42:42.340 --> 00:42:43.159 that were 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:44.139 so powerful 00:42:44.139 --> 00:42:44.960 when she 00:42:44.960 --> 00:42:45.420 was saying 00:42:45.420 --> 00:42:45.900 about how 00:42:45.900 --> 00:42:47.059 others would 00:42:47.059 --> 00:42:47.840 see her. 00:42:48.500 --> 00:42:48.840 She was 00:42:48.840 --> 00:42:49.039 saying, 00:42:49.239 --> 00:42:49.280 like, 00:42:49.340 --> 00:42:49.760 you won't 00:42:49.760 --> 00:42:50.420 feel I'm 00:42:50.420 --> 00:42:51.420 worth the 00:42:51.420 --> 00:42:52.059 time of 00:42:52.059 --> 00:42:53.579 day because 00:42:53.579 --> 00:42:54.880 I have a 00:42:54.880 --> 00:42:55.660 drug problem. 00:42:56.460 --> 00:42:56.900 That's how 00:42:56.900 --> 00:42:57.320 she would 00:42:57.320 --> 00:42:58.039 expect to 00:42:58.039 --> 00:42:58.579 be seen 00:42:58.579 --> 00:42:59.780 by others. 00:43:01.059 --> 00:43:01.599 Is that 00:43:01.599 --> 00:43:02.160 how Jesus 00:43:02.160 --> 00:43:02.700 would see 00:43:02.700 --> 00:43:02.860 her? 00:43:04.119 --> 00:43:04.599 Or would 00:43:04.599 --> 00:43:05.740 Jesus see 00:43:05.740 --> 00:43:06.019 her as 00:43:06.019 --> 00:43:06.480 someone who 00:43:06.480 --> 00:43:06.880 needs 00:43:06.880 --> 00:43:07.940 forgiveness 00:43:07.940 --> 00:43:08.579 of sin? 00:43:09.400 --> 00:43:09.860 The way 00:43:09.860 --> 00:43:10.519 Jesus sees 00:43:10.519 --> 00:43:11.320 all of us. 00:43:11.800 --> 00:43:12.260 We all 00:43:12.260 --> 00:43:12.559 have our 00:43:12.559 --> 00:43:13.119 problems. 00:43:13.700 --> 00:43:14.160 We're all 00:43:14.160 --> 00:43:14.760 unworthy. 00:43:15.360 --> 00:43:15.599 And yet 00:43:15.599 --> 00:43:16.360 Jesus looks 00:43:16.360 --> 00:43:16.800 on us and 00:43:16.800 --> 00:43:17.300 has that 00:43:17.300 --> 00:43:18.220 longing that 00:43:18.220 --> 00:43:18.480 we would 00:43:18.480 --> 00:43:18.840 know the 00:43:18.840 --> 00:43:19.280 forgiveness 00:43:19.280 --> 00:43:20.700 of sin. 00:43:20.699 --> 00:43:23.519 these 00:43:23.519 --> 00:43:24.059 friends, 00:43:24.419 --> 00:43:25.399 they don't 00:43:25.399 --> 00:43:26.159 come wondering 00:43:26.159 --> 00:43:26.779 if Jesus 00:43:26.779 --> 00:43:27.460 can do 00:43:27.460 --> 00:43:27.719 it. 00:43:28.480 --> 00:43:28.919 They come 00:43:28.919 --> 00:43:29.699 in faith, 00:43:30.339 --> 00:43:31.299 knowing the 00:43:31.299 --> 00:43:31.960 power that 00:43:31.960 --> 00:43:32.759 Jesus has 00:43:32.759 --> 00:43:33.039 and the 00:43:33.039 --> 00:43:33.519 power that 00:43:33.519 --> 00:43:34.519 leads to 00:43:34.519 --> 00:43:35.159 the forgiveness 00:43:35.159 --> 00:43:36.000 of sin 00:43:36.000 --> 00:43:36.939 because there 00:43:36.939 --> 00:43:37.239 is the 00:43:37.239 --> 00:43:38.179 identity of 00:43:38.179 --> 00:43:38.799 Jesus that 00:43:38.799 --> 00:43:39.179 they know. 00:43:40.059 --> 00:43:40.579 The identity 00:43:40.579 --> 00:43:41.099 that we see 00:43:41.099 --> 00:43:41.359 at the 00:43:41.359 --> 00:43:41.879 beginning of 00:43:41.879 --> 00:43:42.460 the gospel 00:43:42.460 --> 00:43:43.480 in chapter 00:43:43.480 --> 00:43:43.879 1, 00:43:43.960 --> 00:43:44.480 verse 1, 00:43:44.539 --> 00:43:44.879 the beginning 00:43:44.879 --> 00:43:45.480 of the gospel 00:43:45.480 --> 00:43:46.019 of Jesus 00:43:46.019 --> 00:43:46.699 Christ, 00:43:47.339 --> 00:43:48.000 the Son 00:43:48.000 --> 00:43:49.380 of God. 00:43:50.820 --> 00:43:51.280 They have 00:43:51.280 --> 00:43:52.699 faith and 00:43:52.699 --> 00:43:53.019 they are 00:43:53.019 --> 00:43:54.300 faithful friends 00:43:54.300 --> 00:43:55.340 bringing their 00:43:55.340 --> 00:43:56.039 friend to 00:43:56.039 --> 00:43:57.199 Jesus who 00:43:57.199 --> 00:43:58.559 is able to 00:43:58.559 --> 00:43:59.099 forgive. 00:44:00.559 --> 00:44:01.079 And so may 00:44:01.079 --> 00:44:02.260 we have that 00:44:02.260 --> 00:44:03.139 faith too. 00:44:03.900 --> 00:44:04.380 And may we 00:44:04.380 --> 00:44:04.820 have that 00:44:04.820 --> 00:44:06.440 faithfulness in 00:44:06.440 --> 00:44:07.099 bringing others 00:44:07.099 --> 00:44:07.860 to see the 00:44:07.860 --> 00:44:08.480 wonder of 00:44:08.480 --> 00:44:09.579 Jesus who 00:44:09.579 --> 00:44:10.320 can forgive 00:44:10.320 --> 00:44:11.360 sins. 00:44:12.400 --> 00:44:13.019 So we are 00:44:13.019 --> 00:44:13.480 the faithful 00:44:13.480 --> 00:44:13.760 friends. 00:44:13.900 --> 00:44:14.159 Secondly, 00:44:14.260 --> 00:44:14.559 then we have 00:44:14.559 --> 00:44:15.400 the faithless 00:44:15.400 --> 00:44:16.400 crowd. 00:44:17.360 --> 00:44:17.719 There are 00:44:17.719 --> 00:44:18.079 those in 00:44:18.079 --> 00:44:18.500 the crowd 00:44:18.500 --> 00:44:19.039 who doubt 00:44:19.039 --> 00:44:20.000 who Jesus 00:44:20.000 --> 00:44:20.219 is. 00:44:20.279 --> 00:44:20.659 They don't 00:44:20.659 --> 00:44:21.259 see the 00:44:21.259 --> 00:44:21.980 identity of 00:44:21.980 --> 00:44:22.919 Jesus as 00:44:22.919 --> 00:44:23.959 the Son 00:44:23.959 --> 00:44:25.099 of God. 00:44:25.799 --> 00:44:26.219 It says 00:44:26.219 --> 00:44:26.539 there in 00:44:26.539 --> 00:44:26.980 verse 6, 00:44:27.079 --> 00:44:27.659 some of the 00:44:27.659 --> 00:44:28.439 scribes were 00:44:28.439 --> 00:44:29.000 sitting there 00:44:29.000 --> 00:44:30.259 questioning in 00:44:30.259 --> 00:44:30.779 their hearts, 00:44:30.899 --> 00:44:31.480 why does this 00:44:31.480 --> 00:44:32.500 man speak like 00:44:32.500 --> 00:44:32.779 that? 00:44:33.039 --> 00:44:33.439 He is 00:44:33.439 --> 00:44:34.279 blaspheming. 00:44:34.659 --> 00:44:35.079 Who can 00:44:35.079 --> 00:44:36.199 forgive sins 00:44:36.199 --> 00:44:37.419 but God 00:44:37.419 --> 00:44:38.319 alone? 00:44:39.739 --> 00:44:40.419 So they're 00:44:40.419 --> 00:44:40.919 sitting there, 00:44:40.980 --> 00:44:41.599 they're grumbling 00:44:41.599 --> 00:44:42.379 as you see it 00:44:42.379 --> 00:44:43.519 so often in 00:44:43.519 --> 00:44:44.279 the gospel as 00:44:44.279 --> 00:44:44.719 people are 00:44:44.719 --> 00:44:45.399 seeing Jesus 00:44:45.399 --> 00:44:46.159 and especially 00:44:46.159 --> 00:44:47.480 those who 00:44:47.480 --> 00:44:47.800 were in 00:44:47.800 --> 00:44:48.460 position of 00:44:48.460 --> 00:44:49.099 authority, 00:44:49.659 --> 00:44:50.240 in position 00:44:50.240 --> 00:44:50.920 of power. 00:44:51.420 --> 00:44:51.900 They saw 00:44:51.900 --> 00:44:52.519 Jesus as 00:44:52.519 --> 00:44:53.219 a threat 00:44:53.219 --> 00:44:53.960 to themselves 00:44:53.960 --> 00:44:55.940 and they 00:44:55.940 --> 00:44:56.380 were probably 00:44:56.380 --> 00:44:57.519 claiming the 00:44:57.519 --> 00:44:58.300 Old Testament 00:44:58.300 --> 00:44:59.179 scriptures, 00:44:59.960 --> 00:45:00.800 scriptures like 00:45:00.800 --> 00:45:01.940 Isaiah 43 00:45:01.940 --> 00:45:03.019 verse 25 00:45:03.019 --> 00:45:03.619 where God 00:45:03.619 --> 00:45:04.000 says, 00:45:04.159 --> 00:45:05.320 I, even 00:45:05.320 --> 00:45:06.360 I, am 00:45:06.360 --> 00:45:07.000 he who 00:45:07.000 --> 00:45:07.699 blots out 00:45:07.699 --> 00:45:08.880 your transgressions 00:45:08.880 --> 00:45:10.340 for my own 00:45:10.340 --> 00:45:10.900 sake and 00:45:10.900 --> 00:45:11.760 remembers your 00:45:11.760 --> 00:45:12.440 sins. 00:45:12.820 --> 00:45:13.360 No more 00:45:13.360 --> 00:45:14.139 that God 00:45:14.139 --> 00:45:15.420 alone is 00:45:15.420 --> 00:45:16.039 able to 00:45:16.039 --> 00:45:16.940 forgive sin. 00:45:17.480 --> 00:45:18.539 And so 00:45:18.539 --> 00:45:19.240 who is 00:45:19.240 --> 00:45:19.579 this? 00:45:20.039 --> 00:45:20.679 Who is 00:45:20.679 --> 00:45:21.599 this intruder? 00:45:21.960 --> 00:45:22.480 Who is 00:45:22.480 --> 00:45:23.039 this man 00:45:23.039 --> 00:45:23.719 Jesus who 00:45:23.719 --> 00:45:24.840 claims to 00:45:24.840 --> 00:45:25.340 be able to 00:45:25.340 --> 00:45:26.500 forgive sins? 00:45:27.940 --> 00:45:28.360 He is 00:45:28.360 --> 00:45:29.380 blaspheming, 00:45:29.460 --> 00:45:29.840 they say. 00:45:30.199 --> 00:45:30.659 Who can 00:45:30.659 --> 00:45:31.920 forgive sin 00:45:31.920 --> 00:45:32.519 but God 00:45:32.519 --> 00:45:32.760 alone? 00:45:32.820 --> 00:45:33.079 And they 00:45:33.079 --> 00:45:33.679 are right, 00:45:33.800 --> 00:45:34.619 only God 00:45:34.619 --> 00:45:35.679 can forgive 00:45:35.679 --> 00:45:36.199 sin. 00:45:37.599 --> 00:45:38.139 But they 00:45:38.139 --> 00:45:38.639 miss the 00:45:38.639 --> 00:45:39.440 identity of 00:45:39.440 --> 00:45:40.079 who Jesus 00:45:40.079 --> 00:45:40.659 is. 00:45:41.460 --> 00:45:42.000 That he 00:45:42.000 --> 00:45:42.800 is Jesus 00:45:42.800 --> 00:45:43.500 Christ, 00:45:43.500 --> 00:45:44.640 the son 00:45:44.640 --> 00:45:45.840 of God. 00:45:47.200 --> 00:45:47.860 He is 00:45:47.860 --> 00:45:48.340 God 00:45:48.340 --> 00:45:49.680 incarnate. 00:45:50.539 --> 00:45:50.820 He is 00:45:50.820 --> 00:45:51.320 God who 00:45:51.320 --> 00:45:51.720 has come 00:45:51.720 --> 00:45:52.460 down to 00:45:52.460 --> 00:45:53.580 us in 00:45:53.580 --> 00:45:54.200 the person 00:45:54.200 --> 00:45:55.300 of Jesus 00:45:55.300 --> 00:45:56.039 Christ. 00:45:57.180 --> 00:45:57.580 And yet 00:45:57.580 --> 00:45:58.120 they see 00:45:58.120 --> 00:45:59.300 him as 00:45:59.300 --> 00:45:59.960 a threat. 00:46:00.700 --> 00:46:00.940 They 00:46:00.940 --> 00:46:01.620 didn't get 00:46:01.620 --> 00:46:02.539 what they 00:46:02.539 --> 00:46:03.260 wanted from 00:46:03.260 --> 00:46:03.360 him. 00:46:03.400 --> 00:46:03.519 They 00:46:03.519 --> 00:46:04.039 didn't get 00:46:04.039 --> 00:46:04.320 what he 00:46:04.320 --> 00:46:05.019 expected 00:46:05.019 --> 00:46:05.560 from him. 00:46:06.280 --> 00:46:06.720 He was 00:46:06.720 --> 00:46:07.320 taking 00:46:07.320 --> 00:46:08.220 their 00:46:08.220 --> 00:46:09.140 authority, 00:46:09.139 --> 00:46:09.599 so he 00:46:09.599 --> 00:46:09.940 saw 00:46:09.940 --> 00:46:10.199 them 00:46:10.199 --> 00:46:11.119 as a 00:46:11.119 --> 00:46:11.699 threat. 00:46:13.059 --> 00:46:13.539 And there's 00:46:13.539 --> 00:46:13.960 a number 00:46:13.960 --> 00:46:14.619 of occasions 00:46:14.619 --> 00:46:15.019 in the 00:46:15.019 --> 00:46:15.339 scriptures 00:46:15.339 --> 00:46:15.679 where you 00:46:15.679 --> 00:46:16.139 find when 00:46:16.139 --> 00:46:16.460 people 00:46:16.460 --> 00:46:17.079 didn't get 00:46:17.079 --> 00:46:17.359 what they 00:46:17.359 --> 00:46:18.039 wanted from 00:46:18.039 --> 00:46:18.440 Jesus, 00:46:18.579 --> 00:46:19.119 they turned 00:46:19.119 --> 00:46:19.500 away. 00:46:20.480 --> 00:46:21.059 If they 00:46:21.059 --> 00:46:21.739 found things 00:46:21.739 --> 00:46:22.519 too difficult, 00:46:22.920 --> 00:46:23.639 they turned 00:46:23.639 --> 00:46:24.019 away. 00:46:24.699 --> 00:46:25.099 A great 00:46:25.099 --> 00:46:25.759 example is 00:46:25.759 --> 00:46:26.000 in the 00:46:26.000 --> 00:46:26.559 Gospel of 00:46:26.559 --> 00:46:27.000 John at 00:46:27.000 --> 00:46:27.359 the end 00:46:27.359 --> 00:46:27.900 of chapter 00:46:27.900 --> 00:46:28.579 6, 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:29.679 verse 60 00:46:29.679 --> 00:46:30.139 through to 00:46:30.139 --> 00:46:30.980 verse 71. 00:46:31.879 --> 00:46:32.279 It says 00:46:32.279 --> 00:46:32.719 many of the 00:46:32.719 --> 00:46:33.719 disciples turned 00:46:33.719 --> 00:46:34.299 away because 00:46:34.299 --> 00:46:34.819 they found 00:46:34.819 --> 00:46:35.659 his teaching 00:46:35.659 --> 00:46:36.859 too difficult. 00:46:38.039 --> 00:46:38.619 They turned 00:46:38.619 --> 00:46:39.000 away. 00:46:39.940 --> 00:46:40.279 And that's 00:46:40.279 --> 00:46:40.639 the time 00:46:40.639 --> 00:46:41.159 when Jesus 00:46:41.159 --> 00:46:41.779 turned to 00:46:41.779 --> 00:46:42.339 the disciples 00:46:42.339 --> 00:46:42.839 and said, 00:46:43.259 --> 00:46:43.639 will you 00:46:43.639 --> 00:46:44.819 also go 00:46:44.819 --> 00:46:45.159 away? 00:46:45.779 --> 00:46:46.219 And Peter 00:46:46.219 --> 00:46:46.719 had that 00:46:46.719 --> 00:46:47.539 great response 00:46:47.539 --> 00:46:48.759 to whom 00:46:48.759 --> 00:46:49.619 else can 00:46:49.619 --> 00:46:49.960 we go? 00:46:50.059 --> 00:46:50.359 You have 00:46:50.359 --> 00:46:51.039 the words 00:46:51.039 --> 00:46:52.279 of eternal 00:46:52.279 --> 00:46:52.799 life. 00:46:53.839 --> 00:46:54.400 They knew 00:46:54.400 --> 00:46:55.480 the importance 00:46:55.480 --> 00:46:55.960 and the 00:46:55.960 --> 00:46:56.719 identity of 00:46:56.719 --> 00:46:57.099 Jesus. 00:46:57.539 --> 00:46:58.379 You alone 00:46:58.379 --> 00:46:59.119 have the 00:46:59.119 --> 00:46:59.839 words of 00:46:59.839 --> 00:47:00.619 eternal 00:47:00.619 --> 00:47:01.199 life. 00:47:02.000 --> 00:47:02.179 The 00:47:02.179 --> 00:47:02.879 troubles of 00:47:02.879 --> 00:47:03.500 this world, 00:47:03.639 --> 00:47:03.900 they'll be 00:47:03.900 --> 00:47:04.239 there, 00:47:04.539 --> 00:47:04.940 but you 00:47:04.940 --> 00:47:05.239 have a 00:47:05.239 --> 00:47:05.500 greater 00:47:05.500 --> 00:47:06.299 purpose. 00:47:06.940 --> 00:47:07.259 You have 00:47:07.259 --> 00:47:07.639 a greater 00:47:07.639 --> 00:47:08.339 power and 00:47:08.339 --> 00:47:08.819 authority 00:47:08.820 --> 00:47:09.059 than 00:47:09.059 --> 00:47:09.420 anything 00:47:09.420 --> 00:47:09.860 else 00:47:09.860 --> 00:47:10.760 in this 00:47:10.760 --> 00:47:11.240 world. 00:47:12.140 --> 00:47:12.780 But many 00:47:12.780 --> 00:47:13.519 turned away 00:47:13.519 --> 00:47:14.440 faithless, 00:47:14.820 --> 00:47:15.840 not believing 00:47:15.840 --> 00:47:16.559 the identity 00:47:16.559 --> 00:47:17.260 of who 00:47:17.260 --> 00:47:18.059 Jesus 00:47:18.059 --> 00:47:18.860 was. 00:47:20.059 --> 00:47:20.519 And it's 00:47:20.519 --> 00:47:21.220 amazing how 00:47:21.220 --> 00:47:22.480 people can 00:47:22.480 --> 00:47:22.980 come into 00:47:22.980 --> 00:47:23.780 a church 00:47:23.780 --> 00:47:24.800 and go 00:47:24.800 --> 00:47:25.380 away because 00:47:25.380 --> 00:47:25.820 they don't 00:47:25.820 --> 00:47:26.740 get what 00:47:26.740 --> 00:47:27.380 they want. 00:47:27.800 --> 00:47:28.080 I've seen 00:47:28.080 --> 00:47:29.000 it over the 00:47:29.000 --> 00:47:29.519 years in 00:47:29.519 --> 00:47:30.220 different ways. 00:47:30.320 --> 00:47:30.559 I remember 00:47:30.559 --> 00:47:31.760 once some 00:47:31.760 --> 00:47:32.380 people coming 00:47:32.380 --> 00:47:32.980 into a 00:47:32.980 --> 00:47:33.500 church and 00:47:33.500 --> 00:47:33.660 they were 00:47:33.660 --> 00:47:34.039 wanting to 00:47:34.039 --> 00:47:34.720 hear Gaelic 00:47:34.720 --> 00:47:35.039 singing. 00:47:35.039 --> 00:47:35.099 singing. 00:47:35.860 --> 00:47:36.039 And when 00:47:36.039 --> 00:47:36.340 they came 00:47:36.340 --> 00:47:36.619 in and 00:47:36.619 --> 00:47:37.440 asked if 00:47:37.440 --> 00:47:37.699 there was 00:47:37.699 --> 00:47:38.099 Gaelic 00:47:38.099 --> 00:47:38.360 singing, 00:47:38.500 --> 00:47:38.800 they heard 00:47:38.800 --> 00:47:39.059 that there 00:47:39.059 --> 00:47:39.460 wasn't 00:47:39.460 --> 00:47:40.000 that day, 00:47:40.719 --> 00:47:41.079 they went 00:47:41.079 --> 00:47:41.420 away. 00:47:43.199 --> 00:47:43.759 What was 00:47:43.759 --> 00:47:44.440 important was 00:47:44.440 --> 00:47:44.980 the singing. 00:47:45.360 --> 00:47:45.900 They missed 00:47:45.900 --> 00:47:46.480 out on the 00:47:46.480 --> 00:47:46.920 gospel. 00:47:48.079 --> 00:47:48.900 Another time, 00:47:49.300 --> 00:47:49.800 some people 00:47:49.800 --> 00:47:50.199 came in 00:47:50.199 --> 00:47:51.000 looking and 00:47:51.000 --> 00:47:51.440 asking if 00:47:51.440 --> 00:47:51.619 there was 00:47:51.619 --> 00:47:51.820 going to 00:47:51.820 --> 00:47:52.500 be food 00:47:52.500 --> 00:47:53.759 served in 00:47:53.759 --> 00:47:54.059 church. 00:47:54.139 --> 00:47:54.300 And when 00:47:54.300 --> 00:47:54.679 they heard 00:47:54.679 --> 00:47:55.199 that it 00:47:55.199 --> 00:47:55.440 was just 00:47:55.440 --> 00:47:55.940 a cup of 00:47:55.940 --> 00:47:56.199 tea and 00:47:56.199 --> 00:47:56.579 a biscuit 00:47:56.579 --> 00:47:57.099 afterwards, 00:47:57.360 --> 00:47:57.800 they went 00:47:57.800 --> 00:47:58.179 away. 00:47:59.320 --> 00:47:59.900 They didn't 00:47:59.900 --> 00:48:00.380 wait for 00:48:00.380 --> 00:48:00.739 any other 00:48:00.739 --> 00:48:01.119 service. 00:48:01.119 --> 00:48:01.719 They missed 00:48:01.719 --> 00:48:02.820 out on the 00:48:02.820 --> 00:48:03.279 gospel. 00:48:03.280 --> 00:48:03.360 gospel. 00:48:04.920 --> 00:48:05.280 What's 00:48:05.280 --> 00:48:05.920 important to 00:48:05.920 --> 00:48:06.680 them wasn't 00:48:06.680 --> 00:48:07.720 who Jesus 00:48:07.720 --> 00:48:08.200 is, 00:48:08.220 --> 00:48:08.460 it was 00:48:08.460 --> 00:48:09.040 their own 00:48:09.040 --> 00:48:09.800 needs. 00:48:11.260 --> 00:48:12.080 And that's 00:48:12.080 --> 00:48:12.620 the danger 00:48:12.620 --> 00:48:13.540 for ourselves 00:48:13.540 --> 00:48:14.080 as well, 00:48:14.100 --> 00:48:14.500 that we put 00:48:14.500 --> 00:48:15.080 ourselves 00:48:15.080 --> 00:48:16.640 first and 00:48:16.640 --> 00:48:17.040 our own 00:48:17.040 --> 00:48:17.620 desires, 00:48:17.760 --> 00:48:18.100 our own 00:48:18.100 --> 00:48:18.900 needs first 00:48:18.900 --> 00:48:20.060 and not 00:48:20.060 --> 00:48:20.980 the needs 00:48:20.980 --> 00:48:21.500 of knowing 00:48:21.500 --> 00:48:22.340 Jesus as 00:48:22.340 --> 00:48:22.920 the Son 00:48:22.920 --> 00:48:24.200 of God. 00:48:25.260 --> 00:48:25.660 And it's 00:48:25.660 --> 00:48:26.280 amazing when 00:48:26.280 --> 00:48:26.680 you look at 00:48:26.680 --> 00:48:27.340 Capernaum 00:48:27.340 --> 00:48:27.760 here. 00:48:28.840 --> 00:48:29.400 Capernaum, 00:48:29.680 --> 00:48:30.300 a place where 00:48:30.300 --> 00:48:31.100 Jesus did 00:48:31.100 --> 00:48:31.880 so much in 00:48:31.880 --> 00:48:32.400 his earthly 00:48:32.400 --> 00:48:32.880 ministry. 00:48:32.880 --> 00:48:33.920 so much 00:48:33.920 --> 00:48:34.500 teaching. 00:48:34.860 --> 00:48:35.099 He was 00:48:35.099 --> 00:48:35.740 there preaching 00:48:35.740 --> 00:48:36.260 the word 00:48:36.260 --> 00:48:36.800 to them. 00:48:37.140 --> 00:48:37.519 And they 00:48:37.519 --> 00:48:38.079 saw all 00:48:38.079 --> 00:48:38.440 of these 00:48:38.440 --> 00:48:38.760 things 00:48:38.760 --> 00:48:39.340 happening. 00:48:40.640 --> 00:48:41.320 And yet 00:48:41.320 --> 00:48:41.780 so many 00:48:41.780 --> 00:48:42.539 still remained 00:48:42.539 --> 00:48:44.140 hardened and 00:48:44.140 --> 00:48:44.960 unconverted. 00:48:46.160 --> 00:48:46.860 And it 00:48:46.860 --> 00:48:47.660 stands as a 00:48:47.660 --> 00:48:48.640 warning to 00:48:48.640 --> 00:48:49.420 us today. 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:50.960 In the 00:48:50.960 --> 00:48:51.539 gospel of 00:48:51.539 --> 00:48:52.099 Matthew, 00:48:52.700 --> 00:48:53.480 Capernaum is 00:48:53.480 --> 00:48:54.800 used as a 00:48:54.800 --> 00:48:55.140 warning. 00:48:55.880 --> 00:48:56.539 In verse 00:48:56.539 --> 00:48:57.320 23 of 00:48:57.320 --> 00:48:57.940 chapter 11, 00:48:58.099 --> 00:48:58.280 it says, 00:48:58.380 --> 00:48:58.700 And you, 00:48:58.860 --> 00:48:59.400 Capernaum, 00:49:00.039 --> 00:49:00.680 will you be 00:49:00.680 --> 00:49:01.460 exalted to 00:49:01.460 --> 00:49:01.760 heaven? 00:49:02.880 --> 00:49:03.160 You will 00:49:03.160 --> 00:49:03.559 be brought 00:49:03.559 --> 00:49:04.180 down to 00:49:04.180 --> 00:49:04.619 Hades. 00:49:05.480 --> 00:49:08.740 For if the 00:49:08.740 --> 00:49:09.340 mighty works 00:49:09.340 --> 00:49:09.840 done in you 00:49:09.840 --> 00:49:10.119 had been 00:49:10.119 --> 00:49:10.640 done in 00:49:10.640 --> 00:49:11.059 Sodom, 00:49:11.280 --> 00:49:11.760 it would 00:49:11.760 --> 00:49:12.400 have remained 00:49:12.400 --> 00:49:13.140 until this 00:49:13.140 --> 00:49:13.519 day. 00:49:14.519 --> 00:49:15.539 But I tell 00:49:15.539 --> 00:49:16.019 you that it 00:49:16.019 --> 00:49:16.440 will be more 00:49:16.440 --> 00:49:17.220 tolerable on 00:49:17.220 --> 00:49:17.579 the day of 00:49:17.579 --> 00:49:18.200 judgment for 00:49:18.200 --> 00:49:18.880 the land of 00:49:18.880 --> 00:49:20.019 Sodom than 00:49:20.019 --> 00:49:20.720 for you. 00:49:21.059 --> 00:49:21.519 What's he 00:49:21.519 --> 00:49:22.200 saying there? 00:49:22.980 --> 00:49:23.440 He's saying 00:49:23.440 --> 00:49:24.340 you have seen 00:49:24.340 --> 00:49:25.720 the blessings, 00:49:26.380 --> 00:49:27.000 the presence 00:49:27.000 --> 00:49:27.840 of Jesus, 00:49:28.059 --> 00:49:28.619 the preaching 00:49:28.619 --> 00:49:29.380 of Jesus, 00:49:29.380 --> 00:49:30.360 and you've 00:49:30.360 --> 00:49:31.019 turned away. 00:49:32.420 --> 00:49:33.019 So it will 00:49:33.019 --> 00:49:33.360 be more 00:49:33.360 --> 00:49:34.119 tolerable on 00:49:34.119 --> 00:49:34.480 the day of 00:49:34.480 --> 00:49:35.059 judgment for 00:49:35.059 --> 00:49:35.640 the land of 00:49:35.640 --> 00:49:36.180 Sodom. 00:49:38.300 --> 00:49:38.780 And there's a 00:49:38.780 --> 00:49:39.640 warning for us 00:49:39.640 --> 00:49:40.500 in that today as 00:49:40.500 --> 00:49:40.660 well. 00:49:40.720 --> 00:49:42.099 That passage in 00:49:42.099 --> 00:49:42.880 Matthew when there's 00:49:42.880 --> 00:49:43.660 that warning is 00:49:43.660 --> 00:49:44.800 just before it 00:49:44.800 --> 00:49:45.980 says about Jesus 00:49:45.980 --> 00:49:47.119 having all 00:49:47.119 --> 00:49:47.860 authority and 00:49:47.860 --> 00:49:48.079 saying, 00:49:48.519 --> 00:49:49.119 Come to me, 00:49:49.420 --> 00:49:50.200 all you who 00:49:50.200 --> 00:49:50.920 labor and are 00:49:50.920 --> 00:49:51.539 heavy laden, 00:49:51.820 --> 00:49:52.440 and I will 00:49:52.440 --> 00:49:53.360 give you rest. 00:49:54.480 --> 00:49:55.440 It's to find 00:49:55.440 --> 00:49:56.900 rest in 00:49:56.900 --> 00:49:57.480 Jesus. 00:49:58.880 --> 00:49:59.160 And it's a 00:49:59.160 --> 00:49:59.860 warning to us 00:49:59.860 --> 00:50:00.660 today because of 00:50:00.660 --> 00:50:01.740 the blessing of 00:50:01.740 --> 00:50:02.599 the gospel in 00:50:02.599 --> 00:50:03.200 our midst. 00:50:04.280 --> 00:50:05.019 The gospel has 00:50:05.019 --> 00:50:05.920 been present in 00:50:05.920 --> 00:50:07.539 our island for 00:50:07.539 --> 00:50:09.019 a few generations 00:50:09.019 --> 00:50:09.579 now. 00:50:10.760 --> 00:50:11.639 The blessing of 00:50:11.639 --> 00:50:12.840 having the word 00:50:12.840 --> 00:50:13.720 preached and yet 00:50:13.720 --> 00:50:14.519 so many will say 00:50:14.519 --> 00:50:16.340 no, not for 00:50:16.340 --> 00:50:16.619 me. 00:50:18.019 --> 00:50:18.760 It will be more 00:50:18.760 --> 00:50:19.539 tolerable on the 00:50:19.539 --> 00:50:20.180 day of judgment 00:50:20.180 --> 00:50:21.059 for the land of 00:50:21.059 --> 00:50:22.240 Sodom than for 00:50:22.240 --> 00:50:22.440 you. 00:50:22.539 --> 00:50:23.840 That's the stark 00:50:23.840 --> 00:50:24.800 warning. 00:50:24.800 --> 00:50:27.260 that the 00:50:27.260 --> 00:50:28.440 faithless people, 00:50:28.560 --> 00:50:29.340 there's a warning 00:50:29.340 --> 00:50:31.180 there that 00:50:31.180 --> 00:50:32.600 salvation is 00:50:32.600 --> 00:50:33.200 found in 00:50:33.200 --> 00:50:34.080 Christ alone. 00:50:35.039 --> 00:50:35.500 We need 00:50:35.500 --> 00:50:36.440 forgiveness of 00:50:36.440 --> 00:50:37.220 sins and this 00:50:37.220 --> 00:50:38.440 is found in 00:50:38.440 --> 00:50:39.600 Christ alone. 00:50:40.980 --> 00:50:41.780 Somebody once 00:50:41.780 --> 00:50:42.560 said, where God 00:50:42.560 --> 00:50:43.760 places a full 00:50:43.760 --> 00:50:46.080 stop, let no 00:50:46.080 --> 00:50:46.840 man put a 00:50:46.840 --> 00:50:47.700 question mark. 00:50:48.420 --> 00:50:49.000 And if you look 00:50:49.000 --> 00:50:49.620 at that in the 00:50:49.620 --> 00:50:50.519 context of this 00:50:50.519 --> 00:50:51.460 passage in verse 00:50:51.460 --> 00:50:52.720 five, Jesus 00:50:52.720 --> 00:50:53.960 sees this faith of 00:50:53.960 --> 00:50:54.639 these men and 00:50:54.639 --> 00:50:55.559 says to the 00:50:55.559 --> 00:50:56.159 parletic, your 00:50:56.159 --> 00:50:58.220 sins are 00:50:58.220 --> 00:50:58.780 forgiven. 00:51:00.420 --> 00:51:01.460 Full stop. 00:51:01.960 --> 00:51:03.599 Your sins are 00:51:03.599 --> 00:51:04.059 forgiven. 00:51:05.639 --> 00:51:06.800 But what do the 00:51:06.800 --> 00:51:08.579 scribes say in 00:51:08.579 --> 00:51:09.079 verse seven? 00:51:09.159 --> 00:51:09.920 Why does this man 00:51:09.920 --> 00:51:10.780 speak like that? 00:51:10.820 --> 00:51:11.619 He is blaspheming. 00:51:12.099 --> 00:51:13.019 Who can forgive 00:51:13.019 --> 00:51:14.639 sin but God 00:51:14.639 --> 00:51:14.980 alone? 00:51:15.300 --> 00:51:15.559 There's a 00:51:15.559 --> 00:51:16.500 question mark. 00:51:17.199 --> 00:51:18.019 They're questioning 00:51:18.019 --> 00:51:19.059 who this Jesus 00:51:19.059 --> 00:51:19.679 is. 00:51:19.679 --> 00:51:22.019 there's a doubt 00:51:22.019 --> 00:51:22.399 there. 00:51:23.559 --> 00:51:24.419 But if he said 00:51:24.419 --> 00:51:26.239 it, if he's able 00:51:26.239 --> 00:51:27.500 to say your sins 00:51:27.500 --> 00:51:28.139 are forgiven, 00:51:28.259 --> 00:51:29.139 that's it, full 00:51:29.139 --> 00:51:29.699 stop. 00:51:30.199 --> 00:51:31.099 People will come 00:51:31.099 --> 00:51:32.519 to church with 00:51:32.519 --> 00:51:33.159 doubts and 00:51:33.159 --> 00:51:34.000 questions and 00:51:34.000 --> 00:51:34.639 worries and 00:51:34.639 --> 00:51:35.019 fears. 00:51:36.480 --> 00:51:37.559 We have to say 00:51:37.559 --> 00:51:38.139 there's a full 00:51:38.139 --> 00:51:38.799 stop. 00:51:39.299 --> 00:51:40.039 When you put your 00:51:40.039 --> 00:51:41.500 trust in Jesus, 00:51:41.639 --> 00:51:43.219 your sins are 00:51:43.219 --> 00:51:43.699 forgiven. 00:51:45.219 --> 00:51:46.359 They are cast 00:51:46.360 --> 00:51:47.720 into the depths 00:51:47.720 --> 00:51:48.500 of the sea. 00:51:49.660 --> 00:51:50.120 There is 00:51:50.120 --> 00:51:50.700 redemption 00:51:50.700 --> 00:51:52.780 found in 00:51:52.780 --> 00:51:53.320 Jesus. 00:51:55.120 --> 00:51:55.720 Well, there's a 00:51:55.720 --> 00:51:57.880 faithless crowd. 00:51:58.340 --> 00:51:59.019 Let's not be 00:51:59.019 --> 00:52:00.300 found in the 00:52:00.300 --> 00:52:01.340 midst of them. 00:52:02.240 --> 00:52:02.840 But the final 00:52:02.840 --> 00:52:03.460 thing we want to 00:52:03.460 --> 00:52:04.940 see here is the 00:52:04.940 --> 00:52:05.400 forgiving 00:52:05.400 --> 00:52:06.240 Savior. 00:52:08.380 --> 00:52:09.320 As I say, Mark 00:52:09.320 --> 00:52:10.599 moves so quickly 00:52:10.599 --> 00:52:11.160 and when you come 00:52:11.160 --> 00:52:12.120 into chapter two, 00:52:12.200 --> 00:52:12.960 it's amazing how 00:52:12.960 --> 00:52:13.700 much has already 00:52:13.700 --> 00:52:14.160 happened. 00:52:14.280 --> 00:52:15.140 Where Jesus is 00:52:15.140 --> 00:52:16.140 showing his 00:52:16.139 --> 00:52:17.239 authority already, 00:52:17.379 --> 00:52:17.980 his authority 00:52:17.980 --> 00:52:18.920 over people. 00:52:19.980 --> 00:52:21.059 In verse 16, 00:52:21.299 --> 00:52:22.379 he calls the 00:52:22.379 --> 00:52:23.500 first disciples, 00:52:23.639 --> 00:52:23.980 he says, 00:52:24.139 --> 00:52:25.420 follow me and 00:52:25.420 --> 00:52:26.179 I will make you 00:52:26.179 --> 00:52:27.119 fishers of men 00:52:27.119 --> 00:52:28.739 in verse 17. 00:52:29.139 --> 00:52:29.960 And they leave 00:52:29.960 --> 00:52:30.500 everything and 00:52:30.500 --> 00:52:31.119 follow him. 00:52:31.839 --> 00:52:32.500 He has this 00:52:32.500 --> 00:52:33.839 power, he has 00:52:33.839 --> 00:52:34.619 this authority. 00:52:35.279 --> 00:52:35.599 And then 00:52:35.599 --> 00:52:36.219 immediately they 00:52:36.219 --> 00:52:36.960 start to see 00:52:36.960 --> 00:52:37.639 his power and 00:52:37.639 --> 00:52:38.119 authority. 00:52:38.400 --> 00:52:39.619 He heals a 00:52:39.619 --> 00:52:40.099 man with an 00:52:40.099 --> 00:52:41.059 unclean spirit. 00:52:41.500 --> 00:52:42.179 He goes on to 00:52:42.179 --> 00:52:42.859 heal many. 00:52:43.319 --> 00:52:43.659 Then he 00:52:43.659 --> 00:52:44.440 preaches in 00:52:44.440 --> 00:52:44.799 Galilee. 00:52:44.900 --> 00:52:45.159 Then he 00:52:45.159 --> 00:52:45.900 cleanses a 00:52:45.900 --> 00:52:46.180 leper. 00:52:46.280 --> 00:52:46.820 There's so 00:52:46.820 --> 00:52:48.000 much going 00:52:48.000 --> 00:52:48.780 on already 00:52:48.780 --> 00:52:49.320 here. 00:52:50.059 --> 00:52:50.539 He's showing 00:52:50.539 --> 00:52:51.860 authority in 00:52:51.860 --> 00:52:52.340 so many 00:52:52.340 --> 00:52:53.380 different ways. 00:52:54.900 --> 00:52:55.860 But now we 00:52:55.860 --> 00:52:56.380 see his 00:52:56.380 --> 00:52:56.960 greatest 00:52:56.960 --> 00:52:58.039 authority. 00:52:58.940 --> 00:52:59.599 That he is 00:52:59.599 --> 00:53:00.139 able to 00:53:00.139 --> 00:53:01.579 forgive sin. 00:53:02.400 --> 00:53:02.800 And when you 00:53:02.800 --> 00:53:03.320 look at verse 00:53:03.320 --> 00:53:04.139 nine through 00:53:04.139 --> 00:53:04.539 to verse 00:53:04.539 --> 00:53:05.340 twelve in 00:53:05.340 --> 00:53:06.160 chapter two, 00:53:07.320 --> 00:53:07.820 Jesus says, 00:53:07.940 --> 00:53:08.280 which is 00:53:08.280 --> 00:53:09.099 easier to say 00:53:09.099 --> 00:53:09.360 to the 00:53:09.360 --> 00:53:09.780 paralytic, 00:53:10.200 --> 00:53:10.880 your sins 00:53:10.880 --> 00:53:11.460 are forgiven, 00:53:11.760 --> 00:53:12.380 or to say, 00:53:12.460 --> 00:53:13.360 rise, take up 00:53:13.360 --> 00:53:13.940 your bed and 00:53:13.940 --> 00:53:14.420 walk. 00:53:15.620 --> 00:53:16.260 But that you 00:53:16.260 --> 00:53:16.860 may know that 00:53:16.860 --> 00:53:17.420 the Son of 00:53:17.420 --> 00:53:18.079 Man has 00:53:18.079 --> 00:53:18.840 authority on 00:53:18.840 --> 00:53:19.220 earth to 00:53:19.220 --> 00:53:20.079 forgive sins. 00:53:20.320 --> 00:53:20.880 He said to 00:53:20.880 --> 00:53:21.300 the paralytic, 00:53:21.420 --> 00:53:22.140 I say to 00:53:22.140 --> 00:53:22.960 you, rise, 00:53:23.440 --> 00:53:24.039 pick up your 00:53:24.039 --> 00:53:25.200 bed and go 00:53:25.200 --> 00:53:25.460 home. 00:53:25.620 --> 00:53:26.000 And they 00:53:26.000 --> 00:53:26.920 both happened 00:53:26.920 --> 00:53:27.340 together. 00:53:28.019 --> 00:53:28.599 He was able 00:53:28.599 --> 00:53:30.180 to walk and 00:53:30.180 --> 00:53:30.460 he knew 00:53:30.460 --> 00:53:31.880 forgiveness of 00:53:31.880 --> 00:53:32.260 sin. 00:53:33.300 --> 00:53:33.920 What was 00:53:33.920 --> 00:53:34.800 more important? 00:53:37.200 --> 00:53:37.840 Surely the 00:53:37.840 --> 00:53:39.240 forgiveness of 00:53:39.240 --> 00:53:39.620 sin. 00:53:39.619 --> 00:53:39.659 sin. 00:53:40.239 --> 00:53:40.420 It's 00:53:40.420 --> 00:53:41.159 wonderful that 00:53:41.159 --> 00:53:41.440 he was 00:53:41.440 --> 00:53:41.900 healed. 00:53:43.239 --> 00:53:43.539 But the 00:53:43.539 --> 00:53:44.279 greatest gift 00:53:44.279 --> 00:53:45.039 of God is 00:53:45.039 --> 00:53:46.500 salvation in 00:53:46.500 --> 00:53:47.519 Jesus Christ. 00:53:48.279 --> 00:53:48.940 It's the most 00:53:48.940 --> 00:53:49.940 important thing 00:53:49.940 --> 00:53:51.039 that we need 00:53:51.039 --> 00:53:51.880 to hear. 00:53:53.039 --> 00:53:53.539 And that's 00:53:53.539 --> 00:53:54.259 what Mark is 00:53:54.259 --> 00:53:54.900 showing us 00:53:54.900 --> 00:53:56.179 throughout his 00:53:56.179 --> 00:53:56.699 gospel. 00:53:57.339 --> 00:53:58.299 The identity 00:53:58.299 --> 00:53:59.339 of who Jesus 00:53:59.339 --> 00:53:59.900 is. 00:53:59.980 --> 00:54:00.980 Beginning in 00:54:00.980 --> 00:54:01.599 that first 00:54:01.599 --> 00:54:02.159 verse of 00:54:02.159 --> 00:54:02.799 chapter one, 00:54:02.880 --> 00:54:03.259 the beginning 00:54:03.259 --> 00:54:03.940 of the gospel 00:54:03.940 --> 00:54:04.500 of Jesus 00:54:04.500 --> 00:54:05.920 Christ, the 00:54:05.920 --> 00:54:07.119 Son of 00:54:07.119 --> 00:54:09.259 God, to 00:54:09.260 --> 00:54:09.920 seeing here 00:54:09.920 --> 00:54:10.300 in verse 00:54:10.300 --> 00:54:11.660 12, the 00:54:11.660 --> 00:54:12.540 response. 00:54:13.460 --> 00:54:13.640 They were 00:54:13.640 --> 00:54:14.700 all amazed 00:54:14.700 --> 00:54:15.860 and glorified 00:54:15.860 --> 00:54:16.640 God, saying 00:54:16.640 --> 00:54:17.380 we have never 00:54:17.380 --> 00:54:18.620 seen anything 00:54:18.620 --> 00:54:20.080 like this. 00:54:22.240 --> 00:54:23.080 In chapter 00:54:23.080 --> 00:54:23.840 four, verse 00:54:23.840 --> 00:54:25.120 41, as they're 00:54:25.120 --> 00:54:25.800 caught in the 00:54:25.800 --> 00:54:26.920 storm and 00:54:26.920 --> 00:54:27.980 Jesus calms 00:54:27.980 --> 00:54:28.680 the storm, 00:54:29.480 --> 00:54:30.060 the disciples 00:54:30.060 --> 00:54:30.700 were filled 00:54:30.700 --> 00:54:31.500 with great fear 00:54:31.500 --> 00:54:32.180 and said to 00:54:32.180 --> 00:54:32.680 one another, 00:54:33.020 --> 00:54:34.000 in verse 41, 00:54:34.440 --> 00:54:35.440 who then is 00:54:35.440 --> 00:54:36.580 this, that 00:54:36.580 --> 00:54:37.240 even the wind 00:54:37.240 --> 00:54:37.840 and the sea 00:54:37.840 --> 00:54:38.480 obey him? 00:54:39.260 --> 00:54:39.620 There's this 00:54:39.620 --> 00:54:40.460 identity of 00:54:40.460 --> 00:54:41.100 Jesus being 00:54:41.100 --> 00:54:42.440 revealed over 00:54:42.440 --> 00:54:42.980 time. 00:54:43.460 --> 00:54:44.460 Who is this 00:54:44.460 --> 00:54:45.980 that even 00:54:45.980 --> 00:54:46.640 the wind and 00:54:46.640 --> 00:54:47.240 the waves 00:54:47.240 --> 00:54:48.460 obey him? 00:54:49.320 --> 00:54:49.680 Then you 00:54:49.680 --> 00:54:50.080 come into 00:54:50.080 --> 00:54:50.840 chapter eight 00:54:50.840 --> 00:54:51.140 and there's 00:54:51.140 --> 00:54:51.500 all this 00:54:51.500 --> 00:54:52.440 discussion going 00:54:52.440 --> 00:54:52.680 on. 00:54:52.980 --> 00:54:53.540 Who is 00:54:53.540 --> 00:54:54.020 Jesus? 00:54:55.620 --> 00:54:56.140 Some are 00:54:56.140 --> 00:54:56.760 saying Elijah 00:54:56.760 --> 00:54:57.240 or one of 00:54:57.240 --> 00:54:57.780 the prophets, 00:54:57.960 --> 00:54:58.360 but Jesus 00:54:58.360 --> 00:54:59.140 turns it on 00:54:59.140 --> 00:54:59.560 his head and 00:54:59.560 --> 00:55:00.420 says, but 00:55:00.420 --> 00:55:01.600 who do you 00:55:01.600 --> 00:55:02.580 say that I 00:55:02.580 --> 00:55:02.840 am? 00:55:03.300 --> 00:55:03.800 And that's 00:55:03.800 --> 00:55:04.500 the question 00:55:04.500 --> 00:55:05.820 today, our 00:55:05.820 --> 00:55:06.780 identity of 00:55:06.780 --> 00:55:07.180 Jesus. 00:55:07.400 --> 00:55:08.060 Who is he? 00:55:08.059 --> 00:55:09.579 Well, Peter 00:55:09.579 --> 00:55:10.279 answered in 00:55:10.279 --> 00:55:10.860 chapter eight 00:55:10.860 --> 00:55:11.799 verse 29, 00:55:12.799 --> 00:55:14.119 you are the 00:55:14.119 --> 00:55:14.719 Christ. 00:55:16.239 --> 00:55:17.920 You are the 00:55:17.920 --> 00:55:19.579 Son of God. 00:55:20.639 --> 00:55:21.199 So this 00:55:21.199 --> 00:55:22.179 revelation is 00:55:22.179 --> 00:55:22.739 there through 00:55:22.739 --> 00:55:23.440 his word. 00:55:24.840 --> 00:55:25.219 And then you 00:55:25.219 --> 00:55:25.619 come to 00:55:25.619 --> 00:55:26.699 chapter 15, 00:55:27.340 --> 00:55:28.440 on the cross, 00:55:29.000 --> 00:55:29.380 on the 00:55:29.380 --> 00:55:30.179 crucifixion, 00:55:30.239 --> 00:55:30.440 and it's 00:55:30.440 --> 00:55:31.119 almost like 00:55:31.119 --> 00:55:32.199 it just comes 00:55:32.199 --> 00:55:33.139 full circle. 00:55:33.139 --> 00:55:34.159 Jesus 00:55:34.159 --> 00:55:35.219 revealing, 00:55:35.940 --> 00:55:36.759 Mark saying 00:55:36.759 --> 00:55:37.059 to us, 00:55:37.119 --> 00:55:37.400 this is the 00:55:37.400 --> 00:55:37.779 beginning of 00:55:37.779 --> 00:55:38.239 the gospel 00:55:38.239 --> 00:55:38.759 of Jesus 00:55:38.759 --> 00:55:39.339 Christ, 00:55:39.460 --> 00:55:40.099 the Son of 00:55:40.099 --> 00:55:40.440 God. 00:55:40.879 --> 00:55:41.379 In chapter 00:55:41.379 --> 00:55:42.019 15, 00:55:42.119 --> 00:55:42.819 verse 39, 00:55:43.000 --> 00:55:43.400 you have the 00:55:43.400 --> 00:55:44.379 Roman centurion 00:55:44.379 --> 00:55:44.879 looking on, 00:55:44.920 --> 00:55:45.239 and what does 00:55:45.239 --> 00:55:45.799 he say? 00:55:46.839 --> 00:55:47.319 He says, 00:55:47.739 --> 00:55:48.179 truly, 00:55:49.000 --> 00:55:49.599 this man 00:55:49.599 --> 00:55:50.819 was the 00:55:50.819 --> 00:55:51.259 Son of 00:55:51.259 --> 00:55:51.619 God. 00:55:53.000 --> 00:55:53.719 This is 00:55:53.719 --> 00:55:54.900 who Jesus 00:55:54.900 --> 00:55:55.920 is. 00:55:57.159 --> 00:55:57.579 There's a 00:55:57.579 --> 00:55:57.879 Jewish 00:55:57.879 --> 00:55:58.699 proverb that 00:55:58.699 --> 00:55:59.039 says, 00:55:59.099 --> 00:55:59.599 a friend 00:55:59.599 --> 00:56:00.779 is one 00:56:00.780 --> 00:56:01.920 who warns 00:56:01.920 --> 00:56:02.200 you. 00:56:03.740 --> 00:56:04.160 Well, 00:56:04.220 --> 00:56:05.100 Jesus came 00:56:05.100 --> 00:56:06.019 to warn 00:56:06.019 --> 00:56:06.420 us. 00:56:07.600 --> 00:56:08.140 He came 00:56:08.140 --> 00:56:08.700 to warn 00:56:08.700 --> 00:56:09.000 us. 00:56:09.620 --> 00:56:09.940 In chapter 00:56:09.940 --> 00:56:10.300 1, 00:56:10.360 --> 00:56:10.940 verse 15, 00:56:11.040 --> 00:56:11.420 the time 00:56:11.420 --> 00:56:12.060 is fulfilled, 00:56:12.220 --> 00:56:12.620 the kingdom 00:56:12.620 --> 00:56:13.160 of God 00:56:13.160 --> 00:56:13.440 is at 00:56:13.440 --> 00:56:13.720 hand, 00:56:13.840 --> 00:56:14.240 repent, 00:56:15.019 --> 00:56:15.860 and believe 00:56:15.860 --> 00:56:16.720 in the 00:56:16.720 --> 00:56:17.180 gospel. 00:56:18.720 --> 00:56:19.260 Believe 00:56:19.260 --> 00:56:20.400 in Jesus 00:56:20.400 --> 00:56:21.080 Christ, 00:56:21.640 --> 00:56:22.420 the Son 00:56:22.420 --> 00:56:23.820 of God. 00:56:25.220 --> 00:56:26.220 We don't 00:56:26.220 --> 00:56:26.940 see him, 00:56:27.940 --> 00:56:29.200 but we 00:56:29.200 --> 00:56:29.940 hear him. 00:56:30.780 --> 00:56:31.560 He is 00:56:31.560 --> 00:56:32.000 preaching 00:56:32.000 --> 00:56:33.180 to us 00:56:33.180 --> 00:56:33.980 today. 00:56:34.720 --> 00:56:35.260 He is 00:56:35.260 --> 00:56:35.740 the one 00:56:35.740 --> 00:56:36.040 who is 00:56:36.040 --> 00:56:36.440 able to 00:56:36.440 --> 00:56:36.760 say, 00:56:37.519 --> 00:56:38.360 your sins 00:56:38.360 --> 00:56:39.680 are forgiven. 00:56:40.900 --> 00:56:41.480 He is 00:56:41.480 --> 00:56:41.800 the one 00:56:41.800 --> 00:56:42.060 who is 00:56:42.060 --> 00:56:43.100 able to 00:56:43.100 --> 00:56:43.620 make you 00:56:43.620 --> 00:56:43.920 well. 00:56:45.360 --> 00:56:45.740 But you 00:56:45.740 --> 00:56:45.900 say, 00:56:45.960 --> 00:56:46.460 I can't 00:56:46.460 --> 00:56:46.860 see him. 00:56:47.640 --> 00:56:48.160 How can 00:56:48.160 --> 00:56:48.760 I trust 00:56:48.760 --> 00:56:49.060 him? 00:56:50.140 --> 00:56:50.600 Well, 00:56:50.660 --> 00:56:51.320 he sees 00:56:51.320 --> 00:56:51.820 you, 00:56:52.740 --> 00:56:53.660 and that's 00:56:53.660 --> 00:56:54.400 what counts. 00:56:55.560 --> 00:56:56.260 There's a 00:56:56.260 --> 00:56:57.140 story told 00:56:57.140 --> 00:56:58.500 of a 00:56:58.500 --> 00:56:59.040 house that 00:56:59.040 --> 00:56:59.720 caught fire 00:56:59.720 --> 00:57:00.340 one night, 00:57:00.780 --> 00:57:02.220 and there 00:57:02.220 --> 00:57:02.440 was a 00:57:02.440 --> 00:57:03.120 young boy 00:57:03.120 --> 00:57:03.980 still in 00:57:03.980 --> 00:57:04.320 the house 00:57:04.320 --> 00:57:04.519 and he 00:57:04.519 --> 00:57:05.019 was forced 00:57:05.019 --> 00:57:05.600 to flee 00:57:05.600 --> 00:57:06.400 up to 00:57:06.400 --> 00:57:06.820 the roof. 00:57:07.740 --> 00:57:08.100 And his 00:57:08.100 --> 00:57:08.560 father had 00:57:08.560 --> 00:57:08.920 got out 00:57:08.920 --> 00:57:09.140 of the 00:57:09.140 --> 00:57:09.600 house and 00:57:09.600 --> 00:57:09.780 he was 00:57:09.780 --> 00:57:10.360 looking up 00:57:10.360 --> 00:57:11.280 to his 00:57:11.280 --> 00:57:11.560 son, 00:57:11.640 --> 00:57:11.860 he was 00:57:11.860 --> 00:57:12.440 hearing him 00:57:12.440 --> 00:57:12.900 screaming. 00:57:14.060 --> 00:57:14.320 And he 00:57:14.320 --> 00:57:14.780 was shouting 00:57:14.780 --> 00:57:15.120 up to 00:57:15.120 --> 00:57:15.440 his son, 00:57:15.600 --> 00:57:15.980 jump, 00:57:16.620 --> 00:57:17.600 I'll catch 00:57:17.600 --> 00:57:17.860 you. 00:57:18.840 --> 00:57:19.360 He knew 00:57:19.360 --> 00:57:19.780 the boy 00:57:19.780 --> 00:57:20.240 had to 00:57:20.240 --> 00:57:20.580 jump. 00:57:21.000 --> 00:57:21.340 He knew 00:57:21.340 --> 00:57:21.720 it was the 00:57:21.720 --> 00:57:22.400 only way 00:57:22.400 --> 00:57:23.180 to get 00:57:23.180 --> 00:57:23.880 to safety. 00:57:24.560 --> 00:57:24.880 And so he 00:57:24.880 --> 00:57:25.480 was shouting, 00:57:25.720 --> 00:57:26.040 jump, 00:57:26.880 --> 00:57:27.760 I'll catch 00:57:27.760 --> 00:57:28.040 you. 00:57:28.039 --> 00:57:29.420 But as 00:57:29.420 --> 00:57:29.699 the wee 00:57:29.699 --> 00:57:30.199 boy was 00:57:30.199 --> 00:57:30.699 looking down, 00:57:30.779 --> 00:57:31.059 all he 00:57:31.059 --> 00:57:31.480 could see 00:57:31.480 --> 00:57:32.279 was smoke 00:57:32.279 --> 00:57:32.980 and flames 00:57:32.980 --> 00:57:33.739 and darkness. 00:57:34.340 --> 00:57:34.900 He couldn't 00:57:34.900 --> 00:57:35.360 see his 00:57:35.360 --> 00:57:35.719 father. 00:57:36.039 --> 00:57:36.360 He could 00:57:36.360 --> 00:57:36.699 hear the 00:57:36.699 --> 00:57:36.960 voice, 00:57:37.059 --> 00:57:37.259 but he 00:57:37.259 --> 00:57:37.559 couldn't 00:57:37.559 --> 00:57:38.059 see him. 00:57:39.400 --> 00:57:39.920 And he 00:57:39.920 --> 00:57:40.719 was afraid. 00:57:42.320 --> 00:57:42.619 And the 00:57:42.619 --> 00:57:43.259 father was 00:57:43.259 --> 00:57:43.779 still shouting, 00:57:43.980 --> 00:57:44.340 jump. 00:57:45.779 --> 00:57:46.099 And the 00:57:46.099 --> 00:57:46.440 boy was 00:57:46.440 --> 00:57:46.659 saying, 00:57:47.099 --> 00:57:47.559 but dad, 00:57:47.599 --> 00:57:48.179 I can't 00:57:48.179 --> 00:57:48.860 see you. 00:57:50.119 --> 00:57:50.759 And the 00:57:50.759 --> 00:57:51.579 father replied, 00:57:51.699 --> 00:57:52.599 but I can 00:57:52.599 --> 00:57:53.460 see you. 00:57:54.019 --> 00:57:54.779 And that's 00:57:54.779 --> 00:57:55.460 all that 00:57:55.460 --> 00:57:56.059 matters. 00:57:56.059 --> 00:57:57.440 And so 00:57:57.440 --> 00:57:58.000 the boy 00:57:58.000 --> 00:57:59.000 jumped. 00:57:59.900 --> 00:58:00.299 And the 00:58:00.299 --> 00:58:01.239 father caught 00:58:01.239 --> 00:58:01.440 him. 00:58:02.799 --> 00:58:03.539 And that's 00:58:03.539 --> 00:58:04.599 the gospel. 00:58:05.420 --> 00:58:06.000 We say 00:58:06.000 --> 00:58:06.659 we can't 00:58:06.659 --> 00:58:07.559 see Jesus. 00:58:08.219 --> 00:58:08.659 How can 00:58:08.659 --> 00:58:08.980 we know 00:58:08.980 --> 00:58:09.539 he's real? 00:58:10.699 --> 00:58:11.119 We have 00:58:11.119 --> 00:58:11.440 to put 00:58:11.440 --> 00:58:12.099 ourselves 00:58:12.099 --> 00:58:13.380 into his 00:58:13.380 --> 00:58:13.900 hands 00:58:13.900 --> 00:58:15.219 to take 00:58:15.219 --> 00:58:15.920 that leap 00:58:15.920 --> 00:58:17.179 of faith, 00:58:17.699 --> 00:58:18.779 to come 00:58:18.779 --> 00:58:20.320 believing 00:58:20.320 --> 00:58:20.920 in him 00:58:20.920 --> 00:58:21.699 as the 00:58:21.699 --> 00:58:22.719 son of 00:58:22.719 --> 00:58:23.159 God, 00:58:23.659 --> 00:58:24.360 the one 00:58:24.360 --> 00:58:24.639 who is 00:58:24.639 --> 00:58:25.659 able to 00:58:25.659 --> 00:58:26.239 forgive 00:58:26.239 --> 00:58:27.679 our sins. 00:58:28.839 --> 00:58:29.399 That is 00:58:29.399 --> 00:58:29.940 the Jesus 00:58:29.940 --> 00:58:31.199 that we 00:58:31.199 --> 00:58:31.920 see here. 00:58:32.819 --> 00:58:33.199 Do we 00:58:33.199 --> 00:58:33.779 see his 00:58:33.779 --> 00:58:34.399 identity? 00:58:35.619 --> 00:58:35.940 Do we 00:58:35.940 --> 00:58:36.500 see him 00:58:36.500 --> 00:58:37.739 as the 00:58:37.739 --> 00:58:38.339 son of 00:58:38.339 --> 00:58:38.639 God, 00:58:38.719 --> 00:58:39.299 the Christ, 00:58:39.420 --> 00:58:39.980 the Messiah, 00:58:40.859 --> 00:58:41.159 the one 00:58:41.159 --> 00:58:41.599 who came 00:58:41.599 --> 00:58:42.239 to save 00:58:42.239 --> 00:58:42.879 his people 00:58:42.879 --> 00:58:44.039 from their 00:58:44.039 --> 00:58:44.579 sins? 00:58:45.819 --> 00:58:46.359 Do you 00:58:46.359 --> 00:58:46.980 identify 00:58:46.980 --> 00:58:48.259 with him 00:58:48.259 --> 00:58:50.339 as he 00:58:50.339 --> 00:58:51.000 identifies 00:58:51.000 --> 00:58:52.500 to you? 00:58:53.420 --> 00:58:54.539 He came 00:58:54.539 --> 00:58:55.880 for sinners. 00:58:57.079 --> 00:58:57.659 And we 00:58:57.659 --> 00:58:58.159 are all 00:58:58.159 --> 00:58:58.760 sinners. 00:58:59.960 --> 00:59:00.679 But we 00:59:00.679 --> 00:59:01.119 are all 00:59:01.119 --> 00:59:01.400 to put 00:59:01.400 --> 00:59:02.199 our trust 00:59:02.199 --> 00:59:03.599 in him 00:59:03.599 --> 00:59:04.940 and to 00:59:04.940 --> 00:59:05.280 invite 00:59:05.280 --> 00:59:05.860 others 00:59:05.860 --> 00:59:07.039 so that 00:59:07.039 --> 00:59:07.440 as we 00:59:07.440 --> 00:59:08.239 know Christ 00:59:08.239 --> 00:59:08.539 and the 00:59:08.539 --> 00:59:08.900 forgiveness 00:59:08.900 --> 00:59:09.380 of our 00:59:09.380 --> 00:59:09.940 sins, 00:59:10.179 --> 00:59:10.980 that we 00:59:10.980 --> 00:59:11.340 would be 00:59:11.340 --> 00:59:11.880 like these 00:59:11.880 --> 00:59:12.900 men who 00:59:12.900 --> 00:59:13.179 brought 00:59:13.179 --> 00:59:13.420 their 00:59:13.420 --> 00:59:14.159 friend to 00:59:14.159 --> 00:59:14.619 Jesus, 00:59:14.800 --> 00:59:15.179 that he 00:59:15.179 --> 00:59:15.659 might be 00:59:15.659 --> 00:59:16.039 well, 00:59:17.380 --> 00:59:17.760 that we 00:59:17.760 --> 00:59:18.260 would say 00:59:18.260 --> 00:59:18.920 to others, 00:59:19.100 --> 00:59:19.440 come, 00:59:20.180 --> 00:59:21.000 come to 00:59:21.000 --> 00:59:21.420 Jesus. 00:59:22.620 --> 00:59:23.060 He is 00:59:23.060 --> 00:59:23.660 the one 00:59:23.660 --> 00:59:24.680 who can 00:59:24.680 --> 00:59:25.500 forgive your 00:59:25.500 --> 00:59:27.160 sins and 00:59:27.160 --> 00:59:27.660 make you 00:59:27.660 --> 00:59:28.000 well. 00:59:29.600 --> 00:59:30.260 Let's 00:59:30.260 --> 00:59:30.880 identify 00:59:30.880 --> 00:59:31.720 with Jesus, 00:59:32.340 --> 00:59:32.940 the son 00:59:32.940 --> 00:59:33.560 of God, 00:59:34.460 --> 00:59:34.860 and let's 00:59:34.860 --> 00:59:35.500 have faith 00:59:35.500 --> 00:59:36.040 in him 00:59:36.040 --> 00:59:37.760 and encourage 00:59:37.760 --> 00:59:38.480 others to 00:59:38.480 --> 00:59:39.880 come and 00:59:39.880 --> 00:59:40.280 know that 00:59:40.280 --> 00:59:41.740 power of 00:59:41.740 --> 00:59:42.380 salvation 00:59:42.380 --> 00:59:43.560 in him. 00:59:43.960 --> 00:59:44.400 Let us 00:59:44.400 --> 00:59:44.600 pray. 00:59:46.300 --> 00:59:46.940 Our 00:59:46.940 --> 00:59:47.580 Father in 00:59:47.580 --> 00:59:47.840 heaven, 00:59:47.840 --> 00:59:48.220 we do 00:59:48.220 --> 00:59:49.620 rejoice in 00:59:49.620 --> 00:59:50.160 your goodness 00:59:50.160 --> 00:59:50.820 to us, 00:59:50.880 --> 00:59:51.160 that you 00:59:51.160 --> 00:59:51.700 speak, 00:59:51.820 --> 00:59:52.340 you call 00:59:52.340 --> 00:59:52.700 us to 00:59:52.700 --> 00:59:53.200 yourself 00:59:53.200 --> 00:59:53.500 through 00:59:53.500 --> 00:59:53.720 your 00:59:53.720 --> 00:59:54.120 word, 00:59:54.680 --> 00:59:55.059 and even 00:59:55.059 --> 00:59:55.680 in times 00:59:55.680 --> 00:59:56.100 when we 00:59:56.100 --> 00:59:56.900 cannot see, 00:59:57.480 --> 00:59:57.860 even in 00:59:57.860 --> 00:59:58.420 times when 00:59:58.420 --> 00:59:58.980 we doubt 00:59:58.980 --> 00:59:59.340 and we 00:59:59.340 --> 00:59:59.720 seem to 00:59:59.720 --> 01:00:00.019 lack 01:00:00.019 --> 01:00:00.519 faith, 01:00:01.059 --> 01:00:01.400 that you 01:00:01.400 --> 01:00:02.180 still call 01:00:02.180 --> 01:00:02.559 us to 01:00:02.559 --> 01:00:03.059 yourself, 01:00:03.640 --> 01:00:03.920 that you 01:00:03.920 --> 01:00:04.120 are the 01:00:04.120 --> 01:00:04.500 one who 01:00:04.500 --> 01:00:04.940 is able 01:00:04.940 --> 01:00:05.519 to forgive 01:00:05.519 --> 01:00:06.140 us our 01:00:06.140 --> 01:00:06.660 sins and 01:00:06.660 --> 01:00:07.059 to make 01:00:07.059 --> 01:00:07.559 us new. 01:00:08.220 --> 01:00:08.460 So, 01:00:08.579 --> 01:00:08.720 Lord, 01:00:08.800 --> 01:00:09.320 hear our 01:00:09.320 --> 01:00:10.480 prayers and 01:00:10.480 --> 01:00:10.900 help us 01:00:10.900 --> 01:00:11.160 to be 01:00:11.160 --> 01:00:12.480 faithful as 01:00:12.480 --> 01:00:13.140 friends to 01:00:13.140 --> 01:00:13.500 others, 01:00:13.640 --> 01:00:14.380 inviting to 01:00:14.380 --> 01:00:14.820 Jesus, 01:00:15.559 --> 01:00:15.900 that there 01:00:15.900 --> 01:00:16.240 we would 01:00:16.240 --> 01:00:17.340 find that 01:00:17.340 --> 01:00:17.960 friend who 01:00:17.960 --> 01:00:18.680 stays closer 01:00:18.680 --> 01:00:19.200 than any 01:00:19.200 --> 01:00:19.559 brother, 01:00:20.160 --> 01:00:20.440 and the 01:00:20.440 --> 01:00:20.780 one who 01:00:20.780 --> 01:00:21.039 says, 01:00:21.140 --> 01:00:21.440 you are 01:00:21.440 --> 01:00:21.660 my 01:00:21.660 --> 01:00:22.460 friends if 01:00:22.460 --> 01:00:22.900 you do 01:00:22.900 --> 01:00:23.820 as I 01:00:23.820 --> 01:00:24.300 command. 01:00:24.519 --> 01:00:25.000 Hear our 01:00:25.000 --> 01:00:25.579 prayers and 01:00:25.579 --> 01:00:26.400 go before us 01:00:26.400 --> 01:00:27.019 in the rest of 01:00:27.019 --> 01:00:27.539 this day, 01:00:28.059 --> 01:00:28.660 pardoning our 01:00:28.660 --> 01:00:29.079 sin in 01:00:29.079 --> 01:00:29.820 Jesus' name. 01:00:30.300 --> 01:00:30.620 Amen. 01:00:30.619 --> 01:00:35.400 We'll 01:00:35.400 --> 01:00:36.059 conclude by 01:00:36.059 --> 01:00:36.659 singing to 01:00:36.659 --> 01:00:37.059 God's 01:00:37.059 --> 01:00:37.639 praise in 01:00:37.639 --> 01:00:38.799 Psalm 138. 01:00:39.880 --> 01:00:40.699 We'll sing 01:00:40.699 --> 01:00:41.179 Psalms 01:00:41.179 --> 01:00:41.559 version, 01:00:41.699 --> 01:00:43.099 page 179. 01:00:49.739 --> 01:00:51.000 Psalm 138, 01:00:51.059 --> 01:00:51.380 we'll sing 01:00:51.380 --> 01:00:52.380 from verse 1 01:00:52.380 --> 01:00:53.480 to verse 5. 01:00:54.000 --> 01:00:54.659 I'll praise 01:00:54.659 --> 01:00:54.839 you, 01:00:54.960 --> 01:00:55.099 Lord, 01:00:55.179 --> 01:00:55.819 with all my 01:00:55.819 --> 01:00:56.139 heart. 01:00:56.199 --> 01:00:56.759 Before the 01:00:56.759 --> 01:00:57.099 gods, 01:00:57.179 --> 01:00:57.699 I'll sing 01:00:57.699 --> 01:00:58.400 your praise. 01:00:58.400 --> 01:00:58.940 I'll bow 01:00:58.940 --> 01:01:00.180 towards your 01:01:00.180 --> 01:01:01.019 holy place 01:01:01.019 --> 01:01:01.619 and bless 01:01:01.619 --> 01:01:02.720 your holy 01:01:02.720 --> 01:01:04.019 name always. 01:01:04.139 --> 01:01:04.380 We'll sing 01:01:04.380 --> 01:01:05.079 from verse 1 01:01:05.079 --> 01:01:05.860 to 5 to 01:01:05.860 --> 01:01:06.300 God's 01:01:06.300 --> 01:01:06.660 praise. 01:01:06.760 --> 01:01:07.320 We stand 01:01:07.320 --> 01:01:08.180 to sing. 01:01:08.179 --> 01:01:08.859 am Evan 01:01:08.859 --> 01:01:10.059 goes 01:01:10.059 --> 01:01:10.919 to 01:01:10.919 --> 01:01:11.119 Christ. 01:01:11.559 --> 01:01:12.000 harder 01:01:12.000 --> 01:01:12.159 to 01:01:12.159 --> 01:01:13.559 be 01:01:13.559 --> 01:01:13.619 HD 01:01:13.619 --> 01:01:14.579 in 01:01:14.579 --> 01:01:17.139 music 01:01:17.139 --> 01:01:17.819 , 01:01:17.839 --> 01:01:27.000 Vern 01:01:27.000 --> 01:01:27.179 to 01:01:27.179 --> 01:01:27.759 I 01:01:27.759 --> 01:01:27.819 own 01:01:27.819 --> 01:01:28.559 power 01:01:28.559 --> 01:01:29.099 in 01:01:29.099 --> 01:01:29.799 y 01:01:29.799 --> 01:01:31.659 va 01:01:31.659 --> 01:01:32.639 時 01:01:32.639 --> 01:01:33.839 preventing 01:01:33.839 --> 01:01:34.599 be 01:01:34.599 --> 01:01:34.960 忍 01:01:34.960 --> 01:01:35.679 tać 01:01:35.679 --> 01:01:36.159 who 01:01:36.159 --> 01:01:37.159 Amen. 01:02:06.159 --> 01:02:08.159 Amen. 01:02:36.159 --> 01:02:38.159 Amen. 01:03:06.159 --> 01:03:08.159 Amen. 01:03:36.159 --> 01:03:38.159 Amen. 01:03:47.159 --> 01:03:49.619 After the benediction, I'll go to the door to my right. 01:03:49.719 --> 01:03:50.859 We'll close with the benediction. 01:03:51.719 --> 01:03:56.699 Now may grace, mercy, and peace from God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 01:03:56.699 --> 01:04:00.739 rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. 01:04:01.119 --> 01:04:01.500 Amen. 01:04:06.159 --> 01:04:07.159 Amen. 01:04:36.159 --> 01:04:37.159 Amen.