1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,600 Turn with me to Mark chapter 12. In our brief time together, 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:13,010 we'll be looking at 2 verses beginning in verse 38 of Mark 3 00:00:13,010 --> 00:00:16,570 chapter 12. We don't have that much left for 4 00:00:16,570 --> 00:00:18,810 this chapter before we get to Mark chapter 13. 5 00:00:18,810 --> 00:00:24,810 And Mark chapter 13 is the riveting teaching of Jesus on 6 00:00:24,810 --> 00:00:26,970 the Mount of Olives concerning the last days. 7 00:00:27,450 --> 00:00:30,010 And so I'm looking forward to that series. 8 00:00:30,490 --> 00:00:35,360 I trust you are as well, but we must honour our pace and so 9 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:37,680 we're here at verse 38 and let's read together. 10 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:43,200 And in his teaching he said beware of the scribes who like 11 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:47,640 to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the 12 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:52,560 marketplaces, and have the best seats in the synagogues and the 13 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:58,440 places of honour at feasts, who devour widows houses and for 14 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:04,560 pretence make long prayers. They will receive the greater 15 00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:08,800 condemnation. I usually don't share the title 16 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:11,080 of a message, but I will this time. 17 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:15,520 Today I want to speak to you answering the question who will 18 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:18,000 receive the greater condemnation? 19 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:23,840 Contrary to modern day opinion, Jesus Christ of Nazareth 20 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:29,000 believed, taught and warned about a coming judgement. 21 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:35,120 This judgement will be executed by God and it will determine the 22 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:41,200 fate of every human being concerning their eternal 23 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:44,520 destiny. What we rejoice in, US 24 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:46,920 Christians, are the truths that we've sung about and even 25 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:50,640 witnessed through the obedience of some that our judgement has 26 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:52,920 been settled at the cross of Jesus Christ. 27 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:59,160 We have no reason to fear this judgement that will arrive and 28 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:00,720 will be implemented upon everybody. 29 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:07,000 Christ drank the wrath. Christ took every single inch, 30 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:11,120 every single amount of your sin and satisfied the justice of 31 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:13,280 God. And through your repentant 32 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:17,960 faith, you are now accepted in the Beloved, and you are secure 33 00:02:17,960 --> 00:02:21,240 in His hand. Nevertheless, understand this, 34 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:25,280 my dear Christian brother and sister, the Bible does teach 35 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:28,520 that there is still a judgement for Christians, and this 36 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:31,680 judgement will not determine your eternal state. 37 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:35,040 It will determine the degree of reward that you will enjoy in 38 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:41,920 another life, and that will be measured by how you and I lived 39 00:02:41,920 --> 00:02:45,720 as forgiven people in the name of Jesus Christ. 40 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:50,160 Additionally, there is a judgement that will come upon 41 00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:54,800 those who have rejected the Gospel, who have rejected the 42 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:57,960 mercy and grace of God in the person of Jesus. 43 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:01,520 And what people fail to understand is that judgement 44 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:08,680 will also determine the degree of punishment that unbelievers 45 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:15,200 will have to endure for all of eternity, depending upon the 46 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:18,760 wisdom of God and determining the severity of their sin. 47 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:23,520 And what you and I are reading today is just a glimpse, some 48 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:28,760 insights about what will take place, how and what will be 49 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:33,720 judged on that final day. More specifically, Jesus Christ 50 00:03:34,040 --> 00:03:40,000 is actually highlighting those who will bear the heavy penalty 51 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:43,520 granted by God, one of the highest forms of divine 52 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:46,200 retribution that one can receive. 53 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,880 And that's made clear by the last part of verse 40. 54 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:56,400 He says they will receive the greater condemnation, not just 55 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:59,000 condemnation, but the greater one. 56 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:06,920 Who is the day that Jesus speaks of the scribes, the scribes, the 57 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:12,920 theologians of this time, the austere scholars, the esteemed 58 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:16,839 men who were revered by the general population as being in 59 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:23,320 tune with God and learned and experts in the mind of God. 60 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:29,000 Jesus underscores that it is this class of men who will 61 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:33,600 experience A level of judgement that is quite terrifying. 62 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:38,800 And when we come to this text, we might wonder, well, what 63 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,360 benefit does this prophetic declaration have for us? 64 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:45,560 And that would be an appropriate question. 65 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,000 But when you look at it from a different angle, when you look 66 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,120 at it from Luke's writing, you get your answer. 67 00:04:50,560 --> 00:05:00,280 If you want to with me, turn to Luke 20 and verse 45 and Luke 68 00:05:00,280 --> 00:05:03,600 2045 in the parallel account. Notice what the Scripture says 69 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:06,280 concerning the format of Jesus's teaching. 70 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:12,240 It says, and in the hearing of all the people, he said to his 71 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:15,680 disciples, beware of the scribes. 72 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:18,800 He said to his disciples, He wasn't saying this to the 73 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:20,960 scribes, He was saying this to his own followers. 74 00:05:21,840 --> 00:05:25,720 Now the full comprehensive teaching that Jesus gives here 75 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:30,800 is provided in Matthew chapter 23 where you get a lengthy index 76 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:34,880 of woes that Jesus proclaims concerning the scribes and the 77 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:38,080 Pharisees. Comparatively, Mark and Luke 78 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:41,600 summarize that lengthy teaching in the way that we just read it 79 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:44,880 in these two verses. But I present to you today that 80 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:48,720 this has great benefit for the disciple of Christ, for him to 81 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,960 look at his own 12 and proclaim this teaching. 82 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:55,680 Yes, in the presence of a great crowd implies something super 83 00:05:55,680 --> 00:06:00,160 important. Followers of Jesus are capable 84 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:05,680 of embracing the mentality and the practices of these scribes 85 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:10,360 who embody the opposite spirit of what a true disciple of 86 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:14,080 Christ must be. In other words, Jesus wants to 87 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:17,920 teach his own of the things that deeply displease him. 88 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:24,440 And so, to our benefit, when Christ speaks about this issue, 89 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:29,560 he's not vague. He's surgically precise in his 90 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:34,280 denunciation. And I come to this text and I'm 91 00:06:34,280 --> 00:06:36,360 reading. I'm thinking, OK, I know that 92 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:38,920 I'm wonderfully saved by the grace of God, but I also see the 93 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:42,080 mind of my Savior. And what I learned here is what 94 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:46,800 He greatly condemns, what is deplorable to him. 95 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,320 I know we rejoice in the truth that God is love. 96 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:56,080 But remember, God also hates. He hates and there are things 97 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:59,880 that He hates more than other things, including this. 98 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,280 And so these evils that you and I just mentioned that seem to be 99 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:09,200 culturally bound, when you actually consider the heart 100 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:12,920 behind it, you'll realize that these appetites and these 101 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:16,600 actions are actually universal. They apply today. 102 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:21,000 So yes, these scribes acted in a certain way that deserve such 103 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:24,560 judgement, but they can re replicate it and imitate it even 104 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:27,880 now in 2024. So in this brief time together, 105 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:32,800 I want to show you by way of categorizing these things, four 106 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:39,000 things, four things that the Lord Jesus Christ greatly 107 00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:49,320 condemns #1 Jesus Christ greatly condemns showy attention seeking 108 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,920 spirituality. Where do we get that from? 109 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:57,920 We see here in verse 38 and in his teaching he said beware of 110 00:07:57,920 --> 00:08:03,920 the scribes who like to walk around in long robes. 111 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:08,400 Pause. Jesus is not criticizing a style 112 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:12,840 of apparel. He is pointing out a mindset 113 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:16,120 behind the application of certain garments. 114 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:20,600 Not much is given to us by Mark about what these long robes 115 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:25,240 signify, but again, it's when you go to Matthew's explanation 116 00:08:25,240 --> 00:08:27,720 where you get some additional insights that helps us 117 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:30,080 understand what Christ is getting at. 118 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:33,799 So you have to turn to Matthew 23 and you have to see it here 119 00:08:33,799 --> 00:08:37,799 in verse five of Matthew 23. Jesus expounds upon what He 120 00:08:37,799 --> 00:08:42,400 means here about these lengthy robes that these scribes wore 121 00:08:43,039 --> 00:08:47,920 all the time. Matthew 23, verse five, He says 122 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:52,720 about the same group of people. They do all their deeds to be 123 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:57,600 seen by others, for they make their phylacteries broad and 124 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:03,760 their fringes long. What are these two items? 125 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:10,320 Phylacteries are things that devout Jews today even apply. 126 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:14,440 They're those small leather boxes, have you seen them, that 127 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:17,960 are placed in the hands or on the forehead of devout Jews? 128 00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:21,080 And they are strapped by leather ties. 129 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:25,720 And in those leather boxes are verses and scriptures. 130 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:27,560 You say, well, why would they do that? 131 00:09:27,560 --> 00:09:31,560 Well, they derive that by literally interpreting and 132 00:09:31,560 --> 00:09:34,440 observing what Deuteronomy 68 says. 133 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,800 And that passage tells us that God commanded the law to be 134 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:42,200 bound as a sign on your hand, as shall be frontlets between your 135 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:43,840 eyes. So they took that and they 136 00:09:43,840 --> 00:09:46,240 literally applied it. We're going to put the Word of 137 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:49,160 God here and put the Word of God in our hands. 138 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:55,440 And then you read about these fringes that they were made 139 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:58,440 long. It does not have biblical basis. 140 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:00,480 Absolutely, it has biblical basis. 141 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:04,560 When you read in Numbers 15, you actually see it in verse 38 and 142 00:10:04,560 --> 00:10:10,000 39 where God commanded the common Jew to make certain 143 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:14,560 tassels on the corners of their garments, and these tassels at 144 00:10:14,560 --> 00:10:18,480 the end of their garments would serve as object lessons to 145 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:22,440 remember to obey and walk in the commands of God. 146 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:27,760 So everything that Jesus is describing here is actually 147 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:30,560 biblical. It's not inherently wrong. 148 00:10:30,560 --> 00:10:33,800 He's not condemning the presence of these leather boxes and these 149 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:37,760 fringes and these tassels. What is he? 150 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:41,840 What is he criticizing? Then read the verse again, for 151 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:48,400 they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. 152 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:52,520 And why did they look for the biggest leather box that they 153 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:55,920 can hold on their hand? Why did they try to find the 154 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:58,760 most noticeable thing to place on their face? 155 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:02,320 The first part of the verse they do all their deeds to be seen by 156 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:06,640 others. The Lord Jesus, can I just talk 157 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:10,280 to you plain and straight? He hates when the commands of 158 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:15,400 God are pursued, an exercise to maintain an image of super 159 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:17,640 spirituality. He hates it. 160 00:11:19,680 --> 00:11:23,360 Notice again that it was in the presence of these items, but the 161 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:26,720 motivation behind them. And unfortunately, what these 162 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:29,280 scribes did is possible for us to do today. 163 00:11:29,280 --> 00:11:33,760 Not only with your address, but with your words, with your 164 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:37,080 actions. When we act in a certain way 165 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:40,920 because we want not to please God, not to genuinely bless 166 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:45,400 those around us, but with the goal for the outcome of 167 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:49,000 onlookers to say to themselves and others, and maybe even to 168 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:57,400 you, you're holy, you're godly, you're like the real deal, 169 00:11:57,400 --> 00:12:00,240 right? You're the real deal. 170 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:08,120 And when that becomes the aim of your adornment of truth, Jesus 171 00:12:08,120 --> 00:12:10,360 says that deserves great condemnation. 172 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:15,200 All of this reminds me of a certain man from the Old 173 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:18,080 Testament. By the way, the Old Testament is 174 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:20,560 the best illustration book for New Testament truths. 175 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:25,000 I'm reminded of a certain king by the name of Jehu. 176 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:28,640 And he was commanded by God. He was commissioned by God to 177 00:12:28,680 --> 00:12:32,920 clean house, to remove all of Baal worship from the land of 178 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:35,920 promise. And he did so with great zeal 179 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:38,200 and obedience. And at some point he bumps into 180 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:42,800 another man named Jehanadad. And I want you to read or hear 181 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:48,520 these words in Second Kings 10/16, when this man now is on 182 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:51,640 this mission and he is succeeding. 183 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:56,960 Notice the words that he says. He says the quiet part out loud. 184 00:12:57,160 --> 00:12:59,760 He says what these scribes felt inside. 185 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:05,080 He perhaps is saying what some feel even in Christendom today 186 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:08,440 in their pursuit of spirituality. 187 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:16,040 Second Kings 1016 and he said, come with me and see my zeal for 188 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:20,160 the Lord. So you had him ride in his 189 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:23,240 chariot. So what's the big deal with 190 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:25,160 that? Here's what it would translate 191 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:27,120 that. Imagine a pastor coming to you 192 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:29,600 before Sunday service calling you saying, hey, can I pick you 193 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:30,520 up? I want you to hear how 194 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:34,120 passionate I am for God. How does that sound? 195 00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:39,040 And now you taste it, right? That's exactly what he's saying. 196 00:13:39,560 --> 00:13:41,440 Come and see my zeal for the Lord. 197 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:43,240 I have an extra seat in my chariot. 198 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:46,800 What's happening here? Well, you have this man who is 199 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:49,800 confessing a passion for God, but that passion for God has 200 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:52,160 become his platform for self promotion. 201 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:56,800 So it's not for God's sake, it's for my sake. 202 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:02,240 And I have no problem using my consecration, my gifting, my 203 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:05,840 influence, yes, in the name of God, but for you to really love 204 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:11,760 my name and to talk about me, you know, a true preacher will 205 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:14,200 be more disappointed if people walk out of the service talking 206 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:20,040 about him more than Jesus. But there are many like this man 207 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:23,280 and many like the scribes who actually are fishing. 208 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:28,000 They're fishing for the praise. They're fishing for the pat on 209 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:29,920 the back. They're fishing for the 210 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:34,280 comparison where you are incomparable, where you're the 211 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:36,120 next this and you're the next that. 212 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:44,560 Jesus hates showy, attention seeking spirituality, but it's 213 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:46,800 not the only things that he he condemns. 214 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:49,040 There's a second thing that Jesus greatly condemns. 215 00:14:49,680 --> 00:14:55,280 Jesus condemns #2 spiritual status as a means for personal 216 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:59,480 advantage. Come back to verse 38 of Mark 217 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:01,160 12. And in his teaching, he said 218 00:15:01,160 --> 00:15:04,960 beware of the scribes who who like to walk around in long 219 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:07,520 robes and like greetings in the marketplaces. 220 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:09,920 Pause there. That's elaborated in Matthew 23, 221 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:16,120 where they love to be called by titles rabbi and father and all 222 00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:19,240 these different they they got a kick out of that and they would 223 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:22,560 get upset if you didn't. But besides the point, look at 224 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:29,640 verse 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places 225 00:15:29,640 --> 00:15:34,960 of honour at feast. So listen the these scribes were 226 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:39,320 not just fishing for respect verbally expressed, no, they 227 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:45,840 employed their spirituality also to gain social advantage like 228 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:50,480 tangible perks. And so they wielded their pious 229 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:54,840 positions with that in mind. And again this might sound 230 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:57,640 strange, the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour 231 00:15:57,640 --> 00:15:58,680 at feast. What kind of feast? 232 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:01,760 It can be any kind of feast, including wedding feasts. 233 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:05,280 And so it may seem formed, but it's not formed because lust for 234 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:10,160 power and authority is not alien within Christendom. 235 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:14,600 It's not. And these scribes remind us that 236 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:16,840 we are all in danger. All of us are in danger, He told 237 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:18,600 his disciples. He told his followers. 238 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:23,040 We are all in danger of developing the attitude of a 239 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:27,800 master rather than of a servant within the sphere of the church. 240 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:30,400 And you've been here long enough to hear so many sermons about 241 00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:35,080 Christ elevating and promoting and teaching His own to pursue 242 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:36,800 servanthood. If you're really going to be 243 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:38,640 great spiritually, you're going to serve. 244 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:41,320 What do these scribes do? They did the exact opposite. 245 00:16:41,320 --> 00:16:45,200 They they, in the pursuit of greatness, measured that by the 246 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:47,960 privileges that they were able to attain and secure because of 247 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:51,240 their positions of power and their spiritual influence. 248 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:55,640 This is exactly what Christ is getting at, the danger of 249 00:16:55,640 --> 00:17:00,920 developing an attitude of being a Lord instead of being a slave. 250 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:08,520 And the ugliness here is when we are now leveraging our gifts, 251 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:12,000 leveraging our knowledge, leveraging our personality, 252 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:18,599 leveraging our influence to collect perks rather than to 253 00:17:18,599 --> 00:17:22,520 serve others. And so when you begin to think 254 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:31,400 in this way, I deserve this, I deserve this because I am this 255 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:37,720 or I do this, you're treading on condemnable ground because Jesus 256 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:41,560 hates this. In fact, He teaches in another 257 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:45,520 place something that elaborates on this warning. 258 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:50,000 Turn with me to Luke again. But look here at verse seven of 259 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:54,840 chapter 14, Luke 14, verse 7, because again, we can look at 260 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:57,120 this in a negative, but we also have to see it in the positive. 261 00:17:57,120 --> 00:17:59,440 If this is what Christ condemns, then what is He after? 262 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:02,280 What does He want us to pursue as disciples of His? 263 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,280 This is what He's asking of you, that no matter your position, 264 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:11,120 you and I have to daily, daily clothe the inner man with a 265 00:18:11,120 --> 00:18:14,520 garment of servanthood every single day. 266 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:18,200 As you put on your physical clothes, you're also putting on 267 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:23,000 the inner garments of servanthood and expect to be 268 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:25,720 treated as such, saying, what are you talking? 269 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:28,600 This is discipleship. This is what it means to follow 270 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:29,920 Christ. And look what Christ does when 271 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:33,160 he was invited to a feast, Luke 14 verse seven. 272 00:18:33,480 --> 00:18:37,160 Now he told a parable to those who were invited when he noticed 273 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:40,520 how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, so Can 274 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:44,400 you imagine that, right? You have all these prolific, 275 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,920 influential people who invite Jesus and you know what Jesus 276 00:18:47,920 --> 00:18:51,240 noticed when he came to dinner? I can just see it, these 277 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:53,840 Pharisees and these scribes entering into the place and 278 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:56,240 bumping into each other and racing to the best seats in the 279 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:58,160 house. And Christ noticed that like 280 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:01,280 little kids, He says, you know what, since I'm here, let me 281 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:03,040 teach on a parable about this very thing. 282 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:06,560 And so on. Verse 8, When you are invited by 283 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:10,400 someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of 284 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:13,680 honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be 285 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:17,480 invited by him. And he who invited you both will 286 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:21,280 come and say to you, give your place to this person, and you 287 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:23,800 will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 288 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:28,760 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that 289 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:32,280 when your host comes, he may say to you, friend, move up higher. 290 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:35,440 Then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at table 291 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:38,440 with you, that there is a gospel truth tucked into us, but we 292 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:39,800 don't have time to break it down. 293 00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:42,360 In fact, there are many, many points to make from this 294 00:19:42,360 --> 00:19:44,760 parable. Can I just make one for the sake 295 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:49,120 of making it memorable? Here's a practical tip for 296 00:19:49,120 --> 00:19:52,040 discipleship for you and I. It is this. 297 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:56,960 Whenever I walk into a room, I am to never think that I am the 298 00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:02,400 most important person there. Any room, any setting, any 299 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:05,080 amount of people. Here's one of the practical 300 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:06,240 truths. We want to be practical. 301 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:07,920 Yeah. Here's one of the practical 302 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:10,680 truths of I want to please Christ as a disciple of his. 303 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:15,920 I am to register, remind myself I am not the most important 304 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:21,800 person in this room. Even if you serve God 305 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:26,240 sacrificially, even if you're a radical follower of his, do not 306 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:29,560 allow your heart to ever get to the place where you think you 307 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:35,360 earn an advantage over another. This is discipleship saying, 308 00:20:35,360 --> 00:20:37,280 well, what should my heart be like then? 309 00:20:37,360 --> 00:20:40,200 I serve God. I, I do much for God. 310 00:20:41,320 --> 00:20:44,600 I, I, I think I'm the most active person actually in my 311 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:46,840 local church. Shouldn't I get something? 312 00:20:48,960 --> 00:20:50,760 Here's what you do. You're still in Luke, right? 313 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:53,920 Go to 17 and look at verse 10. Jesus actually instructed you 314 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:57,640 what you should do when you're even serving God and are 315 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:00,160 recognized for it. Look at Luke 17, verse 10. 316 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:07,880 This is Christ speaking and I pray that this would mark the 317 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:13,000 heart of every person at NBC. So you also, when you have done 318 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:17,440 all that you were commanded, say we are unworthy servants, we 319 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:19,160 have only done what was our duty. 320 00:21:20,040 --> 00:21:25,480 That's what you say. Not just I'm a servant, I'm 321 00:21:25,480 --> 00:21:30,560 actually unworthy to serve. It's one thing to be invited to 322 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:33,360 a high position or to be recognized and praised and say 323 00:21:33,360 --> 00:21:35,160 I'm unworthy. No, no, no, you're actually 324 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:39,440 unworthy when you serve. Like it's such a privilege and 325 00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:41,400 an honour to serve God in any capacity. 326 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:44,200 We should have the revelation that it's a privilege and an 327 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:48,160 honour to do so. You say what kind of thinking of 328 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:50,520 it? This is not the world, but this 329 00:21:50,520 --> 00:21:52,000 is the church. This is the Kingdom. 330 00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:55,040 I'm an unworthy servant. I don't get to. 331 00:21:55,360 --> 00:22:00,200 I don't deserve this. This is the opposite of what 332 00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:03,520 Jesus is condemning here. Jesus hates the Lord. 333 00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:10,600 Jesus hates when spiritual status is used to manipulate and 334 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:13,440 gain personal advantage. And it's very close to the third 335 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:15,760 thing that Jesus greatly condemns from our main passage 336 00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:24,440 #3 Jesus our King condemns greed being satisfied through 337 00:22:24,440 --> 00:22:27,280 spiritual manipulation. Come back to our main text, 338 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:29,920 please. Look at verse 40 of Mark 12. 339 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:35,840 These scribes who also devour widows houses. 340 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:41,040 Pause. I I really do. 341 00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:51,360 I actually feel a fear for those who have No Fear in exploiting 342 00:22:51,360 --> 00:22:55,400 people with their spiritual authority to make money. 343 00:22:56,960 --> 00:23:01,840 I fear for those people because Jesus said such people will 344 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:03,400 receive the greater condemnation. 345 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:07,640 And this would be so important for the disciples to hear 346 00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:10,320 because they were soon ready to be sent out into the four 347 00:23:10,320 --> 00:23:12,280 corners of the earth. And they were going to preach 348 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:14,560 the gospel, and God was going to enable them to do miracles. 349 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:16,320 And they're going to plant churches, and they're going to 350 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:19,560 bless thousands upon thousands of people. 351 00:23:20,080 --> 00:23:25,200 And as much as it might be an honor to be such a person, yes, 352 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:27,960 these apostles were unique in their authority and in their 353 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:31,040 ministry. But on any level, to touch 354 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:35,400 people's lives, as much as that might be a privilege, it is a 355 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:38,320 tremendous responsibility. Because here's the thing, from a 356 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:42,040 leadership standpoint, one of the things that you gain very 357 00:23:42,040 --> 00:23:47,440 easily, even within the church, is people's trust, people's 358 00:23:47,440 --> 00:23:50,040 trust. And what begins to happen then 359 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:53,960 if you're not careful and you allow this flesh to be 360 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:57,560 unharnessed and not to be under the control of the Holy Spirit, 361 00:23:57,560 --> 00:23:59,720 is that the love of money can creep in. 362 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:04,160 And now you are able to convince yourself and even convince 363 00:24:04,160 --> 00:24:09,000 yourself to benefit from others who sit under your ministry and 364 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:11,760 believe that you are a man of integrity and serve God 365 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:15,080 wholeheartedly. It's a tremendous 366 00:24:15,080 --> 00:24:20,680 responsibility. And we look at this and Jesus 367 00:24:21,280 --> 00:24:25,840 highlights this, and I believe it's more than just to keep a 368 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:31,240 watch out for perverted leaders. It's worth mentioning here that 369 00:24:31,240 --> 00:24:34,440 financial manipulation is not limited to prosperity preachers 370 00:24:34,440 --> 00:24:36,520 or those who embezzle church donations. 371 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:42,080 Let me say this way, there are many people who are not behind 372 00:24:42,080 --> 00:24:45,000 pulpits like this, who don't have TV programs, but see the 373 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:47,280 church as a benevolent institution. 374 00:24:48,920 --> 00:24:52,240 And they will come into the church and find a way to exploit 375 00:24:52,240 --> 00:24:55,080 the sheep. Get this as fellow sheep. 376 00:24:58,240 --> 00:25:02,400 Paul speaks of such people here. It is in Second Thessalonians 377 00:25:02,440 --> 00:25:08,240 chapter 3 and verse 10. It's a very brief epistle. 378 00:25:08,240 --> 00:25:11,800 And he writes For even when we were with you, we would give you 379 00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:14,560 this command. If anyone is not willing to 380 00:25:14,560 --> 00:25:19,960 work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you 381 00:25:19,960 --> 00:25:23,280 walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busy bodies. 382 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:26,920 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus 383 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:29,880 Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 384 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:32,640 So Paul here is highlighting a different danger. 385 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:35,360 He's not speaking about the top down, but he's speaking about 386 00:25:35,360 --> 00:25:40,240 those on the same field. And he's saying here that we 387 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:42,400 hear. So there's something now that's 388 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:44,120 arrived to the attention of the apostle. 389 00:25:44,120 --> 00:25:47,440 It's become a concern in this particular church. 390 00:25:48,120 --> 00:25:51,520 Paul is not speaking about the church not taking care of those 391 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:53,680 who are genuinely in need within the church. 392 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:56,720 You and I's brothers and sisters must look out for those who are 393 00:25:56,720 --> 00:26:00,720 suffering and who are in seasons of need and to come to their 394 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:03,080 aid. That's our call as Christians. 395 00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:05,240 This is not what he is getting at. 396 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:09,280 Paul is speaking about those who have ample opportunity and great 397 00:26:09,280 --> 00:26:13,000 ability but refuse to provide for themselves. 398 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:16,840 They refuse to do so. Now, why would some within the 399 00:26:16,840 --> 00:26:21,800 church who have opportunity and have ability refuse to work? 400 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:28,520 Because Christians are loving and they're generous and they're 401 00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:37,680 compassionate, and instead of being mindful of their own 402 00:26:37,680 --> 00:26:41,800 needs, they have no hesitation to take advantage of that 403 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:45,480 compassion. And so Paul is highlighting a 404 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:48,600 mindset that is not justifiable. Again, let me reiterate here. 405 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:51,000 Let me emphasize there are going to be people in your life in the 406 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:53,680 church who do need help, and we are not to put them under this 407 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:56,280 category. You know what's so interesting 408 00:26:56,280 --> 00:26:58,640 about these kind of people, though, who are exercising 409 00:26:58,640 --> 00:27:02,160 idleness? It actually could be because of 410 00:27:02,160 --> 00:27:04,240 their faulty view of the last days. 411 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:10,120 When you read this epistle, Paul is also correcting a faulty view 412 00:27:10,240 --> 00:27:12,520 of the teaching of the things to come. 413 00:27:13,360 --> 00:27:18,480 And it could be that some in the wrong theology interpreted and 414 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:22,200 applied the last days for them to say, well, what's the point 415 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:25,640 of working? Just quit your job. 416 00:27:27,400 --> 00:27:29,520 Just wait. The end of all things is near. 417 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,360 And so you remove yourself from your daily duties. 418 00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:37,440 But what tends to happen? What happened in this case? 419 00:27:37,560 --> 00:27:40,880 These people who might have believed that we're waiting and 420 00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:47,080 waiting and waiting and other stomachs are grumbling, but 421 00:27:47,080 --> 00:27:48,760 there's nothing in the bank account because you haven't 422 00:27:48,760 --> 00:27:52,960 worked in months. So what happens now? 423 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:57,960 In the name of spirituality, they're becoming a burden to the 424 00:27:57,960 --> 00:28:02,200 church. And so Paul comes in and he 425 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:04,960 says, no, no, no. We talked about this and I'm 426 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:07,760 ready to talk about it again. This is this is serious. 427 00:28:08,600 --> 00:28:12,160 So from any angle to financially take advantage of the church as 428 00:28:12,160 --> 00:28:16,400 a leader or not is a dangerous game to play. 429 00:28:18,800 --> 00:28:22,400 Jesus hates when greed is satisfied through spiritual 430 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:25,080 manipulation. There's one more thing that he 431 00:28:25,080 --> 00:28:27,760 condemns from this passage Mark 12. 432 00:28:28,880 --> 00:28:30,440 Let's look at verse 40 once more. 433 00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:42,320 Who devour widows houses and for a pretence make long prayers. 434 00:28:46,160 --> 00:28:49,160 It's as though the Lord is reinforcing his absolute disdain 435 00:28:49,160 --> 00:28:53,280 for showy spirituality because it it's very similar to the 436 00:28:53,280 --> 00:28:55,440 first point. Who who wear long robes, right? 437 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:57,560 Look at me, look at me, look at me. 438 00:28:57,760 --> 00:28:59,960 And instead of doing it with their garments, they're doing it 439 00:28:59,960 --> 00:29:02,960 with their voices. But there's a deeper layer to 440 00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:07,080 Jesus mentioning this kind of praying because he says here who 441 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:11,840 for pretence make long prayers pretend simply means to pretend. 442 00:29:13,480 --> 00:29:17,240 So what is he putting his finger on those who not are just 443 00:29:17,240 --> 00:29:20,800 praying to get attention, but those who are pretending while 444 00:29:20,800 --> 00:29:24,400 they pray there there's something that they're not 445 00:29:24,640 --> 00:29:26,760 though they're presenting themselves in a certain manner 446 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:34,400 through praying. And so Christ here, lastly, not 447 00:29:34,400 --> 00:29:37,560 only condemns showy spirituality, not only condemns 448 00:29:37,560 --> 00:29:41,600 those who use their spiritual status to take advantage of 449 00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:45,440 others, not who only through satisfying their greed will 450 00:29:45,440 --> 00:29:48,400 manipulate spiritually, but lastly, Jesus condemns 451 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:58,000 spirituality without substance. This pretense and pretense 452 00:29:58,000 --> 00:30:01,520 making long prayers is more than just showy spirituality. 453 00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:04,520 It's spirituality without substance. 454 00:30:06,440 --> 00:30:08,760 And Jesus talks about this in so many different ways. 455 00:30:08,760 --> 00:30:11,480 And you're familiar with that passage in Matthew chapter 6 456 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:15,440 where he also condemns early in his ministry, a type of prayer 457 00:30:16,040 --> 00:30:22,040 that is drawn out and framed and shaped in a way so that people 458 00:30:22,040 --> 00:30:24,560 can hear you instead of God hearing you. 459 00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:28,960 And do you remember what Jesus's answer to that kind of praying 460 00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:30,560 was? Do you remember what he says he 461 00:30:30,560 --> 00:30:37,040 looked for instead? Matthew 66 But when you pray, go 462 00:30:37,040 --> 00:30:42,200 into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is 463 00:30:42,200 --> 00:30:44,920 in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 464 00:30:46,080 --> 00:30:48,360 That is not to say that Christ is against public prayer 465 00:30:48,360 --> 00:30:49,960 meetings. But you know what? 466 00:30:49,960 --> 00:30:54,920 He is against public prayer meetings without personal 467 00:30:54,920 --> 00:31:02,640 intimate relationship. Who for pretense make long 468 00:31:03,120 --> 00:31:08,320 prayers where the heart is. I want people to know that I 469 00:31:08,320 --> 00:31:12,320 have a connection with God. I want people to know that I am 470 00:31:12,320 --> 00:31:17,160 indeed deep, passionate, sold out. 471 00:31:17,160 --> 00:31:26,160 Call it what you will, but your room has cobwebs and the prayer 472 00:31:26,160 --> 00:31:32,400 closet has not felt the warmth of your hand on its knob. 473 00:31:34,520 --> 00:31:39,040 That's what Jesus condemns. So that's in particular with 474 00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:41,080 prayer. But let's broaden it, right? 475 00:31:41,680 --> 00:31:45,280 What does Christ want from people who call upon his name? 476 00:31:45,920 --> 00:31:49,320 Substance. What is substance defined by 477 00:31:51,640 --> 00:31:57,320 private, real, secret intimacy with the Lord, not just in 478 00:31:57,320 --> 00:32:01,120 prayer, like who you are Once we check out of here in a few 479 00:32:01,120 --> 00:32:04,760 minutes, that's what the Lord is after. 480 00:32:05,520 --> 00:32:09,000 And the scribes, and I say this with a broken heart. 481 00:32:09,480 --> 00:32:14,000 Buildings like this are packed with those who for a pretense 482 00:32:14,680 --> 00:32:22,000 show up, who for a pretense give, who for a pretense hold 483 00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:24,440 the Bible. They might even beat it up a 484 00:32:24,440 --> 00:32:26,400 little bit so it looks like they've read it for a long time. 485 00:32:27,720 --> 00:32:31,640 Pretence. It's all pretend. 486 00:32:32,360 --> 00:32:37,400 And when you peel through the layers of public show, there's 487 00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:39,680 nothing. Nothing. 488 00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:45,080 I don't get people who are caught up in that. 489 00:32:45,800 --> 00:32:48,360 Let me say this boldly. What does it matter if you fool 490 00:32:48,360 --> 00:32:51,000 everybody but end up in hell for eternity for it? 491 00:32:52,480 --> 00:32:56,240 So these are the things I know this is a heavier one for a 492 00:32:56,240 --> 00:33:00,600 baptism service, but what do we begin the service with John 493 00:33:00,600 --> 00:33:03,120 telling us that he rejoices those who walk in the truth. 494 00:33:05,400 --> 00:33:06,960 A true disciple wants the whole truth. 495 00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:10,920 And these are the things that Jesus our Lord, precious name of 496 00:33:10,920 --> 00:33:13,040 God, our Savior, our Master hates. 497 00:33:15,520 --> 00:33:18,640 And I want to let you know today that if you were like the 498 00:33:18,640 --> 00:33:24,200 scribes in any way, the same Jesus who condemned these things 499 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:27,120 can change your heart. He can't. 500 00:33:27,640 --> 00:33:29,560 You might have played the fool for years. 501 00:33:30,280 --> 00:33:31,960 You might even fooled your spouse. 502 00:33:31,960 --> 00:33:34,000 You might have fooled your kids. You might have fooled your 503 00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:35,840 pastors. You can't fool God. 504 00:33:36,880 --> 00:33:39,440 And God at this very moment is willing to change. 505 00:33:39,440 --> 00:33:40,640 Why do you think this is in the Word? 506 00:33:42,200 --> 00:33:44,760 To just seal the fate of those who are living this way? 507 00:33:45,920 --> 00:33:50,880 No, may not be so of you. May this be the invitation of 508 00:33:50,880 --> 00:33:53,400 true Christianity and believers, though, yes, we are saved. 509 00:33:53,400 --> 00:33:56,960 Beware of these things too. Don't condemn yourself when 510 00:33:56,960 --> 00:34:00,480 you're visited by those thoughts and temptations, but by the 511 00:34:00,480 --> 00:34:03,200 power of the Spirit, swatted away when it comes. 512 00:34:03,600 --> 00:34:05,960 That's not, that's not true spirituality. 513 00:34:06,600 --> 00:34:09,360 And here's one of the marks of you growing in the faith, my 514 00:34:09,360 --> 00:34:12,960 precious brother and sister. As you grow, you become less 515 00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:17,920 concerned about public validation and more and more 516 00:34:17,920 --> 00:34:20,080 concerned about what God has to say. 517 00:34:20,520 --> 00:34:22,239 That's one of the marks of growth. 518 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:24,400 You become more and more detached. 519 00:34:24,600 --> 00:34:26,679 Not that you're careless with your character. 520 00:34:26,679 --> 00:34:27,960 No, no, I'm not talking about that. 521 00:34:28,159 --> 00:34:32,000 But you don't find your prize and the praises of others. 522 00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:37,040 You get more consumed by God. You come more aware of His all 523 00:34:37,040 --> 00:34:41,159 seeing eye and His all listening ear and the ultimate reward at 524 00:34:41,159 --> 00:34:47,600 the end where you will stare at those eyes and hear from that 525 00:34:47,600 --> 00:34:52,440 saving mouth. Well done my good and faithful 526 00:34:52,440 --> 00:34:55,159 servant. May that be said of all of us. 527 00:34:55,159 --> 00:34:57,720 By His grace. Can we pray and ask Him to 528 00:34:57,720 --> 00:35:01,400 cleanse us of anything that He would condemn? 529 00:35:14,660 --> 00:35:20,540 Lord, thank you that you can even save hypocrites. 530 00:35:22,140 --> 00:35:26,940 And Lord, we know that the testimony of the scribes is the 531 00:35:26,940 --> 00:35:31,040 testimonies of so many who've experienced your grace and 532 00:35:31,040 --> 00:35:35,520 mercy. Lord #1 as disciples of you, we 533 00:35:35,520 --> 00:35:39,480 want to live in greater purity and humility and grace. 534 00:35:39,480 --> 00:35:41,320 Can you help us, please, to do that? 535 00:35:43,080 --> 00:35:45,840 Please, Lord, help us. And when we're visited by these 536 00:35:45,840 --> 00:35:50,080 vices that try to latch on to the throne of our will or our 537 00:35:50,080 --> 00:35:53,800 affections or ambitions, Lord, may the truth that we just heard 538 00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:58,840 today just be one of the many ammunitions that would shoot 539 00:35:58,840 --> 00:36:03,520 those things down. We, we want to be more like the 540 00:36:03,520 --> 00:36:05,600 disciples you have purchased us to be. 541 00:36:06,840 --> 00:36:09,480 Thank you, Lord, that we can even bend our knee before you 542 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:13,440 and say, Lord, for some reason I'm craving the praise of man. 543 00:36:13,440 --> 00:36:15,600 Help me deliver me from this and you will. 544 00:36:16,520 --> 00:36:20,560 Thank you, O Lord, that we can come to you and and we can admit 545 00:36:21,880 --> 00:36:25,560 that there are things that you don't want, that we for some 546 00:36:25,560 --> 00:36:29,520 reason want and you can destroy it by your grace and power. 547 00:36:29,640 --> 00:36:32,640 Thank you for that. But Lord, we secondly pray for 548 00:36:32,640 --> 00:36:37,680 the person in here who might be defined exactly like these 549 00:36:37,680 --> 00:36:39,920 scribes. They have no true born again 550 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:42,840 experience. They have no true private 551 00:36:42,840 --> 00:36:46,320 devotion. They have no true holiness. 552 00:36:46,920 --> 00:36:49,840 It's all a mask. It's all superficial. 553 00:36:50,160 --> 00:36:54,520 It's all surface level, Lord. May they hear the resounding 554 00:36:54,520 --> 00:36:57,480 words of this book, of this particular passage, and may it 555 00:36:57,480 --> 00:37:01,080 set them free. May they know that they can be 556 00:37:01,080 --> 00:37:05,080 transferred from condemnation to commendation forever and ever if 557 00:37:05,080 --> 00:37:09,120 they just admit their guilt and come to the foot of the cross. 558 00:37:10,160 --> 00:37:14,920 Lord, we as a family come to you saying thank you for all that 559 00:37:14,920 --> 00:37:17,120 you had to say. And we ask Lord, that these 560 00:37:17,120 --> 00:37:21,960 things would help us walk in the truth in Jesus name, Amen. 561 00:37:22,240 --> 00:37:25,720 Amen. Let's stand. 562 00:37:26,480 --> 00:37:28,480 Let's stand and worship the Lord together as the praise team 563 00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:40,200 comes and serves us in that way. I want to encourage you, if 564 00:37:40,200 --> 00:37:42,000 you're a person here who's visiting and you don't know 565 00:37:42,000 --> 00:37:46,000 Jesus Christ, you can know salvation today. 566 00:37:46,680 --> 00:37:49,680 You can have all of your sins forgiven today. 567 00:37:50,200 --> 00:37:54,400 You can be a new creature today. You can know everlasting life 568 00:37:54,400 --> 00:37:57,640 for sure today. What you have to do is 569 00:37:57,640 --> 00:38:01,240 acknowledge that you are a Sinner and also acknowledge that 570 00:38:01,240 --> 00:38:05,920 Christ is the only Saviour and be willing to say this sin that 571 00:38:05,920 --> 00:38:10,080 I know condemns me. I put it aside, I repent of it, 572 00:38:10,080 --> 00:38:13,840 and I receive the payment that Jesus made for all my sin. 573 00:38:14,480 --> 00:38:17,880 I'm telling you today, listen, you can leave this place going 574 00:38:17,880 --> 00:38:22,440 to bed with the assurance that you have peace with God and you 575 00:38:22,440 --> 00:38:25,600 can wake up tomorrow and the day after and the years to come 576 00:38:25,600 --> 00:38:29,800 knowing for certain no matter what comes my way, I have this 577 00:38:29,800 --> 00:38:32,960 inheritance. I am a child of God. 578 00:38:33,600 --> 00:38:36,040 Why would you throw away that gift? 579 00:38:36,800 --> 00:38:39,120 Why would you relinquish it? Why would you dismiss it? 580 00:38:39,120 --> 00:38:40,760 Why would you even delay on that? 581 00:38:40,760 --> 00:38:45,520 It's a free gift and God wants to give it to you today and it's 582 00:38:45,520 --> 00:38:47,520 Providence. You're hearing the gospel maybe 583 00:38:47,520 --> 00:38:49,840 for the first time, maybe for the 100th time. 584 00:38:50,080 --> 00:38:52,920 Here's why I'm saying this at this point, even while we're 585 00:38:52,920 --> 00:38:59,200 singing, you can, in your own words, speak to the Lord and ask 586 00:38:59,200 --> 00:39:01,200 Him to forgive you of everything. 587 00:39:02,080 --> 00:39:04,120 The things that you do know about the things that you don't 588 00:39:04,120 --> 00:39:06,160 know about, the things that you're ashamed to talk about. 589 00:39:06,640 --> 00:39:10,520 And listen, if you are truly repentant in this place, you 590 00:39:10,520 --> 00:39:14,240 will know a supernatural experience of forgiveness that 591 00:39:14,240 --> 00:39:16,840 cannot be explained apart from the truth of this book. 592 00:39:17,920 --> 00:39:20,880 I want that for you. More importantly, God in heaven 593 00:39:20,880 --> 00:39:23,160 wants that for you. And I pray that you would make 594 00:39:23,160 --> 00:39:24,880 that choice before you leave this place. 595 00:39:24,880 --> 00:39:28,600 It's a free gift. Don't leave it here whenever 596 00:39:28,600 --> 00:39:29,320 you're ready, guys.