1 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:10,500 Please turn your attention with me in the word of God to the 2 00:00:10,500 --> 00:00:14,800 gospel of Mark and chapter chapter 4. 3 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:27,300 Mark 4. And as you're there. 4 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:30,400 We'll begin in verse 10 together. 5 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:37,600 Mark 4:10. And when he was alone, those 6 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:41,000 around him with the 12 asked him about the parables. 7 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:46,000 And he said to them to you, has been given the secret of the 8 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:49,500 kingdom of God. But for those outside, 9 00:00:49,500 --> 00:00:55,600 everything is in Parables. So that they may indeed see. 10 00:00:56,500 --> 00:01:03,100 But not perceive and may indeed here, but not understand. 11 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:08,000 Less, they should turn and be forgiven. 12 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:13,700 Lord, this is A text that we need. 13 00:01:13,700 --> 00:01:20,200 Great help with and we ask that in this moment, we would sense 14 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:23,900 your nearness. And that the anointing that you 15 00:01:23,900 --> 00:01:27,000 promised. And first John 2, Would be 16 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:31,400 realized in each of us and that we would be taught by the spirit 17 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:35,000 of God himself. Who is the author of this book 18 00:01:35,900 --> 00:01:37,900 Lori? Pray that there would be a 19 00:01:37,900 --> 00:01:42,100 special touch from you upon the delivery of this word, but also 20 00:01:42,100 --> 00:01:47,800 Lord, a touch on the hearts that every ear would indeed hear what 21 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:49,900 you have to say. Lord, we recognize that this 22 00:01:49,900 --> 00:01:54,300 moment, as we read and break down your word, it is your 23 00:01:54,300 --> 00:01:56,400 voice. It is your voice. 24 00:01:56,500 --> 00:02:00,900 Therefore let not the transmission be corrupted by the 25 00:02:00,900 --> 00:02:07,300 flesh by man's opinion. Let It Be pure and let it be 26 00:02:07,300 --> 00:02:12,800 unfiltered and may the name of the Lord Jesus Christ be exalted 27 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:16,400 in the faithfulness not just of the speaking but of the hearing 28 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:20,000 as well. In Jesus name, amen. 29 00:02:21,900 --> 00:02:26,000 This afternoon's message has one, simple goal and that goal 30 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:28,600 is to answer a very straightforward question. 31 00:02:29,300 --> 00:02:34,600 That question is, why did Jesus speak in Parables? 32 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:40,900 Why did Jesus speak in Parables? Now, it could be that some of 33 00:02:40,900 --> 00:02:44,300 you hearing that question respond internally with is that 34 00:02:44,300 --> 00:02:47,400 even important? Do we really need to know why 35 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:51,700 Jesus spoke in parables? We have enough of a challenge to 36 00:02:51,700 --> 00:02:54,800 understand the meaning of some of his Parables letter known the 37 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:58,800 reason for them but whether or not we believe it is an 38 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:03,300 important inquiry. The holy spirit makes it so 39 00:03:03,300 --> 00:03:08,500 clear that it is necessary to know why. 40 00:03:08,900 --> 00:03:14,500 Jesus at a certain point in his ministry began to emphasize his 41 00:03:14,500 --> 00:03:19,000 teaching in the format of Parables. 42 00:03:19,700 --> 00:03:24,100 And before we get one other allegorical lesson from the 43 00:03:24,100 --> 00:03:29,000 mouth of the Savior, the Holy Spirit stops us and he records 44 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:34,800 and preserves a In between Jesus and his disciples around that 45 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:37,600 very question. So clearly it must mean 46 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,400 something. And when you combine Mark, what 47 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:42,900 we just read with Matthews version. 48 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:46,500 What we have here as a scene is that, at some point Jesus was 49 00:03:46,500 --> 00:03:51,100 alone and the disciples, his closest group approached him. 50 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:55,200 And in Matthew 13 10, they asked the very pointed question. 51 00:03:55,400 --> 00:04:00,400 Why do you speak to them? In parables. 52 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:06,200 And the Lord answers that question is partly motivated by 53 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:10,200 the fact that they lacked understanding themselves, but 54 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:13,800 was also a question of concern Jesus. 55 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:16,000 As you know, in the past four weeks, we've been discovering 56 00:04:16,100 --> 00:04:20,600 just finished teaching about the parable of the sower. but what 57 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:23,900 Jesus did was, he gave the parable and stopped before 58 00:04:23,900 --> 00:04:28,400 giving an explanation And so you have these disciples who are 59 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,600 part of this ministry, that might be thinking to themselves. 60 00:04:31,700 --> 00:04:35,700 If this continues, this not might be very good because the 61 00:04:35,700 --> 00:04:40,800 audience might perceive this and say, this is incomplete, this is 62 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:44,500 unclear or this is even confusing. 63 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:48,400 And so you have these men who are looking out for their 64 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:53,300 teacher leaning in and saying Lord, why are you doing this? 65 00:04:54,300 --> 00:04:58,600 You already, you already stopped before giving an answer to these 66 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:02,200 meanings of this riddle. Is this going to continue? 67 00:05:03,300 --> 00:05:08,500 And listen, what seems strange to the disciples was in fact a 68 00:05:08,500 --> 00:05:11,700 strategy. From the Lord. 69 00:05:12,900 --> 00:05:17,100 There was something so rich behind this method, Jesus knew 70 00:05:17,100 --> 00:05:20,600 exactly what he was doing when he starts speaking in Parables, 71 00:05:20,700 --> 00:05:23,000 even though his disciples did not know the purpose yet. 72 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:24,900 And here's what I want to tell you. 73 00:05:24,900 --> 00:05:27,400 At this point before, even getting to the answer to the 74 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:31,200 question, the attitude of these disciples, whether you want to 75 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:35,300 admit it or not is very common among Disciples of Jesus today. 76 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,500 What do I mean by that even today? 77 00:05:39,100 --> 00:05:42,500 Intimate followers of Jesus Christ can find themselves. 78 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:49,100 Elves asking why when they try to understand the ways of God, 79 00:05:49,500 --> 00:05:53,100 why, why are you doing it this way? 80 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:58,300 Why are you doing it that way? Why are you not doing it this 81 00:05:58,300 --> 00:06:01,100 way? And so, we find ourselves in the 82 00:06:01,100 --> 00:06:04,600 very same place as these men, but, perhaps with different 83 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:07,300 predicaments, but here's what's fascinating. 84 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:11,500 Even with that question, you and I had the freedom to come to the 85 00:06:11,500 --> 00:06:16,600 Lord and ask because the Lord is willing and able to give 86 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:20,400 Revelation for that immediate situation to bring whether it's 87 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:23,300 relief or wisdom, he can answer like, he answered with his 88 00:06:23,300 --> 00:06:26,700 disciples. I'll tell you why you cry out to 89 00:06:26,700 --> 00:06:30,400 me and I will reveal it to you, but is that always the case? 90 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:34,300 No, oftentimes, the answer comes much later in life. 91 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:38,800 And God allows something that we know as Providence to play out. 92 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:44,600 And as time goes on, the pieces will fill the missing areas of 93 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:48,300 our understanding and complete the puzzle down the road. 94 00:06:48,300 --> 00:06:53,600 I think of Joseph Joseph who had a dream and not knowing how this 95 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:56,500 was going to transpire now is, in a position of power after 96 00:06:56,500 --> 00:07:00,600 many years, and he can look back in retrospect and see the 97 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:03,800 puzzles that had to be placed for him to arrive where he 98 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:04,900 arrived. Left. 99 00:07:05,900 --> 00:07:07,800 So they could, they can be immediate answers. 100 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:10,900 That can be prolonged answers, or delayed answers rather. 101 00:07:11,100 --> 00:07:15,300 And then there can be no answer at least in this lifetime and 102 00:07:15,300 --> 00:07:17,200 believer. You got to be willing to accept 103 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:19,700 that. You have to be willing to accept 104 00:07:19,700 --> 00:07:24,000 the fact that God doesn't owe us answers to every question and 105 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,900 there are many reasons for that and let me present to you one 106 00:07:26,900 --> 00:07:32,200 strong possibility to why the Lord may not give you the answer 107 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:36,200 to the why Because the disciples were not the only Servants of 108 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:38,400 God who had that pressing question. 109 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:43,300 And my mind goes to a prophet. A prophet that is not a major 110 00:07:43,300 --> 00:07:46,700 one Prophet that is not a common one, in our conversations or 111 00:07:46,700 --> 00:07:49,700 even in our teachings. But an important one nonetheless 112 00:07:49,700 --> 00:07:53,000 because he had a question. And his question was answered in 113 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,900 a way that I believe is extremely insightful for all of 114 00:07:55,900 --> 00:08:00,900 us habakkuk. And habbakuk 12. 115 00:08:01,700 --> 00:08:05,800 We see this Prophet, this man of God, inquire of his God who is 116 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:09,200 our God and in habakkuk 12, we read. 117 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:14,000 Oh Lord. How long shall I cry for help 118 00:08:14,300 --> 00:08:20,100 and you will not hear or cry to you violence, and you will not 119 00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:25,500 save verse 3. Why there it is why do you make 120 00:08:25,500 --> 00:08:30,600 me see iniquity? And why do you idly look at 121 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:33,500 wrong? Destruction and violence are 122 00:08:33,500 --> 00:08:37,000 before me strife, and contention arise. 123 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:41,100 So the law is paralyzed and Justice, never go. 124 00:08:41,299 --> 00:08:45,000 As fourth for the wicked surround the righteous so 125 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:48,400 Justice Goes Forth. Perverted that's how the book 126 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:52,100 starts. It's this man of God who is 127 00:08:52,100 --> 00:08:55,700 righteous, who is observing the events of his day? 128 00:08:56,300 --> 00:08:59,900 And he is wondering, where is God in all of this? 129 00:09:00,100 --> 00:09:03,000 You can ask that on a global scale and you can ask that in 130 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:07,100 your own personal World. Why, where is your intervention 131 00:09:07,100 --> 00:09:09,000 and all this? Why are you silent? 132 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:13,500 Why are you not aware all these pressing questions and what's 133 00:09:13,500 --> 00:09:17,300 amazing is, how God answers him. We see here in verse 5. 134 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:24,900 Look among the Nations and And see wonder and be astounded for. 135 00:09:24,900 --> 00:09:29,200 I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if 136 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:36,500 told God's answer, Is something I believe most of us in you need 137 00:09:36,500 --> 00:09:38,600 to take into our hearts and lock it there. 138 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:44,200 First, when the prophet was wondering where God was and why 139 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:47,600 he was not intervening in the chaos around him, the Lord 140 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:50,800 assured him, that he was actually at work. 141 00:09:50,900 --> 00:09:55,600 He's been at work, he's always at work and so with all the 142 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:58,500 things that he was seeing God says, hey, would you look back 143 00:09:58,500 --> 00:10:04,200 up and look at the nation's and see, ya can consider all the 144 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:07,800 turmoil in the nation's consider the rise and fall of Kingdoms, 145 00:10:08,100 --> 00:10:11,800 consider the spiritual Thickness, that is abounding in 146 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:15,500 society, consider all of it, consider all and realize. 147 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:21,600 I'm at work realize that my hand is in it realize that I am 148 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,900 orchestrating it, realize that there is a goal here. 149 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:29,100 Though, you may not immediately perceive it and that same truth 150 00:10:29,100 --> 00:10:31,600 applies today. God is not less aware or less 151 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:34,600 active in our world. Then he, then he was, then he is 152 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:40,200 still completely Sovereign supervising, every Stitch of our 153 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:43,600 universe. But it's the second part I can 154 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:46,800 stay there, but it's the second part that humbles me. 155 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,700 Because he finishes his thought, at least in this verse by 156 00:10:50,700 --> 00:10:55,000 saying, not only am I presently involved. 157 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:57,700 But all of this is leading to something. 158 00:10:57,700 --> 00:11:02,300 So astounding, so beyond so powerful. 159 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:07,800 That if I were to disclose it to you, you would have trouble 160 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:12,300 believing it. And what he meant by that was, 161 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:16,500 this is leading all of these shifts in the world is leading 162 00:11:16,500 --> 00:11:19,300 to me. Raising up a foreign Nation, 163 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:22,800 that's going to come after the nation of Israel and pulled them 164 00:11:22,900 --> 00:11:26,200 out into Exile, which was something unfathomable for the 165 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:31,500 Jew in habakkuk today, Actually look at verse 12 and you see the 166 00:11:31,500 --> 00:11:35,300 response of God's answer and the man can't believe it God was, 167 00:11:35,300 --> 00:11:37,000 right? I'm just going to give you a 168 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,000 glimpse of it and you're not going to believe any goes. 169 00:11:39,100 --> 00:11:42,400 Well We're Not Gonna Die your holy Your Righteous. 170 00:11:44,900 --> 00:11:47,100 And I was meditating on that. And you know, I came to mine. 171 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:52,000 It makes me wonder if some of the answers that you and I are 172 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:55,000 desperate looking for our answers that you're not even 173 00:11:55,000 --> 00:12:02,200 prepared to believe. Paul says, in Romans, 11:33 that 174 00:12:02,300 --> 00:12:07,000 God's judgments they are unsearchable and his ways are 175 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:08,600 inscrutable. You know what that means? 176 00:12:08,900 --> 00:12:14,000 There is a category of God's ways that are defined by your 177 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:18,600 mind being absolutely staggered. If you just took a glimpse of 178 00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:25,400 it, there are Waters. So deep in the ways of God that 179 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:29,200 for you to try to swim and explore. 180 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:31,600 What? Actually, make you drowned. 181 00:12:32,700 --> 00:12:37,500 In your understanding. There's just something that you 182 00:12:37,500 --> 00:12:41,400 can't cross when it comes to God's ways and that shouldn't 183 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:44,400 frustrate you or I that should cause us to worship. 184 00:12:45,500 --> 00:12:47,900 See what Paul says that its judgments are in searchable, and 185 00:12:47,900 --> 00:12:50,700 his ways are inscrutable. That wasn't him saying, well 186 00:12:50,700 --> 00:12:53,900 just too bad, that was him, exploding and doxology, 187 00:12:54,100 --> 00:12:56,900 exploding and worship in the middle of his writing. 188 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:02,800 That's what makes God God. And he can't help, but just even 189 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:05,800 in his writing spillover with praise with that thought. 190 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:12,400 And we've limited God's ways to philosophical debate and trying 191 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:15,700 to understand him with great frustration instead of it 192 00:13:15,700 --> 00:13:18,000 humbling us, and bring us to our knees as a God. 193 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:23,600 You are God, I am a creature. I was made from dust. 194 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:30,300 I'm borrowing your air. I humbly receive your ways. 195 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:34,100 And the Bible reveals that if you were to just get a peek at 196 00:13:34,100 --> 00:13:37,900 the intricacies of God's methods, if your heart is right, 197 00:13:37,900 --> 00:13:42,800 it will erupt your your soul to Magnify Him and love him. 198 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:45,800 And that's what I hope you will do at the end of this message. 199 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:49,800 When you and I consider not God's prophetic timetable for 200 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:53,700 the human race. That's what Romans 11 is about, 201 00:13:53,700 --> 00:13:55,500 at least for Israel and the world. 202 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:58,400 Not about his purpose in suffering, though. 203 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:03,200 That is important. But why Jesus spoke in parables? 204 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:08,500 Let me just say right off the bat, Jesus didn't teach Parables 205 00:14:08,500 --> 00:14:13,000 because they were nice stories. There are actually two reasons 206 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:15,800 why Jesus did this. Two simple reasons. 207 00:14:15,900 --> 00:14:18,100 And so when anybody asks you, if your discipling somebody and 208 00:14:18,100 --> 00:14:19,700 they say why did Jesus speak in Parables? 209 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:24,000 You can give them these two answers because they are 210 00:14:24,008 --> 00:14:27,100 scripture as you will see. And the first one might be 211 00:14:27,100 --> 00:14:29,000 shocking to you. So, lean in. 212 00:14:29,800 --> 00:14:35,800 Why did Jesus do this? Primary reason Parables were an 213 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:41,600 instrument of judgment. Against the unbeliever. 214 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:47,600 I know you didn't hear that in Sunday School, But Parables were 215 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:52,200 an instrument of judgment against the unbeliever. 216 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:56,100 This may sound odd because the common understanding as you just 217 00:14:56,100 --> 00:14:59,300 heard is that Parables were engaging in illustrative stories 218 00:14:59,300 --> 00:15:01,500 to help make sense of spiritual truth. 219 00:15:01,500 --> 00:15:05,700 That's not what Jesus said. When the question was asked, he 220 00:15:05,700 --> 00:15:09,100 answered to you, it's been given the secret of the kingdom of 221 00:15:09,100 --> 00:15:13,900 God, but for those who are outside, Those who are not a 222 00:15:13,908 --> 00:15:16,900 part of my fold, those who are not a part of me. 223 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:22,900 For those who are outside, I speak to them intentionally With 224 00:15:22,900 --> 00:15:28,400 parables. In other words, by using 225 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:31,200 analogies, by using allegories void of explanation, the Lord 226 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:36,700 intends, you ready for this to conceal the truth and to keep 227 00:15:36,700 --> 00:15:43,200 certain people in the dark? Parables, shroud the truth. 228 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:48,600 The primary function is not to make sense of Truth. 229 00:15:49,500 --> 00:15:54,000 The primary purpose is actually to Vale it. 230 00:15:56,200 --> 00:16:00,900 And I'm sure that is shocking to some because the Jesus, we 231 00:16:00,900 --> 00:16:05,500 worship the Jesus, we know came into this world to save, he came 232 00:16:05,500 --> 00:16:10,100 into this world as light. He came as a physician to heal 233 00:16:10,100 --> 00:16:14,200 the sick spiritually, not just physically. 234 00:16:14,700 --> 00:16:18,300 And now early in the Book of Mark, we hear something that 235 00:16:18,300 --> 00:16:22,100 sounds counterintuitive. Almost almost concerning to us. 236 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:25,800 In our view of Christ. Are you saying that Jesus? 237 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:29,300 I was teaching in a manner that would bar people out. 238 00:16:30,700 --> 00:16:32,500 That would keep people at a distance. 239 00:16:34,900 --> 00:16:37,100 How do we make sense of this? Here's how we make sense of 240 00:16:37,108 --> 00:16:41,500 this, when you and I understand this is why context is important 241 00:16:41,500 --> 00:16:45,800 when you and I understand the timing of his implementation and 242 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:48,000 the audience that he was addressing. 243 00:16:49,300 --> 00:16:53,700 Looking at that will put any unease to rest. 244 00:16:54,900 --> 00:16:59,100 Ask yourself this question. Why are the disciples asking 245 00:16:59,100 --> 00:17:02,400 this? Now, the reason why is because 246 00:17:02,500 --> 00:17:04,500 they've heard him teach him preach for a while. 247 00:17:05,900 --> 00:17:11,500 And at some point they perceived that the Lord now is adopting 248 00:17:11,500 --> 00:17:17,599 and emphasizing his usage of these riddles that don't seem to 249 00:17:17,599 --> 00:17:23,300 provide immediate clarification and so they ask why are you 250 00:17:23,300 --> 00:17:26,700 doing this? Which tells me that this is 251 00:17:26,700 --> 00:17:28,800 something new. This is something that is 252 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:31,100 developing this is something sudden. 253 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:35,900 They've heard Jesus speak before and yes, she's use illustrations 254 00:17:35,900 --> 00:17:38,400 and examples and but it was clear. 255 00:17:38,900 --> 00:17:41,400 Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. 256 00:17:42,100 --> 00:17:46,400 The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 257 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:51,500 If a kingdom is divided against itself that Kingdom cannot stand 258 00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:53,900 things like that. It was, it was clear. 259 00:17:53,900 --> 00:17:57,400 There was a conclusion. But now Jesus just finished 260 00:17:57,400 --> 00:17:59,200 sharing this story about a parable. 261 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:03,200 He gives this idea of A sower and the soils and the seed going 262 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:06,300 in and the different kind of responses and then he ends the 263 00:18:06,300 --> 00:18:12,000 sermon Midway He who has ears to hear, Let Him hear and he walks 264 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:15,100 off the platform and dismisses the service. 265 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:19,700 So the disciples got said, Lord, what's going on here and he 266 00:18:19,700 --> 00:18:26,000 says, listen you you I will explain it to them, I will speak 267 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:28,900 to them in Parables and I will continue to speak to them in 268 00:18:28,900 --> 00:18:32,500 parables. You've been here week after 269 00:18:32,500 --> 00:18:37,900 week, put up your rear view mirrors and ask yourself what 270 00:18:37,900 --> 00:18:43,700 happened before this that would cause Christ to do this. 271 00:18:44,700 --> 00:18:48,500 And I think there is a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus 272 00:18:48,500 --> 00:18:51,700 Christ and that is spelled out both and Mark and in Matthew 273 00:18:51,900 --> 00:18:55,600 that really blink brings clarification, scroll back to 274 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,400 mark three and look here at verse 22. 275 00:19:01,700 --> 00:19:06,500 Mark 322. And the scribes who came down 276 00:19:06,500 --> 00:19:10,600 from Jerusalem where saying he is possessed by Bells double, 277 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:15,400 and by the prince of demons, he cast out the demons. 278 00:19:17,100 --> 00:19:21,000 Serious accusation. Blasphemous accusation. 279 00:19:22,900 --> 00:19:26,800 And more dangerous is the fact that they made this charge at a 280 00:19:26,808 --> 00:19:32,500 time when the Lord Jesus. So powerfully and clearly, 281 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:36,300 displayed and demonstrated his messiahship. 282 00:19:37,500 --> 00:19:43,200 And for them to come to this conclusion, after all that these 283 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:47,800 religious leaders have witnessed is extremely concerning for the 284 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:52,100 state of their souls to say that Christ was in League with Satan, 285 00:19:52,900 --> 00:19:56,500 ultimately exposed the severity of their hardened Hearts. 286 00:19:56,500 --> 00:19:59,900 Remember even before this they had planned to destroy him. 287 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:03,100 Now, here's what's so significant at the same time? 288 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:05,800 They could not deny his Supernatural power. 289 00:20:07,100 --> 00:20:12,200 And so all they can do is shift The Source by saying we can't 290 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:14,300 deny that he's doing this. So let's just say that he's 291 00:20:14,300 --> 00:20:19,200 doing this by the energy and the activity of Satan himself. and 292 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:23,200 when the Lord heard that he was not shy to tell them and warn 293 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:28,400 them about the dangers of the damnation that they were, they 294 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:32,400 were flirting with but he didn't just warn them. 295 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:37,200 Listen, I argue to you today that this was the turning point 296 00:20:37,300 --> 00:20:41,500 and how Jesus Christ would address and teach the general 297 00:20:41,500 --> 00:20:45,900 public who are unbelieving to his message, those who have 298 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:50,900 announced their stubborn unbelief and the face of amazing 299 00:20:50,900 --> 00:20:54,200 evidence. Would not just hear a warning 300 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:59,100 about blaspheme the Holy Spirit, they would now inherit a 301 00:20:59,100 --> 00:21:02,300 teaching. That was veiled. 302 00:21:04,900 --> 00:21:08,300 Jesus speaking to the general crowd in Parables was a response 303 00:21:08,300 --> 00:21:12,300 to their gross lack of faith. You don't want to believe after 304 00:21:12,300 --> 00:21:13,800 all that I've shown you after all that. 305 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:16,500 I've said so clearly to you, then here you go. 306 00:21:16,500 --> 00:21:22,100 Here's some parables. Matthews version of this 307 00:21:22,100 --> 00:21:24,300 confirms. What I am saying to you, if you 308 00:21:24,300 --> 00:21:29,000 need a reference is Matthew 13, 15, Jesus quotes a portion of 309 00:21:29,008 --> 00:21:31,900 the book of Isaiah and applies it to his reasoning and this is 310 00:21:31,900 --> 00:21:36,200 what it says in that verse for this people's heart, this is so 311 00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:43,400 important has grown dull. He takes that from Isaiah and he 312 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:45,600 applies it to his immediate audience. 313 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:49,200 And what he's saying is and connection to his parabolic 314 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:54,300 ministry is this people, their hearts have grown dull, 315 00:21:55,000 --> 00:22:00,500 insensitive unresponsive in different to what I have to say 316 00:22:00,500 --> 00:22:04,600 to them. And instead of being humbled by 317 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:07,800 The Miracles, instead of being softened by the message, they 318 00:22:07,800 --> 00:22:10,500 resisted him Time. After Time, After Time, sermon 319 00:22:10,500 --> 00:22:14,300 after sermon, after sermon healing, after healing, after 320 00:22:14,300 --> 00:22:18,200 healing correction, after correction, after correction, 321 00:22:18,300 --> 00:22:21,400 Deliverance after Deliverance, after Deliverance, until they 322 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:24,200 finally crossed the line, where the Lord says, I'm no longer 323 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:28,500 going to give to you straight forward teaching, and why would 324 00:22:28,500 --> 00:22:32,000 he Why would he they already trampled on everything that he 325 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:35,000 gave them? See, this is a this is a 326 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:38,900 portrait of Jesus that many are unfamiliar with. 327 00:22:39,500 --> 00:22:44,300 He is gracious, but understand that his judgments are not just 328 00:22:44,300 --> 00:22:49,400 reserved for eternity, Christ can judge today. 329 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:56,900 Christ has been judging until today Christ, will judge to some 330 00:22:56,900 --> 00:23:02,200 extent until the final day. And one of his judgments is when 331 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:06,800 he persistently attempts to persuade your heart and you 332 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:13,100 persistently, resist them. He meets that by finalizing, 333 00:23:13,100 --> 00:23:16,700 your heart and heart and crystalizing it himself. 334 00:23:19,900 --> 00:23:23,400 And if you don't believe that, this is true realize that at the 335 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:28,300 very end of this whole book, not Mark the Bible, he gives a 336 00:23:28,308 --> 00:23:33,700 strong strong, strong word, that is not often quoted. 337 00:23:33,700 --> 00:23:36,800 Can I show it to you? It's in revelation, 22, the very 338 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:40,800 last chapter of the hole Cannon and I want you to see a verse 339 00:23:43,400 --> 00:23:45,400 That would seem a little bit awkward to our understanding of 340 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:48,100 who God is revelation. 22 verse 11. 341 00:23:53,300 --> 00:23:56,300 So we are now concluding we're coming now to the to the very 342 00:23:56,300 --> 00:23:59,400 end of all that God has to say to humanity and you want to know 343 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:02,700 one of the final things that he says you ready for this. 344 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:08,000 Verse 11 of revelation 22, let the evil doers still do evil. 345 00:24:09,300 --> 00:24:13,600 And the filthy still be filthy and the righteous still do, 346 00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:16,300 right? And the holy still be holy. 347 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:22,200 Let the, let the evil still be evil. 348 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:26,300 You want to be filthy? Be filthy Those who are 349 00:24:26,300 --> 00:24:28,000 righteous be righteous continuing. 350 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:29,500 Righteous you want to be holy stay. 351 00:24:29,500 --> 00:24:33,700 Holy how do we understand is is God exhorting people to stay in 352 00:24:33,700 --> 00:24:36,500 their sin. That's so contrary to the call 353 00:24:36,500 --> 00:24:38,600 of repentance. What's Happening Here? 354 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:42,600 Is he encouraging people to just remain in their state of 355 00:24:42,600 --> 00:24:45,000 rebellion? I believe the only way to 356 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:47,600 understand verse 11 is to connect it to verse 10. 357 00:24:48,100 --> 00:24:49,600 What does he say right before this? 358 00:24:50,700 --> 00:24:55,100 The angel speaks to John and he said to me, do not seal up the 359 00:24:55,100 --> 00:25:00,100 words of the prophecy of this book for the time is near and 360 00:25:00,100 --> 00:25:02,600 then he goes on to say, let the evil doer still do evil. 361 00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:04,900 And the filthy still be filthy Etc. 362 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:10,000 Here's one of God's final instructions to the Apostle. 363 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:16,100 John John, my servant listen. You cannot afford to conceal 364 00:25:16,100 --> 00:25:18,400 what I have made known to you. In what we know as the Book of 365 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:22,000 Revelation you must disclose it. You must share it. 366 00:25:22,100 --> 00:25:25,100 It must be read aloud. It must be heard it must be 367 00:25:25,100 --> 00:25:29,100 heralded. The app the last days message it 368 00:25:29,100 --> 00:25:33,400 cannot afford to be hidden because the consequences are 369 00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:39,100 Eternal and I am gracious. Enough to reveal to reveal to 370 00:25:39,100 --> 00:25:42,600 every generation. What is to come so that they 371 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:45,800 could be worn and respond appropriately? 372 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:52,600 So don't seal it, reveal it expose it, let it let it shine. 373 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:55,500 And then verse 11, this is the same thought now. 374 00:25:55,900 --> 00:26:00,700 But after If after hearing everything that I've said in 375 00:26:00,700 --> 00:26:03,100 this book and predicted everything that I predicted in 376 00:26:03,100 --> 00:26:05,600 his book and prophesied, everything after all the 377 00:26:05,600 --> 00:26:08,400 descriptions of the catastrophes that are going to come to this 378 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:11,900 world. and the fate of the wicked, which is eternal 379 00:26:11,900 --> 00:26:16,500 judgment and the permanent glorious Rule and reign of Jesus 380 00:26:16,500 --> 00:26:23,700 Christ, if after hearing all of that, Someone still won't repent 381 00:26:23,700 --> 00:26:25,800 then they might as well still be Wicked. 382 00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:31,700 In other words, you know what this means, how can God warned 383 00:26:31,700 --> 00:26:35,000 you more than what he warns in the Book of Revelation? 384 00:26:35,100 --> 00:26:38,800 If you can't be moved to repentance after the Book of 385 00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:42,600 Revelation is Harold the to you, then there's little hope for 386 00:26:42,600 --> 00:26:44,400 you. Stay filthy. 387 00:26:44,900 --> 00:26:47,000 You want to stay in sin. Go for it. 388 00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:49,200 You want to be Wicked, go for it. 389 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:51,300 After all that you've heard stay there. 390 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:56,900 Oh, this is so boring. But it's Bible. 391 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:01,700 This is God. God is long-suffering but his 392 00:27:01,700 --> 00:27:05,300 patient is not Limitless. His truth is for all people but 393 00:27:05,300 --> 00:27:09,300 those who have been graced and those who have experienced 394 00:27:09,300 --> 00:27:12,500 certain manifestations or Revelations have a greater 395 00:27:12,500 --> 00:27:17,100 responsibility to what they heard and how they respond to it 396 00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:21,700 and after reaching out and giving himself to someone who 397 00:27:21,700 --> 00:27:25,500 constantly turns his back, then listen to this. 398 00:27:26,100 --> 00:27:28,800 This is not the Santa Claus version of Jesus, that we heard 399 00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:33,600 of growing up. After this, after God, tries to 400 00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:37,300 and attempts and gets your attention, he has every right to 401 00:27:37,300 --> 00:27:40,800 move on. He has every right to move on 402 00:27:40,800 --> 00:27:44,500 and find someone else whose heart will be open to the truth 403 00:27:44,500 --> 00:27:47,600 who hungers for the truth, who longs to be saved. 404 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:50,900 And in fact, if you haven't been shocked yet, maybe this will 405 00:27:50,900 --> 00:27:54,600 shock you ready for this one as messengers of the truth. 406 00:27:54,700 --> 00:27:57,600 We are to imitate him in that to some extent. 407 00:28:00,100 --> 00:28:02,000 You've heard it, right? Matthew 7:6. 408 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:04,600 Do not give dogs. What is Holy? 409 00:28:06,800 --> 00:28:09,400 And do not throw your pearls before pigs. 410 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:11,100 It's not talking about little animals. 411 00:28:11,100 --> 00:28:14,900 He's talking about people who resemble animalistic behavior in 412 00:28:14,900 --> 00:28:18,500 terms of their spirituality and the condition of their souls and 413 00:28:18,500 --> 00:28:22,500 response to the truth, lest they trample them under foot and turn 414 00:28:22,500 --> 00:28:26,300 to attack you. This is not teaching that there 415 00:28:26,300 --> 00:28:28,800 are some people who are undeserving of the Gospel at 416 00:28:28,800 --> 00:28:31,300 all. The Great Commission mandate is 417 00:28:31,500 --> 00:28:35,000 preach, the gospel to All Creatures, but here's the 418 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:37,100 reality of it. Some creatures are more 419 00:28:37,100 --> 00:28:39,900 aggressive. Than others. 420 00:28:41,100 --> 00:28:46,000 More Blasphemous than others. And you and I are called to have 421 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:49,700 a level of discernment to know whether or not we continue 422 00:28:50,500 --> 00:28:56,200 reaching out to that person or if we reserve the pearls of 423 00:28:56,200 --> 00:28:58,500 divine revelation and bring them before someone who's see the 424 00:28:58,500 --> 00:29:03,300 value of them, So, even you hear this about God, he say, yes, he 425 00:29:03,300 --> 00:29:05,900 is God. And then even in this, we are 426 00:29:05,900 --> 00:29:08,700 called to imitate him as faithful declares of God's 427 00:29:08,700 --> 00:29:13,900 truth. Now, I can imagine how some 428 00:29:13,900 --> 00:29:18,600 might still not be convinced. But what the Lord does is he 429 00:29:18,600 --> 00:29:19,600 quotes. Isaiah, you heard. 430 00:29:19,600 --> 00:29:22,600 In a verse 12 of Mark for let me read it to you again. 431 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:27,300 After telling him that Outsiders will be, will be referred to 432 00:29:28,300 --> 00:29:31,100 Parables. He says, so that they may indeed 433 00:29:31,100 --> 00:29:35,800 see, but not perceive, it may indeed here, but not understand 434 00:29:35,800 --> 00:29:38,200 less, they should turn and be forgiven. 435 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:43,800 That's from Isaiah, 69, that's something that God told Isaiah 436 00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:47,900 that Christ actually told Isaiah after that Throne Room Vision 437 00:29:47,900 --> 00:29:51,000 where he was just absolutely moved by the Holiness of God, 438 00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:56,500 And the Triune God asking Whom Shall we send. 439 00:29:56,500 --> 00:30:00,300 And here's Isaiah and I'm only saying here, I am send me good. 440 00:30:01,300 --> 00:30:04,100 I'm gonna send you, you're gonna be my preacher in this 441 00:30:04,100 --> 00:30:07,600 generation, but you're going to preach to a crowd who will not 442 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:09,200 respond to you. Can you imagine how encouraging 443 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:11,500 that is? Hey, Pastor. 444 00:30:11,500 --> 00:30:13,400 You're going to preach at a church where every single 445 00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:14,800 Sunday, what you say, will not move. 446 00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:17,600 One person. Sign me up. 447 00:30:20,300 --> 00:30:23,400 That's an example to me about how the Lord looks for 448 00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:25,200 faithfulness more than anything else. 449 00:30:27,300 --> 00:30:29,500 But why is Jesus quoting from this passage? 450 00:30:31,900 --> 00:30:34,900 because the ministry that Isaiah had was not of him addressing a 451 00:30:34,900 --> 00:30:39,800 reasonable bunch, he was preaching before crowd, that had 452 00:30:39,800 --> 00:30:46,400 already persistently rejected, God's warnings and woes And what 453 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:51,000 the Lord is doing by reaching back 700 years and applying that 454 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:55,600 context to his, he's saying I'm preaching to people who have 455 00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:59,600 already heard what I had to say. And I've determined to deny me, 456 00:31:00,700 --> 00:31:03,000 just like Isaiah had to preach the such a crowd. 457 00:31:03,000 --> 00:31:04,600 I am preaching to that same crowd. 458 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:10,100 And so therefore, I will now address them in a veiled manner. 459 00:31:12,900 --> 00:31:18,900 So, That may sound true but it may. 460 00:31:19,100 --> 00:31:24,500 It may also disturb us. But be more disturbed by the 461 00:31:24,500 --> 00:31:28,900 fact that after God does so much people still raise their nose 462 00:31:28,900 --> 00:31:31,900 against him and turn their bags, be more disturbed by that, 463 00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:37,300 please. And if you would want a 464 00:31:37,300 --> 00:31:43,900 fragrance of Mercy on this, consider that even in this, what 465 00:31:43,900 --> 00:31:47,500 you just heard there is a touch of Mercy. 466 00:31:49,400 --> 00:31:53,900 There is a hint of Grace. There is a fragrance of beauty. 467 00:31:55,500 --> 00:31:57,600 What do I mean by that? You've heard this. 468 00:31:57,600 --> 00:32:01,600 Haven't you. Everyone to whom much is given 469 00:32:01,700 --> 00:32:04,200 of him much will be required. Have you heard of that? 470 00:32:04,700 --> 00:32:08,000 Then he goes on to say, even from there and from him to whom 471 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:10,400 they entrusted much, they will demand the more. 472 00:32:11,300 --> 00:32:13,700 What's the context of that that's found in Luke chapter 12? 473 00:32:14,100 --> 00:32:18,700 The context of that in Luke 12 is Jesus teaching that there 474 00:32:18,700 --> 00:32:23,300 will be various degrees of punishment that are in direct 475 00:32:23,300 --> 00:32:27,200 proportion to Requirement of Revelation. 476 00:32:27,200 --> 00:32:30,800 What do I mean that by that when he says too much was given much 477 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:33,700 will be required? What he's essentially saying is 478 00:32:34,100 --> 00:32:36,600 I will hold a listeners to the word of God. 479 00:32:36,600 --> 00:32:41,600 Accountable to the Revelation that they are received and how 480 00:32:41,600 --> 00:32:45,200 they rejected it. That is a rule and God's 481 00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:50,900 judgment the more light and unbeliever has the more their 482 00:32:50,900 --> 00:32:54,500 judgment will increase if they deny it. 483 00:32:55,100 --> 00:32:57,900 Now we in America, boast about Bible knowledge, why? 484 00:32:59,300 --> 00:33:03,400 Why we're boasting about our radio stations and we're 485 00:33:03,400 --> 00:33:05,500 boasting about our seminaries or boasting about the amount. 486 00:33:05,500 --> 00:33:10,100 Y that's a lot of light. As good as that is, that's 487 00:33:10,100 --> 00:33:13,700 dangerous. Because if you're, if you're 488 00:33:13,700 --> 00:33:18,000 exposed to this light and you deny this light Christ, 489 00:33:18,000 --> 00:33:21,100 according to Luke 12 will say much is required of you because 490 00:33:21,100 --> 00:33:26,600 much has been given to you. Don't boast about being part of 491 00:33:26,600 --> 00:33:28,500 any Ministry that preaches, the Bible Faithfully. 492 00:33:28,500 --> 00:33:31,200 If you don't want to respond to it, that's dangerous stuff. 493 00:33:33,300 --> 00:33:36,800 And yet, it's merciful in light of what Jesus does here with the 494 00:33:36,900 --> 00:33:38,800 Pharisees and the unbelieving crowd. 495 00:33:39,200 --> 00:33:41,900 Why? Because if we recognize this 496 00:33:41,900 --> 00:33:45,600 rule, don't you see it? Don't you see what the Lord is 497 00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:49,000 doing here? That by speaking in Parables, he 498 00:33:49,000 --> 00:33:54,100 is deliberately dimming the light So, that by dimming the 499 00:33:54,100 --> 00:33:58,200 light of the Revelation, he is also diminishing their judgment. 500 00:34:01,800 --> 00:34:05,600 Bye-bye putting layers on the truth. 501 00:34:05,700 --> 00:34:09,699 He's also in a sense, limiting what will be heaped on them? 502 00:34:10,600 --> 00:34:14,900 Don't you see it? I see the heart of God in that, 503 00:34:15,199 --> 00:34:18,800 and here's the heart of God in that, that he longs to save. 504 00:34:18,800 --> 00:34:21,400 That he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. 505 00:34:21,400 --> 00:34:24,600 That if he could have it, he would want everyone to come to 506 00:34:24,600 --> 00:34:27,900 him. And so, even when he shares 507 00:34:27,900 --> 00:34:32,900 these parables, He filters the truth, and even those who have 508 00:34:32,900 --> 00:34:37,300 denied him by, not receiving the clear Revelation wouldn't 509 00:34:37,300 --> 00:34:39,699 someway. Also, not receive the Judgment 510 00:34:39,699 --> 00:34:43,000 that it would demand for denying it. 511 00:34:46,300 --> 00:34:49,800 Perhaps this whole time, you've been wondering how complete the 512 00:34:49,800 --> 00:34:52,500 answer that you just heard really is in light of the rest 513 00:34:52,500 --> 00:34:54,199 of the chapter. Because if you go back to mark 514 00:34:54,199 --> 00:35:00,900 for it doesn't end in verse 12. You look at Mark for 14 to 20 515 00:35:00,900 --> 00:35:04,900 and you see Jesus explaining the very parable. 516 00:35:07,300 --> 00:35:11,100 That you just heard was not meant to be explained to a 517 00:35:11,107 --> 00:35:15,500 certain people and that thought transition has perfectly into 518 00:35:15,500 --> 00:35:19,300 the second reason for why. Jesus implemented Parables, you 519 00:35:19,300 --> 00:35:21,200 ready? The first one was Parables were 520 00:35:21,200 --> 00:35:25,800 an instrument of judgment against the stubborn unbeliever, 521 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:29,700 but secondly, Parables were an instrument of teaching to those 522 00:35:29,700 --> 00:35:33,100 who yearn for the truth. That's what you're more familiar 523 00:35:33,100 --> 00:35:35,100 with, right? And that's okay. 524 00:35:35,100 --> 00:35:38,800 Because Jesus looks at his people and he says to you to 525 00:35:38,800 --> 00:35:41,700 you, it has been given the secret of the kingdom of God. 526 00:35:43,300 --> 00:35:46,600 Unlike the other crowd when it came to the disciples these 527 00:35:46,600 --> 00:35:50,100 Parables would be helpful tools. That would in fact unpacked the 528 00:35:50,100 --> 00:35:55,100 truth and revealed the truth and help them remember the truth 529 00:35:55,100 --> 00:36:00,700 insights about the kingdom. And the opposite is those who 530 00:36:00,700 --> 00:36:04,800 could care less, they were determined to deny him no matter 531 00:36:04,800 --> 00:36:07,800 what he said. But this group, they're 532 00:36:07,800 --> 00:36:10,800 characterized by something else. There is an eagerness, there's a 533 00:36:10,800 --> 00:36:13,500 teachability, there is a hunger, there is a longing. 534 00:36:13,600 --> 00:36:16,400 I mean, it's even seen with these disciples, they're always 535 00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:21,700 asking questions. And Christ honored that these 536 00:36:21,700 --> 00:36:24,700 allegorical lessons carried the potential of arousing. 537 00:36:24,700 --> 00:36:27,300 Holy curiosity. And listen, these Parables were 538 00:36:27,300 --> 00:36:33,500 almost like doorways doorways that would lead into greater 539 00:36:33,500 --> 00:36:37,300 Revelation. So, the same door that would bar 540 00:36:37,300 --> 00:36:42,000 people from the truth was also the same door that could lead 541 00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:45,400 into spiritual Treasures. What's the difference? 542 00:36:45,400 --> 00:36:47,400 Do you have the right key in your hand? 543 00:36:49,000 --> 00:36:52,300 And the key in this instance is something that is applicable 544 00:36:52,300 --> 00:36:56,300 today in The Quest For Truth humility. 545 00:36:57,600 --> 00:37:01,500 Humility. You see the purpose of the 546 00:37:01,500 --> 00:37:04,200 parable? Really depends upon the heart. 547 00:37:04,200 --> 00:37:08,100 Posture of the listener. And when it came to the 548 00:37:08,100 --> 00:37:11,000 disciples and those who wanted to know the truth, Matthew Henry 549 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:15,400 summarized it so. Well he said quote, a parable is 550 00:37:15,400 --> 00:37:21,600 a shell that keeps good fruit for the diligent But with holds 551 00:37:21,600 --> 00:37:26,000 it, from the slothful. It's a shell that for those who 552 00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:31,100 are diligent enough to crack it, to know the nutrients in it, it 553 00:37:31,100 --> 00:37:34,500 will benefit them. But also it's a shell that those 554 00:37:34,500 --> 00:37:40,200 who are slothful and careless and blasphemous will keep them 555 00:37:40,200 --> 00:37:45,400 away. The difference is the ears to 556 00:37:45,400 --> 00:37:48,800 hear. A parable is really an 557 00:37:48,800 --> 00:37:53,700 invitation it probes. It provokes the honest inquire, 558 00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:56,500 it causes them upon hearing what? 559 00:37:56,500 --> 00:38:02,000 They just heard two now, examine their own hearts and say, I want 560 00:38:02,000 --> 00:38:07,400 to know what that means. I'm hooked I can't let him walk 561 00:38:07,400 --> 00:38:11,800 away without telling me, I'll persuade him, I'll sit before 562 00:38:11,800 --> 00:38:13,700 and whatever it takes for me to understand. 563 00:38:14,800 --> 00:38:19,500 So no this Christ would never and Christ will never withhold 564 00:38:19,500 --> 00:38:22,000 the truth from those who thirst for Living Water. 565 00:38:23,000 --> 00:38:27,300 It's always available. It's always available, let me 566 00:38:27,300 --> 00:38:30,100 give you an example. Don't answer it. 567 00:38:30,200 --> 00:38:33,500 Some of you might anyway just think about it if it slips out. 568 00:38:33,500 --> 00:38:36,400 It's okay. What would you say is the most 569 00:38:36,400 --> 00:38:42,100 popular bible verse ever? I heard it whispered. 570 00:38:43,500 --> 00:38:47,500 John 3:16 yes. You all have thought, right? 571 00:38:48,200 --> 00:38:53,200 Modern history, I would say, John 3:16 John, 3:6 a glorious 572 00:38:53,200 --> 00:38:54,800 truth. But let me tell you this. 573 00:38:55,500 --> 00:38:58,900 Those who know, John 3:16, I don't think many of them know in 574 00:38:58,900 --> 00:39:03,000 what context that was given. I don't think many people, I'm 575 00:39:03,000 --> 00:39:07,400 sure you do know to whom, Jesus revealed that wonderful insight 576 00:39:07,400 --> 00:39:14,500 to, you know, who was Nicodemus. Christ will not withhold the 577 00:39:14,500 --> 00:39:18,600 truth from anybody who desires Living Water, even if he is a 578 00:39:18,600 --> 00:39:24,400 Pharisee. even if he is a Pharisee and Nicodemus was not 579 00:39:24,400 --> 00:39:28,500 just any Pharisee, go to John 3 and closing to see what kind of 580 00:39:28,500 --> 00:39:47,000 Pharisee was John 3 verse 1. Now there was a man of the 581 00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:51,400 Pharisees named Nicodemus. A ruler of the Jews. 582 00:39:51,400 --> 00:39:55,100 Oh, he's not just a Pharisee. He's a leader of the Pharisees 583 00:39:56,000 --> 00:39:59,800 High position. Great respect. 584 00:40:00,600 --> 00:40:04,100 Jesus laters, refers him as a teacher of Israel, a 585 00:40:04,107 --> 00:40:09,500 sought-after Expositor of the law verse 2. 586 00:40:09,900 --> 00:40:13,800 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him. 587 00:40:14,800 --> 00:40:19,100 Rabbi we know that you are a teacher We know that you are a 588 00:40:19,107 --> 00:40:20,800 teacher come from, God, for no one. 589 00:40:20,800 --> 00:40:24,500 Can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. 590 00:40:27,300 --> 00:40:31,500 Unless God is with him. Have you ever wondered why Jesus 591 00:40:31,500 --> 00:40:33,700 revealed? One of the most powerful verses 592 00:40:33,700 --> 00:40:38,000 and all of history? Why Jesus did it with a 593 00:40:38,008 --> 00:40:42,100 Pharisee? That is the last group of people 594 00:40:42,100 --> 00:40:44,900 that I would think Jesus would even have a long honest 595 00:40:45,200 --> 00:40:47,800 conversation with. And yet, here we are. 596 00:40:50,000 --> 00:40:53,500 But before even that look at some of the details about him at 597 00:40:53,500 --> 00:40:55,600 what point did he come? He came by Night? 598 00:40:55,800 --> 00:40:59,200 Some say, well he's being smart here, he wants to find Jesus 599 00:40:59,200 --> 00:41:01,700 when he is not being aggressively pursued a 600 00:41:01,707 --> 00:41:04,600 surrounded by a crowd. I suggest that when you consider 601 00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:08,000 Nicodemus in the whole Gospel of John, where your he's mentioned, 602 00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:12,000 three times that he came at night for much different 603 00:41:12,000 --> 00:41:15,500 purpose. He's afraid He's afraid, he 604 00:41:15,500 --> 00:41:19,300 didn't want to be caught with this controversial Rabbi from 605 00:41:19,300 --> 00:41:22,800 Nazareth. So let me come in the Blackness 606 00:41:22,800 --> 00:41:27,900 of night and let me hide myself and pursue him and hopefully 607 00:41:27,900 --> 00:41:31,000 he'll be willing to speak with me and Jesus knowing all things 608 00:41:31,000 --> 00:41:33,700 I'm sure new igy Nicodemus came by night and you know what 609 00:41:33,700 --> 00:41:36,200 blesses me about this. He's still willing to meet with 610 00:41:36,200 --> 00:41:39,600 him. He's still willing to sit with 611 00:41:39,600 --> 00:41:43,800 him even though an Essence in our estimation, he was a coward. 612 00:41:45,600 --> 00:41:50,800 And he had this worried about being seen by his companions and 613 00:41:50,800 --> 00:41:54,400 his fellow Pharisees. Yet Christ is patient enough to 614 00:41:54,400 --> 00:41:58,000 embrace, Nicodemus it with Nicodemus and meet Nicodemus 615 00:41:58,000 --> 00:42:01,000 where he is at. Have you ever considered the 616 00:42:01,000 --> 00:42:04,100 Great Lengths that Christ is willing to go to meet us? 617 00:42:04,100 --> 00:42:06,500 Where we are at? You go to John 3. 618 00:42:06,500 --> 00:42:09,000 You see, Nicodemus, coming by Night, fear of the other 619 00:42:09,000 --> 00:42:13,400 Pharisees, crawling his way to the truth, embodied in the 620 00:42:13,400 --> 00:42:16,100 person of Christ, then you go. To John chapter 4. 621 00:42:16,100 --> 00:42:18,500 And here's Jesus. Now meeting with a woman at a 622 00:42:18,508 --> 00:42:23,100 particular time of the day. And her arrival at the well in 623 00:42:23,100 --> 00:42:27,900 that specific slot of time in the afternoon was also for a 624 00:42:27,900 --> 00:42:31,700 reason because of her shameful reputation, perhaps wanting to 625 00:42:31,700 --> 00:42:35,600 avoid the public scorn or even the deaths, there's of other 626 00:42:35,600 --> 00:42:39,200 woman who would come to the well she comes when it was the least 627 00:42:39,200 --> 00:42:43,100 beneficial time to be able to work hard to get some water and 628 00:42:43,100 --> 00:42:50,700 yet Christ meets her there. He's willing to meet us. even in 629 00:42:50,707 --> 00:42:56,100 the place, where Not praiseworthy, not honorable, at 630 00:42:56,100 --> 00:43:00,700 least fully to him and Jesus was willing to converse with this 631 00:43:00,700 --> 00:43:04,400 man without condemnation but when you look at the darkness, 632 00:43:04,400 --> 00:43:06,300 it wasn't just physical, it was spiritual. 633 00:43:07,000 --> 00:43:08,200 It wasn't just, this man's visit. 634 00:43:08,200 --> 00:43:12,000 It was this man's perception of who Jesus was, he comes up to 635 00:43:12,000 --> 00:43:14,400 the Lord and he says, Rabbi. We know that you are a teacher. 636 00:43:14,400 --> 00:43:16,400 Come from God, Nicodemus, she's much more than that. 637 00:43:17,500 --> 00:43:21,900 He's much more than a teacher. He's much more than a teacher 638 00:43:21,900 --> 00:43:25,600 who can perform some miracles from time to time and already in 639 00:43:25,600 --> 00:43:27,700 our introduction of him. We can perceive that this man is 640 00:43:27,700 --> 00:43:31,000 falling short. He's coming in a sneaky way and 641 00:43:31,000 --> 00:43:33,200 he's Limited in his view of who God is. 642 00:43:35,900 --> 00:43:40,000 But look at this. This guy's a candidate for 643 00:43:40,000 --> 00:43:43,100 rebuke. This guy's a candidate for 644 00:43:43,100 --> 00:43:45,600 rejection. This guy's a candidate for 645 00:43:45,600 --> 00:43:47,700 Christ to say, I'm not wasting my time with you. 646 00:43:48,400 --> 00:43:52,900 You're coming at me at night. Why don't you be a man improve 647 00:43:52,900 --> 00:43:55,800 yourself? Come to me when it's harder to 648 00:43:55,800 --> 00:43:57,900 come to me. Nothing of the sort. 649 00:43:59,500 --> 00:44:04,100 It's with this man that Jesus unveil some of the most glorious 650 00:44:04,100 --> 00:44:09,100 and precious gospel truths that we can share with anybody and 651 00:44:09,100 --> 00:44:14,200 they can understand why why? I'll give you two reasons why? 652 00:44:15,600 --> 00:44:18,600 Look back at how he addresses Jesus. 653 00:44:19,100 --> 00:44:23,400 He says, we know that you are a teacher come from, God for no 654 00:44:23,400 --> 00:44:25,500 one. Can do these signs that you do 655 00:44:25,500 --> 00:44:31,200 unless God is with him. What was the popular Pharisee 656 00:44:31,600 --> 00:44:34,500 opinion about how Jesus could do miracles? 657 00:44:36,000 --> 00:44:38,700 Yeah, he's doing it by the power of Beelzebub. 658 00:44:38,700 --> 00:44:44,400 All this guy is demonic and he's empowered by the prince of 659 00:44:44,400 --> 00:44:47,400 demons. You know what Nicodemus has as a 660 00:44:47,400 --> 00:44:51,700 Pharisee This can't be done. Unless God is with you. 661 00:44:52,900 --> 00:44:55,300 This can't happen unless God is with you. 662 00:44:57,100 --> 00:45:00,200 You know what I learned from Nick and this part of the Bible, 663 00:45:01,400 --> 00:45:06,300 I see an honest man. I see an honest, man. 664 00:45:07,400 --> 00:45:10,600 A man who's not willing to be swayed by popular opinion. 665 00:45:12,400 --> 00:45:16,600 A man who is willing to see what it is and to be able to call it 666 00:45:16,600 --> 00:45:20,100 as it is and say this has to be from God. 667 00:45:20,600 --> 00:45:25,800 And I see that Jesus answers in the way that he does because of 668 00:45:25,800 --> 00:45:29,900 this man's honesty. Remember the Pharisees when they 669 00:45:29,900 --> 00:45:33,500 came to Jesus and they asked him by what Authority do you do 670 00:45:33,500 --> 00:45:35,100 these things? And he goes I love the Lord in 671 00:45:35,107 --> 00:45:39,000 this part of the Bible. Matthew because look I'll answer 672 00:45:39,000 --> 00:45:40,300 a question to you first asked mine. 673 00:45:41,100 --> 00:45:43,500 John's baptism, was it from heaven or made up by man? 674 00:45:44,100 --> 00:45:47,000 These they call back that we say this is going to happen. 675 00:45:47,000 --> 00:45:48,200 We say that that's going to happen. 676 00:45:49,200 --> 00:45:53,100 We don't know. And the Lord looks Amigos. 677 00:45:53,500 --> 00:45:57,200 I can't help you. Neither will I reveal to you by? 678 00:45:57,200 --> 00:45:58,600 What Authority? I do these things. 679 00:45:59,100 --> 00:46:01,100 Jesus can't work with dishonest people. 680 00:46:02,800 --> 00:46:06,800 Jesus doesn't, Jesus doesn't do counseling with dishonest 681 00:46:06,800 --> 00:46:09,700 people. That's in any counseling, 682 00:46:09,700 --> 00:46:12,200 discipleship context. One of the first things I always 683 00:46:12,200 --> 00:46:17,300 say is just be honest with me, just be honest with me, I can't 684 00:46:17,300 --> 00:46:18,600 work with you. If you're dishonest with me or 685 00:46:18,607 --> 00:46:20,800 dishonest with yourself or dishonest about the situation, 686 00:46:21,000 --> 00:46:24,200 be honest. Where do I get that from? 687 00:46:24,200 --> 00:46:27,500 I get that from my Lord. I get that from the Council of 688 00:46:27,500 --> 00:46:33,100 counselors Christ. But here's here is Nicodemus and 689 00:46:33,107 --> 00:46:36,700 he's honest, hey, this has to be connected to God. 690 00:46:36,700 --> 00:46:39,100 This can't be this can't be what they're saying. 691 00:46:41,400 --> 00:46:44,300 But it's not just his honesty. Because when you look at the 692 00:46:44,300 --> 00:46:47,700 rest of the chapter Nicodemus, only says a few more things. 693 00:46:47,800 --> 00:46:50,600 And what's astounding, is, every single thing that he says from 694 00:46:50,600 --> 00:46:53,000 this point on is in the form of a question. 695 00:46:54,600 --> 00:46:57,400 Look at verse 4 Nicodemus said to him. 696 00:46:57,800 --> 00:46:59,900 How can a man be born when he is old? 697 00:47:00,400 --> 00:47:03,500 Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? 698 00:47:03,500 --> 00:47:06,300 That's two questions, Jesus explains. 699 00:47:07,200 --> 00:47:10,300 And they come down to verse 9 Nicodemus said to him, how can 700 00:47:10,300 --> 00:47:15,200 these things be So here's a man who not only approaches Jesus. 701 00:47:15,200 --> 00:47:19,500 Honestly, here's a man who also approaches Jesus with hunger. 702 00:47:21,700 --> 00:47:24,700 I think these are sincere questions, he's not mocking, 703 00:47:24,700 --> 00:47:28,100 he's not scorning, he's genuinely trying to understand. 704 00:47:28,700 --> 00:47:31,300 I don't understand how this all works Born Again. 705 00:47:31,300 --> 00:47:34,000 Does a man go back into his mother's womb and come back out. 706 00:47:34,400 --> 00:47:37,000 What are you speaking about? The wind blows where, how can 707 00:47:37,000 --> 00:47:39,600 these things be and Christ perceiving? 708 00:47:39,600 --> 00:47:43,500 This man's hunger, says, I can work with this. 709 00:47:44,600 --> 00:47:47,500 And he reels him in, and he stays with him and he teaches, I 710 00:47:47,500 --> 00:47:49,800 mean, he gives them more examples from the Old Testament 711 00:47:49,900 --> 00:47:55,200 and he just unpacks the Gospel Mission, the gospel message. 712 00:47:57,200 --> 00:48:03,400 Christ is looking for people who are honest and hungry. 713 00:48:04,600 --> 00:48:08,400 Miracles can take place. When that happens. 714 00:48:08,400 --> 00:48:12,500 And when he speaks with this kind of vocabulary, when he 715 00:48:12,500 --> 00:48:15,200 looks at metaphors and he brings up allegories and all these 716 00:48:15,200 --> 00:48:19,900 things, they are an invitation to the honest and the hungry. 717 00:48:21,200 --> 00:48:24,000 I want to know what that means. I want to know if he's speaking 718 00:48:24,000 --> 00:48:26,800 about me, I want to know if he's speaking about my soul. 719 00:48:26,800 --> 00:48:30,200 I want to know if he's speaking. I want to know what this is, and 720 00:48:30,200 --> 00:48:34,300 for those kind of people Secrets can be revealed. 721 00:48:35,300 --> 00:48:41,000 Can be made known. And so you heard why Jesus spoke 722 00:48:41,000 --> 00:48:47,800 in Parables and few short weeks, we're going to see how this is 723 00:48:47,800 --> 00:48:54,100 not just applicable. To Salvation. that if we as a 724 00:48:54,100 --> 00:48:58,700 people want greater revelation Christ is going to look at what 725 00:48:58,700 --> 00:49:00,300 we're doing with our current revelation. 726 00:49:01,500 --> 00:49:04,400 That's a very important truth. Let me end on a interesting 727 00:49:04,400 --> 00:49:07,200 thought. It's not directly connected but 728 00:49:07,500 --> 00:49:12,000 here's a nugget for you. Great debate about what happened 729 00:49:12,000 --> 00:49:16,200 to Nicodemus. Two other times, you appears in 730 00:49:16,200 --> 00:49:18,800 John. But this thought came that the 731 00:49:18,800 --> 00:49:22,500 last appearance of Nicodemus in the Book of John and I want you 732 00:49:22,500 --> 00:49:26,300 to see it and then we will end Is Nicodemus going to be in 733 00:49:26,300 --> 00:49:29,400 heaven? What did Nicodemus end up doing 734 00:49:29,400 --> 00:49:31,200 with the Revelation that he received? 735 00:49:31,600 --> 00:49:34,000 Well, here's a clue. John 19. 736 00:49:35,000 --> 00:49:43,800 Verse 38, our Lord was crucified. and a man inquired of 737 00:49:43,808 --> 00:49:49,300 his body, so that Unknowingly would fulfill prophecy because 738 00:49:49,300 --> 00:49:51,900 he would put the savior in a tomb. 739 00:49:51,900 --> 00:49:56,400 The tomb of a rich man, as Isaiah 53 says, and John 1938, 740 00:49:56,400 --> 00:50:00,800 we are introduced to that man after these things Joseph of 741 00:50:00,800 --> 00:50:07,100 Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for the fear 742 00:50:07,100 --> 00:50:10,500 of the Jews asked, pilate that he may take away the body of 743 00:50:10,500 --> 00:50:13,100 Jesus and pilate gave him permission. 744 00:50:13,500 --> 00:50:15,300 So he came and took away his body. 745 00:50:16,700 --> 00:50:18,300 All I know about this man from John. 746 00:50:19,500 --> 00:50:21,800 Is that he was a disciple of Jesus, the Holy Spirit. 747 00:50:21,800 --> 00:50:23,400 Would not say that unless it was true. 748 00:50:23,800 --> 00:50:26,800 He was a true disciple of Jesus but I learned something else. 749 00:50:26,900 --> 00:50:32,100 He was a secret disciple. He feared the Jews and I don't 750 00:50:32,100 --> 00:50:34,900 know what the reason for the fear was clearly, it was some 751 00:50:34,900 --> 00:50:40,200 form of persecution. But he here fearing the Jews 752 00:50:40,200 --> 00:50:45,300 comes privately to Pilot when everything is settled and as a 753 00:50:45,300 --> 00:50:50,300 Midnight Mission wants to honor Christ even in his death and 754 00:50:50,300 --> 00:50:53,500 bring him a proper burial. Now here's what's so 755 00:50:53,500 --> 00:50:56,600 interesting. If this man, we are told feared 756 00:50:56,600 --> 00:51:00,400 the Jews then. Why is the next verse? 757 00:51:01,900 --> 00:51:09,400 There. verse 39, Nicodemus also I thought you were afraid of the 758 00:51:09,408 --> 00:51:13,600 Jews. Why are you bringing or allowing 759 00:51:13,700 --> 00:51:16,800 the leader of one of the leaders of the Pharisee party? 760 00:51:18,000 --> 00:51:22,600 To join you to honor Christ in this way unless you have no 761 00:51:22,600 --> 00:51:25,600 reason to fear Nicodemus. Why? 762 00:51:27,000 --> 00:51:29,000 Because maybe he was a disciple of Jesus, too. 763 00:51:30,000 --> 00:51:56,500 Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you 764 00:51:57,100 --> 00:52:01,700 for this morsel of Truth, this afternoon Lord. 765 00:52:01,700 --> 00:52:04,700 It is our desire to know all that your word has to say. 766 00:52:07,200 --> 00:52:09,700 And our prayer is that the answer to the question? 767 00:52:10,600 --> 00:52:17,000 Why did your son used parables? I would have been satisfied this 768 00:52:17,000 --> 00:52:19,800 afternoon. Laura. 769 00:52:19,800 --> 00:52:24,200 See that you are a just God. And that you hold those 770 00:52:24,200 --> 00:52:29,700 accountable who treat the truth, with contempt, who are 771 00:52:29,700 --> 00:52:32,400 determined, no matter what, to destroy the message. 772 00:52:32,400 --> 00:52:35,700 And even the person of Jesus Christ, we see that you use 773 00:52:35,700 --> 00:52:40,500 Parables as an act of divine judgment against those who are 774 00:52:40,600 --> 00:52:45,500 settled in their unbelief below. We also see that it is a 775 00:52:45,500 --> 00:52:50,000 double-edged sword for it. Invites the honest and the 776 00:52:50,000 --> 00:52:52,900 hungry to know what you have to say. 777 00:52:53,600 --> 00:52:56,300 And Lord our prayer as application to this message is 778 00:52:56,300 --> 00:53:00,700 that we would be a people who would continually hunger and 779 00:53:00,700 --> 00:53:05,700 continually be honest. Before you and before your word. 780 00:53:05,700 --> 00:53:09,100 That's our desire. Lord, as we stand to Worship, 781 00:53:09,100 --> 00:53:12,300 You may come from a heart that has been awakened by the wisdom 782 00:53:12,300 --> 00:53:15,800 of God by the love of God, by the Holiness of God. 783 00:53:17,700 --> 00:53:22,500 For you are worthy. Of all honor and praise in Jesus 784 00:53:22,500 --> 00:53:25,400 name, we pray. Amen, let's Stand Together, 785 00:53:25,400 --> 00:53:25,900 shall we?