1 00:00:06,100 --> 00:00:08,700 Mark chapter 3 in our Bibles today. 2 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:31,700 Mark chapter 3. Mark, 3 verse 1 verse 2. 3 00:00:33,700 --> 00:00:38,600 Again, he entered the synagogue and a man was there with a 4 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:44,900 withered hand and they watched Jesus to see whether he would 5 00:00:44,900 --> 00:00:49,700 heal him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him. 6 00:00:50,700 --> 00:00:54,800 Lord with these two verses help us. 7 00:00:54,900 --> 00:00:59,400 We are unable to fully grasp. What you have to say part from 8 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:02,300 the teaching work of the Holy Spirit. 9 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:05,800 And so Lord. We come with hungry Hearts, we 10 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:09,700 hunger and thirst for righteousness and Lord. 11 00:01:09,700 --> 00:01:12,800 We admit, that we are distracted bunch. 12 00:01:13,500 --> 00:01:16,100 And that there is a war for our affections. 13 00:01:16,100 --> 00:01:21,400 But Lord with this message today win us again and Keep us. 14 00:01:22,100 --> 00:01:26,100 Keep us where we're supposed to be beholding, the glory of the 15 00:01:26,100 --> 00:01:28,700 Lord. And as we behold O Lord, you 16 00:01:28,700 --> 00:01:32,500 promised that we would be transformed into that very same 17 00:01:32,500 --> 00:01:36,800 image of moral Glory. We give ourselves to you with, 18 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:41,300 trust that you are in the midst and your name we pray. 19 00:01:41,900 --> 00:01:45,800 Amen. This new chapter in The Gospel 20 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:50,100 of Mark, really just continues the theme that we concluded with 21 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:53,100 in the last verses of the previous chapter. 22 00:01:53,100 --> 00:01:56,400 And in case we may have forgotten what it was that we 23 00:01:56,400 --> 00:02:01,800 heard last week, the spirit of God opened up to us, the 24 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:06,100 beginnings of a new friction between Jesus and the Pharisees 25 00:02:06,100 --> 00:02:10,900 around the Sabbath observance. And as we heard the Pharisees 26 00:02:10,900 --> 00:02:17,300 through their tradition violated This holy weekly day that was a 27 00:02:17,300 --> 00:02:22,000 gift to the people for rest to the point that it was absolutely 28 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:25,200 mangled from the original purpose that God intended for 29 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:28,300 it. But Jesus on the other hand, we 30 00:02:28,300 --> 00:02:33,500 see Rebuked the Pharisees for their misapplication and and 31 00:02:33,700 --> 00:02:36,700 even corrected them. When they sought to try to 32 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:39,900 condemn him and his disciples for their behavior on the 33 00:02:39,900 --> 00:02:42,700 Sabbath. And the Lord concluded. 34 00:02:42,700 --> 00:02:47,900 His argument by declaring his sovereignty, over the Sabbath, 35 00:02:47,900 --> 00:02:51,000 and we can imagine how this made the Pharisees feel. 36 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:55,400 Since this holy day was the Apex of their empty religious 37 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:59,100 exhibition. No, there was no recorded 38 00:02:59,100 --> 00:03:02,100 reaction from the Pharisees after Jesus statement of 39 00:03:02,100 --> 00:03:06,600 sovereignty, there will be one in this section of scripture and 40 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:10,600 it will reveal just how Central their Twisted view of the 41 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:14,700 Sabbath was to their empty Hollow system. 42 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:19,100 But as always, the Lord Jesus has much more to offer Us in his 43 00:03:19,100 --> 00:03:20,800 word than just a mere history lesson. 44 00:03:21,500 --> 00:03:26,100 Every single time we come to a text like this every every time 45 00:03:26,100 --> 00:03:29,500 you come to any portion of the Of God these events, these 46 00:03:29,500 --> 00:03:33,700 interactions are intended to convey truths, that will cross 47 00:03:33,700 --> 00:03:37,200 cultures and that will travel throughout the generation so 48 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:41,400 that God's people would understand what he asks of them. 49 00:03:41,700 --> 00:03:45,500 Therefore, let him who has ears to hear hear. 50 00:03:46,100 --> 00:03:48,900 And what we will hear is what God wants to say through these 51 00:03:48,900 --> 00:03:51,600 two verses and why just these two verses you notice? 52 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:55,600 I didn't continue to the rest. Other verses that complete the 53 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:59,700 picture and it is because to attempt to try to cover all 54 00:03:59,700 --> 00:04:03,100 these things in one setting, I believe would be an injustice to 55 00:04:03,100 --> 00:04:05,100 the rich truths that we can cultivate. 56 00:04:05,100 --> 00:04:08,000 If we just take our time and meditate on what these things 57 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,700 imply. And so we can read the rest just 58 00:04:11,700 --> 00:04:14,600 to understand the context but we will meditate on the first two 59 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:17,200 verses. So we see again, he entered the 60 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:20,000 synagogue and a man was there with a withered hand and they 61 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,600 watch Jesus to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath so 62 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:25,200 that they might accuse him. And he said to the man, with the 63 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:28,400 withered hand come here and he said to them is it lawful on the 64 00:04:28,407 --> 00:04:32,200 Sabbath to do good or to do harm to save life, or to kill, but 65 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:35,400 they were silent. And he looked around at them 66 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:38,800 with anger. He looked around with them with 67 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:43,600 anger grieved at their Hardness of Heart and said to the man 68 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:47,700 stretch out your hand, he stretched it out and his hand 69 00:04:47,700 --> 00:04:50,500 was restored. The Pharisees went out and 70 00:04:50,500 --> 00:04:53,700 immediately held counsel with the herodians against them. 71 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:58,500 How to destroy him in a parallel passage. 72 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:02,700 Luke tells us that Jesus entered a synagogue in an undisclosed 73 00:05:02,700 --> 00:05:07,200 town on another Sabbath. It's possible that this took 74 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:10,900 place not too far along after Jesus was confronted by the 75 00:05:10,900 --> 00:05:15,000 Pharisees in the grain Fields because this unpredictable Rabbi 76 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:21,800 was surely on the radar of these men who lived to expose those 77 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:26,100 who would defy the rules. And with a new level of tension 78 00:05:26,100 --> 00:05:32,000 in the air, our Lord is in a public house of worship, 79 00:05:32,300 --> 00:05:37,800 unconcerned about the lurking eyes of these agitated scribes 80 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:41,300 and we see here that the Pharisees end up being in the 81 00:05:41,300 --> 00:05:45,300 same service. On this particular day, in fact, 82 00:05:45,300 --> 00:05:50,200 in the first two verses we read of and we are told of three 83 00:05:51,300 --> 00:05:55,800 Different people. Who attended the synagogue on 84 00:05:55,800 --> 00:05:57,800 this sabbath morning or afternoon. 85 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:00,000 And here's what I want to present to you today. 86 00:06:00,700 --> 00:06:04,500 The actions and the attitudes of each person and the first two, 87 00:06:04,500 --> 00:06:07,100 verses teach us something about the range. 88 00:06:08,100 --> 00:06:14,000 Of reasons that people make way into the house of worship today. 89 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:19,600 In other words, when you just really look at the heart posture 90 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:24,300 of each party that are represented in this text. we 91 00:06:24,300 --> 00:06:28,900 will see something of Why it is people come to the house of God? 92 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:32,700 Why they should come to the house of God and how being in 93 00:06:32,700 --> 00:06:34,600 the house of God doesn't necessarily mean that they are 94 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:37,900 in Christ. And so as you hear what I 95 00:06:37,900 --> 00:06:41,100 present you today in these first two verses, this will either 96 00:06:41,100 --> 00:06:44,400 encourage you or it will challenge you and I will all 97 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:49,600 really depend on where you are at in terms of your relationship 98 00:06:50,100 --> 00:06:53,400 with the Assembly of God's people and how you understand, 99 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:56,100 God's house and how you fellowship with people where you 100 00:06:56,100 --> 00:06:59,600 stand The Lord. And so, I just just look at 101 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:03,100 this, through the lens of Maranatha, Bible Church the 102 00:07:03,100 --> 00:07:06,000 assembly, this local congregation that God has 103 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,600 birthed. And by his grace will maintain. 104 00:07:08,900 --> 00:07:13,000 And here, what we see in these two verses and how these 105 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:17,200 different people represent again, different heart, postures 106 00:07:17,900 --> 00:07:21,200 in the house of God. The first person that we read of 107 00:07:21,207 --> 00:07:25,900 his Jesus himself again, he entered the synagogue, for the 108 00:07:25,900 --> 00:07:28,500 word again, to be brought up, implies that Jesus made it a 109 00:07:28,500 --> 00:07:30,300 habit to come into the synagogue. 110 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:33,800 In fact, Luke tells us in chapter 4 of his text, that it 111 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:36,700 was his custom and it's no mystery. 112 00:07:36,700 --> 00:07:39,400 Why Jesus would find himself in these synagogues. 113 00:07:39,700 --> 00:07:45,700 Remember these these community centers Were helpful to the 114 00:07:45,700 --> 00:07:48,900 Israeli Community, because for those who are too distant from 115 00:07:48,900 --> 00:07:51,600 the temple, this is where they could come for regular worship. 116 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:55,100 This is where they could come gather and receive the, the 117 00:07:55,100 --> 00:07:58,900 reading of God's word and even singing and even praying to a 118 00:07:58,900 --> 00:08:01,800 certain extent. And it was for those who long to 119 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:06,000 remain in an atmosphere where worship was being offered to God 120 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:10,700 and the Lord Jesus would make his way into these places so 121 00:08:10,700 --> 00:08:12,800 that he would take advantage of this environment. 122 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:16,900 And Claimed his truth, the truth, but when you collect the 123 00:08:16,900 --> 00:08:19,800 data of Jesus and his interactions with this setting, 124 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:24,000 what you will notice is that the Lord strategically and joyfully 125 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:28,800 exercised his gifts within within those arenas. 126 00:08:29,900 --> 00:08:33,900 And I bring this point up because Jesus here is our 127 00:08:33,900 --> 00:08:36,400 example. He would come into these 128 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:38,400 synagogues and he would teach, yes. 129 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:41,299 But besides teaching, some of the most memorable and Powerful 130 00:08:41,299 --> 00:08:43,600 Miracles took place in these places. 131 00:08:43,799 --> 00:08:46,900 Remember in Mark chapter wanted a man possessed with a demon was 132 00:08:46,900 --> 00:08:49,600 delivered in Mark chapter 3. We see that a man with a 133 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:51,600 withered hand is going to be restored. 134 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:54,700 And in Luke 13, we read of a woman who was hunched over for 135 00:08:54,700 --> 00:08:58,200 so many years because of a disabling spirit and Jesus with 136 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:03,200 his authority will rescue her All to say, what with this brief 137 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:08,600 observation, the Lord in his loving and sacrificial approach 138 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:12,800 in the Assembly of God at this time, which was the synagogue's 139 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:18,500 is an inspiration to us because his attitude contrast so 140 00:09:18,500 --> 00:09:21,800 strongly with the attitude of the Pharisees. 141 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,700 You want to see how the Pharisees saw the synagogue's. 142 00:09:24,900 --> 00:09:28,800 We're gonna have to turn with me to Luke and 11:43 as Jesus 143 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:32,100 pronounces. Woes To the Pharisees. 144 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:36,000 Notice this particular condemnation from the Lord 145 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,800 himself. Luke 11:43. 146 00:09:40,900 --> 00:09:44,300 We read the Lord saying something very powerful. 147 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:54,200 Woe to you Pharisees for you. Love the best seat in the 148 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:58,900 synagogues, and greetings in the marketplaces. 149 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:03,700 You love the best seat in the synagogue. 150 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:08,500 The Pharisees had a habit of being present in the synagogues 151 00:10:08,500 --> 00:10:10,300 as well. But for completely different 152 00:10:10,300 --> 00:10:16,800 reasons these men saw these God focused places as a Them to be 153 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:21,800 celebrities. The best seats that Jesus is 154 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:25,700 referring to here. We're positioned in a way that 155 00:10:25,700 --> 00:10:28,100 they would face the congregation, and they were 156 00:10:28,300 --> 00:10:32,900 designated for distinguished guests and the Pharisees, love 157 00:10:32,900 --> 00:10:37,200 those seats. Because they had an insatiable 158 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:41,300 yearning for recognition and for status and there was something 159 00:10:41,300 --> 00:10:46,300 about those chairs that fed that carnal craving. 160 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,700 And it's sad to say that these leaders did not see the 161 00:10:50,700 --> 00:10:54,000 synagogues as a context where they could serve, others know, 162 00:10:54,500 --> 00:10:58,400 because it was a site where they could be lavished with praise 163 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:02,300 and tribute than Jesus said, woe to you for that. 164 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:07,100 And unfortunately, the same can be said for those who approach 165 00:11:07,100 --> 00:11:10,800 and engage with local Ministries today, they perceive the holy 166 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:16,500 Assembly of God as a platform for their selfish opportunities 167 00:11:16,500 --> 00:11:20,600 and desires where they can attain positions and titles with 168 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:24,300 little to no regard of the true purpose of when God's people 169 00:11:24,300 --> 00:11:26,300 come together as we are this afternoon. 170 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:30,600 But our Lord was not like the Pharisees, our Lord did not look 171 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:32,200 for the best seat, you know what our Lord did. 172 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:36,500 He stooped to the lowest ground and wash the feet of his 173 00:11:36,500 --> 00:11:40,600 servants? And in these synagogues, he was 174 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:45,500 no different. He came in to proclaim the news, 175 00:11:45,500 --> 00:11:50,500 the good news to the poor, he came to preach that, which would 176 00:11:50,500 --> 00:11:53,200 set the captive, free to recover, the side of the blind 177 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:55,800 to Proclaim, Liberty to those who were oppressed. 178 00:11:56,200 --> 00:12:00,300 In other words, Jesus came into the Assembly of God's people. 179 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:04,300 To serve in the capacity in which the Holy Spirit has 180 00:12:04,300 --> 00:12:08,500 anointed him. As the selflessness of Christ, 181 00:12:08,500 --> 00:12:11,600 not inspire you. This is not stir you to reflect 182 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:15,200 the same lowliness and humbleness in our attitude and 183 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:17,800 how we relate to one another as a fellowship of brothers and 184 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:21,900 sisters. We see that the Christian life 185 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:25,700 is really a continual training of the spirited to help us take 186 00:12:25,700 --> 00:12:30,300 our eyes off of what is best for us and to see what is best for 187 00:12:30,300 --> 00:12:32,900 others. That's what the Holy Spirit 188 00:12:32,900 --> 00:12:36,600 speaks to cultivate in us. Not to look for the best for us, 189 00:12:36,900 --> 00:12:40,200 but to look for the best for others, how we can, how we can 190 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:44,500 bless them, and honor them, and and comfort them and uphold 191 00:12:44,500 --> 00:12:47,000 them. And a friend. 192 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:50,000 The other night send me a verse not knowing what I Was preparing 193 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:52,200 that knowing what message I was going to share today. 194 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:55,500 And I thought it fits so perfectly with this point. 195 00:12:56,500 --> 00:12:59,300 Because if there was a man in the scriptures that had such a 196 00:12:59,308 --> 00:13:02,700 deep work done in him by the Lord Jesus Christ, if there was 197 00:13:02,700 --> 00:13:05,400 such a miracle that took place in conversion, anybody in 198 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:09,200 history was the Apostle Paul. Have you ever considered that 199 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:14,000 the great and deep significant thing that God had cultivated in 200 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:17,300 this man? You see it in so many places and 201 00:13:17,300 --> 00:13:20,700 this man dared to say by the spirits Authority, follow me as 202 00:13:20,700 --> 00:13:25,700 I follow Christ, follow me as I follow Christ, and you have 203 00:13:25,700 --> 00:13:29,700 people who live, That to missionary work and to preaching 204 00:13:29,700 --> 00:13:33,400 and to Holiness, and abstinence from the things of this. 205 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:35,100 Yes, sure. But have you looked at the 206 00:13:35,100 --> 00:13:39,000 specifics, the attitude, the mindset, the way he related to 207 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:42,900 other believers. I want you to see one place that 208 00:13:42,900 --> 00:13:46,600 stimulates me and I hope it stimulates you. 209 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:50,000 I want you to see place that will challenge you to Greater 210 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:52,800 Heights of Christian love. Love that. 211 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:58,300 Jesus calls us to it's in a very Very obscure passage in 2nd 212 00:13:58,300 --> 00:14:03,100 Corinthians, chapter 12, verse 15, turn there with me because I 213 00:14:03,108 --> 00:14:04,700 want you to see this with your eyes. 214 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:14,200 This is Paul addressing the Corinthians. 215 00:14:16,900 --> 00:14:19,800 And we see here that as he addresses them, he makes a 216 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:22,400 statement. And we'll begin in verse 14 217 00:14:22,700 --> 00:14:24,800 here. For the third time, I am ready 218 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:29,200 to come to you and I will not be a burden for I will seek. 219 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:33,000 Not what is yours? But you I will seek not what is 220 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:36,900 yours, but you in other words what he's saying here is I'm not 221 00:14:36,900 --> 00:14:38,500 here. I'm not here to relate to you to 222 00:14:38,500 --> 00:14:41,600 get something from you. I'm here for you. 223 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:43,200 What? I can add to you. 224 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:44,700 Don't be distracted. That's okay. 225 00:14:44,700 --> 00:14:48,800 Somebody will take care of that. For children are not obligated 226 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:52,400 to save up for their parents but parents for their children. 227 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:59,700 Now, notice verse 15, I will most gladly spend and be spent 228 00:14:59,700 --> 00:15:05,900 for your souls. If I love you, am I to be loved 229 00:15:05,900 --> 00:15:10,400 less? I'm not here to be a burden to 230 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:10,500 you. What? 231 00:15:10,500 --> 00:15:12,800 He's speaking here is, I'm not here to exercise. 232 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:15,700 My gifts, my presence in your midst, my involvement in your 233 00:15:15,700 --> 00:15:18,800 lives is not so that I can retrieve some monetary gain, 234 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:21,400 that's the context. I'm not here to be a burden to 235 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:23,700 you because as Believers were called to be burden bears. 236 00:15:23,700 --> 00:15:27,100 Not burden creators burden beerus, right. 237 00:15:27,700 --> 00:15:32,400 But look at verse 15. I will most gladly spend And be 238 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,900 spent for your souls. That's the great Apostle. 239 00:15:35,900 --> 00:15:38,500 Yes this great Apostle said follow me as I follow Christ. 240 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:42,500 What is he saying here? He's saying I will most gladly 241 00:15:42,700 --> 00:15:45,600 offer, whatever physical means I need to in order to contribute 242 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:48,800 to your sanctification, your comfort, your blessing, I will 243 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:51,800 gladly spend and he's talking about literal spending. 244 00:15:52,900 --> 00:15:54,800 But then too, he says, if it means that I have to give 245 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:57,500 something of myself, I will gladly do that as well. 246 00:15:59,100 --> 00:16:03,400 And and this is the thing, sometimes acts of service are 247 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:08,400 what we do by extending our belongings or making acts of 248 00:16:08,400 --> 00:16:11,500 purchases or supplying in order to help another brother or 249 00:16:11,500 --> 00:16:13,800 sister and to support them in various ways. 250 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:18,000 And that is not a lesser way of being a servant. 251 00:16:18,300 --> 00:16:20,900 But if we're honest with ourselves, when it comes to 252 00:16:20,900 --> 00:16:25,900 hesitation to be loving in our sacrifice, we are more hesitant. 253 00:16:25,900 --> 00:16:30,600 When we realize that it requires something, Of our time of our 254 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:33,900 energy. When it expends us personally. 255 00:16:36,100 --> 00:16:41,200 Paul says I'll gladly do either. if I need to send something your 256 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:48,800 way, if I need to send myself to you, I will gladly do either but 257 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:50,800 it doesn't end there because he goes further by stating 258 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:54,300 something that so glad the Holy Spirit left in the Bible. 259 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:59,400 And the second party says, if I love you more, am I to be 260 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:02,500 Loveless? There's hurt behind those words, 261 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:06,500 there's pain. Because what he's saying here is 262 00:17:07,599 --> 00:17:10,300 The intense love that I have for you is not reciprocal. 263 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,700 The more I love you. The same, the less you love me. 264 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:18,099 The more I'm willing to sacrifice for you, the more you 265 00:17:18,099 --> 00:17:20,000 are willing to pull back from me. 266 00:17:21,700 --> 00:17:24,300 Why is my love for you? Only causing you to value and 267 00:17:24,300 --> 00:17:26,400 care for me, less? That's what Paul is saying. 268 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:30,100 What a word what a word for those who serve in the church 269 00:17:30,100 --> 00:17:31,800 and feel like they are not being recognized. 270 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:36,100 Listen very closely what a word for husband's, what a word for a 271 00:17:36,100 --> 00:17:40,800 wives who are trying to be a Godly spouse but they cannot 272 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:45,600 find any clue of even just basic respect in return. 273 00:17:45,700 --> 00:17:50,300 The word, what a word. Because what we see here is that 274 00:17:50,300 --> 00:17:52,700 the Apostle knows that kind of pain. 275 00:17:54,100 --> 00:17:57,900 He knows what it's like to give and give and not receive and 276 00:17:57,900 --> 00:17:59,800 return. But here's the beauty of this 277 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:03,000 truth. Paul could still say that he 278 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:07,800 would greatly spend and be spent even though his love was 279 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:11,000 unappreciated even though it was not returned. 280 00:18:11,300 --> 00:18:14,500 And what I want to tell you today that in Christ Jesus, such 281 00:18:14,500 --> 00:18:18,900 a miracle is possible in our lives that we can arrive to such 282 00:18:18,900 --> 00:18:23,200 great love for others. And Paul is very human here. 283 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:26,900 He still feels that pain where he realizes that this is not a 284 00:18:26,900 --> 00:18:30,500 mutual thing and yet he can still confidently say because of 285 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:33,800 Christ in him, I'll still gladly serve. 286 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:37,000 I'm more than willing to give myself. 287 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:40,800 You say impossible, you say impossible. 288 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,500 You don't know who I'm married to you say impossible. 289 00:18:43,500 --> 00:18:46,900 You don't know how stubborn people are in my family. 290 00:18:46,900 --> 00:18:50,400 You don't understand how people in my church, don't really 291 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:52,200 recognize me. They don't even greet me. 292 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:54,800 And I tell you what is impossible for man is possible 293 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:59,200 for God, it's possible. If there's any miracle that you 294 00:18:59,208 --> 00:19:01,000 would covet, would you covet this one? 295 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:04,500 There's any work of God that you would yearn for would it not be 296 00:19:04,500 --> 00:19:07,100 a burning bush, or the Red Sea splitting in half? 297 00:19:07,100 --> 00:19:09,700 Would it be your heart coming to this christ-like? 298 00:19:09,700 --> 00:19:14,000 Love? Arriving to such a state of 299 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:18,200 Splendid sacrificial giving of self. 300 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:23,200 This was Jesus. I refuse to believe that Paul 301 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:28,500 loved more than Jesus loved and we see in this man, a work of 302 00:19:28,500 --> 00:19:32,800 Christ that is available to you and I when you look around and 303 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:35,100 you see these people to your left and to your right before 304 00:19:35,100 --> 00:19:38,700 you and behind you, as you do life with brothers who come 305 00:19:38,700 --> 00:19:41,400 together as a church as a congregation, Would we not look 306 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:46,300 for the best for ourselves? But the best for those who are 307 00:19:46,300 --> 00:19:52,000 before us, this is Paul's heart. This is Jesus heart wherever he 308 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:55,500 went, people left blessed. The second person I want to 309 00:19:55,508 --> 00:19:58,700 bring to your attention in. This synagogue is a man with a 310 00:19:58,700 --> 00:20:01,300 withered hand. We don't know the cause for his 311 00:20:01,300 --> 00:20:04,300 lifeless limb we're not told if it was an accident or disease 312 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:07,700 that brought about this dysfunction but the severity of 313 00:20:07,708 --> 00:20:12,200 this man's disability is highlighted by no other than dr. 314 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:16,900 Luke. Dr. Luke, if you remember told 315 00:20:16,900 --> 00:20:20,300 us that the man that was healed from leprosy early on a few 316 00:20:20,300 --> 00:20:24,400 weeks ago and Mark was full of leprosy, Mark, doesn't say that 317 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:28,000 Luke does and when you come to this text that Luke also 318 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:31,100 records, he gives us another observation that only of 319 00:20:31,100 --> 00:20:35,100 physician would find necessary to make note of it's in. 320 00:20:35,100 --> 00:20:51,300 Luke 6 verse 6 On another Sabbath. 321 00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:57,100 He entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there 322 00:20:57,100 --> 00:21:02,400 whose right hand? Was withered, Mark, doesn't say 323 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:05,200 that just his hand. Luke dr. 324 00:21:05,200 --> 00:21:09,000 Luke good Doctor Luke by the spirit says, no. 325 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:11,700 No more specifically. It was his it was his right 326 00:21:11,700 --> 00:21:14,400 hand. Why would the Holy Spirit want 327 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:16,100 to mention that? Well, because most people are 328 00:21:16,108 --> 00:21:18,800 right-handed. And it could be that the spirit 329 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:22,100 of God mentions this as a hint that it was this man's dominant 330 00:21:22,100 --> 00:21:25,300 hand, that was damaged making his Affliction all the more 331 00:21:25,300 --> 00:21:28,700 challenging to live with perhaps some of us know how annoying it 332 00:21:28,700 --> 00:21:31,700 is to have one of our fingers out of 10 out of service. 333 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:36,800 Imagine your whole hand hanging there. 334 00:21:37,100 --> 00:21:42,300 Lifeless paralyzed for good and we might feel empathy for this 335 00:21:42,300 --> 00:21:44,900 man. But I say, let's let's be 336 00:21:44,900 --> 00:21:51,300 inspired by him because despite his handicap he is in a place of 337 00:21:51,300 --> 00:21:55,600 worship. He is in a place of worship. 338 00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:57,700 And I was looking at this and I was meditating on this. 339 00:21:57,700 --> 00:21:59,600 And this is the phrase that came to my mind. 340 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:04,900 This man was withered but he was worshipful withered, but 341 00:22:04,900 --> 00:22:07,100 worshipful. Now here's the point that I make 342 00:22:07,100 --> 00:22:10,100 from this, what kind of Revelation that this man had 343 00:22:10,100 --> 00:22:14,900 that most Believers can't seem to come to terms with in other 344 00:22:14,900 --> 00:22:20,500 words, why is it so hard to convince Christians to 345 00:22:20,500 --> 00:22:25,600 comprehend the absolute gift that the Gathering of the Saints 346 00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:31,700 is Why is it that when people are shriveled up, if I can use 347 00:22:31,700 --> 00:22:36,300 that word, symbolically shrivel up, spiritually, shriveled up, 348 00:22:36,300 --> 00:22:42,100 emotionally shriveled up financially, they avoid the very 349 00:22:42,100 --> 00:22:46,500 place that was divinely designed to provide strength and 350 00:22:46,500 --> 00:22:51,600 encouragement. That's my question, we're not 351 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:54,100 told whether or not this man was a regular member of the 352 00:22:54,100 --> 00:22:57,700 synagogue, but this is the thing that we see because he 353 00:22:57,700 --> 00:23:01,200 prioritized worship. Oh, he encountered a blessing. 354 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:04,500 That was unimaginable. What if this, man? 355 00:23:04,500 --> 00:23:08,600 This unnamed fellow skipped. Synagogue this day. 356 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:11,800 You might debate me. I say he wouldn't have been 357 00:23:11,800 --> 00:23:15,400 healed. What if he thought to himself? 358 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:19,800 Yeah, really in the mood. To go to synagogue today. 359 00:23:21,300 --> 00:23:28,100 I'll just live stream it. And this actual healing. 360 00:23:29,300 --> 00:23:33,300 Provides a symbolic lesson to encourage us not to miss the 361 00:23:33,300 --> 00:23:35,900 blessings that can only be found in public worship. 362 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:38,700 And The Fellowship of the brethren. 363 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:43,300 Thomas did that to remember when the disciples were gathered in 364 00:23:43,300 --> 00:23:45,500 the upper room and Jesus showed up, guess who was missing 365 00:23:45,900 --> 00:23:48,300 Thomas, Thomas chose to live stream that day. 366 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:53,500 I don't want to miss when Jesus will show up. 367 00:23:55,700 --> 00:23:58,400 And he has a habit of showing up where God's people Gather in his 368 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:03,600 name. This man again, was his first 369 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:05,800 time that he heard. Jesus coming to his synagogue. 370 00:24:05,800 --> 00:24:08,500 So he made a first appearance or was he there regularly? 371 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:11,200 I don't know, but I like to visualize this man with his 372 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:15,100 right hand tucked. Maybe wearing a longer sleeve 373 00:24:15,100 --> 00:24:18,400 because he was embarrassed about it and yet still coming to the 374 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:21,600 house of God with faith in his heart because he knew that there 375 00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:25,100 was something more important than his body being whole, but 376 00:24:25,100 --> 00:24:33,500 his soul being blessed. You and I are charged to come in 377 00:24:33,500 --> 00:24:37,100 here whether we are broken or whether we are blessed. 378 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:40,500 Because when we come in here, God wants to bless us again. 379 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:44,800 And again, and again, I don't want to show you the variations 380 00:24:44,800 --> 00:24:51,000 of spiritual. handicaps and the instruction that are given to 381 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:53,400 them and one simple verse it's in the book of First 382 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:57,900 Thessalonians, chapter 5, This is one of my favorite verses 383 00:24:58,300 --> 00:25:02,300 when it comes to relating to the Brethren and fellowship. 1st 384 00:25:02,300 --> 00:25:03,900 Thessalonians. Chapter 5. 385 00:25:03,900 --> 00:25:15,200 Verse 14. 1st Thessalonians. Chapter 5. 386 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:20,600 Verse 14. May this verse be chained around 387 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:25,900 our hearts and we urge you, Paul saying this is urgent. 388 00:25:26,100 --> 00:25:31,100 This is like emergency stuff and we urge you Brothers, admonish 389 00:25:31,100 --> 00:25:37,100 the idol, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be 390 00:25:37,100 --> 00:25:40,700 patient with them all, or how we need, that one be patient with 391 00:25:40,700 --> 00:25:44,200 them. All this verse proves, that even 392 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:47,200 among believers who are committed to one another, you 393 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:51,100 have Um, who are in Covenant with Christ, who might be idle, 394 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:54,000 who might be faint-hearted, who might be weak? 395 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:57,500 What does it mean to be idle? Another way of understanding it 396 00:25:57,500 --> 00:26:03,000 is to be unsupportive to be. Idle means to be unsupportive 397 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:06,500 because of carelessness or because of criticism, it speaks 398 00:26:06,500 --> 00:26:11,100 of a Believer who is not involved, not engaged but who is 399 00:26:11,100 --> 00:26:16,800 distant due to distraction or even because of bitterness, so 400 00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:20,900 their Idol, they're not active, they're not here, really, 401 00:26:20,900 --> 00:26:23,100 they're here. But they're not here. 402 00:26:23,300 --> 00:26:27,300 They're kind of on the horizon, the kind of on the And they are 403 00:26:27,300 --> 00:26:31,200 idle and impulses, hey, you Believers Brothers, you gotta 404 00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:34,600 warn these ones and you got to let him know that danger of 405 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:39,600 remaining in such a place of complacency and contempt, it's 406 00:26:39,600 --> 00:26:41,700 dangerous. So admonish them. 407 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:45,100 Then he goes on to speak about the faint-hearted, describing 408 00:26:45,100 --> 00:26:49,700 those who are easily feared, those who are given to worry, 409 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:53,900 they don't deal well with transitions in life. 410 00:26:54,500 --> 00:26:58,300 They don't deal well with missions and ministry, right? 411 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:00,700 It's like when something happens in the church it's like it 412 00:27:00,700 --> 00:27:06,100 messes them up for months. They're shaken easily by the 413 00:27:06,100 --> 00:27:09,100 news of the threat of persecution, and they can't seem 414 00:27:09,100 --> 00:27:12,300 to stomach and they can't seem to stand firm when their 415 00:27:12,300 --> 00:27:17,300 spiritual warfare within. And Paul tells these brothers. 416 00:27:17,500 --> 00:27:20,300 Oh, would you encourage the faint-hearted? 417 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:23,600 Would you come alongside them and remind them of the 418 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:26,800 faithfulness of God of the presence of God and all of our 419 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:31,800 troubles? And he says the week, help the 420 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:35,200 weak who are the week? Those who are not spiritually 421 00:27:35,200 --> 00:27:38,100 disciplined. So they are, there are wobbly 422 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:40,400 and their defense against Temptation. 423 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:47,700 They seem to always be tempted to lapse into a more reality and 424 00:27:47,700 --> 00:27:53,100 they don't seem to graduate at the desired Pace in godliness. 425 00:27:54,300 --> 00:27:58,700 They need special attention. These guys need like 24/7. 426 00:27:59,300 --> 00:28:05,700 Around-the-clock accountability. They need to be reminded of 427 00:28:05,708 --> 00:28:10,500 God's goodness and God's warnings about Sin and really 428 00:28:10,500 --> 00:28:13,200 just rehearsing the basic truths of the faith. 429 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:18,500 Paul says, to the brothers help these guys help them lock arms 430 00:28:18,500 --> 00:28:22,000 with them. Give your number to them, be 431 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:25,500 available to them. And what I love is when it comes 432 00:28:25,500 --> 00:28:29,500 to the idle, when it comes to the faint-hearted, when it comes 433 00:28:29,500 --> 00:28:32,800 to the week, you know what our temptation is as brothers, who 434 00:28:32,800 --> 00:28:36,900 might not be caught Either of those things is to be frustrated 435 00:28:36,900 --> 00:28:39,400 with them. When will you get it? 436 00:28:40,500 --> 00:28:44,000 I wouldn't you snap out of it. It's been so long the holy 437 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:48,300 spirit says be patient. Growth is not overnight. 438 00:28:48,300 --> 00:28:51,400 Healing is not immediate. Oh we wish it was but be 439 00:28:51,400 --> 00:28:54,800 patient, it will come. Don't give up. 440 00:28:55,300 --> 00:28:59,400 Now it's clear that this verse is designated for the strong. 441 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:02,200 It's an instruction for the brothers who are not in any of 442 00:29:02,200 --> 00:29:05,400 these pits but can reach down and pull somebody out of it. 443 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:07,700 But I want us to see this verse and the opposite end. 444 00:29:08,500 --> 00:29:10,600 In other words, pay attention to this. 445 00:29:10,700 --> 00:29:16,300 If you are idle, if you are faint hearted, if you are weak. 446 00:29:16,700 --> 00:29:21,000 According to this verse from, where does a major aspect of 447 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:24,300 your help come from your brothers? 448 00:29:26,200 --> 00:29:30,700 Your brothers. That's what I see out of it. 449 00:29:30,900 --> 00:29:36,400 You endanger yourself. When you remove yourself from 450 00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:41,100 the brothers and just like this withered, man, we are risk of 451 00:29:41,100 --> 00:29:45,100 remaining in that condition of weakness and disability. 452 00:29:47,500 --> 00:29:51,700 When we refuse to allow Christ, do to us what he did to that, 453 00:29:51,700 --> 00:29:53,200 man. And that's heal us through the 454 00:29:53,200 --> 00:29:57,300 members of his body, his hands and feet, the Church of Jesus 455 00:29:57,300 --> 00:30:01,100 Christ. So I hope this encourages every 456 00:30:01,100 --> 00:30:05,600 person in here to know that you can come you can come in your 457 00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:11,200 Brokenness. In fact you must come Because 458 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:13,600 there are Elders here. And there are brothers here, and 459 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:19,600 there are sisters here, who will admonish you and encourage you, 460 00:30:19,600 --> 00:30:24,700 and help you, no matter what you are withered with, no matter 461 00:30:24,700 --> 00:30:28,400 what it is, whether it's your faith, whether it's your heart 462 00:30:28,400 --> 00:30:31,600 that's been shattered, whether it's your marriage, whether it's 463 00:30:31,600 --> 00:30:35,800 your relationship with your children, do not miss how Christ 464 00:30:35,800 --> 00:30:40,100 can bring about life to you as you choose to be before him. 465 00:30:40,800 --> 00:30:43,700 You choose to throw yourself in his very presence and the 466 00:30:43,700 --> 00:30:47,700 presence of God's people, you beam a signal, how he can 467 00:30:47,700 --> 00:30:52,000 strengthen you and what seems to be without hope without life 468 00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:58,700 without a pulse. We come to the third party in 469 00:30:58,700 --> 00:31:01,300 the story. We looked at Jesus. 470 00:31:01,300 --> 00:31:04,000 What an example for us to look for the best in others, not for 471 00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:05,900 the best for ourselves. We look at this withered man. 472 00:31:05,900 --> 00:31:09,700 That even when we're not doing the best, We come to the 473 00:31:09,700 --> 00:31:14,000 brothers. Even if you come and limping, 474 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:17,700 even if you come rolling in because you don't even have the 475 00:31:17,700 --> 00:31:22,900 strength to gird up, your loins come and this place which will 476 00:31:22,900 --> 00:31:27,600 be a, holy hospital, will bind you, and build you and be 477 00:31:27,600 --> 00:31:32,000 patient with you and care for you until you can walk again 478 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:36,500 until you can serve again until you can see again. 479 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:40,600 But there is a last last group. The first two are positive. 480 00:31:41,100 --> 00:31:44,700 The last is negative. Come back to Mark with me in 481 00:31:44,700 --> 00:31:46,900 chapter 3 again. He entered the synagogue verse 482 00:31:46,900 --> 00:31:52,000 one and a man was there with a withered hand and they watch 483 00:31:52,000 --> 00:31:57,400 Jesus to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath so that 484 00:31:57,400 --> 00:32:01,000 they might accuse him that they I'm sure you guessed it. 485 00:32:01,100 --> 00:32:04,100 According to Luke tells us that they were the scribes and the 486 00:32:04,108 --> 00:32:07,000 Pharisees and they came to watch Jesus. 487 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:09,600 But not for the reasons that we would hope these men have 488 00:32:09,600 --> 00:32:13,400 reached the point. And their relationship with 489 00:32:13,400 --> 00:32:17,500 Jesus that they wanted to study his every move his every move 490 00:32:17,500 --> 00:32:22,200 they became spies to try to find fault in him. 491 00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:24,900 And when they came to, the synagogue to say, whether they 492 00:32:24,900 --> 00:32:26,600 followed Jesus, they were there in attendance. 493 00:32:26,600 --> 00:32:31,300 And Jesus knew they were there. They made the connection man, 494 00:32:31,300 --> 00:32:35,100 and one of the pews is withered Jesus, who can heal is in the 495 00:32:35,100 --> 00:32:38,100 midst of. Let's see if he will break one 496 00:32:38,100 --> 00:32:42,000 of our laws. Which I find funny because even 497 00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:45,000 in that thinking, you're indirectly admitting that this 498 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:48,700 man Jesus of Nazareth has the ability to heal. 499 00:32:50,000 --> 00:32:54,400 It's incredible. And as these Pharisees observed, 500 00:32:55,700 --> 00:32:57,800 they knew who Jesus was to a degree. 501 00:32:57,800 --> 00:33:00,700 They knew what he was able to do, but listen to this, they 502 00:33:00,700 --> 00:33:06,800 still did not know him. What do I mean these Pharisees 503 00:33:06,800 --> 00:33:11,700 knew who he was knew what he was able to do, but they did not 504 00:33:11,700 --> 00:33:14,300 know him in a saving way. You know, what breaks my heart 505 00:33:14,300 --> 00:33:17,100 about this passage. This is the beauty about 506 00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:20,400 studying the word of God consecutively, and in order, 507 00:33:20,800 --> 00:33:24,200 prior to this Jesus corrected these men he exposed their 508 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:26,800 hypocrisy. Pointing out the holes and their 509 00:33:26,800 --> 00:33:30,400 legalism. And yet based on verse 2 of 510 00:33:30,400 --> 00:33:32,400 chapter 3, no sign of conviction. 511 00:33:34,400 --> 00:33:38,700 No sign of change. No Brokenness no consideration 512 00:33:38,700 --> 00:33:41,300 about where they could be wrong, and they're standing with God, 513 00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:44,300 nothing of the sort. In fact, what you see with these 514 00:33:44,300 --> 00:33:45,800 men as that? They're just hardened, all the 515 00:33:45,800 --> 00:33:50,500 more and they heard his teaching and they beheld, his glory, and 516 00:33:50,500 --> 00:33:53,500 here, they are sitting in the presence of the best, teacher 517 00:33:53,700 --> 00:33:56,800 best preacher, best miracle worker. 518 00:33:58,900 --> 00:34:03,300 Unsaved. Lost is lost, can be. 519 00:34:04,800 --> 00:34:09,000 Here's my fear that, what was true for these Pharisees, as 520 00:34:09,000 --> 00:34:11,400 they find themselves in a spiritual atmosphere and 521 00:34:11,400 --> 00:34:14,900 surrounding can be possible for those even in a setting like 522 00:34:14,900 --> 00:34:19,800 this, this afternoon. Jesus. 523 00:34:21,400 --> 00:34:23,800 Is there the Pharisees are there? 524 00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:30,800 But there is no connection, no salvation, No Redemption, and it 525 00:34:30,800 --> 00:34:33,699 reminds me. It reminds me of the words of 526 00:34:33,699 --> 00:34:36,699 some of the people that will say at that final day, when the Lord 527 00:34:36,699 --> 00:34:38,400 will look and say, where did you come from? 528 00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:41,300 And they would come up with this amazing. 529 00:34:41,300 --> 00:34:44,600 Amazing argument that in their minds thought would persuade 530 00:34:44,600 --> 00:34:46,800 Jesus that they did know each other. 531 00:34:48,199 --> 00:34:51,199 Not Matthew 7:21, it's another place in it is extremely 532 00:34:51,199 --> 00:34:53,699 insightful. I think it's important for 533 00:34:54,000 --> 00:34:56,800 churches to rehearse that truth from time to time, especially as 534 00:34:56,800 --> 00:35:01,100 new people come in. It's in Luke again. 535 00:35:02,200 --> 00:35:16,600 Luke 13:25. Luke 13:25. 536 00:35:20,300 --> 00:35:24,000 When Once to the Master of the House has risen and shut the 537 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:26,700 door and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door 538 00:35:26,700 --> 00:35:31,500 saying Lord open to us then he will answer you. 539 00:35:31,500 --> 00:35:34,100 I do not know where you come from. 540 00:35:35,000 --> 00:35:39,600 That's like a crushing statement, that's a crushing 541 00:35:39,600 --> 00:35:44,500 statement but look at verse 26 then you will begin to say. 542 00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:48,200 We ate and drank in your presence. 543 00:35:50,000 --> 00:35:56,000 And you taught in our streets. But he will say, I tell you, I 544 00:35:56,000 --> 00:35:59,800 do not know where you come from depart from me all you workers 545 00:36:00,700 --> 00:36:05,000 of evil. Such a sobering text. 546 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:09,500 Do you see what Jesus says about these Eternal Outcast they will 547 00:36:09,500 --> 00:36:21,300 begin to say we ate and drank in your presence and you taught in 548 00:36:21,300 --> 00:36:25,300 our neighborhoods? Jesus and say you're lying. 549 00:36:26,500 --> 00:36:29,200 He didn't call them out because of a bluff. 550 00:36:30,200 --> 00:36:31,800 He and his silence acknowledges that. 551 00:36:31,800 --> 00:36:35,700 That is true. In other words, these people one 552 00:36:35,700 --> 00:36:40,900 day on the final day will appeal to the fact that they were those 553 00:36:40,900 --> 00:36:46,800 who, who sat under teachings about Jesus, and we're even in 554 00:36:46,800 --> 00:36:51,300 Fellowship, eating and drinking, and feasting with those who did 555 00:36:51,300 --> 00:36:58,200 so under the banner of Jesus. But Jesus will say aye, but 556 00:36:58,400 --> 00:37:02,500 you're a stranger to me, I don't know you but Lord. 557 00:37:02,500 --> 00:37:05,000 We were there. We were there to every pot luck 558 00:37:05,000 --> 00:37:06,600 and we were there and every service and we were there at the 559 00:37:06,607 --> 00:37:09,100 conference's, we were there in your presence. 560 00:37:09,100 --> 00:37:13,100 We were there eating and drinking with you and in our 561 00:37:13,100 --> 00:37:17,700 context with God's people and there will be a thundering 562 00:37:18,100 --> 00:37:22,500 pronouncement, from the lips of the Holy judge. 563 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:25,200 I don't know where you come from. 564 00:37:27,000 --> 00:37:30,900 Why? Because people make the Fatal 565 00:37:30,900 --> 00:37:34,700 mistake and thinking that being around, Jesus is the same as 566 00:37:34,700 --> 00:37:41,400 being in Jesus. But being in close proximity to 567 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:44,500 the presence of Jesus Christ and the presence of Jesus Christ. 568 00:37:44,500 --> 00:37:48,900 And his people is not the same as the presence of Christ 569 00:37:48,900 --> 00:37:51,400 abiding in you and me, not the same. 570 00:37:54,500 --> 00:37:59,000 So, to qualify that we are in Jesus because we are with Jesus 571 00:37:59,000 --> 00:38:01,300 people. And we hear about Jesus, and we 572 00:38:01,300 --> 00:38:06,500 sing about Jesus is a dangerous dangerous place, to put your 573 00:38:06,500 --> 00:38:09,200 Assurance in mind. And this is my sincere prayer. 574 00:38:09,200 --> 00:38:14,200 That not one here, not 1111 not one here. 575 00:38:14,300 --> 00:38:17,900 Who watches what Jesus does in this place. 576 00:38:17,900 --> 00:38:21,100 And hears about Jesus week after week. 577 00:38:23,200 --> 00:38:26,300 Who doesn't have the assurance that they are numbered among the 578 00:38:26,308 --> 00:38:32,400 redeemed. That's my prayer every week 579 00:38:33,000 --> 00:38:36,300 before coming to this pulpit. That there would be no 580 00:38:36,300 --> 00:38:42,200 Pharisees. No Pharisees, who studied Jesus 581 00:38:42,800 --> 00:38:46,300 but not for the reason. That would save them. 582 00:38:50,200 --> 00:38:53,600 But here's the Hope because when you come to this group of 583 00:38:53,600 --> 00:38:56,000 people, it's amazing how much attention is given to the 584 00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:57,800 Pharisees throughout the life of Jesus. 585 00:38:58,200 --> 00:39:00,200 It's just amazing. It makes you wonder if Jesus 586 00:39:00,200 --> 00:39:03,000 really wants us to know, to know the characteristics of such men 587 00:39:03,100 --> 00:39:07,400 and the dangers of following in their steps, some would say that 588 00:39:07,400 --> 00:39:11,900 these Pharisees were just like the destined enemies of Christ. 589 00:39:11,900 --> 00:39:15,000 And there is no hope for them. And some of us might be 590 00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:18,900 discouraged even because we might know Pharisee like people 591 00:39:18,900 --> 00:39:21,500 where they again. Watch what Jesus is doing there 592 00:39:21,500 --> 00:39:23,200 in the presence of Jesus to an extent. 593 00:39:23,200 --> 00:39:27,300 But there is no significant evidence that there is a saving 594 00:39:27,300 --> 00:39:30,500 work done in their hearts. If there is any group in the 595 00:39:30,500 --> 00:39:34,300 Bible that would be near impossible to being saved. 596 00:39:34,300 --> 00:39:37,600 It was the Pharisees, Jesus didn't pronounce woes to the 597 00:39:37,600 --> 00:39:41,000 prostitutes or to the tax collectors or to the zealots, he 598 00:39:41,000 --> 00:39:44,300 pronounced woes to one group of people and that was the 599 00:39:44,300 --> 00:39:47,000 Pharisees. And in my reading, I'm currently 600 00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:50,800 an axe in my reading. I was just brushing Through acts 601 00:39:50,900 --> 00:39:53,400 and it came to a certain chapter and there was this this little 602 00:39:53,400 --> 00:39:56,800 hint and this hint just exploded from the pages. 603 00:39:57,100 --> 00:39:58,800 And I thought to myself, maybe because we're going through 604 00:39:58,800 --> 00:40:03,300 Mark, wow! What an awesome gospel. 605 00:40:03,300 --> 00:40:06,600 We have, what a powerful gospel we have, would you like to see 606 00:40:06,600 --> 00:40:07,700 it? You have a choice. 607 00:40:09,000 --> 00:40:11,700 And I asked, and this is our final text this afternoon. 608 00:40:12,000 --> 00:40:17,900 Let this inspire you. That the most stubborn, those 609 00:40:17,900 --> 00:40:20,600 who are vehemently against our Christ. 610 00:40:21,300 --> 00:40:24,500 Those who seem unsavable though, they are in the midst. 611 00:40:25,900 --> 00:40:30,300 Of gospel, preaching of Gospel, Power of gospel. 612 00:40:30,300 --> 00:40:35,600 Testimony, look at Acts chapter 15 with me, and notice a little 613 00:40:35,600 --> 00:40:39,400 phrase that we might we might have not meditated on and 614 00:40:39,400 --> 00:40:44,400 consider the implications of Verse 4, when they came to 615 00:40:44,400 --> 00:40:47,800 Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and 616 00:40:47,800 --> 00:40:51,200 the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 617 00:40:52,000 --> 00:40:57,500 But some believers who belong to the party of the, who the 618 00:40:57,500 --> 00:41:03,700 Pharisees Rose up and said it is necessary to circumcise him and 619 00:41:04,200 --> 00:41:06,500 to order them to keep the law of Moses. 620 00:41:07,900 --> 00:41:12,500 Now this is, this is so like almost contradicting to our 621 00:41:12,500 --> 00:41:15,200 experience with the Pharisees that even some people who when 622 00:41:15,200 --> 00:41:18,600 they read that phrase, but some believers who belong to the 623 00:41:18,607 --> 00:41:21,300 party, the feels like, they're not true believers, they're 624 00:41:21,300 --> 00:41:23,800 fake. They like acknowledge the 625 00:41:23,800 --> 00:41:26,700 doctrines of Jesus, and they may be believed that he did raise 626 00:41:26,700 --> 00:41:29,900 from that, but they were not truly regenerate, hold on, if 627 00:41:29,900 --> 00:41:33,200 the Holy Spirit, It wanted to tell us that they weren't saved, 628 00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:35,400 he would not. Have said they are believers. 629 00:41:37,000 --> 00:41:39,800 He could have easily said but some who belong to the party of 630 00:41:39,800 --> 00:41:43,100 the Pharisees, and the scene would have, made sense, still 631 00:41:44,100 --> 00:41:49,400 Believers, Believers believers, who are not yet mature, clearly 632 00:41:49,400 --> 00:41:53,200 because they were so gripped by their habit of observing 633 00:41:53,200 --> 00:41:56,100 ceremonial laws and and being lawkeepers. 634 00:41:56,100 --> 00:41:59,500 Yes that's clear here but Believers nonetheless. 635 00:42:01,300 --> 00:42:05,400 Christ can say, the Pharisee. This gospel can save the 636 00:42:05,400 --> 00:42:11,300 Pharisee. Yes, even the one who has been 637 00:42:11,300 --> 00:42:15,800 in the same place for years. And they're still heathens 638 00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:20,800 self-righteous unfruitful. No testimony. 639 00:42:21,100 --> 00:42:23,900 They laugh and talk and text during the sermons. 640 00:42:24,300 --> 00:42:25,800 They don't participate in singing. 641 00:42:25,800 --> 00:42:30,700 They have no inclusion and they just watch what Jesus is doing. 642 00:42:30,800 --> 00:42:35,100 Even they can be saved. That's how powerful this truth 643 00:42:35,100 --> 00:42:38,200 is. So I'm not intimidated nor am? 644 00:42:38,200 --> 00:42:42,500 I discouraged when I look out and see different reasons to why 645 00:42:42,500 --> 00:42:44,400 people come to the Assembly of God. 646 00:42:45,200 --> 00:42:48,900 I am not shaken because I believe that Jesus can do 647 00:42:48,900 --> 00:42:52,000 Miracles today. Still, he can do miracles in the 648 00:42:52,000 --> 00:42:56,300 Christian who seeks to do, what is best for them and change 649 00:42:56,300 --> 00:42:57,900 them, like, he changed Paul to say. 650 00:42:57,900 --> 00:43:00,800 I will gladly spend and be spent for you. 651 00:43:00,900 --> 00:43:03,800 Even if you don't love me, I will love you and lavish my love 652 00:43:03,800 --> 00:43:07,500 upon you, he can do that and Is The Miracle Worker where 653 00:43:07,500 --> 00:43:11,000 somebody can come in withered and broken and smash my life. 654 00:43:11,500 --> 00:43:14,100 But then, through his members, through his hands and feet, such 655 00:43:14,100 --> 00:43:17,800 a person can be sustained and strengthened for another day and 656 00:43:17,800 --> 00:43:22,700 he can even save the Pharisee. Oh miracles happen here. 657 00:43:22,700 --> 00:43:27,200 Week after week, do not take this assembly lightly when we 658 00:43:27,200 --> 00:43:30,100 come together. God can do Miracles and I 659 00:43:30,100 --> 00:43:31,900 encourage you don't miss the blessings. 660 00:43:31,900 --> 00:43:35,000 That Jesus has reserved every week here at Maranatha Bible 661 00:43:35,000 --> 00:43:36,900 Church glory. Be to God. 662 00:43:37,400 --> 00:43:55,700 Let's pray. Lord with these two verses as 663 00:43:55,700 --> 00:43:59,200 our portion. Thank you for feeding us. 664 00:44:00,700 --> 00:44:03,700 Thank you for admonishing us. Encouraging us, helping us. 665 00:44:06,400 --> 00:44:10,900 Lord, we just ask that. There would be I revived love. 666 00:44:12,300 --> 00:44:16,100 For the house of God. Lord, it seems to be a very 667 00:44:16,100 --> 00:44:21,300 consistent theme in the past few weeks for our church. so, we 668 00:44:21,300 --> 00:44:28,300 take heed Help us be like your son who was anointed by the 669 00:44:28,300 --> 00:44:32,200 spirit to serve anoint us to serve. 670 00:44:33,200 --> 00:44:35,400 Help us in our Brokenness like that, unnamed men. 671 00:44:37,700 --> 00:44:40,500 Do not remove ourselves from where you have proclaimed 672 00:44:40,500 --> 00:44:46,100 healing. but in our idleness, in our weakness and our 673 00:44:46,100 --> 00:44:50,100 faintheartedness, To give ourselves to your people. 674 00:44:51,200 --> 00:44:55,000 And to experience a miracle in our faith and Lord for the 675 00:44:55,000 --> 00:44:58,200 Pharisees. The Pharisees who might be in 676 00:44:58,200 --> 00:45:01,000 attendance? Help us. 677 00:45:01,000 --> 00:45:04,900 Oh, God Trust. That your word proclaimed, and 678 00:45:04,900 --> 00:45:10,500 our prayers can save a Pharisee and you can make a Paul out of 679 00:45:10,500 --> 00:45:15,800 that Pharisee. But Lord, we don't want to be 680 00:45:15,800 --> 00:45:18,700 those who are familiar with your presence. 681 00:45:20,300 --> 00:45:22,600 And who eat and drink with God's people, but do not have your 682 00:45:22,600 --> 00:45:25,700 presence living in us. So even if there's one in here 683 00:45:25,700 --> 00:45:30,800 father, that that cannot attest to being born again. 684 00:45:32,100 --> 00:45:34,800 That in this place where you do Miracles because your word is 685 00:45:34,800 --> 00:45:37,800 preached and your people are gathered and Covenant with you. 686 00:45:38,900 --> 00:45:42,800 Oh, Lord, change that person. Change that person. 687 00:45:44,100 --> 00:45:47,100 We trust that you will in Lord, we rejoice in you, we rejoice 688 00:45:47,500 --> 00:45:50,100 and how deep your word is and how rich it is. 689 00:45:50,700 --> 00:45:54,300 And we want to just glorify glorify who you are even in 690 00:45:54,308 --> 00:45:57,500 these two verses this afternoon in Jesus name, we pray. 691 00:45:57,800 --> 00:45:59,900 Amen, let's stand and Worship the Lord.