1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:03,700 We continue as I mentioned at the start of the service in our 2 00:00:03,700 --> 00:00:06,400 Pursuit series. We are, this is the penultimate 3 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:10,000 talk. We are in the lead up to Easter, 4 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:12,500 of course and it's Palm Sunday, next Sunday. 5 00:00:13,300 --> 00:00:16,400 And the only problem with the pursuit book is there was one 6 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:22,000 too many chapters. So I've skipped chapter 8 and 7 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:26,900 we're in chapter 9, chapter 8 is actually very good chapter. 8 00:00:27,300 --> 00:00:29,900 It's restoring the Creator and created. 9 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:33,400 Relationship, it's about recognizing that we are his and 10 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:38,100 he is God and I know many of you I've spoken to a read-along. 11 00:00:38,100 --> 00:00:41,800 So do do make sure you read that chapter in to be honest with 12 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:43,900 you. You know, that notion of the 13 00:00:43,900 --> 00:00:48,700 fact that we are here's and is is a theme that I hope you hear 14 00:00:48,700 --> 00:00:52,700 from this Pulpit quite frequently that he is God that 15 00:00:52,700 --> 00:00:56,700 he is the Creator and it's just so important for us to remember 16 00:00:56,700 --> 00:00:59,000 that. Because the moment we want to be 17 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:02,300 like God is the The Things Fall Apart really isn't it? 18 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:07,200 I mean that as we know is the route Of the of the Fallen state 19 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:10,800 that we find ourselves in. When the enemy had said to Eve, 20 00:01:11,100 --> 00:01:13,700 you can be like God. And so this is a really 21 00:01:13,700 --> 00:01:16,100 important truth. The moment we try and be like 22 00:01:16,100 --> 00:01:18,700 God and decide what we're going to do with our lives and we 23 00:01:18,700 --> 00:01:22,600 start deciding what is truth and what isn't we get into very 24 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:24,500 dangerous ground. And so, I'd encourage you to 25 00:01:24,508 --> 00:01:28,800 read that chapter, but we are in this new chapter chapter 9, 26 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:36,200 Entitled meekness and rest how ironic on a morning that we lose 27 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:41,300 an hour. But when I ask you guys a 28 00:01:41,308 --> 00:01:45,200 question, who makes, who likes making bread lose a bread maker 29 00:01:45,300 --> 00:01:46,800 Melanie? Is anyone else? 30 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,200 I love making bread over there as well II Stewart? 31 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:50,800 I think. Yes. 32 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:53,200 Could see you over there. I love making bread if our 33 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:56,000 started about a year ago and I'm really thoroughly enjoy. 34 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:57,800 It is quite therapeutic, isn't it? 35 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,000 You're the ingredients put it in the bowl. 36 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:03,400 Do the thing that you need it.i. Love the needing bit very nice. 37 00:02:03,900 --> 00:02:06,800 Whack it in, Let It Rise. You know, the proof Roofing. 38 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:10,199 They call it at me first proof, obviously, get it out. 39 00:02:10,199 --> 00:02:12,400 Get all the air out, then roll it again. 40 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:14,900 Put it in the tin. Second proof, absolutely love 41 00:02:14,900 --> 00:02:16,500 it. Whack it in the oven at your 42 00:02:16,500 --> 00:02:18,600 come fresh bread. And you know, I have this thing 43 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:22,300 where I like to cut the First Slice when it's warm and then 44 00:02:22,300 --> 00:02:24,700 get some lard that with butter all over. 45 00:02:24,700 --> 00:02:28,900 Absolutely love it. But you know, Are you getting 46 00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:30,200 hungry? Yeah, me too. 47 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:34,700 Actually, we got doughnuts but I haven't baked those donuts to be 48 00:02:34,700 --> 00:02:37,600 pleased to hear. But anyway, idea, I discovered 49 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:39,300 and you'll see where I'm going with this at some point. 50 00:02:39,300 --> 00:02:42,300 But I discovered that what was happening with my bread, is it 51 00:02:42,300 --> 00:02:45,300 wasn't coming out as risen as I'd like it and I couldn't 52 00:02:45,300 --> 00:02:49,300 figure out why it was deteriorating in terms of 53 00:02:49,300 --> 00:02:50,600 quality. I mean, it tasted. 54 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:53,400 All right, really, but it just wasn't the same and I was 55 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,800 discovering some holes in it and I was like, what is going on 56 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,600 with this? Well, I don't understand because 57 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:03,200 the ingredients are the same 500 grams of flour. 58 00:03:04,500 --> 00:03:08,600 Teaspoon half of salt, 7 grams of use 25 grams of olive oil, 59 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:11,300 300 grams of water that you gonna say make bread very 60 00:03:11,300 --> 00:03:13,200 simple. But why isn't this? 61 00:03:13,500 --> 00:03:15,400 So I thought, you know what, I'm going to go back to the first 62 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:17,200 video. I watched on how to make bread 63 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:20,600 and figure out what I'm missing here and I discovered I had a 64 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:23,300 problem. I had forgotten something, 65 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:26,000 you're wondering what on Earth. I'd forgotten aren't you? 66 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:30,000 I've hooked you. Yes, when I got the bread out, 67 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,000 that first proof and I kind of landed down and then I rolled it 68 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,500 for the tin. I wasn't rolling it properly, I 69 00:03:35,500 --> 00:03:38,900 wasn't causing enough tension in the role and so the air was 70 00:03:38,900 --> 00:03:43,600 escaping as it was Rising. Hey you guys see now why on 71 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:47,800 Earth is Mark talking about bread at the start of his talk. 72 00:03:48,100 --> 00:03:51,500 I'm glad you asked me that question because here's the 73 00:03:51,500 --> 00:03:53,400 thing, the ingredients never change. 74 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:58,000 But the way I applied it did and this is what happens sometimes 75 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:01,700 with the word of God. The truth doesn't change, but 76 00:04:01,700 --> 00:04:05,400 sometimes we forget how to apply it properly to us, and it just 77 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:07,100 happens over time for some of us. 78 00:04:07,100 --> 00:04:09,000 Maybe we've heard the correct application. 79 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,700 Just like, when I watch that YouTube video. 80 00:04:11,900 --> 00:04:14,500 You know, when you early on, you're like right meticulously 81 00:04:14,500 --> 00:04:17,300 but I just felt that bit and then and do that bit. 82 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:20,300 But over time we get a bit I don't want to say sloppy but we 83 00:04:20,300 --> 00:04:24,100 just think we know it. And the reason I want to want to 84 00:04:24,100 --> 00:04:27,200 paint this picture for us is because we are about to look at 85 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:32,000 a verse or a couple of verses, which I think that we do the 86 00:04:32,008 --> 00:04:35,100 same thing that I do with my bread making, which is we think 87 00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:39,400 we already know what it means, but the problem is we get a loaf 88 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:44,000 that's only half risen. Because we need to really dig 89 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:47,200 deep and figure out what the text is saying. 90 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:51,900 In order that we can properly apply it to our lives, you'll 91 00:04:51,900 --> 00:04:55,800 get some benefit, but you won't get the full benefit. 92 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:59,300 And with that, we're going to turn together to Anchor text for 93 00:04:59,300 --> 00:05:01,300 this morning, which is found in Matthew 11. 94 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:03,600 And I know some of you are knowing where I'm going with 95 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:05,700 this given that we're talking about mixing some rest. 96 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,300 Let's see some Smiles, verse 28, let's turn there. 97 00:05:10,300 --> 00:05:12,100 It's going to be on the screen if you're in the room and if 98 00:05:12,100 --> 00:05:16,400 you're online, hello again, hit the Subscribe button and click 99 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:18,800 that Bell notification to make sure you get updates from the 100 00:05:18,808 --> 00:05:20,400 new content that we release. There we go. 101 00:05:21,500 --> 00:05:22,900 And if you're in the room, get your phone out. 102 00:05:22,900 --> 00:05:27,900 Hit subscribe. Verse 28, let me read this come 103 00:05:27,900 --> 00:05:31,200 to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you 104 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:35,400 rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn 105 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:40,100 from me for. I am gentle and lowly in heart 106 00:05:40,500 --> 00:05:42,900 and you will find rest for your souls. 107 00:05:43,500 --> 00:05:48,500 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 108 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:56,900 Here we have two things in great contrast to to each other one is 109 00:05:56,900 --> 00:05:59,400 the burden. And one is the rest. 110 00:06:00,100 --> 00:06:01,700 I'm sure there is no one in this room. 111 00:06:01,700 --> 00:06:03,700 That would not want that exchange, right? 112 00:06:04,900 --> 00:06:06,900 You mean I'd give you my burdens and you give me rest. 113 00:06:06,900 --> 00:06:09,000 Sign me up. I'm up for that. 114 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:10,400 That sounds like an amazing deal. 115 00:06:11,900 --> 00:06:14,900 Let me ask you a question. When you think about burdens you 116 00:06:14,900 --> 00:06:18,400 have to answer this out loud. Where do you, where do you 117 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:22,400 automatically go to? Now, I suspect where we 118 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:25,400 automatically go to a things like this financial worries 119 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:27,700 concerns over. Our loved ones. 120 00:06:29,700 --> 00:06:31,500 Work. Considerations. 121 00:06:32,300 --> 00:06:35,600 In other words, we automatically think about burdens as an 122 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:39,300 external, burden those circumstances around us that are 123 00:06:39,308 --> 00:06:43,400 heavy on us. Is that fair point I'm just like 124 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:49,100 my bread, making we apply this word just to that aspect of 125 00:06:49,100 --> 00:06:53,700 burdens, but if you only do that, you're going to miss out 126 00:06:53,700 --> 00:06:56,900 on a fully risen loaf to use that rather weak analogy. 127 00:06:57,500 --> 00:07:00,000 Because there's something in this that over time, I think for 128 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:02,700 many of us, we've missed and for others, maybe you haven't fully 129 00:07:02,700 --> 00:07:11,500 grasped And so, in order to do that, we need to understand what 130 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:16,600 the phrase heavy-laden means. Or if you've got an NIV, and I 131 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:22,100 was reading from the ESV, the NIV says a burden because you 132 00:07:22,100 --> 00:07:25,800 see the phrase, heavy-laden comes from the Greek word for 133 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:31,300 tid's. Oh, and that means a burden, 134 00:07:31,300 --> 00:07:36,400 which comes from a ceremony or rights or unwarranted precepts. 135 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:40,900 In other words, legalism and the law. 136 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:48,200 Go with me on this. Let's look at Luke 11:46 and he 137 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:51,700 said, woe to you lawyers or Pharisees of the law. 138 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:56,600 For you load, people with burdens hard to bear and you 139 00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:58,700 yourself, do not touch the burdens with one of your 140 00:07:58,700 --> 00:08:02,500 fingers. It's the same Greek word use 141 00:08:02,500 --> 00:08:07,100 there. And so, what this burden is are 142 00:08:07,100 --> 00:08:11,100 actually burdens which arise from trying to live our lives 143 00:08:11,100 --> 00:08:16,200 under the law of sin and death. It's trying to live our lives 144 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:22,100 Under legalism and the result of sin. 145 00:08:22,300 --> 00:08:24,700 These actually the burdens that we're talking about here. 146 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:27,000 It's right. And it's good that we go to 147 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:30,800 Jesus with our external burdens and we should do. 148 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,900 But that's only half of how you roll up the dough for it to rise 149 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:40,500 because the other part of this, our internal burdens and maybe 150 00:08:40,500 --> 00:08:43,500 this is just me. But I really think about that 151 00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:46,100 when I think about this invitation invitation from 152 00:08:46,100 --> 00:08:49,900 Jesus, I mainly Think about the external burdens. 153 00:08:51,700 --> 00:08:53,200 But there's so much more to this. 154 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:59,300 And you see this is where we get to with Tozer because toes are 155 00:08:59,300 --> 00:09:03,500 makes the point here that the principal burdens that this 156 00:09:03,500 --> 00:09:06,800 invitation is addressing, are those that are interior to us 157 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:10,200 internal to us. And so what we're going to do 158 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:13,400 going to do together is we're going to look at five internal 159 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:17,200 burdens that are the result of trying to live under the law. 160 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:20,800 I sin. Are we going to see how we can 161 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:24,900 give those burdens to God? And toes are gives us? 162 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:30,200 In the chapter 3, I'm going to give us five two of which I'll 163 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:35,900 use of his, but the first one is a very, very heavy burden and it 164 00:09:35,900 --> 00:09:40,500 is the burden of pride. And his toes are says, the labor 165 00:09:40,500 --> 00:09:43,300 of self-love is a heavy one, indeed. 166 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:46,700 For example, just think about this. 167 00:09:46,700 --> 00:09:51,900 How many of you have had angst When someone spoken badly of 168 00:09:51,900 --> 00:09:55,500 you. Or not preferring you as you 169 00:09:55,500 --> 00:09:59,000 believe they should or not treating you in a way which you 170 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:02,500 think they should. We rather stay under our breath. 171 00:10:02,500 --> 00:10:06,900 That they know who I am. Now, I want to read a quote from 172 00:10:06,900 --> 00:10:10,500 Tozer here, from this chapter, and as I said, this whole series 173 00:10:10,500 --> 00:10:14,000 is based on the book. But I rather think that this is 174 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:15,900 a profound observation from Tozer. 175 00:10:15,900 --> 00:10:19,800 He says this, the heart Fierce effort to protect itself from 176 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:24,700 every slight to Shield it touchy honor from the bad opinion of 177 00:10:24,700 --> 00:10:29,400 friend and enemy will never let the mind have rest. 178 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:34,900 Continue this fight through the years and the burden will become 179 00:10:35,500 --> 00:10:39,500 intolerable. Yet the sons of Earth as us a 180 00:10:39,500 --> 00:10:41,500 carrying. This burden continually 181 00:10:41,700 --> 00:10:44,800 challenging every word spoken against them cringing. 182 00:10:46,100 --> 00:10:51,100 And the every criticism smarting, under each fanciful, 183 00:10:51,100 --> 00:10:55,000 slight tossing, Sleepless of another is preferred before 184 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:57,900 them. I love the English 70 years ago. 185 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:02,800 But what a very colorful and elegant way to State something 186 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:05,000 that I think if we were to pause, we would all that rather 187 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:09,100 agree with, you know, I love Tozer because he doesn't pull 188 00:11:09,100 --> 00:11:13,900 any punches. He's not worried about offending 189 00:11:13,900 --> 00:11:16,100 Seekers. He just worried about getting 190 00:11:16,100 --> 00:11:20,000 the truth to us. And he goes right to the heart 191 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:23,500 of it. But once we've managed to recoil 192 00:11:23,700 --> 00:11:26,900 from this rather direct assessment of ourselves, maybe 193 00:11:26,900 --> 00:11:28,600 we think, maybe he's got a point. 194 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:32,600 Because intuitively or instinctively, we go. 195 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,100 Oh, that's not me. And I know it's none of you but 196 00:11:35,100 --> 00:11:39,000 it certainly me. And just to model what it means. 197 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:41,400 To be honest. I'll give you some of my stuff. 198 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:43,700 Wonderful. I'll turn this into a counseling 199 00:11:43,700 --> 00:11:45,500 session for me. Good stuff. 200 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:50,400 I know in my life to have been Seasons, where I felt this 201 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:53,600 burden of Pride, you know, when I was successful in business, 202 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:59,000 creating products and companies generating genuinely multiple 203 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,400 millions of dollars. It was very difficult not to 204 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:04,600 create a bit of an image of myself quite frankly. 205 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:07,300 Surely not Mark. Yes. 206 00:12:09,500 --> 00:12:12,000 And I went through Seasons, it wasn't all the time, you know, 207 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,800 I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna lie and paint a picture that's 208 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,100 false, but there was something in me. 209 00:12:17,100 --> 00:12:22,700 I remember one time. Why my boss at the time? 210 00:12:23,500 --> 00:12:28,900 We had to trip to America, to the US to headquarters, and the 211 00:12:28,900 --> 00:12:33,400 policy was that exact of a certain level, including me at 212 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:35,000 the time were flying business class. 213 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,900 But apparently, we had to hold back on tyranny travel 214 00:12:38,900 --> 00:12:42,300 entertainment. So, my boss got the business 215 00:12:42,300 --> 00:12:47,100 class ticket and I didn't. I was well annoyed. 216 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:50,900 In fact, I went to speak to the chief financial officers, excuse 217 00:12:50,900 --> 00:12:55,600 me, don't you know who I am? I didn't say that but I said, 218 00:12:55,600 --> 00:13:00,800 listen, I'm an executive. I'm not going to arrive into San 219 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:03,300 Fran, go straight into blah blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, 220 00:13:03,300 --> 00:13:05,300 blah. I was almost, I'm interested. 221 00:13:05,300 --> 00:13:08,200 If I'm not going business class, I'm not going seriously. 222 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:16,100 You don't think so badly of me? And conversely. 223 00:13:16,100 --> 00:13:18,700 This is interested. I just remember this when I 224 00:13:18,700 --> 00:13:23,600 started my career, Way back in the late 1990s, when the 225 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:26,400 internet before it burst, you know, it walk into the office 226 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:29,500 and they would be Garland's of grapes and strawberries, and 227 00:13:29,500 --> 00:13:31,600 mangoes. And then overnight, it would be 228 00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:34,300 like, an orange and an apple, you know, it's true, it 229 00:13:34,300 --> 00:13:37,300 happened. But anyway, why am I sharing 230 00:13:37,300 --> 00:13:39,900 this story? Because we went on a business 231 00:13:39,900 --> 00:13:41,500 trip. Once again to San Fran, for a 232 00:13:41,500 --> 00:13:47,900 different reason and We got to the hotel, the Western, Saint 233 00:13:47,900 --> 00:13:50,500 Francis in San Fran, anyone being there, gorgeous. 234 00:13:50,500 --> 00:13:54,600 Oh, Bella, you have is a gorgeous Hotel, very nice. 235 00:13:54,900 --> 00:13:57,500 And they have an older part and they have the new new bit. 236 00:13:57,500 --> 00:13:58,800 So I check in with my boss at the time. 237 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:00,000 This is obviously someone could be different. 238 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:04,700 This was over 20 years a long time ago and they gave us our 239 00:14:04,700 --> 00:14:07,700 keys. We rather quickly discovered 240 00:14:07,700 --> 00:14:11,300 that he was in the old block in a small room and I got a sweet 241 00:14:11,300 --> 00:14:16,000 up in the tower. Now, if I was smart and clever, 242 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:18,300 I would have said you should take Mikey. 243 00:14:19,300 --> 00:14:24,200 But I didn't. Let's see you later. 244 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:30,100 And as I went in the lift up to the 23rd floor, or whatever it 245 00:14:30,100 --> 00:14:38,000 was, That's like, I've arrived. It happens, doesn't it in very 246 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:42,900 subtle ways but I share some of my own story with you just to 247 00:14:42,900 --> 00:14:46,800 try and disarm you slightly from temptation to say, it's not me. 248 00:14:47,900 --> 00:14:51,000 And you see toes are makes the point here that if you carry 249 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:54,600 that internal burden of Pride, which is sin and it is going to 250 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,500 weigh you down, because if someone doesn't say the right 251 00:14:57,500 --> 00:15:01,100 thing, if someone doesn't prefer you, it's going to not cause you 252 00:15:01,100 --> 00:15:04,700 to rest. You can't find peace as long as 253 00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:12,100 you feed that Pride, okay. Number two, pratense Now this is 254 00:15:12,100 --> 00:15:17,000 not talking about hypocrisy. This is about our inclination to 255 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:20,300 put our best foot forward and hide from the world are real in 256 00:15:20,300 --> 00:15:23,600 word poverty. Let me quote Tozer again for sin 257 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:28,300 has played many evil tricks upon us and one has been the infusing 258 00:15:28,300 --> 00:15:33,800 into us a false sense of Shame. Do we really dare to be just who 259 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,000 we are without doctoring up the impression. 260 00:15:38,100 --> 00:15:41,400 Let that settle for a moment as I take a sip of my water. 261 00:15:44,900 --> 00:15:47,700 When I worked in Tech, I've got lots of stories today. 262 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:50,800 I don't normally have them, but in some of you, if you worked in 263 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:53,700 Tech, you have heard this phrase is called lipstick on a pig. 264 00:15:56,500 --> 00:15:58,700 What? Right. 265 00:15:58,700 --> 00:16:00,700 Moving On? No, I'm joking. 266 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,600 So What on earth is that right? Would come to develop a so-so 267 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:04,900 product. And we like what we haven't got 268 00:16:04,900 --> 00:16:07,300 the time or the end of the resources to do a really good 269 00:16:07,300 --> 00:16:11,100 job, just give it a cosmetic overhaul people will think it's 270 00:16:11,100 --> 00:16:13,000 new. Oh you want to do a lipstick on 271 00:16:13,008 --> 00:16:13,900 a pig? Yes. 272 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:19,100 Sometimes we do lipstick on a pig to ourselves. 273 00:16:21,100 --> 00:16:25,000 Rather than be honest and real with people about where we are 274 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:28,000 at we just put lipstick on and say everything is okay. 275 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:32,600 Lipstick on a pig. The internal bit doesn't change, 276 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:36,000 but boy, we got to make sure the external looks good because 277 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:38,700 after all, isn't that how people assess us and look at us? 278 00:16:39,500 --> 00:16:46,400 We are so Held back from this burden of pratense. 279 00:16:49,500 --> 00:16:54,200 Because of Shame, which comes if you live under the burden of the 280 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:58,100 law, shame for our faults, shame for our lack of knowledge. 281 00:16:58,100 --> 00:17:02,600 Shame for our upbringing chain for our family, shame for an any 282 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:07,400 number of things means we fear being found out and so we put 283 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:12,300 lipstick on a pig. You know, deep down in us as 284 00:17:12,300 --> 00:17:14,500 humans. We have a need to be known. 285 00:17:18,500 --> 00:17:23,300 God sees and he's created us to have fellowship with one another 286 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:28,500 but that burden of pratense will mean that you'll be held back 287 00:17:28,500 --> 00:17:31,800 from having fellowship with one another and walking into the 288 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:35,800 arms of God because shame comes knocking on your door. 289 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:39,500 What an internal burden number three or this is a biggie. 290 00:17:40,300 --> 00:17:45,700 Are you with me so far, good comparison or who is the goody 291 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:49,100 I've got some response, it's true, isn't it? 292 00:17:49,100 --> 00:17:52,200 It's a big internal burden, the UN our lives, basically, 293 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:54,700 assessment and Benchmark of others, not in the assessment 294 00:17:54,700 --> 00:17:58,200 and Benchmark of God. It is a dangerous path. 295 00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:00,200 And let me tell you, from experience, a heavy, heavy 296 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:02,900 burden to carry. It says, our gifts are not as 297 00:18:02,900 --> 00:18:05,400 good as their gifts. It says, our calling is not as 298 00:18:05,400 --> 00:18:08,200 important as that calling. It says, my life is a mess. 299 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:11,500 There's is a garden or Bed full of roses. 300 00:18:12,100 --> 00:18:14,700 They have all the good brakes. We have all the knocks. 301 00:18:14,900 --> 00:18:18,100 If only I could have that. I've his wife, her husband and 302 00:18:18,100 --> 00:18:24,100 their kids. I've never said that. 303 00:18:25,500 --> 00:18:36,100 Only two of those. But it's true right yesterday. 304 00:18:36,100 --> 00:18:37,800 I'm driving in my car in the afternoon. 305 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:41,500 With Daniel, my son, we're in half ended. 306 00:18:42,500 --> 00:18:44,000 And I'm driving up one of the roads. 307 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,000 And in front of me, I see this gleaming brand-new. 308 00:18:47,300 --> 00:18:49,300 I'm not going to tell you what car it was but it was a very 309 00:18:49,300 --> 00:18:52,500 flash SUV up the range branding on play. 310 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,300 And in the windscreen this is no word of a lie. 311 00:18:55,300 --> 00:19:00,000 This happened to me yesterday around 3 o'clock It looked like 312 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:02,600 George Clooney's, more handsome, brother in the car. 313 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:09,700 And a model next to him. Like they just come off a set of 314 00:19:10,500 --> 00:19:14,500 some movie. And I'll be honest, there was a 315 00:19:14,500 --> 00:19:16,900 moment that all of a sudden, my car that's not bad. 316 00:19:16,900 --> 00:19:20,500 Look like a beat-up, car the clothes I was working wearing 317 00:19:20,500 --> 00:19:23,200 look terrible. And my boy next to me was like, 318 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:24,600 I don't know why I've got him in the car. 319 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:35,000 God, would you forgive me? Now, but here's, here's the cat. 320 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:38,600 Here's the thing. This is this is a true story as 321 00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:40,600 I was approaching, this don't happen in a nanosec. 322 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:42,600 Well, probably about 10 seconds as I was approaching. 323 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:44,800 I got all I know these guys, I recognize them now. 324 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:47,200 I wouldn't say we're friends but I certainly know who they are. 325 00:19:47,500 --> 00:19:50,200 And all of a sudden, I realized that hard story, they've got on 326 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:53,600 the life they've had in, it ain't all Rosy and it was in 327 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:56,600 that moment is like Lord said, you see, you are comparing 328 00:19:56,600 --> 00:20:00,500 yourself. You don't know, you don't know. 329 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:03,300 And it happens, all of us. It happened to me yesterday at 330 00:20:03,300 --> 00:20:08,100 3:00 Now thank you Lord. I'm mature enough to recognize 331 00:20:08,100 --> 00:20:10,300 that and you know we have to exercise our spiritual muscles 332 00:20:10,300 --> 00:20:14,300 and not go down that path. But comparison I would say is 333 00:20:14,300 --> 00:20:18,600 probably the Killer and it's fueled by social media because 334 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:24,400 what you see is a is a force life that people project and we 335 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:29,400 just consume more like man. I wish I was in Tahiti, they 336 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:32,200 looks amazing. I wish I had those abs. 337 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:35,000 I wish you know this certainly is not about me now personally. 338 00:20:35,100 --> 00:20:38,300 Yeah, we're moving on from my personal stories. 339 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:42,400 I've got a six-pack so already there. 340 00:20:44,300 --> 00:20:48,000 Thank you lose an hour and it all falls apart, but you know, 341 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:52,000 might make we are so consumed with comparison the world feeds 342 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:56,000 it and comparison, the enemy knows what he's doing. 343 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:58,600 You know, God has a plan for your life but so does the enemy. 344 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:01,800 He knows your weaknesses and what is his plan to stop you 345 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:03,500 from walking in the calling that God has for you? 346 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:06,400 Because as soon as you start comparing, you will not move in 347 00:21:06,408 --> 00:21:08,100 your calling and you know what happened? 348 00:21:08,100 --> 00:21:12,500 You'll start complaining to God. Praise will come out the window 349 00:21:12,500 --> 00:21:13,300 Thanksgiving. What? 350 00:21:13,300 --> 00:21:15,600 Come out the window? And you'll focus on all the 351 00:21:15,600 --> 00:21:19,100 negatives and I'm telling you a comparison is an internal burden 352 00:21:19,500 --> 00:21:23,700 that we are not called to count. But it is a result. 353 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:27,000 Of the law of sin and death, Right? 354 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:33,500 Moving on number 4. Regrets and mistakes. 355 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:41,400 This starts with the statement, if only two words, but so 356 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:44,500 powerful. Robbed of any joy for the 357 00:21:44,500 --> 00:21:47,100 present. Regrets from the steak Force us 358 00:21:47,500 --> 00:21:51,400 to live our past over, and over again, until the weight is such 359 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:54,400 that we don't enjoy the moment and we fear for the future. 360 00:21:54,500 --> 00:21:56,500 I'm telling you, this is my own experience here. 361 00:21:57,000 --> 00:22:01,800 If only, I have been there, I've rehearsed my decisions, you 362 00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:04,900 know, God has blessed. Therefore and I with a very full 363 00:22:04,900 --> 00:22:09,100 life with lots of opportunity, but with lots of opportunity 364 00:22:09,100 --> 00:22:12,400 comes lots of decisions and I can't tell you how non heart 365 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:20,100 every decision we've made as being correct, or right, but, We 366 00:22:20,100 --> 00:22:24,100 can't keep saying. What if if only because deep 367 00:22:24,100 --> 00:22:26,300 down, there's two reasons for this. 368 00:22:26,300 --> 00:22:28,600 The what the first one is unforgiveness of ourselves. 369 00:22:29,900 --> 00:22:32,500 And for some of you, your if only statement comes because 370 00:22:32,500 --> 00:22:36,400 you've yet to forgive yourself, if only comes because you just 371 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:41,000 won't move on, you know, God's forgiven you but I can't forgive 372 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:43,700 myself. But some of you, I believe the 373 00:22:43,708 --> 00:22:46,500 holy spirit is just bringing light into where that if only 374 00:22:46,500 --> 00:22:51,200 statement is and where that unforgiveness And you need to 375 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:55,100 forgive yourself and move on. But the second, if only issue is 376 00:22:55,100 --> 00:22:58,700 this, we don't have a good enough for you or a high enough, 377 00:22:58,700 --> 00:23:02,400 you of God's sovereignty. In fact, in some respect is a 378 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:04,600 bit of pride in US thinking that we would always make the right 379 00:23:04,600 --> 00:23:08,100 decisions. But, you know, Romans 8:28 for 380 00:23:08,100 --> 00:23:11,500 God. What's all things for good for 381 00:23:11,500 --> 00:23:13,500 those that love him and are called according to his purpose, 382 00:23:13,500 --> 00:23:17,400 right? Look at Joseph from the pit. 383 00:23:18,500 --> 00:23:22,600 To the prison for the palace. He had lots of decisions and 384 00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:26,100 lots was impacted on him. But what happened? 385 00:23:26,100 --> 00:23:30,300 God, worked all things for good. In fact, There is that scene, is 386 00:23:30,300 --> 00:23:33,300 there not where his brothers because there's famine on the 387 00:23:33,300 --> 00:23:37,100 land and of course with Joseph, had it correctly, interpreted 388 00:23:37,300 --> 00:23:39,600 Pharaoh's dream. And so there's going to be seven 389 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:43,400 years of plenty, seven years of famine, so they plan for that. 390 00:23:43,500 --> 00:23:46,000 And all of a sudden, Egypt is the place that you need to go to 391 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:49,700 if you want to get some food. So, his brothers come and to cut 392 00:23:49,700 --> 00:23:54,400 a long story, short, they reconcile and there's so sorry 393 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:56,900 and you know, Jesus said that, which you intended for evil God 394 00:23:56,900 --> 00:23:58,800 intended for good. Listen. 395 00:23:59,100 --> 00:24:03,000 God is Sovereign. Aw Tozer said once about this 396 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:06,700 seeming tension between God's sovereignty and our Free Will, 397 00:24:06,700 --> 00:24:08,900 which let's be honest. We're not going to fully 398 00:24:08,900 --> 00:24:10,800 comprehend until we get to the other side of Glory. 399 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:14,700 It's it can be confusing. But toes are shared an 400 00:24:14,700 --> 00:24:19,100 illustration that while his imperfect helps somewhat to 401 00:24:19,100 --> 00:24:20,900 understand this. He says, imagine that you are 402 00:24:20,900 --> 00:24:24,300 going to Southampton and you will go to board a liner to New 403 00:24:24,300 --> 00:24:27,900 York. You get on that liner and then 404 00:24:27,900 --> 00:24:31,300 for the next, how long does it take to get to New York on a 405 00:24:31,300 --> 00:24:34,500 boat? Sorry, two weeks. 406 00:24:34,500 --> 00:24:36,700 Okay, great. I've never been on a liner from 407 00:24:36,700 --> 00:24:39,600 Southampton to New York so put that on my bucket list. 408 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:43,700 Imagine for two weeks, you get to do what you want, you can eat 409 00:24:43,700 --> 00:24:46,200 what you want, do what you want, but here is the thing, you're 410 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:51,100 always going to get to New York. That you can't change. 411 00:24:51,300 --> 00:24:54,300 And as I said, it's a rather imperfect illustration but I 412 00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:57,200 sometimes have to think about that when I think about my 413 00:24:57,200 --> 00:25:00,200 decisions which is you know, what God will work it and he'll 414 00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:04,800 get you where he wants to get you, you can choose the buffet. 415 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:09,200 If you wish over the a la carte, you can choose a game of croquet 416 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:12,900 on the deck rather than swimming in the pool. 417 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:15,000 But the truth is you're going to get to New York. 418 00:25:16,100 --> 00:25:19,700 And we need to remember and I think we do got a disservice 419 00:25:19,700 --> 00:25:22,800 when we minimize and diminish his sovereignty and what happens 420 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:24,700 when you increase our sovereignty and our lives. 421 00:25:28,400 --> 00:25:32,900 God is Sovereign don't live in the statement if only move on 422 00:25:33,600 --> 00:25:35,400 because it's the enemy's way of robbing. 423 00:25:35,400 --> 00:25:38,500 You of the presence is the enemy's way of putting fear in 424 00:25:38,500 --> 00:25:41,000 you for the future. Well, I can't do that because 425 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:43,400 I've already made so many mistakes, right? 426 00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:45,500 Where are you up to? Thank you. 427 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:51,300 What's next well done. And this one's a bit of a 428 00:25:51,300 --> 00:25:55,300 summary. Sin itself. 429 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:01,300 Similar, always be a burden. It might seem attractive to you. 430 00:26:02,900 --> 00:26:06,800 Sin of course, is and it might taste sweet for a little bit of 431 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:10,300 a moment, but then the sour kicks him and you get hooked, 432 00:26:10,600 --> 00:26:13,400 and you're in bondage. And I know, I don't need to be 433 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:16,500 prophetic to know that out of hundreds of people in this room, 434 00:26:16,700 --> 00:26:20,900 there's some here that are still trapped in habitual sin. 435 00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:25,300 And I don't have to list it. You know what that is. 436 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:28,900 And you know, that what I'm saying is true that it's a 437 00:26:28,900 --> 00:26:34,500 burden to live under. These, this is the internal 438 00:26:34,500 --> 00:26:40,400 burden. The Jesus is saying, move on. 439 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:42,800 Let It Go. Give it to me. 440 00:26:44,100 --> 00:26:45,600 Which leads us to the solution then. 441 00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:51,300 As a summary, we looked at those five burdens which our pride for 442 00:26:51,300 --> 00:26:55,700 tents comparison, regrets and sin itself. 443 00:26:55,900 --> 00:26:58,800 So Mark I feel like I need a solution. 444 00:26:58,800 --> 00:27:01,200 Good news. We have one in the Bible because 445 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:04,900 Jesus goes on to say this, take my yoke upon you and learn from 446 00:27:04,900 --> 00:27:07,400 me for. I am gentle and lowly in heart 447 00:27:07,400 --> 00:27:09,100 and you will find rest for your souls. 448 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,000 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 449 00:27:13,300 --> 00:27:15,800 Isn't it interesting? I find this fascinating that 450 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:18,800 Jesus doesn't say. Take off those burdens and have 451 00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:22,400 nothing in return. Think about this. 452 00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:25,300 He's saying, take off those burners and have my burdens. 453 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:30,600 No, I don't really want any burden, quite frankly, right? 454 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:34,000 Is it, is it that a fair comment when you have expected Jesus, 455 00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:36,200 say, take off the burden and just go run free. 456 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:41,500 But Jesus is saying, take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is 457 00:27:41,500 --> 00:27:45,400 easy and my burden is light. We have been created to be yoked 458 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:50,800 with God, you know, that thing, they put over the cattle to get 459 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:52,400 the moving in the same direction. 460 00:27:53,400 --> 00:27:56,400 You know, the root word of yoke, actually means joined together. 461 00:27:56,800 --> 00:28:01,300 You see, we have been created to be joined together with God. 462 00:28:02,400 --> 00:28:05,900 And the question is never, shall I have a yolk? 463 00:28:05,900 --> 00:28:11,200 Listen, the question is always whose yolk shall I have? 464 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:16,700 We have been created to be joined with God to worship Him, 465 00:28:16,800 --> 00:28:19,600 and if you take, don't take up his yoke boy, you're going to 466 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:23,100 take up another joke, you have not been created to be yo class, 467 00:28:23,200 --> 00:28:26,300 you might think you have, I'm free really. 468 00:28:26,500 --> 00:28:30,400 Have you seen what sin does? True Freedom comes from walking 469 00:28:30,500 --> 00:28:35,200 and being yoked with Jesus, So don't say I don't want to joke. 470 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:38,000 Thank you very much. Ask yourself, the question, 471 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:41,500 whose yolk am I going to have? And then we get to the word 472 00:28:41,500 --> 00:28:43,700 burden here that's used and this is where it's important to 473 00:28:43,708 --> 00:28:49,800 understand the root word here. Because the word burden here and 474 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:52,300 the word burden that we read earlier a different words. 475 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:56,800 Mmm. Let's look at the Greek where 476 00:28:56,800 --> 00:29:00,000 the other word burden was footed, so which means a burden 477 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:05,000 of Law, and legalism and sin. This burden is 40 on and it 478 00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:08,300 means obligations Christ. Lays upon his followers, their 479 00:29:08,300 --> 00:29:11,200 different burdens. Our here is the difference. 480 00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:16,200 And I love it. Unlike the burden of legalism 481 00:29:16,200 --> 00:29:19,700 and law and sin of death, the burden of Christ is light 482 00:29:19,700 --> 00:29:25,600 because it is life-giving You get in this, Paul said this in 483 00:29:25,600 --> 00:29:29,500 Romans 7:6, but now we are released from the law. 484 00:29:34,300 --> 00:29:38,600 You don't have to carry that yolk anymore of that burden. 485 00:29:39,700 --> 00:29:44,700 But now, we are released from that yolk having died to that, 486 00:29:44,700 --> 00:29:49,000 which held us captive. So that we serve in the new way. 487 00:29:49,800 --> 00:29:53,100 A new yoke is now available of the spirit, not in the old way 488 00:29:53,100 --> 00:29:55,200 of the written code. Are you seeing this? 489 00:29:55,400 --> 00:29:59,300 This is the heart of the Gospel message that we have been saved 490 00:29:59,300 --> 00:30:02,400 from living a life under the law under a yoke of Burden. 491 00:30:04,100 --> 00:30:07,700 To live in a life joined with God through Christ. 492 00:30:07,900 --> 00:30:10,000 And here it is. Why is it light? 493 00:30:10,400 --> 00:30:11,900 Because you don't have to do anything. 494 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:15,500 This burden is not a burden of performance like the other bird 495 00:30:15,500 --> 00:30:18,800 and the other yolk. This is a burden of saying yes 496 00:30:19,100 --> 00:30:23,000 and in that place the Holy Spirit enables us to walk with 497 00:30:23,000 --> 00:30:25,100 Christ. It's an altogether. 498 00:30:25,100 --> 00:30:31,800 Different way of living like to invite the band up as we end And 499 00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:33,600 so going back to my bread analogy. 500 00:30:33,600 --> 00:30:35,600 For some of you, maybe you feel like your bread. 501 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:37,100 It just doesn't look as it used to. 502 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:38,700 You're getting some kind of reason. 503 00:30:38,700 --> 00:30:41,800 You're giving your external burdens to God, but you're 504 00:30:41,800 --> 00:30:45,600 missing something. We're missing these internal 505 00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:49,800 burdens that are speak to the root of the Gospel message and 506 00:30:49,800 --> 00:30:52,700 the Heart of what Jesus achieved on the cross. 507 00:30:52,700 --> 00:30:56,300 For each one of us, we do not need to be yoked to the burden 508 00:30:56,300 --> 00:30:58,800 of sin. We do not need to be yoked to 509 00:30:58,800 --> 00:31:01,100 the burden of Pride. We do not need. 510 00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:05,300 To be yoked to the burden of Shame and pretense and of regret 511 00:31:05,300 --> 00:31:08,900 and of comparison. And have there is a different 512 00:31:08,900 --> 00:31:13,000 yolk that is available to us. Let us pray as we stand. 513 00:31:13,100 --> 00:31:02,800 Thank you, Jesus. To be yoked to the burden of 514 00:31:02,800 --> 00:31:06,400 Shame and pretense and of regret and of comparison. 515 00:31:06,500 --> 00:31:11,100 And have there is a different yolk that is available to us. 516 00:31:11,500 --> 00:31:14,000 Let us pray as we stand. Thank you, Jesus.