1 00:00:01,200 --> 00:00:05,020 If you have a Bible, we're going to be in Luke, the 13th chapter. 2 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:11,280 And looking at the kingdom. 3 00:00:14,119 --> 00:00:18,180 And the kingdom of God, I think, sometimes is not what we think. 4 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:26,680 But we're going to look at some stuff here this morning that's quite interesting. 5 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:55,020 Jesus had lambasted the Pharisee for the hypocrisy of having seen a woman bound and then chastising him for healing her on the Sabbath day when they themselves do what is considered work by watering their donkey or their ox. 6 00:00:55,840 --> 00:01:01,300 And so I have a tendency to be the dumb ox. 7 00:01:03,780 --> 00:01:10,260 But we're going to be reading verses 18 through 30, 12 verses. 8 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:11,500 So read along with me. 9 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:15,200 Well, I want to back up just for a second. 10 00:01:15,580 --> 00:01:21,500 Just how glorious verse 17 was. 11 00:01:21,620 --> 00:01:25,800 And it says, and when he had said these things, all his adversaries were put to 12 00:01:25,820 --> 00:01:32,240 shame. All the adversaries of Jesus are going to be put to shame. If you talk to people that just 13 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:40,680 kind of scoff at the idea of Christ, they just scoff. They're just like, you people, you fundamental 14 00:01:44,360 --> 00:01:52,799 ignorant people. You believe in this crazy idea of a carpenter two thousand years ago that died on a 15 00:01:52,700 --> 00:02:04,420 Roman cross and you stock, you put all your stock in who he is. Yep, pretty much. You got that right. 16 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:15,300 I mean, it's, you know, Paul said, I'm a fool. I'm a fool for Christ. Years ago I saw a bumper 17 00:02:15,920 --> 00:02:19,180 snicker. It said, I'm a fool for Christ. Who's fool or you? 18 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:34,620 but he will put all of his his adversaries to shame, all of them, and without a word, 19 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:38,640 and they'll not be able to say a word. 20 00:02:39,420 --> 00:02:45,160 They'll be dumb before him, not being able to have any excuse whatsoever, 21 00:02:45,780 --> 00:02:49,180 why they turned their nose up at the Lord of Glory. 22 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:55,600 And so, and it said, but all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. 23 00:02:56,220 --> 00:02:58,200 And I'm rejoicing. 24 00:02:58,780 --> 00:03:05,620 Got saved pretty seriously in 1985, and I've been rejoicing ever since. 25 00:03:06,220 --> 00:03:10,640 So read with me, if you have your Bibles, we're in Luke 13, we're in the 18th verse. 26 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:14,600 And it says, then he said, what is the kingdom of God like? 27 00:03:15,260 --> 00:03:16,760 And to what shall I compare it? 28 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:19,140 It is like a mustard seed, which a man. 29 00:03:19,180 --> 00:03:26,220 took and put in his garden and it grew and became a large tree and the birds of the air nested in its branches 30 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:34,420 and again he said to what shall I like in the kingdom of God it is like it is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three 31 00:03:34,580 --> 00:03:43,160 measures of meal till it was all leavened and he went through the cities and villages teaching and journeying 32 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:49,140 towards Jerusalem then one said to him Lord are there few who are saved and he said to them 33 00:03:49,500 --> 00:03:56,360 strive to enter through the narrow gate. For many I say to you, we'll seek to enter and will not be able. 34 00:03:57,100 --> 00:04:04,740 When once the master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door saying, 35 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:11,680 Lord, Lord, open for us. For he will answer and say to you, I do not know you where you are from. 36 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:18,000 And then you will begin to say, we ate and drank in your presence. You taught in our streets. 37 00:04:18,340 --> 00:04:25,020 but he will say, I tell you, I do not know you where you are from. Depart from me, all you workers of 38 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:35,680 iniquity. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and yourselves thrust out. 39 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:44,480 They will come from the east and from the west, from the north and south and sit down in the kingdom of God. 40 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:51,280 and indeed there are last who will be first and there are first who will be last. 41 00:04:51,500 --> 00:04:52,120 Shall we pray? 42 00:04:52,980 --> 00:04:54,120 Lord, thank you for your word. 43 00:04:55,700 --> 00:04:57,360 Lord, it's convicting. 44 00:04:58,160 --> 00:04:58,960 It's provocative. 45 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,100 Lord, it's even hard to understand sometimes. 46 00:05:03,280 --> 00:05:06,400 But you by your spirit will reveal truth to our hearts. 47 00:05:06,500 --> 00:05:14,340 And so I just pray for everyone in this room, myself included, Lord, that we would glean the truth from the word of God. 48 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,280 that we would truly have ears to hear. 49 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:20,660 Lord, that this would sink deep into our souls, 50 00:05:21,280 --> 00:05:25,040 knowing that our soul is converted by the power of your word, 51 00:05:25,700 --> 00:05:28,460 that sharp sword that comes from your mouth. 52 00:05:28,950 --> 00:05:31,800 And so Lord Jesus speak to our hearts today. 53 00:05:32,580 --> 00:05:35,040 Lord, may we be near the kingdom of God, 54 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:38,520 knowing that tomorrow is not guaranteed for us. 55 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:41,840 Lord, but your kingdom is guaranteed to all those 56 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:43,500 who fully trust in you, 57 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:48,180 who love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. 58 00:05:48,280 --> 00:05:52,160 And may that be us today in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. 59 00:05:53,060 --> 00:05:58,920 And so he starts right off the bat there saying, what is the kingdom of God like? 60 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:02,780 Well, you ever wondered that? What is the kingdom of God like? 61 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:10,900 You know, I think we, a few chapters back, we looked where it said the kingdom of God is within you, 62 00:06:11,020 --> 00:06:16,420 that the Lord comes by his spirit and indwells us. 63 00:06:17,210 --> 00:06:18,800 It's a fascinating thought. 64 00:06:19,740 --> 00:06:20,660 You know, Paul tells us, 65 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:24,200 do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? 66 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:31,680 And so, but Jesus here kind of gives a couple parables. 67 00:06:31,790 --> 00:06:33,480 I believe they're one, by the way. 68 00:06:34,620 --> 00:06:38,180 But he says, what is the kingdom of God like? 69 00:06:38,980 --> 00:06:40,880 And to what shall I compare it? 70 00:06:40,910 --> 00:06:45,680 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden, 71 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:48,440 and it grew and became a large tree. 72 00:06:48,980 --> 00:06:51,580 And the birds of the air nested in its branches. 73 00:06:52,340 --> 00:06:53,120 It faced value. 74 00:06:53,220 --> 00:06:57,120 It just doesn't even make sense, because mustard, I just went by a field of mustard. 75 00:06:58,060 --> 00:06:58,820 It wasn't trees. 76 00:06:59,880 --> 00:07:00,080 Right? 77 00:07:01,860 --> 00:07:07,900 It's little stems that probably aren't strong enough to hold birds. 78 00:07:08,860 --> 00:07:09,980 But he starts. 79 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:11,160 It's like it's small. 80 00:07:11,940 --> 00:07:12,880 It starts small. 81 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:17,860 A mustard seed is one of the smaller seeds. 82 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:23,320 I guess some believe there are, they found there are smaller seeds. 83 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:24,200 They're mustard seeds. 84 00:07:24,300 --> 00:07:27,080 But Jesus uses this analogy a couple times. 85 00:07:27,580 --> 00:07:29,080 He compares it also to faith. 86 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:31,440 But faith grows. 87 00:07:32,340 --> 00:07:33,640 The kingdom of God grows. 88 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:35,980 The kingdom of God grows in my heart. 89 00:07:37,660 --> 00:07:38,680 Because I want to be there. 90 00:07:38,740 --> 00:07:46,540 now a whole lot more than I used to want her to be there. And so, but, but this, so this little thing 91 00:07:46,660 --> 00:07:54,120 turns into this tree and, um, instead of a bush. And so that's, that's, uh, that's odd. It's not 92 00:07:54,240 --> 00:08:05,820 logical, um, but, and then the birds come. And so, uh, this is odd. It's, 93 00:08:07,100 --> 00:08:18,160 doesn't seem to be natural, which I don't think it is. It's not natural. Our nature does not have us seek God, right? 94 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:24,240 God seeks us out and he presents himself to us. And then when you and I have a decision to make. 95 00:08:26,860 --> 00:08:35,520 And so the seed is small, but it grows strong. And so in John 1224, 96 00:08:35,840 --> 00:09:05,500 Jesus says, most assuredly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain. And so it's talking about a seed. A seed always has life in it. Right? And we see that in Genesis, where every seed this planet, it produces after its own kind. But it dies first. And Jesus, like in that, in Genesis, where every seed this planet, it's, it produces after its own kind. But it dies first. And Jesus, like in 97 00:09:05,540 --> 00:09:11,600 this obviously to the resurrection. We went down to Twin yesterday and driving by all the fields. 98 00:09:12,140 --> 00:09:17,760 It's a picture of the resurrection, all those seeds that had been broadcast and drilled into the 99 00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:26,300 dirt. All of a sudden there's life coming up. It's fascinating. But it produces life when that 100 00:09:26,460 --> 00:09:35,140 seed goes in the ground and it dies. There was a great seed quote I heard this week. It says, 101 00:09:35,260 --> 00:09:42,240 any fool can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed. 102 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:54,780 Right? Think about that. Any fool can count the seeds in an apple, but only God knows the amount of apples in a seed. 103 00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:03,700 And, you know, exponentially, you just think, wow, that's cool. But the seed here is like picturesque of the gospel. 104 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:06,180 Isn't the gospel seem to be so small? 105 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:09,360 Like I just said, so many people think it's so foolish. 106 00:10:10,580 --> 00:10:16,360 The gospel, the good news, the cross, the Bible says, is foolishness to those who are perishing. 107 00:10:17,380 --> 00:10:18,460 You perishing this morning? 108 00:10:20,660 --> 00:10:24,380 Is the gospel the thought of Jesus dying on a cross foolishness to you? 109 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:31,000 But those who believe it, it's life. 110 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:32,380 It's life everlasting. 111 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:40,120 So we have the sower, Jesus, four things here. First we have the sower, which is Jesus, right? 112 00:10:40,620 --> 00:11:01,980 We have the little seed of the gospel. It seems so small. And when you look at it, and I'll just challenge you the next time you're around somebody that seems to be right with God, ask them. So tell me, what's the gospel? If I ask you that question, tell me the gospel. What's the gospel? What would you tell me right now? 113 00:11:02,380 --> 00:11:06,440 what would you tell me? Would you take me to 1 Corinthians 15? Because you probably should. 114 00:11:07,240 --> 00:11:10,820 Because Paul lays it out there in 1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4. He says, 115 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:16,100 for I delivered to you first of all, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins 116 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:20,680 according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day 117 00:11:20,860 --> 00:11:26,540 according to the scriptures. That's it? That's it. That's the gospel. Right there, 118 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:30,240 that's the gospel. Do you believe it? See, that's the issue. 119 00:11:31,560 --> 00:11:32,720 It's so simple. 120 00:11:34,939 --> 00:11:39,320 It, I think it even turns people off the gospel. 121 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:41,380 Because it's so simple. 122 00:11:43,660 --> 00:11:49,140 Listen, Paul's saying, listen, God told us this in advance what this gospel would be. 123 00:11:49,980 --> 00:11:50,940 That Christ would come. 124 00:11:51,340 --> 00:11:52,620 That a Savior would come. 125 00:11:53,300 --> 00:11:55,940 The Messiah, the Christ, he would come. 126 00:11:56,780 --> 00:11:58,180 And that he would die on a cross. 127 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:00,680 He would atone for our sins. 128 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:03,800 and that he would raise again the third day. 129 00:12:04,500 --> 00:12:09,200 That's the complete message of the gospel for those who would receive it. 130 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:13,420 And it seems so small, it just seems like this little seed. 131 00:12:14,580 --> 00:12:18,000 I don't know about you, but it has become huge in my life. 132 00:12:19,020 --> 00:12:19,420 Huge. 133 00:12:21,180 --> 00:12:22,760 I can't get my mind around it. 134 00:12:23,020 --> 00:12:24,840 It gets bigger and bigger and bigger. 135 00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:27,040 It becomes like that tree. 136 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:29,760 That tree, the word tree there, 137 00:12:30,380 --> 00:12:36,840 here in Luke, it's equal to an oak, a mighty oak. 138 00:12:39,900 --> 00:12:42,620 And that's what the gospel is to those who embrace it. 139 00:12:43,220 --> 00:12:46,020 It's life. It's life everlasting. 140 00:12:47,020 --> 00:12:52,300 It's interesting that kingdoms are compared to trees throughout scripture, right? 141 00:12:53,100 --> 00:13:00,320 Nebuchadnezzar, when he had his vision about this tree in Daniel chapter 4 and then Egypt 142 00:13:00,340 --> 00:13:03,980 are referred to his trees in Ezekiel 31. 143 00:13:05,700 --> 00:13:08,100 This tree that is talking about, it's supernatural. 144 00:13:10,560 --> 00:13:11,320 It's supernatural. 145 00:13:14,680 --> 00:13:18,180 Nebuchadnezzar himself was compared to a tree there in Daniel chapter 4. 146 00:13:18,660 --> 00:13:22,120 And the prophecy wasn't good. 147 00:13:22,260 --> 00:13:27,160 It says, it says the leaves, this is Daniel 4, verse 12. 148 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:30,020 It says, for the leaves thereof were fair. 149 00:13:30,540 --> 00:13:35,460 and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all. 150 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:38,780 The beasts of the fields had shadow under it, 151 00:13:38,780 --> 00:13:42,920 and the fowls of heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, 152 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:46,000 and all flesh fed of it. 153 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:51,260 Babylon throughout scripture is always a type of false religion. 154 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:56,780 I remember when Nimrod was going to build the tower of Babel, 155 00:13:57,720 --> 00:13:59,540 and they all spoke one language. 156 00:14:01,020 --> 00:14:01,700 and God goes, 157 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:04,180 I think we better go check this out. 158 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:07,580 He knew what was happening. 159 00:14:08,560 --> 00:14:11,160 But he said, listen, if we don't intervene here, 160 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:15,400 there will be nothing impossible for them. 161 00:14:16,980 --> 00:14:22,820 Folks, listen, we're moving towards that really fast in our world right now. 162 00:14:24,300 --> 00:14:24,440 Right? 163 00:14:24,580 --> 00:14:29,320 We're moving into this AI realm where AI is God. 164 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:32,640 there will be nothing impossible. 165 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:43,000 Right now they're coming up with drugs and different mechanisms to help people live for a long time. 166 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:46,220 I think I've had enough. 167 00:14:47,980 --> 00:14:50,200 I don't need much more life. 168 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,140 Not in this flesh, right? 169 00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:57,900 Notice that's what it says, and all flesh was fed of it. 170 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:08,840 people are trusting in things that won't give them eternal life right they oh they might be 171 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:12,680 able to take some wrinkles away right might do a little lift here and there 172 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:22,499 I'm telling you it's going away okay you can do all that you want to do 173 00:15:25,380 --> 00:15:29,900 like my grandpa used to say, I'm losing my grip, right? 174 00:15:30,920 --> 00:15:32,580 Losing our grip on this life. 175 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:37,380 Because it's, we just read it through, leading through ecclesiastes. 176 00:15:37,430 --> 00:15:40,240 Me and my wife had quite the little discussion. 177 00:15:41,100 --> 00:15:44,640 It may have been a debate, possibly an argument, 178 00:15:49,220 --> 00:15:52,460 about Solomon's take on life. 179 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:55,400 and youth and it's vain and it's empty. 180 00:15:56,120 --> 00:15:57,260 Why? Because it's fleeting. 181 00:15:57,800 --> 00:15:59,700 Right? It's fleeting. 182 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:02,380 When you're young, you don't realize how fleeting it is. 183 00:16:03,380 --> 00:16:06,140 And then when the sag starts to come, you're going, wow, this is fleeting. 184 00:16:07,140 --> 00:16:09,160 Right? Because everything starts to sag. 185 00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:11,240 Gravity takes over. 186 00:16:16,700 --> 00:16:20,140 But not trusting in the flesh, not trusting in the things of this world. 187 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:31,220 but if the things in eternity like Jesus like Paul said set your mind on things above right so first you had a 188 00:16:31,660 --> 00:16:43,320 the sower which is Jesus the seed that's the that turns into the tree and then fourthly you have the birds 189 00:16:44,720 --> 00:16:49,640 come and rest in it they come and they come into this tree 190 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:53,000 wasn't the tree supposed to be a type of the kingdom of God? 191 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:53,900 Yeah? 192 00:16:54,820 --> 00:16:55,560 What about the birds? 193 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:58,000 Well, the birds aren't a good thing. 194 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:03,340 These aren't chirpy robins, songbirds. 195 00:17:04,360 --> 00:17:06,900 These are dirty birds, right? 196 00:17:07,620 --> 00:17:08,600 These are bad birds. 197 00:17:09,199 --> 00:17:14,459 You remember back in chapter 8 verses 11 and 12 where it says, 198 00:17:14,579 --> 00:17:16,220 and this is the meaning of the parable. 199 00:17:16,339 --> 00:17:19,600 You remember the first seeds that were broadcast were came, 200 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:21,880 and they were gobbled up by the birds. 201 00:17:22,620 --> 00:17:23,880 Notice what the birds are. 202 00:17:24,100 --> 00:17:26,020 It says, this is the meaning of the parable. 203 00:17:26,100 --> 00:17:27,360 The seed is the word of God. 204 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:30,760 Those along the path are the ones who hear. 205 00:17:31,180 --> 00:17:38,680 And then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts so that they may not believe and be saved. 206 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:43,980 Satan comes along and whispers in their ear, that ain't true. 207 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:45,580 It is a myth. 208 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:48,340 This Jesus thing, this gospel, it's a myth. 209 00:17:48,640 --> 00:17:49,340 It's not true. 210 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:51,860 and he convinces them. 211 00:17:56,500 --> 00:17:59,300 These birds will try to convince you. 212 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:04,960 This is a picture of the kingdom of God, 213 00:18:05,380 --> 00:18:08,580 and it is infected with sin. 214 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:10,680 It's infected with sin. 215 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:12,220 This body right here, 216 00:18:14,100 --> 00:18:16,460 I'm with you, but I'm the only one standing. 217 00:18:19,380 --> 00:18:21,620 we're all infected with this whole sin thing. 218 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:25,680 And Jesus is coming for this chaste bride, 219 00:18:26,860 --> 00:18:29,060 but we become chaste as individuals. 220 00:18:31,320 --> 00:18:31,440 Right? 221 00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:33,380 Because Paul tells us, 222 00:18:33,580 --> 00:18:35,320 a little bit of leaven, what's it do? 223 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:37,200 11's the whole lump. 224 00:18:40,500 --> 00:18:43,900 And so God has called us to this life of holiness, 225 00:18:43,940 --> 00:18:47,660 but it's always going to be affected by sin. 226 00:18:48,300 --> 00:18:51,040 Your life, my life, is always affected by sin. 227 00:18:54,540 --> 00:18:57,080 And so these birds come and they rest. 228 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:01,260 They're deceptive and devouring birds, 229 00:19:04,059 --> 00:19:06,160 like those ones that we just read about. 230 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:09,560 Revelation talks about this, 231 00:19:10,020 --> 00:19:13,260 about birds in Revelation 1822, 232 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:13,820 and it said, 233 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:18,600 and he cried mightily with a strong voice saying Babylon the great is fallen is fallen 234 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:26,220 and become the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul spirit and a cage of every unclean 235 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:28,500 and hateful bird. 236 00:19:29,620 --> 00:19:30,800 Speaking of the demonic, 237 00:19:32,620 --> 00:19:38,400 that we see Babylon in ancient history and we see Babylon in future history. 238 00:19:38,860 --> 00:19:39,980 And it's all corrupt. 239 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:41,940 It's all corruption. 240 00:19:42,820 --> 00:19:47,620 And this corruption seeks in to the kingdom of God. 241 00:19:49,340 --> 00:19:56,960 These birds, I listened to Adrian Rogers, and he says, you got these birds, these wicked birds. 242 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,120 You got the yellow belly compromiser. 243 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:00,760 You ever seen that one? 244 00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:03,560 You got the liberal loon. 245 00:20:04,380 --> 00:20:06,620 We got a lot of liberal loons in America. 246 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:11,140 How about the cultic crow, right? 247 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:17,140 People try to mesh occultism or cultism with Jesus. 248 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:18,600 It's like, what? 249 00:20:19,700 --> 00:20:22,180 You're doing seances and then going to church on Sunday? 250 00:20:23,120 --> 00:20:23,880 What's up with that? 251 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:26,920 That's perverse. 252 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:27,960 That's wickedness. 253 00:20:29,360 --> 00:20:33,540 What wasn't on the list was a perverted pelican. 254 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:39,260 And the blasphemous buzzard. 255 00:20:42,420 --> 00:20:43,120 these birds 256 00:20:46,540 --> 00:20:47,280 and seeping in 257 00:20:47,860 --> 00:20:49,020 and people just let it come 258 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:51,160 they just let it come in 259 00:20:54,379 --> 00:20:55,460 when we should 260 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:58,500 resist the Bible says resist the devil 261 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:00,280 and he will flee from you 262 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:03,620 and it's the same parable there 263 00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:04,240 in verses 264 00:21:05,260 --> 00:21:06,680 verses 20 and 21 265 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:09,280 when 266 00:21:09,820 --> 00:21:16,900 Jesus talks about the leaven, where it says that this woman, it says a woman takes, 267 00:21:19,100 --> 00:21:25,520 I'm in the wrong place, I apologize, where it says, and again he said, to what shall I like in the kingdom of God? 268 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:31,920 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened. 269 00:21:33,220 --> 00:21:35,480 Well, leavened throughout scripture is a type of sin. 270 00:21:36,620 --> 00:21:37,480 Why would you do that? 271 00:21:40,320 --> 00:21:45,620 and to the Jewish mind this they may have been thinking of the fellowship offerings which 272 00:21:46,170 --> 00:21:52,280 you would actually present flower to the Lord but it was always the peace offerings was without 273 00:21:52,660 --> 00:21:58,340 leaven no but you think you see how this works people want to come to God and they want to 274 00:21:58,410 --> 00:22:07,500 have peace with God but they want to keep their sin right no I want to I don't want to give this up 275 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:18,820 is my pet. I like this sin. I like my pornography addiction or my drug addiction. I want peace with God, 276 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:27,880 but I want this too. Sorry, it don't work that way. It don't work that way. There is a forsaking 277 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:33,820 that needs to happen in my heart and your heart when it comes to walking with the Lord. 278 00:22:35,460 --> 00:22:37,740 And it's not just forsaking a few things. 279 00:22:37,900 --> 00:22:40,700 It's forsaking all, including self. 280 00:22:43,040 --> 00:22:45,340 Then we read that about them when he called the disciples, right? 281 00:22:45,940 --> 00:22:48,400 They forsook all and followed him. 282 00:22:50,960 --> 00:22:56,800 But here we are, and this leaven or this sin is like a slithering snake that touches everyone. 283 00:22:59,420 --> 00:23:01,340 People think they sinned unto themselves. 284 00:23:01,820 --> 00:23:02,660 I'm not hurting anybody. 285 00:23:03,500 --> 00:23:03,960 Yes, you are. 286 00:23:06,160 --> 00:23:07,640 if you sin you hurt 287 00:23:11,660 --> 00:23:13,140 even when you don't know it 288 00:23:14,420 --> 00:23:16,620 the effect that a husband 289 00:23:17,120 --> 00:23:19,360 can have on a wife and a wife on a husband 290 00:23:20,500 --> 00:23:23,120 the effect that a woman can have on our children 291 00:23:23,620 --> 00:23:25,640 and a father can have on his children 292 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:28,400 if you're 293 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:33,960 addicted to some kind of 294 00:23:34,100 --> 00:23:40,180 sinfulness, it affects everyone around you, everyone that knows you. Why? Because it affects you. 295 00:23:42,220 --> 00:23:49,560 And the wages of sin is, it's a death. And it's just not physical death. It's a death of 296 00:23:49,700 --> 00:23:59,160 relationships, right? It can be the death of your business. It can be the death of all kinds of 297 00:23:59,120 --> 00:23:59,400 things. 298 00:24:04,659 --> 00:24:05,780 And so 299 00:24:11,460 --> 00:24:13,240 so many folks are 300 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:17,140 close, but not close enough. 301 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:21,780 They haven't come to that place of surrender. 302 00:24:26,380 --> 00:24:29,060 And have either been to see. 303 00:24:29,120 --> 00:24:33,820 or they've deceived themselves. And Jesus warns us about this in Matthew 24 versus 304 00:24:34,040 --> 00:24:39,200 five, four and five, and it says, and Jesus answered to them, take heed that no one deceives you. 305 00:24:39,800 --> 00:24:43,860 For many will come in my name saying I am the Christ and will deceive many. 306 00:24:46,060 --> 00:24:47,200 You know people that are deceived? 307 00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:56,160 Because so many of the people I talk to, they just want to say, hey, I'm okay, you're okay. 308 00:24:56,700 --> 00:24:57,840 Right? Aren't we all okay? 309 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:00,120 number one 310 00:25:01,060 --> 00:25:01,700 I'm not okay 311 00:25:04,760 --> 00:25:05,440 and if I'm not okay I'm 312 00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:08,000 if I'm not okay I'm sure you're probably not okay 313 00:25:11,540 --> 00:25:12,840 that's why you need Jesus 314 00:25:13,420 --> 00:25:14,920 I need Jesus because I'm not okay 315 00:25:16,900 --> 00:25:19,020 he can come and help me be okay 316 00:25:20,619 --> 00:25:21,740 Peter mentions 317 00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:23,960 to beware of this 318 00:25:24,500 --> 00:25:26,060 deception as well when he says 319 00:25:26,300 --> 00:25:27,840 in 2 Peter 2 1 it says 320 00:25:27,860 --> 00:25:34,760 says, but there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers 321 00:25:35,020 --> 00:25:44,700 among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, 322 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:49,180 and bring up themselves, bring upon themselves swift destruction. 323 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:55,900 Because God's going to deal with this stuff, you guys. He's going to deal with the birds. 324 00:25:57,220 --> 00:25:58,300 He's going to deal with the lemon. 325 00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:06,580 And there's no guarantees that he's going to be gentle about it. 326 00:26:10,420 --> 00:26:15,240 Now, it appears that these two parables that Jesus shares, 327 00:26:15,500 --> 00:26:21,000 provokes a big question here in the next few verses. 328 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:25,580 Where they come to him in verse 22, 329 00:26:25,820 --> 00:26:29,060 and they say, and he went through the cities and villages, 330 00:26:29,700 --> 00:26:31,780 teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem, 331 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:35,980 and then one said to him, Lord, are there few who are saved? 332 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:39,480 And he said, oh boy. 333 00:26:40,980 --> 00:26:41,620 What do you think? 334 00:26:42,330 --> 00:26:43,500 Are there few who are saved? 335 00:26:45,660 --> 00:26:47,580 That's really, it is a good question. 336 00:26:49,840 --> 00:26:51,280 Yes, I would have to say yes. 337 00:26:51,420 --> 00:26:55,240 There's few who are saved, and we're going to look at that as we read through this. 338 00:26:58,120 --> 00:27:01,940 from what I've seen in the last 40 years of walking with Jesus, 339 00:27:03,100 --> 00:27:07,300 I see few people who honestly lay down their lives and pick up their cross and follow him. 340 00:27:07,660 --> 00:27:08,120 Very few. 341 00:27:10,420 --> 00:27:15,580 In fact, I got to hang out with a couple of them that have yesterday. 342 00:27:16,180 --> 00:27:17,680 I've known these guys for 40 years. 343 00:27:18,120 --> 00:27:25,220 And to watch them still walk with Jesus with zeal is encouraging to me because they're older than I. 344 00:27:25,260 --> 00:27:32,160 am. One's a pastor friend of mine who we had gone to prison with each other. You didn't know your 345 00:27:32,360 --> 00:27:39,960 pastor was a jailbird. We actually were part of the Chuck Colson prison invasion back in 1986. 346 00:27:41,380 --> 00:27:47,800 We had this incredible experience with the Lord, he and I. And as I looked back, that was the 347 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:53,159 defining moment, I think, for both of us. Because it's almost something you can't, you can't put 348 00:27:53,140 --> 00:27:59,160 into words. It was one of those things that the presence of the Lord was speaking to both of our hearts 349 00:27:59,420 --> 00:28:06,980 simultaneously at the same time. And then as I look back at the trajectory of my life, in his life, 350 00:28:07,060 --> 00:28:19,200 I'm just going, wow, God had a plan. And he's one of them. But I can count probably on just on both 351 00:28:19,240 --> 00:28:23,120 hands how many that I've been really close to over the years. 352 00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:27,200 Some that I thought would never falter. 353 00:28:28,060 --> 00:28:29,380 Aren't even walking with the Lord anymore. 354 00:28:31,340 --> 00:28:33,720 In fact, I don't even know if they could quote John 316. 355 00:28:38,680 --> 00:28:39,540 Are few saved? 356 00:28:40,520 --> 00:28:42,960 Well, if you go by, just go by the parable of the sowers. 357 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:43,480 How many? 358 00:28:44,320 --> 00:28:44,760 25%. 359 00:28:48,740 --> 00:28:49,180 25%. 360 00:28:50,560 --> 00:28:55,360 I was in a group of pastors over at Water Springs sometime back, and this question came up, 361 00:28:55,440 --> 00:28:57,940 one of the pastors said, no way, not 25, only 10. 362 00:29:00,020 --> 00:29:00,680 10 out of 100. 363 00:29:03,800 --> 00:29:07,340 That honestly pick up their cross, deny themselves, and follow Jesus. 364 00:29:12,540 --> 00:29:15,140 So the question, are there few who are saved? 365 00:29:17,260 --> 00:29:18,000 And Jesus said, 366 00:29:20,260 --> 00:29:22,520 strive to enter through the narrow gate. 367 00:29:22,960 --> 00:29:26,440 From any I say to you, we'll seek to enter and will not be able. 368 00:29:31,800 --> 00:29:35,200 Warren Wersby says, the question is not how many will be saved, 369 00:29:36,260 --> 00:29:39,120 but whether or not you will be saved. 370 00:29:39,840 --> 00:29:46,320 Get that settled first, and then we can discuss what you and I can do to help others get saved. 371 00:29:47,580 --> 00:29:47,720 Right? 372 00:29:51,080 --> 00:29:51,580 Stride. 373 00:29:52,640 --> 00:29:53,320 Oh, that word. 374 00:29:54,260 --> 00:29:54,820 I love it. 375 00:29:55,700 --> 00:29:58,440 Because it's an athletic term. 376 00:29:59,420 --> 00:30:00,420 It means to agonize. 377 00:30:02,740 --> 00:30:03,340 Agonize. 378 00:30:04,640 --> 00:30:09,120 Just like an athlete physically agonized to get the very, 379 00:30:09,980 --> 00:30:12,440 to become the very best at their craft. 380 00:30:14,480 --> 00:30:15,640 Agonized to enter. 381 00:30:19,260 --> 00:30:22,120 You don't strive to be saved, folks. 382 00:30:22,500 --> 00:30:24,500 You strive because you are saved. 383 00:30:25,540 --> 00:30:25,920 Get it? 384 00:30:26,180 --> 00:30:27,280 So many people don't get that. 385 00:30:27,540 --> 00:30:29,060 No, I got to do this and I got to do this. 386 00:30:29,220 --> 00:30:29,739 No, you don't. 387 00:30:32,180 --> 00:30:37,900 But once you're saved, there should be a fire in your soul 388 00:30:39,040 --> 00:30:43,360 that propels you out into the world to be a bright and shining light 389 00:30:43,620 --> 00:30:45,320 for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake. 390 00:30:45,980 --> 00:30:51,180 right? And so we strive to do that. Not to be saved, but because we're saved. 391 00:30:59,140 --> 00:31:09,160 Verse 25 says, when once the master of the house, strive to enter the gate, 392 00:31:09,380 --> 00:31:15,320 because once when the master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand out 393 00:31:15,360 --> 00:31:22,160 and knock at the door saying, Lord, Lord, open to us, and he will answer and say to you, I do not know you, 394 00:31:22,540 --> 00:31:31,260 where you are from. Could there be more fearful words ever heard by the human ear than these? 395 00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:43,860 Where Jesus says, I don't know you. You're an imposter. Right? And one of the other passages that parallels this, 396 00:31:44,400 --> 00:31:46,420 it was somebody trying to sneak in. 397 00:31:46,840 --> 00:31:50,080 He said, take him to the tormentors and torment him 398 00:31:51,480 --> 00:31:53,020 because he tried sneaking in here. 399 00:31:54,860 --> 00:31:56,020 He didn't come honestly. 400 00:31:57,980 --> 00:31:58,940 God loves honesty. 401 00:32:00,160 --> 00:32:03,080 You just come to the Lord with all your baggage 402 00:32:03,320 --> 00:32:04,080 and just be honest. 403 00:32:05,060 --> 00:32:06,000 He can deal with that. 404 00:32:07,980 --> 00:32:09,200 But like Proverbs said, 405 00:32:09,520 --> 00:32:12,240 he who covers his sin will not prosper. 406 00:32:13,300 --> 00:32:13,860 He won't prosper. 407 00:32:15,380 --> 00:32:18,340 If you're covering it, get it out in the open. 408 00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:20,780 Right? 409 00:32:21,120 --> 00:32:22,640 Confess your faults one to another. 410 00:32:22,880 --> 00:32:25,120 Find somebody you can, you have confidence in. 411 00:32:25,180 --> 00:32:26,280 You can confess to them. 412 00:32:27,660 --> 00:32:28,460 Get rid of it. 413 00:32:29,040 --> 00:32:32,200 Otherwise, it's just this constant weight, right? 414 00:32:32,260 --> 00:32:38,960 It's like the guy in the animated Pilgrim's Progress, you know, packing that load. 415 00:32:40,540 --> 00:32:41,900 No, just come to Jesus. 416 00:32:42,420 --> 00:32:43,020 Be honest. 417 00:32:43,200 --> 00:32:48,020 confess your sin and he's faithful in just to wipe it away and take the burden off your heart, 418 00:32:48,920 --> 00:32:50,460 to set you free from your guilt. 419 00:32:58,180 --> 00:32:59,540 We have a certain amount of time. 420 00:33:02,140 --> 00:33:04,020 Till the door's closed, in or out. 421 00:33:04,540 --> 00:33:05,080 Where are you? 422 00:33:06,880 --> 00:33:07,320 Are you in? 423 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:10,320 I swear I want to be when the door closes. 424 00:33:11,220 --> 00:33:11,940 I want to be in. 425 00:33:14,420 --> 00:33:16,240 lest we hear those horrific words. 426 00:33:17,280 --> 00:33:17,560 Sorry. 427 00:33:18,680 --> 00:33:19,180 Don't know you. 428 00:33:26,660 --> 00:33:27,360 Verse 26. 429 00:33:28,080 --> 00:33:29,900 Then you will begin to say, 430 00:33:30,460 --> 00:33:32,160 we ate and drank in your presence, 431 00:33:32,250 --> 00:33:33,700 and you taught in our streets. 432 00:33:34,760 --> 00:33:35,700 We came to our west. 433 00:33:37,200 --> 00:33:39,740 We went to the nest banquet and donated money. 434 00:33:44,300 --> 00:33:45,920 We sponsored a child in Africa. 435 00:33:50,760 --> 00:33:52,060 You were with us. 436 00:33:53,260 --> 00:33:54,260 They were close. 437 00:33:55,720 --> 00:33:58,300 They were among the wheat, but they were tears. 438 00:33:59,220 --> 00:34:03,520 You know, the other parable, the weed among the tears. 439 00:34:06,120 --> 00:34:09,340 The infection is going to continue until Jesus comes. 440 00:34:10,600 --> 00:34:11,600 And then what does he say there? 441 00:34:12,100 --> 00:34:16,220 In the parable with the tears, he says, and the angels will separate them. 442 00:34:17,960 --> 00:34:20,020 Sheep and the goats, wheat and the tears. 443 00:34:24,080 --> 00:34:27,600 But what we did, sorry, no but, your butts aren't going to work. 444 00:34:30,840 --> 00:34:31,520 Verse 27. 445 00:34:36,200 --> 00:34:39,300 But he will say, I tell you, I do not know. 446 00:34:39,340 --> 00:34:44,800 you. Where you are from, depart from me, all you workers of iniquity. The word for 447 00:34:44,899 --> 00:34:52,240 iniquity there is evil. You're a worker of evil. You put on a good show. Right? You know 448 00:34:52,280 --> 00:34:57,300 how to say, you know, praise the Lord and pass the communion. You know how to do that. 449 00:35:03,819 --> 00:35:05,700 but you're a worker of iniquity 450 00:35:07,560 --> 00:35:08,080 when you're a worker of iniquity 451 00:35:08,080 --> 00:35:11,740 when you're a worker of iniquity 452 00:35:15,980 --> 00:35:16,600 God knows 453 00:35:18,020 --> 00:35:18,540 some people 454 00:35:19,000 --> 00:35:20,240 what they think they get away with 455 00:35:20,240 --> 00:35:21,400 I'm just like really 456 00:35:21,580 --> 00:35:24,120 you really think God doesn't see this 457 00:35:24,980 --> 00:35:25,140 right 458 00:35:26,260 --> 00:35:27,300 you really think that 459 00:35:27,320 --> 00:35:36,600 doesn't see you playing games on your phone right now or shopping i'm just i'm just checking out 460 00:35:38,180 --> 00:35:40,720 craigslist pastors i've got to admit you're a little dull 461 00:35:49,160 --> 00:35:57,280 i really don't know that the the final judgment on irreverence but i'm not a very reverent reverend 462 00:35:57,320 --> 00:36:00,280 So, well, I'm not a reverend, so I've been called that. 463 00:36:00,360 --> 00:36:00,980 It doesn't fit. 464 00:36:06,320 --> 00:36:07,740 But think about this. 465 00:36:07,880 --> 00:36:10,760 He's, you know, he says, depart from me. 466 00:36:11,040 --> 00:36:12,080 This seems so unfair. 467 00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:16,120 And we're trying, man. 468 00:36:16,260 --> 00:36:16,760 We're trying. 469 00:36:17,700 --> 00:36:18,740 You're trying to do what? 470 00:36:20,460 --> 00:36:21,980 You're not being honest with God. 471 00:36:22,980 --> 00:36:23,120 Right? 472 00:36:23,200 --> 00:36:27,260 You're living in this place of Levin, not even trying to get rid of us. 473 00:36:27,280 --> 00:36:29,420 But it's not about trying. 474 00:36:30,780 --> 00:36:31,860 I'll try to be better. 475 00:36:32,180 --> 00:36:33,000 I've been really good. 476 00:36:33,100 --> 00:36:33,960 People tell me that all the time. 477 00:36:34,020 --> 00:36:35,100 I got family members. 478 00:36:35,200 --> 00:36:36,420 I've been being really good. 479 00:36:37,200 --> 00:36:38,360 You know, this one was a meth addict. 480 00:36:38,640 --> 00:36:40,940 And he's just like, I've been really good. 481 00:36:41,100 --> 00:36:41,820 Haven't been doing that. 482 00:36:43,940 --> 00:36:45,600 No, but you're sexually perverse. 483 00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:46,700 That hasn't changed. 484 00:36:48,480 --> 00:36:51,900 So you think you're okay because you did away with the alcohol and the drugs? 485 00:36:54,740 --> 00:36:56,120 It's not about trying, folks. 486 00:36:56,200 --> 00:36:57,080 It's about surrendering. 487 00:36:57,620 --> 00:36:58,280 just surrender 488 00:36:59,680 --> 00:37:00,200 surrender 489 00:37:01,380 --> 00:37:02,120 all that we are 490 00:37:02,440 --> 00:37:03,500 all that we hope to become 491 00:37:04,080 --> 00:37:05,280 that's what my wife and I said 492 00:37:05,280 --> 00:37:06,760 when we got married to each other 493 00:37:08,260 --> 00:37:09,180 we surrender really 494 00:37:09,560 --> 00:37:11,800 all that we are all that we hope to become 495 00:37:12,440 --> 00:37:13,820 we surrender to each other 496 00:37:14,740 --> 00:37:15,780 and holy matrimony 497 00:37:16,420 --> 00:37:17,460 the Lord being the 498 00:37:18,119 --> 00:37:19,960 centerpiece of our relationship 499 00:37:21,780 --> 00:37:23,200 and that's where Connie and I find 500 00:37:23,320 --> 00:37:24,900 our peace our 501 00:37:25,280 --> 00:37:25,980 our worth 502 00:37:27,960 --> 00:37:28,620 our hope 503 00:37:31,700 --> 00:37:33,660 our joy is all found in him 504 00:37:34,220 --> 00:37:36,300 and then we get to share that with one another 505 00:37:37,080 --> 00:37:38,580 as we walk through this life 506 00:37:39,580 --> 00:37:41,120 I love the story of America 507 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:42,800 because for the 508 00:37:44,730 --> 00:37:46,460 for the idea to succeed 509 00:37:47,540 --> 00:37:50,120 here in the good old US of A 510 00:37:51,779 --> 00:37:54,580 for the colonists back then 511 00:37:54,860 --> 00:37:55,960 our forefathers 512 00:37:56,060 --> 00:38:02,840 had to truly pledge their lives, fortune, and sacred honor to establish the new country. 513 00:38:04,300 --> 00:38:06,520 They had to surrender all, really. 514 00:38:07,180 --> 00:38:14,120 They knew that when they put their John Hancock on that declaration, they knew that it meant death for them. 515 00:38:16,360 --> 00:38:20,520 If Britain would have come in and won, it would have been death for them. 516 00:38:25,960 --> 00:38:28,460 and if men can do that for a country, 517 00:38:29,620 --> 00:38:34,380 ought we not be able to do it for our God 518 00:38:37,020 --> 00:38:38,860 who is not threatened by death 519 00:38:41,020 --> 00:38:41,820 or poverty? 520 00:38:43,860 --> 00:38:45,680 He's not threatened by any of those things 521 00:38:45,840 --> 00:38:47,640 that you and I could be threatened by. 522 00:38:50,380 --> 00:38:52,080 It's such an awesome story. 523 00:38:52,760 --> 00:38:53,720 They surrendered all. 524 00:38:57,940 --> 00:39:00,220 Because those who are not willing to surrender, 525 00:39:04,180 --> 00:39:09,220 those who are not willing to surrender to Jesus qualify as a worker of iniquity. 526 00:39:11,380 --> 00:39:12,760 Because that's more important. 527 00:39:19,140 --> 00:39:20,060 Jesus shares the conversation. 528 00:39:20,080 --> 00:39:25,960 consequences in verse 28, where he says, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see 529 00:39:26,520 --> 00:39:31,340 Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves 530 00:39:31,960 --> 00:39:32,560 thrust out. 531 00:39:36,460 --> 00:39:42,320 Now, many believe he's speaking to Jewish people here. Some think that weeping and gnashing of 532 00:39:42,480 --> 00:39:50,040 teeth is just a severe displeasure. Others believe no. This is talking about the torments of hell. 533 00:39:50,580 --> 00:39:52,360 being separated from God for eternity. 534 00:39:56,220 --> 00:40:00,600 And in light of chapter 16 that will be to here in a while, 535 00:40:02,720 --> 00:40:05,480 I would have to agree with the latter. 536 00:40:06,080 --> 00:40:07,260 Because he says, notice, he says, 537 00:40:08,560 --> 00:40:11,220 there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see, 538 00:40:12,360 --> 00:40:14,960 notice, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, 539 00:40:16,380 --> 00:40:19,700 and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, 540 00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:25,160 and you thrust out. It's like they could see those who are going to be separated from God 541 00:40:25,420 --> 00:40:31,260 are going to be able to see into the place of comfort where Abraham is, with the people of faith are. 542 00:40:31,800 --> 00:40:37,920 Just like the rich man saw Lazarus comforted in the bosom of Abraham. And it's like there's a one-way glass 543 00:40:38,180 --> 00:40:44,200 where the evil can see where those who are righteous because they surrendered to Jesus are being comforted, 544 00:40:44,480 --> 00:40:49,680 are in peace, and they'll be able to see it. I think part of their torment, part of the 545 00:40:49,700 --> 00:40:53,720 of their gnashing of teeth is going to be because of that, what they're going to see. 546 00:40:55,940 --> 00:40:56,440 Did you imagine? 547 00:40:57,490 --> 00:40:58,600 It would be pretty hellish. 548 00:40:59,620 --> 00:41:06,420 Watching your family, enjoying peace and safety and joy forevermore, being in the presence of the Lord. 549 00:41:06,820 --> 00:41:08,620 And you thrust out, he says. 550 00:41:09,360 --> 00:41:10,160 Thrust out. 551 00:41:13,140 --> 00:41:13,500 I don't know. 552 00:41:13,600 --> 00:41:15,640 That gives me the eb-be-jeebies. 553 00:41:17,280 --> 00:41:19,360 Because I know I deserve to be thrust out. 554 00:41:26,780 --> 00:41:32,440 But that torment, that separation is going to be horrific. 555 00:41:35,240 --> 00:41:36,360 Psalm 1611 says, 556 00:41:36,800 --> 00:41:41,280 That will show me the path of life in thy presence is the fullness of joy. 557 00:41:41,660 --> 00:41:44,960 At that right hand, there are pleasures forevermore. 558 00:41:46,860 --> 00:41:49,140 And to be able to see that, see the joy. 559 00:41:49,740 --> 00:41:51,780 of those who are in the presence of the Lord. 560 00:41:52,440 --> 00:41:56,740 And you or I, because of our unfaithfulness, are missing out. 561 00:42:01,520 --> 00:42:04,600 Verse 29, and they will come. 562 00:42:06,140 --> 00:42:10,120 And this is like sticking the knife in and twisted it for the Jewish mindset. 563 00:42:11,200 --> 00:42:14,780 And they will come from the east and from the west and from the north and from the south 564 00:42:15,160 --> 00:42:16,760 and sit down in the kingdom of God. 565 00:42:17,940 --> 00:42:19,100 He's talking about Gentiles here. 566 00:42:20,220 --> 00:42:25,160 from all over the world people who have put their faith and trust in Christ, 567 00:42:25,500 --> 00:42:30,300 they're going to come and they're going to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the prophets, 568 00:42:30,980 --> 00:42:36,060 and they're going to experience the comfort and the peace of God and the kingdom of God. 569 00:42:37,800 --> 00:42:38,380 Simply why? 570 00:42:38,640 --> 00:42:40,400 Simply because they were willing to humble themselves. 571 00:42:42,280 --> 00:42:44,040 It's the last time you humbled yourself before the Lord. 572 00:42:45,160 --> 00:42:46,880 So I want to give you an opportunity to do that. 573 00:42:48,280 --> 00:42:49,500 It's just a good practice. 574 00:42:51,600 --> 00:42:53,920 It's just a good practice to humble yourself before the Lord. 575 00:42:54,280 --> 00:42:58,820 I remember I used to go down for prayer for no other reason than to be humble, 576 00:42:59,580 --> 00:43:00,500 saying, Lord, I need you. 577 00:43:00,940 --> 00:43:02,120 I need somebody to pray with me. 578 00:43:05,600 --> 00:43:10,120 And they will come from the east and the west and from the north and from the south 579 00:43:10,460 --> 00:43:11,980 and sit down in the kingdom of God. 580 00:43:12,300 --> 00:43:17,500 And indeed, there are the last who will be first and there are the first who will be last. 581 00:43:17,660 --> 00:43:18,440 Who knows who that is? 582 00:43:18,540 --> 00:43:19,320 I have no idea. 583 00:43:19,920 --> 00:43:21,180 As long as I'm last, I'm okay. 584 00:43:22,580 --> 00:43:22,760 Right? 585 00:43:25,160 --> 00:43:26,300 I just soon be last. 586 00:43:30,300 --> 00:43:32,240 Because Jesus talks about that, right? 587 00:43:33,000 --> 00:43:35,420 When he tells that story of the guy that comes in, 588 00:43:35,480 --> 00:43:37,960 he's kind of all pompous and he sits down in front. 589 00:43:38,840 --> 00:43:40,600 And pretty soon the stewards come in and say, 590 00:43:41,320 --> 00:43:42,740 I'm sorry, this is reserved. 591 00:43:43,820 --> 00:43:44,440 Go to the back. 592 00:43:47,020 --> 00:43:49,820 Jesus said, no, oh, he should have went to the back first and sat on the floor. 593 00:43:50,900 --> 00:43:54,680 Because when you do that, the only way to go from there is up. 594 00:43:56,040 --> 00:43:56,180 Right? 595 00:43:57,120 --> 00:44:04,060 That's why the Bible says, humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up. 596 00:44:05,620 --> 00:44:06,200 Humble yourself. 597 00:44:10,540 --> 00:44:11,620 We're going to enter into communion. 598 00:44:11,800 --> 00:44:13,100 I'm going to have the worship team come up. 599 00:44:15,240 --> 00:44:21,140 If you don't have some communion, these guys are going to be taking it around real quick. 600 00:44:21,340 --> 00:44:22,980 Raise your hand and they'll get you some communion. 601 00:44:24,140 --> 00:44:26,060 And we're going to remember the Lord. 602 00:44:26,140 --> 00:44:29,520 But listen, I want you to think about this. 603 00:44:31,280 --> 00:44:32,940 Don't feel compelled to do communion. 604 00:44:33,860 --> 00:44:35,840 If you're not ready to do communion, don't do communion. 605 00:44:36,720 --> 00:44:40,800 Don't heap judgment upon yourself if you're not right with God. 606 00:44:41,180 --> 00:44:41,320 Right? 607 00:44:41,680 --> 00:44:43,540 Just consider, count the costs. 608 00:44:44,100 --> 00:44:45,720 Take your time. The Lord is patient. 609 00:44:47,960 --> 00:44:51,720 And just let it go on by. You don't have to do communion. 610 00:44:52,860 --> 00:44:55,500 Well, what will people think? Who cares what people think? 611 00:44:56,520 --> 00:44:58,560 That's kind of like when I encourage people to humble themselves. 612 00:44:58,940 --> 00:45:01,500 Well, how come pastor, you always call us to come up front? 613 00:45:01,880 --> 00:45:03,740 Why is that? It's so embarrassing. 614 00:45:04,320 --> 00:45:06,520 Really? Really? 615 00:45:08,280 --> 00:45:08,980 That's embarrassing? 616 00:45:10,820 --> 00:45:18,500 Listen, Jesus hung on a cross totally naked, totally naked for you and for me publicly. 617 00:45:20,040 --> 00:45:23,220 And we get wotted up about coming up and getting prayed for. 618 00:45:23,380 --> 00:45:24,240 Well, people think I'm weak. 619 00:45:24,420 --> 00:45:25,120 You are weak. 620 00:45:25,640 --> 00:45:29,100 That's why you need to come up and get prayed for, right? 621 00:45:30,580 --> 00:45:34,320 That's why I go over here and get prayed for because I'm weak. 622 00:45:36,920 --> 00:45:38,520 So humble yourself on the side of the Lord. 623 00:45:38,560 --> 00:45:41,200 give him an opportunity to lift you up. 624 00:45:42,220 --> 00:45:42,880 That's on you. 625 00:45:43,980 --> 00:45:45,700 All this stuff we've been reading about. 626 00:45:46,020 --> 00:45:46,920 It's all on us. 627 00:45:47,840 --> 00:45:50,480 The attitude, what we're willing to give up. 628 00:45:54,420 --> 00:45:55,320 Are we willing to worship? 629 00:45:57,840 --> 00:45:58,960 Willing to worship him. 630 00:46:02,640 --> 00:46:06,320 So as we take the bread, we're going to bring it before the Lord. 631 00:46:08,120 --> 00:46:16,380 And that night when Jesus was betrayed and they arrested him and began to rip the flesh from his body. 632 00:46:18,620 --> 00:46:26,040 Some of the studies they've done on the shroud of Turin, it's fascinating how many blows they can estimate that Christ received. 633 00:46:28,920 --> 00:46:36,300 And he did that for you and I was willing to give his, as the psalmist said, he gave, I gave my back to the smiters. 634 00:46:38,660 --> 00:46:39,720 that they ripped the flesh. 635 00:46:39,820 --> 00:46:45,680 They said between the 22nd and 35th last with a Roman scourge, 636 00:46:45,780 --> 00:46:48,300 you could push the flesh apart and see the internal organs. 637 00:46:51,940 --> 00:46:52,960 And he did that for us. 638 00:46:54,400 --> 00:46:56,380 Out we not to humble ourselves before him? 639 00:46:57,240 --> 00:46:59,040 Lord, we hold the bread before you right now. 640 00:47:00,080 --> 00:47:00,720 And we thank you. 641 00:47:01,280 --> 00:47:03,480 Thank you that you are willing to give your back. 642 00:47:04,480 --> 00:47:07,920 Not just your back, but your head and your hands and your feet and your side. 643 00:47:10,740 --> 00:47:14,060 Lord, those that brutalized you, 644 00:47:17,060 --> 00:47:25,940 their very sin of crucifying the Lord of glory was forgivable because of how good you are. 645 00:47:28,280 --> 00:47:32,340 If you take this bread, Lord, and as we crush up between our teeth, Lord, 646 00:47:32,440 --> 00:47:37,720 will we remember you, the greatness of our God. 647 00:47:41,420 --> 00:47:49,040 The most gracious, powerful act in human history was you going to that cross for us. 648 00:47:50,880 --> 00:47:55,060 Bless the bread as we partake with thankful hearts, the bread of life. 649 00:47:56,340 --> 00:47:56,860 Let's partake. 650 00:48:04,520 --> 00:48:06,440 Likewise, the cup. You took it. 651 00:48:08,920 --> 00:48:11,160 This is the blood that is shed for you. 652 00:48:11,240 --> 00:48:12,040 It's a new covenant. 653 00:48:12,520 --> 00:48:15,100 Lord, you give us this covenant and you signed it with your blood. 654 00:48:18,720 --> 00:48:25,000 That it scrubs all that iniquity away from us who are bent towards it, Lord. 655 00:48:25,000 --> 00:48:25,820 And we all are. 656 00:48:26,400 --> 00:48:28,220 We've all sinned and fallen short of your glory. 657 00:48:29,220 --> 00:48:32,140 And your precious blood comes along and washes us clean. 658 00:48:33,980 --> 00:48:36,560 And so, Lord, as we remember your blood, we praise you for it. 659 00:48:36,640 --> 00:48:38,100 Would you bless it as we partake? 660 00:48:38,800 --> 00:48:40,200 In Jesus' name, let's partake. 661 00:48:45,540 --> 00:48:49,520 Lord, I just pray for those who you're ministering to their hearts, maybe even right now. 662 00:48:50,560 --> 00:48:52,120 They know they just need to get right with you. 663 00:48:54,480 --> 00:48:56,340 Lord, I just, by your spirit, would you encourage you? 664 00:48:56,360 --> 00:49:00,360 him to come forward. As a prayer team, I ask the prayer team to come forward now. 665 00:49:03,280 --> 00:49:09,220 Come forward and be prayed for. As this song plays, as you worship in your heart, 666 00:49:10,400 --> 00:49:16,400 don't be ashamed of your king because he wasn't ashamed of you when you hung on that cross. 667 00:49:19,480 --> 00:49:21,700 Home of yourself and let him lift you up. 668 00:49:24,480 --> 00:49:25,240 We love you, Jesus. 669 00:49:26,740 --> 00:49:31,960 we worship you in spirit and in truth in Jesus' name. Amen. Let's worship. Let's all stand.