1 00:00:00,900 –> 00:00:05,900 Just last week Karin and I went into Home Depot. We knew exactly what we were after, 2 00:00:06,540 –> 00:00:12,360 track lighting, went straight to the shelf, picked it up, went to the checkout and as we were standing in line 3 00:00:12,360 –> 00:00:14,580 I began to read what it says on the box, 4 00:00:16,920 –> 00:00:18,879 expandable halogen 5 00:00:19,920 –> 00:00:21,920 track lighting kit, 6 00:00:24,200 –> 00:00:26,200 satisfaction guaranteed, that’s good, 7 00:00:27,760 –> 00:00:29,340 3 Mr 8 00:00:29,440 –> 00:00:31,440 MR 16 pinhole cylinders, 9 00:00:32,939 –> 00:00:38,700 includes one 44 inch track and one floating power feed, 10 00:00:40,560 –> 00:00:42,740 use with MR 11 00:00:43,400 –> 00:00:45,400 16 50 watt maximum bulb, 12 00:00:46,380 –> 00:00:47,900 tiniest print, 13 00:00:47,900 –> 00:00:49,299 brackets 14 00:00:49,299 –> 00:00:51,299 sold separately. 15 00:00:52,340 –> 00:00:57,520 I said to Karin as we were standing in line this thing is completely useless. 16 00:00:58,419 –> 00:01:03,020 I mean, honestly what in all the world is the use of one 17 00:01:04,040 –> 00:01:10,339 44 inch track, one free floating power feed and three pinhole 18 00:01:11,480 –> 00:01:14,720 Cylinders if we do not have any bulbs 19 00:01:17,160 –> 00:01:19,160 This thing is useless 20 00:01:19,519 –> 00:01:21,519 because something 21 00:01:21,519 –> 00:01:23,800 essential to its function is 22 00:01:24,919 –> 00:01:26,919 missing and 23 00:01:26,940 –> 00:01:31,000 And it strikes me, you know that a lot of folks have a form of Christianity 24 00:01:31,019 –> 00:01:33,980 Just like that. The New Testament describes it this way 25 00:01:33,980 –> 00:01:38,580 It is a form of godliness, but denying the power 26 00:01:39,440 –> 00:01:41,440 In other words, it’s useless 27 00:01:41,820 –> 00:01:48,519 It’s a kind of faith a kind of religion that does not bring any real light 28 00:01:48,860 –> 00:01:55,959 It’s like a bulb’s not included track system or a batteries not included kind of a toy 29 00:01:56,440 –> 00:01:57,779 and 30 00:01:57,779 –> 00:02:02,620 Jesus Christ did not come into the world to give us that kind of faith 31 00:02:04,279 –> 00:02:08,559 Now our title today is Jesus calls his people to obedience 32 00:02:08,919 –> 00:02:15,679 And if you have your Bible open, you’ll see the theme most clearly in the last verse verse 35 of Mark chapter 33 00:02:15,899 –> 00:02:17,899 3 where Jesus says 34 00:02:17,960 –> 00:02:24,020 whoever does God’s Will whoever does God’s Will is my brother and 35 00:02:24,339 –> 00:02:26,339 Sister and 36 00:02:26,380 –> 00:02:28,380 Mother 37 00:02:28,580 –> 00:02:30,580 He’s talking about an authentic 38 00:02:31,279 –> 00:02:34,300 relationship with Jesus my brother my sister my mother and 39 00:02:35,199 –> 00:02:38,960 What is the mark of a person who has an authentic? 40 00:02:39,339 –> 00:02:44,100 Relationship with Jesus Christ the answer is is very simple they do God’s 41 00:02:44,660 –> 00:02:47,660 will they pursue in other words a life of 42 00:02:48,660 –> 00:02:50,460 obedience 43 00:02:50,460 –> 00:02:55,619 Now this theme runs throughout the teaching of the Lord. Jesus Christ, you see it everywhere 44 00:02:55,960 –> 00:03:01,940 Especially once your eyes are open to it. Let me give you some examples John chapter 15 and verse 14 45 00:03:02,020 –> 00:03:06,279 You are my friends. Jesus says if you do what I command you 46 00:03:06,899 –> 00:03:14,279 Or john chapter 14 verse 15 the other way around if you love me Jesus says you will obey what I command 47 00:03:15,179 –> 00:03:17,940 Remember in the sermon on the Mount Matthew chapter 7 48 00:03:17,940 –> 00:03:22,020 Jesus says not everybody who says to me Lord Lord, not everyone who sings the hymns 49 00:03:24,139 –> 00:03:26,139 Will enter the kingdom of heaven 50 00:03:26,580 –> 00:03:29,059 but only the person who does 51 00:03:29,979 –> 00:03:33,600 the will of my Father who is in heaven and 52 00:03:34,440 –> 00:03:40,779 Right here in our passage this morning mark chapter three in verse 35. Whoever does God’s will is 53 00:03:41,500 –> 00:03:44,339 My brother and my sister and my mother 54 00:03:45,220 –> 00:03:52,520 So when you open the gospels, you very quickly discover that Christian faith cannot be reduced to believing certain things 55 00:03:54,240 –> 00:03:59,880 Becoming a true follower of Jesus Christ makes an observable difference in a person’s life 56 00:04:01,419 –> 00:04:06,699 Now I have to say to you that many Christians today are resistant to this teaching of Jesus 57 00:04:08,220 –> 00:04:13,360 They prefer to reduce faith to a formula or to an event 58 00:04:13,779 –> 00:04:15,779 Or to a prayer 59 00:04:16,200 –> 00:04:21,799 When what Jesus Christ is calling us to is a life that is marked by obedience 60 00:04:23,839 –> 00:04:26,200 God saves you by grace and 61 00:04:27,339 –> 00:04:31,720 His grace is received by faith alone 62 00:04:32,799 –> 00:04:38,820 But the evidence that you have received this grace is seen in your pursuit of obedience 63 00:04:38,839 –> 00:04:40,119 Obedience 64 00:04:40,119 –> 00:04:47,000 John Calvin I think put it very helpfully and memorably when he said we are justified by faith alone 65 00:04:47,500 –> 00:04:53,779 But the faith that justifies is never alone. You never find it in isolation in a person’s life 66 00:04:54,700 –> 00:04:57,660 because it leads to the fruit of 67 00:04:58,760 –> 00:04:59,859 obedience 68 00:04:59,859 –> 00:05:03,660 Now if you want to see this put in one simple phrase in the New Testament 69 00:05:03,660 –> 00:05:05,679 And this will be our one cross reference this morning 70 00:05:06,600 –> 00:05:11,440 you might like to look to Romans chapter 1 in verse 5 Romans 1 and 71 00:05:12,119 –> 00:05:16,640 verse 5 if you just turn to that for a moment with me because 72 00:05:17,140 –> 00:05:19,140 Paul really sets out his 73 00:05:19,880 –> 00:05:24,179 mission statement or his ministry statement right at the beginning of 74 00:05:24,859 –> 00:05:26,119 Romans and 75 00:05:26,119 –> 00:05:30,839 chapter 1 and you’ll see that in verse 5 that he describes what 76 00:05:31,160 –> 00:05:34,880 The grace given to him and his apostleship is all about 77 00:05:35,260 –> 00:05:40,200 He says we’ve received Romans 1 5 grace and apostleship for what purpose to 78 00:05:40,700 –> 00:05:43,160 call people from all the Gentiles 79 00:05:44,279 –> 00:05:46,160 To what? 80 00:05:46,160 –> 00:05:48,160 to the obedience 81 00:05:48,859 –> 00:05:50,859 that comes 82 00:05:51,200 –> 00:05:53,200 from faith 83 00:05:53,859 –> 00:05:55,679 Now see the Apostle Paul 84 00:05:55,679 –> 00:06:00,399 Reflecting the teaching of Jesus that we’ve already seen from the Gospels is saying exactly the same thing 85 00:06:00,720 –> 00:06:06,420 He is not interested in professions of faith that make no difference to a person’s life 86 00:06:08,500 –> 00:06:14,779 If someone said to Paul, you know Paul you really should give an invitation to people to trust Christ at the end of your sermons 87 00:06:16,380 –> 00:06:23,880 You know what? I think Paul would say I think Paul would say yes, but I want to do more than that 88 00:06:25,899 –> 00:06:28,760 See I don’t just want to call people to faith 89 00:06:28,820 –> 00:06:30,500 I 90 00:06:30,500 –> 00:06:37,839 Want to call. That’s what he says here Romans chapter 1 and verse 5. I want to call people to the obedience that comes from faith. I 91 00:06:39,079 –> 00:06:43,559 Don’t just want to call people to a decision. I want to call people to a life and 92 00:06:44,959 –> 00:06:47,220 There’s all the difference in the world 93 00:06:48,320 –> 00:06:50,980 between these two things and 94 00:06:52,519 –> 00:06:57,279 You know, it is too easy for Christians to want other people to be challenged and not ourselves 95 00:06:58,059 –> 00:07:03,779 But properly understood the gospel of Jesus Christ cuts across all of our lives 96 00:07:04,059 –> 00:07:06,940 Every time we hear it and every time we meet 97 00:07:08,279 –> 00:07:10,619 If you are not a Christian today 98 00:07:11,660 –> 00:07:13,660 God calls you 99 00:07:13,739 –> 00:07:16,899 to the obedience of faith if 100 00:07:17,940 –> 00:07:19,959 You are a Christian today 101 00:07:21,339 –> 00:07:23,339 God calls you 102 00:07:23,579 –> 00:07:25,579 To the obedience 103 00:07:25,779 –> 00:07:27,559 That comes 104 00:07:27,559 –> 00:07:29,559 from faith 105 00:07:30,200 –> 00:07:36,660 Now I want us to look today in Mark in chapter 3 at 3 responses to Jesus all of which fall 106 00:07:37,420 –> 00:07:39,420 short of obedience 107 00:07:39,739 –> 00:07:41,859 And I think as we look at them 108 00:07:41,859 –> 00:07:48,600 we’ll see evidence of one or other in our own hearts and we’ll be able to identify I 109 00:07:48,799 –> 00:07:51,700 think at least with one of them and then as 110 00:07:52,059 –> 00:07:56,299 We do that we’re going to come at the end to ask God for his help 111 00:07:57,519 –> 00:08:02,239 that we may whatever our position right now that we may pursue a 112 00:08:02,619 –> 00:08:04,619 life of obedience 113 00:08:04,980 –> 00:08:09,559 That comes from faith because God calls his people 114 00:08:10,420 –> 00:08:14,239 to obedience, so I hope you’re back at mark in chapter 3 and 115 00:08:15,399 –> 00:08:17,940 Let’s launch into this wonderful scripture 116 00:08:18,679 –> 00:08:20,059 together 117 00:08:20,059 –> 00:08:24,899 Now the first response that I want us to look at today is the response of the demons to Jesus 118 00:08:25,059 –> 00:08:28,540 Which we find in chapter 3 and verse 11 119 00:08:29,359 –> 00:08:31,359 We’ve noticed this verse before 120 00:08:32,320 –> 00:08:35,200 whenever the evil spirits saw Jesus 121 00:08:35,760 –> 00:08:38,840 They fell down before him and they cried out 122 00:08:39,280 –> 00:08:41,679 You are the Son of God 123 00:08:42,159 –> 00:08:44,159 You are the Son of God 124 00:08:44,359 –> 00:08:52,159 When the demons make this confession and Mark makes it clear to us that this was the regular thing whenever Jesus confronted a demon 125 00:08:52,159 –> 00:08:58,140 They always found themselves making this confession. It reminds us that there is no confusion about Jesus in hell 126 00:08:59,359 –> 00:09:01,960 Down there, they all know who he is 127 00:09:03,599 –> 00:09:06,320 The demons confessed that Jesus is the Son of God 128 00:09:08,219 –> 00:09:10,260 So the demons will be in heaven, right 129 00:09:11,239 –> 00:09:14,880 Wrong! I say now, this is going to make us think isn’t it? 130 00:09:17,020 –> 00:09:21,900 Simply acknowledging that Jesus is the son of God won’t save you, the demons do that 131 00:09:22,760 –> 00:09:29,059 And that should make us think again about what saving faith in Jesus Christ really looks like 132 00:09:31,559 –> 00:09:34,260 Suppose an angel were to ask you on the last day 133 00:09:34,260 –> 00:09:36,859 Why you should be allowed into heaven? And you were to say well 134 00:09:36,900 –> 00:09:42,119 Well, I believe that Jesus is the son of God, the obvious response from the angel would be to say well, sue to the demons 135 00:09:42,179 –> 00:09:44,179 So, how is your faith different from theirs? 136 00:09:46,239 –> 00:09:51,000 This is of course the point that James makes in his letter in the New Testament 137 00:09:51,000 –> 00:09:52,919 James chapter 1 in verse 19 138 00:09:52,940 –> 00:10:01,059 Where he challenges the empty claims of some people who reckon there are Christians, even though they are living in open disobedience to God 139 00:10:01,559 –> 00:10:04,140 Which of course is what the demons are doing 140 00:10:05,059 –> 00:10:08,400 You believe James says that there is one God, good 141 00:10:09,840 –> 00:10:12,960 even the demons believe that and they shudder 142 00:10:15,119 –> 00:10:17,119 Now here’s something 143 00:10:17,239 –> 00:10:21,739 That struck me for the first time this week never noticed it before 144 00:10:23,000 –> 00:10:26,780 Got to tell you honestly writing the first draft of this morning’s message 145 00:10:26,780 –> 00:10:30,580 I wrote down what seemed fairly obvious to my mind 146 00:10:31,440 –> 00:10:32,460 the demons confess 147 00:10:32,539 –> 00:10:35,000 But they do not obey 148 00:10:35,140 –> 00:10:38,520 And then looking at the scripture more closely 149 00:10:38,520 –> 00:10:41,559 I had to throw that away because if you look at what mark says here 150 00:10:41,700 –> 00:10:43,599 It tells us precisely the opposite 151 00:10:43,599 –> 00:10:48,159 He tells us they did obey the Lord Jesus Christ because they had to. Look at verse 12 152 00:10:48,299 –> 00:10:51,599 Whenever the evil spirits saw him they fell down before him. They cried out 153 00:10:51,619 –> 00:10:59,599 you’re the Son of God, but Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell who he was. Jesus silenced the demons and 154 00:11:00,219 –> 00:11:02,219 they are obedient to him 155 00:11:03,239 –> 00:11:08,679 You find exactly the same in chapter 1 and verse 34 if you glance back 156 00:11:09,440 –> 00:11:12,820 Jesus drove out many demons we’re told there, chapter 1 verse 34 157 00:11:12,960 –> 00:11:17,659 But he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was 158 00:11:17,659 –> 00:11:22,299 So they’re subject to the authority of Jesus these demons they’re under his authority 159 00:11:23,479 –> 00:11:24,799 and actually 160 00:11:24,799 –> 00:11:31,159 It’s fascinating to compare this with the story of the leper that we looked at the other week in chapter 1 and verse 161 00:11:31,419 –> 00:11:34,820 43 because Jesus gives to the leper a strict 162 00:11:35,340 –> 00:11:41,940 Instruction that he is not to tell other people about what Jesus has done for him because Jesus is trying at this point not to 163 00:11:41,960 –> 00:11:43,679 cultivate a crowd seeking healing 164 00:11:43,679 –> 00:11:49,619 But remember that mark tells us the leper didn’t pay any attention to the instruction of Jesus 165 00:11:49,619 –> 00:11:56,099 He went out and began to talk freely spreading the news. So the demons were more obedient to Jesus than the leper was 166 00:11:56,599 –> 00:11:58,599 it 167 00:11:58,859 –> 00:12:02,280 Was not right to say the demons confess, but they do not obey 168 00:12:04,340 –> 00:12:10,659 It would be better to say the demons confess Jesus and they have to obey him 169 00:12:12,580 –> 00:12:15,359 Now when you see that response 170 00:12:17,419 –> 00:12:22,880 Suddenly it so often when you understand what the Bible is really saying it comes much closest to home 171 00:12:23,239 –> 00:12:25,239 The 172 00:12:25,799 –> 00:12:28,880 Demons confess, and they have to obey 173 00:12:32,580 –> 00:12:34,580 I’ve started reading this book 174 00:12:35,640 –> 00:12:37,640 family Driven Faith 175 00:12:38,119 –> 00:12:44,500 By vody bockham a pastor who all of our pastors heard at a conference last year, and were greatly 176 00:12:45,119 –> 00:12:52,020 Impressed by the power of his ministry, especially to young people in universities in these days 177 00:12:52,739 –> 00:12:55,059 But let me quote to you from this book 178 00:12:55,739 –> 00:12:57,739 Modi, Bachum Says 179 00:12:58,419 –> 00:13:00,419 according to researchers 180 00:13:01,099 –> 00:13:03,099 between 70 and 181 00:13:03,780 –> 00:13:06,500 88% of Christian teens are 182 00:13:07,599 –> 00:13:11,059 Leaving the church by their second year in college 183 00:13:11,820 –> 00:13:13,820 between 70 and 88% 184 00:13:14,559 –> 00:13:16,559 He says now. I’m coding that’s right 185 00:13:16,739 –> 00:13:18,140 modern American 186 00:13:18,239 –> 00:13:26,140 Christianity has a failure rate somewhere around 8 almost 9 out of 10 when it comes to raising children who continue in the faith 187 00:13:27,739 –> 00:13:29,739 By the way 188 00:13:30,539 –> 00:13:32,539 We should thank God 189 00:13:33,500 –> 00:13:40,700 That in his mercy. He is giving to us in this church a far greater abundance of fruit that lasts than that 190 00:13:41,979 –> 00:13:45,380 We are wonderfully in God’s mercy out of line 191 00:13:46,239 –> 00:13:48,900 With what is happening across this country 192 00:13:49,760 –> 00:13:52,979 And a large part of that is the mercy of God 193 00:13:53,780 –> 00:13:58,000 Through families and through ministry leaders who are committed to substance? 194 00:13:58,840 –> 00:14:00,840 rather than entertainment 195 00:14:02,140 –> 00:14:07,320 But to come back to what Vodie Bachum is saying and the research is all there if you want to follow it up 196 00:14:07,760 –> 00:14:09,520 Why 197 00:14:09,520 –> 00:14:16,159 Would 9 out of 10 young people raised in churches in this country moved off from the church 198 00:14:16,380 –> 00:14:19,359 by their sophomore year in college I 199 00:14:21,359 –> 00:14:23,359 Asked you 200 00:14:23,599 –> 00:14:25,599 could it be that 201 00:14:26,000 –> 00:14:28,940 9 out of 10 who confess Christ 202 00:14:30,020 –> 00:14:32,260 obey him because they have to and 203 00:14:33,640 –> 00:14:35,520 when the constraints of 204 00:14:35,520 –> 00:14:37,520 family are taken away 205 00:14:38,539 –> 00:14:42,960 The true state of their own heart is revealed 206 00:14:45,239 –> 00:14:49,719 You see freedom reveals who you really are and 207 00:14:51,320 –> 00:14:53,380 as your freedom in life grows 208 00:14:55,059 –> 00:14:57,400 So that will become increasingly obvious 209 00:14:58,280 –> 00:15:06,140 Jesus said of a whole community in his day, these people praised me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me 210 00:15:07,359 –> 00:15:11,400 and that of course is the natural condition of religious people unless God 211 00:15:12,179 –> 00:15:14,179 changes your heart 212 00:15:14,739 –> 00:15:17,659 You will remain a confessing rebel 213 00:15:20,099 –> 00:15:23,640 That is someone who acknowledges Jesus with our lips but remains 214 00:15:24,179 –> 00:15:30,559 On a different agenda and a different path in the secrecy of their own heart a 215 00:15:32,280 –> 00:15:34,280 confessing rebel 216 00:15:35,400 –> 00:15:37,400 Conforming when you must 217 00:15:38,460 –> 00:15:45,739 But indulging your rebellion when you can which is just what the demons do 218 00:15:48,460 –> 00:15:52,960 Now if you can see that or any trace of it in your own heart at all 219 00:15:53,080 –> 00:15:55,080 I think many of us will 220 00:15:56,659 –> 00:16:03,539 You will feel that you want to come to Jesus Christ today and to say save me from this treason 221 00:16:04,500 –> 00:16:06,500 within my own heart 222 00:16:07,880 –> 00:16:10,760 Subdue the rebel in me 223 00:16:12,200 –> 00:16:15,140 Don’t let me be like the demons 224 00:16:16,200 –> 00:16:18,200 Who confess you? 225 00:16:18,440 –> 00:16:20,780 But continue their rebellion 226 00:16:21,739 –> 00:16:23,739 Against you 227 00:16:24,179 –> 00:16:27,799 Now you see that’s the first response that obviously falls short of 228 00:16:28,760 –> 00:16:30,299 obedience 229 00:16:30,299 –> 00:16:35,659 the response to Jesus from the demons they confess him and 230 00:16:36,940 –> 00:16:39,419 They have to obey him 231 00:16:40,820 –> 00:16:42,820 That’s not saving faith 232 00:16:44,239 –> 00:16:49,440 Here’s a second response and let’s see if we can trace anything of it in our own hearts 233 00:16:49,700 –> 00:16:56,619 The teachers verses 10 to 20 and I would summarize their position this way that they study Jesus 234 00:16:58,080 –> 00:17:03,400 But they refuse to obey him look at verse 22 the teachers of the law who came done from 235 00:17:03,659 –> 00:17:10,239 Jerusalem said he is possessed by Beelzebub by the Prince of demons. He is driving out 236 00:17:11,319 –> 00:17:13,079 demons 237 00:17:13,079 –> 00:17:17,180 Now notice they came down from Jerusalem verse 22 238 00:17:17,800 –> 00:17:20,060 So this is not your local 239 00:17:20,900 –> 00:17:22,900 country clergy in Galilee 240 00:17:23,719 –> 00:17:25,500 This is the top brass 241 00:17:25,500 –> 00:17:31,300 National religious leaders who are coming down from the capital city to this rural area of Galilee 242 00:17:31,300 –> 00:17:33,599 And they’re coming to make an investigation 243 00:17:34,599 –> 00:17:36,599 Why did they bother to come? 244 00:17:38,660 –> 00:17:44,060 Remember in chapter 3 in verse 6, we’re told that the Pharisees and the Harodians began to plot 245 00:17:44,760 –> 00:17:46,760 How they might kill Jesus 246 00:17:47,339 –> 00:17:50,880 And what do you do if you’re plotting to destroy someone? 247 00:17:51,959 –> 00:17:58,199 Well, if you’re plotting to destroy someone what you might do is recruit other influential people to get them on your side 248 00:17:58,560 –> 00:18:06,020 And so it seems at least two may most likely that this is what the Pharisees did. What did their plot actually involve? 249 00:18:06,760 –> 00:18:10,300 Surely it would have involved this, sending word up to Jerusalem 250 00:18:10,300 –> 00:18:17,099 To the top brass teachers of the law and raising complaints or questions or stories about Jesus 251 00:18:17,180 –> 00:18:23,459 And the result is that an official delegation comes down from the capital to this country area to make an evaluation 252 00:18:23,900 –> 00:18:27,300 So can you picture them as it were? The teachers of the law 253 00:18:27,300 –> 00:18:33,020 And they’re here with their clipboards, and they’ve come from the capital to check Jesus out 254 00:18:33,579 –> 00:18:40,859 And they evaluate his ministry. This is the official verdict we’re getting now and they come to this strange conclusion 255 00:18:41,839 –> 00:18:43,540 verse 22 256 00:18:43,699 –> 00:18:51,199 He is possessed by Beelzebub and by the prince of demons. He is driving out demons 257 00:18:52,979 –> 00:18:55,560 That is an astonishing conclusion, isn’t it? 258 00:18:56,920 –> 00:18:59,420 From trained religious people 259 00:19:00,880 –> 00:19:02,880 And their conclusion after 260 00:19:04,079 –> 00:19:09,339 Evaluating and observing the ministry of Jesus is that he is somehow in league with Satan 261 00:19:09,680 –> 00:19:13,260 And as Jesus points out in verse 26.. 262 00:19:13,660 –> 00:19:16,260 If my ministry is in league with Satan 263 00:19:16,260 –> 00:19:21,900 Then evidently Satan’s destroying himself and his kingdom cannot stand and his end has obviously come 264 00:19:23,439 –> 00:19:29,300 How could Jesus be in league with Satan and he’s obviously destroying Satan’s power 265 00:19:30,880 –> 00:19:37,560 It is extraordinary what those who do not want to believe will come up with as a rationale for their position 266 00:19:39,160 –> 00:19:42,839 Maybe you remember being like that at one point in your life, too 267 00:19:44,500 –> 00:19:49,040 Jesus of course gives a very different explanation of his ministry. Verse 27 268 00:19:49,040 –> 00:19:55,260 No one can enter a strongman’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man 269 00:19:55,260 –> 00:19:58,560 Then he can rob his house. What a wonderful picture that is 270 00:19:59,500 –> 00:20:03,359 Satan is a strong man. That’s the picture Jesus is using and 271 00:20:04,459 –> 00:20:08,579 He has many captives many hostages held in his house 272 00:20:09,500 –> 00:20:10,699 and 273 00:20:10,699 –> 00:20:13,000 Far from being in league with Satan 274 00:20:13,219 –> 00:20:17,119 Jesus is the Divine Raider. He has come to storm 275 00:20:17,660 –> 00:20:24,739 Satan’s kingdom and to set the captives free and his work involves not being in league with this strong man, but rather 276 00:20:25,939 –> 00:20:29,900 Binding this strongman in order to plunder his kingdom 277 00:20:32,800 –> 00:20:38,359 Now it’s in this setting that Jesus gives both a wonderful glorious promise and 278 00:20:38,520 –> 00:20:44,099 And also a grim warning and we need to hear them both together today 279 00:20:44,479 –> 00:20:48,500 Look at the glorious promise that Jesus gives in verse 28 280 00:20:48,880 –> 00:20:50,880 He says I tell you the truth 281 00:20:51,800 –> 00:20:54,040 all the sins and 282 00:20:54,599 –> 00:20:57,719 Blasphemies of men will be forgiven them 283 00:20:59,880 –> 00:21:01,880 Now let’s pause here 284 00:21:03,599 –> 00:21:05,599 Will you take in today 285 00:21:06,319 –> 00:21:12,640 That wonderful promise of Jesus Christ and it’s said with emphasis. I 286 00:21:14,040 –> 00:21:16,640 Tell you the truth that phrase 287 00:21:16,819 –> 00:21:20,000 The Old Version had verily verily amen. Amen 288 00:21:20,000 –> 00:21:26,400 I tell you the truth when Jesus wanted to emphasize something of central importance and that’s what he does here. I 289 00:21:27,339 –> 00:21:29,339 Tell you the truth 290 00:21:29,479 –> 00:21:31,119 all the 291 00:21:31,119 –> 00:21:33,119 sins all 292 00:21:33,680 –> 00:21:38,859 The blasphemies of men will be forgiven them 293 00:21:40,640 –> 00:21:42,640 Glorious promise 294 00:21:43,979 –> 00:21:47,680 Jesus Christ who died and rose again for you 295 00:21:49,719 –> 00:21:51,719 Stands ready today 296 00:21:52,479 –> 00:21:54,479 to forgive any and 297 00:21:55,719 –> 00:22:00,439 Every sin that you have committed if you will come to him 298 00:22:01,040 –> 00:22:04,160 He is ready to forgive lies and 299 00:22:05,739 –> 00:22:07,739 Thefts 300 00:22:07,760 –> 00:22:11,439 Sins of thought and of speech 301 00:22:13,459 –> 00:22:16,020 Open sins secret sins 302 00:22:17,260 –> 00:22:19,979 hidden sins from long ago 303 00:22:21,560 –> 00:22:24,800 Sins repeated too many times 304 00:22:26,920 –> 00:22:29,439 He is ready to forgive all blasphemies 305 00:22:31,239 –> 00:22:33,239 Blasphemous thoughts 306 00:22:34,339 –> 00:22:36,339 Blasphemous words 307 00:22:37,520 –> 00:22:39,520 Blasphemous deeds 308 00:22:40,260 –> 00:22:42,640 He gives you his word on this I 309 00:22:43,800 –> 00:22:45,800 Tell you the truth 310 00:22:46,160 –> 00:22:52,000 All the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them 311 00:22:53,359 –> 00:22:59,280 The blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient to cover every sin 312 00:23:00,000 –> 00:23:02,000 Including yours 313 00:23:03,420 –> 00:23:06,739 Take that promise to yourself today 314 00:23:09,500 –> 00:23:14,500 Believe it and come to him on the basis of his word 315 00:23:16,619 –> 00:23:18,619 Tell him your sins 316 00:23:19,839 –> 00:23:21,839 name them 317 00:23:22,040 –> 00:23:24,040 confess them and 318 00:23:24,520 –> 00:23:28,300 find peace with God through the shed blood of 319 00:23:28,739 –> 00:23:30,739 Jesus Christ today 320 00:23:31,180 –> 00:23:33,339 Isn’t this a glorious promise? I 321 00:23:35,500 –> 00:23:38,479 Tell you the truth says Jesus all 322 00:23:39,819 –> 00:23:44,540 the sins and blasphemies of men will be 323 00:23:45,839 –> 00:23:47,839 forgiven 324 00:23:48,140 –> 00:23:50,619 But along with the glorious promise 325 00:23:51,760 –> 00:23:57,420 Jesus gives a grim warning and we need to see both look at it in verse 29 326 00:23:59,199 –> 00:24:01,500 Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit 327 00:24:03,339 –> 00:24:05,339 Will never be forgiven 328 00:24:06,260 –> 00:24:09,459 He is guilty of an eternal sin 329 00:24:11,479 –> 00:24:19,359 Now I know as every pastor knows that this statement has troubled many believers who have worried that they may have committed this sin 330 00:24:19,520 –> 00:24:21,520 Especially at some time in the past 331 00:24:22,199 –> 00:24:24,199 Let me give you this assurance 332 00:24:24,839 –> 00:24:31,540 That if you are at all worried that you might have committed this sin I can promise you that you haven’t 333 00:24:32,060 –> 00:24:34,560 Because you’re very concerned over it 334 00:24:35,400 –> 00:24:42,040 Indicates some desire to draw near to God and Jesus is talking about people. Who are doing exactly the opposite 335 00:24:43,839 –> 00:24:51,599 What then is this blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that is so serious that it would land a person in hell forever 336 00:24:51,640 –> 00:24:53,339 forever 337 00:24:53,339 –> 00:24:59,699 Well it is to do exactly what these teachers of the law have begun to do or at least are in danger of doing 338 00:25:00,619 –> 00:25:06,959 They saw the work of Christ and they concluded that he was in league with the devil 339 00:25:08,199 –> 00:25:11,119 and the sin that cannot be forgiven is 340 00:25:11,959 –> 00:25:13,959 very simply the sin of 341 00:25:14,719 –> 00:25:20,760 rejecting Jesus Christ and his work on a continuing and final basis 342 00:25:21,359 –> 00:25:26,579 all the sins and blasphemies of men can be forgiven through the blood of Christ 343 00:25:28,239 –> 00:25:34,000 but if you as these teachers of the law were doing reject the Lord Jesus Christ and die in that rejection 344 00:25:35,160 –> 00:25:39,599 There’s no way in the world that you’re going to enter eternity as a forgiven person 345 00:25:40,119 –> 00:25:43,579 You are going to find yourself eternally lost in hell 346 00:25:44,319 –> 00:25:47,020 for there is no other way by which a man 347 00:25:47,020 –> 00:25:53,060 Or a woman may be saved except by the grace of God through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ 348 00:25:53,319 –> 00:25:56,280 That is what Jesus is teaching here. You say well 349 00:25:56,280 –> 00:25:58,819 Why is it the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit then? 350 00:25:59,020 –> 00:26:02,859 Well, because the Spirit came upon Jesus at his baptism and from that moment 351 00:26:02,859 –> 00:26:06,180 The ministry of the Spirit is expressed in the ministry of Jesus 352 00:26:08,300 –> 00:26:12,560 Jesus does not say that the teachers of the law had committed this sin 353 00:26:13,599 –> 00:26:16,060 You can see that they were on the path to it 354 00:26:17,560 –> 00:26:22,579 And unless God granted them a radical reversal of their conclusion 355 00:26:22,699 –> 00:26:24,800 That path is the path to hell 356 00:26:25,300 –> 00:26:28,880 and that is what Jesus is saying to them 357 00:26:30,079 –> 00:26:31,680 See, the problem with these men 358 00:26:32,380 –> 00:26:35,239 is that they are educated rebels 359 00:26:35,520 –> 00:26:36,839 Educated rebels 360 00:26:37,479 –> 00:26:40,300 They could pass a Bible exam in Old Testament 361 00:26:40,680 –> 00:26:43,180 They could submit first-class papers 362 00:26:43,219 –> 00:26:44,300 At seminary 363 00:26:44,939 –> 00:26:47,040 especially to the Old Testament department 364 00:26:47,180 –> 00:26:48,040 You understand 365 00:26:48,979 –> 00:26:51,900 They loved to meet other people for Bible study 366 00:26:53,300 –> 00:26:54,739 Their knowledge was impressive 367 00:26:54,739 –> 00:26:57,699 but they refused to submit to the authority of Christ 368 00:26:57,739 –> 00:26:59,920 You can be studying in a Christian institution 369 00:27:00,020 –> 00:27:01,619 and that be exactly your position 370 00:27:03,760 –> 00:27:05,680 Pass all the Bible exams 371 00:27:07,040 –> 00:27:09,540 but you know that deep in your own heart 372 00:27:09,540 –> 00:27:12,319 There’s a resistance to the claims of Jesus Christ 373 00:27:12,339 –> 00:27:13,199 Even today 374 00:27:15,219 –> 00:27:16,780 You’re on the wrong path 375 00:27:18,780 –> 00:27:21,380 and you need to hear the grim warning 376 00:27:21,380 –> 00:27:23,859 along with the glorious promise 377 00:27:26,040 –> 00:27:28,979 God stands ready to forgive any sin through 378 00:27:28,979 –> 00:27:31,199 Jesus Christ, his son, who died for you 379 00:27:31,199 –> 00:27:32,280 That’s the promise 380 00:27:34,239 –> 00:27:36,199 but if you go on refusing this Christ 381 00:27:36,199 –> 00:27:39,239 there is no other way in which you can be forgiven 382 00:27:40,760 –> 00:27:42,180 And if you go on refusing him 383 00:27:42,180 –> 00:27:43,739 you will die unforgiven 384 00:27:43,739 –> 00:27:46,400 and that is the grim warning 385 00:27:47,800 –> 00:27:50,300 Now we’ve seen two responses to Jesus 386 00:27:51,739 –> 00:27:53,599 The demons who confess 387 00:27:53,599 –> 00:27:54,939 and they have to obey 388 00:27:56,219 –> 00:28:00,160 That’s not what a real relationship with Jesus looks like 389 00:28:02,439 –> 00:28:05,000 The teachers who study Jesus 390 00:28:05,920 –> 00:28:09,380 pass an exam on Scripture 391 00:28:10,219 –> 00:28:13,300 But for all of their acquired knowledge 392 00:28:14,560 –> 00:28:18,459 there is in their spirit a deep resistance to His claim 393 00:28:18,459 –> 00:28:20,339 over their lives 394 00:28:20,339 –> 00:28:24,900 and that’s not what an authentic relationship with Jesus 395 00:28:24,900 –> 00:28:26,000 looks like, either 396 00:28:27,800 –> 00:28:29,000 Here’s the third response 397 00:28:29,000 –> 00:28:30,939 and it’s the response of the family 398 00:28:30,939 –> 00:28:34,500 and we find it first in verse 20 and 21 399 00:28:34,939 –> 00:28:39,939 then continuing from verse 31 to the end of the chapter. 400 00:28:40,400 –> 00:28:41,660 The response of the family 401 00:28:41,660 –> 00:28:45,219 that is Jesus’ mother and His brothers. 402 00:28:45,219 –> 00:28:46,920 Mark chapter three in verse 20. 403 00:28:48,619 –> 00:28:50,780 Then Jesus entered a house 404 00:28:52,020 –> 00:28:54,060 and again a crowd gathered 405 00:28:55,420 –> 00:29:00,420 so that He and His disciples were not even able to eat. 406 00:29:02,140 –> 00:29:03,540 And when His family heard about this 407 00:29:03,560 –> 00:29:04,900 they went to take charge of Him 408 00:29:04,900 –> 00:29:08,760 for they said, He is out of His mind. 409 00:29:10,020 –> 00:29:11,439 Now perhaps just a little aside here 410 00:29:11,439 –> 00:29:12,699 but I think it’s significant. 411 00:29:12,699 –> 00:29:14,859 Some Christians seem to have the idea 412 00:29:15,920 –> 00:29:19,540 that Jesus lived a balanced life 413 00:29:20,660 –> 00:29:24,859 within well established boundaries. 414 00:29:24,859 –> 00:29:26,459 I hear that sort of thing a lot 415 00:29:26,459 –> 00:29:30,180 and I think that needs to be challenged 416 00:29:30,180 –> 00:29:32,660 in the light of these scriptures myself. 417 00:29:34,180 –> 00:29:37,420 Mark tells us that the demands 418 00:29:37,420 –> 00:29:41,060 on the Lord Jesus Christ were so great 419 00:29:41,060 –> 00:29:43,099 that at least at this point in His ministry 420 00:29:43,099 –> 00:29:46,520 it was not unusual for him not even to have time to eat. 421 00:29:47,699 –> 00:29:50,000 So that you know this isn’t an isolated statement 422 00:29:50,000 –> 00:29:52,300 in the gospel, you find exactly the same thing 423 00:29:52,300 –> 00:29:55,420 stated in Mark chapter six in verse 31 424 00:29:55,420 –> 00:29:57,979 so this was not unusual. 425 00:29:59,060 –> 00:30:00,859 Now I say this for your encouragement 426 00:30:00,880 –> 00:30:05,380 because frankly there are many in this congregation 427 00:30:05,380 –> 00:30:07,040 who know what this is like. 428 00:30:07,900 –> 00:30:11,420 You have been trusted in the workplace 429 00:30:11,420 –> 00:30:14,040 and within the environment of ministry 430 00:30:15,000 –> 00:30:17,780 and putting all the things in your life together 431 00:30:17,780 –> 00:30:21,319 you have been trusted with great responsibilities 432 00:30:21,319 –> 00:30:24,099 that bring with them great pressure. 433 00:30:25,380 –> 00:30:28,199 And frankly it is very easy for well-meaning people 434 00:30:28,199 –> 00:30:29,920 to say to you as they do sometimes 435 00:30:30,119 –> 00:30:33,020 you should pull back, you should ease up 436 00:30:33,020 –> 00:30:35,739 but the reality is that others look to you 437 00:30:37,180 –> 00:30:39,420 and there is a weight of responsibility 438 00:30:39,420 –> 00:30:42,459 that rests on your shoulders and God has given it to you. 439 00:30:44,560 –> 00:30:47,540 Now I find it helpful just to see in the scriptures 440 00:30:48,599 –> 00:30:50,760 Jesus Christ has been there. 441 00:30:52,719 –> 00:30:54,819 And when you’re finding yourself moving 442 00:30:54,819 –> 00:30:58,219 from work on the train and grabbing a sandwich 443 00:30:58,219 –> 00:30:59,819 or not grabbing a sandwich 444 00:31:00,839 –> 00:31:03,739 in order to throw yourself into some ministry, 445 00:31:03,739 –> 00:31:06,800 the Son of God knows what that is like. 446 00:31:08,520 –> 00:31:12,839 And if this is your experience then you should be thankful. 447 00:31:13,819 –> 00:31:16,160 Of course you will need to follow the example of Jesus 448 00:31:16,160 –> 00:31:20,339 in finding time to rest but if you find yourself 449 00:31:20,339 –> 00:31:24,040 at times working long hours in the cause of Christ, 450 00:31:24,040 –> 00:31:25,280 don’t complain about it. 451 00:31:27,119 –> 00:31:28,880 This is what the master did. 452 00:31:30,119 –> 00:31:32,520 And Mark makes it very clear, it wasn’t just Jesus, 453 00:31:32,520 –> 00:31:36,000 the disciples were caught up in this too 454 00:31:37,219 –> 00:31:40,719 and Jesus did not heed the well-meaning people 455 00:31:40,719 –> 00:31:42,819 who tried to slow him down. 456 00:31:45,060 –> 00:31:47,479 Now let that be an encouragement to some 457 00:31:48,479 –> 00:31:50,560 who’ve been trusted with great responsibilities 458 00:31:50,560 –> 00:31:51,459 in these days. 459 00:31:53,619 –> 00:31:55,640 Now, it’s not surprising in that setting. 460 00:31:55,640 –> 00:31:56,780 When you get the feel of it, 461 00:31:56,780 –> 00:31:58,540 Jesus not even having time to eat, 462 00:31:58,560 –> 00:32:00,280 God knows that Mary the mother of our Lord 463 00:32:00,280 –> 00:32:01,760 was concerned about him 464 00:32:02,660 –> 00:32:05,439 and so evidently were his brothers. 465 00:32:05,439 –> 00:32:08,000 This Godly woman loved her son 466 00:32:09,719 –> 00:32:11,760 and when she saw him missing meals 467 00:32:12,719 –> 00:32:15,459 and no doubt losing sleep, 468 00:32:15,459 –> 00:32:18,339 she became anxious for his health. 469 00:32:19,640 –> 00:32:21,719 The brothers, of course, take a harsher view, 470 00:32:21,719 –> 00:32:24,479 verse 21 they say, he’s out of his mind. 471 00:32:24,479 –> 00:32:26,939 Well, the brothers would say that, wouldn’t they? 472 00:32:29,099 –> 00:32:31,000 By the way, when you became a Christian, 473 00:32:31,000 –> 00:32:33,599 there were probably some people that said that about you, 474 00:32:33,599 –> 00:32:35,439 especially at first. 475 00:32:35,439 –> 00:32:36,640 Maybe there still are. 476 00:32:37,780 –> 00:32:39,699 Reading his Bible, praying, worshiping, 477 00:32:39,699 –> 00:32:41,839 how long does he spend in church on a Sunday morning? 478 00:32:41,839 –> 00:32:43,180 Must be out of his mind. 479 00:32:44,560 –> 00:32:45,660 What’s wrong with him? 480 00:32:48,000 –> 00:32:50,380 Now, Jesus’ family right here decides 481 00:32:50,380 –> 00:32:53,099 on what we would call an intervention. 482 00:32:54,099 –> 00:32:58,920 They want to take him back home, under their control. 483 00:33:00,780 –> 00:33:02,959 Verse 21, they went to take charge of him 484 00:33:02,959 –> 00:33:05,579 because they aid he’s out of his mind. 485 00:33:05,579 –> 00:33:08,819 By the way, and several commentators make this point, 486 00:33:08,819 –> 00:33:11,619 there is no reason in the text here for us to think 487 00:33:11,619 –> 00:33:13,319 that Mary, the mother of our Lord, 488 00:33:13,319 –> 00:33:16,459 thought that her son was out of his mind. 489 00:33:16,459 –> 00:33:18,979 But what seems to be happening here, at least, 490 00:33:18,979 –> 00:33:20,479 is that she was not able 491 00:33:20,540 –> 00:33:23,939 to resist the determination of her sons 492 00:33:23,939 –> 00:33:27,579 to restrain Jesus and to bring him home. 493 00:33:27,579 –> 00:33:29,099 That’s a point that’s made 494 00:33:29,099 –> 00:33:31,900 by some of the best commentators. 495 00:33:33,719 –> 00:33:36,579 What then is the response of the family to Jesus? 496 00:33:36,579 –> 00:33:38,040 Very simply, it’s this. 497 00:33:39,459 –> 00:33:42,459 That the family is connected to Jesus, 498 00:33:42,459 –> 00:33:44,420 obviously in a very wonderful way, 499 00:33:45,800 –> 00:33:49,560 but they want him to obey them. 500 00:33:49,579 –> 00:33:51,739 That’s the pointed issue here. 501 00:33:52,719 –> 00:33:55,660 They want to bring him, for the best of reasons 502 00:33:55,660 –> 00:33:56,619 and the best of motives, 503 00:33:56,619 –> 00:33:59,839 they want to bring him under their control. 504 00:33:59,839 –> 00:34:01,699 Son, you come home with us. 505 00:34:01,699 –> 00:34:03,140 We know how to look after you 506 00:34:03,140 –> 00:34:06,339 better than you know how to look after yourself. 507 00:34:08,459 –> 00:34:10,020 Now, of course, later in the Bible story 508 00:34:10,020 –> 00:34:10,840 in the Book of Acts, 509 00:34:10,840 –> 00:34:13,199 we find Mary praying with the disciples 510 00:34:13,199 –> 00:34:14,080 and wonderfully, 511 00:34:14,080 –> 00:34:15,679 James, the brother of our Lord, 512 00:34:15,679 –> 00:34:18,219 writing one of the letters in the New Testament, 513 00:34:19,179 –> 00:34:23,879 a wonderful tribute to his own family 514 00:34:25,219 –> 00:34:26,820 being his own followers. 515 00:34:27,899 –> 00:34:29,840 But clearly at this point in the story, 516 00:34:29,840 –> 00:34:32,659 the family is out of line with the will of Jesus. 517 00:34:33,600 –> 00:34:35,719 And this must have been painful for Jesus 518 00:34:35,719 –> 00:34:37,399 when his own family was out of line 519 00:34:37,399 –> 00:34:39,320 with his pursuit of the Father’s will 520 00:34:39,320 –> 00:34:41,500 because no one ever loved his family 521 00:34:41,500 –> 00:34:43,679 more than the Lord, Jesus Christ did. 522 00:34:45,979 –> 00:34:47,620 And so Mark describes the scene 523 00:34:47,659 –> 00:34:48,580 at the end of the chapter 524 00:34:48,580 –> 00:34:51,139 when the family arrives for this intervention, 525 00:34:51,139 –> 00:34:52,540 verse 31. 526 00:34:52,540 –> 00:34:54,760 Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived, 527 00:34:54,760 –> 00:34:58,520 and standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 528 00:34:59,520 –> 00:35:01,340 So the family are outside, 529 00:35:01,340 –> 00:35:02,459 it’s very dramatic picture, 530 00:35:02,459 –> 00:35:06,020 the family outside and Jesus teaching the word 531 00:35:06,020 –> 00:35:08,300 inside the house. 532 00:35:09,659 –> 00:35:11,860 In verse 32, a crowd was sitting around him 533 00:35:11,860 –> 00:35:14,620 and they told him your mother and brothers 534 00:35:14,620 –> 00:35:16,979 are outside looking for you. 535 00:35:16,979 –> 00:35:18,860 And Jesus asks, verse 33, 536 00:35:18,860 –> 00:35:21,120 who are my mother and my brothers? 537 00:35:22,179 –> 00:35:23,439 Extraordinary question. 538 00:35:24,500 –> 00:35:27,020 And then he looks at the circle of people in the house 539 00:35:27,020 –> 00:35:29,479 who are listening to his teaching of the word 540 00:35:29,479 –> 00:35:31,439 and they are receiving it from him, 541 00:35:32,500 –> 00:35:35,639 and he says, here are my mother and my brothers. 542 00:35:36,659 –> 00:35:39,699 Verse 35, whoever does God’s will 543 00:35:40,939 –> 00:35:44,820 is my brother and sister and mother. 544 00:35:45,800 –> 00:35:47,820 And don’t you think these words 545 00:35:47,820 –> 00:35:50,100 must have gone right through Mary’s heart? 546 00:35:53,659 –> 00:35:57,780 She, even she cannot hold on to him 547 00:35:58,719 –> 00:36:02,179 through the relationship she has with him by the flesh. 548 00:36:03,979 –> 00:36:08,979 Even his own mother must submit herself to his will 549 00:36:09,399 –> 00:36:14,399 and bow before him as her savior and her Lord 550 00:36:14,520 –> 00:36:19,100 along with everybody else. 551 00:36:21,179 –> 00:36:26,179 And if she must do this, how much more must you? 552 00:36:27,739 –> 00:36:32,739 If she cannot bring Christ under her control, 553 00:36:34,699 –> 00:36:38,100 how in all the world do you think you can do that? 554 00:36:39,360 –> 00:36:41,899 So here are three responses to Jesus, 555 00:36:41,899 –> 00:36:44,060 and I wonder where you might identify 556 00:36:44,060 –> 00:36:45,659 with one or more of them. 557 00:36:47,659 –> 00:36:52,300 Are you the kind of person who confesses Jesus, 558 00:36:52,300 –> 00:36:54,820 but you only obey him because you have to 559 00:36:56,439 –> 00:36:58,179 and when the constraints are off, 560 00:36:59,699 –> 00:37:02,419 when you’re traveling in another city on business, 561 00:37:03,979 –> 00:37:08,719 when you’re away from home, you’re a different guy, 562 00:37:09,600 –> 00:37:14,600 because your freedom reveals who you really are. 563 00:37:17,840 –> 00:37:22,840 Or could it be that you’re a person who studies Jesus, 564 00:37:24,620 –> 00:37:28,760 boy you can answer all kinds of questions about the Bible, 565 00:37:30,060 –> 00:37:33,459 but within your heart there is a deep resistance 566 00:37:34,699 –> 00:37:37,159 to him really being Lord of your life. 567 00:37:39,139 –> 00:37:40,560 Or are you the kind of person 568 00:37:40,560 –> 00:37:42,979 who has become in so many wonderful ways 569 00:37:42,979 –> 00:37:45,080 connected to Jesus, 570 00:37:46,419 –> 00:37:47,699 but what you’re really trying to do 571 00:37:47,699 –> 00:37:50,340 is you’re trying to bring him under your control 572 00:37:50,340 –> 00:37:52,379 because you have a list of things 573 00:37:52,379 –> 00:37:53,820 that you want him to do for you 574 00:37:53,820 –> 00:37:55,840 and that’s what the relationship is all about 575 00:37:55,840 –> 00:37:58,239 and that’s all that it’s all about. 576 00:38:00,159 –> 00:38:02,979 And all these fall short of obedience 577 00:38:04,159 –> 00:38:08,159 because something essentially 578 00:38:09,459 –> 00:38:11,199 is missing. 579 00:38:12,479 –> 00:38:14,820 And a faith that doesn’t lead 580 00:38:14,820 –> 00:38:16,500 to transformation of life, 581 00:38:16,500 –> 00:38:20,139 a faith that does not issue in obedience, 582 00:38:22,100 –> 00:38:25,360 what in all the world is the use of that? 583 00:38:27,600 –> 00:38:30,560 You may call what you have faith 584 00:38:30,560 –> 00:38:32,659 but it isn’t working. 585 00:38:33,639 –> 00:38:35,179 It has no power. 586 00:38:36,439 –> 00:38:38,520 It brings no light. 587 00:38:39,600 –> 00:38:42,239 And Jesus didn’t come into the world 588 00:38:42,239 –> 00:38:44,899 to give you the kind of faith that doesn’t work. 589 00:38:46,800 –> 00:38:48,780 So if you see this in yourself, 590 00:38:48,780 –> 00:38:50,540 you will feel with me 591 00:38:50,540 –> 00:38:52,639 that you want to come to ask God 592 00:38:52,639 –> 00:38:53,979 for His help today, 593 00:38:53,979 –> 00:38:56,360 to pursue a life of obedience, 594 00:38:56,360 –> 00:38:58,219 to save you from the kind of faith 595 00:38:58,219 –> 00:38:59,280 that doesn’t work. 596 00:39:01,620 –> 00:39:03,260 And I hope that many of us will feel 597 00:39:03,260 –> 00:39:05,100 that we want to pray like this today 598 00:39:05,100 –> 00:39:06,320 and to do that right now 599 00:39:06,500 –> 00:39:09,600 we’ll then gather around the Lord’s Table. 600 00:39:09,600 –> 00:39:11,679 If you feel within your own heart 601 00:39:11,679 –> 00:39:13,020 that you need to come to Him today, 602 00:39:13,020 –> 00:39:14,560 that is a good thing. 603 00:39:15,459 –> 00:39:18,179 Remember, He promises to forgive all the sins 604 00:39:18,179 –> 00:39:21,080 and all the blasphemies of men and of women. 605 00:39:22,360 –> 00:39:24,560 And if you feel your need to come to Him today, 606 00:39:24,560 –> 00:39:26,280 it means that you’re beginning to see 607 00:39:26,280 –> 00:39:27,840 what saving faith looks like. 608 00:39:27,840 –> 00:39:30,419 You’re beginning to get a glimpse 609 00:39:30,419 –> 00:39:33,560 of what a real relationship of Jesus 610 00:39:33,560 –> 00:39:35,639 is actually all about. 611 00:39:37,219 –> 00:39:39,840 Let’s bow in His presence in prayer. 612 00:39:41,520 –> 00:39:42,800 A simple prayer, and you might like 613 00:39:42,800 –> 00:39:44,760 just to make these words your own, 614 00:39:44,760 –> 00:39:49,760 as I offer them and you may make them 615 00:39:49,760 –> 00:39:51,320 your offering to the Lord. 616 00:39:54,560 –> 00:39:59,560 Almighty Father, save me from a faith that does not work. 617 00:40:02,280 –> 00:40:05,820 A confession that leaves me still rebelling against you. 618 00:40:06,820 –> 00:40:11,439 An education that leaves me still far from you. 619 00:40:15,620 –> 00:40:17,919 A connection that leaves me still trying 620 00:40:17,919 –> 00:40:19,860 to bring you under my control. 621 00:40:20,800 –> 00:40:23,080 Lord have mercy upon me. 622 00:40:25,120 –> 00:40:29,600 Lead me into the obedience that comes from faith. 623 00:40:31,340 –> 00:40:33,540 Walk with me on that path. 624 00:40:36,620 –> 00:40:40,419 Make me a true brother, a true sister 625 00:40:41,639 –> 00:40:44,100 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 626 00:40:46,300 –> 00:40:50,600 One who shares his commitment to pursue your will O Lord. 627 00:40:51,979 –> 00:40:55,639 And hear this prayer through Jesus Christ my Lord.