1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:02,900 I hope you have your Bible open at Mark’s gospel chapter eight 2 00:00:02,900 –> 00:00:09,800 we’re actually just about the halfway point of our series mark eight halfway through the gospel of mark and we’ve 3 00:00:10,240 –> 00:00:17,299 Learned many wonderful things and have many things still ahead of us, too. We’ve been discovering who Jesus is 4 00:00:18,559 –> 00:00:23,139 that he’s the Christ that is that he’s the Savior the one who can deliver a 5 00:00:23,360 –> 00:00:27,780 Person the one who can deliver us in every circumstance of life 6 00:00:27,900 –> 00:00:31,840 And that he’s the Son of God that he really is God with us in the flesh 7 00:00:31,860 –> 00:00:36,119 And that means that there is no one else like him. He is in a category of one 8 00:00:36,119 –> 00:00:40,220 He is absolutely unique in his person and in his glory 9 00:00:40,680 –> 00:00:45,180 And having seen who Jesus is. We’ve been learning more about what Jesus does 10 00:00:45,900 –> 00:00:52,259 Particularly what he does in the lives of his people and we’ve been learning together that he overcomes 11 00:00:52,820 –> 00:00:53,919 the 12 00:00:53,919 –> 00:00:58,060 Natural hardness that is in a human hearts towards the Lord 13 00:00:58,740 –> 00:01:02,459 he overcomes hardness in your heart with with great patience and 14 00:01:03,580 –> 00:01:09,800 for his people he cleanses us we saw that the human heart produces all kinds of envy and 15 00:01:11,199 –> 00:01:17,279 Foolishness and greed and all that stuff just keeps bubbling up from inside our human nature 16 00:01:17,779 –> 00:01:24,480 but the special work of the Lord Jesus Christ in his people is that he cleanses us and 17 00:01:24,800 –> 00:01:28,419 Therefore begins to bring a different kind of fruit in our lives 18 00:01:28,419 –> 00:01:34,680 so that more and more there may be wisdom and kindness and patience that is a reflection of the very 19 00:01:35,220 –> 00:01:37,220 character of God and 20 00:01:37,639 –> 00:01:43,279 As we go through Mark’s gospel, we’re going to see more and more what Jesus Christ does for his people 21 00:01:44,379 –> 00:01:46,879 That’s going to be very important for all of us 22 00:01:48,160 –> 00:01:51,500 Some of us being brought up in church. We’ve grasped quite clearly 23 00:01:51,500 –> 00:01:55,559 We’ve known from early on in life that Jesus died on the cross and he rose again 24 00:01:56,660 –> 00:02:01,459 But honestly, it may be for some of us that that has remained somewhat remote from you 25 00:02:02,300 –> 00:02:06,440 What you’ve not grasped is that the Jesus who died and rose 26 00:02:07,739 –> 00:02:15,119 actually works in people’s lives and if you become one of his people he will actually work in your life that 27 00:02:15,360 –> 00:02:21,460 That salvation is not simply what Christ does for us, but it is also what Christ does in us 28 00:02:22,539 –> 00:02:24,539 changing your heart 29 00:02:25,000 –> 00:02:27,000 Renewing your character 30 00:02:27,520 –> 00:02:30,979 Making you a new and a different kind of a person 31 00:02:31,600 –> 00:02:35,820 Giving you a love for Jesus Christ that you did not have before giving you faith 32 00:02:36,419 –> 00:02:41,020 That you have never really experienced before it is a real change that 33 00:02:41,699 –> 00:02:47,300 Jesus Christ brings in the life of a person who turns to him 34 00:02:47,539 –> 00:02:54,139 This is what Christ does for his people and maybe right now you would be saying you know 35 00:02:54,740 –> 00:03:00,699 if that’s what he does for his people, that’s what I need him to do for me and 36 00:03:02,880 –> 00:03:06,419 If you’re there, you’re already making progress 37 00:03:07,199 –> 00:03:14,399 You are being drawn to follow after Jesus Christ. You’re beginning to see and believe what he can do for you 38 00:03:15,820 –> 00:03:17,940 God is working wonderfully in your life 39 00:03:17,940 –> 00:03:18,199 well 40 00:03:18,199 –> 00:03:22,160 We’re going to follow further along that track and see something else very wonderful 41 00:03:22,279 –> 00:03:27,399 that Jesus Christ does for his people and our title today is that Jesus gives 42 00:03:27,600 –> 00:03:31,059 Sight to his people and I hope you’ll open your Bibles 43 00:03:31,059 –> 00:03:36,000 Then at Mark’s gospel in chapter 8 as we follow along in the scriptures together 44 00:03:36,699 –> 00:03:37,660 and 45 00:03:37,660 –> 00:03:39,979 The story has been read to us from verse 46 00:03:40,380 –> 00:03:46,179 22 that Jesus came to Bethsaida and the folks there bring a blind man to him and 47 00:03:46,820 –> 00:03:47,820 Jesus 48 00:03:47,820 –> 00:03:54,199 Spits on the man’s eyes puts his hand on the man’s eyes and asks hims verse 23 49 00:03:54,220 –> 00:04:00,820 Do you see anything this man looks up and he says I see people and they look like trees 50 00:04:01,839 –> 00:04:03,100 walking 51 00:04:03,100 –> 00:04:04,720 around 52 00:04:04,720 –> 00:04:06,720 now this is 53 00:04:07,119 –> 00:04:08,880 quite different 54 00:04:08,880 –> 00:04:13,639 From anything else that you ever find in any of the miracles of Jesus 55 00:04:14,979 –> 00:04:20,519 think of all the miracles that we’ve covered in Mark’s gospel, and we’ve thought about and learned from the 56 00:04:21,040 –> 00:04:23,040 healing of Peter’s mother-in-law 57 00:04:23,320 –> 00:04:25,320 the healing of the leper 58 00:04:25,640 –> 00:04:29,000 The healing of the man who was paralyzed on his mat 59 00:04:29,399 –> 00:04:32,880 The healing of the woman who had a hemorrhage 60 00:04:33,040 –> 00:04:35,040 even the raising of Jerry’s daughter 61 00:04:35,540 –> 00:04:40,179 Every one of these miracles was instantaneous and complete the Son of God 62 00:04:40,600 –> 00:04:44,000 Determined to heal and it was done in a moment 63 00:04:45,160 –> 00:04:47,160 This is the only 64 00:04:47,279 –> 00:04:48,760 miracle in 65 00:04:48,760 –> 00:04:50,399 all of the 66 00:04:50,399 –> 00:04:51,640 gospels 67 00:04:51,640 –> 00:04:55,140 Where Jesus heels in two stages 68 00:04:56,059 –> 00:05:02,859 He touches the man’s eyes and the man has some sight, but he doesn’t see clearly 69 00:05:03,660 –> 00:05:05,660 In fact, he says 70 00:05:05,779 –> 00:05:08,459 Well, what I see is like 71 00:05:09,100 –> 00:05:12,679 men, and they look like trees walking 72 00:05:13,459 –> 00:05:15,459 now I’ll tell you if you went to 73 00:05:15,459 –> 00:05:21,380 Lenscrafters for a new pair of spectacles and you came out and as you’re walking along the pavement 74 00:05:21,380 –> 00:05:23,339 You’re thinking boy 75 00:05:23,359 –> 00:05:28,040 The people, I’m seeing they look like trees and it looks as if the trees are moving 76 00:05:28,119 –> 00:05:30,500 You would turn straight round to go back into 77 00:05:30,779 –> 00:05:34,880 Lenscrafters and you say I want my money back because these specs are absolutely no use 78 00:05:34,880 –> 00:05:38,500 I mean, I can’t see clearly with them. Wouldn’t you say that and 79 00:05:40,000 –> 00:05:42,140 I mean there’s something puzzling almost 80 00:05:42,739 –> 00:05:49,059 Embarrassing about this miracle here, isn’t there? It’s just not like our Lord Jesus Christ to do something half-measure 81 00:05:49,299 –> 00:05:54,160 It doesn’t make any sense to us why when the Son of God touches this man’s eyes 82 00:05:54,480 –> 00:05:57,119 Can he only see in this? 83 00:05:57,720 –> 00:05:58,940 partial 84 00:05:58,940 –> 00:06:00,940 manner and 85 00:06:00,980 –> 00:06:07,500 I think the obvious question for us then says this is the only miracle that happens in two stages like this is 86 00:06:07,779 –> 00:06:13,140 Why would Jesus have done this? Why does he heal this man in two stages? 87 00:06:13,140 –> 00:06:19,179 Why does it take a second touch of the hand of Jesus before in verse 25? 88 00:06:19,200 –> 00:06:21,500 He finally says now I see 89 00:06:22,440 –> 00:06:24,440 clearly 90 00:06:25,579 –> 00:06:30,820 Well, the answer surely is that Jesus is using this miracle as a way of teaching us 91 00:06:31,600 –> 00:06:38,279 about what is happening in the experience of the disciples and also what will happen in our own experience as 92 00:06:38,739 –> 00:06:40,660 followers of Christ 93 00:06:40,660 –> 00:06:45,000 We’re going to see this morning that in verses 14 to 21 before the miracle 94 00:06:45,299 –> 00:06:49,380 You have disciples who do not see and Jesus rebukes them for it 95 00:06:50,040 –> 00:06:57,179 Then inverse 27 to 33. you have disciples who do see but we’re going to notice that they only see in part 96 00:06:57,980 –> 00:07:01,299 Then at the end of chapter 8 and the first verse of chapter 9 97 00:07:01,299 –> 00:07:07,820 We have a wonderful promise in which Jesus speaks of a day when those who follow him will see 98 00:07:08,500 –> 00:07:10,359 clearly and 99 00:07:10,480 –> 00:07:13,440 Jesus then is teaching us here that spiritual understanding 100 00:07:14,440 –> 00:07:17,239 Light is a gift from God 101 00:07:17,959 –> 00:07:20,899 But it comes gradually and it comes 102 00:07:21,500 –> 00:07:23,500 increasingly and progressively 103 00:07:23,820 –> 00:07:25,899 to his people 104 00:07:27,399 –> 00:07:30,899 Now before we jump into this passage one more other word-by-way of introduction 105 00:07:31,339 –> 00:07:35,700 the Apostle Paul tells us in second Timothy chapter 3 in verse 16 106 00:07:36,220 –> 00:07:41,339 that the scriptures are given to us to do us good in a number of different ways and 107 00:07:42,100 –> 00:07:46,619 He says particularly that all scripture is given to us for teaching 108 00:07:47,320 –> 00:07:49,260 for rebuking 109 00:07:49,260 –> 00:07:51,260 for correcting and for 110 00:07:52,019 –> 00:07:54,019 training in righteousness 111 00:07:54,459 –> 00:07:57,619 Now that should help us as we come to the Bible 112 00:07:59,000 –> 00:08:04,100 God has given us the scriptures for the purpose sometimes of teaching us sometimes rebuking us 113 00:08:04,440 –> 00:08:08,980 sometimes correcting us and sometimes training us in righteousness and 114 00:08:09,799 –> 00:08:16,899 I refer to that very simply because we’re going to see in this passage that there is a rebuke from Jesus to his disciples 115 00:08:17,739 –> 00:08:19,279 today and 116 00:08:19,279 –> 00:08:24,700 Therefore what I’ve tried to do is to hear that rebuke into my own life to hear the question of Jesus 117 00:08:24,980 –> 00:08:26,000 Into my own life 118 00:08:26,000 –> 00:08:32,979 and I hope we’ll all try and do that honestly together today rather than try and dodge a rebuke because we don’t feel comfortable with it and 119 00:08:33,580 –> 00:08:37,859 Then there’s a correction of Jesus that we all desperately need and 120 00:08:38,700 –> 00:08:40,900 wants to hear from the scriptures today 121 00:08:40,900 –> 00:08:47,780 And then also we’re going to see a wonderful promise that gives marvelous hope and all of that is in Mark’s gospel in 122 00:08:48,239 –> 00:08:49,619 chapter 8 123 00:08:49,619 –> 00:08:53,520 So I hope you have your bible open and let’s jump in here 124 00:08:53,539 –> 00:09:00,580 I want us to see first that Jesus rebukes his disciples who did not see and that is verses 14 125 00:09:01,000 –> 00:09:03,000 to 21 126 00:09:03,919 –> 00:09:10,440 Let’s follow the story very simply the disciples are in the boats and they’re crossing the lake with Jesus and verse 14 127 00:09:10,440 –> 00:09:12,440 Mark says they’d forgotten to bring bread 128 00:09:12,599 –> 00:09:17,979 except for one loaf that they had with them in the boat one loaf 13 men not enough for lunch and 129 00:09:19,280 –> 00:09:21,119 verse 15 130 00:09:21,119 –> 00:09:22,919 Jesus is using this 131 00:09:22,919 –> 00:09:29,020 opportunity of this quiet time on in the boat on the lake with his disciples to teach them and 132 00:09:29,219 –> 00:09:32,219 He’s teaching them about the power of evil in the world 133 00:09:33,000 –> 00:09:39,479 Be very careful verse 15. He’s warned them watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod 134 00:09:40,239 –> 00:09:43,020 Yeast is often used in the Bible as a figure for 135 00:09:43,820 –> 00:09:45,539 Evil evil influence 136 00:09:45,539 –> 00:09:53,039 And so he’s saying watch out for the evil influence of the Pharisees and Herod watch out for evil in the religious world and in 137 00:09:53,039 –> 00:09:55,039 The political world that’s what he’s saying 138 00:09:55,780 –> 00:10:00,260 Now think about the opportunity that the disciples have here 139 00:10:01,400 –> 00:10:05,679 They’re sitting in the boat a few feet from the Son of God 140 00:10:07,500 –> 00:10:09,500 God in the flesh is 141 00:10:10,159 –> 00:10:12,619 so near that they could touch him and 142 00:10:13,820 –> 00:10:15,820 He wants to teach them 143 00:10:16,619 –> 00:10:21,659 About how they need to be aware of the spreading influence of evil 144 00:10:22,140 –> 00:10:24,700 Within as it were church and within society 145 00:10:25,539 –> 00:10:28,559 within the religious sphere and within the nation at large 146 00:10:30,039 –> 00:10:35,840 Now you think of all the debates all the questions that have run through your mind perhaps and they’ve run through the mind of Christians 147 00:10:35,840 –> 00:10:40,520 Over 2,000 years that the disciples could have raised with Jesus at that moment 148 00:10:41,479 –> 00:10:43,479 What an opportunity 149 00:10:43,880 –> 00:10:48,080 Jesus, what are we to do about hypocrisy when we see it in the church? 150 00:10:48,080 –> 00:10:54,760 Jesus what are we to do about corruption when we see it in business and in government? 151 00:10:55,960 –> 00:11:02,140 Jesus, how can we be the kind of people who are really different from the world that we live in but engaged in the world that 152 00:11:02,159 –> 00:11:04,119 We live in so that 153 00:11:04,119 –> 00:11:10,219 We don’t come off as holier-than-thou, but really make a difference in a world that is around us 154 00:11:10,919 –> 00:11:17,760 All these questions you just wish that they had asked Jesus and drawn more from the master 155 00:11:18,080 –> 00:11:19,960 the boat 156 00:11:19,960 –> 00:11:27,739 But instead of seizing that opportunity what we find is that the disciples slide into a rather pointless discussion about having no bread 157 00:11:29,159 –> 00:11:31,400 You can just about imagine how this one goes 158 00:11:33,359 –> 00:11:36,159 Andrew whose job was it to bring the lunch today? Oh 159 00:11:37,080 –> 00:11:41,239 Peter, I brought it yesterday. So it’s certainly not mine. It must be one of the others 160 00:11:42,039 –> 00:11:44,140 Well, what we need here is a roster 161 00:11:44,359 –> 00:11:45,919 We need to have it organized 162 00:11:45,919 –> 00:11:50,679 done and a system to know who’s going to bring the lunch each day so that we don’t keep running out of bread when we’re 163 00:11:50,679 –> 00:11:54,179 On the Lake and we don’t have any other means of finding something to eat 164 00:11:54,559 –> 00:11:58,599 Well, who’s gonna draw up the roster then someone else says I 165 00:11:59,520 –> 00:12:00,880 Don’t think there should be a roster 166 00:12:00,880 –> 00:12:05,539 I think we should just delegate one of our group to permanently be on this job and to organize all of the lunches 167 00:12:05,659 –> 00:12:07,440 Yeah, have you been in a discussion like that? 168 00:12:07,799 –> 00:12:11,400 You know and it goes on and on you think my goodness me we never get anywhere here 169 00:12:12,460 –> 00:12:15,559 verse 17 aware of their discussion 170 00:12:16,440 –> 00:12:21,000 Jesus says, why are you talking about having no bread? 171 00:12:22,080 –> 00:12:26,900 And then I want you to hear the Scriptures here as they must have heard it surely 172 00:12:27,320 –> 00:12:33,479 because from verse 17 on Jesus Christ really gives it straight to his disciples 173 00:12:34,679 –> 00:12:36,580 Look at what he says 174 00:12:36,619 –> 00:12:38,619 Do you still not see or understand? 175 00:12:39,900 –> 00:12:41,900 Are your heart’s hardened 176 00:12:42,580 –> 00:12:46,520 Do you have eyes but fail to see and ears but fail to hear and don’t you remember? 177 00:12:47,460 –> 00:12:52,380 When I broke the five loaves for the 5,000 time any basketfuls of pieces. Did you pick up? 178 00:12:53,539 –> 00:12:55,539 12 they replied 179 00:12:56,419 –> 00:13:02,219 When I broke seven loaves for the four thousand time any basket fulls of pieces did you pick and the answer seven 180 00:13:02,900 –> 00:13:06,099 They said to them. Do you still not understand? 181 00:13:08,380 –> 00:13:14,179 Well, I think there must have been a long silence in the boat after that don’t you 182 00:13:18,020 –> 00:13:21,280 Jesus is clearly rebuking his disciples here 183 00:13:22,979 –> 00:13:24,099 And 184 00:13:24,099 –> 00:13:26,099 he’s 185 00:13:26,359 –> 00:13:30,219 Rebuking them not because they have no capacity of sight but because they’re simply 186 00:13:31,099 –> 00:13:34,380 Not using the light that they have already been given 187 00:13:37,099 –> 00:13:38,260 Their 188 00:13:38,260 –> 00:13:40,260 conversation is as if 189 00:13:40,619 –> 00:13:46,780 they were not his disciples at all as if they had no awareness of the one who is with them and 190 00:13:47,599 –> 00:13:49,760 The opportunity that is before them 191 00:13:51,299 –> 00:13:57,200 Would you turn to just one cross-reference today and it’s just back a couple of pages to Mark’s Gospel in chapter 4 I 192 00:13:57,880 –> 00:14:00,020 Think you’ll see why Jesus speaks to them 193 00:14:00,320 –> 00:14:02,320 strongly here when you look at this verse 194 00:14:03,900 –> 00:14:08,880 Because in Mark chapter 4 in verse 11 Jesus speaks to the disciples and he says 195 00:14:09,440 –> 00:14:14,219 The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you 196 00:14:16,200 –> 00:14:18,200 But to those who are on the outside 197 00:14:20,239 –> 00:14:22,239 Everything is said in parables 198 00:14:22,659 –> 00:14:28,260 So that they may be ever seeing but never perceiving and ever hearing but never understanding 199 00:14:29,219 –> 00:14:31,659 So you see what he’s saying? Now, you’re my disciples 200 00:14:32,320 –> 00:14:36,859 So the secrets of the kingdom are given to you. You’ve been given some spiritual light here 201 00:14:36,859 –> 00:14:39,539 You have received my teaching you’ve received truth 202 00:14:40,919 –> 00:14:42,919 you have understanding 203 00:14:44,200 –> 00:14:46,200 But to everyone outside 204 00:14:46,320 –> 00:14:49,520 it’s just in parables and they’re always 205 00:14:50,000 –> 00:14:55,799 Seeing but never perceiving and they are always hearing but never understanding now look back to Mark Chapter 206 00:14:56,520 –> 00:15:00,640 8 and verse 18 and look at the question Jesus asks here 207 00:15:01,580 –> 00:15:07,320 He says to them, do you have eyes but failed to see and ears but failed to hear? 208 00:15:07,500 –> 00:15:08,880 You see what he’s saying 209 00:15:08,880 –> 00:15:14,820 you’re my disciples to whom the secrets of the kingdom have been trusted but you are talking and 210 00:15:15,000 –> 00:15:17,419 acting as if you were outsiders as 211 00:15:18,059 –> 00:15:24,780 If you had never learned anything as if you did not even know me as if I had never even come into the world 212 00:15:26,380 –> 00:15:28,380 your conversation 213 00:15:28,859 –> 00:15:32,000 the whole way in which you are thinking right now is 214 00:15:33,280 –> 00:15:40,200 indistinguishable from someone who is right outside and has no knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ 215 00:15:41,119 –> 00:15:43,000 and 216 00:15:43,000 –> 00:15:45,039 Christ rebukes them for that 217 00:15:46,719 –> 00:15:48,719 Big time 218 00:15:48,859 –> 00:15:50,859 now 219 00:15:50,979 –> 00:15:54,159 I think that rebuke comes pretty close to home for us 220 00:15:55,039 –> 00:15:57,039 the rebuke of those who have 221 00:15:57,460 –> 00:16:01,559 Come to know much about Jesus, but live speak and act 222 00:16:03,640 –> 00:16:05,640 Indistinguishably from those 223 00:16:05,799 –> 00:16:10,960 Who are outside that’s the issue here and it calls forth from Jesus this 224 00:16:11,739 –> 00:16:13,739 Rebuke it’s rebuke 225 00:16:14,580 –> 00:16:20,500 The conversation just this week with someone who were talking about small groups in the life of the church 226 00:16:22,239 –> 00:16:23,700 This person said to me, you know 227 00:16:23,700 –> 00:16:30,239 It’s very important that we have the right kind of small groups in the church. And then he explained why 228 00:16:31,479 –> 00:16:36,460 he said I was in a small group for a couple of years and 229 00:16:37,400 –> 00:16:38,919 we were all 230 00:16:38,919 –> 00:16:43,599 Folks of about the same age and stage of life with younger children and so forth 231 00:16:43,599 –> 00:16:47,659 And we decided that in this small group. We would simply 232 00:16:48,520 –> 00:16:51,059 Do life together. That was the phrase 233 00:16:51,960 –> 00:16:53,500 and 234 00:16:53,500 –> 00:16:59,659 we met every other week and we got to know each other really well, and we talked a great deal about our kids and 235 00:17:00,859 –> 00:17:06,880 The guys got into all kinds of conversation about different ideas for putting extensions on our houses and so forth and so on 236 00:17:06,880 –> 00:17:08,880 We did life together 237 00:17:09,859 –> 00:17:15,000 He said I was in that small group for two years and I had a great time 238 00:17:16,739 –> 00:17:24,060 But honestly he said it did nothing to help me be a more Christ-centered person in 239 00:17:25,020 –> 00:17:32,199 Fact he said when I looked back what it really did was if anything it made me somewhat more worldly 240 00:17:34,040 –> 00:17:37,560 Now you see that is an incredible missed opportunity, isn’t it? 241 00:17:39,099 –> 00:17:41,099 Here is a group of 242 00:17:41,859 –> 00:17:48,260 Disciples of Jesus who could be helping each other to pursue a radically Christ-centered life 243 00:17:49,760 –> 00:17:56,660 But what they do is that they allow their conversation to slip down to a level which those significant and useful is 244 00:17:57,140 –> 00:17:59,520 indistinguishable from someone who did not know Christ at all 245 00:18:00,979 –> 00:18:02,979 It’s just life 246 00:18:04,119 –> 00:18:08,439 It’s like the disciples being in the boat with the Son of God and 247 00:18:09,500 –> 00:18:11,500 Tied up with conversation about bread 248 00:18:14,500 –> 00:18:18,920 Now I think we need to hear this rebuke at a number of different levels 249 00:18:20,280 –> 00:18:27,800 Because Christ is really looking to see what progress we have made for all the privileges we have received 250 00:18:29,760 –> 00:18:33,560 For all the blessings that God has poured into your life into mine 251 00:18:34,239 –> 00:18:37,000 what progress have we made as 252 00:18:37,180 –> 00:18:39,180 as followers of 253 00:18:39,900 –> 00:18:41,900 Jesus Christ 254 00:18:42,319 –> 00:18:45,140 think of the teaching these disciples 255 00:18:46,060 –> 00:18:50,400 Had received directly from the Son of God and Jesus says 256 00:18:51,560 –> 00:18:53,560 Do you still not understand? 257 00:18:54,079 –> 00:18:56,079 You still not got further than this 258 00:18:57,880 –> 00:18:59,880 Why haven’t you made more progress 259 00:18:59,920 –> 00:19:01,920 as 260 00:19:02,119 –> 00:19:08,199 You think of all that you have received from the Word of God over many many years perhaps in your life 261 00:19:09,880 –> 00:19:12,680 What progress have you made as a follower of Jesus Christ 262 00:19:14,760 –> 00:19:16,760 Think about that opportunity 263 00:19:18,479 –> 00:19:20,640 Here they are with the Son of God 264 00:19:21,560 –> 00:19:24,640 He said well that would be different if I had the Son of God with me 265 00:19:24,640 –> 00:19:28,040 You do have the Son of God with you if you are a Christian believer 266 00:19:29,000 –> 00:19:31,000 Think about it 267 00:19:31,020 –> 00:19:33,020 the same Holy Spirit 268 00:19:34,319 –> 00:19:37,699 who filled Peter on the day of Pentecost and 269 00:19:38,699 –> 00:19:42,560 Sustained John as he was languishing in prison on the isle of Patmos 270 00:19:43,140 –> 00:19:47,020 That same Holy Spirit lives in you 271 00:19:49,060 –> 00:19:55,579 Now if the Holy Spirit of God lives within you and you have that immense privilege, here’s the question 272 00:19:56,180 –> 00:20:02,400 What progress have you made as a follower of Jesus for all the years since you have professed faith? 273 00:20:03,619 –> 00:20:05,619 It’s a challenge 274 00:20:06,939 –> 00:20:11,739 The disciples had had experience of ministry back in Mark’s Gospel and in Chapter 275 00:20:11,900 –> 00:20:18,420 6 Christ sent them out on a mission strip two-by-two they had seen Christ’s work through them 276 00:20:18,839 –> 00:20:20,839 and 277 00:20:20,880 –> 00:20:28,439 So the rebuke comes back to us again for all the experiences of ministry and the opportunities and privileges of your life 278 00:20:29,959 –> 00:20:37,520 What progress have you made as a follower of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 279 00:20:40,239 –> 00:20:42,920 to our last congregational meeting we adopted the 280 00:20:43,739 –> 00:20:46,339 new statement of vision and mission 281 00:20:47,020 –> 00:20:52,300 That I think is already familiar to most of us. We talk about glorifying God 282 00:20:52,979 –> 00:20:58,000 by multiplying God-centred Christ-exalting world transforming believers 283 00:20:59,300 –> 00:21:01,300 and when we say that 284 00:21:02,219 –> 00:21:04,280 one of the things that we mean is 285 00:21:04,939 –> 00:21:08,060 We don’t want to be like the disciples 286 00:21:09,160 –> 00:21:13,660 Talking about bread while the Son of God is in the boat 287 00:21:14,500 –> 00:21:19,319 we don’t want to be the kind of people who carry the name of Christian and 288 00:21:20,060 –> 00:21:23,060 have the presence of Christ among us and 289 00:21:23,660 –> 00:21:27,560 Yet simply live at the same level of the world as 290 00:21:28,300 –> 00:21:30,739 If we had never come to know the son of God 291 00:21:32,300 –> 00:21:39,099 Live in the same patterns of behavior as if the Spirit of God had never been given to us to triumph over sin 292 00:21:39,959 –> 00:21:41,020 No 293 00:21:41,020 –> 00:21:46,060 as Christian people as the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ as those who commit to be his 294 00:21:46,199 –> 00:21:51,400 Followers if that is what you are doing and what you are ready to do today. God gives us a 295 00:21:52,040 –> 00:21:54,040 sacred trust in the world 296 00:21:54,979 –> 00:21:56,979 trusted with his spirit 297 00:21:57,459 –> 00:21:59,459 trusted with his gospel and 298 00:22:01,180 –> 00:22:03,119 We dare not 299 00:22:03,199 –> 00:22:05,199 Sink to the level of 300 00:22:05,719 –> 00:22:12,640 living and speaking as if Jesus Christ had never come and as if we had never known him or as if he had never given 301 00:22:12,640 –> 00:22:14,640 His spirit to us 302 00:22:15,280 –> 00:22:21,199 Lord deliver us from being the kind of disciples who do not see your glory. I 303 00:22:23,199 –> 00:22:25,819 Felt that Rebuke has done my heart good this week 304 00:22:27,920 –> 00:22:33,000 With all my privileges I ought to have made more progress than I have don’t you feel the same 305 00:22:33,979 –> 00:22:35,979 It’s a word of rebuke 306 00:22:37,579 –> 00:22:41,839 To privileged disciples who just I don’t see 307 00:22:43,939 –> 00:22:47,719 Now praise God he never abandons us in that position 308 00:22:47,719 –> 00:22:53,300 the Lord Jesus Christ rebukes us because he loves us and because he wants us to move forward and 309 00:22:54,819 –> 00:22:56,939 If you feel that rebuke this morning 310 00:22:56,939 –> 00:23:00,260 Then let’s follow with Jesus as to where he takes the disciples 311 00:23:00,560 –> 00:23:03,800 This because in verse 27 through 30 312 00:23:04,459 –> 00:23:10,079 We find Peter’s great confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ 313 00:23:11,099 –> 00:23:12,119 the Messiah 314 00:23:12,119 –> 00:23:18,640 This is really the center point of the whole of Mark’s Gospel comes right in the middle and it is of great importance 315 00:23:19,160 –> 00:23:24,839 they go verse 27 to Caesarea Philippi and Jesus asked the question now, what are people saying about me? 316 00:23:24,839 –> 00:23:26,839 Who do people say that I am and? 317 00:23:26,839 –> 00:23:27,880 and 318 00:23:27,880 –> 00:23:32,420 They give various answers and then Jesus asked the really important question now, what about you? 319 00:23:33,599 –> 00:23:35,599 of all you’ve learned 320 00:23:36,160 –> 00:23:40,900 With all you’ve heard in the church perhaps over the years. What is your conclusion about? 321 00:23:42,319 –> 00:23:44,319 Jesus and 322 00:23:45,760 –> 00:23:49,500 Peter faced with this question makes this most marvelous response 323 00:23:49,500 –> 00:23:54,900 And I hope that it is a response that you have made or if not that you will make today 324 00:23:55,839 –> 00:23:59,979 He says you are the Christ 325 00:24:02,420 –> 00:24:04,959 Word Christ means Messiah or 326 00:24:05,920 –> 00:24:07,020 Savior 327 00:24:07,020 –> 00:24:09,420 the one who has come to deliver people 328 00:24:10,239 –> 00:24:12,099 from sin and 329 00:24:12,099 –> 00:24:14,099 death and Hell 330 00:24:14,579 –> 00:24:19,819 The one who can be trusted in all these things the one who brings change in human lives 331 00:24:19,839 –> 00:24:26,599 The one who ultimately will bring the new heaven and the new earth in all of its glory and 332 00:24:27,219 –> 00:24:29,420 usher his people into the joys of 333 00:24:30,300 –> 00:24:32,479 eternity in his presence you are 334 00:24:33,400 –> 00:24:34,739 the 335 00:24:34,739 –> 00:24:37,119 Christ, this is a marvelous moment 336 00:24:39,500 –> 00:24:42,380 Peter has been around Jesus for a long time 337 00:24:44,300 –> 00:24:47,260 Just like some of us have been around 338 00:24:48,260 –> 00:24:50,260 Spiritual things for a long time 339 00:24:52,020 –> 00:24:58,140 But actually, this is the first time in the gospel that we have Peter or indeed any of the disciples making a clear-cut 340 00:24:59,599 –> 00:25:01,599 Decisive confession of faith 341 00:25:03,239 –> 00:25:07,319 Finally halfway through the gospel they get it and 342 00:25:08,760 –> 00:25:11,160 There’s something wonderfully decisive here 343 00:25:11,160 –> 00:25:13,599 I wonder if you have come to a wonderfully decisive 344 00:25:14,140 –> 00:25:17,140 place in your own life of saying I 345 00:25:18,060 –> 00:25:21,520 Have reached this conclusion and I take this stand 346 00:25:21,520 –> 00:25:27,000 This is my conviction and I stake my eternity on it that Jesus is the Christ 347 00:25:27,239 –> 00:25:32,880 all that if you’ve not come there you would come right there today and take your stand with Peter and 348 00:25:33,180 –> 00:25:36,719 Every other Christian throughout history and the whole Church of God and 349 00:25:37,599 –> 00:25:40,640 declare Jesus to be your Christ 350 00:25:41,300 –> 00:25:43,119 your Savior 351 00:25:43,119 –> 00:25:45,119 your Lord and 352 00:25:45,420 –> 00:25:47,420 your Master 353 00:25:47,839 –> 00:25:51,359 Mark as told us right from the beginning that this is what the Gospel is all about 354 00:25:51,640 –> 00:25:55,680 Jesus Christ the Son of God and no halfway through 355 00:25:56,439 –> 00:25:58,479 the leading disciple finally 356 00:25:59,859 –> 00:26:01,719 Gets it and 357 00:26:01,719 –> 00:26:03,719 You know it is a saving moment 358 00:26:04,119 –> 00:26:06,699 When you come to confess Jesus Christ 359 00:26:07,739 –> 00:26:12,920 Jesus your Savior when you come to trust him to believe in him 360 00:26:14,119 –> 00:26:17,260 Your whole relationship with God changes 361 00:26:19,180 –> 00:26:24,500 Remember Peter had been around Jesus had made sacrifices for Jesus all this stuff 362 00:26:25,660 –> 00:26:27,359 but being around 363 00:26:27,359 –> 00:26:30,500 Jesus making sacrifices for Jesus doesn’t save you 364 00:26:31,739 –> 00:26:35,339 You are not saved by anything that you do for Jesus 365 00:26:36,099 –> 00:26:39,400 you are saved by what Jesus does for you and 366 00:26:39,520 –> 00:26:44,300 And his work in your life his saving work in your life 367 00:26:45,079 –> 00:26:47,079 will take place as 368 00:26:47,479 –> 00:26:49,479 You confess him 369 00:26:49,839 –> 00:26:51,839 To be your Savior and your 370 00:26:52,880 –> 00:26:59,959 Lord it will be a saving moment for you to confess Jesus Christ today and to take your stand with Peter 371 00:27:01,939 –> 00:27:04,040 Have you come to make this confession 372 00:27:06,319 –> 00:27:08,979 Have you come to see that it is Jesus Christ 373 00:27:09,880 –> 00:27:11,560 in 374 00:27:11,560 –> 00:27:13,579 Whom you will find peace with God 375 00:27:14,959 –> 00:27:21,060 That it is Jesus Christ from whom you will find power to live a new kind of life 376 00:27:21,760 –> 00:27:22,640 and 377 00:27:22,640 –> 00:27:29,300 It is Jesus Christ on whom all your hopes of heaven depend. It all comes from him and 378 00:27:30,079 –> 00:27:35,619 if you have come to believe that about Jesus Christ, then you may want to come to God even today and 379 00:27:36,060 –> 00:27:42,239 Simply to make this kind of prayer to him. You may say Lord Jesus. I believe that you are the Christ I 380 00:27:43,319 –> 00:27:45,319 believe that you’re the only Savior and 381 00:27:45,640 –> 00:27:50,839 therefore I believe that you are ready to be my Savior and I ask you to be my Savior I 382 00:27:51,780 –> 00:27:55,800 Asked you to give me peace with God through your shed blood. I 383 00:27:56,979 –> 00:28:01,400 Asked you to give me power to live a new and different life that I don’t have of myself 384 00:28:01,619 –> 00:28:04,680 But you can give me that I believe that by your spirit 385 00:28:05,619 –> 00:28:09,439 And I ask you to walk with me from this day through my life 386 00:28:09,439 –> 00:28:15,640 And then bring me safely into your presence in heaven and I’m gonna trust you 387 00:28:15,939 –> 00:28:23,339 for these things because you are the Christ and this is what I believe and I put my trust in you as 388 00:28:23,599 –> 00:28:25,119 my Savior 389 00:28:25,119 –> 00:28:27,119 Today now if you will do that 390 00:28:27,160 –> 00:28:31,199 It will be a saving moment for you. I 391 00:28:32,199 –> 00:28:34,880 Think one of the greatest dangers for people who are around 392 00:28:35,239 –> 00:28:42,459 Church world for a long time is that you lose the sight of needing to come to this clarity of faith yourself 393 00:28:43,020 –> 00:28:48,300 Would have been very easy for Peter to say I’ve been with Jesus for a long time and to lose 394 00:28:49,439 –> 00:28:55,540 The need for clarity of personal faith in Jesus Christ 395 00:28:56,359 –> 00:29:02,199 and so I invite you to that today because it is so clear in the Scriptures and 396 00:29:02,900 –> 00:29:08,280 And especially for those who have been around church world for a while and if maybe you even been involved in 397 00:29:08,959 –> 00:29:13,280 Ministry and service in one way or another, but you’ve not come to this decisive clarity 398 00:29:13,280 –> 00:29:20,260 I believe that Jesus is the Christ and I put my trust in him will you trust Jesus Christ today? 399 00:29:21,319 –> 00:29:24,599 And it will be a saving moment for you 400 00:29:25,020 –> 00:29:30,520 and it will be the beginning of a whole new relationship with God and 401 00:29:31,000 –> 00:29:34,420 a whole new direction in your life as 402 00:29:35,560 –> 00:29:37,859 Jesus Christ is your Lord and 403 00:29:39,160 –> 00:29:41,000 your 404 00:29:41,000 –> 00:29:43,000 Savior 405 00:29:43,640 –> 00:29:45,579 Now 406 00:29:45,579 –> 00:29:49,079 Let’s go back to the story of the blind man and pick up the thread 407 00:29:52,020 –> 00:29:54,479 Remember that there were two stages in the miracle 408 00:29:56,119 –> 00:29:59,239 There’s a man who doesn’t see then he sees in part 409 00:30:01,260 –> 00:30:05,459 Then when Christ touches his eyes a second time he sees clearly 410 00:30:07,819 –> 00:30:12,319 Now we said that Jesus is using this to illustrate what is happening in the disciples 411 00:30:13,540 –> 00:30:16,339 When they’re in the boat with Jesus clearly, they’re just not seeing 412 00:30:18,099 –> 00:30:23,260 When they make this great confession that Jesus is the Christ, where would you place them? 413 00:30:24,939 –> 00:30:29,339 Would you say that at this point in verse 29 they are seeing in part 414 00:30:30,599 –> 00:30:33,660 Or would you say that they are seeing clearly? 415 00:30:35,959 –> 00:30:42,420 Let’s expand the question when you come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, where would you put yourself? 416 00:30:44,660 –> 00:30:48,780 Would you put yourself when you come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ 417 00:30:48,780 –> 00:30:53,140 Would you put yourself in the position of someone who sees in part? 418 00:30:54,219 –> 00:30:55,520 or 419 00:30:55,520 –> 00:31:00,079 Would you regard yourself as being someone who now sees clearly? 420 00:31:01,160 –> 00:31:05,000 This is a very important question and it has huge 421 00:31:05,859 –> 00:31:10,439 Practical outworkings as we’re going to see in just a moment’s time 422 00:31:10,800 –> 00:31:11,959 I 423 00:31:11,959 –> 00:31:16,319 Would just say I look at Peter’s great confession here. You are the Christ 424 00:31:17,079 –> 00:31:21,800 And I thought well, this is marvelous. He sees clearly. I want to put him in the see clearly category 425 00:31:23,239 –> 00:31:27,280 But then let’s read on just a few verses and we’ll see where the truth lies 426 00:31:28,280 –> 00:31:30,280 Verse 31 427 00:31:30,359 –> 00:31:34,439 Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things 428 00:31:35,920 –> 00:31:43,819 Verse 32 he spoke plainly about this and Peter took him aside and Peter began to rebuke him 429 00:31:45,199 –> 00:31:49,780 When Jesus turned and looked at his disciple, he rebuked Peter get behind me Satan 430 00:31:49,780 –> 00:31:53,180 He said you do not have in mind the things of God 431 00:31:53,920 –> 00:31:55,920 But the things of men 432 00:31:56,239 –> 00:31:58,619 It’s kind of a great letdown, isn’t it this? 433 00:31:59,160 –> 00:32:01,680 marvelous confession of saving faith 434 00:32:02,959 –> 00:32:05,819 and then immediately he goes and 435 00:32:07,239 –> 00:32:13,880 Tries to correct Jesus and blows it and shows us he doesn’t see that clearly at all 436 00:32:14,640 –> 00:32:15,839 So 437 00:32:15,839 –> 00:32:18,219 I think it’s very obvious here 438 00:32:18,219 –> 00:32:24,079 That what we have in these verses is Jesus correcting disciples who really only see in part 439 00:32:24,079 –> 00:32:25,479 and 440 00:32:25,479 –> 00:32:29,380 That is the position that Peter is in and that is the position that you and I are in 441 00:32:29,780 –> 00:32:32,020 throughout our lives in this world 44 00:32:32,900 –> 00:32:37,339 Peter has been given this wonderful light of knowing that Jesus is the Christ 443 00:32:39,099 –> 00:32:41,599 He feels so confident about his new 444 00:32:42,300 –> 00:32:46,520 Understanding that he now thinks he’s in a position to tell Jesus what to do 445 00:32:47,859 –> 00:32:55,000 And of course the first lesson that he learns here is that having trusted Jesus as his Savior he must take Jesus as his teacher 446 00:32:56,160 –> 00:32:59,260 The spirit is indeed at work in his life 447 00:32:59,699 –> 00:33:04,219 But he needs to be guided by the Word of Christ 448 00:33:04,319 –> 00:33:09,319 he needs to be guided by the Word of God and 449 00:33:09,500 –> 00:33:10,959 and 450 00:33:10,959 –> 00:33:16,479 For anyone who becomes a new Christian. This is one of the most important early lessons for us to learn 451 00:33:17,479 –> 00:33:21,520 When you become a new Christian you see everything seems wonderfully new 452 00:33:21,520 –> 00:33:27,040 Boy, I’ve suddenly got this understanding this light of faith. I’ve come to be one of God’s people 453 00:33:27,040 –> 00:33:30,000 I’ve been converted the Holy Spirit lives within me and 454 00:33:30,400 –> 00:33:36,300 You can easily slide into thinking that every impulse and every thought that you have there for comes from God 455 00:33:37,099 –> 00:33:40,540 You know trust your gut your gut will never take you too far wrong 456 00:33:40,540 –> 00:33:45,219 Well often it will and that’s exactly what we learn from Peter 457 00:33:46,260 –> 00:33:47,719 here 458 00:33:47,719 –> 00:33:50,660 He needs to be guided by the Word of God 459 00:33:51,660 –> 00:33:53,660 He needs to submit all his ideas 460 00:33:54,020 –> 00:34:00,380 About what God ought to be doing and he has many ideas about that to the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ 461 00:34:01,260 –> 00:34:03,699 Who will tell him what is true? 462 00:34:03,780 –> 00:34:07,479 See when you come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ 463 00:34:09,100 –> 00:34:11,340 You see somethings 464 00:34:12,479 –> 00:34:18,159 But you don’t see all things and it’s very important to grasp that 465 00:34:20,100 –> 00:34:25,179 Paul makes it clear to us in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 7. Do you remember what he says there? 466 00:34:25,659 –> 00:34:28,300 we walk by faith and 467 00:34:28,959 –> 00:34:30,139 not by 468 00:34:30,739 –> 00:34:35,620 Not by, not by sight, not by sight 469 00:34:37,399 –> 00:34:40,540 We do not see everything clearly in this world 470 00:34:42,860 –> 00:34:45,800 Or 1st Corinthians in chapter 13 in verse 12 471 00:34:46,679 –> 00:34:48,939 Remember Paul says there we see 472 00:34:49,860 –> 00:34:52,699 But a poor reflection in a mirror 473 00:34:53,520 –> 00:35:00,060 Only then when Christ comes will we see face-to-face 474 00:35:00,919 –> 00:35:04,840 But right now he says here’s what our sight is like 475 00:35:04,840 –> 00:35:09,419 It’s like looking in a first century bad mirror 476 00:35:09,419 –> 00:35:11,639 Which would give you a very poor reflection 477 00:35:14,939 –> 00:35:17,199 That’s what our experience is like in this world 478 00:35:19,320 –> 00:35:21,739 Paul says I know in part 479 00:35:21,739 –> 00:35:24,580 The Apostle Paul with all the revelation given to him 480 00:35:24,580 –> 00:35:30,580 He says I know in part, but only then shall I know fully even as now I am fully known 481 00:35:30,959 –> 00:35:33,939 So a proper grasp of the gospel 482 00:35:35,000 –> 00:35:37,360 Will give you both the confidence 483 00:35:38,239 –> 00:35:43,360 To know that you can trust Christ in all things and the humility 484 00:35:43,919 –> 00:35:47,520 To recognize there are many things that he has not yet revealed 485 00:35:48,120 –> 00:35:51,159 and we need both faith confidence and faith 486 00:35:51,459 –> 00:35:58,000 Humility without faith humility, we become arrogant and nobody will listen to us 487 00:35:58,399 –> 00:36:02,439 Without faith confidence, we become agnostic, and we don’t have anything to say 488 00:36:04,040 –> 00:36:07,219 So let us have great confidence in what God has revealed 489 00:36:08,320 –> 00:36:12,659 Jesus is the Christ. I know whom I have believed 490 00:36:13,879 –> 00:36:15,320 I 491 00:36:15,320 –> 00:36:17,320 Know that my Redeemer lives 492 00:36:18,040 –> 00:36:20,040 There is an 493 00:36:20,439 –> 00:36:24,020 affirmation of faith, that is sufficient for life 494 00:36:24,479 –> 00:36:30,260 That is given to us through what God has revealed in the scriptures, but please 495 00:36:31,800 –> 00:36:39,020 Let us not for a moment imagine that God will reveal all things to us 496 00:36:41,159 –> 00:36:47,179 See if you think that you’re going to be able to work out how every pain and every suffering and every 497 00:36:47,739 –> 00:36:49,739 trauma and every 498 00:36:50,120 –> 00:36:51,580 evil that 499 00:36:51,580 –> 00:36:58,340 God permits within the world how all of this is being worked together to God’s glory if you expect to see all of that 500 00:36:58,340 –> 00:37:00,340 Right now you will be desperately 501 00:37:00,340 –> 00:37:02,340 disappointed 502 00:37:02,399 –> 00:37:04,500 We do not see all things clearly 503 00:37:06,379 –> 00:37:08,379 The promise is 504 00:37:08,760 –> 00:37:10,760 That one day we will 505 00:37:11,260 –> 00:37:16,320 When Christ comes in power and in glory, then we will see clearly 506 00:37:17,100 –> 00:37:20,179 Until that day we walk by faith not by sight 507 00:37:22,060 –> 00:37:26,979 Putting our confidence in what Christ has revealed to us but exercising humility 508 00:37:27,560 –> 00:37:31,820 To say that there is so much that we do not yet know 509 00:37:32,159 –> 00:37:37,120 And that is why just like the disciples. We need to be constantly 510 00:37:38,020 –> 00:37:39,219 corrected 511 00:37:39,219 –> 00:37:42,340 By the Word of God. That’s what Peter needed here 512 00:37:43,179 –> 00:37:48,320 He thought he knew more than he did and he needed the word of Christ to correct him 513 00:37:50,620 –> 00:37:53,100 Here’s a question worth pondering just for a moment 514 00:37:53,620 –> 00:37:56,000 Are you living in the Word of God? 515 00:37:56,620 –> 00:37:57,659 enough 516 00:37:57,659 –> 00:37:59,659 to be corrected by it 517 00:38:00,260 –> 00:38:02,719 You say how much do I need to be in the Word of God? 518 00:38:04,360 –> 00:38:09,199 Amongst other things you need to be in the Word of God enough to be corrected by it 519 00:38:09,419 –> 00:38:14,199 enough so that where your thinking is off 520 00:38:15,600 –> 00:38:18,600 God may speak to you and bring you back online 521 00:38:18,979 –> 00:38:25,699 By his word it is for this purpose it’s been given for teaching rebuking correcting and training and righteousness 522 00:38:27,419 –> 00:38:28,500 And 523 00:38:28,500 –> 00:38:33,520 If you are a disciple who is not in the Word of God here’s what’s half will happen 524 00:38:33,520 –> 00:38:34,600 You’ll just trust all your instincts 525 00:38:34,600 –> 00:38:36,080 you’ll assume that they’re all God’s 526 00:38:36,080 –> 00:38:40,899 Speaking to you and leading you and you will end up a long way off track 527 00:38:41,919 –> 00:38:46,100 Because you’re operating as if you see everything clearly and you don’t 528 00:38:47,040 –> 00:38:49,040 None of us do 529 00:38:49,600 –> 00:38:52,159 We need the correction of the Word of God 530 00:38:52,300 –> 00:38:55,820 throughout our pilgrimage in this life 531 00:38:56,100 –> 00:39:02,320 So there’s a rebuke for disciples who don’t see there is correction for disciples who see in part 532 00:39:03,040 –> 00:39:11,120 That we only see in part but then there is a wonderful promise and this just in this last moment 533 00:39:12,560 –> 00:39:15,840 For disciples who will one day see clearly 534 00:39:16,479 –> 00:39:18,719 And it comes right at the end of the chapter here 535 00:39:19,199 –> 00:39:20,800 when in verse 38 536 00:39:20,800 –> 00:39:27,300 Jesus speaks of the day when the Son of Man will come in his Father’s glory with all his Holy Angels 537 00:39:28,080 –> 00:39:31,120 And then he says in chapter 9 in verse 1. I tell you the truth 538 00:39:31,840 –> 00:39:33,919 Some of you who are standing here 539 00:39:34,560 –> 00:39:39,280 Will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power 540 00:39:41,040 –> 00:39:43,300 Now Jesus is referring here to the transfiguration 541 00:39:44,479 –> 00:39:47,280 where Peter James and john saw his glory 542 00:39:48,320 –> 00:39:52,739 But of course the whole point of the transfiguration is that they had a glimpse 543 00:39:53,600 –> 00:39:56,639 Of what every believer will one day see 544 00:39:57,280 –> 00:40:04,479 When Christ comes for his people and his glory is wonderfully revealed 545 00:40:05,919 –> 00:40:09,679 Now we see in part 546 00:40:12,479 –> 00:40:16,739 Now there are some questions to which you have no answers 547 00:40:19,840 –> 00:40:24,479 Now there are issues where you say I believe that God works in all things for good 548 00:40:24,479 –> 00:40:26,620 But I just can’t see how he’s doing it here 549 00:40:28,639 –> 00:40:32,800 That’s what it is to walk by faith and not by sight if you could see how he’s doing it here 550 00:40:32,879 –> 00:40:34,879 You wouldn’t need faith anymore 551 00:40:37,280 –> 00:40:40,239 But the promise is that a day is soon coming 552 00:40:41,040 –> 00:40:47,520 When faith will be turned to sight and we will not simply believe that he works in all things for our good 553 00:40:47,760 –> 00:40:51,040 We will see that it was so 554 00:40:51,040 –> 00:40:53,040 So 555 00:40:53,840 –> 00:40:55,600 And on that day 556 00:40:55,600 –> 00:41:00,399 Every question you have ever had for god as a christian believer will be answered 557 00:41:01,439 –> 00:41:02,399 on that day 558 00:41:02,399 –> 00:41:09,280 The bible says god will wipe every tear from your eyes and on that day when he does it 559 00:41:09,679 –> 00:41:11,679 you will say now 560 00:41:12,399 –> 00:41:13,860 I 561 00:41:13,860 –> 00:41:15,179 see 562 00:41:15,179 –> 00:41:17,360 clearly 563 00:41:17,919 –> 00:41:21,199 And when you see clearly with all the people of god 564 00:41:22,719 –> 00:41:25,199 We will rejoice and praise him 565 00:41:26,399 –> 00:41:29,120 That he has done everything 566 00:41:30,479 –> 00:41:32,479 Well 567 00:41:33,840 –> 00:41:38,879 Now let’s take a moment to bow in god’s presence there are many ways in which we must respond today 568 00:41:48,320 –> 00:41:53,919 Maybe you want to take god’s rebuke to heart and to thank him for it and to say lord. Jesus christ 569 00:41:55,360 –> 00:41:58,000 I’m ashamed of my lack of progress today 570 00:42:00,399 –> 00:42:03,919 But I hear your rebuke and I accept it and I 571 00:42:04,459 –> 00:42:10,080 rededicate myself to grow in the light of all the privileges and blessings that have surrounded me 572 00:42:10,959 –> 00:42:17,500 And with new vigor to follow hard after you my savior and my lord, what a wonderful change that would be 573 00:42:18,419 –> 00:42:20,580 On this sunday morning