1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,600 Will you have your Bible open at Mark’s Gospel and chapter six now 2 00:00:05,600 –> 00:00:10,080 I think there’s probably a surprise in the title for our message today 3 00:00:10,740 –> 00:00:13,920 Jesus overcomes resistance in his people 4 00:00:14,680 –> 00:00:17,520 You kind of look at that you see that wait a minute 5 00:00:17,520 –> 00:00:20,940 We would expect the enemies of Jesus to resist him 6 00:00:21,120 –> 00:00:27,180 But surely the followers of Jesus the friends of Jesus God’s people surely there are the ones who love him 7 00:00:28,100 –> 00:00:29,900 Well 8 00:00:29,900 –> 00:00:32,720 it isn’t quite as simple as that and 9 00:00:34,439 –> 00:00:37,340 Sometimes we who love the Lord Jesus Christ 10 00:00:38,080 –> 00:00:43,500 Find a strange resistance to him building within our own hearts 11 00:00:43,980 –> 00:00:49,240 And we’re going to find this in the Bible in fact the theme of the disciples resistance to Jesus 12 00:00:49,540 –> 00:00:53,259 Begins in Mark chapter six and then it continues 13 00:00:54,040 –> 00:00:57,119 Through a large part of the gospel 14 00:00:57,200 –> 00:01:03,060 But I want you to see that this theme of resistance runs all the way through the chapter that’s before us today 15 00:01:03,400 –> 00:01:05,400 You notice that at the beginning 16 00:01:05,400 –> 00:01:11,180 We have the story of Jesus coming to his hometown and when he comes home, he is rejected there 17 00:01:11,739 –> 00:01:15,279 then there is the story beginning in verse 14 about 18 00:01:15,279 –> 00:01:21,839 Herod who hears the word of God from John the Baptist, but rejects that word in that he? 19 00:01:22,160 –> 00:01:28,080 Murders John the Baptist and then to a surprise we find in verse 52 20 00:01:28,080 –> 00:01:33,300 If you look at it there that Mark tells us that the disciples had not understood about the loaves 21 00:01:33,500 –> 00:01:39,540 Because their hearts the disciples hearts the hearts of the twelve were also 22 00:01:40,400 –> 00:01:45,139 Hardened now. This is a surprise Surely here. They are following Jesus 23 00:01:45,279 –> 00:01:48,599 If you look back to verses 7 through 13 24 00:01:48,639 –> 00:01:54,260 You’ll see that Jesus has just sent them out on a what we’d call a short-term missions trip verse 12 25 00:01:54,260 –> 00:01:58,820 They have preached the gospel to others they have experienced the power of the Holy Spirit 26 00:01:58,820 –> 00:02:01,279 They have even delivered people from demons 27 00:02:01,279 –> 00:02:05,720 They have been involved in Christ’s work and yet at the end of the chapter 28 00:02:05,720 –> 00:02:10,919 we find this very clear statement that the disciples hearts were 29 00:02:11,940 –> 00:02:13,940 hardened 30 00:02:14,520 –> 00:02:16,820 so if you find a 31 00:02:17,600 –> 00:02:24,960 hardness in your own heart at times as a follower of Jesus Christ, you need to know that you are not alone and 32 00:02:26,160 –> 00:02:33,800 There is much for us to learn in this chapter of the Bible about how we are to navigate this kind of 33 00:02:34,679 –> 00:02:36,279 experience 34 00:02:36,279 –> 00:02:41,360 Have you ever wondered as a Christian? Why do I not love God more? 35 00:02:41,360 –> 00:02:46,580 Why do I not have more joy in Jesus Christ? 36 00:02:48,699 –> 00:02:54,639 Why is it that when I come to worship so often, I find that my own heart seems cold 37 00:02:56,000 –> 00:02:58,000 Why is that now? 38 00:02:58,100 –> 00:03:05,020 see you’re asking questions about the the hardness that can grow within your own heart and 39 00:03:05,360 –> 00:03:06,419 And 40 00:03:06,419 –> 00:03:09,479 I have two aims for our time together today 41 00:03:09,960 –> 00:03:17,899 The first is that we will see how our hearts can be hardened that we’ll understand how that happens 42 00:03:18,320 –> 00:03:23,899 that’s going to be a very important thing, but second and even more important is I want us to see how 43 00:03:24,419 –> 00:03:28,100 Jesus Christ delivers his own disciples 44 00:03:29,000 –> 00:03:35,039 hardness of heart because that is something we will need many times in our own journey through life 45 00:03:35,759 –> 00:03:42,740 So let’s start then with our Bibles open by asking the question. What makes a hard heart and I want to suggest three answers 46 00:03:43,279 –> 00:03:45,279 first 47 00:03:45,360 –> 00:03:47,360 Hometown unbelief 48 00:03:48,139 –> 00:03:49,619 hardens 49 00:03:49,619 –> 00:03:50,940 your heart 50 00:03:50,940 –> 00:03:56,179 Now we’re looking at the first few verses of mark chapter 6 and please focus on them with me together 51 00:03:56,619 –> 00:04:00,300 We’re told here in verse 1 that Jesus went to his hometown 52 00:04:01,240 –> 00:04:02,979 Now that of course is Nazareth 53 00:04:02,979 –> 00:04:08,020 And you’ll see that he followed verse 2 his normal pattern when the Sabbath came 54 00:04:08,020 –> 00:04:11,080 He began to teach in the synagogue and many who heard him were amazed 55 00:04:11,660 –> 00:04:13,660 But look why they were amazed 56 00:04:14,419 –> 00:04:16,700 Where did this man get these things they asked? 57 00:04:17,260 –> 00:04:20,679 What’s this wisdom that he’s been given that he even does miracles? 58 00:04:21,399 –> 00:04:22,619 Isn’t this the carpenter? 59 00:04:22,619 –> 00:04:24,920 isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of 60 00:04:25,059 –> 00:04:32,019 James and Joseph and Judas and Simon and aren’t his sisters here with us? And they took offence at him 61 00:04:32,619 –> 00:04:35,700 And Jesus said to them only in his hometown 62 00:04:42,119 –> 00:04:47,160 And we’re told that Jesus could not do any miracles that accept play his hands on a few sick people and heal them 63 00:04:47,160 –> 00:04:49,519 So rather wonderful exception, I think don’t you? 64 00:04:50,920 –> 00:04:52,920 But it says he was amazed 65 00:04:53,660 –> 00:04:55,440 at their lack of faith 66 00:04:56,299 –> 00:04:59,100 That is in his own hometown 67 00:05:01,119 –> 00:05:07,799 Now here we’re learning something very significant that the people who were most familiar with Jesus chose not to believe in him 68 00:05:08,640 –> 00:05:14,399 And Mark is telling us that the response in Jesus hometown was noticeably different 69 00:05:15,019 –> 00:05:19,179 From the response that he recieved almost everywhere else 70 00:05:20,140 –> 00:05:22,140 Others welcomed him gladly 71 00:05:22,720 –> 00:05:24,720 but in his hometown 72 00:05:25,320 –> 00:05:27,320 They resisted him 73 00:05:27,799 –> 00:05:32,859 now that reminds us something that we find throughout the Bible, that unbelief is 74 00:05:33,579 –> 00:05:38,059 The besetting sin of those who are most familiar with God’s truth 75 00:05:38,899 –> 00:05:45,940 You find that in the Old Testament. Of course where God’s people were given his law and they were given his 76 00:05:46,260 –> 00:05:49,019 Promises but the book of Hebrews tells us 77 00:05:49,239 –> 00:05:54,679 that they were not able to enter into the promised land because of their 78 00:05:55,820 –> 00:05:59,660 Unbelief who’s unbelief the unbelief of the people of God 79 00:05:59,660 –> 00:06:04,459 the unbelief of those in all the world who were given the promises and the law 80 00:06:04,459 –> 00:06:09,899 and had been brought up with it over 40 years in the desert and so forth and so on 81 00:06:10,540 –> 00:06:14,820 Unbelief is the besetting sin of those who are most familiar with God’s truth 82 00:06:16,940 –> 00:06:19,100 So here is a snare 83 00:06:19,220 –> 00:06:20,320 for us 84 00:06:22,140 –> 00:06:24,299 I want to speak a word to 85 00:06:25,399 –> 00:06:26,339 young people 86 00:06:27,320 –> 00:06:29,399 who are being brought up in Christian families 87 00:06:29,399 –> 00:06:33,399 So all of the youngsters in the church will you will you listen up for just a moment 88 00:06:33,399 –> 00:06:36,980 Because I want to say something especially and particularly 89 00:06:37,899 –> 00:06:38,540 to you 90 00:06:42,220 –> 00:06:43,940 Growing up in a Christian family 91 00:06:44,619 –> 00:06:45,380 As I did 92 00:06:46,279 –> 00:06:49,600 And coming to church every Sunday as I did when I was young 93 00:06:49,600 –> 00:06:51,000 And that’s what you’re doing 94 00:06:52,559 –> 00:06:53,859 The biggest danger 95 00:06:54,640 –> 00:06:58,820 Is that you will hear many things about Jesus 96 00:06:59,820 –> 00:07:01,220 And just not believe them 97 00:07:02,100 –> 00:07:05,160 But you’ll just say yeah I know these things I know these things 98 00:07:06,019 –> 00:07:08,779 But not actually believe them 99 00:07:10,239 –> 00:07:11,559 And here’s the problem 100 00:07:11,559 –> 00:07:15,500 If you just learn things about Jesus but you don’t actually believe them 101 00:07:15,839 –> 00:07:16,959 You know what happens? 102 00:07:17,739 –> 00:07:19,339 It hardens 103 00:07:20,059 –> 00:07:20,940 Your heart 104 00:07:22,239 –> 00:07:24,260 So there’s an important warning here 105 00:07:26,000 –> 00:07:30,160 Now let me give you a kind of illustration to tell you why this is so important 106 00:07:30,760 –> 00:07:32,100 I want you to imagine 107 00:07:32,760 –> 00:07:34,660 The one night you cannot sleep 108 00:07:35,660 –> 00:07:39,399 And because you can’t sleep you decide you’re going to go and visit 109 00:07:39,500 –> 00:07:42,579 The track at your nearest high school 110 00:07:42,980 –> 00:07:45,100 So you go to the high school track it’s pitch dark 111 00:07:45,579 –> 00:07:47,079 But there is one light 112 00:07:47,339 –> 00:07:51,440 And there’s a beam of light that shines down on the track a kind of spotlight 113 00:07:51,799 –> 00:07:54,640 But the spotlight is programmed so it’s moving 114 00:07:55,040 –> 00:07:56,799 It moves round the track 115 00:07:57,140 –> 00:07:58,239 And you think, oh this could be fun 116 00:07:58,399 –> 00:08:00,079 So you get onto the track 117 00:08:00,299 –> 00:08:01,980 And you stand in the spotlight 118 00:08:02,179 –> 00:08:04,179 But because the spotlight’s moving you 119 00:08:04,839 –> 00:08:05,540 You have to move 120 00:08:05,779 –> 00:08:08,019 And if you don’t move with the light 121 00:08:08,220 –> 00:08:10,179 If you don’t move in the light 122 00:08:11,320 –> 00:08:12,480 Guess what happens? 123 00:08:12,679 –> 00:08:14,579 You find yourself out in the darkness 124 00:08:15,880 –> 00:08:19,739 Now, that little picture helps me to understand something that Jesus said 125 00:08:19,880 –> 00:08:23,540 That is very important for us who receive God’s truth 126 00:08:23,679 –> 00:08:25,839 Whether we’re young or even when we’re older 127 00:08:26,279 –> 00:08:28,380 And you’ll find it in John’s Gospel 128 00:08:28,540 –> 00:08:30,380 And Chapter 12 and verse 35 129 00:08:30,540 –> 00:08:33,739 The words will be on the screen so you can note them down if you’d like to 130 00:08:34,020 –> 00:08:34,880 Jesus said this 131 00:08:34,880 –> 00:08:40,320 He said, you’re going to have the light just a little while longer 132 00:08:40,940 –> 00:08:44,580 So walk while you have the light 133 00:08:45,520 –> 00:08:47,840 Otherwise, the darkness will overtake you 134 00:08:48,020 –> 00:08:52,179 You gotta walk while you have the light before the darkness overtakes you 135 00:08:52,840 –> 00:08:54,820 In other words, when you receive God’s truth 136 00:08:55,140 –> 00:08:56,320 When you receive God’s light 137 00:08:56,539 –> 00:08:58,380 You’ve got to move in it 138 00:08:58,539 –> 00:08:59,580 You’ve got to obey it 139 00:08:59,739 –> 00:09:00,880 You’ve got to believe it 140 00:09:00,979 –> 00:09:04,919 Because otherwise you find that you stop learning 141 00:09:05,219 –> 00:09:06,119 You stop growing 142 00:09:06,280 –> 00:09:08,919 What happens is that you end up in darkness 143 00:09:09,320 –> 00:09:12,380 And your heart is hardened 144 00:09:13,979 –> 00:09:18,679 Very simply, unbelief is a decision or a choice 145 00:09:19,780 –> 00:09:22,419 Not to follow the light that you have received 146 00:09:23,119 –> 00:09:23,580 That’s what it is 147 00:09:23,780 –> 00:09:26,239 Unbelief is a choice or a decision 148 00:09:26,739 –> 00:09:29,419 Not to follow the light that you have received 149 00:09:29,520 –> 00:09:32,979 And it always ends up with hardening your heart 150 00:09:33,179 –> 00:09:34,880 And the Bible’s full of examples 151 00:09:35,820 –> 00:09:38,559 Remember, Pharaoh received light from God 152 00:09:38,719 –> 00:09:40,119 He saw miracles 153 00:09:40,260 –> 00:09:42,080 All these plagues, they were miracles 154 00:09:42,719 –> 00:09:44,380 But he didn’t follow the light he received 155 00:09:44,619 –> 00:09:46,859 And his heart was hardened 156 00:09:48,219 –> 00:09:50,880 Nebuchadnezzar was wonderfully blessed by God 157 00:09:51,080 –> 00:09:53,619 Just all kinds of success Nebuchadnezzar had 158 00:09:54,119 –> 00:09:55,320 And it was given to him by God 159 00:09:55,520 –> 00:09:57,380 But he didn’t follow the light he received from God 160 00:09:57,619 –> 00:09:59,380 And what happened, his heart was hardened 161 00:09:59,820 –> 00:10:02,020 Saul was the first king of Israel 162 00:10:02,219 –> 00:10:05,380 God put him in a position of leadership among God’s people 163 00:10:05,520 –> 00:10:07,820 But he didn’t follow the light that God gave him 164 00:10:08,020 –> 00:10:10,119 He turned away from it And his heart was hardened 165 00:10:10,460 –> 00:10:12,320 And think of this 166 00:10:12,520 –> 00:10:15,080 Judas was one of the twelve 167 00:10:16,419 –> 00:10:19,080 And he chose not to follow the light that he received 168 00:10:19,320 –> 00:10:22,219 And his heart also was hardened 169 00:10:22,419 –> 00:10:24,919 So, unbelief hardens your heart 170 00:10:25,119 –> 00:10:26,320 And the greatest danger for us 171 00:10:26,520 –> 00:10:27,719 Who hear God’s Word 172 00:10:28,119 –> 00:10:30,919 And learn many things about the Lord Jesus Christ every Sunday 173 00:10:31,119 –> 00:10:32,059 In that we just hear them 174 00:10:32,320 –> 00:10:37,000 But we do not obey, practice, believe what we learn 175 00:10:37,119 –> 00:10:41,520 And unbelief hardens your heart 176 00:10:41,719 –> 00:10:43,919 So don’t let that happen to you 177 00:10:44,119 –> 00:10:46,520 Be someone who believes the Word of God 178 00:10:46,719 –> 00:10:47,919 As God teaches you 179 00:10:48,119 –> 00:10:48,919 As God gives you light 180 00:10:49,119 –> 00:10:50,219 As you understand things 181 00:10:50,320 –> 00:10:52,520 Believe what God is teaching you 182 00:10:53,219 –> 00:10:55,219 And you will find that you grow as a Christian life 183 00:10:55,320 –> 00:10:56,820 Unbelief hardens your heart 184 00:10:57,059 –> 00:10:59,820 Here’s a second way in which we can become hard 185 00:10:59,919 –> 00:11:01,320 If we are not careful 186 00:11:01,619 –> 00:11:02,820 Habitual sin 187 00:11:03,119 –> 00:11:04,820 That sin repeated many times 188 00:11:05,219 –> 00:11:07,020 Hardens your heart 189 00:11:07,520 –> 00:11:11,119 I am taking this from verses 14-29 190 00:11:11,320 –> 00:11:13,619 When we’re told this terrible story really 191 00:11:13,719 –> 00:11:15,219 About King Herod 192 00:11:15,419 –> 00:11:18,919 And how he murders John the Baptist 193 00:11:19,219 –> 00:11:20,320 And if you look at verse 20 194 00:11:20,419 –> 00:11:22,419 You’ll see there 195 00:11:22,619 –> 00:11:26,219 That King Herod knew that John was a righteous man 196 00:11:26,219 –> 00:11:27,320 He was a holy man 197 00:11:27,419 –> 00:11:30,919 And he even liked to hear John teaching the truth 198 00:11:31,020 –> 00:11:32,419 He liked to listen to John 199 00:11:32,719 –> 00:11:34,419 Mark says in verse 20 200 00:11:35,820 –> 00:11:37,119 But here’s the strange thing 201 00:11:37,219 –> 00:11:38,619 That this man Herod 202 00:11:38,719 –> 00:11:40,619 Who liked to hear the truth 203 00:11:41,020 –> 00:11:42,119 He liked to hear a sermon 204 00:11:42,219 –> 00:11:44,320 He liked preaching and so forth 205 00:11:44,419 –> 00:11:45,520 He liked to hear the truth 206 00:11:45,619 –> 00:11:47,520 But what he did was he followed the flesh 207 00:11:47,820 –> 00:11:49,020 So there was a kinda double thing 208 00:11:49,119 –> 00:11:50,619 Going on in his life 209 00:11:50,719 –> 00:11:52,619 And that hardens your heart 210 00:11:53,619 –> 00:11:55,419 We know that Herod’s palace 211 00:11:55,520 –> 00:11:57,919 Was really a den of indulgence 212 00:11:58,820 –> 00:12:01,520 And you get the flavour of what his palace was like 213 00:12:02,020 –> 00:12:03,219 When you read this story 214 00:12:03,419 –> 00:12:04,820 It tells us about a party 215 00:12:05,020 –> 00:12:07,520 It must’ve been a very drunken kinda party I think 216 00:12:07,619 –> 00:12:11,320 Because Herod at one point sees a girl dancing 217 00:12:11,520 –> 00:12:14,020 And he makes this extraordinary offer 218 00:12:14,119 –> 00:12:15,820 He says, well you can ask me anything you want 219 00:12:15,919 –> 00:12:16,820 And I’ll give it to you 220 00:12:16,919 –> 00:12:18,419 Even up to half of my kingdom 221 00:12:19,520 –> 00:12:20,520 And the girl asks her mother 222 00:12:20,619 –> 00:12:21,820 What should I ask for? 223 00:12:22,020 –> 00:12:25,219 And the mother says, you just ask for the head of John the baptist 224 00:12:25,320 –> 00:12:28,020 And Herod agreed to the murder 225 00:12:29,020 –> 00:12:30,020 Of the man 226 00:12:30,820 –> 00:12:32,619 Who spoke the word of God 227 00:12:33,119 –> 00:12:35,520 See that is what sin does to you 228 00:12:35,719 –> 00:12:39,020 The habit of indulging the flesh hardens your heart 229 00:12:39,219 –> 00:12:42,020 And that really is the warning that we receive 230 00:12:42,320 –> 00:12:44,020 From the story of Herod 231 00:12:45,020 –> 00:12:46,320 Something fascinating happened 232 00:12:46,419 –> 00:12:48,020 I found it interesting 233 00:12:49,119 –> 00:12:50,419 It gave me some light 234 00:12:50,719 –> 00:12:54,320 I was working on preparing this message on Friday morning 235 00:12:54,419 –> 00:12:55,320 At home 236 00:12:55,419 –> 00:12:56,820 Working on the computer and writing 237 00:12:58,119 –> 00:13:00,719 An email came through from the church office here 238 00:13:00,719 –> 00:13:02,719 And it was a warning 239 00:13:03,119 –> 00:13:06,619 About an email virus that is going around 240 00:13:07,119 –> 00:13:08,320 And this is what it has said 241 00:13:08,320 –> 00:13:09,919 This is what came through 242 00:13:10,020 –> 00:13:12,119 I was working on this message right here 243 00:13:12,619 –> 00:13:13,320 It said 244 00:13:13,919 –> 00:13:16,520 If you receive an email 245 00:13:16,719 –> 00:13:18,520 With a PowerPoint 246 00:13:18,919 –> 00:13:20,820 With a presentation named 247 00:13:21,119 –> 00:13:23,020 Life is beautiful 248 00:13:23,419 –> 00:13:26,520 Do not open the file under any circumstances 249 00:13:27,419 –> 00:13:28,719 Delete it immediately 250 00:13:30,320 –> 00:13:32,219 If you open this file 251 00:13:32,820 –> 00:13:35,320 A message will appear on your screen saying 252 00:13:35,320 –> 00:13:36,619 Its too late now 253 00:13:36,619 –> 00:13:38,619 Your life is no longer beautiful 254 00:13:40,320 –> 00:13:43,219 Subsequently you will lose everything on your PC 255 00:13:43,219 –> 00:13:44,219 On your computer 256 00:13:44,820 –> 00:13:46,119 And the person who sent it to you 257 00:13:46,119 –> 00:13:48,219 Will gain access to your name 258 00:13:48,619 –> 00:13:49,820 And your password 259 00:13:52,320 –> 00:13:54,820 Now that arrived just as I was looking at a verse 260 00:13:55,419 –> 00:13:59,320 In Hebrews chapter 3 and verse 13 261 00:14:00,719 –> 00:14:01,520 The writer says 262 00:14:01,919 –> 00:14:05,520 Be very careful that you are not hardened 263 00:14:05,919 –> 00:14:08,520 By sins deceitfulness 264 00:14:09,719 –> 00:14:10,919 Sins deceitfulness 265 00:14:11,719 –> 00:14:14,059 And you see sins deceitfulness is just that 266 00:14:14,059 –> 00:14:15,719 It promises a happiness 267 00:14:16,219 –> 00:14:17,320 That it cannot deliver 268 00:14:17,320 –> 00:14:19,419 It deceives, it draws us in 269 00:14:19,619 –> 00:14:20,719 And then it destroys 270 00:14:21,099 –> 00:14:22,940 Just like that computer virus 271 00:14:23,419 –> 00:14:24,539 Life is beautiful 272 00:14:24,619 –> 00:14:25,979 Oh I want to know more about that 273 00:14:25,979 –> 00:14:27,219 What’s this? Life is beautiful 274 00:14:28,760 –> 00:14:29,400 I open it up 275 00:14:30,320 –> 00:14:31,780 And it destroys 276 00:14:33,739 –> 00:14:36,440 Now you see that’s the deceitfulness of sin 277 00:14:36,440 –> 00:14:38,119 That the Bible warns against 278 00:14:38,119 –> 00:14:39,799 It hardens your heart 279 00:14:39,799 –> 00:14:41,700 It destroys your life 280 00:14:41,700 –> 00:14:44,260 And you know the Christian is in a constant battle 281 00:14:44,260 –> 00:14:45,880 Against two things 282 00:14:45,900 –> 00:14:47,820 We’re always battling against sin 283 00:14:47,820 –> 00:14:50,640 And we’re always battling against the power of unbelief 284 00:14:51,059 –> 00:14:53,919 And that is why in Hebrews 3 in verse 12 285 00:14:54,140 –> 00:14:55,520 The writer says, brothers 286 00:14:55,520 –> 00:14:56,659 He’s writing to Christians 287 00:14:56,659 –> 00:14:58,940 See to it that none of you 288 00:14:58,940 –> 00:15:01,700 Have a sinful, unbelieving heart 289 00:15:01,719 –> 00:15:02,919 Why these two things? 290 00:15:03,119 –> 00:15:05,260 Because unbelief hardens your heart 291 00:15:05,260 –> 00:15:09,760 And habitual sin hardens your heart 292 00:15:09,760 –> 00:15:12,280 It makes you cold towards God 293 00:15:12,780 –> 00:15:15,059 And dull towards his Word 294 00:15:15,179 –> 00:15:17,239 And it puts a shell around you 295 00:15:17,239 –> 00:15:19,119 That makes you resistant 296 00:15:20,140 –> 00:15:21,239 So see to it 297 00:15:21,760 –> 00:15:23,679 That these things are not growing in you 298 00:15:24,119 –> 00:15:26,539 Now, there’s two things that may cause 299 00:15:26,539 –> 00:15:28,280 Hardness of heart 300 00:15:28,520 –> 00:15:31,000 First, hometown unbelief 301 00:15:31,359 –> 00:15:34,500 And second, habitual sin 302 00:15:34,500 –> 00:15:35,400 Here’s the third 303 00:15:36,700 –> 00:15:42,000 Hidden resentment hardens your heart 304 00:15:42,760 –> 00:15:44,479 Now I want us to focus in on what’s happening 305 00:15:44,500 –> 00:15:46,380 Particularly to the disciples 306 00:15:46,380 –> 00:15:47,919 We’ve looked at what happened in Nazareth 307 00:15:47,919 –> 00:15:49,840 And what happened to Herod 308 00:15:50,119 –> 00:15:52,059 But the disciples are in a different position 309 00:15:52,059 –> 00:15:52,859 From these folks 310 00:15:52,859 –> 00:15:54,020 What’s happening to them? 311 00:15:54,400 –> 00:15:57,559 Well let’s look at verses 30 through 56 312 00:15:58,200 –> 00:16:00,140 This hardness in the disciples 313 00:16:00,140 –> 00:16:02,380 Is a new turn in the story 314 00:16:03,119 –> 00:16:04,679 Up until now, the disciples 315 00:16:04,679 –> 00:16:06,359 Have been in awe of Jesus 316 00:16:06,359 –> 00:16:07,619 You know, who is this? 317 00:16:07,619 –> 00:16:11,320 That even the winds and the waves obey him 318 00:16:12,320 –> 00:16:14,359 But now they’ve got involved in ministry 319 00:16:14,960 –> 00:16:17,260 And as that has happened 320 00:16:17,260 –> 00:16:19,840 They have found new questions 321 00:16:19,840 –> 00:16:21,320 And new frustrations 322 00:16:21,320 –> 00:16:23,640 That they did not have before 323 00:16:24,359 –> 00:16:26,059 And I want you to notice 324 00:16:26,059 –> 00:16:27,679 That the particular struggle 325 00:16:27,679 –> 00:16:29,840 The disciples come to here 326 00:16:30,400 –> 00:16:33,760 Is one that comes further down the line 327 00:16:33,760 –> 00:16:35,960 Of following the Lord Jesus Christ 328 00:16:35,960 –> 00:16:38,320 It comes to them after 329 00:16:38,320 –> 00:16:39,919 They’ve been involved in ministry 330 00:16:39,919 –> 00:16:41,359 After verse 12 331 00:16:41,359 –> 00:16:43,080 They’ve been preaching to others 332 00:16:43,119 –> 00:16:44,640 After verse 13 333 00:16:44,640 –> 00:16:45,640 They’ve been used by the 334 00:16:45,640 –> 00:16:47,419 Power of the Holy Spirit 335 00:16:47,419 –> 00:16:49,880 So this is something that may not come 336 00:16:49,880 –> 00:16:52,159 To a younger Christian 337 00:16:52,479 –> 00:16:55,080 As to a mature believer 338 00:16:55,479 –> 00:16:57,080 Who has been following Christ 339 00:16:57,080 –> 00:16:59,520 And serving Christ for some time 340 00:16:59,520 –> 00:17:01,440 And suddenly to your surprise 341 00:17:01,440 –> 00:17:02,880 You find yourself right 342 00:17:02,880 –> 00:17:05,540 Where the disciples were 343 00:17:05,540 –> 00:17:08,040 Here in Mark and chapter 6 344 00:17:08,040 –> 00:17:10,079 Some struggles in the Christian life 345 00:17:10,079 –> 00:17:13,359 To come further down the track 346 00:17:13,359 –> 00:17:14,680 You move through life 347 00:17:14,680 –> 00:17:16,599 You’ve been a Christian 10, 20, 30 years 348 00:17:16,599 –> 00:17:17,920 And now you see things 349 00:17:17,920 –> 00:17:21,560 That make no sense to you 350 00:17:21,800 –> 00:17:22,979 You experienced things 351 00:17:22,979 –> 00:17:24,640 God allows things that 352 00:17:24,640 –> 00:17:27,680 You do not understand 353 00:17:27,680 –> 00:17:29,160 And you may well find 354 00:17:29,160 –> 00:17:31,520 As a mature believer 355 00:17:31,520 –> 00:17:33,359 A resentment towards Jesus 356 00:17:33,359 –> 00:17:35,160 Growing within your heart 357 00:17:35,160 –> 00:17:36,839 Well that’s what we’re looking at this 358 00:17:36,839 –> 00:17:37,839 In verse 52 359 00:17:37,839 –> 00:17:38,839 When we read that 360 00:17:38,839 –> 00:17:39,839 Their hearts were hardened 361 00:17:40,640 –> 00:17:42,439 How did this happen? 362 00:17:42,439 –> 00:17:45,359 When did this happen? 363 00:17:45,359 –> 00:17:46,959 Well remember first 364 00:17:46,959 –> 00:17:48,000 That at the point of time 365 00:17:48,000 –> 00:17:51,880 These disciples are surely grieving 366 00:17:51,880 –> 00:17:53,199 We’ve just been told 367 00:17:53,199 –> 00:17:54,459 In this very chapter 368 00:17:54,459 –> 00:17:56,560 About the brutal 369 00:17:56,560 –> 00:17:59,020 Violent death 370 00:17:59,020 –> 00:18:00,479 The terrible loss 371 00:18:00,479 –> 00:18:03,439 Of John the Baptist 372 00:18:03,439 –> 00:18:04,640 And Jesus said 373 00:18:04,640 –> 00:18:05,640 On one occasion 374 00:18:05,640 –> 00:18:06,780 That there was no one greater 375 00:18:06,780 –> 00:18:08,040 Amongst those born of women 376 00:18:08,040 –> 00:18:10,500 Than John the Baptist 377 00:18:10,500 –> 00:18:11,500 And so you say 378 00:18:11,500 –> 00:18:13,979 How could Jesus allow this 379 00:18:13,979 –> 00:18:16,500 Brutal murder 380 00:18:16,500 –> 00:18:17,599 To happen 381 00:18:17,599 –> 00:18:20,859 To his own forerunner? 382 00:18:20,859 –> 00:18:22,859 Pain and loss 383 00:18:22,859 –> 00:18:24,459 Can provoke questions 384 00:18:24,459 –> 00:18:27,020 That build resentment 385 00:18:27,020 –> 00:18:29,380 How can Christ’s kingdom 386 00:18:29,380 –> 00:18:30,380 Really be near 387 00:18:30,380 –> 00:18:31,380 When we’re experiencing 388 00:18:31,380 –> 00:18:34,500 So much pain and loss? 389 00:18:34,500 –> 00:18:35,880 How can the light 390 00:18:35,880 –> 00:18:37,119 Really have come 391 00:18:37,140 –> 00:18:38,319 When there’s so much darkness 392 00:18:38,319 –> 00:18:39,319 in our world? 393 00:18:39,319 –> 00:18:40,319 Ever asked that question 394 00:18:40,319 –> 00:18:43,359 As a mature believer? 395 00:18:43,359 –> 00:18:44,640 How can Christ really be 396 00:18:44,640 –> 00:18:46,079 The risen triumphant 397 00:18:46,079 –> 00:18:47,079 Head of the church 398 00:18:47,079 –> 00:18:48,579 Where on this Sunday 399 00:18:48,579 –> 00:18:49,640 So many of his people 400 00:18:49,640 –> 00:18:50,640 Are being persecuted 401 00:18:50,640 –> 00:18:52,180 Around the world? 402 00:18:52,180 –> 00:18:55,079 They are grieving 403 00:18:55,079 –> 00:18:56,079 Second 404 00:18:56,079 –> 00:18:57,079 I think as we build 405 00:18:57,079 –> 00:18:58,099 A picture of where 406 00:18:58,099 –> 00:18:59,839 The disciples are here 407 00:18:59,839 –> 00:19:00,839 It’s fair to say 408 00:19:00,839 –> 00:19:01,839 That they’re exhausted 409 00:19:01,839 –> 00:19:03,380 Look at verse thirty 410 00:19:03,380 –> 00:19:04,459 Remember they’ve just been 411 00:19:04,459 –> 00:19:05,459 On a mission trip 412 00:19:05,459 –> 00:19:06,459 And anyone who’s been 413 00:19:06,500 –> 00:19:07,500 To a mission trip 414 00:19:07,500 –> 00:19:08,500 Knows how tired you are 415 00:19:08,500 –> 00:19:09,500 When you get back 416 00:19:09,500 –> 00:19:10,500 You know, they’ve 417 00:19:10,500 –> 00:19:11,500 Been going at it 418 00:19:11,500 –> 00:19:12,500 And they’ve been Studying 419 00:19:12,500 –> 00:19:13,500 Involved in ministry 420 00:19:13,500 –> 00:19:14,500 Verses seven through thirty 421 00:19:14,500 –> 00:19:15,500 And then in verse thirty 422 00:19:15,500 –> 00:19:16,500 Where we pick it up 423 00:19:16,500 –> 00:19:17,500 The disciples gather 424 00:19:17,500 –> 00:19:18,500 Around Jesus 425 00:19:18,500 –> 00:19:19,500 And they report to him 426 00:19:19,500 –> 00:19:20,500 All that they have done 427 00:19:20,500 –> 00:19:21,500 And taught 428 00:19:21,500 –> 00:19:22,500 So here they come back 429 00:19:22,500 –> 00:19:23,500 From their missions trip 430 00:19:23,500 –> 00:19:24,500 And they’re reporting 431 00:19:24,500 –> 00:19:25,500 Their adventures 432 00:19:25,500 –> 00:19:26,500 In ministry 433 00:19:26,500 –> 00:19:27,500 And verse thirty one 434 00:19:27,500 –> 00:19:28,500 Because so many people 435 00:19:28,500 –> 00:19:29,500 Were coming and going 436 00:19:29,500 –> 00:19:30,500 They didn’t even have 437 00:19:30,500 –> 00:19:31,500 A chance to eat 438 00:19:31,500 –> 00:19:33,520 Wow, it’s so busy 439 00:19:33,520 –> 00:19:34,520 There’s not even time 440 00:19:34,520 –> 00:19:35,520 For a lunch break now 441 00:19:36,520 –> 00:19:39,459 Well Jesus said to them 442 00:19:39,459 –> 00:19:41,459 Come with me but yourselves 443 00:19:41,459 –> 00:19:43,479 To a quiet place 444 00:19:43,479 –> 00:19:45,479 And get some rest 445 00:19:45,479 –> 00:19:48,380 Now that is good news 446 00:19:48,380 –> 00:19:50,380 A vacation 447 00:19:50,380 –> 00:19:53,380 Jesus is saying to the disciples 448 00:19:53,380 –> 00:19:54,380 A few days in Florida 449 00:19:54,380 –> 00:19:57,380 Let’s go do it together 450 00:19:57,380 –> 00:19:58,380 And they think this is wonderful 451 00:19:58,380 –> 00:20:00,380 As you would think it was wonderful 452 00:20:00,380 –> 00:20:02,380 At a time when you were tired 453 00:20:02,380 –> 00:20:03,880 And you needed some relief 454 00:20:03,880 –> 00:20:05,400 From the exhausting pressures 455 00:20:06,280 –> 00:20:07,199 And notice what happens 456 00:20:07,199 –> 00:20:09,199 Verse 32 457 00:20:09,199 –> 00:20:10,199 They went away by themselves 458 00:20:10,199 –> 00:20:12,199 This is so wonderful 459 00:20:12,199 –> 00:20:14,199 In a boat to a solitary place 460 00:20:14,199 –> 00:20:16,199 But 461 00:20:16,199 –> 00:20:17,199 Many who saw them leaving 462 00:20:17,199 –> 00:20:19,199 Recognized them and ran on foot 463 00:20:19,199 –> 00:20:21,199 From all the towns 464 00:20:21,199 –> 00:20:23,199 And they got there ahead of them 465 00:20:23,199 –> 00:20:25,199 And so this vacation gets wiped out 466 00:20:25,199 –> 00:20:27,199 The relief that was 467 00:20:27,199 –> 00:20:29,199 In sight 468 00:20:29,199 –> 00:20:31,199 Is taken away 469 00:20:31,199 –> 00:20:33,199 You know, it says in the Book of Proverbs 470 00:20:33,199 –> 00:20:35,199 Hope deferred 471 00:20:35,199 –> 00:20:37,199 Makes the heart sick 472 00:20:37,199 –> 00:20:39,199 You ever experienced that? 473 00:20:39,199 –> 00:20:41,199 You think, oh I can just get to this point 474 00:20:41,199 –> 00:20:43,199 And then I’m going to get some relief 475 00:20:43,199 –> 00:20:44,199 Then it doesn’t happen 476 00:20:44,199 –> 00:20:46,199 And hope deferred makes the heart sick 477 00:20:46,199 –> 00:20:48,199 And these guys are not only grieving 478 00:20:48,199 –> 00:20:50,199 They’re also exhausted 479 00:20:50,199 –> 00:20:52,199 Been there? 480 00:20:52,199 –> 00:20:54,199 Third 481 00:20:54,199 –> 00:20:56,199 I think there’s good reason to think 482 00:20:56,199 –> 00:20:58,199 They are confused at this point 483 00:20:58,199 –> 00:21:00,199 And I’ll tell you why 484 00:21:00,199 –> 00:21:02,199 The crowd in Verse 36 485 00:21:02,199 –> 00:21:04,199 Who’ve heard the teaching of Jesus 486 00:21:04,199 –> 00:21:06,199 Have come to the end of the day 487 00:21:06,199 –> 00:21:08,199 And the disciples say send them away 488 00:21:08,199 –> 00:21:10,199 So that they can go to the surrounding countryside 489 00:21:10,199 –> 00:21:12,199 And villages and buy themselves 490 00:21:12,199 –> 00:21:14,199 Something to eat 491 00:21:14,199 –> 00:21:16,199 It was quite 492 00:21:16,199 –> 00:21:18,199 Reasonable and possible 493 00:21:18,199 –> 00:21:20,199 For these many 494 00:21:20,199 –> 00:21:22,199 People to buy 495 00:21:22,199 –> 00:21:24,199 Something to eat 496 00:21:24,199 –> 00:21:26,199 So 497 00:21:26,199 –> 00:21:28,199 This is not a famine 498 00:21:28,199 –> 00:21:30,199 Situation 499 00:21:30,199 –> 00:21:32,199 There’s a 7-11 500 00:21:32,199 –> 00:21:34,199 Open a few miles down the road 501 00:21:34,199 –> 00:21:36,199 Send them away 502 00:21:36,199 –> 00:21:38,199 These guys can go and get their supper 503 00:21:38,199 –> 00:21:40,199 And we won’t have to worry about anything else 504 00:21:40,199 –> 00:21:42,199 Nobody is going to starve 505 00:21:42,199 –> 00:21:44,199 And that’s the whole point 506 00:21:44,199 –> 00:21:46,199 That the disciples are making 507 00:21:46,199 –> 00:21:48,199 Look it’s not worth 8 months 508 00:21:48,199 –> 00:21:50,199 Of man’s wages for us to go buy food 509 00:21:50,199 –> 00:21:52,199 They can all go and get it themselves 510 00:21:52,199 –> 00:21:54,199 The shops are open 511 00:21:54,199 –> 00:21:56,199 Let them go buy it 512 00:21:56,199 –> 00:21:58,199 The disciples don’t think 513 00:21:58,199 –> 00:22:00,199 It’s worth the investment of the money 514 00:22:00,199 –> 00:22:02,199 Jesus thinks 515 00:22:02,199 –> 00:22:04,199 That it is worth 516 00:22:04,199 –> 00:22:06,199 One of his greatest miracles 517 00:22:06,199 –> 00:22:08,199 And I 518 00:22:08,199 –> 00:22:10,199 Don’t know about you but I think 519 00:22:10,199 –> 00:22:12,199 I would have found that quite confusing 520 00:22:12,199 –> 00:22:14,199 Because Jesus performs 521 00:22:14,199 –> 00:22:16,199 A miracle to provide a meal 522 00:22:16,199 –> 00:22:18,199 That really isn’t necessary 523 00:22:18,199 –> 00:22:20,199 They can all go into the 7-Eleven and buy some food 524 00:22:22,199 –> 00:22:24,199 So, you see 525 00:22:24,199 –> 00:22:26,199 How does Jesus decide which miracles to do 526 00:22:26,199 –> 00:22:28,199 He provides 527 00:22:28,199 –> 00:22:30,199 An unnecessary meal 528 00:22:32,199 –> 00:22:34,199 And he allows his own 529 00:22:34,199 –> 00:22:36,199 Forerunner to languish 530 00:22:36,199 –> 00:22:38,199 And then die brutally 531 00:22:38,199 –> 00:22:40,199 In prison 532 00:22:40,199 –> 00:22:42,199 It’s the wrong 533 00:22:42,199 –> 00:22:44,199 Miracle Jesus 534 00:22:44,199 –> 00:22:46,199 You’ve got all this 535 00:22:46,199 –> 00:22:48,199 Almighty power 536 00:22:48,199 –> 00:22:50,199 And you use it here 537 00:22:50,199 –> 00:22:52,199 Where it’s really not needed 538 00:22:52,199 –> 00:22:54,199 And you don’t 539 00:22:54,199 –> 00:22:56,199 Use it there 540 00:22:56,199 –> 00:22:58,199 Were grieving this incredible loss 541 00:23:00,199 –> 00:23:02,199 If you 542 00:23:02,199 –> 00:23:04,199 Have never been confused 543 00:23:04,199 –> 00:23:06,199 About what Jesus Christ chooses to do 544 00:23:06,199 –> 00:23:08,199 Or what he chooses not to do 545 00:23:08,199 –> 00:23:10,199 You probably haven’t been a Christian for very long 546 00:23:10,199 –> 00:23:12,199 Down the road you will face a question 547 00:23:12,199 –> 00:23:14,199 Some place right here 548 00:23:14,199 –> 00:23:16,199 It’s the wrong miracle 549 00:23:18,199 –> 00:23:20,199 By the way 550 00:23:22,199 –> 00:23:24,199 This does show us 551 00:23:24,199 –> 00:23:26,199 That the miracles in 552 00:23:26,199 –> 00:23:28,199 The Gospels are not so much 553 00:23:28,199 –> 00:23:30,199 To meet human need 554 00:23:32,199 –> 00:23:34,199 As they are to reveal Christ’s glory 555 00:23:36,199 –> 00:23:38,199 That’s the purpose of the miracles 556 00:23:38,199 –> 00:23:40,199 In the Gospels 557 00:23:40,199 –> 00:23:42,199 And surely that 558 00:23:42,199 –> 00:23:44,199 Is precisely the thing 559 00:23:44,199 –> 00:23:46,199 Disciples haven’t yet got 560 00:23:48,199 –> 00:23:50,199 They hadn’t understood about the loves 561 00:23:50,199 –> 00:23:52,199 They knew Jesus had done a great miracle 562 00:23:52,199 –> 00:23:54,199 They hadn’t understood the point 563 00:23:54,199 –> 00:23:56,199 Because their hearts 564 00:23:56,199 –> 00:23:58,199 Were hardened 565 00:23:58,199 –> 00:24:00,199 Then I want to suggest 566 00:24:00,199 –> 00:24:02,199 To you that it’s reasonable 567 00:24:02,199 –> 00:24:04,199 To think they’re also 568 00:24:04,199 –> 00:24:06,199 Disappointed 569 00:24:06,199 –> 00:24:08,199 Let’s look at verse 45 570 00:24:08,199 –> 00:24:10,199 Just for a moment, 571 00:24:10,199 –> 00:24:12,199 As we fill out this picture 572 00:24:12,199 –> 00:24:14,199 Verse 45 573 00:24:14,199 –> 00:24:16,199 After this amazing miracle 574 00:24:16,199 –> 00:24:18,199 Of feeding the 5000 575 00:24:18,199 –> 00:24:20,199 We’re told that immediately 576 00:24:20,199 –> 00:24:22,199 God’s made 577 00:24:22,199 –> 00:24:24,199 His disciples get into the boat 578 00:24:24,199 –> 00:24:26,199 And go on ahead of him to Bethsaida 579 00:24:26,199 –> 00:24:28,199 While he dismissed the crowd 580 00:24:28,199 –> 00:24:30,199 He made them go 581 00:24:30,199 –> 00:24:32,199 They didn’t want to go 582 00:24:32,199 –> 00:24:34,199 I can understand why they didn’t want to go 583 00:24:34,199 –> 00:24:36,199 They have just seen this amazing miracle 584 00:24:37,199 –> 00:24:39,199 They have participated in it 585 00:24:39,199 –> 00:24:41,199 Through gathering up 586 00:24:41,199 –> 00:24:43,199 All the fragments of the bread 587 00:24:43,199 –> 00:24:45,199 And of the fish in 12 baskets 588 00:24:45,199 –> 00:24:47,199 Of leftovers 589 00:24:47,199 –> 00:24:49,199 And can you imagine 590 00:24:49,199 –> 00:24:51,199 People have seen this amazing miracle 591 00:24:51,199 –> 00:24:53,199 You’re one of Jesus’ disciples 592 00:24:53,199 –> 00:24:55,199 In your asket 593 00:24:55,199 –> 00:24:57,199 With a grin all over your face 594 00:24:57,199 –> 00:24:59,199 A big cheesy smile 595 00:24:59,199 –> 00:25:01,199 Pretty good meal don’t you think 596 00:25:01,199 –> 00:25:03,199 And what would people be saying to you 597 00:25:05,199 –> 00:25:07,199 They’d be saying 598 00:25:07,199 –> 00:25:09,199 How did you get to be one of his disciples 599 00:25:09,199 –> 00:25:11,199 He must be amazing 600 00:25:11,199 –> 00:25:13,199 What’s it like to be with him all the time 601 00:25:13,199 –> 00:25:15,199 Well, we have our moments 602 00:25:15,199 –> 00:25:17,199 And Jesus 603 00:25:17,199 –> 00:25:19,199 It says in verse 45 604 00:25:19,199 –> 00:25:21,199 Immediately says, You guys are out of here 605 00:25:21,199 –> 00:25:23,199 Really? That’s what he’s saying 606 00:25:23,199 –> 00:25:25,199 He made them get in the boat 607 00:25:25,199 –> 00:25:27,199 Now out of here 608 00:25:27,199 –> 00:25:29,199 You see, just at the very moment that they’re beginning to enjoy themselves 609 00:25:29,199 –> 00:25:31,199 And they don’t want to go 610 00:25:31,199 –> 00:25:33,199 He made them 611 00:25:33,199 –> 00:25:35,199 He made them 612 00:25:35,199 –> 00:25:37,199 There’s to be reluctance there, doesn’t there 613 00:25:37,199 –> 00:25:39,199 But, to their credit 614 00:25:39,199 –> 00:25:41,199 They are obedient 615 00:25:41,199 –> 00:25:43,199 Better to be obedient even with reluctance 616 00:25:43,199 –> 00:25:45,199 Than to be disobedient to Christ 617 00:25:45,199 –> 00:25:47,199 But 618 00:25:47,199 –> 00:25:49,199 But 619 00:25:49,199 –> 00:25:51,199 Notice what happens 620 00:25:51,199 –> 00:25:53,199 When they are obedient to Christ 621 00:25:53,199 –> 00:25:55,199 They 622 00:25:55,199 –> 00:25:57,199 They find themselves, verso 48 623 00:25:57,199 –> 00:25:59,199 Out in the middle of the night 624 00:25:59,199 –> 00:26:01,199 On the lake 625 00:26:01,199 –> 00:26:03,199 Straining at the oars 626 00:26:03,199 –> 00:26:05,199 Because the wind was against them 627 00:26:05,199 –> 00:26:07,199 I wonder have you ever been 628 00:26:07,199 –> 00:26:09,199 In a situation like this 629 00:26:09,199 –> 00:26:11,199 You obeyed Christ 630 00:26:11,199 –> 00:26:13,199 And your life became more difficult as a result 631 00:26:13,199 –> 00:26:15,199 You stepped out in obedience 632 00:26:15,199 –> 00:26:17,199 To Jesus Christ, you took your stand for him 633 00:26:17,199 –> 00:26:19,199 You did something that was right 634 00:26:19,199 –> 00:26:21,199 And it was really costly 635 00:26:21,199 –> 00:26:23,199 And it continued just to be very very 636 00:26:23,199 –> 00:26:25,199 Very difficult for you 637 00:26:25,199 –> 00:26:27,199 They 638 00:26:27,199 –> 00:26:29,199 Obeyed Christ and they found themselves 639 00:26:29,199 –> 00:26:31,199 With the wind against them 640 00:26:31,199 –> 00:26:33,199 You launched out into ministry, in some way 641 00:26:33,199 –> 00:26:35,199 And the wind was against you all the way 642 00:26:35,199 –> 00:26:37,199 And you were straining at 643 00:26:37,199 –> 00:26:39,199 The oars 644 00:26:39,199 –> 00:26:41,199 That’s tough 645 00:26:41,699 –> 00:26:43,699 And that can build resentment 646 00:26:45,199 –> 00:26:47,199 So I think it’s 647 00:26:47,199 –> 00:26:49,199 Fair to say just looking through this chapter 648 00:26:49,199 –> 00:26:51,199 To pull it together now 649 00:26:51,199 –> 00:26:53,199 The disciples were not happy campers 650 00:26:53,199 –> 00:26:55,199 At this point in the story right 651 00:26:55,199 –> 00:26:57,199 They were not 652 00:26:57,199 –> 00:26:59,199 Happy campers 653 00:26:59,199 –> 00:27:01,199 They are following Jesus but they are grieving 654 00:27:01,199 –> 00:27:03,199 And they are 655 00:27:03,199 –> 00:27:05,199 Exhausted 656 00:27:05,199 –> 00:27:07,199 And I think there is good reason to think that 657 00:27:07,199 –> 00:27:09,199 They are confused and 658 00:27:09,199 –> 00:27:11,199 They are disappointed 659 00:27:11,199 –> 00:27:13,199 They have more questions than answers 660 00:27:15,199 –> 00:27:17,199 Maybe you have been there 661 00:27:17,199 –> 00:27:19,199 Maybe you are there right now 662 00:27:19,199 –> 00:27:21,199 Maybe you are there 10, 20, 30, 40 663 00:27:21,199 –> 00:27:23,199 50 years after beginning to follow Jesus Christ 664 00:27:23,199 –> 00:27:25,199 Because it seems to me that we are being brought 665 00:27:25,199 –> 00:27:27,199 Into the kinds of 666 00:27:27,199 –> 00:27:29,199 Struggles that often come to those 667 00:27:31,199 –> 00:27:33,199 Well down the track 668 00:27:33,199 –> 00:27:35,199 Of christian discipleship 669 00:27:35,199 –> 00:27:37,199 You will find 670 00:27:37,199 –> 00:27:39,199 You will 671 00:27:41,199 –> 00:27:43,199 Find times when you struggle 672 00:27:43,199 –> 00:27:45,199 With resentment towards god 673 00:27:45,199 –> 00:27:47,199 You just will 674 00:27:47,199 –> 00:27:49,199 And the question is 675 00:27:49,199 –> 00:27:51,199 How are you going to deal 676 00:27:51,199 –> 00:27:53,199 With it 677 00:27:53,199 –> 00:27:55,199 And that is where we come to 678 00:27:55,199 –> 00:27:57,199 The title for the message today 679 00:27:57,199 –> 00:27:59,199 Which I think is just full of hope 680 00:28:01,199 –> 00:28:03,199 Jesus 681 00:28:03,199 –> 00:28:05,199 Overcomes 682 00:28:05,199 –> 00:28:07,199 Resistance 683 00:28:07,199 –> 00:28:09,199 In His 684 00:28:09,199 –> 00:28:11,199 People 685 00:28:11,199 –> 00:28:13,199 Lets say it together 686 00:28:13,199 –> 00:28:15,199 What does He do 687 00:28:15,199 –> 00:28:17,199 He overcomes resistance in His people 688 00:28:17,199 –> 00:28:19,199 Thank God for that 689 00:28:19,199 –> 00:28:21,199 That is going to be your hope today 690 00:28:21,199 –> 00:28:23,199 You will struggle at times 691 00:28:23,199 –> 00:28:25,199 With resentment towards God 692 00:28:25,199 –> 00:28:27,199 But Jesus 693 00:28:27,199 –> 00:28:29,199 Overcomes resistance 694 00:28:29,199 –> 00:28:31,199 In His people 695 00:28:31,199 –> 00:28:33,199 How does He do that 696 00:28:33,199 –> 00:28:35,199 It can be seen very simply from the Bible here 697 00:28:35,199 –> 00:28:37,199 And I want you to see it 698 00:28:37,199 –> 00:28:39,199 Jesus is patient 699 00:28:39,199 –> 00:28:41,199 With you 700 00:28:43,199 –> 00:28:45,199 You see this from the broader 701 00:28:45,199 –> 00:28:47,199 Context 702 00:28:47,199 –> 00:28:49,199 Of 703 00:28:49,199 –> 00:28:51,199 Mark’s Gospel 704 00:28:51,199 –> 00:28:53,199 And 705 00:28:53,199 –> 00:28:54,199 Its important to see it 706 00:28:54,199 –> 00:28:56,199 Because 707 00:28:56,199 –> 00:28:58,199 If I gave you the impression that it was all resolved 708 00:28:58,199 –> 00:29:00,199 By the end of chapter 6 709 00:29:00,199 –> 00:29:02,199 You would notice 710 00:29:02,199 –> 00:29:04,199 It appears again in mark chapter 8 711 00:29:04,199 –> 00:29:06,199 And that reminds us that 712 00:29:06,199 –> 00:29:08,199 Patience of Jesus 713 00:29:08,199 –> 00:29:10,199 Where the disciples were sometimes slow 714 00:29:10,199 –> 00:29:12,199 To change 715 00:29:12,199 –> 00:29:14,199 There is not an instant solution 716 00:29:14,199 –> 00:29:16,199 To the problem of hardness in the 717 00:29:16,199 –> 00:29:18,199 Disciples and their probably won’t be 718 00:29:18,199 –> 00:29:20,199 For you either 719 00:29:20,199 –> 00:29:22,199 Look at chapter 8 and verse 17 720 00:29:22,199 –> 00:29:24,199 And 18 because we’re going to find 721 00:29:24,199 –> 00:29:26,199 As we continue our journey that 722 00:29:26,199 –> 00:29:28,199 This discipleship failure thing 723 00:29:28,199 –> 00:29:30,199 Runs right throughout the gospel 724 00:29:30,199 –> 00:29:32,199 And really keeps coming up 725 00:29:32,199 –> 00:29:34,199 Peter resisting Jesus plans to go to the cross 726 00:29:34,199 –> 00:29:36,199 The denial 727 00:29:36,199 –> 00:29:38,199 Discipleship failure just keeps coming up 728 00:29:38,199 –> 00:29:40,199 You get it in chapter 8 and verse 17 729 00:29:40,199 –> 00:29:42,199 Where Jesus has repeated 730 00:29:42,199 –> 00:29:44,199 This miracle of feeding 731 00:29:44,199 –> 00:29:46,199 A large crowd of people 732 00:29:46,199 –> 00:29:48,199 Almost identical except this time it’s 4000 people 733 00:29:48,199 –> 00:29:50,199 And they STILL don’t see his glory 734 00:29:50,199 –> 00:29:52,199 They get a second chance 735 00:29:52,199 –> 00:29:54,199 Still don’t get it 736 00:29:54,199 –> 00:29:56,199 And so chapter 8 verse 17, Jesus 737 00:29:56,199 –> 00:29:58,199 Asks them Why are you talking about having no bread 738 00:30:28,199 –> 00:30:30,199 And obviously they would not 739 00:30:30,199 –> 00:30:32,199 Complain if Jesus had said 740 00:30:32,199 –> 00:30:34,199 This is hopeless 741 00:30:34,199 –> 00:30:36,199 These are the wrong guys 742 00:30:36,199 –> 00:30:38,199 I need a better group 743 00:30:38,199 –> 00:30:40,199 And different disciples 744 00:30:40,199 –> 00:30:42,199 But we know he never 745 00:30:42,199 –> 00:30:44,199 Said this about them 746 00:30:44,199 –> 00:30:46,199 And he will never 747 00:30:46,199 –> 00:30:48,199 Say that about you either 748 00:30:50,199 –> 00:30:52,199 Because Jesus 749 00:30:52,199 –> 00:30:54,199 Is patient 750 00:30:54,199 –> 00:30:56,199 With you 751 00:30:56,199 –> 00:30:58,199 The Apostle Paul catches 752 00:30:58,199 –> 00:31:00,199 This in one wonderful statement 753 00:31:00,199 –> 00:31:02,199 That’s just food 754 00:31:02,199 –> 00:31:04,199 To the soul in times when we’re 755 00:31:04,199 –> 00:31:06,199 Really struggling 756 00:31:06,199 –> 00:31:08,199 It’s in second 757 00:31:08,199 –> 00:31:10,199 Timothy chapter 2, verse 13 758 00:31:10,199 –> 00:31:12,199 It’s worth just taking a note off 759 00:31:12,199 –> 00:31:14,199 If we 760 00:31:14,199 –> 00:31:16,199 Are faithless, Paul 761 00:31:16,199 –> 00:31:18,199 Says 762 00:31:18,199 –> 00:31:20,199 He is faithful 763 00:31:20,199 –> 00:31:22,199 It’s glorious 764 00:31:22,199 –> 00:31:24,199 If we 765 00:31:24,199 –> 00:31:26,199 Are faithless 766 00:31:26,199 –> 00:31:28,199 He 767 00:31:28,199 –> 00:31:30,199 Is faithful 768 00:31:30,199 –> 00:31:32,199 He cannot 769 00:31:32,199 –> 00:31:34,199 Disown himself 770 00:31:34,199 –> 00:31:36,199 See when you belong to Jesus Christ 771 00:31:36,199 –> 00:31:38,199 You are so much in Christ 772 00:31:38,199 –> 00:31:40,199 That to disown you would be to disown 773 00:31:40,199 –> 00:31:42,199 Himself and he can’t do that 774 00:31:42,199 –> 00:31:44,199 So he’s patient 775 00:31:44,199 –> 00:31:46,199 With you, he stays 776 00:31:46,199 –> 00:31:48,199 With you, he works 777 00:31:48,199 –> 00:31:50,199 With you 778 00:31:50,199 –> 00:31:52,199 Let the 779 00:31:52,199 –> 00:31:54,199 Patience of Jesus Christ 780 00:31:54,199 –> 00:31:56,199 Soak into your soul 781 00:31:56,199 –> 00:31:58,199 Today, it will 782 00:31:58,199 –> 00:32:00,199 Soften your heart 783 00:32:00,199 –> 00:32:02,199 Look at his patience with you 784 00:32:02,199 –> 00:32:04,199 Second 785 00:32:04,199 –> 00:32:06,199 Jesus will come to you 786 00:32:06,199 –> 00:32:08,199 That’s how he overcomes resistance 787 00:32:08,199 –> 00:32:10,199 In his people, not through, only through 788 00:32:10,199 –> 00:32:12,199 His patience, but through his help 789 00:32:12,199 –> 00:32:14,199 He will come to you, verses 45 790 00:32:14,199 –> 00:32:16,199 Onwards, this lovely story 791 00:32:16,199 –> 00:32:18,199 Of the disciples on the lake 792 00:32:18,199 –> 00:32:20,199 They’re straining at the oars 793 00:32:20,199 –> 00:32:22,199 And Jesus has gone up the mountainside 794 00:32:22,199 –> 00:32:24,199 To pray, verse 46 795 00:32:24,199 –> 00:32:26,199 But Mark says, he saw 796 00:32:26,199 –> 00:32:28,199 Verse 48, the disciples straining 797 00:32:28,199 –> 00:32:30,199 At the oars, I love that 798 00:32:30,199 –> 00:32:32,199 Jesus is on the hill, there’s just the moonlight 799 00:32:32,199 –> 00:32:34,199 It’s very dark 800 00:32:34,199 –> 00:32:36,199 But in that dappled light 801 00:32:36,199 –> 00:32:38,199 He sees them 802 00:32:38,199 –> 00:32:40,199 In their struggle 803 00:32:40,199 –> 00:32:42,199 And Jesus sees you 804 00:32:42,199 –> 00:32:44,199 In your struggle 805 00:32:44,199 –> 00:32:46,199 And what we learn here 806 00:32:46,199 –> 00:32:48,199 Is that he will not remain at a distance 807 00:32:48,199 –> 00:32:50,199 From his people when we are struggling 808 00:32:50,199 –> 00:32:52,199 About the fourth watch of the night 809 00:32:52,199 –> 00:32:54,199 He went out to them 810 00:32:54,199 –> 00:32:56,199 And he’s walking on the lake 811 00:32:56,199 –> 00:32:58,199 Christ will not stand at a distance from you 812 00:32:58,199 –> 00:33:00,199 When you’re in the darkness 813 00:33:00,199 –> 00:33:02,199 He will come to you, He will 814 00:33:02,199 –> 00:33:04,199 He will help you 815 00:33:04,199 –> 00:33:06,199 He says here in verse 50, take courage at His eye 816 00:33:06,199 –> 00:33:08,199 Do not be afraid, He will strengthen you 817 00:33:08,199 –> 00:33:10,199 He really will 818 00:33:10,199 –> 00:33:12,199 To the person 819 00:33:12,199 –> 00:33:14,199 Who is grieving 820 00:33:14,199 –> 00:33:16,199 Exhausted, and confused 821 00:33:16,199 –> 00:33:18,199 And disappointed 822 00:33:18,199 –> 00:33:20,199 I want to say from the scriptures today 823 00:33:20,199 –> 00:33:22,199 The lord Jesus will come 824 00:33:22,199 –> 00:33:24,199 To you, He will help you 825 00:33:24,199 –> 00:33:26,199 He will strengthen you 826 00:33:26,199 –> 00:33:28,199 You should expect this, anticipate this 827 00:33:28,199 –> 00:33:30,199 You should count on this 828 00:33:30,199 –> 00:33:32,199 You may not immediately 829 00:33:32,199 –> 00:33:34,199 Recognize how He comes to you 830 00:33:34,199 –> 00:33:36,199 Notice the disciples were confused that 831 00:33:36,199 –> 00:33:38,199 Is this Jesus, we are not sure 832 00:33:38,199 –> 00:33:40,199 Is it a ghost, we are not sure 833 00:33:40,199 –> 00:33:42,199 You may not immediately recognize 834 00:33:42,199 –> 00:33:44,199 You may feel it’s long 835 00:33:44,199 –> 00:33:46,199 Delayed before He comes to you 836 00:33:46,199 –> 00:33:48,199 It was the 4th watch of the night 837 00:33:48,199 –> 00:33:50,199 But count on this 838 00:33:50,199 –> 00:33:52,199 He will come to you 839 00:33:52,199 –> 00:33:54,199 He will help you 840 00:33:54,199 –> 00:33:56,199 He will strengthen you 841 00:33:56,199 –> 00:33:58,199 He will sustain you 842 00:33:58,199 –> 00:34:00,199 And when He comes on the boat in His due time 843 00:34:00,199 –> 00:34:02,199 The wind dies down 844 00:34:04,199 –> 00:34:06,199 He’s patient with you 845 00:34:06,199 –> 00:34:08,199 He comes to you 846 00:34:08,199 –> 00:34:10,199 Here’s the last thing 847 00:34:10,199 –> 00:34:12,199 And I think it’s very wonderful 848 00:34:12,199 –> 00:34:14,199 He’ll defend you, He’ll always defend you 849 00:34:14,199 –> 00:34:16,199 He’s on your side 850 00:34:16,199 –> 00:34:18,199 See 851 00:34:18,199 –> 00:34:20,199 Looking at the end of Mark chapter 6 852 00:34:20,199 –> 00:34:22,199 and really as you come 853 00:34:22,199 –> 00:34:24,199 to the end the last thing we read about the disciples 854 00:34:24,199 –> 00:34:26,199 is that their hearts were hardened 855 00:34:26,199 –> 00:34:28,199 verse 52 856 00:34:28,199 –> 00:34:30,199 So I asked the question 857 00:34:30,199 –> 00:34:32,199 what next? What happens next for the disciples? 858 00:34:32,199 –> 00:34:34,199 It’s very interesting as you go on into chapter 859 00:34:34,199 –> 00:34:36,199 7 where we’ll be next week 860 00:34:36,199 –> 00:34:38,199 you find that 861 00:34:38,199 –> 00:34:40,199 the next thing 862 00:34:40,199 –> 00:34:42,199 that happens to the disciples is they come 863 00:34:42,199 –> 00:34:44,199 under attack 864 00:34:44,199 –> 00:34:46,199 they’re criticized, accused 865 00:34:46,199 –> 00:34:48,199 by the Pharisees 866 00:34:48,199 –> 00:34:49,399 and 867 00:34:49,399 –> 00:34:52,199 you see that right at the beginning of chapter 7 868 00:34:52,199 –> 00:34:54,199 the Pharisees are complaining about the 869 00:34:54,199 –> 00:34:56,199 disciples and how they’re not 870 00:34:56,199 –> 00:34:58,199 keeping the rules and they’re 871 00:34:58,199 –> 00:35:00,199 not eating food with 872 00:35:00,199 –> 00:35:02,199 washed hands, this ceremonial 873 00:35:02,199 –> 00:35:04,199 washing. Verse 5, 874 00:35:04,199 –> 00:35:06,199 The Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus 875 00:35:06,199 –> 00:35:08,199 Don’t your disciples live according to the traditions 876 00:35:08,199 –> 00:35:10,199 of the elders, instead of eating their 877 00:35:10,199 –> 00:35:12,199 food with unclean hands? Welt 878 00:35:12,199 –> 00:35:14,199 You know, after all that has gone on 879 00:35:14,199 –> 00:35:16,199 in chapter 6, you wouldn’t complain 880 00:35:16,199 –> 00:35:18,199 if Jesus said, I know, they’re absolutely 881 00:35:18,199 –> 00:35:20,199 hopeless, aren’t they? 882 00:35:20,199 –> 00:35:22,199 what can you do? 883 00:35:24,199 –> 00:35:26,199 And who could complain if he said that about us? 884 00:35:26,199 –> 00:35:28,199 But he doesn’t do that 885 00:35:28,199 –> 00:35:30,199 his own disciples 886 00:35:30,199 –> 00:35:32,199 come under attack, what does he do? 887 00:35:32,199 –> 00:35:34,199 He answers for them 888 00:35:34,199 –> 00:35:36,199 Defends them 889 00:35:36,199 –> 00:35:38,199 stands with them 890 00:35:38,199 –> 00:35:40,199 And is that not precisely 891 00:35:40,199 –> 00:35:42,199 what our lord and savior Jesus Christ 892 00:35:42,199 –> 00:35:44,199 does for us? 893 00:35:44,199 –> 00:35:46,199 Satan 894 00:35:46,199 –> 00:35:48,199 accuses you 895 00:35:48,199 –> 00:35:50,199 and 896 00:35:50,199 –> 00:35:52,199 Christ defends you 897 00:35:52,199 –> 00:35:54,199 before the father 898 00:35:54,199 –> 00:35:56,199 Your enemy 899 00:35:56,199 –> 00:35:58,199 launches every 900 00:35:58,199 –> 00:36:00,199 kind of assault 901 00:36:00,199 –> 00:36:02,199 on you, in your 902 00:36:02,199 –> 00:36:04,199 life in this world 903 00:36:04,199 –> 00:36:06,199 And what does Jesus Christ do? 904 00:36:06,199 –> 00:36:08,199 He stands with you 905 00:36:08,199 –> 00:36:10,199 and he defends you 906 00:36:10,199 –> 00:36:12,199 Now, you see, 907 00:36:12,199 –> 00:36:14,199 take that in. He’s patient with you 908 00:36:14,199 –> 00:36:16,199 He’ll come to you 909 00:36:16,199 –> 00:36:18,199 He defends you 910 00:36:18,199 –> 00:36:20,199 Take 911 00:36:20,199 –> 00:36:22,199 in 912 00:36:22,199 –> 00:36:24,199 the truth of Jesus 913 00:36:24,199 –> 00:36:26,199 Christ in relation to yourself 914 00:36:26,199 –> 00:36:28,199 And you will find it begins 915 00:36:28,199 –> 00:36:30,199 to soften 916 00:36:31,199 –> 00:36:33,199 Just what we are learning today 917 00:36:33,199 –> 00:36:35,199 then in summary 918 00:36:35,199 –> 00:36:37,199 As a Christian 919 00:36:37,199 –> 00:36:39,199 you will find that all your life 920 00:36:39,199 –> 00:36:41,199 you’re battling unbelief, and you’re battling sin 921 00:36:41,199 –> 00:36:43,199 You will find 922 00:36:43,199 –> 00:36:45,199 probably well down the road 923 00:36:45,199 –> 00:36:47,199 that you go through times 924 00:36:47,199 –> 00:36:49,199 when you’re grieving 925 00:36:49,199 –> 00:36:51,199 you’re exhausted, confusing 926 00:36:51,199 –> 00:36:53,199 and you’re disappointed 927 00:36:53,199 –> 00:36:55,199 And when 928 00:36:55,199 –> 00:36:57,199 these things happen you may well find 929 00:36:57,199 –> 00:36:59,199 that even as a mature disciple of Jesus 930 00:36:59,199 –> 00:37:01,199 you are struggling with a hardness in your own heart 931 00:37:03,199 –> 00:37:04,199 And here is the good news 932 00:37:04,199 –> 00:37:07,199 Jesus overcomes resistance in His people 933 00:37:07,199 –> 00:37:10,199 That’s the difference between Herod and the disciples you see 934 00:37:12,199 –> 00:37:14,199 God’s grace in their lives 935 00:37:14,199 –> 00:37:17,199 And the way in which He does that 936 00:37:17,199 –> 00:37:19,199 is that He’s patient with you 937 00:37:19,199 –> 00:37:21,199 And you can count on this 938 00:37:21,199 –> 00:37:23,199 that He will come to you and that He will help you 939 00:37:25,199 –> 00:37:26,199 And as your Saviour 940 00:37:26,199 –> 00:37:28,199 He will always defend you 941 00:37:30,199 –> 00:37:32,199 And you know when you stand in the presence of God 942 00:37:32,199 –> 00:37:33,199 on the Last Day 943 00:37:33,199 –> 00:37:35,199 You are not gonna stand there 944 00:37:35,199 –> 00:37:37,199 on the strength of your faith 945 00:37:37,199 –> 00:37:40,199 Or on the purity of your life 946 00:37:41,199 –> 00:37:43,199 You’re going to stand in the presence of God 947 00:37:43,199 –> 00:37:45,199 on the basis of the sheer mercy 948 00:37:45,199 –> 00:37:47,199 in which He has reached you 949 00:37:47,199 –> 00:37:49,199 in your unbelief and in your sin 950 00:37:49,199 –> 00:37:52,199 And the sheer grace and mercy of God 951 00:37:52,199 –> 00:37:53,199 that has kept you 952 00:37:53,199 –> 00:37:54,199 and sustained you 953 00:37:54,199 –> 00:37:56,199 through all your grief 954 00:37:56,199 –> 00:37:57,199 and all your exhaustion 955 00:37:57,199 –> 00:37:58,199 and all your confusion 956 00:37:58,199 –> 00:37:59,199 and all your disappointment 957 00:38:00,199 –> 00:38:04,199 You will not stand before God 958 00:38:04,199 –> 00:38:05,199 on the Last Day 959 00:38:05,199 –> 00:38:06,199 you will not stand before God 960 00:38:06,199 –> 00:38:07,199 and say 961 00:38:07,199 –> 00:38:10,199 Salvation is of my faith 962 00:38:10,199 –> 00:38:12,199 as if your faith was the great thing 963 00:38:12,199 –> 00:38:13,199 Because it has been mixed up 964 00:38:13,199 –> 00:38:14,199 with way too much unbelief 965 00:38:14,199 –> 00:38:15,199 And you know it 966 00:38:15,199 –> 00:38:17,199 And I know that about me too 967 00:38:17,199 –> 00:38:19,199 You will not stand on the Last Day 968 00:38:19,199 –> 00:38:20,199 and say 969 00:38:20,199 –> 00:38:21,199 Salvation is because 970 00:38:21,199 –> 00:38:23,199 of the purity of my life 971 00:38:23,199 –> 00:38:25,199 And you know you won’t say that 972 00:38:25,199 –> 00:38:26,199 Because your purity 973 00:38:26,199 –> 00:38:27,199 whatever it is 974 00:38:27,199 –> 00:38:28,199 is mixed up with way too much 975 00:38:28,199 –> 00:38:29,199 failure Jedi compromise 976 00:38:29,199 –> 00:38:30,199 and giving way to temptation 977 00:38:31,199 –> 00:38:32,199 as in Mine 978 00:38:32,199 –> 00:38:34,199 You will stand on the Last Day 979 00:38:34,199 –> 00:38:35,199 and you will say 980 00:38:35,199 –> 00:38:36,199 as Jonah once said 981 00:38:36,199 –> 00:38:40,199 Salvation is of the Lord 982 00:38:40,199 –> 00:38:42,199 You will stand and say 983 00:38:42,199 –> 00:38:43,199 as Paul once said 984 00:38:43,199 –> 00:38:46,199 It is by the Grace of God 985 00:38:46,199 –> 00:38:50,199 that I am what I am 986 00:38:50,199 –> 00:38:52,199 Christ is patient with you 987 00:38:52,199 –> 00:38:53,199 Christ will come to you 988 00:38:53,199 –> 00:38:55,199 Christ will defend you 989 00:38:56,199 –> 00:38:59,199 How are you going to respond 990 00:38:59,199 –> 00:39:01,199 to this Jesus Christ today 991 00:39:01,199 –> 00:39:03,199 How long can you go on 992 00:39:03,199 –> 00:39:04,199 blaming Him and resenting 993 00:39:04,199 –> 00:39:05,199 what He has allowed 994 00:39:05,199 –> 00:39:06,199 in your life 995 00:39:06,199 –> 00:39:07,199 How long can you keep 996 00:39:07,199 –> 00:39:09,199 up this resistance to Him 997 00:39:09,199 –> 00:39:11,199 You know there comes a point 998 00:39:11,199 –> 00:39:13,199 where the sheer love 999 00:39:13,199 –> 00:39:14,199 and mercy 1000 00:39:14,199 –> 00:39:15,199 and grace 1001 00:39:15,199 –> 00:39:16,199 and patience 1002 00:39:16,199 –> 00:39:18,199 and compassion 1003 00:39:18,199 –> 00:39:19,199 of the Lord Jesus Christ 1004 00:39:19,199 –> 00:39:24,199 is simply overwhelming 1005 00:39:24,199 –> 00:39:27,199 And if you see that today 1006 00:39:27,199 –> 00:39:31,199 Do not harden your heart 1007 00:39:31,199 –> 00:39:33,199 Let’s bow in God’s presence 1008 00:39:33,199 –> 00:39:38,199 together shall we 1009 00:39:38,199 –> 00:39:40,199 Maybe you want to confess 1010 00:39:40,199 –> 00:39:42,199 in this moment of quietness 1011 00:39:42,199 –> 00:39:45,199 your own unbelief 1012 00:39:45,199 –> 00:39:46,199 You’ve been battling it 1013 00:39:46,199 –> 00:39:48,199 but you’ve really given way 1014 00:39:48,199 –> 00:39:53,199 to it too 1015 00:39:53,199 –> 00:39:55,199 Maybe there’s a pattern 1016 00:39:55,199 –> 00:39:56,199 of repeated sin 1017 00:39:56,199 –> 00:39:58,199 that you want to confess 1018 00:39:58,199 –> 00:39:59,199 You see that 1019 00:39:59,199 –> 00:40:00,199 that it’s been 1020 00:40:00,199 –> 00:40:03,199 creating a shell around you 1021 00:40:03,199 –> 00:40:05,199 and you want that hardness 1022 00:40:05,199 –> 00:40:09,199 to be gone 1023 00:40:09,199 –> 00:40:11,199 Maybe there’s grief 1024 00:40:11,199 –> 00:40:13,199 and tiredness 1025 00:40:13,199 –> 00:40:15,199 and confusion 1026 00:40:15,199 –> 00:40:16,199 and disappointment 1027 00:40:16,199 –> 00:40:18,199 Lift that to the Lord 1028 00:40:18,199 –> 00:40:19,199 He sees it 1029 00:40:19,199 –> 00:40:22,199 He knows it 1030 00:40:22,199 –> 00:40:25,199 He’s very patient with you 1031 00:40:25,199 –> 00:40:27,199 and He will come to you 1032 00:40:27,199 –> 00:40:29,199 and help you 1033 00:40:29,199 –> 00:40:31,199 and He stands with you 1034 00:40:31,199 –> 00:40:32,199 by His Spirit on earth 1035 00:40:32,199 –> 00:40:33,199 and He stands at the right hand 1036 00:40:33,199 –> 00:40:35,199 of the Father 1037 00:40:35,199 –> 00:40:36,199 on your behalf in heaven 1038 00:40:36,199 –> 00:40:40,199 to defend you 1039 00:40:40,199 –> 00:40:41,199 Let the truth of the Gospel 1040 00:40:41,199 –> 00:40:42,199 soften your heart 1041 00:40:42,199 –> 00:40:44,199 in a fresh way today 1042 00:40:44,199 –> 00:40:45,199 and renew your love 1043 00:40:45,199 –> 00:40:47,199 for Christ 1044 00:40:47,199 –> 00:40:49,199 Father, by Your Word 1045 00:40:49,199 –> 00:40:49,199 1046 00:40:49,199 –> 00:40:51,199 Holy Spirit 1047 00:40:51,199 –> 00:40:54,199 soften many hearts today 1048 00:40:54,199 –> 00:40:55,199 give victory over sin 1049 00:40:55,199 –> 00:40:58,199 give victory over unbelief 1050 00:40:58,199 –> 00:41:00,199 and healing 1051 00:41:00,199 –> 00:41:01,199 to many tired 1052 00:41:01,199 –> 00:41:02,199 and confused 1053 00:41:02,199 –> 00:41:03,199 and wounded souls 1054 00:41:04,199 –> 00:41:05,199 through the grace 1055 00:41:05,199 –> 00:41:06,199 patience 1056 00:41:06,199 –> 00:41:07,199 love 1057 00:41:07,199 –> 00:41:09,199 and presence 1058 00:41:09,199 –> 00:41:10,199 of our Lord and saviour 1059 00:41:10,199 –> 00:41:12,199 Jesus Christ 1060 00:41:13,199 –> 00:41:14,199 in Whose wonderful Name 1061 00:41:15,199 –> 00:41:16,199 we pray 1062 00:41:17,199 –> 00:41:19,199 Amen